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Reform: Tribunus plebis – politicalbetting.com

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  • SelebianSelebian Posts: 9,909
    Nigelb said:

    Taz said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Taz said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Brace Brace.

    The warmongers will have a frisson of excitement.

    No doubt the increase in the price of oil and the knock on effect will be blamed on the likes of Shell by the politicians.

    ‘ BREAKING: Axios reports that there is evidence that US war with Iran is "imminent" and Israel is preparing for a scenario of "war within days," which is expected to include:

    1. Weeks-long "full-fledged" war unlike the Venezuela operation, sources say

    2. Joint US-Israeli campaign that is much broader in scope than 12-day war in June

    3. US armada now consists of 2 aircraft carriers, 12 warships, hundreds of fighter jets, and multiple air defense systems

    4. More than 150 US military cargo flights have moved weapons systems and ammunition to the Middle East

    5. Another 50 fighter jets in 24 hours, including F-35s, F-22s, and F-16s

    Oil prices are surging above $64/barrel on the news.’


    https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2024104466144739617?s=61


    Typical, I’m off to Egypt on Sunday
    While deposing the Ayatollahs would undoubtedly be a good thing, cowardly custard Trump will chicken out.

    TACO.
    Take this from 4chan with a pinch of salt or possibly not.


    Taking out the Ayatollahs is absolutely 100% the right thing to do, but there is not a snowball's chance in hell that tactical nukes should or would be used.
    Pickelhauben Season again on PB!

    Pull round the armchairs. Get out the popcorn.

    Let’s enjoy ourselves by ignoring such utterly pointless killing, maiming, and violence.

    Unless you care to make a case it’s actually necessary, and totally unavoidable.
    If you want to see utterly pointless killing, maiming and violence have a look at what the Ayatollahs have been doing.

    Ridding the world of them absolutely has a point.
    Weren’t you the anti Arab warmonger telling us the casualty figures put out by Hamas Health Ministry were massively fiddled upwards for propaganda? Do you feel utterly humiliated having said that now?
    No and no.
    Okay.

    But ONLY way forward is not to have hated enemies by cutting out all the bullying, land grabbing and freedom trampling, and believe there is not a single situation or violent confrontation that cannot be resolved through dialogue.
    Arab states = 22 nations, 13,000,000 sq. km. area
    Israel = only 20,000 sq. km. area
    Israel was granted land

    It was a grave error

    Israel should appreciate what it was given and abide by international law.

    By breaking international law it deserves condemnation. No amount of arrogance should put it or any other Country above the law.

    Sadly for too long too many have turned a blind eye.

    Israeli is led by a barbaric mass murderer wanted for corruption that the majority of its own citizens don't want.

    The UN must tell Israel that regime change, the handing over of the war criminal to The Hague and fair and free elections and the giving back of all illegally occupied land is the only resolution.

    The US, UK and all other States should abide by this.

    Until then Israel should be ostracised from Sporting, Cultural and other diplomatic events in the same way Putin and Russia are. There is no difference between Russia and Israel. Illegal occupation.
    There is a difference.

    One is overwhelmingly supported by the West, the other is not. That helps but will change.

    Scott_xP said:

    Omnium said:

    Scott_xP said:

    ‪Trump's timing may be off...

    @chadbourn.bsky.social‬

    Russian corvette Stoikiy has docked at Bandar Abbas, Iran, Russia’s defence ministry said.

    A joint naval exercise between the Iranian and Russian navies is due to take place tomorrow in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean. (Iran International)

    Russian naval vessels are mostly on their own. I'm sure there's a plan to celebrate any achievements they may stumble into, but they've never managed anything, so its a bit moot.
    I am curious what happens if an American attack sinks a Russian cruiser
    Have you seen the film Threads?

    That starts off with a war between the USSR and America in Iran.
    It might be an idea to show it again across all channels at the same time.

    I recall being made to watch it at school.

    Possibly the most chilling film ever.
    There’s a plan to make a new version.

    Sadly they want to focus on ‘ hope even in the most challenging of times’

    Reece Dinsdale, one of the stars of the original, has said hope is the last thing it should be about. He’s right.

    It’s bleak

    I’d also recommend ‘The War Game’, released by the BfI
    Threads is one of the greatest films of all time. My wife and I watched it recently and could barely speak for hours afterwards.
    It is very very good. Although the 'science' of nuclear winter is questionable
    Also, testable ...
    Tough getting the protocol past the Research Ethics Commitee for that one though...
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,704
    Brixian59 said:

    Can Jonathan Powell survive the vetoing of the Chagos deal?

    Trump will have changed his mind by tomorrow.
    People keep talking about Trump changing his mind. Which is ridiculous.

    As if the senile old paedo has a mind.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 58,015
    So is the Chagos deal on? Off?

    Or is it the Schrodinger's Deal? We just never look in the box...
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 591
    You have to wonder whether Trump is actually aware of what goes on Truth Social.

    Has Musk hijacked it or Jimmy Kimmell just doing an Ant and Dec style piss take every night.

    The thought that Truss may actually have been the last person to be photographed with him alive would be an incredible coincidence.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 86,472
    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    ydoethur said:

    I am sure if somebody waves another massive cheque and there may be a some bending of those principles. It isn't cheap to fly your hat around the world in first class these days.
    I was thinking more that ICE would arrest them at the airport on entry and take them straight to texas "detention" centre.
    Well, I am generally uncomfortable about ICEs actions, but in the case of U2, they would be doing us all a favour.

    Radiohead thinking of doing a US tour?
    I like U2. I listen to them every Sunday Bloody Sunday.
    I was at Guildford Cathedral today.

    I think they must be trying to get @rcs1000 to sponsor them. They were advertising an evening of Radiohead.
    Isn't that something youd keep quiet about ?
    I don't think there's anything very embarrassing about being at Guildford Cathedral. It may not be Lichfield or Lincoln but it's a decent building in a fine location.
    R*******d.
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 506
    edited February 18
    kle4 said:

    His political biases obviously impact his conclusions a lot, but this Wings piece about SNP regional list candidates for Holyrood is interesting for how many, 45/71, are contesting constituency seats. It would be interesting to know if that is more than previously, or unusual amongst the other parties.

    https://wingsoverscotland.com/the-future-is-yesterday/

    I'm not going to go back through elections to find out, but double dipping both list and constituency is very common for potential MSP candidates. I would have thought that figure may have been somewhere in the 50s when the SNP were at their peak (2011).

    Some MSPs like the challenge to win their seat, from memory Salmond didn't stand on the list back in 2007.

    It would be fair to comment that there is a good chance that the SNP don't win a single list MSP this election. some are standing on the list but not constituency, ie. Ex MP Tommy Shepherd, so presumably were either not selected for or were not bothered about running in a constituency.

    List MSPs got a bit of stick back in the day, being seen as a back door way for losers getting in, Labour voices were quieter on this after the 2007 vote, and ironically it saved the Tories in 1999, who preferred FPTP but won all 18 of their seats on the list.

