He slagged off the UKs contribution in Afghanistan and insulted the families of those who died . He’s been an enemy of Europe and a Putin stooge .
Starmer for all his failings is head and shoulders above the stain on humanity who inhabits the WH .
Well that's my view. If he's going to deny we ever helped, why help? And while SKS IS boody useless, being called a loser by Trump has kind of lost any sting it might have because that's what he calls everyone. He called Lindsay Von a loser for breaking her leg.
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
Well, some definition of winning can always be found, even if it requires shifting what the stated objectives were going to be, so I'm sure they have and will achieve matters of susbtance, but the grandiosity of the rhetoric and talk of unconditional surrender will likely not be matched, given the difficulties of dominating and controlling a nation of 90m people.
Sure, but Trump needs the missiles to stop firing towards US bases, allies and commercial ships before that version of victory can be reasonably declared. He hasn't done that yet.
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
Well, some definition of winning can always be found, even if it requires shifting what the stated objectives were going to be, so I'm sure they have and will achieve matters of susbtance, but the grandiosity of the rhetoric and talk of unconditional surrender will likely not be matched, given the difficulties of dominating and controlling a nation of 90m people.
Sure, but Trump needs the missiles to stop firing towards US bases, allies and commercial ships before that version of victory can be reasonably declared. He hasn't done that yet.
That, at least, I suspect is reasonably achievable through sheer attrition.
Seems @DefenceHQ realized it’s big video “reveal” showing British engineers at a workshop repairing vehicles inside Ukraine was quite a flub, as it revealed identifiable features and featured @LukePollard going so far as to describe the surroundings, making it likely to be geolocated and targeted by Russia. The post has been taken down but the damage is done. https://x.com/ChristopherJM/status/2030276494036222120?s=20
Luke Pollard and his team are about to get their arse handed to them and rightly so. A proper fuck up. Way worse than half the nonsense we’ve been talking about re: Iran this past week.
So The Guardian were accompanying Pollard and now have also blown the geolocation of this repair facility. The dimensions of the building, the windows and the sunlight all help identify the blueprints and thus the location.
Head in hands....Must do it for the gram...after the RAF broadcasting secret details on unencrypted message systems etc.
Clowns. Absolute clowns.
It's not even the first time this sort of thing has happened. I don't why Ukraine would allow any journalists to visit such sites, the risk isn't worth it.
Skyr has, as is his wont, chosen the very worst of all political options. He has grovelled to Trump, humiliaitingly, and yet when it came to policy - letting the Americans use our bases to take out a vile fascist regime - he has said No, at leasr for a few days, because Ed Mliband doesn't like it and we have to honour the views of Mauritius and China
This is Starmer in a nutshelll. A weird toxic terrible mix of bad emotional instincts and even worse political judgement
He should either have kept his distance from Trump, refusing to grovel., and then disallowed use of the bases; or he shoulda gone all in and been a loyal ally, and made the obeisance, and said "Diego Garcia of course, my liege"
So now he is publicly treated like dog shit, despite the grovelling, and gets nothing in return, at all
He is uniquely unsuited to be prime minister, yet he is prime minister. He shames the country
There's a grain of truth in that, but not much more..
Starmer is a fairly weak PM, but it would take an exceptional leader to deal well with the current lunatic The White House, and we have not had one of those in decades.
The UK is on a fundamentally weak position, post Brexit, in dealing with the US. The PM of Spain can trash talk Trump, secure in the knowledge that any retaliation against him is one against the entire EU.
We don't have that - and we are also more entangled economically with the US.
It's only half a century since the end of empire, and we aren't culturally accustomed, in the manner of a nation like S Korea, to dealing with a hegemon on which we depend. They have at least half a millennium of dealing with made emperors while retaining a semblance of dignity. We're still getting used to it.
I'd prefer to be one if the leaders of the European counterweight, but our voters opted out of that.
If you want to see cheap ads, ITV4, its basically just ads for charities and ads about creating ads on that channel.
It is why linear tv is buggered. The only people watching it are old pepole.
Bad news for the Tories and Reform if relying on old people means you're doomed.
With half the Tory vote (at least) currently over with Reform and uncertainty that they can be tempted back, now might be a time to pivot and try to go after younger voters again, or at least working age voters. I expect they might even be trying this.
Unfortunately doing that would probably lose them half their remaining vote (eg taking an anti-NIMBY stance), with pay off likely not to be immediate with the young and moderately aged, which would be hard for them to sustain at a time they need to be showing recovery agaisnt Reform.
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
Remarkably. That poll puts the Conservatives as SIXTH largest Party in seats.
If you put it in electoral calculas it gives 373 seats for reform, labour down 344 seats to 68, lib dem 54 and conservatives 33
If you think that will be the result I am sure you will get excellent odds
And 52 Green. 44 SNP. I never said I believed it would be the result. However, it does just show how precarious the positions of Labour and the Tories are. And just how low Reform can go and still win a majority if no one else breaks free of the pack.
And if there is no anti Reform tactical voting but there likely will be. Nonetheless overall a good Opinium poll for Farage, even if 1% down still enough on its own for a Reform majority and Starmer as Labour break free of the pack and squeeze the Tories and LDs a little and remain well ahead of the Greens with Starmer's keeping out of US and Israeli offensive strikes on Iran
Whats that about Starmer keeping out of US offensive strikes on Iran with 4 B1 bombers each with a payload of 24 cruise missiles is readying to fly and attack Iran from Fairford ?
They are not allowed to strike Tehran buildings only missile launchers
Trail hunting B1s
The nightmare for Starmer is if Trump ignores him and tells US bombers flying from UK bases to bomb Tehran buildings anyway. What would SKS then do? Send some jets to try and stop US bombers landing at UK bases? He can't shoot the US bombers down otherwise Trump would see that as a near declaration of war by the UK on the USA. I suppose Starmer could try and stop the bombers being filled with fuel on the ground?
The US bases in the UK are legally RAF bases. If Starmer gave the order the army could turn up and park a couple of Warrior IFVs on the runway. Not a damn thing the USAF could do about it.
Trump would go ape-shit, which is why it won't happen.
Trump has just posted that basically Starmer is a loser and so late to the war that he is shite etc etc
Who would want to be PM in these circumstances?
What would Winston do? Honestly, I dont know.
While it is tempting to let the outbursts of the toddler in the White House influence our foreign policy, and retaliation is superficially tempting, we are probably better off ignoring it and wait for something new and shiny to distract him.
Yes, he'll be moving on soon.
That 'Love Actually Moment' is looking less and less ridiculous as an idea though.
Having said that, Hugh Grant was provoked into that speech by the American President snogging Martine McCutcheon.
It was a romcom when I was in the market for Date Movie Romcoms, and Richard Curtis seems to be a good egg. But... there's a lot of ugh in Love Actually.
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
Well, some definition of winning can always be found, even if it requires shifting what the stated objectives were going to be, so I'm sure they have and will achieve matters of susbtance, but the grandiosity of the rhetoric and talk of unconditional surrender will likely not be matched, given the difficulties of dominating and controlling a nation of 90m people.
Sure, but Trump needs the missiles to stop firing towards US bases, allies and commercial ships before that version of victory can be reasonably declared. He hasn't done that yet.
My estimate for how long Eric Fury lasts from here is 18 days.
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
The online right voice is stronger than anything else thesedays, as with the online left, and that's where 'journalists' get all their info from, plus it leans heavily into being American style even when more national issues should probably raise their heads.
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
It was hilarious to the see the Mail on Sunday headline .
“ Now Blair delivers a stinging blow to PM over war “ !
The right wing press really are delusional if they think trashing Starmer over this war is going to be bad for him .
I would just say if labour are thinking of removing Starmer they would be making a mistake
Simply, no matter how bad he is nobody in labour would be an improvement
Bad leaders have pushed that idea since the dawn of time. Often true, but not entirely knowable, and a point always comes when people have to take a gamble.
Reading US podcasts Trump'ss war is tumbling in popularity from a negative start position.
Which US Podcasts though? People like Meidas put out about a dozen 'Trump is FINISHED' videos a day, it's just exhausing.
That said, if it was not even that popular with the base from the start, and it is getting worse, that is great news for Iran as Trump will want to eke out something he can call a win and close things down as quickly as possible. Which presumably could mean a lot of pain for Iran in the short term, but something the regime might be able to weather.
Skyr has, as is his wont, chosen the very worst of all political options. He has grovelled to Trump, humiliaitingly, and yet when it came to policy - letting the Americans use our bases to take out a vile fascist regime - he has said No, at leasr for a few days, because Ed Mliband doesn't like it and we have to honour the views of Mauritius and China
This is Starmer in a nutshelll. A weird toxic terrible mix of bad emotional instincts and even worse political judgement
He should either have kept his distance from Trump, refusing to grovel., and then disallowed use of the bases; or he shoulda gone all in and been a loyal ally, and made the obeisance, and said "Diego Garcia of course, my liege"
So now he is publicly treated like dog shit, despite the grovelling, and gets nothing in return, at all
He is uniquely unsuited to be prime minister, yet he is prime minister. He shames the country
Or, he's a decent honourable man making decisions in terrible circumstances who for obvious political reasons has to take his cabinet with him.
