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10 months to go and there is still no Betfair market on the Holyrood election, this is very disappoi

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  • Pro_RataPro_Rata Posts: 5,670
    When the people realise that Reform's flag bans include those flags for Yorkshire Day and Armed Forces Day.

    Reform wants to ban flying Yorkshire, Pride and Armed Forces flags in public

    https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/reform-wants-ban-flying-yorkshire-31989717#ICID=Android_HuddersfieldExaminerNewsApp_AppShare

    Actually, if so, I grudgingly respect the unexpected internal consistency of the policy, but still.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 28,123
    Taz said:

    MattW said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    ohnotnow said:

    Taz said:

    viewcode said:

    Taz said:

    ydoethur said:

    viewcode said:

    ydoethur said:

    Taz said:

    ydoethur said:

    Taz said:

    viewcode said:

    ..

    Some farms will be taken entirely out of food production under plans to make space for nature, the environment secretary has said.

    Speaking at the Groundswell farming festival in Hertfordshire, Steve Reed said a revamp of the post Brexit farming subsidies and a new land use plan will be aimed at increasing food production in the most productive areas and decreasing or completely removing it in the least productive. In reality, this means many upland farmers may be incentivised to stop farming.

    Vile agenda.

    A good reminder that Labour are malign as well as incompetent.
    There are a lot of metropolitan elite who think food comes from shops, nobody wants to invade, the system isn't broken and if everybody was just nice to each other it will all work out.
    Sounds like the Union of Traken.

    Didn’t end too well.
    The Master blew it up?
    He certainly finished it off. Something to do with entropy. Which carries over to the next story.
    I was Ainley making a feeble attempt at humour.
    It would simm so, yes.
    Roger, that.
    Dhawan that got away.
    He sacha'd away

    (I'm logging off now before we get onto the Big Finish Masters, of which there are many... :) )
    I think James Dreyfus is verboten now anyway. I’ve still got over a hundred Big Finish stories to listen to from the first 150. After that I stopped buying.
    If you've not watched their interview with Jacqueline Pearce (AKA 'Servalan') it's very worth a go. RIP.
    Ooh, I’ll have to dig it out. She was far more than just Servalan, did a few good horror movies too.

    I love that story of her going round to a fan’s house to discipline him after he wrote her a letter and told her to come after a certain time as him mom will be in bed.
    Mum.
    Not if you’re a Midlander, which I am, and up here in the North East it’s Mam.
    For Midlander's it's mum.

    "Mom" is American English and deprecated.
    Nonsense. I’m from Brum, it’s Mom. It always has been certainly where I grew up. West Mids is Mom. Jess Phillips even raised it in Parliament. She uses Mom a lot and also Bab.

    https://projectbritain.com/americanspelling.html

    https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/mom-mum-mp-jess-phillips-12308391
    I'll give you "West Midlands".
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 66,637
    Gillian Tett: Trump plans to cut US state funded science research by 50% (Newsnight)

    Massive opportunity for UK. Get them US researchers over here now!
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 46,037

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    Syrian asylum seeker attacks train passengers with an axe before being overpowered:

    https://m.bild.de/news/inland/ein-mann-hat-in-einem-ice-in-bayern-vier-passagiere-leicht-verletzt-686689db4a482933f5247b42

    It's a pretty obvious way to try and stir up racial hatred to post about every time someone from the group you want people to hate commits a violent crime. What you are, of course, doing is ignoring the context, all the times when someone from other groups commits a similar crime.

    You've had to go to Germany for your case. Here's an axe attack in the UK from 2023, https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/news/nottinghamshire/news/news/2024/september/brothers-jailed-for-brutal-axe-attack/ , by Leon Oakden-Gostling and Reece Oakden. Here's David Richards, imprisoned in 2023 for another UK axe attack: https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/death-dreamboys-boss-jailed-attacking-9547066 Thomas Hooson, Leon Headey and Lee Fraser were charged in Scotland for another axe attack: https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/third-man-appears-in-court-on-alleged-highland-axe-attack-334965/ Rhys Jolley, 2023, Cambridgeshire, axe attack: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-66923638 Let's jump to 2025: Stuart Whittaker was charged with an axe attack in Cheshire: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyv30qy1k6o I could go on. White British people sometimes commit axe attacks too. We don't want anyone to commit axe attacks, but the solution to that is not to try to whip up hysteria against one group like your hero Donald Trump.
    It’s simply good public policy to minimise the number of people wandering around who have psychological issues liable to make them commit random acts of violence.

    As you correctly point out, we have more than enough of our own. Enoch Powell was perhaps wrong to close the asylums.
    Yes, if ever I get violently attacked I'm very keen for it to be one of our own that does it.
    It’s the difference between thinking that the perpetrator should have been sectioned and thinking that they shouldn’t have been let in.
    What if they have entered Hampstead from Runcorn?
    Should have been in an asylum.
    So now you're in favour of granting asylum to people. My head is spinning.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 31,940
    TimS said:

    Telegraph leads on Cobyn new party.

    Talks of split on the left. Almost contains its glee.

    Splits on the left might be exactly what Starmer needs for a reboot. He was at his most ruthlessly effective purging the Corbynites. Boris’ purge of the remainers certainly gave him a spring in his step.
    Starmer needs 'the-boot', not a reboot. I realise that my well-meaning advice for the left has as much value to them as Jonathan's well-meaning advice for the Tory Party has to me, but genuinely, the man is poison. He's loathed, and it's only going to get worse, the more people he gets to make excuses for him, the more women he forces to dry their tears and slap another coat of make up on and hug him a lot.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 25,065
    Good news. 👍
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 54,835
    Alcohol, opiate of the masses.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 31,512
    Tears, rebellions and U-turns: inside Labour’s first troubled year
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epikf5rXjnY

    Spectator's new signing Tim Shipman thinks it is going badly.
  • TimSTimS Posts: 15,665
    Good news for vignerons
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 6,523
    Ought to be good for the birth rate.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 54,835

    Tears, rebellions and U-turns: inside Labour’s first troubled year
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epikf5rXjnY

    Spectator's new signing Tim Shipman thinks it is going badly.

    52 weeks ago tonight, we were awaiting the results of the GE!
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 11,177
    edited July 3

    TimS said:

    Telegraph leads on Cobyn new party.

    Talks of split on the left. Almost contains its glee.

