Good news for Kemi, if the local and devolved elections NEV in May is similar to that MiC she will likely survive but SKS probably won't
Based on the swing between polls in May 2022 and polls now, the implied seats in the local are as follows:
The More In Common changes are all within Margin of Error and their poll was earlier than YouGov which was in the field Sunday and Monday and has very different numbers presumably because YouGov's methodology is different.
No doubt we'll all continue to emphasise the polls which show our party of choice in the best light.
Using Westminster VI polls to extrapolate local election numbers should be a crime punishable by ritual dismbowelling - I mean, seriously? No mention of Independents and absurd numbers of Reform gains. The basic seat numbers are wrong - there are 5,014 seats being contested.
How, for instance, are the Shadow Elections for East and West Surrey to be assessed? Fortuanately, they are using the old County Council Divisions but electing two Councillors instead of one so take a seat which elected a Conservative County Councillor in 2021 - if two LDs are elected, is it two gains for the LDs and one loss for the Conservatives or is it two gains for the LDs and two losses for the Conservatives?
The only thing worse would be trying to use local election NEV to decide if your leader should be sacked or not - actually, it isn't, grotesque use of sub samples is worse.
You may not like it but Tory and Labour MPs will be watching the NEV in May like a hawk. Whicher of SKS or Badenoch sees their party second to Reform on NEV will likely survive, whichever sees their party coming third will almost certainly face a leadership challenge or VONC
You've been saying this for weeks and it's not a question of whether I like it or not.
My point remains extrapolating local election votes to GE votes is even more complex in a multi party environment than in former times. There can be a correlation - after the 1995 locals, the prediction was Labour above 400 seats, the Conservatives around 150 which turned out to be pretty close two years out.
Last year's numbers had the Conservatives fourth with 15% behind the LDs on 17% and Labour on 20% (Reform on 30%). I would be looking at changes from that and at the results in Wales, Scotland and London in particular.
Interesting article stating that Reform are the most disliked Party. How could Farage not be the most disliked Party and Farage the most disliked politician? Give us a break. The man is repellant. No ifs no buts....
Mike Johnson: "We all understood there was clearly an imminent threat that Iran was very close to the enrichment of nuclear capability ... I don't know where Joe Kent is getting his information ... the president felt he had to strike first to prevent mass casualties" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2033919110749253641
Which again doesn't really square with this.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/17/uk-security-adviser-attended-us-iran-talks-and-judged-deal-was-within-reach ...Powell’s presence at the talks, and his close knowledge of how they were progressing, was confirmed by three sources. One source said he was in the building at Oman’s ambassadorial residence in Cologny acting as an adviser, reflecting widespread concern about the US expertise on the talks represented by Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy on several issues.
Kushner and Witkoff had invited Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to the Geneva talks, to provide technical expertise, though Kushner would later claim that he and Witkoff had “a pretty deep understanding of the issues that matter in this”. Nuclear experts would later say that Witkoff’s pronouncements on the Iran nuclear programme were riddled with basic errors.
Powell has long experience as a mediator, and one source said Powell brought an expert from the UK Cabinet Office with him. One western diplomat said: “Jonathan thought there was a deal to be done, but Iran were not quite there yet, especially on the issue of UN inspections of its nuclear sites.”
A former official who was briefed on the Geneva talks by some of the participants said: “Witkoff and Kushner did not bring a US technical team with them. They used Grossi as their technical expert, but that is not his job. So Jonathan Powell took his own team.
“The UK team were surprised by what the Iranians put on the table,” the former official added. “It was not a complete deal, but it was progress and was unlikely to be the Iranians’ final offer. The British team expected the next round of negotiations to go ahead on the basis of the progress in Geneva.”
That next round of talks was due to take place in Vienna on Monday 2 March, but never happened. The US and Israel had launched their all-out attack two days earlier...
What Powell thought is moot, since Starmer chose not to get involved in operations. If you don't get involved, your judgment is irrelevant.
All that matters is if America and Israel were satisfied with the Iranian offer. They clearly weren't.
Yoire effectively arguinf the US and Israel can skip what they like, and can't be challenged. That is a deeply stupid and immoral position to take.
No, I am arguing that every independent, sovereign country has the right to make whatever decisions it chooses. Especially, democratic countries, have the right to have decisions made by their democratically-elected leaders.
The USA and Israel have neither elected Starmer, nor Powell. Just because Powell thought that progress was acceptable, does not mean either of those nations democratically-elected leaders are obliged to agree with them.
If Badenoch was our PM, then we might be making different choices to what Starmer and Powell are making, so why can't they?
That is democracy in action. It is profoundly illiberal and undemocratic to deny sovereign countries the right to make their own independent decisions.
The morality of the decisions is an entirely separate debate to the ability of independent, sovereign countries to make their own choices.
No one is questioning the ability of countries to "make their own decisions" What we're saying is that they very likely straight out lied about the negotiations; something you were denying.
Which is one of the reasons the UK has made its own sovereign independent decision to stay out of the mess.
Where is the proof they lied?
They said that the negotiations were not making sufficient progress. That is a subjective judgement, not an objective one.
Powell thought they were. They didn't agree. Its not Powell's decision to make.
You and I can both see the same objective facts and reach different subjective conclusions. A lie is an outright deceit, not a disagreement.
The word of Kushner and Witkoff against the Iranians ? That's a tough one.
Against the detailed accounts of Powell, and the Omani foreign minister, and the resignation letter if long time Trump supporter and decorated military vet Joe Kent, all saying the same thing ?
An interesting question is how dependent Reform are on a sense of momentum - "winning here", as it were - and, if they get caught by one of the other parties, whether the bubble may further deflate?
FWIW, I see no immediate reason why Reform should lose its lead and its quite possible they could stay ahead until the actual GE campaign starts. That's the point when things are most likely to change - when people are faced with the prospect of the party-of-protest becoming the party-in-power.
The impact of Mays electioNs will be interesting. Last year it was almost exclusively 'Reform win!' With a bit of LD success thrown in.
This year Reform may top the NEV but they wont win Scotland, they perhaps wont win Wales, they are unlikely to win London (and could easily come fifth in seats). All 5 parties will likely have successes to point at. Reform will lose the 'inevitable' mystique. That might drive some away
Starmer struggled much more again when its Mandelson week. You can draw your own conclusions about why and what that means may be coming out, but it seems to be THE achilles heel
No body is interested in Mandelson
He answered He apologised
A shame Badenoch thinks that is the only issue people are interested in
No one is.
Panic response
Kemi asked 3 times “did you speak to Mandy before appointing him” and each time Starmer did not answer the question. Then Kemi said “the evasion all points to the fact YOU DIDN’T speak to him yourself, before appointing him”
Wait! Does it? Does evasion point to the fact he didn’t?
I thought the evasion was all pointing to the fact he had spoken to him before appointment, to be honest. That - speaking to Mandy himself and getting answer he had met with Epstein after the conviction - surely is where the damage and danger is to Starmer.
I think Kemi dropped the ball.
Stsrmer has put on record in the house that Mandelson lied to him personally. If she gets him to admit he did not speak to him its misleading the house time.
Thats the point of it i think
It’s an odd way for her to do it, answering the question herself, with her belief it was the opposite of what the truth is, opposite to where the danger to Starmer is.
Nah. She dropped the ball.
Lol. Sure. I disagree. This is setting up for later
Setting up for later?
Go on then explain it. I don’t yet understand how this PMQs was such triumph for Kemi today that yourself and all the other media are proclaiming it as. Rather than banging nail on the head, it sounded to me like Kemi actually believes Starmer didn’t speak to Mandelson before appointing him. That’s what she seemed clearly to be accusing him of.
Now Badenoch has explained Starmer’s Big Crime over Mandelson is Starmer delegating responsibility - to what extent can Kemi now flip flop away from having said this? Kemi prefers to do everything and take the lead on everything herself - maybe she believes that is Starmer’s mistake?
How exactly was today setting everything up nicely for later?
Israeli official to @Jerusalem_Post: The attack was coordinated with the United States.
The target — Iran's largest gas facility in Bushehr.
Explanation: Trump and his administration didn't like the previous strikes on oil facilities back then, because of the images of flames and the resulting spike in prices. But apparently, when it comes to gas, he has less of a problem...
