I don't know about others but I'm seeing some of the details from the latest report on the October 7 atrocities on my social media. I can't say I want to read it all in detail but it comes across as the most disgusting, depraved, sadistic, purposefully cruel thing I've ever seen. Someone like Sean F will know more with regard to behaviour in other wars and how rare it is but let us reflect on two and a half years of protest on our streets by people who it is hard to imagine ever considering any of that and many would probably deny it happened. We shouldn't hide our anger about what has happened to this country.
I don't think the sadistic acts perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th are that unusual. British forces fighting the Indian Mutiny in 1857 did horrific things, and Russian forces in Ukraine also.
What arguably sets the events of October 7th apart is that atrocities were not committed following a battle to take territory. The atrocities on October 7th were the entire purpose of the attacks. They were the beginning and end of the Hamas strategy.
The Russians certainly committed horrific rape and torture. But the bodily mutilation? And of course the cruelty of sending the videos to the relatives so they could see what was happening to their loved ones. I suppose that's only been a modern phenomenon.
People support Israel out on the streets of Britain despite the IDF doing this, whilst the Israeli government doesn't prosecute the guilty parties and passes Apartheid like laws.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
I wonder whether Streeting will come to understand that his timing has been seriously awry?
How do you work out that Streeting not going immediately isn't the best option for him?
Because he's unpopular so needed the chaos of immediate action before others are ready. As it is loyalists have firmed up and Burnham fans can make clear they'll oppose a Cabinet coup as they can trigger when the messiah is ready.
He might still try but the sense of urgency is fading.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
A reminder why we are strict on certain comments. Remember what Dave said about Twitter?
On behalf of their client, Zara Sultana, Bindmans Media and Information Law Practise Group requires that I publish the following statement on X, and that such statement must be clearly visible and pinned to my profile for a continuous period of no less than 24 hours:
“On 30 March 2026, I published a post on my X account addressed to Zarah Sultana in which I stated that she encourages and incites violence and is friends with terrorists.
Those statements are false. I was wrong and offer my sincere apologies to Ms Sultana for the harm and distress caused to her.”
It is my very great pleasure to do this, and I reiterate my sincere and repeated offer to meet with Miss Zara Sultana in person to resolve our differences.
That last sentence sounds a bit like a threat to me.
I joined X to get election results fast, last week, and it really is a cess pit of bigotry and stupidity.
There's an excellent article from Nate Silver on just that issue.
Basically, X has swung from one unrepresentative sample to another, only with added nastiness now.
Top tip about X from a dinosaur:
Follow no-one at all. Do whatever you have to do (can't remember what it was) to make sure you can access X but never post anything. Look at Matt once a day except when he goes on holiday and his days off. Have a couple of X accounts in mind to look at when stuff happens (eg Swinford), who will both inform and direct you to others. Never look below the line, for this way madness lies (but this applies to X, not PB where madness is partial and qualified) Finally, the best filter and pointer is a site called Political Betting where nice people look at stuff so you don't have to.
I don't know about others but I'm seeing some of the details from the latest report on the October 7 atrocities on my social media. I can't say I want to read it all in detail but it comes across as the most disgusting, depraved, sadistic, purposefully cruel thing I've ever seen. Someone like Sean F will know more with regard to behaviour in other wars and how rare it is but let us reflect on two and a half years of protest on our streets by people who it is hard to imagine ever considering any of that and many would probably deny it happened. We shouldn't hide our anger about what has happened to this country.
I don't think the sadistic acts perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th are that unusual. British forces fighting the Indian Mutiny in 1857 did horrific things, and Russian forces in Ukraine also.
What arguably sets the events of October 7th apart is that atrocities were not committed following a battle to take territory. The atrocities on October 7th were the entire purpose of the attacks. They were the beginning and end of the Hamas strategy.
The Russians certainly committed horrific rape and torture. But the bodily mutilation? And of course the cruelty of sending the videos to the relatives so they could see what was happening to their loved ones. I suppose that's only been a modern phenomenon.
People support Israel out on the streets of Britain despite the IDF doing this, whilst the Israeli government doesn't prosecute the guilty parties and passes Apartheid like laws.
The New York Times has been repeatedly tricked by Palestinian terrorists into publishing false stories that end up requiring major corrections or “editor’s notes.”
Perhaps they were just trying to get in ahead of the Oct7 report of what Hamas were doing.
Katie Hopkins @KTHopkins On behalf of their client, Zara Sultana, Bindmans Media and Information Law Practise Group requires that I publish the following statement on X, and that such statement must be clearly visible and pinned to my profile for a continuous period of no less than 24 hours:
“On 30 March 2026, I published a post on my X account addressed to Zarah Sultana in which I stated that she encourages and incites violence and is friends with terrorists.
Those statements are false. I was wrong and offer my sincere apologies to Ms Sultana for the harm and distress caused to her.”
It is my very great pleasure to do this, and I reiterate my sincere and repeated offer to meet with Miss Zara Sultana in person to resolve our differences.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
Katie Hopkins @KTHopkins On behalf of their client, Zara Sultana, Bindmans Media and Information Law Practise Group requires that I publish the following statement on X, and that such statement must be clearly visible and pinned to my profile for a continuous period of no less than 24 hours:
“On 30 March 2026, I published a post on my X account addressed to Zarah Sultana in which I stated that she encourages and incites violence and is friends with terrorists.