    Splits on the left might be exactly what Starmer needs for a reboot. He was at his most ruthlessly effective purging the Corbynites. Boris’ purge of the remainers certainly gave him a spring in his step.
    Starmer needs 'the-boot', not a reboot. I realise that my well-meaning advice for the left has as much value to them as Jonathan's well-meaning advice for the Tory Party has to me, but genuinely, the man is poison. He's loathed, and it's only going to get worse, the more people he gets to make excuses for him, the more women he forces to dry their tears and slap another coat of make up on and hug him a lot.
    He's not loathed - you need to get out of your bubble. People are disappointed. He's got the same ratings as Farage and Badenoch of negative 30ish. Johnson and Corbyn still rank worse than him.

    Even Conservative voters prefer him to Liz Truss, though that polling was back in February so out of date.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 78,927
    Eabhal said:

    TimS said:

    Telegraph leads on Cobyn new party.

    Talks of split on the left. Almost contains its glee.

    Splits on the left might be exactly what Starmer needs for a reboot. He was at his most ruthlessly effective purging the Corbynites. Boris’ purge of the remainers certainly gave him a spring in his step.
    Starmer needs 'the-boot', not a reboot. I realise that my well-meaning advice for the left has as much value to them as Jonathan's well-meaning advice for the Tory Party has to me, but genuinely, the man is poison. He's loathed, and it's only going to get worse, the more people he gets to make excuses for him, the more women he forces to dry their tears and slap another coat of make up on and hug him a lot.
    He's not loathed - you need to get out of your bubble. People are disappointed. He's got the same ratings as Farage and Badenoch of negative 30ish. Johnson and Corbyn still rank worse than him.

    Even Conservative voters prefer him to Liz Truss, though that polling was back in February so out of date.
    He's unquestionably loathed by Luckyguy.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,575

    Foxy said:

    TimS said:

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1940863401384714638

    Westminster voting intention in the event of a "New Corbyn-led party"

    REF: 27% (-)
    LAB: 20% (-3)
    CON: 20% (-)
    CORB: 10% (+10)
    LDEM: 14% (-)
    GRN: 5% (-4)
    SNP: 2% (-1)

    via More in Common

    A very instructive poll, because it explains the Green party’s current high vote share despite their total lack of media coverage, meaningful policy or direction. They are what Reform would be if there were no Farage.

    Also hints at the persistent role of the SNP as repository for disaffected lefties north of the Border.
    It also implies that a lot of Greens are watermelons. From those figures Polanski is on for a landslide.

    The various independents and perhaps the Greens and Sultana have the potential for an electoral pact.

    Polanski has come out in support on Social Media

    https://bsky.app/profile/zackpolanski.bsky.social/post/3lt3ihwrsxk2u
    I gather Polanski's crew claim they have signed up 1000s of new members to vote for him in recent months.
    And they've not even left the first tower block they've visited in Tower Hamlets!
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,575

    Tears, rebellions and U-turns: inside Labour’s first troubled year
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epikf5rXjnY

    Spectator's new signing Tim Shipman thinks it is going badly.

    He's an insightful one, that Shipman.
  • Pro_RataPro_Rata Posts: 5,670
    edited July 3
    TimS said:

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1940863401384714638

    Westminster voting intention in the event of a "New Corbyn-led party"

    REF: 27% (-)
    LAB: 20% (-3)
    CON: 20% (-)
    CORB: 10% (+10)
    LDEM: 14% (-)
    GRN: 5% (-4)
    SNP: 2% (-1)

    via More in Common

    A very instructive poll, because it explains the Green party’s current high vote share despite their total lack of media coverage, meaningful policy or direction. They are what Reform would be if there were no Farage.

    Also hints at the persistent role of the SNP as repository for disaffected lefties north of the Border.
    Reading even a hint of a conclusion into a Scottish subsample of a theoretical poll, is there any further level of depravity we can possibly add to this?
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 11,177
    edited July 3
    Nigelb said:

    Eabhal said:

    TimS said:

    Telegraph leads on Cobyn new party.

    Talks of split on the left. Almost contains its glee.

    Splits on the left might be exactly what Starmer needs for a reboot. He was at his most ruthlessly effective purging the Corbynites. Boris’ purge of the remainers certainly gave him a spring in his step.
    Starmer needs 'the-boot', not a reboot. I realise that my well-meaning advice for the left has as much value to them as Jonathan's well-meaning advice for the Tory Party has to me, but genuinely, the man is poison. He's loathed, and it's only going to get worse, the more people he gets to make excuses for him, the more women he forces to dry their tears and slap another coat of make up on and hug him a lot.
    He's not loathed - you need to get out of your bubble. People are disappointed. He's got the same ratings as Farage and Badenoch of negative 30ish. Johnson and Corbyn still rank worse than him.

    Even Conservative voters prefer him to Liz Truss, though that polling was back in February so out of date.
    He's unquestionably loathed by Luckyguy.
    What we need is a comparison of "median loathing" and "mean loathing". I think for Starmer you'd find that mean loathing would be significantly higher than the median because you've got people like Luckyguy brimming over with fury, while lefty voters are just a bit meh about him.

    Better still, some nice continuous distributions.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,381
    edited July 3
    Flaccid turnout in Newark - 22% down 7% from May. The Durham defence for Reform much healthier at 37% oiwn just 2%

    Yes im reduced to reporting turnout in council by elections
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 39,151
    @LewisSJ

    Replying to
    @Gabriel_Pogrund
    In 2020, Zarah Sultana voted that MPs who voluntarily change their party affiliation should be subject to a recall petition. #JustSaying
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 11,177
    Pro_Rata said:

    TimS said:

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1940863401384714638

    Westminster voting intention in the event of a "New Corbyn-led party"

    REF: 27% (-)
    LAB: 20% (-3)
    CON: 20% (-)
    CORB: 10% (+10)
    LDEM: 14% (-)
    GRN: 5% (-4)
    SNP: 2% (-1)

    via More in Common

    A very instructive poll, because it explains the Green party’s current high vote share despite their total lack of media coverage, meaningful policy or direction. They are what Reform would be if there were no Farage.

    Also hints at the persistent role of the SNP as repository for disaffected lefties north of the Border.
    Reading even a hint of a conclusion into a Scottish subsample of a theoretical poll, is there any further level of depravity we can possibly add to this.
    We could also assume that the Corbyn party must be picking up some current non-voters, and that also implies that the presence of the Corbyn party must be stimulating some other non-voters to come out for Reform, Conservative and LD given their vote shares remain constant.

