Labour MPs are urging Sir Keir Starmer to shelve plans to lower the voting age to 16 at general elections amid fears that it will hand votes to the Green Party.
In the best, "you only sing when you're winning," tradition I am considering going to Dursey Island for a week and leaving my phone at home so as to avoid the result of the next GE for as long as possible.
"The most prominent issue in the campaign was crime, which has dramatically increased in the Territory in recent years.[29] Other issues included cost of living and pet crocodiles.[30]"
I'd be taking a gamble that you could upset the owners of pet crocodiles without taking an electoral hit in the medium to long term
Labour MPs are urging Sir Keir Starmer to shelve plans to lower the voting age to 16 at general elections amid fears that it will hand votes to the Green Party.
But what about the flowering of young democracy? Surely sure Sir Steadfast won't abandon such a just cause simply for crude political advantage?
Labour MPs are urging Sir Keir Starmer to shelve plans to lower the voting age to 16 at general elections amid fears that it will hand votes to the Green Party.
‘There’s no way those little shits are going to vote for us’
"The most prominent issue in the campaign was crime, which has dramatically increased in the Territory in recent years.[29] Other issues included cost of living and pet crocodiles.[30]"
I'd be taking a gamble that you could upset the owners of pet crocodiles without taking an electoral hit in the medium to long term
Perhaps the rise in pet crocodiles is due to the rise in crime.
Labour MPs are urging Sir Keir Starmer to shelve plans to lower the voting age to 16 at general elections amid fears that it will hand votes to the Green Party.
The reputational damage this would do to Labour among more idealistic types would far outweigh the electoral impact of low turnout 16 and 17 year olds voting Green. It would be a very Starmer u-turn.
"The most prominent issue in the campaign was crime, which has dramatically increased in the Territory in recent years.[29] Other issues included cost of living and pet crocodiles.[30]"
I'd be taking a gamble that you could upset the owners of pet crocodiles without taking an electoral hit in the medium to long term
Perhaps the rise in pet crocodiles is due to the rise in crime.
For additional security, people need more 'gator keepers?
This year, not only was he there, his entire cabinet was there including the VP, the head of the FBI, the Secretary of Defense (while we're at war) - and Erika Kirk. Ok. 👌
I feel like EK is going to figure somehow in the 2028 election. She's very adaptable and can morph with ease from tradwife to fleecing MAGA regards via TPUSA to Sappho baiting party girl to WWE widow. ARE YOU GRIEVING? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!
Well, one positive for Trump of people taking shots at him is that his current mildly upset base will presumably rally home. Not really worth the upset of course.
Apparently many online Dems think his original assassanation attempt was a hoax, which i was not aware of.
It’s not just them some of the ex MAGA’s are also into that conspiracy . It all seems to stem from the FBI lying about the perpetrator not having a social media presence . This then seems to have snowballed .
There's an awful lot of sketchy stuff around that attempt which has never been explained. But there again, this is the Trump administration. The conspiracy theory isn't particularly plausible, but neither is it entirely implausible.
It never seemed entirely plausible that Trump would deliver that speech. People work back from that...
Trump has forgone the White House Correspondents dinner every single year.
This year, not only was he there, his entire cabinet was there including the VP, the head of the FBI, the Secretary of Defense (while we're at war) - and Erika Kirk. Ok. 👌
Labour MPs are urging Sir Keir Starmer to shelve plans to lower the voting age to 16 at general elections amid fears that it will hand votes to the Green Party.
The reputational damage this would do to Labour among more idealistic types would far outweigh the electoral impact of low turnout 16 and 17 year olds voting Green. It would be a very Starmer u-turn.
It is typical though that every single change to the voting system has been designed to benefit the party in power.
As this was until they got cold feet...
I was telling one of my politics students the other day that there would almost certainly be no votes for 16/17 year olds in this Parliament for this very reason.
Well, one positive for Trump of people taking shots at him is that his current mildly upset base will presumably rally home. Not really worth the upset of course.
Apparently many online Dems think his original assassanation attempt was a hoax, which i was not aware of.
It’s not just them some of the ex MAGA’s are also into that conspiracy . It all seems to stem from the FBI lying about the perpetrator not having a social media presence . This then seems to have snowballed .
There's an awful lot of sketchy stuff around that attempt which has never been explained. But there again, this is the Trump administration. The conspiracy theory isn't particularly plausible, but neither is it entirely implausible.
It never seemed entirely plausible that Trump would deliver that speech. People work back from that...
Trump has forgone the White House Correspondents dinner every single year.
This year, not only was he there, his entire cabinet was there including the VP, the head of the FBI, the Secretary of Defense (while we're at war) - and Erika Kirk. Ok. 👌
Extraordinary claims really do require some evidence. In the shot ear assassination for example, evidence like the alleged assassin didn't exist, and therefore he isn't dead, the ear didn't get shot and didn't bleed, and so on. Or in today's case, that some nutter hasn't been arrested because he doesn't exist and wasn't there, or is an actor, or whatever.
Which is not to say that stuff doesn't happen. Just that evidence matters.
And mainstream journalists can't all be in the conspiracy loop, and there is a worldwide reputation and zillions to be made out of being the person who stands the story up.
Yvette Cooper, if she replaced Reeves as Chancellor, would certainly leap to the front of contenders to replace Starmer as PM. She would also certainly be a more credible PM than Ed Miliband, ideologically she is like Reeves very much in camp Starmer, right of Rayner and Ed Miliband but left of Streeting and not as populist right as Mahmood. As Foreign Secretary she was already an outsider, as Chancellor she would arguably be favourite, most PMs who have taken over the job when their party was in power since WW2 were Chancellor first and Cooper polls better with the public than Reeves or Starmer
Labour MPs are urging Sir Keir Starmer to shelve plans to lower the voting age to 16 at general elections amid fears that it will hand votes to the Green Party.
So it was nothing to do with principle, and everything to do with politics.
Yvette Cooper, if she replaced Reeves as Chancellor, would certainly leap to the front of contenders to replace Starmer as PM. She would also certainly be a more credible PM than Ed Miliband, ideologically she is like Reeves very much in camp Starmer, right of Rayner and Ed Miliband but left of Streeting and not as populist right as Mahmood. As Foreign Secretary she was already an outsider, as Chancellor she would arguably be favourite, most PMs who have taken over the job when their party was in power since WW2 were Chancellor first
Cooper, IMO, is in the frame. Currently a leading contender among those who are not letting their 'friends' spend all their time briefing journalists.
And she’ll be even more hacked off if the HMRC continue to drag out her case and things happen quickly post the May elections.
There’s no way she can put herself forward for the leadership until the HMRC report back .
It could be the case it’s dragging on as it seems she’s gathered more legal advice that suggests she did nothing wrong and doesn’t owe that extra stamp duty .
What irks me is that Labour have done precisely nothing to sort out the antiquated shitshow that is the process of buying and selling a house to simplify and streamline it, including reforming the tax regime. That's the real root cause of this mess and it's a problem for millions of people every year.
It's entirely typical of this government that they're not even trying to do simple, boring things that would make the lives of ordinary people better (indeed, much the reverse with things like PIP) while coming up with grand schemes that are a total disaster and will piss everyone off.
But there is a process. The fact that it is complicated and requires lawyers and tax experts to get right proves it is a Proper Process.
She didn’t follow the process. If she had, she would have achieved moral perfection.
