This is the graphic from the recent LabourList poll of members. There is no easy path for Burnham, so that puts Rayner in pole position. Ed Miliband not far behind. I dont think that the members or PLP want Streeting or Mahmood.
Sure, the Daily Heil would be apopleptic, but that isn't the electorate in question.
Labour MPs would likely only nominate Streeting, Ed Miliband and Cooper of the current PLP. Most new Labour MPs were selected as Starmer loyalists and moderates
You can select people for certain reasons, but it does not prevent them changing a lot once they actually get in.
As one who has been around for a while, I’d support Ed Milliband.
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
His behaviour is known but no one wants to take a chance with such a litigious slimeball.
His new French girlfriend bought herself a house in Clacton like French girlfriends do.
Meanwhile Ange paid the tax she owed
No one is interested in Farage's dealings. Starmer, after the Gill case stated that Farage needs to launch and determine a root and branch investigation into (er, checks notes) Nigel Farage.
Starmer is the Prime Minister. Starmer can launch a Government inquiry into Russian adjacency by members of Reform. Unfortunately he's a useless t**t.
Edit: Surely this is a question to which the answer is No... she might well come back into Cabinet in due course (see Mandleson etc) but I don't see her successfully challenging Keir.
I see her more likely to win a membership vote than anyone else.
Remember her crime was messing up a tax bill that would need to refunded 6 months later (when the child reached an age that the trustees were no longer responsible). She was wrong but even in my love of weird tax cases it's one where I can't see the real crime...
It was the kind of cock up which understandably forced a resignation, but is unlikely to make her seem irredeemable. Might be enough to just not make it worth going for her though.
I was expecting it to be £5,000 so £12,000 is more than ample.
Possibly this is a step towards that. I don’t disagree with your sentiment either.
It's a classic "shaft the youth of today" solution. My parents have a small fortune in ISAs, accrued over man years, and will continue to keep all their annual gains - huzzah.
But now we've pulled up the drawbridge on the next generation getting into the same position.
It's also problematic because someone like me who has a reasonable pile in an ISA really won't want to take it out for short-term use (eg business investment) because I can never put it back.
We should have no limits on ISA deposit or withdrawl, just a cap on the total held - say £100 seems reasonable.
Labour members surely wouldn’t vote for Ed Miliband . Streeting is a good media performer, Cooper is just dull as dishwater . Rayner would get my vote if I was a member .
It's further put to him [Prescott] Kamala Harris wasn't found to have played an active role in the 6 January Capitol riots, so what would an equivalent programme look like? It would examine her track record and the political consequences of if she was elected, he says.
Perhaps Prescott should also question all those BBC documentaries over the years on Hitler and none at all on Ernst Thälmann.
Prescott is self-destructed by his idiocy - and his doctoring evidence in exactly the same manner he condemns others for.
Michael Prescott runs a PR company; he's not a journalist. So when he spins and doctors he's doing it to support the agenda of a paying customer, I presume. Why would he do it for free when this work is his business and livelihood?
So I would be very interested to know who, if anyone, paid him for the report, ie whose agenda he's promoting. I would also be curious about the relationship, direct or indirect, between Robbie Gibb, BBC board member, and Prescott given how hard Gibb is pushing this report. Board members' duty is to uphold the integrity of the institution, not to undermine it
He was a journalist, so he can't plead ignorance.
Michael Prescott is presumably a paid hand promoting the agenda of other people. He's not the important person in this.
And people accuse me of being a conspiracy theorist.
It's further put to him [Prescott] Kamala Harris wasn't found to have played an active role in the 6 January Capitol riots, so what would an equivalent programme look like? It would examine her track record and the political consequences of if she was elected, he says.
Perhaps Prescott should also question all those BBC documentaries over the years on Hitler and none at all on Ernst Thälmann.
Prescott is self-destructed by his idiocy - and his doctoring evidence in exactly the same manner he condemns others for.
Michael Prescott runs a PR company; he's not a journalist. So when he spins and doctors he's doing it to support the agenda of a paying customer, I presume. Why would he do it for free when this work is his business and livelihood?
So I would be very interested to know who, if anyone, paid him for the report, ie whose agenda he's promoting. I would also be curious about the relationship, direct or indirect, between Robbie Gibb, BBC board member, and Prescott given how hard Gibb is pushing this report. Board members' duty is to uphold the integrity of the institution, not to undermine it
He was a journalist, so he can't plead ignorance.
Michael Prescott is presumably a paid hand promoting the agenda of other people. He's not the important person in this.
I am intrigued at the wibblings from the Chairman of the BBC and Gibb today. Gibb, by the way seems to have assumed the mantle of Lord Reith but without the Reithian values. It does seem that Gibb and Shah have concluded that in order to meet the terms of the Charter BBC editorial comment now has to be noticeably right wing in order to be seen as impartial (after Trump).
I don't know what their views are but what about dealing with the actual issue? The BBC's failings in it's reporting which appear to be repeatedly from a left wing perspective.
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
But your lot were corrupt as can be, PPE scandal, Freebies from their Lordships and loads more and they got caught out, but no one followed it up.
Suggesting Starmer Labour have unfairly punished your bunch, they have been guilty of dereliction of duty and done nothing.
What PPE corruption is this? Do the police know? Do you have any evidence of anyone in the government involved in PPE corruption?
Labour members surely wouldn’t vote for Ed Miliband . Streeting is a good media performer, Cooper is just dull as dishwater . Rayner would get my vote if I was a member .
I don't think he'll get it, but there's also a strand of opinion that seems to believe going for him would be like getting the public to admit they were wrong in 2015.
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
His behaviour is known but no one wants to take a chance with such a litigious slimeball.
His new French girlfriend bought herself a house in Clacton like French girlfriends do.
Meanwhile Ange paid the tax she owed
No one is interested in Farage's dealings. Starmer, after the Gill case stated that Farage needs to launch and determine a root and branch investigation into (er, checks notes) Nigel Farage.
Starmer is the Prime Minister. Starmer can launch a Government inquiry into Russian adjacency by members of Reform. Unfortunately he's a useless t**t.
Farage would call it a witch hunt and his media arselickers would lap it up . It’s better if it was police led and not launched by the government.
Labour members surely wouldn’t vote for Ed Miliband . Streeting is a good media performer, Cooper is just dull as dishwater . Rayner would get my vote if I was a member .
This guy: "Kelly was a combat pilot in the US Navy who served during the first Gulf War and later flew four space missions for Nasa from 2001 to 2011. He is married to former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who retired after being shot during a 2011 mass shooting."
There may come a point at which Trump/MAGA overreaches and it becomes obvious to even the most dense that their country is being taken away from them by bunch of grifters and sycophants. Perhaps going after Kelly will prove to be a tipping point?
This guy: "Kelly was a combat pilot in the US Navy who served during the first Gulf War and later flew four space missions for Nasa from 2001 to 2011. He is married to former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who retired after being shot during a 2011 mass shooting."
There may come a point at which Trump/MAGA overreaches and it becomes obvious to even the most dense that their country is being taken away from them by bunch of grifters and sycophants. Perhaps going after Kelly will prove to be a tipping point?
It doesn't even crack the top 10. Anyone still waiting for the public to wake up is going to disappointed. Slow drift away is best case scenario.
Can anyone explain the strong rouble? Down to 78.5 against the dollar. Of course this actually reduces the amount of export revenue they get from the oil and gas. But I'm surprised it's as strong as it is. Interest rates are high but they have been this level or higher for nearly two years.
The 78.5 is the “official rate”. You can probably sell dollars to buy rubles at that rate, but the rate to buy dollars at a money shop in Moscow is going to be significantly higher.
Labour members surely wouldn’t vote for Ed Miliband . Streeting is a good media performer, Cooper is just dull as dishwater . Rayner would get my vote if I was a member .