    I will have a look at the tables when they are made available.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 66,637
    Scott_xP said:

    @LewisSJ

    Replying to
    @Gabriel_Pogrund
    In 2020, Zarah Sultana voted that MPs who voluntarily change their party affiliation should be subject to a recall petition. #JustSaying

    :lol:
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 12,100

    dixiedean said:

    Bah a new thread.
    Just as we were on the verge of a definitive breakthrough on God and cosmology, too

    That’s why God decided he should post a new thread.
    Points out all those denying god is female are mysogynists
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 66,637

    Andrew Lilico
    @andrew_lilico
    ·
    57m
    It's genuinely funny that the Sultana-Corbyn party had a split literally within an hour of being launched. Stereotypes are usually stereotypes for a reason...
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 19,526
    Ukraine War developments today are very, very bad.

    1. US still stalling on providing ammunition to Ukraine.
    2. China tells the EU that they won't let Russia lose.
    3. Putin tells Trump that he will fight on until he achieves victory, and Trump is so weak he has no response.

    The West is losing this war. The best part of three years were wasted because Biden was too scared of the consequences of winning the war, and the Europeans were not willing to take action without US leadership. Now a weak and cowardly Trump chooses defeat, and the Europeans are struggling to match Russia/North Korea/Iran, with China ready to intercede should the Europeans get their act together.

    I don't know where we go from here. The future looks very dark.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 5,004
    Pro_Rata said:

    TimS said:

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1940863401384714638

    Westminster voting intention in the event of a "New Corbyn-led party"

    REF: 27% (-)
    LAB: 20% (-3)
    CON: 20% (-)
    CORB: 10% (+10)
    LDEM: 14% (-)
    GRN: 5% (-4)
    SNP: 2% (-1)

    via More in Common

    A very instructive poll, because it explains the Green party’s current high vote share despite their total lack of media coverage, meaningful policy or direction. They are what Reform would be if there were no Farage.

    Also hints at the persistent role of the SNP as repository for disaffected lefties north of the Border.
    Reading even a hint of a conclusion into a Scottish subsample of a theoretical poll, is there any further level of depravity we can possibly add to this?
    I've heard a rumour about a necklace...
  • TimSTimS Posts: 15,665

    Ukraine War developments today are very, very bad.

    1. US still stalling on providing ammunition to Ukraine.
    2. China tells the EU that they won't let Russia lose.
    3. Putin tells Trump that he will fight on until he achieves victory, and Trump is so weak he has no response.

    The West is losing this war. The best part of three years were wasted because Biden was too scared of the consequences of winning the war, and the Europeans were not willing to take action without US leadership. Now a weak and cowardly Trump chooses defeat, and the Europeans are struggling to match Russia/North Korea/Iran, with China ready to intercede should the Europeans get their act together.

    I don't know where we go from here. The future looks very dark.

    Ukrainians have worked out their best bet is on themselves. They can’t rely on anyone else.

    China’s comments, like those of Trump, are pure imperialism.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,018
    As a very abstemious person, that sounds good, I'd otherwise worry puritans will take away anything joyful.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,018

    Ukraine War developments today are very, very bad.

    1. US still stalling on providing ammunition to Ukraine.
    2. China tells the EU that they won't let Russia lose.
    3. Putin tells Trump that he will fight on until he achieves victory, and Trump is so weak he has no response.

    The West is losing this war. The best part of three years were wasted because Biden was too scared of the consequences of winning the war, and the Europeans were not willing to take action without US leadership. Now a weak and cowardly Trump chooses defeat, and the Europeans are struggling to match Russia/North Korea/Iran, with China ready to intercede should the Europeans get their act together.

    I don't know where we go from here. The future looks very dark.

    It's pretty bleak, to be sure, and the choices made to see it happen will be presented as an inevitability of it happening.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 85,297
    The election debates next time around are going to be a joy to behold...We have hired Wembley stadium, not to hold the audience, no just be able to fit in all the party leaders.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 78,927
    edited July 3

    Ukraine War developments today are very, very bad.

    1. US still stalling on providing ammunition to Ukraine.
    2. China tells the EU that they won't let Russia lose.
    3. Putin tells Trump that he will fight on until he achieves victory, and Trump is so weak he has no response.

    The West is losing this war. The best part of three years were wasted because Biden was too scared of the consequences of winning the war, and the Europeans were not willing to take action without US leadership. Now a weak and cowardly Trump chooses defeat, and the Europeans are struggling to match Russia/North Korea/Iran, with China ready to intercede should the Europeans get their act together.

    I don't know where we go from here. The future looks very dark.

    4) N Korea is sending another 30k troops.

    The war isn't being lost, AFAIKS. Bit unless Europe gets its act together, it won't be won either.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,018

    So is Jezza on board or not?

    Almost certainly. If theres a row (and i dont really see team Jezza getting on the blower to the Times to bitch) it will be about the timing
    Hes already confirned its on its way and hes in discussions. Any withdrawal now kills the project permanently
    Still feels like he is being bounced into all under sufference - he's had to be dragged to an anti-Labour state every step of the way, as a necessity to maintain relevance, even as those around him have been calling for it for years and years.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,018
    Cookie said:

    Scott_xP said:

    Oops

    @Gabriel_Pogrund

    EXCLUSIVE: I understand Jeremy Corbyn has not agreed to join the new left party with Zarah Sultana yet

    He is furious and bewildered at the way it has been launched without consultation.

    As I posted earlier. Jumped the gun?
    It would be exciting if the New Left party with its two members could manage to split before it's been launched. They're seeing what fun Reform and Advance and Reclaim and the like are having and want a bit of the action.

    Left Unity was a fringe left spinter group which, of course, then split. Good times, we need more of that.
  • fitalassfitalass Posts: 4,418
    X
    (((Dan Hodges)))@DPJHodges
    First good news for Keir Starmer all week.
    https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/1940854499251573042

    (((Dan Hodges)))@DPJHodges
    People saying “it’s bad news for Keir Starmer Corbyn and Sultana have left to form their own party”. The level of appeasement of the hard left necessary to keep them in would have been disastrous.
    https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/1940866825019183362

    (((Dan Hodges)))@DPJHodges
    The new Corbyn and Sultana party appears to have lasted about 90 minutes before descending into factionalism and division.
    https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/1940868704906236311
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 66,637
    Posted without comment.


