A year of Starmer What do you think?

Galaxy

I am not in either of those cults, do I need a cult, where do I find one I like

best way is to make up your own

OJ believes womens bodies should be for his use, many women found that deeply sexist and many lesbians found it deeply homophobic. Presumably they can get him sacked then or does their discrimination not count.

Galaxy

I am not in either of those cults, do I need a cult, where do I find one I like

I always remember Spike Milligan, when told that he had a cult following replying ‘yes, I am a bit of a cult aren’t I’....

Galaxy

OJ believes womens bodies should be for his use, many women found that deeply sexist and many lesbians found it deeply homophobic. Presumably they can get him sacked then or does their discrimination not count.

I don't understand this- he is gay. What is his interest in using "women's bodies"?

For babies.

Galaxy

But you are right there is zero chance of OJ becoming leader I think it's more likely that Ant and Dec would take the role.

The sad thing is that, if they were leader the LP would win. Ditto if EdBalls came back into politics because he’s now a ‘celeb’.

I'd be far more interested to see if the Welsh Labour leader Mark Drayford would be interested in spreading his success into England.

His intention is to step down partway through this term when he reaches 70 trisher.

Galaxy

For babies.

So you don't think gay men can be parents? I beleive what he said was that he would be interested in co-parenting with a lesbian couple. If all parties agree I can't see how that is using anyone. Or perhaps all women are "using" men's sperm to have babies???

I don’t know much about Andy Burnham but DH who remembers a lot more about politics than I do doesn’t trust him at all. He says he goes whichever way the wind is blowing. Of the two of them I’d trust Keir totally. For some reason I’ve always liked him and family members that have met him have been very impressed with him. I do think that, with him what you see is what you get. Which unfortunately doesn’t seem to appeal to voters who prefer the all singing all dancing breed of politician. I actually wish he wouldn’t do the Johnson type photo shoots because it isn’t him. Apart from the wallpaper one which was funny.

greenlady102

While I haven't fact checked it, my first impression is that the article from the OP isn't from an entirely unbiased source. I do however have one thing which sticks in my craw about SKS, which others may think is petty but to me its a straw in the wind.
When he first appeared in the media, numerous online articles said that his wife, who is a lawyer but not registered as currently practicing worked in the NHS as an Occupational Therapist. I was one before I retired and know that this is a protected title so I checked the register and contacted the health professions council when I found that she was not listed. They dealt with it and magically the online info was changed to "works in occupational health" or vanished all together. Now from my experience in the NHS, the only qualified/registered people who work in or for Occupational Health are nurses, medics and therapists plus non qualified admin support. She isn't registered as any of those and I doubt that she types or files for them.....
yes I know this all sounds a bit psycho but I honestly would not care if KS didn't wave his wife's alleged NHS employment as a political point score but not say what it is that she does....she is absolutely entitled to her privacy, both her and the kids but he needs to shut up about it in public.
For me its a straw in the wind......

btw I know its a long shot but does anybody know of their own knowledge ie not from googling, what it is that she does do?

That is interesting and thank you for bringing it up. All I will say is that, unlike Carrie Symonds I doubt if she’s been sacked from a job for fraudulent behaviour (which doesn’t seem to get mentioned given that most of the government and people involved with them seem to have been sacked at one time or another which includes the PM and the Home Secretary: the Education Secretary as well I believe). But it is a valid point and I would like to find out more.

It doesnt matter what my views are on it to be honest. I have strong views on surrogacy for example but none on co parenting. But many lesbians found that tweet deeply offensive, and I read a number of their views on how they are often faced with that kind of expectation/entitlement and how difficult it is. Why are their feelings of discrimination not counted, who gets to decide that.

MayBee70

greenlady102

While I haven't fact checked it, my first impression is that the article from the OP isn't from an entirely unbiased source. I do however have one thing which sticks in my craw about SKS, which others may think is petty but to me its a straw in the wind.
When he first appeared in the media, numerous online articles said that his wife, who is a lawyer but not registered as currently practicing worked in the NHS as an Occupational Therapist. I was one before I retired and know that this is a protected title so I checked the register and contacted the health professions council when I found that she was not listed. They dealt with it and magically the online info was changed to "works in occupational health" or vanished all together. Now from my experience in the NHS, the only qualified/registered people who work in or for Occupational Health are nurses, medics and therapists plus non qualified admin support. She isn't registered as any of those and I doubt that she types or files for them.....
yes I know this all sounds a bit psycho but I honestly would not care if KS didn't wave his wife's alleged NHS employment as a political point score but not say what it is that she does....she is absolutely entitled to her privacy, both her and the kids but he needs to shut up about it in public.
For me its a straw in the wind......

btw I know its a long shot but does anybody know of their own knowledge ie not from googling, what it is that she does do?

That is interesting and thank you for bringing it up. All I will say is that, unlike Carrie Symonds I doubt if she’s been sacked from a job for fraudulent behaviour (which doesn’t seem to get mentioned given that most of the government and people involved with them seem to have been sacked at one time or another which includes the PM and the Home Secretary: the Education Secretary as well I believe). But it is a valid point and I would like to find out more.