Starmer struggled much more again when its Mandelson week. You can draw your own conclusions about why and what that means may be coming out, but it seems to be THE achilles heel
No body is interested in Mandelson
He answered He apologised
A shame Badenoch thinks that is the only issue people are interested in
No one is.
Panic response
Kemi asked 3 times “did you speak to Mandy before appointing him” and each time Starmer did not answer the question. Then Kemi said “the evasion all points to the fact YOU DIDN’T speak to him yourself, before appointing him”
Wait! Does it? Does evasion point to the fact he didn’t?
I thought the evasion was all pointing to the fact he had spoken to him before appointment, to be honest. That - speaking to Mandy himself and getting answer he had met with Epstein after the conviction - surely is where the damage and danger is to Starmer.
I think Kemi dropped the ball.
Stsrmer has put on record in the house that Mandelson lied to him personally. If she gets him to admit he did not speak to him its misleading the house time.
Thats the point of it i think
It’s an odd way for her to do it, answering the question herself, with her belief it was the opposite of what the truth is, opposite to where the danger to Starmer is.
Nah. She dropped the ball.
Lol. Sure. I disagree. This is setting up for later
Setting up for later?
Go on then explain it. I don’t yet understand how this PMQs was such triumph for Kemi today that yourself and all the other media are proclaiming it as. Rather than banging nail on the head, it sounded to me like Kemi actually believes Starmer didn’t speak to Mandelson before appointing him. That’s what she seemed clearly to be accusing him of.
Now Badenoch has explained Starmer’s Big Crime over Mandelson is Starmer delegating responsibility again - Kemi prefers to do everything and take the lead on everything herself - to what extent can Kemi now flip flop away from having said this?
How exactly was today setting everything up nicely for later?
Ive already explained why. He stated Mandelson lied to him on record in the house. If Starmer did not speak to him he will need to show how that 'lying again and again and again' occured (and release all the texts, emails etc that it must have occured over) or admit he misled the House. I get that you have a different opinion. I think youre wrong. Lets see what happens
1. Don't need help 2. We need help 3. Why aren't folks helping? 4. Helps on the way 5. Not telling you who is helping 6. Helps not actually on the way but we don't need it anyway 7. We may just abandon it and leave it to everyone else
I presume that the goal will be to restrict exports of oil from the US so as to cushion US consumers from the impact.
So, the rest of the world sees its oil prices rise because the Straits of Hormuz are closed, while the US continues its merry way.
There are a couple of issues with that as a strategy.
Firstly, as I've mentioned many times before, the US is both self sufficient in energy, and hugely integrated into global markets. Restricting export of light oil and NGLs from the Permian will badly impact medium term energy production from those regions if there's no obvious place to refine the product.
Secondly, what happens to Canada's oil? Right now, it's exported by Keystone to US refineries. There's not a huge amount of takeaway capacity to the rest of the world - I mean some can be gotten to Vancouver/Kittimat and taken by tanker from there, but compared to the amount that's put into pipelines and sent to the US, it's peanuts. If the US continues to import the oil, then they meshes with the existing US refinery capacity (which is good). But... errr... that makes the issue of what happens to existing US production of lighter oil; given limited storage capacity, they would have to stop drilling and/or producing, which would have negative long term consequences for fields.
There is a big problem here. Lets say Europe matches US troop presence in the Gulf and "coalition" numbers double. What next? How do we open up shipping again? It is not a question of numbers or what Trump wants. We don't have any solution. The realistic solution is for the US to give up. The optimistic solution is for the Iranian regime to collapse, but that could take years that the global economy can't easily sustain.
A PE teacher who wrote "deploy the navy" in response to a social media post about "illegal migrant invaders" has been barred from the classroom after an official investigation.
A PE teacher who wrote "deploy the navy" in response to a social media post about "illegal migrant invaders" has been barred from the classroom after an official investigation.
That's PE teachers for you. One of mine used to say how he made the kids 'work like n*ggers'.
A PE teacher who wrote "deploy the navy" in response to a social media post about "illegal migrant invaders" has been barred from the classroom after an official investigation.
He should be barred from teaching for not knowing history, he’s never heard about the British Empire.
"We don't go to other peoples countries and tell them they're wrong for how they go about things."
There is a big problem here. Lets say Europe matches US troop presence in the Gulf and "coalition" numbers double. What next? How do we open up shipping again? It is not a question of numbers or what Trump wants. We don't have any solution. The realistic solution is for the US to give up. The optimistic solution is for the Iranian regime to collapse, but that could take years that the global economy can't easily sustain.
There's also the problem of Trump never keeping his side of any bargain he ever made. I took the suggestion as rhetorical rather than practical.
"Ukraine first" would be unacceptable to Trump anyway.
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
Starmer struggled much more again when its Mandelson week. You can draw your own conclusions about why and what that means may be coming out, but it seems to be THE achilles heel
No body is interested in Mandelson
He answered He apologised
A shame Badenoch thinks that is the only issue people are interested in
No one is.
Panic response
Kemi asked 3 times “did you speak to Mandy before appointing him” and each time Starmer did not answer the question. Then Kemi said “the evasion all points to the fact YOU DIDN’T speak to him yourself, before appointing him”
Wait! Does it? Does evasion point to the fact he didn’t?
I thought the evasion was all pointing to the fact he had spoken to him before appointment, to be honest. That - speaking to Mandy himself and getting answer he had met with Epstein after the conviction - surely is where the damage and danger is to Starmer.
I think Kemi dropped the ball.
Stsrmer has put on record in the house that Mandelson lied to him personally. If she gets him to admit he did not speak to him its misleading the house time.
Thats the point of it i think
It’s an odd way for her to do it, answering the question herself, with her belief it was the opposite of what the truth is, opposite to where the danger to Starmer is.
Nah. She dropped the ball.
His obvious answered should be, which one of the hundreds of conversations I've had with Peter on hundreds of issues over 20 years does she specifically want me to comments on.
You want to tie Starmer that close to Mandelson and somehow that helps him
No Tory has never had an acquaintance with a paedo?
Mandelson has been a major Labour political figure for 30 years
Your point is?
If you can't see the connection to your suggestion then you are oblivious to what you are writing
The expression you protest too much
Starmer had a nightmare today
Questions smoking out how rubbish Labour are on cost of living would have been a more triumphant PMQs for Kemi IMHO.
I still think, learning from history, 6 questions on Mandelson was wasted approach. in the history books on Mandelson leaving government for mortgage fraud, all the pressure put on Tony Blair for whopping error of judgement, all the fun Lord Richmond and the media had ripping Blair’s credibility to shreds… but then look at the final result in 2001 GE. 🤷♀️
Kemi’s Tory’s need to put on votes at PMQs, and the way to do that is how Labour do nothing or next to nothing on the cost of living. Look at the Daily Express today, look what they gave Kemi to attack with Labour policies taking 40K from households during cost of living crisis is awful.
Is the fear here, Kemi goes on Mandelson again and again because she can’t mention Cost of Living ever again because the error she has made backing Trump’s war? ☹️
Israeli official to @Jerusalem_Post: The attack was coordinated with the United States.
The target — Iran's largest gas facility in Bushehr.
Explanation: Trump and his administration didn't like the previous strikes on oil facilities back then, because of the images of flames and the resulting spike in prices. But apparently, when it comes to gas, he has less of a problem...
Thickos running this war in US & occupied Palestine.
Trump: "I wonder what would happen if we 'finished off' what’s left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don’t, be responsible for the so called 'Straight?' That would get some of our non-responsive 'Allies' in gear, and fast!!! President DJT"
Can he not even spell "strait"? The leader of the free world. Jeez.
Matthew 7:13-14 : "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
Starmer struggled much more again when its Mandelson week. You can draw your own conclusions about why and what that means may be coming out, but it seems to be THE achilles heel
No body is interested in Mandelson
He answered He apologised
A shame Badenoch thinks that is the only issue people are interested in
No one is.
Panic response
Kemi asked 3 times “did you speak to Mandy before appointing him” and each time Starmer did not answer the question. Then Kemi said “the evasion all points to the fact YOU DIDN’T speak to him yourself, before appointing him”
Wait! Does it? Does evasion point to the fact he didn’t?
