If this becomes a long term trend then Tory MPs will become antsy about Badenoch
If this becomes a long term trend then Tory MPs will become antsy about Badenoch politicalbetting.com
We tend to focus on individual polls which look interesting – but much more significant and easily missed – I think this is the first week when *every* poll released (from across 7 pollsters) has had the Reform ahead of the Conservatives.
Comments
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Unfortunately for the Tories, it's not obvious that any Tory MP, real or fantasy, would be doing any better.6
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First, unlike Kemi
Drat, second unlike Kemi either...0 -
Jeremy Hunt.Cookie said:Unfortunately for the Tories, it's not obvious that any Tory MP, real or fantasy, would be doing any better.
3 -
Test0
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Curious thing about the last couple of days: Trump seems to have returned to being the shambolic and grimly comic character of part I, rather than the super-prepared dictator in waiting we were promised this time round. Let's hope it continues.4
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One of the few who fought off the yellow peril, though we might get him next time.TheScreamingEagles said:
Jeremy Hunt.Cookie said:Unfortunately for the Tories, it's not obvious that any Tory MP, real or fantasy, would be doing any better.
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In reply to which, I stand by my earlier point.TheScreamingEagles said:
Jeremy Hunt.Cookie said:Unfortunately for the Tories, it's not obvious that any Tory MP, real or fantasy, would be doing any better.
2 -
From previous threadStark_Dawning said:Curious thing about the last couple of days: Trump seems to have returned to being the shambolic and grimly comic character of part I, rather than the super-prepared dictator in waiting we were promised this time round. Let's hope it continues.
This time around Donny is the figurehead, Elon is the guy doing all the shit behind the scenes
He sacked the head of the FAA
The tragic events of yesterday are not his first crash...0 -
78 year old man doesn't change shocker.Stark_Dawning said:Curious thing about the last couple of days: Trump seems to have returned to being the shambolic and grimly comic character of part I, rather than the super-prepared dictator in waiting we were promised this time round. Let's hope it continues.
0 -
If Reform can get a hearing from the northern urban public sector middle class then the political world really will have shattered. Tbh, I'm still quite shocked at hearing voices openly critical of Laboir from that demographic.biggles said:
And the Reform Levelling Up policy gets announced in 3, 2, 1….Cookie said:
Talking to my public sector counterparts this week elsewhere in the North, the feeling is very much that the new government is reverting to type and funnelling investment back to the south east.DavidL said:Another major blow to our economy and production: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1we943zez9o
AstraZeneca have cancelled a £450 investment after a cut in the level of support promised by the previous government. I have no feel for the numbers and there is clearly a limit to the level of support we can give but we really, really need to make more things in this country; we need to create more skilled and technical jobs and we need to try and have some investment outside London and the South East.
Investments like this lead to things like growth. I thought that is what Reeves was looking for.
1 -
Did you see his swimming comment?Stark_Dawning said:Curious thing about the last couple of days: Trump seems to have returned to being the shambolic and grimly comic character of part I, rather than the super-prepared dictator in waiting we were promised this time round. Let's hope it continues.
https://x.com/townhallcom/status/18850816096043705130 -
As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs371 -
Madness.CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs370 -
Jeremy HuntCharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
@Jeremy_Hunt
This is an absolute tragedy. The government have reneged on a deal I negotiated in 2023 and the UK has lost a factory and many jobs in one of our most promising industries.
@RachelReevesMP
should pick up the phone to Sir Pascal Soriot: if she believes in growth short term penny pinching cannot be the answer3 -
The Tories essential problem is that they’re still seen as continuity for whatever the hell it was that got kicked out at the last election.
However crap Labour turn out to be isn’t going to change that much, and Reform present an alternative on the right, uncontaminated by those memories. They might insufficiently palatable to command a majority in a general election (though that’s still possible thanks to the bizarre operation of FPTP), but as the polls show, they could quite readily kill the Tories.
Who best changes that ?
I’m not sure, but I’m pretty certain it isn’t Badenoch.1 -
To do something incredible, Farage needs three or four competent senior voices besides his own. And they need to be credible folk.Cookie said:
If Reform can get a hearing from the northern urban public sector middle class then the political world really will have shattered. Tbh, I'm still quite shocked at hearing voices openly critical of Laboir from that demographic.biggles said:
And the Reform Levelling Up policy gets announced in 3, 2, 1….Cookie said:
Talking to my public sector counterparts this week elsewhere in the North, the feeling is very much that the new government is reverting to type and funnelling investment back to the south east.DavidL said:Another major blow to our economy and production: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1we943zez9o
AstraZeneca have cancelled a £450 investment after a cut in the level of support promised by the previous government. I have no feel for the numbers and there is clearly a limit to the level of support we can give but we really, really need to make more things in this country; we need to create more skilled and technical jobs and we need to try and have some investment outside London and the South East.
Investments like this lead to things like growth. I thought that is what Reeves was looking for.
If he can control his ego and play nicely, he really could do it.
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Pfft. What do we need domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity for? When have we ever wished we had some?CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
2 -
Probably still scared of sharks.williamglenn said:
Did you see his swimming comment?Stark_Dawning said:Curious thing about the last couple of days: Trump seems to have returned to being the shambolic and grimly comic character of part I, rather than the super-prepared dictator in waiting we were promised this time round. Let's hope it continues.
https://x.com/townhallcom/status/18850816096043705130 -
It's all the needle they've been getting.biggles said:
Pfft. What do we need domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity for? When have we ever wished we had some?CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs372 -
On a lighter note, this is probably as good a way as any to chart progress in Syria.
