Philippson must be mentally retarded, which is a bit of a worry as she is Minister for Education.
Who goes on national tv and describes what was obviously some kind of political gathering (involving front benchers and trade unionists) as her “birthday party”, even if turning 40 was the ostensible reason for the gathering?
Can you imagine the thinking, “ I’ve been given £14k for my 40th birthday party, I just really want it to be spent with politicians and trade unionists because it will be a wild hoot.” She deserves the boot for shit partying decisions above all else.
Trevor Phillips on Sky this morning asked Philipson when they are all going to repay this largesse and she just looked as if she wanted to be anywhere (maybe at a party) then in the studio
Still seems like small change to me. Frank Hester, whose company has had contracts worth £135 million from the NHS and who personally received an OBE for services to healthcare, gave the Conservatives over £10 million, including £15k for one helicopter trip by Sunak. Remember him? The one who said Diane Abbott should be shot.
Graham Edwards donated £5.52m to the Conservatives. Sunak made him the Conservative Party treasurer. Another guy who was made Conservative Party treasurer was Mohamed Mansour. He donated £5m. The Bamford brothers gave the Tories over £10 million. They and Edwards have been investigated for tax issues.
Lubov Chernukhin, wife of the former Russian oligarch Vladimir Chernukhin, gave £136k to the Tories under Sunak, and over £2 million historically. Michael Hintze gave them more than £4.5 million and got a peerage.
Desperate whatabouterry
Unless you didn't notice the conservative party were decimated at the GE for sleeze and cronyism and Starmer stood tall saying he would end it, and yet he and his fellow cabinet have found themselves under attack from all quarters, not least from within their party and by the unions and now Starmer has fallen below Sunak in popularity
Your posts try to defend the indefensible by saying the other lot were worse, but the nation has passed judgment on that and now Starmer and his colleagues have been shamed you just do not like it
Indeed are you Sue Gray in disguise?
Were the Conservatives decimated "for sleeze [sic] and cronyism"? Issues polling before the election had the top 5 issues as cost of living, health, economy, immigration and the environment. Sleaze did not appear in YouGov's top 15.
Lord Ashcroft's post-election poll had this on the main reasons voted for Labour: "Just over 6 in 10 (62%) of those who voted Labour said one of their three main reasons was that they thought Labour would do a better job of running the economy. Just over half (57%) said they trusted the motives of Labour more than other parties, while 46% thought Keir Starmer would make a better prime minister."
It also found: "We asked those who voted Conservative in 2019 but not in 2024 why they moved away from the party. The most important reasons were that “they are out of touch with people like me” (36% naming in the top three), that “they didn’t deliver what they promised” (35%) and that “they’re not competent” (30%), while 28% said “I don’t trust them”. Just over 1 in 5 (21%) chose “partygate and other scandals”."
So, about a fifth of Conservative defectors did so because of scandals, but it wasn't the main issue for most voters.
You simply do not get the damage this has done to Labour and no amount of deflection will change the narrative in the public's eyes which already has Starmer below Sunak in popularity
Maybe reflect and accept it is a terrible story for labour
Though Starmer still 10 points ahead as best PM. That's how low Tory popularity is. Lower than a snakes belly.
I see you have few straws left to clutch
OK, betting question. If one is convinced that Starmer's government is toast after this, how should you bet? You can get 9/4 on Tories most seats at the next election or lay Labour for most seats at 1.99, but that's a while off. Is there a next Labour leader bet worth making? Reeves is joint favourite, albeit only at 8/1, but worth laying her? Or you can lay Reeves as next PM at 15. You can lay Rayner as next PM at 23.
The next government depends most on what deal Farage strikes with the next Tory leader.
If Farage is given a clear run in say 50 seats and gives the Tories a clear run in the rest then they may gain a majority between them.
The next government will be Tory with Reform support, or Labour with LibDem support. 50/50 at the moment. I'm not betting yet.
Tricky to set up.
For a start, Farage taking on 50 seats means accepting that he is second banana on the right. That seems unlikely.
More importantly, there is a slice of the Conservative electorate who stuck with the party in 2024 for whom a deal like that would be the last straw. Some of them are here.
Having failed to strangle Reform at birth, the Conservatives are going to find them tricky to eradicate.
Philippson must be mentally retarded, which is a bit of a worry as she is Minister for Education.
Who goes on national tv and describes what was obviously some kind of political gathering (involving front benchers and trade unionists) as her “birthday party”, even if turning 40 was the ostensible reason for the gathering?
Can you imagine the thinking, “ I’ve been given £14k for my 40th birthday party, I just really want it to be spent with politicians and trade unionists because it will be a wild hoot.” She deserves the boot for shit partying decisions above all else.
Trevor Phillips on Sky this morning asked Philipson when they are all going to repay this largesse and she just looked as if she wanted to be anywhere (maybe at a party) then in the studio
Still seems like small change to me. Frank Hester, whose company has had contracts worth £135 million from the NHS and who personally received an OBE for services to healthcare, gave the Conservatives over £10 million, including £15k for one helicopter trip by Sunak. Remember him? The one who said Diane Abbott should be shot.
Graham Edwards donated £5.52m to the Conservatives. Sunak made him the Conservative Party treasurer. Another guy who was made Conservative Party treasurer was Mohamed Mansour. He donated £5m. The Bamford brothers gave the Tories over £10 million. They and Edwards have been investigated for tax issues.
Lubov Chernukhin, wife of the former Russian oligarch Vladimir Chernukhin, gave £136k to the Tories under Sunak, and over £2 million historically. Michael Hintze gave them more than £4.5 million and got a peerage.
Desperate whatabouterry
Unless you didn't notice the conservative party were decimated at the GE for sleeze and cronyism and Starmer stood tall saying he would end it, and yet he and his fellow cabinet have found themselves under attack from all quarters, not least from within their party and by the unions and now Starmer has fallen below Sunak in popularity
Your posts try to defend the indefensible by saying the other lot were worse, but the nation has passed judgment on that and now Starmer and his colleagues have been shamed you just do not like it
Indeed are you Sue Gray in disguise?
Were the Conservatives decimated "for sleeze [sic] and cronyism"? Issues polling before the election had the top 5 issues as cost of living, health, economy, immigration and the environment. Sleaze did not appear in YouGov's top 15.
Lord Ashcroft's post-election poll had this on the main reasons voted for Labour: "Just over 6 in 10 (62%) of those who voted Labour said one of their three main reasons was that they thought Labour would do a better job of running the economy. Just over half (57%) said they trusted the motives of Labour more than other parties, while 46% thought Keir Starmer would make a better prime minister."
It also found: "We asked those who voted Conservative in 2019 but not in 2024 why they moved away from the party. The most important reasons were that “they are out of touch with people like me” (36% naming in the top three), that “they didn’t deliver what they promised” (35%) and that “they’re not competent” (30%), while 28% said “I don’t trust them”. Just over 1 in 5 (21%) chose “partygate and other scandals”."
So, about a fifth of Conservative defectors did so because of scandals, but it wasn't the main issue for most voters.
You simply do not get the damage this has done to Labour and no amount of deflection will change the narrative in the public's eyes which already has Starmer below Sunak in popularity
Maybe reflect and accept it is a terrible story for labour
It's not a good story for Labour. They've not handled it well. I hope the LibDems can capitalise on this.
You support the Greens, don't you? I was going to cut and paste Carla Denyer's declaration, but it's too long and Vanilla Forum won't even accept it! You can read it at https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/240902/denyer_carla.htm Highlights include £70k from one donor and £30k from another.
I cannot believe you think I support the Greens if you have followed my posting over the last few months let alone years Of all the parties the Greens would be the last one I voted for
My voting history since 1964 to 2024 has been conservative apart from 1997 and 2001 when I voted Blair
I am so sorry. Yes, I have twice confused you with bigjohnowls. Mea culpa.
Sunak's declaration is short, but very helicopter focused:
2. (a) Support linked to an MP but received by a local party organisation or indirectly via a central party organisation
Name of donor: The Phoenix Partnership Address of donor: TPP House, 129 Low Lane, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5PX Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: Provision of helicopter to fly me to a political visit and event on 23 November 2023, value £15,900 Donor status: company, registration 4077829
(Registered 6 December 2023)
Name of donor: Richard David Harpin Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: Provision of a helicopter to fly me to a political event on 23 February 2024, value £4,719.25 Donor status: individual
(Registered 18 March 2024)
3. Gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources
Name of donor: Richard Harpin Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: Helicopter travel during the election campaign, value £7,896 Date received: 25 May 2024 Date accepted: 25 May 2024 Donor status: individual
(Registered 4 August 2024)
Name of donor: Richard David Harpin Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: Use of helicopter for travel with staff during election campaign, value £3,600 Date received: 24 May 2024 Date accepted: 24 May 2024 Donor status: individual
(Registered 4 August 2024)
You do seem to be almost wilfully missing the point - this is all about Labour and nobody else
It is said oppositions don't win elections, governments lose them, which fits your view here. But I think oppositions do need to look OK. The current Conservative Party crumbles after 5 seconds of attention on the subject of donations. The Conservative Party in 5 years time may be very different, of course. But I can't see them turning down all donations. Jenrick's latest declaration reports around £300k in donations, I think. Today journalists aren't paying any attention to that. If he's leader at the next general election and this is all still a story, they will.