    Mark Littlewood
    @MarkJLittlewood

    North London entitled tosser comes to a South London bar. Not impressed. He claims he has a right to water & toilets. I don’t want assholes like this in my neck of the woods. If you can identify and name this man, I will give you £100 (for first responder).

    https://x.com/MarkJLittlewood/status/1940850614692728844
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,018
    Eabhal said:

    Nigelb said:

    Eabhal said:

    TimS said:

    Telegraph leads on Cobyn new party.

    Talks of split on the left. Almost contains its glee.

    Splits on the left might be exactly what Starmer needs for a reboot. He was at his most ruthlessly effective purging the Corbynites. Boris’ purge of the remainers certainly gave him a spring in his step.
    Starmer needs 'the-boot', not a reboot. I realise that my well-meaning advice for the left has as much value to them as Jonathan's well-meaning advice for the Tory Party has to me, but genuinely, the man is poison. He's loathed, and it's only going to get worse, the more people he gets to make excuses for him, the more women he forces to dry their tears and slap another coat of make up on and hug him a lot.
    He's not loathed - you need to get out of your bubble. People are disappointed. He's got the same ratings as Farage and Badenoch of negative 30ish. Johnson and Corbyn still rank worse than him.

    Even Conservative voters prefer him to Liz Truss, though that polling was back in February so out of date.
    He's unquestionably loathed by Luckyguy.
    What we need is a comparison of "median loathing" and "mean loathing". I think for Starmer you'd find that mean loathing would be significantly higher than the median because you've got people like Luckyguy brimming over with fury, while lefty voters are just a bit meh about him.

    Better still, some nice continuous distributions.
    Depends on the leftiness. I've lefty relatives who hate him so much that when made comments about Ukraine they switched to saying Trump wasn't as bad as Starmer.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 6,523
    edited July 3

    Posted without comment.


    Mark Littlewood
    @MarkJLittlewood

    North London entitled tosser comes to a South London bar. Not impressed. He claims he has a right to water & toilets. I don’t want assholes like this in my neck of the woods. If you can identify and name this man, I will give you £100 (for first responder).

    https://x.com/MarkJLittlewood/status/1940850614692728844

    Reeks of Lib Dem.

    Glasses around his neck on a cord, and other glasses on his head? Boots with shorts? Nailed on.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 28,123

    Ukraine War developments today are very, very bad.

    1. US still stalling on providing ammunition to Ukraine.
    2. China tells the EU that they won't let Russia lose.
    3. Putin tells Trump that he will fight on until he achieves victory, and Trump is so weak he has no response.

    The West is losing this war. The best part of three years were wasted because Biden was too scared of the consequences of winning the war, and the Europeans were not willing to take action without US leadership. Now a weak and cowardly Trump chooses defeat, and the Europeans are struggling to match Russia/North Korea/Iran, with China ready to intercede should the Europeans get their act together.

    I don't know where we go from here. The future looks very dark.

    The actual statement seems peculiarly empty:

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the European Union’s top diplomat on Wednesday that Beijing cannot afford a Russian loss in Ukraine because it fears the United States would then shift its whole focus to Beijing, according to several people familiar with the exchange.

    Why does he think the war in Ukraine is going to make any material difference to the USA's shift of focus?
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,381
    Conservative hold in Fulham Town
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 85,297
    Nigelb said:

    Ukraine War developments today are very, very bad.

    1. US still stalling on providing ammunition to Ukraine.
    2. China tells the EU that they won't let Russia lose.
    3. Putin tells Trump that he will fight on until he achieves victory, and Trump is so weak he has no response.

    The West is losing this war. The best part of three years were wasted because Biden was too scared of the consequences of winning the war, and the Europeans were not willing to take action without US leadership. Now a weak and cowardly Trump chooses defeat, and the Europeans are struggling to match Russia/North Korea/Iran, with China ready to intercede should the Europeans get their act together.

    I don't know where we go from here. The future looks very dark.

    4) N Korea is sending another 30k troops.

    The war isn't being lost, AFAIKS. Bit unless Europe gets its act together, it won't be won either.
    Will Pornhub servers be able to cope?
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,381
    Recount in Newark
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,381
    edited July 3
    Bloody hell, LD gain from Reform in Durham, Reform pushed into third
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,381
    LDs hold off Reform by 6 votes in Powys
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 85,297

    Posted without comment.


    Mark Littlewood
    @MarkJLittlewood

    North London entitled tosser comes to a South London bar. Not impressed. He claims he has a right to water & toilets. I don’t want assholes like this in my neck of the woods. If you can identify and name this man, I will give you £100 (for first responder).

    https://x.com/MarkJLittlewood/status/1940850614692728844

    Neither come across very well.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,381
    LD hold in Bath too
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,018

    Bloody hell, LD gain from Reform in Durham, Reform pushed into third

    Classic LD by-election.

    In fairness to them unlike Labour and the Tories they actually held on to most of their support in the all out Durham elections.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 85,297
    The City of London police are fining people for cycling without hands - while groups of lads angle grind £1000 sports bikes like it’s ordering a cup of tea.

    We incentivise numbers and low hanging fruit over dealing with actual crime. Mad.

    https://x.com/AaronBastani/status/1940773300789301291?s=19
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,381
    Fulham result

    Con 647 43.3
    LD 345 23.1
    Lab 251 16.8
    Ref 187 12.5
    Grn 63 4.2

    Comfortable in the end for the Tories

    Newark is single digits close, no idea who between!
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,116
    Pro_Rata said:

    When the people realise that Reform's flag bans include those flags for Yorkshire Day and Armed Forces Day.

    Reform wants to ban flying Yorkshire, Pride and Armed Forces flags in public

    https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/reform-wants-ban-flying-yorkshire-31989717#ICID=Android_HuddersfieldExaminerNewsApp_AppShare

    Actually, if so, I grudgingly respect the unexpected internal consistency of the policy, but still.

    I can remember when most people in the UK used to frown on flag-flying in general, regarding it as an American obsession. Funny how things change over time.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 128,503
    edited July 3

    Fulham result

    Con 647 43.3
    LD 345 23.1
    Lab 251 16.8
    Ref 187 12.5
    Grn 63 4.2

    Comfortable in the end for the Tories

    Newark is single digits close, no idea who between!

