An interesting observation – politicalbetting.com

Gardenwalker said:

Rather damning on Starmer from tomorrow’s ST “Get In” extract:

After the election, one of Starmer's top aides in opposition told us colleagues left with no choice but to choose PM's politics & policy for him

"Keir’s not driving the train. He thinks he’s driving the train, but we’ve sat him at the front of the DLR”

For those who don’t live in London - the DLR is pretty much automated*. You can sit on the front seat, but you are still a passenger.

Small kids like to do this as a pretend.

*every so often a train driver does drive them - a key unlocks a box cover over the controls.

kamski said:

Malmesbury said:

a

kamski said:

RFK Jr to senators:

"All my kids are vaccinated. I believe vaccines have saved millions of lives and play a critical role in health care."

RFK Jr to his own anti-vax organisation in 2020 on being able to go back in time and not vaccinate his children:
“I would do anything for that. I would pay anything to be able to do that.”

https://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/shows/truth-with-robert-f-kennedy-jr/children8217s-health-epidemics-vaccine-injuries--more/

It's a 45 minute anti-vaccine rant full of things that are just not true eg "vaccine manufacturers themselves list autism as a possible side effect". Interspersed with videos of children with RFK's emotional voice over "they'll never write a poem they'll never go on a date.... If i could save just one of them I would give up everything" it's really sickening

The guy makes a lot of money peddling this bullshit he's utterly despicable. And a shameless liar.

I actually think he believes this stuff. It’s the radicalisation spiral.

1) he fucked up a bunch of stuff earlier in life.
2) found the “pure food and water” thing
3) found money and praise.
4) the more extreme he became, the more money and praise.
5) all the praise and money means he feels right. Vindicated.

Various people on this board have described losing friends to alt-right and MAGA. Just because he is a Kennedy and has some fame, why is he different?

This doesn’t make his opinions or actions any more acceptable.

You could be right, but then he's lying to senators now.

And he is a grifter, whatever he believes about vaccines.

Here's John Oliver on RFK Jr:

https://youtu.be/1gUP_43J7wY?si=NddgH92htzuGvcvH

Oh sure. The lying and grifting is part of belief system. It’s all The Truth in his mind. Especially the lies.

I can’t remember which con artist said that said that the most important sale was to yourself. You had to believe.

DecrepiterJohnL said:

Gardenwalker said:

Rather damning on Starmer from tomorrow’s ST “Get In” extract:

After the election, one of Starmer's top aides in opposition told us colleagues left with no choice but to choose PM's politics & policy for him

"Keir’s not driving the train. He thinks he’s driving the train, but we’ve sat him at the front of the DLR”

That's a good line but does it travel?

All the may to the Mud Chute….

So it could take 2 or 3 elections for Farage to be PM. At which point he is pushing 70 or 75 or (quite possibly) six feet under. BTW anyone predicting election results this far out is very, very, brave but I've been known to shock people recently by suggesting they look at the five most recent polls. Not that any polls matter for a couple of years because there won't be a GE until May 2029 unless Labour suddenly get everythig right and go 20% ahead in the polls. Lots of people think there might be an election forced or Starmer deposed in the next six months - amazing how the last few years of chaos have warped people's understanding of how things work!

Crucial moment in the Dem comeback project. If there is to be a comeback.

I have no idea about this guy. Any PBers got any info?


The Democrats
@TheDemocrats

Introducing the new Chair of the DNC:
@KenMartin73
.

https://x.com/TheDemocrats/status/1885749987864170677

Malmesbury said:

kamski said:

Malmesbury said:

a

kamski said:

RFK Jr to senators:

"All my kids are vaccinated. I believe vaccines have saved millions of lives and play a critical role in health care."

RFK Jr to his own anti-vax organisation in 2020 on being able to go back in time and not vaccinate his children:
“I would do anything for that. I would pay anything to be able to do that.”

https://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/shows/truth-with-robert-f-kennedy-jr/children8217s-health-epidemics-vaccine-injuries--more/

It's a 45 minute anti-vaccine rant full of things that are just not true eg "vaccine manufacturers themselves list autism as a possible side effect". Interspersed with videos of children with RFK's emotional voice over "they'll never write a poem they'll never go on a date.... If i could save just one of them I would give up everything" it's really sickening

The guy makes a lot of money peddling this bullshit he's utterly despicable. And a shameless liar.

I actually think he believes this stuff. It’s the radicalisation spiral.