And she’ll be even more hacked off if the HMRC continue to drag out her case and things happen quickly post the May elections.
There’s no way she can put herself forward for the leadership until the HMRC report back .
It could be the case it’s dragging on as it seems she’s gathered more legal advice that suggests she did nothing wrong and doesn’t owe that extra stamp duty .
What irks me is that Labour have done precisely nothing to sort out the antiquated shitshow that is the process of buying and selling a house to simplify and streamline it, including reforming the tax regime. That's the real root cause of this mess and it's a problem for millions of people every year.
It's entirely typical of this government that they're not even trying to do simple, boring things that would make the lives of ordinary people better (indeed, much the reverse with things like PIP) while coming up with grand schemes that are a total disaster and will piss everyone off.
Labour was the last party to try and fix the buying and selling of houses and those wounds are something members of this cabinet still suffer from - so it’s not surprising nothing is being done to fix the process.
The tax is a different issue and we’ve covered the fix multiple times but this Government isn’t brave enough to do anything
Well, one positive for Trump of people taking shots at him is that his current mildly upset base will presumably rally home. Not really worth the upset of course.
Apparently many online Dems think his original assassanation attempt was a hoax, which i was not aware of.
It’s not just them some of the ex MAGA’s are also into that conspiracy . It all seems to stem from the FBI lying about the perpetrator not having a social media presence . This then seems to have snowballed .
There's an awful lot of sketchy stuff around that attempt which has never been explained. But there again, this is the Trump administration. The conspiracy theory isn't particularly plausible, but neither is it entirely implausible.
It never seemed entirely plausible that Trump would deliver that speech. People work back from that...
Trump has forgone the White House Correspondents dinner every single year.
This year, not only was he there, his entire cabinet was there including the VP, the head of the FBI, the Secretary of Defense (while we're at war) - and Erika Kirk. Ok. 👌
Extraordinary claims really do require some evidence. In the shot ear assassination for example, evidence like the alleged assassin didn't exist, and therefore he isn't dead, the ear didn't get shot and didn't bleed, and so on. Or in today's case, that some nutter hasn't been arrested because he doesn't exist and wasn't there, or is an actor, or whatever.
Which is not to say that stuff doesn't happen. Just that evidence matters.
And mainstream journalists can't all be in the conspiracy loop, and there is a worldwide reputation and zillions to be made out of being the person who stands the story up.
That this incident happened in a room full of journalists, might possibly bring home to them the need to tone down some of the extremist rhetoric of recent years.
It’s possible to critisise Trump’s actions and policies, without references to fascism and Hitler.
Well, one positive for Trump of people taking shots at him is that his current mildly upset base will presumably rally home. Not really worth the upset of course.
Apparently many online Dems think his original assassanation attempt was a hoax, which i was not aware of.
It’s not just them some of the ex MAGA’s are also into that conspiracy . It all seems to stem from the FBI lying about the perpetrator not having a social media presence . This then seems to have snowballed .
There's an awful lot of sketchy stuff around that attempt which has never been explained. But there again, this is the Trump administration. The conspiracy theory isn't particularly plausible, but neither is it entirely implausible.
It never seemed entirely plausible that Trump would deliver that speech. People work back from that...
Trump has forgone the White House Correspondents dinner every single year.
This year, not only was he there, his entire cabinet was there including the VP, the head of the FBI, the Secretary of Defense (while we're at war) - and Erika Kirk. Ok. 👌
Extraordinary claims really do require some evidence. In the shot ear assassination for example, evidence like the alleged assassin didn't exist, and therefore he isn't dead, the ear didn't get shot and didn't bleed, and so on. Or in today's case, that some nutter hasn't been arrested because he doesn't exist and wasn't there, or is an actor, or whatever.
Which is not to say that stuff doesn't happen. Just that evidence matters.
And mainstream journalists can't all be in the conspiracy loop, and there is a worldwide reputation and zillions to be made out of being the person who stands the story up.
That this incident happened in a room full of journalists, might possibly bring home to them the need to tone down some of the extremist rhetoric of recent years.
It’s possible to critisise Trump’s actions and policies, without references to fascism and Hitler.
Trump assassinated plenty of Iranian leaders. Not to excuse last night's events of course.
Labour MPs are urging Sir Keir Starmer to shelve plans to lower the voting age to 16 at general elections amid fears that it will hand votes to the Green Party.
That's ridiculous. I oppose votes at 16 but it was a manifesto commitment and widely supported in the party, plus turnout would not be that high anyway, never mind the even more partisan reason for shelving it than implementing it.
Yvette Cooper, if she replaced Reeves as Chancellor, would certainly leap to the front of contenders to replace Starmer as PM. She would also certainly be a more credible PM than Ed Miliband, ideologically she is like Reeves very much in camp Starmer, right of Rayner and Ed Miliband but left of Streeting and not as populist right as Mahmood. As Foreign Secretary she was already an outsider, as Chancellor she would arguably be favourite, most PMs who have taken over the job when their party was in power since WW2 were Chancellor first and Cooper polls better with the public than Reeves or Starmer
Though that's partly a manifestation of the central mystery.
The people whose CVs best qualify them to be next PM (Cooper, Lammy, Reeves, Mahmood) are nowhere in this chatter.
Maybe they genuinely don't want the job. Though my theory is that anyone who does want to be Prime Minister in these circumstances ought to be disqualified due to mental infirmity.
This year, not only was he there, his entire cabinet was there including the VP, the head of the FBI, the Secretary of Defense (while we're at war) - and Erika Kirk. Ok. 👌
I feel like EK is going to figure somehow in the 2028 election. She's very adaptable and can morph with ease from tradwife to fleecing MAGA regards via TPUSA to Sappho baiting party girl to WWE widow. ARE YOU GRIEVING? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!
I cannot find it now but whilst you were away there was a comment on Twitter mourning the sixth month anniversary of the death of Charlie Kirk.
The person posted 'Six months without Charlie'
and somebody replied with 'It's payday soon' with plenty of emojis implying cocaine.
Well, one positive for Trump of people taking shots at him is that his current mildly upset base will presumably rally home. Not really worth the upset of course.
Apparently many online Dems think his original assassanation attempt was a hoax, which i was not aware of.
It’s not just them some of the ex MAGA’s are also into that conspiracy . It all seems to stem from the FBI lying about the perpetrator not having a social media presence . This then seems to have snowballed .
There's an awful lot of sketchy stuff around that attempt which has never been explained. But there again, this is the Trump administration. The conspiracy theory isn't particularly plausible, but neither is it entirely implausible.
It never seemed entirely plausible that Trump would deliver that speech. People work back from that...
Trump has forgone the White House Correspondents dinner every single year.
This year, not only was he there, his entire cabinet was there including the VP, the head of the FBI, the Secretary of Defense (while we're at war) - and Erika Kirk. Ok. 👌
Extraordinary claims really do require some evidence. In the shot ear assassination for example, evidence like the alleged assassin didn't exist, and therefore he isn't dead, the ear didn't get shot and didn't bleed, and so on. Or in today's case, that some nutter hasn't been arrested because he doesn't exist and wasn't there, or is an actor, or whatever.
Which is not to say that stuff doesn't happen. Just that evidence matters.
And mainstream journalists can't all be in the conspiracy loop, and there is a worldwide reputation and zillions to be made out of being the person who stands the story up.
