Keir Starmer had been enjoying a grace period. New characters gave the media new exciting things to talk about and with that came the praising of a forensic leader who could make Labour an electoral contender again. That sheen is beginning to wear off, the popular policies of Labour are not front and center anymore and there is worry on the left of the party that the radical eco socialist agenda has been put to the wayside and a return to neoliberal economics could be on the cards. So what is the policy direction of Starmers Labour? Is our new Shadow Chancellor returning to the center and will it be enough to tackle the twin crises of climate breakdown and economic inequality.
On the pod this week we are joined by James Meadway (@meadwaj). James is an economist whos' previous work includes being the chief economist at the New Economic Foundation and also advising John McDonnell. We discuss if Starmer has abandoned popular Labour economic policy, what Labour has to do to stay relevant against the pro spending Tories and how a Green New Deal has to be about more than just state control.
Shout out
Manchester Bus drivers going on strike against Go north Wests fire and rehire program.
@Unite_NorthWest
Diem25, celebrating their 5th Birthday
@DiEM_25
Prestwich environmental Forum
@PrestwichForum
Big tech workers attempting to unionise like the amazon staff in Bessemer, Alabama.
@BAmazonUnion