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Thread 6 Starmer: We're going to need a bigger skip!

995 replies

InMySpareTime · 19/08/2024 14:34

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Thread 5 Starmer: keeping on keeping on http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/5136094-thread-5-starmer-keeping-on-keeping-on

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PandoraSox · 29/08/2024 23:00

She has just posted this:

Thread 6 Starmer: We're going to need a bigger skip!
RafaistheKingofClay · 29/08/2024 23:11

Rummly · 29/08/2024 22:09

You’re right IMO about the problem facing the Tories.

But you’re wrong about Starmer and Labour. In the same way that Blair was able to sideline the Labour left because power was finally in sight, so with Starmer. But the left came back during Blair’s and Brown’s and Miliband’s times in charge. It then took over. And it will come back to haunt Starmer.

Benefit cuts, lack of willingness to subsidise or bail out loss-making industries, fuel prices, Israel, relationships with the US, NHS reform, military aid to Ukraine, and very possibly military intervention elsewhere, net zero costs to ordinary voters, these are all flash points. There will be others. And the tendency to move left isn’t an intellectual, considered position; it’s an emotional, populist one. They’ll be back.

Which leads to splits. Any more WFA style policies and it’ll be sooner rather than later.

The left of the Labour Party attempting to sabotage it is definitely a problem. What I mean is, there isn’t an equivalent of Nigel Farage on the outside of the Party pulling part of it further left.

Thank God. We do not need more than one Farage.

Notonthestairs · 29/08/2024 23:15

No, the Board of Deputies of British Jews are not bullying you Esther.

RafaistheKingofClay · 29/08/2024 23:35

She has at least managed enough awareness to not specify north London before the metropolitan. Perhaps not quite enough awareness to remember that Starmer’s wife and children are Jewish though.

Apolloneuro · 29/08/2024 23:42

That woman is appalling. I don’t think she’s well. Her presence on Channel 4 on election night was terrifying. I had to turn over.

Againname · 29/08/2024 23:54

Appalling what she said. I don't know what I think about banning smoking outside (I'm leaning towards allowing it but not indoors) but her comparison is shockingly offensive.

Regarding smoking restrictions. What a joke. If health was a genuine concern the priority would not be smoking. It would be housing. Specifically providing more social housing. Studies (published in the BMJ) found that private renting is more harmful to health than smoking (social housing was found to be comparable to owner occupier in having better health). I can't take smoking restrictions, on apparent concern for health, seriously whilst there's insufficient social housing.

(I'm also not sure, and now want to Google to check - unless someone already has the statistics? - but I vaguely remember reading something about smoking bringing in more money to the economy than it costs the NHS?).

HannibalHeyes · 30/08/2024 00:42

"We asked 100 people to name something worse than the holocaust. You said 'Banning smoking in pub beer gardens'...

Thread 6 Starmer: We're going to need a bigger skip!
Piggywaspushed · 30/08/2024 06:53

Basically as a non smoker , I really resent that when I want to sit outside in a lovely pub garden on a nice sunny day I have to endure smoke wafting over me. Why should I have to be the one who has to stew inside? And I hate walking into a shop or,worse, a hospital through a fug of smoke.

Other countries and US states have done this - we are nowhere near trailblazers.

LlynTegid · 30/08/2024 07:19

Apolloneuro · 29/08/2024 23:42

That woman is appalling. I don’t think she’s well. Her presence on Channel 4 on election night was terrifying. I had to turn over.

Remember that Esther McVey defended a friend who went for a meal leaving three pre-school children alone. Or child neglect.

The McCanns.

Lifestooshort71 · 30/08/2024 07:32

SerendipityJane · 29/08/2024 18:19

Every smoker less is a saving of £250,000 to the NHS.

I'm late to this thread, surely smokers pay high tobacco duty which, if it went in the NHS pot, pays for their care? MOH has been a heavy smoker for nearly 50 years and has given up trying to give up but his smoking opportunities have dwindled to next to nothing (as they should have). I think there should still be small smoking areas in pub gardens - doing away with them seems a vindictive, nanny-state suggestion tbh. Stop future generations from damaging their health and their pockets by all means but leave the oldies somewhere to socialise - I'm beginning to think KS is just a big fun sponge....and yes, I do know about passive smoking etc etc.

Rummly · 30/08/2024 07:47

I don’t have a problem with more restrictions on smoking. But the cost argument seems very doubtful. Long term smokers pay vast amounts of tax and duty.

The reason gambling was opened up by Blair was that tobacco revenue was falling fast and they needed a replacement income stream. That hasn’t been an unqualified success in social terms.

Vaping will be interesting. I’m not aware there’s any evidence of second hand (or first hand, come to that) damage from vapes.

Notonthestairs · 30/08/2024 07:51

12% of the adult population smoke. I honestly don't think they are propping up the hospitality industry.

