Prime Minister's first press conference

[HebburnPokemon]

Started today at 3pm. You can watch it back here:

Thoughts?

I found it refreshing - no pissing about, no u-turns, a respectful discourse. Just my view.

The sentences are lenient in many cases but also a lot of problems could be tackled if people actually understood, and tried to prevent, the root causes of people ending up on the conveyor belt of criminality.

I live in a relatively deprived area and can already pick out neighbours and classmates of my children who will almost certainly end up in prison. Indeed many of their fathers are on licence or have previously served sentences. It's almost a career option to be a drug courier in many areas.

I think Starmer's and James Timpson's experiences in justice and rehabilitation are massively heartening in at least understanding the issues.

I didn't hear Starmer suggest softer prisons.

I heard him say two main things about prisons.

One was that he'd inherited mismanagement of the situation, whereby the prisons were now full (half of the prison-building budget not having been spent), and the Tories had had to introduce early release. The situation would need to be improved, but he didn't know at what date he'd be able to stop early release.

The second was that he wanted to intervene earlier in people's lives to take them off the conveyor that landed them in prison in the first place. As he said, he's been in a lot of courtrooms watching that conveyor in action. He made particular mention of teenage boys, knife crime, and it being better for everyone – including victims – for there to be intervention before it reaches the prison stage.

IIUC, he also said it was unacceptable that lack of prison capacity meant that in recent times (ie under the Tories, though he didn't make it about them) police had been told not to make arrests on some charges.

That's if I understood correctly.

If so, I'm It had passed me by that this had been going on.

@Curiouserandcuriouserer So due to lack of investment in new prisons over many years, the current prison estate is pretty much full (and full in a chaotic way that means prisons can achieve little other than containment) - so the only options are to release certain prisoners early or give more suspended sentences etc certain offences.

Unlike Truss, who just hit the ground on day one 😂

Thanks for posting this video op.

Impressive I thought.

And, unlike the words of previous incumbents, particularly Johnson, what Keir says is plausible.

Harsh, but fair.

You do realize that was already in process right?

I may not agree with you but I recognise a decent joke when I see one 😂

I thought it probably would have been. I also didn't pick up the details of who initiated it, but it sounded like the new government would be actively involved in taking it forward.

(You may know details of whether they initiated or discussed enabling it before the election.)

As a result of the Conservative government though? My understanding before was that the consultants who started it had spoken to Wes Streeting about it but seems like you may know more about it?

His manner of speaking was SO much better than when he was campaigning. He can actually speak really well.

I am impressed by giving Timpson and Vallance jobs. And probably the KC as well- I've never heard of him, but I trust that Keir will have chosen the best person for that role.

But they do have to deliver on things. That is what they will be judged on.

And finally - he must be so tired! I had a busy day on Thursday and then did an all night count of the votes. I had a couple of hours sleep on Friday morning and a quiet day, but last night I needed a lot of sleep and I still feel exhausted. The cabinet were all gathered this morning before I was awake and KS has a busy plan for the week - Washington and tour of UK. How is he not tired?! He's a lot older than me too!

As it was a labour manifesto promise, I would think so! Nothing to do with Conservatives.

Cash for Honours scandal
Peter Mandelson's resignation (and subsequent return)
Jo Moore's 'burying of bad news' on September 11
David Kelly
Need I go on?
There seems to be a assumption on MN that political scandals are entirely down to the Conservatives. The last Labour government had their fair share.
But we don't talk about those.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man

Because they happened well over a decade ago now. Just like in years to come people won't talk about Partygate in the same way.

I liked the press conference, I've liked some of the Cabinet appointments (and not minded others) and I get a sense of urgency for starting work from everyone - with a genuine desire to make things better. I loved what the PM had to say on their being no monopoly on good ideas, hence cross party collaboration.

At this stage, that seems like all anyone could ask for from a new government.

All new PMs get a wave of optimism, but I am not sure they all have given me this sense of relaxed relief that finally we have serious people back in charge.

I am aware they happened over a decade ago. But as that was the last time Labour were in power, they are relevant are they not? People still talk about Thatcher's legacy and that was many decades ago.
You call it a straw man argument - I prefer to see it as undeniable proof that people who are assuming that Labour NEVER have scandals and never put a foot wrong are likely to be disappointed going forward.

I would agree with this

Nobody is assuming that.

Honestly, there really is enough to get upset about that actually happens, without inventing things about other posters to then make yourself unhappy about.

I agree. No one is assuming that! This is politics after all and the huge, complicated and stressful business of running a country – Labour politicians aren't infallible or immune from cock-ups and scandal.

Yes. It's how it goes when the pressure is high that counts. There was some good substance though.

people who are assuming that Labour NEVER have scandals and never put a foot wrong

NO ONE has said that - absolutely NO ONE. You are having an argument with yourself, whereas we are discussing today’s press conference.

We’re talking about Kier Starmer and his new government in 2024, not Peter Mandleson 20 years ago!

Sorry. But several trusts are already doing this, and have been for some time. These things take months of planning and agreement.