Is it me or does "Where we need vision, we have vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift" sound a bit... "Where there is discord, may we bring harmony"?
Not sure sounding like Mrs T will endear you to the faithful, Wes.
As long as he doesn't tell people to rejoice when Starmer resigns...
Nick Watt - Starmer ally has told me: "Wes has failed the most basic rule of politics: he can’t count. He never had the numbers. We counted and counted and counted and recounted. The highest number we got for Wes was 44.
They did not back Reform in the Senedd either and it is the right approach
Which is fine. They are not obliged to ally with reform. But allying with the frigging GREENS in preference to Reform is an insult to every right wing voter in Worcestershire. Why not ally with Corbyn? Whats she difference?
I predict it will not go well for them. There or elsewhere. It will just make drifting right wing voters make the full leap to Reform
The Greens are detestable and anti-British and completely penetrated by pro Palestinian nutters and crypto (not even that crypto) Islamists
I'd guess the Green councillor corps varies a lot by location. In any case Reform are more anti British than the Greens are.
I’d agree about the Green councillors. They’re probably bunny hugging NIMBYs there
But reform anti British/more anti Brit than the Greens. You’re having a laugh 🤣🤣🤣🤣
For sure, they parrot MAGA, they're halfway up Trump's rectum, they're pro Putin (and are doing jail time to prove it), and they seem to hate Britain as it actually exists rather than their 1950s white weewee version. Reform are the most anti British party out there.
WTF does that gibberish even mean 🤣🤣🤣🤣
"white wee-wee" is explained in this clip from The Gay Daleks
1. The contest is triggered too soon for him 2. Nobody agrees to vacate him a seat 3. He's blocked from standing in it 4. He loses the by-election 5. He wins the seat then loses the leadership contest
1. Still possible but looking unlikely 2. Surely unlikely 3. Politically just about impossible now 4. Unlikely I'd have thought 5. Unlikely unless sentiment changes radically
Conclusion: a very solid favourite.
Many a slip Between cup and lip.
It's...
Many a slip Twixt cup and lip
It's about how you can drop bits of Twix when eating one.
Nick Watt - Starmer ally has told me: "Wes has failed the most basic rule of politics: he can’t count. He never had the numbers. We counted and counted and counted and recounted. The highest number we got for Wes was 44.
That's not really the point. Hats off to Streeting. It may simply be a finger from the dike, but the flood is coming.
Nick Watt - Starmer ally has told me: "Wes has failed the most basic rule of politics: he can’t count. He never had the numbers. We counted and counted and counted and recounted. The highest number we got for Wes was 44.
Do they really have nothing better to do than counting and counting and counting MPs who may support Wes
Angela in a Secretary of State for Health and with permission to solve long running Junior Doctor dispute taking money from International Development would be my move if I was SKS!
I don't think he has the balls, the cheek or the political instinct to try it though! Nor the power!
Given how well she didn’t do at housing, I’m not sure that giving her the NHS is going to help the NHS.
Sir Keir had to give her something in 2024 because of her elected position as deputy leader of the party, that’s no longer the case.
Nick Watt - Starmer ally has told me: "Wes has failed the most basic rule of politics: he can’t count. He never had the numbers. We counted and counted and counted and recounted. The highest number we got for Wes was 44.
Nick Watt - Starmer ally has told me: "Wes has failed the most basic rule of politics: he can’t count. He never had the numbers. We counted and counted and counted and recounted. The highest number we got for Wes was 44.
Cant be right what about Battery Connect Horse's source!!
Seriously i hope none of the serious betters on here are in the poorhouse by backing the Streeting with no names
Angela in a Secretary of State for Health and with permission to solve long running Junior Doctor dispute taking money from International Development would be my move if I was SKS!
I don't think he has the balls, the cheek or the political instinct to try it though! Nor the power!
Besides which she could decline.
If I was Rayner, I wouldn't be hanging off Burnham's coattails. I'd act now and bury Starmer, Burnham, Milliband and Streeting.
The Tory party is about power and respectability. On the former the numbers suggest the Tories will be the biggest group on the council and perhaps they intend to do a Clegg on the Lib Dems and Greens? With regard to respectability, how many of the foremost London clubs would countenance Nigel Farage as a member?
"Green councillor Matt Jenkins has been made the new council leader"
So. The Tories have conspired to put a Marxist Islamist in charge.
