Andy Burnham’s position on rejoining the EU now risks dominating his by-election fight
Only 7 months ago he explicitly told Labour conference “I want to rejoin the EU”
Tonight he tells ITV he wants to rejoin the EU in the future but that he doesn’t want to “advocate” it at this by-election
That risks appearing inauthentic
He seems to be trying to avoid the subject because the working class and Reform-leaning Makerfield constituency he’s running in voted heavily Leave in the Brexit referendum
Yesterday I stood in the exact spot where, according to Bede, Paulinus converted the Northumbrian people to Christianity - in the summer of 627AD: thereby baptising England
Today in Parliament Square…
Not a fan of most people who organise marches. I can concede there will be rare occasions it's a good cause, but most of the time they are irritating to say the least.
But if we're talking Bede, should he be England's patron saint?
He's not a saint. So no. Saint Cuthbert on the other hand...
As a Protestant country should we really have a patron Saint?
We aren't though. We're Church of England.
The Church of England seems to recognise existing saints at the point of split with Rome but has no mechanism to beatify any more.
OK. Why are many (most) C of E schools called St Summatorothers?
Yes, but those Saints predate the Reformation even if the school does not.
From my ancestral Free Presbyterian perspective it is all Idolatory. They were a harsh bunch, but on this subject correct.
Calvinism is the most joyless religion ever created.
Surely Lutheranism makes Calvinism look like a jolly?
At the heart of Calvinism is a belief in the total depravity of all human beings, combined with a belief that God has predestined a tiny number for salvation (regardless of their behaviour), and the vast majority to eternal damnation (regardless of their behaviour).
As an outsider the idea only a tiny number may be saved seems totally antithetical to what I thought the core message of Christianity was supposed to be, that everyone could receive salvation through Christ.
Yesterday I stood in the exact spot where, according to Bede, Paulinus converted the Northumbrian people to Christianity - in the summer of 627AD: thereby baptising England
Today in Parliament Square…
Not a fan of most people who organise marches. I can concede there will be rare occasions it's a good cause, but most of the time they are irritating to say the least.
But if we're talking Bede, should he be England's patron saint?
He's not a saint. So no. Saint Cuthbert on the other hand...
As a Protestant country should we really have a patron Saint?
We aren't though. We're Church of England.
The Church of England seems to recognise existing saints at the point of split with Rome but has no mechanism to beatify any more.
OK. Why are many (most) C of E schools called St Summatorothers?
Yes, but those Saints predate the Reformation even if the school does not.
From my ancestral Free Presbyterian perspective it is all Idolatory. They were a harsh bunch, but on this subject correct.
Calvinism is the most joyless religion ever created.
Surely Lutheranism makes Calvinism look like a jolly?
At the heart of Calvinism is a belief in the total depravity of all human beings, combined with a belief that God has predestined a tiny number for salvation (regardless of their behaviour), and the vast majority to eternal damnation (regardless of their behaviour).
The religion manifests itself in all manner of petty regulations, like banning Christmas, prohibiting the growing of flowers, and singing anything other than metrical psalms.
Find it hard to argue. I can just use myself as subject matter.
My last office in Geneva was 20 metres or so from Calvin’s home in the old town. The office went for layers underground which had been dungeons. I liked to chuckle as a Catholic owning that space and having people round to the bar floor to get pissed and have fun. It’s the little things.
Graham Stringer on the radio noted Andy Burnham had a lot of appeal but was worried it wouldn't be able to survive the white heat of a by-elections campaign
Graham Stringer on the radio noted Andy Burnham had a lot of appeal but was worried it wouldn't be able to survive the white heat of a by-elections campaign
And a very unusual one because he’s effectively running for Prime Minister. He could fall apart under pressure.
If this is correct I really do understand frustration that vague duties interpreted by regulators and courts are causing more negative impacts than surely was anticipated. The first comment says EDF are reneging on a commitment, with the original commenter saying EDF are correct it is not needed, but that the core issue is about NE having effective vetoes over many really significant matters, so it is obviously a bit technically complex, but the issue of acceptable tradeoffs vs no tradeoffs at all seems to be hat heart of things.
NEW: Natural England are set to delay Hinkley Point C by insisting on even more measures to protect fish.
A two-year delay to Hinkley Point C Unit 1 would mean about 24TWh less clean firm power on the grid, between 2-4bn cubic metres more gas burnt, and between 4-8m tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Even though EDF have spent £700m on fish protection, including a £50m acoustic fish deterrent that is 93% effective, regulator Natural England wants them to do even more.
Yesterday I stood in the exact spot where, according to Bede, Paulinus converted the Northumbrian people to Christianity - in the summer of 627AD: thereby baptising England
Today in Parliament Square…
Not a fan of most people who organise marches. I can concede there will be rare occasions it's a good cause, but most of the time they are irritating to say the least.
But if we're talking Bede, should he be England's patron saint?
He's not a saint. So no. Saint Cuthbert on the other hand...
As a Protestant country should we really have a patron Saint?
We aren't though. We're Church of England.
The Church of England seems to recognise existing saints at the point of split with Rome but has no mechanism to beatify any more.
In Christian doctrine a saint is anyone in Heaven who forms part of the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1). Technically they are not created by any earthly authority but are recognised and thus, in principle, do not require the recognition of the papacy, they can be revered by any denomination. In the first millennium of Christianity, the veneration of saints had been a local phenomenon, spontaneous local cults would spring up and be confirmed by the local Bishop.
The first solemn papal canonisation only took place in 993 when St Ulrich of Augsburg was recognised by Pope John XV. Any saint before that, including all the Apostles, St George, St Patrick, St David etc etc was just generally recognised as such rather than being canonised by a Pope or anyone else.
