Of course the King won't dissolve Parliament just a few months after the election and with Labour having such a strong and stable majority.
That said, the attacks from Musk are just another element of the narrative that Labour is turning out to be a very, very unpopular government and upsetting people on all sides of the political divide.
WFA will be the next thing to come back and bite them with this freezing cold weather set to last for a good week or more...
It isn't.
It's unpopular in the minds of 35 to 40% of the population who cannot accept Labour won.
Wait 2 years and Labour will be far more popular.
As for Musk.
Be it the CIA, the FBI, some disaffected MAGA type, a Muslim Cell, Mossad or too much Charlie I don't see him around long
5/6 the Charlie 5/4 Lone gunman 3/1 Trump supporter 6/1 CIA 8/1 Mossad
There will be of course be no election until 2028/29 . However the mere fact this is being taken semi seriously shows how bad labour have started . A bit of class war has backfired especially regarding farmers and the banal promise of "growth" has especially backfired given the abysmal budget that everyone can see is anti-growth
It's not being taken even semi-seriously by anyone with a brain.
- Calling for another election is fine, as far as I am concerned. - Getting the House of Commons to debate having another election via enough petition votes is fine. - The majority of the House voting for a dissolution and another election, this evening. Fine
The last isn't going to happen. Short of Starmer announcing that Trump is the Saviour Of The World - that *might* swing enough Labour MPs against him.
even if SKS is forced to resign as PM, Labour have enough seats to switch to someone else. I can't see it happening.
I had drinks with a labour insider last night. He surprised me by saying that Starmer is already in Trouble, and that if his dire polling does not improve in 18 months labour will remove him
Could be bollocks. My friend is loyal Labour. Centrist
Why come on here with a completely invented story knowing that no one on here believes a word you say?
FWIW, I believe Leon. I don't believe his friend's prediction because - as I noted below - Labour doesn't remove its leaders (not least because it doesn't really have the mechanism to do so).
Think about it. A Labour INSIDER has parroted in the exact same terms what Leon has been repeating ad nauseam since Labour came to power.
The only added extra is that its now been confirmed by a Labour Insider!Like he would even know a LABOUR INSIDER
Hmm. Do I think someone who lives and works in the London media industry knows a Labour member? I guess it's possible.
Roger must think that here in NW1 - or in the Groucho Club - I’ve managed to surround myself with a large group of Farageist friends. That would be quite an achievement, a bit like Roger spending every night in a Wetherspoons
Speaker vote update: "If Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson does not show up during the roll call vote for speaker, the majority support needed to win on the first ballot will be 217 votes, one extra vote to spare for the speaker, down from the 218 needed if all 434 were present." source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/03/house-speaker-vote-live-updates/ (Paul Kane, 8 minutes ago)
I think the Musk thing is well overblown. He is known for saying what he wants over many years . Most people note it and move on . It may well just be a reaction to a lot of labour staff overtly supporting the democrats in the US election. Farage is astute enough to not get too drawn in and will concentrate more on more mainstream issues turning out to be crap -uncontrolled immigration IS mainstream btw
It's the fact Musk is a turncoat and deserted the Democrats.
For a comparator, imagine if it had been - instead - Zuckerberg who quit the Democrats and went full MAGA.
We'd be seeing something quite similar, with lots of Facebook and Meta sledging, and alternatives to WhatsApp being suggested.
Could someone in her party send her the link? Or tell her about the Drew Review and Operation Stovewood by the NCA. Or the Jay report or what Dame Louise Casey has done?
Or remind her of what her fellow Cabinet Minister, Suellla Braverman, the Home Secretary to do in May 2023 when the final IICSA Report came out?
This is bandwagon jumping of the most tawdry kind instead of action - which she could have been asking for when she was an actual Cabinet Minister.
What magnificent results have these reports and enquiries produced?
The Drew Review was used to improve the approach of South Yorkshire Police.
Operation Stovewood: run by the NCA is the largest criminal enforcement investigation into non-family CSE. It has identified 1100 victims, has 50 investigations outstanding and has led to 36 convictions.
The Jay Report was used to improve services within Rotherham Council which was put into special measures. The council leader and head of children's services left.
It is something. By no means enough, of course.
But what actual use will yet another inquiry costing millions, reporting in a decade or so and telling us stuff we already know be? Because my suspicion is that this is not really about joining dots or understanding the manifold causes of male sexual violence - let alone taking effective action against it - but political point-scoring and a disguised fight about immigration, in which the needs of the victims - girls mostly - will largely be ignored.
Kemi is absolutely right to demand a full public enquiry. We quite rightly had one when postmasters' lives and livelihoods were ruined by public servants whose actions bordered on criminal. The victims of the grooming gangs deserve just as much justice, and the enablers of this abuse must be made to answer for their behaviour, and the causes brought into the open and eliminated from the public sphere.
This initiative is aligned to Kemi's long-held public stances on culture, and the stress she places on public bodies that don't work. It isn't just necessary, it feels authentic to her and what she stands for.
🙂↔️ you are clueless.
Kemi is in an official office, but the front page of today’s Daily Telegraph and Musk on X decides strategy and positions for her?
Then Kemi MUST lead at PMQs asking: how many beloved pets have been stolen and eaten by these outsiders to our country, for sure that hell is warmer than North Yorkshire today Bobby J will ask exactly this, at any moment.
This politics is developing just as awful for the Conservatives and their leader as could possibly have feared - ‘voting blocks’ on the marmite questions at the next General Election that favours Labour and Libdems mopping up seats from small % of votes from shrinking turnouts.
All Kemi’s questions at the next PMQs, at ALL PMQs this year, must flag to voters how an incoming government inherited a growing economy, that will now have absolutely no growth for the whole of 2025! leading to higher taxes and more borrowing to fill the expanding black hole.
Kemi should look to today’s FT front page, not the DT.
I think comparing the very real nightmare of gang-raped girls to rumours about Haitans eating pets is a bit rich for my blood to be honest, whether that was your intention or not.
There’s a goat gone missing around here, a much beloved family pet. Are you not thinking what we are all thinking about what’s happened to it? 🐐
It’s “that lot” over there - outsiders surging into our community, responsible for ALL the bad things, from no decent housing or dentists, to grooming gangs, and pets eaten.
If we tolerate this, our own families will be next.
Plus the fact Starmer was head of the criminal justice system, so any enquiry is really all about asking him why he failed us.
The intention is pointing out to everyone, you are a fellow traveller with fascism.
You don't deserve a response, but I shall give one just in case anyone gives a second thought to your thick-witted allegations.
I have said, until I'm blue in the face, in the last thread, and others, going back years, that I take a behaviourist view of the events in Rotherham and elsewhere, that there may have been cultural antecedents, but the ballooning scale of the events was itself due to the de facto immunity from punishment afforded by the authorities, which allowed groups of men to indulge their worst fantasies in a consequence-free environment. I blame the (primarily white) authorities for this cruel dereliction of duty, and that is what we need a public enquiry to establish and root out. We cannot stop crime at source but we can punish it and deprive those responsible of their freedom, in order to deter others as much as anything else.
What happened to those girls is not any kind of laughing matter, and your posts on this have for me crossed from your usual harmless buffoonery to grotesque, callous insensitivity. So well done on that. 🐐
You are correct that the worst part of it is the willingness of people in authority to treat rape as less important than their ideology.
As Terry Pratchett puts it:
“Treating people as things, that’s what sin is …that’s where it begins.”
Could someone in her party send her the link? Or tell her about the Drew Review and Operation Stovewood by the NCA. Or the Jay report or what Dame Louise Casey has done?
Or remind her of what her fellow Cabinet Minister, Suellla Braverman, the Home Secretary to do in May 2023 when the final IICSA Report came out?
This is bandwagon jumping of the most tawdry kind instead of action - which she could have been asking for when she was an actual Cabinet Minister.
What magnificent results have these reports and enquiries produced?
The Drew Review was used to improve the approach of South Yorkshire Police.
Operation Stovewood: run by the NCA is the largest criminal enforcement investigation into non-family CSE. It has identified 1100 victims, has 50 investigations outstanding and has led to 36 convictions.
The Jay Report was used to improve services within Rotherham Council which was put into special measures. The council leader and head of children's services left.
It is something. By no means enough, of course.
But what actual use will yet another inquiry costing millions, reporting in a decade or so and telling us stuff we already know be? Because my suspicion is that this is not really about joining dots or understanding the manifold causes of male sexual violence - let alone taking effective action against it - but political point-scoring and a disguised fight about immigration, in which the needs of the victims - girls mostly - will largely be ignored.
Kemi is absolutely right to demand a full public enquiry. We quite rightly had one when postmasters' lives and livelihoods were ruined by public servants whose actions bordered on criminal. The victims of the grooming gangs deserve just as much justice, and the enablers of this abuse must be made to answer for their behaviour, and the causes brought into the open and eliminated from the public sphere.
This initiative is aligned to Kemi's long-held public stances on culture, and the stress she places on public bodies that don't work. It isn't just necessary, it feels authentic to her and what she stands for.
🙂↔️ you are clueless.
Kemi is in an official office, but the front page of today’s Daily Telegraph and Musk on X decides strategy and positions for her?
Then Kemi MUST lead at PMQs asking: how many beloved pets have been stolen and eaten by these outsiders to our country, for sure that hell is warmer than North Yorkshire today Bobby J will ask exactly this, at any moment.