Those statements are false. I was wrong and offer my sincere apologies to Ms Sultana for the harm and distress caused to her.”
It is my very great pleasure to do this, and I reiterate my sincere and repeated offer to meet with Miss Zara Sultana in person to resolve our differences.
Zarah Sultana MP @zarahsultana · 4h By the way, for future reference it’s Z-A-R-A-H.
I don't know about others but I'm seeing some of the details from the latest report on the October 7 atrocities on my social media. I can't say I want to read it all in detail but it comes across as the most disgusting, depraved, sadistic, purposefully cruel thing I've ever seen. Someone like Sean F will know more with regard to behaviour in other wars and how rare it is but let us reflect on two and a half years of protest on our streets by people who it is hard to imagine ever considering any of that and many would probably deny it happened. We shouldn't hide our anger about what has happened to this country.
I don't think the sadistic acts perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th are that unusual. British forces fighting the Indian Mutiny in 1857 did horrific things, and Russian forces in Ukraine also.
What arguably sets the events of October 7th apart is that atrocities were not committed following a battle to take territory. The atrocities on October 7th were the entire purpose of the attacks. They were the beginning and end of the Hamas strategy.
The Russians certainly committed horrific rape and torture. But the bodily mutilation? And of course the cruelty of sending the videos to the relatives so they could see what was happening to their loved ones. I suppose that's only been a modern phenomenon.
People support Israel out on the streets of Britain despite the IDF doing this, whilst the Israeli government doesn't prosecute the guilty parties and passes Apartheid like laws.
The New York Times has been repeatedly tricked by Palestinian terrorists into publishing false stories that end up requiring major corrections or “editor’s notes.”
Perhaps they were just trying to get in ahead of the Oct7 report of what Hamas were doing.
I knew either you or Frank Booth would do that.
The nine Israeli soldiers suspected of the abuse were to appear before a military court Tuesday. Israelis have been rattled by the events, which have highlighted the deep political divisions in the country.
A member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, speaking Monday at a meeting of lawmakers, justified the rape and abuse of Palestinian prisoners, shouting angrily at colleagues questioning the alleged behavior that anything was legitimate to do to "terrorists" in custody.
Lawmaker Hanoch Milwidsky was asked as he defended the alleged abuse whether it was legitimate, "to insert a stick into a person's rectum?"
"Yes!" he shouted in reply to his fellow parliamentarian. "If he is a Nukhba [Hamas militant], everything is legitimate to do! Everything!"
Katie Hopkins @KTHopkins On behalf of their client, Zara Sultana, Bindmans Media and Information Law Practise Group requires that I publish the following statement on X, and that such statement must be clearly visible and pinned to my profile for a continuous period of no less than 24 hours:
“On 30 March 2026, I published a post on my X account addressed to Zarah Sultana in which I stated that she encourages and incites violence and is friends with terrorists.
Those statements are false. I was wrong and offer my sincere apologies to Ms Sultana for the harm and distress caused to her.”
It is my very great pleasure to do this, and I reiterate my sincere and repeated offer to meet with Miss Zara Sultana in person to resolve our differences.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
Have they finally realised? I was looking forward to the first meeting between PM Rayner and Trump. Box office. 'Complete liability' hardly captures the televisuals of a Rayner regime.
I don't know about others but I'm seeing some of the details from the latest report on the October 7 atrocities on my social media. I can't say I want to read it all in detail but it comes across as the most disgusting, depraved, sadistic, purposefully cruel thing I've ever seen. Someone like Sean F will know more with regard to behaviour in other wars and how rare it is but let us reflect on two and a half years of protest on our streets by people who it is hard to imagine ever considering any of that and many would probably deny it happened. We shouldn't hide our anger about what has happened to this country.
I don't think the sadistic acts perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th are that unusual. British forces fighting the Indian Mutiny in 1857 did horrific things, and Russian forces in Ukraine also.
What arguably sets the events of October 7th apart is that atrocities were not committed following a battle to take territory. The atrocities on October 7th were the entire purpose of the attacks. They were the beginning and end of the Hamas strategy.
The Russians certainly committed horrific rape and torture. But the bodily mutilation? And of course the cruelty of sending the videos to the relatives so they could see what was happening to their loved ones. I suppose that's only been a modern phenomenon.
People support Israel out on the streets of Britain despite the IDF doing this, whilst the Israeli government doesn't prosecute the guilty parties and passes Apartheid like laws.
The New York Times has been repeatedly tricked by Palestinian terrorists into publishing false stories that end up requiring major corrections or “editor’s notes.”
Perhaps they were just trying to get in ahead of the Oct7 report of what Hamas were doing.
I knew either you or Frank Booth would do that.
The nine Israeli soldiers suspected of the abuse were to appear before a military court Tuesday. Israelis have been rattled by the events, which have highlighted the deep political divisions in the country.
A member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, speaking Monday at a meeting of lawmakers, justified the rape and abuse of Palestinian prisoners, shouting angrily at colleagues questioning the alleged behavior that anything was legitimate to do to "terrorists" in custody.
Lawmaker Hanoch Milwidsky was asked as he defended the alleged abuse whether it was legitimate, "to insert a stick into a person's rectum?"
"Yes!" he shouted in reply to his fellow parliamentarian. "If he is a Nukhba [Hamas militant], everything is legitimate to do! Everything!"
