I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Interesting graphic.
We are still less well regarded than Belgium. That is a disgrace.
Especially when the Belgian PM is a Russian asset.
From the EU leader who recently blocked the use of frozen Russian billions:
Belgium’s PM Bart de Wever: “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense. [...] We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.”
He's not entirely wrong, is he? Just end the fucking war in Ukraine. I keep reading (often on here) "oh Putin's finished, Russia is about to collapse", or, occasionally, the alternative, "Ukraine has finally run out of men"
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Interesting graphic.
We are still less well regarded than Belgium. That is a disgrace.
Especially when the Belgian PM is a Russian asset.
From the EU leader who recently blocked the use of frozen Russian billions:
Belgium’s PM Bart de Wever: “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense. [...] We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.”
He's not entirely wrong, is he? Just end the fucking war in Ukraine. I keep reading (often on here) "oh Putin's finished, Russia is about to collapse", or, occasionally, the alternative, "Ukraine has finally run out of men"
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
Up to Putin primarily and to an extent Ukrainians, not Belgians or Brits.
A slight increase in net approval ratings for SKS but they still remain below the other party leaders. All leaders net negative but Farage on +29% positive correlates with the Reform voteshare and via FPTP is still enough to get him to No 10 while Reform lead the other parties unless significant anti Reform tactical voting
It only gets him to no 10 via FPTP if you apply proportionate swing to both Reforms rise and Lab/Cons decline. The GE will throw out a different result to the modelling and then, 2 years in to the next parliament we will be talking about what Baxter says like its going to definitely be right this time
On current polls though it is likely to be in the right ballpark for Reform winning most seats given the left and liberal vote is split between Labour, the Greens and LD and the Tories are still well below Reform, even if some anti Reform tactical voting. It would likely need Labour significantly squeezing back the Greens or the Tories winning back significant numbers of voters from Reform for Reform not to win most seats
I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Interesting graphic.
We are still less well regarded than Belgium. That is a disgrace.
Especially when the Belgian PM is a Russian asset.
From the EU leader who recently blocked the use of frozen Russian billions:
Belgium’s PM Bart de Wever: “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense. [...] We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.”
He's not entirely wrong, is he? Just end the fucking war in Ukraine. I keep reading (often on here) "oh Putin's finished, Russia is about to collapse", or, occasionally, the alternative, "Ukraine has finally run out of men"
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
Up to Putin primarily and to an extent Ukrainians, not Belgians or Brits.
If the Israelis can zap Khamenei, they can surely find Putin and zap him. Maybe that would help
Russia has lost, allegedly, 1 million men - the same as Britain in the Great War. This is a monumental human evil
FPT I agree, Yvette Cooper is a decent trading bet, 20/1 best odds currently. Especially if you have backed Rayner, Miliband and Healey at far longer odds than you can get on them now. Like Miliband, Cooper has had ambitions to be Labour leader because she stood in 2015.
Of the viable candidates for next PM, I wouldn't look beyond Rayner, Miliband, Streeting, Cooper and Healey now. There will be a contest under way by June 2026. Rayner or Miliband will be the candidate of the left, Streeting the candidate of the right, leaving a space for either Cooper or Healey to come through the middle. It's very difficult to see more than 3 candidates making it past the 80 nominations threshold.
Why are you convinced there will be a contest? It seems to me that any wise candidate will wait until things have settled. Or they're going to walk into a storm.
No, the optimum position for a challenge is when Starmer is reeling from an absolute shellacking at the May elections, immediately after which there will be an absolute clamour for him to go as MPs realise that it will happen to them in 3 years time unless they throw the dice. Whoever rises to the occasion will get credit for forcing a contest if Starmer doesn't fall on his sword. It takes only one to initiate a contest and once one jumps the others will follow.
Awful May elections are pretty priced in now though surely?
I suspect Starmer leadership ratings will be crucial. If he can claim he's an asset who can take on Farage he may be able to stay PM.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
True, unless you’re being airlifted to a specialist unit, in which case it begins with a phone call, a stretcher and several people pointedly asking when you last ate.
Or if you are careening down a black run strapped to a bludwagon?
A slight increase in net approval ratings for SKS but they still remain below the other party leaders. All leaders net negative but Farage on +29% positive correlates with the Reform voteshare and via FPTP is still enough to get him to No 10 while Reform lead the other parties unless significant anti Reform tactical voting
It only gets him to no 10 via FPTP if you apply proportionate swing to both Reforms rise and Lab/Cons decline. The GE will throw out a different result to the modelling and then, 2 years in to the next parliament we will be talking about what Baxter says like its going to definitely be right this time
On current polls though it is likely to be in the right ballpark for Reform winning most seats given the left and liberal vote is split between Labour, the Greens and LD and the Tories are still well below Reform, even if some anti Reform tactical voting. It would likely need Labour significantly squeezing back the Greens or the Tories winning back significant numbers of voters from Reform for Reform not to win most seats
Most seats for sure, yes. The unknown is whether the residual Tory and Lab votes 'pool' in the stronger areas (like a LD effect) whilst collapsimg elsewhere and if Reforms strength is evenly spread or starts becoming efficient in some areas
I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Interesting graphic.
We are still less well regarded than Belgium. That is a disgrace.
Especially when the Belgian PM is a Russian asset.
From the EU leader who recently blocked the use of frozen Russian billions:
Belgium’s PM Bart de Wever: “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense. [...] We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.”
He's not entirely wrong, is he? Just end the fucking war in Ukraine. I keep reading (often on here) "oh Putin's finished, Russia is about to collapse", or, occasionally, the alternative, "Ukraine has finally run out of men"
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
Up to Putin primarily and to an extent Ukrainians, not Belgians or Brits.
If the Israelis can zap Khamenei, they can surely find Putin and zap him. Maybe that would help
Russia has lost, allegedly, 1 million men - the same as Britain in the Great War. This is a monumental human evil
It's all working out so well in Iran. What could possibly go wrong repeating it vs a nuclear power?
Although you could use that description for Reform as well…
The bit I don't understand is why if a structure is found not to be a REIT after the grace period, tax can't then be charged retrospectively within the grace period ? Or can it, or am I missing something
I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Interesting graphic.
We are still less well regarded than Belgium. That is a disgrace.
Especially when the Belgian PM is a Russian asset.
From the EU leader who recently blocked the use of frozen Russian billions:
Belgium’s PM Bart de Wever: “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense. [...] We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.”
He's not entirely wrong, is he? Just end the fucking war in Ukraine. I keep reading (often on here) "oh Putin's finished, Russia is about to collapse", or, occasionally, the alternative, "Ukraine has finally run out of men"
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
Up to Putin primarily and to an extent Ukrainians, not Belgians or Brits.
If the Israelis can zap Khamenei, they can surely find Putin and zap him. Maybe that would help
Russia has lost, allegedly, 1 million men - the same as Britain in the Great War. This is a monumental human evil
It's all working out so well in Iran. What could possibly go wrong repeating it vs a nuclear power?
