As the sun gets ready to start beating down for another day, the morning Rawnsley, on topic:
Being prime minister is a tough job and it is often difficult to tell whether someone will be up to it until they are in post. No one ever thought that inspirational speech-making was [Starmer’s] strong suit, but almost everyone assumed he’d be technically competent. His role is to provide leadership, set a direction, arbitrate between ministers and test officials, not groan in self-pitying self-exculpation that he has been kept in the dark after something blows up.
With thousands of Mandelson-related documents still to be released, this saga has a long way to run. For the government, it is torture without respite. Every minute that ministers spend squirming in front of microphones is a minute they are not talking about the cost of living and the state of public services, the topics that most interest the typical voter. “It is up to the cabinet now,” says one Labour veteran. “There comes a point where you have to put up or shut up, to use John Major’s phrase.”
One idea is gaining popularity in Labour circles. It is that Sir Keir should respond to the election results by putting an end date on his premiership. Cheerleaders for Andy Burnham are especially keen on the idea of a slow-motion prime ministerial resignation because it would allow time for the mayor of Greater Manchester to try to get back to Westminster. Truth be told, this “voluntary retirement” plan is more a symptom of the Labour party’s desperation than anything else. I’ve yet to see any evidence that Sir Keir, a stubborn and proud fellow who still thinks he’s the best man for the job, would go along with a scheme to pack him off into the sunset. The moment he declared he was leaving, he'd be rendered a lame-duck prime minister. To which objection, I hear some members of the cabinet retort: how exactly would that be different from what we are already enduring?
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.
While I applaud the general tenor of this I do have an issue with the “let’s move abroad because things are politically suboptimal” movement on both sides. Applying the categorical imperative, what happens if everyone does it? Let’s imagine, for example, that Farage gets in an every left liberal and socialist in the UK moves to Ireland. On the other side of the political fence, how’s it working out for those who went to Dubai because of Reeves and Starmer? A couple I know from Munich have a second home in Herne Bay, partly because they ain’t thrilled by what’s happening in Germany, which tickles me when I read FBPE Twitter.
If your life is at stake by all means run but if it’s not then the moral thing to do is stay and try to change things. You don’t win by quitting.
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.
While I applaud the general tenor of this I do have an issue with the “let’s move abroad because things are politically suboptimal” movement on both sides. Applying the categorical imperative, what happens if everyone does it? Let’s imagine, for example, that Farage gets in an every left liberal and socialist in the UK moves to Ireland. On the other side of the political fence, how’s it working out for those who went to Dubai because of Reeves and Starmer? A couple I know from Munich have a second home in Herne Bay, partly because they ain’t thrilled by what’s happening in Germany, which tickles me when I read FBPE Twitter.
If your life is at stake by all means run but if it’s not then the moral thing to do is stay and try to change things. You don’t win by quitting.
Yes but that might sound more sinister on one of Nigel Farage's banners in African countries or the subcontinent.
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.
While I applaud the general tenor of this I do have an issue with the “let’s move abroad because things are politically suboptimal” movement on both sides. Applying the categorical imperative, what happens if everyone does it? Let’s imagine, for example, that Farage gets in an every left liberal and socialist in the UK moves to Ireland. On the other side of the political fence, how’s it working out for those who went to Dubai because of Reeves and Starmer? A couple I know from Munich have a second home in Herne Bay, partly because they ain’t thrilled by what’s happening in Germany, which tickles me when I read FBPE Twitter.
If your life is at stake by all means run but if it’s not then the moral thing to do is stay and try to change things. You don’t win by quitting.
Is that the new slogan for the Home Office's Border Force?
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.
While I applaud the general tenor of this I do have an issue with the “let’s move abroad because things are politically suboptimal” movement on both sides. Applying the categorical imperative, what happens if everyone does it? Let’s imagine, for example, that Farage gets in an every left liberal and socialist in the UK moves to Ireland. On the other side of the political fence, how’s it working out for those who went to Dubai because of Reeves and Starmer? A couple I know from Munich have a second home in Herne Bay, partly because they ain’t thrilled by what’s happening in Germany, which tickles me when I read FBPE Twitter.
If your life is at stake by all means run but if it’s not then the moral thing to do is stay and try to change things. You don’t win by quitting.
Yes but that might sound more sinister on one of Nigel Farage's banners in African countries or the subcontinent.
Indeed it might, and I do appreciate the irony, but the point still stands.
A day in Sheffield for the snooker. Look at the number of bald-headed men in the audience! This seems higher than you would expect, surely (more so if you add in the man taking the picture)? Here to support Chris Wakelin perhaps.
Quite a lot of bald snooker players nowadays. Wakelin, Wilson, Brecel, Joe Perry, Stuart Bingham to name a few off the top of my head (pardon the pun)
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.
While I applaud the general tenor of this I do have an issue with the “let’s move abroad because things are politically suboptimal” movement on both sides. Applying the categorical imperative, what happens if everyone does it? Let’s imagine, for example, that Farage gets in an every left liberal and socialist in the UK moves to Ireland. On the other side of the political fence, how’s it working out for those who went to Dubai because of Reeves and Starmer? A couple I know from Munich have a second home in Herne Bay, partly because they ain’t thrilled by what’s happening in Germany, which tickles me when I read FBPE Twitter.
