Keir Starmer's definition of working class

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?

True LizzieDrip , O/P should withdraw the allegation

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!

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is not something that I find terribly important tbh, but the message I would take away from Starmer is that he was talking about people who although working do not earn sufficient to save - in other words everything they earn is spent on living.

So, when they have a difficulty in their life like their washing machine breaking down they have no access to savings and thus their lives are marred by periodic crises. So imo the use of the word cheque is shorthand for this. Simples!🙂

He has finally admitted that only men can have penises, so I suppose that's a step in the right direction.

Germanshepherdsmum

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?

"He was a barrister - someone for whom using the right words was vital"

Starmer did use the right words.

Has he Sparklefizz?When did that happen?

Anyone who works for a living and can afford to write a cheque if they get into trouble can obviously look forward to tax rises. The meaning of what he has said is plain enough. Foot in mouth.

Starmer was poor because his phone was cut off once when he was a child.
When I was a child, we couldn’t afford a phone!

Oh the irony and hypocrisy of those criticising Labour for hypothetical ‘tax increases’ when, under a Conservative government, taxes have been raised to their highest level in 70 years🤷‍♀️

See my post above Wyllow. Not what most of us would think to be the right words, but maybe exactly what he meant.

^ 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.^
A much better description than working people. It would imply a better understanding of how some working people live.

maddyone

Starmer was poor because his phone was cut off once when he was a child.
When I was a child, we couldn’t afford a phone!

Same here maddy. Our phone was in a big red box round the corner.

It's just part of the expected all out attack on the L Party.

For example, he was asked if he could promise there would be no council tax rise and said he didn't know. that's fair enough, which manifesto could possibly promise that?

Sunak has not given such as commitment, either.

Labour are raising council tax in Wales. Look forward to the same in England.

Oh well with luck and a good wind we shall all soon find out, and many of us will be able to breath a sigh of relief as we wave goodbye to the most incompetent, corrupt and unpleasant government in living memory.

40% of people say they are prepared to pay more tax for better services.

28% say they are not prepared and would prefer services to be cut.

Bizarrely - with the Tories we have paid squillions more tax and cut in services since year 1.

The question is

What have they been doing with all the money?

Germanshepherdsmum

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

How many times does he have to repeat what he has on tax rises? Not believing him is not evidence.