What to expect from Keir Starmer in power | Ben Riley-Smith interview

Ben Riley-Smith swung by the studio to chat to us on the release of his book Blue Murder: The Rise and Fall of the Conservative Government 2010-2024.
The Telegraph's Political Editor chats about Keir Starmer's transformation of the Labour Party, what to expect from him in the next five years, and the Conservative leadership contest.
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[@musicmikemn]

Despite being a Torygraph hater, I was open to hearing a great interview from Ben. Unfortunately, this was pretty boring with Oli doing most of the meaningful parts of the discussion. No real debate or insight being offered. Seemed like he wanted to plug his book as if this was a morning show tbh.

[@nathanaelsmith3553]

Yeah - he kinda just stated the obvious and plugged his book.

[@plebjames]

Thanks, I'm now gonna not bother watching this (I'm currently about 40 seconds in)

[@ghostsethrich7306]

I think it makes a certain sort of sense. If you're going to help run a Tory rag, but you aren't going to be a frothing lunatic like Paul Dacre, you'll need to be as vacuous as this schmuck from the Telegraph.

[@SamMerchant-vn4or]

Oh jesus, the daily telegraph political editor!!!! the person who gets told what to write by his pay masters

[@blazzz13]

*tax dodging paymasters

[@mattyn870]

Hes basically a body for hire

[@muireann9763]

Ben swung by the studio - WTF is going on this w/e - NM plugging Applebaum on Putin and the Russian Oligarchs and now PJoe plugging a Telegraph journo's book on the Cons in power n Starmer is ruthless??????????? No shit sherlocks ( have they all got a bit platform weary n now they have a few kids, we have to listen to any old shite from anywhere as long as they fill in an hour)

[@robertmaitland8728]

The Daily Telegraph whose daily headlines remind me of the names of horror story movies. Publishing doom and gloom to those who for instance, vote for any other party than Conservative. And some of their readers just may be influenced by this, only in this Old Codgers opinion of course.

[@danw5760]

And just how hospitable are you to those that don't vote in your favoured direction I wonder?

[@Morning404]

@@danw5760 The OP is entitled to his opinion just as is everyone else. You're just triggered because you're a tory boy.

[@danw5760]

@@Morning404 never voted tory in my life, but thanks for showing your tribal nature for us all to see. Nobody said or implied he wasn't entitled to his opinion either so you're comment is rather lacking from start to finish

[@robertmaitland8728]

@@Morning404 With respect to danw5760 He is possibly a non voter or a disgruntled Conservative. I think that at the age of 84 I speak my mind as I have always done and maybe some people do not like it, but hey thats life. Regards.

[@mick947]

I can’t believe Riley-Smith is a political editor of anything. It’s frightening to think people will be reading his words.

[@orionxtc1119]

I read it.... absolute;y riviting..... so much info I never heard about

[@muireann9763]

me2

[@Cosmic-Chaplain]

Thank you to Politics Joe for inviting Riley-Smith, Editor for the Telegraph, to both reflect on the past few years of politics and to consider what is happening in politics right now. It’s interesting to hear a Telegraph perspective on what Starmer is doing. Starmer is a ruthless. I don’t believe ordinary people will benefit from his administration.

[@enemywithin1295]

Nice of Oli to make an effort.

[@craig3533]

Well, it's the Torygraph - it's not like he deserves much effort.

[@enemywithin1295]

@@craig3533 Yeah, I'm sure he's honoured to be in the hallowed halls of a mighty institution like JOE.

[@craig3533]

@@enemywithin1295 At least Politics Joe could be described as journalism, which the Telegraph can't.

[@deanyvoys2181]

Suprise suprise the Torygraph is criticising Labour

[@edmurth]

Political editor of the telegraph doesn’t know where Starmer stands, the rest of us don’t know what planet the political editor lives on because it certainly isn’t earth.

[@Blahblahblahworlds]

"money is tight": it's just wrong to say this without adding the relevant alternative view that the government has other options including borrowing.

