Kier Starmer & voice coach during tier 4 lockdown

Labour made weeks and weeks of micky taking about Boris and co during Covid but they were just as bad if not worse. They just managed to keep it quieter!

Like the Leicester MP who was caught travelling across Leicester to his girlfriend on the other side. He stayed several days but that was OK because she had broken her window!! 🤣🤣 and she needed him to fix it for her.

We had cake in our office during Covid, perhaps I should turn myself in?

As Iam points out, KS was a key worker, so would, of course, be attending work. My work has staff development training all the time. People attend during working hours, and some of it is mandatory.

I'm waiting to see the outcome of any prosecution before leaping to judgement, but legalities aside, what I'm seeing is the usual knee-jerk reactions, language such as 'trotting out' (have we had 'bleating' yet?) and personal comments about Starmer's voice. Surely if you are leader of the opposition, aware that your voice is holding you back , and you know that an election is in the offing you would take steps to correct that? His team will be aware of the sort of comments we get on here, and the even worse ones on other SM, so taking steps sounds perfectly valid to me, but of course the 'balanced' view is that if Labour do something it is all kinds of wrong, but when the Tories do it it is excusable.

Margaret Thatcher had voice coaching, incidentally.

The question, I think, is around whether the classes were 'essential' given the vague and ever-changing diktats of the time. I couldn't possibly say, but I expect that an inquiry (should there be a need for one - I'd be surprised if this wasn't all throughly vetted at the time) will determine this, as the people involved will have actual facts, rather than gossip and speculation, at their disposal.

Re Zoom - my (admittedly limited) knowledge of voice coaching suggests that the coach needs to touch the chest and abdomen to teach breathing techniques, and that there is other physical contact - the voice is part of the body and can't be accessed remotely.

You can always use the defence of having been a key worker GG. If it applies to an actress/voice coach it can apply to anyone.

Re Zoom - my (admittedly limited) knowledge of voice coaching suggests that the coach needs to touch the chest and abdomen to teach breathing techniques, and that there is other physical contact - the voice is part of the body and can't be accessed remotely. 😂 😂 😂
Not laughing at you Doodledog just the description of what went on!!!

Doodledog I had two asthma flare ups diagnosed over zoom, if this Voice Coach is/was any good I am sure she could have taught on similar.

having to the touch the chest and abdomen really!

London and most of the South East went into a Level 4 lockdown on 20/12/2020…

I’m sure your staff have continuing professional development Doodledog, as happens in many organisations and is mandatory in some professions. However the issue here is one of a non-key worker travelling from one part of the country to another during the Tier 4 restrictions which I expect we all remember well - the Christmas which Boris cancelled at very short notice.

For clarification I am not against KS having a voice coach, as it seems the norm for many in the public eye nowadays.

I am questioning the urgency of a voice coaching session on Christmas Eve in Level 4 lockdown

How what that vital?

GrannyGravy13

For clarification I am not against KS having a voice coach, as it seems the norm for many in the public eye nowadays.

I am questioning the urgency of a voice coaching session on Christmas Eve in Level 4 lockdown

How what that vital?

That's my annoyance too. The rest of the country not under tier 4 restrictions could have three families meet together for one day at Christmas. Those of us under tier 4 restrictions had to cancel our Christmas plans and were not permitted to mix with anyone outside our household. We were informed that yes it was tough but sacrifices needed to be made for the good of the country. How on earth can anyone justify having a voice coach travel from Brighton to London on Christmas Eve is beyond me. I don't want KS hounded for it (I voted Labour in the election) but don't insult our intelligence by saying this was a key worker performing a vital job in those circumstances. A simple hands up apology that it was inappropriate would do.

I am expecting this to be raised in PMQs tomorrow. If he says the voice coach was a key worker and restrictions were not broken he will be lying to Parliament, and we all know how he hounded Boris for doing likewise.

Primrose53

Labour made weeks and weeks of micky taking about Boris and co during Covid but they were just as bad if not worse. They just managed to keep it quieter!

Like the Leicester MP who was caught travelling across Leicester to his girlfriend on the other side. He stayed several days but that was OK because she had broken her window!! 🤣🤣 and she needed him to fix it for her.

Oh was he a key worker (glazier on the side)?

Mollygo

Sorry Petra
I fear we’re about to told that the Independent doesn’t meet the approval of Labour Supporters.

I was raving mad about Boris having a party at No 10 on my birthday during lockdowns and not inviting me. I couldn't meet up with family.

I am finding Starmer to be hypocritical, unfortunately. Perhaps he'll claim that, as he was in Opposition, he didn't make the rules so didn't realise what they were.

