YouGov – voters want an early election – politicalbetting.com

System

YouGov – voters want an early election – politicalbetting.com

Read the full story here

pm215

Interesting that LDs are more evenly split between 2023 and Spring 2024, whereas Labour voters are much more in the "election asap" bucket. I wonder why?

Pro_Rata

Yes. I think if this downward spiral is not arrested, Sunak may end up with little choice but to go for May whatever.

You say he wouldn't risk an election if he can wait for things to improve, but if waiting for things to improve risks him not getting to the election at all because the locals are unpromising and the letter writers pens are being unfurled, that would be a worse fate for him than the risk of a heavy GE defeat.

glw

Too right. I'm certainly very keen on being given the opportunity to kick the Tory Party up the arse as soon as possible.

Sunil_Prasannan

Is Rishi frit?

Scott_xP

@JenWilliams_FT

Oh my god how is it the night before the prime minister’s speech and this level of chaos and speculation regarding the country’s biggest infrastructure project is still trundling on

@JenWilliams_FT

I know it sounds like an obvious point but wtaf doesn’t bear overstating

Pro_Rata

Scott_xP said:

@JenWilliams_FT

Oh my god how is it the night before the prime minister’s speech and this level of chaos and speculation regarding the country’s biggest infrastructure project is still trundling on

@JenWilliams_FT

I know it sounds like an obvious point but wtaf doesn’t bear overstating

I'd love to see how the MEN would have played it with our Jen still in charge.

There'd be scorch marks on Rishi.

DecrepiterJohnL

Pro_Rata said:

Yes. I think if this downward spiral is not arrested, Sunak may end up with little choice but to go for May whatever.

You say he wouldn't risk an election if he can wait for things to improve, but if waiting for things to improve risks him not getting to the election at all because the locals are unpromising and the letter writers pens are being unfurled, that would be a worse fate for him than the risk of a heavy GE defeat.

Would it be worse? Maybe but I'm not convinced. It is not even certain Rishi would be ousted unless an alternative leader polls better.

glw

Pro_Rata said:

Scott_xP said:

@JenWilliams_FT

Oh my god how is it the night before the prime minister’s speech and this level of chaos and speculation regarding the country’s biggest infrastructure project is still trundling on

@JenWilliams_FT

I know it sounds like an obvious point but wtaf doesn’t bear overstating

I'd love to see how the MEN would have played it with our Jen still in charge.

There'd be scorch marks on Rishi.

The little spiv deserves everything he's got coming.

Farooq

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

Considering OGH's many contributions AND ongoing struggles of UK to connect with itself, respectfully pray, that when my long-standing dream of a Pneumatic Tube connecting Woolwich with Wick in less than ten minutes - WOOSH! - that the Bedford way station be named the Smithson Spout.

Assuming a straight line distance of 800km, and uniform acceleration across the whole first half (and uniform deceleration in the second half), your acceleration would need to be a nippy 8.9ms-2, similar to acceleration due to gravity on earth.
When you reach halfway (Newcastle, since you ask), you'll be hurtling along a little under 10000kmh-1.

Just one problem: if there's air in the tube, your body will fragment and you'll arrive as a warm slurry.

Casino_Royale

Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.

The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.

I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.

When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.

So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.

BartholomewRoberts

Pro_Rata said:

Scott_xP said:

@JenWilliams_FT

Oh my god how is it the night before the prime minister’s speech and this level of chaos and speculation regarding the country’s biggest infrastructure project is still trundling on

@JenWilliams_FT

I know it sounds like an obvious point but wtaf doesn’t bear overstating

I'd love to see how the MEN would have played it with our Jen still in charge.

There'd be scorch marks on Rishi.

Jen is better than every journalist at Sky and the Beeb combined it seems.

SeaShantyIrish2

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Is Rishi frit?

Included with the New Rishi Meal Deal?

Stuartinromford

Scott_xP said:

@JenWilliams_FT

Oh my god how is it the night before the prime minister’s speech and this level of chaos and speculation regarding the country’s biggest infrastructure project is still trundling on

@JenWilliams_FT

I know it sounds like an obvious point but wtaf doesn’t bear overstating

Thing is... in his head, it probably all made sense.

Cut expensive thing that he never particularly wanted anyway, use some of the savings for little things to keep the little people happy and the rest for other things he wanted, like tax cuts. It would be popular and a lovely surprise to tell everyone about in his speech.

It's just that that version of reality got badly duffed up when it met other peoples' realities. And whilst some "you can't do that"s are just people defending their turf, other "you can't do that"s are because you really can't do that without breaking something important.

Carnyx

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Is Rishi frit?

Included with the New Rishi Meal Deal?

With free covid sauce?

Benpointer

Casino_Royale said:

Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.

The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.

I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.

When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.

So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.

It's an act of gross vandalism by Sunak. He should delay any decision until after a GE. By all means put what he intends to do in his manifesto. But as it stands he's just going to cause 5-6 years of pointless delay, given Labour will reinstate the Manchester link after the GE.

Sunil_Prasannan

On Sunday, on the way to Brum and Wolverhampton to do the new tram extension, I took some shots of HS2 from the Chiltern main line near Denham.

SeaShantyIrish2

Farooq said:

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

Considering OGH's many contributions AND ongoing struggles of UK to connect with itself, respectfully pray, that when my long-standing dream of a Pneumatic Tube connecting Woolwich with Wick in less than ten minutes - WOOSH! - that the Bedford way station be named the Smithson Spout.

Assuming a straight line distance of 800km, and uniform acceleration across the whole first half (and uniform deceleration in the second half), your acceleration would need to be a nippy 8.9ms-2, similar to acceleration due to gravity on earth.
When you reach halfway (Newcastle, since you ask), you'll be hurtling along a little under 10000kmh-1.

Just one problem: if there's air in the tube, your body will fragment and you'll arrive as a warm slurry.

No doubt some bugs to work out!

Thus first 100 travelers get half-price return AND free souvenir travel mug, to compensate for such inconveniences.

OnlyLivingBoy

Casino_Royale said:

Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.

The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.

I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.

When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.

So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.

Great, I look forward to paying even more for it and getting to use it when I'm dead. Another genius move from the natural party of government.

DavidL

United's desperate attempts to commit suicide seem to be in vain, so far.

Eabhal

Benpointer said:

Casino_Royale said:

Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.

The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.

I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.

When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.

So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.

It's an act of gross vandalism by Sunak. He should delay any decision until after a GE. By all means put what he intends to do in his manifesto. But as it stands he's just going to cause 5-6 years of pointless delay, given Labour will reinstate the Manchester link after the GE.

This will further increase the costs too, I'd guess? Introducing yet more uncertainty.

Labour could do us a favour and guarantee it to Leeds and Manchester.

Pro_Rata

Sunil_Prasannan said:

On Sunday, on the way to Brum and Wolverhampton to do the new tram extension, I took some shots of HS2 from the Chiltern main line near Denham.

Is that the Starship Enterprise just dropping out of warp speed in the sky?

Luckyguy1983

Benpointer said:

Casino_Royale said:

Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.

The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.

I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.

When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.

So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.

It's an act of gross vandalism by Sunak. He should delay any decision until after a GE. By all means put what he intends to do in his manifesto. But as it stands he's just going to cause 5-6 years of pointless delay, given Labour will reinstate the Manchester link after the GE.

Oh, I don't think that can be taken for granted. Keir has been far from clear that he'll reinstate the 2030 ban on ICE vehicles, and I think he'll check the polling very carefully before he does anything on HS2. More likely he'd claim that it was 'too late' or something like that. I appreciate that this is of no consequence, as he has no principles, but SKS has spoken against HS2 in parliament.

londonpubman

Let's have the GE Spring 2024 cos inflation will be gone by then 😈

ThomasNashe

Man Utd, ha ha ha!!!

ThomasNashe

DavidL said:

United's desperate attempts to commit suicide seem to be in vain, so far.

Successful now.

Benpointer

Pro_Rata said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

On Sunday, on the way to Brum and Wolverhampton to do the new tram extension, I took some shots of HS2 from the Chiltern main line near Denham.

Is that the Starship Enterprise just dropping out of warp speed in the sky?

Leon will be along shortly to explain that it's a UFO.

Nigelb

Casino_Royale said:

Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.

The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.

I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.

When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.

So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.

So about 2050 for Manchester, then ?

Sunil_Prasannan

Benpointer said:

Pro_Rata said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

On Sunday, on the way to Brum and Wolverhampton to do the new tram extension, I took some shots of HS2 from the Chiltern main line near Denham.

