Starmer’s Speech today.

Yes that’s it Primrose53. I live in a rural farming community where hunting, fishing and shooting are the norm, and despite owning three in my time I know nothing about Barbour jackets at all, preferring to drive 45 miles to my nearest Primark to buy a jacket that doesn’t keep the rain and thorns out. I must be twp.

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.

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 do agree working closely with EU allies is a good thing. But this was already Starmer's declared position direction. It is also a very incremental, step by step, measured and slow negotiation. No big wins easily seen in the distance for the electorate.

I also agree the public might have short term needs and wants but it would underestimate a sizeable portion of the electorate to believe their expect their short term needs and wants would be delivered quickly. Further there is nothing short term about the public's concerns about cost of living, fears about the cost of fuel in the coming winter period, increasing rents and shortage of available housing.

I think its more the case that a sizeable part of the electorate wants to trust that Starmer understands their key wants and needs and has a clear plan how to get there and communicates it.

But, the key messages I took away from Starmer's speech yesterday were:
1) His defiance and vow to stay on as PM- thats where he began and finished
2) He wants to rebuild UK's relationship with Europe- incremental, slow, already announced.
3) To take full public ownership of British Steel
4) Position Labour as the 'Mainstream Party of Power" what does that actually mean!? The local election voting pattern last Thursday evidence vote fracture AWAY from the 2 main parties
5) "Dark Path" warning- ie streamer launched a fierce attack on Reform UK.

There may have been more but that's what I took away. But if Starmer asked all those who knocked on doors when recently canvassing - what were the top things that came up in their views of the Labour Party and what the public wanted and needed - I suspect NONE of the above featured much.

Therein lies Starmer's problem, and therein, sadly, I think lies the problem for the Labour Party- if Starmer continues to vow to remain PM into the next GE with his current mind set.

I would much prefer to see a structured period of transition, with a date for Starmer to stand down, perhaps around the time of Autumn Labour conference and a none chaotic consideration for the successor.

That approach has the benefit of not spooking the financial markets as much as is happening currently and would avoid continuing leadership no confidence chaos. A successor MAY turn things round and MAY perform better as a Leader. However if Starmer remains the chance of this happening is far lower.

Starmer I feel is better suited in personality. and style to be Foreign Secretary.

I don't think that Casdon was being sarcastic. I doubt Farage's Barbour will get much working wear. Looking at his record he seems allergic to it.

Is it pheasant beating or peasant beating?

A Barbour may be of some use for the latter I suppose.

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.

MayBee70

Fallingstar

If Starmer cares so much about the country I believe he should fall on his sword and let another leader step up.
We have to prevent the billionaires club aka Reform from coming to power and this requires a new leader and a major rethink.

Farage used Starmer Out as a slogan during the council elections. Why can’t people see that, if Starmer is made to stand down Farage will claim it as a personal victory and it will only strengthen his so called party? ( you know, the one that would have taken us into a war with Iran). He’s already destroyed the Conservative Party and he’s now destroying Labour. And the electorate who are supporting him are the very people that will suffer the most under a Reform government. Just like in America now.
.

I so agree, Starmer is taking us closer to the EU who are clamping down on tax evasion & restricting profits on privatised essential services like fostering that's why the right wing hate him.
He is wooden in front of a camera but he's great on the international stage & I've noticed improvements in the NHS already

Starmer is the best there is for now. He mustn’t be weak. Stay strong for now. It’s what we all do in the face of adversity.

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).

I had admired KS before he came to be PM and had high hopes for change for the better in our country. I even printed his first speech outside Downing Street and put it on my kitchen wall.

He has been such a disappointment. Today more than ever.

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!

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).

That is true, buy bigger. I knew one old farmer who wore about six (holey) jumpers and his disreputable tweed jacket under his in the winter. These days they tend to wear high performance jackets instead.

albertina

I had admired KS before he came to be PM and had high hopes for change for the better in our country. I even printed his first speech outside Downing Street and put it on my kitchen wall.

He has been such a disappointment. Today more than ever.

I did not print Starmers speech out, Albertina but everything else you write is exactly what I feel as well, which is why I am so bitter about him, and now, uite frankly, I hold him in contempt. He has shown himself up to be, not a democrat but a man determined to cling onto power for as long as possible, simply because he likes being in power.

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. He clearly seem himself as having absolute power. - dangerous.

Maybe 70. My thoughts exactly. How is Brexit going? Look to America and you will see what's to come under a Reform government. Reform is a one-man limited company, not even a proper party and all they talk about is immigration. What are their policies? Wonder what Farage's Clacton constituents think of him?

albertina

I had admired KS before he came to be PM and had high hopes for change for the better in our country. I even printed his first speech outside Downing Street and put it on my kitchen wall.

He has been such a disappointment. Today more than ever.

Unfortunately, he appointed Rachel Reeves as Chancellor and that's where his problems started. So many u-turns. She is either incompetent or doesn't listen to her advisers. Not sure which.

Now Jess Phillips has resigned from government. In her speech she says some positive things about KS, having worked with him for years, but nevertheless she feels he must go.

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.

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 think any incoming party will have problems getting Britain out of the quagmire, until they start putting people in key titled positions with the appropriate education, experience and knowledge base.
What credentials do you need as a political adviser, because it doesn’t appear to be good advice, if recent events are to go by.
So now when the arrogant KS finally goes, despite making a total hash of the job, we as a country will still be paying for his security, a car and driver, not to mention an ongoing wage and fantastic pension no doubt including his statutory pension.
Roll on the day when it is written in law, that the manifesto promises that a party was elected by must be adhered to. NO MORE LIES

A government cannot possibly be expected to adhere to everything in their manifesto. They are not clairvoyants, they cannot see into the future and know what events they may need to deal with.

For example the Ukraine War has shown how many countries would be unable to defen themselves if attacked as Ukraine was and budgets must be adjusted to allow for higher expenditure on defence. Covid is another unexpected that knocked sideways, governments world wide, then there was the 2008 financial crisis,

Governments write manifestos with the best of intettions but, as in ourordinary lives, unexpcted events can mean we have rto completelely reorganise our lives.

Well at least he won’t be using that money and security to go to America and support Trump like Truss has done.

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.

MayBee70

Well at least he won’t be using that money and security to go to America and support Trump like Truss has done.

Or multi millionaire Tony Blair swanning all over the world…

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.

There was a line in a recent Simpsons episode which reminded me of Starmer. When pressed the authority character replied " I promise I'll think about talking about possibly doing something about it"
Time to go, Starmer