Rothbury black pudding with Coquet Island scallops!
Anyone eating them or just photographing them?
They are all “influencers”. Visuals first
Influencer is an honest term about seeking to, well, influence, but i preferred 'content creator' because at least the emphasis was implied to be about what they produced and not just what they could get viewers to do (ie buy things usually).
"Labour has lost control of Gateshead Council for the first time in 52 years after Reform UK won a majority of seats.
Newly elected Reform councillor Fiona Pearce said people felt a vote for Labour was "just voting for the status quo".
Martin Gannon, who has worked as a Gateshead councillor since 1984 and led the council for 10 years, was one of a number of Labour politicians to lose their seats.
He said people across the country were "angry and dissatisfied".
"And I don't blame them - I feel exactly the same way," he said."
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
I don't know about others but I'm seeing some of the details from the latest report on the October 7 atrocities on my social media. I can't say I want to read it all in detail but it comes across as the most disgusting, depraved, sadistic, purposefully cruel thing I've ever seen. Someone like Sean F will know more with regard to behaviour in other wars and how rare it is but let us reflect on two and a half years of protest on our streets by people who it is hard to imagine ever considering any of that and many would probably deny it happened. We shouldn't hide our anger about what has happened to this country.
I don't think the sadistic acts perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th are that unusual. British forces fighting the Indian Mutiny in 1857 did horrific things, and Russian forces in Ukraine also.
What arguably sets the events of October 7th apart is that atrocities were not committed following a battle to take territory. The atrocities on October 7th were the entire purpose of the attacks. They were the beginning and end of the Hamas strategy.
The Russians certainly committed horrific rape and torture. But the bodily mutilation? And of course the cruelty of sending the videos to the relatives so they could see what was happening to their loved ones. I suppose that's only been a modern phenomenon.
People support Israel out on the streets of Britain despite the IDF doing this, whilst the Israeli government doesn't prosecute the guilty parties and passes Apartheid like laws.
The New York Times has been repeatedly tricked by Palestinian terrorists into publishing false stories that end up requiring major corrections or “editor’s notes.”
Perhaps they were just trying to get in ahead of the Oct7 report of what Hamas were doing.
I knew either you or Frank Booth would do that.
The nine Israeli soldiers suspected of the abuse were to appear before a military court Tuesday. Israelis have been rattled by the events, which have highlighted the deep political divisions in the country.
A member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, speaking Monday at a meeting of lawmakers, justified the rape and abuse of Palestinian prisoners, shouting angrily at colleagues questioning the alleged behavior that anything was legitimate to do to "terrorists" in custody.
Lawmaker Hanoch Milwidsky was asked as he defended the alleged abuse whether it was legitimate, "to insert a stick into a person's rectum?"
"Yes!" he shouted in reply to his fellow parliamentarian. "If he is a Nukhba [Hamas militant], everything is legitimate to do! Everything!"
Just imagine if you lot had voted Labour and EICIPM like myself back in 2015, we would had chaos back then. Instead you fools voted Tory for a strong and stable government! LOLz
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
There’s no world where it’s a good idea . I’d rather Starmer stayed on .
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
The same David Cameron that drove this country into the mire with the calamity of Brexit. Let’s not forget…
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
I know this is completely off the wall, but is it possible Starmer and Streeting have done some sort of deal that keeps Starmer in power and the other non viable candidates out (while Starmer has been terrible, I'm struggling to see anyone who looks any any better in the PLP, and so change of leader right now would not be good for the country) with some sort of sweetener for Streeting further down the line? So basically we are going to see some sort of staged performance play out if the next few days with the aim of maintaining the status quo? Or is this too devious for the Labour Party?
Moderate Labour MPs are urging Wes Streeting not to trigger a contest - warning he will lose to a more left-wing candidate.
Luke Akehurst tells me:
"Wes is a huge talent and someone I’ve considered a political ally for about two decades. I would urge him not to throw the party into further chaos by resigning.
I don't know about others but I'm seeing some of the details from the latest report on the October 7 atrocities on my social media. I can't say I want to read it all in detail but it comes across as the most disgusting, depraved, sadistic, purposefully cruel thing I've ever seen. Someone like Sean F will know more with regard to behaviour in other wars and how rare it is but let us reflect on two and a half years of protest on our streets by people who it is hard to imagine ever considering any of that and many would probably deny it happened. We shouldn't hide our anger about what has happened to this country.
It's the sort of stuff that Sturmbrigade Dirlewanger, or some units of the Imperial Japanese Army, did. I tried to read Iris Chang's account of the Rape of Nanking, and and I had to give up, it was so nauseating. I doubt if anyone will ever write a history of the Dirlewangers, because no one would have the stomach for it.
Have you read the Ian Toll Pacific War Trilogy?
The Rape of Nanking was far from the worst think the Imperial Japanese Army did. The descriptions of the army going on a wild rampage in the Philippines at the end of the war, killing and raping, because they knew they were going to die, were practically unreadable for me.
I know this is completely off the wall, but is it possible Starmer and Streeting have done some sort of deal that keeps Starmer in power and the other non viable candidates out (while Starmer has been terrible, I'm struggling to see anyone who looks any any better in the PLP, and so change of leader right now would not be good for the country) with some sort of sweetener for Streeting further down the line? So basically we are going to see some sort of staged performance play out if the next few days with the aim of maintaining the status quo? Or is this too devious for the Labour Party?