The Worcester Greens were strong pre-Polanski - in 2024, they became the second largest party on the City Council. Badenoch might want to make a national point, but I don't think there's any likelihood of sharia law being imposed in Worcester Cathedral close.
Should be a 3-0 win on the first leg to Middlesbrough I think. You can't write a rule like that into the books then not have a sporting consequence.
As a Boro supporter, I approve this message. Though I think Hull will probably win, regardless of which team they play. The players and managers of both teams will have been too distracted.
The Tory party is about power and respectability. On the former the numbers suggest the Tories will be the biggest group on the council and perhaps they intend to do a Clegg on the Lib Dems and Greens? With regard to respectability, how many of the foremost London clubs would countenance Nigel Farage as a member?
"Green councillor Matt Jenkins has been made the new council leader"
So. The Tories have conspired to put a Marxist Islamist in charge.
The Worcester Greens were strong pre-Polanski - in 2024, they became the second largest party on the City Council. Badenoch might want to make a national point, but I don't think there's any likelihood of sharia law being imposed in Worcester Cathedral close.
Well, yes. But I think Polanski is just too toxic from her POV. Her strategy is certainly not to give Farage any sticks. Probably sensible in the long run.
Is anybody considering domestic politics without Farage?
Hee's squirming badly on this issue. If he should fall...
That figure has become inextricably linked to him. He's no longer Nigel Farage, but Five Mil Farage.
We haven't even got to the juicy stuff yet. The Parliamentary Commissioner will issue a report: that might turn up new revelations and it's probably going to come to a pretty negative conclusion. Will that then lead to a suspension? Will that then lead to a recall petition?
The Electoral Commission are considering whether to investigate. That's about whether Farage has broken the law. Does HMRC get interested?
The Tory party is about power and respectability. On the former the numbers suggest the Tories will be the biggest group on the council and perhaps they intend to do a Clegg on the Lib Dems and Greens? With regard to respectability, how many of the foremost London clubs would countenance Nigel Farage as a member?
"Green councillor Matt Jenkins has been made the new council leader"
So. The Tories have conspired to put a Marxist Islamist in charge.
The Worcester Greens were strong pre-Polanski - in 2024, they became the second largest party on the City Council. Badenoch might want to make a national point, but I don't think there's any likelihood of sharia law being imposed in Worcester Cathedral close.
Well, yes. But I think Polanski is just too toxic from her POV. Her strategy is certainly not to give Farage any sticks. Probably sensible in the long run.
We live in a multiparty political world now. If you refuse to go into coalition with anyone, you're never going to get a taste of power, and what's the point of voting for you?
The Tory party is about power and respectability. On the former the numbers suggest the Tories will be the biggest group on the council and perhaps they intend to do a Clegg on the Lib Dems and Greens? With regard to respectability, how many of the foremost London clubs would countenance Nigel Farage as a member?
"Green councillor Matt Jenkins has been made the new council leader"
So. The Tories have conspired to put a Marxist Islamist in charge.
The Worcester Greens were strong pre-Polanski - in 2024, they became the second largest party on the City Council. Badenoch might want to make a national point, but I don't think there's any likelihood of sharia law being imposed in Worcester Cathedral close.
Well, yes. But I think Polanski is just too toxic from her POV. Her strategy is certainly not to give Farage any sticks. Probably sensible in the long run.
We live in a multiparty political world now. If you refuse to go into coalition with anyone, you're never going to get a taste of power, and what's the point of voting for you?
Yes, but we're talking about Polanski and the Greens. LibDems, even Labour, would be different.
1. The contest is triggered too soon for him 2. Nobody agrees to vacate him a seat 3. He's blocked from standing in it 4. He loses the by-election 5. He wins the seat then loses the leadership contest
1. Still possible but looking unlikely 2. Surely unlikely 3. Politically just about impossible now 4. Unlikely I'd have thought 5. Unlikely unless sentiment changes radically
Conclusion: a very solid favourite.
Streeting getting frit is a massive boost. I think Andy may have it.
4 is tricky but if theres enthusiasm he will replace the PM he wins i think.
Yes: I think many people are missing the desire of the electorate to give Keir a kicking. So long as Burnham frames it as, vote for me, get rid of Starmer, then I think he is quite likely to get elected.
