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  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 43,210

    Yes, the media are all out to get you. Really. In the meantime, we know that flying the Saltire makes you a Unionist ... ;)
    Ah, the PB 'we' who know things again.
    The internet is full of Unionists whining about being proud Scots who need to reclaim the Saltire from the nasty Nats. Otoh I've never seen an indy supporter claiming someone waving a Union flag somehow supports Yes. You'd have to be all kinds of a diddy to do that.
  • The_ApocalypseThe_Apocalypse Posts: 7,830
    edited August 2018
    Interesting article, reposted by Matt Singh on twitter in light of the recent Corbyn wreath story:
    https://capx.co/what-do-people-really-think-about-big-political-stories/

    @rottenborough Why do you think Chuka leaving would transform politics in this country?
  • MJWMJW Posts: 2,009
    nielh said:

    Even for a left/liberal, the case for voting conservative is very strong.



    I couldn't vote Conservative. They have their own, massive, issues that make the entirely unpalatable. A Tory Party in thrall to the Rees-Moggs of this world makes me just as sick to my stomach. Just fed up of people pretending Corbyn and what he's doing is in anyway within the traditions of decency let alone Labour tradition. It's appalling and needs to be called out as such - and those saying otherwise are, like US Republicans showing they are prepared to throw minorities under the bus to privilege their beliefs because the leader may be a liar and behaved appallingly, but damnit he's our liar.
  • Chuka walking would transform politics in this country imho.

    Fingers crossed
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,252

    Ah, the PB 'we' who know things again.
    The internet is full of Unionists whining about being proud Scots who need to reclaim the Saltire from the nasty Nats. Otoh I've never seen an indy supporter claiming someone waving a Union flag somehow supports Yes. You'd have to be all kinds of a diddy to do that.
    Look, there are plenty of things to be said about that story. You chose to focus on 'unionist' when he was carrying the Saltire. Even you must find that funny!
  • AnazinaAnazina Posts: 3,487

    And the media will, after a brief honeymoon, start (at least some of the papers will) going after the stories that dissuaded him from running back in 2015.

    Build them up, knock them down is the way certain outlets like to work.
    He was a house DJ in Manchester in the 1990s. Anyone who was young back in the day knows what went on. I doubt anyone much cares anymore.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 59,226
    I think people have got the Corbyn thing all wrong. It's clear that he wasn't laying a wreath to the Lockerbie bombers, but to those who died at the hands of Mossad.

    You know, good hearted people like Adolf Eichmann, or Fathi Shaqaqi.
  • oxfordsimonoxfordsimon Posts: 5,845
    Chuka quitting - it will only have major impact if it is part of a co-ordinated campaign with other resignations following in quick succession.

    Otherwise it will be too easy to spin as the act of a petulant loser.

  • AnazinaAnazina Posts: 3,487
    TSE

    Vogue is a bit overrated IMO. Border Line probably gets the nod for the pure pop disco riff, it’s otherwise unremarkable but doesn’t need anything else.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 59,226

    if you follow GDP figures we get some startling revisions,

    That is certainly true. I personally would delay GDP releases by about a month because the initial numbers are often wildly inaccurate. (Although one of my friends promises me the magnitude of revisions of government statistics is declining. He works for the IMF, mind, so you probably should take what he says with a pinch of salt.)
  • AnazinaAnazina Posts: 3,487

    I have a stint as guest editor coming up, just for you, I'll work in some Madonna puns.

    As an 'Allo 'Allo fan I may also work in a reference to Van Klomp's finest painting.
    :)
  • surbysurby Posts: 1,227

    Chuka quitting - it will only have major impact if it is part of a co-ordinated campaign with other resignations following in quick succession.

    Otherwise it will be too easy to spin as the act of a petulant loser.

    Is he going to join the Tories ?
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    Best Madonna song? “I’m Sorry”

    While she’s ok, Aretha Franklin is, I’m afraid to say, O.V.E.R.R.A.T.E.D. But rest in peace anyway.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 43,210

    Look, there are plenty of things to be said about that story. You chose to focus on 'unionist' when he was carrying the Saltire. Even you must find that funny!
    Pro tip, when you're floundering never start anything with 'Look' or else you'll be put on a par with mealy mouthed pols.
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633

    Chuka quitting - it will only have major impact if it is part of a co-ordinated campaign with other resignations following in quick succession.

    Otherwise it will be too easy to spin as the act of a petulant loser.

    Will be up there with the day James Purnell walked into the sunset..

