Keir Starmer's definition of working class

Yes Glorianny the working poor would have been more appropriate

I still write cheques from time to time probably because we don't bank on line.

There are families like this in the traditional working class and in the middle class. The middle class are in a slightly better place because they can be helped by parents or grandparents.

This is nonsense Gloryanny. To begin with what is 'middle class'? The old definition was someone who worked at a desk, There are plenty of people working at desks and owning their own home, but who do not have any money to spare to help their children or grandchildren.

This is what is so stupid about these antiquate definitions of class.

Casdon

I don’t think Starmer used the term working class M0nica, he defined working people as those who can’t afford to write a cheque when they get into trouble.

This makes all the difference the world. As soon as I checked in the Times itself I wondered why the thread title had been altered. But the origin isn't even the Times.

The Times in its turn had lifted the quote from an LBC interview and this is actually what he said as part of a much longer interview.

*Asked what he meant when he said he would not raise taxes for "working people", Sir Keir said:
"The person I have in my mind when I say working people is people who earn their living, rely on our services, and don't really have the ability to write a cheque when they get into trouble*

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said there will be "no increase in taxes on working people" during an on-air phone-in with LBC listeners

so where does the "working class" in the O/P originate from? I cant find any source.

Sparklefizz

So it's obvious he's wrong to call someone a "working person" - as NF said "Simon Cowell's a working person." What he should say is "low earners".

I can't stand the man. He wasn't nicknamed Capt Flip Flop for nothing. His policies and remarks change with the wind depending on who he wants to please.

I agree. Absolutely cannot stand him.

Senior lawyers often work long and demanding hours, as do doctors, head teachers, are they not working people?

Not in Starmer’s opinion. Except when he wants to tax them!

Of course he’s also scared of saying what Labour will really do in terms of tax rises.

So it's obvious he's wrong to call someone a "working person" - as NF said "Simon Cowell's a working person." What he should say is "low earners".

I can't stand the man. He wasn't nicknamed Capt Flip Flop for nothing. His policies and remarks change with the wind depending on who he wants to please.

Starmer needs an Alistair Campbell to sort him out

I agree Glorianny.

I am a Starmer supporter; I think he’ll make a good PM, but I think he’s so scared of saying the ‘wrong’ thing now, which would be launched upon by the media, and potentially blowing the whole campaign.

Unfortunately this is stifling him and making him repeat the same ‘safe’ lines over & over. Sunak does the same but doesn’t appear to get the same criticism. How many times have we heard that Sunak’s father was a GP, his mother was a pharmacist!

We have to remember that KS isn’t only fighting the Tories - he’s fighting the extremely powerful right wing media machine. I do agree that an ‘Alistair Campbell’ would be really useful for KS!

True LizzieDrip , O/P should withdraw the allegation

Reeves was interviewed on Sky this morning. Her definition of working people is people who work for a living - not Starmer’s definition. He was a barrister - someone for whom using the right words was vital. Of course, Reeves didn’t miss the chance to say his definition was different because his family once had their phone cut off as they couldn’t pay the bill. I assume that was before his father bought the factory in which he worked as a - what was it again?

I listened to the Nick Ferrari interview with Keir Starmer on LBC when this came up.

The conversation went something like this:
NF- tax, tax, tax, tax, tax!
KS - we won’t put up tax for working people.
NF - what’s a working person? Simon Cowell’s a working person.
NF continued pushing for a ‘definition’ of ‘working people’.
KS - I would define a working person as someone who can’t just write a cheque when an unexpected bill comes in.

I’m sure he didn’t use the term ‘write a cheque’ as literally write a cheque - it’s a term commonly used to convey that there isn’t spare money readily available - which I think he went on to say.

There was no mention of working class in this interview. I don’t know how it’s being reported in the Times but that’s the discussion that I heard yesterday morning on LBC.

I'm starting to feel sorry for Starmer (and that's something I never thought I would say). He doesn't seem capable of saying things which come over well. There is so much he could use to defeat the Tories in every speech and discussion.
This for example should have been phrased as "the working poor" those who have nothing left for emergencies who struggle to make their money last to the end of the month.

There are families like this in the traditional working class and in the middle class. The middle class are in a slightly better place because they can be helped by parents or grandparents.

Starmer needs an Alistair Campbell to sort him out.

Since when does ‘working people’ - a favourite Labour phrase - mean people with zero cash for emergencies?

If they mean ‘low earners’ or ‘people living from paycheck to paycheck, why can’t they just say so?

Personally I’m sick to death of hearing ‘working people’ - many people who earn enough or plenty are still ‘working’!

Including those solicitors eazybee. Who are not charities.

He is quoted in the DT as referring to 'working people' which in my definition is everyone who works and earns money for it.

I agree with you, MOnica.
Working people are people who work and are earn money proportionate to the value of their skills.
Whether they have money available to save has nothing to do with being 'working people,' defined by Starmer as
"People who earn their living, rely on our (public) services and don't really have the ability to write a cheque when they get into trouble."

The first thing Starmer could do is examine the extortionate fees solicitors charge for their services without which so many transactions cannot be completed: house sales, wills, divorce, etc. which affect most people whatever their status.

I wouldn’t vote for him in a fit personally. Good job I can’t. As for his Conservative opposition- nah. Good luck with him as PM.

Listening to SKY news,. ‘working people’ no mention of class,
O/P is quoting The Times !

Sago

His father was a toolmaker.

No way! 🤣😝🤣😝🤣😝

westendgirl

all through Covid when Teachers wouldn't work , Allsorts ?

Not how I remember Covid. We had to reinvent ourselves as experts in online teaching apart from when we were actually in school with the children of essential workers.

Allsorts: all through Covid when teachers wouldn't work,
Check your facts.

But almost evryone is a working person. Almost everyone is dependent on the money that comes in each month.

Senior lawyers often work long and demanding hours as do doctors, head teachers, are they not working people?

I do think the way politicians and other people throw these silly definitions around is ridiculous. They are as full of holes a s sieve and in this modern age with the wide range of occupations people have and the justifiable high earnings commanded by some technically qualified people, i really is time we stopped using them.

No, having nothing means you have to depend on the state or begging for day to day expenses like food, shelter, clothing etc.

Working people are often able to provide the basics for themselves and their families but can't afford anything beyond this.

I think he means (I haven't witnessed him saying it) people without savings, or that bit of extra cash they have left over from their wages for more than the basics.

There are more and more people like this.

all through Covid when Teachers wouldn't work , Allsorts ?

Starmer made no mention of 'class'