1) he fucked up a bunch of stuff earlier in life.
2) found the “pure food and water” thing
3) found money and praise.
4) the more extreme he became, the more money and praise.
5) all the praise and money means he feels right. Vindicated.

Various people on this board have described losing friends to alt-right and MAGA. Just because he is a Kennedy and has some fame, why is he different?

This doesn’t make his opinions or actions any more acceptable.

You could be right, but then he's lying to senators now.

And he is a grifter, whatever he believes about vaccines.

Here's John Oliver on RFK Jr:

https://youtu.be/1gUP_43J7wY?si=NddgH92htzuGvcvH

Oh sure. The lying and grifting is part of belief system. It’s all The Truth in his mind. Especially the lies.

I can’t remember which con artist said that said that the most important sale was to yourself. You had to believe.

Lying to the Senators is just a default now

Malmesbury said:

Gardenwalker said:

Rather damning on Starmer from tomorrow’s ST “Get In” extract:

After the election, one of Starmer's top aides in opposition told us colleagues left with no choice but to choose PM's politics & policy for him

"Keir’s not driving the train. He thinks he’s driving the train, but we’ve sat him at the front of the DLR”

For those who don’t live in London - the DLR is pretty much automated*. You can sit on the front seat, but you are still a passenger.

Small kids like to do this as a pretend.

*every so often a train driver does drive them - a key unlocks a box cover over the controls.

Wasn't the suggestion that Bernard Ingham used to say much the same about Margaret Thatcher. I certainly heard that at one remove. I suspect it has been true of many a PM - it certainly was of Boris for example

TimS said:

Gardenwalker said:

Tariffs of 25% on all goods, save oil, which which attract a tariff of 10%, will be imposed from Tuesday, Canadian officials told.

What about maple syrup?

Did you know about the Canadian version of OPEC? And the Great Maple Syrup Heist?

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/12/maple-syrup-heist

There was a great episode of Elementary, where it turned out that a drug dealing gang had stockpiled the stolen syrup, given up dealing drugs and was putting on the market. A few barrels at a time…

Gardenwalker said:

Rather damning on Starmer from tomorrow’s ST “Get In” extract:

After the election, one of Starmer's top aides in opposition told us colleagues left with no choice but to choose PM's politics & policy for him

"Keir’s not driving the train. He thinks he’s driving the train, but we’ve sat him at the front of the DLR”

One of the differences between the British left and right.

You wouldn't get Conservative aides talking like that. They know they're the hired help, there to make the boss look good. Inverting that was one of the reasons the Boris'n'Dom era was so discordant. Labour aides seem to do it a lot.

The Thick of It was good on that. Malcolm Tucker brought politicians down, Stewart Pearson (when push came to shove) was brought down.

No_Offence_Alan said:

solarflare said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

Gardenwalker said:

Rather damning on Starmer from tomorrow’s ST “Get In” extract:

After the election, one of Starmer's top aides in opposition told us colleagues left with no choice but to choose PM's politics & policy for him

"Keir’s not driving the train. He thinks he’s driving the train, but we’ve sat him at the front of the DLR”

That's a good line but does it travel?

I think there's been a points failure and the wrong kind of leaves are on the line.

Lately the leaves on the line have still been attached to the rest of the tree.

Speaking of which, there has been a major landslip cum bridge failure on the Severn Valley north of Hampton Loade.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0jnd5wvnv1o

Doesn't look too good in terms of running trains unless they had some at Kidderminster.

Clutch_Brompton said:

Malmesbury said:

kamski said:

Malmesbury said:

a

kamski said:

RFK Jr to senators:

"All my kids are vaccinated. I believe vaccines have saved millions of lives and play a critical role in health care."

RFK Jr to his own anti-vax organisation in 2020 on being able to go back in time and not vaccinate his children:
“I would do anything for that. I would pay anything to be able to do that.”

https://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/shows/truth-with-robert-f-kennedy-jr/children8217s-health-epidemics-vaccine-injuries--more/

It's a 45 minute anti-vaccine rant full of things that are just not true eg "vaccine manufacturers themselves list autism as a possible side effect". Interspersed with videos of children with RFK's emotional voice over "they'll never write a poem they'll never go on a date.... If i could save just one of them I would give up everything" it's really sickening

The guy makes a lot of money peddling this bullshit he's utterly despicable. And a shameless liar.

I actually think he believes this stuff. It’s the radicalisation spiral.

