Sunak should be looking for a new Home Secretary – politicalbetting.com

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Sunak should be looking for a new Home Secretary – politicalbetting.com

The Home Secretary joked about date raping women and his defence is that journalists shouldn’t have reported it because it was a private conversation in number 10 (at a seemingly well attended reception). Good a journalist had the gumption to report it https://t.co/MKpdXtTp23

Read the full story here

TheScreamingEagles

This is not how I expected to spend Christmas Eve.

isam

Crass remarks indeed. The kind of thing you hear everyday in a kind of “my missus/mother in law” way, but not really what you expect from senior politicians

What did George Osborne say about Theresa May? Chop her up and put her in his freezer? I was always surprised he didn’t get more stick for it. Alastair Meeks and I argued about it on here at the time, I was surprised that he thought it was fair comment

Morris_Dancer

Mr. Eagles, still better than window shopping.

Fairliered

TheScreamingEagles said:

This is not how I expected to spend Christmas Eve.

He should be sacked! Today! Totally unacceptable comments. I thought Cleverly was not as bad as some of the rest of the cabinet. It seems he is as out of touch as the rest of them. If a party was to include a ban on misogyny in their manifesto it would deserve the votes of all women.

AverageNinja

isam said:

Crass remarks indeed. The kind of thing you hear everyday in a kind of “my missus/mother in law” way, but not really what you expect from senior politicians

What did George Osborne say about Theresa May? Chop her up and put her in his freezer? I was always surprised he didn’t get more stick for it. Alastair Meeks and I argued about it on here at the time, I was surprised that he thought it was fair comment

What a horrible comment.

Gallowgate

I didn't even realise Cleverly was Home Secretary to be honest.

Sean_F

The "joke" was pretty asinine.

isam

AverageNinja said:

isam said:

Crass remarks indeed. The kind of thing you hear everyday in a kind of “my missus/mother in law” way, but not really what you expect from senior politicians

What did George Osborne say about Theresa May? Chop her up and put her in his freezer? I was always surprised he didn’t get more stick for it. Alastair Meeks and I argued about it on here at the time, I was surprised that he thought it was fair comment

What a horrible comment.

He was no longer an MP when he made it mind you

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/13/george-osborne-criticised-for-gruesome-remarks-against-theresa-may

ydoethur

TheScreamingEagles said:

This is not how I expected to spend Christmas Eve.

Were you expecting it to be about pigs' mouths again?

AverageNinja

isam said:

AverageNinja said:

isam said:

Crass remarks indeed. The kind of thing you hear everyday in a kind of “my missus/mother in law” way, but not really what you expect from senior politicians

What did George Osborne say about Theresa May? Chop her up and put her in his freezer? I was always surprised he didn’t get more stick for it. Alastair Meeks and I argued about it on here at the time, I was surprised that he thought it was fair comment

What a horrible comment.

He was no longer an MP when he made it mind you

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/13/george-osborne-criticised-for-gruesome-remarks-against-theresa-may

Still vile.

TheScreamingEagles

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

This is not how I expected to spend Christmas Eve.

Were you expecting it to be about pigs' mouths again?

I have plans to watch Die Hard tonight.

Stuartinromford

When was the last "I loused up, and resigning is the most honourable thing I can do" resignation?

Does Matt Hancock count?

ydoethur

TheScreamingEagles said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

This is not how I expected to spend Christmas Eve.

Were you expecting it to be about pigs' mouths again?

I have plans to watch Die Hard tonight.

Have you ordered the pineapple pizza to go with it?

TheScreamingEagles

Stuartinromford said:

When was the last "I loused up, and resigning is the most honourable thing I can do" resignation?

Does Matt Hancock count?

Liz Truss.

ydoethur

Stuartinromford said:

When was the last "I loused up, and resigning is the most honourable thing I can do" resignation?

Does Matt Hancock count?

Not a minister, but Allegra Stratton might fit the case.

isam

Stuartinromford said:

When was the last "I loused up, and resigning is the most honourable thing I can do" resignation?

Does Matt Hancock count?

Hmmm was it before or after the last time anyone on here said “you know what, you’ve convinced me - I got that wrong” ?

numbertwelve

Please make it stop. This government just needs to leave office.

Big_G_NorthWales

He should be sacked for such crass comments, especially as he is Home Secretary, but I doubt he will

Just another example of a government's end days and the only question is whether it will be in May or October

RandallFlagg

From reading PB today, you would have thought Keir Starmer would have been PM for the last four years and is responsible for all the country's problems.

AverageNinja

RandallFlagg said:

From reading PB today, you would have thought Keir Starmer would have been PM for the last four years and is responsible for all the country's problems.