I don't think he'll get it, but there's also a strand of opinion that seems to believe going for him would be like getting the public to admit they were wrong in 2015.
Besides, there's the march of time to consider. In anything other than a "run over by a Westminster bus" scenario, it needs to be someone from the next generation.
On the other hand, making EdM PM (even if only briefly) might be the only way to break the curse over the country since that tweet from the 2015 campaign.
Funny how Prescott just obsessed over alleged left-wing bias . Clearly not impartial and Gibb can also do one !
Hmm. People from a right wing perspective are likely to see bias in the BBC. And on PB we have our own lefties who think the BBC is biased in favour of the right. No organisation will get everything right, but the BBC does a tremendous job of it, most of the time. I think there are some questions around trans issues blurring into advocacy and differential reporting of the ME according to the audience. But on the whole it’s pretty damn good.
Labour members surely wouldn’t vote for Ed Miliband . Streeting is a good media performer, Cooper is just dull as dishwater . Rayner would get my vote if I was a member .
I don't think he'll get it, but there's also a strand of opinion that seems to believe going for him would be like getting the public to admit they were wrong in 2015.
Besides, there's the march of time to consider. In anything other than a "run over by a Westminster bus" scenario, it needs to be someone from the next generation.
On the other hand, making EdM PM (even if only briefly) might be the only way to break the curse over the country since that tweet from the 2015 campaign.
Funny how Prescott just obsessed over alleged left-wing bias . Clearly not impartial and Gibb can also do one !
Reminds me of all the "I don't have a racist bone in my body" that was all the vogue a few years back: ..But when asked about how he manages his own bias, Gibb was emphatic. “I have impartiality through my bones,” was his precise quote..
No you don't you pillock. Not even metaphorically.
No one who has been a Downing Street comms director can claim that, even with fingers crossed behind their back. Just absurd.
This is the graphic from the recent LabourList poll of members. There is no easy path for Burnham, so that puts Rayner in pole position. Ed Miliband not far behind. I dont think that the members or PLP want Streeting or Mahmood.
Sure, the Daily Heil would be apopleptic, but that isn't the electorate in question.
Labour MPs would likely only nominate Streeting, Ed Miliband and Cooper of the current PLP. Most new Labour MPs were selected as Starmer loyalists and moderates
I think that the election of Powell as DL shows that is not true.
OT: Bringing back Angela Rayner could be smart politics for a number of reasons.
1. She is popular with Labour members and they will be pleased. 2. She will owe Starmer and can be guaranteed to be loyal. 3. As an authentic WWC woman with ahard-scrabble background and a dash of charisma, she will make a formidable opponent and debunker of Farage (which is why Reform will have been delighted by her defenestration) 4. Her taking the rap for a misdemeanour may cause the media to look with renewed interest at some of Farage's questionable activities - certainly, makes a useful foil for such investigations 4. Will help, more generally, Labour to re-engage with their traditional Red Wall supporters, something obviously beyond Sir Keir.
I really think, at this stage, with Labour having little to lose, they should just go for it.
Funny how Prescott just obsessed over alleged left-wing bias . Clearly not impartial and Gibb can also do one !
Hmm. People from a right wing perspective are likely to see bias in the BBC. And on PB we have our own lefties who think the BBC is biased in favour of the right. No organisation will get everything right, but the BBC does a tremendous job of it, most of the time. I think there are some questions around trans issues blurring into advocacy and differential reporting of the ME according to the audience. But on the whole it’s pretty damn good.
Fair comment. But I wish they wouldn’t give as much airtime to Reform.
Funny how Prescott just obsessed over alleged left-wing bias . Clearly not impartial and Gibb can also do one !
Hmm. People from a right wing perspective are likely to see bias in the BBC. And on PB we have our own lefties who think the BBC is biased in favour of the right. No organisation will get everything right, but the BBC does a tremendous job of it, most of the time. I think there are some questions around trans issues blurring into advocacy and differential reporting of the ME according to the audience. But on the whole it’s pretty damn good.
I support the BBC and if both the left and right are moaning then it’s probably doing a good job . Clearly though the right no longer want a piss off both sides BBC but one that just parrots their talking points . This is clear by the attacks from right wing media .
I cannot read through to the Times article, but it is interesting to see Starmer wanting her back in cabinet.
It could be to hobble any leadership challenge by Rayner, but I suspect that there's more to it than that. Starmer knows that he needs a Prescott type figure to keep the party on board.
Do I sense a Granita type pact? She keeps the lid on the revolting backbenchers, and in return gets annointed PM in 27/28.
Funny how Prescott just obsessed over alleged left-wing bias . Clearly not impartial and Gibb can also do one !
Hmm. People from a right wing perspective are likely to see bias in the BBC. And on PB we have our own lefties who think the BBC is biased in favour of the right. No organisation will get everything right, but the BBC does a tremendous job of it, most of the time. I think there are some questions around trans issues blurring into advocacy and differential reporting of the ME according to the audience. But on the whole it’s pretty damn good.
Fair comment. But I wish they wouldn’t give as much airtime to Reform.
Edit: Surely this is a question to which the answer is No... she might well come back into Cabinet in due course (see Mandleson etc) but I don't see her successfully challenging Keir.
I see her more likely to win a membership vote than anyone else.
Remember her crime was messing up a tax bill that would need to refunded 6 months later (when the child reached an age that the trustees were no longer responsible). She was wrong but even in my love of weird tax cases it's one where I can't see the real crime...
Rayner is probably quite nice as people go. (I've no idea if this is true, but if you asked me to choose I'd go with that)
What's certain is that she swallowed her pride and did align herself with Starmer and his policy ideas. That's good in two ways - firstly she listens and secondly she'll have undoubtedly picked up on all sorts of minor lessons.
Mahmood may just have outflanked her, but she seems a pretty likely candidate to fill the SKS shoes.
Mahmood has no chance, the latest Labour members poll has them preferring to keep Starmer than replace him with the Home Secretary
We'll see.
Ask yourself though who you'd vote for to be next Labour leader. (I appreciate you're not that likely to get a vote)
As a Tory? Ed Miliband who could send some Labour 2024 voters who voted Tory before but dislike Farage back to us. Farage would love an Ed Miliband Labour leadership again too given he was the Labour leader who started leaking back to Farage’s predecessor party UKIP in 2015. Polanski I am sure would love Mahmood to be Labour leader as she would send more left liberal Labour voters to the Greens.
Who do we both fear? Probably Burnham. Tories would also fear Streeting who is New Labour enough to win centrist swing voters but not leftwing enough for those considering the Greens.
Farage on policy would likely most fear Mahmood but a Muslim woman sad to say is still unlikely to win back many voters to Labour from Reform. Rayner would do better than Starmer in the redwall so she might worry Farage a bit but she would turn off middle class voters in the South so the Tories and LDs would welcome a Rayner Labour leadership.
Milliband is of course the wrong answer to any question Labour might ask themselves. Burnham could and perhaps would wipe them out entirely. Streeting .. tricky, but I can't see it. Cooper - run away!
The left are bereft!
And so Rayner, Mahmood. I quite like the outside Lammy bet.
(Many more possibilities of course)
A poll a month ago had a Burnham led Labour party back in the lead, 2% ahead of Reform
Trouble is he's not an MP and he's a t**t.
His attraction is how he stands against the machine of Westminster, it did him very well for his King in the North schtick during covid. It all falls apart as soon as you get your hands dirty with the hard graft of government.
This is the graphic from the recent LabourList poll of members. There is no easy path for Burnham, so that puts Rayner in pole position. Ed Miliband not far behind. I dont think that the members or PLP want Streeting or Mahmood.
Sure, the Daily Heil would be apopleptic, but that isn't the electorate in question.
