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.
nah, to be honest I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a Tommy Robinson march.
A friend suggested having lunch today in London then we both realised what was happening today (plus the cup final) and decided to reschedule it.
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
I would have said more of a Lannister business myself. And you always need to pay your debts.
A week after celebrating our liberation from the Germans Eurovision has made me question whether it was necessarily such a good idea. I’m sure Jersey would have been a good place for the Valkyrie SS to base themselves and try and turn people like me away from being very British and warming to German thighs, sorry, ideas.
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.
1997 Labour: devolution, Good Friday Agreement, minimum wage, Human Rights Act, House of Lords Reform, freedom of information act.
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.
nah, to be honest I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a Tommy Robinson march.
A friend suggested having lunch today in London then we both realised what was happening today (plus the cup final) and decided to reschedule it.
Plenty of pre-Ayatollah Iranian flags on the Tommy Robinson march, judging from the footage.
Since taking the role his games played, matched with other clubs, puts United top of the league and of course they have qualified for the Champions league and will be third with one point from their last 2 games
Now as for Chelsea !!!!!!!!!!
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Michael Carrick to become the club's permanent head coach.
The formal process of exchanging contracts is now under way, with an announcement expected inside the next 48 hours.
As things stand there is some doubt over whether the formalities can be completed before Sunday's match against Nottingham Forest, but there is a will to have it done in time for the club's final home game of the season.
Carrick will sign an initial two-year deal with the option of an additional 12 months.
Burnham on the bond markets '“Number one, I have never said you can just ignore the bond markets,” he insisted. “I said that politicians have placed Britain in hock because of the way in which we lost control of our finances and public spending. And that goes back to what I said to you before when we, if you like handed away control of energy, water, housing, that has left Britain in a weak position when it comes to public spending. You can't. “How can you control public spending if you're chasing rents in the private rented sector through the benefits system. How can that be done? “Let me say this really clearly. I support the fiscal rules. There needs to be a plan to get debt down, but beyond that, we need to change politics and take the turbulence out of British politics because that is a cause of uncertainty that then has that impact in the markets.”'
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'
The universal constant being the belief that fellating the EU is the answer to all our problems.
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'
The universal constant being the belief that fellating the EU is the answer to all our problems.
It's weak, sordid and pathetic.
Streeting's aim though is to squeeze the Green and LD vote in Labour held seats to beat Reform, he has clearly given up trying to regain voters Labour has lost to Reform
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.
nah, to be honest I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a Tommy Robinson march.
A friend suggested having lunch today in London then we both realised what was happening today (plus the cup final) and decided to reschedule it.
Plenty of pre-Ayatollah Iranian flags on the Tommy Robinson march, judging from the footage.
Burnham on the bond markets '“Number one, I have never said you can just ignore the bond markets,” he insisted. “I said that politicians have placed Britain in hock because of the way in which we lost control of our finances and public spending. And that goes back to what I said to you before when we, if you like handed away control of energy, water, housing, that has left Britain in a weak position when it comes to public spending. You can't. “How can you control public spending if you're chasing rents in the private rented sector through the benefits system. How can that be done? “Let me say this really clearly. I support the fiscal rules. There needs to be a plan to get debt down, but beyond that, we need to change politics and take the turbulence out of British politics because that is a cause of uncertainty that then has that impact in the markets.”'
Okay, I've read that twice. I think he's basically saying we have borrowed half a trillion too much. I agree. He's saying we have sold off too many assets, I say that is a consequence of the trade deficit. He's saying UC and HB will be out of control if you don't control rents. Well, I suppose that depends how much of a private sector rental sector you want. He's saying what we need is a nice few quiet years under Andy Burnham without all the drama. Good luck with that.
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
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
After the rallies I was walking back to the tube and I spotted that three young Muslim girls with Palestinian flags were about to walk, in a few seconds, right into a large clutch of very drunk Tommy fans outside a pub on Villiers street. All chanting and dancing. Probably on coke
I advised them “please don’t go down there”. They looked up and realised the impending problem, thanked me profusely, turned around and went the other way
After the rallies I was walking back to the tube and I spotted that three young Muslim girls with Palestinian flags were about to walk, in a few seconds, right into a large clutch of very drunk Tommy fans outside a pub on Villiers street. All chanting and dancing. Probably on coke
I advised them “please don’t go down there”. They looked up and realised the impending problem, thanked me profusely, turned around and went the other way
I am already sick of ppl pronouncing it wrong . It's very simple Maker (as in make stuff) Field. I was born there. Maykerfeeld. If that helps. It's where Orwell saw unemployed coal miners scavenging for coal in the 30s ... a proud, brilliant community.