The Tory party is about power and respectability. On the former the numbers suggest the Tories will be the biggest group on the council and perhaps they intend to do a Clegg on the Lib Dems and Greens? With regard to respectability, how many of the foremost London clubs would countenance Nigel Farage as a member?
"Green councillor Matt Jenkins has been made the new council leader"
So. The Tories have conspired to put a Marxist Islamist in charge.
The Worcester Greens were strong pre-Polanski - in 2024, they became the second largest party on the City Council. Badenoch might want to make a national point, but I don't think there's any likelihood of sharia law being imposed in Worcester Cathedral close.
Well, yes. But I think Polanski is just too toxic from her POV. Her strategy is certainly not to give Farage any sticks. Probably sensible in the long run.
We live in a multiparty political world now. If you refuse to go into coalition with anyone, you're never going to get a taste of power, and what's the point of voting for you?
What's more, there are Councils where the mathematics simply don't work if you refuse to work with anyone at all.
Is anybody considering domestic politics without Farage?
He's squirming badly on this issue. If he should fall...
He might get knocked down, but like Chumbawumba...
Nonetheless the £5m does however smell awful, particularly as he has spoken positively about Harborne's company.
But Nigel is Nigel. He's a gun for hire, which is why I doubt in his heart of hearts he particularly wants to be the Sherriff.
Mind you the stench isn't entirely hanging on Farage alone. From Wikipaedia:
"In November 2022, Harborne donated £1 million to The Office of Boris Johnson Ltd, one of the biggest donations ever made to an individual British politician. The government awarded Qinetiq, a company in which Harborne was the largest single shareholder, an £80 million Ministry of Defence contract in January 2023. Harborne acted as an advisor to Boris Johnson on his trip to Kyiv in September 2023 to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy".
If Streeting doesn't have the numbers and Rayner won't challenge Starmer then on the face of it nothing happens and everything just carries on as it is for now.
And still no MP has announced they are resigning their seat. Though if there isn't going to be an imminent contest then I guess it could be argued there is no need for this to happen yet.
If Streeting doesn't have the numbers and Rayner won't challenge Starmer then on the face of it nothing happens and everything just carries on as it is for now.
And still no MP has announced they are resigning their seat. Though if there isn't going to be an imminent contest then I guess it could be argued there is no need for this to happen yet.
Abosolute mess. I've been missing the Scottish Play puns with all the Streetingisms, but if it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly. Burnham would, if he had a seat
The Tory party is about power and respectability. On the former the numbers suggest the Tories will be the biggest group on the council and perhaps they intend to do a Clegg on the Lib Dems and Greens? With regard to respectability, how many of the foremost London clubs would countenance Nigel Farage as a member?
"Green councillor Matt Jenkins has been made the new council leader"
So. The Tories have conspired to put a Marxist Islamist in charge.
The Worcester Greens were strong pre-Polanski - in 2024, they became the second largest party on the City Council. Badenoch might want to make a national point, but I don't think there's any likelihood of sharia law being imposed in Worcester Cathedral close.
Well, yes. But I think Polanski is just too toxic from her POV. Her strategy is certainly not to give Farage any sticks. Probably sensible in the long run.
We live in a multiparty political world now. If you refuse to go into coalition with anyone, you're never going to get a taste of power, and what's the point of voting for you?
Yes, but we're talking about Polanski and the Greens. LibDems, even Labour, would be different.
But if you're not working with the Greens, and they're not keen on doing so with Reform either, you're beginning to limit your options.
Is anybody considering domestic politics without Farage?
He's squirming badly on this issue. If he should fall...
He might get knocked down, but like Chumbawumba...
Nonetheless the £5m does however smell awful, particularly as he has spoken positively about Harborne's company.
But Nigel is Nigel. He's a gun for hire, which is why I doubt in his heart of hearts he particularly wants to be the Sherriff.
Mind you the stench isn't entirely hanging on Farage alone. From Wikipaedia:
"In November 2022, Harborne donated £1 million to The Office of Boris Johnson Ltd, one of the biggest donations ever made to an individual British politician. The government awarded Qinetiq, a company in which Harborne was the largest single shareholder, an £80 million Ministry of Defence contract in January 2023. Harborne acted as an advisor to Boris Johnson on his trip to Kyiv in September 2023 to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy".
