The Eurovision open thread – politicalbetting.com

System · May 11

The Eurovision open thread – politicalbetting.com

Since the voting system changed I haven’t bet heavily on Eurovision other than to occasionally lay Le Royaume-Uni. I cannot see any value on current prices but I will enjoy the annual bit of European unity and cultural enrichment.

Read the full story here

BatteryCorrectHorse · May 11

The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.

TheScreamingEagles · May 11

On the eve of her husband’s criminal trial for sex offences in July 2020, Natalie Elphicke arrived at the parliamentary office of Robert Buckland, who as lord chancellor and justice secretary was responsible for upholding the rule of law.

Elphicke had secured the meeting through Sir Mark Spencer, the Conservative Party chief whip. She assured him she did not wish to discuss the plight of her partner, Charlie, whom she had recently succeeded as MP for Dover and whose innocence she had spent years publicly protesting even as several women made claims of sexual assault to the police. She wished to discuss only some general concerns about the justice system.

The opposite was true.

Immediately after entering Buckland’s room on the ministerial corridor, she turned to the topic of her husband: the man who, in a newspaper article three years earlier, she had described as a victim of “injustice heaped upon injustice” having been “thrown to the wolves”.

To the shock of those present, Elphicke, 53, lobbied Buckland to interfere in the upcoming hearing of the case. She told him she felt it was unfair that his case was the first to be heard at Southwark crown court after lockdown and that was being overseen by Lady Justice Whipple, who, as presiding judge of the southeastern circuit, was one of the most senior judges in the land.

Her comments were interpreted by one person in the room as an attempt to have the case moved to a lower-profile court to spare her husband public scrutiny. Another saw it as an effort to replace Whipple, who Elphicke apparently felt would be overly-strict. It is claimed that she spoke with an air of entitlement and as though Buckland should intervene to stop him being “singled out”.

Buckland immediately objected, insisting the conversation could go no further, and declined to help. He feared it would be “outrageous” for him to interfere with the administration of justice by helping a fellow Conservative MP or her husband, also a former colleague. A key constitutional doctrine is that there should be a separation of powers between the principal institutions of state — including parliament and the judiciary.

The MP for South Swindon said today: “She was told in no uncertain terms that it would have been completely inappropriate to speak to the judge about the trial at all.”

A Labour Party spokesman said: “Natalie Elphicke totally rejects that characterisation of the meeting. If Robert Buckland had any genuine concerns about the meeting, then he should have raised them at the time, rather than making claims to the newspapers now Natalie has chosen to join the Labour Party.”

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/natalie-elphicke-lobbied-lord-chancellor-husband-charlie-kv68bvd7f

Casino_Royale · May 11

Watching this is the closest I'll get to going on a Gay Pride march without actually going on a Gay Pride march.

Luckyguy1983 · May 11

I'm not particularly interested in it.

TheScreamingEagles · May 11

Casino_Royale said:
Watching this is the closest I'll get to going on a Gay Pride march without actually going on a Gay Pride march.

You should go on gay pride marches, you'd love it.

I've been going to them since I was 19, the music is awesome, the dancing even better. The booze is cheap.

I even ended up with my own fag hags as I was seen as an ally of the LGBT community.

Casino_Royale · May 11

Can someone please explain the new voting system to me?

TheScreamingEagles · May 11

Casino_Royale said:
Can someone please explain the new voting system to me?

It's not as good as the alternative vote system.

CarlottaVance · May 11

Vote early, vote often:

https://eurovision.tv/app

WillG · May 11

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.

Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.

Big_G_NorthWales · May 11

Luckyguy1983 said:
I'm not particularly interested in it.

Good evening

I would rather watch paint dry

WillG · May 11

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Luckyguy1983 said:
I'm not particularly interested in it.
Good evening

I would rather watch paint dry

I want a real Brexit where we no longer have to be involved.

TheScreamingEagles · May 11

Anyhoo, I am not joking, but I have been told the genuine reason why Natalie Elphicke defected.

She's trying to get planning permission to convert a garage into flats that she owns in her constituency but locals have objected to her plans.

The Labour run council can overrule the local objections so defecting to Labour she thinks they will support one of their own.

Casino_Royale · May 11

TheScreamingEagles said:

Casino_Royale said:
Watching this is the closest I'll get to going on a Gay Pride march without actually going on a Gay Pride march.
You should go on gay pride marches, you'd love it.

I've been going to them since I was 19, the music is awesome, the dancing even better. The booze is cheap.

I even ended up with my own fag hags as I was seen as an ally of the LGBT community.

I once went to a gay club for the music, and had my bottom-pinched all night.

I had a difficult job explaining all-night I wasn't gay, and the vibe was a bit off as a result.

DougSeal · May 11

Luckyguy1983 said:
I'm not particularly interested in it.

Thanks. One likes to be kept abreast of these developments.

Casino_Royale · May 11

TheScreamingEagles said:

Casino_Royale said:
Can someone please explain the new voting system to me?
It's not as good as the alternative vote system.

I walked into that one, didn't I.

megasaur · May 11

TheScreamingEagles said:
On the eve of her husband’s criminal trial for sex offences in July 2020, Natalie Elphicke arrived at the parliamentary office of Robert Buckland, who as lord chancellor and justice secretary was responsible for upholding the rule of law.

Elphicke had secured the meeting through Sir Mark Spencer, the Conservative Party chief whip. She assured him she did not wish to discuss the plight of her partner, Charlie, whom she had recently succeeded as MP for Dover and whose innocence she had spent years publicly protesting even as several women made claims of sexual assault to the police. She wished to discuss only some general concerns about the justice system.

The opposite was true.

Immediately after entering Buckland’s room on the ministerial corridor, she turned to the topic of her husband: the man who, in a newspaper article three years earlier, she had described as a victim of “injustice heaped upon injustice” having been “thrown to the wolves”.