    The posher the area, the more Kemi appeals
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,116

    Bloody hell, LD gain from Reform in Durham, Reform pushed into third

    Voters famously don't like being sent back to the polls after only a short time.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,381
    Benfieldside (Durham) Council By-Election Result:

    🔶 LDM: 28.3% (+17.3)
    🌹 LAB: 27.4% (+0.8)
    ➡️ RFM: 25.6% (-6.6)
    🙋 Ind: 15.7% (-8.0)
    🌳 CON: 1.6% (-5.0)
    🌍 GRN: 1.4% (New)

    Liberal Democrat GAIN from Reform.
    Changes w/ 2025.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 19,526
    Nigelb said:

    Ukraine War developments today are very, very bad.

    1. US still stalling on providing ammunition to Ukraine.
    2. China tells the EU that they won't let Russia lose.
    3. Putin tells Trump that he will fight on until he achieves victory, and Trump is so weak he has no response.

    The West is losing this war. The best part of three years were wasted because Biden was too scared of the consequences of winning the war, and the Europeans were not willing to take action without US leadership. Now a weak and cowardly Trump chooses defeat, and the Europeans are struggling to match Russia/North Korea/Iran, with China ready to intercede should the Europeans get their act together.

    I don't know where we go from here. The future looks very dark.

    4) N Korea is sending another 30k troops.

    The war isn't being lost, AFAIKS. Bit unless Europe gets its act together, it won't be won either.
    The war isn't being lost on the battlefield right now, but I struggle to see how we avoid such a defeat occurring in a couple of years time given these developments.

    When I say that the West is losing I mean that I cannot see how a defeat is avoided.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 128,503

    Tories take Newark West by 8 votes from Reform

    Jenrick effect, good night for the Tories and LDs
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 19,526
    MattW said:

    Ukraine War developments today are very, very bad.

    1. US still stalling on providing ammunition to Ukraine.
    2. China tells the EU that they won't let Russia lose.
    3. Putin tells Trump that he will fight on until he achieves victory, and Trump is so weak he has no response.

    The West is losing this war. The best part of three years were wasted because Biden was too scared of the consequences of winning the war, and the Europeans were not willing to take action without US leadership. Now a weak and cowardly Trump chooses defeat, and the Europeans are struggling to match Russia/North Korea/Iran, with China ready to intercede should the Europeans get their act together.

    I don't know where we go from here. The future looks very dark.

    The actual statement seems peculiarly empty:

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the European Union’s top diplomat on Wednesday that Beijing cannot afford a Russian loss in Ukraine because it fears the United States would then shift its whole focus to Beijing, according to several people familiar with the exchange.

    Why does he think the war in Ukraine is going to make any material difference to the USA's shift of focus?
    The US still has lots of troops in Europe, so I think there's some basis for this view from China.

    But, the important thing here - as with Reform voters - is not whether the view is factually correct, but that the view stated provides motivation for a set of actions. Those actions being to provide enough Chinese support for Russia that Russia does not lose the war. There's also a corollary that it is also follows that China would prefer to see a disunited Europe unable to provide sufficient support to Ukraine that Ukraine can win the war.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,116
    "Robert Jenrick
    @RobertJenrick

    Conservative GAIN from Reform for the first time.

    Thank you to the people of Newark for putting your trust in us once again, and to our brilliant team.

    Congratulations Keith! We did it 💪"

    https://x.com/RobertJenrick/status/1940910460477624529
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 19,526
    Andy_JS said:

    Pro_Rata said:

    When the people realise that Reform's flag bans include those flags for Yorkshire Day and Armed Forces Day.

    Reform wants to ban flying Yorkshire, Pride and Armed Forces flags in public

    https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/reform-wants-ban-flying-yorkshire-31989717#ICID=Android_HuddersfieldExaminerNewsApp_AppShare

    Actually, if so, I grudgingly respect the unexpected internal consistency of the policy, but still.

    I can remember when most people in the UK used to frown on flag-flying in general, regarding it as an American obsession. Funny how things change over time.
    I really like flags from a visual fun colour point of view, and I am frustrated that people assign all sorts of deep meaning to them, such that my flying a bunch of them would be likely to have people making assumptions about me as a result.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 85,297
    HYUFD said:

    Fulham result

    Con 647 43.3
    LD 345 23.1
    Lab 251 16.8
    Ref 187 12.5
    Grn 63 4.2

    Comfortable in the end for the Tories

    Newark is single digits close, no idea who between!

    The posher the area, the more Kemi appeals
    Must be why she doesn't appeal to me.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,381
    HYUFD said:

    Tories take Newark West by 8 votes from Reform

    Jenrick effect, good night for the Tories and LDs
    Two tory defemces to come yet, dont coumt your chooks!
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 85,297
    The new party is as yet unnamed, but Ms Sultana said it would comprise other independent MPs, along with campaigners and activists.

    How do you decide to start a new party and not at least get a name for it.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,579

    Tories take Newark West by 8 votes from Reform

    A blue dawn!
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 85,297
    First-time buyers turn from rural areas to Britain’s regional cities

    With the rise of home working and surging house prices in many urban areas, one might have assumed that British cities had lost some of their appeal to homebuyers over the past decade, but it turns out the opposite is the case.

    An analysis of the first five months of this year shows the number of would-be first-time buyers in Great Britain looking to move to cities is up by 16% on average compared with the same period in 2015.

    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/04/first-time-buyers-turn-from-rural-areas-to-great-britains-regional-cities
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,381
    Reform have gained Tower in West Suffolk, Greens 2nd, Tories pushed into third
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,381
    edited July 3
    Mendip (Bath & North East Somerset) Council By-Election Result:

    🔶 LDM: 57.1% (-18.2)
    ➡️ RFM: 22.0% (New)
    🌳 CON: 9.7% (-6.7)
    🌍 GRN: 6.6% (+2.0)
    🌹 LAB: 4.6% (+0.9)

    Liberal Democrat HOLD.
    Changes w/ 2023.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 128,503
    edited July 3

    First-time buyers turn from rural areas to Britain’s regional cities

    With the rise of home working and surging house prices in many urban areas, one might have assumed that British cities had lost some of their appeal to homebuyers over the past decade, but it turns out the opposite is the case.

    An analysis of the first five months of this year shows the number of would-be first-time buyers in Great Britain looking to move to cities is up by 16% on average compared with the same period in 2015.

    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/04/first-time-buyers-turn-from-rural-areas-to-great-britains-regional-cities

    There were a few extra first time buying rural buyers in the height of the pandemic but now most are back to hybrid working inevitably first time buyers will be more focused on urban areas again.

