Skip to content

Go West and meet Labour’s Sir Anthony Meyer? – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 13,174
edited May 9 in General
Go West and meet Labour’s Sir Anthony Meyer? – politicalbetting.com

Labour MP says he is "almost certain" Catherine West will have the 81 MPs she needs to trigger a leadership election on Monday. https://t.co/fMaH9km4WL

Read the full story here

«1345678

Comments

  • RobDRobD Posts: 61,140
    I’m glad the adults are in charge.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,502
    Not so much a stalking donkey as a lumbering ass.
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,878
    Perhaps even the notion of a contest leaves him fatally damaged?
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 3,268
    How would the markets react to an election in the midst of an energy crisis. Is Nigel the answer? Or Kemi?

    Seems more media driven than anything but it has to happen to lance the boil.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 128,599
    RobD said:

    I’m glad the adults are in charge.

    Don’t be harsh.

    It’s given me lots of betting material for headers.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,749
    If she manages to trigger a contest that would be it, I'd have thought. Others would join. Game over.

    My betting book is twitching nervously.
  • londonpubmanlondonpubman Posts: 3,865
    Maybe the Cabinet say 'We close our eyes' to this situation 😈
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,749
    The 26 exit has moved from 1.7 to 1.5 on this.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 128,599
    kinabalu said:

    If she manages to trigger a contest that would be it, I'd have thought. Others would join. Game over.

    My betting book is twitching nervously.

    Well if it happens I’ll be so happy as Burnham cannot stand.

    No poorhouse for me.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 59,819
    edited May 9
    HYUFD said:

    Reform won 40 seats in London OUTSIDE their bastion of Havering (39 seats won).

    9 Barking
    8 Hounslow
    7 Bexley
    6 Bromley
    4 Hillingdon
    2 Croydon
    2 Sutton
    1 Greenwich
    1 Redbridge

    Note all in the suburbs, not one in inner London.
    Greenwich counts as Inner London. It was in the County of London 1889-1965
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 59,819

    Maybe the Cabinet say 'We close our eyes' to this situation 😈

    We close our eyes
    We never lose a game
    Imagination never lets us take the blame
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 63,554
    It’s obvious what needs to be done

    The MPs pick someone else to be PM.

    It’s against the Labour rules, you say?

    Just don’t officially inform Starmer. That way, he is technically the leader. While someone else gets on with the job.

    No papers across any desks.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 72,193
    I was present when Antony Meyer launched his bid in November 1989 and we all knew he would lose

    I doubt Catherine West will do any better, but with 36 labour mps rumoured to want Starmer gone maybe a big beast will raise the stakes
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 35,251
    Good for Catherine West. I take back my comments about Labour MPs - clearly they have one with the semblance of a spine.
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 12,887
    kinabalu said:

    The 26 exit has moved from 1.7 to 1.5 on this.

    And Burnham has collapsed in a trough of tears.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 28,797
    Iiuc, Lewisham and tower hamlets are the lazy children. Tower Hamlets is owned as a fiefdom so no joy to anybody there. Lewisham is doing well for the Greens.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 35,251

    Good for Catherine West. I take back my comments about Labour MPs - clearly they have one with the semblance of a spine.

    Like Catherine West, I would be happy for Starmer to have the Foreign Office if that softens the blow. Despite my very frequent criticism, I don't want to destroy the man.
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,878
    Will noone think of George Fouracres in all of this? He's just achieved a breakthrough in the public consciousness for his Starmer on SNL:UK (funnily enough his Falstaff and Ague at the Globe failed to reach the TikTok and YouTube Short demographic).

    And now it might all be over.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 59,886
    https://x.com/Tony_Diver/status/2053158147548696922

    Understand that allies of Andy Burnham are desperately trying to convince Catherine West to abandon her leadership bid less than an hour after she launched it.

    Lou Haigh is working with colleagues to find a way to get her to drop it. Burnham cannot run.
  • numbertwelvenumbertwelve Posts: 9,134
    I think it’s more likely than not that he survives, the cabinet haven’t broken ranks yet (though outside of it, Rayner has been noticeably quiet).

