Keir starmer - not too bad eh?

[flamegame]

Anybody else feeling a little optimistic labour might be in with a chance with Keir starmer? I was pessimistic during the leadership elections due to abject state of the party and left labour about 3 years ago but starting to think there may be hope, based on evidence so far.

He didn't get to the top of his profession, highly successful QC and then DPP, for nothing, if you are, or have worked with, highly successful lawyers, you can see it in his approach, his analytics, his skill in closing down the exit routes before he asks his questions.

He has been clear about the Saville investigations. There was insufficient evidence to prosecute. It would have been a huge waste of public funds. It shows courage to say that and not to be driven by public opinion.

Hurrah. A Grown Up arrives in house of commons. At last.

@flamegame agree,100%
Ditch Corbyn,make him Leader and I'll be back in the fold, my spiritual home , in a flash.

He seems to be showing up BJ for the balloon he actually is - which is nice.

I'm not 100% sure on him, but he's definitely gone up in my estimation recently. Acting as the leader of the opposition should do, holding BJ to account. The lack of pettiness and political point scoring has been refreshing.

I worked with him many years ago now back when he was QC - he was obviously brilliant in his chosen profession and a generally very nice guy.

Momentum are not 'the left'. In my city they are offensive woke berks who annoy people. The Socialist Workers' Party has more respect in the community..

If Starmer captures the centre he doesn't need them. And he's more likely to capture the centre without Momentum.

He's electable, yes.

He's eloquent and credible.

That general kindness, as well as actually living in the real world, was really noticable in contrast to many of his fellow barristers who, while brilliant in a courtroom, were often definitely not of this planet or just generally unpleasant.

@TheBoots while I don't know KS I agree that many (ie most) barristers I know that are brilliant in the courtroom behave appallingly in real life.
So to hear KS was a beast in the courtroom & a gentleman outside means a lot.

I like the way he seems to be a decent guy and doesn’t use every opportunity to make himself look good and the opposition to be constantly out to crush Joe Bloggs a la Corbyn. It got boring.

I respect KS and listen to what he has to say. He seems measured. Feeling optimistic.

I like him (cautiously). Obviously it is very easy to criticise (particularly at the moment) and less easy to devise sensible policies. I hope he is working on some distinctive sensible labour policies - he won the leadership election by keeping his powder very dry on this and sort of appeasing everyone so i would like to see his offering.

He seems decent enough.

I'd love to see a KS vs Rishi Sunak election - would be nice to have two very competent seemingly decent people to choose between!!

Who would Momentum vote for? You’re better off winning the centre ground and making the far ends hold their nose and vote.

It’ll be nice to not face a ballot that has zero good options.

Yes I’d love to see him against Sunak. What a difference from two clowns.

@Katinski absolutely, I’ll rejoin and leaflet if he keeps on this form or close, it’s been a grim few years being politically homeless.

Labour need someone in power who can appeal to the less than morally pure, people whose socialism isn’t perfect - the people that have made a decision or two in their lives that the momentum types don’t agree with.

he makes me feel hopeful.

What has Sunak done that supposedly makes him a good prospect? Shake down the magic money tree? Wouldn't imagine that would be popular with traditional conservative voters.

It’ll be interesting to see what can be done with the huge amount of debt, that by itself may lead to some new ideas/new policies.

Sunak has impressive educational credentials, he did extend the furlough scheme and that wasn’t obvious so he will get credit for that. There is plenty of time for the tories to revert to form though before the next election.

Sunak has the same directness as Starmer. They’d both have to present their policies for me to decide.

Ghost who do you like? Or has that person gone

If Starmer captures the centre he doesn't need them. And he's more likely to capture the centre without Momentum.

So agree. We've literally just seen that having the left is not enough to win an election. But more importantly, that having the left reduces the possibility of having the centre, which is necessary to win.

I like Sunak too, he presents well and comes across as very human - but since he's become chancellor - he's been handing out goodies like it's christmas - the tough times for him have yet to come.
Keir makes me feel hopeful too - it's been desert too long. I've become very fond of Ed Miliband via his podcast too - glad to see him back in the shadow cabinet, he's a good guy!

Cautiously optimistic about him. Hes a serious person who is very bright and ambitious, and looks and sounds like a grown up, so a good start. I appreciated his warm words for the Jewish community after he became leader. Now we need warm words and serious actions for women. We're waiting

I'm not impressed by someone who doesn't understand basic biology or by his attitude to the leaked document concerning the anti-semitism investigation or his response to the calls to remove the whip from Diane Abbott. There's still something rotten at the centre of the Labour Party.

It's also a bad sign imo when the right-wing media love the leader of the Labour Party.

I'm pleased to see Ed Miliband back too. I think he was treated very shabbily. I'd like to see what he has to offer.

Marsha, that person has indeed gone but I would probably hold my nose and vote for Starmer. Sadly not enough centrists seemed to hold their nose in December and we are now only 5 months in to 5 year clusterfuck. Starmer will need to move right to win Tory voters and it will likely be at the expense of the people Corbyn wanted to champion i.e those that haven't prospered from neo liberal economics.