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The polling brings bad news for Starmer – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 12,985
edited March 5 in General
The polling brings bad news for Starmer – politicalbetting.com

52% of Britons say Keir Starmer is managing the UK's relationship with Donald Trump badlyWell: 32% (-6 from May 2025)Badly: 52% (+14)yougov.com/en-gb/articl…

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  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    George Cottrell, an aristocratic banker, convicted fraudster and backer of the Reform UK leader, lost $550,000 (£411,000) last month after placing a wager on the Polymarket trading platform that the US would not bomb the Middle Eastern country.
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 22,149
    2nd, like England today.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    edited March 5
    The emergency non-event press conference screams they saw this polling and decided they needed to try and shape the narrative.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,251
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    This has to be the most shameful performance by the Brits in India since the Jallianwala Bagh massacre

    Since teaching the Indians lazy, boring, tedious cricket instead of football, surely?
  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 17,926
    So the public basically agrees with what the government is doing, while also thinking they're doing it badly. They can't win.
    Incidentally I think the way the official opposition is behaving during this national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.
  • MelonBMelonB Posts: 16,816
    This polling illustrates Starmer’s triangulation issue. The Green and Reform/Con opinion is negative but for different reasons. Greens because they think Starmer is a Zionist warmonger, RefCon because they don’t think he’s sucking up to Trump enough. So that’s already a large proportion of the electorate.

    And then the Labour and Lib Dem numbers aren’t great either.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 63,436
    PoodleInASlipstream said:

    rcs1000 said:

    PoodleInASlipstream said:

    Sweeney74 said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Malmesbury said:

    Cookie said:

    noneoftheabove said:

    Big_G_NorthWales said:

    Mahmood offfering £10,000 per person with a limit of £40,000 for asylum seekers to return to their country

    Not sure that will go down well

    Public - Give us solutions to the asylum seeker crisis
    Govt - Here is a partial solution that saves money and reduces the scale of the crisis
    Public - Not like that!
    The public would prefer a solution which doesn't drive up the numbers of people trying to get here.
    What about this -

    1) increase the fine for illegal employment or paying less than minimum wage to £100k per instance
    2) break the “ltd” and “subcontractor” shielding, used to evade (1)
    3) half the fine goes to those giving evidence
    4) if those giving evidence need it, they get indefinite leave to remain, plus their £50k
    5) announce the law, when passed will come into force 12 months from the passage of the bill.

    Call it the Employment Protection Bill.

    Edit: this specifically targets the exploiters. Who are the modern equivalent of the worst Victorian factory owners.
    Just forcing deliveroo, just eat and Uber Eats to only use people with the right to work would fix half the issue
    I often walk past one of the asylum seeker hotels in the toon when parking in Manors and walking into Newcastle. There are a fair few of their bikes outside

    There’s no will to deal with it so it persists.
    There is a will to deal with the issue, it’s just that Deliveroo and co are doing everything possible to keep the situation as it currently exists.

    I was chatting with the civil service policy officer about it last year and it sounded a nightmare trying to find a solution to the current mess now they’ve been ruled as self employed
    These bikes that zoom about on pavements and cycle lanes, seemingly without the need to pedal. They seem to me to be the easy enforcement option, should one be needed.
    The Police don't regularly enforce the law in respect illegal bikes (electric or motorcycles) because the only realistic way to stop these people if they try to get away is to knock them off, which opens up PC Plod to investigation, dismissal and possible charges if the scrote on the bike gets hurt.
    I understand that, from time to time, the vehicles in question aren't moving. Perhaps that's when they could be checked for their legality
    Sure, why hasn't anyone thought of that before...

    A stationery ebike is likely to be so because it's unattended - if it has a rider they'll be off like a rabbit, and we have the scenario I mentioned before.

    Checking its legality would entail taking it away to have the engine output, top speed and functioning of any pedal assist checked. How do the police notify the owner their property has been seized if they have no idea who the owner is? How do they return the bike if it proves to be legal? What happens if the bike is locked or chained in place, can the police defeat those locks and do they have to pay compensation for that if the bike is legal?

    It's not even faintly feasible to have the police just snatching ebikes off the street at random. This problem won't go away until there's a mandatory registration scheme for ebikes.

    Ummm: aren't throttle controlled ebikes simply banned in the UK?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    edited March 5
    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    So the public basically agrees with what the government is doing, while also thinking they're doing it badly. They can't win.
    Incidentally I think the way the official opposition is behaving during this national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.

    It really hard when the public have decided they really don't like you. Saw the same thing with ID cards, public positive about them, Starmer banged on about the scheme, nose dived support. Starmer doesn't help that is delivery is generally really poor.

    The Tories had the same problem after COVID, it didn't really matter what they did, the public thought they were doing it wrong.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    Game Over now.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 19,045
    Grim in Lebanon right now.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 70,289
    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    So the public basically agrees with what the government is doing, while also thinking they're doing it badly. They can't win.
    Incidentally I think the way the official opposition is behaving during this national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.

    The question will arise what happens if a typhoon is taken down by an Iranian missile ?
  • DumbosaurusDumbosaurus Posts: 1,025
    rcs1000 said:

    PoodleInASlipstream said:

    rcs1000 said:

    PoodleInASlipstream said:

    Sweeney74 said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Malmesbury said:

    Cookie said:

    noneoftheabove said:

    Big_G_NorthWales said:

    Mahmood offfering £10,000 per person with a limit of £40,000 for asylum seekers to return to their country

    Not sure that will go down well

    Public - Give us solutions to the asylum seeker crisis
    Govt - Here is a partial solution that saves money and reduces the scale of the crisis
    Public - Not like that!
    The public would prefer a solution which doesn't drive up the numbers of people trying to get here.
    What about this -

    1) increase the fine for illegal employment or paying less than minimum wage to £100k per instance
    2) break the “ltd” and “subcontractor” shielding, used to evade (1)
    3) half the fine goes to those giving evidence
    4) if those giving evidence need it, they get indefinite leave to remain, plus their £50k
    5) announce the law, when passed will come into force 12 months from the passage of the bill.