    However this is a big moment because what she does is give a challenger cover to not be the one wielding the knife itself. So if she does get the support, then I think someone will emerge.

    I do think the leadership situation has now become such a critical point for Labour that ignoring it will only cause them further damage now. I don’t think jettisoning a PM should be the first response to any crisis, but Starmer has had ample opportunity to demonstrate what he’s got over the last 2 years, and he’s just been found badly lacking in almost every measure. He simply can’t change the dial for them. His actions today with Brown and Harman cement it.
  • rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 9,355
    kinabalu said:

    If she manages to trigger a contest that would be it, I'd have thought. Others would join. Game over.

    My betting book is twitching nervously.

    Yes would be ridiculous to back Starmer to delay a leadership challenge
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 12,887

    https://x.com/Tony_Diver/status/2053158147548696922

    Understand that allies of Andy Burnham are desperately trying to convince Catherine West to abandon her leadership bid less than an hour after she launched it.

    Lou Haigh is working with colleagues to find a way to get her to drop it. Burnham cannot run.

    I'd like to point out that I predicted this 3 minutes ago (I didn't have any prior knowledge).
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 59,819
    viewcode said:

    Iiuc, Lewisham and tower hamlets are the lazy children. Tower Hamlets is owned as a fiefdom so no joy to anybody there. Lewisham is doing well for the Greens.

    Tower Hamlets already down as an "Aspire" hold.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 28,797

    viewcode said:

    Iiuc, Lewisham and tower hamlets are the lazy children. Tower Hamlets is owned as a fiefdom so no joy to anybody there. Lewisham is doing well for the Greens.

    Tower Hamlets already down as an "Aspire" hold.
    So which is the other council?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 58,924
    My guess is that she doesn't get near 81 and there is no contest. Even people who want rid of Starmer will be reluctant to support a challenge like this when Burnham is not available and Rayner has her HMRC nonsense still hanging over her.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,388
    Is this 5-D chess?

    Fails to get the 81 signatures and so all leadership stuff is off for a year?
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,388
    edited May 9
    Is this 5-D chess?

    Fails to get the 81 signatures and so all leadership stuff is off for a year? Rewarded with Cabinet post or special envoy to Australia?
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,749

    https://x.com/Tony_Diver/status/2053158147548696922

    Understand that allies of Andy Burnham are desperately trying to convince Catherine West to abandon her leadership bid less than an hour after she launched it.

    Lou Haigh is working with colleagues to find a way to get her to drop it. Burnham cannot run.

    Good to see that Andy Burnham continues to demonstrate that the most important thing to him is the career prospects of Andy Burnham.
    "Hold on. I'm coming"
  • Wulfrun_PhilWulfrun_Phil Posts: 5,220

    Good for Catherine West. I take back my comments about Labour MPs - clearly they have one with the semblance of a spine.

    Well thank goodness that one Labour MP has balls even though technically she doesn't have balls.

    We'll surely see others act on the back of this. Streeting and probably then Rayner or otherwise Miliband. Otherwise Catherine West could very likely be next PM!

    I did post a comment a few weeks back to the effect that because things could be initiated by an outsider and meltdown in the May elections seemed certain, the chances of it going beyond May were pretty remote.

  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 3,268

    https://x.com/Tony_Diver/status/2053158147548696922

    Understand that allies of Andy Burnham are desperately trying to convince Catherine West to abandon her leadership bid less than an hour after she launched it.

    Lou Haigh is working with colleagues to find a way to get her to drop it. Burnham cannot run.

    Is it Panto season yet?
  • MikeLMikeL Posts: 7,997
    Maybe notable that no Labour MP in a "safe seat" has yet announced that they are standing down?

    If the overwhelming momentum was for Burnham, shouldn't an MP announce right now (ie today) that they will stand down and that MP should say "Catherine, please withdraw your challenge so Andy can get back into Parliament first".

    But no sign yet of the above happening.