Syria’s New Comedy Scene
The Styria collective in Damascus is testing the boundaries of free speech
https://newlinesmag.com/spotlight/syrias-new-comedy-scene/
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I disagree with TSE, Badenoch has a strong mandate for starters having won the Conservative MPs vote as well as the Conservative members vote, which was not the case for Truss or IDS who both had lost the MPs vote in their leadership contests and were effectively removed by Tory MPs. Second the Electoral Calculus forecast indeed does have Reform on 24% ahead of the Tories on 22.5% in its latest poll average but it also has the Tories still ahead of Reform on seats with 138 to 82 for Reform as BOTH the Conservatives and Reform are making seat gains from Labour who are down to just 278 MPs on the forecast.
https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/homepage.html
As the Conservatives have 0 MPs in Wales and have never been in power in the Senedd or Holyrood I doubt the results of next year's Holyrood elections make much difference, though PR ensures the Tories have a solid presence still in both2 -
Given it was supposed to be in Liverpool you can't even argue that this is punishment for being a non-labour or pro-Brexit voting population. It's just rank apathy towards anyone not in London.CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
And the target location was very close to Runcorn...3 -
It was only on Wednesday she was touting them in her speech as one of the companies bringing growth and investment. Useless.biggles said:
Pfft. What do we need domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity for? When have we ever wished we had some?CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs371 -
Aldlerley Edge isn't in London either...Foss said:
Given it was supposed to be in Liverpool you can't even argue that this is punishment for being a non-labour or pro-Brexit voting population. It's just rank apathy towards anyone not in London.CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
And the target location was very close to Runcorn...0 -
Mind, the Tories have an awful record on actually *closing down* vaccine manufacturing facilities.CharlieShark said:
It was only on Wednesday she was touting them in her speech as one of the companies bringing growth and investment. Useless.biggles said:
Pfft. What do we need domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity for? When have we ever wished we had some?CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
Which is why we need them in the first place ...
Labour can't be said to have actually done that, closing down. But they're not helping.0 -
The same Jeremy Hunt who twice failed to win the leadership, who went out in the first round last time, and who would have his unfunded everything thrown in his face at 10 past 12 each Wednesday, or some other Jeremy Hunt?TheScreamingEagles said:
Jeremy Hunt.Cookie said:Unfortunately for the Tories, it's not obvious that any Tory MP, real or fantasy, would be doing any better.
6 -
12 CDU/CSU MPs didn't vote for the bill (out of 196)
23 FDP MPs didn't vote for the bill (out of 90)0 -
He might squeeze the LDs a bit more and gain a couple extra from Labour than Kemi but would likely leak further to Reform than Kemi isTheScreamingEagles said:
Jeremy Hunt.Cookie said:Unfortunately for the Tories, it's not obvious that any Tory MP, real or fantasy, would be doing any better.
0 -
I'm not sure what passes for a Tory MP these days really has the basic brain power to get antsy, after CCHQ's candidate policy (closely resembling American ATC's hiring policy) has been in action for a decade or too.1
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Hypothetical conversation.
AZ: we have you over a barrel on big investment amid high interest rates so we're speccing down the deal, you still give us the same cash or you look like idiots.
Treasury: no. AZ: OK.2 -
Vaccines, food, oil, who needs domestic production?biggles said:
Pfft. What do we need domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity for? When have we ever wished we had some?CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs373 -
The flaw in that is the assumption that the average Treasury official has any understanding of whether a commercial deal is good or not. I have met the newer ones, and they do not.EPG said:Hypothetical conversation.
AZ: we have you over a barrel on big investment amid high interest rates so we're speccing down the deal, you still give us the same cash or you look like idiots.
Treasury: no. AZ: OK.
0 -
There’s no need to try and inject humour into every thread.ydoethur said:
It's all the needle they've been getting.biggles said:
Pfft. What do we need domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity for? When have we ever wished we had some?CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
2 -
I don't think they were anything like as rigorous as ATC, Gullis made it to under secretary of state.Luckyguy1983 said:I'm not sure what passes for a Tory MP these days really has the basic brain power to get antsy, after CCHQ's candidate policy (closely resembling American ATC's hiring policy) has been in action for a decade or too.
While it's clearly not great that they're behind Reform, except for those of you who secretly desire a more racist right wing party, they'll still win far more seats than Reform due to vote concentration.0 -
RFK : What’s your poison?biggles said:
There’s no need to try and inject humour into every thread.ydoethur said:
It's all the needle they've been getting.biggles said:
Pfft. What do we need domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity for? When have we ever wished we had some?CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
{Editor : that’s quite enough}1 -
So it was mainly the FDP vote which meant it failed, Merz will take some comfort over 90% of CDU/CSU MPs backed his bill though, especially as the FDP may well lose all their seats next month while the Union comes topkamski said:12 CDU/CSU MPs didn't vote for the bill (out of 196)
23 FDP MPs didn't vote for the bill (out of 90)0 -
https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885351504027980261
Trump approval poll
🟢 Approve 49% (+8)
🟤 Disapprove 41%
🟤 Last Biden approval - 37% (-14)
Emerson #A - 1000 RV - 1/28
https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885381097917231433
52% of Americans think the country is heading in the right direction, up from 39% in November (Emerson)1 -
Well, his retention of his seat in Surrey was pretty impressive. Looked a definite goner but he put money and effort into the contest. He's obviously a decent bloke - not a grifter or chancer - and I think people can see that. Also not mad (which helps).DecrepiterJohnL said:
The same Jeremy Hunt who twice failed to win the leadership, who went out in the first round last time, and who would have his unfunded everything thrown in his face at 10 past 12 each Wednesday, or some other Jeremy Hunt?TheScreamingEagles said:
Jeremy Hunt.Cookie said:Unfortunately for the Tories, it's not obvious that any Tory MP, real or fantasy, would be doing any better.
3 -
Trump's tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports likely to come into effect tomorrow. Trump has also confirmed he is in the process of implementing his trade sanctions on China which may well now include tariffs on Chinese oil imports.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/live-blog/trump-administration-tariff-canada-mexico-dei-plane-crash-live-updates-rcna1900780 -
I’ve met ones rapidly approaching retirement - they equally can’t work out whether something is good or bad.biggles said:
The flaw in that is the assumption that the average Treasury official has any understanding of whether a commercial deal is good or not. I have met the newer ones, and they do not.EPG said:Hypothetical conversation.
