Sunak skips off early from the D Day commemorations

Starmer probably doesn’t need that luxury Whitewave as the voters are more than ready to give the Tory party a good kicking in four weeks’ time.

That is what I am looking for, and expect.

However there are question marks over Reeves credentials so we shall see.

I am assuming that much of the “revised” was done so because of the need to avoid the right wing media. We know that Blair courted Murdoch so had an easy ride in the run up to the election. Starmer has had no such luxury.

Whitewavemark2

Dickens

MaizieD

I would prefer a different economic system.

The current model has broken many countries, not just the UK. That's why the populist right is becoming favoured; the free market, small state ideologically based economic system has enriched a few but left sufficient people behind to be able to empower the populists with their simplistic soundbite 'solutions'.

Abandoning Keynesianism in the late 1970s was a huge mistake.

I agree.

But I think we are a minority.

And that's why I have little enthusiasm.

We are going to have a different engine-driver driving the same train.

But possibly a little less recklessly.

I’m not entirely sure neither of you are right.

Labour are talking about growth, they have said that they are not increasing tax nor inflicting more cuts.

So to me the obvious route is to stimulate growth and the economy by government funding public infrastructure etc. The have hinted as much with the GB Energy, and the fact that Reeves will charge the Treasury to focus entirely on growth.

So to me the obvious route is to stimulate growth and the economy by government funding public infrastructure etc.

Yes, it is the obvious route.

Starmer has talked about growth quite a lot.

Do you remember in the 2020 leadership campaign when he highlighted his "ten pledges"? I think most have been 'revised' or even abandoned.

I hope he is going to remodel how the state operates.

I wasn't watching much on D Day, but when they told us Rishi was leaving I just thought "HE WHAT? That's not going to go down well" My Tory MP is ex military and I suspect he will be deeply unimpressed. Rishi doesn't seem to realise that saying "I realise now ......" doesn't cut it for a PM. "I realise now that closing all care homes" "I realise now that bombing that remote village in North Africa" The possibilities are endless, and in his position he is supposed to realise beforehand, not afterwards.

Dickens

MaizieD

I would prefer a different economic system.

The current model has broken many countries, not just the UK. That's why the populist right is becoming favoured; the free market, small state ideologically based economic system has enriched a few but left sufficient people behind to be able to empower the populists with their simplistic soundbite 'solutions'.

Abandoning Keynesianism in the late 1970s was a huge mistake.

I agree.

But I think we are a minority.

And that's why I have little enthusiasm.

We are going to have a different engine-driver driving the same train.

But possibly a little less recklessly.

I’m not entirely sure neither of you are right.

Labour are talking about growth, they have said that they are not increasing tax nor inflicting more cuts.

So to me the obvious route is to stimulate growth and the economy by government funding public infrastructure etc. The have hinted as much with the GB Energy, and the fact that Reeves will charge the Treasury to focus entirely on growth.

Not being on the short side, I cannot be sure. Whatever his own views, the PM may have simply followed the advice of his PR team.

grumppa

The more I consider this, the more I think it was a matter if height. Sunak would have been shown up as even shorter than Macron and Scholz, whereas Cameron towered over them and matched Biden.

Naughty!

I'm not sure though that all short stature men care equally about their height.

If they've 'made it' in other ways it possibly doesn't bother them too much, do you think?

MaizieD

I would prefer a different economic system.

The current model has broken many countries, not just the UK. That's why the populist right is becoming favoured; the free market, small state ideologically based economic system has enriched a few but left sufficient people behind to be able to empower the populists with their simplistic soundbite 'solutions'.

Abandoning Keynesianism in the late 1970s was a huge mistake.

I agree.

But I think we are a minority.

And that's why I have little enthusiasm.

We are going to have a different engine-driver driving the same train.

But possibly a little less recklessly.

grumpaa, that’s a Naughty comment - you could be accused of taking the proverbial, or worse, being heightist

The more I consider this, the more I think it was a matter if height. Sunak would have been shown up as even shorter than Macron and Scholz, whereas Cameron towered over them and matched Biden.

I would prefer a different economic system.

The current model has broken many countries, not just the UK. That's why the populist right is becoming favoured; the free market, small state ideologically based economic system has enriched a few but left sufficient people behind to be able to empower the populists with their simplistic soundbite 'solutions'.

Abandoning Keynesianism in the late 1970s was a huge mistake.

From now on I'm going to ignore all the politicking and media furore, TV 'debates', column-inches by "our political editor / columnist", look at the manifestos, have a think - and vote.

