Reeves should be fired. She’s not bright enough, clumsy, imprisoned by Treasury orthodoxy, has a bad attitude, and will secure a Reform victory unless she goes.
I presume there is some deep Labour party factional Gnosticism at work and that is unapparent to non-members.
Being CotE is essentially a sales and presentation job since the Treasury is rammed full of nerds who can do all the spreadsheet wanker stuff. Whatever RR is, she is not a selling machine. Mitch and Murray would not send her from downtown to inspire and motivate other sales professionals.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
What's the Kremlinology here? Michael Gove levers Kemi into the leadership, becomes Spectator editor, lures Shippers away from the Times, and runs a story that Kemi might be for the chop.
That Dave (pbuh) thinks Jenrick should lead the Tories at the next election, that's a biggie, especially as Dave has been helping Kemi at PMQs.
Coincidentally Gove admits to being a duplicitous snake in today's Times.
What [Gove] regrets now, he says, is being “insufficiently clear” to Cameron that he would campaign for Leave.
Cant figure why anyone would listen to Cameron, he destroyed the Conservatives.
Nope, that was the Brexiteers, which even Gove privately admits.
Cameron signed up to a Blair agenda and did nothing to reverse the creeping expansion of the state. He lost the troops on the ground as what he offered wasnt conservatiism. He could quite happilu have stood up to the various factions in his party but that required a backbone and he didnt have one. He was crap a party management and hence we had the Brexit vote something we can all be grateful for and which is his overarching legacy.
Cameron spent and taxed less as a percentage of gdp than any UK PM this century
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
Starmer is about the same height as Donald Trump, iirc from recent news coverage of dropped papers. That's not short.
He's five eight, I believe. MaxiMoron is six three.
Macron is short and Carney, surprisingly, looks even shorter
One thing AI going to destroy is people who depend on writing gigantic volumes of inane drivel to look busy at work.
I'm on page 65 of the world's most boring report and it's obvious the whole thing is AI. I might wait till Monday before I send my feedback in because right now it's vicious.
There ought to be a law stating that anything written by AI has to have that fact printed in big letters at the start of the document.
Hypothetical question: if someone donated all their earnings to charity, would they still have to pay tax on their earnings? (Don't know why this question has just sprung to mind, but it has).
Doesn't the charity reclaim the basic rate element, not you?
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
You mean one who thinks about his fellow human beings, rather than pisses all over the seat?
Hypothetical question: if someone donated all their earnings to charity, would they still have to pay tax on their earnings? (Don't know why this question has just sprung to mind, but it has).
Doesn't the charity reclaim the basic rate element, not you?
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Sitzpinkler
As ever, the Germans have a word.
I don't understand this complaint. You have to sit down to read. Plus you can have a poo if the urge eventuates.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
You mean one who thinks about his fellow human beings, rather than pisses all over the seat?
Gentlemen lift the seat is a description Gentlemen, lift the seat is an injunction
I have to say that two tier benefits is really shit. Who on earth thought that was a good idea?
I don't see it lasting. The press are bound to find some examples where people with identical issues get radically different benefits.
It will be challenged under the Equality act in court immediately. They cant Primary legislation their way out of its provisions and we will see what they make of it. If it survives this weekend/Tuesday. Not all rebels are convinced, and not all of them are Socialist Campaign Group types.
They could, of course, go back to cutting PIP for everyone.
No-one seems to be making the obvious point that the PIP provisions only apply to people with the very lowest level of disability who maybe don't need additional support at all.
I think that's entirely the wrong way to look at it. PIP is there to provide disabled people with just enough to live their daily lives and work without being a further cost to the state. If you take it away most won't suddenly take up their mat and walk straight back to full time employment, they'll become more economically inactive and a further cost to the state. The problem in my view is that it is inadequate to provide support with mental health issues because it's very inflexible. It takes a long time to get and there's no mechanism for coming off of it if things improve and going back on again during any relapse. Once you have PIP and think you might need it in the future then you're almost obliged to stay on it. I would separate out the mental health component and make it so that a diagnosis means you're automatically eligible. Then issue a grant for a limited time based on a doctor's report. I know that would be administratively difficult but it would be a much fairer and more helpful system.
Interesting point. Mental health does feel qualitatively different in some way.
An expert I was talking to, who could be totally wrong, was convinced we are on the cusp of a mental health revolution with digital tools dramatically lowering cost/increasing access to CBT. I was surprised how bullish he was. And of course digital tools you could just give access immediately. Maybe a half decent CBT bot immediately is better than a psychiatrist in 6 months.
We have good evidence that CBT delivered digitally can be very effective. For some, it can even be preferable to seeing a therapist. The stumbling block is that decentralised NHS commissioning for these systems is inefficient and there's very little money available anyway.
One great advantage of digital apps is that people can just access them and get on with the CBT, except the way funding mechanisms work, in England, you have to seek and then get an appointment with a professional who can then give you an access code, and what you get, if anything is available, is a postcode lottery. This leads to low sign-up rates.
The obvious approach is to nationally commission some apps that are then made available for free, no questions asked, just download one and get going. Something like Couch for 5K for mental health. It's a small expenditure up front for big cost savings downstream, but NHS/DHSC structures don't currently allow it.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Sitzpinkler
As ever, the Germans have a word.
