LBC callers challenge Angela Rayner as Labour announce reforms | LBC

Deputy Labour Leader, Angela Rayner, joined James O'Brien to answer questions from LBC listeners.
The phone-in arose as Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to "shatter snobbish class ceiling” that prevents children from getting ahead.
The Labour leader also pledged to support getting rid of fees in his 2020 leadership campaign, but now said the party was looking at alternative options for funding.
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[@dmo8895]

Im stick to death of the term 'cost of living crisis'. Call it what it is: ' the corporate greed crisis'

[@Loneman_OG]

Nooooo, no, no, no, no, no. It's not those record-profit-making corporations; it's those greedy, fat-cat teachers, nurses, rail workers, Posties, et cetera, who are causing our financial problems! They're so powerful that even by merely _asking_ for a raise (real-terms cut), they push up inflation, thus causing the 'cost of living crisis'! _"Poverty exists, not because we can't feed the poor, but because we can't satisfy the rich."_

[@chatham43]

....cost of lockdown bud..!

[@docmalthus]

@@chatham43 Corporations and the ruling elite did just fine during lockdown. It was the rest of the folks that got the shaft.

[@grebo65]

Or, as the Green Party put it, it's not a cost of living crisis, it's a lack of equality issue.

[@peartreeproductions77]

Cost of brexit

[@theDesignClass]

I am politically homeless now. I detest the Tories, and I am definitely left-of-centre. But Labour are now slightly right-of-centre. They won't scrap the anti-protest laws; they won't talk about rejoining a Custons Union; the won't push for PR electoral reform. I used to like ans rate Angela, but this performance has put me right off Curse on all their houses.

[@buzx1313]

Agreed 100%

[@aviduke]

I'm in the same boat as you. Angela Rayner made me completely think voting for labour and I previously looked forward to her becoming labour leader

[@martywestywood6004]

Same here. At least Angela Rayner is willing to be challenged by decent journalist's like James. I just hope labour are keeping their powder dry, so to keep the rancid uk right wing press at bay? The current crime minature don't even bother with PWQT....

[@Blazegraze12]

Feel exactly the same way.

[@martinkernick9127]

Labour are more than slightly right of centre.

[@ShadeReckless]

"It's not a question of getting rid of it" It's literally the question

[@peartreeproductions77]

It's like Alan partridge , full steam ahead for the general election

[@tubecated_development]

😂

[@eileenjepp5152]

as a labour voter i have little confidence in kier starmer and the party is relying on conservative failures rather than committing to an agenda and standing by it.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

Truthfully the party was starting to commit to one agenda, then the economy took a turn for the worse, so Labour was forced to scrap that agenda and start building another one.

[@ZombieWoof794]

It is about ideology as well as pragmatism.

[@Loneman_OG]

@@unconventionalideas5683 What agenda was that? He began reneging on every leadership pledge he made from day one, many of which (including ones from the leaked manifesto) were not dependent on the state of the economy. He's admitted to being "Blair on steroids", he said Labour was now "the _real_ Conservative Party", his systematic purge of _everyone_ from the left (including expelling more Jewish members than any other leader ever) along with his direct interference with candidate selections by the CLPs, has shown his true colours, and they're *_Tory Blue!_* He's an establishment shill who is in the pocket of the state of Israel, and he tells lies at such a rate that he makes Bozo look like _a bit of a fibber!_ What more evidence do you need before you see just how dangerous this 'man' is?!

[@petermaclellan9977]

There are no strong policies anymore its all become a media circus and identity politics, sounding just like america :-)

[@Handles_be_dumb]

The saddest part is, there's so much conservative failure that it'll probably work.

[@ZombieWoof794]

I wish, I wish that Labour would just nail their colours to the mast and tell us what they actually intend to do! I am a Labour voter but find this very frustrating.

[@Coelacanth1]

I was a Labour member these days I am shy Labour voter

[@thestrongestman1008]

Tony Blair did the same thing, under promise, over deliver, then the next election is in the bag, they don't just want to get into power, they want to stay in power but also not be seen as going back on things they've said right before the election, as they have already had to, since the economic situation is changing. If they can't keep the promise they are making now, they could lose the election after regardless of how well they do. Especially with the Right Wing Media hounding them.

[@gdwnet]

They can't because there is a year to go until the election. If they stand up and say what they will do the tories will use an information campaign like they did with brexit to twist it all.

[@aston4736]

This! This is why labour lost last time. Always on the fence on key issues or refusing to give a straight answer.

[@gdwnet]

@@aston4736 What key issues were labour on the fence about last time?

[@jamesmullarkey3667]

Angela Raynor dodging the bullets on public order bill, sitting on the fence in the brexit issue. Two party political system is completely broken, Labour will I’m sure be better for the country than the tories but could anyone do any worse?

