An empty vessel makes the most noise as the saying goes but in political terms an empty vessel is someone with no ideas in his, or her, head.
Keith’s Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, has been quoted as saying Keith acts like an HR Manager, not a leader. Faint praise indeed.
In a February 2024 Politico article an unnamed Labour aide expressed concerns about Keith’s U-turn on green investment suggesting it could make him appear an empty vessel.
I cannot see anyone in the Cabinet who actually does have an idea or two in them. The exception is Crayons who has lots of ideas, all of them impractical and basically rubbish. Her problem is that she spouts forth and then assumes something will happen. In case she hasn’t realised yet, it won’t. Her call for 1.5 million new homes is pie in the sky. I remember the 1950s when governments and the opposition got into bidding wars about building 300,000 homes a year. I think we just about managed it but these days, come on.
Another feature of an empty vessel is that it is heavily influenced by whomever they have been talking to. The latest conversation leaves a lasting impression, well until the next one that is.
Keith, under the urgency of local elections and one by election, is now into making as many promises as you can while desperately trying to rubbish ReformUK. I have started writing this on the Thursday, let’s wait and see what gives on Friday. On Saturday Keith, rather predictably, decided to target the foreign student scam. Only he won’t will he, it’s just noise.
It’s now Friday and almost all the results are in. A ReformUK victory was predicted but not the scale of it. More Tory seats than Labour were up for grabs and they were annihilated. Labour also lost handsomely. Farage accused Starmer of cowardice, when GB News’ political chap, Chris Hope, asked him to his face if he was a coward the robotic Keith said it was disappointing but “he gets it”. I don’t think he does because he went on about being voted in for change and the government needs more change, harder and faster. This is sheer balderdash.
Instead of picking up on the people’s dissatisfaction with what the government is doing, Keith decides we actually like it but we want even more of it. He needs to be told, we do not want a new version of the former German Democratic Republic on this island however much his mates in the judiciary are gagging for it.
Although Doncaster elected a Labour Mayor, their council was dominated by Reform. This raises questions about the mayoral vote but they will never be answered. Doncaster is Ed Militwat’s fiefdom and the question has to be raised, how long can the buffoon last against the background of ReformUK’s opposition to net zero. The mendacious Dale Vince insists Net zero is coming no matter what and claims the facts back this up. It’s high time the Militwat-Vince axis was removed.
There are countless stories of coups being mounted against Starmer by all and sundry in Labour. The quieter MPs will be those hoping to step into his shoes. A Prime Minister’s automatic reaction to such stories is a reshuffle. What odds are there on the gurning Militwat being on his way. For some reason that escapes me he is very popular with the rank and file but then so is the tramp. Rachel from Complaints must be bricking it as well.
Speaking of empty vessels, Geoff Hoon was on GB News calling Reform right wing extremists. Who remembers the days when Hoon was used as a euphemism for a see you next Tuesday. A man who rose without trace and sank the same way.
The look in Starmer’s eyes is even more vacant than ever. There really is nobody home. The latest rumour mentioned on several tweets is that he is fed up with all the grief he is getting and is considering stepping down as leader. Many of the replies have referred to the fact that he is a sociopath with literally no emotions. Such people do not realise the grief they have caused and would never step down for those reasons. This may well be West Streeting on manoeuvres though even the mother of the House, the saintly Diane Abbott, has said the problem is not the speed he is doing things it is the direction he is taking.
The funniest thing so far has been a recommendation that he be replaced by Lady Nugee, yes, old fourbellies herself. These people really do take themselves too seriously.
© well_chuffed 2025