We should keep a tally if he becomes PM, what the PB Tories here blame him for.

Nigelb

RandallFlagg said:

From reading PB today, you would have thought Keir Starmer would have been PM for the last four years and is responsible for all the country's problems.

Perhaps it is fear of Keir that is driving them insane ?

Morris_Dancer

You can always be especially idiosyncratic and have pizza and margarita shooters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOq0T980x8E

SandyRentool

James "Not Very" Cleverly

Or James Stupidly, if you prefer.

SandyRentool

My wife has suggested using cranberry sauce as a festive pizza topping.

Pulpstar

I don't think Cleverly should be sacked actually. Well certainly not for this. I expect he'll apologise for such a poor taste joke, and that should be the end of it.

Foxy

SandyRentool said:

My wife has suggested using cranberry sauce as a festive pizza topping.

I don't think it goes with pineapple...

SandyRentool

Here's a thing.

PBers may recall that at the December timetable change, Trans-Pennine Express (controlled by the Government) cut the number of services crossing the Pennines, and withdrew their entire fleet of Mark 5a carriages from service (despite still paying the leasing costs on them until May). Well now it looks like they could be making a comeback - with Chiltern, operating services between London Marylebone and Birmingham.

Yet another example of Levelling that Up.

viewcode

I note in passing PBs usual debate when somebody says something: people debate as to whether the person should keep their job ("free speech!", "cancel culture"!) or lose it ("this is offensive!" "They must go!"), and after a while go on to something else. I think the best point I can make is that we are inconsistent in such things and that the world we have built involves large groups of people discussing remarks of individual politicians in a way that would have been impossible in the past. Whatever you think of this it is certainly a big change.

My usual tag applies: #PBfreespeech

Foxy

Lost on the first Christmas punt.

I couldn't risk it, so paid full price for my turkey on Friday now marked down to half price. 😒

On the other hand picked up a goose marked down 50%, so likely protein overload by New Year...

MattW

Foxy said:

Lost on the first Christmas punt.

I couldn't risk it, so paid full price for my turkey on Friday now marked down to half price. 😒

On the other hand picked up a goose marked down 50%, so likely protein overload by New Year...

If it's a loose goose, perhaps fat not protein . Speaking from my experience of home grown, slaughtered (avoiding details of method), plucked and eaten geese.

Just back from Morrisons who are selling biggish bags of sprouts at 19p. So I hope they improve, like lasagne, for being frozen for a month.

But it does remind me of this important historical political video. I can imagine certain Tories doing this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HEFmFOlSaQ

OldKingCole

Foxy said:

Lost on the first Christmas punt.

I couldn't risk it, so paid full price for my turkey on Friday now marked down to half price. 😒

On the other hand picked up a goose marked down 50%, so likely protein overload by New Year...

First year for ages we haven’t bought a turkey. We’re going out to Christmas lunch at one of our local pubs. Plus Son-in-law and Eldest Granddaughter.
Only downside is there’ll be nothing cold on Boxing Day!

DecrepiterJohnL

Foxy said:

Lost on the first Christmas punt.

I couldn't risk it, so paid full price for my turkey on Friday now marked down to half price. 😒

On the other hand picked up a goose marked down 50%, so likely protein overload by New Year...

Round here everywhere is rammed like Jeremy Corbyn's train. Could not get into Waitrose or M&S so back to Sainsbury's and even that was a long queue.

viewcode

isam said:

Stuartinromford said:

When was the last "I loused up, and resigning is the most honourable thing I can do" resignation?

Does Matt Hancock count?

Hmmm was it before or after the last time anyone on here said “you know what, you’ve convinced me - I got that wrong” ?

Me, twice: once on AV (it is possible to modify FPTP to achieve a similar goal) and reform of the House of Lords ( it should be a house of guilds and professions. This may be the only time a Spectator article has changed my mind!).

Malmesbury

viewcode said:

I note in passing PBs usual debate when somebody says something: people debate as to whether the person should keep their job ("free speech!", "cancel culture"!) or lose it ("this is offensive!" "They must go!"), and after a while go on to something else. I think the best point I can make is that we are inconsistent in such things and that the world we have built involves large groups of people discussing remarks of individual politicians in a way that would have been impossible in the past. Whatever you think of this it is certainly a big change.

My usual tag applies: #PBfreespeech

Please stop talking moderation and balanced judgement.

In my judgement, Cleverly is an arse and has obviously forgotten that it is better to keep silent and be thought a fool, rather than to speak and prove it.

