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We potentially are over four years away from the next election, a lot can happen between now & then

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Comments

  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 44,607
    Nigelb said:

    We were told these would be useless, as the airfields they could be flown from couldn't be protected, and in any event they wouldn't be risked on strike missions.
    https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1891204744389001599

    Who needs 'experts' ? ;)
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 23,434
    Leon said:

    viewcode said:

    Scott_xP said:

    WTF?

    @GeorgeWParker

    Kemi Badenoch this morning: "A country cannot be successful if its people and intellectual elite don’t believe in it. This means dealing with the poisoning of minds through higher education."

    Most of the right-wing intellectual elite believe in Britain so little they live outside of it (eg Douglas Murray in New York, Andrew Neil in France)
    Because they are affluent and the Left has turned Britain into a toilet at a 3rd rate zoo

    What are we meant to do, hang around pretending it’s lovely with fixed, rictus grins as we stare at the litter and the machetes?
    You are meant to fix it. If the UK is "a toilet at a 3rd rate zoo", it is out fault and we must fix it. Buggering off to Buttfuck, Kentucky or Ballfondle-sur-Seine and tutting is not a solution.
  • TazTaz Posts: 16,604
    edited February 17

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    And that blithering idiot, Rayner. The posh posters on here's view of a true working class role model. Don't think she's the toast of the inner cities and council estates up and down the country like she is here.

    “The upcoming employment rights bill is a major source of stress for small firms, with nine in 10 business owners saying they are concerned about its introduction, and this is undoubtedly a major cause of the very subdued confidence levels seen in our research.”
  • Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,868
    Leon said:

    Has that beta cuck kraut done seppuku yet, after blubbing at the HURTY WORDS from J D Vance?

    If not, how does he cope with the shame?!

    You need to catch up. The narrative is moving fast. Sir Keir is now Churchill to Vance's Charles Lindbergh.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 58,436
    viewcode said:

    Leon said:

    viewcode said:

    Scott_xP said:

    WTF?

    @GeorgeWParker

    Kemi Badenoch this morning: "A country cannot be successful if its people and intellectual elite don’t believe in it. This means dealing with the poisoning of minds through higher education."

    Most of the right-wing intellectual elite believe in Britain so little they live outside of it (eg Douglas Murray in New York, Andrew Neil in France)
    Because they are affluent and the Left has turned Britain into a toilet at a 3rd rate zoo

    What are we meant to do, hang around pretending it’s lovely with fixed, rictus grins as we stare at the litter and the machetes?
    You are meant to fix it. If the UK is "a toilet at a 3rd rate zoo", it is out fault and we must fix it. Buggering off to Buttfuck, Kentucky or Ballfondle-sur-Seine and tutting is not a solution.
    I’ve told you: I am mulling a political career as the UK’s Caudillo

    OR I’m gonna join the Quakers
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 74,117
    US demands Europe sets out arms and troops support for postwar Ukraine

    Call comes as Emmanuel Macron plans Paris summit to discuss stepping up European support for Kyiv
    https://www.ft.com/content/1924c2b3-4d14-46d6-84d1-b47073b6f55b

    We're not invited to any talks on Ukraine's future.
    They're just sending us a questionnaire to fill in.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 52,941
    MattW said:

    Sandpit said:

    Sandpit said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    RFK Jr is going for it on the spray tan. Bro is mahogany.

    Trying to be more orange than Trump. He’s going for the ‘roids as well, no 70-year-old looks like that from the gym.
    The irony, given his AntiCorporatePoison shtick, is that steroid abuse (and other hideous "enhancing" drugs) is becoming an epidemic among young men. Think of it as the complement to the anorexia plague among girls - absurd body images primed in media....

    Oh indeed, seems somewhat off for the guy who’s spent his whole career having a go at drug companies and crappy American food.

    The latest drug plague over there is of course Ozempic, most of which in celebrity circles is coming from the same friendly supplier as the cocaine rather than more regular routes, and is making people seriously ill while projecting a different type of body image problem to the masses.
    If I had a pound for all the "My body is a temple" people I've encountered who then ingest the weirdest shit from unknown sources....
    That's another bit nicked from the New Testament, rewritten and repurposed.
    My comment has always been "Have you seen the shit they do/did in Temples?"
  • TazTaz Posts: 16,604
    Leon said:

    viewcode said:

    Scott_xP said:

    WTF?

    @GeorgeWParker

    Kemi Badenoch this morning: "A country cannot be successful if its people and intellectual elite don’t believe in it. This means dealing with the poisoning of minds through higher education."

    Most of the right-wing intellectual elite believe in Britain so little they live outside of it (eg Douglas Murray in New York, Andrew Neil in France)
    Because they are affluent and the Left has turned Britain into a toilet at a 3rd rate zoo

    What are we meant to do, hang around pretending it’s lovely with fixed, rictus grins as we stare at the litter and the machetes?
    The left ?

    The right have been in power for the last 14 years, 5 of them with the centrist NIMBY LD's

    They own our decline.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 33,641
    Everyone ought to read Matt Rudd's latest piece in the Sunday Times magazine imo, subscribing if necessary.

    "On Monday someone dumped a skip’s worth of building waste in a lay-by near our home. On Tuesday someone saw that mess and decided to add another load. On Wednesday a smartly dressed man walked straight past a very long and very obvious queue at the Post Office and got served. On Thursday a less smartly dressed man put a nice bottle of wine and some cheese in his rucksack and walked straight out of M&S. On Friday an able-bodied woman parked her Range Rover in a non-able-bodied space and then someone who hadn’t bought a train ticket pushed through the ticket barrier right behind me."

    https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/if-no-one-else-follows-the-rules-why-should-i-5zp565dmv
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 52,941

    viewcode said:

    Scott_xP said:

    WTF?

    @GeorgeWParker

    Kemi Badenoch this morning: "A country cannot be successful if its people and intellectual elite don’t believe in it. This means dealing with the poisoning of minds through higher education."

    Most of the right-wing intellectual elite believe in Britain so little they live outside of it (eg Douglas Murray in New York, Andrew Neil in France)
    Poor old SeanT, not even included in that motley crew.
    I think he seriously fails on "intellectual" aspect, before we even get to the residency test.
    Being an intellectual is like being intelligent, funny, hard etc.

    If you say you are, you aren't.
  • eekeek Posts: 29,138
    Taz said:


    Sandpit said:

    Well at least one Reform MP doesn’t like the idea of British troops in Ukraine.

    https://x.com/rupertlowe10/status/1891392998513991917

    Doesn’t he want to see all those refugees go home?

    My biggest concern about Reform.
    I will still lend them my vote in May as I have two, one will go for the independent.

    Need to let the main parties know the disatisfaction is real.
    I would ask if you are voting on local issues or for national reasons but it’s County Durham so perfectly understandable
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 29,999
    ...

    Leon said:

    Has that beta cuck kraut done seppuku yet, after blubbing at the HURTY WORDS from J D Vance?

    If not, how does he cope with the shame?!

    You need to catch up. The narrative is moving fast. Sir Keir is now Churchill to Vance's Charles Lindbergh.
    Everyone knows Starmer is Chamberlain and Sir Boris Farage is Churchill.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,683
    Leon said:

    viewcode said:

    Leon said:

    viewcode said:

    Scott_xP said:

    WTF?

    @GeorgeWParker

    Kemi Badenoch this morning: "A country cannot be successful if its people and intellectual elite don’t believe in it. This means dealing with the poisoning of minds through higher education."

    Most of the right-wing intellectual elite believe in Britain so little they live outside of it (eg Douglas Murray in New York, Andrew Neil in France)
    Because they are affluent and the Left has turned Britain into a toilet at a 3rd rate zoo

    What are we meant to do, hang around pretending it’s lovely with fixed, rictus grins as we stare at the litter and the machetes?
    You are meant to fix it. If the UK is "a toilet at a 3rd rate zoo", it is out fault and we must fix it. Buggering off to Buttfuck, Kentucky or Ballfondle-sur-Seine and tutting is not a solution.
    I’ve told you: I am mulling a political career as the UK’s Caudillo

    OR I’m gonna join the Quakers
    You need to work on silence.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 53,571
    Sandpit said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    RFK Jr is going for it on the spray tan. Bro is mahogany.

