Starmer is a severe disappointment as PM, and quite possibly a (politically) dead man walking, but I hesitate to ridicule the loyalists. It's not wildly different from HYUFD in full flow, and I still feel twinges of remorse for the times we all ganged up on him.
So, after another day of hyperbolic, febrile comment here and elsewhere, the PM soldiers on, much to the disgruntlement of most of the press and PB pack. He emerges from today marginally strengthened, I reckon, as the unanimous support from his Cabinet (and Ange) couldn't realistically be rolled back until at least after the May elections.
Signs of improved organisation, too, as whoever coordinated the Cabinet messages of support did so quickly and effectively. None of them had to tweet: they could have said no. Sarwar must be feeling a bit johnny-no-mates right now.
Surely Sarwar wouldn’t have gone over the top if he had known he was on his Tod.
That's obvious to anyone with the intellectual calibre of Winnie the Pooh.
Can anybody our Scottish experts confirm- does Anas Sarwar possess the intellectual calibre of Winnie the Pooh?
So, after another day of hyperbolic, febrile comment here and elsewhere, the PM soldiers on, much to the disgruntlement of most of the press and PB pack. He emerges from today marginally strengthened, I reckon, as the unanimous support from his Cabinet (and Ange) couldn't realistically be rolled back until at least after the May elections.
Signs of improved organisation, too, as whoever coordinated the Cabinet messages of support did so quickly and effectively. None of them had to tweet: they could have said no. Sarwar must be feeling a bit johnny-no-mates right now.
Yes I did note the communications and coordination seemed to be improved.
I’m still on the he should quit train however this is the first time we’ve had Starmer “on his own”. So if really isn’t driving the train as people have said, it will be a car crash. However if he’s now charting his own course I’ll be curious as to where his instincts go.
So, after another day of hyperbolic, febrile comment here and elsewhere, the PM soldiers on, much to the disgruntlement of most of the press and PB pack. He emerges from today marginally strengthened, I reckon, as the unanimous support from his Cabinet (and Ange) couldn't realistically be rolled back until at least after the May elections.
Signs of improved organisation, too, as whoever coordinated the Cabinet messages of support did so quickly and effectively. None of them had to tweet: they could have said no. Sarwar must be feeling a bit johnny-no-mates right now.
Yes I did note the communications and coordination seemed to be improved.
I’m still on the he should quit train however this is the first time we’ve had Starmer “on his own”. So if really isn’t driving the train as people have said, it will be a car crash. However if he’s now charting his own course I’ll be curious as to where his instincts go.
It will be interesting to see who has engineered those comms
Jonathan Ashworth is not universally popular with some but has the campaigning6 skills to organise something like that quickly.
Rayner has that tax affair hanging over her . And the rest of the choices are hardly inspiring .
The tax affair probably doesn't prevent her from become leader.
You couldn’t risk that because she’s already struggling to repair the damage from last year . Labour can’t have a new leader who could possibly then get a penalty from the HMRC .
A penalty from HMRC is not a criminal record. Johnson and Sunak both paid fines for criminal breaches -- Sunak twice. Yet they were Primes Ministers.
I really like Angela Rayner but I don’t think she can become leader and then get a penalty .
Angela's future is in the hands of one unnamed individual in HMRC who decides whether her error was understandable, careless or deliberate. It's a judgement call. If it were clear cut it would be declared by now.
Will the political leaning of this unnamed individual colour their judgement? They can decide who is next PM and the future of this country. What a responsibility.
Once again we have people posting about they think HMRC works without knowing how HMRC actually works.
Reality is HMRC are just waiting for the issue to go away which it does the day Angela Rayner’s son turns 18.
Charlie Rayner’s 18th birthday is 9 April 2026 so we'll soon know. I'm not sure it does go away. There are conflicting views on this. On what basis do you think it will go away? With links if possible because this is important.
Had the tax been paid it would be reclaimable on April 9th.
While reaching 18 can change how a trust is taxed or how assets are legally owned, UK tax law does not allow for a retrospective "reclaim" of Stamp Duty that was legally owed at the time of a property purchase.
If you think it does, please point to it.
NB I fully support Angela Rayner in this affair. It was very complex with a trust for a disabled son. I'm not attacking her at all. I'm just trying to understand the law.
I guess the argument is that the situation is analogous to where someone buys a new home and sells the old one within 3 years: you have to pay the higher rate SDLT initially but then claim it back later. But there is no actual disposal of an interest in land here, just the cessation of a deeming provision, beyond that the legislation at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/14/schedule/4ZA is impenetrable to mere mortals, and Google isn't throwing up any informed legal commentary saying she can claim. Dan Neidle doesn't address the point: https://taxpolicy.org.uk/2025/09/05/angela-rayner-hmrc-penalties/
So, after another day of hyperbolic, febrile comment here and elsewhere, the PM soldiers on, much to the disgruntlement of most of the press and PB pack. He emerges from today marginally strengthened, I reckon, as the unanimous support from his Cabinet (and Ange) couldn't realistically be rolled back until at least after the May elections.