After the rallies I was walking back to the tube and I spotted that three young Muslim girls with Palestinian flags were about to walk, in a few seconds, right into a large clutch of very drunk Tommy fans outside a pub on Villiers street. All chanting and dancing. Probably on coke
I advised them “please don’t go down there”. They looked up and realised the impending problem, thanked me profusely, turned around and went the other way
I hope God noticed
Why would anyone drink in Villiers Street when there are nicer pubs the other side of Charing Cross ?
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 10m Keir Starmer has told friends he intends to stand down as Prime Minister and set out an orderly timetable for his departure
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.
nah, to be honest I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a Tommy Robinson march.
A friend suggested having lunch today in London then we both realised what was happening today (plus the cup final) and decided to reschedule it.
Plenty of pre-Ayatollah Iranian flags on the Tommy Robinson march, judging from the footage.
Fascists going to fash.
You mean like this? Which I saw today?
This woman with the pre Ayatollah Iranian flag was getting lots of love from the Tommy crowd
I think Burnham is wrong on VAR being totally banned. The issue is that VAR is being applied to huge range of decisions, many of which are far too subjective. Using VAR for offside (if you take inspiration from the cricket, where its super close, umpire decision stands) is fine. Its when they are deciding over if that was a foul in the build up to the goal that occurred 6 minutes before the goal was actually scored is the problem.
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.
nah, to be honest I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a Tommy Robinson march.
A friend suggested having lunch today in London then we both realised what was happening today (plus the cup final) and decided to reschedule it.
Plenty of pre-Ayatollah Iranian flags on the Tommy Robinson march, judging from the footage.
Fascists going to fash.
You mean like this? Which I saw today?
This woman with the pre Ayatollah Iranian flag was getting lots of love from the Tommy crowd
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 10m Keir Starmer has told friends he intends to stand down as Prime Minister and set out an orderly timetable for his departure
Given Hodges was telling us the other day that half the cabinet were going to be going in one by one to tell him it was over, which never happened, careful as that HGV lorry full of salt is backing up.....
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.
nah, to be honest I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a Tommy Robinson march.
A friend suggested having lunch today in London then we both realised what was happening today (plus the cup final) and decided to reschedule it.
Plenty of pre-Ayatollah Iranian flags on the Tommy Robinson march, judging from the footage.
Fascists going to fash.
You mean like this? Which I saw today?
This woman with the pre Ayatollah Iranian flag was getting lots of love from the Tommy crowd
Is she a fascist, too? Are they?
I would define the current Ayatollahs as fash...
Exactly so. Modern Iran is about as close to fascist as you can get, anywhere in the world right now. Russia and North Korea not far behind
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.
I just wish it was given some equal time with Sudan, the DRC and the ongoing tragedy in Myanmar. Even the UN says Sudan is the worst crisis they've seen - but from regular news sources you'd barely hear of it.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 10m Keir Starmer has told friends he intends to stand down as Prime Minister and set out an orderly timetable for his departure
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.
nah, to be honest I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a Tommy Robinson march.
A friend suggested having lunch today in London then we both realised what was happening today (plus the cup final) and decided to reschedule it.
Plenty of pre-Ayatollah Iranian flags on the Tommy Robinson march, judging from the footage.
Fascists going to fash.
You mean like this? Which I saw today?
This woman with the pre Ayatollah Iranian flag was getting lots of love from the Tommy crowd
Is she a fascist, too? Are they?
I would define the current Ayatollahs as fash...
They are bad, but the Shah was famously brutal with his secret police. One of my cousins was arrested by them. Not a pleasant experience but his UK passport meant that he just got deported rather than tortured.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 10m Keir Starmer has told friends he intends to stand down as Prime Minister and set out an orderly timetable for his departure
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.
nah, to be honest I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a Tommy Robinson march.
A friend suggested having lunch today in London then we both realised what was happening today (plus the cup final) and decided to reschedule it.
Plenty of pre-Ayatollah Iranian flags on the Tommy Robinson march, judging from the footage.
