There should be one thing on Starmer's mind: not keeping his job, but keeping out Reform | Polly Toynbee

"Britain at the heart of Europe was absolutely the right message, shoulder to shoulder with the countries that share our interests, our values and our enemies on growth, defence and energy. But as Starmer said himself, incremental change won't cut it. His message lacked the ear-splitting sounds of red lines snapping and a manifesto straitjacket bursting open. Tiptoeing towards the single market and customs unions for a manifesto three years away doesn't cut the mustard."

"What voters sniff, remainers and leavers alike, is the odour of cowardice, an unwillingness to say what he and Labour undoubtedly feel about Europe rejoin ASAP. Brussels has much to fear from these election results. Nigel Farage threatens the future of any negotiations to rejoin. Starmer said Farage and the Conservatives are defined by breaking our relationship with Europe. Quite right, and it's for Labour and pro-EU parties to brand them indelibly with the lies they told and the lethal damage their Brexit did."

"The alarm sounded last week, less for Labour's future than the country's at large. The hard right won, the progressives lost. Reform UK and Conservatives scored 47%, while Greens, Labour and Liberal Democrats scored 43%. Farage, rightly labelled a grifter and chancer by Starmer, would almost certainly be prime minister on those results."

"I fear the Tories in their modern Brexit incarnation would rather share power with these Trumpites than join the resistance. Look how their Telegraph and Mail organs ooze with favourable Farage coverage. A Reform government is a truly terrifying prospect: Starmer warns"

Labour’s performance and messaging failed to dispel a sense of national lack of control. A pro-Europe stance was presented as the right direction, emphasizing alignment with European interests, values, and shared concerns on growth, defence, and energy. Incremental change was portrayed as inadequate, with criticism that the approach lacked clear red lines and decisive commitments. Voters were said to detect cowardice in reluctance to state a desire for Europe rejoining soon. The election results were framed as an alarm for the country, with the hard right gaining ground. Reform UK and Conservatives led with 47%, while Greens, Labour, and Liberal Democrats totaled 43%, raising fears that Farage could become prime minister and that a Reform government would be dangerous.

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