    Trying to be more orange than Trump. He’s going for the ‘roids as well, no 70-year-old looks like that from the gym.
    Will account for the roid rage on show...
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 52,941

    Nigelb said:

    We were told these would be useless, as the airfields they could be flown from couldn't be protected, and in any event they wouldn't be risked on strike missions.
    https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1891204744389001599

    Who needs 'experts' ? ;)
    "When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible."
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 64,216
    Political scientist Stathis Kalyvas:

    “There is now total clarity, no matter how unimaginable things might seem.

    And they amount to this: The U.S. government has been taken over by a clique of extremists who have embarked on a process of regime change in the world’s oldest democracy…. The arrogance on display is staggering. They think their actions will increase U.S. power, but they are in fact wrecking their own country and, in the process everyone else.”
  • MJWMJW Posts: 1,958

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 29,999
    BBC's Nick Triggle explaining on WATO that the 2.2 million extra NHS operations since last July were the work of the Conservative Government and not the current Government.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 33,641

    Political scientist Stathis Kalyvas:

    “There is now total clarity, no matter how unimaginable things might seem.

    And they amount to this: The U.S. government has been taken over by a clique of extremists who have embarked on a process of regime change in the world’s oldest democracy…. The arrogance on display is staggering. They think their actions will increase U.S. power, but they are in fact wrecking their own country and, in the process everyone else.”

    They've been elected in terms of the presidency, the senate and the house of representatives. They're entitled to change things. That's how democracy works, isn't it?
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 53,587
    https://x.com/eugyppius1/status/1891466687792177621

    You need to imagine what a catastrophe Vance's speech was for German elites: He's telling them to bring down the firewall, or forget the American defensive umbrella. Both of these options spell the end of the present political order and their ultimate demise.
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 23,700
    edited February 17
    Taz said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    And that blithering idiot, Rayner. The posh posters on here's view of a true working class role model. Don't think she's the toast of the inner cities and council estates up and down the country like she is here.

    “The upcoming employment rights bill is a major source of stress for small firms, with nine in 10 business owners saying they are concerned about its introduction, and this is undoubtedly a major cause of the very subdued confidence levels seen in our research.”
    As a small business employer the one that would be concerning is removing the two year qualifying period during which you can't be unfairly dismissed. One year probably an ok compromise. Only had a quick glance but can't see anything else on the list that is unfair or difficult for well run businesses.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 58,436
    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    viewcode said:

    Scott_xP said:

    WTF?

    @GeorgeWParker

    Kemi Badenoch this morning: "A country cannot be successful if its people and intellectual elite don’t believe in it. This means dealing with the poisoning of minds through higher education."

    Most of the right-wing intellectual elite believe in Britain so little they live outside of it (eg Douglas Murray in New York, Andrew Neil in France)
    Because they are affluent and the Left has turned Britain into a toilet at a 3rd rate zoo

    What are we meant to do, hang around pretending it’s lovely with fixed, rictus grins as we stare at the litter and the machetes?
    The left ?

    The right have been in power for the last 14 years, 5 of them with the centrist NIMBY LD's

    They own our decline.
    I class the Tories 2010-2024 as part of the Woke Left

    This is not some rhetorical trick to avoid a painful truth. This is what I think: they did nothing about the Blob, about Woke, about PC, and they INCREASED immigration to 1m a year in the Boriswave, a crime for which they must never be forgiven and which I hope destroys the Tories forever

    AFAIC we have been governed by the Left since the mid 1990s, and voila, here we are
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 23,700
    Leon said:

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    viewcode said:

    Scott_xP said:

    WTF?

    @GeorgeWParker

    Kemi Badenoch this morning: "A country cannot be successful if its people and intellectual elite don’t believe in it. This means dealing with the poisoning of minds through higher education."

    Most of the right-wing intellectual elite believe in Britain so little they live outside of it (eg Douglas Murray in New York, Andrew Neil in France)
    Because they are affluent and the Left has turned Britain into a toilet at a 3rd rate zoo

    What are we meant to do, hang around pretending it’s lovely with fixed, rictus grins as we stare at the litter and the machetes?
    The left ?

    The right have been in power for the last 14 years, 5 of them with the centrist NIMBY LD's

    They own our decline.
    I class the Tories 2010-2024 as part of the Woke Left

    This is not some rhetorical trick to avoid a painful truth. This is what I think: they did nothing about the Blob, about Woke, about PC, and they INCREASED immigration to 1m a year in the Boriswave, a crime for which they must never be forgiven and which I hope destroys the Tories forever

    AFAIC we have been governed by the Left since the mid 1990s, and voila, here we are
    If you think that 90% of the electorate over that period voted for woke left, why do you object to being called far right? By definition that is what you would be.....
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 23,434

    Nigelb said:

    We were told these would be useless, as the airfields they could be flown from couldn't be protected, and in any event they wouldn't be risked on strike missions.
    https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1891204744389001599

    Who needs 'experts' ? ;)
    "When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible."
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke's_three_laws
  • LeonLeon Posts: 58,436

    Leon said:

    Has that beta cuck kraut done seppuku yet, after blubbing at the HURTY WORDS from J D Vance?

    If not, how does he cope with the shame?!

    You need to catch up. The narrative is moving fast. Sir Keir is now Churchill to Vance's Charles Lindbergh.
    The crying Kraut is now claiming the images have been “taken out of context” and he was just a bit emosh because this was his last conference before his retirement

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAH

    Everyone can see what happened, he blubbed and blubbed because of the sharp nasty meany words from J D Vance, tho he was happy to openly laugh at D J Trump in the UN when Trump suggested Putin might not be the most reliable gas supplier

    What a dickless twat. The entire German nation should be doing the Walk of Shame
  • TazTaz Posts: 16,604
    eek said:

    Taz said:


    Sandpit said:

    Well at least one Reform MP doesn’t like the idea of British troops in Ukraine.

    https://x.com/rupertlowe10/status/1891392998513991917

    Doesn’t he want to see all those refugees go home?

    My biggest concern about Reform.
    I will still lend them my vote in May as I have two, one will go for the independent.

    Need to let the main parties know the disatisfaction is real.
    I would ask if you are voting on local issues or for national reasons but it’s County Durham so perfectly understandable
    I am not someone who is blissfully unaware of local politics in Durham and just votes on national issues. County Durham Politics is poor. I miss the day when we had the old Chester Le Street DC run by Linda Ebbatson.

    The Labour Party under Simon Henig was poor and deserved to be kicked out, I voted happily for an Indy and a Tory. First and only time ever voted Tory.

    Now the coalition have proven themselves to be just as poor I will still vote for the independent who does not sit with the coalition and actually does quite a bit of stuff around the ward and I know him to speak to, and I will vote for Reform.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 58,436

    Leon said:

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    viewcode said:

    Scott_xP said:

    WTF?

    @GeorgeWParker

    Kemi Badenoch this morning: "A country cannot be successful if its people and intellectual elite don’t believe in it. This means dealing with the poisoning of minds through higher education."

    Most of the right-wing intellectual elite believe in Britain so little they live outside of it (eg Douglas Murray in New York, Andrew Neil in France)
    Because they are affluent and the Left has turned Britain into a toilet at a 3rd rate zoo

    What are we meant to do, hang around pretending it’s lovely with fixed, rictus grins as we stare at the litter and the machetes?
    The left ?

    The right have been in power for the last 14 years, 5 of them with the centrist NIMBY LD's

    They own our decline.
    I class the Tories 2010-2024 as part of the Woke Left

    This is not some rhetorical trick to avoid a painful truth. This is what I think: they did nothing about the Blob, about Woke, about PC, and they INCREASED immigration to 1m a year in the Boriswave, a crime for which they must never be forgiven and which I hope destroys the Tories forever

    AFAIC we have been governed by the Left since the mid 1990s, and voila, here we are
    If you think that 90% of the electorate over that period voted for woke left, why do you object to being called far right? By definition that is what you would be.....
    Because I am a democrat

  • LeonLeon Posts: 58,436
    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,528
    ydoethur said:

    eek said:

    eek said:

    ydoethur said:

    Ukrainian President Zelensky says more than 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, with "tens of thousands more missing in action or in captivity".

    Those missing in action could be dead or in captivity, Zelensky told NBC News on Sunday.

    Ten days earlier, on 6 February, Zelensky said 45,100 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and around 390,000 had been wounded. Military experts in Ukraine and the West believe the number could be far higher.

    Russia hasn't released an equivalent figure, but UK Defence Intelligence estimated in December that an average of 1,523 Russian soldiers were being killed and wounded every day.