If your life is at stake by all means run but if it’s not then the moral thing to do is stay and try to change things. You don’t win by quitting.
Is that the new slogan for the Home Office's Border Force?
As I say, I appreciate the irony. But we live in what remain, more or less, democracies with healthy economies. I’ve got little time for your average Dubai influencer either.
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 think we have prioritised economic growth - that's the problem. I think too often the focus has been on xyz and economic growth, and often the xyz is almost contradictory. The xyx could be green energy, inequality, the environment or any number of other things. I don't think that the resulting change in the xyz is actually worth the candle, and it being the focus detracts so substantially from our growth prospects that we finish up with a very poor result.
Whereas a more lassaiz faire style of government would produce actual growth, and I firmly believe that such growth leads to real gains in the various areas above more effectively. (Not advocating a complete free-for-all of course)
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.
While I applaud the general tenor of this I do have an issue with the “let’s move abroad because things are politically suboptimal” movement on both sides. Applying the categorical imperative, what happens if everyone does it? Let’s imagine, for example, that Farage gets in an every left liberal and socialist in the UK moves to Ireland. On the other side of the political fence, how’s it working out for those who went to Dubai because of Reeves and Starmer? A couple I know from Munich have a second home in Herne Bay, partly because they ain’t thrilled by what’s happening in Germany, which tickles me when I read FBPE Twitter.
If your life is at stake by all means run but if it’s not then the moral thing to do is stay and try to change things. You don’t win by quitting.
Isn’t this how a lot of America started with people leaving their old countries to obtain religious and economic freedom? From their own perspective it seems entirely sensible to me. From our perspective it increases the risk that the US doesn’t recover from this.
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.
While I applaud the general tenor of this I do have an issue with the “let’s move abroad because things are politically suboptimal” movement on both sides. Applying the categorical imperative, what happens if everyone does it? Let’s imagine, for example, that Farage gets in an every left liberal and socialist in the UK moves to Ireland. On the other side of the political fence, how’s it working out for those who went to Dubai because of Reeves and Starmer? A couple I know from Munich have a second home in Herne Bay, partly because they ain’t thrilled by what’s happening in Germany, which tickles me when I read FBPE Twitter.
If your life is at stake by all means run but if it’s not then the moral thing to do is stay and try to change things. You don’t win by quitting.
It's also mostly profoundly ignorant of the politics in the country they are fleeing to.
On this, the Feast Day of Saint Mark the Evangelist, the five-and-twentieth day of April, in the Fourth Year of the Reign of His Most Gracious Majesty Charles the Third
That We, in the fullness of Our wisdom and with the counsel of @rcs1000 and @TSE proclaim thus: that within the bounds and marches of that most illustrious electronic commons known as politicalbetting.com, and from this very day forth unto the end of time or the general election victory of Mebyon Kernow, the wretched and most pitiable condition of a man bereft of both his cullions and his virile member shall be known by one word, and one word only:
GREYJOY
Let it be inscribed in the chancery rolls of Mike Smithson. Let it be entered into the lexicons of every PB thread, sub-thread, and comment by @stodge. Let those who post upon matters of by-elections, spread-betting, and the imminent demise of Skyr Toolmakersson take solemn note
Comments
Being prime minister is a tough job and it is often difficult to tell whether someone will be up to it until they are in post. No one ever thought that inspirational speech-making was [Starmer’s] strong suit, but almost everyone assumed he’d be technically competent. His role is to provide leadership, set a direction, arbitrate between ministers and test officials, not groan in self-pitying self-exculpation that he has been kept in the dark after something blows up.
With thousands of Mandelson-related documents still to be released, this saga has a long way to run. For the government, it is torture without respite. Every minute that ministers spend squirming in front of microphones is a minute they are not talking about the cost of living and the state of public services, the topics that most interest the typical voter. “It is up to the cabinet now,” says one Labour veteran. “There comes a point where you have to put up or shut up, to use John Major’s phrase.”
One idea is gaining popularity in Labour circles. It is that Sir Keir should respond to the election results by putting an end date on his premiership. Cheerleaders for Andy Burnham are especially keen on the idea of a slow-motion prime ministerial resignation because it would allow time for the mayor of Greater Manchester to try to get back to Westminster. Truth be told, this “voluntary retirement” plan is more a symptom of the Labour party’s desperation than anything else. I’ve yet to see any evidence that Sir Keir, a stubborn and proud fellow who still thinks he’s the best man for the job, would go along with a scheme to pack him off into the sunset. The moment he declared he was leaving, he'd be rendered a lame-duck prime minister. To which objection, I hear some members of the cabinet retort: how exactly would that be different from what we are already enduring?
If your life is at stake by all means run but if it’s not then the moral thing to do is stay and try to change things. You don’t win by quitting.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johndrake/2026/04/25/trump-fired-the-entire-national-science-board-heres-why-that-matters/
Whereas a more lassaiz faire style of government would produce actual growth, and I firmly believe that such growth leads to real gains in the various areas above more effectively. (Not advocating a complete free-for-all of course)
edit: Obviously not saying anything new here
NEW THREAD
A group of highly educated health workers are invading your country !
Although TBF if he were ever the victim of an assassination your remark would still be accurate.