[@aglaisio]

I don't agree, labour will be a complete disaster given the absolute idiocy of the people leading that party. What a joke they are! They stand for absolutely nothing, have no direction, no knowledge and she is as thick as a bag of spanners.

[@ignoranceisbliss6259]

13 years of tory rule have been disastrous for this country, but it's hard to feel inspired by Labour politicians who dodge so many questions, or simply say we can't be any worse. I agree they can't be any worse than our current shower of criminally incompetent, corrupt xenophobes, but I'd like to hear what they offer as an alternative.

[@Royboy50]

13 years of new labour did us no favours either ,the mess we are in now was structured by new labour

[@ignoranceisbliss6259]

@@Royboy50 I agree to a large degree, though I would suggest the decline really began under Thatcher.

[@fredatlas4396]

​@@Royboy50 How do you work that one out, Labour hasn't been in power for 13 yrs. The tories have been ruining our country since 2010. Under the last Labour government from 1997 up until 2010 things were a lot better than they are now. Our economy was really booming for the first time since before 1979, minimum wage. And the last Labour government increased funding for the NHS in real terms inflation adjusted to its highest levels in over 40 yrs or more. NHS waiting times were coming down a lot right up until 2010. Plus they didn't take our rights away. So in reality they were nothing like the tories. And the global financial crisis was just that, A GLOBAL CRISIS, not caused by the Labour Party. And in fact sunak was involved in the making of the 2008 financial crisis.

[@Loneman_OG]

@@fredatlas4396 You've just put a whole lot of words in his mouth with that comment! What he said was entirely true, so either you're blissfully unaware of the _many_ negatives we currently suffer under as a direct result of Blair & Brown's policies, or your rose-tinted specs will only allow you to remember it as being all _sunshine and lollipops._ No offence intended. All the evidence to confirm this is freely available, and it really doesn't take much digging to find it; much of it really is quite damning.

[@chatham43]

...wouldn't we all...vague pledges doesn't hack it...!

[@grebo65]

As a Corbyn supporter, the present Labour Party has actually stated it DOESN'T want anything to do with the likes of me, so therefore I'll vote for another party. You can't have your cake and eat it.

[@joegleave]

This mentality is why the Tories keep winning elections.

[@grebo65]

@joegleave, then blame Starmer and his present Blairites. I've literally been told the Labour Party doesn't want anything to do with the likes of me, so you expect me to vote for a party that has said it doesn't want me? Did you vote for Corbyn in 2019?

[@MartinMc90]

Was excited to see her on this, until she reconfirms my feeling of Labour of standing for absolutely nothing and not commiting to changing anything.

[@SI-vb7hd]

Labour offer so little, especially in Scotland. For the sake of getting the tories out they need to be the largest party in England. In Scotland vote for independence, the UK has nothing to offer anymore.

[@Coelacanth1]

I think we in England are starting to experience the Scottish pain ; Vote Labour get Tory

[@emtaylor597]

Brexit was such a success. The arguments against independence were the same arguments against Brexit. No guarantee of getting into the EU. Breaking away and seeing up all these government agencies will cost billions, not to mention floating our own currency.

[@simonstevens5334]

To quote a former Labour leader "weak weak weak".

[@wrestlingp]

Oh man, weirdos on both sides of the divide hate Blair but boy do we need a labour leader with that charisma again.

[@simonstevens5334]

@@wrestlingp I get the whole Iraq war thing but I feel very much the same, he was a strong leader and he just sort of got on with it and more importantly let us get on with it, very hard to do that these days, always some culture wars bs or some public service not working in the headlines now, always an excuse from those in power rather than doing anything remotely productive to address problems at hand, too much is left to fester without accountability.

[@ravd8082]

yes he's weak , weak and couldnt run a bath let alone a country😂

[@wrestlingp]

@@simonstevens5334 I'm with you 100%

[@mickreaddin4979]

I'll be particularly interested in reading the Labour manifesto, because the way Starmer is discounting things there will be nothing left to put in it.

[@Coelacanth1]

And he claims his ten pledges still stand

[@milandalosur1850]

So weird to be in strong agreement that Brexit is a failure then so adamant of handling it on your own. I can't imagine not being open to taking even lesser terms if that undid some of the damage here economically.

[@milandalosur1850]

@@abitmorerational But none of that comes close to getting back in the EU does it? I’m obviously not opposed to improving what you can in the meantime but shouldn’t it be first and foremost to apply pressure to expedite that process?

[@alundavies1016]

@@abitmorerationalexactly, there will be a wooing period, after the Tories burned so many bridges. It will take at least 2 parliaments to get back in, probably more, so why put voters off by making it an issue now?

[@johnchristopher3955]

Rejoining the single market should be a labour commitment, we don't have rejoin the EU fully, most remainers would be happy with that as a compromise..

