Starmer reportedly considering telling his supporters to back Streeting and nominate him for leader to stop a Burnham coronation if Burnham launches a leadership challenge Daily Mail now reporting
Absolutely ridiculous but IRRELEVANT as Streeting doesn't have the numbers.
He might if Starmer loyalist MPs nominate him too
There’s nothing loyalist about anyone who subjects our country to months of political uncertainty on the world stage, when it should be obvious right now what the outcome will be.
The worse you think Starmer was, that implies the bigger a rebound Labour will have under Burnham. If the problem is Labour or the state of the nation, and Starmer’s polling is suffering because of that, then Burnham will be afflicted by the same problems and see the same polling decline. However, if you think Starmer has been terrible in his leadership, then a different leader could easily turn things around.
Robert Peston: "The minister says that if Keir Starmer’s wife Vic were to encourage him to fight on, he might just do that". As I wrote yesterday, this briefing is embarrassing now. This is what you expect in a banana republic, not a supposedly mature western democracy. 7:03 PM · Jun 21, 2026"
Starmer reportedly considering telling his supporters to back Streeting and nominate him for leader to stop a Burnham coronation if Burnham launches a leadership challenge Daily Mail now reporting
Absolutely ridiculous but IRRELEVANT as Streeting doesn't have the numbers.
He might if Starmer loyalist MPs nominate him too
There’s nothing loyalist about anyone who subjects our country to months of political uncertainty on the world stage, when it should be obvious right now what the outcome will be.
It would be utter lunacy to put the country and the labour party through that and even more so if Starmer was behind it
I think Trump should not be commenting on internal UK politics. But that's Trump. He's an idiot, a grade A idiot and utterly vile man. He's the reason the US will end 2028 as a 'Great Power' (not a Superpower). He's speedrunning the end of the American Empire.
Maybe it's me. But I always think internal politics should be left alone by foreign powers. I recall Putin (after the Brexit vote) suggested that the UK should of course leave the EU (this was in that rocking late 2018-early 2019 period). Though I'd voted Leave I thought this was something we should work out and not have other comment.
Same here. We're working out a changing on the guard in Premiership. We don't need Donald Trump commenting. This is entirely a domestic UK matter.
But relative to Carney's performance in Canada or Trump himself in the USA, it's not coming down fast enough.
It's quite possible we could be in a situation of next emigration within a year or two. That's not the sign of a successful economy.
That's just outdated dogma.
We consistently had net emigration during the industrial revolution and most of the post-war period up to the 1990s. China has consistently had net emigration during its rise to global pre-eminence. Eastern European countries had net emigration while they were catching up fast with the West.
The best way to measure our economic prospects isn't the number of Deliveroo riders we find employment for.
Your dogma is the outdated one, based as it is on 1970s Malthusianism. In the industrial revolution we also had massively positive fertility and natural population growth. In the post war years we had a baby boom, until the 1970s which few people these days would argue was a demographic golden age.
The world we're in now is very different. Fertility is through the floor. Natural population growth is negative. Britain, and Europe, seems destined to become continent versions of Japan, or Belarus. As does most of East Asia.
If the whole world is heading that way, it shows the futility of trying to avoid facing up to difficult demographic questions by using immigration as a stop gap. Immigrants get old too, and the political destabilisation isn't worth it.
Cause and effect though. Immigration may or may not be a cause of success (the US experience would suggest it can be) but it's certainly a symptom.
Why is "everyone moving to Dubai"? Why are Singapore house prices a problem? Why does Paris still grow while the Auvergne empties?
If we get net emigration it means people don't want to live here anymore, and that's kind of a bad sign.
It's telling that your examples are all cities. We don't need net immigration at the national level to have increasing urbanisation and the agglomeration effects that come from successful cities. It's a national tragedy that London's resurgence has been accompanied by a reduction in the native British population of the capital.
Has it though? Or do you really mean a reduction in the proportion?
I've just spent 3 days in Istanbul. Then 2 days in Izmir, formerly Smyrna. Absolute case studies in places that were once global, multilingual, multi-faith 🫠 Ng pots and are now, for all their charms, rather boringly mono-cultural.
Constantinople was THE world city. Now it's just a very interesting Turkish city. Smyrna was the finest city of the Aegean, majority Greek. Then thanks to misplaced Greek irredentism and a population exchange (ethnic cleansing) deal in the 1920s it's just Turkish Izmir with a few old buildings that escaped the pogroms.
Yes it has and quite significantly. Look at the data on internal migration flows.
If it has, then that tells you all about our demographic structure. And also about generational migration. It's nothing new that the young migrate to cities and families and the middle aged head to the suburbs and hinterland.
I'm an example of "native population" who moved to inner London in 1998 and has remained. By your moral measures we should be lauded as ethnic champs.
No, you are an example of "I'm alright Jack" selfishness. You moved at exactly the right time to benefit from the uplift in asset prices that made it much harder for the next generation to follow in your footsteps. And why would you want them to when their absence just means you get to enjoy a more multicultural city?
And yet the people of my generation or the one above (who really benefited from house price uplift - real terms house prices are flat since 2005) are hailed regularly as racial champions when they quit the city and moan about how they feel like foreigners in their own land.
I've brought up 2 new Londoners in that time too. If I'd left the city they'd have to re-migrate here all over again.
One negative about hot weather is seeing all the tattoos men and women have on their arms and legs. It's like bad human graffiti that never gets cleaned off. It ruins their body, and they're ugly.
I'd say over 90% of them were bloody awful.
Body art is a personal choice, of course; I just wish those choosing it would consider what it will look like when they're old.
I am baffled by the fact there seems to be no limit to the number of Turkish barbers a town seems to be able to take. With new ones opening all the time.
Even more strange: there's almost always someone in all of them.
Hmm.
They're cheap, only £10 in many places round here. So you can understand why people who aren't well-off use them instead of paying £30 at the alternatives.
Blimey that's looking hot next week. UK record June temperature = 35.6°C Forecast for Heathrow next Wednesday = 39°C. Same again on Thursday.
Another record is going to be not just broken but smashed.
Incoming, loads of Brits complaining about the very same weather we say we envy, whenever we return to the drizzle and wind after a European holiday
Is it really the same weather we envy, though? YouTube has been offering me lots of videos which seem to be explaining why our heat isn't the same. But not having watched them, I can't vouch for that, hence the question.
The smart political move is to stay distant from Trump, not suck up to him as Starmer did. Starmer was using the post WW2 playbook but its out of date and he had no original thoughts on the matter (as usual). I think Burnham will see where the votes are.
That last sentence is the best summation of Burnham I have read.
I'm not a massive Burnham fan.
However, he's the best ticket in Town right now and he evidenced that on Thursday.
At 955pm on Thursday Beth Rigby claimed "it will be a lot closer than people think"
It was in the context of the importance, all of the recent trends locally and nationally, a sensational result.
I have to admit he has something.
What is it.
Good Communication.
Political nose.
Political Leadership experience of a major Mayorality
Pragnstism
Believability
He will do some left wing things, he will do some right wing things, he'll do some LD things, he'll certainly seek to work with SNP PC all Irish factions. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he did some new or unexpected things quite quickly
Set up PR commission Appoint some non Labour non political experts to key roles Speed up EU integration talks Find ways of increasing defence spending outside if Fiscal Rules either defence bonds or QE Something with Streeting and Mcfadden on Social Care Something with Rayner and a hawk on welfare to get left and right buy in.