Is that the Starship Enterprise just dropping out of warp speed in the sky?

Leon will be along shortly to explain that it's a UFO.

Ahem! I think you mean UAP!

CatMan

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

Benpointer

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Benpointer said:

Pro_Rata said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

On Sunday, on the way to Brum and Wolverhampton to do the new tram extension, I took some shots of HS2 from the Chiltern main line near Denham.

Is that the Starship Enterprise just dropping out of warp speed in the sky?

Leon will be along shortly to explain that it's a UFO.

Ahem! I think you mean UAP!

Whatever

DavidL

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

Not even that close.

Farooq

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

This will sound passive aggressive but it's not meant that way: why should I care?

kyf_100

Carnyx said:

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Is Rishi frit?

Included with the New Rishi Meal Deal?

With free covid sauce?

I'm still waiting for "get eaten out to help out"

SeaShantyIrish2

Yea 216, No 210 - Office of Speaker of US House of Representatives declared vacant.

Kevin McCarthy is out. But who will be in? Kevin McCarthy?

NYT - Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina is named interim speaker under a law passed after the Sept. 11 attacks in the event of a vacancy in the office.

SSI - And "Speaker Pro Tem" McHenry just called a recess, banged the gavel and House is adjourned "pending the call of the chair'.

bigjohnowls

On Topic

Tough voters dont decide the date

They do decide the outcome though

Farooq

If Joe Biden AND Kamala Harris die right now, the new US president would be... Patty Murray.

I'm not ashamed to tell you I have NEVER heard of her.

BartholomewRoberts

Farooq said:

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

This will sound passive aggressive but it's not meant that way: why should I care?

Because America hasn't got a Budget at the minute, only a few weeks continuance, and if one can't be passed then the US Government will shortly go into shutdown and throw havoc upon the markets.

Between the Democrats, the GOP who don't want to drive over the cliffedge and the Trump loons who do, nobody has a majority.

In a sane world a rational Republican would make a deal with the Democrats to keep the lights on in America.

Otherwise the GOP will wholeheartedly turn the House over to the likes of Gaetz, who makes Braverman look like a fluffy and welcoming individual in comparison.

Farooq

BartholomewRoberts said:

Farooq said:

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

This will sound passive aggressive but it's not meant that way: why should I care?

Because America hasn't got a Budget at the minute, only a few weeks continuance, and if one can't be passed then the US Government will shortly go into shutdown and throw havoc upon the markets.

Between the Democrats, the GOP who don't want to drive over the cliffedge and the Trump loons who do, nobody has a majority.

In a sane world a rational Republican would make a deal with the Democrats to keep the lights on in America.

Otherwise the GOP will wholeheartedly turn the House over to the likes of Gaetz, who makes Braverman look like a fluffy and welcoming individual in comparison.

I suspect any market havoc will be limited in time and scope though?

Foxy

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

Farooq said:

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

Considering OGH's many contributions AND ongoing struggles of UK to connect with itself, respectfully pray, that when my long-standing dream of a Pneumatic Tube connecting Woolwich with Wick in less than ten minutes - WOOSH! - that the Bedford way station be named the Smithson Spout.

Assuming a straight line distance of 800km, and uniform acceleration across the whole first half (and uniform deceleration in the second half), your acceleration would need to be a nippy 8.9ms-2, similar to acceleration due to gravity on earth.
When you reach halfway (Newcastle, since you ask), you'll be hurtling along a little under 10000kmh-1.

Just one problem: if there's air in the tube, your body will fragment and you'll arrive as a warm slurry.

No doubt some bugs to work out!

Thus first 100 travelers get half-price return AND free souvenir travel mug, to compensate for such inconveniences.

You are Elon Musk and I claim my £5.

SeaShantyIrish2

DavidL said:

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

Not even that close.

Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.

Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.

Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.

Fairliered

Pro_Rata said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

On Sunday, on the way to Brum and Wolverhampton to do the new tram extension, I took some shots of HS2 from the Chiltern main line near Denham.

Is that the Starship Enterprise just dropping out of warp speed in the sky?

Is it Sunak’s helicopter heading to Manchester, in order not to have to use the train?

Alphabet_Soup

Sunil_Prasannan said:

On Sunday, on the way to Brum and Wolverhampton to do the new tram extension, I took some shots of HS2 from the Chiltern main line near Denham.