    Zelensky says up to 350,000 Russian soldiers have been killed - other reports suggest that number could be much higher.

    That's an extraordinary figure.

    To put it in context, 265,000 British combat personnel were killed in the whole of the Second World War.
    That's the problem with Russia - Putin doesn't seem to regard it's population as anything other than expendable.
    Plus ça change.
    If a nation continues to fetishise a war that happened 80+ years ago with deaths in the tens of millions, I imagine sacrifice is very much a cultural part of its psyche. Just as they can't comprehend societies that value (up to a point) their citizens and troops, we can't really understand that level of dogged acceptance.
    Relatedly.

    https://x.com/ChrisO_wiki/status/1891195175566729708
    Except for Hitler and Napoleon has anyone actually cared about Russia to the point of invading it..

    Edit and the Mongols but they were a unique case..
    Napoleon.

    And the Poles in 1609 and 1920.

    And the Swedes in 1708.

    Apart from that I'm struggling.
    Harry Flashman had a go in Flashman at the Charge if I recall correctly. Mostly inadvertently, of course.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 42,775
    Leon said:

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    viewcode said:

    Scott_xP said:

    WTF?

    @GeorgeWParker

    Kemi Badenoch this morning: "A country cannot be successful if its people and intellectual elite don’t believe in it. This means dealing with the poisoning of minds through higher education."

    Most of the right-wing intellectual elite believe in Britain so little they live outside of it (eg Douglas Murray in New York, Andrew Neil in France)
    Because they are affluent and the Left has turned Britain into a toilet at a 3rd rate zoo

    What are we meant to do, hang around pretending it’s lovely with fixed, rictus grins as we stare at the litter and the machetes?
    The left ?

    The right have been in power for the last 14 years, 5 of them with the centrist NIMBY LD's

    They own our decline.
    I class the Tories 2010-2024 as part of the Woke Left

    This is not some rhetorical trick to avoid a painful truth. This is what I think: they did nothing about the Blob, about Woke, about PC, and they INCREASED immigration to 1m a year in the Boriswave, a crime for which they must never be forgiven and which I hope destroys the Tories forever

    AFAIC we have been governed by the Left since the mid 1990s, and voila, here we are
    Narrator: This is some rhetorical trick to avoid a painful truth.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 33,641
    "Reform UK seen as stronger and more trustworthy than Tories, Sky News poll suggests

    Reform UK has made strides catching up to a beleaguered Conservative Party in recent months and now exclusive polling shows the scale of the challenge that Kemi Badenoch is facing against Nigel Farage."

    https://news.sky.com/story/reform-uk-leads-the-conservative-party-on-a-number-of-key-indicators-sky-news-poll-finds-13311204
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 43,911
    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    There is a greater than average chance that someone who thinks the epithet "Rachel from Accounts" is clever or funny will be a bit of a dickhead.
  • TazTaz Posts: 16,604
    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
    Because it clearly gets under his skin, like when Anabobz had a melt down at Luckyguy/myself/others calling Starmer "Kier"

    I think these sort of nicknames only work one way, or on one political tribe, on this board.
  • TazTaz Posts: 16,604
    kinabalu said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    There is a greater than average chance that someone who thinks the epithet "Rachel from Accounts" is clever or funny will be a bit of a dickhead.
    56.25% of stats are made up
  • TazTaz Posts: 16,604
    Andy_JS said:

    "Reform UK seen as stronger and more trustworthy than Tories, Sky News poll suggests

    That's a low bar !!!!

  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 42,775
    DavidL said:

    ydoethur said:

    eek said:

    eek said:

    ydoethur said:

    Ukrainian President Zelensky says more than 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, with "tens of thousands more missing in action or in captivity".

    Those missing in action could be dead or in captivity, Zelensky told NBC News on Sunday.

    Ten days earlier, on 6 February, Zelensky said 45,100 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and around 390,000 had been wounded. Military experts in Ukraine and the West believe the number could be far higher.

    Russia hasn't released an equivalent figure, but UK Defence Intelligence estimated in December that an average of 1,523 Russian soldiers were being killed and wounded every day.

    Zelensky says up to 350,000 Russian soldiers have been killed - other reports suggest that number could be much higher.

    That's an extraordinary figure.

    To put it in context, 265,000 British combat personnel were killed in the whole of the Second World War.
    That's the problem with Russia - Putin doesn't seem to regard it's population as anything other than expendable.
    Plus ça change.
    If a nation continues to fetishise a war that happened 80+ years ago with deaths in the tens of millions, I imagine sacrifice is very much a cultural part of its psyche. Just as they can't comprehend societies that value (up to a point) their citizens and troops, we can't really understand that level of dogged acceptance.
    Relatedly.

    https://x.com/ChrisO_wiki/status/1891195175566729708
    Except for Hitler and Napoleon has anyone actually cared about Russia to the point of invading it..

    Edit and the Mongols but they were a unique case..
    Napoleon.

    And the Poles in 1609 and 1920.

    And the Swedes in 1708.

    Apart from that I'm struggling.
    Harry Flashman had a go in Flashman at the Charge if I recall correctly. Mostly inadvertently, of course.
    From memory he got a shag out of it.
    Tbf he amost always got a shag out of his misadventures.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 74,117

    BBC's Nick Triggle explaining on WATO that the 2.2 million extra NHS operations since last July were the work of the Conservative Government and not the current Government.

    Weren't they the work of NHS staff then ?
  • kamskikamski Posts: 5,816

    https://x.com/jdvance/status/1891467842106630244

    Insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.

    This is Orwellian, and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.

    Does this nitwit Vance really think insulting someone is a crime in Germany? Hard to decide if he is just an unbelievably gullible moron who will believe any old shit he reads on far-right nutcase twitter accounts, or whether he is just a shameless liar who thinks there enough of his followers who are gullible morons. Or both. Same problem deciding about @williamglenn

  • MJWMJW Posts: 1,958
    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
    The same reason you whinge about things you think are moronic? Because they are moronic.
  • MJWMJW Posts: 1,958

    Leon said:

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    viewcode said:

    Scott_xP said:

    WTF?

    @GeorgeWParker

    Kemi Badenoch this morning: "A country cannot be successful if its people and intellectual elite don’t believe in it. This means dealing with the poisoning of minds through higher education."

    Most of the right-wing intellectual elite believe in Britain so little they live outside of it (eg Douglas Murray in New York, Andrew Neil in France)
    Because they are affluent and the Left has turned Britain into a toilet at a 3rd rate zoo

    What are we meant to do, hang around pretending it’s lovely with fixed, rictus grins as we stare at the litter and the machetes?
    The left ?

    The right have been in power for the last 14 years, 5 of them with the centrist NIMBY LD's

    They own our decline.
    I class the Tories 2010-2024 as part of the Woke Left

    This is not some rhetorical trick to avoid a painful truth. This is what I think: they did nothing about the Blob, about Woke, about PC, and they INCREASED immigration to 1m a year in the Boriswave, a crime for which they must never be forgiven and which I hope destroys the Tories forever

    AFAIC we have been governed by the Left since the mid 1990s, and voila, here we are
    If you think that 90% of the electorate over that period voted for woke left, why do you object to being called far right? By definition that is what you would be.....
    It is interesting how people who now self-define as radicalised blanche at the idea they have been radicalised. It's a bit like the Principal Skinner "No it is the kids that must be wrong" meme.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 74,117
    kamski said:

    https://x.com/jdvance/status/1891467842106630244

    Insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.

    This is Orwellian, and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.

    Does this nitwit Vance really think insulting someone is a crime in Germany? Hard to decide if he is just an unbelievably gullible moron who will believe any old shit he reads on far-right nutcase twitter accounts, or whether he is just a shameless liar who thinks there enough of his followers who are gullible morons. Or both. Same problem deciding about @williamglenn

    This is "they're eating cats and dogs illustrates a greater truth" guy.
    Propagandists are about vibes, not facts.
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 386

    Taz said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    And that blithering idiot, Rayner. The posh posters on here's view of a true working class role model. Don't think she's the toast of the inner cities and council estates up and down the country like she is here.

