Anushka Asthana

I think most economists think it's really, really necessary and will allow her to spend a lot of money on capital projects, including the things that we all need to see improved, schools and hospitals.

I think most economists think it's really, really necessary and will allow her to spend a lot of money on capital projects, including the things that we all need to see improved, schools and hospitals.

It's so interesting, 1997, because I was looking through the data because Blair had two really big crises in his first year. There was the Bernie Eccleston, who was the F1 boss. It turned out he donated loads of money to the Labour Party and then they exempted F1 from a smoking advert ban. It was a huge, huge scandal, like in many ways bigger than the scandals we've got now.

It's so interesting, 1997, because I was looking through the data because Blair had two really big crises in his first year. There was the Bernie Eccleston, who was the F1 boss. It turned out he donated loads of money to the Labour Party and then they exempted F1 from a smoking advert ban. It was a huge, huge scandal, like in many ways bigger than the scandals we've got now.

And they took benefits off lone parents. And it was so bad that they did that, that 100 Labour MPs abstained in the vote and 46 voted against, right? So a huge rebellion. But it didn't hit Tony Blair's ratings. anything like this is hitting Keir Starmer's ratings. And I think that is because we are so unforgiving as an electorate now. Like politicians are totally untrusted.

And they took benefits off lone parents. And it was so bad that they did that, that 100 Labour MPs abstained in the vote and 46 voted against, right? So a huge rebellion. But it didn't hit Tony Blair's ratings. anything like this is hitting Keir Starmer's ratings. And I think that is because we are so unforgiving as an electorate now. Like politicians are totally untrusted.

I think something like 9% of people trust politicians to tell the truth, which I think is just such a sad state of affairs. And also the economy is in a bad state while in 1997, it was in a good state. But on top of that, you know, I mentioned that shallow victory that you've talked about, the kind of shape of the Labour victory, 34% of the vote, two thirds of seats.

I think something like 9% of people trust politicians to tell the truth, which I think is just such a sad state of affairs. And also the economy is in a bad state while in 1997, it was in a good state. But on top of that, you know, I mentioned that shallow victory that you've talked about, the kind of shape of the Labour victory, 34% of the vote, two thirds of seats.

And actually before any of the scandals had happened, The final thought in the book was Labour could easily not win in 2029. And I just think the reality is that with this volatile electorate, anything could happen. I do think they understand that, though.

And actually before any of the scandals had happened, The final thought in the book was Labour could easily not win in 2029. And I just think the reality is that with this volatile electorate, anything could happen. I do think they understand that, though.