There’s a breed of voter in UK politics that chooses an individual leader rather than their party. That breed is slowly dying.
In an age where many struggle to select a party to vote for, leadership options are even thinner. At this moment, there seem to be more negatives than positives, and no one appears capable of solving the pressing issue of a distinct lack of charisma, long-term direction and ability to unify from the existing pool of politicians. Yes, Starmer’s conference speech was a success, yet it still feels like Burnham and his own MPs are breathing down his neck. In an era where the Tories appear stranded, unsure of where they stand, Badenoch has only created more questions than answers.
Even Davey’s future may be in doubt. Of course, his bungee-jumps and jet-skiing raised a notoriously poor Lib Dem media profile, but there’s now a lack of seriousness surrounding the party. That leaves Nigel Farage. Arguably, Britain’s most popular and best leader at present is a man who became an MP on his eighth try. A man accused of being a racist by harnessing immigration and populist rhetoric to ascend the political ladder. But, love him or loathe him, Farage has done something Starmer and Badenoch have failed to do — unite their followers.
Nonetheless, the Reform leader’s immigration focus and populist nature arguably mask fundamental flaws that could become apparent if he becomes prime minister. Farage can certainly walk the walk, but can he talk the talk?
The Makings of a Great UK Prime Minister
If I’m going to bemoan the lack of leadership in UK politics, then I simply have to look at what a good prime minister truly is. Starmer and Sunak were accused of being boring in the 2024 campaign, and they do indeed lack a certain type of charisma that can grip, unite and drive a population. Lloyd George’s energetic dynamism and Churchill’s inspiring public speaking skills propelled Britain through some of its darkest hours, whilst a huge part of Blair’s success was his unique presence and air.
A prime minister should represent their MPs, members and followers with a well-rounded set of ideas, based on public opinion. Their aims should reciprocate those of their backbenchers, but that doesn’t mean they should be pushed around by their party. With this in mind, the PM shouldn’t shy away from expressing their opinion, as this helps to direct the nation long-term. Love or hate her, Thatcher would not have been as successful without her fixed ideas on a free market and a small state.
With hindsight, some of the greatest British PMs have defined their ideologies and revolutionised the UK. For instance, Attlee not only played a huge role in creating modern-day Labour, but also rebuilt Britain from its WW2 ruins with the creation of the Welfare State. Disraeli changed the Conservatives forever with his fixation on social reform, conceiving Tory democracy. In short, the ideal UK prime minister must be capable of representing themselves, their party, and their nation without creating a leadership conflict.
The Problem With Present Leadership
It’s not an overstatement to say that our current PM, Keir Starmer, is not quite hitting the mark. Just sixteen months in, recent polls suggest that only 13 per cent of voters are satisfied with the Labour leader, while more than half of those within his own party don’t want him as their next PM candidate. Starmer was never known for his charisma, but he at least came in with a clear vision for the UK, which he appears to have lost after just one sleep in No. 10. Big decisions have almost always ended up being arduous, followed by swift U-turns led by his own MPs. The welfare reforms, in particular, highlighted that Starmer may not be a true leader but more of a puppet controlled by his backbenchers. Finally, his over-cautious, risk-adverse style has contributed to a general lack of clarity.
The Conservative Party, for their part, has seen a dramatic and rapid fall from grace, and Badenoch has done little to plug the leaking hole. Her leadership has not only failed to answer questions swirling around the party, but has added to them. Choosing not to implement a clear policy quickly created a void for Reform to fill with relative ease. Badenoch allegedly ‘hates doing the media,’ and her lack of diplomacy, as well as an abrasive, confrontational style, is causing some Tories to think that she is one of their many problems.
For some, Farage is the saviour of British politics. For others, he’s an ignorant racist, driving a movement of division. But despite the difference of opinion, most wouldn’t deny that he’s an extremely skilled communicator who has managed to persuade many amongst the British public. The question, of course, comes down to whether this translates to being a successful leader. So far, he has done little to convince us of this. Farage may understand the issues facing Britain, but is his populist, hard-line nature masking the fact that he can’t actually solve them?
A Forgettable Century for Leadership
All being said, Starmer’s work has been partly cut out for him. British Prime Ministers’ performance this century is alarmingly dreadful. With five leadership changes from the Tories and three PMs from Labour, public trust in our prime ministers has been steadily eroding. Numerous scandals, including the Iraq War, the 2009 Expenses Scandal, and the infamous ‘Partygate’ affair, have collectively played their part in creating a negative image of our politicians, while the constant turnover has rocked the authority of the government. Sunak’s potential will always remain a mystery after he was thrown in at the deep end. But Truss’ car crash reign was more like a lorry in flames.
The populist response to immigration has shaken conventional parties. This is a moment in time when the United Kingdom needs a great leader to step up and take charge, but instead, we are left with incompetence and a lack of political stamina.
Keir Starmer was correct with his verdict that the UK is at a crossroads. The problem lies in the fact that no one appears ready to pick a direction and lead this great country down what is inevitably a rocky path.
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