To the shock of those present, Elphicke, 53, lobbied Buckland to interfere in the upcoming hearing of the case. She told him she felt it was unfair that his case was the first to be heard at Southwark crown court after lockdown and that was being overseen by Lady Justice Whipple, who, as presiding judge of the southeastern circuit, was one of the most senior judges in the land.

Her comments were interpreted by one person in the room as an attempt to have the case moved to a lower-profile court to spare her husband public scrutiny. Another saw it as an effort to replace Whipple, who Elphicke apparently felt would be overly-strict. It is claimed that she spoke with an air of entitlement and as though Buckland should intervene to stop him being “singled out”.

Buckland immediately objected, insisting the conversation could go no further, and declined to help. He feared it would be “outrageous” for him to interfere with the administration of justice by helping a fellow Conservative MP or her husband, also a former colleague. A key constitutional doctrine is that there should be a separation of powers between the principal institutions of state — including parliament and the judiciary.

The MP for South Swindon said today: “She was told in no uncertain terms that it would have been completely inappropriate to speak to the judge about the trial at all.”

A Labour Party spokesman said: “Natalie Elphicke totally rejects that characterisation of the meeting. If Robert Buckland had any genuine concerns about the meeting, then he should have raised them at the time, rather than making claims to the newspapers now Natalie has chosen to join the Labour Party.”

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/natalie-elphicke-lobbied-lord-chancellor-husband-charlie-kv68bvd7f

A Lady Justice Whipple who is overly strict sounds like all my BDSM Christmases come at once

rottenborough · May 11

Loving the 0.5m cube of solid beige that is the PC on the stage there doing some background stuff or other.

Good times!!

wooliedyed · May 11

Can I just say to all of you watching Eurovision this evening or attending a party........
Maaaaaaaaate

rottenborough · May 11

TheScreamingEagles said:
Anyhoo, I am not joking, but I have been told the genuine reason why Natalie Elphicke defected.

She's trying to get planning permission to convert a garage into flats that she owns in her constituency but locals have objected to her plans.

The Labour run council can overrule the local objections so defecting to Labour she thinks they will support one of their own.

I have said from the minute this happened that this was a really shit idea from Starmer.

WTF was he thinking?

Mail are claiming it is all down to Sue Gray but I can't read the paywalled detail of that story.

rottenborough · May 11

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.

Abba.

Casino_Royale · May 11

On topic, I've laid Israel.

Might be a good song but my guess is anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism (take your pick) wins out in much of the viewers voting and maybe, subjectively, the judges too.

I think the change to the voting system to allow voters around the world to vote 24 hours in advance can only but hurt them too; it's not big in the US but the Middle East will hugely downvote them.

Big_G_NorthWales · May 11

rottenborough said:

TheScreamingEagles said:
Anyhoo, I am not joking, but I have been told the genuine reason why Natalie Elphicke defected.

She's trying to get planning permission to convert a garage into flats that she owns in her constituency but locals have objected to her plans.

The Labour run council can overrule the local objections so defecting to Labour she thinks they will support one of their own.
I have said from the minute this happened that this was a really shit idea from Starmer.

WTF was he thinking?

Mail are claiming it is all down to Sue Gray but I can't read the paywalled detail of that story.

I would suggest Labour are very welcome to her, especially if this becomes the story

rottenborough · May 11

TheScreamingEagles said:

Casino_Royale said:
Watching this is the closest I'll get to going on a Gay Pride march without actually going on a Gay Pride march.
You should go on gay pride marches, you'd love it.

I've been going to them since I was 19, the music is awesome, the dancing even better. The booze is cheap.

I even ended up with my own fag hags as I was seen as an ally of the LGBT community.

How come the booze is cheap?

TheScreamingEagles · May 11

rottenborough said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Casino_Royale said:
Watching this is the closest I'll get to going on a Gay Pride march without actually going on a Gay Pride march.
You should go on gay pride marches, you'd love it.

I've been going to them since I was 19, the music is awesome, the dancing even better. The booze is cheap.

I even ended up with my own fag hags as I was seen as an ally of the LGBT community.
How come the booze is cheap?

They have pride offers, every hour is happy hour.

Mexicanpete · May 11

Don't forget to vote for your favourite nation. Don't worry about the song.

rottenborough · May 11

Give it rest Laura...

Laura Kuenssberg
@bbclaurak
What could go wrong for Keir Starmer? A lot! Last week’s success in the local elections doesn’t mean it’s a done deal 👇🏼

Andy_JS · May 11

rottenborough said:
Give it rest Laura...

Laura Kuenssberg
@bbclaurak
What could go wrong for Keir Starmer? A lot! Last week’s success in the local elections doesn’t mean it’s a done deal 👇🏼

Obviously a Prof Thrasher fan.

rottenborough · May 11

TheScreamingEagles said:

rottenborough said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Casino_Royale said:
Watching this is the closest I'll get to going on a Gay Pride march without actually going on a Gay Pride march.
You should go on gay pride marches, you'd love it.

I've been going to them since I was 19, the music is awesome, the dancing even better. The booze is cheap.

I even ended up with my own fag hags as I was seen as an ally of the LGBT community.
How come the booze is cheap?
They have pride offers, every hour is happy hour.

"It's happy hour again, and again, and again"

FeersumEnjineeya · May 11

Casino_Royale said:
On topic, I've laid Israel.

Might be a good song but my guess is anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism (take your pick) wins out in much of the viewers voting and maybe, subjectively, the judges too.

I think the change to the voting system to allow voters around the world to vote 24 hours in advance can only but hurt them too; it's not big in the US but the Middle East will hugely downvote them.

Surely though that is outweighed by the fact that there is no Palestinian entry, so anti-Israel votes have nowhere to coalesce. If everyone were to vote politically re Gaza, then Israel would still win even if only 1 in 20 votes were for Israel and the rest were evenly distributed among the other countries.

Sunil_Prasannan · May 11

Everyone knows the UK's finest entry is Scooch (2007):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT6yOIC6ihI

Stuartinromford · May 11

Big_G_NorthWales said:

rottenborough said:

TheScreamingEagles said:
Anyhoo, I am not joking, but I have been told the genuine reason why Natalie Elphicke defected.

