Am I the only non right winger on here who couldn't give a shiny one if Burnham loses? There would be a certain just deserts element to a loss.
Just picture Farage's gurning mug tomorrow morning if you need help rooting for Burnham.
He's already whinging about the role played by Lowe in their defeat. Doesn't sound very confident to me. Mind you, he was doing the same at Brexit.
When I went to bed on Brexit night Farage had conceded defeat. Betfair was heading towards 100% on that news. When I got up the following morning Dimbleby said we were leaving. I bet the f***** made a killing.
I've not doubt some did but the reality is that he was so far away from the main campaign that he really didn't have a clue how it was going. Its bordering on the ridiculous that he gets much credit for the result.
The Foreign Office has dropped its advice against travelling to Dubai, but warned British citizens that "the situation remains unpredictable" in the region. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cddl29lg5gro
President Trump's done a peace dividend.
That might help with some indirect flight routings, but no-one wants to visit Dubai in the summer!
45ºC today, and it’s not going to be cooler or less humid until about the end of September!
Some really cheap hotel deals out there at the moment though.
What if the Conservatives fail at Aberdeen South, maybe finishing third as at the General. Dare I say it , "12 hours to save Badenoch's position and political career"!!! This seems to have been ignored with all the attention on Burnham.
As I pointed out she's failed every electoral challenge she's faced as leader.
Yes, that is what keeps her approval rating up amongst non-Tories 🤣🤣🤣
Yes. Who am I to disagree with the oracle that is the PB Tory massiv?
Am I the only non right winger on here who couldn't give a shiny one if Burnham loses? There would be a certain just deserts element to a loss.
Just picture Farage's gurning mug tomorrow morning if you need help rooting for Burnham.
He's already whinging about the role played by Lowe in their defeat. Doesn't sound very confident to me. Mind you, he was doing the same at Brexit.
Farage seems to have gone to ground. Has he made it up to Makerfield recently?
Dunno, I pay as little attention to him as I can get away with.
Generally politicians like to associate with success and victory, which presumably is why half the PLP have been doorknocking in Makerfield.
So a sign that the canvassing results are looking good would have Farage in Makerfield and Badenoch in Aberdeen. I see that Kemi did make a visit a couple of days ago, but did Farage?
Man arrested after boy injured in zoo crocodile enclosure A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was left with critical injuries after ending up in a crocodile enclosure. ... The boy was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital with serious injuries and is in a critical but stable condition
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and officers added that they do not believe the man and child were known to each other. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx50n2vj74o
FFS.
I mean, it's Norfolk, so they probably are related.
I'm going out on a limb here but conceivably any man who throws 3-year-olds into crocodile enclosures is not playing with a full deck, to use the legal expression.
Man arrested after boy injured in zoo crocodile enclosure A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was left with critical injuries after ending up in a crocodile enclosure. ... The boy was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital with serious injuries and is in a critical but stable condition
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and officers added that they do not believe the man and child were known to each other. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx50n2vj74o
FFS.
I mean, it's Norfolk, so they probably are related.
Man arrested after boy injured in zoo crocodile enclosure A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was left with critical injuries after ending up in a crocodile enclosure. ... The boy was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital with serious injuries and is in a critical but stable condition
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and officers added that they do not believe the man and child were known to each other. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx50n2vj74o
FFS.
I mean, it's Norfolk, so they probably are related.
I'm going out on a limb here but conceivably any man who throws 3-year-olds into crocodile enclosures is not playing with a full deck, to use the legal expression.
It's a bit like that little French lad that was thrown from a balcony at the Tate Modern by an evil tw@t.
Man arrested after boy injured in zoo crocodile enclosure A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was left with critical injuries after ending up in a crocodile enclosure. ... The boy was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital with serious injuries and is in a critical but stable condition
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and officers added that they do not believe the man and child were known to each other. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx50n2vj74o
FFS.
I mean, it's Norfolk, so they probably are related.
I'm going out on a limb here but conceivably any man who throws 3-year-olds into crocodile enclosures is not playing with a full deck, to use the legal expression.
There was someone who chucked a random child off thetop of the Tate a few years back.