So let's run HS2 from OOC to Denham, segue to the Chiltern Line and terminate in Kidderminster?

BartholomewRoberts

Farooq said:

BartholomewRoberts said:

Farooq said:

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

This will sound passive aggressive but it's not meant that way: why should I care?

Because America hasn't got a Budget at the minute, only a few weeks continuance, and if one can't be passed then the US Government will shortly go into shutdown and throw havoc upon the markets.

Between the Democrats, the GOP who don't want to drive over the cliffedge and the Trump loons who do, nobody has a majority.

In a sane world a rational Republican would make a deal with the Democrats to keep the lights on in America.

Otherwise the GOP will wholeheartedly turn the House over to the likes of Gaetz, who makes Braverman look like a fluffy and welcoming individual in comparison.

I suspect any market havoc will be limited in time and scope though?

Maybe. But we're over a year from the next election and they can't call early ones so someone has to blink or this is going to be a nightmare.

Last shutdown was under Trump and lasted 35 days and there seems even less room to compromise now, they're estimated to cause tens of billions of lasting damage each time it happens.

SeaShantyIrish2

Farooq said:

If Joe Biden AND Kamala Harris die right now, the new US president would be... Patty Murray.

I'm not ashamed to tell you I have NEVER heard of her.

Yours truly on other hand, met her over thirty years ago. For what that's worth, either way.

Sunil_Prasannan

Wolverhampton on Sunday. London Northwestern Railway trolling Brexiteers and our tame Russian troll @Dura_Ace!

HYUFD

I suspect the next election will be summer or autumn next year anyway

SeaShantyIrish2

Foxy said:

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

Farooq said:

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

Considering OGH's many contributions AND ongoing struggles of UK to connect with itself, respectfully pray, that when my long-standing dream of a Pneumatic Tube connecting Woolwich with Wick in less than ten minutes - WOOSH! - that the Bedford way station be named the Smithson Spout.

Assuming a straight line distance of 800km, and uniform acceleration across the whole first half (and uniform deceleration in the second half), your acceleration would need to be a nippy 8.9ms-2, similar to acceleration due to gravity on earth.
When you reach halfway (Newcastle, since you ask), you'll be hurtling along a little under 10000kmh-1.

Just one problem: if there's air in the tube, your body will fragment and you'll arrive as a warm slurry.

No doubt some bugs to work out!

Thus first 100 travelers get half-price return AND free souvenir travel mug, to compensate for such inconveniences.

You are Elon Musk and I claim my £5.

Which you may claim in Kryptonian crypto . . . from convenient kiosk on the far side of Uranus . . .

Scott_xP

@EthanDaviesMEN

Some maths: if the Sky News HS2 report is right, then it could mean it’s slower to go from Mcr to London via HS2

Current Mcr to Ldn: 2h6m

Ldn to Birm via HS2: 52m + Current Birm to Mcr on WCML 1h20m-ish = 2h12m-ish

So ironically, for speed, you’ll NOT want to get HS2

williamglenn

Farooq said:

If Joe Biden AND Kamala Harris die right now, the new US president would be... Patty Murray.

I'm not ashamed to tell you I have NEVER heard of her.

Don't the Americans have a day named after her?

glw

Scott_xP said:

@EthanDaviesMEN

Some maths: if the Sky News HS2 report is right, then it could mean it’s slower to go from Mcr to London via HS2

Current Mcr to Ldn: 2h6m

Ldn to Birm via HS2: 52m + Current Birm to Mcr on WCML 1h20m-ish = 2h12m-ish

So ironically, for speed, you’ll NOT want to get HS2

Rishi's going to lose his temper when he's asked to explain that.

DavidL

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

DavidL said:

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

Not even that close.

Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.

Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.

Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.

So if they had been there it would have been even less close. Steve Scalise seems to be the favourite of the nutter wing but I have no idea if he would have broad enough support. The break up of the GOP must be a real possibility after this.

HYUFD

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

DavidL said:

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

Not even that close.

Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.

Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.

Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.

Short term thinking by the Democrats, McCarthy was actually on the moderate wing of the House GOP.

It took multiple rounds to elect McCarthy Speaker last time and is likely to take even longer this time

TheKitchenCabinet

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

DavidL said:

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

Not even that close.

Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.

Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.

Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.

