To think Starmer will be gone by the end of Friday? Or will it be Monday evening?

[SingleSexSpacesInSchools]

Whoever you are voting for today, it's probably not Labour - they might loose 2,000 seats.

How long exactly will it be before he resigns?

I can't speak for anyone else, Goldenbear, but in my own case it's cold hard experience of working alongside too many politicians who find it hard to hide their disdain if things aren't going exactly the way they want them to

Indeed, sadly, there would be another whipped up reactionary response about identity politics or diversity numbers or some such BS in the right wing press!

Oh right so lived experience.

I just find the whole thing exhausting to listen to and watch now as it is all about the spin, which is a complete distraction from getting anywhere with policies that could have a meaningful impact on people's lives.

I know we have a low opinion of politians but thinking that one would attempt to trigger a leadership challenge in order to claim 5 minutes of fame is really pushing it.

Possible reasons:

• the bad performance at the local elections
• Keir Starmer’s unpopularity, putting it mildly
• in the hope of avoiding electoral defeat in the next election
• to force a serious candidate to make a challenge
• because she has had enough

West taking this position may actually result in a number of different outcomes but making her famous is the least plausible.

I’m sure. Until the media puts the boot in then he’ll believe all manner of bad things about him before breakfast.

That’s a sweeping generalisation - are all Labour voters homogenous?

I am pro-women. How about you?

I thought I’d made it as clear as I possibly could that that I’m not engaging with you on this. The reason is illustrated perfectly by your putting words in my mouth. I haven’t even mentioned Streeting, let alone expressed an opinion on him.

Jesus. No he didn’t. See what I mean about media lies?
Councils asked for permission to postpone - not cancel - elections where they were about to be reorganised. Because Farage kicked up a fuss Starmer denied requests that had been agreed. Now they’ll have to vote again next year at vast expense.
But ‘Starmer tried to cancel them’ is what people take from it.

Yes, I am sure you are right unfortunately. Don't know what the answer is really.

Great post - may I add:

Because she has morals.
Because she has a backbone.

And that - falls squarely at Starmer’s feet (and those of his ‘enablers’).

Yes well said.

Tell you what though - while I think the rhetoric that politicians ‘hate’ the electorate, or sections of it, is overblown there was one PM and cronies who I do feel felt contempt for us, or at best thought we didn’t matter, and that was Johnson, exemplified by behaviour in No10 during Covid.

Of course this could backfire spectacularly on Farage next year when this year’s voters have real experience of life with a Reform council and they get the chance to vote again.

Yeah, well he went some time ago.

Meanwhile in the present day - we are all having to live in Starmer’s disfunctional world.

Yes, but he can simply blame Labour - that’s what Labour have been doing since they entered government - blaming the Tories.

If Reform voters are as stupid as some of you have stated…

The precedent has been established.

I am a floating left to Liberal voter.

No they aren't, good point.

I am a woman so I wouldn't be stupid enough to go against my interests.

Glad to hear that GB - quite right.

He did - but you suggest Starmer is the cause of people thinking politicians hate them. I’d suggest he’s not (and also that he doesn’t, but that’s a different point).

Yes, I am of the view that a significant section of the electorate believe Starmer looks at them with disdain.

I just find the whole thing exhausting to listen to and watch now as it is all about the spin, which is a complete distraction from getting anywhere with policies that could have a meaningful impact on people's lives

You're not alone, @Hallowedturf, but if it's any consolation I find they can be even worse when addressed in person with the need to make a rational decision

When shorn of the backup spin the consequences can be desperate, and with a few honourable exceptions I wouldn't disagree with the old saying that actually wanting political power is a good indication of those who should be nowhere near it

West is not well known - probably not known at all in general terms - and I strongly think she’ll become a pub quiz answer soon enough, in a question that contains the words “challenge” and “failed”.

But it’s an interesting intervention because she’s unlikely to be bothered by Reform. As a London MP she’s been rattled by the Green surge. Her council went NOC from Labour with Greens as the biggest party. Before Thursday Labour had a 43 seat majority with not a single Green councillor.

If London Labour MPs are expressing a wish to chuck Starmer out, it’s got very perilous for him.

Keir Starmer comes a cross as emotionless and therefore “hate” may be an emotion to much for him. It is enough that he doesn’t consider me “working people”, that hurts.

But I know that Rayner and Philipson would definitely hate me.

And Steve Reed, well he hates everyone except for Starmer.

Yes, although history shows us that ‘stalking horses’ can have a material impact way beyond their original move.

I recall Thatcher saw off an early challenge, only for it to unfold 12 months later?

I don’t think it matters on where the challenge goes for her personally. Plus as @hallowedturf
says Thatcher had similar.

I see Greens hit her area more but I wouldn’t underestimate how much Labour MPs fear Reform generally. Remember Starmer claimed he was the person to stop them. They realise he’s not, he’s the opposite.