Oh, plus the £4m they took from Michael Brown, who stole it. And their reason for not paying it back to make the victims whole was "we can't afford to".
Philippson must be mentally retarded, which is a bit of a worry as she is Minister for Education.
Who goes on national tv and describes what was obviously some kind of political gathering (involving front benchers and trade unionists) as her “birthday party”, even if turning 40 was the ostensible reason for the gathering?
Can you imagine the thinking, “ I’ve been given £14k for my 40th birthday party, I just really want it to be spent with politicians and trade unionists because it will be a wild hoot.” She deserves the boot for shit partying decisions above all else.
Trevor Phillips on Sky this morning asked Philipson when they are all going to repay this largesse and she just looked as if she wanted to be anywhere (maybe at a party) then in the studio
Still seems like small change to me. Frank Hester, whose company has had contracts worth £135 million from the NHS and who personally received an OBE for services to healthcare, gave the Conservatives over £10 million, including £15k for one helicopter trip by Sunak. Remember him? The one who said Diane Abbott should be shot.
Graham Edwards donated £5.52m to the Conservatives. Sunak made him the Conservative Party treasurer. Another guy who was made Conservative Party treasurer was Mohamed Mansour. He donated £5m. The Bamford brothers gave the Tories over £10 million. They and Edwards have been investigated for tax issues.
Lubov Chernukhin, wife of the former Russian oligarch Vladimir Chernukhin, gave £136k to the Tories under Sunak, and over £2 million historically. Michael Hintze gave them more than £4.5 million and got a peerage.
Desperate whatabouterry
Unless you didn't notice the conservative party were decimated at the GE for sleeze and cronyism and Starmer stood tall saying he would end it, and yet he and his fellow cabinet have found themselves under attack from all quarters, not least from within their party and by the unions and now Starmer has fallen below Sunak in popularity
Your posts try to defend the indefensible by saying the other lot were worse, but the nation has passed judgment on that and now Starmer and his colleagues have been shamed you just do not like it
Indeed are you Sue Gray in disguise?
Were the Conservatives decimated "for sleeze [sic] and cronyism"? Issues polling before the election had the top 5 issues as cost of living, health, economy, immigration and the environment. Sleaze did not appear in YouGov's top 15.
Lord Ashcroft's post-election poll had this on the main reasons voted for Labour: "Just over 6 in 10 (62%) of those who voted Labour said one of their three main reasons was that they thought Labour would do a better job of running the economy. Just over half (57%) said they trusted the motives of Labour more than other parties, while 46% thought Keir Starmer would make a better prime minister."
It also found: "We asked those who voted Conservative in 2019 but not in 2024 why they moved away from the party. The most important reasons were that “they are out of touch with people like me” (36% naming in the top three), that “they didn’t deliver what they promised” (35%) and that “they’re not competent” (30%), while 28% said “I don’t trust them”. Just over 1 in 5 (21%) chose “partygate and other scandals”."
So, about a fifth of Conservative defectors did so because of scandals, but it wasn't the main issue for most voters.
You simply do not get the damage this has done to Labour and no amount of deflection will change the narrative in the public's eyes which already has Starmer below Sunak in popularity
Maybe reflect and accept it is a terrible story for labour
It's not a good story for Labour. They've not handled it well. I hope the LibDems can capitalise on this.
You support the Greens, don't you? I was going to cut and paste Carla Denyer's declaration, but it's too long and Vanilla Forum won't even accept it! You can read it at https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/240902/denyer_carla.htm Highlights include £70k from one donor and £30k from another.
I cannot believe you think I support the Greens if you have followed my posting over the last few months let alone years Of all the parties the Greens would be the last one I voted for
My voting history since 1964 to 2024 has been conservative apart from 1997 and 2001 when I voted Blair
I am so sorry. Yes, I have twice confused you with bigjohnowls. Mea culpa.
Sunak's declaration is short, but very helicopter focused:
2. (a) Support linked to an MP but received by a local party organisation or indirectly via a central party organisation
Name of donor: The Phoenix Partnership Address of donor: TPP House, 129 Low Lane, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5PX Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: Provision of helicopter to fly me to a political visit and event on 23 November 2023, value £15,900 Donor status: company, registration 4077829
(Registered 6 December 2023)
Name of donor: Richard David Harpin Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: Provision of a helicopter to fly me to a political event on 23 February 2024, value £4,719.25 Donor status: individual
(Registered 18 March 2024)
3. Gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources
Name of donor: Richard Harpin Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: Helicopter travel during the election campaign, value £7,896 Date received: 25 May 2024 Date accepted: 25 May 2024 Donor status: individual
(Registered 4 August 2024)
Name of donor: Richard David Harpin Address of donor: private Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: Use of helicopter for travel with staff during election campaign, value £3,600 Date received: 24 May 2024 Date accepted: 24 May 2024 Donor status: individual
(Registered 4 August 2024)
You do seem to be almost wilfully missing the point - this is all about Labour and nobody else
It is said oppositions don't win elections, governments lose them, which fits your view here. But I think oppositions do need to look OK. The current Conservative Party crumbles after 5 seconds of attention on the subject of donations. The Conservative Party in 5 years time may be very different, of course. But I can't see them turning down all donations. Jenrick's latest declaration reports around £300k in donations, I think. Today journalists aren't paying any attention to that. If he's leader at the next general election and this is all still a story, they will.
It's a mistake to think that something that is an issue for one party is automatically an issue for another party just because they're guilty of the same things. People judge them according to different standards.
For example sex scandals were an issue for the Tories in the 1990s because of the 'back to basics' rhetoric on family values. Labour weren't as vulnerable because they were perceived as less judgemental.
Philippson must be mentally retarded, which is a bit of a worry as she is Minister for Education.
Who goes on national tv and describes what was obviously some kind of political gathering (involving front benchers and trade unionists) as her “birthday party”, even if turning 40 was the ostensible reason for the gathering?
Can you imagine the thinking, “ I’ve been given £14k for my 40th birthday party, I just really want it to be spent with politicians and trade unionists because it will be a wild hoot.” She deserves the boot for shit partying decisions above all else.
Trevor Phillips on Sky this morning asked Philipson when they are all going to repay this largesse and she just looked as if she wanted to be anywhere (maybe at a party) then in the studio
Still seems like small change to me. Frank Hester, whose company has had contracts worth £135 million from the NHS and who personally received an OBE for services to healthcare, gave the Conservatives over £10 million, including £15k for one helicopter trip by Sunak. Remember him? The one who said Diane Abbott should be shot.
Graham Edwards donated £5.52m to the Conservatives. Sunak made him the Conservative Party treasurer. Another guy who was made Conservative Party treasurer was Mohamed Mansour. He donated £5m. The Bamford brothers gave the Tories over £10 million. They and Edwards have been investigated for tax issues.
Lubov Chernukhin, wife of the former Russian oligarch Vladimir Chernukhin, gave £136k to the Tories under Sunak, and over £2 million historically. Michael Hintze gave them more than £4.5 million and got a peerage.
Desperate whatabouterry
Unless you didn't notice the conservative party were decimated at the GE for sleeze and cronyism and Starmer stood tall saying he would end it, and yet he and his fellow cabinet have found themselves under attack from all quarters, not least from within their party and by the unions and now Starmer has fallen below Sunak in popularity
Your posts try to defend the indefensible by saying the other lot were worse, but the nation has passed judgment on that and now Starmer and his colleagues have been shamed you just do not like it
Indeed are you Sue Gray in disguise?
Were the Conservatives decimated "for sleeze [sic] and cronyism"? Issues polling before the election had the top 5 issues as cost of living, health, economy, immigration and the environment. Sleaze did not appear in YouGov's top 15.
Lord Ashcroft's post-election poll had this on the main reasons voted for Labour: "Just over 6 in 10 (62%) of those who voted Labour said one of their three main reasons was that they thought Labour would do a better job of running the economy. Just over half (57%) said they trusted the motives of Labour more than other parties, while 46% thought Keir Starmer would make a better prime minister."
It also found: "We asked those who voted Conservative in 2019 but not in 2024 why they moved away from the party. The most important reasons were that “they are out of touch with people like me” (36% naming in the top three), that “they didn’t deliver what they promised” (35%) and that “they’re not competent” (30%), while 28% said “I don’t trust them”. Just over 1 in 5 (21%) chose “partygate and other scandals”."
So, about a fifth of Conservative defectors did so because of scandals, but it wasn't the main issue for most voters.
You simply do not get the damage this has done to Labour and no amount of deflection will change the narrative in the public's eyes which already has Starmer below Sunak in popularity
Maybe reflect and accept it is a terrible story for labour
Though Starmer still 10 points ahead as best PM. That's how low Tory popularity is. Lower than a snakes belly.
I see you have few straws left to clutch
OK, betting question. If one is convinced that Starmer's government is toast after this, how should you bet? You can get 9/4 on Tories most seats at the next election or lay Labour for most seats at 1.99, but that's a while off. Is there a next Labour leader bet worth making? Reeves is joint favourite, albeit only at 8/1, but worth laying her? Or you can lay Reeves as next PM at 15. You can lay Rayner as next PM at 23.
