A political overview.

 In The Spectator magazine this week there is an excellent overview of the - dire leadership of the government by Keir Starmer. Tim Shipman, goes into great detail about the failings of the prime minister. The question is - can Starmer change or is it more of the same chaos and turbulence? From the article it would appear the prime minister isn’t an instinctive politician - who understands the rules of politics. As we all know there have been a number of missteps and stupid mistakes. In addition Kemi Badenoch, has improved her performance in the House of Commons and is therefore more effective in - holding the prime minister to account. He by contrast is - floundering and is clearly rattled by her. All in all the - political tide is going out for Starmer and he looks bereft of ideas and is sinking. 

The Premier League.

 The manager of Tottenham, Thomas Frank has been sacked. Last night they lost against Newcastle at home - the score 1/2. There were boos at half time and at the end of the game. Frank looked sad and bereft of any ideas for his team. He did so well at Brentford, but clearly the - fit at Tottenham wasn’t working and the fans made their feelings known. For some reason or other - they don’t seem to recruit the right manager. The Premier League is a notoriously difficult and a very challenging place for any manager and it’s - results that determine how long you stay. Who will now take over as they languish at 16th? It’s very close to the drop zone and only 10 games to the end of the season. I’m an Arsenal fan and Tottenham play against them on Sunday 22/2. So it doesn’t get tougher than - the north London derby. 

What next for Starmer?

 Apparently last night the Labour Party, decided to come out in force to support the prime minister. The general consensus was - this isn’t the time for regicide and to give him the benefit of the doubt. In addition the full cabinet came out to support him. This was a - parlous position for Starmer yesterday and he could have lost control of the party. However he has the chance to turn things around. Will he meet the task or will it be more of the same? It’s - make or break time. 

Was he pushed or did he jump?

 Another person is leaving the - sinking ship of state. This time it’s Tim Allan, the director of communications. Was he pushed or did he jump? On Sunday we had  Morgan McSweeney resignation. It’s very evident that the - communications system in Downing Street hasn’t been functioning for some time now. So this gives the prime minister an opportunity for a - reset and he desperately needs one? I still think he will be gone by Easter - as there is a sense of mutiny in the air and the Labour Party troops - are not happy. Nevertheless - is this becoming a form of blood sport? We cannot tolerate anything other than perfection in our politicians. If this is the case - this will seriously undermine the democratic process and we might regret this sudden rush to judgment. 

Morgan McSweeney has resigned.

 Out of the blue the leading figure in this fiasco the prime minister’s - right hand man has resigned. This is an attempt to - close the door after the horse has bolted.  This will save Keir Starmer, in the short term, but not in the long term. It was him who appointed Peter Mandelson, as our ambassador in Washington. It’s his judgement that is wanting. This doesn’t end the story, but opens up another front for attack by Kemi Badenoch. I still think he will be crucified by Easter. 

Barack Obarma.

 On president Trump’s X podcast the other day - he posted a racist trope about Barack and Michelle Obama - looking like two apes. Their faces superimposed on two individual apes. He claims that it was put there by a ‘staff member’. It’s impossible to take Trump at face value as he is such an - inveterate and habitual liar. Moreover it’s part of his endless attempts to undermine the presidency of Obama and his wife Michelle. This basic assumption is racist in its motivation. 

A tragic political figure.

 In the House of Commons on Wednesday - we witnessed the - beginning of the end of Starmer. His personal authority drained away after admitting to Kemi Badenoch, he ‘knew Mandelson had continued his friendship with Epstein, after his conviction’. This was his fate being sealed as if - on a public scaffold. What a tragic lonely political figure - he was in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon. He will be gone by Easter.