Signs of improved organisation, too, as whoever coordinated the Cabinet messages of support did so quickly and effectively. None of them had to tweet: they could have said no. Sarwar must be feeling a bit johnny-no-mates right now.
Yes I did note the communications and coordination seemed to be improved.
I’m still on the he should quit train however this is the first time we’ve had Starmer “on his own”. So if really isn’t driving the train as people have said, it will be a car crash. However if he’s now charting his own course I’ll be curious as to where his instincts go.
He's not Nixon at the Lincoln Memorial. His instinct will be some process nonsense. The electorate will deliver a very damning verdict i expect and still theyll drift on. We have reached 2023 very very quickly
Ro Khanna on Ghislaine Maxwell's deposition: There's an inconsistency. Why did she not plead the Fifth when Blanche asked her questions, and now she's pleading the Fifth about things that don't implicate her, but may implicate many of the other powerful people in the Epstein class that committed these crimes? https://x.com/BlueATLGeorgia/status/2020878314504642638
It wasn't a coup, I don't think. It was Sarwar flying solo. Objective: gain distance from an unpopular PM to try and improve Holyrood election prospects.
I wonder if Sarwar was triggered by being blind-sided when Ian Murray was replaced by Douglas Alexander as Scotland Secretary. Even so, he should have resisted.
How on earth are Labour going to manage Starmer's trips north? The smiley get-togethers on the campaign trail. "Mr Sarwar, do you have confidence in the Prime Minister?"
The sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong is an unjust and tragic conclusion to this case. We urge the authorities to grant Mr. Lai humanitarian parole.
Ro Khanna on Ghislaine Maxwell's deposition: There's an inconsistency. Why did she not plead the Fifth when Blanche asked her questions, and now she's pleading the Fifth about things that don't implicate her, but may implicate many of the other powerful people in the Epstein class that committed these crimes? https://x.com/BlueATLGeorgia/status/2020878314504642638
Probably anxious to avoid the CCTV being switched off.
If I was scripting this twisty drama I'd throw Labour unexpectedly holding G&D into the mix.
Whats the latest betting ?
GRN 1.8 REF 2.8 LAB 10
Can you turn that to percentages as I do not bet
It's been ages since I could do this in my head @Big_G_NorthWales , but here goes (apologies if wrong). If we assume the quoted odds are decimal odds, then the calculation is:
GRN = 1.8 decimal odds -> 1/(1.8) = 0.556 probability = 55.6% percentage probability
If we do the same calculation for REF and LAB we get
GRN = 55.6% percentage probability
REF = 35.7%
LAB = 10%
See https://www.aceodds.com/bet-calculator/odds-converter.html for an online converter. Also note that betting odds when added up always exceed 100%. This is known as the "overround" ("vigorish" if you're the Mafia) and enables bookes to earn money.
Normally, not always, occasionally short term arbs can arise.
Yes, and famously a negative overround happened on the night of the Brexit Ref. I should have said "usually exceeds" instead of "always exceed".
At least HYUFD is courteous. There isn’t an unpleasant undertone to how he posts. He seems a nice guy,
I do not mean to insult you. I don't believe I have insulted you.
For those who haven't got a sciobybdoo what you are talking about, you seem offended that I support the same football team as you and make reference to it.
You a few days ago referred to one game, I replied now you accuse me of some sort of stalking.
That to me is utterly bizarre
I will in future ignore everything you say and not respond
Thats fair enough
There should be room for more than one in the village.
I’ve never engaged with you on it. You’ve never once mentioned you are a fan. Yet you start mentioning it to me. I asked why twice and you didn’t reply. There was no attempt to banter either. Excuse me for being curious as to why. Especially when I mentioned home brew and you replied about Winson Green 🤷♂️ a reference to where I used to live out of the blue. Again I don’t understand that. I never said you has insulted but I find posting personal stuff back at me odd, especially when no other attempt to engage. I have also worked with morons who think crap can be brushed off as ‘banter’.
Yes I lived in Birmingham. Gisela Stuart was my MP and a very good one she was too.
Anyway this is all at a tangent so it’s done.
I'll explain the home brew
In HMP they brew using huge amounts of sugar eg fermentation
At least HYUFD is courteous. There isn’t an unpleasant undertone to how he posts. He seems a nice guy,
I do not mean to insult you. I don't believe I have insulted you.
For those who haven't got a sciobybdoo what you are talking about, you seem offended that I support the same football team as you and make reference to it.
You a few days ago referred to one game, I replied now you accuse me of some sort of stalking.
That to me is utterly bizarre
I will in future ignore everything you say and not respond
Thats fair enough
There should be room for more than one in the village.