No, he's not decent, he's venal and greedy, and he's not honourable, he's a hypocritical liar. We all know the plentiful evidence for this, it doesn't need rehearsing on here
I am weary of this lame "Starmer is a pathetic wanker but, still, he means well" discourse. Yes, he is a pathetic wanker but he doesn't even mean well. See his entire career as PM, passim
He's neither pathetic, nor venal, nor a hypocritical liar.
He's certainly the best PM we've had since 2016,albeit a very low bar
May was fatally weak due to being unable to deal with the Brexit issue, but apart from that rather big thing she wasn't generally awful was she? It's hard to rememember now.
Very hard to PM with a minority. Under tbe circumstances, she did ok. Arguably the fact she didn't have a majority was her own fault. But some credit to her for trying to solve adult social care, even it wasn't the answer her elderly viters wanted to hear.
It was the last time someone tried, we've been can kicking ever since.
Didn't Boris get as far as a not-in-the-manifesto NI rise (imperfect, but something) that Truss detonated and Sunak didn't reinstate?
I would just say if labour are thinking of removing Starmer they would be making a mistake
Simply, no matter how bad he is nobody in labour would be an improvement
Bad leaders have pushed that idea since the dawn of time. Often true, but not entirely knowable, and a point always comes when people have to take a gamble.
He's just getting desperate as Kemi is so fecking awful he is terrified that if Keir can destroy her, Ange would eat her alive.
There’s a point where the media outrage at Starmer puts people off. We’re at that point in my view. People evidently are strongly against this war and the media are perceived to be attacking Sir Keir for keeping the UK out.
Remarkably. That poll puts the Conservatives as SIXTH largest Party in seats.
If you put it in electoral calculas it gives 373 seats for reform, labour down 344 seats to 68, lib dem 54 and conservatives 33
If you think that will be the result I am sure you will get excellent odds
And 52 Green. 44 SNP. I never said I believed it would be the result. However, it does just show how precarious the positions of Labour and the Tories are. And just how low Reform can go and still win a majority if no one else breaks free of the pack.
And if there is no anti Reform tactical voting but there likely will be. Nonetheless overall a good Opinium poll for Farage, even if 1% down still enough on its own for a Reform majority and Starmer as Labour break free of the pack and squeeze the Tories and LDs a little and remain well ahead of the Greens with Starmer's keeping out of US and Israeli offensive strikes on Iran
Whats that about Starmer keeping out of US offensive strikes on Iran with 4 B1 bombers each with a payload of 24 cruise missiles is readying to fly and attack Iran from Fairford ?
They are not allowed to strike Tehran buildings only missile launchers
Trail hunting B1s
The nightmare for Starmer is if Trump ignores him and tells US bombers flying from UK bases to bomb Tehran buildings anyway. What would SKS then do? Send some jets to try and stop US bombers landing at UK bases? He can't shoot the US bombers down otherwise Trump would see that as a near declaration of war by the UK on the USA. I suppose Starmer could try and stop the bombers being filled with fuel on the ground?
The US bases in the UK are legally RAF bases. If Starmer gave the order the army could turn up and park a couple of Warrior IFVs on the runway. Not a damn thing the USAF could do about it.
Trump would go ape-shit, which is why it won't happen.
Trump has just posted that basically Starmer is a loser and so late to the war that he is shite etc etc
Who would want to be PM in these circumstances?
What would Winston do? Honestly, I dont know.
While it is tempting to let the outbursts of the toddler in the White House influence our foreign policy, and retaliation is superficially tempting, we are probably better off ignoring it and wait for something new and shiny to distract him.
Yes, he'll be moving on soon.
That 'Love Actually Moment' is looking less and less ridiculous as an idea though.
Having said that, Hugh Grant was provoked into that speech by the American President snogging Martine McCutcheon.
It was a romcom when I was in the market for Date Movie Romcoms, and Richard Curtis seems to be a good egg. But... there's a lot of ugh in Love Actually.
The Emma Thompson strand was good but otherwise it's a buttock clencher.
Reading US podcasts Trump'ss war is tumbling in popularity from a negative start position.
I simply do not think Trump cares about his popularity
If it costs him the Midterms he might (hence looking potentially at options for disrupting it) - he's legally insulated from everything (thanks Supreme Court!), but they seem to be learning hard on how Democrats will impeach him again and wanting to avoid that, so I assume he does not want that hassle (even though conviction would never happen).
I would just say if labour are thinking of removing Starmer they would be making a mistake
Simply, no matter how bad he is nobody in labour would be an improvement
Bad leaders have pushed that idea since the dawn of time. Often true, but not entirely knowable, and a point always comes when people have to take a gamble.
He's just getting desperate as Kemi is so fecking awful he is terrified that if Keir can destroy her, Ange would eat her alive.
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
It was hilarious to the see the Mail on Sunday headline .
“ Now Blair delivers a stinging blow to PM over war “ !
The right wing press really are delusional if they think trashing Starmer over this war is going to be bad for him .
Wait for Keir to request that KC3 cancels his visit to the US on Diplomatic and Safety grounds.
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
Unlike many on the left, I've understood, and largely tolerated (albeit with a heavy heart), Starmer's diplomatic efforts to keep on the right side of Trump, as the least worse option of maintaining some sort of productive alliance with the USA.
However, I've now concluded that the time has come for Starmer to tell Trump to fuck off.
Skyr has, as is his wont, chosen the very worst of all political options. He has grovelled to Trump, humiliaitingly, and yet when it came to policy - letting the Americans use our bases to take out a vile fascist regime - he has said No, at leasr for a few days, because Ed Mliband doesn't like it and we have to honour the views of Mauritius and China
This is Starmer in a nutshelll. A weird toxic terrible mix of bad emotional instincts and even worse political judgement
He should either have kept his distance from Trump, refusing to grovel., and then disallowed use of the bases; or he shoulda gone all in and been a loyal ally, and made the obeisance, and said "Diego Garcia of course, my liege"
So now he is publicly treated like dog shit, despite the grovelling, and gets nothing in return, at all
He is uniquely unsuited to be prime minister, yet he is prime minister. He shames the country
There's a grain of truth in that, but not much more..
Starmer is a fairly weak PM, but it would take an exceptional leader to deal well with the current lunatic The White House, and we have not had one of those in decades.
The UK is on a fundamentally weak position, post Brexit, in dealing with the US. The PM of Spain can trash talk Trump, secure in the knowledge that any retaliation against him is one against the entire EU.
We don't have that - and we are also more entangled economically with the US.
It's only half a century since the end of empire, and we aren't culturally accustomed, in the manner of a nation like S Korea, to dealing with a hegemon on which we depend. They have at least half a millennium of dealing with made emperors while retaining a semblance of dignity. We're still getting used to it.
I'd prefer to be one if the leaders of the European counterweight, but our voters opted out of that.
The EU is not a 'counterweight'. It is a disorganised rabble. It doesn't have a single coherent policy on the US actions in Iran nor even on Ukraine - a war literally on its doorstep. Why on earth would we want to be part of that?
There’s a point where the media outrage at Starmer puts people off. We’re at that point in my view. People evidently are strongly against this war and the media are perceived to be attacking Sir Keir for keeping the UK out.
But he hasn't kept UK out otherwise the B1s would not be flying out of Fairford nor would he be readying an aircraft carrier
The defence expert on Sky was cautious as it is a big target for Iran to attack with their submarines
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
That isn't her position. The Political Editor of the Observer was interviewed at lunchtime. Kemi wanted the UK to follow the US and join Israel and the US in the attack on Iran. That is very much what the public didn't want
Reading some of the driver comments about how undriveable these new cars are and potentially dangerous as you can suddenly lose or gain mechanical grip and down force due to downshifting, I wonder how many cars will finish.
It could be like a 3 mile Class 5 handicap in heavy at Haydock, 2 finish 18 pulled up.
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
That isn't her position. The Political Editor of the Observer was interviewed at lunchtime. Kemi wanted the UK to follow the US and join Israel and the US in the attack on Iran. That is very much what the public didn't want
Their position is that we should be striking at missiles launchers etc that can ne used to attack British bases aiui, not bombing infrastructure, IRGC etc
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
I did say that the survey should be read in full and that is important, and as for the usual Kemi attacks she is only - 11 and within 1 point of Starmer as prefered PM
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
That isn't her position. The Political Editor of the Observer was interviewed at lunchtime. Kemi wanted the UK to follow the US and join Israel and the US in the attack on Iran. That is very much what the public didn't want
Kemi position is exactly that the 47% support in that the UK must attack missile sites in Iran if they threaten our aircraft, bases, personel or citizens
Remarkably. That poll puts the Conservatives as SIXTH largest Party in seats.