I thought the evasion was all pointing to the fact he had spoken to him before appointment, to be honest. That - speaking to Mandy himself and getting answer he had met with Epstein after the conviction - surely is where the damage and danger is to Starmer.
I think Kemi dropped the ball.
Stsrmer has put on record in the house that Mandelson lied to him personally. If she gets him to admit he did not speak to him its misleading the house time.
Thats the point of it i think
It’s an odd way for her to do it, answering the question herself, with her belief it was the opposite of what the truth is, opposite to where the danger to Starmer is.
Nah. She dropped the ball.
Lol. Sure. I disagree. This is setting up for later
Setting up for later?
Go on then explain it. I don’t yet understand how this PMQs was such triumph for Kemi today that yourself and all the other media are proclaiming it as. Rather than banging nail on the head, it sounded to me like Kemi actually believes Starmer didn’t speak to Mandelson before appointing him. That’s what she seemed clearly to be accusing him of.
Now Badenoch has explained Starmer’s Big Crime over Mandelson is Starmer delegating responsibility again - Kemi prefers to do everything and take the lead on everything herself - to what extent can Kemi now flip flop away from having said this?
How exactly was today setting everything up nicely for later?
Ive already explained why. He stated Mandelson lied to him on record in the house. If Starmer did not speak to him he will need to show how that 'lying again and again and again' occured (and release all the texts, emails etc that it must have occured over) or admit he misled the House. I get that you have a different opinion. I think youre wrong. Lets see what happens
Yes I have a different opinion. Just bang on about the cost of living why not? That’s how to get the needed votes in May.
Starmer struggled much more again when its Mandelson week. You can draw your own conclusions about why and what that means may be coming out, but it seems to be THE achilles heel
No body is interested in Mandelson
He answered He apologised
A shame Badenoch thinks that is the only issue people are interested in
No one is.
Starmer appointed Mandelson and the others didn't, so he's vulnerable. Not changed by an element of "seemed like a good idea at the time". Plenty of us on here, including myself as I recall, thought there was some logic to appointing a turd to deal with The Turd, but we're keeping quiet about it now.
At the time I don't recall anyone on here saying that Mandy is a c-nt who was basically Epstein's cabana boy so why are we giving him the keys to Massachusetts Ave?
Starmer can't admit to the truth that Mandelson was chosen specifically for his guile. At what level of degeneracy does crafty fox turn into morally unacceptable? If the person turns out to be knee deep with an industrial level paedophile obviously. I assume Starmer wasn't aware how deep that connection, but I admit I haven't been following closely.
Incidentally I can think of at least two or three other commentators here who thought the Mandelson appointment somewhat astute.
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
Starmer struggled much more again when its Mandelson week. You can draw your own conclusions about why and what that means may be coming out, but it seems to be THE achilles heel
No body is interested in Mandelson
He answered He apologised
A shame Badenoch thinks that is the only issue people are interested in
No one is.
Starmer appointed Mandelson and the others didn't, so he's vulnerable. Not changed by an element of "seemed like a good idea at the time". Plenty of us on here, including myself as I recall, thought there was some logic to appointing a turd to deal with The Turd, but we're keeping quiet about it now.
At the time I don't recall anyone on here saying that Mandy is a c-nt who was basically Epstein's cabana boy so why are we giving him the keys to Massachusetts Ave?
Of course commentators like Michael Gove considered Mandelson's appointment a work of genius, until it wasn't. We all knew Mandelson had ties with Epstein and Trump which is why Starmer's decision was inspired until it wasn't. Was it a good idea at the time? Probably. Was it a good idea with hindsight? Definitely not. Should Starmer fall, probably, simply because the decision was his and his alone and it blew his face off. On the other hand is Badenoch a serious politician when we are on the cusp of WW3 and she feels compelled never to mention the war?
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
An interesting question is how dependent Reform are on a sense of momentum - "winning here", as it were - and, if they get caught by one of the other parties, whether the bubble may further deflate?
FWIW, I see no immediate reason why Reform should lose its lead and its quite possible they could stay ahead until the actual GE campaign starts. That's the point when things are most likely to change - when people are faced with the prospect of the party-of-protest becoming the party-in-power.
There is a difference between momentum / polling lead and facts on the ground. Will Reform have enough candidates? Will the vetting work? Will those that win be any good as councillors or like the last iteration (UKIP) a shouty bunch with few real skills.
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
WATCH: Kemi Badenoch says Keir Starmer "doesn't do the work" and outsources decisions
Starmer: "3 weeks ago she said we should rush into war - she didn't do the work. Then she comes back a week later and says 'oops, I got that one wrong'. She's utterly irrelevant"
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
This was just seems to be aimless hammering of the energy infrastructure either side of the sea.
We are all paying the price for it.
You ain't seen nothing on price yet.
Rachel from accounts fans please explain.
I refer the rigged dishonourable gentleman to the image I posted some minutes ago.
I was channeling my inner PB. I wouldn't dream of being such a Trumpian misogynist in reality.
Rachel from accounts is rather a disgusting slur on the "fairer sex". Anyway, would you mind getting back to that basket of laundry that needs ironing?
Israeli official to @Jerusalem_Post: The attack was coordinated with the United States.
The target — Iran's largest gas facility in Bushehr.
Explanation: Trump and his administration didn't like the previous strikes on oil facilities back then, because of the images of flames and the resulting spike in prices. But apparently, when it comes to gas, he has less of a problem...
Starmer struggled much more again when its Mandelson week. You can draw your own conclusions about why and what that means may be coming out, but it seems to be THE achilles heel
No body is interested in Mandelson
He answered He apologised
A shame Badenoch thinks that is the only issue people are interested in
No one is.
Starmer appointed Mandelson and the others didn't, so he's vulnerable. Not changed by an element of "seemed like a good idea at the time". Plenty of us on here, including myself as I recall, thought there was some logic to appointing a turd to deal with The Turd, but we're keeping quiet about it now.
At the time I don't recall anyone on here saying that Mandy is a c-nt who was basically Epstein's cabana boy so why are we giving him the keys to Massachusetts Ave?
Starmer can't admit to the truth that Mandelson was chosen specifically for his guile. At what level of degeneracy does crafty fox turn into morally unacceptable? If the person turns out to be knee deep with an industrial level paedophile obviously. I assume Starmer wasn't aware how deep that connection, but I admit I haven't been following closely.
Incidentally I can think of at least two or three other commentators here who thought the Mandelson appointment somewhat astute.
I have to admit that, at the time, I thought it was a good idea. Mandelson has proved several times that he's as bent as a fiddlers elbow, but on the other hand he was going to be dealing with Trump, with whom he apparently got on.Takes one to know one and all that!
I don't recall a great deal of fuss about Epstein at the time, except as an associate of he who is now known as AM-W, and an 'introducer' to the same, of young women.
Over the months more and more information has come to light about the depravity of Epstein and his associates, much of which Mandelson had, wisely, not talked about much.
When fuller facts, and I think there's much more yet, came to light Starmer realised his error and took appropriate action.
When we were in Grasmere the other day the only Wordsworthian property open was Allan Bank (Nat Trust). The other three (Cockermouth, Dove Cottage, and Rydal Mount) all closed for one reason or another.
Question - does anyone else have as many as four properties devoted to their memory as Wordsworth does?
Apparently, WW disliked Allan Bank as it was too big, too cold, and required two servants to be habitable. Also Coleridge by that time was proving a less than congenial housemate probably due to his laudanum intake and unhappy lovelife. (Sounds a bit like an unrehabilitated @leon) Worth a visit but very little authentic memorabilia, although WW did write his guide to the Lake District there. Most of the imperishable poetry happened at Dove Cottage.
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
This was just seems to be aimless hammering of the energy infrastructure either side of the sea.
We are all paying the price for it.
You ain't seen nothing on price yet.
Rachel from accounts fans please explain.
I refer the rigged dishonourable gentleman to the image I posted some minutes ago.
I was channeling my inner PB. I wouldn't dream of being such a Trumpian misogynist in reality.
Rachel from accounts is rather a disgusting slur on the "fairer sex". Anyway, would you mind getting back to that basket of laundry that needs ironing?