I’ve never engaged with you on it. You’ve never once mentioned you are a fan. Yet you start mentioning it to me. I asked why twice and you didn’t reply. There was no attempt to banter either. Excuse me for being curious as to why. Especially when I mentioned home brew and you replied about Winson Green 🤷♂️ a reference to where I used to live out of the blue. Again I don’t understand that. I never said you has insulted but I find posting personal stuff back at me odd, especially when no other attempt to engage. I have also worked with morons who think crap can be brushed off as ‘banter’.
Yes I lived in Birmingham. Gisela Stuart was my MP and a very good one she was too.
Anyway this is all at a tangent so it’s done.
I'll explain the home brew
In HMP they brew using huge amounts of sugar eg fermentation
I had no idea where you live or lived
As you say at a tangent
It's done
I have a niece who was a prison warder (?wardess) . I'll have to ask her how prisoners come by enough sugar to make alcoholic drinks. She still works for the Prison Service, so might know.
At least HYUFD is courteous. There isn’t an unpleasant undertone to how he posts. He seems a nice guy,
I do not mean to insult you. I don't believe I have insulted you.
For those who haven't got a sciobybdoo what you are talking about, you seem offended that I support the same football team as you and make reference to it.
You a few days ago referred to one game, I replied now you accuse me of some sort of stalking.
That to me is utterly bizarre
I will in future ignore everything you say and not respond
Thats fair enough
There should be room for more than one in the village.
I’ve never engaged with you on it. You’ve never once mentioned you are a fan. Yet you start mentioning it to me. I asked why twice and you didn’t reply. There was no attempt to banter either. Excuse me for being curious as to why. Especially when I mentioned home brew and you replied about Winson Green 🤷♂️ a reference to where I used to live out of the blue. Again I don’t understand that. I never said you has insulted but I find posting personal stuff back at me odd, especially when no other attempt to engage. I have also worked with morons who think crap can be brushed off as ‘banter’.
Yes I lived in Birmingham. Gisela Stuart was my MP and a very good one she was too.
Anyway this is all at a tangent so it’s done.
Talking of Gisela Stuart, is she likely to join Reform?
Well it's not happening today if he has public statements of support from every cabinet member.
This one from Rayner. The recent scandal around Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein was shocking - and demands that both this government and our party learn the lessons, and act on them. But the worst possible response would be to play party politics or factional games. Labour is only getting started on changing things for the better - our Employment Rights Act, renters’ rights, leasehold reform, free school meals and lifting kids out of poverty. I urge all my colleagues to come together, remember our values and put them into practice as a team. The Prime Minister has my full support in leading us to that end..
"lifting kids out of poverty." = giving taxpayers' money to feckless parents to spend on booze & fags.
Are you Nigel Farage in disguise?
He was supportive of lifting the two child cap.
He didn't go into the wrong lobby, did he.
Must confess, I'm quite capable of thinking the worst of him; sometimes, perhaps unjustifiably.
Who is deputy Scottish Labour leader who could replace Sarwar?
If Starmer hasn't thrown the towel in by the weekend all the frotting PB Johnson Tories will be correct and Labour's century of relevance comes to an immediate and crashing end.
I was one of the first on here to say that Mandelson's treachery to both his party and his country wasn't retrievable for Starmer. PB Tories at that time were still laughing at photos of Mandelson in his pants. They may be cheering their victory now, but man were they slow off the blocks.
At least HYUFD is courteous. There isn’t an unpleasant undertone to how he posts. He seems a nice guy,
I do not mean to insult you. I don't believe I have insulted you.
For those who haven't got a sciobybdoo what you are talking about, you seem offended that I support the same football team as you and make reference to it.
You a few days ago referred to one game, I replied now you accuse me of some sort of stalking.
That to me is utterly bizarre
I will in future ignore everything you say and not respond
Thats fair enough
There should be room for more than one in the village.
I’ve never engaged with you on it. You’ve never once mentioned you are a fan. Yet you start mentioning it to me. I asked why twice and you didn’t reply. There was no attempt to banter either. Excuse me for being curious as to why. Especially when I mentioned home brew and you replied about Winson Green 🤷♂️ a reference to where I used to live out of the blue. Again I don’t understand that. I never said you has insulted but I find posting personal stuff back at me odd, especially when no other attempt to engage. I have also worked with morons who think crap can be brushed off as ‘banter’.
Yes I lived in Birmingham. Gisela Stuart was my MP and a very good one she was too.
Anyway this is all at a tangent so it’s done.
I'll explain the home brew
In HMP they brew using huge amounts of sugar eg fermentation
I had no idea where you live or lived
As you say at a tangent
It's done
I’m aware of how prison hooch is made. It was the winson green ref 🤷♂️
Brewing generally does use sugar, or sugar alternative, to ferment.
There has to be a very uneasy feeling, when just like with Boris, Truss, Rishi and now Starmer a view that in the 24 hour media age, media drives the narrative not the elected politicians
It didn't used to be like this.