MattW

Malmesbury said:

viewcode said:

I note in passing PBs usual debate when somebody says something: people debate as to whether the person should keep their job ("free speech!", "cancel culture"!) or lose it ("this is offensive!" "They must go!"), and after a while go on to something else. I think the best point I can make is that we are inconsistent in such things and that the world we have built involves large groups of people discussing remarks of individual politicians in a way that would have been impossible in the past. Whatever you think of this it is certainly a big change.

My usual tag applies: #PBfreespeech

Please stop talking moderation and balanced judgement.

In my judgement, Cleverly is an arse and has obviously forgotten that it is better to keep silent and be thought a fool, rather than to speak and prove it.

I think I agree with this.

Alphabet_Soup

Foxy said:

Lost on the first Christmas punt.

I couldn't risk it, so paid full price for my turkey on Friday now marked down to half price. 😒

On the other hand picked up a goose marked down 50%, so likely protein overload by New Year...

Our goose was "marked down" 50% in the sense that it was 50% lighter than the one we ordered. Something to do with the "terrible' weather. At least we won't have to eat it all over again on Boxing Day.

Foxy

viewcode said:

isam said:

Stuartinromford said:

When was the last "I loused up, and resigning is the most honourable thing I can do" resignation?

Does Matt Hancock count?

Hmmm was it before or after the last time anyone on here said “you know what, you’ve convinced me - I got that wrong” ?

Me, twice: once on AV (it is possible to modify FPTP to achieve a similar goal) and reform of the House of Lords ( it should be a house of guilds and professions. This may be the only time a Spectator article has changed my mind!).

I changed my mind on Gay marriage because of debates on here.

Alphabet_Soup

MattW said:

Malmesbury said:

viewcode said:

I note in passing PBs usual debate when somebody says something: people debate as to whether the person should keep their job ("free speech!", "cancel culture"!) or lose it ("this is offensive!" "They must go!"), and after a while go on to something else. I think the best point I can make is that we are inconsistent in such things and that the world we have built involves large groups of people discussing remarks of individual politicians in a way that would have been impossible in the past. Whatever you think of this it is certainly a big change.

My usual tag applies: #PBfreespeech

Please stop talking moderation and balanced judgement.

In my judgement, Cleverly is an arse and has obviously forgotten that it is better to keep silent and be thought a fool, rather than to speak and prove it.

I think I agree with this.

Is that reCaptcha? Tick every box with an idiot in it.

LostPassword

isam said:

Stuartinromford said:

When was the last "I loused up, and resigning is the most honourable thing I can do" resignation?

Does Matt Hancock count?

Hmmm was it before or after the last time anyone on here said “you know what, you’ve convinced me - I got that wrong” ?

That has happened surprisingly often. Bartholomew has done so at least once this past year, and he's normally one of the more tenacious debaters on the site.

viewcode

LostPassword said:

isam said:

Stuartinromford said:

When was the last "I loused up, and resigning is the most honourable thing I can do" resignation?

Does Matt Hancock count?

Hmmm was it before or after the last time anyone on here said “you know what, you’ve convinced me - I got that wrong” ?

That has happened surprisingly often. Bartholomew has done so at least once this past year, and he's normally one of the more tenacious debaters on the site.

...and absent a lot these days. Is he OK?

MattW

Alphabet_Soup said:

MattW said:

Malmesbury said:

viewcode said:

I note in passing PBs usual debate when somebody says something: people debate as to whether the person should keep their job ("free speech!", "cancel culture"!) or lose it ("this is offensive!" "They must go!"), and after a while go on to something else. I think the best point I can make is that we are inconsistent in such things and that the world we have built involves large groups of people discussing remarks of individual politicians in a way that would have been impossible in the past. Whatever you think of this it is certainly a big change.

My usual tag applies: #PBfreespeech

Please stop talking moderation and balanced judgement.

In my judgement, Cleverly is an arse and has obviously forgotten that it is better to keep silent and be thought a fool, rather than to speak and prove it.

I think I agree with this.

Is that reCaptcha? Tick every box with an idiot in it.

The effects include impaired judgement and confusion, so perhaps he downed the wrong glass.

viewcode

Implications of the end of American hegemony and globalisation, part x of a series of lots.

https://nitter.net/LoicTheStoic/status/1738132369800888654#m

Roger

No doubt Insulting to his wife and ignorant but if we're talking about resignation I wouldn't hold your breath. The previous Home Secretary survived all of these........and I know which of the two I find most damaging to the Office and to the country.

"I would love to have a front page of the Telegraph with a plane taking off to Rwanda, that's my dream, it's my obsession."