2029 is possibly the hardest election to call in living memory.
Your memory is a bit dodgy Tim. How many people called the 2024 GE correctly five years ago?
I doubt anybody would have predicted any party winning other than Labour or Conservative. They might have not anticipated the shitting of the bed by the Tories, but they certainly wouldn’t have had the sheer range of options facing us in 2029.
Seems like it will come down to pennsylvania and nevada in the end. Interesting how Florida and Ohio are no longer swing states.
Nevada is only 6 EC. Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina are the ones to watch.
Pennsylvania Kamala lead 1.5% Georgia Trump lead 1% North Carolina Trump lead 0.1% but the trend is to Kamala, and polls lag.
In NC, full fallout re: Black Nazi allegedly fond of watersports as GOP gov nominee has yet to be reckoned methinks.
Interesting (perhaps?) that there was a famous White Nazi allegedly fond of something similar.
How many PBers are familiar with Kurt Vonegut's "Mother Night" which features (briefly) a character styled "the Black Hitler", who KV based (very loosely) on a real person
Philippson must be mentally retarded, which is a bit of a worry as she is Minister for Education.
Who goes on national tv and describes what was obviously some kind of political gathering (involving front benchers and trade unionists) as her “birthday party”, even if turning 40 was the ostensible reason for the gathering?
Can you imagine the thinking, “ I’ve been given £14k for my 40th birthday party, I just really want it to be spent with politicians and trade unionists because it will be a wild hoot.” She deserves the boot for shit partying decisions above all else.
Trevor Phillips on Sky this morning asked Philipson when they are all going to repay this largesse and she just looked as if she wanted to be anywhere (maybe at a party) then in the studio
Still seems like small change to me. Frank Hester, whose company has had contracts worth £135 million from the NHS and who personally received an OBE for services to healthcare, gave the Conservatives over £10 million, including £15k for one helicopter trip by Sunak. Remember him? The one who said Diane Abbott should be shot.
Graham Edwards donated £5.52m to the Conservatives. Sunak made him the Conservative Party treasurer. Another guy who was made Conservative Party treasurer was Mohamed Mansour. He donated £5m. The Bamford brothers gave the Tories over £10 million. They and Edwards have been investigated for tax issues.
Lubov Chernukhin, wife of the former Russian oligarch Vladimir Chernukhin, gave £136k to the Tories under Sunak, and over £2 million historically. Michael Hintze gave them more than £4.5 million and got a peerage.
Desperate whatabouterry
Unless you didn't notice the conservative party were decimated at the GE for sleeze and cronyism and Starmer stood tall saying he would end it, and yet he and his fellow cabinet have found themselves under attack from all quarters, not least from within their party and by the unions and now Starmer has fallen below Sunak in popularity
Your posts try to defend the indefensible by saying the other lot were worse, but the nation has passed judgment on that and now Starmer and his colleagues have been shamed you just do not like it
Indeed are you Sue Gray in disguise?
Were the Conservatives decimated "for sleeze [sic] and cronyism"? Issues polling before the election had the top 5 issues as cost of living, health, economy, immigration and the environment. Sleaze did not appear in YouGov's top 15.
Lord Ashcroft's post-election poll had this on the main reasons voted for Labour: "Just over 6 in 10 (62%) of those who voted Labour said one of their three main reasons was that they thought Labour would do a better job of running the economy. Just over half (57%) said they trusted the motives of Labour more than other parties, while 46% thought Keir Starmer would make a better prime minister."
It also found: "We asked those who voted Conservative in 2019 but not in 2024 why they moved away from the party. The most important reasons were that “they are out of touch with people like me” (36% naming in the top three), that “they didn’t deliver what they promised” (35%) and that “they’re not competent” (30%), while 28% said “I don’t trust them”. Just over 1 in 5 (21%) chose “partygate and other scandals”."
So, about a fifth of Conservative defectors did so because of scandals, but it wasn't the main issue for most voters.
You simply do not get the damage this has done to Labour and no amount of deflection will change the narrative in the public's eyes which already has Starmer below Sunak in popularity
Maybe reflect and accept it is a terrible story for labour
Though Starmer still 10 points ahead as best PM. That's how low Tory popularity is. Lower than a snakes belly.
I see you have few straws left to clutch
OK, betting question. If one is convinced that Starmer's government is toast after this, how should you bet? You can get 9/4 on Tories most seats at the next election or lay Labour for most seats at 1.99, but that's a while off. Is there a next Labour leader bet worth making? Reeves is joint favourite, albeit only at 8/1, but worth laying her? Or you can lay Reeves as next PM at 15. You can lay Rayner as next PM at 23.
The next government depends most on what deal Farage strikes with the next Tory leader.
If Farage is given a clear run in say 50 seats and gives the Tories a clear run in the rest then they may gain a majority between them.
The next government will be Tory with Reform support, or Labour with LibDem support. 50/50 at the moment. I'm not betting yet.
Tricky to set up.
For a start, Farage taking on 50 seats means accepting that he is second banana on the right. That seems unlikely.
More importantly, there is a slice of the Conservative electorate who stuck with the party in 2024 for whom a deal like that would be the last straw. Some of them are here.
Having failed to strangle Reform at birth, the Conservatives are going to find them tricky to eradicate.
Reform will eradicate themselves. Big ego clashes of little men will ensure it.
I’m afraid I can’t really get this “but the Tories!” defence of Labour here. The Tories were abysmal, hence they were disposed of, and who knows where they go next. But this is a problem of Labour’s making, and it’s made worse for them because they ostensibly campaigned behind the Starmer image of responsibility and probity, and it all looks a little hypocritical now.
I voted Labour at the last GE. While I’m not ruling out any vote at the next GE (I feel very politically homeless at the moment) I can’t help but be honest and say I’m not over-enamoured with either Starmer as PM or this new government right now, and I did expect better.
It's possible he just wants to see the Tories defeated. There are a fair number of such partisans about, and if one of them had a load of dosh, well, what would give them more pleasure, then helping their side to win?
How does Rayner's RomCom NYE in a luxury NYC apartment help beat the Tories?
Okay.
It's possible he just wants to see the Tories defeated and he's very credulous.
Philippson must be mentally retarded, which is a bit of a worry as she is Minister for Education.
Who goes on national tv and describes what was obviously some kind of political gathering (involving front benchers and trade unionists) as her “birthday party”, even if turning 40 was the ostensible reason for the gathering?
Can you imagine the thinking, “ I’ve been given £14k for my 40th birthday party, I just really want it to be spent with politicians and trade unionists because it will be a wild hoot.” She deserves the boot for shit partying decisions above all else.
Trevor Phillips on Sky this morning asked Philipson when they are all going to repay this largesse and she just looked as if she wanted to be anywhere (maybe at a party) then in the studio
Still seems like small change to me. Frank Hester, whose company has had contracts worth £135 million from the NHS and who personally received an OBE for services to healthcare, gave the Conservatives over £10 million, including £15k for one helicopter trip by Sunak. Remember him? The one who said Diane Abbott should be shot.
Graham Edwards donated £5.52m to the Conservatives. Sunak made him the Conservative Party treasurer. Another guy who was made Conservative Party treasurer was Mohamed Mansour. He donated £5m. The Bamford brothers gave the Tories over £10 million. They and Edwards have been investigated for tax issues.
Lubov Chernukhin, wife of the former Russian oligarch Vladimir Chernukhin, gave £136k to the Tories under Sunak, and over £2 million historically. Michael Hintze gave them more than £4.5 million and got a peerage.
Desperate whatabouterry
Unless you didn't notice the conservative party were decimated at the GE for sleeze and cronyism and Starmer stood tall saying he would end it, and yet he and his fellow cabinet have found themselves under attack from all quarters, not least from within their party and by the unions and now Starmer has fallen below Sunak in popularity
Your posts try to defend the indefensible by saying the other lot were worse, but the nation has passed judgment on that and now Starmer and his colleagues have been shamed you just do not like it
Indeed are you Sue Gray in disguise?
Were the Conservatives decimated "for sleeze [sic] and cronyism"? Issues polling before the election had the top 5 issues as cost of living, health, economy, immigration and the environment. Sleaze did not appear in YouGov's top 15.
Lord Ashcroft's post-election poll had this on the main reasons voted for Labour: "Just over 6 in 10 (62%) of those who voted Labour said one of their three main reasons was that they thought Labour would do a better job of running the economy. Just over half (57%) said they trusted the motives of Labour more than other parties, while 46% thought Keir Starmer would make a better prime minister."
It also found: "We asked those who voted Conservative in 2019 but not in 2024 why they moved away from the party. The most important reasons were that “they are out of touch with people like me” (36% naming in the top three), that “they didn’t deliver what they promised” (35%) and that “they’re not competent” (30%), while 28% said “I don’t trust them”. Just over 1 in 5 (21%) chose “partygate and other scandals”."
So, about a fifth of Conservative defectors did so because of scandals, but it wasn't the main issue for most voters.
You simply do not get the damage this has done to Labour and no amount of deflection will change the narrative in the public's eyes which already has Starmer below Sunak in popularity
Maybe reflect and accept it is a terrible story for labour
Though Starmer still 10 points ahead as best PM. That's how low Tory popularity is. Lower than a snakes belly.
