Face down Reform

Starmer needs to remember what he stands for and find his inner JFK

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Fifteen months into his first parliamentary term as prime minister, Keir Starmer must confront the serious possibility that it will be his last. In a new poll, his party is backed by only one voter in five. Its big donors are withdrawing their support (see page 8). Reform has seized control of the political agenda, and while that should change when MPs return to Westminster, the economic vice limiting his options will not.

Starmer and his chancellor have about two months to prepare the autumn budget. As important, they still need to persuade the country they know what they want to do in office. It can be done, but not by dancing to Reform's tune.