"Tofu eating wokerati"

"The British people deserve to know which party is serious about stopping the invasion on our southern coast."

"There are 100 million people around the world who could qualify for protection under our current laws. Let us be clear - they are coming here."

"We cannot allow our streets to be taken over by rows of tents occupied by people, many of them from abroad, living on the streets as a lifestyle choice."

"There's only one way to describe those marches (in support of Gaza) they are hate marches."

SandyRentool

Channel 4 is offering up "Mog's Christmas" this evening. I'm guessing that it is similar to A Christmas Carol, but at the the Cratchit family gets sent to the workhouse.

Cookie

Too relaxed to comment on political issues. House is tidy, presents wrapped, been to the butcher, done the Santa run in Wythenshawe Park, Tesco delivery been and put away. First tranche of extended family arriving in 15 mins. Just calling in to wish you a happy Christmas. You're all splendid people, and we have far more in common than we have to divide us.

Malmesbury

Alphabet_Soup said:

MattW said:

Malmesbury said:

viewcode said:

I note in passing PBs usual debate when somebody says something: people debate as to whether the person should keep their job ("free speech!", "cancel culture"!) or lose it ("this is offensive!" "They must go!"), and after a while go on to something else. I think the best point I can make is that we are inconsistent in such things and that the world we have built involves large groups of people discussing remarks of individual politicians in a way that would have been impossible in the past. Whatever you think of this it is certainly a big change.

My usual tag applies: #PBfreespeech

Please stop talking moderation and balanced judgement.

In my judgement, Cleverly is an arse and has obviously forgotten that it is better to keep silent and be thought a fool, rather than to speak and prove it.

I think I agree with this.

Is that reCaptcha? Tick every box with an idiot in it.

Probably….

TOPPING

Foxy said:

viewcode said:

isam said:

Stuartinromford said:

When was the last "I loused up, and resigning is the most honourable thing I can do" resignation?

Does Matt Hancock count?

Hmmm was it before or after the last time anyone on here said “you know what, you’ve convinced me - I got that wrong” ?

Me, twice: once on AV (it is possible to modify FPTP to achieve a similar goal) and reform of the House of Lords ( it should be a house of guilds and professions. This may be the only time a Spectator article has changed my mind!).

I changed my mind on Gay marriage because of debates on here.

Seriously? What's your position now.

IanB2

Alphabet_Soup said:

MattW said:

Malmesbury said:

viewcode said:

I note in passing PBs usual debate when somebody says something: people debate as to whether the person should keep their job ("free speech!", "cancel culture"!) or lose it ("this is offensive!" "They must go!"), and after a while go on to something else. I think the best point I can make is that we are inconsistent in such things and that the world we have built involves large groups of people discussing remarks of individual politicians in a way that would have been impossible in the past. Whatever you think of this it is certainly a big change.

My usual tag applies: #PBfreespeech

Please stop talking moderation and balanced judgement.

In my judgement, Cleverly is an arse and has obviously forgotten that it is better to keep silent and be thought a fool, rather than to speak and prove it.

I think I agree with this.

Is that reCaptcha? Tick every box with an idiot in it.

I thought it might be for royal babies?

SandyRentool

I picked up a virus a few days ago - I suspect in the pub after work on Monday as the colleague I was with also came down with something. On Friday I was feeling particularly rough, but am now improving, so I should be well enough to attend the family gathering hosted by one of my brothers in law.

I will leave it to PBers to determine whether I consider this to be a good thing or not.

rcs1000

isam said:

Stuartinromford said:

When was the last "I loused up, and resigning is the most honourable thing I can do" resignation?

Does Matt Hancock count?

Hmmm was it before or after the last time anyone on here said “you know what, you’ve convinced me - I got that wrong” ?

You once said that, with regards to lawyers for people accused of terrorist atrocities, so it does happen.

TOPPING

But I'm with Cookie. Out and about today Greggs was ram packed.

Foxy

I never call on people to be sacked, or pressed to resign. It just feels wrong to me, like being a cruel baying mob.

I think he will survive because this broke just before Christmas, though its probably done for his leadership candidacy. Not just the crass joke, but the attitude behind it.

TOPPING said:

Foxy said:

viewcode said:

isam said:

Stuartinromford said:

When was the last "I loused up, and resigning is the most honourable thing I can do" resignation?

Does Matt Hancock count?

Hmmm was it before or after the last time anyone on here said “you know what, you’ve convinced me - I got that wrong” ?

Me, twice: once on AV (it is possible to modify FPTP to achieve a similar goal) and reform of the House of Lords ( it should be a house of guilds and professions. This may be the only time a Spectator article has changed my mind!).

