Keir Starmer came up with his latest failing yesterday. As I understand it, when asked what his favourite television series was, he could not say.
He was previously asked about his favourite novel and poem, and could not suggest one in either case.
I gather that he was a little more forthcoming about music, although he did suggest that his favourite Taylor Swift track was ‘Change'. That was glaringly obviously chosen for political reasons rather than because of any personal preference that he might have.
I accept all the problems with specifying favourites. I can recall several discussions with friends over the years about just what music we might take with us to the proverbial Desert Island, together with the nature of our luxury and single book. I do not think that I ever came up with a definitive list, although I have a strong impression that Mozart's clarinet concerto, Bruce Springsteen's ‘Born to Run' and Dire Straits' ‘Telegraph Road' made pretty consistent appearances.
When it comes to books, a large anthology of diverse sourced poetry would suit me just fine. It would definitely provide me with more to think about than any one novel might do.
As to a luxury, I think a typewriter plus a very large pile of paper might meet my needs.
When it comes to a television series, I would be hard pressed. Few really stand out for me and the same is true of films. I can think of lots that I like, but I rarely view a film twice, and in that case I might struggle, except when recalling that I have watched ‘The Dig' several times and greatly enjoy the subversive element within it.
As for a particular poem, I would probably choose the ‘Lake Isle of Innisfree' or ‘He wishes for the Cloths of Heaven' as my favourite poem. How can you not like a poem that asks someone to tread softly on your dreams?
None of the above is definitive. So what? My point is that they provide some indication as to my preferences, sources of pleasure, and maybe some of my politics. That is why this question was asked. But Starmer could not answer.
What was that about, and why did he think that appropriate? His behaviour, for a man who wishes to lead the country, was really quite strange. What is he trying to hide?
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I shld imagine that every thing he is asked on the whole is focused grouped to death, so when asked to come up with his own answers he is terrible at it . !
You’re most definitely right – that’s why I’m surprised they haven’t chosen these things for him beforehand – as these are questions that always come up during the course of the campaign. I can imagine the scene afterwards – shouting all red in the face – why didn’t you tell me which poem, novel and series I like.
“What is he trying to hide?” probably not his humanity, cos that was superceded by ambition years ago.
It is all nonesense, I don’t give a stuff what books or TV series (or poetry) he likes, it’s his ideas on government and how it will address the massive & mounting problems that the UK faces that counts. So far, there have been no interviews that have been forensic – ideally conducted by a well briefed KC, in real time, with 1000 randomly selected citizens able to vote on his responses.
As for the rest, I have pile of favourite books, TV series? the recent one is “The English” – all depends on how I/partner feel.
Maybe he doesn’t read poetry or have time to watch television series?
Really?
Poetry is, I agree a minority interest. But television, books, films and music?
Even poetry – he did go to different schools for years. There must have been a poem he liked. I don’t read poetry daily, but still remember the poems I like from school and now still stumble across a poem I fall in love with occasionally. And he was a barrister – the use of language is extremely important there. I imagine they must read quite a lot, including poetry.
Agreed
These sorts of questions are a minefield when sprung on a politician without warning. How much time in the day do they get for self-directed reading, music, films, television. Yet failing to give a convincing answer makes you look stupid or remote. Do you go highbrow or lowbrow; play serious or play for laughs? It does help if an answer has some authenticity, rather than (for example) forgetting which football team you are supposed to support.
The automaton rules.
AI is with us already.
Beyond being a Gooner, there is nothing much there, socially or culturally.
SKS confirms the very definition of vacuity.
The big question is how does AI avoid belief scams – garbage in/garbageout? It can’t!
Example:-
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/fiatmoney.asp
Personally I’m more worried about his failure to say that he’ll try to remove all the anti-protest legislation that the Tories have put in place & restore our human rights.
There will be a lot of work to do after the election.
I hate it when politicians are ambushed with such questions. They are never asked out of genuine interest in the answer, it is always an attempt to ‘trip them up’.
No, I don’t know the price of a pint of milk (I never buy milk). And my favourite TV series is Firefly.
I’ll see your Firefly and raise you Babylon 5!
Richard, I have a lot of love for the TV Series Halt and Catch Fire. It’s the only one I still think about rewatching, having done so thrice already
Not for me, I think
It’s not by chance that I have watched the quiet progression of The Dig several times
Could it be because it’s “Atlas Shrugged” and not “Das Kapital”
His hero/TV programme has got to be Max Headroom hasn’t it? Robotic,artificial, programmed with empty slogans – ‘Back to Britain’s Future’…???
I suppose it means he hasnt a ‘hinterland’ – not very human .
But as people here comment – would be happy enough if he was a bit of a robot – and yet prepared to do a few right things – restoring human rights, right to protest , invest in public services, open up to Taxing Wealth report etc
Some questions the toolmaker’s son was unable to avoid during his memorable appearance on Desert Island Discs in late 2020. Luxury item was that castaways’ favourite, a football.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54946046
Weak – does he not realise that ultimately a foortball is of no value without someone to kick it to?
What does that say about his politics?
His own vacuity, I’d say.
He should have chosen T.S.Elliot’s “The Hollow Men”, which opens (remind you of anyone?):
We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!
Our dried voices, when
We whisper together
Are quiet and meaningless
As wind in dry grass
Or rats’ feet over broken glass
In our dry cellar.
And which marvellously ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.
Because that’s likely to be the end of Starmer’s term of office – hopefully nonviolent – given the frustrated expectations Nu-Nu-Labour is likely to generate.
Fingers crossed, ending with the Pasokification of Nu-Nu-Labour to be replaced by the re-imagined Left Richard has asked us to work towards, as envisaged in “The Death of the Left” referred to elsewhere.
Richard, you’ve named two of the best poems for emotional “yearning”. And Andrew – TS Eliot has been my number one since I was at school. Book – maybe a definitive guide to birds? Or indeed a big volume of poetry.
I am beginning to despise Starmer, rather than merely disliking him intensely. I read an interesting but nonsensical article in the Washington Post yesterday, about the UK election. It ended by stating that the only way a Party on the Left will win an election is by moving to the centre. It had obviously escaped her notice that a Party in the centre is, by definition, NOT ON THE LEFT.
I think that’s a big part of why “Labour” under Starmer is so indigestible. His election as Leader was a put up job, manoeuvred by Morgan McSweeney (still invisible despite his power). Election on one manifesto and solemn pledges does not – in any way- give you the mandate to enforce a totally different manifesto. However, if you then evict those who might hold you to account, then alter the rules so those people can never return to challenge you, and surround yourself with acolytes, then you’ll be a man, my son. Albeit a man who is incapable of showing any emotion and has no moral compass.
The received narrative is now that “Labour” has been saved from the dreadful mess it got itself into, and Starmer did it. Phew! Whoopee. We must all be made to feel very grateful. He’s manufactured an image by of solid dependency, an image which appeals to a wedge of Tory voters and right wing Labour MPs.
He is a cipher. It would be interesting to find out who printed him.
Me? I think that he is really dangerous.
Much to agree with
Maybe he might relax and loosen up if and when he gets the job. He was a musician in his youth, so must be familiar with dozens of popular classics, He was a teenager, so must know the hits from those years. Poetry doesn’t touch everyone and I’d be sad to think other people haven’t had the joy from poems that I’ve experienced. I’d like to think he watches a lot of football, Coronation Street, The Wire, and the Sopranos. If he’s done none of that, I pity him. He will be ill equipped to cope with the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune that are bound to come his way. I remain no more than hopeful, just pleased to be rid of the present lot.