AZ: we have you over a barrel on big investment amid high interest rates so we're speccing down the deal, you still give us the same cash or you look like idiots.
Treasury: no. AZ: OK.
Unless it’s close to where they live (London) and makes their life better - in which case it’s essential that it’s implemented.1 -
Leading story in The Grauniad.
York Minster in trouble.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/31/york-minster-protest-plague-of-angels-concert
The 800-year-old cathedral is facing an uprising from members of its congregation after announcing a “shocking and deeply inappropriate” concert by the English rockers Plague of Angels.
Churchgoers have expressed outrage that two of the band’s members had previously performed with an extreme-metal group that sold what Rolling Stone described as “the most controversial shirt in rock history”. The T-shirt featured a topless nun masturbating and the words “Jesus is a c*nt"1 -
Here's a stray thought: Suppose that Starmer and Reeves suspect that to revive the UK economy, they need to copy some of what more successful American states have been doing in recent decades, for example, South Carolina and Kentucky (home of the world's largest Toyota factory).
But that would require the Labour leaders to admit that much of what they have believed about modern economies all their lives is wrong. If that stray thought contains some truth, one can understand why they find it hard to come to any decisions.2 -
It's not on fire. So it's not the worst thing that's happened within living memory.Burgessian said:Leading story in The Grauniad.
York Minster in trouble.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/31/york-minster-protest-plague-of-angels-concert
The 800-year-old cathedral is facing an uprising from members of its congregation after announcing a “shocking and deeply inappropriate” concert by the English rockers Plague of Angels.
Churchgoers have expressed outrage that two of the band’s members had previously performed with an extreme-metal group that sold what Rolling Stone described as “the most controversial shirt in rock history”. The T-shirt featured a topless nun masturbating and the words “Jesus is a c*nt"1 -
I recently had one of my investments completely fail. One of the reasons for their failure was (allegedly) the absence of good employees available in the Liverpool area.Foss said:
Given it was supposed to be in Liverpool you can't even argue that this is punishment for being a non-labour or pro-Brexit voting population. It's just rank apathy towards anyone not in London.CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
And the target location was very close to Runcorn...
I don't believe this is the truth, but I'm reasonably convinced that there's a grain or two in there.
Parts of the UK can do quite a bit as to their relative success/failure.0 -
Jeremy Hunt knows how to do opposition.CharlieShark said:
Jeremy HuntCharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
@Jeremy_Hunt
This is an absolute tragedy. The government have reneged on a deal I negotiated in 2023 and the UK has lost a factory and many jobs in one of our most promising industries.
@RachelReevesMP
should pick up the phone to Sir Pascal Soriot: if she believes in growth short term penny pinching cannot be the answer0 -
Seems a separate band anyway 'Mark Mynett, a Plague of Angels guitarist, said he was sorry for the “confusion and concern” caused by the band’s association with Cradle of Filth, the heavy metal outfit behind the “Jesus is a cunt” T-shirt.Burgessian said:Leading story in The Grauniad.
York Minster in trouble.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/31/york-minster-protest-plague-of-angels-concert
The 800-year-old cathedral is facing an uprising from members of its congregation after announcing a “shocking and deeply inappropriate” concert by the English rockers Plague of Angels.
Churchgoers have expressed outrage that two of the band’s members had previously performed with an extreme-metal group that sold what Rolling Stone described as “the most controversial shirt in rock history”. The T-shirt featured a topless nun masturbating and the words “Jesus is a c*nt"
He said Plague of Angels was “its own entity, distinct” from that band, and added: “We apologise for this and can confirm that the two band members deeply regret their involvement with Cradle of Filth.”'0 -
The clergy probably enjoyed that.Burgessian said:Leading story in The Grauniad.
York Minster in trouble.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/31/york-minster-protest-plague-of-angels-concert
The 800-year-old cathedral is facing an uprising from members of its congregation after announcing a “shocking and deeply inappropriate” concert by the English rockers Plague of Angels.
Churchgoers have expressed outrage that two of the band’s members had previously performed with an extreme-metal group that sold what Rolling Stone described as “the most controversial shirt in rock history”. The T-shirt featured a topless nun masturbating and the words “Jesus is a c*nt"0 -
A dirty habit?Burgessian said:Leading story in The Grauniad.
York Minster in trouble.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/31/york-minster-protest-plague-of-angels-concert
The 800-year-old cathedral is facing an uprising from members of its congregation after announcing a “shocking and deeply inappropriate” concert by the English rockers Plague of Angels.
Churchgoers have expressed outrage that two of the band’s members had previously performed with an extreme-metal group that sold what Rolling Stone described as “the most controversial shirt in rock history”. The T-shirt featured a topless nun masturbating and the words “Jesus is a c*nt"0 -
"the two band members deeply regret their involvement with Cradle of Filth"Burgessian said:Leading story in The Grauniad.
York Minster in trouble.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/31/york-minster-protest-plague-of-angels-concert
The 800-year-old cathedral is facing an uprising from members of its congregation after announcing a “shocking and deeply inappropriate” concert by the English rockers Plague of Angels.
Churchgoers have expressed outrage that two of the band’s members had previously performed with an extreme-metal group that sold what Rolling Stone described as “the most controversial shirt in rock history”. The T-shirt featured a topless nun masturbating and the words “Jesus is a c*nt"3 -
They've virtually said that anyway. Their economic policy is pretty centrist, and if only they took the sensible steps such as reducing the size of the state, reducing union power, ... etc. Well then they and we would be fine. There used to be a party like that, but I forget their name now.Jim_Miller said:Here's a stray thought: Suppose that Starmer and Reeves suspect that to revive the UK economy, they need to copy some of what more successful American states have been doing in recent decades, for example, South Carolina and Kentucky (home of the world's largest Toyota factory).
