Why is Starmer running scared of his own policies? | The News Agents

he worst kept secret in politics was freed from its shackles today as Sir Keir Starmer confirmed Labour would drop their 28 billion pound spending pledge on the green economy.
It will confirms Rishi's criticism of a flip-flop leader. Why is Keir running scared of spending?
Later, is Rishi's own party calling on him to apologise for his trans gag in the Commons yesterday? Why won’t he? We discuss where it’s left him.
#labour #politics #news #2024 #NewsAgents #EmilyMaitlis #JonSopel #LewisGoodall
Download The News Agents with Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall from 5PM every weekday on Global Player: www.globalplayer.com/podcasts...
Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall - three of the UK’s top journalists - host a brand-new daily news podcast: The News Agents.
They’re not just here to tell you what's happening, but why. Expect astute analysis and explanation of the day's news - and a healthy dose of scepticism and the ability to laugh at it all when needed!
Episodes are available every weekday afternoon.
The News Agents is a Global Player Original podcast and a Persephonica production.

[@StellaLove]

as a trans woman myself , my PM trying to make a joke at my expense , especially given the day Brianna mother was there.... wow ....they never had it .... but the Tories lost my support and vote!

[@JB_inks]

Did they ever have your support and vote? They have always been abominable.

[@marksuttonbiodynamicbreath2374]

i have amazing trans friends....you will always have my support x

[@Silver-st2zq]

They have always been the nasty party and always will be that's why they never get my vote.

[@edelgyn2699]

@Stella Is it always about 'us' though? I don't decide who to vote for based on how the party/candidate will effect me - I consider how my action might affect others. We've FA knowledge of how most politicians really think about minorities - all we have is their soundbites. I don't see Labour or LibDems being any different from the Tories - most of the politicians are willing to support their parties interests in exchange for career progression. I suspect we will see a trans woman MP before we will see a trans man MP.

[@sarahsue42]

​@@edelgyn2699of course you're right because the only time we ever hear about trans men is when they get pregnant...and that's how we know there's gender stereotyping and sexism at work here.Full respect to respectful trans people, it's a tough number.But keep to the forefront of this "sensitive debate "that most women want our women's spaces...toilets, changing rooms, shelters, prisons and the rest, to remain free of all males, including those who identify as trans women

[@hayleyxyz]

I transitioned a decade ago, I can shrug off this kind of bile from the Tories because I have developed thick skin and claws to deal with pathetic men like Sunak. I just feel so sorry for young trans kids, those like Brianna, who already had serious anxiety issues. Just being trans is a hard life without being used as a punching bag by polititians and right-wing media.

[@Cjcj89]

Perhaps you could transition into common decency.@@manchegocheese997

[@Hyperplaterine]

Did you really think it was ok to make a nasty, petty comment like that? Perhaps you should consider transitioning into a decent human being.

[@keithewright]

@@manchegocheese997 Rishi, is that you? Stuoid and thoughtless comment, so possibly is. Or maybe just ignorant, which still fits our PM

[@michaeladkins6]

@@manchegocheese997 Did you transition to a transphobe or born that way?

[@hayleyxyz]

@@manchegocheese997 Male to female. If you have an actual constructive question, please let me know and I'll be happy to help if I can.

[@jonm7272]

It is beyond staggering how inept a politician Sunak is. The fact that he couldn't forsee the hurt this would cause that poor child's family, who he knew were present in the house that day, surely demonstrates his complete lack of suitability for the job of Prime Minister. His refusal to then apologise for what is obviously a gross mistake massively compounds the issue. General Election NOW!

[@Silver-st2zq]

Totally agree.

[@zahiddar3675]

The man seems totally devoid of any compassion or empathy. He comes across as barely human.

[@edelgyn2699]

He's not unlike Starmer - both are inept.

[@jonm7272]

@@edelgyn2699 I'm no Labour voter, but Starmer is twice the human being of any of those tory parasites.

[@SGC90-t5y]

Now do SIR Starmer.

[@Trax777]

Disgusting behaviour from the Tories

[@Silver-st2zq]

The Tories went past embarrassing to disgusting awhile ago.

[@RichWoods23]

May 1979.

[@slightlyconfused876]

Sunak gets my nomination as most inept politician in modern British history, he only opens his mouth to put one of his feet in it.

[@brianwilkinson6891]

Come on that’s so unfair to the Truster who tried so hard to achieve that accolade. What does a woman have to do ?

[@slightlyconfused876]

True, I was being a bit sexist. My woke credentials have gone right out the window.@@brianwilkinson6891

[@RichWoods23]

A foot to which he has stapled twenty fifty-pound notes.

