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Always, ALWAYS, check the terms of your bets – politicalbetting.com

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  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 46,807

    Roger said:

    Taz said:

    Reports on social media suggest the girls school was bombed by the IRGC, by accident, and not the US or Israel.

    https://x.com/joneforeman/status/2028167782010081432?s=61

    Why do you even copy shit like that?
    Why do you think for certain it was US/Israel?
    Completely ridiculous to imagine the most moral army in the world would hit schools or hospitals. Virtually a blood libel in fact.
  • AugustusCarp2AugustusCarp2 Posts: 618

    Sandpit said:


    UAE British population is estimated at 250k.

    Tsk. These immigrants!
    @AugustusCarp2 I can see you liked this one!
    That's the problem, Sunil! You can see that I agreed with you, but I can't see which of you Liked a particularly stupid post (i.e. one I didn't agree with) earlier this afternoon.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,608
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c07jm17md1lo top busybodying from Leeds council here, what a pathetic bunch of nannying jobsworths
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 24,612

    rcs1000 said:

    Hi all,

    I moved the server yesterday, taking full advantage of Cloudflare's caching infrastructure, that should mean that everything is a lot more reliable in the future. However, it's possible that there will be a few gremlins that got introduced. (I know, for example, that a whole bunch of photos from last year seem to have disappeared into the ether... Fortunately, I have backups, so will be restoring them later this evening.)

    What would be super helpful would be if anyone could let me know of any issues you see, so I can sort them

    Thanks
    Robert

    Thanks Robert - if this is a problem, then it's the most trivial one you will have to deal with. When I hover over the "Like" thumb, I cannot see who has liked the post - just the number of likes. I am sure that I used to be able to see the names.
    Is that on a phone or computer?

    On a laptop, I can see the ID of likes. On my phone, I can't.
    Similarly, if I am in my tablet I can click on the likes to see the names, but not on my phone.
  • AugustusCarp2AugustusCarp2 Posts: 618
    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Hi all,

    I moved the server yesterday, taking full advantage of Cloudflare's caching infrastructure, that should mean that everything is a lot more reliable in the future. However, it's possible that there will be a few gremlins that got introduced. (I know, for example, that a whole bunch of photos from last year seem to have disappeared into the ether... Fortunately, I have backups, so will be restoring them later this evening.)

    What would be super helpful would be if anyone could let me know of any issues you see, so I can sort them

    Thanks
    Robert

    Thanks Robert - if this is a problem, then it's the most trivial one you will have to deal with. When I hover over the "Like" thumb, I cannot see who has liked the post - just the number of likes. I am sure that I used to be able to see the names.
    I'll take a look.
    Thanks, Robert - but I doubt if it's worth much of your time and effort, it's probably just one of those quirks. As a colleague of mine once observed, "Computing is not an exact science".
  • LeonLeon Posts: 66,844
    edited March 1
    kinabalu said:

    Leon said:

    kinabalu said:

    Sam Stein
    @samstein

    looks like we're headed to a venezuela 2.0 situation here

    https://x.com/samstein/status/2028146590519624136

    Like I said PT, for Donald Trump it was about the drama and power trip of the strike and that's it. Move on now. For all that the likes of (lol) Nial Ferguson and other sanewashers pontificate on the strategic 'thinking' behind what Trump does there isn't any. It's about short term personal gratification (attention, news, money, strongman projection) and nothing else.
    The constant underestimation of Trump is frankly risible. He won TWO presidential elections. To the highest office in the world. Much as you may wish to believe otherwise, he’s not an idiot. Far from it

    An oafish, vulgar, venal old narcissist? Yes. But an idiot? No

    He’s cunning and clever and he’s deviously manipulative. One way to keep the Iranians bewildered and on the back foot is to send conflicting messages. Bomb them to hell at the same time as you offer peaceful words

    That’s actually the best way to effect regime change in Tehran. It may entice moderates to think “if we kick out the mullahs and sue for peace, America will stop the bombing
    Trump is showing us a way out”

    By all accounts Israel and the USA are going for total obliteration of Iran as a functioning military. They are bombing every asset right down to the tiniest warehouse in the smallest army base

    Trump is simultaneously saying “if you surrender, this will stop”
    It's not about him being an idiot or a deep-thinking geopolitical genius (he's neither) it's about what drives him and that is the attention/power buzz and the $$$ and the ego gratification. The constant projection onto him of qualities and motives beyond that is what I find risible. And it's counterproductive since it leads to poor analysis and bad predictions.
    You’re too intellectually mediocre and personally uninteresting to merit a debate. Next
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 27,724
    edited March 1

    Taz said:

    Jenrick has a scandal about Rachel Reeves.

    He will be exposing it tomorrow at 8.30 no less !!

    https://x.com/robertjenrick/status/2028160946472992985?s=61

    If it’s truly appalling shouldn’t he just be revealing it now?

    Why do I get the feeling this is going to be like that Major Lib Dem Announcement from a few weeks back (what actually was that in the end?)
    The Lib Dems proposed replacing the Treasury with the Department of Growth.
    So, replacing the Department of Contraction with the Department of Growth. It will only work if they destroy the top several layers and replace them with people with a basic knowledge of the advantages of economic growth.
    If the Lib Dems want to encourage growth, then ceasing to stand in the way of growth would be a good first step.

    I like liberalism and should naturally be a Lib Dem, but they are the most NIMBY party of all 3 traditional parties.

    Until the curse of NIMBYism and opposition to growth and development is removed from our body politic, getting growth is not going to happen.
  • MelonBMelonB Posts: 16,799
    edited March 1
    Taz said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    Sam Stein
    @samstein

    looks like we're headed to a venezuela 2.0 situation here

    https://x.com/samstein/status/2028146590519624136

    Like I said PT, for Donald Trump it was about the drama and power trip of the strike and that's it. Move on now. For all that the likes of (lol) Nial Ferguson and other sanewashers pontificate on the strategic 'thinking' behind what Trump does there isn't any. It's about short term personal gratification (attention, news, strongman projection) and nothing else.
    Which is why Trump should be replaced by someone more serious.

    Israel at least, while led by a crook, is led by someone who understands the military situation and geopolitics.

    Hopefully Bibi can prevent Trump from chickening out.
    If only he could be replaced. Roll on those midterms which might at least kneecap him.

    Netanyahu is in a different league to Trump, yes. And maybe (although I don't myself wish to see it) he can use his manipulative skills to pull Trump into a prolonged campaign. Doubt it but we'll see.

    But TACO isn't quite right here. Trump isn't really chickening out of anything. He's achieved his main objective.
    Trump is not going to want high gas prices by the mid terms. Irrespective of what Bibi wants.
    Just topped up the car at Sainsburys New Cross. No sign of panic buying yet, slightly to my surprise. Just the usual Crusties and Grebos and Goths for which the neighbourhood is noted.
  • MelonBMelonB Posts: 16,799

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Jenrick has a scandal about Rachel Reeves.

    He will be exposing it tomorrow at 8.30 no less !!

    https://x.com/robertjenrick/status/2028160946472992985?s=61

    If it’s truly appalling shouldn’t he just be revealing it now?

    Why do I get the feeling this is going to be like that Major Lib Dem Announcement from a few weeks back (what actually was that in the end?)
    Can’t remember and I suspect you’re right.
    Renaming the Treasury. A new brass plaque will solve all our economic woes.
    There was rather more to it than that.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,230
    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Hi all,

    I moved the server yesterday, taking full advantage of Cloudflare's caching infrastructure, that should mean that everything is a lot more reliable in the future. However, it's possible that there will be a few gremlins that got introduced. (I know, for example, that a whole bunch of photos from last year seem to have disappeared into the ether... Fortunately, I have backups, so will be restoring them later this evening.)

    What would be super helpful would be if anyone could let me know of any issues you see, so I can sort them

    Thanks
    Robert

    Thanks Robert - if this is a problem, then it's the most trivial one you will have to deal with. When I hover over the "Like" thumb, I cannot see who has liked the post - just the number of likes. I am sure that I used to be able to see the names.
    I'll take a look.
    That’s previous behaviour (on iPhone and iPad anyway).
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 61,122

    isam said:

    This kid does seem to get some exclusives, so maybe it’s going to happen

    EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to remove Wes Streeting as Health Secretary.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to remove Wes Streeting from his position as Health Secretary, viewing him privately as his most significant potential leadership challenger within the Labour Party.