Cheguevarahamster · 30/08/2024 08:15

Apologies for not contributing to the thread - I have been on holiday and busy at work. Interesting discussion re smoking ban. I am all for it.

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/smoking-ban#:~:text=Ten%20years%20ago%20%E2%80%93%20on%201,Northern%20Ireland%20(April%202007).

These arguments that it will "kill" pubs were bandied about before the indoor ban in 2007.

"FOREST and other tobacco industry funded groups claimed it was bad for business, particularly pubs. In fact:

  • between March 2007 and March 2008, the number of premises with licenses to sell alcohol increased by 4,200.
  • And following the introduction of the smokefree laws, more people reported that they went to the pub more often than reported they went less often."

How has the smoking ban changed our health?

This summer marks 10 years since UK citizens were banned from smoking in enclosed public spaces. Lucy Trevallion looks at how it's changed our health.

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/smoking-ban#:~:text=Ten%20years%20ago%20%E2%80%93%20on%201,Northern%20Ireland%20(April%202007).

Notonthestairs · 30/08/2024 08:24

Harriet Harman is joining Beth Rigby & Ruth Davidson on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast. I'm might start tuning in.

L1ttledrummergirl · 30/08/2024 08:27

I'm looking forward to being able to sit outside and eat a meal without having someone else's smoke wafting over my meal. I avoid eating outside now, so on a hot day, I stay home rather than eat in a stuffy pub.

Esther Mcvay is trying to out Farage Farage isn't she? How low can they go.

Re bad housing being worse than smoking, it's a good job the building industry is picking up again fast since the change of government, this should start to make a difference over the next few years.

DuncinToffee · 30/08/2024 08:40

The latest frothing is about Starmer removing a Thatcher portrait Confused

This has actually earned him the respect from quite a few more on the left on my SM Grin

I would be happy with the potential smoking ban, just give smokers their little area away from the main areas incl beer gardens.
It already happens in most restaurants and pub around here anyway.

I agreed with Sunak's policy on it as well.

Rummly · 30/08/2024 08:54

I can’t get worked up by Starmer being spooked by a painting of Thatcher and having to move it. It’s so obviously just a pathetic gesture to the dim Labour left.

DuncinToffee · 30/08/2024 08:58

Tory leader hopeful mel Stride tying himself in knots here

https://x.com/Haggis_UK/status/1829425060836217194

Mel Stride says that banning smoking in pub gardens is a press against individual freedom, but Rishi Sunak wanting to ban smoking was not taking away people's freedoms because they've never been legally entitled to smoke..

DuncinToffee · 30/08/2024 08:58

Rummly · 30/08/2024 08:54

I can’t get worked up by Starmer being spooked by a painting of Thatcher and having to move it. It’s so obviously just a pathetic gesture to the dim Labour left.

No need for childish name calling on this thread

Rummly · 30/08/2024 09:00

DuncinToffee · 30/08/2024 08:58

No need for childish name calling on this thread

You’re having a laugh.

DuncinToffee · 30/08/2024 09:02

No I am not, it's not hard to be respectful without resorting to insults.

Zonder · 30/08/2024 09:26

Rummly · 30/08/2024 08:54

I can’t get worked up by Starmer being spooked by a painting of Thatcher and having to move it. It’s so obviously just a pathetic gesture to the dim Labour left.

Or maybe he just didn't want a picture of that frightening woman where he is now living? Taking it down would be my first step in making the place feel like home.

The weird thing is how does anyone know and why are they telling everyone? I'd have stuffed it in the cupboard under the stairs.

Saucery · 30/08/2024 09:28

I used to smoke and although the odd waft can spark a bit of nostalgia, I hate walking through clouds of smoke outside places. I absolutely loathe vape steam however 🤮. I wouldn’t mind a ban that included that tbh, but I don’t know if it does - probably not, as no negative effects on health have been discovered yet (apart from my nausea and the closing up of airways friends with asthma have reported, but I guess they can just lump it according to the selfish vapers).

BestIsWest · 30/08/2024 09:32

I’m with those who would like to sit outside a pub or cafe or even indoors near a doorway without being choked by smoke and I’m not keen on vape odours either, especially the fruity ones.

Rummly · 30/08/2024 09:39

Zonder · 30/08/2024 09:26

Or maybe he just didn't want a picture of that frightening woman where he is now living? Taking it down would be my first step in making the place feel like home.

The weird thing is how does anyone know and why are they telling everyone? I'd have stuffed it in the cupboard under the stairs.

If a PM is frightened by a painting of a previous PM you’d have to wonder whether Starmer has the nerve for the job. But then as he’s not remotely bothered by the picture it’s not something we have to ponder.

For the reason this monumentally inconsequential and contrived ‘news’ is known about, I think we can put that down to Starmer and his comms people placating the Labour left.