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This is bad news for people laying Andy Burnham as next Prime Minister – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 13,172
edited May 2 in General
This is bad news for people laying Andy Burnham as next Prime Minister – politicalbetting.com

The Prime Minister previously counted on the support of members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to prevent the Mayor of Greater Manchester from becoming an MP earlier this year.

Read the full story here

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  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 128,568
    I have overdosed on the oysters today.

    Pro tip, don't eat oysters at lunchtime as it ruins the rest of your day when you've got a full itinerary scheduled.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 64,490
    My God, in that photo you can actually see the earpiece where he gets his commands from George Soros.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 43,516
    rcs1000 said:

    My God, in that photo you can actually see the earpiece where he gets his commands from George Soros.

    You mean it's not done via the Grauniad letters page ?

    WOW
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 63,526
    rcs1000 said:

    My God, in that photo you can actually see the earpiece where he gets his commands from George Soros.

    That's rubbish.

    - He gets his orders from the Lizard People in People Suits.
    - Who report to the Gray Aliens
    - Who report to the Grand Council of The Illuminati. Soros is on that. (The Trilateral Commission is an advisory body, kinda to one side of the Illuminati on the diagram)
    - Who report to The People behind Everything

    Process State all the way.

  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 58,890
    It's a story in the Telegraph so hmm. But if Starmer really has lost control of the NEC he is finished.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,956
    DavidL said:

    It's a story in the Telegraph so hmm. But if Starmer really has lost control of the NEC he is finished.

    It's a Trap!
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 72,144
    I expect Graham Stringer or another Gt Manchester mp to announce their retirement as early as next weekend

    If this is what happens it is a game changer

    The bond markets will be interesting next week
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 35,223
    But doesn't SKS himself sit on the NEC? Along with members of his Cabinet. Even it would be very embarassing to block Burnham personally, that doesn't preclude the possibility.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 32,564
    This semi final is several hundred percent more watchable than the previous one.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 22,866
    edited May 2

    DavidL said:

    It's a story in the Telegraph so hmm. But if Starmer really has lost control of the NEC he is finished.

    I have a reasonably well connected source at the top of the Labour Party and they've described this story as 'absolute fucking bollocks'.

    Burnham pushed a story in The Guardian last night and now he is doing the same with The Sunday Telegraph.
    So this source for the Telegraph story, is it Bandy Urnham by any chance?

    (The paradox is that this arguably shores up Starmer over the short term. After all, why start a leadership contest now if a much better candidate is going to be heading to Westminster really really soon?)
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 58,890

    rcs1000 said:

    My God, in that photo you can actually see the earpiece where he gets his commands from George Soros.

    That's rubbish.

    - He gets his orders from the Lizard People in People Suits.
    - Who report to the Gray Aliens
    - Who report to the Grand Council of The Illuminati. Soros is on that. (The Trilateral Commission is an advisory body, kinda to one side of the Illuminati on the diagram)
    - Who report to The People behind Everything

    Process State all the way.

    Are the people behind everything actually the Auditors of Reality as described by Pratchett in novels such as The Thief of Time?
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 128,568

    DavidL said:

    It's a story in the Telegraph so hmm. But if Starmer really has lost control of the NEC he is finished.

    I have a reasonably well connected source at the top of the Labour Party and they've described this story as 'absolute fucking bollocks'.

    Burnham pushed a story in The Guardian last night and now he is doing the same with The Sunday Telegraph.
    So this source for the Telegraph story, is it Bandy Urnham by any chance?

    (The paradox is that this arguably shores up Starmer over the short term. After all, why start a leadership contest now if a much better candidate is going to be heading to Westminster really really soon?)
    Officers of the NEC.

    As of January 2026, the Officers of the NEC are:
    • Leader of the Labour Party: Keir Starmer MP
    • Deputy Leader of the Labour Party: Lucy Powell MP
    • Chair of the National Executive Committee: Shabana Mahmood MP
    • Vice-Chair of the National Executive Committee: Cllr Peter Wheeler
    • Treasurer: Mike Payne
    • Chair of the Organisation Committee: Tom Williams
    • Chair of the Disputes Panel: Gurinder Singh Josan MP
    • NEC co-convenor of the Joint Policy Committee (JPC): Keiran O’Neill
    • Chair of the Equalities Committee: Abdi Duale
    • Chair of the National Policy Forum (when a member of the NEC): Ellie Reeves MP
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,956
    edited May 2
    Latest Opinium
    @ObserverUK
    poll 🚨

    🔷 Reform UK remains ahead in Westminster voting intention.
    🌹 Labour and the Conservatives are effectively tied for second place.
    ❔But the key question: how does this national picture translate into local election results?

    Reform 27%
    Labour 19%
    Conservative 18%
    Green 15%
    Lib Dem 12%

    https://x.com/OpiniumResearch/status/2050651538826330375

    Badenoch sees approval ratings rise continue ahead of the local elections (change from last week):

    🔵Badenoch: net -4 (+2)
    🔷Farage: net -17 (+1)
    🔴Starmer: net -44 (n/c)

    https://x.com/OpiniumResearch/status/2050657827925172578?s=20
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 59,775

    I have overdosed on the oysters today.

    Pro tip, don't eat oysters at lunchtime as it ruins the rest of your day when you've got a full itinerary scheduled.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWb58bM34rA
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 63,526
    DavidL said:

    rcs1000 said:

    My God, in that photo you can actually see the earpiece where he gets his commands from George Soros.