This politics is developing just as awful for the Conservatives and their leader as could possibly have feared - ‘voting blocks’ on the marmite questions at the next General Election that favours Labour and Libdems mopping up seats from small % of votes from shrinking turnouts.
All Kemi’s questions at the next PMQs, at ALL PMQs this year, must flag to voters how an incoming government inherited a growing economy, that will now have absolutely no growth for the whole of 2025! leading to higher taxes and more borrowing to fill the expanding black hole.
Kemi should look to today’s FT front page, not the DT.
I think comparing the very real nightmare of gang-raped girls to rumours about Haitans eating pets is a bit rich for my blood to be honest, whether that was your intention or not.
There’s a goat gone missing around here, a much beloved family pet. Are you not thinking what we are all thinking about what’s happened to it? 🐐
It’s “that lot” over there - outsiders surging into our community, responsible for ALL the bad things, from no decent housing or dentists, to grooming gangs, and pets eaten.
If we tolerate this, our own families will be next.
Plus the fact Starmer was head of the criminal justice system, so any enquiry is really all about asking him why he failed us.
The intention is pointing out to everyone, you are a fellow traveller with fascism.
You don't deserve a response, but I shall give one just in case anyone gives a second thought to your thick-witted allegations.
I have said, until I'm blue in the face, in the last thread, and others, going back years, that I take a behaviourist view of the events in Rotherham and elsewhere, that there may have been cultural antecedents, but the ballooning scale of the events was itself due to the de facto immunity from punishment afforded by the authorities, which allowed groups of men to indulge their worst fantasies in a consequence-free environment. I blame the (primarily white) authorities for this cruel dereliction of duty, and that is what we need a public enquiry to establish and root out. We cannot stop crime at source but we can punish it and deprive those responsible of their freedom, in order to deter others as much as anything else.
What happened to those girls is not any kind of laughing matter, and your posts on this have for me crossed from your usual harmless buffoonery to grotesque, callous insensitivity. So well done on that. 🐐
You are correct that the worst part of it is the willingness of people in authority to treat rape as less important than their ideology.
As Terry Pratchett puts it:
“Treating people as things, that’s what sin is …that’s where it begins.”
I've never met anyone who's been anything other than horrified by rape.
But, for some reason, it's considered to be a 'private' crime.
There will be of course be no election until 2028/29 . However the mere fact this is being taken semi seriously shows how bad labour have started . A bit of class war has backfired especially regarding farmers and the banal promise of "growth" has especially backfired given the abysmal budget that everyone can see is anti-growth
It's not being taken even semi-seriously by anyone with a brain.
- Calling for another election is fine, as far as I am concerned. - Getting the House of Commons to debate having another election via enough petition votes is fine. - The majority of the House voting for a dissolution and another election, this evening. Fine
The last isn't going to happen. Short of Starmer announcing that Trump is the Saviour Of The World - that *might* swing enough Labour MPs against him.
even if SKS is forced to resign as PM, Labour have enough seats to switch to someone else. I can't see it happening.
I had drinks with a labour insider last night. He surprised me by saying that Starmer is already in Trouble, and that if his dire polling does not improve in 18 months labour will remove him
Could be bollocks. My friend is loyal Labour. Centrist
Labour are in trouble because the ideological project of the modern UK is in trouble. The question is becoming whether it can be reformed or whether it will end in some kind of collapse or revolution.
You say that "Labour are in trouble" in relation to "will it end in some kind of collapse or revolution". Is the solution for Chaz to overthrow Labour so that we can put the Tories in?
If only we had the Tories in government, the "modern UK" would not be "in trouble". It was a paradise until July, and Labour broke it.
Boooooo I say, Booooooo. The only way to save our democracy, our modern UK is to overthrow democracy. People Voted the Wrong Way and we must Vote Again. Just as we didn't after Brexit where the exact same people suggested it would be outrageous to overthrow democracy and vote again.
No, as we've seen over the last 14 years, the Tories are part of the problem and are just as much in thrawl to the same ideology. Putting the Tories back in charge wouldn't help at all.
It's easier to critique capitalism than design a realistic alternative tbf.
Birmingham city council has reached an agreement to settle historical equal pay claims that left the authority with liabilities estimated at £760m and pushed it into effective bankruptcy.
I thought you were talking about the ideology on which the UK is based. There are several but I'd say it's capitalism if you have to pick just one.
What are you saying it is? What ideology has a bigger impact on life in Britain than capitalism?
Socialism is as powerful as capitalism, so we get social democracy, as the compromise between the two.
Yes, I'll accept that. Capitalism managed and mitigated to provide welfare and public services. But it's still the prime mover.
I fear William means "woke" though. You know how it is these days. Trump and Musk are influencing impressionable old minds.
There will be of course be no election until 2028/29 . However the mere fact this is being taken semi seriously shows how bad labour have started . A bit of class war has backfired especially regarding farmers and the banal promise of "growth" has especially backfired given the abysmal budget that everyone can see is anti-growth
It's not being taken even semi-seriously by anyone with a brain.
- Calling for another election is fine, as far as I am concerned. - Getting the House of Commons to debate having another election via enough petition votes is fine. - The majority of the House voting for a dissolution and another election, this evening. Fine
The last isn't going to happen. Short of Starmer announcing that Trump is the Saviour Of The World - that *might* swing enough Labour MPs against him.
even if SKS is forced to resign as PM, Labour have enough seats to switch to someone else. I can't see it happening.
I had drinks with a labour insider last night. He surprised me by saying that Starmer is already in Trouble, and that if his dire polling does not improve in 18 months labour will remove him
Could be bollocks. My friend is loyal Labour. Centrist
It's bollocks. Labour doesn't remove anyone. Ever. They do talk about it a lot though.
Well, they did remove MacDonald but that was only after he'd literally walked out on them and set up government with the Tories.
They removed Lansbury in 1935, but that was as much as anything else because he'd fallen out with the unions.
Lansbury resigned after being humiliated, and - as you mention - losing crucial union support. But even then, he wasn't actively ejected from the leadership.
Musk is looking deranged on X. But I think the mood on there captures *something* that has changed and won’t be going away - and I’ve no idea where it leads
What I do know is that people evidently voted for change / something different, and what it appears is happening with Labour in government is barely any different. The system we have in this country just isn’t fit for purpose.
There is a definite and dramatic vibe shift. The Temple of Woke is collapsing. In America. There are multiple signs everywhere now
What starts there will v likely come here
It will take its time to work its way over here.
At the moment, the government and progressive establishment is about to turn the Wokery dial up to eleven (they might even find a twelve) in education.
Musk is looking deranged on X. But I think the mood on there captures *something* that has changed and won’t be going away - and I’ve no idea where it leads
What I do know is that people evidently voted for change / something different, and what it appears is happening with Labour in government is barely any different. The system we have in this country just isn’t fit for purpose.
There is a definite and dramatic vibe shift. The Temple of Woke is collapsing. In America. There are multiple signs everywhere now
What starts there will v likely come here
To paraphrase Harold MacMillan, there is certainly a Wind of Change.
Musk is looking deranged on X. But I think the mood on there captures *something* that has changed and won’t be going away - and I’ve no idea where it leads
What I do know is that people evidently voted for change / something different, and what it appears is happening with Labour in government is barely any different. The system we have in this country just isn’t fit for purpose.
There is a definite and dramatic vibe shift. The Temple of Woke is collapsing. In America. There are multiple signs everywhere now
What starts there will v likely come here
To paraphrase Harold MacMillan, there is certainly a Wind of Change.
And thank Christ for that.
It's possibly the most pernicious political ideology I've encountered in my lifetime. Really insidious.
Another GE is not going to happen before 2029, but what we are witnessing is disunity and bitterness growing at a fearful rate with unknown consequences
Social media is virtually out of control with Musk pouring petrol on the flames
We can jump.up and down and shout to the heavens, but what we really need is good governance and I do not see where that is coming from
Very difficult times ahead
Social media needs to be regulated. It should be a public utility with fixed returns on capital. There should be no economic incentive to run toxic algorithms
But then how could Nick Clegg make $20m in five years?
He lost all credibility with his 'absolutely guaranteed' stick over Kamala Harris winning the US election, and then tried to wiggle out of it after with a vomit-inducing spin line of 'I'd rather be wrong thinking the best of people than right thinking the worst'.
It's no wonder he never amounted to much in the parliamentary party.
Well, I see that there has been the usual outrage about the appalling rape and abuse of girls.
Understandably - given the horrific nature of what was done and described in the transcripts of the sentencing remarks. What was done was horrific.
But was it that much more horrific than what you can find on internet porn sites easily enough? Indeed, how many of the men were carrying out in real life what they saw on porn sites? And how many of those men expressing outrage are equally outraged about the abuse of girls routinely uploaded to pornhub etc?
Or is the outrage only about who is doing these dreadful things? And conveniently ignoring all the other types of men who have done horrific things to women, girls, children (of both sexes) in all sorts of places and institutions for decades and decades while people turned a blind eye and promoted those in charge rather than holding anyone accountable?
There will be of course be no election until 2028/29 . However the mere fact this is being taken semi seriously shows how bad labour have started . A bit of class war has backfired especially regarding farmers and the banal promise of "growth" has especially backfired given the abysmal budget that everyone can see is anti-growth
It's not being taken even semi-seriously by anyone with a brain.
- Calling for another election is fine, as far as I am concerned. - Getting the House of Commons to debate having another election via enough petition votes is fine. - The majority of the House voting for a dissolution and another election, this evening. Fine
The last isn't going to happen. Short of Starmer announcing that Trump is the Saviour Of The World - that *might* swing enough Labour MPs against him.
even if SKS is forced to resign as PM, Labour have enough seats to switch to someone else. I can't see it happening.
