Sir Keir Starmer

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I’ve enjoyed Malta for holidays but couldn’t live there. Over several holidays spanning 20 years it became overpopulated and the traffic too much for my liking. Love the history and the architecture. I’d image Tigne Point is a special place to live as it’s the only area I’m aware of that is traffic-free.

I’m a lower rate tax payer…but still feel that I get out a lot less than I pay in. Majority of my income comes from rental properties, which I maintain myself and don’t use a letting agent….which rules out moving away from the UK. It’s essentially tied me, unintentionally, to staying in the same city.

I’ve seen the Tories and now Labour, continuously attack the private rental sector and put in place policies that then drive up rental prices and make landlords feel the investment is too much of a risk, imposing standards that aren’t also imposed on the social sector. That’s fine…if there intention was to obliterate the private rent sector…but what they haven’t done is replace it for those who have relied on it for housing…where is all this new social housing being built?

Capital Gains Tax is another of their scams. If I put £100k into a property, do some work and make £40k profit, it’s now being suggested that Labour expect 40% of that in CGT (£16k)…for doing precisely no work and for taking no risk. It’s a complete scam and legal theft. Yet…if I invested £100k and made a £40k loss, I don’t get any money from the government. It’s like they just get a profit share from others people’s risks with no investment.

And what would I get for having paid £16k? Precisely nothing in return.

If I leave a property empty for more than 30 days between tenancies they have the audacity to charge council tax…to punish the landlord…they want us to take any random person at short notice rather than take the time to secure a decent paying tenant.

I needed to move closer to my elderly parents a while ago, they need me to visit every day now to help out…so it seemed logical to cut out the car journey and move to their neighbourhood…I was charged £8k in stamp duty for the audacity of deciding to move house!
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But back to Keir Starmer. I’m wondering on his choice of Angela Rayner for housing minister and deputy PM. I’ve looked at her history…this is a woman who left school with no qualifications, her only work experience was in a care home wiping backsides and now she is the minister in charge of housebuilding and social housing and tasked with understanding the economics of such a huge issue…a person who doesn’t have a maths GCSE. You couldn’t make up the stupidly of that appointment. Is there no-one in the Labour Party that has worked a couple of years as a town planner, house builder, housing officer etc? Someone with some actual experience? Her main ‘qualification’ that seems to be listed is that she once did a course in sign language.

I’m confused at how someone who has no real qualifications or experience at running any kind of business or association can end up deputy leader of an entire country. She only entered politics in 2015, so that’s one hell of a rise through the ranks as well.

Also not liking the appointment of Jess Philips, the violence against women and girls is a worthy cause, but it should be pushed alongside improving the situation for men who are victims of violence and who are the victims of false accusations. She seems completely one-sided on her agenda and also very smug and pleased with herself all the time. Pushing it as purely an issue of violence of men towards women…which is what she appears to have been appointed to focus on, has the potential to increase misandrist behaviour and false accusations. It’s going back to the #believeallwomen idea.

There is just also something very unlikeable about both Angela and Jess, something I can’t quite put my finger on. I feel like they are total witches or ‘ladettes’ behind the scenes in some way. I wonder if Keir has appointment them because he can steer them how he chooses and they aren’t a threat to him. Boris made a mistake with Rishi, I think Keir is making sure his closest deputies don’t have the power to outsmart him in a similar way.
 
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Eye_Spy said:
I’ve enjoyed Malta for holidays but couldn’t live there. Over several holidays spanning 20 years it became overpopulated and the traffic too much for my liking. Love the history and the architecture. I’d image Tigne Point is a special place to live as it’s the only area I’m aware of that is traffic-free.

I’m a lower rate tax payer…but still feel that I get out a lot less than I pay in. Majority of my income comes from rental properties, which I maintain myself and don’t use a letting agent….which rules out moving away from the UK. It’s essentially tied me, unintentionally, to staying in the same city.

I’ve seen the Tories and now Labour, continuously attack the private rental sector and put in place policies that then drive up rental prices and make landlords feel the investment is too much of a risk, imposing standards that aren’t also imposed on the social sector. That’s fine…if there intention was to obliterate the private rent sector…but what they haven’t done is replace it for those who have relied on it for housing…where is all this new social housing being built?

Capital Gains Tax is another of their scams. If I put £100k into a property, do some work and make £40k profit, it’s now being suggested that Labour expect 40% of that in CGT (£16k)…for doing precisely no work and for taking no risk. It’s a complete scam and legal theft. Yet…if I invested £100k and made a £40k loss, I don’t get any money from the government. It’s like they just get a profit share from others people’s risks with no investment.

