Just read it on Sam Coates twitter feed. All I can say is you’re correct. It is.
Three pages of pure loathing and contempt. Not a shred of respect - "you're a decent man doing a hard job" blah blah
Just pure 100% ultra-distilled vitriol. The problem for Starmer is that, nonetheless, it doesn't sound unhinged. It is articulate and pointed
He's consistently ignored, shunned and been rude to her.
So, it's payback time. And she's clearly a person who thinks revenge should be served up absolutely freezing.
Yep. There is bad blood. The letter drips with it.
Two old rules.
1. If you shoot at the King, for God's sake don't miss. 2. If you seek revenge, start by digging two graves.
I've never really gotten on board with the second one, as a supposed caution against people indulging in revenge. Many people who seek revenge might consider that a fair trade, depending on what they seek revenge for, or may already consider their prospects dead even if they are not, so it doesn't work much to dissuade people.
As kinabalu notes, there's not much downside for her.
She’s greatly reduced her chances of retaining her seat at the next general election.
Not necessarily.
My core scenario for the next GE is that the government isn’t particularly popular but that the Conservatives haven’t recovered to any significant extent.
If the government is rather more unpopular and the Tories rather more successful in getting their act together than I anticipate, Canterbury could be in play.
As an Independent, with a decent constituency record, she could be in with a chance of doing a Dick Taverne.
And as a LibDem by then, as per my post above, she could be sitting relatively pretty.
Maybe she doesn't care what she'll be doing in 4 1/2 years time?
She had enough and just wanted the cathartic moment.
Curiously she didn't mention trans in her letter. Think that issue may prevent a transfer to LibDems.
There's quite a mob of Independents in Parliament so maybe not so uncomfortable a place to be. Though whether she is a natural bedfellow for JC and his motley crew I've no idea.
She was as much a thorn in JC's side as she is in SKS's.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 1h I like Rosie Duffield. But her resignation won’t damage Keir Starmer. You can’t stand for election for a party, then resign two months later, and retain political credibility.
So what’s Duffield’s end game here? It feels odd to do this so soon after an election and at the first bad news for the government. Yes she’s always had differences with figures in Labour but that wouldn’t have precluded her from being a serial rebel inside the party.
Apparently, the new Hezbollah leader who replaced Nasrallah, Hassan Khalil Yassin, has been eliminated by the IDF.
They are leaking more than the Boris government and losing leadership faster than OpenAI.
IMV they're getting intelligence help from other countries. And I'm not thinking of Christian countries.
It is interesting that Israel appears to be able to get the top targets at will. Its one thing getting the middle management e.g. field commander of the missile launching group at the border, but they are systematically killing every senior leader and rapidly as if they know where they all are 24/7.
Just read it on Sam Coates twitter feed. All I can say is you’re correct. It is.
Three pages of pure loathing and contempt. Not a shred of respect - "you're a decent man doing a hard job" blah blah
Just pure 100% ultra-distilled vitriol. The problem for Starmer is that, nonetheless, it doesn't sound unhinged. It is articulate and pointed
He's consistently ignored, shunned and been rude to her.
So, it's payback time. And she's clearly a person who thinks revenge should be served up absolutely freezing.
Yep. There is bad blood. The letter drips with it.
Two old rules.
1. If you shoot at the King, for God's sake don't miss. 2. If you seek revenge, start by digging two graves.
I've never really gotten on board with the second one, as a supposed caution against people indulging in revenge. Many people who seek revenge might consider that a fair trade, depending on what they seek revenge for, or may already consider their prospects dead even if they are not, so it doesn't work much to dissuade people.
As kinabalu notes, there's not much downside for her.
She’s greatly reduced her chances of retaining her seat at the next general election.
Not necessarily.
My core scenario for the next GE is that the government isn’t particularly popular but that the Conservatives haven’t recovered to any significant extent.
If the government is rather more unpopular and the Tories rather more successful in getting their act together than I anticipate, Canterbury could be in play.
As an Independent, with a decent constituency record, she could be in with a chance of doing a Dick Taverne.
And as a LibDem by then, as per my post above, she could be sitting relatively pretty.
Maybe she doesn't care what she'll be doing in 4 1/2 years time?
She had enough and just wanted the cathartic moment.
That is the most savage resignation letter I have ever seen. I do not believe this is because she is so suddenly shocked by griftgate and The free-frockalypse. However she has cannily used those to great effect - "shameful avarice"
There must now be a decent chance Starmer goes. Not a big chance, but no longer vanishingly small
Popcorn!
Sadly there’s an awful lot of Labour MPs to cross the floor before their majority is in jeopardy.
That said, the first job of the new Tory leader is to appoint a chief whip who can go and pick off Labour MPs one at a time, who disagree with the news agenda of the week.
Starmer is more likely to lose MPs to greens or lib dems than Tories I reckon.
Wikipedia lists 2 MPs in 1948 moving from Labour to Tory due to opposition to nationalisation of steel. There was one in 1961 who went Labour to Independent, then joined the Tories a year later, and there might be a few more of those I've not spotted in a quick look. And there was another one in 1977.
In short, it is very uncommon. Happens more the other way.
Given the tone of Duffield's letter, she isn't going Tory. Feels like she was heading this way for some time, but needed to be re-elected before acting.
She isn't a Tory. Neither is JK Rowling.