[@hariblackmore1369]

3:56 - he doesn’t even know the girl’s name, doesn’t even care enough to learn her name.

[@kevoreilly6557]

Or gender … referring to her as “the child”, not daughter

[@juanitoingles9853]

Sorry but 'decent' people don't make nasty, cheap, puerile shots as Sunak does pretty much every week. If he doesn't believe what he says and is obeying advisers, he should show some bottle and tell then where to go. In addition he lies and misrepresents constantly, another constant stain on his character.

[@clarecrawford9677]

He made millions for himself as a hedge fund manager in the lead-up to the 2008 financial crisis, also not conducive to decency.

[@hollyd8989]

As an out trans woman i am disgusted. Sick of my life becoming a weird wedge issue for the tories to fall for cheap points when they inevitably fail I am even more disgusted by the right wing media and talking heads trying to turn this on kier playing politics. Badonoch needs putting in a gibbet

[@moif_velocita]

Stay safe - love from a Trans sib in Denmark ❤🏳‍⚧

[@christopherobrien6570]

All RS had to do, was to stand up, and say:" Mr Speaker, I fell short of the standards of this house, and this nation, I apologise unreservedly, and I will apologise in person to each of Bryanna's parents" The matter would have ended there and then. The next day's Daily Mail would say"Rishi does the right thing" or similar. In my work, when I got something wrong, I found an immediate acknowledgement and apology brought about reconciliation, and bettter things went on to happen. I'm just a Northern Oik, what do I know?

[@RichWoods23]

This is why you'll never be a multi-millionaire holding political power.

[@nigeh5326]

Sunak always reminds me of a school prefect standing in the corridor telling others to not run or he would report them to the head while the other kids laugh at him and tell him to p off. A politician at his level should have the ability to think on his feet and as he’s reading his pre prepared lines drop the offending part realising it would be an issue. The fact that he couldn’t and didn’t shows he is not as clever as he thinks he is 😔

[@SimplySketchyGT]

He sounds like will from the Inbetweeners.

[@Celadonfae]

"everything I've seen about Rishi Sunak tells me he's a decent person"... What rock has this muppet been hiding under? 😂

[@isabellewhite3505]

I felt the same!!!

[@juliewake4585]

The voice of a civil servant methinks.

[@jonathanperry4189]

If politicians can't be in control during a Piers Morgan interview, they are not up to the job

[@Fiveeightsix]

How low is the standards of public behaviour? It’s so horrendous to watch

[@PaulStargasm]

Every time i see it on a video i have to skip forward. It makes my skin crawl.

[@guygrist4436]

It’s disgusting to make those kind of comments. Sunak has been making these comments before but this really is tackless.

[@31Blaize]

The saddest thing is that it's taken the presence of a murdered teen's mum in the gallery to make us disgusted with the Tories' obsession with vilifying a tiny segment of the population. And when Sunak makes this same comment at the next PMQs, and the next one, and the next one after that... there'll be crickets again.

[@LL-vk9zc]

There's nothing to debate about trans people. Why not debate about gravity instead and apply the same arguments - you're not going to change gravity because it just is

[@edelgyn2699]

Ah a thoughtful comment. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@stephfoxwell4620]

Gravity is about the only thing so far not to be called out as ra*ist. But I could be wrong. Do black people hurt more if they fall down?

[@jeanmyers1787]

Appalling conduct from Sunak!

[@ionnanskilliorus6877]

Most Tories are a different breed, they live in an alternate reality.

[@kevoreilly6557]

I wish they would - go live anywhere but here !

[@julianhuntly9622]

Sunak has been measured and found wanting.

[@covidradio1387]

Yes, wanting in many ways.

[@edelgyn2699]

LOL Are you suggesting he's fallen 'short'?

[@scottlister2721]

Sunak’s behaviour was shocking, absolutely disgraceful, no way back for him from this

[@potdog1000]

I think Starmer should be applauded for his actions Unlike those charlatans Johnson, Truss & Sunak who promised the Earth but did not deliver

[@stephfoxwell4620]

40 new hospitals and three new prisons. Where are they?

[@greghill7759]

Even if Sunak didn't have the understanding to tolerate people's sexuality, you'd think he'd at least have the wit to avoid broadcasting the fact. Failing to apologise simply added insult to injury.

[@Anon-xd3cf]

Except this is about gender not sexuality... But im sure you knew that...

[@greghill7759]

@@Anon-xd3cfNot really. It's a bit of a minefield, but thanks for the heads up.

