Keir Starmer’s resignation comes as little surprise. In truth, he always appeared ill-suited to the role of Prime Minister. He entered Downing Street with no clear governing project, no driving ideology and an over reliance on advisers and political management. He often seemed more comfortable responding to events than shaping them. Yet focusing solely on Starmer risks missing the bigger picture.

When (as now seems all but inevitable) Andy Burnham walks through the door of Number 10, Britain will have had seven Prime Ministers in just ten years: Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, Sunak, Starmer and now, likely, Burnham. This is an extraordinary level of churn for a mature, Western liberal democracy.

Of course, each departure has its own story. Brexit consumed Cameron and May. Johnson was brought down by scandal. Truss detonated her own premiership. Sunak inherited a mess. Starmer failed to provide a compelling vision.

But there is also a wider trend at work. We live in an age shaped by social media algorithms that reward outrage, impatience and constant novelty. Voters increasingly demand rapid change but often become frustrated when change proves difficult. Every compromise is presented as betrayal. Every shift in emphasis becomes evidence that politicians have “sold out.” Public anger can now build in minutes rather than days, weeks, or years.

Was it always thus? Perhaps there have always been impatient electorates and unpopular leaders. Yet it feels as though something more fundamental has changed. Politics has become faster, harsher and less forgiving. The result is a country that struggles to sustain governments long enough for them to govern effectively.

That should concern all of us, regardless of what we think of Keir Starmer.

Better Transport Must Connect People and Places

On Friday, I attended the Better Transport Conference at the London South Bank University, organised by the Campaign for Better Transport as part of Better Transport Week. I did so as a representative of the Leicestershire Passenger Transport User Group.

This event brought together campaigners, policymakers, transport professionals and community representatives to discuss how transport can better connect people and places. We heard from Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy, who reflected on the challenges and opportunities facing Britain’s transport network as the government pursues rail reform and greater integration.

What struck me most is how often transport is discussed purely in terms of infrastructure, funding or economics. Important though these things are, transport is ultimately about people. It is about whether someone can get to work, visit family, access healthcare or participate fully in community life.

There was considerable discussion about rail reform, buses, devolution and integrated transport planning. The common thread running through every conversation was the need to create transport networks that are accessible, affordable, reliable and genuinely serve local communities.

I was sorry to miss the contribution from Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson Olly Glover MP, but (perhaps rather ironically) I had to leave to catch my train back to the Midlands to be back home in time to record the latest ep of the podcast I do-host, Political Frenemies. Nevertheless, I left the event encouraged by the range of ideas on display.
For we liberals, better transport is about more than moving people from A to B. It is about expanding opportunity, reducing isolation and increasing freedom.

Remembering the human being

Now back to today’s big political story.
As Keir Starmer announced his resignation in front of No.10 Downing Street today, one of the most striking moments came when he spoke emotionally about his family, his wife and two teenage children.

Whatever our views of his premiership, it was a reminder that politicians are human beings, with lives, families, hopes, fears, and feelings, too often, politics encourages us to see public figures as caricatures rather than actual people.

Robust criticism is essential in a democracy, of course. But dehumanisation is not. In an age of social media outrage and constant political warfare, we would do well to remember that those we elect are flesh and blood, just like the rest of us.

We forget that at our peril.

* Mathew Hulbert is a former Councillor, is a regular commentator on TV and Radio, and is Co-Host of the Political Frenemies podcast.