Of course winning back the 3 million votes lost since 2017 isn't just about increasing majorities in safe seats and an energising opposition, what a strange suggestion.
Unless you can guarantee that 34% will result in a landslide victory in 5 years time don't you think there might be a problem?
Support for parties generally falls after they win a landslide victory, that is exactly what happened after 1997. So on the face of it Labour will be lucky to get 34% again in 5 years.
I am amazed anyone should be arguing that everything is just fine because we have this great first-past-the-post system which always works so well for Labour.
I suspect that Starmer is smart enough to realise that he was very lucky to get such a huge majority out of such a small share of the vote. His choice for Attorney General suggests that he might be looking at sensible ways of winning back some of the votes that went to independents and the Greens.
The Greens are likely to be a bigger problem in 5 years time and possible the current independents too if they form themselves into some sort of coalition.
No, I meant the French left uniting to defeat the far right, then someone instantly claiming the victory for the far left when rather than celebrating.
Eh? The three blocks were the united left, the centrists, and the far-right.
It would appear that the united left came first, the centrists came second, and the far-right came third.
Someone claimed that Macron had won. I think that's probably stretching it, I believe that his prime minister is accepting defeat and will be resigning tomorrow.
So much sophistry, so little time. Let the good news keep flowing though…
Sticking to the “UK” bit in the title, Keir is smarter than BoJo I think.
He has worked out that position A in delivering good government in the UK is getting enough seats to provide the government - any sort of government at all.
The bit that is hard work and takes time is the good government bit - and although you have 5 years, you really only have a couple of months to convince people of that.
So if we accept that he has nicely got enough seat, how do we feel about the first few actions as opposed to words in an advertising document for the election (ok manifesto, but I’m more accurate there really)?
I think he’s doing ok so far. Early days, but ok, good appointments, good tone, threatening Swinney with cooperation - ok.
how do we feel about the first few actions as opposed to words in an advertising document for the election (ok manifesto, but I’m more accurate there really)?
Going to see the leaders of all the devolved governments, then having meetings with all the regional mayors seems like a radical idea. Imagine choosing to opt for a cooperative aproach rather than deliberate confrontation and issuing dictats from Westminster. Revolutionary stuff!!
From this mornings Guardian article : Rachel Reeves pledges to ‘fix foundations’ of UK economy with growth plan
Speaking in Edinburgh on Sunday, Starmer reiterated that he wanted to forge new cooperation with elected politicians from across different political parties, from the Conservative Tees Valley mayor, Ben Houchen, to the Scottish National party first minister, John Swinney.
“I’m totally committed to the principle that those with skin in the game know best, what works for their communities, and that what you shouldn’t do is have individuals in Westminster and Whitehall making decisions affecting communities when they’ve got their own representatives,” he said. “I think the best interest of every community is held by those who are elected into office.”
Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, will be at Starmer’s side for a meeting with English metro mayors on Tuesday, where they will discuss Labour’s plan to “power up” Britain through more devolution and local growth plans.
Fine words but will wee see any action? Starmer has been contemptuous of Holyrood. The nonsense over the GRA - where he said he agreed with the Tory veto of a law that had been worked out by compromise over 5 years with support from ALL parties but he knew better.
We had Nandy threatening extra judicial arrest then claiming what she meant was to outflank the SNP from the left - when the SNP are well to the left of Labour at the time.
Ignorant of the working of Holyrood and contemptuous of the decisions made by the parliament and suffer from the same as Scottish labour - if the SNP support it it must be opposed at all times
how do we feel about the first few actions as opposed to words in an advertising document for the election (ok manifesto, but I’m more accurate there really)?
They seem good to me but the "they are all the same" people will need to feel the differences as they will not be looking deeply into appointments or listening to any words. Not sure what Labour can do that quickly but make just a small impact, especially given their fiscal rules silliness. Maybe quietly breaking that and actually getting stuff started would be a good move. If people don't feel any difference in say a year then the obvious "what was the point" questions will be coming out.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/08/disproportionate-uk-election-results-boost-calls-to-ditch-first-past-the-postYes, this election was a great example of how shit FPTP is with Reform + Green at 21% of vote share but 2% of the seats but nobody in Labour government with massive majority via FPTP is going to be tabling this in the next 5 years unless polling in 4.5 years time says otherwise.