    OK, we know the NEC may well block Burnham nomination but they could at least attempt to create momentum for Burnham such that NEC would let him through.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 72,193
    DavidL said:

    My guess is that she doesn't get near 81 and there is no contest. Even people who want rid of Starmer will be reluctant to support a challenge like this when Burnham is not available and Rayner has her HMRC nonsense still hanging over her.

    Streeting has an opportunity

    Will he take it or forever regret not doing so
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,388
    Battlebus said:

    https://x.com/Tony_Diver/status/2053158147548696922

    Understand that allies of Andy Burnham are desperately trying to convince Catherine West to abandon her leadership bid less than an hour after she launched it.

    Lou Haigh is working with colleagues to find a way to get her to drop it. Burnham cannot run.

    Is it Panto season yet?
    Always at the Palace.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,749
    rkrkrk said:

    kinabalu said:

    If she manages to trigger a contest that would be it, I'd have thought. Others would join. Game over.

    My betting book is twitching nervously.

    Yes would be ridiculous to back Starmer to delay a leadership challenge
    If it happens my potential (betting) saving grace is I'm long Streeting. He's advantaged bigtime by no Burnham.
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 8,325
    OMG this shouldn’t be so funny but it is .

    Labour can’t even do leadership contests without the whole thing unravelling before it’s even started !
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,388
    (((Dan Hodges)))
    @DPJHodges
    ·
    1h
    People need to calm down. The starting gun for the leadership contest was fired yesterday when Lou Haigh and the Tribune Group mobilised. They weren't freelancing. There's a plan. Catherine West isn't central to it. It will all roll out next week.

    https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2053148171832901739
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,195
    Battlebus said:

    https://x.com/Tony_Diver/status/2053158147548696922

    Understand that allies of Andy Burnham are desperately trying to convince Catherine West to abandon her leadership bid less than an hour after she launched it.

    Lou Haigh is working with colleagues to find a way to get her to drop it. Burnham cannot run.

    Is it Panto season yet?
    It is, like SKS’s career as PM - Behind you.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 58,924
    Battlebus said:

    https://x.com/Tony_Diver/status/2053158147548696922

    Understand that allies of Andy Burnham are desperately trying to convince Catherine West to abandon her leadership bid less than an hour after she launched it.

    Lou Haigh is working with colleagues to find a way to get her to drop it. Burnham cannot run.

    Is it Panto season yet?
    " He's behind you!"

    "Oh no he isn't!"
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 8,325
    At this rate the whole thing will implode as Labour MPs go for it and end up with Miliband as they didn’t organise properly .

    At which point Labour will be lucky to poll in double digits .
  • Wulfrun_PhilWulfrun_Phil Posts: 5,220

    It’s obvious what needs to be done

    The MPs pick someone else to be PM.

    It’s against the Labour rules, you say?

    Just don’t officially inform Starmer. That way, he is technically the leader. While someone else gets on with the job.

    No papers across any desks.

    Labour is too factional for someone to emerge by consensus in a coronation, unless that is Burnham who is ruled out. To be fair, in recent years nearly all the factionalism has been driven from Starmer's side ("Labour Together" (irony!), "Labour to Win" (even more irony now)), with there being very few Corbynista's left now. The "soft left" are more broad church types but when one side is at it the other has to push back.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,814
    nico67 said:

    At this rate the whole thing will implode as Labour MPs go for it and end up with Miliband as they didn’t organise properly .

    His masterplan coming to fruition!
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,388
    Theo Bertram
    @theobertram
    Three possible outcomes:
    1. Starmer peacefully quits & Cabinet happily agree new leader - v unlikely
    2. West gets the 81, then immediately withdraws, inviting others to step forward - less likely but possible
    3. West gets <81 MPs, coup fails, Starmer secured - more likely

    https://x.com/theobertram/status/2053152717569139111
  • londonpubmanlondonpubman Posts: 3,865
    Burnham will not become PM. He is unlikely to be an MP again. His time as a Labour leadership contender passed quite some time ago.
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 8,325
    kle4 said:

    nico67 said:

    At this rate the whole thing will implode as Labour MPs go for it and end up with Miliband as they didn’t organise properly .