Interestingly the last saint canonised “officially” by the CoE was Charles I.
Yesterday I stood in the exact spot where, according to Bede, Paulinus converted the Northumbrian people to Christianity - in the summer of 627AD: thereby baptising England
Today in Parliament Square…
Not a fan of most people who organise marches. I can concede there will be rare occasions it's a good cause, but most of the time they are irritating to say the least.
But if we're talking Bede, should he be England's patron saint?
He's not a saint. So no. Saint Cuthbert on the other hand...
As a Protestant country should we really have a patron Saint?
We aren't though. We're Church of England.
The Church of England seems to recognise existing saints at the point of split with Rome but has no mechanism to beatify any more.
OK. Why are many (most) C of E schools called St Summatorothers?
Yes, but those Saints predate the Reformation even if the school does not.
From my ancestral Free Presbyterian perspective it is all Idolatory. They were a harsh bunch, but on this subject correct.
Calvinism is the most joyless religion ever created.
Surely Lutheranism makes Calvinism look like a jolly?
At the heart of Calvinism is a belief in the total depravity of all human beings, combined with a belief that God has predestined a tiny number for salvation (regardless of their behaviour), and the vast majority to eternal damnation (regardless of their behaviour).
The religion manifests itself in all manner of petty regulations, like banning Christmas, prohibiting the growing of flowers, and singing anything other than metrical psalms.
Yet, had no problem gaining lots of fanatical converts, both in Britain and in mainland Europe. There is an austere pleasure in harsh puritanism. See both Islam and Communism for further examples.
Down here in Falmouth we have a church dedicated to St Charles the Martyr. Cornwall was a Royalist redoubt in the Civil War. Is King Charles the only saint created by the CofE since the Reformation?
Down here in Falmouth we have a church dedicated to St Charles the Martyr. Cornwall was a Royalist redoubt in the Civil War. Is King Charles the only saint created by the CofE since the Reformation?
That's what I was told at University 20 years ago, so it must be true.
Graham Stringer on the radio noted Andy Burnham had a lot of appeal but was worried it wouldn't be able to survive the white heat of a by-elections campaign
That's basically as admission he won't vote for him in the potential leadership contest then. If you aren't confident he could survive the difficulty of a by-election campaign I'm not sure even him managing to win would convert you into a true believer.
My favourite types of racists were at the Tommy march, the ones who think the Jews are wanting to replace white Brits.
Where do you even begin with that special idiocy?
“Tell me you have never met a British Jew without telling me you have never met a British Jew”.
Maybe they went to the wrong march, easily done.
“Excuse me officer, could you tell me directions to the march where a load of cűnłs are kicking off about things that really don’t cause real problems for most people because I’m really thick?”
Wait a minute. You're now telling me Charles 1st is a Saint? So why aren't there Saint Charles' all over England?
Because 28 years after he died our constitutional settlement was radically reformulated to begin the downplaying of monarchs, and the establishment church didn't think it would be fashionable to name schools etc after him?
Probably more pubs named after the oak tree Charles II hid in after the Battle of Worcester.
Streeting's pitch is actually startling in its emptiness. It's more trying to be all things to all people, but essentially it reads like continuity Starmer.
Yes, he wants to go back into the EU - but so does Starmer, everyone knows that. Labour's only response to the challenges of governing Britain is to legislate to do less of it. Apart from that, what is there?
My favourite types of racists were at the Tommy march, the ones who think the Jews are wanting to replace white Brits.
Hatred of jews is usually something that brings a lot of marchers from different views together.
Indeed, but I find this one particularly funny.
As one of my Jewish friends who has a famous Jewish surname says he cannot even get the girl he likes to go on a date with him.
Fucking disgraceful and that attitude is so so un British. It’s the same bollocks as “never kissed a Tory”. It’s so stupid. I shagged one of Jim Callahan’s granddaughters a few times at University and it improved her life massively as was so much more fun for her than the lefty wet wipes she usually dated.
On to more serious matters with Eurovision about to kick off. Finland are far too short for such a capricious voting system, but that does mean that the "bad each way" strategy is viable.
I have backed for a top 10 place Noraway, Sweden, Serbia, UK and Poland all at odds of 10 or better, often much better.
Of these Norway is my favourite, but I do rather like Cyprus, and Moldova.
Italy is the most streamed track so may be a dark horse.
Wait a minute. You're now telling me Charles 1st is a Saint? So why aren't there Saint Charles' all over England?
Because 28 years after he died our constitutional settlement was radically reformulated to begin the downplaying of monarchs, and the establishment church didn't think it would be fashionable to name schools etc after him?
Probably more pubs named after the oak tree Charles II hid in after the Battle of Worcester.
All non-Catholic Christianity is just weird and baffling to me.
I’ve just watched the full ITV interview with Burnham .
Overall he came across well and I liked his honesty on the football question . If given a choice an England WC win or Everton winning the PL. It was the latter and nearly every football fan would always answer yes to their own team .
There was a bit more nuance around the EU question where he said the focus should be on domestic not international issues .
I can see why he’s seen as a lot more natural and likely to connect with the public . As to how the EU question plays out . We await some constituency polls !
Wait a minute. You're now telling me Charles 1st is a Saint? So why aren't there Saint Charles' all over England?
Because 28 years after he died our constitutional settlement was radically reformulated to begin the downplaying of monarchs, and the establishment church didn't think it would be fashionable to name schools etc after him?
Probably more pubs named after the oak tree Charles II hid in after the Battle of Worcester.
All non-Catholic Christianity is just weird and baffling to me.
I find it considerably more baffling that the inadequate daft sod was canonised, than that people didn't clamour to name their Churches after a headless deposed monarch.