But that would require the Labour leaders to admit that much of what they have believed about modern economies all their lives is wrong. If that stray thought contains some truth, one can understand why they find it hard to come to any decisions.0 -
The Tories' succession problem is they have no-one obviously better than Kemi.Burgessian said:
Well, his retention of his seat in Surrey was pretty impressive. Looked a definite goner but he put money and effort into the contest. He's obviously a decent bloke - not a grifter or chancer - and I think people can see that. Also not mad (which helps).DecrepiterJohnL said:
The same Jeremy Hunt who twice failed to win the leadership, who went out in the first round last time, and who would have his unfunded everything thrown in his face at 10 past 12 each Wednesday, or some other Jeremy Hunt?TheScreamingEagles said:
Jeremy Hunt.Cookie said:Unfortunately for the Tories, it's not obvious that any Tory MP, real or fantasy, would be doing any better.
Labour's is that their only effective minister so far is Ed Miliband who has already been found wanting at the highest level.
1 -
If only he had put more thought into how to do Government.Casino_Royale said:
Jeremy Hunt knows how to do opposition.CharlieShark said:
Jeremy HuntCharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
@Jeremy_Hunt
This is an absolute tragedy. The government have reneged on a deal I negotiated in 2023 and the UK has lost a factory and many jobs in one of our most promising industries.
@RachelReevesMP
should pick up the phone to Sir Pascal Soriot: if she believes in growth short term penny pinching cannot be the answer0 -
I was there when the Stranglers were stopped mid-set by the Conservative GLC (Greater London Council) because Hugo Cornwell's teeshirt had a Ford-type logo that did not say Truck.Burgessian said:Leading story in The Grauniad.
York Minster in trouble.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/31/york-minster-protest-plague-of-angels-concert
The 800-year-old cathedral is facing an uprising from members of its congregation after announcing a “shocking and deeply inappropriate” concert by the English rockers Plague of Angels.
Churchgoers have expressed outrage that two of the band’s members had previously performed with an extreme-metal group that sold what Rolling Stone described as “the most controversial shirt in rock history”. The T-shirt featured a topless nun masturbating and the words “Jesus is a c*nt"0 -
First leader after an enormous defeat is not an easy job in fairness. But if people go for the gig they cannot expect a great deal of sympathy if they struggle.3
-
Much more difficult task.biggles said:
If only he had put more thought into how to do Government.Casino_Royale said:
Jeremy Hunt knows how to do opposition.CharlieShark said:
Jeremy HuntCharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
@Jeremy_Hunt
This is an absolute tragedy. The government have reneged on a deal I negotiated in 2023 and the UK has lost a factory and many jobs in one of our most promising industries.
@RachelReevesMP
should pick up the phone to Sir Pascal Soriot: if she believes in growth short term penny pinching cannot be the answer1 -
Yes he would be a much better leader and would do better in elections. BUT he won't get the votes of Tory members, they want to be Reform Lite.Burgessian said:
Well, his retention of his seat in Surrey was pretty impressive. Looked a definite goner but he put money and effort into the contest. He's obviously a decent bloke - not a grifter or chancer - and I think people can see that. Also not mad (which helps).DecrepiterJohnL said:
The same Jeremy Hunt who twice failed to win the leadership, who went out in the first round last time, and who would have his unfunded everything thrown in his face at 10 past 12 each Wednesday, or some other Jeremy Hunt?TheScreamingEagles said:
Jeremy Hunt.Cookie said:Unfortunately for the Tories, it's not obvious that any Tory MP, real or fantasy, would be doing any better.
1 -
They may want to be Reform Heavy, but residual brand loyalty tells them they should only go Lite.logical_song said:
Yes he would be a much better leader and would do better in elections. BUT he won't get the votes of Tory members, they want to be Reform Lite.Burgessian said:
Well, his retention of his seat in Surrey was pretty impressive. Looked a definite goner but he put money and effort into the contest. He's obviously a decent bloke - not a grifter or chancer - and I think people can see that. Also not mad (which helps).DecrepiterJohnL said:
The same Jeremy Hunt who twice failed to win the leadership, who went out in the first round last time, and who would have his unfunded everything thrown in his face at 10 past 12 each Wednesday, or some other Jeremy Hunt?TheScreamingEagles said:
Jeremy Hunt.Cookie said:Unfortunately for the Tories, it's not obvious that any Tory MP, real or fantasy, would be doing any better.
It is pretty interesting really, as I do know some Tories who despise Reform, whilst there are others who seem to have no issues with them at all, so some spend their time worried and angry about Reform, and the others wanting to make friends with them.0 -
Bit of an odd thing to apologise for tbh. When there's actual things the clergy of the diocese of York probably needs to apologise for.OnlyLivingBoy said:
"the two band members deeply regret their involvement with Cradle of Filth"Burgessian said:Leading story in The Grauniad.
York Minster in trouble.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/31/york-minster-protest-plague-of-angels-concert
The 800-year-old cathedral is facing an uprising from members of its congregation after announcing a “shocking and deeply inappropriate” concert by the English rockers Plague of Angels.