Man arrested after boy injured in zoo crocodile enclosure A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was left with critical injuries after ending up in a crocodile enclosure. ... The boy was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital with serious injuries and is in a critical but stable condition
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and officers added that they do not believe the man and child were known to each other. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx50n2vj74o
FFS.
I mean, it's Norfolk, so they probably are related.
I'm going out on a limb here but conceivably any man who throws 3-year-olds into crocodile enclosures is not playing with a full deck, to use the legal expression.
It's a bit like that little French lad that was thrown from a balcony at the Tate Modern by an evil tw@t.
What's wrong with people?
A mentally ill evil twat; last known address, Broadmoor.
Am I the only non right winger on here who couldn't give a shiny one if Burnham loses? There would be a certain just deserts element to a loss.
Just picture Farage's gurning mug tomorrow morning if you need help rooting for Burnham.
He's already whinging about the role played by Lowe in their defeat. Doesn't sound very confident to me. Mind you, he was doing the same at Brexit.
Farage seems to have gone to ground. Has he made it up to Makerfield recently?
Dunno, I pay as little attention to him as I can get away with.
Generally politicians like to associate with success and victory, which presumably is why half the PLP have been doorknocking in Makerfield.
So a sign that the canvassing results are looking good would have Farage in Makerfield and Badenoch in Aberdeen. I see that Kemi did make a visit a couple of days ago, but did Farage?
Farage's twitter is very active today with photos of him out and about in Makerfield, so he's not trying to pretend the by-election isn't happening, or doesn't matter.
So on that measure of the campaign it looks foreboding for Burnham.
31% likely to consider voting Labour would probably enough for them to overtake Reform. If Restpre do well tonight and eat into the Reform vote that would also boost Labour and the Tories
Am I the only non right winger on here who couldn't give a shiny one if Burnham loses? There would be a certain just deserts element to a loss.
Just picture Farage's gurning mug tomorrow morning if you need help rooting for Burnham.
He's already whinging about the role played by Lowe in their defeat. Doesn't sound very confident to me. Mind you, he was doing the same at Brexit.
Farage seems to have gone to ground. Has he made it up to Makerfield recently?
Dunno, I pay as little attention to him as I can get away with.
Generally politicians like to associate with success and victory, which presumably is why half the PLP have been doorknocking in Makerfield.
So a sign that the canvassing results are looking good would have Farage in Makerfield and Badenoch in Aberdeen. I see that Kemi did make a visit a couple of days ago, but did Farage?
Farage's twitter is very active today with photos of him out and about in Makerfield, so he's not trying to pretend the by-election isn't happening, or doesn't matter.
So on that measure of the campaign it looks foreboding for Burnham.
He's been there twice more in the last week (unless he stored up a bunch of photos on his first visit...)
What if the Conservatives fail at Aberdeen South, maybe finishing third as at the General. Dare I say it , "12 hours to save Badenoch's position and political career"!!! This seems to have been ignored with all the attention on Burnham.
As I pointed out she's failed every electoral challenge she's faced as leader.
I thought that Kemi kicked ass in the May locals? HY told me so.
(They did have a modicum of success in Bradford, as it turns out.)
Kemi led the Tories to gain Westminster, Enfield, Wandsworth and holding Kensington and Chelsea, Harlow, Fareham, Bromley, Hillingdon, Bexley, Broxbourne and Hampshire.
A win in Aberdeen South tonight would be the icing on the cake 😀
Am I the only non right winger on here who couldn't give a shiny one if Burnham loses? There would be a certain just deserts element to a loss.
Just picture Farage's gurning mug tomorrow morning if you need help rooting for Burnham.
He's already whinging about the role played by Lowe in their defeat. Doesn't sound very confident to me. Mind you, he was doing the same at Brexit.
Farage seems to have gone to ground. Has he made it up to Makerfield recently?
Dunno, I pay as little attention to him as I can get away with.
Generally politicians like to associate with success and victory, which presumably is why half the PLP have been doorknocking in Makerfield.
So a sign that the canvassing results are looking good would have Farage in Makerfield and Badenoch in Aberdeen. I see that Kemi did make a visit a couple of days ago, but did Farage?