1) he fucked up a bunch of stuff earlier in life.
2) found the “pure food and water” thing
3) found money and praise.
4) the more extreme he became, the more money and praise.
5) all the praise and money means he feels right. Vindicated.

Various people on this board have described losing friends to alt-right and MAGA. Just because he is a Kennedy and has some fame, why is he different?

This doesn’t make his opinions or actions any more acceptable.

You could be right, but then he's lying to senators now.

And he is a grifter, whatever he believes about vaccines.

Here's John Oliver on RFK Jr:

https://youtu.be/1gUP_43J7wY?si=NddgH92htzuGvcvH

Oh sure. The lying and grifting is part of belief system. It’s all The Truth in his mind. Especially the lies.

I can’t remember which con artist said that said that the most important sale was to yourself. You had to believe.

Lying to the Senators is just a default now

Are nominees under oath at Senate confirmation hearings?

Trudeau to announce countermeasures at 6 EST.

kamski said:

Clutch_Brompton said:

Malmesbury said:

kamski said:

Malmesbury said:

a

kamski said:

RFK Jr to senators:

"All my kids are vaccinated. I believe vaccines have saved millions of lives and play a critical role in health care."

RFK Jr to his own anti-vax organisation in 2020 on being able to go back in time and not vaccinate his children:
“I would do anything for that. I would pay anything to be able to do that.”

https://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/shows/truth-with-robert-f-kennedy-jr/children8217s-health-epidemics-vaccine-injuries--more/

It's a 45 minute anti-vaccine rant full of things that are just not true eg "vaccine manufacturers themselves list autism as a possible side effect". Interspersed with videos of children with RFK's emotional voice over "they'll never write a poem they'll never go on a date.... If i could save just one of them I would give up everything" it's really sickening

The guy makes a lot of money peddling this bullshit he's utterly despicable. And a shameless liar.

I actually think he believes this stuff. It’s the radicalisation spiral.

1) he fucked up a bunch of stuff earlier in life.
2) found the “pure food and water” thing
3) found money and praise.
4) the more extreme he became, the more money and praise.
5) all the praise and money means he feels right. Vindicated.

Various people on this board have described losing friends to alt-right and MAGA. Just because he is a Kennedy and has some fame, why is he different?

This doesn’t make his opinions or actions any more acceptable.

You could be right, but then he's lying to senators now.

And he is a grifter, whatever he believes about vaccines.

Here's John Oliver on RFK Jr:

https://youtu.be/1gUP_43J7wY?si=NddgH92htzuGvcvH

Oh sure. The lying and grifting is part of belief system. It’s all The Truth in his mind. Especially the lies.

I can’t remember which con artist said that said that the most important sale was to yourself. You had to believe.

Lying to the Senators is just a default now

Are nominees under oath at Senate confirmation hearings?

I think yes, but remember Kavanaugh repeatedly lied in his confirmation hearing and there was no comeback.

Bottom line is, once appointed it takes impeachment to do anything about their lies.

Stuartinromford said:

Malmesbury said:

a

MattW said:

Semi-serious question.

Does anyone have a decent impression where the various current senior Conservatives are in their attitudes to Mr Trump?

What about Kemi and her front-benchers, such as Chris Philp, or the more wing-swingers such as Jenrick? And about Braverman and Patel? And the others.

And what about the expelled but noisy, such as Truss, or the other I have forgotten, such as (checks) Mordaunt, Chalk, Keegan or Lucy Frazer?

I'm assuming that people like Tom Tugendhat or James Cleverly are behind the sofa somewhere looking in horror through their fingers - but what about Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Sunak?

And has Boris come slightly more to his senses? Though I hear (vaguely) that he has been chipping away at Trump's minions on behalf of Ukraine.

And what is someone like Miriam Cates' view now on Trump? I mention her because AIUI she is one of the enthusiasts for native fertility.

Notable that across the world, people are (pretending) to bend the knee.

Including Sir Keith “Kid Starver” & his government.

We’ve even seen The Mandelbrot saying nice things about Big Orange.

The government kind of have to be diplomatic, thanks to the rules of diplomacy.

The Conservatives are free from that at the moment. Which is what makes their responses interesting.

The Conservatives' opinion of Mr Trump is unlikely to matter at all. Even if this is a one-term government, he'll be gone before our own next GE.

DecrepiterJohnL said:

Gardenwalker said:

Rather damning on Starmer from tomorrow’s ST “Get In” extract:

After the election, one of Starmer's top aides in opposition told us colleagues left with no choice but to choose PM's politics & policy for him

"Keir’s not driving the train. He thinks he’s driving the train, but we’ve sat him at the front of the DLR”

That's a good line but does it travel?