She's a classic welfare state Labourite, but detests identity politics and culture war.
Yeah, she’s a good egg. Really sad to see her go
Also, as @Casino_Royale notes, she is not without personal charm
If you were on say, God, I dunno - OK let's say the Lerins islands, off Cannes, and you were having a walk with her, and she was in a floaty summer dress, and you spotted a handy altar....
And to think, we spent a whole thread pontificating on why women say they'd feel safer with a bear than a man...
What’s to explain . It’s been a terrible start with one of the biggest political own goals of all time as in the WFA . Don’t Labour have any decent advisers ? Duffield had fallen out with Starmer a long time ago so this isn’t a huge shock but seriously Labour need to get a grip .
The WFA should have been in the manifesto.
Sure, it would have meant they didn't win quite as big a landslide. But Starmer would be better off now with, say, 375 MPs and having been able to diffuse the row with "it was in the manifesto".
As should the euthanasia. Nothing has suddenly ‘come on’ which means it needs to be done as a rush job.
Times reporting government to increase tuition fees to £10,500.
And bring back the maintenance grant, which I've never quite understood: giving students a bit of extra cash if they're from poor homes makes sense, but this is just replacing the maintenance element of the loan with a grant. Which affects your postgraduate taxes twenty years later, when your income might be more related to the subject you choose not your parent's income.
Times reporting government to increase tuition fees to £10,500.
Yay, more debt for tomorrow’s twentysomethings.
How’s about government gets out of undergraduate funding completely, and let the institution, the bank, and the student agree on terms for the loan, with none of of this “loans can survive a bankruptcy” nonsense?
That way, banks will fund useful courses, and not-useful courses will rely on either self-funders or overseas students.
sundersays.bsky.social @sundersays.bsky.social · 53m Can certainly predict that Reform would want to invite Duffield to join & stand for them next time. She may prefer not to (and would struggle to hold Canterbury) but Farage would like to bring in an ex-Labour/ left-facing voice who will have a profile on GB News as an independent
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 1h I like Rosie Duffield. But her resignation won’t damage Keir Starmer. You can’t stand for election for a party, then resign two months later, and retain political credibility.
You can’t stand for election as Prime Minister, then two months later be seen as guilty of grift as the party you have replaced, and retain political credibility.
sundersays.bsky.social @sundersays.bsky.social · 53m Can certainly predict that Reform would want to invite Duffield to join & stand for them next time. She may prefer not to (and would struggle to hold Canterbury) but Farage would like to bring in an ex-Labour/ left-facing voice who will have a profile on GB News as an independent
Did they read her letter? She's about as likely to end up in Reform as SKS himself. Her views have nothing in common with someone like Lee Anderson.
Times reporting government to increase tuition fees to £10,500.
Yay, more debt for tomorrow’s twentysomethings.
How’s about government gets out of undergraduate funding completely, and let the institution, the bank, and the student agree on terms for the loan, with none of of this “loans can survive a bankruptcy” nonsense?
That way, banks will fund useful courses, and not-useful courses will rely on either self-funders or overseas students.
There are lots of useful courses that banks wouldn't fund under that model.
Just read it on Sam Coates twitter feed. All I can say is you’re correct. It is.
Three pages of pure loathing and contempt. Not a shred of respect - "you're a decent man doing a hard job" blah blah
Just pure 100% ultra-distilled vitriol. The problem for Starmer is that, nonetheless, it doesn't sound unhinged. It is articulate and pointed
He's consistently ignored, shunned and been rude to her.
So, it's payback time. And she's clearly a person who thinks revenge should be served up absolutely freezing.
Yep. There is bad blood. The letter drips with it.
Two old rules.
1. If you shoot at the King, for God's sake don't miss. 2. If you seek revenge, start by digging two graves.
I've never really gotten on board with the second one, as a supposed caution against people indulging in revenge. Many people who seek revenge might consider that a fair trade, depending on what they seek revenge for, or may already consider their prospects dead even if they are not, so it doesn't work much to dissuade people.
As kinabalu notes, there's not much downside for her.
She’s greatly reduced her chances of retaining her seat at the next general election.
I might beg to differ. By the next election, NOT being badged as a Labour MP might be the only way to get a majority of 10,000.
Reminder that £9000 in 2012, when tuition fees were last set, is £12500 in today's money.
The thing it is probably the worst of both worlds, will piss people off but also not enough to right the ship of a load of universities whose finances are in a right old state. Obviously Starmer will be telling us he is making all the hard choices.
What’s to explain . It’s been a terrible start with one of the biggest political own goals of all time as in the WFA . Don’t Labour have any decent advisers ? Duffield had fallen out with Starmer a long time ago so this isn’t a huge shock but seriously Labour need to get a grip .
The WFA should have been in the manifesto.
Sure, it would have meant they didn't win quite as big a landslide. But Starmer would be better off now with, say, 375 MPs and having been able to diffuse the row with "it was in the manifesto".
As should the euthanasia. Nothing has suddenly ‘come on’ which means it needs to be done as a rush job.
I dunno. This government might need putting out of its misery.
The letter is incredible. I've just read it. Brutal.
But it's too much, isn't? Clearly personal, out of kilter with what has happened (at least so far) - winter fuel payment for millionaire pensioners? C'mon.