That this incident happened in a room full of journalists, might possibly bring home to them the need to tone down some of the extremist rhetoric of recent years.
It’s possible to critisise Trump’s actions and policies, without references to fascism and Hitler.
At least no innocent person in the crowd died in this event.
And she’ll be even more hacked off if the HMRC continue to drag out her case and things happen quickly post the May elections.
There’s no way she can put herself forward for the leadership until the HMRC report back .
It could be the case it’s dragging on as it seems she’s gathered more legal advice that suggests she did nothing wrong and doesn’t owe that extra stamp duty .
I don't know. Double jeopardy and all that. She doesn't have to resign twice over the same matter. I think she will run.
Yes, I cannot see the stamp duty mess precluding a run. There are no criminal charges and no-one understands it anyway, even if Rayner loses her case.
Angela Rayner remains favourite in the betting markets for next Prime Minister and next Labour leader.
Angela Rayner may have the right politics but she comes over as a bit thick to me.
Only Burnham can save Labour and we know he isn't currently eligible due to the Labour First mob putting control of the Party ahead of the good of the Party.
The likes of Luke Akehurst and at least 100 PLP members would rather Farage was PM than a soft left leader become PM.
I do not think Rayner is stupid but fear her lack of education might be held against her by PPE snobs in the broadcasters and broadsheets, cf Callaghan and Major to name but two.
Starmer studied law not PPE and Kemi did Computer Science at Sussex, Polanski went to Aberystwyth and studied drama and Farage didn't even go to university (even if he went to Dulwich, a major public school).
In fact of the main party leaders only Davey now studied PPE at Oxford (the LDs now arguably the natural party of the Remoaner civll service establishment)
Well, one positive for Trump of people taking shots at him is that his current mildly upset base will presumably rally home. Not really worth the upset of course.
Apparently many online Dems think his original assassanation attempt was a hoax, which i was not aware of.
It’s not just them some of the ex MAGA’s are also into that conspiracy . It all seems to stem from the FBI lying about the perpetrator not having a social media presence . This then seems to have snowballed .
There's an awful lot of sketchy stuff around that attempt which has never been explained. But there again, this is the Trump administration. The conspiracy theory isn't particularly plausible, but neither is it entirely implausible.
It never seemed entirely plausible that Trump would deliver that speech. People work back from that...
Trump has forgone the White House Correspondents dinner every single year.
This year, not only was he there, his entire cabinet was there including the VP, the head of the FBI, the Secretary of Defense (while we're at war) - and Erika Kirk. Ok. 👌
Extraordinary claims really do require some evidence. In the shot ear assassination for example, evidence like the alleged assassin didn't exist, and therefore he isn't dead, the ear didn't get shot and didn't bleed, and so on. Or in today's case, that some nutter hasn't been arrested because he doesn't exist and wasn't there, or is an actor, or whatever.
Which is not to say that stuff doesn't happen. Just that evidence matters.
And mainstream journalists can't all be in the conspiracy loop, and there is a worldwide reputation and zillions to be made out of being the person who stands the story up.
That this incident happened in a room full of journalists, might possibly bring home to them the need to tone down some of the extremist rhetoric of recent years.
It’s possible to critisise Trump’s actions and policies, without references to fascism and Hitler.
Yes it would be nice for MAGA and their fellow travellers to tone down their extremist rhetorhic.
Another reason to despise Trump and his administration. not one of them can tie a bow tie correctly, absolute roasters.
I knew how to tie a bow tie perfectly before the age of 12, ditto a Windsor knot.
Windsor knots are an abomination.
No, the Windsor knot is the only decent thing the Duke of Windsor ever did.
There are two answers, depending on whether you think of aesthetics in terms of some kind of pure art or as a social language. The second will offend, but here we go.
The "pure art" reason: A half and full Windsor are too studied and often end up creating a big bulky knot under your chin. A FIH or a double-four-in-hand will result in a smaller, more tasteful knot. The slightly askew asymetry looks good for the same reason pocket squares should be stuffed and not folded into oragami shapes. Or why hats should be cocked and not worn straight. There's more of a "naturalness" to it, suggesting to the viewer that you could look better, but you threw this on without any care, and this is just how you look. The whole art of looking stylish is putting a lot of time into your outfit without actually looking like you put time into your outfit, and a slightly askew knot accomplishes this than a perfectly symetircal knot with no dimple.
The sociological reason: As Pierre Bourdieu pointed out, our notions of what constitutes "Good Taste" are often shaped by the practices of the elite classes. And historically, the four-in-hand is what was taught in the more elite private schools and what men wore throughout their lives after graduating. The half- and full-Windsor came about because some men tried to copy the Duke of Windsor, who did not, in fact, wear a Windsor knot. Instead, the Duke wore bespoke ties made with a slightly thicker interlining. .. https://x.com/dieworkwear/status/1705087742043152679
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
And she’ll be even more hacked off if the HMRC continue to drag out her case and things happen quickly post the May elections.
There’s no way she can put herself forward for the leadership until the HMRC report back .
It could be the case it’s dragging on as it seems she’s gathered more legal advice that suggests she did nothing wrong and doesn’t owe that extra stamp duty .
I don't know. Double jeopardy and all that. She doesn't have to resign twice over the same matter. I think she will run.
Yes, I cannot see the stamp duty mess precluding a run. There are no criminal charges and no-one understands it anyway, even if Rayner loses her case.
Angela Rayner remains favourite in the betting markets for next Prime Minister and next Labour leader.
Angela Rayner may have the right politics but she comes over as a bit thick to me.
Only Burnham can save Labour and we know he isn't currently eligible due to the Labour First mob putting control of the Party ahead of the good of the Party.
The likes of Luke Akehurst and at least 100 PLP members would rather Farage was PM than a soft left leader become PM.
I do not think Rayner is stupid but fear her lack of education might be held against her by PPE snobs in the broadcasters and broadsheets, cf Callaghan and Major to name but two.
Starmer studied law not PPE and Kemi did Computer Science at Sussex, Polanski went to Aberystwyth and studied drama and Farage didn't even go to university (even if he went to Dulwich, a major public school).
In fact of the main party leaders only Davey now studied PPE at Oxford (the LDs now arguably the natural party of the Remoaner civll service establishment)
Cousin of mine read maths at Aberystwyth. He was a bit odd, too. Is there something in the air there?
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
Just a little bit more for the LibDems and Davey's LOTO.
Well, one positive for Trump of people taking shots at him is that his current mildly upset base will presumably rally home. Not really worth the upset of course.
Apparently many online Dems think his original assassanation attempt was a hoax, which i was not aware of.
It’s not just them some of the ex MAGA’s are also into that conspiracy . It all seems to stem from the FBI lying about the perpetrator not having a social media presence . This then seems to have snowballed .
There's an awful lot of sketchy stuff around that attempt which has never been explained. But there again, this is the Trump administration. The conspiracy theory isn't particularly plausible, but neither is it entirely implausible.
It never seemed entirely plausible that Trump would deliver that speech. People work back from that...
Trump has forgone the White House Correspondents dinner every single year.
This year, not only was he there, his entire cabinet was there including the VP, the head of the FBI, the Secretary of Defense (while we're at war) - and Erika Kirk. Ok. 👌
Extraordinary claims really do require some evidence. In the shot ear assassination for example, evidence like the alleged assassin didn't exist, and therefore he isn't dead, the ear didn't get shot and didn't bleed, and so on. Or in today's case, that some nutter hasn't been arrested because he doesn't exist and wasn't there, or is an actor, or whatever.