I think the image of Mr Trump at the wheel of a self-driving Tesla with Elon Musk wielding the radio controller is more pungent.

DecrepiterJohnL said:

Gardenwalker said:

Rather damning on Starmer from tomorrow’s ST “Get In” extract:

After the election, one of Starmer's top aides in opposition told us colleagues left with no choice but to choose PM's politics & policy for him

"Keir’s not driving the train. He thinks he’s driving the train, but we’ve sat him at the front of the DLR”

That's a good line but does it travel?

I think the image of Mr Trump at the wheel of a self-driving Tesla with Elon Musk wielding the radio controller is more pungent.

Gardenwalker said:

NYT:

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave representatives of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency full access to the federal payment system late on Friday, according to three people familiar with the change, handing Elon Musk and the team he is leading a powerful tool to monitor and potentially limit government spending.

The new authority follows a standoff this week with a top Treasury official who had resisted allowing Mr. Musk’s lieutenants into the department’s payment system, which sends out money on behalf of the entire federal government. The official, a career civil servant named David Lebryk, was put on leave and then suddenly retired on Friday after the dispute, according to people familiar with his exit.

It will be interesting to see which NGOs mysteriously fall silent due to lack of funds.

ydoethur said:

No_Offence_Alan said:

solarflare said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

Gardenwalker said:

Rather damning on Starmer from tomorrow’s ST “Get In” extract:

After the election, one of Starmer's top aides in opposition told us colleagues left with no choice but to choose PM's politics & policy for him

"Keir’s not driving the train. He thinks he’s driving the train, but we’ve sat him at the front of the DLR”

That's a good line but does it travel?

I think there's been a points failure and the wrong kind of leaves are on the line.

Lately the leaves on the line have still been attached to the rest of the tree.

Speaking of which, there has been a major landslip cum bridge failure on the Severn Valley north of Hampton Loade.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0jnd5wvnv1o

Doesn't look too good in terms of running trains unless they had some at Kidderminster.

I saw piccies of that earlier in the week. It'll be very expensive for a heritage line to fix, but they'll manage it.

Republicans against Trump
@RpsAgainstTrump
·
1h

“Our trade policy rests firmly on the foundation of free and open markets. I recognize…the inescapable conclusion that all of history has taught: The freer the flow of world trade, the stronger the tides of human progress and peace among nations.”
— Ronald Reagan

Malmesbury said:

Gardenwalker said:

Rather damning on Starmer from tomorrow’s ST “Get In” extract:

After the election, one of Starmer's top aides in opposition told us colleagues left with no choice but to choose PM's politics & policy for him

"Keir’s not driving the train. He thinks he’s driving the train, but we’ve sat him at the front of the DLR”

For those who don’t live in London - the DLR is pretty much automated*. You can sit on the front seat, but you are still a passenger.

Small kids like to do this as a pretend.

*every so often a train driver does drive them - a key unlocks a box cover over the controls.

I actually saw this done back in about ?1992?, just after the Bank extension was opened.

So a good response might be: "Yes, I'm driving a train on the DLR because the previous lot crashed the system."

StillWaters said:

Carnyx said:

StillWaters said:

Carnyx said:

HYUFD said:

Carnyx said:

HYUFD said:

TimS said:

HYUFD said:

Carnyx said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

Starmer accused of ‘fudging the facts’ over his education
Former Blair adviser and Sutton Trust founder criticises Prime Minister for ‘pretending’ he went to state school
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/31/keir-starmer-accused-fudging-facts-education-vat-raid/

But he did, to all intents and purposes. It was free when he arrived and that was kept the case for any pupils present before the decision to go feepaying.

Basically Starmer started off in a grammar school which became a private school when he reached its sixth form.

So Sir Keir had a very Tory education essentially and never set foot in the local comp even if his initial secondary education was in a state grammar

If we’re back to the donkey sanctuary level of Keir attacks then maybe Labour isn’t doing as badly as I thought.

It remains a fact though that we have never had a Labour PM elected at a comprehensive school, whereas we have had a Tory PM educated at their local comp, Liz Truss.

Badenoch is also comp educated unlike grammar and private school educated Starmer and privately educated Farage and Davey

That's being rather narrowly worded.

