Keir Starmer, Wes Streeting, Labour – all useless. Vote Green/Independent?
Keir Starmer and his shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting provided ample examples of reasons not to vote for their Labour Party during the Sunday morning media round today (January 14, 2024).
I doubt I even have to provide much commentary on the following. It speaks for itself.
Here’s Starmer on why he supported attacking one of the world’s poorest countries:
The Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea put the lives of British civilians and military personnel in danger.
It is right that Britain plays its part in deterring them.https://t.co/UufX2WMc4U
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 14, 2024
Here’s a response that puts his words in context:
You know when the media say “Iran-backed Houthis” and “Iran-backed Hezbollah”?
Israel should be called “US and UK backed Israel”.
And if Keir Starmer is interviewed he should be called the “pro-Israel lobby funded Labour leader”.
In the interests of fairness.
— Rachael Swindon (@Rachael_Swindon) January 12, 2024
Starmer’s support for the attack represents a massive u-turn in his own personal commitments – as Laura Kuenssberg pointed out to him. His response was beyond parody:
#BBCLauraK plays Starmer a clip of him when he was running to be leader, saying he would pass legislation requiring MP's to give their consent before the govt takes any military action.
KS says there is no inconsistency with him now supporting the bombing of Yemen without a vote pic.twitter.com/cH4NcBxqvM
— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) January 14, 2024
So, in Keir Starmer’s world, air strikes are not military operations. This may explain why he has not condemned Israel’s carpet-bombing of Gaza that has killed so many thousands of men, women and children.
Here’s Starmer on why his use of a private, highly-polluting plane is perfectly reasonable and Rishi Sunak doing exactly the same is outrageous:
“I wanted to take that opportunity to have that one-to-one discussion with the Emir [of Qatar]”
Labour leader Keir Starmer says there’s a difference between his use of a private plane and Rishi Sunak “using private jets to jet around England”#BBCLauraK https://t.co/U2sjpDpBfW pic.twitter.com/CqMjT7d1Wm
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) January 14, 2024
So he’s happy to pollute, even when there are scheduled flights, and even when a telephone conversation would probably be perfectly appropriate. Now we know.
Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski made the facts clear for us all:
Keir Starmer tries to defend his private jet use.
In the total tradition of the Tories, it's one rule for Labour and another rule for everyone else.
Don't trust them on climate – or anything important – for a second.#BBCLauraK
— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) January 14, 2024
Closer to home, Starmer showed that he fully supports the Tory government’s persecution of refugees and asylum-seekers:
Disturbing to hear Sir Keir – yet again – echo the right’s talking points re immigration: "We've lost control of our borders and we need to do something to stop the boats."
I want to hear Labour talking about safe & legal routes. And our pride in offering safe asylum. #bbclaurak pic.twitter.com/jRs7OrVxXr
— JOHN NICOLSON M.P. (@MrJohnNicolson) January 14, 2024
Streeting supported Starmer – and the Tories – when he was interviewed by Trevor Phillips:
There's no reason to vote Labour.
Their policies are those of the government. https://t.co/5na3t8E7SZ— andy peacock (@AndyPeacock999) January 14, 2024
Streeting also defended Starmer’s u-turn on having Parliamentary votes before military action:
"Sir Keir, when he ran for Labour leader, he said this, he'd never back military action abroad without a parliamentary vote. Whats changed?"
Wes Streeting said thats not what Starmer envisaged. #trevorphillips pic.twitter.com/cmLj1kUVZZ
— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) January 14, 2024
Streeting is a member of Labour Friends of Israel. Here he is, explaining why he doesn’t want to pay attention to the genocide hearings at the International Court of Justice (notice his about-turn on calls for an Israel/Gaza ceasefire):
Needless to say, Wes Streeting is a member of Labour Friends of Israel. https://t.co/56U4ypte1y
— Frank Owen's Legendary Paintbrush🥀🇵🇸🇾🇪 (@OwenPaintbrush) January 14, 2024
Meanwhile, Starmer’s party is losing the support of its own elected representatives because of its determination to stand with genocidal Israel:
I have huge respect for my colleagues who stay and fight for their communities but any belief I had in @UKLabour as a democratic socialist party has been ripped away. @Keir_Starmer stands with Rishi who stands with Biden who stands with Netanyahu. None of them represent us!! 🇵🇸🕊 pic.twitter.com/vlVbGeolAt
— Cllr Emma Taylor-Beal #NoCeasefireNoVote (@Emma4Labour) January 13, 2024
And the wider public?
He lied to get elected, sacked MPs for supporting a ceasefire of a genocide, is funded by a foreign government, has lied countless times as LOTO, supports conservative policies and betrayed Corbyn. He’s the least principled Labour leader I’ve ever seen, and that takes something.
— Tiberius (@ecomarxi) January 14, 2024
The Labour Party is now backing Israeli genocide,Tory wars and Tory austerity.
The Labour Party doesn't back the Palestinians, striking workers or is willing to invest in our NHS and public services.
What's the point in the Labour Party anymore? #SocialistSunday pic.twitter.com/rFygtJJz7Y— Justintime (@tykestakeonit) January 14, 2024
All of this is a huge bonus to the smaller political parties and independents – or would be, if they were allowed to have a voice in the mass media. Apparently they aren’t:
Huge amounts to criticise both Labour and the Conservatives for as they both dodged questions all morning.@TheGreenParty have a whole platform of social and environmental justice – yet once again the BBC have shut us out the conversation.#InviteTheGreens.
— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) January 14, 2024
It goes for Independents, too. How many people in Kensington and Bayswater know about this?
I'm launching my Independent parliamentary campaign today, standing for Kensington and Bayswater.
They certainly won't be telling those who need to know WHEN the GE will be!
In the meantime, some thoughts on Leadership: https://t.co/i7o9OCyqLB
— Emma Dent Coad (@emmadentcoad) January 12, 2024
Why not?
Perhaps it’s time to give a platform to people who have something to say.
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The Labour Party is in real dire straits.
It must have , the worst leadership team that it has ever had.Where have all the real Labour MP’s gone?
Starmer not the ideal Labour leader but who else in the Party is sny better?
You need to look beyond the Labour Party. There’s no talent left in Starmer’s party at all.