Earlier today, the King invited Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, to form a new goverment. This followed Labour's landslide victory in yesterday's General Election. In his first speech as Prime Minister, Starmer wasted no time in reminding himself and the nation of the implications. I worry he has not got the measure of why voter turnout yesterday was so low. But here are extracts of what he said "Our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics to public service. “When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians grows this big, it leads to a weariness in the heart of a nation, a draining away of the hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future.“But we need to move forward together. Now this wound, this lack of trust can only be healed by actions not words, I know that."
The trouble is there were more words.
Starmer went on: “But we can make a start today with the simple acknowledgement that public service is a privilege and that your government should treat every single person in this country with respect.”Looking ahead to his first acts, he warned change would take time. “Changing a country is not like flicking a switch. The world is now a more volatile place. This will take a while.“But have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately. Have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain, with wealth created in every community. Our NHS back on its feet facing the future. Secure borders, safer streets, everyone treated with dignity and respect at work. The opportunity of clean British power, cutting your energy bills for good. “Brick by brick, we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity. The world-class schools and colleges, the affordable homes that I know are the ingredients of hope for working people. The security, the working-class families like mine could build their lives around.”
By harking back to his own youth, was he wanting to resurrect the post-war baby boomers social boosters - free university education, affordable housing, free healthcare, readily available dentistry? Please, bring it on. His real problem is that in the last four years since he was elected leader, he has done nothing to reassure those of us with long memories that he actually plans to do much to recreate that security around which today's young and future generations can build their lives around.