    Call it the Employment Protection Bill.

    Edit: this specifically targets the exploiters. Who are the modern equivalent of the worst Victorian factory owners.
    Just forcing deliveroo, just eat and Uber Eats to only use people with the right to work would fix half the issue
    I often walk past one of the asylum seeker hotels in the toon when parking in Manors and walking into Newcastle. There are a fair few of their bikes outside

    There’s no will to deal with it so it persists.
    There is a will to deal with the issue, it’s just that Deliveroo and co are doing everything possible to keep the situation as it currently exists.

    I was chatting with the civil service policy officer about it last year and it sounded a nightmare trying to find a solution to the current mess now they’ve been ruled as self employed
    These bikes that zoom about on pavements and cycle lanes, seemingly without the need to pedal. They seem to me to be the easy enforcement option, should one be needed.
    The Police don't regularly enforce the law in respect illegal bikes (electric or motorcycles) because the only realistic way to stop these people if they try to get away is to knock them off, which opens up PC Plod to investigation, dismissal and possible charges if the scrote on the bike gets hurt.
    I understand that, from time to time, the vehicles in question aren't moving. Perhaps that's when they could be checked for their legality
    Sure, why hasn't anyone thought of that before...

    A stationery ebike is likely to be so because it's unattended - if it has a rider they'll be off like a rabbit, and we have the scenario I mentioned before.

    Checking its legality would entail taking it away to have the engine output, top speed and functioning of any pedal assist checked. How do the police notify the owner their property has been seized if they have no idea who the owner is? How do they return the bike if it proves to be legal? What happens if the bike is locked or chained in place, can the police defeat those locks and do they have to pay compensation for that if the bike is legal?

    It's not even faintly feasible to have the police just snatching ebikes off the street at random. This problem won't go away until there's a mandatory registration scheme for ebikes.

    Ummm: aren't throttle controlled ebikes simply banned in the UK?
    There was a period when that was the case (with grandfather rights) but not any more.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    edited March 5
    rcs1000 said:

    PoodleInASlipstream said:

    rcs1000 said:

    PoodleInASlipstream said:

    Sweeney74 said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Malmesbury said:

    Cookie said:

    noneoftheabove said:

    Big_G_NorthWales said:

    Mahmood offfering £10,000 per person with a limit of £40,000 for asylum seekers to return to their country

    Not sure that will go down well

    Public - Give us solutions to the asylum seeker crisis
    Govt - Here is a partial solution that saves money and reduces the scale of the crisis
    Public - Not like that!
    The public would prefer a solution which doesn't drive up the numbers of people trying to get here.
    What about this -

    1) increase the fine for illegal employment or paying less than minimum wage to £100k per instance
    2) break the “ltd” and “subcontractor” shielding, used to evade (1)
    3) half the fine goes to those giving evidence
    4) if those giving evidence need it, they get indefinite leave to remain, plus their £50k
    5) announce the law, when passed will come into force 12 months from the passage of the bill.

    Call it the Employment Protection Bill.

    Edit: this specifically targets the exploiters. Who are the modern equivalent of the worst Victorian factory owners.
    Just forcing deliveroo, just eat and Uber Eats to only use people with the right to work would fix half the issue
    I often walk past one of the asylum seeker hotels in the toon when parking in Manors and walking into Newcastle. There are a fair few of their bikes outside

    There’s no will to deal with it so it persists.
    There is a will to deal with the issue, it’s just that Deliveroo and co are doing everything possible to keep the situation as it currently exists.

    I was chatting with the civil service policy officer about it last year and it sounded a nightmare trying to find a solution to the current mess now they’ve been ruled as self employed
    These bikes that zoom about on pavements and cycle lanes, seemingly without the need to pedal. They seem to me to be the easy enforcement option, should one be needed.
    The Police don't regularly enforce the law in respect illegal bikes (electric or motorcycles) because the only realistic way to stop these people if they try to get away is to knock them off, which opens up PC Plod to investigation, dismissal and possible charges if the scrote on the bike gets hurt.
    I understand that, from time to time, the vehicles in question aren't moving. Perhaps that's when they could be checked for their legality
    Sure, why hasn't anyone thought of that before...

    A stationery ebike is likely to be so because it's unattended - if it has a rider they'll be off like a rabbit, and we have the scenario I mentioned before.

    Checking its legality would entail taking it away to have the engine output, top speed and functioning of any pedal assist checked. How do the police notify the owner their property has been seized if they have no idea who the owner is? How do they return the bike if it proves to be legal? What happens if the bike is locked or chained in place, can the police defeat those locks and do they have to pay compensation for that if the bike is legal?

    It's not even faintly feasible to have the police just snatching ebikes off the street at random. This problem won't go away until there's a mandatory registration scheme for ebikes.

    Ummm: aren't throttle controlled ebikes simply banned in the UK?
    A load of ebikes technically meet all the rules / reg or for "off road use any", but snip of one wire unlocks insanity mode (which they are really spec'ed for).
  • RogerRoger Posts: 22,407
    edited March 5
    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    So the public basically agrees with what the government is doing, while also thinking they're doing it badly. They can't win.
    Incidentally I think the way the official opposition is behaving during this national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.

    That's because he can't give a straight message. Most people don't know what Starmers position is. I certainly don't. All we know is that he's not as far up Trumps backside as he usually is
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 7,177
    Starmer seems to be screwed whatever he does .