The danger for Starmer, in so far as there is any, is that Prime Ministerial patronage simply cannot stretch to 400 MPs. You have the government - 80 MPs - then the select committees. A large majority of the 300 odd left probably won't have a sniff at power.
That's 5 years of mulling the (possible) loss of the next election, answering stupid emails from gormless constituents, endless travel, voting for cuts to things that benefit your constituents or tax rises that harm your donors. You could have much, much more fun being a complete pain in the arse and this is just the first of many opportunities.
The letter is incredible. I've just read it. Brutal.
But it's too much, isn't? Clearly personal, out of kilter with what has happened (at least so far) - winter fuel payment for millionaire pensioners? C'mon.
The danger for Starmer, in so far as there is any, is that Prime Ministerial patronage simply cannot stretch to 400 MPs. You have the government - 80 MPs - then the select committees. A large majority of the 300 odd left probably won't have a sniff at power.
That's 5 years of mulling the (possible) loss of the next election, answering stupid emails from gormless constituents, endless travel, voting for cuts to things that benefit your constituents or tax rises that harm your donors. You could have much, much more fun being a complete pain in the arse and this is just the first of many opportunities.
It wanted editing down to one page. Had something of a "bag of grievances" feeling. Still powerful, though.
That is the most savage resignation letter I have ever seen. I do not believe this is because she is so suddenly shocked by griftgate and The free-frockalypse. However she has cannily used those to great effect - "shameful avarice"
There must now be a decent chance Starmer goes. Not a big chance, but no longer vanishingly small
Popcorn!
Sadly there’s an awful lot of Labour MPs to cross the floor before their majority is in jeopardy.
That said, the first job of the new Tory leader is to appoint a chief whip who can go and pick off Labour MPs one at a time, who disagree with the news agenda of the week.
Starmer is more likely to lose MPs to greens or lib dems than Tories I reckon.
Wikipedia lists 2 MPs in 1948 moving from Labour to Tory due to opposition to nationalisation of steel. There was one in 1961 who went Labour to Independent, then joined the Tories a year later, and there might be a few more of those I've not spotted in a quick look. And there was another one in 1977.
In short, it is very uncommon. Happens more the other way.
Given the tone of Duffield's letter, she isn't going Tory. Feels like she was heading this way for some time, but needed to be re-elected before acting.
She isn't a Tory. Neither is JK Rowling.
She's a classic welfare state Labourite, but detests identity politics and culture war.
Yeah, she’s a good egg. Really sad to see her go
Also, as @Casino_Royale notes, she is not without personal charm
If you were on say, God, I dunno - OK let's say the Lerins islands, off Cannes, and you were having a walk with her, and she was in a floaty summer dress, and you spotted a handy altar....
And to think, we spent a whole thread pontificating on why women say they'd feel safer with a bear than a man...
Um. We're talking attraction and desire, not assault and violence.
Lol. It's going to be a long few years for you, isn't it.
I empathise. Boy did I struggle with Johnson being my PM.
I think Johnson was necessary.
We could have saved the country a lot of political stress if he’d taken over after Dave.
The scandals would probably have been different, but scandals there would have been and they probably would have still brought him down / stopped him from getting reelected in a 2020 election. Although, May 2020 would have been peak covid fear, so who knows?!
Counterfactuals are great fun, aren’t they?
They can be. One of my faves is what if Labour had finessed a way to let Mrs May's Brexit deal pass?
Times reporting government to increase tuition fees to £10,500.
Yay, more debt for tomorrow’s twentysomethings.
How’s about government gets out of undergraduate funding completely, and let the institution, the bank, and the student agree on terms for the loan, with none of of this “loans can survive a bankruptcy” nonsense?
That way, banks will fund useful courses, and not-useful courses will rely on either self-funders or overseas students.
Frankly, as the son of two graduates and someone who enjoyed free tuition for his own degree, free uni is a middle class bung here in Scotland. It's mad that the kind of funding that could transform Scottish further education (colleges etc) is directed to people in my privileged position - and it distortes the market with Scottish unis desperate for overseas students to fill the funding gap.
But you're right about the politics. I think it's the foundation for why the Tories are doing so horrifically badly with Millenials - Labour would do well to avoid tarring themselves with the same brush.
“The sleaze, the nepotism and the apparent avarice are off the scale. I am so ashamed of what you and your inner circle has done to tarnish and humiliate our once proud party”
That is the most savage resignation letter I have ever seen. I do not believe this is because she is so suddenly shocked by griftgate and The free-frockalypse. However she has cannily used those to great effect - "shameful avarice"
There must now be a decent chance Starmer goes. Not a big chance, but no longer vanishingly small
Popcorn!
Sadly there’s an awful lot of Labour MPs to cross the floor before their majority is in jeopardy.
That said, the first job of the new Tory leader is to appoint a chief whip who can go and pick off Labour MPs one at a time, who disagree with the news agenda of the week.
Starmer is more likely to lose MPs to greens or lib dems than Tories I reckon.
Wikipedia lists 2 MPs in 1948 moving from Labour to Tory due to opposition to nationalisation of steel. There was one in 1961 who went Labour to Independent, then joined the Tories a year later, and there might be a few more of those I've not spotted in a quick look. And there was another one in 1977.
In short, it is very uncommon. Happens more the other way.
Given the tone of Duffield's letter, she isn't going Tory. Feels like she was heading this way for some time, but needed to be re-elected before acting.