I see you have few straws left to clutch
OK, betting question. If one is convinced that Starmer's government is toast after this, how should you bet? You can get 9/4 on Tories most seats at the next election or lay Labour for most seats at 1.99, but that's a while off. Is there a next Labour leader bet worth making? Reeves is joint favourite, albeit only at 8/1, but worth laying her? Or you can lay Reeves as next PM at 15. You can lay Rayner as next PM at 23.
Of course Labour are in office for 5 years but then so was Johnson with his 80 seat majority and we saw what happened to him and the conservatives
Starmer is so similar to Sunak - terrible at politics
So, if the parallel is Johnson, is the sensible play -- if we accept your thesis that Starmer is terrible at politics and fatally wounded -- to bet on next PM and pick someone Labour but who isn't associated with the current scandal?
Hello bigjohnowls. Have I talked to you about Carla Denyer’s list of declared donations?
Try as you might this is not about the Greens, but entirely Labour and what makes it worse is it is not just Starmer, but Rayner (who has been reported to the standards authorities tonight), Philipson, Lammy, Streeting and other cabinet members
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Just watching netflix on the battle of orgreave in 1984. There is no way Thatcher could have got away with some of the things she did in the social media age.
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
The Dems have a much better ground game than the Republicans. Couldn't use it in 2020 because of Covid...
Yet I am now in my fifteenth state on my road trip, and have yet to see a single Harris-Walz garden or field poster.
There's a real gap online between those Democrats who are getting really confident, and those who are super nervous about the outcome (ie if they actually might lose, not just the legal and violent reaction if Harris wins)
I think it's the difference between those saying honestly what they think, and the more astute, who want to avoid any complacency and say it's too close to call. Been there. Done that.
If I thought I had any influence on Dem activists I wouldn't be calling it for Kamala. I'd be - ooh this is very close. Every vote will count. Keep working.
Im calling it for Harris. She will be a complete disaster though and will mean leading the west we will have her, Starmer, Macron and Scholz. Im sure Putin and Xi are quaking.
When you say "we will have her" who is "we"?
I mean we in the west. Im pretty sure Putin wants Kamala not too bright and easy to manipulate.
Kamala is brighter than Trump, and Putin has no "material" on her, unlike Trump.
The Dems have a much better ground game than the Republicans. Couldn't use it in 2020 because of Covid...
Yet I am now in my fifteenth state on my road trip, and have yet to see a single Harris-Walz garden or field poster.
There's a real gap online between those Democrats who are getting really confident, and those who are super nervous about the outcome (ie if they actually might lose, not just the legal and violent reaction if Harris wins)
I think it's the difference between those saying honestly what they think, and the more astute, who want to avoid any complacency and say it's too close to call. Been there. Done that.
If I thought I had any influence on Dem activists I wouldn't be calling it for Kamala. I'd be - ooh this is very close. Every vote will count. Keep working.
Im calling it for Harris. She will be a complete disaster though and will mean leading the west we will have her, Starmer, Macron and Scholz. Im sure Putin and Xi are quaking.
When you say "we will have her" who is "we"?
I mean we in the west. Im pretty sure Putin wants Kamala not too bright and easy to manipulate.
Kamala is brighter than Trump, and Putin has no "material" on her, unlike Trump.
Kamala may fall for Putins manly charms though.
Putin's getting on a bit. Why don't you think she'll be manipulated by Zelensky?
Today’s tally of Lib Dem corruption revelations: zero.
Like yesterday’s. And tomorrow’s.
Why would anyone bribe the Lib Dems?
Good, glad we’ve established that. So when you’re extolling the virtues of Reform in due course we can ask the same question.
Huh? I don’t think I have ever said anything positive about Reform.
I’ve no idea what your politics are, but everyone seems to have been very keen to explain how all this corruption means that the incorruptible, anti-elite Nigel is going to storm into power. While ignoring the actual 3rd party, as people have been wont to do since the dawn of time.
Everyone? No.
What it risks is an Italian style revolt against all the traditional parties. Bunga! Bunga!
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If they have any sense they should use this opportunity to pass some legislation on restricting donations to political parties to £1,000 per person/company/organisation per year.
It's possible he just wants to see the Tories defeated. There are a fair number of such partisans about, and if one of them had a load of dosh, well, what would give them more pleasure, then helping their side to win?
How does Rayner's RomCom NYE in a luxury NYC apartment help beat the Tories?
You can, if you want to be extremely charitable, argue that these donations have each been relatively trivial, if not everyday.
It’s not as if any other party does anything different.
But the fact they all come from Lord Alli, who was given a Downing Street pass by the woman whose son - now MP for Beckenham and Penge - received 10k for campaigning expenses…
And then to have Starmer, Reeves, Rayner and Philippson each do a media round and utterly fail to come up with a coherent story beggars belief.
What is most disturbing is they have been gifts to individuals. That is exactly what creates a sense of obligation. Give it to a central fund and people feel less of a personal sense of duty to do favours in return
That might not hold up if you compare the list of donors to Conservative Party funds with the current membership of the House of Lords.
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
That’s a bingo!
We have
- Everyone is talking about the wrong story - Only opponents are talking about the story - And now we have, boring
California Dems seem to have ignored the fact that this is an election year and voted through a raft of legislation which would give Trump and the GOP an open goal .
Newsom has vetoed the first Bill re help to buy for undocumented workers . An even more head in the sand bill aimed at giving non-citizens unemployment benefit has to either be signed into law or vetoed by September 30th .
This Bill would be an absolute gift to Trump. Unless Newsom wants the Dems to lose then he’ll wield another veto .
Newsom implored the Dems to not pass controversial legislation but that’s fallen on deaf ears .
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If they have any sense they should use this opportunity to pass some legislation on restricting donations to political parties to £1,000 per person/company/organisation per year.
Cameron wanted to do that, but Labour wanted an exemption for unions.
I nearly started the National Union of Amalgamated Hedge Fund Owners & Boilermakers.
With designer stainless steel oil drums for braziers on the picket lines - each one hand crafted by a master Calypso drum maker.
Turnbull & Asser would do the road mender style jerkins…..
Hello bigjohnowls. Have I talked to you about Carla Denyer’s list of declared donations?
Try as you might this is not about the Greens, but entirely Labour and what makes it worse is it is not just Starmer, but Rayner (who has been reported to the standards authorities tonight), Philipson, Lammy, Streeting and other cabinet members
When you say “try as you might” do you actually “me and some in the media want it to be entirely about Labour”? Because donations and gifts aren’t unique to Labour, far from it.
The Dems have a much better ground game than the Republicans. Couldn't use it in 2020 because of Covid...
Yet I am now in my fifteenth state on my road trip, and have yet to see a single Harris-Walz garden or field poster.
There's a real gap online between those Democrats who are getting really confident, and those who are super nervous about the outcome (ie if they actually might lose, not just the legal and violent reaction if Harris wins)
I think it's the difference between those saying honestly what they think, and the more astute, who want to avoid any complacency and say it's too close to call. Been there. Done that.
If I thought I had any influence on Dem activists I wouldn't be calling it for Kamala. I'd be - ooh this is very close. Every vote will count. Keep working.
Im calling it for Harris. She will be a complete disaster though and will mean leading the west we will have her, Starmer, Macron and Scholz. Im sure Putin and Xi are quaking.
When you say "we will have her" who is "we"?
I mean we in the west. Im pretty sure Putin wants Kamala not too bright and easy to manipulate.
Kamala is brighter than Trump, and Putin has no "material" on her, unlike Trump.
Kamala may fall for Putins manly charms though.
Putin's getting on a bit. Why don't you think she'll be manipulated by Zelensky?
I think we all know Zelensky has tendencies the other way.
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
California Dems seem to have ignored the fact that this is an election year and voted through a raft of legislation which would give Trump and the GOP an open goal .
Newsom has vetoed the first Bill re help to buy for undocumented workers . An even more head in the sand bill aimed at giving non-citizens unemployment benefit has to either be signed into law or vetoed by September 30th .
This Bill would be an absolute gift to Trump. Unless Newsom wants the Dems to lose then he’ll wield another veto .
Newsom implored the Dems to not pass controversial legislation but that’s fallen on deaf ears .
While agreeing with Gov. Newsom re: above, think you are significantly overestimating the impact of ANY newly-enacted California state legislation upon national voting intensions.
Which outside the Great Bear Republic is pretty much nil. Ditto for GOPs chances of winning statewide for POTUS, US Senate or any other office.
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
That is really not a lefty specific behaviour. It's political behaviour.
Hello bigjohnowls. Have I talked to you about Carla Denyer’s list of declared donations?
Try as you might this is not about the Greens, but entirely Labour and what makes it worse is it is not just Starmer, but Rayner (who has been reported to the standards authorities tonight), Philipson, Lammy, Streeting and other cabinet members
When you say “try as you might” do you actually “me and some in the media want it to be entirely about Labour”? Because donations and gifts aren’t unique to Labour, far from it.
Another one who doesn't get it but the public do
This is all about Labour - the conservatives have already paid the price for their misdemeanours
The Dems have a much better ground game than the Republicans. Couldn't use it in 2020 because of Covid...