  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 59,226
    rcs1000 said:

    That is certainly true. I personally would delay GDP releases by about a month because the initial numbers are often wildly inaccurate. (Although one of my friends promises me the magnitude of revisions of government statistics is declining. He works for the IMF, mind, so you probably should take what he says with a pinch of salt.)
    On that note, I see Q2 was just revised up for the Eurozone from 0.3% to 0.4%.

    Also, and this really annoys me, why doesn't the whole world standardise on either annualised (like the US) or non-annualised (like the UK and the Eurozone)?
  • fitalassfitalass Posts: 4,320
    Twitter
    John McDonnell MP@johnmcdonnellMP
    For anybody to use the issue of antisemitism as a cover for launching a new political party they had been planning for nearly two years would rightly be seen as an act of appalling cynicism, basely exploiting a genuine concern that people of goodwill are working hard to address.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,393
    rcs1000 said:

    On that note, I see Q2 was just revised up for the Eurozone from 0.3% to 0.4%.

    Also, and this really annoys me, why doesn't the whole world standardise on either annualised (like the US) or non-annualised (like the UK and the Eurozone)?
    "Why doesn't the word standardise on X?" is surely a very common question, and the answer is 'Humanity'. We cannot even agree on plug sockets.
  • Best Madonna song? “I’m Sorry”

    Open Your Heart
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,252

    Pro tip, when you're floundering never start anything with 'Look' or else you'll be put on a par with mealy mouthed pols.
    Pro tip: when you're floundering, change the topic by accusing others of 'floundering'.

    As I said, there are plenty of things to be said about that story: as an example, how did he develop such hateful views, in what appears to have been a very sad and disrupted life? Asking questions about such people (of all stripes) might help us change the direction of others away from hatred and, at worst, such actions.
  • surbysurby Posts: 1,227

    You Gov poll on Corbyn and the wreath controversy not good as his personal ratings fall

    I see no way the UK would elect someone with these ratings to be PM
    As you know, if you have followed my posts in the past, I had two opportunities to vote for Corbyn in the last 3 years and did not in either. In the first one, I voted for Cooper with #2 going to Burnham. In 2017, I did not vote at all because I could not vote for Owen Smith who I had not even heard about until he became a candidate.

    After his 40% in 2017, Corbyn is untouchable to about 60% of the membership today. Unless an incredibly awful result happens like 2015, I cannot see him going.

    I hope he will be replaced by Thornberry.

    Meanwhile, I would prefer Mourinho to go, whatever the cost!
  • fitalass said:

    Twitter
    John McDonnell MP@johnmcdonnellMP
    For anybody to use the issue of antisemitism as a cover for launching a new political party they had been planning for nearly two years would rightly be seen as an act of appalling cynicism, basely exploiting a genuine concern that people of goodwill are working hard to address.

    If there were people of goodwill working hard to address antisemitism then he'd have a point.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,252
    surby said:

    Is he going to join the Tories ?
    I wonder if he'll be allowed to make the announcement from Labour HQ? After all, if they don't they 'll be restricting his free speech ...

    (Or is that only the case for the Jewish Museum) ?
  • surby said:

    What can you do ? Labour vote is increasing.
    Votes or polling data?
  • oxfordsimonoxfordsimon Posts: 5,845
    fitalass said:

    Twitter
    John McDonnell MP@johnmcdonnellMP
    For anybody to use the issue of antisemitism as a cover for launching a new political party they had been planning for nearly two years would rightly be seen as an act of appalling cynicism, basely exploiting a genuine concern that people of goodwill are working hard to address.

    Someone doesn't get what is going on within his own party.

    There is no hard work going on at the top of the Labour party on the issue of antisemitism.

    There is denial, obfuscation and smearing.
  • nielhnielh Posts: 1,307
    MJW said:

    I couldn't vote Conservative. They have their own, massive, issues that make the entirely unpalatable. A Tory Party in thrall to the Rees-Moggs of this world makes me just as sick to my stomach. Just fed up of people pretending Corbyn and what he's doing is in anyway within the traditions of decency let alone Labour tradition. It's appalling and needs to be called out as such - and those saying otherwise are, like US Republicans showing they are prepared to throw minorities under the bus to privilege their beliefs because the leader may be a liar and behaved appallingly, but damnit he's our liar.
    The actions of moderate labour MP's and moderate republicans in the US are similar. It is a begrudging form of submission. I've just finished Sean Spicers book. Essentially, he comes across as stumbling in to his support for Trump, because of loyalty to the party.

    If Corbyn is as bad as you claim, then you have to ask yourself is the alternative really worse? I don't see how JRM or Boris would do more damage.
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    edited August 2018
    image

    image


    Hmm - now who is not mentioned on this campaign leaflet ? Is it the magic Grandpa ?

