# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2024, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/161 "2024-08-27T21:42:14Z")
Agreed, but that’s not a counterargument in my view, just another facet of the issue. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/162 "2024-08-28T03:51:41Z")
So many different ways to be stupid and/or hateful! ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/163 "2024-08-28T18:08:34Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > A very standard play in the RW playbook is > > 1. Get elected with a small majority and do something practically irreversible which will utterly screw your country, albeit not all immediately. > > 2. Expect the opposition to be elected as the harms you’ve (secretly) deliberately visited on your own country become manifestly obvious to all. > > 3. Watch them during their term in office as they try to reverse the irreversible, and fight them at every opportunity to enforce their ineffectiveness in power. > > 4. Ride to power at the next election on a wave of populist revulsion at the other guys’ ineffectuality where you can then suborn the remaining honest areas of government to cement your permanent status as extra-constitutional one party rule. Didn’t the left - specifically, the Green Party - try something like this in Australia, only for it to pretty much backfire on them? IIRC, the plan was this: 1. Have it be a hung parliament between the two major parties 2. Promise support to one side on the provision that it vote for a carbon tax, or end up on the losing end of a No Confidence vote 3. Watch that party lose at the next election, but there is enough opposition in the Senate to the new party in charge to block a repeal of the carbon tax 4. Repeat after the next election, and after there is a complete re-election of both houses of Paraliament that allows for the carbon tax to be repealed, point out that there is so much infrastructure behind it now that repealing it would ruin the country. What actually happened: 1 and 2 happened as planned. 3. The other major party wins the next election, attempts to repeal the carbon tax, and…oops; there are just enough votes from a minor party in the Senate that backs the new party in power to pass the repeal. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2024, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/164 "2024-08-28T19:42:36Z")
I can’t speak to actual Aussie political history in any detail; I’m simply ignorant. I can say that everything gets much more complicated when a political system has more than 2 monolithic parties. Once there’s a whole collection of non-negligible minor parties each with their own pet issue, all sorts of complex coalitions can form and reform. And of course most of the minor parties have a greater natural affinity for one of the major parties over the other. So their own fortunes are (loosely) tied to the fortunes of their more-favored major party. Thinking that they, and they alone, hold the critical position that will deliver them the whip hand over the major party/ies is a very, very common conceit among minor party leaders (and followers). “They’ll _have_ to listen to us now” is as common a refrain as is “good morning”. ---
**Author:** ![FurloeRoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@FurloeRoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FurloeRoth)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2024, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/165 "2024-09-13T22:11:50Z")
Yeah, it’s going great. […] According to YouGov ([x.com](https://x.com/YouGov/status/1833879500435677512)), just 19% approve of the government’s record so far, dwarfed by the 55% who disapprove. And yet, there is a way it could all work out, one that might make Labour’s dour start seem less like a mistake than the first stage of a cunning plan. This, admittedly hopeful, view arises from […] […] Labour has decided that Truss was not wrong about everything […] […] Labour won in July with just 34% of the vote. The latest polling has the party at 29%. > **[After Labour’s dour start, there’s still hope for sunshine from Starmer and...](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/sep/13/labour-keir-starmer-rachel-reeves-interest-rates)** > > The big bet is that cuts in interest rates boost growth. In the meantime, small but meaningful gestures could help soothe the public mood, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/166 "2024-09-14T21:18:13Z")
> [@FurloeRoth](#): > > […] According to YouGov ([x.com](https://x.com/YouGov/status/1833879500435677512)), just 19% approve of the government’s record so far, dwarfed by the 55% who disapprove. Starmer has been in Office now for all of two months. Clearly those being polled expect blazingly fast miracles- and thus- are idiots. ---
**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:** [September 14, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/167 "2024-09-14T21:24:32Z")
The right-wing media have been busily blaming Labour for the absolute dumpster fire the Tories spent the last 14 years turning the country into. As fundamentally ineffectual as I consider Starmer and Labour to be, this spin remains utter bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/168 "2024-09-14T21:31:09Z")
Same here in the USA- the GOP blames the Dems for the deficit the GOP caused, etc. The Tories are now Right Wing Populists- which means make promises that you have no intention and cant keep (they promised a HUGE massive influx of funds into the NHS if brexit came about, for example) and then blame the other guys- and minorities too. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/169 "2024-09-27T13:19:48Z")