Disgusting slur?!?
If Rachel Tea Leaves were a man with the same background, she'd be Colin from Complaints
Thank you for linking to the YouTube discussion between Tim Stanley, Allister Heath and Camilla Tominey
Most interesting and I found I agreed with quite a bit of it, I was surprised as Allister Heath is usually wrong about stuff.
I didn't listen to it, based on that very assumption. I shall now dig it out and have a go.
it's interesting, but I have two buts.
Firstly it is framed as an assault on this recent Labour government, whereas if their thesis is correct it is mostly an indictment of Toryism and its predecessors, this current government being a tiny coda on the end. They are a bit quiet about this, as if their real function is polemical rather than exploratory.
Secondly, it's very 'drill baby drill' but without much analysis of the CO2 difficulty arising out of this. They may be right, but it isn't obvious. how this helps the planet.
Starmer struggled much more again when its Mandelson week. You can draw your own conclusions about why and what that means may be coming out, but it seems to be THE achilles heel
No body is interested in Mandelson
He answered He apologised
A shame Badenoch thinks that is the only issue people are interested in
No one is.
Starmer appointed Mandelson and the others didn't, so he's vulnerable. Not changed by an element of "seemed like a good idea at the time". Plenty of us on here, including myself as I recall, thought there was some logic to appointing a turd to deal with The Turd, but we're keeping quiet about it now.
At the time I don't recall anyone on here saying that Mandy is a c-nt who was basically Epstein's cabana boy so why are we giving him the keys to Massachusetts Ave?
Starmer can't admit to the truth that Mandelson was chosen specifically for his guile. At what level of degeneracy does crafty fox turn into morally unacceptable? If the person turns out to be knee deep with an industrial level paedophile obviously. I assume Starmer wasn't aware how deep that connection, but I admit I haven't been following closely.
Incidentally I can think of at least two or three other commentators here who thought the Mandelson appointment somewhat astute.
I have to admit that, at the time, I thought it was a good idea. Mandelson has proved several times that he's as bent as a fiddlers elbow, but on the other hand he was going to be dealing with Trump, with whom he apparently got on.Takes one to know one and all that!
I don't recall a great deal of fuss about Epstein at the time, except as an associate of he who is now known as AM-W, and an 'introducer' to the same, of young women.
Over the months more and more information has come to light about the depravity of Epstein and his associates, much of which Mandelson had, wisely, not talked about much.
When fuller facts, and I think there's much more yet, came to light Starmer realised his error and took appropriate action.
It was obviously a mistake. I realise that now. The lesson is stick to career diplomats and codes of conduct matter. The buck stays with Starmer because he made the appointment - it's how the cookie crumbles.
IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri: “Oil facilities associated with America are now on par with American bases and will come under fire with full force.
“We warn citizens and workers to stay away from these facilities.”
Do we have a Navy type on PB who may have an insight into how to deal with drones in Hormuz.
Depending on which source you check, the Russians have 3rd or 4th most powerful navy in the world. And yet it struggles to operate in the Black Sea, a much larger body of water than Hormuz. In addition, a convoy moves at the pace of the slowest and bunches up assets like a fairground shooting gallery. And yet Trump wants other navies to take the lead.
Someone has made sure he understands the issue facing the US Navy and now wants to back out by finding someone else to blame apart from Witkoff and Kushner. He also fails to notice that some people in his circle may have split allegiances.
You want layered defences - many nations abandoned or deprecated low end defences (see SPAAG and similar).
Minesweeping has equally been deprecated as not sexy.
On Iran, President Masoud Pezeshkian seems to be the only member of the erstwhile leadership team left alive. Is that because 1) he's got such limited power that Israel doesn't see him as worth the expenditure of another missile? Or 2) he's a Mossad agent?
When we were in Grasmere the other day the only Wordsworthian property open was Allan Bank (Nat Trust). The other three (Cockermouth, Dove Cottage, and Rydal Mount) all closed for one reason or another.
Question - does anyone else have as many as four properties devoted to their memory as Wordsworth does?
Apparently, WW disliked Allan Bank as it was too big, too cold, and required two servants to be habitable. Also Coleridge by that time was proving a less than congenial housemate probably due to his laudanum intake and unhappy lovelife. (Sounds a bit like an unrehabilitated @leon) Worth a visit but very little authentic memorabilia, although WW did write his guide to the Lake District there. Most of the imperishable poetry happened at Dove Cottage.
William Wordsworth, the truest bluest Conservative. First editor of the Westmorland Gazette a paper which has gone slowly down hill ever since !
Buried in Grasmere Churchyard, but now, so is Madame Elizabeth Braithwaite, Independent Doyen of South Lakeland District Council. At her funeral the senior Conservative asked what they were going to do with Wordsworth's remains as Madame would require the primary location.
Thank you for linking to the YouTube discussion between Tim Stanley, Allister Heath and Camilla Tominey
Most interesting and I found I agreed with quite a bit of it, I was surprised as Allister Heath is usually wrong about stuff.
I didn't listen to it, based on that very assumption. I shall now dig it out and have a go.
it's interesting, but I have two buts.
Firstly it is framed as an assault on this recent Labour government, whereas if their thesis is correct it is mostly an indictment of Toryism and its predecessors, this current government being a tiny coda on the end. They are a bit quiet about this, as if their real function is polemical rather than exploratory.
Secondly, it's very 'drill baby drill' but without much analysis of the CO2 difficulty arising out of this. They may be right, but it isn't obvious. how this helps the planet.
I disagree with this being an assault on the Labour govt. It makes clear the problems predate Labour. A point they make more than once.
They also make it clear we need to be exploiting all energy sources. Not just drill baby drill. It is not anti renewable and net zero. Quite frankly the needs are energy, lots of it, and low cost.
The analysis of the spat between Yougov and Reform made some points I’d not considered.
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
This was just seems to be aimless hammering of the energy infrastructure either side of the sea.
We are all paying the price for it.
You ain't seen nothing on price yet.
Rachel from accounts fans please explain.
I refer the rigged dishonourable gentleman to the image I posted some minutes ago.
I was channeling my inner PB. I wouldn't dream of being such a Trumpian misogynist in reality.
Rachel from accounts is rather a disgusting slur on the "fairer sex". Anyway, would you mind getting back to that basket of laundry that needs ironing?
Disgusting slur?!?
If Rachel Tea Leaves were a man with the same background, she'd be Colin from Complaints
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
This was just seems to be aimless hammering of the energy infrastructure either side of the sea.
We are all paying the price for it.
You ain't seen nothing on price yet.
Rachel from accounts fans please explain.
I refer the rigged dishonourable gentleman to the image I posted some minutes ago.
I was channeling my inner PB. I wouldn't dream of being such a Trumpian misogynist in reality.
Rachel from accounts is rather a disgusting slur on the "fairer sex". Anyway, would you mind getting back to that basket of laundry that needs ironing?
Disgusting slur?!?
If Rachel Tea Leaves were a man with the same background, she'd be Colin from Complaints
She wouldn't.
Kwasi from complaints? Err, never happened.
I don’t believe that Kwasi worked in the Customer Complaints department of a retail bank immediately prior to becoming an MP
When we were in Grasmere the other day the only Wordsworthian property open was Allan Bank (Nat Trust). The other three (Cockermouth, Dove Cottage, and Rydal Mount) all closed for one reason or another.
Question - does anyone else have as many as four properties devoted to their memory as Wordsworth does?
Apparently, WW disliked Allan Bank as it was too big, too cold, and required two servants to be habitable. Also Coleridge by that time was proving a less than congenial housemate probably due to his laudanum intake and unhappy lovelife. (Sounds a bit like an unrehabilitated @leon) Worth a visit but very little authentic memorabilia, although WW did write his guide to the Lake District there. Most of the imperishable poetry happened at Dove Cottage.
William Wordsworth, the truest bluest Conservative. First editor of the Westmorland Gazette a paper which has gone slowly down hill ever since !
Buried in Grasmere Churchyard, but now, so is Madame Elizabeth Braithwaite, Independent Doyen of South Lakeland District Council. At her funeral the senior Conservative asked what they were going to do with Wordsworth's remains as Madame would require the primary location.
