The prime minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, recently took reporters to a humble room in the offices of British diplomats who work at the United Nations for interviews. This was a marked contrast from the previous prime minister, Liz Truss, who had taken reporters to the top of the Empire State Building for interviews with a splash of ostentation. While there were differences in their styles, both Truss and Starmer have stated that they are willing to be unpopular. However, politics is a popularity contest, and this can prove dangerous.
Starmer has articulated his mission to address the brittle uncertainty that life is for many. Interestingly, his view of the country mirrors the self-reflection of some within the Labour party. Although Labour has a vast numerical advantage in Westminster, it is viewed as vulnerable by some within its ranks. The zeitgeist now is an anti-politics era of wild political flux, shrivelled election turnouts, noisy social media, and a period of squeezed living standards. Along with this, Sir Keir is the second-least popular prime minister since the 1990s, beaten only by Truss.
The promise to end the politics of easy solutions reaches an audience that appears unforgiving and has never been less tribal. Political parties have hit historic highs or lows in the last 15 years. The collective appetite for patience is in question, with volatility and brittleness everywhere. Change takes time, but even a colossal majority may offer little shield from the wrath of the disappointed if delivery fails.
The contrast between the interview rooms chosen by Truss and Starmer reflects their differing characters. Starmer has articulated his mission to address the brittle uncertainty that life is for many and has promised to end the politics of easy solutions. However, he is the second-least popular prime minister since the 1990s, indicating that the collective appetite for patience is in question. Change may take time, but even a colossal majority may offer little shield from the wrath of the disappointed if delivery fails
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