    Sources close to Downing Street indicate that the ongoing escalation in the Middle East conflict, including direct involvement in regional tensions with Iran, has dominated media coverage in recent days. This shift in attention is said to have created an opportune moment for the Prime Minister to address internal threats without facing intense public scrutiny.

    Members of Starmer's inner circle have described the current international situation as a "blessing in disguise." It has diverted focus away from the recent disastrous by-election result in Gorton and Denton, where Labour was pushed into third place behind the Green Party and Reform UK-a humiliating defeat in a formerly safe seat. Insiders suggest that this distraction allows No. 10 to move against Streeting with minimal immediate damage to the Prime Minister's approval ratings.

    The plans extend beyond Streeting. There are also discussions about removing other Cabinet ministers perceived as disloyal to Starmer. This broader reshuffle is framed by Downing Street as an effort to strengthen the government and prevent internal rebellion during a challenging period for the administration.

    Sources familiar with the Prime Minister's team have expressed gratitude for the way the Middle East crisis has redirected media attention away from what they describe as difficulties in Starmer's premiership.


    https://x.com/charliesimpsona/status/2028168449470447950?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    What an we do to avoid Wes mounting a leadership challenge?

    I know - if we sack him, he'll be good as gold.

    Fecking clueless.
    The Labour Party doesn’t have a problem with internal loyalty. What this government has is a problem with formulating what needs to be done and doing it.
  • MelonBMelonB Posts: 16,799
    Sandpit said:

    Sandpit said:

    The Government is working on plans to evacuate hundreds of thousands of Brits from the Middle East More than 76,000 Brits have registered their location and contact details with the Foreign Office

    UAE British population is estimated at 250k.

    If anyone does know people in the Gulf who are affected by the situation here, please make sure they register themselves with the British embassy. It might help with getting on flights when they do reopen.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-office-travel-advice-updates
    And register with HMRC too.
    Oh don’t worry, we’re all on their radars already!
    Shit, HMRC aren’t droning the UAE too are they?
  • Daveyboy1961Daveyboy1961 Posts: 5,307

    Roger said:

    Taz said:

    Reports on social media suggest the girls school was bombed by the IRGC, by accident, and not the US or Israel.

    https://x.com/joneforeman/status/2028167782010081432?s=61

    Why do you even copy shit like that?
    Why do you think for certain it was US/Israel?
    Completely ridiculous to imagine the most moral army in the world would hit schools or hospitals. Virtually a blood libel in fact.
    Perhaps TSE could install a sarcasm icon as well?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 66,844
    The US is claiming it’s sinking every single Iranian warship. This is total degradation of the Iranian military. The entire nation will be powerless to defend itself
  • TazTaz Posts: 25,550

    Sandpit said:

    The Government is working on plans to evacuate hundreds of thousands of Brits from the Middle East More than 76,000 Brits have registered their location and contact details with the Foreign Office

    UAE British population is estimated at 250k.

    If anyone does know people in the Gulf who are affected by the situation here, please make sure they register themselves with the British embassy. It might help with getting on flights when they do reopen.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-office-travel-advice-updates
    And register with HMRC too.
    Quite right too. Left to avoid tax. Come back use our services. Pay their dues.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 27,724
    edited March 1
    MelonB said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Jenrick has a scandal about Rachel Reeves.

    He will be exposing it tomorrow at 8.30 no less !!

    https://x.com/robertjenrick/status/2028160946472992985?s=61

    If it’s truly appalling shouldn’t he just be revealing it now?

    Why do I get the feeling this is going to be like that Major Lib Dem Announcement from a few weeks back (what actually was that in the end?)
    Can’t remember and I suspect you’re right.
    Renaming the Treasury. A new brass plaque will solve all our economic woes.
    There was rather more to it than that.
    Any plans to address their consistent opposition to growth?

    You can either oppose growth, or want growth. Saying "we want growth, but not here, or their, or anywhere we want to be elected" does not work.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 32,355
    edited March 1
    Hmmm. Counted the potholes on the walk home this evening, and the last 200m of my tiny lane (about 5m wide) has between 20 and 25 which I think meet the repair standard of more than 40mm deep.

    I need to return with a 50cm x 50cm block and a camera.

    This is on a "no traffic except for access" lane which has hundreds and hundreds of rat runners every day.

    But I think I can now find a way to Op SNAP some of them.
  • MelonBMelonB Posts: 16,799

    Roger said:

    Taz said:

    Reports on social media suggest the girls school was bombed by the IRGC, by accident, and not the US or Israel.

    https://x.com/joneforeman/status/2028167782010081432?s=61

    Why do you even copy shit like that?
    Why do you think for certain it was US/Israel?
    The osint on this suggests the original evidence being posted (eg in that original tweet) that it was a rogue IRGC missile was fabricated, but there’s no strong current evidence of it being Israel either.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,426
    MattW said:

    Hmmm. Counted the potholes on the walk home this evening, and the last 200m of my tiny lane (about 5m wide) has between 20 and 25 which I think meet the repair standard of more than 40mm deep.

    I need to return with a 50cm x 50cm block and a camera.

    Isn't your council now Reform?

    Wasn't potholes their key policy?
  • OllyTOllyT Posts: 5,129
    DavidL said:

    Roger said:

    Interesting interview with Zack. I think he'll cause Starmer a hell of a lot of problems.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heQUwN3jvbA

    He should be in the HoC though and he would have been had he had the courage to stand in the bye election.
    But if they had stood a gay Jew in D&G the Greens wouldn't have been able to pull in the reactionary islamist vote they needed to win.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 24,612

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Hi all,

    I moved the server yesterday, taking full advantage of Cloudflare's caching infrastructure, that should mean that everything is a lot more reliable in the future. However, it's possible that there will be a few gremlins that got introduced. (I know, for example, that a whole bunch of photos from last year seem to have disappeared into the ether... Fortunately, I have backups, so will be restoring them later this evening.)

    What would be super helpful would be if anyone could let me know of any issues you see, so I can sort them

    Thanks
    Robert

    Thanks Robert - if this is a problem, then it's the most trivial one you will have to deal with. When I hover over the "Like" thumb, I cannot see who has liked the post - just the number of likes. I am sure that I used to be able to see the names.
    I'll take a look.
    Thanks, Robert - but I doubt if it's worth much of your time and effort, it's probably just one of those quirks. As a colleague of mine once observed, "Computing is not an exact science".
    Delete the word exact and they would be spot-on.
  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 4,863
    rcs1000 said:

    Hi all,

    I moved the server yesterday, taking full advantage of Cloudflare's caching infrastructure, that should mean that everything is a lot more reliable in the future. However, it's possible that there will be a few gremlins that got introduced. (I know, for example, that a whole bunch of photos from last year seem to have disappeared into the ether... Fortunately, I have backups, so will be restoring them later this evening.)

    What would be super helpful would be if anyone could let me know of any issues you see, so I can sort them

    Thanks
    Robert

    Thank you, and well done.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 27,834
    isam said:

    This kid does seem to get some exclusives, so maybe it’s going to happen

    EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to remove Wes Streeting as Health Secretary. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to remove Wes Streeting from his position as Health Secretary, viewing him privately as his most significant potential leadership challenger within the Labour Party...

    https://x.com/charliesimpsona/status/2028168449470447950?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    Much as I dislike the moonfaced Blair avatar, is it a good idea to exile your competitors just because they want your job? What is he doing that Starmer does not want him to do?

  • TazTaz Posts: 25,550

    Taz said:

    Jenrick has a scandal about Rachel Reeves.

    He will be exposing it tomorrow at 8.30 no less !!

    https://x.com/robertjenrick/status/2028160946472992985?s=61

    If it’s truly appalling shouldn’t he just be revealing it now?

    Why do I get the feeling this is going to be like that Major Lib Dem Announcement from a few weeks back (what actually was that in the end?)
    The Lib Dems proposed replacing the Treasury with the Department of Growth.
    So, replacing the Department of Contraction with the Department of Growth. It will only work if they destroy the top several layers and replace them with people with a basic knowledge of the advantages of economic growth.
    If the Lib Dems want to encourage growth, then ceasing to stand in the way of growth would be a good first step.

    I like liberalism and should naturally be a Lib Dem, but they are the most NIMBY party of all 3 traditional parties.