Will we ever see another 5 year term for any Party Leader as PM again.
Like sports journalists bating for a goal, a wicket, a knock out, an eagle a try, they seek to make to force the agenda not report it.
It is very frightening and getting worse.
It will blight all party's and all politicians unless it is curbed.
There is a fine line between free speech and anarchy
It's not a game.
When it was working against your opponents your party and your sort loved it. Putting the boot in.
You helped create the monster.
Labour expected a sycophantic press when they came in, they got scrutiny instead. They have been pitiful so far. Continuity Sunak.
So as for the media and how it treats politicians. Suck it up sunshine.
Oh well suck it up
Fight the Tory media and prove them wrong.
We'll start with parasites like Dan Hodges
Cry harder.
I don't cry
I fight back
I’m sure Dan Hodges is shitting himself.
He probably is, but that's more because he never quite mastered holding it in. Common in journalists.
At least HYUFD is courteous. There isn’t an unpleasant undertone to how he posts. He seems a nice guy,
I do not mean to insult you. I don't believe I have insulted you.
For those who haven't got a sciobybdoo what you are talking about, you seem offended that I support the same football team as you and make reference to it.
You a few days ago referred to one game, I replied now you accuse me of some sort of stalking.
That to me is utterly bizarre
I will in future ignore everything you say and not respond
Thats fair enough
There should be room for more than one in the village.
I’ve never engaged with you on it. You’ve never once mentioned you are a fan. Yet you start mentioning it to me. I asked why twice and you didn’t reply. There was no attempt to banter either. Excuse me for being curious as to why. Especially when I mentioned home brew and you replied about Winson Green 🤷♂️ a reference to where I used to live out of the blue. Again I don’t understand that. I never said you has insulted but I find posting personal stuff back at me odd, especially when no other attempt to engage. I have also worked with morons who think crap can be brushed off as ‘banter’.
Yes I lived in Birmingham. Gisela Stuart was my MP and a very good one she was too.
Anyway this is all at a tangent so it’s done.
Talking of Gisela Stuart, is she likely to join Reform?
I wouldn’t think so. She’s a crossbencher in the Lords and has a role there. Something to do with the Civil Service. I couldn’t see why she would bother.
There has to be a very uneasy feeling, when just like with Boris, Truss, Rishi and now Starmer a view that in the 24 hour media age, media drives the narrative not the elected politicians
It didn't used to be like this.
Will we ever see another 5 year term for any Party Leader as PM again.
Like sports journalists bating for a goal, a wicket, a knock out, an eagle a try, they seek to make to force the agenda not report it.
It is very frightening and getting worse.
It will blight all party's and all politicians unless it is curbed.
There is a fine line between free speech and anarchy
It's not a game.
When it was working against your opponents your party and your sort loved it. Putting the boot in.
You helped create the monster.
Labour expected a sycophantic press when they came in, they got scrutiny instead. They have been pitiful so far. Continuity Sunak.
So as for the media and how it treats politicians. Suck it up sunshine.
Oh well suck it up
Fight the Tory media and prove them wrong.
We'll start with parasites like Dan Hodges
Cry harder.
I don't cry
I fight back
I’m sure Dan Hodges is shitting himself.
He probably is, but that's more because he never quite mastered holding it in. Common in journalists.
We’re getting dangerously back to Tena Men here !!
The best and the brightest murdered by a truly appalling regime.
Incidentally, this sort of reporting shows why we really do need the BBC.
It may show why we need BBC News. It’s doesn’t show why we need Homes under the Hammer, The Wheel or Countryfile or any of the TV channels or national radio stations.
So, after another day of hyperbolic, febrile comment here and elsewhere, the PM soldiers on, much to the disgruntlement of most of the press and PB pack. He emerges from today marginally strengthened, I reckon, as the unanimous support from his Cabinet (and Ange) couldn't realistically be rolled back until at least after the May elections.
Signs of improved organisation, too, as whoever coordinated the Cabinet messages of support did so quickly and effectively. None of them had to tweet: they could have said no. Sarwar must be feeling a bit johnny-no-mates right now.
Surely Sarwar wouldn’t have gone over the top if he had known he was on his Tod.
That's obvious to anyone with the intellectual calibre of Winnie the Pooh.
Can anybody our Scottish experts confirm- does Anas Sarwar possess the intellectual calibre of Winnie the Pooh?
That may make him an overachiever in Scotch Labour terms !
At least HYUFD is courteous. There isn’t an unpleasant undertone to how he posts. He seems a nice guy,
I do not mean to insult you. I don't believe I have insulted you.
For those who haven't got a sciobybdoo what you are talking about, you seem offended that I support the same football team as you and make reference to it.
You a few days ago referred to one game, I replied now you accuse me of some sort of stalking.