It wouldn;t be a nuclear attack. It would be a precise targetted assassination of Vlad the Impaler of Millions
I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Interesting graphic.
We are still less well regarded than Belgium. That is a disgrace.
Especially when the Belgian PM is a Russian asset.
From the EU leader who recently blocked the use of frozen Russian billions:
Belgium’s PM Bart de Wever: “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense. [...] We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.”
He's not entirely wrong, is he? Just end the fucking war in Ukraine. I keep reading (often on here) "oh Putin's finished, Russia is about to collapse", or, occasionally, the alternative, "Ukraine has finally run out of men"
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
Up to Putin primarily and to an extent Ukrainians, not Belgians or Brits.
If the Israelis can zap Khamenei, they can surely find Putin and zap him. Maybe that would help
Russia has lost, allegedly, 1 million men - the same as Britain in the Great War. This is a monumental human evil
It's all working out so well in Iran. What could possibly go wrong repeating it vs a nuclear power?
It wouldn;t be a nuclear attack. It would be a precise targetted assassination of Vlad the Impaler of Millions
Personally, I reckon it's worth a punt
And Russia might consider that worthy of a nuclear strike back in return. And to be on the safe side include that any perceived Israeli allies in that attack.
Just fund Ukraine and let them make it clear the Russian invasion is futile. That achieves the right outcome without significant risk of it ending up nuclear.
Not sure if SKS can duck Trump's request for help with Iran. Trump wrote it in a book a few years ago. He helpfully writes a lot down in a book (called Project 2025)
Increase allied conventional defense burden-sharing. U.S. allies must take far greater responsibility for their conventional defense. U.S. allies must play their part not only in dealing with China, but also in dealing with threats from Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
1. Make burden-sharing a central part of U.S. defense strategy with the United States not just helping allies to step up, but strongly encouraging them to do so.
2. Support greater spending and collaboration by Taiwan and allies in the Asia–Pacific like Japan and Australia to create a collective defense model.
3. Transform NATO so that U.S. allies are capable of fielding the great majority of the conventional forces required to deter Russia while relying on the United States primarily for our nuclear deterrent, and select other capabilities while reducing the U.S. force posture in Europe.
4. Sustain support for Israel even as America empowers Gulf partners to take responsibility for their own coastal, air, and missile defenses both individually and working collectively.
5. Enable South Korea to take the lead in its conventional defense against North Korea
Not sure if SKS can duck Trump's request for help with Iran. Trump wrote it in a book a few years ago. He helpfully writes a lot down in a book (called Project 2025)
Increase allied conventional defense burden-sharing. U.S. allies must take far greater responsibility for their conventional defense. U.S. allies must play their part not only in dealing with China, but also in dealing with threats from Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
1. Make burden-sharing a central part of U.S. defense strategy with the United States not just helping allies to step up, but strongly encouraging them to do so.
2. Support greater spending and collaboration by Taiwan and allies in the Asia–Pacific like Japan and Australia to create a collective defense model.
3. Transform NATO so that U.S. allies are capable of fielding the great majority of the conventional forces required to deter Russia while relying on the United States primarily for our nuclear deterrent, and select other capabilities while reducing the U.S. force posture in Europe.
4. Sustain support for Israel even as America empowers Gulf partners to take responsibility for their own coastal, air, and missile defenses both individually and working collectively.
5. Enable South Korea to take the lead in its conventional defense against North Korea
Minesweepers are defensive applications.
Problem is when one gets blown up.
Best to sbstsin
Let them sort their own mess out.
This will end up with people calling to reopen the gas pipelines with Russia in order to stick two fingers up at Trump.
You may be looking at this back to front. So far the entire enterprise has been entirely to Putin's advantage. Limited oil supply, high demand for Russian oil and gas? Check. Diversion of funds and weaponry from Ukraine to Iran? Check.
Those golden shower videos were worth their weight in gold.
So all the people who were at one stage saying climate change was a hoax have moved onto “it’s happening but we can’t stop it so we may as well dig up as many fossil fuels as possible”.
I think Orban does well with the Hungarian diaspora vote, particularly in Romania, Serbia and Slovakia. Hungary is like Russia in its desire to expand its borders, and Orban plays this tune to the diaspora voters. They can have their nationalist cake, and eat it.
I think Orban does well with the Hungarian diaspora vote, particularly in Romania, Serbia and Slovakia. Hungary is like Russia in its desire to expand its borders, and Orban plays this tune to the diaspora voters. They can have their nationalist cake, and eat it.
Yes, and it seems highly likely Orban will win again, without needing much vote rigging. He’s like Erdogan or Modi: loathed by many but genuinely popular among others.
Oh yeah, up there with Viv, Bradman and Dennis Amiss !!
Apart from a double century against a poor Windies side I cannot recall him doing anything at the top level.
Oh christ you're not a Bear.
Only in the cricketing sense !
Lifelong Pear here
I’ve been to New Road a few times. Lovely ground. Even if it’s underwater part of the year !
I spent some time doing bar work at Hagley Country Club. The steward there was a cricket player and said the best and quickest bowler he ever faced was the tragic Winston Davis, who played for Worcs, off a six pace run.
I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Another year like that and they will fall into Trumps shithole category.
Muslim countries conspicuous by their global unpopularity
And your transformation into a domesticated Centrist Dad had been going so well until that post when you fell off the enlightened geo-political wagon.
Not sure if SKS can duck Trump's request for help with Iran. Trump wrote it in a book a few years ago. He helpfully writes a lot down in a book (called Project 2025)
Increase allied conventional defense burden-sharing. U.S. allies must take far greater responsibility for their conventional defense. U.S. allies must play their part not only in dealing with China, but also in dealing with threats from Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
1. Make burden-sharing a central part of U.S. defense strategy with the United States not just helping allies to step up, but strongly encouraging them to do so.
2. Support greater spending and collaboration by Taiwan and allies in the Asia–Pacific like Japan and Australia to create a collective defense model.
3. Transform NATO so that U.S. allies are capable of fielding the great majority of the conventional forces required to deter Russia while relying on the United States primarily for our nuclear deterrent, and select other capabilities while reducing the U.S. force posture in Europe.
4. Sustain support for Israel even as America empowers Gulf partners to take responsibility for their own coastal, air, and missile defenses both individually and working collectively.
5. Enable South Korea to take the lead in its conventional defense against North Korea
Not sure if SKS can duck Trump's request for help with Iran. Trump wrote it in a book a few years ago. He helpfully writes a lot down in a book (called Project 2025)
Increase allied conventional defense burden-sharing. U.S. allies must take far greater responsibility for their conventional defense. U.S. allies must play their part not only in dealing with China, but also in dealing with threats from Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
1. Make burden-sharing a central part of U.S. defense strategy with the United States not just helping allies to step up, but strongly encouraging them to do so.
2. Support greater spending and collaboration by Taiwan and allies in the Asia–Pacific like Japan and Australia to create a collective defense model.
3. Transform NATO so that U.S. allies are capable of fielding the great majority of the conventional forces required to deter Russia while relying on the United States primarily for our nuclear deterrent, and select other capabilities while reducing the U.S. force posture in Europe.