    I would expect a lot of SNP candidates to be very much aware that should they not win their seat, its highly unlikely they win a seat via the list
  • kinabalu said:

    Trump tells Starmer to pull the Chagos deal

    What a plonker he is. We should play silly buggers in return. Say, ok, we'll forget the leaseback part and if the US military want to stay there he can talk to Mauritius.
    That would be fine. It's the payment I object to. Why the **** would we cancel out Mauritius's national debt so that American can have a base? That's not silly buggers, it's being a normal non-suicidal country.
    We don't need to lease back that which is already ours.

    The problem is pandering to those who wish to act in such a foolhardy manner because they wish to pretend that international law matters.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 57,649
    Quite a revealing clip from Owen Jones where he fails to understand why someone might be put off voting for a party because of a lack of basic manners on the part of their campaign team.

    https://x.com/owenjonesjourno/status/2024135237496926295
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 86,472
    Selebian said:

    Nigelb said:

    Taz said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Taz said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Brace Brace.

    The warmongers will have a frisson of excitement.

    No doubt the increase in the price of oil and the knock on effect will be blamed on the likes of Shell by the politicians.

    ‘ BREAKING: Axios reports that there is evidence that US war with Iran is "imminent" and Israel is preparing for a scenario of "war within days," which is expected to include:

    1. Weeks-long "full-fledged" war unlike the Venezuela operation, sources say

    2. Joint US-Israeli campaign that is much broader in scope than 12-day war in June

    3. US armada now consists of 2 aircraft carriers, 12 warships, hundreds of fighter jets, and multiple air defense systems

    4. More than 150 US military cargo flights have moved weapons systems and ammunition to the Middle East

    5. Another 50 fighter jets in 24 hours, including F-35s, F-22s, and F-16s

    Oil prices are surging above $64/barrel on the news.’


    https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2024104466144739617?s=61


    Typical, I’m off to Egypt on Sunday
    While deposing the Ayatollahs would undoubtedly be a good thing, cowardly custard Trump will chicken out.

    TACO.
    Take this from 4chan with a pinch of salt or possibly not.


    Taking out the Ayatollahs is absolutely 100% the right thing to do, but there is not a snowball's chance in hell that tactical nukes should or would be used.
    Pickelhauben Season again on PB!

    Pull round the armchairs. Get out the popcorn.

    Let’s enjoy ourselves by ignoring such utterly pointless killing, maiming, and violence.

    Unless you care to make a case it’s actually necessary, and totally unavoidable.
    If you want to see utterly pointless killing, maiming and violence have a look at what the Ayatollahs have been doing.

    Ridding the world of them absolutely has a point.
    Weren’t you the anti Arab warmonger telling us the casualty figures put out by Hamas Health Ministry were massively fiddled upwards for propaganda? Do you feel utterly humiliated having said that now?
    No and no.
    Okay.

    But ONLY way forward is not to have hated enemies by cutting out all the bullying, land grabbing and freedom trampling, and believe there is not a single situation or violent confrontation that cannot be resolved through dialogue.
    Arab states = 22 nations, 13,000,000 sq. km. area
    Israel = only 20,000 sq. km. area
    Israel was granted land

    It was a grave error

    Israel should appreciate what it was given and abide by international law.

    By breaking international law it deserves condemnation. No amount of arrogance should put it or any other Country above the law.

    Sadly for too long too many have turned a blind eye.

    Israeli is led by a barbaric mass murderer wanted for corruption that the majority of its own citizens don't want.

    The UN must tell Israel that regime change, the handing over of the war criminal to The Hague and fair and free elections and the giving back of all illegally occupied land is the only resolution.

    The US, UK and all other States should abide by this.

    Until then Israel should be ostracised from Sporting, Cultural and other diplomatic events in the same way Putin and Russia are. There is no difference between Russia and Israel. Illegal occupation.
    There is a difference.

    One is overwhelmingly supported by the West, the other is not. That helps but will change.

    Scott_xP said:

    Omnium said:

    Scott_xP said:

    ‪Trump's timing may be off...

    @chadbourn.bsky.social‬

    Russian corvette Stoikiy has docked at Bandar Abbas, Iran, Russia’s defence ministry said.

    A joint naval exercise between the Iranian and Russian navies is due to take place tomorrow in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean. (Iran International)

    Russian naval vessels are mostly on their own. I'm sure there's a plan to celebrate any achievements they may stumble into, but they've never managed anything, so its a bit moot.
    I am curious what happens if an American attack sinks a Russian cruiser
    Have you seen the film Threads?

    That starts off with a war between the USSR and America in Iran.
    It might be an idea to show it again across all channels at the same time.

    I recall being made to watch it at school.

    Possibly the most chilling film ever.
    There’s a plan to make a new version.

    Sadly they want to focus on ‘ hope even in the most challenging of times’

    Reece Dinsdale, one of the stars of the original, has said hope is the last thing it should be about. He’s right.

    It’s bleak

    I’d also recommend ‘The War Game’, released by the BfI
    Threads is one of the greatest films of all time. My wife and I watched it recently and could barely speak for hours afterwards.
    It is very very good. Although the 'science' of nuclear winter is questionable
    Also, testable ...
    Tough getting the protocol past the Research Ethics Commitee for that one though...
    Force majeure.
  • Alphabet_SoupAlphabet_Soup Posts: 3,790
    ohnotnow said:

    For anyone interested in the British attitude to nuclear war and civil defense in the USSR days i recommend War Plan UK by Duncan Campbell if you can find a copy
    It has notes in from one of the exercises which demonstrates how inadequate our civil defece planning was. And it was better then than now.......

    I hadn't heard of that. I'll have to find a copy. While I was doing a lazy scouting about for it came across this - which is... quite something.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frmwacJFtzk

    Care of the Homeless (1965)- Nuclear War Planning in Bath - UK BFI
    Incredibly sexy scene 6 minutes in:



    It's right up there with Brief Encounter
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,261
    isam said:



    3 positions on the two-child benefit cap in 10 months.

    Reform are all over the place.

    If it's this bad now, imagine this shambles in government.

    https://x.com/conservatives/status/2024114117221437811?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    You can get away with u-turning if you're popular, or people didn't really pay attention to your positions before. I think Reform can get away with it now, although the presence of former Tories in high positions makes it harder when they rail against things they themselves did and defended at the time, but not sure they can for that much longer if they keep doing it.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 86,472
    Brixian59 said:

    You have to wonder whether Trump is actually aware

    No, you don't.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,261

    Quite a revealing clip from Owen Jones where he fails to understand why someone might be put off voting for a party because of a lack of basic manners on the part of their campaign team.

    https://x.com/owenjonesjourno/status/2024135237496926295

    It's not exactly the strongest example to provide for lack of manners being an issue, but in general the point is fair, which is why a party's biggest supporters can sometimes be a hindrance when they act like complete arseholes towards non-believers (not exactly the case in that example though).
  • CiceroCicero Posts: 4,189
    Cookie said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Trump changes his mind again.