I changed my mind on Gay marriage because of debates on here.

Seriously? What's your position now.

In favour.

theProle

SandyRentool said:

Here's a thing.

PBers may recall that at the December timetable change, Trans-Pennine Express (controlled by the Government) cut the number of services crossing the Pennines, and withdrew their entire fleet of Mark 5a carriages from service (despite still paying the leasing costs on them until May). Well now it looks like they could be making a comeback - with Chiltern, operating services between London Marylebone and Birmingham.

Yet another example of Levelling that Up.

To describe dumping those piles of scrap on Chiltern as "leveling up" is fairly accurate. It will be imposing unwanted scrap from the North on the Southeners.

It makes sense at a certain level, because Chiltern are already running class 68s + LHCS, but the MK5a fleet is so appallingly unreliable that it will be a massive downgrade from the Mk3 sets currently in use.

(all the available evidence from every form of replacement tried to date suggests that a MK3 is the ultimate railway carriage, and the DfT should simply have insisted on builting more MK3s, and a mixture of diesel and electric equivalents to the HST power cars, rather than the IEP, the Mk5a, and similar)

MarqueeMark

TheScreamingEagles said:

Stuartinromford said:

When was the last "I loused up, and resigning is the most honourable thing I can do" resignation?

Does Matt Hancock count?

Liz Truss.

That requires Liz Truss not resigning to have been an option.

Nigelb

Malmesbury said:

viewcode said:

I note in passing PBs usual debate when somebody says something: people debate as to whether the person should keep their job ("free speech!", "cancel culture"!) or lose it ("this is offensive!" "They must go!"), and after a while go on to something else. I think the best point I can make is that we are inconsistent in such things and that the world we have built involves large groups of people discussing remarks of individual politicians in a way that would have been impossible in the past. Whatever you think of this it is certainly a big change.

My usual tag applies: #PBfreespeech

Please stop talking moderation and balanced judgement.

In my judgement, Cleverly is an arse and has obviously forgotten that it is better to keep silent and be thought a fool, rather than to speak and prove it.

Alongside his ‘shithole’ comment (which it seems likely he then lied about), I think a spell on the backbenches would do him some good.

Big_G_NorthWales

Ratcliffe buys 25% of Man Utd confirmed and has control of all football operations

isam

Sir Keir’s word cloud. He’d take that I reckon



https://x.com/redfieldwilton/status/1738864659661230402?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

spudgfsh

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Ratcliffe buys 25% of Man Utd confirmed and has control of all football operations

so he's got all of the responsibilities with none of the control to make things improve.

SandyRentool

theProle said:

SandyRentool said:

Here's a thing.

PBers may recall that at the December timetable change, Trans-Pennine Express (controlled by the Government) cut the number of services crossing the Pennines, and withdrew their entire fleet of Mark 5a carriages from service (despite still paying the leasing costs on them until May). Well now it looks like they could be making a comeback - with Chiltern, operating services between London Marylebone and Birmingham.

Yet another example of Levelling that Up.

To describe dumping those piles of scrap on Chiltern as "leveling up" is fairly accurate. It will be imposing unwanted scrap from the North on the Southeners.

It makes sense at a certain level, because Chiltern are already running class 68s + LHCS, but the MK5a fleet is so appallingly unreliable that it will be a massive downgrade from the Mk3 sets currently in use.

(all the available evidence from every form of replacement tried to date suggests that a MK3 is the ultimate railway carriage, and the DfT should simply have insisted on builting more MK3s, and a mixture of diesel and electric equivalents to the HST power cars, rather than the IEP, the Mk5a, and similar)

There is nothing wrong with the Mark 5a sets. The problem was that TPE are incapable of running a reliable rail service.

Scott_xP

Roger said:

"We cannot allow our streets to be taken over by rows of tents occupied by people, many of them from abroad, living on the streets as a lifestyle choice."

...

spudgfsh

TOPPING said:

But I'm with Cookie. Out and about today Greggs was ram packed.

people buying christmas dinner at greggs?

Nigelb

isam said:

Sir Keir’s word cloud. He’d take that I reckon



https://x.com/redfieldwilton/status/1738864659661230402?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

“ResoluteUntrustworthy” and “UselessHonest” are interesting categories.

Sunil_Prasannan

SandyRentool said:

James "Not Very" Cleverly

Or James Stupidly, if you prefer.

"The Standing at the Back Dressed Stupidly and Looking Stupid Party"

Scott_xP

@RedfieldWilton
Labour is more trusted than the Conservatives on EVERY policy issue prompted.

Which party do voters trust most on...?

