Keir Starmer’s five missions reveal a man serious about being prime minister | Polly Toynbee
GuardianFeb 23, 2023
On Thursday, opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer issued five missions he believes will give the UK "its future back," including securing the highest sustained growth in the G7, building a stronger health system, making streets safe, breaking down barriers to opportunities, and making Britain a clean energy superpower.
Though he didn't include specific policies, the speech has been read as an attempt to present the Labour Party as a viable option for government, with some suggesting he's already eyeing a second term in government.
The fact that Starmer isn't promising quick fixes suggests that he's committed to a long-term stint in government that will truly reform and revitalize Britain. Already more than 20% ahead in the polls, and amid a desperate time for the UK after a decade of Conservative austerity, Starmer is preparing the Labour Party for an incoming victory.
Starmer's true mission is not to shape Britain but to become its prime minister. Commitment, no matter how great, means nothing unless it comes with concrete policies. These vague, unfunded promises mean nothing to voters, and this speech is the latest evidence of how Starmer really is the king of empty aspiration.
There's a 90% chance that the UK will have a Labour government before June 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.