Churchgoers have expressed outrage that two of the band’s members had previously performed with an extreme-metal group that sold what Rolling Stone described as “the most controversial shirt in rock history”. The T-shirt featured a topless nun masturbating and the words “Jesus is a c*nt"2 -
So Trump has 2nd worst approval ratings ever for a president at this point in a presidency (worst ever was Trump 8 years ago).williamglenn said:https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885351504027980261
Trump approval poll
🟢 Approve 49% (+8)
🟤 Disapprove 41%
🟤 Last Biden approval - 37% (-14)
Emerson #A - 1000 RV - 1/28
https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885381097917231433
52% of Americans think the country is heading in the right direction, up from 39% in November (Emerson)6 -
But there's zero milage in being Reform Lite. If anything, it endorses and strengthens the case for the real thing.logical_song said:
Yes he would be a much better leader and would do better in elections. BUT he won't get the votes of Tory members, they want to be Reform Lite.Burgessian said:
Well, his retention of his seat in Surrey was pretty impressive. Looked a definite goner but he put money and effort into the contest. He's obviously a decent bloke - not a grifter or chancer - and I think people can see that. Also not mad (which helps).DecrepiterJohnL said:
The same Jeremy Hunt who twice failed to win the leadership, who went out in the first round last time, and who would have his unfunded everything thrown in his face at 10 past 12 each Wednesday, or some other Jeremy Hunt?TheScreamingEagles said:
Jeremy Hunt.Cookie said:Unfortunately for the Tories, it's not obvious that any Tory MP, real or fantasy, would be doing any better.
See also: today's hoohhah in Germany.
Are there any examples of the mainstream right defeating a hard right party that has properly got off the ground? Boris in 2019 looked like it might have been one, but that looks a lot less convincing now.0 -
I think it took a number of Black Swans to reverse the blow Boris dealt.Stuartinromford said:
But there's zero milage in being Reform Lite. If anything, it endorses and strengthens the case for the real thing.logical_song said:
Yes he would be a much better leader and would do better in elections. BUT he won't get the votes of Tory members, they want to be Reform Lite.Burgessian said:
Well, his retention of his seat in Surrey was pretty impressive. Looked a definite goner but he put money and effort into the contest. He's obviously a decent bloke - not a grifter or chancer - and I think people can see that. Also not mad (which helps).DecrepiterJohnL said:
The same Jeremy Hunt who twice failed to win the leadership, who went out in the first round last time, and who would have his unfunded everything thrown in his face at 10 past 12 each Wednesday, or some other Jeremy Hunt?TheScreamingEagles said:
Jeremy Hunt.Cookie said:Unfortunately for the Tories, it's not obvious that any Tory MP, real or fantasy, would be doing any better.
See also: today's hoohhah in Germany.
Are there any examples of the mainstream right defeating a hard right party that has properly got off the ground? Boris in 2019 looked like it might have been one, but that looks a lot less convincing now.
I would also argue that what Cameron was selling pre-2010 (but not what he delivered) stopped a drift to the right.
See also the importing of the National Liberals way back when.
0 -
I am really appalled. It is not a party political point. I would have been equally disgusted if the previous government had let such an opportunity slip through their fingers. Reeves has to try and recover this and if that involves removing a few heads in the Treasury that is what she must do. This is an industry that we are good at, that shone during Covid, that has a real future, that plays to the strength of our University sector (as we again saw in Covid).CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
She needs to act and act now.9 -
It makes literally no sense does it? If anything, people would be forgiven for making decisions to overdo this sort of facility post-Covid. To push back against one? Bonkers.DavidL said:
I am really appalled. It is not a party political point. I would have been equally disgusted if the previous government had let such an opportunity slip through their fingers. Reeves has to try and recover this and if that involves removing a few heads in the Treasury that is what she must do. This is an industry that we are good at, that shone during Covid, that has a real future, that plays to the strength of our University sector (as we again saw in Covid).CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
She needs to act and act now.
6 -
He sorely needs more diversity in his team. They're almost all mad or bad.kamski said:
So Trump has 2nd worst approval ratings ever for a president at this point in a presidency (worst ever was Trump 8 years ago).williamglenn said:https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885351504027980261
Trump approval poll
🟢 Approve 49% (+8)
🟤 Disapprove 41%
🟤 Last Biden approval - 37% (-14)
Emerson #A - 1000 RV - 1/28
https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885381097917231433
52% of Americans think the country is heading in the right direction, up from 39% in November (Emerson)0 -
Didn’t we get an awful lot of posts earlier in year, once Labour were in power the Conservatives would soon be ahead in the polling again? Reform seem to be mopping up discontent in Starmer and Labour, not the Conservatives.0
-
HY's RefCon Party polling mid to high forties.0
-
I'm not sure that that's true. Labour making a mess - yes. Tories on the rise - very much less so.MoonRabbit said:Didn’t we get an awful lot of posts earlier in year, once Labour were in power the Conservatives would soon be ahead in the polling again? Reform seem to be mopping up discontent in Starmer and Labour, not the Conservatives.
Any Tory, or ex-Tory like me, can't have failed to see the political wasteland as it was. Mostly as it still is.0 -
Yes. I’d say the Tories’ problems are about 25% down to Kemi not inspiring, and 75% their general reputation.kle4 said:First leader after an enormous defeat is not an easy job in fairness. But if people go for the gig they cannot expect a great deal of sympathy if they struggle.
It’s impossible to overstate just quite how crap a position the Tories find themselves in, deservedly in most cases.0 -
That will trigger some of the anti trump obsessives 😂williamglenn said:https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885351504027980261
Trump approval poll
🟢 Approve 49% (+8)
🟤 Disapprove 41%
🟤 Last Biden approval - 37% (-14)
Emerson #A - 1000 RV - 1/28
https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885381097917231433
52% of Americans think the country is heading in the right direction, up from 39% in November (Emerson)0 -
Maro Itoje speaks great sense
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jan/31/maro-itoje-six-nations-free-to-air-tv-rights-rugby-union-england0 -
If it were a really exciting investment in an area where we have lots of available and talented staff then AZN wouldn't have pulled out. State investment in such things is mostly misguided. (Things like Nuclear reactors may be different)DavidL said:
I am really appalled. It is not a party political point. I would have been equally disgusted if the previous government had let such an opportunity slip through their fingers. Reeves has to try and recover this and if that involves removing a few heads in the Treasury that is what she must do. This is an industry that we are good at, that shone during Covid, that has a real future, that plays to the strength of our University sector (as we again saw in Covid).CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
She needs to act and act now.1 -
This does feel very similar to the situation in 1980 and 81 with the rising SDP. Obviously a lot else was different back then, and the government was unpopular for harsh economic shock therapy rather than uninspiring mediocrity, but the third party dynamic feels the same.MoonRabbit said:Didn’t we get an awful lot of posts earlier in year, once Labour were in power the Conservatives would soon be ahead in the polling again? Reform seem to be mopping up discontent in Starmer and Labour, not the Conservatives.
