It's been a whole year, now, since Sir Keir 'Brylcreem' Starmer took over from Corbyn as Leader of The UK's Labour Party, supposedly giving them slightly more 'electability' than under wee Jeremy.
But the poor guy, Sir Keir already seems to be stuck in the mire. He's been caught visiting a church with very dubious anti-gay procedures, he's been photographed on one knee in submission to something or other, and he's still refusing to apologise for Corbyn's crazy term in office, and/or Labour's anti-Semitic stance. He doesn't seem to have any policies either; whacky or otherwise.
Not only all this, but in the recent parliamentary, and local council elections, Labour have hit rock-bottom. They've even just lost Hartlepool; a Labour 'jewel in the crown' seat, that hadn't seen a Tory win for half a century. Even up there they're getting the message.
Starmer obviously has sharper skills as a speaker than his predecessor; he is, after all, a reasonably well-honed Barrister. But typical of a Barrister turned Politician, he's continually nit-picking from the past rather than proposing policies for the future. Assembling a case from past events might work in court, but not in parliament, giving him the well-earned sobriquet of 'Captain Hindsight'.
At the weekly Wednesday PMQ's it makes him very easy picking for Boris Johnson's superior debating and political abilities; Sir Keir simply sits there blinking, hoping to hit a nerve, whilst looking confused and downhearted. His recent attempt to tar Boris with accusations of 'sleaze' has only made Boris's popularity increase. He can't win.
His novelty value is now waning, and his popularity has fallen drastically. He was originally seen as a latter day, quasi-Tory, 'son of Blair', but without the dewy-eyed appeal; Sir Keir has a somewhat manic and perplexed look. He is also seen as too weak and too right-wing for the more radical members of both his Parliamentary Party, and the all-powerful Trades Unions.
I can't see him leading Labour into the next general election, unless he changes his 'Blairite' political stance. More radical Labour MP's would desperately like to see a woman leading their party, it might give them more kudos (the Conservatives have had two female PM's, so why don't Labour have a female leader?). I suggest that either the fragrant Jess Phillips, Angela Rayner, or even Rebecca Long-Bailey might well be in line for the job.
Some still talk of Labour as being the party of 'The Working Man', but let me explain something; it's a strong economy those 'working men' need, not Labour. You only get growth and high employment with the Conservatives. Labour have NEVER left a term in office without an increase in unemployment; hardly pro those 'working men'.
One doesn't wish to gloat over Labour's demise, but it's their crazy policies! No-one wants a government that would wreck the economy; like the last time they were in power. Those days are over; it's time to think again.
The Labour Parliamentary Party will need to 'pretend' that they believe in more sensible policies, and maybe even start agreeing with the Tories; only that way will they stand any chance of regaining power.
Michael Foot's election manifesto of 1983 was called 'The longest suicide note in history'..... nothing much has changed.
Starmer is a "woke" politician as are most of Labour these days. Ordinary people, the majority, are fed up of the wokies. Labour's insane polices insulted just about everyone outside the London bubble. They only have themselves to blame.
ReplyDeleteThey do themselves no favours by following silly trends. I look forward to a time when they are a decent opposition again.
DeletePolitics #101; Don't have much in the way of policies and governments lose office rather than oppositions win them. Sir Whathisname receives no coverage here. He does have good hair, not bad looking, a good jawline, dresses smartly and is clean shaven (not that there is anything wrong with beards I hasten to add). I'm not sure what he sounds like. He is electable but as I suggested, the government will lose rather than Labour win.
ReplyDeleteHaha, the darling old duffer Foot. Britain really has had some awful Labour leaders, I suppose due to to factions and inner politics.
PS When putting up photos of people you don't like, find a bad photo of them.
I don't particularly dislike him, it's just that his policies are all wrong, and the people know it.
DeleteAn interesting fact...Labour was successful in keeping the Hartlepool seat through two elections with Jeremy Corbyn....just sayin' !!
