💭 Tough on elites, tough on the causes of elites: that's how Starmer can defeat the allure of populism | Andy Beckett

Politics

As the west zigzags between bland centrists and polarising populists, it will take a fiercer response from Labour to halt a creep to the rightThere are times when centrism seems shrewd politics. Progressive enough for some lefties, permissive enough for liberals, cautious enough for conservatives and unobtrusive enough for the many voters who want politicians to “tread more lightly on your lives”, as Keir Starmer put it in his first prime ministerial speech. After years of turmoil and extremism, a centrist government – whether of the centre left or centre right – can come as a relief.Centrism can seem inclusive: “We need to move forward together,” Starmer declared outside No 10.

The Guardian (Opinion)     Jul 19, 2024