Labour MPs would likely only nominate Streeting, Ed Miliband and Cooper of the current PLP. Most new Labour MPs were selected as Starmer loyalists and moderates
You can select people for certain reasons, but it does not prevent them changing a lot once they actually get in.
As one who has been around for a while, I’d support Ed Milliband.
Ed Miliband could win back some Labour voters lost to the Greens but would be a gift to the Tories and would fail to win back Labour voters lost to Reform
It's further put to him [Prescott] Kamala Harris wasn't found to have played an active role in the 6 January Capitol riots, so what would an equivalent programme look like? It would examine her track record and the political consequences of if she was elected, he says.
Perhaps Prescott should also question all those BBC documentaries over the years on Hitler and none at all on Ernst Thälmann.
Prescott is self-destructed by his idiocy - and his doctoring evidence in exactly the same manner he condemns others for.
Michael Prescott runs a PR company; he's not a journalist. So when he spins and doctors he's doing it to support the agenda of a paying customer, I presume. Why would he do it for free when this work is his business and livelihood?
So I would be very interested to know who, if anyone, paid him for the report, ie whose agenda he's promoting. I would also be curious about the relationship, direct or indirect, between Robbie Gibb, BBC board member, and Prescott given how hard Gibb is pushing this report. Board members' duty is to uphold the integrity of the institution, not to undermine it
He was a journalist, so he can't plead ignorance.
Michael Prescott is presumably a paid hand promoting the agenda of other people. He's not the important person in this.
I am intrigued at the wibblings from the Chairman of the BBC and Gibb today. Gibb, by the way seems to have assumed the mantle of Lord Reith but without the Reithian values. It does seem that Gibb and Shah have concluded that in order to meet the terms of the Charter BBC editorial comment now has to be noticeably right wing in order to be seen as impartial (after Trump).
I don't know what their views are but what about dealing with the actual issue? The BBC's failings in it's reporting which appear to be repeatedly from a left wing perspective.
From a left of centre perspective the BBC appear to be shilling for Reform/ Tories, see Montague, Kuennsberg and Mason. For right of centre, i.e. you and Robbie Gibb the BBC are raging Gazan Trots, see Bowen,Lineker, Maitlis, Goodall, Sopel and Vorderman*.
Labour members surely wouldn’t vote for Ed Miliband . Streeting is a good media performer, Cooper is just dull as dishwater . Rayner would get my vote if I was a member .
I don't think he'll get it, but there's also a strand of opinion that seems to believe going for him would be like getting the public to admit they were wrong in 2015.
Besides, there's the march of time to consider. In anything other than a "run over by a Westminster bus" scenario, it needs to be someone from the next generation.
On the other hand, making EdM PM (even if only briefly) might be the only way to break the curse over the country since that tweet from the 2015 campaign.
The free owls one?
Due to fiscal drag everyone is now entitled only to a free sparrow.
Funny how Prescott just obsessed over alleged left-wing bias . Clearly not impartial and Gibb can also do one !
Hmm. People from a right wing perspective are likely to see bias in the BBC. And on PB we have our own lefties who think the BBC is biased in favour of the right. No organisation will get everything right, but the BBC does a tremendous job of it, most of the time. I think there are some questions around trans issues blurring into advocacy and differential reporting of the ME according to the audience. But on the whole it’s pretty damn good.
I absolutely agree with you there.
But there is a mountain of research which shows significant numbers on both sides of the spectrum see bias in the BBC - and regularly make complaints about it, on the issues which Prescott covered in his memo. That the memo seriously considered only complaints from the right (and introduced its own dodgy evidence), and alleged persistent bias in one direction only strongly suggests that he wasn't fit for the post he occupied
This is the graphic from the recent LabourList poll of members. There is no easy path for Burnham, so that puts Rayner in pole position. Ed Miliband not far behind. I dont think that the members or PLP want Streeting or Mahmood.
Sure, the Daily Heil would be apopleptic, but that isn't the electorate in question.
Labour MPs would likely only nominate Streeting, Ed Miliband and Cooper of the current PLP. Most new Labour MPs were selected as Starmer loyalists and moderates
I think that the election of Powell as DL shows that is not true.
Powell was not a Corbynite like Rayner
Rayner isn't a Corbynite either.
She was in Corbyn's shadow cabinet, but so was Starmer.
Labour members surely wouldn’t vote for Ed Miliband . Streeting is a good media performer, Cooper is just dull as dishwater . Rayner would get my vote if I was a member .
I don't think he'll get it, but there's also a strand of opinion that seems to believe going for him would be like getting the public to admit they were wrong in 2015.
Besides, there's the march of time to consider. In anything other than a "run over by a Westminster bus" scenario, it needs to be someone from the next generation.
On the other hand, making EdM PM (even if only briefly) might be the only way to break the curse over the country since that tweet from the 2015 campaign.
The free owls one?
Due to fiscal drag everyone is now entitled only to a free sparrow.
I think Starmer is safer than most people reckon, if only because there is simply no alternative candidate that the PLP, or for that matter LP members, could agree on. Each of the names in the frame has supporters, but none of them (with the possible exception of Burnham, who is ineligible) attracts a sufficiently broad range of support to successfully challenge Starmer.
I've thought for a long time that the most plausible circumstance for Starmer going is of his own volition - he's had enough, family first or whatever. But we're some way off that yet.
Funny how Prescott just obsessed over alleged left-wing bias . Clearly not impartial and Gibb can also do one !
How an owner of a Newspaper found to have invented stories can be given a role in the management of the BBC is quite extraordinary. When that job is particularly involved in ensuring impartiality it becomes sinister
"Jewish Chronicle published fabricated stories attributed to a freelance journalist named Elon Perry, leading to the resignation of several staff members and renewed questions about the newspaper's ownership, which includes a consortium led by Robbie Gibb. The articles, which were removed from the website, were based on what were later debunked as false claims, with editor Jake Wallis Simons apologizing for the mistakes."
30 seconds of an old Paul Whitehouse/Harry Enfield sketch that now just sounds like the BBC has put a laugh track on the news:- https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hAojT_irrgE
Funny how Prescott just obsessed over alleged left-wing bias . Clearly not impartial and Gibb can also do one !
Hmm. People from a right wing perspective are likely to see bias in the BBC. And on PB we have our own lefties who think the BBC is biased in favour of the right. No organisation will get everything right, but the BBC does a tremendous job of it, most of the time. I think there are some questions around trans issues blurring into advocacy and differential reporting of the ME according to the audience. But on the whole it’s pretty damn good.
I absolutely agree with you there.
But there is a mountain of research which shows significant numbers on both sides of the spectrum see bias in the BBC - and regularly make complaints about it, on the issues which Prescott covered in his memo. That the memo seriously considered only complaints from the right (and introduced its own dodgy evidence), and alleged persistent bias in one direction only strongly suggests that he wasn't fit for the post he occupied
I read Prescott's report/memo, in which he kept saying he was 'shocked' by his findings. It reminded me of a very poor A-level media studies essay, asking the student to "Examine, using evidence, the extent of bias in BBC news coverage". I would have awarded it a fail, and commented that the student's use of evidence was highly selective and that any attempt at objectivity was highly dubious.
Funny how Prescott just obsessed over alleged left-wing bias . Clearly not impartial and Gibb can also do one !
How an owner of a Newspaper found to have invented stories can be given a role in the management of the BBC is quite extraordinary. When that job is particularly involved in ensuring impartiality it becomes sinister
"Jewish Chronicle published fabricated stories attributed to a freelance journalist named Elon Perry, leading to the resignation of several staff members and renewed questions about the newspaper's ownership, which includes a consortium led by Robbie Gibb. The articles, which were removed from the website, were based on what were later debunked as false claims, with editor Jake Wallis Simons apologizing for the mistakes."
