With a UK general election coming near, and several pressing political issues, it’s important to understand our party leaders. More importantly, we must understand the political positions of current PM Rishi Sunak, and leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer.
Whilst they may be leaders of opposing parties, they share a lot of similarities. Starmer thinks he’s an ice-cold shot of vodka but he’s like Sunak: a bland, weak, mug of lukewarm tea.
Environment/ Net zero
Climate change and net zero goals are not just contemporary issues. The decisions made today are, no doubt, going to have a massive impact on the future of our planet and future generations.
Rishi Sunak’s decision to reverse various environmental plans has shifted the focus of the upcoming general election, especially at a time when the UK is aiming to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
The Conservative government have delayed crucial environmental policies, such as the 2030 ban on selling new petrol and diesel vehicles for another 5 years.
Labour has no plans to reinstate the 2026 deadline for starting the phase-out of all gas boilers. The shadow environment secretary, Steve Reed, said that Labour will not raise people’s bills.
The Conservatives are expected to prioritise environmental policies in the election campaign following their success in the Uxbridge by-election, where opposition to London’s ultra-low emissions zone car charge was effectively used as a divisive issue.
Trans rights
Sunak, during the 2023 Conservative Party conference, said it common sense that “a man is a man and a woman is a woman.” The Prime Minister has also criticised Starmer’s stance on trans rights, claiming the PM has taken a U-turn on the “defining a woman”.
Meanwhile, Starmer’s Labour has promised to take the lead in reforming transgender rights by simplifying the gender recognition law. This has caused a clear disagreement with the Conservatives, who have often tried to use this as a divisive topic.
Leadership
When it comes to politics, the ability to lead through economic, social and international challenges, and opportunities, is paramount. A competent leader understands the multifaceted challenges and aims to lead with confidence, unity and stability.
Starmer’s leadership image has consisted of him making several U-turns on issues, struggling to make a lasting impression, failing to unite the Labour Party, let alone the left, and being boring. A very weak, boring, but competent, leader. If Labour wants to be in government, they have to have a strong uniting and principled leader. Starmer has a long way to go to this point.
Sunak’s leadership image is not any better. A March 2024 public opinion poll derided the Prime Minister as being a “weak, useless, rich idiot”. Not exactly the vote of confidence expected for a leader heading into a general election.
Closing thoughts
If there is one simple lesson to be learnt from the upcoming general election it is this: research your candidates. Research party leaders and hold them accountable. Don’t let them get away with being hypocrites or liars.
Politicians are public servants, they should serve their country, and their people, not the other way round.
One last thing: go vote, Seriously, go vote in the next general election. Your vote matters. Go make a difference. Register online by May 2 on the government website.
Featured Image: Sky News.
