Starmer's speech to the virtual LP conference

Quoted Can you imagine a Labour Party leader having someone who worked for an anti-trade union outsourcing firm, as well as a PR company for a racist apartheid nation, to introduce his keynote conference speech? Then to say that person exemplifies the values he wants Labour to stand for? ?

I don't think you can ask for policies right now, but he sets out his aspirations

Properly funded universal public services. World-class education which unleashes everyone’s potential.

A huge investment in skills and a plan, working hand-in-hand with businesses and trade unions, to create high quality jobs.

An economy that doesn’t force people to move hundreds of miles just to find a decent job. One that truly works for all regions and nations of this United Kingdom. With opportunity and security in every part of the country and at every stage of our lives.

A country committed to a greener, cleaner and fairer society. Where every policy is judged not just by how much it costs today but also by what it does for the planet tomorrow.

A country which would be an active force for good in the world, once again admired and respected. Leading the world – and leading by example – in tackling the climate emergency.

If he can get a grip on how an economy really works; not by focussing on deficits (which are mostly people's savings) but by recognising that a country with a sovereign currency can issue what is needed to achieve these things (which is no more than the tories are doing at the moment) it could be promising.

Iam64 ??

As one of the many who campaign in the streets, I was relieved to hear Starmer tell the truth. If a party loses two general elections, it’s time to reflect rather than accuse the electorate of getting it wrong.

Having now watched his speech, it was o.k. I suppose he doesn't have to give policy ideas as to how to achieve the country that he wants to see, as the election is so far in the future. He sounds like he wants to be seen as a safe pair of hands, and seems to be succeeding in that aim.
I have seen on this site that left wingers are sometimes accused of a lack of patriotism, and he wanted to refute that.
I am not sure though, that implying that the party deserved to lose the last election, was a very wise move as it could well alienate the very people that campaign on the streets during an election campaign, and he will need them in the future.
Also, continually stressing the "new management " is that the way to unite the different sections in the party? I don't think so, and he needs to find a way to do that.
Those of us who were inspired by the policies under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership don't want all that hope and enthusiasm to be brushed aside.

it was brilliant - what was wrong about taking the knee? Are you racist?

Yes voters won't forget Starmer and Rayner taking the knee, big error of judgement.

Well yes let's hope they do firecracker, then they will remember the care homes, the exams, the test and trace etc, etc.

wait for that pudding, lol

A case of sour grapes on your part me thinks lol.

You do have to actually win an election to make a difference

and what an mazing difference he is making

Annie - did you mean Under Corbyn’s leadership, Labour lost two general elections, local elections and European elections?

**15:37biba70

Firecracker ''Personally I think he has no charisma, is uninspiring and his delivery is deadpan.''

we have seen what so called 'charisma' and boisterous delivery does, haven't we? Great examples of late, Johnson and Trump.**


Both Johnson and Trump won elections, Boris by a stomping 80 seats and both are charismatic. You do have to actually win an election to make a difference, 15 mins at PMQs just doesn't cut it. Bending the knee for BLM didn't impress me either and I'm sure I not the only one. Trying to stop Brexit. Voters have a long memory.

Firecracker ''Personally I think he has no charisma, is uninspiring and his delivery is deadpan.''

we have seen what so called 'charisma' and boisterous delivery does, haven't we? Great examples of late, Johnson and Trump.

Johnson's vavavoom has certainly dropped like a ton of bricks, for sure- and we can all see that there is nough behind.

Give me calm, informed, experienced, hard-working, intelligent researching and negotiating + care and a <3 - 1000x a day.

It's really dangerous to only listen to people who you support firecracker.

MaizieD

I have to say that if I lived in a marginal tory constituency I would vote for whichever of Labour or LibDem had the best chance of winning the seat from the tories.

But I've never been in a constituency where my vote seemed to count that much..

I understand MaisieD views. Unfortunately our corrupt political system will continue with the help of the RW media to oppose any improvements that will give the Electorate a stronger say in our choice of MP.

I like Starmer but he lacks ?

I never bothered to listen to his speech why would anyone listen to him at the moment unless they were one of his supporters. Personally I think he has no charisma, is uninspiring and his delivery is deadpan.

Those who don't want to read the speech can watch it here:

news.yahoo.com/watch-sir-keir-starmers-speech-091500549.html

I've read his speech and couldn't find any mention of Labour policies, just his vision for his leadership (all very honourable of course). Is it too early for that as he's still settling in? Don't want to knock the new boy.

Yes Annie there was ( I think several posters assumed huge membership would translate to a huge majority at the GE.)
The important thing is where voters place their X on the night.
Although I like Starmer, am not sure about how popular he will be, of course the fact that he isn’t like Corbyn is in his favour, but am wondering if he will be a fence sitter and people pleaser like Theresa May was.

There was much placed on the increased numbers of members in the Labour Party and the lower number in the tory party before the last election.

Anniebach

Corbyn did fail, he lost four elections

Really did he? I must have missed one then!
Starmer's speech is uninspiring and I can't see it attracting many people to the LP (in fact I doubt if most people will even read it). What is influencing most people at the moment is the absolute incompetence of this government as people who thought they were going to see something inspirational realise there isn't going to be any such thing. I suspect Starmer really knows that and is keeping his powder dry.
But he will have to wait 4 years. By then Brexit will have wreaked havoc, how much of that can now be blamed on the Covid virus remains to be seen.

The Spanish system isn’t FPTP and it’s a mess. Has been for years. Coalitions? Ha.

Labour are in a difficult situation. Corbyn was too far left for them, and Blair too far right. And both have blotted their copybooks in one way or another..

And here comes Starmer, having to tread a delicate line between being seen as too much like Blair, or too much like Corbyn.

I think he steered a pretty good course between the two in his speech. He certainly seems electable and credible as a statesman.

However, as long as we have the first-past-the-post electoral system there will be no real democracy. Time after time in my constituency the total of votes against the winner exceed those for, because of the split opposition. It is tedious. My aim is to rid ourselves of the run of right wing MPs, but it is impossible to know how to vote to achieve this - I have to balance up which might be the most likely to oust him and it is an impossible decision.