Elizabeth Braithwaite ? Imagine Hyacinth Bouquet without the self awareness !
BUT, for all that a genuinely good person who at least tried to do genuinely good things.
IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri: “Oil facilities associated with America are now on par with American bases and will come under fire with full force.
“We warn citizens and workers to stay away from these facilities.”
Chances of Hegseth threatening Tehran being nuked if they do? Got to be on the cards.
Trump won't stop him. Imagine the tumescence from nuking Iran!
IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri: “Oil facilities associated with America are now on par with American bases and will come under fire with full force.
“We warn citizens and workers to stay away from these facilities.”
Chances of Hegseth threatening Tehran being nuked if they do? Got to be on the cards.
Trump won't stop him. Imagine the tumescence from nuking Iran!
And then Putin nukes Kyiv...
They should just get a wiggle on. It’s getting boring
When we were in Grasmere the other day the only Wordsworthian property open was Allan Bank (Nat Trust). The other three (Cockermouth, Dove Cottage, and Rydal Mount) all closed for one reason or another.
Question - does anyone else have as many as four properties devoted to their memory as Wordsworth does?
Apparently, WW disliked Allan Bank as it was too big, too cold, and required two servants to be habitable. Also Coleridge by that time was proving a less than congenial housemate probably due to his laudanum intake and unhappy lovelife. (Sounds a bit like an unrehabilitated @leon) Worth a visit but very little authentic memorabilia, although WW did write his guide to the Lake District there. Most of the imperishable poetry happened at Dove Cottage.
Grasmere church is always worth a visit, where WW is buried and where you can contemplate his unique description of its equally unique roof:
"...the roof upheld By naked rafters intricately crossed, Like leafless underboughs, in some thick wood, All withered by the depth of shade above".
Thank you for linking to the YouTube discussion between Tim Stanley, Allister Heath and Camilla Tominey
Most interesting and I found I agreed with quite a bit of it, I was surprised as Allister Heath is usually wrong about stuff.
I didn't listen to it, based on that very assumption. I shall now dig it out and have a go.
it's interesting, but I have two buts.
Firstly it is framed as an assault on this recent Labour government, whereas if their thesis is correct it is mostly an indictment of Toryism and its predecessors, this current government being a tiny coda on the end. They are a bit quiet about this, as if their real function is polemical rather than exploratory.
Secondly, it's very 'drill baby drill' but without much analysis of the CO2 difficulty arising out of this. They may be right, but it isn't obvious. how this helps the planet.
I disagree with this being an assault on the Labour govt. It makes clear the problems predate Labour. A point they make more than once.
They also make it clear we need to be exploiting all energy sources. Not just drill baby drill. It is not anti renewable and net zero. Quite frankly the needs are energy, lots of it, and low cost.
The analysis of the spat between Yougov and Reform made some points I’d not considered.
Fair counter points, though I think I have some validity.
Starmer struggled much more again when its Mandelson week. You can draw your own conclusions about why and what that means may be coming out, but it seems to be THE achilles heel
No body is interested in Mandelson
He answered He apologised
A shame Badenoch thinks that is the only issue people are interested in
No one is.
Starmer appointed Mandelson and the others didn't, so he's vulnerable. Not changed by an element of "seemed like a good idea at the time". Plenty of us on here, including myself as I recall, thought there was some logic to appointing a turd to deal with The Turd, but we're keeping quiet about it now.
At the time I don't recall anyone on here saying that Mandy is a c-nt who was basically Epstein's cabana boy so why are we giving him the keys to Massachusetts Ave?
Starmer can't admit to the truth that Mandelson was chosen specifically for his guile. At what level of degeneracy does crafty fox turn into morally unacceptable? If the person turns out to be knee deep with an industrial level paedophile obviously. I assume Starmer wasn't aware how deep that connection, but I admit I haven't been following closely.
Incidentally I can think of at least two or three other commentators here who thought the Mandelson appointment somewhat astute.
I have to admit that, at the time, I thought it was a good idea. Mandelson has proved several times that he's as bent as a fiddlers elbow, but on the other hand he was going to be dealing with Trump, with whom he apparently got on.Takes one to know one and all that!
I don't recall a great deal of fuss about Epstein at the time, except as an associate of he who is now known as AM-W, and an 'introducer' to the same, of young women.
Over the months more and more information has come to light about the depravity of Epstein and his associates, much of which Mandelson had, wisely, not talked about much.
When fuller facts, and I think there's much more yet, came to light Starmer realised his error and took appropriate action.
Yes and no. There are three interlinked factors, I think.
First, the sex stuff. This is what angers the public. Kemi was first to pick up on this and shoves the p-word into every question.
Second, leaking secrets to Epstein. This is what Starmer was first angered about.
Third, why and how Mandelson was appointed. It was probably first suggested by Morgan McSweeney or Blair or someone. It is this process question that might topple Starmer if it can be shown that he exaggerated or underplayed his own part. Who said what, to whom, and when? Ironically, Starmer and Mandelson were never close. Starmer was not part of the New Labour project.
Starmer struggled much more again when its Mandelson week. You can draw your own conclusions about why and what that means may be coming out, but it seems to be THE achilles heel
No body is interested in Mandelson
He answered He apologised
A shame Badenoch thinks that is the only issue people are interested in
No one is.
Starmer appointed Mandelson and the others didn't, so he's vulnerable. Not changed by an element of "seemed like a good idea at the time". Plenty of us on here, including myself as I recall, thought there was some logic to appointing a turd to deal with The Turd, but we're keeping quiet about it now.
At the time I don't recall anyone on here saying that Mandy is a c-nt who was basically Epstein's cabana boy so why are we giving him the keys to Massachusetts Ave?
Starmer can't admit to the truth that Mandelson was chosen specifically for his guile. At what level of degeneracy does crafty fox turn into morally unacceptable? If the person turns out to be knee deep with an industrial level paedophile obviously. I assume Starmer wasn't aware how deep that connection, but I admit I haven't been following closely.
Incidentally I can think of at least two or three other commentators here who thought the Mandelson appointment somewhat astute.
I have to admit that, at the time, I thought it was a good idea. Mandelson has proved several times that he's as bent as a fiddlers elbow, but on the other hand he was going to be dealing with Trump, with whom he apparently got on.Takes one to know one and all that!
I don't recall a great deal of fuss about Epstein at the time, except as an associate of he who is now known as AM-W, and an 'introducer' to the same, of young women.
Over the months more and more information has come to light about the depravity of Epstein and his associates, much of which Mandelson had, wisely, not talked about much.
When fuller facts, and I think there's much more yet, came to light Starmer realised his error and took appropriate action.
These things are coming to light to us, the general public, now, but they were already known to the PM when he appointed Mandelson against official advice.
The story isn’t any more about Mandelson and Epstein, it’s about Starmer and his judgement.
1 0 Starmer though as Nick Timothy is fatally wounded.
She’s not going to sack Nick Timothy for expressing an obvious truth
But it's bollocks. People praying freely is not an "act of domination" unless one is some sort of weirdo banging on about an Open Iftar event and how unpatriotic that would be, and looking for clicks/ likes. We had one on here last evening. Can't remember which dreary poster it was though.
IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri: “Oil facilities associated with America are now on par with American bases and will come under fire with full force.
“We warn citizens and workers to stay away from these facilities.”
Chances of Hegseth threatening Tehran being nuked if they do? Got to be on the cards.
Trump won't stop him. Imagine the tumescence from nuking Iran!
And then Putin nukes Kyiv...
They should just get a wiggle on. It’s getting boring
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
This was just seems to be aimless hammering of the energy infrastructure either side of the sea.
We are all paying the price for it.
You ain't seen nothing on price yet.
Rachel from accounts fans please explain.
I refer the rigged dishonourable gentleman to the image I posted some minutes ago.
I was channeling my inner PB. I wouldn't dream of being such a Trumpian misogynist in reality.
Rachel from accounts is rather a disgusting slur on the "fairer sex". Anyway, would you mind getting back to that basket of laundry that needs ironing?
Disgusting slur?!?
If Rachel Tea Leaves were a man with the same background, she'd be Colin from Complaints
She wouldn't.
