Weren't you saying you were part of the Burnham orchestration?
Nah I don’t have any sources inside the Burnham camp, only one inside Starmer’s.
Streeting is orchestrating the coup is my judgment.
One advantage that Streeting has over Burnham is his mastery of the dark arts. Positively Snape like, while Burnham is the Gilderoy Lockhart of the Labour Party.
Some people are going to jizz themselves inside out and into a coma if this involves curries and beers.
I’m outside No 10 Downing Street tonight and hearing that the takeaways are being ordered in. It’s going to be a long night as PM and team battle for survival. Now 63 MPs calling for him to go, including 5 ministerial aides - four of whom have quit govt
Some people are going to jizz themselves inside out and into a coma if this involves curries and beers.
I’m outside No 10 Downing Street tonight and hearing that the takeaways are being ordered in. It’s going to be a long night as PM and team battle for survival. Now 63 MPs calling for him to go, including 5 ministerial aides - four of whom have quit govt
The number of MPs calling for him to go is accelerating. This isn't dying out as a story, its getting louder and faster.
Ironically I think the Kings Speech makes the pressure acute. If they get to Wednesday morning and there's 200 MPs saying go and ministerial resignations, it would be hugely embarrassing to the King if he's brought in to read a "My government will" speech which everyone knows won't carry through the Commons.
Some people are going to jizz themselves inside out and into a coma if this involves curries and beers.
I’m outside No 10 Downing Street tonight and hearing that the takeaways are being ordered in. It’s going to be a long night as PM and team battle for survival. Now 63 MPs calling for him to go, including 5 ministerial aides - four of whom have quit govt
The number of MPs calling for him to go is accelerating. This isn't dying out as a story, its getting louder and faster.
Ironically I think the Kings Speech makes the pressure acute. If they get to Wednesday morning and there's 200 MPs saying go and ministerial resignations, it would be hugely embarrassing to the King if he's brought in to read a "My government will" speech which everyone knows won't carry through the Commons.
Whatever happens now the Palace will have to prepare themselves for the fact the King is going to have to read out an agenda that stands little chance of being enacted. Is there any mechanism to delay the speech?
Maddeningly, I had to return to the Department. Meetings, and an official lunch. Scandinavians. ‘I assume that there is no likelihood of Mrs Thatcher being defeated for the position of Prime Minister?’ ‘Oh no. None whatsoever. It’s just one of these quaint traditions we have in the Conservative Party.' But the encounter made me realise the enormity of what we’re doing- changing the Prime Minister- but without any electoral authority to do so.
For all it worked, and far better than most of the leadership changes that followed, I wonder if we would all have been in a better place had it not happened.
Some cabinet ministers are remaining loyal to Keir Starmer tonight in this moment of political peril.
Here’s one I talked to this evening who is despairing about what their colleagues are doing, believes it is being driven by widespread loss of nerve rather than an orchestration, and fears what could come next if Labour members pick the next PM.
The cab minister: “It is very difficult to see how there isn’t a contest and as soon as there is a contest you’re risking not just the Labour Party but people’s mortgages, their pensions. Everything is at stake. We’re putting that decision into a few hundred thousand activists’ hands (the Labour Party members). That is what you’re doing. If that happens we lose the right to govern for a generation.”
And on the thinking of the PM (who they’ve talked to in recent days): “He is concerned for the future of the country. He is not running on ego. Honestly, if he thought him standing down would put the country on a better path he would do that, I know he would. But nobody is outlining the better path, the better outcome. Until that happens he cannot step down."
In short, the message to rebels: You know not what forces will be unleashed.
Some people are going to jizz themselves inside out and into a coma if this involves curries and beers.
I’m outside No 10 Downing Street tonight and hearing that the takeaways are being ordered in. It’s going to be a long night as PM and team battle for survival. Now 63 MPs calling for him to go, including 5 ministerial aides - four of whom have quit govt
Some people are going to jizz themselves inside out and into a coma if this involves curries and beers.
I’m outside No 10 Downing Street tonight and hearing that the takeaways are being ordered in. It’s going to be a long night as PM and team battle for survival. Now 63 MPs calling for him to go, including 5 ministerial aides - four of whom have quit govt
Some people are going to jizz themselves inside out and into a coma if this involves curries and beers.
