And yet, it's just a speech. When Starmer -as someone here said- posts 40+ messages a month about limiting migration or framing migrants as danger/undesirable, then the message in this speech seems of very little significance to the public. He's still emboldening Reform.
The press and their coverage of Farage is emboldening Reform.
True. And yet, Starmer seems to validate their scaremongering re migration. The moral leadership that he seems to suggest in that speech is hardly visible otherwise. He could do photo-ops with NHS nurses who have migrated to the UK etc. Some visual testimony for openness and unity. 🤷
He has recognised that there is concern re immigration, which is the truth of the matter, it's neither "validation" nor "scaremongering", it's simply recognising that hotels are a potential problem which is why there's a programme to close them down over time and deal with the backlog of cases.
It's not only what Starmer says but also what the govt does that validates Reform. Yvette Cooper talked about using 'industrial sites' as accommodation for refugees instead of hotels. 🇩🇪 did something similar as emergency measure. To consider this as regular accommodation for ...
potentially traumatized ppl suggests that they're not seen as human beings. Just the kind of approach Reform might use. On the other side, if there are problems with hotels in communities, employing social workers might help. This could help promote integration and reduce fears amongst the locals.
It’s a pile on by the right wing media intended to stir up division. No amount of social workers can counter that constant toxic message. It’s noteworthy that there were no demonstrations when the Tories were in government despite them commissioning these hotels.
Labour would do well to start referring to the hotels as "Jenrick Hotels". That'd press home the point in one short simple sentence.
Social workers certainly wouldn't help with the public messaging. If there are any problems between locals and refugees, though, they could help and make sure the locals don't feel let down by the govt. That would drain support for rioters.
The Tories stopped processing asylum applications deliberately. Many hotels saw a guaranteed income stream so were delighted. Boosting the speed of the process is happening and reducing the numbers in hotels is in progress. The furore is a deliberate attempt to cause unrest.
Of course it is...follow the money as they say...who owns the media? Why are media owners hellbent on ousting Labour? What's in it for them? These are just some of the questions NO journalist is asking, why? Because there are almost NO journalists left in the country, bar one or two exceptions.
This entire thread agrees with each other. Its a common theme. We all start out very angry but all see the same shitmess and failure to quell the dissent when opportunities do exist to do so. We all place it squarely at wealth growth and a captured press. So what's the answer?
In the old days before social media I was involved in various campaigns for women, Greenpeace, save the Whale etc. We flyposted like our lives depended on it, paper memes if you like. We sprayed symbols. Little music bands do it now. Big posters still attract a LOT of attention but aren't cheap.
I probably saw you Maiden but I was young hard and handsome then so you might not recognise me :-) I fear our state is so undermined so subverted so aligned against citizens that posters and protest will only go so far before we are closed down. The whole society needs cleansing of the deviance.
Found this POV interesting. 👇
Its is indeed. The problems could easily be seen as a government's failure to control the messaging and comms BUT just like citizens are now sidelined and marginalised, our own governments do not have the wit, funds or wherewithal to withstand the attack by a captured press and a rich RW extreme.
And yet, Labour's public communication strategy seems to help Reform become more popular. This will make a difference re whether they have a chance to stay in power or whether Reform will get into govt and deport everyone in 5 years. 🤷
Unfortunately Reform is being backed by the fossil fuel companies and has masses to spend in a supportive media. They have no need to stick to the truth so it is a very uneven playing field.
There seem to be a lot of ppl in the UK, though, who looked at the Bibby Stockholm, the intentional cruelty and wondered, "Is this who we are?". Surely, the media essentially support right-wing parties. Still, they won't be able to sell to voters what's profoundly opposed to ppl's values. Core ...
British values are kindness, pragmatism, tolerance and facing adversities with a warm sense of humour. Reform represents none of this. Starmer could project moral leadership by connecting Labour policies to those values. He'd have civil society and probably the Royal Family on his side. ...
A simple speech won't be enough, though. Labour needs a sound, comprehensive strategy. They need better storytelling.