That would require a level of competency we haven't seen from either Wes or SKS..
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
+ if Ed has done a decent job he will be the David Cameron safe pair of hands in the election.
Perhaps people might consider that like Ed John Sweeny was ousted by his Party and he just won an election with more MSP's than his four main rivals put together.
I know this is completely off the wall, but is it possible Starmer and Streeting have done some sort of deal that keeps Starmer in power and the other non viable candidates out (while Starmer has been terrible, I'm struggling to see anyone who looks any any better in the PLP, and so change of leader right now would not be good for the country) with some sort of sweetener for Streeting further down the line? So basically we are going to see some sort of staged performance play out if the next few days with the aim of maintaining the status quo? Or is this too devious for the Labour Party?
That would require a level of competency we haven't seen from either Wes or SKS..
To be fair, mastering internal Labour party politics is the one thing you can give Starmer credit for.
Katie Hopkins @KTHopkins On behalf of their client, Zara Sultana, Bindmans Media and Information Law Practise Group requires that I publish the following statement on X, and that such statement must be clearly visible and pinned to my profile for a continuous period of no less than 24 hours:
“On 30 March 2026, I published a post on my X account addressed to Zarah Sultana in which I stated that she encourages and incites violence and is friends with terrorists.
Those statements are false. I was wrong and offer my sincere apologies to Ms Sultana for the harm and distress caused to her.”
It is my very great pleasure to do this, and I reiterate my sincere and repeated offer to meet with Miss Zara Sultana in person to resolve our differences.
"Very great pleasure". Sure
"It is my very great pleasure to do this,"... given the alternatives.
Why? Let’s see how he does if given the chance. Surely he will be better than the last 4 or 5 Prime Ministers. That of course is a ridiculously low bar…
Moderate Labour MPs are urging Wes Streeting not to trigger a contest - warning he will lose to a more left-wing candidate.
Luke Akehurst tells me:
"Wes is a huge talent and someone I’ve considered a political ally for about two decades. I would urge him not to throw the party into further chaos by resigning.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
Polanski won't be leader by then
If the Parliamentary Privileges Commissioner takes his role seriously Farage might not even be an MP.
Do Ed fans on here actually want him to face the electorate at the next general election given that they, the voters, rejected him more than 10 years ago, or would he just be there for a short time before being replaced by someone else before the next election?
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
And Miliband was up against a falsely positive view of Cameron - who was flattered by being forced to be in a coalition with the LDs who (with hindsight) significantly restricted the Conservatives' ability to do bonkers stuff, as subsequent events have shown.
I don't know about others but I'm seeing some of the details from the latest report on the October 7 atrocities on my social media. I can't say I want to read it all in detail but it comes across as the most disgusting, depraved, sadistic, purposefully cruel thing I've ever seen. Someone like Sean F will know more with regard to behaviour in other wars and how rare it is but let us reflect on two and a half years of protest on our streets by people who it is hard to imagine ever considering any of that and many would probably deny it happened. We shouldn't hide our anger about what has happened to this country.
I don't think the sadistic acts perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th are that unusual. British forces fighting the Indian Mutiny in 1857 did horrific things, and Russian forces in Ukraine also.
What arguably sets the events of October 7th apart is that atrocities were not committed following a battle to take territory. The atrocities on October 7th were the entire purpose of the attacks. They were the beginning and end of the Hamas strategy.
The Russians certainly committed horrific rape and torture. But the bodily mutilation? And of course the cruelty of sending the videos to the relatives so they could see what was happening to their loved ones. I suppose that's only been a modern phenomenon.
People support Israel out on the streets of Britain despite the IDF doing this, whilst the Israeli government doesn't prosecute the guilty parties and passes Apartheid like laws.
The New York Times has been repeatedly tricked by Palestinian terrorists into publishing false stories that end up requiring major corrections or “editor’s notes.”
Perhaps they were just trying to get in ahead of the Oct7 report of what Hamas were doing.
Exactly. Truly embarrassing of TSE to be repeating a widely discredit bull***t report from the NYT. Of course Israel is capable of committing war crimes. No country isn't. But the attempt at moral equivalence is astonishing. Hamas's actions were not the exception but the norm.
And I have to say that if Israel had committed the kind of atrocities that we saw on October 7 and then we'd immediately had endless pro Israel marches on our streets I would have been appalled by it. Many British Jews are certainly supportive of Israel but they're generally pretty moderate. Take Lord Danny Finkelstein. He wrote a piece after October 7 setting out his Zionism and support for Israel. But he also acknowledged that Palestinians had a right to self determination and a state of their own. It was an attempt to build bridges and get dialogue going between both sides. And he didn't get a single response. Nobody on the pro Palestine side wanted to engage in any dialogue with him. There is nothing constructive there. Just blind fanaticism and a projection of their resentment and grievance at our own society.