    Rural buyers will remain strongest amongst the retired who no longer need to commute to a city or work in a town
  • DopermeanDopermean Posts: 1,220

    Posted without comment.


    Mark Littlewood
    @MarkJLittlewood

    North London entitled tosser comes to a South London bar. Not impressed. He claims he has a right to water & toilets. I don’t want assholes like this in my neck of the woods. If you can identify and name this man, I will give you £100 (for first responder).

    https://x.com/MarkJLittlewood/status/1940850614692728844

    Neither come across very well.
    i'd say the bigger asshole is the one who's filmed it and posted it asking for the person to be identified.
    How's Littlewood retained any credibility after the Truss budget?
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 128,503

    HYUFD said:

    Fulham result

    Con 647 43.3
    LD 345 23.1
    Lab 251 16.8
    Ref 187 12.5
    Grn 63 4.2

    Comfortable in the end for the Tories

    Newark is single digits close, no idea who between!

    The posher the area, the more Kemi appeals
    Must be why she doesn't appeal to me.
    Kemi appeals to the Tatler classes not the common herd
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,116
    West Suffolk / Tower

    RefUK 1332
    Green 1155
    Con 808
    Lab 667
    Ind Stennett 407
    LD 259

    RefUK 28.78%
    Green 24.96%
    Con 17.46%
    Lab 14.41%
    Ind Stennett 8.79%
    LD 5.60%
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,381
    edited July 3
    Andy_JS said:

    West Suffolk / Tower

    RefUK 1332
    Green 1155
    Con 808
    Lab 667
    Ind Stennett 407
    LD 259

    RefUK 28.78%
    Green 24.96%
    Con 17.46%
    Lab 14.41%
    Ind Stennett 8.79%
    LD 5.60%

    Tory vote halved since 2021 and Green and Lab also down
    Reform motored past the lot of them
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,116

    Andy_JS said:

    West Suffolk / Tower

    RefUK 1332
    Green 1155
    Con 808
    Lab 667
    Ind Stennett 407
    LD 259

    RefUK 28.78%
    Green 24.96%
    Con 17.46%
    Lab 14.41%
    Ind Stennett 8.79%
    LD 5.60%

    Tory vote halved since 2021 and Green and Lab also down
    Reform motored past the lot of them
    This is basically the centre of Bury St Edmunds I believe. I thought the Greens were narrow favourites beforehand.
  • Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 10,176
    Dopermean said:

    Posted without comment.


    Mark Littlewood
    @MarkJLittlewood

    North London entitled tosser comes to a South London bar. Not impressed. He claims he has a right to water & toilets. I don’t want assholes like this in my neck of the woods. If you can identify and name this man, I will give you £100 (for first responder).

    https://x.com/MarkJLittlewood/status/1940850614692728844

    Neither come across very well.
    i'd say the bigger asshole is the one who's filmed it and posted it asking for the person to be identified.
    How's Littlewood retained any credibility after the Truss budget?
    Was that Littlewood speaking? If so it sounds like someone's parody impression of a raving nutcase.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,381
    edited July 3
    Andy_JS said:

    Andy_JS said:

    West Suffolk / Tower

    RefUK 1332
    Green 1155
    Con 808
    Lab 667
    Ind Stennett 407
    LD 259

    RefUK 28.78%
    Green 24.96%
    Con 17.46%
    Lab 14.41%
    Ind Stennett 8.79%
    LD 5.60%

    Tory vote halved since 2021 and Green and Lab also down
    Reform motored past the lot of them
    This is basically the centre of Bury St Edmunds I believe. I thought the Greens were narrow favourites beforehand.
    Yes, its right in Bury. Id have picked Greens too but they are starting to suffer a bit from incumbency in the Suffolk area where theyve got a lot of wards. They went backwards in the one they held a few weeks ago too. (I appreciate they didnt hold this one of course - the shine just seems to be wearing off a little)
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 85,297
    Home Office unaware if foreign workers leave after visas end, MPs say

    The Home Office does not know whether foreign workers are leaving the UK or staying to work illegally after their visas expire, a cross-party committee of MPs has said.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwykw93d393o
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 56,060

    Home Office unaware if foreign workers leave after visas end, MPs say

    The Home Office does not know whether foreign workers are leaving the UK or staying to work illegally after their visas expire, a cross-party committee of MPs has said.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwykw93d393o

    Leave or Remain is such a traumatic question, it's best not to ask.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 85,297
    edited 12:45AM
    I presume contact details of all those previous Maomentum members will still be available to Jezza from his mate.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 25,098

    Home Office unaware if foreign workers leave after visas end, MPs say

    The Home Office does not know whether foreign workers are leaving the UK or staying to work illegally after their visas expire, a cross-party committee of MPs has said.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwykw93d393o

    Leave or Remain is such a traumatic question, it's best not to ask.
    52% said they'd left 😎
  • vikvik Posts: 547

    Newark numbers
    Newark West (Nottinghamshire) Council By-Election Result:

    🌳 CON: 34.7% (+4.8)
    ➡️ RFM: 34.3% (-1.6)
    🌹 LAB: 16.1% (-3.9)
    🌍 GRN: 9.7% (+2.1)
    🔶 LDM: 4.6% (-1.9)
    🔴 SDP: 0.6% (New)

    Conservative GAIN from Reform.
    Changes w/ 2025.

    Reform 0/2 on defendimg seats ;)

    Looks like tactical voting by Labour & Lib Dem to stop Reform.
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 14,604
    Nigelb said:

    Can someone explain why French and UK forces are able to shoot down Iranian drones and missiles over Israel, but can't do the same in Ukraine?

    Why is the former not considered an escalation, while the latter would be?

    https://x.com/P_Kallioniemi/status/1940760389064823062

    This is warmongering nonsense of the first order.

    The Iranians were not trying to shoot down the French and British aircraft, that's the difference.

    Say we do it and an RAF Typhoon gets nailed by a Growler. If SKS is lucky the pilot will be killed. SKS rarely seems to be lucky so now old mate is off to the Gary Powers Suite at the Lubyanka. Then what?
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,579
    edited 1:41AM
    vik said:

    Newark numbers
    Newark West (Nottinghamshire) Council By-Election Result:

    🌳 CON: 34.7% (+4.8)
    ➡️ RFM: 34.3% (-1.6)
    🌹 LAB: 16.1% (-3.9)
    🌍 GRN: 9.7% (+2.1)
    🔶 LDM: 4.6% (-1.9)
    🔴 SDP: 0.6% (New)

    Conservative GAIN from Reform.
    Changes w/ 2025.

