I totally agree. Well said.
Govt announces Ukrainian style scheme to bring thousands more migrants to UK
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Lest we forget what we have just lost ....
(163 Posts)Since Labour took office, Keir Starmer’s government has:
- Scrapped the two-child benefit limit, lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty and putting money back into some of the hardest-pressed households in the country.
- Expanded free school meals, cutting costs for families and making sure more children get a proper meal during the school day.
- Expanded funded childcare, reducing one of the biggest monthly costs facing working parents and making it easier for people to stay in work.
- Raised the National Living Wage, increasing pay for millions of low-paid workers.
- Strengthened workers’ rights, giving people greater protection against insecure work and bad employers.
- Introduced statutory sick pay from the first day of illness, so workers are less likely to choose between their health and their wages.
- Ended no-fault evictions, giving renters more security in their homes.
- Brought rail operators back into public ownership, taking key services out of failed private hands and giving the public a stronger stake in how they are run.
- Cut NHS waiting lists from their post-pandemic peak, meaning more patients are being seen sooner.
- Raised the state pension through the triple lock, protecting pensioners’ incomes against rising costs.
- Scrapped the old non-dom tax regime, making some of the wealthiest people in the country pay more fairly.
- Added VAT to private school fees, raising money from those most able to contribute.
- Removed business rates relief from private schools, ending an unjustified tax break.
- Increased neighbourhood policing, putting more officers and PCSOs back into communities.
- Helped bring knife crime down, meaning fewer families face the devastation of serious violence.
- Recorded the lowest homicide rate since the 1970s, a material improvement in public safety.
- Created Great British Energy, giving Britain a publicly owned clean energy company.
- Created the National Wealth Fund, backing investment in industry, infrastructure and clean energy.
- Passed planning reforms aimed at getting homes and major projects built faster.
- Improved relations with the EU, reducing diplomatic hostility and rebuilding practical cooperation.
- Agreed a UK-EU security partnership, strengthening cooperation on defence and European security.
- Signed a long-term partnership with Ukraine, reinforcing Britain’s support against Putin’s invasion.
- Secured new trade agreements, opening up markets for British businesses.
- Helped restore seriousness to government after years of scandal, chaos and decline.
- Revived Sure Start under the guise of Best Start Hubs.
- Stood up to Trump and kept us out of Iran without the US/UK relationship falling apart.
- Restored international faith in the UK
And this is the man who has been hounded out for not being flashy enough and not courting the media.
I’m glad to see some appreciation of the government’s achievements under Kier Starmer, Luckygirl. It doesn’t mean everything is/was perfect. I do feel for the families of SEND children if the VAT on private school fees has affected them. Currently, SEND provision is entirely inadequate and no-one should have to pay to provide their child with an education that meets their needs.
European leaders (not just EU), including Zelenskyy seem genuinely sorry to see Keir go.
That's a very impressive list.
There are some things on it I like better than others, but to describe KS as useless or ineffectual is nothing short of wilfully blind.
I hope that AB does as much - I think he will, and I think he'll be equally loathed by those who prefer an unequal society, but I hope he handles the media more effectively than Keir did, and makes his achievements more obvious.
Inevitably there will be things on this list that individuals are not happy about .... that is the nature of government.... it is not posdible to please everyone and no government should try. Policies affect individuals in different ways.
But the litany of criticism of Starmer has failed to look at his achievements and his basic decency ... something that has been sadly lacking in UK government for a long time.
Mark Carney hits the nail on the head.
Doodledog
That's a very impressive list.
There are some things on it I like better than others, but to describe KS as useless or ineffectual is nothing short of wilfully blind.
I hope that AB does as much - I think he will, and I think he'll be equally loathed by those who prefer an unequal society, but I hope he handles the media more effectively than Keir did, and makes his achievements more obvious.
He’s become useless to the Labour Party, they would lose the next GE with him in place.
I don’t believe AB will be loathed at all.
Oreo
Doodledog
That's a very impressive list.
There are some things on it I like better than others, but to describe KS as useless or ineffectual is nothing short of wilfully blind.
I hope that AB does as much - I think he will, and I think he'll be equally loathed by those who prefer an unequal society, but I hope he handles the media more effectively than Keir did, and makes his achievements more obvious.He’s become useless to the Labour Party, they would lose the next GE with him in place.
That's not the same thing, though.
It is to Labour! And to us all who don’t want to see the Conservatives back or Reform.
One of Burnhams supporters interviewed by Emily Maitliss has said he doesn’t feel sorry for Starmer because he ‘f**cked up’. Can’t imagine Starmer supporting MP speaking like that. And Burnham is demanding that Starmer hands overstate information as if he’s PM already I believe.
Ilovecheese
The Labour party as a whole achieved these things. They are not due to Starmer.
They achieved it under Starmer.
Or despite Starmer? Who knows.
Oreo
Macaydia
Keeping the UK out of Iran was the most intelligent decision of all. Everyone of us can applaud that.
No European country got involved, nor were they or us ever likely to.
Trump put more pressure on us than Europe though.
& Farage & Baddenoch initially wanted to join in "wiping the Iranian regime out" so not that unlikely.
Dear sir Ed Davey had more sense, though.
Mark Carney said "Keir, thank you for your lifetime of public service."