That to me is utterly bizarre
I will in future ignore everything you say and not respond
Thats fair enough
There should be room for more than one in the village.
I’ve never engaged with you on it. You’ve never once mentioned you are a fan. Yet you start mentioning it to me. I asked why twice and you didn’t reply. There was no attempt to banter either. Excuse me for being curious as to why. Especially when I mentioned home brew and you replied about Winson Green 🤷♂️ a reference to where I used to live out of the blue. Again I don’t understand that. I never said you has insulted but I find posting personal stuff back at me odd, especially when no other attempt to engage. I have also worked with morons who think crap can be brushed off as ‘banter’.
Yes I lived in Birmingham. Gisela Stuart was my MP and a very good one she was too.
Anyway this is all at a tangent so it’s done.
I'll explain the home brew
In HMP they brew using huge amounts of sugar eg fermentation
I had no idea where you live or lived
As you say at a tangent
It's done
I’m aware of how prison hooch is made. It was the winson green ref 🤷♂️
Brewing generally does use sugar, or sugar alternative, to ferment.
At least HYUFD is courteous. There isn’t an unpleasant undertone to how he posts. He seems a nice guy,
I do not mean to insult you. I don't believe I have insulted you.
For those who haven't got a sciobybdoo what you are talking about, you seem offended that I support the same football team as you and make reference to it.
You a few days ago referred to one game, I replied now you accuse me of some sort of stalking.
That to me is utterly bizarre
I will in future ignore everything you say and not respond
Thats fair enough
There should be room for more than one in the village.
I’ve never engaged with you on it. You’ve never once mentioned you are a fan. Yet you start mentioning it to me. I asked why twice and you didn’t reply. There was no attempt to banter either. Excuse me for being curious as to why. Especially when I mentioned home brew and you replied about Winson Green 🤷♂️ a reference to where I used to live out of the blue. Again I don’t understand that. I never said you has insulted but I find posting personal stuff back at me odd, especially when no other attempt to engage. I have also worked with morons who think crap can be brushed off as ‘banter’.
Yes I lived in Birmingham. Gisela Stuart was my MP and a very good one she was too.
Anyway this is all at a tangent so it’s done.
Talking of Gisela Stuart, is she likely to join Reform?
I'd have been more shocked if she hasn't already.
Her win in Edgbaston heralded New Labour into power. If she joins Reform today she bookends the fall of New Labour into oblivion. A genuine shame because I despise both the teams you cheerlead for on this side of the Atlantic, not to mention the one you shill for on the other side of the Atlantic.
Wonder what Kemi is going to say at PMQ? Make reference to the turmoil, only for it to be pointed out that Labour haven't lost any MPs to Reform? It's going to be interesting to see how both sides approach this.
“Will the Prime Minister be campaigning in Scotland for the Scottish Parliament elections?”
The sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong is an unjust and tragic conclusion to this case. We urge the authorities to grant Mr. Lai humanitarian parole.
Tories had 4 years did feck all.
You can't negotiate with people you're not talking to.
If Trump gets him out great, Starmer can claim an assist
If he doesn't Kemi will have to attack him for bringing nothing back.
At least HYUFD is courteous. There isn’t an unpleasant undertone to how he posts. He seems a nice guy,
I do not mean to insult you. I don't believe I have insulted you.
For those who haven't got a sciobybdoo what you are talking about, you seem offended that I support the same football team as you and make reference to it.
You a few days ago referred to one game, I replied now you accuse me of some sort of stalking.
That to me is utterly bizarre
I will in future ignore everything you say and not respond
Thats fair enough
There should be room for more than one in the village.
I’ve never engaged with you on it. You’ve never once mentioned you are a fan. Yet you start mentioning it to me. I asked why twice and you didn’t reply. There was no attempt to banter either. Excuse me for being curious as to why. Especially when I mentioned home brew and you replied about Winson Green 🤷♂️ a reference to where I used to live out of the blue. Again I don’t understand that. I never said you has insulted but I find posting personal stuff back at me odd, especially when no other attempt to engage. I have also worked with morons who think crap can be brushed off as ‘banter’.
Yes I lived in Birmingham. Gisela Stuart was my MP and a very good one she was too.
Anyway this is all at a tangent so it’s done.
Talking of Gisela Stuart, is she likely to join Reform?
I'd have been more shocked if she hasn't already.
Her win in Edgbaston heralded New Labour into power. If she joins Reform today she bookends the fall of New Labour into oblivion. A genuine shame because I despise both the teams you cheerlead for on this side of the Atlantic, not to mention the one you shill for on the other side of the Atlantic.
I may be coming over all Rogerdamus here but I just cannot see her doing it. I agree with you on the symbolism.
I remember receiving her election literature. One picture of her was visiting a Plastic Moulder. Can’t imagine there’s many, if any, left in the seat now.
