The Prime Minister’s ratings would improve if the public could see his determination and passion - David Blunkett

The first six weeks of this year fall very much into the latter category. In fact, for me – and I'm sure for Yorkshire Post readers – the last six weeks have felt (in politics, at least) like a lifetime. So much has happened internationally and domestically.

In the first fortnight of January, we had Donald Trump sending his troops into Venezuela to capture the president and his wife. Followed by almost total silence about the claim that “Venezuela is now under US direction".

Then, we have the claim again from Donald Trump that he was prepared to send troops into Greenland, or to buy the country from Denmark. Turmoil followed in terms of international diplomacy, and the threat to NATO.

The subsequent jamboree at Davos in Switzerland – the annual get-together of the self-appointed rich and powerful could have looked like a car crash. In the event, Donald Trump – as so often in the last turbulent 12 months since his inauguration in January 2025 – backed down.

You don't have to be a genius to see the problem. The chaos, the uncertainty and insecurity caused by Donald Trump's dilettante changes of mind, create havoc on the international markets and, above all, on relationships between individual countries and of course the major global political blocs.

Given that we are no longer in the European Union, and that we experience substantial media and political outrage at the idea of doing real business with China, where do the UK's interests lie when its most historic ally is so unpredictable and unreliable? The answer is: ‘all at sea’ – in the literal sense of being an island off the coast of Europe; and in the political sense of our ‘Atlantic alliance’ with the US.

It is an unholy mess, but equalled by what has been happening at home over the last six weeks.

All the good news stories of Northern Powerhouse Rail and future investment in infrastructure and connectivity in Yorkshire; the investment programme into rundown neighbourhoods entitled Pride of Place; and improvements in our NHS are simply eclipsed by recent events.

In the past week we have seen the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer’s Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney: Head of Communications, Tim Allan, and the kind of political meltdown which resulted in voters throwing out the Tories 18 months ago.

The cause of the latest political upheaval is rooted in the recall of Peter Mandelson to public prominence, and then his sacking from the role of Ambassador to the US. This has delivered terrible collateral damage to the current Labour government which I support. Timelines have been concertinaed; past events confused with present revelations and the great media sport of hunting heads has been in full cry.

We need to learn the lessons: have much better vetting of those who are appointed to significant office, and to have proper hearings by Select Committees of the House of Commons to oversee significant appointments.

Keir Starmer’s response to the very real threat to his premiership was a fighting speech at which I was present last Monday. My response was very clear. If only the electorate could see and experience the real determination and passion of the Prime Minister then his ratings and the popularity of the government would be transformed.

That is the very essence of our democratic process, of maintaining confidence and trust in how our government works, and a sense of reality about what is happening on the ground.

Last night, I addressed a fundraising dinner in Bradford to raise money and morale for my Party. The message was very clear. Whatever happens to individuals, no matter what the immediate electoral unpopularity we face, there is something that is much greater than the immediate dire picture.

That ‘something’ is our values, our sense of identity and belonging, commitment to family, pride in community and country and a determination to create a more equal and better world.

Yesterday, we were celebrating Bradford, City of Culture; of major steps that have taken place in improving the lives of those in the city with the largest number of young people in the country. Celebrating the plans laid out by elected mayor, Tracy Brabin, for West Yorkshire and Susan Hinchliffe, Leader of the City of Bradford. Also celebrating the city’s great figures of the past, from JB Priestley to the formidable Barbara Castle.

This, I realise, is about the soul of Yorkshire: the grit and tenacity which I experienced and grew up with in Sheffield. What is happening across the world is both disturbing and deeply unsettling. What has been happening at home is, once again, a gift to the demagogues; to the exploiters of resentment and grievance.

In the end, nothing can take away from the desire to put the glue back into society. To ensure that, through mutuality and reciprocity, we are there to work with and for each other.

David Blunkett is a Labour Party politician, and served as the MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough.