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Starmer’s Speech today.

(317 Posts)
Primrose53 Mon 11-May-26 11:40:44

A report on BBC

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cevp4kr79e4o

Some of the comments are hilarious and there are plenty of them.

A commentator on TV just said despite rolling up his shirt sleeves and not wearing a tie, KS is still more wooden than Sherwood Forest. 🤣

I will give him some credit though because he didn’t consult his notes and he didn’t mention his Father, the Toolmaker although he very nearly did.

Cossy Tue 12-May-26 09:25:02

Whether people are prepared to admit it or not, the press hounded and degraded Starmer from day one, and have given Farage almost a golden run.

Voters are disenchanted with politics, dissatisfied with their lives, many, it seems are quite prepared to blame those on benefits and migrants for their own very real problems, refusing to accept that even if these two issues were “resolved” tomorrow their lives would not be improved one iota.

Farage-10-jobs must be laughing all the way to the bank!

MayBee70 Tue 12-May-26 09:25:12

MartavTaurus

^Starmer has been done like a kipper and I truly hope he steps down quietly.^

Poor bloke, first a potato now a kipper!

You’re really finding all this amusing aren’t you? No thought for the damage it’s doing the country sad?

1960srelic Tue 12-May-26 09:27:07

I don't think he's a dictator, domestic or otherwise.

Cossy Tue 12-May-26 09:27:54

MaizieD

I'd also propose that it's the UK population itself that has accelerated the decline of High Streets even if it's politicians who have no vision of how they could be transformed.

👏👏👏👏👏

MayBee70 Tue 12-May-26 09:29:45

Cossy

Whether people are prepared to admit it or not, the press hounded and degraded Starmer from day one, and have given Farage almost a golden run.

Voters are disenchanted with politics, dissatisfied with their lives, many, it seems are quite prepared to blame those on benefits and migrants for their own very real problems, refusing to accept that even if these two issues were “resolved” tomorrow their lives would not be improved one iota.

Farage-10-jobs must be laughing all the way to the bank!

I think Farage is very disgruntled that the government have clamped down on political parties being funded by rich foreign backers ( yet another policy they’ve introduced that has had very little media coverage along with the re nationalisation of our steel industry). The media have been out to get Starmer ever since they failed with donkeygate. Now his own party have achieved what they failed to do.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 12-May-26 09:33:15

MayBee70 I hope they do manage to renationalise the steel industry, first they have to negotiate a price with the current Chinese owners.

This will not be quick or easy, nor is it a foregone conclusion.

Cossy Tue 12-May-26 09:36:18

Casdon

When will the message get through that there is not going to be an election. If you were the party in power with a three year term still to go, and were unpopular, knowing you wouldn’t be elected again what would you do? Would you take a kamikaze action, or would you try to hang on to power whilst trying to improve your ratings? Come on now, be sensible.

People, including some on here, are so gleeful at Starmer’s downfall, his speech didn’t sicken me, but some of the comments on here actually do.

Whatever happens now our economy will destabilise, our weak ÂŁ will drop further and god help us if we get someone that Trump can walk all over.

This isn’t about Starmer or his squabbling MPs, all vying for the top job, which isn’t a new thing, look at Churchill and Thatcher, no one gives us voters a second thought, no political appears to give a toss about those they’re paid to serve.

Of course there won’t be a GE, it would be bloody madness.

I hope and pray Starmer sees sense and simply negotiates something with his (ungrateful) MPs which allows him to go into a different role and keeps our country and ÂŁ as stable as possible.

AGAA4 Tue 12-May-26 09:41:43

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.

westendgirl Tue 12-May-26 09:41:43

It seems as if some of the posters are reading a script, one which they've been rehearsing since Starmer stepped into his role and which the media has been churning out.
I am very angry that these new M.Ps have no thought what is best for the country, but are focused on 2029 and their seat.
Stephen Kinnock had some wise words on Radio 4 this morning advising caution.The leader changes in the Tory party did them no good and did the country no good either.
I'm also concerned that there seems to be a group here who find it all highly amusing. Farage will be pleased to see how easy it is being made for him.

Oreo Tue 12-May-26 09:46:23

Silvergirl

We had 14 years of Austerity, a huge world pandemic, a failed massive GDP losing Brexit. You can't cure all that in 2 years. I hope they don't yield to media pressure and change the PM again. It is not the answer but I fear I will be disappointed.

It isn’t about curing all that, it’s about all the many mistakes and u turns he’s responsible for since coming into power two years ago…he has added to the miseries.
Once you lose the confidence of your own ministers and MP’s and the country, shown by the disastrous local elections then a Party has to act.
Labour will still be in power but under new management at the top.If whoever succeeds Starmer turns out to be equally poor then Labour is finished for the next GE.
I very much hope that won’t happen.
A new PM who can read the room and knows what voters want to see is very much needed.
Yesterday in his speech Starmer thinks that belatedly nationalising British Steel ( already losing well over a million pounds a day) and getting closer to the EU is what people really care about.

Silvergirl Tue 12-May-26 09:48:20

MartavTaurus

^Starmer has been done like a kipper and I truly hope he steps down quietly.^

Poor bloke, first a potato now a kipper!

Rude and unnecessary!!

westendgirl Tue 12-May-26 09:51:52

This a.m. those against Keir Starmer were 79, those supporting 91 , those who have said nothing 233.
I found this in Labour List when I was trying to find out where my M.P stood.Perhaps the media should have said more or perhaps they thought that people could do the maths.

