PM accepted £20,000 so his boy could study

Why would he?
Would that make him ordinary?

I may be wrong but thought this was before The move yo no. 10 (or is it 11?).

I thought this was largely during the campaign period?

I’m afraid most mps are in it for the power and freebies they can get out of it, they have no idea how the average family live.

Lesley60

I voted Labour hoping that it was the party for ordinary working people but unfortunately it hasn’t taken long for all the corrupt actions to come to the surface, is there any political party that is clean of these ideas of being in it for what they can get out of it
I understand that it was hard for his son to study in that environment but couldn’t he go around his grans to do it like most kids would

Keir Starmer's father is dead and his mother is disabled. Victoria Starmer's mother is dead. I don't know where her father lives.

Most ordinary children don't have the press camping out on their doorstep.

GrannyBettie

He wasn't. His son (Starmer) studied in said house and the value that was put on that was £20K, which seems arbitrary but ........ In effect a person let another person's son use his accommodation so the son could study as home was too noisy. I am not trying to defend Starmer but is this really a story?

I agree with you. No money changed hands and presumably the press didn't know the address where they were staying, so couldn't harass them and nobody knew where to send death threats (not the kind of pressure which "ordinary" teenagers usually experience).

There are far bigger stories.

I don't believe a word of it. He now has to find an excuse for accepting a free gift because he, along with his cohorts were found out in accepting freebies worth thousands.
At this particular moment when their first attack has been on the pensioners who cannot retaliate it does not look good for him so he has to cover himself.
Just shows his lack of understanding of how people really live in this country.

He's under no obligation to find an excuse, because he has done nothing wrong.
Morally questionable,but mps have always accepted gifts and donations.

It would just be so nice if all politicians from all parties could demonstrate how to live within their means, without loans, freebies or extra expenses as the rest of us do. It is similar to restricting alcohol etc and then subsidising it in the House of Commons. Just so many double standards in all parties.

Most of us don’t have the option to move somewhere quieter whilst our kids study!

No, but that doesn't mean those that have, shouldn't.
I inhabit a totally different world than a lot of people on gransnet.

That doesnt mean they arent allowed to have holidays, pay school fees, buy their children cars, houses, or whatever.

As a grown up, I realise that.

Can anyone explain to me why Labour historically against wealth and all its trappings are best mates with Lord Alli and all benefits that go with that friendship, or is it entirely different when they are on the receiving end of this largesse.
As George Orwell said, All animals are born equal, but some are more equal than others, it will ever be thus as human nature /people demand this.

My opinion of Keir starmer could not be printed ! One rule for them and another rule for us

were found out in accepting freebies worth thousands

Rubbish yellowfox! There was no ‘finding out’ - every donation has been correctly registered according to parliamentary rules … freely available for all to see.

If Johnson had done this it would, I am sure, have been condemned by many on this site. Johnson of course did far worse, but Chairman Starmer is just getting going.
'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.'

Most of us don’t have the option to move somewhere quieter whilst our kids study

I repeat my earlier post … most of us don’t have hoards of journalists and protesters clambering outside our homes while our child is studying for his GCSEs.

If you were facing that situation Cambia wouldn’t you do anything to support your child? I know I would!

Heliotrope

Can anyone explain to me why Labour historically against wealth and all its trappings are best mates with Lord Alli and all benefits that go with that friendship, or is it entirely different when they are on the receiving end of this largesse.
As George Orwell said, All animals are born equal, but some are more equal than others, it will ever be thus as human nature /people demand this.

Your post is a total contradiction. Labour is not historically against wealth - it is against some people hoarding wealth at the expense of others.

As a party (which is, of course, made up of individuals) it recognises that people are not born equal, and that aspiration and hard work are drivers for many.

Have you read the Manifesto?
labour.org.uk/updates/stories/labour-manifesto-2024-sign-up/

He doesn’t have a second home. Unlike a lot of them.
But I have to say I’m generally disappointed in him so far. Especially over the cold weather payments. There are so many of us in our eighties, born during WW2, so not BabyBoomers, who are Just Managing and don’t want to go down the Pension Credit route if we can avoid it. And trying to get it would take so much time and energy which a lot of us don’t have. The initial application form has 243 questions for starters

Well me, I'm just wishing Lord Alli was my best friend. Anyone got his number?

Age UK, I think, were urging people to apply, and they will help with the process.

All I can say is it can't be so desperately needed if people don't want to apply.

LizzieDrip

^Most of us don’t have the option to move somewhere quieter whilst our kids study^

I repeat my earlier post … most of us don’t have hoards of journalists and protesters clambering outside our homes while our child is studying for his GCSEs.

If you were facing that situation Cambia wouldn’t you do anything to support your child? I know I would!

Can anyone explain to me how an invitation to stay at a friend's house to study for exams peacefully has a cash value put on it and called a "donation"?

How was that figure reached?

Some families have an alternative peaceful space, some don't. If - thank goodness never one hopes - my grandchildren's house was surrounded by press at a crucial time then they could go to modest grans house or friends.

It would be good if some provision could be made for study when home conditions are poor, this has been discussed for some time generally

It's verging on the ludicous: Starmer has rightly imo been picked up on some of the gifts, but this is not a donation.

But look at the last PM. Where were the grumbles about his kids advantages?
Sunak, his wife Akshata Murthy, and their two daughters split their time between their many impressive homes in the UK and abroad. There's a townhouse in London and a grand residence in North Yorkshire, as well as a pad in Santa Monica, California and a separate flat in central London.

Plenty of places to go for quiet time and no pile ons in GN?

The story is true Starmer admitted it, he said his son couldn’t concentrate because of the journalists so when the propert was offered he took it for his son and it was £20000. I watched the interview

His son has been offered a quiet room on his friend's house to study. As this may be considered a 'gift' he has measured it at £20,000. I was annoyed about accepting of gifts at first, but frankly I haven't seen anything which is unusual. If Kate's son was offered a space to study quietly at the Duke of Westminster's home, would Prince William declare it? I haven't seen any lucrative contracts go his way yet!!! Leave them in peace!!!

Allira. Ali got what he wanted a free pass to come and go at no 10 when he wants . Dont forget he is also a labour lord

Do you mean the property was worth that amount, ronib?

Ruthin, that pass was for a very limited time, and ran out a good few weeks ago.

Fully agree with Maddyfours comment.