Wait a minute. You're now telling me Charles 1st is a Saint? So why aren't there Saint Charles' all over England?
I believe there's a Charles church in Plymouth (it got bombed out during the war and is now in the middle of a roundabout) which has its name because the monarch at the time it was built insisted it be dedicated to King Charles and the people of the place did not want to have it called St Charles.
On to more serious matters with Eurovision about to kick off. Finland are far too short for such a capricious voting system, but that does mean that the "bad each way" strategy is viable.
I have backed for a top 10 place Noraway, Sweden, Serbia, UK and Poland all at odds of 10 or better, often much better.
Of these Norway is my favourite, but I do rather like Cyprus, and Moldova.
Italy is the most streamed track so may be a dark horse.
Isn’t betting on the Eurovision results a fool’s errand as it’s completely irrational, subject to astroturfing and you have no idea if everyone will vote for the same as before or react against by, unlikely, voting for something quirky like the UK song. I have seen so many different analyses that it seems mad to bet. The only two that have some sort of consensus for success are Finland and Australia.
My favourite types of racists were at the Tommy march, the ones who think the Jews are wanting to replace white Brits.
Hatred of jews is usually something that brings a lot of marchers from different views together.
Indeed, but I find this one particularly funny.
As one of my Jewish friends who has a famous Jewish surname says he cannot even get the girl he likes to go on a date with him.
A Jewish man walks into a bar and sits down. He has a few drinks, then he sees a Chinese man and punches him in the face.
“Ouch!” the Chinese man says. “What was that for?”
“That was for Pearl Harbor,” the Jewish man says.
“But I’m Chinese!”
“Chinese, Japanese … what’s the difference?”
And the Jewish man sits back down.
Then the Chinese man walks up to the Jewish man and punches him in the face.
“Ouch!” the Jewish man says. “What was that for?”
“That was for the Titanic,” the Chinese man says.
“But that was an iceberg!”
“Iceberg, Goldberg … what’s the difference?”
OK. Listen closely. There's a priest, a minister, and a rabbi. They're out playing golf. They're deciding how much to give to charity.
The priest says "We'll draw a circle on the ground, throw the money in the air, and whatever lands inside the circle, we'll give to charity."
The minister says "No, we'll draw a circle on the ground, throw the money in the air, and whatever lands outside of the circle, that's what we'll give to charity."
The rabbi says "No no no. We'll throw the money way up in the air, and whatever God wants, he keeps!"
On to more serious matters with Eurovision about to kick off. Finland are far too short for such a capricious voting system, but that does mean that the "bad each way" strategy is viable.
I have backed for a top 10 place Noraway, Sweden, Serbia, UK and Poland all at odds of 10 or better, often much better.
Of these Norway is my favourite, but I do rather like Cyprus, and Moldova.
Italy is the most streamed track so may be a dark horse.
Isn’t betting on the Eurovision results a fool’s errand as it’s completely irrational, subject to astroturfing and you have no idea if everyone will vote for the same as before or react against by, unlikely, voting for something quirky like the UK song. I have seen so many different analyses that it seems mad to bet. The only two that have some sort of consensus for success are Finland and Australia.
I agree, but that is why backing long odds for top 5/10 places is the way to go.
I think both Finland and Australia are way too short.
On to more serious matters with Eurovision about to kick off. Finland are far too short for such a capricious voting system, but that does mean that the "bad each way" strategy is viable.
I have backed for a top 10 place Noraway, Sweden, Serbia, UK and Poland all at odds of 10 or better, often much better.
Of these Norway is my favourite, but I do rather like Cyprus, and Moldova.
Italy is the most streamed track so may be a dark horse.
Isn’t betting on the Eurovision results a fool’s errand as it’s completely irrational, subject to astroturfing and you have no idea if everyone will vote for the same as before or react against by, unlikely, voting for something quirky like the UK song. I have seen so many different analyses that it seems mad to bet. The only two that have some sort of consensus for success are Finland and Australia.
There used to be some rationality but now since they changed the voting system it is a fool's erand which is why I've stopped doing threads on Eurovision.
Andy Burnham sets out "path for Britain" in his first full interview. * Says by-election is battle for soul of Labour party and country * Still backs proportional representation * Will donate 15% of salary * Wants to serve at "highest level" * Reveals his campaign slogan
On to more serious matters with Eurovision about to kick off. Finland are far too short for such a capricious voting system, but that does mean that the "bad each way" strategy is viable.
I have backed for a top 10 place Noraway, Sweden, Serbia, UK and Poland all at odds of 10 or better, often much better.
Of these Norway is my favourite, but I do rather like Cyprus, and Moldova.
Italy is the most streamed track so may be a dark horse.
Isn’t betting on the Eurovision results a fool’s errand as it’s completely irrational, subject to astroturfing and you have no idea if everyone will vote for the same as before or react against by, unlikely, voting for something quirky like the UK song. I have seen so many different analyses that it seems mad to bet. The only two that have some sort of consensus for success are Finland and Australia.
There used to be some rationality but now since they changed the voting system it is a fool's erand which is why I've stopped doing threads on Eurovision.
The revised voting system is still vulnerable to astroturfing, but less so. It will be interesting to see how that influences things.
On to more serious matters with Eurovision about to kick off. Finland are far too short for such a capricious voting system, but that does mean that the "bad each way" strategy is viable.
I have backed for a top 10 place Noraway, Sweden, Serbia, UK and Poland all at odds of 10 or better, often much better.
Of these Norway is my favourite, but I do rather like Cyprus, and Moldova.
Italy is the most streamed track so may be a dark horse.
