What planet is Captain Hindsight on?

I hope your not insinuating that black labradors are less perceptive than blonde ones? That's canine racism, and there is no place for such intolerance in 2021!

 

An open mind seems to mean 'an ability to refute actual examples that evidence what I said isn't really true'.

You were a bit 'but Corbyn', too, if I remember right.

Starmer hasn't been brilliant, maybe. I don't think any leader would be in this. But my God he's been better than Johnson. Give me one decision the Tories haven't buggered up.

As for smashing it in the polls, there was one in the Observer this weekend, showing the Tories would lose there majority of an election was held this week. An eighty seat swing in a year isn't bad, and Starmer hasn't been leader for all of that time!

 

il quote DWLC's post literally 5 minutes previous accepting criticism of labours position and accepting that compromise is needed... literally 5 minutes previous.

id give up now if i were you.

 

I'm sure some people are like that, but I personally think that criticism is being aimed at Starmer that isn't justified at the minute.

My own criticism of him would be that we're not seeing enough personality or character from him. He's been competent without inspiring people - that's what we need from him next. I think the domination of the pandemic and brexit talks has left him little room to put his stamp on things. I want to know what his signature aims/ policies are going to be.

 

Gypsy Rose Lee will be the only person to be in charge for some people.

 

My constant posting about how bad Labour is? At the moment they are lacking a clear direction IMO. I don't have to share your view. Would I vote for them if an election was called, yes because they are the better of a poor showing IMO. Where did I celebrate the Tories. I've said they are equally as bad. Take the tinted glasses off.

Our whole political system isn't fit for purpose for modern times from howwe vote, how we are represented etc.

I just don't pretend every thing is rosey in the Labour party sn get into a hissey fit when someone doesn't share you unwavering confidence of the great Starmer. Without criticism, you get no change.

 

Yeah, well I'm going from my interpretation of his performance as leader. I'm just not convinced one bit even. Critical of the governments package of financial support etc, but doesn't come up with alternatives, normally goes as far as saying 'not good enough' or we would do more. That 'more' bit is what the people like me want to hear. What was his alternative package to what the chancellor put in place? Forgive me if I am wrong but I heard no alternative strategy to support business etc. I'm willing to be proven wrong, I just haven't heard anything like that, only criticism of the government. He has a shadow chancellor, she should be yelling out loud, just as an example no that measure isn't the answer, Labour would do this....then set out exactly what should be done.

 

I'm not a fan of Starmer myself, but to suggest he flip flops is absurd. He's been a few weeks ahead of the Tories at pretty much every turn. The only thing he's got wrong so far as I can see regards the virus is his stance on schools, which he did indeed change his tune on yesterday. And, despite not being a fan of him, I won't hold a grudge with someone who changes their mind based on evidence in front of them.

 

So U turn on his schools position. Attacked from within his own party of a u turn on brexit policy.. There's a couple of major flip flops.

Maybe it's how he comes across to me but although I find politics very engaging, neither Labour or Tory parties are doing a sterling job as far as I'm concerned.

 

To be honest, I think most of the people who've disagreed with you would agree with the points you've made here (mainly Labour atm aren't great, but they're the best option of a poor set, and that the whole system is broken and what's really needed is political reform allowing for a separation of ideals, meaning the ERG gang can leave the vaguely normal Tories, and Labour can separate along a Corbyn/centrist axis).

However, I don't think any of that is the fault of Keir Starmer, and I don't know why he's constantly torn to pieces over it. Heading the opposition is a difficult job, as you can't really effect anything, so you do look weak, or like you're a fantasist (again, ask Corbyn).

All you can do is criticise and propose alternatives, which he has been doing, albeit not in a thunderous manner. As discussed before, he called for lockdown in October before a Tory U-turn, then closing the schools before Christmas, then another Tory U-turn.

 

Its difficult for any opposition so far out from an election. Let alone in a world that has just had a massive change to its trading set up and has a pandemic to contend with.

Policy will be completely different in 2024 to what it is in early 2021. Milliband didn't have much policy til he had to create a manifesto. DePfeffel had virtually no policy and the little he did have he breached in short time.

So I don't criticise Starmer for not having policy galore or alternative galore. I understand the clamour for it, absolutely I do. But until we're post covid, and we don't know when that will be, and the tories do their next morph in an attempt to be electable and retain power, labour don't know what they will be up against.

At present he's trying to tack a very narrow course and at some point he'll have to provide more detail and some policy and some intent.

I suspect that will be in a year or so when the tories have new leadership and have ditched the fixed term parliament act.

 

Even harder to effect any change against the backdrop of a government majority of 80.

 

As I say, I'm not a fan of his. But I think he's been pretty consistent with his thoughts on how to tackle COVID-19.

I'd rather have Starmer in charge than the utter pillock we've had 'leading' the country into oblivion.

As others rightly point out to me, as much as I'm not a Starmer or 'this' Labour fan, they're still a million times better than the Tories.

 

When has he ever said we've locked down too early? This government can never be accused of doing that.

 

I agree with you, he is the better of the two, I'm not disputing that. I am just disillusioned by Starmer as well.

I'd hope they would do a million times better, I guess however the only true judgement is when you are elected. I can't be alone in thinking he isn't doing a great job as opposition leader though otherwise Labour would be polling massively above the Tories at the moment. Truth is, they aren't, a couple of % points in it that's all.

 

You chose to ignore the post where you called for criticism and I pointed out people were indeed prepared to do that.

You get no change when you claim one thing whilst saying the other.

 

Your opinion differs from mine, quite simply. you would seemingly follow anybody with a red rosette off a cliff whereas I wouldn't.

That's your choice.

 

Another arch wind-up merchant strikes.

 

Oooh that old chestnut. It's always a wind up when someone has a difference of opinion. Not a wind up 1 bit..wow.

 

Just imagine where we would be with Corbyn and Abbot in charge don't get me wrong im no conservative I hate them and Thatcher but they was garenteed to get back in just look who was in opposition