"Authoritarian" Keir Starmer frustrates Rishi Sunak on protest bill | Andrew Marr | New Statesman

[@paulbrewin-s3p]

If you are in a a shoot out it doesn’t help to offer your opponent ammunition.

[@notch7139]

Corbyn cultists won’t understand that

[@ramel684]

They could at least try offering them an opponent

[@Charlie-UK]

Keir Starmer has already given them plenty of ammunition, and shot himself in the foot repeatedly. After abandoning the entirety of his 'Leadership Pledges'. It's difficult to believe a word that comes out of his mouth any more...

[@paulbrewin-s3p]

@@ramel684 I hear you mate, sadly we saw what happened to Jeremy Corbyn the minute he decided to go toe to toe with the tories and the far right media army. You can’t affect anything from opposition, first you have to win, then you govern, just sayin’.

[@pjwhitlock4198]

I do hope you’re right Andrew. I’m staunchly against the Tories, but given Starmer’s manoeuvres over the past 2 years, I’m running out of reasons to vote for Labour on their current platform.

[@bobkrazynski2205]

Therefore tactically vote lib dem or green if you can. Make it clear to labour their rightward slide is not acceptable

[@marksiddall379]

I’ll be voting green

[@shinywarm6906]

It says a great deal about how ineffective the Labour Party has been in putting forward a progressive vision that their saying they'd repeal such a repressive law might be " a real problem". In fact, Starmer's already said he wants longer jail terms for peaceful JSO protests. His support for for this legislation is real.

[@WhichDoctor1]

Very true. If Labour can’t win votes by persuading people that human rights and freedom of speech is good actually, what CAN they do?

[@jaybodz9124]

The majority of this country voted for brexit. If I was a politician and I wanted to make major changes for the better, I wouldn't trust the voters either. Especially given our voting system.

[@notch7139]

@@jaybodz9124 which is why Starmer is doing what he is. Just think: the average person isn’t that bright and half the country is even thicker

[@petergaskin1811]

How do you know? Has he told you?

[@bipolarminddroppings]

Since you have no clue how legislation works, you aren't really in a position to have a valid opinion. It isn't as easy as just clicking your fingers once you are in government and making the law vanish. It takes just as much time and effort to repeal a law, or amend it heavily, as it does to pass it in the first place. Frankly, Labour will have much more important things to spend precious Parliament time on. And that's why he isnt saying they will repeal it.

[@christianecoughlan7392]

Seeing the police arresting those protesters, it makes me think of the Russian police!

[@alexanderromanov737]

The UK cannot give fighter jets to Zelenski, because the governing party, the Conservatives, rely on campain funds from Putins 'cash launderers' that live and opperate in London also known as Londongrad or 'the Laundromat', many although sactioned by every other country, they are still not sanctioned in the UK for the above reason. Even now that the main instigator of this corruption, Johnson, has been removed from open view, he and several others are still collecting vast sums from Lebedev and others through 'wives and associates' and large sums directly, in return for Putins orders, these can be seen clearly on members registers of interest in the Houses of Parliament, mostly reduced sums listed with much larger, 'off shore' payments made as well.

[@johnvaleanbaily246]

Diminishing rights. A disgrace.

[@ai-d2121]

Ordinary people alone liked the coronation? How odd. I think a lot of them don’t.

[@samthompson7568]

Nothing ordinary about a monarchy.

[@wolfen210959]

You may not have liked the coronation, however, over 70% of the population did, so it doesn't matter what you think, your thought was an incorrect one.

[@ai-d2121]

@@wolfen210959 That’s even funnier. We are takking essentially about the monarchy. That’s past its best. An ancient circus performed by artists with life long contracts, unlike the rest of us. You may like it as much as you like. I don’t and I believe I have the right to express that.

[@martinpatterson3417]

​@@wolfen210959 maybe in England. The majority in Scotland were indifferent.

[@the1andonlytitch]

Slightly authoritarian is being very, very conservative

[@notch7139]

No it’s not

[@petergaskin1811]

Oh dear, how sad, never mind.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

What? People like you are hilarious. Corbyn was authoritarian, Starmer is a proper wet blanket leftie.