Isn’t betting on the Eurovision results a fool’s errand as it’s completely irrational, subject to astroturfing and you have no idea if everyone will vote for the same as before or react against by, unlikely, voting for something quirky like the UK song. I have seen so many different analyses that it seems mad to bet. The only two that have some sort of consensus for success are Finland and Australia.
There used to be some rationality but now since they changed the voting system it is a fool's erand which is why I've stopped doing threads on Eurovision.
Australia will win. They won’t be allowed to host it I reckon so a London Eurovision 2027 likely.
Wait a minute. You're now telling me Charles 1st is a Saint? So why aren't there Saint Charles' all over England?
I believe there's a Charles church in Plymouth (it got bombed out during the war and is now in the middle of a roundabout) which has its name because the monarch at the time it was built insisted it be dedicated to King Charles and the people of the place did not want to have it called St Charles.
There's a King Charles the Martyr church in Falmouth
Yet another politician people call by their first name
Andy has got a chance in Makerfield - more than a chance, a good chance.
But it is still a very fine line. He has to be the anti-Starmer but also show loyalty to Starmer. Now he has to win and keep a Brexit-voting seat but also satisfy the remoaner faction in Labour (which is almost all of it). He will deserve a lot of praise if he pulls it off.
Poor. It does put a strong focus on him as an individual, which may be smart given Labour's travails, and that makes it bold as his pitch is he will save Labour, but it's not very catchy and doesn't even pretend to be about change, or fairness, or anything.
I’m making a laksa hot sauce. And to spoon the small amount of sugar I’m using a 15th century Ming dynasty ceramic spoon rescued from a famous historic shipwreck
Do any PBers have any regular cooking implements that are even older than that?
Poor. It does put a strong focus on him as an individual, which may be smart given Labour's travails, and that makes it bold as his pitch is he will save Labour, but it's not very catchy and doesn't even pretend to be about change, or fairness, or anything.
Thank heavens we didn’t see change . I really would have rolled my eyes !
Poor. It does put a strong focus on him as an individual, which may be smart given Labour's travails, and that makes it bold as his pitch is he will save Labour, but it's not very catchy and doesn't even pretend to be about change, or fairness, or anything.
Thank heavens we didn’t see change . I really would have rolled my eyes !
I’m making a laksa hot sauce. And to spoon the small amount of sugar I’m using a 15th century Ming dynasty ceramic spoon rescued from a famous historic shipwreck
Do any PBers have any regular cooking implements that are even older than that?
I’ve just watched the full ITV interview with Burnham .
Overall he came across well and I liked his honesty on the football question . If given a choice an England WC win or Everton winning the PL. It was the latter and nearly every football fan would always answer yes to their own team .
There was a bit more nuance around the EU question where he said the focus should be on domestic not international issues .
I can see why he’s seen as a lot more natural and likely to connect with the public . As to how the EU question plays out . We await some constituency polls !
Not a particular fan of Burnham however he comes across far better than any of the other current Party leaders.
He doesn't shout He doesn't preach He's not arrogant He's not dull He's authentic He answers questions He's not infallible and that makes him believable
I'd rather Darren Jones but his time will come.
If Streeting is being truthful and he would serve under Burnham then Labour would have 2 excellent communicators who could reach in both directions.
I’m making a laksa hot sauce. And to spoon the small amount of sugar I’m using a 15th century Ming dynasty ceramic spoon rescued from a famous historic shipwreck
Do any PBers have any regular cooking implements that are even older than that?
Not Pseud’s Corner, again. We’re trying to watch TV
I’m making a laksa hot sauce. And to spoon the small amount of sugar I’m using a 15th century Ming dynasty ceramic spoon rescued from a famous historic shipwreck
Do any PBers have any regular cooking implements that are even older than that?
Definitely not but I have plenty that are very much the worse for wear, having been in use since my great-grandmother's day.
Eight people were injured, two seriously, on Saturday after a car rammed into a group of pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena.
Police said the driver, in his 30s, had been arrested. He is also alleged to have attempted to stab a passerby who had tried to stop him from fleeing the scene.
According to reports in the Italian press, the car crashed into a shop window after hitting the pedestrians on a road in the central area of the city.
The driver is alleged to have “aimed for the pavement, hitting a bike” before crashing “head-on” into a woman, the Modena mayor, Massimo Mezzetti, told the Ansa news agency. The mayor said the woman’s legs were crushed on the impact.
Zarah Sultana MP is claiming that “250,000” people were at the Naqba march she addressed today
She’s literally claiming a quarter of a million people. In reality I would estimate about 10,000. Fantastical nonsense
For clarity, some of the pro pally marches have indeed been huge. I know because I personally witnessed one of the early, massive rallies. It could actually have been 250,000. Today’s was tiny in comparison
I wonder if this means Gaza is finally receding in salience. Let’s hope so
Poor. It does put a strong focus on him as an individual, which may be smart given Labour's travails, and that makes it bold as his pitch is he will save Labour, but it's not very catchy and doesn't even pretend to be about change, or fairness, or anything.
It isn't about anything is it? His manifesto seems even emptier than Streeting's.
In a way, Burnham is the ultimate test of the theory that all Labour's issues are presentational. That if only they had a charismatic leader that could make a good speech but also who a girl could take home to her Mum, the public would gladly swallow the shit sandwich of life under Labour and whistle a happy tune.
Let's see if that's true. Maybe it is, maybe it ain't.
I’ve just watched the full ITV interview with Burnham .
Overall he came across well and I liked his honesty on the football question . If given a choice an England WC win or Everton winning the PL. It was the latter and nearly every football fan would always answer yes to their own team .
There was a bit more nuance around the EU question where he said the focus should be on domestic not international issues .