Feels like the Tories will go further right again with their next leader, in reaction. That’s The Hague-IDS and Miliband-Corbyn pattern. God knows whether they’ll ever decide to come back centrewards.0 -
And it's getting more sinister...Scott_xP said:
From previous threadStark_Dawning said:Curious thing about the last couple of days: Trump seems to have returned to being the shambolic and grimly comic character of part I, rather than the super-prepared dictator in waiting we were promised this time round. Let's hope it continues.
This time around Donny is the figurehead, Elon is the guy doing all the shit behind the scenes
He sacked the head of the FAA
The tragic events of yesterday are not his first crash...
Elon Musk’s DOGE Wants Access to the Treasury’s Payment Systems: Report
A senior Treasury official is set to resign after Musk’s allies at DOGE repeatedly demanded access to sensitive government payment systems
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/elon-musk-doge-treasury-payment-systems-report-1235252444/1 -
Not the only vaccine manufacturer that’s turned away from building in Merseyside because government grants weren’t sufficient, sadly. Another made the same decision last year. We’re a bit unserious on this industrial strategy, under both parties.DavidL said:
I am really appalled. It is not a party political point. I would have been equally disgusted if the previous government had let such an opportunity slip through their fingers. Reeves has to try and recover this and if that involves removing a few heads in the Treasury that is what she must do. This is an industry that we are good at, that shone during Covid, that has a real future, that plays to the strength of our University sector (as we again saw in Covid).CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
She needs to act and act now.2 -
Not necessarily the case with vaccines. The money on offer in other countries (notably the US but also places like France or Australia) is huge and makes a big difference.Omnium said:
If it were a really exciting investment in an area where we have lots of available and talented staff then AZN wouldn't have pulled out. State investment in such things is mostly misguided. (Things like Nuclear reactors may be different)DavidL said:
I am really appalled. It is not a party political point. I would have been equally disgusted if the previous government had let such an opportunity slip through their fingers. Reeves has to try and recover this and if that involves removing a few heads in the Treasury that is what she must do. This is an industry that we are good at, that shone during Covid, that has a real future, that plays to the strength of our University sector (as we again saw in Covid).CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
She needs to act and act now.0 -
So he's gotten better?kamski said:
So Trump has 2nd worst approval ratings ever for a president at this point in a presidency (worst ever was Trump 8 years ago).williamglenn said:https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885351504027980261
Trump approval poll
🟢 Approve 49% (+8)
🟤 Disapprove 41%
🟤 Last Biden approval - 37% (-14)
Emerson #A - 1000 RV - 1/28
https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885381097917231433
52% of Americans think the country is heading in the right direction, up from 39% in November (Emerson)1 -
Personally, my hunch is that the Tories already need to roll the dice on Badenoch. Simply not a vote winner and they already start with a massive disadvantage. They can’t afford to carry the dead weight Doesn’t seem to have the will or political capital to do the hard graft to renew the party either.
So why wait and delay the inevitable?
She can do a William Hague and come back later.2 -
Merseyside. Too farc from London to matter to Starmer.CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs374 -
Expectations are lower.kle4 said:
So he's gotten better?kamski said:
So Trump has 2nd worst approval ratings ever for a president at this point in a presidency (worst ever was Trump 8 years ago).williamglenn said:https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885351504027980261
Trump approval poll
🟢 Approve 49% (+8)
🟤 Disapprove 41%
🟤 Last Biden approval - 37% (-14)
Emerson #A - 1000 RV - 1/28
https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885381097917231433
52% of Americans think the country is heading in the right direction, up from 39% in November (Emerson)0 -
It’s not the first move in the downgrading of our pharmaceutical industry.DavidL said:
I am really appalled. It is not a party political point. I would have been equally disgusted if the previous government had let such an opportunity slip through their fingers. Reeves has to try and recover this and if that involves removing a few heads in the Treasury that is what she must do. This is an industry that we are good at, that shone during Covid, that has a real future, that plays to the strength of our University sector (as we again saw in Covid).CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
She needs to act and act now.
If we’re serious about growth, we need to reverse that.1 -
@Cookie's vignettes about northern urban public sector middle class voters are the most important thing that's been posted on here in recent months. Labour have a lot further to fall.Cookie said:
If Reform can get a hearing from the northern urban public sector middle class then the political world really will have shattered. Tbh, I'm still quite shocked at hearing voices openly critical of Laboir from that demographic.biggles said:
And the Reform Levelling Up policy gets announced in 3, 2, 1….Cookie said:
Talking to my public sector counterparts this week elsewhere in the North, the feeling is very much that the new government is reverting to type and funnelling investment back to the south east.DavidL said:Another major blow to our economy and production: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1we943zez9o
AstraZeneca have cancelled a £450 investment after a cut in the level of support promised by the previous government. I have no feel for the numbers and there is clearly a limit to the level of support we can give but we really, really need to make more things in this country; we need to create more skilled and technical jobs and we need to try and have some investment outside London and the South East.
Investments like this lead to things like growth. I thought that is what Reeves was looking for.2 -
"shadow business secretary Andrew Griffiths said: "There's no vaccine for incompetence."Fairliered said:
Merseyside. Too farc from London to matter to Starmer.CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
BBC news
Nice one.
Sounds like the difference was ≈ £40m
FFS.
