The socially-conscious venue of Coin Street, a community centre in Waterloo; the lectern with a snappy slogan of “A Britain built for all”; the handpicked friendly hype gang of enthusiastic applauders; the carpet floor tiles; the tea and coffee station; the Labour leader pleading earnestly with Britain to give him a chance.
Monday morning’s budget fightback speech by UK prime minister Keir Starmer had a distinctly retro vibe – very summer of 2024. The event felt exactly like one of the umpteen ubiquitous speechmaking rallies he hosted during last year’s election.
Starmer had seemed more comfortable back then, more confident, secure in the belief that Downi
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