    Reform 0/2 on defendimg seats ;)

    Looks like tactical voting by Labour & Lib Dem to stop Reform.
    I think that’s overanalysing one low-turnout by-election.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 85,297
    No end in sight for bin strike after six months
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crrq2y819y1o

    Need to get Trump and his art of the deal on it ;-)
  • fitalassfitalass Posts: 4,418
    X
    OSINTtechnical@Osinttechnical
    Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, tonight after Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on the city.

    Numerous sites across Kyiv were hit, including multiple civilian and residential buildings, just days after the U.S. froze shipments of air defense munitions.
    https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1940944474349490257

    This should be making the news here in the UK every day just as events happening in another part of the world does every day, but it doesn't, why?!
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 85,297
    fitalass said:

    X
    OSINTtechnical@Osinttechnical
    Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, tonight after Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on the city.

    Numerous sites across Kyiv were hit, including multiple civilian and residential buildings, just days after the U.S. froze shipments of air defense munitions.
    https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1940944474349490257

    This should be making the news here in the UK every day just as events happening in another part of the world does every day, but it doesn't, why?!

    Its not "the latest" thing anymore.
  • fitalassfitalass Posts: 4,418

    fitalass said:

    X
    OSINTtechnical@Osinttechnical
    Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, tonight after Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on the city.

    Numerous sites across Kyiv were hit, including multiple civilian and residential buildings, just days after the U.S. froze shipments of air defense munitions.
    https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1940944474349490257

    This should be making the news here in the UK every day just as events happening in another part of the world does every day, but it doesn't, why?!

    Its not "the latest" thing anymore.
    But the implications for Ukraine and the NATO alliance should mean that this remains one of the most urgent Foreign policy matters for a US President to deal with right now. Trump and his adminstration are utterly and dangerously short sightedly clueless when it comes to even trying to get himself in a position where he can still call the shots on the global stage while portraying himself at home in the US as someone who is isolationist to the MAGA base.

    Trump keeps kicking the legs from under Zelensky and Ukraine and selling the country down the river and then he wonders why plucky Ukraine won't give in after being aggressively invaded by Russia, and Putin won't come to the negociating table because Trump keeps making it easier for him to continue so he can go after his original goal with impunity. Did Trump really think he could get Zelensky and Putin to sit around a table so he and Putin could carve up Ukraines assets to the benefit of both the US and Russia while he continues to weaken military aid to Ukraine making it easier for Putin to continue the war so he can claim victory at home and take control of it all? The words useful idiot spring to mind.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 85,297
    fitalass said:

    fitalass said:

    X
    OSINTtechnical@Osinttechnical
    Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, tonight after Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on the city.

    Numerous sites across Kyiv were hit, including multiple civilian and residential buildings, just days after the U.S. froze shipments of air defense munitions.
    https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1940944474349490257

    This should be making the news here in the UK every day just as events happening in another part of the world does every day, but it doesn't, why?!

    Its not "the latest" thing anymore.
    But the implications for Ukraine and the NATO alliance should mean that this remains one of the most urgent Foreign policy matters for a US President to deal with right now. Trump and his adminstration are utterly and dangerously short sightedly clueless when it comes to even trying to get himself in a position where he can still call the shots on the global stage while portraying himself at home in the US as someone who is isolationist to the MAGA base.

    Trump keeps kicking the legs from under Zelensky and Ukraine and selling the country down the river and then he wonders why plucky Ukraine won't give in after being aggressively invaded by Russia, and Putin won't come to the negociating table because Trump keeps making it easier for him to continue so he can go after his original goal with impunity. Did Trump really think he could get Zelensky and Putin to sit around a table so he and Putin could carve up Ukraines assets to the benefit of both the US and Russia while he continues to weaken military aid to Ukraine making it easier for Putin to continue the war so he can claim victory at home and take control of it all? The words useful idiot spring to mind.
    I don't disagree, I am just saying the media get bored, it doesn't drive clicks and another "latest thing" comes along. Now its all about the baddies Israel and antisemitic ranting musicians.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,717
    RobD said:

    vik said:

    Newark numbers
    Newark West (Nottinghamshire) Council By-Election Result:

    🌳 CON: 34.7% (+4.8)
    ➡️ RFM: 34.3% (-1.6)
    🌹 LAB: 16.1% (-3.9)
    🌍 GRN: 9.7% (+2.1)
    🔶 LDM: 4.6% (-1.9)
    🔴 SDP: 0.6% (New)

    Conservative GAIN from Reform.
    Changes w/ 2025.

    Reform 0/2 on defendimg seats ;)

    Looks like tactical voting by Labour & Lib Dem to stop Reform.
    I think that’s overanalysing one low-turnout by-election.
    Quite telling that this is literally Kemi's greatest electoral triumph whilst in office though.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 28,123
    Andy_JS said:

    Andy_JS said:

    West Suffolk / Tower

    RefUK 1332
    Green 1155
    Con 808
    Lab 667
    Ind Stennett 407
    LD 259

    RefUK 28.78%
    Green 24.96%
    Con 17.46%
    Lab 14.41%
    Ind Stennett 8.79%
    LD 5.60%

    Tory vote halved since 2021 and Green and Lab also down
    Reform motored past the lot of them
    This is basically the centre of Bury St Edmunds I believe. I thought the Greens were narrow favourites beforehand.
    That's presumably named for the recently finished tower of Bury St Edmunds Cathedral?

  • TazTaz Posts: 19,459
    edited 4:39AM
    kle4 said:

    Bloody hell, LD gain from Reform in Durham, Reform pushed into third

    Classic LD by-election.

    In fairness to them unlike Labour and the Tories they actually held on to most of their support in the all out Durham elections.
    Exactly. I did say earlier in the week there’s been a swing away and I expected Reform to lose, although I thought Labour would gain it. Look at the previous result and it was one Reform only just took. Their win was not convincing.

    So two reform defences and two losses.
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,921
    Taz said:

    kle4 said:

    Bloody hell, LD gain from Reform in Durham, Reform pushed into third

    Classic LD by-election.

    In fairness to them unlike Labour and the Tories they actually held on to most of their support in the all out Durham elections.
    Exactly. I did say earlier in the week there’s been a swing away and I expected Reform to lose, although I thought Labour would gain it. Look at the previous result and it was one Reform only just took. Their win was not convincing.