[@storm21410]

Right...borrowing in a period of high interest rates is a good thing isn't it? Maybe get the rates down before borrowing can even be considered

[@morisan42]

@@storm21410 We can lower the rates, raising it didn't meaningfully curb inflation and high rates constrain private investment, so yes, we should lower them

[@crayontom9687]

I won’t watch the interview because this guy is a total w⚓️ and I hate him and everything he stands for. I hope Oli told him as much

[@nathanaelsmith3553]

Telegraph are R👣

[@evolassunglasses4673]

We must stay inside our echo chamber. Lol

[@crayontom9687]

@@evolassunglasses4673 if going outside my echo chamber means listening to nobs like this then absolutely yes 😂

[@robertsmith9810]

@@crayontom9687 WHAT are you doing here

[@felixarbable]

Oli hates starmer so much hees got the torygraph on to shit on him too 😂

[@fredatlas4396]

Daily telegraph, so he's really unbiased 🙄

[@daryllbroadhurst5719]

“I don’t understand well enough, what kind of drove that explosion in violence over 10 days” has he seen his front pages? I liked how Oli managed to grit his teeth and just respond “hmmm”

[@shashaworld4283]

Why do you think the riots happened?

[@TerriObrien-mi5rx]

No clue 🤡🤡

[@liamhutton27]

Good maturity to reach across isles in inviting this guest. Makes for good content

[@arnedomi]

This guy is clueless.

[@advocate1563]

So glad we left last year and took everything with us 😁. Woukdn't go back to UK under any circs. Lidw here is so much better - freedom of speech, great healthcare, good schools, and low level crime. Made us realise how bad UK had become over past 25 years still trying to work out how this interview landed in my feed!!! Random ...

[@BuzzTemple]

You had the political editor of the Telegraph sitting in front of you but didn't pose any questions regarding how their headlines may have contributed to the racist riots / pogroms seen across the country recently? Did you go for drinks together after? Appalling journalism.

[@samcad-ho3ze]

Racist riots? You mean the ones done every weekend since October 7?

[@FranzBieberkopf]

I agreed with the Telegraph journo when he said there's a lot of expectation management going on here on the next budget. Will it be as bad as they're making things out? I don't think so.

[@akeleven]

The visionaries come forward and then the ruthless take it over and make it into their own money machine. We fall for it over and over

[@nomoreheroes93]

Banning smoking outside isn’t a breach of people’s liberties Oli - smokers are a minority, the majority who have to inhale their smoke are the ones having their liberties broken

[@GoldnDusty]

Being in a minority doesn't make a bit of difference when considering the importance civil liberties. Drop that part of your argument and it becomes stronger. You value the health of a majority over the freedom of a minority. That's an admirable position, so lead with it.

[@MementoY2K]

What about minority rights?

[@charlyhammond5280]

The TORYgraph who lie every single day

[@clivebroadhead4381]

It's interesting that Labour is nationalising the railways, however, should the Government be separately nationalising the pharmaceutical industry to control the cost of drugs and vaccines?

[@jnielson1121]

Why is the political editor of the Telegraph admitting that Gordon Brown wasn't responsible for the GLOBAL financial crisis? Won't he be disappeared??...

[@slevin2260]

We don't give him credit for how ruthless he is. Credit??!!

[@progpuss]

Elitist smug Tory boy

[@lesleylamy]

Good we have had a useless goverment for 14 years, at last we have a strong pm and goverment to get this country great again

[@sciencefliestothemoon2305]

What is the problem with the smoking ban in beer gardens? That is a thing in most of Europe now.

[@evolassunglasses4673]

It's anti freedom of choice. Freedom is in retreat across the West.

[@robertsmith9810]

WHY not close all pubs as alcohol is not good for ones health , why do people need to smoke drink take drugs tell all as i do not need to or want to

[@matthewevans107]

This is a really boring interview. Oil tried his best but this guy is giving less insight and opinion than a wiki page.

[@davidellis1355]

I love the telegraph, it makes me laugh so much

[@Ladynipchick2]

This can be a very confusing channel for me...

