Why is Starmer purging the Labour left? | The News Agents

[@Shsjier]

How is it an antisemitic trope to say that there are professional organisations lobbying for israel? What is Labour friends of israel? AIPAC? The former head of LFI is now the official spokesperson for israel. Are we supposed to just ignore this?

[@flamboyentpromotions3471]

Exactly, theres just so much cowardice in the mainstream media

[@NigerianCalledSamMighty]

What’s more frustrating is that throughout the whole video is that they didn’t mention it. These guys in politics are so far out of touch from reality

[@passiveagressive6365]

The same people who turned up with their pitches and forks demanding that she be removed from the PLP. Those people….🤦

[@thetragicyouth]

I thought Labour was meant to be "the left"? Why have commentators begun talking about "the Labour left" as though they are some kind of peculiar anomaly? Could it be because - as the editor of The Spectator recently observed - "Britain now has two Conservative Parties"....?

[@schofield4836]

No, we have two labour parties

[@DylanSargesson]

Every party has factions within it.

[@danburycollins]

Scotland is to the north. But there is a South of Scotland and a North of Scotland.

[@james3098]

Yes but Labour has massively shifted to the right​@DylanSargesson

[@DylanSargesson]

@@james3098 A straight line spectrum conception of politics is dumb and reductive - but if you are to engage in it: The current leadership is to the right of Jeremy Corbyn, sure, I don't think anyone would argue against that. But they're not on "the right". Starmer's Labour is solidly on the social democratic centre-left. If you don't think that Labour to the left of the Conservative Party you're not paying attention.

[@joepenny1935]

Very important to note that saying there is an Israeli lobby is not an anti-Semitic trope. It’s an empirical fact. Saying there’s a Jewish lobby is an anti-Semitic trope. Such a basic and essential fact, you’d think the presenters could understand that

[@Sion.leon96]

I’ve always voted for Labour. Our local MS is incredible and the work they do for the local community is invaluable. I’ve always believed that regardless of the party at large, the genuine care for their constituents and area drowned out all the noise. I’ve spent most of the last few days vibrating with rage over the expulsions within the Labour Party. Specifically Diane and Faiza Shaheen being denied the right to stand for the party. Two women of colour who quite frankly would represent their constituents better than any of the other options by far. Outspoken women who challenge the status quo and give voices to those who would otherwise not have one. Cowardly, pathetic and shameful move on Stamers part. John Major without the Roy Croppers. The greens currently have my vote.

[@MorningtonCrescent]

Starmer is cleaning house in respect of anti-semitism and imbalanced discrimination. Abbott was suspended and disciplined for claiming a hierarchy of racism and Shaheen deselected due to openly supporting a (claimed) anti-semitic post on the socials. Have you ever considered that this is NOT about 'women of colour' and merely a direct result of their own voluntary and considered actions? This victimhood-wrapping based on identity is false, tiresome and quite frankly poor argumentation. No fan of Labour here, but this is pragmatic realpolitik in response to the Corbyn era. In short, parties of all hues are NOT beholden to minor cliques and elections are (still) won in the centre (meaning broadest possible reach).

[@ne-ht4zx]

Who'd have thought the Labour left would hit the self-destruct button! No view on Abott (not sure if she might have misunderstood something), Shaheen and Russell-Moyle have no place near govt. Playing the race card is as low as it gets.

[@wolfen210959]

You yourself have identified the problem, outspoken women, meaning loose cannons, we have seen what happened to the Tories when they allowed loose cannons to have free reign.

[@isabellewhite3505]

I feel as you do, and I even emailed Starmer to ask if Dianne Abbot would be able to stand as a labour MP next month. Then the announcement came, that she could. I genuinely do not understand the vision that Starmer has, meaning is he genuine to Labour or to power for himself I decided last month to vote tactically. My ward is a safe labour seat and I'm happy to vote Labour because I simply couldn't bare to waste a vote, and allow the Tory party to gain control of my ward. Had my ward been a marginal Green on Lib Dem I would vote likewise. I don't think we should waste our votes tbh. This current govt are corrupt and in the same level of magnitude, they are truly incompetent.

[@Sion.leon96]

@@wolfen210959 you may think being outspoken warrants the generalisation that all opinionated women are loose cannons, not being a misogynist myself I’d have to disagree.

