We could very soon be witnessing another Labour prime minister resign, just without any emotion, according to Express Political Editor Martyn Brown.
Blair's Emotional Farewell
Brown recalls his first week at the Daily Express in May 2007, which was marked by two major events: the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and Tony Blair's resignation. Blair's tearful farewell speech in Sedgefield was highly emotional, but Brown suggests Sir Keir Starmer's potential exit would lack such sentiment.
Starmer's Precarious Position
Blair remained in Downing Street for six weeks after announcing his resignation, but Brown believes Starmer may not last that long. Unlike Blair, who was succeeded by Gordon Brown after a decade of waiting, Starmer's potential successor could be Andy Burnham, who is expected to win the Makerfield by-election.
Brown draws parallels between 2007 and the current political landscape: Labour holds a massive majority, the Tories are struggling, and Nigel Farage's party (then Ukip) faced a donation scandal while attracting Tory defectors.
Healey's Bombshell Resignation
John Healey's resignation on Thursday has dealt a severe blow to Starmer's premiership. Healey, a loyalist and the government's rock, resigned after a dispute with Chancellor Rachel Reeves over defence funding. Starmer sided with Reeves, leading Healey to quit immediately. Armed Forces Minister Al Carns followed suit.
Healey is the sixth government minister to resign since Labour's poor election results and the fourth full cabinet minister to quit, after Louise Haigh, Angela Rayner, and Wes Streeting.
Broader Context
Labour's turmoil coincides with violence in Belfast following a knife attack. Brown notes that whoever is prime minister must address the country's growing unrest.
Brown concludes by mentioning he is writing from Clacton-on-Sea, the constituency of a certain political party leader, promising more details next week.
