tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post2064129693216515759..comments2024-03-27T09:14:27.496+00:00Comments on All That Is Solid ...: Keir Starmer's Reluctant OppositionPhilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-8460904042809248872021-03-16T18:39:36.880+00:002021-03-16T18:39:36.880+00:00Blair became Labour leader when the Tories were *a...Blair became Labour leader when the Tories were *already* trailing by double figures in the polls, and despised by almost everyone outside their absolute hardcore vote.<br /><br />Comparing it with where we are now is not just highly simplistic, but - ironically - an instance of left wingers significantly buying into Blair's own myths (that his leadership was "indispensable" to Labour winning in 1997, etc etc)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-37153352360943617962021-03-16T16:43:14.704+00:002021-03-16T16:43:14.704+00:00Sometimes what you see is what you get. You may t...Sometimes what you see is what you get. You may tell yourself that there must be something more, a cunning plan, a long game, a carefully thought through strategy which requires playing a role. But gradually, bit by bit, you begin the slow, sickening realisation that no, Starmer is exactly what he seems. There is no grand plan. It isn't a carefully cultivated facade behind which lurks a true radical. He is exactly what he seems. People talk about the banality of evil, but here we have a case of the evil of banality. Dr Zoltan Jorovicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-55135574152224640722021-03-16T16:35:22.346+00:002021-03-16T16:35:22.346+00:00"It shows that pressure from the left *can* w..."It shows that pressure from the left *can* work". Did you not read the rest of Phil's article? Even if you didn't, it defies belief that anyone could think that the decision to oppose the new police powers has anything to do with pressure from "the left". This level of delusion explains a lot about the state that the Labour party is in. <br /><br />The PLP exists to maintain its own existence - like most institutions and well-established organisations. There are some within it who have higher aims, and actually want to deliver a better society for the majority, but the main drive of the party (as is true of the Tories) is to perpetuate itself. <br /><br />Starmer and his ilk have convinced themselves that this can best be done by positioning themselves as "like them, but nicer". So, when the "general public" (as represented by focus groups, or the popular press - not the actual public you understand) are unhappy about something, Kier is unhappy (or at least, puts on a slight frown). He absolutely, categorically and indisputably does not give a sorry sh*t about what anyone left of just off centre thinks about anything. Phil has realised this, as have I, after giving him the benefit of the doubt for a few months. Although, I suspect we both knew long before, in our hearts, but didn't want to believe it.Dr Zoltan Jorovicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-42036444053907471072021-03-16T15:46:26.040+00:002021-03-16T15:46:26.040+00:00Another good read thanks Phil- looking forward to ...Another good read thanks Phil- looking forward to reading your book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-22384689393756547932021-03-16T10:54:14.150+00:002021-03-16T10:54:14.150+00:00I think this is an excellent analysis. Starmer...I think this is an excellent analysis. Starmer's managerialism and bureaucracy are his core political beliefs. He doesn't believe in a mass party or in mass activity. For so many, the Corbyn years were everything they hate and despise about politics so they are determined to eradicate all traces of it.<br /><br />It is interesting to contrast it with Blair, who then (not now) would have been roasting the Tories. And I am most certainly not a Blairite!!<br />Jon Hegertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05053073261808592223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-87774505894430832402021-03-16T10:08:33.332+00:002021-03-16T10:08:33.332+00:00I don't quite follow David Walsh's logic. ...I don't quite follow David Walsh's logic. Cressida Dick is a Commissioner in Priti Patel's own image: defensive, incurious & an instinctive supporter of the status quo. All she is lacking is the political gloss of public spite & antagonism.<br /><br />As for anonymous's idea that Starmer has bowed to pressure from the left, his volte face is entirely down to the negative reaction of the liberal press. It has nothing to do with the left. David Timoneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03568348438980023320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-49040198947010213682021-03-16T08:53:39.879+00:002021-03-16T08:53:39.879+00:00To anonymous:
"Yet, it's not enough to c...To anonymous:<br /><br />"Yet, it's not enough to condemn, it behoves the left to understand so we know where the pressure points are, the trajectories of "Starmerism", and how in the future Keir's leadership will prove itself a blockage."Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06298147857234479278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-67985159792091456622021-03-16T07:31:41.959+00:002021-03-16T07:31:41.959+00:00It’s more interesting to compare him with Blair th...It’s more interesting to compare him with Blair than Corbyn, given his support base in the party. Tony would have been unrelenting in his attacks on the government.SimonBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-65451251598128946932021-03-16T00:53:57.723+00:002021-03-16T00:53:57.723+00:00I'm afraid this comes across as rather "i...I'm afraid this comes across as rather "its not enough for the party leadership to do the right thing - their motives also have to be TOTALLY PURE" - which is, of course, exactly the way that centrists often used to talk about Corbyn (especially, but by no means only, when it came to Brexit)<br /><br />No, we should be pleased that Starmer and co are doing the right thing on this - not complacent, and ever vigilant, but pleased nonetheless. It shows that pressure on them from the left *can* work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486641877026778105.post-23565784961589950112021-03-15T23:53:53.798+00:002021-03-15T23:53:53.798+00:00"And we know this goes against the grain of h..."And we know this goes against the grain of his instincts because he refuses, as the barest minimum, to call on Cressida Dick to take responsibility and resign." It might be, because he sees it obvious, as I do, that were this to happen, it would be like all her Christmases coming for at once, allowing Pritti Patel to get down to appointing a Commmissioner in her own imagedavid walshnoreply@blogger.com