    That's rubbish.

    - He gets his orders from the Lizard People in People Suits.
    - Who report to the Gray Aliens
    - Who report to the Grand Council of The Illuminati. Soros is on that. (The Trilateral Commission is an advisory body, kinda to one side of the Illuminati on the diagram)
    - Who report to The People behind Everything

    Process State all the way.

    Are the people behind everything actually the Auditors of Reality as described by Pratchett in novels such as The Thief of Time?
    No, the Auditors work for the Trilateral Commission.

    You should see the paperwork to get anything done.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 63,526

    But doesn't SKS himself sit on the NEC? Along with members of his Cabinet. Even it would be very embarassing to block Burnham personally, that doesn't preclude the possibility.

    Well, while SKS sits on the NEC, it doesn't mean that SKS is informed as to what goes on the on the NEC. Formally, that is. In a formal sense the SKS on the NEC doesn't talk to the SKS who is PM. Unless formal paperwork is sent by SKS on the NEC (across his desk) to the SKS who is PM (and crosses his desk).

    Sometimes SKS on the NEC does things that SKS the PM gets very, very angry about, when he finds out.

    {And the Lizard Men just nod}

    Hope that clears that up.
  • Pro_RataPro_Rata Posts: 6,305
    Just to complicate things a little further in the Middle East. Somali pirates:

    BBC News - Oil tanker hijacked off coast of Yemen and taken towards Somalia
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpwprl0v2npo
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 63,526
    edited May 2

    DavidL said:

    It's a story in the Telegraph so hmm. But if Starmer really has lost control of the NEC he is finished.

    I have a reasonably well connected source at the top of the Labour Party and they've described this story as 'absolute fucking bollocks'.

    Burnham pushed a story in The Guardian last night and now he is doing the same with The Sunday Telegraph.
    This is exactly like those coup stories about Brown, isn't it?

    The confident briefings to the papers. The informed sources going WTAFF?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,956
    Revealed: When Andrew first met Peter Mandelson
    Our investigation reveals that the pair first met at an NSPCC lunch. It was the start of a mutually beneficial relationship

    https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/when-prince-andrew-met-peter-mandelson-jeffrey-epstein-friendship-djgmhwxh5
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 63,526

    Revealed: When Andrew first met Peter Mandelson
    Our investigation reveals that the pair first met at an NSPCC lunch. It was the start of a mutually beneficial relationship

    https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/when-prince-andrew-met-peter-mandelson-jeffrey-epstein-friendship-djgmhwxh5

    NSPCC

    Yes, indeed.
  • stodgestodge Posts: 16,679
    Evening all :)

    A busy day on the political front line here in the battleground London Borough of Newham.

    After the Newham Independents canvassed us yesterday, today we had the Labour Party paying us a visit. The three candidates and a couple of helpers werein the road adjoining others apparently, so they told me, "going to the Tamil addresses" so clearly trying to shore up their vote from the NIP. They seem to think the NIP's uncosted pledges are a weakness they can exploit though Labour's own record running the Council is nothing of which they can ber proud.

    Later on, I spotted two of the three Conservative candidates with armfuls of leaflets. They are using one of the Hindu businesses (a barbers) as their unofficial campaign HQ. They conceded they werne't going to win the Borough but recognised Wall End was their strongest prospect but they had no helpers and were leafletting and doing only a targeted canvass which seemed a long way from making a real effort. Perhaps the Tory activists have gone to defend seats in Redbridge or Havering.

    The leaflets are okay though the traditional Conservative mantra of "more Police" fails to address the real question of why the Met Police can't attract any recruits. In other areas such as removing the car permit charge for the first vehicle and reinstating the free bulky waste collection, the Conservatives are following Labour and the Newham Independents and are as incapable of answering the basic question about covering the income shortfall as the other two parties.
  • Leon_VotedForStarmerLeon_VotedForStarmer Posts: 69,000
    Ooh, even if it isn't true it is a very clever piece of politicking, It's pressures others into moving first, before Burnham gets there, just in case

    I expect Streeting to act after the elections, if he has the MPs that he claims
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 47,892

    Revealed: When Andrew first met Peter Mandelson
    Our investigation reveals that the pair first met at an NSPCC lunch. It was the start of a mutually beneficial relationship

    https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/when-prince-andrew-met-peter-mandelson-jeffrey-epstein-friendship-djgmhwxh5

    Fuxake.

    ‘We’re all about being nice to children. Would you like a sweety, sweety?’
  • Pro_RataPro_Rata Posts: 6,305
    edited May 2
    I think, despite talking the talk, Starmer himself may not prove as obstinate as many think he might.

    I think the holding on he is doing is in major part from an odd sense of obligation. He won the election and he is under a duty to see things through to the point when he cannot any more, to see if he can turn things around. All those bus injuries are sad, but necessary and if Rachel falls under during a reshuffle post LE it is just what has to be done. But, at the point Starmer decides everything has been done, he will not resist further. The power play in the meantime is just duty, just what has to be done.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,198
    If Burnham becomes an MP before there is a contest then I think he rightly becomes the favourite.

    So the time pressure is really on for anyone else who wants the job.
  • Leon_VotedForStarmerLeon_VotedForStarmer Posts: 69,000
    edited May 2

    If Burnham becomes an MP before there is a contest then I think he rightly becomes the favourite.

