Visegrád 24 @visegrad24 · 27m In an interview for La Repubblica, the Deputy Speaker of the Russian Parliament, Pyotr Tolstoy, stated that Russia won’t stop its “special military operation” in Ukraine until the Russian Army reaches the Polish border.
I've been enjoying the PB Cabinet chat. As a minor poster can I be Permanent Secretary of something? I'm already a civil servant so feel myself to be qualified.
As long as your title amuses me, go for it! What in your professional opinion is the funniest bit of Brit govt?
That joke from Yes Minister about there being so many secretaries, none of whom can type is very accurate. There are quite a few Private Secretaries to the Permanent Secretary who have PAs in their team to do what most people would consider to be the actual secretarial work. Also in one department until about 2 years ago the complaints body could only be contacted by post or fax as a secure email address was deemed too expensive.
Brick through the window would have been my preferred method.
First, we don't know what has happened on Croydon Council so notions of a "thrashing" may be a little premature.
On the other hand, Newham was 64-2 for Labour, Barking & Dagenham 51-0 for Labour and Redbridge 55-5 for Labour and all these areas have plenty of ethnic minorities so it's a far from conclusive argument.
I would argue unique factors at work in Harrow and Tower Hamlets but the fact is the Conservatives have taken the bigger kicking across the capital - almost wiped out in Kingston and Richmond, unable to break LD control in Sutton and losing ground in Merton quite apart from losing Wandsworth, Westminster and Barnet to Labour.
Completely wrong
What is happening is a repeat of Labour in Scotland and Labour in the Red Wall - and now, probably, the Tories in the South
Parties that take their core voters for granted get punished, as the previously loyal voters realise they can vote for ANOTHER PARTY and get a load of urgent attention from a previously neglectful government. This will happen to Labour in London. Sunny Handal is right
If that argument had a scintilla of validity, why didn't the Conservatives win Kingston, Richmond, Westminster, Wandsworth, Barnet, Gosport, Somerset, Woking etc?
People don't just vote for the Government party at a local election on some vague notion they'll get treated better if they do. That's not of course how it works. Would those who voted Aspire in Tower Hamlets have considered the possibility they'll get more money from the Government if they do? Last time I looked, Aspire weren't running the country.
This is yet another straw man argument to concentrate on Labour's few reverses rather than the Conservatives' many reverses, setbacks, losses, defeats and failures.
I've been enjoying the PB Cabinet chat. As a minor poster can I be Permanent Secretary of something? I'm already a civil servant so feel myself to be qualified.
Sorry to interject, but I think this type of political appointment to the civil service should be ruled out, such positions should only be appointed on merit following an open and fair process of selection. However, you could put yourself forward as minister of civil service reform?
I've been enjoying the PB Cabinet chat. As a minor poster can I be Permanent Secretary of something? I'm already a civil servant so feel myself to be qualified.
As long as your title amuses me, go for it! What in your professional opinion is the funniest bit of Brit govt?
Got to be the Ministry of Silly Walks.
You, sir, are a "true" statesman, gentleman AND healer - prepare for PB government!
Of all the major parties I think the Lib Dems now have the simplest set of strategic choices to make (or second simplest - the SNP have it dead easy every election). They know where to target and what demographic they are chasing: the nice hilly bits of the South East commuter belt, its equivalents in the North West and Scotland, the hinterlands of Labour’s new South Coast front, the West Country which is back in play, and pretty places in the North and Wales.
Basically the Lib Dems should target anywhere you can go on a pleasant afternoon walk to a pub that has Nyetimber or Hattingley Valley on the wine list.
Avoid the places with only Pinot Grigio, Kiwi Sauvignon and Chilean Chardonnay. Likewise avoid the spots where they only serve natural wines with no sulphur.
For a taste of the future they should look at the detailed 1st round presidential maps in France. Macron’s constituency is the same as the Lib Dem constituency, with the exception of central Paris which in any case is more like a big version of Bath or Cheltenham than London. He thrived in leafy riverside suburbs, but also in most places with limestone bedrock, most winemaking regions, most regions that were never heavily industrialised except the far South, and coastal regions where there is a very large tidal range and lots of holiday homes.
I anticipate an electoral map of Britain in 10 years or so that has little yellow splodges everywhere there is viticulture, or good quality local butchers.
I've been enjoying the PB Cabinet chat. As a minor poster can I be Permanent Secretary of something? I'm already a civil servant so feel myself to be qualified.
Sorry to interject, but I think this type of political appointment to the civil service should be ruled out, such positions should only be appointed on merit following an open and fair process of selection. However, you could put yourself forward as minister of civil service reform?
If I were a political appointee then I'd probably be put in charge of the Office for Civil Service Independence
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
Based on the name, presumably they are Soviet Unionist?
They are Trotskyists, so very much not "Soviet Unionists" in the sense Trotsky believed in permanent revolution, rather than nationalising communism hence the schism with Stalin.
Outstanding reporting from the very front line in Eastern Ukraine:
"A guy I know who was in Afghanistan twice said it was like a playground compared to eastern Ukraine.” "
“Even if they drop a nuclear bomb on Kyiv they will not win,”
"The Russians are fighting like Zhukov. They send wave after wave but our guys figured out they fight just like Soviets. The tank commander is always in the first tank, so we shoot it. Once you shoot the first and last tanks, they’re immobilised.”
Aspire shows one terrifying truth for Labour. A core constituent of their 'reliable' vote base defects en masse when given something to vote for. Could destroy them in London long term.
Sunny Handal did an excellent thread on this. There are ominous signs for Labour amidst the London celebrations. Voting for them by en bloc ethnic minorities is coming to an end
“Some quick thoughts on Labour getting thrashed in Tower Hamlets, Harrow and Croydon.
These parts of London have one thing in common - large proportion of ethnic minorities.
Labour has a habit of losing from unassailable strength - Scotland, Blaenau Gwent, Tower Hamlets, Bethnal Green, The Red Wall. They are very easy to turn your back on and have been since the post Wilson/Callaghan era
I don't think one can generalise. I don't know why Labour lost Croydon.
The politics of Tower Hamlets are unique. As to Harrow, it's simply a case of professional voters of Indian background gradually drifting towards the Conservatives, as the Jews started doing, fifty years ago.
Croydon is because of the council going bankrupt in 2020 and then scrapping the £24,000 meals on wheels when you're paying the head of the council 613,000 a year
Is that a typo? I know some council heads get above 200k, but 600k?
Slightly off topic, but it is not just council heads. There is contract work in some Council planning departments at the moment that is very well paid. IE: 150K per year with contracts deemed (by the Council) to be outside of IR35 at head of department level. 100k+ for an interim manager or even just very senior officer level, on the same terms (eg outside of IR35) is common. And even with all that money on offer, there is still a lack of candidates.
£150k pa is less than £750 a day. It's not an amazing rate for an experienced consultant, and you would need to be reasonably experienced to get a head of department role.
At one stage I took on a set of contractors as part of taking over a contract for a central government department, about 10 years ago now. They weren't particularly impressive but we're getting between 600 and 800 per day. One thing that pissed me off is that some of them wanted to be paid weekly. What kind of idiot do you have to be to not be able to manage your cash flow for a month if you are paid over 130k pa!
Visegrád 24 @visegrad24 · 27m In an interview for La Repubblica, the Deputy Speaker of the Russian Parliament, Pyotr Tolstoy, stated that Russia won’t stop its “special military operation” in Ukraine until the Russian Army reaches the Polish border.
While I'm on public service anecdotes. When I worked in Parliament a foreign parliamentarian phoned a colleague who worked for a Select Committe and asked to speak to the boss to arrange a meeting with the Chair. He told them he'd put them through to the Committee Clerk. They said "I don't want a damned Clerk (or words to that effect) I want to speak to someone important"
While I'm on public service anecdotes. When I worked in Parliament a foreign parliamentarian phoned a colleague who worked for a Select Committe and asked to speak to the boss to arrange a meeting with the Chair. He told them he'd put them through to the Committee Clerk. They said "I don't want a damned Clerk (or words to that effect) I want to speak to someone important"
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
How did that happen, the UUP and DUP were well above a quota between them,
If I were in Northern Ireland I'd have voted UUP.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
How did that happen, the UUP and DUP were well above a quota between them,
If I were in Northern Ireland I'd have voted UUP.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
How did that happen, the UUP and DUP were well above a quota between them,
If I were in Northern Ireland I'd have voted UUP.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
I think a big mistake Starmer made was calling for resignations because of an investigation rather than at least waiting to the end of that .