[@matthewevans107]

He says ruthless, I say lying through the back of his teeth.

[@wmorris189]

As an ex heavy smoker, I am really grateful for smoking bans, bring them on, it’s a horrible habit that puts vast amounts of money in the pockets of horrible corporations. I miss the chats outside with random strangers, but nothing else.

[@Gusthecatinlondon]

Dont let the casual Slug Daddy fool you...he is on his game 😂

[@mrdaveythebaby]

Camerons gov wasn't determined to defeat Brexit. He just wanted to consolidate his leadership.

[@hess6wi]

Offering a referendum because he didn't think he could win a majority. If Sunak had got a majority, we'd be having national service. You can offer anything when you don't think you will have to deliver it.

[@mrdaveythebaby]

@@hess6wi He gambled with Brexit. That was one hell of a risk to take

[@colincampbell4261]

We need cannabis social clubs.

[@johnroberts2905]

"Honest" Bob. LMAO

[@lmg7503]

The trouble with starmer is that he is a liar. A liar will never be trusted. So he will never be anything.

[@colincampbell4261]

Not as much as toryboys lie.

[@ivanwoodhouse1958]

why no discussion on the impact of Refoirm on the poarty ???

[@jessery475]

Funny how Oli has gone in so hard on the anti Starmer vibes he's now seems to have more agreement with editor of telegraph than the rest of the pol joe team

[@GoldnDusty]

People are entitled to hold different opinions to you, even when they agree with you on the vast majority. Accept that some people do not find Keir Starmer inspiring, and you may be able to start changing it.

[@TerriObrien-mi5rx]

OMG The Telegraph totally opposed to everything about the Labour Party,headlines criticising Labour every day it’s infuriating,don’t care who’s in power as long as it’s not the Tory party,

[@TerriObrien-mi5rx]

Well I’ve heard enough from Telegraph and surprisingly the interviewer,two bashing Labour,turned off 😮

[@rohanharridge5579]

As much as I dislike Starmer the Telegraph did more than anybody to promote the Kremlin asset who became prime minister of the UK. They have a credibility issue.

[@jessery475]

Someone was briefed to get "starmer is rutheless" into the headline huh. How many times did they repeat that word 🤔

[@LimeyRedneck]

It was those lefty banks I tell yer!! 💥🥊🥬

[@neil_estate]

Genius

[@Thegreyreaperuk]

The political editor of the Daily Torygraph🤣

[@datingdave1310]

I never watch your videos, but the 'splash screen' title is a joke - coming, presumably, from your guest - calling KS ruthless is hysterical, when compared to the last 3 Con-servative PMs! But nothing more than you'd expect from the editor of their fanzine...

[@callyyeadon2653]

Please watch Danny Blanchfower interview on Owen Jones program

[@samlawrence2239]

In fairness, if anyone is gonna talk about what failed the tories, it's gonna be the people who continuously ignored all of it whilst they were in power.

[@66guidos]

I like those sandals.

[@lisalisala117]

Omg put your legs & feet away Oli, you've literally got your bare feet right up his nose

[@leonie563]

Wishing The Goodies & The Young One's was still around to pillory these scene's

[@vladimirolenka7903]

He got rid of Jeremy Corbyn…because Jeremy is very popular in community he was envious of him.

[@joetrent4753]

Let’s be honest, he wasn’t PM material. That was way out of his depth.

[@muireann9763]

Blue Murder eh tick that off me Xmas list gee phew golly golly gosh

[@jamieeames8934]

Lizz truss’s budget wiped 50k off the sale price of my late grandmothers house.

[@brandogg974]

The interview is like the two genders of millennial dudes

[@hotshot243]

If this is no longer a newspaper why does any body care

[@dannyquinn9128]

Those sandals are awful. Put some socks on.

[@LoneSheWolf09]

Socks and sandals? Really?🤣😆🤣

[@dannyquinn9128]

@@LoneSheWolf09 No, just no sandals. Ever.