Yet I am now in my fifteenth state on my road trip, and have yet to see a single Harris-Walz garden or field poster.
There's a real gap online between those Democrats who are getting really confident, and those who are super nervous about the outcome (ie if they actually might lose, not just the legal and violent reaction if Harris wins)
I think it's the difference between those saying honestly what they think, and the more astute, who want to avoid any complacency and say it's too close to call. Been there. Done that.
If I thought I had any influence on Dem activists I wouldn't be calling it for Kamala. I'd be - ooh this is very close. Every vote will count. Keep working.
Im calling it for Harris. She will be a complete disaster though and will mean leading the west we will have her, Starmer, Macron and Scholz. Im sure Putin and Xi are quaking.
When you say "we will have her" who is "we"?
I mean we in the west. Im pretty sure Putin wants Kamala not too bright and easy to manipulate.
Kamala is brighter than Trump, and Putin has no "material" on her, unlike Trump.
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If they have any sense they should use this opportunity to pass some legislation on restricting donations to political parties to £1,000 per person/company/organisation per year.
Cameron wanted to do that, but Labour wanted an exemption for unions.
I nearly started the National Union of Amalgamated Hedge Fund Owners & Boilermakers.
With designer stainless steel oil drums for braziers on the picket lines - each one hand crafted by a master Calypso drum maker.
Turnbull & Asser would do the road mender style jerkins…..
I'd say you can raise to about 10k for organisations/unions, 1k for individuals.
The Dems have a much better ground game than the Republicans. Couldn't use it in 2020 because of Covid...
Yet I am now in my fifteenth state on my road trip, and have yet to see a single Harris-Walz garden or field poster.
There's a real gap online between those Democrats who are getting really confident, and those who are super nervous about the outcome (ie if they actually might lose, not just the legal and violent reaction if Harris wins)
I think it's the difference between those saying honestly what they think, and the more astute, who want to avoid any complacency and say it's too close to call. Been there. Done that.
If I thought I had any influence on Dem activists I wouldn't be calling it for Kamala. I'd be - ooh this is very close. Every vote will count. Keep working.
Im calling it for Harris. She will be a complete disaster though and will mean leading the west we will have her, Starmer, Macron and Scholz. Im sure Putin and Xi are quaking.
When you say "we will have her" who is "we"?
I mean we in the west. Im pretty sure Putin wants Kamala not too bright and easy to manipulate.
Kamala is brighter than Trump, and Putin has no "material" on her, unlike Trump.
Kamala may fall for Putins manly charms though.
Putin's getting on a bit. Why don't you think she'll be manipulated by Zelensky?
I think we all know Zelensky has tendencies the other way.
Is that what you discuss in your not-gay sessions, in the showers with the lads, after the gym?
California Dems seem to have ignored the fact that this is an election year and voted through a raft of legislation which would give Trump and the GOP an open goal .
Newsom has vetoed the first Bill re help to buy for undocumented workers . An even more head in the sand bill aimed at giving non-citizens unemployment benefit has to either be signed into law or vetoed by September 30th .
This Bill would be an absolute gift to Trump. Unless Newsom wants the Dems to lose then he’ll wield another veto .
Newsom implored the Dems to not pass controversial legislation but that’s fallen on deaf ears .
While agreeing with Gov. Newsom re: above, think you are significantly overestimating the impact of ANY newly-enacted California state legislation upon national voting intensions.
Which outside the Great Bear Republic is pretty much nil. Ditto for GOPs chances of winning statewide for POTUS, US Senate or any other office.
I disagree . Trump will say Harris will try and enact this nationally and it will serve as a magnet to migrants. With such small margins in the swing states you can’t afford those types of mistakes . Anyway I’d be shocked if Newsom doesn’t veto this .
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If they have any sense they should use this opportunity to pass some legislation on restricting donations to political parties to £1,000 per person/company/organisation per year.
The concern is always that us the taxpayer will ultimately ending having to pay to fund politician parties.
I think personal donations look worse than party donations as its personal enrichment rather than keeping the party machine going. However, I don't really begrudge an MP getting the odd ticket to something e.g. tickets to the an England footy game from the FA, but it gets a lot stinkier when as we saw with Blair and Boris, basically every holiday was a donation or some MPs are definitely getting lobbied e.g. we have seen certain MPs being consistently entertained by betting industry at all the big horse racing festivals.
Perhaps a cap / limited categories of freebies that are allowed to an individual.
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If they have any sense they should use this opportunity to pass some legislation on restricting donations to political parties to £1,000 per person/company/organisation per year.
The concern is always that us the taxpayer will ultimately ending having to pay to fund politician parties.
I think personal donations look worse than party donations as its personal enrichment rather than getting the party machine going. However, I don't really begrudge an MP getting the odd ticket to something e.g. tickets to the odd England footy game etc, but it gets a lot stinkier when as we saw with Blair and Boris, basically every holiday was a donation or some MPs are definitely getting lobbied e.g. we have seen certain MPs being consistently entertained by betting industry at things like horse racing festivals.
Perhaps a cap / limited categories of freebies that are allowed to an individual.
The occasional concert or sports ticket is fine, but the amounts able to be received are just silly, it definitely needs an overhaul, so a cap of some kind seems reasonable without doing away with it entirely.
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If they have any sense they should use this opportunity to pass some legislation on restricting donations to political parties to £1,000 per person/company/organisation per year.
The concern is always that us the taxpayer will ultimately ending having to pay to fund politician parties.
I think personal donations look worse than party donations as its personal enrichment rather than getting the party machine going. However, I don't really begrudge an MP getting the odd ticket to something e.g. tickets to the odd England footy game etc, but it gets a lot stinkier when as we saw with Blair and Boris, basically every holiday was a donation or some MPs are definitely getting lobbied e.g. we have seen certain MPs being consistently entertained by betting industry at things like horse racing festivals.
Perhaps a cap / limited categories of freebies that are allowed to an individual.
It is fairly clear the taxpayer cost of delivering the quid for the quo to political donors far exceeds the cost of running the political parties. Otherwise the elite wouldn't be paying for the bungs, sorry, donations.
Hello bigjohnowls. Have I talked to you about Carla Denyer’s list of declared donations?
Try as you might this is not about the Greens, but entirely Labour and what makes it worse is it is not just Starmer, but Rayner (who has been reported to the standards authorities tonight), Philipson, Lammy, Streeting and other cabinet members
When you say “try as you might” do you actually “me and some in the media want it to be entirely about Labour”? Because donations and gifts aren’t unique to Labour, far from it.
Another one who doesn't get it but the public do
This is all about Labour - the conservatives have already paid the price for their misdemeanours
The Dems have a much better ground game than the Republicans. Couldn't use it in 2020 because of Covid...
Yet I am now in my fifteenth state on my road trip, and have yet to see a single Harris-Walz garden or field poster.
There's a real gap online between those Democrats who are getting really confident, and those who are super nervous about the outcome (ie if they actually might lose, not just the legal and violent reaction if Harris wins)
I think it's the difference between those saying honestly what they think, and the more astute, who want to avoid any complacency and say it's too close to call. Been there. Done that.
If I thought I had any influence on Dem activists I wouldn't be calling it for Kamala. I'd be - ooh this is very close. Every vote will count. Keep working.
Im calling it for Harris. She will be a complete disaster though and will mean leading the west we will have her, Starmer, Macron and Scholz. Im sure Putin and Xi are quaking.
When you say "we will have her" who is "we"?
I mean we in the west. Im pretty sure Putin wants Kamala not too bright and easy to manipulate.
Kamala is brighter than Trump, and Putin has no "material" on her, unlike Trump.
Kamala may fall for Putins manly charms though.
Putin's getting on a bit. Why don't you think she'll be manipulated by Zelensky?
I think we all know Zelensky has tendencies the other way.
Is that what you discuss in your not-gay sessions, in the showers with the lads, after the gym?
Not Zelensky especially but there are 1 or 2 known faces in our gym with tendencies the other way. Still live and let live eh.
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Come off it, Roger. Someone gifting another private citizen something is not the same as gifting a member of the cabinet or shadow cabinet.
Oh, plus the £4m they took from Michael Brown, who stole it. And their reason for not paying it back to make the victims whole was "we can't afford to".
Didn’t they also say that “we took it in good faith - didn’t know it was stolen from pensioners”
Oh, plus the £4m they took from Michael Brown, who stole it. And their reason for not paying it back to make the victims whole was "we can't afford to".
Didn’t they also say that “we took it in good faith - didn’t know it was stolen from pensioners”
May not be legally Receiving Stolen Goods, but morally yes.
They could have taken a bank loan and payed it back.
I was expecting either a mildly sturdy defence or a "whatever, early days, the Tories were worse" - basically MEH
But no. He expressed absolute contempt and anger at Starmer and Co. This has cut through, even with loyal London lefites. His main complaint was the "naivety and stupidity". I would add the "greed" but still. Impact
I was expecting either a mildly sturdy defence or a "whatever, early days, the Tories were worse" - basically MEH
But no. He expressed absolute contempt and anger at Starmer and Co. This has cut through, even with loyal London lefites. His main complaint was the "naivety and stupidity". I would add the "greed" but still. Impact
You can, if you want to be extremely charitable, argue that these donations have each been relatively trivial, if not everyday.