The Tories will be enjoying this but ironically they don’t want Starmer to resign . We all know Johnson is utterly shameless and his right wing paper friends will do their best to spin things but if Starmer goes the first thing most of the public will ask is why is Johnson still there .
What happens if he gets more FPNs , what if the Sue Gray report is damning .
Make the point that Johnson has broken the laws he created and should resign because he lied to parliament about doing to. I always said lying to parliament was the biggie.
If we come out of this with Johnson still as PM and Starmer gone as the Met slap out a stack of FPNs and the Grey report details Johnson partying at the "I sacked Cummings" event I will likely wee myself laughing.
Sorry that's rubbish - most ordinary people dont give a chit he lied to parliament , its that he made laws for them he could not keep himself.So he should go and Starmer should go given he voted for them as well.Maybe in future it will mean politicians think twice about imposing stupid laws on people because its the "right thing to do"
I'm the only person not surprised by it but then I never took the Covid laws literally myself.
I ignored the pettifogging interpretations that I found irrational or silly, and met my parents several times outside for walks and chats.
Sure, I broke the laws. i sat on park benches with friends when that was literally (I think) illegal. Then-wife and I had a pizza in a house with another couple near the end of lockdown 1. Etc. Personally, however, I didn’t have a massive party at my home - Boris - nor did I order curry for 30 with a ton of booze and get loaded - Starmer. Nor did I, at the same time, impose stringent laws on the rest of British humanity, which I had no intention of obeying - Boris - and nor did I whine that these laws should be stricter and go on longer - Starmer - who had no intention of obeying
Fuckers. I despise them
I’d be quite happy to get rid of the entire House of Commons, as is, Tory, LD and Labour alike, and SNP, all of them, and start over
How about a Cabinet of PBers, with a Parliament of the rest?
TSE - PM Cyclefree - Home Secretary MaxPB - Chancellor BlancheLivermore - Foreign Secretary Dura Ace - Defence Casino Royale - Transport Me - Education Foxy - Health DavidL - Justice Moon rabbit - Minister for Sport Leon - Culture Eabhal - Scotland Y Bardd Cwsc - Wales Beibherli C - Northern Ireland Gallowgate - Levelling Up. Malmesbury - Leader of the House and responsible for the ONS assisted by tlg86
Just think how much better a government that would be than this one...
Sunil at Transport, surely!
You can have it mate.
I've had enough dealings with the DfT to last a lifetime.
Hey, I'm willing to take on the DfE. Admittedly only for the pleasure of sacking them all.
Ditto DBIS. We have this discussion regularly about who is worse.
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
How did that happen, the UUP and DUP were well above a quota between them,
If I were in Northern Ireland I'd have voted UUP.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
Yes, I agree. They are hyper-woke. Given a choice, I'd much rather vote SDLP than Alliance. I would give Alliance a preference, but only to keep out Sinn Fein.
Outstanding reporting from the very front line in Eastern Ukraine:
"A guy I know who was in Afghanistan twice said it was like a playground compared to eastern Ukraine.” "
“Even if they drop a nuclear bomb on Kyiv they will not win,”
"The Russians are fighting like Zhukov. They send wave after wave but our guys figured out they fight just like Soviets. The tank commander is always in the first tank, so we shoot it. Once you shoot the first and last tanks, they’re immobilised.”
Outstanding reporting from the very front line in Eastern Ukraine:
"A guy I know who was in Afghanistan twice said it was like a playground compared to eastern Ukraine.” "
“Even if they drop a nuclear bomb on Kyiv they will not win,”
"The Russians are fighting like Zhukov. They send wave after wave but our guys figured out they fight just like Soviets. The tank commander is always in the first tank, so we shoot it. Once you shoot the first and last tanks, they’re immobilised.”
Close to same method employed as by Sergeant York in Meuse-Argonne in 1918 against German infantry. Shot the first guy coming forward, next the last in line, then started picking off the rest from the rear forward.
After shooting a bunch of Germans, & capturing over a hundred, York said that he'd learned the trick hunting turkeys back in Tennessee.
Maybe the Ukrainian's watched that old Gary Cooper movie?
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
How did that happen, the UUP and DUP were well above a quota between them,
If I were in Northern Ireland I'd have voted UUP.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
How did that happen, the UUP and DUP were well above a quota between them,
If I were in Northern Ireland I'd have voted UUP.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
How did that happen, the UUP and DUP were well above a quota between them,
If I were in Northern Ireland I'd have voted UUP.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
Think we can hold fire on the Foyle result. There is a slight possibility that SDLP transfers will put PBP and UUP above the DUP and eliminate them. But that would still give the fourth seat to SDLP. And DUP transfers would see the UUP home against PBP for fifth.
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
How did that happen, the UUP and DUP were well above a quota between them,
If I were in Northern Ireland I'd have voted UUP.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
SNP are sectarian? Huge if true.
They are a nationalist party.
Sectarian = religious. You know, like Tories and the C of E.
Outstanding reporting from the very front line in Eastern Ukraine:
"A guy I know who was in Afghanistan twice said it was like a playground compared to eastern Ukraine.” "
“Even if they drop a nuclear bomb on Kyiv they will not win,”
"The Russians are fighting like Zhukov. They send wave after wave but our guys figured out they fight just like Soviets. The tank commander is always in the first tank, so we shoot it. Once you shoot the first and last tanks, they’re immobilised.”
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
How did that happen, the UUP and DUP were well above a quota between them,
If I were in Northern Ireland I'd have voted UUP.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
Is this a conspiracy by Corbynites and the left to discredited Starmer for his move to the centre ?
Well someone leaked it and someone must have a motive.
One thought.
If you believe that something genuinely seriously bad has happened, you take it to the police.
If you think that something that looks seriously bad (but isn't) has happened, you take it to the papers.
I don't know if what happened in Durham broke the rules that applied at that time or not. And I'm of the view that if Starmer, Rayner or others get fined, their position is untenable. If that means that they can take down Johnson on their way out, that's a valuable final service for a grateful nation.
But it's also possible that Labour's biggest sin is to fail to bow down before the gods of the Daily Mail. And whilst that's definitely a problem for a party that wants to win elections, I can't help but admire them for that. Giving in to bullies never works in the long run.
Well that is a new one on me and it took me a few minutes to work out how it worked and it looks very interesting. More info from anyone please? First thought is if there are say 6 candidates it will take a long time to vote and there will be matches where I don't have an opinion and I can't reasonably be expected to have an opinion between certain candidates.
@kjh There is a very long wiki page on all the possible implementations
Outstanding reporting from the very front line in Eastern Ukraine:
"A guy I know who was in Afghanistan twice said it was like a playground compared to eastern Ukraine.” "
“Even if they drop a nuclear bomb on Kyiv they will not win,”
"The Russians are fighting like Zhukov. They send wave after wave but our guys figured out they fight just like Soviets. The tank commander is always in the first tank, so we shoot it. Once you shoot the first and last tanks, they’re immobilised.”
I think a big mistake Starmer made was calling for resignations because of an investigation rather than at least waiting to the end of that .
The Tories will be enjoying this but ironically they don’t want Starmer to resign . We all know Johnson is utterly shameless and his right wing paper friends will do their best to spin things but if Starmer goes the first thing most of the public will ask is why is Johnson still there .
What happens if he gets more FPNs , what if the Sue Gray report is damning .
Make the point that Johnson has broken the laws he created and should resign because he lied to parliament about doing to. I always said lying to parliament was the biggie.
If we come out of this with Johnson still as PM and Starmer gone as the Met slap out a stack of FPNs and the Grey report details Johnson partying at the "I sacked Cummings" event I will likely wee myself laughing.
