The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
They hate Labour being in power. It's not how things are meant to be.
It's not as though left-wing rags went easy on Tory governments or MPs, is it?
But there isn't really a left wing equivalent to the MailExTeleSun monster.
It’s a really interesting difference to note between UK and US media, that in the UK the mainstream is right of centre and the alternative (mostly online) is of the left; whereas in the US most of the mainstream is of the left, and the alternative of the right.
"...The speaker's political journey was driven by anger over educational inequities and the portrayal of Africa in international development. Growing up in Nigeria, they faced high academic expectations, but upon moving to the UK, encountered low expectations from teachers for minority students, which hindered their aspirations to attend Oxford. This led them to focus on engineering while remaining committed to addressing educational disparities.
The speaker criticized the patronizing attitudes in international development, particularly Western celebrities speaking for Africans without genuine engagement. This frustration motivated their entry into politics to influence Sub-Saharan Africa policy after joining the Conservative Party. Despite initial doubts about the party's elitism, they found opportunities to contribute meaningfully to policy discussions.
Throughout their journey, the speaker faced skepticism about their political involvement, reflecting broader societal grievances. A personal experience in a Dulwich West campaign highlighted the challenges Conservative candidates face in Labour-dominated areas.
Key insights include the need to critically evaluate advice, recognizing that well-meaning guidance can hinder progress. The speaker reevaluated personal relationships, identifying true allies as those who prioritize individual goals over political beliefs. They emphasize the importance of engaging with diverse political perspectives and avoiding assumptions about support.
Ultimately, the speaker advocates for individuals to voice their own experiences, especially in discussions affecting marginalized communities, promoting empowerment and active participation in societal change..."
As for me, I was impressed by her as an individual, but her approach betrays her computer science background; tactical, methodical, problem solving, dealing with individual people, but no strategic sense, no big idea or even a collection of small ideas. I'd put her as a good manager but not a CEO, and she badly needs a theoretician, like Keith Joseph for Thatcherism or Daniel Hannan for Euroscepticism.
However she now has a chance to perform at the highest level: let's see what she does.
Er, she has already been a Secretary of State… an actual job “at the highest level”. She was useless. And cowardly, running away from the challenges of the role.
So we have already “seen what she does”: fuck all.
Five men have been arrested on suspicion of plotting a car bomb attack on a shopping centre in Tel Aviv. The men, Arab Israeli citizens, planned to carry out the attack in the name of extremist group Isis and had discussed how much explosives they would need to bring down one of the Azrieli Tower, a group of three skyscrapers.
Unpleasant behaviour from betfair this morning. Trump has shortened to 1.87. Does anyone know why? I can't see any new polls to justify it.
The American election involve a large quantity of partisan thinking. In it's most extreme form.
We have seen, many times in the past, people believing that odds mean something beyond how much money has been put on the *belief* that something will happen. That betting on Their Candidate somehow effects the real world.
Suckers in a market are a valuable resource.
Ok so nothing in particular then. Good.
Activate showing Trump 1% ahead nationally might have spooked some punters.
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
In some respects, it's a healthy thing that the PM isn't a military nerd. Middle aged men who obsess over this kind of stuff are really weird.
*Chucks grenade and logs out of PB*
The same right-wing media who regularly make a hash of reporting WW2? Where every UK and Commonweaslth fighter is a RAF Spitfire? And the same rightwingers who used a photo of, IIRC, Spitfires of 330 (Polish) Sqn RAF to illustrate their propaganda of how awful immigrants were?
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
We see this completely differently. Kemi is sounding off making right wing noises - showing some leg. Her actual record of delivery is poor. Jenrick has real policies - he has explained why he feels they need to be put in place, and he's now persuading people of the need for them. That puts him in an entirely league to her. That's also why all the centrists and left wingers on this board have instantly switched allegiance to Kemi after Jimmy Dimmly was knocked out.
Jenrick is surely the more radical candidate? Eg he's said he's had enough of European human rights whereas Badenoch is more ambivalent and it's possible she'll tolerate at least some of them.
My post from yesterday got a bit lost as it was ten minutes before Cleverley got knocked out, but for those who want more background on Jenrick other than the obvious (mural-painting, Desmond-loving) this takedown of Jenrick's time as Housing Secretary by journalist Peter Apps is worth a read -
In it he describes Jenrick as both callous and uncaring, as well as ineffective, delivering catastrophe after catastrophe during his tenure, delivering plans described as 'unworkable as well as politically unpalatable'. Later, after losing his job, he sought to blame the Treasury for his failures, avoiding any sort of accountability.
Apps goes on to note that no other housing minister attracted such a personal level of ire, with Brokenshire and Javid there was 'anger with the whole system' but with Jenrick 'it was personal'.
As someone put it the other day, if you could turn this guy into an aerosol (no snickering at the back, please), you could put him in a can and market him as a literal voter-repellent.
The Tories elect him at their peril.
But he's now up against Badenoch, and many of the same things can be said about her: ineffective as a minister, blamed others, sought to blame civil servants all the time.
Yes. The rumours about Badenoch say she is disliked within Whitehall
However this may be true of any right wing minister who has a genuinely right wing agenda
That’s probably the best reason to vote for her!
Civil servants are supposed to enact the minister’s agenda and what Parliament passes, not constantly say no and push back because they don’t like the agenda.
You’re taking Badenoch’s claims at face value. What if the civil servants are doing their best to enact their minister’s agenda, but Badenoch (or Jenrick) is a crap leader who is now just scapegoating them?
There's very little evidence of a Badenoch policy agenda that anyone could have thwarted or delayed. Can anyone step up to provide some ?
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
We see this completely differently. Kemi is sounding off making right wing noises - showing some leg. Her actual record of delivery is poor. Jenrick has real policies - he has explained why he feels they need to be put in place, and he's now persuading people of the need for them. That puts him in an entirely league to her. That's also why all the centrists and left wingers on this board have instantly switched allegiance to Kemi after Jimmy Dimmly was knocked out.
I dislike Jenrick for the corruption on planning applications, and the performative heartlessness of painting over cartoon characters to be tough on asylum-seeking children. But put words into my mouth to create a strawman if it makes you feel better.
Thanks, I will.
I think you'd have fallen over yourself to forget any past indescretions on Jenrick's part if his politics was aligned with yours, and he was campaigning to integrate more closely with Europe rather than leaving the ECHR. Just like everyone forgot that Cleverly was a gaffe machine with no Ministerial achievements and a dangerous attitude to China that culminated in gaily signing over British sovereign territory to a China-aligned state, then idiotically trying to hammer Labour over it.
Just like people who claim to have been disgusted by Boris' venal approach to Government, but don't give a crap when SKS's bunch are up to the same thing.
There you go again equalising free Taylor Swift tickets to saving Desmond a £45m liability.
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Misspeaks by the First Lord of the Treasury can cause diplomatic incidents, cause the stock market to crash, Sterling to crater, and start wars.
Indeed. But mistaking a torpedo for a bomb in a war that took place when you were 20 years of age is hardly likely to do so.
Especially if the chaps in Junkers or SM.79s were dropping both and both were going bang; plus uncle Starmer couldn't see outside for all I know.
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Just saying he has is an unfortunate run where he has a number of gaffes in short succession. You are very defensive.
I noticed at PMQs yesterday he fell into the trap of demanding an answer to 'his' question which when Sunak did that previously the Speaker reminded him it is PMs questions !!
As for 'so what' or 'who cares' or 172 seat majority just indicates an attempt to close down the uncomfortable truth that Starmer's first 100 days has descended into freebies, cronyism and a terrible civil war in no 10 reflecting in approval poll ratings even below Sunak
Starmer was elected on his undertaking for change and a new way of doing politics, which has disappointed many including myself as I thought he would at least be true to his word but ultimely all he has been is the same as the rest sadly
If I can say one thing in favour of Badenoch, I am generally interested in the moment at parties that promise institutional reform and change. I do subscribe to the notion that the way the British state is run is inefficient and does not serve its citizens well. We do need a shakeup (whether from left or right). That is one of the things that attracted me to Starmer Labour (particularly ref housing) because it felt to me like they did get the need to try and rework the system. Now in power, I am not sure that they “get it” as much as I hoped and I fear they’ll be captured by managerialism, but it is early days and these things won’t happen overnight.
I think Badenoch talks a good game on some of these things. I am far from convinced that she has what it takes to really solve the problems (I think she can perhaps be too good at talking about the issues without knowing what the solutions are), but I do tend to have a soft spot for politicians who at least show a willingness to think outside of the box.
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Just saying he has is an unfortunate run where he has a number of gaffes in short succession. You are very defensive.
I noticed at PMQs yesterday he fell into the trap of demanding an answer to 'his' question which when Sunak did that previously the Speaker reminded him it is PMs questions !!
As for 'so what' or 'who cares' or 172 seat majority just indicates an attempt to close down the uncomfortable truth that Starmer's first 100 days has descended into freebies, cronyism and a terrible civil war in no 10 reflecting in approval poll ratings even below Sunak
Starmer was elected on his undertaking for change and a new way of doing politics, which has disappointed many including myself as I thought he would at least be true to his word but ultimely all he has been is the same as the rest sadly
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Just saying he has is an unfortunate run where he has a number of gaffes in short succession. You are very defensive.
I noticed at PMQs yesterday he fell into the trap of demanding an answer to 'his' question which when Sunak did that previously the Speaker reminded him it is PMs questions !!
As for 'so what' or 'who cares' or 172 seat majority just indicates an attempt to close down the uncomfortable truth that Starmer's first 100 days has descended into freebies, cronyism and a terrible civil war in no 10 reflecting in approval poll ratings even below Sunak
Starmer was elected on his undertaking for change and a new way of doing politics, which has disappointed many including myself as I thought he would at least be true to his word but ultimely all he has been is the same as the rest sadly
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Misspeaks by the First Lord of the Treasury can cause diplomatic incidents, cause the stock market to crash, Sterling to crater, and start wars.