[@dalek604]

Far left??? Am I living in a parallel universe? This aint the 70s when you had the likes of Baader-Meinhof or the weather underground. We're talking about someone's nan who just wants a better world for the poor.

[@nickmunby2553]

Luke Akehurst supported the US in the Vietnam war and the invasion of Iraq.

[@TAHeap]

I'd be perfectly prepared to believe that he's Satan Incarnate ... but in reality the Vietnam War ended when he was barely three years old!

[@catherinemartin6258]

Most people are slightly left from centre not extreme left or extreme right.

[@Rorikon215]

I shouldn't have this much disdain for the labour leader before he's even been elected. If he's this autocratic and intolerant of potential dissent now, how bad will he be in 5-10 years?

[@darrentaylordigital]

Unfortunately there is now an unkind level of ruthlessness required to win an election. The public has been so badly poisoned against any even slightly centre left policy, this is the only way Labour can get in and at least do some of if the bare minimum

[@kennethpaterson921]

@@darrentaylordigital This ruthlessness is making it harder for Labour to win, they are driving voters away.

[@darrentaylordigital]

@@kennethpaterson921 kind of. Driving away voters from the left, and winning over voters from the middle

[@wolfen210959]

@@kennethpaterson921 Where is the proof of that? Latest polls show the opposite, Labour have increased vote share by 3%, perhaps the public prefer a leader who is strong and won't stand for any nonsense, Sunak should take note, but he won't, he's too arrogant to take note of anything but his own ego.

[@flamboyentpromotions3471]

The tweet wasn't anti-semitic at all, and she said she liked the Jon Stewart comedy sketch, which the tweet was about Sopel should watch it b4 he comments

[@Haree78]

My post got deleted linking the article where John Stewart, a Jewish Man, criticized Labour for their stupidity.

[@hohum2722]

My local MP is Peter "how can live on an MPs salary" Bottomley. Voting Labour is the only chance of getting rid of him. Having voted Labour all my life and spent 40 years in tory constituencies, I'm going to struggle put a cross in the Labour box. It makes me sick and angry in equal measure.

[@alexharrison2743]

Same here, I'm a student so can register to vote at my home location, where the incumbent Tory candidate won by only 250 votes in 2017, so Labour could definitely oust him... But this is not the Labour party I wanted to be voting for. The infighting, both ways (though more so the right fighting the left), just makes me sick, and the idea that they could squander the biggest election victory ever, just to score some internal points, infuriates me.

[@isabellewhite3505]

I think vote tactically. If labour has the greatest chance of being elected, then I'd vote that way. I hope Starmer comes thru and rebuilds this country and not pillage taxpayers funds. I don't think that's the case tbh. I will vote Labour bc tactically this is the only vote I can live with myself to do. I would hate beyond anything for Tory's to be reelected. I took do not like how MPs have been treated recently.

[@foloeel]

Starmer said he was going to unite the party, another lie. When is he ever going to say something we can believe.

[@Gary-le7dz]

Yes under corbyn labour were so united that’s why he lost a no confidence vote by 180-40 votes from his own mp s and ignored it

[@nazb1982]

@@Gary-le7dzCorbyn could have united the party too by doing exactly what Starmer is doing in reverse except everyone and his dog would be crying foul

[@Gary-le7dz]

@@nazb1982 I am a labour councillor and corbyn divided labour more than starmer …. Whoever leads labour like the Tory’s it’s impossible to unite the party , but starmer has united it much much better than corbyn who lost us an election worst result since WW2 for labour to a compulsive liar in Johnson …. Judge starmer when he s in power yes but slagging him off helps the Tory’s no one else

[@Gary-le7dz]

@@nazb1982 as for uniting the party I don’t see 85% of labour mp s voting no confidence in keir starmer as they did with corbyn , I think above all else the Abbott debate shows up one thing , the divisive hate of a small minority on the far left of labour who d rather destroy labour because it s not perfect just for them , I campaigned for corbyn and suffered a lot of abuse from the public , not physically but the hatred of corbyn is something the far left choose to forget deliberately…. Yes starmers not perfect but I campaigned in the locals and though people may disagree with him found no hatred of the man unlike corbyn

[@Yossarian_Lives73]

Starmer = Lie

[@seebarry4068]

Purging the left and embracing the deserting right.