I had drinks with a labour insider last night. He surprised me by saying that Starmer is already in Trouble, and that if his dire polling does not improve in 18 months labour will remove him
Could be bollocks. My friend is loyal Labour. Centrist
Why come on here with a completely invented story knowing that no one on here believes a word you say?
FWIW, I believe Leon. I don't believe his friend's prediction because - as I noted below - Labour doesn't remove its leaders (not least because it doesn't really have the mechanism to do so).
Think about it. A Labour INSIDER has parroted in the exact same terms what Leon has been repeating ad nauseam since Labour came to power.
The only added extra is that its now been confirmed by a Labour Insider!Like he would even know a LABOUR INSIDER
Hmm. Do I think someone who lives and works in the London media industry knows a Labour member? I guess it's possible.
Roger must think that here in NW1 - or in the Groucho Club - I’ve managed to surround myself with a large group of Farageist friends. That would be quite an achievement, a bit like Roger spending every night in a Wetherspoons
I spent a large part of an evening in Grouchos with an actual Labour shadow cabinet minister when there were some seriously interesting things going on in the Labour Party and there's no way he would have given me such a dreary bit of non gossip and if he had I would have found it too fatuous to report on here
Of course the King won't dissolve Parliament just a few months after the election and with Labour having such a strong and stable majority.
That said, the attacks from Musk are just another element of the narrative that Labour is turning out to be a very, very unpopular government and upsetting people on all sides of the political divide.
WFA will be the next thing to come back and bite them with this freezing cold weather set to last for a good week or more...
It isn't.
It's unpopular in the minds of 35 to 40% of the population who cannot accept Labour won.
Wait 2 years and Labour will be far more popular.
Why would Labour be more popular in two years when governments only ever get more unpopular in mid-term?
There will be of course be no election until 2028/29 . However the mere fact this is being taken semi seriously shows how bad labour have started . A bit of class war has backfired especially regarding farmers and the banal promise of "growth" has especially backfired given the abysmal budget that everyone can see is anti-growth
It's not being taken even semi-seriously by anyone with a brain.
- Calling for another election is fine, as far as I am concerned. - Getting the House of Commons to debate having another election via enough petition votes is fine. - The majority of the House voting for a dissolution and another election, this evening. Fine
The last isn't going to happen. Short of Starmer announcing that Trump is the Saviour Of The World - that *might* swing enough Labour MPs against him.
even if SKS is forced to resign as PM, Labour have enough seats to switch to someone else. I can't see it happening.
I had drinks with a labour insider last night. He surprised me by saying that Starmer is already in Trouble, and that if his dire polling does not improve in 18 months labour will remove him
Could be bollocks. My friend is loyal Labour. Centrist
Why come on here with a completely invented story knowing that no one on here believes a word you say?
FWIW, I believe Leon. I don't believe his friend's prediction because - as I noted below - Labour doesn't remove its leaders (not least because it doesn't really have the mechanism to do so).
Think about it. A Labour INSIDER has parroted in the exact same terms what Leon has been repeating ad nauseam since Labour came to power.
The only added extra is that its now been confirmed by a Labour Insider!Like he would even know a LABOUR INSIDER
Are we talking an MP or a Cabinet Minister?18 MONTHS!! It's laughable
Dearest Roger I live on the Primrose Hill borders and I work in artistic bohemian haute bourgeois circles. I can’t fucking move for Labour insiders - half my social circle at least is firmly on the left
Yes no way is this happening. Even though the Fixed Term Parliaments Act was repealed by the Johnson Government and replaced by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 enabling the Monarch to dissolve Parliament and call a general election again even though 5 years had not elapsed since the last one it would never be used unless the PM of the day requested a snap general election. Given Labour's majority in Parliament the Labour government is also likely to last the full 5 years however unpopular Starmer or any replacement Labour PM becomes.
The Australian replacement of Whitlam by Fraser as PM by the Governor General in 1975 and immediate snap double dissolution Federal Election was a different scenario as the elected Senate was controlled by the Coalition and blocking all legislation from the elected Labor controlled House of Representatives. Given Whitlam refused to call a double dissolution replacing him by Fraser who would call a snap Federal election was the only way to break the deadlock and get legislation through again and indeed Australians did indeed elect Fraser and his Liberal-National coalition by a landslide in the subsequent election giving them a majority in the House of Representatives as well as the Senate.
In the UK though such a scenario does not arise as we do not have an elected Senate like Australia but an unelected upper house in the form of the House of Lords which can only delay House of Commons legislation for a year not block it completely
There will be of course be no election until 2028/29 . However the mere fact this is being taken semi seriously shows how bad labour have started . A bit of class war has backfired especially regarding farmers and the banal promise of "growth" has especially backfired given the abysmal budget that everyone can see is anti-growth
It's not being taken even semi-seriously by anyone with a brain.
- Calling for another election is fine, as far as I am concerned. - Getting the House of Commons to debate having another election via enough petition votes is fine. - The majority of the House voting for a dissolution and another election, this evening. Fine
The last isn't going to happen. Short of Starmer announcing that Trump is the Saviour Of The World - that *might* swing enough Labour MPs against him.
even if SKS is forced to resign as PM, Labour have enough seats to switch to someone else. I can't see it happening.
I had drinks with a labour insider last night. He surprised me by saying that Starmer is already in Trouble, and that if his dire polling does not improve in 18 months labour will remove him
Could be bollocks. My friend is loyal Labour. Centrist
Labour are in trouble because the ideological project of the modern UK is in trouble. The question is becoming whether it can be reformed or whether it will end in some kind of collapse or revolution.
You say that "Labour are in trouble" in relation to "will it end in some kind of collapse or revolution". Is the solution for Chaz to overthrow Labour so that we can put the Tories in?
If only we had the Tories in government, the "modern UK" would not be "in trouble". It was a paradise until July, and Labour broke it.
Boooooo I say, Booooooo. The only way to save our democracy, our modern UK is to overthrow democracy. People Voted the Wrong Way and we must Vote Again. Just as we didn't after Brexit where the exact same people suggested it would be outrageous to overthrow democracy and vote again.
No, as we've seen over the last 14 years, the Tories are part of the problem and are just as much in thrawl to the same ideology. Putting the Tories back in charge wouldn't help at all.
It's easier to critique capitalism than design a realistic alternative tbf.
Well, I see that there has been the usual outrage about the appalling rape and abuse of girls.
Understandably - given the horrific nature of what was done and described in the transcripts of the sentencing remarks. What was done was horrific.
But was it that much more horrific than what you can find on internet porn sites easily enough? Indeed, how many of the men were carrying out in real life what they saw on porn sites? And how many of those men expressing outrage are equally outraged about the abuse of girls routinely uploaded to pornhub etc?
Or is the outrage only about who is doing these dreadful things? And conveniently ignoring all the other types of men who have done horrific things to women, girls, children (of both sexes) in all sorts of places and institutions for decades and decades while people turned a blind eye and promoted those in charge rather than holding anyone accountable?
We can compare the outrage at l'affaire Pelicot with events in northern English towns.
He lost all credibility with his 'absolutely guaranteed' stick over Kamala Harris winning the US election, and then tried to wiggle out of it after with a vomit-inducing spin line of 'I'd rather be wrong thinking the best of people than right thinking the worst'.
It's no wonder he never amounted to much in the parliamentary party.
I was fairly non-keen when I first saw a Ted talk someone was raving about by him posted here. Nothing personal about him, just not keen as a politician. Then I wasn't keen on his messiah walking in the London Mayoral race. Then there's his embrace of Bad Al. We are just not sympatico.
There will be of course be no election until 2028/29 . However the mere fact this is being taken semi seriously shows how bad labour have started . A bit of class war has backfired especially regarding farmers and the banal promise of "growth" has especially backfired given the abysmal budget that everyone can see is anti-growth
It's not being taken even semi-seriously by anyone with a brain.
- Calling for another election is fine, as far as I am concerned. - Getting the House of Commons to debate having another election via enough petition votes is fine. - The majority of the House voting for a dissolution and another election, this evening. Fine
The last isn't going to happen. Short of Starmer announcing that Trump is the Saviour Of The World - that *might* swing enough Labour MPs against him.
even if SKS is forced to resign as PM, Labour have enough seats to switch to someone else. I can't see it happening.
I had drinks with a labour insider last night. He surprised me by saying that Starmer is already in Trouble, and that if his dire polling does not improve in 18 months labour will remove him
Could be bollocks. My friend is loyal Labour. Centrist
Labour are in trouble because the ideological project of the modern UK is in trouble. The question is becoming whether it can be reformed or whether it will end in some kind of collapse or revolution.
The conservatives are still in deep political trouble and need to stop the Reform bandwagon. I voted Reform last election so not that fussed if they do not but one way to stop it might be to persuade Sunak to step down as an MP - If the tories are going to win a by -election currently Richmond is about the best candidate .This may steady leakage to Reform
Reform are only a superficial threat to the Tories. It's Labour for whom they are existential because they are claiming the mantle of defending the interests of the British working class against those who, in the name of ideology, think their interests should take second place.
My worry is that Reform and the Tories take each other out for a second time, and we get another term of these Britain hating/destroying See You Next Tuesdays for another 5 years.
