The next chapter of the Scottish play? – politicalbetting.com

Farooq said:

DavidL said:

Scott_xP said:

@sharonodea

I asked ChatGPT to suggest four completely mad ideas the UK’s Conservative Party could include in their manifesto.

I fully expect to see at least one of these announced before the week is out.

https://x.com/sharonodea/status/1794754014686711816

Quite like the national tea time idea. And it would really wind up the Nats.

I think it would wind up anybody wanting to interact with any service at 4pm.

"Hello. This is 999. Your call is important to us. We are currently drinking tea and will resume taking calls in. TWELVE. minutes. If you are bleeding from an aorta, please direct the blood flow away from your telephone headset so your call doesn't get accidentally cut off." [Musak version of Rolling Stone Let It Bleed plays]

Foxy said:

malcolmg said:

Eabhal said:

DavidL said:

bondegezou said:

megasaur said:

DougSeal said:

megasaur said:

Don't purdah rules preclude civil servants from taking politically sensitive actions during the campaign?

It would be mad if that applied to prosecutors. Taking to its absurd extreme, if a member of the cabinet was suspected of being a serial killer during a campaign, the idea that the prosecution should hold off charging until the election would be a little dangerous.

I don’t know the history in Scotland but the Met Police used to instruct solicitors and attorneys (there were such things in England back then) in private practice to draw up indictments. They took the work in house eventually before it was spun out again to the CPS in the 80s. So the work itself, down here anyway, is not historically civil service work.

Not "historically" sure. But it is now - calling yourself the Crown Office is a pretty balls out admission of civil service status by the sound of it.

You can arrest your serial killer but hold off charging him till after polling day

Ironic that sks got his first big break by turning charging decision announcements into showbiz. Always despised him for that

You can’t keep someone locked up for 6 weeks without charging them! You’d have to let the serial killer back out.

The duty imposed on what is now the COPFS is not to disclose material that might prejudice the investigation or the prospects of a fair trial. So you won't get public statements about someone being charged that contain more than the very basic material of the age of the person charged and the charge they are facing. They will not disclose, for example, any of the evidence that formed the basis of that charge.

Nicola, and other SNP politicians, have already been hiding behind an ongoing police investigation for more than 2 years.

Unless they are innocent, in which case they have been pilloried on PB and elsewhere for more than two years, unable to defend themselves.

A blind man can see the truth and it did not take 3 years to work it out. The money is gone and only a very few had access or could see the transactions.

SNP being skint is going to be a factor this election surely?

Eabhal said:

algarkirk said:

SandyRentool said:

Scott_xP said:

@sharonodea

I asked ChatGPT to suggest four completely mad ideas the UK’s Conservative Party could include in their manifesto.

I fully expect to see at least one of these announced before the week is out.

https://x.com/sharonodea/status/1794754014686711816

National Tea Time. Excellent. Made me LOL.

The tea at 4pm proposal is fairly sound, but it needs a R4 Today gotcha interview about whether this is enforced by custodial sentences are merely a fine. There is also the question of how to afford two sorts of cake (Victoria sponge and coffee and walnut for me please) what with the cost of living and all that.

Is cake the right idea at a time of record obesity?

Cake inflation is currently running at 24.7%.

LostPassword said:

I guess British politics could be a lot worse.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/27/india-elections-pm-narendra-modi-claims-he-has-been-chosen-by-god

“I am convinced that ‘Parmatma’ (God) sent me for a purpose. Once the purpose is achieved, my work will be one done. This is why I have completely dedicated myself to God."

“When my mother was alive, I used to believe that I was born biologically. After she passed away, upon reflecting on all my experiences, I was convinced that God had sent me.”

bondegezou said:

MJW said:

So we're at the stage of this National Service shambles where Tories are seriously suggesting parents are prosecuted over their adult children's refusal to do what they're told at the weekends by the state.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too conservative.

https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1794997416355041791

She does not suggest that. The journalist suggests that and she gives a non-answer that avoids commenting on the suggestion. As the tweet says, she doesn’t rule it out.

Nigelb said:

European countries are getting serious.

Spain is set to announce a new massive 1.13 billion Euro ($1.23 billion) military aid package for Ukraine.

