Starmer/Labour's approach is so nauseatingly similar to how the Tories behaved, it's almost as if they are deliberately trying to sabotage faith in democracy. With their historic election victory, we genuinely thought they'd be a new broom sweeping clean, but they've turned out to be a rancid mop swirling the same dirty mess - and thus allowing Reform to appear to be a bright and wholesome alternative, which must be one of the most extreme examples of shooting yourself in the foot, ever!
For the sake of the survival of British democracy Starmer needs to 'grow a pair' (as the modern vernacular would have it) to get a grip on the situation, and bring in PR before it's too late.
Not really. We all knew Starmer lied to get elected leader. He refused to say who is donors were until after he was elected. Many local, very popular candidates were blocked from standing in the last election because MsSweeney and Starmer wanted loyalists. Vile people like Luke Akehurst were parachuted in to constituencies they knew little about. The signs were very clear.
'to view this merely as a personnel crisis is to miss the disease for the symptoms.'
Yes, this! It is the same story with the former Prince Andrew—the revelations about him are a symptom of a disease: the concentration of wealth and power in a small number of people, or in a word, oligarchy.
I'd like to see less focus on the individuals (leave that to the police) and more focus on systems—something, I think, Ugly Politix is very good at.
This is just another along the lists of Starmer's lack of judgement. So many inept, morally questionable Cabinet 'initiatives' now this abject failure to read a person who is lying to your face.
Golden Circle may well be a driving force but ultimately it is the man's inability to apply sound judgement at the root core. Populism (amongst cronies) rather that vision insight into what is the British character.
As an aside, I struggle to see any difference between the Tory playbill and this Labour's agenda. More of the same, just different rhetoric.
I just cannot believe how weak Starmer is, I will not call him Sir as I don't agree with any politician or 'famous' person being given the title of 'Sir'. Those that deserve are normal, hardworking people.
Starmer is letting everyone walk all over him, he has no leadership skills whatsover. We all thought the Conservatives couldn't have juggled their Cabinet around any more but Labour seem to be just about overtaking them.
We need to bring back trust in politics and reward those that are hardworking and pay their way. I'm not talking about the unfortunate people that have no choice but to receive benefits, the cost of living has a lot to answer for, and those that are disabled etc but those that are able to work.
Also, Labour need to start being honest and not 'hide behind closed doors'.
I don't want Farage but I also don't want Starmer.
I share many of the points made above. The really serious matter is if Reform gains power we will all be finished-they are incompetent, nasty and corrupt. We need strong leadership to stop them-the sadness is that Starmer cannot provide that and is badly tarnished. We need leadership, good sense and political understanding, which Starmer totally lacks to stop Reform.
I would make one observation on Alicia Coumbe's comment, about "those that are hardworking and pay their way." I don't know Ms Coumbe's age, and in any case that is none of my business; yet I remember a time when, upon leaving education, it was then a reasonable expectation that by starting work for British Railways, the Civil Service, one of the major Banks, or an established local industry, you could - many years later - retire from the same employer, if not from the same job. Yet now, that is long gone, and for no good reason that I can see. So much of the work that people used to do is now done by robots or computers; even shop checkouts are, too often, machines rather than people. This disgusting trend has meant that there is no longer a job available for everyone who needs one - and to blame the individual for that is, in my view, inappropriate; this is a systemic failure, and its answer will also be systemic.
Well done Mark for getting a good response out, I didn't expect it. Not that I agree with it all because, ultimately, the Party has found itself in this spot because it chose Keir as leader, which is why I did not vote at the last election. A diverse party needed better than him, but members were seduced by the prospect of power just like Starmer has been seduced by the Mandelson sly, smooth, tongue over the years - but, of course, he would not listen to those repudiated Peter's persuasive blandishments, would he?
Starmer as made a big mistake the promises labour made when they came in power dident keep there word but this scandel is a very bad thing and stermer should resign from number 10 stand down and do the right thing for are country.