    “The upcoming employment rights bill is a major source of stress for small firms, with nine in 10 business owners saying they are concerned about its introduction, and this is undoubtedly a major cause of the very subdued confidence levels seen in our research.”
    As a small business employer the one that would be concerning is removing the two year qualifying period during which you can't be unfairly dismissed. One year probably an ok compromise. Only had a quick glance but can't see anything else on the list that is unfair or difficult for well run businesses.
    There is a similar sentiment in the Renters Reform Bill. Nothing is OTT but if you have experience of being a landlord or an employer your 'onboarding' processes of tenants or employees will have to be rigorous to avoid problems in the long run. Basically DYOR before onboarding.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 29,999
    Nigelb said:

    BBC's Nick Triggle explaining on WATO that the 2.2 million extra NHS operations since last July were the work of the Conservative Government and not the current Government.

    Weren't they the work of NHS staff then ?
    No, what he was saying was the Tories put in place excellent programmes just prior to the election which have significantly improved the reduction of the waiting list backlog since the election. Labour's subsequent programmes including ending the strikes appear to have had little improvement effect.

  • kamskikamski Posts: 5,816

    https://x.com/eugyppius1/status/1891466687792177621

    You need to imagine what a catastrophe Vance's speech was for German elites: He's telling them to bring down the firewall, or forget the American defensive umbrella. Both of these options spell the end of the present political order and their ultimate demise.

    Here's prediction for you: the AfD will play no part in the next German government.

    If the USA wants reverse its foreign policy of 80 years, withdraw from NATO, close its European bases, all because a European country doesn't include a neo-Nazi party in its government, that is up to the USA.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 58,436
    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
    The same reason you whinge about things you think are moronic? Because they are moronic.
    Yes but whining in this instance only encourages your opponents to continue doing it, as it clearly irks

    And I can see why it irks. It is clever and biting and hasty and tells an uncomfortable truth. She is a bit dim, a bit earnest; and way overpromoted
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 52,941
    Battlebus said:

    Taz said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    And that blithering idiot, Rayner. The posh posters on here's view of a true working class role model. Don't think she's the toast of the inner cities and council estates up and down the country like she is here.

    “The upcoming employment rights bill is a major source of stress for small firms, with nine in 10 business owners saying they are concerned about its introduction, and this is undoubtedly a major cause of the very subdued confidence levels seen in our research.”
    As a small business employer the one that would be concerning is removing the two year qualifying period during which you can't be unfairly dismissed. One year probably an ok compromise. Only had a quick glance but can't see anything else on the list that is unfair or difficult for well run businesses.
    There is a similar sentiment in the Renters Reform Bill. Nothing is OTT but if you have experience of being a landlord or an employer your 'onboarding' processes of tenants or employees will have to be rigorous to avoid problems in the long run. Basically DYOR before onboarding.
    Which will make people with any kind of question on their past history much less employable or rentable to.

    I think it was in New York, that at one point in the insane comedy that was the rental market there (complete with rent control collapsing the market) that an attempt was made to pass a bill. The effect of which was to make it illegal to exclude someone from becoming a tenant for various reasons. One of the reasons that was to be banned was previous non-payment of rent to another landlord. For a year.
  • kamskikamski Posts: 5,816
    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
    The same reason you whinge about things you think are moronic? Because they are moronic.
    Yes but whining in this instance only encourages your opponents to continue doing it, as it clearly irks

    And I can see why it irks. It is clever and biting and hasty and tells an uncomfortable truth. She is a bit dim, a bit earnest; and way overpromoted
    Maybe MJW enjoys you and others repeatedly outing themselves as morons?
  • eekeek Posts: 29,138
    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:


    Sandpit said:

    Well at least one Reform MP doesn’t like the idea of British troops in Ukraine.

    https://x.com/rupertlowe10/status/1891392998513991917

    Doesn’t he want to see all those refugees go home?

    My biggest concern about Reform.
    I will still lend them my vote in May as I have two, one will go for the independent.

    Need to let the main parties know the disatisfaction is real.
    I would ask if you are voting on local issues or for national reasons but it’s County Durham so perfectly understandable
    I am not someone who is blissfully unaware of local politics in Durham and just votes on national issues. County Durham Politics is poor. I miss the day when we had the old Chester Le Street DC run by Linda Ebbatson.

    The Labour Party under Simon Henig was poor and deserved to be kicked out, I voted happily for an Indy and a Tory. First and only time ever voted Tory.

    Now the coalition have proven themselves to be just as poor I will still vote for the independent who does not sit with the coalition and actually does quite a bit of stuff around the ward and I know him to speak to, and I will vote for Reform.
    Oh I know - I was happily putting you into the I can fully understand why you are voting that way category.

    As I've pointed out before County Durham are simply too big for what the council is being asked to do - which means most planning applications just get nodded through because it doesn't impact those voting for it when they live 50 miles away..
  • LeonLeon Posts: 58,436
    Nigelb said:

    kamski said:

    https://x.com/jdvance/status/1891467842106630244

    Insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.

    This is Orwellian, and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.

    Does this nitwit Vance really think insulting someone is a crime in Germany? Hard to decide if he is just an unbelievably gullible moron who will believe any old shit he reads on far-right nutcase twitter accounts, or whether he is just a shameless liar who thinks there enough of his followers who are gullible morons. Or both. Same problem deciding about @williamglenn

    This is "they're eating cats and dogs illustrates a greater truth" guy.
    Propagandists are about vibes, not facts.
    Unlike the “diversity is our strength” guys?

    Do fuck off
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 52,941
    kamski said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
    The same reason you whinge about things you think are moronic? Because they are moronic.
    Yes but whining in this instance only encourages your opponents to continue doing it, as it clearly irks

    And I can see why it irks. It is clever and biting and hasty and tells an uncomfortable truth. She is a bit dim, a bit earnest; and way overpromoted
    Maybe MJW enjoys you and others repeatedly outing themselves as morons?
    - You mock me, sir?
    - Mock you, sir?
    - Mock me not, sir. No man mocks me, sir.
    - The wise man mocks the man. The mocked man mocks the mocker.
    - Right
  • Daveyboy1961Daveyboy1961 Posts: 4,160
    eek said:

    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:


    Sandpit said:

    Well at least one Reform MP doesn’t like the idea of British troops in Ukraine.

    https://x.com/rupertlowe10/status/1891392998513991917

    Doesn’t he want to see all those refugees go home?

    My biggest concern about Reform.
    I will still lend them my vote in May as I have two, one will go for the independent.

    Need to let the main parties know the disatisfaction is real.
    I would ask if you are voting on local issues or for national reasons but it’s County Durham so perfectly understandable
    I am not someone who is blissfully unaware of local politics in Durham and just votes on national issues. County Durham Politics is poor. I miss the day when we had the old Chester Le Street DC run by Linda Ebbatson.

    The Labour Party under Simon Henig was poor and deserved to be kicked out, I voted happily for an Indy and a Tory. First and only time ever voted Tory.

    Now the coalition have proven themselves to be just as poor I will still vote for the independent who does not sit with the coalition and actually does quite a bit of stuff around the ward and I know him to speak to, and I will vote for Reform.
    Oh I know - I was happily putting you into the I can fully understand why you are voting that way category.

    As I've pointed out before County Durham are simply too big for what the council is being asked to do - which means most planning applications just get nodded through because it doesn't impact those voting for it when they live 50 miles away..
    It seems they need a healthy dose of Nimbyism. Are there any libdems in the coalition?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 58,436
    kamski said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
    The same reason you whinge about things you think are moronic? Because they are moronic.
    Yes but whining in this instance only encourages your opponents to continue doing it, as it clearly irks

    And I can see why it irks. It is clever and biting and hasty and tells an uncomfortable truth. She is a bit dim, a bit earnest; and way overpromoted
    Maybe MJW enjoys you and others repeatedly outing themselves as morons?
    Yeah no that doesn’t work does it
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 74,117
    Leon said:

    Nigelb said:

    kamski said:

    https://x.com/jdvance/status/1891467842106630244

    Insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.

    This is Orwellian, and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.

    Does this nitwit Vance really think insulting someone is a crime in Germany? Hard to decide if he is just an unbelievably gullible moron who will believe any old shit he reads on far-right nutcase twitter accounts, or whether he is just a shameless liar who thinks there enough of his followers who are gullible morons. Or both. Same problem deciding about @williamglenn

    This is "they're eating cats and dogs illustrates a greater truth" guy.
    Propagandists are about vibes, not facts.
    Unlike the “diversity is our strength” guys?