4. Sustain support for Israel even as America empowers Gulf partners to take responsibility for their own coastal, air, and missile defenses both individually and working collectively.
5. Enable South Korea to take the lead in its conventional defense against North Korea
I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Interesting graphic.
We are still less well regarded than Belgium. That is a disgrace.
Especially when the Belgian PM is a Russian asset.
From the EU leader who recently blocked the use of frozen Russian billions:
Belgium’s PM Bart de Wever: “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense. [...] We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.”
He's not entirely wrong, is he? Just end the fucking war in Ukraine. I keep reading (often on here) "oh Putin's finished, Russia is about to collapse", or, occasionally, the alternative, "Ukraine has finally run out of men"
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
Up to Putin primarily and to an extent Ukrainians, not Belgians or Brits.
If the Israelis can zap Khamenei, they can surely find Putin and zap him. Maybe that would help
Russia has lost, allegedly, 1 million men - the same as Britain in the Great War. This is a monumental human evil
It's all working out so well in Iran. What could possibly go wrong repeating it vs a nuclear power?
It wouldn;t be a nuclear attack. It would be a precise targetted assassination of Vlad the Impaler of Millions
Personally, I reckon it's worth a punt
And Russia might consider that worthy of a nuclear strike back in return. And to be on the safe side include that any perceived Israeli allies in that attack.
Just fund Ukraine and let them make it clear the Russian invasion is futile. That achieves the right outcome without significant risk of it ending up nuclear.
So, just another million or two dead, then, with no obvious end
I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Interesting graphic.
We are still less well regarded than Belgium. That is a disgrace.
Especially when the Belgian PM is a Russian asset.
From the EU leader who recently blocked the use of frozen Russian billions:
Belgium’s PM Bart de Wever: “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense. [...] We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.”
He's not entirely wrong, is he? Just end the fucking war in Ukraine. I keep reading (often on here) "oh Putin's finished, Russia is about to collapse", or, occasionally, the alternative, "Ukraine has finally run out of men"
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
Recorded Russian dead- those we have names for- is 203,306 as of last Friday, with a further 20,000 or so estimated from the probate registry. Total Russian casualties are estimated at about 1.2 million. The death toll for the Ukrainian side, based on official estimates is about 60,000, and proportionately fewer total casualties.
The problem is that the war only stops when Putin accepts that he has led his country into a disaster, and for the time being he will not do that.
Of course it is mad, but both Putin and Trump refuse to walk back from their catastrophic decisions. Ukraine must keep fighting for their own survival, and we should continue to support that survival- not just because it is the moral choice, but also because a Russian victory is a direct threat to our own security- we all know this, so there really is not much of a choice at all. The only "good" news is that Ukraine has increased the pressure on Russia and made significant advances in the past few weeks, as winter turns to spring.
The Russians have received an even worse mauling in recent weeks.
Oh yeah, up there with Viv, Bradman and Dennis Amiss !!
Apart from a double century against a poor Windies side I cannot recall him doing anything at the top level.
Oh christ you're not a Bear.
Only in the cricketing sense !
Lifelong Pear here
I’ve been to New Road a few times. Lovely ground. Even if it’s underwater part of the year !
I spent some time doing bar work at Hagley Country Club. The steward there was a cricket player and said the best and quickest bowler he ever faced was the tragic Winston Davis, who played for Worcs, off a six pace run.
It's the venue there I think that swings it, sat by the river, tests at Edgbaston are great but when Warwick play it can feel just like a concrete jungle.
Terrible what happened to Winston.
I played Club cricket line late teens and midweek. Played near Hagley Country Club a few times.
Some of those Caribbean lads could bowl 80 to 85 off short runs just reallt quick arms and strength
I could play pace OK, just instinct I guess, was crap against spinners, too much time to think..
My favourite era was Botham and Dilley and Graham Hick won Championship 2 years running.
Still produce great talent there, only to get nabbed by Notts
New Road probably wont survive much longer due to flooding. I know they're looking at options.
Kidderminster is too small hemmed in by railway and 449.
Ive always thought Three Counties Showground at Malvern would be a great venue.
I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Interesting graphic.
We are still less well regarded than Belgium. That is a disgrace.
Especially when the Belgian PM is a Russian asset.
From the EU leader who recently blocked the use of frozen Russian billions:
Belgium’s PM Bart de Wever: “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense. [...] We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.”
He's not entirely wrong, is he? Just end the fucking war in Ukraine. I keep reading (often on here) "oh Putin's finished, Russia is about to collapse", or, occasionally, the alternative, "Ukraine has finally run out of men"
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
Up to Putin primarily and to an extent Ukrainians, not Belgians or Brits.
If the Israelis can zap Khamenei, they can surely find Putin and zap him. Maybe that would help
Russia has lost, allegedly, 1 million men - the same as Britain in the Great War. This is a monumental human evil
It's all working out so well in Iran. What could possibly go wrong repeating it vs a nuclear power?
It wouldn;t be a nuclear attack. It would be a precise targetted assassination of Vlad the Impaler of Millions
Personally, I reckon it's worth a punt
And Russia might consider that worthy of a nuclear strike back in return. And to be on the safe side include that any perceived Israeli allies in that attack.
Just fund Ukraine and let them make it clear the Russian invasion is futile. That achieves the right outcome without significant risk of it ending up nuclear.
So, just another million or two dead, then, with no obvious end
Great plan
The Russians want land for peace. Let’s give them Camden. It’s a bit of a dump, anyway.
I think Orban does well with the Hungarian diaspora vote, particularly in Romania, Serbia and Slovakia. Hungary is like Russia in its desire to expand its borders, and Orban plays this tune to the diaspora voters. They can have their nationalist cake, and eat it.
Yes, and it seems highly likely Orban will win again, without needing much vote rigging. He’s like Erdogan or Modi: loathed by many but genuinely popular among others.
I think Orban does well with the Hungarian diaspora vote, particularly in Romania, Serbia and Slovakia. Hungary is like Russia in its desire to expand its borders, and Orban plays this tune to the diaspora voters. They can have their nationalist cake, and eat it.
Yes, and it seems highly likely Orban will win again, without needing much vote rigging. He’s like Erdogan or Modi: loathed by many but genuinely popular among others.
I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Interesting graphic.
We are still less well regarded than Belgium. That is a disgrace.
Especially when the Belgian PM is a Russian asset.
From the EU leader who recently blocked the use of frozen Russian billions:
Belgium’s PM Bart de Wever: “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense. [...] We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.”
He's not entirely wrong, is he? Just end the fucking war in Ukraine. I keep reading (often on here) "oh Putin's finished, Russia is about to collapse", or, occasionally, the alternative, "Ukraine has finally run out of men"
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
Up to Putin primarily and to an extent Ukrainians, not Belgians or Brits.
If the Israelis can zap Khamenei, they can surely find Putin and zap him. Maybe that would help
Russia has lost, allegedly, 1 million men - the same as Britain in the Great War. This is a monumental human evil
It's all working out so well in Iran. What could possibly go wrong repeating it vs a nuclear power?