The package will include roughly 12 additional PATRIOT interceptors, 19 Leopard 2A4s, and a large number of additional systems procured from the Spanish defense industry.
https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1794986685085757806

No longer are they just sending obsolete kit from reserves:
"..Most of the funding will go to Spanish companies to procure new equipment for Ukraine.."

Dura_Ace said:

Nigelb said:

European countries are getting serious.

Spain is set to announce a new massive 1.13 billion Euro ($1.23 billion) military aid package for Ukraine.

The package will include roughly 12 additional PATRIOT interceptors, 19 Leopard 2A4s, and a large number of additional systems procured from the Spanish defense industry.
https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1794986685085757806

No longer are they just sending obsolete kit from reserves:
"..Most of the funding will go to Spanish companies to procure new equipment for Ukraine.."

A Patriot battery is $1bn each so I presume that's 12 missiles. It'll all be over by Xmas.

DavidL said:

algarkirk said:

SandyRentool said:

Scott_xP said:

@sharonodea

I asked ChatGPT to suggest four completely mad ideas the UK’s Conservative Party could include in their manifesto.

I fully expect to see at least one of these announced before the week is out.

https://x.com/sharonodea/status/1794754014686711816

National Tea Time. Excellent. Made me LOL.

The tea at 4pm proposal is fairly sound, but it needs a R4 Today gotcha interview about whether this is enforced by custodial sentences are merely a fine. There is also the question of how to afford two sorts of cake (Victoria sponge and coffee and walnut for me please) what with the cost of living and all that.

My 2 favourite cakes. You've got my vote.

Scott_xP said:

@implausibleblog

2021: Boris Johnson says we're changing direction to a high wage economy

2024: Rachel Johnson says she likes unpaid National Service because we haven't got enough people to pick our fruit

https://x.com/implausibleblog/status/1794716707631792271

Benpointer said:

Eabhal said:

algarkirk said:

SandyRentool said:

Scott_xP said:

@sharonodea

I asked ChatGPT to suggest four completely mad ideas the UK’s Conservative Party could include in their manifesto.

I fully expect to see at least one of these announced before the week is out.

https://x.com/sharonodea/status/1794754014686711816

National Tea Time. Excellent. Made me LOL.

The tea at 4pm proposal is fairly sound, but it needs a R4 Today gotcha interview about whether this is enforced by custodial sentences are merely a fine. There is also the question of how to afford two sorts of cake (Victoria sponge and coffee and walnut for me please) what with the cost of living and all that.

Is cake the right idea at a time of record obesity?

Cake inflation is currently running at 24.7%.

Good point, cake is a terrible idea. Bakewell tart for me.

algarkirk said:

Benpointer said:

Eabhal said:

algarkirk said:

SandyRentool said:

Scott_xP said:

@sharonodea

I asked ChatGPT to suggest four completely mad ideas the UK’s Conservative Party could include in their manifesto.

I fully expect to see at least one of these announced before the week is out.

https://x.com/sharonodea/status/1794754014686711816

National Tea Time. Excellent. Made me LOL.

The tea at 4pm proposal is fairly sound, but it needs a R4 Today gotcha interview about whether this is enforced by custodial sentences are merely a fine. There is also the question of how to afford two sorts of cake (Victoria sponge and coffee and walnut for me please) what with the cost of living and all that.

Is cake the right idea at a time of record obesity?

Cake inflation is currently running at 24.7%.

Good point, cake is a terrible idea. Bakewell tart for me.

This could be the first major split in the new party that will have to be formed to fill the centre right gap after the election. The Bakewell Faction v the Victoria Sponges.

DecrepiterJohnL said:

Benpointer said:

O/T what happened to Leon's imminent 'worse than the Panama Papers' kaboom from a week ago? Did I miss it?

Did Leon ever divulge what Finland was all about?

Carnyx said:

DavidL said:

Scott_xP said:

@sharonodea

I asked ChatGPT to suggest four completely mad ideas the UK’s Conservative Party could include in their manifesto.

I fully expect to see at least one of these announced before the week is out.

https://x.com/sharonodea/status/1794754014686711816

Quite like the national tea time idea. And it would really wind up the Nats.

Not at all - all one needs is Abernethy biscuits and raspberry jam.