    Do fuck off
    For you ?
    Piss off yourself. 😊
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 33,641
    "Ye Olde Swiss Cottage Pub Closes After 200 Years: Petition Launched"

    https://londonist.com/london/latest-news/ye-olde-swiss-cottage-closes-after-200-years
  • Peter_the_PunterPeter_the_Punter Posts: 14,501
    edited February 17
    kinabalu said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    There is a greater than average chance that someone who thinks the epithet "Rachel from Accounts" is clever or funny will be a bit of a dickhead.
    Wasn't Sunak commonly referred to by other Tory MPs as 'the boy from Accounts' before he got the top job?
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 33,641
    edited February 17
    Looking forward to seeing polling on whether most voters support putting British troops on the ground in Ukraine.
  • kamskikamski Posts: 5,816
    Leon said:

    kamski said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
    The same reason you whinge about things you think are moronic? Because they are moronic.
    Yes but whining in this instance only encourages your opponents to continue doing it, as it clearly irks

    And I can see why it irks. It is clever and biting and hasty and tells an uncomfortable truth. She is a bit dim, a bit earnest; and way overpromoted
    Maybe MJW enjoys you and others repeatedly outing themselves as morons?
    Yeah no that doesn’t work does it
    No not really, because everybody already knows you are an idiot
  • MattWMattW Posts: 25,223

    https://x.com/jdvance/status/1891467842106630244

    Insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.

    This is Orwellian, and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.

    I think that illustrates JD Vance's problem - he's reacting to a bit of out of context stuff he got off Twatter, just like Musk.

    And he thinks he gets to dictate rules to the rest of the world by fiat.

    JD Vance is a Spode in short trousers.
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 18,091

    Nigelb said:

    BBC's Nick Triggle explaining on WATO that the 2.2 million extra NHS operations since last July were the work of the Conservative Government and not the current Government.

    Weren't they the work of NHS staff then ?
    No, what he was saying was the Tories put in place excellent programmes just prior to the election which have significantly improved the reduction of the waiting list backlog since the election. Labour's subsequent programmes including ending the strikes appear to have had little improvement effect.

    If you can get the blame for things that happened before you took office, I don't see why you can't claim the positives too!
  • MattWMattW Posts: 25,223
    MJW said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Second.

    I'm not so sure on Reform. To me their coalition looks fragile.

    How will they resolve their tensions:

    - Patriotism vs Trumpism when the USA turns its back on allies and the rest of the world.
    - Between Rich men based in Dubai or the US or wherever feathering their nests vs grass roots who want to be loyal British.
    - The enormous black holes in their Manifesto between declared intention to shrink the state and policies that require much more public investment.
    - The contribution their MPs actually make to doing their jobs vs their second jobs in media.
    - The tensions between various shades of Right in their internal coalition, and the supporters they need to attract from the mainstream.

    I don't see it holding together.
    If you think Reform's MPs aren't making a contribution outside of their media appearances, you're pretty ill-researched. Rupert Lowe alone has submitted 624 parliamentary questions according to an AI summary. I doubt it's far off. Frankly it's the Reform five making the other parties' MPs look lazy, not the other way around, much as you might wish otherwise.
    If you can point me to some data eg debate attendances, that would be great.
    Lowe does appear to be Reform's hardest working MP - in a bit of a tallest dwarf contest. I'm surprised though that anyone who saw Southampton's demise in the mid-2000s thinks he's fit to run a bath.
    Bearing in mind that I have a Reform MP, I am genuinely interested in this.

    At a recent debate on immigration, all 5 Reform MPs turned up to vote, but none of them spoke in the debate. Given that it is Specialist Subject 1, I'm interested in some data.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 72,622

    https://x.com/jdvance/status/1891467842106630244

    Insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.

    This is Orwellian, and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.

    Agreed.

    We must have free speech to call the fat lying ignorant couchfucker out for what he really is.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 43,911
    Entry made simply to cleanse my browser rather than say anything in particular.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,619

    https://x.com/jdvance/status/1891467842106630244

    Insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.

    This is Orwellian, and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.

    Ironically the Germans are being Orwellian, in that he might approve.

    "Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows"

    The critical point is that two plus two does make four. The truth was everything for Orwell, while Vance has no concept of it, as evidenced by his remarks.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,683
    Nice to see PB doing its bit to defend free speech by telling each other to f off.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 44,398
    kinabalu said:

    Entry made simply to cleanse my browser rather than say anything in particular.

    Surely some stewed prunes or some mouthwash would work better?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 74,117
    dixiedean said:

    Nice to see PB doing its bit to defend free speech by telling each other to f off.

    I'm not proud of it, but once in a while Leon succeeds in dragging me down to his level.
  • CookieCookie Posts: 14,474
    Andy_JS said:

    "Ye Olde Swiss Cottage Pub Closes After 200 Years: Petition Launched"

    https://londonist.com/london/latest-news/ye-olde-swiss-cottage-closes-after-200-years

    I went there once. Early noughties, it was. It was surprisingly shit. Also (it was the lunchtime of an England home football international) full of football fans of the less endearing end of that particular spectrum.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 72,622
    Leon said:

    kamski said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
    The same reason you whinge about things you think are moronic? Because they are moronic.
    Yes but whining in this instance only encourages your opponents to continue doing it, as it clearly irks

    And I can see why it irks. It is clever and biting and hasty and tells an uncomfortable truth. She is a bit dim, a bit earnest; and way overpromoted
    Maybe MJW enjoys you and others repeatedly outing themselves as morons?
    Yeah no that doesn’t work does it
    It's definitely a bit harsh on morons, but unless @eadric pops by to take offence we should be OK.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 44,398
    Cookie said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Ye Olde Swiss Cottage Pub Closes After 200 Years: Petition Launched"

    https://londonist.com/london/latest-news/ye-olde-swiss-cottage-closes-after-200-years

    I went there once. Early noughties, it was. It was surprisingly shit. Also (it was the lunchtime of an England home football international) full of football fans of the less endearing end of that particular spectrum.
    Quite appropriate, given that that piece rather interestingly describes it as, ab initio, London's first sports bar.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 25,223
    edited February 17
    MattW said:

    MJW said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Second.

    I'm not so sure on Reform. To me their coalition looks fragile.

    How will they resolve their tensions:

    - Patriotism vs Trumpism when the USA turns its back on allies and the rest of the world.
    - Between Rich men based in Dubai or the US or wherever feathering their nests vs grass roots who want to be loyal British.
    - The enormous black holes in their Manifesto between declared intention to shrink the state and policies that require much more public investment.
    - The contribution their MPs actually make to doing their jobs vs their second jobs in media.
    - The tensions between various shades of Right in their internal coalition, and the supporters they need to attract from the mainstream.

    I don't see it holding together.
    If you think Reform's MPs aren't making a contribution outside of their media appearances, you're pretty ill-researched. Rupert Lowe alone has submitted 624 parliamentary questions according to an AI summary. I doubt it's far off. Frankly it's the Reform five making the other parties' MPs look lazy, not the other way around, much as you might wish otherwise.
    If you can point me to some data eg debate attendances, that would be great.
    Lowe does appear to be Reform's hardest working MP - in a bit of a tallest dwarf contest. I'm surprised though that anyone who saw Southampton's demise in the mid-2000s thinks he's fit to run a bath.
    Bearing in mind that I have a Reform MP, I am genuinely interested in this.

    At a recent debate on immigration, all 5 Reform MPs turned up to vote, but none of them spoke in the debate. Given that it is Specialist Subject 1, I'm interested in some data.
    It might be interesting to drill into Lowe's 624 questions, as pointed out by @Luckyguy1983 , to see if they are substantive or if there is an obsessive search for eye-poking material.

    624 questions costs about £159k to answer btw (~£255 each), based on index linking a quoted cost from some years ago.

    I'll check that 624.
  • MJWMJW Posts: 1,958
    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
    The same reason you whinge about things you think are moronic? Because they are moronic.
    Yes but whining in this instance only encourages your opponents to continue doing it, as it clearly irks

    And I can see why it irks. It is clever and biting and hasty and tells an uncomfortable truth. She is a bit dim, a bit earnest; and way overpromoted
    It irks because people being idiots and making themselves repeatedly dumber does.

    It isn't any of those things? C'mon you're a a good writer - you know what clever and biting is, and it isn't repeating a phrase from a sitcom you haven't seen, and thus don't know what it actually refers to. It isn't saying what you want it to say in terms of her being dim and overpromoted because anyone with accountancy qualifications has more than plenty of Chancellors. In fact, it's probably an insult she could embrace if it ever gained serious traction beyond weirdos on TwiX.