It wouldn;t be a nuclear attack. It would be a precise targetted assassination of Vlad the Impaler of Millions
Personally, I reckon it's worth a punt
And Russia might consider that worthy of a nuclear strike back in return. And to be on the safe side include that any perceived Israeli allies in that attack.
Just fund Ukraine and let them make it clear the Russian invasion is futile. That achieves the right outcome without significant risk of it ending up nuclear.
So, just another million or two dead, then, with no obvious end
Great plan
The Russians want land for peace. Let’s give them Camden. It’s a bit of a dump, anyway.
We appear to have some piss-soaked dark car parks they can have.
As the thread header says, PM's ratings get a bounce in times of war, as we saw with Boris and the Ukraine.
Difference between then and now is that there's no unanimity between the parties, there wasn't a gnat's fart between the position of Johnson, Starmer, and Davey, Farage was a bit of an outlier.
Now there's clear division between the Tories and Labour over the wore thanks to Kemi Badenoch's comments which she tried to row back on.
Not sure if SKS can duck Trump's request for help with Iran. Trump wrote it in a book a few years ago. He helpfully writes a lot down in a book (called Project 2025)
Increase allied conventional defense burden-sharing. U.S. allies must take far greater responsibility for their conventional defense. U.S. allies must play their part not only in dealing with China, but also in dealing with threats from Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
1. Make burden-sharing a central part of U.S. defense strategy with the United States not just helping allies to step up, but strongly encouraging them to do so.
2. Support greater spending and collaboration by Taiwan and allies in the Asia–Pacific like Japan and Australia to create a collective defense model.
3. Transform NATO so that U.S. allies are capable of fielding the great majority of the conventional forces required to deter Russia while relying on the United States primarily for our nuclear deterrent, and select other capabilities while reducing the U.S. force posture in Europe.
4. Sustain support for Israel even as America empowers Gulf partners to take responsibility for their own coastal, air, and missile defenses both individually and working collectively.
5. Enable South Korea to take the lead in its conventional defense against North Korea
Not sure if SKS can duck Trump's request for help with Iran. Trump wrote it in a book a few years ago. He helpfully writes a lot down in a book (called Project 2025)
Increase allied conventional defense burden-sharing. U.S. allies must take far greater responsibility for their conventional defense. U.S. allies must play their part not only in dealing with China, but also in dealing with threats from Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
1. Make burden-sharing a central part of U.S. defense strategy with the United States not just helping allies to step up, but strongly encouraging them to do so.
2. Support greater spending and collaboration by Taiwan and allies in the Asia–Pacific like Japan and Australia to create a collective defense model.
3. Transform NATO so that U.S. allies are capable of fielding the great majority of the conventional forces required to deter Russia while relying on the United States primarily for our nuclear deterrent, and select other capabilities while reducing the U.S. force posture in Europe.
4. Sustain support for Israel even as America empowers Gulf partners to take responsibility for their own coastal, air, and missile defenses both individually and working collectively.
5. Enable South Korea to take the lead in its conventional defense against North Korea
Minesweepers are defensive applications.
Problem is when one gets blown up.
Best to sbstsin
Let them sort their own mess out.
This will end up with people calling to reopen the gas pipelines with Russia in order to stick two fingers up at Trump.
You may be looking at this back to front. So far the entire enterprise has been entirely to Putin's advantage. Limited oil supply, high demand for Russian oil and gas? Check. Diversion of funds and weaponry from Ukraine to Iran? Check.
Those golden shower videos were worth their weight in gold.
And those in America with the powers and duties to stop this sort of thing are an absolute shower.
Oh yeah, up there with Viv, Bradman and Dennis Amiss !!
Apart from a double century against a poor Windies side I cannot recall him doing anything at the top level.
Oh christ you're not a Bear.
Only in the cricketing sense !
Lifelong Pear here
I’ve been to New Road a few times. Lovely ground. Even if it’s underwater part of the year !
I spent some time doing bar work at Hagley Country Club. The steward there was a cricket player and said the best and quickest bowler he ever faced was the tragic Winston Davis, who played for Worcs, off a six pace run.
It's the venue there I think that swings it, sat by the river, tests at Edgbaston are great but when Warwick play it can feel just like a concrete jungle.
Terrible what happened to Winston.
I played Club cricket line late teens and midweek. Played near Hagley Country Club a few times.
Some of those Caribbean lads could bowl 80 to 85 off short runs just reallt quick arms and strength
I could play pace OK, just instinct I guess, was crap against spinners, too much time to think..
My favourite era was Botham and Dilley and Graham Hick won Championship 2 years running.
Still produce great talent there, only to get nabbed by Notts
New Road probably wont survive much longer due to flooding. I know they're looking at options.
Kidderminster is too small hemmed in by railway and 449.
Ive always thought Three Counties Showground at Malvern would be a great venue.
The old days when you could take your own booze in the Eric Hollies stand, fabulous.
I went to many tests there. Used to get freebies via work as well as paying with my mates.
I loved Warwickshire in the seventies. Shit but great fun.
I was a mediocre player never did much more than a couple of seasons in club.
My, now, local,ground at Riverside Durham is great. The T20’s always good fun. Even my wife likes to come along and the streetfood top notch.
There's something afoot in Moscow according to Steve Rosenberg – lots of communication apps are getting bans along with Telegram which is being replaced by an officially approved substitute
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said Sunrisers Leeds' signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed "indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians".
Gavaskar's comments are the most high-profile criticism of Sunrisers' deal for Abrar at last week's Hundred auction.
Leeds are owned by the Sun Group, also owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL). IPL teams have not been permitted to sign Pakistan players since 2009 because of ongoing political tensions between the two countries.
In securing Abrar at the auction, Sunrisers allayed fears that the four Hundred franchises affiliated to IPL teams would avoid signing Pakistan players.
There has been some backlash towards Sunrisers on social media, followed by Gavaskar's column for Indian newspaper Mid-Day.
"The furore created by the acquisition of a Pakistani player by the Indian owner of a franchise in The Hundred is hardly surprising," said Gavaskar.
"Ever since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have simply ignored Pakistani players for the IPL.
"Although belated, the realisation that the fees that they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to his government which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians is making Indian entities refrain from even considering having Pakistani artistes and sportspersons."
BBC Sport has contacted Gavaskar and Sunrisers Leeds. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has declined to comment.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said Sunrisers Leeds' signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed "indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians".
Gavaskar's comments are the most high-profile criticism of Sunrisers' deal for Abrar at last week's Hundred auction.
Leeds are owned by the Sun Group, also owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL). IPL teams have not been permitted to sign Pakistan players since 2009 because of ongoing political tensions between the two countries.
In securing Abrar at the auction, Sunrisers allayed fears that the four Hundred franchises affiliated to IPL teams would avoid signing Pakistan players.
There has been some backlash towards Sunrisers on social media, followed by Gavaskar's column for Indian newspaper Mid-Day.
"The furore created by the acquisition of a Pakistani player by the Indian owner of a franchise in The Hundred is hardly surprising," said Gavaskar.
