Starmer admits he’s frustrated by his first year in power.

Grantanow

He needs to do two things. 1: get a grip on the so-called immigration problem and resolve it so pulling the rug from under Farage's feet (and the Tories should help him), and 2: go all out for economic growth.

To be fair, Liz Truss tried to go out for economic growth, but that didn't end well. I must admit I find some of Labour's actions (especially increasing employers' NI) puzzling in that context. If the only figure which mattered were economic growth, one of the easiest ways to do that would be to allow more immigrants with work visas, but there would be all sorts of repercussions.

I think Labour is trying to get to grips with the immigration issue - hence the latest announcement about family visas. Unfortunately for Labour, there are those within the party who strongly disagree wit that for various reasons. Despite the increase in arrivals, Labour hasn't done enough to publicise the increased number of deportations. It inherited a toxic problem with hotels, but there isn't an overnight simple solution. There is now more international liaison. People smuggling is an international problem, linked to other crime, but it takes time to establish international anti-crime networks. Brexit didn't help. I believe there is progress, but the results won't be visible overnight.

3,400 arrivals on rubber boats crossing the Channel since Starmer’s much vaunted bromance deal with Macron about the ‘one in one out’. Not ONE has gone back yet….

I’d stop paying ££millions to France. It’s not good value for money.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I’d stop paying ££millions to France. It’s not good value for money.

You don't know how it's being spent and I bet you've never seen an evaluation.

The proof of the pudding is telling though.

Luckygirl3

Grantanow

He needs to do two things. 1: get a grip on the so-called immigration problem and resolve it so pulling the rug from under Farage's feet (and the Tories should help him), and 2: go all out for economic growth.

What is your proposal for getting a "grip on" immigration?

This. more detail needed here? For instance, exactly how should he get a grip on immigration? One move would be to solve the international problems that bedevil the world - anything less just patches over the symptoms without curing the disease. Just how do you even begin to make any impression on international problems without international action? While there is war and oppression, and trillionaire power junkies manipulating national finances to increase their own wealth and influence, there will always be people leaving their native countries to seek other homes.

I think Starmer is someone with the ability to see the disease behind the symptoms. He went from a young local volunteer to getting and exercising a law degree because he saw that without legal experience he couldn't help the people who came to him for assistance. Then he went from administering the law to joining those who made them, and from being a back bencher to leading the lawmakers. From there he inevitably gravitated to involvement in international affairs. You can't keep putting plasters on the wounds without wondering what really caused them and attacking the root sources.

I am convinced that whatever he does some of the posters here will not be satisfied .Even if he had a magic wand to put right the things which do not please many posters and could do it overnight they would still not support him.

Starmer has all the right experience on paper but in practice I think he’s not a natural leader and lets himself be bogged down with too many opinions from others which means he can’t be decisive.I think he’s can be obstinate but that’s a different characteristic.
The first year in power didn’t have to be like this, I think he now knows this and hopefully the reshuffle will help.
Ultimately tho the buck stops with him.

westendgirl

I am convinced that whatever he does some of the posters here will not be satisfied .Even if he had a magic wand to put right the things which do not please many posters and could do it overnight they would still not support him.

Well, I could lend him one, it's in the attic.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I’d stop paying ££millions to France. It’s not good value for money.

They even grumbling again about the Bayeux tapestry coming over here, and we're paying
££ millions for it!

Elegran

I'm not surprised he is frustrated. He does a lot of research, consults a lot of people, works out what will give a long-term effect (and isnt a quick fix or unaffordable), then puts it up for discussion - and is blasted by people who see only their own corner of the problem and think that a different political party will improve their life with a magic wand.

Well said Elegran .

A prime minister should be able to address the complexity of problems for long term remedial action.

Elegran

Luckygirl3

Grantanow

He needs to do two things. 1: get a grip on the so-called immigration problem and resolve it so pulling the rug from under Farage's feet (and the Tories should help him), and 2: go all out for economic growth.

What is your proposal for getting a "grip on" immigration?

This. more detail needed here? For instance, exactly how should he get a grip on immigration? One move would be to solve the international problems that bedevil the world - anything less just patches over the symptoms without curing the disease. Just how do you even begin to make any impression on international problems without international action? While there is war and oppression, and trillionaire power junkies manipulating national finances to increase their own wealth and influence, there will always be people leaving their native countries to seek other homes.

