More than half (54%) believe the government has serious problems with competence or judgement, compared to less than 1 in 10 (8%) who think it is generally competent or trustworthy.
On topic, might I offer the following advice to the Labour Party? It may not be felt welcome - may not be felt genuine - but trust me, as a Tory, we've been here. Get this wrong and you could be facing two more changes before the election. And if so, the voters will hate you for it.
Following Starmer, the very LAST thing you need as a replacement is a slightly weird, somewhat aloof, supercilious north London wanker of a guy. Be brave. Skip a generation. SERIOUSLY consider a woman. (You are fifty plus years overdue, for God's sake.) Choose someone the voters haven't already rejected. Choose someone the voters don't yet actively dislike.
You may hate the Tories. But at least learn from them.
The Tories and Labour BOTH need to up their game to prevent PM Farage. Start now.
I'd be happy for the Tories to survive and thrive as pro-European Heathites.
I have never voted Conservative and I particularly disliked the Johnson premiership but anything they do to kill the fascist parties stone dead has to be welcome.
Despite the eulogising of Badenoch on here I read her as being incredibly weak. Cleverly, despite his hubris would have been better.
Had Jenrick not journeyed from Cameroon to performatively cruel fascistic primate he would have been a great leader for the Tories.
Had Jenrick been elected leader in 2024 the Tories may have stayed ahead of Reform in the polls. Now though with he having gone Reform and Reform leading the polls it is tactical votes from Labour, LD and Green voters in Tory held seats to beat Reform the Tories need. If Kemi can’t get those in May then Cleverly might
I can't see many Labour or Lib Dem voters putting an X in the box for the Tories whilst they are so incredibly right wing. No point voting for a party that is quite likely to throw it's hat in with the fascists. At the moment at least.
Cleverly wouldn’t throw his lot in with Farage though, so as I said if Kemi can’t get many Labour or LD tactical votes Cleverly might
It is interesting that you think that someone like Cleverly can show enough ankle to attract Lib Dem and Labour switchers, without sending equal (or higher) numbers of traditional Tory voters to Reform. It would at least involve a firm commitment to Net Zero and remaining in the ECHR. Those would cause a massive hemorrhage to the right.
Traditional Tory voters have already gone Reform, Kemi has failed to win them back and indeed lost even some who voted for Rishi in 2024 to Reform.. So the Tories need to get tactical votes from LDs, Labour and Greens in Tory held seats to compensate and Cleverly is likeliest to do so, reforming not leaving automatically the ECHR and still committing to Net Zero 2050 would be enough, while allowing some North Sea oil drills
The Tories won 24% in 2024. They are now on around 19%, so they have fallen back around 5% - you are assuming that means all the right wing Tories have already left, and there are no more to go. That seems a completely unwarrantable assumption. I'd say a majority of Tory voters are righties to a varying extent - the lib dem tendency is more of a parliamentary phenomenon than a voter one. Your ideas would be an electoral catastrophe.
The larger portion of Tories are probably still more Reform adjacent than LD adjacent even now, but those who've left to Reform need to be willing to head back, and thus far that doesn't seem to be happening. So the question migth be would fishing in smaller poor of centristy types be more effective or not.
I'm not convinced it would be, but I think there's still a lot of complacency in the Tory high command about their position.
In most Tory held seats even now the combined Tory, Labour and LD vote is far bigger than the projected Reform vote. It is not a small pool
The pool of those voters who would ever vote Tory is a small pool.
Completely disagree, otherwise they would not have dominated politics for the last 50 years, with the exception of the Blair interlude. I would accept that the contents of that pool are significantly smaller than they once were.
Kemi's strategy is essentially a core vote strategy. I'd say it has stabilised the vote share rather than actively diminishing it - it hasn't won back many voters from Reform, but I see no evidence of any leftward leakage. HYU's plan is to double down on the idea of the last 14 years - assuming the existing vote is in the bag, and altering the offering to appeal to 'the centre'. It assumes that the Tories cannot lose any more voters to Reform - an assumption for which I've still seen zero evidence.
She's making the best of a bad job. As far as I can see, HYUFD wants to make the worst of a bad job.
Fine if Kemi’s strategy is working so well the Tories should beat Labour and the Greens and LDs and at least be a clear second to Reform on votes and seats in May. If not, then she is gone and her strategy will have been proved to have failed. She inherited a party still second in the polls and will have taken it to third or worse
And how could she have stopped that support leaking to Reform? By being more like Labour and the Lib Dems? How would that have worked exactly?
Kemi has tried the be even more Farage than Farage strategy and it hasn’t worked. If she doesn’t at least start getting something to show for it, ie at least a clear second in May, most Tory MPs will likely decide to dump her and focus on a clearer centre right not hard right strategy with Cleverly
No answer then. Had she pursued a more centrist continuity-Sunak policy, that Reform leakage could have been ten points not five.
When Sunak led the Tories in the 2024 general election the Tories were 10% ahead of Reform. Now under Kemi the Tories are 10% behind Reform, further Reform leakage and decline in Tory voteshare is on Kemi not Rishi
The decline is on Johnson and Truss who rartnered the brand
However, Kemi is doing fine and certainly better than any other conservative mp would achieve
She and the party needs the time and she has 3 years
When Boris resigned the Conservatives were still polling 30% nearly double what they are now. The decline really accelerated under Truss and her hopeless budget, Rishi steadied the ship and now the party’s poll rating has declined yet further under Kemi with the Tories now third in tonight’s Opinium, not only 10% behind Reform but even behind the hopeless Starmer Labour Party too
Your spin on behalf of Sunak is comedic. He got a new leader bounce but was so useless he lost that and equalled Truss's worst poll ratings:
When Truss resigned in autumn 2022 in the week before the Tories were polling 19% with Redfield, 19% with PP, 23% with Deltapoll, 23% with Survation and 22% with Comres, all below the 24% Sunak got in 2024 with the exception of Omnisis where they were on 28%.
Though yes the real damage was when Boris was forced to resign as even when he left office in summer 2022 the Tories were polling about 30%+, higher than Truss, Sunak or Kemi polled
Sunak equalled Truss's worst poll ratings (note: POLL RATINGS) in the weeks running up to Election Day.