"Ever since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have simply ignored Pakistani players for the IPL.
"Although belated, the realisation that the fees that they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to his government which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians is making Indian entities refrain from even considering having Pakistani artistes and sportspersons."
BBC Sport has contacted Gavaskar and Sunrisers Leeds. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has declined to comment.
The real reason is hidden in the article - the QR codes scan with less errors. Making automated checkouts and apps more accurate and requiring less staff effort.
There's something afoot in Moscow according to Steve Rosenberg – lots of communication apps are getting bans along with Telegram which is being replaced by an officially approved substitute
They're perhaps worried about the domestic fallout if the frontline collapses in Ukraine.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said Sunrisers Leeds' signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed "indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians".
Gavaskar's comments are the most high-profile criticism of Sunrisers' deal for Abrar at last week's Hundred auction.
Leeds are owned by the Sun Group, also owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL). IPL teams have not been permitted to sign Pakistan players since 2009 because of ongoing political tensions between the two countries.
In securing Abrar at the auction, Sunrisers allayed fears that the four Hundred franchises affiliated to IPL teams would avoid signing Pakistan players.
There has been some backlash towards Sunrisers on social media, followed by Gavaskar's column for Indian newspaper Mid-Day.
"The furore created by the acquisition of a Pakistani player by the Indian owner of a franchise in The Hundred is hardly surprising," said Gavaskar.
"Ever since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have simply ignored Pakistani players for the IPL.
"Although belated, the realisation that the fees that they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to his government which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians is making Indian entities refrain from even considering having Pakistani artistes and sportspersons."
BBC Sport has contacted Gavaskar and Sunrisers Leeds. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has declined to comment.
As the thread header says, PM's ratings get a bounce in times of war, as we saw with Boris and the Ukraine.
Difference between then and now is that there's no unanimity between the parties, there wasn't a gnat's fart between the position of Johnson, Starmer, and Davey, Farage was a bit of an outlier.
Now there's clear division between the Tories and Labour over the wore thanks to Kemi Badenoch's comments which she tried to row back on.
I'll be slated for this but I genuinely think that whatever Starmer says, Kemi will argue against. Whether she agrees with what she's saying or not.
Knock about politics is all well and good, but when there is a possibility of WW3 it is time for serious and sensible politicians and right now Starmer is hands down the only option.
There's something afoot in Moscow according to Steve Rosenberg – lots of communication apps are getting bans along with Telegram which is being replaced by an officially approved substitute
They're perhaps worried about the domestic fallout if the frontline collapses in Ukraine.
I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Interesting graphic.
We are still less well regarded than Belgium. That is a disgrace.
Especially when the Belgian PM is a Russian asset.
From the EU leader who recently blocked the use of frozen Russian billions:
Belgium’s PM Bart de Wever: “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense. [...] We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.”
He's not entirely wrong, is he? Just end the fucking war in Ukraine. I keep reading (often on here) "oh Putin's finished, Russia is about to collapse", or, occasionally, the alternative, "Ukraine has finally run out of men"
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
Ending the war is easy. Russia just needs to withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory
The real reason is hidden in the article - the QR codes scan with less errors. Making automated checkouts and apps more accurate and requiring less staff effort.
As the thread header says, PM's ratings get a bounce in times of war, as we saw with Boris and the Ukraine.
Difference between then and now is that there's no unanimity between the parties, there wasn't a gnat's fart between the position of Johnson, Starmer, and Davey, Farage was a bit of an outlier.
Now there's clear division between the Tories and Labour over the wore thanks to Kemi Badenoch's comments which she tried to row back on.
I'll be slated for this but I genuinely think that whatever Starmer says, Kemi will argue against. Whether she agrees with what she's saying or not.
Knock about politics is all well and good, but when there is a possibility of WW3 it is time for serious and sensible politicians and right now Starmer is hands down the only option.
I think Orban does well with the Hungarian diaspora vote, particularly in Romania, Serbia and Slovakia. Hungary is like Russia in its desire to expand its borders, and Orban plays this tune to the diaspora voters. They can have their nationalist cake, and eat it.
Yes, and it seems highly likely Orban will win again, without needing much vote rigging. He’s like Erdogan or Modi: loathed by many but genuinely popular among others.
Question about the Assisted Dying Bill and it being timed out by a session ending.
If a bill is being talked out by the lords, as may be happening now, why doesn't the government just extend the parliamentary session until the stages are complete? SFAICS the only compulsory end to a parliamentary session is the five year rule for automatic dissolution.
Although you could use that description for Reform as well…
The bit I don't understand is why if a structure is found not to be a REIT after the grace period, tax can't then be charged retrospectively within the grace period ? Or can it, or am I missing something
I think the argument would be that could make it difficult to finalise the terms of the investment (it creates a significant potential liability).
It basically relies on people acting in good faith. And most people do
Question about the Assisted Dying Bill and it being timed out by a session ending.
If a bill is being talked out by the lords, as may be happening now, why doesn't the government just extend the parliamentary session until the stages are complete? SFAICS the only compulsory end to a parliamentary session is the five year rule for automatic dissolution.
Just bring it back identical in next session and pass it with the Parliament Act.
WRT the header, the unpopularity of leaders is as much about the conditions of the world and the sense of there being no solutions as their personal inadequacies. It is not all that relevant to electoral prospects since all are deeply unpopular, and someone must be PM after the next GE.
Instead consider elimination:
Reform can't win as the Left of Centre voters won't let them and they have peaked. Tories can't win as they are 200 seats short and reformlite. LDs can't win more than 100 seats max because of demography and history. Greens can't win because they can't.
Labour, I suggest, despite all, will lead the next government, either on their own or with help.
The real reason is hidden in the article - the QR codes scan with less errors. Making automated checkouts and apps more accurate and requiring less staff effort.
The real reason is hidden in the article - the QR codes scan with less errors. Making automated checkouts and apps more accurate and requiring less staff effort.
Fewer…
Less effort. Effort is an uncountable.
If you’d put the effort in you wouldn’t have made that error
There are good reasons to stay out of the war in Iran but we face a situation in which the western allied Arab states are losing huge money because they can't export their oil through the straight of Hormuz while Iran continues to do so. Surely this is intolerable? I don't know if the US can find an answer in short order and there may not be much we could do militarily but we should certainly throw our diplomatic weight behind any approach that says either everyone can export through the straight or no-one can. I hope other western allies come to the same conclusion.
The real reason is hidden in the article - the QR codes scan with less errors. Making automated checkouts and apps more accurate and requiring less staff effort.
Fewer…
Less effort. Effort is an uncountable.
If I’d put the effort in I wouldn’t have made that error
[Roman Centurion voice] Always "less" with uncountable or mass nouns!
I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Interesting graphic.
We are still less well regarded than Belgium. That is a disgrace.
Especially when the Belgian PM is a Russian asset.
From the EU leader who recently blocked the use of frozen Russian billions:
Belgium’s PM Bart de Wever: “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense. [...] We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.”
