Whatever political views a person holds, the most important characteristic in their leader is conviction, real belief in a cause. From conviction comes respect, grudging or otherwise. Compare Starmer with Macron. Personally I don’t agree with the Politics of either, however when the going got tough, Macron grew, Starmer grovelled and melted away. I agree with every word you have written Robin.
The interests of me and my family lie in opening the Straits of Hormuz before the cost of living skyrockets and my pension falls through the floor. Starmer aiding this scenario is a fool and a traitor to Joe Public
As someone who lives 30m West of Fairford and who can now tell the difference between a B1 & B52 bomber and, even sadder, what they sound like going out full and coming back empty (2 full B1's flew overhead 20 mins ago) I winced when I saw the phrase 'defensive operational use' - I mean FFS.
I too thought SKS standing tall and saying FQ to the Orange Baboon was a proud moment only to be disappointed when shortly after he melted (either from the heat from the US or Israel) and settled back into my formed opinion of him and his government. But, let's be honest, the other collection of muppets and ne'er do wells on the parliamentary benches opposite him are even worse than he is.
An interesting perspective Robin but I’m not sure your analysis encompasses the UK position in its entirety and if I may offer a little push back I fear on this occasion you have conflated a dislike of KS with UK interests overseas which are considerable.
I agree with you completely that KS is clearly a man without conviction but that is an accusation that has been consistently levelled at him since before the General Election. I had personally lost count of the times I was asking the question “what do you stand for?” I believe I now have the answer to that – nothing. KS is a chameleon who changes with the political winds, a man of few principles but an over-riding belief in doing what has to be done. He certainly isn’t my idea of a leader but then again the population of this country has shown itself to prefer charisma to competence in it’s PM over the last 10 years and that approach has dopped us all in the brown stuff.
On the other hand I’m not sure I agree with your take on KS moving the goal posts regarding Fairford, Diego Garcia etc. Successive post war UK Governments have invested a lot in building political, economic and military ties with countries in the Gulf region so it is in that longer term interest that we have the defensive positioning that the Government is now pursuing.
As a final point although we agree on KS not being a man of conviction he has at least prevented this country from being dragged into an open-ended war. If we had had Badenoch or heaven forbid, Farage as PM we would have been up to our necks in this mess.
I believe what we got was anything other than what went before.
Now what, where is our next competent leader going to come from? There's no one in the wings waiting.
It doesn't look good does it?
If it weren't for the two T's (Truss and Trump) I belive my current work place pension pot would be at least £25K bigger atmo. Small beans to the big people but a lot to me.
Surely we have had enough of the clowns, theives and cheats by now?
Whatever political views a person holds, the most important characteristic in their leader is conviction, real belief in a cause. From conviction comes respect, grudging or otherwise. Compare Starmer with Macron. Personally I don’t agree with the Politics of either, however when the going got tough, Macron grew, Starmer grovelled and melted away. I agree with every word you have written Robin.
The interests of me and my family lie in opening the Straits of Hormuz before the cost of living skyrockets and my pension falls through the floor. Starmer aiding this scenario is a fool and a traitor to Joe Public
As someone who lives 30m West of Fairford and who can now tell the difference between a B1 & B52 bomber and, even sadder, what they sound like going out full and coming back empty (2 full B1's flew overhead 20 mins ago) I winced when I saw the phrase 'defensive operational use' - I mean FFS.
I too thought SKS standing tall and saying FQ to the Orange Baboon was a proud moment only to be disappointed when shortly after he melted (either from the heat from the US or Israel) and settled back into my formed opinion of him and his government. But, let's be honest, the other collection of muppets and ne'er do wells on the parliamentary benches opposite him are even worse than he is.
What a mess!
What a mess indeed -
Worse or equally bad?
You and I are singing from the same hymn sheet on this, Robin. Well written.
An interesting perspective Robin but I’m not sure your analysis encompasses the UK position in its entirety and if I may offer a little push back I fear on this occasion you have conflated a dislike of KS with UK interests overseas which are considerable.
I agree with you completely that KS is clearly a man without conviction but that is an accusation that has been consistently levelled at him since before the General Election. I had personally lost count of the times I was asking the question “what do you stand for?” I believe I now have the answer to that – nothing. KS is a chameleon who changes with the political winds, a man of few principles but an over-riding belief in doing what has to be done. He certainly isn’t my idea of a leader but then again the population of this country has shown itself to prefer charisma to competence in it’s PM over the last 10 years and that approach has dopped us all in the brown stuff.
On the other hand I’m not sure I agree with your take on KS moving the goal posts regarding Fairford, Diego Garcia etc. Successive post war UK Governments have invested a lot in building political, economic and military ties with countries in the Gulf region so it is in that longer term interest that we have the defensive positioning that the Government is now pursuing.
As a final point although we agree on KS not being a man of conviction he has at least prevented this country from being dragged into an open-ended war. If we had had Badenoch or heaven forbid, Farage as PM we would have been up to our necks in this mess.
Exactly, weak beyond belief.
I'm told we overwhelmingly voted for change.
I believe what we got was anything other than what went before.
Now what, where is our next competent leader going to come from? There's no one in the wings waiting.
It doesn't look good does it?
If it weren't for the two T's (Truss and Trump) I belive my current work place pension pot would be at least £25K bigger atmo. Small beans to the big people but a lot to me.
Surely we have had enough of the clowns, theives and cheats by now?