(((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
Why would Starmer announce a timetable until after the by-election? This just doesn’t seem in his nature . He’ll hang on at least until then.
Because if Starmer waits till Burnham wins the by-election before announcing his timetable, it will look like Burnham has forced him out rather than leaving on his own terms. That's the argument anyway.
Conversation I had at Tommy's Rally. After I took a photo, slightly too obviously, of a fairly well-dressed 50-ish guy - clearly drunk - lurching about, as a French girl denounced rapists onstage
Him: "Are you a journalist then?"
Me: "Yes. How did you guess?"
Him: "Coz you're takin photos of me. I'm very drunk."
Me: "I won't use them, I promise."
Him: "S'OK. Dya know why I am here? Coz my best friend is Asian and and and my other friend is black and and and I came down from Manchester alone but but but, eh, I must look degenerate I know that"
Me: "I promise I won't use photos."
Him: "OK alright I - I - I - if my daughter found out i wuz here she wouldn't ever talk to me again but, but, but I can't just sit back and let it happen, they're taking the piss, all these people, on boats, d'you know how much tax I pay?"
Me: "No."
Him: "Four grand a month I've - I have - I earn a lot and - and - and - and if my company ever found out I was here that would be the end of me but you can't just do nothing can you? I've never been to anything like this in my life. Never. But, but, but look around there's no hate here, is there? No hate, we just- just - have to get a grip. They're taking the piss. We don't have any choice."
We shook hands and separated. That rally was largely a cri de coeur from people like him. They are NOT racist, they are NOT filled with hate. They have had enough. Politicians that dismiss this as "mere racism" are insane
I've only been watching the betting for about five minutes and it is all over the shop, presumably as punters overreact to each announcement. I could have made a fortune trading if I'd been awake and watching Eurovision.
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.
You know, we could offer the Malvinas to Argentina, in return for them handing back the 1986 World Cup on the basis it was awarded to them wrongly, and FIFA awarding it to us.
That would be a fair trade, I think.
One world cup for each home nation. Scotland will take France 98
Conversation I had at Tommy's Rally. After I took a photo, slightly too obviously, of a fairly well-dressed 50-ish guy - clearly drunk - lurching about, as a French girl denounced rapists onstage
Him: "Are you a journalist then?"
Me: "Yes. How did you guess?"
Him: "Coz you're takin photos of me. I'm very drunk."
Me: "I won't use them, I promise."
Him: "S'OK. Dya know why I am here? Coz my best friend is Asian and and and my other friend is black and and and I came down from Manchester alone but but but, eh, I must look degenerate I know that"
Me: "I promise I won't use photos."
Him: "OK alright I - I - I - if my daughter found out i wuz here she wouldn't ever talk to me again but, but, but I can't just sit back and let it happen, they're taking the piss, all these people, on boats, d'you know how much tax I pay?"
Me: "No."
Him: "Four grand a month I've - I have - I earn a lot and - and - and - and if my company ever found out I was here that would be the end of me but you can't just do nothing can you? I've never been to anything like this in my life. Never. But, but, but look around there's no hate here, is there? No hate, we just- just - have to get a grip. They're taking the piss. We don't have any choice."
We shook hands and separated. That rally was largely a cri de coeur from people like him. They are NOT racist, they are NOT filled with hate. They have had enough. Politicians that dismiss this as "mere racism" are insane
lol
What a mug paying all that tax. Assuming true.
I think it was true, He was so pissed he was at that stage where you say anything to a stranger, and this was about 4pm
They are not a great advert for the cause. But the pain is real and they feel it, and I imagine for everyone at that rally there are maybe 50 people behind them who feel roughly the same way but would not or could not ever go to a rally in London
If there were 80,000 people there today (my guess) that means 4m voters. That is the potential, optimal vote for Restore (ie to the right, beyond Reform)
Conversation I had at Tommy's Rally. After I took a photo, slightly too obviously, of a fairly well-dressed 50-ish guy - clearly drunk - lurching about, as a French girl denounced rapists onstage
Him: "Are you a journalist then?"
Me: "Yes. How did you guess?"
Him: "Coz you're takin photos of me. I'm very drunk."
Me: "I won't use them, I promise."
Him: "S'OK. Dya know why I am here? Coz my best friend is Asian and and and my other friend is black and and and I came down from Manchester alone but but but, eh, I must look degenerate I know that"
Me: "I promise I won't use photos."
Him: "OK alright I - I - I - if my daughter found out i wuz here she wouldn't ever talk to me again but, but, but I can't just sit back and let it happen, they're taking the piss, all these people, on boats, d'you know how much tax I pay?"
Me: "No."
Him: "Four grand a month I've - I have - I earn a lot and - and - and - and if my company ever found out I was here that would be the end of me but you can't just do nothing can you? I've never been to anything like this in my life. Never. But, but, but look around there's no hate here, is there? No hate, we just- just - have to get a grip. They're taking the piss. We don't have any choice."