Indeed. But mistaking a torpedo for a bomb in a war that took place when you were 20 years of age is hardly likely to do so.
Especially if the chaps in Junkers or SM.79s were dropping both and both were going bang; plus uncle Starmer couldn't see outside for all I know.
Genuine question, when was the last time a vessel was sunk by a torpedo carried by an aircraft? The concept sounds very quaint nowadays - 'Deploy the Stringbags!"
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Misspeaks by the First Lord of the Treasury can cause diplomatic incidents, cause the stock market to crash, Sterling to crater, and start wars.
Indeed. But mistaking a torpedo for a bomb in a war that took place when you were 20 years of age is hardly likely to do so.
These errors matter. Remember when Boris ordered 10 million Edvard Munch "scream" masks instead of FF14s?
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
We see this completely differently. Kemi is sounding off making right wing noises - showing some leg. Her actual record of delivery is poor. Jenrick has real policies - he has explained why he feels they need to be put in place, and he's now persuading people of the need for them. That puts him in an entirely league to her. That's also why all the centrists and left wingers on this board have instantly switched allegiance to Kemi after Jimmy Dimmly was knocked out.
Jenrick is surely the more radical candidate? Eg he's said he's had enough of European human rights whereas Badenoch is more ambivalent and it's possible she'll tolerate at least some of them.
My post from yesterday got a bit lost as it was ten minutes before Cleverley got knocked out, but for those who want more background on Jenrick other than the obvious (mural-painting, Desmond-loving) this takedown of Jenrick's time as Housing Secretary by journalist Peter Apps is worth a read -
In it he describes Jenrick as both callous and uncaring, as well as ineffective, delivering catastrophe after catastrophe during his tenure, delivering plans described as 'unworkable as well as politically unpalatable'. Later, after losing his job, he sought to blame the Treasury for his failures, avoiding any sort of accountability.
Apps goes on to note that no other housing minister attracted such a personal level of ire, with Brokenshire and Javid there was 'anger with the whole system' but with Jenrick 'it was personal'.
As someone put it the other day, if you could turn this guy into an aerosol (no snickering at the back, please), you could put him in a can and market him as a literal voter-repellent.
The Tories elect him at their peril.
But he's now up against Badenoch, and many of the same things can be said about her: ineffective as a minister, blamed others, sought to blame civil servants all the time.
Yes. The rumours about Badenoch say she is disliked within Whitehall
However this may be true of any right wing minister who has a genuinely right wing agenda
That’s probably the best reason to vote for her!
Civil servants are supposed to enact the minister’s agenda and what Parliament passes, not constantly say no and push back because they don’t like the agenda.
You’re taking Badenoch’s claims at face value. What if the civil servants are doing their best to enact their minister’s agenda, but Badenoch (or Jenrick) is a crap leader who is now just scapegoating them?
There's very little evidence of a Badenoch policy agenda that anyone could have thwarted or delayed. Can anyone step up to provide some ?
I just did the yearly check of my radiators (*) and found a patch of rust on one that I don't like the look of. I've had one leak in the past, so my friendly local plumber's now booked in to replace it.
Preventative maintenance.
(*) Am I the only person to do this?
The boiler in my rental is 22 years old. It loses pressure slowly, and I have to top it up. Can't locate a leak though...
Passes its safety check with flying colours, though. Perhaps we replace them too soon?
Depending on system type, the expansion vessel is likely shot - with no expansion capacity it will instead be losing water through the pressure relief valve (should be via a copper pipe to the outside of the building, near the boiler) causing you to need to top it up. Expansion vessel replacement or, likely easier, adding an extra, external one will fix if so. On the other hand, your landlord could stop being so tight, buy a new boiler and split the heating bills savings with you to pay for it.
PlumbingBanter.com
ETA: Or alternatively a subtle leak as JJ mentioned. That could cause a lot of damage depending where it is, but - assuming you've mentioned to landlord - not so much your problem, I guess.
There are grant schemes for free boiler upgrades if the occupant and the flat meet the criteria.
They've been on offer since around 2010-11 in various variations.
The media and John Curtice have more or less ignored the Lib Dems since the election but they are only 49 seats behind the Conservatives. They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20. On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
"...The speaker's political journey was driven by anger over educational inequities and the portrayal of Africa in international development. Growing up in Nigeria, they faced high academic expectations, but upon moving to the UK, encountered low expectations from teachers for minority students, which hindered their aspirations to attend Oxford. This led them to focus on engineering while remaining committed to addressing educational disparities.
The speaker criticized the patronizing attitudes in international development, particularly Western celebrities speaking for Africans without genuine engagement. This frustration motivated their entry into politics to influence Sub-Saharan Africa policy after joining the Conservative Party. Despite initial doubts about the party's elitism, they found opportunities to contribute meaningfully to policy discussions.
Throughout their journey, the speaker faced skepticism about their political involvement, reflecting broader societal grievances. A personal experience in a Dulwich West campaign highlighted the challenges Conservative candidates face in Labour-dominated areas.
Key insights include the need to critically evaluate advice, recognizing that well-meaning guidance can hinder progress. The speaker reevaluated personal relationships, identifying true allies as those who prioritize individual goals over political beliefs. They emphasize the importance of engaging with diverse political perspectives and avoiding assumptions about support.
Ultimately, the speaker advocates for individuals to voice their own experiences, especially in discussions affecting marginalized communities, promoting empowerment and active participation in societal change..."
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
We see this completely differently. Kemi is sounding off making right wing noises - showing some leg. Her actual record of delivery is poor. Jenrick has real policies - he has explained why he feels they need to be put in place, and he's now persuading people of the need for them. That puts him in an entirely league to her. That's also why all the centrists and left wingers on this board have instantly switched allegiance to Kemi after Jimmy Dimmly was knocked out.
Jenrick is surely the more radical candidate? Eg he's said he's had enough of European human rights whereas Badenoch is more ambivalent and it's possible she'll tolerate at least some of them.
My post from yesterday got a bit lost as it was ten minutes before Cleverley got knocked out, but for those who want more background on Jenrick other than the obvious (mural-painting, Desmond-loving) this takedown of Jenrick's time as Housing Secretary by journalist Peter Apps is worth a read -
In it he describes Jenrick as both callous and uncaring, as well as ineffective, delivering catastrophe after catastrophe during his tenure, delivering plans described as 'unworkable as well as politically unpalatable'. Later, after losing his job, he sought to blame the Treasury for his failures, avoiding any sort of accountability.
Apps goes on to note that no other housing minister attracted such a personal level of ire, with Brokenshire and Javid there was 'anger with the whole system' but with Jenrick 'it was personal'.
As someone put it the other day, if you could turn this guy into an aerosol (no snickering at the back, please), you could put him in a can and market him as a literal voter-repellent.
The Tories elect him at their peril.
But he's now up against Badenoch, and many of the same things can be said about her: ineffective as a minister, blamed others, sought to blame civil servants all the time.
Yes. The rumours about Badenoch say she is disliked within Whitehall
However this may be true of any right wing minister who has a genuinely right wing agenda
I have read that Substack article in full - I'm afraid I'm very much unconvinced.
Unless I've muddled my bills, the renters reform bill is a mess, which is in danger of driving down housing supply - I consider it to Jenrick’s credit that he parked it, and to Gove's discredit that he came in and sped it up.
I'm also not as appalled as perhaps I should be by the fact that he was hated by the Grenfell campaign groups, especially not by the reports that he 'looked uncomfortable' when someone burst into tears on a conference call - who wouldn't look uncomfortable? Again, I think on balance it is to Jenrick’s credit that he understood that promising the earth to a campaign group was not necessarily a wise decision and that the impacts needed to be weighed against the impacts to the housing supply, which was dire then and direr now.
The media and John Curtice have more or less ignored the Lib Dems since the election but they are only 49 seats behind the Conservatives. They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20. On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
It's very difficult to tell how many seats the Lib Dems are going to get though from national polling !:
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
They hate Labour being in power. It's not how things are meant to be.
It's not as though left-wing rags went easy on Tory governments or MPs, is it?
But there isn't really a left wing equivalent to the MailExTeleSun monster.
It’s a really interesting difference to note between UK and US media, that in the UK the mainstream is right of centre and the alternative (mostly online) is of the left; whereas in the US most of the mainstream is of the left, and the alternative of the right.
Well, that’s interesting, apart from it being not true. The biggest news network in the US is Fox. The three biggest newspapers are the Wall Street Journal (considered centre right), New York Times (again, to the right, but endorsing Harris) and New York Post (owned by Murdoch, right-wing).
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Misspeaks by the First Lord of the Treasury can cause diplomatic incidents, cause the stock market to crash, Sterling to crater, and start wars.
Indeed. But mistaking a torpedo for a bomb in a war that took place when you were 20 years of age is hardly likely to do so.
Especially if the chaps in Junkers or SM.79s were dropping both and both were going bang; plus uncle Starmer couldn't see outside for all I know.
Genuine question, when was the last time a vessel was sunk by a torpedo carried by an aircraft? The concept sounds very quaint nowadays - 'Deploy the Stringbags!"
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Misspeaks by the First Lord of the Treasury can cause diplomatic incidents, cause the stock market to crash, Sterling to crater, and start wars.
Indeed. But mistaking a torpedo for a bomb in a war that took place when you were 20 years of age is hardly likely to do so.
Especially if the chaps in Junkers or SM.79s were dropping both and both were going bang; plus uncle Starmer couldn't see outside for all I know.
Genuine question, when was the last time a vessel was sunk by a torpedo carried by an aircraft? The concept sounds very quaint nowadays - 'Deploy the Stringbags!"
Surprisingly, it looks as if it was the Hwacheon Dam in the Korean War.
For a real ship, I'd punt for something Japanese Imperial from summer 1945.
If there are any since then, it is probably Helicopter vs Submarine.
