In light of the impending new wave of strikes, Sir Keir Starmer has once again cautioned Labour MPs against joining picket lines this summer.
To “get in the mindset of being in government,” the Labour leader urged his party.
He emphasised that this meant they shouldn’t be joining those on strike outside their workplaces in remarks that are likely to lead to more division within Labour.
A prime minister cannot walk a picket line, Sir Keir continued, keeping his gaze fixed on Number 10.
When many MPs disobeyed his orders not to cross picket lines in support of the RMT union’s nationwide rail strikes last month, the Labour leader saw party discipline collapse.
Despite the bitter argument with Labour’s Left and his party’s supporters in the labour movement, Sir Keir has remained steadfast in his position.
As worries about a “summer of discontent” increase, teachers, nurses, doctors, postal employees, and government servants are all considering taking industrial action in the upcoming weeks.
Beginning the following week, there will also be additional nationwide rail strikes.
But despite the fact that the cost-of-living problem is still affecting people, Sir Keir encouraged Labour MPs to refrain from voicing their complete support for striking employees.
One of the issues our party has had for a long time, he said to Sky News, is that we constantly picture ourselves as the opposition.
“We need to adopt a government-oriented mindset.
“If you’re in government,” I told my shadow cabinet during our conversation, “and you’re around the Cabinet table, then you have to settle these issues, you have to make sure that the discussions succeed.”
The Labour leader continued, “You can’t hold a Cabinet meeting and then go out onto the picket line,” in remarks to the Beth Rigby Interviews programme.
That’s not to suggest that you oppose what is happening or that you fail to comprehend why people are engaging in industrial action.
For those who are on strike, that is very challenging.
They are forgoing their pay in order to strike, so we completely understand the emotional impact.
However, it is my responsibility to ensure that a Labour government is in place and that everyone knows what leadership entails—namely, that you are in charge of the nation.
This signifies that you don’t want any strikes to occur. You wish to fix the problems.
It doesn’t mean you don’t comprehend the extreme frustration felt by many working people due to the cost-of-living crisis, though.
Sir Keir promised to fight “shoulder to shoulder with trade unions to stand up for working people” during his run for Labour leader.
He has additionally participated on a picket line in solidarity of striking McDonald’s employees in 2019.
When asked if his views had changed now that he was the leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir responded, “I want to be Prime Minister, and I want a Labour administration.
And because of that, I have to evaluate everything I do in light of that.
In response to a question about whether that meant a prime minister couldn’t join a picket line, he said, “Of course a prime minister can’t go on a picket line.”
The Prime Minister must unite the populace around the negotiation table in order to govern the nation.
“But that can’t and shouldn’t be interpreted as a lack of comprehension of just how much people are struggling after 10 years of Tory economic failure,” the author said.