Congratualtions Keir Starmer

[MachoMadness]

I've been a big critic but Starmer was superb at PMQs today. He got Johnson to deny the "let the bodies pile high" comment, then reminded him that lying to the house is a resignation matter. He clearly knows something we don't, or has a hell of a poker face. Attacking the Tories on stuff like this is a bit of an open goal, true, and needs to be combined with an actual positive vision for Britain which has been lacking for now, but he really exposed Johnson as a shifty liar today.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I'll ask again. Do you agree that Johnson is qualitatively different, in being a lifelong habitual liar, outed as such way before the era of social media? That's the key point.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Starmer gave the impression that there is evidence to come of Johnson's "bodies piled high" comment. He has him on record at the dispatch box denying that he said that. If Cummings DOES have a recording, that is the end of Johnson.

Whether there is a recording or not, Starmer's closing comment "We'll see. There is a lot more to come" is likely to be causing some panic in Johnson's team.

It was a masterly performance.

[belton rover]

I'll ask again. Do you agree that Johnson is qualitatively different, in being a lifelong habitual liar, outed as such way before the era of social media? That's the key point.

You haven’t asked me that question before Billy, so I don’t know why you are ‘asking me again’.
All you’ve said is that he was sacked twice for lying before he became Prime Minister.
Does lying twice make someone a habitual, lifelong liar? Absolutely not.
That doesn’t mean he isn’t one, mind.

[belton rover]

You could argue that Starmer’s speech was masterly, but not his performance. He trips over his tongue and corrects himself like someone who has no confidence in what he is saying.
He’s a poor orator, and that will cost him votes.

[Bentley Bullet]

Starmer gave the impression that there is evidence to come of Johnson's "bodies piled high" comment. He has him on record at the dispatch box denying that he said that. If Cummings DOES have a recording, that is the end of Johnson.

Whether there is a recording or not, Starmer's closing comment "We'll see. There is a lot more to come" is likely to be causing some panic in Johnson's team.

It was a masterly performance.

Do you mean a masterly performance in the true sense of the word or in your own world like Rovers' performance at Lincoln last January?

[River Don]

Caught on camera, Carrie Symonds shopping for the no 10 flat!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUnvgKhWZdI

[wilts rover]

Thanks for the back handed compliment wilts, though I’m not sure that’s what it was. You are right, of course, about social media giving more people access. That in itself accentuates whatever claim is being made.

But, that’s different to my point, which I still stand by. If anyone thinks it wasn’t easier to lie, and get away with it, before social media, then they are completely deluded. That applies to the PM and to any body else.

I would say it was an acknowledgement as much as a complement that the premise of your argument, social media has changed the landscape, is very peritent and valid.

I think the biggest change is that is has taken away the 'cosiness' between the media, public figurres, politicians whereas you are arguing something slightly different.

Doesn't mean either of us are righter or wronger than the other, nor does it matter, but clearly we both think social media has had a major impact on how the public read - and now for the first time create their own 'news'. I can't think anyone would disagree. Is this a good or a bad thing? Wellll....

There is a reason Johnson's Downing Street created their own Social Media Unit (led by Chloe Wesley from the TA).

[drfchound]

Thanks for the back handed compliment wilts, though I’m not sure that’s what it was. You are right, of course, about social media giving more people access. That in itself accentuates whatever claim is being made.

But, that’s different to my point, which I still stand by. If anyone thinks it wasn’t easier to lie, and get away with it, before social media, then they are completely deluded. That applies to the PM and to any body else.

I would say it was an acknowledgement as much as a complement that the premise of your argument, social media has changed the landscape, is very peritent and valid.

I think the biggest change is that is has taken away the 'cosiness' between the media, public figurres, politicians whereas you are arguing something slightly different.

Doesn't mean either of us are righter or wronger than the other, nor does it matter, but clearly we both think social media has had a major impact on how the public read - and now for the first time create their own 'news'. I can't think anyone would disagree. Is this a good or a bad thing? Wellll....

There is a reason Johnson's Downing Street created their own Social Media Unit (led by Chloe Wesley from the TA).

Common sense prevails.

[Herbert Anchovy]

You could argue that Starmer’s speech was masterly, but not his performance. He trips over his tongue and corrects himself like someone who has no confidence in what he is saying.
He’s a poor orator, and that will cost him votes.

