Starmer v Badenoch at PMQ’s yesterday

Wyllow3

Chocolatelovinggran

Yes, it's difficult to believe that DrWatson has spoken to every police officer and every barrister ( except for my family members and LizzieDrip's, of course) in the country to justify his/ her statements.
Hyperbole does have it's place, of course, but is best left to advertising executives- and Donald Trump : he does it particularly well.

I suspect just deliberately provocative.

Deliberately provocative .
I was aware of Starmer’s work at the CPS, the judges, barristers and specialist police teams certainly didn’t see him as useless. I’ve heard similar nonsense from Corbyn fans

Chocolatelovinggran

Yes, it's difficult to believe that DrWatson has spoken to every police officer and every barrister ( except for my family members and LizzieDrip's, of course) in the country to justify his/ her statements.
Hyperbole does have it's place, of course, but is best left to advertising executives- and Donald Trump : he does it particularly well.

I suspect just deliberately provocative.

Yes, it's difficult to believe that DrWatson has spoken to every police officer and every barrister ( except for my family members and LizzieDrip's, of course) in the country to justify his/ her statements.
Hyperbole does have it's place, of course, but is best left to advertising executives- and Donald Trump : he does it particularly well.

Top post yet again, Silverbrooks. Bless, you're doing the hard work I don't have the energy for atm.

To summarise, according to DrWatson:

• Commenting on PMQs is wasted time and effort.

• The average voter finds politics a turn off.

• All lawyers and police thought Starmer useless.

• Most politicians are incompetent and/or corrupt.

• Anyone who thinks differently to DrWatson is delusional.

As an exercise in rudeness, self-righteousness and logical fallacy, this is priceless.

Dominic Charles Roberts Grieve KC PC Attorney General for England and Wales from 2010 to 2014 on Starmer’s time at the CPS:

www.independent.co.uk/voices/keir-starmer-lefty-lawyer-labour-dominic-grieve-b2556451.html

And if commenting on PMQs is wasted time and effort, then why, DrWatson, waste time and effort checking hospital provision in North West Essex on Full Fact to post about it?

From the desk of an average voter who finds politics interesting.

For those unaware, Starmer was a useless head of the CPS (ask any lawyer or the police at the time)

Blimey DrWatson what a ridiculous, sweeping statement. You cannot possibly know the opinions of every lawyer and police officer at the time KS was head of the CPS!

My nephew was a barrister during that time and is now a judge - he speaks very highly of KS in his role at CPS. Is he wrong?

DrWatson, I have family members who work in the judiciary, one of whom was in the office of the CPS until a few years ago.
They do not feel that Mr Starmer was " useless" , so perhaps your phrase " ask any lawyer" should be modified.

For ANYONE commenting about PMQs, this is an utter waste of time and effort. NOBODY in the real world cares about 'PMQs', except perhaps party workers or devout fans of one party or another. The average voter (as found in repeated polls) finds politics a major turn-off, despite the efforts of TV News Bulletins to keep babbling about party leaders, Minsters and 'Shadows'. Hence similar polls regularly score highly when tallying those who are browned-off with politicos!

For those unaware, Starmer was a useless head of the CPS (ask any lawyer or the police at the time). And Badenoch, yes, very likely someone just holding a place until the Tories can regroup and find someone more electable -- after all, she was chosen from the same poisoned tree (Tory members) that happily chose Liz Truss (hard to imagine if she was up against an actual breathing human - and they lost?!).

Repeated evidence from many decades shows that we are quite mistaken to place much faith in ANY politicos, whatever badge, as the incidences of incompetence and/or corruption are just far too frequent. And yes, that is a depressing assessment, but it's realistic and justified, if you have any other conclusion, you are, sadly, delusional.

One or 2 hospitals??? According to the 'FullFact' website (fullfact.org) >>> How many hospitals are in Kemi Badenoch’s constituency? It depends on who you ask
At this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer mentioned new scanners being installed in “two hospitals in the constituency of the Leader of the Opposition”. Kemi Badenoch replied: “Perhaps the Prime Minister knows something I do not, because there is only one hospital in my constituency.”

This exchange has prompted some social media users to question whether Mrs Badenoch was correct, as her North West Essex constituency includes Broomfield Hospital and Saffron Walden Community Hospital, both of which she has visited in recent years.

We have contacted Mrs Badenoch’s office for clarification and will update this article if we hear back. But journalists from Politico and the Sun on Sunday report Conservative sources have suggested that, in this context, community hospitals don’t meet the usual definition of the word ‘hospital’.

Should this be the case, it seems to represent a change from the former Conservative administration under PM Boris Johnson, which included several community hospitals when it announced plans to build 40 new hospitals. In addition, the Community Hospitals Association says the services offered may vary, but refers to them as “small local hospitals”.