It's also telling how badly Farage is handling the situation. Every time he speaks, he makes his case worse.
1. The contest is triggered too soon for him 2. Nobody agrees to vacate him a seat 3. He's blocked from standing in it 4. He loses the by-election 5. He wins the seat then loses the leadership contest
1. Still possible but looking unlikely 2. Surely unlikely 3. Politically just about impossible now 4. Unlikely I'd have thought 5. Unlikely unless sentiment changes radically
Conclusion: a very solid favourite.
Streeting getting frit is a massive boost. I think Andy may have it.
4 is tricky but if theres enthusiasm he will replace the PM he wins i think.
Yes: I think many people are missing the desire of the electorate to give Keir a kicking. So long as Burnham frames it as, vote for me, get rid of Starmer, then I think he is quite likely to get elected.
Just needs not to mention that he will be the replacement
If Burnham does end up PM then it's a remarkable thing. Twice overlooked in favour of Miliband and Corbyn, no track record of anything much in national politics (Mid Staffs, cough, cough). Mind you, much the same could be said about Johnson.
Wembley booked if they delay. Obvious thing is to boot Southampton out and then play it at St Mary's
(be a bit of a trek for Hull and Boro supporters, that, though)
I'm sure the locals would give Boro a warm welcome ...
Hey Southampton shouldn’t have had an intern at Rockcliffe Hall. And I can’t imagine he drove for 5 hours / paid £200 in train fares without someone senior telling him to do so
Is anybody considering domestic politics without Farage?
He's squirming badly on this issue. If he should fall...
He might get knocked down, but like Chumbawumba...
Nonetheless the £5m does however smell awful, particularly as he has spoken positively about Harborne's company.
But Nigel is Nigel. He's a gun for hire, which is why I doubt in his heart of hearts he particularly wants to be the Sherriff.
Mind you the stench isn't entirely hanging on Farage alone. From Wikipaedia:
"In November 2022, Harborne donated £1 million to The Office of Boris Johnson Ltd, one of the biggest donations ever made to an individual British politician. The government awarded Qinetiq, a company in which Harborne was the largest single shareholder, an £80 million Ministry of Defence contract in January 2023. Harborne acted as an advisor to Boris Johnson on his trip to Kyiv in September 2023 to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy".
It's also telling how badly Farage is handling the situation. Every time he speaks, he makes his case worse.
He has gone AWOL from an event in Sunderland today on account of potentially sub optimal media questioning.
1. The contest is triggered too soon for him 2. Nobody agrees to vacate him a seat 3. He's blocked from standing in it 4. He loses the by-election 5. He wins the seat then loses the leadership contest
1. Still possible but looking unlikely 2. Surely unlikely 3. Politically just about impossible now 4. Unlikely I'd have thought 5. Unlikely unless sentiment changes radically
Conclusion: a very solid favourite.
Streeting getting frit is a massive boost. I think Andy may have it.
4 is tricky but if theres enthusiasm he will replace the PM he wins i think.
Yes: I think many people are missing the desire of the electorate to give Keir a kicking. So long as Burnham frames it as, vote for me, get rid of Starmer, then I think he is quite likely to get elected.
Just needs not to mention that he will be the replacement
If Burnham does end up PM then it's a remarkable thing. Twice overlooked in favour of Miliband and Corbyn, no track record of anything much in national politics (Mid Staffs, cough, cough). Mind you, much the same could be said about Johnson.
Should he end up as PM, after the Boris precedent, both the Manchester and London mayoralties are going to start drawing the A-List as candidates. As might the other emerging big ones.
Robert Jenrick's wife was warned that his campaign had accepted an unlawful donation of almost £40,000 from a convicted American fraudster, according to the Times.
Police are investigating allegations that Jenrick's campaign illegally funneled the money to his campaign via a UK-based company
Wembley booked if they delay. Obvious thing is to boot Southampton out and then play it at St Mary's
(be a bit of a trek for Hull and Boro supporters, that, though)
I'm sure the locals would give Boro a warm welcome ...
Hey Southampton shouldn’t have had an intern at Rockcliffe Hall. And I can’t imagine he drove for 5 hours / paid £200 in train fares without someone senior telling him to do so
Eckert looks as guilty as hell, but still I don't really see what difference it made to the game/ result.