Starmer/Labour's approach is so nauseatingly similar to how the Tories behaved, it's almost as if they are deliberately trying to sabotage faith in democracy. With their historic election victory, we genuinely thought they'd be a new broom sweeping clean, but they've turned out to be a rancid mop swirling the same dirty mess - and thus allowing Reform to appear to be a bright and wholesome alternative, which must be one of the most extreme examples of shooting yourself in the foot, ever!
For the sake of the survival of British democracy Starmer needs to 'grow a pair' (as the modern vernacular would have it) to get a grip on the situation, and bring in PR before it's too late.
Not really. We all knew Starmer lied to get elected leader. He refused to say who is donors were until after he was elected. Many local, very popular candidates were blocked from standing in the last election because MsSweeney and Starmer wanted loyalists. Vile people like Luke Akehurst were parachuted in to constituencies they knew little about. The signs were very clear.
'to view this merely as a personnel crisis is to miss the disease for the symptoms.'
Yes, this! It is the same story with the former Prince Andrew—the revelations about him are a symptom of a disease: the concentration of wealth and power in a small number of people, or in a word, oligarchy.
I'd like to see less focus on the individuals (leave that to the police) and more focus on systems—something, I think, Ugly Politix is very good at.
This is just another along the lists of Starmer's lack of judgement. So many inept, morally questionable Cabinet 'initiatives' now this abject failure to read a person who is lying to your face.
Golden Circle may well be a driving force but ultimately it is the man's inability to apply sound judgement at the root core. Populism (amongst cronies) rather that vision insight into what is the British character.
As an aside, I struggle to see any difference between the Tory playbill and this Labour's agenda. More of the same, just different rhetoric.
I just cannot believe how weak Starmer is, I will not call him Sir as I don't agree with any politician or 'famous' person being given the title of 'Sir'. Those that deserve are normal, hardworking people.
Starmer is letting everyone walk all over him, he has no leadership skills whatsover. We all thought the Conservatives couldn't have juggled their Cabinet around any more but Labour seem to be just about overtaking them.
We need to bring back trust in politics and reward those that are hardworking and pay their way. I'm not talking about the unfortunate people that have no choice but to receive benefits, the cost of living has a lot to answer for, and those that are disabled etc but those that are able to work.
Also, Labour need to start being honest and not 'hide behind closed doors'.
I don't want Farage but I also don't want Starmer.
I share many of the points made above. The really serious matter is if Reform gains power we will all be finished-they are incompetent, nasty and corrupt. We need strong leadership to stop them-the sadness is that Starmer cannot provide that and is badly tarnished. We need leadership, good sense and political understanding, which Starmer totally lacks to stop Reform.
I would make one observation on Alicia Coumbe's comment, about "those that are hardworking and pay their way." I don't know Ms Coumbe's age, and in any case that is none of my business; yet I remember a time when, upon leaving education, it was then a reasonable expectation that by starting work for British Railways, the Civil Service, one of the major Banks, or an established local industry, you could - many years later - retire from the same employer, if not from the same job. Yet now, that is long gone, and for no good reason that I can see. So much of the work that people used to do is now done by robots or computers; even shop checkouts are, too often, machines rather than people. This disgusting trend has meant that there is no longer a job available for everyone who needs one - and to blame the individual for that is, in my view, inappropriate; this is a systemic failure, and its answer will also be systemic.
Well done Mark for getting a good response out, I didn't expect it. Not that I agree with it all because, ultimately, the Party has found itself in this spot because it chose Keir as leader, which is why I did not vote at the last election. A diverse party needed better than him, but members were seduced by the prospect of power just like Starmer has been seduced by the Mandelson sly, smooth, tongue over the years - but, of course, he would not listen to those repudiated Peter's persuasive blandishments, would he?
This is certainly one of the flaws of our parliamentary system - the old chums need to be rooted out somehow.
Think outside the box.
Accept that the whole system of a Westminster court of patronage has failed.
Design a new, people-centred democracy.
It's already available, called REINVENTING DEMOCRACY, and you need to read it. Not just check it out. As I said, think outside the box.
Starmer as made a big mistake the promises labour made when they came in power dident keep there word but this scandel is a very bad thing and stermer should resign from number 10 stand down and do the right thing for are country.
Great article. So glad i discovered this