(a) we've had very few Labour PMs [edit!] in the UK full stop
(b) comprehensive schools didn't exist for much of that period
(c) you're excluding Ramsay MacDonald because of your definitions. And ditto Jim Callaghan. So that's 2 out of 5 Labour PMs straight away.

If you just look at general election winning Labour PMs ie MacDonald, Attlee, Wilson, Blair and Starmer 3/5 of them went to a private school for at least part of their education

Not allowed to change the goalposts! I'm glad you aren't in charge of any clinical trials for anything important.

MacDonalds, Callaghan, Brown went to comps or the equivalent. That is 3 out of 6. And one who began in a state school even if they changed it under his feet - and the transition period was barely halfway when he left. Only 2 out of 6 in private education. Infinitely better ratio than the Tories.

Why is it a “better” ratio?

That implies bias. Surely we would want our PM to be the best educated irrespective o the governance structure of their school?

Two meanings:

(a) a lot better for comps than HYUFD's negative approach - his metric

(b) arguably better as more representative of the body politic in a very important area
of life - my partial view

Diversity of thought is a good thing. Just because someone has a similar background to the majority of the body politic that doesn’t make them the best PM.

That's the point. A diversity of backgrounds helps a lot. The current insistence by some on poshness as an (apparently seriously proposed) determinant in education is going to have the opposite effect.

kamski said:

rottenborough said:

Republicans against Trump
@RpsAgainstTrump
·
1h

“Our trade policy rests firmly on the foundation of free and open markets. I recognize…the inescapable conclusion that all of history has taught: The freer the flow of world trade, the stronger the tides of human progress and peace among nations.”
— Ronald Reagan

It is interesting that anti-globalisation used to be mostly a leftwing and often anti-american thing. The US forced everywhere to open up their markets for multinationals to make profits, no matter what the harm to local society, environment or economy. Now it's the US and the Republican party that wants to reverse free trade. Trump frames the US as a victim of globalisation, when the US has been a main beneficiary - it's just that the benefits have gone to a small minority in the US.

Trump is not totally wrong about globalisation. Just, mostly. The current system works quite well for the ISA.

Gardenwalker said:

MattW said:

What are the odds on Canada bringing in tariffs on Teslas?

They seek 50k per year.

Hopefully, 100% tariff.
And the shutdown of X (and, why not, Meta).
Co-ordinated with Mexico.

Imagine a world where the only place with Twatter was the USA...

JosiasJessop said:

ydoethur said:

No_Offence_Alan said:

solarflare said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

Gardenwalker said:

Rather damning on Starmer from tomorrow’s ST “Get In” extract:

After the election, one of Starmer's top aides in opposition told us colleagues left with no choice but to choose PM's politics & policy for him

"Keir’s not driving the train. He thinks he’s driving the train, but we’ve sat him at the front of the DLR”

That's a good line but does it travel?

I think there's been a points failure and the wrong kind of leaves are on the line.

Lately the leaves on the line have still been attached to the rest of the tree.

Speaking of which, there has been a major landslip cum bridge failure on the Severn Valley north of Hampton Loade.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0jnd5wvnv1o

Doesn't look too good in terms of running trains unless they had some at Kidderminster.

I saw piccies of that earlier in the week. It'll be very expensive for a heritage line to fix, but they'll manage it.

Drone footage from the landslip at the SVR.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vntBMRk_oUQ&t=7s

kamski said:

rottenborough said:

Republicans against Trump
@RpsAgainstTrump
·
1h

“Our trade policy rests firmly on the foundation of free and open markets. I recognize…the inescapable conclusion that all of history has taught: The freer the flow of world trade, the stronger the tides of human progress and peace among nations.”
— Ronald Reagan

It is interesting that anti-globalisation used to be mostly a leftwing and often anti-american thing. The US forced everywhere to open up their markets for multinationals to make profits, no matter what the harm to local society, environment or economy. Now it's the US and the Republican party that wants to reverse free trade. Trump frames the US as a victim of globalisation, when the US has been a main beneficiary - it's just that the benefits have gone to a small minority in the US.

There was an interesting episode of the West Wing, where Josh finds he is on the same side as the kind of Republicans he hates - on free trade.

Elon Musk

@elonmusk
·
1h
Very few in the bureaucracy actually work the weekend, so it’s like the opposing team just leaves the field for 2 days!

