Starmer should be 'more like Thatcher'

FORMER Conservative leader William Hague has urged Sir Keir Starmer to “be more like Margaret Thatcher” as a way of quelling debate about his leadership style and the direction of his government.

- ROD MINCHIN

The Prime Minister has been under pressure this summer with Labour trailing behind Reform in opinion polls and some within the party uneasy about Labour’s path under his leadership.

At this year's conference in Liverpool, Sir Keir faced challenges from Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, his backbenchers and Labour activists.

Lord Hague said Sir Keir should study closely how Mrs Thatcher worked as she played a central role in setting the direction of travel for her Government, knowing what she wanted and how to deliver it.

“She knew where she was going, and then she knew how to get there in terms of the government system,” Lord Hague said.

“The system of government in the UK particularly depends, more than in most countries, on the head of government driving it relentlessly almost 24 hours a day.

“She drove the whole system and maybe that’s a little bit lacking in government today, I might politely say.

“She also had a political project. She wanted to, and again people can disagree with it, but she thought that the country needed a change of trajectory, particularly in its economy.

“She also had a clear philosophy but, then with that tremendous work ethic she supported, she was spectacular.”