Keir Starmer’s enemies are clueless – for 1 reason they’re just as guilty for mess UK’s in
Express columnist Mieka Smiles says that replacing Keir Starmer would not make the difference the PM’s plotting backbenchers think it would.
Columnist Mieka Smiels says Keir Starmer has been left with nowhere to turn (Image: Getty)
What a pickle! Keir Starmer is a man who, on the surface, seems totally unfazed by the chaos that surrounds his Government. That’s not a compliment by the way – more a testament to the fact that he’s totally out of touch with the current state of the country as the economy circles the drain.
But even Starmer must now be starting to sweat as not only do the general public think he’s rubbish, but so too do his own MPs, who have been busily plotting his demise. The truth is, though, even if they successfully replace him with another of their number tomorrow, this would have absolutely no bearing on the bloodbath that’s going to face them at the next General Election if they don’t sort out one crucial issue.
In fact, it’s precisely because of his own MPs that the ship is rapidly sinking as their rebellion over welfare cuts has left Starmer and his daft chancellor, Rachel Reeves, nowhere else to turn in order to claw back cash after making a total mess of the economy.
And the scale of the benefits bill disaster is absolutely jaw-dropping. This week we learned that more than four million people are now on benefits without ever having to look for a job. Indeed, The Centre for Social Justice says taxpayers will be saddled with an extra £700 on average each year by the end of the decade if things don’t change course.
Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, said: “My department of government efficiency role is already alerting me to grotesque gaming of the system by rip-off chancers. We need to clamp down like a ton of bricks.”
He’s right! This is exactly where the extra cash is. But not only is it the financially prudent thing for any government to focus on, it’s also the morally right one.
There are millions out there – including young people in record numbers – who will never reach their full potential as they’re too busy watching daytime TV on the sofa. But now Starmer – or any other Labour PM for that matter – has nowhere else to turn, other than ripping up their manifesto promises and raising taxes even further.
In an astonishing plot twist, however, it seems that not all Labour MPs are total idiots – as even they know that this incredible shirkers tab is simply not sustainable.
One Labour MP, anonymously of course, told The Sun: “I’m actually for cutting welfare but it has to be done right. A lot of backbenchers feel like this — but they won’t say it out loud.”
They added: “It’s not fair that people with minor ailments are being given handouts that are meant for those who are disabled.”
So, yes, Labour MPs can plot and scheme and put on a treacherous show worthy of The Traitors all they like. But if they don’t tackle the ticking benefits time bomb, simply replacing Starmer will achieve precisely nothing. They’ve already signed their own death warrants.