If you put it in electoral calculas it gives 373 seats for reform, labour down 344 seats to 68, lib dem 54 and conservatives 33
If you think that will be the result I am sure you will get excellent odds
And 52 Green. 44 SNP. I never said I believed it would be the result. However, it does just show how precarious the positions of Labour and the Tories are. And just how low Reform can go and still win a majority if no one else breaks free of the pack.
And if there is no anti Reform tactical voting but there likely will be. Nonetheless overall a good Opinium poll for Farage, even if 1% down still enough on its own for a Reform majority and Starmer as Labour break free of the pack and squeeze the Tories and LDs a little and remain well ahead of the Greens with Starmer's keeping out of US and Israeli offensive strikes on Iran
Whats that about Starmer keeping out of US offensive strikes on Iran with 4 B1 bombers each with a payload of 24 cruise missiles is readying to fly and attack Iran from Fairford ?
They are not allowed to strike Tehran buildings only missile launchers
You cannot be so naive to believe that surely
Starmer has made clear US bombers can only use UK bases for defensive operations not offensive operations
At times you are so naive
What is the difference by the way
BigG - you are asking a simple question that boils down to You are asking How "Defensive Only" is Policed and proven.
You are not just calling HY ignorant, Saudi Arabia and Oman and Turkey in exactly same place as Starmer’s Defensive Only, it’s important to them too. And Head of UK Military was asked the question today if he is sure US sticking to it, and he answered yes, 100%.
In such a technological age, it’s not too difficult to see through the fog of war on these things - hence the US knew and owned up to killing all the schoolgirls in that one attack.
specific mission departing receives approval to ensure it aligns with the agreed "defensive" mandate. It’s then monitored in numerous ways.
* Intelligence and Surveillance (ISR): Host nations use their own intelligence assets to monitor the types of aircraft, munitions, and flight plans of U.S. forces leaving their bases. * Air Traffic Control (ATC): Host country military personnel in control towers can track the flight paths and destinations of aircraft to ensure they are not heading for unauthorized targets. * Operational Liaison Officers: Joint operations centers often feature liaison officers from the host nation who monitor real-time operations and verify that they comply with the agreed restrictions.
Why cheat? There’s has to be a long list and lots of work on defensive targets - the missile infrastructure that threatens regional allies - to get through anyway.
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
I did say that the survey should be read in full and that is important, and as for the usual Kemi attacks she is only - 11 and within 1 point of Starmer as prefered PM
I'm not sure that being within 1 point of the most unpopular PM in the history of the universe as preferred PM is that great an achievement for the LOTO.
Looks like Kemi is crashing and burning. I have to say I'm not surprised. She should do some polling instead of following the right wing press. It is a fact that if a newspaper has a point of view that is out of step with their reader there is more chance of the reader changing their newspaper than their opinion. Anyone could see that supporting Trump into war with Iran wasn't popular
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
It was hilarious to the see the Mail on Sunday headline .
“ Now Blair delivers a stinging blow to PM over war “ !
The right wing press really are delusional if they think trashing Starmer over this war is going to be bad for him .
Even madder if they think Blair is some form of authority on whether or not it's a good idea to follow the US into a middle eastern war...
Unlike many on the left, I've understood, and largely tolerated (albeit with a heavy heart), Starmer's diplomatic efforts to keep on the right side of Trump, as the least worse option of maintaining some sort of productive alliance with the USA.
However, I've now concluded that the time has come for Starmer to tell Trump to fuck off.
I don't think there is any downside in telling Trump to fuck off. You don't get anywhere by brown nosing him.
Blair tried brown nosing Bush, and we all know where that got him. And of course Bush was an infinitely more reasonable President than Trump.
Just watching the attacks on Tehran. If there was ever going to be a counter revolution to the Islamic Revolution from within, surely bombing the beJesus out of civilians was not the catalyst.
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
Well, some definition of winning can always be found, even if it requires shifting what the stated objectives were going to be, so I'm sure they have and will achieve matters of susbtance, but the grandiosity of the rhetoric and talk of unconditional surrender will likely not be matched, given the difficulties of dominating and controlling a nation of 90m people.
Sure, but Trump needs the missiles to stop firing towards US bases, allies and commercial ships before that version of victory can be reasonably declared. He hasn't done that yet.
My estimate for how long Eric Fury lasts from here is 18 days.
The ratio of Iranan drones versus US countermeasures is very unfavourable to the US. One estimate is that the Iranians can deploy 70.000 drones.
In a David v Goliath match the cheap drones could actually beat the expensive missiles... and China and Russia would very much like to see Washington placed into such a position. Trump's arrogance is going to cost him very dear.
Grok is currently testing the boundaries of free speech on X with some quite repulsive posts about Diogo Jota among others, when people prompt it to do a ‘vulgar roast’.
Mayb it’s polite speech rather than ‘free’. I wonder if it would do one on Elon Musk
Just watching the attacks on Tehran. If there was ever going to be a counter revolution to the Islamic Revolution from within, surely bombing the beJesus out of civilians was not the catalyst.
Trumps already said that he doesn’t care if a new regime is just as vile to the population as long as it’s nicer to the USA and Israel .
Unlike many on the left, I've understood, and largely tolerated (albeit with a heavy heart), Starmer's diplomatic efforts to keep on the right side of Trump, as the least worse option of maintaining some sort of productive alliance with the USA.
However, I've now concluded that the time has come for Starmer to tell Trump to fuck off.
I don't think there is any downside in telling Trump to fuck off. You don't get anywhere by brown nosing him.
Blair tried brown nosing Bush, and we all know where that got him. And of course Bush was an infinitely more reasonable President than Trump.
Totally agree
The best way, to ask KC 3 to cancel his State Visit to US
Looks like Kemi is crashing and burning. I have to say I'm not surprised. She should do some polling instead of following the right wing press. It is a fact that if a newspaper has a point of view that is out of step with their reader there is more chance of the reader changing their newspaper than their opinion. Anyone could see that supporting Trump into war with Iran wasn't popular
You can keep repeating your Kemi stuff but you do realise the real problem is Farage currently having dinner with Trump and who remains the biggest threat to labour alongside the equally idiotic Polanski, both of whom would be a disaster
That’s why they should set up a separate service outside of the Army, RAF and Navy where they don’t have to drill and do the less pleasant parts of military life but are simply getting up each day for shifts wherever they need to be based and doing what they would be doing in their bedrooms on their PlayStations. Basically getting paid to game all day.
They would be treat with dismissive contempt by all other branches of the military. The 'less pleasant' aspects of military life are all about suppressing individual identity, strengthening group identity and intensive psychological conditionining in scenario fulfilment. Without those elements, the Royal Drone Corps are not a military service, they are civvies.
Go to /r/ukrainerussiareport and watch a few videos. Drone operators work very close to the zero line and get fucking plastered by small arms, artillery and counterdrone units all the time.
The Russian military hosts gaming cons and recruits the best players. There's probably something in that idea but the notion of having a fat as fuck, ill disciplined service of drone operators isn't feasible.
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
That isn't her position. The Political Editor of the Observer was interviewed at lunchtime. Kemi wanted the UK to follow the US and join Israel and the US in the attack on Iran. That is very much what the public didn't want
Kemi position is exactly that the 47% support in that the UK must attack missile sites in Iran if they threaten our aircraft, bases, personel or citizens
Can you really not see the difference?
See that man in the pub? Shall I go over and punch him in the face?
See that man in the pub? If he punches me should I go over and punch him in the face?
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
Well, some definition of winning can always be found, even if it requires shifting what the stated objectives were going to be, so I'm sure they have and will achieve matters of susbtance, but the grandiosity of the rhetoric and talk of unconditional surrender will likely not be matched, given the difficulties of dominating and controlling a nation of 90m people.
Sure, but Trump needs the missiles to stop firing towards US bases, allies and commercial ships before that version of victory can be reasonably declared. He hasn't done that yet.
My estimate for how long Eric Fury lasts from here is 18 days.
The ratio of Iranan drones versus US countermeasures is very unfavourable to the US. One estimate is that the Iranians can deploy 70.000 drones.
In a David v Goliath match the cheap drones could actually beat the expensive missiles... and China and Russia would very much like to see Washington placed into such a position. Trump's arrogance is going to cost him very dear.
It was pointed out that the US are targetting the launchers rather than the drones which are irrelevant without a launcher
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
That isn't her position. The Political Editor of the Observer was interviewed at lunchtime. Kemi wanted the UK to follow the US and join Israel and the US in the attack on Iran. That is very much what the public didn't want
Kemi position is exactly that the 47% support in that the UK must attack missile sites in Iran if they threaten our aircraft, bases, personel or citizens
Can you really not see the difference?
See that man in the pub? Shall I go over and punch him in the face?
See that man in the pub? If he punches me should I go over and punch him in the face?
Farage keeping pretty quiet again? As much as Starmer is very unpopular Trump is so over the top with everything, that Nigel usually ducks down a little, but it's such a big issue he presumably has come out and says he agrees with Trump on this issue? It's not like he would come out and say he disagrees with how harsh he is being on Starmer.
