Starmer's vision quest

[AuroraSaab]

If you admit that you won an election based on not being the Conservatives you're admitting you don't really have much of a mandate for all the policies you trumpeted. Which is perhaps why they've spent their time electioneering for the next GE.

 

[Pblakeney]

My take on the Sarwar announcement. He is trying to separate Scotland from Westminster to get more votes in the May elections as Starmer is scuppering what could have been a whitewash.

 

[briantrumpet]

My take on the Sarwar announcement. He is trying to separate Scotland from Westminster to get more votes in the May elections as Starmer is scuppering what could have been a whitewash.

Stephen Bush called it "too nakedly cynical", and then there's this...

 

[bobzmyunkle]

Great band. Arguably one of the best, but very much not wholesome or lovely. Just honest.

A personal favourite:


View: https://youtu.be/YIdcDL64KCE?si=ozd6rmdvyHaFSjy8

Owe us a living? Course they f*cking do.

 

[CXRAndy]

View: https://x.com/i/status/2020794667940368517

 

[CXRAndy]

Japanese got a great

View: https://x.com/i/status/2020858985402744955

Sushi deportation

Scotland Haggis wrap
England Bags of scraps (northern)
Wales Welly up
NI not worth it anyway

 

[Ian H]

What's weird about Starmer is that he seems to be immovably fixated on turning Labour into a narrow, conservative church. The government does have some solid achievements so far, but appears to be bent on burying them under all the disastrous PR.

 

[Psamathe]

What's weird about Starmer is that he seems to be immovably fixated on turning Labour into a narrow, conservative church. The government does have some solid achievements so far, but appears to be bent on burying them under all the disastrous PR.

Their proposed changes to animal welfare legislation would seem to me to have widespread support across the electorate. Maybe it's not perfect but early days. Yet we've heard nothing beyond the initial announcement of intent. I appreciate it's probably still beinmg drawn-up and considered but maybe they should be making more noise about it if just from a something positive to make noise about and have some counter to all the bad stuff they (and thus press and thus we) are all focusing on.

Again, from what I'm seeing and hearing poor PR.

 

[secretsqirrel]

PLP meeting tonight….Sarwar seems to have galvanised them.

18:30​

Harry Farley
Political correspondent

One Labour MP, who is often critical of the prime minister, texts from inside: “If we could bottle this Keir and show it to the country we’ll walk [the next general election]."

There are several noisy rounds of applause we can hear. No signs for now at least of any jeopardy for the prime minister tonight.

Reminds me of Boris’ gee’up meetings before he got booted. But then Starms is no Boris

 

[CXRAndy]

Just like actblue


View: https://x.com/i/status/2020850177834127830

 

[Xipe Totec]

The Scottish Accounting Unit Manager's ill-considered outburst hasn't been greeted with the enthusiastic support he may have wanted. Or any support from Labour MPs in Scotland at all, it would appear.

From The Times:
“Will ANY Scottish MPs come out and support Anas Sarwar? So far there’s been a big backlash against Sarwar. One senior figure says privately: “Anas is wrong. [It’s] opportunistic and with no plan.” Another Scottish Labour source adds: “Anas does not have authority to speak on behalf of the Scottish party in this way. It’s a fucking shitshow.” A third says: “Is this really going to help Anas’ chances of winning that much? It’s rearranging the cushions in a burning house.”

And then there was this...

 

[Xipe Totec]

This may be a slightly partisan analysis but it's hard not to get the impression that poor little Anas has just enthusiastically defenestrated himself from the 187th floor.

https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2026/02/09/sarwars-gamble/

 

[Psamathe]

Reminds me of Boris’ gee’up meetings before he got booted. But then Starms is no Boris

These are all stage acting for Ministers to try and show enough not to be sacked and MPs remembering that "loyalty" trumps everything. So in public meeting declare loyalty and minutes later onto the private WhatsApp group plotting downfalls.

If Starmer is promising different way of working it means the last 1+ years he's been getting it wrong.

Starmer chose McSweeney, Starmer chose Mandleson, Starmer chose to ignore backbenchers.

I suspect those seeking the leadership were expecting they'd have until after the spring elections and are just not ready now - they didn't get enough warning about this crisis and I suspect that'll save Starmer for a few weeks.

 

[spen666]

These are all stage acting for Ministers to try and show enough not to be sacked and MPs remembering that "loyalty" trumps everything. So in public meeting declare loyalty and minutes later onto the private WhatsApp group plotting downfalls.

If Starmer is promising different way of working it means the last 1+ years he's been getting it wrong.

Starmer chose McSweeney, Starmer chose Mandleson, Starmer chose to ignore backbenchers.

I suspect those seeking the leadership were expecting they'd have until after the spring elections and are just not ready now - they didn't get enough warning about this crisis and I suspect that'll save Starmer for a few weeks.

Agreed and suspect Angela will hope any leadership campaign is after HMRC have concluded their investigation

 

[BoldonLad]

I'm finding the "Starmer must go!" opinions quite interesting, in that none of them seem to propose a viable alternative. This is one of many, and I've yet to see a cogent argument beyond the "but he's been shit at politics with McSweeney and Glasman" charge (which is fair).

View attachment 13008

https://bsky.app/profile/georgemonbiot.bsky.social/post/3megd4krlok2o

The "must go", in the form of Voting anyone but Tory got Labour the massive majority then have (and, have failed to take advantage of).

It is a dangerous development, it may well present us with Reform, or, a coalition involving them, heaven forbid.