Musk is looking deranged on X. But I think the mood on there captures *something* that has changed and won’t be going away - and I’ve no idea where it leads
What I do know is that people evidently voted for change / something different, and what it appears is happening with Labour in government is barely any different. The system we have in this country just isn’t fit for purpose.
There is a definite and dramatic vibe shift. The Temple of Woke is collapsing. In America. There are multiple signs everywhere now
What starts there will v likely come here
To paraphrase Harold MacMillan, there is certainly a Wind of Change.
Well, I see that there has been the usual outrage about the appalling rape and abuse of girls.
Understandably - given the horrific nature of what was done and described in the transcripts of the sentencing remarks. What was done was horrific.
But was it that much more horrific than what you can find on internet porn sites easily enough? Indeed, how many of the men were carrying out in real life what they saw on porn sites? And how many of those men expressing outrage are equally outraged about the abuse of girls routinely uploaded to pornhub etc?
Or is the outrage only about who is doing these dreadful things? And conveniently ignoring all the other types of men who have done horrific things to women, girls, children (of both sexes) in all sorts of places and institutions for decades and decades while people turned a blind eye and promoted those in charge rather than holding anyone accountable?
It was more horrific because it was non-consensual, and because of the ages of the victims.
Otherwise, I agree with your point that pornography played a role.
The conservatives are still in deep political trouble as well and need to stop the Reform bandwagon. I voted Reform last election so not that fussed if they do not but one way to stop it might be to persuade Sunak to step down as an MP - If the tories are going to win a by -election, currently Richmond is about the best seat they can do it in .This may steady leakage to Reform
At the moment Reform are gaining more Labour 2024 voters than Tory 2024 voters
There will be of course be no election until 2028/29 . However the mere fact this is being taken semi seriously shows how bad labour have started . A bit of class war has backfired especially regarding farmers and the banal promise of "growth" has especially backfired given the abysmal budget that everyone can see is anti-growth
It's not being taken even semi-seriously by anyone with a brain.
- Calling for another election is fine, as far as I am concerned. - Getting the House of Commons to debate having another election via enough petition votes is fine. - The majority of the House voting for a dissolution and another election, this evening. Fine
The last isn't going to happen. Short of Starmer announcing that Trump is the Saviour Of The World - that *might* swing enough Labour MPs against him.
even if SKS is forced to resign as PM, Labour have enough seats to switch to someone else. I can't see it happening.
I had drinks with a labour insider last night. He surprised me by saying that Starmer is already in Trouble, and that if his dire polling does not improve in 18 months labour will remove him
Could be bollocks. My friend is loyal Labour. Centrist
Labour are in trouble because the ideological project of the modern UK is in trouble. The question is becoming whether it can be reformed or whether it will end in some kind of collapse or revolution.
You say that "Labour are in trouble" in relation to "will it end in some kind of collapse or revolution". Is the solution for Chaz to overthrow Labour so that we can put the Tories in?
If only we had the Tories in government, the "modern UK" would not be "in trouble". It was a paradise until July, and Labour broke it.
Boooooo I say, Booooooo. The only way to save our democracy, our modern UK is to overthrow democracy. People Voted the Wrong Way and we must Vote Again. Just as we didn't after Brexit where the exact same people suggested it would be outrageous to overthrow democracy and vote again.
No, as we've seen over the last 14 years, the Tories are part of the problem and are just as much in thrawl to the same ideology. Putting the Tories back in charge wouldn't help at all.
It's easier to critique capitalism than design a realistic alternative tbf.
Birmingham city council has reached an agreement to settle historical equal pay claims that left the authority with liabilities estimated at £760m and pushed it into effective bankruptcy.
I thought you were talking about the ideology on which the UK is based. There are several but I'd say it's capitalism if you have to pick just one.
What are you saying it is? What ideology has a bigger impact on life in Britain than capitalism?
I'm not sure what the best name for it is but maybe legalism. The idea that the path towards progress comes from encoding ever more 'rights'.
A legacy of the great civil rights battles of the 60s and 70s. I don't think there's majority support for reversing all or any of that.
The conservatives are still in deep political trouble and need to stop the Reform bandwagon. I voted Reform last election so not that fussed if they do not but one way to stop it might be to persuade Sunak to step down as an MP - If the tories are going to win a by -election currently Richmond is about the best candidate .This may steady leakage to Reform
Reform are only a superficial threat to the Tories. It's Labour for whom they are existential because they are claiming the mantle of defending the interests of the British working class against those who, in the name of ideology, think their interests should take second place.
Except in 2024 Labour got more middle class than working class votes, Reform were the only UK wide party who got more C2DE working class voters than ABC1 middle class voters.
Labour ceased being the UK party of the working class as it was in the 20th century after Brexit and lost that position first to Boris' Conservatives in 2019 and then to Farage's Reform in 2024
There will be of course be no election until 2028/29 . However the mere fact this is being taken semi seriously shows how bad labour have started . A bit of class war has backfired especially regarding farmers and the banal promise of "growth" has especially backfired given the abysmal budget that everyone can see is anti-growth
It's not being taken even semi-seriously by anyone with a brain.
- Calling for another election is fine, as far as I am concerned. - Getting the House of Commons to debate having another election via enough petition votes is fine. - The majority of the House voting for a dissolution and another election, this evening. Fine
The last isn't going to happen. Short of Starmer announcing that Trump is the Saviour Of The World - that *might* swing enough Labour MPs against him.
even if SKS is forced to resign as PM, Labour have enough seats to switch to someone else. I can't see it happening.
I had drinks with a labour insider last night. He surprised me by saying that Starmer is already in Trouble, and that if his dire polling does not improve in 18 months labour will remove him
Could be bollocks. My friend is loyal Labour. Centrist
Why come on here with a completely invented story knowing that no one on here believes a word you say?
FWIW, I believe Leon. I don't believe his friend's prediction because - as I noted below - Labour doesn't remove its leaders (not least because it doesn't really have the mechanism to do so).
Think about it. A Labour INSIDER has parroted in the exact same terms what Leon has been repeating ad nauseam since Labour came to power.
The only added extra is that its now been confirmed by a Labour Insider!Like he would even know a LABOUR INSIDER
Hmm. Do I think someone who lives and works in the London media industry knows a Labour member? I guess it's possible.
Roger must think that here in NW1 - or in the Groucho Club - I’ve managed to surround myself with a large group of Farageist friends. That would be quite an achievement, a bit like Roger spending every night in a Wetherspoons
I spent a large part of an evening in Grouchos with an actual Labour shadow cabinet minister when there were some seriously interesting things going on in the Labour Party and there's no way he would have given me such a dreary bit of non gossip and if he had I would have found it too fatuous to report on here
That’s a shame, because it would have enlivened the endless pointless stream of low-watt, low-IQ verbal effluent that otherwise constitutes your PB commentary. Like spotting an unusually large dead dog in an otherwise toxic canal
Well, I see that there has been the usual outrage about the appalling rape and abuse of girls.
Understandably - given the horrific nature of what was done and described in the transcripts of the sentencing remarks. What was done was horrific.
But was it that much more horrific than what you can find on internet porn sites easily enough? Indeed, how many of the men were carrying out in real life what they saw on porn sites? And how many of those men expressing outrage are equally outraged about the abuse of girls routinely uploaded to pornhub etc?
Or is the outrage only about who is doing these dreadful things? And conveniently ignoring all the other types of men who have done horrific things to women, girls, children (of both sexes) in all sorts of places and institutions for decades and decades while people turned a blind eye and promoted those in charge rather than holding anyone accountable?
Everyone was equally outraged by the horrific events recounted in the trial in France last month, as well as by similar scandals in various churches, youth groups, and public broadcasters, in the recent past.
Of course some Trump supporters did try and storm the Capitol in Jan 2021 to try and stop then President elect Biden and the Democrats in Congress taking office and they were arguably Fascists. Not sure if Musk supported them then though
Wes Streeting urges households to turn their heating on this weekend
If true to form this could be the weekend the media concentrate on shivering pensioners !!!!
Well, yes.
I mean, you usually turn the heating on when it's cold.
Unless it's an Australian heating system and comes on in their winter, like my old school seemed to have.
How many people still have a hearing system that you turn on?
As opposed to setting the thermostat to 20 and forgetting about it.
20? Put a jumper on man!
Mrs Biggles would like you. I go for 17 and she raises it to 20. It oscillates through the day.
Mind you we do also have a coal fire as an affectation.
17? Wuss!
Mine's on 15.
(Admittedly that's because I'm in my office which is heated by a less than adequate electric radiator battling valiantly but unsuccessfully against the cold outside.)
The conservatives are still in deep political trouble and need to stop the Reform bandwagon. I voted Reform last election so not that fussed if they do not but one way to stop it might be to persuade Sunak to step down as an MP - If the tories are going to win a by -election currently Richmond is about the best candidate .This may steady leakage to Reform
Reform are only a superficial threat to the Tories. It's Labour for whom they are existential because they are claiming the mantle of defending the interests of the British working class against those who, in the name of ideology, think their interests should take second place.
My worry is that Reform and the Tories take each other out for a second time, and we get another term of these Britain hating/destroying See You Next Tuesdays for another 5 years.
They need to deal.
Or...the Conservatives need to make the case that voting Reform brings about the 180 degree opposite of what those voting Reform want.
Tricky though "stop being self-indulgent wankers!" might be to tell Reform voters, it is most apt...
Wes Streeting urges households to turn their heating on this weekend
If true to form this could be the weekend the media concentrate on shivering pensioners !!!!