It’s not as if any other party does anything different.
But the fact they all come from Lord Alli, who was given a Downing Street pass by the woman whose son - now MP for Beckenham and Penge - received 10k for campaigning expenses…
And then to have Starmer, Reeves, Rayner and Philippson each do a media round and utterly fail to come up with a coherent story beggars belief.
What is most disturbing is they have been gifts to individuals. That is exactly what creates a sense of obligation. Give it to a central fund and people feel less of a personal sense of duty to do favours in return
That might not hold up if you compare the list of donors to Conservative Party funds with the current membership of the House of Lords.
Honestly? A bauble like a title is pretty meaningless in practice. It would be better if it was like a baronet rather than coming with a seat in the Lords but that could be fixed.
I was expecting either a mildly sturdy defence or a "whatever, early days, the Tories were worse" - basically MEH
But no. He expressed absolute contempt and anger at Starmer and Co. This has cut through, even with loyal London lefites. His main complaint was the "naivety and stupidity". I would add the "greed" but still. Impact
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Well the public are certainly unimpressed with just 7 % supporting the gifts of concert tickets
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Come off it, Roger. Someone gifting another private citizen something is not the same as gifting a member of the cabinet or shadow cabinet.
Really? If you heard that Bridget Phillipson's daughter had an interest in brass bands and someone from the Treorchy male voice choir asked her to come to a concert in Penmaenmawr would you consider it improper? If so you have obviously never worked where these sort of social interactions take place.
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Come off it, Roger. Someone gifting another private citizen something is not the same as gifting a member of the cabinet or shadow cabinet.
As a matter of fact I have always paid to go to football and @Roger seems very upset and has become unnecessarily personal
I was expecting either a mildly sturdy defence or a "whatever, early days, the Tories were worse" - basically MEH
But no. He expressed absolute contempt and anger at Starmer and Co. This has cut through, even with loyal London lefites. His main complaint was the "naivety and stupidity". I would add the "greed" but still. Impact
Starmer has to be the most charmless pm ever. Yes Major was boring but you felt there was humanity there. With Starmer there is a void of nothingness.
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Come off it, Roger. Someone gifting another private citizen something is not the same as gifting a member of the cabinet or shadow cabinet.
Really? If you heard that Bridget Phillipson's daughter had an interest in brass bands and someone from the Treorchy male voice choir asked her to come to a concert in Penmaenmawr would you consider it a big deal? You have obviously never worked where these sort of social interactions take place.
Well, yes, because gifting is a way of buying influence regardless of who is doing it.
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Come off it, Roger. Someone gifting another private citizen something is not the same as gifting a member of the cabinet or shadow cabinet.
Really? If you heard that Bridget Phillipson's daughter had an interest in brass bands and someone from the Treorchy male voice choir asked her to come to a concert in Penmaenmawr would you consider it a big deal? You have obviously never worked where these sort of social interactions take place.
Well, yes, because gifting is a way of buying influence regardless of who is doing it.
I was expecting either a mildly sturdy defence or a "whatever, early days, the Tories were worse" - basically MEH
But no. He expressed absolute contempt and anger at Starmer and Co. This has cut through, even with loyal London lefites. His main complaint was the "naivety and stupidity". I would add the "greed" but still. Impact
Starmer has to be the most charmless pm ever. Yes Major was boring but you felt there was humanity there. With Starmer there is a void of nothingness.
Yes, indeed
As my mate and I agreed, the problem is Starmer hasn't got the charm - Blair - or the humour - Boris - to switch things around. He is a charmless humourless fuckwit who seems like a massively over-promoted middle-manager and with zero ideas as to how to fix the country. There is no there, there
I dunno how Labour gets out of this. They are gonna lose badly in 2028-9 to a Reform Tory coalition, is my expectation
Philippson must be mentally retarded, which is a bit of a worry as she is Minister for Education.
Who goes on national tv and describes what was obviously some kind of political gathering (involving front benchers and trade unionists) as her “birthday party”, even if turning 40 was the ostensible reason for the gathering?
Can you imagine the thinking, “ I’ve been given £14k for my 40th birthday party, I just really want it to be spent with politicians and trade unionists because it will be a wild hoot.” She deserves the boot for shit partying decisions above all else.
Trevor Phillips on Sky this morning asked Philipson when they are all going to repay this largesse and she just looked as if she wanted to be anywhere (maybe at a party) then in the studio
Still seems like small change to me. Frank Hester, whose company has had contracts worth £135 million from the NHS and who personally received an OBE for services to healthcare, gave the Conservatives over £10 million, including £15k for one helicopter trip by Sunak. Remember him? The one who said Diane Abbott should be shot.
Graham Edwards donated £5.52m to the Conservatives. Sunak made him the Conservative Party treasurer. Another guy who was made Conservative Party treasurer was Mohamed Mansour. He donated £5m. The Bamford brothers gave the Tories over £10 million. They and Edwards have been investigated for tax issues.
Lubov Chernukhin, wife of the former Russian oligarch Vladimir Chernukhin, gave £136k to the Tories under Sunak, and over £2 million historically. Michael Hintze gave them more than £4.5 million and got a peerage.
Desperate whatabouterry
Unless you didn't notice the conservative party were decimated at the GE for sleeze and cronyism and Starmer stood tall saying he would end it, and yet he and his fellow cabinet have found themselves under attack from all quarters, not least from within their party and by the unions and now Starmer has fallen below Sunak in popularity
Your posts try to defend the indefensible by saying the other lot were worse, but the nation has passed judgment on that and now Starmer and his colleagues have been shamed you just do not like it
Indeed are you Sue Gray in disguise?
Were the Conservatives decimated "for sleeze [sic] and cronyism"? Issues polling before the election had the top 5 issues as cost of living, health, economy, immigration and the environment. Sleaze did not appear in YouGov's top 15.
Lord Ashcroft's post-election poll had this on the main reasons voted for Labour: "Just over 6 in 10 (62%) of those who voted Labour said one of their three main reasons was that they thought Labour would do a better job of running the economy. Just over half (57%) said they trusted the motives of Labour more than other parties, while 46% thought Keir Starmer would make a better prime minister."
It also found: "We asked those who voted Conservative in 2019 but not in 2024 why they moved away from the party. The most important reasons were that “they are out of touch with people like me” (36% naming in the top three), that “they didn’t deliver what they promised” (35%) and that “they’re not competent” (30%), while 28% said “I don’t trust them”. Just over 1 in 5 (21%) chose “partygate and other scandals”."
So, about a fifth of Conservative defectors did so because of scandals, but it wasn't the main issue for most voters.
You simply do not get the damage this has done to Labour and no amount of deflection will change the narrative in the public's eyes which already has Starmer below Sunak in popularity
Maybe reflect and accept it is a terrible story for labour
Though Starmer still 10 points ahead as best PM. That's how low Tory popularity is. Lower than a snakes belly.
I see you have few straws left to clutch
OK, betting question. If one is convinced that Starmer's government is toast after this, how should you bet? You can get 9/4 on Tories most seats at the next election or lay Labour for most seats at 1.99, but that's a while off. Is there a next Labour leader bet worth making? Reeves is joint favourite, albeit only at 8/1, but worth laying her? Or you can lay Reeves as next PM at 15. You can lay Rayner as next PM at 23.
Oh that's easy. If you think Labour is stuffed by these donations, the answer is surely to lay whichever would-be Conservative leader has taken most money.
If I were a minister, taking freebies and then resolutely refusing to be influenced by the donor would amuse me. Perhaps that's why I'm not a minister.
I was expecting either a mildly sturdy defence or a "whatever, early days, the Tories were worse" - basically MEH
But no. He expressed absolute contempt and anger at Starmer and Co. This has cut through, even with loyal London lefites. His main complaint was the "naivety and stupidity". I would add the "greed" but still. Impact
Corbyn lefty or not?
No, actually centre Left. Blairite/Starmerite. So that made it doubly surprising
Also, the anger was REAL. Not so much at the "crime" but at the political ineptitude and associated chaos
I was expecting either a mildly sturdy defence or a "whatever, early days, the Tories were worse" - basically MEH
But no. He expressed absolute contempt and anger at Starmer and Co. This has cut through, even with loyal London lefites. His main complaint was the "naivety and stupidity". I would add the "greed" but still. Impact
Corbyn lefty or not?
No, actually centre Left. Blairite/Starmerite. So that made it doubly surprising
Also, the anger was REAL. Not so much at the "crime" but at the political ineptitude and associated chaos
I was taken in by Starmer, thinking his ability to smack the Labour Party into shape meant he could do the same for the country. Apparently not.
Philippson must be mentally retarded, which is a bit of a worry as she is Minister for Education.
Who goes on national tv and describes what was obviously some kind of political gathering (involving front benchers and trade unionists) as her “birthday party”, even if turning 40 was the ostensible reason for the gathering?
Can you imagine the thinking, “ I’ve been given £14k for my 40th birthday party, I just really want it to be spent with politicians and trade unionists because it will be a wild hoot.” She deserves the boot for shit partying decisions above all else.