    "Do not give away Diego Garcia, Trump tells UK"

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c309qqyer8yo

    He is essentially Monty Burns. Evil, but prone to unpredictable changes of heart.
    "Whoah... there's a NEW Mexico!"
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 31,363
    City are going to win the title aren't they?
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 39,347
    kle4 said:

    Quite a revealing clip from Owen Jones where he fails to understand why someone might be put off voting for a party because of a lack of basic manners on the part of their campaign team.

    https://x.com/owenjonesjourno/status/2024135237496926295

    It's not exactly the strongest example to provide for lack of manners being an issue, but in general the point is fair, which is why a party's biggest supporters can sometimes be a hindrance when they act like complete arseholes towards non-believers (not exactly the case in that example though).
    If I was running a campaign, the first thing I'd do is send the most evangenlical campaigners to the wrong location.
  • isamisam Posts: 43,663
    dixiedean said:

    City are going to win the title aren't they?

    Even at 2-0 up, that was not the performance of a side good enough to win the league from Arsenal.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 77,704
    Andy_JS said:

    kle4 said:

    Quite a revealing clip from Owen Jones where he fails to understand why someone might be put off voting for a party because of a lack of basic manners on the part of their campaign team.

    https://x.com/owenjonesjourno/status/2024135237496926295

    It's not exactly the strongest example to provide for lack of manners being an issue, but in general the point is fair, which is why a party's biggest supporters can sometimes be a hindrance when they act like complete arseholes towards non-believers (not exactly the case in that example though).
    If I was running a campaign, the first thing I'd do is send the most evangenlical campaigners to the wrong location.
    Is that why Matt Goodwin was campaigning in Manchester Central?
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 31,363
    isam said:

    dixiedean said:

    City are going to win the title aren't they?

    Even at 2-0 up, that was not the performance of a side good enough to win the league from Arsenal.
    Yeah.
    You get the feeling City could win every game.
    Arsenal?
    Not really.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,261
    isam said:

    dixiedean said:

    City are going to win the title aren't they?

    Even at 2-0 up, that was not the performance of a side good enough to win the league from Arsenal.
    Choking at the last hurdle again.
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 506
    Just had another look at Villa .... around 50/1 to 66/1, 8 points behind with a game in hand.

    Worth a trading bet, the top 2 will drop more points as Champions league/cup games come into play
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 18,873

    If the Iranian regime had the nukes to destroy Israel, would the potential collateral damage to Gaza and the West Bank make them even pause?

    Israel’s nuclear weapon policy appears already to have determined their decision on that question: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samson_Option
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 9,417
    isam said:

    dixiedean said:

    City are going to win the title aren't they?

    Even at 2-0 up, that was not the performance of a side good enough to win the league from Arsenal.
    Yes. And at 2-1 they faffed around, wasted time, and didn't try to finish it off. They deserved to be punished by the equaliser.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 18,947
    edited February 18

    Trump tells Starmer to pull the Chagos deal

    Has Trump checked with his own State Department who issued this strong statement of support for the Chagos deal yesterday.

    From February 23–25, the United States and Mauritius will hold discussions in Port Louis led by the Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, with participation from across the U.S. interagency.

    These discussions underscore the continued importance of the Chagos archipelago and the joint U.S.-UK base on Diego Garcia to our national security. The discussions will focus on bilateral security cooperation and effective implementation of security arrangements for the base to ensure its long-term, secure operation.

    The United States supports the decision of the United Kingdom to proceed with its agreement with Mauritius concerning the Chagos archipelago. The United States reiterates its desire to conclude a bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom to guarantee continued use of basing and other facilities in the Chagos archipelago to advance U.S. national security, as well as security and stability across the Indian Ocean.


    https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/02/united-states-and-mauritius-to-hold-bilateral-security-discussions/
  • DopermeanDopermean Posts: 2,342
    DoctorG said:

    Just had another look at Villa .... around 50/1 to 66/1, 8 points behind with a game in hand.

    Worth a trading bet, the top 2 will drop more points as Champions league/cup games come into play

    70 on betfair
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 57,649
    FF43 said:

    Trump tells Starmer to pull the Chagos deal

    Has Trump checked with his own State Department who issued this strong statement of support for the Chagos deal
    It could be a double bluff and Trump is actually planning to buy Chagos from Mauritius.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,261
    edited February 18

    FF43 said:

    Trump tells Starmer to pull the Chagos deal

    Has Trump checked with his own State Department who issued this strong statement of support for the Chagos deal
    It could be a double bluff and Trump is actually planning to buy Chagos from Mauritius.
    The Trump Islands, great.

    Although given he licences his name for projects he'd want them to pay for that.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 55,172
    kle4 said:

    Quite a revealing clip from Owen Jones where he fails to understand why someone might be put off voting for a party because of a lack of basic manners on the part of their campaign team.

    https://x.com/owenjonesjourno/status/2024135237496926295

    It's not exactly the strongest example to provide for lack of manners being an issue, but in general the point is fair, which is why a party's biggest supporters can sometimes be a hindrance when they act like complete arseholes towards non-believers (not exactly the case in that example though).
    Certainly true. In 1997 I was doing some canvassing for New Labour in what was thought to be a marginal seat as part of support from my own seat.

    Some of the team were truly Sid and Doris Bonkers crossed with Dave Spart and nearly put me off, let alone the people we were canvassing. I think we won Loughborough despite rather than because of our efforts.
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 18,873
    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    MelonB said:

    Nigelb said:

    kle4 said:

    HYUFD said:

    'Reform UK London Mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham has called Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain Party "neo-Nazis" https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/2024146969199792457?s=20


    'We are consulting our legal team.'
    https://x.com/RupertLowe10/status/2024147578770604045?s=20

    "They are saying to let it go and stop calling us every five minutes, you snowflakes".

    Ok, in fairness neo-nazi is a heck of an accusation to make and one Restore will feel is very damaging, but maybe show yourself to have staying power as a 'party' before you start getting into legal battles.
    Elon Musk has accused Reform UK of being "Nazis" and wanting "race extinction"
    https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2024176134443684193

    Officially confused.
    What he means is that Reform aren’t Nazi enough. He considers them complicit with the “race extinction” of whites.

    In other words he’s an a loon and an actual Nazi.
    He's basically a billionaire @Leon
    It's based on an extraordinary degree of pessimism about the attractiveness of the Western way of life.
    What does the attractiveness of the Western way of life have to do with it?
    it's based fundamentally on the assumption that they are changing us and our country more quickly than us and our country are changing them.
    I live near a bunch of schools and each morning and afternoon you cannot tell the sons and daughters of immigrants from the sons and daughters of non-immigrants as they crowd the streets. They’re all babbling away in Multicultural London English, with more in common with each other than they have with us over-50s!
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 34,052

    FF43 said:

    Trump tells Starmer to pull the Chagos deal

    Has Trump checked with his own State Department who issued this strong statement of support for the Chagos deal
    It could be a double bluff and Trump is actually planning to buy Chagos from Mauritius.
    I think it shows that the State Department (apparently America's most powerful department, and certainly the one that seems to interfere here the most) is still trying to run a shadow foreign policy. Let's hope Trump prevails.
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 506
    Dopermean said:

    DoctorG said:

    Just had another look at Villa .... around 50/1 to 66/1, 8 points behind with a game in hand.

    Worth a trading bet, the top 2 will drop more points as Champions league/cup games come into play

    70 on betfair
    Thankyou

    Too long IMO, Man U are 50 with Lads and 5 points worse off
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 18,873
    kle4 said:

    FF43 said:

    Trump tells Starmer to pull the Chagos deal

    Has Trump checked with his own State Department who issued this strong statement of support for the Chagos deal
    It could be a double bluff and Trump is actually planning to buy Chagos from Mauritius.
    The Trump Islands, great.

