No group speaks with one voice all adults know that.

But then again, if we have to continually make a 'not all' disclaimer it becomes a bit trite.

I think it's fair enough for people to define themselves as variations of the main group. I know someone who calls himself left but doesn't hold with the social stuff. It takes all types and groups that aren't broad churches don't end up doing well.

That said, I don't see that happening. I see things becoming more polarised, not less.

Edited by Stirlingsays (11 Apr 2020 6.27pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Yes and it was wonderful. But if you are sitting down and working on a strategy to win in 2024 you need to ask yourself who can put more activists on the street to do the hard graft?

Alan Johnson is yesterdays man. Good for a sound bite but how many people does he represent? Love or loathe then, Momentum can get people out on the ground.

This is the minefield that Starmer has to negotiate. He might despise Lansman and co with a passion but they are still in Labour and wield real power. And if you lose them, will they slide off or will they form an alternative party? Splitting your voter base even more? My reading of it is that Labour need to keep Momentum and co in the tent so matter how smelly and unpleasant they are.

From what I can ascertain all the noise from the people who supported Corbyn is to remain within Labour.

As I see it the key decision Labour have to face is if they want to focus on holding Putney or winning back Blythe Valley? Because I suspect they cannot do both.

The only reason Labour have continued in its current form is our FPTP electoral system. If we had PR they would have spilt years, possibly decades, ago. Problem was they took the vote up North, much like that did in Scotland, for granted and a modern careerist political class piggy backed on that. I heard it compared to flying Easy Jet in that you might have to sit next to people who you found crass and unpleasant but it was a price worth paying to get you where you wanted at a reasonable price.

Now that's gone. It will never return in its old form ever again. Question for Starmer is if he can accept that and then adapt Labour to that new reality. I suspect he cannot but admit to a huge bias because of his utter moronic stupidity in pushing the idea of a second Brexit referendum as a vote winner.

But time will tell.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

Despite all his blather about national unity and his pledge to put the UK's crisis health interests above political squabbling, Starmer has been only too quick to accuse the Government of making “serious mistakes” in its response to the coronavirus crisis, etc, etc.

He talks the talk but then echoes the same old non-constructive sniping like his predecessor. New leader, same old Labour rubbish.

Nothing is fool-proof - fools are too ingenious

some countries got proportionally more PPE to more health staff and set up a testing scheme fit for purpose in time - we hesitated unduly and Starmer is right to call that out

Starmer was opining about comments made by Matt Hancock and he was mis-representing what Hancock actually said.

Clearly there have been challenges in relation to providing PPE for front-line staff but the Government are doing everything they can at the present time to meet those challenges.

If there are lessons to be learned from other countries then of course they will be heeded.I suspect that other countries will learn from us as well in our overall response to this un-precented crisis.

Question for Starmer is if he can accept that and then adapt Labour to that new reality. I suspect he cannot but admit to a huge bias because of his utter moronic stupidity in pushing the idea of a second Brexit referendum as a vote winner.

2nd ref wasn't policy as a vote winner, he believed in the policy, and the majority of voters voted for parties who wanted remain or 2nd ref, it's the way our system is skewered towards key seats that made opposing brexit a disaster, but I get that the will of the people had been expressed and it can't be over-rided, Starmer gets that now, calling him a moron may make you feel better about yourself but he's a damn sight smarter than either you or I