    Until the curse of NIMBYism and opposition to growth and development is removed from our body politic, getting growth is not going to happen.
    Not only that they want to screw the productive economy to reward pensioners and benefits claimants with above inflation rises.

    They want to spend billions compensating WASPI women for being morons.

    They haven’t got a clue
  • MelonBMelonB Posts: 16,799

    MelonB said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Jenrick has a scandal about Rachel Reeves.

    He will be exposing it tomorrow at 8.30 no less !!

    https://x.com/robertjenrick/status/2028160946472992985?s=61

    If it’s truly appalling shouldn’t he just be revealing it now?

    Why do I get the feeling this is going to be like that Major Lib Dem Announcement from a few weeks back (what actually was that in the end?)
    Can’t remember and I suspect you’re right.
    Renaming the Treasury. A new brass plaque will solve all our economic woes.
    There was rather more to it than that.
    Any plans to address their consistent opposition to growth?

    You can either oppose growth, or want growth. Saying "we want growth, but not here, or their, or anywhere we want to be elected" does not work.
    But that’s another article of faith undermined by actual data on Lib Dem planning policy both nationally and at local level. The national housebuilding policy is almost the most liberal of all the main parties (Labour’s is now even more liberal, albeit with no tangible results so far). There are certainly NIMBY councillors but decidedly fewer as a proportion than in the Conservative Party (and one suspects, though it’s a bit early to know the stats, but they are mainly ex-Tories after all, Reform councillors).
  • Streeting being removed is exactly what he wants. Then he can take a run at Starmer.

    Starmer is done. End of the road.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,173
    edited March 1
    Starmer isn't very good at this politics lark is he. Not only the sacking, its the number of times he has briefed against and signalled he wants to do it, still hasn't done it and when he finally does it, everybody knows why.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 32,355
    Hah !

    Perun is not very happy that yet another war started on a Saturday.
  • squareroot2squareroot2 Posts: 7,639
    What on earth is going to happen if the editor extends his holiday for a few days?
  • TazTaz Posts: 25,550
    @TheScreamingEagles

    Just picked up your dinner


  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 988
    viewcode said:

    isam said:

    This kid does seem to get some exclusives, so maybe it’s going to happen

    EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to remove Wes Streeting as Health Secretary. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to remove Wes Streeting from his position as Health Secretary, viewing him privately as his most significant potential leadership challenger within the Labour Party...

    https://x.com/charliesimpsona/status/2028168449470447950?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    Much as I dislike the moonfaced Blair avatar, is it a good idea to exile your competitors just because they want your job? What is he doing that Starmer does not want him to do?

    He's a self confessed far right independent journalist.

    This is about as far fetched a load of bollocks as being too unbelievably bad even for the Daily Mail.

    Starmer may lack political nous he's not as stupid as to have a reshuffle now.

    Streeting will at some point resign to set up a leadership challenge. That will be in mid May probably. If he does he loses.

    He's not going to walk now.

  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 58,222
    MattW said:

    Hmmm. Counted the potholes on the walk home this evening, and the last 200m of my tiny lane (about 5m wide) has between 20 and 25 which I think meet the repair standard of more than 40mm deep.

    I need to return with a 50cm x 50cm block and a camera.

    This is on a "no traffic except for access" lane which has hundreds and hundreds of rat runners every day.

    But I think I can now find a way to Op SNAP some of them.

    The lane from the main road to my house is full of them. It requires an Olympic slalom to avoid them. Unsuccesssfully - another tyre required tomorrow.
  • FffsFffs Posts: 113

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Hi all,

    I moved the server yesterday, taking full advantage of Cloudflare's caching infrastructure, that should mean that everything is a lot more reliable in the future. However, it's possible that there will be a few gremlins that got introduced. (I know, for example, that a whole bunch of photos from last year seem to have disappeared into the ether... Fortunately, I have backups, so will be restoring them later this evening.)

    What would be super helpful would be if anyone could let me know of any issues you see, so I can sort them

    Thanks
    Robert

    Thanks Robert - if this is a problem, then it's the most trivial one you will have to deal with. When I hover over the "Like" thumb, I cannot see who has liked the post - just the number of likes. I am sure that I used to be able to see the names.
    I'll take a look.
    Thanks, Robert - but I doubt if it's worth much of your time and effort, it's probably just one of those quirks. As a colleague of mine once observed, "Computing is not an exact science".
    Delete the word exact and they would be spot-on.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curry–Howard_correspondence
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 58,222
    Leon said:

    The US is claiming it’s sinking every single Iranian warship. This is total degradation of the Iranian military. The entire nation will be powerless to defend itself

    Was a time Iraq would have taken advantage...
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,140

    Streeting being removed is exactly what he wants. Then he can take a run at Starmer.

    Starmer is done. End of the road.

    Alas, poor Wes. I actually didn't know him that well!
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 57,742

    MattW said:

    Hmmm. Counted the potholes on the walk home this evening, and the last 200m of my tiny lane (about 5m wide) has between 20 and 25 which I think meet the repair standard of more than 40mm deep.

    I need to return with a 50cm x 50cm block and a camera.

    Isn't your council now Reform?

    Wasn't potholes their key policy?
    I think that might have been pot shots. Easy mistake to make.
  • numbertwelvenumbertwelve Posts: 8,803
    isam said:

    This kid does seem to get some exclusives, so maybe it’s going to happen

    EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to remove Wes Streeting as Health Secretary.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to remove Wes Streeting from his position as Health Secretary, viewing him privately as his most significant potential leadership challenger within the Labour Party.

    Sources close to Downing Street indicate that the ongoing escalation in the Middle East conflict, including direct involvement in regional tensions with Iran, has dominated media coverage in recent days. This shift in attention is said to have created an opportune moment for the Prime Minister to address internal threats without facing intense public scrutiny.

    Members of Starmer's inner circle have described the current international situation as a "blessing in disguise." It has diverted focus away from the recent disastrous by-election result in Gorton and Denton, where Labour was pushed into third place behind the Green Party and Reform UK-a humiliating defeat in a formerly safe seat. Insiders suggest that this distraction allows No. 10 to move against Streeting with minimal immediate damage to the Prime Minister's approval ratings.

    The plans extend beyond Streeting. There are also discussions about removing other Cabinet ministers perceived as disloyal to Starmer. This broader reshuffle is framed by Downing Street as an effort to strengthen the government and prevent internal rebellion during a challenging period for the administration.

    Sources familiar with the Prime Minister's team have expressed gratitude for the way the Middle East crisis has redirected media attention away from what they describe as difficulties in Starmer's premiership.


    https://x.com/charliesimpsona/status/2028168449470447950?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    What could possibly go wrong…
  • TazTaz Posts: 25,550
    Brixian59 said:

    viewcode said:

    isam said:

    This kid does seem to get some exclusives, so maybe it’s going to happen

    EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to remove Wes Streeting as Health Secretary. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to remove Wes Streeting from his position as Health Secretary, viewing him privately as his most significant potential leadership challenger within the Labour Party...

    https://x.com/charliesimpsona/status/2028168449470447950?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    Much as I dislike the moonfaced Blair avatar, is it a good idea to exile your competitors just because they want your job? What is he doing that Starmer does not want him to do?

    He's a self confessed far right independent journalist.

    This is about as far fetched a load of bollocks as being too unbelievably bad even for the Daily Mail.

    Starmer may lack political nous he's not as stupid as to have a reshuffle now.

    Streeting will at some point resign to set up a leadership challenge. That will be in mid May probably. If he does he loses.

    He's not going to walk now.

    But he has a track record of sorts. He has had a couple of scoops he got right on defections to Reform for instance
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 21,753

    Streeting being removed is exactly what he wants. Then he can take a run at Starmer.

    Starmer is done. End of the road.

    Unless it's 5D chess to make sure that Streeting gets the job, it makes no sense at all.

    And all I will say about Streeting is that he fails the "anyone who wants the job, especially right now, mustn't get the job" test.

    Meanwhile, looking at the scores on the doors, Starmer overtakes Sunak in a fortnight. Clearly Rishi's Premiership became a lemming march over the cliff at some point- even now, I wonder when.

    And in six weeks time, Starmer overtakes Eden. Who was eased out for "medical reasons". Let the reader understand.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 126,579
    Taz said:

    @TheScreamingEagles

    Just picked up your dinner


    I can't even...
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 7,612
    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Jenrick has a scandal about Rachel Reeves.

