He needs Rory & Bad 'Al, and Emily and Lewis and Jpn on the other, with a ticket allowing entry to one only. Then we get to judge who is popular.
He used to podcast with Jacqui Smith who moved on when a govt role beckoned. If she was around you could have a three way tag match
He really is a tit of the first order
I'll defend Dale on this one. I will give you that he is a (self-admitted & perhaps self-regarding) media tart, but he has also done some genuinely innovative and interesting things - perhaps 18 Doughty Street was the most interesting. He also did much to promote online politics, and was pleasant and supportive to people who worked with him (from a friend who was on the staff at Doughty Street).
Criminals from the Roma community were trying to make a move on the traditional livelihoods of Loyalist Paramilitaries. Drugs and protection rackets.
The gang warfare escalated into communal violence, in the traditional style of Northern Ireland. That’s stage two.
The third stage is also typical of NI - them ‘uns driven out of an area to create “Peace”.
I'm holding my nose and watching a 'citizen journalists' stream of the Epping protests. These numpties really don't have two brain cells to rub together. They all followed a line of police escorting a counter protester away from the hotel and got kettled in the high street. It exposed the lie that this is a community protest as none of them know how to get back. Now they're all wandering aimlessly smashing cars.
Primrose Hill is proof on the ground, of what works
Just build nice terraces, pop a pub on every third corner, plant loads of trees. Bosh
I actually have sort of a qualification in this.
What you say is pretty much it.
The mad thing is, much of Primrose Hill was designed as lower middle class housing. It wasn't even "posh". There are many entire terraces with two or three bedroom houses and no room for servants, it's not all palatial villas by any means
Yet even the small houses now go for £2m, because people LOVE this urban design. Handsome terraces (with little gardens), pubs on the corner, proper shops, loads of trees. That's all you fecking need. BUILD IT
Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 @EssexPR Numbers reaching possibly 2000 people at The Bell Hotel in Epping right now,so far good natured,huge Police presence & all faces showing that I can see.
I hope the people of Epping can get their message across tonight without anyone trying to turn it violent.
Didn't they assault two hotel staff the other day?
Smashed up a number of police vans too.
Yet it seems 100 placards holding protesters are the "Terrorists"
I hope we're not getting two tier policing to avoid false allegations of two tier policing.
The false allegations of two tier policing will be happening anyway; that is just a tactic.
It's the same reason why imo Starmer is wrong to try and fight on Opposition ground; it will make no difference as they will just shift further and say "not enough". He needs to fight politically for his won ground.
There is some utter toss being spouted about this. Apparently the Police were bussing in left wing counter protestors according to some on Twitter.
Accompanied by non specific videos and about as likely to be true as a Sunday Sport exclusive.
But it’s dangerous talk and, after last year, people need to really think about what they write on Twitter.
The best thing that could happen there is three days of torrential rain.
KEEP YOUR FUCKIN' LIMEY HANDS OFF OUR ELECTION. HEY, SHITHEADS, REMEMBER THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR? REMEMBER THE WAR OF 1812? WE DIDN'T WANT YOU, OR YOUR POLITICS HERE, THAT'S WHY WE KICKED YOUR ASSES OUT. FOR THE 47% OF YOU WHO DON'T WANT PRESIDENT BUSH, I SAY THIS ... TOUGH SHIT! PROUD AMERICAN VOTING FOR BUSH!
KEEP YOUR FUCKIN' LIMEY HANDS OFF OUR ELECTION. HEY, SHITHEADS, REMEMBER THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR? REMEMBER THE WAR OF 1812? WE DIDN'T WANT YOU, OR YOUR POLITICS HERE, THAT'S WHY WE KICKED YOUR ASSES OUT. FOR THE 47% OF YOU WHO DON'T WANT PRESIDENT BUSH, I SAY THIS ... TOUGH SHIT! PROUD AMERICAN VOTING FOR BUSH!
Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 @EssexPR Numbers reaching possibly 2000 people at The Bell Hotel in Epping right now,so far good natured,huge Police presence & all faces showing that I can see.
I hope the people of Epping can get their message across tonight without anyone trying to turn it violent.
Didn't they assault two hotel staff the other day?
Smashed up a number of police vans too.
Yet it seems 100 placards holding protesters are the "Terrorists"
I hope we're not getting two tier policing to avoid false allegations of two tier policing.
The false allegations of two tier policing will be happening anyway; that is just a tactic.
It's the same reason why imo Starmer is wrong to try and fight on Opposition ground; it will make no difference as they will just shift further and say "not enough". He needs to fight politically for his won ground.
There is some utter toss being spouted about this. Apparently the Police were bussing in left wing counter protestors according to some on Twitter.
Accompanied by non specific videos and about as likely to be true as a Sunday Sport exclusive.
But it’s dangerous talk and, after last year, people need to really think about what they write on Twitter.
The best thing that could happen there is three days of torrential rain.
Hope Not Hate counter protesters assembled at the railway station and there was a police presence as they marched towards the hotel.
Not really very different to how rival football supporters get policed to prevent clashes.
Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 @EssexPR Numbers reaching possibly 2000 people at The Bell Hotel in Epping right now,so far good natured,huge Police presence & all faces showing that I can see.
I hope the people of Epping can get their message across tonight without anyone trying to turn it violent.
Didn't they assault two hotel staff the other day?
Smashed up a number of police vans too.
Yet it seems 100 placards holding protesters are the "Terrorists"
I hope we're not getting two tier policing to avoid false allegations of two tier policing.
The false allegations of two tier policing will be happening anyway; that is just a tactic.
It's the same reason why imo Starmer is wrong to try and fight on Opposition ground; it will make no difference as they will just shift further and say "not enough". He needs to fight politically for his won ground.
There is some utter toss being spouted about this. Apparently the Police were bussing in left wing counter protestors according to some on Twitter.
Accompanied by non specific videos and about as likely to be true as a Sunday Sport exclusive.
But it’s dangerous talk and, after last year, people need to really think about what they write on Twitter.
The best thing that could happen there is three days of torrential rain.
Hope Not Hate counter protesters assembled at the railway station and there was a police presence as they marched towards the hotel.
Not really very different to how rival football supporters get policed to prevent clashes.
The police let them get too close and then thought better of it and matched them straight back to a load of police vans. The Hope Not Hate organisers really ought to encourage people to make their own signs though as the generic ones they always carry don't make a good impression.
Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 @EssexPR Numbers reaching possibly 2000 people at The Bell Hotel in Epping right now,so far good natured,huge Police presence & all faces showing that I can see.
I hope the people of Epping can get their message across tonight without anyone trying to turn it violent.
Didn't they assault two hotel staff the other day?
Smashed up a number of police vans too.
Yet it seems 100 placards holding protesters are the "Terrorists"
I hope we're not getting two tier policing to avoid false allegations of two tier policing.
The false allegations of two tier policing will be happening anyway; that is just a tactic.
It's the same reason why imo Starmer is wrong to try and fight on Opposition ground; it will make no difference as they will just shift further and say "not enough". He needs to fight politically for his won ground.
There is some utter toss being spouted about this. Apparently the Police were bussing in left wing counter protestors according to some on Twitter.
Accompanied by non specific videos and about as likely to be true as a Sunday Sport exclusive.
But it’s dangerous talk and, after last year, people need to really think about what they write on Twitter.
The best thing that could happen there is three days of torrential rain.
My current view is that Tommy (& Friends, & Enemies) movement will implode (which will please me immensely), because of their own contradictions, and they are overreaching.
Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 @EssexPR Numbers reaching possibly 2000 people at The Bell Hotel in Epping right now,so far good natured,huge Police presence & all faces showing that I can see.
I hope the people of Epping can get their message across tonight without anyone trying to turn it violent.
Didn't they assault two hotel staff the other day?
Smashed up a number of police vans too.
Yet it seems 100 placards holding protesters are the "Terrorists"
I hope we're not getting two tier policing to avoid false allegations of two tier policing.
The false allegations of two tier policing will be happening anyway; that is just a tactic.
It's the same reason why imo Starmer is wrong to try and fight on Opposition ground; it will make no difference as they will just shift further and say "not enough". He needs to fight politically for his won ground.
There is some utter toss being spouted about this. Apparently the Police were bussing in left wing counter protestors according to some on Twitter.
Accompanied by non specific videos and about as likely to be true as a Sunday Sport exclusive.
But it’s dangerous talk and, after last year, people need to really think about what they write on Twitter.
The best thing that could happen there is three days of torrential rain.
Hope Not Hate counter protesters assembled at the railway station and there was a police presence as they marched towards the hotel.
Not really very different to how rival football supporters get policed to prevent clashes.
No, not at all. Seems perfectly sensible as I’m sure in both groups there are lads looking for a ruck.
I’m no fan of Plod based on our local force, but in this case they really cannot win and seem to be playing it just about right.
I’m beginning to think that the US aid points in Gaza were set up to allow the IDF target practice ! Strangely when it was other agencies handing out food we didn’t see these daily executions.
So another 67 souls executed for the crime of starvation . And the IDF say they were firing warning shots but don’t dispute people were killed just the numbers . I thought warning shots were supposed to be non-lethal .
This is going to rebound on this country in general and Labour in particular in ways that are difficult to imagine. They have put themselves on the wrong side of one of the worst atrocities of our time. I'd be amazed if Starmer is still PM by the next election
No one normal gives a f8ck
It's just another in a list of global atrocities
This is grim, but it is the case
People always say no one normal gives a fuck about what they themselves don't give a fuck about.
WRT to discussion earlier about how no-one is interested in the British Open (golf). In the olden days I took no general interest in golf, but would watch quite a bit of the Open on BBC, especially the last two days. In much the same way, no interest in rowing but watched the Boat Race. One by one over thirty years or so all this has gone to a range of pay to view channels. Casual occasionals like me are not going to keep up with all this. So the big UK events have ceased to be part of common cullture which we dip into once a year for each thing, and high paying keen enthusiasts in much smaller numbers are the thing. It makes money but it doesn't make a national culture.
