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Not on the brink now
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25836161.morgan-mcsweeney-resigns-keir-starmers-chief-staff/
It puts distance between Starmer and the whole mess for a short while.
It puts distance between Starmer and the whole mess for a short while.
As with all things Starmer, this is about 72h too late.
He's still toast after the locals
He's still toast after the locals
We're all toast with how polarised society is, and is becoming.
As with all things Starmer, this is about 72h too late.
He's still toast after the locals
Worth remembering he resigned he wasn't sacked so really Starmer hasn't done much here.
Sacking him would have sent a much better message. But this Is Starmer. He doesn't 'do' things proactively. He reacts to whatever is out there.
As with all things Starmer, this is about 72h too late.
He's still toast after the locals
Worth remembering he resigned he wasn't sacked so really Starmer hasn't done much here.
Sacking him would have sent a much better message. But this Is Starmer. He doesn't 'do' things proactively. He reacts to whatever is out there.
The nerve of these dreadful idiots.
If Lucy Powell is concerned that voters will vote Green and not Labour, maybe the obvious response is to show that Labour will enact the type of policies that are attracting them, not to claim it is their right to those votes?
Those red wall votes enticed back to Labour won't vote Green.
The nerve of these dreadful idiots.
If Lucy Powell is concerned that voters will vote Green and not Labour, maybe the obvious response is to show that Labour will enact the type of policies that are attracting them, not to claim it is their right to those votes?
💯
Absolutely.
Not too much to ask is it?
These three way battles will include this kind of campaigning, from all parties. “Vote for us or Reform will get in” will come from Greens, LibDems, PC, Labour… and as for the dubious charts and graphs to show you’re the party to back… straight from the LibDem by-election handbook… and it’s no surprise to see the Green Party having a go with that approach. Good luck to them… but Labour will fight back, obviously.
Those red wall votes enticed back to Labour won't vote Green.
Labour have lost a massive chunk of those to Reform and the only time they had them in their hands is when they campaigned on progressive pledges.
I'd sooner some parry have a go on good progressive ideals than just let the main parties make a mess of everything.
Someone has to step up and be radical.
Even if it just shapes the way we think about things. You've got to start somewhere.
and it’s no surprise to see the Green Party having a go with that approach
That event has already been corrected going forward and an apology made.
I'd rather not see that stuff happen in the first place.
But it's small-fry compared to Labour/Tory and Reform's constant animal like approach.
and it’s no surprise to see the Green Party having a go with that approach
That event has already been corrected going forward and an apology made.
I'd rather not see that stuff happen in the first place.
But it's small-fry compared to Labour/Tory and Reform's constant animal like approach.
There's no way this Mandelson thing is done. I reckon stuff's gonna keep coming up until Starmer has to go.
Just can't see it disappearing so quickly.
It’s not done yet, but Brown’s suggestions might buy Starmer some time… and give us better vetting, oversight and scrutiny of appointments and what’s done in office… something badly needed anyway.
Mandelson in prison would an even better outcome (not something I’d bet on though).
I haven't read all of what Brown said but I did hear a bit on a podcast.( Ponsonby and Massie) The gist of it seemed to be Brown covering his own backside for reappointing the twice disgraced Mandelson to a third cabinet post in 2008
None of Brown’s proposals would do anything to rectify that mistake (or Starmer’s) but could prove to be useful in keeping other chancers out of top jobs. He always come across as someone who wants to learn from mistakes, rather than deny them. Probably the only ex-PM spending time trying to improve UK (and our political systems in particular) rather than just looking after himself. Actually, that’s probably unfair on May.
Asylum seekers?
https://twitter.com/i/status/2019728373195641003
Thing is this sort of post has inflamed both progressives and Reform types (who think it's a fail that they got here in the first place.)
Hate not hope.
im amazed McSweeney made it to Sunday!
his 2 deputies have taken over not sure thats the cleanout thats needed
Still got that arrogant self righteous Mandleson buddy “Pat Mcadden though, he’s never ever wrong and it just the voters who need to reassess their stance
im amazed McSweeney made it to Sunday!
Starmer seems particularly talented at delaying the inevitable until any possibility of political gain has been lost. Has the added bonus of annoying all the ministers and mps who are sent out to shill for a policy which is then binned off.
The gist of it seemed to be Brown covering his own backside for reappointing the twice disgraced Mandelson to a third cabinet post in 2008
Exactly, he appointed him to the Lords in order to bypass basic democracy, so if anything he'd be well advised to keep his mouth shut.
Starmer seems particularly talented at delaying the inevitable
Honestly, it seems like no-one at No10 just has any political radar at all. This seems to be the way they operate, 'decision' making by leaving it until all the options are gone.
Under what circumstances have "illegal migrants" been using taxis to attend medical appointments? I sort of doubt that it's folks ordering a limo to go for their piles to be checked.
EDIT - as I thought ...