She isn't a Tory. Neither is JK Rowling.
She's a classic welfare state Labourite, but detests identity politics and culture war.
Yeah, she’s a good egg. Really sad to see her go
Also, as @Casino_Royale notes, she is not without personal charm
If you were on say, God, I dunno - OK let's say the Lerins islands, off Cannes, and you were having a walk with her, and she was in a floaty summer dress, and you spotted a handy altar....
And to think, we spent a whole thread pontificating on why women say they'd feel safer with a bear than a man...
Um. We're talking attraction and desire, not assault and violence.
Same vibes as Elon's taylor swift tweet tbh. The assumption that she'd be up for it...
Elon is of course an anagram of... could be the same guy, I suppose.
sundersays.bsky.social @sundersays.bsky.social · 53m Can certainly predict that Reform would want to invite Duffield to join & stand for them next time. She may prefer not to (and would struggle to hold Canterbury) but Farage would like to bring in an ex-Labour/ left-facing voice who will have a profile on GB News as an independent
If Rosie Duffield is going to another party - and my guess is not - the SDP seems tge best fit with the resignation letter.
Still no VI, but Starmer's ratings well down on a fortnight ago.
🚨LATEST Opinium / Observer poll
Keir Starmer’s net approval ratings are -30%, down 17 points from -13 at a fortnight ago and down by 49 points from +19% in his first approval rating as prime minister.
This is, again, Starmer’s lowest ever score by some distance.
The letter is incredible. I've just read it. Brutal.
But it's too much, isn't? Clearly personal, out of kilter with what has happened (at least so far) - winter fuel payment for millionaire pensioners? C'mon.
The danger for Starmer, in so far as there is any, is that Prime Ministerial patronage simply cannot stretch to 400 MPs. You have the government - 80 MPs - then the select committees. A large majority of the 300 odd left probably won't have a sniff at power.
That's 5 years of mulling the (possible) loss of the next election, answering stupid emails from gormless constituents, endless travel, voting for cuts to things that benefit your constituents or tax rises that harm your donors. You could have much, much more fun being a complete pain in the arse and this is just the first of many opportunities.
Yes. Just as Israel/Palestine produces more history than can be consumed locally, 410 MPs produce more self regarding ambition than can be accommodated by a small front bench.
Becoming and MP must be quite fun and uplifting with the thrill of success; actually being one must be ghastly, spending all day being mindless with hundreds of people who talk all the time.
It must be a bit like getting into Trinity College Cambridge and then remembering you got in for computer science.
Rosie's letter to SKS is indeed brutal, and rather long. But I think it's so personal in its brutality, and so full of wordy invective about one person, that it's a bit over the top, and therefore less effective.
She may as well just have written "I hate you, you bastard. Bye."
Rosie's letter to SKS is indeed brutal, and rather long. But I think it's so personal in its brutality, and so full of wordy invective about one person, that it's a bit over the top, and therefore less effective.
She may as well just have written "I hate you, you bastard. Bye."
I've always been a fan of pith.
Many years ago I was part of a professional dispute and there were quite a few letters via email being sent back and forward.
Their side's head honcho sent us a 6,000 word letter via email to which I replied with 'noted' and he replied calling me all sorts of names.
Lol. It's going to be a long few years for you, isn't it.
I empathise. Boy did I struggle with Johnson being my PM.
I think Johnson was necessary.
We could have saved the country a lot of political stress if he’d taken over after Dave.
The scandals would probably have been different, but scandals there would have been and they probably would have still brought him down / stopped him from getting reelected in a 2020 election. Although, May 2020 would have been peak covid fear, so who knows?!
Counterfactuals are great fun, aren’t they?
the fact is johnson bottled it in 2016. in retrospect it told you all you need to know about him
Times reporting government to increase tuition fees to £10,500.
Yay, more debt for tomorrow’s twentysomethings.
How’s about government gets out of undergraduate funding completely, and let the institution, the bank, and the student agree on terms for the loan, with none of of this “loans can survive a bankruptcy” nonsense?
That way, banks will fund useful courses, and not-useful courses will rely on either self-funders or overseas students.
How about they call it a graduate tax, which it is?
Another one on SKS’ list. Have I Got News For You returns next week. Whilst nowhere near as popular as it once was, I still suspect it will make grim viewing for him.
Rosie's letter to SKS is indeed brutal, and rather long. But I think it's so personal in its brutality, and so full of wordy invective about one person, that it's a bit over the top, and therefore less effective.
She may as well just have written "I hate you, you bastard. Bye."
Another one on SKS’ list. Have I Got News For You returns next week. Whilst nowhere near as popular as it once was, I still suspect it will make grim viewing for him.
They'll be inviting Rosie Duffield to join the panel as you write. She'll probably accept.
Times reporting government to increase tuition fees to £10,500.
Yay, more debt for tomorrow’s twentysomethings.
How’s about government gets out of undergraduate funding completely, and let the institution, the bank, and the student agree on terms for the loan, with none of of this “loans can survive a bankruptcy” nonsense?
That way, banks will fund useful courses, and not-useful courses will rely on either self-funders or overseas students.
Is it time for the Martin Lewis regular reminder that what you pay back each month is not increased by the fact that your loan totalled £4 billion as compared with someone whose loan was £40,000. While you owe anything at all you pay, what you pay is based on earnings, not the bill on the bottom line.
