Support public health measures or defeat a Tory government what should ban opposition leader do?

Depends which you think is the most important the health of the nation or trying to get a vote of no confidence.
Now if Starmer is the man people expect him to be he will back the regulations rather than scoring points against the opposition

I would absolutely keep the nations health interests at heart. We just can’t go down the route of leadership contest or even a general election at the moment as we must remain focused on what is best for the people.

You can’t ignore a potential loss of life or total collapse if our health service because you are navel gazing.

Hes a decent man so he will support public health measures. He may not be a brave man (I am not sure yet) so he wont go for the other route. It's possible the other route may save more lives but it's a gamble and almost impossible to measure.

As Starmer succinctly inferred this morning, the health of the country is more important than political point scoring.

Health of the nation versus political point scoring.
Can’t see anyone, of whatever political persuasion, supporting the latter.

I just feel that Boris got what he wanted----Brexit ( although a closet Remainer ) and he doesn't care anymore. He's had his " 5 minutes of fame " as a leader. Beware anyone who plays Devil's Advocate in politics especially.
I'm hoping that it wasn't a ploy to get him elected, but that's how it looks to me. I was/ am disappointed.

I make no apology for voting Remain as I thought it was the right way to go as a small country. The undercurrent of leaving the EU can and will be be felt in future months .
Russia's threat to the Ukraine at the moment is a worry so you have to ask yourselves how " friendly " Europe is towards us now since Brexit.

Starmer is in a very difficult position - I don't think for one minute a Tory leader would hesitate to put party first.

He could really 'play politics' by voting against, on the pretext of wanting changes to the measures rather than being against measures.

What would I do?
Vote for the health measures, but there are people (an awful lot of journalists) bleating about freedom of the individual, and proposals being 'un British'.

I agree EllanVannin. Good to see you back

If he votes against it he will have it thrown in his face for as long as Johnson remains PM (or beyond). Labour must vote for the measures BUT make it plain that the proposed measures are woefully inadequate. Notably, no mitigation in schools

eazybee

What would I do?
Vote for the health measures, but there are people (an awful lot of journalists) bleating about freedom of the individual, and proposals being 'un British'.

I think that the bleaters about the freedom of the individual are a minority, albeit a vocal one.

Thankyou varian, good to be back

MaizieD

If he votes against it he will have it thrown in his face for as long as Johnson remains PM (or beyond). Labour must vote for the measures BUT make it plain that the proposed measures are woefully inadequate. Notably, no mitigation in schools

If the new variant is as transmissible as it seems to be it will rip through schools if extra measures aren’t taken.

I agree with most of the comments here. It’s just not the right time to start a leadership contest with all the uncertainties that would bring. Health first, as others have said.

The " cradle to grave " speech needs an airing.

I think the longer Johnson stays as PM the better for the Labour Party. Johnson is now a liability for the Tories.

Dinahmo

I think the longer Johnson stays as PM the better for the Labour Party. Johnson is now a liability for the Tories.

Yep.

It comes to something when hardly anyone believes a word that comes out of the mouth of the prime minister, including his own party members and MPs.

#KeirStarmer tells #Tories to oust #BorisJohnson – but is planning to support him on #PlanB. Contradiction?

maddyone

I agree with most of the comments here. It’s just not the right time to start a leadership contest with all the uncertainties that would bring. Health first, as others have said.

Yes, exactly.
Starmer has to be seen to put the health of the nation first, even if he would like to political point score.So that’s what he will do.In any case he seems a very cautious man ( not sure as yet whether that will turn out to be a good or a bad thing.)

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EllanVannin

I wouldn't rate Starmer either since he let down all those children who were groomed in the Rochdale scandal, during his time as the public prosecutor for the DPP.
Also his failure to prosecute Warboys for 75 sex assaults. The list goes on, including the Saville case.

He's weak, and shouting BJ down will do more harm than good.

I think it was Nadine Dorries who wrongly accused Starmer of letting Saville off the hook but unfortunately the accusation is something that has stuck in peoples minds. Does anyone have any links to proven evidence of Starmers negligence in the other cases?

EllanVannin

I wouldn't rate Starmer either since he let down all those children who were groomed in the Rochdale scandal, during his time as the public prosecutor for the DPP.
Also his failure to prosecute Warboys for 75 sex assaults. The list goes on, including the Saville case.

He's weak, and shouting BJ down will do more harm than good.

Fake news. Nearly all of it. Especially the Saville bit.

EllanVannin

I wouldn't rate Starmer either since he let down all those children who were groomed in the Rochdale scandal, during his time as the public prosecutor for the DPP.
Also his failure to prosecute Warboys for 75 sex assaults. The list goes on, including the Saville case.

He's weak, and shouting BJ down will do more harm than good.

Can you substantiate these claims?

Disgusting comments from EllanVannin, truly appalling and untrue.

Was so impressed with Starmer this morning on the AM show. It would be so easy for him to use the pandemic to defeat Johnson- and yet he says he will follow scientific, medical advice- and vote totally depending on what is best for the people and the country- rather than use this as an opportunity to bring down Johnson. The sign of a great Politician, humane, intelligent, well informed, calm - everything Johnson is NOT.