As Labour heads for a wipeout, a lesson: never fall for the 'adults in the room’ line again | Aditya Chakrabortty
Presenting himself as a serious, sensible ‘grownup’ was essential to Starmer’s rise to power. His premiership has revealed how hollow that message is
AI Summary
Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty argues that Keir Starmer's rise to power was built on presenting himself as a serious, sensible "adult" after years of chaotic Conservative governments, but his premiership has exposed how hollow that message was. As Labour faces electoral disaster in local elections, Chakrabortty warns against trusting politicians who repeatedly insist they are grown-up, suggesting that Starmer's government prioritized a reassuring image over substantive policy promises. He contends that the UK's rapid cycle of discarding prime ministers since 2024 demonstrates the dangers of leadership based on vibes and stability rhetoric rather than actual governance.