Rosie's letter to SKS is indeed brutal, and rather long. But I think it's so personal in its brutality, and so full of wordy invective about one person, that it's a bit over the top, and therefore less effective.
She may as well just have written "I hate you, you bastard. Bye."
Rosie's letter to SKS is indeed brutal, and rather long. But I think it's so personal in its brutality, and so full of wordy invective about one person, that it's a bit over the top, and therefore less effective.
She may as well just have written "I hate you, you bastard. Bye."
I've always been a fan of pith.
Many years ago I was part of a professional dispute and there were quite a few letters via email being sent back and forward.
Their side's head honcho sent us a 6,000 word letter via email to which I replied with 'noted' and he replied calling me ever all sorts of names.
Only slightly less pithy and perhaps equally impactful, is the old-school Southern USA politico's favorite response:
Vintage railway film - Wires over the border - 1974
This vintage railway film, produced by British Transport Films in 1974, is an account, in human and non-technical terms, of the electrification of the West Coast main line railway from Crewe to Glasgow; the logical completion of the Liverpool-Manchester-London electrification of 1966.
All the council by-elections looking piss poor for Labour. Now it's obviously normal for a Gov't to go backwards in mid-term (And we haven't reached those) council elections, but Starmer clearly wanted to get to mid term unpopularity early
Sir Keir is left with no choice but to console himself with a parliamentary majority of 174.
IS it within realm of possibility (if not of KCIII) that Rosie Duffield's epic resignation/repudiation of the Labour whip, is really a cunning conspiracy by The Blog and it's henchpeople low & high, to confuse and mislead the anti-Woke Blogophobes?
What are the odds? (Asking for a friend!)
I think you mean Blob ?
Or is it a PB conspiracy ?
Shhhhhhh
Shortly after my idea to create a PB policy review group went live, we got co-opted by the group that runs the Illuminati. Who run the Grey Aliens. Who run the Lizard Men in People suits.
We are in charge now. We control the horizontal. We control the vertical.
One Blog to rule them all, One Blog to find them, One Blog to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
Rosie's letter to SKS is indeed brutal, and rather long. But I think it's so personal in its brutality, and so full of wordy invective about one person, that it's a bit over the top, and therefore less effective.
She may as well just have written "I hate you, you bastard. Bye."
I've always been a fan of pith.
Many years ago I was part of a professional dispute and there were quite a few letters via email being sent back and forward.
Their side's head honcho sent us a 6,000 word letter via email to which I replied with 'noted' and he replied calling me all sorts of names.
I assume that they were being paid by the word, and you were being paid by the email.
Vintage railway film - Wires over the border - 1974
This vintage railway film, produced by British Transport Films in 1974, is an account, in human and non-technical terms, of the electrification of the West Coast main line railway from Crewe to Glasgow; the logical completion of the Liverpool-Manchester-London electrification of 1966.
I did not vote for you to lead our party for reasons I won’t describe in detail here. But, as someone elevated immediately to a shadow cabinet position without following the usual path of honing your political skills on the backbenches, you had very little previous political footprint
I find this bit the more interesting part of the letter, because as far as political attacks go it is not one which the public at large probably care about at all, or are even much aware of. But I have noted before just how quickly Starmer was put into a senior position, he was even floated as a leadership candidate weeks after first becoming an MP. Even more than Sunak, he had no experience of backbench life.
In modern times those who make it to the top appear to need to get there quickly, even if in shadow positions, and it is interesting that Duffield has chosen to call that sort of thing out specifically.
We've earlier pointed to the dangers of Starmer alienating experienced backbenchers (and indeed distinguished newcomers) by ignoring their claims to office in favour of nepotism and croneyism.
Now that Duffield, notoriously an opponent of Jeremy Corbyn, finds herself overlooked by his successor, she unironically echoes the left-wing critique of Starmer's gilded path to the top, lubricated by unreliable, some might even say dishonest, pledges.
Times reporting government to increase tuition fees to £10,500.
Yay, more debt for tomorrow’s twentysomethings.
How’s about government gets out of undergraduate funding completely, and let the institution, the bank, and the student agree on terms for the loan, with none of of this “loans can survive a bankruptcy” nonsense?
That way, banks will fund useful courses, and not-useful courses will rely on either self-funders or overseas students.
How about they call it a graduate tax, which it is?
It’s a tax on British graduates who stay in the UK to work once they have degrees.
It’s also a massive incentive for those people to seek work elsewhere, overseas.
Apparently meeting with the Grand Wizard of Hezbollah were senior Iranian officials. Israel got a 2 for 1 deal.
Given all the inside info they seem to have had from Iran in the past few years (Ismail Haniyeh, etc) - I'm wondering if that's where they got their tip-offs of late. Rather than infiltrating the Lebanon/Gaza side.
Nasty, attention seeking transphobe. Best ignored.
Those getting all worked up about Sir Keir Starmer accepting a few freebies are going to shit the bed when they finally notice the Oswald Cobblepot figure waddling up to the opposite side of the despatch box in a few weeks’ time. Crooked as a £4 note and nasty with it too. A few suits and a pair of glasses pale in comparison.
Rosie's letter to SKS is indeed brutal, and rather long. But I think it's so personal in its brutality, and so full of wordy invective about one person, that it's a bit over the top, and therefore less effective.