I don't understand this complaint. You have to sit down to read. Plus you can have a poo if the urge eventuates.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
I have to say that two tier benefits is really shit. Who on earth thought that was a good idea?
I don't see it lasting. The press are bound to find some examples where people with identical issues get radically different benefits.
It will be challenged under the Equality act in court immediately. They cant Primary legislation their way out of its provisions and we will see what they make of it. If it survives this weekend/Tuesday. Not all rebels are convinced, and not all of them are Socialist Campaign Group types.
They could, of course, go back to cutting PIP for everyone.
No-one seems to be making the obvious point that the PIP provisions only apply to people with the very lowest level of disability who maybe don't need additional support at all.
I think that's entirely the wrong way to look at it. PIP is there to provide disabled people with just enough to live their daily lives and work without being a further cost to the state. If you take it away most won't suddenly take up their mat and walk straight back to full time employment, they'll become more economically inactive and a further cost to the state. The problem in my view is that it is inadequate to provide support with mental health issues because it's very inflexible. It takes a long time to get and there's no mechanism for coming off of it if things improve and going back on again during any relapse. Once you have PIP and think you might need it in the future then you're almost obliged to stay on it. I would separate out the mental health component and make it so that a diagnosis means you're automatically eligible. Then issue a grant for a limited time based on a doctor's report. I know that would be administratively difficult but it would be a much fairer and more helpful system.
All benefits should be time-limited.
So, pensions only for 10 years and then you're on your own?
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Sitzpinkler
As ever, the Germans have a word.
I don't understand this complaint. You have to sit down to read. Plus you can have a poo if the urge eventuates.
Just looking at the reaction to council tax reform in Scotland and it's depressing.
"It's not my fault my house has massively appreciated in value". Etc etc
Absolutely fine.
Reply from the authorities: "It's not out fault either. We're just asking you to pay a fair whack after all these years. You are free to move."
There's no chance they'll do it, because it hurts old people in four bed houses the most.
AKA voters.
General property value appreciation isn't a factor for council tax, all property has increased in value over time, a revaluation should include the bands moving by overall property inflation (otherwise everything will end up in the top band). What a revaluation should capture is property improvements and changes in desirability of areas (gentrification), if council investment has improved your area then an increase in the council tax on property in that area seem fair.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Sitzpinkler
As ever, the Germans have a word.
I don't understand this complaint. You have to sit down to read. Plus you can have a poo if the urge eventuates.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Sitzpinkler
As ever, the Germans have a word.
I don't understand this complaint. You have to sit down to read. Plus you can have a poo if the urge eventuates.
Personally, I think Starmer should have gone with:
Archipelago of Awkward Acquaintances
Firstly, the United Kingdom is not an island. Secondly, we're all bloody awkward. Thirdly, often we prefer strangers, so we don't have to engage in conversation. Fourthly, acquaintances are literally the worst, because one has to talk to them, but you never know what to say
I should probably h/t @viewcode : he introduced "acquaintances", and all I did was make it alliterative.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Sitzpinkler
As ever, the Germans have a word.
I don't understand this complaint. You have to sit down to read. Plus you can have a poo if the urge eventuates.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
You mean one who thinks about his fellow human beings, rather than pisses all over the seat?
Well, if out use a urinal or lift seat with foot - result no piss on seat. If at home lift seat and piss. Really not overly complicated.
And frankly who wants to sit on a seat where god knows what gonorrhoea addled, crabs infested fiend has been resting on prior to you.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
Starmer is about the same height as Donald Trump, iirc from recent news coverage of dropped papers. That's not short.
He's five eight, I believe. MaxiMoron is six three.
Macron is short and Carney, surprisingly, looks even shorter
There is no way Trump is 6 3, he's got massive lifts in those shoes. That's why his stance looks so odd in profile.
And a reminder about, until the discovery of oil (and the extraordinarily wise use of all that income) what a poor country this was, with most people scratching a living from farming, herding, fishing or logging.
Hypothetical question: if someone donated all their earnings to charity, would they still have to pay tax on their earnings? (Don't know why this question has just sprung to mind, but it has).
An answer, though not exactly on point is this: You can give away all your earnings if you want, full stop. You can do so in such a way, under Gift Aid that the charity can reclaim all the IT and CGT you have paid in the relevant year. SFAICS this does not apply to NI payments.
So it is possible, without upper limit, to ensure that the treasury receives zero net receipts from you in any given tax year from IT and CGT, so lomg as it is claimed back properly.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Sitzpinkler
As ever, the Germans have a word.
I don't understand this complaint. You have to sit down to read. Plus you can have a poo if the urge eventuates.
Looking for recommendations for a Nespresso machine, primarily for espressos. Advice welcome. Thanks. Is a dark bitter coffee called an Abbott, btw?
I bought a Philips Barista Nespresso - 60 quid, simple and works well. I'm not a coffee freak before the aficionados and purists pile in and say you must spend a grand at least!
This is the correct answer.