  • MJWMJW Posts: 2,009

    And the media will, after a brief honeymoon, start (at least some of the papers will) going after the stories that dissuaded him from running back in 2015.

    Build them up, knock them down is the way certain outlets like to work.
    I've always thought Chuka was the wrong person to lead a centre-left breakaway - too easily painted as a slick unmoored professional. However, he's definitely gone up in my estimation with his actions on Brexit and anti-Semitism. I know many on here will disagree with his views on the former, but there's a vast amount of liberal-left opinion that is underrepresented even in the debate thanks to Corbyn's tactical silence and seeming lack of understanding of the technical issues (one reason the government is in a real mess on Brexit is that they haven't had the countervailing force of a technically adept remain or soft-Brexit opposition to rake over the details long before they began to run out of time). When others have been cowed by the leadership, he's put his head above the parapet and done the right thing - no small thing given the state of the Labour Party.

    Still think he may play Stella Creasy's John the Baptist though, and create the conditions for her to succeed while getting his head lopped off by the Corbynites himself.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,410
    nielh said:

    Even for a left/liberal, the case for voting conservative is very strong.

    Seems change is coming....but not the change BJO wants.
  • surbysurby Posts: 1,227
    Does anyone know about Number Cruncher Politics ? I have not seen any poll where the age distribution of the weighted and unweighted sample was almost identical.

    In geography, only the Midlands were oversampled [ no more than any other poll ] and the North undersampled.

    Luck ? or what ?

    https://www.ncpolitics.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/voting-intention-2018-08-15.pdf
  • philiphphiliph Posts: 4,705

    If there were people of goodwill working hard to address antisemitism then he'd have a point.
    To be fair it frequently feels as if anti semitism is addressed.
    Doesn't often feel as if it is done in a way to banish, eradicate or outlaw
  • Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091

    Pro tip, when you're floundering never start anything with 'Look' or else you'll be put on a par with mealy mouthed pols.
    To be fair, 'Look' is not as much of a politician's tell as 'Let's be clear'.
  • surbysurby Posts: 1,227
    TGOHF said:

    image

    image


    Hmm - now who is not mentioned on this campaign leaflet ? Is it the magic Grandpa ?

    Do I need to google or will you tell us what your cryptic message is about ?
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340

    Open Your Heart
    My heart is always open.
  • fitalassfitalass Posts: 4,320

    If there were people of goodwill working hard to address antisemitism then he'd have a point.
    Quite, but I wonder if this tweet from Mcdonnell is an indicator that some moderate Labour MPs have finally had enough after witnessing the behaviour of Corbyn and his team over the wreath laying scandal over the last week? Both the Morning Star & Len McLusky's interventions today also make for very unpleasant reading. As I posted in an earlier thread. With Parliament still in recess, there will be many Labour MPs thankful that they have not been asked to either defend or justify Corbyn's presence at that wreath laying ceremony. That the few Labour politicians who have been doing TV/Radio have struggled to defend or support his behaviour speaks volumes.

  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,924
    The Labour party has formally complained to the press regulator Ipso about the coverage by several British newspapers of Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to lay a wreath at a cemetery in Tunisia.

    In its complaint, the party said the Sun, the Times, the Telegraph, the Daily Mail, the Express and Metro had misrepresented the event, which the Labour leader attended in 2014.

    The press regulator has acknowledged the complaint and said it will consider taking the case further, raising the prospect that it could attempt to rule on the definitive chain of events surrounding Corbyn’s visit to the cemetery.

    It is highly unusual for a senior politician to turn to the press regulator over negative media coverage.

    The story resurfaced last Saturday when the Daily Mail ran a front page that featured pictures of Corbyn at the graveyard holding a wreath.

    The story had previously been reported – Corbyn wrote about his trip at the time for the Morning Star newspaper – but the Daily Mail report featured pictures from the Facebook page of the Palestinian embassy in Tunisia.

    Labour said subsequent reporting of the incident across the media had seriously misrepresented the event, misidentified those buried in the cemetery and underplayed the role of mainstream Palestinian leaders conducting the ceremony.

    The complaint focuses on incidents where newspapers have specifically stated in news stories that the event was commemorating members of the Black September terrorist group or those who carried out the 1972 Munich massacre. Labour says there are no graves for such individuals and the event did not commemorate the Munich terrorists.
  • surbysurby Posts: 1,227

    I wonder if he'll be allowed to make the announcement from Labour HQ? After all, if they don't they 'll be restricting his free speech ...

    (Or is that only the case for the Jewish Museum) ?
    I am sure were he to join the Tories, it would be from a swanky club in Pall Mall.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,410
    nielh said:

    The actions of moderate labour MP's and moderate republicans in the US are similar. It is a begrudging form of submission. I've just finished Sean Spicers book. Essentially, he comes across as stumbling in to his support for Trump, because of loyalty to the party.

