Keir Starmer's popularity ratings now higher than Boris Johnson's

[effingterrified]

Shame we don't have an election for ages.

But great to finally have some opposition to this government again, particularly as UK deaths overtake every other country in the world apart from the Us, that has a population 5 times as big.

The man is an idiot, just like Boris.
Haha, okay.

I get what you're saying but he, in my view, isn't doing that. He is not asking questions or suggesting better ways to do things, he's just standing there like a plonker that has no clue and picking at things that cannot be changed now and making demands with poor timing. Every single day he comes out with 'too slow into lockdown'. And? Nothing can he done about it now. His aim is to make Boris look bad (not that he needs any help there) and also to himself look good. He isn't there to speak for the people and solve the issue. Like I said, just a twat

God the first two responses are from numpties who think politics is only for the happy, fun times. Political decisions got us into this colossal nightmare (highest death rate in europe ffs) and the right political decisions will get us out for it. I'm just relieved we have at least one sane, intelligent politician trying to hold the government to account tbh.

*of

To me it sounds like Keir Starmer is well prepared, thoughtful and diligent. Just the kind of opposition we need. However his approach may not grab the headlines like the one-message, aggressive swagger of other types of politicians.

Thank god Labour have appointed a credible leader. The tories need to start to be held to account

He said "show us the roadmap" @YappityYapYap not "kick us out onto the motorway right now with no map and no compass"!

Keir Starmer is just as guilty of selective quoting as any other Labour MP.

@YappityYapYap

That's exactly what he should be doing!

Highlight Boris' repeated failures, point out his continual blithering incompetence, erode what credibility he does have, show him up for the clown that he is.

So what if Starmer doesn't have all the answers and can't change history?

We elected Boris, it's Boris' job to have the answers, not Starmer's. The historical failings are firmly and squarely on the shoulders of Johnson, as is the ongoing mess of the government response to this crisis.

The time to criticise Starmer for failing the country is once he's actually been elected to run the country, is in charge of policy, and those policies have failed. Right now it's his job to hector, harass, and humiliate a failing PM and his Government.

You should also note that when Boris has announced plans that Starmer has agreed with, he's been perfectly quick to signal that agreement and acknowledge the PM. This is also the appropriate for a competent LotO. It's not all 'disagreement for disagreement's sake' and points scoring.

Thank heavens we actually have some semblance of an opposition for the first time in god knows how long. Corbyn would probably still have been gibbering on about Amnesty International etc etc

What a wasted opportunity!

All that about the government got it's care home guidance wrong and he uses a sentence that can, and has been, rebutted.

I know, all that will be remembered is that he showed the government got it wrong but it is far from a Gotcha. Indeed, if it is as suggested, he chose a sentence within a paragraph about facemask use in times of low infect rate then he is just continuing Corbyn's odd 'stack of paper as proof' strategy. Large stack of paper to be waved but no actual substance to it.

Fuck! I really did want him to be better than that!

I doubt anyone in PM position would do well on this crisis. I'll judge once we are past it. It's such a unique situation there is never going to be a right way or wrong way to deal with it.

I think the rebuttal was pretty desperate.
"It remains very unlikely that people receiving care in a care home or the community will become infected."

The important tense here is the future tense "will become". Not the present tense remains. What was being discussed was future risk. The future risk was already present by that point.

Considering that this was still in place after this article, dated the 17th March.

www.pulsetoday.co.uk/clinical/clinical-specialties/respiratory-/gps-set-to-care-for-patients-urgently-discharged-from-hospital/20040370.article

All that about the government got it's care home guidance wrong and he uses a sentence that can, and has been, rebutted.

Boris is lying though. (Shock!🙄)I've just read that document. You couldn't make it up 😂

The papers have picked up on this too. Oh, Boris, Boris, Boris.

I'm listening to Jennie Harries explaining care home returns from hospital etc, to LK.

Still not convinced.

And all the rhetoric, loaded questions are only serving to show the difference between star journalists and local ones... and it's huge!

A source said that Starmer had “inaccurately and selectively” quoted from the document, and that therefore the PM was right to say what Starmer said was not correct. The source said that in his question Starmer talked about it remaining the case that people in care were unlikely to be infected (the document does not use the word “remains” at that point) and the source said the full quote (see above) made it clear that this assurance covered a period where there was no community transmission. Starmer did not include the word “therefore”, the source said. The source signalled that Johnson would not be retracting what he said. (Reminder: the document cited by Starmer was only officially withdrawn as government advice on 13 March. See 12.47pm.)

That's the kind of thing I was looking for... I haven't read the whole document, certainly not the version of it they are discussing.

If there is black and white, incontrovertible evidence that it was written as reported then there is a discussion, a critique to be had.

But I still won't be taking anything any politician has to say at face value...

Corbyn would probably still have been gibbering on about Amnesty International etc etc

He’s wittering on about Israel today. Clearly hasn’t had the memo about Covid.

Really pleased we’re rid of Corbyn and have a credible opposition.
I have voted Tory most of my life, LibDem last time but would vote for him if his politics are ok. For me that means centre left, Blair or similar not far left Momentum type.
Glad he’s giving Boris et al a kick - they need it!

Boris lied, surely not! He might lose his job about that again, you know. 🤪

@XDownwiththissortofthingX Your post from 17:02 is probably one of the best, if not the best thought out posts I've read on here. You're spot on 👏

Of course every government needs challenging and balancing which is why the labour party was a joke last year. However Starmer is in the easy seat just now, all he has to do is challenge. Johnson is in the hot seat and will be critised whatever he does. Just like May had the poisoned Chalice. There are many things I would like to see when all this virus is over, environmental issues, working from home, mindful travel. One very big one would be to see the end of this political tribalism, which as another poster said leads to sectarianism and hate. We saw it big time with Brexit. It is very apparent on MN. Why cant we have a common aim for a healthy balance between the parties, and, dare I say it, a little collaboration for the good of the people and the country. It doesnt have to be hate filled personal potshots ans cliched nastiness. If we learn anything in this pandemic itt should be to reflect on what we are saying. Sorry if that sounds preachy but as an oldie I a having a lot of time to reflect on conflict, personal, family and national. Most of it should not be happening

If there is black and white, incontrovertible evidence that it was written as reported

bit.ly/3dKcMga

BJ not so much lying as wouldn't know the truth if it bit him on the arse.

He’s a serious politician at a time when we need serious politicians. He’s thorough, has an eye for detail and doesn’t wing-it or bullshit. The more air time he gets the better. I think his style will resonate with the public right now.

I like Kier Starmer for being everything Boris Johnson is not. He's clear, concise and meticulous. Boris Johnsons waffling and bumbling really gets on my nerves.
We haven't got an election for a long time so the best we can hope for is that the we have someone who holds the government to account for every bad or questionable decision. A better opposition hopefully leads to a better government