Keir Starmer's personality

[dustcollective]

Not so much a political commentary here or asking about people's voting intentions, but more about Starmer's personality- a lot of the press seems to paint Keir Starmer out to be "posh" and "boring / grey", however it seems he really isn't either of those things - having just read an extract from a biography of him. I had no idea how challenging his childhood was, his brothers needs, schoolyard fights or how emotionally abusive his father was - not letting them have tv in the house, insisting on silence at the dinner table, no hugging or warmth. I knew about his mums poor health but not to the extent that she / they suffered. It must have bed. So hard for the children.

I found it interesting that he hasn't really "mined" any of these experiences to sell himself and has kept most of it largely private. He's talked about his mums health and his dad being a toolmaker but hasn't shared much else and often comes across as somewhat rigid and dull. In some ways I suppose it's refreshing that he doesn't go on about his upbringing - a contrast to the likes of "Spare" etc - but also I feel he's not coming across as who he truly is. I now think so much more of him having read this and was quite surprised by it all.

If anyone's interested the link is here www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dee0d8b7-c480-4882-a0f2-4f31300f2c02?shareToken=b2a4a731e2c198fb2abafef4137744f8

Exactly!! We’ve had clown after clown after clown from the Tories! And yet some people seem to love that, they think a PM is actually supposed to be an entertainment act 🙄
It doesn’t seem to matter whether they can run the Country or not 🤦‍♀️

His what?

The things you've listed about his childhood are things that happened to him and his background, his story- a rather difficult childhood by the sounds of it, rather than his personality though. These things might have a bearing on who he is of course but they aren't his actual personality or character.

He's not a big character. It shouldn't be a bad thing should it, look at the Boris years when we had a clown running a circus. But at the same time, bland, grey, disengaging, dull, fence-sitting, and at times quite cowardly are all things I think could be said about his personality and character. He doesn't inspire people does he. We don't need more Tories but at the same time I think the country needs someone that has a bit of positivity and life about them. It's all a bit of a shitshow really, going into the election.

I’ve never seen why knocking a politician for “a lack of personality” is a thing unless you are a tabloid editor and want scandals for your headlines like mistresses or starting illegal wars.
The important qualities are competence, prioritising people over re-election etc I don’t care if the PM is boring. In these uncertain times where the most “unboring” POTUS could return, we should respect the calm and safe.

His upbringing might explain why he says one thing to one person and the opposite to another. He says what he thinks the person wants to hear. This is a self preservation tactic.

To the public his statements are contradictory and he's known for his U turns on almost everything. Consequently he comes across as having no concrete views of his own and no personality of his own.

Thanks for the link. Interesting how many people replied without apparently bothering to read it.

He had the kind of childhood that I certainly recognise from experience of having a parent who was very ill for a lot of it. I get the impression from, it that he’s not an oversharer, and wants to get on with the job. Which I think is fair enough.

To the public his statements are contradictory and he's known for his U turns on almost everything. Consequently he comes across as having no concrete views of his own and no personality of his own.

The lack of personality doesn’t bother me but I find it hard to muster the energy to vote for him because as you say, he seems to believe in nothing and is so easily swayed that he can’t be trusted. At least with Corbyn you knew what he stood for.

Thanks for sharing OP. Hopefully he will be our next PM.

Without a personality it's difficult to convey that you actually care about anything in particular. He wants to avoid being unpopular so takes a very careful fence balancing role and backs down when challenged. I don't think he's strong enough to lead.

Twattyest thing I've read on MN for a while. Well done.

So women's rights aren't a labour thing?

I said nothing about the Trans cause at all. I wonder why you did 🤔

And no I won't be expanding on basic psychology. People need to use their own brains for once.

I didn't mention Labour.
The way I see it with this is that Labour will be wishy washy about the whole thing and we have the dangers that legislation will be pushed through that TWAW bollocks and all that entails.
So in my mind the Tories need to get a move on. We know there's no chance they are going to have a major majority like they have currently. Therefore if they really cared they would be working their damnest to get the legislation through. Why aren't they?

In other parts of women's rights labour tends to do better than the Tories but they are piss poor on this as we all well know.

You say "U turn". I say "reacting to changing circumstances when necessary"

He doesn’t have a personality but has multiple faces depending on who he’s trying to get to vote for him and Labour…..

and no I am not a rampant Tory voter!

I think Kemi is working on some legislation. I actually think the Tories are going for the women's vote so they need something in the bag. They've been doing stuff with free childcare care as well.

Perfect

Couldn’t care less whether he seems dull- rather that than a “character” like Boris Johnson.

Absolutely. Give me safe and secure.

He and the Labour government are in for a really tough time putting right all that is wrong in this country. I hope they ‘baseline’ and share what an absolute mess we are in.

Brave man taking this on, but I'm glad he is morally sound and committed to making a difference.

It's a shame is knowledge of biology is limited. I'd prefer it if he has the bollocks to tell the TRAs to bugger off.

John Major was boring and dull. He was still a better PM than any we have had since 2010.

You mean the ‘free childcare’ that really isn't? The ‘free childcare’ that is putting EY providers out of business. The ‘free childcare’ offer without enough staff or premises to meet demand…

It will backfire spectacularly when parents ( not women) are left with a promise but no substance.

I had a book as a child it had a picture of a man whose face was a sort of pappy looking undercooked current bun, I just see current bun face man when he is on TV.

@BookSpines unnecessarily personal and nasty isn't it? I'm sure he speaks highly of your appearance too!

I like him. I like the way he keeps his family low profile. A bit like Rishi does to be fair. I value stability and calm in politics. I want a true Statesperson in charge.

Dull is ok, although I don't believe he is.