I can see why he’s seen as a lot more natural and likely to connect with the public . As to how the EU question plays out . We await some constituency polls !
Not a particular fan of Burnham however he comes across far better than any of the other current Party leaders.
He doesn't shout He doesn't preach He's not arrogant He's not dull He's authentic He answers questions He's not infallible and that makes him believable
I'd rather Darren Jones but his time will come.
If Streeting is being truthful and he would serve under Burnham then Labour would have 2 excellent communicators who could reach in both directions.
Zarah Sultana MP is claiming that “250,000” people were at the Naqba march she addressed today
She’s literally claiming a quarter of a million people. In reality I would estimate about 10,000. Fantastical nonsense
For clarity, some of the pro pally marches have indeed been huge. I know because I personally witnessed one of the early, massive rallies. It could actually have been 250,000. Today’s was tiny in comparison
I wonder if this means Gaza is finally receding in salience. Let’s hope so
I doubt it.
On crowd size estimates it seems to be something no one is very good at, since competing claims are not even remotely related to each other. You can probably safely double or triple the low estimates and halve or 2/3 reduce the upper estimates and still be closer.
Zarah Sultana MP is claiming that “250,000” people were at the Naqba march she addressed today
She’s literally claiming a quarter of a million people. In reality I would estimate about 10,000. Fantastical nonsense
For clarity, some of the pro pally marches have indeed been huge. I know because I personally witnessed one of the early, massive rallies. It could actually have been 250,000. Today’s was tiny in comparison
I wonder if this means Gaza is finally receding in salience. Let’s hope so
Poor. It does put a strong focus on him as an individual, which may be smart given Labour's travails, and that makes it bold as his pitch is he will save Labour, but it's not very catchy and doesn't even pretend to be about change, or fairness, or anything.
It isn't about anything is it? His manifesto seems even emptier than Streeting's.
In a way, Burnham is the ultimate test of the theory that all Labour's issues are presentational. That if only they had a charismatic leader that could make a good speech but also who a girl could take home to her Mum, the public would gladly swallow the shit sandwich of life under Labour and whistle a happy tune.
Let's see if that's true. Maybe it is, maybe it ain't.
Quite incredible that the 30 odd Bills that Labour passed in to Law in the session of Parliament just finished completely passed you by.
Andy Burnham sets out "path for Britain" in his first full interview. * Says by-election is battle for soul of Labour party and country * Still backs proportional representation * Will donate 15% of salary * Wants to serve at "highest level" * Reveals his campaign slogan
I think the donating salary is a stupid idea.
Its better than politicians are paid properly than looking for other money making sources which might allow undue influence.
And the money donated is utterly trivial compared to the budgets mayors and ministers oversee.
I’m making a laksa hot sauce. And to spoon the small amount of sugar I’m using a 15th century Ming dynasty ceramic spoon rescued from a famous historic shipwreck
Do any PBers have any regular cooking implements that are even older than that?
Zarah Sultana MP is claiming that “250,000” people were at the Naqba march she addressed today
She’s literally claiming a quarter of a million people. In reality I would estimate about 10,000. Fantastical nonsense
For clarity, some of the pro pally marches have indeed been huge. I know because I personally witnessed one of the early, massive rallies. It could actually have been 250,000. Today’s was tiny in comparison
I wonder if this means Gaza is finally receding in salience. Let’s hope so
Quite incredible that the 30 odd bills Labour passed in to law in the first session of their Parliament completely passed you by.
Zarah Sultana MP is claiming that “250,000” people were at the Naqba march she addressed today
She’s literally claiming a quarter of a million people. In reality I would estimate about 10,000. Fantastical nonsense
For clarity, some of the pro pally marches have indeed been huge. I know because I personally witnessed one of the early, massive rallies. It could actually have been 250,000. Today’s was tiny in comparison
I wonder if this means Gaza is finally receding in salience. Let’s hope so
Well, its not as if anything else she will have said was any more credible.
Andy Burnham sets out "path for Britain" in his first full interview. * Says by-election is battle for soul of Labour party and country * Still backs proportional representation * Will donate 15% of salary * Wants to serve at "highest level" * Reveals his campaign slogan
I think the donating salary is a stupid idea.
Its better than politicians are paid properly than looking for other money making sources which might allow undue influence.
And the money donated is utterly trivial compared to the budgets mayors and ministers oversee.
I would imagine a lot of MPs quietly donate to charities upto a similar amount. I think its only worth stating if you are like Rupert Lowe going to say you are donating the whole amount and I don't think anything lesser of an MP would doesn't (even if they have plenty of money).
Andy Burnham sets out "path for Britain" in his first full interview. * Says by-election is battle for soul of Labour party and country * Still backs proportional representation * Will donate 15% of salary * Wants to serve at "highest level" * Reveals his campaign slogan
I think the donating salary is a stupid idea.
Its better than politicians are paid properly than looking for other money making sources which might allow undue influence.
And the money donated is utterly trivial compared to the budgets mayors and ministers oversee.
Yes on the salary thing. It sounds nice but is a bad idea.
Zarah Sultana MP is claiming that “250,000” people were at the Naqba march she addressed today
She’s literally claiming a quarter of a million people. In reality I would estimate about 10,000. Fantastical nonsense
For clarity, some of the pro pally marches have indeed been huge. I know because I personally witnessed one of the early, massive rallies. It could actually have been 250,000. Today’s was tiny in comparison
I wonder if this means Gaza is finally receding in salience. Let’s hope so
I doubt it.
On crowd size estimates it seems to be something no one is very good at, since competing claims are not even remotely related to each other. You can probably safely double or triple the low estimates and halve or 2/3 reduce the upper estimates and still be closer.