So (I suspect - is there any decent data) the culture got lost. I hardly saw any Wimbledon even though it is still BBC and free. Cricket, rugby and football have so many incomprehensible competitions that none of them seem very important to an occasional viewer. Older PBers will recall when the entire nation stopped for the FA Cup Final.
The Boat Race is still on BBC as is the FA Cup Final as is Wimbledon as you say but yes the Open and Test Matches aren't and get fewer viewers if more money as a result
Criminals from the Roma community were trying to make a move on the traditional livelihoods of Loyalist Paramilitaries. Drugs and protection rackets.
The gang warfare escalated into communal violence, in the traditional style of Northern Ireland. That’s stage two.
The third stage is also typical of NI - them ‘uns driven out of an area to create “Peace”.
I'm holding my nose and watching a 'citizen journalists' stream of the Epping protests. These numpties really don't have two brain cells to rub together. They all followed a line of police escorting a counter protester away from the hotel and got kettled in the high street. It exposed the lie that this is a community protest as none of them know how to get back. Now they're all wandering aimlessly smashing cars.
“Me and my mates who met in the shower in prison were having a quiet evening singing racist songs, urinating in public and smashing windows we think belong to people with sun tans. Then the police attacked us for no reason.”
I’m beginning to think that the US aid points in Gaza were set up to allow the IDF target practice ! Strangely when it was other agencies handing out food we didn’t see these daily executions.
So another 67 souls executed for the crime of starvation . And the IDF say they were firing warning shots but don’t dispute people were killed just the numbers . I thought warning shots were supposed to be non-lethal .
This is going to rebound on this country in general and Labour in particular in ways that are difficult to imagine. They have put themselves on the wrong side of one of the worst atrocities of our time. I'd be amazed if Starmer is still PM by the next election
I would be amazed if Starmer manages to limp along as PM until the end of this year or next year, his authority is rapidly draining away within his own Cabinet and Parliamentary party and his personal ratings are already suggesting he will be regarded as the worst UK PM in decades.
I do not for the life of me see a PM leaving office when i) he has a landslide majority, and ii) his party has no mechanism to remove him.
Starmer is being attacked from the right, left and centre and simply does not have any means of satisfying anyone
Apart from Truss, I cannot think of a PM more unsuited to the postion, but at the same time I do not see him being replaced
I think there would need to be a very large consensus on a very small field to replace him for the pressure to become irresistible; with the big question being: who can govern and communicate well with a good and positive story; and of course, who can beat Reform. They need to have propects of rising to the office of PM - something that has been lacking since Cameron until the 2026 vote.
Labour can't beat Reform from the Corbyn/Burgon wing. But only from the centre. Burnham is not in the running. The newbies are too new. Hilary Benn (what a wasted talent) now too old; I appear to be alone in thinking Streeting is just the man. I like Rayner and she would be fun, but I don't think she can beat Farage. Maybe we will have Starmer going on going on.
Streeting clearly fancies himself as the Macron to Starmer's Hollande or a Carney or new Blair, the man to take on and beat the populist right as a charismatic slick centrist. Whether he is is another matter
King Charles, the disquiet at Highgrove and the gardeners’ exodus
Memos fired off by the monarch to correct grammar and demand single flowers be moved are wrecking morale among staff who are paid as little as minimum wage
What you need to know
King’s demands, staff shortages and low pay led to gardener exodus at Highgrove
Royal charity which runs gardens told to offer mental health support after formal investigation
Charles has lost 11 of 12 garden staff since 2022 including two head gardeners who quit within a year
Monarch said of one worker: “Do not put that man in front of me again”
After Ukraine invasion King proposed plugging staff shortages with war refugees or the elderly
King Charles, the disquiet at Highgrove and the gardeners’ exodus
Memos fired off by the monarch to correct grammar and demand single flowers be moved are wrecking morale among staff who are paid as little as minimum wage
What you need to know
King’s demands, staff shortages and low pay led to gardener exodus at Highgrove
Royal charity which runs gardens told to offer mental health support after formal investigation
Charles has lost 11 of 12 garden staff since 2022 including two head gardeners who quit within a year
Monarch said of one worker: “Do not put that man in front of me again”
After Ukraine invasion King proposed plugging staff shortages with war refugees or the elderly
Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 @EssexPR Numbers reaching possibly 2000 people at The Bell Hotel in Epping right now,so far good natured,huge Police presence & all faces showing that I can see.
I hope the people of Epping can get their message across tonight without anyone trying to turn it violent.
Didn't they assault two hotel staff the other day?
Smashed up a number of police vans too.
Yet it seems 100 placards holding protesters are the "Terrorists"
I hope we're not getting two tier policing to avoid false allegations of two tier policing.
The false allegations of two tier policing will be happening anyway; that is just a tactic.
It's the same reason why imo Starmer is wrong to try and fight on Opposition ground; it will make no difference as they will just shift further and say "not enough". He needs to fight politically for his won ground.
There is some utter toss being spouted about this. Apparently the Police were bussing in left wing counter protestors according to some on Twitter.
Accompanied by non specific videos and about as likely to be true as a Sunday Sport exclusive.
But it’s dangerous talk and, after last year, people need to really think about what they write on Twitter.
The best thing that could happen there is three days of torrential rain.
Hope Not Hate counter protesters assembled at the railway station and there was a police presence as they marched towards the hotel.
Not really very different to how rival football supporters get policed to prevent clashes.
The police let them get too close and then thought better of it and matched them straight back to a load of police vans. The Hope Not Hate organisers really ought to encourage people to make their own signs though as the generic ones they always carry don't make a good impression.
Without seeing video, I'd say it's more likely to be "Stand Up To Racism", who are linked to UAF (Unite Against Fascism) and both are linked to the Socialist Workers Party.
Hope not Hate would imo be focused on research and documentation at this time. They have already published a commentary about last week's lot, including the guy speaking from the back of the truck, who is the main "face", being Cecil Barker - an activist for the Homeland Party (a splinter group of Patriotic Alternative who tend to admire people like David Duke - there is some activity towards Heanor / Bolsover). Barker formerly posted himself in a mask with a copy (or mockup) of the Unabomber's Manifesto.
I'm aware that there are those here who get triggered by HNH, but they are quite reliable on these aspects - or they would have their pants sued off, and they are not big enough to take that. Anyone on the mainstream right who falls for this may get their fingers burnt imo.
King Charles, the disquiet at Highgrove and the gardeners’ exodus
Memos fired off by the monarch to correct grammar and demand single flowers be moved are wrecking morale among staff who are paid as little as minimum wage
What you need to know
King’s demands, staff shortages and low pay led to gardener exodus at Highgrove
Royal charity which runs gardens told to offer mental health support after formal investigation
Charles has lost 11 of 12 garden staff since 2022 including two head gardeners who quit within a year
Monarch said of one worker: “Do not put that man in front of me again”
After Ukraine invasion King proposed plugging staff shortages with war refugees or the elderly
Japan's ruling LDP party loses its majority in the upper house.
'Support for the ruling coalition appears to have been eroded by candidates from the small, right-leaning Sanseito party, which drew conservative votes with its "Japanese First", anti-immigration rhetoric.
Sanseito first gained prominence on YouTube during the Covid-19 pandemic, spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and a cabal of global elites.
The fringe party's nativist rhetoric widened its appeal ahead of Sunday's vote, as policies regarding foreign residents and immigration became a focal point of many parties' campaigns.' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xvn90yr8go
King Charles, the disquiet at Highgrove and the gardeners’ exodus
Memos fired off by the monarch to correct grammar and demand single flowers be moved are wrecking morale among staff who are paid as little as minimum wage
What you need to know
King’s demands, staff shortages and low pay led to gardener exodus at Highgrove
Royal charity which runs gardens told to offer mental health support after formal investigation
Charles has lost 11 of 12 garden staff since 2022 including two head gardeners who quit within a year
Monarch said of one worker: “Do not put that man in front of me again”
After Ukraine invasion King proposed plugging staff shortages with war refugees or the elderly
Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 @EssexPR Numbers reaching possibly 2000 people at The Bell Hotel in Epping right now,so far good natured,huge Police presence & all faces showing that I can see.
I hope the people of Epping can get their message across tonight without anyone trying to turn it violent.
Didn't they assault two hotel staff the other day?
Smashed up a number of police vans too.
Yet it seems 100 placards holding protesters are the "Terrorists"
I hope we're not getting two tier policing to avoid false allegations of two tier policing.
The false allegations of two tier policing will be happening anyway; that is just a tactic.
It's the same reason why imo Starmer is wrong to try and fight on Opposition ground; it will make no difference as they will just shift further and say "not enough". He needs to fight politically for his won ground.
There is some utter toss being spouted about this. Apparently the Police were bussing in left wing counter protestors according to some on Twitter.
Accompanied by non specific videos and about as likely to be true as a Sunday Sport exclusive.
But it’s dangerous talk and, after last year, people need to really think about what they write on Twitter.
The best thing that could happen there is three days of torrential rain.
Hope Not Hate counter protesters assembled at the railway station and there was a police presence as they marched towards the hotel.
Not really very different to how rival football supporters get policed to prevent clashes.
The police let them get too close and then thought better of it and matched them straight back to a load of police vans. The Hope Not Hate organisers really ought to encourage people to make their own signs though as the generic ones they always carry don't make a good impression.
Without seeing video, I'd say it's more likely to be "Stand Up To Racism", who are linked to UAF (Unite Against Fascism) and both are linked to the Socialist Workers Party.
Hope not Hate would imo be focused on research and documentation at this time. They have already published a commentary about last week's lot, including the guy speaking from the back of the truck, who is the main "face", being Cecil Barker - an activist for the Homeland Party (a splinter group of Patriotic Alternative who tend to admire people like David Duke - there is some activity towards Heanor / Bolsover). Barker formerly posted himself in a mask with a copy (or mockup) of the Unabomber's Manifesto.