(Labour | Conservatives)

NHS (40% | 19%)
Housing (36% | 20%)
Education (35% | 22%)
Immigration (30% | 23%)
Economy (33% | 28%)
Ukraine (28% | 27%)

Sunil_Prasannan

isam said:

Sir Keir’s word cloud. He’d take that I reckon



https://x.com/redfieldwilton/status/1738864659661230402?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

My name's Sunil Prasannan, and I endorse this message.

BlancheLivermore

isam said:

Sir Keir’s word cloud. He’d take that I reckon



https://x.com/redfieldwilton/status/1738864659661230402?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

Surely he'd have the self awareness to be at least a bit embarrassed by "perfect"

Scott_xP

Note the one at the very bottom...

Sunil_Prasannan

spudgfsh said:

TOPPING said:

But I'm with Cookie. Out and about today Greggs was ram packed.

people buying christmas dinner at greggs?

You can never have too many vegan sausage rolls!

AverageNinja

For Rishi to be labelled as weak and useless is an interesting reversal.

SKS has successfully improved his image.

SandyRentool

Scott_xP said:

Note the one at the very bottom...

He must send too many Tweets.

Big_G_NorthWales

spudgfsh said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Ratcliffe buys 25% of Man Utd confirmed and has control of all football operations

so he's got all of the responsibilities with none of the control to make things improve.

Apparently he is investing a quarter of a billion of his own money and Ineos will control all football matters

He is also in line to progressively purchase the rest of the club from the Glazers

ydoethur

Scott_xP said:

Note the one at the very bottom...

Gosh.

There's some really strange people about. 'Wise?'

BlancheLivermore

Scott_xP said:

Note the one at the very bottom...

His Good is as big as Starmer's, but they haven't put it in the middle

ajb

These are vile remarks, and certainly worsen my opinion of his character. Although, the abrupt disruption of families relying on spousal visas eliminated most of my hope that we might actually have got a home secretary with a conscience.
Still, given how viscious the previous two home secs were, I'm a bit apprehensive about how rabid his replacement might be. Any thoughts on who the Sunak might appoint?

GIN1138

What a complete moron. Why would anyone actually "joke" about such a thing especially when they are an MP and especially when they are not just any MP but the Home ******* Secretary?

It really makes you wonder if some of these people are literally mad or on drugs...

Happy Christmas Eve, PB.

Nigelb

BlancheLivermore said:

Scott_xP said:

Note the one at the very bottom...

His Good is as big as Starmer's, but they haven't put it in the middle

It’s on the right, naturally.

AverageNinja

BlancheLivermore said:

Scott_xP said:

Note the one at the very bottom...

His Good is as big as Starmer's, but they haven't put it in the middle

He's always been a bit further to the right.

carnforth

MattW said:

Foxy said:

Lost on the first Christmas punt.

I couldn't risk it, so paid full price for my turkey on Friday now marked down to half price. 😒

On the other hand picked up a goose marked down 50%, so likely protein overload by New Year...

If it's a loose goose, perhaps fat not protein . Speaking from my experience of home grown, slaughtered (avoiding details of method), plucked and eaten geese.

Just back from Morrisons who are selling biggish bags of sprouts at 19p. So I hope they improve, like lasagne, for being frozen for a month.

But it does remind me of this important historical political video. I can imagine certain Tories doing this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HEFmFOlSaQ

Sprouts don't freeze well. Stick them in the garage or porch instead.

AverageNinja

Scott_xP said:

@RedfieldWilton
Labour is more trusted than the Conservatives on EVERY policy issue prompted.

Which party do voters trust most on...?

(Labour | Conservatives)

NHS (40% | 19%)
Housing (36% | 20%)
Education (35% | 22%)
Immigration (30% | 23%)
Economy (33% | 28%)
Ukraine (28% | 27%)

At what point do we say it's worse than 1997?

I suppose we'll have to start calling SKS "good", instead of "weak" as that is what the public now thinks. It seems that it is PB Tories who are out of touch and us left wing scum have a handle on where public opinion is.

Nigelb

Interesting fact about the Houthis: They literally use the Nazi salute, *because* it's the Nazi salute.
https://twitter.com/Noahpinion/status/1738467609342046620

Is this true ?
They’re certainly avowedly antisemitic.

MattW

Just off the phone with a friend who I planned to invite for a meal during the week.

It seems he caught COVID at his own gym's Christmas Party, so he's self-isolating throughout.

