# Keir Starmer tries to lead the UK **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 6, 2024, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805 "2024-07-06T06:46:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/181 "2025-01-09T11:34:15Z")
> [@Ash\_trav511](#): > > From what I’m seeing on tv and reading on internet, Starmer is, unfortunately, becoming untenable with each passing day. > Sad to see this level of unpopularity within 6 months. > > I feel, irrespective of any previous investigations/inquiries into the grooming gangs scandal, he should have agreed for a national enquiry on this issue. Nonsense. We’ve had a national enquiry. We’ve had regional enquiries. We just need to action the recommendations, Don’t fall for Musk’s crap. Listen to the people who actually know about this stuff and have actually made an impact in the area of grooming gangs. Who are, as it goes, Kier Starmer and Jess Philips. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/182 "2025-01-09T11:37:48Z")
> [@Ash\_trav511](#): > > Hpothetically speaking, if Elon “sends” “volunteers” for campaigning and political work in UK will it be acceptable ? No, given the restrictions on both donations (in kind and in cash) and party expenditures (both nationally and per constituency). He could whine all he likes about that, but the rules apply to everyone - and Citizens United doesn’t, for very good reason. [https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/political-registration-and-regulation/financial-reporting/donations-and-loans/permissible-sources](https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/political-registration-and-regulation/financial-reporting/donations-and-loans/permissible-sources) [https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/party-spending-and-pre-poll-donations-and-loans-uk-parliamentary-general-election/spending-limit](https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/party-spending-and-pre-poll-donations-and-loans-uk-parliamentary-general-election/spending-limit) ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/183 "2025-01-09T11:57:37Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > No, given the restrictions on both donations (in kind and in cash) and party expenditures (both nationally and per constituency). He could whine all he likes about that, but the rules apply to everyone - and Citizens United doesn’t, for very good reason. As Starmer said wrt Labour “volunteers” in US elections, suppose 10000 “volunteers” come to campaign from USA and do other political work as “volunteers”, supposedly spending their own money, is it acceptable. Is it allowed under UK laws ? Also I heard on BBC that Musk could technically route his money through Tesla Uk or [X.UK](http://X.UK) as those are registered companies in UK This is not a “what if” or "what about"question. I genuinely want to know if its allowed under UK law…Musk is known to be very unpredictable and unconventional in how he does things. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/184 "2025-01-09T12:03:30Z")
I suppose it might have to be tested in court as to whether they were genuinely volunteers supporting themselves from their own resources, and whether the time they spend working counts as a donation on kind from a non-UK source. I don’t think such a case has ever been made. But of course that would depend on Musk and anyone else involved in organising and encouraging such a thing actually keeping their mouths shut about it. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/185 "2025-01-09T12:08:32Z")
Technically he could “gift” 10000 dollars to 10000 people in US (100 million). Once “gifted” or “donated”…it is their money. Then they come as “volunteers” spending “their money”. I know it sounds silly and crazy but I cannot rule out “silly and crazy” from anything Elon does. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/186 "2025-01-09T12:10:00Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > from a non-UK source BBC says Elon donating from Tesla UK or [X.uk](http://X.uk) could legally make it donating from UK source. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/187 "2025-01-09T12:14:26Z")
Still to be counted against the overall expenditure limits. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/188 "2025-01-09T12:17:04Z")
> This does looks like a sponsored Labour party trip of the “volunteers”. I hope Trump does not sue in court as it seems a limit of 1000 usd is the limit per person. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/189 "2025-01-09T12:20:04Z")
The optics sure don’t look good and it gives Elon the opening to interfere directly or indirectly in UK politics. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/190 "2025-01-09T12:30:46Z")
As if he needed an excuse to interfere anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/191 "2025-01-09T12:31:39Z")
Yeah, “gives him the opening” is kind of silly. If it weren’t this fig leaf, it’d be another fig leaf. Whether or not it existed in reality. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/192 "2025-01-09T12:59:03Z")
I agree. He doesn’t need a fig leaf…just an excuse to justify if someone points out… to say you too did this. ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/193 "2025-01-09T13:30:04Z")
> [@Ash\_trav511](#): > > If low level Labour party men were complicit in the coverup (I’m not saying they were but just a hypothetical scenario) Where on earth are you getting such suggestions from? If there has been a cover up by politicians, it’s likely to be the ones who failed to implement a single recommendation from the last inquiry. And who are now calling for another delaying inquiry. What are the high level Tories so desperate for us not to discover? ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/194 "2025-01-09T13:38:30Z")
> [@JacobSwan](#): > > And who are now calling for another delaying inquiry. What are the high level Tories so desperate for us not to discover? I highly doubt that they are. They were never going to get yet another enquiry, - just jumping on the Mail/Telegraph/Express/Sun bandwagon to shift any blame for their failure to act on the last inquiry’s recommendations on to Labour. ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/195 "2025-01-09T14:13:32Z")
> [@JacobSwan](#): > > Where on earth are you getting such suggestions from? This is what Kemi alluded to in her speech…“cover up by Labour”. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/196 "2025-01-09T14:18:51Z")
> [@Ash\_trav511](#): > > This is what Kemi alluded to in her speech…“cover up by Labour”. Kemi who was Women and Equalities minister in the last Government? Who never raised a question on this topic in government or in Parliament until Musk went crazy on X, and who never implemented a word of the last national enquiry? That Kemi? ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/197 "2025-01-09T14:19:01Z")
> [@Ash\_trav511](#): > > This is what Kemi alluded to in her speech The woman who never once raised the issue while in government? Not even while Secretary of State for children and families. We’re supposed to believe her are we? ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/198 "2025-01-09T14:19:26Z")
> **[MPs vote against Tory call for new grooming gangs inquiry](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyvy4q82l9o)** > > MPs rejected a Tory amendment calling for a grooming gang's inquiry by 253 votes. In this BBC report… “Badenoch accused the PM of not wanting questions asked “of Labour politicians who may be complicit” in previous cases”. Making her argument for a fresh inquiry during her debate with Sir Keir, Badenoch said “no one has joined the dots, no one has the total picture”. She noted that the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, which lasted for seven years and concluded in 2022, had not had a specific focus on grooming gangs. She said a new inquiry could explore “if there was a racial and cultural motivation to some of these crimes”. A local Rotherham inquiry uncovered the sexual abuse of 1,400 children over 16 years, mainly by British Pakistani men. In Telford, up to 1,000 girls faced abuse over 40 years, with some cases overlooked due to “nervousness about race” as most suspects were men of south Asian heritage. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/199 "2025-01-09T14:24:41Z")
You need to listen to interviews with Jess Philips on this topic - the person who knows more about sexual exploitation of women and children than anyone because it’s literally been her life’s work. She has been clear - the learnings from the Telford enquiry give us this information and give us the action points that can be - rapidly - applied nationally. We don’t need to wait seven years to find out what we already know. You can start with this Channel 4 interview: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg3A8YKrvkY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg3A8YKrvkY) ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/200 "2025-01-09T14:25:13Z")
> [@Ash\_trav511](#): > > some cases overlooked due to “nervousness about race” as most suspects were men of south Asian heritage. I find it hard to believe that our famously institutionalised racist police forces would have hesitated to investigate someone due to the colour of their skin or their religion. I find it easier to believe that they were lazy and incompetent and fell back on this excuse when caught out. ‘Don’t blame us, it was the woke that stopped us from doing our jobs.’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805.md?page=11)