Farage's twitter is very active today with photos of him out and about in Makerfield, so he's not trying to pretend the by-election isn't happening, or doesn't matter.
So on that measure of the campaign it looks foreboding for Burnham.
But is he actually in Makerfield? One of the broadcasts is of him in WIGAN with a "random voter" who is actually a Reform councillor. Not just any Reform councillor either - the one standing by a sign saying "I'd rather vote for Jimmy Savile than Labour".
I'm sure we used to get a lot more juicy gossip from by-elections 10 or 15 years ago than we seem to do today.
All changed 16 years ago.
A Labour MP has been given a police caution following an allegation of electoral fraud.
Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy, external revealed the results of a sample of postal votes on the social networking site Twitter days before the general election.
It is illegal to reveal the votes cast before the end of polling day as it may influence the outcome of the election.
Ms McCarthy, shadow Treasury minister and her party's "Twitter tsar", apologised after the gaffe.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "Police have confirmed that they have cautioned a man and a woman, both from Bristol, following an investigation into alleged election fraud earlier this year under the Representation of the People Act 1983."
Man arrested after boy injured in zoo crocodile enclosure A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was left with critical injuries after ending up in a crocodile enclosure. ... The boy was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital with serious injuries and is in a critical but stable condition
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and officers added that they do not believe the man and child were known to each other. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx50n2vj74o
FFS.
I mean, it's Norfolk, so they probably are related.
I'm going out on a limb here but conceivably any man who throws 3-year-olds into crocodile enclosures is not playing with a full deck, to use the legal expression.
This will be pretty devasting for them. My local farm shop. Gone from a butchers to a zoo over the years. All set up for kids, would be loads of pre-school types there today in the early afternoon. I believe I'm aware of what happened and 'who' it was (not specifically). Think there will be a variety of traumatised people, very sad.
I'm sure we used to get a lot more juicy gossip from by-elections 10 or 15 years ago than we seem to do today.
All changed 16 years ago.
A Labour MP has been given a police caution following an allegation of electoral fraud.
Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy, external revealed the results of a sample of postal votes on the social networking site Twitter days before the general election.
It is illegal to reveal the votes cast before the end of polling day as it may influence the outcome of the election.
Ms McCarthy, shadow Treasury minister and her party's "Twitter tsar", apologised after the gaffe.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "Police have confirmed that they have cautioned a man and a woman, both from Bristol, following an investigation into alleged election fraud earlier this year under the Representation of the People Act 1983."
What if the Conservatives fail at Aberdeen South, maybe finishing third as at the General. Dare I say it , "12 hours to save Badenoch's position and political career"!!! This seems to have been ignored with all the attention on Burnham.
As I pointed out she's failed every electoral challenge she's faced as leader.
I thought that Kemi kicked ass in the May locals? HY told me so.
(They did have a modicum of success in Bradford, as it turns out.)
Kemi led the Tories to gain Westminster, Enfield, Wandsworth and holding Kensington and Chelsea, Harlow, Fareham, Bromley, Hillingdon, Bexley, Broxbourne and Hampshire.
A win in Aberdeen South tonight would be the icing on the cake 😀
That short list was crumbs from the table, compared to the huge losses inflicted on the Tories in the rest of the country. A huge arc in the South East. The North West. Scotland. Wales. But I concede, not Bradford. A net gain, and second in seats behind Reform.
So if you win in Aberdeen South, that will be icing on the crumbs.
"Matt Goodwin @GoodwinMJ Having been in Makerfield all day & seen the Restore operation up close I can confidently say these are the last people Britain needs.
Do you know who they remind me of? The pro-Gaza independents.
Thugs. And Bullies.
It doesn’t matter what the result is. Their activists are a disgrace.
I'm sure we used to get a lot more juicy gossip from by-elections 10 or 15 years ago than we seem to do today.
All changed 16 years ago.
A Labour MP has been given a police caution following an allegation of electoral fraud.
Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy, external revealed the results of a sample of postal votes on the social networking site Twitter days before the general election.
It is illegal to reveal the votes cast before the end of polling day as it may influence the outcome of the election.