[@CFlfc98]

Jewish lobby = antisemitic Israeli lobby = not antisemitic Blaming the Israel lobby for everything wrong in the country = antisemitic Blaming the Israeli lobby for political positions/policy regarding Israel = not antisemitic All states lobby.

[@spartacusforlife1508]

Anyone seen LUKE AKEHURSTS posts and tweets? And he gets parachuted into a safe seat

[@thetragicyouth]

- also Wes Streeting's Twitter history was pretty repellent until he deleted a lot of it; fortunately though it's been preserved as screenshots which are widely available online.

[@hedgegrower]

Is there any chance Starmer could be de-selected......please !

[@JCL-n7y]

He might well lose his seat.

[@menon.anirudh]

Vote for Andrew Feinstein, standing as an independent in Keith's constituency!

[@nickmunby2553]

She tweeted a like for Jon Stewart. Have you watched the show? Really?

[@bec9255]

This has been going on for years! If only the press and broadcasters hadn't willfully ignored the Labour files. Better late than never I suppose.

[@thetragicyouth]

And the Forde Report too - swept under the carpet by Starmer and conveniently ignored by the media.

[@profdrrameshkumarbiswas1337]

It would really be greit if Diane and the other lady who was banned from standing actually win against labour (the tories will be out anyway despite that)..

[@dansmiles9183]

Hate it all, we will never fix anything in this country if the people who will be in government in 6 weeks are already behaving like this

[@alexharrison2743]

Honestly I don't even know if they'll win, anymore

[@g-r-a-e-m-e-]

I am so so so so so so so so sick of Starmer.

[@kayess2634]

Already????😳

[@turntheblueiris4626]

Someone get Grey some Imodium ;)

[@isabellewhite3505]

I am too. But I'm voting tactically which means for my ward ill vote Labour. I detest the Tory's more. So I'm happy to vote tactically

[@johnrobertsmith9914]

... and king Starmer roars "Who will rid me of this turbulent Abbott?" History does repeat itself.

[@tt-ew7rx]

Or maybe one of his knights said "I rather fancy her ultra-safe seat for myself".

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

All Keir is doing is creating more enemies

[@kriissyy09ify]

King Keir. Making Corbynites cry since 2020

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

​@@kriissyy09ify by making corbynites cry you mean splitting his own party in two? Hardly makes him a king

[@kriissyy09ify]

​@@TihetrisWeathersby "Labour MPs pass a no-confidence motion in Jeremy Corbyn by 172 votes to 40" Now that's a split party.....

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

@@kriissyy09ify precisely why some of us are voting green and independent, why vote for a party that actively mocks you?

[@darren_anscombe]

And it's Corbynites like you that just don't know when to give up, even if it is putting people off voting out this much worse Tory party. Slow clap

[@andrewflavell3560]

Definitely the best listen in politics.

[@evileye6432]

Its funny how the tweet she liked was about how you are accused of antisemitism if you a critic of Israel and everyone commenting on it just says an anti-Semitic tweet.

[@nazb1982]

It’s because one nation Tories and old Labour are trying to co exist under the same banner. Nothing gets fixed without proportional representation.

[@Red1Green2Blue3]

I support PR but it's not going to result in the outcome you want. PR promotes more centrism not less because parties have to govern in coalition. Look at Germany for example there was literally 12 years of coalition between the Union (Conservatives) and SDP (Labour) since 2004 and now the SPD and Greens can't pass a lot of their agenda because they rely on the FDP (libertarians) as a coalition partner.

[@nazb1982]

@@Red1Green2Blue3 yes but if the UK tried German policies it would be seen as far left. Ever since Thatcher FPTP has just shifted the Overton window further and further right. In practical terms it forces a choice between Tory and Labour and given Labour procedures have been stitched up so that a Corbyn can never happen again I will take proportional representation.

[@Red1Green2Blue3]

@@nazb1982 That's not true at all. The Union is FAR from far left even by UK standards. Again, if you think PR is going to be a panacea and stop right wing and centrist policy you're in for a rude awakening.

[@nolslifegren]

Notice how Sopel pedals past the 2017 result ... 2019 was down to Brexit and a concerted campaign in the media including the BBC and the Guardian .

