Keir Starmer’s strategy to combat the rising far-right threat in Britain is strikingly different from the usual political tactics. While many leaders might resort to fiery rhetoric or aggressive immigration policies, Starmer, Britain’s new prime minister, is focused on addressing the everyday issues that matter to citizens—potholes and hospital waiting times.
A Pragmatic Approach to Tackle Extremism
On a recent trip to Belfast, Starmer discussed the government’s response to a series of anti-immigration riots that erupted across the country earlier this month. These rare but intense outbreaks of violence required immediate action, leading to a strong and visible law-and-order crackdown. Over 1,000 people were arrested, with more than 600 charges issued in connection with the riots.
However, as Starmer knows, a long-term solution goes beyond policing. The root causes of such unrest lie in deep-seated socio-economic problems. His approach? Demonstrating that politics can solve real-world problems and, in doing so, rebuild Britain’s faith in its leaders.
Rebuilding Trust in Politics
For Keir Starmer’s strategy to succeed, he must prove to the British public that politics can deliver tangible results. A Labour MP close to Starmer highlighted the importance of addressing the public’s sense of alienation, saying, “There is a deep sense that nobody is listening and that politics doesn’t make any difference. We have to be very pragmatic and clear about why that is not true.”
Starmer’s response to the riots—swift action combined with a focus on fixing everyday issues—resonates with his background as a prosecutor and aligns with public sentiment. Polls show that most voters viewed the unrest as unacceptable, with two-thirds describing the participants as “thugs.”
Addressing the Roots of Discontent
Despite the majority’s rejection of the violence, a significant portion of the public feels that the rioters’ concerns, particularly around immigration, are legitimate. Polling firm More in Common found widespread dissatisfaction with the current political system, which many believe fails to address their daily struggles—whether it’s getting a doctor’s appointment, dealing with long NHS waiting lists, or simply affording groceries.
Starmer’s focus on fixing potholes and reducing hospital waiting times may seem mundane, but it is rooted in the belief that addressing these tangible issues can counteract the far-right narrative. This strategy has historical precedent, drawing inspiration from how local Labour politicians in the early 2000s defeated the British National Party (BNP) in Barking and Dagenham by focusing on everyday concerns like littering and parking.
Challenges Ahead
Applying Keir Starmer’s strategy on a national scale will be challenging, particularly with the next election looming within five years. Starmer’s government must balance pragmatic problem-solving with articulating a clear stance on contentious issues like immigration and identity. The risk, as pointed out by Parth Patel from the IPPR, is that avoiding these topics could allow far-right voices to dominate the debate.
However, Starmer has one significant advantage—public expectation. As Luke Tryl from More in Common notes, while expectations for the government may be low, the public genuinely wants Starmer to succeed.
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