I think Starmer is safer than most people reckon, if only because there is simply no alternative candidate that the PLP, or for that matter LP members, could agree on. Each of the names in the frame has supporters, but none of them (with the possible exception of Burnham, who is ineligible) attracts a sufficiently broad range of support to successfully challenge Starmer.
I've thought for a long time that the most plausible circumstance for Starmer going is of his own volition - he's had enough, family first or whatever. But we're some way off that yet.
Oldest PM at the start of term for 50 years, but still not very old, so will want more time.
"Cartel de los Soles" which is the name the US has given Maduro and the Venezuelan generals involved in drug trade, has been marked a Foreign terrorist Organization by the State Department as of this morning.
By designating the entire Venezuelan regime a terrorist organisation, Trump has given himself the power to go to war without consulting Congress. Which is a novel end run around the Constitution.
I was expecting it to be £5,000 so £12,000 is more than ample.
Possibly this is a step towards that. I don’t disagree with your sentiment either.
It's a classic "shaft the youth of today" solution. My parents have a small fortune in ISAs, accrued over man years, and will continue to keep all their annual gains - huzzah.
But now we've pulled up the drawbridge on the next generation getting into the same position.
It's also problematic because someone like me who has a reasonable pile in an ISA really won't want to take it out for short-term use (eg business investment) because I can never put it back.
We should have no limits on ISA deposit or withdrawl, just a cap on the total held - say £100 seems reasonable.
Aiui the suggestion is a limit only on cash holdings rather than ISAs generally so the young will have the same chance (and that rather begs the question whether ISAs are really aimed at young people anyway. Other than HENRY types, most won't have a spare £20,000 a year until middle age, what with mortgages and children.
"Cartel de los Soles" which is the name the US has given Maduro and the Venezuelan generals involved in drug trade, has been marked a Foreign terrorist Organization by the State Department as of this morning.
SOUTHCOM is restricting / limiting leave over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, in preparation for possible land strikes in the next 10 days to two weeks, I am told by a source. https://x.com/KellieMeyerNews/status/1992949156667850977
The current Supreme Court apparently believe the President is a king unaccountable for their actions, even ones that have nothing to do with being president, so anything is possible.
SOUTHCOM is restricting / limiting leave over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, in preparation for possible land strikes in the next 10 days to two weeks, I am told by a source. https://x.com/KellieMeyerNews/status/1992949156667850977
Funny how Prescott just obsessed over alleged left-wing bias . Clearly not impartial and Gibb can also do one !
Hmm. People from a right wing perspective are likely to see bias in the BBC. And on PB we have our own lefties who think the BBC is biased in favour of the right. No organisation will get everything right, but the BBC does a tremendous job of it, most of the time. I think there are some questions around trans issues blurring into advocacy and differential reporting of the ME according to the audience. But on the whole it’s pretty damn good.
Fair comment. But I wish they wouldn’t give as much airtime to Reform.
I kinda disagree. I want them exposed. Challenged all the time about racism and their economic plans. Nick Griffin them.
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
But your lot were corrupt as can be, PPE scandal, Freebies from their Lordships and loads more and they got caught out, but no one followed it up.
Suggesting Starmer Labour have unfairly punished your bunch, they have been guilty of dereliction of duty and done nothing.
What PPE corruption is this? Do the police know? Do you have any evidence of anyone in the government involved in PPE corruption?
"Cartel de los Soles" which is the name the US has given Maduro and the Venezuelan generals involved in drug trade, has been marked a Foreign terrorist Organization by the State Department as of this morning.
By designating the entire Venezuelan regime a terrorist organisation, Trump has given himself the power to go to war without consulting Congress. Which is a novel end run around the Constitution.
FFS, instead of meekly retiring, why don't they show some backbone.
A few other GOP members messaged us over the weekend saying that they, too, are considering retiring in the middle of the term.
Here’s one particularly exercised senior House Republican:
“This entire White House team has treated ALL members like garbage. ALL. And Mike Johnson has let it happen because he wanted it to happen. That is the sentiment of nearly all — appropriators, authorizers, hawks, doves, rank and file. The arrogance of this White House team is off putting to members who are run roughshod and threatened. They don’t even allow little wins like announcing small grants or even responding from agencies. Not even the high profile, the regular rank and file random members are more upset than ever. Members know they are going into the minority after the midterms.
“More explosive early resignations are coming. It’s a tinder box. Morale has never been lower. Mike Johnson will be stripped of his gavel and they will lose the majority before this term is out.” https://x.com/JakeSherman/status/1992972604521562595
Congress has POWERS. Mike Johnson is there only by the consent of his party. If they are so exercised by his behaviour, then kick him out
Funny how Prescott just obsessed over alleged left-wing bias . Clearly not impartial and Gibb can also do one !
Hmm. People from a right wing perspective are likely to see bias in the BBC. And on PB we have our own lefties who think the BBC is biased in favour of the right. No organisation will get everything right, but the BBC does a tremendous job of it, most of the time. I think there are some questions around trans issues blurring into advocacy and differential reporting of the ME according to the audience. But on the whole it’s pretty damn good.
Fair comment. But I wish they wouldn’t give as much airtime to Reform.
I kinda disagree. I want them exposed. Challenged all the time about racism and their economic plans. Nick Griffin them.
They have hardly been exposed, they have been given exposure. Particularly Farage.
Funny how Prescott just obsessed over alleged left-wing bias . Clearly not impartial and Gibb can also do one !
Hmm. People from a right wing perspective are likely to see bias in the BBC. And on PB we have our own lefties who think the BBC is biased in favour of the right. No organisation will get everything right, but the BBC does a tremendous job of it, most of the time. I think there are some questions around trans issues blurring into advocacy and differential reporting of the ME according to the audience. But on the whole it’s pretty damn good.
Fair comment. But I wish they wouldn’t give as much airtime to Reform.
I kinda disagree. I want them exposed. Challenged all the time about racism and their economic plans. Nick Griffin them.
Speaking of which, where is Nick Griffin? If small boats had happened 20 years ago, he'd be all over the media!
"Cartel de los Soles" which is the name the US has given Maduro and the Venezuelan generals involved in drug trade, has been marked a Foreign terrorist Organization by the State Department as of this morning.
By designating the entire Venezuelan regime a terrorist organisation, Trump has given himself the power to go to war without consulting Congress. Which is a novel end run around the Constitution.
Reeves is actually playing 4D chess here. The IMF doesn’t have the funds to bail out both the UK and France, so it’s imperative that we bankrupt ourselves first in order to get first dibs. The French pension system is a tough act to follow, but she’s giving it a go! https://x.com/peterrhague/status/1992922934059676080
"Cartel de los Soles" which is the name the US has given Maduro and the Venezuelan generals involved in drug trade, has been marked a Foreign terrorist Organization by the State Department as of this morning.
By designating the entire Venezuelan regime a terrorist organisation, Trump has given himself the power to go to war without consulting Congress. Which is a novel end run around the Constitution.
I assume not even Trump is mad enough to want a full scale invasion and to try and take and hold land, so presumably he’s going for the regime and regime targets. In other words a U.S. President appears to want to INCREASE instability in his backyard, and drive increased migration flows.
It’s an approach.
Will also be interesting to see what happens if a U.S. serviceman is killed with a Russian air defence missile.
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
That all the potential successors have their own particular flaws is why, despite my indecision posted earlier, I’ve already had a little dabble in laying Starmer being replaced during 2026. But, given the uncertainty around the key event of the May elections, unlike last year I’m still unwilling to bet heavily on his lasting out until the end of next year.
Starmer needs to change. He's no longer interpreting the rules he's there to make them. None of the present cabinet look like poential Prime Ministers but too many of them look like clones of their boss. He needs to broaden the party and promote some more on the left. I heard John Mcdonnell today. He's always impressive
Funny how Prescott just obsessed over alleged left-wing bias . Clearly not impartial and Gibb can also do one !