    So the time pressure is really on for anyone else who wants the job.

    Yes exactly

    That said, Burnham has to win a by election. as @TSE notes

    Not easy anywhere, right now
  • state_go_awaystate_go_away Posts: 5,923
    Leon said:

    If Burnham becomes an MP before there is a contest then I think he rightly becomes the favourite.

    So the time pressure is really on for anyone else who wants the job.

    Yes exactly

    That said, Burnham has to win a by election. as @TSE notes

    Not easy anywhere, right now
    If it gets to a by election I imagine a lot of tactical voting by anyone right of centre to stop what would be an appalling choice of PM from Rayner , Milliband or Lamney
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 59,775
    Pro_Rata said:

    Just to complicate things a little further in the Middle East. Somali pirates:

    BBC News - Oil tanker hijacked off coast of Yemen and taken towards Somalia
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpwprl0v2npo

    Where's Captain Phillips?
  • gettingbettergettingbetter Posts: 638

    Leon said:

    If Burnham becomes an MP before there is a contest then I think he rightly becomes the favourite.

    So the time pressure is really on for anyone else who wants the job.

    Yes exactly

    That said, Burnham has to win a by election. as @TSE notes

    Not easy anywhere, right now
    If it gets to a by election I imagine a lot of tactical voting by anyone right of centre to stop what would be an appalling choice of PM from Rayner , Milliband or Lamney
    Lamney? What new horror is he/she?
  • MikeLMikeL Posts: 7,996
    Read the Telegraph story carefully - it goes on to say:

    "However, a Labour source said: “Andy cannot name a single member of the NEC who he has won over since he was last rejected. His ‘credible’ plan is based on fantasy.”"
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 6,055
    stodge said:

    Evening all :)

    A busy day on the political front line here in the battleground London Borough of Newham.

    After the Newham Independents canvassed us yesterday, today we had the Labour Party paying us a visit. The three candidates and a couple of helpers werein the road adjoining others apparently, so they told me, "going to the Tamil addresses" so clearly trying to shore up their vote from the NIP. They seem to think the NIP's uncosted pledges are a weakness they can exploit though Labour's own record running the Council is nothing of which they can ber proud.

    Later on, I spotted two of the three Conservative candidates with armfuls of leaflets. They are using one of the Hindu businesses (a barbers) as their unofficial campaign HQ. They conceded they werne't going to win the Borough but recognised Wall End was their strongest prospect but they had no helpers and were leafletting and doing only a targeted canvass which seemed a long way from making a real effort. Perhaps the Tory activists have gone to defend seats in Redbridge or Havering.

    The leaflets are okay though the traditional Conservative mantra of "more Police" fails to address the real question of why the Met Police can't attract any recruits. In other areas such as removing the car permit charge for the first vehicle and reinstating the free bulky waste collection, the Conservatives are following Labour and the Newham Independents and are as incapable of answering the basic question about covering the income shortfall as the other two parties.

    Meanwhile - I've still not had a single activist knock at the door. Quite puzzling as the seat is very much in play for the Scottish Parliament vote. Closest has been finding five of the same SLab leaflets shoved under the door at once - which suggested the activist were very much on a 'job done once I've emptied the leaflet bag' run rather than anything else.
  • MikeLMikeL Posts: 7,996

    DavidL said:

    It's a story in the Telegraph so hmm. But if Starmer really has lost control of the NEC he is finished.

    I have a reasonably well connected source at the top of the Labour Party and they've described this story as 'absolute fucking bollocks'.

    Burnham pushed a story in The Guardian last night and now he is doing the same with The Sunday Telegraph.
    So this source for the Telegraph story, is it Bandy Urnham by any chance?

    (The paradox is that this arguably shores up Starmer over the short term. After all, why start a leadership contest now if a much better candidate is going to be heading to Westminster really really soon?)
    Officers of the NEC.

    As of January 2026, the Officers of the NEC are:
    • Leader of the Labour Party: Keir Starmer MP
    • Deputy Leader of the Labour Party: Lucy Powell MP
    • Chair of the National Executive Committee: Shabana Mahmood MP
    • Vice-Chair of the National Executive Committee: Cllr Peter Wheeler
    • Treasurer: Mike Payne
    • Chair of the Organisation Committee: Tom Williams
    • Chair of the Disputes Panel: Gurinder Singh Josan MP
    • NEC co-convenor of the Joint Policy Committee (JPC): Keiran O’Neill
    • Chair of the Equalities Committee: Abdi Duale
    • Chair of the National Policy Forum (when a member of the NEC): Ellie Reeves MP
    Starmer is surely guaranteed to get support of Mahmood and Ellie Reeves. Add his own vote and he has three votes immediately.

    Not sure what happens if it's a 5-5 tie, but on face of it he may only need two other votes.
  • edmundintokyoedmundintokyo Posts: 17,989
    Does the fact that he's briefing this mean Burnham is going to persuade another Labour MP to stand down and feed their seat to the Greens?
  • BatteryCorrectHorseBatteryCorrectHorse Posts: 7,128
    As I have posted constantly now, Bet on Burnham.

    He will be PM.
  • BatteryCorrectHorseBatteryCorrectHorse Posts: 7,128

    DavidL said:

    It's a story in the Telegraph so hmm. But if Starmer really has lost control of the NEC he is finished.

    I have a reasonably well connected source at the top of the Labour Party and they've described this story as 'absolute fucking bollocks'.

