Keir Starmer calls for cross-party communication on vaccine
Sir Keir has spent the preceding months pushing his “new management” image of the Labour Party. To do this, the opposition leader has elevated the importance of patriotism and national pride in his party’s agenda. Yet, Sir Keir has previously talked of how he would significantly “downsize” the Royal Family, a keystone of Britain’s identity.
And while this may at first appear to fly in the face of The Firm, inner members themselves have confessed that they want to “streamline” the family.
Prince Charles, the heir apparent to the British throne, has said he plans to have a few core royals perform most of the duties when he ascends the throne, shedding those on the periphery.
The Royal Family in its current set up has been described as “bloated”.
Around 16 members use their titles and carry out duties while receiving public money and revenue from estates.
Keir Starmer: The Labour leader has previously said he would ‘downsize’ the Royal Family (Image: GETTY)
Royal Family: Many have said that The Firm has become ‘bloated’ in recent years (Image: GETTY)
During Jeremy Corbyn’s time as Labour leader, despite being a staunch Republican and announcing his opposition to the monarchy, he assured he would never seek to abolish the framework.
The same could not be said for other Labour MPs, like Lisa Nandy who ran for the leadership alongside Sir Keir, who said she would vote to “scrap” The Firm in the event of a referendum.
This has led people like Paul Embery, a trade unionist and “Blue Labour” member, to warn Sir Keir over avoiding any conflict with the Royals should he wish to win over the electorate.
Talking about the fall of Labour’s “Red Wall” – a band of working class seats in Wales, the Midlands and the North of England – he told Express.co.uk: “I think there’s always a fairly solid element of working class support for the Royal Family.
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Patriotism: Starmer is pushing the party towards a patriotic agenda (Image: GETTY)
“On the Left, there are some people who are strident Republicans and I think that’s a battle Labour needs to avoid.
“We are a monarchy, most people as far as I can see quite like the fact that we’re a monarchy.
“One day we might not be, but until that time comes, I don’t think it’s something that people on the Left should go to war about.
“There’s a lot of support for the monarchy around the country, it wouldn’t be wise for any movement or political party who wants to govern or win support to be seen to be attacking the Royal Family or undermining the monarchy in any sort of way, and so it wouldn’t be wise for Labour to start banging the drum for Republicanism in any sort of vociferous way.”
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Prince Charles: The heir apparent, Charles has also said he would slim down the family (Image: GETTY)
Royal popularity: The Firm remains highly popular among Britons all around the country (Image: GETTY)
It is true that despite controversy surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, support among Britons for the Royal Family remains strong.
According to the most recent YouGov polling data available, 66 percent of those who fall under the C2DE NRS social grade – skilled working class, working class and non-working – agree that the country should continue to have a monarchy in the future.
This sentiment was especially strong in the Midlands and Wales (67 percent) and the North (64 percent) – three regions that Labour suffered considerable losses in 2019.
And while Sir Keir has said he would slim The Firm down, Mr Embery said this would not hurt his image in the eyes of voters, because, he explained: “I think there is some sympathy out there for the idea that the Royal Family is probably a bit too bloated and there’s too many hands on – I don’t think necessarily by expressing those views it should be seen as an attack on the Queen.”
General election: Labour suffered its worst defeat since 1935 in the 2019 election (Image: Express Newspapers)
This appears to be a common view, as YouGov data suggests that public opinion has in recent years veered towards stripping family members who are not a part of the inner circle of their public money and revenue from the royal estates.
Among those who were called out, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Peter Philips and Zara Tindall, and Princess’ Eugenie and Beatrice.
Sir Keir has a complex relationship with the Royal Family as suggested by his title.
Knighthood: Starmer is said to dislike being called ‘Sir’ (Image: GETTY)
He was knighted by the Queen in 2014 for his role as Director of Public Prosecutions.
However, the Labour leader is said to dislike being called Sir.