Sorry that's rubbish - most ordinary people dont give a chit he lied to parliament , its that he made laws for them he could not keep himself.So he should go and Starmer should go given he voted for them as well.Maybe in future it will mean politicians think twice about imposing stupid laws on people because its the "right thing to do"
I'm the only person not surprised by it but then I never took the Covid laws literally myself.
I ignored the pettifogging interpretations that I found irrational or silly, and met my parents several times outside for walks and chats.
Sure, I broke the laws. i sat on park benches with friends when that was literally (I think) illegal. Then-wife and I had a pizza in a house with another couple near the end of lockdown 1. Etc. Personally, however, I didn’t have a massive party at my home - Boris - nor did I order curry for 30 with a ton of booze and get loaded - Starmer. Nor did I, at the same time, impose stringent laws on the rest of British humanity, which I had no intention of obeying - Boris - and nor did I whine that these laws should be stricter and go on longer - Starmer - who had no intention of obeying
Fuckers. I despise them
I’d be quite happy to get rid of the entire House of Commons, as is, Tory, LD and Labour alike, and SNP, all of them, and start over
How about a Cabinet of PBers, with a Parliament of the rest?
TSE - PM Cyclefree - Home Secretary MaxPB - Chancellor BlancheLivermore - Foreign Secretary Dura Ace - Defence Casino Royale - Transport Me - Education Foxy - Health DavidL - Justice Moon rabbit - Minister for Sport Leon - Culture Eabhal - Scotland Y Bardd Cwsc - Wales Beibherli C - Northern Ireland Gallowgate - Levelling Up. Malmesbury - Leader of the House and responsible for the ONS assisted by tlg86
Just think how much better a government that would be than this one...
Think we can hold fire on the Foyle result. There is a slight possibility that SDLP transfers will put PBP and UUP above the DUP and eliminate them. But that would still give the fourth seat to SDLP. And DUP transfers would see the UUP home against PBP for fifth.
Yes, the Unionists are 1,000 over their quota, and it would take massive refusal to transfer to prevent their getting a seat.
In 1921, to ease famine in Russia, the ARA's director in Europe, Walter Lyman Brown, began negotiating with the Soviet People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs, Maxim Litvinov, in Riga, Latvia. An agreement was reached on August 21, 1921, and an additional implementation agreement was signed by Brown and People's Commissar for Foreign Trade Leonid Krasin on December 30, 1921. The U.S. Congress appropriated $20,000,000 for relief under the Russian Famine Relief Act of late 1921.
American Relief Administration operations in Russia in 1922 At its peak, the ARA employed 300 Americans, more than 120,000 Russians and fed 10.5 million people daily. Its Russian operations were headed by Col. William N. Haskell. The Medical Division of the ARA functioned from November 1921 to June 1923 and helped overcome the typhus epidemic then ravaging Russia.
I don't recall Putin having thanked us for that help, at least not recently.
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
How did that happen, the UUP and DUP were well above a quota between them,
If I were in Northern Ireland I'd have voted UUP.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
SNP are sectarian? Huge if true.
They are a nationalist party.
Only in the sense that they see themselves as Irish. They are hardly militant or unreasonable about it. In fact. They took a lot of grief and violence from their "own" side. As well as the other.
Is this a conspiracy by Corbynites and the left to discredited Starmer for his move to the centre ?
Well someone leaked it and someone must have a motive.
One thought.
If you believe that something genuinely seriously bad has happened, you take it to the police.
If you think that something that looks seriously bad (but isn't) has happened, you take it to the papers.
I don't know if what happened in Durham broke the rules that applied at that time or not. And I'm of the view that if Starmer, Rayner or others get fined, their position is untenable. If that means that they can take down Johnson on their way out, that's a valuable final service for a grateful nation.
But it's also possible that Labour's biggest sin is to fail to bow down before the gods of the Daily Mail. And whilst that's definitely a problem for a party that wants to win elections, I can't help but admire them for that. Giving in to bullies never works in the long run.
You do know it was an independent Durham councillor who lost his mother who made the formal complaint to Durham Police which resulted in this detective led investigation
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
How did that happen, the UUP and DUP were well above a quota between them,
If I were in Northern Ireland I'd have voted UUP.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
SNP are sectarian? Huge if true.
They are a nationalist party.
Only in the sense that they see themselves as Irish. They are hardly militant or unreasonable about it. In fact. They took a lot of grief and violence from their "own" side. As well as the other.
I think a big mistake Starmer made was calling for resignations because of an investigation rather than at least waiting to the end of that .
The Tories will be enjoying this but ironically they don’t want Starmer to resign . We all know Johnson is utterly shameless and his right wing paper friends will do their best to spin things but if Starmer goes the first thing most of the public will ask is why is Johnson still there .
What happens if he gets more FPNs , what if the Sue Gray report is damning .
Make the point that Johnson has broken the laws he created and should resign because he lied to parliament about doing to. I always said lying to parliament was the biggie.
If we come out of this with Johnson still as PM and Starmer gone as the Met slap out a stack of FPNs and the Grey report details Johnson partying at the "I sacked Cummings" event I will likely wee myself laughing.
Sorry that's rubbish - most ordinary people dont give a chit he lied to parliament , its that he made laws for them he could not keep himself.So he should go and Starmer should go given he voted for them as well.Maybe in future it will mean politicians think twice about imposing stupid laws on people because its the "right thing to do"
I'm the only person not surprised by it but then I never took the Covid laws literally myself.
I ignored the pettifogging interpretations that I found irrational or silly, and met my parents several times outside for walks and chats.
Sure, I broke the laws. i sat on park benches with friends when that was literally (I think) illegal. Then-wife and I had a pizza in a house with another couple near the end of lockdown 1. Etc. Personally, however, I didn’t have a massive party at my home - Boris - nor did I order curry for 30 with a ton of booze and get loaded - Starmer. Nor did I, at the same time, impose stringent laws on the rest of British humanity, which I had no intention of obeying - Boris - and nor did I whine that these laws should be stricter and go on longer - Starmer - who had no intention of obeying
Fuckers. I despise them
I’d be quite happy to get rid of the entire House of Commons, as is, Tory, LD and Labour alike, and SNP, all of them, and start over
How about a Cabinet of PBers, with a Parliament of the rest?
TSE - PM Cyclefree - Home Secretary MaxPB - Chancellor BlancheLivermore - Foreign Secretary Dura Ace - Defence Casino Royale - Transport Me - Education Foxy - Health DavidL - Justice Moon rabbit - Minister for Sport Leon - Culture Eabhal - Scotland Y Bardd Cwsc - Wales Beibherli C - Northern Ireland Gallowgate - Levelling Up. Malmesbury - Leader of the House and responsible for the ONS assisted by tlg86
Just think how much better a government that would be than this one...
What’s the betting on first one out 😆
Bear in mind that resigning because of being caught in a scandal is so pre-2019, darling.
Hmm. Odd. Seems a Russian military analyst has been allowed on state tv this evening to say that a mobilization wont solve the problem as it is about out-date equipment versus NATO-supplied kit.
One of Vlad's moves or is the poor guy about to bungled into a police van for a long drive north?
While I'm on public service anecdotes. When I worked in Parliament a foreign parliamentarian phoned a colleague who worked for a Select Committe and asked to speak to the boss to arrange a meeting with the Chair. He told them he'd put them through to the Committee Clerk. They said "I don't want a damned Clerk (or words to that effect) I want to speak to someone important"
Couple of decades back here in Washington State we had a state Insurance Commissioner, a statewide elected office, who was a liberal Democrat with good but hardly rock-solid ties to labor. She was ambitious to advance higher politically.
She was also of somewhat mercurial disposition. Which she displayed one day, to a landscaping crew that was cutting the grass or suchlike outside of her office. She lit into the guy in charge, in high dudgeon and full flow.
Which turned out to be a bit of a faux pas, as the man in question happened to be a member of the board of local (state capital) branch of the state employees union. Oops.
Not just that, but the story went around like wildfire in Olympia, small city that's WA State capital, a company town where the company is the state government. And also seat of Thurston County, a reliable Democratic stronghold on Election Day.
