Can Starmer stay the course?

The Monocle Daily episode dated April 20, 2026, opens with a sharp critique of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, despite Mandelson’s history of resignations and ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Panelists Isabel Hilton and Evan Williams dissect the political fallout, questioning Starmer’s judgment and suggesting the appointment may have been a political quid pro quo involving key allies like Morgan McSweeney. The episode then shifts to Bulgaria, where the election of Rumen Radev—a progressive leader with ambiguous stances on Russia and Ukraine—raises concerns about a potential shift toward Russian alignment, though panelists argue he is unlikely to replicate Viktor Orban’s hardline tactics. A broader discussion follows on the global left’s response to the rise of the far right, highlighted by a recent gathering in Barcelona attended by progressive leaders from around the world. While the event is seen as a hopeful beginning of a coordinated left-wing counter-movement, its effectiveness remains uncertain. The episode closes with a deep dive into Antifa, featuring author Christopher Mathias, who dispels myths about the movement as a monolithic organization, instead portraying it as a decentralized, grassroots network focused on intelligence gathering, doxxing, and community protection against white supremacy. Mathias emphasizes that the anti-fascist struggle has evolved to target state actors like ICE agents, reflecting a broader shift in the nature of authoritarianism.