Working the weekend is a superpower 😂

kamski said:

rottenborough said:

Republicans against Trump
@RpsAgainstTrump
·
1h

“Our trade policy rests firmly on the foundation of free and open markets. I recognize…the inescapable conclusion that all of history has taught: The freer the flow of world trade, the stronger the tides of human progress and peace among nations.”
— Ronald Reagan

It is interesting that anti-globalisation used to be mostly a leftwing and often anti-american thing. The US forced everywhere to open up their markets for multinationals to make profits, no matter what the harm to local society, environment or economy. Now it's the US and the Republican party that wants to reverse free trade. Trump frames the US as a victim of globalisation, when the US has been a main beneficiary - it's just that the benefits have gone to a small minority in the US.

Globalisation only works when all countries partake in free trade. It doesn't work when countries like China manipulate it and unbalance trade for their own benefit. While I don't agree with tariffs on friendly nations, there is absolutely a case to be made for punitive tariffs against China by the western alliance and for reshoring industry and industrial jobs even if it means a higher price structure for consumers. The idea that lower prices are automatically better for the economy if the downside means fewer jobs as they all move to those countries with lower cost structures is a false one, as Germany is currently learning now that China has a markedly lower cost structure because German energy costs now match the rest of Europe without cheap gas from Russia.

The rise of parties like Reform, AfD, MAGA Republicans, National Rally, FdI, Vox etc... is inextricably linked to globalisation, you may find it easy to dismiss those who have been made jobless and thrust into poverty or welfare by it and suggest they didn't keep up with modern life, I don't. Countries need to look after their own and too many governments have been acting against their own populations interests for too long and now we're seeing the reaction from those people who feel betrayed. In the US the Dems are utterly discredited alongside the traditional Republicans who espoused free trade and impoverished their own citizens to help Chinese industry dominate the global economy. European countries are all heading down the same path.

glw said:

rottenborough said:

Elon Musk

@elonmusk
·
1h
Very few in the bureaucracy actually work the weekend, so it’s like the opposing team just leaves the field for 2 days!

Working the weekend is a superpower 😂

i.e. The bureaucracy is full of normal people with family, friends, other responsibilities, and also people who do not work unless paid. Unlike the twerps at DOGE and their Nazi-saluting master.

And are confident that they can achieve their aims during working hours, rather than skulking round when the building is unoccupied.

Elon is in the Oval Office, making "vroom vroom" noises like a DLR "driver", isn't he?

Matt Goodwin
@GoodwinMJ

I can’t remember the last time I felt this depressed about the state of the UK. Our country is falling apart.

We need a political revolution.

https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/1885793137907454198

rottenborough said:

Matt Goodwin
@GoodwinMJ

I can’t remember the last time I felt this depressed about the state of the UK. Our country is falling apart.

We need a political revolution.

https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/1885793137907454198

I wish I hadn't clicked on that link. Apart from the ads, the comments are from really weird people.

rottenborough said:

Matt Goodwin
@GoodwinMJ

I can’t remember the last time I felt this depressed about the state of the UK. Our country is falling apart.

We need a political revolution.

https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/1885793137907454198

Does this post have any content?
What’s the point of actually sharing?

williamglenn said:

Interesting attack line against Kemi Badenoch from a Lib Dem MP:

https://x.com/threshedthought/status/1885589822372208922

The UK is not a ‘project’.

It’s our country.

Interestingly, the MP in that tweet is Mike Martin, who has the distinction of me having read (some of) his PhD thesis. In those times when I am commuting without Internet access, I have some downloaded things on my tablet to read, of which that is one.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Martin_(British_politician)
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/studentTheses/war-on-its-head

viewcode said:

williamglenn said:

Interesting attack line against Kemi Badenoch from a Lib Dem MP:

https://x.com/threshedthought/status/1885589822372208922

The UK is not a ‘project’.

It’s our country.

Interestingly, the MP in that tweet is Mike Martin, who has the distinction of me having read (some of) his PhD thesis. In those times when I am commuting without Internet access, I have some downloaded things on my tablet to read, of which that is one.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Martin_(British_politician)
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/studentTheses/war-on-its-head

He is now LD MP for Tunbridge Wells where I grew up

rottenborough said:

Republicans against Trump
@RpsAgainstTrump
·
1h

“Our trade policy rests firmly on the foundation of free and open markets. I recognize…the inescapable conclusion that all of history has taught: The freer the flow of world trade, the stronger the tides of human progress and peace among nations.”
— Ronald Reagan

Though Republican Presidents have been pro tariff before eg Trump's hero McKinley

Would be funny if Canada announced it was in talks to join the EU.