But NOT for Insurance Commissioner when she ran for Attorney General the next year. When she LOST Thurston Co . . . and with it election, to the Republican victor.
I think a big mistake Starmer made was calling for resignations because of an investigation rather than at least waiting to the end of that .
The Tories will be enjoying this but ironically they don’t want Starmer to resign . We all know Johnson is utterly shameless and his right wing paper friends will do their best to spin things but if Starmer goes the first thing most of the public will ask is why is Johnson still there .
What happens if he gets more FPNs , what if the Sue Gray report is damning .
Make the point that Johnson has broken the laws he created and should resign because he lied to parliament about doing to. I always said lying to parliament was the biggie.
If we come out of this with Johnson still as PM and Starmer gone as the Met slap out a stack of FPNs and the Grey report details Johnson partying at the "I sacked Cummings" event I will likely wee myself laughing.
Sorry that's rubbish - most ordinary people dont give a chit he lied to parliament , its that he made laws for them he could not keep himself.So he should go and Starmer should go given he voted for them as well.Maybe in future it will mean politicians think twice about imposing stupid laws on people because its the "right thing to do"
I'm the only person not surprised by it but then I never took the Covid laws literally myself.
I ignored the pettifogging interpretations that I found irrational or silly, and met my parents several times outside for walks and chats.
Sure, I broke the laws. i sat on park benches with friends when that was literally (I think) illegal. Then-wife and I had a pizza in a house with another couple near the end of lockdown 1. Etc. Personally, however, I didn’t have a massive party at my home - Boris - nor did I order curry for 30 with a ton of booze and get loaded - Starmer. Nor did I, at the same time, impose stringent laws on the rest of British humanity, which I had no intention of obeying - Boris - and nor did I whine that these laws should be stricter and go on longer - Starmer - who had no intention of obeying
Fuckers. I despise them
I’d be quite happy to get rid of the entire House of Commons, as is, Tory, LD and Labour alike, and SNP, all of them, and start over
How about a Cabinet of PBers, with a Parliament of the rest?
TSE - PM Cyclefree - Home Secretary MaxPB - Chancellor BlancheLivermore - Foreign Secretary Dura Ace - Defence Casino Royale - Transport Me - Education Foxy - Health DavidL - Justice Moon rabbit - Minister for Sport Leon - Culture Eabhal - Scotland Y Bardd Cwsc - Wales Beibherli C - Northern Ireland Gallowgate - Levelling Up. Malmesbury - Leader of the House and responsible for the ONS assisted by tlg86
Just think how much better a government that would be than this one...
What’s the betting on first one out 😆
Bear in mind that resigning because of being caught in a scandal is so pre-2019, darling.
Correction - shouldn't that be "beer in mind . . ."?
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
How did that happen, the UUP and DUP were well above a quota between them,
If I were in Northern Ireland I'd have voted UUP.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
SNP are sectarian? Huge if true.
They are a nationalist party.
Only in the sense that they see themselves as Irish. They are hardly militant or unreasonable about it. In fact. They took a lot of grief and violence from their "own" side. As well as the other.
SNP = Scottish, not Irish.
Oops. Mixed up two conversations there. Thought @Casino_Royale was talking about the SDLP. I blame a late election night. Early election morning. Red wine. Curry, cake. And Durham Police. Besides everyone broke lockdown rules didn't they... What do you mean I lost 400+ seats? Labour are in crisis. I mean. They're just the Party of London. Who are about to be wiped out in London. Err...
People before Profit has got in in Foyle at the expense of the DUP.
How did that happen, the UUP and DUP were well above a quota between them,
If I were in Northern Ireland I'd have voted UUP.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
I think a big mistake Starmer made was calling for resignations because of an investigation rather than at least waiting to the end of that .
The Tories will be enjoying this but ironically they don’t want Starmer to resign . We all know Johnson is utterly shameless and his right wing paper friends will do their best to spin things but if Starmer goes the first thing most of the public will ask is why is Johnson still there .
What happens if he gets more FPNs , what if the Sue Gray report is damning .
Make the point that Johnson has broken the laws he created and should resign because he lied to parliament about doing to. I always said lying to parliament was the biggie.
If we come out of this with Johnson still as PM and Starmer gone as the Met slap out a stack of FPNs and the Grey report details Johnson partying at the "I sacked Cummings" event I will likely wee myself laughing.
Sorry that's rubbish - most ordinary people dont give a chit he lied to parliament , its that he made laws for them he could not keep himself.So he should go and Starmer should go given he voted for them as well.Maybe in future it will mean politicians think twice about imposing stupid laws on people because its the "right thing to do"
I'm the only person not surprised by it but then I never took the Covid laws literally myself.
I ignored the pettifogging interpretations that I found irrational or silly, and met my parents several times outside for walks and chats.
Sure, I broke the laws. i sat on park benches with friends when that was literally (I think) illegal. Then-wife and I had a pizza in a house with another couple near the end of lockdown 1. Etc. Personally, however, I didn’t have a massive party at my home - Boris - nor did I order curry for 30 with a ton of booze and get loaded - Starmer. Nor did I, at the same time, impose stringent laws on the rest of British humanity, which I had no intention of obeying - Boris - and nor did I whine that these laws should be stricter and go on longer - Starmer - who had no intention of obeying
Fuckers. I despise them
I’d be quite happy to get rid of the entire House of Commons, as is, Tory, LD and Labour alike, and SNP, all of them, and start over
How about a Cabinet of PBers, with a Parliament of the rest?
TSE - PM Cyclefree - Home Secretary MaxPB - Chancellor BlancheLivermore - Foreign Secretary Dura Ace - Defence Casino Royale - Transport Me - Education Foxy - Health DavidL - Justice Moon rabbit - Minister for Sport Leon - Culture Eabhal - Scotland Y Bardd Cwsc - Wales Beibherli C - Northern Ireland Gallowgate - Levelling Up. Malmesbury - Leader of the House and responsible for the ONS assisted by tlg86
Just think how much better a government that would be than this one...
What’s the betting on first one out 😆
@ydoethur’s cabinet is far too left-wind and middle class. Here’s mine:
PM - me (well, someone has to do it) For Sec - Leon CoE - Bartholomew Robert’s Equalities / Home Sec - Cyclefree SOS for the Dominions, sorry devolved Parliaments - HYFUD Culture - Leon BEIS - RCS Health - Foxy (he is the most qualified) Defence - Topping (Dura would give in to Russia) Education - Malmesbury Deregulation - State_Go_Away DEFRA - Tlg86 Justice - DavidL
In 1921, to ease famine in Russia, the ARA's director in Europe, Walter Lyman Brown, began negotiating with the Soviet People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs, Maxim Litvinov, in Riga, Latvia. An agreement was reached on August 21, 1921, and an additional implementation agreement was signed by Brown and People's Commissar for Foreign Trade Leonid Krasin on December 30, 1921. The U.S. Congress appropriated $20,000,000 for relief under the Russian Famine Relief Act of late 1921.
American Relief Administration operations in Russia in 1922 At its peak, the ARA employed 300 Americans, more than 120,000 Russians and fed 10.5 million people daily. Its Russian operations were headed by Col. William N. Haskell. The Medical Division of the ARA functioned from November 1921 to June 1923 and helped overcome the typhus epidemic then ravaging Russia.
I don't recall Putin having thanked us for that help, at least not recently.
Don't hold yer breath! However, we can all thank Herbert Hoover, who was leadership & driving force behind ARA.
I think a big mistake Starmer made was calling for resignations because of an investigation rather than at least waiting to the end of that .
The Tories will be enjoying this but ironically they don’t want Starmer to resign . We all know Johnson is utterly shameless and his right wing paper friends will do their best to spin things but if Starmer goes the first thing most of the public will ask is why is Johnson still there .
What happens if he gets more FPNs , what if the Sue Gray report is damning .
Make the point that Johnson has broken the laws he created and should resign because he lied to parliament about doing to. I always said lying to parliament was the biggie.
If we come out of this with Johnson still as PM and Starmer gone as the Met slap out a stack of FPNs and the Grey report details Johnson partying at the "I sacked Cummings" event I will likely wee myself laughing.