He's not entirely wrong, is he? Just end the fucking war in Ukraine. I keep reading (often on here) "oh Putin's finished, Russia is about to collapse", or, occasionally, the alternative, "Ukraine has finally run out of men"
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
Up to Putin primarily and to an extent Ukrainians, not Belgians or Brits.
If the Israelis can zap Khamenei, they can surely find Putin and zap him. Maybe that would help
Russia has lost, allegedly, 1 million men - the same as Britain in the Great War. This is a monumental human evil
It's all working out so well in Iran. What could possibly go wrong repeating it vs a nuclear power?
It wouldn;t be a nuclear attack. It would be a precise targetted assassination of Vlad the Impaler of Millions
Personally, I reckon it's worth a punt
And Russia might consider that worthy of a nuclear strike back in return. And to be on the safe side include that any perceived Israeli allies in that attack.
Just fund Ukraine and let them make it clear the Russian invasion is futile. That achieves the right outcome without significant risk of it ending up nuclear.
So, just another million or two dead, then, with no obvious end
Great plan
The Russians want land for peace. Let’s give them Camden. It’s a bit of a dump, anyway.
We appear to have some piss-soaked dark car parks they can have.
At the weekend, I sat my wife and kids down and confessed to my crippling gambling addiction. I've never gambled in my life, but it's a explains where all our money has went a little better than my regular escort and powder binges.
Can I just point out that my “Vintage Murano Jellyfish Chalice of Primordial Time” now looks like THIS
A year ago that corner of my flat was an IKEA book case with a greige paint scheme
Books do furnish a room.
You see that chunk of orange at the front?
That's fossilised amber. Not any old fossilised amber, either. It's Burmese amber, from the Cretaceous. Age 100 million to 99 million years old. It's famously the most fascinating fossilised amber
Look closely and you can see a tiny fossilised red spider trapped in my orange chunk. I checked, and when that red spider was predating tiny flies in Cretaceous Myanmar my great great great ggggggg grandfather was a 10cm long tree-climbing placental "shrew", called Juramaiah
Also youir granddad, as well. We're cousins @Nigelb . De nada
There are good reasons to stay out of the war in Iran but we face a situation in which the western allied Arab states are losing huge money because they can't export their oil through the straight of Hormuz while Iran continues to do so. Surely this is intolerable? I don't know if the US can find an answer in short order and there may not be much we could do militarily but we should certainly throw our diplomatic weight behind any approach that says either everyone can export through the straight or no-one can. I hope other western allies come to the same conclusion.
Were I Iran I would be asking for the destination of the ship and making clear that visiting the US and Israel wasn’t acceptable. And then targeting any ships from the origin of a ship that actually went to US / Israel.
Now that is probably fairly easy to get round but it would make very clear what the terms of passing through the Strait were
Wir werden uns nicht daran beteiligen, in der Straße von Hormus mit militärischen Mitteln eine freie Schifffahrt zu gewährleisten. Der Krieg im Nahen Osten ist nicht Angelegenheit der NATO. Deshalb wird sich Deutschland auch nicht militärisch einbringen.
Can I just point out that my “Vintage Murano Jellyfish Chalice of Primordial Time” now looks like THIS
A year ago that corner of my flat was an IKEA book case with a greige paint scheme
Is that Uranium glass? A UV lamp will tell you.
No, just a superb Jurassic green. I love the way it actually resembles the prehistoric sea whence we emerged. There are tons of fossils in there you cannot see, including a weird coprolite and a very old trilobite. You can just see a crinoid in there: an ancient sea organism, 300m years old
Wir werden uns nicht daran beteiligen, in der Straße von Hormus mit militärischen Mitteln eine freie Schifffahrt zu gewährleisten. Der Krieg im Nahen Osten ist nicht Angelegenheit der NATO. Deshalb wird sich Deutschland auch nicht militärisch einbringen.
"Ve vill not participate in ensuring freedom of navigation in ze Strait of Hormuz by military means. Ze var in the Middle East is not a matter for NATO. Zerefore, Germany vill also not become involved militarily."
There are good reasons to stay out of the war in Iran but we face a situation in which the western allied Arab states are losing huge money because they can't export their oil through the straight of Hormuz while Iran continues to do so. Surely this is intolerable? I don't know if the US can find an answer in short order and there may not be much we could do militarily but we should certainly throw our diplomatic weight behind any approach that says either everyone can export through the straight or no-one can. I hope other western allies come to the same conclusion.
Were I Iran I would be asking for the destination of the ship and making clear that visiting the US and Israel wasn’t acceptable. And then targeting any ships from the origin of a ship that actually went to US / Israel.
Now that is probably fairly easy to get round but it would make very clear what the terms of passing through the Strait were
Well obviously. Which is why Iran's own exports need to be threatened to get them to change their mind.
Wir werden uns nicht daran beteiligen, in der Straße von Hormus mit militärischen Mitteln eine freie Schifffahrt zu gewährleisten. Der Krieg im Nahen Osten ist nicht Angelegenheit der NATO. Deshalb wird sich Deutschland auch nicht militärisch einbringen.
I think Orban does well with the Hungarian diaspora vote, particularly in Romania, Serbia and Slovakia. Hungary is like Russia in its desire to expand its borders, and Orban plays this tune to the diaspora voters. They can have their nationalist cake, and eat it.
Yes, and it seems highly likely Orban will win again, without needing much vote rigging. He’s like Erdogan or Modi: loathed by many but genuinely popular among others.
That's really not what the polls say.
My confident prediction is a comfortable win for Orban. I’d love to be wrong.
-- "They won't be there for us" -- "We have some that are really enthusiastic. They're coming already." -- "This isn't 'need'" -- "If we need anything, they should be jumping to help us" -- "We want them to come and help us with the strait" -- My attitude is we don't need anybody"
Why has no journalist ever asked for more details on his made up family kitchen table chats about bills?
What did his tool factory owner and nurse parents tell him? What was he denied by their abject poverty?
He knows what it was like to sit around the kitchen table when the bills came in
What the actual fuck does that mean?!
I think it means being around the kitchen table when the bills come in.
You never been in a position where you are struggling to make ends meet? Most families probably have.
I have been my whole adult life
I was quite comfortable as a child; my folks worked hard and made sure that they could support our little family
They were poor when I was born, but got gradually better off. I'm sure that there were times when money was tight, but we never sat down to discuss the household bills around the kitchen table
Maybe Keir had a huge phone bill and used too much heating and electricity, so needed a talking to.. but why else would you include your children in the household bills discussion?
Why has no journalist ever asked for more details on his made up family kitchen table chats about bills?
What did his tool factory owner and nurse parents tell him? What was he denied by their abject poverty?
He knows what it was like to sit around the kitchen table when the bills came in
What the actual fuck does that mean?!
I think it means being around the kitchen table when the bills come in.
You never been in a position where you are struggling to make ends meet? Most families probably have.
I have been my whole adult life
I was quite comfortable as a child; my folks worked hard and made sure that they could support our little family
They were poor when I was born, but got gradually better off. I'm sure that there were times when money was tight, but we never sat down to discuss the household bills around the kitchen table
Maybe Keir had a huge phone bill and used too much heating and electricity, so needed a talking to.. but why else would you include your children in the household bills discussion?