It will produce generally good (albeit not exeptional) coffee, and you will pay between 25p and 60p per drink, if you want to use capsules. You can also buy little pods that you can fill up with your own coffee, which can bring it down to 15 to 20p. (This can also produce better coffee, if you're willing to put the time in.)
Today (Thursday 26 June 2025), at Liverpool Crown Court, Michael Linfoot, 24, of Chorley, Callum Hesketh, 24, of Chorley, and Thomas Rae, 24, of Chorley, have been convicted of several sexual offences which took place against an underage girl in the Rivington area of Bolton seven years ago.
That's a bit naughty from GMP. They ought to say how old they were seven years ago. My guess is, if they were brown, they wouldn't have been named as they were under 18.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Sitzpinkler
As ever, the Germans have a word.
I don't understand this complaint. You have to sit down to read. Plus you can have a poo if the urge eventuates.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Sitzpinkler
As ever, the Germans have a word.
I don't understand this complaint. You have to sit down to read. Plus you can have a poo if the urge eventuates.
Looking for recommendations for a Nespresso machine, primarily for espressos. Advice welcome. Thanks. Is a dark bitter coffee called an Abbott, btw?
Buy an aeropress and save yourself hundreds of pounds
Drink rainwater, and save even more!
There is a middling position between having to build an extension to the kitchen to house the coffee making machinery and drinking rainwater from the gutter. A cone, filter paper and a large cup does the job perfectly and annoys everyone else by being so quick and simple.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
Starmer is about the same height as Donald Trump, iirc from recent news coverage of dropped papers. That's not short.
He's five eight, I believe. MaxiMoron is six three.
Macron is short and Carney, surprisingly, looks even shorter
There is no way Trump is 6 3, he's got massive lifts in those shoes. That's why his stance looks so odd in profile.
Some people "look tall". Mark Carney and Mel Gibson, who are both short.
I feel none of you have read the final paragraph in the header.
The most brutal thing in The Spectator article is this observation about Badenoch ‘Another senior Tory concluded: ‘She seems to be auditioning to be a Spectator columnist’ which is not something someone aspiring to be Prime Minister should ever audition for in my humble opinion.
In my experience, to become a Spectator columnist - let alone a successful Spectator columnist - you need a lot more brains, talent, imagination and intellectual heft than is available to the average British politician
This is a job writing for the world’s oldest and most prestigious magazine. Not just “leader of the Opposition” or “senior Cabinet Minister” or whatever daft names they give themselves
Boris seemed to fail to use his huge majority and Starmer looks to be going the same way. Is it poor party management or the fault of the media.
How large a majority do you need to get anything done when the media fawns over a party with *checks notes* only 5 MPs.
It really is a mystery why our leaders keep failing to deliver what the public wants. It is simple, just give us low taxes, high public spending, low immigration with plenty of nurses, carers and builders, lots of new houses, just not near us or in the countryside, high wages with low costs for services, high pensions available at an early age with loadsa freebies on top without impacting working age taxes. It's hardly rocket science is it?
More alchemy perhaps.
A proper leader would be able to educate the population and lead them to support an achievable objective.
That’s the core issue - since Clinton the west has been led by followers not leaders
Personally, I think Starmer should have gone with:
Archipelago of Awkward Acquaintances
Firstly, the United Kingdom is not an island. Secondly, we're all bloody awkward. Thirdly, often we prefer strangers, so we don't have to engage in conversation. Fourthly, acquaintances are literally the worst, because one has to talk to them, but you never know what to say
I should probably h/t @viewcode : he introduced "acquaintances", and all I did was make it alliterative.
I feel none of you have read the final paragraph in the header.
The most brutal thing in The Spectator article is this observation about Badenoch ‘Another senior Tory concluded: ‘She seems to be auditioning to be a Spectator columnist’ which is not something someone aspiring to be Prime Minister should ever audition for in my humble opinion.
In my experience, to become a Spectator columnist - let alone a successful Spectator columnist - you need a lot more brains, talent, imagination and intellectual heft than is available to the average British politician
I feel none of you have read the final paragraph in the header.
The most brutal thing in The Spectator article is this observation about Badenoch ‘Another senior Tory concluded: ‘She seems to be auditioning to be a Spectator columnist’ which is not something someone aspiring to be Prime Minister should ever audition for in my humble opinion.
In my experience, to become a Spectator columnist - let alone a successful Spectator columnist - you need a lot more brains, talent, imagination and intellectual heft than is available to the average British politician
This is a job writing for the world’s oldest and most prestigious magazine. Not just “leader of the Opposition” or “senior Cabinet Minister” or whatever daft names they give themselves
Don't know if you've read it lately, but they seem to have some real duffers on the payroll these days. Quite a lot of self-indulgent bilge. It's sad to see really.
I feel none of you have read the final paragraph in the header.
The most brutal thing in The Spectator article is this observation about Badenoch ‘Another senior Tory concluded: ‘She seems to be auditioning to be a Spectator columnist’ which is not something someone aspiring to be Prime Minister should ever audition for in my humble opinion.
In my experience, to become a Spectator columnist - let alone a successful Spectator columnist - you need a lot more brains, talent, imagination and intellectual heft than is available to the average British politician
This is a job writing for the world’s oldest and most prestigious magazine. Not just “leader of the Opposition” or “senior Cabinet Minister” or whatever daft names they give themselves
Mark Steyn comes to mind as an outstanding example of prescient genius.
