After his worst week in office, Sir Keir Starmer may be on the verge of a political renewal if he learns from his near-death experience, argues former Downing Street adviser John McTernan. Despite the current turmoil, Starmer has a radical manifesto, a landslide majority, and breathing space to act decisively.
McTernan's 10-point plan begins with bringing the current crisis to a close by publishing all emails and messages from Peter Mandelson to ministers and advisers, investigating any attempts to influence government contracts. This would allow Starmer to restore trust in politics by implementing Gordon Brown's reforms and owning the agenda personally.
The plan calls for ending factionalism through strategic reshuffles, rewarding talent in ideas and persuasion. It urges a return to soft-left politics, including nationalising Thames Water if its owners cannot abide by regulations. On housing, the government should build 500,000 homes on public land using development corporations, echoing 1970s council building programmes.
Reindustrialisation should focus on construction and defence procurement, with new arms factories boosting local pride. Infrastructure requires an emblematic project: reinstating HS2 to drive growth in the North. Small quality-of-life improvements, such as capping stadium beer prices and simplifying subscription cancellations, would also help.
Finally, McTernan argues that Brexit is the root of many problems, including migration management, and suggests rejoining the single market as a necessary step. The plan concludes that Starmer must seize the day to secure his second act.