Hmm. People from a right wing perspective are likely to see bias in the BBC. And on PB we have our own lefties who think the BBC is biased in favour of the right. No organisation will get everything right, but the BBC does a tremendous job of it, most of the time. I think there are some questions around trans issues blurring into advocacy and differential reporting of the ME according to the audience. But on the whole it’s pretty damn good.
Fair comment. But I wish they wouldn’t give as much airtime to Reform.
I kinda disagree. I want them exposed. Challenged all the time about racism and their economic plans. Nick Griffin them.
Speaking of which, where is Nick Griffin? If small boats had happened 20 years ago, he'd be all over the media!
He's running a cycle-friendly B&B on NCN72. If you need to get up early he does a packed lunch instead of breakfast.
Reeves is actually playing 4D chess here. The IMF doesn’t have the funds to bail out both the UK and France, so it’s imperative that we bankrupt ourselves first in order to get first dibs. The French pension system is a tough act to follow, but she’s giving it a go! https://x.com/peterrhague/status/1992922934059676080
Reeves is actually playing 4D chess here. The IMF doesn’t have the funds to bail out both the UK and France, so it’s imperative that we bankrupt ourselves first in order to get first dibs. The French pension system is a tough act to follow, but she’s giving it a go! https://x.com/peterrhague/status/1992922934059676080
I’ve no idea what Labour are doing anymore. Ridiculous
Reeves is actually playing 4D chess here. The IMF doesn’t have the funds to bail out both the UK and France, so it’s imperative that we bankrupt ourselves first in order to get first dibs. The French pension system is a tough act to follow, but she’s giving it a go! https://x.com/peterrhague/status/1992922934059676080
Is this greater than the triple lock?
No, that 4.8% is earnings growth, part of the lock.
Reeves is actually playing 4D chess here. The IMF doesn’t have the funds to bail out both the UK and France, so it’s imperative that we bankrupt ourselves first in order to get first dibs. The French pension system is a tough act to follow, but she’s giving it a go! https://x.com/peterrhague/status/1992922934059676080
Is this greater than the triple lock?
No, it’s just the output of the triple lock. 4.8% was the increase in earnings.
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
That all the potential successors have their own particular flaws is why, despite my indecision posted earlier, I’ve already had a little dabble in laying Starmer being replaced during 2026. But, given the uncertainty around the key event of the May elections, unlike last year I’m still unwilling to bet heavily on his lasting out until the end of next year.
Starmer needs to change. He's no longer interpreting the rules he's there to make them. None of the present cabinet look like poential Prime Ministers but too many of them look like clones of their boss. He needs to broaden the party and promote some more on the left. I heard John Mcdonnell today. He's always impressive
You were listening to Sarah Montague. She assumed McDonnell would skewer Starmer and Reeves. He didn't and her script went up in flames.
Police Chief in contempt of court. His *Farce* gets fined £50k. Because it would be unfair to blame him for the behaviour of subordinates.
The New Tony Montano Defence - “Your honour, while I led a giant cocaine cartel, the actual drug smuggling and murders were all done by employees and third party contractors. So fine my cartel - I should go free.”
I am utterly appalled at such craven pathetic behaviour on the part of the courts. What was needed here was 6 months in custody for the Chief Constable. One public body fining another is utterly irrelevant. Shocking. Awful. Wrong.
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
But your lot were corrupt as can be, PPE scandal, Freebies from their Lordships and loads more and they got caught out, but no one followed it up.
Suggesting Starmer Labour have unfairly punished your bunch, they have been guilty of dereliction of duty and done nothing.
What PPE corruption is this? Do the police know? Do you have any evidence of anyone in the government involved in PPE corruption?
I have absolutely no idea why there have not been police investigations and subsequent charges and prosecutions.
* I could have cited loads more studies.
"These figures show Whitehall departments award almost £4.1bn to suppliers with political connections"
I will save you reading the report. All MPs and Lords were asked if they knew any firms that could help in the supply of PPE or in the distribution of drugs. They were given an exclusive weblink to send queries to. This is what happened to the infamous "hancock pub landlord" who also ran a packaging firm, messages his MP, who is health minister, MP sends him the link, and then on his request sends a follow up. And that was it.
There has been no charges of prosecutions because outside of the fantasies, there wasn't corruption. You could argue the Marone woman (who is not a member of the government), her company acted fraudulently, but that's not the same as corruption.
We have a police forced that broke a government minister for his wife accepting points on her driving license, a police force that fined both the Prime Minister and Chancellor for something that, if they appealed would have been thrown out quite sharpish. If there was corruption there, those involved (and MPs and ministers are never involved in the awarding of contracts) would be getting chased without mercy.
Was there corruption? I dont know, but I do know if there was evidence the police would not be taking cover for those politicians involved.
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs. A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu. Should also bring in some tariff revenue https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
One week of Movember left, and I'm about to hit a GRAND in money raised for the charity. Which is mind blowing, and does compensate a little for having this bristly horror growing on my face. I'm still mentally up and down - and more down than up - so this has given me something positive to focus on.
It's further put to him [Prescott] Kamala Harris wasn't found to have played an active role in the 6 January Capitol riots, so what would an equivalent programme look like? It would examine her track record and the political consequences of if she was elected, he says.
Perhaps Prescott should also question all those BBC documentaries over the years on Hitler and none at all on Ernst Thälmann.
Prescott is self-destructed by his idiocy - and his doctoring evidence in exactly the same manner he condemns others for.
Michael Prescott runs a PR company; he's not a journalist. So when he spins and doctors he's doing it to support the agenda of a paying customer, I presume. Why would he do it for free when this work is his business and livelihood?
So I would be very interested to know who, if anyone, paid him for the report, ie whose agenda he's promoting. I would also be curious about the relationship, direct or indirect, between Robbie Gibb, BBC board member, and Prescott given how hard Gibb is pushing this report. Board members' duty is to uphold the integrity of the institution, not to undermine it
He was a journalist, so he can't plead ignorance.
Michael Prescott is presumably a paid hand promoting the agenda of other people. He's not the important person in this.
Conspiracy? Do you think the Beeb is being unfairly maligned?
I am just pointing out that Michael Prescott runs a PR agency. His business is to promote the agenda of his paying customer. Given two people have resigned over this business and given the report he presented is substantially dishonest, who should definitely know who that customer is.
Police Chief in contempt of court. His *Farce* gets fined £50k. Because it would be unfair to blame him for the behaviour of subordinates.
The New Tony Montano Defence - “Your honour, while I led a giant cocaine cartel, the actual drug smuggling and murders were all done by employees and third party contractors. So fine my cartel - I should go free.”
I am utterly appalled at such craven pathetic behaviour on the part of the courts. What was needed here was 6 months in custody for the Chief Constable. One public body fining another is utterly irrelevant. Shocking. Awful. Wrong.
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
That all the potential successors have their own particular flaws is why, despite my indecision posted earlier, I’ve already had a little dabble in laying Starmer being replaced during 2026. But, given the uncertainty around the key event of the May elections, unlike last year I’m still unwilling to bet heavily on his lasting out until the end of next year.
Starmer needs to change. He's no longer interpreting the rules he's there to make them. None of the present cabinet look like poential Prime Ministers but too many of them look like clones of their boss. He needs to broaden the party and promote some more on the left. I heard John Mcdonnell today. He's always impressive
You were listening to Sarah Montague. She assumed McDonnell would skewer Starmer and Reeves. He didn't and her script went up in flames.
If he didn’t have 400 MPs to keep happy by cycling them through jobs, McDonnell would be a sensible pick for a Government post. He always sounds credible (views will vary on whether he is) and could strengthen the left flank. A bit like Cameron giving a job to someone like Whittingdale.
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs. A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu. Should also bring in some tariff revenue https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
EU is doing the same. So, it will affect it both ways.
