Is now the time for Sir Keir Starmer to take more political risks? --[Reported by Umva mag]

In MetroTalk: a reader says the prime minister ought to be more ambition as the conservative party leadership election draws near.

Oct 16, 2024 - 18:03

Is now the time for Sir Keir Starmer to take more political risks? --[Reported by Umva mag]

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Hosts Cabinet Meeting — A reader says Keir Starmer ought to be more ambitious (Credits: Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.

Is Sir Keir Starmer playing it too safe?

It’s a shame that Sir Keir Starmer is such a cautious leader.

He should really be more ambitious now because this really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take political risks, what with both Conservative leadership candidates being as they are – alarmingly radical and increasingly detached from reality.

Unless the Tories dramatically change course, Labour have already got the next election sewn up. Rob Slater, Norfolk

Kemi Badenoch (L) and Robert Jenrick are both on the Tory right (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

METRO TALK - HAVE YOUR SAY

Let us know what you think...

Start a text with VIEWS followed by your comment, name and where you live to 65700. Standard network charge applies. Or email mail@ukmetro.co.uk Helpline for Views, Rush-Hour Crush and Good Deed Feed: 020 3615 0600.

Remember, you are more likely to be published if you provide your name and location with your

Full T&Cs here. Metro.co.uk is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation. Comments may be edited for reasons of legality, clarity or space.

Environment/food security/conservation of the planet – don’t they matter?

A forest fire — Did the government’s big Investment Summit miss the big issue? (Credits: Getty Images)

I agree with Ryan Cooper (MetroTalk, Tue) that we are not doing enough to combat man-made climate change.

Earth is (realistically) the only home we have, although Elon Musk and his fellow big rocketeering friends seem bent on damaging it.

But there was no mention of ‘environment/food security/conservation of the planet’ at the government’s big Investment Summit on Monday.

It was about ‘growth’, irrespective of how environmentally damaging this might turn out to be.

Another growing problem is UK food securiy. We must work to conserve our local green spaces to grow more local food and not indulge in things like the imminent assault on Greater Manchester, where a huge plan under Mayor Andy Burnham is re-zoning green belt and former farmland into development land, without any legally enforceable rule to use brownfield sites first.

This sort of thing will start happening in other parts of the UK.

No one in government at any level is currently charged with ensuring the UK can survive indefinitely into the future with a safe and reliable, good quality food supply. And that does not mean stuff made in factories from artificial materials. Peter Thompson, Altrincham

An undated picture taken from the facebook page of Dawn Sturgess on July 9, 2018 shows Dawn Sturgess posing for a photograph in an unknown location British police launched a murder inquiry Sunday after a woman died following exposure to the nerve agent Novichok in southwest England, four months after the same type of chemical was used against a former Russian spy in an attack blamed on Moscow. Prime Minister Theresa May said she was — Dawn Sturgess was poisoned with novichok in 2018 (Credits: AFP/Getty Images)

My heart goes out to the family of Dawn Sturgess (Metro, Tue).

The Wiltshire mum was the only person to be killed in the Russian novichok nerve agent attack in 2018 that was intended for former spy Sergei Skripal and could have killed thousands of British subjects.

When confronted with the deaths of thousands of innocents in Gaza, both Labour and the Conservatives support Israel’s ‘right’ to defend itself.

But if the Russian agents had, in fact, killed thousands, would our government have gone after those guilty in Russia, uncaring of any innocent casualties?

Would the US and Israel have given us the green light to ‘self defend’ to even a degree of that which Israel has?

Or is this right only viable if it’s easy and you’re enabled by other powers? Maurice Lindores, Hertford

Is it fair for the obese and on benefits to get Ozempic for ‘free’?

Regarding Labour’s war on obesity (Metro, Wed). Why should people on benefits be given the weight loss drug?

I’m diabetic and have asked my GP several times for the drug and been told no, it’s not available on the NHS and that I’d have to go private and pay for it. Debbie, Leeds

I am not overweight but I closely watch my waist to avoid problems in the future.

My belief is that people could improve their situation by a combination of measures – intermittent fasting, Keto diet, high-intensity workouts and by walking 10,000 steps a day.

This is what I am doing in order not to be a burden on the NHS and to stay in my house which has steps. Please, no jab at all! Corinne Audibert, via email

We must not lose the Lads culture

epa11658008 A general view of the sign above the door of the Salford Lads Club in Salford, Britain, 14 October 2024. The club, which was opened in 1903 to provide recreation and sport for boys, is threatened with closure due to the rising costs of delivering youth programmes and maintaining its grade II listed building. The club gained international fame when used as the backdrop for the inside cover of The Smiths album ???The Queen is Dead??? as well as featuring as a location in various films and television dramas. EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN — **The iconic building has been a mecca for Indie fans for decades** (Credits: EPA)

I am saddened to learn a historic youth centre is facing closure (Metro, Wed). The Salford Lads Club in Greater Manchester – which featured on a Smiths album cover – needs to raise £250,000 by the end of next month. This and all other youth centres are much needed in our communities. Geoff Hall, Croydon

Regarding Salford Lads Club, the Graham Nash connection was Manchester band The Hollies, rather than the supergroup Crosby, Stills And Nash. Russ, Stockport

What are your thoughts? Have your say in the comments belowComment Now

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.