Which is not to say that stuff doesn't happen. Just that evidence matters.
And mainstream journalists can't all be in the conspiracy loop, and there is a worldwide reputation and zillions to be made out of being the person who stands the story up.
That this incident happened in a room full of journalists, might possibly bring home to them the need to tone down some of the extremist rhetoric of recent years.
It’s possible to critisise Trump’s actions and policies, without references to fascism and Hitler.
Yes it would be nice for MAGA and their fellow travellers to tone down their extremist rhetorhic.
Honestly, the doublethink on display in that original post was mind blowing.
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
Only if she wants to destroy her own party!
No point in tactically voting Tory to keep Reform out.
I think such a result would lead to a second election within 6 months. The national crisis would be only just beginning.
And she’ll be even more hacked off if the HMRC continue to drag out her case and things happen quickly post the May elections.
There’s no way she can put herself forward for the leadership until the HMRC report back .
It could be the case it’s dragging on as it seems she’s gathered more legal advice that suggests she did nothing wrong and doesn’t owe that extra stamp duty .
I don't know. Double jeopardy and all that. She doesn't have to resign twice over the same matter. I think she will run.
Yes, I cannot see the stamp duty mess precluding a run. There are no criminal charges and no-one understands it anyway, even if Rayner loses her case.
Angela Rayner remains favourite in the betting markets for next Prime Minister and next Labour leader.
Angela Rayner may have the right politics but she comes over as a bit thick to me.
Only Burnham can save Labour and we know he isn't currently eligible due to the Labour First mob putting control of the Party ahead of the good of the Party.
The likes of Luke Akehurst and at least 100 PLP members would rather Farage was PM than a soft left leader become PM.
I do not think Rayner is stupid but fear her lack of education might be held against her by PPE snobs in the broadcasters and broadsheets, cf Callaghan and Major to name but two.
Starmer studied law not PPE and Kemi did Computer Science at Sussex, Polanski went to Aberystwyth and studied drama and Farage didn't even go to university (even if he went to Dulwich, a major public school).
In fact of the main party leaders only Davey now studied PPE at Oxford (the LDs now arguably the natural party of the Remoaner civll service establishment)
I meant the journalists and broadcasters. I do think there is a pro-Oxbridge (and mainly Oxford) bias.
I made £5,000 in aggregate on Liz Truss and Rishi after checking they'd been to Oxford, but not on Kemi for the same reason. If Angela Rayner enters Number 10, I expect a deluge of sniffy editorials about how the poor dear, admirable is the climb from her roots, is not quite up to the job.
And she’ll be even more hacked off if the HMRC continue to drag out her case and things happen quickly post the May elections.
There’s no way she can put herself forward for the leadership until the HMRC report back .
It could be the case it’s dragging on as it seems she’s gathered more legal advice that suggests she did nothing wrong and doesn’t owe that extra stamp duty .
I don't know. Double jeopardy and all that. She doesn't have to resign twice over the same matter. I think she will run.
Yes, I cannot see the stamp duty mess precluding a run. There are no criminal charges and no-one understands it anyway, even if Rayner loses her case.
Angela Rayner remains favourite in the betting markets for next Prime Minister and next Labour leader.
Angela Rayner may have the right politics but she comes over as a bit thick to me.
Only Burnham can save Labour and we know he isn't currently eligible due to the Labour First mob putting control of the Party ahead of the good of the Party.
The likes of Luke Akehurst and at least 100 PLP members would rather Farage was PM than a soft left leader become PM.
I do not think Rayner is stupid but fear her lack of education might be held against her by PPE snobs in the broadcasters and broadsheets, cf Callaghan and Major to name but two.
Starmer studied law not PPE and Kemi did Computer Science at Sussex, Polanski went to Aberystwyth and studied drama and Farage didn't even go to university (even if he went to Dulwich, a major public school).
In fact of the main party leaders only Davey now studied PPE at Oxford (the LDs now arguably the natural party of the Remoaner civll service establishment)
Cousin of mine read maths at Aberystwyth. He was a bit odd, too. Is there something in the air there?
And Good Morning one and all.
Son did a year at Aber. Had a flat overlooking the bay. He and his flat mates would rush into the sea each morning for a quick swim, all weathers.
Yes there is definitely something in the air there.
And she’ll be even more hacked off if the HMRC continue to drag out her case and things happen quickly post the May elections.
There’s no way she can put herself forward for the leadership until the HMRC report back .
It could be the case it’s dragging on as it seems she’s gathered more legal advice that suggests she did nothing wrong and doesn’t owe that extra stamp duty .
I don't know. Double jeopardy and all that. She doesn't have to resign twice over the same matter. I think she will run.
Yes, I cannot see the stamp duty mess precluding a run. There are no criminal charges and no-one understands it anyway, even if Rayner loses her case.
Angela Rayner remains favourite in the betting markets for next Prime Minister and next Labour leader.
Angela Rayner may have the right politics but she comes over as a bit thick to me.
Only Burnham can save Labour and we know he isn't currently eligible due to the Labour First mob putting control of the Party ahead of the good of the Party.
The likes of Luke Akehurst and at least 100 PLP members would rather Farage was PM than a soft left leader become PM.
I do not think Rayner is stupid but fear her lack of education might be held against her by PPE snobs in the broadcasters and broadsheets, cf Callaghan and Major to name but two.
Starmer studied law not PPE and Kemi did Computer Science at Sussex, Polanski went to Aberystwyth and studied drama and Farage didn't even go to university (even if he went to Dulwich, a major public school).
In fact of the main party leaders only Davey now studied PPE at Oxford (the LDs now arguably the natural party of the Remoaner civll service establishment)
Cousin of mine read maths at Aberystwyth. He was a bit odd, too. Is there something in the air there?
And Good Morning one and all.
I did my PGCE there in the 80s when there were only a few students there. God knows what it's like now with loads more.
'Donald Trump has revealed what First Lady Melania Trump told him just after bullets were fired in the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
'It's always shocking when something like this happens,' the President said at a White House press briefing in the West Wing within an hour of the violence.
'The fact that we were sitting next to each other, the first lady on my right, and I heard a noise,' Trump said, adding they thought 'it was either a tray or a bullet.'
'I heard a noise and kinda thought it was a tray going down,' he said.
Trump said that immediately Melania Trump recognized the sound as a 'bad noise,' adding that 'it was a rather traumatic experience for her.'
And she’ll be even more hacked off if the HMRC continue to drag out her case and things happen quickly post the May elections.
There’s no way she can put herself forward for the leadership until the HMRC report back .
It could be the case it’s dragging on as it seems she’s gathered more legal advice that suggests she did nothing wrong and doesn’t owe that extra stamp duty .
I don't know. Double jeopardy and all that. She doesn't have to resign twice over the same matter. I think she will run.
Yes, I cannot see the stamp duty mess precluding a run. There are no criminal charges and no-one understands it anyway, even if Rayner loses her case.
Angela Rayner remains favourite in the betting markets for next Prime Minister and next Labour leader.
Angela Rayner may have the right politics but she comes over as a bit thick to me.
Only Burnham can save Labour and we know he isn't currently eligible due to the Labour First mob putting control of the Party ahead of the good of the Party.
