If it were almost anyone else, I would feel sorry for them. The sheer desperation Sir Keir Starmer is showing in his frantic bid to leave a legacy by limiting social media use for children is almost pathetic. A great cause, yes, but he so obviously knows the game is up and is doing something, anything, to give us something positive to remember him for. Saviour of the nation's children? What is not to like? Except I cannot feel sorry for him because that is not going to be his actual legacy.
The Real State of the Nation
His real legacy is the state of the nation, which is immeasurably worse than when he first came to power. The only two forces driving this government appear to be tax and spend — except on defence — while attacking aspiration and achievement. Starmer and Rachel Reeves are the worst Prime Minister and Chancellor we have ever had, and I do include Liz Truss in that. Together they have constituted a wrecking ball on the economy. They cannot be gone soon enough.
Worse to Come?
Except it looks as if we are going to end up with something even worse: a swing to the far left, despite the fact that is the last thing this country wants. Tony Blair, who was also quite the nation wrecker in his own particular way, was quite right to warn that Labour cannot govern from the left, but in its infinite wisdom it is going to have another go. There will be more taxation and even nationalisation. It is going to take a colossus to get us back on track once more.
The Root of the Problem
All of the problems stem from one factor: Starmer and Co never understood that they did not win the election; the Tories lost it. They deserved to, too, after passing the leadership around as if it was buggin's turn in the sandbox, but now Labour are on course to do exactly the same. This is another of Starmer's legacies: turmoil and chaos. What part of this does he not understand?
A Glimmer of Hope?
As you read this, the Makerfield by-election will be going on. We can only hope against hope that Reform will win. I am not a supporter of the party, but an Andy Burnham government would wreck what is left of this country. What a nightmare it has all become, but there is still a chance to rescue the situation. And how very ironic it would be if Starmer's final legacy turned out to be that the national saviour is Nigel Farage.
