The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Cohort effects in political opinion and voting behaviour are under appreciated, because they take so long to play out. Those of us young under Mrs T have struggled with the concept of voting Tory ever since.
If that were generally true then you might expect Millenials and Gen Z (as they have no first hand memory of her) to be more likely to be Tory than Gen X, but the converse is true.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
Just to add, scrolling down I see @Foxy made the same point more succinctly!
The ANC has been in power for 30+ years in South Africa.
And a fat lot of good that's done ordinary South Africans.
(The record of Revolutionaries / national liberation movements who go into government is not a good one: one could argue the same for the first half century of Ireland post Independence; the PRI in Mexico; Zanu-PF in Zimbabwe; and others.)
The average South African today is much better off today than 30 years ago, plus of course they got rid of apartheid.
The latter is true, not sure the former is.
Hard to get accurate data as median figures aren't cleanly published like in the UK, but in the early 1990s the median (not white) South African was estimated to have a comparable income to the median Pole. Now Poles are massively better off than South Africans.
If you don't like a European example you can look around the globe. South Africa has underperformed most nations that were comparably developed to it in the 1990s, not just Eastern Europe but Thailand, Malaysia, Chile and more.
Apartheid may be over, but economically South Africans are not doing well.
What is noteworthy too is that economic equality has not improved under ANC rule. SA's Gini coefficient today is basically the same as it was at the end of apartheid, which is absolutely incredible!
I'm not sure that's quite true: the median South African in 1990 lived in a township, in what can be best described as informal accommodation.
Actually, according to World Bank data, the proportion living in informal accomodation has increased significantly.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
I think you are on the right track here. I think that people have cause and effect the wrong way around on the Brexit referendum.
I think that the Brexit referendum did not reveal a fundamental divide in our country - it caused it!
Referendums force people to pick a side in a binary question in the place of more vague and nuanced opinion. This then becomes a large part of their political identity.
Pretty much the same seems to be true of the Sindy referendum for Scots. Feelings of scottish patriotism crystalised around that vote when they were more shades of grey previously. Which is why the SNP are on the verge of another majority government despite a track record of incompetence and failure in government.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
I think you are on the right track here. I think that people have cause and effect the wrong way around on the Brexit referendum.
I think that the Brexit referendum did not reveal a fundamental divide in our country - it caused it!
Referendums force people to pick a side in a binary question in the place of more vague and nuanced opinion. This then becomes a large part of their political identity.
Pretty much the same seems to be true of the Sindy referendum for Scots. Feelings of scottish patriotism crystalised around that vote when they were more shades of grey previously. Which is why the SNP are on the verge of another majority government despite a track record of incompetence and failure in government.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
To Rubio. To not be in the room when the fuck up happens. Nor even to be in the same continent.
There was a story somewhere about the decision making for the Iran war
- Hegseth was in favour - Vance opposed - Rubio sat on the fence
I mean, how does the *Secretary of State* not have a definitive position on something that could upend his country’s global foreign policy?
Rubio wants to be the next president which means he does not want Trump ousted, because that would mean Vance inherits the Oval Office, and he does want Trump to roll over Cuba next, so even if Rubio thinks the Iran adventure is a three-alarm dumpster fire, he does not want to say so in as many words.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Cohort effects in political opinion and voting behaviour are under appreciated, because they take so long to play out. Those of us young under Mrs T have struggled with the concept of voting Tory ever since.
If that were generally true then you might expect Millenials and Gen Z (as they have no first hand memory of her) to be more likely to be Tory than Gen X, but the converse is true.
You are assuming that Mrs T was the only cohort effect. Just not the case. (And she was less impactful than you might think).
The main cohort impacts were:
- Winter of Discontent - New Britannia - 2008 - (quite likely but too early to say) Brexit
Orban was the link, both real and perceived, between 'national populism' and appeasement of Russia and Putin and this served to delegitimise right-wing politics among European elites. The fall of Orban changes this equation and will have a cascading effect by breaking the link across Europe, with the result that Europe will simultaneously move to the right and be tougher on Putin.
I agree with this astute insight. Orban was a DRAG on the populist right because of his close association with Putin
The same applies, to a lesser extent, with anyone on the right who is linked to Trump
Note that the most successful “hard right” leader in Europe - Meloni - is strongly anti-Putin and shrewdly skeptical of Trump. On PB we pretty much all agree that we need Reform and the RN to win. So the lesson to learn is that we need these parties to shed their links with non-European bad actors
Orban was the link, both real and perceived, between 'national populism' and appeasement of Russia and Putin and this served to delegitimise right-wing politics among European elites. The fall of Orban changes this equation and will have a cascading effect by breaking the link across Europe, with the result that Europe will simultaneously move to the right and be tougher on Putin.
I agree with this astute insight. Orban was a DRAG on the populist right because of his close association with Putin
The same applies, to a lesser extent, with anyone on the right who is linked to Trump
Note that the most successful “hard right”putin_ leader in Europe - Meloni - is strongly anti-Putin and shrewdly skeptical of Trump. On PB we pretty much all agree that we need Reform and the RN to win. So the lesson to learn is that we need these parties to shed their links with non-European bad actors
Farage - being a fanboy of both Tump and Putin - is doubly screwed.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
But also, changing attitudes in those public sector professions. Go back to Before Maggie and your typical GP, Headmaster etc would have been solidly conservative and Conservative. There's a passage in Alan Clark's The Tories lamenting the party's loosening grip on people like that. Brexit, and the Red Wall Theory of becoming the party of retired homeowners accelerated the process, but it's been building a long time.
Another tentative theory posing as a question: is there a distinction between the Very Comfortable Thankyou who do seem to have drifted left, and the Mega Mega Rich (the Musks, Thiels and Marshalls) who seem to be more right wing than ever?
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
The Conservatives stopped being the sensible party with Brexit, but they were also the only recipient of right of centre votes. If you are a sensible right of centre person, you no longer have a home. It doesn't mean you are an actual leftist.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
The Conservatives stopped being the sensible party with Brexit, but they were also the only recipient of right of centre votes. If you are a sensible right of centre person, you no longer have a home. It doesn't mean you are an actual leftist.
If you are a sensible person you no longer have a (political) home. Right, left or centre.
Orban was the link, both real and perceived, between 'national populism' and appeasement of Russia and Putin and this served to delegitimise right-wing politics among European elites. The fall of Orban changes this equation and will have a cascading effect by breaking the link across Europe, with the result that Europe will simultaneously move to the right and be tougher on Putin.
I agree with this astute insight. Orban was a DRAG on the populist right because of his close association with Putin
The same applies, to a lesser extent, with anyone on the right who is linked to Trump
Note that the most successful “hard right”putin_ leader in Europe - Meloni - is strongly anti-Putin and shrewdly skeptical of Trump. On PB we pretty much all agree that we need Reform and the RN to win. So the lesson to learn is that we need these parties to shed their links with non-European bad actors
Farage - being a fanboy of both Tump and Putin - is doubly screwed.