The likes of Luke Akehurst and at least 100 PLP members would rather Farage was PM than a soft left leader become PM.
I do not think Rayner is stupid but fear her lack of education might be held against her by PPE snobs in the broadcasters and broadsheets, cf Callaghan and Major to name but two.
Starmer studied law not PPE and Kemi did Computer Science at Sussex, Polanski went to Aberystwyth and studied drama and Farage didn't even go to university (even if he went to Dulwich, a major public school).
In fact of the main party leaders only Davey now studied PPE at Oxford (the LDs now arguably the natural party of the Remoaner civll service establishment)
I meant the journalists and broadcasters. I do think there is a pro-Oxbridge (and mainly Oxford) bias.
I made £5,000 in aggregate on Liz Truss and Rishi after checking they'd been to Oxford, but not on Kemi for the same reason. If Angela Rayner enters Number 10, I expect a deluge of sniffy editorials about how the poor dear, admirable is the climb from her roots, is not quite up to the job.
To an extent but I don't think even the media is as Oxbridge as it used to be, certainly outside the Times and BBC.
Rayner has some self confidence but she has no degree from anywhere let alone Oxbridge, Farage also has no degree but he went to a major public school so still has that self confidence and if he won the next general election would have a mandate from the voters. Rayner won't yet
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
She'd be utterly mad to do it - the end of the Conservative Party for sure.
'Donald Trump has revealed what First Lady Melania Trump told him just after bullets were fired in the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
'It's always shocking when something like this happens,' the President said at a White House press briefing in the West Wing within an hour of the violence.
'The fact that we were sitting next to each other, the first lady on my right, and I heard a noise,' Trump said, adding they thought 'it was either a tray or a bullet.'
'I heard a noise and kinda thought it was a tray going down,' he said.
Trump said that immediately Melania Trump recognized the sound as a 'bad noise,' adding that 'it was a rather traumatic experience for her.'
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
She'd be utterly mad to do it - the end of the Conservative Party for sure.
Reform minority government and election in six months after it crashes and burns
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
Only if she wants to destroy her own party!
No point in tactically voting Tory to keep Reform out.
I think such a result would lead to a second election within 6 months. The national crisis would be only just beginning.
If we had such a result as I said Reform would probably take over the Tories eventually.
The Tories need to be the main opposition to Reform to remain a viable independent party longer term, unless we got PR certainly.
Otherwise if the Tories end up just the junior partner to a first placed Reform, which under Kemi is where they are heading with Nowcast with Labour projected to be second on seats and the Tories only 4th behind the LDs, then sooner or later Farage will gobble them up with the minority of One Nation Tory types who can't stomach that joining Davey in the LDs
Will we see Rachel from Accounts crying again if Starmer sacks her? She should be sacked as she is useless but not to save Starmer who is utterly useless.
I do think Reeves has been one of the main reasons this government has failed - a lot of it stems from the repeated misfires and unforced errors that preceded both of her budgets - but it’s no good Starmer trying to set her up to take the fall. They have made it clear that they are both in lockstep with each other and jointly make decisions. Where one goes, the other follows. It will be the same if he tries to throw her under the bus (I suspect he might) - he can try but he won’t survive it.
'Donald Trump has revealed what First Lady Melania Trump told him just after bullets were fired in the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
'It's always shocking when something like this happens,' the President said at a White House press briefing in the West Wing within an hour of the violence.
'The fact that we were sitting next to each other, the first lady on my right, and I heard a noise,' Trump said, adding they thought 'it was either a tray or a bullet.'
'I heard a noise and kinda thought it was a tray going down,' he said.
Trump said that immediately Melania Trump recognized the sound as a 'bad noise,' adding that 'it was a rather traumatic experience for her.'
Just think how the regime would turn her into a martyr if she was assassinated. No wonder she looked terrified, she’s been to various Charlie Kirk eulogy things
And she’ll be even more hacked off if the HMRC continue to drag out her case and things happen quickly post the May elections.
There’s no way she can put herself forward for the leadership until the HMRC report back .
It could be the case it’s dragging on as it seems she’s gathered more legal advice that suggests she did nothing wrong and doesn’t owe that extra stamp duty .
I don't know. Double jeopardy and all that. She doesn't have to resign twice over the same matter. I think she will run.
Yes, I cannot see the stamp duty mess precluding a run. There are no criminal charges and no-one understands it anyway, even if Rayner loses her case.
Angela Rayner remains favourite in the betting markets for next Prime Minister and next Labour leader.
Angela Rayner may have the right politics but she comes over as a bit thick to me.
Only Burnham can save Labour and we know he isn't currently eligible due to the Labour First mob putting control of the Party ahead of the good of the Party.
The likes of Luke Akehurst and at least 100 PLP members would rather Farage was PM than a soft left leader become PM.
I do not think Rayner is stupid but fear her lack of education might be held against her by PPE snobs in the broadcasters and broadsheets, cf Callaghan and Major to name but two.
Starmer studied law not PPE and Kemi did Computer Science at Sussex, Polanski went to Aberystwyth and studied drama and Farage didn't even go to university (even if he went to Dulwich, a major public school).
In fact of the main party leaders only Davey now studied PPE at Oxford (the LDs now arguably the natural party of the Remoaner civll service establishment)
Cousin of mine read maths at Aberystwyth. He was a bit odd, too. Is there something in the air there?
And Good Morning one and all.
I did a Masters there, Ydeothur studied there, King Charles III also went to Aberystwyth for a term to study Welsh. Indeed it is the only university in the UK attended by a UK monarch outside of Oxford or Cambridge (and once William becomes King St Andrews)
Plan: Starmer announces new Chancellor - Andy Burnham. Given the urgency he'll be given a seat in the Lords.
Try being PM now, Andy!
(Ok, you can quit the Lords, but it buys time!)
Chancellor has to be in the Commons.
Of course, he could be made First Lord of the Treasury and de facto Chancellor, with the Prime Minister taking the title of Chancellor himself.
Cabinet ministers don't have to be in Parliament, other than by convention
I think Chancellor is an exception because money is involved, and the Commons has a particular responsibility when it comes to money.
The Chancellor isn't an officer of Parliament, he's an officer of the Crown. So I don't see how it matters. Not legally, anyway.
The best reference I can find in a brief search is this, from Wikipedia.
Because the House of Lords is excluded from financial matters by tradition confirmed by the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, the office is effectively limited to members of the House of Commons
Now, obviously, Britain doesn't have constitutional law that is difficult to change, so if a government really wanted to, they could change the law and the standing orders for Commons and Lords, to allow a Chancellor to present a budget speech to the Lords, or to allow a Lord to present a budget speech to the Commons, but it's a much higher bar than it would be to appoint a Lord to any other ministerial position. It would be easier for the Prime Minister to be a Lord than it would be for the Chancellor.
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
Only if she wants to destroy her own party!
No point in tactically voting Tory to keep Reform out.
I think such a result would lead to a second election within 6 months. The national crisis would be only just beginning.
If we had such a result as I said Reform would probably take over the Tories eventually.
The Tories need to be the main opposition to Reform to remain a viable independent party longer term, unless we got PR certainly.
Otherwise if the Tories end up just the junior partner to Reform, which under Kemi is where they are heading with Labour projected to be second on seats with the new Nowcast and the Tories only 4th behind the LDs, then sooner or later Farage will gobble them up with the minority of One Nation Tory types who can't stomach that joining Davey in the LDs
One thought that occurred, given a lot of these have Labour, LD, Con and Green fairly tight for second on seat numbers.
