Quite right! What’s the point of Keir Starmer? – and the Lords vs the Commons
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Mar 18, 2026 They question whether Keir Starmer’s cautious, process-first style is a political weakness and if it could prompt leadership change. They unpack the Mandelson controversy and internal briefings that test accountability. They weigh the House of Lords’ role scrutinising assisted dying and late-term abortion proposals against a hurried Commons. They debate wiping Churchill from banknotes and what that says about Britain’s relationship with its past.
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Starmer's Process Over Leadership Problem
- Keir Starmer's leadership style is process-driven and detached, prioritising rules over decisive political direction.
- Michael Gove and Madeline Grant argue this creates absence at critical moments, illustrated by Mandelson appointment and steel nationalisation debates.
Mandelson Appointment And Internal Warnings
- The Mandelson files episode showed Starmer distancing himself while aides managed the appointment despite repeated internal warnings.
- Michael Gove notes figures like Dame Karen Pierce and Jonathan Powell raised security concerns that were ignored.
Reliance On Process And External Authority
- Starmer often defers to process or external authorities like international law or the EU instead of exercising personal judgment.
- Grant highlights he