    If Corbyn is as bad as you claim, then you have to ask yourself is the alternative really worse? I don't see how JRM or Boris would do more damage.
    Boris has his record as Mayor of London to point to. The most metroplitan population in the UK - one of the most in the world - didn't exactly descend to lynchings and repatriations on his watch.

    Whilst JRM has, er, the record of Victorian England to point to. Great civic works undertaken by prolific philanthropy, whilst the Union Jack was respected by our friends/feared by our enemies around the globe.
  • surby said:

    As you know, if you have followed my posts in the past, I had two opportunities to vote for Corbyn in the last 3 years and did not in either. In the first one, I voted for Cooper with #2 going to Burnham. In 2017, I did not vote at all because I could not vote for Owen Smith who I had not even heard about until he became a candidate.

    After his 40% in 2017, Corbyn is untouchable to about 60% of the membership today. Unless an incredibly awful result happens like 2015, I cannot see him going.

    I hope he will be replaced by Thornberry.

    Meanwhile, I would prefer Mourinho to go, whatever the cost!
    Well we absolutely agree on Mourinho. He is a lost cause.

    Also Corbyn is an absolute disaster for labour and the Country. Neil Kinnock ridding labour of militant tendency is one of those political moments etched into my memory. Where is today's Neil Kinnock
  • I've completely given up on the BBC News website, but I nipped over to see for myself how it is now. God, it's awful. Hideous to look at, largely comprising pointless small pictures of nothing significant, with a bizarre range of 'top' stories ("Madonna's Sixty Years").

    I never expected to say this, but thank God for the Guardian website. At least it has some news, properly reported, even if the comment pieces are full of hate.

    BBC front page still doesn't have any mention of the century floods in Southern India.

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/kerala-floods-live-updates-more-ndrf-teams-rushed-to-kerala-as-flood-situation-worsens/liveblog/65403405.cms?
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,924

    The Labour party has formally complained to the press regulator Ipso about the coverage by several British newspapers of Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to lay a wreath at a cemetery in Tunisia.

    In its complaint, the party said the Sun, the Times, the Telegraph, the Daily Mail, the Express and Metro had misrepresented the event, which the Labour leader attended in 2014.

    The press regulator has acknowledged the complaint and said it will consider taking the case further, raising the prospect that it could attempt to rule on the definitive chain of events surrounding Corbyn’s visit to the cemetery.

    It is highly unusual for a senior politician to turn to the press regulator over negative media coverage.

    The story resurfaced last Saturday when the Daily Mail ran a front page that featured pictures of Corbyn at the graveyard holding a wreath.

    The story had previously been reported – Corbyn wrote about his trip at the time for the Morning Star newspaper – but the Daily Mail report featured pictures from the Facebook page of the Palestinian embassy in Tunisia.

    Labour said subsequent reporting of the incident across the media had seriously misrepresented the event, misidentified those buried in the cemetery and underplayed the role of mainstream Palestinian leaders conducting the ceremony.

    The complaint focuses on incidents where newspapers have specifically stated in news stories that the event was commemorating members of the Black September terrorist group or those who carried out the 1972 Munich massacre. Labour says there are no graves for such individuals and the event did not commemorate the Munich terrorists.

    Should be a good test for IPSOS

    Not holding my breath

    Who regulates the BBC?
  • surbysurby Posts: 1,227

    The Labour party has formally complained to the press regulator Ipso about the coverage by several British newspapers of Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to lay a wreath at a cemetery in Tunisia.

    In its complaint, the party said the Sun, the Times, the Telegraph, the Daily Mail, the Express and Metro had misrepresented the event, which the Labour leader attended in 2014.

    The press regulator has acknowledged the complaint and said it will consider taking the case further, raising the prospect that it could attempt to rule on the definitive chain of events surrounding Corbyn’s visit to the cemetery.

    It is highly unusual for a senior politician to turn to the press regulator over negative media coverage.

    The story resurfaced last Saturday when the Daily Mail ran a front page that featured pictures of Corbyn at the graveyard holding a wreath.

    The story had previously been reported – Corbyn wrote about his trip at the time for the Morning Star newspaper – but the Daily Mail report featured pictures from the Facebook page of the Palestinian embassy in Tunisia.

    Labour said subsequent reporting of the incident across the media had seriously misrepresented the event, misidentified those buried in the cemetery and underplayed the role of mainstream Palestinian leaders conducting the ceremony.

    The complaint focuses on incidents where newspapers have specifically stated in news stories that the event was commemorating members of the Black September terrorist group or those who carried out the 1972 Munich massacre. Labour says there are no graves for such individuals and the event did not commemorate the Munich terrorists.

