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Is Sir Keir In The Last Chance Saloon?

(399 Posts)
windmill1 Wed 02-Jul-25 01:50:09

A replacement PM? Then another? And another?

The Conservatives went through an astonishing period of Revolving Door Prime Ministers, so I wonder if we will be about to witness the same in the Labour Party, now that Keir Starmer appears to have lost his authority?

This really is Alice in Wonderland politics.

Mollygo Wed 02-Jul-25 02:17:28

He’s not in the last chance saloon, because no one else wants the poisoned chalice at the moment.

nanna8 Wed 02-Jul-25 03:31:40

He’ll hang on- no one viable to take his place. Maybe if he got rid of that treasurer woman things might improve ?

growstuff Wed 02-Jul-25 03:40:40

nanna8

He’ll hang on- no one viable to take his place. Maybe if he got rid of that treasurer woman things might improve ?

I assume you mean the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Is it relevant that she's a woman?

rosie1959 Wed 02-Jul-25 06:55:04

Labour certainly seem to be getting in a bit of a muddle. Making decisions far too quickly without really thinking them through then having to reverse them. Does Rachel Reeves really know what she is doing as she promised in November no more borrowing and no more tax increases will she stick with this?
Starmer has to up his game

fancythat Wed 02-Jul-25 07:02:57

I dont feel he is in last chance saloon.
But dont think my feelings count for much!

I didnt like the way he or someone said, he had his eye off the ball when dealing with welfare, as he was occupied with foreign affairs.

NotSpaghetti Wed 02-Jul-25 07:07:24

No I don't think so.

woodenspoon Wed 02-Jul-25 07:13:50

They’re all wanting the hot seat until they get it and find it’s a poisoned chalice, then they make numerous trips abroad because they can’t deal with the at home problems. As for Rachel Reeves she’s not making these decisions by herself, it’s the civil servants and advisors, policy makers. She’s just the hate figure, the figurehead. For that matter so is any prime minister. Just my opinion.

Boz Wed 02-Jul-25 07:42:36

Labour is in the LCS. It may save itself by getting a grip on immigration but the ever-increasing support for Reform will probably be its nemesis.

Calendargirl Wed 02-Jul-25 07:46:35

None of them, Reform included, will get a grip on immigration.

GrannyGravy13 Wed 02-Jul-25 07:50:54

I think the PM and the majority of then Labour MPs have realised it is far more difficult to Govern than be in Opposition, despite having 14 years to prepare…

Whitewavemark2 Wed 02-Jul-25 07:52:42

And the Tories, never did master the art of government😄

Sparklefizz Wed 02-Jul-25 07:53:34

But ... but ... but anyone's better than Angela Rayner!!!

M0nica Wed 02-Jul-25 07:56:31

I am afraid that Keir Starmer is a classic case of the 'Peter Principle', the Peter Principle states that people in an organization will be promoted until they are no longer qualified, filling a company with incompetent leadership .

As Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Keir reached his apogee. but when he was he was made PM, he reached his level of incompetence.

Unfortunately this applies to the current Chancellor. As shadow chancellor she was excellent, but reached her level of incompetence when promoted to the real job. In fact this applies to quite a number of the current cabinet. So far the only two who seem to be competent are Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting.

I say this despite disliking Angela Rayner's politics and considering her ideas for this country likely to bring us to ruin. But disliking someone intensely should never stop one seeing their good or competent qualities. To do otherwise is to underestimate them - and that could be dangerous.

This applies

Dorisdodar Wed 02-Jul-25 07:57:23

No they didn't that's why Reform are topping the polls at the moment...

escaped Wed 02-Jul-25 07:58:10

I hope he stays. We need some stability.
I just wish he wouldn't enter into things he cannot see his way to fulfil.

woodenspoon Wed 02-Jul-25 08:00:41

Calendargirl

None of them, Reform included, will get a grip on immigration.

Very true. It’s too late, the country has been ruined and there are too many with vested interests for it to be stopped. It will never happen.

foxie48 Wed 02-Jul-25 08:07:49

14 years of Tory rule has left the country in a mess, 14 years of being in opposition isn't good preparation for leadership, both labour and conservatives have split parties, Even Reform with five MPs are fighting amongst themselves and have no real policies and where are the Liberals? Tbh I can't see any current party doing any better so fgs Starmer, get a grip and if necessary, give Reeves the chop, raise taxes if that's what's needed and get out of the straight jacket which was self imposed!

Maremia Wed 02-Jul-25 08:13:12

Not sure how anyone's policies will ever solve the urge for folk to leave war torn countries and seek safety elsewhere. Maybe a vast improvement in geopolitics?

Iam64 Wed 02-Jul-25 08:13:29

The government has had a first year any government would have found challenging. Starmer seems to have been doing good work internationally. They aren’t managing its own back benchers or communication within the government or with news outlets.

I don’t see Starmer in the last chance saloon. Hopefully he will respond positively to the obvious need to communicate with the back benchers.

I share the belief the increasing amount in benefits needs tackling. We can’t enable huge numbers of 18-24 year olds to languish on benefits because of anxiety and depression. The largest group of people getting PIP have psychiatric disorders.

We have increasing numbers of people addicted to drugs/alcohol getting sickness benefits which are supposed to help them get well. It isn’t difficult to accept the extra cash feeds addictions. Yes our mh teams, substance misuse supports etc all decimated by austerity, another job for this government. I struggle with the fairness of those who lose their jibs and need universal credit getting less to manage on than their neighbour.

Iam64 Wed 02-Jul-25 08:15:57

Maremia

Not sure how anyone's policies will ever solve the urge for folk to leave war torn countries and seek safety elsewhere. Maybe a vast improvement in geopolitics?

Quite, the majority arriving in the small boats are from Syria, Lebonon, war torn African countries, this is why the majority are successful when their asylum applications are reviewed

Maremia Wed 02-Jul-25 08:17:26

Yes, it has only been a year. Lots to resolve.

fancythat Wed 02-Jul-25 08:19:37

M0nica

I am afraid that Keir Starmer is a classic case of the 'Peter Principle', the Peter Principle states that people in an organization will be promoted until they are no longer qualified, filling a company with incompetent leadership .

As Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Keir reached his apogee. but when he was he was made PM, he reached his level of incompetence.

Unfortunately this applies to the current Chancellor. As shadow chancellor she was excellent, but reached her level of incompetence when promoted to the real job. In fact this applies to quite a number of the current cabinet. So far the only two who seem to be competent are Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting.

I say this despite disliking Angela Rayner's politics and considering her ideas for this country likely to bring us to ruin. But disliking someone intensely should never stop one seeing their good or competent qualities. To do otherwise is to underestimate them - and that could be dangerous.

This applies

Good answer.

Where have the "good" politicans all gone?
From any Party.
Or were there never "good"[and I mean good at ttheir job] Leaders?

Asking anyone.

ronib Wed 02-Jul-25 08:24:47

The government is only as good as its back office …. Front men for the Civil Service?

Chocolatelovinggran Wed 02-Jul-25 08:27:07

Good posts Iam64 and Maremia . I have been very disappointed with some of the decisions taken, but it's early days.
I have been impressed with his calm and statesmanlike handling of foreign affairs.
In turbulence, a steady hand is a necessity.
I would be very concerned if, in the world envisaged by Reform supporters, Mr Farage would be representing us abroad at this time.