From Harold Wilson to Liz Truss – what the fates of former prime ministers can teach Keir Starmer

From Harold Wilson to Liz Truss – what the fates of former prime ministers can teach Keir Starmer

Despite his name – honouring Keir Hardie, the first leader of the Labour party – Keir Starmer is not known to be a student of political history. This apparent incuriosity helps define an indistinct political identity. Asked which premier inspires him, Starmer cites Harold Wilson, an unusual choice – Attlee is much more revered in Labour – and superficially surprising. No politician was more political than Wilson: the moment a camera appeared his…