He is himself a bad actor.
Not going to win any oscars but he does alright for himself on cameo.
Has any political party in the West ever stayed in power longer than the Tories' 18 years from 1979 to 1997?
Yes several. The Whigs were in power in Britain for most of the eighteenth century, for example, including for 41 years from 1721 to 1762, and the Tories for 23 years from 1807 to 1830. In modern times, the two classic examples are the Swedish Social Democrats (1932-1976) and the Japanese Liberal Democrats (1955-93).
In addition, in Switzerland, the same four parties shared power in the Federal Council (roughly the Cabinet) under the so-called "Magic Formula" (2 Radical/FDP, 2 Christian Democrat/CVP, 2 Social Democrat/SP, 1 People's Party/SVP) from 1959 to 2003. In 2003, the SVP gained a seat from the CVP and in 2008 a fifth party was added.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
The Conservatives stopped being the sensible party with Brexit, but they were also the only recipient of right of centre votes. If you are a sensible right of centre person, you no longer have a home. It doesn't mean you are an actual leftist.
If you are a sensible person you no longer have a (political) home. Right, left or centre.
It's going that way unfortunately. Self indulgent politics is the order of the day.
To Rubio. To not be in the room when the fuck up happens. Nor even to be in the same continent.
There was a story somewhere about the decision making for the Iran war
- Hegseth was in favour - Vance opposed - Rubio sat on the fence
I mean, how does the *Secretary of State* not have a definitive position on something that could upend his country’s global foreign policy?
The article was in the NYT last week.
It’s quite tough on Vance that’s he’s getting some of the blame for a stupid war he opposed. I know most of us on PB are big Vance fans, so it hardly needs saying, but if he’s going to win big in 2028 he needs to somehow distance himself from Trump without getting destroyed as a contender
The Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation is almost entirely funded by Orban, consider the key individuals and links, such as funding Toby Young's Free Speech Union which drives so many culture war stories in the media
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Cohort effects in political opinion and voting behaviour are under appreciated, because they take so long to play out. Those of us young under Mrs T have struggled with the concept of voting Tory ever since.
If that were generally true then you might expect Millenials and Gen Z (as they have no first hand memory of her) to be more likely to be Tory than Gen X, but the converse is true.
Cos the housing market has continued to get worse and the young a now priced out, innit?
Orban was the link, both real and perceived, between 'national populism' and appeasement of Russia and Putin and this served to delegitimise right-wing politics among European elites. The fall of Orban changes this equation and will have a cascading effect by breaking the link across Europe, with the result that Europe will simultaneously move to the right and be tougher on Putin.
Are you predicting that Le Pen and Farage will be tougher on Putin?
Welcome if it happens, but Farage's position on Putin seems in part to be driven by disdain for the establishment consensus of opposition to Putin, and I think it will be hard for him to change.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
But also, changing attitudes in those public sector professions. Go back to Before Maggie and your typical GP, Headmaster etc would have been solidly conservative and Conservative. There's a passage in Alan Clark's The Tories lamenting the party's loosening grip on people like that. Brexit, and the Red Wall Theory of becoming the party of retired homeowners accelerated the process, but it's been building a long time.
Another tentative theory posing as a question: is there a distinction between the Very Comfortable Thankyou who do seem to have drifted left, and the Mega Mega Rich (the Musks, Thiels and Marshalls) who seem to be more right wing than ever?
The overton window has shifted right, but also the preference for calm, competent, small c conservative govt. Turmoil isn't good for the comfortably off but mortgaged. As for the Uber rich, perhaps we just know more about their rabid right wing views than in past decades.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Cohort effects in political opinion and voting behaviour are under appreciated, because they take so long to play out. Those of us young under Mrs T have struggled with the concept of voting Tory ever since.
If that were generally true then you might expect Millenials and Gen Z (as they have no first hand memory of her) to be more likely to be Tory than Gen X, but the converse is true.
Cos the housing market has continued to get worse and the young a now priced out, innit?
That is part of it, but Brexit too, a burden inflicted on the young by their grandparents.
Has any political party in the West ever stayed in power longer than the Tories' 18 years from 1979 to 1997?
Yes, the Australian Liberals and Nationals Coalition from 1949 to 1972 and the Canadian Liberals from 1935 to 1957.
Plus the US Democrats held the presidency for 20 years from 1933 to 1953 and held Congress for 18 of those years too
Plus the German CDU from 1949 to 1969 and Italian Christian Democrats from 1946 to 1981
I assume we have done these now.
Are the 2 biggies not the LDP in Japan 1955 to 1993 and the Swedish SSDP, which is 1932 to 1976 but not always on their own, and mor with short interruptions?
Plus iirc Mexico, but back in that era I'm calling them Global South not Western world.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
The Conservatives stopped being the sensible party with Brexit, but they were also the only recipient of right of centre votes. If you are a sensible right of centre person, you no longer have a home. It doesn't mean you are an actual leftist.
If you are a sensible person you no longer have a (political) home. Right, left or centre.
I have a political home, but the landlord can make life difficult for the residents at times.
I don’t understand the Rory love in the UK.He chooses to play for the Republic of Ireland at the Olympics and has questionable behaviour in his marriage which would sink politicians and some celebs. He’s a bit of a dull twat and he plays golf for a career. Mystified. Why isn’t Justin Rose given the same adulation?
The Netflix show that followed the PGA Tour, Rory didn't come across very well at all e.g. Tony Finau, pretty inspiring story of a poor kid done good (his golf "simulator was hitting balls into a matress), his wife lost her parents. So Finau said ok, I have enough money, I don't want to leave the wife, the kids, other relatives, so at least for a year, I will bring them all with me on tour, we will book a house to stay in at every tournament, kids can have private tutors etc. All so we can spend as much time together as a family.
McIlroy on camera (knowing he is on camera) mocked him and was basically your f##king family are here again I see. There were lots of similar comments like that, some at the LIV golfers (at the time it was all kicking off) which some might say fair enough, but the stuff like Tony Finau not cool.
Justin Rose on the other hand is well thought of as an absolute gent. Too nice in many ways.
Péter Magyar, the leader of the victorious Tisza Party, used to be a member of Orbán’s Fidesz, but he left after the President pardoned a man accused of covering up paedophilia. Maybe some members of the US Republican Party will take note.
To Rubio. To not be in the room when the fuck up happens. Nor even to be in the same continent.
There was a story somewhere about the decision making for the Iran war
- Hegseth was in favour - Vance opposed - Rubio sat on the fence
I mean, how does the *Secretary of State* not have a definitive position on something that could upend his country’s global foreign policy?
The article was in the NYT last week.