[@colincampbell4261]

​@@dannyquinn9128sandals are great in hot weather.

[@LoneSheWolf09]

@@colincampbell4261 apparently even better with socks on!😉😆

[@pmartin54BB]

15% is not 1 in 8

[@jezzat3778]

Ooh a scary photo of a centrist ooh scary

[@douglasreid9922]

The SNP has been in power in Scotland since 2007. I guess that in the eyes of London Scotland does not matter. Nothing changes.

[@hess6wi]

Westminster politics does impact Scotland too you know.

[@Dave-kg9bb]

Why on earth would you interview this guy. Rag along with others, has done more to spread mistruths and rhetoric leading to where we are today. Be ashamed for platforming this politics Joe

[@onawhim9079]

No problem interviewing people with differing views. It's good if their views are dissected and challenged, and can lead to others with similar views visiting the Joe channel and perhaps have their views changed.

[@Dave-kg9bb]

@@onawhim9079 Unfortunately whilst I agree with your premise, it doesn't really happen in reality. Which is why I would prefer they weren't given platforms and people vote with their feet by not going to ones where they are.

[@colincampbell4261]

The tories have to convince tue electorate that they are human.

[@owatopham]

Interesting chat. Very good point about getting the bad stuff out of the way first. Starmer's Labour Party is ruthless. Whether they will get away with it who knows. I think also there is thinking within Centrist Labour that the Tories in 2010 butchered Labour's Economic legacy in the press (Gordon Brown's decision selling Gold and Liam Byrne's note et al) and so I think there is a huge element of score settling amongst the Labour Centrists.

[@hatherlow]

Yesterdays newspaper

[@stevegilbert1023]

Very, very boring. So, so boring. Christ. 'Just to remind everyone of the boring details', please don't. 'Lord Howard, Michael Howard who led the party and paved the way for David Cameron', a real highlight of insight.

[@joetidman565]

Balance and all that…

[@ScarySox]

They mis-spelled useless in the title!

[@Blahblahblahworlds]

"Ruthlessness/ruthless political operator". What you mean is "lying/liar"

[@Lostmissionary]

Does Oli have an issue with something stuck up his nose?

[@nathanaelsmith3553]

The guest maybe?

[@Lostmissionary]

@@nathanaelsmith3553 Great point 👍

[@Lostmissionary]

@@nathanaelsmith3553 Absolutely the best answer 🤣

[@leeroychang]

Anyone feel stupid for voting for Labour then?

[@eddaniels4731]

I'd feel stupider voting Conservative.

[@leeroychang]

@@eddaniels4731 I think I agree with that statement.

[@RayzaNC]

No, the only thing i find stupid is people writing off and judging them when they haven't had any time to change anything yet, it was always going to be a long process.

[@robertmaitland8728]

More like stupid for reading the Daily Telegraph.

[@robertmaitland8728]

@@RayzaNC - Have a little compassion for these people RayzaNC - because they have lived for the past 14 years under a Tory government and their minds just may, and I say just may, have been wrongly influenced by there rhetoric.

[@Mchelsea2924]

The enemy of my enemy is my friend…unsubscribe

[@philstabler]

Tory Murdock rag

[@jamesstuart4018]

The Telegraph 🇬🇧 is a joke 😢

[@ThomasBoyd-x3x]

Tory Conservative good wait get in power as British government Thomas it uk general election August 15 2029 yes it full five year Labour government in England London United Kingdom.

[@Blahblahblahworlds]

"tacked to the centre" which is a very unfair characterisation of what was dishonest behaviour. And there's plenty of evidence of his authorarian behaviour from internal politics and his treatment is Abbot, Faiza Shaheen, Corbyn and the parachuting in of Dtarmer yes men at the general election

[@donnyE777]

Keith is a cop

[@mrhobsonschoice]

FFS The Daily Telegraph..... your point re ruthlessness against Corbyn, as a member I had no choice but to vote Labour under Cornyn as I didn't want to give the vote to the Tories. Corbyn did Labour no favours.