The first leg was the story of Boro's season. For 45 minutes they absolutely battered Southampton but didn't score. And had they over the course of the season been consistently able to turn their dominance of games into goals, they'd have been automatically promoted. Instead it was 1-0 home defeats to Charlton, Portsmouth etc that cost them.
Well Worcestershire is bad news. Won't be any Tory lining up with our bloc of friendly neighbourhood old school Greens next year if the numbers stack up in Kirklees in 12 months time (and some of the left vote splits went badly wrong and likely will be corrected).
So there will be little point whatsoever of any of the village centre-left tactically voting Tory in our Reform-Tory contests. Stuff 'em.
Nick Watt - Starmer ally has told me: "Wes has failed the most basic rule of politics: he can’t count. He never had the numbers. We counted and counted and counted and recounted. The highest number we got for Wes was 44.
Because if you were going to sign Streeting's nomination papers and a Starmer acolyte asked you, of course you would confirm it.
Is anybody considering domestic politics without Farage?
He's squirming badly on this issue. If he should fall...
He might get knocked down, but like Chumbawumba...
Nonetheless the £5m does however smell awful, particularly as he has spoken positively about Harborne's company.
But Nigel is Nigel. He's a gun for hire, which is why I doubt in his heart of hearts he particularly wants to be the Sherriff.
Mind you the stench isn't entirely hanging on Farage alone. From Wikipaedia:
"In November 2022, Harborne donated £1 million to The Office of Boris Johnson Ltd, one of the biggest donations ever made to an individual British politician. The government awarded Qinetiq, a company in which Harborne was the largest single shareholder, an £80 million Ministry of Defence contract in January 2023. Harborne acted as an advisor to Boris Johnson on his trip to Kyiv in September 2023 to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy".
It's also telling how badly Farage is handling the situation. Every time he speaks, he makes his case worse.
He has gone AWOL from an event in Sunderland today on account of potentially sub optimal media questioning.
Wembley booked if they delay. Obvious thing is to boot Southampton out and then play it at St Mary's
(be a bit of a trek for Hull and Boro supporters, that, though)
I'm sure the locals would give Boro a warm welcome ...
Hey Southampton shouldn’t have had an intern at Rockcliffe Hall. And I can’t imagine he drove for 5 hours / paid £200 in train fares without someone senior telling him to do so
Eckert looks as guilty as hell, but still I don't really see what difference it made to the game/ result.
The first leg was the story of Boro's season. For 45 minutes they absolutely battered Southampton but didn't score. And had they over the course of the season been consistently able to turn their dominance of games into goals, they'd have been automatically promoted. Instead it was 1-0 home defeats to Charlton, Portsmouth etc that cost them.
Hey Boro lost - and that would have been the end of it except Southampton have been caught bang to rights spying. Which should mean as a minimum a 3-0 win to Boro for the first leg (match forfeited) which puts Boro in the final.
So, it's 5pm and Streeting has resigned but hasn't (been able) to trigger a leadership contest. Rayner is quiet and Burnham has no vacant seat to stand in. And the only two possibles, Miliband and Carns seem loyal enough to Starmer they'd only step in if Starmer stood down.
So today was simply a cabinet level resignation.............? And not the start of a change of PM.
Thank you for your letter. I am very sorry that you have stepped down from Government. We have worked together for many years and I want to thank you for all your hard work in helping to get us back into Government and for all that you have achieved as Health Secretary.
When we came into Government the NHS was on its knees. Almost two years on, the statistics published today are a result of your work and determination and that of the whole of the NHS. Thanks to the choices we made to stabilise our economy, invest in our public services and reform the NHS, hospital waiting lists have been cut. Patients are now waiting less time for hospital appointments, ambulances are arriving sooner, the NHS is more productive, and people's experience of healthcare is improving. The NHS is back on its feet.
Alongside these performance improvements, you and your team have set out an ambitious policy agenda. The 10 Year Health Plan will modernise the NHS and wider health system. The Casey Commission and Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care puts us on a path to a National Care Service we can be proud of. Alongside this, the National Cancer Plan, HIV Action Plan, National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, and Life Sciences Sector Plan are all ambitious pieces of work. The Tobacco and Vapes Act will save lives, and the Mental Health Act will improve lives.
This is the difference a Labour government makes. This is the change we are delivering.
