Best Of

Utterly disgusting, that Villa decision.

Ban Jews from supporting their club because people are so racist they might not be safe? What a disgraceful victim-blaming attitude.

Villa are a crap club with wankers for fans.

The West Mids Police are a disgrace.

Not sure how much this is Villa's fault.

The Police much more to blame.

If Villa and the Police can't ensure safety it should be relocated to be played in another country that can keep fans safe.

I never said it was Villa’s fault. I just made an observation about the club and its supporters.

Macabi Tel Aviv fans are not always the peace-loving soccerballists some on pb imagine.

Some football supporters have a tendency towards bad behaviour.

That’s hardly news. Even my beloved Birmingham City has the odd one or two pre-disposed towards violence including one of my former Managers

Afternoon all

A solid series of by election results in the new "heartland" of Surrey for the LDs with gains at both County and District/Borough level.

The County Council now has 39 Conservative and 42 non-Conservative Councillors and it will be interesting to see, IF the elections for the Shadow Authorities due to take place next year are postponed a year, whether some of the remaining County Councillors will fancy serving up to a seven year term.

That's how to suspend democracy - not through authoritarianism but reorganisation.

I do wonder if the UK is heading towards a French type election, which pits the Liberal Democrats against Reform.

They don't seem to overlap. Reform are/have found themselves in Red Wall territory mainly because the Conservatives 'one-nation' Tories have been gutted from the party by Boris. LibDems have the largest share of the leafy shires constituencies. How Reform can pivot from the left behind to bank managers (see previous quote) will be difficult especially since they are a one-man band.

Labour have a spread throughout the spectrum from RW to LS but it's definitely weaker at the RW end and stronger at the LS end. Kemi's chasing the Reform rhetoric will simply reinforce the damage done by Boris. Have I mentioned she's a dud*.

* It would be more appropriate to say she was the least-worst option for LOTO though that penny hasn't dropped yet. She has an unusually high opinion of her own abilities.

As a conservative I am content that Badenoch is the best leader for the party and she had an excellent conference and is appearing more in the media

Her "excellent Conference" was mainly excellent because it has been talked up by loyalists like yourself. The fact it wasn't the anticipated clown show (much the same as Labour- no coughing, no letters falling off sign boards) it was deemed a win.

Most commentators were complimentary and general it is accepted she had a good conference

Most commentators said Starmer had a good conference until Farage offered his withering right to reply, which was given more of an airing and gained more traction than Starmer's original. And after that, polled voters stated they hated Starmer and his speech, even as mainstream commentators were still nodding in approval with Starmer.

I may have misplaced the timeline, but wasn't that the conference which was overshadowed with Angela Rayner resigning? Fairly sure it was a bit of a shambles?

No that was the "reset".

The Conference was widely anticipated to be a disaster as King over the Water Burnham arrived to claim his crown. He left early with his tail between his legs and Starmer made a dreary but gaff- free speech which was hailed because contrary to expectations the wheels remained on the Labour bus. Then Farage struck like a Cobra...

Here is what the public think. It looks as if Starmer is out of step with public opinion, and so is a lot of PB.

Most of the public will be thinking this makes life easier for that particular day and stops some violence between two groups they look down on. Which is all true, but it sets a dangerous precedent. Ministers have to consider that in a way the person on the omnibus doesn't.

ps Governing by public opinion polling has been terrible for us. Lets not encourage it!

What do the public know?
Can we trust them to elect governments?
I think you've made your point.

I don't mind them electing governments, I mind the people elected taking the easy route and not making unpopular decisions at times.

I actually agree with you.
My political maxims are:

1. Lead don't follow
   
2. Keep it simple
   
3. Be brave
   
4. Be controversial
   
5. Be honest
   

Here is what the public think. It looks as if Starmer is out of step with public opinion, and so is a lot of PB.

Most of the public will be thinking this makes life easier for that particular day and stops some violence between two groups they look down on. Which is all true, but it sets a dangerous precedent. Ministers have to consider that in a way the person on the omnibus doesn't.

ps Governing by public opinion polling has been terrible for us. Lets not encourage it!

What do the public know?
Can we trust them to elect governments?
I think you've made your point.

I don't mind them electing governments, I mind the people elected taking the easy route and not making unpopular decisions at times.

1. Lead don't follow
   
2. Keep it simple
   
3. Be brave
   
4. Be controversial
   
5. Be honest
   

Here is what the public think. It looks as if Starmer is out of step with public opinion, and so is a lot of PB.

Most of the public will be thinking this makes life easier for that particular day and stops some violence between two groups they look down on. Which is all true, but it sets a dangerous precedent. Ministers have to consider that in a way the person on the omnibus doesn't.

ps Governing by public opinion polling has been terrible for us. Lets not encourage it!

What do the public know?
Can we trust them to elect governments?
I think you've made your point.