Reeves is actually playing 4D chess here. The IMF doesn’t have the funds to bail out both the UK and France, so it’s imperative that we bankrupt ourselves first in order to get first dibs. The French pension system is a tough act to follow, but she’s giving it a go! https://x.com/peterrhague/status/1992922934059676080
I’ve no idea what Labour are doing anymore. Ridiculous
"They don't know what the fuck they're doing!" - Dopey Donald.
This is the graphic from the recent LabourList poll of members. There is no easy path for Burnham, so that puts Rayner in pole position. Ed Miliband not far behind. I dont think that the members or PLP want Streeting or Mahmood.
Sure, the Daily Heil would be apopleptic, but that isn't the electorate in question.
Labour MPs would likely only nominate Streeting, Ed Miliband and Cooper of the current PLP. Most new Labour MPs were selected as Starmer loyalists and moderates
You can select people for certain reasons, but it does not prevent them changing a lot once they actually get in.
As one who has been around for a while, I’d support Ed Milliband.
FFS. In a government of blithering incompetence he stands out as a real and present danger to our future well being.
Reeves is actually playing 4D chess here. The IMF doesn’t have the funds to bail out both the UK and France, so it’s imperative that we bankrupt ourselves first in order to get first dibs. The French pension system is a tough act to follow, but she’s giving it a go! https://x.com/peterrhague/status/1992922934059676080
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs. A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu. Should also bring in some tariff revenue https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
EU is doing the same. So, it will affect it both ways.
Reeves is actually playing 4D chess here. The IMF doesn’t have the funds to bail out both the UK and France, so it’s imperative that we bankrupt ourselves first in order to get first dibs. The French pension system is a tough act to follow, but she’s giving it a go! https://x.com/peterrhague/status/1992922934059676080
Is this greater than the triple lock?
No, it’s just the output of the triple lock. 4.8% was the increase in earnings.
I do think there would be pretty much zero fallout from getting rid of the triple lock, and just tying it to one of the inflation numbers, whether its CPI or RPI. I was in a room with many oldiwinks the other day, they all agreed that the triple lock was not fair on everyone else.
Farage still can't own his racist and antisemitic behviour as a teen (should i say "alleged"? It's pretty obvious it's true, unless we think 20 people are making it up). Incredibly weak and weasely response to the allegations. This is a man of very poor character.
Labour members surely wouldn’t vote for Ed Miliband . Streeting is a good media performer, Cooper is just dull as dishwater . Rayner would get my vote if I was a member .
"Cartel de los Soles" which is the name the US has given Maduro and the Venezuelan generals involved in drug trade, has been marked a Foreign terrorist Organization by the State Department as of this morning.
By designating the entire Venezuelan regime a terrorist organisation, Trump has given himself the power to go to war without consulting Congress. Which is a novel end run around the Constitution.
I assume not even Trump is mad enough to want a full scale invasion and to try and take and hold land, so presumably he’s going for the regime and regime targets. In other words a U.S. President appears to want to INCREASE instability in his backyard, and drive increased migration flows.
It’s an approach.
Will also be interesting to see what happens if a U.S. serviceman is killed with a Russian air defence missile.
He just wants the frisson and spotlight from using American military firepower on a nice soft target. Like the Houthi thing. Like the Iranian thing. Big big man playing with his toys. It's gratuitous, cowardly, stupid, and all round pathetic.
Farage still can't own his racist and antisemitic behviour as a teen (should i say "alleged"? It's pretty obvious it's true, unless we think 20 people are making it up). Incredibly weak and weasely response to the allegations. This is a man of very poor character.
Hands up who thinks it worse than running through a field of wheat?
SOUTHCOM is restricting / limiting leave over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, in preparation for possible land strikes in the next 10 days to two weeks, I am told by a source. https://x.com/KellieMeyerNews/status/1992949156667850977
I wonder if Trump's diary scribbles genuinely look like:
"Thanksgiving - solve Ukraine-Russia 28th Nov - attack Venezuela"
Farage still can't own his racist and antisemitic behviour as a teen (should i say "alleged"? It's pretty obvious it's true, unless we think 20 people are making it up). Incredibly weak and weasely response to the allegations. This is a man of very poor character.
He definitely wasn't denying making racist comments as a kid. That said, we are talking about the 1970s, and I doubt there were many people who didn't say things that would have been considered overtly racist now but were thought of as banter then. Almost anyone who attended a football match for starters.
It could pose problems for Farage though, if he is trying to capture some of the middle ground. On the other hand, most Reform voters will probably dismiss it as nothing, as they don't see racism as so much of a big deal as the rest of the country, and it was fifty years go. Certainly my friends and family say things in everyday speak that would get them sacked at work on racial grounds, and most of them are Reform voters.
Farage still can't own his racist and antisemitic behviour as a teen (should i say "alleged"? It's pretty obvious it's true, unless we think 20 people are making it up). Incredibly weak and weasely response to the allegations. This is a man of very poor character.
Hands up who thinks it worse than running through a field of wheat?
Police Chief in contempt of court. His *Farce* gets fined £50k. Because it would be unfair to blame him for the behaviour of subordinates.
The New Tony Montano Defence - “Your honour, while I led a giant cocaine cartel, the actual drug smuggling and murders were all done by employees and third party contractors. So fine my cartel - I should go free.”
I am utterly appalled at such craven pathetic behaviour on the part of the courts. What was needed here was 6 months in custody for the Chief Constable. One public body fining another is utterly irrelevant. Shocking. Awful. Wrong.
I would further prosecute him under the basis that his contempt of court is Misconduct in A Public Office.
Get him life in prison.
I reckon that would sharpen some minds.
Note the system here - unnamed subordinates coloured the crime. But can’t be found or punished because… reasons. And the Chief Constable apparently has no way to find out who they were or be responsible for their actions.
SOUTHCOM is restricting / limiting leave over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, in preparation for possible land strikes in the next 10 days to two weeks, I am told by a source. https://x.com/KellieMeyerNews/status/1992949156667850977
I wonder if Trump's diary scribbles genuinely look like:
"Thanksgiving - solve Ukraine-Russia 28th Nov - attack Venezuela"
Lol, yes, the thanksgiving day deadline. Next thing he'll be saying it has to be sorted in time for his birthday.
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs. A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu. Should also bring in some tariff revenue https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
EU is doing the same. So, it will affect it both ways.
(Trump was called crazy for getting rid of de minimis, rather than just reducing it. Now we're all at it!)
We've all had enough of both experts and exports!
Not sure why we should subsidise* tat from China - aside from the minor issue of slave labour, bribes and espionage, it's destructive of the environment.
*Some people say that every tax break is a subsidy....
"Cartel de los Soles" which is the name the US has given Maduro and the Venezuelan generals involved in drug trade, has been marked a Foreign terrorist Organization by the State Department as of this morning.
By designating the entire Venezuelan regime a terrorist organisation, Trump has given himself the power to go to war without consulting Congress. Which is a novel end run around the Constitution.
I assume not even Trump is mad enough to want a full scale invasion and to try and take and hold land, so presumably he’s going for the regime and regime targets. In other words a U.S. President appears to want to INCREASE instability in his backyard, and drive increased migration flows.
It’s an approach.
Will also be interesting to see what happens if a U.S. serviceman is killed with a Russian air defence missile.
He just wants the frisson and spotlight from using American military firepower on a nice soft target. Like the Houthi thing. Like the Iranian thing. Big big man playing with his toys. It's gratuitous, cowardly, stupid, and all round pathetic.
The approach to Russia/Ukraine has always looked to me like spheres of influence. Russia can invade and occupy the Donbas, America gets to willy-wave round the Caribbean. Presumably grift is involved
Very unlikely but it would be welcome. Most fair minded people can see that she's been held to far higher standards than those expected of Farage.
