London, Thanasis Gavos

In favor of the change in power after 14 years with the appointment of sir Keir Starmer says the British financial newspaper Financial Times, shortly before Thursday’s UK election.

Entitled “Britain needs a fresh start” the main article of the newspaper estimates that “Sir Keir Starmer’s Labor Party is today in a better position to provide the leadership the country needs”.

It is noted that as with Thatcher in 1979 and Blair in 1997, today the United Kingdom is on the threshold of a “monumental” shift, as the voters seem to have decided that after 14 years and five prime ministers “the time of the Conservative The party is over.”

It is commented that no other government in recent decades has left national affairs in such a state of despair, with negative data in terms of growth, wages, public debt, public services, defense.

The article accepts that there have been external shocks, such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, but points out that much of the damage has been caused by the Conservatives themselves, such as Cameron-Osborne’s widespread austerity, Liz Truss’ recklessness, the undermining of respect in politicians and institutions due to Boris Johnson and the decisive Brexit, which “has proven to be an act of serious economic self-harm”.

As such, the FT, which says it has no firm party affiliation, believes the Tories need to move into opposition to resolve their internal differences, leaving power to a Labor Party that has been “transformed” by Mr Starmer after since the Corbyn period, again covering the central space.

The paper says it still has concerns about Labour’s policies and trends amid domestic and international challenges, but believes the party has “positive ideas” and welcomes the emphasis on economic growth.

“Few political choices, however, are ever ideal. Britain has to choose between a polarizing Conservative Party that has narrowed its appeal to an ever narrower section of the population and a Labor Party that seems to want to govern for the whole country… Much of the country yearns for a fresh start. Labor should be given the chance to deliver it,” the FT article concludes.

The financial paper becomes the latest major publication in Britain to take a pro-Labour side in this election, following the Economist, the Guardian and the Sunday Times, which said “the Conservatives have lost the right to govern” and that it has reached “the time is right to trust Labor to restore good governance”.

In contrast, the Telegraph warned its readers and undecided voters of the negative consequences of a huge majority in favor of Labor and “breaking up” the party in opposition.