It’s quite tough on Vance that’s he’s getting some of the blame for a stupid war he opposed. I know most of us on PB are big Vance fans, so it hardly needs saying, but if he’s going to win big in 2028 he needs to somehow distance himself from Trump without getting destroyed as a contender
Vance is perceived to be opposed to the war while closely involved in its failures. Which isn't a great political position for him. Maybe he will get out of it by 2028
I don’t understand the Rory love in the UK.He chooses to play for the Republic of Ireland at the Olympics and has questionable behaviour in his marriage which would sink politicians and some celebs. He’s a bit of a dull twat and he plays golf for a career. Mystified. Why isn’t Justin Rose given the same adulation?
The Netflix show that followed the PGA Tour, Rory didn't come across very well at all e.g. Tony Finau, pretty inspiring story of a poor kid done good (his golf "simulator was hitting balls into a matress), his wife lost her parents. So Finau said ok, I have enough money, I don't want to leave the wife, the kids, other relatives, so at least for a year, I will bring them all with me on tour, we will book a house to stay in at every tournament, kids can have private tutors etc. All so we can spend as much time together as a family.
McIlroy on camera (knowing he is on camera) mocked him and was basically your f##king family are here again I see. There were lots of similar comments like that, some at the LIV golfers (at the time it was all kicking off) which some might say fair enough, but the stuff like Tony Finau not cool.
Rose career from a teenager at Sandwich is quite an incredible and underrated journey.
To Rubio. To not be in the room when the fuck up happens. Nor even to be in the same continent.
There was a story somewhere about the decision making for the Iran war
- Hegseth was in favour - Vance opposed - Rubio sat on the fence
I mean, how does the *Secretary of State* not have a definitive position on something that could upend his country’s global foreign policy?
The article was in the NYT last week.
It’s quite tough on Vance that’s he’s getting some of the blame for a stupid war he opposed. I know most of us on PB are big Vance fans, so it hardly needs saying, but if he’s going to win big in 2028 he needs to somehow distance himself from Trump without getting destroyed as a contender
Vance is perceived to be opposed to the war while closely involved in its failures. Which isn't a great political position for him. Maybe he will get out of it by 2028
Making sure his hand is dipped in the blood, ones presumes.
I don’t understand the Rory love in the UK.He chooses to play for the Republic of Ireland at the Olympics and has questionable behaviour in his marriage which would sink politicians and some celebs. He’s a bit of a dull twat and he plays golf for a career. Mystified. Why isn’t Justin Rose given the same adulation?
The Netflix show that followed the PGA Tour, Rory didn't come across very well at all e.g. Tony Finau, pretty inspiring story of a poor kid done good (his golf "simulator was hitting balls into a matress), his wife lost her parents. So Finau said ok, I have enough money, I don't want to leave the wife, the kids, other relatives, so at least for a year, I will bring them all with me on tour, we will book a house to stay in at every tournament, kids can have private tutors etc. All so we can spend as much time together as a family.
McIlroy on camera (knowing he is on camera) mocked him and was basically your f##king family are here again I see. There were lots of similar comments like that, some at the LIV golfers (at the time it was all kicking off) which some might say fair enough, but the stuff like Tony Finau not cool.
Rose career from a teenager at Sandwich is quite an incredible and underrated journey.
I was actually at that Open, and I ended up chatting to him. Me being a total nobody kid, and him under loads of pressure as their teenage wonderkid doing amazing. He was on the practice putting green and he was super nice, spent a few minutes just chit chatting as he hit some putts.
Because I was there as friend of one of the pros, I also got to go down a bit behind the scenes, hang out on the range other side of the ropes etc. My hero was Nick Faldo, was a total miserable git, didn't even acknowledge the other pros let alone anybody else. You might say total focus etc, but seemed OTT. Can see why he went through 87 wives.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
I’ve just solved one of the greatest problems in all of human prehistory
While waiting in an airport queue at Antalya
Has anyone else ever done that? Solved a profound and massive puzzle that has bedevilled scientists for centuries while waiting to check in at a regional Turkish airport?
The Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation is almost entirely funded by Orban, consider the key individuals and links, such as funding Toby Young's Free Speech Union which drives so many culture war stories in the media
Here was the Nat Con Squad ("young Conservative intellectuals") analysis of the Hungarian Election from 2 days ago, from Ellen Fantini, who is the Deputy Editor of the European Conservative, which is so aligned and based in Hungary.
It's pretty much the same set of fabrications Vance was putting out in his speeches in Hungary the other day.
To Rubio. To not be in the room when the fuck up happens. Nor even to be in the same continent.
There was a story somewhere about the decision making for the Iran war
- Hegseth was in favour - Vance opposed - Rubio sat on the fence
I mean, how does the *Secretary of State* not have a definitive position on something that could upend his country’s global foreign policy?
The article was in the NYT last week.
It’s quite tough on Vance that’s he’s getting some of the blame for a stupid war he opposed. I know most of us on PB are big Vance fans, so it hardly needs saying, but if he’s going to win big in 2028 he needs to somehow distance himself from Trump without getting destroyed as a contender
Vance went to Pakistan and failed to get anything so the whole next stage of the war has Vance's name all over it.
Which means Trump has once again won by destroying slowly destroying his No 2...
To Rubio. To not be in the room when the fuck up happens. Nor even to be in the same continent.
There was a story somewhere about the decision making for the Iran war
- Hegseth was in favour - Vance opposed - Rubio sat on the fence
I mean, how does the *Secretary of State* not have a definitive position on something that could upend his country’s global foreign policy?
The article was in the NYT last week.
It’s quite tough on Vance that’s he’s getting some of the blame for a stupid war he opposed. I know most of us on PB are big Vance fans, so it hardly needs saying, but if he’s going to win big in 2028 he needs to somehow distance himself from Trump without getting destroyed as a contender
Vance is perceived to be opposed to the war while closely involved in its failures. Which isn't a great political position for him. Maybe he will get out of it by 2028
Making sure his hand is dipped in the blood, ones presumes.
I do presume, but Vance was possibly a willing actor. Americans (at least the Trump version) never negotiate with Iranians in good faith, so maybe they weren't serious about the ceasefire. But I have a sneaking feeling Vance wanted to do a Zelenskyy ambush on the Iranians and it backfired. He thought he would get peace in our time.
Obsolescence of electronic devices is becoming increasingly important as devices that were mechanical become increasingly electronic - e.g. cars, kitchen white goods, maybe home heating systems. There's a place for some sensible and carefully considered regulation here.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
The Conservatives stopped being the sensible party with Brexit, but they were also the only recipient of right of centre votes. If you are a sensible right of centre person, you no longer have a home. It doesn't mean you are an actual leftist.
If you are a sensible person you no longer have a (political) home. Right, left or centre.
I must be one of the few people bewildered by the whole thing, as I've felt the whole political spectrum pivot around me; I continue to be a middle-class right-wing professional who is economically liberal and moderately socially conservative.
But there's no question my views are in the minority amongst my peer group now.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
But also, changing attitudes in those public sector professions. Go back to Before Maggie and your typical GP, Headmaster etc would have been solidly conservative and Conservative. There's a passage in Alan Clark's The Tories lamenting the party's loosening grip on people like that. Brexit, and the Red Wall Theory of becoming the party of retired homeowners accelerated the process, but it's been building a long time.