    He will be exposing it tomorrow at 8.30 no less !!

    https://x.com/robertjenrick/status/2028160946472992985?s=61

    If it’s truly appalling shouldn’t he just be revealing it now?

    Why do I get the feeling this is going to be like that Major Lib Dem Announcement from a few weeks back (what actually was that in the end?)
    The Lib Dems proposed replacing the Treasury with the Department of Growth.
    So, replacing the Department of Contraction with the Department of Growth. It will only work if they destroy the top several layers and replace them with people with a basic knowledge of the advantages of economic growth.
    If the Lib Dems want to encourage growth, then ceasing to stand in the way of growth would be a good first step.

    I like liberalism and should naturally be a Lib Dem, but they are the most NIMBY party of all 3 traditional parties.

    Until the curse of NIMBYism and opposition to growth and development is removed from our body politic, getting growth is not going to happen.
    Not only that they want to screw the productive economy to reward pensioners and benefits claimants with above inflation rises.

    They want to spend billions compensating WASPI women for being morons.

    They haven’t got a clue
    Mrs. F is a Waspi woman. She doesn’t expect compensation. She is not a moron. She proves it by hating Farage.
  • BatteryCorrectHorseBatteryCorrectHorse Posts: 5,211
    edited March 1

    Streeting being removed is exactly what he wants. Then he can take a run at Starmer.

    Starmer is done. End of the road.

    Unless it's 5D chess to make sure that Streeting gets the job, it makes no sense at all.

    And all I will say about Streeting is that he fails the "anyone who wants the job, especially right now, mustn't get the job" test.

    Meanwhile, looking at the scores on the doors, Starmer overtakes Sunak in a fortnight. Clearly Rishi's Premiership became a lemming march over the cliff at some point- even now, I wonder when.

    And in six weeks time, Starmer overtakes Eden. Who was eased out for "medical reasons". Let the reader understand.
    Going to be either Streeting or Rayner surely? As how is Burnham going to get a seat?

    But I think if it were possible to bet on, I suspect Burnham ends up in Parliament by the next election almost certainly.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,215

    Sandpit said:


    UAE British population is estimated at 250k.

    Tsk. These immigrants!
    @AugustusCarp2 I can see you liked this one!
    That's the problem, Sunil! You can see that I agreed with you, but I can't see which of you Liked a particularly stupid post (i.e. one I didn't agree with) earlier this afternoon.
    Well it wasn't me, I assure you, Augustus.

    I didn't get where I am today on PB, very highly respected, by 'liking' stupid posts.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,173
    Taz said:

    @TheScreamingEagles

    Just picked up your dinner

    Tell me that is AI....otherwise we really can't trust the public with anything.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 7,612

    Streeting being removed is exactly what he wants. Then he can take a run at Starmer.

    Starmer is done. End of the road.

    Unless it's 5D chess to make sure that Streeting gets the job, it makes no sense at all.

    And all I will say about Streeting is that he fails the "anyone who wants the job, especially right now, mustn't get the job" test.

    Meanwhile, looking at the scores on the doors, Starmer overtakes Sunak in a fortnight. Clearly Rishi's Premiership became a lemming march over the cliff at some point- even now, I wonder when.

    And in six weeks time, Starmer overtakes Eden. Who was eased out for "medical reasons". Let the reader understand.
    Starmer is as bad as Eden and much worse than Sunak. He is almost at Truss levels of incompetence. He doesn’t deserve to survive as PM.
  • TazTaz Posts: 25,550

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Jenrick has a scandal about Rachel Reeves.

    He will be exposing it tomorrow at 8.30 no less !!

    https://x.com/robertjenrick/status/2028160946472992985?s=61

    If it’s truly appalling shouldn’t he just be revealing it now?

    Why do I get the feeling this is going to be like that Major Lib Dem Announcement from a few weeks back (what actually was that in the end?)
    The Lib Dems proposed replacing the Treasury with the Department of Growth.
    So, replacing the Department of Contraction with the Department of Growth. It will only work if they destroy the top several layers and replace them with people with a basic knowledge of the advantages of economic growth.
    If the Lib Dems want to encourage growth, then ceasing to stand in the way of growth would be a good first step.

    I like liberalism and should naturally be a Lib Dem, but they are the most NIMBY party of all 3 traditional parties.

    Until the curse of NIMBYism and opposition to growth and development is removed from our body politic, getting growth is not going to happen.
    Not only that they want to screw the productive economy to reward pensioners and benefits claimants with above inflation rises.

    They want to spend billions compensating WASPI women for being morons.

    They haven’t got a clue
    Mrs. F is a Waspi woman. She doesn’t expect compensation. She is not a moron. She proves it by hating Farage.
    But, as you say, she’s not one of those expecting compensation. She clearly knew what was happening.

    I’m specifically referencing the WASPI, backto60 and CEDAW lot who are demanding money.
  • CatManCatMan Posts: 3,690

    Taz said:

    @TheScreamingEagles

    Just picked up your dinner

    Tell me that is AI....otherwise we really can't trust the public with anything.
    Look at the bottom left!
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,426

    Taz said:

    @TheScreamingEagles

    Just picked up your dinner


    I can't even...
    What fresh hell is this?
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 27,834
    Leon said:

    The US is claiming it’s sinking every single Iranian warship. This is total degradation of the Iranian military. The entire nation will be powerless to defend itself

    In 1988 the USA sank half of Iran's fleet in one day

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Praying_Mantis
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5v6hlRyeHE
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,173
    CatMan said:

    Taz said:

    @TheScreamingEagles

    Just picked up your dinner

    Tell me that is AI....otherwise we really can't trust the public with anything.
    Look at the bottom left!
    Thank goodness for that.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,426

    isam said:

    This kid does seem to get some exclusives, so maybe it’s going to happen

    EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to remove Wes Streeting as Health Secretary.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to remove Wes Streeting from his position as Health Secretary, viewing him privately as his most significant potential leadership challenger within the Labour Party.

    Sources close to Downing Street indicate that the ongoing escalation in the Middle East conflict, including direct involvement in regional tensions with Iran, has dominated media coverage in recent days. This shift in attention is said to have created an opportune moment for the Prime Minister to address internal threats without facing intense public scrutiny.

    Members of Starmer's inner circle have described the current international situation as a "blessing in disguise." It has diverted focus away from the recent disastrous by-election result in Gorton and Denton, where Labour was pushed into third place behind the Green Party and Reform UK-a humiliating defeat in a formerly safe seat. Insiders suggest that this distraction allows No. 10 to move against Streeting with minimal immediate damage to the Prime Minister's approval ratings.

    The plans extend beyond Streeting. There are also discussions about removing other Cabinet ministers perceived as disloyal to Starmer. This broader reshuffle is framed by Downing Street as an effort to strengthen the government and prevent internal rebellion during a challenging period for the administration.

    Sources familiar with the Prime Minister's team have expressed gratitude for the way the Middle East crisis has redirected media attention away from what they describe as difficulties in Starmer's premiership.


    https://x.com/charliesimpsona/status/2028168449470447950?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    What could possibly go wrong…
    Just brilliant.

    Let's sack one of our key possible replacements from a demanding cabinet job so that a) he becomes a martyr on the backbenches and b) has a load more time on his hands.



  • isamisam Posts: 43,770
    edited March 1
    Given that we seem to be in an era of five party politics, so it may not take that many seats (possibly sub 200) to be the biggest party, and the likelihood of a Reform implosion... are the Tories too big at 8/1 in the most seats market? My answer is I think so

    Someone wants to lay £1100 at an average of 8.9
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,215
    No, c'mon, that 'sack Streeting' thing has got to be a nonsense. I know Starmer isn't the canniest of operators but that would be dropdown crazy.
  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 4,863
    Taz said:

    @TheScreamingEagles

    Just picked up your dinner


    I can read the label, but what on earth is it?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,173
    edited March 1
    kinabalu said:

    No, c'mon, that 'sack Streeting' thing has got to be a nonsense. I know Starmer isn't the canniest of operators but that would be dropdown crazy.

    Let me remind you about the briefing about briefing, come and have a go if you are ard enough, incident from a few months back....
  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 4,863

    Streeting being removed is exactly what he wants. Then he can take a run at Starmer.

    Starmer is done. End of the road.

    Unless it's 5D chess to make sure that Streeting gets the job, it makes no sense at all.