Casdon Tue 12-May-26 09:51:53

For me, your last sentence epitomises what is wrong with the way much of the public view the actions of politicians Oreo. Securing the future of the UK by becoming more self sustaining and working with our only true allies is the most important thing, but we have become so complacent that we think that our short term needs and wants, which no party can ever hope to meet, are more important than that.

Cossy Tue 12-May-26 09:52:31

mum2three

He always looks as though he has just woken up and has no idea where he is or how he got there.
However, he is now showing his true colours....he's a dictator. He knows perfectly well why so many people voted for Reform but he's determined to go again with his own agenda anyway.
I'm curious to know how he is at home. Does he force his will on his wife and family?

Oh for pity’s sake, this is the most ridiculous comment on this thread! You win!

Cossy Tue 12-May-26 09:53:30

MartavTaurus

Well at least Farage supports farmers 🥔🥕🧅🥦 and was particularly visible and vocal during rallies against inheritance tax charges.

Oh dear! So did Jeremy Clarkson and I wouldn’t want him running the government either!

MaizieD Tue 12-May-26 09:56:32

Legal blogger, David Allen Green, points this out this morning:

Every Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since 1974 has either taken office between general elections or lost office between general elections - and recently even both.

Those who came in between general elections since 1974: Callaghan, Major, Brown, May, Johnson, Truss, Sunak.

Those who left office between general elections since 1974: Wilson, Thatcher, Blair, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss.

Those who did both: May, Johnson, Truss - though at least May and Johnson fought general elections during their term as Prime Minister.

The UK still functioned because those much despised Civil Servants kept the machinery of government going, all that was lacking was an ongoing legislative programme.

I think it would be less of a disaster to change the Labour leadership in an orderly fashion now, than for Starmer to limp on to lead an inevitable Labour defeat at the next GE.

Casdon Tue 12-May-26 09:57:22

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

Cossy Tue 12-May-26 09:57:48

westendgirl

It seems as if some of the posters are reading a script, one which they've been rehearsing since Starmer stepped into his role and which the media has been churning out.
I am very angry that these new M.Ps have no thought what is best for the country, but are focused on 2029 and their seat.
Stephen Kinnock had some wise words on Radio 4 this morning advising caution.The leader changes in the Tory party did them no good and did the country no good either.
I'm also concerned that there seems to be a group here who find it all highly amusing. Farage will be pleased to see how easy it is being made for him.

Well said and I couldn’t agree more.

I like Kinnock and consider him PM material one day.

Grantanow Tue 12-May-26 09:59:19

Good delivery but no content demonstrating capacity for radical change. But I doubt the Labour Party has the ideas and will for that.

Oreo Tue 12-May-26 10:01:10

Casdon

For me, your last sentence epitomises what is wrong with the way much of the public view the actions of politicians Oreo. Securing the future of the UK by becoming more self sustaining and working with our only true allies is the most important thing, but we have become so complacent that we think that our short term needs and wants, which no party can ever hope to meet, are more important than that.

I disagree, it’s what a London lawyer thinks that’s what people need.
If he genuinely believed we needed to nationalise an ailing industry he could have done it well over a year ago.
We are part of Europe but not in the EU, which doesn’t matter if it comes to a war situation in the future, it’s being part of Europe and the West that matters.
You don’t lose the confidence of a good number of your own MP’s and some Cabinet members telling you that you have to go for no good reason.

Mollygo Tue 12-May-26 10:02:20

Casdon

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

Like all those who drive round in huge 4x4 just to get their prodigy to school.

eazybee Tue 12-May-26 10:03:08

When I went to bed 70 MPs had voted against Starmer; when I woke up 79 votes I confidently expected an announcement of his resignation. Apparently he is defiant and refusing to go, claiming "he is/will not plunge our country into chaos; the Labour government would never be forgiven". Note: the Labour Government, not Keir Starmer" which sums him up Nothing is ever his fault.
The government IS in chaos and it is not 'driven by relentless political media, all the rubbish the media whips up; the Right Wing media including the BBC, not happy until Farage is in No.10; the media engineering his downfall...absolutely.'

Starmer had no plan in place when he became PM; 16 U-turns, disastrous decisions: welfare increase, lack of defence spending, little growth, Mandelson, increase in crime, small boats, and uncontrolled immigration.
Personally, his vicious sacking of people who offend him: the whip removed from people who don't vote 'as their masters tell them to, people removed from jobs but given peerages to replace hereditary peers; his intention, not discussed ,to form closer links with the EU, and finally, his dependence on Richard Hermer unelected Attorney General, a barrister with a penchant for defending people who could be classed as enemies of Britain.
The markets are in freefall and Starmer is waiting for support from his dismal cabinet.
AS for the charming comment: 'proof that being older doesn't make us wiser'; actually, it does because so many of us have seen it and experienced it. A Labour stalwart of 40 years has just said he has never heard such toxic, vitriolic comments on the doorstep about Labour leaders as he heard about Starmer. Trying to interfere with local elections really blew up in his face.
As for the relationship between the Starmers I too am curious; she refuses to take any part in Labour canvassing but appears only at formal occasions. The people I really am sorry for are their two children, facing A and GCSE levels this week from a household in chaos. Perhaps Lord Alli will instal them in a luxury flat as he did two years ago.
And I am not a Reform supporter.

Oreo Tue 12-May-26 10:03:29

Actually I very much doubt that Farage really wants Starmer to go as he wants an unpopular PM in place at the next GE.

AGAA4 Tue 12-May-26 10:03:53

I agree with Casdon.

Casdon Tue 12-May-26 10:04:30

We can agree to differ Oreo. We are perilously close to a world war, and we are vulnerable, completely unprepared as a country. I’d rather our government concentrated on securing our future, and keeping us all safe, fed and healthy.