We can't just blame TSE for falling for ludicrous news stories. The NYT is arguably the most prestigious newspaper in the western world. Yet this cancer is not the product of backstreet chatter or social media bile. It's infected what would once have been called the chattering classes. The supposedly educated and informed. Getting rid of it will be a huge task.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
I don't know about others but I'm seeing some of the details from the latest report on the October 7 atrocities on my social media. I can't say I want to read it all in detail but it comes across as the most disgusting, depraved, sadistic, purposefully cruel thing I've ever seen. Someone like Sean F will know more with regard to behaviour in other wars and how rare it is but let us reflect on two and a half years of protest on our streets by people who it is hard to imagine ever considering any of that and many would probably deny it happened. We shouldn't hide our anger about what has happened to this country.
It's the sort of stuff that Sturmbrigade Dirlewanger, or some units of the Imperial Japanese Army, did. I tried to read Iris Chang's account of the Rape of Nanking, and and I had to give up, it was so nauseating. I doubt if anyone will ever write a history of the Dirlewangers, because no one would have the stomach for it.
Have you read the Ian Toll Pacific War Trilogy?
The Rape of Nanking was far from the worst think the Imperial Japanese Army did. The descriptions of the army going on a wild rampage in the Philippines at the end of the war, killing and raping, because they knew they were going to die, were practically unreadable for me.
Oh yes, I read Max Hastings' account. Then there was the Three Alls Campaign in China (Kill All, Burn All, Destroy All). If you think their treatment of European prisoners was bad (it was), it was nothing to their treatment of Chinese prisoners.
I genuinely and sincerely believe that Andy Burnham is what Labour need. But he is reliant on snookers to even get access to the leadership contest to come.
Given a choice of Milliband or Streeting I'd take Ed any day of the week. We need some radical solutions to our crises and he has shown that he can think laterally and put forward policies which are challenging - whether you agree with them or not.
Do Ed fans on here actually want him to face the electorate at the next general election given that they, the voters, rejected him more than 10 years ago, or would he just be there for a short time before being replaced by someone else before the next election?
Perhaps that is Burnham's cunning plan. It would be his worst cunning plan.
Do Ed fans on here actually want him to face the electorate at the next general election given that they, the voters, rejected him more than 10 years ago, or would he just be there for a short time before being replaced by someone else before the next election?
Let’s see how he does? The person who beat him in 2015 started the sharp downward spiral for this country. Democracy is no panacea as we all know. It often leads to very sub optimal outcomes. Let’s just give him a chance and see how he does. He might surprise even you Andy!
I genuinely and sincerely believe that Andy Burnham is what Labour need. But he is reliant on snookers to even get access to the leadership contest to come.
Given a choice of Milliband or Streeting I'd take Ed any day of the week. We need some radical solutions to our crises and he has shown that he can think laterally and put forward policies which are challenging - whether you agree with them or not.
Streeting would clearly be a disaster. Noone has a good word to say about him.
Ed might struggle to get re-elected but there is a chance he might do something with 2-3 years and their huge majority. And doing *something* might just be the magic route to winning back some lost votes.
Do Ed fans on here actually want him to face the electorate at the next general election given that they, the voters, rejected him more than 10 years ago, or would he just be there for a short time before being replaced by someone else before the next election?
It would depend how he did wouldn't it. He was up against the incumbent last time, this time he would be the incumbent and facing a right split between Farage and Badenoch, not the same circumstances.
I genuinely and sincerely believe that Andy Burnham is what Labour need. But he is reliant on snookers to even get access to the leadership contest to come.
Given a choice of Milliband or Streeting I'd take Ed any day of the week. We need some radical solutions to our crises and he has shown that he can think laterally and put forward policies which are challenging - whether you agree with them or not.
I don't share your view of Burnham, I just see him as full of himself and consistently showing poor judgment.
I do agree with you on Milliband. Streeting has limited real world and ministerial experience and doesn't have much to offer except more small c conservatism. Milliband might make something actually happen.
Do Ed fans on here actually want him to face the electorate at the next general election given that they, the voters, rejected him more than 10 years ago, or would he just be there for a short time before being replaced by someone else before the next election?
It would depend how he did wouldn't it. He was up against the incumbent last time, this time he would be the incumbent and facing a right split between Farage and Badenoch, not the same circumstances.
"It's been revealed that far-left Green party leader Zack Polanski is currently living in a £2m 5-bedroom Hackney townhouse.
Data says 0.5% of the population live in a house worth more than £2m".
Translation He lives in one room and shares rental with other occupants. While we are at it he travels around in a £10m vehicle also known as a Tube train.
Hell of a hailstorm here, I know a few have noted them. About 80% ground cover on the drive, quickly melting, rivulets forming along the street. I hope the level of icing hasn't made driving difficult as the wife will be on commute. The thunder and lightning continue but the hail has abated.
"It's been revealed that far-left Green party leader Zack Polanski is currently living in a £2m 5-bedroom Hackney townhouse.
Data says 0.5% of the population live in a house worth more than £2m".
Translation He lives in one room and shares rental with other occupants. While we are at it he travels around in a £10m vehicle also known as a Tube train.
Bastard Hypocrite
Vince Cable, when a Minister in the Coalition , travelled to Westminster by Tube.
Do Ed fans on here actually want him to face the electorate at the next general election given that they, the voters, rejected him more than 10 years ago, or would he just be there for a short time before being replaced by someone else before the next election?
In 2015 Miliband gained seats in England, just lost them in Scotland to the SNP, and the Tories gained Lib Dem seats.
You could just as easily say that Farage has been rejected multiple times at GE.
Is he the best availible option for Labour? Probably so.
This reminds me a little bit of the US comedy series Soap - their recaps of the story so far.