    And all I will say about Streeting is that he fails the "anyone who wants the job, especially right now, mustn't get the job" test.

    Meanwhile, looking at the scores on the doors, Starmer overtakes Sunak in a fortnight. Clearly Rishi's Premiership became a lemming march over the cliff at some point- even now, I wonder when.

    And in six weeks time, Starmer overtakes Eden. Who was eased out for "medical reasons". Let the reader understand.
    Starmer is as bad as Eden and much worse than Sunak. He is almost at Truss levels of incompetence. He doesn’t deserve to survive as PM.
    Then perhaps he will go on and on ...
  • MattWMattW Posts: 32,355
    edited March 1

    MattW said:

    Hmmm. Counted the potholes on the walk home this evening, and the last 200m of my tiny lane (about 5m wide) has between 20 and 25 which I think meet the repair standard of more than 40mm deep.

    I need to return with a 50cm x 50cm block and a camera.

    Isn't your council now Reform?

    Wasn't potholes their key policy?
    Yes and Yes.

    Actually that's a 5cm x 5cm block. They are not 50cm deep :smile: .

    But I do have my can of spray paint the same colour as the Council's to hand to add a couple of extras if they miss any !
  • Starmer is a better PM than Sunak and Truss. However that is it.
  • kinabalu said:

    No, c'mon, that 'sack Streeting' thing has got to be a nonsense. I know Starmer isn't the canniest of operators but that would be dropdown crazy.

    I think it's very likely to be true. And that will surely be the end for Starmer.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,426

    Reuters
    @Reuters
    Oil and gas shipments from the Middle East via the Strait of Hormuz have come to a halt. A prolonged shutdown would be a doomsday scenario for global oil markets. Hear more on Reuters Morning Bid podcast

    https://x.com/Reuters/status/2028115808748994852
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,215

    isam said:

    This kid does seem to get some exclusives, so maybe it’s going to happen

    EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to remove Wes Streeting as Health Secretary.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to remove Wes Streeting from his position as Health Secretary, viewing him privately as his most significant potential leadership challenger within the Labour Party.

    Sources close to Downing Street indicate that the ongoing escalation in the Middle East conflict, including direct involvement in regional tensions with Iran, has dominated media coverage in recent days. This shift in attention is said to have created an opportune moment for the Prime Minister to address internal threats without facing intense public scrutiny.

    Members of Starmer's inner circle have described the current international situation as a "blessing in disguise." It has diverted focus away from the recent disastrous by-election result in Gorton and Denton, where Labour was pushed into third place behind the Green Party and Reform UK-a humiliating defeat in a formerly safe seat. Insiders suggest that this distraction allows No. 10 to move against Streeting with minimal immediate damage to the Prime Minister's approval ratings.

    The plans extend beyond Streeting. There are also discussions about removing other Cabinet ministers perceived as disloyal to Starmer. This broader reshuffle is framed by Downing Street as an effort to strengthen the government and prevent internal rebellion during a challenging period for the administration.

    Sources familiar with the Prime Minister's team have expressed gratitude for the way the Middle East crisis has redirected media attention away from what they describe as difficulties in Starmer's premiership.


    https://x.com/charliesimpsona/status/2028168449470447950?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    What an we do to avoid Wes mounting a leadership challenge?

    I know - if we sack him, he'll be good as gold.

    Fecking clueless.
    The Labour Party doesn’t have a problem with internal loyalty. What this government has is a problem with formulating what needs to be done and doing it.
    An objective 'needs to be done' proposition eludes all governments because there's no such thing. Ask any 10 people what it looks like and you'll get 10 different answers. The problem is comms, political acumen and the persona of the leader.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 21,753

    Starmer is a better PM than Sunak and Truss. However that is it.

    C'mon- better than Johnson as well.

    Which takes us back to May, who is probably the closest to rhyming historically with Starmer; in a better-functioning system, they would have topped out one step lower, and been basically fine.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 32,355
    edited March 1
    .
    Taz said:

    Brixian59 said:

    viewcode said:

    isam said:

    This kid does seem to get some exclusives, so maybe it’s going to happen

    EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to remove Wes Streeting as Health Secretary. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to remove Wes Streeting from his position as Health Secretary, viewing him privately as his most significant potential leadership challenger within the Labour Party...

    https://x.com/charliesimpsona/status/2028168449470447950?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    Much as I dislike the moonfaced Blair avatar, is it a good idea to exile your competitors just because they want your job? What is he doing that Starmer does not want him to do?

    He's a self confessed far right independent journalist.

    This is about as far fetched a load of bollocks as being too unbelievably bad even for the Daily Mail.

    Starmer may lack political nous he's not as stupid as to have a reshuffle now.

    Streeting will at some point resign to set up a leadership challenge. That will be in mid May probably. If he does he loses.

    He's not going to walk now.

    But he has a track record of sorts. He has had a couple of scoops he got right on defections to Reform for instance
    He seems to be better informed than some people:


    https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2026762095568605188
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,215
    Leon said:

    kinabalu said:

    Leon said:

    kinabalu said:

    Sam Stein
    @samstein

    looks like we're headed to a venezuela 2.0 situation here

    https://x.com/samstein/status/2028146590519624136

    Like I said PT, for Donald Trump it was about the drama and power trip of the strike and that's it. Move on now. For all that the likes of (lol) Nial Ferguson and other sanewashers pontificate on the strategic 'thinking' behind what Trump does there isn't any. It's about short term personal gratification (attention, news, money, strongman projection) and nothing else.
    The constant underestimation of Trump is frankly risible. He won TWO presidential elections. To the highest office in the world. Much as you may wish to believe otherwise, he’s not an idiot. Far from it

    An oafish, vulgar, venal old narcissist? Yes. But an idiot? No

    He’s cunning and clever and he’s deviously manipulative. One way to keep the Iranians bewildered and on the back foot is to send conflicting messages. Bomb them to hell at the same time as you offer peaceful words

    That’s actually the best way to effect regime change in Tehran. It may entice moderates to think “if we kick out the mullahs and sue for peace, America will stop the bombing
    Trump is showing us a way out”

    By all accounts Israel and the USA are going for total obliteration of Iran as a functioning military. They are bombing every asset right down to the tiniest warehouse in the smallest army base

    Trump is simultaneously saying “if you surrender, this will stop”
    It's not about him being an idiot or a deep-thinking geopolitical genius (he's neither) it's about what drives him and that is the attention/power buzz and the $$$ and the ego gratification. The constant projection onto him of qualities and motives beyond that is what I find risible. And it's counterproductive since it leads to poor analysis and bad predictions.
    You’re too intellectually mediocre and personally uninteresting to merit a debate. Next
    Oh dear. What a tell.
  • Starmer is a better PM than Sunak and Truss. However that is it.

    C'mon- better than Johnson as well.

    Which takes us back to May, who is probably the closest to rhyming historically with Starmer; in a better-functioning system, they would have topped out one step lower, and been basically fine.
    Johnson achieved more. However he was a truly horrendous man and was always going to end up a failure.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 18,979
    Reform projected to be near majority and only major party. Lib Dems official Opposition; Labour third; Conservatives fourth.

    RFM: 315 (+310), 28.5% (11 Short)
    LDM: 83 (+11), 12.4%
    LAB: 78 (-333), 19.0%
    CON: 53 (-68), 18.6%
    SNP: 44 (+35), 2.7%
    GRN: 42 (+38), 14.2%
    PLC: 10 (+6), 1.3%
    Oth: 6 (+1), 3.4%


    https://bsky.app/profile/electionmaps.uk/post/3mfz4gdl3fc27
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,215
    Leon said:

    The US is claiming it’s sinking every single Iranian warship. This is total degradation of the Iranian military. The entire nation will be powerless to defend itself

    Lol. Have you got a sock handy?
  • FF43 said:

    Reform projected to be near majority and only major party. Lib Dems official Opposition; Labour third; Conservatives fourth.

    RFM: 315 (+310), 28.5% (11 Short)
    LDM: 83 (+11), 12.4%
    LAB: 78 (-333), 19.0%
    CON: 53 (-68), 18.6%
    SNP: 44 (+35), 2.7%
    GRN: 42 (+38), 14.2%
    PLC: 10 (+6), 1.3%
    Oth: 6 (+1), 3.4%


    https://bsky.app/profile/electionmaps.uk/post/3mfz4gdl3fc27

    I don't buy it. Yet.
  • TazTaz Posts: 25,550
    MattW said:

    .