I disagree. Anyone who has been to a bunch of football games and knows attendances can make an educated guess at demo sizes. Especially if they all assemble at the end in one place
Today’s Naqba rally was a good Hereford United attendance in the late 70s. About 10,000. Today’s Tommy rally was a not quite full cup final. 80,000?
Burnham is almost running a Brexit-style “we need to take back control”.
I think it will prove very effective.
Two stages of taking back control:
Take back control of Labour from smarmy Londoners such as Starmer and Streeting.
Take back control of Britain from London bankers and bureaucrats.
Followed by a third stage of keep control from southern shysters such as Farage and Polanski.
Zack Polanski is a Northerner.
Proper northerners don't leave at the first opportunity.
Lives on a London houseboat and been down there for over a decade.
He's one of the people New Model Army sang about:
No, not for one second did you look behind you As you were walking away Never once did you wish any of us well Those who had chosen to stay And if that's what it takes to make it In the place that you live today Then I guess you'll never read these letters that I send From the valleys of the green and the grey
Zarah Sultana MP is claiming that “250,000” people were at the Naqba march she addressed today
She’s literally claiming a quarter of a million people. In reality I would estimate about 10,000. Fantastical nonsense
For clarity, some of the pro pally marches have indeed been huge. I know because I personally witnessed one of the early, massive rallies. It could actually have been 250,000. Today’s was tiny in comparison
I wonder if this means Gaza is finally receding in salience. Let’s hope so
I doubt it.
On crowd size estimates it seems to be something no one is very good at, since competing claims are not even remotely related to each other. You can probably safely double or triple the low estimates and halve or 2/3 reduce the upper estimates and still be closer.
I disagree. Anyone who has been to a bunch of football games and knows attendances can make an educated guess at demo sizes. Especially if they all assemble at the end in one place
Today’s Naqba rally was a good Hereford United attendance in the late 70s. About 10,000. Today’s Tommy rally was a not quite full cup final. 80,000?
The Rozzers say 'Scotland Yard said an estimated 60,000 people attended Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom (UTK) protest — down from around 100,000 people who marched last September. Somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 took part in the rival pro-Palestinian demonstration, the force said.'
Andy Burnham’s position on rejoining the EU now risks dominating his by-election fight
Only 7 months ago he explicitly told Labour conference “I want to rejoin the EU”
Tonight he tells ITV he wants to rejoin the EU in the future but that he doesn’t want to “advocate” it at this by-election
That risks appearing inauthentic
He seems to be trying to avoid the subject because the working class and Reform-leaning Makerfield constituency he’s running in voted heavily Leave in the Brexit referendum
Burnham knows he can't push rejoin the EU too hard or he loses Makerfield to Reform.
Streeting however represents a seat that voted Remain and has shown some leg to Labour members today by saying he is committed to rejoining the EU. Thus if Burnham wins the by election and he and Streeting end up challenging Starmer for the Labour leadership and premiership Streeting has already out 'anti Brexited' Burnham on the EU while also trashing Starmer on his WFA cut to try and win swing voters amongst the general public.
If Burnham loses the by election Streeting can then say he supported Burnham to be Labour's candidate, blame Starmer for the by election loss and say to Labour members 'vote for me to rejoin the EU unlike dithering Keir'
Zarah Sultana MP is claiming that “250,000” people were at the Naqba march she addressed today
She’s literally claiming a quarter of a million people. In reality I would estimate about 10,000. Fantastical nonsense
For clarity, some of the pro pally marches have indeed been huge. I know because I personally witnessed one of the early, massive rallies. It could actually have been 250,000. Today’s was tiny in comparison
I wonder if this means Gaza is finally receding in salience. Let’s hope so
Hope so? I hope that people continue to be outraged by what is widely assessed to be a genocide.
My biggest concern is that a a fall in the numbers and/or frequency of protests is a direct result of the state’s use of Terrorism legislation to quash it. Thousands of people held without charge; misleading juries; sentencing for crimes that have not been prosecuted.
I’m sure enthusiasm would have receded naturally over time, but it can’t have helped.
Burnham is almost running a Brexit-style “we need to take back control”.
I think it will prove very effective.
Two stages of taking back control:
Take back control of Labour from smarmy Londoners such as Starmer and Streeting.
Take back control of Britain from London bankers and bureaucrats.
Followed by a third stage of keep control from southern shysters such as Farage and Polanski.
Zack Polanski is a Northerner.
Proper northerners don't leave at the first opportunity.
Lives on a London houseboat and been down there for over a decade.
He's one of the people New Model Army sang about:
No, not for one second did you look behind you As you were walking away Never once did you wish any of us well Those who had chosen to stay And if that's what it takes to make it In the place that you live today Then I guess you'll never read these letters that I send From the valleys of the green and the grey
Talking of religious denominations, Streeting would be our first churchgoing Anglican PM since May. Starmer is an atheist married to a Jew, Burnham is Roman Catholic, Sunak was Hindu, Truss was not a churchgoer, Boris was Roman Catholic. Swinney is a Calvinist Church of Scotland FM north of the border too
Zarah Sultana MP is claiming that “250,000” people were at the Naqba march she addressed today
She’s literally claiming a quarter of a million people. In reality I would estimate about 10,000. Fantastical nonsense
For clarity, some of the pro pally marches have indeed been huge. I know because I personally witnessed one of the early, massive rallies. It could actually have been 250,000. Today’s was tiny in comparison
I wonder if this means Gaza is finally receding in salience. Let’s hope so
Quite incredible that the 30 odd bills Labour passed in to law in the first session of their Parliament completely passed you by.
Er, are you alright?