I think its perfectly normal for kids to overhear their parents talking about there being too much month at the end of their money.
Wir werden uns nicht daran beteiligen, in der Straße von Hormus mit militärischen Mitteln eine freie Schifffahrt zu gewährleisten. Der Krieg im Nahen Osten ist nicht Angelegenheit der NATO. Deshalb wird sich Deutschland auch nicht militärisch einbringen.
-- "They won't be there for us" -- "We have some that are really enthusiastic. They're coming already." -- "This isn't 'need'" -- "If we need anything, they should be jumping to help us" -- "We want them to come and help us with the strait" -- My attitude is we don't need anybody"
Question about the Assisted Dying Bill and it being timed out by a session ending.
If a bill is being talked out by the lords, as may be happening now, why doesn't the government just extend the parliamentary session until the stages are complete? SFAICS the only compulsory end to a parliamentary session is the five year rule for automatic dissolution.
Just bring it back identical in next session and pass it with the Parliament Act.
Bypass the unelected House.
Then it's no longer a private member's bill, perhaps? Is that right?
At which point the question of why it wasn't in Labour's manifesto arises.
Starmer is less unpopular than Sunak was at this point in his premiership. Just.
Last day you can make the comparison, too
Then just under a month to overtake Eden.
After that, there are a bunch of pub names (kudos to whoever first made that observation), before a cluster of modern PMs who lasted just under or over three years; Brown, Chamberlian, May, Callaghan and Johnson. Failures, yes, but not abject failures. I wonder if Starmer can make it into that elevated group?
I can perhaps guess at what Andrew Neil sort of means here, perhaps - we still massively consume American culture (and swim in a culturally mainly American sea), and American products, many people like the idea of America, of holidays there, there are American people we like, etc - but I'd be very surprised if he isn't measurably wrong. (Maybe @HYUFD has some polling). The vast majority of people, I suspect, have nudged a little further in the anti direction from wherever they were three years ago on the pro/anti American spectrum. There is a graphic I have been hunting for and cannot find of how well-regarded every country is in the world*, showing America dropping 15 places from 30th to 45th in a year - and this data merely reflects Trump becoming president and not any of the mental shite he has donein the past 6 months. I will post it later if I can find it but I am mid-commute. You don't have to be as firmly on one side in the Middle East conflict as Roger is to think America has made a right bollocks of this.
On a happier note, my tram ride has just been interrupted by the arrival of a panicked pigeon erroneously boarding at Piccadilly Gardens: impressed to report that a gifted passenger was able to calmy usher the pigeon off without any harm being done.
*FWIW, the UK was about 18th, about equal with France and Germany. As you'd expect, Nordics came top.
Found it!
Interesting graphic.
We are still less well regarded than Belgium. That is a disgrace.
Especially when the Belgian PM is a Russian asset.
From the EU leader who recently blocked the use of frozen Russian billions:
Belgium’s PM Bart de Wever: “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense. [...] We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.”
He's not entirely wrong, is he? Just end the fucking war in Ukraine. I keep reading (often on here) "oh Putin's finished, Russia is about to collapse", or, occasionally, the alternative, "Ukraine has finally run out of men"
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
Up to Putin primarily and to an extent Ukrainians, not Belgians or Brits.
If the Israelis can zap Khamenei, they can surely find Putin and zap him. Maybe that would help
Russia has lost, allegedly, 1 million men - the same as Britain in the Great War. This is a monumental human evil
It's all working out so well in Iran. What could possibly go wrong repeating it vs a nuclear power?
It wouldn;t be a nuclear attack. It would be a precise targetted assassination of Vlad the Impaler of Millions
Personally, I reckon it's worth a punt
And Russia might consider that worthy of a nuclear strike back in return. And to be on the safe side include that any perceived Israeli allies in that attack.
Just fund Ukraine and let them make it clear the Russian invasion is futile. That achieves the right outcome without significant risk of it ending up nuclear.
So, just another million or two dead, then, with no obvious end
Great plan
The Russians want land for peace. Let’s give them Camden. It’s a bit of a dump, anyway.
We appear to have some piss-soaked dark car parks they can have.
If Putin was assassinated I'd expect the Russian leadership to be too involved in infighting to take his place to revenge his death. I don't think they'd be that upset either.
Question about the Assisted Dying Bill and it being timed out by a session ending.
If a bill is being talked out by the lords, as may be happening now, why doesn't the government just extend the parliamentary session until the stages are complete? SFAICS the only compulsory end to a parliamentary session is the five year rule for automatic dissolution.
Just bring it back identical in next session and pass it with the Parliament Act.
Bypass the unelected House.
Then it's no longer a private member's bill, perhaps? Is that right?
At which point the question of why it wasn't in Labour's manifesto arises.
Why?
If a PMB passes, identically, again then that is valid for the Parliament Act.
Question about the Assisted Dying Bill and it being timed out by a session ending.
If a bill is being talked out by the lords, as may be happening now, why doesn't the government just extend the parliamentary session until the stages are complete? SFAICS the only compulsory end to a parliamentary session is the five year rule for automatic dissolution.
Just bring it back identical in next session and pass it with the Parliament Act.
Bypass the unelected House.
Then it's no longer a private member's bill, perhaps? Is that right?
At which point the question of why it wasn't in Labour's manifesto arises.
Why?
If a PMB passes, identically, again then that is valid for the Parliament Act.
The Parliament Act says nothing about manifestos.
I posted this a few weeks ago, it barely passed in the Commons, if it comes back it won't be passed.
There are good reasons to stay out of the war in Iran but we face a situation in which the western allied Arab states are losing huge money because they can't export their oil through the straight of Hormuz while Iran continues to do so. Surely this is intolerable? I don't know if the US can find an answer in short order and there may not be much we could do militarily but we should certainly throw our diplomatic weight behind any approach that says either everyone can export through the straight or no-one can. I hope other western allies come to the same conclusion.
Were I Iran I would be asking for the destination of the ship and making clear that visiting the US and Israel wasn’t acceptable. And then targeting any ships from the origin of a ship that actually went to US / Israel.
Now that is probably fairly easy to get round but it would make very clear what the terms of passing through the Strait were
Well obviously. Which is why Iran's own exports need to be threatened to get them to change their mind.
But Iran’s exports are currently to China and India - the US blowing up one of those ships would be problematic
Comments
Instead, the war just grinds on and on, and seems unwinnable for either side. Seeking a peace, without being naive, as this Belgoid dude states, is not insane, continuing this war into its 5th 6th and 7th years is insane
So who is Goldilocks ?
Russia has lost, allegedly, 1 million men - the same as Britain in the Great War. This is a monumental human evil
I suspect Starmer leadership ratings will be crucial. If he can claim he's an asset who can take on Farage he may be able to stay PM.