She's trying to get planning permission to convert a garage into flats that she owns in her constituency but locals have objected to her plans.

The Labour run council can overrule the local objections so defecting to Labour she thinks they will support one of their own.
I have said from the minute this happened that this was a really shit idea from Starmer.

WTF was he thinking?

Mail are claiming it is all down to Sue Gray but I can't read the paywalled detail of that story.
I would suggest Labour are very welcome to her, especially if this becomes the story

How many of the last ten anti-Labour stories the Mail has run have turned into actual stories?

Sunil_Prasannan · May 11

TheScreamingEagles said:

Casino_Royale said:
Can someone please explain the new voting system to me?
It's not as good as the alternative vote system.

The same AV that was rejected by UK voters by 68% to 32%? That AV?

Andy_JS · May 11

Mexicanpete said:
Don't forget to vote for your favourite nation. Don't worry about the song.

Does that mean the UK was a popular country in 1976, 1981 and 1997

rottenborough · May 11

FeersumEnjineeya said:

Casino_Royale said:
On topic, I've laid Israel.

Might be a good song but my guess is anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism (take your pick) wins out in much of the viewers voting and maybe, subjectively, the judges too.

I think the change to the voting system to allow voters around the world to vote 24 hours in advance can only but hurt them too; it's not big in the US but the Middle East will hugely downvote them.
Surely though that is outweighed by the fact that there is no Palestinian entry, so anti-Israel votes have nowhere to coalesce. If everyone were to vote politically re Gaza, then Israel would still win even if only 1 in 20 votes were for Israel and the rest were evenly distributed among the other countries.

FWIW, I have laid Israel as well.

Sunil_Prasannan · May 11

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.

Celine Dion.

MattW · May 11

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.

To counter - Brotherhood of Man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1Lp3QFFvJE

Sunil_Prasannan · May 11

I am ready, man! Ready to get it on!

rottenborough · May 11

wooliedyed said:
Can I just say to all of you watching Eurovision this evening or attending a party........
Maaaaaaaaate

Moderator.

Malmesbury · May 11

Sunil_Prasannan said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Celine Dion.

Thank you for proving the point with an example.

DecrepiterJohnL · May 11

Casino_Royale said:
On topic, I've laid Israel.

Might be a good song but my guess is anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism (take your pick) wins out in much of the viewers voting and maybe, subjectively, the judges too.

I think the change to the voting system to allow voters around the world to vote 24 hours in advance can only but hurt them too; it's not big in the US but the Middle East will hugely downvote them.

Israel is drawn 5 and generally the early slots do badly as by the end, after people have listened to all of them in order to make a voting decision, they have forgotten the early songs. The new early voting might help here.

viewcode · May 11

MattW said:

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.
To counter - Brotherhood of Man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1Lp3QFFvJE

I'm noit entirely sure that's a counter-example, tbh

Sunil_Prasannan · May 11

Malmesbury said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Celine Dion.
Thank you for proving the point with an example.

Sir Cliff.

rottenborough · May 11

Going well so far.

LOL

Sunil_Prasannan · May 11

rottenborough said:
Going well so far.

LOL

Fixed the sound - so far!

wooliedyed · May 11

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.

We nil pointed them iirc, because we Brits know our oats

viewcode · May 11

viewcode said:

MattW said:

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.
To counter - Brotherhood of Man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1Lp3QFFvJE
I'm noit entirely sure that's a counter-example, tbh

This, however, would be a counter-counter-example

https://youtu.be/hRDQmsfHpEI?si=eWWqgjbkYPVhEEOE&t=24

kinabalu · May 11

Outstanding start. Bjorn Skiffs - can't believe I haven't heard of him.

wooliedyed · May 11

Sunil_Prasannan said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Celine Dion.

She knows that the heart does go on. The wise old Canuck

rottenborough · May 11

wooliedyed said:

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.
We nil pointed them iirc, because we Brits know our oats

I have a feeling that the UK was always their biggest sales market. I could be wrong. LOL

rottenborough · May 11

I am on Serbia for £2.

DYOR.

megasaur · May 11

Sunil_Prasannan said:
I am ready, man! Ready to get it on!

It won't make any difference

algarkirk · May 11

rottenborough said:
Give it rest Laura...

Laura Kuenssberg
@bbclaurak
What could go wrong for Keir Starmer? A lot! Last week’s success in the local elections doesn’t mean it’s a done deal 👇🏼

I don't suppose it will but the Elphicke mistake could stay being a story for a bit, and the longer it is around, the bigger this completely unforced error becomes. It is very surprising really. The two million Tory voters he needs are not voting Tory because of people like Elphicke.

10 more mistakes like that, a bit of bad luck, stick Burgon on the front bench, SNP recover a bit, Tories release a few choice stories and some media rally round Sunak. It could all change to the point where Labour only win an extra 100 seats.

wooliedyed · May 11

rottenborough said:

wooliedyed said:

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.
We nil pointed them iirc, because we Brits know our oats
I have a feeling that the UK was always their biggest sales market. I could be wrong. LOL

We normally get to the party late and say we'd been there since the first canapés

WillG · May 11

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.

Ditzy kitch eurotrash.

Mexicanpete · May 11

Andy_JS said:

Mexicanpete said:
Don't forget to vote for your favourite nation. Don't worry about the song.
Does that mean the UK was a popular country in 1976, 1981 and 1997

No it's a modern phenomenon except for when Franco stole the win from Cliff. Congratulations General!

Love Shine a Light was the greatest winning song since Waterloo! Kimberley Rew is a vastly underrated songwriter.

megasaur · May 11

wooliedyed said:

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.
We nil pointed them iirc, because we Brits know our oats

I have always thought that Rasputin by Boney M left Waterloo in the dust when it came to preposterously silly history based songs.

rottenborough · May 11

wooliedyed said:

rottenborough said:

wooliedyed said:

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.
We nil pointed them iirc, because we Brits know our oats
I have a feeling that the UK was always their biggest sales market. I could be wrong. LOL
We normally get to the party late and say we'd been there since the first canapés

Hold on - ABBA won when the UK hosted the competition.

rottenborough · May 11

algarkirk said:

rottenborough said:
Give it rest Laura...