I'm aware that there are those here who get triggered by HNH, but they are quite reliable on these aspects - or they would have their pants sued off, and they are not big enough to take that. Anyone on the mainstream right who falls for this may get their fingers burnt imo.
Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 @EssexPR Numbers reaching possibly 2000 people at The Bell Hotel in Epping right now,so far good natured,huge Police presence & all faces showing that I can see.
I hope the people of Epping can get their message across tonight without anyone trying to turn it violent.
Didn't they assault two hotel staff the other day?
Smashed up a number of police vans too.
Yet it seems 100 placards holding protesters are the "Terrorists"
I hope we're not getting two tier policing to avoid false allegations of two tier policing.
The false allegations of two tier policing will be happening anyway; that is just a tactic.
It's the same reason why imo Starmer is wrong to try and fight on Opposition ground; it will make no difference as they will just shift further and say "not enough". He needs to fight politically for his won ground.
There is some utter toss being spouted about this. Apparently the Police were bussing in left wing counter protestors according to some on Twitter.
Accompanied by non specific videos and about as likely to be true as a Sunday Sport exclusive.
But it’s dangerous talk and, after last year, people need to really think about what they write on Twitter.
The best thing that could happen there is three days of torrential rain.
Hope Not Hate counter protesters assembled at the railway station and there was a police presence as they marched towards the hotel.
Not really very different to how rival football supporters get policed to prevent clashes.
The police let them get too close and then thought better of it and matched them straight back to a load of police vans. The Hope Not Hate organisers really ought to encourage people to make their own signs though as the generic ones they always carry don't make a good impression.
Without seeing video, I'd say it's more likely to be "Stand Up To Racism", who are linked to UAF (Unite Against Fascism) and both are linked to the Socialist Workers Party.
Hope not Hate would imo be focused on research and documentation at this time. They have already published a commentary about last week's lot, including the guy speaking from the back of the truck, who is the main "face", being Cecil Barker - an activist for the Homeland Party (a splinter group of Patriotic Alternative who tend to admire people like David Duke - there is some activity towards Heanor / Bolsover). Barker formerly posted himself in a mask with a copy (or mockup) of the Unabomber's Manifesto.
I'm aware that there are those here who get triggered by HNH, but they are quite reliable on these aspects - or they would have their pants sued off, and they are not big enough to take that. Anyone on the mainstream right who falls for this may get their fingers burnt imo.
King Charles, the disquiet at Highgrove and the gardeners’ exodus
Memos fired off by the monarch to correct grammar and demand single flowers be moved are wrecking morale among staff who are paid as little as minimum wage
What you need to know
King’s demands, staff shortages and low pay led to gardener exodus at Highgrove
Royal charity which runs gardens told to offer mental health support after formal investigation
Charles has lost 11 of 12 garden staff since 2022 including two head gardeners who quit within a year
Monarch said of one worker: “Do not put that man in front of me again”
After Ukraine invasion King proposed plugging staff shortages with war refugees or the elderly
Hearing that he insists on correct grammar is one of the best things I've heard about the man recently.
This is just a load of old shite really.
By all accounts I hear he's doing a remarkable job on international statesmanship, in careful engagement of foreign leaders.
It's tricky if the sovereign becomes a little too irascible in his own domain.
Most of the criticism in the article was reserved for his Head of Gardens who seems to not do anything to stand up for the staff or push back against some of his unworkable demands. I sympathise with the staff on that score because the worst people are middle managers who can't speak truth to senior leaders when it's needed.
Tommy Ten Names has said he is coming off his sun lounger in Tenerife to hold a big demonstration next week in Epping. He obviously likes prison diet for getting off the coke and into shape more than he likes to let on.
King Charles, the disquiet at Highgrove and the gardeners’ exodus
Memos fired off by the monarch to correct grammar and demand single flowers be moved are wrecking morale among staff who are paid as little as minimum wage
What you need to know
King’s demands, staff shortages and low pay led to gardener exodus at Highgrove
Royal charity which runs gardens told to offer mental health support after formal investigation
Charles has lost 11 of 12 garden staff since 2022 including two head gardeners who quit within a year
Monarch said of one worker: “Do not put that man in front of me again”
After Ukraine invasion King proposed plugging staff shortages with war refugees or the elderly
Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 @EssexPR Numbers reaching possibly 2000 people at The Bell Hotel in Epping right now,so far good natured,huge Police presence & all faces showing that I can see.
I hope the people of Epping can get their message across tonight without anyone trying to turn it violent.
Didn't they assault two hotel staff the other day?
Smashed up a number of police vans too.
Yet it seems 100 placards holding protesters are the "Terrorists"
I hope we're not getting two tier policing to avoid false allegations of two tier policing.
The false allegations of two tier policing will be happening anyway; that is just a tactic.
It's the same reason why imo Starmer is wrong to try and fight on Opposition ground; it will make no difference as they will just shift further and say "not enough". He needs to fight politically for his won ground.
There is some utter toss being spouted about this. Apparently the Police were bussing in left wing counter protestors according to some on Twitter.
Accompanied by non specific videos and about as likely to be true as a Sunday Sport exclusive.
But it’s dangerous talk and, after last year, people need to really think about what they write on Twitter.
The best thing that could happen there is three days of torrential rain.
Hope Not Hate counter protesters assembled at the railway station and there was a police presence as they marched towards the hotel.
Not really very different to how rival football supporters get policed to prevent clashes.
The police let them get too close and then thought better of it and matched them straight back to a load of police vans. The Hope Not Hate organisers really ought to encourage people to make their own signs though as the generic ones they always carry don't make a good impression.
Without seeing video, I'd say it's more likely to be "Stand Up To Racism", who are linked to UAF (Unite Against Fascism) and both are linked to the Socialist Workers Party.
Hope not Hate would imo be focused on research and documentation at this time. They have already published a commentary about last week's lot, including the guy speaking from the back of the truck, who is the main "face", being Cecil Barker - an activist for the Homeland Party (a splinter group of Patriotic Alternative who tend to admire people like David Duke - there is some activity towards Heanor / Bolsover). Barker formerly posted himself in a mask with a copy (or mockup) of the Unabomber's Manifesto.
I'm aware that there are those here who get triggered by HNH, but they are quite reliable on these aspects - or they would have their pants sued off, and they are not big enough to take that. Anyone on the mainstream right who falls for this may get their fingers burnt imo.
It was for an excessively Woke monthly email for July.
It's the school holidays; an ideal time to advertise how to get kids interested in reading, and discuss all the fun holiday reading activities they have coming up. Talk about reading and how libraries can help. Maybe the great weather.
Instead, I was treated to Juche on Happy Disability Pride month, for July, on Celebrating South Asian Heritage month, in August, and a treatise on celebrating women in football.
Enough.
So you're racist against South Asians?
there speaks a woke arsehole
I think Sunil is just trying to be funny.
I'm not even sure what South Asian actually means, although I think they mean it's the old borders of the Raj plus (maybe) Afghanistan and the Maldives.
South Asian actually means that when Americans say Asian they don't mean what Britons mean when we say Asian and because America dominates global culture, we are having to change.
On the other woke library activity, surely the European Ladies' Soccerball tournament being on telly right now means this is the ideal time for the third topic. England play Italy in the semi-finals on Tuesday. England's last game drew more than 7 million viewers, thanks in no small part to the good work of Hampshire Libraries.
You probably need to consult Sunny Hundal on that one.
AIUI South Asian, in British terms, means roughly "not the core Muslim or Chinese or Australian Asian, but the in betweens" - so a sweep from say India/Mauritius through to possibly Malaysia / Indonesia.
All these Norwegians running up this mountain are making me feel old. Especially the ones that are also old. Time to have a fiddle with the phone...
I've never felt older than when Korean septuagenarians were passing me on the way up Hallasan. A couple of ajummas stopped in passing to offer tangerines.
I remember walking up Ayers Rock (back when you could) and I was passed by a guy jogging up there ... backwards. I was more irritated than impressed. Why do that?
There’s multiple subcultures of people who live for the harder and more difficult.
I worked with a guy who went to see a friend run a competitive race up the path on the Eiger. As it happened, there was a spare entrance slot. So, with no prep, he ran up the Eiger.
Made him grin, ear to ear.
As to social utility - such people are often volunteer mountain rescue, lifeboat crew or part time special forces.
I'm sure. But this one had a 'plonker' air about him. It was like he was sticking his tongue out at everyone.
Nevertheless, if the Russians invade and we need a load of people to run up a mountain in a hurry, I can confirm that the Norwegians are trained and good to go….
1940, USSR invaded Finland in winter.
Pre Internet, there was *nothing* to in Finland in the depths of winter.
So the Russians invaded a country where the national sport is skiing through the forests and shooting at things. In the season where everyone was fucking bored…..
Strangely, events did not transpire to the advantage of the Soviet Union.
Is there much to do in Finland in the Summer?
Interesting piece here on polling in Finland for the Finns Party (Right Wing Populist) since it went into coalition government with their equivalent of the Conservatives:
Could it happen here, in a different electoral system? Possibly, as the fundamental problem is the political divergence between its working class voters and its leadership.
Interesting piece. The populist right never transition into government well as their platform is based on lies and scapegoating.
The BBC, at the end of a piece said “The danger of radical reform is that if it doesn’t work, they will have no one else to blame.”
Perfect statement of the problem - if the water companies go bust and get taken over by the government, they won’t have management, OFWAT etc to blame.
Tommy Ten Names has said he is coming off his sun lounger in Tenerife to hold a big demonstration next week in Epping. He obviously likes prison diet for getting off the coke and into shape more than he likes to let on.
He's also declared a big Central London event for September 13.
And he's being very public about "subscribers" read your email message.
It will make it awkward for the police, and apply some pressure to the factions in RefUK - both at leader and follower level imo. There's seems to be quite a lot of hostile social media commentary around about Farage and Yusuf.