There is going to be at least one unpredictable, uncontrollable event during the next Parliament which may well end up defining Starmer's period as pm.
Regarding PR...Surely the people have spoken and the result of that referendum need to be respected.
We've never had a PR vote - the referendum was on AV IIRC. To be honest I think people would vote differently in a PR system and you'd see a lot more other party votes, not just for Reform but for greens, libs etc. Turnout might be higher and it could even positively effect the %ages for the big parties too. Whatever I doubt it would be the same %ages outcome.
Its important too to remember on this occasion the vote for tory and lose option meant a vote for reform was a throw away choice, it meant nothing either way so why not? If PR had been in place then voting tory would have counted too and I bet far less people would have flipped.
At the moment as I see it the country is split into people that want quiet, competent government, and people that want ideological government. I would guess that a group of remaining tory voters could be swayed to Labour if Kier delivers a stable government, no dramas. Likewise if things start to improve for the reform voters I am sure they're pretty capable of forgetting their ideology in return for improved working conditions, a growing economy and better public services.
For those who seem to think that the winners in yesterday's French legislative elections were Macron and the centrists the fount of all truth disagrees
For those who seem to think that the winners in yesterday’s French legislative elections were Macron and the centrists
Who thinks this? Are these people in the room with you now?
With the political uncertainty ahead for France, there will be relief at the change of government in the UK. Relief that will be felt much wider in Europe.
Was a PR referndum in anyones manifestos?
I seriously doubt the Tories will have it in their 2025 manifesto
I think I read that government are considering dropping the UKs objection to Netenyahus ICC arrest warrant which would be a big step. Dangerous just reducing the muslim vote to a bloc that cares only about Gaza, Im sure its important to some, but some muslim communities are at the pointiest end of inequality in the country, their priorities are the same as everyone else's; NHS, housing, cost of living, jobs, education.... thats where labour need to deliver
I can see something happening that until yesterday had never occurred to me was possible - Starmer might turn out to be smarter and more progressive than the centrists on STW.
The appointment of the new attorney general appears to suggest that that Starmer might understand the crisis created by such a low vote last Thursday and that there should be an attempt to win back some of the lost votes, including ironically in his own constituency.
In contrast STW's finest centrists appear to be in glorious denial and think everything is just hunky dory because we can rely on first-past-the-post.
Starmer might turn out to be smarter and more progressive than the centrists on STW.
We’ve long known he’s smarter than the lefties on STW.
we can rely on first-past-the-post.
Not a centrist view, even if you can quote someone centre on STW with that personal opinion. It was the Lib Dems that tried unsuccessfully to get PR from the Tories. And in the long run FPTP will always drive interest group coalescing into two broad church parties, whatever short term changes may be happening now.
Starmer might turn out to be smarter and more progressive than the centrists on STW
I think it is a given that he is smarter than pretty much everyone on this forum, with exception of you obviously.
Tactical voting inevitably skewed the overall percentages, probably not by much, but I am sure that quite a few Labour supporters voted for other parties either to get the Tories out or because they recognised the candidate as a potentially good constituency MP. It does work both ways as I am aware so some of their votes would have come from other parties but it might explain some of the anomalies between national polling and actual turnout.
bring in compulsory voting, have a preferential vote for the lower house, abolish the house of lords and replace with a senate that is elected via PR
Dangerous just reducing the muslim vote to a bloc that cares only about Gaza, Im sure its important to some, but some muslim communities are at the pointiest end of inequality in the country, their priorities are the same as everyone else’s; NHS, housing, cost of living, jobs, education…. thats where labour need to deliver
I totally agree. But my experience from much of the local Muslim community recently is that they will never vote for candidates who aren't condemning Netanyahu and didn't at the first opportunity back a ceasefire, they simply don't trust them on any issue.
An elected politician doesn't just represent the electorate, they also make moral based decisions on their behalf, including on a local level. Voters need to feel that the politician shares their moral compass before they can trust them.
Yesterday I was making the case that local Labour MP Sarah Jones was fundamentally a good person despite the fact that she had made the terrible mistake of not backing early calls for a ceasefire. I suggested that she had undoubtedly wrestled with her conscience and perhaps came to the conclusion that she could do more good by remaining on the Labour front bench.