[@corydorastube]

@@johnchristopher3955 You don['t get into the SM unless your are a[ member of the EU, EFTA or the EEA.[

[@aleph8888]

JOB doesn’t have any credibility on referendums, and he’s too dense to realise it.

[@Spore6001]

Probably one of the more scary things for them not to address. The 'weapon on the table' analogy is pretty spot on.

[@Loneman_OG]

Don't worry, they'll _never_ use it. I mean, it's not like the ex-Director of Public Prosecutions, the man now widely known as _Stalin_ for his systematic purge of the Left, the leader of a party created by workers' Unions who sacked his own MPs for joining picket lines (which he _also_ did, but it wasn't in solidarity, just for the photo op, so it was ok) is some power-mad authoritarian. Is it?! 🤔

[@RevdKathy]

We need not only to dismantle the weapon but to redesign our constitution to prevent it ever being rebuilt.

[@indricotherium4802]

Oh dear! That's the least impressed I've ever been with Angela Rayner.

[@Coelacanth1]

The dilemma she has is that in order to maintain her position she has to comply with the leaderships wishes, so it could be what you're seeing with Rayner is Starmer's hand working her lips

[@PastaSauce.]

Same here

[@indricotherium4802]

@@Coelacanth1 : One can only hope Raynor was aware how disingenuous some of the party lines she was trotting out in this interview could be made to sound.

[@richardmunoz4771]

She's sold out

[@andrewthornton6192]

Low bar anyway right?

[@bigphil8848]

just another round of being talked at. If the tories weren’t so appalling these people wouldn’t stand a chance.

[@johnaistrup9250]

I can't help but think Angela was trotted out to the wolves on this occasion. I used to love listening to Angela speak with passion and conviction but here she seems less than inspired. My vote is now Green.

[@garyh1572]

Then the Tories will get in again.

[@mastertrams]

My vote would be Green, if I wasn't a transport enthusiast and employee... They're supposed to be a Green party, and yet they oppose HS2, they drive round in some of the most polluting cars that exist, and they generally don't seem to have a plan for transport. I wish they were more like the Scottish Greens, or any of the continental Green parties... Then maybe I'd vote for them.

[@user-kf1me5zr6f]

And the animals in the farm looked at the humans and the pigs and could not tell the difference!

[@Imperial-Socialist]

You are comparing Britain with the Soviet Union? Seriously?

[@Imperial-Socialist]

@@abitmorerational You are directly comparing Britain with the Soviet Union and I am the confused one? Seriously explain how GB and the CCCP are the same.

[@Noel-ji8nm]

@@abitmorerational Rayner likes to waffle on.

[@Coelacanth1]

@@Noel-ji8nm Rayner is a politician and we know politicians don't like answering questions

[@user-kf1me5zr6f]

@@Imperial-Socialist No, I am merely stating that you cant tell the difference between Labour and Conservative policies wih regard to Brexit even though all reputable economists have shown that it is a disaster.

[@dfishpool7052]

Whilst I have a lot of respect for Angela I am worried about Starmer's lurching to the right. Apparently he's being advised by Blair, Mandelson and others from the Blair era - they were all light blue tories - I certainly don't want that sort of Labour government. Since as far back as I can remember I have been a supporter ot the broad left but I came to despise Blair more than thatcher since, especially with his holding Bush's hand and taking the UK into an illegal war, he was nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing. At least with thatcher you knew exactly what you were getting, distasteful as it was! This idiocy of not recognising the catastrophic results of Brexshit is sapping my will to go and vote for Labour. The only reason that I'd vote for them is to unseat a tory MP.

[@fang_xianfu]

The difference is that they need to get elected. The biggest problem they have is that a load of Labour voters voted Tory last time because they hated Corbyn and thought the Tories would deal with Brexit. They can't just say "Brexit was a failure, let's rejoin" because that's one of the few things that might actually lose them the next election.

[@trustmeimaphysiologist]

We can't rejoin as the EU have said we can't until the issue isn't a debate in our county anymore. The only choice we have is to make it work. They'll move us closer in alignment to them which will reduce friction. That's the best we can hope for, for a political generation.

[@fang_xianfu]

@@trustmeimaphysiologist they are also open to more alignment in goods and services, perhaps even rejoining the single market, before actual EU membership.

[@carlpierce2486]

Very very disappointing she doesnt support a fair voting system. Lots of words - Weak answers.

[@chatham43]

...you really thought she would...😀!

[@tonybullion2537]

If Labour refuse to promise to reverse Braverman’s anti-protest laws they will not get my vote, as much as I wish to see the Tories drown in their own blood! As a retiree and former Union representative I know and understand the power of protest, to see Angela skirting the subject is disappointing as I thought she was made of sterner stuff.

[@j7ech402]

Rayner's a slapper who's in it for herself... Wake up man

[@tonybullion2537]

@@j7ech402 ‘Rayner’s a slapper….’ That’s a rather educated comment, not!