    Why bother when fake news would do.
  • If there were people of goodwill working hard to address antisemitism then he'd have a point.
    That tweet by McDonnell looks like absolute panic. Maybe moves are a foot
  • The Labour party has formally complained to the press regulator Ipso about the coverage by several British newspapers of Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to lay a wreath at a cemetery in Tunisia.

    In its complaint, the party said the Sun, the Times, the Telegraph, the Daily Mail, the Express and Metro had misrepresented the event, which the Labour leader attended in 2014.

    The press regulator has acknowledged the complaint and said it will consider taking the case further, raising the prospect that it could attempt to rule on the definitive chain of events surrounding Corbyn’s visit to the cemetery.

    It is highly unusual for a senior politician to turn to the press regulator over negative media coverage.

    The story resurfaced last Saturday when the Daily Mail ran a front page that featured pictures of Corbyn at the graveyard holding a wreath.

    The story had previously been reported – Corbyn wrote about his trip at the time for the Morning Star newspaper – but the Daily Mail report featured pictures from the Facebook page of the Palestinian embassy in Tunisia.

    Labour said subsequent reporting of the incident across the media had seriously misrepresented the event, misidentified those buried in the cemetery and underplayed the role of mainstream Palestinian leaders conducting the ceremony.

    The complaint focuses on incidents where newspapers have specifically stated in news stories that the event was commemorating members of the Black September terrorist group or those who carried out the 1972 Munich massacre. Labour says there are no graves for such individuals and the event did not commemorate the Munich terrorists.

    Own goal comes to mind
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,410
    What do we think would happen to the LibDems' fortunes if Chuka Umunna (with/without a bunch of colleagues) joined from Labour - and Vince immediately handed over to him as "acting" leader?
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,924

    Well we absolutely agree on Mourinho. He is a lost cause.

    Also Corbyn is an absolute disaster for labour and the Country. Neil Kinnock ridding labour of militant tendency is one of those political moments etched into my memory. Where is today's Neil Kinnock
    Did you ever vote for Kinnock?
  • Did you ever vote for Kinnock?
    No of course not but it was an epic moment
  • NorthofStokeNorthofStoke Posts: 1,758

    Should be a good test for IPSOS

    Not holding my breath

    Who regulates the BBC?

    No serious commentator has challenged that the wreath was placed at the grave of the planner of the attack. Some loose wording in some articles might get a partial technical victory I suppose. Many people have a lot of hope invested in JC so it is difficult for them but I think many of his supporters will feel ashamed of themselves at some point in the future. The decent core of the LP needs to get him and McDonnell out now.
  • NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,672

    No of course not but it was an epic moment
    A classic exchange showing why taking even genuinely-meant advice (I know Big G doesn't do wind-ups) from another party is not always helpful. I think Ken Clarke would (still!) be a much better Tory leader, but I wouldn't actually, er, vote Tory if he were.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,658

    Should be a good test for IPSOS

    Not holding my breath

    Who regulates the BBC?
    The J*ws?
  • fitalassfitalass Posts: 4,320

    That tweet by McDonnell looks like absolute panic. Maybe moves are a foot
    That is what I wondered in my previous post too. Is that Mcdonnell tweet an indication that some moderate Labour MPs have had enough, and could we now see MPs resigning the Labour Whip?
  • Boris has his record as Mayor of London to point to. The most metroplitan population in the UK - one of the most in the world - didn't exactly descend to lynchings and repatriations on his watch.

    Whilst JRM has, er, the record of Victorian England to point to. Great civic works undertaken by prolific philanthropy, whilst the Union Jack was respected by our friends/feared by our enemies around the globe.
    Our Victorian ancestors (well the rich ones) could afford to be enormously philanthropic as (a) their taxes and the wages they paid their workers were low, and (b) the UK share of World GDP was incredible (greater than the US and China combined in the modern World). If JRM or anyone had a credible plan for economic growth to get us all richer and able to afford more good works for society, I'm all ears - but I'll be a tad sceptical.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,924

    No of course not but it was an epic moment
    2 time loser, windbag who thinks he is able to give advice on winning an election

  • surbysurby Posts: 1,227

    What do we think would happen to the LibDems' fortunes if Chuka Umunna (with/without a bunch of colleagues) joined from Labour - and Vince immediately handed over to him as "acting" leader?

    It will show that the Liberal Democrats were not a democratic party ? I did not know that the Leader could just "give" the leadership to someone else.
  • nielhnielh Posts: 1,307
    The problem with a Chuka led centre party would be that it would just serve a subset of metropolitan, elite opinion. It would split the vote in metropolitan areas.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,658
    On topic

    La Isla Bonita and Like a Prayer absolutely no question about it.