[@Ukandy19]

You nearly got it right, it was about brexit and how hopeless Corbyn was

[@nolslifegren]

@@Ukandy19 Had Corbyn stuck to his guns on Brexit he mightve won

[@Robo94100]

What about the 2017 result? The one where Corbyn finished almost 60 seats behind one of the worst Tory campaigns in living memory? I like Corbyn’s vision of Britain, but let’s not pretend he hasn’t been into two elections and lost both convincingly…

[@harveybrown37]

​@@Robo94100 The shortest Campaign in UK history punctuated by 2 terrorist events which paralyzed campaigning, created directly thanks to Theresa May's dreadful behaviour whilst Foreign Secretary.

[@LONDONGUY100]

@@Ukandy19 Yes it was the Brexit election...and Labours second referendum nobody wanted, that Starmer imposed on the party using threats to split the party if the policy wasn't adopted. Was Labours red wall ever going to vote for a second referendum? No....and Starmer knew it.

[@markfarmer3948]

One question is and has been discussed about the meaning of the 'Israel lobby' is its about the country and government while a 'Jewish Lobby' would mean about the religion. There is a clear difference between the literal meanings. The lobby group has been shown to donate money to British political parties, especially the Tories. We must be careful with our words and speak precisely, which is not happening allowing people to use incorrect words and meanings to cause offense, problems and disarray

[@MrsYarnold]

For sure, I’ve been pushed to vote green. This won’t change.

[@stephfoxwell4620]

Don't. They are Marxist.

[@turntheblueiris4626]

@@stephfoxwell4620 Seriously? They hate Duck Soup? A Night at The Opera? Surely they don't hate A Day at The Races?

[@stephfoxwell4620]

@@turntheblueiris4626 Do you mean the Marx Brothers?

[@turntheblueiris4626]

@@stephfoxwell4620 Where's the post I replied to? Did you ruin my joke?! Mean!!! :)

[@stephfoxwell4620]

@@turntheblueiris4626 What? Where is my post about Marxists?

[@mrtee1211]

Starmer wants to make the Labour Party white again

[@agmor1]

Not true. He wants non-white faces but not non-white voices. See: the inaction over the Forde Report.

[@nazb1982]

It probably isn’t to do with this. Just doesn’t want anyone to the left of Thatcher in the party.

[@MrGalvinjohn]

The lack of ethics in Labour indicates a deeper malaise. This can be understood through a discourse of health. What Labour leaders express is evidence of psychopathy and this means it is not about left /right. The Marmot Review/Determinants of health provides baseline for healthy politics and vision for healthy society/economy. Correspondingly the Marmot Review points to how psychopathy behaviours exhibited by Labour are antithetical to healthy human interactions both within the party itself and out. After all the leader is on record supporting war crimes by a state on a civilian population. It is cathartic that folks are leaving such an unhealthy milieu that is now the Labour party. Journalists should pay better heed to health discourse as per Marmot Review/Determinants of health.

[@larryfroot]

Reform is the option for disaffected Tories. Starmer should reflect that the Green Party could well perform the same function re Labour. I think tactical voting will prevent that this time around. But the left will find a home.

[@666Eva]

Its almost a certainty that Angela Rayner will be Prime Minister in 5 years time.

[@agmor1]

He's created an atmosphere of smear and fear. He'll be lucky to survive two years.

[@Red1Green2Blue3]

Unlikely. That's not her strength. It'll be someone who hasn't yet got a large public profile.

[@thetragicyouth]

I have a hunch Starmer will sack her in his first re-shuffle.

[@stephfoxwell4620]

Reasonable risk aversion

[@johnbekoe2973]

Becareful for what you wish for and who you wish for? It's could be you tomorrow

[@iancamm6098]

Just a coincidence so many women of colour I’m sure!?

[@charleswhitney3235]

Hopefully Labour's expected majority will make it so arrogant it will destroy itself within a few years of forming a government, the same way the Tories imploded without meaningful opposition. Both major parties are finished, they just don't know it yet.

[@turntheblueiris4626]

You do realise that we would be caught up in your bizarre, masochistic, fantasy? Why not hope they'll do well for the country & keep the tories out for many years to come?