Completely passed everyone as Starmer pitched labour into the civil war of all civil wars by sacking anyone and everyone over Mandelson and not acting as he demanded for Johnson to resign and demonstrates breath taking hypocrisy
The one person to blame for this mess is Starmer and he clearly has ended his premiership and looks a forlorn and lost individual
Indeed it is rather sad but politics is a stark business
Zarah Sultana MP is claiming that “250,000” people were at the Naqba march she addressed today
She’s literally claiming a quarter of a million people. In reality I would estimate about 10,000. Fantastical nonsense
For clarity, some of the pro pally marches have indeed been huge. I know because I personally witnessed one of the early, massive rallies. It could actually have been 250,000. Today’s was tiny in comparison
I wonder if this means Gaza is finally receding in salience. Let’s hope so
I doubt it.
On crowd size estimates it seems to be something no one is very good at, since competing claims are not even remotely related to each other. You can probably safely double or triple the low estimates and halve or 2/3 reduce the upper estimates and still be closer.
I disagree. Anyone who has been to a bunch of football games and knows attendances can make an educated guess at demo sizes. Especially if they all assemble at the end in one place
Today’s Naqba rally was a good Hereford United attendance in the late 70s. About 10,000. Today’s Tommy rally was a not quite full cup final. 80,000?
We had a quarter of a million on the Naqba here in Jersey. Exceeded expectations wildly as there are only 120,000 people here and not enough hotel rooms but that’s the sacrifice people make.
Zarah Sultana MP is claiming that “250,000” people were at the Naqba march she addressed today
She’s literally claiming a quarter of a million people. In reality I would estimate about 10,000. Fantastical nonsense
For clarity, some of the pro pally marches have indeed been huge. I know because I personally witnessed one of the early, massive rallies. It could actually have been 250,000. Today’s was tiny in comparison
I wonder if this means Gaza is finally receding in salience. Let’s hope so
I doubt it.
On crowd size estimates it seems to be something no one is very good at, since competing claims are not even remotely related to each other. You can probably safely double or triple the low estimates and halve or 2/3 reduce the upper estimates and still be closer.
I disagree. Anyone who has been to a bunch of football games and knows attendances can make an educated guess at demo sizes. Especially if they all assemble at the end in one place
Today’s Naqba rally was a good Hereford United attendance in the late 70s. About 10,000. Today’s Tommy rally was a not quite full cup final. 80,000?
The Rozzers say 'Scotland Yard said an estimated 60,000 people attended Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom (UTK) protest — down from around 100,000 people who marched last September. Somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 took part in the rival pro-Palestinian demonstration, the force said.'
Hah. That’s interesting. Really quite close to my amateur guesswork
Comments
“Yes I want to rejoin. Always have and always will. What of it?”
@AndyBurnhamGM
tells me about his plans to “build a new Britain”.
30 minutes on:
🔺Leadership ambitions
🔺Starmer
🔺Bond markets
🔺Public ownership
🔺EU
🔺Reform & Farage
🔺Rayner & Streeting
🔺VAR
https://x.com/DanielHewittITV/status/2055697383296504079
My last office in Geneva was 20 metres or so from Calvin’s home in the old town. The office went for layers underground which had been dungeons. I liked to chuckle as a Catholic owning that space and having people round to the bar floor to get pissed and have fun. It’s the little things.
That said - does kinda show that maybe Burnham isnt as good at politics as people were hoping...
https://x.com/stainlesz05/status/2055677032713842769
[into intercom] Fire at will, Mr Starmer!"
NEW: Natural England are set to delay Hinkley Point C by insisting on even more measures to protect fish.
A two-year delay to Hinkley Point C Unit 1 would mean about 24TWh less clean firm power on the grid, between 2-4bn cubic metres more gas burnt, and between 4-8m tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Even though EDF have spent £700m on fish protection, including a £50m acoustic fish deterrent that is 93% effective, regulator Natural England wants them to do even more.
This is likely to involve creating a salt marsh on nearby farmland. This could take years.
https://nitter.poast.org/Sam_Dumitriu/status/2055222427467071560#m
The first solemn papal canonisation only took place in 993 when St Ulrich of Augsburg was recognised by Pope John XV. Any saint before that, including all the Apostles, St George, St Patrick, St David etc etc was just generally recognised as such rather than being canonised by a Pope or anyone else.
Interestingly the last saint canonised “officially” by the CoE was Charles I.
https://skcm.org/
You may not get it, but there is joy there.
You're now telling me Charles 1st is a Saint?
So why aren't there Saint Charles' all over England?
I know my posts imply I am a very pious Muslim but I am not qualified to comment on what is Allah's will or not.
I mean I might start asking you about your cow bothering ways.
As one of my Jewish friends who has a famous Jewish surname says he cannot even get the girl he likes to go on a date with him.
“Tell me you have never met a British Jew without telling me you have never met a British Jew”.
Maybe they went to the wrong march, easily done.
“Excuse me officer, could you tell me directions to the march where a load of cűnłs are kicking off about things that really don’t cause real problems for most people because I’m really thick?”
Probably more pubs named after the oak tree Charles II hid in after the Battle of Worcester.
Yes, he wants to go back into the EU - but so does Starmer, everyone knows that. Labour's only response to the challenges of governing Britain is to legislate to do less of it. Apart from that, what is there?
I have backed for a top 10 place Noraway, Sweden, Serbia, UK and Poland all at odds of 10 or better, often much better.
Of these Norway is my favourite, but I do rather like Cyprus, and Moldova.
Italy is the most streamed track so may be a dark horse.
“Ouch!” the Chinese man says. “What was that for?”
“That was for Pearl Harbor,” the Jewish man says.
“But I’m Chinese!”