As I said the Tories should never have removed Boris in 2022 and let him lead them into the 2024 general election. If they had, Farage would never have returned to lead Reform as he did against Rishi and there would have been no Truss budget crashing the markets either and seeing the surge in switchers from Conservative to Starmer Labour
The tories didn't remove Johnson, he did it all by himself
They forced him out against his will and will probably take a generation to recover if they recover and win a general election again if they aren't taken over by Reform. Much like Labour took a generation to recover and win a general election again after removing Blair in 2007
You just confirm the damage he has done to the party
The party was more damaged by removing him than keeping him as I showed
I think the bit you are missing is that he couldn’t have stayed. He was going to get suspended from Parliament. For many people the parties was a huge black mark. Anyone who lost someone alone in a hospital when they weren’t allowed to visit, or couldn’t hug at a funeral etc and saw what went on was never going to forgive Johnson.
Some continue to pretend that Boris would not have led to any further polling drops, and indeed would have recovered.
Obviously anything is possible, but it is not very likely given the very reason he was ousted was because he kept fucking up and his MPs were sick and tired of it. They knew more was coming.
Would they have still done better without the revolving door? Potentially. But the chances are at least equal or beter it would have been worse.
I think that, if he'd been suspended by the Commons, and he'd had to face a recall by-election, he would have lost that by-election by a distance. We can see that Johnson believed that to be the case because he ran away and fled the Commons rather than stay to fight for his political future.
This idea that Johnson - and then Truss - were unfairly done in by the liberal establishment was one of the motive forces behind the reanimation of the latest Farage Grift Party. So perhaps it would have been better if the voters had been given the chance to dispatch them.
I'd be surprised if any such stab-in-the-back myth is spawned by Starmer's demise, though.
Nigel Farage on the "abuse" he gets from Keir Starmer, how the next election may be his last "big shot" at becoming PM, and what its like being a sex symbol at 62.
Nigel Farage on the "abuse" he gets from Keir Starmer, how the next election may be his last "big shot" at becoming PM, and what its like being a sex symbol at 62.
I am genuinely shocked that Farage is 2 years younger than me. I had assumed he was much older. He looks pretty grim for his age I must say.
I am shocked and appalled that anyone should think of Farage as a sex symbol. Are they blind?
I believe there has been talk on here in the past few weeks about the sort of kinks the government are banning or could potentially ban, some seemed quite shocking....
Keir Starmer denies he misled Parliament when he said "no pressure" was applied to Olly Robbins
"There are different types of pressure. There’s pressure, ‘Can we get this done quickly,’ which is not an unusual pressure. That is the everyday pressure of Government"
Keir Starmer denies he misled Parliament when he said "no pressure" was applied to Olly Robbins
"There are different types of pressure. There’s pressure, ‘Can we get this done quickly,’ which is not an unusual pressure. That is the everyday pressure of Government"
I can just imagine an aide going STOP DIGGING...STOP DIGGING.....STOP FUCKING DIGGING....ohhhhh ffs.
Keir Starmer denies he misled Parliament when he said "no pressure" was applied to Olly Robbins
"There are different types of pressure. There’s pressure, ‘Can we get this done quickly,’ which is not an unusual pressure. That is the everyday pressure of Government"
I can just imagine an aide going STOP DIGGING...STOP DIGGING.....STOP FUCKING DIGGING....ohhhhh shit.
I dunno - these aides may be at the stage in this fucking meltdown where they have given up and are just handing out the shovels.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
More than half (54%) believe the government has serious problems with competence or judgement, compared to less than 1 in 10 (8%) who think it is generally competent or trustworthy.
If he's replaced by literally anyone, Labour will draw level with Reform IMHO.
And to put Starmer's dire approval rating in perspective, even after Corbyn had lost the 2019 general election, Opinium never had Corbyn's net approval rating falling below -40. A rating that is now -38 worse than Badenoch is also pretty shocking.
Nigel Farage on the "abuse" he gets from Keir Starmer, how the next election may be his last "big shot" at becoming PM, and what its like being a sex symbol at 62.
Nigel Farage on the "abuse" he gets from Keir Starmer, how the next election may be his last "big shot" at becoming PM, and what its like being a sex symbol at 62.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I think that this is right. Concluding, whatever he says to the contrary, that Starmer cannot lead Labour into the next election is very different from concluding he should stand down now, 2 weeks before important elections. I don't have a lot of time for Sarwar but the gnashing of teeth by Labour up here is getting deafening.
Having no leader in place and a government swerving from paralysis to total meltdown would be even worse. As it stands Labour look like they may not even come second in Wales, will make almost no progress in Scotland against a shambolic government that has been in power nearly 20 years and lose over 1000 councillors in England. Even if a coronation were possible who on earth would want that as a starting point? There's no rush to replace Starmer, at least not yet.
Starmer ‘broke ministerial code’ with Mandelson client meeting - Prime Minister’s briefing with tech firm in Washington was not declared in official register
Nigel Farage on the "abuse" he gets from Keir Starmer, how the next election may be his last "big shot" at becoming PM, and what its like being a sex symbol at 62.
I know I keep banging on about this, but it's pointless changing Starmer until Labour picks an ideology (if that's the right word) - what are the problems facing the UK and how do we fix them. Miliband has an ideology - do lots of Green stuff, that'll fix things. Mahmood has an ideology - deport everybody who isn't Christian or Hindu, and how dare somebody call her a racist for saying that you dirty white liberal you. Streeting has an ideology - privatise things, that'll fix things!
Miliband - Green Labour Mahmood - Blue Labour Streeting - New Labour
To be honest, I'm not convinced by any of them, but in terms of the marketplace of ideas, that's what's on the table.
Actually there's quite a revealing article in today's i newspaper, based on conversations with Labour backbenchers.
Behind a paywall, but here's the gist. The unlikely minister on manoeuvres is Miliband. And a Red Wall backbencher is quoted on Miliband as saying: “He thinks we need to lean into class a bit more basically… I think Ed’s right that we need to talk about the super-rich and the inequality in the country. If we own tackling inequality as our mission, I think it will cut through.”
So you may find that there's a bit more to Miliband than "Green Labour".