    Although given he licences his name for projects he'd want them to pay for that.
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/01/30/trump-chagos-island-renamed-starmer-deal/

    Some Chagossians have already planned to rename one of the islands as Trump Island to get Trump’s backing.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,261
    Foxy said:

    kle4 said:

    Quite a revealing clip from Owen Jones where he fails to understand why someone might be put off voting for a party because of a lack of basic manners on the part of their campaign team.

    https://x.com/owenjonesjourno/status/2024135237496926295

    It's not exactly the strongest example to provide for lack of manners being an issue, but in general the point is fair, which is why a party's biggest supporters can sometimes be a hindrance when they act like complete arseholes towards non-believers (not exactly the case in that example though).
    Certainly true. In 1997 I was doing some canvassing for New Labour in what was thought to be a marginal seat as part of support from my own seat.

    Some of the team were truly Sid and Doris Bonkers crossed with Dave Spart and nearly put me off, let alone the people we were canvassing. I think we won Loughborough despite rather than because of our efforts.
    Activists have their uses, but also downsides - MPs know this very well. It's also one reason why in an age when mass membership is not really a thing, a huge influx of members was not solely a positive.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 39,347
    edited February 18
    Usually I don't like any music made since the 1990s but heard this in a cafe today, Norman and Norma by The Divine Comedy. From 2019 I think.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFu_ZvnwjuY
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 18,873
    Tucker Carlson says he was arrested in Israel. Israel says he wasn’t. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-887171
  • Daveyboy1961Daveyboy1961 Posts: 5,262
    edited February 18
    kle4 said:

    Quite a revealing clip from Owen Jones where he fails to understand why someone might be put off voting for a party because of a lack of basic manners on the part of their campaign team.

    https://x.com/owenjonesjourno/status/2024135237496926295

    It's not exactly the strongest example to provide for lack of manners being an issue, but in general the point is fair, which is why a party's biggest supporters can sometimes be a hindrance when they act like complete arseholes towards non-believers (not exactly the case in that example though).
    She wouldn't have voted green anyway. It was just an excuse. Possibly a gammon.

    It's like saying I wouldn't vote for Boris because he doesn't comb his hair, when in reality he was a lying bunch of crap.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,261

    kle4 said:

    Quite a revealing clip from Owen Jones where he fails to understand why someone might be put off voting for a party because of a lack of basic manners on the part of their campaign team.

    https://x.com/owenjonesjourno/status/2024135237496926295

    It's not exactly the strongest example to provide for lack of manners being an issue, but in general the point is fair, which is why a party's biggest supporters can sometimes be a hindrance when they act like complete arseholes towards non-believers (not exactly the case in that example though).
    She wouldn't have voted green anyway. It was just an excuse. Possibly a gammon.
    Probably, although NickPalmer has said that someone once told him they would vote for him as he was tall, so voters can surprise us on their reasoning.
  • CookieCookie Posts: 16,895

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    MelonB said:

    Nigelb said:

    kle4 said:

    HYUFD said:

    'Reform UK London Mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham has called Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain Party "neo-Nazis" https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/2024146969199792457?s=20


    'We are consulting our legal team.'
    https://x.com/RupertLowe10/status/2024147578770604045?s=20

    "They are saying to let it go and stop calling us every five minutes, you snowflakes".

    Ok, in fairness neo-nazi is a heck of an accusation to make and one Restore will feel is very damaging, but maybe show yourself to have staying power as a 'party' before you start getting into legal battles.
    Elon Musk has accused Reform UK of being "Nazis" and wanting "race extinction"
    https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2024176134443684193

    Officially confused.
    What he means is that Reform aren’t Nazi enough. He considers them complicit with the “race extinction” of whites.

    In other words he’s an a loon and an actual Nazi.
    He's basically a billionaire @Leon
    It's based on an extraordinary degree of pessimism about the attractiveness of the Western way of life.
    What does the attractiveness of the Western way of life have to do with it?
    it's based fundamentally on the assumption that they are changing us and our country more quickly than us and our country are changing them.
    I live near a bunch of schools and each morning and afternoon you cannot tell the sons and daughters of immigrants from the sons and daughters of non-immigrants as they crowd the streets. They’re all babbling away in Multicultural London English, with more in common with each other than they have with us over-50s!
    The primary school which my daughters attend has gone from less than 5% English as a second language to over 40% in the last ten years and what you report is not reallly my experience.
    Even at the secondary school my daughter goes to, which is basically a third white, a third black and a third Asian, there is remarkably little social mixing. A little, but much, much less than you'd expect by random chance.

    I am pessimistic about immigratiom because I see ghettoisation much more than I see integration. But perhaps things are different in London.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 57,649
    https://x.com/Reuters/status/2024246945607274955

    Exclusive: The US State Department is developing an online portal to enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda, sources told Reuters
  • Daveyboy1961Daveyboy1961 Posts: 5,262

    https://x.com/Reuters/status/2024246945607274955

    Exclusive: The US State Department is developing an online portal to enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda, sources told Reuters

    Just block it.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 31,363

    https://x.com/Reuters/status/2024246945607274955

    Exclusive: The US State Department is developing an online portal to enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda, sources told Reuters

    That's useful.
  • Tucker Carlson says he was arrested in Israel. Israel says he wasn’t. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-887171

    If Tucker Carlson said it was winter, I would not believe him.

    The guy is a compulsive liar and Russian shill.
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 18,873
    Cookie said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    MelonB said:

    Nigelb said:

    kle4 said:

    HYUFD said:

    'Reform UK London Mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham has called Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain Party "neo-Nazis" https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/2024146969199792457?s=20


    'We are consulting our legal team.'
    https://x.com/RupertLowe10/status/2024147578770604045?s=20

    "They are saying to let it go and stop calling us every five minutes, you snowflakes".

    Ok, in fairness neo-nazi is a heck of an accusation to make and one Restore will feel is very damaging, but maybe show yourself to have staying power as a 'party' before you start getting into legal battles.
    Elon Musk has accused Reform UK of being "Nazis" and wanting "race extinction"
    https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2024176134443684193

    Officially confused.
    What he means is that Reform aren’t Nazi enough. He considers them complicit with the “race extinction” of whites.

    In other words he’s an a loon and an actual Nazi.
    He's basically a billionaire @Leon
    It's based on an extraordinary degree of pessimism about the attractiveness of the Western way of life.
    What does the attractiveness of the Western way of life have to do with it?
    it's based fundamentally on the assumption that they are changing us and our country more quickly than us and our country are changing them.
    I live near a bunch of schools and each morning and afternoon you cannot tell the sons and daughters of immigrants from the sons and daughters of non-immigrants as they crowd the streets. They’re all babbling away in Multicultural London English, with more in common with each other than they have with us over-50s!
    The primary school which my daughters attend has gone from less than 5% English as a second language to over 40% in the last ten years and what you report is not reallly my experience.
    Even at the secondary school my daughter goes to, which is basically a third white, a third black and a third Asian, there is remarkably little social mixing. A little, but much, much less than you'd expect by random chance.