[@covidradio1387]

Too bad his billions, acquired through his marriage, can't buy Sunak any decency, humility and integrity.

[@isabellewhite3505]

I absolutely enjoy watching/listening to these news updates. Thank you!!

[@13Massada]

Your acute and accurate political observations are incredibly important. I wish mainstream media had the forensic ability and bravery to report as you have done.

[@skipaiotter]

I honestly find watching PMQ's cringeworthy to watch, it's just horrible from either side without proper debate, actual answers to questions the public want to know and we just have this school playground of kids squabbling. And it's been like that for a long, long time as if that's the standard, the way it has been done, the way it will continue to be done. It needs to change. As for cheap jokes done on very important issues is disgusting and these people should know better being in such positions.

[@RichWoods23]

It's been heading that way since debates were first televised. I don't want to stop those broadcasts taking place but I do wish we had politicians with principles and integrity who are able to stand up to the advisors telling them that performative point-scoring is essential for success.

[@Rog3rY]

You say Keir is vacillating, but he has not yet published a manifest to go back on. This tory government has been constantly yoyoing, look at Boris' weekly U turns, Rishi on HS2 etc, why no mention of why Tories relying on media support to make these accusations stick.

[@sofajockeyUK]

I suspect Labour has been dragging it's heels with it's plans because the conservatives are doing a perfectly fine job keeping their poll ratings low and will only start shooting Labour's 'bombproof' manifesto if launched too early. Once the the election is called, the Labour manifesto plans will drop and we can all judge on its merits.

[@normasarsby1350]

The sheer lack of humanity, lack of empathy and symptomatic of the vile hatred perpetrated on ordinary people just dying to get by. Hi Emily!

[@jobarreto6934]

Spot on analysis.

[@existphotography8091]

Hats off to Emily

[@johnwelch5132]

Politicising such issues is the most horrifying aspect of appealing to to the most unpleasant and ignorant and base level voting base. Compassion does not exist for that minority.

[@stuartsinclair-smith9140]

We all want to protect our children. Sunak is incapable of understanding that

[@mrD66M]

"Kier Starmer doesn't know what a woman is" but Slithering Sunak doesn't know what a man is... let alone a leader. He got rinsed by Truss... just saying

[@carysnw1]

A lot of historical analysis in a concise 41 minutes. Fab.

[@garybuckley6508]

What an excellent episode on so many levels

[@marblackCanada]

Putin, Orban churches the US Christian Right, Tucker Carlson and here we go around the world.

[@jonathanperry4189]

Im genuinely worried about this country if conservatives win

[@aidanknox122]

I thought Lewis's opening discussion on the need for more basic moral decency on sensitive human issues was really powerful. You guys should think of doing some Shorts, more people need to hear the reasons decent people are outraged by the degradation of politics that has real world harmful effects and not just when one particular person effected is in the room. And then Emily speaks to the civil servant who says Sunak is a decent person who miss stepped, he couldn't miss the point more if he tried,of course may be he was trying.

[@petera4985]

Why does Sunak preach to the desires of his home crowd when he needs the otherside to win

[@bensalt1185]

Regarding the bet...I couldn't believe the excuse of him being caught off guard. Surely a Prime Minister should be better at thinking quickly or what will happen if he is faced with an angry warmongering world leader?!

[@RichWoods23]

Imagine Sunak trying to play chess with Putin. Brinkmanship chess.

[@diamonddave2622]

Transphobic jibes won't help with his future Silicon Valley CEO job...

[@matts514]

I think Simon McDonald's point about what others would do with the powers you used is quite important. I mean if you had the power to change facts by passing laws, Trump's first law would be the one stating he won the 2020 election.

[@Anon-xd3cf]

16:14 The whole point of "a gentlemans bet" which is what Piers Morgan was undoubtably trying (and failing) to convey... Is that a nominal amount is bet. Typically $1. The problem is Piers Morgan is NOT Rishi Sunaks financial equal... Wealthy as he may be, Piers Morgan does not live within his means and i'd wager that £1,000 would actually be a bit of a windfall for Morgan... Whereas the difference between $1 and £1,000 is actually negligble for Sunak.

[@bthjf12003]

Colin from Portsmouth is the Sunak new political aide

[@grahamcook9289]

Graphic, gusome to describe Sunak's comment highlighting Starmer's inability or unwillingness to say what a woman is.