    Burnham pushed a story in The Guardian last night and now he is doing the same with The Sunday Telegraph.
    I don’t have the same source but that’s not what I’ve heard.
  • GaussianGaussian Posts: 916

    DavidL said:

    It's a story in the Telegraph so hmm. But if Starmer really has lost control of the NEC he is finished.

    I have a reasonably well connected source at the top of the Labour Party and they've described this story as 'absolute fucking bollocks'.

    Burnham pushed a story in The Guardian last night and now he is doing the same with The Sunday Telegraph.
    So this source for the Telegraph story, is it Bandy Urnham by any chance?

    (The paradox is that this arguably shores up Starmer over the short term. After all, why start a leadership contest now if a much better candidate is going to be heading to Westminster really really soon?)
    Why does he think he's so great anyway? Ran in 2010 for no good reason and got a whopping 8%. Narcissist weirdo. I'd rather keep Starmer.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,198
    Leon said:

    If Burnham becomes an MP before there is a contest then I think he rightly becomes the favourite.

    So the time pressure is really on for anyone else who wants the job.

    Yes exactly

    That said, Burnham has to win a by election. as @TSE notes

    Not easy anywhere, right now
    If Burnham can fight a by-election on a platform of replacing Starmer as PM, then he walks it in any vaguely Labour territory, surely. He gets to be both government and opposition.

    If he has to pretend that he's running in full support of Starmer then he likely gets demolished, yes. But it's not going to be like that I don't think. It's going to be the electoral equivalent of the march on Rome.
  • numbertwelvenumbertwelve Posts: 9,133

    DavidL said:

    It's a story in the Telegraph so hmm. But if Starmer really has lost control of the NEC he is finished.

    I have a reasonably well connected source at the top of the Labour Party and they've described this story as 'absolute fucking bollocks'.

    Burnham pushed a story in The Guardian last night and now he is doing the same with The Sunday Telegraph.
    I maintain that this saga of trying to get into parliament will end up damaging Burnham if this relentless briefing/focus on machinations continues.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,488

    Revealed: When Andrew first met Peter Mandelson
    Our investigation reveals that the pair first met at an NSPCC lunch. It was the start of a mutually beneficial relationship

    https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/when-prince-andrew-met-peter-mandelson-jeffrey-epstein-friendship-djgmhwxh5

    National Society for Persons Creepy to Children?
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 59,853

    Does the fact that he's briefing this mean Burnham is going to persuade another Labour MP to stand down and feed their seat to the Greens?

    Not necessarily. They could feed it to Reform.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,488
    Gaussian said:

    DavidL said:

    It's a story in the Telegraph so hmm. But if Starmer really has lost control of the NEC he is finished.

    I have a reasonably well connected source at the top of the Labour Party and they've described this story as 'absolute fucking bollocks'.

    Burnham pushed a story in The Guardian last night and now he is doing the same with The Sunday Telegraph.
    So this source for the Telegraph story, is it Bandy Urnham by any chance?

    (The paradox is that this arguably shores up Starmer over the short term. After all, why start a leadership contest now if a much better candidate is going to be heading to Westminster really really soon?)
    Why does he think he's so great anyway? Ran in 2010 for no good reason and got a whopping 8%. Narcissist weirdo. I'd rather keep Starmer.
    Lost in 2015 to Jihadi Jez.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,488

    I have overdosed on the oysters today.

    Pro tip, don't eat oysters at lunchtime as it ruins the rest of your day when you've got a full itinerary scheduled.

    Did you find it hard all afternoon?
  • Leon_VotedForStarmerLeon_VotedForStarmer Posts: 69,000

    Does the fact that he's briefing this mean Burnham is going to persuade another Labour MP to stand down and feed their seat to the Greens?

    Not necessarily. They could feed it to Reform.
    That would be the most ironic, absurd and hilarious outcome. As we are in 2026, it is therefore the most likely
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 9,233

    Latest Opinium
    @ObserverUK
    poll 🚨

    🔷 Reform UK remains ahead in Westminster voting intention.
    🌹 Labour and the Conservatives are effectively tied for second place.
    ❔But the key question: how does this national picture translate into local election results?

    Reform 27%
    Labour 19%
    Conservative 18%
    Green 15%
    Lib Dem 12%

    https://x.com/OpiniumResearch/status/2050651538826330375

    Badenoch sees approval ratings rise continue ahead of the local elections (change from last week):

    🔵Badenoch: net -4 (+2)
    🔷Farage: net -17 (+1)
    🔴Starmer: net -44 (n/c)

    https://x.com/OpiniumResearch/status/2050657827925172578?s=20

    That's very good for Kemi. I must be out of touch - no one I know in real life rates her.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 64,490

    Latest Opinium
    @ObserverUK
    poll 🚨

    🔷 Reform UK remains ahead in Westminster voting intention.
    🌹 Labour and the Conservatives are effectively tied for second place.
    ❔But the key question: how does this national picture translate into local election results?

    Reform 27%
    Labour 19%
    Conservative 18%
    Green 15%
    Lib Dem 12%

    https://x.com/OpiniumResearch/status/2050651538826330375

    Badenoch sees approval ratings rise continue ahead of the local elections (change from last week):

    🔵Badenoch: net -4 (+2)
    🔷Farage: net -17 (+1)
    🔴Starmer: net -44 (n/c)

    https://x.com/OpiniumResearch/status/2050657827925172578?s=20

    There's only 15 points between first and fifth.
  • Leon_VotedForStarmerLeon_VotedForStarmer Posts: 69,000

    I have overdosed on the oysters today.