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
We see this completely differently. Kemi is sounding off making right wing noises - showing some leg. Her actual record of delivery is poor. Jenrick has real policies - he has explained why he feels they need to be put in place, and he's now persuading people of the need for them. That puts him in an entirely league to her. That's also why all the centrists and left wingers on this board have instantly switched allegiance to Kemi after Jimmy Dimmly was knocked out.
Jenrick is surely the more radical candidate? Eg he's said he's had enough of European human rights whereas Badenoch is more ambivalent and it's possible she'll tolerate at least some of them.
My post from yesterday got a bit lost as it was ten minutes before Cleverley got knocked out, but for those who want more background on Jenrick other than the obvious (mural-painting, Desmond-loving) this takedown of Jenrick's time as Housing Secretary by journalist Peter Apps is worth a read -
In it he describes Jenrick as both callous and uncaring, as well as ineffective, delivering catastrophe after catastrophe during his tenure, delivering plans described as 'unworkable as well as politically unpalatable'. Later, after losing his job, he sought to blame the Treasury for his failures, avoiding any sort of accountability.
Apps goes on to note that no other housing minister attracted such a personal level of ire, with Brokenshire and Javid there was 'anger with the whole system' but with Jenrick 'it was personal'.
As someone put it the other day, if you could turn this guy into an aerosol (no snickering at the back, please), you could put him in a can and market him as a literal voter-repellent.
The Tories elect him at their peril.
A couple of dozen Tory MPs appear to have no political nous whatsoever. That's probably down from 100+ at the time of Truss. Those who voted for her deserved to lose their seats. But the party in Westminster now seems to be devoid of whatever it was that kept them a political titan on the world stage for a couple of centuries.
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
They hate Labour being in power. It's not how things are meant to be.
It's not as though left-wing rags went easy on Tory governments or MPs, is it?
But there isn't really a left wing equivalent to the MailExTeleSun monster.
It’s a really interesting difference to note between UK and US media, that in the UK the mainstream is right of centre and the alternative (mostly online) is of the left; whereas in the US most of the mainstream is of the left, and the alternative of the right.
Well, that’s interesting, apart from it being not true. The biggest news network in the US is Fox. The three biggest newspapers are the Wall Street Journal (considered centre right), New York Times (again, to the right, but endorsing Harris) and New York Post (owned by Murdoch, right-wing).
While Fox might be the largest news network, it’s the only one on the right. There’s half a dozen more on the left, which combined are much larger than Fox. The US newspaper industry is much more regional and fragmented than in the UK.
My thinking was more that when you think of ‘alternative’ media in the UK, you think of Novara, Tortoise etc, whereas in the US you think of Daily Wire, Post Millennial etc.
The media and John Curtice have more or less ignored the Lib Dems since the election but they are only 49 seats behind the Conservatives. They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20. On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
I highly doubt it, most centre left voters won't vote LD after the Coalition and Badenoch or Jenrick should at least keep Tory to Reform leakage down even if they lose a few One Nationers to the LDs
The media and John Curtice have more or less ignored the Lib Dems since the election but they are only 49 seats behind the Conservatives. They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20. On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
It's very difficult to tell how many seats the Lib Dems are going to get though from national polling !:
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Misspeaks by the First Lord of the Treasury can cause diplomatic incidents, cause the stock market to crash, Sterling to crater, and start wars.
Indeed. But mistaking a torpedo for a bomb in a war that took place when you were 20 years of age is hardly likely to do so.
Especially if the chaps in Junkers or SM.79s were dropping both and both were going bang; plus uncle Starmer couldn't see outside for all I know.
Genuine question, when was the last time a vessel was sunk by a torpedo carried by an aircraft? The concept sounds very quaint nowadays - 'Deploy the Stringbags!"
Surprisingly, it looks as if it was the Hwacheon Dam in the Korean War.
For a real ship, I'd punt for something Japanese Imperial from summer 1945.
If there are any since then, it is probably Helicopter vs Submarine.
Note (and this tends to make Starmer's mistake slightly less ridiculous) the Argentine airforce fitted torpedos to their Pucaras, which they intended to use, but never actually did, against the RN task force.
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
They hate Labour being in power. It's not how things are meant to be.
It's not as though left-wing rags went easy on Tory governments or MPs, is it?
But there isn't really a left wing equivalent to the MailExTeleSun monster.
It’s a really interesting difference to note between UK and US media, that in the UK the mainstream is right of centre and the alternative (mostly online) is of the left; whereas in the US most of the mainstream is of the left, and the alternative of the right.
Well, that’s interesting, apart from it being not true. The biggest news network in the US is Fox. The three biggest newspapers are the Wall Street Journal (considered centre right), New York Times (again, to the right, but endorsing Harris) and New York Post (owned by Murdoch, right-wing).
The media and John Curtice have more or less ignored the Lib Dems since the election but they are only 49 seats behind the Conservatives. They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20. On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
I highly doubt it, most centre left voters won't vote LD after the Coalition and Badenoch or Jenrick should at least keep Tory to Reform leakage down even if they lose a few One Nationers to the LDs
I think you are wrong. Why vote for faux fash when the real thing is on offer with Refuk?
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
We see this completely differently. Kemi is sounding off making right wing noises - showing some leg. Her actual record of delivery is poor. Jenrick has real policies - he has explained why he feels they need to be put in place, and he's now persuading people of the need for them. That puts him in an entirely league to her. That's also why all the centrists and left wingers on this board have instantly switched allegiance to Kemi after Jimmy Dimmly was knocked out.
Jenrick is surely the more radical candidate? Eg he's said he's had enough of European human rights whereas Badenoch is more ambivalent and it's possible she'll tolerate at least some of them.
My post from yesterday got a bit lost as it was ten minutes before Cleverley got knocked out, but for those who want more background on Jenrick other than the obvious (mural-painting, Desmond-loving) this takedown of Jenrick's time as Housing Secretary by journalist Peter Apps is worth a read -
In it he describes Jenrick as both callous and uncaring, as well as ineffective, delivering catastrophe after catastrophe during his tenure, delivering plans described as 'unworkable as well as politically unpalatable'. Later, after losing his job, he sought to blame the Treasury for his failures, avoiding any sort of accountability.
Apps goes on to note that no other housing minister attracted such a personal level of ire, with Brokenshire and Javid there was 'anger with the whole system' but with Jenrick 'it was personal'.
As someone put it the other day, if you could turn this guy into an aerosol (no snickering at the back, please), you could put him in a can and market him as a literal voter-repellent.
The Tories elect him at their peril.
If anything that suggests Jenrick was too focused on planning reform and building more homes, that may have distracted him a bit from cladding and annoyed Nimbys but was not necessarily a bad policy for the Tories longer term
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Misspeaks by the First Lord of the Treasury can cause diplomatic incidents, cause the stock market to crash, Sterling to crater, and start wars.
Indeed. But mistaking a torpedo for a bomb in a war that took place when you were 20 years of age is hardly likely to do so.
Especially if the chaps in Junkers or SM.79s were dropping both and both were going bang; plus uncle Starmer couldn't see outside for all I know.
Genuine question, when was the last time a vessel was sunk by a torpedo carried by an aircraft? The concept sounds very quaint nowadays - 'Deploy the Stringbags!"
Possibly 1945! Wikipedia says the last known torpedo bomber attack was in 1950 by US forces, but that was against a dam in Korea, not a ship. There have been torpedo attacks since then, as late as the 2010 sinking of a South Korean ship, but not launched from aircraft.
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
Ed Davey in particular will be delighted. I can’t see how either of these two help bring back the blue wall - and given the number of seats, reversing their losses there is the only road back to power for the Tories.
This is overplayed IMHO. The reason the Tories lost in 2024 was because of a lack of competence. I am not convinced by the argument that their positioning, per se, was the cause - more the fact that their delivery was atrocious.
It wasn´t just competence. The alienation of the strivers and achievers from the Tory Party was also because of the poisonous and unpleasant rhetoric spewing out from the wreckage. The C2s went for Reform despite it, the ABs broke for the Lib Dems in precisely the places that hurt the Tories the most, because of it.
The Conservative Party really is on notice. They look increasingly like losers and weirdos and that is the way they have been acting for quite some time. No party has a right to immortality and taking your core vote for granted is a surefire way to keep losing.
The wealthy and educated will not support a party that, at best, has ignored them, at worst has attacked them.
They will not vote Labour either as they tax them ever more and in Tory v Labour marginals the only alternative to Labour is the Tories and they won't vote Reform
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
They hate Labour being in power. It's not how things are meant to be.
It's not as though left-wing rags went easy on Tory governments or MPs, is it?
But there isn't really a left wing equivalent to the MailExTeleSun monster.
It’s a really interesting difference to note between UK and US media, that in the UK the mainstream is right of centre and the alternative (mostly online) is of the left; whereas in the US most of the mainstream is of the left, and the alternative of the right.
Well, that’s interesting, apart from it being not true. The biggest news network in the US is Fox. The three biggest newspapers are the Wall Street Journal (considered centre right), New York Times (again, to the right, but endorsing Harris) and New York Post (owned by Murdoch, right-wing).
New York Times is right-wing?
Its new owner certainly is. And half its comment writers (and most of its headline writers...) seem to be.
I've been tracking this and locked in at 3.79% with my current provider (FD) when my 1.59% expired in March as soon as I was eligible. I mean a couple of slightly better offers did become available but I always felt they'd be pulled ASAP when I checked the SONIA and gilt rates.
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Misspeaks by the First Lord of the Treasury can cause diplomatic incidents, cause the stock market to crash, Sterling to crater, and start wars.
Indeed. But mistaking a torpedo for a bomb in a war that took place when you were 20 years of age is hardly likely to do so.
Especially if the chaps in Junkers or SM.79s were dropping both and both were going bang; plus uncle Starmer couldn't see outside for all I know.
Genuine question, when was the last time a vessel was sunk by a torpedo carried by an aircraft? The concept sounds very quaint nowadays - 'Deploy the Stringbags!"