Nigel Farage on the "abuse" he gets from Keir Starmer, how the next election may be his last "big shot" at becoming PM, and what its like being a sex symbol at 62.
I am genuinely shocked that Farage is 2 years younger than me. I had assumed he was much older. He looks pretty grim for his age I must say.
I am shocked and appalled that anyone should think of Farage as a sex symbol. Are they blind?
I suppose at a push there's a hint of 'Serge Gainsbourg in a Kent beer garden' about him.
Serge Gainsbourg was ugly, and sexy because he was ugly, but in a way only a Frenchman can carry off. Despite Farage’s surname he can’t carry that one off.
I know I keep banging on about this, but it's pointless changing Starmer until Labour picks an ideology (if that's the right word) - what are the problems facing the UK and how do we fix them. Miliband has an ideology - do lots of Green stuff, that'll fix things. Mahmood has an ideology - deport everybody who isn't Christian or Hindu, and how dare somebody call her a racist for saying that you dirty white liberal you. Streeting has an ideology - privatise things, that'll fix things!
Miliband - Green Labour Mahmood - Blue Labour Streeting - New Labour
To be honest, I'm not convinced by any of them, but in terms of the marketplace of ideas, that's what's on the table.
Actually there's quite a revealing article in today's i newspaper, based on conversations with Labour backbenchers.
Behind a paywall, but here's the gist. The unlikely minister on manoeuvres is Miliband. And a Red Wall backbencher is quoted on Miliband as saying: “He thinks we need to lean into class a bit more basically… I think Ed’s right that we need to talk about the super-rich and the inequality in the country. If we own tackling inequality as our mission, I think it will cut through.”
So you may find that there's a bit more to Miliband than "Green Labour".
I personally would like to see that promoted as the mission.
Nigel Farage on the "abuse" he gets from Keir Starmer, how the next election may be his last "big shot" at becoming PM, and what its like being a sex symbol at 62.
If he's replaced by literally anyone, Labour will draw level with Reform IMHO.
And to put Starmer's dire approval rating in perspective, even after Corbyn had lost the 2019 general election, Opinium never had Corbyn's net approval rating falling below -40. A rating that is now -38 worse than Badenoch is also pretty shocking.
No doubt Starmer is much more unpopular than Corbyn ever was. Also no doubt that Starmer got us into power with a huge majority. Which Corbyn never did.
I know I keep banging on about this, but it's pointless changing Starmer until Labour picks an ideology (if that's the right word) - what are the problems facing the UK and how do we fix them. Miliband has an ideology - do lots of Green stuff, that'll fix things. Mahmood has an ideology - deport everybody who isn't Christian or Hindu, and how dare somebody call her a racist for saying that you dirty white liberal you. Streeting has an ideology - privatise things, that'll fix things!
Miliband - Green Labour Mahmood - Blue Labour Streeting - New Labour
To be honest, I'm not convinced by any of them, but in terms of the marketplace of ideas, that's what's on the table.
Actually there's quite a revealing article in today's i newspaper, based on conversations with Labour backbenchers.
Behind a paywall, but here's the gist. The unlikely minister on manoeuvres is Miliband. And a Red Wall backbencher is quoted on Miliband as saying: “He thinks we need to lean into class a bit more basically… I think Ed’s right that we need to talk about the super-rich and the inequality in the country. If we own tackling inequality as our mission, I think it will cut through.”
So you may find that there's a bit more to Miliband than "Green Labour".
Between that Sky performance about Mandelson and this Starmer seems to have a lot better reasons to sack Ed Miliband than he did Olly Robbins. It is a strong indication of his weakness that he hasn't sacked him already.
More than half (54%) believe the government has serious problems with competence or judgement, compared to less than 1 in 10 (8%) who think it is generally competent or trustworthy.
Nigel Farage on the "abuse" he gets from Keir Starmer, how the next election may be his last "big shot" at becoming PM, and what its like being a sex symbol at 62.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I'm not convinced that replacing Starmer is going to help. Rayner would be worse in my opinion. Burnham would likely grate after a while. Streeting might be okay. But there doesn't seem to be any potential candidate who would be significantly better.
What's striking about the govnerment is how bad they are a politics, and how much they are struggling to make headway in what are admittedly difficult times. I also can not believe how ill-prepared we were/are for Trump 2.0, even though the alarm bells should have been ringing since spring 2024. Not can I understand why we are being so slow to ramp up defence spending.
This current Labour Party/government is rubbish compared to Blair and co. in 1997. I wish they would improve rapidly as we really need the best possible government we can get right now.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I think that this is right. Concluding, whatever he says to the contrary, that Starmer cannot lead Labour into the next election is very different from concluding he should stand down now, 2 weeks before important elections. I don't have a lot of time for Sarwar but the gnashing of teeth by Labour up here is getting deafening.
Having no leader in place and a government swerving from paralysis to total meltdown would be even worse. As it stands Labour look like they may not even come second in Wales, will make almost no progress in Scotland against a shambolic government that has been in power nearly 20 years and lose over 1000 councillors in England. Even if a coronation were possible who on earth would want that as a starting point? There's no rush to replace Starmer, at least not yet.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I think that this is right. Concluding, whatever he says to the contrary, that Starmer cannot lead Labour into the next election is very different from concluding he should stand down now, 2 weeks before important elections. I don't have a lot of time for Sarwar but the gnashing of teeth by Labour up here is getting deafening.
Having no leader in place and a government swerving from paralysis to total meltdown would be even worse. As it stands Labour look like they may not even come second in Wales, will make almost no progress in Scotland against a shambolic government that has been in power nearly 20 years and lose over 1000 councillors in England. Even if a coronation were possible who on earth would want that as a starting point? There's no rush to replace Starmer, at least not yet.
Labour could come 4th in Scotland after the SNP, Reform and the Greens. Could Sarwar be defenestrated before Starmer? That would be funny, especially if you are Starmer.
Nigel Farage on the "abuse" he gets from Keir Starmer, how the next election may be his last "big shot" at becoming PM, and what its like being a sex symbol at 62.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I think that this is right. Concluding, whatever he says to the contrary, that Starmer cannot lead Labour into the next election is very different from concluding he should stand down now, 2 weeks before important elections. I don't have a lot of time for Sarwar but the gnashing of teeth by Labour up here is getting deafening.