I’m old enough to remember when Michael Foot was leader of the Labour Party. You’d struggle to find any better parliamentary orator than him and yet he took the party to one of its worst ever election defeats.

[belton rover]

I completely agree, Herbert. Though it’s no good speaking like Winston when you’re dressed like Wurzel.

[Herbert Anchovy]

I completely agree, Herbert. Though it’s no good speaking like Winston when you’re dressed like Wurzel.

Aye, that’s true. I don’t think the anorak at the cenotaph helped much.

[selby]

  Boris hit on Stabbers weakness when asking him to name the informants, stopped him dead.

[Bentley Bullet]

Don't knock Michael Foot, he was a leg end.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I see Arlene Foster is the latest person to fall foul of Johnson's lies.

[tyke1962]

Starmer was in his element today and given his legal background so he should be .

Starmer was the prosecuting lawyer with Johnson in the dock fighting for his liberty .

All well and good .

Unfortunately it's about presenting to the electorate as opposition leader that you have the  vision and policies to form the next government .

A busman's holiday once a week in the house is one thing but winning a GE is quite another .

[Filo]

  Boris hit on Stabbers weakness when asking him to name the informants, stopped him dead.

Just keeping his powder dry, timing is everything

[Glyn_Wigley]

You could argue that Starmer’s speech was masterly, but not his performance. He trips over his tongue and corrects himself like someone who has no confidence in what he is saying.
He’s a poor orator, and that will cost him votes.

Didn't seem to harm Joe Biden.

Mind you, he was running against someone incompetent, corrupt and divisive...

[BillyStubbsTears]

And a well known liar Glyn. You missed that bit.

[belton rover]

That’s it then. Starmer can’t possibly lose the next election. Can he?

[Glyn_Wigley]

Losing an election is easy, anybody can do it.

[Herbert Anchovy]

Starmer was in his element today and given his legal background so he should be .

Starmer was the prosecuting lawyer with Johnson in the dock fighting for his liberty .

All well and good .

Unfortunately it's about presenting to the electorate as opposition leader that you have the  vision and policies to form the next government .

A busman's holiday once a week in the house is one thing but winning a GE is quite another .

True. However is now the right time to be launching visions and policies to win a General Election that’s almost 4 years away? Nobody is interested in a vote winning housing policy for example, with everyone’s focus on covid. I think it’s better for Labour to keep their powder dry for now.

[Bentley Bullet]

It's alright keeping your powder dry if you've got something to ignite it with, otherwise there's no point.

[SydneyRover]

Major Sleaze, not a bad moniker from Starmer.

[Bentley Bullet]

Major Sleaze, not a bad moniker from Starmer.

well yes, he does seem to thrive on it.

[SydneyRover]

I thought johnson sounded very familiar in question time, have you been coaching him bb?

[Bentley Bullet]

I have been known to give him a bit of advice on how to address numpties.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Starmer was in his element today and given his legal background so he should be .

Starmer was the prosecuting lawyer with Johnson in the dock fighting for his liberty .

All well and good .

Unfortunately it's about presenting to the electorate as opposition leader that you have the  vision and policies to form the next government .

A busman's holiday once a week in the house is one thing but winning a GE is quite another .

True. However is now the right time to be launching visions and policies to win a General Election that’s almost 4 years away? Nobody is interested in a vote winning housing policy for example, with everyone’s focus on covid. I think it’s better for Labour to keep their powder dry for now.

Absolutely. Oldest truism in politics. Oppositions don't win elections. Governments lose them.

Thatcher didn't win in 1979 because she proclaimed that she was going to double VAT and interest rates and triple unemployment. Callaghan lost the election because of the Winter of Discontent.

Cameron wasn't screaming out for Austerity 4 years before the 2010 election. Labour lost in 2010 because they were blamed for the Great Recession.

Setting out detailed policies in opposition 4 years before an election is a mug's game.

[Bentley Bullet]

There's never been more of a case for that now, especially when we haven't got an opposition party with any policies whatsoever.

[SydneyRover]

I have been known to give him a bit of advice on how to address numpties.

It's strange then that he fell straight into the bear trap