I don't see him as authoritarian more a facilitator.
He'll be a political chameleon, he has been in Manchester.
Is tribal Britain awake to this type of Leader, is tribal Britain ready for it, prepared for it.
Is tribal nedia prepared to report it fairly. That's his biggest challenge. Will he have the balls to close down the disgrace that is GB News, to take on Musk and X. Power to his elbow if he does
He's not someone you can pigeongole He's a Scouser loved in Manc land That alone is remarkable
If he consigns the trend of the Cummings and McSweeney to the dustbin positive too.
I really don't know whether to be terrified or excited, hopeful or distraught.
He's different
It's going to be a very interesting 6 months
The public want change, they are sick of politics, the answer might just have landed in Labours lap.
Burnham will quickly emerge as the most compelling figure in Western politics other than Trump.
He will be fresher than Macron, have a stronger domestic position than Merz, run a more important country than Carney and have more international relevance than Meloni.
If he plays his cards right, he could be PM for a decade.
Burnham would also be the most leftwing leader of the G7. Ten years of Burnham as PM and the UK would be heading towards socialism
Have you been to Manchester lately?
If one good thing comes out of a Burnham premiership, it is surely that Britain has to build and invest in its infrastructure. I've been very impressed by the growth in Manchester over the past decade plus, as people like yourself, Rochdale and Cookie will likely testify.
We need this kind of development right across all regions, unlock the tools to get the north of England, Scotland, Wales etc growing, and to spread wealth across the UK, rather than keep it bottled in London and the home counties.
Who he picks as Chancellor will be crucial to this.
One thing it hasn't been driven by is left wing Socialism.
We have Schrödinger's Burnham, similtaneously a bland Blairite and a rabid socialist.
One negative about hot weather is seeing all the tattoos men and women have on their arms and legs. It's like bad human graffiti that never gets cleaned off. It ruins their body, and they're ugly.
That photo could only be worse if he was coquettishly lifting up the back of his shorts to reveal some arse cheek like the old Athena poster.
Saw some comments on an american channel that Trump is just built different which is why he could physically outlast and outcompete people half his age (the poster included himself in that).
Even if all the sleepy stuff were not true that's such nonsense even for the world's fittest 80 year old, but i don't doubt the poster sincerely believed it.
I've been following US politics more closely, as it's an exercise in watching in real time a Superpower collapse (the last time this happened was 1991 and I was only 13 then and didn't understand).
Trump is grossly overweight, obviously in mental decline; falls asleep in meetings; shits his pants in public and gets bored of running the country. It's obvious none of what you noted this American channel said is true, but it just goes to show that MAGA is now so ensconed in the Messiah-Complex of Trump, they'd follow him over the cliff edge. Hell, they'd shoot themselves in the head before admit they screwed up.
One negative about hot weather is seeing all the tattoos men and women have on their arms and legs. It's like bad human graffiti that never gets cleaned off. It ruins their body, and they're ugly.
My week 1 wishlist for Burnham, taking into account he will be a Labour PM with support to shore up, and stuff like flat CT/LVT will take a bit longer to put together:
Highly aggressive and direct military response to the arson attacks on Starmer and his friends/family. We can't tolerate this, it's significantly worse than Salisbury IMO.
Declare that the new fiscal rule is primary surplus at 1% of GDP in each year. To start in 2027-28.
Announce Bee Networks for all English cities
Withdraw all Terrorist Act charges from peaceful protestors. Apologise to those arrested. Perhaps recognise the Edinburgh attack for what it is?
Move all student loans to CPI + 30-year term.
I appreciate that would annoy some here but if he announced all that on the steps of Downing Street you'd get a real sense of momentum. Item 2 would pay for itself in just lowering borrowing costs.
On 4 Starmer already has called it out as anti Muslim hate
Bee Networks seems to be contactless fares on public transport like we've had in London for decades. Still, well done Andy B.
Starmer reportedly considering telling his supporters to back Streeting and nominate him for leader to stop a Burnham coronation if Burnham launches a leadership challenge Daily Mail now reporting
Absolutely ridiculous but IRRELEVANT as Streeting doesn't have the numbers.
He might if Starmer loyalist MPs nominate him too
There’s nothing loyalist about anyone who subjects our country to months of political uncertainty on the world stage, when it should be obvious right now what the outcome will be.
It would be utter lunacy to put the country and the labour party through that and even more so if Starmer was behind it
Time to say goodbye, Mr Starmer
Even if you think he has been a poor Prime Minister, taking his knighthood away is harsh.
One negative about hot weather is seeing all the tattoos men and women have on their arms and legs. It's like bad human graffiti that never gets cleaned off. It ruins their body, and they're ugly.
I'd say over 90% of them were bloody awful.
I am down on the Island this week and can vouch for this. Very few people have their looks enhanced by tattoos.
Burnham will quickly emerge as the most compelling figure in Western politics other than Trump.
He will be fresher than Macron, have a stronger domestic position than Merz, run a more important country than Carney and have more international relevance than Meloni.
If he plays his cards right, he could be PM for a decade.
Burnham would also be the most leftwing leader of the G7. Ten years of Burnham as PM and the UK would be heading towards socialism
Have you been to Manchester lately?
If one good thing comes out of a Burnham premiership, it is surely that Britain has to build and invest in its infrastructure. I've been very impressed by the growth in Manchester over the past decade plus, as people like yourself, Rochdale and Cookie will likely testify.
We need this kind of development right across all regions, unlock the tools to get the north of England, Scotland, Wales etc growing, and to spread wealth across the UK, rather than keep it bottled in London and the home counties.
Who he picks as Chancellor will be crucial to this.
One thing it hasn't been driven by is left wing Socialism.
We have Schrödinger's Burnham, similtaneously a bland Blairite and a rabid socialist.
No point looking into the chamber. It's what's outside that matter in this particular Schoedinger puzzle. The cat may well emerge to see that we're all dead.
Starmer reportedly considering telling his supporters to back Streeting and nominate him for leader to stop a Burnham coronation if Burnham launches a leadership challenge Daily Mail now reporting
Absolutely ridiculous but IRRELEVANT as Streeting doesn't have the numbers.
He might if Starmer loyalist MPs nominate him too
There’s nothing loyalist about anyone who subjects our country to months of political uncertainty on the world stage, when it should be obvious right now what the outcome will be.
It would be utter lunacy to put the country and the labour party through that and even more so if Starmer was behind it
Time to say goodbye, Mr Starmer
Even if you think he has been a poor Prime Minister, taking his knighthood away is harsh.
The smart political move is to stay distant from Trump, not suck up to him as Starmer did. Starmer was using the post WW2 playbook but its out of date and he had no original thoughts on the matter (as usual). I think Burnham will see where the votes are.
That last sentence is the best summation of Burnham I have read.
I'm not a massive Burnham fan.
However, he's the best ticket in Town right now and he evidenced that on Thursday.
At 955pm on Thursday Beth Rigby claimed "it will be a lot closer than people think"
It was in the context of the importance, all of the recent trends locally and nationally, a sensational result.