1 -
Sorry, but I fundamentally disagree. We have a trade deficit that is literally impoverishing our children and ourselves, reducing our GDP per capita and leading to the sale of our productive assets to overseas interests. We must make more stuff, both for our domestic consumption (reducing imports) and for the export potential. Politicians of any stripe wittering on about how they want growth means absolutely nothing if we do not start increasing our production to somewhere near what we think we are entitled to consume.Omnium said:
If it were a really exciting investment in an area where we have lots of available and talented staff then AZN wouldn't have pulled out. State investment in such things is mostly misguided. (Things like Nuclear reactors may be different)DavidL said:
I am really appalled. It is not a party political point. I would have been equally disgusted if the previous government had let such an opportunity slip through their fingers. Reeves has to try and recover this and if that involves removing a few heads in the Treasury that is what she must do. This is an industry that we are good at, that shone during Covid, that has a real future, that plays to the strength of our University sector (as we again saw in Covid).CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
She needs to act and act now.
We were stupid enough to apply EU rules when so few others did and lost a lot of investment and output as a result. Hence our deficit and debt. We need to start looking after our own interests rather more. That means encouraging this kind of investment and at least matching what other countries are willing to offer in the form of incentives. Clinging to some ideological purity about the virtues of supposedly free trade is naïve and foolish.6 -
FT has the figures on the Speke plant.
Conservatives had offered a grant of £70m towards the £450m cost of the new plant (15.5% of construction cost) as well as £20m of national R&D contracts for the company.
Labour offered £40m towards the construction of the plant (8.9% of build cost).
The company certainly isnt short of money, its investing $3.5bn in the US, $1.5bn in Singapore and $560m in Canada production facilities and its just chasing grants, for example a $300m plant in Rockville to research stem cells that would employ 150 people is receiving $100m in state grants.2 -
No. People have got stupider.kle4 said:
So he's gotten better?kamski said:
So Trump has 2nd worst approval ratings ever for a president at this point in a presidency (worst ever was Trump 8 years ago).williamglenn said:https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885351504027980261
Trump approval poll
🟢 Approve 49% (+8)
🟤 Disapprove 41%
🟤 Last Biden approval - 37% (-14)
Emerson #A - 1000 RV - 1/28
https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885381097917231433
52% of Americans think the country is heading in the right direction, up from 39% in November (Emerson)0 -
The US is offering tax $ to vaccine manufacturers?TimS said:
Not necessarily the case with vaccines. The money on offer in other countries (notably the US but also places like France or Australia) is huge and makes a big difference.Omnium said:
If it were a really exciting investment in an area where we have lots of available and talented staff then AZN wouldn't have pulled out. State investment in such things is mostly misguided. (Things like Nuclear reactors may be different)DavidL said:
I am really appalled. It is not a party political point. I would have been equally disgusted if the previous government had let such an opportunity slip through their fingers. Reeves has to try and recover this and if that involves removing a few heads in the Treasury that is what she must do. This is an industry that we are good at, that shone during Covid, that has a real future, that plays to the strength of our University sector (as we again saw in Covid).CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
She needs to act and act now.
Presumably RFK will stop that the minute he gets into office!!!!2 -
I don't think we are to be honest.Nigelb said:
If we’re serious about growthDavidL said:
I am really appalled. It is not a party political point. I would have been equally disgusted if the previous government had let such an opportunity slip through their fingers. Reeves has to try and recover this and if that involves removing a few heads in the Treasury that is what she must do. This is an industry that we are good at, that shone during Covid, that has a real future, that plays to the strength of our University sector (as we again saw in Covid).CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
She needs to act and act now.
I think we're getting closer, it feels like some real thoughts are occurring on it now rather than just as a buzzword, but there's no consensus about what is needed, or even that growth should be the primary goal. Until that happens, we probably won't get it as one party will try, get punished, then the next will reverse/repositon, and lose any benefit.0 -
For how many jobs?rottenborough said:
"shadow business secretary Andrew Griffiths said: "There's no vaccine for incompetence."Fairliered said:
Merseyside. Too farc from London to matter to Starmer.CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
BBC news
Nice one.
Sounds like the difference was ≈ £40m
FFS.
And then divide the money per job estimate the length the factory will be open for and see if it still makes sense.0 -
You see this is good old school opposition on meaningful stuff like economics. The government is free to fight back with its own jibes. But more of this please, and less of the culture war nonsense.rottenborough said:
"shadow business secretary Andrew Griffiths said: "There's no vaccine for incompetence."Fairliered said:
Merseyside. Too farc from London to matter to Starmer.CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
BBC news
Nice one.
Sounds like the difference was ≈ £40m
FFS.0 -
It’s a mark of the relative unattractiveness of the UK to the industry.ManchesterKurt said:FT has the figures on the Speke plant.
Conservatives had offered a grant of £70m towards the £450m cost of the new plant (15.5% of construction cost) as well as £20m of national R&D contracts for the company.
Labour offered £40m towards the construction of the plant (8.9% of build cost).
The company certainly isnt short of money, its investing $3.5bn in the US, $1.5bn in Singapore and $560m in Canada production facilities and its just chasing grants, for example a $300m plant in Rockville to research stem cells that would employ 150 people is receiving $100m in state grants.
Unless and until we reverse that, we’re going to lose more of it, without such subsidies.1 -
So AZ has decided to go back to Rockville? Michael Stipe won’t be happy.ManchesterKurt said:FT has the figures on the Speke plant.
Conservatives had offered a grant of £70m towards the £450m cost of the new plant (15.5% of construction cost) as well as £20m of national R&D contracts for the company.
Labour offered £40m towards the construction of the plant (8.9% of build cost).