[@rachelh6022]

Truss is a "gob on a stick". 😂😂😂

[@JCL-n7y]

Starmer is a Tory end of debate.

[@thetragicyouth]

I've always said he'd have been a better Tory Education Secretary than Labour leader.

[@harveybrown37]

Oh dear-Keir Starmer: " The selections for Labour Candidates needs to be more democratic and we should end NEC impositions of candidates. Local Party members should select their candidates for every election.'

[@knaxman9596]

8:00 - the israel lobby exists tho, look at akehurst

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

Keir wants to be Prime Minister of Israel not the UK

[@1943colin]

The answer to your question is obvious to everyone but you it seems: he possesses right wing instincts!

[@DylanSargesson]

This Abbott story is a mess and just needs to be resolved at this point - and of course it will be given that the deadline for nomination papers is imminent. But also this is a completely Westminster bubble/Twitter story, most people do not care.

[@JCL-n7y]

People do care especially her constituents and if she stands as an independent she'll win with a massive majority.

[@DylanSargesson]

@@JCL-n7y Perhaps in that constituency that she's built personal relationships in, but not in the nation more widely - but we'll wait and see. If she runs as an Independent against Labour, as in Corbyn's Constituency, it could genuinely go either way.

[@Mcgiver699]

What would happen if more candidates decide to run as independents?

[@JMK948]

39:54 Well next month is the start of summer, the season of the second horseman.

[@spacechannelfiver]

Abbot is throwing landmines

[@notmyname4261]

And rightly so

[@turntheblueiris4626]

If you throw a landmine would it necessarily go off?

[@vickynewham5545]

So who did brief the Times?

[@ilaister9652]

This has been going on for years and goes to the grass roots of that party. Nobody cared.

[@helenahanley]

Please imvite martin ford on for a interview. Let emily do it. The bbc should have had in on panorama and questioned him when it came out.

[@jedjones9047]

The tories have gone center left labour have gone far right and reform straight down the middle.

[@foloeel]

Lol

[@Shsjier]

Braindead

[@zigowl1193]

I'll have what you're smoking.😂😂

[@Shsjier]

Obvious troll

[@turntheblueiris4626]

I think you might be being a raving hysterical. Just my opinion.

[@DylanSargesson]

Given how much events like this can be fluid, especially during a campaign, you should explicitly say on the video the date/time that it's being recorded.

[@Eldravado]

I have a question.... If Rishi wins a small majority.... How long will be remain leader of the Tory Party? In 97 i knew a Tory who ended up voting Blair because they lacked the confidence that the Tory right wouldn't remove Major and make a nutjob PM

[@alexharrison2743]

Oh I think if Sunak wins a small majority he'll step down anyway - I don't think he wants the job. The fact that that's now a possibility, when last week we were looking at possibly the biggest election victory in history, is mad... What is Labour doing...

[@moffattF]

Is it destabilizing labour in Conservative constituencies? The cynic in me doubts it t.

[@jim-es8qk]

Why? That is a silly question.

[@trojon]

I still don't understand why now if he's got a clear run to num 10...

[@foloeel]

Because he is controlled by the Israel lobby, he is islamophobic.

[@agmor1]

Because he doesn't understand politics or management. He thinks surrounding himself with yes-men will make him stronger. He genuinely doesn't understand other people.

[@turntheblueiris4626]

It's not just a case of getting into no. 10 & putting your feet up, ground work still has to continue for what happens after. Also, the idea that there is a clear run to No. 10 invites complacency, which is dangerous.

[@profdrrameshkumarbiswas1337]

Answer: because starmer is a constipated Englishman.

[@VaucluseVanguard]

Why has this candidate banned the letter ‘t’ from her vocabulary?

[@samhewson5443]

To call this a purge when John McDonnell is still standing makes this whole narrative absurd to me

[@redhandtheblack]

This is not a recent thing, it's been happening the entire time that Starmer has been the leader. They just cant say it's antisemitism for supporting gaza now.

[@dalek604]

You think he's not on the list?

[@chriswatson3464]

Wow Starmer forgot something so therefore he isn't trying!

[@flamboyentpromotions3471]

McDonnell has been keeping his head down because he knows whats coming

[@DylanSargesson]

I have no idea at all though why people are dumping Lloyd Russell-Moyle straight into this factionalism argument. We don't know what he's been accused of, or by whom, but the media seem to have taken his claim that it is vexatious as gospel without any justification at all.