The Washington Post said today that the Democrat House leadership should keep McCarthy in office by abstaining from the vote. Looks like instead they have thrown their lot in with Matt Gaetz and his loons. I'm sure they will feel pleased with themselves. Not sure how it will look to many in the US though.

carnforth

glw said:

Scott_xP said:

@EthanDaviesMEN

Some maths: if the Sky News HS2 report is right, then it could mean it’s slower to go from Mcr to London via HS2

Current Mcr to Ldn: 2h6m

Ldn to Birm via HS2: 52m + Current Birm to Mcr on WCML 1h20m-ish = 2h12m-ish

So ironically, for speed, you’ll NOT want to get HS2

Rishi's going to lose his temper when he's asked to explain that.

Some of the Manchester-bound trains won't stop at Birmingham, passing straight through. So I doubt it will actually come to that.

Or, he could just say it's about capacity not speed, of course.

BartholomewRoberts

DavidL said:

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

DavidL said:

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

Not even that close.

Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.

Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.

Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.

So if they had been there it would have been even less close. Steve Scalise seems to be the favourite of the nutter wing but I have no idea if he would have broad enough support. The break up of the GOP must be a real possibility after this.

My fear is the GOP will just capitulate to the nutters.

Having a backbone doesn't seem to be the GOPs forte.

NickPalmer

Brenda in the minority this time.

DavidL

BartholomewRoberts said:

DavidL said:

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

DavidL said:

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

Not even that close.

Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.

Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.

Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.

So if they had been there it would have been even less close. Steve Scalise seems to be the favourite of the nutter wing but I have no idea if he would have broad enough support. The break up of the GOP must be a real possibility after this.

My fear is the GOP will just capitulate to the nutters.

Having a backbone doesn't seem to be the GOPs forte.

They should expel the 8 and then look to do a deal with the Dems. But they won't.

Razedabode

Benpointer said:

Casino_Royale said:

Not too worried about HS2 in the long-term, although I am disappointed by this decision.

The really important one to build it to Euston has been made and it can always be revitalised and extended from its core base to Crewe, Manchester and Leeds in future, which might even happen in the next Parliament.

I suspect it would be rescoped/reconstructed first though.

When you stop a megaproject for a year it normally creates a delay of about five years because you can't just press and unpress the pause button; all the set up and mobilisation costs are sunk and you have to go back to near enough square one and rerecruit/reprocure and get the whole delivery organisation all set up again in a competitive market, and that takes time.

So HS2 can happen in the longer-term (still an option) but this punts it way into the future.

It's an act of gross vandalism by Sunak. He should delay any decision until after a GE. By all means put what he intends to do in his manifesto. But as it stands he's just going to cause 5-6 years of pointless delay, given Labour will reinstate the Manchester link after the GE.

Surely a decision like this would need to go through the commons rather than at a Tory conference?

Saying that - would he even have the votes

rottenborough

While tory activists and Mail editors wet themselves over Braverman, the real story of the day...


Jack Surfleet
@jacksurfleet
·
6m
Wednesday's FINANCIAL TIMES UK EDITION: Bond sell-off deepens as high rates prospects spook markets

BartholomewRoberts

DavidL said:

BartholomewRoberts said:

DavidL said:

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

DavidL said:

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

Not even that close.

Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.

Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.

Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.

So if they had been there it would have been even less close. Steve Scalise seems to be the favourite of the nutter wing but I have no idea if he would have broad enough support. The break up of the GOP must be a real possibility after this.

My fear is the GOP will just capitulate to the nutters.

Having a backbone doesn't seem to be the GOPs forte.

They should expel the 8 and then look to do a deal with the Dems. But they won't.

They should.

But one of the 8 getting the rest of the GOP to fall in line behind them seems more likely at this rate.

Scott_xP

@thetimes

Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health

@SkyNews

Sky News's political editor
@BethRigby
put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members

nico679

You’d have to have the IQ of a fruit fly to fall for Sunaks spin tomorrow.

And the Daily Hate is wanking over the stain on humanities speech .

Come the revolution all those complicit in peddling hate and division will be locked up and left to rot .

Luckyguy1983

Scott_xP said:

@thetimes

Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health

@SkyNews

Sky News's political editor
@BethRigby
put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members

Please tell me he's not going to try and do the smoking ban and maths till 18.

I don't think I can watch, I have a really low tolerance for cringey things.

rottenborough

Just incredible. Sunak will say that voters are fed up of politicians saying things and then nothing changes.