    Both, played at full blast, have kept me awake in the car in the very early hours hundreds of times - at one point I was definitely in love with Madonna on account of those songs.
  • A classic exchange showing why taking even genuinely-meant advice (I know Big G doesn't do wind-ups) from another party is not always helpful. I think Ken Clarke would (still!) be a much better Tory leader, but I wouldn't actually, er, vote Tory if he were.
    Nick - it was one of those moments that provided genuine relief that labour would not be taken over by militant and that led to the Blair years which apart from Iraq were in the main successful. Even I voted Blair twice
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,658

    Nick - it was one of those moments that provided genuine relief that labour would not be taken over by militant and that led to the Blair years which apart from Iraq were in the main successful. Even I voted Blair twice
    WHAAAAAAAT?

    BIG G????
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,393

    What do we think would happen to the LibDems' fortunes if Chuka Umunna (with/without a bunch of colleagues) joined from Labour - and Vince immediately handed over to him as "acting" leader?

    Leaving aside that I can't see why he would do that since all these 'new party needed' types seem to be very averse to contemplating joining an established other party, I would think there would be quite a bit of disquiet from the LD members, since who knows what direction this new leader who until 5 minutes ago belonged to a different party would like to take the party.

    I presume if Chuka did cross the floor, and took at least a few others with him, the LDs should see a modest polling boost - the first prominent person doing so I would think could reasonably act as a catalyst for some others, as they finally decide Labour is not going to come back to what they want if actual MPs are jumping ship despite leading in the polls, but it would be limited.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,924


    No serious commentator has challenged that the wreath was placed at the grave of the planner of the attack. Some loose wording in some articles might get a partial technical victory I suppose. Many people have a lot of hope invested in JC so it is difficult for them but I think many of his supporters will feel ashamed of themselves at some point in the future. The decent core of the LP needs to get him and McDonnell out now.
    Are you a Lab voter?

    Or can i pick JRM
  • MJWMJW Posts: 2,009
    nielh said:

    The actions of moderate labour MP's and moderate republicans in the US are similar. It is a begrudging form of submission. I've just finished Sean Spicers book. Essentially, he comes across as stumbling in to his support for Trump, because of loyalty to the party.

    If Corbyn is as bad as you claim, then you have to ask yourself is the alternative really worse? I don't see how JRM or Boris would do more damage.
    I think It's slightly different in that Labour MPs are far more limited in their options than elected US Republicans - who have their own personal fundraising networks and could run in their state on an anti-Trump ticket, obviously depending on the state. Plus they could, if they wanted to remove Trump tomorrow given the obvious evidence of obstruction of justice etc. Labour MPs problem is not a lack of will but opportinity. There's no legal means to oust Corbyn, a new challenge would probably leave them even weaker after he won and the soft left careerists stuck behind him. A new party or Independent Labour is the only real option - but you can't do that in a day, it has to be put in place. Some are agitating for this but again, It's not something you shout about in public until you're ready to pull the trigger. It would, in effect, mean burning down Labour to save it.

    As for Boris or JRM - a Bannonite party would have the same terrible problems as Corbyn but directed at different people - and probably worse given the nature of some of their cranks.
  • 2 time loser, windbag who thinks he is able to give advice on winning an election

    You forgot to say he should join the tories !!!!!!
  • TOPPING said:

    On topic

    La Isla Bonita and Like a Prayer absolutely no question about it.

    Both, played at full blast, have kept me awake in the car in the very early hours hundreds of times - at one point I was definitely in love with Madonna on account of those songs.

    Into The Groove
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,393
    TOPPING said:

    WHAAAAAAAT?

    BIG G????
    He was quite recently criticised by someone who shall go unnamed for not being sufficiently Tory enough as a result of the Blair years.
  • TOPPING said:

    WHAAAAAAAT?

    BIG G????
    I hope that it demonstrates I do have an open mind on politics but not when it comes to Corbyn
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,658
    kle4 said:

    He was quite recently criticised by someone who shall go unnamed for not being sufficiently Tory enough as a result of the Blair years.
    All I held dear and could rely on in life...all gone...
  • surbysurby Posts: 1,227
    kle4 said:

    Leaving aside that I can't see why he would do that since all these 'new party needed' types seem to be very averse to contemplating joining an established other party, I would think there would be quite a bit of disquiet from the LD members, since who knows what direction this new leader who until 5 minutes ago belonged to a different party would like to take the party.