    His masterplan coming to fruition!
    If Miliband is the answer Farage may aswell book the removal men in readiness !
  • rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 9,355
    nico67 said:

    At this rate the whole thing will implode as Labour MPs go for it and end up with Miliband as they didn’t organise properly .

    At which point Labour will be lucky to poll in double digits .

    If they are going to have a contest, whoever wins needs to have full support of party. I think that means Burnham has to be part of it - even though I'm far from thrilled at prospect of him being prime minister.
  • Wulfrun_PhilWulfrun_Phil Posts: 5,220
    kinabalu said:

    rkrkrk said:

    kinabalu said:

    If she manages to trigger a contest that would be it, I'd have thought. Others would join. Game over.

    My betting book is twitching nervously.

    Yes would be ridiculous to back Starmer to delay a leadership challenge
    If it happens my potential (betting) saving grace is I'm long Streeting. He's advantaged bigtime by no Burnham.
    Yes he is, but still not enough to win with the members and other union member political levy payers.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 81,143
    edited May 9

    https://x.com/Tony_Diver/status/2053158147548696922

    Understand that allies of Andy Burnham are desperately trying to convince Catherine West to abandon her leadership bid less than an hour after she launched it.

    Lou Haigh is working with colleagues to find a way to get her to drop it. Burnham cannot run.

    Good to see that Andy Burnham continues to demonstrate that the most important thing to him is the career prospects of Andy Burnham.
    Can hardly blame him for being blocked by Keir's mates in the NEC. Sure the Manchester mayoralty is important but national leadership is orders of magnitude more important
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 59,886
    Starmer's announcement about Harriet Harman now has a community note attached to it:

    https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/2053042974548775188
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,814

    DavidL said:

    My guess is that she doesn't get near 81 and there is no contest. Even people who want rid of Starmer will be reluctant to support a challenge like this when Burnham is not available and Rayner has her HMRC nonsense still hanging over her.

    Streeting has an opportunity

    Will he take it or forever regret not doing so
    Naturally as an ambitious politician he will have a lot of self confidence, but is he really the person the unhappy Labour voters will gravitate to? Based on how much former Labour voters moan about him it seems like the opposite would be the case.

    So other than the cache of calling himself a former PM at some point - much devalued now it will forever also apply to Truss who, whatever her positives/negatives, barely had any time at all - not sure it is particularly worth it from him.

    Just leave Starmer in place until the autumn, with two full years under his belt and then some his faction could not argue he did not get at least a decent amount of time to try.
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,878
    edited May 9
    It's always interesting to see which ministers (of whom you have never previously heard) come out all supportive of the status quo. Like they anticipate the sack the moment anyone remotely dynamic or intentional gets a sniff of the PM's job.
  • Wulfrun_PhilWulfrun_Phil Posts: 5,220

    I think it’s more likely than not that he survives, the cabinet haven’t broken ranks yet (though outside of it, Rayner has been noticeably quiet).

    However this is a big moment because what she does is give a challenger cover to not be the one wielding the knife itself. So if she does get the support, then I think someone will emerge.

    I do think the leadership situation has now become such a critical point for Labour that ignoring it will only cause them further damage now. I don’t think jettisoning a PM should be the first response to any crisis, but Starmer has had ample opportunity to demonstrate what he’s got over the last 2 years, and he’s just been found badly lacking in almost every measure. He simply can’t change the dial for them. His actions today with Brown and Harman cement it.

    How many in the Cabinet apart from Miliband are not there primarily because of Starmer's patronage? eg. Haigh, Rayner, Powell all conveniently sidelined. So don't hold too much store about what the Cabinet do, it's what the soft left do that matters.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 89,694

    https://x.com/Tony_Diver/status/2053158147548696922

    Understand that allies of Andy Burnham are desperately trying to convince Catherine West to abandon her leadership bid less than an hour after she launched it.