A government led by him with Jeffrey Bernard as CoE would have been fun.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
You mean one who thinks about his fellow human beings, rather than pisses all over the seat?
Well, if out use a urinal or lift seat with foot - result no piss on seat. If at home lift seat and piss. Really not overly complicated.
And frankly who wants to sit on a seat where god knows what gonorrhoea addled, crabs infested fiend has been resting on prior to you.
I feel none of you have read the final paragraph in the header.
The most brutal thing in The Spectator article is this observation about Badenoch ‘Another senior Tory concluded: ‘She seems to be auditioning to be a Spectator columnist’ which is not something someone aspiring to be Prime Minister should ever audition for in my humble opinion.
In my experience, to become a Spectator columnist - let alone a successful Spectator columnist - you need a lot more brains, talent, imagination and intellectual heft than is available to the average British politician
This is a job writing for the world’s oldest and most prestigious magazine. Not just “leader of the Opposition” or “senior Cabinet Minister” or whatever daft names they give themselves
My favourite essayist Anthony Daniels is apparently the only person to have ever got a job writing for the Spectator after sending in a submission unsolicited.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Sitzpinkler
As ever, the Germans have a word.
I don't understand this complaint. You have to sit down to read. Plus you can have a poo if the urge eventuates.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Sitzpinkler
As ever, the Germans have a word.
I don't understand this complaint. You have to sit down to read. Plus you can have a poo if the urge eventuates.
What's the Kremlinology here? Michael Gove levers Kemi into the leadership, becomes Spectator editor, lures Shippers away from the Times, and runs a story that Kemi might be for the chop.
That Dave (pbuh) thinks Jenrick should lead the Tories at the next election, that's a biggie, especially as Dave has been helping Kemi at PMQs.
Coincidentally Gove admits to being a duplicitous snake in today's Times.
What [Gove] regrets now, he says, is being “insufficiently clear” to Cameron that he would campaign for Leave.
Cant figure why anyone would listen to Cameron, he destroyed the Conservatives.
Nope, that was the Brexiteers, which even Gove privately admits.
Cameron signed up to a Blair agenda and did nothing to reverse the creeping expansion of the state. He lost the troops on the ground as what he offered wasnt conservatiism. He could quite happilu have stood up to the various factions in his party but that required a backbone and he didnt have one. He was crap a party management and hence we had the Brexit vote something we can all be grateful for and which is his overarching legacy.
Cameron spent and taxed less as a percentage of gdp than any UK PM this century
Just looking at the reaction to council tax reform in Scotland and it's depressing.
"It's not my fault my house has massively appreciated in value". Etc etc
Absolutely fine.
Reply from the authorities: "It's not out fault either. We're just asking you to pay a fair whack after all these years. You are free to move."
There's no chance they'll do it, because it hurts old people in four bed houses the most.
AKA voters.
General property value appreciation isn't a factor for council tax, all property has increased in value over time, a revaluation should include the bands moving by overall property inflation (otherwise everything will end up in the top band). What a revaluation should capture is property improvements and changes in desirability of areas (gentrification), if council investment has improved your area then an increase in the council tax on property in that area seem fair.
I entirely agree. But people are going to go mad about this. My sense is touching property in any way at all will cause gigantic problems for any government - it's even worse than social care.
I feel none of you have read the final paragraph in the header.
The most brutal thing in The Spectator article is this observation about Badenoch ‘Another senior Tory concluded: ‘She seems to be auditioning to be a Spectator columnist’ which is not something someone aspiring to be Prime Minister should ever audition for in my humble opinion.
In my experience, to become a Spectator columnist - let alone a successful Spectator columnist - you need a lot more brains, talent, imagination and intellectual heft than is available to the average British politician
This is a job writing for the world’s oldest and most prestigious magazine. Not just “leader of the Opposition” or “senior Cabinet Minister” or whatever daft names they give themselves
Don't know if you've read it lately, but they seem to have some real duffers on the payroll these days. Quite a lot of self-indulgent bilge. It's sad to see really.
The alternative explanation for Leon's take is that it's just another haven for the deluded.
My wife has a speeding charge; first for 60+ years, before anyone asks. She's been offered the usual choice; Speed Awareness Course or fine. So, of course, she wants to do the course. BUT the website won't load and the 'advisors' at Essex Police's office are all, it seems, too busy to answer the phone. Grrr
I feel none of you have read the final paragraph in the header.
The most brutal thing in The Spectator article is this observation about Badenoch ‘Another senior Tory concluded: ‘She seems to be auditioning to be a Spectator columnist’ which is not something someone aspiring to be Prime Minister should ever audition for in my humble opinion.
In my experience, to become a Spectator columnist - let alone a successful Spectator columnist - you need a lot more brains, talent, imagination and intellectual heft than is available to the average British politician
This is a job writing for the world’s oldest and most prestigious magazine. Not just “leader of the Opposition” or “senior Cabinet Minister” or whatever daft names they give themselves
Don't know if you've read it lately, but they seem to have some real duffers on the payroll these days. Quite a lot of self-indulgent bilge. It's sad to see really.