Laura Kuenssberg
@bbclaurak
What could go wrong for Keir Starmer? A lot! Last week’s success in the local elections doesn’t mean it’s a done deal 👇🏼
I don't suppose it will but the Elphicke mistake could stay being a story for a bit, and the longer it is around, the bigger this completely unforced error becomes. It is very surprising really. The two million Tory voters he needs are not voting Tory because of people like Elphicke.

10 more mistakes like that, a bit of bad luck, stick Burgon on the front bench, SNP recover a bit, Tories release a few choice stories and some media rally round Sunak. It could all change to the point where Labour only win an extra 100 seats.

IMHO it is by far Starmer's biggest unforced error.

I guess it all sounded fantastic in a sweaty room with shit coffee late in the evening talking it all through.

But it is a crap decision.

There is no gain imho whatsoever.

wooliedyed · May 11

rottenborough said:

wooliedyed said:

rottenborough said:

wooliedyed said:

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.
We nil pointed them iirc, because we Brits know our oats
I have a feeling that the UK was always their biggest sales market. I could be wrong. LOL
We normally get to the party late and say we'd been there since the first canapés
Hold on - ABBA won when the UK hosted the competition.

This is a truthful statement, yes

Casino_Royale · May 11

FeersumEnjineeya said:

Casino_Royale said:
On topic, I've laid Israel.

Might be a good song but my guess is anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism (take your pick) wins out in much of the viewers voting and maybe, subjectively, the judges too.

I think the change to the voting system to allow voters around the world to vote 24 hours in advance can only but hurt them too; it's not big in the US but the Middle East will hugely downvote them.
Surely though that is outweighed by the fact that there is no Palestinian entry, so anti-Israel votes have nowhere to coalesce. If everyone were to vote politically re Gaza, then Israel would still win even if only 1 in 20 votes were for Israel and the rest were evenly distributed among the other countries.

Why wouldn't they coalesce around Croatia as the favourite?

Richard_Tyndall · May 11

rottenborough said:
Give it rest Laura...

Laura Kuenssberg
@bbclaurak
What could go wrong for Keir Starmer? A lot! Last week’s success in the local elections doesn’t mean it’s a done deal 👇🏼

She's right of course. It could. But it won't, no matter how much she might wish for it.

isam · May 11

TheScreamingEagles said:
On the eve of her husband’s criminal trial for sex offences in July 2020, Natalie Elphicke arrived at the parliamentary office of Robert Buckland, who as lord chancellor and justice secretary was responsible for upholding the rule of law.

Elphicke had secured the meeting through Sir Mark Spencer, the Conservative Party chief whip. She assured him she did not wish to discuss the plight of her partner, Charlie, whom she had recently succeeded as MP for Dover and whose innocence she had spent years publicly protesting even as several women made claims of sexual assault to the police. She wished to discuss only some general concerns about the justice system.

The opposite was true.

Immediately after entering Buckland’s room on the ministerial corridor, she turned to the topic of her husband: the man who, in a newspaper article three years earlier, she had described as a victim of “injustice heaped upon injustice” having been “thrown to the wolves”.

To the shock of those present, Elphicke, 53, lobbied Buckland to interfere in the upcoming hearing of the case. She told him she felt it was unfair that his case was the first to be heard at Southwark crown court after lockdown and that was being overseen by Lady Justice Whipple, who, as presiding judge of the southeastern circuit, was one of the most senior judges in the land.

Her comments were interpreted by one person in the room as an attempt to have the case moved to a lower-profile court to spare her husband public scrutiny. Another saw it as an effort to replace Whipple, who Elphicke apparently felt would be overly-strict. It is claimed that she spoke with an air of entitlement and as though Buckland should intervene to stop him being “singled out”.

Buckland immediately objected, insisting the conversation could go no further, and declined to help. He feared it would be “outrageous” for him to interfere with the administration of justice by helping a fellow Conservative MP or her husband, also a former colleague. A key constitutional doctrine is that there should be a separation of powers between the principal institutions of state — including parliament and the judiciary.

The MP for South Swindon said today: “She was told in no uncertain terms that it would have been completely inappropriate to speak to the judge about the trial at all.”

A Labour Party spokesman said: “Natalie Elphicke totally rejects that characterisation of the meeting. If Robert Buckland had any genuine concerns about the meeting, then he should have raised them at the time, rather than making claims to the newspapers now Natalie has chosen to join the Labour Party.”

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/natalie-elphicke-lobbied-lord-chancellor-husband-charlie-kv68bvd7f

Seems a bit petty, and too nakedly self interested of the Tories to only leak this story now

Casino_Royale · May 11

rottenborough said:

algarkirk said:

rottenborough said:
Give it rest Laura...

Laura Kuenssberg
@bbclaurak
What could go wrong for Keir Starmer? A lot! Last week’s success in the local elections doesn’t mean it’s a done deal 👇🏼
I don't suppose it will but the Elphicke mistake could stay being a story for a bit, and the longer it is around, the bigger this completely unforced error becomes. It is very surprising really. The two million Tory voters he needs are not voting Tory because of people like Elphicke.

10 more mistakes like that, a bit of bad luck, stick Burgon on the front bench, SNP recover a bit, Tories release a few choice stories and some media rally round Sunak. It could all change to the point where Labour only win an extra 100 seats.
IMHO it is by far Starmer's biggest unforced error.

I guess it all sounded fantastic in a sweaty room with shit coffee late in the evening talking it all through.

But it is a crap decision.

There is no gain imho whatsoever.

Maybe it takes a Tory to spot what a brilliant move it is.