Rayner's problem is she got caught. Farage is so smart he won't get caught and besides the media or social media have no desire to catch him out. Farage is the working man's working man. Now doff your cap in awe!
Rayner's problem is the amount of hay she made with her opponents. Most fair minded people can see she's been holding others to standards she is failing to reach herself.
But your lot were corrupt as can be, PPE scandal, Freebies from their Lordships and loads more and they got caught out, but no one followed it up.
Suggesting Starmer Labour have unfairly punished your bunch, they have been guilty of dereliction of duty and done nothing.
What PPE corruption is this? Do the police know? Do you have any evidence of anyone in the government involved in PPE corruption?
I have absolutely no idea why there have not been police investigations and subsequent charges and prosecutions.
* I could have cited loads more studies.
"These figures show Whitehall departments award almost £4.1bn to suppliers with political connections"
I will save you reading the report. All MPs and Lords were asked if they knew any firms that could help in the supply of PPE or in the distribution of drugs. They were given an exclusive weblink to send queries to. This is what happened to the infamous "hancock pub landlord" who also ran a packaging firm, messages his MP, who is health minister, MP sends him the link, and then on his request sends a follow up. And that was it.
There has been no charges of prosecutions because outside of the fantasies, there wasn't corruption. You could argue the Marone woman (who is not a member of the government), her company acted fraudulently, but that's not the same as corruption.
We have a police forced that broke a government minister for his wife accepting points on her driving license, a police force that fined both the Prime Minister and Chancellor for something that, if they appealed would have been thrown out quite sharpish. If there was corruption there, those involved (and MPs and ministers are never involved in the awarding of contracts) would be getting chased without mercy.
Was there corruption? I dont know, but I do know if there was evidence the police would not be taking cover for those politicians involved.
Reeves is actually playing 4D chess here. The IMF doesn’t have the funds to bail out both the UK and France, so it’s imperative that we bankrupt ourselves first in order to get first dibs. The French pension system is a tough act to follow, but she’s giving it a go! https://x.com/peterrhague/status/1992922934059676080
Is this greater than the triple lock?
No, it’s just the output of the triple lock. 4.8% was the increase in earnings.
I do think there would be pretty much zero fallout from getting rid of the triple lock, and just tying it to one of the inflation numbers, whether its CPI or RPI. I was in a room with many oldiwinks the other day, they all agreed that the triple lock was not fair on everyone else.
Those with little private pension and reliant on the state pension might disagree. Even the minimum wage is now nearly double the annual income full time of the state pension
Reeves is actually playing 4D chess here. The IMF doesn’t have the funds to bail out both the UK and France, so it’s imperative that we bankrupt ourselves first in order to get first dibs. The French pension system is a tough act to follow, but she’s giving it a go! https://x.com/peterrhague/status/1992922934059676080
Is this greater than the triple lock?
No, it’s just the output of the triple lock. 4.8% was the increase in earnings.
I do think there would be pretty much zero fallout from getting rid of the triple lock, and just tying it to one of the inflation numbers, whether its CPI or RPI. I was in a room with many oldiwinks the other day, they all agreed that the triple lock was not fair on everyone else.
Those with little private pension and reliant on the state pension might disagree. Even the minimum wage is now nearly double the annual income full time of the state pension
'Twas ever thus, or more so, though surely?
How does State Pension comapre with Universal Credit standard allowance (which is deemed the amount required to live on)?
Reeves is actually playing 4D chess here. The IMF doesn’t have the funds to bail out both the UK and France, so it’s imperative that we bankrupt ourselves first in order to get first dibs. The French pension system is a tough act to follow, but she’s giving it a go! https://x.com/peterrhague/status/1992922934059676080
Is this greater than the triple lock?
No, it’s just the output of the triple lock. 4.8% was the increase in earnings.
I do think there would be pretty much zero fallout from getting rid of the triple lock, and just tying it to one of the inflation numbers, whether its CPI or RPI. I was in a room with many oldiwinks the other day, they all agreed that the triple lock was not fair on everyone else.
Those with little private pension and reliant on the state pension might disagree. Even the minimum wage is now nearly double the annual income full time of the state pension
'Twas ever thus, or more so, though surely?
How does State Pension comapre with Universal Credit standard allowance (which is deemed the amount required to live on)?
Once you add in housing benefit, benefit for those with anxiety etc probably little different, maybe even less and those on just the state pension largely worked all their lives before retirement
SOUTHCOM is restricting / limiting leave over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, in preparation for possible land strikes in the next 10 days to two weeks, I am told by a source. https://x.com/KellieMeyerNews/status/1992949156667850977
I wonder if Trump's diary scribbles genuinely look like:
"Thanksgiving - solve Ukraine-Russia 28th Nov - attack Venezuela"
Lol, yes, the thanksgiving day deadline. Next thing he'll be saying it has to be sorted in time for his birthday.
He still isn't using the term "our birthday"? Give it a few months I guess...
Farage still can't own his racist and antisemitic behviour as a teen (should i say "alleged"? It's pretty obvious it's true, unless we think 20 people are making it up). Incredibly weak and weasely response to the allegations. This is a man of very poor character.
Hands up who thinks it worse than running through a field of wheat?
Sounds like Nigel put his hand up... just at a 45 degree angle.
In some ways it is almost disappointing that these ridiculous prosecutions have been dismissed on this basis. The fact that the Grand Jury had never approved the indictment would have caused far more problems for someone who should never have been appointed as should the motion based on the fact that Trump was driving these prosecutions out of personal vitriol.
Reeves is actually playing 4D chess here. The IMF doesn’t have the funds to bail out both the UK and France, so it’s imperative that we bankrupt ourselves first in order to get first dibs. The French pension system is a tough act to follow, but she’s giving it a go! https://x.com/peterrhague/status/1992922934059676080
Is this greater than the triple lock?
No, it’s just the output of the triple lock. 4.8% was the increase in earnings.
I do think there would be pretty much zero fallout from getting rid of the triple lock, and just tying it to one of the inflation numbers, whether its CPI or RPI. I was in a room with many oldiwinks the other day, they all agreed that the triple lock was not fair on everyone else.
Those with little private pension and reliant on the state pension might disagree. Even the minimum wage is now nearly double the annual income full time of the state pension
'Twas ever thus, or more so, though surely?
How does State Pension comapre with Universal Credit standard allowance (which is deemed the amount required to live on)?
Once you add in housing benefit, benefit for those with anxiety etc probably little different, maybe even less and those on just the state pension largely worked all their lives before retirement
Housing benefit is payable to pensioners too you know.
As for 'those with anxiety etc.' what a disgusting comment.
Comments
Starmer is the Prime Minister. Starmer can launch a Government inquiry into Russian adjacency by members of Reform. Unfortunately he's a useless t**t.
My parents have a small fortune in ISAs, accrued over man years, and will continue to keep all their annual gains - huzzah.
But now we've pulled up the drawbridge on the next generation getting into the same position.
It's also problematic because someone like me who has a reasonable pile in an ISA really won't want to take it out for short-term use (eg business investment) because I can never put it back.
We should have no limits on ISA deposit or withdrawl, just a cap on the total held - say £100 seems reasonable.
https://labourlist.org/2025/11/labour-cabinet-league-table-november-2025/
I don't think he'll get it, but there's also a strand of opinion that seems to believe going for him would be like getting the public to admit they were wrong in 2015.
"Kelly was a combat pilot in the US Navy who served during the first Gulf War and later flew four space missions for Nasa from 2001 to 2011. He is married to former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who retired after being shot during a 2011 mass shooting."
There may come a point at which Trump/MAGA overreaches and it becomes obvious to even the most dense that their country is being taken away from them by bunch of grifters and sycophants. Perhaps going after Kelly will prove to be a tipping point?