I have to admit he has something.
What is it.
Good Communication.
Political nose.
Political Leadership experience of a major Mayorality
Pragnstism
Believability
He will do some left wing things, he will do some right wing things, he'll do some LD things, he'll certainly seek to work with SNP PC all Irish factions. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he did some new or unexpected things quite quickly
Set up PR commission Appoint some non Labour non political experts to key roles Speed up EU integration talks Find ways of increasing defence spending outside if Fiscal Rules either defence bonds or QE Something with Streeting and Mcfadden on Social Care Something with Rayner and a hawk on welfare to get left and right buy in.
I don't see him as authoritarian more a facilitator.
He'll be a political chameleon, he has been in Manchester.
Is tribal Britain awake to this type of Leader, is tribal Britain ready for it, prepared for it.
Is tribal nedia prepared to report it fairly. That's his biggest challenge. Will he have the balls to close down the disgrace that is GB News, to take on Musk and X. Power to his elbow if he does
He's not someone you can pigeongole He's a Scouser loved in Manc land That alone is remarkable
If he consigns the trend of the Cummings and McSweeney to the dustbin positive too.
I really don't know whether to be terrified or excited, hopeful or distraught.
He's different
It's going to be a very interesting 6 months
The public want change, they are sick of politics, the answer might just have landed in Labours lap.
He's not a Scouser! He's from a village between Warrington. St Helens and Leigh.
Is it time to legislate; if a change of leader is forced by its own Party then a General Election must be called.
That would stop the constant churn and focus all politicians on delivery, instead of work place politics. These endless ‘house of cards’ games would end and the country would benefit.
Spain have denied us another 45 minutes of Yamal. Outrageous.
It is outrageous if you backed Yamal for the golden boot. Of course, there was always the danger that teams might rest their top players against the minnows.
The smart political move is to stay distant from Trump, not suck up to him as Starmer did. Starmer was using the post WW2 playbook but its out of date and he had no original thoughts on the matter (as usual). I think Burnham will see where the votes are.
That last sentence is the best summation of Burnham I have read.
I'm not a massive Burnham fan.
However, he's the best ticket in Town right now and he evidenced that on Thursday.
At 955pm on Thursday Beth Rigby claimed "it will be a lot closer than people think"
It was in the context of the importance, all of the recent trends locally and nationally, a sensational result.
I have to admit he has something.
What is it.
Good Communication.
Political nose.
Political Leadership experience of a major Mayorality
Pragnstism
Believability
He will do some left wing things, he will do some right wing things, he'll do some LD things, he'll certainly seek to work with SNP PC all Irish factions. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he did some new or unexpected things quite quickly
Set up PR commission Appoint some non Labour non political experts to key roles Speed up EU integration talks Find ways of increasing defence spending outside if Fiscal Rules either defence bonds or QE Something with Streeting and Mcfadden on Social Care Something with Rayner and a hawk on welfare to get left and right buy in.
I don't see him as authoritarian more a facilitator.
He'll be a political chameleon, he has been in Manchester.
Is tribal Britain awake to this type of Leader, is tribal Britain ready for it, prepared for it.
Is tribal nedia prepared to report it fairly. That's his biggest challenge. Will he have the balls to close down the disgrace that is GB News, to take on Musk and X. Power to his elbow if he does
He's not someone you can pigeongole He's a Scouser loved in Manc land That alone is remarkable
If he consigns the trend of the Cummings and McSweeney to the dustbin positive too.
I really don't know whether to be terrified or excited, hopeful or distraught.
He's different
It's going to be a very interesting 6 months
The public want change, they are sick of politics, the answer might just have landed in Labours lap.
He's not a Scouser! He's from a village between Warrington. St Helens and Leigh.
Good god, they must fear him standing for village idiot.
Robert Peston: "The minister says that if Keir Starmer’s wife Vic were to encourage him to fight on, he might just do that". As I wrote yesterday, this briefing is embarrassing now. This is what you expect in a banana republic, not a supposedly mature western democracy. 7:03 PM · Jun 21, 2026"
Hmm. Not sure that is a "briefing" - sounds more like an off-the-cuff comment made by a minister. He "might" fight on if his wife says he should. Then again he might tell Vic she is wrong and he is going.
Is it time to legislate; if a change of leader is forced by its own Party then a General Election must be called.
That would stop the constant churn and focus all politicians on delivery, instead of work place politics. These endless ‘house of cards’ games would end and the country would benefit.
Is it time to legislate; if a change of leader is forced by its own Party then a General Election must be called.
That would stop the constant churn and focus all politicians on delivery, instead of work place politics. These endless ‘house of cards’ games would end and the country would benefit.
Here is the latest on the transfer of power from Starmer to Burnham, based on conversations with senior ministers.
1) the most likely day for Starmer to announce a timetable for quitting Downing Street is tomorrow, because the Downing-Street-lectern moment would be his show, he would be in control, and it would be his story more than Burnham’s. After tomorrow there is a risk that events, carping Labour MPs and minister, would appear to be dictating to him rather than vice versa
2) very few think the handover can be as late as party conference at the end of September. The two options are recess in mid July or end-of-recess in early September
I am baffled by the fact there seems to be no limit to the number of Turkish barbers a town seems to be able to take. With new ones opening all the time.
Even more strange: there's almost always someone in all of them.
Hmm.
They're cheap, only £10 in many places round here. So you can understand why people who aren't well-off use them instead of paying £30 at the alternatives.
If you give some one £200 of dirty money to launder and get their head shaved 8 times a week at £20 ,yove cleaned £160 of dirty money, created jobs and identities for people and what appear to be jobs and growth.
If you buy a shop with flats upstairs you can set up all kinds of other businesses and apparent jobs.
Turn hundreds to thousands to hundreds of thousands to millions, to tens of millions, to hundreds of millions and billions... The biggest pyramids on earth... Just the tip visible above ground
If Starmer wanted to go out with a bang and attract both some personal popularity as well as sending all America into a tailspin, he should state that Trump's tweet was a sign of the advancing dementia he was diagnosed with in 2018: the increasing seriousness of which is why Vance is secretly consulting cabinet ministers and leaders in Congress on invoking the 25th.
Can you imagine the meltdown it would cause in the White House? Plus worth 10 points on Labour's polling right there.
Is it time to legislate; if a change of leader is forced by its own Party then a General Election must be called.
That would stop the constant churn and focus all politicians on delivery, instead of work place politics. These endless ‘house of cards’ games would end and the country would benefit.
I am baffled by the fact there seems to be no limit to the number of Turkish barbers a town seems to be able to take. With new ones opening all the time.
Even more strange: there's almost always someone in all of them.
Hmm.
They're cheap, only £10 in many places round here. So you can understand why people who aren't well-off use them instead of paying £30 at the alternatives.
The Turks (or in many cases Turkish Cypriots) have mastered the barber shop economy. I get my hair cut at a Turkish Cypriot joint, though it costs nearly £30 so it's hardly a bargain. Finding a business niche and prospering in it is a migrant tale as old as time.
Kind of ironic as the Anatolian Turks for decades were asking themselves why the Armenians seemed to run all the successful import-export businesses, or the Greeks had sewn up medicine. Then they, famously, "did something about it".