Well, yes.
I mean, you usually turn the heating on when it's cold.
Unless it's an Australian heating system and comes on in their winter, like my old school seemed to have.
How many people still have a hearing system that you turn on?
As opposed to setting the thermostat to 20 and forgetting about it.
20? Put a jumper on man!
Mrs Biggles would like you. I go for 17 and she raises it to 20. It oscillates through the day.
Mind you we do also have a coal fire as an affectation.
17? Wuss!
Mine's on 15.
(Admittedly that's because I'm in my office which is heated by a less than adequate electric radiator battling valiantly but unsuccessfully against the cold outside.)
Mine’s on 22, only a couple of degrees below the outside ambient at the moment. Any lower and it starts to get expensive.
Wes Streeting urges households to turn their heating on this weekend
If true to form this could be the weekend the media concentrate on shivering pensioners !!!!
Well, yes.
I mean, you usually turn the heating on when it's cold.
Unless it's an Australian heating system and comes on in their winter, like my old school seemed to have.
How many people still have a hearing system that you turn on?
As opposed to setting the thermostat to 20 and forgetting about it.
20? Put a jumper on man!
Mrs Biggles would like you. I go for 17 and she raises it to 20. It oscillates through the day.
Mind you we do also have a coal fire as an affectation.
17? Wuss!
Mine's on 15.
(Admittedly that's because I'm in my office which is heated by a less than adequate electric radiator battling valiantly but unsuccessfully against the cold outside.)
I actually put a freezer in my house and leave the door open to lower the temperature to Minus 5C to show what a hero I am.
My wife has got very used to the down jackets and 8 season sleeping bags.
As Cookie got away with a picture from Pen-y-Ghent yesterday (no objections to that) and it is still vaguely holiday season I'm going to post two from my walk in the sun today (joined together to skirt the rules).
In this case, though, Leon style, there is a (probably too hard) quiz question to go with them.
How do they relate to British politics?
As a clue, they were taken in the southern part of Rotherham district, and the first image is rock (and moss), not pavement.
Wes Streeting urges households to turn their heating on this weekend
If true to form this could be the weekend the media concentrate on shivering pensioners !!!!
Well, yes.
I mean, you usually turn the heating on when it's cold.
Unless it's an Australian heating system and comes on in their winter, like my old school seemed to have.
How many people still have a hearing system that you turn on?
As opposed to setting the thermostat to 20 and forgetting about it.
20? Put a jumper on man!
Mrs Biggles would like you. I go for 17 and she raises it to 20. It oscillates through the day.
Mind you we do also have a coal fire as an affectation.
17? Wuss!
Mine's on 15.
(Admittedly that's because I'm in my office which is heated by a less than adequate electric radiator battling valiantly but unsuccessfully against the cold outside.)
Always a battle with the Wifey to stop her setting the heating at a "parky" 28...
She could live in a volcano - and still complain there was a chilly breeze coming in somewhere.
The conservatives are still in deep political trouble and need to stop the Reform bandwagon. I voted Reform last election so not that fussed if they do not but one way to stop it might be to persuade Sunak to step down as an MP - If the tories are going to win a by -election currently Richmond is about the best candidate .This may steady leakage to Reform
Reform are only a superficial threat to the Tories. It's Labour for whom they are existential because they are claiming the mantle of defending the interests of the British working class against those who, in the name of ideology, think their interests should take second place.
My worry is that Reform and the Tories take each other out for a second time, and we get another term of these Britain hating/destroying See You Next Tuesdays for another 5 years.
They need to deal.
Or...the Conservatives need to make the case that voting Reform brings about the 180 degree opposite of what those voting Reform want.
Tricky though "stop being self-indulgent wankers!" might be to tell Reform voters, it is most apt...
The biggest issue is that Reform couldn't fart in a toilet- they are a professional NOTA /protest party.
If you wanted someone Reformy who would actually be half effective, and get stuff done, you'd go for Jenrick.
Well, I see that there has been the usual outrage about the appalling rape and abuse of girls.
Understandably - given the horrific nature of what was done and described in the transcripts of the sentencing remarks. What was done was horrific.
But was it that much more horrific than what you can find on internet porn sites easily enough? Indeed, how many of the men were carrying out in real life what they saw on porn sites? And how many of those men expressing outrage are equally outraged about the abuse of girls routinely uploaded to pornhub etc?
Or is the outrage only about who is doing these dreadful things? And conveniently ignoring all the other types of men who have done horrific things to women, girls, children (of both sexes) in all sorts of places and institutions for decades and decades while people turned a blind eye and promoted those in charge rather than holding anyone accountable?
Have you read some of the more hideous details from the rape gang sentencing? I’m not urging you to do so. They are profoundly disturbing. What’s incredible is that reporters in the courts say that even MORE disturbing details are still being repressed - to keep the public peace
What on earth are they?
As for your well-meant remarks on porn, actually, no, you could not and cannot - thank God - find anything this depraved online or anywhere
If such porn exists - I hope and pray it doesn’t - it will stuff bought and sold on the dark web, or whatever
The conservatives are still in deep political trouble and need to stop the Reform bandwagon. I voted Reform last election so not that fussed if they do not but one way to stop it might be to persuade Sunak to step down as an MP - If the tories are going to win a by -election currently Richmond is about the best candidate .This may steady leakage to Reform
Reform are only a superficial threat to the Tories. It's Labour for whom they are existential because they are claiming the mantle of defending the interests of the British working class against those who, in the name of ideology, think their interests should take second place.
My worry is that Reform and the Tories take each other out for a second time, and we get another term of these Britain hating/destroying See You Next Tuesdays for another 5 years.
They need to deal.
Or...the Conservatives need to make the case that voting Reform brings about the 180 degree opposite of what those voting Reform want.
Tricky though "stop being self-indulgent wankers!" might be to tell Reform voters, it is most apt...
The Tory problem is who is going to trust them ? They.ve had too many say one thing pre election and then do the opposite for anyone to take them at face value.
The conservatives are still in deep political trouble and need to stop the Reform bandwagon. I voted Reform last election so not that fussed if they do not but one way to stop it might be to persuade Sunak to step down as an MP - If the tories are going to win a by -election currently Richmond is about the best candidate .This may steady leakage to Reform
Reform are only a superficial threat to the Tories. It's Labour for whom they are existential because they are claiming the mantle of defending the interests of the British working class against those who, in the name of ideology, think their interests should take second place.
My worry is that Reform and the Tories take each other out for a second time, and we get another term of these Britain hating/destroying See You Next Tuesdays for another 5 years.
They need to deal.
Or...the Conservatives need to make the case that voting Reform brings about the 180 degree opposite of what those voting Reform want.
Tricky though "stop being self-indulgent wankers!" might be to tell Reform voters, it is most apt...
The biggest issue is that Reform couldn't fart in a toilet- they are a professional NOTA /protest party.
If you wanted someone Reformy who would actually be half effective, and get stuff done, you'd go for Jenrick.
I think it must be because she's having a mare, that I am feeling better disposed to Kemi Badenoch recently.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Of course the King won't dissolve Parliament just a few months after the election and with Labour having such a strong and stable majority.
That said, the attacks from Musk are just another element of the narrative that Labour is turning out to be a very, very unpopular government and upsetting people on all sides of the political divide.
WFA will be the next thing to come back and bite them with this freezing cold weather set to last for a good week or more...
It isn't.
It's unpopular in the minds of 35 to 40% of the population who cannot accept Labour won.
Wait 2 years and Labour will be far more popular.
As for Musk.
Be it the CIA, the FBI, some disaffected MAGA type, a Muslim Cell, Mossad or too much Charlie I don't see him around long
5/6 the Charlie 5/4 Lone gunman 3/1 Trump supporter 6/1 CIA 8/1 Mossad
There's a damn sight more than 35% to 40% saying "I didn't bloody well vote for them...!"
I think the Musk thing is well overblown. He is known for saying what he wants over many years . Most people note it and move on . It may well just be a reaction to a lot of labour staff overtly supporting the democrats in the US election. Farage is astute enough to not get too drawn in and will concentrate more on more mainstream issues turning out to be crap -uncontrolled immigration IS mainstream btw
It's the fact Musk is a turncoat and deserted the Democrats.
For a comparator, imagine if it had been - instead - Zuckerberg who quit the Democrats and went full MAGA.
We'd be seeing something quite similar, with lots of Facebook and Meta sledging, and alternatives to WhatsApp being suggested.
I think that Zuck is due to go to the dark side sooner rather than later.
I think the Musk thing is well overblown. He is known for saying what he wants over many years . Most people note it and move on . It may well just be a reaction to a lot of labour staff overtly supporting the democrats in the US election. Farage is astute enough to not get too drawn in and will concentrate more on more mainstream issues turning out to be crap -uncontrolled immigration IS mainstream btw
It's the fact Musk is a turncoat and deserted the Democrats.
For a comparator, imagine if it had been - instead - Zuckerberg who quit the Democrats and went full MAGA.
We'd be seeing something quite similar, with lots of Facebook and Meta sledging, and alternatives to WhatsApp being suggested.
I think that Zuck is due to go to the dark side sooner rather than later.
That seems quite likely to me. Especially if there's money in it.
I think the Musk thing is well overblown. He is known for saying what he wants over many years . Most people note it and move on . It may well just be a reaction to a lot of labour staff overtly supporting the democrats in the US election. Farage is astute enough to not get too drawn in and will concentrate more on more mainstream issues turning out to be crap -uncontrolled immigration IS mainstream btw
It's the fact Musk is a turncoat and deserted the Democrats.
