Starmer's vision quest

[briantrumpet]

Yes, Mr Trumpet’s recommended book makes reference to the small pool of people who select candidates for possible MP, and, the even smaller pool who select leader/PM.

Aha, did you find Dunt's book interesting/enlightening? One of the best political ones I've read. I working my way through James O'Brien's book 'How They Broke Britain', and though agree with a lot of invective about the charlatans who used the UK political system to play personal games that helped poisoned our politics, it's a much less enlightening read for understanding the dysfunction in UK politics.

 

[BoldonLad]

Aha, did you find Dunt's book interesting/enlightening? One of the best political ones I've read. I working my way through James O'Brien's book 'How They Broke Britain', and though agree with a lot of invective about the charlatans who used the UK political system to play personal games that helped poisoned our politics, it's a much less enlightening read for understanding the dysfunction in UK politics.

Yes, I found it informative and interesting, helped I suppose because I tended to agree with most of it.

I have passed it on to my grandson, who is currently studying A level Politics, Economics and something else I forget.

 

[briantrumpet]

And the bottom line is, from a political POV, it would be a deeply unpopular bit of extremely major expenditure with no visible outcome to the electorate, to be paid for by younger people who probably won't get a state pension till they are at least 70. I struggle to see why a supposedly astute politician would have hitched his wotsit to this wagon.

Hahaha. "Supposedly astute" 🤣

 

[briantrumpet]

Yes, I found it informative and interesting, helped I suppose because I tended to agree with most of it.

I have passed it on to my grandson, who is currently studying A level Politics, Economics and something else I forget.

Glad to hear it! TBH, I think it should be required reading for *anyone* commenting on politics, and there should be regular tests (multiple choice, obvs) to assess CtC (competency to comment).

My surprise was his conclusion, given he's no fan of undemocratic stuff, is that the only part of Parliament that really does what it should (and saves the Houses of Parliament from disaster) is the House of Lords. Though I suspect his view on that might now be modified by how the Assisting Dying Bill was derailed by a handful of people against the will of the HoC and most of the HoL.

 

[Dorset Boy]

So Starmer further weakened today.
One comment I heard was that Starmer is a ditherer and incapable of making decisions as he is reluctant to upset anyone.

 

[BoldonLad]

Glad to hear it! TBH, I think it should be required reading for *anyone* commenting on politics, and there should be regular tests (multiple choice, obvs) to assess CtC (competency to comment).

My surprise was his conclusion, given he's no fan of undemocratic stuff, is that the only part of Parliament that really does what it should (and saves the Houses of Parliament from disaster) is the House of Lords. Though I suspect his view on that might now be modified by how the Assisting Dying Bill was derailed by a handful of people against the will of the HoC and most of the HoL.

OMG! I thought exactly the same!, having long thought the HoL should be abolished. My interpretation of his view was that he also wanted selection of “the lords” to be modified, to avoid the cronyism etc

 

[briantrumpet]

OMG! I thought exactly the same!, having long thought the HoL should be abolished. My interpretation of his view was that he also wanted selection of “the lords” to be modified, to avoid the cronyism etc

Yes, indeed, but it seems that despite that flaw, it still generally works well. Could have knocked me down with a 🪶!!

 

[Pblakeney]

Hahaha. "Supposedly astute" 🤣

View attachment 15713

I’ve always thought the assumption that Burnham will waltz into leadership is vastly overstated.
Add on that there is yet to be a leadership challenge and it’s all just hot air and reporting for clicks.

 

[briantrumpet]

I’ve always thought the assumption that Burnham will waltz into leadership is vastly overstated.
Add on that there is yet to be a leadership challenge and it’s all just hot air and reporting for clicks.

Mind you, Starmer's caught in the headlights, being politically assaulted by Musk whilst continuing to support X, while more ministers resign. If Hasbro made a doll of him, it would be Inaction Man. He never did break free of the spell of McSweeney and Glasman, who have extinguished any independence of thought or ability to change course. He's not malign, but useless in turbulent times. He might have been OK in boring times, but we'll never know.

 

[bobzmyunkle]

He might have been OK in boring times

Actually I think that's unlikely. He should have stayed out of politics.

 

[Bromptonaut]

I’ve always thought the assumption that Burnham will waltz into leadership is vastly overstated.
Add on that there is yet to be a leadership challenge and it’s all just hot air and reporting for clicks.

If that held water 24 hours ago it certainly doesn't post Healey/Carns.

I'd say a challenge is inevitable.

 

[Pblakeney]

If that held water 24 hours ago it certainly doesn't post Healey/Carns.

I'd say a challenge is inevitable.

Probably. It says something about the state of affairs that there is nobody that is a shoe in, or a guaranteed win. I’d extend that to all parties.

 

[Psamathe]

Add on that there is yet to be a leadership challenge and it’s all just hot air and reporting for clicks.

I guessing a bit here but maybe Streeting didn't get enough MPs to challenge because many Labour MPs were waiting to see if Burnham was an option (ie at that time their 1st choice Burnham, 2nd choice maybe Streeting, ... last choice Starmer). So if Burnham didn't win the by-election Streeting would be able to get the signatures and challenge but with fewer others standing.

 

[Dorset Boy]

I wonder whether John Healey would stand. Equally Carns didn't rule himself out when doing the rounds yesterday evening whilst still a minister.

with the April GDP figures showing a contraction, it's not been a good 24 hours for 10 or 11 Downing Street

 

[secretsqirrel]

I wonder whether John Healey would stand. Equally Carns didn't rule himself out when doing the rounds yesterday evening whilst still a minister.

with the April GDP figures showing a contraction, it's not been a good 24 hours for 10 or 11 Downing Street

I’m not sure that a war the Middle East didn’t have some effect on April GDP.

Al Carns has increased his public profile..