What I’ve come to realise about Keir Starmer….

I admire him. Two explanations that I prefer, mentioned by others.
1) I guess that a privileged background usually bestows social ease and he's not from a privileged background, thank goodness.
2) The media probably choose photos to fit the narrative that they've spun. I hope that the continual attempts to ridicule and discredit him fail but the Establishment has a lot to lose if/when he becomes PM so the attempts to discredit will increase.
I would very much like to see him as PM.

It was interesting to read about him.
I'm glad I did, and it confirms what I've thought.
He is one tough cookie.

"He always seems to look worried, or wary, ill at ease."

He kinda' does.

But when you have people, and enemies, on the left, right, in front and behind, so to speak, watching carefully your every move, gesture, and harking to every word you say because you may well become the Prime Minister - and there are many who would prefer that not to be the case...

... it's hardly surprising.

I'd be wary, too - and probably look shell-shocked on a permanent basis. In fact, I'm amazed anyone wants the job at all, considering the state of general dis-satisfaction - and division - among the general public. I mean, where do you start?

Mollygo

MaizieD I wish you would tell governments that that is rubbish and that they can’t use that as an excuse.

Governments know it's rubbish. They're never short of money when they want, or need, to spend a lot on something. The £billions for covid appeared pdq. The Bank of England created it for them. It is technically owed by the government to the BoE now, but as the BoE belongs to the UK and is under the ultimate control of the government, it will never be repaid.
The government claim that it is short of money really translates as 'we don't want to spend it on x,y,z'.

Carbonated - what was your point regarding Daniel Craig?🤔

Louella12

Starmer doesn't sound plausible to me. I do wish Labour had a better leader. They will win the election but Starmer will hopefully go, sooner rather than later

Who would you suggest, Louella ?

I realise parties elect their leader but if labour win the election, that will in part be due to starmer. Changing leader at that stage is wrong on so many levels

I don’t think Starmer will be going anywhere for some time. As it stands currently he’s the second most popular politician in the UK after David Blunkett - so the most popular active politician. Louella may not like him, but he, according to the polls, is the least of the available evils.
yougov.co.uk/ratings/politics/popularity/politicians-political-figures/all

LadyGracie

He gives me the creeps!

That speaks more about you than about him 🙄

MaizieD
The government claim that it is short of money really translates as 'we don't want to spend it on x,y,z'.

Can we be sure that will be remembered, whoever gets in?

Remembered? If Labour acknowledge it it will be more than the Tories have done.

Agreed Doodledog, but I’m looking to a more truthful government in the future, so I’m hoping that what MaizieD said will be remembered or acknowledged.

I share your hope for a more truthful government in the future.

I hope he becomes Prime Minister. He seems genuine and honest with more empathy for ordinary voter. We have had a shower of phonies who have caused so much damage to this country. He has to tread carefully as he faces attacks from left and right, particularly right wing media. I prefer someone who can admit a mistake rather than the current government that always tries to pin the blame on someone else denying any responsibility.

I am probably in a minority here but following my European friends, one government is as bad as another- no miracles under a new administration. Just more of the same but packaged differently. Maybe forget about it and live as best we can?

ronib

I am probably in a minority here but following my European friends, one government is as bad as another- no miracles under a new administration. Just more of the same but packaged differently. Maybe forget about it and live as best we can?

Well, I think it's unlikely that any future government (whichever stripe it is) will be as shambolic as the one we have now. Nor, hopefully, will it see as many changes of PMs. Even now there are those plotting to get rid of Sunak in the hope of reviving the Party's popularity. And that smacks of desperation within the Party rather than any move towards a more stable government.

Definitely not forget about it ronib, that paves the path to dictatorship. I think actually it should be the opposite, if more people took more interest in politics it would raise the standards.

Casdon I admire your optimism but is it shambolic government or antiquated bureaucracy/administration/Civil Service that is holding this country back? Or both?

You seem keen to excuse this dreadful government of responsibility for anything ronib.

I’m not sure what it is that you’re saying ronib, that if the electorate cared less it would improve, or that we should just sit back and let it get worse. Government is responsible for the civil service, and if the government isn’t competent then the civil service isn’t either. Either of your options doesn’t sit well with me.

ronib

Casdon I admire your optimism but is it shambolic government or antiquated bureaucracy/administration/Civil Service that is holding this country back? Or both?

🤔

I'm not sure I understand.
The Civil Service delivers the policies of whichever Government is in power, impartially and objectively. They do, however, advise Ministers (just as well!).

They are employees of the Crown as are all public servants.

For evil to triumph, it is necessary only that good men do nothing.

If you read "shambolic government" for "evil", and "the electorate" for "good men" you get the situation the country would be in stay in if we followed your suggested path, ronib. Do you really recommend leaving it all to power-seekers, anarchy, personal ambition and greed, and the rule of those who care most for their own aggrandishment and wealth, and least for the good of the whole nation?

That is what you get if you just "leave them to it." The country's leaders need to be supervised at all times by those they lead. That is the main theme of democracy.

Exactly Elegran, very well expressed.

Casdon

Definitely not forget about it ronib, that paves the path to dictatorship. I think actually it should be the opposite, if more people took more interest in politics it would raise the standards.

... if more people took more interest in politics it would raise the standards.

Hear, hear.

Voter Apathy is dangerous.

"Living as best we can" sounds OK in theory, but it is a bit of a siege mentality. Our lives are governed to a great extent by government decisions - we should certainly take an interest in the making of those decisions.

As you say - that would certainly facilitate a dictatorship style government.

Do people live well under a totalitarian state? What options do they have for living as best they can - other than keeping out of trouble and making 'do' with what such a life has to offer?

Elegran

For evil to triumph, it is necessary only that good men do nothing.

If you read "shambolic government" for "evil", and "the electorate" for "good men" you get the situation the country would be in stay in if we followed your suggested path, ronib. Do you really recommend leaving it all to power-seekers, anarchy, personal ambition and greed, and the rule of those who care most for their own aggrandishment and wealth, and least for the good of the whole nation?

That is what you get if you just "leave them to it." The country's leaders need to be supervised at all times by those they lead. That is the main theme of democracy.

👏👏👏