    You can do better - get something genuinely clever and funny and one will admit it.

    But it's the latter-day 'ZaNu LieBore' or calling George Osborne 'Gideon'. It's about as clever as a kid who flings its own shit around because it saw a monkey do it on TV and yet takes grinning pride in it.
  • eekeek Posts: 29,138

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:


    Sandpit said:

    Well at least one Reform MP doesn’t like the idea of British troops in Ukraine.

    https://x.com/rupertlowe10/status/1891392998513991917

    Doesn’t he want to see all those refugees go home?

    My biggest concern about Reform.
    I will still lend them my vote in May as I have two, one will go for the independent.

    Need to let the main parties know the disatisfaction is real.
    I would ask if you are voting on local issues or for national reasons but it’s County Durham so perfectly understandable
    I am not someone who is blissfully unaware of local politics in Durham and just votes on national issues. County Durham Politics is poor. I miss the day when we had the old Chester Le Street DC run by Linda Ebbatson.

    The Labour Party under Simon Henig was poor and deserved to be kicked out, I voted happily for an Indy and a Tory. First and only time ever voted Tory.

    Now the coalition have proven themselves to be just as poor I will still vote for the independent who does not sit with the coalition and actually does quite a bit of stuff around the ward and I know him to speak to, and I will vote for Reform.
    Oh I know - I was happily putting you into the I can fully understand why you are voting that way category.

    As I've pointed out before County Durham are simply too big for what the council is being asked to do - which means most planning applications just get nodded through because it doesn't impact those voting for it when they live 50 miles away..
    It seems they need a healthy dose of Nimbyism. Are there any libdems in the coalition?
    Oh there is plenty of nimbyism but the other 3/4 of the committee are happy to vote through things that don’t actually impact them
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 74,117
    LOL

    Dan Crenshaw: "There is absolutely no way that Donald Trump will be seen -- he will not let himself go down in history as having sold out to Putin. He will not let that happen."
    https://x.com/atrupar/status/1891158641664807383
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 12,732

    https://x.com/jdvance/status/1891467842106630244

    Insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.

    This is Orwellian, and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.

    https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2025/02/16/julianne-moore-freckleface-strawberry-ban-department-of-defense/78893382007/
  • eekeek Posts: 29,138
    Cookie said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Ye Olde Swiss Cottage Pub Closes After 200 Years: Petition Launched"

    https://londonist.com/london/latest-news/ye-olde-swiss-cottage-closes-after-200-years

    I went there once. Early noughties, it was. It was surprisingly shit. Also (it was the lunchtime of an England home football international) full of football fans of the less endearing end of that particular spectrum.
    I think I’ve been there a couple of homes on my way to the Odeon Swiss cottage back in the early 90s.

    It wasn’t much cop then either
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 12,732
    viewcode said:

    viewcode said:
    AI summary of that article is as follows:

    "...In her speech, Badenoch articulated concerns regarding the perceived decline of Western civilization, emphasizing that this is not merely a crisis of values but rather a crisis of confidence. She highlighted a growing self-doubt about Western history and culture, which she believes is contributing to cultural and economic decline. Badenoch criticized leftwing progressivism and its influence on various societal issues, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices, climate activism, and the European Convention on Human Rights.

    She contrasted the courage of individuals like Katharine Birbalsingh with the perceived weakness of political leaders such as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whom she accused of succumbing to public pressure. Badenoch raised concerns about mass migration, suggesting that some newcomers may bring cultural practices that undermine Western values. She asserted that while many desire to live in the West for its benefits, there is a need to prioritize the interests of the British people.

    Badenoch expressed admiration for Donald Trump, suggesting that his leadership style exemplifies the need for decisive action to address national issues. She called for a renewed commitment to the principles of liberalism, emphasizing the importance of belief in the nation’s potential for success. Furthermore, she criticized current immigration levels and advocated for a more selective approach.

    The speech concluded with a call to action for conservatives to reclaim their values and fight for the future of the UK and Western civilization. Badenoch urged her party to engage in a significant renewal of policies and ideas, framing this moment as an opportunity for a new conservative era. She warned against the dangers of inaction driven by anger or self-doubt, asserting that the next generation of conservatives must lead decisively to prevent the loss of their country and civilization..."


    https://ahrefs.com/writing-tools/summarizer
    She highlighted a growing self-doubt about the West by criticising lots of things about the West….?
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 44,398
    edited February 17
    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    MJW said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Second.

    I'm not so sure on Reform. To me their coalition looks fragile.

    How will they resolve their tensions:

    - Patriotism vs Trumpism when the USA turns its back on allies and the rest of the world.
    - Between Rich men based in Dubai or the US or wherever feathering their nests vs grass roots who want to be loyal British.
    - The enormous black holes in their Manifesto between declared intention to shrink the state and policies that require much more public investment.
    - The contribution their MPs actually make to doing their jobs vs their second jobs in media.
    - The tensions between various shades of Right in their internal coalition, and the supporters they need to attract from the mainstream.

    I don't see it holding together.
    If you think Reform's MPs aren't making a contribution outside of their media appearances, you're pretty ill-researched. Rupert Lowe alone has submitted 624 parliamentary questions according to an AI summary. I doubt it's far off. Frankly it's the Reform five making the other parties' MPs look lazy, not the other way around, much as you might wish otherwise.
    If you can point me to some data eg debate attendances, that would be great.
    Lowe does appear to be Reform's hardest working MP - in a bit of a tallest dwarf contest. I'm surprised though that anyone who saw Southampton's demise in the mid-2000s thinks he's fit to run a bath.
    Bearing in mind that I have a Reform MP, I am genuinely interested in this.

    At a recent debate on immigration, all 5 Reform MPs turned up to vote, but none of them spoke in the debate. Given that it is Specialist Subject 1, I'm interested in some data.
    It might be interesting to drill into Lowe's 624 questions, as pointed out by @Luckyguy1983 , to see if they are substantive or if there is an obsessive search for eye-poking material.

    624 questions costs about £159k to answer btw (~£255 each), based on index linking a quoted cost from some years ago.

    I'll check that 624.
    Is that 624 per mensem or per annum?

    This might interest you ... Tories (for all I know) trying to prove that Holyrood is a waste by, erm ...

    https://www.thenational.scot/news/24937591.full-ranking-msps-ask-least-questions-holyrood/
    https://www.thenational.scot/news/24921478.douglas-lumsden-submits-900-parliamentary-questions-costing-100k/

    'Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden submitting a staggering 987 written questions in January.

    Costing around £100 each to answer, it was suggested that the MSP for North East Scotland used AI for the endeavour, which he has denied.

    It included asking for the cost of electric hand dryers on the parliamentary estate, how many Scottish Parliament flags have gone missing over the last 10 years, and the average profit or loss on jars of honey sold in the Holyrood shop.'
  • eekeek Posts: 29,138
    dixiedean said:

    Nice to see PB doing its bit to defend free speech by telling each other to f off.

    Hey it’s a form of friendly greeting in many parts of the country
  • It seems the values Europeans should be embracing now extend to those preached by Andrew Tate:

    https://bsky.app/profile/financialtimes.com/post/3lieskqcorr2p

  • MJWMJW Posts: 1,958
    Nigelb said:

    LOL

    Dan Crenshaw: "There is absolutely no way that Donald Trump will be seen -- he will not let himself go down in history as having sold out to Putin. He will not let that happen."
    https://x.com/atrupar/status/1891158641664807383

    He won't. But importantly he doesn't see it as selling out and nor will his friendly media - some of whom have been cheering on Russia for a while now. He didn't give a toss about giving in to the Taliban so could say he was ending that war - why would he here?
  • DopermeanDopermean Posts: 795
    Andy_JS said:

    "Ye Olde Swiss Cottage Pub Closes After 200 Years: Petition Launched"

    https://londonist.com/london/latest-news/ye-olde-swiss-cottage-closes-after-200-years

    Yet another historic pub that could be reclaimed and returned to its original use, serving palatable drink to the public.