Ms McCarthy, shadow Treasury minister and her party's "Twitter tsar", apologised after the gaffe.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "Police have confirmed that they have cautioned a man and a woman, both from Bristol, following an investigation into alleged election fraud earlier this year under the Representation of the People Act 1983."
Man arrested after boy injured in zoo crocodile enclosure A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was left with critical injuries after ending up in a crocodile enclosure. ... The boy was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital with serious injuries and is in a critical but stable condition
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and officers added that they do not believe the man and child were known to each other. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx50n2vj74o
FFS.
I know the fitting punishment.
I mean, it wouldn't STRICTLY be capital punishment. He might turn out to be a croc-whisperer...
I'm sure we used to get a lot more juicy gossip from by-elections 10 or 15 years ago than we seem to do today.
All changed 16 years ago.
A Labour MP has been given a police caution following an allegation of electoral fraud.
Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy, external revealed the results of a sample of postal votes on the social networking site Twitter days before the general election.
It is illegal to reveal the votes cast before the end of polling day as it may influence the outcome of the election.
Ms McCarthy, shadow Treasury minister and her party's "Twitter tsar", apologised after the gaffe.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "Police have confirmed that they have cautioned a man and a woman, both from Bristol, following an investigation into alleged election fraud earlier this year under the Representation of the People Act 1983."
What if the Conservatives fail at Aberdeen South, maybe finishing third as at the General. Dare I say it , "12 hours to save Badenoch's position and political career"!!! This seems to have been ignored with all the attention on Burnham.
As I pointed out she's failed every electoral challenge she's faced as leader.
I thought that Kemi kicked ass in the May locals? HY told me so.
(They did have a modicum of success in Bradford, as it turns out.)
Kemi led the Tories to gain Westminster, Enfield, Wandsworth and holding Kensington and Chelsea, Harlow, Fareham, Bromley, Hillingdon, Bexley, Broxbourne and Hampshire.
A win in Aberdeen South tonight would be the icing on the cake 😀
Losing seats in Councils you winon a lower vote share is embarrassing. Not cause for celebration.
"Varley's evil and graphic sexual abuse is beyond contempt. I don't believe a general extrapolation should be made because Varley was either, white, male, a teacher or gay."
Well, one of those characteristics is a risk factor for crime - and particularly for sexual crimes against children: being male. His partner was also convicted of various offences. And he, Varley, was not just a teacher but safeguarding lead at his school.
That does not mean that no men should ever adopt. It should mean that those doing the due diligence need to be very very thorough in their assessment - of character, history, motivation, lifestyle, ability to look after a baby, understanding of what looking after a very young baby involves and ability to do so - ie the emotional resilience to cope with a baby's needs and helping him thrive and develop, family support, female involvement, friends, hobbies etc etc . And not just all that.
Those doing the due diligence need a sceptical investigative mind.
The adoption went through pretty quickly. How good, how extensive was the due diligence? Did they pick up his extensive viewing of seriously revolting porn? Did they ask to look at his and his partner's computer and phones? Did they take too much comfort from the fact that he was a teacher and safeguarding lead and so relied on that rather than carry out their own inquiries? This is a classic trap and one which fraudsters and wrongdoers of all types exploit: they get past one check and then never get properly checked again because everyone else relies on that one check. And was this couple really the best set of adoptive parents to be found in Oldham?
Even very intelligent people can be horrifyingly naive about offenders and offences and what stones to turn over to look for them. And very naive about the lengths deviant people like Varley and his partner will go to to satisfy their deviancy.
Remember this case when people start talking about making surrogacy even easier than it is. There are far fewer checks than with adoptions and there has already been one horrific case in the US of two men buying a surrogate baby for the purpose of sexual abuse. Babies are not commodities to be bought and sold.
Man arrested after boy injured in zoo crocodile enclosure A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy was left with critical injuries after ending up in a crocodile enclosure. ... The boy was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital with serious injuries and is in a critical but stable condition
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and officers added that they do not believe the man and child were known to each other. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx50n2vj74o
FFS.
I mean, it's Norfolk, so they probably are related.
I'm going out on a limb here but conceivably any man who throws 3-year-olds into crocodile enclosures is not playing with a full deck, to use the legal expression.
It's a bit like that little French lad that was thrown from a balcony at the Tate Modern by an evil tw@t.
