Congrats Keir Starmer

I don't hate Keith Starmer Cossy.

Congratulations to KS for receiving this distinguished honour from Macron 👏👏 👏- credit where it's due.

Well done indeed, I'm sad to see him go, despite his faults he always had the countrys best interests at heart I'm sure.

That is lovely to hear. It was always clear to those of us living in France how much he was respected and what a good relationship the two men had.

Mamie- thank you for telling us how well Starmer has been respected in France.

I never thought anyone actually hated him! IMO a good many people just found him uninspiring and ineffectual.

Witzend

I never thought anyone actually hated him! IMO a good many people just found him uninspiring and ineffectual.

I despise anyone who defends genocide. Sorry

I'm so glad!

Thanks for that Cossy. It is a mark of distinction for all he did to lead on security and support for Ukraine. He had the ability to represent our country and most importantly to rebuild relationships across Europe. This was desperately needed as strong building blocks to re-establish our credibility abroad. I only hope it can be continued. He truly had the ability to gather and further the continued support that was desperately needed for Ukraine. To lead on this, and to gain the respect and encourage, European leaders would have required considerable skill and diplomacy.

I would like to think that Burnham makes use of Starmer’s diplomatic skills, and Starmer will be willing to use them.

I liked him and thought he was a really good PM with the exception of his allegiance to Rachel Reeves. She produced the most anti growth budgets that decided businesses could no longer employ people in the normal way. The result was unemployment especially affecting young people. Then there were outcries at the cost of unemployment being paid out. She made very bad decisions but Starmer stuck by her.

I believe Macron mentioned "decency", that most British of traits.

What an honour. I am so pleased to hear this.

His worst critics were people in his own party. That’s why he was forced to resign.

Starmer was a steady hand on the wheel when it came to dealing with Europe and the threat posed by Putin as well as in his dealings with Trump over the Iran war.
A good enough legacy in my book.
Well done Keir.

Starmer had successes and this is one of example that derserves credit and celebration.

He definitely was not the worst PM we’ve had in recent times. It’s hard to govern.

His worst critics were the media, who don’t see beyond the end of today when they set out to destroy reputations to sell copy to keep themselves in jobs. I suspect Starmer will be one of those PMs who is judged less harshly in retrospect than in the present. He should be very proud to receive the Legion D’Honneur, it’s not lightly awarded.

Casdon

His worst critics were the media, who don’t see beyond the end of today when they set out to destroy reputations to sell copy to keep themselves in jobs. I suspect Starmer will be one of those PMs who is judged less harshly in retrospect than in the present. He should be very proud to receive the Legion D’Honneur, it’s not lightly awarded.

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I'm very sorry to see him go. Not perfect - who is? -but so much better than the leaders we have had recently, and a very important figure on the world stage. I hope he returns to political life.

I am so pleased. He has been a steady hand after many years of political chaos in the UK and has been terrific on the international stage. I hope he will continue to contribute his expertise in parliament and in world affairs.

I find it sad that world leaders outside of this country appreciate him in a way that his own party don't. He has worked tirelessly [even before he became PM] to rebuild our fractured relationship with europe whilst at the same time respecting the referendum vote. A difficult path to tread but that's the sort of thing he's good at [one only has to see the way he has handled Trump to realise that]. A well deserved honour and I've been proud seeing him represent my country on the world stage.

Casdon

His worst critics were the media, who don’t see beyond the end of today when they set out to destroy reputations to sell copy to keep themselves in jobs. I suspect Starmer will be one of those PMs who is judged less harshly in retrospect than in the present. He should be very proud to receive the Legion D’Honneur, it’s not lightly awarded.

Oh come on …. You can’t blame his resignation on the media!
Starmer even said he accepted “with good grace” thatLabour MPs do not want him to lead them into the next general election. Hence his resignation.

He wasn’t inspiring but I thought he was a very steady, safe pair of hands I certainly didn’t dislike him I think him and Andy Burnham would have made a good PM and deputy together. Ying and Yang
Yes the media destroyed him
I m glad he’s got this honour

Yes Primrose53, I do think it is down to the media. The relentless media campaign against him affected his standing with the public, and once the MPs realised that would not change they wanted him to go. Ultimately the media were responsible for his downfall. Different scenario, but the same tactic now happening to Farage too.

Casdon

Yes Primrose53, I do think it is down to the media. The relentless media campaign against him affected his standing with the public, and once the MPs realised that would not change they wanted him to go. Ultimately the media were responsible for his downfall. Different scenario, but the same tactic now happening to Farage too.

Starmer deciding to resign is partly media and partly his decision making and style.

In comparison Farage has had a pretty breezy, much more positive ride from the majority of Uk media outlets than Starmer- until fairly recently. That Rupert Murdoch and his right wing media outlets are briefing against Farage’s actions, decisions and undeclared “gifts” is outside the norm.

It will be Farage’s actions and decisions that determine what happens next as a result of investigations surely?