    Lou Haigh is working with colleagues to find a way to get her to drop it. Burnham cannot run.

    So "allies of" Andy Burnham is backing Starmer remaining in office. So he can challenge him for the leadership as he's no longer fit to be PM ?

    That's a message which will resonate on the doorstep.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,814
    MikeL said:

    Maybe notable that no Labour MP in a "safe seat" has yet announced that they are standing down?

    If the overwhelming momentum was for Burnham, shouldn't an MP announce right now (ie today) that they will stand down and that MP should say "Catherine, please withdraw your challenge so Andy can get back into Parliament first".

    But no sign yet of the above happening.

    OK, we know the NEC may well block Burnham nomination but they could at least attempt to create momentum for Burnham such that NEC would let him through.

    Perhaps Burnham is still waiting to see if pressure can force Keir to announce he will stand down in due course, thus enabling Burnham to at that point announce he is ready if someone would be so kind as to step aside.
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 12,887
    Pulpstar said:

    https://x.com/Tony_Diver/status/2053158147548696922

    Understand that allies of Andy Burnham are desperately trying to convince Catherine West to abandon her leadership bid less than an hour after she launched it.

    Lou Haigh is working with colleagues to find a way to get her to drop it. Burnham cannot run.

    Good to see that Andy Burnham continues to demonstrate that the most important thing to him is the career prospects of Andy Burnham.
    Can hardly blame him for being blocked by Keir's mates in the NEC. Sure the Manchester mayoralty is important but national leadership is orders of magnitude more important
    That may be his recent gripe, but being Andy Burnham has seemed to be his long term handicap.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 61,140

    Starmer's announcement about Harriet Harman now has a community note attached to it:

    https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/2053042974548775188

    Politicians shouldn’t use twitter.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 59,886
    Interesting signalling from Mike Tapp:

    https://x.com/MikeTappTweets/status/2053153802690162988

    I wonder why Reform wants the Prime Minister removed? Because they know what comes next, and so do I.

    Stability is key.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 81,143
    Has big Ang's time come 😂
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 3,268
    My OH who is not really political as if she was she wouldn't vote Green for the environment. She is in despair about politicians who promise but don't deliver highlighting the various meetings she had with the previous Tory MP when discussing support for local business. In business, she says, you underpromise and overdeliver. In politics it seems to be the opposite.

    I couldn't disagree.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,195
    Pulpstar said:

    Has big Ang's time come 😂

    Postecoglou ?
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 39,828
    Pulpstar said:

    Has big Ang's time come 😂

    She could be dreadful, but probably better than Starmer. She might surprise on the upside which Starmer won't.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,388
    Sam Coates Sky
    @SamCoatesSky
    ·
    17m
    [There's a group of MPs who's] expectation, by the way, is that Keir Starmer’s Monday speech does not do what’s needed, so they are likely to join the fray.

    But they actually want the cabinet to act, to avoid this happening in this disorderly way in public
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,749

    kinabalu said:

    rkrkrk said:

    kinabalu said:

    If she manages to trigger a contest that would be it, I'd have thought. Others would join. Game over.

    My betting book is twitching nervously.

    Yes would be ridiculous to back Starmer to delay a leadership challenge
    If it happens my potential (betting) saving grace is I'm long Streeting. He's advantaged bigtime by no Burnham.
    Yes he is, but still not enough to win with the members and other union member political levy payers.
    We will (sooner or later) find out whether that is true.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 89,694
    The blessing by a group of MAGA evangelicals, of a golden statue of Donald Trump absolutely does not resemble in any way at all the worship of the golden calf.

    Today at Trump National Doral Miami, we witnessed an unforgettable moment with the dedication of the 22-foot statue honoring President Donald J. Trump.

    Let me be clear: this is not a golden calf. We worship the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone.

    This statue is a celebration of life. It is a symbol of resilience, freedom, patriotism, strength, and the will power to keep fighting for the future of America.