    A section of the public would like him to tell Trump to fxck off . Another want him to go all guns blazing . I’m not a fan of Starmer but I really think any PM would have been similarly screwed .

    Trying to deal with the lunatic in the WH is a total nightmare .
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 70,289
    Roger said:

    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    So the public basically agrees with what the government is doing, while also thinking they're doing it badly. They can't win.
    Incidentally I think the way the official opposition is behaving during this national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.

    That's because he can't give a straight message. Most people don't know what Starmers position is. I certainly don't
    Starmer initially refused US use of our air bases, and U turned to allow the US to do just that and fly sortie's over Iran with B52s

    In out shake it all about is Starmer
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,251
    Roger said:

    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    So the public basically agrees with what the government is doing, while also thinking they're doing it badly. They can't win.
    Incidentally I think the way the official opposition is behaving during this national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.

    That's because he can't give a straight message. Most people don't know what Starmers position is. I certainly don't. All we know is that he's not as far up Trumps backside as he usually is
    That he has zero charisma is his major failing.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    Just when England get back in the game.....
  • WhisperingOracleWhisperingOracle Posts: 11,044
    edited March 5
    nico67 said:

    Starmer seems to be screwed whatever he does .

    A section of the public would like him to tell Trump to fxck off . Another want him to go all guns blazing . I’m not a fan of Starmer but I really think any PM would have been similarly screwed .

    Trying to deal with the lunatic in the WH is a total nightmare .

    Yes, I agree, overall. The rightwing press are thundering.about it, but really he has no good options. A lot of self-righteous hot air is coming across.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 86,856
    Buttler's tournament ends in disappointment.
    The fairy tale ending is not to be.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 22,407
    Roger said:

    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    So the public basically agrees with what the government is doing, while also thinking they're doing it badly. They can't win.
    Incidentally I think the way the official opposition is behaving during this national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.

    That's because he can't give a straight message. Most people don't know what Starmers position is. I certainly don't. All we know is that he's not as far up Trumps backside as he usually is
    Anyway not important. The Greens have caqptured the ground most of the public support. Don't touch Trump's adventurism with a bargepole. No ifs no buts. Nuance is not what people want. Do you want to slaughter people for Trump and Netanyahu. Yes or No.?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    Nigelb said:

    Buttler's tournament ends in disappointment.
    The fairy tale ending is not to be.

    Its not over yet, remember England bat deep....
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 86,856
    Coming back to the legal justification for a pre-emptive strike on Iran.

    Leavitt: The president had a feeling, again, based on fact, that Iran was going to strike the US.
    https://x.com/Acyn/status/2029269914071302590
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan's armed forces have been instructed to "prepare and implement appropriate retaliatory measures"
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 7,177
    From the BBC .

    The director of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, says they have verified "13 attacks on healthcare in Iran, and one in Lebanon" since the start of the war.
    He did not state who was responsible or provide further details.
    On Monday, Fatemeh Mohammad Beigi, a member of the Iranian Parliament Health Commission, said that nine hospitals were hit in Iran, accusing Israel and the US of targeting them.
    The IDF has responded to allegations of targeting Tehran's Gandhi Hospital, saying the attack "was not targeted at the hospital".
    The BBC has contacted United States Central Command (Centcom) for a response on the Gandhi Hospital.
    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said yesterday: "The United States armed forces do not target civilians."
    Israel has said it is targeting military assets with "precision" to protect civilians.

    The last sentence looks like the same lie we heard during Gaza .
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 16,238
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan's armed forces have been instructed to "prepare and implement appropriate retaliatory measures"

    Carving out some Azeri territory in NE Iran
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 70,289
    Mark Rutte has said the missile incident in Turkey was 'serious' adding that Iran was close to becoming a threat to Europe as well

    I fear the next crisis for Starmer will be demonstrations for and against here in the UK starting this weekend

  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 86,856
    Is this the Thiel story ?

    EXCLUSIVE: Palantir provided the 'minority report' intel used to justify US-Israeli strikes on Iran - and is now profiting from the war. All three of its top figures publicly advocated for this conflict. One called it an investment opportunity
    https://x.com/NafeezAhmed/status/2029533912314040525
  • FishingFishing Posts: 6,109
    edited March 5
    I don't think Blair's premiership was really destroyed by events in the Middle East - people were already sick of him, and it just delivered the coup de grace. If it hadn't been that, it would have been something else, probably the diastrous credit crunch and financial crisis within months. Just as the now basically forgotten Chris Pincher scandal wasn't the main factor behind Boris's departure.

    Of course the main difference between the Blair situation and Starmer is that with Blair there was an obvious successor, albeit one dismally unfit for the job and totally lacking policies as things turned out. Whereas with Starmer there is not only no obvious single candidate, but all the likely successors haven't managed to disguise their dismal unfitness for the job.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,251
    edited March 5
    Ninety years ago today

    The Supermarine Spitfire made its maiden flight.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Spitfire
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    Its the hope that kills you.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 70,289
    Roger said:

    Roger said:

    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    So the public basically agrees with what the government is doing, while also thinking they're doing it badly. They can't win.
    Incidentally I think the way the official opposition is behaving during this national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.

    That's because he can't give a straight message. Most people don't know what Starmers position is. I certainly don't. All we know is that he's not as far up Trumps backside as he usually is
    Anyway not important. The Greens have caqptured the ground most of the public support. Don't touch Trump's adventurism with a bargepole. No ifs no buts. Nuance is not what people want. Do you want to slaughter people for Trump and Netanyahu. Yes or No.?
    Explain how the slaughter of 40,000 of it's own people by the Iranian regime are any better
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 86,856
    Cracking stat for Archer.
    https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/trophy/bowling-most-runs-conceded-innings/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-89?team=1
  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 17,926
    Sunil_Prasannan said:

    Roger said:

    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    So the public basically agrees with what the government is doing, while also thinking they're doing it badly. They can't win.
    Incidentally I think the way the official opposition is behaving during this national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.