Sorry that's rubbish - most ordinary people dont give a chit he lied to parliament , its that he made laws for them he could not keep himself.So he should go and Starmer should go given he voted for them as well.Maybe in future it will mean politicians think twice about imposing stupid laws on people because its the "right thing to do"
I'm the only person not surprised by it but then I never took the Covid laws literally myself.
I ignored the pettifogging interpretations that I found irrational or silly, and met my parents several times outside for walks and chats.
Sure, I broke the laws. i sat on park benches with friends when that was literally (I think) illegal. Then-wife and I had a pizza in a house with another couple near the end of lockdown 1. Etc. Personally, however, I didn’t have a massive party at my home - Boris - nor did I order curry for 30 with a ton of booze and get loaded - Starmer. Nor did I, at the same time, impose stringent laws on the rest of British humanity, which I had no intention of obeying - Boris - and nor did I whine that these laws should be stricter and go on longer - Starmer - who had no intention of obeying
Fuckers. I despise them
I’d be quite happy to get rid of the entire House of Commons, as is, Tory, LD and Labour alike, and SNP, all of them, and start over
How about a Cabinet of PBers, with a Parliament of the rest?
TSE - PM Cyclefree - Home Secretary MaxPB - Chancellor BlancheLivermore - Foreign Secretary Dura Ace - Defence Casino Royale - Transport Me - Education Foxy - Health DavidL - Justice Moon rabbit - Minister for Sport Leon - Culture Eabhal - Scotland Y Bardd Cwsc - Wales Beibherli C - Northern Ireland Gallowgate - Levelling Up. Malmesbury - Leader of the House and responsible for the ONS assisted by tlg86
Just think how much better a government that would be than this one...
What’s the betting on first one out 😆
Probably me, I think I'd sack everyone who currently works for the treasury and sack the BoE governor.
Hmm. Odd. Seems a Russian military analyst has been allowed on state tv this evening to say that a mobilization wont solve the problem as it is about out-date equipment versus NATO-supplied kit.
One of Vlad's moves or is the poor guy about to bungled into a police van for a long drive north?
Laying the groundwork to explain a Russian defeat - if it happens. Expectations management, if you will. If the Ukrainians chase the Russian Army out of Ukraine then I'd expect the Kremlin to claim a great victory in deterring NATO from crossing the Russian border.
And then, of course, calling on the populace to make great sacrifices to help modernise and rebuild the Russian Army.
Outstanding reporting from the very front line in Eastern Ukraine:
"A guy I know who was in Afghanistan twice said it was like a playground compared to eastern Ukraine.” "
“Even if they drop a nuclear bomb on Kyiv they will not win,”
"The Russians are fighting like Zhukov. They send wave after wave but our guys figured out they fight just like Soviets. The tank commander is always in the first tank, so we shoot it. Once you shoot the first and last tanks, they’re immobilised.”
Aspire shows one terrifying truth for Labour. A core constituent of their 'reliable' vote base defects en masse when given something to vote for. Could destroy them in London long term.
Sunny Handal did an excellent thread on this. There are ominous signs for Labour amidst the London celebrations. Voting for them by en bloc ethnic minorities is coming to an end
“Some quick thoughts on Labour getting thrashed in Tower Hamlets, Harrow and Croydon.
These parts of London have one thing in common - large proportion of ethnic minorities.
Labour has a habit of losing from unassailable strength - Scotland, Blaenau Gwent, Tower Hamlets, Bethnal Green, The Red Wall. They are very easy to turn your back on and have been since the post Wilson/Callaghan era
I don't think one can generalise. I don't know why Labour lost Croydon.
The politics of Tower Hamlets are unique. As to Harrow, it's simply a case of professional voters of Indian background gradually drifting towards the Conservatives, as the Jews started doing, fifty years ago.
Croydon is because of the council going bankrupt in 2020 and then scrapping the £24,000 meals on wheels when you're paying the head of the council 613,000 a year
Is that a typo? I know some council heads get above 200k, but 600k?
Slightly off topic, but it is not just council heads. There is contract work in some Council planning departments at the moment that is very well paid. IE: 150K per year with contracts deemed (by the Council) to be outside of IR35 at head of department level. 100k+ for an interim manager or even just very senior officer level, on the same terms (eg outside of IR35) is common. And even with all that money on offer, there is still a lack of candidates.
£150k pa is less than £750 a day. It's not an amazing rate for an experienced consultant, and you would need to be reasonably experienced to get a head of department role.
At one stage I took on a set of contractors as part of taking over a contract for a central government department, about 10 years ago now. They weren't particularly impressive but we're getting between 600 and 800 per day. One thing that pissed me off is that some of them wanted to be paid weekly. What kind of idiot do you have to be to not be able to manage your cash flow for a month if you are paid over 130k pa!
It depends what you are doing. In planning, it is typically a substitute for a permanent member of staff, in some cases they are having to pay contractors over twice the rate for permanent staff. When you look in to it, the reason is that typically the Council has had some 'reorganisation', obliterated the team that existed before, and now find that no-one is there to do the work, and the promising youngster they hired to run the department has quit to do something else. So it is a crisis, and whoever they appoint to sort it out needs to tell the senior management and Councillors things they don't want to hear, and they won't ever be thanked for it!
While I'm on public service anecdotes. When I worked in Parliament a foreign parliamentarian phoned a colleague who worked for a Select Committe and asked to speak to the boss to arrange a meeting with the Chair. He told them he'd put them through to the Committee Clerk. They said "I don't want a damned Clerk (or words to that effect) I want to speak to someone important"
It is of course entirely plausible that SDLP and PBP combine to transfer enough to see the UUP take the fifth seat ahead of the DUP. Leaving the DUP on 24. But I wouldn't wager much on it.
Chris Mason of BBC says it is very, very serious for Starmer.
Starmer won't go, the Tories obviously won't push for it as if he went the pressure on Boris could be untenable
But if he did, and Boris had to go, too, that would be a win/win.
Not really.
If Johnson goes, the Conservatives have a significant problem- nobody else can plausibly hold the current Conservative coalition together and be PM. Go on- who takes over? Truss? Wallace? Hunt?
The problem exists for Labour as well, but it's much less stark, because they are choosing a LotO. And Starmer hasn't torched any potential sucessors/rivals. Besides-let's be honest, Starmer was chosen to lose with dignity in 2024, not to be the next PM. Starmer's fall helps Labour by accelerating Project Rebuild. And all the evidence is that Labour have learnt the lesson of not letting a lefty populist within a sniff of the final round. So it's not even a win for followers of the Cult of St Jeremy The Martyr.
The source added: “In my view, it was an event that is akin to when the prime minister and Rishi Sunak were ambushed by a birthday cake.”
From The Times. By the end of Sunday the Labour line will be "ambushed by curry" just as predicted by yours truly yesterday morning.
Both BBC and Sky reporting on this and it does not look good
He can't say he was "ambushed" by curry because there was a memo outlining the timetable for the day which indicated curry would be eaten at the end of the working day.
Is this a conspiracy by Corbynites and the left to discredited Starmer for his move to the centre ?
Well someone leaked it and someone must have a motive.
Is there anything untoward? It's exactly the sort of itinery everyone who works on location would get daily. How else would they do it?
Because a pre-arranged curry and booze after work would have been breaking the law at that point in time. A stupid law, but one which he supported and voted in favour of.
I can't believe this could be how it ends for Starmer. The Mail ploughing a lone furrow on a post work beer and suddenly they could have a huge scalp.
Re: Foyle, am assuming that there's likely recounting and double-checking occurring, because the numbers for final eliminations & seat(s) are VERY tight?
I have a feeling Starmer might resign before the conclusion of the Durham police investigation. We are though living in a bizarre situation where the PM lied continually for weeks, there were countless parties in no 10 and yet seems to be swanning around without a care in the world .
The source added: “In my view, it was an event that is akin to when the prime minister and Rishi Sunak were ambushed by a birthday cake.”
From The Times. By the end of Sunday the Labour line will be "ambushed by curry" just as predicted by yours truly yesterday morning.
