Starmer’s Speech today.

I agree. Please let someone who is worthy of leading this country step forward. Someone who will put the working people first.

Basgetti

Barbour jackets are really stiff and uncomfortable.

Was so disappointed when I was gifted one. Thought it would be great for walking in the rain but just couldn’t get on with it. Still pristine in the cupboard.

That’s because it needs wearing in. The newer ones are nowhere near as stiff as they were years ago.

MaizieD

Casdon

Basgetti

Barbour jackets are really stiff and uncomfortable.

Was so disappointed when I was gifted one. Thought it would be great for walking in the rain but just couldn’t get on with it. Still pristine in the cupboard.

They do wear in quite quickly, and go soft on the seams and creases, and round the pockets if you stuff your gloves, the dog lead, bits of string and such like in them. After a few waxings though, they take on a unique aroma , and if they are also dirty they will stand up on their own. It’s very easy to spot the townies.

They also don't protect you from the cold. You have to wear several layers under them in cold weather (yes, I had a Barbour once and would never buy one again).

It is usual to wear a gilet or body warmer under the jacket in colder weather. Barbour do their own. It’s sensible because it can then be used in all weathers. My cousin works on open ferry boats and wears a Barbour body warmer most of the year and only puts the jacket on in severe weather. He is a hardy soul.

Kitty55

I agree. Please let someone who is worthy of leading this country step forward. Someone who will put the working people first.

The country needs working people.

But there is far more to being a Prime Minister than just looking after one sector of society.

WithNobsOnIt

How about Sharon Graham as the next PM.

She is currently leader of Unite. But seems to have a real understanding of what this Country needs in terms of policies for the
industrialization the country and getting people back into work.

She still has old genuine Socialist roots. Unlike Starmer.

Is she an MP?

WithNobsOnIt

Marg75

I was going to mention all the things he said that made me livid but I'll just say that the arrogance of the man is unreal.

Also heard on Political TV progs is discussions that some Commentators think he is deluded.

I've been out and only just catching up.

Do you mean Trump? I think most of us are agreed on that!
But, unfortunately, that is up to the citizens of the USA, not much we can do.

icanhandthemback

Delene100

AGAA4

I didn't vote Labour but this is a bad day for the country. The Tories destroyed themselves in a similar way.
This enables the mini Trump, Farage, to destroy our country even more.
People do want better but Brexit, the Pandemic and now a war in Iran is costing us dearly.
I don't think a new prime minister will magically reverse this. It will make things worse but so much damage has been done to Starmer that I doubt he will be able to carry on as PM.

I agree with you but if Starmer manages to stay, he must sack Rachel Reeves. She is also responsible for the state the country is in.

I agree with both of you. I feel that getting rid of Starmer at this juncture is a terrible idea with the current international system. I think we are going to get another round of the Tory Party who tore themselves apart with the in-fighting between the right wing and moderates. A party has to be united and it seems that the Tories and Labour suffer with the same problem in that their members cannot agree with each other.
I think RR has made some awful mistakes but it worries me that a more left wing Government who throw money at every problem will also be a big mistake. It is all just a mess.

I agree.

He needs a better team around him, including his advisers.
I sometimes wonder if they are working against him!

Sacking Rachel Reeves will make no difference whatsoever to the economy. All economists who are 'acceptable' to the establishment are trained on the Neoliberal free market theories which are responsible for the state the UK economy is in now.

Rearranging the deck chairs won't stop the ship sinking.

Sacking RR will make little difference since the civil servants behind the scenes will still be there.

Kitty55

I agree. Please let someone who is worthy of leading this country step forward. Someone who will put the working people first.

The vast majority of the population are 'the working people.' There are very few people of working age in this country who are not dependent on a weekly or monthly pay cheue and who would not find themselves in trouble if it even stopped for a month.

M0nica

Kitty55

I agree. Please let someone who is worthy of leading this country step forward. Someone who will put the working people first.

The vast majority of the population are 'the working people.' There are very few people of working age in this country who are not dependent on a weekly or monthly pay cheue and who would not find themselves in trouble if it even stopped for a month.

Roughly half of the UK population is in work as of May 2026; in fact very slightly less than half.

The very slight majority of the population who are not in work should not be disregarded at the expense of those who are.

Mollygo

Sacking RR will make little difference since the civil servants behind the scenes will still be there.

If she is just a tool oif her civil servants then she undoubtedly should go.