I’m outside No 10 Downing Street tonight and hearing that the takeaways are being ordered in. It’s going to be a long night as PM and team battle for survival. Now 63 MPs calling for him to go, including 5 ministerial aides - four of whom have quit govt
The number of MPs calling for him to go is accelerating. This isn't dying out as a story, its getting louder and faster.
Ironically I think the Kings Speech makes the pressure acute. If they get to Wednesday morning and there's 200 MPs saying go and ministerial resignations, it would be hugely embarrassing to the King if he's brought in to read a "My government will" speech which everyone knows won't carry through the Commons.
Some people are going to jizz themselves inside out and into a coma if this involves curries and beers.
I’m outside No 10 Downing Street tonight and hearing that the takeaways are being ordered in. It’s going to be a long night as PM and team battle for survival. Now 63 MPs calling for him to go, including 5 ministerial aides - four of whom have quit govt
The number of MPs calling for him to go is accelerating. This isn't dying out as a story, its getting louder and faster.
Ironically I think the Kings Speech makes the pressure acute. If they get to Wednesday morning and there's 200 MPs saying go and ministerial resignations, it would be hugely embarrassing to the King if he's brought in to read a "My government will" speech which everyone knows won't carry through the Commons.
Whatever happens now the Palace will have to prepare themselves for the fact the King is going to have to read out an agenda that stands little chance of being enacted. Is there any mechanism to delay the speech?
Does it? What does Streeting, Miliband, Rayner or even Burnham propose which is so different to Starmer's agenda? As far as I can see this is mainly about charisma or lack of it from the PM and communication skills
Some people are going to jizz themselves inside out and into a coma if this involves curries and beers.
I’m outside No 10 Downing Street tonight and hearing that the takeaways are being ordered in. It’s going to be a long night as PM and team battle for survival. Now 63 MPs calling for him to go, including 5 ministerial aides - four of whom have quit govt
The number of MPs calling for him to go is accelerating. This isn't dying out as a story, its getting louder and faster.
Ironically I think the Kings Speech makes the pressure acute. If they get to Wednesday morning and there's 200 MPs saying go and ministerial resignations, it would be hugely embarrassing to the King if he's brought in to read a "My government will" speech which everyone knows won't carry through the Commons.
Whatever happens now the Palace will have to prepare themselves for the fact the King is going to have to read out an agenda that stands little chance of being enacted. Is there any mechanism to delay the speech?
There'll still be a Labour govt and they're not going to change policy dramatically
Imagine if Labour goes all through this agony, installs Wes or Ange or Whoever, and then the polls do not budge one iota. And the new PM is, within weeks, as unpopular as Skyr
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Unlikely with Wes.
To offer you a tiny shred of that positivity you want, I agree with this
The simple act of replacing Starmer - if they hurry the F up - should at least allow a decent bounce in the polls. New leader, fresh face, Starmer is loathed but he will, one hopes, take a lot of that loathing with him
Which is why I find your level of confidence in Reform's chances surprising.
1) The NEV from the locals wasn't that great for the right of centre parties combined. 2) Reform are on a downward trend 3) Farage's approval ratings are bad 4) Governments always take a kicking mid term 5) A new Labour leader could fare better than Starmer 6) Wales showed anti Reform tactical voting, no surprise if your approval rating is bad 7) The £5m donation story may be very difficult/impossible to brush off
Of course we are in a unprecedented period. But that would be another reason not to be too sure you're on to a winner.
When have I ever said Reform are "likely to win"?? I haven't
They aren't likely to win, not outright. FPTP is just too hard. But will they do well? Yes, for a new party. All the ingredients for a hard right party to prosper are present. My prediction is that the next GE will see a Tory-Reform Coaliton government, I am not sure which will be the senior party
But in our volatile times it is not a confident prediction, by any means
Some cabinet ministers are remaining loyal to Keir Starmer tonight in this moment of political peril.
Here’s one I talked to this evening who is despairing about what their colleagues are doing, believes it is being driven by widespread loss of nerve rather than an orchestration, and fears what could come next if Labour members pick the next PM.
