Vocal Voices

I think when the talking heads look back from 2024, they will put this down as one of the cornerstones of Starmers bid for the 2024 election.

In order to win in 2024, he needs to have a solidly united party behind him with no dissent and everyone "on message". The fact that there is not a lot of noise in the party, I believe, means that the message is getting out about what they need to do for the next 2 years.

In the end it has nothing to do with what the politicians think or want to do, it has to come down to how the Labour party is perceived by the electorate. They need to be seen as a party united and ready to govern.

..... it has to come down to how the Labour party is perceived by the electorate.

Therefore much will, I think, depend on the local constituency Labour Party committees.

Tarry is a case in point. As I understand it, he has already been put on notice that he will not be automatically reselected to fight the next general election. He will have to make his case with other candidates in the mix.

The constituency parties are basically in the driving seat to set the look of the Labour Party going forward into the election. Will the majority opt for hard-left or centre-left? That's the question ...

Or just centre??

Hard left will never get elected these days, centre or centre left is Labour's only chance.

A fractured look is not good for any party, whether in government or hoping to become one, so Starmer probably had to do something. Unfortunately he picked the wrong type of fight at the wrong time. It was bit knee-jerk: also not a good look.

Hands up all those who had never heard of Sam Tarry. OK, that's 68 million plus; put your hands down. Tarry should have been quietly shoved sideways. If he then chose to kick up a fuss it would have been on him and not Starmer or Labour, it could actually have worked to their advantage.

It would also have shown that the party continues to move away from Momentum and to the centre or centre left, which, as Kaz says, is Labour's main hope.

I think the message was more for the MP's than the people. Tarry's name will be out of the headlines in a week or two and come 2024 it is unlikely it will be remembered. However if it draws a line under behaviour in the party and brings a level of unity (even if it is only smoke and mirrors), then Labour will benefit from it come the election.

Tending to agree, Suff.

Note I'm not saying this is a bad thing. I fall into the same bracket as WM. We, the people, deserve both a strong opposition and something positive to vote for. If Starmer can produce that I'll applaud even if I don't particularly like his policies.

Labour has been in the wilderness long enough. Time enough to get the house in order.

Sam Tarry is Angela Rayner's boyfriend. So Starmer has just sacked his deputy's boyfriend.
I wonder if Starmer will lead Labour at the next GE?
Some time ago we speculated on this. I could see that the Tories might ditch Johnson; after he'd got them an 80 seat majority he'd done his job and loyalty does not figure in the Conservative Parliamentary party's make up. I think Starmer probably will continue as Labour leader but it's going to be a bumpy ride for him.