[@firebyrd437]

Your right he's a Stalin

[@clairehill7722]

Yes, I am devastated about the Labour Party stance !

[@judykilner6256]

Well said Andrew Marr.

[@SqwarkParrotSpittingFeathers]

The Act may go too far but, the police always go further.

[@normanchristie4524]

This goes back to the days of Thatcher. The Police now believe that they are the arm of the government. Does this make the UK a police state?

[@totalvoid6234]

Keir Starmer do the right thing? Sure, right after pigs fly, water burns, objects fall up and light makes things darker.

[@goodmmann123]

Kier Stammer is as useless as my broken slipper!

[@arandmorgan]

Did kier starmer instate the public order act?... No. So why aren't you talking about how fascist the Tories are?

[@totalvoid6234]

How Authoritarian the Labour party are is a much bigger problem. Both parties being fundamentally opposed to any form of democracy means we are sprinting towards a police state.

[@leokearley4145]

Yes, Andrew, The Labour Leader has one role and one role only. Get into power, and fix Britain’s major problems, and Labour supporters must work within the party to set the moral course.

[@celt456]

I now think it would be good if the election result forces Labour into power-sharing with other parties (Lib Dems and, hopefully, Greens). It is urgent that the hard-won democratic freedoms and rights in the UK are re-instated, preserved and strengthened. The Labour Party have lost my vote.

[@sarahjaneross2918]

Mine too. In fact I'll be out on the streets canvassing for the Green Party. The 2 arrogant establiment parties need to know we won't tolerate their continued authoritarianism. It's dangerous for democracy. We need PR to stop these power hungry lunatics.

[@robertgannon-cx2mm]

You know what would be good. Scottish Independence. That would solve all our problems. Leaving Starmer and his Tory mates, who have Infiltrated and hijacked the Labour party and the Tories with their gradual descent into fascism to battle it out for the cesspool that is westminster.

[@shabbydabbydo314]

There is no point in trying to work out what Starmer thinks, best just go straight to the focus groups and cut out the middle man.

[@chrisdickens4268]

I was ranking my brains for a succinct comment to sum it up, but you're way ahead of me

[@SlowhandGreg]

What he thinks and what is possible are 2 different things I believe all public services should be publicly owned would I renationalize them no for the water companies I'd want to regulate the 60 billion in debt out of them 1st why are we socializing the losses and privatize the profits?

[@gio-oz8gf]

​@@SlowhandGreg Set your spell checker to British English, or English, to give it its proper name. Renationalize Socializing and privatize, are all spelling errors from America. There is no such thing as American English…there is English and there are mistakes. Take back control of our language.

[@SlowhandGreg]

@@gio-oz8gf life is too short you obviously understand enough to waste time on it.

[@heem6619]

@@SlowhandGreg Stop making excuses for Starmer. If the water companies are so indebted they are worthless and can be purchased for nothing. They can be regulated to prioritise investment ahead of dividends, which also makes them worthless. Starmer doesn't want to do this, or he's too stupid to think of a way to do it. Either way he's a useless plonker who's lucky the Tories are so blatantly awful.

[@sarahjaneross2918]

Vote Green or even Liberal Democrats. Give the 2 establishment parties a message that we won't tolerate authoritarianism

[@robertgannon-cx2mm]

Or even better vote for Scottish independence!!!👍👍😁

[@billkingston4402]

I do not like the way the government is heading

[@kennethpaterson921]

Trusting the the Labour Party is dissimulating about this is quite a lot of trusting.

[@davecap2641]

Freedom of speech, right to peaceful protest is a corner stone of Britain. Strangle that and we become like so many despicable countries around the world.

[@grahamsmith7034]

It wasn’t a mistake. The police on the ground knew full well we had been discussing our protests. It was also the case that the officers on the ground had no lawful basis for the arrests.

[@robertgannon-cx2mm]

You're right, it wasn't a mistake. That's what the police do in these situations. They try it on to see what they can get away with, to see how far they can stretch their authority, before someone calls them out. They have been doing this for decades, if not forever!!

[@gabood]

We all disagree on certain small often meaningless subjects, but all of us want our privacy, security and most of all freedom. If only there was a party willing to give us this. Both physically and digitally.