Doodledog

As Iam points out, KS was a key worker, so would, of course, be attending work. My work has staff development training all the time. People attend during working hours, and some of it is mandatory.

I'm waiting to see the outcome of any prosecution before leaping to judgement, but legalities aside, what I'm seeing is the usual knee-jerk reactions, language such as 'trotting out' (have we had 'bleating' yet?) and personal comments about Starmer's voice. Surely if you are leader of the opposition, aware that your voice is holding you back , and you know that an election is in the offing you would take steps to correct that? His team will be aware of the sort of comments we get on here, and the even worse ones on other SM, so taking steps sounds perfectly valid to me, but of course the 'balanced' view is that if Labour do something it is all kinds of wrong, but when the Tories do it it is excusable.

Margaret Thatcher had voice coaching, incidentally.

The question, I think, is around whether the classes were 'essential' given the vague and ever-changing diktats of the time. I couldn't possibly say, but I expect that an inquiry (should there be a need for one - I'd be surprised if this wasn't all throughly vetted at the time) will determine this, as the people involved will have actual facts, rather than gossip and speculation, at their disposal.

Re Zoom - my (admittedly limited) knowledge of voice coaching suggests that the coach needs to touch the chest and abdomen to teach breathing techniques, and that there is other physical contact - the voice is part of the body and can't be accessed remotely.

That’s the point! All up, close & personal, if she needs to touch him.
When everyone one else has to keep their distance, all that silly two meters apart. She’s travelled from tier 3 to 4!! It’s bs that she’s a key worker, surely he could have missed a lesson or two-like many of us had to miss out on things important to us, like seeing loved ones over Christmas, surely he would be wanting to spend that precious time with his loved ones on Christmas Eve.

PoliticsNerd

I can find updates on this from October 2023. Why has it now been so blown out of proportion?

Because it is yet another example of hypocrisy?

escaped

^Re Zoom - my (admittedly limited) knowledge of voice coaching suggests that the coach needs to touch the chest and abdomen to teach breathing techniques, and that there is other physical contact - the voice is part of the body and can't be accessed remotely^. 😂 😂 😂
Not laughing at you Doodledog just the description of what went on!!!

I’m sure that will come up on the list of excuses.
Perhaps KS should just have sung
🎶Moses supposes his toes are roses, but Moses supposes erroneously.🎶

Whatever, driving that far to do a non-essential service, not that of a key worker, would have been heavily condemned if BJ had done it during Covid.

One rule for them . . .

When he was stamping his foot and yelling for Boris Johnson to resign he was just as bad ! How can anyone believe a word that he says ?

How can anyone believe a word that he says ?
Even if he does now speak with more clarity, power and projection!

Um, or perhaps he asked for a refund.

I do wonder if every MP and significant person had all their activities monitored to this degree just how many skeletons would drop out of the cupboard.

Wyllow3

I do wonder if every MP and significant person had all their activities monitored to this degree just how many skeletons would drop out of the cupboard.

KS along with BJ were leaders of the government and of the opposition.

They must have known that they would be under scrutiny.

As for skeletons dropping out of the cupboard, so be it…

This was a particularly significant person who was haranguing Johnson about the goings on at Number 10, whilst knowing that he had himself broken the rules. He has been exposed as a GradeA hypocrite.

If it had been NF breaking the rules, labour would be baying for his blood 🙄
Rules are rules, but doesn’t seem to apply to them. “Do as I say, not as I do”

Wyllow3

I do wonder if every MP and significant person had all their activities monitored to this degree just how many skeletons would drop out of the cupboard.

Well it would be enlightening to find out how many thought they were above being bound by the restrictions the rest of us kept. Major breach or minor breach, each is a slap in the face for those of us that didn't commit any breaches but were obedient to the rules.
Incidentally, during that time my husband needed a physiotherapy consultation. This was done by telephone, not even zoom and then he was emailed a link to videos for appropriate exercises. Apparently physio doesn't need 'hands on' in the way voice coaching does......

Always the way, they’re right and everyone else is wrong. Mt61 One reason why I tend to veer away from outspoken lefties.

nanna8

Always the way, they’re right and everyone else is wrong. Mt61 One reason why I tend to veer away from outspoken lefties.

Or, as my MIL always said
"Do as I say, not as I do"

I looked at this woman’s website but couldn’t send a link to it. Mellinger.co.uk. She calls herself an actress, author and impact coach and she will work with people by video conferencing so doesn’t need to be as hands on as has been suggested. There is a glowing reference from Starmer on the first page, thanking her for ‘all your help and support along the way which made all this possible’.