Fascists going to fash.
You mean like this? Which I saw today?
This woman with the pre Ayatollah Iranian flag was getting lots of love from the Tommy crowd
Is she a fascist, too? Are they?
There were similarities between the Shah's Iran and Mussolini's Italy.
With their combination of yearning after an ancient empire mixed with modernist cravings and strongman rule.
Still, the Shah's Iran was certainly preferable to that of the ayatollahs.
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 !
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
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.
nah, to be honest I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a Tommy Robinson march.
A friend suggested having lunch today in London then we both realised what was happening today (plus the cup final) and decided to reschedule it.
Plenty of pre-Ayatollah Iranian flags on the Tommy Robinson march, judging from the footage.
Fascists going to fash.
You mean like this? Which I saw today?
This woman with the pre Ayatollah Iranian flag was getting lots of love from the Tommy crowd
Is she a fascist, too? Are they?
I would define the current Ayatollahs as fash...
They are bad, but the Shah was famously brutal with his secret police. One of my cousins was arrested by them. Not a pleasant experience but his UK passport meant that he just got deported rather than tortured.
I think women didn't have to wear burqas in public pre-1979.
Blimey, so the Ozzies are a favourites but it’s just europap. Do we just need to get the Princess of Wales next year be,ting out a Bonnie Tyler b-side?
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 !
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
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.
It's politicians not being paid properly that leads to them having to accept measly influence-free donations of five million quid. Poor luv's.
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.
nah, to be honest I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a Tommy Robinson march.
A friend suggested having lunch today in London then we both realised what was happening today (plus the cup final) and decided to reschedule it.
Plenty of pre-Ayatollah Iranian flags on the Tommy Robinson march, judging from the footage.
Fascists going to fash.
You mean like this? Which I saw today?
This woman with the pre Ayatollah Iranian flag was getting lots of love from the Tommy crowd
Is she a fascist, too? Are they?
There were similarities between the Shah's Iran and Mussolini's Italy.
With their combination of yearning after an ancient empire mixed with modernist cravings and strongman rule.
Still, the Shah's Iran was certainly preferable to that of the ayatollahs.
Yes. The Shah’s Iran was grim but wow, even so - vastly preferable to the ayatollah’s Iran
The best comparison is late Tsarist Russia - autocratic but not entirely evil - compared with Stalin’s Russia. Infinitely worse
After the rallies I was walking back to the tube and I spotted that three young Muslim girls with Palestinian flags were about to walk, in a few seconds, right into a large clutch of very drunk Tommy fans outside a pub on Villiers street. All chanting and dancing. Probably on coke
I advised them “please don’t go down there”. They looked up and realised the impending problem, thanked me profusely, turned around and went the other way
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 10m Keir Starmer has told friends he intends to stand down as Prime Minister and set out an orderly timetable for his departure
After the rallies I was walking back to the tube and I spotted that three young Muslim girls with Palestinian flags were about to walk, in a few seconds, right into a large clutch of very drunk Tommy fans outside a pub on Villiers street. All chanting and dancing. Probably on coke
I advised them “please don’t go down there”. They looked up and realised the impending problem, thanked me profusely, turned around and went the other way
I think Burnham is wrong on VAR being totally banned. The issue is that VAR is being applied to huge range of decisions, many of which are far too subjective. Using VAR for offside (if you take inspiration from the cricket, where its super close, umpire decision stands) is fine. Its when they are deciding over if that was a foul in the build up to the goal that occurred 6 minutes before the goal was actually scored is the problem.
Fine. But I'm not convinced it will swing the by-election.
I think Burnham is wrong on VAR being totally banned. The issue is that VAR is being applied to huge range of decisions, many of which are far too subjective. Using VAR for offside (if you take inspiration from the cricket, where its super close, umpire decision stands) is fine. Its when they are deciding over if that was a foul in the build up to the goal that occurred 6 minutes before the goal was actually scored is the problem.
I don’t want VAR banned. I want it used to allow Lampards goal in 2010 and rule out Maradonas in 1986. That’s it. Nothing more. Clear. Obvious . Errors.
What is an "orderly timetable for his departure"? He's mangled it again, should have said "a timetable for his orderly departure".
It's like my orderly timetable for A-level revision. It was colour coded and all. The actual revision was cobbled together the night before in a blind panic.