She may as well just have written "I hate you, you bastard. Bye."
Times reporting government to increase tuition fees to £10,500.
Yay, more debt for tomorrow’s twentysomethings.
How’s about government gets out of undergraduate funding completely, and let the institution, the bank, and the student agree on terms for the loan, with none of of this “loans can survive a bankruptcy” nonsense?
That way, banks will fund useful courses, and not-useful courses will rely on either self-funders or overseas students.
Is it time for the Martin Lewis regular reminder that what you pay back each month is not increased by the fact that your loan totalled £4 billion as compared with someone whose loan was £40,000. While you owe anything at all you pay, what you pay is based on earnings, not the bill on the bottom line.
This was the case last time I looked.
Exactly. And after a fixed time all liability is cancelled.
Nasty, attention seeking transphobe. Best ignored.
Those getting all worked up about Sir Keir Starmer accepting a few freebies are going to shit the bed when they finally notice the Oswald Cobblepot figure waddling up to the opposite side of the despatch box in a few weeks’ time. Crooked as a £4 note and nasty with it too. A few suits and a pair of glasses pale in comparison.
That may, or may not, be true.
But SKS is in a much worse position to attack the new Tory leader on personal financial matters after all these revelations.
And for most of the public, tens of thousands of pounds of clothes, glasses etc are not 'a few freebies'. That's serious money.
Bit early for an MP defection really, as Leon notes it's more of an 'in power for 10 years' thing, but an atypical individual situation. Kind of feels like she would have done it before, but needed to get re-elected first. I'm sure her views are sincere, but has that much changed about the party since taking power?
As kyf_100 suggests, doesn't seem like she'd be a good fit for Cotbyn and the Gaza Bros. Long term independent I reckon.
But it comes at the worst possible moment for Starmer, when he is rocked daily by the grift allegations
It feels relentless, and again I wonder if it is in some way co-ordinated to destabilise him, and ultimately remove him
Truss was gift to Labour
Rosie gift to all Labour’s opponents
You need some perspective.
Rosie Duffield, a nondescript backbench MP most of the public couldn't pick out or the Prime Minister who spooked the markets and lost to a lettuce?
We will see but you cannot deny this is a gift to Labour’s opponents
@TheScreamingEagles would be correct if otherwise all was calm in the Labour camp
But it is not. This is like another hefty punch to a man already on the ropes with one eye badly cut
No, it would have been more destabilising if she had resigned a week ago or even last Tuesday/Wednesday as it would have dominated the Labour Party conference.
The next fortnight is going to be dominated by the Tory conference then voting in the leadership contest.
Equally, you could argue that this is great timing for the Tories. Labour might have been hoping to point and laugh at the feeble candidates, now they will be consumed by this. Meanwhile at their conference the Tories will have a real pep. The government is imploding so fast the Tories really will have a chance of winning next time, despite the huge Labour majority
Delicious. THAT letter is why we all love politics!
Nah, timing is everything.
Just imagine if she had quit the morning of Starmer's speech or on budget day.
Speaking of timing, Mr Eagles, is it time to revise your view that the unfortunate Anne Coke had a worse honeymoon than Starmer?
Starmer should be giving thanks for the actual existence of PM Liz Truss
Because, if it wasn't for her, we would absolutely be calling this the worst start to a government/premiership in modern history. This is far worse than May, Brown or Boris. This is extraordinary
It's not extraordinary. Starmer has been clumsy but what does it amount to? A fondness for spending other people's money. From two tier to free gear Keir. One defection later, he's still sitting on the largest majority since sliced bread, has settled some strikes and ended some riots.
Things might change if the budget is not favourably received but until then, it's all froth. Again, I refer you to the Conservative leadership challengers who have not called Starmer out on frockgate. This could change this week but until then, could their reticence be due to their own party having form in this area?
Times reporting government to increase tuition fees to £10,500.
Yay, more debt for tomorrow’s twentysomethings.
How’s about government gets out of undergraduate funding completely, and let the institution, the bank, and the student agree on terms for the loan, with none of of this “loans can survive a bankruptcy” nonsense?
That way, banks will fund useful courses, and not-useful courses will rely on either self-funders or overseas students.
How about they call it a graduate tax, which it is?
Not if your parents paid for the degree and living costs. Only those taking a loan out pay the interest - the "tax".
Times reporting government to increase tuition fees to £10,500.
Yay, more debt for tomorrow’s twentysomethings.
How’s about government gets out of undergraduate funding completely, and let the institution, the bank, and the student agree on terms for the loan, with none of of this “loans can survive a bankruptcy” nonsense?
That way, banks will fund useful courses, and not-useful courses will rely on either self-funders or overseas students.
How about they call it a graduate tax, which it is?
Not if your parents paid for the degree and living costs. Only those taking a loan out pay the interest - the "tax".
Graduate Tax, but only levied on the children of the poor
Whatever you think of Rosie Duffield her comments ring true. If the Lab leadership want to tell us that this view is wrong then they had better explain why and do so quickly. You can get away with unpopularity early in a term but not if the public get the idea that you are taking the piss.
Times reporting government to increase tuition fees to £10,500.
Yay, more debt for tomorrow’s twentysomethings.
How’s about government gets out of undergraduate funding completely, and let the institution, the bank, and the student agree on terms for the loan, with none of of this “loans can survive a bankruptcy” nonsense?