I think it's his best yet. He's entirely disingenuous of course but also ruthless.

wooliedyed · May 11

rottenborough said:

algarkirk said:

rottenborough said:
Give it rest Laura...

Laura Kuenssberg
@bbclaurak
What could go wrong for Keir Starmer? A lot! Last week’s success in the local elections doesn’t mean it’s a done deal 👇🏼
I don't suppose it will but the Elphicke mistake could stay being a story for a bit, and the longer it is around, the bigger this completely unforced error becomes. It is very surprising really. The two million Tory voters he needs are not voting Tory because of people like Elphicke.

10 more mistakes like that, a bit of bad luck, stick Burgon on the front bench, SNP recover a bit, Tories release a few choice stories and some media rally round Sunak. It could all change to the point where Labour only win an extra 100 seats.
IMHO it is by far Starmer's biggest unforced error.

I guess it all sounded fantastic in a sweaty room with shit coffee late in the evening talking it all through.

But it is a crap decision.

There is no gain imho whatsoever.

Strict no returns policy needs enforcing

DecrepiterJohnL · May 11

algarkirk said:

rottenborough said:
Give it rest Laura...

Laura Kuenssberg
@bbclaurak
What could go wrong for Keir Starmer? A lot! Last week’s success in the local elections doesn’t mean it’s a done deal 👇🏼
I don't suppose it will but the Elphicke mistake could stay being a story for a bit, and the longer it is around, the bigger this completely unforced error becomes. It is very surprising really. The two million Tory voters he needs are not voting Tory because of people like Elphicke.

10 more mistakes like that, a bit of bad luck, stick Burgon on the front bench, SNP recover a bit, Tories release a few choice stories and some media rally round Sunak. It could all change to the point where Labour only win an extra 100 seats.

Elphicke is reminiscent of Gordon Brown inviting Mrs Thatcher for tea. An unforced error probably inspired by Lord Mandelson. It alienates Labour supporters and does not attract, as you say, moderate Tories.

CarlottaVance · May 11

The tide continues to turn:

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has rewritten advice suggesting misgendering your partner or refusing them money for gender surgery constitutes domestic abuse.

The CPS has ditched and redrafted the advice for prosecutors after criticism from women’s campaigners who claimed it was “detrimental to women’s trust and confidence” in the service.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/05/10/misgendering-your-partner-is-not-domestic-abuse-says-cps/

gettingbetter · May 11

rottenborough said:

FeersumEnjineeya said:

Casino_Royale said:
On topic, I've laid Israel.

Might be a good song but my guess is anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism (take your pick) wins out in much of the viewers voting and maybe, subjectively, the judges too.

I think the change to the voting system to allow voters around the world to vote 24 hours in advance can only but hurt them too; it's not big in the US but the Middle East will hugely downvote them.
Surely though that is outweighed by the fact that there is no Palestinian entry, so anti-Israel votes have nowhere to coalesce. If everyone were to vote politically re Gaza, then Israel would still win even if only 1 in 20 votes were for Israel and the rest were evenly distributed among the other countries.
FWIW, I have laid Israel as well.

Me too. I'm stopping now as I have done 4k and the wife will be stressed if she finds out I stand to lose 16k.

Mexicanpete · May 11

Richard_Tyndall said:

rottenborough said:
Give it rest Laura...

Laura Kuenssberg
@bbclaurak
What could go wrong for Keir Starmer? A lot! Last week’s success in the local elections doesn’t mean it’s a done deal 👇🏼
She's right of course. It could. But it won't, no matter how much she might wish for it.

We've finally got a partisan editorial stance from the BBC. It was inevitable after CeeGeebies have been allowed to shill for a political party/ cause without real sanction.

Casino_Royale · May 11

gettingbetter said:

rottenborough said:

FeersumEnjineeya said:

Casino_Royale said:
On topic, I've laid Israel.

Might be a good song but my guess is anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism (take your pick) wins out in much of the viewers voting and maybe, subjectively, the judges too.

I think the change to the voting system to allow voters around the world to vote 24 hours in advance can only but hurt them too; it's not big in the US but the Middle East will hugely downvote them.
Surely though that is outweighed by the fact that there is no Palestinian entry, so anti-Israel votes have nowhere to coalesce. If everyone were to vote politically re Gaza, then Israel would still win even if only 1 in 20 votes were for Israel and the rest were evenly distributed among the other countries.
FWIW, I have laid Israel as well.

Me too. I'm stopping now as I have done 4k and the wife will be stressed if she finds out I stand to lose 16k.

Jesus. I only play with my pecker, not the bank.

Foxy · May 11

Lots of vote ramping on the net so anything could happen. I have Italy for top 5 eq it has been very popular on streaming platforms.

Big_G_NorthWales · May 11

Stuartinromford said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

rottenborough said:

TheScreamingEagles said:
Anyhoo, I am not joking, but I have been told the genuine reason why Natalie Elphicke defected.

She's trying to get planning permission to convert a garage into flats that she owns in her constituency but locals have objected to her plans.

The Labour run council can overrule the local objections so defecting to Labour she thinks they will support one of their own.
I have said from the minute this happened that this was a really shit idea from Starmer.

WTF was he thinking?

Mail are claiming it is all down to Sue Gray but I can't read the paywalled detail of that story.
I would suggest Labour are very welcome to her, especially if this becomes the story
How many of the last ten anti-Labour stories the Mail has run have turned into actual stories?

I didn't see it in the mail to be fair

Mexicanpete · May 11

gettingbetter said:

rottenborough said:

FeersumEnjineeya said:

Casino_Royale said:
On topic, I've laid Israel.

Might be a good song but my guess is anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism (take your pick) wins out in much of the viewers voting and maybe, subjectively, the judges too.

I think the change to the voting system to allow voters around the world to vote 24 hours in advance can only but hurt them too; it's not big in the US but the Middle East will hugely downvote them.
Surely though that is outweighed by the fact that there is no Palestinian entry, so anti-Israel votes have nowhere to coalesce. If everyone were to vote politically re Gaza, then Israel would still win even if only 1 in 20 votes were for Israel and the rest were evenly distributed among the other countries.
FWIW, I have laid Israel as well.