[@kerrynewnham8946]

I totally agree with the point about inexperienced leaders. Same goes for Keir Starmer - we don’t know who he is because he’s been in politics only briefly. Arguably did badly as shadow foreign secretary, he’s been weak on Gaza and all over the place in many issues. He has not at all proved his metal, he hasn’t shown his stripes, contrast high flying wannabes Keir Starmer and Rishi sunak with for example Ken Clarke who had wanted to be tory leader & had proved himself in numerous cabinet posts, had huge political experience and we knew what he stood for. We have essentially political novices who are for eg in foreign policy just happy to follow the US, which is pathetic and in contrast to the french example and confidence . David Cameron is showing a bit more capability, authority

[@neilfletcher4951]

Because he's a Tory it's really that simple

[@edelgyn2699]

Being a Tory doesn't make you anything in particular any more than being a member of any other political party.

[@miketomlin6040]

McDonald does not seem to understand basic Political Philosophy, all ACTIONS are Political!!

[@TheChancellor212]

Cruelty is an essential part of conservatism. No wonder Sunsk throws out these lines for his benches to cheer at.

[@thelandstander]

Seems like theres a mix up here with two episodes? Id quite like to watch the video about labours green spending

[@3rdager]

'Going to' not 'Gonna', a minor issue in comparison with the subjects under discussion but I've observed that HK immigrants to the north of England are confused.

[@jayjayaseelan7441]

He seems very high! Suggests lack of sleep, food or something else!?

[@covidradio1387]

You never know!

[@nigeh5326]

No he’s just been told by advisers that he needs to appear strong and confident as he lacks physical size and charisma.

[@nigeh5326]

@@covidradio1387 no way he’s too much of a coward to be taking stimulants he’s the type to be wary of taking 2 paracetamol in case he overdosed lol 😃

[@user-ez8bx6ly8v]

Sunak' reminds of the fast show indecisive Dave Paul Whitehouse character 😅

[@MrHmjg]

hes trying to fit into an all white frat house...

[@weswheel4834]

I hadn't thought about Sunak alienating the "one nation" Tories with his trans comments. He really is like the wimpy kid standing next to the school bully going, "Go on, kick him harder!".

[@mikeystorm275]

Red Rupert and his passion for wedge issues.

[@user-ol3xe5fz4u]

How long are Emilys' earlobes?

[@amug.7279]

Boris Johnson wants Trump back. The Tories are disgusting.

[@kanedNunable]

because its red meat for the knuckle draggers.

[@civilowl965]

This has nothing to do with Starmer?

[@RichardLamsdale]

Parliament needs the equivalent of an HR department and policies. It’s 2024. If I made a joke at work about trans people, I’d likely be sacked, or at least reprimanded, and rightly-so. Why is parliament different - it really is more like a primary school playground.

[@RichWoods23]

I can swear as much as I like at work, but if I were to swear on the floor of the Commons I'd be censured for using unparliamentary language. If I were to verbally attack a colleague (rather than their actions) at work, even without swearing, HR would be on my back, yet if I did that in the Commons I'd have three hundred backbenchers applauding and screaming like howler monkeys.

[@NinaGray-eq9on]

I'm Trans - Thank You. Is it not the case that Sunak's crass comments regs trans people against discrimination law. If these comments were regs race, it would never be tolerated. Trans have similar protection in law regs prejudice.

[@johnreid9959]

Because he know rhd public don’t want them

[@colinstephenson5386]

Lord Simon McDonald reckons that because Mr Sunak didn’t go through the various stages a politician would have under their belts before taking the top job may be something to consider , I seem to remember a certain Miss Truss who only last week was defended by a Tory as only given 40 plus days in the top job , meanwhile forgetting that she’d previously only been out of office positions for 40 days since 2010 ? She had more office positions than a typist without language skills ,

[@buzzukfiftythree]

I think the reason for the low debating standards these days is, by and large, the result of the last few intakes for Tory MPs. They seem to be especially lacking in IQ and ability. Even one of the more senior MPs in the party said the 2019 intake featured some pretty low-grade individuals.

[@Cronhour]

pretending Starmer cares about trans people is such an act of client journalism so as to be astounding. If he cared he would have not protected Rosie Duffield for the last 2 years.

[@mattoconnor1694]

Brexit. A lose lose situation. We lose, EU lose, Tories lose.

[@grahamcook9289]

Starmer should apologise as he breached parliamentary procedure by exploiting a person's presence in the House of Commons to score a petty party political point.

[@grahamcook9289]

At least you are spouting your nonsense with your own money and not on the BBC with TV licence fee payers money.

[@MHcarer]

It was because he was all ready to deliver the punchline, so he could not leave it out?

[@Silver-st2zq]

No excuse.