[@aglaisio]

that is because she is not the brightest light on the Christmas tree. Once again getting schooled by the interviewer. She not only lacks integrity but basic knowledge about the issues being discussed. She just blags her way through everything trying to impress with her dogmatic style. She is failing miserably.

[@johnlager584]

She failed

[@joshuaDstarks]

One side has burned the house down and the other is still asleep in bed.

[@chatham43]

...nothing wrong with being middle class Joshua...in fact you should celebrate it...

[@atlasgabriel5461]

If they aren't going to rescind damaging legislation then there's not much point voting for them. James' weapon analogy was brilliant and she sounded weak dodging it with nonsense that I think even she didn't believe, I certainly don't.

[@captainfrandad1138]

What Angela Rayner was saying is that it is impossible to reverse everything straight away. There have to be priority issues that come first and that has to be stabilising and building the economy.

[@1inchPunchBowl]

@@captainfrandad1138 What an extremely weak excuse then. absolute bs.

[@atlasgabriel5461]

@@captainfrandad1138 She didn't say that, she said she didn't think they needed to because they'd govern differently which is why James' weapon analogy was an excellent rebuttal. You, like most Labour devotees just hear what you want to, you're the same as Brexit voters in that way, you all think you're going to get what you want without Labour committing to any of it and you make excuses for the party when the rest of us point that out, they're just in search of power and are now just relying on peoples displeasure with the Tories to get them into Downing St.

[@ravd8082]

@@captainfrandad1138 angela rayner is up her own backside , she couldnt run country let alone a bath😂😂😂

[@Blazegraze12]

@@captainfrandad1138 Sorry but no she did not say that she avoided the question by saying that other matters required more priority which is basically a diversion tactic and means they are never going to do anything about it.

[@leedavis6000]

When politicians can’t give an honest answer. The answer to that is don’t vote for them.

[@fredatlas4396]

@leedavis6000 So don't vote for the con party, as they have consistently lied for yrs

[@fredbepsis7635]

So you won’t be voting for anyone then. Ever.

[@leedavis6000]

@@fredbepsis7635 looks that way unfortunately.

[@sonasp1961]

I'm voting Green! Can't stand the conservatives and i cant stand this Labour Party- going back on pledges, look what they've done to Corbyn, even economists are skeptical of Starmer.

[@aleph8888]

Make Europe more dependent in Russian gas. Well done.

[@humbertoramirez8165]

Stop dodging the question Angela!

[@TonyWhite22351]

This lady is a professional spin doctor highly skilled in not answering the questions !

[@grouchos_tash]

I’m sure that’s what it says under “politician” in the Oxford English Dictionary

[@danremenyi1179]

The reality is that Labour won't improve things much. But it is unlikely that they will be as crass as the Tories. The truth is that the political classes like the current system we have well enough that none of they want to rock the boat too much. What we really need is a new boat but no none in a positon to do anythign about this is prepared to even open a proper discussion as to how this country could be run for the benefit of the population as a whole rather than for the benefit of the elite. With Labour in power Jacob Rees-Mogg and his ilk are safe in the hands of the Government even if they cannot abide the sort of people who will be in power.

[@richardking3206]

Starmer has done his best to kick people like me out of the party. He clearly doesn’t want to commit to anything that is about helping the working man with his health, his income levels, his housing etc, etc. I will not be voting Labour unless they commit to do something about the Socialist principles of the party, whatever the Tories are like. Starmer cannot rely on my vote and I’m a lifelong supporter of the ‘broad church’ party of the people; something that I never saw myself saying until just now. But Starmer has left the ‘broad church’ model behind him, so he plainly doesn’t want my support. That saddens me greatly, but it’s his choice, not mine.

[@---Tre---]

STOP making us vote for the lesser of two evils!

[@DJB01]

Only with Proportional Representation, and only the smaller parties are offering it. Vote Green.

[@---Tre---]

@@DJB01 and the Tories will win again. The normies can't bring themselves to vote for the green party.

[@DJB01]

@@---Tre--- my first point stands, we’ll always be choosing the lesser of two evils as long as we have FPTP. You want change? Vote for a party that offers change.

[@sham421]

if you can have a referendum to leave, you can have referendum to rejoin.

[@eugenenoonan1886]

50years.

[@tangerinestorm]

Using Angela's argument about Brexit, she should just stand down as a politician and disband the labour party because the Tories won in 2019, the country decided and we shouldn't fight that battle again.

[@Jericho642]

I’ll be voting LD or Greens if Labour doesn’t change their views on protest, immigration and Brexit

[@bailey32brooks]

your get another tory government then

[@Jericho642]

@@bailey32brooks then perhaps Labour will reflect on how they missed such an open goal

[@Coelacanth1]

@@bailey32brooks Given Starmer's trajectory, will it make any difference?