Under the current government, the New Hospital Programme, announced by health secretary Wes Streeting in January 2025, also includes at least two community hospitals—Shotley Bridge and Bexhill.

We’ve written previously about the former government’s plan to build 40 new hospitals, and we’re currently monitoring progress on Labour’s pledge to double the number of CT and MRI scanners in the NHS in our Government Tracker here. >>> hope this helps?

Working people are important and that needs recognising. Especially as the LP was accused of only caring about ‘benefit scoungers’

Lots of flack for Reeves, and like her or loathe her policies, her performance was polished and thorough, showing both of them up.
Mel Stride's speech in reply was generic and just bluster

love0c

I just wish the Conservatives would put in charge who they really want. They have kept them hidden long enough. I do not know what their game is in keeping Badenoch in!

Tory tactic. They will keep her until the next election is announced and then change her for someone who has not upset too many voters, or a relative unknown, like John Major

I am not impressed with the calibre of most of the MPs on either side. I cannot bear career politicians and just wish any future prospective MPs had at least 10 years in the real world working in business. When one looks as their advisors they cannot have been out of university very long so really what helpful advice can they offer. If I have to listen one more time to “working people “ being mentioned I will scream

Sorry GNs for misleading you on my opinion of Starmer. I was relating back to a poster who claimed that Starmer had 'nothing going for him'.

One MP asked if we were training IDF soldiers. We are!

Starmer is far more ruthless than people realise. I can’t see anyone ‘playing him’. However, as someone fairly new to parliament I’d like to think that he’s ok with taking advice from people.

Starmer has certainly improved, and boy, there was a lot to improve, imo. The thing that's really worrying me is the power his old boss Lord Hermer (so recently elevated to the Lords) seems to have over him. I wonder how much Starmer is being played.

yanda

If Starmer is so intelligent why does he never answer any of the questions put to him...he's infuriating

Because he’s intelligent, I would think. Politicians who are less so fall into PMQ and interview traps daily, there are some real bloopers out there.

The rules about MPs claiming expenses for a home in their constituency are clear. Neither MP has broken any rules however excessive any claim might seem.

Rayner was perfectly entitled to buy her council house in 2007.

Neverthessless, she is entitled to be concerned now, when the housing crisis is so acute, that restrictions need to be put in place to stop more rented housing stock being lost.

Right to Buy was ended in Scotland in 2016, and in Wales in 2019. England is now out of step with other parts on the UK.

Over 40% of council homes sold under RtB are now owned by private landlords and are being let on the private rental market at three to four times social rent. RtB is being used systematically by wealthy individuals to profit. Often these individuals are part of criminal gangs using RtB to launder money.

It is very clear that many MPs of all parties are unhappy with proposed changes to welfare payments.

It’s illogical to argue that one thing is wrong in your opinion by pointing to something else that is wrong in your opinion.

The upper chamber has an important part to play in the legislative business of Parliament. It is only fair that members who are not paid a salary be paid some allowance to help cover expenses like travel, accommodation and meals just like any form of voluntary work may be compensated. That some peers may abuse the system is a matter for debate but there are also some very hard working peers who do a great deal of important work in the HoL.

An MP can only reply to questions from people living in their own constituency. They are more likely to respond to questions where they they can give a specific and finite answer or where they may be able to ask a question in the HoC under the various means on offer to them e.g tabled debate, written questions and Early Day Motions.

If Starmer is so intelligent why does he never answer any of the questions put to him...he's infuriating

Stiff

Me neither re Starmer. Can't stand the man or Labour tbh.

Love it when people put forward reasoned arguments. Says so much about their thought process!

Labradora

Not saying anything re her politics generally I like Badenoch. I find her highly intelligent , articulate , professional and normally unflappable, judging her as a female professional and leader operating in a predominantly male arena.
I see confidence rather than arrogance.
Mind you Emma Barnett gave her a good contest on Radio 4's morning show last week and didn't let her get away with much.
You Go Girls !
👏😊😉

Blimey😄😄

Stiff 👍

Not saying anything re her politics generally I like Badenoch. I find her highly intelligent , articulate , professional and normally unflappable, judging her as a female professional and leader operating in a predominantly male arena.
I see confidence rather than arrogance.
Mind you Emma Barnett gave her a good contest on Radio 4's morning show last week and didn't let her get away with much.
You Go Girls !
👏😊😉

Oldwoman, I am sorry to hear of your lack of response to your emails.
I have received prompt replies to all communications with my current ( Labour) MP, and from my previous one (Conservative).
I understand that MP's are not obliged to deal with anyone except their constituents, although I have had acknowledgements from the MP of the next area when I have communicated with him.
Do you receive acknowledgements, or nothing?