The issue came up because Sarah Jones doesn't appear to have secured a ministerial role in the new government. My suggestion wasn't challenged as had expected it might be. Another local Labour MP, Steve Reed, a hardline zionist with no redeeming qualities, secured himself a cabinet post.
PR in one of it's many flavours might be great in a stable, progressive country where the politicians largely are tinkering around the edges, but in a country like this, where radical change is needed I can't see PR working. The diplomacy and compromises needed to build a multi party government and pander to egos will always blunt the ability to make major changes.
Sticking to the “UK” bit in the title, Keir is smarter than BoJo I think.
Hardly a high bar but obviously true.
I do not think many folk fail to understand that Starmer is a serious and able man. competent even.
I think it is a given that he is smarter than pretty much everyone on this forum, with exception of you obviously.
Ah nice, the thread descends into direct and personal attacks, probably time to get off the thread.
It's a weird comment from someone who has more than once banged on about their enormously high IQ btw kerley. Apparently it's on par with Einstein iirc?
In contrast STW’s finest centrists appear to be in glorious denial and think everything is just hunky dory because we can rely on first-past-the-post.
Alternatively, as others have said it's just that a basic level of competence looks radical.
Labour only got 34% of the vote on Thursday ffs. Whilst the arithmetic behind first-past-the-post worked very well this time there is no guarantee that it will do so next time.
Starmer needs to figure out a way of winning back some of the more than 3 million votes Labour has lost since 2017. Preferably before 2029 – there will plenty of local and by-elections before then.
In my constituency Labour won by 800 votes to the Tory's, and there was no reform candidate. I'd suggest that they probably just prioritize competence above all else, the new-town suburbs of Reading are not a hotbed of Socialism or Palestinian independence campaigning. They just want a functioning government, a hospital that isn't falling down (The Royal Berks is 185 years old), the potholes fixed and if it's possible for the local flooding to not be a worldwide internet meme (that photo of the Tesla chargers in a flooded car park is here and happens at least monthly over winter).
In a FPTP system cementing those 800 swing votes has a better payback than anything else. If you want to see a recent example of what happens when you try to appeal to your core voters at the expense of swing voters, have a look at this:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_Kingdom_general_election
Having a strong opinion on Israel Vs Gaza is divisive at best, it has no electoral upsides. And we politically we can't do much about it. We've already passed a Labour motion calling for a ceasefire and it had precisely as much effect as anyone probably expected.
On the other hand, in the Red Wall, you can't our Reform Reform, and no one want's to. The only center-left solution to that is to actually be a competent government and make things better. Most people don't GAS about immigration, they GAS about the impact of immigration. Build houses, build infrastructure, build the NHS, deal with crime and it'll disappear into the background again.
Without comment...... more very positive news from the new Labour government:
I am not going to suggest that the unprecedented election of 5 pro-Palestine independents last Thursday has influenced that decision, but I am pretty certain that it wasn't an election promise.
and if it’s possible for the local flooding to not be a worldwide internet meme (that photo of the Tesla chargers in a flooded car park is here and happens at least monthly over winter).
There's a reason that they're kept as car parks and not buildings in the Loddon valley...
Listening to Rachael Reeves speech, the thing that has struck me the most is that I can't even remember the last I've heard a government minister even talk about issues like changing planning laws and house building in any meaningful way.
Its like they've spent the the last ten years hoping that if they just ignored it, perhaps it would all just go away.
So this is what it feels like to have an actual government? Its been a while.
the new-town suburbs of Reading are not a hotbed of Socialism or Palestinian independence campaigning.
Quite.Nobody I know in person has mentioned Gaza in any conversation. I'm always amazed how frequently it has been brought up in this thread as some sort of major factor in folks voting choices.
Listening to Rachael Reeves speech, the thing that has strook me the most is that I can’t even remember the last I’ve heard a government minister even talk about issues like changing planning laws and house building.
She sounds like an actual grown up. It is such a relief.
Everything they have done so far has been slick & professional. It's such a delightful change - hopefully they'll make politics boring again & in doing so people will start to ignore those like reform & be more inclined to vote for lib dem & green & move our political landscape to the left.
Sometimes I think Labour could drop tax to 0% on all workers, wipe out everyone's personal debt & say that they'll fund the country from their own personal fortune & the right wing papers & Reform/Tory supporters would still find something terribly wrong with them.
