Does Starmer have a Cunning Plan?

Is Sir Keir Starmer, the UK’s leader of His Majesty’s Opposition, keeping his “powder dry” ahead of the run-up to his likely victory in the General Election.

Prospective Labour Prime Minister Starmer wants real change for the UK after 13 years of Tory government.

Starmer, currently the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons, is likely to be the U.K.’s next prime minister when a general election, which must take place before 24 January 2025, is held.

The Fixed Term Parliament Act

But, since the abolition of the Fixed Term Parliament Act, the P.M. can call one earlier. If he believes the economy will improve, he will hold on until January 2025. If he thinks things will get worse, he will call the election earlier. Pollsters have predicted Labour will get 48% of the votes, with the conservatives trailing behind on 28%.

Throughout August 2023, Labour has steadily improved its ratings in the polls. Prime Minister Sunak may call an election earlier if he fears Labour’s popularity will continue to rise, while his government’s performance in the polls worsens.

Is Starmer “Keep His Powder Dry” before the Election

I believe he is keeping his powder dry and not falling into the traps Sunak is laying for him during Prime Minister’s Question time. The Speaker has repeatedly warned the Prime Minister that PMQs is not a forum for Sunak to ask Starmer about Labour’s plans if Labour win the election.

Starmer’s strategy of not rising to Sunak’s bait is correct.

During Liz Truss’s premiership, the pound sterling fell to its lowest level ever against the dollar., inflation was at a 40-year high, and the cost of mortgages was set to increase by an average of £5000 per year. Prices were rising while people’s wages and salaries were stagnant.

Truss, and her chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, reduced taxes to encourage the economy to grow. The government, therefore, had to borrow money at very high rates in order to meet the shortfall that the unfunded cuts in taxes had created.

International investors took fright. The International Monetary Fund publicly criticised the UK’s policy, realising that her growth prospects were impossible. After just 45 days in office, she was forced to resign, leaving £30 billion of unrecoverable debt.

Sunak, who had predicted the collapse of sterling, became prime minister. He reversed the tax cuts but borrowed even more money. £500 million is being given to France over the next 3 years for them to assist in “stopping the boats” of illegal immigrants entering the UK. In fact, illegal arrivals have increased.

Is Sunak adopting a Scorched Earth Policy to frustrate Starmer getting into power?

A Scorched Earth Policy, a strategy of destroying or damaging anything that would be useful to an “enemy”.