King Charles, the disquiet at Highgrove and the gardeners’ exodus
Memos fired off by the monarch to correct grammar and demand single flowers be moved are wrecking morale among staff who are paid as little as minimum wage
What you need to know
King’s demands, staff shortages and low pay led to gardener exodus at Highgrove
Royal charity which runs gardens told to offer mental health support after formal investigation
Charles has lost 11 of 12 garden staff since 2022 including two head gardeners who quit within a year
Monarch said of one worker: “Do not put that man in front of me again”
After Ukraine invasion King proposed plugging staff shortages with war refugees or the elderly
Tommy Ten Names has said he is coming off his sun lounger in Tenerife to hold a big demonstration next week in Epping. He obviously likes prison diet for getting off the coke and into shape more than he likes to let on.
King Charles, the disquiet at Highgrove and the gardeners’ exodus
Memos fired off by the monarch to correct grammar and demand single flowers be moved are wrecking morale among staff who are paid as little as minimum wage
What you need to know
King’s demands, staff shortages and low pay led to gardener exodus at Highgrove
Royal charity which runs gardens told to offer mental health support after formal investigation
Charles has lost 11 of 12 garden staff since 2022 including two head gardeners who quit within a year
Monarch said of one worker: “Do not put that man in front of me again”
After Ukraine invasion King proposed plugging staff shortages with war refugees or the elderly
Speaking of paedophiles, has he weighed in on his best mate Trump's relationship with a paedophile? Or indeed Trump's own history of dubious behaviour?
King Charles, the disquiet at Highgrove and the gardeners’ exodus
Memos fired off by the monarch to correct grammar and demand single flowers be moved are wrecking morale among staff who are paid as little as minimum wage
What you need to know
King’s demands, staff shortages and low pay led to gardener exodus at Highgrove
Royal charity which runs gardens told to offer mental health support after formal investigation
Charles has lost 11 of 12 garden staff since 2022 including two head gardeners who quit within a year
Monarch said of one worker: “Do not put that man in front of me again”
After Ukraine invasion King proposed plugging staff shortages with war refugees or the elderly
Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 @EssexPR Numbers reaching possibly 2000 people at The Bell Hotel in Epping right now,so far good natured,huge Police presence & all faces showing that I can see.
I hope the people of Epping can get their message across tonight without anyone trying to turn it violent.
Didn't they assault two hotel staff the other day?
Smashed up a number of police vans too.
Yet it seems 100 placards holding protesters are the "Terrorists"
I hope we're not getting two tier policing to avoid false allegations of two tier policing.
The false allegations of two tier policing will be happening anyway; that is just a tactic.
It's the same reason why imo Starmer is wrong to try and fight on Opposition ground; it will make no difference as they will just shift further and say "not enough". He needs to fight politically for his won ground.
There is some utter toss being spouted about this. Apparently the Police were bussing in left wing counter protestors according to some on Twitter.
Accompanied by non specific videos and about as likely to be true as a Sunday Sport exclusive.
But it’s dangerous talk and, after last year, people need to really think about what they write on Twitter.
The best thing that could happen there is three days of torrential rain.
Hope Not Hate counter protesters assembled at the railway station and there was a police presence as they marched towards the hotel.
Not really very different to how rival football supporters get policed to prevent clashes.
The police let them get too close and then thought better of it and matched them straight back to a load of police vans. The Hope Not Hate organisers really ought to encourage people to make their own signs though as the generic ones they always carry don't make a good impression.
Without seeing video, I'd say it's more likely to be "Stand Up To Racism", who are linked to UAF (Unite Against Fascism) and both are linked to the Socialist Workers Party.
Hope not Hate would imo be focused on research and documentation at this time. They have already published a commentary about last week's lot, including the guy speaking from the back of the truck, who is the main "face", being Cecil Barker - an activist for the Homeland Party (a splinter group of Patriotic Alternative who tend to admire people like David Duke - there is some activity towards Heanor / Bolsover). Barker formerly posted himself in a mask with a copy (or mockup) of the Unabomber's Manifesto.
I'm aware that there are those here who get triggered by HNH, but they are quite reliable on these aspects - or they would have their pants sued off, and they are not big enough to take that. Anyone on the mainstream right who falls for this may get their fingers burnt imo.
Japan's ruling LDP party loses its majority in the upper house.
'Support for the ruling coalition appears to have been eroded by candidates from the small, right-leaning Sanseito party, which drew conservative votes with its "Japanese First", anti-immigration rhetoric.
Sanseito first gained prominence on YouTube during the Covid-19 pandemic, spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and a cabal of global elites.
The fringe party's nativist rhetoric widened its appeal ahead of Sunday's vote, as policies regarding foreign residents and immigration became a focal point of many parties' campaigns.' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xvn90yr8go
Even Japan isn't immune to far right conspiracies about vaccines. Social media has a lot to answer for.
Be interesting to know how that will actually work in practice.
There's already (I think) been an S60 (no masks allowed) order in place this weekend, so I think it will be policed up to its eyeballs, or even banned. I think we can also expect the same enforcement tactic as last July - rapid charges and court appearances.
The heavy push against "Palestine Action" (is that right?) is on the other side of the scales against "two tier policing", but I'm not sure if that was a consideration in the politics.
That Farage tweet sounds like he is trying to out Tommy, Tommy. I'm not sure if that will appease the faction he does not want to lose to the right, or help with the voters he has picked up from Cons and Lab.
King Charles, the disquiet at Highgrove and the gardeners’ exodus
Memos fired off by the monarch to correct grammar and demand single flowers be moved are wrecking morale among staff who are paid as little as minimum wage
What you need to know
King’s demands, staff shortages and low pay led to gardener exodus at Highgrove
Royal charity which runs gardens told to offer mental health support after formal investigation
Charles has lost 11 of 12 garden staff since 2022 including two head gardeners who quit within a year
Monarch said of one worker: “Do not put that man in front of me again”
After Ukraine invasion King proposed plugging staff shortages with war refugees or the elderly
So the King has high standards, it is his private property
You excusing bad behaviour because he is King ?
Correcting grammar errors and being a perfectionist in terms of his privately owned garden is hardly bad behaviour
The article explains that he doesn't own Highgrove anymore. It should have gone over to William but he signed it over to the King's Trust in exchange for him still being able to live there. By all accounts the staff were better treated when they were employed by the Royal Household rather than the King's Trust.
It's always rather enlightening to see posters like Fitalass and Big G pontificating on how long Labour will tolerate Starmer. Neither have ever voted other that Tory in their lives and therefore have not the slightest insight into how Labour voters will be thinking.
As someone who votes Labour (or Lib dem) I can tell them that despite my low opinion of Starmer because of his Gaza inactivity I would still vote Labour in order to ensure we don't get Farage or Badenoch who would be by several orders of magnitude worse
I can see the next election collapsing to a battle between Labour and Keir Vs Reform and Nigel.
With libdems, green and SNP voting tactically to keep out Reform and Tory's vote collapsing further to back REFORM.
Be interesting to know how that will actually work in practice.
Reform can't even get rid of pride flags from council buildings and we are to believe they will bring on huge immigration reform? Not gonna happen
I have accepted real change in the UK will not happen via the ballot box without some sort of revolution. The blob is too big
They couldn't get rid of Pride flags because they didn't actually win a majority on the council concerned.
A party failing at the ballot box and switching to revolution instead... is not a path I think we want for the country.
We don't WANT it. But if the people keep voting for lower immigration and all they ever get is more mass immigration then the people will look towards other means to change policy. Look at what is happening in Epping and the summer riots last year, this far they relatively minor compared to an all out revolution but if what happened with the Afghan super injunction keeps happening and nothing changes with the small boats then people WILL be pushed into taking extreme action
We don't want it but for how long can we avoid it?
Its not really news that King Charles can be very difficult and hard to work for e.g. there was the video were he spat his dummy because he had the wrong pen in front of him.
It's always rather enlightening to see posters like Fitalass and Big G pontificating on how long Labour will tolerate Starmer. Neither have ever voted other that Tory in their lives and therefore have not the slightest insight into how Labour voters will be thinking.
As someone who votes Labour (or Lib dem) I can tell them that despite my low opinion of Starmer because of his Gaza inactivity I would still vote Labour in order to ensure we don't get Farage or Badenoch who would be by several orders of magnitude worse
I can see the next election collapsing to a battle between Labour and Keir Vs Reform and Nigel.
With libdems, green and SNP voting tactically to keep out Reform and Tory's vote collapsing further to back REFORM.
I agree which I'm pretty sure will give Labour and Co a reasonably easy victory as I think Farage will be even more toxic than Le Pen always is in France
Be interesting to know how that will actually work in practice.
Reform can't even get rid of pride flags from council buildings and we are to believe they will bring on huge immigration reform? Not gonna happen
I have accepted real change in the UK will not happen via the ballot box without some sort of revolution. The blob is too big
They couldn't get rid of Pride flags because they didn't actually win a majority on the council concerned.
A party failing at the ballot box and switching to revolution instead... is not a path I think we want for the country.
We don't WANT it. But if the people keep voting for lower immigration and all they ever get is more mass immigration then the people will look towards other means to change policy. Look at what is happening in Epping and the summer riots last year, this far they relatively minor compared to an all out revolution but if what happened with the Afghan super injunction keeps happening and nothing changes with the small boats then people WILL be pushed into taking extreme action
We don't want it but for how long can we avoid it?
Parties pushing hard on much lower immigration lost the 2024 general election. You talked above about "far right conspiracies about vaccines". What's behind what is happening in Epping is more far right conspiracies. So, let's not give in to political violence and maybe do something about social media spreading lies?
Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 @EssexPR Numbers reaching possibly 2000 people at The Bell Hotel in Epping right now,so far good natured,huge Police presence & all faces showing that I can see.