    I presume if Chuka did cross the floor, and took at least a few others with him, the LDs should see a modest polling boost - the first prominent person doing so I would think could reasonably act as a catalyst for some others, as they finally decide Labour is not going to come back to what they want if actual MPs are jumping ship despite leading in the polls, but it would be limited.
    Serious question. Has Chuka ever done anything ? Has he ever held any post ? All I seem to remember was that he was running for the leadership and ran away when the press got after him, I can't remember why.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,410

    Into The Groove
    Justify My Love (William Orbit 12" mix)
  • kle4 said:

    He was quite recently criticised by someone who shall go unnamed for not being sufficiently Tory enough as a result of the Blair years.
    Yes it was my fellow conservative Hyfud, bless him
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,658
    Btw today I joined Shaun Bailey's mayoral campaign and also notice with satisfaction that since I last mentioned it his price has dropped from 14s to 11/2.

    *buffs nails*
  • TOPPING said:

    All I held dear and could rely on in life...all gone...
    That is funny - lite relief even
  • philiphphiliph Posts: 4,705
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,658
    edited August 2018

    I hope that it demonstrates I do have an open mind on politics but not when it comes to Corbyn
    You are a credit to whichever party you support, Big G.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,393
    edited August 2018
    MJW said:


    A new party or Independent Labour is the only real option - but you can't do that in a day, it has to be put in place. Some are agitating for this but again, It's not something you shout about in public until you're ready to pull the trigger. It would, in effect, mean burning down Labour to save it.

    Particularly while the party is doing fine in the polls (ok, oppositions have been even further ahead, but it is clearly not awful) there does not seem to be any one or any group of people who have the strength and determination to take such a huge risk or the ability to see it through.

    I wish people would stop leaking stories about a new party - lots of people in Westminster and political wonks online like the idea, but the obstacles to people trying it in any significant way are clearly insurmountable and it is just getting tedious. We are stuck with Labour and the Tories until such time as one or the other splits - Labour are not going to as they would have already if they were. The Tories possibly could over Brexit, but it doesn't seem the most likely outcome by any means, far from it despite the vitriol the sides spit at each other.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,924

    You forgot to say he should join the tories !!!!!!
    Your welcome. Can Stephen join too
  • NorthofStokeNorthofStoke Posts: 1,758

    Are you a Lab voter?

    Or can i pick JRM
    Normally I vote Labour and I used to be in the party. I am certainly not a Tory by tradition or inclination. I was a marxist in my youth but I've changed my views. Faced with a LP led by the Corbynites (for want of better term) I would have to vote to defeat them. If the tories are led by JRM I might need a loaded revolver and a bottle of whisky but would probably vote LD or spoil my paper regardless of consequences.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,393
    fitalass said:
    She apparently called him an anti-semite to his face just weeks ago. So even his sternest critic (very few before they alleged Corbyn was personally anti-semitic) is rolling things back, even though it looks like an attack. It's another of the 'warning shots' Labour MPs fire off occasionally to reassure themselves they are doing everything they can.
  • nielhnielh Posts: 1,307
    kle4 said:

    Leaving aside that I can't see why he would do that since all these 'new party needed' types seem to be very averse to contemplating joining an established other party, I would think there would be quite a bit of disquiet from the LD members, since who knows what direction this new leader who until 5 minutes ago belonged to a different party would like to take the party.

    I presume if Chuka did cross the floor, and took at least a few others with him, the LDs should see a modest polling boost - the first prominent person doing so I would think could reasonably act as a catalyst for some others, as they finally decide Labour is not going to come back to what they want if actual MPs are jumping ship despite leading in the polls, but it would be limited.
    It is odd the way that people assume the LD's are a meaningless entity. They are a broad church with numerous factions. They were far from unaminous over supporting Remain and there was a liberal leave campaign. In fact, their problem could be summarised as that they represent such a wide range of opinion, yet have very little influence in parliament and often rely on local issues to get elected. I would say that it is almost impossible that they would unite behind Chuka. What is more likely is that the party splits, and some of them join the new centre party, or there is a loose agreement that ultimately leads to a new party being formed, with some dissenters (in much the same way as the LD's were formed by the merger of the SDP and the liberals, and there is still a residual 'liberal' party).

  • kle4 said:

    He was quite recently criticised by someone who shall go unnamed for not being sufficiently Tory enough as a result of the Blair years.
    He keeps on telling me I'm not a Tory.