We're not exactly spoilt for choice though IMO. It's more who will do the least damage economically and constitutionally for the majority of people.

The problem is as I see it (and I don't expect anyone to concur) is that we are looking at different ways to run the same political / economic system that has inherent flaws that always disadvantage some whilst benefitting others.

It's not like we have a choice of different political structures - so we either vote for Mr Tweedledum or Mr Tweedledee. But in the end, both are working for the same company. If you see what I mean.

DiamondLily

A Reform candidate has stood down to give Tory Gavin Williamson an easier run in his seat. It’s too late for Reform to put up another candidate, and they are not very happy:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13510295/Tories-accused-dirty-tricks-Reform-UK-candidate-pulls-general-election-race-hand-ex-Cabinet-minister-Gavin-Williamson-easier-ride.html

I don't know why Reform are accusing them of "dirty tricks". The Reform candidate made up his own mind in order not to split the tory vote.

Whitewavemark2

Gauke reckons Patel is in with a chance if being the next leader.

I think Cameron will stand. 😗

A Reform candidate has stood down to give Tory Gavin Williamson an easier run in his seat. It’s too late for Reform to put up another candidate, and they are not very happy:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13510295/Tories-accused-dirty-tricks-Reform-UK-candidate-pulls-general-election-race-hand-ex-Cabinet-minister-Gavin-Williamson-easier-ride.html

Whitewavemark2

Gauke reckons Patel is in with a chance if being the next leader.

Heaven help me but I’m finding the thought of Patel leading the party as the lesser of many evils . Johnson has a lot to answer for for throwing out so many of the decent people in his party.

Sarnia

Win or lose the GE, the Tories must change their leader. Sunak is utterly out of touch with the struggles facing the average family in this country. He has no presence, makes pledges he doesn't keep and has the appeal of a cold rice pudding. Even the Tory Party members voted Liz Truss above him to be PM so that has to say something. His dereliction of duty on Thursday was shameful and his refusal to speak to the media yesterday smacks of a petulant, entitled little pipsqueak who can't get his own way. Win or lose he will have to go.

Haha, thanks Sarnia, your description make me giggle. It’s spot on though.

Gauke reckons Patel is in with a chance if being the next leader.

Win or lose the GE, the Tories must change their leader. Sunak is utterly out of touch with the struggles facing the average family in this country. He has no presence, makes pledges he doesn't keep and has the appeal of a cold rice pudding. Even the Tory Party members voted Liz Truss above him to be PM so that has to say something. His dereliction of duty on Thursday was shameful and his refusal to speak to the media yesterday smacks of a petulant, entitled little pipsqueak who can't get his own way. Win or lose he will have to go.

Trevor Phillips is grilling Mel Stride about this right now on SkyNews. Trevor Phillips is an excellent interviewer. He’s not letting Mel Strides get away with a whitewash. However I do feel it’s unfair that others are left to attempt to defend Sunak’s reprehensible actions.

CvD66

Heh come on guys. He’s apologised. You know the Tories - that’s all it takes. It worked for Hester after he blatantly attacked Diane Abbott. Of course it will work this time and all those wonderful blue rinse Tories will realise the poor PM is under so much pressure, he had no choice but to chose to come back to do an interview that’s not going be shown for ages. Don’t worry guys, they know the true Tories will understand!!?!!!

Well, it worked briefly, and the Tories took another fistful of cash from him:

www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/jun/06/new-frank-hester-race-claims-pile-pressure-on-tories-over-15m-donations

I wonder who is advising him, planning his diary? Even so, he should have realised that abandoning the 80th commemoration of DDay to fly back for an ITV interview that won’t be shown for some time was simply wrong.
I’ve always believed he’s out of his depth as PM and this decision tends to confirm that.

I’m equally offended by Farage and his supporters who imply Sunak isnt ‘British’ so doesn’t understand the significance. He is British. His ancestry is Indian Hindu, many of whom fought bravely throughout ww2

He has shown a complete lack of empathy for Great Britain and for our war heroes. Personally, for me, I am not now voting conservative and it is down to him. He is still making empty promises, what a slitherer and failed pm

One family member went to school with him. He was a hard worker but had no backbone even then

The optics are a disaster though.

At a meet and greet Sunak was criticised by a GP for the state of the primary care under his watch.

A local Tory party member made a disparaging “joke” and Sunak laughed out loud.

It was not good.

I know that he has cancelled all interviews but he can’t continue to do so, and when he eventually turns up, the questions will still need answering.