The company certainly isnt short of money, its investing $3.5bn in the US, $1.5bn in Singapore and $560m in Canada production facilities and its just chasing grants, for example a $300m plant in Rockville to research stem cells that would employ 150 people is receiving $100m in state grants.2 -
Public sector workers voting for Reform in any significant numbers is a preposterous idea.williamglenn said:
@Cookie's vignettes about northern urban public sector middle class voters are the most important thing that's been posted on here in recent months. Labour have a lot further to fall.Cookie said:
If Reform can get a hearing from the northern urban public sector middle class then the political world really will have shattered. Tbh, I'm still quite shocked at hearing voices openly critical of Laboir from that demographic.biggles said:
And the Reform Levelling Up policy gets announced in 3, 2, 1….Cookie said:
Talking to my public sector counterparts this week elsewhere in the North, the feeling is very much that the new government is reverting to type and funnelling investment back to the south east.DavidL said:Another major blow to our economy and production: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1we943zez9o
AstraZeneca have cancelled a £450 investment after a cut in the level of support promised by the previous government. I have no feel for the numbers and there is clearly a limit to the level of support we can give but we really, really need to make more things in this country; we need to create more skilled and technical jobs and we need to try and have some investment outside London and the South East.
Investments like this lead to things like growth. I thought that is what Reeves was looking for.
Public sector workers not bothering to turn up at the polls, letting a highly energised Reform vote win the red wall... now that is an interesting prospect. But only 18% of people work in the public sector, so the effect would be a tipping point, not the main cause of a Reform victory.
I agree though - an accusation that Labour are a London-only party could be genuinely fatal for their chances of winning the next election.0 -
Republicans against Trump
@RpsAgainstTrump
BREAKING: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says that tomorrow, Donald Trump will impose a 25% tariff on Mexico, a 25% tariff on Canada, and a 10% tariff on China.
Get ready to pay more for avocados, tequila, vegetables and many more items0 -
**** growth (well, not really, it and the balance of payments are important), but it's health I'm worried about. The US is already a giant Petri dish for bugs and getting worse.Nigelb said:
It’s not the first move in the downgrading of our pharmaceutical industry.DavidL said:
I am really appalled. It is not a party political point. I would have been equally disgusted if the previous government had let such an opportunity slip through their fingers. Reeves has to try and recover this and if that involves removing a few heads in the Treasury that is what she must do. This is an industry that we are good at, that shone during Covid, that has a real future, that plays to the strength of our University sector (as we again saw in Covid).CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
She needs to act and act now.
If we’re serious about growth, we need to reverse that.0 -
Markets moving accordingly. Equities were nicely up earlier, but not anymore.rottenborough said:
Republicans against Trump
@RpsAgainstTrump
BREAKING: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says that tomorrow, Donald Trump will impose a 25% tariff on Mexico, a 25% tariff on Canada, and a 10% tariff on China.
Get ready to pay more for avocados, tequila, vegetables and many more items0 -
That does sound more plausible.Jonathan said:
Expectations are lower.kle4 said:
So he's gotten better?kamski said:
So Trump has 2nd worst approval ratings ever for a president at this point in a presidency (worst ever was Trump 8 years ago).williamglenn said:https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885351504027980261
Trump approval poll
🟢 Approve 49% (+8)
🟤 Disapprove 41%
🟤 Last Biden approval - 37% (-14)
Emerson #A - 1000 RV - 1/28
https://x.com/ppollingnumbers/status/1885381097917231433
52% of Americans think the country is heading in the right direction, up from 39% in November (Emerson)0 -
I agree with you - 1980’s looks most obvious way this plays out. 2 parties with very similar manifesto’s and arguments, fighting for clear blue water between themselves knowing bulk of their potential vote are are the same voters, this allows a very different minded party to profit with General Election landslides - much more than 50% of seats without ever close to 50% of the vote, huge power without even winning the ideological or political arguments about their competence.TimS said:
This does feel very similar to the situation in 1980 and 81 with the rising SDP. Obviously a lot else was different back then, and the government was unpopular for harsh economic shock therapy rather than uninspiring mediocrity, but the third party dynamic feels the same.MoonRabbit said:Didn’t we get an awful lot of posts earlier in year, once Labour were in power the Conservatives would soon be ahead in the polling again? Reform seem to be mopping up discontent in Starmer and Labour, not the Conservatives.
Feels like the Tories will go further right again with their next leader, in reaction. That’s The Hague-IDS and Miliband-Corbyn pattern. God knows whether they’ll ever decide to come back centrewards.
But it’s more so, it’s 1980s on steroids when you consider 6 parties nationally polling in double digits.
Without a doubt in my mind, July 24 LAB, Libdem, Green lent each other votes to a hugely strong impact on Parliamentary seats, whilst Con and Ref voters were not remotely interested in helping each other, those two parties fiercely trying to squeeze the vote of the other - classic scenario for helping someone else mop up all the seats.2 -
That's a great line.rottenborough said:
"shadow business secretary Andrew Griffiths said: "There's no vaccine for incompetence."Fairliered said:
Merseyside. Too farc from London to matter to Starmer.CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
BBC news
Nice one.
Sounds like the difference was ≈ £40m
FFS.1 -
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Given that it is a plant that produces flu vaccines and AZ want to expand the site it seems incredibly short sighted to quible over £40 million. If we ever have a pandemic where we need to ramp up vaccine production in a hurry once again we will be spending that sort of money, or more, per day.rottenborough said:
"shadow business secretary Andrew Griffiths said: "There's no vaccine for incompetence."Fairliered said:
Merseyside. Too farc from London to matter to Starmer.CharlieShark said:As mentioned late on the last post, just what is the Labour growth all about it? This is dreadful.
Financial Times
@FT
Breaking news: AstraZeneca is pulling out of its plans to build a £450mn UK vaccine manufacturing plant after months of wrangling with British officials about state investment for the Merseyside project. https://on.ft.com/4aWYs37
BBC news
Nice one.
Sounds like the difference was ≈ £40m
FFS.5 -
Only 10% on China?rottenborough said:
Republicans against Trump
@RpsAgainstTrump
BREAKING: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says that tomorrow, Donald Trump will impose a 25% tariff on Mexico, a 25% tariff on Canada, and a 10% tariff on China.
Get ready to pay more for avocados, tequila, vegetables and many more items1