Both BBC and Sky reporting on this and it does not look good
Itv news too. Second piece on the news after Mariupol. The new information is said to contradict their initial story. It doesn’t look great neither did lying about Rayner being there.
The source added: “In my view, it was an event that is akin to when the prime minister and Rishi Sunak were ambushed by a birthday cake.”
From The Times. By the end of Sunday the Labour line will be "ambushed by curry" just as predicted by yours truly yesterday morning.
Both BBC and Sky reporting on this and it does not look good
He can't say he was "ambushed" by curry because there was a memo outlining the timetable for the day which indicated curry would be eaten at the end of the working day.
And it clearly shows at 22.00 > 22.15 - walk to Radisson Blu so Starmer saying they were to continue working after the curry really raises questions about his veracity
Chris Mason of BBC says it is very, very serious for Starmer.
Starmer won't go, the Tories obviously won't push for it as if he went the pressure on Boris could be untenable
But if he did, and Boris had to go, too, that would be a win/win.
Not really.
If Johnson goes, the Conservatives have a significant problem- nobody else can plausibly hold the current Conservative coalition together and be PM. Go on- who takes over? Truss? Wallace? Hunt?
The problem exists for Labour as well, but it's much less stark, because they are choosing a LotO. And Starmer hasn't torched any potential sucessors/rivals. Besides-let's be honest, Starmer was chosen to lose with dignity in 2024, not to be the next PM. Starmer's fall helps Labour by accelerating Project Rebuild. And all the evidence is that Labour have learnt the lesson of not letting a lefty populist within a sniff of the final round. So it's not even a win for followers of the Cult of St Jeremy The Martyr.
Are we sure the party has got itself totally bomb proof from a populist Corbynite re-run?
The source added: “In my view, it was an event that is akin to when the prime minister and Rishi Sunak were ambushed by a birthday cake.”
From The Times. By the end of Sunday the Labour line will be "ambushed by curry" just as predicted by yours truly yesterday morning.
Both BBC and Sky reporting on this and it does not look good
He can't say he was "ambushed" by curry because there was a memo outlining the timetable for the day which indicated curry would be eaten at the end of the working day.
And it clearly shows at 22.00 > 22.15 - walk to Radisson Blu so Starmer saying they were to continue working after the curry really raises questions about his veracity
I’d like to coin a new phrase for this scandal - petardgate.
Chris Mason of BBC says it is very, very serious for Starmer.
Starmer won't go, the Tories obviously won't push for it as if he went the pressure on Boris could be untenable
But if he did, and Boris had to go, too, that would be a win/win.
Not really.
If Johnson goes, the Conservatives have a significant problem- nobody else can plausibly hold the current Conservative coalition together and be PM. Go on- who takes over? Truss? Wallace? Hunt?
The problem exists for Labour as well, but it's much less stark, because they are choosing a LotO. And Starmer hasn't torched any potential sucessors/rivals. Besides-let's be honest, Starmer was chosen to lose with dignity in 2024, not to be the next PM. Starmer's fall helps Labour by accelerating Project Rebuild. And all the evidence is that Labour have learnt the lesson of not letting a lefty populist within a sniff of the final round. So it's not even a win for followers of the Cult of St Jeremy The Martyr.
Are we sure the party has got itself totally bomb proof from a populist Corbynite re-run?
Yes. In the unlikely event of Starmer going, he will be replaced by someone better. Like when Blair took over from Smith.
The source added: “In my view, it was an event that is akin to when the prime minister and Rishi Sunak were ambushed by a birthday cake.”
From The Times. By the end of Sunday the Labour line will be "ambushed by curry" just as predicted by yours truly yesterday morning.
Both BBC and Sky reporting on this and it does not look good
He can't say he was "ambushed" by curry because there was a memo outlining the timetable for the day which indicated curry would be eaten at the end of the working day.
And it clearly shows at 22.00 > 22.15 - walk to Radisson Blu so Starmer saying they were to continue working after the curry really raises questions about his veracity
Well, to be honest he could be telling truth on that one. Maybe the timetable said 'head back to hotel' but there was so much to do they ploughed on.
Of course no enterprising journalist will find a way to get the time of comings and goings at the Radisson on the night in question will they...
I think a big mistake Starmer made was calling for resignations because of an investigation rather than at least waiting to the end of that .
The Tories will be enjoying this but ironically they don’t want Starmer to resign . We all know Johnson is utterly shameless and his right wing paper friends will do their best to spin things but if Starmer goes the first thing most of the public will ask is why is Johnson still there .
What happens if he gets more FPNs , what if the Sue Gray report is damning .
Make the point that Johnson has broken the laws he created and should resign because he lied to parliament about doing to. I always said lying to parliament was the biggie.
If we come out of this with Johnson still as PM and Starmer gone as the Met slap out a stack of FPNs and the Grey report details Johnson partying at the "I sacked Cummings" event I will likely wee myself laughing.
Sorry that's rubbish - most ordinary people dont give a chit he lied to parliament , its that he made laws for them he could not keep himself.So he should go and Starmer should go given he voted for them as well.Maybe in future it will mean politicians think twice about imposing stupid laws on people because its the "right thing to do"
I'm the only person not surprised by it but then I never took the Covid laws literally myself.
I ignored the pettifogging interpretations that I found irrational or silly, and met my parents several times outside for walks and chats.
Sure, I broke the laws. i sat on park benches with friends when that was literally (I think) illegal. Then-wife and I had a pizza in a house with another couple near the end of lockdown 1. Etc. Personally, however, I didn’t have a massive party at my home - Boris - nor did I order curry for 30 with a ton of booze and get loaded - Starmer. Nor did I, at the same time, impose stringent laws on the rest of British humanity, which I had no intention of obeying - Boris - and nor did I whine that these laws should be stricter and go on longer - Starmer - who had no intention of obeying
Fuckers. I despise them
I’d be quite happy to get rid of the entire House of Commons, as is, Tory, LD and Labour alike, and SNP, all of them, and start over
How about a Cabinet of PBers, with a Parliament of the rest?
TSE - PM Cyclefree - Home Secretary MaxPB - Chancellor BlancheLivermore - Foreign Secretary Dura Ace - Defence Casino Royale - Transport Me - Education Foxy - Health DavidL - Justice Moon rabbit - Minister for Sport Leon - Culture Eabhal - Scotland Y Bardd Cwsc - Wales Beibherli C - Northern Ireland Gallowgate - Levelling Up. Malmesbury - Leader of the House and responsible for the ONS assisted by tlg86
Just think how much better a government that would be than this one...
What’s the betting on first one out 😆
@ydoethur’s cabinet is far too left-wind and middle class. Here’s mine:
PM - me (well, someone has to do it) For Sec - Leon CoE - Bartholomew Robert’s Equalities / Home Sec - Cyclefree SOS for the Dominions, sorry devolved Parliaments - HYFUD Culture - Leon BEIS - RCS Health - Foxy (he is the most qualified) Defence - Topping (Dura would give in to Russia) Education - Malmesbury Deregulation - State_Go_Away DEFRA - Tlg86 Justice - DavidL
Okay PM. How do we make everyone feel respected and listened to?
He's committed a cardinal sin. Being a plausible Labour PM. However. He isn't very good. Boris is a tactical political savant unmatched. Unfortunately, I fear he's also a strategic buffoon. I held no truck with the idea we were headed for a '97 before this weekend. Now I'm not so sure. It may not happen next time, but Big Dog is leading the Tories into the wilderness for a generation. There is no suggestion that the fact that they've lost 1 in 5 councillors has even been cause for a moment's reflection. Just destroy the prevailing threat as it presents. Just like Sunak. Meanwhile, his own popularity just falls and falls. Because it can't actually be that he might possibly be at all inadequate.
I have a feeling Starmer might resign before the conclusion of the Durham police investigation. We are though living in a bizarre situation where the PM lied continually for weeks, there were countless parties in no 10 and yet seems to be swanning around without a care in the world .
Perhaps Starmer should ask PM at next PMQs: "Do you think I should resign?"
