Mar 2023
1:41pm, 3 Mar 2023
45,750 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
When you read Keir Starmer's bio, I can't see how anyone can call him right wing, or even establishment. en.wikipedia.org He seems eminently socialist. I seriously question the BBC's reporting at the moment - there was a 10 minute (in a 1 hour new programme) diatribe by Nadine Dorries on how awful Sue Gray's breaking of civil service code of conduct. It's mince and giving her so much air time, and the interviewer's attitude. Hmm. |
Mar 2023
1:51pm, 3 Mar 2023
29,725 posts
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Johnny Blaze
Agreed on both counts.
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Mar 2023
2:01pm, 3 Mar 2023
37,078 posts
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Mrs Jigs (Luverlylegs)
I agree about BBC & ND
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Mar 2023
2:19pm, 3 Mar 2023
20,430 posts
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larkim
It is definitely an unusual move by Gray, and the hyperbole from the Tories is at least predictable, and if I was generous I might say understandable. In an ideal world, the partygate stuff would be closed off, she'd have spent 6m on gardening leave from her civil service role and she'd join the Starmer team more quietly. I know Labour recruited people like Jonathan Powell from the diplomatic service prior to taking the reins, but there has never been a civil servant with as much name recognition as Gray, and especially with what she is primarily associated with. It's funny though, if you go back through the BBC and look for bio info for her there is an article from about 2015 describing her as the real "power behind the throne" and being a very shrewd operator and representative of "the establishment". No hints in there that she was anything other than a highly effective public servant, mainly working to achieve civil service dominance of government. |
Mar 2023
2:35pm, 3 Mar 2023
7,141 posts
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um
Whereas I was wondering how they tempted her away? Why would a political position beat the last few years of a high level civil service career? Or is she banking on a loabour shoo-in at the next election and 5-10 years of 'power on the throne' ? Or were her days numbered because of her report? |
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Mar 2023
2:37pm, 3 Mar 2023
45,752 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Or wants an opportunity to influence, set and direct policy, not just enact it for whichever party is in charge? Like KS himself coming from DPP into politics after seeing opportunities for improvement?  G
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Mar 2023
2:46pm, 3 Mar 2023
20,431 posts
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larkim
From afar, I'd say the most likely motivation is public service and a desire to be a policy leader rather than acting only for transient political bosses. It does imply that she's at least from a social democratic political bent, but expecting her to have zero political attitudes would be laughable (though that is partly the pretence of the civil service).
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Mar 2023
2:57pm, 3 Mar 2023
29,726 posts
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Johnny Blaze
Perhaps she's just disgusted by the corrupt clown car of chaos that she's observed in Govt for the last 7 years? I give Simon Case a week before Starmer boots him out. |
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Mar 2023
2:59pm, 3 Mar 2023
29,727 posts
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Johnny Blaze
To be followed a few months later by a cushy berth in the House of Lords. The Covid Inquiry is going to beast him anyway.
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Mar 2023
2:59pm, 3 Mar 2023
21,117 posts
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richmac
A week? so long? and He'll be off to a job with a Tory donor company.
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