Kwasi from complaints? Err, never happened.
I don’t believe that Kwasi worked in the Customer Complaints department of a retail bank immediately prior to becoming an MP
On Iran, President Masoud Pezeshkian seems to be the only member of the erstwhile leadership team left alive. Is that because 1) he's got such limited power that Israel doesn't see him as worth the expenditure of another missile? Or 2) he's a Mossad agent?
My understanding is he's on the moderate end of the Iranian leadership and with fairly limited power.
So even assuming not Mossad, it makes sense to focus your missiles on the more hardline regime members.
Starmer struggled much more again when its Mandelson week. You can draw your own conclusions about why and what that means may be coming out, but it seems to be THE achilles heel
No body is interested in Mandelson
He answered He apologised
A shame Badenoch thinks that is the only issue people are interested in
No one is.
Starmer appointed Mandelson and the others didn't, so he's vulnerable. Not changed by an element of "seemed like a good idea at the time". Plenty of us on here, including myself as I recall, thought there was some logic to appointing a turd to deal with The Turd, but we're keeping quiet about it now.
At the time I don't recall anyone on here saying that Mandy is a c-nt who was basically Epstein's cabana boy so why are we giving him the keys to Massachusetts Ave?
Starmer can't admit to the truth that Mandelson was chosen specifically for his guile. At what level of degeneracy does crafty fox turn into morally unacceptable? If the person turns out to be knee deep with an industrial level paedophile obviously. I assume Starmer wasn't aware how deep that connection, but I admit I haven't been following closely.
Incidentally I can think of at least two or three other commentators here who thought the Mandelson appointment somewhat astute.
I have to admit that, at the time, I thought it was a good idea. Mandelson has proved several times that he's as bent as a fiddlers elbow, but on the other hand he was going to be dealing with Trump, with whom he apparently got on.Takes one to know one and all that!
I don't recall a great deal of fuss about Epstein at the time, except as an associate of he who is now known as AM-W, and an 'introducer' to the same, of young women.
Over the months more and more information has come to light about the depravity of Epstein and his associates, much of which Mandelson had, wisely, not talked about much.
When fuller facts, and I think there's much more yet, came to light Starmer realised his error and took appropriate action.
These things are coming to light to us, the general public, now, but they were already known to the PM when he appointed Mandelson against official advice.
The story isn’t any more about Mandelson and Epstein, it’s about Starmer and his judgement.
Exactly.
Starmer should have gone all unconventional.
"Yes, of course he knew Epstein. That's one of the reasons we hired him. We needed someone with contacts at the very highest levels of the new administration, and -candidly- that meant we needed a friend of Epstein"
I mean, it would have been bollocks and all, but it would have flipped the narrative.
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
This was just seems to be aimless hammering of the energy infrastructure either side of the sea.
We are all paying the price for it.
You ain't seen nothing on price yet.
Rachel from accounts fans please explain.
I refer the rigged dishonourable gentleman to the image I posted some minutes ago.
I was channeling my inner PB. I wouldn't dream of being such a Trumpian misogynist in reality.
Rachel from accounts is rather a disgusting slur on the "fairer sex". Anyway, would you mind getting back to that basket of laundry that needs ironing?
Disgusting slur?!?
If Rachel Tea Leaves were a man with the same background, she'd be Colin from Complaints
She wouldn't.
Kwasi from complaints? Err, never happened.
I don’t believe that Kwasi worked in the Customer Complaints department of a retail bank immediately prior to becoming an MP
IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri: “Oil facilities associated with America are now on par with American bases and will come under fire with full force.
“We warn citizens and workers to stay away from these facilities.”
Chances of Hegseth threatening Tehran being nuked if they do? Got to be on the cards.
Trump won't stop him. Imagine the tumescence from nuking Iran!
And then Putin nukes Kyiv...
They should just get a wiggle on. It’s getting boring
War as speed chess...
I thought the Trump war programme was predicated on 12D chess rather than speed chess.
When we were in Grasmere the other day the only Wordsworthian property open was Allan Bank (Nat Trust). The other three (Cockermouth, Dove Cottage, and Rydal Mount) all closed for one reason or another.
Question - does anyone else have as many as four properties devoted to their memory as Wordsworth does?
Apparently, WW disliked Allan Bank as it was too big, too cold, and required two servants to be habitable. Also Coleridge by that time was proving a less than congenial housemate probably due to his laudanum intake and unhappy lovelife. (Sounds a bit like an unrehabilitated @leon) Worth a visit but very little authentic memorabilia, although WW did write his guide to the Lake District there. Most of the imperishable poetry happened at Dove Cottage.
William Wordsworth, the truest bluest Conservative. First editor of the Westmorland Gazette a paper which has gone slowly down hill ever since !
Buried in Grasmere Churchyard, but now, so is Madame Elizabeth Braithwaite, Independent Doyen of South Lakeland District Council. At her funeral the senior Conservative asked what they were going to do with Wordsworth's remains as Madame would require the primary location.
Let us say that his early radicalism developed in a nuanced way in the light of Napoleon. But he is the opposite of Hardy, who is always old, writing his very best stuff in his early 70s. Wordsworth is always and only young. What he does after the age of about 35 is to be put on one side. But there is always the first books of the first version of The Prelude, which does childhood better than anything on earth. 'Fair seed-time had my soul.'
When we were in Grasmere the other day the only Wordsworthian property open was Allan Bank (Nat Trust). The other three (Cockermouth, Dove Cottage, and Rydal Mount) all closed for one reason or another.
Question - does anyone else have as many as four properties devoted to their memory as Wordsworth does?
Apparently, WW disliked Allan Bank as it was too big, too cold, and required two servants to be habitable. Also Coleridge by that time was proving a less than congenial housemate probably due to his laudanum intake and unhappy lovelife. (Sounds a bit like an unrehabilitated @leon) Worth a visit but very little authentic memorabilia, although WW did write his guide to the Lake District there. Most of the imperishable poetry happened at Dove Cottage.
William Wordsworth, the truest bluest Conservative. First editor of the Westmorland Gazette a paper which has gone slowly down hill ever since !
Buried in Grasmere Churchyard, but now, so is Madame Elizabeth Braithwaite, Independent Doyen of South Lakeland District Council. At her funeral the senior Conservative asked what they were going to do with Wordsworth's remains as Madame would require the primary location.
Let us say that his early radicalism developed in a nuanced way in the light of Napoleon. But he is the opposite of Hardy, who is always old, writing his very best stuff in his early 70s. Wordsworth is always and only young. What he does after the age of about 35 is to be put on one side. But there is always the first books of the first version of The Prelude, which does childhood better than anything on earth. 'Fair seed-time had my soul.'
Wasn't he the rent boy who was deputy of the 1922 under Sunak?
On Iran, President Masoud Pezeshkian seems to be the only member of the erstwhile leadership team left alive. Is that because 1) he's got such limited power that Israel doesn't see him as worth the expenditure of another missile? Or 2) he's a Mossad agent?
You reckon ‘2’ would stop Israel or the USA from dispatching him ?
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
This was just seems to be aimless hammering of the energy infrastructure either side of the sea.
We are all paying the price for it.
You ain't seen nothing on price yet.
Rachel from accounts fans please explain.
I refer the rigged dishonourable gentleman to the image I posted some minutes ago.
I was channeling my inner PB. I wouldn't dream of being such a Trumpian misogynist in reality.
Rachel from accounts is rather a disgusting slur on the "fairer sex". Anyway, would you mind getting back to that basket of laundry that needs ironing?
Disgusting slur?!?
If Rachel Tea Leaves were a man with the same background, she'd be Colin from Complaints
She wouldn't.
Kwasi from complaints? Err, never happened.
I don’t believe that Kwasi worked in the Customer Complaints department of a retail bank immediately prior to becoming an MP
Did Colin? ( From your previous post?)
If he had the same background as Tea Leaves, yes
You have moved the misogynistic comedy goal posts. I have no time for Reeves. Get rid! But Rachel from accounts is a slur specifically aimed at her not because she is useless but because she is a woman, and a woman of the left too.
On Iran, President Masoud Pezeshkian seems to be the only member of the erstwhile leadership team left alive. Is that because 1) he's got such limited power that Israel doesn't see him as worth the expenditure of another missile? Or 2) he's a Mossad agent?