@SkylerforNY

Trump is running the country like a business. Unfortunately, he’s running it like one of his businesses.

Those end in fraud, lawsuits, and bankruptcy.

glw said:

MaxPB said:

Gardenwalker said:

Tariffs of 25% on all goods, save oil, which which attract a tariff of 10%, will be imposed from Tuesday, Canadian officials told.

10% tariff on oil? Seems completely insane but sure.

Trump is completely insane, so that checks out.

I dunno. Tariffs on oil exporting countries that have very high emissions per capita doesn't actually seem a bad idea. Perhaps Trump is an environmentalist sleeper.

MarqueeMark said:

Gardenwalker said:

Would be funny if Canada announced it was in talks to join the EU.

Not happening - they are in CPTPP.

With the UK.

CPTPP is likely to be a huge beneficiary of Trump's trade war wank.

Liz Truss's golden legacy.

Malmesbury said:

a

HYUFD said:

rottenborough said:

Republicans against Trump
@RpsAgainstTrump
·
1h

“Our trade policy rests firmly on the foundation of free and open markets. I recognize…the inescapable conclusion that all of history has taught: The freer the flow of world trade, the stronger the tides of human progress and peace among nations.”
— Ronald Reagan

Though Republican Presidents have been pro tariff before eg Trump's hero McKinley

Free markets and free trade *used* to be a Liberal thing (se Corn Laws etc).

Conservative economics was very much about managed trade and state intervention. This came out of the economic policies of the early modern era.

Yes Peel was a Conservative PM who was a free trader but was effectively removed by protectionists Derby and Disraeli and then his Peelites left the Conservatives to form the Liberals with Whigs and Radicals.

Disraeli became more free trade later

(Sorry if this has been covered)

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8d90qe4nylo

Yvette Cooper says the UK will make it illegal to own AI tools to make images of child sexual abuse.

"AI Tools"? Does that mean '/usr/bin/python'? Or very specifically '/usr/local/bin/make-kiddy-fiddler-images.app'?

Or... god forfend... does it mean they have no idea what they're talking about? Which I can't possibly imagine is the case.

Gardenwalker said:

rottenborough said:

Matt Goodwin
@GoodwinMJ

I can’t remember the last time I felt this depressed about the state of the UK. Our country is falling apart.

We need a political revolution.

https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/1885793137907454198

Does this post have any content?

What’s the point of actually sharing?

BTL is interesting if only for being absolutely archetypal of the doubly metaphorical internet phenomenon known as a circle jerk.

ohnotnow said:

(Sorry if this has been covered)

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8d90qe4nylo

Yvette Cooper says the UK will make it illegal to own AI tools to make images of child sexual abuse.

"AI Tools"? Does that mean '/usr/bin/python'? Or very specifically '/usr/local/bin/make-kiddy-fiddler-images.app'?

Or... god forfend... does it mean they have no idea what they're talking about? Which I can't possibly imagine is the case.

Well, it can't possibly be the last of those - that would be unprecedented!

rottenborough said:

MarqueeMark said:

Gardenwalker said:

Would be funny if Canada announced it was in talks to join the EU.

Not happening - they are in CPTPP.

With the UK.

CPTPP is likely to be a huge beneficiary of Trump's trade war wank.

Isnt the Canadian parliament prorogued?

Can they do anything much in response?

66% of Canadians want their government to be more forceful with Trump, including 77% of Liberals, 81% of NDP and 84% of BQ voters.

Just 17% want a more conciliatory approach when working with Trump, though 29% of Canadian Conservatives and 49% of People's Party voters take that view

https://www.ekospolitics.com/index.php/2025/01/major-and-straight-line-decline-in-conservative-advantage-over-past-month/

HYUFD said:

Malmesbury said:

a

HYUFD said:

rottenborough said:

Republicans against Trump
@RpsAgainstTrump
·
1h

“Our trade policy rests firmly on the foundation of free and open markets. I recognize…the inescapable conclusion that all of history has taught: The freer the flow of world trade, the stronger the tides of human progress and peace among nations.”
— Ronald Reagan

Though Republican Presidents have been pro tariff before eg Trump's hero McKinley

Free markets and free trade *used* to be a Liberal thing (se Corn Laws etc).

Conservative economics was very much about managed trade and state intervention. This came out of the economic policies of the early modern era.

Yes Peel was a Conservative PM who was a free trader but was effectively removed by protectionists Derby and Disraeli and then his Peelites left the Conservatives to form the Liberals with Whigs and Radicals.

