For the first time ever

Starmer comes across as a cowering little man to me . All.policians have lots of Special Advisors, Cronies etc.
Who really know what is going on and how to present Starmer and the world to the public.

I don't think he has an original thought in his head. He is a puppet for the real powers that be.

AGAA4

Keir Starmer is just what we need now. A cool head while the hotheads in the US are bumbling about not knowing what comes next.
Thank you Mr Starmer for not taking us headlong into this illegal and unnecessary war.

Don't speak too soon.

Starmer is, imho, doing a good job as a serious grown up leader and he's thankfully not just an entertainer. I'm sick of drama, government needs to plod on and give us consistency, help the country ride the shock waves with the least disruption so we can get on with making plans and living our lives. I am not personally affected by some policies like removal of the 2 child benefit cap which will benefit huge numbers of children and families and enable them to live better lives, but I am so pleased to see the end of cruel austerity policies which have been so damaging to young lives. I'm not in agreement with absolutely everything this government does but the direction of travel seems more hopeful and fair. I don't know who would be better that Starmer tbh, he's not a gung ho showman for sure but I don't think we need any more of that and we can't keep dumping leaders and being so unsupportive of our politicians that nobody normal would consider doing the job. I think Sir Keir has integrity and is honest and there are many MPs who genuinely want to improve peoples lives rather than just make money and a career out of politics. Maybe we should nurture the good ones and not always try to tear them down and blame them for anything and everything which must be so disheartening.

Romola

And, incidentally, I think Tony Blair's remarks were disloyal to the PM at a,time like this.

Absolutely.
I don’t believe that a person of Blair’s experience said something that was ‘not intended to be made public’ by accident.

Starmer would do well to keep him in view.

Peaseblossom, this thread is specifically about his handling of the situation with Iran, what are your comments about that?

I don’t like Starmer and probably never will, however when I look at the likely replacements for him Rayner, Streeting, Lammy , Cooper et al I despair, perhaps better the devil we know.

OMG I cannot believe that anyone thinks he's doing a good job! He and his cronies were voted in, which was only because it was tactical voting to keep the conservatives out, who had made a mess of things for years. They have created havoc from day one and I can't wait to see them kicked out. They are liars, they said they weren't going to increase taxes and they've increased them right, left and centre. He is the worst prime minister in my memory, totally useless and no personality or charisma whatsoever. He's a total embarrassment.

And, incidentally, I think Tony Blair's remarks were disloyal to the PM at a,time like this.

It is good that Starmer can bring his knowledge of the law, and careful thought to what is the best that Britian can do, in this situation. Whether you are for or against him in other areas we should be thankful that there is at least an adult brain, thinking about the possibilities and trying to remain within the law and to do the best that we can. When this war is over , hopefully very soon, it should show that Britian followed international law and can show that we behaved in an appropriate manner.

Compared to being led by someone who clearly is only interested in what he wants to happen, and thinks that it is acceptable to decide to claim another country and to ignore the effects on others of his decisions. He does not appear to care in the least for any law but just seems to think that he can overule anything that does not suit his personal wishes.There is no way anyone there can know what Trump will say tomorrow morning, you could flip a coin and guess and be just as likely to be right as anyone trying to understand what his ideas are. Definitely a loose cannon and should be a major worry to everyone at the moment, as there is no chance that he will listen to reason or think that he needs to look at any other point of view.

Agree with all of this. And I get so annoyed when they say he’s weak because of u turns. They are generally because he’s listened to the electorate.

It is true that Starmer and Rachel Reeves have made mistakes by not "reading the room" of the left-wing side of their party, starting with the winter fuel payment (which should always have been a taxable benefit).
But before this war started I was went to a lecture by Rupert Soames, ex chair of the CBI, very much an old-school Tory. He said he thought that KS was "a man of good faith" and that if he learns political lessons, he will make it through.
I really hope so. KS is proving that he is a man of principle.

Etoile2701

I agree absolutely

Whereas I don’t agree at all. Neither do the opinion polls, actually.
news.sky.com/story/bitter-breakup-for-trump-and-starmer-but-polling-suggests-pm-on-side-of-public-opinion-13516946

knspol, sadly, anyone who does not do Mr Trump's bidding is unlikely to "'maintain a working relationship" with the POTUS.
Reading his " Truth Social" posts will tell you all that you need to know about this man and how he feels when he is told "no".