What's wrong with people?
A mentally ill evil twat; last known address, Broadmoor.
Rather sadly the French boy has had a relapse. He was starting to be able to walk again but there has been a setback in his condition. Let's hope that it is only temporary.
"Matt Goodwin @GoodwinMJ Having been in Makerfield all day & seen the Restore operation up close I can confidently say these are the last people Britain needs.
Do you know who they remind me of? The pro-Gaza independents.
Thugs. And Bullies.
It doesn’t matter what the result is. Their activists are a disgrace.
EXCL: Andy Burnham has drafted in former chair of OBR, Richard Hughes, to advise on fiscal rules. Burnham is still trying to live down “in hock to the bond markets” comments Hughes stepped down from OBR in Dec after it leaked the Budget prematurely online
If found guilty and more than a 12 month sentence, then automatic ejection from the Commons. If a custodial sentence of lass than 12 months, then there’s a recall petition, which would probably pass. Or obv if he resigns.
But we don’t even know what the charge is, and innocent until proven guilty and all that.
"Varley's evil and graphic sexual abuse is beyond contempt. I don't believe a general extrapolation should be made because Varley was either, white, male, a teacher or gay."
Well, one of those characteristics is a risk factor for crime - and particularly for sexual crimes against children: being male. His partner was also convicted of various offences. And he, Varley, was not just a teacher but safeguarding lead at his school.
That does not mean that no men should ever adopt. It should mean that those doing the due diligence need to be very very thorough in their assessment - of character, history, motivation, lifestyle, ability to look after a baby, understanding of what looking after a very young baby involves and ability to do so - ie the emotional resilience to cope with a baby's needs and helping him thrive and develop, family support, female involvement, friends, hobbies etc etc . And not just all that.
Those doing the due diligence need a sceptical investigative mind.
The adoption went through pretty quickly. How good, how extensive was the due diligence? Did they pick up his extensive viewing of seriously revolting porn? Did they ask to look at his and his partner's computer and phones? Did they take too much comfort from the fact that he was a teacher and safeguarding lead and so relied on that rather than carry out their own inquiries? This is a classic trap and one which fraudsters and wrongdoers of all types exploit: they get past one check and then never get properly checked again because everyone else relies on that one check. And was this couple really the best set of adoptive parents to be found in Oldham?
Even very intelligent people can be horrifyingly naive about offenders and offences and what stones to turn over to look for them. And very naive about the lengths deviant people like Varley and his partner will go to to satisfy their deviancy.
Remember this case when people start talking about making surrogacy even easier than it is. There are far fewer checks than with adoptions and there has already been one horrific case in the US of two men buying a surrogate baby for the purpose of sexual abuse. Babies are not commodities to be bought and sold.
You raise many good points as to whether social workers did X or Y.
My experience from interacting with them over adult social care is they are under intense time pressure as the caseload is bonkers.
If found guilty and more than a 12 month sentence, then automatic ejection from the Commons. If a custodial sentence of lass than 12 months, then there’s a recall petition, which would probably pass. Or obv if he resigns.
But we don’t even know what the charge is, and innocent until proven guilty and all that.
He flew in the RAF. He travelled to the frontline in Ukraine last year to deliver aid, and was afterwards accused of sending inappropriate “intimate” WhatsApp messages to a translator.
Even though Starmer will likely soon be gone it's nice he's finding time to get some exposure through appearing on the latest video from Chris Spargo (the chap who releases videos about why supermarkets often have clock towers and who makes the common types of public bin - they're great).
What if the Conservatives fail at Aberdeen South, maybe finishing third as at the General. Dare I say it , "12 hours to save Badenoch's position and political career"!!! This seems to have been ignored with all the attention on Burnham.
As I pointed out she's failed every electoral challenge she's faced as leader.
Yes, that is what keeps her approval rating up amongst non-Tories 🤣🤣🤣
She's not terrible. But she's also not up to the task - perhaps no one is.
I would be astonished if they don't finish behind Reform in the Scottish by-elections. When 1/4-1/3 of her own vote still secretly prefer Reform, it's not a very secure position from which to launch a restoration.