Having no leader in place and a government swerving from paralysis to total meltdown would be even worse. As it stands Labour look like they may not even come second in Wales, will make almost no progress in Scotland against a shambolic government that has been in power nearly 20 years and lose over 1000 councillors in England. Even if a coronation were possible who on earth would want that as a starting point? There's no rush to replace Starmer, at least not yet.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I think that this is right. Concluding, whatever he says to the contrary, that Starmer cannot lead Labour into the next election is very different from concluding he should stand down now, 2 weeks before important elections. I don't have a lot of time for Sarwar but the gnashing of teeth by Labour up here is getting deafening.
Having no leader in place and a government swerving from paralysis to total meltdown would be even worse. As it stands Labour look like they may not even come second in Wales, will make almost no progress in Scotland against a shambolic government that has been in power nearly 20 years and lose over 1000 councillors in England. Even if a coronation were possible who on earth would want that as a starting point? There's no rush to replace Starmer, at least not yet.
Labour could come 4th in Scotland after the SNP, Reform and the Greens. Could Sarwar be defenestrated before Starmer? That would be funny, especially if you are Starmer.
I think they will have comfortably more MSPs than the Greens. But a 2024 sweep of the narrowly held SNP seats in the central belt really should have been on and it isn't.
Nigel Farage on the "abuse" he gets from Keir Starmer, how the next election may be his last "big shot" at becoming PM, and what its like being a sex symbol at 62.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
Simple. Labour support is due to the lack of convincing alternatives.
Kate Ferguson @kateferguson4 · 2h EXCL: Angela Rayner’s tax probe will not come back before the May elections – in a blow to her chances of becoming PM.
Comes as PM Keir Starmer faces a make or break two weeks ahead as Westminster is thick with plots to oust him.
More than half (54%) believe the government has serious problems with competence or judgement, compared to less than 1 in 10 (8%) who think it is generally competent or trustworthy.
Kate Ferguson @kateferguson4 · 2h EXCL: Angela Rayner’s tax probe will not come back before the May elections – in a blow to her chances of becoming PM.
Comes as PM Keir Starmer faces a make or break two weeks ahead as Westminster is thick with plots to oust him.
One for @Leon - lover of the way Germans always have a word for it.
Iain Cameron @theiaincameron When cliff faces or large rocks warm up in spring weather, the heat generated makes adjacent deep snow melt away from it. The resulting space has no English word (because the phenomenon is almost unknown in England). The Germans, though, do have a name for it.
Randkluft.
I came across one today at 3,800 ft on Ben Lawers.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I'm not convinced that replacing Starmer is going to help. Rayner would be worse in my opinion. Burnham would likely grate after a while. Streeting might be okay. But there doesn't seem to be any potential candidate who would be significantly better.
What's striking about the govnerment is how bad they are a politics, and how much they are struggling to make headway in what are admittedly difficult times. I also can not believe how ill-prepared we were/are for Trump 2.0, even though the alarm bells should have been ringing since spring 2024. Not can I understand why we are being so slow to ramp up defence spending.
This current Labour Party/government is rubbish compared to Blair and co. in 1997. I wish they would improve rapidly as we really need the best possible government we can get right now.
The government's first budget made it clear what it's strategy for re-election would be: put every spare penny into the NHS and hope that it has improved enough by the next election.
This means that there is less than no money left for anything else, including defence. So the necessary decision to fund rearmament is delayed and pushed back in the hope that the budgetary consequences can be pushed beyond the next election and not derail the government's strategy. It's extraordinarily shortsighted, even by the normal standards of political short-term thinking.
Kate Ferguson @kateferguson4 · 2h EXCL: Angela Rayner’s tax probe will not come back before the May elections – in a blow to her chances of becoming PM.
Comes as PM Keir Starmer faces a make or break two weeks ahead as Westminster is thick with plots to oust him.
Was Keir on the phone to the HMRC? !!!
“I want to be absolutely clear that there is no pressure on you to complete the investigation hastily. Take as long as you need.”
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I'm not convinced that replacing Starmer is going to help. Rayner would be worse in my opinion. Burnham would likely grate after a while. Streeting might be okay. But there doesn't seem to be any potential candidate who would be significantly better.
More than half (54%) believe the government has serious problems with competence or judgement, compared to less than 1 in 10 (8%) who think it is generally competent or trustworthy.
Kate Ferguson @kateferguson4 · 2h EXCL: Angela Rayner’s tax probe will not come back before the May elections – in a blow to her chances of becoming PM.
Comes as PM Keir Starmer faces a make or break two weeks ahead as Westminster is thick with plots to oust him.
Somebody is leaking sensitive information again. I highly doubt Big Ange is phoning up the papers saying you know that tax business, that's like well unfair, now you won't believe, they saying now months before a decision.
Kate Ferguson @kateferguson4 · 2h EXCL: Angela Rayner’s tax probe will not come back before the May elections – in a blow to her chances of becoming PM.
Comes as PM Keir Starmer faces a make or break two weeks ahead as Westminster is thick with plots to oust him.
Was Keir on the phone to the HMRC? !!!
“I want to be absolutely clear that there is no pressure on you to complete the investigation hastily. Take as long as you need.”
More than half (54%) believe the government has serious problems with competence or judgement, compared to less than 1 in 10 (8%) who think it is generally competent or trustworthy.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I'm not convinced that replacing Starmer is going to help. Rayner would be worse in my opinion. Burnham would likely grate after a while. Streeting might be okay. But there doesn't seem to be any potential candidate who would be significantly better.
What's striking about the govnerment is how bad they are a politics, and how much they are struggling to make headway in what are admittedly difficult times. I also can not believe how ill-prepared we were/are for Trump 2.0, even though the alarm bells should have been ringing since spring 2024. Not can I understand why we are being so slow to ramp up defence spending.
This current Labour Party/government is rubbish compared to Blair and co. in 1997. I wish they would improve rapidly as we really need the best possible government we can get right now.
On the defence spending point it's a couple of things imo. The difficulty of funding a big and quick increase. The question of what exactly it should be spent on with the picture so unclear atm (other than the need to support Ukraine and reduce dependence on America).