The government is formed of who can command confidence, including C&S and coalition.
Can a second place party be usurped from opposition by a coalition for opposition. Mainly could Labour and LD combine to form a shadow administration if Conservatives were second on seats.
And she’ll be even more hacked off if the HMRC continue to drag out her case and things happen quickly post the May elections.
There’s no way she can put herself forward for the leadership until the HMRC report back .
It could be the case it’s dragging on as it seems she’s gathered more legal advice that suggests she did nothing wrong and doesn’t owe that extra stamp duty .
I don't know. Double jeopardy and all that. She doesn't have to resign twice over the same matter. I think she will run.
Yes, I cannot see the stamp duty mess precluding a run. There are no criminal charges and no-one understands it anyway, even if Rayner loses her case.
Angela Rayner remains favourite in the betting markets for next Prime Minister and next Labour leader.
Angela Rayner may have the right politics but she comes over as a bit thick to me.
Only Burnham can save Labour and we know he isn't currently eligible due to the Labour First mob putting control of the Party ahead of the good of the Party.
The likes of Luke Akehurst and at least 100 PLP members would rather Farage was PM than a soft left leader become PM.
I do not think Rayner is stupid but fear her lack of education might be held against her by PPE snobs in the broadcasters and broadsheets, cf Callaghan and Major to name but two.
Starmer studied law not PPE and Kemi did Computer Science at Sussex, Polanski went to Aberystwyth and studied drama and Farage didn't even go to university (even if he went to Dulwich, a major public school).
In fact of the main party leaders only Davey now studied PPE at Oxford (the LDs now arguably the natural party of the Remoaner civll service establishment)
Cousin of mine read maths at Aberystwyth. He was a bit odd, too. Is there something in the air there?
And Good Morning one and all.
I did a Masters there, Ydeothur studied there, King Charles III also went to Aberystwth for a term to study Welsh. Indeed it is the only university in the UK attended by a UK monarch outside of Oxford or Cambridge (and once William becomes King St Andrews)
Throw a line in the water, something will take the bait!
'Donald Trump has revealed what First Lady Melania Trump told him just after bullets were fired in the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
'It's always shocking when something like this happens,' the President said at a White House press briefing in the West Wing within an hour of the violence.
'The fact that we were sitting next to each other, the first lady on my right, and I heard a noise,' Trump said, adding they thought 'it was either a tray or a bullet.'
'I heard a noise and kinda thought it was a tray going down,' he said.
Trump said that immediately Melania Trump recognized the sound as a 'bad noise,' adding that 'it was a rather traumatic experience for her.'
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
She'd be utterly mad to do it - the end of the Conservative Party for sure.
Reform minority government and election in six months after it crashes and burns
We would find out how much executive power the Prime Minister has as a result of royal prerogative and secondary legislation.
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
Only if she wants to destroy her own party!
No point in tactically voting Tory to keep Reform out.
I think such a result would lead to a second election within 6 months. The national crisis would be only just beginning.
If we had such a result as I said Reform would probably take over the Tories eventually.
The Tories need to be the main opposition to Reform to remain a viable independent party longer term, unless we got PR certainly.
Otherwise if the Tories end up just the junior partner to Reform, which under Kemi is where they are heading with Labour projected to be second on seats with the new Nowcast and the Tories only 4th behind the LDs, then sooner or later Farage will gobble them up with the minority of One Nation Tory types who can't stomach that joining Davey in the LDs
One thought that occurred, given a lot of these have Labour, LD, Con and Green fairly tight for second on seat numbers.
The government is formed of who can command confidence, including C&S and coalition.
Can a second place party be usurped from opposition by a coalition for opposition. Mainly could Labour and LD combine to form a shadow administration if Conservatives were second on seats.
No, as if the Conservatives were second on seats they would form the main opposition to Reform.
Only if Labour or the LDs or Greens were second on seats to first placed Reform would they be the main opposition to Reform as in that case the rump Tories would likely be on the government benches with Reform
You buy into the conspiracy theory that the threats against Trump are orchestrated by him?
What threats? There haven’t been any threats.
Conspiracies? He’s a crook openly enriching himself and his cronies.
Every American President gets a vast number of threats. There’s a whole part of the Secret Service that catalogues them, categorises them and investigates them.
This goes back to before JFK.
It seems quite unlikely that no one is threatening Trump.
Every American President has assassination attempts against them.
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
I think farage would have to think 3 nanoseconds before agreeing to that .
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
She'd be utterly mad to do it - the end of the Conservative Party for sure.
To be fair though I am not sure if Kemi would be that bothered, if she was Farage's Deputy PM but at the price of the end of the Conservative Party would she really be that concerned or just shrug her shoulders? I think she might just shrug.
Cleverly on the other hand would never go into government with Farage, of that I am convinced. So if the Conservative Party wishes to ensure it survives as an independent party after the next general election Cleverly may be the only option if Kemi cannot at least keep the Tories second on votes and seats to Reform in May
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
I wonder what august office of state awaits our diastematic doyenne?
You buy into the conspiracy theory that the threats against Trump are orchestrated by him?
What threats? There haven’t been any threats.
Conspiracies? He’s a crook openly enriching himself and his cronies.
Every American President gets a vast number of threats. There’s a whole part of the Secret Service that catalogues them, categorises them and investigates them.
This goes back to before JFK.
It seems quite unlikely that no one is threatening Trump.
Every American President has assassination attempts against them.
You buy into the conspiracy theory that the threats against Trump are orchestrated by him?
What threats? There haven’t been any threats.
Conspiracies? He’s a crook openly enriching himself and his cronies.
Every American President gets a vast number of threats. There’s a whole part of the Secret Service that catalogues them, categorises them and investigates them.
This goes back to before JFK.
It seems quite unlikely that no one is threatening Trump.
Every American President has assassination attempts against them.
'Donald Trump has revealed what First Lady Melania Trump told him just after bullets were fired in the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
'It's always shocking when something like this happens,' the President said at a White House press briefing in the West Wing within an hour of the violence.
'The fact that we were sitting next to each other, the first lady on my right, and I heard a noise,' Trump said, adding they thought 'it was either a tray or a bullet.'
'I heard a noise and kinda thought it was a tray going down,' he said.
Trump said that immediately Melania Trump recognized the sound as a 'bad noise,' adding that 'it was a rather traumatic experience for her.'
Yvette Cooper, if she replaced Reeves as Chancellor, would certainly leap to the front of contenders to replace Starmer as PM. She would also certainly be a more credible PM than Ed Miliband, ideologically she is like Reeves very much in camp Starmer, right of Rayner and Ed Miliband but left of Streeting and not as populist right as Mahmood. As Foreign Secretary she was already an outsider, as Chancellor she would arguably be favourite, most PMs who have taken over the job when their party was in power since WW2 were Chancellor first and Cooper polls better with the public than Reeves or Starmer
Though that's partly a manifestation of the central mystery.
The people whose CVs best qualify them to be next PM (Cooper, Lammy, Reeves, Mahmood) are nowhere in this chatter.
Maybe they genuinely don't want the job. Though my theory is that anyone who does want to be Prime Minister in these circumstances ought to be disqualified due to mental infirmity.
Why would anyone want the Downing Street Chelsea job?
