The future of Labour: Arsenal v Everton
Media hype about Keir Starmer facing a challenge as Labour PM reflects both poor polling performances and a wider sense of dissatisfaction with some key issues, whether its Gaza or the two-child benefit cap.
Starmer is reportedly frustrated at the pace of change or lack of it, reflecting his lack of political experience. Blair was in the same place and got involved with an illegal war in Iraq where change did come quickly but not in a good way.
The New Statesman has a long interview with Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who the media are keen to promote as a challenger to Starmer. As he is not currently an MP this seems premature and it might more accurately be suggested that Burnham is arguing for Starmer’s great moving right show to turn left (tho not too much).
The New Statesman however reveals that the real difference is of course about football.
‘Everyone knows Burnham is a fan of Everton, the people’s club of Merseyside.. its hard not to reflect on the contrast with Keir Starmer, the knighted fan of cosmopolitan Arsenal’
I’m not sure about the use of the word ‘cosmopolitan’ here but the key point about a footballing divide between North London and the North of England is I think a real one, even if we do understand that many Manchester United fans live in London..
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