For a comparator, imagine if it had been - instead - Zuckerberg who quit the Democrats and went full MAGA.
We'd be seeing something quite similar, with lots of Facebook and Meta sledging, and alternatives to WhatsApp being suggested.
I think that Zuck is due to go to the dark side sooner rather than later.
All the Republicans on Twitter are telling the two-faced twat to Zuck off!
Who would have thought 3 years ago MVG would start at over 2/1 for a world darts final! Apparently Apple AI has already declared Littler the winner . Hope it wont be held against me when AI takes over the world but I think MVG is a good bet at over 2/1 - He has walked the walk many times , it may be a bit overwhelming for Littler
The conservatives are still in deep political trouble and need to stop the Reform bandwagon. I voted Reform last election so not that fussed if they do not but one way to stop it might be to persuade Sunak to step down as an MP - If the tories are going to win a by -election currently Richmond is about the best candidate .This may steady leakage to Reform
Reform are only a superficial threat to the Tories. It's Labour for whom they are existential because they are claiming the mantle of defending the interests of the British working class against those who, in the name of ideology, think their interests should take second place.
My worry is that Reform and the Tories take each other out for a second time, and we get another term of these Britain hating/destroying See You Next Tuesdays for another 5 years.
They need to deal.
Or...the Conservatives need to make the case that voting Reform brings about the 180 degree opposite of what those voting Reform want.
Tricky though "stop being self-indulgent wankers!" might be to tell Reform voters, it is most apt...
The biggest issue is that Reform couldn't fart in a toilet- they are a professional NOTA /protest party.
If you wanted someone Reformy who would actually be half effective, and get stuff done, you'd go for Jenrick.
Jenrick wouldn't have survived one full PMQs before he was tagged as "continuity Conservartive corruption".
And that would have been him - rightly - done for.
On a happier note, I visited Anglesey Abbey today, North of Cambridge.
The gardens in Winter are beautiful and there must be about £100 m of old masters, in the house.
Lord Fairhaven’s bequest to the National Trust was staggering.
It's a wonderful place. I'm lucky that it's so near me. My son used to love the watermill there, especially when they allowed him to start the waterwheel one day.
Who would have thought 3 years ago MVG would start at over 2/1 for a world darts final! Apparently Apple AI has already declared Littler the winner . Hope it wont be held against me when AI takes over the world but I think MVG is a good bet at over 2/1 - He has walked the walk many times , it may be a bit overwhelming for Littler
I'm on Luke from the start but wish I'd backed MVG when his half of the draw opened up.
I wonder what all those admiral's stripes indicate as to naval experience? Charles did serve a bit, and he should wear his earned rank proudly rather than his assumed one. He could have some sort of special king symbol too so that there was no danger of him having to salute anyone.
He lost all credibility with his 'absolutely guaranteed' stick over Kamala Harris winning the US election, and then tried to wiggle out of it after with a vomit-inducing spin line of 'I'd rather be wrong thinking the best of people than right thinking the worst'.
It's no wonder he never amounted to much in the parliamentary party.
I was fairly non-keen when I first saw a Ted talk someone was raving about by him posted here. Nothing personal about him, just not keen as a politician. Then I wasn't keen on his messiah walking in the London Mayoral race. Then there's his embrace of Bad Al. We are just not sympatico.
Secretly, he's in awe of Bad Al and craves his approval.
Of course the King won't dissolve Parliament just a few months after the election and with Labour having such a strong and stable majority.
That said, the attacks from Musk are just another element of the narrative that Labour is turning out to be a very, very unpopular government and upsetting people on all sides of the political divide.
WFA will be the next thing to come back and bite them with this freezing cold weather set to last for a good week or more...
It isn't.
It's unpopular in the minds of 35 to 40% of the population who cannot accept Labour won.
Wait 2 years and Labour will be far more popular.
This post is a real keeper.
Let's see how popular Labour are on 3rd January 2027, folks.
Wes Streeting urges households to turn their heating on this weekend
If true to form this could be the weekend the media concentrate on shivering pensioners !!!!
Well, yes.
I mean, you usually turn the heating on when it's cold.
Unless it's an Australian heating system and comes on in their winter, like my old school seemed to have.
How many people still have a hearing system that you turn on?
As opposed to setting the thermostat to 20 and forgetting about it.
I live in a rented flat with a (23 year old) combi boiler. It has one control on it, numbered from 0 to 10, and one of those old manual timers with the circle of switches. The radiators have controls on them which are technically thermostats. I suppose. But it's not like real thermostatic control of the air temperature.
Of course the King won't dissolve Parliament just a few months after the election and with Labour having such a strong and stable majority.
That said, the attacks from Musk are just another element of the narrative that Labour is turning out to be a very, very unpopular government and upsetting people on all sides of the political divide.
WFA will be the next thing to come back and bite them with this freezing cold weather set to last for a good week or more...
It isn't.
It's unpopular in the minds of 35 to 40% of the population who cannot accept Labour won.
Wait 2 years and Labour will be far more popular.
This post is a real keeper.
Let's see how popular Labour are on 3rd January 2027, folks.
I think the Musk thing is well overblown. He is known for saying what he wants over many years . Most people note it and move on . It may well just be a reaction to a lot of labour staff overtly supporting the democrats in the US election. Farage is astute enough to not get too drawn in and will concentrate more on more mainstream issues turning out to be crap -uncontrolled immigration IS mainstream btw
It's the fact Musk is a turncoat and deserted the Democrats.
For a comparator, imagine if it had been - instead - Zuckerberg who quit the Democrats and went full MAGA.
We'd be seeing something quite similar, with lots of Facebook and Meta sledging, and alternatives to WhatsApp being suggested.
I think that Zuck is due to go to the dark side sooner rather than later.
He lost all credibility with his 'absolutely guaranteed' stick over Kamala Harris winning the US election, and then tried to wiggle out of it after with a vomit-inducing spin line of 'I'd rather be wrong thinking the best of people than right thinking the worst'.
It's no wonder he never amounted to much in the parliamentary party.
Just to be clear - I meant Musk was not genuine fascist as he's a complete fake.
Wes Streeting urges households to turn their heating on this weekend
If true to form this could be the weekend the media concentrate on shivering pensioners !!!!
Well, yes.
I mean, you usually turn the heating on when it's cold.
Unless it's an Australian heating system and comes on in their winter, like my old school seemed to have.
How many people still have a hearing system that you turn on?
As opposed to setting the thermostat to 20 and forgetting about it.
20? Put a jumper on man!
Mrs Biggles would like you. I go for 17 and she raises it to 20. It oscillates through the day.
Mind you we do also have a coal fire as an affectation.
17? Wuss!
Mine's on 15.
(Admittedly that's because I'm in my office which is heated by a less than adequate electric radiator battling valiantly but unsuccessfully against the cold outside.)
Always a battle with the Wifey to stop her setting the heating at a "parky" 28...
She could live in a volcano - and still complain there was a chilly breeze coming in somewhere.
And yet, still, manage to put her naked cold feet on your legs in the middle of the night both of which have a temperature of minus 28.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Yes the golden legacy has been squandered in six months.
I am surprised at the enthusiasm on here for the overthrow of the recently elected Government. If Chas won't play ball with Musk, how many assassinations does he need for a VONC to pass?
And you lot said I was an enemy of democracy for asking for a second EU referendum.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Regarding the Canaries and the Costas, if the Spanish insist on treating British tourists like crap at passport control (as has been alleged) no surprise if they go somewhere else next time.
There will be of course be no election until 2028/29 . However the mere fact this is being taken semi seriously shows how bad labour have started . A bit of class war has backfired especially regarding farmers and the banal promise of "growth" has especially backfired given the abysmal budget that everyone can see is anti-growth
It's not being taken even semi-seriously by anyone with a brain.
- Calling for another election is fine, as far as I am concerned. - Getting the House of Commons to debate having another election via enough petition votes is fine. - The majority of the House voting for a dissolution and another election, this evening. Fine
The last isn't going to happen. Short of Starmer announcing that Trump is the Saviour Of The World - that *might* swing enough Labour MPs against him.
even if SKS is forced to resign as PM, Labour have enough seats to switch to someone else. I can't see it happening.
I had drinks with a labour insider last night. He surprised me by saying that Starmer is already in Trouble, and that if his dire polling does not improve in 18 months labour will remove him
Could be bollocks. My friend is loyal Labour. Centrist
Labour are in trouble because the ideological project of the modern UK is in trouble. The question is becoming whether it can be reformed or whether it will end in some kind of collapse or revolution.
You say that "Labour are in trouble" in relation to "will it end in some kind of collapse or revolution". Is the solution for Chaz to overthrow Labour so that we can put the Tories in?
If only we had the Tories in government, the "modern UK" would not be "in trouble". It was a paradise until July, and Labour broke it.
Boooooo I say, Booooooo. The only way to save our democracy, our modern UK is to overthrow democracy. People Voted the Wrong Way and we must Vote Again. Just as we didn't after Brexit where the exact same people suggested it would be outrageous to overthrow democracy and vote again.
No, as we've seen over the last 14 years, the Tories are part of the problem and are just as much in thrawl to the same ideology. Putting the Tories back in charge wouldn't help at all.
It's easier to critique capitalism than design a realistic alternative tbf.
Birmingham city council has reached an agreement to settle historical equal pay claims that left the authority with liabilities estimated at £760m and pushed it into effective bankruptcy.