On the other hand, making EdM PM (even if only briefly) might be the only way to break the curse over the country since that tweet from the 2015 campaign.
..But when asked about how he manages his own bias, Gibb was emphatic.
“I have impartiality through my bones,” was his precise quote..
No you don't you pillock.
Not even metaphorically.
No one who has been a Downing Street comms director can claim that, even with fingers crossed behind their back.
Just absurd.
1. She is popular with Labour members and they will be pleased.
2. She will owe Starmer and can be guaranteed to be loyal.
3. As an authentic WWC woman with ahard-scrabble background and a dash of charisma, she will make a formidable opponent and debunker of Farage (which is why Reform will have been delighted by her defenestration)
4. Her taking the rap for a misdemeanour may cause the media to look with renewed interest at some of Farage's questionable activities - certainly, makes a useful foil for such investigations
4. Will help, more generally, Labour to re-engage with their traditional Red Wall supporters, something obviously beyond Sir Keir.
I really think, at this stage, with Labour having little to lose, they should just go for it.
It could be to hobble any leadership challenge by Rayner, but I suspect that there's more to it than that. Starmer knows that he needs a Prescott type figure to keep the party on board.
Do I sense a Granita type pact? She keeps the lid on the revolting backbenchers, and in return gets annointed PM in 27/28.
* Note only Bowen hasn't been sacked/ resigned.
But there is a mountain of research which shows significant numbers on both sides of the spectrum see bias in the BBC - and regularly make complaints about it, on the issues which Prescott covered in his memo.
That the memo seriously considered only complaints from the right (and introduced its own dodgy evidence), and alleged persistent bias in one direction only strongly suggests that he wasn't fit for the post he occupied
Australia: 20
New Zealand: 5
South Africa: 5
Barbados: 2
England: 0
She was in Corbyn's shadow cabinet, but so was Starmer.
I've thought for a long time that the most plausible circumstance for Starmer going is of his own volition - he's had enough, family first or whatever. But we're some way off that yet.
"Jewish Chronicle published fabricated stories attributed to a freelance journalist named Elon Perry, leading to the resignation of several staff members and renewed questions about the newspaper's ownership, which includes a consortium led by Robbie Gibb. The articles, which were removed from the website, were based on what were later debunked as false claims, with editor Jake Wallis Simons apologizing for the mistakes."
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/sep/20/elon-perry-jewish-chronicle
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hAojT_irrgE
"Cartel de los Soles" which is the name the US has given Maduro and the Venezuelan generals involved in drug trade, has been marked a Foreign terrorist Organization by the State Department as of this morning.
Escalation in Venezuela 🇻🇪 expected in the coming days.
https://x.com/ThomasVLinge/status/1992963711410069858
By designating the entire Venezuelan regime a terrorist organisation, Trump has given himself the power to go to war without consulting Congress.
Which is a novel end run around the Constitution.
And with the Fifa Peace Prize soon to be in Trump's hands has he given up on wanting that Nobel?
SOUTHCOM is restricting / limiting leave over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, in preparation for possible land strikes in the next 10 days to two weeks, I am told by a source.
https://x.com/KellieMeyerNews/status/1992949156667850977
https://x.com/Peaceluvwoodstk/status/1993008051633504339
Yes, I'm exagerrating. But how much?
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/46859156/fifa-creates-peace-prize-award-world-cup-draw-dc
https://www.transparency.org.uk/news/new-research-raises-corruption-questions-over-billions-covid-public-spending
I have absolutely no idea why there have not been police investigations and subsequent charges and prosecutions.
* I could have cited loads more studies.
A few other GOP members messaged us over the weekend saying that they, too, are considering retiring in the middle of the term.
Here’s one particularly exercised senior House Republican:
“This entire White House team has treated ALL members like garbage. ALL. And Mike Johnson has let it happen because he wanted it to happen. That is the sentiment of nearly all — appropriators, authorizers, hawks, doves, rank and file. The arrogance of this White House team is off putting to members who are run roughshod and threatened. They don’t even allow little wins like announcing small grants or even responding from agencies. Not even the high profile, the regular rank and file random members are more upset than ever. Members know they are going into the minority after the midterms.
“More explosive early resignations are coming. It’s a tinder box. Morale has never been lower. Mike Johnson will be stripped of his gavel and they will lose the majority before this term is out.”
https://x.com/JakeSherman/status/1992972604521562595
Congress has POWERS.
Mike Johnson is there only by the consent of his party. If they are so exercised by his behaviour, then kick him out
Just utterly craven.
https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/1992722336194216194
Reeves is actually playing 4D chess here. The IMF doesn’t have the funds to bail out both the UK and France, so it’s imperative that we bankrupt ourselves first in order to get first dibs. The French pension system is a tough act to follow, but she’s giving it a go!
https://x.com/peterrhague/status/1992922934059676080
It’s an approach.
Will also be interesting to see what happens if a U.S. serviceman is killed with a Russian air defence missile.
I will save you reading the report. All MPs and Lords were asked if they knew any firms that could help in the supply of PPE or in the distribution of drugs. They were given an exclusive weblink to send queries to. This is what happened to the infamous "hancock pub landlord" who also ran a packaging firm, messages his MP, who is health minister, MP sends him the link, and then on his request sends a follow up. And that was it.
There has been no charges of prosecutions because outside of the fantasies, there wasn't corruption. You could argue the Marone woman (who is not a member of the government), her company acted fraudulently, but that's not the same as corruption.
We have a police forced that broke a government minister for his wife accepting points on her driving license, a police force that fined both the Prime Minister and Chancellor for something that, if they appealed would have been thrown out quite sharpish. If there was corruption there, those involved (and MPs and ministers are never involved in the awarding of contracts) would be getting chased without mercy.
Was there corruption? I dont know, but I do know if there was evidence the police would not be taking cover for those politicians involved.
UK abolishes its "de minimis" rules which exclude cheap imports below £135 from paying tariffs.
A massive deal for the fast fashion/cheap Chinese imports sector: this is the so-called loophole used to great effect by SHEIN and Temu.
Should also bring in some tariff revenue
https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1991969702629826917
https://atlantic-pacific.com/eu-moves-to-scrap-de-minimis-rule-for-low-value-imports/
(Trump was called crazy for getting rid of de minimis, rather than just reducing it. Now we're all at it!)
I was in a room with many oldiwinks the other day, they all agreed that the triple lock was not fair on everyone else.
Farage still can't own his racist and antisemitic behviour as a teen (should i say "alleged"? It's pretty obvious it's true, unless we think 20 people are making it up). Incredibly weak and weasely response to the allegations. This is a man of very poor character.
"Thanksgiving - solve Ukraine-Russia
28th Nov - attack Venezuela"
It could pose problems for Farage though, if he is trying to capture some of the middle ground. On the other hand, most Reform voters will probably dismiss it as nothing, as they don't see racism as so much of a big deal as the rest of the country, and it was fifty years go. Certainly my friends and family say things in everyday speak that would get them sacked at work on racial grounds, and most of them are Reform voters.
Get him life in prison.
I reckon that would sharpen some minds.
Note the system here - unnamed subordinates coloured the crime. But can’t be found or punished because… reasons. And the Chief Constable apparently has no way to find out who they were or be responsible for their actions.
#Nu10K
*Some people say that every tax break is a subsidy....
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/24/james-comey-letitia-james-charges-case-dismissed
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/conservative-mps-ppe-covid-contracts-b1958500.html
Don't forget a Labour MP has been prosecuted. I suspect at some stage when all the inquiries are complete there will be prosecutions.
Starmer is also twinned with Sleepy Joe as far as prosecuting his opponents for genuine industrial scale wrongdoing is concerned.
How does State Pension comapre with Universal Credit standard allowance (which is deemed the amount required to live on)?
As for 'those with anxiety etc.' what a disgusting comment.