SandyRentool said:

Eabhal said:

Flatlander said:

Morning all. Off to do some non-compulsory volunteering...

It doesn't count if you enjoy it.

The latest research suggests even the pyramids didn't require compulsory volunteering.

Yay - Kant early on a Bank Holiday morning. Doing a good turn is of no moral worth if you enjoy doing it.

wooliedyed said:

ydoethur said:

Casino_Royale said:

I think there are some very interesting bets on Scottish constituencies.

The SNP have sunk by a lot more than the Tories.

Could that see seats such as Ayr and Aberdeen South come into play for the Tories? Or will they leak so many votes to Labour that it's irrelevant?

Ayr looks a three way, the higher Lab go the more likely it becomes a Lab/SNP fight. Perthshire is one to watch. Aberdeen South interesting as is Angus and Argyll and Bute

Foxy said:

malcolmg said:

Eabhal said:

DavidL said:

bondegezou said:

megasaur said:

DougSeal said:

megasaur said:

Don't purdah rules preclude civil servants from taking politically sensitive actions during the campaign?

It would be mad if that applied to prosecutors. Taking to its absurd extreme, if a member of the cabinet was suspected of being a serial killer during a campaign, the idea that the prosecution should hold off charging until the election would be a little dangerous.

I don’t know the history in Scotland but the Met Police used to instruct solicitors and attorneys (there were such things in England back then) in private practice to draw up indictments. They took the work in house eventually before it was spun out again to the CPS in the 80s. So the work itself, down here anyway, is not historically civil service work.

Not "historically" sure. But it is now - calling yourself the Crown Office is a pretty balls out admission of civil service status by the sound of it.

You can arrest your serial killer but hold off charging him till after polling day

Ironic that sks got his first big break by turning charging decision announcements into showbiz. Always despised him for that

You can’t keep someone locked up for 6 weeks without charging them! You’d have to let the serial killer back out.

The duty imposed on what is now the COPFS is not to disclose material that might prejudice the investigation or the prospects of a fair trial. So you won't get public statements about someone being charged that contain more than the very basic material of the age of the person charged and the charge they are facing. They will not disclose, for example, any of the evidence that formed the basis of that charge.

Nicola, and other SNP politicians, have already been hiding behind an ongoing police investigation for more than 2 years.

Unless they are innocent, in which case they have been pilloried on PB and elsewhere for more than two years, unable to defend themselves.

A blind man can see the truth and it did not take 3 years to work it out. The money is gone and only a very few had access or could see the transactions.

SNP being skint is going to be a factor this election surely?

Ghedebrav said:

MJW said:

bondegezou said:

MJW said:

So we're at the stage of this National Service shambles where Tories are seriously suggesting parents are prosecuted over their adult children's refusal to do what they're told at the weekends by the state.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too conservative.

https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1794997416355041791

She does not suggest that. The journalist suggests that and she gives a non-answer that avoids commenting on the suggestion. As the tweet says, she doesn’t rule it out.

She's not ruling it out though - which is apparently contemplating it as an option - otherwise you do what James Cleverly did in saying unequivocally won't be jailing people.

It was her who compared it to being compelled to attend school - for which you *are* prosecuted if your child fails to. That's how it works in terms of enforcement among those who refuse repeatedly to comply. Entirely fair for a journalist to take that at face value and say if that's what you're saying you'll be prosecuting parents.

Obviously they're not going to end up *doing it* as it's completely bonkers. But it shows what a shambles they are in on enforcement of the 'mandatory' element of this.

I’m genuinely interested to see next week’s polling, which I assume will have some specific questions on this idea.

While us nerds have (with justification) quite quickly ripped the idea to shreds, actual normal people who just glance at the headlines may not see it for the ill-conceived electoral hail-Mary that a few minutes scrutiny reveals it to be. And as such, it may have a passing appeal.

No_Offence_Alan said:

SandyRentool said:

Eabhal said:

Flatlander said:

Morning all. Off to do some non-compulsory volunteering...

It doesn't count if you enjoy it.

The latest research suggests even the pyramids didn't require compulsory volunteering.

Yay - Kant early on a Bank Holiday morning. Doing a good turn is of no moral worth if you enjoy doing it.

