Is Starmer out of the woods? – The Latest

In this episode of The Guardian's Today in Focus, host Lucy Hough and columnist Aditya Chakraborty analyze the precarious position of the Labour Party under Keir Starmer. Amid a busy political week, uncertainty looms over Starmer's leadership as applause at recent party meetings masks a broader discontent within the ranks. Many MPs are said to know that Starmer is likely to leave soon, underscoring a lack of confidence in his leadership.

Chakraborty points out that while there are individuals like Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner who could potentially lead, they lack the momentum or timing for a significant challenge at this moment. Starmer's government is characterized as being stagnant, with less substance to its policies than initially promised. The social base of the Labour Party appears to be eroding, primarily due to the departure of many individuals who, under Starmer's leadership, have been marginalized or expelled. This creates an environment where the party struggles to garner electoral support, often competing with parties like the Greens.

As discussions continue regarding the upcoming elections, the potential for a shift towards the soft left and the consequences of recent internal purges raise questions about the party's future viability. The deeper issue at stake is not just Starmer's fate, but the overall condition of the Labour Party, which appears to be dwindling.