The cab minister: “It is very difficult to see how there isn’t a contest and as soon as there is a contest you’re risking not just the Labour Party but people’s mortgages, their pensions. Everything is at stake. We’re putting that decision into a few hundred thousand activists’ hands (the Labour Party members). That is what you’re doing. If that happens we lose the right to govern for a generation.”
And on the thinking of the PM (who they’ve talked to in recent days): “He is concerned for the future of the country. He is not running on ego. Honestly, if he thought him standing down would put the country on a better path he would do that, I know he would. But nobody is outlining the better path, the better outcome. Until that happens he cannot step down."
In short, the message to rebels: You know not what forces will be unleashed.
Some people are going to jizz themselves inside out and into a coma if this involves curries and beers.
I’m outside No 10 Downing Street tonight and hearing that the takeaways are being ordered in. It’s going to be a long night as PM and team battle for survival. Now 63 MPs calling for him to go, including 5 ministerial aides - four of whom have quit govt
The number of MPs calling for him to go is accelerating. This isn't dying out as a story, its getting louder and faster.
Ironically I think the Kings Speech makes the pressure acute. If they get to Wednesday morning and there's 200 MPs saying go and ministerial resignations, it would be hugely embarrassing to the King if he's brought in to read a "My government will" speech which everyone knows won't carry through the Commons.
Whatever happens now the Palace will have to prepare themselves for the fact the King is going to have to read out an agenda that stands little chance of being enacted. Is there any mechanism to delay the speech?
Does it? What does Streeting, Miliband, Rayner or even Burnham propose which is so different to Starmer's agenda? As far as I can see this is mainly about charisma or lack of it from the PM and communication skills
Some cabinet ministers are remaining loyal to Keir Starmer tonight in this moment of political peril.
Here’s one I talked to this evening who is despairing about what their colleagues are doing, believes it is being driven by widespread loss of nerve rather than an orchestration, and fears what could come next if Labour members pick the next PM.
The cab minister: “It is very difficult to see how there isn’t a contest and as soon as there is a contest you’re risking not just the Labour Party but people’s mortgages, their pensions. Everything is at stake. We’re putting that decision into a few hundred thousand activists’ hands (the Labour Party members). That is what you’re doing. If that happens we lose the right to govern for a generation.”
And on the thinking of the PM (who they’ve talked to in recent days): “He is concerned for the future of the country. He is not running on ego. Honestly, if he thought him standing down would put the country on a better path he would do that, I know he would. But nobody is outlining the better path, the better outcome. Until that happens he cannot step down."
In short, the message to rebels: You know not what forces will be unleashed.
I think Labour MPs need to take a long hard look at what happened after Boris got deposed. If they are assuming things can't get any worse they are seriously wrong. The difference is that at least we had the good sense to get Truss out within days and run a coronation for Rishi who stabilised financial markets. Labour are struggling to get one leader out, what are the chances they can coralle MPs into two knifings and follow up with a coronation of someone sensible who won't spook markets?
Some cabinet ministers are remaining loyal to Keir Starmer tonight in this moment of political peril.
Here’s one I talked to this evening who is despairing about what their colleagues are doing, believes it is being driven by widespread loss of nerve rather than an orchestration, and fears what could come next if Labour members pick the next PM.
The cab minister: “It is very difficult to see how there isn’t a contest and as soon as there is a contest you’re risking not just the Labour Party but people’s mortgages, their pensions. Everything is at stake. We’re putting that decision into a few hundred thousand activists’ hands (the Labour Party members). That is what you’re doing. If that happens we lose the right to govern for a generation.”
And on the thinking of the PM (who they’ve talked to in recent days): “He is concerned for the future of the country. He is not running on ego. Honestly, if he thought him standing down would put the country on a better path he would do that, I know he would. But nobody is outlining the better path, the better outcome. Until that happens he cannot step down."
In short, the message to rebels: You know not what forces will be unleashed.
Warmest congratulations to Smithson Senior. His creation remains a place where politics geeks gather for warmth, gossip and banter when the crazy world of politics gets exciting.
Some cabinet ministers are remaining loyal to Keir Starmer tonight in this moment of political peril.