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I'm not convinced that replacing Starmer is going to help. Rayner would be worse in my opinion. Burnham would likely grate after a while. Streeting might be okay. But there doesn't seem to be any potential candidate who would be significantly better.
Streeting is suffering from chronic smugness.
Perhaps. But he's one of the few modern politicians I can imagine standing up and telling the British public they're wrong. Hard truths, like he's spoken about the NHS. I mean, he's hardly a Titan but I like him.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I'm not convinced that replacing Starmer is going to help. Rayner would be worse in my opinion. Burnham would likely grate after a while. Streeting might be okay. But there doesn't seem to be any potential candidate who would be significantly better.
Streeting is suffering from chronic smugness.
Perhaps. But he's one of the few modern politicians I can imagine standing up and telling the British public they're wrong. Hard truths, like he's spoken about the NHS. I mean, he's hardly a Titan but I like him.
He talks a good game, but for instance NHS England quango shut down isn't exactly going well. All a bit Sunak, I said, therefore it is.
There is something quite uniquely wonderful about the British country pub isn't there. I truly can't think of a comparable experience anywhere in the world.
It is a stunning spring evening. After a day of skydiving I am sitting with a pint of Otter Black and my book in the garden of the Drewe Arms in Broadhembury in the Blackdown Hills in Devon. Their delicious pork belly is on its way. I'm considering ordering a black pudding salad as an actual pudding. It's that sort of evening.
I am a curmudgeon so delighted to be alone, but the table of 9 next to me are getting gently, convivially pissed together. The birds are singing, the spring flowers are blooming, the church bells are ringing 7pm. It's warm enough to bask in the sunshine.
What a wonderful country we live in.
Having not visited often, I can't speak for Northern Ireland, or really Wales, but as far as Scotland is concerned, it doesn't really have the same tradition of lovely country pubs. It should have, given that we have some of the most stunning scenery, amazing produce, and of course world-renowned drinks, but you rarely find that relaxed country pub with an inglenook and horse brasses here. Not never, but rarely. Different tradition of rural life.
I was going to say English country pubs, but I realised that some of my other favourites are in Wales. Like you I can't speak for NI, and defer to you north of the border.
I wonder why Wales has them and not Scotland? As you say, they have all the makings of it.
Wales has been with England for a lot longer. And also, the latitude is different - I really do think there's a difference in how rural life has evolved in the colder north. Perhaps religion has also played a role. Maybe the local inn was less of an accepted part of the community.
The Scottish countryside is also far emptier. Country pubs needed at least some people to be customers.
Yup. Sheep don't go to pubs, so the Highland Clearances may have a lot to answer for in that respect.
Pub culture developed long before the Highland clearances. I doubt that was relevant.
It's difficult to maintain a pub culture if the customers are elsewhere or dead.
Were the historic country inns here, we would know about them, whether their business had been damaged by the Highland clearances or not.
Nigel Farage on the "abuse" he gets from Keir Starmer, how the next election may be his last "big shot" at becoming PM, and what its like being a sex symbol at 62.
I am genuinely shocked that Farage is 2 years younger than me. I had assumed he was much older. He looks pretty grim for his age I must say.
I am shocked and appalled that anyone should think of Farage as a sex symbol. Are they blind?
I suppose at a push there's a hint of 'Serge Gainsbourg in a Kent beer garden' about him.
Serge Gainsbourg was ugly, and sexy because he was ugly, but in a way only a Frenchman can carry off. Despite Farage’s surname he can’t carry that one off.
Well I did say just a hint.
I'm picturing (against my will) a late night gin-fuelled 'Je t'aime moi non plus' with him and Sarah Pochin.
Er, blush. Yes, it's not knowing what Labour stands for any more that is making me flirt with the Greens - I went along with Blair even though I wasn't sure about aspects of his project, as the existence of a project was exciting in itself. It was interesting that Zack won overwhelmingly - I think that part of that was simply relief at the offer of a reasonably clear vision, even if it was not entirely realistic. Moreover, what discussion of strategy goes on in Labour seems focused on what will work to win back voters (whether from Reform or elsewhere) - IMO we should be discussing a) what we think is right and b) how to sell it and who to sell it to, not putting b) first.
I'm curious as to how you judge what is right in order to follow theme #a?
As a floating voter (ok, a disenfranchised Tory) if I did your abc stuff I'd have economic prosperity as 'A', and not that bothered about the other letters of the alphabet. I believe (without proof) that economic prosperity brings with it all the goodies that we all might care to list in our alphabet.
Of course 'what is right' is a noble theme, and you'd argue that it was the keystone that unlocked the full alphabet too.
But this back to my original question - given it's theme A for you - how do you judge what is right?
It's subjective for each of us, but personally I'd say economic growth and less extreme inequality would come top. Success in both areas would (I think) make most people feel better about the situation and their future, and I'd expect that cheerier view to show up in polling. Success in only one of the two doesn't work in the long run - growth with extreme inequality breeds jealousy and division, and greater equality with stagnation is ultimately not a way forward. I'd like to see the 0.7% target for overseas aid restored too, but accept that's not top priority for most voters.
Remarkable reading Francophone social media this evening, which on the whole is a bit more eloquent than its Anglophone equivalent but equally snarky. They are piling in on support for Britain against Trump on the Falklands. Very few contrarians (who are probably Russian- or US-paid bots), and they get shouted down rapidly.
There have been a few recent examples of this: the idea we are squabbling siblings, like the Gallaghers, who will defend each other to the death when faced with the uncouth yobs in Washington. But today is the most pronounced I’ve seen it. Beautiful to watch. Some nice Union Jack emoji reciprocation in the threads too.
More than half (54%) believe the government has serious problems with competence or judgement, compared to less than 1 in 10 (8%) who think it is generally competent or trustworthy.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I'm not convinced that replacing Starmer is going to help. Rayner would be worse in my opinion. Burnham would likely grate after a while. Streeting might be okay. But there doesn't seem to be any potential candidate who would be significantly better.
Streeting is suffering from chronic smugness.