Me too. I'm stopping now as I have done 4k and the wife will be stressed if she finds out I stand to lose 16k.

That's hardcore for something as subjective as Eurovision, particularly as form and quality don't count for ****.

Casino_Royale · May 11

Mexicanpete said:

gettingbetter said:

rottenborough said:

FeersumEnjineeya said:

Casino_Royale said:
On topic, I've laid Israel.

Might be a good song but my guess is anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism (take your pick) wins out in much of the viewers voting and maybe, subjectively, the judges too.

I think the change to the voting system to allow voters around the world to vote 24 hours in advance can only but hurt them too; it's not big in the US but the Middle East will hugely downvote them.
Surely though that is outweighed by the fact that there is no Palestinian entry, so anti-Israel votes have nowhere to coalesce. If everyone were to vote politically re Gaza, then Israel would still win even if only 1 in 20 votes were for Israel and the rest were evenly distributed among the other countries.
FWIW, I have laid Israel as well.

Me too. I'm stopping now as I have done 4k and the wife will be stressed if she finds out I stand to lose 16k.
That's hardcore for something as subjective as Eurovision, particularly as form and quality don't count for ****.

It's stressing me out and I'm not even part of his family.

viewcode · May 11

gettingbetter said:

rottenborough said:

FeersumEnjineeya said:

Casino_Royale said:
On topic, I've laid Israel.

Might be a good song but my guess is anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism (take your pick) wins out in much of the viewers voting and maybe, subjectively, the judges too.

I think the change to the voting system to allow voters around the world to vote 24 hours in advance can only but hurt them too; it's not big in the US but the Middle East will hugely downvote them.
Surely though that is outweighed by the fact that there is no Palestinian entry, so anti-Israel votes have nowhere to coalesce. If everyone were to vote politically re Gaza, then Israel would still win even if only 1 in 20 votes were for Israel and the rest were evenly distributed among the other countries.
FWIW, I have laid Israel as well.

Me too. I'm stopping now as I have done 4k and the wife will be stressed if she finds out I stand to lose 16k.

Well, good luck. Quick check: can you cover the loss?

MaxPB · May 11

£3 for 20 votes for Israel. I've spent £3 on a lot worse stuff... I think it's 60 votes from this household, two UK numbers and one Swiss phone number.

The_Woodpecker · May 11

DecrepiterJohnL said:

algarkirk said:

rottenborough said:
Give it rest Laura...

Laura Kuenssberg
@bbclaurak
What could go wrong for Keir Starmer? A lot! Last week’s success in the local elections doesn’t mean it’s a done deal 👇🏼
I don't suppose it will but the Elphicke mistake could stay being a story for a bit, and the longer it is around, the bigger this completely unforced error becomes. It is very surprising really. The two million Tory voters he needs are not voting Tory because of people like Elphicke.

10 more mistakes like that, a bit of bad luck, stick Burgon on the front bench, SNP recover a bit, Tories release a few choice stories and some media rally round Sunak. It could all change to the point where Labour only win an extra 100 seats.
Elphicke is reminiscent of Gordon Brown inviting Mrs Thatcher for tea. An unforced error probably inspired by Lord Mandelson. It alienates Labour supporters and does not attract, as you say, moderate Tories.

I agree it alienates Labour supporters BUT it undercuts Rishi's small boats policy too.

Sunil_Prasannan · May 11

megasaur said:

wooliedyed said:

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.
We nil pointed them iirc, because we Brits know our oats
I have always thought that Rasputin by Boney M left Waterloo in the dust when it came to preposterously silly history based songs.

OH, those Russians!

Casino_Royale · May 11

Luxembourg not awful. Particularly since it's not Juncker on stage tonight.

Sunil_Prasannan · May 11

Israel!

ydoethur · May 11

Sunil_Prasannan said:

megasaur said:

wooliedyed said:

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.
We nil pointed them iirc, because we Brits know our oats
I have always thought that Rasputin by Boney M left Waterloo in the dust when it came to preposterously silly history based songs.
OH, those Russians!

Shame the Russians didn't have Freddie Mercury's band.

Then their fans would be 'lover of Russian Queen.'

kinabalu · May 11

FeersumEnjineeya said:

Casino_Royale said:
On topic, I've laid Israel.

Might be a good song but my guess is anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism (take your pick) wins out in much of the viewers voting and maybe, subjectively, the judges too.

I think the change to the voting system to allow voters around the world to vote 24 hours in advance can only but hurt them too; it's not big in the US but the Middle East will hugely downvote them.
Surely though that is outweighed by the fact that there is no Palestinian entry, so anti-Israel votes have nowhere to coalesce. If everyone were to vote politically re Gaza, then Israel would still win even if only 1 in 20 votes were for Israel and the rest were evenly distributed among the other countries.

That's why I'm on them. I wish I'd done the 66 though. By the time I thought about it they were 5.

Stuartinromford · May 11

isam said:

TheScreamingEagles said:
On the eve of her husband’s criminal trial for sex offences in July 2020, Natalie Elphicke arrived at the parliamentary office of Robert Buckland, who as lord chancellor and justice secretary was responsible for upholding the rule of law.

Elphicke had secured the meeting through Sir Mark Spencer, the Conservative Party chief whip. She assured him she did not wish to discuss the plight of her partner, Charlie, whom she had recently succeeded as MP for Dover and whose innocence she had spent years publicly protesting even as several women made claims of sexual assault to the police. She wished to discuss only some general concerns about the justice system.

The opposite was true.

Immediately after entering Buckland’s room on the ministerial corridor, she turned to the topic of her husband: the man who, in a newspaper article three years earlier, she had described as a victim of “injustice heaped upon injustice” having been “thrown to the wolves”.