Although you could use that description for Reform as well…
The unknown is whether the residual Tory and Lab votes 'pool' in the stronger areas (like a LD effect) whilst collapsimg elsewhere and if Reforms strength is evenly spread or starts becoming efficient in some areas
Or can it, or am I missing something
Personally, I reckon it's worth a punt
Just fund Ukraine and let them make it clear the Russian invasion is futile. That achieves the right outcome without significant risk of it ending up nuclear.
Those golden shower videos were worth their weight in gold.
I spent some time doing bar work at Hagley Country Club. The steward there was a cricket player and said the best and quickest bowler he ever faced was the tragic Winston Davis, who played for Worcs, off a six pace run.
Fancy a pair of these ?
https://x.com/tragicbirdapp/status/2033513795667083597?s=61
Great plan
The problem is that the war only stops when Putin accepts that he has led his country into a disaster, and for the time being he will not do that.
Of course it is mad, but both Putin and Trump refuse to walk back from their catastrophic decisions. Ukraine must keep fighting for their own survival, and we should continue to support that survival- not just because it is the moral choice, but also because a Russian victory is a direct threat to our own security- we all know this, so there really is not much of a choice at all. The only "good" news is that Ukraine has increased the pressure on Russia and made significant advances in the past few weeks, as winter turns to spring.
The Russians have received an even worse mauling in recent weeks.
Terrible what happened to Winston.
I played Club cricket line late teens and midweek. Played near Hagley Country Club a few times.
Some of those Caribbean lads could bowl 80 to 85 off short runs just reallt quick arms and strength
I could play pace OK, just instinct I guess, was crap against spinners, too much time to think..
My favourite era was Botham and Dilley and Graham Hick won Championship 2 years running.
Still produce great talent there, only to get nabbed by Notts
New Road probably wont survive much longer due to flooding. I know they're looking at options.
Kidderminster is too small hemmed in by railway and 449.
Ive always thought Three Counties Showground at Malvern would be a great venue.
Now there's clear division between the Tories and Labour over the wore thanks to Kemi Badenoch's comments which she tried to row back on.
I went to many tests there. Used to get freebies via work as well as paying with my mates.
I loved Warwickshire in the seventies. Shit but great fun.
I was a mediocre player never did much more than a couple of seasons in club.
My, now, local,ground at Riverside Durham is great. The T20’s always good fun. Even my wife likes to come along and the streetfood top notch.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said Sunrisers Leeds' signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed "indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians".
Gavaskar's comments are the most high-profile criticism of Sunrisers' deal for Abrar at last week's Hundred auction.
Leeds are owned by the Sun Group, also owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL). IPL teams have not been permitted to sign Pakistan players since 2009 because of ongoing political tensions between the two countries.
In securing Abrar at the auction, Sunrisers allayed fears that the four Hundred franchises affiliated to IPL teams would avoid signing Pakistan players.
There has been some backlash towards Sunrisers on social media, followed by Gavaskar's column for Indian newspaper Mid-Day.
"The furore created by the acquisition of a Pakistani player by the Indian owner of a franchise in The Hundred is hardly surprising," said Gavaskar.
"Ever since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have simply ignored Pakistani players for the IPL.
"Although belated, the realisation that the fees that they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to his government which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians is making Indian entities refrain from even considering having Pakistani artistes and sportspersons."
BBC Sport has contacted Gavaskar and Sunrisers Leeds. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has declined to comment.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cgjz3g8g63po
This does appear to be more of a support piece for the bill than anything else.
A year ago that corner of my flat was an IKEA book case with a greige paint scheme
Knock about politics is all well and good, but when there is a possibility of WW3 it is time for serious and sensible politicians and right now Starmer is hands down the only option.
If a bill is being talked out by the lords, as may be happening now, why doesn't the government just extend the parliamentary session until the stages are complete? SFAICS the only compulsory end to a parliamentary session is the five year rule for automatic dissolution.
It basically relies on people acting in good faith. And most people do
Bypass the unelected House.
Instead consider elimination:
Reform can't win as the Left of Centre voters won't let them and they have peaked.
Tories can't win as they are 200 seats short and reformlite.
LDs can't win more than 100 seats max because of demography and history.
Greens can't win because they can't.
Labour, I suggest, despite all, will lead the next government, either on their own or with help.
Always "less" with uncountable or mass nouns!
What did his tool factory owner and nurse parents tell him? What was he denied by their abject poverty?
He knows what it was like to sit around the kitchen table when the bills came in
What the actual fuck does that mean?!
https://x.com/fesshole/status/2033625605539807520
You never been in a position where you are struggling to make ends meet? Most families probably have.
That's fossilised amber. Not any old fossilised amber, either. It's Burmese amber, from the Cretaceous. Age 100 million to 99 million years old. It's famously the most fascinating fossilised amber
Look closely and you can see a tiny fossilised red spider trapped in my orange chunk. I checked, and when that red spider was predating tiny flies in Cretaceous Myanmar my great great great ggggggg grandfather was a 10cm long tree-climbing placental "shrew", called Juramaiah
Also youir granddad, as well. We're cousins @Nigelb . De nada
One was leading a government nearly 14 years in power, the other has been in power than fewer than 2 years.
Now that is probably fairly easy to get round but it would make very clear what the terms of passing through the Strait were
Thorium rather than uranium, usually.
Wir werden uns nicht daran beteiligen, in der Straße von Hormus mit militärischen Mitteln eine freie Schifffahrt zu gewährleisten. Der Krieg im Nahen Osten ist nicht Angelegenheit der NATO. Deshalb wird sich Deutschland auch nicht militärisch einbringen.
https://x.com/bundeskanzler/status/2033625754894729220
"Ve vill not participate in ensuring freedom of navigation in ze Strait of Hormuz by military means. Ze var in the Middle East is not a matter for NATO. Zerefore, Germany vill also not become involved militarily."
Einen bessern findst du nicht.
Die Trommel schlug zum Streite,
Er ging an meiner Seite
In gleichem Schritt und Tritt.
Aaron Rupar
@atrupar
TRUMP IN ONE SINGLE EVENT
-- "They won't be there for us"
-- "We have some that are really enthusiastic. They're coming already."
-- "This isn't 'need'"
-- "If we need anything, they should be jumping to help us"
-- "We want them to come and help us with the strait"
-- My attitude is we don't need anybody"
https://x.com/atrupar/status/2033636307692322976
I was quite comfortable as a child; my folks worked hard and made sure that they could support our little family
They were poor when I was born, but got gradually better off. I'm sure that there were times when money was tight, but we never sat down to discuss the household bills around the kitchen table
Maybe Keir had a huge phone bill and used too much heating and electricity, so needed a talking to.. but why else would you include your children in the household bills discussion?
At which point the question of why it wasn't in Labour's manifesto arises.
After that, there are a bunch of pub names (kudos to whoever first made that observation), before a cluster of modern PMs who lasted just under or over three years; Brown, Chamberlian, May, Callaghan and Johnson. Failures, yes, but not abject failures. I wonder if Starmer can make it into that elevated group?
If a PMB passes, identically, again then that is valid for the Parliament Act.
The Parliament Act says nothing about manifestos.