The White Heat of AI: Starmer's Wilsonian plan

PM Kier Starmer's plan to 'mainline AI' into the UK's 'veins' harks back to fellow Labour leader Harold Wilson's vision of technological progress in the 1960s. However, this time round Starmer must address new environmental and political concerns.

The White Heat of AI: Starmer's Wilsonian plan

A failing economy following thirteen years of Conservative government, and a desperate need to invest in technology to modernise Britain.  

Sound familiar? This was the situation when Labour assumed power in 1964. The year prior, at his first conference as Labour leader, Harold Wilson delivered an inspiring vision of Britain embracing the 'white heat of the technological revolution'. This new vision of socialism, one of embracing innovation, contributed to Wilson's political sizzle. After all, Wilson was young and exciting to the electorate - at 47, he was practically adolescent in the sphere of politics. Expectations were high. 

Wilson delivered on his promise with varying success. The Ministry of Technology was established in the same year, funding was poured into universities and polytechnics to create more scientifically literate Brits, and projects like Concorde (a supersonic aircraft developed with France) highlighted Britain's new high-tech ambition. However, his first office is often remembered for the devaluation crisis of 1967 in which the value of the 'pound in your pocket' - as Wilson infamously declared on TV - became worth less in international markets. Britain had to park its scientific ambitions, and white heat became lukewarm. 

60 years later, Starmer has found himself inheriting an eerily similar situation, and is offering similar solutions, promising the UK will become an 'AI superpower'. In a recent press release, Chancellor Rachel Reeves claims:

 'AI is a powerful tool that will help grow our economy, make our public services more efficient and open up new opportunities to help improve living standards'. 

Whilst there are undeniable economic benefits to reap in using AI technology, a growing field attracting £14 billion in investment in the UK from leading tech companies, Starmer must tackle issues that Wilson did not face.  

Most stark is the looming climate crisis, a term practically unheard of in the 1960s, only reaching the public consciousness by the 1970's environmentalism movement. In 2025, we are all too familiar with the impending threat of global warming. The price of having unlimited knowledge at our fingertips through AI may well be the planet - generators produce massive amounts of carbon emissions with every inquiry that AI answers. In 2024 alone, GPT AI models produced 502 tons of CO2 emissions, contributing to already serious damage to the environment. Considering that Britain has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, it appears counter-intuitive to invest against this goal. Starmer must perform an impressive balancing act for both of these policies to co-exist. 

There are also dangerous political implications in Starmer's AI agenda, particularly in the influence of tech-mogul billionaire Elon Musk. When questioned on Musk potentially discouraging AI investors from UK markets, Starmer stated:

 "We will work with anybody in this sector, whether it's Elon Musk or anybody else. We're a government that's focused on being number one when it comes to AI and working with all."

Musk has garnered negative reactions for his growing political influence as the greatest donor to president-elect Donald Trump, and allowing Musk a collaborative role in the UK's proposed AI industry may spread such influence. Critics are quick to point out that Musk is unelected in any public office, and already has overblown powers as a civilian. To offer Musk any involvement in the UK may be inviting the chaos he has courted in America, an unwise political choice for Starmer. The Prime Minister himself has felt the brunt end of Musk's political ascendency, with his vocal support (and potential donations) to Reform UK fuelling the growing right-wing populist challenge to the government. Importantly, to enter negotiations over AI with Musk would be playing on his home-turf - a challenge which may not be worth the fight. 

When Harold Wilson set out to lead Britain through technological revolution in 1964, he faced far fewer complications than Starmer today - gone are the days when industrial growth was merely synonymous with 'progress'. The Prime Minister is certain to attract criticism for leading the AI charge and must be wary - this new white heat may burn. 

Header Image Credit: Eric Koch/10 Downing Street

Author

Freya Burnham

Freya Burnham Local Reviewer

Student local to the Stoke-on-Trent area, passionate about all things history, drama, and culture. And pretending to know what she's on about.

We need your help supporting young creatives

Donate Now Other ways you can help

Recent posts by this author

View more posts by Freya Burnham

1 Comments

  • Tom Beasley

    On 14 January 2025, 16:33 Tom Beasley Editor commented:

    I found this a really interesting piece, Freya. Like you, I was a bit baffled by how little Starmer has spoken about how he hopes to embrace AI without undoing all of Labour's good work on the climate.

Post A Comment

You must be signed in to post a comment. Click here to sign in now

You might also like

Review: BBC's The Apprentice, Episode 3

Review: BBC's The Apprentice, Episode 3

by Naomi Johnson

Read now