A passive Prime Minister who prefers process over politics.

[TeenagersAngst]

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-news-agents/id1640878689?i=1000755128315

Quite the listen. A worrying review of Keir Starmer’s approach to being to the top man in the job.

They all dress up in nonsense, it's not a Starmer specific trait, which is my point.

Exactly.

I think Starmer is navigating things brilliantly right now.

And that almost all the PMs we've had in recent years would have taken us to war. Thank God he hasn't.

So he’s just as showy then. And not good at process. Which is my point.

The thread is setting him up as holding those traits, he doesn’t. But also lacks economic insight and understanding. Plus relies on nonsense soundbites such as toolmaker at GE.

You really do not like him, do you? Can you give him some credit for not taking us into war or is that beyond you?

And no politician ever looks good dressing up for photo ops

No they should avoid it.

I think he’s disliked by most, it’s shown in focus groups and polls. It’s mn threads such as this one that attracts those who are in the minority who do still like him.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn9e0zr5qy2o

“On nearly every occasion President Trump has found himself in front of a camera in the last few days, he has had a pop at the prime minister and at the UK.
We have long known the current occupier of the White House is rarely a man of subtlety, but the frequency with which he has repeated his criticisms, often unprompted, stands out.”

The day I side with Trump over the UK, take me away gibbering to a skip and leave me there.

I shall take that swerve as a 'no' then.

Trump is a nut ,no strategic thought to securing the shipping lane for oil supply before steaming in.
Starmer is right to keep us out of anything Trump instigates because as sure as night follows day Trump will fuck it up.

I think he’s handling the current situation brilliantly, he’s just the person to handle Trump because he is calm and firmly grounded in law

I think you need to check the dictionary definition of 'rude' before you accuse others of being so.

Fine, don't listen to the podcast. But it's rather odd to quibble with someone posting about a podcast when you haven't bothered listening to the podcast.

As I should have expected, the thread has descended into argy bargy about Trump rather than discussing the merits of the podcast and what the two Times journalists have said.

Imagine going to work every day and putting up with constant ' you're shit you need to resign' criticism on how you dress, how you speak while being goaded by a man in a powerful position and not rising to any of it?

I feel more secure with him in charge than I ever did with the Tories during COVID.

So yes there is some growing up to do in this constant pursuit of off with his head shit.

No to what?

I don’t think Teresa May would have agreed to back Trump. She wasn’t keen. Sunak would have had second thoughts too. They were more considered in their approach.

He seems to have stopped doing that so much, thankfully. Badenoch on the other hand...in the last week she has been posing with tanks and tractors.

All of Europe and beyond are telling Trump no. Starmer has at least got this one right. I am not sure it is enough to save him, though.

Whine on about Starmer on this issue. Why not? Meanwhile we read that

”The US is no longer a democracy. One of the most credible global sources on the health of democratic nations now says this outright. The Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute at Gothenburg University reaches the alarming conclusion in its annual report, that the US is hurtling towards autocracy at a faster rate than Hungary and Turkey.” Guardian, today.
Trump can’t always have what he wants, and admirers of Trump’s politics over here can’t either.

Starmer’s very good at ‘urging’ but not much else. I’m also worried about who would replace him though so thinking better the devil you know.

I think he is very professional and statesman-like. Every decision is considered, and later reevalued. So much better than the defensive, knee-jerk reactions from elsewhere. We are living in very difficult times and I am glad we have him as opposed to any of the other party leader.

I think Starmer is doing a brilliant job, as for Trump what an idiot. He has no right to criticise us....look at how he treated Zelenski.... Trump is finished. Destined for his own wall of failure....

The podcast is actually pretty good and I tend to agree their criticisms were/are justified; at least that's the impression I've formed, although it's only based on what I've seen on TV or read. Starmer's reluctance to make decisions is, with regard to the Middle East, a (rare) point in his favour.

For me, the main problem with this administration is that none of its principle leaders have ever had a life outside the public/charity sector.

He can't take us into a war even if he wanted to on the basis we haven't got enough power. Eg only one operational aircraft carrier. So his "choice" is all a bit moot.

I know. All that money Lord Ali spent buying him nice clothes and designer glasses and people still take the piss. So unfair.

I think asking for nuance in debate but only citing a single episode of a podcast (promoting an updated book by two writers for The Times) is hardly indicative of balance OP.

Presumably you had the same issue with Cameron, Osborne and the majority of all Tory cabinets since 2010? At least Starmer has a track record of turning round a huge government department.