[@nigeh5326]

Exactly. Any decent politician should be able to read ahead and cut that part of his comments.

[@riffraff9506]

he thought he was being clever & funny

[@nigeh5326]

@@riffraff9506 when he’s not at best he’s funny to laugh at

[@Silver-st2zq]

@@riffraff9506 It wasn't funny or clever the first time he said it but he still loves to say it possibly because he has nothing else apart from look that way! the boats are coming to try and distract from the state of the country due to them over the last 14 years.

[@Anon-xd3cf]

5:40 "Fall into this trap..." What "trap" ? Trap laid by whom? What are you talking about?

[@Anon-xd3cf]

0:47 "Parading as a man of integrity when he's got absolutely no responsibility" That is what Starmer said... What does that sentence even mean? Its nonsense. Passionate sounding... NONSENSE.

[@shiftystylin]

Statesmanship != Sunak

[@rocarolan2003]

Why is everyone assuming he made a mistake. This was his plan. More red meat.

[@jpjones1186]

I agree with Lewis. To be clear, Sunak’s line of attack (that Starmer’s a bit whiffy on policy) was well established long before he made that jibe. So his reason for not apologising - that the remark was a key part of a legitimate political attack - is bunk.

[@Butlins14]

We must secure safe and legal routes to Israel for refugees

[@glengarryglenross7127]

But what is a woman?

[@sunny96789]

The sequence you potrayed is wrong, Sunak mentioned Brianna's mum at the end. Stop twisting it

[@paulhammond6978]

Some crocodile tears, and no apology for making trans identities a political football is no recompense for encouraging transphobia as a policy.

[@gabesybabes1]

Why did you change the title to be about Starmer? Is Newsagents afraid to publicly stand up for trans people?

[@pilard4482]

I watch this because of the swearing and Maitlis's suits, but I'm still trying to figure out this channel, unless it's trying to get Starmer into power. The tories are beyond the pale but Starmer is Buzz Lightyear minus the charm.

[@ArjunGhag-ix7te]

Labour pulling a scam & dont care about climate crisis. Playing voters 4 fools. Gives huge boost to SNP LD GREENS & Plaid PARTIES. Greta Thunbergs hoard of millions of uni- graduates & public sector workers very heart broken. Labour cheated em. Worlds on 🔥 & Labour poured fuel on it

[@michaeladkins6]

The torys expiration date is long past.

[@DonPedroTheDude]

This is such a BBC take...

[@davidcrampton1349]

Emily you are showing your bias. Why do you make excuses for Ed Davis, which you would never do for a conservative minister.

[@radman8321]

Whether Rwanda is a safe country or not is not a fact, it is an opinion. The bill makes clear that the opinion that matters is that of our elected representatives, and not unelected judges. The judges have made this rod for their own backs by constantly pushing the boundaries far beyond what Parliament intended with regards to human rights law.

[@Anon-xd3cf]

3:54 Who is Brianna GREY?

[@LuffyDaGoat]

So go on then people. What is a woman?

[@trevorcarpenter6678]

Please stop using the phobia word. It implicates fear rather than how it is used to describe subjects of anxiety and concern.

[@gizmo5601]

Oxford English Dictionary definition of Transphobia. Hostility towards, prejudice against, or (less commonly) fear of transgender people.

[@trevorcarpenter6678]

@@gizmo5601 thanks for the correction, so transphobia is different to some other phobias which tend to be about fear

[@letfelicityfly]

The suffix -phobia has been used since the 60s to describe hostility and prejudice. This isn’t a new development, and even if it was, language evolves drastically all the time.

[@gizmo5601]

@@trevorcarpenter6678 Thanks for being open to different usage of the word. Appreciate very much your willingness to reappraise your view; pretty rare in KZbin comments

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

Starmer might win, but absolutely does not deserve to win. My opinion of him is on a continuing decline.

[@ascgazz]

Your opinion is worthless..? You do t back up anything you say with facts, or examples… You’re a Tory shill, or just don’t care about politics, “enough said”. 🤣 Why does he not deserve it? Do you deserve it more, in YOUR opinion? Who are you? What are your qualifications… A freshly shat bed? 🤣🤣🤷🏼‍♂️

[@user-nu7rg7hf8d]

Change your name from the newsagents to the woke agents! Nonsense

[@washbelly]

Nothing to apologise for. No joke, just facts. Lifelong Labour voter, but never again!

[@hollyd8989]

The North Sea being the end of the world used to be "fact" too

[@jonathanfell688]

You joke about a dead young woman in front of her mother and don't apologise? What kind of an abusive monster are you?