[@johngorton4776]

Me as well

[@sarahjaneross2918]

Vote Green or progressive independents to aim for a hung Parliament to show Starmer we don’t want "Blair on Steroids"

[@464nescio6]

Another 5 years of torie destruction will be the result.. well done stooge!

[@scrumtious1]

Yup and let the Tories win 🙄

[@sarahjaneross2918]

@@scrumtious1 Starmer...cosying up to Mandleson and going to parties with Murdoch. He's Establishment. Nothing will change. We need to get a hung parliament so that PR is up for discussion again. With PR, the Tories would be booted out, probably forever.

[@ElliotPorter65]

​@@scrumtious1whats the difference anymore?

[@scrumtious1]

​@@ElliotPorter65 Labour might not be the most progressive or inspiring but they are not actively destructive. That's the difference. Plus they will be scrutinised more in the media. Imagine how the media would react if Labour wasted all that money during the pandemic....For instance the 28 billion for green investment is being used as an attack. Do you know how much the Tories have borrowed since 2019 with nothing to show for it? I'll wait......

[@HieronymousCheese]

"BUT...we had a referendum and the referendum was to leave...". So that's it, is it Angela?? Well we had a General Election in 2019 and the Tories were voted in. So that means no one has changed their mind and there's no need for another election, right?? Here's the Big Red Flag, which makes me question whether to vote Labour at all. This is not about a small number of people dissatisfied with Brexit. This is about the huge majority recognising that they were lied to, and that Brexit was/is a DISASTER. I think I just went off Angela Rayner completely.

[@scrumtious1]

As a Brit living in Europe and pro-EU I'm honestly tired of this rejoin discussion. Or rather delusion. It's as if only the UK determines the terms on rejoining. The EU has moved on and has Ukraine, climate change, inflation and other issues. Until the UK has proven itself to be trustworthy with a stable and competent government there will be no real negotiations on rejoining. I'm sure Labour has been made well aware of the situation. So it would be silly of them to promise something they could never hope to achieve in the next decade.

[@tesserakt54]

Yup.

[@shaunm3206]

Blair and Mandelson. It was telling that in exposing Johnson re the son of a KGB officer there was Blair and Mandelson hobnobbing with same people… Blair shouldn’t be anywhere near number 10 ever again.

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Why should Labour defend the idea that Brexit was bad idea when they were saying that from the start, & ìt didn't change a single Brexiteers mind? It would literally be screaming into the void.

[@alexanderdearman4498]

Labour didn't say brexit was a bad idea, corbyn was quite anti Europe... many of the brexiteers were/are Labour voters.

[@timstoddard3707]

Just because we won't get the same deal before the EU doesn't mean we can't get a better deal than what we have now.

[@chrisj9700]

How is being in Schengen and the Euro with no rebate better than what we have now?

[@mdog2501]

​@@chrisj9700what's wrong with Schengen and the Euro?

[@chrisj9700]

@@mdog2501 I don’t want terrorists being able to enter this country without a passport check. Schengen permits that. Black Wednesday and the Troika measures imposed on Greece show the dangers of losing control of your monetary policy. Would Canada be better with the US Dollar?

[@kat2023.]

​@chrisj9700 The Euro is worth 17cents more than the £. What's wrong with that?

[@chrisj9700]

⁠​⁠@@kat2023.hat means the Euro is worth less and it recently hit dollar parity. It’s a bit like saying a Zimbabwean dollar is worth 1 trillion dollars more than the pound. Have you learnt anything from Black Wednesday and the troika bailout of Greece?

[@adeofbass]

I'll be voting Green until we get a proper Labour party back

[@bailey32brooks]

your get another tory government then

[@wellerjam]

@@bailey32brooksnot if you vote green too.

[@ericaceous1652]

So will I

[@Coelacanth1]

@@bailey32brooks If Labour are shaping up to be as bad as the Tories, does it matter?

[@nigeltrigger4499]

Labour have to focus on the most important aspects of recovery first. There is a great deal for them to fix and the Tories have deliberately broken stuff, so Labour have to choose what to focus on first. With the Tories gone, fixing the cost of living is arguable way more important than the right to protest because Labour will not use it against people (which is what Angela Raynor is saying). Let Labour fix the state of our finances first and then focus on all other stuff.

[@ThatGuyThanus]

If she says what she thinks, she’ll be kicked out of ‘Keir Starmers Labour’

[@ronlapworth5805]

Angela! No-one is saying we should ask to rejoin the EU on the same terms we had before. That ship has sailed. But we can make up for the economic disadvantages of Brexit by joining the single market. There was nothing on the referendum ballot paper about quitting the single market. All the polls suggest this would be acceptable to most voters.

[@eugenenoonan1886]

You cannot just rejoin the single market. Anyway its not up to you.Brexit is doing massive damage and you are diverging further as each day goes bye.