@scotroutes - it does indeed look like a Westminster thing. Somewhat unsurprisingly they seem to be a bit more enlightened north of the border.
Government rules, introduced in 2015, mean just one objection to an onshore wind farm can stop an entire project being built. Because of this ban, only two onshore wind turbines have been built in England since 2020.
Nobody I know in person has mentioned Gaza in any conversation.
The exact opposite of my experience.
The number of people on this thread posting about Gaza being a factor in voting choices is very small but they post repeatedly and at length in an attempt to amplify their views.
As for Rachel Reeves' speech with the announcements about planning, housing and onshore wind she had to move quickly as a government is at it's most popular immediately following it's election. I like what she said; it's another example of focus and intent - the grown-ups have regained control.
Will be interesting to see how the markets react.
It is such a relief.
I agree. This morning I turned on the Today programme in the 8am ish political interview slot and for the first time in years didn't immediately feel compelled to stab the radio.
As for Rachel Reeves’ speech with the announcements about planning, housing and onshore wind she had to move quickly as a government is at it’s most popular immediately following it’s election. I like what she said; it’s another example of focus and intent – the grown-ups have regained control.
Its almost as if some clever people have spent some time actually planning things instead of just blurting out any old shit they scrawled on the back of a fag packet an hour earlier and will be instantly forgotten after tomorrow mornings headlines
It certainly seems like they're hitting the ground running and theres lots of things all ready to go straight away
Ah nice, the thread descends into direct and personal attacks, probably time to get off the thread.
As opposed to broad brush generalisations and assumptions. Don't shit stir and then cry foul if you get caught out doing it
Quite.Nobody I know in person has mentioned Gaza in any conversation. I’m always amazed how frequently it has been brought up in this thread as some sort of major factor in folks voting choices.
Or on the telly and/or radio.
I often listen to LBC when bike tinkering on an evening, based on the calls to Iain Dale the country must be full of Jews & Palestinians too.
A mate is a civil servant and has just messaged to say they had the intoduction speech by their new minister this morning. They said that the difference between their new minister and the assortment of clowns that have preceded them is like night and day. Instead of vague, meaningless blather, there seems to be detail and intent.
The number of people on this thread posting about Gaza being a factor in voting choices is very small but they post repeatedly and at length in an attempt to amplify their views.
That may be because they realise that their experience is not everyone's experience. Similarly the News Media is in the main insulated from those areas of the population where the Palestinian Question is currently at the fore-front of their daily lives. (Some notable sections aren't, looking at you Joshua Rosenberg, but they seem to lack balance and are not helping their cause as a result).
Bees and other insects are going to benefit too hopefully. The legality of the use of pesticides, banned in the EU, is being examined. I am pleased about this and hope it’s not too late, my garden which is normally very busy with wasps, bees, butterflies and moths has been almost totally devoid of buzzing action this year.
It’s a weird comment from someone who has more than once banged on about their enormously high IQ btw kerley. Apparently it’s on par with Einstein iirc?
Yes I have a very high IQ (mentioned when subject came up rather than 'more than once banged on about it' ) but yet I haven't come up with something of the scale of the Theory of Relativity so I am going to say that Einstein is a LOT smarter than me and on similar measure so is Starmer.
Of course, words are easy and the doing far harder but thus far I'm +1 for what a refreshing change. Not only do the words make sense but I don't feel I'm being lied to or at best, their fingers are crossed under the desk as they say what they'll do.
Clearly from an ideological PoV the Tories and RW have to find fault with the new admin - but the issues they're finding are just pathetic. OFC my twitter feed may be different to yours but the ones that seem to be getting most retweets for me are:
1/ new labour member for NW Cambridgeshire is only 22 (and has a distinctive haircut that possibly doesn't suit his head shape, but let's not go there). We've had young politicians/MPs before, doesn't William Hague's speech at 16 still have the Eastbourne set slipping their hands inside their girdles. The Finnish PM is barely 30 iirc?
2/ Vallance and Tmpson AREN'T EVEN MPs!!!!!!! How marvellous. Nor was Lord Howe, Lord Carrington, or more recently Lord Call me Dave Cameron. They were all decent politicians, not criticising them for that but none were experts in their field.