    The real mystery is how Sam Smiths managed to accumulate so many great traditional pubs when they are so bad at brewing and running pubs...
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 72,622
    Looks as though there might be betting opportunities for a new Pope soon:

    Pope's health a 'complex clinical situation', Vatican says
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1kmk09xxdko

    Don't rate Benedict XVI particularly high as a Pope, but one thing he definitely got right and both his predecessor and successor have got spectacularly wrong is bowing out when he was too old and frail to continue.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 56,021
    Andy_JS said:

    "Ye Olde Swiss Cottage Pub Closes After 200 Years: Petition Launched"

    https://londonist.com/london/latest-news/ye-olde-swiss-cottage-closes-after-200-years

    That’s sad. How many pubs have their own Tube station and their own named road junction? Many an evening spent there while staggering home from Lord’s.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 58,436
    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
    The same reason you whinge about things you think are moronic? Because they are moronic.
    Yes but whining in this instance only encourages your opponents to continue doing it, as it clearly irks

    And I can see why it irks. It is clever and biting and hasty and tells an uncomfortable truth. She is a bit dim, a bit earnest; and way overpromoted
    It irks because people being idiots and making themselves repeatedly dumber does.

    It isn't any of those things? C'mon you're a a good writer - you know what clever and biting is, and it isn't repeating a phrase from a sitcom you haven't seen, and thus don't know what it actually refers to. It isn't saying what you want it to say in terms of her being dim and overpromoted because anyone with accountancy qualifications has more than plenty of Chancellors. In fact, it's probably an insult she could embrace if it ever gained serious traction beyond weirdos on TwiX.

    You can do better - get something genuinely clever and funny and one will admit it.

    But it's the latter-day 'ZaNu LieBore' or calling George Osborne 'Gideon'. It's about as clever as a kid who flings its own shit around because it saw a monkey do it on TV and yet takes grinning pride in it.
    No, it's much sharper than that, as you well know, and everything else you say is yawn
  • MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
    The same reason you whinge about things you think are moronic? Because they are moronic.
    Yes but whining in this instance only encourages your opponents to continue doing it, as it clearly irks

    And I can see why it irks. It is clever and biting and hasty and tells an uncomfortable truth. She is a bit dim, a bit earnest; and way overpromoted
    It irks because people being idiots and making themselves repeatedly dumber does.

    It isn't any of those things? C'mon you're a a good writer - you know what clever and biting is, and it isn't repeating a phrase from a sitcom you haven't seen, and thus don't know what it actually refers to. It isn't saying what you want it to say in terms of her being dim and overpromoted because anyone with accountancy qualifications has more than plenty of Chancellors. In fact, it's probably an insult she could embrace if it ever gained serious traction beyond weirdos on TwiX.

    You can do better - get something genuinely clever and funny and one will admit it.

    But it's the latter-day 'ZaNu LieBore' or calling George Osborne 'Gideon'. It's about as clever as a kid who flings its own shit around because it saw a monkey do it on TV and yet takes grinning pride in it.

    Got to disagree. Rachel from Accounts is a pretty good insult. It's demeaning of her and her position. It strongly implies she is out of her depth. I don't like it but it's a winner.

  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 23,700
    Dopermean said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Ye Olde Swiss Cottage Pub Closes After 200 Years: Petition Launched"

    https://londonist.com/london/latest-news/ye-olde-swiss-cottage-closes-after-200-years

    Yet another historic pub that could be reclaimed and returned to its original use, serving palatable drink to the public.

    The real mystery is how Sam Smiths managed to accumulate so many great traditional pubs when they are so bad at brewing and running pubs...
    Should have stuck with the singing.
  • Cookie said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Ye Olde Swiss Cottage Pub Closes After 200 Years: Petition Launched"

    https://londonist.com/london/latest-news/ye-olde-swiss-cottage-closes-after-200-years

    I went there once. Early noughties, it was. It was surprisingly shit. Also (it was the lunchtime of an England home football international) full of football fans of the less endearing end of that particular spectrum.

    My grandparents lived in the council estate just the other side of Finchley Road from there. I haven't been for ages but from what I remember it was on a traffic island in the middle of quite a busy interchange. Not really a local and not really a destination.

  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 53,587

    https://x.com/jdvance/status/1891467842106630244

    Insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.

    This is Orwellian, and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.

    https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2025/02/16/julianne-moore-freckleface-strawberry-ban-department-of-defense/78893382007/
    When someone declines to consume your product, they are not banning you.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,619
    Andy_JS said:

    Scott_xP said:

    WTF?

    @GeorgeWParker

    Kemi Badenoch this morning: "A country cannot be successful if its people and intellectual elite don’t believe in it. This means dealing with the poisoning of minds through higher education."

    What was wrong with what she said?
    What was wrong with what Badenoch said?

    Maybe minds different from hers aren't poisoned. Maybe higher education has a rather limited poisoning effect. What does she propose to do about it without infringing freedom of speech, which she professes to be in mortal peril? Maybe there's something more important she could concern herself.
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,081
    Andy_JS said:

    Looking forward to seeing polling on whether most voters support putting British troops on the ground in Ukraine.

    We already had it, earlier. Majority among supporters of all parties except Reform.
  • MJWMJW Posts: 1,958
    MattW said:

    MJW said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Second.

    I'm not so sure on Reform. To me their coalition looks fragile.

    How will they resolve their tensions:

    - Patriotism vs Trumpism when the USA turns its back on allies and the rest of the world.
    - Between Rich men based in Dubai or the US or wherever feathering their nests vs grass roots who want to be loyal British.
    - The enormous black holes in their Manifesto between declared intention to shrink the state and policies that require much more public investment.
    - The contribution their MPs actually make to doing their jobs vs their second jobs in media.
    - The tensions between various shades of Right in their internal coalition, and the supporters they need to attract from the mainstream.

    I don't see it holding together.
    If you think Reform's MPs aren't making a contribution outside of their media appearances, you're pretty ill-researched. Rupert Lowe alone has submitted 624 parliamentary questions according to an AI summary. I doubt it's far off. Frankly it's the Reform five making the other parties' MPs look lazy, not the other way around, much as you might wish otherwise.
    If you can point me to some data eg debate attendances, that would be great.
    Lowe does appear to be Reform's hardest working MP - in a bit of a tallest dwarf contest. I'm surprised though that anyone who saw Southampton's demise in the mid-2000s thinks he's fit to run a bath.
    Bearing in mind that I have a Reform MP, I am genuinely interested in this.

    At a recent debate on immigration, all 5 Reform MPs turned up to vote, but none of them spoke in the debate. Given that it is Specialist Subject 1, I'm interested in some data.
    Anecdata on what you see, but there are five Reform MPs. One has basically gone to ground since it came out that he beat up an ex. One is Lee Anderson. One is Farage - who even his biggest fans would say doesn't really do the job of a normal MP. Another is Tice, whose missus lives in Dubai where she spends her time slagging off Britain and he tries to be a Lidl Nigel anyway.

    That leaves Lowe, who as foul as one finds some of his views, does actually seem interested in getting into the weeds of being an MP and highlighting the detail of objections that he is angry about rather than just frothing on.
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 23,700
    FF43 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Scott_xP said:

    WTF?

    @GeorgeWParker

    Kemi Badenoch this morning: "A country cannot be successful if its people and intellectual elite don’t believe in it. This means dealing with the poisoning of minds through higher education."

    What was wrong with what she said?
    What was wrong with what Badenoch said?

    Maybe minds different from hers aren't poisoned. Maybe higher education has a rather limited poisoning effect. What does she propose to do about it without infringing freedom of speech, which she professes to be in mortal peril? Maybe there's something more important she could concern herself.
    Even if she was completely correct in her observations, the impact of highlighting it will be to strengthen Reform and weaken the Conservatives.

    That is err, not supposed to be the job of the Leader of the Conservatives.....
  • Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
    The same reason you whinge about things you think are moronic? Because they are moronic.
    Yes but whining in this instance only encourages your opponents to continue doing it, as it clearly irks

    And I can see why it irks. It is clever and biting and hasty and tells an uncomfortable truth. She is a bit dim, a bit earnest; and way overpromoted
    It irks because people being idiots and making themselves repeatedly dumber does.

    It isn't any of those things? C'mon you're a a good writer - you know what clever and biting is, and it isn't repeating a phrase from a sitcom you haven't seen, and thus don't know what it actually refers to. It isn't saying what you want it to say in terms of her being dim and overpromoted because anyone with accountancy qualifications has more than plenty of Chancellors. In fact, it's probably an insult she could embrace if it ever gained serious traction beyond weirdos on TwiX.

    You can do better - get something genuinely clever and funny and one will admit it.