Streeting might now be worried that if he pulls the trigger it's Ed. Ed is hoping nobody notices that he had phone lines installed weeks ago. Angela feels left out and is considering making up with Keir. Andy is telling himself and anyone that'll listen that he deserves this. and military Al has got his full set of toy soldiers laid out in a battleplan.
I don't know about others but I'm seeing some of the details from the latest report on the October 7 atrocities on my social media. I can't say I want to read it all in detail but it comes across as the most disgusting, depraved, sadistic, purposefully cruel thing I've ever seen. Someone like Sean F will know more with regard to behaviour in other wars and how rare it is but let us reflect on two and a half years of protest on our streets by people who it is hard to imagine ever considering any of that and many would probably deny it happened. We shouldn't hide our anger about what has happened to this country.
I don't think the sadistic acts perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th are that unusual. British forces fighting the Indian Mutiny in 1857 did horrific things, and Russian forces in Ukraine also.
What arguably sets the events of October 7th apart is that atrocities were not committed following a battle to take territory. The atrocities on October 7th were the entire purpose of the attacks. They were the beginning and end of the Hamas strategy.
The Russians certainly committed horrific rape and torture. But the bodily mutilation? And of course the cruelty of sending the videos to the relatives so they could see what was happening to their loved ones. I suppose that's only been a modern phenomenon.
People support Israel out on the streets of Britain despite the IDF doing this, whilst the Israeli government doesn't prosecute the guilty parties and passes Apartheid like laws.
The New York Times has been repeatedly tricked by Palestinian terrorists into publishing false stories that end up requiring major corrections or “editor’s notes.”
Perhaps they were just trying to get in ahead of the Oct7 report of what Hamas were doing.
Exactly. Truly embarrassing of TSE to be repeating a widely discredit bull***t report from the NYT. Of course Israel is capable of committing war crimes. No country isn't. But the attempt at moral equivalence is astonishing. Hamas's actions were not the exception but the norm.
And I have to say that if Israel had committed the kind of atrocities that we saw on October 7 and then we'd immediately had endless pro Israel marches on our streets I would have been appalled by it. Many British Jews are certainly supportive of Israel but they're generally pretty moderate. Take Lord Danny Finkelstein. He wrote a piece after October 7 setting out his Zionism and support for Israel. But he also acknowledged that Palestinians had a right to self determination and a state of their own. It was an attempt to build bridges and get dialogue going between both sides. And he didn't get a single response. Nobody on the pro Palestine side wanted to engage in any dialogue with him. There is nothing constructive there. Just blind fanaticism and a projection of their resentment and grievance at our own society.
We can't just blame TSE for falling for ludicrous news stories. The NYT is arguably the most prestigious newspaper in the western world. Yet this cancer is not the product of backstreet chatter or social media bile. It's infected what would once have been called the chattering classes. The supposedly educated and informed. Getting rid of it will be a huge task.
Astonishing that you use a picture of the Hitch really.
Nigelb - Thanks for the tip on the Disraeli novel, and my apologies for being slow to say so. (Monday's weaher here was close to perfect, and Tuesday's was quite good. But it is raining here today, which will encourage me to catch up on things.)
This reminds me a little bit of the US comedy series Soap - their recaps of the story so far.
Streeting might now be worried that if he pulls the trigger it's Ed. Ed is hoping nobody notices that he had phone lines installed weeks ago. Angela feels left out and is considering making up with Keir. Andy is telling himself and anyone that'll listen that he deserves this. and military Al has got his full set of toy soldiers laid out in a battleplan.
What could happen next? Find out in today's Soap!
Why does anyone need phone lines installed nowadays?
I don't know about others but I'm seeing some of the details from the latest report on the October 7 atrocities on my social media. I can't say I want to read it all in detail but it comes across as the most disgusting, depraved, sadistic, purposefully cruel thing I've ever seen. Someone like Sean F will know more with regard to behaviour in other wars and how rare it is but let us reflect on two and a half years of protest on our streets by people who it is hard to imagine ever considering any of that and many would probably deny it happened. We shouldn't hide our anger about what has happened to this country.
I don't think the sadistic acts perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th are that unusual. British forces fighting the Indian Mutiny in 1857 did horrific things, and Russian forces in Ukraine also.
What arguably sets the events of October 7th apart is that atrocities were not committed following a battle to take territory. The atrocities on October 7th were the entire purpose of the attacks. They were the beginning and end of the Hamas strategy.
The Russians certainly committed horrific rape and torture. But the bodily mutilation? And of course the cruelty of sending the videos to the relatives so they could see what was happening to their loved ones. I suppose that's only been a modern phenomenon.
People support Israel out on the streets of Britain despite the IDF doing this, whilst the Israeli government doesn't prosecute the guilty parties and passes Apartheid like laws.
The New York Times has been repeatedly tricked by Palestinian terrorists into publishing false stories that end up requiring major corrections or “editor’s notes.”
Perhaps they were just trying to get in ahead of the Oct7 report of what Hamas were doing.
Exactly. Truly embarrassing of TSE to be repeating a widely discredit bull***t report from the NYT. Of course Israel is capable of committing war crimes. No country isn't. But the attempt at moral equivalence is astonishing. Hamas's actions were not the exception but the norm.