Another tentative theory posing as a question: is there a distinction between the Very Comfortable Thankyou who do seem to have drifted left, and the Mega Mega Rich (the Musks, Thiels and Marshalls) who seem to be more right wing than ever?
The overton window has shifted right, but also the preference for calm, competent, small c conservative govt. Turmoil isn't good for the comfortably off but mortgaged. As for the Uber rich, perhaps we just know more about their rabid right wing views than in past decades.
I’ve just solved one of the greatest problems in all of human prehistory
While waiting in an airport queue at Antalya
Has anyone else ever done that? Solved a profound and massive puzzle that has bedevilled scientists for centuries while waiting to check in at a regional Turkish airport?
easyJet left 122 Manchester-bound passengers behind at Milan due to EU entry-exit system passport control delays. It's said the 34 people on board had pretended to be on London flights. One stranded family spent £1,600 on new flights; easyJet refund: £20.
I was in Europe a couple of months ago and none of this tech was working. I was just told by airport staff we are ignoring it....We turn it on the odd day and see, but it never works properly.
Where as I go to Asia, this has been working for years. The US / Canada basically also have a similar system. I didn't speak to a single human when I was in North America as few weeks ago, all automated.
easyJet left 122 Manchester-bound passengers behind at Milan due to EU entry-exit system passport control delays. It's said the 34 people on board had pretended to be on London flights. One stranded family spent £1,600 on new flights; easyJet refund: £20.
I was in Europe a couple of months ago and none of this tech was working. I was just told by airport staff we are ignoring it....We turn it on the odd day and see, but it never works properly.
Where as I go to Asia, this has been working for years. The US / Canada basically also have a similar system. I didn't speak to a single human when I was in North America as few weeks ago, all automated.
Would the airport not be liable for providing compensation in that circumstance?
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
The Conservatives stopped being the sensible party with Brexit, but they were also the only recipient of right of centre votes. If you are a sensible right of centre person, you no longer have a home. It doesn't mean you are an actual leftist.
If you are a sensible person you no longer have a (political) home. Right, left or centre.
I must be one of the few people bewildered by the whole thing, as I've felt the whole political spectrum pivot around me; I continue to be a middle-class right-wing professional who is economically liberal and moderately socially conservative.
But there's no question my views are in the minority amongst my peer group now.
It’s the latter of those that sticks out among your age group; I always remember when I first read your posts I always assumed from your views that you were well into retirement and was very surprised when one day you alluded to your actual age
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
Yes I see Brexit not as the driver of the process but as a kind of clarifying event. A lot of centrist or even slightly right leaning people suddenly realised that the Tories and the whole ecosystem of right wing thought in this country no longer aligned with how they viewed the world. But the underlying process had certainly been going on for longer. Arguably ever since Thatcher turned the Tories into an ideological party.
easyJet left 122 Manchester-bound passengers behind at Milan due to EU entry-exit system passport control delays. It's said the 34 people on board had pretended to be on London flights. One stranded family spent £1,600 on new flights; easyJet refund: £20.
I was in Europe a couple of months ago and none of this tech was working. I was just told by airport staff we are ignoring it....We turn it on the odd day and see, but it never works properly.
Where as I go to Asia, this has been working for years. The US / Canada basically also have a similar system. I didn't speak to a single human when I was in North America as few weeks ago, all automated.
Having passed through yesterday, I can tell you they are still stamping at CDG, going to be a nightmare for transfers when they go full biometric and fingerprints for transfers in particular there. Birmingham's automated passport system took 3 attempts to recognise me but at least it's not per set of gates there....
The ANC has been in power for 30+ years in South Africa.
And a fat lot of good that's done ordinary South Africans.
(The record of Revolutionaries / national liberation movements who go into government is not a good one: one could argue the same for the first half century of Ireland post Independence; the PRI in Mexico; Zanu-PF in Zimbabwe; and others.)
The average South African today is much better off today than 30 years ago, plus of course they got rid of apartheid.
The latter is true, not sure the former is.
Hard to get accurate data as median figures aren't cleanly published like in the UK, but in the early 1990s the median (not white) South African was estimated to have a comparable income to the median Pole. Now Poles are massively better off than South Africans.
If you don't like a European example you can look around the globe. South Africa has underperformed most nations that were comparably developed to it in the 1990s, not just Eastern Europe but Thailand, Malaysia, Chile and more.
Apartheid may be over, but economically South Africans are not doing well.
What is noteworthy too is that economic equality has not improved under ANC rule. SA's Gini coefficient today is basically the same as it was at the end of apartheid, which is absolutely incredible!
I'm not sure that's quite true: the median South African in 1990 lived in a township, in what can be best described as informal accommodation.
Actually, according to World Bank data, the proportion living in informal accomodation has increased significantly.
If anyone's interested in an African's view of Africa, you might like to sample the YouTube channel BantuCityDiaries.
I’ve just solved one of the greatest problems in all of human prehistory
While waiting in an airport queue at Antalya
Has anyone else ever done that? Solved a profound and massive puzzle that has bedevilled scientists for centuries while waiting to check in at a regional Turkish airport?
42
Nah, he’s just not understood the question or problem (as usual)
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
The Conservatives stopped being the sensible party with Brexit, but they were also the only recipient of right of centre votes. If you are a sensible right of centre person, you no longer have a home. It doesn't mean you are an actual leftist.
If you are a sensible person you no longer have a (political) home. Right, left or centre.
I must be one of the few people bewildered by the whole thing, as I've felt the whole political spectrum pivot around me; I continue to be a middle-class right-wing professional who is economically liberal and moderately socially conservative.
But there's no question my views are in the minority amongst my peer group now.
It’s the latter of those that sticks out among your age group; I always remember when I first read your posts I always assumed from your views that you were well into retirement and was very surprised when one day you alluded to your actual age
Yes, but the clue is in the word "moderate".
I don't have weird views on abortion or sex, or anything like that.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
Yes I see Brexit not as the driver of the process but as a kind of clarifying event. A lot of centrist or even slightly right leaning people suddenly realised that the Tories and the whole ecosystem of right wing thought in this country no longer aligned with how they viewed the world. But the underlying process had certainly been going on for longer. Arguably ever since Thatcher turned the Tories into an ideological party.
Thatcher is an easy scapegoat but I'd actually say the cult of individualism took real wings in the 1980s and has never really stopped growing.
I’ve just solved one of the greatest problems in all of human prehistory
While waiting in an airport queue at Antalya
Has anyone else ever done that? Solved a profound and massive puzzle that has bedevilled scientists for centuries while waiting to check in at a regional Turkish airport?
It's whilst the mind is in idle that answers to puzzles come.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
The Conservatives stopped being the sensible party with Brexit, but they were also the only recipient of right of centre votes. If you are a sensible right of centre person, you no longer have a home. It doesn't mean you are an actual leftist.
If you are a sensible person you no longer have a (political) home. Right, left or centre.