That way, banks will fund useful courses, and not-useful courses will rely on either self-funders or overseas students.
How about they call it a graduate tax, which it is?
Not if your parents paid for the degree and living costs. Only those taking a loan out pay the interest - the "tax".
Yes, it's the "loan" which is the tax, not the fees.
Vintage railway film - Wires over the border - 1974
This vintage railway film, produced by British Transport Films in 1974, is an account, in human and non-technical terms, of the electrification of the West Coast main line railway from Crewe to Glasgow; the logical completion of the Liverpool-Manchester-London electrification of 1966.
Just a thought - has that Derek fashion guy from twitter done Starmer yet? £32,000 on clothes and the man wears a belt. Could be absolutely brutal.
I currently wear a pair of chinos, some slip ons from Clarks, a plain t-shirt and fluorescent cycling jacket to the office. I am in no position to comment on fashion but even I know a belt with suit trousers means you haven't popped into a tailor for some quick adjustments (was only about £50 when I had my M&S suits done).
Nasty, attention seeking transphobe. Best ignored.
Those getting all worked up about Sir Keir Starmer accepting a few freebies are going to shit the bed when they finally notice the Oswald Cobblepot figure waddling up to the opposite side of the despatch box in a few weeks’ time. Crooked as a £4 note and nasty with it too. A few suits and a pair of glasses pale in comparison.
As I've mentioned downthread, we know who Lord Alli is, so if Starmer starts spouting his talking points, we can be reasonably sure there's a debt being paid.
Meanwhile Jenrick's leadership campaign has been funded to the tune of 75k by a *completely anonymous* donor who contributed via a shell company based in the British Virgin Islands. So who has bought and paid for him?
Rosie's letter to SKS is indeed brutal, and rather long. But I think it's so personal in its brutality, and so full of wordy invective about one person, that it's a bit over the top, and therefore less effective.
She may as well just have written "I hate you, you bastard. Bye."
I've always been a fan of pith.
Many years ago I was part of a professional dispute and there were quite a few letters via email being sent back and forward.
Their side's head honcho sent us a 6,000 word letter via email to which I replied with 'noted' and he replied calling me all sorts of names.
Something along those lines would have been a good response to the Duffield missive, were Starmer, or his team, sharp enough. Clearly they aren’t.
Trump: But outside, we have thousands and thousands of people. 40 to 50,000 people at least out there.. It looked like when Lindbergh landed in New York., Do you remember that? Thousands of people.. they’re probably leaving and walking home https://x.com/Acyn/status/1840116660008825020
Couple of minor points … That was nearly two decades before Trump was born. Lindbergh was a notorious anti semite.
Nasty, attention seeking transphobe. Best ignored.
Those getting all worked up about Sir Keir Starmer accepting a few freebies are going to shit the bed when they finally notice the Oswald Cobblepot figure waddling up to the opposite side of the despatch box in a few weeks’ time. Crooked as a £4 note and nasty with it too. A few suits and a pair of glasses pale in comparison.
As I've mentioned downthread, we know who Lord Alli is, so if Starmer starts spouting his talking points, we can be reasonably sure there's a debt being paid.
Meanwhile Jenrick's leadership campaign has been funded to the tune of 75k by a *completely anonymous* donor who contributed via a shell company based in the British Virgin Islands. So who has bought and paid for him?
Times reporting government to increase tuition fees to £10,500.
Yay, more debt for tomorrow’s twentysomethings.
How’s about government gets out of undergraduate funding completely, and let the institution, the bank, and the student agree on terms for the loan, with none of of this “loans can survive a bankruptcy” nonsense?
That way, banks will fund useful courses, and not-useful courses will rely on either self-funders or overseas students.
How about they call it a graduate tax, which it is?
Not if your parents paid for the degree and living costs. Only those taking a loan out pay the interest - the "tax".
Graduate Tax, but only levied on the children of the poor
On everyone who isn’t pretty well off, not just the poor, I think ?
Trump: But outside, we have thousands and thousands of people. 40 to 50,000 people at least out there.. It looked like when Lindbergh landed in New York., Do you remember that? Thousands of people.. they’re probably leaving and walking home https://x.com/Acyn/status/1840116660008825020
Couple of minor points … That was nearly two decades before Trump was born. Lindbergh was a notorious anti semite.
Lindberg didn't want the US to enter the war to stop Nazism spreading across Europe.
Rosie's letter to SKS is indeed brutal, and rather long. But I think it's so personal in its brutality, and so full of wordy invective about one person, that it's a bit over the top, and therefore less effective.
She may as well just have written "I hate you, you bastard. Bye."
Comments
She had enough and just wanted the cathartic moment.
@DPJHodges
·
1h
I like Rosie Duffield. But her resignation won’t damage Keir Starmer. You can’t stand for election for a party, then resign two months later, and retain political credibility.
https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/1840073985373155782
How’s about government gets out of undergraduate funding completely, and let the institution, the bank, and the student agree on terms for the loan, with none of of this “loans can survive a bankruptcy” nonsense?
That way, banks will fund useful courses, and not-useful courses will rely on either self-funders or overseas students.
sundersays.bsky.social @sundersays.bsky.social
·
53m
Can certainly predict that Reform would want to invite Duffield to join & stand for them next time. She may prefer not to (and would struggle to hold Canterbury) but Farage would like to bring in an ex-Labour/ left-facing voice who will have a profile on GB News as an independent
Question; one off - or contagious?