    But it's the latter-day 'ZaNu LieBore' or calling George Osborne 'Gideon'. It's about as clever as a kid who flings its own shit around because it saw a monkey do it on TV and yet takes grinning pride in it.
    No, it's much sharper than that, as you well know, and everything else you say is yawn
    Dodgy Donald.
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 12,732

    https://x.com/jdvance/status/1891467842106630244

    Insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.

    This is Orwellian, and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.

    https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2025/02/16/julianne-moore-freckleface-strawberry-ban-department-of-defense/78893382007/
    When someone declines to consume your product, they are not banning you.
    The book was "reportedly removed from schools". They had already paid for the product, but were now removing it.
  • kamskikamski Posts: 5,816
    edited February 17
    FF43 said:

    https://x.com/jdvance/status/1891467842106630244

    Insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.

    This is Orwellian, and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.

    Ironically the Germans are being Orwellian, in that he might approve.

    "Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows"

    The critical point is that two plus two does make four. The truth was everything for Orwell, while Vance has no concept of it, as evidenced by his remarks.
    To be serious for a moment. Germany has restrictions on speech. Things like inciting violence or racial hatred can be crimes. You can be sued for defamation. There are restrictions on things like denying the holocaust, using Nazi slogans and symbols, for example. But there are some restrictions on free speech everywhere, and different jurisdictions draw lines in different places for various reasons. The USA no doubt allows things that wouldn't be allowed in Germany or the UK, partly because of the first amendment. But there are obviously restrictions on free speech in the US - there is a specific law against threatening the president, as well as more general laws against incitement.

    One area where Germany is more restrictive than other countries is in criticism of Israel eg

    https://www.thejc.com/news/world/pro-palestinian-activist-convicted-in-berlin-court-for-from-the-river-to-the-sea-chant-d2cwwrhz

    https://www.dw.com/en/germany-passes-controversial-antisemitism-resolution/a-70715643

    So Vance would be on slightly better ground if he used these examples, rather than made-up bollocks. I wonder why he didn't?

    Germany generally scores better in the various lists of press freedom or censorship than the USA does. For that matter I think it's fair to say there are more restrictions on free speech in Israel than in Germany

    eg https://www.mekomit.co.il/ps/130952/

    - so can we look forward to Vance visiting Israel and telling them off?
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,942
    edited February 17

    https://x.com/jdvance/status/1891467842106630244

    Insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.

    This is Orwellian, and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.

    https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2025/02/16/julianne-moore-freckleface-strawberry-ban-department-of-defense/78893382007/
    When someone declines to consume your product, they are not banning you.

    Someone should tell Elon Musk:

    https://news.sky.com/story/its-war-elon-musks-x-sues-companies-for-not-advertising-on-its-platform-13192318

  • Daveyboy1961Daveyboy1961 Posts: 4,160
    MJW said:

    MattW said:

    MJW said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Second.

    I'm not so sure on Reform. To me their coalition looks fragile.

    How will they resolve their tensions:

    - Patriotism vs Trumpism when the USA turns its back on allies and the rest of the world.
    - Between Rich men based in Dubai or the US or wherever feathering their nests vs grass roots who want to be loyal British.
    - The enormous black holes in their Manifesto between declared intention to shrink the state and policies that require much more public investment.
    - The contribution their MPs actually make to doing their jobs vs their second jobs in media.
    - The tensions between various shades of Right in their internal coalition, and the supporters they need to attract from the mainstream.

    I don't see it holding together.
    If you think Reform's MPs aren't making a contribution outside of their media appearances, you're pretty ill-researched. Rupert Lowe alone has submitted 624 parliamentary questions according to an AI summary. I doubt it's far off. Frankly it's the Reform five making the other parties' MPs look lazy, not the other way around, much as you might wish otherwise.
    If you can point me to some data eg debate attendances, that would be great.
    Lowe does appear to be Reform's hardest working MP - in a bit of a tallest dwarf contest. I'm surprised though that anyone who saw Southampton's demise in the mid-2000s thinks he's fit to run a bath.
    Bearing in mind that I have a Reform MP, I am genuinely interested in this.

    At a recent debate on immigration, all 5 Reform MPs turned up to vote, but none of them spoke in the debate. Given that it is Specialist Subject 1, I'm interested in some data.
    Anecdata on what you see, but there are five Reform MPs. One has basically gone to ground since it came out that he beat up an ex. One is Lee Anderson. One is Farage - who even his biggest fans would say doesn't really do the job of a normal MP. Another is Tice, whose missus lives in Dubai where she spends her time slagging off Britain and he tries to be a Lidl Nigel anyway.

    That leaves Lowe, who as foul as one finds some of his views, does actually seem interested in getting into the weeds of being an MP and highlighting the detail of objections that he is angry about rather than just frothing on.
    Don't hold back...
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,683

    https://x.com/jdvance/status/1891467842106630244

    Insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.

    This is Orwellian, and everyone in Europe and the US must reject this lunacy.

    https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2025/02/16/julianne-moore-freckleface-strawberry-ban-department-of-defense/78893382007/
    When someone declines to consume your product, they are not banning you.
    Are German politicians declining to consume the AfD in government product?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 58,436
    edited February 17

    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Leon said:

    MJW said:

    Nigelb said:

    UK firms mull biggest layoffs in a decade as business confidence slumps
    Impending tax rises from autumn budget fuel collapse in sentiment and rising redundancy intentions, surveys show
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/17/uk-firms-mull-biggest-layoffs-in-a-decade-as-business-confidence-slumps

    Message to Keir From HR: SACK RACHEL FROM ACCOUNTS
    The funny thing about the insult "Rachel from Accounts" is that it doesn't work on any level whether you think she's crap or not. Being "from accounts" would make her rather more qualified than many British chancellors. Meanwhile, 'Colin from Accounts' - the thing it's referencing - is a dog in an Australian sitcom.

    People using it just reveal they are stupid enough to repeat anything they see people saying on the internet.
    Why are you endlessly whining about it, then?
    The same reason you whinge about things you think are moronic? Because they are moronic.
    Yes but whining in this instance only encourages your opponents to continue doing it, as it clearly irks

    And I can see why it irks. It is clever and biting and hasty and tells an uncomfortable truth. She is a bit dim, a bit earnest; and way overpromoted
    It irks because people being idiots and making themselves repeatedly dumber does.

    It isn't any of those things? C'mon you're a a good writer - you know what clever and biting is, and it isn't repeating a phrase from a sitcom you haven't seen, and thus don't know what it actually refers to. It isn't saying what you want it to say in terms of her being dim and overpromoted because anyone with accountancy qualifications has more than plenty of Chancellors. In fact, it's probably an insult she could embrace if it ever gained serious traction beyond weirdos on TwiX.

    You can do better - get something genuinely clever and funny and one will admit it.

    But it's the latter-day 'ZaNu LieBore' or calling George Osborne 'Gideon'. It's about as clever as a kid who flings its own shit around because it saw a monkey do it on TV and yet takes grinning pride in it.

    Got to disagree. Rachel from Accounts is a pretty good insult. It's demeaning of her and her position. It strongly implies she is out of her depth. I don't like it but it's a winner.

    Fair play and bravo for your honesty

    You're right, of course. This stings because it works: it is simple and everyone gets it and it is also damaging, indeed it gets MORE damaging as we see how much she has inflated her poor CV (plus the dodgy accounting)

    Few political nicknames/memes are genuinely damaging. Most are pathetic Tony BLIAr, oh dear. Some are clever but have no impact: Jezbollah springs to mind. A lot come and go and no one cares, the Trussterfuck, say, that was niche within niche

    For balance, I can think of one "nickname" which is as bad for the Tories as Rachel from Accounts is for Labour

    BORISWAVE

    It's clever (his silly music video) but it is also properly corrosive, as it neatly captures the Tory betrayal on immigration (not just that of Boris)

    Some names DO hurt. Rachel from Accounts hurts, and she will likely never escape it, now


  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 23,700
    TimS said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Looking forward to seeing polling on whether most voters support putting British troops on the ground in Ukraine.

    We already had it, earlier. Majority among supporters of all parties except Reform.
    I suspect the support is quite flimsy and the opposition strong though. If you asked some pointed questions (would you support active peacekeeping if it was required for 30 years, would you support your son or daughter joining the army to be a peacekeeper in Ukraine, would you pay a penny on income tax to fund it) the support would ebb away.

    From Farage's point of view I don't think he has a particularly difficult sell to the electorate in terms of wanting to stay out of it.

    (For the avoidance of doubt I would cautiously support it).
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