Trevor Phillips on Sky this morning asked Philipson when they are all going to repay this largesse and she just looked as if she wanted to be anywhere (maybe at a party) then in the studio
Still seems like small change to me. Frank Hester, whose company has had contracts worth £135 million from the NHS and who personally received an OBE for services to healthcare, gave the Conservatives over £10 million, including £15k for one helicopter trip by Sunak. Remember him? The one who said Diane Abbott should be shot.
Graham Edwards donated £5.52m to the Conservatives. Sunak made him the Conservative Party treasurer. Another guy who was made Conservative Party treasurer was Mohamed Mansour. He donated £5m. The Bamford brothers gave the Tories over £10 million. They and Edwards have been investigated for tax issues.
Lubov Chernukhin, wife of the former Russian oligarch Vladimir Chernukhin, gave £136k to the Tories under Sunak, and over £2 million historically. Michael Hintze gave them more than £4.5 million and got a peerage.
Desperate whatabouterry
Unless you didn't notice the conservative party were decimated at the GE for sleeze and cronyism and Starmer stood tall saying he would end it, and yet he and his fellow cabinet have found themselves under attack from all quarters, not least from within their party and by the unions and now Starmer has fallen below Sunak in popularity
Your posts try to defend the indefensible by saying the other lot were worse, but the nation has passed judgment on that and now Starmer and his colleagues have been shamed you just do not like it
Indeed are you Sue Gray in disguise?
Were the Conservatives decimated "for sleeze [sic] and cronyism"? Issues polling before the election had the top 5 issues as cost of living, health, economy, immigration and the environment. Sleaze did not appear in YouGov's top 15.
Lord Ashcroft's post-election poll had this on the main reasons voted for Labour: "Just over 6 in 10 (62%) of those who voted Labour said one of their three main reasons was that they thought Labour would do a better job of running the economy. Just over half (57%) said they trusted the motives of Labour more than other parties, while 46% thought Keir Starmer would make a better prime minister."
It also found: "We asked those who voted Conservative in 2019 but not in 2024 why they moved away from the party. The most important reasons were that “they are out of touch with people like me” (36% naming in the top three), that “they didn’t deliver what they promised” (35%) and that “they’re not competent” (30%), while 28% said “I don’t trust them”. Just over 1 in 5 (21%) chose “partygate and other scandals”."
So, about a fifth of Conservative defectors did so because of scandals, but it wasn't the main issue for most voters.
You simply do not get the damage this has done to Labour and no amount of deflection will change the narrative in the public's eyes which already has Starmer below Sunak in popularity
Maybe reflect and accept it is a terrible story for labour
Though Starmer still 10 points ahead as best PM. That's how low Tory popularity is. Lower than a snakes belly.
I see you have few straws left to clutch
OK, betting question. If one is convinced that Starmer's government is toast after this, how should you bet? You can get 9/4 on Tories most seats at the next election or lay Labour for most seats at 1.99, but that's a while off. Is there a next Labour leader bet worth making? Reeves is joint favourite, albeit only at 8/1, but worth laying her? Or you can lay Reeves as next PM at 15. You can lay Rayner as next PM at 23.
The next government depends most on what deal Farage strikes with the next Tory leader.
If Farage is given a clear run in say 50 seats and gives the Tories a clear run in the rest then they may gain a majority between them.
The next government will be Tory with Reform support, or Labour with LibDem support. 50/50 at the moment. I'm not betting yet.
Tricky to set up.
For a start, Farage taking on 50 seats means accepting that he is second banana on the right. That seems unlikely.
More importantly, there is a slice of the Conservative electorate who stuck with the party in 2024 for whom a deal like that would be the last straw. Some of them are here.
Having failed to strangle Reform at birth, the Conservatives are going to find them tricky to eradicate.
Reform will eradicate themselves. Big ego clashes of little men will ensure it.
The Conservatives have failed. You are wishing Labour to fail, and they may oblige.
Which offensive Nazi grifter is looking like the incorruptible King of clean at present?
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Come off it, Roger. Someone gifting another private citizen something is not the same as gifting a member of the cabinet or shadow cabinet.
Really? If you heard that Bridget Phillipson's daughter had an interest in brass bands and someone from the Treorchy male voice choir asked her to come to a concert in Penmaenmawr would you consider it a big deal? You have obviously never worked where these sort of social interactions take place.
Well, yes, because gifting is a way of buying influence regardless of who is doing it.
LOL
I've just realised I took a Cabinet Minister or dinner at Grouchos. Do you think that's worth a front page in the telegraph?
I was expecting either a mildly sturdy defence or a "whatever, early days, the Tories were worse" - basically MEH
But no. He expressed absolute contempt and anger at Starmer and Co. This has cut through, even with loyal London lefites. His main complaint was the "naivety and stupidity". I would add the "greed" but still. Impact
Starmer has to be the most charmless pm ever. Yes Major was boring but you felt there was humanity there. With Starmer there is a void of nothingness.
Yes, indeed
As my mate and I agreed, the problem is Starmer hasn't got the charm - Blair - or the humour - Boris - to switch things around. He is a charmless humourless fuckwit who seems like a massively over-promoted middle-manager and with zero ideas as to how to fix the country. There is no there, there
I dunno how Labour gets out of this. They are gonna lose badly in 2028-9 to a Reform Tory coalition, is my expectation
I still enjoy that various techie Discord servers I'm on represent Starmer as a '❔' emoji. Even the Americans have picked up on it.
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Come off it, Roger. Someone gifting another private citizen something is not the same as gifting a member of the cabinet or shadow cabinet.
Really? If you heard that Bridget Phillipson's daughter had an interest in brass bands and someone from the Treorchy male voice choir asked her to come to a concert in Penmaenmawr would you consider it a big deal? You have obviously never worked where these sort of social interactions take place.
Well, yes, because gifting is a way of buying influence regardless of who is doing it.
LOL
I've just realised I took a Cabinet Minister or dinner at Grouchos. Do you think that's worth a front page in the telegraph?
Depends, did you then offer them £100k's worth of freebies?
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Yes, but you are literally the stupidest person on this forum. As in, you have the lowest IQ. You are a fucking dumb fuck who went to Millfield. If you were a member of the genus Equus, you would be a beach donkey in Blackpool regularly sodomised by an unwashed kebab shop worker, and tolerating it, just because that is as good as it gets, as far as you can see
Seattle Times (via Washington Post) - For 57 days this fall, Earth will have a second moon
For the next two months, an unusual object about the size of a bus will be orbiting above our heads. Say hello to Earth’s temporary new mini-moon.
From Sept. 29 to Nov. 25, a passing asteroid will be pulled in by Earth’s gravity — sort of like a window shopper — before returning to its normal orbit around the sun. Objects that get captured by our gravitational force for a short time are known as mini-moons. This one, named asteroid 2024 PT5, came from the Arjuna asteroid belt near our sun, about 93 million miles away.
SSI - Is THIS the much-hearlded "October Surprise" for 2024?
And IF so, is it a Harris Moon . . . or a MAGA Death Star . . .
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
An office admin who visited Hong Kong once brought me a 'Hello Kitty' keyring. I managed not to blub in thanks, and for evermore sorted out her IT issues as best I could.
So yes, I am as guilty as a PM or cabinet minister who has taken 10-100k in gifts. It's all relative.
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Come off it, Roger. Someone gifting another private citizen something is not the same as gifting a member of the cabinet or shadow cabinet.
Really? If you heard that Bridget Phillipson's daughter had an interest in brass bands and someone from the Treorchy male voice choir asked her to come to a concert in Penmaenmawr would you consider it a big deal? You have obviously never worked where these sort of social interactions take place.
Well, yes, because gifting is a way of buying influence regardless of who is doing it.
LOL
This place is f*****' insane.
The hyperbole over Taylor Swift tickets and a box at the Emirates is being painted as substantially more corrupt than other freebies available to members of other parties, and more particularly genuine instances of industrial scale corruption. Corruption like PPE fast lane contracts, like bestowing seats in the House of Lords to the sons of KGB spies, a spy who's bunga, bunga party a serving Foreign Secretary without their close protection unit attended, or taking a ten grand donation on behalf of the Conservative Party for overruling legitimate objections to Richard Desmond's planning applications.
Oh and why is it OK for Frank Hester to single -handedly bankroll the Conservative Party and Alii cannot buy Mrs Starmer a frock or throw a lavish birthday party for a friend?
I was expecting either a mildly sturdy defence or a "whatever, early days, the Tories were worse" - basically MEH
But no. He expressed absolute contempt and anger at Starmer and Co. This has cut through, even with loyal London lefites. His main complaint was the "naivety and stupidity". I would add the "greed" but still. Impact
Starmer has to be the most charmless pm ever. Yes Major was boring but you felt there was humanity there. With Starmer there is a void of nothingness.
Yes, indeed
As my mate and I agreed, the problem is Starmer hasn't got the charm - Blair - or the humour - Boris - to switch things around. He is a charmless humourless fuckwit who seems like a massively over-promoted middle-manager and with zero ideas as to how to fix the country. There is no there, there
I dunno how Labour gets out of this. They are gonna lose badly in 2028-9 to a Reform Tory coalition, is my expectation
I wouldn't be sure, the LDs will likely hold the bluewall against a Jenrick or Badenoch led Tory Party even if the Tories and Farage's Reform regain the redwall and most Leave voting marginal seats that voted for Boris in 2019 but went Labour in July.