"Varley's evil and graphic sexual abuse is beyond contempt. I don't believe a general extrapolation should be made because Varley was either, white, male, a teacher or gay."
Well, one of those characteristics is a risk factor for crime - and particularly for sexual crimes against children: being male. His partner was also convicted of various offences. And he, Varley, was not just a teacher but safeguarding lead at his school.
That does not mean that no men should ever adopt. It should mean that those doing the due diligence need to be very very thorough in their assessment - of character, history, motivation, lifestyle, ability to look after a baby, understanding of what looking after a very young baby involves and ability to do so - ie the emotional resilience to cope with a baby's needs and helping him thrive and develop, family support, female involvement, friends, hobbies etc etc . And not just all that.
Those doing the due diligence need a sceptical investigative mind.
The adoption went through pretty quickly. How good, how extensive was the due diligence? Did they pick up his extensive viewing of seriously revolting porn? Did they ask to look at his and his partner's computer and phones? Did they take too much comfort from the fact that he was a teacher and safeguarding lead and so relied on that rather than carry out their own inquiries? This is a classic trap and one which fraudsters and wrongdoers of all types exploit: they get past one check and then never get properly checked again because everyone else relies on that one check. And was this couple really the best set of adoptive parents to be found in Oldham?
Even very intelligent people can be horrifyingly naive about offenders and offences and what stones to turn over to look for them. And very naive about the lengths deviant people like Varley and his partner will go to to satisfy their deviancy.
Remember this case when people start talking about making surrogacy even easier than it is. There are far fewer checks than with adoptions and there has already been one horrific case in the US of two men buying a surrogate baby for the purpose of sexual abuse. Babies are not commodities to be bought and sold.
You raise many good points as to whether social workers did X or Y.
My experience from interacting with them over adult social care is they are under intense time pressure as the caseload is bonkers.
Quite some time ago now I used to do adoption reports for the court. I must say that I do not recall doing any of the kinds of investigations that @Cyclefree is mentioning although, in fairness, the internet was nothing like such a thing in those days. I took it pretty seriously and kept an eye out for anything that seemed "off" but it was at its heart largely a tick box exercise. I can only recall one case where I recommended against adoption.
"Matt Goodwin @GoodwinMJ Having been in Makerfield all day & seen the Restore operation up close I can confidently say these are the last people Britain needs.
Do you know who they remind me of? The pro-Gaza independents.
Thugs. And Bullies.
It doesn’t matter what the result is. Their activists are a disgrace.
Britain deserves better."
Finally found a line not to cross, or just because having so recently been a candidate for Reform he cannot realistically say Restore are better?
"Varley's evil and graphic sexual abuse is beyond contempt. I don't believe a general extrapolation should be made because Varley was either, white, male, a teacher or gay."
Well, one of those characteristics is a risk factor for crime - and particularly for sexual crimes against children: being male. His partner was also convicted of various offences. And he, Varley, was not just a teacher but safeguarding lead at his school.
That does not mean that no men should ever adopt. It should mean that those doing the due diligence need to be very very thorough in their assessment - of character, history, motivation, lifestyle, ability to look after a baby, understanding of what looking after a very young baby involves and ability to do so - ie the emotional resilience to cope with a baby's needs and helping him thrive and develop, family support, female involvement, friends, hobbies etc etc . And not just all that.
Those doing the due diligence need a sceptical investigative mind.
The adoption went through pretty quickly. How good, how extensive was the due diligence? Did they pick up his extensive viewing of seriously revolting porn? Did they ask to look at his and his partner's computer and phones? Did they take too much comfort from the fact that he was a teacher and safeguarding lead and so relied on that rather than carry out their own inquiries? This is a classic trap and one which fraudsters and wrongdoers of all types exploit: they get past one check and then never get properly checked again because everyone else relies on that one check. And was this couple really the best set of adoptive parents to be found in Oldham?
Even very intelligent people can be horrifyingly naive about offenders and offences and what stones to turn over to look for them. And very naive about the lengths deviant people like Varley and his partner will go to to satisfy their deviancy.
Remember this case when people start talking about making surrogacy even easier than it is. There are far fewer checks than with adoptions and there has already been one horrific case in the US of two men buying a surrogate baby for the purpose of sexual abuse. Babies are not commodities to be bought and sold.