[@mustaphaluke]

"The ship has sailed" is a convenient way of dismissing any responsibility for supporting the idea that we knew what we were voting for with Brexit. It always was clear that we didn't and for the non-believers the evidence is now staring them firmly in the face.

[@ronlapworth5805]

@@mustaphaluke No. it refers to the idea that the UK can rejoin under the same conditions of our previous membership of the EU. Anyone who supports the idea that most leave voters knew what they were voting for is in denial.

[@mustaphaluke]

A snappy little catchphrase that aids her selective amnesia, which seems to be symptomatic of Lefties that did not support an informed referendum. Career politicians who would rather support Tory Brexit than risk losing their seats. Populism over policy.

[@factsandsayings]

@@ronlapworth5805 Most leave voters were being rallied around the Flag of "Ending Interference from Brussels" and I think the Economic aspect was somewhat papered over.

[@terryolekszy9486]

Would not trust what that heinous woman says ever

[@adamkey1934]

I understand why she has to answer like this, given the nature of our FPTP electoral system. Still annoying though. I guess it's now on Remainers (Rejoiners now) to keep making the argument. Regretting Brexit isn't enough. We have to get the population excited about Rejoining again and unfortunately we aren't there yet. It will happen.

[@joshs4405]

Anyone expecting things to significantly change/improve under a Labour government are in for a shock

[@nigeltrigger4499]

It will be difficult for Labour to make big improvements because of the state that the Tories have left the country in. However, things will improve instead of getting even worse!

[@Peter-ud9bx]

Great stuff from Angela Rayner! But she doesn't explain why they won't reverse Braverman's anti protest laws. I wonder why?

[@chatham43]

...because they need the common sense vote for a majority....plain to see...

[@michaelgriffiths5723]

This is the worst Labour government of my adult lifetime. It makes me sad. Starmer thinks it's in the bag and doesn't give a toss.

[@Cbirduk1990]

As a conservative likely to vote reform, I’m reassured to hear that nothing will change when Labour get into power!

[@whiteweewee5961]

in case you didn't already know, all politicians are the same.

[@emtaylor597]

Young people all seem to like the Greens. Labour are going to have wished they'd supported the AV+ referendum in 2011.

[@DJB01]

Angela, at least explore the option. Ask the EU if we can undo this mess. You don’t ask, you don’t get. Of course the answer will be no, but you have to at least try, and then tell us straight what we have to do to rejoin. There is now a minority in this country in favour of Brexit. This has been shown time and time again in countless polls and studies. The will of the people changed.

[@waynereid9471]

Forget about Brexit We are stuck with it for a generation at least

[@chrisj9700]

The EU will not give us opt outs of Schengen and the Euro. They won’t give us a rebate. How are we better off with these?

[@eddiecalderone]

Yes Labour let’s go cap in hand to beg

[@eugenenoonan1886]

Maybe get a hearing in 50yrs.....maybe.

[@eddiecalderone]

@@eugenenoonan1886 Exactly. Thank You but NO THANK YOU

[@Coelacanth1]

That is my sense too, they're assuming because ' we have nowhere to go ' they will get our vote by default. And that might be true for some, but if I am not happy with what is presented I will exercise my democratic right to not vote.

[@fredatlas4396]

Then you will be helping to keep the con-servative party in power. And that would be disasterous fir the vast majority of people

[@corydorastube]

Me too.

[@lewist5631]

Just vote green instead!

[@TiagoJRToledo]

It seems Labour are determined to be despised.

[@russelsheartinacage]

Labour sitting on the fence is such a shame, but I'm sure they'll become braver as we get closer to the election

[@Coelacanth1]

Though it does have to be said their current cowardice does not bode well for the future

[@Coelacanth1]

@@wokelefty Given the enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend, one does have to appeal to supporters at some point and leaving it to the last minute could reek of desperation of which is equally off putting.

[@stephenlawley8776]

Very disappointed in her

[@ursman3ify]

I don't understand why British citizens only think that Labour and the Tories are the only 2 political parties they can vote for. They have now both proven to be failurs. You also have other options like the Lib dems, etc...

[@eddiecalderone]

Different electorate

[@damianstarr1696]

None of the other parties have any realistic chance of being elected under FPTP. The Lib-dems came close in 2010 but by becoming the Tory whipping boys under the coalition government they lost a lot of faith in their traditional voter core. Then Ed Davy started the healing process for 2015 but couldn’t separate his own religious beliefs with that of his party again alienating traditional Lib-Dem voters. That leaves the Greens, who under PR could have a chance but for FPTP they’re not going to get enough votes so it’s a wasted vote. SNP/PC/DUP/SF will only get votes in their respective countries so again will never have a chance at winning an election. At best they decide who doesn’t win an election

[@Chris-rb8ox]

At this point in time, most important is to kick out the Tories.

