--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For many progressives, 2016 will go down…" description: "\"For many progressives, 2016 will go down as a year of electoral shocks and profound disappointment. In the U.S., France and many other parts of Europe,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fc/keir-starmer-4888_confidence_for-many-progressives-2016-will-go-down_949907.jpg" --- # For many progressives, 2016 will go down as a year of… ![“For many progressives, 2016 will go down as a year of electoral shocks and profound disappointment. In the U.S., France and many other parts of Europe, the right enters 2017 with newfound confidence while the left recoils in fear of the future, unsure how to get back on the front foot.” quote by Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fc/keir-starmer-4888_confidence_for-many-progressives-2016-will-go-down_949907.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fc/keir-starmer-4888_confidence_for-many-progressives-2016-will-go-down_949907.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fc/keir-starmer-4888_confidence_for-many-progressives-2016-will-go-down_949907.jpg) > “For many progressives, 2016 will go down as a year of electoral shocks and profound disappointment. In the U.S., France and many other parts of Europe, the right enters 2017 with newfound confidence while the left recoils in fear of the future, unsure how to get back on the front foot.” [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes the 2016 elections as a shock for progressives, leading to left-wing uncertainty and right-wing confidence. **In simple terms:** 2016 shocked progressives, left feels uncertain. Key Takeaway Recognize setbacks to rebuild strategy. Themes politics electoral dynamics left-right divide Mood concerned determined Type analytical motivational When to use this quote - campaign strategy meetings - policy think‑tanks - grassroots organizing Key Concepts strategic planning public sentiment policy reform Questions to Reflect On - What concrete steps can the left take to regain momentum? - How can progressive movements stay resilient after defeats? A Different Perspective The left may overgeneralize disappointment, ignoring nuanced successes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappointment/) [Electoral Shocks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electoral-shocks-1685838/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear of the future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-of-the-future/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Left Recoils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left-recoils-1685839/) [Progressives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progressives/) [Progressives 2016](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progressives-2016-1685837/) [Year Electoral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/year-electoral-1685840/) ## Related quotes > [Everybody now seems to be talking about democracy. I don't understand this. As I think of it, democracy isn't like a Sunday suit to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalton-trumbo/everybody-now-seems-to-be-talking-about-democracy-i-don-t-understand/) [Dalton Trumbo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalton-trumbo/) > [Fear is crippling. Fear of the future can convince us that there is no way out and nothing is ever going to get better.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassia-leo/fear-is-crippling-fear-of-the-future-can-convince-us-that-there-is-no/) [Cassia Leo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassia-leo/) > [To me, fear of the future means fear of technology. I have a little bit of that. I still use it, but I kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/to-me-fear-of-the-future-means-fear-of-technology-i-have-a-little-bit/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) > [Fear keeps us rooted in the past. Fear of the unknown, fear of abandonment, fear of rejection, fear of not having enough, fear of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/fear-keeps-us-rooted-in-the-past-fear-of-the-unknown-fear-of/) [Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/) > [I do not always ask, in my prayers and discussions, for only those things I would like to see happen, because no man can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-fools-crow/i-do-not-always-ask-in-my-prayers-and-discussions-for-only-those/) [Frank Fools Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-fools-crow/) > [“Every moment is brand new, but we often fill the new with fear of the future or pain of the past instead of simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivian-amis/every-moment-is-brand-new-but-we-often-fill-the-new-with-fear-of-the/) [Vivian Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivian-amis/) > [“It was possible, no doubt, to imagine a society in which wealth, in the sense of personal possessions and luxuries, should be evenly distributed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/it-was-possible-no-doubt-to-imagine-a-society-in-which-wealth-in-the/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Fear of the future and longing for the past are major factors which impede appropriate action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-shoshanna/fear-of-the-future-and-longing-for-the-past-are-major-factors-which/) [Brenda Shoshanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-shoshanna/) > [“Cast the burden of the present, along with the sin of the past and the fear of the future, upon the Lord, who forsaketh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/cast-the-burden-of-the-present-along-with-the-sin-of-the-past-and-the/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“Emotional exhaustion follows fast on the footsteps of physical and mental depletion. I feel my lifeblood draining away in an oily spigot of inner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/emotional-exhaustion-follows-fast-on-the-footsteps-of-physical-and/) [Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/) > [“Review the past, but let it not rule you. Always ACT in the present with thought of the future, but do not let fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-d-owens/review-the-past-but-let-it-not-rule-you-always-act-in-the-present/) [Robin D. Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-d-owens/) > [It is through the perversion of the religious element in woman, playing upon her hopes and fears of the future, holding this life with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/it-is-through-the-perversion-of-the-religious-element-in-woman/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [I bear witness of the power of the priesthood given to the Church to protect us and guide us. And because we have that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/i-bear-witness-of-the-power-of-the-priesthood-given-to-the-church-to/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [“For those overwhelmed by fear of the future. Live in the moment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynette-noni/for-those-overwhelmed-by-fear-of-the-future-live-in-the-moment/) [Lynette Noni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynette-noni/) > [Somewhere between the procrastination... and the homework... and the incessant forwards... and the friendships... and the calls to each other complaining about crushes... Somewhere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/somewhere-between-the-procrastination-and-the-homework-and-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Keir Starmer > [We have to call out terrorism for what it is, and I have always done that, and the Labour Party has always done that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/we-have-to-call-out-terrorism-for-what-it-is-and-i-have-always-done/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [If you lose your job because there has been an influx of labour from another country, that is a legitimate cause for concern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/if-you-lose-your-job-because-there-has-been-an-influx-of-labour-from/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [When I was the director of public prosecutions between 2008 and 2013, I had staff working at the Eurojust HQ in The Hague 24/7.