I hope the people of Epping can get their message across tonight without anyone trying to turn it violent.
Didn't they assault two hotel staff the other day?
Smashed up a number of police vans too.
Yet it seems 100 placards holding protesters are the "Terrorists"
I hope we're not getting two tier policing to avoid false allegations of two tier policing.
The false allegations of two tier policing will be happening anyway; that is just a tactic.
It's the same reason why imo Starmer is wrong to try and fight on Opposition ground; it will make no difference as they will just shift further and say "not enough". He needs to fight politically for his won ground.
There is some utter toss being spouted about this. Apparently the Police were bussing in left wing counter protestors according to some on Twitter.
Accompanied by non specific videos and about as likely to be true as a Sunday Sport exclusive.
But it’s dangerous talk and, after last year, people need to really think about what they write on Twitter.
The best thing that could happen there is three days of torrential rain.
My current view is that Tommy (& Friends, & Enemies) movement will implode (which will please me immensely), because of their own contradictions, and they are overreaching.
Not sure exactly who you include in the movement but unless migration and crime are seen to come under control the backlash will only get stronger I'd suggest.
It's always rather enlightening to see posters like Fitalass and Big G pontificating on how long Labour will tolerate Starmer. Neither have ever voted other that Tory in their lives and therefore have not the slightest insight into how Labour voters will be thinking.
As someone who votes Labour (or Lib dem) I can tell them that despite my low opinion of Starmer because of his Gaza inactivity I would still vote Labour in order to ensure we don't get Farage or Badenoch who would be by several orders of magnitude worse
I can see the next election collapsing to a battle between Labour and Keir Vs Reform and Nigel.
With libdems, green and SNP voting tactically to keep out Reform and Tory's vote collapsing further to back REFORM.
I agree which I'm pretty sure will give Labour and Co a reasonably easy victory as I think Farage will be even more toxic than Le Pen always is in France
Latest French polls for next presidential election have Bardella ahead for RN given Le Pen can't run again and tied in a runoff with Macron's former centre right PM Philippe
It's always rather enlightening to see posters like Fitalass and Big G pontificating on how long Labour will tolerate Starmer. Neither have ever voted other that Tory in their lives and therefore have not the slightest insight into how Labour voters will be thinking.
As someone who votes Labour (or Lib dem) I can tell them that despite my low opinion of Starmer because of his Gaza inactivity I would still vote Labour in order to ensure we don't get Farage or Badenoch who would be by several orders of magnitude worse
I can see the next election collapsing to a battle between Labour and Keir Vs Reform and Nigel.
With libdems, green and SNP voting tactically to keep out Reform and Tory's vote collapsing further to back REFORM.
Potentially unless Kemi is replaced by say Jenrick or Stride who cut back Reform.
Though even then most of the Home Counties and much of the SW will be Tory v LD rather than Labour v Reform and in rural Scotland Labour will still be nowhere
Be interesting to know how that will actually work in practice.
Reform can't even get rid of pride flags from council buildings and we are to believe they will bring on huge immigration reform? Not gonna happen
I have accepted real change in the UK will not happen via the ballot box without some sort of revolution. The blob is too big
They couldn't get rid of Pride flags because they didn't actually win a majority on the council concerned.
A party failing at the ballot box and switching to revolution instead... is not a path I think we want for the country.
We don't WANT it. But if the people keep voting for lower immigration and all they ever get is more mass immigration then the people will look towards other means to change policy. Look at what is happening in Epping and the summer riots last year, this far they relatively minor compared to an all out revolution but if what happened with the Afghan super injunction keeps happening and nothing changes with the small boats then people WILL be pushed into taking extreme action
We don't want it but for how long can we avoid it?
I think that brings it back to Starmer's existential need to deliver actual, perceptible, change - including on illegal immigration which has become a key issue across Europe, playing in to the populist-authoritarian / centrist-democratic balance.
My view, like on a lot of things, is that this is very substantially to do with a previous government of headless chickens sitting on their rumps with great resolution, in between running round in circles having a punch up.
But in any case, and whatever our view about the cause, Mr Starmer must still rebuild and deliver change at a very difficult time.
Just had quite a shock, was playing a game in the living room when suddenly there was a loud bang and I saw bits of glass flying, so I instinctively ducked not having a clue what was going on.
Then got up and saw it was a bottle of Prosecco had literally exploded. No idea how, or why. I'd left it in the hallway, there was nothing hot nearby (not near radiator, and those are off anyway for summer). So no clue what happened.
The cork was still in the neck, with the wrapping still on it. It was the rest of the glass bottle that exploded and flew in many pieces in different directions. Went with quite some pressure. Never seen that before. Thankfully nobody hurt by the shards of glass, just a shame that the whole bottle has been spilt.
Be interesting to know how that will actually work in practice.
Reform can't even get rid of pride flags from council buildings and we are to believe they will bring on huge immigration reform? Not gonna happen
I have accepted real change in the UK will not happen via the ballot box without some sort of revolution. The blob is too big
They couldn't get rid of Pride flags because they didn't actually win a majority on the council concerned.
A party failing at the ballot box and switching to revolution instead... is not a path I think we want for the country.
We don't WANT it. But if the people keep voting for lower immigration and all they ever get is more mass immigration then the people will look towards other means to change policy. Look at what is happening in Epping and the summer riots last year, this far they relatively minor compared to an all out revolution but if what happened with the Afghan super injunction keeps happening and nothing changes with the small boats then people WILL be pushed into taking extreme action
We don't want it but for how long can we avoid it?
Parties pushing hard on much lower immigration lost the 2024 general election. You talked above about "far right conspiracies about vaccines". What's behind what is happening in Epping is more far right conspiracies. So, let's not give in to political violence and maybe do something about social media spreading lies?
Farage is Britain Trump.
When he is elected we will just rerun everyone of the batshit US ideas of the last six months: deporting millions, bitcoin wealth funds, tariffs, close down the education department, put failed businessmen as Cabinet secs, go after the judges, try and close the BBC etc etc.
Reform have no ideas themselves. It is a copycat act.
Be interesting to know how that will actually work in practice.
Reform can't even get rid of pride flags from council buildings and we are to believe they will bring on huge immigration reform? Not gonna happen
I have accepted real change in the UK will not happen via the ballot box without some sort of revolution. The blob is too big
They couldn't get rid of Pride flags because they didn't actually win a majority on the council concerned.
A party failing at the ballot box and switching to revolution instead... is not a path I think we want for the country.
We don't WANT it. But if the people keep voting for lower immigration and all they ever get is more mass immigration then the people will look towards other means to change policy. Look at what is happening in Epping and the summer riots last year, this far they relatively minor compared to an all out revolution but if what happened with the Afghan super injunction keeps happening and nothing changes with the small boats then people WILL be pushed into taking extreme action
We don't want it but for how long can we avoid it?
Parties pushing hard on much lower immigration lost the 2024 general election. You talked above about "far right conspiracies about vaccines". What's behind what is happening in Epping is more far right conspiracies. So, let's not give in to political violence and maybe do something about social media spreading lies?
Farage is Britain Trump.
When he is elected we will just rerun everyone of the batshit US ideas of the last six months: deporting millions, bitcoin wealth funds, tariffs, close down the education department, put failed businessmen as Cabinet secs, go after the judges, try and close the BBC etc etc.
Reform have no ideas themselves. It is a copycat act.
Be interesting to know how that will actually work in practice.
Reform can't even get rid of pride flags from council buildings and we are to believe they will bring on huge immigration reform? Not gonna happen
I have accepted real change in the UK will not happen via the ballot box without some sort of revolution. The blob is too big
They couldn't get rid of Pride flags because they didn't actually win a majority on the council concerned.
A party failing at the ballot box and switching to revolution instead... is not a path I think we want for the country.
We don't WANT it. But if the people keep voting for lower immigration and all they ever get is more mass immigration then the people will look towards other means to change policy. Look at what is happening in Epping and the summer riots last year, this far they relatively minor compared to an all out revolution but if what happened with the Afghan super injunction keeps happening and nothing changes with the small boats then people WILL be pushed into taking extreme action
We don't want it but for how long can we avoid it?
Parties pushing hard on much lower immigration lost the 2024 general election. You talked above about "far right conspiracies about vaccines". What's behind what is happening in Epping is more far right conspiracies. So, let's not give in to political violence and maybe do something about social media spreading lies?
Farage is Britain Trump.
When he is elected we will just rerun everyone of the batshit US ideas of the last six months: deporting millions, bitcoin wealth funds, tariffs, close down the education department, put failed businessmen as Cabinet secs, go after the judges, try and close the BBC etc etc.
Reform have no ideas themselves. It is a copycat act.
Hmmm. One should remember that Farage has been in active politics rather longer than Trump has. He does seem to be leaning in to Trumpism though if only for personal vanity. I'm sure he knows how unpopular Trump is over here though. Not that he himself is very well liked. He could end up being a Reform liability.
Be interesting to know how that will actually work in practice.
Reform can't even get rid of pride flags from council buildings and we are to believe they will bring on huge immigration reform? Not gonna happen
I have accepted real change in the UK will not happen via the ballot box without some sort of revolution. The blob is too big
They couldn't get rid of Pride flags because they didn't actually win a majority on the council concerned.
A party failing at the ballot box and switching to revolution instead... is not a path I think we want for the country.
We don't WANT it. But if the people keep voting for lower immigration and all they ever get is more mass immigration then the people will look towards other means to change policy. Look at what is happening in Epping and the summer riots last year, this far they relatively minor compared to an all out revolution but if what happened with the Afghan super injunction keeps happening and nothing changes with the small boats then people WILL be pushed into taking extreme action
We don't want it but for how long can we avoid it?
Parties pushing hard on much lower immigration lost the 2024 general election. You talked above about "far right conspiracies about vaccines". What's behind what is happening in Epping is more far right conspiracies. So, let's not give in to political violence and maybe do something about social media spreading lies?
