In 2020, during his campaign to become the Labour Party leader, Starmer emphasized unity and the need to move past internal divisions. Speaking at his campaign launch in Manchester, he stressed, "Factionalism has to go" if Labour were to recover from its electoral defeat. Starmer was clear in his intention to avoid disparaging previous Labour governments, including those led by Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and Jeremy Corbyn.

He acknowledged the significant steps taken by Corbyn's leadership, particularly in making Labour a party that actively fought against austerity. "Jeremy Corbyn was right to make us the party to fight austerity," Starmer noted. He underscored that the 2017 manifesto, under Corbyn, should serve as a foundation for future Labour policies, aiming to provide hope for a better future under a Labour government.

However, fast forward to 2024, and Starmer's rhetoric has notably changed. In a recent statement, he accused the Conservatives of producing a "Jeremy Corbyn style manifesto." He criticized the Tories for proposing policies without clearly outlining how they would be funded, likening their approach to that of Corbyn's ambitious 2019 manifesto, which included extensive promises such as free broadband for all and the nationalisation of key industries like energy and water.

This marks a significant departure from Starmer's earlier stance, where he openly supported Corbyn's manifesto and served in his shadow cabinet. The 2019 manifesto, which Starmer once backed, was a comprehensive and bold vision for the UK, aimed at addressing deep-rooted issues through sweeping reforms.

Starmer's shift from supporting Corbyn's policies to criticizing similar proposals highlights a contradiction in his approach. While initially advocating for unity and building on past efforts, he now distances himself from the very policies he once endorsed.

SOURCES

1st Video: Keir Starmer Facebook: Only Labour is offering the radical, ambitious change this country needs - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2692898070766495

2nd Video: Tories offering ‘Jeremy Corbyn-style manifesto’ says Labour leader Keir Starmer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u6y2crqAqU

3. Keir Starmer: Labour shouldn't trash Tony Blair or Jeremy Corbyn - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-51077811

4. Nine times Starmer backed Corbyn or mirrored his policies - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/06/13/nine-times-starmer-backed-corbyn-or-mirrored-his-policies/