Best Of

It's interesting reading some of the reactions from the mostly male PB commentators about Aberdeen south and above all Kemi Badenoch. There is much to criticize in the Tory party but I feel that some on the left remain affronted that the Tories have another woman in charge and moreover, a black woman. I think it gets to them, as the long wait continues in the Labour party for anything remotely similar. Sure she's made errors, but she works and last night she won. Give her and the party a break!

FPT. Kemi Badenoch absolutely nails it, politically pitch perfect...

Kemi Badenoch@KemiBadenoch
This is a significant result, and I want to start by congratulating @DLumsden_MSP
on becoming the new Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South and the newest Conservative MP!

Makerfield was about one man’s job.

Aberdeen South was about thousands of jobs in oil and gas across our country and the future of an entire city.

Yesterday, the people of Aberdeen sent a message on behalf of the whole country. Energy security is national security. They know it is common sense to use our own oil and gas rather than importing it from overseas. They know it is madness to make ourselves poorer, weaker and more dependent at a time when even the government’s own intelligence says we are under threat. The first duty of any government is to keep its people safe. The Conservative Party will always put Britain’s security first.

What makes this result particularly significant is that many people who voted Conservative today have never voted Conservative before. I want to thank every one of them.

Many will have voted for us because they care deeply about Aberdeen and its future. Many will have voted for us because they are sick of the SNP’s shenanigans. Others because they are worried about what Labour’s policies mean for their jobs and livelihoods. Many voted for us because they wanted a strong local champion.

Douglas is that champion. He has lived in Aberdeen all his life. He spent two decades working in the oil and gas industry. He knows this city, he knows its people, and throughout this campaign he brought energy, optimism and a genuine belief in Aberdeen’s future. Wherever he went, he had a smile on his face and a positive message about what this great city can achieve.

The Conservative Party is working to earn the trust of the country again. I am grateful and humbled that Aberdeen looked at the choice before them and decided that the Conservative Party was the party that would fight for families, workers and business.

Thank you, Aberdeen. I will never stop fighting for you. Douglas will never stop fighting for you.

The Conservative Party will keep fighting for common sense, a stronger economy and a stronger country.
https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/2067861410059612497

Again FPT...
X
Dean M Thomson@DeanMThomson
"Makerfield was about one man’s job. Aberdeen South was about thousands of jobs in oil and gas"
That line has cut through. Burnham's team will wince, as face prospects of a bloodied coup to oust Starmer. As Labour descends into infighting, free-range for Tories to define him
https://x.com/DeanMThomson/status/2067879031270449511

In your/his dreams. Goodness me, PB Tories are going down a rabbit hole this morning, when the attention of everyone other than those in the North East of a different country is focused elsewhere.

From the previous thread header: "Labour’s former deputy leader Harriet Harman say the party’s MPs should now decide the leadership - with no say for the party members - in order to preserve the ‘stability of government’ "

No. Once again Harman gets it wrong. It must be done by the book, and Burnham will actually get a boost by being seen to be responsible for dragging Starmer kicking and screaming away from No 10. Those who voted for Burnham yesterday weren't voting for more of the same, anything but.

Burnham must be acutely aware that Harriet Harman's actions led to the demise of his leadership campaign in 2015, after she overstepped her brief as acting temporary leader by trying to force through policy to the agenda of the right of the party and gave him the dilemma of whether or not to resign from the Shadow Cabinet. He made the wrong choice to stay in and the left of the party turned against him, paving the way for Corbyn.

Harman is the last person who should be offering him advice on this.

So when 11 years later Harriet Harman is advising a particular course of action, Burnham's first recourse should be to look to follow the exact opposite course. Give Starmer the weekend to announce his planned departure, in the knowledge that on Monday Burnham will regardless announce that he is standing for the leadership with the support of way over the required 81 MPs. Very likely a simple Burnham v Starmer contest according to party rules, because Streeting can't I think muster 81 supporters now that Burnham is a dead cert.

Can he launch a leadership bid Monday?
Technically he isn't an MP until swearing in.
Or am I wrong?

Streeting could, though, and Burnham could announce even if his formal entry would be delayed a bit.

Incidentally, checking some old bets and Garbett[sp] tipped by Mr. Eagles at 61 for next London mayor is down to 9 on Ladbrokes. Hoping to hedge that later.

Also, I made a tiny bet on the Victoria state election, laying Labor at under evens, then just backed at 3.55. Might try looking at more things like that over the weekend, time permitting (checking polls, starting position, etc). Only a little profit, but it's a nice result given it's an entirely new thing for me.

And, as mentioned, Norris at 11 each way in Austria is worth contemplating.

Legendary modesty klaxon.