So at worst for Starmer Labour it ends up a hung parliament, probably with the LDs holding the balance of power
Boring alert! The same 4 or 5 dreary posters are still posting the same dross they have been for the last several days. I came on here because I was interested in the US elections. I guess others did too. Can't the obsessives have a separate thread?
Unfortunately for you this is the leading story in the UK media and when even Labour mps and unions are aghast trying to close down the story because you are upset by it will nor work
If its the biggest story you should find lots of places to read about it and you can write letters at the bottom of the page with like minded obsessives. This is supposed to be about the US elections and people like you are making it unreadable which is why only the usual five or six terminally dull are taking part
Typical lefty - hates the story so try to shut it down
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
I don't think anyone gives a shit whether she got a ticket to see Taylor Swift. Are you suggesting she bought influence? Has no one ever given you a ticket to a concert or a theatre or a film or a football match? Really?
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Come off it, Roger. Someone gifting another private citizen something is not the same as gifting a member of the cabinet or shadow cabinet.
Really? If you heard that Bridget Phillipson's daughter had an interest in brass bands and someone from the Treorchy male voice choir asked her to come to a concert in Penmaenmawr would you consider it a big deal? You have obviously never worked where these sort of social interactions take place.
Well, yes, because gifting is a way of buying influence regardless of who is doing it.
LOL
This place is f*****' insane.
The hyperbole over Taylor Swift tickets and a box at the Emirates is being painted as substantially more corrupt than other freebies available to members of other parties, and more particularly genuine instances of industrial scale corruption. Corruption like PPE fast lane contracts, like bestowing seats in the House of Lords to the sons of KGB spies, a spy who's bunga, bunga party a serving Foreign Secretary without their close protection unit attended, or taking a ten grand donation on behalf of the Conservative Party for overruling legitimate objections to Richard Desmond's planning applications.
Oh and why is it OK for Frank Hester to single -handedly bankroll the Conservative Party and Alii cannot buy Mrs Starmer a frock or throw a lavish birthday party for a friend?
It depends whether you think getting 23.7% or less at the next election is the target.
Comments
For a start, Farage taking on 50 seats means accepting that he is second banana on the right. That seems unlikely.
More importantly, there is a slice of the Conservative electorate who stuck with the party in 2024 for whom a deal like that would be the last straw. Some of them are here.
Having failed to strangle Reform at birth, the Conservatives are going to find them tricky to eradicate.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c24315lrv18o
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/sep/22/germany-brandenburg-state-election-afd-spd-exit-poll-latest-live-news-updates
Vance: I have something that may be full of shit, but is not necessarily an arsehole.
https://www.thetimes.com/article/d9e1c404-191c-11ea-a9c5-93ba951187e8?shareToken=cae155fad82946e19de82bc3bae37463
@DawnButlerBrent
We kicked off
@UKLabour
Conference in Liverpool with a bang!
Lord Ali donated the 🎆 fireworks presumably
For example sex scandals were an issue for the Tories in the 1990s because of the 'back to basics' rhetoric on family values. Labour weren't as vulnerable because they were perceived as less judgemental.
Interesting (perhaps?) that there was a famous White Nazi allegedly fond of something similar.
How many PBers are familiar with Kurt Vonegut's "Mother Night" which features (briefly) a character styled "the Black Hitler", who KV based (very loosely) on a real person
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufi_Abdul_Hamid
Daily Star
When pushed she admitted she accepted them as it was hard to turn them down as her daughter was a fan.
It's a fucking pandemic of greed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Ruffin_Tyler
I voted Labour at the last GE. While I’m not ruling out any vote at the next GE (I feel very politically homeless at the moment) I can’t help but be honest and say I’m not over-enamoured with either Starmer as PM or this new government right now, and I did expect better.
It's possible he just wants to see the Tories defeated and he's very credulous.
There is no way Thatcher could have got away with some of the things she did in the social media age.
The Conservative and Unionist Party brought to you by HC-One Care homes.
The Labour Party sponsored by Legal and General.
Burger King presents Reform UK.
The Liberal Democrats - a division of CPRE Nimby Services
The Green Party in collaboration with Comintern.
What it risks is an Italian style revolt against all the traditional parties. Bunga! Bunga!
@{champagne not included for @kinabalu)
We have
- Everyone is talking about the wrong story
- Only opponents are talking about the story
- And now we have, boring
California Dems seem to have ignored the fact that this is an election year and voted through a raft of legislation which would give Trump and the GOP an open goal .
Newsom has vetoed the first Bill re help to buy for undocumented workers . An even more head in the sand bill aimed at giving non-citizens unemployment benefit has to either be signed into law or vetoed by September 30th .
This Bill would be an absolute gift to Trump. Unless Newsom wants the Dems to lose then he’ll wield another veto .
Newsom implored the Dems to not pass controversial legislation but that’s fallen on deaf ears .
I nearly started the National Union of Amalgamated Hedge Fund Owners & Boilermakers.
With designer stainless steel oil drums for braziers on the picket lines - each one hand crafted by a master Calypso drum maker.
Turnbull & Asser would do the road mender style jerkins…..
So no @Roger you will not silence me or other posters in discussing the leadng political story of the day
Which outside the Great Bear Republic is pretty much nil. Ditto for GOPs chances of winning statewide for POTUS, US Senate or any other office.
This is all about Labour - the conservatives have already paid the price for their misdemeanours
They don't need to be such massive organisations.
I think personal donations look worse than party donations as its personal enrichment rather than keeping the party machine going. However, I don't really begrudge an MP getting the odd ticket to something e.g. tickets to the an England footy game from the FA, but it gets a lot stinkier when as we saw with Blair and Boris, basically every holiday was a donation or some MPs are definitely getting lobbied e.g. we have seen certain MPs being consistently entertained by betting industry at all the big horse racing festivals.
Perhaps a cap / limited categories of freebies that are allowed to an individual.
Check out Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Fayettville, etc. etc. to find more Tarheel Democrats!
NO network media has reported on it.
https://x.com/RexChapman/status/1837915143138955275
Of course.
Getty has 202 photos of Donald with him alone.
https://x.com/Morgan_C_Ross/status/1837934796414353714
“What was it that first attracted you to the alleged sex trafficker ?”
.......Probably not or you'd bore them to death and you'd spoil their evening
Though Trump may hope his rallies will be enough to motivate his voters to the polls
They could have taken a bank loan and payed it back.
I was expecting either a mildly sturdy defence or a "whatever, early days, the Tories were worse" - basically MEH
But no. He expressed absolute contempt and anger at Starmer and Co. This has cut through, even with loyal London lefites. His main complaint was the "naivety and stupidity". I would add the "greed" but still. Impact
nothingness.
As my mate and I agreed, the problem is Starmer hasn't got the charm - Blair - or the humour - Boris - to switch things around. He is a charmless humourless fuckwit who seems like a massively over-promoted middle-manager and with zero ideas as to how to fix the country. There is no there, there
I dunno how Labour gets out of this. They are gonna lose badly in 2028-9 to a Reform Tory coalition, is my expectation
Harris 64% Trump 36%
Slight swing to Trump from 2020 when he got 34% in California
https://www.activote.net/harris-again-far-ahead-in-her-home-state/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_United_States_presidential_election_in_California
Seriously.
Also, the anger was REAL. Not so much at the "crime" but at the political ineptitude and associated chaos
I quite like, it and I suspect Oscar wouldn’t have been totally dismayed.
Which offensive Nazi grifter is looking like the incorruptible King of clean at present?
For the next two months, an unusual object about the size of a bus will be orbiting above our heads. Say hello to Earth’s temporary new mini-moon.
From Sept. 29 to Nov. 25, a passing asteroid will be pulled in by Earth’s gravity — sort of like a window shopper — before returning to its normal orbit around the sun. Objects that get captured by our gravitational force for a short time are known as mini-moons. This one, named asteroid 2024 PT5, came from the Arjuna asteroid belt near our sun, about 93 million miles away.
SSI - Is THIS the much-hearlded "October Surprise" for 2024?
And IF so, is it a Harris Moon . . . or a MAGA Death Star . . .
So yes, I am as guilty as a PM or cabinet minister who has taken 10-100k in gifts. It's all relative.
SPD 32
AfD 30
BSW 14
CDU 12
https://wahlergebnisse.brandenburg.de/12/500/20240922/landtagswahl_land/ergebnisse.html
https://x.com/ObserverUK/status/1837559809912238280
The hyperbole over Taylor Swift tickets and a box at the Emirates is being painted as substantially more corrupt than other freebies available to members of other parties, and more particularly genuine instances of industrial scale corruption. Corruption like PPE fast lane contracts, like bestowing seats in the House of Lords to the sons of KGB spies, a spy who's bunga, bunga party a serving Foreign Secretary without their close protection unit attended, or taking a ten grand donation on behalf of the Conservative Party for overruling legitimate objections to Richard Desmond's planning applications.
Oh and why is it OK for Frank Hester to single -handedly bankroll the Conservative Party and Alii cannot buy Mrs Starmer a frock or throw a lavish birthday party for a friend?
So at worst for Starmer Labour it ends up a hung parliament, probably with the LDs holding the balance of power