My understanding is he's on the moderate end of the Iranian leadership and with fairly limited power.
So even assuming not Mossad, it makes sense to focus your missiles on the more hardline regime members.
Yet the initial flurry from Israel did, as reported in WSJ, take out both hardline and pragmatists the US felt they could work with.
IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri: “Oil facilities associated with America are now on par with American bases and will come under fire with full force.
“We warn citizens and workers to stay away from these facilities.”
Chances of Hegseth threatening Tehran being nuked if they do? Got to be on the cards.
Trump won't stop him. Imagine the tumescence from nuking Iran!
And then Putin nukes Kyiv...
They should just get a wiggle on. It’s getting boring
Starmer struggled much more again when its Mandelson week. You can draw your own conclusions about why and what that means may be coming out, but it seems to be THE achilles heel
No body is interested in Mandelson
He answered He apologised
A shame Badenoch thinks that is the only issue people are interested in
No one is.
Starmer appointed Mandelson and the others didn't, so he's vulnerable. Not changed by an element of "seemed like a good idea at the time". Plenty of us on here, including myself as I recall, thought there was some logic to appointing a turd to deal with The Turd, but we're keeping quiet about it now.
At the time I don't recall anyone on here saying that Mandy is a c-nt who was basically Epstein's cabana boy so why are we giving him the keys to Massachusetts Ave?
Starmer can't admit to the truth that Mandelson was chosen specifically for his guile. At what level of degeneracy does crafty fox turn into morally unacceptable? If the person turns out to be knee deep with an industrial level paedophile obviously. I assume Starmer wasn't aware how deep that connection, but I admit I haven't been following closely.
Incidentally I can think of at least two or three other commentators here who thought the Mandelson appointment somewhat astute.
I have to admit that, at the time, I thought it was a good idea. Mandelson has proved several times that he's as bent as a fiddlers elbow, but on the other hand he was going to be dealing with Trump, with whom he apparently got on.Takes one to know one and all that!
I don't recall a great deal of fuss about Epstein at the time, except as an associate of he who is now known as AM-W, and an 'introducer' to the same, of young women.
Over the months more and more information has come to light about the depravity of Epstein and his associates, much of which Mandelson had, wisely, not talked about much.
When fuller facts, and I think there's much more yet, came to light Starmer realised his error and took appropriate action.
These things are coming to light to us, the general public, now, but they were already known to the PM when he appointed Mandelson against official advice.
The story isn’t any more about Mandelson and Epstein, it’s about Starmer and his judgement.
Starmer should certainly have known about some of the Mandelson/Epstein involvement. If he didn't, then what is our Secret Service doing? But there has to be an element of 'when there facts change, I change my opinion'. I'm not saying it's not a mess, and one which Starmer surely wishes he'd avoided. Haven't we all (well, those of us who've had to make decisions) been there though? I know I have!
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
This was just seems to be aimless hammering of the energy infrastructure either side of the sea.
We are all paying the price for it.
You ain't seen nothing on price yet.
Rachel from accounts fans please explain.
I refer the rigged dishonourable gentleman to the image I posted some minutes ago.
I was channeling my inner PB. I wouldn't dream of being such a Trumpian misogynist in reality.
Rachel from accounts is rather a disgusting slur on the "fairer sex". Anyway, would you mind getting back to that basket of laundry that needs ironing?
A man is more than capable of hunting and gathering his clothes from the utility room, and if wants crease’s out, using the simplest of machinery to achieve this.
On Iran, President Masoud Pezeshkian seems to be the only member of the erstwhile leadership team left alive. Is that because 1) he's got such limited power that Israel doesn't see him as worth the expenditure of another missile? Or 2) he's a Mossad agent?
You reckon ‘2’ would stop Israel or the USA from dispatching him ?
‘BREAKING: Iran has issued an order to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to evacuate energy facilities following Israeli strikes on Iran's largest gas facility.‘
This was just seems to be aimless hammering of the energy infrastructure either side of the sea.
We are all paying the price for it.
You ain't seen nothing on price yet.
Rachel from accounts fans please explain.
I refer the rigged dishonourable gentleman to the image I posted some minutes ago.
I was channeling my inner PB. I wouldn't dream of being such a Trumpian misogynist in reality.
Rachel from accounts is rather a disgusting slur on the "fairer sex". Anyway, would you mind getting back to that basket of laundry that needs ironing?
Disgusting slur?!?
If Rachel Tea Leaves were a man with the same background, she'd be Colin from Complaints
She wouldn't.
Kwasi from complaints? Err, never happened.
I don’t believe that Kwasi worked in the Customer Complaints department of a retail bank immediately prior to becoming an MP
Did Colin? ( From your previous post?)
If he had the same background as Tea Leaves, yes
You have moved the misogynistic comedy goal posts. I have no time for Reeves. Get rid! But Rachel from accounts is a slur specifically aimed at her not because she is useless but because she is a woman, and a woman of the left too.
Any criticism of women on the left, and the left’s scratched misogyny record is put on the turntable
I dislike the Rachel from accounts nickname because it’s not imaginative, clever or funny. But it’s a fucking low bar for misogyny
I am not sure it was Badenoch either, and Davy was unusually Shi'ite too.
I just realised. Kemi Badenoch is the Jeremy Corbyn of the Conservative Party. Sympathetic towards actors hostile to our country; give tacit support to sectarianism; never stray outside their partisan comfort zones; never make a hard decision.
Comments
My point remains extrapolating local election votes to GE votes is even more complex in a multi party environment than in former times. There can be a correlation - after the 1995 locals, the prediction was Labour above 400 seats, the Conservatives around 150 which turned out to be pretty close two years out.
Last year's numbers had the Conservatives fourth with 15% behind the LDs on 17% and Labour on 20% (Reform on 30%). I would be looking at changes from that and at the results in Wales, Scotland and London in particular.
Interesting article stating that Reform are the most disliked Party. How could Farage not be the most disliked Party and Farage the most disliked politician? Give us a break. The man is repellant. No ifs no buts....
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/polling-guru-says-no-doubt-173739394.html
https://x.com/danjoergensen/status/2034258998459859029
As of today, the EU begins closing the tap on Russian gas for good.
Imports under short- or long-term liquified natural gas (LNG) and pipeline gas contracts concluded, or amended, after 17 June 2025 are now prohibited.
Against the detailed accounts of Powell, and the Omani foreign minister, and the resignation letter if long time Trump supporter and decorated military vet Joe Kent, all saying the same thing ?
Not so tough.
This year Reform may top the NEV but they wont win Scotland, they perhaps wont win Wales, they are unlikely to win London (and could easily come fifth in seats).
All 5 parties will likely have successes to point at.
Reform will lose the 'inevitable' mystique. That might drive some away
The legacy of Schroeder and Angela Merkin has been truly disastrous.
Lee Anderson filmed paid-for Cameo videos at parliament in possible rules breach
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/ng-interactive/2026/mar/18/lee-anderson-filmed-paid-for-cameo-videos-at-parliament-in-possible-rules-breach
What sick person would send a Valentine's video featuring Lee Anderson ?
Zack Polanski says Greens would ditch GDP targets and focus on wellbeing insteadhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/18/zack-polanski-says-greens-would-ditch-gdp-targets-and-focus-on-wellbeing-instead
Thank you for linking to the YouTube discussion between Tim Stanley, Allister Heath and Camilla Tominey
Most interesting and I found I agreed with quite a bit of it, I was surprised as Allister Heath is usually wrong about stuff.
Gregg Wallace was the top one for Valentines.
Go on then explain it. I don’t yet understand how this PMQs was such triumph for Kemi today that yourself and all the other media are proclaiming it as. Rather than banging nail on the head, it sounded to me like Kemi actually believes Starmer didn’t speak to Mandelson before appointing him. That’s what she seemed clearly to be accusing him of.
Now Badenoch has explained Starmer’s Big Crime over Mandelson is Starmer delegating responsibility - to what extent can Kemi now flip flop away from having said this? Kemi prefers to do everything and take the lead on everything herself - maybe she believes that is Starmer’s mistake?
