Starmer’s latest Press conference 10:30am today

I thought Keir Starmer came over well today 👏

Casdon

I saw a funny story last night. Trump made a lot of noise a few weeks ago about sending a military hospital ship from USA to help those poor Greenlanders(!). It transpired that he can’t - the US own two military hospital ships, and both are in dry dock undergoing refurbishment……

I daresay Trump had no idea about that fact, or did but thought nobody else knew.
The US Navy is still pretty impressive tho, unlike ours!

I agree with yiu keep the two child limit Oreo. There are many areas needing the cash, it’s popular with many Labour voters, thigh not this one. Both my daughters would have had a third child but couldn’t afford it.

Oreo

Casdon

I saw a funny story last night. Trump made a lot of noise a few weeks ago about sending a military hospital ship from USA to help those poor Greenlanders(!). It transpired that he can’t - the US own two military hospital ships, and both are in dry dock undergoing refurbishment……

I daresay Trump had no idea about that fact, or did but thought nobody else knew.
The US Navy is still pretty impressive tho, unlike ours!

It’s just another proof that he hasn’t got a grip. He never checks the facts before he speaks, which is why he looks a fool so often. I don’t think he even read a briefing paper explaining the impact of invasion on the Strait of Hormuz, or the likelihood of ordinary people in Iran standing up to be shot in the name of freedom from the current regime.

The US does have an impressive navy, but it is highly dispersed, some to other countries where Trump has threatened sovereignty. He clearly doesn’t have the available naval resources to manage the Straits of Hormuz without help, which must stick in his craw.

Oreo

Iam64

Are you suggesting Starmer is to blame Oreo? He’s been consistent in saying our military needs to be strengthened.

No, it isn’t just Starmer obviously.
It’s over 20 years of underfunding. Starmer talks big about defence spending but puts it off until the end of his political term.The two child cap should have been left as it was and that money given to defence just for a start.

👏👏👏👏👏👏

Where are the USA naval mine sweepers just now?
Saw a Facebook post that very recently they had been sent to the Pacific. But that could just be 'chatter'.

Actually glad that our vessels are 'not available '.

The Naval ships can be moved around, I really don’t think that’s the problem at all.I think the US wants as many countries involved as possible to avert the risk of the Strait being mined and for Iran to realise that if they hit ships with missiles they then face retaliation from many countries.

Actually it isn’t mined as yet, as ships belonging to Iran friendly countries are going through unscathed.

That appears to be true Maremia.
maritime-executive.com/article/as-iran-lays-mines-two-gulf-based-minesweepers-were-moved-to-malaysia

Trump wanted China to send ships but they have free passage from Iran.
Trump calling on other countries because he can't cope and has caused this mess is ludicrous.
I don't think he will get the response he hoped for and bullying isn't working.
He didn't listen to advice about the strait of Hormuz even though it was obvious Iran would close it.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c80j4rln8zmo
Iranian attacks on ships in the Straits of Hormuz.

Ships that try to pass through the strait of Hormuz will not be insured as they will be attacked.
Why would other countries send their ships on this dangerous mission created by a man who hasn't a clue what he's doing.

The sooner Trump decides to give this up as a bad job the better

Trump is proving, yet again, that he’s a dangerous egocentric bully whose impulsive behaviour is risking ww3.
Of course he wants others to join his illegal war , thank goodness Starmer continues to resist

Cossy

Iam64

Sorry to respond not having heard the speech. You’re describing the PM I expected Starmer to be

Me too, but this hasn’t always happened and I just think his stance and communication now is bang on, I just wish it hadn’t taken a war to bring this Starmer out. I’m impressed.

I agree with what he is saying too.

Trouble is though[and I wont say much as not really the thread], a PM is not merely a Foreign Secretary.

Cossy

Is Starmer finally learning?

I’m in midst of watching this!

So far, good, honest open speech, stating very clearly our (UK) stance on Iraq is still deference, and that we will NOT be drawn in to fighting.

We will not forget supporting Ukraine.

Onto cost of living help.

Not perfect, but far more than we’ve seen before and the second press conference in three weeks.

We need more of this, and we need more action.

If only he’d done this from the “get-go”.

Anyone seen this and has feedback/comments?

I don’t understand this, are we in Iraq now?

LemonJam

BBC News website has set out what Starmer said in his 10.30 speech in the live section...plus there already is a Youtube video

He continues with his message that he will not commit the lives of UK service men till there is a well thought out plan etc- fair and sensible. Pleased to see Starmer is meeting with Carney and Zelinski- and that he said Putin must not be allowed to continue to benefit from this excursion. He said and there will need to be a plan to keep the shipping channel open 'after the conflict' and that he is working on a proposal plan with another ally...

did you mean ‘incursion’

Iam64

Trump is proving, yet again, that he’s a dangerous egocentric bully whose impulsive behaviour is risking ww3.
Of course he wants others to join his illegal war , thank goodness Starmer continues to resist

Indeed !

It would be extremely foolish for other countries to send ships to the strait. They would almost certainly be attacked, people killed and the ships damaged and insurance will not pay out for taking extreme risks.

SORES 16.36: "did you mean ‘incursion' "

I did indeed.

Royal Navy assets have been brutally exposed in this conflict ~ what a humiliating shame on the UK this all is. From that point alone I can understand why Starmer doesn’t want to get involved.

Next round? We are sitting ducks.

Iam64

I agree with yiu keep the two child limit Oreo. There are many areas needing the cash, it’s popular with many Labour voters, thigh not this one. Both my daughters would have had a third child but couldn’t afford it.

It’s only effective for those claiming universal credit, it’s not the separate Child Benefit, the only cap in this benefit (child benefit) is income.

Many people find their situations changing, all power to those who choose only to have one or two children, for affordability issues.

However some people find themselves in difficult situations they hadn’t planned for, bereavement, relationship breakdown, job losses, loss of housing, there’s many reasons for people to be suffering hardship with more than two children. Remember around 34% of families in receipt of Universal Credit are actually in work.

Children in the here and now, need help, I’m glad he didn’t wait till the end of his term.

Are there any USA mine sweepers available for the Straits?
Surely the USA should go in first? They started this war.

Trump has been exposed.
Didn't plan properly.