Disraeli became more free trade later

Long before that. Much of medieval law on economics was about *preventing* free markets.

Groundhog Day tomorrow. Here is a brief explainer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTvxtFb4BCc

Jim_Miller said:

I'm surprised that Dr. Foxy didn't mention the potential bad healh effects of globalization. The more we travel around, the more we give opportunities for dangerous, and even deadly, microbes to spread.

(For the record: I think globalization is, net, a benefit to the world, but I think we in the West have been too casual about the costs in recent decades.)

The Spanish flu got everywhere, even in the pre-globalisation age... It just took a little longer

sarissa said:

Leon said:

Jonathan said:

Leon said:

Jonathan said:

If a paradigm has shifted, it’s the fall of the free trade pro business conservative centre right replaced by the nationalist, protectionist “fuck business” populist right.

Yes, I think that's correct

Britain has enjoyed or endured spectacular levels of immigration in the last 10-20 years. We are constantly assured this contributes to growth. Yet, as @Sandpit shows, the reality is that GDP per capita has not grown at all even as our population has exploded by many millions, putting pressure on everything - from sewage systems to landscapes, from education to health. Meanwhile our cities crumble and we have very real and unpleasant social problems stemming from the migration

Now we are told "another 5 million must come in the next ten years". Why? What the fuck? We don't want any more. Polls show that voters - by almost 2 to 1 - would rather have LESS immigration EVEN IF IT COMES AT THE EXPENSE OF GROWTH

https://x.com/GideonSkinner/status/1884199390463799730/photo/1

No one buys the "growth" shit any more, and even if they do, they are past caring

I predict that the party which most convincingly argues that it will curtail immigration in 2028 will do very well, and will likely win. Labour cannot do that, the Tories can't, not any more, so we are left with Reform

Was talking with a builder yesterday working alone. They can’t hire labourers or apprentices. The work is too hard apparently. Not the first time I heard that story.

Someone has to do the hard work.

Yes, robots. And I'm quite serious

Love to see a robot repairing this

"They can’t hire labourers or apprentices. The work is too hard apparently."

So what are they doing instead?

sarissa said:

Leon said:

Jonathan said:

Leon said:

Jonathan said:

If a paradigm has shifted, it’s the fall of the free trade pro business conservative centre right replaced by the nationalist, protectionist “fuck business” populist right.

Yes, I think that's correct

Britain has enjoyed or endured spectacular levels of immigration in the last 10-20 years. We are constantly assured this contributes to growth. Yet, as @Sandpit shows, the reality is that GDP per capita has not grown at all even as our population has exploded by many millions, putting pressure on everything - from sewage systems to landscapes, from education to health. Meanwhile our cities crumble and we have very real and unpleasant social problems stemming from the migration

Now we are told "another 5 million must come in the next ten years". Why? What the fuck? We don't want any more. Polls show that voters - by almost 2 to 1 - would rather have LESS immigration EVEN IF IT COMES AT THE EXPENSE OF GROWTH

https://x.com/GideonSkinner/status/1884199390463799730/photo/1

No one buys the "growth" shit any more, and even if they do, they are past caring

I predict that the party which most convincingly argues that it will curtail immigration in 2028 will do very well, and will likely win. Labour cannot do that, the Tories can't, not any more, so we are left with Reform

Was talking with a builder yesterday working alone. They can’t hire labourers or apprentices. The work is too hard apparently. Not the first time I heard that story.

Someone has to do the hard work.

Yes, robots. And I'm quite serious

Love to see a robot repairing this

Lick of paint and it'll be fine.

PoodleInASlipstream said:

ohnotnow said:

(Sorry if this has been covered)

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8d90qe4nylo

Yvette Cooper says the UK will make it illegal to own AI tools to make images of child sexual abuse.

"AI Tools"? Does that mean '/usr/bin/python'? Or very specifically '/usr/local/bin/make-kiddy-fiddler-images.app'?

Or... god forfend... does it mean they have no idea what they're talking about? Which I can't possibly imagine is the case.

It would be nice to have even one single person in a senior government position who actually understands technology.

Or more likely it’s bad journalism, and what
Cooper has actually proposed is to outlaw specific tools and manuals that enable the use of AI to make images of child sexual abuse.

As the BBC article explains:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8d90qe4nylo.amp

And as this is Britain not America the law won’t have been dreamt up by a politician overnight but crafted by home office officials with input from the police, probably over several months and quite possibly under both this and the previous government.