Massive wins and the promise of change — Starmer and Albanese diverge

Anthony Albanese invoked Paul Keating’s bicycle remark as he spoke to government MPs in Canberra, warning that a party needs ideas and momentum or it will fall over. Less than 24 hours earlier he had lamented Keir Starmer’s fate: the British prime minister confirmed he would resign, less than two years on from a landslide election victory, with Andy Burnham expected to be living at 10 Downing Street within weeks.

Their backgrounds put them on different footing. Albanese is first and foremost a parliamentarian who became prime minister after more than 25 years in Canberra. Starmer entered Westminster a decade ago after a career as a barrister and director of public prosecutions, and some colleagues accused him of showing contempt for politics and compromising too much on Labour’s values.

Supporters say Albanese has proved himself a skilled manager, maintaining strong relationships across the caucus, consulting and keeping discipline, while Starmer faced a string of internal rebellions.

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