"Things Will Only Get Worse, For Now"!

Parallels were drawn between Tony Blair's election victory in 1997 and Keir Starmer's election this year. Like Blair, Starmer achieved a massive landslide. Starmer also appeared to be from the right of the party like Blair. Back in 1997, the song by D-ream featuring astronomer Brian Cox on keys spoke of the optimism that people felt for New Labour. For a New Labour government led by Tony Blair after years of failure under Maggie Thatcher and John Major (who to me was quite likeable for a Tory). The times of Tony Blair in the late 90s echoed the optimism of the 60s. There were Brit-pop bands like Blur and Oasis, a revived Punk movement led by Green Day and The Prodigy, everything seemed great compared to the bleak 80s. Such were the times Blair was elected in. I won't bore you with the rest of Tony Blair's time in office. It's out there in the public domain, look it up if you are interested in that historical time of Britain.

When Starmer entered Downing Street optimism was in the air again. As a beaming Keir with Mrs Starmer promised "change" and to be a "government of service". However, Starmer's popularity has taken a hit over His response to so-called far-right riots in the nation. Starmer had to come down hard on people setting fire to hotels with migrants in them, damaging property and being generally violent. However, not all the rioters were far-right. Many rightly observed that Keir seemed to come down hard on Native Brit riots but not so hard on Muslim-left-wing riots.

Keir stood in the rose garden of 10 Downing Street as David Cameron and Nick Clegg did when they formed a coalition government. Sir Keir pointing at the edifice of 10 Downing Street said His government would be different to the Tory administration that proceeded his. No more boozy parties groaning with tables of food while the rest of us were told to lock down. Those days were over and Sir Keir made it plain the new Labour administration would be different.

In his speech to the assembled media people the Prime Minister said things will not get better but worse for now. The opposite of the optimistic Blair mantra. Sir Keir condemned the gimmickyness of Sunak's government. 14 wasted years of various Tory Prime Ministers were also condemned. Sir Keir was direct and to the point in blaming the previous administration for the woes of the UK. It is standard, for incoming governments, to blame the mess they inherit on the previous government. However, given the damage that the previous set of Tory prime ministers did to the country, he is correct. Mr. Starmer said he knew the UK finances were in trouble but was shocked at how bad that was. There is a £22 billion or thereabouts black hole in the UK's finances. Mr. Starmer referred to the UK as a house which needed its foundations fixing and admitted it would be "painful".

Starmer is already in trouble with many for cutting pensioner's fuel allowance during the winter. Mr. Starmer outlined there would be tax hikes but only to those above a certain pay threshold with big enough shoulders to pay it. Mr. Starmer said he wanted to repair mistrust between the different communities of the UK. He wanted to rebuild trust between the government and the governed. Starmer said all of us, whatever, our status, would have to pull together and take the strain. Mr. Starmer said it was something he didn't like doing but was the only way to get the finances of the UK straight. That was the only way the UK could be a better place but it wouldn't happen overnight.

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