He's committed a cardinal sin. Being a plausible Labour PM. However. He isn't very good. Boris is a tactical political savant unmatched. Unfortunately, I fear he's also a strategic buffoon. I held no truck with the idea we were headed for a '97 before this weekend. No I'm not so sure. It may not happen next time, but Big Dog is leading the Tories into the wilderness for a generation. There is no suggestion that the fact that they've lost 1 in 5 councillors has even been cause for a moments reflection. Just destroy the prevailing threat as it presents. Just like Sunak. Meanwhile, your own popularity just falls. Because it can't actually just be that you might possibly be at all inadequate.
Johnson cares not a jot what happens to anyone else including tory councillors.
The source added: “In my view, it was an event that is akin to when the prime minister and Rishi Sunak were ambushed by a birthday cake.”
From The Times. By the end of Sunday the Labour line will be "ambushed by curry" just as predicted by yours truly yesterday morning.
Both BBC and Sky reporting on this and it does not look good
He can't say he was "ambushed" by curry because there was a memo outlining the timetable for the day which indicated curry would be eaten at the end of the working day.
And it clearly shows at 22.00 > 22.15 - walk to Radisson Blu so Starmer saying they were to continue working after the curry really raises questions about his veracity
I’d like to coin a new phrase for this scandal - petardgate.
I have a feeling Starmer might resign before the conclusion of the Durham police investigation. We are though living in a bizarre situation where the PM lied continually for weeks, there were countless parties in no 10 and yet seems to be swanning around without a care in the world .
Perhaps Starmer should ask PM at next PMQs: "Do you think I should resign?"
The Tories want Starmer to stay now he’s damaged goods . It will be interesting to see how the Johnson fans in here spin the fact he won’t resign after Starmer has to .
He's committed a cardinal sin. Being a plausible Labour PM. However. He isn't very good. Boris is a tactical political savant unmatched. Unfortunately, I fear he's also a strategic buffoon. I held no truck with the idea we were headed for a '97 before this weekend. No I'm not so sure. It may not happen next time, but Big Dog is leading the Tories into the wilderness for a generation. There is no suggestion that the fact that they've lost 1 in 5 councillors has even been cause for a moments reflection. Just destroy the prevailing threat as it presents. Just like Sunak. Meanwhile, his own popularity just falls. Because it can't actually just be that he might possibly be at all inadequate.
This is the correct analysis.
Hubris (along with corruption, incompetence and deceit) has overtaken the Tories.
I see a tweet was issued by Keir Starmer at 10:13pm of the night in question, including photos from his campaign visit. So *somebody* was working.
According to many reports, Russian 64th separated motorized brigade, responsible for mass rape, torture and executions in Bucha, promoted by Putin to a Guard brigade, was completely destroyed at Izyum, Kharkiv region. I will not publish my emotions here.
He's committed a cardinal sin. Being a plausible Labour PM. However. He isn't very good. Boris is a tactical political savant unmatched. Unfortunately, I fear he's also a strategic buffoon. I held no truck with the idea we were headed for a '97 before this weekend. No I'm not so sure. It may not happen next time, but Big Dog is leading the Tories into the wilderness for a generation. There is no suggestion that the fact that they've lost 1 in 5 councillors has even been cause for a moments reflection. Just destroy the prevailing threat as it presents. Just like Sunak. Meanwhile, your own popularity just falls. Because it can't actually just be that you might possibly be at all inadequate.
Johnson cares not a jot what happens to anyone else including tory councillors.
Or even tory ex-councillors. Of whom I know a few; must write to them.
But the golden rule of Alex de Pfeffel is what it has always been. If you have dealings with him, you will eventually regret it. It's just a matter of time.
I think a big mistake Starmer made was calling for resignations because of an investigation rather than at least waiting to the end of that .
The Tories will be enjoying this but ironically they don’t want Starmer to resign . We all know Johnson is utterly shameless and his right wing paper friends will do their best to spin things but if Starmer goes the first thing most of the public will ask is why is Johnson still there .
What happens if he gets more FPNs , what if the Sue Gray report is damning .
Make the point that Johnson has broken the laws he created and should resign because he lied to parliament about doing to. I always said lying to parliament was the biggie.
If we come out of this with Johnson still as PM and Starmer gone as the Met slap out a stack of FPNs and the Grey report details Johnson partying at the "I sacked Cummings" event I will likely wee myself laughing.
Sorry that's rubbish - most ordinary people dont give a chit he lied to parliament , its that he made laws for them he could not keep himself.So he should go and Starmer should go given he voted for them as well.Maybe in future it will mean politicians think twice about imposing stupid laws on people because its the "right thing to do"
I'm the only person not surprised by it but then I never took the Covid laws literally myself.
I ignored the pettifogging interpretations that I found irrational or silly, and met my parents several times outside for walks and chats.
Sure, I broke the laws. i sat on park benches with friends when that was literally (I think) illegal. Then-wife and I had a pizza in a house with another couple near the end of lockdown 1. Etc. Personally, however, I didn’t have a massive party at my home - Boris - nor did I order curry for 30 with a ton of booze and get loaded - Starmer. Nor did I, at the same time, impose stringent laws on the rest of British humanity, which I had no intention of obeying - Boris - and nor did I whine that these laws should be stricter and go on longer - Starmer - who had no intention of obeying
Fuckers. I despise them
I’d be quite happy to get rid of the entire House of Commons, as is, Tory, LD and Labour alike, and SNP, all of them, and start over
How about a Cabinet of PBers, with a Parliament of the rest?
TSE - PM Cyclefree - Home Secretary MaxPB - Chancellor BlancheLivermore - Foreign Secretary Dura Ace - Defence Casino Royale - Transport Me - Education Foxy - Health DavidL - Justice Moon rabbit - Minister for Sport Leon - Culture Eabhal - Scotland Y Bardd Cwsc - Wales Beibherli C - Northern Ireland Gallowgate - Levelling Up. Malmesbury - Leader of the House and responsible for the ONS assisted by tlg86
Just think how much better a government that would be than this one...
The only way you could make this worse would be by adding me
Yeah. Feel honoured no-one suggested me. PB is a discerning quality site after all.
He's committed a cardinal sin. Being a plausible Labour PM. However. He isn't very good. Boris is a tactical political savant unmatched. Unfortunately, I fear he's also a strategic buffoon. I held no truck with the idea we were headed for a '97 before this weekend. No I'm not so sure. It may not happen next time, but Big Dog is leading the Tories into the wilderness for a generation. There is no suggestion that the fact that they've lost 1 in 5 councillors has even been cause for a moments reflection. Just destroy the prevailing threat as it presents. Just like Sunak. Meanwhile, your own popularity just falls. Because it can't actually just be that you might possibly be at all inadequate.
Johnson cares not a jot what happens to anyone else including tory councillors.
Doubt he's even bestirred himself to send John0 a hand-written letter? OR invited him to Chequers?
Chris Mason of BBC says it is very, very serious for Starmer.
Starmer won't go, the Tories obviously won't push for it as if he went the pressure on Boris could be untenable
But if he did, and Boris had to go, too, that would be a win/win.
Not really.
If Johnson goes, the Conservatives have a significant problem- nobody else can plausibly hold the current Conservative coalition together and be PM. Go on- who takes over? Truss? Wallace? Hunt?
The problem exists for Labour as well, but it's much less stark, because they are choosing a LotO. And Starmer hasn't torched any potential sucessors/rivals. Besides-let's be honest, Starmer was chosen to lose with dignity in 2024, not to be the next PM. Starmer's fall helps Labour by accelerating Project Rebuild. And all the evidence is that Labour have learnt the lesson of not letting a lefty populist within a sniff of the final round. So it's not even a win for followers of the Cult of St Jeremy The Martyr.
Are we sure the party has got itself totally bomb proof from a populist Corbynite re-run?
Yes. In the unlikely event of Starmer going, he will be replaced by someone better. Like when Blair took over from Smith.
Comments
Well, it worked for Stalin.
People don't just vote for the Government party at a local election on some vague notion they'll get treated better if they do. That's not of course how it works. Would those who voted Aspire in Tower Hamlets have considered the possibility they'll get more money from the Government if they do? Last time I looked, Aspire weren't running the country.
