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.

Had to laugh.

@Lostvoiced

The cat doesn't need a bow tie to be a better PM than Boris.

Larry is ready to take over.

So far better than Jeremy Corbyn. Time will tell, defo seems okay at the moment 😊

I'd vote for him

Yes very optimistic

It’s a long way off to the next election hopefully people shall be tired of the Boris personality. Problem is they shall both be aiming for the centre votes

Starmer has kicked the left of the party back to the back benches they were well and truly rejected by the public no one would have believed a year ago that so many staunch labour areas would turn Tory

For labour ever to be in power they have to more more to the centre Starmer knows that

I think his cross examination style is perfect for the moment we are in - PMQs each week has been like a real-time public inquiry. And great for skewering Johnson on his weakness on detail. While the chamber is empty and more like a courtroom than a bear pit it plays in Starmer’s favour too.

What I’m not sure about yet is how much this style is a very deliberate tactic for now, and how much he has other approaches he can use. Can he be confrontational? Can he sell a vision?

Waaay back on the thread people were talking about Rishi Sunak not having made hard decisions. I think that is not quite correct - he has had to make the furlough scheme etc cover as many as possible but also limit it to try to avoid fraud etc. Quite complicated and lots of difficult choices about who misses out and what the best use of public money is. He seems to be prepared to change his approach and be flexible but also to be decisive and defend his approach too. I am a big fan.

I'd love to see KS's policies and see him do more than cross examining but I think he is very good at it and it is just what we need right now!!

A refreshing change, but I need to know his thoughts on self ID before I invest.

I like him.

He looks the part ........and at least knows where his hairbrush is. 💁🏻‍♀️

I knew KS many moons ago, and can confirm what others have said, he’s a very good, precise barrister but unlike some court ‘superstars’ he’s also very easy to work with, and not ego driven.
I was so pleased when he won the labour election, he is, as some have said, a grown up. I’m usually something of a floating voter, I’ve probably voted for everyone (except Tory) at some point or another depending on policies. I have high hopes for sensible labour policies that I can get behind

I'm not a supporter of either party, but I do hope he's going to do a good job. PMQs at the moment is very different, none of the usual grandstanding, which is understandable and it's all the better for it.

He's very forensic in his questioning, which with his background is what you would expect. He made mincemeat of Raab, without Raab knowing it was happening to be honest. He led him on with a series of questions and then gently delivered a real blow to him, also did it to Johnson last week.

Compared to what's been there in the past, hopefully now there is a good opposition leader. His hindrance is going to be the quality of the people he has available for his shadow cabinet.

He's certainly more statesman like than Johnson.

Very pleased with his performance at PMQs

I cautiously agree too!

I think he is Blair 2.0 in the absolute best possible way. A leader. Likely to win an election. Reasoned. Seemingly fair and level headed. Statesmanship. Thorough. Clear.

I was relieved when he won and have been impressed so far. I held my nose to vote Labour under Corbyn - not because I disagreed with his policies but because he and his cabinet were such a bunch of sixth formers, full of ideals and refusing to recognise that the world is so easily changed - utopia won't be brought about without compromise.

Labour under Corbyn were infested by the aggressively morally "pure", unable to see past the offence at the end of their nose. They didn't accept that sometimes you have to cut a deal with a less savoury elements in order to affect change. Cancel culture is pathetic enough on twitter, it's inexcusable in politics.

I hope that Corbynites can see that Starmer is better than Johnson/Gove, and hold their nose like they asked centrists to do for Corbyn.

Sadly I think we'll get the UK equivalent of "Never Clinton/Biden" Bernie supporters who'd rather see Trump win than a democrat with slightly different priorities.

I think he is Blair 2.0

Which country will he start an illegal war with do you think?

I broadly agree with you op and am so relieved he was elected leader of the Labour party. He is a figure I have been aware of in politics for years and years, he didn't just suddenly appear out of nowhere like R L-B. But he has yet to reassure me on the crucial matter of protecting women's rights and the GRA. I look forward to hearing more from him and that.

I doubt anyone here is thinking he will start an illegal war.

He is likely to appeal to floating voters and the middle ground which Labour have always needed to gain power. And hopefully win back many areas bat have been Labour for years and years before the failure of the last election.

I wanted to like him but I too think he’s got the Blair about him with a hint of slug.

Even assuming Starmer embodies these qualities, I just don’t know whether reasonable/sensible/intelligent is the thing that will beat the Tories. I WISH it was - I wish voters looked carefully at policies and track record - but my experience on the doorstep in december was that people knew exactly what Boris was and were going to vote for him anyway. I do remember in desperation at one point saying ‘but he doesn’t care if you live or die’! Didn’t realise i’d be right so quickly. Point being people went for his bullshit even though they kind of knew it was bullshit so I’m not sure Starmer will be able to counter that.

I'm glad he's Leader, I think he's doing great, he'd persuade me to vote for Laboyr but I'm still a long long way off joining the Party.
The vocal & visible element on social media are just too aggravating & divisive.

I mean if I did join they'd only have to immediately expel me anyway so what's the point.

That’s my main lingering concern too, whether he’s got sufficient control of the people constantly attacking moderates.

I can’t help thinking that laboir does have to accept brexit to puncture a big part of Johnson’s appeal in the swing constituencies.

I'm wary

He seems ok, good even. He's certainly skilful at diplomacy.

But he seems a little...too smooth, too practiced, too cautious in avoiding controversy

Too Blair like I fear.

I am no fan of starmer but my goodness. My goodness - what a relief - breath of fresh air! Speaks well, eloquent - etc