Not sure about the reshuffle. I will wait and see. Re Labour's comms though - they have been almost non-existent, or so underwhelming to not even seem worth hearing at times. They need someone like US Gavin Newsom's head of comms. A bit more personality and humour would help enormously. And a big personality for interviews to counter Frog face would also be welcome x
Very pleased to see Darren Jones in his new position. He's been impressive throughout and I hope will add some spice at the top.
I'm also longing for a much more effective comms strategy. I like Starmer and I think he's doing good things domestically and internationally (particularly given the mess he inherited), but that's not enough nowadays to win over voters who only remember the Winter Fuel policy, etc. (even if these policies didn't affect them). Unfortunately, Starmer does lack charisma and his own social media is universally flatfooted, even when tweeting about really important and markedly positive policies. Labour needs to put Farage and co. in their box and regain the poll lead -- that's going to be a real challenge given the pro-Farage press and the way that Farage has manoeuvred the small boats into poll position over the summer, but there is time to do it. If a convincing narrative begins to be put out and people start to feel, individually, the benefit of the changes being made.
I continue to wonder - as do many others? - whether the failure to celebrate the workers’ rights policies is connected to its origin with a female politician, and, specifically, Angela Raynor?
The one to watch is Darren Jones. He’s being gradually moved up the system and is a leader for the future. He’s exceptionally competent and this move will suit both him and the party.
Must admit I’m not bothered about how things look as long as there’s competence and honesty in government - there is with this one, thankfully!
BUT I now understand what you’re saying about the importance of comms, especially when we have the execrable performance from Farage & Reform. So please tell me some significant demands are being made of KS to get hold of this. Thank you!
I very largely feel the same way regarding competence - and to some extent I can even see the longer term strategy, but I’m not the voter that Labour has to focus on (I mean, they still do, but not everyone thinks the same way).
I voted Labour last time. But a year or so on, I can’t say I know of any names other than Starmer and Raynor. I think I probably knew a few more of the blue lot in their time, that might be cos they were there longer. As for them Lib Dem’s umm… he was on have I got news for you wasn’t he..l what’s his name.
Yes absolutely actually doing the stuff that matters, delivering the change needed is top of the list.
But if you don’t tell anyone clearly enough what you’re doing, regularly enough, and what has been achieved, is soon to be achieved and will be achieved… your whole programme is at risk.
Because stakeholder buy-in as another reader alluded to is 💯 vital.
Maybe they should add a couple of C’s. Command & Control. Communicate with Clarity.
Somebody told me recently that the difference in action and comms between the Torys and Labour is: the Toys implement 6% of their manifesto and don't stop talking about what they have achieved: Labour implement 94% of their manifesto and don't stop talking about the 6% they still have left to do 🤦
😀… for fairness I doubt that’s right but it made me chuckle. Lab have a lot more than 6% left to do, delivery, delivery, delivery according to KS on last nights news. Let’s hope so. 🤞
You're spot on again, Bear. We were listening to the World At 1 today and we also compared Blair's approach with Starmer's - same intentions, but Blair nailed the publicity, the positivity, which Starmer hasn't so far managed to do. If you believe the rhetoric you're more likely to be patient about actually getting the results.
I can see people using the words 'competent' and 'impressive'. Unless the dictionary has been updated without anybody telling me, I'd have to agree to disagree.
That nobody saw that the WFA and welfare reform omnishambles was a mess from a policy point of view as well as a communications one beggars belief. Can you think of a better way of saying 'if you're poor, you're on your own'?
But the things that really sen my blood pressure soaring is the way they give the narrative away. The media are at fault for going with things that are 'newsy' - which controversy always is - but Labour doesn't seem to offer an alternative.
There is a method of stakeholder management that splits people into three: those who will support you come what make (keep them happy, it won't be difficult); those who will never support you (communicate and keep things ticking over, but don't waste your time); the people in the middle who could go one way or the other (put your energies here because this is where things happen).
And what is Labour doing? Trying to attract people who will never support them? Why? Because they are loud? And he just makes them louder.
My take on Starmer is that he is a lawyer so he thinks like a lawyer. He's rule-based. Politics - and policy, come to that - is not like that. It's a balancing act - you can only make rules when you have sufficient support.
And, at the moment, Labour seems to be haemorrhaging support. Thinking a reshuffle will change things is optimistic - it can only ever be the start of something.
I just happen to have met Darren Jones last week and I am very excited by his promotion. In 90 minutes I was able to see he is charismatic, very knowledgeable, and seems more than competent. Coupled with the comms shake up and the appointment of David Dinsmore (former Sun editor 🙈) as Permanent Secretary for Communications in late July, I'm now expecting both the actions and message from our Labour government to finally start cutting through against the Reform Ltd zeitgeist!
Have to admit, Starmer does seem a bit bland to me, but, he also seems to have more integrity than the last lot of Tory PM's, but then that bar wasn't very high. I do wish though, that some sanctions could be applied against Fagash. I would feel sorry for his constituents, having a totally disinterested MP, but the majority voted for him.
That "Labour’s comm strategy to date has been completely dismal" is giving it far too much credit. It's been somewhere between non-existent and utterly dire. They really need to get a grip and they should have done it much sooner.