    Like my 21 years as a member don't mean anything.
  • TOPPING said:

    You are a credit to whichever party you support, Big G.
    That is very kind of you, thank you
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,658

    Your welcome. Can Stephen join too
    How sad it is BJO that you spent your 10,000th post defending your party leader from charges of anti-Semitism.
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,513
    philiph said:
    Sufficient wriggle room. Use the past tense and the obvious question would be "why are you still in the Labour Party?"
  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464

    2 time loser, windbag who thinks he is able to give advice on winning an election

    Not a man I agree with a lot, but an honourable man, who did a difficult job in trying (for him) circumstances in the 80’s. A man who stood up to the headbangers. A man who wouldn’t have kept me awake at night as PM because for all his (in my view) faults, at least I’d have felt he was 100% on my side when the chips were down.

    The loons in charge of Labour now are not fit to clean his boots. What the hell have you become other than a dangerous sounding cult?
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,924
    TOPPING said:

    How sad it is BJO that you spent your 10,000th post defending your party leader from charges of anti-Semitism.
    Did I?

    It should really have been EICIPM!!!
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,393

    Like my 21 years as a member don't mean anything.
    A cry many Labour MPs have had to make in the past few years. Nowadays commitment on Twitter to the latest line of the leader is the only true test of party credentials - what are parties if not vehicles for the changing whims of their figurehead?

    Ken Clarke isn't a Tory either, he's just be an MP for them for 48 years.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,658

    Did I?

    It should really have been EICIPM!!!
    Or as we call them, the good old days.
  • He keeps on telling me I'm not a Tory.

    Like my 21 years as a member don't mean anything.
    He doesn't mean it - he just gets a bit over the top in reading the polls but means well
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,393
    nielh said:

    It is odd the way that people assume the LD's are a meaningless entity. They are a broad church with numerous factions. They were far from unaminous over supporting Remain and there was a liberal leave campaign.
    Indeed there was, we've even heard from a few on here of course, but people don't really hear much about the other factions. It is kind of sad for them that people act as though a new party must be required, even when that new party when described sounds pretty close to the mainstream LD positions on occasion. Though I do understand if LDs might be worried about being taken over by ex-Labour figures. Same reason any new party would fail though - people would look at the balance of the leading figures and declare it a LD/Lab/Tory front.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,924

    He keeps on telling me I'm not a Tory.

    Like my 21 years as a member don't mean anything.
    You still a member of the Islamophobic party?
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,025
    TOPPING said:

    You are a credit to whichever party you support, Big G.
    I voted for Maggie back in the day
  • You still a member of the Islamophobic party?
    A response to that is just not worth it but come on BJO you are better than that
  • malcolmg said:

    I voted for Maggie back in the day
    Evening Malc - good to see you are a latent conservative and best wishes to you
  • Did I?

    It should really have been EICIPM!!!
    JICIPM, surely!
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Channel 4 News: number of white people going to university on the decline, in comparison to all other ethnic groups.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,658
    malcolmg said:

    I voted for Maggie back in the day
    Too much Macallan since then has evidently taken its toll.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,393
    malcolmg said:

    I voted for Maggie back in the day
    You're doing it wrong - you're supposed to vote for the Tories as you get older (and 'wiser'), not the other way around.
  • AndyJS said:

    Channel 4 News: number of white people going to university on the decline, in comparison to all other ethnic groups.

    The media today were highlighting the many good quality apprenticeship schemes with in house degrees

    That is the future for many
  • MJWMJW Posts: 2,009
    kle4 said:

    Particularly while the party is doing fine in the polls (ok, oppositions have been even further ahead, but it is clearly not awful) there does not seem to be any one or any group of people who have the strength and determination to take such a huge risk or the ability to see it through.

    I wish people would stop leaking stories about a new party - lots of people in Westminster and political wonks online like the idea, but the obstacles to people trying it in any significant way are clearly insurmountable and it is just getting tedious. We are stuck with Labour and the Tories until such time as one or the other splits - Labour are not going to as they would have already if they were. The Tories possibly could over Brexit, but it doesn't seem the most likely outcome by any means, far from it despite the vitriol the sides spit at each other.
    Hmmm...I disagree. There's certainly some movement on the Labour side. More out of despair than anything. For certain MPs the idea of making a go of something, anything, is getting more attractive than waiting for the whitewalkers to arrive. The key problem with a new party is that to be even half successful - e.g. form a reasonably sized parliamentary bloc that could hold the balance of power, it needs a movement. The most important development on that front is probably the People's Vote and Open Britain. They may be doomed in their immediate aims but that's an awful lot of contacts to draw upon for a movement that shares their politics. Not saying It's likely by any means - but more so certainly than a year ago. Especially as after Brexit one tie that binds the liberal left to Labour is gone. Especially if Corbyn is seen as complicit in a total mess.
  • surbysurby Posts: 1,227

    Did I?

    It should really have been EICIPM!!!
    Ed - the best PM we never had. Still time for him.
This discussion has been closed.