    Pro tip, don't eat oysters at lunchtime as it ruins the rest of your day when you've got a full itinerary scheduled.

    We need details!

    Maldon rocks? Helford natives? Breton bivalves? Carlingford? Farne? Whitstable? Jersey? How many?

    Also: mignonette? Lemon? Tabasco? Rockefeller?

    I'm serious. I am - clearly - an oyster obsessive. The 18 Carlingfords I had in Carlingford by Carlingford Lough, last week, was one of the most memorable meals of the year
  • Leon_VotedForStarmerLeon_VotedForStarmer Posts: 69,000
    rcs1000 said:

    Latest Opinium
    @ObserverUK
    poll 🚨

    🔷 Reform UK remains ahead in Westminster voting intention.
    🌹 Labour and the Conservatives are effectively tied for second place.
    ❔But the key question: how does this national picture translate into local election results?

    Reform 27%
    Labour 19%
    Conservative 18%
    Green 15%
    Lib Dem 12%

    https://x.com/OpiniumResearch/status/2050651538826330375

    Badenoch sees approval ratings rise continue ahead of the local elections (change from last week):

    🔵Badenoch: net -4 (+2)
    🔷Farage: net -17 (+1)
    🔴Starmer: net -44 (n/c)

    https://x.com/OpiniumResearch/status/2050657827925172578?s=20

    There's only 15 points between first and fifth.
    But there is 8 points twixt first and second. And Reform, the great Reform, led by the Titan Farage, are first

    HEH
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,488
    Leon said:

    I have overdosed on the oysters today.

    Pro tip, don't eat oysters at lunchtime as it ruins the rest of your day when you've got a full itinerary scheduled.

    We need details!

    Maldon rocks? Helford natives? Breton bivalves? Carlingford? Farne? Whitstable? Jersey? How many?

    Also: mignonette? Lemon? Tabasco? Rockefeller?

    I'm serious. I am - clearly - an oyster obsessive. The 18 Carlingfords I had in Carlingford by Carlingford Lough, last week, was one of the most memorable meals of the year
    Unlike Boris Johnson, who is all mussels.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 58,890
    ydoethur said:

    Leon said:

    I have overdosed on the oysters today.

    Pro tip, don't eat oysters at lunchtime as it ruins the rest of your day when you've got a full itinerary scheduled.

    We need details!

    Maldon rocks? Helford natives? Breton bivalves? Carlingford? Farne? Whitstable? Jersey? How many?

    Also: mignonette? Lemon? Tabasco? Rockefeller?

    I'm serious. I am - clearly - an oyster obsessive. The 18 Carlingfords I had in Carlingford by Carlingford Lough, last week, was one of the most memorable meals of the year
    Unlike Boris Johnson, who is all mussels.
    79,000 posts. And not all of them puns!
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 47,892
    rcs1000 said:

    Latest Opinium
    @ObserverUK
    poll 🚨

    🔷 Reform UK remains ahead in Westminster voting intention.
    🌹 Labour and the Conservatives are effectively tied for second place.
    ❔But the key question: how does this national picture translate into local election results?

    Reform 27%
    Labour 19%
    Conservative 18%
    Green 15%
    Lib Dem 12%

    https://x.com/OpiniumResearch/status/2050651538826330375

    Badenoch sees approval ratings rise continue ahead of the local elections (change from last week):

    🔵Badenoch: net -4 (+2)
    🔷Farage: net -17 (+1)
    🔴Starmer: net -44 (n/c)

    https://x.com/OpiniumResearch/status/2050657827925172578?s=20

    There's only 15 points between first and fifth.
    Syphilis is awful, gonorrhea not much better. I suppose I should be grateful just to have herpes.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,488
    edited May 2
    DavidL said:

    ydoethur said:

    Leon said:

    I have overdosed on the oysters today.

    Pro tip, don't eat oysters at lunchtime as it ruins the rest of your day when you've got a full itinerary scheduled.

    We need details!

    Maldon rocks? Helford natives? Breton bivalves? Carlingford? Farne? Whitstable? Jersey? How many?

    Also: mignonette? Lemon? Tabasco? Rockefeller?

    I'm serious. I am - clearly - an oyster obsessive. The 18 Carlingfords I had in Carlingford by Carlingford Lough, last week, was one of the most memorable meals of the year
    Unlike Boris Johnson, who is all mussels.
    79,000 posts. And not all of them puns!
    Nor indeed solely fish related, although some are red herrings.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,956
    Westminster Voting Intention:

    RFM: 28% (-)
    LAB: 19% (-)
    CON: 17% (-1)
    GRN: 16% (-)
    LDM: 12% (-)

    Via
    @BMGResearch
    , 29th - 30th Apr,
    Changes w/ 25-26 Mar
  • Penddu2Penddu2 Posts: 931
    ydoethur said:

    DavidL said:

    ydoethur said:

    Leon said:

    I have overdosed on the oysters today.

    Pro tip, don't eat oysters at lunchtime as it ruins the rest of your day when you've got a full itinerary scheduled.

    We need details!

    Maldon rocks? Helford natives? Breton bivalves? Carlingford? Farne? Whitstable? Jersey? How many?

    Also: mignonette? Lemon? Tabasco? Rockefeller?