Once upon a time it was a quite useful account of what it was to be a literate and sane Conservative, what such a world view stood for and how the politics of power and reality might be played out to the advantage of that cause. Rather less so now.
Boris seemed to fail to use his huge majority and Starmer looks to be going the same way. Is it poor party management or the fault of the media.
How large a majority do you need to get anything done when the media fawns over a party with *checks notes* only 5 MPs.
It really is a mystery why our leaders keep failing to deliver what the public wants. It is simple, just give us low taxes, high public spending, low immigration with plenty of nurses, carers and builders, lots of new houses, just not near us or in the countryside, high wages with low costs for services, high pensions available at an early age with loadsa freebies on top without impacting working age taxes. It's hardly rocket science is it?
More alchemy perhaps.
A proper leader would be able to educate the population and lead them to support an achievable objective.
That’s the core issue - since Clinton the west has been led by followers not leaders
Or since social media people are far less open to being led as it has become trivial to find a like minded community to moan with.
My wife has a speeding charge; first for 60+ years, before anyone asks. She's been offered the usual choice; Speed Awareness Course or fine. So, of course, she wants to do the course. BUT the website won't load and the 'advisors' at Essex Police's office are all, it seems, too busy to answer the phone. Grrr
Its part of the plan, get the offenders used to things happening slowly.
Obviously, it can be dangerous, but you avoid the dangerous bits.
We did once make the mistake of visiting a recommended restaurant up one of those dark alleyways (there were six of us, so we felt safe enough). They took an age to process my friend's credit card payment, and a week later, he got a call from Barclays, asking him if he had really bought 7,000 euros' worth of cement in Germany.
My wife has a speeding charge; first for 60+ years, before anyone asks. She's been offered the usual choice; Speed Awareness Course or fine. So, of course, she wants to do the course. BUT the website won't load and the 'advisors' at Essex Police's office are all, it seems, too busy to answer the phone. Grrr
FYI, something a lot of people don't know, you can do the speed awareness course with any police force / speed awareness partnership in the country. The price varies a lot across the country from £70 to £100.
Being a tight bastard, I did mine with one of the cheap ones with Hartepool Borough Council. Not only were they cheap, but I dropped them an email as there were no availability showing and they phoned me back within the hour.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Sitzpinkler
As ever, the Germans have a word.
I don't understand this complaint. You have to sit down to read. Plus you can have a poo if the urge eventuates.
My wife has a speeding charge; first for 60+ years, before anyone asks. She's been offered the usual choice; Speed Awareness Course or fine. So, of course, she wants to do the course. BUT the website won't load and the 'advisors' at Essex Police's office are all, it seems, too busy to answer the phone. Grrr
FYI, something a lot of people don't know, you can do the speed awareness course with any police force / speed awareness partnership in the country. The price varies a lot across the country from £70 to £100.
Being a tight bastard, I did mine with one of the cheap ones with Hartepool Borough Council. Not only were they cheap, but I dropped them an email as there were no availability showing and they phoned me back within the hour.
A friend of mine did his in Eastbourne and had a day at the coast.
Obviously, it can be dangerous, but you avoid the dangerous bits.
We did once make the mistake of visiting a recommended restaurant up one of those dark alleyways (there were six of us, so we felt safe enough). They took an age to process my friend's credit card payment, and a week later, he got a call from Barclays, asking him if he had really bought 7,000 euros' worth of cement in Germany.
I went to Naples last year and was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was after reading the opposite. I liked the fact that so many people walking around the city were obviously family groups, which made you feel safe compared to most big cities. Especially after I got mugged in Rome almost as soon as I go back there.
My wife has a speeding charge; first for 60+ years, before anyone asks. She's been offered the usual choice; Speed Awareness Course or fine. So, of course, she wants to do the course. BUT the website won't load and the 'advisors' at Essex Police's office are all, it seems, too busy to answer the phone. Grrr
FYI, something a lot of people don't know, you can do the speed awareness course with any police force / speed awareness partnership in the country. The price varies a lot across the country from £70 to £100.
Being a tight bastard, I did mine with one of the cheap ones with Hartlepool Borough Council. Not only were they cheap, but I dropped them an email as there were no availability showing and they phoned me back within the hour.
A friend of mine did his in Eastbourne and had a day at the coast.
Mine was obviously online, I am not going to Hartlepool to save £30....in fact, I am not sure anybody on the course was from anywhere near Hatrlepool.
I feel none of you have read the final paragraph in the header.
The most brutal thing in The Spectator article is this observation about Badenoch ‘Another senior Tory concluded: ‘She seems to be auditioning to be a Spectator columnist’ which is not something someone aspiring to be Prime Minister should ever audition for in my humble opinion.
In my experience, to become a Spectator columnist - let alone a successful Spectator columnist - you need a lot more brains, talent, imagination and intellectual heft than is available to the average British politician
This is a job writing for the world’s oldest and most prestigious magazine. Not just “leader of the Opposition” or “senior Cabinet Minister” or whatever daft names they give themselves
Two things are required to be a successful Spectator columnist:
(1) A tendency to hyperbole (2) A willingness to pander to the prejudices of its readers
If you have those two in spades - like your slightly less good looking doppleganger - then you're golden.