Not sure about the reshuffle. I will wait and see. Re Labour's comms though - they have been almost non-existent, or so underwhelming to not even seem worth hearing at times. They need someone like US Gavin Newsom's head of comms. A bit more personality and humour would help enormously. And a big personality for interviews to counter Frog face would also be welcome x
Very pleased to see Darren Jones in his new position. He's been impressive throughout and I hope will add some spice at the top.
I'm also longing for a much more effective comms strategy. I like Starmer and I think he's doing good things domestically and internationally (particularly given the mess he inherited), but that's not enough nowadays to win over voters who only remember the Winter Fuel policy, etc. (even if these policies didn't affect them). Unfortunately, Starmer does lack charisma and his own social media is universally flatfooted, even when tweeting about really important and markedly positive policies. Labour needs to put Farage and co. in their box and regain the poll lead -- that's going to be a real challenge given the pro-Farage press and the way that Farage has manoeuvred the small boats into poll position over the summer, but there is time to do it. If a convincing narrative begins to be put out and people start to feel, individually, the benefit of the changes being made.
I continue to wonder - as do many others? - whether the failure to celebrate the workers’ rights policies is connected to its origin with a female politician, and, specifically, Angela Raynor?
It is telling that the right-wing mainstream press are continually having a go at her (this past week being her stamp duty).
Same tactics as deployed against Megan Markle if I'm not mistaken.
The one to watch is Darren Jones. He’s being gradually moved up the system and is a leader for the future. He’s exceptionally competent and this move will suit both him and the party.
Must admit I’m not bothered about how things look as long as there’s competence and honesty in government - there is with this one, thankfully!
BUT I now understand what you’re saying about the importance of comms, especially when we have the execrable performance from Farage & Reform. So please tell me some significant demands are being made of KS to get hold of this. Thank you!
I very largely feel the same way regarding competence - and to some extent I can even see the longer term strategy, but I’m not the voter that Labour has to focus on (I mean, they still do, but not everyone thinks the same way).
I voted Labour last time. But a year or so on, I can’t say I know of any names other than Starmer and Raynor. I think I probably knew a few more of the blue lot in their time, that might be cos they were there longer. As for them Lib Dem’s umm… he was on have I got news for you wasn’t he..l what’s his name.
Yes absolutely actually doing the stuff that matters, delivering the change needed is top of the list.
But if you don’t tell anyone clearly enough what you’re doing, regularly enough, and what has been achieved, is soon to be achieved and will be achieved… your whole programme is at risk.
Because stakeholder buy-in as another reader alluded to is 💯 vital.
Maybe they should add a couple of C’s. Command & Control. Communicate with Clarity.
Somebody told me recently that the difference in action and comms between the Torys and Labour is: the Toys implement 6% of their manifesto and don't stop talking about what they have achieved: Labour implement 94% of their manifesto and don't stop talking about the 6% they still have left to do 🤦
😀… for fairness I doubt that’s right but it made me chuckle. Lab have a lot more than 6% left to do, delivery, delivery, delivery according to KS on last nights news. Let’s hope so. 🤞
You're spot on again, Bear. We were listening to the World At 1 today and we also compared Blair's approach with Starmer's - same intentions, but Blair nailed the publicity, the positivity, which Starmer hasn't so far managed to do. If you believe the rhetoric you're more likely to be patient about actually getting the results.
Very happy Darren Jones has his new position, I really like him.
They really need to get on top of Reform, so to speak. Show them for what they really are, be ruthless!
I can see people using the words 'competent' and 'impressive'. Unless the dictionary has been updated without anybody telling me, I'd have to agree to disagree.
That nobody saw that the WFA and welfare reform omnishambles was a mess from a policy point of view as well as a communications one beggars belief. Can you think of a better way of saying 'if you're poor, you're on your own'?
But the things that really sen my blood pressure soaring is the way they give the narrative away. The media are at fault for going with things that are 'newsy' - which controversy always is - but Labour doesn't seem to offer an alternative.
There is a method of stakeholder management that splits people into three: those who will support you come what make (keep them happy, it won't be difficult); those who will never support you (communicate and keep things ticking over, but don't waste your time); the people in the middle who could go one way or the other (put your energies here because this is where things happen).
And what is Labour doing? Trying to attract people who will never support them? Why? Because they are loud? And he just makes them louder.
My take on Starmer is that he is a lawyer so he thinks like a lawyer. He's rule-based. Politics - and policy, come to that - is not like that. It's a balancing act - you can only make rules when you have sufficient support.
And, at the moment, Labour seems to be haemorrhaging support. Thinking a reshuffle will change things is optimistic - it can only ever be the start of something.
And breathe...
I just happen to have met Darren Jones last week and I am very excited by his promotion. In 90 minutes I was able to see he is charismatic, very knowledgeable, and seems more than competent. Coupled with the comms shake up and the appointment of David Dinsmore (former Sun editor 🙈) as Permanent Secretary for Communications in late July, I'm now expecting both the actions and message from our Labour government to finally start cutting through against the Reform Ltd zeitgeist!
Have to admit, Starmer does seem a bit bland to me, but, he also seems to have more integrity than the last lot of Tory PM's, but then that bar wasn't very high. I do wish though, that some sanctions could be applied against Fagash. I would feel sorry for his constituents, having a totally disinterested MP, but the majority voted for him.
That "Labour’s comm strategy to date has been completely dismal" is giving it far too much credit. It's been somewhere between non-existent and utterly dire. They really need to get a grip and they should have done it much sooner.