You raise many good points as to whether social workers did X or Y.
My experience from interacting with them over adult social care is they are under intense time pressure as the caseload is bonkers.
Yes but let's not ignore the sentiments behind the post.
Is she arguing gay men looking to adopt should be subjected to more scrutiny than straight men who are in a relationship with a woman? Because they are innately more dangerous? I suspect she is.
EXCL: Andy Burnham has drafted in former chair of OBR, Richard Hughes, to advise on fiscal rules. Burnham is still trying to live down “in hock to the bond markets” comments Hughes stepped down from OBR in Dec after it leaked the Budget prematurely online
"Varley's evil and graphic sexual abuse is beyond contempt. I don't believe a general extrapolation should be made because Varley was either, white, male, a teacher or gay."
Well, one of those characteristics is a risk factor for crime - and particularly for sexual crimes against children: being male. His partner was also convicted of various offences. And he, Varley, was not just a teacher but safeguarding lead at his school.
That does not mean that no men should ever adopt. It should mean that those doing the due diligence need to be very very thorough in their assessment - of character, history, motivation, lifestyle, ability to look after a baby, understanding of what looking after a very young baby involves and ability to do so - ie the emotional resilience to cope with a baby's needs and helping him thrive and develop, family support, female involvement, friends, hobbies etc etc . And not just all that.
Those doing the due diligence need a sceptical investigative mind.
The adoption went through pretty quickly. How good, how extensive was the due diligence? Did they pick up his extensive viewing of seriously revolting porn? Did they ask to look at his and his partner's computer and phones? Did they take too much comfort from the fact that he was a teacher and safeguarding lead and so relied on that rather than carry out their own inquiries? This is a classic trap and one which fraudsters and wrongdoers of all types exploit: they get past one check and then never get properly checked again because everyone else relies on that one check. And was this couple really the best set of adoptive parents to be found in Oldham?
Even very intelligent people can be horrifyingly naive about offenders and offences and what stones to turn over to look for them. And very naive about the lengths deviant people like Varley and his partner will go to to satisfy their deviancy.
Remember this case when people start talking about making surrogacy even easier than it is. There are far fewer checks than with adoptions and there has already been one horrific case in the US of two men buying a surrogate baby for the purpose of sexual abuse. Babies are not commodities to be bought and sold.
You raise many good points as to whether social workers did X or Y.
My experience from interacting with them over adult social care is they are under intense time pressure as the caseload is bonkers.
Yes but let's not ignore the sentiments behind the post.
Is she arguing gay men looking to adopt should be subjected to more scrutiny than straight men who are in a relationship with a woman? Because they are innately more dangerous? I suspect she is.
I believe the highest risk to children comes from men who are not their biological parent, so if there are two of them, the risk is going to be higher.
Comments
So a sign that the canvassing results are looking good would have Farage in Makerfield and Badenoch in Aberdeen. I see that Kemi did make a visit a couple of days ago, but did Farage?
What's wrong with people?
BBC News - Tate Modern balcony push: Teen admits attempted murder - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50692100?app-referrer=deep-link
But do it at the right time
You can be slow or fast
But you must get to the line
There's only one way to beat them
Get 'round the back
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re4aDJL3heA
I think she got it right too.
So on that measure of the campaign it looks foreboding for Burnham.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c621z28z138o
A win in Aberdeen South tonight would be the icing on the cake 😀
Stay classy, Nige...
A Labour MP has been given a police caution following an allegation of electoral fraud.
Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy, external revealed the results of a sample of postal votes on the social networking site Twitter days before the general election.
It is illegal to reveal the votes cast before the end of polling day as it may influence the outcome of the election.
Ms McCarthy, shadow Treasury minister and her party's "Twitter tsar", apologised after the gaffe.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "Police have confirmed that they have cautioned a man and a woman, both from Bristol, following an investigation into alleged election fraud earlier this year under the Representation of the People Act 1983."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-11621053
(That's our new garden btw - landscaping more of less done, just needs a lot more plants now.)
It’s inevitable.
We hold all the cards.