To the shock of those present, Elphicke, 53, lobbied Buckland to interfere in the upcoming hearing of the case. She told him she felt it was unfair that his case was the first to be heard at Southwark crown court after lockdown and that was being overseen by Lady Justice Whipple, who, as presiding judge of the southeastern circuit, was one of the most senior judges in the land.

Her comments were interpreted by one person in the room as an attempt to have the case moved to a lower-profile court to spare her husband public scrutiny. Another saw it as an effort to replace Whipple, who Elphicke apparently felt would be overly-strict. It is claimed that she spoke with an air of entitlement and as though Buckland should intervene to stop him being “singled out”.

Buckland immediately objected, insisting the conversation could go no further, and declined to help. He feared it would be “outrageous” for him to interfere with the administration of justice by helping a fellow Conservative MP or her husband, also a former colleague. A key constitutional doctrine is that there should be a separation of powers between the principal institutions of state — including parliament and the judiciary.

The MP for South Swindon said today: “She was told in no uncertain terms that it would have been completely inappropriate to speak to the judge about the trial at all.”

A Labour Party spokesman said: “Natalie Elphicke totally rejects that characterisation of the meeting. If Robert Buckland had any genuine concerns about the meeting, then he should have raised them at the time, rather than making claims to the newspapers now Natalie has chosen to join the Labour Party.”

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/natalie-elphicke-lobbied-lord-chancellor-husband-charlie-kv68bvd7f
Seems a bit petty, and too nakedly self interested of the Tories to only leak this story now

On one hand, the whips had no choice. Threatening to dish the dirt on errant MPs is one of the tools in their armoury, and you have to be prepared to carry out threats you make, or you lose credibility for the next encounter.

On the other, the Elphicke farago shows the limits of the Whips' Black Book. If her behaviour was really that awful, why did the Conservative party do nothing about it before Wednesday lunchtime?

And whilst it's unlikely that NE has brought many voters across from Conservative to Labour with her, depressing the Conservative vote (to either Reform or seeing what's on telly) is the next best thing for Team Keir.

LostPassword · May 11

I might have been a bit quick to dismiss the merits of the opening act given the ones that have followed.

Donkeys · May 11

It seems the USA has already built a pier on the Gaza coast, at one end of the Netzarim corridor dividing the north and south that's already been taken over by the Israeli military. (And the Israelis are attacking in both north and south right now.) This map is from Al-Jazeera:

I wonder where on the island of Cyprus the detention camp will be located.

viewcode · May 11

LostPassword said:
I might have been a bit quick to dismiss the merits of the opening act given the ones that have followed.

I'm not sure Eurovision is judged on musical merit, tbh...

MattW · May 11

viewcode said:

MattW said:

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.
To counter - Brotherhood of Man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1Lp3QFFvJE
I'm noit entirely sure that's a counter-example, tbh

I question your judgement

williamglenn · May 11

Casino_Royale said:
Luxembourg not awful. Particularly since it's not Juncker on stage tonight.

They’re going for douze points from France.

kinabalu · May 11

gettingbetter said:

rottenborough said:

FeersumEnjineeya said:

Casino_Royale said:
On topic, I've laid Israel.

Might be a good song but my guess is anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism (take your pick) wins out in much of the viewers voting and maybe, subjectively, the judges too.

I think the change to the voting system to allow voters around the world to vote 24 hours in advance can only but hurt them too; it's not big in the US but the Middle East will hugely downvote them.
Surely though that is outweighed by the fact that there is no Palestinian entry, so anti-Israel votes have nowhere to coalesce. If everyone were to vote politically re Gaza, then Israel would still win even if only 1 in 20 votes were for Israel and the rest were evenly distributed among the other countries.
FWIW, I have laid Israel as well.

Me too. I'm stopping now as I have done 4k and the wife will be stressed if she finds out I stand to lose 16k.

Jeez. I hope I don't win my £5 to £25 then.

DecrepiterJohnL · May 11

viewcode said:

LostPassword said:
I might have been a bit quick to dismiss the merits of the opening act given the ones that have followed.
I'm not sure Eurovision is judged on musical merit, tbh...

That's the thing. It is. Well, sort of. Remember half the verdict comes from the Technical Jury, and half the public vote.

Casino_Royale · May 11

williamglenn said:

Casino_Royale said:
Luxembourg not awful. Particularly since it's not Juncker on stage tonight.
They’re going for douze points from France.

It's available at 1,000/1 - so I presume someone knows they've already lost, this isn't a clean fight - but I've still dropped £2 on it in case public voting surprises and they come in.

LostPassword · May 11

viewcode said:

LostPassword said:
I might have been a bit quick to dismiss the merits of the opening act given the ones that have followed.
I'm not sure Eurovision is judged on musical merit, tbh...

Eurovision has its own scale of merit which I try to get into the spirit of. I at least have some good beer for the evening.

Lithuania I think are above par.

DecrepiterJohnL · May 11

DecrepiterJohnL said:

viewcode said:

LostPassword said:
I might have been a bit quick to dismiss the merits of the opening act given the ones that have followed.
I'm not sure Eurovision is judged on musical merit, tbh...
That's the thing. It is. Well, sort of. Remember half the verdict comes from the Technical Jury, and half the public vote.

Btw the jury votes are already decided on the basis of the rehearsal yesterday so will not be affected by audience reaction tonight.

williamglenn · May 11

viewcode said:

LostPassword said:
I might have been a bit quick to dismiss the merits of the opening act given the ones that have followed.
I'm not sure Eurovision is judged on musical merit, tbh...

We need Dominic Cummings to organise the UK entry, with targeted Facebook ads across Europe.

viewcode · May 11

MattW said:

viewcode said:

MattW said:

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.
To counter - Brotherhood of Man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1Lp3QFFvJE
I'm noit entirely sure that's a counter-example, tbh
I question your judgement

I've just sat thru two episodes of the new Doctor Who and I'm now looking at a political betting website with people waging £16k on a song. If I retaliate with "well I question your questioning, hah!" and flounce off, we may enter a camp event horizon so dense that even glitter could not escape its grasp...