    That's because he can't give a straight message. Most people don't know what Starmers position is. I certainly don't. All we know is that he's not as far up Trumps backside as he usually is
    That he has zero charisma is his major failing.
    This 100x. I met him before he became PM, he's a good guy basically but he was an utter charisma free zone, like no other pol I ever met. How can this guy be a political leader, I asked myself. I couldn't vote for him as Labour leader, even though in most respects I probably agree with him and think he is smart. You just have to have a bit of umph about you to carry the public. He's not got it, and that is a real problem.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    edited March 5
    The British economy is so poor our Government can't afford to remove the Canva watermark.
    https://x.com/lfg_uk/status/2029570686109225442?s=20
  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 17,926
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    George Cottrell, an aristocratic banker, convicted fraudster and backer of the Reform UK leader, lost $550,000 (£411,000) last month after placing a wager on the Polymarket trading platform that the US would not bomb the Middle Eastern country.

    It's not all bad news then.
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 22,149
    OK - I've just seen Brooks drop of Sampson. I think we need to consider match-fixing. Club 3rd XI players would be horrified to have dropped that. No excuse. Brook's been paid off.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    turbotubbs said:

    OK - I've just seen Brooks drop of Sampson. I think we need to consider match-fixing. Club 3rd XI players would be horrified to have dropped that. No excuse. Brook's been paid off.

    Or he has been on the shandies again.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,369
    Ooh, air raid siren. Not had that for a couple of days.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,251
    Sandpit said:

    Ooh, air raid siren. Not had that for a couple of days.

    "UAE says its air defences are responding to Iranian strikes
    published at 15:41
    15:41
    Breaking
    The United Arab Emirates' air defences are responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran, the UAE defence ministry says.

    In a brief statement, the ministry adds that "the sounds heard in scattered areas of the country are the result of the air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles, and fighter jets intercepting drones and loitering munitions".

    This comes not long after the UAE said it intercepted six Iranian missiles and 131 drones so far today. One missile and six drones landed on its territory."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c62gg44d53xt
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 27,879
    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    George Cottrell, an aristocratic banker, convicted fraudster and backer of the Reform UK leader, lost $550,000 (£411,000) last month after placing a wager on the Polymarket trading platform that the US would not bomb the Middle Eastern country.

    It's not all bad news then.
    I try not to take joy in the loss of a gambler, even if he is a grade #1 shit - there but for the grace of God etc. I also rather sadly note that he can probably afford the loss ☹️
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    edited March 5
    viewcode said:

    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    George Cottrell, an aristocratic banker, convicted fraudster and backer of the Reform UK leader, lost $550,000 (£411,000) last month after placing a wager on the Polymarket trading platform that the US would not bomb the Middle Eastern country.

    It's not all bad news then.
    I try not to take joy in the loss of a gambler, even if he is a grade #1 shit - there but for the grace of God etc. I also rather sadly note that he can probably afford the loss ☹️
    Apparently he made millions on Trump election win on Polymarket.
  • ThomasNasheThomasNashe Posts: 5,529
    Big_G_NorthWales said:

    Mark Rutte has said the missile incident in Turkey was 'serious' adding that Iran was close to becoming a threat to Europe as well

    I fear the next crisis for Starmer will be demonstrations for and against here in the UK starting this weekend

    Pretty unlikely that either side could assemble enough people for any kind of significant demonstration. Had Starmer gone all in behind Bibi and Trump, a la Blair and Iraq, it would have been a different matter, as that would have energised the Stop the War movement.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,251
    Bahrain says Iranian strike has hit industrial area
    published at 16:13
    16:13
    "Bahrain's interior ministry says a facility in the industrial area of Ma'ameer has been targeted by "Iranian aggression".

    "A fire at the facility has now been brought under control, the ministry adds, with "limited material damage" and "no loss of life".

    "It comes shortly after the government said a siren has been sounded, urging people to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c62gg44d53xt
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 70,289
    ThomasNashe said:

    Big_G_NorthWales said:

    Mark Rutte has said the missile incident in Turkey was 'serious' adding that Iran was close to becoming a threat to Europe as well

    I fear the next crisis for Starmer will be demonstrations for and against here in the UK starting this weekend

    Pretty unlikely that either side could assemble enough people for any kind of significant demonstration. Had Starmer gone all in behind Bibi and Trump, a la Blair and Iraq, it would have been a different matter, as that would have energised the Stop the War movement.
    Lets hope you are right
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,634
    Got my stake out at 11-1 for England, win £70 if they do it :open_mouth::lol:
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    Pulpstar said:

    Got my stake out at 11-1 for England, win £70 if they do it :open_mouth::lol:

    You are George Cottrell and I claim my £5.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 58,323
    wooliedyed said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan's armed forces have been instructed to "prepare and implement appropriate retaliatory measures"

    Carving out some Azeri territory in NE Iran
    Best chance they'll ever have.

    Taking a slice of northern Iran to link up the landlocked western enclave - the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic - must be tempting.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,251
    MarqueeMark said:

    wooliedyed said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan's armed forces have been instructed to "prepare and implement appropriate retaliatory measures"

    Carving out some Azeri territory in NE Iran
    Best chance they'll ever have.

    Taking a slice of northern Iran to link up the landlocked western enclave - the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic - must be tempting.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan_People's_Government
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Mahabad
  • isamisam Posts: 43,791
    edited March 5
    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    Sunil_Prasannan said:

    Roger said:

    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    So the public basically agrees with what the government is doing, while also thinking they're doing it badly. They can't win.
    Incidentally I think the way the official opposition is behaving during this national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.