And what would I get for having paid £16k? Precisely nothing in return.

If I leave a property empty for more than 30 days between tenancies they have the audacity to charge council tax…to punish the landlord…they want us to take any random person at short notice rather than take the time to secure a decent paying tenant.

I needed to move closer to my elderly parents a while ago, they need me to visit every day now to help out…so it seemed logical to cut out the car journey and move to their neighbourhood…I was charged £8k in stamp duty for the audacity of deciding to move house!
---
But back to Keir Starmer. I’m wondering on his choice of Angela Rayner for housing minister and deputy PM. I’ve looked at her history…this is a woman who left school with no qualifications, her only work experience was in a care home wiping backsides and now she is the minister in charge of housebuilding and social housing and tasked with understanding the economics of such a huge issue…a person who doesn’t have a maths GCSE. You couldn’t make up the stupidly of that appointment. Is there no-one in the Labour Party that has worked a couple of years as a town planner, house builder, housing officer etc? Someone with some actual experience? Her main ‘qualification’ that seems to be listed is that she once did a course in sign language.

I’m confused at how someone who has no real qualifications or experience at running any kind of business or association can end up deputy leader of an entire country. She only entered politics in 2015, so that’s one hell of a rise through the ranks as well.

Also not liking the appointment of Jess Philips, the violence against women and girls is a worthy cause, but it should be pushed alongside improving the situation for men who are victims of violence and who are the victims of false accusations. She seems completely one-sided on her agenda and also very smug and pleased with herself all the time. Pushing it as purely an issue of violence of men towards women…which is what she appears to have been appointed to focus on, has the potential to increase misandrist behaviour and false accusations. It’s going back to the #believeallwomen idea.

There is just also something very unlikeable about both Angela and Jess, something I can’t quite put my finger on. I feel like they are total witches or ‘ladettes’ behind the scenes in some way. I wonder if Keir has appointment them because he can steer them how he chooses and they aren’t a threat to him. Boris made a mistake with Rishi, I think Keir is making sure his closest deputies don’t have the power to outsmart him in a similar way.
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Absolutely agree.
 
Rayner has got in with the far left and the only reason she’s DPM is appease them. Remember her unhinged “TORY SCUM” rant that was recorded at conference? That type of thing appeals to the Unions and Momentum types but it doesn’t appeal to centrists which is what Starmer needs to do. If she fucks up and gives him a reason I’m sure he’ll be very happy to get rid of her.
 
Eye_Spy said:
I’m confused at how someone who has no real qualifications or experience at running any kind of business or association can end up deputy leader of an entire country. She only entered politics in 2015, so that’s one hell of a rise through the ranks as well.

Also not liking the appointment of Jess Philips, the violence against women and girls is a worthy cause, but it should be pushed alongside improving the situation for men who are victims of violence and who are the victims of false accusations. She seems completely one-sided on her agenda and also very smug and pleased with herself all the time. Pushing it as purely an issue of violence of men towards women…which is what she appears to have been appointed to focus on, has the potential to increase misandrist behaviour and false accusations. It’s going back to the #believeallwomen idea.
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What an interesting post, thanks. One problem we seem to have nowadays is 'calling people out', like you did with Angela Rayner and Jess. You make perfectly fair and valid criticisms, but if you were to appear on one of these pointless politics programmes on TV and say what you have you'd be accused of being sexist, or being a bully etc. etc. :rolleyes:
 
Eye_Spy said:
I’ve enjoyed Malta for holidays but couldn’t live there. Over several holidays spanning 20 years it became overpopulated and the traffic too much for my liking. Love the history and the architecture. I’d image Tigne Point is a special place to live as it’s the only area I’m aware of that is traffic-free.

I’m a lower rate tax payer…but still feel that I get out a lot less than I pay in. Majority of my income comes from rental properties, which I maintain myself and don’t use a letting agent….which rules out moving away from the UK. It’s essentially tied me, unintentionally, to staying in the same city.

I’ve seen the Tories and now Labour, continuously attack the private rental sector and put in place policies that then drive up rental prices and make landlords feel the investment is too much of a risk, imposing standards that aren’t also imposed on the social sector. That’s fine…if there intention was to obliterate the private rent sector…but what they haven’t done is replace it for those who have relied on it for housing…where is all this new social housing being built?