The media and John Curtice have more or less ignored the Lib Dems since the election but they are only 49 seats behind the Conservatives. They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20. On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
I highly doubt it, most centre left voters won't vote LD after the Coalition and Badenoch or Jenrick should at least keep Tory to Reform leakage down even if they lose a few One Nationers to the LDs
I think you are wrong. Why vote for faux fash when the real thing is on offer with Refuk?
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
In some respects, it's a healthy thing that the PM isn't a military nerd. Middle aged men who obsess over this kind of stuff are really weird.
*Chucks grenade and logs out of PB*
The same right-wing media who regularly make a hash of reporting WW2? Where every UK and Commonweaslth fighter is a RAF Spitfire? And the same rightwingers who used a photo of, IIRC, Spitfires of 330 (Polish) Sqn RAF to illustrate their propaganda of how awful immigrants were?
On WW2 nerdism I came across one that I had not previously known much about - a thing called the Red House Meeting, which was allegedly Himmler organising the export of enormous amounts of SS and German industrial wealth at the end of WW2, which was in theory to be brought back later to rebuild a 4th Reich.
But since Himmler snuffed it the people who had exported it brought it back instead allegedly to feed the economic miracle. With lots of co-operative cover up and interference running from senior figures in the UK & US preventing anyone such as the FBI addressing it.
It was a Mark Felton, and high-up Allied dodginess is one of his favourite themes. So needs some checking, perhaps, as he likes speculating in such areas - though TBF he will usually say "I am speculating and this is my own interpretation".
The media and John Curtice have more or less ignored the Lib Dems since the election but they are only 49 seats behind the Conservatives. They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20. On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
It's very difficult to tell how many seats the Lib Dems are going to get though from national polling !:
I've been tracking this and locked in at 3.79% with my current provider (FD) when my 1.59% expired in March as soon as I was eligible. I mean a couple of slightly better offers did become available but I always felt they'd be pulled ASAP when I checked the SONIA and gilt rates.
The media and John Curtice have more or less ignored the Lib Dems since the election but they are only 49 seats behind the Conservatives. They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20. On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
I highly doubt it, most centre left voters won't vote LD after the Coalition and Badenoch or Jenrick should at least keep Tory to Reform leakage down even if they lose a few One Nationers to the LDs
I think you are wrong. Why vote for faux fash when the real thing is on offer with Refuk?
Cleverly was your way out of the wilderness.
Cleverly was Sunak2
Please yourself. Kemi and even moreso Honest Bob could be Truss2.
I've been tracking this and locked in at 3.79% with my current provider (FD) when my 1.59% expired in March as soon as I was eligible. I mean a couple of slightly better offers did become available but I always felt they'd be pulled ASAP when I checked the SONIA and gilt rates.
The SONIA (Sterling Overnight Index Average) seems to be trading at a slight yield discount to gilts over the same maturity period (Anyone know why ?). It looks slightly better for Reeves but I assume will follow gilts north.
I know he wasn't everyone's cup of tea but Hunt very much had the confidence of the bond markets during his tenure as chancellor.
Five down, could England really have a go at finishing this off tonight? Only need these two before we’re in to the bowlers.
The Pakistan number 11, Abrar Ahmed, is in hospital with fever and aches. I guess brought on by heat exhaustion?
So only nine wickets required today. He might be recovered by tomorrow.
Ooh, good to know. All the better to get them out today while they’re a man down - but he’ll probably take the drip out and run back to the ground if it looks like he might be needed tonight!
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
They hate Labour being in power. It's not how things are meant to be.
It's not as though left-wing rags went easy on Tory governments or MPs, is it?
But there isn't really a left wing equivalent to the MailExTeleSun monster.
It’s a really interesting difference to note between UK and US media, that in the UK the mainstream is right of centre and the alternative (mostly online) is of the left; whereas in the US most of the mainstream is of the left, and the alternative of the right.
Well, that’s interesting, apart from it being not true. The biggest news network in the US is Fox. The three biggest newspapers are the Wall Street Journal (considered centre right), New York Times (again, to the right, but endorsing Harris) and New York Post (owned by Murdoch, right-wing).
While Fox might be the largest news network, it’s the only one on the right. There’s half a dozen more on the left, which combined are much larger than Fox. The US newspaper industry is much more regional and fragmented than in the UK.
My thinking was more that when you think of ‘alternative’ media in the UK, you think of Novara, Tortoise etc, whereas in the US you think of Daily Wire, Post Millennial etc.
Or you can think of GB News in the UK and Daily Kos in the US.
The media and John Curtice have more or less ignored the Lib Dems since the election but they are only 49 seats behind the Conservatives. They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20. On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
I highly doubt it, most centre left voters won't vote LD after the Coalition and Badenoch or Jenrick should at least keep Tory to Reform leakage down even if they lose a few One Nationers to the LDs
I think you are wrong. Why vote for faux fash when the real thing is on offer with Refuk?
Cleverly was your way out of the wilderness.
Cleverly was Sunak2
Please yourself. Kemi and even moreso Honest Bob could be Truss2.
The way the bond markets are going Reeves could have that pleasure though pleasure is not what the electorate will feel
Having dissed Geneva for 36 hours I can say that CERN is incredible
I had no idea humans could make antimatter. I mean, I’d probably read that but here you understand that. And grasp it. Also I got to try my first really good virtual reality headset - it takes you down in the collider! - and I saw the original computer where Tim Berners Lee invented the world as it is today. We should demand it back and put it in the British museum
Even better the whole thing js free - as well as brilliant - so amazingly I still have money for a nice glass of wine at Geneva airport
I've been tracking this and locked in at 3.79% with my current provider (FD) when my 1.59% expired in March as soon as I was eligible. I mean a couple of slightly better offers did become available but I always felt they'd be pulled ASAP when I checked the SONIA and gilt rates.
The media and John Curtice have more or less ignored the Lib Dems since the election but they are only 49 seats behind the Conservatives. They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20. On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
I highly doubt it, most centre left voters won't vote LD after the Coalition and Badenoch or Jenrick should at least keep Tory to Reform leakage down even if they lose a few One Nationers to the LDs
I think you are wrong. Why vote for faux fash when the real thing is on offer with Refuk?
CERN is like a kind of anti-Auschwitz. As anti matter is to matter CERN is to the Nazi extermination camp
They look similar, lots of low strange buildings with gates and security and chimneys puffing, in Central Europe, but CERN is the BEST of humanity. Perhaps our most extraordinary achievement - experimental particle physics. Dissecting the essence of the universe
I've been tracking this and locked in at 3.79% with my current provider (FD) when my 1.59% expired in March as soon as I was eligible. I mean a couple of slightly better offers did become available but I always felt they'd be pulled ASAP when I checked the SONIA and gilt rates.
So any tinkering she tries to do is going to be dwarfed by the increase in debt interest payments, even before the capital fight.
She needs to be careful, I think the bond yields going up was more to do with the bumper non farm payroll US September numbers which gave global markets an abrupt dose of reality after Powell's bumper sugar rush half point cut. Chancellors can't make yields go down here - but they can make them go up if they fuck up *Cough Kwarteng/Truss*
The media and John Curtice have more or less ignored the Lib Dems since the election but they are only 49 seats behind the Conservatives. They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20. On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
I highly doubt it, most centre left voters won't vote LD after the Coalition and Badenoch or Jenrick should at least keep Tory to Reform leakage down even if they lose a few One Nationers to the LDs
I think you are wrong. Why vote for faux fash when the real thing is on offer with Refuk?
Cleverly was your way out of the wilderness.
Cleverly was Sunak2
Please yourself. Kemi and even moreso Honest Bob could be Truss2.
Truss 2 but with a united party and waaaaay better political and communications skills will do me just fine thanks.
At GE 2029 the key issue is whether people want to give Labour another chance. That’s usually the driver of the first GE after a party has won.
If people broadly want to give Labour another go and the Tories look weird and unreliable, then the LD seats will likely be very sticky.
If people want Labour out then it’s likely the LDs will lose some seats.
If option 2 arises though, unless people are flocking to the Tories en masse I wouldn’t expect the LDs to lose as many seats as would be hoped for by the Tories. They are good at putting down incumbency advantages.
Having dissed Geneva for 36 hours I can say that CERN is incredible
I had no idea humans could make antimatter. I mean, I’d probably read that but here you understand that. And grasp it. Also I got to try my first really good virtual reality headset - it takes you down in the collider! - and I saw the original computer where Tim Berners Lee invented the world as it is today. We should demand it back and put it in the British museum
Even better the whole thing js free - as well as brilliant - so amazingly I still have money for a nice glass of wine at Geneva airport
What do you mean "back"? I don't suppose that computer has ever left Switzerland, and Elgin Marbles style waltzing off with things to put in the BM is a bit out of fashion these days...
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
We see this completely differently. Kemi is sounding off making right wing noises - showing some leg. Her actual record of delivery is poor. Jenrick has real policies - he has explained why he feels they need to be put in place, and he's now persuading people of the need for them. That puts him in an entirely league to her. That's also why all the centrists and left wingers on this board have instantly switched allegiance to Kemi after Jimmy Dimmly was knocked out.
Jenrick is surely the more radical candidate? Eg he's said he's had enough of European human rights whereas Badenoch is more ambivalent and it's possible she'll tolerate at least some of them.
My post from yesterday got a bit lost as it was ten minutes before Cleverley got knocked out, but for those who want more background on Jenrick other than the obvious (mural-painting, Desmond-loving) this takedown of Jenrick's time as Housing Secretary by journalist Peter Apps is worth a read -
In it he describes Jenrick as both callous and uncaring, as well as ineffective, delivering catastrophe after catastrophe during his tenure, delivering plans described as 'unworkable as well as politically unpalatable'. Later, after losing his job, he sought to blame the Treasury for his failures, avoiding any sort of accountability.