    I'm serious. I am - clearly - an oyster obsessive. The 18 Carlingfords I had in Carlingford by Carlingford Lough, last week, was one of the most memorable meals of the year
    Unlike Boris Johnson, who is all mussels.
    79,000 posts. And not all of them puns!
    Nor indeed solely fish related, although some are red herrings.
    This is not the plaice...
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,488
    edited May 2
    Penddu2 said:

    ydoethur said:

    DavidL said:

    ydoethur said:

    Leon said:

    I have overdosed on the oysters today.

    Pro tip, don't eat oysters at lunchtime as it ruins the rest of your day when you've got a full itinerary scheduled.

    We need details!

    Maldon rocks? Helford natives? Breton bivalves? Carlingford? Farne? Whitstable? Jersey? How many?

    Also: mignonette? Lemon? Tabasco? Rockefeller?

    I'm serious. I am - clearly - an oyster obsessive. The 18 Carlingfords I had in Carlingford by Carlingford Lough, last week, was one of the most memorable meals of the year
    Unlike Boris Johnson, who is all mussels.
    79,000 posts. And not all of them puns!
    Nor indeed solely fish related, although some are red herrings.
    This is not the plaice...
    Why not? We're always talking about dodgy ex-Kippers.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,488
    Every time Allen gets his nose in front of Wu, back he comes straight away.
  • Leon_VotedForStarmerLeon_VotedForStarmer Posts: 69,000
    ydoethur said:

    Leon said:

    I have overdosed on the oysters today.

    Pro tip, don't eat oysters at lunchtime as it ruins the rest of your day when you've got a full itinerary scheduled.

    We need details!

    Maldon rocks? Helford natives? Breton bivalves? Carlingford? Farne? Whitstable? Jersey? How many?

    Also: mignonette? Lemon? Tabasco? Rockefeller?

    I'm serious. I am - clearly - an oyster obsessive. The 18 Carlingfords I had in Carlingford by Carlingford Lough, last week, was one of the most memorable meals of the year
    Unlike Boris Johnson, who is all mussels.
    I just did a quick dive on the French oyster industry -- and this might interest @BlancheLivermore who is walking the west coast of France right now, guzzling oysters

    Basically, the French oyster industry as we know it has collapsed. Various parasites and infections, plus global warming, have destroyed French natives. They're producing 5% of what they produced 40 years ago. Now it is all Pacific rocks, the gigas that everyone sells worldwide, and they are not particularly special in French waters - it's a bit too warm. So France has the oyster infrastructure and oyster market, but the actual oysters are foreign, and no longer anything special

    If you want real natives or better rocks, you need Britain or Ireland. Who knew?

    Bit similar to champagne moving to Kent and Sussex
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,488
    Leon said:

    ydoethur said:

    Leon said:

    I have overdosed on the oysters today.

    Pro tip, don't eat oysters at lunchtime as it ruins the rest of your day when you've got a full itinerary scheduled.

    We need details!

    Maldon rocks? Helford natives? Breton bivalves? Carlingford? Farne? Whitstable? Jersey? How many?

    Also: mignonette? Lemon? Tabasco? Rockefeller?

    I'm serious. I am - clearly - an oyster obsessive. The 18 Carlingfords I had in Carlingford by Carlingford Lough, last week, was one of the most memorable meals of the year
    Unlike Boris Johnson, who is all mussels.
    I just did a quick dive on the French oyster industry -- and this might interest @BlancheLivermore who is walking the west coast of France right now, guzzling oysters

    Basically, the French oyster industry as we know it has collapsed. Various parasites and infections, plus global warming, have destroyed French natives. They're producing 5% of what they produced 40 years ago. Now it is all Pacific rocks, the gigas that everyone sells worldwide, and they are not particularly special in French waters - it's a bit too warm. So France has the oyster infrastructure and oyster market, but the actual oysters are foreign, and no longer anything special

    If you want real natives or better rocks, you need Britain or Ireland. Who knew?

    Bit similar to champagne moving to Kent and Sussex
    So there's no longer any reason to shell out for French oysters?
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 136,861
    Is there any clear evidence these sources were Starmer loyalists or are they really Burnham supporters wishful thinking? Unless the former little has changed in terms of Burnham getting through the NEC
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 25,449
    Just imagine, Burnham wins a by-election on an anti-Starmer platform and then gets booted out of the party for his disloyalty, making him ineligible in the leadership contest.

    The other hopefuls need to put their heads above the parapet next Friday to keep the ego of the north off the ballot.
  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 5,444

    DavidL said:

    It's a story in the Telegraph so hmm. But if Starmer really has lost control of the NEC he is finished.

    I have a reasonably well connected source at the top of the Labour Party and they've described this story as 'absolute fucking bollocks'.

    Burnham pushed a story in The Guardian last night and now he is doing the same with The Sunday Telegraph.
    I maintain that this saga of trying to get into parliament will end up damaging Burnham if this relentless briefing/focus on machinations continues.
    I quite favoured Mr Burnham when he was an MP, but this performance has me rather hoping that one of his opponents gets elected MP instead, if it gets that far.
  • MikeLMikeL Posts: 7,996
    I know Locals are not the same as Westminster, but surely polls suggest Labour has every chance of coming second on Thursday.

    Especially if we add in Polanski's difficulties which may not have fed through into polls yet.