    I am pessimistic about immigratiom because I see ghettoisation much more than I see integration. But perhaps things are different in London.
    Ghettoisation can happen, yes. We’ve published research on it in medical school students. It’s not what I see with the school kids in north London. I know there are parents who are Russian or Nigerian, but the kids are just kids.

    I suspect the very recent changes you’ve seen in your daughters’ school will shift to more integration with a bit of time, because that’s what usually happens. It doesn’t always happen. I can point to some communities near me in north London who have shied away from integrating, like the Orthodox Jewish population around Stamford Hill.

    But, by and large, the second and third generation immigrants I know as adults are as completely British as those without any recent immigrant ancestry, whatever Matt Goodwin and Elon Musk think.
  • MikeLMikeL Posts: 7,897
    Trump's Board of Peace about to have its first meeting:

    "Two sources familiar with the matter said the countries attending the meeting as members were told they will have two minutes each to speak, but another source said Wednesday that that allotment was now expected to be 90 seconds."

    https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/18/politics/trump-launches-board-of-peace
  • DopermeanDopermean Posts: 2,342

    kle4 said:

    FF43 said:

    Trump tells Starmer to pull the Chagos deal

    Has Trump checked with his own State Department who issued this strong statement of support for the Chagos deal
    It could be a double bluff and Trump is actually planning to buy Chagos from Mauritius.
    The Trump Islands, great.

    Although given he licences his name for projects he'd want them to pay for that.
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/01/30/trump-chagos-island-renamed-starmer-deal/

    Some Chagossians have already planned to rename one of the islands as Trump Island to get Trump’s backing.
    Ewww!
    Did he try to shake down the Trump Kennedy centre after renaming it?
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 18,873
    MikeL said:

    Trump's Board of Peace about to have its first meeting:

    "Two sources familiar with the matter said the countries attending the meeting as members were told they will have two minutes each to speak, but another source said Wednesday that that allotment was now expected to be 90 seconds."

    https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/18/politics/trump-launches-board-of-peace

    15 seconds to introduce yourself and state your country’s name. 67 seconds of praising Trump. And 7 seconds to talk about anything you want!
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 57,649
    MikeL said:

    Trump's Board of Peace about to have its first meeting:

    "Two sources familiar with the matter said the countries attending the meeting as members were told they will have two minutes each to speak, but another source said Wednesday that that allotment was now expected to be 90 seconds."

    https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/18/politics/trump-launches-board-of-peace

    https://x.com/nadia_bilbassy/status/2024263394350514311

    Those sending representatives for President Trump board of peace for tomorrow's meeting:

    Albania
    Argentina
    Armenia
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahrain
    Bulgaria
    Cambodia
    Croatia
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Egypt
    El Salvador
    EU
    Finland
    Germany
    Greece
    Hungary
    India
    Indonesia
    Israel
    Italy
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kazakhstan
    Kosovo
    Kuwait
    Mexico
    Mongolia
    Morocco
    Netherlands
    Norway
    Oman
    Pakistan
    Paraguay
    Poland
    Qatar
    ROK
    Romania
    Saudi Arabia
    Slovakia
    Switzerland
    Thailand
    Turkey
    United Arab Emirates
    United Kingdom
    Uzbekistan
    Vietnam
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 86,472
    .The current chip industry (though it all might change as there are various efforts to introduce alternative substrates)

    Toto isn't even the most extreme example: Ajinomoto makes MSG. Their amino acid research produced the insulating substrate in virtually every high-end GPU. 95% global monopoly. In 2021 the chip shortage bottleneck wasn't silicon, it was Ajinomoto's film. Japan holds majority share in 14 critical semiconductor materials. The sintering process that creates a non-porous toilet is the same one that creates a contamination-free wafer chuck. The most critical layer of AI infrastructure is controlled by companies that make toilets, MSG, and window glass.
    https://x.com/Gaurab/status/2024259874276999338
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 57,649
    A serious PM for serious times:

    https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2024260465367425064

    Keir Starmer is set to accept a TikTok user as his intern for the day after they surpassed his like goal
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 15,208

    kinabalu said:

    Trump tells Starmer to pull the Chagos deal

    What a plonker he is. We should play silly buggers in return. Say, ok, we'll forget the leaseback part and if the US military want to stay there he can talk to Mauritius.
    That would be fine. It's the payment I object to. Why the **** would we cancel out Mauritius's national debt so that American can have a base? That's not silly buggers, it's being a normal non-suicidal country.
    We don't need to lease back that which is already ours.

    The problem is pandering to those who wish to act in such a foolhardy manner because they wish to pretend that international law matters.
    It's not "ours". We haven't been allowed, despite requests, to land any British military aircraft there since the 70s.

    Starmer should just wash his hands of the whole mess and tell Trump he's welcome to it.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,261
    Dura_Ace said:

    kinabalu said:

    Trump tells Starmer to pull the Chagos deal

    What a plonker he is. We should play silly buggers in return. Say, ok, we'll forget the leaseback part and if the US military want to stay there he can talk to Mauritius.
    That would be fine. It's the payment I object to. Why the **** would we cancel out Mauritius's national debt so that American can have a base? That's not silly buggers, it's being a normal non-suicidal country.
    We don't need to lease back that which is already ours.

    The problem is pandering to those who wish to act in such a foolhardy manner because they wish to pretend that international law matters.
    It's not "ours". We haven't been allowed, despite requests, to land any British military aircraft there since the 70s.

    Starmer should just wash his hands of the whole mess and tell Trump he's welcome to it.
    A token payment would be nice.

    There's nothing moral about any of the options, so at least get paid rather than pay.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 86,472
    Profiles in courage..

    There are 28 Republican members on the House Oversight Committee.

    None of them showed for Les Wexner’s deposition on Epstein.

    https://x.com/Logically_JC/status/2024230742486585678
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 5,872
    Cookie said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    MelonB said:

    Nigelb said:

    kle4 said:

    HYUFD said:

    'Reform UK London Mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham has called Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain Party "neo-Nazis" https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/2024146969199792457?s=20


    'We are consulting our legal team.'
    https://x.com/RupertLowe10/status/2024147578770604045?s=20

    "They are saying to let it go and stop calling us every five minutes, you snowflakes".

    Ok, in fairness neo-nazi is a heck of an accusation to make and one Restore will feel is very damaging, but maybe show yourself to have staying power as a 'party' before you start getting into legal battles.
    Elon Musk has accused Reform UK of being "Nazis" and wanting "race extinction"
    https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2024176134443684193

    Officially confused.
    What he means is that Reform aren’t Nazi enough. He considers them complicit with the “race extinction” of whites.

    In other words he’s an a loon and an actual Nazi.
    He's basically a billionaire @Leon
    It's based on an extraordinary degree of pessimism about the attractiveness of the Western way of life.
    What does the attractiveness of the Western way of life have to do with it?
    it's based fundamentally on the assumption that they are changing us and our country more quickly than us and our country are changing them.
    I live near a bunch of schools and each morning and afternoon you cannot tell the sons and daughters of immigrants from the sons and daughters of non-immigrants as they crowd the streets. They’re all babbling away in Multicultural London English, with more in common with each other than they have with us over-50s!
    The primary school which my daughters attend has gone from less than 5% English as a second language to over 40% in the last ten years and what you report is not reallly my experience.
    Even at the secondary school my daughter goes to, which is basically a third white, a third black and a third Asian, there is remarkably little social mixing. A little, but much, much less than you'd expect by random chance.