So, when I find an errant shopping trolley on my way to the local supermarket, I should not return it?
This is about the limit of my "do-goodery" these days.

Benpointer said:

Scott_xP said:

@Steven_Swinford
A minister has said that the Conservative's new national service scheme was 'sprung on' MPs and candidates without consultation

Steve Baker, an NI minister, said that the policy 'was developed by a political adviser or advisers and sprung on candidates, some of whom are relevant ministers'

Not according to @Taz:

Taz said:

Benpointer said:

Scott_xP said:

@alexwickham

James Cleverly immediately rows back on the compulsory nature of the National Service idea

No criminal sanction if people don’t want to do it, he tells Sky

@rafaelbehr

So they've u-turned already or they lied in the press briefing?

@jonsopel

It’s almost as though this policy hasn’t been properly thought through and has been written on back of a fag packet (now that cigs aren’t going to be banned)

IANAE but inventing a new policy on the spur of the moment might be a risky game to play.

But it hasn’t been. It has been in development a while. William Hague has been involved in crafting it.

BatteryCorrectHorse said:

Scott_xP said:

@implausibleblog

2021: Boris Johnson says we're changing direction to a high wage economy

2024: Rachel Johnson says she likes unpaid National Service because we haven't got enough people to pick our fruit

https://x.com/implausibleblog/status/1794716707631792271

Rachel Johnson is the most pointless journalist there is. She just tells us what other Johnson would say with less bluster. It's as empty and vacuous as anything he says.

Heathener said:

MJW said:

So we're at the stage of this National Service shambles where Tories are seriously suggesting parents are prosecuted over their adult children's refusal to do what they're told at the weekends by the state.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too conservative.

https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1794997416355041791

This is the least libertarian Government of my lifetime.

Not sure if anyone from left or right could disagree with that, even those a lot older than I?

megasaur said:

Fishing said:

Heathener said:

MJW said:

So we're at the stage of this National Service shambles where Tories are seriously suggesting parents are prosecuted over their adult children's refusal to do what they're told at the weekends by the state.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too conservative.

https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1794997416355041791

This is the least libertarian Government of my lifetime.

Not sure if anyone from left or right could disagree with that, even those a lot older than I?

Blair tried to introduce ID cards, 90 day detention without trial and ASBOs. He was someone so sure that whatever the police do must be right that he voluntarily submitted his DNA to a database, presumably so they could catch him for a crime he committed in the future.

Starmer will probably be even worse. He would probably still have us in lockdown as he opposed every measure to relax it.

He actually *did* introduce indefinite prison sentences, which people are still serving. As outrageous to me as blood and Post office scandals. And of course if we get an inquiry it will be decades late and no help for those who have committed suicide in prison

Heathener said:

megasaur said:

Fishing said:

Heathener said:

MJW said:

So we're at the stage of this National Service shambles where Tories are seriously suggesting parents are prosecuted over their adult children's refusal to do what they're told at the weekends by the state.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too conservative.

https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1794997416355041791

This is the least libertarian Government of my lifetime.

Not sure if anyone from left or right could disagree with that, even those a lot older than I?

Blair tried to introduce ID cards, 90 day detention without trial and ASBOs. He was someone so sure that whatever the police do must be right that he voluntarily submitted his DNA to a database, presumably so they could catch him for a crime he committed in the future.

Starmer will probably be even worse. He would probably still have us in lockdown as he opposed every measure to relax it.

He actually *did* introduce indefinite prison sentences, which people are still serving. As outrageous to me as blood and Post office scandals. And of course if we get an inquiry it will be decades late and no help for those who have committed suicide in prison

Oh I see.

Well just confirms many of my views on Tony Blair, which I’ve made no secret about on here. I disliked him then and I dislike him now.

I marched against the war in Iraq, standing right behind someone called Jeremy Corbyn.

DecrepiterJohnL said:

SandyRentool said:

DavidL said:

algarkirk said:

SandyRentool said:

Scott_xP said:

@sharonodea

I asked ChatGPT to suggest four completely mad ideas the UK’s Conservative Party could include in their manifesto.

I fully expect to see at least one of these announced before the week is out.

https://x.com/sharonodea/status/1794754014686711816

National Tea Time. Excellent. Made me LOL.