Perhaps. But he's one of the few modern politicians I can imagine standing up and telling the British public they're wrong. Hard truths, like he's spoken about the NHS. I mean, he's hardly a Titan but I like him.
He talks a good game, but for instance NHS England quango shut down isn't exactly going well. All a bit Sunak, I said, therefore it is.
Well 'talking a good game' aka a coherent political narrative is what people want, don't they? And what is very much missing atm. That's pretty much a pundit consensus. Hear it all the time.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I'm not convinced that replacing Starmer is going to help. Rayner would be worse in my opinion. Burnham would likely grate after a while. Streeting might be okay. But there doesn't seem to be any potential candidate who would be significantly better.
Streeting is suffering from chronic smugness.
Perhaps. But he's one of the few modern politicians I can imagine standing up and telling the British public they're wrong. Hard truths, like he's spoken about the NHS. I mean, he's hardly a Titan but I like him.
He talks a good game, but for instance NHS England quango shut down isn't exactly going well. All a bit Sunak, I said, therefore it is.
Well 'talking a good game' aka a coherent political narrative is what people want, don't they? And what is very much missing atm. That's pretty much a pundit consensus. Hear it all the time.
The problem is if after you said you have solved it, it isn't solved. Sunak on small boats. Streeting, cut the quango, hasn't really happened, some other things in the NHS improving a bit, but had an absolute shit tonne of money that was all front loaded (in theory according to Reeves plans, no more is coming) and one of the drivers of the improvements doctors not on strike, well they are on strike again.
Rachel Reeves for Leeds West and Pudsey @RachelforLWP
It was a pleasure to welcome @SteveReedMP to Armley and New Wortley where we listened to local people’s priorities for the £20 million of Pride in Plan funding coming to these communities.
Keir Starmer denies he misled Parliament when he said "no pressure" was applied to Olly Robbins
"There are different types of pressure. There’s pressure, ‘Can we get this done quickly,’ which is not an unusual pressure. That is the everyday pressure of Government"
A technically true statement I expect, not that it helps him much.
Rachel Reeves for Leeds West and Pudsey @RachelforLWP
It was a pleasure to welcome @SteveReedMP to Armley and New Wortley where we listened to local people’s priorities for the £20 million of Pride in Plan funding coming to these communities.
Kate Ferguson @kateferguson4 · 2h EXCL: Angela Rayner’s tax probe will not come back before the May elections – in a blow to her chances of becoming PM.
Comes as PM Keir Starmer faces a make or break two weeks ahead as Westminster is thick with plots to oust him.
Rachel Reeves for Leeds West and Pudsey @RachelforLWP
It was a pleasure to welcome @SteveReedMP to Armley and New Wortley where we listened to local people’s priorities for the £20 million of Pride in Plan funding coming to these communities.
Er, blush. Yes, it's not knowing what Labour stands for any more that is making me flirt with the Greens - I went along with Blair even though I wasn't sure about aspects of his project, as the existence of a project was exciting in itself. It was interesting that Zack won overwhelmingly - I think that part of that was simply relief at the offer of a reasonably clear vision, even if it was not entirely realistic. Moreover, what discussion of strategy goes on in Labour seems focused on what will work to win back voters (whether from Reform or elsewhere) - IMO we should be discussing a) what we think is right and b) how to sell it and who to sell it to, not putting b) first.
I'm curious as to how you judge what is right in order to follow theme #a?
As a floating voter (ok, a disenfranchised Tory) if I did your abc stuff I'd have economic prosperity as 'A', and not that bothered about the other letters of the alphabet. I believe (without proof) that economic prosperity brings with it all the goodies that we all might care to list in our alphabet.
Of course 'what is right' is a noble theme, and you'd argue that it was the keystone that unlocked the full alphabet too.
But this back to my original question - given it's theme A for you - how do you judge what is right?
It's subjective for each of us, but personally I'd say economic growth and less extreme inequality would come top. Success in both areas would (I think) make most people feel better about the situation and their future, and I'd expect that cheerier view to show up in polling. Success in only one of the two doesn't work in the long run - growth with extreme inequality breeds jealousy and division, and greater equality with stagnation is ultimately not a way forward. I'd like to see the 0.7% target for overseas aid restored too, but accept that's not top priority for most voters.
The trouble is I do think the prioritisation of economic growth above all else is partly responsible for the extreme cultural relativism we've experienced.
I don't see a plausible reason. Even as part of a complete reshuffle the chancellor is usually spared, unless I'm misremembering?
Despite occasional efforts from PMs to suggest after the fact they did not really know or agree about what their Chancellors were doing, sacking them would do no good as the public would never believe it. Even if there were indeed rivalries and arguments between the two positions, and we know there often is, the PM calls the shots or agreed the positions, however reluctantly.
See Boris fans' ridiculous attempts to imply Rishi, promoted because Javid would not play ball and with limited time in parliament to get allies, had been doing things Boris did not like and he was just about to totally change economic direction you guys, trust us.
Rachel Reeves for Leeds West and Pudsey @RachelforLWP
It was a pleasure to welcome @SteveReedMP to Armley and New Wortley where we listened to local people’s priorities for the £20 million of Pride in Plan funding coming to these communities.
It strikes me that there is something of a disconnect between the huge unpopularity of Starmer, which I don't doubt, and the government in general, and what the opinion polls on voting intention are telling us. Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
I'm not convinced that replacing Starmer is going to help. Rayner would be worse in my opinion. Burnham would likely grate after a while. Streeting might be okay. But there doesn't seem to be any potential candidate who would be significantly better.
Streeting is suffering from chronic smugness.
Perhaps. But he's one of the few modern politicians I can imagine standing up and telling the British public they're wrong. Hard truths, like he's spoken about the NHS. I mean, he's hardly a Titan but I like him.
He talks a good game, but for instance NHS England quango shut down isn't exactly going well. All a bit Sunak, I said, therefore it is.
Well 'talking a good game' aka a coherent political narrative is what people want, don't they? And what is very much missing atm. That's pretty much a pundit consensus. Hear it all the time.
The problem is if after you said you have solved it, it isn't solved. Sunak on small boats. Streeting, cut the quango, hasn't really happened, some other things in the NHS improving a bit, but had an absolute shit tonne of money that was all front loaded (in theory according to Reeves plans, no more is coming) and one of the drivers of the improvements doctors not on strike, well they are on strike again.