    Taz said:

    Brixian59 said:

    viewcode said:

    isam said:

    This kid does seem to get some exclusives, so maybe it’s going to happen

    EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to remove Wes Streeting as Health Secretary. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to remove Wes Streeting from his position as Health Secretary, viewing him privately as his most significant potential leadership challenger within the Labour Party...

    https://x.com/charliesimpsona/status/2028168449470447950?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    Much as I dislike the moonfaced Blair avatar, is it a good idea to exile your competitors just because they want your job? What is he doing that Starmer does not want him to do?

    He's a self confessed far right independent journalist.

    This is about as far fetched a load of bollocks as being too unbelievably bad even for the Daily Mail.

    Starmer may lack political nous he's not as stupid as to have a reshuffle now.

    Streeting will at some point resign to set up a leadership challenge. That will be in mid May probably. If he does he loses.

    He's not going to walk now.

    But he has a track record of sorts. He has had a couple of scoops he got right on defections to Reform for instance
    He seems to be better informed than some people:


    https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2026762095568605188
    Well Goodwin had a point, it was a 12 point gap.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 18,979
    edited March 1
    FF43 said:

    Reform projected to be near majority and only major party. Lib Dems official Opposition; Labour third; Conservatives fourth.

    RFM: 315 (+310), 28.5% (11 Short)
    LDM: 83 (+11), 12.4%
    LAB: 78 (-333), 19.0%
    CON: 53 (-68), 18.6%
    SNP: 44 (+35), 2.7%
    GRN: 42 (+38), 14.2%
    PLC: 10 (+6), 1.3%
    Oth: 6 (+1), 3.4%


    https://bsky.app/profile/electionmaps.uk/post/3mfz4gdl3fc27

    Run the advantages of First Past the Post by me again?
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 27,724

    Trump Always Chickens Out

    Regime change should be the outcome.

    We know TACO. There was a reason why the rest of us were being less gung-ho about this than you were!
    What reason is that?

    Forced choice, between no action or limited action removing the Supreme Leader, many commanders and much military hardware . . . Of course what has already happened is already better than nothing and a win of sorts.

    It is just a terrible lack of ambition to pull out now when a much more considerable victory is on the cards.
  • TazTaz Posts: 25,550
    AnneJGP said:

    Taz said:

    @TheScreamingEagles

    Just picked up your dinner


    I can read the label, but what on earth is it?
    Pickled Onion and Monster Mash pizza. 😳
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,215

    kinabalu said:

    No, c'mon, that 'sack Streeting' thing has got to be a nonsense. I know Starmer isn't the canniest of operators but that would be dropdown crazy.

    I think it's very likely to be true. And that will surely be the end for Starmer.
    It's firmly in 'believe it when I see it' territory.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,426
    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Hmmm. Counted the potholes on the walk home this evening, and the last 200m of my tiny lane (about 5m wide) has between 20 and 25 which I think meet the repair standard of more than 40mm deep.

    I need to return with a 50cm x 50cm block and a camera.

    Isn't your council now Reform?

    Wasn't potholes their key policy?
    Yes and Yes.

    Actually that's a 5cm x 5cm block. They are not 50cm deep :smile: .

    But I do have my can of spray paint the same colour as the Council's to hand to add a couple of extras if they miss any !
    Some guys in the next street to me which was horrendously potholed five or so years ago spray painted massive penis shapes on the road surface next to the holes.

    Council were there within days.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,426
    AnneJGP said:

    Taz said:

    @TheScreamingEagles

    Just picked up your dinner


    I can read the label, but what on earth is it?
    Unwise.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 27,724
    kinabalu said:

    isam said:

    This kid does seem to get some exclusives, so maybe it’s going to happen

    EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to remove Wes Streeting as Health Secretary.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to remove Wes Streeting from his position as Health Secretary, viewing him privately as his most significant potential leadership challenger within the Labour Party.

    Sources close to Downing Street indicate that the ongoing escalation in the Middle East conflict, including direct involvement in regional tensions with Iran, has dominated media coverage in recent days. This shift in attention is said to have created an opportune moment for the Prime Minister to address internal threats without facing intense public scrutiny.

    Members of Starmer's inner circle have described the current international situation as a "blessing in disguise." It has diverted focus away from the recent disastrous by-election result in Gorton and Denton, where Labour was pushed into third place behind the Green Party and Reform UK-a humiliating defeat in a formerly safe seat. Insiders suggest that this distraction allows No. 10 to move against Streeting with minimal immediate damage to the Prime Minister's approval ratings.

    The plans extend beyond Streeting. There are also discussions about removing other Cabinet ministers perceived as disloyal to Starmer. This broader reshuffle is framed by Downing Street as an effort to strengthen the government and prevent internal rebellion during a challenging period for the administration.

    Sources familiar with the Prime Minister's team have expressed gratitude for the way the Middle East crisis has redirected media attention away from what they describe as difficulties in Starmer's premiership.


    https://x.com/charliesimpsona/status/2028168449470447950?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    What an we do to avoid Wes mounting a leadership challenge?

    I know - if we sack him, he'll be good as gold.

    Fecking clueless.
    The Labour Party doesn’t have a problem with internal loyalty. What this government has is a problem with formulating what needs to be done and doing it.
    An objective 'needs to be done' proposition eludes all governments because there's no such thing. Ask any 10 people what it looks like and you'll get 10 different answers. The problem is comms, political acumen and the persona of the leader.
    There is no such thing as objective.

    What is needed is a subjective 'needs to be done' proposition, followed by getting your hands dirty and doing it.

    Which means telling some people that what they want doing is not your priority.

    If you prioritise everything, you prioritise nothing.
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 7,610
    Has anyone heard of Jack Ward?

    I can’t help but think that he must be a hero of @Dura_Ace

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Ward
  • MattWMattW Posts: 32,355
    edited March 1
    The extraordinary assault by Pete Hegseth on Anthropic (makers of Claude) suggests that we could invite them to come over here.

    TLDR: Anthropic were not willing to have their tech used to make attack (ie killing) decision without a human-in-the-loop as it was not reliable enough.

    Hegseth threatened to ban them from the DOD supply chain, and banning all companies in the supply chain from havign any dealings with them.

    US Law - WTF is that?

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjrq1vwe73po
    https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/26/incoherent-hegseths-anthropic-ultimatum-confounds-ai-policymakers-00800135?utm_content=topic/politics&utm_source=flipboard

    Hegseth met with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on Tuesday to deliver a warning — give the military unfettered access to its Claude AI model by Friday evening or else have the government label it a “risk” to the supply chain. The designation, typically reserved for foreign firms with ties to U.S. adversaries, could ban companies that work with the government from partnering with Anthropic.
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 2,599
    British potholes are wimpy. Greece has some great ones


  • TazTaz Posts: 25,550

    Trump Always Chickens Out

    Regime change should be the outcome.

    We know TACO. There was a reason why the rest of us were being less gung-ho about this than you were!
    What reason is that?

    Forced choice, between no action or limited action removing the Supreme Leader, many commanders and much military hardware . . . Of course what has already happened is already better than nothing and a win of sorts.

    It is just a terrible lack of ambition to pull out now when a much more considerable victory is on the cards.
    It will all be over by Xmas.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,215
    edited March 1

    kinabalu said:

    isam said:

    This kid does seem to get some exclusives, so maybe it’s going to happen

    EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to remove Wes Streeting as Health Secretary.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to remove Wes Streeting from his position as Health Secretary, viewing him privately as his most significant potential leadership challenger within the Labour Party.

    Sources close to Downing Street indicate that the ongoing escalation in the Middle East conflict, including direct involvement in regional tensions with Iran, has dominated media coverage in recent days. This shift in attention is said to have created an opportune moment for the Prime Minister to address internal threats without facing intense public scrutiny.

    Members of Starmer's inner circle have described the current international situation as a "blessing in disguise." It has diverted focus away from the recent disastrous by-election result in Gorton and Denton, where Labour was pushed into third place behind the Green Party and Reform UK-a humiliating defeat in a formerly safe seat. Insiders suggest that this distraction allows No. 10 to move against Streeting with minimal immediate damage to the Prime Minister's approval ratings.

