To like Keir Starmer?

This is such a deep misrepresentation of the position.

For one thing we don’t actually know that VAT on school fees would be held to be a breach of human rights law. Lord Pannick once co-produced a legal opinion (which is now more than 40 years old) advising that the authors considered that taxing school fees could be a contravention of the ECHR, but this has not been tested in the courts and there is no definitive answer. It’s worth remembering that Lord Pannick himself was one of the architects of the Rwanda scheme, so take his commitment to the ECHR with the fistful of salt it deserves.

As for these allegations that KS has been ‘sly’ and tricked people - please stop trying to peddle silly conspiracies when a Labour spokesperson commented on this issue during the election to advise that Labour is aware of the potential legal challenge but are confident their intended plans are compatible with the ECHR. If you think that KS has somehow managed to hide from his party or the public - all of whom are quite as capable of reading the Telegraph as you - that there is a potential legal challenge to this policy then you simply don’t have a sensible grasp on reality.

Well exactly. Denying someone education would be against their human rights. Charging VAT to an institution they choose to pay extra to for a special type of education? Not seeing it. I don’t think Starmer is stupid, and he knows the human rights laws well. It’s not, as @Araminta1003 suggests him being ‘sly’ and hoping to get it through. He knows it’s legal. He wouldn’t have pushed it so hard if he didn’t.

I voted conservative. But I’ve never actually had a problem with Keir himself, seems like a nice affable guy, because he doesn’t do what a lot of politicians do and get nasty and personal and is trying to unite the people and not score cheap shots painting people who don’t vote him as horrid etc, I’m actually warming to him. Angela Rayner however 🙄

Maybe one matter to consider is; given a state alternative, perhaps such a policy does not infringe human rights and or might be justified?

Keir Starmer is a clever man. And he does not write his legal arguments in the Telegraph.

If Starmer is seen to walk on water, it's by comparison to the incredibly low bar of gits that have come before him.

Of course he looks good compared to BoJo, Truss and the rest. My god - the lettuce looked good next to Truss.

He has shown himself to be a competent tactitician of general elections, by virtue of the incredible success in terms of seat numbers.

Now is the test of him as Prime Minister - and that test will run for 5 years. And often, some impacts (good and bad) cannot be seen for even longer than that.

In the meantime, I have been impressed with the energy and organisation of the first few days of the new government and genuinely hope they succeed for everyone. Even those sucking sour grapes will enjoy them more if sat in a succesful country while they do so.

Could you explain how putting VAT on private education is against anyone’s human rights under law please? Because I’m not seeing it, and you’ve said so very authoritatively twice now.

You can’t really get data because the vote is secret. However the numbers visiting tactical voting sites are on record, demonstrating people were interested in the idea, while the actual votes in some constituencies strongly suggest it happened.

I don’t agree with that assessment btw but let’s not deny Pannick his moment in the sun. The government can beat that with some ease.

Starmer seems to like lining things up to deliver and then pounce with a big announcement. Very lawyerly. I think you will see a lot more of it.

Personally, I want ruthless and competent. As long as he is not corrupt. That would be my red line.
We need a clever manager to deal with all the conflicting interests not just in the country, but also in the Labour Party itself. He needs to be strong, strategic, grown up and clever. That is what we need and deserve.

Obviously, Keir and Victoria are both very middle class. Who actually cares. They are competent and driven. And I don’t think they are corrupt.

“You think the VAT issue makes him ruthless? Taxing HRT payers more isn't ruthless.”

@Emmanuelll - yes being a specialist in Human Rights laws and proposing a policy which is in breach of those laws, knowing that full well, does make a person ruthless. And hypocritical.

Comes with the politician territory though.

There is speculation, informed or otherwise, that there was tactical voting but no data that I am aware of - I have looked but happy to be corrected. Otherwise, no one knows that the vast vast majority of people who voted did so tactically.

Actually I do agree with the ruthless assessment and I would be worried if I were the Conservatives. If you look at what he does it is very smart. Not one decision he takes has not had the ground prepared very carefully to ensure success. It is very clever. By the time it’s been identified, you’ve lost the ability to challenge it.

I don’t know what kind of crisis leader he is, but he’s absolutely tapped the policy already. With a clear aim of quick delivery and setting a strong narrative. Because the only way he’s going to beat Reform is the record. The Conservatives couldn’t beat Farage because they couldn’t show what they had done. Well Labour will need to deliver and have a counter narrative for that.

Eh? The Sunak’s were a doctor and pharmacist. Much more solidly middle class than Starmer’s parents. He went to bloody Winchester! That doesn’t come cheap.

His manner and style of engaging is fine, but it’s more about policies and impact for me so I’ll wait and see

How do they know that? ... Because everyone has the data. Let's not try to pretend that the vast, vast majority of people don't vote for the party they wish to see in government.

I also like him, I think he is intelligent and competent. However, he is also very sly.
For example, he is a specialist human rights lawyer and has put a policy into the manifesto which is a breach of human rights laws (VAT on education). He absolutely must know this, by virtue of his job. So he either tricked the left in his party or he tricked the electorate.
They all do this. I do not really care. But let’s not pretend he is some holier than though person or better than any of the others.
He is competent, driven and will make a good PM. However, he is clearly also ruthless.
Personally, I just want someone in charge who can get the job done. Manage the conflicting demands etc and find a solid middle ground. I think he will do this.

I think the last lot of Tories saying this every day and not being struck by lightning comes close to the elusive proof for t(e non existence of God…

They are not taxing the parents, they are taxing the school, who most definitely do not pay their taxes towards public services. How the private school chooses to cope with that tax is up to them.

And she/he knows that how?
And technically they didn’t vote for him even if tactical and significant number chose not to vote at all

It was more votes than anyone else managed to get…
Funny how people who don’t like a Labour government have suddenly discovered how ‘unfair’ FPTP can be.

Agree. We desperately need an end to the damaging chaos of the past few years.

She didn't say he won the majority vote share. She said 'he persuaded the whole country to vote for him', which he did – through consolidating votes in every nation and more widespread than any other party.