UK could keep special pre-Brexit terms if it rejoined EU, Michel Barnier says
Exclusive: Former chief Brexit negotiator says staying out of euro and Schengen area would be ‘perfectly possible’
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/18/uk-could-keep-special-pre-brexit-terms-if-it-rejoined-eu-michel-barnier-says
So if you win in Aberdeen South, that will be icing on the crumbs.
https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2067643603841622228
"Matt Goodwin
@GoodwinMJ
Having been in Makerfield all day & seen the Restore operation up close I can confidently say these are the last people Britain needs.
Do you know who they remind me of? The pro-Gaza independents.
Thugs. And Bullies.
It doesn’t matter what the result is. Their activists are a disgrace.
Britain deserves better."
https://news.sky.com/story/lib-dem-mp-arrested-and-suspended-from-party-13555467
Another by election?
Was it impersonating a political party for financial gain or something else?
I mean, it wouldn't STRICTLY be capital punishment. He might turn out to be a croc-whisperer...
Typical EU arrogance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tewkesbury_(constituency)#Elections_since_1997
Remain 48%
Might be a massive by-election.
Well, one of those characteristics is a risk factor for crime - and particularly for sexual crimes against children: being male. His partner was also convicted of various offences. And he, Varley, was not just a teacher but safeguarding lead at his school.
That does not mean that no men should ever adopt. It should mean that those doing the due diligence need to be very very thorough in their assessment - of character, history, motivation, lifestyle, ability to look after a baby, understanding of what looking after a very young baby involves and ability to do so - ie the emotional resilience to cope with a baby's needs and helping him thrive and develop, family support, female involvement, friends, hobbies etc etc . And not just all that.
Those doing the due diligence need a sceptical investigative mind.
The adoption went through pretty quickly. How good, how extensive was the due diligence? Did they pick up his extensive viewing of seriously revolting porn? Did they ask to look at his and his partner's computer and phones? Did they take too much comfort from the fact that he was a teacher and safeguarding lead and so relied on that rather than carry out their own inquiries? This is a classic trap and one which fraudsters and wrongdoers of all types exploit: they get past one check and then never get properly checked again because everyone else relies on that one check. And was this couple really the best set of adoptive parents to be found in Oldham?
Even very intelligent people can be horrifyingly naive about offenders and offences and what stones to turn over to look for them. And very naive about the lengths deviant people like Varley and his partner will go to to satisfy their deviancy.
Remember this case when people start talking about making surrogacy even easier than it is. There are far fewer checks than with adoptions and there has already been one horrific case in the US of two men buying a surrogate baby for the purpose of sexual abuse. Babies are not commodities to be bought and sold.
But I bet the cricket was more interesting.
Ashley Armstrong
@AArmstrong_says
EXCL: Andy Burnham has drafted in former chair of OBR, Richard Hughes, to advise on fiscal rules. Burnham is still trying to live down “in hock to the bond markets” comments
Hughes stepped down from OBR in Dec after it leaked the Budget prematurely online
https://x.com/AArmstrong_says/status/2067641925679620117
1. Murder or rape
2. Child abuse
3. Domestic abuse
4. Fraud or embezzlement
5. GBH
6. Assault
7. Drug dealing
8. Shoplifting
9. Drug use
Other crimes are available: I listed some common middle aged middle class options.
But we don’t even know what the charge is, and innocent until proven guilty and all that.
My experience from interacting with them over adult social care is they are under intense time pressure as the caseload is bonkers.
Place your bets now. But maybe not on PB!
I would be astonished if they don't finish behind Reform in the Scottish by-elections. When 1/4-1/3 of her own vote still secretly prefer Reform, it's not a very secure position from which to launch a restoration.
Is she arguing gay men looking to adopt should be subjected to more scrutiny than straight men who are in a relationship with a woman? Because they are innately more dangerous? I suspect she is.
JD Vance blasts Ben-Gvir and Smotrich:
You’ve seen people in their system, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, who’ve attacked the deal.
And I guess my response to them would be: What is your exact proposal?
You’re a country of 9 million people. You can’t just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have.
It's pretty likely it will also reduce deaths from mouth and throat cancer, for the obvious reason, but that will take longer to show statistically.