Last week's local election results were extremely tough. I know many colleagues saw good friends lose seats. Everyone in our party is acutely aware that our opponents are more dangerous than ever before. They are a real threat to the values we care about, to the communities we represent and to the country we love.
It is incumbent on all of us to rise to what I see as a battle for the soul of our nation. As part of that we must deliver on all of the promises we made to the country, including our promise to turn the page on the chaos that was roundly rejected by the British people at the last general election.
I am truly sorry you will no longer be sat at the Cabinet table helping to transform our National Health Service. But I have no doubt you will continue to play an important role in our party for many years to come. I hope we can work together to show that Labour in power can address the problems our opponents exploit, can install hope where they want despair, and can bring people together where they want division.
Is anybody considering domestic politics without Farage?
He's squirming badly on this issue. If he should fall...
He might get knocked down, but like Chumbawumba...
Nonetheless the £5m does however smell awful, particularly as he has spoken positively about Harborne's company.
But Nigel is Nigel. He's a gun for hire, which is why I doubt in his heart of hearts he particularly wants to be the Sherriff.
Mind you the stench isn't entirely hanging on Farage alone. From Wikipaedia:
"In November 2022, Harborne donated £1 million to The Office of Boris Johnson Ltd, one of the biggest donations ever made to an individual British politician. The government awarded Qinetiq, a company in which Harborne was the largest single shareholder, an £80 million Ministry of Defence contract in January 2023. Harborne acted as an advisor to Boris Johnson on his trip to Kyiv in September 2023 to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy".
It's also telling how badly Farage is handling the situation. Every time he speaks, he makes his case worse.
The composed amiable veneer cracks rapidly under pressure.
Thank you for your letter. I am very sorry that you have stepped down from Government. We have worked together for many years and I want to thank you for all your hard work in helping to get us back into Government and for all that you have achieved as Health Secretary.
When we came into Government the NHS was on its knees. Almost two years on, the statistics published today are a result of your work and determination and that of the whole of the NHS. Thanks to the choices we made to stabilise our economy, invest in our public services and reform the NHS, hospital waiting lists have been cut. Patients are now waiting less time for hospital appointments, ambulances are arriving sooner, the NHS is more productive, and people's experience of healthcare is improving. The NHS is back on its feet.
Alongside these performance improvements, you and your team have set out an ambitious policy agenda. The 10 Year Health Plan will modernise the NHS and wider health system. The Casey Commission and Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care puts us on a path to a National Care Service we can be proud of. Alongside this, the National Cancer Plan, HIV Action Plan, National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, and Life Sciences Sector Plan are all ambitious pieces of work. The Tobacco and Vapes Act will save lives, and the Mental Health Act will improve lives.
This is the difference a Labour government makes. This is the change we are delivering.
Last week's local election results were extremely tough. I know many colleagues saw good friends lose seats. Everyone in our party is acutely aware that our opponents are more dangerous than ever before. They are a real threat to the values we care about, to the communities we represent and to the country we love.
It is incumbent on all of us to rise to what I see as a battle for the soul of our nation. As part of that we must deliver on all of the promises we made to the country, including our promise to turn the page on the chaos that was roundly rejected by the British people at the last general election.
I am truly sorry you will no longer be sat at the Cabinet table helping to transform our National Health Service. But I have no doubt you will continue to play an important role in our party for many years to come. I hope we can work together to show that Labour in power can address the problems our opponents exploit, can install hope where they want despair, and can bring people together where they want division.
All best wishes.
It's bollocks, but I can't see his writers could have done any better under the circumstances.
The Tory party is about power and respectability. On the former the numbers suggest the Tories will be the biggest group on the council and perhaps they intend to do a Clegg on the Lib Dems and Greens? With regard to respectability, how many of the foremost London clubs would countenance Nigel Farage as a member?
"Green councillor Matt Jenkins has been made the new council leader"
So. The Tories have conspired to put a Marxist Islamist in charge.
The Worcester Greens were strong pre-Polanski - in 2024, they became the second largest party on the City Council. Badenoch might want to make a national point, but I don't think there's any likelihood of sharia law being imposed in Worcester Cathedral close.
Well, yes. But I think Polanski is just too toxic from her POV. Her strategy is certainly not to give Farage any sticks. Probably sensible in the long run.
We live in a multiparty political world now. If you refuse to go into coalition with anyone, you're never going to get a taste of power, and what's the point of voting for you?