As predicted it looks like the coup has failed miserably probably strengthening Labour and Keir's position. Labour are not good at coups and Keir for all his faults is pretty bright. The only significant losers look like being Sarwar and Chris Mason.
As predicted it looks like the coup has failed miserably probably strengthening Labour and Keir's position. Labour are not good at coups and Keir for all his faults is pretty bright. The only significant losers look like being Sarwar and Chris Mason.
As predicted it looks like the coup has failed miserably probably strengthening Labour and Keir's position. Labour are not good at coups and Keir for all his faults is pretty bright. The only significant losers look like being Sarwar and Chris Mason.
Nobody has been strengthened here. This has just ended up making everyone involved look weak.
Starmer is a severe disappointment as PM, and quite possibly a (politically) dead man walking, but I hesitate to ridicule the loyalists. It's not wildly different from HYUFD in full flow, and I still feel twinges of remorse for the times we all ganged up on him.
As predicted it looks like the coup has failed miserably probably strengthening Labour and Keir's position. Labour are not good at coups and Keir for all his faults is pretty bright. The only significant losers look like being Sarwar and Chris Mason.
The biggest loser is the country
And this is far from over
Far from over? My guess would be 2029 unless sickness or an as yet unrecognised talent appears from the ether
Jumped the gun. Fighting for a core vote strategy by the looks of it.
There were a load of Labour people on the radio last night, I guess mostly members and councillors and the odd MP, they didn't seem to have any interest in policies, or competency, the only thing that seemed to matter was class and the wing of the party they were from. I get that Rayner might be more comfortable for them, but I can not understand how anyone thinks she should even be a minister nevermind PM.
Wonder what Kemi is going to say at PMQ? Make reference to the turmoil, only for it to be pointed out that Labour haven't lost any MPs to Reform? It's going to be interesting to see how both sides approach this.
As long as Starmer is clinging on she takes the win(s) . And fair enough.
As predicted it looks like the coup has failed miserably probably strengthening Labour and Keir's position. Labour are not good at coups and Keir for all his faults is pretty bright. The only significant losers look like being Sarwar and Chris Mason.
The biggest loser is the country
And this is far from over
Far from over? My guess would be 2029 unless sickness or an as yet unrecognised talent appears from the ether
Starmer's time is subject to events way beyond his control
Starmer is a severe disappointment as PM, and quite possibly a (politically) dead man walking, but I hesitate to ridicule the loyalists. It's not wildly different from HYUFD in full flow, and I still feel twinges of remorse for the times we all ganged up on him.
'Wes Streeting has accused Keir Starmer’s team of briefing against him after Anas Sarwar called for the Prime Minister to stand down.
According to The Times, the Health Secretary, who is widely seen as Starmer’s potential successor, has “categorically” denied asking Sarwar to call for the PM’s job.
The Scottish Labour leader said that Starmer had been a "distraction" ahead of May's Holyrood election.
What are most of them doing? They bad mouth him behind his back, they are slow out of the blocks to defend him but ultimately they all fall in line making them look even weaker than him. @TSE's chart looks ever more prescient.
Why is there so little talk about debt in the economy? We were told that in 2008 we had a credit bubble because interest rates had been too low. Politicians quickly moved the conversation on to public debt and deficits. So where are we now? We have a booming stock market combined with relatively cheap money as the central bank looks for opportunities to reduce rates whenever it can.
There is now quite open pressure on the US federal reserve to keep rates to a minimum for Trump's short term priorities. We know how the Bank of England has a habit of copying the Fed so can we expect us to be making the same errors? That leaves aside the question of whether the economy is currently over indebted. Banks are offering riskier mortgages presumably expecting another bailout if it goes wrong.
Who is deputy Scottish Labour leader who could replace Sarwar?
Jackie Baillie who is a Starmer loyalist and notably did not back Sarwar's comments this afternoon, though she likely waits until after the Holyrood elections
Most likely, waiting to become more popular and less controversial. If the ball came free from the scrum right now, he wouldn't get it. Partly because of his perceived links to Mandelson, mostly because Wes is Wes.
But in the meantime, Starmer has got what Johnson didn't get in 2022 and Thatcher didn't get in 1990; the explicit backing of his Cabinet. It may have been forced, it may not last, but it's on the record. The Starmer plane may have lost another engine, but it's still aloft.
'Wes Streeting has accused Keir Starmer’s team of briefing against him after Anas Sarwar called for the Prime Minister to stand down.
According to The Times, the Health Secretary, who is widely seen as Starmer’s potential successor, has “categorically” denied asking Sarwar to call for the PM’s job.
The Scottish Labour leader said that Starmer had been a "distraction" ahead of May's Holyrood election.
What are most of them doing? They bad mouth him behind his back, they are slow out of the blocks to defend him but ultimately they all fall in line making them look even weaker than him. @TSE's chart looks ever more prescient.