Apps goes on to note that no other housing minister attracted such a personal level of ire, with Brokenshire and Javid there was 'anger with the whole system' but with Jenrick 'it was personal'.
As someone put it the other day, if you could turn this guy into an aerosol (no snickering at the back, please), you could put him in a can and market him as a literal voter-repellent.
The Tories elect him at their peril.
But he's now up against Badenoch, and many of the same things can be said about her: ineffective as a minister, blamed others, sought to blame civil servants all the time.
Yes. The rumours about Badenoch say she is disliked within Whitehall
However this may be true of any right wing minister who has a genuinely right wing agenda
As we are seeing with Starmer, it is not so much a x-wing agenda (ha) that is the problem. But having an agenda of change.
The Blob exists. It is not a conspiracy (much like the NU10K) just a combination of
1) All large organisations have a Way Things Are Done Here. 2) People within the organisation have built their careers, promotions, friendships, even beliefs around The Way Things Are Done Here. 3) This means that any attempt to change The Way Things Are Done Here meets immediate resistance on many fronts.
In my experience of working life, if someone is disliked in a work context it is usually because they are dislikeable, ie disagreeable in their personal dealings with people. That usually means being underhand or abrasive. Sometimes disagreeable people are good at driving through change because they don't mind upsetting the status quo. More often though they are ineffective because they put people's backs up unnecessarily and can't build coalitions to drive through change. Organisations are frequently full of people desperate to shake them up, the secret is to harness that energy but this is hard if everyone thinks you're a twat. I don't know much about Badenoch beyond what I've read in the media but she sounds like someone who puts people's backs up in unproductive ways. She's still a better choice than Jenrick though.
I've been tracking this and locked in at 3.79% with my current provider (FD) when my 1.59% expired in March as soon as I was eligible. I mean a couple of slightly better offers did become available but I always felt they'd be pulled ASAP when I checked the SONIA and gilt rates.
Most of this, as before, is being driven by global bond yields (stronger US jobs data means fewer rate cuts expected, and all markets correlate to the US to a large extent).
But UK giltsare underperforming US treasury yields. The expected increase in borrowing (from a high baseline) is impacting, albeit in part because of the uncertainty as to how much more there will be.
But I don't there's any real risk of a Truss type event.
Having dissed Geneva for 36 hours I can say that CERN is incredible
I had no idea humans could make antimatter. I mean, I’d probably read that but here you understand that. And grasp it. Also I got to try my first really good virtual reality headset - it takes you down in the collider! - and I saw the original computer where Tim Berners Lee invented the world as it is today. We should demand it back and put it in the British museum
Even better the whole thing js free - as well as brilliant - so amazingly I still have money for a nice glass of wine at Geneva airport
What do you mean "back"? I don't suppose that computer has ever left Switzerland, and Elgin Marbles style waltzing off with things to put in the BM is a bit out of fashion these days...
I mean “BACK to the British Museum” in the “handing BACK to Mauritius” sense, employed by our present government
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Just saying he has is an unfortunate run where he has a number of gaffes in short succession. You are very defensive.
I noticed at PMQs yesterday he fell into the trap of demanding an answer to 'his' question which when Sunak did that previously the Speaker reminded him it is PMs questions !!
As for 'so what' or 'who cares' or 172 seat majority just indicates an attempt to close down the uncomfortable truth that Starmer's first 100 days has descended into freebies, cronyism and a terrible civil war in no 10 reflecting in approval poll ratings even below Sunak
Starmer was elected on his undertaking for change and a new way of doing politics, which has disappointed many including myself as I thought he would at least be true to his word but ultimely all he has been is the same as the rest sadly
Change the record.
Thats the other one I forgot !!!!!
Who are you voting for in the Tory leadership contest?
I've been tracking this and locked in at 3.79% with my current provider (FD) when my 1.59% expired in March as soon as I was eligible. I mean a couple of slightly better offers did become available but I always felt they'd be pulled ASAP when I checked the SONIA and gilt rates.
Most of this, as before, is being driven by global bond yields (stronger US jobs data means fewer rate cuts expected, and all markets correlate to the US to a large extent).
But UK giltsare underperforming US treasury yields. The expected increase in borrowing (from a high baseline) is impacting, albeit in part because of the uncertainty as to how much more there will be.
But I don't there's any real risk of a Truss type event.
I've been tracking this and locked in at 3.79% with my current provider (FD) when my 1.59% expired in March as soon as I was eligible. I mean a couple of slightly better offers did become available but I always felt they'd be pulled ASAP when I checked the SONIA and gilt rates.
Most of this, as before, is being driven by global bond yields (stronger US jobs data means fewer rate cuts expected, and all markets correlate to the US to a large extent).
But UK giltsare underperforming US treasury yields. The expected increase in borrowing (from a high baseline) is impacting, albeit in part because of the uncertainty as to how much more there will be.
But I don't there's any real risk of a Truss type event.
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Just saying he has is an unfortunate run where he has a number of gaffes in short succession. You are very defensive.
I noticed at PMQs yesterday he fell into the trap of demanding an answer to 'his' question which when Sunak did that previously the Speaker reminded him it is PMs questions !!
As for 'so what' or 'who cares' or 172 seat majority just indicates an attempt to close down the uncomfortable truth that Starmer's first 100 days has descended into freebies, cronyism and a terrible civil war in no 10 reflecting in approval poll ratings even below Sunak
Starmer was elected on his undertaking for change and a new way of doing politics, which has disappointed many including myself as I thought he would at least be true to his word but ultimely all he has been is the same as the rest sadly
Change the record.
Thats the other one I forgot !!!!!
Who are you voting for in the Tory leadership contest?
The media and John Curtice have more or less ignored the Lib Dems since the election but they are only 49 seats behind the Conservatives. They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20. On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
I highly doubt it, most centre left voters won't vote LD after the Coalition and Badenoch or Jenrick should at least keep Tory to Reform leakage down even if they lose a few One Nationers to the LDs
I think you are wrong. Why vote for faux fash when the real thing is on offer with Refuk?
Cleverly was your way out of the wilderness.
Cleverly was Sunak2
Please yourself. Kemi and even moreso Honest Bob could be Truss2.
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
We see this completely differently. Kemi is sounding off making right wing noises - showing some leg. Her actual record of delivery is poor. Jenrick has real policies - he has explained why he feels they need to be put in place, and he's now persuading people of the need for them. That puts him in an entirely league to her. That's also why all the centrists and left wingers on this board have instantly switched allegiance to Kemi after Jimmy Dimmly was knocked out.
Jenrick is surely the more radical candidate? Eg he's said he's had enough of European human rights whereas Badenoch is more ambivalent and it's possible she'll tolerate at least some of them.
My post from yesterday got a bit lost as it was ten minutes before Cleverley got knocked out, but for those who want more background on Jenrick other than the obvious (mural-painting, Desmond-loving) this takedown of Jenrick's time as Housing Secretary by journalist Peter Apps is worth a read -
In it he describes Jenrick as both callous and uncaring, as well as ineffective, delivering catastrophe after catastrophe during his tenure, delivering plans described as 'unworkable as well as politically unpalatable'. Later, after losing his job, he sought to blame the Treasury for his failures, avoiding any sort of accountability.
Apps goes on to note that no other housing minister attracted such a personal level of ire, with Brokenshire and Javid there was 'anger with the whole system' but with Jenrick 'it was personal'.
As someone put it the other day, if you could turn this guy into an aerosol (no snickering at the back, please), you could put him in a can and market him as a literal voter-repellent.
The Tories elect him at their peril.
But he's now up against Badenoch, and many of the same things can be said about her: ineffective as a minister, blamed others, sought to blame civil servants all the time.
Yes. The rumours about Badenoch say she is disliked within Whitehall
However this may be true of any right wing minister who has a genuinely right wing agenda
As we are seeing with Starmer, it is not so much a x-wing agenda (ha) that is the problem. But having an agenda of change.
The Blob exists. It is not a conspiracy (much like the NU10K) just a combination of
1) All large organisations have a Way Things Are Done Here. 2) People within the organisation have built their careers, promotions, friendships, even beliefs around The Way Things Are Done Here. 3) This means that any attempt to change The Way Things Are Done Here meets immediate resistance on many fronts.
In my experience of working life, if someone is disliked in a work context it is usually because they are dislikeable, ie disagreeable in their personal dealings with people. That usually means being underhand or abrasive. Sometimes disagreeable people are good at driving through change because they don't mind upsetting the status quo. More often though they are ineffective because they put people's backs up unnecessarily and can't build coalitions to drive through change. Organisations are frequently full of people desperate to shake them up, the secret is to harness that energy but this is hard if everyone thinks you're a twat. I don't know much about Badenoch beyond what I've read in the media but she sounds like someone who puts people's backs up in unproductive ways. She's still a better choice than Jenrick though.
I knew a chap who was utterly hated in a bank.
That was because he was head of Risk after 2008. So his smashed everyone's rice bowl to impose a sane & legal reporting and monitoring system for risk.
Five down, could England really have a go at finishing this off tonight? Only need these two before we’re in to the bowlers.
The Pakistan number 11, Abrar Ahmed, is in hospital with fever and aches. I guess brought on by heat exhaustion?
So only nine wickets required today. He might be recovered by tomorrow.
Ooh, good to know. All the better to get them out today while they’re a man down - but he’ll probably take the drip out and run back to the ground if it looks like he might be needed tonight!
I'm not so sure, what's the point if they are likely to lose anyway?
Unpleasant behaviour from betfair this morning. Trump has shortened to 1.87. Does anyone know why? I can't see any new polls to justify it.
The American election involve a large quantity of partisan thinking. In it's most extreme form.
We have seen, many times in the past, people believing that odds mean something beyond how much money has been put on the *belief* that something will happen. That betting on Their Candidate somehow effects the real world.
Suckers in a market are a valuable resource.
Ok so nothing in particular then. Good.
