Oleaginous words of wisdom

Lord Mandelson, one of the most revered politicians of any persuasion since at least 1782 has spoken, his words dripping with oleaginous wisdom. Quoted on LabourList-

He praised Starmer for having “crossed a threshold in many people’s minds” in recent months, adding: “He’s manifestly much more interested in being a winning Prime Minister for the country than simply a popular leader of his party. “Actually, I think party politics barely interests him. I think changing the country does. He has really successfully driven home to all of us in Labour that we have to learn the lessons of Corbyn and learn the lessons of our defeat in 2019 and that there is no going back.”

Well, we know in very practical terms that party politics doesn’t interest Starmer since under his leadership the Labour Party has been made practically bankrupt in its efforts to get rid of too many members of the wrong sort, as I believe Rachel Reeves thought a worthwhile approach too. This phrase ‘being a winning Prime Minister for the country’ intrigues me. The question is winning what? Are we talking about carrying through a radical transformation of society or merely the keys to No.10? Starmer kicked off with his 10 pledges to the membership in the leadership contest of 2020 since when most if not all have been ditched. Will Labour’s next manifesto enthuse anyone? Labour needs to shed its bland managerialism asap and whip up some excitement if wants to cement a lead in the polls, rather than relying on what could be a passing phase of Tory unpopularity. I will await a call from Starmer’s office to tell them what’s needed. (First bit of advice: steer clear of Mandelson: he’s toxic.)