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/when-i-was-the-director-of-public-prosecutions-between-2008-and-2013/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [As we exit the E.U., there must be a new approach to immigration that has the consent of the British people and is managed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/as-we-exit-the-e-u-there-must-be-a-new-approach-to-immigration-that/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [So if you want a really effective criminal justice strategy, you don't build bigger prisons, you invest money in young kids - and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/so-if-you-want-a-really-effective-criminal-justice-strategy-you-don-t/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [I think the first what would happen in the immediate wake of a hard Brexit is a lack of confidence in UK economy. Business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/i-think-the-first-what-would-happen-in-the-immediate-wake-of-a-hard/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [Surveillance legislation fit for the 21st century, which strikes the right balance between privacy, security and democracy is a prize worth fighting for, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/surveillance-legislation-fit-for-the-21st-century-which-strikes-the/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [Labor party wants to make the economy fairer for everybody with a new industrial strategy and by investing in different parts of the UK.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/labor-party-wants-to-make-the-economy-fairer-for-everybody-with-a-new/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [For far too long, victims' rights have been discussed only in the context of sentencing. Sentencing is very important, but the debate obscures something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/for-far-too-long-victims-rights-have-been-discussed-only-in-the/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [In the absence of honesty from the Conservative party leadership, it is Labour's duty to spell out the very real consequences of a no-deal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/in-the-absence-of-honesty-from-the-conservative-party-leadership-it/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [Just when we need a strong government, what do we see? Division. Chaos. And failure. No credible plan for Brexit, no solution to prevent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/just-when-we-need-a-strong-government-what-do-we-see-division-chaos/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [I believe Britain's response to Brexit must be based on core progressive values: internationalism, cooperation, social justice and the rule of law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/i-believe-britain-s-response-to-brexit-must-be-based-on-core/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [There is a world of difference between not disclosing fine detail and relying on broad and generalised assertions. The first may be understandable; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/there-is-a-world-of-difference-between-not-disclosing-fine-detail-and/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [The key to understanding the impact of the Human Rights Act in the U.K. is to appreciate that civil liberties and human rights are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/the-key-to-understanding-the-impact-of-the-human-rights-act-in-the-u/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) > [You don't win elections by telling people what you're against. We're very good at listing things we don't much like about what the Tories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/you-don-t-win-elections-by-telling-people-what-you-re-against-we-re/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) [Explore all 105 Keir Starmer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) ## More Confidence quotes > [The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/the-cia-has-concluded-in-a-secret-assessment-that-russia-intervened/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [I was just confident my work was good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunny-yeager/i-was-just-confident-my-work-was-good/) [Bunny Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunny-yeager/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [Confidence comes from cutting yourself some slack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/confidence-comes-from-cutting-yourself-some-slack/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-ball/i-would-rather-regret-the-things-that-i-have-done-than-the-things/) [Lucille Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-ball/) > [You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/you-want-to-remain-hungry-and-stay-in-a-good-place-as-a-competitor-at/) [Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/) > [Get to know yourself well enough to not only expect, but also control, your response to the unexpected challenges in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/get-to-know-yourself-well-enough-to-not-only-expect-but-also-control/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I look for someone who has confidence. Also someone whose energetic, cause I'm NOT that energetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/i-look-for-someone-who-has-confidence-also-someone-whose-energetic/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [Why shouldn't I be confident? I'm well educated, I can deliver a line, and I have more than three expressions. That's good right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/why-shouldn-t-i-be-confident-i-m-well-educated-i-can-deliver-a-line/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [I was very confident on the stage, and I stood out in a red gown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-johnson/i-was-very-confident-on-the-stage-and-i-stood-out-in-a-red-gown/) [Nicole Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-johnson/) > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/if-you-go-to-any-nunnery-and-ask-them-what-the-main-obstacle-is-they/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) [Browse all 11,290 Confidence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For many progressives, 2016 will go down as a year of electoral shocks and profound disappointment. 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