Here’s one I talked to this evening who is despairing about what their colleagues are doing, believes it is being driven by widespread loss of nerve rather than an orchestration, and fears what could come next if Labour members pick the next PM.
The cab minister: “It is very difficult to see how there isn’t a contest and as soon as there is a contest you’re risking not just the Labour Party but people’s mortgages, their pensions. Everything is at stake. We’re putting that decision into a few hundred thousand activists’ hands (the Labour Party members). That is what you’re doing. If that happens we lose the right to govern for a generation.”
And on the thinking of the PM (who they’ve talked to in recent days): “He is concerned for the future of the country. He is not running on ego. Honestly, if he thought him standing down would put the country on a better path he would do that, I know he would. But nobody is outlining the better path, the better outcome. Until that happens he cannot step down."
In short, the message to rebels: You know not what forces will be unleashed.
Translated into English the cabinet minister is saying:
That the Labour party should not be put at risk, and it is put at risk by its MPs and its members who are in fact so useless that Labour will lose the right the govern for 25 years if the MPs and members are allowed any say in things following a collective national decision that the PM is in fact useless. In particular 400 MPs between them can't come up with a better candidate for PM that the current execrated one.
I am sure all this is true, but should a cabinet minister be saying such truths about him or herself and their party?
If this was the Tory party, Starmer would be standing down in the next 24 hours.
Corbyn managed to remain Labour leader even when well over half of Labour MPs told him to stand down
The difference I guess is the three quidders made what MPs thought irrelevant. Starmer would not now survive a members vote against Bungle from Rainbow
Not on the latest numbers ''Keir Starmer has just said this morning that he would face down a challenge to his leadership. We track member attitudes to that hypothetical. The PM on this measure wins a challenge from anyone but Burnham or Rayner, and would defeat Streeting, Cooper or even membership favourite Ed Miliband in a head to head:
Some cabinet ministers are remaining loyal to Keir Starmer tonight in this moment of political peril.
Here’s one I talked to this evening who is despairing about what their colleagues are doing, believes it is being driven by widespread loss of nerve rather than an orchestration, and fears what could come next if Labour members pick the next PM.
The cab minister: “It is very difficult to see how there isn’t a contest and as soon as there is a contest you’re risking not just the Labour Party but people’s mortgages, their pensions. Everything is at stake. We’re putting that decision into a few hundred thousand activists’ hands (the Labour Party members). That is what you’re doing. If that happens we lose the right to govern for a generation.”
And on the thinking of the PM (who they’ve talked to in recent days): “He is concerned for the future of the country. He is not running on ego. Honestly, if he thought him standing down would put the country on a better path he would do that, I know he would. But nobody is outlining the better path, the better outcome. Until that happens he cannot step down."
In short, the message to rebels: You know not what forces will be unleashed.
I think Labour MPs need to take a long hard look at what happened after Boris got deposed. If they are assuming things can't get any worse they are seriously wrong. The difference is that at least we had the good sense to get Truss out within days and run a coronation for Rishi who stabilised financial markets. Labour are struggling to get one leader out, what are the chances they can coralle MPs into two knifings and follow up with a coronation of someone sensible who won't spook markets?
This is going to be a disaster for the country.
Agreed. Would far rather Starmer just carries on, he has no political capital to do anything and would largely leave us to get on with life. A new PM now would likely be very left wing and would have some sort of self imagined mandate to try and do things. No thank you.
At least the public can get the same story of no money available with a smile and a bit of charisma !
The Iran War has blown away much of the fiscal headroom.
Starmer having acquiesced on welfare cuts and the two child benefit cap was still not enough for the backbenchers who seem to think there’s a pile of cash hidden away .
Some people are going to jizz themselves inside out and into a coma if this involves curries and beers.
I’m outside No 10 Downing Street tonight and hearing that the takeaways are being ordered in. It’s going to be a long night as PM and team battle for survival. Now 63 MPs calling for him to go, including 5 ministerial aides - four of whom have quit govt
If Starmer had any sense, he'd put Burnham a Lord tonight and make him one of the biggies (Home/Foreign), or even Health Secretary and send Streeting to NI. Then he could make Clive Lewis a Lord and slot Burnham into Lewis's seat. We've done something similar-ish before with Alec Douglas-Home in the 1960s and Cameron recently.