I think Starmer is someone with the ability to see the disease behind the symptoms. He went from a young local volunteer to getting and exercising a law degree because he saw that without legal experience he couldn't help the people who came to him for assistance. Then he went from administering the law to joining those who made them, and from being a back bencher to leading the lawmakers. From there he inevitably gravitated to involvement in international affairs. You can't keep putting plasters on the wounds without wondering what really caused them and attacking the root sources.

to you for your final metaphor

escaped

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I’d stop paying ££millions to France. It’s not good value for money.

They even grumbling again about the Bayeux tapestry coming over here, and we're paying
££ millions for it!

I'm not sure it should come! It's too fragile and precious.

Perhaps the £millions could be spent funding school trips so that children could go over there to see 'Harold with the Arrow in his eye'!

From there he inevitably gravitated to involvement in international affairs. You can't keep putting plasters on the wounds without wondering what really caused them and attacking the root sources.

That is what many people know should be happening but it never does.
The problems are many and varied and one Prime Minister of a small country is never going to solve anything because nations disagree and little or no progress is ever made.
What is the use of the United Nations? Why are they not mediating more in countries where there is civil war? Famine?

Domestic problems have to be addressed. It's no use grandstanding on the world stage when problems pile up at home, other politicians stir up the electorate and sometimes it looks as if we could head for a civil war.

They want us to have the tapestry whilst the museum it is currently housed in is closed for renovations.

I will probably go and see it in the British Museum.

President Macron’s played a blinder, we are paying to look after it and saving them the trouble. No doubt we shall also be blamed for any in transit damage 🤷‍♀️

Allira

escaped

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I’d stop paying ££millions to France. It’s not good value for money.

They even grumbling again about the Bayeux tapestry coming over here, and we're paying
££ millions for it!

I'm not sure it should come! It's too fragile and precious.

Perhaps the £millions could be spent funding school trips so that children could go over there to see 'Harold with the Arrow in his eye'!

I too doubt that school trips of that sort are cost effective. How can a long bit of embroidery teach much to children about man's past?

I am a fan of educational trips, whether they are museums, galleries, concerts, shows or even one I took part in to the Thames Tidal Barrier.

DD1 was always dragged along when I took school trips to see the Bayeux tapestry. After the first scene or two she was bored stiff, 10 - 14 years old! We all went back this year with her DD and it was funny to see the mum really enjoying it, as well as the next generation. I think possibly all the "learning" done on computers meant the actual tapestry was more exciting for the youngster.

GrannyGravy13

I am a fan of educational trips, whether they are museums, galleries, concerts, shows or even one I took part in to the Thames Tidal Barrier.

Me too.

It's surprising what they remember even if they spend time chatting, giggling and nudging one another!

Allira

GrannyGravy13

I am a fan of educational trips, whether they are museums, galleries, concerts, shows or even one I took part in to the Thames Tidal Barrier.

Me too.

It's surprising what they remember even if they spend time chatting, giggling and nudging one another!

Agreed.

Allira

GrannyGravy13

I am a fan of educational trips, whether they are museums, galleries, concerts, shows or even one I took part in to the Thames Tidal Barrier.

Me too.

It's surprising what they remember even if they spend time chatting, giggling and nudging one another!

Yes, but compared with a hands-on experience sort of school trip , looking at embroidered pictures needs a particularly talented interpretation and delivery from the teacher before can mean anything about man's past.

It is not a cost effective way to deliver education.

It is not a cost effective way to deliver education.

It's the experience, foreign country, foreign language, foreign food. A bit of history thrown in as well.

Many children might never get to experience this.
For most children, a trip to France is their first or one and only school trip. Some never can because the cost is prohibitive so funding towards that would be a positive thing.

What does my son remember? The school dinners i Frane because the lamb was bloody! 😫

Education is not just about stuffing children with facts that they can regurgitate at exam time.

And never mind the ‘Reeves is toast’ comments - we’re ALL toast if this continues!

There’s talk of the IMF bailing us out.

What happened to pre-election ‘everything will be fully costed’ promises? 🤷‍♀️

In September 2022 Liz launched her mini-budget and UK Gilts hit about 4.7% for a brief period. At the time Rachel Reeves is on record making a speech about how Liz Truss had crashed the economy and that she should stand down as PM.

Now that Rachel Reeves is in charge of managing the UK Economy UK Gilts have been above 5% for six months and are currently at 5.7% - and yet Rachel remains quiet.

Hmm.

Well she would …..