And she’ll be even more hacked off if the HMRC continue to drag out her case and things happen quickly post the May elections.
There’s no way she can put herself forward for the leadership until the HMRC report back .
It could be the case it’s dragging on as it seems she’s gathered more legal advice that suggests she did nothing wrong and doesn’t owe that extra stamp duty .
I don't know. Double jeopardy and all that. She doesn't have to resign twice over the same matter. I think she will run.
Yes, I cannot see the stamp duty mess precluding a run. There are no criminal charges and no-one understands it anyway, even if Rayner loses her case.
Angela Rayner remains favourite in the betting markets for next Prime Minister and next Labour leader.
Angela Rayner may have the right politics but she comes over as a bit thick to me.
Only Burnham can save Labour and we know he isn't currently eligible due to the Labour First mob putting control of the Party ahead of the good of the Party.
The likes of Luke Akehurst and at least 100 PLP members would rather Farage was PM than a soft left leader become PM.
I do not think Rayner is stupid but fear her lack of education might be held against her by PPE snobs in the broadcasters and broadsheets, cf Callaghan and Major to name but two.
Starmer studied law not PPE and Kemi did Computer Science at Sussex, Polanski went to Aberystwyth and studied drama and Farage didn't even go to university (even if he went to Dulwich, a major public school).
In fact of the main party leaders only Davey now studied PPE at Oxford (the LDs now arguably the natural party of the Remoaner civll service establishment)
Cousin of mine read maths at Aberystwyth. He was a bit odd, too. Is there something in the air there?
And Good Morning one and all.
I did a Masters there, Ydeothur studied there, King Charles III also went to Aberystwyth for a term to study Welsh. Indeed it is the only university in the UK attended by a UK monarch outside of Oxford or Cambridge (and once William becomes King St Andrews)
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
I wonder what august office of state awaits our diastematic doyenne?
Kemi wouldn't accept that, she would want to be Farage's Foreign Secretary or Home Secretary at least, even if Jenrick is already Reform's Shadow Chancellor.
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
I wonder what august office of state awaits our diastematic doyenne?
Kemi wouldn't accept that, she would want to be Farage's Foreign Secretary or Home Secretary at least, even if Jenrick is already Reform's Shadow Chancellor.
I was also wondering, what have the Welsh done to upset @Dura_Ace ?
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
I wonder what august office of state awaits our diastematic doyenne?
Kemi wouldn't accept that, she would want to be Farage's Foreign Secretary or Home Secretary at least, even if Jenrick is already Reform's Shadow Chancellor.
DPM would be a good added job as she could do Prime Minister's Questions sometimes.
You buy into the conspiracy theory that the threats against Trump are orchestrated by him?
What threats? There haven’t been any threats.
Conspiracies? He’s a crook openly enriching himself and his cronies.
Every American President gets a vast number of threats. There’s a whole part of the Secret Service that catalogues them, categorises them and investigates them.
This goes back to before JFK.
It seems quite unlikely that no one is threatening Trump.
Every American President has assassination attempts against them.
And she’ll be even more hacked off if the HMRC continue to drag out her case and things happen quickly post the May elections.
There’s no way she can put herself forward for the leadership until the HMRC report back .
It could be the case it’s dragging on as it seems she’s gathered more legal advice that suggests she did nothing wrong and doesn’t owe that extra stamp duty .
I don't know. Double jeopardy and all that. She doesn't have to resign twice over the same matter. I think she will run.
Yes, I cannot see the stamp duty mess precluding a run. There are no criminal charges and no-one understands it anyway, even if Rayner loses her case.
Angela Rayner remains favourite in the betting markets for next Prime Minister and next Labour leader.
Angela Rayner may have the right politics but she comes over as a bit thick to me.
Only Burnham can save Labour and we know he isn't currently eligible due to the Labour First mob putting control of the Party ahead of the good of the Party.
The likes of Luke Akehurst and at least 100 PLP members would rather Farage was PM than a soft left leader become PM.
I do not think Rayner is stupid but fear her lack of education might be held against her by PPE snobs in the broadcasters and broadsheets, cf Callaghan and Major to name but two.
Starmer studied law not PPE and Kemi did Computer Science at Sussex, Polanski went to Aberystwyth and studied drama and Farage didn't even go to university (even if he went to Dulwich, a major public school).
In fact of the main party leaders only Davey now studied PPE at Oxford (the LDs now arguably the natural party of the Remoaner civll service establishment)
Cousin of mine read maths at Aberystwyth. He was a bit odd, too. Is there something in the air there?
And Good Morning one and all.
I did a Masters there, Ydeothur studied there, King Charles III also went to Aberystwyth for a term to study Welsh. Indeed it is the only university in the UK attended by a UK monarch outside of Oxford or Cambridge (and once William becomes King St Andrews)
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
I wonder what august office of state awaits our diastematic doyenne?
A majority of 16 with some unhappy Tories and goodness knows how many flaky Reform out of a total of 262. Couldn't see that lasting more than a month or so.
You buy into the conspiracy theory that the threats against Trump are orchestrated by him?
What threats? There haven’t been any threats.
Conspiracies? He’s a crook openly enriching himself and his cronies.
Every American President gets a vast number of threats. There’s a whole part of the Secret Service that catalogues them, categorises them and investigates them.
This goes back to before JFK.
It seems quite unlikely that no one is threatening Trump.
Every American President has assassination attempts against them.
Yvette Cooper, if she replaced Reeves as Chancellor, would certainly leap to the front of contenders to replace Starmer as PM. She would also certainly be a more credible PM than Ed Miliband, ideologically she is like Reeves very much in camp Starmer, right of Rayner and Ed Miliband but left of Streeting and not as populist right as Mahmood. As Foreign Secretary she was already an outsider, as Chancellor she would arguably be favourite, most PMs who have taken over the job when their party was in power since WW2 were Chancellor first and Cooper polls better with the public than Reeves or Starmer
Though that's partly a manifestation of the central mystery.
The people whose CVs best qualify them to be next PM (Cooper, Lammy, Reeves, Mahmood) are nowhere in this chatter.
Maybe they genuinely don't want the job. Though my theory is that anyone who does want to be Prime Minister in these circumstances ought to be disqualified due to mental infirmity.
Why would anyone want the Downing Street Chelsea job?
8 year contract, £8m salary, for 8 weeks work? I might be able to squeeze it in if they ask nicely.
Kemi projected as Kingmaker again in a hung parliament, Farage would need to give her a Cabinet job therefore to ensure he becomes PM or at least do a confidence and supply deal with her
I wonder what august office of state awaits our diastematic doyenne?
Kemi wouldn't accept that, she would want to be Farage's Foreign Secretary or Home Secretary at least, even if Jenrick is already Reform's Shadow Chancellor.
DPM would be a good added job as she could do Prime Minister's Questions sometimes.
Fine, she could then also sign the Reform merger (ie takeover) of the Conservatives deal at the same time with Farage.
She would basically become Vice Chair to Farage's executive Chairman/CEO of the new Reformed Conservative Party
You buy into the conspiracy theory that the threats against Trump are orchestrated by him?
What threats? There haven’t been any threats.
Conspiracies? He’s a crook openly enriching himself and his cronies.
Every American President gets a vast number of threats. There’s a whole part of the Secret Service that catalogues them, categorises them and investigates them.
This goes back to before JFK.
It seems quite unlikely that no one is threatening Trump.