And I have to say that if Israel had committed the kind of atrocities that we saw on October 7 and then we'd immediately had endless pro Israel marches on our streets I would have been appalled by it. Many British Jews are certainly supportive of Israel but they're generally pretty moderate. Take Lord Danny Finkelstein. He wrote a piece after October 7 setting out his Zionism and support for Israel. But he also acknowledged that Palestinians had a right to self determination and a state of their own. It was an attempt to build bridges and get dialogue going between both sides. And he didn't get a single response. Nobody on the pro Palestine side wanted to engage in any dialogue with him. There is nothing constructive there. Just blind fanaticism and a projection of their resentment and grievance at our own society.
We can't just blame TSE for falling for ludicrous news stories. The NYT is arguably the most prestigious newspaper in the western world. Yet this cancer is not the product of backstreet chatter or social media bile. It's infected what would once have been called the chattering classes. The supposedly educated and informed. Getting rid of it will be a huge task.
Astonishing that you use a picture of the Hitch really.
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
So the soft left want to put in place a leader who has already been rejected by the country ! They’re insane . Why don’t they just collapse the government so we can dispense with the 3 years of Labour MPs pretending he can win an election and go right to the bit where Reform take over !
It was more than a decade ago, that's fine for a second chance.
Bad idea though.
And the alternative was David Cameron.
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
And Miliband was up against a falsely positive view of Cameron - who was flattered by being forced to be in a coalition with the LDs who (with hindsight) significantly restricted the Conservatives' ability to do bonkers stuff, as subsequent events have shown.
What really did for Miliband was Scotland. He gained seats from both Tories and Lib Dems elsewhere.
This reminds me a little bit of the US comedy series Soap - their recaps of the story so far.
Streeting might now be worried that if he pulls the trigger it's Ed. Ed is hoping nobody notices that he had phone lines installed weeks ago. Angela feels left out and is considering making up with Keir. Andy is telling himself and anyone that'll listen that he deserves this. and military Al has got his full set of toy soldiers laid out in a battleplan.
What could happen next? Find out in today's Soap!
Why does anyone need phone lines installed nowadays?
I think he's using the plan he copied from his brother's scrapbook.
"It's been revealed that far-left Green party leader Zack Polanski is currently living in a £2m 5-bedroom Hackney townhouse.
Data says 0.5% of the population live in a house worth more than £2m".
Translation He lives in one room and shares rental with other occupants. While we are at it he travels around in a £10m vehicle also known as a Tube train.
Bastard Hypocrite
Vince Cable, when a Minister in the Coalition , travelled to Westminster by Tube.
Comments
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/opinion/israel-palestinians-sexual-violence.html
Could Ed Miliband succeed Keir Starmer?
Senior figures on the soft left say Angela Rayner just isn't up to it. There are concerns she would be a 'complete liability' - and that's before you get to the outstanding HMRC inquiry
Andy Burnham is struggling to find a seat. And even if he finds a seat, secures NEC approval and manages to win it - none of which is a given - he wouldn't be in Westminster for months
We reported today that Miliband has explicitly told Cabinet colleagues that he would be prepared to stand if Streeting triggered a contest. This was denied by those close to Miliband
But ministers are today saying that it will have to be him if Streeting goes over the top. The soft-left can only have one candidate, and at the moment he is the logical choice...
https://x.com/Steven_Swinford/status/2054552677300744273
He might still try but the sense of urgency is fading.
hmmm, I may pop out to Waitrose after work.
Follow no-one at all.
Do whatever you have to do (can't remember what it was) to make sure you can access X but never post anything.
Look at Matt once a day except when he goes on holiday and his days off.
Have a couple of X accounts in mind to look at when stuff happens (eg Swinford), who will both inform and direct you to others.
Never look below the line, for this way madness lies (but this applies to X, not PB where madness is partial and qualified)
Finally, the best filter and pointer is a site called Political Betting where nice people look at stuff so you don't have to.
https://x.com/danfriedman81/status/2054376055209701519
The New York Times has been repeatedly tricked by Palestinian terrorists into publishing false stories that end up requiring major corrections or “editor’s notes.”
Perhaps they were just trying to get in ahead of the Oct7 report of what Hamas were doing.
Katie Hopkins
@KTHopkins
On behalf of their client, Zara Sultana, Bindmans Media and Information Law Practise Group requires that I publish the following statement on X, and that such statement must be clearly visible and pinned to my
profile for a continuous period of no less than 24 hours:
“On 30 March 2026, I published a post on my X account addressed to Zarah Sultana in which I stated that she encourages and incites violence and is friends with terrorists.
Those statements are false. I was wrong and offer my sincere apologies to Ms Sultana for the harm and distress caused to her.”
It is my very great pleasure to do this, and I reiterate my sincere and repeated offer to meet with Miss Zara Sultana in person to resolve our differences.
@zarahsultana
·
4h
By the way, for future reference it’s Z-A-R-A-H.
The nine Israeli soldiers suspected of the abuse were to appear before a military court Tuesday. Israelis have been rattled by the events, which have highlighted the deep political divisions in the country.
A member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, speaking Monday at a meeting of lawmakers, justified the rape and abuse of Palestinian prisoners, shouting angrily at colleagues questioning the alleged behavior that anything was legitimate to do to "terrorists" in custody.
Lawmaker Hanoch Milwidsky was asked as he defended the alleged abuse whether it was legitimate, "to insert a stick into a person's rectum?"