But that's delivery not narrative. Delivery is always a mixed bag where positives and negatives can be highlighted. Narrative is something else. It's painting the big picture of where you want to take the country and why. The so called Vision thing. A political leader who can do that, and sell it to the public, will win elections. If you're lucky they'll also be good at delivering results but that is secondary and does not follow.
Rachel Reeves for Leeds West and Pudsey @RachelforLWP
It was a pleasure to welcome @SteveReedMP to Armley and New Wortley where we listened to local people’s priorities for the £20 million of Pride in Plan funding coming to these communities.
Won't somebody think of the poor bus driver, having all these people thrown under it must be very distressing.
The obvious answer is to implement the process to throw the bus driver under the bus.
The subsequent bus crash will not be Keith’s fault. He followed the process and the papers didn’t cross his desk.
There will be infintium contiuum problem of civil servants who followed the under the bus throwing process being thrown under the bus for following the process....
Rachel Reeves for Leeds West and Pudsey @RachelforLWP
It was a pleasure to welcome @SteveReedMP to Armley and New Wortley where we listened to local people’s priorities for the £20 million of Pride in Plan funding coming to these communities.
The DT now really scraping the bottom of the barrel with some pathetic headline over some meeting that wasn’t logged .
The unlogged meeting (if indeed it was a meeting) was with Palantir – not the most popular tech firm on Labour's backbenches even as it snaffles up government contracts. It will be raised at PMQs (assuming Wednesday is still on, which I think it is).
Starmer ‘broke ministerial code’ with Mandelson client meeting ... The Prime Minister and Lord Mandelson attended the tech firm Palantir’s headquarters in Washington in February 2025 while Lord Mandelson was Britain’s ambassador to the United States.
The ministerial code requires ministers, including the Prime Minister, to publish details of meetings with external organisations. But no record of the Palantir briefing was logged, and no minutes were taken.
Downing Street claims the event was not a meeting and therefore does not require official declaration. However, the Ministry of Defence, whose officials also attended, described it as a meeting.
Shots Heard at White House Correspondents' Dinner:
There is widespread confusion inside the ballroom at the White House Correspondents Dinner here tonight after a security incident interrupted the program a few minutes ago.
Dinner attendees ducked under tables as what sounded like gunshots rang out somewhere nearby the ballroom where the dinner is taking place at the Washington Hilton.
President Donald Trump was quickly escorted out of the room by secret service agents. Soon after, senior administration officials including Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth were also escorted out by their security security details.
After a chaotic few moments dinner guests emerged from beneath dinner tables and started taking stock of the situation.
This is the first security breach at the dinner in recent memory, if ever. It was also the first time Trump attended the event as sitting president. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1je28p42ret
Given the possibility of their being in government, more attention should be paid to Reform's funding. One man has provided the majority of their money.
One for @Leon - lover of the way Germans always have a word for it.
Iain Cameron @theiaincameron When cliff faces or large rocks warm up in spring weather, the heat generated makes adjacent deep snow melt away from it. The resulting space has no English word (because the phenomenon is almost unknown in England). The Germans, though, do have a name for it.
Randkluft.
I came across one today at 3,800 ft on Ben Lawers.
I've posted occasional clips about an acquaintance on Vancouver Island who has organised via Social Media in his spare time a weekend event for people to visit his city from the US, partly with the intention of helping prospective immigrants to see if they like it.
It is happening this weekend. Here is a clip from the organised gathering, dropped in at the start of a short welcome speech. 1000 people turned up, including from all over the USA.
One stat: since last June British Columbia have had 3000+ healthcare workers from the USA apply to come and work there.
Comments
Josh Glancy
@joshglancy
EXCLUSIVE
I spent the past week interviewing Keir Starmer
- He is 'going nowhere' and believes he can fight the next election
- "There is always talk, the vast majority of the PLP is loyal"
- No regrets over sacking Olly Robbins.
https://x.com/joshglancy/status/2048103560756302110
This idea that Johnson - and then Truss - were unfairly done in by the liberal establishment was one of the motive forces behind the reanimation of the latest Farage Grift Party. So perhaps it would have been better if the voters had been given the chance to dispatch them.
I'd be surprised if any such stab-in-the-back myth is spawned by Starmer's demise, though.
Keir Starmer denies he misled Parliament when he said "no pressure" was applied to Olly Robbins
"There are different types of pressure. There’s pressure, ‘Can we get this done quickly,’ which is not an unusual pressure. That is the everyday pressure of Government"
Reading here and elsewhere, one would expect Labour's VI to be at 10% or lower, given the visceral hatred aimed at the government and its leader. And yet, despite Badenoch, Polanski and Davey being much more popular (or, to be accurate, less unpopular) than Starmer, Labour's VI has been broadly in line with the Tories and the Greens, and above the Lib Dems, this year. Why?
It does rather suggest to me that all is not lost for Labour, and a new leader may well make significant headway in VI polls. However, I'm also of the view that's there's no rush to replace Starmer. Two years before the next GE would give plenty of time for a new leader to make a mark (or not, as the case may be). A rapid coronation of Rayner, or Miliband, or any of the current contenders, could be a huge error, I think.
Having no leader in place and a government swerving from paralysis to total meltdown would be even worse. As it stands Labour look like they may not even come second in Wales, will make almost no progress in Scotland against a shambolic government that has been in power nearly 20 years and lose over 1000 councillors in England. Even if a coronation were possible who on earth would want that as a starting point? There's no rush to replace Starmer, at least not yet.
Keir Starmer ...
🔴... is in touch with ordinary people (net -46%)
🔴... represents what most people think (net -45%)
🔴... is likeable (net -42%)
https://x.com/OpiniumResearch/status/2048122371953840515?s=20
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/04/25/starmer-broke-ministerial-code-with-mandelson-meeting/
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/starmer-sinks-unlikely-minister-manoeuvres-4368271
Behind a paywall, but here's the gist. The unlikely minister on manoeuvres is Miliband. And a Red Wall backbencher is quoted on Miliband as saying:
“He thinks we need to lean into class a bit more basically… I think Ed’s right that we need to talk about the super-rich and the inequality in the country. If we own tackling inequality as our mission, I think it will cut through.”