😀😀😀

ohnotnow · May 11

ydoethur said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

megasaur said:

wooliedyed said:

rottenborough said:

WillG said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.
Because its a joke contest that serious musicians don't enter.
Abba.
We nil pointed them iirc, because we Brits know our oats
I have always thought that Rasputin by Boney M left Waterloo in the dust when it came to preposterously silly history based songs.
OH, those Russians!
Shame the Russians didn't have Freddie Mercury's band.

Then their fans would be 'lover of Russian Queen.'

That reminds me of a random Youtube recommendation I had recently :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maFlRR-zt4g

"Dschinghis Khan - Dschinghis Khan (Disco 26.03.1979)"

Think "Ra! Ra! Rasputin!", but much worse.

DecrepiterJohnL · May 11

Casino_Royale said:

williamglenn said:

Casino_Royale said:
Luxembourg not awful. Particularly since it's not Juncker on stage tonight.
They’re going for douze points from France.
It's available at 1,000/1 - so I presume someone knows they've already lost, this isn't a clean fight - but I've still dropped £2 on it in case public voting surprises and they come in.

You do know there is betting on who comes last? It is a very thin market on Betfair though. Luxembourg are 6/1.

Andy_JS · May 11

BatteryCorrectHorse said:
The UK chose a terrible song and a terrible performer. Get rid.

That description could have been used on quite a few occasions over the last 20 years.

Casino_Royale · May 11

williamglenn said:

viewcode said:

LostPassword said:
I might have been a bit quick to dismiss the merits of the opening act given the ones that have followed.
I'm not sure Eurovision is judged on musical merit, tbh...
We need Dominic Cummings to organise the UK entry, with targeted Facebook ads across Europe.

Has Cummings wargamed this?

gettingbetter · May 11

viewcode said:

gettingbetter said:

rottenborough said:

FeersumEnjineeya said:

Casino_Royale said:
On topic, I've laid Israel.

Might be a good song but my guess is anti-Semitism or anti-Zionism (take your pick) wins out in much of the viewers voting and maybe, subjectively, the judges too.

I think the change to the voting system to allow voters around the world to vote 24 hours in advance can only but hurt them too; it's not big in the US but the Middle East will hugely downvote them.
Surely though that is outweighed by the fact that there is no Palestinian entry, so anti-Israel votes have nowhere to coalesce. If everyone were to vote politically re Gaza, then Israel would still win even if only 1 in 20 votes were for Israel and the rest were evenly distributed among the other countries.
FWIW, I have laid Israel as well.

Me too. I'm stopping now as I have done 4k and the wife will be stressed if she finds out I stand to lose 16k.
Well, good luck. Quick check: can you cover the loss?

Yes I suppose so. I enjoy betting on these sort of things but I havent really enjoyed the Uk songs in recent years. As I child I loved Sandy Shaw's Puppet on a String.

isam · May 11

Stuartinromford said:

isam said:

TheScreamingEagles said:
On the eve of her husband’s criminal trial for sex offences in July 2020, Natalie Elphicke arrived at the parliamentary office of Robert Buckland, who as lord chancellor and justice secretary was responsible for upholding the rule of law.

Elphicke had secured the meeting through Sir Mark Spencer, the Conservative Party chief whip. She assured him she did not wish to discuss the plight of her partner, Charlie, whom she had recently succeeded as MP for Dover and whose innocence she had spent years publicly protesting even as several women made claims of sexual assault to the police. She wished to discuss only some general concerns about the justice system.

The opposite was true.

Immediately after entering Buckland’s room on the ministerial corridor, she turned to the topic of her husband: the man who, in a newspaper article three years earlier, she had described as a victim of “injustice heaped upon injustice” having been “thrown to the wolves”.

To the shock of those present, Elphicke, 53, lobbied Buckland to interfere in the upcoming hearing of the case. She told him she felt it was unfair that his case was the first to be heard at Southwark crown court after lockdown and that was being overseen by Lady Justice Whipple, who, as presiding judge of the southeastern circuit, was one of the most senior judges in the land.

Her comments were interpreted by one person in the room as an attempt to have the case moved to a lower-profile court to spare her husband public scrutiny. Another saw it as an effort to replace Whipple, who Elphicke apparently felt would be overly-strict. It is claimed that she spoke with an air of entitlement and as though Buckland should intervene to stop him being “singled out”.

Buckland immediately objected, insisting the conversation could go no further, and declined to help. He feared it would be “outrageous” for him to interfere with the administration of justice by helping a fellow Conservative MP or her husband, also a former colleague. A key constitutional doctrine is that there should be a separation of powers between the principal institutions of state — including parliament and the judiciary.

The MP for South Swindon said today: “She was told in no uncertain terms that it would have been completely inappropriate to speak to the judge about the trial at all.”

A Labour Party spokesman said: “Natalie Elphicke totally rejects that characterisation of the meeting. If Robert Buckland had any genuine concerns about the meeting, then he should have raised them at the time, rather than making claims to the newspapers now Natalie has chosen to join the Labour Party.”

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/natalie-elphicke-lobbied-lord-chancellor-husband-charlie-kv68bvd7f
Seems a bit petty, and too nakedly self interested of the Tories to only leak this story now
On one hand, the whips had no choice. Threatening to dish the dirt on errant MPs is one of the tools in their armoury, and you have to be prepared to carry out threats you make, or you lose credibility for the next encounter.

On the other, the Elphicke farago shows the limits of the Whips' Black Book. If her behaviour was really that awful, why did the Conservative party do nothing about it before Wednesday lunchtime?

And whilst it's unlikely that NE has brought many voters across from Conservative to Labour with her, depressing the Conservative vote (to either Reform or seeing what's on telly) is the next best thing for Team Keir.

I laid Labour again upon seeing Sir Keir’s interview this morning about Elphicke; he is so stiff & awkward that it’s not a 6/1 shot he messes up the campaign a la Theresa May

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