    That's because he can't give a straight message. Most people don't know what Starmers position is. I certainly don't. All we know is that he's not as far up Trumps backside as he usually is
    That he has zero charisma is his major failing.
    This 100x. I met him before he became PM, he's a good guy basically but he was an utter charisma free zone, like no other pol I ever met. How can this guy be a political leader, I asked myself. I couldn't vote for him as Labour leader, even though in most respects I probably agree with him and think he is smart. You just have to have a bit of umph about you to carry the public. He's not got it, and that is a real problem.
    As soon as I heard him speak, I knew he lacked the personality needed to be popular with the public, and bet accordingly.

    I was completely right… and done my money
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 16,238
    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,939
    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    Haven’t they been paying attention to what has been happening in the Ukraine?
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 16,238
    RobD said:

    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    Haven’t they been paying attention to what has been happening in the Ukraine?
    Rhetorical question?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    I am sure they will be able to whip up that tech in a week or two.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 58,041
    Quite an edgy depiction of Zack Polanski here:

    https://x.com/ShabanaMahmood/status/2029520763057811578
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 70,289
    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    I listened to him and what parallel universe is he in

    It is embarrassing
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    Its the hope that kills you.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 35,372
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    viewcode said:

    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    George Cottrell, an aristocratic banker, convicted fraudster and backer of the Reform UK leader, lost $550,000 (£411,000) last month after placing a wager on the Polymarket trading platform that the US would not bomb the Middle Eastern country.

    It's not all bad news then.
    I try not to take joy in the loss of a gambler, even if he is a grade #1 shit - there but for the grace of God etc. I also rather sadly note that he can probably afford the loss ☹️
    Apparently he made millions on Trump election win on Polymarket.
    At least he is betting without inside information, which is, sadly, remarkable for politicians on Polymarket.
  • MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 15,265
    edited March 5
    On topic in the header “General Gung-Ho Badenoch’s comments might not be that popular either” yes but she has at least made her “must bomb alongside US and Israel” position very clear over and over - imagine Starmer as LOTO dancing on head of a pin!
    Kemi has clearly, in the most black and white calmly delivered statements, set out her contrasting approach to Starmer’s government by explaining to us that allies in the region believe the UK is "abandoning them" due to the government's refusal to take stronger offensive measures alongside the US. Kemi said the RAF must take offensive action to destroy Iranian missile sites to prevent further attacks, stating “BRITAIN WILL BE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE" if it does not join bombing raids. Kemi added once British bases were attacked, the UK became part of the war "whether we liked it or not"
    And criticised the UK government for its "PATHETIC" response to the defense of Cyprus after one Iranian-made drone struck RAF Akrotiri. 
    But that ignores -
    when Israel dragged its allies: US, Canada and Australia into the most unplanned war ever, with the most flip flopping military mission statement in history, UK already had significant air power at RAF Akrotiri to defend the base and fly other missions - not least Six F-35B Lightning II Stealth Jets forward-deployed in February 2026. 10 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 for local air defence and combat air patrols. Two Wildcat HMA2 Helicopters equipped with Martlet missiles for intercepting aerial threats. three Shadow R1 surveillance aircraft and two MQ-9B Protector RG1.
    The UK also has the base defended by Sky Sabre Missile System: This is the UK’s most advanced land-based air defence system to counter cruise missiles and aircraft. It uses the Giraffe AMB radar and CAMM missiles, capable of tracking multiple targets and intercepting threats at ranges of up to 25km. ORCUS Counter-UAS System: A specialized electronic warfare suite designed to detect and jam small to medium-sized drones. It is operated by the RAF Regiment, who provide the primary ground-based radar monitoring for the protection of the bases and Cyprus. All this but Cyprus STILL rang up EU friends Germany, France, Greece to complain it’s an outrage Britain has left the bases and Cyprus undefended,“please give us some help defending ourselves, we’ve been left vulnerable”
    A HUGE amount has been made of one single Shahed-type drone - flying low and through radar shadows of mountainous terrain - sneaking through to RAF Akrotiri base, causing no deaths just a bit of damage, yet this DISASTER of enormous military incompetence by the sitting government was leapt on by Kemi Badenoch and the UK media, and those in Cyprus also wishing for UK to lose its Cyprus bases
    “WAIT, you Loony Rabbit, Kemi Badenoch and the UK media DON’T want UK to lose its Cyprus bases!”
    No? Then why - spinning and misrepresenting reality - are they being such useful idiots for those who do?
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 35,372
    williamglenn said:

    Zelensky on Ukraine's long-range capability:

    https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2029567393333153822

    We get Storm Shadow from the UK and it's helpful. This is a very good weapon. We also get SCALP from France, and we received a limited number of ATACMS from the United States in the past. But that's it.

    We didn't get anything else from other countries that goes beyond 200 or 250 kilometers. Never. All these long-range capabilities – 500 to 1,000 kilometers and beyond – were produced in Ukraine.

    iirc Storm Shadow and Scalp are basically the same Anglo-French missile.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,251
    MoonRabbit said:

