During the PMQs exchange itself, and when Starmer spoke briefly to Elliott Colburn afterwards, the difference between the PM and LotO was pretty clear to me. I may sometimes disapprove of Starmer's approach to leadership and disagree with some of Labours recent policy announcements, but today he came across as a fundamentally decent sort who wants to do the right thing. Strangely, it wasn't his polished and well-rehearsed lines that really stuck with me this time: it was that moment when the awfulness of Sunak's retorts forced him off-script and left him speechless. The shaking of the head and the incredulous "shame!" might not have been the sharp one-liners that he'd planned when prepping for the day's session, but it was genuine and relatable. It's rather sad that the big standout moment of the day is when a political figure comes across as a reasonable person with a reasonable reaction to something, but here we are.
It is clear that Sunak just cannot help himself. What he says reflects who he really is. Deeply unpleasant, arrogant, entitled, bigoted, cynical and utterly disconnected from any sense of humanity.
Whatever criticisms might be levelled at Starmer for the party's apparent lack of ambition, I have no doubt that he is a far better human being than the disgrace who sits opposite him.
Meanwhile, today's Tories will leap to Sunak's defence, reflecting the values they all now share.
Very well put. That was shocking. Sunak continues to sink to new lows almost daily at this point. Inanity and vacuousness where a moral compass should be, not to mention his utter lack of a political one
Thank you for this. No one can ever say 'They're all the same' or ' I'm not voting Labour because' This immoral coward who's wealth protects him from the damage his Government does must be removed from office at the next election and his party must be reduced to a tiny rump. They're a stain on the country. I note that not a single 'one nation' Tory has called this out. They've all empty husks with their snouts in the trough. I despise them all.
The whole situation fills me with anger but also deep sadness
Anger at a reckless government and successive leaders who seem to show utter contempt for most of the people they are meant to support guide & lead
I’m angry at this current leader who is narcissistic
Betting on lives , making fun of a young person who has been murdered he sinks lower & lower not fit to lead a nation that is sinking and lacks humility & empathy
My sadness is for the public lead by this disconnected arrogant group
And for a mother losing a child who had to witness this total disregard & disrespect for a lost life the life of her child
Starmer may not be the shiny loud star making ridiculous unattainable promises some seem to want but he is a decent human and that is what is needed decency and a steady focused individual at the helm as there are rough waters ahead before any calm water appears
I only hope people can see this for where the place is currently being steered is dangerous & disastrous for most
I watched the clip and I can honestly say that I believe Starmer’s reaction was absolutely genuine. You could see he was actually lost for words. Then when he went over to the Tory MP who had been honest about his own experiences, the difference between PM and LOTO was pretty obvious.
I’d just like to thank you Ian for your efforts, for wading sometimes neck deep into the cesspool that is our current government, for having to listen to the bile, idiocy and hypocrisy day after day on our behalf.
As for today’s comments by the vacuous mobs current spokes idiot I am unsurprised just saddened that this is what passes for political discourse 🥺😭😤
I also haven't told Hubs yet (he's also not on Twitter or Bluesky). I just can't bring myself to tell it. To think this craven vacuum of a man is in charge (even nominally) fills me with shame. To think this party might be re-elected, with a likely Trump presidency across the water, fills me with absolute dread.
Sunak reeks of privilege - not in the Johnson entitlement sense or righteousness of Truss more a sort of I am cleverer than everyone else kind. Immature privilege. Born no doubt from private schooling, honed in the soulless empty moral vacuum of high finance and cemented by unimaginable wealth. His privilege won’t have been challenged much and now, promoted way beyond his skills, he flails around scoring pathetic points sadly led by his parties and his own worst instincts. He is quickly pushing for the worst PM in what has recently become a crowded field and I can definitely say he is in with a shout for world champion small man syndrome 2024. What he won’t win is a general election. So he can scuttle off to the US and win arguments with an AI robot he programmed.
They’re like the living embodiment of the Peter Priciple. Every single one of them is promoted above their level of ability, and Sunak is, perhaps the worst because it comes as a shock after he presented himself as Mr Integrity. Ugh.
Thank you for putting this into words Ian. I was as lost for words as Starmer when Sunak spewed out his pathetic pre-rehearsed list of utter bollocks. I live in France and Macron isn’t perfect, but my God he would never have said anything so completely despicable. They are more or less the same age and have been in politics for about the same amount of time so we can’t keep making excuses for Sunak. Basically, even if Esther Ghey haven’t been in the chamber what he said was utterly vile and unforgivable. The fact that she was there just made it unconscionably awful.
Really well expressed. Sunak’s behaviour today was appalling. Did he just forget that Brianna’s mother was in the gallery? And when you get Kemi Badenoch wading in to rescue you after the event, you really are in trouble.
Sunak doesn’t perceive humanity of equal value in any but a narrow cabal of fellow overgrown 14 year old boys. The recent repulsive fawning over Elon Musk…then the revolting absence of any hint of pain after the murder of a child by other children. Real “know your place, plebs!” stuff.