I agree absolutely

No time for Starmer at all, I think he needs more than being a (perhaps) good lawyer to lead this country especially in the present time. A PM needs to be many things and being a good diplomat is one of them which he definitely is not. It was cringeworthy the way he crawled around Trump to get on his good side but didn't have the skills needed to disagree with him on Iran and still maintain a workable relationship. His handling of Trump has put this country in an increasingly fragile position. Maybe now we'll at least see more resources for our armed forces.

M0nica

Is it really so remarkable that Starmer got one thing right? I mean he has got so many things wrong be was bound to get one right sooner or later.

I am sorry but this one right decision does nothing to redeem him in my eyes. When his rights eual his wrongs, I will rethink.

I have to agree with MOnica here.

Starmer is handling tis current crisis very well, but I cannot see that any of the possible aspirants to the leadership of the Labour Party would have handled it any differently. I don't think any of them would have embroiled the UK in an illegal war.

OTOH, some of his ministerial choices have been terrible. Rachel Reeves for one and now the current Home Secretary who is still playing to Reform voters. But that's really for a different thread.

I do not think there are a 'safe' pair of political hands in the entire political world in this country at present. This is regardless of political persuasion.

They are all a bunch of mediocraties, who should not have been allowed to progress beyond parish councillor level.

•much of the media•

M0nica

Is it really so remarkable that Starmer got one thing right? I mean he has got so many things wrong be was bound to get one right sooner or later.

I am sorry but this one right decision does nothing to redeem him in my eyes. When his rights eual his wrongs, I will rethink.

I think, actually, KS has got lots of things right and part of the current LP issues are that their mechanism for PR/communications are dire and the much of the absolutely crucify him at every chance.

To be KS is stable, safe, open and human, he’s made mistakes, he’s openly admitted as much.

I’m not keen at all on RR, and I do like, shock horror, AR and hope very much she comes back to the front benches, despite her stupidly with her homes.

KS is not helped by the likes of Farage as he’s (in some people’s opinions) a good orator, he certainly says things he thinks •some• wish to hear.

nanna8

I heard Starmer speaking about the middle east war and I felt proud, yes proud, of him. Excellent speech, no notes. I hope he continues in this vein.

I think, given you don’t like what you’ve heard and seen of him, this is a very honest statement.

I feel KS has made mistakes BUT I still feel “safer” in his hands, at this time, than many other PMs from all sides of politics.

MayBee70

M0nica

Is it really so remarkable that Starmer got one thing right? I mean he has got so many things wrong be was bound to get one right sooner or later.

I am sorry but this one right decision does nothing to redeem him in my eyes. When his rights eual his wrongs, I will rethink.

So who would you have wanted him to be replaced with?

Where did I say anything about replacing him? the fact that he is a failure in his job does not mean that there is anyone in the running who would be any better. that is what is so depressing about the current slew of political cadres of all political parties.

Well - thats the key question. No one else is right atm, Wes Streeting is ambitious but I don't like him..

M0nica

Is it really so remarkable that Starmer got one thing right? I mean he has got so many things wrong be was bound to get one right sooner or later.

I am sorry but this one right decision does nothing to redeem him in my eyes. When his rights eual his wrongs, I will rethink.

So who would you have wanted him to be replaced with?

Is it really so remarkable that Starmer got one thing right? I mean he has got so many things wrong be was bound to get one right sooner or later.

I am sorry but this one right decision does nothing to redeem him in my eyes. When his rights eual his wrongs, I will rethink.

AGAA4

MayBee70

Thank goodness he wasn’t forced to stand down when so many people were calling for him to do so.

Starmer is stronger than some people believe and he has done the right thing for the UK.
When we went to war with Germany the legality of it had to be addressed before any move was made.
Trump is quite obviously not sane and judging by the way Hegseth behaves he isn't either and yet people follow them into an illegal war.
They had no plan for later which was another reason for not joining in with them.

I’m with you AGA4. Starmer is proving he’s a good
PM.
Trump and Hegseth are a dreadful combination. Hegseth’s speech today and that dreadful video actually made me feel worried as to what they’re capable of.