He'll be feeling like MUD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ6kJ7GWtv0

Nigelb

I have to confess to a degree of schadenfreude,

The DeSantis campaign gets a pre-mortem
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2023/12/24/the-desantis-campaign-gets-a-pre-mortem-00133164
.. — On spending priorities: “Federal records show that, by the time of the Iowa caucuses, the DeSantis campaign is on pace to spend significantly more on private jets — the governor’s preferred mode of travel — than on airing television ads.”

— On the knives out for him: “Remarkably, in a race [DONALD] TRUMP has dominated for eight months, it is Mr. DeSantis who has sustained the most negative advertising — nearly $35 million in super PAC attacks as of Saturday, more than Mr. Trump and every other G.O.P. contender combined.”

— On puzzling strategy decisions: “Never Back Down bragged about knocking on two million doors by September — but more than 700,000 were households outside the key early states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.”

— On disagreements between the PAC and campaign: “Some of the money was saved by not running digital ads. Never Back Down has paid for only a single Facebook ad, in South Carolina, since late September and nothing on Google or YouTube since the end of October, maddening the campaign team.”

This quote pretty much sums it up: “If the great promise of the DeSantis candidacy was Trump without the baggage, STUART STEVENS, a top strategist on MITT ROMNEY’s 2012 presidential campaign, said that what Republicans got instead was ‘TED CRUZ without the personality.….

The last line is quite the political obituary.

Omnium

Scott_xP said:

@RedfieldWilton
Labour is more trusted than the Conservatives on EVERY policy issue prompted.

Which party do voters trust most on...?

(Labour | Conservatives)

NHS (40% | 19%)
Housing (36% | 20%)
Education (35% | 22%)
Immigration (30% | 23%)
Economy (33% | 28%)
Ukraine (28% | 27%)

The one to watch is clearly the economy. Hunt seems like a pretty good chancellor so far, but we'll almost certainly never know because he's, by inheritance, bad news only. Reeves is clearly Labour's brightest economic spark ever (I know that Brown has his fans, but they're plain wrong), and as Starmer will undoubtedly have no money it'll be interesting how she fares.

I can't see very much difference between the parties' policies now anyway.

TheKitchenCabinet

On topic, I don’t often say this but @tse is right - it is a distasteful joke anyway but he is HS and it is unacceptable.

TBF, Sunak also needs to go - I think he gets challenged in Q1

ydoethur

Nigelb said:

I have to confess to a degree of schadenfreude,

The DeSantis campaign gets a pre-mortem
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2023/12/24/the-desantis-campaign-gets-a-pre-mortem-00133164
.. — On spending priorities: “Federal records show that, by the time of the Iowa caucuses, the DeSantis campaign is on pace to spend significantly more on private jets — the governor’s preferred mode of travel — than on airing television ads.”

— On the knives out for him: “Remarkably, in a race [DONALD] TRUMP has dominated for eight months, it is Mr. DeSantis who has sustained the most negative advertising — nearly $35 million in super PAC attacks as of Saturday, more than Mr. Trump and every other G.O.P. contender combined.”

— On puzzling strategy decisions: “Never Back Down bragged about knocking on two million doors by September — but more than 700,000 were households outside the key early states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.”

— On disagreements between the PAC and campaign: “Some of the money was saved by not running digital ads. Never Back Down has paid for only a single Facebook ad, in South Carolina, since late September and nothing on Google or YouTube since the end of October, maddening the campaign team.”

This quote pretty much sums it up: “If the great promise of the DeSantis candidacy was Trump without the baggage, STUART STEVENS, a top strategist on MITT ROMNEY’s 2012 presidential campaign, said that what Republicans got instead was ‘TED CRUZ without the personality.….

The last line is quite the political obituary.

To misquote Blackadder, is that why he tried to fight on issues, not personalities?

Although it's not his campaign that's cheated, of course (at least, not so far as I know).

Mortimer

MattW said:

Just off the phone with a friend who I planned to invite for a meal during the week.

It seems he caught COVID at his own gym's Christmas Party, so he's self-isolating throughout.

He'll be feeling like MUD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ6kJ7GWtv0

Snap! Been doing the same since Tuesday! I think I got it at a Christmas party too.

Incidentally, exact same symptoms (albeit in a slightly milder form) as I had in December 2019. We've pushed Xmas plans back a couple of days...

Mortimer

Cookie said:

Too relaxed to comment on political issues. House is tidy, presents wrapped, been to the butcher, done the Santa run in Wythenshawe Park, Tesco delivery been and put away. First tranche of extended family arriving in 15 mins. Just calling in to wish you a happy Christmas. You're all splendid people, and we have far more in common than we have to divide us.

Couldn't agree more! Happy Christmas Cookie, and all!

RochdalePioneers

TheScreamingEagles said:

This is not how I expected to spend Christmas Eve.