3/ Angela Rayner's got a new suit and it wasn't Primark. It was £500! Do we want our Secretaries of State looking like timeshare salespeople? Even Nadine Dorries saw through this when Rishi went to Teeside in a £3500 suit and £450 Gucci loafers.
4/ Angela Rayner (her again) wore some denim shorts and did some dancing at a Pride march some years ago supporting the Terence Higgins Trust. Brilliant. Also to be fair, she's got decent moves and I have a thing for redheads so I may have watched that a few times myself, which may be why it appears on my feed regularly.
And that seems to be the bulk of what they've got . As I said before - you could deliver some people a suitcase of money and they'd moan it's in the wrong denomination notes.
That lad does have a belter of a haircut tbf
The exact opposite of my experience.
Ohh it get's discussed, but the conclusion is that the SNP/Labour/Tory drafts were
a) a gnats hair apart from each other
b) a gants hair apart from what people wanted to hear
c) still completely impotent to have any influence over either side of the conflict.
Of course, words are easy and the doing far harder but thus far I’m +1 for what a refreshing change.
Yes, very refreshing. Being more honest and at least trying to do the right, well thought out things should really be a given but as we know from last decade it simply hasn't been.
When they get round scrapping Rwanda policy if will no doubt get the RW press going
That lad does have a belter of a haircut tbf
Does have a bit of Napoleon Dynamite about it but that is okay as that is a great film.
1/ new labour member for NW Cambridgeshire is only 22 (and has a distinctive haircut that possibly doesn’t suit his head shape, but let’s not go there). We’ve had young politicians/MPs before, doesn’t William Hague’s speech at 16 still have the Eastbourne set slipping their hands inside their girdles. The Finnish PM is barely 30 iirc?
The better way to look at this is that in a completely stereotypically safe Tory seat, they'd rather have a an inexperienced student as their MP than the incumbent Tory.
Was a PR referndum in anyones manifestos?
I haven't checked but would astonished if its not in the Lib Dem one (or no referendum just a change) - as its been their long stated policy.
I seriously doubt the Tories will have it in their 2025 manifesto
Well the problem with PR in a manifesto is, you only get to implement your manifesto if you win, and the parties which win are much more likely to be content with the status quo than PR where they would potentially not do quite as well. BUT mad Nigel might actually manage to make it enough of an issue for people that others have to consider it!
bring in compulsory voting, have a preferential vote for the lower house, abolish the house of lords and replace with a senate that is elected via PR
I'm all for lords reform... but it provided a mechanism for highly competent people in Attorney General, Prisons etc. if those turn out to be half as the improvement I'm hoping over their predecessors it would be hand to justify complete reform so people have to become politicians first.
I suspect that Starmer is smart enough to realise that he was very lucky to get such a huge majority out of such a small share of the vote. His choice for Attorney General suggests that he might be looking at sensible ways of winning back some of the votes that went to independents and the Greens.
That suggests he made that decision on Friday morning. Everything else seems too slick for last minute panic like that - there were cabinet roles he couldn't be sure would win seats and a few from shadow cabinet who didn't win seats but these will be people that have been considered for weeks.
Nobody I know in person has mentioned Gaza in any conversation.
Have you had many conversations with Muslims?
Your apparent denial that it was a factor in Thursday's election result isn't matched by what the global mainstream media is reporting. CNN:
The Labour party’s position on Gaza appears to have cost it votes in the UK election
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/05/uk/labour-gaza-israel-vote-uk-election-gbr-intl/index.html
It's not just a claim being made by a few on this thread as you appear to be suggesting.
But maybe you could list what you believe were the contributory factors to Labour having the smallest share of the vote on Thursday's election since 2015? Since you apparently reject the notion that Gaza played a part.
Rwanda policy was the first thing to go. Consigned to the dustbin of history, where it was always destined to end up.
Sorry, thought scrapping it would be a bit more official than the leader just mentioning it on a weekend but then I suppose that is what we expect now in this socialist dictatorship we are living in 🙂
but these will be people that have been considered for weeks.
Undoubtedly. Starmer and his advisors will have been fully aware that Gaza would cost them votes. What I am fairly certain they weren't expecting is the extent and effect of it. I don't know anyone who expected 5 pro-Palestine independent MPs or that Wes Streeting would very nearly lose his seat and end up representing one of the most marginal seats in the country - I certainly didn't. Labour were widely expected to dramatically increase their share of the vote, not lose votes as Starmer and Streeting did.