    It also stands as a reminder of the hand of God and His protection over President Trump’s life. Time and time again, when his life was threatened, God’s mercy prevailed.

    Today was not just a ribbon cutting. It was the public display of a powerful movement that has spread across America and around the world.

    I was deeply honored to serve as President Trump’s main point of contact throughout this process, and I do not take that assignment lightly.

    I want to personally thank Ash, Dustin Stockton, Brock Pierce, Hershey Friedman, Yaakov Filitchkin, Sam, Jack, and the 6,000+ Patriots who donated, believed, sacrificed, and made this historic moment possible.

    Thank you to the entire Trump Doral team for your incredible hospitality and excellence.

    And thank you, President Donald J. Trump, for calling me today and speaking to the crowd. We are forever grateful.

    https://x.com/pastormarkburns/status/2052227145921892710

    Even the Edstone had more dignity.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 59,886
    Important point. West doesn't actually need 81 names. Declaring herself formally as a candidate is enough to trigger a nomination window.

    https://x.com/richardmarcj/status/2053162275872166249

    The key thing is that by declaring her candidacy, following the precedent of Angela Eagle in 2016, Catherine West would prompt the NEC to open a window for nominations to be collected for any candidate, inviting more serious contenders.

    This keeps being missed by commentators.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 89,694

    Important point. West doesn't actually need 81 names. Declaring herself formally as a candidate is enough to trigger a nomination window.

    https://x.com/richardmarcj/status/2053162275872166249

    The key thing is that by declaring her candidacy, following the precedent of Angela Eagle in 2016, Catherine West would prompt the NEC to open a window for nominations to be collected for any candidate, inviting more serious contenders.

    This keeps being missed by commentators.

    Is there a time limit on the window ?
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,814
    Battlebus said:

    My OH who is not really political as if she was she wouldn't vote Green for the environment. She is in despair about politicians who promise but don't deliver highlighting the various meetings she had with the previous Tory MP when discussing support for local business. In business, she says, you underpromise and overdeliver. In politics it seems to be the opposite.

    I couldn't disagree.

    That's partly on us as even though the public are very cynical about politicians we still reward them making bolder claims and more aggressive attacks on their opponents.

    Incremental improvement and dull competence now! is not a big votewinner.

    (Ok, Starmer was in part portrayed as unflashy and competent, the grown up etc, but they were overall pitching massive change).
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,814
    Nigelb said:

    The blessing by a group of MAGA evangelicals, of a golden statue of Donald Trump absolutely does not resemble in any way at all the worship of the golden calf.

    Today at Trump National Doral Miami, we witnessed an unforgettable moment with the dedication of the 22-foot statue honoring President Donald J. Trump.

    Let me be clear: this is not a golden calf. We worship the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone.

    This statue is a celebration of life. It is a symbol of resilience, freedom, patriotism, strength, and the will power to keep fighting for the future of America.

    It also stands as a reminder of the hand of God and His protection over President Trump’s life. Time and time again, when his life was threatened, God’s mercy prevailed.

    Today was not just a ribbon cutting. It was the public display of a powerful movement that has spread across America and around the world.

    I was deeply honored to serve as President Trump’s main point of contact throughout this process, and I do not take that assignment lightly.

    I want to personally thank Ash, Dustin Stockton, Brock Pierce, Hershey Friedman, Yaakov Filitchkin, Sam, Jack, and the 6,000+ Patriots who donated, believed, sacrificed, and made this historic moment possible.

    Thank you to the entire Trump Doral team for your incredible hospitality and excellence.

    And thank you, President Donald J. Trump, for calling me today and speaking to the crowd. We are forever grateful.

    https://x.com/pastormarkburns/status/2052227145921892710

    Even the Edstone had more dignity.

    They left dignity behind long ago. The scary thing is they are not doing it grudgingly to score points, they do actually worship the man.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 9,247
    Proper Australian common sense. Love it.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 9,247
    Perhaps we need some Australian straight-talking about our fiscal situation. Kerry Packer, Catherine West, who cares.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,814
    Nigelb said:

    https://x.com/Tony_Diver/status/2053158147548696922

    Understand that allies of Andy Burnham are desperately trying to convince Catherine West to abandon her leadership bid less than an hour after she launched it.