"Yes!" he shouted in reply to his fellow parliamentarian. "If he is a Nukhba [Hamas militant], everything is legitimate to do! Everything!"
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-hamas-war-idf-palestinian-prisoner-alleged-rape-sde-teinman-abuse-protest/
So a contest at the moment with Burnham as a candidate wouldn't follow the Labour party's rulebook.
There’s precisely no evidence for any of the depictions in the NYT piece, which even they categorise as “opinion”.
"Labour has lost control of Gateshead Council for the first time in 52 years after Reform UK won a majority of seats.
Newly elected Reform councillor Fiona Pearce said people felt a vote for Labour was "just voting for the status quo".
Martin Gannon, who has worked as a Gateshead councillor since 1984 and led the council for 10 years, was one of a number of Labour politicians to lose their seats.
He said people across the country were "angry and dissatisfied".
"And I don't blame them - I feel exactly the same way," he said."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74rzngng8jo
By throwing his hat in the ring now, he has a smallish chance. If he waits any longer, that chance goes in a puff of smoke.
Bad idea though.
Mind you I am not keen on Streeting either, but he's head and shoulders better than Miliband.
So given thats not going to happen short term I will likely be in the Greens till GE2029
Just imagine if you lot had voted Labour and EICIPM like myself back in 2015, we would had chaos back then. Instead you fools voted Tory for a strong and stable government! LOLz
In 2028/9 the alternative will be Farage or Polanski.
Andy Burnham is by far the most popular Labour politician but you called him a wanker so that says it all Pete.
You do not want to stop Reform you want the right wing cult to retain control despite the worst results EVER
Aubrey Allegretti
@breeallegretti
Moderate Labour MPs are urging Wes Streeting not to trigger a contest - warning he will lose to a more left-wing candidate.
Luke Akehurst tells me:
"Wes is a huge talent and someone I’ve considered a political ally for about two decades. I would urge him not to throw the party into further chaos by resigning.
...
https://x.com/breeallegretti/status/2054582742055079975
Never underestimate a lawyer!
Saying Burnham has found a seat but Sky awaits confirmation
The Rape of Nanking was far from the worst think the Imperial Japanese Army did. The descriptions of the army going on a wild rampage in the Philippines at the end of the war, killing and raping, because they knew they were going to die, were practically unreadable for me.
Peter.
And I have to say that if Israel had committed the kind of atrocities that we saw on October 7 and then we'd immediately had endless pro Israel marches on our streets I would have been appalled by it. Many British Jews are certainly supportive of Israel but they're generally pretty moderate. Take Lord Danny Finkelstein. He wrote a piece after October 7 setting out his Zionism and support for Israel. But he also acknowledged that Palestinians had a right to self determination and a state of their own. It was an attempt to build bridges and get dialogue going between both sides. And he didn't get a single response. Nobody on the pro Palestine side wanted to engage in any dialogue with him. There is nothing constructive there. Just blind fanaticism and a projection of their resentment and grievance at our own society.
We can't just blame TSE for falling for ludicrous news stories. The NYT is arguably the most prestigious newspaper in the western world. Yet this cancer is not the product of backstreet chatter or social media bile. It's infected what would once have been called the chattering classes. The supposedly educated and informed. Getting rid of it will be a huge task.
Is he up for the fight? Hell yeah.
Given a choice of Milliband or Streeting I'd take Ed any day of the week. We need some radical solutions to our crises and he has shown that he can think laterally and put forward policies which are challenging - whether you agree with them or not.
He is just unable to show this as PM. I wonder if like Ed M in 10 years he will project himself differently.
Whoever stands against him wins
WSWNBPM
Ed might struggle to get re-elected but there is a chance he might do something with 2-3 years and their huge majority. And doing *something* might just be the magic route to winning back some lost votes.
He was up against the incumbent last time, this time he would be the incumbent and facing a right split between Farage and Badenoch, not the same circumstances.
I do agree with you on Milliband. Streeting has limited real world and ministerial experience and doesn't have much to offer except more small c conservatism. Milliband might make something actually happen.
Wilson lost an election in 1970, stayed a leader and came back to win in 1974.
Mind, if Heath had had any sense and offered Jeremy Thorpe some acceptable form of PR in February 74 Wilson would have stayed LOTO!
Data says 0.5% of the population live in a house worth more than £2m".
Translation He lives in one room and shares rental with other occupants. While we are at it he travels around in a £10m vehicle also known as a Tube train.
Bastard Hypocrite
You could just as easily say that Farage has been rejected multiple times at GE.
Is he the best availible option for Labour? Probably so.
Streeting might now be worried that if he pulls the trigger it's Ed.
Ed is hoping nobody notices that he had phone lines installed weeks ago.
Angela feels left out and is considering making up with Keir.
Andy is telling himself and anyone that'll listen that he deserves this.
and military Al has got his full set of toy soldiers laid out in a battleplan.
What could happen next? Find out in today's Soap!
"Reform UK secured a stunning victory in St Helens as the incumbent Labour administration were all but wiped out in the Merseyside borough.
Nigel Farage's party claimed 34 of the 48 seats that make up the council - having previously held none.
To compound Labour's misery, council leader Anthony Burns lost his seat to Reform in the Blackbrook ward."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g42xleqvpo