Oh Mr Starmer … could things be any worse only 4 months in?

Allira, four months is not enough time to wipe out more than a decade of misrule.

It was FriedGreenTomatoes2 who asked the question.

I give up

Buyer’s remorse anyone? Or is it jot early to tell 4 months in and he just needs more time

Allira, as requested, sensible answers to FGT’s questions:

1) No ‘buyers remorse’ from me
2) Yes, 4 months is too early to tell
3) Yes, he needs more time

OK - As supporter willing to call out if something is wrong or misjudged - yes of course they need more time when so many things were well up the creek, 4 months is nothing.

I think they're doing ok, because the press is owned by billionaires they are going to squeal about paying more tax, and buying farms to escape inheritance tax was a common thing for wealthy to do. There are also many people like me who have a good life & don't need the fuel allowance.
The black hole left needed filling somehow & it is on the people with more money to do that, which is what they're doing.
I'm delighted Dr's are no longer striking, the NHS will return to full strength, kids will get breakfast at school & some free dinner.
They've only been in charge a few months & I'm happy.
I'm so glad Labour is around to deal with Putin, I would not want Boris or any of the Tories we've had to be dealing with such a crucial issue

No remorse from me.
My thought is that they are finding gradual, but sustainable ways of dealing with multiple, longstanding problems and inequalities.
Not quick fixes.

SueEH

I think that’s a bit harsh OP? Just what exactly were you expecting to happen in the first few months?
Let me see what’s already happened …doctor and rail strikes avoided, money for the NHS, dentists and schools. Lots of money for farmers (including the few who will have to pay IHT).
Yes I’m a Labour supporter but that doesn’t mean that I do/will support everything they do. I support the changes to the winter fuel payment, for example (my father is a millionaire- why on earth does he - or me for that matter need it?) but think there should be a graduated cut off, and I will lobby my MP to that effect.
But. This government is a long term work in progress and I honestly believe that, although some things may be difficult for some of us, in general they genuinely want to improve things for everyone, unlike the previous incumbents who appeared to be more interested in lining their own pockets.

well said SueEH! I've just posted something roughly similar, I'm no millionaire, but I don't need the winter fuel allowance & would much rather it was used for the benefit of those less well off, the NHS, education or similar.

spabbygirl

SueEH

I think that’s a bit harsh OP? Just what exactly were you expecting to happen in the first few months?
Let me see what’s already happened …doctor and rail strikes avoided, money for the NHS, dentists and schools. Lots of money for farmers (including the few who will have to pay IHT).
Yes I’m a Labour supporter but that doesn’t mean that I do/will support everything they do. I support the changes to the winter fuel payment, for example (my father is a millionaire- why on earth does he - or me for that matter need it?) but think there should be a graduated cut off, and I will lobby my MP to that effect.
But. This government is a long term work in progress and I honestly believe that, although some things may be difficult for some of us, in general they genuinely want to improve things for everyone, unlike the previous incumbents who appeared to be more interested in lining their own pockets.

well said SueEH! I've just posted something roughly similar, I'm no millionaire, but I don't need the winter fuel allowance & would much rather it was used for the benefit of those less well off, the NHS, education or similar.

I agree.

I am very cross to find that HMRC has been issuing incorrect tax codes which has resulted in a significant underpayment for last year. In addition the underpayment for current year now needs to be paid in two instalments on 31/1/25 and 31/7/25. Seriously? My accountant tells us that quite a few tax codes are simply wrong.
Not good for the country and not good for the daft pensioners who enjoy working from time to time!! You must double check that your tax code is correct.

SandyMM

I lost respect for Starmer when he moved into Downing Street and removed Mrs Thatcher's portrait. How disrespectful!
As the saying goes:
When a clown takes over a palace, he doesn't turn into a king. It just turns the palace into a circus.

He just moved it to be with the other PM portraits. He didn't burn it or turn it to the wall. The RW media blew this one up to enrage people and they obviously succeeded. Don't you get cross being manipulated?