I must be one of the few people bewildered by the whole thing, as I've felt the whole political spectrum pivot around me; I continue to be a middle-class right-wing professional who is economically liberal and moderately socially conservative.
But there's no question my views are in the minority amongst my peer group now.
It’s the latter of those that sticks out among your age group; I always remember when I first read your posts I always assumed from your views that you were well into retirement and was very surprised when one day you alluded to your actual age
Yes, but the clue is in the word "moderate".
I don't have weird views on abortion or sex, or anything like that.
True. Moderation whether of left, right or centre has definitely fallen out of fashion. History suggests we await some extremist f*** up to put things right.
The political question I'd most like to know the answer to is: why have wealthy people become more left-wing over recent decades?
Three reasons (in the UK)
- the relative rise of high paid public sector roles - The increased importance of government funding for private business (eg that green energy chap) - The cohort effect for people in the late 40s/early 50s who became political aware under Major’s government and have had a sustained anti-Tory lean for all their lives but are now approaching peak wealth
Let me weigh in on this as a wealthy left winger! I don't rate your first two arguments, they certainly don't apply in my case. Your third point applies to me although it was growing up under Thatcher not Major that made me loathe the Tories. I think the main reason is something you haven't mentioned. The meaning of left/right has changed, it is less about economics than it was and more about social and cultural issues. Many wealthy people have tended to be socially liberal and as the meaning of left/right has changed so more rich people have been pulled into the "left wing" definition, even while their fundamental views haven't changed. Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
It’s been going on a lot longer than just since Brexit.
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
The Conservatives stopped being the sensible party with Brexit, but they were also the only recipient of right of centre votes. If you are a sensible right of centre person, you no longer have a home. It doesn't mean you are an actual leftist.
If you are a sensible person you no longer have a (political) home. Right, left or centre.
I must be one of the few people bewildered by the whole thing, as I've felt the whole political spectrum pivot around me; I continue to be a middle-class right-wing professional who is economically liberal and moderately socially conservative.
But there's no question my views are in the minority amongst my peer group now.
It’s the latter of those that sticks out among your age group; I always remember when I first read your posts I always assumed from your views that you were well into retirement and was very surprised when one day you alluded to your actual age
Yes, but the clue is in the word "moderate".
I don't have weird views on abortion or sex, or anything like that.
True. Moderation whether of left, right or centre has definitely fallen out of fashion. History suggests we await some extremist f*** up to put things right.
I don’t understand the Rory love in the UK.He chooses to play for the Republic of Ireland at the Olympics and has questionable behaviour in his marriage which would sink politicians and some celebs. He’s a bit of a dull twat and he plays golf for a career. Mystified. Why isn’t Justin Rose given the same adulation?
The Netflix show that followed the PGA Tour, Rory didn't come across very well at all e.g. Tony Finau, pretty inspiring story of a poor kid done good (his golf "simulator was hitting balls into a matress), his wife lost her parents. So Finau said ok, I have enough money, I don't want to leave the wife, the kids, other relatives, so at least for a year, I will bring them all with me on tour, we will book a house to stay in at every tournament, kids can have private tutors etc. All so we can spend as much time together as a family.
McIlroy on camera (knowing he is on camera) mocked him and was basically your f##king family are here again I see. There were lots of similar comments like that, some at the LIV golfers (at the time it was all kicking off) which some might say fair enough, but the stuff like Tony Finau not cool.
Rose career from a teenager at Sandwich is quite an incredible and underrated journey.
I was actually at that Open, and I ended up chatting to him. Me being a total nobody kid, and him under loads of pressure as their teenage wonderkid doing amazing. He was on the practice putting green and he was super nice, spent a few minutes just chit chatting as he hit some putts.
Because I was there as friend of one of the pros, I also got to go down a bit behind the scenes, hang out on the range other side of the ropes etc. My hero was Nick Faldo, was a total miserable git, didn't even acknowledge the other pros let alone anybody else. You might say total focus etc, but seemed OTT. Can see why he went through 87 wives.
That was a great era of Golf
My all time favourite was and still is Bernhard Langer.
Rose's career reminds me a bit of his in terms of longevity and handling the fallow periods
Langer was the hardest working, most amiable, guy on Tour, didn't he win at least one Euro Tour every year for something like 20 consecutive years?
He beat the yips 3 times, his iron play was just beautiful to watch.
I'll never forget when he missed the last putt at Kiawah and stood amidst disgusting scenes with an air of dignity no one else could have shown.
That day would have destroyed many a career mentally. He flew back to Europe and won his next Tournament by about 8 shots. Just insane.
Rose deserves another Major and will hopefully get one.
Orban was the link, both real and perceived, between 'national populism' and appeasement of Russia and Putin and this served to delegitimise right-wing politics among European elites. The fall of Orban changes this equation and will have a cascading effect by breaking the link across Europe, with the result that Europe will simultaneously move to the right and be tougher on Putin.
One of the mysteries has been why so many right wingers have been pro-Putin.
Its not as if they didn't know that an expansionist, militarised, authoritarian Russia was a threat to their own countries.
Hungary in particular knew this from 1956, two world wars and 1848.
And its easily possible to be a socially conservative, law and order, zero immigration, strong on defence right winger and hostile to Russia.
After all right wingers were hostile to Russia throughout the cold war and it wasn't only because Russia was communist.
Orban was the link, both real and perceived, between 'national populism' and appeasement of Russia and Putin and this served to delegitimise right-wing politics among European elites. The fall of Orban changes this equation and will have a cascading effect by breaking the link across Europe, with the result that Europe will simultaneously move to the right and be tougher on Putin.
I agree with this astute insight. Orban was a DRAG on the populist right because of his close association with Putin
The same applies, to a lesser extent, with anyone on the right who is linked to Trump
Note that the most successful “hard right” leader in Europe - Meloni - is strongly anti-Putin and shrewdly skeptical of Trump. On PB we pretty much all agree that we need Reform and the RN to win. So the lesson to learn is that we need these parties to shed their links with non-European bad actors
I'll make predictions.
We will see some institutional reform in the EU to prevent a single country stymying the entire alliance acting. That could be a more demanding version of qualified majority voting applied to other policy areas.
And just as Hungary provided a playbook for the Maga Loofs, Hungary may provide some elements of the playbook to unwind the corrupt moves. For me a revealing one will be how they unwind the chunks of the economy handed to Orban's Oligarchs, which are 20-30% of various sectors.
We will see rapid uncorking of various EU and other initiatives related to Hungary and Ukraine.
And presumably Ukraine will now get their vanful of cash back.
Orban was the link, both real and perceived, between 'national populism' and appeasement of Russia and Putin and this served to delegitimise right-wing politics among European elites. The fall of Orban changes this equation and will have a cascading effect by breaking the link across Europe, with the result that Europe will simultaneously move to the right and be tougher on Putin.
One of the mysteries has been why so many right wingers have been pro-Putin.
