You can actually see the moment Ed Miliband thinks, what's the point burning through whatever political credibility I've got left energetically defending a man who's going to be gone in a matter of weeks.
Prize for the first one who responds voters need to educate themselves about the government's achievements.
What Starmer supporters don't understand is most people don't look at a list of manifesto pledges and think 'oooh breakfast clubs or cheaper vet bills tick, tick Mr Starmer' they look at the state of the government and what's happening in their own lives and see this from Our Prime Minister
Starmer said it was a mistake to appoint Mandelson even before he knew about the vetting so can we just accept that fact and that it also means - along with all his other mistakes - that he's clearly not up to the job and move on. Don't think I can take a long summer of this stuff.
Think also downstream of the BBC’s view of impartiality is a midpoint between the various parties: Kemi has made procedure her lance, Keir his shield (in part because that’s what the ministerial code punishes) so the most important outlet treats that as the important question.
There's pretty much nothing the press, social media or the opposition could have done to the government if they'd sucked it up and made loads of tough long term decisions when they came into office. They absolutely could have *governed* for the full 5 years, it's their choice not to.
And Robbins is being helpful on that point I think. But will MPs watch this and think yeah lets send this guy into the next election as our PM? Doubt it.
Yeah you're right I'm sat here watching it thinking this isn't as bad as I thought it could be while ignoring the *initial* decision was a catastrophic mistake. And they were trying to find Mathew Doyle a job. MY GOD
While I am firm in my belief Starmer should go, and soon, isn’t it weird we’ve got sucked into a side argument over the process for a security clearance for Mandelson, the turning down of which had nothing to do with Epstein? It’s the British political class at its worst, I think.
I mean, yeah Robbins isn't giving a strong defence of not telling the PM about vetting imv but jeeze wtf? Mathew Doyle! Really these are the bombs he's clearly come to drop on the PM.
Trying to put Mathew Doyle into a cushy job. I mean fucking hell.
I mean he's just said it again yes he was under pressure but he didn't allow it to cloud his judgement 🤷♂️
OR reveals there were several discussions no10 had with him about finding Matthew Doyle a Diplomatic post... describes how uncomfortable he felt with it all.
Ah, ok!
Have I done that thing and missed the sarcasm!
Is it? What am I missing? The guy has come across with a really weak defence of *his* decisions imv.
He has said he was under pressure but it didn't influence his decision!
All my 'supportive' posts come with the disclaimer that I want Starmer gone too!
Thornberry has pretty much exposed a man with an incredibly weak defence. Can see why Starmer sacked him tbh.
Olly is not doing great.
We seem to be going down the Civil Service at its worst rabbit hole.
Obsession with process which nobody understands let alone can say if fit for purpose.
Vibes based decision making without nailing down who and why.
And the secret ministry of fear ruling all.
He's literally just said it wouldn't be right to say he was put under undue pressure!
He was a top guy in the FO not a junior civil servant fgs.
Think we are watching two different people the guy is coming across as incredibly weak and poor.
We had a lot of work on? Lots of dv cases? It was the ambassador to Washington to ffs.
This is really, really poor *come on*.
Does seem very vibes based. Very weak so far imv.
If we still want to be fair to the PM do far I'm underwhelmed by his defence.
Sorry but this bloke was a senior person in the FO, I do find it a bit weak as a defence 'I was under pressure' and, what, that meant he was too pressurised to tell the PM the man failed vetting? Hmmm (none of this means Starmer should stay in post).
Yeah they don't appeal to me either, but I can see how they do/did to their supporters.
These are a really good set of reforms - and carries on the Govts outstanding record on clean power - and will get virtual no coversge because of everything else.
Ffs