I thought you were talking about the ideology on which the UK is based. There are several but I'd say it's capitalism if you have to pick just one.
What are you saying it is? What ideology has a bigger impact on life in Britain than capitalism?
I'm not sure what the best name for it is but maybe legalism. The idea that the path towards progress comes from encoding ever more 'rights'.
A legacy of the great civil rights battles of the 60s and 70s. I don't think there's majority support for reversing all or any of that.
It’s led to a huge edifice built on lies, and as the quote from the Chernobyl film has it: “Every lie we tell incurs a debt to the truth. Sooner or later that debt is paid.”
Wes Streeting urges households to turn their heating on this weekend
If true to form this could be the weekend the media concentrate on shivering pensioners !!!!
Well, yes.
I mean, you usually turn the heating on when it's cold.
Unless it's an Australian heating system and comes on in their winter, like my old school seemed to have.
How many people still have a hearing system that you turn on?
As opposed to setting the thermostat to 20 and forgetting about it.
I live in a rented flat with a (23 year old) combi boiler. It has one control on it, numbered from 0 to 10, and one of those old manual timers with the circle of switches. The radiators have controls on them which are technically thermostats. I suppose. But it's not like real thermostatic control of the air temperature.
Odds on next cabinet minister for the chop? Would suspect Tulip Siddiq must be odds on favourite, shameless:
EXC: The UK’s City Minister Tulip Siddiq was gifted an apartment in central London by a person with links to the party of her aunt Sheikh Hasina, the deposed former Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Yes the golden legacy has been squandered in six months.
I am surprised at the enthusiasm on here for the overthrow of the recently elected Government. If Chas won't play ball with Musk, how many assassinations does he need for a VONC to pass?
And you lot said I was an enemy of democracy for asking for a second EU referendum.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Regarding the Canaries and the Costas, if the Spanish insist on treating British tourists like crap at passport control (as has been alleged) no surprise if they go somewhere else next time.
Meanwhile, in the sandpit we just rolled out e-gates to all compatible passports for tourists. Average wait about two minutes.
Of course the King won't dissolve Parliament just a few months after the election and with Labour having such a strong and stable majority.
That said, the attacks from Musk are just another element of the narrative that Labour is turning out to be a very, very unpopular government and upsetting people on all sides of the political divide.
WFA will be the next thing to come back and bite them with this freezing cold weather set to last for a good week or more...
It isn't.
It's unpopular in the minds of 35 to 40% of the population who cannot accept Labour won.
Wait 2 years and Labour will be far more popular.
This post is a real keeper.
Let's see how popular Labour are on 3rd January 2027, folks.
Musk is free to suggest a dissolution and the government is free to laugh in his face.
It’s gonna be hilarious if Musk and Ackmann convince Trump to slap sanctions on us for human rights failings re children and gangs
Very very dark, but not with humour
The Republicans had to invent their own US child abuse crisis - supposedly underneath pizza parlours.
Not us though...
The Labour child abuse scandal has a nice ring to it.
"Labour's Rape Gangs", please. (For avoidance of doubt, I'm joking.)
I don't think this renewed interest in the scandal will be going anywhere sadly. Starmer can't really convene a public enquiry he'd be an important witness at, and the Labour party aren't going to force him to.
After the spy chat I decided to put Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy on Netflix and remind myself of how good the best is. It's a shame they were never able to get Smiley's People filmed. Gary Oldman really is a brilliant spy. No one else has come close in recent times.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Yes the golden legacy has been squandered in six months.
I am surprised at the enthusiasm on here for the overthrow of the recently elected Government. If Chas won't play ball with Musk, how many assassinations does he need for a VONC to pass?
And you lot said I was an enemy of democracy for asking for a second EU referendum.
After the spy chat I decided to put Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy on Netflix and remind myself of how good the best is. It's a shame they were never able to get Smiley's People filmed. Gary Oldman really is a brilliant spy. No one else has come close in recent times.
He lost all credibility with his 'absolutely guaranteed' stick over Kamala Harris winning the US election, and then tried to wiggle out of it after with a vomit-inducing spin line of 'I'd rather be wrong thinking the best of people than right thinking the worst'.
It's no wonder he never amounted to much in the parliamentary party.
Rory Stewart is an utter twat, I agree.
However, just as Musk is playing to his audience, Stewart is playing to his audience of dreary centrist Moms and Dads. I’m sure the sort of character who goes along to watch him and his buddy Alistair Campbell pontificate on stage for three hours will be whopping and cheering in delight.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Yes the golden legacy has been squandered in six months.
I am surprised at the enthusiasm on here for the overthrow of the recently elected Government. If Chas won't play ball with Musk, how many assassinations does he need for a VONC to pass?
And you lot said I was an enemy of democracy for asking for a second EU referendum.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Yes the golden legacy has been squandered in six months.
I am surprised at the enthusiasm on here for the overthrow of the recently elected Government. If Chas won't play ball with Musk, how many assassinations does he need for a VONC to pass?
And you lot said I was an enemy of democracy for asking for a second EU referendum.
Musk is free to suggest a dissolution and the government is free to laugh in his face.
It’s gonna be hilarious if Musk and Ackmann convince Trump to slap sanctions on us for human rights failings re children and gangs
Very very dark, but not with humour
The Republicans had to invent their own US child abuse crisis - supposedly underneath pizza parlours.
Not us though...
The Labour child abuse scandal has a nice ring to it.
"Labour's Rape Gangs", please. (For avoidance of doubt, I'm joking.)
I don't think this renewed interest in the scandal will be going anywhere sadly. Starmer can't really convene a public enquiry he'd be an important witness at, and the Labour party aren't going to force him to.
I don't know, if Musk can get it on the front pages and publicise the details there will be enough of a public outcry that they will be forced to call one and it will be worse because they'll have been dragged into it kicking and screaming.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Yes the golden legacy has been squandered in six months.
I am surprised at the enthusiasm on here for the overthrow of the recently elected Government. If Chas won't play ball with Musk, how many assassinations does he need for a VONC to pass?
And you lot said I was an enemy of democracy for asking for a second EU referendum.
Is anyone really advocating such things here?
Musk has asked for Chas to dissolve Parliament and for Phillips to be imprisoned, oh and Tommy Ten Names to be released. Hands up all those in favour.
After the spy chat I decided to put Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy on Netflix and remind myself of how good the best is. It's a shame they were never able to get Smiley's People filmed. Gary Oldman really is a brilliant spy. No one else has come close in recent times.
I'm sure you must be aware of the BBC series?
Yeah I couldn't find it easily though. The film was on Netflix.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Yes the golden legacy has been squandered in six months.
I am surprised at the enthusiasm on here for the overthrow of the recently elected Government. If Chas won't play ball with Musk, how many assassinations does he need for a VONC to pass?
And you lot said I was an enemy of democracy for asking for a second EU referendum.
After the spy chat I decided to put Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy on Netflix and remind myself of how good the best is. It's a shame they were never able to get Smiley's People filmed. Gary Oldman really is a brilliant spy. No one else has come close in recent times.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Yes the golden legacy has been squandered in six months.
I am surprised at the enthusiasm on here for the overthrow of the recently elected Government. If Chas won't play ball with Musk, how many assassinations does he need for a VONC to pass?
And you lot said I was an enemy of democracy for asking for a second EU referendum.
Is anyone really advocating such things here?
Musk has asked for Chas to dissolve Parliament and for Phillips to be imprisoned, oh and Tommy Ten Names to be released. Hands up all those in favour.
But no one on PB has enthusiastically supported it.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Yes the golden legacy has been squandered in six months.
I am surprised at the enthusiasm on here for the overthrow of the recently elected Government. If Chas won't play ball with Musk, how many assassinations does he need for a VONC to pass?
And you lot said I was an enemy of democracy for asking for a second EU referendum.
Is anyone really advocating such things here?
No, they aren't.
Check out some of yesterday's posts. No names but someone beginning with M.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Yes the golden legacy has been squandered in six months.
I am surprised at the enthusiasm on here for the overthrow of the recently elected Government. If Chas won't play ball with Musk, how many assassinations does he need for a VONC to pass?
And you lot said I was an enemy of democracy for asking for a second EU referendum.
Yesterday you accused me of flagging and had to apologise, and today I said it is nonsense to think a GE will be before 2029 and suggest I support the overthrow of the government - Really ?
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Yes the golden legacy has been squandered in six months.
I am surprised at the enthusiasm on here for the overthrow of the recently elected Government. If Chas won't play ball with Musk, how many assassinations does he need for a VONC to pass?
And you lot said I was an enemy of democracy for asking for a second EU referendum.
Is anyone really advocating such things here?
Musk has asked for Chas to dissolve Parliament and for Phillips to be imprisoned, oh and Tommy Ten Names to be released. Hands up all those in favour.
Yes, but he's Musk. Have any PBers suggested such a thing? ("as you lot")
Musk is looking deranged on X. But I think the mood on there captures *something* that has changed and won’t be going away - and I’ve no idea where it leads
What I do know is that people evidently voted for change / something different, and what it appears is happening with Labour in government is barely any different. The system we have in this country just isn’t fit for purpose.
There is a definite and dramatic vibe shift. The Temple of Woke is collapsing. In America. There are multiple signs everywhere now
Musk is free to suggest a dissolution and the government is free to laugh in his face.
It’s gonna be hilarious if Musk and Ackmann convince Trump to slap sanctions on us for human rights failings re children and gangs
Very very dark, but not with humour
The Republicans had to invent their own US child abuse crisis - supposedly underneath pizza parlours.