Capital Gains Tax is another of their scams. If I put £100k into a property, do some work and make £40k profit, it’s now being suggested that Labour expect 40% of that in CGT (£16k)…for doing precisely no work and for taking no risk. It’s a complete scam and legal theft. Yet…if I invested £100k and made a £40k loss, I don’t get any money from the government. It’s like they just get a profit share from others people’s risks with no investment.

And what would I get for having paid £16k? Precisely nothing in return.

If I leave a property empty for more than 30 days between tenancies they have the audacity to charge council tax…to punish the landlord…they want us to take any random person at short notice rather than take the time to secure a decent paying tenant.

I needed to move closer to my elderly parents a while ago, they need me to visit every day now to help out…so it seemed logical to cut out the car journey and move to their neighbourhood…I was charged £8k in stamp duty for the audacity of deciding to move house!
---
But back to Keir Starmer. I’m wondering on his choice of Angela Rayner for housing minister and deputy PM. I’ve looked at her history…this is a woman who left school with no qualifications, her only work experience was in a care home wiping backsides and now she is the minister in charge of housebuilding and social housing and tasked with understanding the economics of such a huge issue…a person who doesn’t have a maths GCSE. You couldn’t make up the stupidly of that appointment. Is there no-one in the Labour Party that has worked a couple of years as a town planner, house builder, housing officer etc? Someone with some actual experience? Her main ‘qualification’ that seems to be listed is that she once did a course in sign language.

I’m confused at how someone who has no real qualifications or experience at running any kind of business or association can end up deputy leader of an entire country. She only entered politics in 2015, so that’s one hell of a rise through the ranks as well.

Also not liking the appointment of Jess Philips, the violence against women and girls is a worthy cause, but it should be pushed alongside improving the situation for men who are victims of violence and who are the victims of false accusations. She seems completely one-sided on her agenda and also very smug and pleased with herself all the time. Pushing it as purely an issue of violence of men towards women…which is what she appears to have been appointed to focus on, has the potential to increase misandrist behaviour and false accusations. It’s going back to the #believeallwomen idea.

There is just also something very unlikeable about both Angela and Jess, something I can’t quite put my finger on. I feel like they are total witches or ‘ladettes’ behind the scenes in some way. I wonder if Keir has appointment them because he can steer them how he chooses and they aren’t a threat to him. Boris made a mistake with Rishi, I think Keir is making sure his closest deputies don’t have the power to outsmart him in a similar way.
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Starmer didn't appoint Angela Rayner as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party - that post is elected by party members.
 
And also it’s very difficult to moan about MP’s and cabinet members in either Labour or Conservative parties who have been through private education, are rich/privileged etc and never did a proper job but then also moan about someone like Rayner who’s origin story is (at face value) different.
Let’s not get it too twisted though, after leaving school at 16 and working as a carer for the council she was a Unison rep within 10 years and no doubt had her snout in the member funded trough from then on. She’s a chav and grifting comes naturally.
I can’t stand her.
 
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PeteM said:
Are there any politicians that you support? Genuine question.
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a good question. I struggle to name any! I had high hopes for Rishi…on the basis that he seemed to have the financial experience needed to address the economy which I feel is the primary issue. Yet…he turned out to be a flounderer and out of his depth. It was a shame as well because to my awareness he was the first ethnic minority PM, yet he didn’t bring any new culture into the job or make any progress on c. I liked Boris…but for his entertainment value rather than his politics, although I was impressed with him when he was hospitalised with serious covid he did get himself back to work very quicklyThought Teresa May was a solid PM overall…but she lacks the personality to be popular with the public.

As a for Kier Starmer, he’s a bit one-dimensional and not sure he’s up to the job, he’s struggling in debates with Rishi in opposition and he’s not even a particularly strong opponent (his skill is more sneakiness I’d say).

Conservatives made a big mistake with Liz Truss, I think they should have given the PM job to Pritti Patel at that point, she’s got a bit of character and a significant proportion of the public would have gotten behind her (and many would have hated her in equal measure but that division would have helped her).

Find it odd that it’s so difficult to find someone with personality, debate skills and a solid policy framework. Just look at the US…bringing back Donald Trump who just wants the status of being president and is essentially a standup comedian and then Kamala Harris who wants to be “unburdened by what has been” who is just a campaign doll to get a woman of colour in the job. Joe Biden is even worse than both of them put together, the man struggles to string a sentence together and yet no-one can ask him to do any cognitive testing to prove he is capable of running one of the most powerful nations in the world.

