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On BlueSky this past Wednesday, I engaged in a dialogue regarding Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, positing that several of his policies exhibit notable parallels to Donald Trump’s. The reaction from certain European academic commentators was astonishing. Phrases like “With this one” serve to dehumanise individuals whose perspectives diverge from their own.
In my analysis of Starmer’s social and economic policies, I noted the following:
1. **Deregulation**: Presented as a comprehensive solution to stimulate economic growth.
2. Diminished Regulatory Authority: There is a trend toward undermining the powers attributed to regulatory bodies.
3. **Tax Policies Favoring the Wealthy**:
- The dilution of non-domicile taxation rules.
- A clear stance against implementing higher taxes on affluent individuals.
4. **Post-Truth Discourse**: Public discussions of the implications of Brexit have been notable absent, supported mainly by mainstream media.
5. **The cutting of Foreign Aid to appeal to the extreme right.
A notable academic commentator characterised my observations as untrue, silly, naive, and stupid — a language I find inflammatory. Leveraging one’s…
