Keir Starmer and Joe Biden share a common goal: electoral success in their respective countries by the end of 2024. Both face the challenge of expanding support among disillusioned progressive supporters and attracting those unhappy with the current state of their political landscapes.
The UK’s Budget and the US State of the Union marked the beginning of their “long campaigns.” Both leaders aim to position themselves as fresh alternatives, but they need to address the financial constraints and economic challenges ahead.
Biden (Credits: CNBC)
Starmer’s message focuses on emergency political surgery, emphasizing the dire state of the country, but Labour’s proposed remedies are limited. The party must secure a convincing majority, requiring a swing of more than 12%, which complicates the hope-and-change narrative of the past.
Labour’s challenge is to present a compelling vision for change and answer the question, “Change to what?” Starmer needs a wave of enthusiasm, higher turnout, and support from disillusioned Tory voters to secure a decisive victory. The worry is that minor differences in tax and spending policies make it easy for opponents to nullify Labour’s advantages.
Biden (Credits: NPR)
Starmer’s campaign strategy will be closely watched, especially considering the lessons from Biden’s campaign. Biden’s recent State of the Union address focused on uniting the left against the possibility of a second Trump term.
However, the lack of a bipartisan offering raised questions about attracting right-of-center voters, a challenge Starmer might face as well.
For Britain, having a transatlantic center ground is crucial, especially concerning NATO and potential threats from Russia. Starmer likely hopes to collaborate with President Biden for mutual benefit, emphasizing the joint mission of consolidating the transatlantic center ground for the next four years.