After 13 bloody years of his party in government.

Razedabode

Scott_xP said:

@thetimes

Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health

@SkyNews

Sky News's political editor
@BethRigby
put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members

He’ll have no problem putting this all to a vote, surely

rottenborough

Luckyguy1983 said:

Scott_xP said:

@thetimes

Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health

@SkyNews

Sky News's political editor
@BethRigby
put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members

Please tell me he's not going to try and do the smoking ban and maths till 18.

I don't think I can watch, I have a really low tolerance for cringey things.

"I will fundamentally change Britain's rail system by not changing anything beyond Birmingham."

Luckyguy1983

nico679 said:

You’d have to have the IQ of a fruit fly to fall for Sunaks spin tomorrow.

And the Daily Hate is wanking over the stain on humanities speech .

Come the revolution all those complicit in peddling hate and division will be locked up and left to rot .

I must have missed your many posts spreading love and unity.

Sunil_Prasannan

Not entirely sure the new Wolverhampton station frontage is an improvement. First pic from 2014, other two from Sunday:

nico679

Luckyguy1983 said:

nico679 said:

You’d have to have the IQ of a fruit fly to fall for Sunaks spin tomorrow.

And the Daily Hate is wanking over the stain on humanities speech .

Come the revolution all those complicit in peddling hate and division will be locked up and left to rot .

I must have missed your many posts spreading love and unity.

That was very good ! I don’t mind being criticized if it’s done with some style !

Scott_xP

@paulwaugh

Well this is unusual for a PM the night before his conference speech.
@RishiSunak pressing the flesh in the hotel bar.


McCarthy has given him a vision of his future...

BobSykes

Scott_xP said:

@EthanDaviesMEN

Some maths: if the Sky News HS2 report is right, then it could mean it’s slower to go from Mcr to London via HS2

Current Mcr to Ldn: 2h6m

Ldn to Birm via HS2: 52m + Current Birm to Mcr on WCML 1h20m-ish = 2h12m-ish

So ironically, for speed, you’ll NOT want to get HS2

1h30 Manchester to London once Hs2 phase 1 is complete, i believe. Existing West Coast to Lichfield, new high speed line from Lichfield to London. Pass through Birmingham Interchange, not the city of Birmingham.

Looks like some MEN journo here is falling for the common misconception that the line ends in the centre of Brum when that is simply not the case.

Pro_Rata

Luckyguy1983 said:

Scott_xP said:

@thetimes

Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health

@SkyNews

Sky News's political editor
@BethRigby
put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members

Please tell me he's not going to try and do the smoking ban and maths till 18.

I don't think I can watch, I have a really low tolerance for cringey things.

After looking at the costs, Sunak has decided that maths till 9 is perfectly adequate.

nico679

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Not entirely sure the new Wolverhampton station frontage is an improvement. First pic from 2014, other two from Sunday:

As Bette Davis once said “ what a dump “ !

HYUFD

TheKitchenCabinet said:

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

DavidL said:

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

Not even that close.

Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.

Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.

Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.

The Washington Post said today that the Democrat House leadership should keep McCarthy in office by abstaining from the vote. Looks like instead they have thrown their lot in with Matt Gaetz and his loons. I'm sure they will feel pleased with themselves. Not sure how it will look to many in the US though.

“Why is it that Republicans are always fighting among themselves, why aren’t they fighting the Radical Left Democrats who are destroying our Country?” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4236256-trump-questions-gop-infighting-ahead-of-vote-to-oust-mccarthy/

rottenborough

Louise Haigh
@LouHaigh
·
2h
The Conservatives literally rubbished this idea in their own rail plan.

And GM warned it could actually make things worse by *increasing* delays on the West Coast Mainline

Only the Conservatives could draw up a plan that could actually make northern transport worse than before.

Farooq

HYUFD said:

TheKitchenCabinet said:

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

DavidL said:

CatMan said:

McCarthy about to become the first House speaker in American history to be ejected from the job.

Edit: And it's happened. 216 to 210.

Not even that close.

Eight Republicans voted with 208 Democrats for motion to vacate Speaker's office. That's why he lost.

Among the absent were Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola.

Why? Pelosi has accompanied the remains of the late Sen. Diane Feinstein back to California for funeral. And Peltola's husband was killed a few days ago, when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Alaska.