One negative about hot weather is seeing all the tattoos men and women have on their arms and legs. It's like bad human graffiti that never gets cleaned off. It ruins their body, and they're ugly.
I'd say over 90% of them were bloody awful.
Body art is a personal choice, of course; I just wish those choosing it would consider what it will look like when they're old.
I bet that the Venn diagram overlap between people with multiple tattoos and people who have got their pension planning in order is very sparsely occupied.
If Starmer wanted to go out with a bang and attract both some personal popularity as well as sending all America into a tailspin, he should state that Trump's tweet was a sign of the advancing dementia he was diagnosed with in 2018: the increasing seriousness of which is why Vance is secretly consulting cabinet ministers and leaders in Congress on invoking the 25th.
Can you imagine the meltdown it would cause in the White House? Plus worth 10 points on Labour's polling right there.
The truth is Americans wouldn't take any notice of anything a British politician said or wrote.
If Starmer wanted to go out with a bang and attract both some personal popularity as well as sending all America into a tailspin, he should state that Trump's tweet was a sign of the advancing dementia he was diagnosed with in 2018: the increasing seriousness of which is why Vance is secretly consulting cabinet ministers and leaders in Congress on invoking the 25th.
Can you imagine the meltdown it would cause in the White House? Plus worth 10 points on Labour's polling right there.
The truth is Americans wouldn't take any notice of anything a British politician said or wrote.
£30 locked in on my bet at 41/1 on Starmer exit by end of this quarter
Good luck but anyone tempted to follow you in should check the terms because it is most likely the date a new leader (and PM) is confirmed, and not the date Starmer announces his resignation.
On Smarkets it’s the day they are confirmed by Labour. I think people have missed the boat now to be honest.
Robert Peston: "The minister says that if Keir Starmer’s wife Vic were to encourage him to fight on, he might just do that". As I wrote yesterday, this briefing is embarrassing now. This is what you expect in a banana republic, not a supposedly mature western democracy. 7:03 PM · Jun 21, 2026"
Hmm. Not sure that is a "briefing" - sounds more like an off-the-cuff comment made by a minister. He "might" fight on if his wife says he should. Then again he might tell Vic she is wrong and he is going.
The smart political move is to stay distant from Trump, not suck up to him as Starmer did. Starmer was using the post WW2 playbook but its out of date and he had no original thoughts on the matter (as usual). I think Burnham will see where the votes are.
That last sentence is the best summation of Burnham I have read.
I'm not a massive Burnham fan.
However, he's the best ticket in Town right now and he evidenced that on Thursday.
At 955pm on Thursday Beth Rigby claimed "it will be a lot closer than people think"
It was in the context of the importance, all of the recent trends locally and nationally, a sensational result.
I have to admit he has something.
What is it.
Good Communication.
Political nose.
Political Leadership experience of a major Mayorality
Pragnstism
Believability
He will do some left wing things, he will do some right wing things, he'll do some LD things, he'll certainly seek to work with SNP PC all Irish factions. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he did some new or unexpected things quite quickly
Set up PR commission Appoint some non Labour non political experts to key roles Speed up EU integration talks Find ways of increasing defence spending outside if Fiscal Rules either defence bonds or QE Something with Streeting and Mcfadden on Social Care Something with Rayner and a hawk on welfare to get left and right buy in.
I don't see him as authoritarian more a facilitator.
He'll be a political chameleon, he has been in Manchester.
Is tribal Britain awake to this type of Leader, is tribal Britain ready for it, prepared for it.
Is tribal nedia prepared to report it fairly. That's his biggest challenge. Will he have the balls to close down the disgrace that is GB News, to take on Musk and X. Power to his elbow if he does
He's not someone you can pigeongole He's a Scouser loved in Manc land That alone is remarkable
If he consigns the trend of the Cummings and McSweeney to the dustbin positive too.
I really don't know whether to be terrified or excited, hopeful or distraught.
He's different
It's going to be a very interesting 6 months
The public want change, they are sick of politics, the answer might just have landed in Labours lap.
He's not a Scouser! He's from a village between Warrington. St Helens and Leigh.
Good god, they must fear him standing for village idiot.
The smart political move is to stay distant from Trump, not suck up to him as Starmer did. Starmer was using the post WW2 playbook but its out of date and he had no original thoughts on the matter (as usual). I think Burnham will see where the votes are.
That last sentence is the best summation of Burnham I have read.
I'm not a massive Burnham fan.
However, he's the best ticket in Town right now and he evidenced that on Thursday.
At 955pm on Thursday Beth Rigby claimed "it will be a lot closer than people think"
It was in the context of the importance, all of the recent trends locally and nationally, a sensational result.
I have to admit he has something.
What is it.
Good Communication.
Political nose.
Political Leadership experience of a major Mayorality
Pragnstism
Believability
He will do some left wing things, he will do some right wing things, he'll do some LD things, he'll certainly seek to work with SNP PC all Irish factions. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he did some new or unexpected things quite quickly
Set up PR commission Appoint some non Labour non political experts to key roles Speed up EU integration talks Find ways of increasing defence spending outside if Fiscal Rules either defence bonds or QE Something with Streeting and Mcfadden on Social Care Something with Rayner and a hawk on welfare to get left and right buy in.
I don't see him as authoritarian more a facilitator.
He'll be a political chameleon, he has been in Manchester.
Is tribal Britain awake to this type of Leader, is tribal Britain ready for it, prepared for it.
Is tribal nedia prepared to report it fairly. That's his biggest challenge. Will he have the balls to close down the disgrace that is GB News, to take on Musk and X. Power to his elbow if he does
He's not someone you can pigeongole He's a Scouser loved in Manc land That alone is remarkable
If he consigns the trend of the Cummings and McSweeney to the dustbin positive too.
I really don't know whether to be terrified or excited, hopeful or distraught.
He's different
It's going to be a very interesting 6 months
The public want change, they are sick of politics, the answer might just have landed in Labours lap.
He's not a Scouser! He's from a village between Warrington. St Helens and Leigh.
This is of the genre of "he's not a cockney, he wasn't born in earshot of Bow Bells".
Robert Peston: "The minister says that if Keir Starmer’s wife Vic were to encourage him to fight on, he might just do that". As I wrote yesterday, this briefing is embarrassing now. This is what you expect in a banana republic, not a supposedly mature western democracy. 7:03 PM · Jun 21, 2026"
Hmm. Not sure that is a "briefing" - sounds more like an off-the-cuff comment made by a minister. He "might" fight on if his wife says he should. Then again he might tell Vic she is wrong and he is going.
The smart political move is to stay distant from Trump, not suck up to him as Starmer did. Starmer was using the post WW2 playbook but its out of date and he had no original thoughts on the matter (as usual). I think Burnham will see where the votes are.
That last sentence is the best summation of Burnham I have read.
I'm not a massive Burnham fan.
However, he's the best ticket in Town right now and he evidenced that on Thursday.
At 955pm on Thursday Beth Rigby claimed "it will be a lot closer than people think"
It was in the context of the importance, all of the recent trends locally and nationally, a sensational result.
I have to admit he has something.
What is it.
Good Communication.
Political nose.
