Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

virtual event series

Labour and Keir Starmer are heading for government but it won’t be smooth sailing, expert panel agrees

A panel of experts at an Independent virtual event discussed how tactical voting was likely to exaggerate the swing away from the Tories

Friday 15 September 2023 14:52 BST
Comments
Keir Starmer could be our next PM, according to an expert panel
Keir Starmer could be our next PM, according to an expert panel (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Labour is heading for government, according to a panel of experts at an Independent virtual event on Thursday.

Paula Surridge, professor of political sociology at Bristol University, said that the mood of the British people seemed anti-Conservative rather than pro-Labour, and that tactical voting was likely to exaggerate the swing away from the government.

All the panel, which included Dr Chris Butler of the University of Antwerp and Sean O’Grady, associate editor of The Independent, expected Labour to win the next general election with a majority about equivalent to that of the Tories in the 2019.

If Labour does win, the panel agreed the new government would face stiff challenges.

Sean O’Grady said its pre-election promise not to raise taxes would present it with two problems in power: “One if it kept its word, and one if it didn’t.”

He thought it would find “stealthy” ways to raise taxes, and the panel agreed that a new government would be given two or three years’ grace by the voters, and be allowed to prove itself.

To watch the event in full view the recording below

What would a Labour government mean for the UK?

The discussion, chaired by John Rentoul, The Independent’s chief political commentator, concluded that, although Labour activists might be disappointed by Keir Starmer’s caution on Europe, climate change and electoral reform, the wider electorate would judge a new government on the simpler test of whether their lives were getting easier.

What do you think of Labour’s chances at the next election? Have your say in the comments by clicking here.

To find out about our next virtual event and how to sign up click here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in