Labour party conference, is no-one else interested?

What is the matter with these people trying to disrupt his speech. What good do they think they’re doing? I could cry…

I do hope that Starmer gets it across, I truly despair at the sneering disregard shown by Johnson and his party, they lie, they know they are lying, they know we know.......but they don't care.

I tire of hearing (from all parties) what they think of each other - I don't care. What I would like to hear is what they would do for us. I'm fed up of all the he said/she said rubbish.

GillT57 actually I've heard quite a few others being interviewed and Lisa Nandy was quoted
Asked whether this year's conference is about "burying" Corbynism, she replies it's about "showing the country we've changed".

She adds that Starmer has been trying to improve the party's trust with voters, and change the party so it can "look outwards" to the public.
I found that heartening and am looking forward to hearing what Starmer has to say in his speech. He may not be the most charismatic politician but I am hoping he has the skills to reposition the Labour party so it becomes electable. We'll see but I was pleased to hear people supporting him (Lammy, Beckett et al) There's absolutely no point in being in permanent opposition so if people have to pare back their expectations, then that is what is required IMHO.

Just waiting to hear Keir Starmer's speech

The problem is finding reports of the conference on the news which are not concentrating on the divisions within the party, BBC keeps interviewing John O'Donnel and giving him far more air time than he merits in my opinion. Rachel Reeve who gave an articulate and impassioned speech was given very little coverage, as compared to Angela Rayner's secondary speech. The more controversial speeches make better news I suppose, and I look forward to the Conservative party conference when I expect to hear lots of reports of the secondary meetings held by the extremists in the party.

Varian I didn't think Labour, while the unions have that power, would ever back PR, sadly. It seems Starmer is slowly deminishing that power but we will see.

There is always hope for winning , no hope for party unity

I thought Tony Blair was a good leader who made one mistake. He brought the Labour Party to the centre-left and gave me something to vote for.

I have been interested, foxie, but the last few days have been for the Labour Party members. Other than the pearl-clutching over "Angela's Language", I haven't seen the purpose of comment about them sorting themselves out.

What I do want to hear is Keir's speech. Oh ... and I was happy to hear that winning was more important than party unity.

varian

I was very interested to hear the discussion on voting reform, but quite appalled that a move to PR, supported by 80% of those representing members, was vetoed by union representatives who seem determined to condemn the country to terrible Tory governments elected by a minority of voters, for the foreseeable future.

WHY???

"Unions block Labour from backing proportional representation despite mass support from members"

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-proportional-representation-pr-b1927969.html

Therein you have the answer, as in previous Labour Governments, the Unions held, and have, too much sway. No reasonable voter would want the country being held to ransome, this is what will happen if Labour get in. Infighting between the left wing and the moderates will cause them to lose again. Momentum will rear its ugly head once more.

Anniebach

Who was the last party leader , all parties, with charisma ?

Tony Blair*, Margaret Thatcher

*I once worked for a true blue tory couple who adored Blair (his constituency was practically next door to ours and they met him socially)

I'm keeping an eye on it. I'm to a certain extent fascinated by it, in the archaic meaning of the word:

1. To capture and hold the interest and attention of.

2. Archaic To deprive of the ability to escape or move, usually by the power of a look. Used of serpents.

3. Obsolete To bewitch.

The whole damn lot of them seem to be either divorced from reality or over fixated on the 'red wall' vote.

Who was the last party leader , all parties, with charisma ?

Well yes, as some of you are gleefully pointing out, those of us on the left are being driven out of the party, including those like myself who voted for Keir Starmer. I don't understand the remark about not liking Andy Burnam doing well. I like him and think he is doing a good job here in Manchester. He is taking our public transport back in house which, to me, is a left wing policy.
I also don't understand why it is thought preferable that our utilities are owned by foreign Governments and not our own, so don't understand Keir Starmer's position on that.
I feel unwanted by the Labour party that I have supported for most of my adult life. If some of you find that amusing, well, I don't know what to say about that.

I don't think lack of traffic on Gransnet is an indicator of anything, except maybe that the tide is beginning to move in the right direction.
Yes, KS does lack Oomph, and that shows in high vis circs like this. But it isn't the most important quality in a leader by a long chalk.

Simon Fletcher former adviser I went to work for Starmer as he promised to unite the party I regret it now.
Bakers’ Union disaffiliates from Labour during 2021 party conference. Instead of talking about the what needs to be done £15 for workers We have footballers petitioning the government speaking up for the disadvantaged poor £20 cut to univsal credit instead. Starmer has started a factional war in the party.
Same with McDonald front bencher Starmer wanted less than £15 for the workers. So had to leave could justify asking for less
Starmer's polling is dreadful

To be honest, no I'm not interested - many years ago used to watch all parties' conferences, plus the TUC one!

Starmer is a nice enough man but too gentlemanly and restrained to be a political leader - not that you have to be a comedy turn like Johnson but you do need a bit of charisma and authority to lead a party.

Labour will be in the wilderness for a while yet, and I suspect there could be a different leader at the next election.

Apparently Andy Burnham is doing very well. The lefties don’t like it though!

I was very interested to hear the discussion on voting reform, but quite appalled that a move to PR, supported by 80% of those representing members, was vetoed by union representatives who seem determined to condemn the country to terrible Tory governments elected by a minority of voters, for the foreseeable future.

WHY???

"Unions block Labour from backing proportional representation despite mass support from members"

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-proportional-representation-pr-b1927969.html

Kandinsky

The political board is mostly about hating everything brexit, Boris, & the conservatives, so I doubt you’ll get much traffic - they ( strangely ) don’t talk much about the Labour Party even though they haven’t got a hope in hell of winning the next election.

Socialists are a bit like lost or neglected souls without a home. Too much effort spent tory-bashing.

Can't be bothered with any of them at the moment and I used to be an avid conference follower. Think Scones has pretty much got it right for me. Can't believe I'm saying this but I'm pretty much disinterested and distrusting of all of them. Roll on the next election when some of them might come up with some credible policies backed by financial substantiation. I can but dream.

I too would normally follow the Conference but really can't be bothered when the party consistently shoots itself in the foot.
Keir will definitely need to impress today !
When the Tories through the pandemic looked more Labour than the opposition there is a very steep road back . In times of crisis the electorate invariably prefers the devil they know IMO.

The political board is mostly about hating everything brexit, Boris, & the conservatives, so I doubt you’ll get much traffic - they ( strangely ) don’t talk much about the Labour Party even though they haven’t got a hope in hell of winning the next election.

What Scones said and I’m very sad that Keir Starmer doesn’t doesn’t seem to have it in him to be a strong leader and stir any loyal feelings from me and many others. I don’t know where the party is headed and that’s a massive problem.

Clearly not of interest to the regular political posters on here; so much easier to criticise the Conservatives.