[@bobwright8778]

If there is no repeal of these bills on a Labour manifesto I will never vote for them.

[@hyksos74]

Charles should take the opportunity to stand up for the protesters, even though they were protesting him.

[@Uio3eva]

Why would he, the monarchy IS the establishment

[@billybob-jp7eh]

His majesty's government.

[@mcirelandosharma7411]

You are assuming his moral and ethical compass is facing the same way as yours. And if it was, there wouldn't BE a monarchy.

[@jmoz]

I hope they take legal action against the police.

[@kmay4963]

Theres protesting, and theres security risks. Met police were right to side on security when the head of state is parading down the street. Too many narcissits that think their opinion matters more than the security of the country. This is a curse we have thanks to social media.

[@Nemo-vg7sr]

Republicans must be quite happy as how things turned out: because the Tories, passing that legislation, have stained for ever the coronation of Charles III

[@Jay_Johnson]

I have to say when I saw the arrests that morning I went from being an ambivalent republican to wanting to make a sign and go protest in town.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

Just as there is no better way to make an atheist than to get someone to actually read the bible, there is no better way to make republicans than to live under a monarchy when one monarch dies. It is only a matter of time, William will be the last, if not Charles.

[@notch7139]

Not really Hardly anybody cares I think most Brits don’t think a good look for people to try and interrupt a massive British event

[@skyebaxter3042]

​@@notch7139 ok peasant

[@WilliamAhlert]

Oh come on..Andy clearly hasn't been paying much attention to Keir 'Vote Green' Starmer's own words.

[@nicennice]

So what am I voting for if I can’t hold someone accountable for delivering it because they never said they’d do it?

[@christianecoughlan7392]

It’s not a good look for England to the world watching…

[@martinpatterson3417]

It looked like scenes you might see in N.Korea. Arresting people who aren't cheering loud enough for our glorious leaders.

[@PatrickOfTav]

What was seen round the world was a former prime minister, Boris Johnson, looking as if he had spent the night dossing under Westminster Bridge.

[@peterkirby2771]

Can you imagine if the death penalty was brought back in this country , How many innocent people would be hanged on the evidence from the Met Police

[@andyjordan79]

And that is the very reason why we should never go back to it.Even in the age of dna profiling.There have been bent coppers ever since the bow street runners.

[@notch7139]

The protestors were released without charge….so answer is none

[@graememckay9972]

Dna is now being discredited because samples can be taken illegally and placed at scenes (hair strands for example).

[@notch7139]

@@graememckay9972 I don’t see how DNA is discredited, surely the presence of DNA is circumstantial, it places the accused at the scene, it doesn’t in itself prove a crime No difference to any other evidence

[@MrTimg12]

Andrew Marr says in his introduction that the police Republic were talking to and receiving permission to protest from, weren't the same as those who were on the ground. Therefore it was a mistake by the Metropolitan Police when they were arrested. This beggars belief. It was planned well in advance that the Republic protest would be disrupted from the outset by the state using the Public Order Act that was conveniently passed four days before Mr Windsor was set to ride through the streets of Westminster on the way to the abbey. This wasn't overreach by the police - give them arbritary powers of arrest and they're more than happy to exercise them. No, it was overreach by the Tory government whose sole intent with the POA 2023 ( and the recent Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Act 2022) is to stifle public protest specifically aimed at climate crisis citizens who are prepared to publicly counter the government 's lack of climate crisis action. Also these acts can now be more generally applied as and when the government, state security agencies and the police arbitrarily decide that ANY protest is deemed illegal. Not only this they can now arrest anyone whom they decide in ADVANCE of a protest to shut down their democratic and human rights. This is clearly an authoritarian removal of the basic human right in this country to publicly disagree with the government of the day; for example being on the same streets as Mr & Mrs Windsor and publicly disagreeing with their investiture etc. Mr Graham Smith and his fellow Republic organisers have the same rights as the Windsors to make their statement in a liberal democracy. After all we allowed the Windsors to make theirs.

[@sallycarlsson3710]

What has happened to the anarchists?

[@georgeryan3310]

The only thing that was exceptional about the coronation was the fact that it was the day we became a police state.