The Labour party is giving Mr Burnham a huge build-up. If he does make it to PM, it won't be the weight of history on his shoulders - it'll be the weight of impossible expectations.
Some people are going to jizz themselves inside out and into a coma if this involves curries and beers.
I’m outside No 10 Downing Street tonight and hearing that the takeaways are being ordered in. It’s going to be a long night as PM and team battle for survival. Now 63 MPs calling for him to go, including 5 ministerial aides - four of whom have quit govt
The number of MPs calling for him to go is accelerating. This isn't dying out as a story, its getting louder and faster.
Ironically I think the Kings Speech makes the pressure acute. If they get to Wednesday morning and there's 200 MPs saying go and ministerial resignations, it would be hugely embarrassing to the King if he's brought in to read a "My government will" speech which everyone knows won't carry through the Commons.
Whatever happens now the Palace will have to prepare themselves for the fact the King is going to have to read out an agenda that stands little chance of being enacted. Is there any mechanism to delay the speech?
Comments
72.
Starmer is is now like an England opener - sod all chance of making it to lunch.
The byline picture of the writer makes it look like he is wearing a very obvious wig.
Happy 80th Birthday to Mike Smithson.
Maddeningly, I had to return to the Department. Meetings, and an official lunch. Scandinavians.
‘I assume that there is no likelihood of Mrs Thatcher being defeated for the position of Prime Minister?’
‘Oh no. None whatsoever. It’s just one of these quaint traditions we have in the Conservative Party.'
But the encounter made me realise the enormity of what we’re doing- changing the Prime Minister- but without any electoral authority to do so.
For all it worked, and far better than most of the leadership changes that followed, I wonder if we would all have been in a better place had it not happened.
Here’s one I talked to this evening who is despairing about what their colleagues are doing, believes it is being driven by widespread loss of nerve rather than an orchestration, and fears what could come next if Labour members pick the next PM.
The cab minister: “It is very difficult to see how there isn’t a contest and as soon as there is a contest you’re risking not just the Labour Party but people’s mortgages, their pensions. Everything is at stake. We’re putting that decision into a few hundred thousand activists’ hands (the Labour Party members). That is what you’re doing. If that happens we lose the right to govern for a generation.”
And on the thinking of the PM (who they’ve talked to in recent days): “He is concerned for the future of the country. He is not running on ego. Honestly, if he thought him standing down would put the country on a better path he would do that, I know he would. But nobody is outlining the better path, the better outcome. Until that happens he cannot step down."
In short, the message to rebels: You know not what forces will be unleashed.
https://x.com/benrileysmith/status/2053920870423289947
Kentucky Gov. @AndyBeshearKY is holding a meet & greet in Boston on Friday, per the invite.
He’ll be in New Hampshire on Saturday for the NHDP convention.
https://x.com/daveweigel/status/2053919687319404564
Spending all his time Tindaloo!
His understudy is doing a grand job too
They aren't likely to win, not outright. FPTP is just too hard. But will they do well? Yes, for a new party. All the ingredients for a hard right party to prosper are present. My prediction is that the next GE will see a Tory-Reform Coaliton government, I am not sure which will be the senior party
But in our volatile times it is not a confident prediction, by any means
This is going to be a disaster for the country.
Source has told me he will definitely resign this week.
That the Labour party should not be put at risk, and it is put at risk by its MPs and its members who are in fact so useless that Labour will lose the right the govern for 25 years if the MPs and members are allowed any say in things following a collective national decision that the PM is in fact useless. In particular 400 MPs between them can't come up with a better candidate for PM that the current execrated one.
I am sure all this is true, but should a cabinet minister be saying such truths about him or herself and their party?
https://x.com/DamianSurvation/status/2053775444004962697?s=20'
NEW THREAD
The Iran War has blown away much of the fiscal headroom.
Starmer having acquiesced on welfare cuts and the two child benefit cap was still not enough for the backbenchers who seem to think there’s a pile of cash hidden away .
It's curry.