I’m pleased Johnny Mercer lost, he’s local to me, and he did nothing for the city and essentially was just a tv personality.

He doesn’t get mentioned much nationally, but I do like Luke Pollard (Labour), he has a shopfront office in the city centre here and he is regularly there meeting with local people…he’s very accessible to his constituents. Not sure how well he actually performs…but he does appear to be doing the job for the right reasons…which is more than can be said for the likes of Johnny Mercer.
 
Eye_Spy said:
a good question. I struggle to name any! I had high hopes for Rishi…on the basis that he seemed to have the financial experience needed to address the economy which I feel is the primary issue. Yet…he turned out to be a flounderer and out of his depth. It was a shame as well because to my awareness he was the first ethnic minority PM, yet he didn’t bring any new culture into the job or make any progress on c. I liked Boris…but for his entertainment value rather than his politics, although I was impressed with him when he was hospitalised with serious covid he did get himself back to work very quicklyThought Teresa May was a solid PM overall…but she lacks the personality to be popular with the public.

As a for Kier Starmer, he’s a bit one-dimensional and not sure he’s up to the job, he’s struggling in debates with Rishi in opposition and he’s not even a particularly strong opponent (his skill is more sneakiness I’d say).

Conservatives made a big mistake with Liz Truss, I think they should have given the PM job to Pritti Patel at that point, she’s got a bit of character and a significant proportion of the public would have gotten behind her (and many would have hated her in equal measure but that division would have helped her).

Find it odd that it’s so difficult to find someone with personality, debate skills and a solid policy framework. Just look at the US…bringing back Donald Trump who just wants the status of being president and is essentially a standup comedian and then Kamala Harris who wants to be “unburdened by what has been” who is just a campaign doll to get a woman of colour in the job. Joe Biden is even worse than both of them put together, the man struggles to string a sentence together and yet no-one can ask him to do any cognitive testing to prove he is capable of running one of the most powerful nations in the world.

I’m pleased Johnny Mercer lost, he’s local to me, and he did nothing for the city and essentially was just a tv personality.

He doesn’t get mentioned much nationally, but I do like Luke Pollard (Labour), he has a shopfront office in the city centre here and he is regularly there meeting with local people…he’s very accessible to his constituents. Not sure how well he actually performs…but he does appear to be doing the job for the right reasons…which is more than can be said for the likes of Johnny Mercer.
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I absolutely disagree with your analysis of Sunak, Patel, Johnson etc, but you’re spot on about Luke Pollard. I’ve got family in Plymouth and once the delight that the absolute turd Johnny Mercer had been turfed out wore off, it seems that they’ve actually got themselves the rarest of things, a genuinely decent MP.
 
Eye_Spy said:
a good question. I struggle to name any! I had high hopes for Rishi…on the basis that he seemed to have the financial experience needed to address the economy which I feel is the primary issue. Yet…he turned out to be a flounderer and out of his depth. It was a shame as well because to my awareness he was the first ethnic minority PM, yet he didn’t bring any new culture into the job or make any progress on c. I liked Boris…but for his entertainment value rather than his politics, although I was impressed with him when he was hospitalised with serious covid he did get himself back to work very quicklyThought Teresa May was a solid PM overall…but she lacks the personality to be popular with the public.

As a for Kier Starmer, he’s a bit one-dimensional and not sure he’s up to the job, he’s struggling in debates with Rishi in opposition and he’s not even a particularly strong opponent (his skill is more sneakiness I’d say).

Conservatives made a big mistake with Liz Truss, I think they should have given the PM job to Pritti Patel at that point, she’s got a bit of character and a significant proportion of the public would have gotten behind her (and many would have hated her in equal measure but that division would have helped her).

Find it odd that it’s so difficult to find someone with personality, debate skills and a solid policy framework. Just look at the US…bringing back Donald Trump who just wants the status of being president and is essentially a standup comedian and then Kamala Harris who wants to be “unburdened by what has been” who is just a campaign doll to get a woman of colour in the job. Joe Biden is even worse than both of them put together, the man struggles to string a sentence together and yet no-one can ask him to do any cognitive testing to prove he is capable of running one of the most powerful nations in the world.

I’m pleased Johnny Mercer lost, he’s local to me, and he did nothing for the city and essentially was just a tv personality.