    So two reform defences and two losses.
    @Taz

    you still seem to be keeping factory hours

    youve retired have a lie in :-)
  • CiceroCicero Posts: 3,591
    HYUFD said:

    Fulham result

    Con 647 43.3
    LD 345 23.1
    Lab 251 16.8
    Ref 187 12.5
    Grn 63 4.2

    Comfortable in the end for the Tories

    Newark is single digits close, no idea who between!

    The posher the area, the more Kemi appeals
    Not sure Bath, Winchester, Guildford etc- all Lib Dem- fit your thesis...
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 31,940
    Good for the Tories. Reform can't have it all their own way.
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 1,067
    Taz said:

    kle4 said:

    Bloody hell, LD gain from Reform in Durham, Reform pushed into third

    Classic LD by-election.

    In fairness to them unlike Labour and the Tories they actually held on to most of their support in the all out Durham elections.
    Exactly. I did say earlier in the week there’s been a swing away and I expected Reform to lose, although I thought Labour would gain it. Look at the previous result and it was one Reform only just took. Their win was not convincing.

    So two reform defences and two losses.
    Is the Reform bubble bursting? Seems to be a few political commentators still trying to keep it afloat so they have some clickbait to keep their careers going. It's going to be a long four years.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 85,297
    Young Europeans losing faith in democracy, poll finds

    Support is lowest in France, Spain and Poland, while 21% back authoritarian rule under certain circumstances

    Only half of young people in France and Spain believe that democracy is the best form of government, with support even lower among their Polish counterparts, a study has found.

    A majority from Europe’s generation Z – 57% – prefer democracy to any other form of government. Rates of support varied significantly, however, reaching just 48% in Poland and only about 51-52% in Spain and France, with Germany highest at 71%.

    More than one in five – 21% – would favour authoritarian rule under certain, unspecified circumstances. This was highest in Italy at 24% and lowest in Germany with 15%. In France, Spain and Poland the figure was 23%.

    Nearly one in 10 across the nations said they did not care whether their government was democratic or not, while another 14% did not know or did not answer.

    https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jul/04/young-europeans-losing-faith-in-democracy-poll-finds
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 31,940
    Eabhal said:

    TimS said:

    Telegraph leads on Cobyn new party.

    Talks of split on the left. Almost contains its glee.

    Splits on the left might be exactly what Starmer needs for a reboot. He was at his most ruthlessly effective purging the Corbynites. Boris’ purge of the remainers certainly gave him a spring in his step.
    Starmer needs 'the-boot', not a reboot. I realise that my well-meaning advice for the left has as much value to them as Jonathan's well-meaning advice for the Tory Party has to me, but genuinely, the man is poison. He's loathed, and it's only going to get worse, the more people he gets to make excuses for him, the more women he forces to dry their tears and slap another coat of make up on and hug him a lot.
    He's not loathed - you need to get out of your bubble. People are disappointed. He's got the same ratings as Farage and Badenoch of negative 30ish. Johnson and Corbyn still rank worse than him.

    Even Conservative voters prefer him to Liz Truss, though that polling was back in February so out of date.
    Don't say I didn't warn you.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,725

    Young Europeans losing faith in democracy, poll finds

    Support is lowest in France, Spain and Poland, while 21% back authoritarian rule under certain circumstances

    Only half of young people in France and Spain believe that democracy is the best form of government, with support even lower among their Polish counterparts, a study has found.

    A majority from Europe’s generation Z – 57% – prefer democracy to any other form of government. Rates of support varied significantly, however, reaching just 48% in Poland and only about 51-52% in Spain and France, with Germany highest at 71%.

    More than one in five – 21% – would favour authoritarian rule under certain, unspecified circumstances. This was highest in Italy at 24% and lowest in Germany with 15%. In France, Spain and Poland the figure was 23%.

    Nearly one in 10 across the nations said they did not care whether their government was democratic or not, while another 14% did not know or did not answer.

    https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jul/04/young-europeans-losing-faith-in-democracy-poll-finds

    Someone needs to explain the betting opportunities that democracy throws up.
  • TazTaz Posts: 19,459
    Battlebus said:

    Taz said:

    kle4 said:

    Bloody hell, LD gain from Reform in Durham, Reform pushed into third

    Classic LD by-election.

    In fairness to them unlike Labour and the Tories they actually held on to most of their support in the all out Durham elections.
    Exactly. I did say earlier in the week there’s been a swing away and I expected Reform to lose, although I thought Labour would gain it. Look at the previous result and it was one Reform only just took. Their win was not convincing.

    So two reform defences and two losses.
    Is the Reform bubble bursting? Seems to be a few political commentators still trying to keep it afloat so they have some clickbait to keep their careers going. It's going to be a long four years.
    Reform being the insurgents is one thing. Having a ground game to defend seats against determined opponents is another.

    They do seem to have peaked and their numbers are falling slightly.

    It’s fine being the insurgents but you need to start delivering when you get power.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,725
    fitalass said:

    X
    OSINTtechnical@Osinttechnical
    Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, tonight after Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on the city.

    Numerous sites across Kyiv were hit, including multiple civilian and residential buildings, just days after the U.S. froze shipments of air defense munitions.
    https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/1940944474349490257

    This should be making the news here in the UK every day just as events happening in another part of the world does every day, but it doesn't, why?!

    Maybe those who confidently predicted that Russia was going to run out of both missiles and drones last year are somewhat embarrassed. Once again, our expectations of the sanctions regime were utterly delusional.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 74,057

    Young Europeans losing faith in democracy, poll finds

    Support is lowest in France, Spain and Poland, while 21% back authoritarian rule under certain circumstances

    Only half of young people in France and Spain believe that democracy is the best form of government, with support even lower among their Polish counterparts, a study has found.

    A majority from Europe’s generation Z – 57% – prefer democracy to any other form of government. Rates of support varied significantly, however, reaching just 48% in Poland and only about 51-52% in Spain and France, with Germany highest at 71%.

    More than one in five – 21% – would favour authoritarian rule under certain, unspecified circumstances. This was highest in Italy at 24% and lowest in Germany with 15%. In France, Spain and Poland the figure was 23%.

    Nearly one in 10 across the nations said they did not care whether their government was democratic or not, while another 14% did not know or did not answer.

    https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jul/04/young-europeans-losing-faith-in-democracy-poll-finds

    Democracy is the most stupid imaginable way of running a country.

    Except, of course, for all the other ways that have ever been imagined.
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