Tom Baldwin

Tom Baldwin, a former senior Labour adviser and author of 'Keir Starmer: The Biography', shares insider insights on Keir Starmer’s leadership amidst a flurry of briefings from Number 10. The discussion highlights the blame directed at Morgan McSweeney for leaks, the political fallout of public doubts about Starmer, and whether these incidents signal an impending leadership challenge. Baldwin also critiques the damaging impact of anonymous briefings on government messaging and emphasizes the need for a policy-focused approach over internal conflicts.

In this discussion, Tom Baldwin, a journalist and biographer of Keir Starmer, and Tim Shipman, political editor at The Spectator, explore the nuances of Labour's strategy. They debate whether Starmer should shift left economically and how internal party dynamics impact voter perceptions. Baldwin critiques the obsession with 'super-advisers' that clouds Labour's message, while Shipman highlights Starmer's challenges in effectively communicating his values. The conversation also touches on the importance of personal storytelling in politics.

Polly Toynbee, Guardian columnist known for progressive commentary; Tom Baldwin, former Labour communications chief and Starmer biographer; Luke Tryl, public-opinion expert at More in Common. They debate Starmer’s survival, the public sense that politics is rigged, risks of removing a leader, who might replace him, and how a successor could avoid contagion while appealing to disillusioned voters.