[@Gary-le7dz]

Make your mind up Sopel …. One day Tory’s in chaos next day labour ….

[@thetragicyouth]

It's perfectly possible for both to be in chaos, not just one or the other.

[@Gary-le7dz]

@@thetragicyouth look at the polls 👀

[@tallgingerperson72a]

The tweets made by John Stewart

[@julieleah9913]

Starmer is like voting for the dark Vader no chance he his not real he his a droid cannot believe you guys and Starmer and his no mandate no policies he his gonna manifest what we do not know has he U turns more times than a lost driver with no sat nav

[@charlespirate1]

It really is time to drop the “it’s jon, it’s Lewis” bit. It’s getting very tired. I cringe each time.

[@thetragicyouth]

Agreed. 👍👍👍

[@itfc1959]

Er, why do you think? Jesus

[@thecase315]

Cos he wants to form government

[@foloeel]

Yes a Tory government.

[@thecase315]

@@foloeel Sure, except it won’t be, will it. You’re obviously doing just fine for yourself to have the luxury of flexing your Left purity on the internet. That’s clearly more important to you than which party forms government. You don’t have to be unelectable to not be the Torys

[@syleshwhycantileavethisbla802]

​@@foloeelIf Starmer keeps blocking Labour candidates while welcoming Tory defectors, at this rate the next government will consist of all the same people who were there a few months ago.

[@chriswatson3464]

17:30

[@chriswatson3464]

Very important.

[@riccardo-964]

News is moving towards Trump now, so, nothing to see here...

[@pod10]

This is the second day of this story . It’s been knocked off the front page by Trump and no one I have been chatting to today even mentioned it. If you live in the politics bubble it’s massive but not in the real world.

[@wolfen210959]

She runs to Newsnight, because she feels slighted by the Labour party, and she's surprised they are dropping her like a hot potatoe?

[@iq152alpha]

So bored of this story tbh

[@stefanjohansen5210]

Lavery, McDonnell, Sultana, and many others are all still in the PLP. A fairer headline might be "why is Starmer purging gaffe-prone MPs who've made antisemitic comments?". In which case I think we can all work that out for ourselves.

[@dalek604]

They were quite happy to defend Azhar Ali until it got politically impossible to do so. Oh... and Steve Reed is still standing.

[@flamboyentpromotions3471]

They didn't make anti-semitic comments. Is Sultana a lefty? I know shes been strong on Gaza but a lefty not sure about that, even if she is you've named 3 out of hundreds , thats hardly proves anything

[@sueelliott8085]

It took Labour four defeats to get rid Militant in the 1980’s, and Blair benefited from it. If Starmer can turn the country round as quickly as he has changed Labour I’ll be satisfied. Corbyn did try to purge the Right , through Mandatory Re Selection. He just wasn’t as effective.

[@flamboyentpromotions3471]

Tony Blair had a broad church he had Clair Short in his cabinet an many leftwingers in the PLP. Militant were an activist group not really a group of MPs

[@thetragicyouth]

"Corbyn did try to purge the Right , through Mandatory Re Selection." - no, that policy was always about giving local communities the right to choose their own representatives instead of having candidates imposed. Some communities didn't want rightwing Blairites, others did.

[@ricardocima]

The News Agents are not happy with Starmer purging the wokies. :(

[@gurpreet183]

Purge the left? Purge this podcast then!!!! Couldn’t be more left. Awful

[@pfunnell70]

It's patently centrist, for left wing content see Novara, Double Down News and politics JOE

[@turntheblueiris4626]

Awwww & they got your time that you're never getting back

[@schofield4836]

Raynor didn’t look safe surrounded by all those Muslim men in her constituency.

[@ricardocima]

Love Starmer. The new Atlee.

[@simonhart2186]

Have a word with yourself

[@michaelnee1987]

The new thatcher.

[@ricardocima]

@@michaelnee1987 Atlee had to deal with your people back in the day. What a man.

[@foloeel]

😂

[@gurpreet183]

Such a lefty podcast - very out of touch

[@notmyname4261]

Nothing left about this at all, it's not as dumb as gb "news" though