My wife has a speeding charge; first for 60+ years, before anyone asks. She's been offered the usual choice; Speed Awareness Course or fine. So, of course, she wants to do the course. BUT the website won't load and the 'advisors' at Essex Police's office are all, it seems, too busy to answer the phone. Grrr
Just pay the fine and move on. Her Maj doesn't want to waste a day of her life in a room full of boy racers being lectured about the bleeding obvious.
The last time I took a look, it was actually v good. Certainly better than the Spectator which has been mid-brow bilge for years. And it has just taken on a new editor, the impressive Tom McTague.
My wife has a speeding charge; first for 60+ years, before anyone asks. She's been offered the usual choice; Speed Awareness Course or fine. So, of course, she wants to do the course. BUT the website won't load and the 'advisors' at Essex Police's office are all, it seems, too busy to answer the phone. Grrr
Just pay the fine and move on. Her Maj doesn't want to waste a day of her life in a room full of boy racers being lectured about the bleeding obvious.
All this time I thought the main point of the course was to save money. It didn't occur to me you have to pay for it.
Obviously, it can be dangerous, but you avoid the dangerous bits.
We did once make the mistake of visiting a recommended restaurant up one of those dark alleyways (there were six of us, so we felt safe enough). They took an age to process my friend's credit card payment, and a week later, he got a call from Barclays, asking him if he had really bought 7,000 euros' worth of cement in Germany.
I used to work for an alt-bank - similar to Revolut.
One of the features I was testing, was generating one-shot, virtual cards. The number only works for one transaction. You use it via the app on your phone.
To test, I would use the card to do much of my day-to-day spending. Just add money from personal bank account.
After visiting one petrol station, there was a storm of attempts to use the one shot number in various places in the Far East.
The essence of Sir Keir. A vegetarian who eats chicken when he’s a bit hungry.
People welcoming the 'candour' in Starmer's Observer interview. In it, he concedes he gave a major speech on immigration, the number one issue of concern to voters. But admits he hadn't properly read it, didn't believe it, didn't want to do it, and regrets delivering it.
I feel none of you have read the final paragraph in the header.
The most brutal thing in The Spectator article is this observation about Badenoch ‘Another senior Tory concluded: ‘She seems to be auditioning to be a Spectator columnist’ which is not something someone aspiring to be Prime Minister should ever audition for in my humble opinion.
In my experience, to become a Spectator columnist - let alone a successful Spectator columnist - you need a lot more brains, talent, imagination and intellectual heft than is available to the average British politician
This is a job writing for the world’s oldest and most prestigious magazine. Not just “leader of the Opposition” or “senior Cabinet Minister” or whatever daft names they give themselves
Two things are required to be a successful Spectator columnist:
(1) A tendency to hyperbole (2) A willingness to pander to the prejudices of its readers
If you have those two in spades - like your slightly less good looking doppleganger - then you're golden.
You also need to be able to write really really well. That’s one thing they usually insist on - unless you are outstandingly famous for some other reason
I feel none of you have read the final paragraph in the header.
The most brutal thing in The Spectator article is this observation about Badenoch ‘Another senior Tory concluded: ‘She seems to be auditioning to be a Spectator columnist’ which is not something someone aspiring to be Prime Minister should ever audition for in my humble opinion.
In my experience, to become a Spectator columnist - let alone a successful Spectator columnist - you need a lot more brains, talent, imagination and intellectual heft than is available to the average British politician
This is a job writing for the world’s oldest and most prestigious magazine. Not just “leader of the Opposition” or “senior Cabinet Minister” or whatever daft names they give themselves
Two things are required to be a successful Spectator columnist:
(1) A tendency to hyperbole (2) A willingness to pander to the prejudices of its readers
If you have those two in spades - like your slightly less good looking doppleganger - then you're golden.
One thing the Spectator did always have, along with all its shallow and ill-informed views and prejudices, obviously, was a tendency to be much stylish and expensive than its equivalent left-wing publications.
It could either be stylishly critical, at times, or stylishly louche. Having not read it for a long time, I don't know if it can still conjure this.
My wife has a speeding charge; first for 60+ years, before anyone asks. She's been offered the usual choice; Speed Awareness Course or fine. So, of course, she wants to do the course. BUT the website won't load and the 'advisors' at Essex Police's office are all, it seems, too busy to answer the phone. Grrr
Just pay the fine and move on. Her Maj doesn't want to waste a day of her life in a room full of boy racers being lectured about the bleeding obvious.
All this time I thought the main point of the course was to save money. It didn't occur to me you have to pay for it.
Its a nice little earner for some people. Hartlepool were pretty open they were undercutting the "competition" to get more business.
Obviously, it can be dangerous, but you avoid the dangerous bits.
We did once make the mistake of visiting a recommended restaurant up one of those dark alleyways (there were six of us, so we felt safe enough). They took an age to process my friend's credit card payment, and a week later, he got a call from Barclays, asking him if he had really bought 7,000 euros' worth of cement in Germany.
