Starmer’s politics create ideal conditions for Faragism to flourish
JVL Introduction
Here’s another blast from the often-prescient Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty, explaining how, if Nigel Farage surfs a right-wing, anti-immigrant wave into Downing Street in the near future, much of the blame will lie with Keir Starmer and his post-Blairite entourage. In his latest contribution to Comment is Free, Chakrabortty writes:
Through his speeches, how he frames debates, and most of all in his shrugging acceptance of how limited and slow his political powers are, time and again the Labour leader makes Farage’s case for him.
The one element missing from Chakrabortty’s incisive analysis is Gaza. Starmer’s refusal to act – or even to speak – against what any decent person can see are Israel’s mounting war crimes and crimes against humanity, is yet more evidence for Farage’s claim that mainstream politics is failing. Not that Farage would ever say so.
NWI
This article was originally published by The Guardian on Thu 19 Dec 2024. Read the original here.
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From rightwing rhetoric to a lack of action on the cost of living crisis, Downing Street is only fuelling the rise of Reform
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1) THE LEFT LANE made many of the same points a week ago: https://theleftlane2024.substack.com/p/starmer-doesnt-challenge-the-rise-b00
2) It also made the point we need to create a socialist party.
Great piece, following on from yesterday’s Morning Star editorial. Q Who wants to crack down on immigrants A Starmer: Q Who wants to nationalise Thames Water A Farage.
For those who don’t look below the surface and are asked the Q who are you going to vote for A Farage. Playing Farage down the right wing, Reform will creep up the left (however disingenuously) and score, score and score.
I live in France where Macron is serving as the hand maiden for the extreme right: Starmer is doing the exact same in Britain. From the Weimar Republic to 21st century France and Britain, Social Democracy is as bankrupt as ever.
Perhaps we are the Cassandras of the modern era? I’d like to think people have more sense but this is a juggernaut that will crush us all if things continue as they are.
Almost makes me want to get the Guardian again….
Tony Blair would always put in a great effort to make the case for the wars that he wanted but claimed to be powerless on things like standing up for immigrants or asylum seekers.
Gordon Brown was just as awful.