    On topic in the header “General Gung-Ho Badenoch’s comments might not be that popular either” yes but she has at least made her “must bomb alongside US and Israel” position very clear over and over - imagine Starmer as LOTO dancing on head of a pin!
    Kemi has clearly, in the most black and white calmly delivered statements, set out her contrasting approach to Starmer’s government by explaining to us that allies in the region believe the UK is "abandoning them" due to the government's refusal to take stronger offensive measures alongside the US. Kemi said the RAF must take offensive action to destroy Iranian missile sites to prevent further attacks, stating “BRITAIN WILL BE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE" if it does not join bombing raids. Kemi added once British bases were attacked, the UK became part of the war "whether we liked it or not"
    And criticised the UK government for its "PATHETIC" response to the defense of Cyprus after one Iranian-made drone struck RAF Akrotiri. 
    But that ignores -
    when Israel dragged its allies: US, Canada and Australia into the most unplanned war ever, with the most flip flopping military mission statement in history, UK already had significant air power at RAF Akrotiri to defend the base and fly other missions - not least Six F-35B Lightning II Stealth Jets forward-deployed in February 2026. 10 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 for local air defence and combat air patrols. Two Wildcat HMA2 Helicopters equipped with Martlet missiles for intercepting aerial threats. three Shadow R1 surveillance aircraft and two MQ-9B Protector RG1.
    The UK also has the base defended by Sky Sabre Missile System: This is the UK’s most advanced land-based air defence system to counter cruise missiles and aircraft. It uses the Giraffe AMB radar and CAMM missiles, capable of tracking multiple targets and intercepting threats at ranges of up to 25km. ORCUS Counter-UAS System: A specialized electronic warfare suite designed to detect and jam small to medium-sized drones. It is operated by the RAF Regiment, who provide the primary ground-based radar monitoring for the protection of the bases and Cyprus. All this but Cyprus STILL rang up EU friends Germany, France, Greece to complain it’s an outrage Britain has left the bases and Cyprus undefended,“please give us some help defending ourselves, we’ve been left vulnerable”
    A HUGE amount has been made of one single Shahed-type drone - flying low and through radar shadows of mountainous terrain - sneaking through to RAF Akrotiri base, causing no deaths just a bit of damage, yet this DISASTER of enormous military incompetence by the sitting government was leapt on by Kemi Badenoch and the UK media, and those in Cyprus also wishing for UK to lose its Cyprus bases
    “WAIT, you Loony Rabbit, Kemi Badenoch and the UK media DON’T want UK to lose its Cyprus bases!”
    No? Then why - spinning and misrepresenting reality - are they being such useful idiots for those who do?

    LoonyRabbit - nice one!
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 58,041
    A special edition of the Apprentice is in the works.

    https://x.com/WarMonitor3/status/2029595040608113042

    Trump says he must be personally involved in picking the next leader of Iran.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 70,289
    Trump wants to be involved in choosing the next Iranian leader !!!
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,634
    Archer's 61 has been surpassed.
  • SelebianSelebian Posts: 9,969
    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    This is weak, Woolie - not like you

    It's not unknown to have stuff and then set about procuring more stuff!
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    williamglenn said:

    A special edition of the Apprentice is in the works.

    https://x.com/WarMonitor3/status/2029595040608113042

    Trump says he must be personally involved in picking the next leader of Iran.

    Will certainly have some interesting weekly challenges.
  • glwglw Posts: 10,795
    williamglenn said:

    A special edition of the Apprentice is in the works.

    https://x.com/WarMonitor3/status/2029595040608113042

    Trump says he must be personally involved in picking the next leader of Iran.

    So another Venezuela. "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss." Presumably any murderous tyrant that promises to make Trump richer.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 16,238
    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    This is weak, Woolie - not like you

    It's not unknown to have stuff and then set about procuring more stuff!
    Fair point.
    I dispute his claim we were well prepared for this though, as HMS Not Sailing still sitting in port demonstrates
  • SelebianSelebian Posts: 9,969
    williamglenn said:

    Quite an edgy depiction of Zack Polanski here:

    https://x.com/ShabanaMahmood/status/2029520763057811578

    That's really badly written. And a bit unfortunate to talk about the vast burden on taxpayers the day you announce payments to said immigrants to leave...
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 12,612
    edited March 5
    MoonRabbit said:

    On topic in the header “General Gung-Ho Badenoch’s comments might not be that popular either” yes but she has at least made her “must bomb alongside US and Israel” position very clear over and over - imagine Starmer as LOTO dancing on head of a pin!
    Kemi has clearly, in the most black and white calmly delivered statements, set out her contrasting approach to Starmer’s government by explaining to us that allies in the region believe the UK is "abandoning them" due to the government's refusal to take stronger offensive measures alongside the US. Kemi said the RAF must take offensive action to destroy Iranian missile sites to prevent further attacks, stating “BRITAIN WILL BE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE" if it does not join bombing raids. Kemi added once British bases were attacked, the UK became part of the war "whether we liked it or not"
    And criticised the UK government for its "PATHETIC" response to the defense of Cyprus after one Iranian-made drone struck RAF Akrotiri. 
    But that ignores -
    when Israel dragged its allies: US, Canada and Australia into the most unplanned war ever, with the most flip flopping military mission statement in history, UK already had significant air power at RAF Akrotiri to defend the base and fly other missions - not least Six F-35B Lightning II Stealth Jets forward-deployed in February 2026. 10 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 for local air defence and combat air patrols. Two Wildcat HMA2 Helicopters equipped with Martlet missiles for intercepting aerial threats. three Shadow R1 surveillance aircraft and two MQ-9B Protector RG1.
    The UK also has the base defended by Sky Sabre Missile System: This is the UK’s most advanced land-based air defence system to counter cruise missiles and aircraft. It uses the Giraffe AMB radar and CAMM missiles, capable of tracking multiple targets and intercepting threats at ranges of up to 25km. ORCUS Counter-UAS System: A specialized electronic warfare suite designed to detect and jam small to medium-sized drones. It is operated by the RAF Regiment, who provide the primary ground-based radar monitoring for the protection of the bases and Cyprus. All this but Cyprus STILL rang up EU friends Germany, France, Greece to complain it’s an outrage Britain has left the bases and Cyprus undefended,“please give us some help defending ourselves, we’ve been left vulnerable”
    A HUGE amount has been made of one single Shahed-type drone - flying low and through radar shadows of mountainous terrain - sneaking through to RAF Akrotiri base, causing no deaths just a bit of damage, yet this DISASTER of enormous military incompetence by the sitting government was leapt on by Kemi Badenoch and the UK media, and those in Cyprus also wishing for UK to lose its Cyprus bases
    “WAIT, you Loony Rabbit, Kemi Badenoch and the UK media DON’T want UK to lose its Cyprus bases!”
    No? Then why - spinning and misrepresenting reality - are they being such useful idiots for those who do?