I went to Naples last year and was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was after reading the opposite. I liked the fact that so many people walking around the city were obviously family groups, which made you feel safe compared to most big cities. Especially after I got mugged in Rome almost as soon as I go back there.
Naples’ terrible reputation is what saves it. In truth it’s a beautiful city on a magnificent bay and full of history and drama - see Naples and die!
If it didn’t have the awful rep it would be overrun with tourists like Florence or Venice and it would be horrible for half the year
But everyone is scared of it so no one goes. So you can have it all to your self
I feel none of you have read the final paragraph in the header.
The most brutal thing in The Spectator article is this observation about Badenoch ‘Another senior Tory concluded: ‘She seems to be auditioning to be a Spectator columnist’ which is not something someone aspiring to be Prime Minister should ever audition for in my humble opinion.
In my experience, to become a Spectator columnist - let alone a successful Spectator columnist - you need a lot more brains, talent, imagination and intellectual heft than is available to the average British politician
This is a job writing for the world’s oldest and most prestigious magazine. Not just “leader of the Opposition” or “senior Cabinet Minister” or whatever daft names they give themselves
Two things are required to be a successful Spectator columnist:
(1) A tendency to hyperbole (2) A willingness to pander to the prejudices of its readers
If you have those two in spades - like your slightly less good looking doppleganger - then you're golden.
You also need to be able to write really really well. That’s one thing they usually insist on - unless you are outstandingly famous for some other reason
The essence of Sir Keir. A vegetarian who eats chicken when he’s a bit hungry.
People welcoming the 'candour' in Starmer's Observer interview. In it, he concedes he gave a major speech on immigration, the number one issue of concern to voters. But admits he hadn't properly read it, didn't believe it, didn't want to do it, and regrets delivering it.
Do we believe him? He does have this strange habit of when things go to pear shaped, he never saw nothing, was just following orders. His time at the CPS, all the wins he was directly involved in and down to his leadership, all the screw ups, never went near his desk.
I feel none of you have read the final paragraph in the header.
The most brutal thing in The Spectator article is this observation about Badenoch ‘Another senior Tory concluded: ‘She seems to be auditioning to be a Spectator columnist’ which is not something someone aspiring to be Prime Minister should ever audition for in my humble opinion.
In my experience, to become a Spectator columnist - let alone a successful Spectator columnist - you need a lot more brains, talent, imagination and intellectual heft than is available to the average British politician
This is a job writing for the world’s oldest and most prestigious magazine. Not just “leader of the Opposition” or “senior Cabinet Minister” or whatever daft names they give themselves
Two things are required to be a successful Spectator columnist:
(1) A tendency to hyperbole (2) A willingness to pander to the prejudices of its readers
If you have those two in spades - like your slightly less good looking doppleganger - then you're golden.
You also need to be able to write really really well. That’s one thing they usually insist on - unless you are outstandingly famous for some other reason
Sure, sure.
You are free to disbelieve me. Try pitching the editor
The essence of Sir Keir. A vegetarian who eats chicken when he’s a bit hungry.
People welcoming the 'candour' in Starmer's Observer interview. In it, he concedes he gave a major speech on immigration, the number one issue of concern to voters. But admits he hadn't properly read it, didn't believe it, didn't want to do it, and regrets delivering it.
I have to say that two tier benefits is really shit. Who on earth thought that was a good idea?
I don't see it lasting. The press are bound to find some examples where people with identical issues get radically different benefits.
It will be challenged under the Equality act in court immediately. They cant Primary legislation their way out of its provisions and we will see what they make of it. If it survives this weekend/Tuesday. Not all rebels are convinced, and not all of them are Socialist Campaign Group types.
They could, of course, go back to cutting PIP for everyone.
No-one seems to be making the obvious point that the PIP provisions only apply to people with the very lowest level of disability who maybe don't need additional support at all.
I think that's entirely the wrong way to look at it. PIP is there to provide disabled people with just enough to live their daily lives and work without being a further cost to the state. If you take it away most won't suddenly take up their mat and walk straight back to full time employment, they'll become more economically inactive and a further cost to the state. The problem in my view is that it is inadequate to provide support with mental health issues because it's very inflexible. It takes a long time to get and there's no mechanism for coming off of it if things improve and going back on again during any relapse. Once you have PIP and think you might need it in the future then you're almost obliged to stay on it. I would separate out the mental health component and make it so that a diagnosis means you're automatically eligible. Then issue a grant for a limited time based on a doctor's report. I know that would be administratively difficult but it would be a much fairer and more helpful system.
All benefits should be time-limited.
They are as they are subject to review depending on the type. You are also obliged to report any changes in circumstances which triggers a review of the benefits.
Con HAS imploded and Lab ARE imploding - Farage is going to be PM isn't he?
Farage will have the same problem as the rest of them. Balancing the books without upsetting people in receipt of government money, which is pretty much impossible. The only way round the problem is economic growth of 5% every year.
Comments
Trouble is, she’s defied expectations. Much much worse than I thought she’d be.
As ever, the Germans have a word.
Reply from the authorities: "It's not out fault either. We're just asking you to pay a fair whack after all these years. You are free to move."