Take a look at everything Nigel has done with media and on camera this this week, his eyes, his whole body language, and much of what he is saying too, very obvious deep down Farage doesn’t agree with Trump on War’s of Choice with unclear aims in tricky places like this nearly as much as Kemi is all in supporting Trump in this.
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
That isn't her position. The Political Editor of the Observer was interviewed at lunchtime. Kemi wanted the UK to follow the US and join Israel and the US in the attack on Iran. That is very much what the public didn't want
Kemi position is exactly that the 47% support in that the UK must attack missile sites in Iran if they threaten our aircraft, bases, personel or citizens
Can you really not see the difference?
See that man in the pub? Shall I go over and punch him in the face?
See that man in the pub? If he punches me should I go over and punch him in the face?
That man has already punched us. In Cyprus.
If it’s an Iran proxy but not actually fired from Iran how does that work ? The MOD say the drone was likely fired by Hezbollah from the Lebanon .
Farage keeping pretty quiet again? As much as Starmer is very unpopular Trump is so over the top with everything, that Nigel usually ducks down a little, but it's such a big issue he presumably has come out and says he agrees with Trump on this issue? It's not like he would come out and say he disagrees with how harsh he is being on Starmer.
Take a look at everything Nigel has done with media and on camera this this week, his eyes, his whole body language, and much of what he is saying too, very obvious deep down Farage doesn’t agree with Trump on War’s of Choice with unclear aims in tricky places like this nearly as much as Kemi is all in supporting Trump in this.
I would put Farage in the Vance camp.
It is not improbable that the primary between Vance and Rubio was decided this week.
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
Apparently SKS attitude to Trump in in lockstep with the opinions of tmost in the UK. Badenoch's is supported by 6%. It is odd that the right wing press are content to be so out of step with their readers
47% in that Opinium poll support offensive action by the UK if UK bases, territory or forces are attacked
That isn't her position. The Political Editor of the Observer was interviewed at lunchtime. Kemi wanted the UK to follow the US and join Israel and the US in the attack on Iran. That is very much what the public didn't want
Kemi position is exactly that the 47% support in that the UK must attack missile sites in Iran if they threaten our aircraft, bases, personel or citizens
Can you really not see the difference?
See that man in the pub? Shall I go over and punch him in the face?
See that man in the pub? If he punches me should I go over and punch him in the face?
That man has already punched us. In Cyprus.
If it’s an Iran proxy but not actually fired from Iran how does that work ? The MOD say the drone was likely fired by Hezbollah from the Lebanon .
Acting on behalf of Iran. So hit missile launch ability in Lebanon and Iran to dissuade future attempts
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
Well, some definition of winning can always be found, even if it requires shifting what the stated objectives were going to be, so I'm sure they have and will achieve matters of susbtance, but the grandiosity of the rhetoric and talk of unconditional surrender will likely not be matched, given the difficulties of dominating and controlling a nation of 90m people.
Sure, but Trump needs the missiles to stop firing towards US bases, allies and commercial ships before that version of victory can be reasonably declared. He hasn't done that yet.
My estimate for how long Eric Fury lasts from here is 18 days.
The ratio of Iranan drones versus US countermeasures is very unfavourable to the US. One estimate is that the Iranians can deploy 70.000 drones.
In a David v Goliath match the cheap drones could actually beat the expensive missiles... and China and Russia would very much like to see Washington placed into such a position. Trump's arrogance is going to cost him very dear.
If Israel with overwhelming firepower couldn't knock out Gaza it's odd that they think they and the Americans can knock out a country 50 times bigger with 40 times the population? Chances are that it just goes on and on until the US population will put up with it no longer. Apparently the number who support the invasion is about 1 in 4.
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
I agree.
Whatever she says now, I think a hypothetical Badenoch government would have readily agreed to the use of UK bases when asked, but would otherwise in practice not have differed a great deal from what the current government is doing with regards to this conflict (and that probably includes all the falling short of allies' expectations, sadly).
I remain of the view that, if the next election is viewed as a choice between Reform and the left, the left (still led by Labour) will win, and the Conservatives could get as few as 40 seats. But if Reform have fallen back and are no longer as viable a prospect by the next election, it is possible that the Conservatives could even re-enter government - so peculiar were the margins at the last general election.
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
The oddest bit though is Trump sure that we are now preparing two aircraft carriers to join in - isn’t one many months away from going to sea? Did he order us to put one carrier here the other there, and when we said it months away from going to sea he thought we were telling lies and bullshitting him? It’s hard not to read that into it.
I think I certainly learnt something this week, correct me where wrong PB experts, I always presumed Warships in our fleet always at sea on deployment, or just moored up in a port ready to sail, I didn’t realise throughout history so many constantly worked on, and so few actually deployed or ready for quick action.
I’m sure when 99% of voters read how few are ready to steam into action when this broke out they will believe it’s all because of decades of under investment by governments and the Conservative governments cuts due to peace dividend, and think 3% defence spending means loads more warships ready for action in future.
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
I agree.
Whatever she says now, I think a hypothetical Badenoch government would have readily agreed to the use of UK bases when asked, but would otherwise in practice not have differed a great deal from what the current government is doing with regards to this conflict (and that probably includes all the falling short of allies' expectations, sadly).
I remain of the view that, if the next election is viewed as a choice between Reform and the left, the left (still led by Labour) will win, and the Conservatives could get as few as 40 seats. But if Reform have fallen back and are no longer a viable prospect by the next election, it is possible that the Conservatives could even re-enter government - so peculiar were the margins at the last general election.
I just struggle to see where a Reform collapse will come from though - their positions are not secret, some whilst they can slip back as a viable prospect as a boost to the Tories in being the main challengers, neither Reform nor the Tories have incentive to back down and help the other because they are fighting to be the leader in a Reform/Tory alliance/merger one day.
Which makes either coming out with the most seats next time much harder, unless one is substantially stronger than the other (and therefore polling above Labour).
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
The oddest bit though is Trump sure that we are now preparing two aircraft carriers to join in - isn’t one many months away from going to sea? Did he order us to put one carrier here the other there, and when we said it months away from going to sea he thought we were telling lies and bullshitting him? It’s hard not to read that into it.
I think I certainly learnt something this week, correct me where wrong PB experts, I always presumed Warships in our fleet always at sea on deployment, or just moored up in a port ready to sail, I didn’t realise throughout history so many constantly worked on, and so few actually deployed or ready for quick action.
I’m sure when 99% of voters read how few are ready to steam into action when this broke out they will believe it’s all because of decades of under investment by governments and the Conservative governments cuts due to peace dividend, and think 3% defence spending means loads more warships ready for action in future.
I would be astonished if we had the capability to deploy both our aircraft carriers at the same time in any meaningful way.
I base that on nothing more than general perception of our competence.
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
I agree.
Whatever she says now, I think a hypothetical Badenoch government would have readily agreed to the use of UK bases when asked, but would otherwise in practice not have differed a great deal from what the current government is doing with regards to this conflict (and that probably includes all the falling short of allies' expectations, sadly).
I remain of the view that, if the next election is viewed as a choice between Reform and the left, the left (still led by Labour) will win, and the Conservatives could get as few as 40 seats. But if Reform have fallen back and are no longer as viable a prospect by the next election, it is possible that the Conservatives could even re-enter government - so peculiar were the margins at the last general election.
Its a very precarious situation indeed. Certainly if the Tories can recover at Reforms expense to above their 2024 vote with the left of centre looking very Lab/Green oriented they could start hoovering up the blue wall seats they lost the more they get above the 25% mark. But that requires a Reform implosion. Without if the Tories are stuck at 20ish and probably in mid double figures seats. Reform can't keep up this constant war footing indefinitely imo
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
Well, some definition of winning can always be found, even if it requires shifting what the stated objectives were going to be, so I'm sure they have and will achieve matters of susbtance, but the grandiosity of the rhetoric and talk of unconditional surrender will likely not be matched, given the difficulties of dominating and controlling a nation of 90m people.
Sure, but Trump needs the missiles to stop firing towards US bases, allies and commercial ships before that version of victory can be reasonably declared. He hasn't done that yet.
My estimate for how long Eric Fury lasts from here is 18 days.
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
I agree.
Whatever she says now, I think a hypothetical Badenoch government would have readily agreed to the use of UK bases when asked, but would otherwise in practice not have differed a great deal from what the current government is doing with regards to this conflict (and that probably includes all the falling short of allies' expectations, sadly).
I remain of the view that, if the next election is viewed as a choice between Reform and the left, the left (still led by Labour) will win, and the Conservatives could get as few as 40 seats. But if Reform have fallen back and are no longer a viable prospect by the next election, it is possible that the Conservatives could even re-enter government - so peculiar were the margins at the last general election.