The tea at 4pm proposal is fairly sound, but it needs a R4 Today gotcha interview about whether this is enforced by custodial sentences are merely a fine. There is also the question of how to afford two sorts of cake (Victoria sponge and coffee and walnut for me please) what with the cost of living and all that.

My 2 favourite cakes. You've got my vote.

I thought Dundee cake would be your thing?

Dundee cake, Churchill's favourite.

Dura_Ace said:

Heathener said:

megasaur said:

Fishing said:

Heathener said:

MJW said:

So we're at the stage of this National Service shambles where Tories are seriously suggesting parents are prosecuted over their adult children's refusal to do what they're told at the weekends by the state.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too conservative.

https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1794997416355041791

This is the least libertarian Government of my lifetime.

Not sure if anyone from left or right could disagree with that, even those a lot older than I?

Blair tried to introduce ID cards, 90 day detention without trial and ASBOs. He was someone so sure that whatever the police do must be right that he voluntarily submitted his DNA to a database, presumably so they could catch him for a crime he committed in the future.

Starmer will probably be even worse. He would probably still have us in lockdown as he opposed every measure to relax it.

He actually *did* introduce indefinite prison sentences, which people are still serving. As outrageous to me as blood and Post office scandals. And of course if we get an inquiry it will be decades late and no help for those who have committed suicide in prison

Oh I see.

Well just confirms many of my views on Tony Blair, which I’ve made no secret about on here. I disliked him then and I dislike him now.

I marched against the war in Iraq, standing right behind someone called Jeremy Corbyn.

How was the smell? Hummus and Voltarol?

TheScreamingEagles said:

Heathener said:

MJW said:

So we're at the stage of this National Service shambles where Tories are seriously suggesting parents are prosecuted over their adult children's refusal to do what they're told at the weekends by the state.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too conservative.

https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1794997416355041791

This is the least libertarian Government of my lifetime.

Not sure if anyone from left or right could disagree with that, even those a lot older than I?

The last Labour government who tried to introduce detention without charge for 90 days.

Mexicanpete said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Heathener said:

MJW said:

So we're at the stage of this National Service shambles where Tories are seriously suggesting parents are prosecuted over their adult children's refusal to do what they're told at the weekends by the state.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too conservative.

https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1794997416355041791

This is the least libertarian Government of my lifetime.

Not sure if anyone from left or right could disagree with that, even those a lot older than I?

The last Labour government who tried to introduce detention without charge for 90 days.

If the Tories hadn't opposed it, Steve Bray could be safely banged up in Wandsworth until after the election.

Heathener said:

megasaur said:

Fishing said:

Heathener said:

MJW said:

So we're at the stage of this National Service shambles where Tories are seriously suggesting parents are prosecuted over their adult children's refusal to do what they're told at the weekends by the state.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too conservative.

https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1794997416355041791

This is the least libertarian Government of my lifetime.

Not sure if anyone from left or right could disagree with that, even those a lot older than I?

Blair tried to introduce ID cards, 90 day detention without trial and ASBOs. He was someone so sure that whatever the police do must be right that he voluntarily submitted his DNA to a database, presumably so they could catch him for a crime he committed in the future.

Starmer will probably be even worse. He would probably still have us in lockdown as he opposed every measure to relax it.

He actually *did* introduce indefinite prison sentences, which people are still serving. As outrageous to me as blood and Post office scandals. And of course if we get an inquiry it will be decades late and no help for those who have committed suicide in prison

Oh I see.

Well just confirms many of my views on Tony Blair, which I’ve made no secret about on here. I disliked him then and I dislike him now.

I marched against the war in Iraq, standing right behind someone called Jeremy Corbyn.

Bloody proud I did too.

boulay said:

Heathener said:

megasaur said:

Fishing said:

Heathener said:

MJW said:

So we're at the stage of this National Service shambles where Tories are seriously suggesting parents are prosecuted over their adult children's refusal to do what they're told at the weekends by the state.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too conservative.

https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1794997416355041791

This is the least libertarian Government of my lifetime.

Not sure if anyone from left or right could disagree with that, even those a lot older than I?