A single whale is distorting the Pennsylvania position on Polymarket. Rumour is it's Musk
Hot Leon on Elon on Noel on Olen on Leno action! See them do "The Snake"! Gaze at their writhing lardy pasty flesh in awe! Gawp at the oozing! Hear them cry "Is it in yet?"
Are they going to hire a James Dyson or Jim Radcliffe, or are they looking for someone with at least four decades of public sector experience looking for the Sir or Dame to which they believe they’re entitled?
The media and John Curtice have more or less ignored the Lib Dems since the election but they are only 49 seats behind the Conservatives. They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20. On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
I highly doubt it, most centre left voters won't vote LD after the Coalition and Badenoch or Jenrick should at least keep Tory to Reform leakage down even if they lose a few One Nationers to the LDs
I think you are wrong. Why vote for faux fash when the real thing is on offer with Refuk?
Cleverly was your way out of the wilderness.
Cleverly was Sunak2
Please yourself. Kemi and even moreso Honest Bob could be Truss2.
They couldn't because they are in opposition. Truss as opposition leader could have been more effective but going straight in as PM she was too dramatic for the markets without a mandate from the voters which Badenoch or Jenrick would have to have got to implement their plans
Five down, could England really have a go at finishing this off tonight? Only need these two before we’re in to the bowlers.
The Pakistan number 11, Abrar Ahmed, is in hospital with fever and aches. I guess brought on by heat exhaustion?
So only nine wickets required today. He might be recovered by tomorrow.
Ooh, good to know. All the better to get them out today while they’re a man down - but he’ll probably take the drip out and run back to the ground if it looks like he might be needed tonight!
I'm not so sure, what's the point if they are likely to lose anyway?
Yeah if they're done for this evening no way the number 11 gets back. The chances of the final wicket partnership surviving 90 overs tommorow is for all intents and purposes nil.
Are they going to hire a James Dyson or Jim Radcliffe, or are they looking for someone with at least four decades of public sector experience looking for the Sir or Dame?
A safe pair of hands. With no ugly technical knowledge that would cause them to focus too much on details.
I look forward to my public/private partnership in growing ground nuts in Africa to create biofuel.
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
We see this completely differently. Kemi is sounding off making right wing noises - showing some leg. Her actual record of delivery is poor. Jenrick has real policies - he has explained why he feels they need to be put in place, and he's now persuading people of the need for them. That puts him in an entirely league to her. That's also why all the centrists and left wingers on this board have instantly switched allegiance to Kemi after Jimmy Dimmly was knocked out.
Jenrick is surely the more radical candidate? Eg he's said he's had enough of European human rights whereas Badenoch is more ambivalent and it's possible she'll tolerate at least some of them.
My post from yesterday got a bit lost as it was ten minutes before Cleverley got knocked out, but for those who want more background on Jenrick other than the obvious (mural-painting, Desmond-loving) this takedown of Jenrick's time as Housing Secretary by journalist Peter Apps is worth a read -
In it he describes Jenrick as both callous and uncaring, as well as ineffective, delivering catastrophe after catastrophe during his tenure, delivering plans described as 'unworkable as well as politically unpalatable'. Later, after losing his job, he sought to blame the Treasury for his failures, avoiding any sort of accountability.
Apps goes on to note that no other housing minister attracted such a personal level of ire, with Brokenshire and Javid there was 'anger with the whole system' but with Jenrick 'it was personal'.
As someone put it the other day, if you could turn this guy into an aerosol (no snickering at the back, please), you could put him in a can and market him as a literal voter-repellent.
The Tories elect him at their peril.
If anything that suggests Jenrick was too focused on planning reform and building more homes, that may have distracted him a bit from cladding and annoyed Nimbys but was not necessarily a bad policy for the Tories longer term
I mean, that's a rather interesting spin on an utterly devastating article.
Cladding was literally _the_ immediate issue of the post-Grenfell years, with hundreds of thousands of people directly affected, being trapped in unsaleable potential death trap flats, paying a small fortune in 'waking watch' costs, _and_ expected to foot the bill for developers who sold them the shoddy death traps in the first place. 'Caveat emptor' was literally Jenrick's reply.
The article notes Jenrick's utter lack of empathy - "When one of them burst into tears, Jenrick simply looked astonished and uncomfortable. No warm words of sympathy, no heartfelt expression of a desire to put things right. Just a blank stare at the webcam and a hope that it would stop."
Saying Jenrick was more concerned with planning reform (notably, reforms "popular with developers") ignores the thrust of that article, which describes "What he delivered was an almost immediate catastrophe," " taking a quick, hopeful punt, closing your ears to warnings that it could go wrong and assuming everything will be fine." "His next effort... went down like a bucket of cold sick" ..."a betrayal" etc.
It's his attitude that's the problem. Over the course of his tenure, he "alienated" and "angered" people with his "bullish, defensive attitude", leading to a personal ire from voters that wasn't there with his predecessors Brokenshire and Javid, or his successor, Gove.
And therein lies the problem. Jenrick proved himself to be not only incompetent and venal, but lacking in empathy and more interested in listening to developers and vested interests than in ordinary voters.
What you want in a party leader and potential prime minister is someone who combines popularity, empathy and competence, in a way that voters warm to.
There is every evidence from his time as Housing Secretary that Jenrick is the polar opposite.
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
We see this completely differently. Kemi is sounding off making right wing noises - showing some leg. Her actual record of delivery is poor. Jenrick has real policies - he has explained why he feels they need to be put in place, and he's now persuading people of the need for them. That puts him in an entirely league to her. That's also why all the centrists and left wingers on this board have instantly switched allegiance to Kemi after Jimmy Dimmly was knocked out.
Jenrick is surely the more radical candidate? Eg he's said he's had enough of European human rights whereas Badenoch is more ambivalent and it's possible she'll tolerate at least some of them.
My post from yesterday got a bit lost as it was ten minutes before Cleverley got knocked out, but for those who want more background on Jenrick other than the obvious (mural-painting, Desmond-loving) this takedown of Jenrick's time as Housing Secretary by journalist Peter Apps is worth a read -
In it he describes Jenrick as both callous and uncaring, as well as ineffective, delivering catastrophe after catastrophe during his tenure, delivering plans described as 'unworkable as well as politically unpalatable'. Later, after losing his job, he sought to blame the Treasury for his failures, avoiding any sort of accountability.
Apps goes on to note that no other housing minister attracted such a personal level of ire, with Brokenshire and Javid there was 'anger with the whole system' but with Jenrick 'it was personal'.
As someone put it the other day, if you could turn this guy into an aerosol (no snickering at the back, please), you could put him in a can and market him as a literal voter-repellent.
The Tories elect him at their peril.
But he's now up against Badenoch, and many of the same things can be said about her: ineffective as a minister, blamed others, sought to blame civil servants all the time.
Yes. The rumours about Badenoch say she is disliked within Whitehall
However this may be true of any right wing minister who has a genuinely right wing agenda
That’s probably the best reason to vote for her!
Civil servants are supposed to enact the minister’s agenda and what Parliament passes, not constantly say no and push back because they don’t like the agenda.
You’re taking Badenoch’s claims at face value. What if the civil servants are doing their best to enact their minister’s agenda, but Badenoch (or Jenrick) is a crap leader who is now just scapegoating them?
There's very little evidence of a Badenoch policy agenda that anyone could have thwarted or delayed. Can anyone step up to provide some ?
Thus far, it's all vibes.
Seems to be working for Kamala
Although you meant it sarcastically, it's a good point. As Davey showed, and Kamala may yet show, "vibes" election works. Faced with a snaggle-mouthed SKS and Ed and his bonfire of cash, it may prevail.
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Just saying he has is an unfortunate run where he has a number of gaffes in short succession. You are very defensive.
I noticed at PMQs yesterday he fell into the trap of demanding an answer to 'his' question which when Sunak did that previously the Speaker reminded him it is PMs questions !!
As for 'so what' or 'who cares' or 172 seat majority just indicates an attempt to close down the uncomfortable truth that Starmer's first 100 days has descended into freebies, cronyism and a terrible civil war in no 10 reflecting in approval poll ratings even below Sunak
Starmer was elected on his undertaking for change and a new way of doing politics, which has disappointed many including myself as I thought he would at least be true to his word but ultimely all he has been is the same as the rest sadly
Change the record.
Thats the other one I forgot !!!!!
Who are you voting for in the Tory leadership contest?
The right-wing media are making a bit of an ass of themselves over Starmer and his uncle.
Yes, some of the resultant memes are funny. But saying 'torpedoed' rather than 'bombed' is an easy misspeak to make. It's hardly major in the context, and I wouldn't classify it as a lie. His uncle served, and was on a ship that suffered damage in battle.
Starmer is having a bit of an unfortunate run of misspeaking, calling Sunak PM repeatedly, releasing the sausages...
So what?
Just saying he has is an unfortunate run where he has a number of gaffes in short succession. You are very defensive.
I noticed at PMQs yesterday he fell into the trap of demanding an answer to 'his' question which when Sunak did that previously the Speaker reminded him it is PMs questions !!
As for 'so what' or 'who cares' or 172 seat majority just indicates an attempt to close down the uncomfortable truth that Starmer's first 100 days has descended into freebies, cronyism and a terrible civil war in no 10 reflecting in approval poll ratings even below Sunak
Starmer was elected on his undertaking for change and a new way of doing politics, which has disappointed many including myself as I thought he would at least be true to his word but ultimely all he has been is the same as the rest sadly
Change the record.
Thats the other one I forgot !!!!!
Who are you voting for in the Tory leadership contest?
I've been tracking this and locked in at 3.79% with my current provider (FD) when my 1.59% expired in March as soon as I was eligible. I mean a couple of slightly better offers did become available but I always felt they'd be pulled ASAP when I checked the SONIA and gilt rates.