Farage is Britain Trump.
When he is elected we will just rerun everyone of the batshit US ideas of the last six months: deporting millions, bitcoin wealth funds, tariffs, close down the education department, put failed businessmen as Cabinet secs, go after the judges, try and close the BBC etc etc.
Reform have no ideas themselves. It is a copycat act.
Adam Brooks AKA EssexPR 🇬🇧 @EssexPR Numbers reaching possibly 2000 people at The Bell Hotel in Epping right now,so far good natured,huge Police presence & all faces showing that I can see.
I hope the people of Epping can get their message across tonight without anyone trying to turn it violent.
Didn't they assault two hotel staff the other day?
Smashed up a number of police vans too.
Yet it seems 100 placards holding protesters are the "Terrorists"
I hope we're not getting two tier policing to avoid false allegations of two tier policing.
The false allegations of two tier policing will be happening anyway; that is just a tactic.
It's the same reason why imo Starmer is wrong to try and fight on Opposition ground; it will make no difference as they will just shift further and say "not enough". He needs to fight politically for his won ground.
There is some utter toss being spouted about this. Apparently the Police were bussing in left wing counter protestors according to some on Twitter.
Accompanied by non specific videos and about as likely to be true as a Sunday Sport exclusive.
But it’s dangerous talk and, after last year, people need to really think about what they write on Twitter.
The best thing that could happen there is three days of torrential rain.
My current view is that Tommy (& Friends, & Enemies) movement will implode (which will please me immensely), because of their own contradictions, and they are overreaching.
Not sure exactly who you include in the movement but unless migration and crime are seen to come under control the backlash will only get stronger I'd suggest.
I include various. Given PB if I tried to give a list I'd have to add a data dictionary and list of people.
I'd see the core tension on this one as being between factions in Reform to control the organisational centre, and Farage trying to ride several horses at once and keep them happy. Perhaps it's like a piece of glass where the toughening process has not correctly released the internal stresses, and it could hold or shatter.
I think Mr Farage has a tricky challenge, especially around the issue where imo he has found it tricky previously - when he wants to maintain the feel of a Radical Right rhetoric, but without embracing the actual policies it implies. And factions demanding he be on one side or the other. Previously as I see it he has redone his party structure or affiliation sometimes (eg when he left Ukip).
Be interesting to know how that will actually work in practice.
Reform can't even get rid of pride flags from council buildings and we are to believe they will bring on huge immigration reform? Not gonna happen
I have accepted real change in the UK will not happen via the ballot box without some sort of revolution. The blob is too big
They couldn't get rid of Pride flags because they didn't actually win a majority on the council concerned.
A party failing at the ballot box and switching to revolution instead... is not a path I think we want for the country.
We don't WANT it. But if the people keep voting for lower immigration and all they ever get is more mass immigration then the people will look towards other means to change policy. Look at what is happening in Epping and the summer riots last year, this far they relatively minor compared to an all out revolution but if what happened with the Afghan super injunction keeps happening and nothing changes with the small boats then people WILL be pushed into taking extreme action
We don't want it but for how long can we avoid it?
Parties pushing hard on much lower immigration lost the 2024 general election. You talked above about "far right conspiracies about vaccines". What's behind what is happening in Epping is more far right conspiracies. So, let's not give in to political violence and maybe do something about social media spreading lies?
Farage is Britain Trump.
When he is elected we will just rerun everyone of the batshit US ideas of the last six months: deporting millions, bitcoin wealth funds, tariffs, close down the education department, put failed businessmen as Cabinet secs, go after the judges, try and close the BBC etc etc.
Reform have no ideas themselves. It is a copycat act.
Hmmm. One should remember that Farage has been in active politics rather longer than Trump has. He does seem to be leaning in to Trumpism though if only for personal vanity. I'm sure he knows how unpopular Trump is over here though. Not that he himself is very well liked. He could end up being a Reform liability.
Primrose Hill is proof on the ground, of what works
Just build nice terraces, pop a pub on every third corner, plant loads of trees. Bosh
For me, it has been a lifelong interest and I want it to just ... work.
Those "serpentine Sheffield stand" cycle stands are possible mishaps for certain types of cycle, and potentially a hazard for visually impaired people. They need to be Sheffield Stands with a second rail across at approximately 350-400mm off the ground, then a tapping rail at 150-200mm (so cane users do not miss it and walk into the stand), and reflective bands.
(That might be too much information, and I am ignoring the issue of non-standard cycles .)
Talking of TMI, fifty years ago one of @Leon's Primrose Hill pubs had a nightly stripper (and a different one each night, too, so I was informed by a regular punter). All that's left today is Cecil Sharp and his bloody folk dancing.
I mean it's not a suprise in a country with like a million 100 year olds.
"Swung to the hard right" overstates it, the far-right party came 6th behind the ruling party, the Osaka ruling party, a religious cult, and both of the different mutually antagonistic versions of the centre-left Democratic Party.
Also IIUC they're mainly getting votes from young men who spend too much time on the internet rather than the old folks.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin recently called the UN “transparently antisemitic.” That’s true, but it’s only part of the story.
The UN and its vast ecosystem of grifters have built a sprawling financial empire on the back of easy antisemitism. UNRWA, the agency that’s run Gaza’s aid-state for decades, is the pilot program — the template for how other relief agencies can launder Western taxpayer money under the guise of humanitarianism.
It is a fact that UNRWA employees have engaged in terrorism. It is a fact that UNRWA has cultivated a symbiotic relationship with Hamas: UNRWA supplies the food and medical aid, Hamas controls the streets and weaponizes the aid system to sustain its rule. UNRWA keeps the Gazan population dependent, and Hamas ensures UNRWA stays relevant. It’s a closed loop — funded by you.
UNIFIL, another hollow UN operation in Lebanon, turned a blind eye as Hezbollah stockpiled missiles and tunneled into Israel. They didn't just fail — they enabled.
October 7 exposed the UN as a captured institution. The Secretary-General refused to condemn Hamas’s atrocities without equivocation. UNRWA’s leadership engaged in coverups. And now, Israel’s counteroffensive has shined a spotlight on the billions wasted and the decades of fraud that prop up the UN’s humanitarian-industrial complex.
Enter GHF.
Why would the UN care if another group hands out food in Gaza? Why would it care that American veterans are protecting aid convoys and keeping supplies out of Hamas’s hands?
Because GHF’s success is existentially threatening to the UN’s model. If GHF works, the whole UN paradigm collapses.
No more plausible deniability. No more working “through partners” who happen to be terrorists. No more junkets and photo ops for people like Francesca Albanese and Philippe Lazzarini, who get feted around the world for overseeing human misery.
The fight over Gaza aid isn’t just about Gaza — it’s about the system the UN has built in Gaza and exported to Sudan, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and beyond. Gaza is the perfect petri dish: you can do anything and blame Israel.
That’s why the UN’s talking heads are smearing GHF — not for doing harm, but for committing the unpardonable sin of delivering food without collaborating with terrorists. Nothing is stopping the UN from setting up 400 aid distribution points tomorrow.
So instead of admitting failure, they attack the people who are actually feeding hungry Gazans.
Make no mistake: the UN’s aid mechanisms have prolonged this war, increased suffering, and entrenched Hamas rule. By channeling aid through terror, they have made recovery impossible.
The source of Gaza’s suffering is clear. And it's not the GHF.
Just had quite a shock, was playing a game in the living room when suddenly there was a loud bang and I saw bits of glass flying, so I instinctively ducked not having a clue what was going on.
Then got up and saw it was a bottle of Prosecco had literally exploded. No idea how, or why. I'd left it in the hallway, there was nothing hot nearby (not near radiator, and those are off anyway for summer). So no clue what happened.
The cork was still in the neck, with the wrapping still on it. It was the rest of the glass bottle that exploded and flew in many pieces in different directions. Went with quite some pressure. Never seen that before. Thankfully nobody hurt by the shards of glass, just a shame that the whole bottle has been spilt.
Probably bottled too early causing excess carbonation.
In the home brew hobby these are affectionately known as bottle bombs.
Sometimes you can also open a beer or sparkling wine and the liquid gushes out. Same cause. I’ve had it a couple of times.
Just had quite a shock, was playing a game in the living room when suddenly there was a loud bang and I saw bits of glass flying, so I instinctively ducked not having a clue what was going on.
Then got up and saw it was a bottle of Prosecco had literally exploded. No idea how, or why. I'd left it in the hallway, there was nothing hot nearby (not near radiator, and those are off anyway for summer). So no clue what happened.
The cork was still in the neck, with the wrapping still on it. It was the rest of the glass bottle that exploded and flew in many pieces in different directions. Went with quite some pressure. Never seen that before. Thankfully nobody hurt by the shards of glass, just a shame that the whole bottle has been spilt.
You see the mistake you have made their my old chap.....buying Prosecco.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin recently called the UN “transparently antisemitic.” That’s true, but it’s only part of the story.
The UN and its vast ecosystem of grifters have built a sprawling financial empire on the back of easy antisemitism. UNRWA, the agency that’s run Gaza’s aid-state for decades, is the pilot program — the template for how other relief agencies can launder Western taxpayer money under the guise of humanitarianism.
It is a fact that UNRWA employees have engaged in terrorism. It is a fact that UNRWA has cultivated a symbiotic relationship with Hamas: UNRWA supplies the food and medical aid, Hamas controls the streets and weaponizes the aid system to sustain its rule. UNRWA keeps the Gazan population dependent, and Hamas ensures UNRWA stays relevant. It’s a closed loop — funded by you.
UNIFIL, another hollow UN operation in Lebanon, turned a blind eye as Hezbollah stockpiled missiles and tunneled into Israel. They didn't just fail — they enabled.
October 7 exposed the UN as a captured institution. The Secretary-General refused to condemn Hamas’s atrocities without equivocation. UNRWA’s leadership engaged in coverups. And now, Israel’s counteroffensive has shined a spotlight on the billions wasted and the decades of fraud that prop up the UN’s humanitarian-industrial complex.