    Not saying Labour will do well on Thursday - just that they may do a bit better than expectations.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 25,449
    Headline if Streeting were to defect to the Conservatives:

    Wes Sides Tory


    (Is he a Jet or a Shark?)
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,956
  • Leon_VotedForStarmerLeon_VotedForStarmer Posts: 69,000

    Headline if Streeting were to defect to the Conservatives:

    Wes Sides Tory


    (Is he a Jet or a Shark?)

    Superb
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,488
    edited May 2

    Headline if Streeting were to defect to the Conservatives:

    Wes Sides Tory


    (Is he a Jet or a Shark?)

    I think Labour would be feeling after a short while they were naive to feel he was a case of any Puerto in a storm.
  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 4,847
    He's feeling the heat then?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,956
    Omar Majed, 19, has been charged over the bomb hoax at Peter Kay’s gig last night
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,956
    edited May 2
    Since September 2025, under the one in, one out system, and as of 24 April, 561 people have been removed to France after arriving in the UK on small boats, with 551 brought legally to the UK. Just days before these figures were released, 602 asylum seekers arrived on small boats on 18 April, raising questions about the deterrent value of the scheme.

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/02/asylum-seeker-sent-france-one-in-one-out-returned-syria

    561 is that it....
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 28,768
    "...We can sink into division, or multiply our life chances. We can add to our opportunities or take away hope, even if only for a fraction of the time. We must reject the dreadful calculus that divide us, but instead integrate our efforts and stop differentating between ourselves. We must reject the zero-sum game and instead play the percentages, aiming to infinity. And beyond..."
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,364
    I was under the impression we were going to get a deluge of rain here in the Midlands and the garden would get a good old watering.

    So far - about 30 mins of light rain.

    Hmmm...
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,364
    viewcode said:

    "...We can sink into division, or multiply our life chances. We can add to our opportunities or take away hope, even if only for a fraction of the time. We must reject the dreadful calculus that divide us, but instead integrate our efforts and stop differentating between ourselves. We must reject the zero-sum game and instead play the percentages, aiming to infinity. And beyond..."
    So long as none of it crosses his desk.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 32,564
    Decider at the Crucible.
    What drama!
    Mark Allen just missed a simple black off its spot to go through.
    My man still standing!
    Go Wu!!
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 763
    dixiedean said:

    Decider at the Crucible.
    What drama!
    Mark Allen just missed a simple black off its spot to go through.
    My man still standing!
    Go Wu!!

    I get the feeling Dennis Taylor wants his fellow countryman to win ...
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 32,564
    Wu!!!
  • Daveyboy1961Daveyboy1961 Posts: 5,542
    ydoethur said:

    Headline if Streeting were to defect to the Conservatives:

    Wes Sides Tory


    (Is he a Jet or a Shark?)

    I think Labour would be feeling after a short while they were naive to feel he was a case of any Puerto in a storm.
    Hawaii got news for you was pretty bad for Starmer yesterday.
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 763
    edited May 2
    dixiedean said:

    Wu!!!

    deleted
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 81,143
    Hopefully the twat yelling about the Epstein files will get a life ban from all sporting events in the UK.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 81,143
    DoctorG said:

    dixiedean said:

    Wu!!!

    Classless from some in the crowd booing the young Chinese player. They'd better get used with it, the Chinese will dominate this sport in years to come
    Were they not calling out "Wuuuu" ?
  • oxfordsimonoxfordsimon Posts: 6,012
    viewcode said:

    "...We can sink into division, or multiply our life chances. We can add to our opportunities or take away hope, even if only for a fraction of the time. We must reject the dreadful calculus that divide us, but instead integrate our efforts and stop differentating between ourselves. We must reject the zero-sum game and instead play the percentages, aiming to infinity. And beyond..."
    Meaningless word soup. Typical of the man
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 763
    Pulpstar said:

    DoctorG said:

    dixiedean said:

    Wu!!!

    Classless from some in the crowd booing the young Chinese player. They'd better get used with it, the Chinese will dominate this sport in years to come
    Were they not calling out "Wuuuu" ?
    Yep, I stand corrected, apologies! oops
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 32,564
    edited May 2
    I thought Zhao Xintong would win last year. Looked at the 28-1 on offer and thought that's ludicrous. He needs to start in qualifying round one. Needs to win 10 matches. I want at least 50's.
    Didn't make that mistake this time.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,805
    viewcode said:

    DougSeal said:

    https://slate.com/technology/2022/11/brain-development-25-year-old-mature-myth.html

    Interesting - because legal judgements are using this in the U.K…

    Not that I’m aware of at a CoA level or above anyway. Can you give me a citation, genuinely interested to read the case report, or just the name and I’ll find it

    https://www.scottishsentencingcouncil.org.uk/news-and-media/news/research-indicates-the-brain-does-not-fully-mature-until-you-are-at-least-25/

    Is what I’ve seen so far…
    Which fed into guidelines for sentencing 18-25

    https://news.sky.com/story/sean-hogg-and-the-guidelines-for-sentencing-under-25s-in-scotland-12868279
    Adults are adults and should have the rights and responsibilities thereof. As a society we are too keen to adultise children and infantilise adults.
    I think this is a very concise summary of our two contradictory positions.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 32,564
    DoctorG said:

    dixiedean said:

    Decider at the Crucible.
    What drama!
    Mark Allen just missed a simple black off its spot to go through.
    My man still standing!
    Go Wu!!