[@peterteagleteagle9958]

Did the Labour Party repel any of the laws bought in to curtail the unions ,which the tories bought in ,NO

[@2gointruth]

There is no other way

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Mr and Mrs Average, while mildly concerned at the negative impact of such legislation on human rights, are more concerned with going about their daily lives without the disruption that such protests cause. Of course the Public Order Act is fundamentally wrong. Of course Labour in government will have to review it and, in all likelihood amend or repeal it. But right now the party does not want to rock the boat electorally speaking. The Tories are just so incompetent right now that they’re digging their own electoral grave - anything that gives them an opportunity to stop that happening has to necessarily be avoided at all costs. It’s Mr & Mrs Average who will determine the success or failure of Labour in 2024 and they’re a pretty fickle couple. Sure, we’re all hoping for radical policies, but right now I’ll be contented just to maintain the Labour lead in the polls just so it panics the Tories into ever more crazy antics that seal its fate.

[@jimhalsall3317]

It is frustrating of course not only for us but also I presume Kier Stramer. The over arching power of the popular press and media and its proprietors who prop up this government have the abilty to completely misrepresent any utterances made by Kier Starmer over this and various other issues. I imagine he feels the best course is to let the Tories hang themselves, after all it is going that way so far.

[@paulgilliatt7829]

No wonder the police have lost the confidence of the public. Why not focus on crime or is that too difficult.

[@jamesjennings9907]

It was no mistake!

[@petergaskin1811]

The number of like comments by very clumsy and inexperienced politicians is amazing.

[@jamesjennings9907]

@@petergaskin1811 ?

[@geovanniali6060]

Stand with Palestine against rasicm and Apartheid 🍉☘️🕊️

[@phil637]

Starmer is trying to take the middle ground to get elected.... and then i hope he will introduce more progressive policies and try and take the public with him.

[@zippymufo9765]

Don't bet on it.

[@factstrumpprejudice6740]

Your clearly entirely delusional

[@jabbadabbajew6035]

No he will lie and do what the bankers and corporations want. He’ll then lie again by saying his first lie wasn’t a lie. Just another turd in a different skin.

[@notch7139]

I think so too There is zero room for progressive policies in the fight against the right wing populist liars in power. Wrench power from them first then consider options

[@petergaskin1811]

True. There's no point in grandstanding and pearl clutching until you're actually walking through the door of Number 10.

[@abbyabsB]

As left wing labour voter, I'm feeling alienated by the party right now. I can't vote for them i

[@anderajohn133]

That man is a Tory in disguise!

[@charliemoore2551]

It's not remotely "amazing" that Starmer would keep this. He's got plenty planned where it will be useful to be able to stifle protest.

[@Tr1ckady]

At least evidence what your saying. How can you say that with out any substance

[@notch7139]

Rancid hogwash

[@charliemoore2551]

@@Tr1ckady Evidence? That's easy. Everything he says and everything he does. He has progressively reneged on 7 of the 10 pledges he made to become leader. He has made it clear that his economic policy is going to be a watered down version of the Tories' policy, that he is going to continue the NHS "reforms" (privatisations) started by Blair and developed by the Tories. His tax policies will continue to favour the rich. His foreign policy will subordinate the UK to the aims of the US and Israel. He will deny Scotland its democratic right to decide its own future. And, to crown it all, this past weekend, at the conference of the Orwellianly named "Progressive Britain", he actually admitted to being a Tory! How much more evidence do you want?

[@petergaskin1811]

Indeed. Evidence or silence, worm.

[@keithparker1346]

​@@Tr1ckadyprobably based on new Labour not doing anything really about Tory laws...Starmer is in the same mould

[@aesma2522]

What's for sure is that the law won't be repealed if you vote for the Tories...

[@Simon-zb6fp]

I see that you have some political sense. That's why Labour didn't block the immigration bill in the Lords too. It is more difficult for an opposition to win an election than a Government even without voter supression and gerrymandering

[@martinbennett2228]

Imagine Starmer as PM repealing as much as he could of Brexit, maximising regulatory and customs alignment with the EU and largely freeing up movement. All of which would lead to howls of protest from the Tory far right, only to be suppressed by the public order act. It could happen, but probably would not because Starmer would sooner see the economy stagnate rather than integrate with the Single Market.