There isn't anyone who would obviously make a better PM than Starmer in the PLP, and most of those who want the job have ambition in excess of their ability. It's very different from 1997 to 2010, when at any time you could have probably named half a dozen people who could have done as well as, or even better, than Blair and Brown.
Publishing his pally whatsapps with Mandy the paedos pal in which he slags off the government but now is apparenty happy with it. Im not sure what its supposed to achieve but highlight how pally he was with Mandy and how the govt is disunited He will get shuffled out
Another thing about the economy. So much bandwidth is taken up by political shenanigans that you have to ask how many people have got their eye on the ball.
Why is there so little talk about debt in the economy? We were told that in 2008 we had a credit bubble because interest rates had been too low. Politicians quickly moved the conversation on to public debt and deficits. So where are we now? We have a booming stock market combined with relatively cheap money as the central bank looks for opportunities to reduce rates whenever it can.
There is now quite open pressure on the US federal reserve to keep rates to a minimum for Trump's short term priorities. We know how the Bank of England has a habit of copying the Fed so can we expect us to be making the same errors? That leaves aside the question of whether the economy is currently over indebted. Banks are offering riskier mortgages presumably expecting another bailout if it goes wrong.
Watching local house prices here fall quite a lot - while there is an ever increasing number of homes being completed. Banks with mortgage portfolios will be getting nervous and wanting some sort of boost to get their books covered.
ITN News pretty kind to Starmer in general, although Peston says it’s not ‘if but when’ which is not really very perceptive as that is always the case. It’s just a matter of how long.
Respected Labour backbencher Kim Johnson was on and quite critical too. It looks like SKS is losing some backbenchers.
Publishing his pally whatsapps with Mandy the paedos pal in which he slags off the government but now is apparenty happy with it. Im not sure what its supposed to achieve but highlight how pally he was with Mandy and how the govt is disunited He will get shuffled out
Wez is an all-so-ran. Labour will be going left from Starmer - Blairites are finished in the Labour Party, probably forever.
ITN News pretty kind to Starmer in general, although Peston says it’s not ‘if but when’ which is not really very perceptive as that is always the case. It’s just a matter of how long.
Respected Labour backbencher Kim Johnson was on and quite critical too. It looks like SKS is losing some backbenchers.
Tbf Kim Johnson has been very vocally critical all along, shes part of the awkward squad
Another thing about the economy. So much bandwidth is taken up by political shenanigans that you have to ask how many people have got their eye on the ball.
There’s no industrial strategy or identifying key industries we need to keep or grow.
I think Reeves and Starmer knows what needs doing with the economy. They cannot get any changes past their backbenchers.
Why is there so little talk about debt in the economy? We were told that in 2008 we had a credit bubble because interest rates had been too low. Politicians quickly moved the conversation on to public debt and deficits. So where are we now? We have a booming stock market combined with relatively cheap money as the central bank looks for opportunities to reduce rates whenever it can.
There is now quite open pressure on the US federal reserve to keep rates to a minimum for Trump's short term priorities. We know how the Bank of England has a habit of copying the Fed so can we expect us to be making the same errors? That leaves aside the question of whether the economy is currently over indebted. Banks are offering riskier mortgages presumably expecting another bailout if it goes wrong.
If the Fed sets interest rates at 1% to satisfy Trump, we aren't going to copy that. We have actual bank independence and that won't change until Farage becomes PM.
Then announces they clapped him in but will be speaking behind his back once they get out.
What about your mate Mandelson Mr Peston
Peston tells Lucrezia he thought he wouldn't last a day, 30 seconds later it's a week, after a minute it's May, in summing up it's by the end of the year.
Another thing about the economy. So much bandwidth is taken up by political shenanigans that you have to ask how many people have got their eye on the ball.
There’s no industrial strategy or identifying key industries we need to keep or grow.
I think Reeves and Starmer knows what needs doing with the economy. They cannot get any changes past their backbenchers.
Sooner or later it will end in tears.
I think I said at the time climbing down on the big changes to benefits etc. has given the backbench way too much power.
What is it with the BBC that when one person heckles the King they get featured on the news?. It's not interesting or news. When a streaker runs onto a football pitch the cameras turn away and the commentators talk about something else
Comments
Field Marshal Gebhard von Blucher: Raise high the black flags, children. No pity! No prisoners! I'll shoot any man I see with pity in him!
I’m still on the he should quit train however this is the first time we’ve had Starmer “on his own”. So if really isn’t driving the train as people have said, it will be a car crash. However if he’s now charting his own course I’ll be curious as to where his instincts go.
Hamstrung.
Jonathan Ashworth is not universally popular with some but has the campaigning6 skills to organise something like that quickly.
The electorate will deliver a very damning verdict i expect and still theyll drift on.
We have reached 2023 very very quickly
Every day you are alive is a win, a few steps forward is a positive.
I think he's got at least 3 more months at least now.