During the PMQs exchange itself, and when Starmer spoke briefly to Elliott Colburn afterwards, the difference between the PM and LotO was pretty clear to me. I may sometimes disapprove of Starmer's approach to leadership and disagree with some of Labours recent policy announcements, but today he came across as a fundamentally decent sort who wants to do the right thing. Strangely, it wasn't his polished and well-rehearsed lines that really stuck with me this time: it was that moment when the awfulness of Sunak's retorts forced him off-script and left him speechless. The shaking of the head and the incredulous "shame!" might not have been the sharp one-liners that he'd planned when prepping for the day's session, but it was genuine and relatable. It's rather sad that the big standout moment of the day is when a political figure comes across as a reasonable person with a reasonable reaction to something, but here we are.
Thank you for saying everything I wanted and needed to express about this.
It is clear that Sunak just cannot help himself. What he says reflects who he really is. Deeply unpleasant, arrogant, entitled, bigoted, cynical and utterly disconnected from any sense of humanity.
Whatever criticisms might be levelled at Starmer for the party's apparent lack of ambition, I have no doubt that he is a far better human being than the disgrace who sits opposite him.
Meanwhile, today's Tories will leap to Sunak's defence, reflecting the values they all now share.
Very well put. That was shocking. Sunak continues to sink to new lows almost daily at this point. Inanity and vacuousness where a moral compass should be, not to mention his utter lack of a political one
Thank you for this. No one can ever say 'They're all the same' or ' I'm not voting Labour because' This immoral coward who's wealth protects him from the damage his Government does must be removed from office at the next election and his party must be reduced to a tiny rump. They're a stain on the country. I note that not a single 'one nation' Tory has called this out. They've all empty husks with their snouts in the trough. I despise them all.
The whole situation fills me with anger but also deep sadness
Anger at a reckless government and successive leaders who seem to show utter contempt for most of the people they are meant to support guide & lead
I’m angry at this current leader who is narcissistic
Betting on lives , making fun of a young person who has been murdered he sinks lower & lower not fit to lead a nation that is sinking and lacks humility & empathy
My sadness is for the public lead by this disconnected arrogant group
And for a mother losing a child who had to witness this total disregard & disrespect for a lost life the life of her child
Starmer may not be the shiny loud star making ridiculous unattainable promises some seem to want but he is a decent human and that is what is needed decency and a steady focused individual at the helm as there are rough waters ahead before any calm water appears
I only hope people can see this for where the place is currently being steered is dangerous & disastrous for most
I watched the clip and I can honestly say that I believe Starmer’s reaction was absolutely genuine. You could see he was actually lost for words. Then when he went over to the Tory MP who had been honest about his own experiences, the difference between PM and LOTO was pretty obvious.
I’d just like to thank you Ian for your efforts, for wading sometimes neck deep into the cesspool that is our current government, for having to listen to the bile, idiocy and hypocrisy day after day on our behalf.
As for today’s comments by the vacuous mobs current spokes idiot I am unsurprised just saddened that this is what passes for political discourse 🥺😭😤
100%, every word. They have to be driven out or the country is lost.
I also haven't told Hubs yet (he's also not on Twitter or Bluesky). I just can't bring myself to tell it. To think this craven vacuum of a man is in charge (even nominally) fills me with shame. To think this party might be re-elected, with a likely Trump presidency across the water, fills me with absolute dread.
Sunak reeks of privilege - not in the Johnson entitlement sense or righteousness of Truss more a sort of I am cleverer than everyone else kind. Immature privilege. Born no doubt from private schooling, honed in the soulless empty moral vacuum of high finance and cemented by unimaginable wealth. His privilege won’t have been challenged much and now, promoted way beyond his skills, he flails around scoring pathetic points sadly led by his parties and his own worst instincts. He is quickly pushing for the worst PM in what has recently become a crowded field and I can definitely say he is in with a shout for world champion small man syndrome 2024. What he won’t win is a general election. So he can scuttle off to the US and win arguments with an AI robot he programmed.
They’re like the living embodiment of the Peter Priciple. Every single one of them is promoted above their level of ability, and Sunak is, perhaps the worst because it comes as a shock after he presented himself as Mr Integrity. Ugh.
Thank you for putting this into words Ian. I was as lost for words as Starmer when Sunak spewed out his pathetic pre-rehearsed list of utter bollocks. I live in France and Macron isn’t perfect, but my God he would never have said anything so completely despicable. They are more or less the same age and have been in politics for about the same amount of time so we can’t keep making excuses for Sunak. Basically, even if Esther Ghey haven’t been in the chamber what he said was utterly vile and unforgivable. The fact that she was there just made it unconscionably awful.
Really well expressed. Sunak’s behaviour today was appalling. Did he just forget that Brianna’s mother was in the gallery? And when you get Kemi Badenoch wading in to rescue you after the event, you really are in trouble.
Sunak doesn’t perceive humanity of equal value in any but a narrow cabal of fellow overgrown 14 year old boys. The recent repulsive fawning over Elon Musk…then the revolting absence of any hint of pain after the murder of a child by other children. Real “know your place, plebs!” stuff.
It’s from the same political style as the US Republicans and the BJP in India. Unpleasant.
That kind of language shouldn't be on their lips at any time, regardless of who is currently within earshot