So you may find that there's a bit more to Miliband than "Green Labour".
I think this represents superb value.
Also no doubt that Starmer got us into power with a huge majority. Which Corbyn never did.
(((Dan Hodges)))
@DPJHodges
·
19m
In tomorrow’s Mail on Sunday:
* Angela Rayner tells MPs “it’s now or never” to oust Starmer
* Burnham allies say they are now ready to press the button on 8 May
* Streeting allies say the local elections will prove the need for a new leader who can unite the party
What's striking about the govnerment is how bad they are a politics, and how much they are struggling to make headway in what are admittedly difficult times. I also can not believe how ill-prepared we were/are for Trump 2.0, even though the alarm bells should have been ringing since spring 2024. Not can I understand why we are being so slow to ramp up defence spending.
This current Labour Party/government is rubbish compared to Blair and co. in 1997. I wish they would improve rapidly as we really need the best possible government we can get right now.
(Assuming any still exist.)
The last one standing?
Kate Ferguson
@kateferguson4
·
2h
EXCL: Angela Rayner’s tax probe will not come back before the May elections – in a blow to her chances of becoming PM.
Comes as PM Keir Starmer faces a make or break two weeks ahead as Westminster is thick with plots to oust him.
Iain Cameron
@theiaincameron
When cliff faces or large rocks warm up in spring weather, the heat generated makes adjacent deep snow melt away from it. The resulting space has no English word (because the phenomenon is almost unknown in England). The Germans, though, do have a name for it.
Randkluft.
I came across one today at 3,800 ft on Ben Lawers.
https://x.com/theiaincameron/status/2048146648409264548
This means that there is less than no money left for anything else, including defence. So the necessary decision to fund rearmament is delayed and pushed back in the hope that the budgetary consequences can be pushed beyond the next election and not derail the government's strategy. It's extraordinarily shortsighted, even by the normal standards of political short-term thinking.
(((Dan Hodges)))
@DPJHodges
Keir Starmer is considering sacking Rachel Reeves in a final bid to relaunch his premiership.
https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2048152502181269984
I'm picturing (against my will) a late night gin-fuelled 'Je t'aime moi non plus' with him and Sarah Pochin.
There have been a few recent examples of this: the idea we are squabbling siblings, like the Gallaghers, who will defend each other to the death when faced with the uncouth yobs in Washington. But today is the most pronounced I’ve seen it. Beautiful to watch. Some nice Union Jack emoji reciprocation in the threads too.
"She had read about Peter Mandelson in the newspapers and failed to warn me not to appoint him."
There’s no way Starmer is going to sack Reeves.
The DT now really scraping the bottom of the barrel with some pathetic headline over some meeting that wasn’t logged .
Rachel Reeves for Leeds West and Pudsey
@RachelforLWP
It was a pleasure to welcome @SteveReedMP to Armley and New Wortley where we listened to local people’s priorities for the £20 million of Pride in Plan funding coming to these communities.
https://x.com/RachelforLWP/status/2047998532510957757
See Boris fans' ridiculous attempts to imply Rishi, promoted because Javid would not play ball and with limited time in parliament to get allies, had been doing things Boris did not like and he was just about to totally change economic direction you guys, trust us.
It’s like the days of 2019 all over again.
(can't we Russian assets just use Whatsapp like everyone else?)
The subsequent bus crash will not be Keith’s fault. He followed the process and the papers didn’t cross his desk.
He’s living on a houseboat on Lake Victoria.
Starmer ‘broke ministerial code’ with Mandelson client meeting
...
The Prime Minister and Lord Mandelson attended the tech firm Palantir’s headquarters in Washington in February 2025 while Lord Mandelson was Britain’s ambassador to the United States.
The ministerial code requires ministers, including the Prime Minister, to publish details of meetings with external organisations. But no record of the Palantir briefing was logged, and no minutes were taken.
Downing Street claims the event was not a meeting and therefore does not require official declaration. However, the Ministry of Defence, whose officials also attended, described it as a meeting.
Breaking the ministerial code is widely seen as a resignation offence.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/03c29804d6e41950
Gift link so no paywall.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1je28p42ret
There is widespread confusion inside the ballroom at the White House Correspondents Dinner here tonight after a security incident interrupted the program a few minutes ago.
Dinner attendees ducked under tables as what sounded like gunshots rang out somewhere nearby the ballroom where the dinner is taking place at the Washington Hilton.
President Donald Trump was quickly escorted out of the room by secret service agents. Soon after, senior administration officials including Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth were also escorted out by their security security details.
After a chaotic few moments dinner guests emerged from beneath dinner tables and started taking stock of the situation.
This is the first security breach at the dinner in recent memory, if ever. It was also the first time Trump attended the event as sitting president.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1je28p42ret
Trump at this point has been victim of more assassination attempts than wars he has ended.
https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2048177513919021169?s=20
The actor playing Starmer can't keep a straight face.
One man has provided the majority of their money.
Long read from the Guardian.
‘Nigel is mad to accept his money’: who is Christopher Harborne, the mystery billionaire bankrolling Reform?
A crypto tycoon is giving record-breaking amounts to Farage’s party. But little is known about his motives
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/25/christopher-harborne-mystery-billionaire-bankrolling-reform-uk-nigel-farage
BBC intern curses hunger pangs! Almost but not quite an eyewitness.
Politically.
When a Prime Minister suffers extreme heat which makes adjacent Cabinet members melt away from him....
I've posted occasional clips about an acquaintance on Vancouver Island who has organised via Social Media in his spare time a weekend event for people to visit his city from the US, partly with the intention of helping prospective immigrants to see if they like it.
It is happening this weekend. Here is a clip from the organised gathering, dropped in at the start of a short welcome speech. 1000 people turned up, including from all over the USA.
One stat: since last June British Columbia have had 3000+ healthcare workers from the USA apply to come and work there.
https://youtu.be/CQ2vGOqCSsw?t=1128
"Family photo":
Newspaper report:
https://nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/04/25/its-not-a-small-thing-your-presence-here-over-1000-flock-to-second-nanaimo-infusion/