So it begins….. Streeting resigns

twaddle

I disagree with you that Starmer has handled immigration worse than Macron.

Eh moi?
I didn't once mention immigration or anyone's handling of that issue in my post. Are you confusing me with someone else?

France was introduced into the discussion in the context of immigration.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Having lived in France for twenty years, I would say the reasons most frequently expressed for wanting to be in the UK are family, the language and the lack of identity cards, which makes it easier to hide under the radar. I don't understand why people who are concerned about immigration are not campaigning for identity cards?

I agree Streeting was doing a good job. Why couldn't he stuck with it as it is such a major challenge, to improve/save the status of NHS what a feather in any ministers cap. Shame he's gone. NHS worker

Mamie

Having lived in France for twenty years, I would say the reasons most frequently expressed for wanting to be in the UK are family, the language and the lack of identity cards, which makes it easier to hide under the radar. I don't understand why people who are concerned about immigration are not campaigning for identity cards?

The French citizens I know who have settled in the UK are from ethnic minority backgrounds. They all have visas and are in the UK legitimately. One now has British citizenship. They don't have any other family here, although they do all speak almost fluent English. I admit it's second hand, but they have all told me that the British are less racist than the French. Discrimination against Algerians and Moroccans has a long history.

I'm from French immigrant grandparents. They came in the 1920s, settled here, opened 7 shops and employed people
Grandfather was a master tailor by trade, grandmother worked in a factory during WW2.
They came with passports and didn't throw their papers in the sea. They didn't come for benefits or the NHS. There was no NHS then. They came to marry, as they eloped here. He was wealthy, Roman Catholic and well educated. She was poor, never been to school so totally illiterate and Jewish. His family didn't approve of her.

They came with passports and didn't throw their papers in the sea

I'm not entirely sure how this connects with the mess we are in now.

sazz1

I'm from French immigrant grandparents. They came in the 1920s, settled here, opened 7 shops and employed people
Grandfather was a master tailor by trade, grandmother worked in a factory during WW2.
They came with passports and didn't throw their papers in the sea. They didn't come for benefits or the NHS. There was no NHS then. They came to marry, as they eloped here. He was wealthy, Roman Catholic and well educated. She was poor, never been to school so totally illiterate and Jewish. His family didn't approve of her.

At the time, antisemitism was rife in France. There are still Jewish families in the UK who came from France in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. It's not surprising his family didn't approve of her.

sixandahalf

*They came with passports and didn't throw their papers in the sea*

I'm not entirely sure how this connects with the mess we are in now.

I'm not sure either.

We certainly used to hear more overt racism in France when we first moved there and I remember people saying "that would never happen here", when Obama was elected. I think it is less overt these days and you certainly see more people from French overseas territories in senior positions. French people do tend to be quite blunt. My husband got used to very detailed questions about his multiple health issues. We are back in the UK now, I don't think British reserve is quite how it was, but that didn't come a surprise.

Is there any way of the public manipulating things so that we can demand a General Election IMMEDIATELY?
PLEASE!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rowyn

Is there any way of the public manipulating things so that we can demand a General Election IMMEDIATELY?
PLEASE!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why the capital letters? Why do you need help?

That is the last thing we need, quite frankly.

if you can pick out anyone amongst the Labour MPs, that would make a reliable and sensible PM, then I congratulate you on your positivity.

If , however, you would consider Rayner or Reeves, to mention just two, then I despair, Allira.

rowyn

if you can pick out anyone amongst the Labour MPs, that would make a reliable and sensible PM, then I congratulate you on your positivity.

If , however, you would consider Rayner or Reeves, to mention just two, then I despair, Allira.

Well I wouldn’t consider either of them that’s for sure.But I would support Streeting or Burnham.

rowyn

Is there any way of the public manipulating things so that we can demand a General Election IMMEDIATELY?
PLEASE!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No. You can forget that possibility, however hard you wish for it. Parties in power experiencing unpopularity don’t give up power until near the final election date.

I don't quite know which thread to put this on.

Streeting made a speech today at a conference and it was reported live by a journalist on BlueSky.

He's decided that he is going to run against Burnham for the leadership, if, of course, Burnham becomes an MP.

Among the more strange things he said was:

We treat the tech as inevitable force of nature that have the pen to write our future for us

It is time to take the pen back from the tech broligarchs", says Streeting

This is the ex minister who has allowed Palantir unlimited access to all our NHS data..

And,

An eye-catching comment from Streeting was that "a dishonest leadership contest" after 2019 was one of the underlying reasons for Labour being unprepared for government. [Leadership contest pledges were ditched post-contest - eg, would defend & bring back free movement, to red line no free movement]
(This is strange because the accusation of a 'dishonest' leadership campaign is very long standing and you wouldn't expect a former minister who benefitted from it to have endorsed it)

Well...

Here's the thread

bsky.app/profile/did:plc:refbwihhzcqqfulwhcou44sr/post/3mly2je7gt22v

Thanks for the link MaizieD.

Palantir NHS access is a fiasco. I wonder why Streeting thought he had to come out today to declare he would run against Burnham that a combative statement. May be I'm missing something but I can't see the advantage in doing that so early?

I would have thought his priority was to gain more favour with Labour members as Streeting's favour trails behind Burnham in first place and Rayner in second place by Labour members.

Is it true that Starmer has appointed someone who believes men can be woman as a minister for women?
Surely not even he could be that stupid?

Having listened to sone key aspects of Streeting”s speech - and read some other sources- Streeting confirmed he would stand IF a leadership contest is triggered and hopes for a “good natured contest.”… “ Where all the candidates can put their best foot forward. It’s got to be a battle of ideas so that whoever wins comes out stronger for it”

He said he hopes Burnham wins in Makerfield and he’s enjoyed working with him and will “ be out there going door knocking day after day to help him get elected”. That sounds better.

Mollygo

Is it true that Starmer has appointed someone who believes men can be woman as a minister for women?
Surely not even he could be that stupid?

Bridget Philippson has been Secretary of state for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities since July 2024.

May 9th
Appointment of Harriet Harman as the Prime Minister's Adviser on Women and Girls
Baroness Harman will advise the PM on how to galvanise Government to deliver for women and girls.

She will work with ministers across Government to drive an impactful agenda focusing on tackling violence against women and girls . . .

The role will see her draw on work with women across Parliament to identify action needed to tackle misogyny
Sounds good till you read . .

Harriet Harman, Starmer's new adviser on women and girls, said last year that men can be women and that “there's all sorts of women,
"women are women who are born women, but women are also women who are trans women

I hope Starmer doesn’t resign. With a bit of luck he won’t. The instability caused by this in fighting is playing havoc with our economy. As for Burnham being the Messiah who saves the Labour Party I heard that someone had texted in on LBC today “He’s not the Messiah, he is a VERY naughty boy”. Thought that described it very well. It gave me a laugh which I needed amongst the rubbish that is likely to tear this country apart. I fear for the younger generation if Reform get in and the idiots fighting in Downing Street will be to blame.

I would say 50:50 whether Burnham even gets elected so no need to worry. The dreaded Starmer will probably live to destroy the Labour Party even further.