Its not as if they didn't know that an expansionist, militarised, authoritarian Russia was a threat to their own countries.
Hungary in particular knew this from 1956, two world wars and 1848.
And its easily possible to be a socially conservative, law and order, zero immigration, strong on defence right winger and hostile to Russia.
After all right wingers were hostile to Russia throughout the cold war and it wasn't only because Russia was communist.
Their money must come from somewhere so ask which countries are happy to throw a bit of (what to them is loose change) money at an awkward squad
Orban was the link, both real and perceived, between 'national populism' and appeasement of Russia and Putin and this served to delegitimise right-wing politics among European elites. The fall of Orban changes this equation and will have a cascading effect by breaking the link across Europe, with the result that Europe will simultaneously move to the right and be tougher on Putin.
One of the mysteries has been why so many right wingers have been pro-Putin.
Its not as if they didn't know that an expansionist, militarised, authoritarian Russia was a threat to their own countries.
Hungary in particular knew this from 1956, two world wars and 1848.
And its easily possible to be a socially conservative, law and order, zero immigration, strong on defence right winger and hostile to Russia.
After all right wingers were hostile to Russia throughout the cold war and it wasn't only because Russia was communist.
Meloni, in Italy, has stayed well away from Putin and Trump. Not just a reflexive avoidance - a foreign policy that is firmly its own thing.
Italy has a long history on the far-right, of which she is a part. Maybe experience has taught them something?
Orban was the link, both real and perceived, between 'national populism' and appeasement of Russia and Putin and this served to delegitimise right-wing politics among European elites. The fall of Orban changes this equation and will have a cascading effect by breaking the link across Europe, with the result that Europe will simultaneously move to the right and be tougher on Putin.
One of the mysteries has been why so many right wingers have been pro-Putin.
Its not as if they didn't know that an expansionist, militarised, authoritarian Russia was a threat to their own countries.
Hungary in particular knew this from 1956, two world wars and 1848.
And its easily possible to be a socially conservative, law and order, zero immigration, strong on defence right winger and hostile to Russia.
After all right wingers were hostile to Russia throughout the cold war and it wasn't only because Russia was communist.
Orban was the link, both real and perceived, between 'national populism' and appeasement of Russia and Putin and this served to delegitimise right-wing politics among European elites. The fall of Orban changes this equation and will have a cascading effect by breaking the link across Europe, with the result that Europe will simultaneously move to the right and be tougher on Putin.
One of the mysteries has been why so many right wingers have been pro-Putin.
Its not as if they didn't know that an expansionist, militarised, authoritarian Russia was a threat to their own countries.
Hungary in particular knew this from 1956, two world wars and 1848.
And its easily possible to be a socially conservative, law and order, zero immigration, strong on defence right winger and hostile to Russia.
After all right wingers were hostile to Russia throughout the cold war and it wasn't only because Russia was communist.
Can it be as simple as receiving Russian money?
It does make me wonder if the Soviet Union would have done better if it had spent a miniscule fraction of its military spending on instead bribing western politicians.
Perhaps they tried to but we had more honest politicians in those days.
Can anyone explain where the new Hungarian President sits politically? He repulsion was aiui from Orban's corrupt state.
Where is he on the right spectrum - would be be say a Christian Democrat, a Free Democrat, a Wet Tory, a Dry Tory, an old style Ukipper, closer to Meloni, or something else?
Is the party really pronounced as some US commentators are doing as the "Tizer Party" ! ?
Can anyone explain where the new Hungarian President sits politically? He repulsion was aiui from Orban's corrupt state.
Where is he on the right spectrum - would be be say a Christian Democrat, a Free Democrat, a Wet Tory, a Dry Tory, an old style Ukipper, closer to Meloni, or something else?
Is the party really pronounced as some US commentators are doing as the "Tizer Party" ! ?
My understanding of Hungarian orthography is that it should be "Teesa"
Iran's armed forces have threatened to retaliate against the proposed US blockade of its ports, calling Washington's threats illegal and describing them as an act of piracy.
In a statement published by the state IRIB news agency, Iran says it will continue to control the Strait of Hormuz, even after the war ends, and that enemy-affiliated vessels do not have the right to pass through Iranian territorial waters.
In a warning to other Gulf nations, Iran's military says the security of ports in the region "is either for everyone or no one" and if Iranian ports are targeted by the US, "no port in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman will be safe".
Iran's self-pitying, self-entitled, hypocritical whining is very reminiscent of Trump himself.
Trump really should be portraying himself as an Ayatollah, he'd fit in so well.
Orban was the link, both real and perceived, between 'national populism' and appeasement of Russia and Putin and this served to delegitimise right-wing politics among European elites. The fall of Orban changes this equation and will have a cascading effect by breaking the link across Europe, with the result that Europe will simultaneously move to the right and be tougher on Putin.
One of the mysteries has been why so many right wingers have been pro-Putin.
Its not as if they didn't know that an expansionist, militarised, authoritarian Russia was a threat to their own countries.
Hungary in particular knew this from 1956, two world wars and 1848.
And its easily possible to be a socially conservative, law and order, zero immigration, strong on defence right winger and hostile to Russia.
After all right wingers were hostile to Russia throughout the cold war and it wasn't only because Russia was communist.
Can it be as simple as receiving Russian money?
It does make me wonder if the Soviet Union would have done better if it had spent a miniscule fraction of its military spending on bribing western politicians.
Perhaps they tried to but we had more honest politicians in those days.
They spent all the money on buying the extreme-left*. This is why the Tankies are so upset about the fall of the USSR. They had to pay their own bar tabs, for a change.
*They had a whole methodology. One part was to buy zillions of copies of ultra-left newspapers. The main one was to find a up-and-coming lefty of a certain type and buy them. They were then helped in to the treasurer role of their organisation. And would be insanely successful at fund raising. The Russians assumed that their pet would steal a chunk of the money, of course.
Can anyone explain where the new Hungarian President sits politically? He repulsion was aiui from Orban's corrupt state.
Where is he on the right spectrum - would be be say a Christian Democrat, a Free Democrat, a Wet Tory, a Dry Tory, an old style Ukipper, closer to Meloni, or something else?
Is the party really pronounced as some US commentators are doing as the "Tizer Party" ! ?
Orban was the link, both real and perceived, between 'national populism' and appeasement of Russia and Putin and this served to delegitimise right-wing politics among European elites. The fall of Orban changes this equation and will have a cascading effect by breaking the link across Europe, with the result that Europe will simultaneously move to the right and be tougher on Putin.
One of the mysteries has been why so many right wingers have been pro-Putin.
Its not as if they didn't know that an expansionist, militarised, authoritarian Russia was a threat to their own countries.
Hungary in particular knew this from 1956, two world wars and 1848.
And its easily possible to be a socially conservative, law and order, zero immigration, strong on defence right winger and hostile to Russia.
After all right wingers were hostile to Russia throughout the cold war and it wasn't only because Russia was communist.
Can it be as simple as receiving Russian money?