Political Leadership experience of a major Mayorality
Pragnstism
Believability
He will do some left wing things, he will do some right wing things, he'll do some LD things, he'll certainly seek to work with SNP PC all Irish factions. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he did some new or unexpected things quite quickly
Set up PR commission Appoint some non Labour non political experts to key roles Speed up EU integration talks Find ways of increasing defence spending outside if Fiscal Rules either defence bonds or QE Something with Streeting and Mcfadden on Social Care Something with Rayner and a hawk on welfare to get left and right buy in.
I don't see him as authoritarian more a facilitator.
He'll be a political chameleon, he has been in Manchester.
Is tribal Britain awake to this type of Leader, is tribal Britain ready for it, prepared for it.
Is tribal nedia prepared to report it fairly. That's his biggest challenge. Will he have the balls to close down the disgrace that is GB News, to take on Musk and X. Power to his elbow if he does
He's not someone you can pigeongole He's a Scouser loved in Manc land That alone is remarkable
If he consigns the trend of the Cummings and McSweeney to the dustbin positive too.
I really don't know whether to be terrified or excited, hopeful or distraught.
He's different
It's going to be a very interesting 6 months
The public want change, they are sick of politics, the answer might just have landed in Labours lap.
He's not a Scouser! He's from a village between Warrington. St Helens and Leigh.
Good god, they must fear him standing for village idiot.
If Starmer wanted to go out with a bang and attract both some personal popularity as well as sending all America into a tailspin, he should state that Trump's tweet was a sign of the advancing dementia he was diagnosed with in 2018: the increasing seriousness of which is why Vance is secretly consulting cabinet ministers and leaders in Congress on invoking the 25th.
Can you imagine the meltdown it would cause in the White House? Plus worth 10 points on Labour's polling right there.
The truth is Americans wouldn't take any notice of anything a British politician said or wrote.
Except they would. They can't get enough of us: they're obsessed with our domestic politics. The curse of a common language in this social media age.
MAGAs would be hypocritically apoplectic at the lese majeste. Democrats would be jubilant.
‼️EXTRAORDINARY DAY EUROPEAN CLIMATIC HISTORY COMPLETELY REWRITTEN HUNDREDS OF RECORDS SMASHED IN FRANCE It's just the beginnig of most extreme event Europe has ever seen. Records are being smashed allover Western and Central Europe,except Italy.
‼️EXTRAORDINARY DAY EUROPEAN CLIMATIC HISTORY COMPLETELY REWRITTEN HUNDREDS OF RECORDS SMASHED IN FRANCE It's just the beginnig of most extreme event Europe has ever seen. Records are being smashed allover Western and Central Europe,except Italy.
‼️EXTRAORDINARY DAY EUROPEAN CLIMATIC HISTORY COMPLETELY REWRITTEN HUNDREDS OF RECORDS SMASHED IN FRANCE It's just the beginnig of most extreme event Europe has ever seen. Records are being smashed allover Western and Central Europe,except Italy.
‼️EXTRAORDINARY DAY EUROPEAN CLIMATIC HISTORY COMPLETELY REWRITTEN HUNDREDS OF RECORDS SMASHED IN FRANCE It's just the beginnig of most extreme event Europe has ever seen. Records are being smashed allover Western and Central Europe,except Italy.
It was 39.8C at my weather station in Burgundy today, and is currently 34C at just before 9pm. Glad I'm not there. Anatolia is comparatively fresh. The French heatwave hasn't peaked by a long shot, and Burgundy is not in the core of the heat either.
The extreme temps twitter account does go in for hyperbole, but it's not far off this time. It's only June.
‼️EXTRAORDINARY DAY EUROPEAN CLIMATIC HISTORY COMPLETELY REWRITTEN HUNDREDS OF RECORDS SMASHED IN FRANCE It's just the beginnig of most extreme event Europe has ever seen. Records are being smashed allover Western and Central Europe,except Italy.
Here is the latest on the transfer of power from Starmer to Burnham, based on conversations with senior ministers.
1) the most likely day for Starmer to announce a timetable for quitting Downing Street is tomorrow, because the Downing-Street-lectern moment would be his show, he would be in control, and it would be his story more than Burnham’s. After tomorrow there is a risk that events, carping Labour MPs and minister, would appear to be dictating to him rather than vice versa
2) very few think the handover can be as late as party conference at the end of September. The two options are recess in mid July or end-of-recess in early September
September is just too long for him to linger in office.
He has no authority left to govern. The classic line 'in office but not in power' very much applies.
This needs to happen fast, for his own sake if nothing else.
‼️EXTRAORDINARY DAY EUROPEAN CLIMATIC HISTORY COMPLETELY REWRITTEN HUNDREDS OF RECORDS SMASHED IN FRANCE It's just the beginnig of most extreme event Europe has ever seen. Records are being smashed allover Western and Central Europe,except Italy.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Here is the latest on the transfer of power from Starmer to Burnham, based on conversations with senior ministers.
1) the most likely day for Starmer to announce a timetable for quitting Downing Street is tomorrow, because the Downing-Street-lectern moment would be his show, he would be in control, and it would be his story more than Burnham’s. After tomorrow there is a risk that events, carping Labour MPs and minister, would appear to be dictating to him rather than vice versa
2) very few think the handover can be as late as party conference at the end of September. The two options are recess in mid July or end-of-recess in early September
September is just too long for him to linger in office.
He has no authority left to govern. The classic line 'in office but not in power' very much applies.
This needs to happen fast, for his own sake if nothing else.
Yep, let's have Burnham in number 10 within days. That would be best for the country imo.
Labour currently at 2.78 for most seats at next GE on betfair. I think this will come in a bit in the event of a Burnham coronation (which itself is highly likely).
Most new leaders get a bounce, it would be unusual if AB did not receive some sort of electoral benefit in the short term. Lab are around 6.4 for the majority (same odds for Tories most seats), and given their main opposition is currently led by a man who is likely to be 65 at the time of the next election, asking Farage to commit to a further 5 years as leader looks unlikely, given current rumblings.
I think both bets are value, mainly as trading bets for now, as I can't see Reform holding onto first spot in polling through the next 3 years. They'll get more scrutiny too, something Farage isn't a fan of
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Here is the latest on the transfer of power from Starmer to Burnham, based on conversations with senior ministers.
1) the most likely day for Starmer to announce a timetable for quitting Downing Street is tomorrow, because the Downing-Street-lectern moment would be his show, he would be in control, and it would be his story more than Burnham’s. After tomorrow there is a risk that events, carping Labour MPs and minister, would appear to be dictating to him rather than vice versa
2) very few think the handover can be as late as party conference at the end of September. The two options are recess in mid July or end-of-recess in early September
September is just too long for him to linger in office.
He has no authority left to govern. The classic line 'in office but not in power' very much applies.
This needs to happen fast, for his own sake if nothing else.
Yep, let's have Burnham in number 10 within days. That would be best for the country imo.
Anything other than a coronation would be absurd now
I am baffled by the fact there seems to be no limit to the number of Turkish barbers a town seems to be able to take. With new ones opening all the time.
Even more strange: there's almost always someone in all of them.
Hmm.
They're cheap, only £10 in many places round here. So you can understand why people who aren't well-off use them instead of paying £30 at the alternatives.