Enter GHF.
Why would the UN care if another group hands out food in Gaza? Why would it care that American veterans are protecting aid convoys and keeping supplies out of Hamas’s hands?
Because GHF’s success is existentially threatening to the UN’s model. If GHF works, the whole UN paradigm collapses.
No more plausible deniability. No more working “through partners” who happen to be terrorists. No more junkets and photo ops for people like Francesca Albanese and Philippe Lazzarini, who get feted around the world for overseeing human misery.
The fight over Gaza aid isn’t just about Gaza — it’s about the system the UN has built in Gaza and exported to Sudan, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and beyond. Gaza is the perfect petri dish: you can do anything and blame Israel.
That’s why the UN’s talking heads are smearing GHF — not for doing harm, but for committing the unpardonable sin of delivering food without collaborating with terrorists. Nothing is stopping the UN from setting up 400 aid distribution points tomorrow.
So instead of admitting failure, they attack the people who are actually feeding hungry Gazans.
Make no mistake: the UN’s aid mechanisms have prolonged this war, increased suffering, and entrenched Hamas rule. By channeling aid through terror, they have made recovery impossible.
The source of Gaza’s suffering is clear. And it's not the GHF.
Be interesting to know how that will actually work in practice.
Reform can't even get rid of pride flags from council buildings and we are to believe they will bring on huge immigration reform? Not gonna happen
I have accepted real change in the UK will not happen via the ballot box without some sort of revolution. The blob is too big
They couldn't get rid of Pride flags because they didn't actually win a majority on the council concerned.
A party failing at the ballot box and switching to revolution instead... is not a path I think we want for the country.
We don't WANT it. But if the people keep voting for lower immigration and all they ever get is more mass immigration then the people will look towards other means to change policy. Look at what is happening in Epping and the summer riots last year, this far they relatively minor compared to an all out revolution but if what happened with the Afghan super injunction keeps happening and nothing changes with the small boats then people WILL be pushed into taking extreme action
We don't want it but for how long can we avoid it?
Parties pushing hard on much lower immigration lost the 2024 general election. You talked above about "far right conspiracies about vaccines". What's behind what is happening in Epping is more far right conspiracies. So, let's not give in to political violence and maybe do something about social media spreading lies?
Farage is Britain Trump.
When he is elected we will just rerun everyone of the batshit US ideas of the last six months: deporting millions, bitcoin wealth funds, tariffs, close down the education department, put failed businessmen as Cabinet secs, go after the judges, try and close the BBC etc etc.
Reform have no ideas themselves. It is a copycat act.
We will be able to see the full effect of a full second Trump term before we vote for Farage as PM.
I expect even Farage will have run away from any notion of being a copycat long before then.
Which will leave Reform utterly bereft of bright ideas.
Be interesting to know how that will actually work in practice.
Reform can't even get rid of pride flags from council buildings and we are to believe they will bring on huge immigration reform? Not gonna happen
I have accepted real change in the UK will not happen via the ballot box without some sort of revolution. The blob is too big
They couldn't get rid of Pride flags because they didn't actually win a majority on the council concerned.
A party failing at the ballot box and switching to revolution instead... is not a path I think we want for the country.
We don't WANT it. But if the people keep voting for lower immigration and all they ever get is more mass immigration then the people will look towards other means to change policy. Look at what is happening in Epping and the summer riots last year, this far they relatively minor compared to an all out revolution but if what happened with the Afghan super injunction keeps happening and nothing changes with the small boats then people WILL be pushed into taking extreme action
We don't want it but for how long can we avoid it?
Parties pushing hard on much lower immigration lost the 2024 general election. You talked above about "far right conspiracies about vaccines". What's behind what is happening in Epping is more far right conspiracies. So, let's not give in to political violence and maybe do something about social media spreading lies?
What far right conspiracies in Epping. They are protesting an actual sexual assault by an asylum seeker. And also expressing a larger anger at the establishment unwilling or unable to stop the small boats, as well as the much higher sexual assault rates of these types of migrants. All of this is based on facts.
Unless something changes the anger will boil over. I don't know when the tipping point will be, maybe another Southport? Maybe another cover up this time about Syrians, maybe a vast booming bang on London. Who knows but the parties must get a grip. Or violence will become normal. Which none of us want.
Another useless politician spouting changes that can't legally happen. Therefore building more anger and resentment and more scenes like in Epping. Sove one save us.
Another useless politician spouting changes that can't legally happen. Therefore building more anger and resentment and more scenes like in Epping. Sove one save us.
Why can't it legally happen?
Parliament can entirely legally withdraw from any international treaty if it chooses to do so.
If you object, then give good reasons why its a bad idea, but its entirely legal to change the law or to quit international treaties.
I mean it's not a suprise in a country with like a million 100 year olds.
"Swung to the hard right" overstates it, the far-right party came 6th behind the ruling party, the Osaka ruling party, a religious cult, and both of the different mutually antagonistic versions of the centre-left Democratic Party.
Also IIUC they're mainly getting votes from young men who spend too much time on the internet rather than the old folks.
It's amazing that young men in Japan haven't gone further right given how weak Japan's economy has been for decades now.
But I wonder if that is due to a cultural difference in a country that values loyalty so strongly ? I could be wrong though
Another useless politician spouting changes that can't legally happen. Therefore building more anger and resentment and more scenes like in Epping. Sove one save us.
Why can't it legally happen?
Parliament can entirely legally withdraw from any international treaty if it chooses to do so.
If you object, then give good reasons why its a bad idea, but its entirely legal to change the law or to quit international treaties.
Because the EU wouldn't trade with us anywhere as freely. Also they are talking about unilaterally changing the Friday agreement which the EU also wouldn't like very much and would side with Ireland
Another useless politician spouting changes that can't legally happen. Therefore building more anger and resentment and more scenes like in Epping. Sove one save us.
Why can't it legally happen?
Parliament can entirely legally withdraw from any international treaty if it chooses to do so.
If you object, then give good reasons why its a bad idea, but its entirely legal to change the law or to quit international treaties.
Because the EU wouldn't trade with us anywhere as freely. Also they are talking about unilaterally changing the Friday agreement which the EU also wouldn't like very much and would side with Ireland
Neither of those are a legal barrier.
The EU can choose to weaponise trade if they want to, and that's a consequence that we can debate, but that is not a legal restriction against Parliament acting if that is how we vote.
If you think its a bad idea, argue that, but what its not is something that can't legally happen.
And genius from Labour who now have an extra electoral problem in 2029.
Today's twelve year olds will be voting for first time. No one can say how they will go - but voting for the existing "boring" government seems the least likely outcome.
Be interesting to know how that will actually work in practice.
Reform can't even get rid of pride flags from council buildings and we are to believe they will bring on huge immigration reform? Not gonna happen
I have accepted real change in the UK will not happen via the ballot box without some sort of revolution. The blob is too big
They couldn't get rid of Pride flags because they didn't actually win a majority on the council concerned.
A party failing at the ballot box and switching to revolution instead... is not a path I think we want for the country.
We don't WANT it. But if the people keep voting for lower immigration and all they ever get is more mass immigration then the people will look towards other means to change policy. Look at what is happening in Epping and the summer riots last year, this far they relatively minor compared to an all out revolution but if what happened with the Afghan super injunction keeps happening and nothing changes with the small boats then people WILL be pushed into taking extreme action
We don't want it but for how long can we avoid it?
Parties pushing hard on much lower immigration lost the 2024 general election. You talked above about "far right conspiracies about vaccines". What's behind what is happening in Epping is more far right conspiracies. So, let's not give in to political violence and maybe do something about social media spreading lies?
What far right conspiracies in Epping. They are protesting an actual sexual assault by an asylum seeker. And also expressing a larger anger at the establishment unwilling or unable to stop the small boats, as well as the much higher sexual assault rates of these types of migrants. All of this is based on facts.
Unless something changes the anger will boil over. I don't know when the tipping point will be, maybe another Southport? Maybe another cover up this time about Syrians, maybe a vast booming bang on London. Who knows but the parties must get a grip. Or violence will become normal. Which none of us want.
Civil strife is inevitable now. See the works of David Betz, passim
I mean it's not a suprise in a country with like a million 100 year olds.
"Swung to the hard right" overstates it, the far-right party came 6th behind the ruling party, the Osaka ruling party, a religious cult, and both of the different mutually antagonistic versions of the centre-left Democratic Party.
Also IIUC they're mainly getting votes from young men who spend too much time on the internet rather than the old folks.
You men who spend too much time on the internet and are dissatisfied with things tend to vote for the far right and populist right, old folks are more likely to vote for the traditional right and that is a global trend including it seems in Japan
Comments
Yet even the small houses now go for £2m, because people LOVE this urban design. Handsome terraces (with little gardens), pubs on the corner, proper shops, loads of trees. That's all you fecking need. BUILD IT
Accompanied by non specific videos and about as likely to be true as a Sunday Sport exclusive.
But it’s dangerous talk and, after last year, people need to really think about what they write on Twitter.
The best thing that could happen there is three days of torrential rain.
Not really very different to how rival football supporters get policed to prevent clashes.
https://x.com/sanny_rudra/status/1946675706991165745?s=61
Off to join Nana and the angles.
I’m no fan of Plod based on our local force, but in this case they really cannot win and seem to be playing it just about right.
This is just a load of old shite really.
But WW2 From The Frontlines is something else. Incredible found footage. Superbly edited, deeply moving
·
1m
🚨 NEW: Nigel Farage will tomorrow pledge to banish 10,000 of the UK’s worst paedophiles and murderers to serve their sentences in third party countries such as El Salvador
https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/1947037939768103294
Hope not Hate would imo be focused on research and documentation at this time. They have already published a commentary about last week's lot, including the guy speaking from the back of the truck, who is the main "face", being Cecil Barker - an activist for the Homeland Party (a splinter group of Patriotic Alternative who tend to admire people like David Duke - there is some activity towards Heanor / Bolsover). Barker formerly posted himself in a mask with a copy (or mockup) of the Unabomber's Manifesto.