Not us though...
The Labour child abuse scandal has a nice ring to it.
"Labour's Rape Gangs", please. (For avoidance of doubt, I'm joking.)
I don't think this renewed interest in the scandal will be going anywhere sadly. Starmer can't really convene a public enquiry he'd be an important witness at, and the Labour party aren't going to force him to.
I wonder what all those admiral's stripes indicate as to naval experience? Charles did serve a bit, and he should wear his earned rank proudly rather than his assumed one. He could have some sort of special king symbol too so that there was no danger of him having to salute anyone.
The OTT uniforms worn at Buck House do look absurd. His dear old mum had more sense than to raid the dressing up box, although of course there are wartime photos of the Princess Elizabeth in khaki doing her bit.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Regarding the Canaries and the Costas, if the Spanish insist on treating British tourists like crap at passport control (as has been alleged) no surprise if they go somewhere else next time.
The argument is nonsense anyway as the WFA is £200 per household or £300 for the over 80s, and frankly it is not going to prevent those who want to go abroad doing so, but also why go somewhere the locals are hostile to you ?
After the spy chat I decided to put Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy on Netflix and remind myself of how good the best is. It's a shame they were never able to get Smiley's People filmed. Gary Oldman really is a brilliant spy. No one else has come close in recent times.
After the spy chat I decided to put Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy on Netflix and remind myself of how good the best is. It's a shame they were never able to get Smiley's People filmed. Gary Oldman really is a brilliant spy. No one else has come close in recent times.
I'm sure you must be aware of the BBC series?
Recently released by BBC DVD on Blu Ray too.
I watched the BBC series on a flight to Cape Verde. It’s sublime.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
There are going to be many pensioners freezing this weekend with a report on Sky that some are choosing between heating and eating and the principle reason the 20 labour councillors defected this week was the change in WFA
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Yes the golden legacy has been squandered in six months.
I am surprised at the enthusiasm on here for the overthrow of the recently elected Government. If Chas won't play ball with Musk, how many assassinations does he need for a VONC to pass?
And you lot said I was an enemy of democracy for asking for a second EU referendum.
Yesterday you accused me of flagging and had to apologise, and today I said it is nonsense to think a GE will be before 2029 and suggest I support the overthrow of the government - Really ?
I accused you of flagging because under your name it said "I flagged you". When it was pointed out to me that the quotes were not working correctly I apologised to you (twice).
I was not directly referring to you in my post, although I was replying to your post. However, if you feel the cap fits, wear it.
You don't seem to approve of Centrist Dad posters these days. If you have problem with us posting, flag and send a request to the mods to have all or some of us removed.
Comments
It's unpopular in the minds of 35 to 40% of the population who cannot accept Labour won.
Wait 2 years and Labour will be far more popular.
As for Musk.
Be it the CIA, the FBI, some disaffected MAGA type, a Muslim Cell, Mossad or too much Charlie I don't see him around long
5/6 the Charlie
5/4 Lone gunman
3/1 Trump supporter
6/1 CIA
8/1 Mossad
source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/03/house-speaker-vote-live-updates/
(Paul Kane, 8 minutes ago)
For a comparator, imagine if it had been - instead - Zuckerberg who quit the Democrats and went full MAGA.
We'd be seeing something quite similar, with lots of Facebook and Meta sledging, and alternatives to WhatsApp being suggested.
But, for some reason, it's considered to be a 'private' crime.
I fear William means "woke" though. You know how it is these days. Trump and Musk are influencing impressionable old minds.
And it was 90 years ago.
At the moment, the government and progressive establishment is about to turn the Wokery dial up to eleven (they might even find a twelve) in education.
It's possibly the most pernicious political ideology I've encountered in my lifetime. Really insidious.
You’ll find him near Maranello, Modena, look out for the number 44.
He lost all credibility with his 'absolutely guaranteed' stick over Kamala Harris winning the US election, and then tried to wiggle out of it after with a vomit-inducing spin line of 'I'd rather be wrong thinking the best of people than right thinking the worst'.
It's no wonder he never amounted to much in the parliamentary party.
Understandably - given the horrific nature of what was done and described in the transcripts of the sentencing remarks. What was done was horrific.
But was it that much more horrific than what you can find on internet porn sites easily enough? Indeed, how many of the men were carrying out in real life what they saw on porn sites? And how many of those men expressing outrage are equally outraged about the abuse of girls routinely uploaded to pornhub etc?
Or in the fact that allegations of choking - common in porn - are an increasing factor in rape allegations - https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/choking-allegations-rape-cases-scotland-drc7p27df?
Or is the outrage only about who is doing these dreadful things? And conveniently ignoring all the other types of men who have done horrific things to women, girls, children (of both sexes) in all sorts of places and institutions for decades and decades while people turned a blind eye and promoted those in charge rather than holding anyone accountable?
Edit: I suppose they might ditch Starmar, lol!
The Australian replacement of Whitlam by Fraser as PM by the Governor General in 1975 and immediate snap double dissolution Federal Election was a different scenario as the elected Senate was controlled by the Coalition and blocking all legislation from the elected Labor controlled House of Representatives. Given Whitlam refused to call a double dissolution replacing him by Fraser who would call a snap Federal election was the only way to break the deadlock and get legislation through again and indeed Australians did indeed elect Fraser and his Liberal-National coalition by a landslide in the subsequent election giving them a majority in the House of Representatives as well as the Senate.
In the UK though such a scenario does not arise as we do not have an elected Senate like Australia but an unelected upper house in the form of the House of Lords which can only delay House of Commons legislation for a year not block it completely
Bravo.
Thankfully.
They need to deal.
Whilst the Mail, Express and Telegraph desperately await a victim to Martyr on the real world
Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall, Canary Islands, Malta and The Costas are raging at massive drop off in Bookings for January and February
Millions of oldies can't have their State sponsored WFW Winter Fuel Week away.
Otherwise, I agree with your point that pornography played a role.
Labour ceased being the UK party of the working class as it was in the 20th century after Brexit and lost that position first to Boris' Conservatives in 2019 and then to Farage's Reform in 2024
effluent that otherwise constitutes your PB commentary. Like spotting an unusually large dead dog in an otherwise toxic canal
Mine's on 15.
(Admittedly that's because I'm in my office which is heated by a less than adequate electric radiator battling valiantly but unsuccessfully against the cold outside.)
Tricky though "stop being self-indulgent wankers!" might be to tell Reform voters, it is most apt...
My wife has got very used to the down jackets and 8 season sleeping bags.
In this case, though, Leon style, there is a (probably too hard) quiz question to go with them.
How do they relate to British politics?
As a clue, they were taken in the southern part of Rotherham district, and the first image is rock (and moss), not pavement.
She could live in a volcano - and still complain there was a chilly breeze coming in somewhere.
If you wanted someone Reformy who would actually be half effective, and get stuff done, you'd go for Jenrick.
What on earth are they?
As for your well-meant remarks on porn, actually, no, you could not and cannot - thank God - find anything this depraved online or anywhere
If such porn exists - I hope and pray it doesn’t - it will stuff bought and sold on the dark web, or whatever
And in view of the appalling state of the economy it is not a surprise there is a drop in tourism
Very very dark, but not with humour
Musk seems a bit mad at the moment. I suspect he'll calm down and get on with the good stuff.
KC3 on the other hand is doing a wonderfully level-headed acceptance of his riches.
Whilst the turbulent world of the daft churns, I'm sure most of us can get on with life.
And that would have been him - rightly - done for.
The gardens in Winter are beautiful and there must be about £100 m of old masters, in the house.
Lord Fairhaven’s bequest to the National Trust was staggering.
Let's see how popular Labour are on 3rd January 2027, folks.
It may be true of Rory Stewart as well.
I am surprised at the enthusiasm on here for the overthrow of the recently elected Government. If Chas won't play ball with Musk, how many assassinations does he need for a VONC to pass?
And you lot said I was an enemy of democracy for asking for a second EU referendum.
Not us though...
That goes to 11.
EXC: The UK’s City Minister Tulip Siddiq was gifted an apartment in central London by a person with links to the party of her aunt Sheikh Hasina, the deposed former Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
@FT
story with
@xtophercook
and
@SavageSusannah
Johnson doesn’t win the first round, three votes against and five abstentions from the House GOP.
2nd round happening now.
PMSL
Do you want tourists into your country or not?
I don't think this renewed interest in the scandal will be going anywhere sadly. Starmer can't really convene a public enquiry he'd be an important witness at, and the Labour party aren't going to force him to.
However, just as Musk is playing to his audience, Stewart is playing to his audience of dreary centrist Moms and Dads. I’m sure the sort of character who goes along to watch him and his buddy Alistair Campbell pontificate on stage for three hours will be whopping and cheering in delight.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083480/
Complete with Capt. Picard as Karla.
In the remake that you watched the mis-casting of Mark Strong as Jim Prideaux annoyed. Ian Bannen had the right kind of savagery.
But, his Smiley stories were incredible.
Marcus Wolf, head of the Stasi loved them, and thought Le Carre must have had some high level contact, to depict his organisation so accurately.
I watched the BBC series on a flight to Cape Verde. It’s sublime.
I was not directly referring to you in my post, although I was replying to your post. However, if you feel the cap fits, wear it.
You don't seem to approve of Centrist Dad posters these days. If you have problem with us posting, flag and send a request to the mods to have all or some of us removed.