[@Jay_Johnson]

I don’t think that last bit is true. He was literally the voice of remain in labour in 2019.

[@therealrobertbirchall]

First the came for the immigrants. I was not worried because I'm not an immigrant. Then they came for the trade unions i was not worried, because im not a trade unionist. Then they came for the trans people, I was not worried because im not trans. Then they came for the climate activists, I was not worried because im not a climate activist. Then they came for the asylum seekers. I was not worried because I'm not an asylum seeker. Then they came for me.......

[@judykilner6256]

Yes a good update on a very important poem.

[@Keltik0ne]

So, Starmer, who has spent the majority of his rather exceptional career as a human rights lawyer and advocate, is "mildly authoritarian" ? It amazes me that a whole lot of folk are forgetting who actually imposed this bill in the first place.

[@randomname3109]

'human rights lawyer and advocate' . no.. he was the director of public prosecution. ie the chief prosecutor

[@nickelmouse451]

No one is forgetting who came up with the bill. Marr's point isn't that the Conservative government are not mildly authoritarian - that is obvious from the fact they imposed this on us in the first place. His point is that Starmer comes across as mildly authoritarian in not taking a stance against it...

[@Jay_Johnson]

Tell that to the autistic kid he tried to extradite to the USA. No one has forgot who implemented it but if labour do not repeal it labour might as well have.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

​​​​@@randomname3109 if you actually bothered to check, you would know he did spend most of his career as a criminal defence solicitor, with a focus on himan rights (for nearly 20 years), until he was made a QC in 2002. He was director of prosecutions for 5 years, at the END of his career. Its amazing how certain idiots on the internet are that they dont even bother to type a name in google and read a couple of paragraphs of a wikipedia page to check they aren't about to make a complete fool of themselves...

[@randomname3109]

@@bipolarminddroppings did I at any point say he did or did not do other things? No. I pointed out that his last legal role was to prosecute the laws as they exitsted. Lawyers like laws, and this guy liked enforcing them. Don't be surprised when he won't get rid of bad laws, his view of law is not in the frame of 'good law' or 'bad law' , just 'law' and 'not law', and for Mr Starmer the answer to any problem will always be more law

[@CG-or1re]

i'm a big starmer fan but was very disappointed with his response to this

[@michellebarbour5777]

Gosh, I agree with Andrew Marr, we do know that Starmer is treading a right wing media knife edge for Labour to become electable with a majority but oh, oh, oh, I want to see what he/Starmer is really made of when he is in power. He'll have to play his cards right to do 'big stuff' in a second term. I'm hopeful, not nececessarily excited.

[@jamesjennings9907]

No! They were not nervous. They were very confident.

[@matthewcook9404]

Softly softly catchee monkey.

[@peteratkin3788]

they did not have a deal, they went to the MET and did what there were supposed to do, if not the police would have pushed charges they did not, your nothing but a tory sympathizer.

[@dougtsax]

Don't knock the Labour party just because the Tories have giving them so much to do.

[@eltonnewton7249]

We wouldn't if what Starmer is calling the Labour Party actually resembled the Labour party, the guys a vacuous visionless right wing abyss and if/when he comes to power you should first ask yourself how much better he's gonna make things in 5 years when he has no ideas and is not gonna create any real fundamental changes to how Capitalism is functioning in the UK, and then ask whats gonna happen come the election after when nothing has changed and people have forgotten how evil and incompetent the tories are and society has been even further divided because a party that should be inherently socialist is claiming to be centrist but as anyone with an ounce of common sense knows there is no centre, any argument against socialism is an argument for a system which by definition requires suffering and inequality and Starmer obviously seems to be fully intent on keeping a significant number of the British population and anyone who might want to live here suffering as long as possible so long as he gets to be Prime Minister

[@keithparker1346]

But Labour are not saying what they will do differently

[@ja-qk4vd]

Starmer even looks like the dystopian Orwellian soulless 'great leader'

[@petergaskin1811]

Twit. (sorry about the bloody spellchecker)

[@sjt4225]

It wasn't a mistake. It was exactly what the Tories intended it to do...to silence dissent.