Will we have a Christmas Miracle where Cleverley realises that his position is untenable and resigns?

ydoethur

RochdalePioneers said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

This is not how I expected to spend Christmas Eve.

Will we have a Christmas Miracle where Cleverley realises that his position is untenable and resigns?

It's waaaaaay more likely TSE will declare Die Hard is a Christmas film before announcing his election as President of the Max Verstappen Fan Club.

viewcode

Are we having the usual present tomorrow? Will Santa @MikeSmithson and the elves @TSE and @rcs1000 be bringing us the Xmas Crossword Of Impossibility And Puns?

RochdalePioneers

RochdalePioneers said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

This is not how I expected to spend Christmas Eve.

Will we have a Christmas Miracle where Cleverley realises that his position is untenable and resigns?

Who will lose their job first? Ten Hag or Cleverley?

MJW

Reflecting on the thread I think it's fairly spot on. One doesn't want to pearl clutch, we need to be able to joke about the darkest and most inappropriate things at times. But there's context and your role, and it's such an incredibly stupid thing for a Home Secretary to do in public at an event. Not least because it gives the act a veneer of acceptability as not that serious.

stodge

Afternoon all

Ready for Christmas at Stodge Towers - we'll have the usual family call to Mrs Stodge's kin in New Zealand this evening and then I'll be in charge of the Christmas dinner - beef this year with all the trimmings. I'm keeping it simple as others on here seem to do a day's work before lunch (or indeed dinner).

It's a day of rest before the real work of trying to find some winners on Boxing Day.

Cleverly may be fortunate this has come out so close to Christmas and most won't notice - had it been another time he'd be in real trouble. I'm also of the view had these remarks come from a Labour Home Secretary, the pitchforks would be closing in on Downing Street.

It might be unfair to claim, pace Lady Bracknell, losing one Home Secretary might be considered unfortunate but to lose two might be considered careless but the fact remains Sunak can probably ill afford another Cabinet crisis so soon after his last enforced reshuffle. Unfortunately, the comments will follow Cleverly like a bad smell and raises the obvious questions as to why the Conservatives keeping choosing such obvious liabilities for the hugely important job of Home Secretary.

tyson

There has always been a lovely tradition on pbCOM of heart warming Xmas messages.

It all seems a bit of a struggle to embrace those political numpties across the Isle and their really irritating and nauseating Cheerleaders on this site...that said, I'll take a deep breath, and wish everyone a lovely Xmas, even those Morons who voted Brexit and cling to the Tory oafs and vandals in power...

Mortimer

tyson said:

There has always been a lovely tradition on pbCOM of heart warming Xmas messages.

It all seems a bit of a struggle to embrace those political numpties across the Isle and their really irritating and nauseating Cheerleaders on this site...that said, I'll take a deep breath, and wish everyone a lovely Xmas, even those Morons who voted Brexit and cling to the Tory oafs and vandals in power...

Merry Christmas Tyson - never change!

Mexicanpete

Big_G_NorthWales said:

He should be sacked for such crass comments, especially as he is Home Secretary, but I doubt he will

Just another example of a government's end days and the only question is whether it will be in May or October

I think an apology will suffice, there aren't many candidates left from which to replace him, unless of course Rishi goes full TSE and appoints Lord Osborne HS

SeaShantyIrish2

Christmas Cookie takes the Yuletide Biscuit!

(IF there IS such a thing as a YB?)

IIRC, at one time in his semi-misspent youth, Dr. Foxy was a Christmas Cracker.

(Cracker - oldtime slang for White person from State of Georgia)

Carnyx

AverageNinja said:

RandallFlagg said:

From reading PB today, you would have thought Keir Starmer would have been PM for the last four years and is responsible for all the country's problems.

We should keep a tally if he becomes PM, what the PB Tories here blame him for.

No: more efficient to record what they *don't* blame him for.

SeaShantyIrish2

IF you discover that current North Dakota Governor and alleged Republican POTUS hopeful Doug Burgum is getting stuck in to your chimney, sure sign that Santa Claus is on his way!

Do you know WHY???

Nigelb

Mortimer said:

tyson said:

There has always been a lovely tradition on pbCOM of heart warming Xmas messages.

It all seems a bit of a struggle to embrace those political numpties across the Isle and their really irritating and nauseating Cheerleaders on this site...that said, I'll take a deep breath, and wish everyone a lovely Xmas, even those Morons who voted Brexit and cling to the Tory oafs and vandals in power...

Merry Christmas Tyson - never change!

Merry Christmas all, without reservation.

Let hostilities recommence, appropriately, on Boxing Day.