[@eddiecalderone]

@@damianstarr1696 How the Liberal Democrat’s came close in 2010? They were still a very very long way from any chance of top leverage power. The U.K. electorate are not keen on politicians that want to overturn the outcome of a referendum vote

[@eddiecalderone]

@@Chris-rb8ox Yes that might happen, but again, the U.K. electorate leans towards the Tories by default

[@stuartsinclair-smith9140]

I am not pro Labour but I am anti tory. I am so disappointed by this interview 😮

[@tammersalem]

awesome caller ... politicians that can't answer directly? well don't vote for them - vote for a party whose policies matches yours.

[@paulsmith2855]

I'm voting Green won't vote Starmer and he's broken every pledge he promised to get my vote to become labour leader.

[@464nescio6]

Another torie supporter! Or @ least enabler..

[@Rick-mf3gh]

The reason politicians avoid answering questions is because they know people wont like their answers. So all we need to do is assume the worst.

[@twelvesmylimit]

The thing is, both Tories and Labour promise so much that they don't deliver. There should be a law that unless it can be proven by a neutral governing body that (whichever government wins the general election) that a promised policy just turned out to not be workable, then the policy MUST be enacted.

[@reeling-in]

One of Labour's weapons of mass dissatisfaction!

[@l33jcm]

It's a question of priorities and what we absolutely need to do and the order in which we do them. Legislation can be tackled in many ways and it's not necessarily by it's complete removal (when there may be parts that can be useful). Parliamentary time is finite and needs to be used sparingly & wisely. Similarly with Brexit and the job to rejoin will be immense and time-consuming. Let's not try to rush the process, as botching it will add even more time to do it.

[@frankghazal]

This better not be the best Labour can offer. Still better than the Tories but wow, this is incredibly weak.

[@chatham43]

...we need James to come up with some answers...instead of hiding behind LBC....

[@nigelbaldwin1038]

She’s a embarrassment to our Labour Party. Just answer the questions‼️

[@Irene-im8xi]

Scotland voted to stay in the EU - no democracy for us inside the UK.

[@karlclark8625]

I know many are not best pleased with Labour's vague responses and policies, but what is the alternative? We most certainly can't leave the conservatives in power as they've pretty much destroyed Britain, economically, socially etc. Moreover, who ever wins the next election is inheriting many tons of rank baggage, this will obviously cause some restrictions on what is possible. The point is that British public must be patient and not expect everything on their wish list. I will be voting Labour at the next election because they can't be worse than the muppet chalatans who are currently steering Britain off a cliff.

[@mollie3244]

I'm surprised she handled that so well. She is right. The UK is out and can't go back in. There is no option for the foreseeable future except make the best of it. Labour are stressing the importance of maintaining ties with the EU and that is the extent of what anyone can do.

[@PP237PP]

Lol

[@alaskanmalamute101]

Least she can answer a question unlike any Tory Sunak doesn't even turn up for his PM Questions..phones in sick!

[@Ngamer834]

I can't see Labour winning big like they did in 1997. Things have changed, not sure keeping on the fence and trying to be the Tory alternative rather than the alternative will work as well for them. The young protestor yesterday who put Starmer on the spot but he wasn't able to respond outside of his robotic programming and resorted to treating him like an annoyance when challenged after his "talk to me afterwards" but made clear he never responds it all looked rather embarrassing. This doesn't inspire confidence from a potential PM. Think we've generally had enough of bad leaders now and government who does nothing for the working people except take more of our wages whilst everything shoots up in price.

[@addermoth]

In this 'Partnership of Equals" - David Cameron Indyref 2014, we in Scotland voted by a large majority to remain in the EU as did Northern Ireland. The Labour party treat Scotland and her voters with as much disdain as their Blue counterparts.

[@corydorastube]

[True that. I [could never undrst[and wh so many Scots voted L[abour in the[ past.

[@aleph8888]

Quoting Cameron? Those who voted for Scottish independence in 2014 were voting to leave the EU 😂

[@addermoth]

@@aleph8888 I think you may be misinformed. That is one helluva leap. My point was we are not a partnership of equals

[@glasgovipsolara]

@@aleph8888 - “What is the process for removing our EU citizenship? Voting yes” - Better Together, 2014.

[@chrisj9700]

Thanks to Brexit voters in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the UK voted democratically to leave the EU.

[@joeambaye8681]

Which lasts longer ? Starmer's pledge Vs a lettuce

[@tabariayo2839]

Wow just say you’ll rescind it! The fact you can’t speaks volumes

[@andrewrobinson2565]

It's as easy to abolish tuition fees for home students as it was to introduce them, Labour Party. I got my degree and then lef. Best decision I ever made.t because Margaret Thatcher.

