Starmer’s Visions: Deliver or Disappoint

There is a bit of a blitz this weekend from the Downing Street machine talking up the government’s determination to fulfil its mandate to reform and renew our country.

Nobody doubts the good intentions. But the public, according to opinion polls, the majority, are now wondering whether Starmer can deliver. Neither does anyone doubt the energy and commitment of the prime minister, who is constantly visible at key news points across the world, talking up the UK ‘s engagement and leadership in all the major issues of the day. Wars, trade, climate change are all firmly in his grip.

But he has one big challenge that overrides all the others and drowns out all the fine words. The UK,  especially England, is in a process of continuous decline. Its institutions, its system of government, its economic model, its ability to pay its way, its understanding of what money is and who is supposed to control it are all in varying states of decay and disfunction. Until that is understood the grandest of designs will do no better  than tinker at the margins. This is not just a government problem. It is one in which we all share.

You can tell these frightening truths are beginning to dawn. Nobody now feels confident about the future. The verities upon which we have built our lives are crumbling. They are crumbling because they are flawed. There is a future and it can be golden. Not for a few but for all. We will have to work at it.

And we need to start soon.