It does make me wonder if the Soviet Union would have done better if it had spent a miniscule fraction of its military spending on bribing western politicians.
Perhaps they tried to but we had more honest politicians in those days.
They spent all the money on buying the extreme-left*. This is why the Tankies are so upset about the fall of the USSR. They had to pay their own bar tabs, for a change.
*They had a whole methodology. One part was to buy zillions of copies of ultra-left newspapers. The main one was to find a up-and-coming lefty of a certain type and buy them. They were then helped in to the treasurer role of their organisation. And would be insanely successful at fund raising. The Russians assumed that their pet would steal a chunk of the money, of course.
The mysteries of the Scargill personal finances come to mind.
Can anyone explain where the new Hungarian President sits politically? He repulsion was aiui from Orban's corrupt state.
Where is he on the right spectrum - would be be say a Christian Democrat, a Free Democrat, a Wet Tory, a Dry Tory, an old style Ukipper, closer to Meloni, or something else?
Is the party really pronounced as some US commentators are doing as the "Tizer Party" ! ?
I suspect no one really knows - he seems to have spent the past 2 years positioning himself in a way that wouldn’t scare any potential voter. So I suspect his real views will only appear later
Orban was the link, both real and perceived, between 'national populism' and appeasement of Russia and Putin and this served to delegitimise right-wing politics among European elites. The fall of Orban changes this equation and will have a cascading effect by breaking the link across Europe, with the result that Europe will simultaneously move to the right and be tougher on Putin.
One of the mysteries has been why so many right wingers have been pro-Putin.
Its not as if they didn't know that an expansionist, militarised, authoritarian Russia was a threat to their own countries.
Hungary in particular knew this from 1956, two world wars and 1848.
And its easily possible to be a socially conservative, law and order, zero immigration, strong on defence right winger and hostile to Russia.
After all right wingers were hostile to Russia throughout the cold war and it wasn't only because Russia was communist.
Can it be as simple as receiving Russian money?
It does make me wonder if the Soviet Union would have done better if it had spent a miniscule fraction of its military spending on bribing western politicians.
Perhaps they tried to but we had more honest politicians in those days.
They spent all the money on buying the extreme-left*. This is why the Tankies are so upset about the fall of the USSR. They had to pay their own bar tabs, for a change.
*They had a whole methodology. One part was to buy zillions of copies of ultra-left newspapers. The main one was to find a up-and-coming lefty of a certain type and buy them. They were then helped in to the treasurer role of their organisation. And would be insanely successful at fund raising. The Russians assumed that their pet would steal a chunk of the money, of course.
The mysteries of the Scargill personal finances come to mind.
That wasn't especially mysterious. Particularly the Libyan money.
The way that huge swathes of the far left collapsed, around the world, after 1989 was interesting. There seems to have been an arranged draw down of support for groups and national government by Gorbachev and Bush Senior.
Can anyone explain where the new Hungarian President sits politically? He repulsion was aiui from Orban's corrupt state.
Where is he on the right spectrum - would be be say a Christian Democrat, a Free Democrat, a Wet Tory, a Dry Tory, an old style Ukipper, closer to Meloni, or something else?
Is the party really pronounced as some US commentators are doing as the "Tizer Party" ! ?
I suspect no one really knows - he seems to have spent the past 2 years positioning himself in a way that wouldn’t scare any potential voter. So I suspect his real views will only appear later
There's an analysis (posted above) of his party's voting record in the EU parliament.
Can anyone explain where the new Hungarian President sits politically? He repulsion was aiui from Orban's corrupt state.
Where is he on the right spectrum - would be be say a Christian Democrat, a Free Democrat, a Wet Tory, a Dry Tory, an old style Ukipper, closer to Meloni, or something else?
Is the party really pronounced as some US commentators are doing as the "Tizer Party" ! ?
I suspect no one really knows - he seems to have spent the past 2 years positioning himself in a way that wouldn’t scare any potential voter. So I suspect his real views will only appear later
There's an analysis (posted above) of his party's voting record in the EU parliament.
These sentences in that report is why I don’t think we know
In more than half of cases where Tisza diverged from the EPP and aligned with Fidesz (52.5%), it did so through abstentions. This suggests caution rather than conviction: an attempt to balance pro-EU credibility with domestic Fidesz-aligned electoral positioning.
Remember Tisza has spent 2 years trying to win this election, I suspect every view and vote was based on winning the election first, actual opinion second
Comments
Trump now ordering naval blockade of Vatican City, also unaware that it is landlocked.
Brexit was a defining moment in this process. I know a lot of wealthy people for whom Brexit was a kind of radicalising event, or at least one that made them realise their world view and that of the "right" were no longer in alignment. It wasn't such a big deal for me because I was already in the other camp.
I think that the Brexit referendum did not reveal a fundamental divide in our country - it caused it!
Referendums force people to pick a side in a binary question in the place of more vague and nuanced opinion. This then becomes a large part of their political identity.
Pretty much the same seems to be true of the Sindy referendum for Scots. Feelings of scottish patriotism crystalised around that vote when they were more shades of grey previously. Which is why the SNP are on the verge of another majority government despite a track record of incompetence and failure in government.
On the subject of Indy referendum
BBC News - Scottish leaders debate: Swinney says independence referendum could be held in 2028 - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2r89y9n3go
If you look at the voting shifts for the AB socioeconomic classifications there is a marked change to the left (largely explained by the cohort effect but also because of the increasing number of highly paid sector jobs in those categories).
The main cohort impacts were:
- Winter of Discontent
- New Britannia
- 2008
- (quite likely but too early to say) Brexit
The same applies, to a lesser extent, with anyone on the right who is linked to Trump
Note that the most successful “hard right” leader in Europe - Meloni - is strongly anti-Putin and shrewdly skeptical of Trump. On PB we pretty much all agree that we need Reform and the RN to win. So the lesson to learn is that we need these parties to shed their links with non-European bad actors
He is himself a bad actor.
Another tentative theory posing as a question: is there a distinction between the Very Comfortable Thankyou who do seem to have drifted left, and the Mega Mega Rich (the Musks, Thiels and Marshalls) who seem to be more right wing than ever?
In addition, in Switzerland, the same four parties shared power in the Federal Council (roughly the Cabinet) under the so-called "Magic Formula" (2 Radical/FDP, 2 Christian Democrat/CVP, 2 Social Democrat/SP, 1 People's Party/SVP) from 1959 to 2003. In 2003, the SVP gained a seat from the CVP and in 2008 a fifth party was added.
Lindsey Graham: “JD Vance has agreed to campaign with me in South Carolina and at Disney World.”
https://x.com/joycecaroloates/status/2043503687700500692?s=61&t=LYVEHh2mqFy1oUJAdCfe-Q
If you've been here far too long you might remember me blogging stuff. It's sleepy and probably badly written, but I've rambled about being annoyed with Amazon and their Kindle bullshit:
https://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.com/2026/04/amazon-kindle-and-why-e-books-are-off.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjTg6aDeCmY
The Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation is almost entirely funded by Orban, consider the key individuals and links, such as funding Toby Young's Free Speech Union which drives so many culture war stories in the media
https://x.com/karamballes/status/2043290986202202581?s=61&t=LYVEHh2mqFy1oUJAdCfe-Q
Welcome if it happens, but Farage's position on Putin seems in part to be driven by disdain for the establishment consensus of opposition to Putin, and I think it will be hard for him to change.