    I get the feeling Dennis Taylor wants his fellow countryman to win ...
    Yes. It was a bit irritating.
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 763
    dixiedean said:

    I thought Zhao Xintong would win last year. Looked at the 28-1 on offer and thought that's ludicrous. He needs to start in qualifying round one. Needs to win 10 matches. I want at least 50's.
    Didn't make that mistake this time.

    You'd get good odds on him winning, he seems to be marginal favourite for the final

    The thing about the Chinese players versus home grown, I think there is more pressure on UK based players at the Crucible. Mark Allen must have felt so much pressure, when you are 22 and in front of an unknown crowd, you don't feel it as much at that age. Mark Allen may never get a better chance to be back in a world final

    I think Taylor is generally a good commentator, but he wore his heart on his sleeve too much there. I remember similar when the BBC commentators wanted their fellow colleague Steve Davis to beat Ding in the UK Champ final way back in 2005
  • oxfordsimonoxfordsimon Posts: 6,012
    Can't be true. Unless she is being used by one of the others to kick this off.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 6,055

    Since September 2025, under the one in, one out system, and as of 24 April, 561 people have been removed to France after arriving in the UK on small boats, with 551 brought legally to the UK. Just days before these figures were released, 602 asylum seekers arrived on small boats on 18 April, raising questions about the deterrent value of the scheme.

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/02/asylum-seeker-sent-france-one-in-one-out-returned-syria

    561 is that it....

    That's several boats worth of people. Several. For ~1/2 billion - you've got to admit it's excellent value. Somewhat related - I did enjoy the BBC's coverage - deliberate or not - of the recent updated deal :

    "The deal will involve France deploying millions of pounds worth of drones, two helicopters, and a camera system to intercept people smugglers and illegal migrants."

    I am picturing that as 'one very expensive drone prototype they didn't want anyway' plus literally a USB webcam pointed at a stretch of empty beach.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,364
    Sam Stein
    @samstein

    Clyburn announces his Fish Fry guests this year:

    Andy Beshear

    Ro Khanna

    https://x.com/samstein/status/2050246836569481223

    ====

    Key event in Dem world on the pre-primary circuit.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,364
    Sam Stein
    @samstein

    Clyburn announces his Fish Fry guests this year:

    Andy Beshear

    Ro Khanna

    https://x.com/samstein/status/2050246836569481223

    ====

    Key event in Dem world on the pre-primary circuit.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 9,233
    Preparations begin...

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c794zd1vqn4o

    "Airlines can cancel flights in advance over fuel shortages, under new plans"
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,364
    Aaron Rupar
    @atrupar

    Trump: “I will soon be reviewing the plan that Iran has just sent to us, but can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”

    https://x.com/atrupar/status/2050709101781639456
  • theProletheProle Posts: 1,953
    carnforth said:

    Preparations begin...

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c794zd1vqn4o

    "Airlines can cancel flights in advance over fuel shortages, under new plans"

    It makes a lot of sense; if there are going to be serious shortages, frankly the last thing we should be doing with the available resources is burning it so people can go on their holibobs. Most air travel is moderately frivolous - things like power generation and food supply really aren't.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 32,564
    theProle said:

    carnforth said:

    Preparations begin...

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c794zd1vqn4o

    "Airlines can cancel flights in advance over fuel shortages, under new plans"

    It makes a lot of sense; if there are going to be serious shortages, frankly the last thing we should be doing with the available resources is burning it so people can go on their holibobs. Most air travel is moderately frivolous - things like power generation and food supply really aren't.
    What about the really important stuff like @Leon and his airport noom?
  • theProletheProle Posts: 1,953
    dixiedean said:

    theProle said:

    carnforth said:

    Preparations begin...

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c794zd1vqn4o

    "Airlines can cancel flights in advance over fuel shortages, under new plans"

    It makes a lot of sense; if there are going to be serious shortages, frankly the last thing we should be doing with the available resources is burning it so people can go on their holibobs. Most air travel is moderately frivolous - things like power generation and food supply really aren't.
    What about the really important stuff like @Leon and his airport noom?
    I'm sure there will be lots of noom available in the empty airport terminal nearest his home. He may have to walk their to experience it, mind you.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 36,342

    As I have posted constantly now, Bet on Burnham.

    He will be PM.

    The bet is whether Burnham will be next PM, not just PM at some point.
  • oxfordsimonoxfordsimon Posts: 6,012

    As I have posted constantly now, Bet on Burnham.

    He will be PM.

    The bet is whether Burnham will be next PM, not just PM at some point.
    A lot of popcorn to be consumed before that happens
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 81,143

    As I have posted constantly now, Bet on Burnham.

    He will be PM.

    The bet is whether Burnham will be next PM, not just PM at some point.
    I can't see him being PM if he isn't next up tbh
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 36,342
    Sir Keir Starmer is facing a backlash after he called for a ban on some pro-Palestine protests as part of a crackdown on antisemitism.

    The prime minister suggested there were “instances” where it was appropriate to prevent such marches happening on UK streets –as they have done in France – as he said he would fight “with every breath I have” for a diverse and tolerant Britain following a series of attacks on Jewish communities in recent weeks, including the Golders Green terror attack.

    But even his government’s own independent adviser on antisemitism said it would be “unconscionable” to outlaw peaceful pro-Palestine protests opposing Israel’s actions in the Middle East.

    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/starmer-ban-protest-palestine-antisemitism-b2969500.html
This discussion has been closed.