Uk politicians position about the war

[EasterIssland]

I’ve read that in the last few days Starmer is concerned about the Muslim people not voting labour cuz of his position

https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/2024/jan/30/labour-acts-on-fears-muslims-will-not-vote-for-party-over-gaza-stance

do you think this will have an impact on this years general elections ? I guess whatever they do they’ll lose votes

It’s labour who is worried about this conflict affecting them

The SNP like to think of themselves as similar to Palestinians, ie occupied by an evil and powerful neighbour.

The SNP think Israel is evil? Are they ready to be on the world stage do you think?

To be honest, surely labour is worried about this demographic and the other, but.... aren't this people meant to be politicians? So to have a political belief of some sort and a strategy? A plan? That comes from the core of their ethics, socio-economic model beliefs? And then adapt that to the current circumstances?
I am more than fed up of them saying whatever they think will get them votes. That is not real politics, it is utter shite. And the main reason why we are in this mess. The international crisis on leadership is too much. We need real leaders that believe in what they say and speak their mind. Otherwise, we can name the lettuce that competed against Truss as PM and it will not make an ounce of difference.

somewhat presumptious on the large parliamentary majority. Taking folk for granted perhaps.

Starmer did visit the NW recently, though noticeably didn't visit Burnley where several councillors left the party. Starmer seems to me to very much favour engineered appearances where he can give bland speeches to closed venue audiences while reading from his teleprompter.
Max Headroom (who he rather reminds me of) had more personality and ability to speak off the cuff.

The SNP like to think of themselves as similar to Palestinians, ie occupied by an evil and powerful neighbour.

I don't think the SNP is supposed to have its own foreign policy. I also don't think they consider Israel evil, any more than England, but they probably think it plays well with their voters to pretend both are oppressors.

Government has stopped sending aid to UNRWA because that aid is being used by Hamas.
Why would an MP be expected to represent Gaza?

I don't want to get into an argument but please be more careful with how you phrase things going forward. You've made it sound as though Starmer's wife being Jewish is one of the reasons people won't vote for him.

I assume you only mentioned his wife's religion to explain why he has relatives in Israel but the wording makes it sound like the reason people won't vote for him is because of his wife's religion... and since we're specifically talking about him losing the Muslim vote, it therefore sounds like you're saying Muslims are antisemitic. I'm pretty sure that's not something you believe or want to be implying!

I was not aware there was any outrage in Scotland about Humza Yousafs support of Gaza? Have I missed something?

if there an issue with him supporting Gaza?

@Offwiththecircus Exactly. I find him lacking in mental agility, unable to depart from a pre prepared script or deal with the unexpected - he's even flustered by it. To me that means he has no real convictions, no heart in his politics. But he's not the only one. I'm finding most politicians seem superficial, vacuous and lightweight. Maybe it's the new style.

Have you been to see him speak in person? Ave you been out canvassing with him? It's the nature of media coverage that most of it is based on occasions with pre-prepared scripts.

@SharonEllis No. I'm only going on speeches and interviews he has given. Perhaps he comes across differently in person. I'm starting to feel bad about criticising him so much when there are many other politicians I feel the same way about! But I feel it was a style that came in with Blair, this shiny, slick salesman with the moral rigour of blancmange. I wonder if it's my age. But I maintain that a PM , who will be making many speeches and giving interviews, needs a bit more oomph than him or Sunak. Fact I can hardly tell the difference between them.

@stormy4319trevor I'm surprised by you. Characterising Blair in this way. He was an incredible communicator, warm, engaging, charismatic, intelligent, completely on top of his brief & quick on his feet. I saw him live several times in unslick community environments- he had everyone eating out of his hand. The New Labour operation was slick but its a mischaracterisation of Blair to say he was.

@SharonEllis I know he could work a room in the early days, but this is not a sign of integrity or conviction.

@stormy4319trevor I think he had enormous conviction - it's why he was so successful in the early days.

And while I'm not drawing conclusions, I think he should explain why he's reported to be in Epstein's black book. Being a public figure and a knight.

@SharonEllis We will have to disagree! I'm sorry for derailing your thread OP.

Apologies. That’s not what I meant
I meant
Scottish mp is more pro Palestine probably because his relatives are Palestinian.
Starmers relatives are from Israel / Jewish so I do believe that his behaviour has got something to do that as well.
same way as sunaks wife’s businesses having relations with Israel.

I might be wrong but I do feel none of them are bias in this story.

My point is that her being Jewish, her religion, has nothing to do with any possible bias. Her familial link to Israel may, but the fact she's Jewish doesn't. Assuming bias based on her religion would be pretty antisemitic. So maybe just stick to saying that you think Keir Starmer may be biased because he has family in Israel. Like, you're not saying Hamza Yusuf is biased because he's Muslim, you're saying it's because he's got relatives in Gaza. So say the same for Keir Starmer.

Maybe You’re assuming too much. I don’t live in Scotland , if you realise I’ve not even mentioned the Scottish name cuz I don’t know it , same way I don’t know what his religion is. I know about his in laws as it was in the news about them managing to scape Gaza when the war starter.
Same way I read the news about starmer and his relatives. If this is antisemitism then I’m sorry for it, not done on purpose.
As I’ve mentioned previously I can’t even vote in the general elections so whilst I might feel closer to one party or another , I don’t fully pay attention to any party directly because it’d be a waste of my energy when the decision relies on other people’s and not mine.

I do feel the 3 of them tho are affected by their private life and therefore the actions they take. And because this war is a bit black or white in many ways , I’m sure they’ll attract or lose some supporters. Again this was in the news about how labour is worried about losing some votes for starmers decision, it’s not my words but coming from the party. Imo Tories doubt they’ll be much affected by it. SNP probably they might lose some people’s votes

@EasterIssland Why mention 3 of them?

Why not 4? Why Starmer's wife and not Yousef's wife.

not going to continue with this conversation. Think you’re trying to twist words when there is none from my side. Don’t think starmer , Sunak and yousef are unbiased with their decisions and this might affect their parties in general elections

Media coverage is pretty much always organised by the party PR wonks. Am not aware that media are chasing Starmer down the street, accosting him at his local market asking for his views on the burning questions of the day. The media are instead invited to roll up for the leader's latest speech. Even interviews are very often tightly controlled. If Starmer is so good on the stump, comes across well in rather less formal settings where he can be freely questioned, why don't the PR wonks set up such opportunities - let him loose, let him fly like the impassioned beast you seem to reckon he is?