Now is not the time for a Labour leadership election | Polly Toynbee

3 hours ago7 min read1 comments

The political tremors currently unsettling Keir Starmer's government reflect a broader continental pattern of instability, one that demands historical perspective rather than panic. Across Europe, the 'throw the bastards out' sentiment has become the dominant political force, a predictable backlash in an era of post-2008 stagnation exacerbated by pandemic aftershocks, inflationary pressures, and a pervasive housing crisis.The Economist's global democracy index, which notes a stark decline from 12. 5% to a mere 6.6% of the world's population living in a full democracy over the past decade, provides the essential macro-context. While Europe remains the world's most democratic region, its foundations are turbulent.Britain's insular political discourse often forgets that its convulsions are not unique; the ground is shaking from the Élysée Palace to official residences across the continent. In the past three years alone, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden have all ejected incumbent governments, a churn that mirrors Britain's own remarkable statistic of six prime ministers in less than a decade.This is not merely a series of isolated electoral events but a systemic crisis of confidence in established governance structures. For Labour, this precarious environment makes the very notion of a leadership contest not just ill-advised but politically suicidal.The party's focus must be singular and strategic: relentlessly communicating the government's early achievements, however nascent, and forming a united front to prevent a Reform UK victory that would capitalize on this very discontent. History offers a clear lesson; internal schisms during periods of external volatility only empower populist movements. The task ahead is not about placating internal factions but about presenting a steadfast alternative to the reactionary forces waiting in the wings, a lesson one can draw from Churchillian resolve in the face of existential threats to the political order.

#editorial picks news

#Labour Party

#Keir Starmer

#European politics

#government stability

#Reform Party

#democracy index

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