The Washington Post said today that the Democrat House leadership should keep McCarthy in office by abstaining from the vote. Looks like instead they have thrown their lot in with Matt Gaetz and his loons. I'm sure they will feel pleased with themselves. Not sure how it will look to many in the US though.

“Why is it that Republicans are always fighting among themselves, why aren’t they fighting the Radical Left Democrats who are destroying our Country?” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4236256-trump-questions-gop-infighting-ahead-of-vote-to-oust-mccarthy/

Gee, Donnie, I wonder if we can find some proximate cause, some reason, some person that's caused a certain fragment of the Republican Party to veer off into uncompromising lunacy in recent years.

It's a real headscratcher, sir.

Eabhal

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Not entirely sure the new Wolverhampton station frontage is an improvement. First pic from 2014, other two from Sunday:

Have you seen the new ones in the north of Scotland? Inverness airport etc. Those are seriously ugly.

Luckyguy1983

Pro_Rata said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

Scott_xP said:

@thetimes

Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health

@SkyNews

Sky News's political editor
@BethRigby
put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members

Please tell me he's not going to try and do the smoking ban and maths till 18.

I don't think I can watch, I have a really low tolerance for cringey things.

After looking at the costs, Sunak has decided that maths till 9 is perfectly adequate.

It's a bit incongruous that he's painting himself as the tough, penny-pinching, responsible PM - BUT I've decided to totally change A levels system BECAUSE MATHS IS GOOD.

rottenborough

Pro_Rata said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

Scott_xP said:

@thetimes

Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health

@SkyNews

Sky News's political editor
@BethRigby
put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members

Please tell me he's not going to try and do the smoking ban and maths till 18.

I don't think I can watch, I have a really low tolerance for cringey things.

After looking at the costs, Sunak has decided that maths till 9 is perfectly adequate.

LOL.

Razedabode

Pro_Rata said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

Scott_xP said:

@thetimes

Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health

@SkyNews

Sky News's political editor
@BethRigby
put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members

Please tell me he's not going to try and do the smoking ban and maths till 18.

I don't think I can watch, I have a really low tolerance for cringey things.

After looking at the costs, Sunak has decided that maths till 9 is perfectly adequate.

Very good

Foxy

Satire is no longer possible.

After finishing her speech, Cruella stood on a dogs tail. A guide dog too.

rottenborough

Razedabode said:

Scott_xP said:

@thetimes

Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health

@SkyNews

Sky News's political editor
@BethRigby
put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members

He’ll have no problem putting this all to a vote, surely

Did we establish whether he needs a vote to cancel Brum to Crewe as it already has Royal Assent?

CatMan

BobSykes said:

Scott_xP said:

@EthanDaviesMEN

Some maths: if the Sky News HS2 report is right, then it could mean it’s slower to go from Mcr to London via HS2

Current Mcr to Ldn: 2h6m

Ldn to Birm via HS2: 52m + Current Birm to Mcr on WCML 1h20m-ish = 2h12m-ish

So ironically, for speed, you’ll NOT want to get HS2

1h30 Manchester to London once Hs2 phase 1 is complete, i believe. Existing West Coast to Lichfield, new high speed line from Lichfield to London. Pass through Birmingham Interchange, not the city of Birmingham.

Looks like some MEN journo here is falling for the common misconception that the line ends in the centre of Brum when that is simply not the case.

According to Wikipedia, it will be 1:40, a saving of 14 minutes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Speed_2#Journey_times

rottenborough

It is a long time since I have been so angry about politics than I am over the HS2 fuck up.

Farooq

Scott_xP said:

@paulwaugh

Well this is unusual for a PM the night before his conference speech.
@RishiSunak pressing the flesh in the hotel bar.


McCarthy has given him a vision of his future...

He's finally realised which idiot is in charge and plans to find out whether getting nicely drunk will help him forget

carnforth

Foxy said:

Satire is no longer possible.

After finishing her speech, Cruella stood on a dogs tail. A guide dog too.

She's wearing heels, and clearly not standing on it. Much as it pains me to run to her aid.

Foxy

rottenborough said:

Razedabode said:

Scott_xP said:

@thetimes

Rishi Sunak will pledge tomorrow to “fundamentally change” Britain as he unveils plans to scale back HS2, overhaul A-levels and improve people’s health

@SkyNews

Sky News's political editor
@BethRigby
put it to the prime minister that he was a "man without a mandate" - having lost the Tory leadership election last year, before being appointed weeks later without a vote from members

He’ll have no problem putting this all to a vote, surely

Did we establish whether he needs a vote to cancel Brum to Crewe as it already has Royal Assent?