[@NoMementoMori]

Conservatives love "free speech" until its not directed at minorities anymore lol

[@jobroughton357]

Starmer has always played things close to his chest remember this is 2023 not 1923 why give the toxic mob a stick to beat you with

[@petergaskin1811]

Exactly. Remember, this is a long game.

[@keithparker1346]

​@@petergaskin1811ah the 4d chess bs argument. Or it could simply be that Starmer is as authoritarian as the Tories

[@peterlamont8167]

Labour is tory. Just that they wear a red tie. Hard to see the difference.

[@Kazekou]

"I must admit that the coronation is different" No. No it's not. The right to protest. Is literally the right to say I don't like the monarch, free from consequence. This isn't different. It's the textbook example. Freedom of Speech is not no platforming at universities. It's the ability to call the King a ninny and for the arms of the state to have to lump it

[@petekdemircioglu]

Ahahaha

[@peterdollins3610]

There was no chaos only in your eye. Keir will recall the bill when there is time. The first things will be the cost of living the NHS etc.

[@keithparker1346]

Why can't it be done at the same time?

[@markwalker4142]

I’m concerned about where labour are placing their flag on this .

[@igavinwood]

There's a lot of finger pointing surrounding the Met and the reasons for the actions carried out. It's emotive and I doubt that without the smoking gun no one will know for sure the reason or the people behind the orders. As for what Labour are planning, I think being laser focused on winning in a system designed to benefit Conservative votes at the cost of other parties, you can hardly blame them for not giving a stick to be beaten with. Will they scrap or change this bill? Almost definitely as it's not congruent with the Labour Party principles, but probably after the following general election. Far more important is to understand that the police would not want to use heavy handed tactics as it makes their job so much harder, and under a Labour government, they would be told not to until a change to the bill is made. And the comment about Kier Starmer... This is a man dedicated to law and order, which is not the same as authoritarianism. Do better Andrew, we all know you know how to... but can we be sure?

[@ramel684]

" I think being laser focused on winning in a system designed to benefit Conservative votes at the cost of other parties" But to what purpose? If they aren't going to be different then why bother? "it's not congruent with the Labour Party principles" The last Labour government gave us detention without trial, allied with torturers, and commited war crimes. "ar more important is to understand that the police would not want to use heavy handed tactics" This flies in the face of the entire observable history of the British police force. "his is a man dedicated to law and order, which is not the same as authoritarianism" Yes, it is.

[@petergaskin1811]

@@ramel684 How on earth does some random tory troll know what the future Labour Government is going to be?

[@ramel684]

@@petergaskin1811 Why do you assume that anyone who criticises Labour is either Tory or a troll? And why is pointing out that previous labour governments were the opposite of what the op claims labour to be wrong?

[@badcarlos551]

Sadly, Starmer has also moved to the right on the economy (if his actual policies had any detail anyway)

[@SlowhandGreg]

Since when you read any of the stuff put out by Reeve or Milliband Over 30 Billion on renewable energy in a new Company GBEnergy within 4 years that's 120 billion which will transform the supply landscape Starmer's Job is to Troll the Tories as much as possible end off you'll get a centre left manifesto that the left will hate and the centre right will go whatever and tick the box because 13 years of Trickle down economics has completely hit the buffers

[@jackbullen9743]

I think it is unhelpful to judge on those sort of matters when they are so vague I think it's best to wait for their manifesto to properly see what way he wants to lead his government.

[@blue47er]

@@jackbullen9743 Utter naive twaddle. Starmer has wrapped himself in the Union flag, and his version of the Labour party is now funded by former Tory donors, US health companies, and band-wagon right-wing opportunists.

[@mattbrown3549]

@@jackbullen9743 - Ah manifesto. The party always follows the manifesto and so we should wait.

[@wolfen210959]

@@mattbrown3549 You're seriously going to compare a manifesto that does not yet exist, to every broken promise in the Tory manifesto whilst they have been in power for 13 years? Keep voting Tory, you're obviously delighted with everything they have done for you.

[@julias-shed]

How can we vote for a Labour Party who stands for nothing? Trust has to be earned. 😯

[@MOGGS1942]

Corbyn's Labour Party were going to give us Dianne Abbott, David Lammy, and Dawn Butler on the front bench. There's three reasons to not ever vote Labour.