If you give some one £200 of dirty money to launder and get their head shaved 8 times a week at £20 ,yove cleaned £160 of dirty money, created jobs and identities for people and what appear to be jobs and growth.
If you buy a shop with flats upstairs you can set up all kinds of other businesses and apparent jobs.
Turn hundreds to thousands to hundreds of thousands to millions, to tens of millions, to hundreds of millions and billions... The biggest pyramids on earth... Just the tip visible above ground
The amount of high street money laundering has been obvious to anyone not an idiot for quite a while now. If town centres are ever to become thriving locations again, it has to be ended.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
I know it's not that important, but it really pisses me off when journalists, and other politicians, pretend to have a clue about the discussions being held between Starmer and his wife. They don't have a clue, and it's disrespectful, and an invasion of privacy, to think they do.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
That timing would mean that the day's minister for the Today programme would escape having to defend Starmer in the 08:10 slot.
Here is the latest on the transfer of power from Starmer to Burnham, based on conversations with senior ministers.
1) the most likely day for Starmer to announce a timetable for quitting Downing Street is tomorrow, because the Downing-Street-lectern moment would be his show, he would be in control, and it would be his story more than Burnham’s. After tomorrow there is a risk that events, carping Labour MPs and minister, would appear to be dictating to him rather than vice versa
2) very few think the handover can be as late as party conference at the end of September. The two options are recess in mid July or end-of-recess in early September
My "likely date" would be 31 July, the day after the election of the new Manchester mayor, so Burnham can nominally carry on in that role until handover (and campaign for the Labour candidate). It also draws a line under Manchester regardless of that election result.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
The smart political move is to stay distant from Trump, not suck up to him as Starmer did. Starmer was using the post WW2 playbook but its out of date and he had no original thoughts on the matter (as usual). I think Burnham will see where the votes are.
That last sentence is the best summation of Burnham I have read.
I'm not a massive Burnham fan.
However, he's the best ticket in Town right now and he evidenced that on Thursday.
At 955pm on Thursday Beth Rigby claimed "it will be a lot closer than people think"
It was in the context of the importance, all of the recent trends locally and nationally, a sensational result.
I have to admit he has something.
What is it.
Good Communication.
Political nose.
Political Leadership experience of a major Mayorality
Pragnstism
Believability
He will do some left wing things, he will do some right wing things, he'll do some LD things, he'll certainly seek to work with SNP PC all Irish factions. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he did some new or unexpected things quite quickly
Set up PR commission Appoint some non Labour non political experts to key roles Speed up EU integration talks Find ways of increasing defence spending outside if Fiscal Rules either defence bonds or QE Something with Streeting and Mcfadden on Social Care Something with Rayner and a hawk on welfare to get left and right buy in.
I don't see him as authoritarian more a facilitator.
He'll be a political chameleon, he has been in Manchester.
Is tribal Britain awake to this type of Leader, is tribal Britain ready for it, prepared for it.
Is tribal nedia prepared to report it fairly. That's his biggest challenge. Will he have the balls to close down the disgrace that is GB News, to take on Musk and X. Power to his elbow if he does
He's not someone you can pigeongole He's a Scouser loved in Manc land That alone is remarkable
If he consigns the trend of the Cummings and McSweeney to the dustbin positive too.
I really don't know whether to be terrified or excited, hopeful or distraught.
He's different
It's going to be a very interesting 6 months
The public want change, they are sick of politics, the answer might just have landed in Labours lap.
He's not a Scouser! He's from a village between Warrington. St Helens and Leigh.
This is of the genre of "he's not a cockney, he wasn't born in earshot of Bow Bells".
No it isn't. Scouse is an accent. He doesn't have it.
The smart political move is to stay distant from Trump, not suck up to him as Starmer did. Starmer was using the post WW2 playbook but its out of date and he had no original thoughts on the matter (as usual). I think Burnham will see where the votes are.
That last sentence is the best summation of Burnham I have read.
I'm not a massive Burnham fan.
However, he's the best ticket in Town right now and he evidenced that on Thursday.
At 955pm on Thursday Beth Rigby claimed "it will be a lot closer than people think"
It was in the context of the importance, all of the recent trends locally and nationally, a sensational result.
I have to admit he has something.
What is it.
Good Communication.
Political nose.
Political Leadership experience of a major Mayorality
Pragnstism
Believability
He will do some left wing things, he will do some right wing things, he'll do some LD things, he'll certainly seek to work with SNP PC all Irish factions. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he did some new or unexpected things quite quickly
Set up PR commission Appoint some non Labour non political experts to key roles Speed up EU integration talks Find ways of increasing defence spending outside if Fiscal Rules either defence bonds or QE Something with Streeting and Mcfadden on Social Care Something with Rayner and a hawk on welfare to get left and right buy in.
I don't see him as authoritarian more a facilitator.
He'll be a political chameleon, he has been in Manchester.
Is tribal Britain awake to this type of Leader, is tribal Britain ready for it, prepared for it.
Is tribal nedia prepared to report it fairly. That's his biggest challenge. Will he have the balls to close down the disgrace that is GB News, to take on Musk and X. Power to his elbow if he does
He's not someone you can pigeongole He's a Scouser loved in Manc land That alone is remarkable
If he consigns the trend of the Cummings and McSweeney to the dustbin positive too.
I really don't know whether to be terrified or excited, hopeful or distraught.
He's different
It's going to be a very interesting 6 months
The public want change, they are sick of politics, the answer might just have landed in Labours lap.
He's not a Scouser! He's from a village between Warrington. St Helens and Leigh.
This is of the genre of "he's not a cockney, he wasn't born in earshot of Bow Bells".
No it isn't. Scouse is an accent. He doesn't have it.
I've seen a few short vid clips of the Green for Manchester candidate Geraldine Coggins and you know what? I think the 15/1 on BF is looking like value.
I know it's not that important, but it really pisses me off when journalists, and other politicians, pretend to have a clue about the discussions being held between Starmer and his wife. They don't have a clue, and it's disrespectful, and an invasion of privacy, to think they do.
The number of right wing media pundits and outlets claiming insight into Starmer's intimate thoughts is rather implausible. In the absence of news they are simply having fun making stuff up.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
This sounds like bollocks if I am honest.
8am on Monday??
Hmmm...
Doesn't give the markets time to tank if he doesn't...
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
When Starmer goes Britain will have nine living ex-PMs. Major is 83 - the only one of the nine older than KCIII.
How many living ex-PMs at the time of the next Accession Council?
Robert Peston: "The minister says that if Keir Starmer’s wife Vic were to encourage him to fight on, he might just do that". As I wrote yesterday, this briefing is embarrassing now. This is what you expect in a banana republic, not a supposedly mature western democracy. 7:03 PM · Jun 21, 2026"
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
This sounds like bollocks if I am honest.
8am on Monday??
Hmmm...
Cameron announced his resignation early in the morning IIRC
The smart political move is to stay distant from Trump, not suck up to him as Starmer did. Starmer was using the post WW2 playbook but its out of date and he had no original thoughts on the matter (as usual). I think Burnham will see where the votes are.
That last sentence is the best summation of Burnham I have read.
I'm not a massive Burnham fan.