“Chinese, Japanese … what’s the difference?”
And the Jewish man sits back down.
Then the Chinese man walks up to the Jewish man and punches him in the face.
“Ouch!” the Jewish man says. “What was that for?”
“That was for the Titanic,” the Chinese man says.
“But that was an iceberg!”
“Iceberg, Goldberg … what’s the difference?”
Overall he came across well and I liked his honesty on the football question . If given a choice an England WC win or Everton winning the PL. It was the latter and nearly every football fan would always answer yes to their own team .
There was a bit more nuance around the EU question where he said the focus should be on domestic not international issues .
I can see why he’s seen as a lot more natural and likely to connect with the public . As to how the EU question plays out . We await some constituency polls !
The priest says "We'll draw a circle on the ground, throw the money in the air, and whatever lands inside the circle, we'll give to charity."
The minister says "No, we'll draw a circle on the ground, throw the money in the air, and whatever lands outside of the circle, that's what we'll give to charity."
The rabbi says "No no no. We'll throw the money way up in the air, and whatever God wants, he keeps!"
I think both Finland and Australia are way too short.
Andy Burnham sets out "path for Britain" in his first full interview.
* Says by-election is battle for soul of Labour party and country
* Still backs proportional representation
* Will donate 15% of salary
* Wants to serve at "highest level"
* Reveals his campaign slogan
But it is still a very fine line. He has to be the anti-Starmer but also show loyalty to Starmer. Now he has to win and keep a Brexit-voting seat but also satisfy the remoaner faction in Labour (which is almost all of it). He will deserve a lot of praise if he pulls it off.
What do people think of his campaign slogan ?
I think it will prove very effective.
I’m making a laksa hot sauce. And to spoon the small amount of sugar I’m using a 15th century Ming dynasty ceramic spoon rescued from a famous historic shipwreck
Do any PBers have any regular cooking implements that are even older than that?
Obviously, not us
He doesn't shout
He doesn't preach
He's not arrogant
He's not dull
He's authentic
He answers questions
He's not infallible and that makes him believable
I'd rather Darren Jones but his time will come.
If Streeting is being truthful and he would serve under Burnham then Labour would have 2 excellent communicators who could reach in both directions.
Police said the driver, in his 30s, had been arrested. He is also alleged to have attempted to stab a passerby who had tried to stop him from fleeing the scene.
According to reports in the Italian press, the car crashed into a shop window after hitting the pedestrians on a road in the central area of the city.
The driver is alleged to have “aimed for the pavement, hitting a bike” before crashing “head-on” into a woman, the Modena mayor, Massimo Mezzetti, told the Ansa news agency. The mayor said the woman’s legs were crushed on the impact.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/16/people-injured-car-crowd-modena-northern-italy
Zarah Sultana MP is claiming that “250,000” people were at the Naqba march she addressed today
She’s literally claiming a quarter of a million people. In reality I would estimate about 10,000. Fantastical nonsense
For clarity, some of the pro pally marches have indeed been huge. I know because I personally witnessed one of the early, massive rallies. It could actually have been 250,000. Today’s was tiny in comparison
I wonder if this means Gaza is finally receding in salience. Let’s hope so
In a way, Burnham is the ultimate test of the theory that all Labour's issues are presentational. That if only they had a charismatic leader that could make a good speech but also who a girl could take home to her Mum, the public would gladly swallow the shit sandwich of life under Labour and whistle a happy tune.
Let's see if that's true. Maybe it is, maybe it ain't.
Can I be the first to say that this means nothing to me?
(Obviously untrue btw)
Take back control of Labour from smarmy Londoners such as Starmer and Streeting.
Take back control of Britain from London bankers and bureaucrats.
Followed by a third stage of keep control from southern shysters such as Farage and Polanski.
On crowd size estimates it seems to be something no one is very good at, since competing claims are not even remotely related to each other. You can probably safely double or triple the low estimates and halve or 2/3 reduce the upper estimates and still be closer.
Its better than politicians are paid properly than looking for other money making sources which might allow undue influence.
And the money donated is utterly trivial compared to the budgets mayors and ministers oversee.
Today’s Naqba rally was a good Hereford United attendance in the late 70s. About 10,000. Today’s Tommy rally was a not quite full cup final. 80,000?
Lives on a London houseboat and been down there for over a decade.
He's one of the people New Model Army sang about:
No, not for one second did you look behind you
As you were walking away
Never once did you wish any of us well
Those who had chosen to stay
And if that's what it takes to make it
In the place that you live today
Then I guess you'll never read these letters that I send
From the valleys of the green and the grey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGpV0Ot3EeM&list=RDpGpV0Ot3EeM&start_radio=1
Streeting however represents a seat that voted Remain and has shown some leg to Labour members today by saying he is committed to rejoining the EU. Thus if Burnham wins the by election and he and Streeting end up challenging Starmer for the Labour leadership and premiership Streeting has already out 'anti Brexited' Burnham on the EU while also trashing Starmer on his WFA cut to try and win swing voters amongst the general public.
If Burnham loses the by election Streeting can then say he supported Burnham to be Labour's candidate, blame Starmer for the by election loss and say to Labour members 'vote for me to rejoin the EU unlike dithering Keir'
My biggest concern is that a a fall in the numbers and/or frequency of protests is a direct result of the state’s use of Terrorism legislation to quash it. Thousands of people held without charge; misleading juries; sentencing for crimes that have not been prosecuted.
I’m sure enthusiasm would have receded naturally over time, but it can’t have helped.
But I did come back.
The one person to blame for this mess is Starmer and he clearly has ended his premiership and looks a forlorn and lost individual
Indeed it is rather sad but politics is a stark business