    The plans extend beyond Streeting. There are also discussions about removing other Cabinet ministers perceived as disloyal to Starmer. This broader reshuffle is framed by Downing Street as an effort to strengthen the government and prevent internal rebellion during a challenging period for the administration.

    Sources familiar with the Prime Minister's team have expressed gratitude for the way the Middle East crisis has redirected media attention away from what they describe as difficulties in Starmer's premiership.


    https://x.com/charliesimpsona/status/2028168449470447950?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    What an we do to avoid Wes mounting a leadership challenge?

    I know - if we sack him, he'll be good as gold.

    Fecking clueless.
    The Labour Party doesn’t have a problem with internal loyalty. What this government has is a problem with formulating what needs to be done and doing it.
    An objective 'needs to be done' proposition eludes all governments because there's no such thing. Ask any 10 people what it looks like and you'll get 10 different answers. The problem is comms, political acumen and the persona of the leader.
    There is no such thing as objective.

    What is needed is a subjective 'needs to be done' proposition, followed by getting your hands dirty and doing it.

    Which means telling some people that what they want doing is not your priority.

    If you prioritise everything, you prioritise nothing.
    Yep. But would people would retain this view if it turned out the priorities didn't match theirs. I think we know the answer to that.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 27,724
    Taz said:

    Trump Always Chickens Out

    Regime change should be the outcome.

    We know TACO. There was a reason why the rest of us were being less gung-ho about this than you were!
    What reason is that?

    Forced choice, between no action or limited action removing the Supreme Leader, many commanders and much military hardware . . . Of course what has already happened is already better than nothing and a win of sorts.

    It is just a terrible lack of ambition to pull out now when a much more considerable victory is on the cards.
    It will all be over by Xmas.
    It probably will.

    It probably should not be.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 57,894
    MattW said:

    The extraordinary assault by Pete Hegseth on Anthropic (makers of Claude) suggests that we could invite them to come over here.

    TLDR: Anthropic were not willing to have their tech used to make attack (ie killing) decision without a human-in-the-loop as it was not reliable enough.

    As I understand it they didn't just want a human in the loop but wanted to be able to veto any decisions that relied on its models.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 27,724
    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    isam said:

    This kid does seem to get some exclusives, so maybe it’s going to happen

    EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning to remove Wes Streeting as Health Secretary.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to remove Wes Streeting from his position as Health Secretary, viewing him privately as his most significant potential leadership challenger within the Labour Party.

    Sources close to Downing Street indicate that the ongoing escalation in the Middle East conflict, including direct involvement in regional tensions with Iran, has dominated media coverage in recent days. This shift in attention is said to have created an opportune moment for the Prime Minister to address internal threats without facing intense public scrutiny.

    Members of Starmer's inner circle have described the current international situation as a "blessing in disguise." It has diverted focus away from the recent disastrous by-election result in Gorton and Denton, where Labour was pushed into third place behind the Green Party and Reform UK-a humiliating defeat in a formerly safe seat. Insiders suggest that this distraction allows No. 10 to move against Streeting with minimal immediate damage to the Prime Minister's approval ratings.

    The plans extend beyond Streeting. There are also discussions about removing other Cabinet ministers perceived as disloyal to Starmer. This broader reshuffle is framed by Downing Street as an effort to strengthen the government and prevent internal rebellion during a challenging period for the administration.

    Sources familiar with the Prime Minister's team have expressed gratitude for the way the Middle East crisis has redirected media attention away from what they describe as difficulties in Starmer's premiership.


    https://x.com/charliesimpsona/status/2028168449470447950?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    What an we do to avoid Wes mounting a leadership challenge?

    I know - if we sack him, he'll be good as gold.

    Fecking clueless.
    The Labour Party doesn’t have a problem with internal loyalty. What this government has is a problem with formulating what needs to be done and doing it.
    An objective 'needs to be done' proposition eludes all governments because there's no such thing. Ask any 10 people what it looks like and you'll get 10 different answers. The problem is comms, political acumen and the persona of the leader.
    There is no such thing as objective.

    What is needed is a subjective 'needs to be done' proposition, followed by getting your hands dirty and doing it.

    Which means telling some people that what they want doing is not your priority.

    If you prioritise everything, you prioritise nothing.
    Yep. But would people would retain this view if it turned out the priorities didn't match theirs. I think we know the answer to that.
    Yes.

    That is literally the whole point of representative democracy.

    Set out your stall on your priorities and in office implement them.

    If someone objects, they can vote for someone else.

    Starmer is failing to do that, and its not even as if that failure is causing him to be popular.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 45,937
    Sandpit said:

    The Government is working on plans to evacuate hundreds of thousands of Brits from the Middle East More than 76,000 Brits have registered their location and contact details with the Foreign Office

    UAE British population is estimated at 250k.

    If anyone does know people in the Gulf who are affected by the situation here, please make sure they register themselves with the British embassy. It might help with getting on flights when they do reopen.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-office-travel-advice-updates
    They choose to live there they should get themselves out.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,875

    Streeting being removed is exactly what he wants. Then he can take a run at Starmer.

    Starmer is done. End of the road.

    Sacking Streeting now, about five weeks before the PHE redundancies disaster that he has engineered hits the media, would ironically be a major help for his leadership ambitions.

    Unless the idea is to provoke a contest now and have the shitshow unfold during the hustings.

    Can't think it wouldn't damage Starmer too, but he may not have thought of that.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,875
    Battlebus said:

    British potholes are wimpy. Greece has some great ones


    That pothole looks to be a bridge too far.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,426
    British Trump latest.

    I lost...whine...sniffle...whine...wasn't me...it was others who cheated...whiney, whiney, crying...



    Matt Goodwin
    @GoodwinMJ

    We need a full strategy for saving our democracy

    End mass postal voting
    Clamp down on family voting
    Ban cousin marriage
    Only British citizens can vote
    End Commonwealth voting

    If we do not save our democracy, we will not save our country

    https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2028182566591733961
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 126,579

    British Trump latest.

    I lost...whine...sniffle...whine...wasn't me...it was others who cheated...whiney, whiney, crying...



    Matt Goodwin
    @GoodwinMJ

    We need a full strategy for saving our democracy

    End mass postal voting
    Clamp down on family voting
    Ban cousin marriage
    Only British citizens can vote
    End Commonwealth voting

    If we do not save our democracy, we will not save our country

    https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2028182566591733961

    Translation: I am bum hurt after badly losing a by election because I was personally a shit candidate and if Reform lose the next election, we will not accept the result

    https://x.com/blakeleynixon/status/2028190413278810317
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 27,724

    British Trump latest.

    I lost...whine...sniffle...whine...wasn't me...it was others who cheated...whiney, whiney, crying...



    Matt Goodwin
    @GoodwinMJ

    We need a full strategy for saving our democracy

    End mass postal voting
    Clamp down on family voting
    Ban cousin marriage
    Only British citizens can vote
    End Commonwealth voting

    If we do not save our democracy, we will not save our country

    https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2028182566591733961

    Those are all reasonable suggestions but would not have changed the result.

    Family voting is already illegal, though postal voting makes that hard to ensure.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,875

    British Trump latest.

    I lost...whine...sniffle...whine...wasn't me...it was others who cheated...whiney, whiney, crying...



    Matt Goodwin
    @GoodwinMJ

    We need a full strategy for saving our democracy

    End mass postal voting
    Clamp down on family voting
    Ban cousin marriage
    Only British citizens can vote
    End Commonwealth voting

    If we do not save our democracy, we will not save our country

    https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2028182566591733961

    Translation: I am bum hurt after badly losing a by election because I was personally a shit candidate and if Reform lose the next election, we will not accept the result

    https://x.com/blakeleynixon/status/2028190413278810317
    What is it with the far right that they have real difficulty accepting defeat in elections they were confident of winning?

    Is it because they can't believe they're so unpopular they simply don't realise their vote rigging was insufficient?
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 57,894

    British Trump latest.

    I lost...whine...sniffle...whine...wasn't me...it was others who cheated...whiney, whiney, crying...



    Matt Goodwin
    @GoodwinMJ

    We need a full strategy for saving our democracy

    End mass postal voting
    Clamp down on family voting
    Ban cousin marriage
    Only British citizens can vote
    End Commonwealth voting

    If we do not save our democracy, we will not save our country

    https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2028182566591733961

    Translation: I am bum hurt after badly losing a by election because I was personally a shit candidate and if Reform lose the next election, we will not accept the result

    https://x.com/blakeleynixon/status/2028190413278810317
    Reform's only chance of taking the seat was if the turnout had been low, which was unlikely given the high profile of the by-election.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 27,724
    ydoethur said:

    British Trump latest.