Blair tried to introduce ID cards, 90 day detention without trial and ASBOs. He was someone so sure that whatever the police do must be right that he voluntarily submitted his DNA to a database, presumably so they could catch him for a crime he committed in the future.

Starmer will probably be even worse. He would probably still have us in lockdown as he opposed every measure to relax it.

He actually *did* introduce indefinite prison sentences, which people are still serving. As outrageous to me as blood and Post office scandals. And of course if we get an inquiry it will be decades late and no help for those who have committed suicide in prison

Oh I see.

Well just confirms many of my views on Tony Blair, which I’ve made no secret about on here. I disliked him then and I dislike him now.

I marched against the war in Iraq, standing right behind someone called Jeremy Corbyn.

Bloody proud I did too.

Cool story. Are you the one on the left or the right?

Stuartinromford said:

Ghedebrav said:

MJW said:

bondegezou said:

MJW said:

So we're at the stage of this National Service shambles where Tories are seriously suggesting parents are prosecuted over their adult children's refusal to do what they're told at the weekends by the state.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too conservative.

https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1794997416355041791

She does not suggest that. The journalist suggests that and she gives a non-answer that avoids commenting on the suggestion. As the tweet says, she doesn’t rule it out.

She's not ruling it out though - which is apparently contemplating it as an option - otherwise you do what James Cleverly did in saying unequivocally won't be jailing people.

It was her who compared it to being compelled to attend school - for which you *are* prosecuted if your child fails to. That's how it works in terms of enforcement among those who refuse repeatedly to comply. Entirely fair for a journalist to take that at face value and say if that's what you're saying you'll be prosecuting parents.

Obviously they're not going to end up *doing it* as it's completely bonkers. But it shows what a shambles they are in on enforcement of the 'mandatory' element of this.

I’m genuinely interested to see next week’s polling, which I assume will have some specific questions on this idea.

While us nerds have (with justification) quite quickly ripped the idea to shreds, actual normal people who just glance at the headlines may not see it for the ill-conceived electoral hail-Mary that a few minutes scrutiny reveals it to be. And as such, it may have a passing appeal.

There was some polling in 2005(?) about the Conservative manifesto. Ask people about the policies, they were petty popular. Ask people about them as Conservative policies, and they weren't.

Vibes matter, and the vibes around Rishi are horrible.

DecrepiterJohnL said:

SKS is on his hind legs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUab-oMShEY (and other channels)

He makes a lousy speaker.

Heathener said:

No_Offence_Alan said:

Heathener said:

MJW said:

So we're at the stage of this National Service shambles where Tories are seriously suggesting parents are prosecuted over their adult children's refusal to do what they're told at the weekends by the state.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too conservative.

https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1794997416355041791

This is the least libertarian Government of my lifetime.

Not sure if anyone from left or right could disagree with that, even those a lot older than I?

Have Labour dropped the "Gulags For Slags" policy?

I don’t know what your question means?

But I’m not the one to answer questions on a Labour manifesto anyway. I doubt I’ll get around to reading theirs, or those of any other party, in full tbh.

But I’m inferring that you and TSE don’t think the last Labour Gov’t, by which I take it you mean Gordon Brown’s, was very libertarian either?

I think socially they were. A raft of good reforms that brought much-needed advances.

TheScreamingEagles said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:

Did the Tories not support detention without charge?

I just can't support such a policy, innocent until proven guilty. Always.

They opposed it at 90 days and 56 days.

DavidL said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

SKS is on his hind legs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUab-oMShEY (and other channels)

He makes a lousy speaker.

...look good.

rkrkrk said:

Fishing said:

Heathener said:

MJW said:

So we're at the stage of this National Service shambles where Tories are seriously suggesting parents are prosecuted over their adult children's refusal to do what they're told at the weekends by the state.

I don't know, but it doesn't sound too conservative.

https://twitter.com/TimesRadio/status/1794997416355041791

This is the least libertarian Government of my lifetime.

Not sure if anyone from left or right could disagree with that, even those a lot older than I?

Blair tried to introduce ID cards, 90 day detention without trial and ASBOs. He was someone so sure that whatever the police do must be right that he voluntarily submitted his DNA to a database, presumably so they could catch him for a crime he committed in the future (though apparently not war crimes).