    You are a bit of a loony. However what you say seems sensible enough to me. And its very well known, I am very wise. (Ok, I may have said one wise thing once)
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    edited March 5
    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    This is weak, Woolie - not like you

    It's not unknown to have stuff and then set about procuring more stuff!
    I thought that, but when you read it, if they had tech they were happy with they wouldn't need this. It isn't restocking of missiles, its oh shit we need the following fast,

    "seeks industry input on systems capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and defeating uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) from maritime platforms. The project aims to deliver a rapidly deployable capability that can be installed on Royal Navy vessels with minimal integration."

    Now its been obvious for years now drones were going to be a massive problem, so it is clearly something that predates the current government.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 61,214
    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    This is weak, Woolie - not like you

    It's not unknown to have stuff and then set about procuring more stuff!
    As I understand it, the Usual Suspects were very resistant to specifying a cheaper, simpler drone defence system. So they put all their chips on the laser systems that are beginning to trickle in.

    Rather than, 3-4 years ago, reviving and modernising the Marksman turret system.
  • SelebianSelebian Posts: 9,969
    wooliedyed said:

    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    This is weak, Woolie - not like you

    It's not unknown to have stuff and then set about procuring more stuff!
    Fair point.
    I dispute his claim we were well prepared for this though, as HMS Not Sailing still sitting in port demonstrates
    That's fair, although I'm not quite sure what the ship is supposed to be doing - does it really add stuff beyond existing systems? I guess if you can shot stuff down over the sea wih short-range munitions it's preferable to shooting it down nearer the target.

    There does seem to be an element of surprise, within government, at the Cyprus base being targeted.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 16,238
    edited March 5
    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    This is weak, Woolie - not like you

    It's not unknown to have stuff and then set about procuring more stuff!
    Fair point.
    I dispute his claim we were well prepared for this though, as HMS Not Sailing still sitting in port demonstrates
    That's fair, although I'm not quite sure what the ship is supposed to be doing - does it really add stuff beyond existing systems? I guess if you can shot stuff down over the sea wih short-range munitions it's preferable to shooting it down nearer the target.

    There does seem to be an element of surprise, within government, at the Cyprus base being targeted.
    They seem to be trying to create a narrative of efficiency and preparedness that is at odds with reality.
    I.e. managing public opinion not the crisis
  • SelebianSelebian Posts: 9,969
    wooliedyed said:

    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    This is weak, Woolie - not like you

    It's not unknown to have stuff and then set about procuring more stuff!
    Fair point.
    I dispute his claim we were well prepared for this though, as HMS Not Sailing still sitting in port demonstrates
    That's fair, although I'm not quite sure what the ship is supposed to be doing - does it really add stuff beyond existing systems? I guess if you can shot stuff down over the sea wih short-range munitions it's preferable to shooting it down nearer the target.

    There does seem to be an element of surprise, within government, at the Cyprus base being targeted.
    They seem to be trying to create a narrative of efficiency and preparedness that is at odds with reality.
    I.e. managing public opinion not the crisis
    And, as usual, doing that badly.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 61,214
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    This is weak, Woolie - not like you

    It's not unknown to have stuff and then set about procuring more stuff!
    I thought that, but when you read it, if they had tech they were happy with they wouldn't need this. It isn't restocking of missiles, its oh shit we need the following fast,

    "seeks industry input on systems capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and defeating uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) from maritime platforms. The project aims to deliver a rapidly deployable capability that can be installed on Royal Navy vessels with minimal integration."

    Now its been obvious for years now drones were going to be a massive problem, so it is clearly something that predates the current government.
    Cheap, simple solutions were possible. A light cannon with a radar would kill most drones reliably. But that’s not sexy or rewarding for big defence contractors.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    edited March 5
    wooliedyed said:

    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    This is weak, Woolie - not like you

    It's not unknown to have stuff and then set about procuring more stuff!
    Fair point.
    I dispute his claim we were well prepared for this though, as HMS Not Sailing still sitting in port demonstrates
    That's fair, although I'm not quite sure what the ship is supposed to be doing - does it really add stuff beyond existing systems? I guess if you can shot stuff down over the sea wih short-range munitions it's preferable to shooting it down nearer the target.

    There does seem to be an element of surprise, within government, at the Cyprus base being targeted.
    They seem to be trying to create a narrative of efficiency and preparedness that is at odds with reality.
    I.e. managing public opinion not the crisis
    The government have a bit of an bind in that they clearly aren't, but when it comes to defence and sending people into conflict zone, you can't do the usual and say that it was the previous government wot done it (even if it was).
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 12,612
    Malmesbury said:

    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    This is weak, Woolie - not like you

    It's not unknown to have stuff and then set about procuring more stuff!
    As I understand it, the Usual Suspects were very resistant to specifying a cheaper, simpler drone defence system. So they put all their chips on the laser systems that are beginning to trickle in.

    Rather than, 3-4 years ago, reviving and modernising the Marksman turret system.
    The British boffin does often come up with outstanding ideas. When they work the boffin moves to the states.

