This metaphor is definitely the work of someone who has been up all night
ELECTION 2024: Keir Starmer has built a four hundred foot high giant seesaw.
He has assembled it atop the ruins of a split right. At the moment he gazes down upon all from it — he will now set the agenda over the coming weeks and months.
But the tower is made precarious by how tall it is. On one side of the seesaw stands his less affluent, more socially conservative, Leave-backing voters: who may be tempted by Reform.
On the other side stands his younger, more liberal, affluent voter base: who may be tempted by the Greens, or independents.
Step too far, and the other side tips. Some of his team — like his Deputy Leader, who had a swing to Reform in her seat, or his Health Secretary, who nearly lost to a Gaza-backing Independent — will have views on where to stand.
Whether Starmer keeps his balance will determine not just the next election but the next five years.