I just struggle to see where a Reform collapse will come from though - their positions are not secret, some whilst they can slip back as a viable prospect as a boost to the Tories in being the main challengers, neither Reform nor the Tories have incentive to back down and help the other because they are fighting to be the leader in a Reform/Tory alliance/merger one day.
Which makes either coming out with the most seats next time much harder, unless one is substantially stronger than the other (and therefore polling above Labour).
We need to see what happens post May. Last year Reform looked all conquering and thus people threw their lot in with them as looking like winners/change. This May they will do well but nowhere near as well or as uniquely well. They will nit win in London or Scotland (or perhaps Wales). A lot of councils will go NoC rather than Reform as only a third up etc. That might take the shine off (along with their failure in Gorton) and accelerate the slight decline already seen
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
Iran is her first significant misstep in a while. Significantly, while I think the government has its usual problems with comms, I think they are broadly aligned with the public on the matter at the moment, and Trump’s ramblings are doing Starmer no harm at all.
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
Well, some definition of winning can always be found, even if it requires shifting what the stated objectives were going to be, so I'm sure they have and will achieve matters of susbtance, but the grandiosity of the rhetoric and talk of unconditional surrender will likely not be matched, given the difficulties of dominating and controlling a nation of 90m people.
Sure, but Trump needs the missiles to stop firing towards US bases, allies and commercial ships before that version of victory can be reasonably declared. He hasn't done that yet.
My estimate for how long Eric Fury lasts from here is 18 days.
“Eric Fury” 🤭
Let’s only use that one from now onwards.
Tyson's mild mannered brother. Epstein Fury is what it is though.
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
Iran is her first significant misstep in a while. Significantly, while I think the government has its usual problems with comms, I think they are broadly aligned with the public on the matter at the moment, and Trump’s ramblings are doing Starmer no harm at all.
Perhaps Trump is trying to do for Starmer what he did for Carney.
Looks like Kemi is crashing and burning. I have to say I'm not surprised. She should do some polling instead of following the right wing press. It is a fact that if a newspaper has a point of view that is out of step with their reader there is more chance of the reader changing their newspaper than their opinion. Anyone could see that supporting Trump into war with Iran wasn't popular
Kemi is entitled to her opinion of what strong, clear, decisive leadership is, no way can you prove she is wrong just because she is so massively in the wrong side of public opinion.
What about the argument, Kemi believes in the mission the US have embarked on, she believes it’s achievable for Trump to appoint his own Iran leader next month, that the win is very good for the whole world and the UK, then leadership is all about standing against selfish, uniformed public opinion, not cowardly surrendering to public opinion and letting long time special allies, the US, down?
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
The oddest bit though is Trump sure that we are now preparing two aircraft carriers to join in - isn’t one many months away from going to sea? Did he order us to put one carrier here the other there, and when we said it months away from going to sea he thought we were telling lies and bullshitting him? It’s hard not to read that into it.
I think I certainly learnt something this week, correct me where wrong PB experts, I always presumed Warships in our fleet always at sea on deployment, or just moored up in a port ready to sail, I didn’t realise throughout history so many constantly worked on, and so few actually deployed or ready for quick action.
I’m sure when 99% of voters read how few are ready to steam into action when this broke out they will believe it’s all because of decades of under investment by governments and the Conservative governments cuts due to peace dividend, and think 3% defence spending means loads more warships ready for action in future.
In the very most simplistic of terms people need time off. It's a bit like saying why aren't all of our schools ready to go with 24 hours notice at 2am on a Saturday in August? Cos folk are on holiday in Bali. And don't want to not be.
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
Iran is her first significant misstep in a while. Significantly, while I think the government has its usual problems with comms, I think they are broadly aligned with the public on the matter at the moment, and Trump’s ramblings are doing Starmer no harm at all.
We don't know yet what impact it will have. The electorate appears to 'plurality' support what the government sort of says it's position probably is, (but does something different) and HMG has irritated a lot of our non America allies with dither and delay whilst the special relationship is in tatters and Britain has been publically humiliated. there's a lot for Johnny Voter to unpack. I'm not sure 'don't be mean to oor Keir' wins out
Just watching the attacks on Tehran. If there was ever going to be a counter revolution to the Islamic Revolution from within, surely bombing the beJesus out of civilians was not the catalyst.
This is a real concern, especially now that they are bombing civilian infrastructure.
Just watching the attacks on Tehran. If there was ever going to be a counter revolution to the Islamic Revolution from within, surely bombing the beJesus out of civilians was not the catalyst.
I think that’s pretty clueless from you Mexpet. Have you not played Sim City? When the electricity goes off, the shops have no food because of an attack from Godzilla, the people take to the streets against you, the government, not Godzilla.
Sir Conor Burns @ConorBurnsUK · 2h I have very little time for the UK Prime Minister. With the exception of Truss (who created a shit show list of 1) he may be the worst PM of modern times.
But criticism for coming late to wars did raise an eyebrow given even a slight acquaintance with history.
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
The oddest bit though is Trump sure that we are now preparing two aircraft carriers to join in - isn’t one many months away from going to sea? Did he order us to put one carrier here the other there, and when we said it months away from going to sea he thought we were telling lies and bullshitting him? It’s hard not to read that into it.
I think I certainly learnt something this week, correct me where wrong PB experts, I always presumed Warships in our fleet always at sea on deployment, or just moored up in a port ready to sail, I didn’t realise throughout history so many constantly worked on, and so few actually deployed or ready for quick action.
I’m sure when 99% of voters read how few are ready to steam into action when this broke out they will believe it’s all because of decades of under investment by governments and the Conservative governments cuts due to peace dividend, and think 3% defence spending means loads more warships ready for action in future.
The percentage ready for sea / at sea has varied historically.
One of Admiral Fishers (per WWI) reforms was about junk that couldn't be got out of a dockyard within x months. He scrapped lots of that nonsense.
It's a similar issue with ammunition - easy to cut ammunition buys and training expenditure. Until magazines are empty, and no-one has done any practise.
Just watching the attacks on Tehran. If there was ever going to be a counter revolution to the Islamic Revolution from within, surely bombing the beJesus out of civilians was not the catalyst.
I think that’s pretty clueless from you Mexpet. Have you not played Sim City? When the electricity goes off, the shops have no food because of an attack from Godzilla, the people take to the streets against you, the government, not Godzilla.
They didn't during the Blitz. A considerably more apposite comparison than Sim City. Although not entirely comparable.
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
The oddest bit though is Trump sure that we are now preparing two aircraft carriers to join in - isn’t one many months away from going to sea? Did he order us to put one carrier here the other there, and when we said it months away from going to sea he thought we were telling lies and bullshitting him? It’s hard not to read that into it.
I think I certainly learnt something this week, correct me where wrong PB experts, I always presumed Warships in our fleet always at sea on deployment, or just moored up in a port ready to sail, I didn’t realise throughout history so many constantly worked on, and so few actually deployed or ready for quick action.
I’m sure when 99% of voters read how few are ready to steam into action when this broke out they will believe it’s all because of decades of under investment by governments and the Conservative governments cuts due to peace dividend, and think 3% defence spending means loads more warships ready for action in future.
In the very most simplistic of terms people need time off. It's a bit like saying why aren't all of our schools ready to go with 24 hours notice at 2am on a Saturday in August? Cos folk are on holiday in Bali. And don't want to not be.
More that 24/7 availability is expensive. 9-5, Monday-Friday is cheaper. But looks the same - in peacetime.
Farage keeping pretty quiet again? As much as Starmer is very unpopular Trump is so over the top with everything, that Nigel usually ducks down a little, but it's such a big issue he presumably has come out and says he agrees with Trump on this issue? It's not like he would come out and say he disagrees with how harsh he is being on Starmer.
Take a look at everything Nigel has done with media and on camera this this week, his eyes, his whole body language, and much of what he is saying too, very obvious deep down Farage doesn’t agree with Trump on War’s of Choice with unclear aims in tricky places like this nearly as much as Kemi is all in supporting Trump in this.
I would put Farage in the Vance camp.
It is not improbable that the primary between Vance and Rubio was decided this week.
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
I agree.
Whatever she says now, I think a hypothetical Badenoch government would have readily agreed to the use of UK bases when asked, but would otherwise in practice not have differed a great deal from what the current government is doing with regards to this conflict (and that probably includes all the falling short of allies' expectations, sadly).
I remain of the view that, if the next election is viewed as a choice between Reform and the left, the left (still led by Labour) will win, and the Conservatives could get as few as 40 seats. But if Reform have fallen back and are no longer a viable prospect by the next election, it is possible that the Conservatives could even re-enter government - so peculiar were the margins at the last general election.
I just struggle to see where a Reform collapse will come from though - their positions are not secret, some whilst they can slip back as a viable prospect as a boost to the Tories in being the main challengers, neither Reform nor the Tories have incentive to back down and help the other because they are fighting to be the leader in a Reform/Tory alliance/merger one day.
Which makes either coming out with the most seats next time much harder, unless one is substantially stronger than the other (and therefore polling above Labour).
“I just struggle to see where a Reform collapse will come from though”
They are not proven at running the British economy.