Yes, but we're talking about Polanski and the Greens. LibDems, even Labour, would be different.
Well - the numbers are the numbers. "No, I won't form a government because I am too pure of heart" doesn't sound very convincing.
I having been busy today but checking in now I woupd say that Streeting has been extremely grown up in his approach and mirrors many mps and the unions in that Starmer needs to enter the debate and frankly hanging on is his worst option
Like most of us, we cannot know how this pans out but I doubt Starmer will be PM by the Autumn
Vox pop in Wes's constituency finds Ilford North's answer to Brenda from Bristol: "I don't trust any of them. I think they're all out for themselves so whoever gets in it don't bother me, dear. But I like that Wes Streeting; I like him."
Unfortunately there is no direct link. It is a carousel item on the BBC's news page: Who would Streeting's constituents prefer as PM?"
Some of these f******* won't get another job in Cabinet once Starmer falls. Reeves amongst others must realise the gig is up, at least in the short to medium term.
Pretty much the only positive kpi reporting has been from the Department of Health. If any other department has achieved anything over the last two years, they have kept it to themselves.
Was there not a story last week about people being kicked off waiting lists for not replying to postal letters they said they never received? Not one or two people either.
They’ve certainly done a purge of the waiting lists. Just cleaning out people who have died whilst waiting will shorten the list somewhat, and I am sure there are various other criteria they can use to clear out some of the names
Yes, they do that. But they've always done that. That's not some new idea that will have made a difference.
Yes, removing obselete and duplucate entries has been routine work for as long as I have been in the NHS.
There were some interesting shenanigans where one of our manages met their year end target by sticking several hundred in a drawer and not entering them a couple of decaddes back, but impossible to do it now as all electronic. They were sacked when it came to light, amongst other dubious activities.
BREAKING: Andy Burnham now has a route back to parliament after Josh Simons, MP for Makerfield announced he would stand down, triggering a byelection, and putting the Greater Manchester mayor in contention to become the next Labour leader.
Comments
Many a slip
Twixt cup and lip
It's about how you can drop bits of Twix when eating one.
Sir Keir had to give her something in 2024 because of her elected position as deputy leader of the party, that’s no longer the case.
He might take the opportunity for a big reshuffle.
Seriously i hope none of the serious betters on here are in the poorhouse by backing the Streeting with no names
If I was Rayner, I wouldn't be hanging off Burnham's coattails. I'd act now and bury Starmer, Burnham, Milliband and Streeting.
He's squirming badly on this issue. If he should fall...
The Electoral Commission are considering whether to investigate. That's about whether Farage has broken the law. Does HMRC get interested?
Nonetheless the £5m does however smell awful, particularly as he has spoken positively about Harborne's company.
But Nigel is Nigel. He's a gun for hire, which is why I doubt in his heart of hearts he particularly wants to be the Sherriff.
Mind you the stench isn't entirely hanging on Farage alone. From Wikipaedia:
"In November 2022, Harborne donated £1 million to The Office of Boris Johnson Ltd, one of the biggest donations ever made to an individual British politician. The government awarded Qinetiq, a company in which Harborne was the largest single shareholder, an £80 million Ministry of Defence contract in January 2023. Harborne acted as an advisor to Boris Johnson on his trip to Kyiv in September 2023 to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy".
If Streeting doesn't have the numbers and Rayner won't challenge Starmer then on the face of it nothing happens and everything just carries on as it is for now.
And still no MP has announced they are resigning their seat. Though if there isn't going to be an imminent contest then I guess it could be argued there is no need for this to happen yet.
(be a bit of a trek for Hull and Boro supporters, that, though)
it were done quickly. Burnham would, if he had a seat
If Burnham does end up PM then it's a remarkable thing. Twice overlooked in favour of Miliband and Corbyn, no track record of anything much in national politics (Mid Staffs, cough, cough). Mind you, much the same could be said about Johnson.
Robert Jenrick's wife was warned that his campaign had accepted an unlawful donation of almost £40,000 from a convicted American fraudster, according to the Times.