Ro Khanna on Ghislaine Maxwell's deposition: There's an inconsistency. Why did she not plead the Fifth when Blanche asked her questions, and now she's pleading the Fifth about things that don't implicate her, but may implicate many of the other powerful people in the Epstein class that committed these crimes?
https://x.com/BlueATLGeorgia/status/2020878314504642638
How on earth are Labour going to manage Starmer's trips north? The smiley get-togethers on the campaign trail. "Mr Sarwar, do you have confidence in the Prime Minister?"
https://x.com/SecRubio/status/2020895075786482035
The sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong is an unjust and tragic conclusion to this case. We urge the authorities to grant Mr. Lai humanitarian parole.
In HMP they brew using huge amounts of sugar eg fermentation
I had no idea where you live or lived
As you say at a tangent
It's done
I was one of the first on here to say that Mandelson's treachery to both his party and his country wasn't retrievable for Starmer. PB Tories at that time were still laughing at photos of Mandelson in his pants. They may be cheering their victory now, but man were they slow off the blocks.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62v248xkl5o
The best and the brightest murdered by a truly appalling regime.
Incidentally, this sort of reporting shows why we really do need the BBC.
Brewing generally does use sugar, or sugar alternative, to ferment.
Burnham been given a lifeline here by the Cabinet if he can somehow get back into Parliament in next few weeks.
A listener did the search on the Epstein files that uncovered the latest Andrew revelations.
Perhaps this could be a project for PBers with spare time, researching the Epstein archive.
That was the reason
Her win in Edgbaston heralded New Labour into power. If she joins Reform today she bookends the fall of New Labour into oblivion. A genuine shame because I despise both the teams you cheerlead for on this side of the Atlantic, not to mention the one you shill for on the other side of the Atlantic.
Wes with the 'but......' to keep things ticking
Jumped the gun. Fighting for a core vote strategy by the looks of it.
You can't negotiate with people you're not talking to.
If Trump gets him out great, Starmer can claim an assist
If he doesn't Kemi will have to attack him for bringing nothing back.
I remember receiving her election literature. One picture of her was visiting a Plastic Moulder. Can’t imagine there’s many, if any, left in the seat now.
Wes Streeting has accused Number 10 of briefing against him over Anas Sarwar's call for Keir Starmer to quit"
https://x.com/Steven_Swinford/status/2020917274476003838
When will those clouds all disappear?
Angie, Angie
Where will it lead us from here?
And this is far from over
Guys it's only politics. It's not important. Boris Johnson surely taught you that it's only a game.
‘ Anas Sarwar picked a fight with the weakest person in UK politics and still lost.’
https://x.com/blairanderson35/status/2020888425633567075?s=61
Not sure how he reacts to no 10s accusation
Might win her the leadership but Labour will poll much worse with her than Starmer.
According to The Times, the Health Secretary, who is widely seen as Starmer’s potential successor, has “categorically” denied asking Sarwar to call for the PM’s job.
The Scottish Labour leader said that Starmer had been a "distraction" ahead of May's Holyrood election.
A source told the newspaper: “Wes did not ask Anas to do this, he did not coordinate with Anas on this. Anas is the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, he is his own man, and Wes has the highest respect for him. '
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25840113.wes-streeting-denies-asking-anas-sarwar-call-starmers-job/
There is now quite open pressure on the US federal reserve to keep rates to a minimum for Trump's short term priorities. We know how the Bank of England has a habit of copying the Fed so can we expect us to be making the same errors? That leaves aside the question of whether the economy is currently over indebted. Banks are offering riskier mortgages presumably expecting another bailout if it goes wrong.
Latest Epstein files emails reveal the paedophile financier asking staff member to buy ‘three motion detected hidden cameras, that record’
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/jeffrey-epstein-secret-hidden-cameras-florida-home-virginia-giuffre-b1270202.html
But in the meantime, Starmer has got what Johnson didn't get in 2022 and Thatcher didn't get in 1990; the explicit backing of his Cabinet. It may have been forced, it may not last, but it's on the record. The Starmer plane may have lost another engine, but it's still aloft.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/38165152/jeffrey-epstein-files-spy-claims-mossad-russians/
source BBC news
Lol
Im not sure what its supposed to achieve but highlight how pally he was with Mandy and how the govt is disunited
He will get shuffled out
Respected Labour backbencher Kim Johnson was on and quite critical too. It looks like SKS is losing some backbenchers.
Write the script already
Speaks to 4 of the left wing mob
Then announces they clapped him in but will be speaking behind his back once they get out.
What about your mate Mandelson Mr Peston
Think unfortunately Starmer is safe.
I think Reeves and Starmer knows what needs doing with the economy. They cannot get any changes past their backbenchers.
Sooner or later it will end in tears.
Curiously also released the messages about Israel and Palestine.
Priceless
I wonder if hes trying to provoke a sacking so he can launch a challenge