Whatever they are polling mid Parliament may be nothing like the GE PV they get. It’s actually Reform with a lot of work and persuasion to do before the General Election.
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
The oddest bit though is Trump sure that we are now preparing two aircraft carriers to join in - isn’t one many months away from going to sea? Did he order us to put one carrier here the other there, and when we said it months away from going to sea he thought we were telling lies and bullshitting him? It’s hard not to read that into it.
I think I certainly learnt something this week, correct me where wrong PB experts, I always presumed Warships in our fleet always at sea on deployment, or just moored up in a port ready to sail, I didn’t realise throughout history so many constantly worked on, and so few actually deployed or ready for quick action.
I’m sure when 99% of voters read how few are ready to steam into action when this broke out they will believe it’s all because of decades of under investment by governments and the Conservative governments cuts due to peace dividend, and think 3% defence spending means loads more warships ready for action in future.
In the very most simplistic of terms people need time off. It's a bit like saying why aren't all of our schools ready to go with 24 hours notice at 2am on a Saturday in August? Cos folk are on holiday in Bali. And don't want to not be.
More that 24/7 availability is expensive. 9-5, Monday-Friday is cheaper. But looks the same - in peacetime.
Yet the folk who want this are the very same who rail against public sector "waste". You can have all these things. Aircraft carriers ready to sail. Every A+E with a maxo facial surgeon on standby. Enough Police in every town and City to deal with a riot or a terrorist attack at a few minutes' notice. But then you need to accept that 99% of the time they'll be doing fuck all. And be grateful to fund that.
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
The oddest bit though is Trump sure that we are now preparing two aircraft carriers to join in - isn’t one many months away from going to sea? Did he order us to put one carrier here the other there, and when we said it months away from going to sea he thought we were telling lies and bullshitting him? It’s hard not to read that into it.
I think I certainly learnt something this week, correct me where wrong PB experts, I always presumed Warships in our fleet always at sea on deployment, or just moored up in a port ready to sail, I didn’t realise throughout history so many constantly worked on, and so few actually deployed or ready for quick action.
I’m sure when 99% of voters read how few are ready to steam into action when this broke out they will believe it’s all because of decades of under investment by governments and the Conservative governments cuts due to peace dividend, and think 3% defence spending means loads more warships ready for action in future.
I would be astonished if we had the capability to deploy both our aircraft carriers at the same time in any meaningful way.
I base that on nothing more than general perception of our competence.
Can you ever have the sailors, engineers, support staff to ever have so much ready to go so quickly? Is it incompetence or how Navy's always worked? That is not clear, nor what the media is looking into and helpfully explaining to us ordinary people.
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
I agree.
Whatever she says now, I think a hypothetical Badenoch government would have readily agreed to the use of UK bases when asked, but would otherwise in practice not have differed a great deal from what the current government is doing with regards to this conflict (and that probably includes all the falling short of allies' expectations, sadly).
I remain of the view that, if the next election is viewed as a choice between Reform and the left, the left (still led by Labour) will win, and the Conservatives could get as few as 40 seats. But if Reform have fallen back and are no longer a viable prospect by the next election, it is possible that the Conservatives could even re-enter government - so peculiar were the margins at the last general election.
I just struggle to see where a Reform collapse will come from though - their positions are not secret, some whilst they can slip back as a viable prospect as a boost to the Tories in being the main challengers, neither Reform nor the Tories have incentive to back down and help the other because they are fighting to be the leader in a Reform/Tory alliance/merger one day.
Which makes either coming out with the most seats next time much harder, unless one is substantially stronger than the other (and therefore polling above Labour).
“I just struggle to see where a Reform collapse will come from though”
They are not proven at running the British economy.
Whatever they are polling mid Parliament may be nothing like the GE PV they get. It’s actually Reform with a lot of work and persuasion to do before the General Election.
Indeed 34% Labour polled 48% on the day the election was called and 46% as late as 3 weeks before polling day. A quarter of your support gone in half a campaign. Puts Reform on 20 to 22% for example And a chunk of their stated support is 'usual WNV'
I think I certainly learnt something this week, correct me where wrong PB experts, I always presumed Warships in our fleet always at sea on deployment, or just moored up in a port ready to sail, I didn’t realise throughout history so many constantly worked on, and so few actually deployed or ready for quick action.
Warships require a fair bit of maintenance, but the RN's availability rates are so terrible because there isn't enough money.
If a ship needs major maintenance there will often not be enough in the budget to pay for it right away. So it gets tied up in port and left idle, sometimes for a very significant period. It's routine now for laid up ships to be raided for parts to keep others of the same class in running, which complicates and delays efforts to get it back into service. When work does happen it can happen at a snail's pace to save money.
HMS Daring is a stark example. She was laid up for three years waiting for a refit which has now been going on for six years, so she's been out of the fleet for nine years.
If we could magic up another six Type 45s for the navy it wouldn't solve anything, because they don't have the money or the people to even operate the ones they have.
It's a bit like when parents complain that we aren't available at 7:30 till 6:30. Cos that's when I need you so I can work. The answer is. We have kids too. Pay us double and it may happen. But then you'd need a bunch of people to look after our kids.
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
The oddest bit though is Trump sure that we are now preparing two aircraft carriers to join in - isn’t one many months away from going to sea? Did he order us to put one carrier here the other there, and when we said it months away from going to sea he thought we were telling lies and bullshitting him? It’s hard not to read that into it.
I think I certainly learnt something this week, correct me where wrong PB experts, I always presumed Warships in our fleet always at sea on deployment, or just moored up in a port ready to sail, I didn’t realise throughout history so many constantly worked on, and so few actually deployed or ready for quick action.
I’m sure when 99% of voters read how few are ready to steam into action when this broke out they will believe it’s all because of decades of under investment by governments and the Conservative governments cuts due to peace dividend, and think 3% defence spending means loads more warships ready for action in future.
In the very most simplistic of terms people need time off. It's a bit like saying why aren't all of our schools ready to go with 24 hours notice at 2am on a Saturday in August? Cos folk are on holiday in Bali. And don't want to not be.
More that 24/7 availability is expensive. 9-5, Monday-Friday is cheaper. But looks the same - in peacetime.
Yet the folk who want this are the very same who rail against public sector "waste". You can have all these things. Aircraft carriers ready to sail. Every A+E with a maxo facial surgeon on standby. Enough Police in every town and City to deal with a riot or a terrorist attack at a few minutes' notice. But then you need to accept that 99% of the time they'll be doing fuck all. And be grateful to fund that.
You missed trains running on time. A lot of “fat” was built into National controlled industries to cover unexpected absences in key positions, like signals etc.
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
I agree.
Whatever she says now, I think a hypothetical Badenoch government would have readily agreed to the use of UK bases when asked, but would otherwise in practice not have differed a great deal from what the current government is doing with regards to this conflict (and that probably includes all the falling short of allies' expectations, sadly).
I remain of the view that, if the next election is viewed as a choice between Reform and the left, the left (still led by Labour) will win, and the Conservatives could get as few as 40 seats. But if Reform have fallen back and are no longer a viable prospect by the next election, it is possible that the Conservatives could even re-enter government - so peculiar were the margins at the last general election.
I just struggle to see where a Reform collapse will come from though - their positions are not secret, some whilst they can slip back as a viable prospect as a boost to the Tories in being the main challengers, neither Reform nor the Tories have incentive to back down and help the other because they are fighting to be the leader in a Reform/Tory alliance/merger one day.
Which makes either coming out with the most seats next time much harder, unless one is substantially stronger than the other (and therefore polling above Labour).
“I just struggle to see where a Reform collapse will come from though”
They are not proven at running the British economy.
Whatever they are polling mid Parliament may be nothing like the GE PV they get. It’s actually Reform with a lot of work and persuasion to do before the General Election.
Indeed 34% Labour polled 48% on the day the election was called and 46% as late as 3 weeks before polling day. A quarter of your support gone in half a campaign. Puts Reform on 20 to 22% for example And a chunk of their stated support is 'usual WNV'
Polling can't pick up on turnout. I suspect differential turnout will be the key.
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
I agree.
Whatever she says now, I think a hypothetical Badenoch government would have readily agreed to the use of UK bases when asked, but would otherwise in practice not have differed a great deal from what the current government is doing with regards to this conflict (and that probably includes all the falling short of allies' expectations, sadly).
I remain of the view that, if the next election is viewed as a choice between Reform and the left, the left (still led by Labour) will win, and the Conservatives could get as few as 40 seats. But if Reform have fallen back and are no longer a viable prospect by the next election, it is possible that the Conservatives could even re-enter government - so peculiar were the margins at the last general election.
I just struggle to see where a Reform collapse will come from though - their positions are not secret, some whilst they can slip back as a viable prospect as a boost to the Tories in being the main challengers, neither Reform nor the Tories have incentive to back down and help the other because they are fighting to be the leader in a Reform/Tory alliance/merger one day.