    Lou Haigh is working with colleagues to find a way to get her to drop it. Burnham cannot run.

    So "allies of" Andy Burnham is backing Starmer remaining in office. So he can challenge him for the leadership as he's no longer fit to be PM ?

    That's a message which will resonate on the doorstep.
    "He has to go but can you at least please wait a few months!"

    Whoever on Cabinet was instrumental in convincing Starmer to prevent Burnham's return is laughing right now. Probably it was Miliband.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 128,599
    Just an FYI.

    Monday is letters rogatory day for me, so for most of the day, I will not be around to focus on politics.

    Why do I have a feeling it's all going to kick off on Monday.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 89,694
    edited May 9
    I don't think the stink around Farage's £5m bung is going away.
    The arrogance of this interview, and his refusal to even contemplate he might be wrong, reminds me a lot of Trump.

    https://x.com/nowak_paul/status/2052879919705714978
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,388
    Will Gordon Brown get any chance to do any global finance before Starmer falls?
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 41,579
    This is great because there's no way she can win and there's no way the actual cabinet will take it seriously enough to support her. Members will hate to do it but vote Starmer which means he's secure until 2029.

    This is exactly what happened to Corbyn, some nonentity challenged him and all it did was secure his position until he got smashed in 2019.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,961
    So is it on like fat Pats thong?
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 128,599
    So all football fans, except those in North London for differing reasons, will be West Ham fans tomorrow.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 41,579

    Will Gordon Brown get any chance to do any global finance before Starmer falls?

    This leadership run by some no name backbencher will only serve to strengthen Starmer. It secures his position until 2029. Any serious challenger needs to discourage her this evening because they can't run on this basis and Starmer will win against this random meaning they won't be able to challenge him again until after an election.
  • TheValiantTheValiant Posts: 2,130

    Good for Catherine West. I take back my comments about Labour MPs - clearly they have one with the semblance of a spine.

    She has at least has the guts to do what everyone else was saying should be done.

    PB is funny. We spent the last day and this morning deriding Starmer over his appointment of Brown, and talking up challengers, but when someone actually comes forward we label them Anthony Meyer and say they're no hopers.

    Forget your betting book. If you want Starmer gone, now is the time. Absent some sort of political blackswan, It won't get any more likely going forward unless they're intending to wait until May 2027 and the next local election shellacking.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 89,694
    Why would anyone continue to run an organisation like this if they weren't laundering money ?

    Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, just reported its 2026 Q1 results.

    It lost $405 MILLION on $900,000 in revenue.

    https://x.com/JuddLegum/status/2052862877879447775
  • MikeLMikeL Posts: 7,997
    Catherine West not listed on Betfair Next PM market.

    66 people are currently listed.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 128,599
    MikeL said:

    Catherine West not listed on Betfair Next PM market.

    66 people are currently listed.

    Neither was Jeremy Corbyn when Ed Miliband resigned.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 41,579

    So all football fans, except those in North London for differing reasons, will be West Ham fans tomorrow.

    Nah most of my friends want West Ham to win, we have enough in the tank to stay up either way. I think if we hadn't won against Villa last weekend then it would be different but we look like a completely different team under de Zerbi. We should have beaten Brighton and at least got a draw with Sunderland and we've been playing well so I'm backing West Ham to get a draw or win and we'll do enough to beat Leeds at home.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,961
    I hope everybody enjoying the quiet....
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 27,958
    Nigelb said:

    Why would anyone continue to run an organisation like this if they weren't laundering money ?

    Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, just reported its 2026 Q1 results.