He doesn’t get mentioned much nationally, but I do like Luke Pollard (Labour), he has a shopfront office in the city centre here and he is regularly there meeting with local people…he’s very accessible to his constituents. Not sure how well he actually performs…but he does appear to be doing the job for the right reasons…which is more than can be said for the likes of Johnny Mercer.
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Isn't Theresa May's legacy marred by her inability to deliver Brexit and calling a general election which reduced their majority meaning they had to be propped up by the DUP?
 
HelloStereo said:
Isn't Theresa May's legacy marred by her inability to deliver Brexit and calling a general election which reduced their majority meaning they had to be propped up by the DUP?
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Not to mention her attitude to Windrush and her hostile bleeping environment. Vile woman. She just doesn’t look as bad as she should because of the parade of psychopaths who came after her.
 
Keir clearly hates Angela.

She's different to the usual types that have made it high in politics, but not objectively any better as she is still lacking the life experience to govern at a high level.

I wish they would stop box ticking in politics and concentrate on getting competent people.
 
TheShire said:
I wish they would stop box ticking in politics and concentrate on getting competent people.
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I don't think competent people are drawn to politics anymore are they? A few of them seem to just want to be on television and be some sort of minor celebrity, other's see it as a bit of a grift and a way to line their pockets, some just like the feeling of having a little bit of power, some are mired with some sort of ideology/agenda they want to push. I'd like to think that the competent people work behind the scenes and we don't actually see them ... at least I bloody hope so! :ROFLMAO:
 
Ndrangheta said:
I don't think competent people are drawn to politics anymore are they? A few of them seem to just want to be on television and be some sort of minor celebrity, other's see it as a bit of a grift and a way to line their pockets, some just like the feeling of having a little bit of power, some are mired with some sort of ideology/agenda they want to push. I'd like to think that the competent people work behind the scenes and we don't actually see them ... at least I bloody hope so! :ROFLMAO:
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This government is basically a new season of The Apprentice, unfortunately it lasts five years and there's no Alan Sugar to boot them off each week. But their lack of work/life experience, poor decision making, inability to work as a team, and hunger for fame above all else is right on a par with the muppets that have appeared on that show in recent years.

If twit Hancock hadn't already been on I'm A Celebrity, I'd half expect this cabinet to gleefully show up on there next month.
 
Eye_Spy said:
I’ve enjoyed Malta for holidays but couldn’t live there. Over several holidays spanning 20 years it became overpopulated and the traffic too much for my liking. Love the history and the architecture. I’d image Tigne Point is a special place to live as it’s the only area I’m aware of that is traffic-free.

I’m a lower rate tax payer…but still feel that I get out a lot less than I pay in. Majority of my income comes from rental properties, which I maintain myself and don’t use a letting agent….which rules out moving away from the UK. It’s essentially tied me, unintentionally, to staying in the same city.
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Yes those are some of the main downsides to Malta. But I've planned my life about being able to walk to most things I need and work from home so can plan to only go around the island during the quieter times. I can't say I'd recommend a holiday here during the peak times! I feel like everywhere in the world has got so much busier, driving stopped being fun a long time ago.

But I'm only here on a year by year basis and its pretty easy to move to wherever else when I fancy. Cyprus, Thailand, Vietnam, Georgia etc

The government know that most people aren't mobile so wont ever move, but if 70% of tax comes from the top 10% tax payers and even just a few percent of these move then that's big problems for the government. Tax was already at a really high level and it's going to go up again. I feel like rasing it more will bring in less money. I know highly paid medical professionals who now only do 3 days a week as it's not worth the extra stress to work anymore and have so much more of a % of income taxed.

I will probably be back in the UK eventually as lots of the complaints people have are the same the world over and there's no country that has it all sorted. But it's fun to at least live in a few different countries to weigh up what offers me the most.
 
Theodore said:
And also it’s very difficult to moan about MP’s and cabinet members in either Labour or Conservative parties who have been through private education, are rich/privileged etc and never did a proper job but then also moan about someone like Rayner who’s origin story is (at face value) different.
Let’s not get it too twisted though, after leaving school at 16 and working as a carer for the council she was a Unison rep within 10 years and no doubt had her snout in the member funded trough from then on. She’s a chav and grifting comes naturally.
I can’t stand her.
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Angela is nothing more than Vicki Pollard in a suit.

"So Angela, what do you think about cuts to the winter fuel payment for pensioners?"

tumblr_mt4boaZW5A1r42stoo1_500.gif
 
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