He said: “The use of taxis is symptomatic of an asylum system that allows private contractors to make vast profits at the expense of the taxpayer because successive governments have failed to deliver the reforms needed to create an efficient and effective system that treats people with compassion and delivers value for money.
People get moved mid-treatment... not their choice to move... those supplying services on contract to the government have been deciding to use Taxi companies to get people back to the hospitals they're being treated at... partly because the terms of their contracts don't push them towards more cost effective travel arrangements.
The use of the term "illegal migrants" from the Home Office here is sickening... feeding the fire not damping it down. Damaging for the country, and will do nothing to help the Labour party turn its fortunes around.
Under what circumstances have "illegal migrants" been using taxis
Because it was a simple matter for migrant accomodation contractors to order them and bill the Govt. The Headline in the Guardian might as well say, Govt system closed because it doesn't work well, but one gets the impression it wouldn't be imflammatory eye catching enough.
Another one bites the dust. I'm not surprised. The Labour Party comms have consistently been absolutely abysmal
as I thought ...
Yeah... as per your edit. The government is right to make these suppliers spend less on transport (a blanket ban on taxis makes no sense though, because in some cases that might be more cost effective when appointments are at odd times and public transport routes don't make sense)... but the way this has been announced stinks.
The Labour Party comms have consistently been absolutely abysmal
Although as the Guardians Pippa Crerar says elsewhere.
"Tim Allan is Starmer’s fourth director of comms to go since taking office 19 months ago. Suggests the problem isn’t the communications team"
It's probably easier to try and name a single area that isn't going abysmally, but the comms are truly awful.
They still seem to be mired in a 20th century mindset where you communicate by giving an interview to the Daily Telegraph. It's like social media never happened. Farage was on it right from the off and honed it through the Brexit campaign, which is why Reform are running rings around the traditional parties when it comes to using social media for targeted messaging.
Will they get someone in who actually understands this world? Probably not.
I'm genuinely surpised that there is a director of Comms, let alone a 4th one. It seems to have been the apprentices's job so far.
These three way battles will include this kind of campaigning, from all parties. “Vote for us or Reform will get in” will come from Greens, LibDems, PC, Labour… and as for the dubious charts and graphs to show you’re the party to back… straight from the LibDem by-election handbook… and it’s no surprise to see the Green Party having a go with that approach. Good luck to them… but Labour will fight back, obviously.
To be fair when it comes to it Reform & the Tories will be like this too, pull out or else Green/Lib Dem/Labour/Monster Raving will get in instead - I certainly don't feel like Reform would stand down like they did in the past.
Poor comms is downstream of the party mess generally
But is also very poor comms too.
There is no clear message coming from Labour so that starts at the top.
Reform have a clear message and pretty Americanised design too.
Because it was a simple matter for migrant accomodation contractors to order them and bill the Govt. The Headline in the Guardian might as well say, Govt system closed because it doesn't work well, but one gets the impression it wouldn't be imflammatory eye catching enough.
I think the issue is that they are using 'illegal immigrant' as a synonym for 'asylum seeker'.
Because it was a simple matter for migrant accomodation contractors to order them and bill the Govt. The Headline in the Guardian might as well say, Govt system closed because it doesn't work well, but one gets the impression it wouldn't be imflammatory eye catching enough.
I think the issue is that they are using 'illegal immigrant' as a synonym for 'asylum seeker'.
Yep this was my point of attention.
Tim Allan is the 4th director of comms. Whoops.
I'm told that Anas Sarwar leader of Scottish Labour will be making a statement this afternoon. It looks likely he will say Starmer does not have his support
Edit I see now several media outlets already saying Sarwar will call on Starmer to resign as his presence is wrecking Scottish Labour s chances in the May election
I think Sarwar is overestimating his own importance. I don't think the opinion of the Scottish Labour leader is quite enough to bring down the PM of the UK. If some cabinet members jump ship though...
Sarwar's not doing much for Labour's chances in Scotland either! His dodgy dad and brother's dodgy family company, and being a product of the Labour machine, aren't a good backdrop for someone trying to cut through public cynicism about politicians.
@dazh I am no fan of Sarwar, but I think this is genuinely about Starmers damage to Scottish Labour chances in May. It's an attempt to limit the damage to his party. I don't think he has any ambition to become a leader beyond Scotland.
He probably thinks anyone else will do
aren't a good backdrop for someone trying to cut through public cynicism about politicians.
Bit unfair. Its not like he called Mandelson an "old friend" last year when Mandelson got made ambassador - checks notes - anyway moving swiftly on.
I think Sarwar is overestimating his own importance.
I think he's a man who's getting his excuses in early. If there anyone to blame Scottish Labours failures on, I think Sarwar could probs find an answer closer than Westminster.
I think Starmers been the best PM we've had since John Major, to be fair, everything inbetween has been objectivley, a train wreck, IMO.
Don't get me wrong..I'd never vote conservative as they are, the envelope has shifted.