Which makes either coming out with the most seats next time much harder, unless one is substantially stronger than the other (and therefore polling above Labour).
“I just struggle to see where a Reform collapse will come from though”
They are not proven at running the British economy.
Whatever they are polling mid Parliament may be nothing like the GE PV they get. It’s actually Reform with a lot of work and persuasion to do before the General Election.
Indeed 34% Labour polled 48% on the day the election was called and 46% as late as 3 weeks before polling day. A quarter of your support gone in half a campaign. Puts Reform on 20 to 22% for example And a chunk of their stated support is 'usual WNV'
Polling can't pick up on turnout. I suspect differential turnout will be the key.
Differential turnout and firming up of the trad big twos certainty to vote/getting off their arses
The drone was estimated, by various defence establishments, as having been launched by Hezbollah last week. Hezbollah have been using Russian UAV tech for a couple of years now, so it may not be as big a surprise to the MoD as the media.
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
The oddest bit though is Trump sure that we are now preparing two aircraft carriers to join in - isn’t one many months away from going to sea? Did he order us to put one carrier here the other there, and when we said it months away from going to sea he thought we were telling lies and bullshitting him? It’s hard not to read that into it.
I think I certainly learnt something this week, correct me where wrong PB experts, I always presumed Warships in our fleet always at sea on deployment, or just moored up in a port ready to sail, I didn’t realise throughout history so many constantly worked on, and so few actually deployed or ready for quick action.
I’m sure when 99% of voters read how few are ready to steam into action when this broke out they will believe it’s all because of decades of under investment by governments and the Conservative governments cuts due to peace dividend, and think 3% defence spending means loads more warships ready for action in future.
I would be astonished if we had the capability to deploy both our aircraft carriers at the same time in any meaningful way.
I base that on nothing more than general perception of our competence.
Can you ever have the sailors, engineers, support staff to ever have so much ready to go so quickly? Is it incompetence or how Navy's always worked? That is not clear, nor what the media is looking into and helpfully explaining to us ordinary people.
If you allow me to call you ordinary.
Admiral “Mad Jack” Fisher was obsessed with Dockyard performance. He saw it as a force multiplier.
In one tale, on being told that it would take a week to change a gun barrel on a battleship, he had his personal desk moved to the quarterdeck of the battleship, from the Admiralty building in London. He spent the morning doing his paperwork, barely raising his head to observe the work. Lunch was served on his desk. By the early afternoon, the work was done - gun barrel replaced. So Jackie sent a signal to the fleet, complimenting the ship and crew for setting the new standard.
The codicil - after the Battle of Jutland, the British fleet conducted repairs and was ready for sea again within 24 hours. The Germany navy, not so much.
I think I certainly learnt something this week, correct me where wrong PB experts, I always presumed Warships in our fleet always at sea on deployment, or just moored up in a port ready to sail, I didn’t realise throughout history so many constantly worked on, and so few actually deployed or ready for quick action.
Warships require a fair bit of maintenance, but the RN's availability rates are so terrible because there isn't enough money.
If a ship needs major maintenance there will often not be enough in the budget to pay for it right away. So it gets tied up in port and left idle, sometimes for a very significant period. It's routine now for laid up ships to be raided for parts to keep others of the same class in running, which complicates and delays efforts to get it back into service. When work does happen it can happen at a snail's pace to save money.
HMS Daring is a stark example. She was laid up for three years waiting for a refit which has now been going on for six years, so she's been out of the fleet for nine years.
If we could magic up another six Type 45s for the navy it wouldn't solve anything, because they don't have the money or the people to even operate the ones they have.
Ah. Clearer picture. All about operating costs and refit costs.
So up to 3% of GDP providing some more money for it, won’t make an amazing world of difference then? 🙁
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
I agree.
Whatever she says now, I think a hypothetical Badenoch government would have readily agreed to the use of UK bases when asked, but would otherwise in practice not have differed a great deal from what the current government is doing with regards to this conflict (and that probably includes all the falling short of allies' expectations, sadly).
I remain of the view that, if the next election is viewed as a choice between Reform and the left, the left (still led by Labour) will win, and the Conservatives could get as few as 40 seats. But if Reform have fallen back and are no longer as viable a prospect by the next election, it is possible that the Conservatives could even re-enter government - so peculiar were the margins at the last general election.
I’m 100% sure Patel wouldn’t have talked Kemi out of it. I can imagine Kemi in a Israeli tank on the front line, or with the Americans and Australians in a sub
“locked on, just tap that little red button on the side, and you can notch this one up as your own.” 💥
Unlike many on the left, I've understood, and largely tolerated (albeit with a heavy heart), Starmer's diplomatic efforts to keep on the right side of Trump, as the least worse option of maintaining some sort of productive alliance with the USA.
However, I've now concluded that the time has come for Starmer to tell Trump to fuck off.
I don't think there is any downside in telling Trump to fuck off. You don't get anywhere by brown nosing him.
Blair tried brown nosing Bush, and we all know where that got him. And of course Bush was an infinitely more reasonable President than Trump.
Totally agree
The best way, to ask KC 3 to cancel his State Visit to US
I still think overall Badenoch is doing a good job. But she’s got Iran wrong in my view and missed a big opportunity to calve out a unique position, different to Farage.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
I agree.
Whatever she says now, I think a hypothetical Badenoch government would have readily agreed to the use of UK bases when asked, but would otherwise in practice not have differed a great deal from what the current government is doing with regards to this conflict (and that probably includes all the falling short of allies' expectations, sadly).
I remain of the view that, if the next election is viewed as a choice between Reform and the left, the left (still led by Labour) will win, and the Conservatives could get as few as 40 seats. But if Reform have fallen back and are no longer a viable prospect by the next election, it is possible that the Conservatives could even re-enter government - so peculiar were the margins at the last general election.
I just struggle to see where a Reform collapse will come from though - their positions are not secret, some whilst they can slip back as a viable prospect as a boost to the Tories in being the main challengers, neither Reform nor the Tories have incentive to back down and help the other because they are fighting to be the leader in a Reform/Tory alliance/merger one day.
Which makes either coming out with the most seats next time much harder, unless one is substantially stronger than the other (and therefore polling above Labour).
“I just struggle to see where a Reform collapse will come from though”
They are not proven at running the British economy.
Whatever they are polling mid Parliament may be nothing like the GE PV they get. It’s actually Reform with a lot of work and persuasion to do before the General Election.
Indeed 34% Labour polled 48% on the day the election was called and 46% as late as 3 weeks before polling day. A quarter of your support gone in half a campaign. Puts Reform on 20 to 22% for example And a chunk of their stated support is 'usual WNV'
Polling can't pick up on turnout. I suspect differential turnout will be the key.
Differential turnout and firming up of the trad big twos certainty to vote/getting off their arses
Well yeah. One of the features of the Labour decline to c 17-19% is that it's getting older. Perhaps it will overperform for a change? Same true for Tories. Hanging on to 65+.
The most comical part is the idea the US has already won.
At this rate I expect oil prices to be above $100 per barrel on Monday. I'm not sure that qualifies as winning, however many things and people you have blown up.
The oddest bit though is Trump sure that we are now preparing two aircraft carriers to join in - isn’t one many months away from going to sea? Did he order us to put one carrier here the other there, and when we said it months away from going to sea he thought we were telling lies and bullshitting him? It’s hard not to read that into it.
I think I certainly learnt something this week, correct me where wrong PB experts, I always presumed Warships in our fleet always at sea on deployment, or just moored up in a port ready to sail, I didn’t realise throughout history so many constantly worked on, and so few actually deployed or ready for quick action.
I’m sure when 99% of voters read how few are ready to steam into action when this broke out they will believe it’s all because of decades of under investment by governments and the Conservative governments cuts due to peace dividend, and think 3% defence spending means loads more warships ready for action in future.
I would be astonished if we had the capability to deploy both our aircraft carriers at the same time in any meaningful way.
I base that on nothing more than general perception of our competence.
Can you ever have the sailors, engineers, support staff to ever have so much ready to go so quickly? Is it incompetence or how Navy's always worked? That is not clear, nor what the media is looking into and helpfully explaining to us ordinary people.
If you allow me to call you ordinary.
I am, but i wasn't suggesting even if competent we could get them out quickly, i'm sure that takes time, it was a comment about our kit frequently breaking so the idea both could be available even slowly struck me as unlikely.
Comments
And while SKS IS boody useless, being called a loser by Trump has kind of lost any sting it might have because that's what he calls everyone. He called Lindsay Von a loser for breaking her leg.
By order of The Peaky Fucking Blinders
Starmer is a fairly weak PM, but it would take an exceptional leader to deal well with the current lunatic The White House, and we have not had one of those in decades.
The UK is on a fundamentally weak position, post Brexit, in dealing with the US. The PM of Spain can trash talk Trump, secure in the knowledge that any retaliation against him is one against the entire EU.
We don't have that - and we are also more entangled economically with the US.