This is yet another straw man argument to concentrate on Labour's few reverses rather than the Conservatives' many reverses, setbacks, losses, defeats and failures.
Perhaps you can muse on those instead.
However, you could put yourself forward as minister of civil service reform?
Basically the Lib Dems should target anywhere you can go on a pleasant afternoon walk to a pub that has Nyetimber or Hattingley Valley on the wine list.
Avoid the places with only Pinot Grigio, Kiwi Sauvignon and Chilean Chardonnay. Likewise avoid the spots where they only serve natural wines with no sulphur.
For a taste of the future they should look at the detailed 1st round presidential maps in France. Macron’s constituency is the same as the Lib Dem constituency, with the exception of central Paris which in any case is more like a big version of Bath or Cheltenham than London. He thrived in leafy riverside suburbs, but also in most places with limestone bedrock, most winemaking regions, most regions that were never heavily industrialised except the far South, and coastal regions where there is a very large tidal range and lots of holiday homes.
I anticipate an electoral map of Britain in 10 years or so that has little yellow splodges everywhere there is viticulture, or good quality local butchers.
"A guy I know who was in Afghanistan twice said it was like a playground compared to eastern Ukraine.” "
“Even if they drop a nuclear bomb on Kyiv they will not win,”
"The Russians are fighting like Zhukov. They send wave after wave but our guys figured out they fight just like Soviets. The tank commander is always in the first tank, so we shoot it. Once you shoot the first and last tanks, they’re immobilised.”
https://unherd.com/2022/05/inside-the-battle-on-the-eastern-front/
At one stage I took on a set of contractors as part of taking over a contract for a central government department, about 10 years ago now. They weren't particularly impressive but we're getting between 600 and 800 per day. One thing that pissed me off is that some of them wanted to be paid weekly. What kind of idiot do you have to be to not be able to manage your cash flow for a month if you are paid over 130k pa!
I like a good title and I used to live near there.
Much as I like the idea of the Alliance I can't support their policy platform. Three of their top priority bills relate to identity politics - single equality, hate crime and conversion therapy - and another one is focussed on a hunting ban.
They are a non-sectarian SNP as far as I can tell.
https://twitter.com/ChrisClarksonMP/status/1522987238480564224?t=w2oLmW-oxmwnv6ewXcfWmw&s=19
Is this a conspiracy by Corbynites and the left to discredited Starmer for his move to the centre ?
After shooting a bunch of Germans, & capturing over a hundred, York said that he'd learned the trick hunting turkeys back in Tennessee.
Maybe the Ukrainian's watched that old Gary Cooper movie?
There is a slight possibility that SDLP transfers will put PBP and UUP above the DUP and eliminate them.
But that would still give the fourth seat to SDLP. And DUP transfers would see the UUP home against PBP for fifth.
If you believe that something genuinely seriously bad has happened, you take it to the police.
If you think that something that looks seriously bad (but isn't) has happened, you take it to the papers.
I don't know if what happened in Durham broke the rules that applied at that time or not. And I'm of the view that if Starmer, Rayner or others get fined, their position is untenable. If that means that they can take down Johnson on their way out, that's a valuable final service for a grateful nation.
But it's also possible that Labour's biggest sin is to fail to bow down before the gods of the Daily Mail. And whilst that's definitely a problem for a party that wants to win elections, I can't help but admire them for that. Giving in to bullies never works in the long run.
About right, according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_communism
What helped them escape from that collapse was finally agreeing to accept aid, mostly from the United States: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Relief_Administration I don't recall Putin having thanked us for that help, at least not recently.
They are hardly militant or unreasonable about it. In fact. They took a lot of grief and violence from their "own" side. As well as the other.
https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1523027490230444035
One of Vlad's moves or is the poor guy about to bungled into a police van for a long drive north?
She was also of somewhat mercurial disposition. Which she displayed one day, to a landscaping crew that was cutting the grass or suchlike outside of her office. She lit into the guy in charge, in high dudgeon and full flow.
Which turned out to be a bit of a faux pas, as the man in question happened to be a member of the board of local (state capital) branch of the state employees union. Oops.
Not just that, but the story went around like wildfire in Olympia, small city that's WA State capital, a company town where the company is the state government. And also seat of Thurston County, a reliable Democratic stronghold on Election Day.
But NOT for Insurance Commissioner when she ran for Attorney General the next year. When she LOST Thurston Co . . . and with it election, to the Republican victor.
I blame a late election night. Early election morning. Red wine. Curry, cake. And Durham Police. Besides everyone broke lockdown rules didn't they...
What do you mean I lost 400+ seats?
Labour are in crisis.
I mean. They're just the Party of London.
Who are about to be wiped out in London.
Err...
Who is leaking and why ?
PM - me (well, someone has to do it)
For Sec - Leon
CoE - Bartholomew Robert’s
Equalities / Home Sec - Cyclefree
SOS for the Dominions, sorry devolved Parliaments - HYFUD
Culture - Leon
BEIS - RCS
Health - Foxy (he is the most qualified) Defence - Topping (Dura would give in to Russia)
Education - Malmesbury
Deregulation - State_Go_Away
DEFRA - Tlg86
Justice - DavidL
Don't hold yer breath! However, we can all thank Herbert Hoover, who was leadership & driving force behind ARA.
And then, of course, calling on the populace to make great sacrifices to help modernise and rebuild the Russian Army.
https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1522985116582170624?t=Yu9Oh_mg6pzvfeBraqAQ8A&s=19
From The Times. By the end of Sunday the Labour line will be "ambushed by curry" just as predicted by yours truly yesterday morning.
Leaving the DUP on 24.
But I wouldn't wager much on it.
If Johnson goes, the Conservatives have a significant problem- nobody else can plausibly hold the current Conservative coalition together and be PM. Go on- who takes over? Truss? Wallace? Hunt?
The problem exists for Labour as well, but it's much less stark, because they are choosing a LotO. And Starmer hasn't torched any potential sucessors/rivals. Besides-let's be honest, Starmer was chosen to lose with dignity in 2024, not to be the next PM. Starmer's fall helps Labour by accelerating Project Rebuild. And all the evidence is that Labour have learnt the lesson of not letting a lefty populist within a sniff of the final round. So it's not even a win for followers of the Cult of St Jeremy The Martyr.
I can't believe this could be how it ends for Starmer. The Mail ploughing a lone furrow on a post work beer and suddenly they could have a huge scalp.
Of course no enterprising journalist will find a way to get the time of comings and goings at the Radisson on the night in question will they...
However. He isn't very good.
Boris is a tactical political savant unmatched.
Unfortunately, I fear he's also a strategic buffoon.
I held no truck with the idea we were headed for a '97 before this weekend. Now I'm not so sure. It may not happen next time, but Big Dog is leading the Tories into the wilderness for a generation.
There is no suggestion that the fact that they've lost 1 in 5 councillors has even been cause for a moment's reflection.
Just destroy the prevailing threat as it presents.
Just like Sunak.
Meanwhile, his own popularity just falls and falls.
Because it can't actually be that he might possibly be at all inadequate.
I have already suggested this could be a reaction from Corbynites and the left in response to Starmer's move to the centre
The could just have much wide implications for labour
Hubris (along with corruption, incompetence and deceit) has overtaken the Tories.
I see a tweet was issued by Keir Starmer at 10:13pm of the night in question, including photos from his campaign visit. So *somebody* was working.
https://twitter.com/sumlenny/status/1523021564765110272?t=Hl_E-dGNwfWIhI7FwGwyPw&s=19
According to many reports, Russian 64th separated motorized brigade, responsible for mass rape, torture and executions in Bucha, promoted by Putin to a Guard brigade, was completely destroyed at Izyum, Kharkiv region. I will not publish my emotions here.
SDLP is just -321 shy of quota, and would appear solid bet for 4th seat.
Leaving 5th seat a toss-up between DUP and UUP with later now -349 behind former
But the golden rule of Alex de Pfeffel is what it has always been. If you have dealings with him, you will eventually regret it. It's just a matter of time.
PB is a discerning quality site after all.