I guess all politicians change their minds? Sunak seems set to be set to renege on climate change policies - far more serious than any of Starmer's changes in priorities. Aside from the fact that Sunak is causing consternation in the UK motor industry, green energy will most likely be cheaper in the future than hydrocarbons and he's prepared to jeopardise the future of the planet for sort term electoral gain. I heard on the news Suella Braverman describe this as Sunak being pragmatic. (Being pragmatic in the hope of keeping his job as PM and her cabinet position after the 2024 election?)So let's apply Braverman's pragmatism test to Sir Kier and the points Mr Rose lists.1) Jeremy Corbyn was elected by the Labour party membership as their leader. Sir Kier, as a party member, would be expected to supporting Corbyn in elections even if he wasn't convinced Corbyn would win. Corbyn's subsequent deselection looks like a pragmatic decision for public relations purposes? (I'm really not sure of the facts in this episode …)
2) Many of us may be in favour of renationalisation of utilities but there may be legal and economic practicalities meaning this is not viable. Far better to introduce stricter regulations with far greater penalties for transgressions, such as heavy fines and imprisonment of water company directors for dumping sewage.
3) Similarly, abolishing tuition fees may not be practicable because of the state of the economy inherited from the Tories following the next election. The way university funding and finance has evovoled may also complicate this. It could still happen in a second term.
4) Yes, probably just pragmatic politics, but I guess tax rates are always up for review in the light of prevailing economics - just look at all the Conservative promise to cut taxes that haven't happened yet for various reasons … or perhaps they will just before the next election.
5) Well, I guess as 52% at one time wanted to leave the EU then he's got to say that but it doesn't stop him, like many of us, from believing we'd be better off back in the EU. I doubt it's delusional (Sunak has negotiated the Windsor Agreement and rejoined Horizon - it's obvious other changes are needed to ease border controls and trade across the channel); I'm sure he knows it's not straightforward. Of course, it's likely during discussions it will become obvious that it's better to rejoin the single market, possibly the customs union, and even the EU - and, who knows, in a decade or two, possibly the Euro and Schengen (!) ... perhaps even another referendum will happen in the next decade :-)
Michael Ixer ● 1145d