Keir Starmer Surpasses Liz Truss in First 50 Days as PM
2024-08-23 11:20- Keir Starmer has achieved more than Liz Truss in his first 50 days as Prime Minister.
- Liz Truss did not crash the economy or sack any key allies during her tenure.
- Keir Starmer is making progress and surpassing expectations in his role.
Express your sentiment!
Insights
Keir Starmer is set to surpass Liz Truss's brief and tumultuous 49-day tenure as Prime Minister, a period marked by significant political challenges and party rebellions. Both leaders faced crises during their time in office, but Truss's leadership quickly unraveled following a series of missteps. Her administration began with the announcement of an energy price guarantee, which many viewed as a positive move, but the political landscape shifted dramatically with the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, leading to a national mourning period. During this time, Truss attempted to prepare for her mini-budget, which was unveiled by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng on September 23. However, the new Labour government, under Starmer, has already made notable policy changes, including lifting a ban on onshore wind and reinstating housebuilding targets. As Starmer approaches the October 30 Budget, he has maintained stability within his cabinet, unlike Truss, who faced immediate backlash and was forced to dismiss Home Secretary Suella Braverman for breaching the ministerial code. The political climate for Truss deteriorated rapidly, with Conservative MPs openly calling for her resignation, starting with Crispin Blunt on October 16. In stark contrast, Starmer's leadership has yet to see any frontbench dismissals, indicating a more stable political environment as he navigates the challenges of governance. The contrasting trajectories of the two leaders highlight the volatility of British politics in recent months.
Contexts
On August 21, 2024, it was reported that Keir Starmer's tough and assertive leadership style as the new British leader is drawing attention, signaling a shift in governance style in the United Kingdom. The following day, on August 22, 2024, it was noted that Starmer's errors have prompted the Tories to prepare for potential changes, emphasizing the need for a mix of strength, guile, and dexterity in the new leader. Additionally, Scottish Tory leadership hopeful, Russell Findlay, expressed regret over his past support for Liz Truss to be PM due to unforeseen events. On the same day, King Charles and Keir Starmer were set to meet at Balmoral for an important political discussion, providing an opportunity for pressing matters to be addressed. Furthermore, the Liz Truss fan club named Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch as top choices to replace Rishi Sunak, raising doubts about MP support and uncertainty over Sunak's potential successor. Moving to August 23, 2024, Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of transparency in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking a significant diplomatic exchange between the UK and China. Starmer also shared insights for Democrats in the US, potentially influencing Kamala Harris's political strategy, and maintained his commitment to Brexit and tax policies to rebuild trust with voters. Andy Beckett from The Guardian contemplated Starmer's ability to lead a left-wing government amid conflicting demands, with upcoming events like the budget and Labour conference being pivotal in showcasing his adeptness in managing challenges.