I find the way governments of all parties blame their civil servants for everything they do that goes wrong despicable and also a confession of monumental incompetence on their own behalf. If Ministers are considered safe to be allowed to lead ministries they should be people who can deal with recalcitrant civil servants

Jeremy Hunt was Chancellor. What experience did he have of finance?

It’s a very sad and upsetting time.Why do none of the current cabinet appear to be competent.I would not pay them with washers! They all pretend to know what they’re talking about.Do they think we are stupid? We can see through them and it’s a great shame that they have not come up to scratch.Becoming an MP is easy enough,but running the country,none of them are equipped.

JPB123

It’s a very sad and upsetting time.Why do none of the current cabinet appear to be competent.I would not pay them with washers! They all pretend to know what they’re talking about.Do they think we are stupid? We can see through them and it’s a great shame that they have not come up to scratch.Becoming an MP is easy enough,but running the country,none of them are equipped.

Are you a new poster by any chance?, JPB124

Basgetti Why is it relevant whether or not JPB123 is a new poster?

Not Labour and don't think Starmer a good PM, however I think he should stay on his job, give it 12 more months, sack Angela, an embarrassment and she's after his job, plus Rachel she's useless, I do think he's a decent family man but there isn't any spark there, perhaps this will give him a chance to get it right. There is nothing to be gained by plunging the country into an election and it's not as if there's anyone in the wings that's any good. Everyone just panicking instead of taking stock. Time will tell.

twaddle

Primrose53

Casdon

Primrose53

Casdon

I’ve noticed that Farage sports a Barbour jacket that has never seen mud or rain in its life. Funny that.

Barbour jackets are designed to withstand mud and rain. My brother is outside in all weathers beating for pheasant shoots, metal detecting, walking, gardening etc and his decades old Barbour jacket is still as good as new.

😝 that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all morning.

No need to be sarcastic. It’s the truth. Barbour jackets are expensive because they last and wear well. Maybe Primark is more your style. 😝

I would have thought any "man of the people" would be proud to wear Primark!

I would have thought any "man of the people" would be proud to wear Primark!

Why?

Classic Barbour jackets are made in England.

Primark jackets are made in China.

MayBee70

Jeremy Hunt was Chancellor. What experience did he have of finance?

As far as I know, Jeremy Hunt was a successful entrepreneur before he became an MP.

He became a multimillionaire when he sold his business. It was a legitimate business in educational publishing that employed hundreds of people.

He will be very clue up about finance.

SporeRB01

MayBee70

Jeremy Hunt was Chancellor. What experience did he have of finance?

As far as I know, Jeremy Hunt was a successful entrepreneur before he became an MP.

He became a multimillionaire when he sold his business. It was a legitimate business in educational publishing that employed hundreds of people.

He will be very clue up about finance.

No, he’d be clued up about about how to make money, but that is an entirely different thing from running a country’s economy. Because a country isn’t a money making business. It has completely different priorities.

Isn’t it strange that none of those clamouring for KS’ departure have put themselves forward to leave him?
Is that because they don’t think they could do better?

Allira

twaddle

Primrose53

Casdon

Primrose53

Casdon

I’ve noticed that Farage sports a Barbour jacket that has never seen mud or rain in its life. Funny that.

Barbour jackets are designed to withstand mud and rain. My brother is outside in all weathers beating for pheasant shoots, metal detecting, walking, gardening etc and his decades old Barbour jacket is still as good as new.

😝 that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all morning.

No need to be sarcastic. It’s the truth. Barbour jackets are expensive because they last and wear well. Maybe Primark is more your style. 😝

I would have thought any "man of the people" would be proud to wear Primark!

I would have thought any "man of the people" would be proud to wear Primark!

Why?

Classic Barbour jackets are made in England.

Primark jackets are made in China.

But plenty of men and women of the people do wear Primark - and the stores employ people living in the country and paying British taxes.

MaizieD

SporeRB01

MayBee70

Jeremy Hunt was Chancellor. What experience did he have of finance?

As far as I know, Jeremy Hunt was a successful entrepreneur before he became an MP.

He became a multimillionaire when he sold his business. It was a legitimate business in educational publishing that employed hundreds of people.

He will be very clue up about finance.

No, he’d be clued up about about how to make money, but that is an entirely different thing from running a country’s economy. Because a country isn’t a money making business. It has completely different priorities.

Exactly!

News & politics
Starmer’s Speech today.24813/05/26 00:00twaddle

Unfortunate positioning, but sometimes rather apt.

Labour just needs to go now. so much damage has been done every which way. The only thing you can be sure of with Labour is that they always leave the country in huge debt! It is what they are good at. Socialism does not work, never has and never will!