Every American President has assassination attempts against them.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, CA, was identified as the shooter at the WH Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel.
He was a guest at the hotel and was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives.
The buzz of him being a registered Democrat is false; he's apparently registered as No Party Preference. He works as a part-time teacher and video game developer.
He is believed to have fired at least once outside a security checkpoint but did not reach the main ballroom where President Trump, his cabinet, senior administration officials, journalists, and media figures were gathered.
Comments
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15765619/Lowering-voting-age-help-Green-Party-Labour-MPs-tell-Starmer.html
Labour MPs are urging Sir Keir Starmer to shelve plans to lower the voting age to 16 at general elections amid fears that it will hand votes to the Green Party.
https://x.com/ChrisHeHim1/status/2048264880810299442?s=20
I already have 2FA and changed password
As this was until they got cold feet...
I was telling one of my politics students the other day that there would almost certainly be no votes for 16/17 year olds in this Parliament for this very reason.
I knew how to tie a bow tie perfectly before the age of 12, ditto a Windsor knot.
But it seems likely things will get worse for him rather than better...
Deliberate or not, that suggests they have doubts about its genuineness.
Which is not to say that stuff doesn't happen. Just that evidence matters.
And mainstream journalists can't all be in the conspiracy loop, and there is a worldwide reputation and zillions to be made out of being the person who stands the story up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzk27itihRI
And only do THIS to soone on his own side:
https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/city-dna-93-when-maurizio-gaudino-was-rugby-tackled-by-boris-johnson-63724117
Major fire reported at RAF Fairford overnight, a British airbase hosting a sizeable forward-deployed contingent of USAF bombers for Iran strikes.
The fire reportedly gutted a commissary building.
She didn’t follow the process. If she had, she would have achieved moral perfection.
The tax is a different issue and we’ve covered the fix multiple times but this Government isn’t brave enough to do anything
It’s possible to critisise Trump’s actions and policies, without references to fascism and Hitler.
https://x.com/Osinttechnical/status/2048229039748354113
The people whose CVs best qualify them to be next PM (Cooper, Lammy, Reeves, Mahmood) are nowhere in this chatter.
Maybe they genuinely don't want the job. Though my theory is that anyone who does want to be Prime Minister in these circumstances ought to be disqualified due to mental infirmity.
The person posted 'Six months without Charlie'
and somebody replied with 'It's payday soon' with plenty of emojis implying cocaine.
It made me think of you.
In fact of the main party leaders only Davey now studied PPE at Oxford (the LDs now arguably the natural party of the Remoaner civll service establishment)
The "pure art" reason: A half and full Windsor are too studied and often end up creating a big bulky knot under your chin. A FIH or a double-four-in-hand will result in a smaller, more tasteful knot. The slightly askew asymetry looks good for the same reason pocket squares should be stuffed and not folded into oragami shapes. Or why hats should be cocked and not worn straight. There's more of a "naturalness" to it, suggesting to the viewer that you could look better, but you threw this on without any care, and this is just how you look. The whole art of looking stylish is putting a lot of time into your outfit without actually looking like you put time into your outfit, and a slightly askew knot accomplishes this than a perfectly symetircal knot with no dimple.
The sociological reason: As Pierre Bourdieu pointed out, our notions of what constitutes "Good Taste" are often shaped by the practices of the elite classes. And historically, the four-in-hand is what was taught in the more elite private schools and what men wore throughout their lives after graduating. The half- and full-Windsor came about because some men tried to copy the Duke of Windsor, who did not, in fact, wear a Windsor knot. Instead, the Duke wore bespoke ties made with a slightly thicker interlining. ..
https://x.com/dieworkwear/status/1705087742043152679
I’m at the combination Comedy Central Roast of Adolf Hitler / Reichstag Fire
And Good Morning one and all.
No point in tactically voting Tory to keep Reform out.
I think such a result would lead to a second election within 6 months. The national crisis would be only just beginning.
I made £5,000 in aggregate on Liz Truss and Rishi after checking they'd been to Oxford, but not on Kemi for the same reason. If Angela Rayner enters Number 10, I expect a deluge of sniffy editorials about how the poor dear, admirable is the climb from her roots, is not quite up to the job.
Yes there is definitely something in the air there.
'It's always shocking when something like this happens,' the President said at a White House press briefing in the West Wing within an hour of the violence.
'The fact that we were sitting next to each other, the first lady on my right, and I heard a noise,' Trump said, adding they thought 'it was either a tray or a bullet.'
'I heard a noise and kinda thought it was a tray going down,' he said.
Trump said that immediately Melania Trump recognized the sound as a 'bad noise,' adding that 'it was a rather traumatic experience for her.'
'Melania was very cognizant,' he continued.'
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15766103/Trump-reveals-Melanias-chilling-words-gunshots-rang-White-House-Correspondents-Dinner-agents-forced-CRAWL-ballroom.html
Rayner has some self confidence but she has no degree from anywhere let alone Oxbridge, Farage also has no degree but he went to a major public school so still has that self confidence and if he won the next general election would have a mandate from the voters. Rayner won't yet
https://x.com/PawlowskiMario/status/2048249074218844424?s=20
Conspiracies? He’s a crook openly enriching himself and his cronies.
The Tories need to be the main opposition to Reform to remain a viable independent party longer term, unless we got PR certainly.
Otherwise if the Tories end up just the junior partner to a first placed Reform, which under Kemi is where they are heading with Nowcast with Labour projected to be second on seats and the Tories only 4th behind the LDs, then sooner or later Farage will gobble them up with the minority of One Nation Tory types who can't stomach that joining Davey in the LDs
The government is formed of who can command confidence, including C&S and coalition.
Can a second place party be usurped from opposition by a coalition for opposition. Mainly could Labour and LD combine to form a shadow administration if Conservatives were second on seats.
Only if Labour or the LDs or Greens were second on seats to first placed Reform would they be the main opposition to Reform as in that case the rump Tories would likely be on the government benches with Reform
This goes back to before JFK.
It seems quite unlikely that no one is threatening Trump.
Every American President has assassination attempts against them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_presidential_assassination_attempts_and_plots
So, if no one is really attacking Trump, it would be an extraordinary claim.
Cleverly on the other hand would never go into government with Farage, of that I am convinced. So if the Conservative Party wishes to ensure it survives as an independent party after the next general election Cleverly may be the only option if Kemi cannot at least keep the Tories second on votes and seats to Reform in May
Watch the footage yesterday. The secret service remove *Vance* from the stage leaving Trump sat there.
"Because the IEA is a charity, I shall be leaving the Conservatives, and my party glands will be cauterised in a painful operation."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/25/hannan-leave-tories-iea-economics-no-free-lunch/
Where are the usual nutters then? The ones that take pot shots at every American President?
But a big gain for the Conservatives.
Downing StreetChelsea job?Then I remembered 20mph speed limits...
She would basically become Vice Chair to Farage's executive Chairman/CEO of the new Reformed Conservative Party
He was a guest at the hotel and was armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives.
The buzz of him being a registered Democrat is false; he's apparently registered as No Party Preference. He works as a part-time teacher and video game developer.
He is believed to have fired at least once outside a security checkpoint but did not reach the main ballroom where President Trump, his cabinet, senior administration officials, journalists, and media figures were gathered.
Mr. Allen will be arraigned on April 27 in federal court.
https://x.com/DavidSchwartz70/status/2048273043420491866