I'm aware that there are those here who get triggered by HNH, but they are quite reliable on these aspects - or they would have their pants sued off, and they are not big enough to take that. Anyone on the mainstream right who falls for this may get their fingers burnt imo.
https://hopenothate.org.uk/2025/07/18/violence-at-the-bell-hotel-far-right-footprints-in-epping-forest/
'Support for the ruling coalition appears to have been eroded by candidates from the small, right-leaning Sanseito party, which drew conservative votes with its "Japanese First", anti-immigration rhetoric.
Sanseito first gained prominence on YouTube during the Covid-19 pandemic, spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and a cabal of global elites.
The fringe party's nativist rhetoric widened its appeal ahead of Sunday's vote, as policies regarding foreign residents and immigration became a focal point of many parties' campaigns.'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xvn90yr8go
It's tricky if the sovereign becomes a little too irascible in his own domain.
Hear you loud & clear, I’m coming to Epping next Sunday ladies & bringing thousands more with me
https://x.com/TRobinsonNewEra/status/1947017147848253456
The BBC, at the end of a piece said “The danger of radical reform is that if it doesn’t work, they will have no one else to blame.”
Perfect statement of the problem - if the water companies go bust and get taken over by the government, they won’t have management, OFWAT etc to blame.
And he's being very public about "subscribers" read your email message.
It will make it awkward for the police, and apply some pressure to the factions in RefUK - both at leader and follower level imo. There's seems to be quite a lot of hostile social media commentary around about Farage and Yusuf.
I mean it's not a suprise in a country with like a million 100 year olds.
But is he a knob?
I have accepted real change in the UK will not happen via the ballot box without some sort of revolution. The blob is too big
The counter protest in Norwich yesterday significantly outnumbered the EDL protesters. What a fine city.
https://www.networknorwich.co.ukhttps//www.networknorwich.co.uk/Articles/333373/Network_Norwich_and_Norfolk/Regional_News/Norwich_EDL_and_counter_demo_are_peaceable.aspx
The heavy push against "Palestine Action" (is that right?) is on the other side of the scales against "two tier policing", but I'm not sure if that was a consideration in the politics.
That Farage tweet sounds like he is trying to out Tommy, Tommy. I'm not sure if that will appease the faction he does not want to lose to the right, or help with the voters he has picked up from Cons and Lab.
A party failing at the ballot box and switching to revolution instead... is not a path I think we want for the country.
With libdems, green and SNP voting tactically to keep out Reform and Tory's vote collapsing further to back REFORM.
We don't want it but for how long can we avoid it?
Bardella 31%, Philipe 21% Retaillieu 16% Melenchon 13%
Bardella 50% Philippe 50%
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2027_French_presidential_election
If Attal, the President of Macron's party and PM last year runs, Bardella beats him 52% to 48%
Though even then most of the Home Counties and much of the SW will be Tory v LD rather than Labour v Reform and in rural Scotland Labour will still be nowhere
My view, like on a lot of things, is that this is very substantially to do with a previous government of headless chickens sitting on their rumps with great resolution, in between running round in circles having a punch up.
But in any case, and whatever our view about the cause, Mr Starmer must still rebuild and deliver change at a very difficult time.
Then got up and saw it was a bottle of Prosecco had literally exploded. No idea how, or why. I'd left it in the hallway, there was nothing hot nearby (not near radiator, and those are off anyway for summer). So no clue what happened.
The cork was still in the neck, with the wrapping still on it. It was the rest of the glass bottle that exploded and flew in many pieces in different directions. Went with quite some pressure. Never seen that before. Thankfully nobody hurt by the shards of glass, just a shame that the whole bottle has been spilt.
When he is elected we will just rerun everyone of the batshit US ideas of the last six months: deporting millions, bitcoin wealth funds, tariffs, close down the education department, put failed businessmen as Cabinet secs, go after the judges, try and close the BBC etc etc.
Reform have no ideas themselves. It is a copycat act.
I'd see the core tension on this one as being between factions in Reform to control the organisational centre, and Farage trying to ride several horses at once and keep them happy. Perhaps it's like a piece of glass where the toughening process has not correctly released the internal stresses, and it could hold or shatter.
I think Mr Farage has a tricky challenge, especially around the issue where imo he has found it tricky previously - when he wants to maintain the feel of a Radical Right rhetoric, but without embracing the actual policies it implies. And factions demanding he be on one side or the other. Previously as I see it he has redone his party structure or affiliation sometimes (eg when he left Ukip).
But tbh this is also me speculating a bit.
Also IIUC they're mainly getting votes from young men who spend too much time on the internet rather than the old folks.
@leftiestats.bsky.social
· 12h
🚨 NEW | Reform lead by 4pts
➡️ REF – 27% (+4)
🔴 LAB – 23% (-1)
🔵 CON – 19% (-5)
🟠 LD – 14% (+1)
🟢 GRN – 9% (-)
Via @focaldataHQ, 14-18 Jul (+/- vs 11-14 Apr)
See https://bsky.app/profile/leftiestats.bsky.social/post/3luf6dy7r6s2l
https://x.com/EFischberger/status/1946623779242692888
Google co-founder Sergey Brin recently called the UN “transparently antisemitic.” That’s true, but it’s only part of the story.
The UN and its vast ecosystem of grifters have built a sprawling financial empire on the back of easy antisemitism. UNRWA, the agency that’s run Gaza’s aid-state for decades, is the pilot program — the template for how other relief agencies can launder Western taxpayer money under the guise of humanitarianism.
It is a fact that UNRWA employees have engaged in terrorism. It is a fact that UNRWA has cultivated a symbiotic relationship with Hamas: UNRWA supplies the food and medical aid, Hamas controls the streets and weaponizes the aid system to sustain its rule. UNRWA keeps the Gazan population dependent, and Hamas ensures UNRWA stays relevant. It’s a closed loop — funded by you.
UNIFIL, another hollow UN operation in Lebanon, turned a blind eye as Hezbollah stockpiled missiles and tunneled into Israel. They didn't just fail — they enabled.
October 7 exposed the UN as a captured institution. The Secretary-General refused to condemn Hamas’s atrocities without equivocation. UNRWA’s leadership engaged in coverups. And now, Israel’s counteroffensive has shined a spotlight on the billions wasted and the decades of fraud that prop up the UN’s humanitarian-industrial complex.
Enter GHF.
Why would the UN care if another group hands out food in Gaza? Why would it care that American veterans are protecting aid convoys and keeping supplies out of Hamas’s hands?
Because GHF’s success is existentially threatening to the UN’s model. If GHF works, the whole UN paradigm collapses.
No more plausible deniability. No more working “through partners” who happen to be terrorists. No more junkets and photo ops for people like Francesca Albanese and Philippe Lazzarini, who get feted around the world for overseeing human misery.
The fight over Gaza aid isn’t just about Gaza — it’s about the system the UN has built in Gaza and exported to Sudan, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and beyond. Gaza is the perfect petri dish: you can do anything and blame Israel.
That’s why the UN’s talking heads are smearing GHF — not for doing harm, but for committing the unpardonable sin of delivering food without collaborating with terrorists. Nothing is stopping the UN from setting up 400 aid distribution points tomorrow.
So instead of admitting failure, they attack the people who are actually feeding hungry Gazans.
Make no mistake: the UN’s aid mechanisms have prolonged this war, increased suffering, and entrenched Hamas rule. By channeling aid through terror, they have made recovery impossible.
The source of Gaza’s suffering is clear. And it's not the GHF.
In the home brew hobby these are affectionately known as bottle bombs.
Sometimes you can also open a beer or sparkling wine and the liquid gushes out. Same cause. I’ve had it a couple of times.
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
2h
Def true 4 me 😮💨
"If you are ever feeling sad, go for a run. Coz then you will realise that your physical health is way worse than your mental health"
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1947014213819568639
https://x.com/CommTheater/status/1946871510506815604
"2001: Reimagined as community theatre".
Though I still can't help viewing these through the window of David Lynch's "Rabbits", I admit :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drjQfQtv2BQ
Former home secretary’s plan to rewrite Good Friday Agreement ‘has support from Tories, Reform and even some in Labour’" (£)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/20/suella-braverman-reveals-blueprint-for-leaving-echr/
I expect even Farage will have run away from any notion of being a copycat long before then.
Which will leave Reform utterly bereft of bright ideas.
I am really looking forward to it.
Ref 29.0%
Lab 22.6%
Con 17.9%
LD 12.4%
Grn 9.8%
Baxter
Ref 336
Lab 153
LD 62
Con 41
Grn 5
Unless something changes the anger will boil over. I don't know when the tipping point will be, maybe another Southport? Maybe another cover up this time about Syrians, maybe a vast booming bang on London. Who knows but the parties must get a grip. Or violence will become normal. Which none of us want.
Parliament can entirely legally withdraw from any international treaty if it chooses to do so.
If you object, then give good reasons why its a bad idea, but its entirely legal to change the law or to quit international treaties.
But I wonder if that is due to a cultural difference in a country that values loyalty so strongly ? I could be wrong though
The EU can choose to weaponise trade if they want to, and that's a consequence that we can debate, but that is not a legal restriction against Parliament acting if that is how we vote.
If you think its a bad idea, argue that, but what its not is something that can't legally happen.
Today's twelve year olds will be voting for first time. No one can say how they will go - but voting for the existing "boring" government seems the least likely outcome.
Everyone has a smartphone, yet there's no evidence of these supposed killings. Why is that?
If Hamas are involved, then they are legitimate targets to be killed. And collateral damage can happen.
Or Hamas can just pretend people are getting killed and it gets swallowed up whole.
Where are they going to plug the charger? Assuming they still have one.