But we don't know that (fraudulent behaviour) or anything else....and again her right but he should shut up about it.

Andy Burnham was the best Health Secretary ever from the NHS’ perspective, he was very widely respected in the service. I don’t think his services will be called on in the near future, but I do think the national party need to work closely with the Labour mayors, most of whom stormed it in these elections.

I hope though that the reshuffle brings back some of the hard hitters from the Brown era, that’s what the party needs. One thing nobody seems to have mentioned is that despite the terrible press about the results in the council elections, Labour actually made a 1% gain in vote share - not anywhere near as much as ideal, but progress from the Corbyn doldrums. They need time to rebuild, and there was the COVID management effect, so the timing was bad - but there are also some green shoots of recovery.

Galaxy

It doesnt matter what my views are on it to be honest. I have strong views on surrogacy for example but none on co parenting. But many lesbians found that tweet deeply offensive, and I read a number of their views on how they are often faced with that kind of expectation/entitlement and how difficult it is. Why are their feelings of discrimination not counted, who gets to decide that.

Anyone is entitled to their feelings but they aren't entitled to blame others for their feelings. They don't like what he said fair enough they can say so. But "using bodies" implies lack of choice or consent and I don't think he said that. He simply thought co-parenting would be nice and he might like to try it. Presumably with other consenting adults. How is that expectation or entitlement? How is it discrimination? He hsn't said they have to agree with him, they must co parent or made any other demands.

I'm on the fence. He isn't really left wing enough for me, but given that he is what we've got, I am watchfully waiting. I don't want to bash him, although IMO, his actions around the anti semitism issue were terrible. I understand he was trying to draw a line, but he alienated a LOT of supporters.

You would need to read the views.of lesbians who explained why it was offensive, and how that expectation is something they deal with on a regular basis. It was really quite moving as I hadnt considered that viewpoint before. He didnt say women he said lesbians. There was a reason for that. It was interesting to read peoples experiences and how it made them feel. So if I say I believe sex is a reality and impacts on womens lives then people cant blame me for their feelings on that subject either. Which was the point I was making about OJs behaviour towards his fellow journalist. He thought SM was discriminatory towards transwomen, many lesbians thought he was discriminatory towards them. Its interesting whose feelings gets priority.

Galaxy

You would need to read the views.of lesbians who explained why it was offensive, and how that expectation is something they deal with on a regular basis. It was really quite moving as I hadnt considered that viewpoint before. He didnt say women he said lesbians. There was a reason for that. It was interesting to read peoples experiences and how it made them feel. So if I say I believe sex is a reality and impacts on womens lives then people cant blame me for their feelings on that subject either. Which was the point I was making about OJs behaviour towards his fellow journalist. He thought SM was discriminatory towards transwomen, many lesbians thought he was discriminatory towards them. Its interesting whose feelings gets priority.

I don't understand why anyone's feelings are getting priority. He commented on SM about a gay man having a baby with a lesbian couple and said he would like to do it. And for that he is castigated. If a straight man said he wanted to have a baby with a straight woman is he using straight women? Some women wouldn't be interested but some might.

I've just been hearing about the changes Kier Starmer has made and it all seems sensible to me. Mind you with the right-wing MSM and far-left of his party I think he just has to stop reading the papers or paying any attention to the left of his own party.

He has launched a shadow cabinet reshuffle that has already been dubbed a right-turn so hard it would give you whiplash.

Nowhere is this clearer than in his appointment of Rachel (more Tory than the Tories) Reeves as shadow chancellor.

Starmer made a mistake in trying to demote Raynor so quickly! Should have left it for a few weeks at least, so that it didn’t seem like a knee jerk reaction.
Now he looks weak all round, after a not very inspiring re
shuffle.
Having said that, Reeves is a good replacement for Dodds, have always thought that she was a good strong candidate for a top job.

I also think that Starmer cannot reconcile all parts of the LP so shouldn’t even try, he should go all out for what he thinks is the correct way to gain power for Labour in the future.
That means sidelining the far left.
You know it makes sense!?

It's been a very unusual year (to say the least) with no real opportunity for active campaigning, for getting a clear message across.

The usual 'attack the opposition' tactic was so inappropriate that we're left without a strong Labour promise, just a muddle.

Starmer already had a good team in place, superior in my view to the Government team. That doesn't mean that the team should remain exactly as it is. Sometimes it becomes apparent that a team member has greater strengths in another field. There is a world of difference between running a campaign and campaigning. Perhaps running the campaign was not Angela's forte. She is very good on the doorstep and engages well with people on the ground. It doesn't follow she is good at the overall control of a nationwide campaign. The same is true of Anneliese Dodds. Not everyone communicates well in the House. I think Rachel Reeves will be a good match for Rishi and Angela will be a thorn in Gove's side. No doubt Keir will get a bumpy ride over this in the House, press and Party but he is man enough for the job.

Labour’s election campaign was run from Starmer’s office and as leader he is ultimately responsible for it The buck stops with him.

I’m relatively happy but just wish he’d fight a bit more. If Labour are to do anything they have to get tough. It’s all been a bit too polite so far. Which is ok btw if the Tories were also ‘polite’ but they’re not. They’re a nasty bunch. TM said as much.