    I am pessimistic about immigratiom because I see ghettoisation much more than I see integration. But perhaps things are different in London.
    It still sounds better than I remember of my school years. Segregation by parents religion. Regular pitched battles between gangs of kids depending which religious school they went to. All propped up by voting blocks.
  • DumbosaurusDumbosaurus Posts: 1,013
    Dura_Ace said:

    kinabalu said:

    Trump tells Starmer to pull the Chagos deal

    What a plonker he is. We should play silly buggers in return. Say, ok, we'll forget the leaseback part and if the US military want to stay there he can talk to Mauritius.
    That would be fine. It's the payment I object to. Why the **** would we cancel out Mauritius's national debt so that American can have a base? That's not silly buggers, it's being a normal non-suicidal country.
    We don't need to lease back that which is already ours.

    The problem is pandering to those who wish to act in such a foolhardy manner because they wish to pretend that international law matters.
    It's not "ours". We haven't been allowed, despite requests, to land any British military aircraft there since the 70s.

    Starmer should just wash his hands of the whole mess and tell Trump he's welcome to it.
    How do our token force there get there? US flights or boats?
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 63,285
    Dura_Ace said:

    kinabalu said:

    Trump tells Starmer to pull the Chagos deal

    What a plonker he is. We should play silly buggers in return. Say, ok, we'll forget the leaseback part and if the US military want to stay there he can talk to Mauritius.
    That would be fine. It's the payment I object to. Why the **** would we cancel out Mauritius's national debt so that American can have a base? That's not silly buggers, it's being a normal non-suicidal country.
    We don't need to lease back that which is already ours.

    The problem is pandering to those who wish to act in such a foolhardy manner because they wish to pretend that international law matters.
    It's not "ours". We haven't been allowed, despite requests, to land any British military aircraft there since the 70s.

    Starmer should just wash his hands of the whole mess and tell Trump he's welcome to it.
    While I agree with your sentiment, the ADS-B evidence suggets an RAF A400M landed there in August 2025.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 101,261
    Nigelb said:

    Profiles in courage..

    There are 28 Republican members on the House Oversight Committee.

    None of them showed for Les Wexner’s deposition on Epstein.

    https://x.com/Logically_JC/status/2024230742486585678

    With over 40 members I was going to suggest that's a bit much for a 'committee', but I know we technically have 'grand committees' which have more members than that (and previously ones with hundreds of members, not even including a committee of the whole house).
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 27,426
    Nigelb said:

    Profiles in courage..

    There are 28 Republican members on the House Oversight Committee.

    None of them showed for Les Wexner’s deposition on Epstein.

    https://x.com/Logically_JC/status/2024230742486585678

    None showing up seems like a bit of an oversight.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 27,678
    edited 12:49AM
    ...I’m really interested by the fact that Lib Dem have been the go-to third party for decades, and yet seem to be floundering as the two-party system collapses. It’s like when Skype was the go-to video call app for years, then the pandemic came along and everyone’s straight on Zoom...

    - markgrimshawtism.bsky.social, see https://bsky.app/profile/markgrimshawtism.bsky.social/post/3mf2l3k57sk2j
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,044
    This morning’s Russian oil depot on fire, is in Pskov region.

    https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2024301501716304096
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 63,285
    Sandpit said:

    This morning’s Russian oil depot on fire, is in Pskov region.

    https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2024301501716304096

    That is quite a fire; it will take a long time to repair the damage.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,044
    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    This morning’s Russian oil depot on fire, is in Pskov region.

    https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2024301501716304096

    That is quite a fire; it will take a long time to repair the damage.
    The latest is that there’s now almost no storage available in Russia, so they’re going to have to start slowing down production in the next couple of weeks. Sanctions seem to be working.

    The economic news out of Moscow is also terrible, it looks like they might only have 4-6 months before an implosion. The large cash payments they were making to military for signups and KIAs have been significantly reduced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l7YabZr7vw
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,574
    Just seen the F1, and I know it is a practice start but Jesus Fing what on earth is going on in Bahrain on the socials.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,044
    edited 5:06AM
    Pulpstar said:

    Just seen the F1, and I know it is a practice start but Jesus Fing what on earth is going on in Bahrain on the socials.

    https://x.com/f1/status/2024158673547747793

    First race start could be rather amusing.

    Apparently Ferrari raised the issue about standing starts with these new power units a year ago, and all the other teams told them to go pound sand. So they went away and spend a year overcoming the issue in their engine design. Now all the other PU manufacturers are saying they have the same problem and it’s a safety issue so the FIA need to do something about it. Ferrari are saying that if you can’t safely start from the grid you always have the option to start from the pit lane!
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 63,285
    Sandpit said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    This morning’s Russian oil depot on fire, is in Pskov region.

    https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2024301501716304096

    That is quite a fire; it will take a long time to repair the damage.
    The latest is that there’s now almost no storage available in Russia, so they’re going to have to start slowing down production in the next couple of weeks. Sanctions seem to be working.

    The economic news out of Moscow is also terrible, it looks like they might only have 4-6 months before an implosion. The large cash payments they were making to military for signups and KIAs have been significantly reduced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l7YabZr7vw
    Yep: and slowing down production will damage fields, and they will struggle to remediate the damage without Western equipment.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,044
    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    This morning’s Russian oil depot on fire, is in Pskov region.

    https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2024301501716304096

    That is quite a fire; it will take a long time to repair the damage.
    The latest is that there’s now almost no storage available in Russia, so they’re going to have to start slowing down production in the next couple of weeks. Sanctions seem to be working.

    The economic news out of Moscow is also terrible, it looks like they might only have 4-6 months before an implosion. The large cash payments they were making to military for signups and KIAs have been significantly reduced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l7YabZr7vw
    Yep: and slowing down production will damage fields, and they will struggle to remediate the damage without Western equipment.
    Indeed so. There’s rumour around the sandpit that O&G exploration companies have been getting cold calls enquiring about stocks of spares. One assumes that it’s someone working for a sanctioned entity (Russia or Iran) looking for stuff they can’t get through any regular supply chain.

    It’s likely that, as with aircraft, they’ll end up retiring some sites and cannibalising the equipment to repair others.

    I watched one video last week that basically said the CIA had got hold of plans and schematics for Russian O&G facilities, and had given the Ukranians very precise instructions on how to cause the most damage to each site, exactly which were the irreplaceable parts to target.
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 26,183
    Starmer, Trump, Chagos

    Haed to know which one is U turning - probably both
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 63,537
    Sandpit said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Just seen the F1, and I know it is a practice start but Jesus Fing what on earth is going on in Bahrain on the socials.

    https://x.com/f1/status/2024158673547747793

    First race start could be rather amusing.