Another labour granny here, it is going to take a lot longer than 5 months to clear up the awful trouble we are in! The country is in a mess and we have all got to help out financially but it will the richest who will grumble the most!
I am not rich but am happy to not have the winter fuel allowance!

The media in this country are powerful and politically biased. Most of our papers support the conservatives . Stirring up division is what they do best. And yes IOM is right, the public are being manipulated.

As a "leftie" I had no great expectations of a Starmer government. But I will give him a bit more time. I'm fortunate to have a good MP who has lost the whip already and has joined the unofficial opposition to the New Labour clones.

IOMGran

SandyMM

I lost respect for Starmer when he moved into Downing Street and removed Mrs Thatcher's portrait. How disrespectful!
As the saying goes:
When a clown takes over a palace, he doesn't turn into a king. It just turns the palace into a circus.

He just moved it to be with the other PM portraits. He didn't burn it or turn it to the wall. The RW media blew this one up to enrage people and they obviously succeeded. Don't you get cross being manipulated?

The portrait was commissioned by Gordon Brown and he promised Margaret Thatcher that it was to remain in what was her study at No 10 in perpetuity.

I would have thought, as a lawyer, Keir Starmer would know what the term in perpetuity would mean.
Perhaps Gordon Brown is a man more confident than Starmer in his views and well able to hold his own against the opposition.

The portrait is to be hung in perpetuity in her former No 10 study, unofficially known as the Thatcher Room, which Mr Brown uses for meetings with foreign dignitaries.

What’s the room called now then?
It can’t really be the Thatcher Room without a Thatcher portrait can it?
She was our first female PM and as such deserves a particular place in our history. A place that’s not pushed out of sight or just lumped in with every other PM we’ve ever had. Gordon Brown showed his recognition of her place in history. Starmer obviously doesn’t.

Perhaps it’s because he’s unsure what a woman is.

I have voted Labour all my life but never been a member. I joined as soon as this election was called, sure that things could only get better. I rang to cancel the membership within weeks of the Labour victory. The young man on the phone sounded exhausted and depressed. Too many cancellation calls ?

Apparently the Thatcher Room is called the study.

Wouldn’t surprise me albertina.

And yes, 4 months IS early days but I think many of us can agree things (so far) are not going well personally for KS. His ratings have plummeted - have you seen them?

he hadn’t managed to kill thousands like Johnson did

What a vile comment.
On a thread where people are complaining about other people daring to say things about Labour that they don’t like as well. The irony!

For the record, just so we’re all clear, COVID killed thousands. The government of the day did their rather inept best to preserve life. I should know, I was admitted to hospital with Covid and am lucky to be alive as I was very ill indeed.

Incidentally, Starmer and the Opposition supported the government policies during Covid and would have acted much the same had they been in charge.

The entire world had problems containing and controlling Covid, and no major country had anything less than thousands of deaths.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Wouldn’t surprise me albertina.

And yes, 4 months IS early days but I think many of us can agree things (so far) are not going well personally for KS. His ratings have plummeted - have you seen them?

Yes.

You are not alone in thinking this is unusual at this stage of a premiership, FriedGreenTomatoes2 and it is a valid question.

Oh, and don't get started on the nasty posters who hoped Boris wouldn't recover.
I'm very pleased you're alive madelene. And any others on GN who were ill, regardless of their political leanings.

Maybe if GN is anything to go by, his ratings have plummeted because so many people are constantly criticising everything he says or does.

FriedGreenTomatoes I'm not sure if you intended it, but your "Oh Mr Starmer", reminded me of "Oh Mr Porter"? When the inept bloke became the station master in charge, and everything went pear shaped. I'm sure there were cows and pigs and chickens involved somewhere too!

LizzieDrip

^Buyer’s remorse anyone? Or is it jot early to tell 4 months in and he just needs more time^

Allira, as requested, sensible answers to FGT’s questions:

1) No ‘buyers remorse’ from me
2) Yes, 4 months is too early to tell
3) Yes, he needs more time

1) Rather a wobbly start with some really bloopers which could have been avoided.
2) 4 months is early - let's hope "start as you mean to go on" is not their motto.
3) Let us wait and see