They always cave in to the rich and mighty: > **[Rachel Reeves reconsiders end to non-dom tax status over OBR forecast fears](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/sep/27/rachel-reeves-reconsiders-end-to-non-dom-tax-status-over-obr-forecast-fears)** > > Chancellor says Treasury will be ‘pragmatic, not ideological’ amid claims the policy would not raise predicted £2.6bn > The OBR (Office of Budget Responsability) originally forecast that scrapping the tax break for wealthy foreigners could raise about £3.2bn a year – though this was deemed to be “highly uncertain” as wealthy people could either leave Britain or find ways to avoid the tightening of tax rules. So the government will not tax the oligarchs because they have said “booh!” Oh dear, that was frightening. At least they have not lost their British sense of humour (or is it sarcasm?): > “We are committed to addressing unfairness in the tax system so we can raise the revenue to rebuild our public services. That is why we are removing the outdated non-dom tax regime and replacing it with a new internationally competitive residence-based regime focused on attracting the best talent and investment to the UK.” ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/170 "2024-09-27T13:30:40Z")
Already backtracking? Do they want to get a Milei? because that’s how you get a Milei… ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/171 "2024-09-27T18:01:45Z")
Labour’s support is wide, but shallow, and recent revelations about the freebies some of them have been accepting, something they criticised the last lot for doing, and the attitude of “it’s alright when we do it”, are not playing well. Jokes about ‘Free Gear Keir’ are already circulating. Tory scandals are usually about sex , Labour ones are usually about Money. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/172 "2024-09-27T20:37:30Z")
They’re each about what the average MP of that party doesn’t already have. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2024, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/173 "2024-11-21T09:15:36Z")
Christ on a bike, no! (Full piece may be paywalled, but the headline’s enough) > **[Why Jeremy Clarkson could be Britain’s Donald Trump](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11/20/how-jeremy-clarkson-could-be-britains-trump/)** > > The presenter is never reluctant to share his opinions, but his current defence of farmers may catapult him into mainstream politics ---
**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:** [November 21, 2024, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/174 "2024-11-21T10:50:32Z")
Heh. I appreciate and enjoy his farming show (for what it is) but a transition into actual politicking would be a hurricane-force disaster. ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/175 "2024-11-21T12:27:23Z")
We’ve already had a Cabinet with a May and a Hammond. It wasn’t great, but better than what followed. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2024, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/176 "2024-11-21T16:50:28Z")
You’re saying it would be a car crash? ---
**Author:** ![FurloeRoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@FurloeRoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FurloeRoth)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/177 "2024-12-19T21:36:57Z")
Keir Starmer, Liz Kendall, and other senior members of the government promised, when in opposition, that they would compensate the ‘WASPI’ women over their claim that they were unfairly denied state pensions until later in their lives. Now that they are in government, they have welshed on those promises. They have ruled against WASPI. It’s almost like they only said it to get elected. I think that the government is right to deny the spurious WASPI claim, but Labour dishonestly played it for electoral advantage. ---
**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, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/178 "2025-01-09T10:50:34Z")
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. 1. This would have put Kemi/Farage on defense…not to mention silence Elon and his non stop trolling until the report of the enquiry comes out. 2. I’m sure there is no dirty linen under Starmer’s carpet so norhing to worry on that count. 3. If low level Labour party men were complicit in the coverup (I’m not saying they were but just a hypothetical scenario), strictest possible legal actions should be taken on all involved including, hypothetically any Labour sympathisers, as this is the most heinous crime. Child rapists should be imprisoned for life without parole I feel. There should be no second thoughts on deporting convicted foreign criminals on this issue. 4. These actions could possibly restore confidence in Starmer/Labour in UK. 5. Unfortunately Starmer hasnt agreed for the above and the demand for a National enquiry has been voted down on a party line vote. Tough times ahead…I see this issue not going away anytime soon. ---
**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, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/179 "2025-01-09T10:59:04Z")
The current Labour Party appear to be what the Conservative Party were back in 2010. Conversely, the current Conservative Party appear to be 4chan, basically - the political equivalent of toxic shitposting. Such a delightful time we live in. ---
**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, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805/180 "2025-01-09T11:21:22Z")
> **[Trump accuses UK's Labour Party of 'foreign interference'](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdjej417009o)** > > Trump's team accuses activists of making illegal contributions, but the UK prime minister says volunteers have travelled to the US before. Giving ammunition to Elon Musk sadly…after doing this, then criticising him for foreign interference sure is hypocracy. I am totally against Elon and his money throwing RW politics but Starmer should do a better job. Optics does matter in politics as much as, in some situations more than, actual deeds. Hpothetically speaking, if Elon “sends” “volunteers” for campaigning and political work in UK will it be acceptable ? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keir-starmer-tries-to-lead-the-uk/1003805.md?page=10)