Sarnia When private schools serve a genuine medical need, the VAT should be waived - unless the gap is filled by enough places in special state schools. However, that doesn't nullify all the points in the OP.
Oreo
It is to Labour! And to us all who don’t want to see the Conservatives back or Reform.
As I've said, I think he did the right thing by standing down, but I don't think he was useless or ineffectual, as the list in the OP shows.
I think he would have been an excellent leader even 30 years ago, before it became easy for those with money to dripfeed propaganda and simplistic slogans. These days, we need people with a different set of skills, and can just hope that those who have them can also be statesmanlike and politically astute. It's a big ask!
And I don't want to see the Conservatives back, or Reform, so I don't know who you mean by 'us all'. You are speaking for others again.
Elegran
Ilovecheese
The Labour party as a whole achieved these things. They are not due to Starmer.
They achieved it under Starmer.
I see it as despite. Particularly the two child benefit cap reversal.
But even if I am mistaken, and those achievements, which I do support, can be put down to his leadership, he was still goingto lose the next election to reform. At least now there is a better chance of keeping Reform out of Govt.
Except that when AB puts a foot wrong, which he inevitably will do (he’s only human), Farage & Badenoch will scream from the rafters for an early GE … citing that we have a PM with no mandate to lead his party, let alone the country. This could quickly gain traction.
So, far from keeping Reform out of government, the LP may actually have set up the conditions for them to succeed.
I hope I’m wrong!
Am not sure I like Burnham acting like the big I am when he isn’t even PM yet, a little respect and humility would be preferable until Starmer leaves, and even then flexing his ego is not going to be a good look.
And he may well become the next PM, but will he make a better job of it??
Or will the media be descending on him like a ton of bricks a year or so from now and voters saying they just want rid of Burnham.
Today governments and the electorate seem to have the attention span of a flea, with knee jerk opinions voiced on social media dictating policy and then becoming a thorn in the side of PMs because their policies are not short term enough - like ‘as of yesterday’ - or are ill thought out because such policies are just populist sticking plasters, not actual solutions.
So good luck Andy, you’re going to need it.
LizzieDrip
Except that when AB puts a foot wrong, which he inevitably will do (he’s only human), Farage & Badenoch will scream from the rafters for an early GE … citing that we have a PM with no mandate to lead his party, let alone the country. This could quickly gain traction.
So, far from keeping Reform out of government, the LP may actually have set up the conditions for them to succeed.
I hope I’m wrong!
If Keir was so useless why was Farage so determined to get him out of No 10?
LizzieDrip
Except that when AB puts a foot wrong, which he inevitably will do (he’s only human), Farage & Badenoch will scream from the rafters for an early GE … citing that we have a PM with no mandate to lead his party, let alone the country. This could quickly gain traction.
So, far from keeping Reform out of government, the LP may actually have set up the conditions for them to succeed.
I hope I’m wrong!
Labour called for a general election on each charge of Conservative PM
It’s politics, it’s dirty and ruthless.
And no, I don't think you're wrong. But no one seems to be able to see the long game and the wider picture. Or understand how devious Farage [and whoever is behind him] is.
Luckygirl3
They achieved these under his leadership. We cannot ascribe all good things to the whole party, but all shortcomings to Starmer himself.
That is unreasonable.
👍👍
If I’m completely honest, and it’s only my opinion, Reform will simply not have enough “proper” candidates to stand in every constituency.
If they couldn’t even drag up one decent candidate to defend Makerfield, where on earth is they going find hundreds? I very much doubt many more will defect from the Tories, particularly now KB is starting to make her mark.
If Labour lose the next GE, I absolutely believe it’ll be to the Tories and that Greens will gain more seats from many of the younger generation and some middle aged hippy types.
I know a good few 25-40 year old Green supporters. I know some Lib Dem’s and many Tories. I don’t personally know anyone who would actually vote for Reform and Restore. That’s not to say that there are not any, clearly the local elections show that there are many Reform supporters out there.
I come from a pretty political household and my friends and I openly discuss politics.
Obviously I only actually know where I put my X on the ballot paper and that’s as it should be, however, it’s often not hard to guess the direction of friends and family votes and in my groups it’s not far right.
MayBee70
One of Burnhams supporters interviewed by Emily Maitliss has said he doesn’t feel sorry for Starmer because he ‘f**cked up’. Can’t imagine Starmer supporting MP speaking like that. And Burnham is demanding that Starmer hands overstate information as if he’s PM already I believe.
You must be having a laugh! You “can’t imagine Starmer supporting MP like that”.🤣🤣
Starmer thought Angela Rayner was great and look at the vile mouthful she came out with in their party conference.
“We cannot get any worse than a bunch of scum, homophobic, racist, misogynistic, absolute vile …. Banana republic, vile, nasty, Etonian …. Piece of scum.”
The Renter’s Rights bill has caused thousands of landlords to sell their rental properties meaning a severe shortage of rental properties. To be honest, as soon as our family health problems ease off a bit, I will probably sell our rental property too. I just can’t be bothered any more.
As for the VAT on private school fees it is already cause for concern in private schools in my area as staff are worried that they might lose their jobs. Cleaners, catering staff, gardeners, matrons as well as teaching staff. My friend’s daughter teaches in a private school in Surrey and she says her school is also very concerned. It also puts more pressure on state schools with parents trying to find places for their kids who they can no longer afford to go privately.
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