I first wondered that after meeting with him about 10 years ago. Charismatic, knowledgeable and not too far to the left, future PM perhaps?
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[Politics] Was Ange in the loop?
- Thread starter Is it PotG?
- Start date
I first wondered that after meeting with him about 10 years ago. Charismatic, knowledgeable and not too far to the left, future PM perhaps?
lawros left foot
Glory hunting since 1969
[MENTION=27918]@Live by the sea is a rabid lefty hating Tory, so his support of Blair is quite understandable.
Is it PotG?
Thrifty non-licker
- Thread starter
- #24
rogersix
Well-known member
- Jan 18, 2014
- 7,905
wishful thinking? it must be impossible, shirley!
Pavilionaire
Well-known member
- Jul 7, 2003
- 30,661
I like what Starmer has done in his reshuffle, some of his best people in the top positions now and some good match-ups there, and they won't be afraid to take down their opposite number.
Truss vs Lammy
Patel vs Cooper
Javed vs Streeting
Zahawi vs Phillipson
Truss vs Lammy
Patel vs Cooper
Javed vs Streeting
Zahawi vs Phillipson
clapham_gull
Legacy Fan
- Aug 20, 2003
- 25,462
Clearly both parties have had a problem with perceived "purity" within the ranks. The Conservatives purging some very sensible pro-remain MPs and the Labour party doing the same to anyone perceived too "centrist".
A lot of that down to "external advice" that has informed both the centre ground is dead and lurching to the extremes may possibly just get you over the line. Both parties seemingly missing some visionary young MPs.
That hypothesis completely negates the fact that the centre ground "moves". Not from "left to right", but ideas that the majority of the population agree with. Mask wearing and vaccination are clearly "centre ground", wasting money on a high speed rail line clearly not. Re-nationalisation of the water companies probably centre ground too and I wouldn't have put money on that.
On balance (just) the Labour party may just have the ability to reclaim that centre ground. But they are equally capable of screwing it up.
I also think there is possibility we will see a new Conservative party leader before the next election unless Johnson sorts his act out.
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
There has been talks of letters to the 1922 committee and a WhatsApp group entitled Liz for Leader!
I doubt it. When it’s his own political career at stake, he is utterly ruthless. Yes, he generally makes awful judgement calls but if there is any hint of a coup, the perpetrators will get their political throats cut quicker than you can say “Boris is a nasty c***”.
Back to Labour, looks like they are getting their act together: “The reshuffle was criticised by former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, a key ally of former leader Jeremy Corbyn.
He tweeted: "Reviving the careers of former Blairite ministers and simply reappointing existing shadow cabinet ministers to new posts does give the impression of Christmas Past, not Christmas Future."
clapham_gull
Legacy Fan
- Aug 20, 2003
- 25,462
That might well be the case for Johnson, but the Conservative party are the most successful political party. They are so by subtly reinventing themselves and ditching or damaging their leaders when they want.
They are also quite happy being strategically out of power whilst they do so.
drew
Drew
On the radio it was suggested it wasn't a case of Starmer not trusting Rayner but that Starmer's team doesn't trust Rayner's team. The two individuals have a reasonable working relationship.
drew
Drew
And under Thatcher we went to war with Argentina because we took our eye of the ball and she lied about the Belgrano!!
As for Blair, he didn't make up the 45 minute claim, it was an intelligence briefing the source of which was later proved to be bogus. He also didn't make up the WMD threat, that was also based on the intelligence at the time.
Granted, there was a helluva lot wrong with the Iraq war most obviously the exit strategy. However, whatever tory PM in power at the time would have done exactly the same.
The left can't stand Blair because he was a realist. He is the only Labour leader to have won an election since Wilson in 74, that's not a great record in what is effectively a two horse race.
stewart12
Well-known member
- Jan 16, 2019
- 1,615
Blair is easily the best PM in my lifetime. Comfortable on the world stage, managed to introduce TONNES of progressive social change at home and popular with business leaders.
As is typical with the left, his biggest opposition was from within and if you think of his two most controversial decisions- Iraq war and Tuition fees, the most vocal opposition to both of those was from the left
As you say he was a realist, he knew that far left policies aren't popular enough with the electorate to win elections. But if you can find that middle ground with a nice left wing "style" agenda then the public might buy it because actually I think that's where most British people are at. We want good schools, good healthcare, good social care etc etc but at the same time aren't keen on perceived high government spending (apparently). Blair knew that, Corbyn absolutely did not...Starmer probably does and is undoubtedly competent but doesn't have the charisma of Blair
schmunk
"Members"
Absolutely, and just makes you think what might have been with the Miliband 'Sliding Doors' moment...
Pavilionaire
Well-known member
- Jul 7, 2003
- 30,661
I don't see how promoting Wes Streeting to Health Minister is rearranging deckchairs. This is a progressive move, pushing one of their leading lights into arguably the most visible Cabinet position of the lot.
Yvette Cooper has got better with age and has experience of government to draw on too.
Overall, Labour appear to have got their house in order, sorted anti-Semitism, distanced themselves from the Corbynistas. They have to remain united though. I saw Angela Rayner on Kay Burley's breakfast show and thought she did alright - I think she's been brought into line although her position needs to remain under review.
2022 needs to be the year Labour go on the attack, firstly by winning back red wall hearts and minds but also flipping marginal seats in the south. I think to do that they will have to form political alliances with the Lib Dems and Greens so votes aren't split - that has to stop if they are to have any chance of forming a government.
Sorry, what!?
Can you please explain for me how the party led by an elitist, racist leader, who have stoked the flames of nationalism and xenophobia at every possible juncture, run down public services across the board, used free-market 'policies' to enrich their associates, whilst progressing the clandestine sell-off of the health service, has been 'leaning to the LEFT'?
Mental.
grubbyhands
Well-known member
Error!
Last edited:
rogersix
Well-known member
- Jan 18, 2014
- 7,905
this question ought to be addressed, if only for the comedy value
Pretty pink fairy
Banned
- Jan 30, 2008
- 31,981
https://www.standard.co.uk/video/ne...ic-hot-at-labour-conference-karaoke-vaa041f19
complete mare
regards
DF
complete mare
regards
DF