Keir Starmer

Chippy_boy said:
Agree with all of that. And certainly agree that the franchise model has been badly implemented.

No-one has yet managed to successfully explain to me why train operators were not offered "slots" on routes and on timetables which would enable them to compete for passengers on the state-run network. So you'd have real choice between different service levels and price and proper competition to maintain or improve standards and drive down fares. But I am no expert on the rail industry so maybe there is good reason.
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Imagine three trains an hour from Manchester to London each run by a different operator. Then we could pick and choose which one we travelled on based on price, reliability and quality.
 
robbieh said:
Thanks for that comprehensive outline.Essentially then they want all, and believe in, the same stuff as southern Tories.
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Tom-Hanks-orly.gif


You still don't get it? Even now?
 
Chris in London said:
Keir Starmer.

Costed policies that tackle some of the awful problems that our society faces. Homelessness in particular.
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If it was down to me, I'd have a two step strategy.

1. A kick-ass leader to clean up the party. Anti semitism, Corbynistas, idealistic disciples clinging to a non-electable agenda, etc. would all have to go. Maybe even to an outside left new party, as Farage did. Do this while supporting a small number of key policies that can help build support via local elections - high street regeneration, local environment, bin collection. Nothing complicated but easily visible to get a reputation for delivering promises. Would probably take 3 years to start taking effect.

2. Meanwhile groom an electable leader to lead into the next general election. Has to have no baggage from this GE. Develop national policies, a small number of easily communicated themes that are clear and concise. I see environment being a vote winner in next election. The Blue Rinse Army is dying and the Tories will have to choose different grounds to fight upon. Maybe 3-4 million new voters in the under 25 bracket at the next election. Brexit will be something that sounds like a breakfast cereal by then. Let Boris cock it up on his own.
 
robbieh said:
Thanks for that comprehensive outline.Essentially then they want all, and believe in, the same stuff as southern Tories.
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Just to add to my previous post.

They’re small C Conservative in their social views and centre left economically.

Most would have probably been happy with Labour had they not had Corbyn, promised to leave the EU properly and had their 2017 manifesto.

The old lefties in this country had Conservative social views and many had patriotism to some level, these are the heartlands up north today.
 
Prestwich_Blue said:
Imagine three trains an hour from Manchester to London each run by a different operator. Then we could pick and choose which one we travelled on based on price, reliability and quality.
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I don't know if you are mocking me, but that is exactly the sort of arrangement I would propose. Maybe there's good reasons why this could not work (I am no expert on the rail system) but no-one has yet explained to me why not. British Airways and other airlines all seem to be able to manage to run out of Heathrow and no-one suggests either that Heathrow should own all the airlines or that BA should. And guess what, we have CHOICE and proper competition.

Not the bollocks we have at the moment where the train company has you over a barrel and the regulator lets them increase fares above inflation every single year.
 
Chippy_boy said:
I don't know if you are mocking me, but that is exactly the sort of arrangement I would propose. Maybe there's good reasons why this could not work (I am no expert on the rail system) but no-one has yet explained to me why not. British Airways and other airlines all seem to be able to manage to run out of Heathrow and no-one suggests either that Heathrow should own all the airlines or that BA should. And guess what, we have CHOICE and proper competition.

Not the bollocks we have at the moment where the train company has you over a barrel and the regulator lets them increase fares above inflation every single year.
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No I'm serious. It's a great idea if they really want competition. I'd do the same for live football viewing as well. Instead of having three channels showing different games, I'd give consumers a choice and offer the full package to as many broadcasters as wanted it.
 
Chippy_boy said:
I don't know if you are mocking me, but that is exactly the sort of arrangement I would propose. Maybe there's good reasons why this could not work (I am no expert on the rail system) but no-one has yet explained to me why not. British Airways and other airlines all seem to be able to manage to run out of Heathrow and no-one suggests either that Heathrow should own all the airlines or that BA should. And guess what, we have CHOICE and proper competition.
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There's a finite number of drivers & staff so when a new operator comes on board they take-over the same staff, with the same reasons/excuses for not turning up for work. Plus they all run on the same track so if one operator breaks down, they all do, because the trains behind can't get past. You'd have to be foolish to promise better service if your service depends on the competence of your competitors.
 


They should make every single Labour member watch this as a condition of joining.

I have the tiniest bit of sympathy for a lot of these Momentum types who probably weren't even born when Foot was around (although that's no excuse to not read up on it), but the older generation - Corbyn, McDonnell, McCluskey - have no excuse for what they've done. They've handed the Tories the country on a platter and if they turn out to destroy communities in the way that Thatcher did, it won't be them who suffers.
 
Fame Monster said:


They should make every single Labour member watch this as a condition of joining.

I have the tiniest bit of sympathy for a lot of these Momentum types who probably weren't even born when Foot was around (although that's no excuse to not read up on it), but the older generation - Corbyn, McDonnell, McCluskey - have no excuse for what they've done. They've handed the Tories the country on a platter and if they turn out to destroy communities in the way that Thatcher did, it won't be them who suffers.
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I watched the first 5 minutes only and was struck by just how utterly wrong Tony Benn was, in stark contrast to the other Labour commentators. Firmly head-in-sand mode: Stick to what we believe in and the voters will get it in the end. What utter crap and how very "momentum".
 
Ban-jani said:
Don’t take this the wrong way please, I don’t think you know what the working classes think nor want.

They don’t want socialism, they have a huge degree of patriotism, support the royal family etc. they want Britain to be independent of the EU, as you’ve mentioned.

They want investment in their areas and infrastructure to work but aren’t jealous of the rich, as Labour think they are, they want the opportunity to become rich themselves.

They want immigration to be curbed and for their communities to continue as they have done socially, in years gone by.

They want the UK to be strong on defence and law and order.

They see Labour as a threat to all of the above and middle class wannabe socialists don’t get it and they have no respect for them.

The metropolitan left are completely different to the northern heartland left.
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They want fair inequality (ie graft your way to success) rather than unfair equality.
 
Emily Thornberry has thrown her considerable weight into the ring. She has more front than the Albert Hall, oblivious to any criticism and also most of her own electorate. Wonder if she has ever been to the north west or north east of England and met any of her 'thick' electorate?
 
Churchlawtonblue said:
Emily Thornberry has thrown her considerable weight into the ring. She has more front than the Albert Hall, oblivious to any criticism and also most of her own electorate. Wonder if she has ever been to the north west or north east of England and met any of her 'thick' electorate?
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No chance and neither has Starmer.
 
Emily Thornberry? Dear Lord.
How to make the rest of the northern towns vote Tory? Elect Emily!
 
Churchlawtonblue said:
Emily Thornberry has thrown her considerable weight into the ring. She has more front than the Albert Hall, oblivious to any criticism and also most of her own electorate. Wonder if she has ever been to the north west or north east of England and met any of her 'thick' electorate?
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I’m laughing harder than I should be at the idea of Emily Thornberry running.
 
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