I don't think that the attorney general's appointment is a sign of "panic", there isn't an election around the corner, just an acknowledgement that someone with a pro-Palestine would be appropriate considering how the electorate voted.
Today's announcement that UK will remove obstacles to Netanyahu's arrest on war crime charges is probably in the same vein. Announcing it as a policy during the election campaign would definitely have gained votes, or at least stemmed losses. Which suggests that the decision hadn't been made then.
Today’s announcement that UK would remove obstacles to Netanyahu’s arrest on war crime charges is probably in the same vein. Announcing it as a policy during the election campaign would definitely have gained votes, or at least stemmed losses. Which suggests that the decision hadn’t been made then.
Or that it's an incredibly delicate issue and would have lost as much on the other side as it might have gained.
Have you had many conversations with Muslims?
Er. I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure you were the one , a few pages back, saying that Labour losses weren’t due to a Muslim vote. Make up your mind
The whole Gaza thing is a non issue for most people in the UK. I think it was used as a protest vote in some very deprived Muslim areas and as a stick to beat Starmer with by the left. The seats lost to the independents made no difference to the majority Labour achieved.
The better way to look at this is that in a completely stereotypically safe Tory seat, they’d rather have a an inexperienced student as their MP than the incumbent Tory.
My lad knows him from uni, he's apparently a very clued up guy. Have to see if he's the next Mhairi Black though.
Angela Rayner (her again) wore some denim shorts and did some dancing at a Pride march some years ago supporting the Terence Higgins Trust. Brilliant. Also to be fair, she’s got decent moves and I have a thing for redheads so I may have watched that a few times myself, which may be why it appears on my feed regularly.
I need to figure out how to get my feed sorted.
The Labour party’s position on Gaza appears to have cost it votes in the UK election
clearly - and 5 seats to pro palestine independents?
Will this change labour policy or is that why Thornberry was sidelined? - we can only guess
I find Raynor incredibly irritating I cannot work out whyy - I think its the "I'm a northern gobshite" shtick and while she clearly had every legal right to buy and sell a council house for profit its hardly the act of someone who has left wing morals.
OI! Whats up with being a northern gobshite?!
I find Raynor incredibly irritating I cannot work out whyy – I think its the “I’m a northern gobshite” shtick and while she clearly had every legal right to buy and sell a council house for profit its hardly the act of someone who has left wing morals.
I think she's great - a pull no punches straight-talker, something no member of government has been for a decade and a half.
hardly the act of someone who has left wing morals.
If she had left wing morals she wouldn't have stayed in Starmers Labour party would and even more accepted deputy leader position?
(I actually don't mind her nothern gobshite side)
Oh I do know her background. I just dislike her. Thats as much about me as her. I think she is a phoney
Labour expected to drop challenge to ICC over Netanyahu arrest warrant
Exclusive: UK government appears unlikely to go ahead with legal bid, while Keir Starmer has spoken with Israeli PM over Gaza ceasefire
From the Grauniad. Labour have certainly exceeded my expectations over Gaza
didn’t immediately feel compelled to stab the radio
I don't even mind having to clean up my coffee-soaked desk after this one 😉
Uncle Jezza, if you think Angela Rayner is a phoney, then is there anyone alive who would pass your authenticty test? 😉
I find Raynor incredibly irritating I cannot work out whyy – I think its the “I’m a northern gobshite” shtick and while she clearly had every legal right to buy and sell a council house for profit its hardly the act of someone who has left wing morals.
I think that says more about you @tjagain than her. Or maybe you're getting her mixed up with Claire Rayner agony-aunt extraordinaire?
You shouldn't take exception to others based on accents, appearances etc. Tut tut
I think many of them are true to themselves. I think Raynor plays up the northern gobshite shtick and maybe believes it - but she left her background ago a long time ago. Its just phoney
I did say that Elshalimo. :scratch: :wacko: B-)
I think Raynor plays up the northern gobshite shtick and maybe believes it – but she left her background ago a long time ago. Its just phoney
I see where you are coming from and she has got into a position where her background will be more and more distant I guess. She could either take on a middle class demeanor or just carry on as she is - I would go with the latter.