    Apparently Ferrari raised the issue about standing starts with these new power units a year ago, and all the other teams told them to go pound sand. So they went away and spend a year overcoming the issue in their engine design. Now all the other PU manufacturers are saying they have the same problem and it’s a safety issue so the FIA need to do something about it. Ferrari are saying that if you can’t safely start from the grid you always have the option to start from the pit lane!
    Good morning, everyone.

    Yep, Ferrari are looking better which is also good for Haas and Cadillac (engines). Verstappen also sounded more relaxed than McLaren's 'safety issue' complaints.

    If Leclerc or Hamilton qualify on the third row then backing them to lead lap 1 could well be worth a shot.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 8,362

    Starmer, Trump, Chagos

    Haed to know which one is U turning - probably both

    Why doesn't Trump just ask us to give it to him? If he's willing to offend Canada and Denmark, it's odd he isn't willing to offend us...
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 591

    Starmer, Trump, Chagos

    Haed to know which one is U turning - probably both

    Trump flip flop flip flop

    Starmer has been consistent. He's followed the 11 rounds of meetings the tories had and simply sought to rubber stamp the deal.
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 591

    Tucker Carlson says he was arrested in Israel. Israel says he wasn’t. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-887171

    If Tucker Carlson said it was winter, I would not believe him.

    The guy is a compulsive liar and Russian shill.
    I think you got that the wrong way round.

    If Israel said it had rained in Brixham every day since Boxing Day I wiuld not believe them, I would deny ever getting wet!
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 57,649

    Starmer, Trump, Chagos

    Haed to know which one is U turning - probably both

    Round like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel
    Never ending or beginning on an ever-spinning reel
    Like a snowball down a mountain, or a carnival balloon
    Like a carousel that's turning running rings around the moon
    Like a clock whose hands are sweeping past the minutes of its face
    And the world is like an apple whirling silently in space
    Like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 12,657

    Quite a revealing clip from Owen Jones where he fails to understand why someone might be put off voting for a party because of a lack of basic manners on the part of their campaign team.

    https://x.com/owenjonesjourno/status/2024135237496926295

    The issue isn’t the lack of understanding. It’s the exaggerated mockery at the end. He doesn’t respect her, he thinks he’s smarter and better than her, and doesn’t accept she has the right to vote in whichever way she wants ts and for whatever reason.

    Good on her
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 63,537
    F1: may be daft but put a tiny sum on Ferrari at 5.5 (title) and Hamilton (each way, Australia) at 16.

    Rear downforce, high reliability, strong race sims from both in the previous test, a potentially way better start procedure, all looking positive. Only putting on small amounts, though.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 57,649
    Sandpit said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    This morning’s Russian oil depot on fire, is in Pskov region.

    https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2024301501716304096

    That is quite a fire; it will take a long time to repair the damage.
    The latest is that there’s now almost no storage available in Russia, so they’re going to have to start slowing down production in the next couple of weeks. Sanctions seem to be working.

    The economic news out of Moscow is also terrible, it looks like they might only have 4-6 months before an implosion. The large cash payments they were making to military for signups and KIAs have been significantly reduced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l7YabZr7vw
    The numbers of the shadow fleet of tankers are also sharply down and the Trump interventions there have made moving oil that way more hazardous.

    The scenario of Russia actually losing the war, as opposed to being unable to win it, is hoving into view but we should be careful what we wish for. Russia as a failed state will be extremely dangerous.
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 26,183
    Brixian59 said:

    Starmer, Trump, Chagos

    Haed to know which one is U turning - probably both

    Trump flip flop flip flop

    Starmer has been consistent. He's followed the 11 rounds of meetings the tories had and simply sought to rubber stamp the deal.
    The only thing consistent about Starmer is his U turns.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,044

    Brixian59 said:

    Starmer, Trump, Chagos

    Haed to know which one is U turning - probably both

    Trump flip flop flip flop

    Starmer has been consistent. He's followed the 11 rounds of meetings the tories had and simply sought to rubber stamp the deal.
    The only thing consistent about Starmer is his U turns.
    More u-turns than an Alpine pass.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,044
    DavidL said:

    Sandpit said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    This morning’s Russian oil depot on fire, is in Pskov region.

    https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2024301501716304096

    That is quite a fire; it will take a long time to repair the damage.
    The latest is that there’s now almost no storage available in Russia, so they’re going to have to start slowing down production in the next couple of weeks. Sanctions seem to be working.

    The economic news out of Moscow is also terrible, it looks like they might only have 4-6 months before an implosion. The large cash payments they were making to military for signups and KIAs have been significantly reduced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l7YabZr7vw
    The numbers of the shadow fleet of tankers are also sharply down and the Trump interventions there have made moving oil that way more hazardous.

    The scenario of Russia actually losing the war, as opposed to being unable to win it, is hoving into view but we should be careful what we wish for. Russia as a failed state will be extremely dangerous.
    The dodgy tankers are now severely curtailed, in recent days Trump has been playing tariff wars with India over Russian imports and the Indians have picked up three sanctioned tankers in their waters. UK and Europe could do better here as well, there’s still dodgy ships around the North Sea and Mediterranean.

    Yes there is definitely a potential problem with a failed Russian state after the war, which will require international efforts when that time comes. The price will be a return to 1991 borders and severe demiliterisation.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 34,052
    Both the Greens and Reform seem to be attacking each other exclusively and ignoring Labour in G&D. It is either the best tactics in the world to deny the biggest threat any oxygen, or they both think Labour are out of it. I lean toward the second, because I don't think either side is that cunning.
  • eekeek Posts: 32,638

    Both the Greens and Reform seem to be attacking each other exclusively and ignoring Labour in G&D. It is either the best tactics in the world to deny the biggest threat any oxygen, or they both think Labour are out of it. I lean toward the second, because I don't think either side is that cunning.

    One side could be that cunning but as to say zero chance both of them being that cunning.

    If I was reform I would be spending some time attacking Labour you want the anti-reform vote split
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 2,524
    eek said:

    Both the Greens and Reform seem to be attacking each other exclusively and ignoring Labour in G&D. It is either the best tactics in the world to deny the biggest threat any oxygen, or they both think Labour are out of it. I lean toward the second, because I don't think either side is that cunning.

    One side could be that cunning but as to say zero chance both of them being that cunning.

    If I was reform I would be spending some time attacking Labour you want the anti-reform vote split
    Labour through the middle? Worth a punt?
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 34,052
    eek said:

    Both the Greens and Reform seem to be attacking each other exclusively and ignoring Labour in G&D. It is either the best tactics in the world to deny the biggest threat any oxygen, or they both think Labour are out of it. I lean toward the second, because I don't think either side is that cunning.

    One side could be that cunning but as to say zero chance both of them being that cunning.