    It lost $405 MILLION on $900,000 in revenue.

    https://x.com/JuddLegum/status/2052862877879447775

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth_Social

    Russian finance
    According to The Guardian, in December 2021, two loans totaling $8 million (~$9.11 million in 2024) were paid to Trump Media from obscure Putin-connected entities as the company was "on the brink of collapse". $2 million was paid by Paxum Bank, part-owned by Anton Postolnikov, a relation of Aleksandr Smirnov, a former Russian government official who now runs the Russian maritime company Rosmorport. $6 million was paid by an ostensibly separate entity, ES Family Trust, whose director was the director of Paxum Bank at the same time.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,240
    Andy Burnham. Lol.
    Reduced to desperately trying to save Starmer until he is an MP.
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 8,325

    Andy Burnham. Lol.
    Reduced to desperately trying to save Starmer until he is an MP.

    It’s comedy gold !
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,961

    Andy Burnham. Lol.
    Reduced to desperately trying to save Starmer until he is an MP.

    You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,749

    So is it on like fat Pats thong?

    My sense is Fat Pat is wrestling with it but hasn't yet got a foot through and might end up just falling over.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 63,554

    Andy Burnham. Lol.
    Reduced to desperately trying to save Starmer until he is an MP.

    You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off.
    It’s a self preservation society.
  • Wulfrun_PhilWulfrun_Phil Posts: 5,220

    Andy Burnham. Lol.
    Reduced to desperately trying to save Starmer until he is an MP.

    Burnham can't continue to be a well regarded Labour in the eyes of the general public if he's straining every sinew to prevent the derided Starmer from being booted out prematurely.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,388

    Andy Burnham. Lol.
    Reduced to desperately trying to save Starmer until he is an MP.

    You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off.
    (((Dan Hodges)))
    @DPJHodges
    ·
    1m
    Next week Andy Burham will make his move

    https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2053176902374891525


    (links to paywall so I can't see what it says)
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 89,694
    edited May 9
    I'm expecting several Adrian Aadvarks standing at the next multi-candidate election.

    Now the dust has settled from the local elections, it's time to talk about vote-rigging. In particular, the way in which a sinister force has been manipulating British democracy in council after council, year after year. That force? The goddamn alphabet. (1/?)
    https://x.com/rcolvile/status/2053018174736548351
  • RobDRobD Posts: 61,140

    Andy Burnham. Lol.
    Reduced to desperately trying to save Starmer until he is an MP.

    You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off.
    (((Dan Hodges)))
    @DPJHodges
    ·
    1m
    Next week Andy Burham will make his move

    https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2053176902374891525


    (links to paywall so I can't see what it says)
    For some reason I can view it:

    Next week those hopes will be dashed. ‘Andy has the seat lined up,’ an ally confirmed. ‘He’s going to go for it.’

    The identity of the constituency is currently a tightly guarded secret. But Burnham’s team are completely confident he will be able to carry it in a subsequent by-election.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,961

    It would be immensely funny if Catherine West accidentally ended up PM. And all the carefully manoeuvring by the rest ends up for nought.

    You’d need a heart of stone not to laugh.

    Its Nicola Murray time....
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 128,599

    Andy Burnham. Lol.
    Reduced to desperately trying to save Starmer until he is an MP.

    You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off.
    (((Dan Hodges)))
    @DPJHodges
    ·
    1m
    Next week Andy Burham will make his move

    https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2053176902374891525


    (links to paywall so I can't see what it says)
    ‘Andy has the seat lined up,’ an ally confirmed. ‘He’s going to go for it.’

    The identity of the constituency is currently a tightly guarded secret. But Burnham’s team are completely confident he will be able to carry it in a subsequent by-election.

    ‘We’re not idiots,’ one ally explained. ‘We’re not just going to throw him out there. We’ve been conducting our own private polling and we’ve been crunching the national and local polls. He’ll win.’
  • RobDRobD Posts: 61,140
    edited May 9
    snip
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,388
    edited May 9
    MPs from Labour’s left are expected to urge Ed Miliband to consider a leadership bid in the coming days, as Keir Starmer faced the prospect of a definite challenge from his MPs next week.

    Guardian

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/09/mps-from-labours-left-to-urge-ed-miliband-to-consider-leadership-bid
This discussion has been closed.