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/men-like-me-are-sitting-targets/
Gentlemen, lift the seat is an injunction
One great advantage of digital apps is that people can just access them and get on with the CBT, except the way funding mechanisms work, in England, you have to seek and then get an appointment with a professional who can then give you an access code, and what you get, if anything is available, is a postcode lottery. This leads to low sign-up rates.
The obvious approach is to nationally commission some apps that are then made available for free, no questions asked, just download one and get going. Something like Couch for 5K for mental health. It's a small expenditure up front for big cost savings downstream, but NHS/DHSC structures don't currently allow it.
AKA voters.
I've heard plenty of complaints from such about what has already been done.
What a revaluation should capture is property improvements and changes in desirability of areas (gentrification), if council investment has improved your area then an increase in the council tax on property in that area seem fair.
He's the other ideal Spectator columnist, who can generate voluminous superficial, crusty wibble, on demand, at short notice.
Patient: yes, piles of them.
(I already have my coat.)
And frankly who wants to sit on a seat where god knows what gonorrhoea addled, crabs infested fiend has been resting on prior to you.
https://x.com/robertjenrick/status/1938495533393264843
Londoners are paying an estimated £216 extra a month in rent because of immigration levels since 2001.
Across England that figure is approximately £132.
Mass migration is making young people poorer.
And a reminder about, until the discovery of oil (and the extraordinarily wise use of all that income) what a poor country this was, with most people scratching a living from farming, herding, fishing or logging.
So it is possible, without upper limit, to ensure that the treasury receives zero net receipts from you in any given tax year from IT and CGT, so lomg as it is claimed back properly.
https://bsky.app/profile/ballotbox.scot
Doesn't look promising for SCon next year.
It will produce generally good (albeit not exeptional) coffee, and you will pay between 25p and 60p per drink, if you want to use capsules. You can also buy little pods that you can fill up with your own coffee, which can bring it down to 15 to 20p. (This can also produce better coffee, if you're willing to put the time in.)
For £60, it's very hard to go wrong.
https://www.gmp.police.uk/news/greater-manchester/news/news/2025/june/three-men-handed-suspended-sentences-for-sexual-offences-against-underage-girl-groomed-over-social-media/
What's interesting is this bit:
Today (Thursday 26 June 2025), at Liverpool Crown Court, Michael Linfoot, 24, of Chorley, Callum Hesketh, 24, of Chorley, and Thomas Rae, 24, of Chorley, have been convicted of several sexual offences which took place against an underage girl in the Rivington area of Bolton seven years ago.
That's a bit naughty from GMP. They ought to say how old they were seven years ago. My guess is, if they were brown, they wouldn't have been named as they were under 18.
This is a job writing for the world’s oldest and most prestigious magazine. Not just “leader of the Opposition” or “senior Cabinet Minister” or whatever daft names they give themselves
That’s the core issue - since Clinton the west has been led by followers not leaders
A government led by him with Jeffrey Bernard as CoE would have been fun.
My wife has a speeding charge; first for 60+ years, before anyone asks. She's been offered the usual choice; Speed Awareness Course or fine. So, of course, she wants to do the course.
BUT the website won't load and the 'advisors' at Essex Police's office are all, it seems, too busy to answer the phone.
Grrr
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-14813939/100-countries-world-worth-avoid.html
"Bog off, so nauseating these mindless lists of utter drivel telling others what they think. No one cares, it’s all personal and relative anyway."
We did once make the mistake of visiting a recommended restaurant up one of those dark alleyways (there were six of us, so we felt safe enough). They took an age to process my friend's credit card payment, and a week later, he got a call from Barclays, asking him if he had really bought 7,000 euros' worth of cement in Germany.
Being a tight bastard, I did mine with one of the cheap ones with Hartepool Borough Council. Not only were they cheap, but I dropped them an email as there were no availability showing and they phoned me back within the hour.
https://www.reformparty.uk/counter
File under Law of Unintended Consequences.
(1) A tendency to hyperbole
(2) A willingness to pander to the prejudices of its readers
If you have those two in spades - like your slightly less good looking doppleganger - then you're golden.
Certainly better than the Spectator which has been mid-brow bilge for years.
And it has just taken on a new editor, the impressive Tom McTague.
One of the features I was testing, was generating one-shot, virtual cards. The number only works for one transaction. You use it via the app on your phone.
To test, I would use the card to do much of my day-to-day spending. Just add money from personal bank account.
After visiting one petrol station, there was a storm of attempts to use the one shot number in various places in the Far East.
People welcoming the 'candour' in Starmer's Observer interview. In it, he concedes he gave a major speech on immigration, the number one issue of concern to voters. But admits he hadn't properly read it, didn't believe it, didn't want to do it, and regrets delivering it.
https://x.com/dpjhodges/status/1938556398524104899?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q
It could either be stylishly critical, at times, or stylishly louche. Having not read it for a long time, I don't know if it can still conjure this.
If it didn’t have the awful rep it would be overrun with tourists like Florence or Venice and it would be horrible for half the year
But everyone is scared of it so no one goes. So you can have it all to your self
Long live the Camorra!
If not, it certainly should be.
I don’t how why or how it’s improved - I actually presumed the format itself had become fatally outmoded - but it has.
Farage's 'achievements'.