However, he's the best ticket in Town right now and he evidenced that on Thursday.
At 955pm on Thursday Beth Rigby claimed "it will be a lot closer than people think"
It was in the context of the importance, all of the recent trends locally and nationally, a sensational result.
I have to admit he has something.
What is it.
Good Communication.
Political nose.
Political Leadership experience of a major Mayorality
Pragnstism
Believability
He will do some left wing things, he will do some right wing things, he'll do some LD things, he'll certainly seek to work with SNP PC all Irish factions. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he did some new or unexpected things quite quickly
Set up PR commission Appoint some non Labour non political experts to key roles Speed up EU integration talks Find ways of increasing defence spending outside if Fiscal Rules either defence bonds or QE Something with Streeting and Mcfadden on Social Care Something with Rayner and a hawk on welfare to get left and right buy in.
I don't see him as authoritarian more a facilitator.
He'll be a political chameleon, he has been in Manchester.
Is tribal Britain awake to this type of Leader, is tribal Britain ready for it, prepared for it.
Is tribal nedia prepared to report it fairly. That's his biggest challenge. Will he have the balls to close down the disgrace that is GB News, to take on Musk and X. Power to his elbow if he does
He's not someone you can pigeongole He's a Scouser loved in Manc land That alone is remarkable
If he consigns the trend of the Cummings and McSweeney to the dustbin positive too.
I really don't know whether to be terrified or excited, hopeful or distraught.
He's different
It's going to be a very interesting 6 months
The public want change, they are sick of politics, the answer might just have landed in Labours lap.
He's not a Scouser! He's from a village between Warrington. St Helens and Leigh.
This is of the genre of "he's not a cockney, he wasn't born in earshot of Bow Bells".
No it isn't. Scouse is an accent. He doesn't have it.
I'm Scouse (born in Merseyside) but have lost the accent as moved when young. Does that mean I'm not Scouse anymore?
PS I agree he's not, he was not born in Merseyside.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
King Chuck is less than 4 years into his job and is now going onto his 4th PM
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
When Starmer goes Britain will have nine living ex-PMs. Major is 83 - the only one of the nine older than KCIII.
How many living ex-PMs at the time of the next Accession Council?
They will outnumber the troops at the Cenotaph soon.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
King Chuck is less than 4 years into his job and is now going onto his 4th PM
And was only a matter of days away from a fifth too.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
When Starmer goes Britain will have nine living ex-PMs. Major is 83 - the only one of the nine older than KCIII.
How many living ex-PMs at the time of the next Accession Council?
Think I read somewhere it was highly unusual to have more than 4 living ex PMs at any time, not sure Liz ever had more than 4 or 5 at any time during her tenure
This is an utterly insane story: 25,000 documents reviewed by WaPo indicate that throughout Tulsi's career, her political moves were controlled by her guru, cult leader Chris Butler.
I was just about to post a semi-humorous comment about how if Starmer wants to live up to his slightly puritanical reputation he'd decide to resign early in the morning while most people are still having their breakfast, but then I've just read below that he might indeed make the announcement at 8am. 😃
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
When Starmer goes Britain will have nine living ex-PMs. Major is 83 - the only one of the nine older than KCIII.
How many living ex-PMs at the time of the next Accession Council?
Think I read somewhere it was highly unusual to have more than 4 living ex PMs at any time, not sure Liz ever had more than 4 or 5 at any time during her tenure
Now we're at 7, going on 8 8, going on 9... I forgot that the UK created two new ex-PMs in 2022.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
And the heat might be quite unpleasant too.
Downing Street is quite nicely air conditioned, don't tell Ed Miliband.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
When Starmer goes Britain will have nine living ex-PMs. Major is 83 - the only one of the nine older than KCIII.
How many living ex-PMs at the time of the next Accession Council?
Think I read somewhere it was highly unusual to have more than 4 living ex PMs at any time, not sure Liz ever had more than 4 or 5 at any time during her tenure
Now we're at 7, going on 8 8, going on 9... I forgot that the UK created two new ex-PMs in 2022.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
I blame rolling, 24hr news more than anything.
Because "the news" never stops, a perpetual and endless cycle of drama and crisis is needed to keep everyone going...
If I was to advise Burnham to do one thing on day one of entering Downing St. it would be this:
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
When Starmer goes Britain will have nine living ex-PMs. Major is 83 - the only one of the nine older than KCIII.
How many living ex-PMs at the time of the next Accession Council?
Think I read somewhere it was highly unusual to have more than 4 living ex PMs at any time, not sure Liz ever had more than 4 or 5 at any time during her tenure
Now we're at 7, going on 8 8, going on 9... I forgot that the UK created two new ex-PMs in 2022.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Especially if Starmer has sewn raw prawns into the curtain linings...
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
When Starmer goes Britain will have nine living ex-PMs. Major is 83 - the only one of the nine older than KCIII.
How many living ex-PMs at the time of the next Accession Council?
Think I read somewhere it was highly unusual to have more than 4 living ex PMs at any time, not sure Liz ever had more than 4 or 5 at any time during her tenure
Now we're at 7, going on 8 8, going on 9... I forgot that the UK created two new ex-PMs in 2022.
hashtag dearohdear
Did HMQ ever have more than 5?
When she appointed Truss she had 6 ex-PMs (Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, May, Johnson) for the first time in her reign.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Doing it at 8am to avoid the worst of the heat.
The Downing Street flat will be a grim place to be next week.
Larry is now onto...what is it...his fifth, sixth, seventh PM? I lose track.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
When Starmer goes Britain will have nine living ex-PMs. Major is 83 - the only one of the nine older than KCIII.
How many living ex-PMs at the time of the next Accession Council?
Think I read somewhere it was highly unusual to have more than 4 living ex PMs at any time, not sure Liz ever had more than 4 or 5 at any time during her tenure
Now we're at 7, going on 8 8, going on 9... I forgot that the UK created two new ex-PMs in 2022.
hashtag dearohdear
Did HMQ ever have more than 5?
When she appointed Truss she had 6 ex-PMs (Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, May, Johnson) for the first time in her reign.
Thanks.
And then Truss killed* her off.
* For the benefit of any lawyers this comment is not 100% serious.
I think Trump should not be commenting on internal UK politics. But that's Trump. He's an idiot, a grade A idiot and utterly vile man. He's the reason the US will end 2028 as a 'Great Power' (not a Superpower). He's speedrunning the end of the American Empire.
Maybe it's me. But I always think internal politics should be left alone by foreign powers. I recall Putin (after the Brexit vote) suggested that the UK should of course leave the EU (this was in that rocking late 2018-early 2019 period). Though I'd voted Leave I thought this was something we should work out and not have other comment.
Same here. We're working out a changing on the guard in Premiership. We don't need Donald Trump commenting. This is entirely a domestic UK matter.
On an allied but trivial matter, Trump's comment on Meloni and photos:
"She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her."
is no way a proper man speaks of any lady in public about an entirely personal matter. Even if (especially if) it's true. Which it won't be.
Comments
"(((Dan Hodges)))
@DPJHodges
Robert Peston: "The minister says that if Keir Starmer’s wife Vic were to encourage him to fight on, he might just do that". As I wrote yesterday, this briefing is embarrassing now. This is what you expect in a banana republic, not a supposedly mature western democracy.