    I lost...whine...sniffle...whine...wasn't me...it was others who cheated...whiney, whiney, crying...



    Matt Goodwin
    @GoodwinMJ

    We need a full strategy for saving our democracy

    End mass postal voting
    Clamp down on family voting
    Ban cousin marriage
    Only British citizens can vote
    End Commonwealth voting

    If we do not save our democracy, we will not save our country

    https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2028182566591733961

    Translation: I am bum hurt after badly losing a by election because I was personally a shit candidate and if Reform lose the next election, we will not accept the result

    https://x.com/blakeleynixon/status/2028190413278810317
    What is it with the far right that they have real difficulty accepting defeat in elections they were confident of winning?

    Is it because they can't believe they're so unpopular they simply don't realise their vote rigging was insufficient?
    Horseshoe theory again. The far anything are all the same.

    The "never kissed a Tory" brigade have real difficulty accepting defeat. There were protests after Cameron won his majority by those who did not want to accept it.

    If you only ever speak with those who agree with you then the other side must have cheated to win as nobody you know voted for them.
  • CiceroCicero Posts: 4,225

    Taz said:

    Jenrick has a scandal about Rachel Reeves.

    He will be exposing it tomorrow at 8.30 no less !!

    https://x.com/robertjenrick/status/2028160946472992985?s=61

    If it’s truly appalling shouldn’t he just be revealing it now?

    Why do I get the feeling this is going to be like that Major Lib Dem Announcement from a few weeks back (what actually was that in the end?)
    The Lib Dems proposed replacing the Treasury with the Department of Growth.
    So, replacing the Department of Contraction with the Department of Growth. It will only work if they destroy the top several layers and replace them with people with a basic knowledge of the advantages of economic growth.
    If the Lib Dems want to encourage growth, then ceasing to stand in the way of growth would be a good first step.

    I like liberalism and should naturally be a Lib Dem, but they are the most NIMBY party of all 3 traditional parties.

    Until the curse of NIMBYism and opposition to growth and development is removed from our body politic, getting growth is not going to happen.
    Masquerading as a potential Lib Dem is more convincing when you actually know what their policies are.

    The policy of replacing the Treasury with a department of growth is the kind of radical change that is needed, which is likely to work, and may even end up genuinely popular.

    Just a reminder that It was the Lib Dems that first advocated the independence of the Bank of England, and Labour opposed it throughout the 1997 campaign, before actually doing it within a few days of coming to power.

    While the Greens and reform plan economic chaos, and the Tories and Labour economic mediocrity, the Lib Dems are the only party that is thinking constructively about how real change can actually be delivered.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn71mlmjn5mo

  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 8,409
    Cicero said:

    Taz said:

    Jenrick has a scandal about Rachel Reeves.

    He will be exposing it tomorrow at 8.30 no less !!

    https://x.com/robertjenrick/status/2028160946472992985?s=61

    If it’s truly appalling shouldn’t he just be revealing it now?

    Why do I get the feeling this is going to be like that Major Lib Dem Announcement from a few weeks back (what actually was that in the end?)
    The Lib Dems proposed replacing the Treasury with the Department of Growth.
    So, replacing the Department of Contraction with the Department of Growth. It will only work if they destroy the top several layers and replace them with people with a basic knowledge of the advantages of economic growth.
    If the Lib Dems want to encourage growth, then ceasing to stand in the way of growth would be a good first step.

    I like liberalism and should naturally be a Lib Dem, but they are the most NIMBY party of all 3 traditional parties.

    Until the curse of NIMBYism and opposition to growth and development is removed from our body politic, getting growth is not going to happen.
    Masquerading as a potential Lib Dem is more convincing when you actually know what their policies are.

    The policy of replacing the Treasury with a department of growth is the kind of radical change that is needed, which is likely to work, and may even end up genuinely popular.

    Just a reminder that It was the Lib Dems that first advocated the independence of the Bank of England, and Labour opposed it throughout the 1997 campaign, before actually doing it within a few days of coming to power.

    While the Greens and reform plan economic chaos, and the Tories and Labour economic mediocrity, the Lib Dems are the only party that is thinking constructively about how real change can actually be delivered.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn71mlmjn5mo

    Great. Now tell local LibDems that.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 57,894
    Cicero said:

    Taz said:

    Jenrick has a scandal about Rachel Reeves.

    He will be exposing it tomorrow at 8.30 no less !!

    https://x.com/robertjenrick/status/2028160946472992985?s=61

    If it’s truly appalling shouldn’t he just be revealing it now?

    Why do I get the feeling this is going to be like that Major Lib Dem Announcement from a few weeks back (what actually was that in the end?)
    The Lib Dems proposed replacing the Treasury with the Department of Growth.
    So, replacing the Department of Contraction with the Department of Growth. It will only work if they destroy the top several layers and replace them with people with a basic knowledge of the advantages of economic growth.
    If the Lib Dems want to encourage growth, then ceasing to stand in the way of growth would be a good first step.

    I like liberalism and should naturally be a Lib Dem, but they are the most NIMBY party of all 3 traditional parties.

    Until the curse of NIMBYism and opposition to growth and development is removed from our body politic, getting growth is not going to happen.
    Masquerading as a potential Lib Dem is more convincing when you actually know what their policies are.

    The policy of replacing the Treasury with a department of growth is the kind of radical change that is needed, which is likely to work, and may even end up genuinely popular.

    Just a reminder that It was the Lib Dems that first advocated the independence of the Bank of England, and Labour opposed it throughout the 1997 campaign, before actually doing it within a few days of coming to power.

    While the Greens and reform plan economic chaos, and the Tories and Labour economic mediocrity, the Lib Dems are the only party that is thinking constructively about how real change can actually be delivered.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn71mlmjn5mo

    Bank of England independence just allowed Gordon Brown to preside over an uncontrolled credit bubble while pretending he was being prudent and had abolished boom and bust.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 27,724
    Cicero said:

    Taz said:

    Jenrick has a scandal about Rachel Reeves.

    He will be exposing it tomorrow at 8.30 no less !!

    https://x.com/robertjenrick/status/2028160946472992985?s=61

    If it’s truly appalling shouldn’t he just be revealing it now?

    Why do I get the feeling this is going to be like that Major Lib Dem Announcement from a few weeks back (what actually was that in the end?)
    The Lib Dems proposed replacing the Treasury with the Department of Growth.
    So, replacing the Department of Contraction with the Department of Growth. It will only work if they destroy the top several layers and replace them with people with a basic knowledge of the advantages of economic growth.
    If the Lib Dems want to encourage growth, then ceasing to stand in the way of growth would be a good first step.

    I like liberalism and should naturally be a Lib Dem, but they are the most NIMBY party of all 3 traditional parties.

    Until the curse of NIMBYism and opposition to growth and development is removed from our body politic, getting growth is not going to happen.
    Masquerading as a potential Lib Dem is more convincing when you actually know what their policies are.

    The policy of replacing the Treasury with a department of growth is the kind of radical change that is needed, which is likely to work, and may even end up genuinely popular.

    Just a reminder that It was the Lib Dems that first advocated the independence of the Bank of England, and Labour opposed it throughout the 1997 campaign, before actually doing it within a few days of coming to power.

    While the Greens and reform plan economic chaos, and the Tories and Labour economic mediocrity, the Lib Dems are the only party that is thinking constructively about how real change can actually be delivered.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn71mlmjn5mo

    A lot of words to say nothing much at all.

    Changing the name of the Treasury won't enable growth.

    Actually allowing growth to happen by liberalising rules so people don't need permission to build would enable growth.
  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 17,878
    malcolmg said:

    Sandpit said:

    The Government is working on plans to evacuate hundreds of thousands of Brits from the Middle East More than 76,000 Brits have registered their location and contact details with the Foreign Office

    UAE British population is estimated at 250k.

    If anyone does know people in the Gulf who are affected by the situation here, please make sure they register themselves with the British embassy. It might help with getting on flights when they do reopen.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-office-travel-advice-updates
    They choose to live there they should get themselves out.
    We can use all the tax they pay to HMRC to fund the airlift.
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