Starmer will probably be even worse. He would probably still have us in lockdown as he opposed every measure to relax it.

Blair and New Labour definitely had some authoritarian tendencies. Personally I wouldn't put ID cards in there with the rest of that list...

I'm more optimistic about Starmer. He's been a human rights lawyer and will have seen a lot of miscarriages of justice. But my worry is that he is so desperate to win, that he may feel he has to act tough and compromise his principles.

Casino_Royale said:

Scott_xP said:

@sharonodea

I asked ChatGPT to suggest four completely mad ideas the UK’s Conservative Party could include in their manifesto.

I fully expect to see at least one of these announced before the week is out.

https://x.com/sharonodea/status/1794754014686711816

That actually sounds quite good.

nico679 said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:

MJW said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:

One Downing Street insider called the 61- year-old Labour leader "Sleepy Keir", an apparent attempt to link him in the public's mind to the US's 81-year-old President Joe Biden, dubbed "Sleepy Joe" by Donald Trump. "Campaigns are tough, tiring things and it's understandable that he may be weary," said a Tory campaign official. "But being prime minister is a 24/7 job which requires stamina."

https://x.com/JamesFitzJourno/status/1795015985461653708/photo/1

They really are very bad at this, considering whatever you think of him Starmer looks a young 61, famously plays football every week and kind of looks like a Thunderbirds character gone slightly to seed.

If it were Corbyn it would make sense, if still daft. But not here.

Plus, what a way to insult the only people in the country still voting for you as past it.

I honestly think SKS is quite a sexy man. I say as a straight man.

He’s got great hair and is quite handsome . He also looks like he could chop a few logs where as Sunak looks like he could barely lift a tin of beans .

BatteryCorrectHorse said:

MJW said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:

One Downing Street insider called the 61- year-old Labour leader "Sleepy Keir", an apparent attempt to link him in the public's mind to the US's 81-year-old President Joe Biden, dubbed "Sleepy Joe" by Donald Trump. "Campaigns are tough, tiring things and it's understandable that he may be weary," said a Tory campaign official. "But being prime minister is a 24/7 job which requires stamina."

https://x.com/JamesFitzJourno/status/1795015985461653708/photo/1

They really are very bad at this, considering whatever you think of him Starmer looks a young 61, famously plays football every week and kind of looks like a Thunderbirds character gone slightly to seed.

If it were Corbyn it would make sense, if still daft. But not here.

Plus, what a way to insult the only people in the country still voting for you as past it.

I honestly think SKS is quite a sexy man. I say as a straight man.

malcolmg said:

Benpointer said:

malcolmg said:

Benpointer said:

Scott_xP said:

@Steven_Swinford
A minister has said that the Conservative's new national service scheme was 'sprung on' MPs and candidates without consultation

Steve Baker, an NI minister, said that the policy 'was developed by a political adviser or advisers and sprung on candidates, some of whom are relevant ministers'

Not according to @Taz:

Taz said:

Benpointer said:

Scott_xP said:

@alexwickham

James Cleverly immediately rows back on the compulsory nature of the National Service idea

No criminal sanction if people don’t want to do it, he tells Sky

@rafaelbehr

So they've u-turned already or they lied in the press briefing?

@jonsopel

It’s almost as though this policy hasn’t been properly thought through and has been written on back of a fag packet (now that cigs aren’t going to be banned)

IANAE but inventing a new policy on the spur of the moment might be a risky game to play.

But it hasn’t been. It has been in development a while. William Hague has been involved in crafting it.

Sounds like the crap Vague would come up with for sure.

I thought you were all for compelling today's feckless youth to do time polishing boots and marching around parade grounds?

I would make the b*ggers work. Get them out sweeping the streets, picking up litter , getting chewing gum off pavements, painting graffiti and helping old ladies across the street. 8 am - 5pm with 30 minutes for lunch. Pay retired soldiers to ensure disciplne and no slacking.
No cushy billets.

BatteryCorrectHorse said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

BatteryCorrectHorse said:

Did the Tories not support detention without charge?

I just can't support such a policy, innocent until proven guilty. Always.

They opposed it at 90 days and 56 days.

That's not opposed it full stop, is it?