7:03 PM · Jun 21, 2026"
https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2068756592414044325
Time to say goodbye, Mr Starmer
He's the reason the US will end 2028 as a 'Great Power' (not a Superpower). He's speedrunning the end of the American Empire.
Maybe it's me. But I always think internal politics should be left alone by foreign powers. I recall Putin (after the Brexit vote) suggested that the UK should of course leave the EU (this was in that rocking late 2018-early 2019 period). Though I'd voted Leave I thought this was something we should work out and not have other comment.
Same here. We're working out a changing on the guard in Premiership. We don't need Donald Trump commenting. This is entirely a domestic UK matter.
I've brought up 2 new Londoners in that time too. If I'd left the city they'd have to re-migrate here all over again.
I'm not a massive Burnham fan.
However, he's the best ticket in Town right now and he evidenced that on Thursday.
At 955pm on Thursday Beth Rigby claimed "it will be a lot closer than people think"
It was in the context of the importance, all of the recent trends locally and nationally, a sensational result.
I have to admit he has something.
What is it.
Good Communication.
Political nose.
Political Leadership experience of a major Mayorality
Pragnstism
Believability
He will do some left wing things, he will do some right wing things, he'll do some LD things, he'll certainly seek to work with SNP PC all Irish factions. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he did some new or unexpected things quite quickly
Set up PR commission
Appoint some non Labour non political experts to key roles
Speed up EU integration talks
Find ways of increasing defence spending outside if Fiscal Rules either defence bonds or QE
Something with Streeting and Mcfadden on Social Care
Something with Rayner and a hawk on welfare to get left and right buy in.
I don't see him as authoritarian more a facilitator.
He'll be a political chameleon, he has been in Manchester.
Is tribal Britain awake to this type of Leader, is tribal Britain ready for it, prepared for it.
Is tribal nedia prepared to report it fairly. That's his biggest challenge.
Will he have the balls to close down the disgrace that is GB News, to take on Musk and X. Power to his elbow if he does
He's not someone you can pigeongole
He's a Scouser loved in Manc land
That alone is remarkable
If he consigns the trend of the Cummings and McSweeney to the dustbin positive too.
I really don't know whether to be terrified or excited, hopeful or distraught.
He's different
It's going to be a very interesting 6 months
The public want change, they are sick of politics, the answer might just have landed in Labours lap.
Trump is grossly overweight, obviously in mental decline; falls asleep in meetings; shits his pants in public and gets bored of running the country. It's obvious none of what you noted this American channel said is true, but it just goes to show that MAGA is now so ensconed in the Messiah-Complex of Trump, they'd follow him over the cliff edge. Hell, they'd shoot themselves in the head before admit they screwed up.
Maybe I am just old.
He's from a village between Warrington. St Helens and Leigh.
"Mike Tapp MP
@MikeTappTweets
Is it time to legislate; if a change of leader is forced by its own Party then a General Election must be called.
That would stop the constant churn and focus all politicians on delivery, instead of work place politics. These endless ‘house of cards’ games would end and the country would benefit.
Let’s legislate to focus minds."
https://x.com/MikeTappTweets/status/2068687111658582180
@Peston
Here is the latest on the transfer of power from Starmer to Burnham, based on conversations with senior ministers.
1) the most likely day for Starmer to announce a timetable for quitting Downing Street is tomorrow, because the Downing-Street-lectern moment would be his show, he would be in control, and it would be his story more than Burnham’s. After tomorrow there is a risk that events, carping Labour MPs and minister, would appear to be dictating to him rather than vice versa
2) very few think the handover can be as late as party conference at the end of September. The two options are recess in mid July or end-of-recess in early September
If you buy a shop with flats upstairs you can set up all kinds of other businesses and apparent jobs.
Turn hundreds to thousands to hundreds of thousands to millions, to tens of millions, to hundreds of millions and billions... The biggest pyramids on earth... Just the tip visible above ground
Can you imagine the meltdown it would cause in the White House? Plus worth 10 points on Labour's polling right there.
Kind of ironic as the Anatolian Turks for decades were asking themselves why the Armenians seemed to run all the successful import-export businesses, or the Greeks had sewn up medicine. Then they, famously, "did something about it".
Nuff said
MAGAs would be hypocritically apoplectic at the lese majeste. Democrats would be jubilant.
Extreme Temperatures Around The World
@extremetemps
‼️EXTRAORDINARY DAY
EUROPEAN CLIMATIC HISTORY COMPLETELY REWRITTEN
HUNDREDS OF RECORDS SMASHED IN FRANCE
It's just the beginnig of most extreme event Europe has ever seen.
Records are being smashed allover Western and Central Europe,except Italy.
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2068756671623561317
The extreme temps twitter account does go in for hyperbole, but it's not far off this time. It's only June.
He has no authority left to govern. The classic line 'in office but not in power' very much applies.
This needs to happen fast, for his own sake if nothing else.
Broadcasters are preparing for Keir Starmer to resign tomorrow with a statement in Downing Street possibly as early as 0800 I’m told by editors involved. No10 has not issued a formal op note but clearly conversations are happening this evening
Most new leaders get a bounce, it would be unusual if AB did not receive some sort of electoral benefit in the short term. Lab are around 6.4 for the majority (same odds for Tories most seats), and given their main opposition is currently led by a man who is likely to be 65 at the time of the next election, asking Farage to commit to a further 5 years as leader looks unlikely, given current rumblings.
I think both bets are value, mainly as trading bets for now, as I can't see Reform holding onto first spot in polling through the next 3 years. They'll get more scrutiny too, something Farage isn't a fan of
We know now ... and it's really been evident for a couple of years
btw where's Isam?
If town centres are ever to become thriving locations again, it has to be ended.
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
There's supposedly a dementia test where the patient is asked who is the current PM.
Hmm...
8am on Monday??
Hmmm...
I've seen a few short vid clips of the Green for Manchester candidate Geraldine Coggins and you know what? I think the 15/1 on BF is looking like value.
DYOR
How many living ex-PMs at the time of the next Accession Council?
Had Denis Thatcher told his wife to carry on in November 1990 then she would have.
I suggest Starmer buys himself at least a full day of headlines by going early tomorrow.
PS I agree he's not, he was not born in Merseyside.
This woman was leading the world's largest intelligence apparatus.
https://x.com/KareemRifai/status/2068717035165741087
It's almost 10°C cooler on the Isle of Wight.
Tempting to move there for the week.
Now we're at 7, going on 8 8, going on 9... I forgot that the UK created two new ex-PMs in 2022.
hashtag dearohdear
Because "the news" never stops, a perpetual and endless cycle of drama and crisis is needed to keep everyone going...
If I was to advise Burnham to do one thing on day one of entering Downing St. it would be this:
BAN 24hr news channels!
I'm serious!
https://www.thetimes.com/sport/tennis/article/serena-williams-to-play-singles-at-wimbledon-bxd9nzrx8
Ruled out by VAR 🤨
In this heat? Pong....
And then Truss killed* her off.
* For the benefit of any lawyers this comment is not 100% serious.
"She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her."
is no way a proper man speaks of any lady in public about an entirely personal matter. Even if (especially if) it's true. Which it won't be.