It's only half a century since the end of empire, and we aren't culturally accustomed, in the manner of a nation like S Korea, to dealing with a hegemon on which we depend. They have at least half a millennium of dealing with made emperors while retaining a semblance of dignity. We're still getting used to it.
I'd prefer to be one if the leaders of the European counterweight, but our voters opted out of that.
Unfortunately doing that would probably lose them half their remaining vote (eg taking an anti-NIMBY stance), with pay off likely not to be immediate with the young and moderately aged, which would be hard for them to sustain at a time they need to be showing recovery agaisnt Reform.
It was a romcom when I was in the market for Date Movie Romcoms, and Richard Curtis seems to be a good egg. But... there's a lot of ugh in Love Actually.
Simply, no matter how bad he is nobody in labour would be an improvement
“ Now Blair delivers a stinging blow to PM over war “ !
The right wing press really are delusional if they think trashing Starmer over this war is going to be bad for him .
That said, if it was not even that popular with the base from the start, and it is getting worse, that is great news for Iran as Trump will want to eke out something he can call a win and close things down as quickly as possible. Which presumably could mean a lot of pain for Iran in the short term, but something the regime might be able to weather.
Might even make a sandwich out of it.
Trump will implode.
However, I've now concluded that the time has come for Starmer to tell Trump to fuck off.
The defence expert on Sky was cautious as it is a big target for Iran to attack with their submarines
Reading some of the driver comments about how undriveable these new cars are and potentially dangerous as you can suddenly lose or gain mechanical grip and down force due to downshifting, I wonder how many cars will finish.
It could be like a 3 mile Class 5 handicap in heavy at Haydock, 2 finish 18 pulled up.
Sincerely hope not
You are not just calling HY ignorant, Saudi Arabia and Oman and Turkey in exactly same place as Starmer’s Defensive Only, it’s important to them too. And Head of UK Military was asked the question today if he is sure US sticking to it, and he answered yes, 100%.
In such a technological age, it’s not too difficult to see through the fog of war on these things - hence the US knew and owned up to killing all the schoolgirls in that one attack.
specific mission departing receives approval to ensure it aligns with the agreed "defensive" mandate. It’s then monitored in numerous ways.
* Intelligence and Surveillance (ISR): Host nations use their own intelligence assets to monitor the types of aircraft, munitions, and flight plans of U.S. forces leaving their bases.
* Air Traffic Control (ATC): Host country military personnel in control towers can track the flight paths and destinations of aircraft to ensure they are not heading for unauthorized targets.
* Operational Liaison Officers: Joint operations centers often feature liaison officers from the host nation who monitor real-time operations and verify that they comply with the agreed restrictions.
Why cheat? There’s has to be a long list and lots of work on defensive targets - the missile infrastructure that threatens regional allies - to get through anyway.
Hope this answer helps you.
Blair tried brown nosing Bush, and we all know where that got him. And of course Bush was an infinitely more reasonable President than Trump.
In a David v Goliath match the cheap drones could actually beat the expensive missiles... and China and Russia would very much like to see Washington placed into such a position. Trump's arrogance is going to cost him very dear.
Mayb it’s polite speech rather than ‘free’. I wonder if it would do one on Elon Musk
Finally a true word out of his mouth !
The best way, to ask KC 3 to cancel his State Visit to US
That will kick Trump tight in his bollocks
Go to /r/ukrainerussiareport and watch a few videos. Drone operators work very close to the zero line and get fucking plastered by small arms, artillery and counterdrone units all the time.
The Russian military hosts gaming cons and recruits the best players. There's probably something in that idea but the notion of having a fat as fuck, ill disciplined service of drone operators isn't feasible.
https://x.com/Zigga1945/status/2029604418560377232
See that man in the pub? Shall I go over and punch him in the face?
See that man in the pub? If he punches me should I go over and punch him in the face?
I would put Farage in the Vance camp.
Talking of Farage, yet another poll shows Reform going backwards.
Whatever she says now, I think a hypothetical Badenoch government would have readily agreed to the use of UK bases when asked, but would otherwise in practice not have differed a great deal from what the current government is doing with regards to this conflict (and that probably includes all the falling short of allies' expectations, sadly).
I remain of the view that, if the next election is viewed as a choice between Reform and the left, the left (still led by Labour) will win, and the Conservatives could get as few as 40 seats. But if Reform have fallen back and are no longer as viable a prospect by the next election, it is possible that the Conservatives could even re-enter government - so peculiar were the margins at the last general election.
I think I certainly learnt something this week, correct me where wrong PB experts, I always presumed Warships in our fleet always at sea on deployment, or just moored up in a port ready to sail, I didn’t realise throughout history so many constantly worked on, and so few actually deployed or ready for quick action.
I’m sure when 99% of voters read how few are ready to steam into action when this broke out they will believe it’s all because of decades of under investment by governments and the Conservative governments cuts due to peace dividend, and think 3% defence spending means loads more warships ready for action in future.
Which makes either coming out with the most seats next time much harder, unless one is substantially stronger than the other (and therefore polling above Labour).
I base that on nothing more than general perception of our competence.
Reform can't keep up this constant war footing indefinitely imo
Let’s only use that one from now onwards.
That might take the shine off (along with their failure in Gorton) and accelerate the slight decline already seen
Epstein Fury is what it is though.
What about the argument, Kemi believes in the mission the US have embarked on, she believes it’s achievable for Trump to appoint his own Iran leader next month, that the win is very good for the whole world and the UK, then leadership is all about standing against selfish, uniformed public opinion, not cowardly surrendering to public opinion and letting long time special allies, the US, down?
It's a bit like saying why aren't all of our schools ready to go with 24 hours notice at 2am on a Saturday in August?
Cos folk are on holiday in Bali. And don't want to not be.
I'm not sure 'don't be mean to oor Keir' wins out
Sir Conor Burns
@ConorBurnsUK
·
2h
I have very little time for the UK Prime Minister. With the exception of Truss (who created a shit show list of 1) he may be the worst PM of modern times.
But criticism for coming late to wars did raise an eyebrow given even a slight acquaintance with history.
https://x.com/ConorBurnsUK/status/2030399647504564704
One of Admiral Fishers (per WWI) reforms was about junk that couldn't be got out of a dockyard within x months. He scrapped lots of that nonsense.
It's a similar issue with ammunition - easy to cut ammunition buys and training expenditure. Until magazines are empty, and no-one has done any practise.
A considerably more apposite comparison than Sim City.
Although not entirely comparable.
They are not proven at running the British economy.
Whatever they are polling mid Parliament may be nothing like the GE PV they get. It’s actually Reform with a lot of work and persuasion to do before the General Election.
You can have all these things. Aircraft carriers ready to sail. Every A+E with a maxo facial surgeon on standby. Enough Police in every town and City to deal with a riot or a terrorist attack at a few minutes' notice.
But then you need to accept that 99% of the time they'll be doing fuck all.
And be grateful to fund that.
If you allow me to call you ordinary.
34% Labour polled 48% on the day the election was called and 46% as late as 3 weeks before polling day.
A quarter of your support gone in half a campaign.
Puts Reform on 20 to 22% for example
And a chunk of their stated support is 'usual WNV'
If a ship needs major maintenance there will often not be enough in the budget to pay for it right away. So it gets tied up in port and left idle, sometimes for a very significant period. It's routine now for laid up ships to be raided for parts to keep others of the same class in running, which complicates and delays efforts to get it back into service. When work does happen it can happen at a snail's pace to save money.
HMS Daring is a stark example. She was laid up for three years waiting for a refit which has now been going on for six years, so she's been out of the fleet for nine years.
If we could magic up another six Type 45s for the navy it wouldn't solve anything, because they don't have the money or the people to even operate the ones they have.
Still too much second guessing and not enough evidence from me.
The answer is. We have kids too.
Pay us double and it may happen.
But then you'd need a bunch of people to look after our kids.
I suspect differential turnout will be the key.
https://israel-alma.org/dr-3-the-russian-uav-turned-into-a-cruise-missile-used-by-hezbollah/
In one tale, on being told that it would take a week to change a gun barrel on a battleship, he had his personal desk moved to the quarterdeck of the battleship, from the Admiralty building in London. He spent the morning doing his paperwork, barely raising his head to observe the work. Lunch was served on his desk. By the early afternoon, the work was done - gun barrel replaced. So Jackie sent a signal to the fleet, complimenting the ship and crew for setting the new standard.
The codicil - after the Battle of Jutland, the British fleet conducted repairs and was ready for sea again within 24 hours. The Germany navy, not so much.
So up to 3% of GDP providing some more money for it, won’t make an amazing world of difference then? 🙁
“locked on, just tap that little red button on the side, and you can notch this one up as your own.” 💥
'The absolute state of Robert Peston!'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15624557/Robert-Peston-red-Nike-trainers-knuckle-duster-rings-Middle-East.html
One of the features of the Labour decline to c 17-19% is that it's getting older.
Perhaps it will overperform for a change?
Same true for Tories. Hanging on to 65+.