ReplyDeleteI can't say that I think much of Kier Starmer either...looks like a very controlling person...and is showing his true colours now...
I don't think that was down to Corbyn, Hartlepool was always a staunch Labour stronghold. You could have offered them a Labour Donkey and they would have voted for it. No longer the case.
DeleteAt the time of Corbyn the Conservatives would have taken Hartlepool but the Tory vote was split between them and The Brexit Party. Added together they would have wiped out Labour.
DeleteI think the way you characterised PMQ's was most unfair. Mr Starmer has had Johnson floundering and on the ropes many times. Frequently Johnson looks like a blethering scarecrow. In terms of basic decency and honesty, Mr Starmer stands head and shoulders above Johnson who is an incorrigible liar. However, I agree with you that the time is possibly nigh for a woman leader for Labour - hopefully to change the dynamic. Of the three you mentioned, I would only go for Jess Phillips and another you didn't mention - Yvette Cooper. Angela Rayner and Rebecca Long-Bailey have just not got the X factor needed. Last Thursday was a very sad day for this country.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I saw PMQ's, Boris gave him a real battering. Starmer should keep his final question to a simple subject, not give him the ammunition he's waiting for. It's not that difficult to grasp. I hope when Starmer goes, that they'll chose a woman leader; it's about time.
DeleteNot sad for the country, Labour are finished until they stop the woke nonsense. Even Sheffield gave Labour due warning.
DeleteThey commit too much damage to 'The Working Man', and to the economy. They can't be trusted.
Deletehow many people really are working class now? this is the problem. they need to move with the times and have an economist lead them to the next election. The bottom line is most people think with their bank account they want more, always more. I live in Scotland and quite frankly I think we are f'ed. elected a government that has let the education fall into the toilet. no party seems to be projecting 10 or 20 years time. They are only thinking years 2 and 3 and start campaigning again, which I get to a certain degree, but it takes more than one term to right the wrongs of a previous party and in this instance get over Brexit, a pandemic and what will probably be in Independence vote for Scotland. I find it all quite scary as more recessions will mean less pension for me and due to my age, I doubt there will be state pension by the time I get there. Its a very sorry state of affairs
DeleteFor those in Scotland, I think the greatest fear must be independence. Going back to all that inefficient bureaucracy, as well as joining the Euro, at a time when the EU is falling apart, sounds like madness to me. But, I must add; it'll be fun to watch. I wish you luck.
DeleteFrom one who lives nearly up there what do you mean by even up there?'
ReplyDeleteExactly as I meant it. People up in 'the north' have traditionally thought of Labour as their friends, but they are slowly realising that it's the opposite. It's a sound economy that makes for high employment; not the blind support of the unions. One only has to look at 'The Miner's Strike' to see how easily fooled they can be. Scargill and friends totally ruined a whole industry. I'm sorry to say this, but the truth must be told.
DeleteLabour is now more concerned with being "woke" than that phenomenon called poverty regarding which the Left used to concern itself. And yes, I do believe that genuine poverty exists, although those who shout loudest about if often have more of a budgeting problem then an actual poverty problem. Casual low paid employment and sometimes rather reactionary benefit sanctions do not help ( And I do agree that there are people on benefits who take the***, do not do enough to get themselves on the employment ladder or more employable, and spend the benefit money unwisely)
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me why a bunch of idiots pulling down statues a few months ago received more media coverage than people living in stinking housing association hovels carpeted thickly with black mould and with water running into the electrics?
And I agree we need a strong economy. I am not anti capitalist. We need compassionate well regulated capitalism I believe someone once quoted that the traditional Labour party was build more from Methodism than Marxism- as a non religious person I would probably be a labour supporter if this was still the case
As a continuation of the above, from my limited knowledge of Frank Field, I think he would be a good Labour leader. Campaigns against important issues and not a rabble rouser. But was booted out of the party. Go figure...
ReplyDeleteHe was too 'nice', and too logical.
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