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A friend suggested having lunch today in London then we both realised what was happening today (plus the cup final) and decided to reschedule it.
2024 Labour: Assisted dying, but it died.
Since taking the role his games played, matched with other clubs, puts United top of the league and of course they have qualified for the Champions league and will be third with one point from their last 2 games
Now as for Chelsea !!!!!!!!!!
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Michael Carrick to become the club's permanent head coach.
The formal process of exchanging contracts is now under way, with an announcement expected inside the next 48 hours.
As things stand there is some doubt over whether the formalities can be completed before Sunday's match against Nottingham Forest, but there is a will to have it done in time for the club's final home game of the season.
Carrick will sign an initial two-year deal with the option of an additional 12 months.
“I said that politicians have placed Britain in hock because of the way in which we lost control of our finances and public spending. And that goes back to what I said to you before when we, if you like handed away control of energy, water, housing, that has left Britain in a weak position when it comes to public spending. You can't.
“How can you control public spending if you're chasing rents in the private rented sector through the benefits system. How can that be done?
“Let me say this really clearly. I support the fiscal rules. There needs to be a plan to get debt down, but beyond that, we need to change politics and take the turbulence out of British politics because that is a cause of uncertainty that then has that impact in the markets.”'
https://www.itv.com/news/2026-05-16/andy-burnham-returns-i-will-take-my-fight-as-high-as-i-can-go
It's weak, sordid and pathetic.
You have to put yourself in the mindset of those who take this entirely seriously, as many do.
Certainly the most interesting thing to come out of Belgium for some time.
But once you've lived over a decade away a person's true attachments are with new places.
To be fair to Polanski I've not seen any evidence of him pretending to be a 'professional northerner'.
After the rallies I was walking back to the tube and I spotted that three young Muslim girls with Palestinian flags were about to walk, in a few seconds, right into a large clutch of very drunk Tommy fans outside a pub on Villiers street. All chanting and dancing. Probably on coke
I advised them “please don’t go down there”. They looked up and realised the impending problem, thanked me profusely, turned around and went the other way
I hope God noticed
You can cast up to TEN votes.
15p each.
Paul Mason
@paulmasonnews
I am already sick of ppl pronouncing it wrong . It's very simple Maker (as in make stuff) Field. I was born there. Maykerfeeld. If that helps.
It's where Orwell saw unemployed coal miners scavenging for coal in the 30s ... a proud, brilliant community.
https://x.com/paulmasonnews/status/2055707123439300919
@DPJHodges
·
10m
Keir Starmer has told friends he intends to stand down as Prime Minister and set out an orderly timetable for his departure
https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2055733998689665175
The referendum didn't seem a big issue down there. Despite the overwhelming vote, I've never really heard anyone discuss it much.
This woman with the pre Ayatollah Iranian flag was getting lots of love from the Tommy crowd
Is she a fascist, too? Are they?
Israel also good.
My God - it was Fred Flintstone in hairy knickerbockers.
I need to go for a walk !
She's stunning.
Andy Burnham says he would ban VAR if he had the power
"You can't celebrate a goal because you think someone, somewhere in an industrial unit is going to rule it out"
https://bsky.app/profile/peterstefanovic.bsky.social/post/3mlymh26hek2f
I sometimes tune in to https://radio.garden/visit/malakal/leuR7HeX just to hear some cheery voices and music from Sudan.
Hold out for Andy to win at least before you thrown in the towel, Prime Minister.
With their combination of yearning after an ancient empire mixed with modernist cravings and strongman rule.
Still, the Shah's Iran was certainly preferable to that of the ayatollahs.
Do something that is more australian.
But I came back even further north.
Which means I'm more of a northerner.
What if they win?
University then five years working in London then I lived in North Yorkshire but worked in
DirtyLeeds.Wow!
The best comparison is late Tsarist Russia - autocratic but not entirely evil - compared with Stalin’s Russia. Infinitely worse
#morewrongthanroger
But I'm not convinced it will swing the by-election.
And the single cat lady vote.
Handsome bastard.
He's mangled it again, should have said "a timetable for his orderly departure".
It was colour coded and all.
The actual revision was cobbled together the night before in a blind panic.
Australia have clearly broken the rules by entering a professionally produced song by someone who can sing.
https://x.com/wesstreeting/status/2055734110191067408?s=20