[@markedwardsuk]

The Tories have passed numerous bills and amendments in the last 12 years. Let's not forget that they also passed the Retained EU Law bill, which grants them the ability to modify even more laws. Labour will need multiple parliaments to untangle the damage caused by these changes. Reversing or modifying each bill requires going through the entire parliamentary process for ratification. The Tories are well aware of this and are attempting to overwhelm Labour's capacity to undo everything. Labour must concentrate on their own challenges and give priority to their own bills in order to accomplish their plan first, and only then can they clean up the mess.

[@elche7367]

What doth profit a man if he gains the whole world and suffers the loss of soul? The first caller was right. Where have all the George Galloways gone?

[@HTOP1982]

A decision made on a non-binding referendum, that was the crux of it. If the referendum was binding, then the voters might have voted differently.

[@thefastandthedead1769]

Red Tories! Thankfully Scotland has an alternative! Labour died in Scotland telling lies for the Tories! Roll on independence!

[@seatmaz]

We left the e.u but it was set to fail as people in charge of leaving the e.u was remain .

[@user-pm2yo8lv1s]

Imagine if politicians told the truth.

[@denz180]

Yeah i like Angela and what she stands for but there is no question that labour are not supporting protest its nothing to do with cultural change; what if we are not happy with labour? We still can't protest

[@davidfoster2006]

Even more importantly would be to scrap the unelectable old duffers in the House of Lords retirement home, who continually go against the majority view of working class people.

[@chicotime69]

Giving people!!!!!! How can you give people what's ALREADY theirs?? YOU don't give WE do!!!! We give you permission to represent US!!!!! The sooner you people realise this the better!!!!!!!!!

[@fattyflamethrower]

How does she defend a draconian policy she can't possibly agree with? I wouldn't want to be a politician!

[@ThomasKing19933]

I don't trust Keir, he seems too much of a red Tory.

[@britnatzaredemocracydenier5922]

He is a red Tory, he is shutting down the centre left for the rightwing starmerites... Starmer is taking private health insurance donations and far right zi..ist money from apartheid israel

[@Noel-ji8nm]

Starmer has said he does not care if people think he is conservative - as he promised the next government will be New Labour “on steroids”. In a speech on Saturday, the Labour leader said the Tories “can no longer claim to be conservative” and will blast “patronising contempt for those who fly our flag”.13 May 2023

[@Coelacanth1]

@@Noel-ji8nm In 2010 New Labour were voted out of office for the reason, they stunk something horrible. And Starmer wants to give us new labour on steroids

[@montyriviera795]

I'm taken back to the last time I remember James interviewing Angela's boss. I'd like to see him do that again, but this time with just a smidgen less sycophancy. I'd like James to challenge Starmer on his numerous U turns. Particularly his stance on the EU. When James implored him to keep banging the anti Brexit drum I'd like Keir to explain why this : "So let me be very clear. Under Labour, Britain will not go back into the EU. We will not be joining the single market or the customs union. Now, I know some people don’t want to hear that, but it is my job to be frank and to be honest - and you will always get that with me" Is banging the anti Brexit drum!

[@stevengreenhough4232]

Undoing this particular bill wouldn't stand in the way of any other promise. It doesn't really have a financial implication so why not chuck it in with all the material stuff? It doesn't have to be mutually exclusive. Seems to me Sir Keir is the biggest obstacle to Sir Keir achieving Sir Keir's promises.

[@nickryder9669]

Labour need every Tory voter they can get ! I loved Corbin but who do I think has more chance of getting into power and making a change well Starmer ! The press were never going to let Corbin get into power !

[@bulletingaming796]

They are not taking peoples rights. Protesters have you using extreme methods like stopping traffic to people who have no power to make change. Stopping ambulances from getting to emergencies.

[@laverdajota8089]

LBC is the only station I listen to , James obrian is a self opinionated big head ,I tend to switch off when he is on

[@j7ech402]

He's a groomer

[@roc7880]

why not? tories just raised them overnight. labour says they will not change anything. they will still deny rights but do it politely. much better indeed.

[@DanielLee1]

I’m way too annoyed at “pillar-stone”.

[@jamesthomson4998]

The roll of the eyes with Brexit. She knows she cant speak her mind, and that's why this politician is the same as the ones in government

[@rayfinkel4434]

They can’t reverse what’s been done because they’re doing nothing about the boats either,there are too many coming onto our island and we’ve not got the infrastructure for it,it was the exact same in 04 when we opened the doors to Poland and the rest of Europe didn’t

[@bearsbreeches]

Here, here. Just how I feel!

[@darksharkrafa1]

Thickest MP ever...the new Diane Abbott

[@kevken3293]

WHAT ON EARTH IS A PILLARSTONE, she is confusing a pillar of govnt with a keystone. She is so uneducated.

[@andrescasado5975]

EU is a peace project rich help poor