Are the 2 biggies not the LDP in Japan 1955 to 1993 and the Swedish SSDP, which is 1932 to 1976 but not always on their own, and mor with short interruptions?
Plus iirc Mexico, but back in that era I'm calling them Global South not Western world.
Figuratively speaking.
No comment on the Hungarian election yet on the accounts of Farage, Montgomerie, Tice, Goodwin, Oakshott.
McIlroy on camera (knowing he is on camera) mocked him and was basically your f##king family are here again I see. There were lots of similar comments like that, some at the LIV golfers (at the time it was all kicking off) which some might say fair enough, but the stuff like Tony Finau not cool.
Justin Rose on the other hand is well thought of as an absolute gent. Too nice in many ways.
Because I was there as friend of one of the pros, I also got to go down a bit behind the scenes, hang out on the range other side of the ropes etc. My hero was Nick Faldo, was a total miserable git, didn't even acknowledge the other pros let alone anybody else. You might say total focus etc, but seemed OTT. Can see why he went through 87 wives.
When you think he can't go any more bonkers...he has to pull a distraction out the bag.
Next week: "Orban? Never heard of the guy..."
Looks like Keiko Fujimori (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keiko_Fujimori) has won
While waiting in an airport queue at Antalya
Has anyone else ever done that? Solved a profound and massive puzzle that has bedevilled scientists for centuries while waiting to check in at a regional Turkish airport?
Here was the Nat Con Squad ("young Conservative intellectuals") analysis of the Hungarian Election from 2 days ago, from Ellen Fantini, who is the Deputy Editor of the European Conservative, which is so aligned and based in Hungary.
It's pretty much the same set of fabrications Vance was putting out in his speeches in Hungary the other day.
https://youtu.be/p3DV4BUuXFg?list=PLbZpjtSKtltEtMVVGnggWkYY42LNT3JBH&t=1870
Which means Trump has once again won by destroying slowly destroying his No 2...
But there's no question my views are in the minority amongst my peer group now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=husml3aXtGM
It's said the 34 people on board had pretended to be on London flights. One stranded family spent £1,600 on new flights; easyJet refund: £20.
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/easyjet-milan-eu-entry-exit-system-chaos-b2956223.html
I was in Europe a couple of months ago and none of this tech was working. I was just told by airport staff we are ignoring it....We turn it on the odd day and see, but it never works properly.
Where as I go to Asia, this has been working for years. The US / Canada basically also have a similar system. I didn't speak to a single human when I was in North America as few weeks ago, all automated.
Good morning, everybody.
No wonder people despise politicians
She couldn’t or wouldn’t condemn the blockade
https://x.com/peterstefanovi2/status/2043576777058959471?s=46&t=d8CnRhyZJ-m4vy0k55W8XQ
I don't have weird views on abortion or sex, or anything like that.
My all time favourite was and still is Bernhard Langer.
Rose's career reminds me a bit of his in terms of longevity and handling the fallow periods
Langer was the hardest working, most amiable, guy on Tour, didn't he win at least one Euro Tour every year for something like 20 consecutive years?
He beat the yips 3 times, his iron play was just beautiful to watch.
I'll never forget when he missed the last putt at Kiawah and stood amidst disgusting scenes with an air of dignity no one else could have shown.
That day would have destroyed many a career mentally. He flew back to Europe and won his next Tournament by about 8 shots. Just insane.
Rose deserves another Major and will hopefully get one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cna6gnGzAm8
Its not as if they didn't know that an expansionist, militarised, authoritarian Russia was a threat to their own countries.
Hungary in particular knew this from 1956, two world wars and 1848.
And its easily possible to be a socially conservative, law and order, zero immigration, strong on defence right winger and hostile to Russia.
After all right wingers were hostile to Russia throughout the cold war and it wasn't only because Russia was communist.
We will see some institutional reform in the EU to prevent a single country stymying the entire alliance acting. That could be a more demanding version of qualified majority voting applied to other policy areas.
And just as Hungary provided a playbook for the Maga Loofs, Hungary may provide some elements of the playbook to unwind the corrupt moves. For me a revealing one will be how they unwind the chunks of the economy handed to Orban's Oligarchs, which are 20-30% of various sectors.
We will see rapid uncorking of various EU and other initiatives related to Hungary and Ukraine.
And presumably Ukraine will now get their vanful of cash back.
Italy has a long history on the far-right, of which she is a part. Maybe experience has taught them something?
Perhaps they tried to but we had more honest politicians in those days.
Where is he on the right spectrum - would be be say a Christian Democrat, a Free Democrat, a Wet Tory, a Dry Tory, an old style Ukipper, closer to Meloni, or something else?
Is the party really pronounced as some US commentators are doing as the "Tizer Party" ! ?
Iran's armed forces have threatened to retaliate against the proposed US blockade of its ports, calling Washington's threats illegal and describing them as an act of piracy.
In a statement published by the state IRIB news agency, Iran says it will continue to control the Strait of Hormuz, even after the war ends, and that enemy-affiliated vessels do not have the right to pass through Iranian territorial waters.
In a warning to other Gulf nations, Iran's military says the security of ports in the region "is either for everyone or no one" and if Iranian ports are targeted by the US, "no port in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman will be safe".
Iran's self-pitying, self-entitled, hypocritical whining is very reminiscent of Trump himself.
Trump really should be portraying himself as an Ayatollah, he'd fit in so well.
*They had a whole methodology. One part was to buy zillions of copies of ultra-left newspapers. The main one was to find a up-and-coming lefty of a certain type and buy them. They were then helped in to the treasurer role of their organisation. And would be insanely successful at fund raising. The Russians assumed that their pet would steal a chunk of the money, of course.
Thank you Hungary .
Some actual analysis here - https://www.epc.eu/publication/after-orban-why-peter-magyar-would-not-be-an-easy-partner-for-the-eu/
The way that huge swathes of the far left collapsed, around the world, after 1989 was interesting. There seems to have been an arranged draw down of support for groups and national government by Gorbachev and Bush Senior.
Girling too, natch.
Ursula von der Leyen.
Why doesn't Starmer get some decent headline writers.............
In more than half of cases where Tisza diverged from the EPP and aligned with Fidesz (52.5%), it did so through abstentions. This suggests caution rather than conviction: an attempt to balance pro-EU credibility with domestic Fidesz-aligned electoral positioning.
Remember Tisza has spent 2 years trying to win this election, I suspect every view and vote was based on winning the election first, actual opinion second
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62je1g000eo
(Follows on from a previous one about teenage boys.)