How exactly was today setting everything up nicely for later?
Israeli official to @Jerusalem_Post: The attack was coordinated with the United States.
The target — Iran's largest gas facility in Bushehr.
Explanation: Trump and his administration didn't like the previous strikes on oil facilities back then, because of the images of flames and the resulting spike in prices. But apparently, when it comes to gas, he has less of a problem...
FINLAND PRESIDENT: That’s a very good idea. I might pick you up on that. 🙌..
https://x.com/sharma_views/status/2034100394926936179
I get that you have a different opinion. I think youre wrong. Lets see what happens
So, the rest of the world sees its oil prices rise because the Straits of Hormuz are closed, while the US continues its merry way.
There are a couple of issues with that as a strategy.
Firstly, as I've mentioned many times before, the US is both self sufficient in energy, and hugely integrated into global markets. Restricting export of light oil and NGLs from the Permian will badly impact medium term energy production from those regions if there's no obvious place to refine the product.
Secondly, what happens to Canada's oil? Right now, it's exported by Keystone to US refineries. There's not a huge amount of takeaway capacity to the rest of the world - I mean some can be gotten to Vancouver/Kittimat and taken by tanker from there, but compared to the amount that's put into pipelines and sent to the US, it's peanuts. If the US continues to import the oil, then they meshes with the existing US refinery capacity (which is good). But... errr... that makes the issue of what happens to existing US production of lighter oil; given limited storage capacity, they would have to stop drilling and/or producing, which would have negative long term consequences for fields.
A PE teacher who wrote "deploy the navy" in response to a social media post about "illegal migrant invaders" has been barred from the classroom after an official investigation.
"We don't go to other peoples countries and tell them they're wrong for how they go about things."
It's the house where Keats knocked on the door in June 1818 but Wordsworth was out.....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kgkzljk33o
I took the suggestion as rhetorical rather than practical.
"Ukraine first" would be unacceptable to Trump anyway.
https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2034273397308342498?s=61
This was just seems to be aimless hammering of the energy infrastructure either side of the sea.
We are all paying the price for it.
I still think, learning from history, 6 questions on Mandelson was wasted approach.
in the history books on Mandelson leaving government for mortgage fraud, all the pressure put on Tony Blair for whopping error of judgement, all the fun Lord Richmond and the media had ripping Blair’s credibility to shreds… but then look at the final result in 2001 GE. 🤷♀️
Kemi’s Tory’s need to put on votes at PMQs, and the way to do that is how Labour do nothing or next to nothing on the cost of living. Look at the Daily Express today, look what they gave Kemi to attack with
Labour policies taking 40K from households during cost of living crisis is awful.
Is the fear here, Kemi goes on Mandelson again and again because she can’t mention Cost of Living ever again because the error she has made backing Trump’s war? ☹️
Can only lead to more escalation and misery
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Trump, the well known sinner...
Awaits next escalation from the US occupier thickos!
Incidentally I can think of at least two or three other commentators here who thought the Mandelson appointment somewhat astute.
17th placed AFC Liverpool taking on 12th placed Longridge Town in the NW Counties Premier League
I believe there may be another game in the City too
The Iranians have published their list of retaliatory targets.
‘ Iran’s semi-official media has published a list of retaliatory energy targets:
Ras Laffan refinery – Qatar
Samref oil refinery – Saudi Arabia
Al Hosn gasfield – UAE
Jubail petchem plant – Saudi Arabia
Mesaieed petchem plant – Qatar’
The US and Israel hit Iran at will and their supposed allies, mugs for trusting them, get screwed.
Life comes at people hard. The Gulf states are getting a valuable life lesson here. They’d be fools to ignore it.
https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2034244600123003041
WATCH: Kemi Badenoch says Keir Starmer "doesn't do the work" and outsources decisions
Starmer: "3 weeks ago she said we should rush into war - she didn't do the work. Then she comes back a week later and says 'oops, I got that one wrong'. She's utterly irrelevant"
Rachel from accounts is rather a disgusting slur on the "fairer sex". Anyway, would you mind getting back to that basket of laundry that needs ironing?
I don't recall a great deal of fuss about Epstein at the time, except as an associate of he who is now known as AM-W, and an 'introducer' to the same, of young women.
Over the months more and more information has come to light about the depravity of Epstein and his associates, much of which Mandelson had, wisely, not talked about much.
When fuller facts, and I think there's much more yet, came to light Starmer realised his error and took appropriate action.
When we were in Grasmere the other day the only Wordsworthian property open was Allan Bank (Nat Trust). The other three (Cockermouth, Dove Cottage, and Rydal Mount) all closed for one reason or another.
Question - does anyone else have as many as four properties devoted to their memory as Wordsworth does?
Apparently, WW disliked Allan Bank as it was too big, too cold, and required two servants to be habitable. Also Coleridge by that time was proving a less than congenial housemate probably due to his laudanum intake and unhappy lovelife. (Sounds a bit like an unrehabilitated @leon)
Worth a visit but very little authentic memorabilia, although WW did write his guide to the Lake District there. Most of the imperishable poetry happened at Dove Cottage.
If Rachel Tea Leaves were a man with the same background, she'd be Colin from Complaints
If Mandelson was such a terrible appointment why was the media so in favour at the time?
Firstly it is framed as an assault on this recent Labour government, whereas if their thesis is correct it is mostly an indictment of Toryism and its predecessors, this current government being a tiny coda on the end. They are a bit quiet about this, as if their real function is polemical rather than exploratory.
Secondly, it's very 'drill baby drill' but without much analysis of the CO2 difficulty arising out of this. They may be right, but it isn't obvious. how this helps the planet.
IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri: “Oil facilities associated with America are now on par with American bases and will come under fire with full force.
“We warn citizens and workers to stay away from these facilities.”
Minesweeping has equally been deprecated as not sexy.
1 0 Starmer though as Nick Timothy is fatally wounded.
Buried in Grasmere Churchyard, but now, so is Madame Elizabeth Braithwaite, Independent Doyen of South Lakeland District Council. At her funeral the senior Conservative asked what they were going to do with Wordsworth's remains as Madame would require the primary location.
They also make it clear we need to be exploiting all energy sources. Not just drill baby drill. It is not anti renewable and net zero. Quite frankly the needs are energy, lots of it, and low cost.
The analysis of the spat between Yougov and Reform made some points I’d not considered.
Kwasi from complaints? Err, never happened.
But yeah, head-shot.
BUT, for all that a genuinely good person who at least tried to do genuinely good things.
Trump won't stop him. Imagine the tumescence from nuking Iran!
And then Putin nukes Kyiv...
"...the roof upheld
By naked rafters intricately crossed,
Like leafless underboughs, in some thick wood,
All withered by the depth of shade above".
First, the sex stuff. This is what angers the public. Kemi was first to pick up on this and shoves the p-word into every question.
Second, leaking secrets to Epstein. This is what Starmer was first angered about.
Third, why and how Mandelson was appointed. It was probably first suggested by Morgan McSweeney or Blair or someone. It is this process question that might topple Starmer if it can be shown that he exaggerated or underplayed his own part. Who said what, to whom, and when? Ironically, Starmer and Mandelson were never close. Starmer was not part of the New Labour project.
The story isn’t any more about Mandelson and Epstein, it’s about Starmer and his judgement.
So even assuming not Mossad, it makes sense to focus your missiles on the more hardline regime members.
Starmer should have gone all unconventional.
"Yes, of course he knew Epstein. That's one of the reasons we hired him. We needed someone with contacts at the very highest levels of the new administration, and -candidly- that meant we needed a friend of Epstein"
I mean, it would have been bollocks and all, but it would have flipped the narrative.
One still here. They wait for pilots up the Channel, this one Pananian registered.
All transited from Italy about a week long sail.
Unusually not easy to find out where they are headed.
We'd all vapourise if anything hit it
Much to that idiot Trump’s surprise
I'm not saying it's not a mess, and one which Starmer surely wishes he'd avoided. Haven't we all (well, those of us who've had to make decisions) been there though?
I know I have!
Tulsi Gabbard is doing her best to repeat the effect
I dislike the Rachel from accounts nickname because it’s not imaginative, clever or funny. But it’s a fucking low bar for misogyny