Is it officially cancelled or just "delayed", perhaps by leaves on the line?

glw

rottenborough said:

It is a long time since I have been so angry about politics than I am over the HS2 fuck up.

The last few weeks of nonsensical ideas from the Tories, and the blatant lying and conspiracy theory garbarge, have crossed the line. I was nailed on to vote for them being basically fairly right-wing, and strongly agreeing with them regarding Ukraine, but they can do one now.

rottenborough

Will Street resign?

Luckyguy1983

Farooq said:

Scott_xP said:

@paulwaugh

Well this is unusual for a PM the night before his conference speech.
@RishiSunak pressing the flesh in the hotel bar.


McCarthy has given him a vision of his future...

He's finally realised which idiot is in charge and plans to find out whether getting nicely drunk will help him forget

Isn't he teetotal? I could have that wrong.

nico679

carnforth said:

Foxy said:

Satire is no longer possible.

After finishing her speech, Cruella stood on a dogs tail. A guide dog too.

She's wearing heels, and clearly not standing on it. Much as it pains me to run to her aid.

She wasn’t standing on it but then found out it once guided for a refugee so shuffled to inflict as much pain as possible on the poor thing .

Nigelb

.

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

Yea 216, No 210 - Office of Speaker of US House of Representatives declared vacant.

Kevin McCarthy is out. But who will be in? Kevin McCarthy?

NYT - Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina is named interim speaker under a law passed after the Sept. 11 attacks in the event of a vacancy in the office.

SSI - And "Speaker Pro Tem" McHenry just called a recess, banged the gavel and House is adjourned "pending the call of the chair'.

Looks as though he's really enjoying the job.
https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1709310215882219700

noneoftheabove

rottenborough said:

Will Street resign?

I thought we couldn't afford a whole street and had downgraded to an alley?

Scott_xP

@christopherhope

NEW 👀
Senior Government source tells me Rishi Sunak will announce tomorrow HS2 will be stopping at Birmingham.
Given MPs have already voted for HS2 to go to Crewe, Tory MPs might have to be whipped to vote to end it at Birmingham. The source says this could be “very bad”.

rottenborough

Scott_xP said:

@christopherhope

NEW 👀
Senior Government source tells me Rishi Sunak will announce tomorrow HS2 will be stopping at Birmingham.
Given MPs have already voted for HS2 to go to Crewe, Tory MPs might have to be whipped to vote to end it at Birmingham. The source says this could be “very bad”.

Ha, ha, ha.

Big_G_NorthWales

rottenborough said:

Louise Haigh
@LouHaigh
·
2h
The Conservatives literally rubbished this idea in their own rail plan.

And GM warned it could actually make things worse by *increasing* delays on the West Coast Mainline

Only the Conservatives could draw up a plan that could actually make northern transport worse than before.

Therefore are Labour going to commit to building it in full together with the east west rail upgrade needed by the North

As an aside bond yields are rising worldwide due to the high-level of debt, including in the US, with sustained high interest rates

My critic of Sunak is not the decision but the idiotic way it has been handled

EPG

Evidently trains are woke. Everyone needs to be in a traffic jam like some kind of diesel human centipede.

Sunil_Prasannan

Eabhal said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Not entirely sure the new Wolverhampton station frontage is an improvement. First pic from 2014, other two from Sunday:

Have you seen the new ones in the north of Scotland? Inverness airport etc. Those are seriously ugly.

Haven't been that way since July last year, when I passed over the road bridge near the airport on the bus.

noneoftheabove

Scott_xP said:

@christopherhope

NEW 👀
Senior Government source tells me Rishi Sunak will announce tomorrow HS2 will be stopping at Birmingham.
Given MPs have already voted for HS2 to go to Crewe, Tory MPs might have to be whipped to vote to end it at Birmingham. The source says this could be “very bad”.

I am not sure what grounds the source has to suggest an improvement to merely "very bad".

CatMan

Is there the remotest of remote chance that this is one big PR scam and tomorrow Rishi is going to say something like "There are liberal elite doubters who have been badmouthing our rail industry. Well I can tell you now that we will prove them wrong and that HS2 will be built in full!!!"?