    Surely we can just try to get the basics right. Napoleonic era warships spent years at sea without refit - and they were made of wood.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    edited March 5
    England are going to fall just short here.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 61,214
    Omnium said:

    Malmesbury said:

    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    This is weak, Woolie - not like you

    It's not unknown to have stuff and then set about procuring more stuff!
    As I understand it, the Usual Suspects were very resistant to specifying a cheaper, simpler drone defence system. So they put all their chips on the laser systems that are beginning to trickle in.

    Rather than, 3-4 years ago, reviving and modernising the Marksman turret system.
    The British boffin does often come up with outstanding ideas. When they work the boffin moves to the states.

    Surely we can just try to get the basics right. Napoleonic era warships spent years at sea without refit - and they were made of wood.
    That was because the very large crews spent most of their time maintaining their ships. If your ship is a pile of timber and rope, you can practically rebuild it by hand. While it floats.
  • TazTaz Posts: 25,748
    Iran batters the shit out of Bahrains largest oil refinery.

    Going so well for Trump and Bibi.

    https://x.com/bricsinfo/status/2029596074633998635?s=61
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    Burmah won the game there for India.
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 12,612
    Malmesbury said:

    Omnium said:

    Malmesbury said:

    Selebian said:

    wooliedyed said:

    https://x.com/i/status/2029594711007080602 Starmer the liar part 126

    This is weak, Woolie - not like you

    It's not unknown to have stuff and then set about procuring more stuff!
    As I understand it, the Usual Suspects were very resistant to specifying a cheaper, simpler drone defence system. So they put all their chips on the laser systems that are beginning to trickle in.

    Rather than, 3-4 years ago, reviving and modernising the Marksman turret system.
    The British boffin does often come up with outstanding ideas. When they work the boffin moves to the states.

    Surely we can just try to get the basics right. Napoleonic era warships spent years at sea without refit - and they were made of wood.
    That was because the very large crews spent most of their time maintaining their ships. If your ship is a pile of timber and rope, you can practically rebuild it by hand. While it floats.
    That's certainly true for much of the, then, ship. The real architecture though had to be dealt with in port.

    I'd suggest that most ships are more robust than those of the RN.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,369
    Siren lifted, now can England get the runs with only a few balls left?
  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 17,926
    isam said:

    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    Sunil_Prasannan said:

    Roger said:

    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    So the public basically agrees with what the government is doing, while also thinking they're doing it badly. They can't win.
    Incidentally I think the way the official opposition is behaving during this national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.

    That's because he can't give a straight message. Most people don't know what Starmers position is. I certainly don't. All we know is that he's not as far up Trumps backside as he usually is
    That he has zero charisma is his major failing.
    This 100x. I met him before he became PM, he's a good guy basically but he was an utter charisma free zone, like no other pol I ever met. How can this guy be a political leader, I asked myself. I couldn't vote for him as Labour leader, even though in most respects I probably agree with him and think he is smart. You just have to have a bit of umph about you to carry the public. He's not got it, and that is a real problem.
    As soon as I heard him speak, I knew he lacked the personality needed to be popular with the public, and bet accordingly.

    I was completely right… and done my money
    Absolutely, although he also won a big majority (because the Tories were so shit) so I can imagine you might have lost money on that bet depending on how and when you deployed it.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,253
    glw said:

    williamglenn said:

    A special edition of the Apprentice is in the works.

    https://x.com/WarMonitor3/status/2029595040608113042

    Trump says he must be personally involved in picking the next leader of Iran.

    So another Venezuela. "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss." Presumably any murderous tyrant that promises to make Trump richer.
    The old NeoCon Iraq and Afghanistan playbook of bomb, invade and doomed attempt at nation building looks quite high-minded compared to this gratuitous 'cos we can' showboating.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    All done and dusted now.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 63,436
    We might have made 22-25 in the last over... but no chance of 30.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,253
    Great effort there. Ah well.
  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 4,885
    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    So the public basically agrees with what the government is doing, while also thinking they're doing it badly. They can't win.
    Incidentally I think the way the official opposition is behaving during this national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.

    I wouldn't go that far but I agree with the general drift on the opposition. Some support in dire circumstances has a good look if nothing else. Surely they can find something to say that shows a bit of support.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 60,369
    Taz said:



    ..

    LOL!!!

    No-one who’s actually living here with a regular job has any interest in leaving.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,253
    AnneJGP said:

    My guess is that the unpopularity of SKS bears quite a lot of the burden for the unpopularity of both his dealings with Mr Trump and the way he's dealing with the present situation. On both, my personal opinion is he's done about as well as anyone could.

    Yes it's got to the stage where people just react against whatever he says or does. That's why he'll have to go well before the next election. I'm guessing he knows this.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 90,325
    edited March 5
    Covid inquiry chair defends £200m cost and four-year process on final day
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98qq8y6235o

    I would have saved them £199m and written the report....Lessons will be learned, but whatever was f##ked up, it Boris that did it.
  • SelebianSelebian Posts: 9,969
    AnneJGP said:

    OnlyLivingBoy said:

    So the public basically agrees with what the government is doing, while also thinking they're doing it badly. They can't win.
    Incidentally I think the way the official opposition is behaving during this national crisis is nothing short of scandalous.

    I wouldn't go that far but I agree with the general drift on the opposition. Some support in dire circumstances has a good look if nothing else. Surely they can find something to say that shows a bit of support.
    "We support the prime minister in his decision to maintain two flags by the lectern in the briefing room. We would happily support him in developing a three word slogan to accompany these briefings"?
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,251
    Sandpit said:

    Siren lifted, now can England get the runs with only a few balls left?

    :lol:
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 58,251
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    England are going to fall just short here.

    I'm not saying anything!
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 16,238
    Come on Kiwis, destroy these jobbers
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