Police are investigating allegations that Jenrick's campaign illegally funneled the money to his campaign via a UK-based company
https://bsky.app/profile/adambienkov.bsky.social/post/3mlt3k7nu7k2g
The first leg was the story of Boro's season. For 45 minutes they absolutely battered Southampton but didn't score. And had they over the course of the season been consistently able to turn their dominance of games into goals, they'd have been automatically promoted. Instead it was 1-0 home defeats to Charlton, Portsmouth etc that cost them.
So there will be little point whatsoever of any of the village centre-left tactically voting Tory in our Reform-Tory contests. Stuff 'em.
31% of Britons now have a favourable opinion of Kemi Badenoch (12-13 May 2026), the highest figure recorded by our tracker to date
Favourable: 31% (+2 from 20-21 Apr)
Unfavourable: 48% (-2)
Net: -17 (+4)
50% of Britons now have an unfavourable opinion of Zack Polanski (12-13 May 2026), up 16 points since last month
Favourable: 23% (-3 from 20-21 Apr)
Unfavourable: 50% (+16)
Net: -27 (-19)
What odds could you get on that.
He's very very pally with Gentleman James Cleverly.
Any betting on Streeting replacement
Rayner possibly
Haigh not smart enough
My money on Johnny or Emma Reynolds
And that’s one of the easier judgements
So today was simply a cabinet level resignation.............?
And not the start of a change of PM.
A lot of politics is momentum and within weeks his momentum is going to dissipate and Starmer will cling on until 2028.
https://x.com/GuidoFawkes/status/2054955023356805346
Starmer's reply to Streeting in full:
Dear Wes,
Thank you for your letter. I am very sorry that you have stepped down from Government. We have worked together for many years and I want to thank you for all your hard work in helping to get us back into Government and for all that you have achieved as Health Secretary.
When we came into Government the NHS was on its knees. Almost two years on, the statistics published today are a result of your work and determination and that of the whole of the NHS. Thanks to the choices we made to stabilise our economy, invest in our public services and reform the NHS, hospital waiting lists have been cut. Patients are now waiting less time for hospital appointments, ambulances are arriving sooner, the NHS is more productive, and people's experience of healthcare is improving. The NHS is back on its feet.
Alongside these performance improvements, you and your team have set out an ambitious policy agenda. The 10 Year Health Plan will modernise the NHS and wider health system. The Casey Commission and Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care puts us on a path to a National Care Service we can be proud of. Alongside this, the National Cancer Plan, HIV Action Plan, National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, and Life Sciences Sector Plan are all ambitious pieces of work. The Tobacco and Vapes Act will save lives, and the Mental Health Act will improve lives.
This is the difference a Labour government makes. This is the change we are delivering.
Last week's local election results were extremely tough. I know many colleagues saw good friends lose seats. Everyone in our party is acutely aware that our opponents are more dangerous than ever before. They are a real threat to the values we care about, to the communities we represent and to the country we love.
It is incumbent on all of us to rise to what I see as a battle for the soul of our nation. As part of that we must deliver on all of the promises we made to the country, including our promise to turn the page on the chaos that was roundly rejected by the British people at the last general election.
I am truly sorry you will no longer be sat at the Cabinet table helping to transform our National Health Service. But I have no doubt you will continue to play an important role in our party for many years to come. I hope we can work together to show that Labour in power can address the problems our opponents exploit, can install hope where they want despair, and can bring people together where they want division.
All best wishes.
NEW THREAD
https://x.com/tendar/status/2054936039593066875
Like most of us, we cannot know how this pans out but I doubt Starmer will be PM by the Autumn
Unfortunately there is no direct link. It is a carousel item on the BBC's news page: Who would Streeting's constituents prefer as PM?"
There were some interesting shenanigans where one of our manages met their year end target by sticking several hundred in a drawer and not entering them a couple of decaddes back, but impossible to do it now as all electronic. They were sacked when it came to light, amongst other dubious activities.
Have I missed anything - or is it still going swimmingly for the Tories?
GET THEE ONTO THE NEW THREAD
BREAKING: Andy Burnham now has a route back to parliament after Josh Simons, MP for Makerfield announced he would stand down, triggering a byelection, and putting the Greater Manchester mayor in contention to become the next Labour leader.
Wow
Reform 14223 votes
Labour 7690 votes
It was well beyond the 50/38 percentage result that EC has for the constituency.
So Burnham has to swing around 3300 voters if he gets the chance. It'll be a challenge for him, but he'll have to take it on.
When did we last have a by-election as consequential as this?