Gilt yields tend to move along with yields on US Treasuries. Since mid-September yields on 10 year gilts have risen by 48bp while those on 10 year Treasuries have risen 47bp. A lot of the commentary on this is a bit parochial.
Are they going to hire a James Dyson or Jim Radcliffe, or are they looking for someone with at least four decades of public sector experience looking for the Sir or Dame?
A safe pair of hands. With no ugly technical knowledge that would cause them to focus too much on details.
I look forward to my public/private partnership in growing ground nuts in Africa to create biofuel.
I'm surprised the previous, late unlamented administration didn't think to bolt that onto (so to speak) the Rwanda scheme. Instant 1950s vibes, what's not to like?
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
We see this completely differently. Kemi is sounding off making right wing noises - showing some leg. Her actual record of delivery is poor. Jenrick has real policies - he has explained why he feels they need to be put in place, and he's now persuading people of the need for them. That puts him in an entirely league to her. That's also why all the centrists and left wingers on this board have instantly switched allegiance to Kemi after Jimmy Dimmly was knocked out.
Jenrick is surely the more radical candidate? Eg he's said he's had enough of European human rights whereas Badenoch is more ambivalent and it's possible she'll tolerate at least some of them.
My post from yesterday got a bit lost as it was ten minutes before Cleverley got knocked out, but for those who want more background on Jenrick other than the obvious (mural-painting, Desmond-loving) this takedown of Jenrick's time as Housing Secretary by journalist Peter Apps is worth a read -
In it he describes Jenrick as both callous and uncaring, as well as ineffective, delivering catastrophe after catastrophe during his tenure, delivering plans described as 'unworkable as well as politically unpalatable'. Later, after losing his job, he sought to blame the Treasury for his failures, avoiding any sort of accountability.
Apps goes on to note that no other housing minister attracted such a personal level of ire, with Brokenshire and Javid there was 'anger with the whole system' but with Jenrick 'it was personal'.
As someone put it the other day, if you could turn this guy into an aerosol (no snickering at the back, please), you could put him in a can and market him as a literal voter-repellent.
The Tories elect him at their peril.
If anything that suggests Jenrick was too focused on planning reform and building more homes, that may have distracted him a bit from cladding and annoyed Nimbys but was not necessarily a bad policy for the Tories longer term
I mean, that's a rather interesting spin on an utterly devastating article.
Cladding was literally _the_ immediate issue of the post-Grenfell years, with hundreds of thousands of people directly affected, being trapped in unsaleable potential death trap flats, paying a small fortune in 'waking watch' costs, _and_ expected to foot the bill for developers who sold them the shoddy death traps in the first place. 'Caveat emptor' was literally Jenrick's reply.
The article notes Jenrick's utter lack of empathy - "When one of them burst into tears, Jenrick simply looked astonished and uncomfortable. No warm words of sympathy, no heartfelt expression of a desire to put things right. Just a blank stare at the webcam and a hope that it would stop."
Saying Jenrick was more concerned with planning reform (notably, reforms "popular with developers") ignores the thrust of that article, which describes "What he delivered was an almost immediate catastrophe," " taking a quick, hopeful punt, closing your ears to warnings that it could go wrong and assuming everything will be fine." "His next effort... went down like a bucket of cold sick" ..."a betrayal" etc.
It's his attitude that's the problem. Over the course of his tenure, he "alienated" and "angered" people with his "bullish, defensive attitude", leading to a personal ire from voters that wasn't there with his predecessors Brokenshire and Javid, or his successor, Gove.
And therein lies the problem. Jenrick proved himself to be not only incompetent and venal, but lacking in empathy and more interested in listening to developers and vested interests than in ordinary voters.
What you want in a party leader and potential prime minister is someone who combines popularity, empathy and competence, in a way that voters warm to.
There is every evidence from his time as Housing Secretary that Jenrick is the polar opposite.
I am not sure who I would vote for. They both seem like very poor candidates.
Even if I were still a Tory member, I think I would hope that neither would ever be prime minister - their faults would seem to make them particularly ill-suited to that role. (Jenrick's aggression and lack of intellect, Badenoch's inability to get the brain=>mouth ordering correct).
On balance, Badenoch would seem like the least-worst-option. Even if that is disastrous for my betting.
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
We see this completely differently. Kemi is sounding off making right wing noises - showing some leg. Her actual record of delivery is poor. Jenrick has real policies - he has explained why he feels they need to be put in place, and he's now persuading people of the need for them. That puts him in an entirely league to her. That's also why all the centrists and left wingers on this board have instantly switched allegiance to Kemi after Jimmy Dimmly was knocked out.
Jenrick is surely the more radical candidate? Eg he's said he's had enough of European human rights whereas Badenoch is more ambivalent and it's possible she'll tolerate at least some of them.
My post from yesterday got a bit lost as it was ten minutes before Cleverley got knocked out, but for those who want more background on Jenrick other than the obvious (mural-painting, Desmond-loving) this takedown of Jenrick's time as Housing Secretary by journalist Peter Apps is worth a read -
In it he describes Jenrick as both callous and uncaring, as well as ineffective, delivering catastrophe after catastrophe during his tenure, delivering plans described as 'unworkable as well as politically unpalatable'. Later, after losing his job, he sought to blame the Treasury for his failures, avoiding any sort of accountability.
Apps goes on to note that no other housing minister attracted such a personal level of ire, with Brokenshire and Javid there was 'anger with the whole system' but with Jenrick 'it was personal'.
As someone put it the other day, if you could turn this guy into an aerosol (no snickering at the back, please), you could put him in a can and market him as a literal voter-repellent.
The Tories elect him at their peril.
But he's now up against Badenoch, and many of the same things can be said about her: ineffective as a minister, blamed others, sought to blame civil servants all the time.
Yes. The rumours about Badenoch say she is disliked within Whitehall
However this may be true of any right wing minister who has a genuinely right wing agenda
That’s probably the best reason to vote for her!
Civil servants are supposed to enact the minister’s agenda and what Parliament passes, not constantly say no and push back because they don’t like the agenda.
You’re taking Badenoch’s claims at face value. What if the civil servants are doing their best to enact their minister’s agenda, but Badenoch (or Jenrick) is a crap leader who is now just scapegoating them?
There's very little evidence of a Badenoch policy agenda that anyone could have thwarted or delayed. Can anyone step up to provide some ?
Thus far, it's all vibes.
Seems to be working for Kamala
Although you meant it sarcastically, it's a good point. As Davey showed, and Kamala may yet show, "vibes" election works. Faced with a snaggle-mouthed SKS and Ed and his bonfire of cash, it may prevail.
Well it might. Or might not.
But that's hardly germane to the discussion (initiated by the Badenoch fans) about how she'd been 'frustrated' by the Civil Service.
I think whoever wins will make it to the election.
I’m minded to agree, it feels to me overpriced due to the musical chairs we all endured from them in the last 8 years. If they’re polling within a few points of Labour either way, I’m not convinced there’ll be any desire to change.
The one caveat I’d make to that is how well they work with others. Badenoch for instance has often been accused of being able to start a fight in an empty room, if she p*sses enough people off that could see her go.
The challenge for the Tories is simple - who are they?
If it was clear what modern Toryism was, we could find a way for a leader to lead it. But they seem to have long abandoned things like capitalism and conservatism, and instead march to the tune of Farage's pipe. That Farage is an agitator with zero policies or a plan to govern and yet they still want him demonstrates how far from safety they are.
The final 2 both represent the bonkers wing of the party, and with so few MPs the new leader will be sat on a hair-trigger before the letters trip the 22 into another entertaining blue on blue festival. If LOTO tries to keep MPs on board they lose the membership and get ousted by another further out in bonkers space. If they try to outmanoeuvre other insaniacs they get ousted by the Hunt caucus of MPs.
In short, the party looks unleadable. Hence the likelihood of another contest(s) before the election.
I don't agree Rochdale. Kemi's views aren't extreme. She just makes little attempt to sugar coat them. I don't really know what Jenrick thinks.
I think Kemi at least has a good opportunity to define what modern Conservatism does mean. Well, both of them do - but Kemi seems more of the thinker. Have you seen the TED talk she did that WilliamGlenn posted the link to last night?
She is, though, going to get painted as a mad extremist, because that's what happens to unapologetic Tories. It will be interesting to see how she responds.
We see this completely differently. Kemi is sounding off making right wing noises - showing some leg. Her actual record of delivery is poor. Jenrick has real policies - he has explained why he feels they need to be put in place, and he's now persuading people of the need for them. That puts him in an entirely league to her. That's also why all the centrists and left wingers on this board have instantly switched allegiance to Kemi after Jimmy Dimmly was knocked out.
Jenrick is surely the more radical candidate? Eg he's said he's had enough of European human rights whereas Badenoch is more ambivalent and it's possible she'll tolerate at least some of them.
My post from yesterday got a bit lost as it was ten minutes before Cleverley got knocked out, but for those who want more background on Jenrick other than the obvious (mural-painting, Desmond-loving) this takedown of Jenrick's time as Housing Secretary by journalist Peter Apps is worth a read -
In it he describes Jenrick as both callous and uncaring, as well as ineffective, delivering catastrophe after catastrophe during his tenure, delivering plans described as 'unworkable as well as politically unpalatable'. Later, after losing his job, he sought to blame the Treasury for his failures, avoiding any sort of accountability.
Apps goes on to note that no other housing minister attracted such a personal level of ire, with Brokenshire and Javid there was 'anger with the whole system' but with Jenrick 'it was personal'.
As someone put it the other day, if you could turn this guy into an aerosol (no snickering at the back, please), you could put him in a can and market him as a literal voter-repellent.
The Tories elect him at their peril.
But he's now up against Badenoch, and many of the same things can be said about her: ineffective as a minister, blamed others, sought to blame civil servants all the time.
Yes. The rumours about Badenoch say she is disliked within Whitehall
However this may be true of any right wing minister who has a genuinely right wing agenda
As we are seeing with Starmer, it is not so much a x-wing agenda (ha) that is the problem. But having an agenda of change.