Ethics springs to mind.
Glad you liked it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR5oQa-6Sn4
But it's too much, isn't? Clearly personal, out of kilter with what has happened (at least so far) - winter fuel payment for millionaire pensioners? C'mon.
The danger for Starmer, in so far as there is any, is that Prime Ministerial patronage simply cannot stretch to 400 MPs. You have the government - 80 MPs - then the select committees. A large majority of the 300 odd left probably won't have a sniff at power.
That's 5 years of mulling the (possible) loss of the next election, answering stupid emails from gormless constituents, endless travel, voting for cuts to things that benefit your constituents or tax rises that harm your donors. You could have much, much more fun being a complete pain in the arse and this is just the first of many opportunities.
Question is how long it takes.
https://x.com/skynews/status/1840103624573108287
"My work is done."
But you're right about the politics. I think it's the foundation for why the Tories are doing so horrifically badly with Millenials - Labour would do well to avoid tarring themselves with the same brush.
“The sleaze, the nepotism and the apparent avarice are off the scale. I am so ashamed of what you and your inner circle has done to tarnish and humiliate our once proud party”
Love
Rosie & John
Elon is of course an anagram of... could be the same guy, I suppose.
Still no VI, but Starmer's ratings well down on a fortnight ago.
🚨LATEST Opinium / Observer poll
Keir Starmer’s net approval ratings are -30%, down 17 points from -13 at a fortnight ago and down by 49 points from +19% in his first approval rating as prime minister.
This is, again, Starmer’s lowest ever score by some distance.
https://bsky.app/profile/opiniumresearch.bsky.social/post/3l5aegvjav42i
On the other hand, still beating Sunak as "best PM".
Despite approvals, Starmer still leads Sunak as best PM by 9 points (27% for Starmer vs 18% for Sunak).
However, 46% think neither would be the best prime minister.
If that second one changes, he's in trouble. But are any of the Fab Four capable of that? Suspect the answer is no.
https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/72-black-eyed-virgins/
https://x.com/TheTNHoller/status/1840060052121497756/photo/1
Becoming and MP must be quite fun and uplifting with the thrill of success; actually being one must be ghastly, spending all day being mindless with hundreds of people who talk all the time.
It must be a bit like getting into Trinity College Cambridge and then remembering you got in for computer science.
She may as well just have written "I hate you, you bastard. Bye."
https://youtu.be/rB2KQHJRoP0?t=17&si=bRxdYU2EEh7RIn87
Many years ago I was part of a professional dispute and there were quite a few letters via email being sent back and forward.
Their side's head honcho sent us a 6,000 word letter via email to which I replied with 'noted' and he replied calling me all sorts of names.
This was the case last time I looked.
"I hear ya!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A33-8rz8Meo
Vintage railway film - Wires over the border - 1974
This vintage railway film, produced by British Transport Films in 1974, is an account, in human and non-technical terms, of the electrification of the West Coast main line railway from Crewe to Glasgow; the logical completion of the Liverpool-Manchester-London electrification of 1966.
Shortly after my idea to create a PB policy review group went live, we got co-opted by the group that runs the Illuminati. Who run the Grey Aliens. Who run the Lizard Men in People suits.
We are in charge now. We control the horizontal. We control the vertical.
One Blog to rule them all,
One Blog to find them,
One Blog to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
Don’t tell ‘im, Pike
https://youtu.be/BRJbxb0DMhI?si=d6v-KM776UdyoEZX
It is very interesting to see the changes in safety protocols between the two. Hard hats, hi viz jackets being the most obvious,
Now that Duffield, notoriously an opponent of Jeremy Corbyn, finds herself overlooked by his successor, she unironically echoes the left-wing critique of Starmer's gilded path to the top, lubricated by unreliable, some might even say dishonest, pledges.
It’s also a massive incentive for those people to seek work elsewhere, overseas.
Those getting all worked up about Sir Keir Starmer accepting a few freebies are going to shit the bed when they finally notice the Oswald Cobblepot figure waddling up to the opposite side of the despatch box in a few weeks’ time. Crooked as a £4 note and nasty with it too. A few suits and a pair of glasses pale in comparison.
It's not a debt. It's a tax.
But SKS is in a much worse position to attack the new Tory leader on personal financial matters after all these revelations.
And for most of the public, tens of thousands of pounds of clothes, glasses etc are not 'a few freebies'. That's serious money.
Things might change if the budget is not favourably received but until then, it's all froth. Again, I refer you to the Conservative leadership challengers who have not called Starmer out on frockgate. This could change this week but until then, could their reticence be due to their own party having form in this area?
I currently wear a pair of chinos, some slip ons from Clarks, a plain t-shirt and fluorescent cycling jacket to the office. I am in no position to comment on fashion but even I know a belt with suit trousers means you haven't popped into a tailor for some quick adjustments (was only about £50 when I had my M&S suits done).
Meanwhile Jenrick's leadership campaign has been funded to the tune of 75k by a *completely anonymous* donor who contributed via a shell company based in the British Virgin Islands. So who has bought and paid for him?
https://x.com/Acyn/status/1840116660008825020
Couple of minor points …
That was nearly two decades before Trump was born.
Lindbergh was a notorious anti semite.
Seems a good fit frankly.