    If I was reform I would be spending some time attacking Labour you want the anti-reform vote split
    Yes. Though perhaps they're relying on Labour's core vote being sewn up. It's very perplexing and definitely a more interesting byelection even than Runcorn.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 22,158

    Eat your heart out Donald!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_zvO5RpjNM
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,044
    Foxy said:

    Sandpit said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Starmer, Trump, Chagos

    Haed to know which one is U turning - probably both

    Trump flip flop flip flop

    Starmer has been consistent. He's followed the 11 rounds of meetings the tories had and simply sought to rubber stamp the deal.
    The only thing consistent about Starmer is his U turns.
    More u-turns than an Alpine pass.
    In the spirit of PB pedantry, alpine passes have many hairpin turns, but few u-turns. A u-turn means turning around on the road and going back the way you came.
    Haha true dat!
  • eekeek Posts: 32,638
    Battlebus said:

    eek said:

    Both the Greens and Reform seem to be attacking each other exclusively and ignoring Labour in G&D. It is either the best tactics in the world to deny the biggest threat any oxygen, or they both think Labour are out of it. I lean toward the second, because I don't think either side is that cunning.

    One side could be that cunning but as to say zero chance both of them being that cunning.

    If I was reform I would be spending some time attacking Labour you want the anti-reform vote split
    Labour through the middle? Worth a punt?
    Nope if the left vote is split reform win.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 55,172
    The South Koreans know what to do:

    BBC News - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cq8gy8nexvdt?app-referrer=push-notification
    Yoon Suk Yeol: South Korea’s ex-president jailed for life for masterminding an insurrection - BBC News
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 58,015
    edited 7:43AM
    Sandpit said:

    DavidL said:

    Sandpit said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    This morning’s Russian oil depot on fire, is in Pskov region.

    https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2024301501716304096

    That is quite a fire; it will take a long time to repair the damage.
    The latest is that there’s now almost no storage available in Russia, so they’re going to have to start slowing down production in the next couple of weeks. Sanctions seem to be working.

    The economic news out of Moscow is also terrible, it looks like they might only have 4-6 months before an implosion. The large cash payments they were making to military for signups and KIAs have been significantly reduced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l7YabZr7vw
    The numbers of the shadow fleet of tankers are also sharply down and the Trump interventions there have made moving oil that way more hazardous.

    The scenario of Russia actually losing the war, as opposed to being unable to win it, is hoving into view but we should be careful what we wish for. Russia as a failed state will be extremely dangerous.
    The dodgy tankers are now severely curtailed, in recent days Trump has been playing tariff wars with India over Russian imports and the Indians have picked up three sanctioned tankers in their waters. UK and Europe could do better here as well, there’s still dodgy ships around the North Sea and Mediterranean.

    Yes there is definitely a potential problem with a failed Russian state after the war, which will require international efforts when that time comes. The price will be a return to 1991 borders and severe demiliterisation.
    A broken Russia is going to require huge intervention from either state banks/IMF, which is where massive cuts in the defence (more correctly, the offence) budget and the return to 1991 borders.

    Alternatively, China bails out Moscow in return for huge tracts of land. Putin has already destroyed Russia's gold reserves and wealth funds and can't stop the hydrocarbons industry and markets being trashed. He might as well give up half of Russia to Xi so he can acquire the Donbas in Ukraine.

    What a legacy Putin is going to have,
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 8,362

    Both the Greens and Reform seem to be attacking each other exclusively and ignoring Labour in G&D. It is either the best tactics in the world to deny the biggest threat any oxygen, or they both think Labour are out of it. I lean toward the second, because I don't think either side is that cunning.

    How many Green-Reform swing voters are there? Or is it just mostly get-out-the-vote?

    I wouldn't like to bet on turnout.
  • TazTaz Posts: 25,088
    Battlebus said:

    eek said:

    Both the Greens and Reform seem to be attacking each other exclusively and ignoring Labour in G&D. It is either the best tactics in the world to deny the biggest threat any oxygen, or they both think Labour are out of it. I lean toward the second, because I don't think either side is that cunning.

    One side could be that cunning but as to say zero chance both of them being that cunning.

    If I was reform I would be spending some time attacking Labour you want the anti-reform vote split
    Labour through the middle? Worth a punt?
    Now 11/2 on ladbrokes so they have come in.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 134,130
    edited 7:47AM

    Both the Greens and Reform seem to be attacking each other exclusively and ignoring Labour in G&D. It is either the best tactics in the world to deny the biggest threat any oxygen, or they both think Labour are out of it. I lean toward the second, because I don't think either side is that cunning.

    It seems that both Reform and Labour are canvassing the seat hard though and collecting data for knocking up on polling day. The Greens aren't, only leafletting and putting posters up.

    'i stared at the route sheet in disbelief when I saw our destination. Levenshulme. I asked George Hollyhead, the activist I was assigned to, whether this was a joke. He explained that Reform insisted on canvassing everywhere, arguing it was undemocratic to allow whole areas to become no‑go zones. Noble, brave or slightly naive depending on your point of view...One woman swore everyone had knocked on her door this week, and the numbers backed her up. Labour fielded around a hundred activists on Sunday, and the previous day the area had already been heaving with hundreds more.

    Interesting, it appears the Greens are focusing on leafleting rather than canvassing. Tameside Council candidate, Raymond Dunning, declared that the Greens “aren’t knocking because they’ve nothing to say to the people here,” '
    https://conservativehome.com/2026/02/18/alexandra-vivona-the-fear-and-loathing-in-gorton-and-denton/
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 58,015
    Foxy said:

    Sandpit said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Starmer, Trump, Chagos

    Haed to know which one is U turning - probably both

    Trump flip flop flip flop

    Starmer has been consistent. He's followed the 11 rounds of meetings the tories had and simply sought to rubber stamp the deal.
    The only thing consistent about Starmer is his U turns.
    More u-turns than an Alpine pass.
    In the spirit of PB pedantry, alpine passes have many hairpin turns, but few u-turns. A u-turn means turning around on the road and going back the way you came.
    Except...you go west to east a while, then east to west a while, then west to east a while. Which is pretty much Labout 2024-2026....
  • TazTaz Posts: 25,088

    Brixian59 said:

    Starmer, Trump, Chagos

    Haed to know which one is U turning - probably both

    Trump flip flop flip flop

    Starmer has been consistent. He's followed the 11 rounds of meetings the tories had and simply sought to rubber stamp the deal.
    The only thing consistent about Starmer is his U turns.
    He’s about as much use as one of those marzipan dildos Nicola Sturgeon was talking about.

    I still think he’s the least worst option in Labour.
  • Brixian59 said:

    Starmer, Trump, Chagos

    Haed to know which one is U turning - probably both

    Trump flip flop flip flop

    Starmer has been consistent. He's followed the 11 rounds of meetings the tories had and simply sought to rubber stamp the deal.
    The only thing consistent about Starmer is his U turns.
    I suspect the election of Donald Trump is our one saviour against Keir Starmer in the UK. It was totally unexpected even by people who understood politics so came totally out of a blue sky for Starmer. Starmer came into office will little preparation fro things which were obviously going to happen. Such preparation as had been done such as his attempts to bankrupt all farmers and small businesses was poorly thought through. Thus for an unexpectable event like the Democrats being so bad in the US Election that Trump with all his manifest failings was elected was an event which the starmerdroid could not and cannot compute.
  • Daveyboy1961Daveyboy1961 Posts: 5,262
    Foxy said:

    The South Koreans know what to do:

    BBC News - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cq8gy8nexvdt?app-referrer=push-notification
    Yoon Suk Yeol: South Korea’s ex-president jailed for life for masterminding an insurrection - BBC News

    Be warned, Donald.
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