The Blob exists. It is not a conspiracy (much like the NU10K) just a combination of
1) All large organisations have a Way Things Are Done Here. 2) People within the organisation have built their careers, promotions, friendships, even beliefs around The Way Things Are Done Here. 3) This means that any attempt to change The Way Things Are Done Here meets immediate resistance on many fronts.
In my experience of working life, if someone is disliked in a work context it is usually because they are dislikeable, ie disagreeable in their personal dealings with people. That usually means being underhand or abrasive. Sometimes disagreeable people are good at driving through change because they don't mind upsetting the status quo. More often though they are ineffective because they put people's backs up unnecessarily and can't build coalitions to drive through change. Organisations are frequently full of people desperate to shake them up, the secret is to harness that energy but this is hard if everyone thinks you're a twat. I don't know much about Badenoch beyond what I've read in the media but she sounds like someone who puts people's backs up in unproductive ways. She's still a better choice than Jenrick though.
I knew a chap who was utterly hated in a bank.
That was because he was head of Risk after 2008. So his smashed everyone's rice bowl to impose a sane & legal reporting and monitoring system for risk.
Having dissed Geneva for 36 hours I can say that CERN is incredible
I had no idea humans could make antimatter. I mean, I’d probably read that but here you understand that. And grasp it. Also I got to try my first really good virtual reality headset - it takes you down in the collider! - and I saw the original computer where Tim Berners Lee invented the world as it is today. We should demand it back and put it in the British museum
Even better the whole thing js free - as well as brilliant - so amazingly I still have money for a nice glass of wine at Geneva airport
What do you mean "back"? I don't suppose that computer has ever left Switzerland, and Elgin Marbles style waltzing off with things to put in the BM is a bit out of fashion these days...
I mean “BACK to the British Museum” in the “handing BACK to Mauritius” sense, employed by our present government
You'd need to rip out all the wiring from the walls and floors. Network, not individual console, remember.
Plus it was never a British-owned computer network, though, but a European one. CERN, the clue is in the name.
Comments
So we have already “seen what she does”: fuck all.
Go Kemi!
As for 'so what' or 'who cares' or 172 seat majority just indicates an attempt to close down the uncomfortable truth that Starmer's first 100 days has descended into freebies, cronyism and a terrible civil war in no 10 reflecting in approval poll ratings even below Sunak
Starmer was elected on his undertaking for change and a new way of doing politics, which has disappointed many including myself as I thought he would at least be true to his word but ultimely all he has been is the same as the rest sadly
I think Badenoch talks a good game on some of these things. I am far from convinced that she has what it takes to really solve the problems (I think she can perhaps be too good at talking about the issues without knowing what the solutions are), but I do tend to have a soft spot for politicians who at least show a willingness to think outside of the box.
They've been on offer since around 2010-11 in various variations.
They must be jumping for joy over yesterday, probably means they will hold all or virtually their seats
taken from the Tories in July and gain another 15-20.
On present form it is quite plausible that the next election will turn out to be a contest between Reform and Lib Dems.
Superb trolling from the AI bot!
Unless I've muddled my bills, the renters reform bill is a mess, which is in danger of driving down housing supply - I consider it to Jenrick’s credit that he parked it, and to Gove's discredit that he came in and sped it up.
I'm also not as appalled as perhaps I should be by the fact that he was hated by the Grenfell campaign groups, especially not by the reports that he 'looked uncomfortable' when someone burst into tears on a conference call - who wouldn't look uncomfortable? Again, I think on balance it is to Jenrick’s credit that he understood that promising the earth to a campaign group was not necessarily a wise decision and that the impacts needed to be weighed against the impacts to the housing supply, which was dire then and direr now.
2015 8 seats 7.9%
2017 12 seats 7.4%
2019 11 seats 11.6%
2024 72 seats 12.2%
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARA_Santa_Fe_(S-21)#Argentine_service
For a real ship, I'd punt for something Japanese Imperial from summer 1945.
If there are any since then, it is probably Helicopter vs Submarine.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93yenv5r74o
My thinking was more that when you think of ‘alternative’ media in the UK, you think of Novara, Tortoise etc, whereas in the US you think of Daily Wire, Post Millennial etc.
2010 13.1%
2015 29.0%
2017 34.9%
2019 32.0%
2024 11.5%
Cleverly was your way out of the wilderness.
And half its comment writers (and most of its headline writers...) seem to be.
What a choice...
So only nine wickets required today. He might be recovered by tomorrow.
But since Himmler snuffed it the people who had exported it brought it back instead allegedly to feed the economic miracle. With lots of co-operative cover up and interference running from senior figures in the UK & US preventing anyone such as the FBI addressing it.
It was a Mark Felton, and high-up Allied dodginess is one of his favourite themes. So needs some checking, perhaps, as he likes speculating in such areas - though TBF he will usually say "I am speculating and this is my own interpretation".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKDI2rxQ-fA
https://x.com/GloboGuido/status/1844309671362035812?t=gpFlfv49XST98fX-bP_01Q&s=19
I know he wasn't everyone's cup of tea but Hunt very much had the confidence of the bond markets during his tenure as chancellor.
Here are the top 50 news websites in the US: https://pressgazette.co.uk/media-audience-and-business-data/media_metrics/most-popular-websites-news-us-monthly-3/
The really interesting thing from that table is the Daily Mail at 9th and the BBC at 14th!
I had no idea humans could make antimatter. I mean, I’d probably read that but here you understand that. And grasp it. Also I got to try my first really good virtual reality headset - it takes you down in the collider! - and I saw the original computer where Tim Berners Lee invented the world as it is today. We should demand it back and put it in the British museum
Even better the whole thing js free - as well as brilliant - so amazingly I still have money for a nice glass of wine at Geneva airport
Cleverly would be Sunak3
They look similar, lots of low strange buildings with gates and security and chimneys puffing, in Central Europe, but CERN is the BEST of humanity. Perhaps our most extraordinary achievement - experimental particle physics. Dissecting the essence of the universe
Chancellors can't make yields go down here - but they can make them go up if they fuck up *Cough Kwarteng/Truss*
If people broadly want to give Labour another go and the Tories look weird and unreliable, then the LD seats will likely be very sticky.
If people want Labour out then it’s likely the LDs will lose some seats.
If option 2 arises though, unless people are flocking to the Tories en masse I wouldn’t expect the LDs to lose as many seats as would be hoped for by the Tories. They are good at putting down incumbency advantages.
I don't know much about Badenoch beyond what I've read in the media but she sounds like someone who puts people's backs up in unproductive ways. She's still a better choice than Jenrick though.
But UK giltsare underperforming US treasury yields. The expected increase in borrowing (from a high baseline) is impacting, albeit in part because of the uncertainty as to how much more there will be.
But I don't there's any real risk of a Truss type event.
Ireland's 492 is currently the highest score made in the first innings of a Test by a team who went on to lose by an innings.
They made that against Sri Lanka last year but conceded 704-3 declared and were dismissed for 202 in their second innings.
It's going to happen now, isn't it ?
Applications are open to recruit a Chair of the new Regulatory Innovation Office.
RIO will reduce red tape and speed up access to new technologies that improve our daily lives.
We're looking for an ambitious leader to shape a regulatory environment that is fit for the future.
https://x.com/SciTechgovuk/status/1844289287929593893
That was because he was head of Risk after 2008. So his smashed everyone's rice bowl to impose a sane & legal reporting and monitoring system for risk.
He had the board and pretty much no-one else.
Got it done.
I look forward to my public/private partnership in growing ground nuts in Africa to create biofuel.
Cladding was literally _the_ immediate issue of the post-Grenfell years, with hundreds of thousands of people directly affected, being trapped in unsaleable potential death trap flats, paying a small fortune in 'waking watch' costs, _and_ expected to foot the bill for developers who sold them the shoddy death traps in the first place. 'Caveat emptor' was literally Jenrick's reply.
The article notes Jenrick's utter lack of empathy - "When one of them burst into tears, Jenrick simply looked astonished and uncomfortable. No warm words of sympathy, no heartfelt expression of a desire to put things right. Just a blank stare at the webcam and a hope that it would stop."
Saying Jenrick was more concerned with planning reform (notably, reforms "popular with developers") ignores the thrust of that article, which describes "What he delivered was an almost immediate catastrophe," " taking a quick, hopeful punt, closing your ears to warnings that it could go wrong and assuming everything will be fine." "His next effort... went down like a bucket of cold sick" ..."a betrayal" etc.
It's his attitude that's the problem. Over the course of his tenure, he "alienated" and "angered" people with his "bullish, defensive attitude", leading to a personal ire from voters that wasn't there with his predecessors Brokenshire and Javid, or his successor, Gove.
And therein lies the problem. Jenrick proved himself to be not only incompetent and venal, but lacking in empathy and more interested in listening to developers and vested interests than in ordinary voters.
What you want in a party leader and potential prime minister is someone who combines popularity, empathy and competence, in a way that voters warm to.
There is every evidence from his time as Housing Secretary that Jenrick is the polar opposite.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/oct/10/south-korean-author-han-kang-wins-the-2024-nobel-prize-in-literature
Even if I were still a Tory member, I think I would hope that neither would ever be prime minister - their faults would seem to make them particularly ill-suited to that role. (Jenrick's aggression and lack of intellect, Badenoch's inability to get the brain=>mouth ordering correct).
On balance, Badenoch would seem like the least-worst-option. Even if that is disastrous for my betting.
England won.
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-in-pakistan-2022-23-1330866/pakistan-vs-england-1st-test-1330871/full-scorecard
It’s 3rd on the list of cricket match aggregate run records: https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/highest-match-aggregates-284002
But that's hardly germane to the discussion (initiated by the Badenoch fans) about how she'd been 'frustrated' by the Civil Service.
Plus it was never a British-owned computer network, though, but a European one. CERN, the clue is in the name.