[@peterclarke7240]

Their only job right now is to get into power. They cannot do anything from the opposition benches. As Marr rightly points out, Labour not making a fuss about this law at this stage simply frustrates the Tories without setting Labour up for a kicking in the right-wing press which could harm their chances.

[@peteratkin3788]

Yea becouse the Tories have done so well.. I can see all them unicorns even now.

[@kevinu.k.7042]

@@MOGGS1942 Corbyn's Labour Party won't be standing. Now what are your reasons?

[@californiadreamin8423]

@@kevinu.k.7042 Good point. You’re obviously a mathematician…..what’s the average of 79 and 81. Calculators not allowed.

[@domr8796]

I do love Andrew Marr, he’s fun to listen to, self aware, and gives a really considered perspective on things. So unusual today!

[@miketattersfield6053]

A Trotskyist airing opinions within a Fabian construct. To the benefit of whom. Marvellous.

[@Gregorovitch144]

This is a misrepresentation of Labour's position on this. Firstly it is not clear that the Police's action was within the terms of the legislation in question. The protesters were arrested on the basis that they were carrying equipment that might be used to "lock on". In fact this was straps used to hold up placards. Secondly Starmer has many times argued that a law to enable the Police to remove protesters blocking whole motorways or bridges is necessary to make sure lives are not put in peril through inability of emergency services to get through. Thirdly Labour have stated clearly that the right to protest is sacrosanct and the matter will be looked at to see if the legislation actually does compromise it.

[@keithparker1346]

If it's sacrosanct why has Starmer said he'd let this protest law bed in? Just say it's crap and start it's removal once in power

[@Mattarm2720]

Its faster to amend legislation than it is to repeal it, that is the route starmer will take, labour are not sitting back and letting these things slide

[@keithparker1346]

But they are. Starmer has said he would let this law bed in

[@Mattarm2720]

@@keithparker1346it's over a year to the next election, the law will have bedded in by then, and there's nothing labour can do outside fair debate and trying to sway public opinion to change that, regardless of what Keir says, he can't change that while Tories have a majority, when labour is in power again he has one guaranteed term to make noticeable difference in the eyes of the public, priorities must be made and steps in the name of efficiency must be made. He cannot commit to everything at once as a lot of it will take longer than one term, the Tories are a prime example, always making promises that exceed their gauranteed time in office when there is no gaurantee of that policy being carried forward when they lose power, by the next party in power. Do you understand?

[@keithparker1346]

@@Mattarm2720 yes I understand that Starmer and Labour have no real intention of doing anything about that law

[@Mattarm2720]

@@keithparker1346 of course he does, he's spoken out about the anti protest bill dozens of times publicly, your fixating on the one time what he says can be brought under scrutiny and stating it as fact 🤦

[@keithparker1346]

@@Mattarm2720 he has not said anything clearly. Stop lying. I would if I was a gambler bet £1000 that this law will not get touched by Labour

[@niriop]

It is possible to believe that the arrest of the republicans was an overreach, while simultaneously believing that gormless fanatics should be restricted from blocking traffic, gluing themselves to roads, and attempting to ruin artworks that are common heritage of humanity.

[@oliverlaw02]

Monitor stations around Ukraine are measuring a deadly spike in gamma radiation thanks to the British.

[@mrD66M]

Lol. So you have Chernobyl exclusion zone disturbed by the dumbest military in the world, Zaporizhzhia, not to mention other nuclear power plants in Ukraine being bombed indiscriminately... and you're blaming a little depleted uranium for a rise in radiation? Wow. Seriously, do some serious research. 1/10 if only you tried..

[@paullestrange]

Monitor stations around Ukraine are measuring a deadly spike in gamma radiation thanks to the Russians. Fixed that for you.

[@petergaskin1811]

Whose monitor stations? Evidence or silence, worm.

[@guff9567]

I totally love the police for doing those traitors in. For this I will permit Couzens and Carrick

[@RunOfTheHind]

A country is not its king, bootlicker.

[@hiteshgoswami3267]

not the andrew mar show