We shook hands and separated. That rally was largely a cri de coeur from people like him. They are NOT racist, they are NOT filled with hate. They have had enough. Politicians that dismiss this as "mere racism" are insane
Can you earn that much as an Albanian taxi driver?
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.
Shoe's is on the other foot now. And with public sentiment as it is, you'll have to get used to it.
If Burnham is running scared of the voters in Makerfield, and not willing to advocate to rejoin the EU, lest it interrupt his triumphant March on Westminster, then I would suggest it is a revealed preference of there being zero prospect of Britain rejoining the EU this side of 2050.
It shows that public opinion hasn't really changed that much at all, that supposedly pro-EU politicians aren't willing to try to convince voters of the merits of rejoining the EU, that they know it's a vote loser in the country as a whole.
They only mention it when they are talking to a pro-EU audience.
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.
You know, we could offer the Malvinas to Argentina, in return for them handing back the 1986 World Cup on the basis it was awarded to them wrongly, and FIFA awarding it to us.
That would be a fair trade, I think.
One world cup for each home nation. Scotland will take France 98
1978 surely?
We're on the march wi' Ally's Army We're going tae the Argentine And we'll really shake them up When we win the World Cup Cause Scotland is the greatest football team
Reckon you should get that paying 4 grand a month in tax guy to go campaign in Hindley asap. Course they may ask him what he earns after tax as a follow up and conclude he lives in an entirely different world. And that his problems aren't particularly pressing.
Some of you may remember "Moviedrome", a BBC late-night arthouse/cult film slot curated by Alex Cox and (later) Mark Cousins. A YouTuber is keeping up the tradition and here's his review of "In The Loop", the sidequel (right word?) film to the "The Thick of It" TV series
"Nor can we be complacent about Scottish devolution."
"As for food prices I'm quite convinced that we should be able to make progress in ending some of the foolish and expensive aspects of the Common Market agricultural policy in the next Parliament"
Some of you may remember "Moviedrome", a BBC late-night arthouse/cult film slot curated by Alex Cox and (later) Mark Cousins. A YouTuber is keeping up the tradition and here's his review of "In The Loop", the sidequel (right word?) film to the "The Thick of It" TV series
If you are going to topple a prime minister, then it is usually for the best to perform the operation ruthlessly and at speed. [But] Labour’s convulsions about whether and how to navigate to a post-Starmer world will be extremely protracted and highly perilous.
One danger is that the conflict in the Middle East delivers an economic shock and a new anti-Labour legend is born that the party wrecked people’s standard of living because its members were too busy feuding with each other to govern.
One blunder was made by Sir Keir’s team when they sent him out to make a “fightback” speech that was devoid of any inspirational content. The next miscalculation was made by Mr Streeting who wrongly assumed that Sir Keir would fold under the weight of the demands to quit. And so all eyes now turn northwards to Andy Burnham, the messiah of Manchester. Fighting a byelection is a high-risk, high-reward gamble. If it comes off, his march on the leadership may start to look irresistible. “I think Andy is on his way,” says one cabinet member who has fought fiercely to keep Sir Keir at Number 10. Mr Burnham will be running on the unofficial slogan: Vote Labour. Get Starmer Out.
Listening to Labour people, I hear many of them say that Sir Keir is circling the plughole and the ideal outcome will be to have a new leader in place in time for the party conference in September. Maybe just another four months of toil and trouble to go then – all going to plan. If it be done, it will be done agonisingly slowly.
Personally I still think the logic, if he wins the by-election convincingly, points to a rapid coronation in the summer.
Ouch in Louisiana: Bill Cassidy didn't even make the Senate primary run off.
"Cassidy’s bid to win the Republican party’s nomination for a third term in the deep-red state was imperiled by his decision to vote in favor of Trump’s conviction after the January 6 insurrection. In what was widely seen as an effort to rehabilitate his standing with the president, Cassidy last year cast the deciding vote to advance vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, flying in the face of the senator’s support for immunizations and training as a physician."
He deserved to lose for inflicting RFK Jr on America.
Ouch in Louisiana: Bill Cassidy didn't even make the Senate primary run off.
"Cassidy’s bid to win the Republican party’s nomination for a third term in the deep-red state was imperiled by his decision to vote in favor of Trump’s conviction after the January 6 insurrection. In what was widely seen as an effort to rehabilitate his standing with the president, Cassidy last year cast the deciding vote to advance vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, flying in the face of the senator’s support for immunizations and training as a physician."
He deserved to lose for inflicting RFK Jr on America.
Ouch in Louisiana: Bill Cassidy didn't even make the Senate primary run off.
"Cassidy’s bid to win the Republican party’s nomination for a third term in the deep-red state was imperiled by his decision to vote in favor of Trump’s conviction after the January 6 insurrection. In what was widely seen as an effort to rehabilitate his standing with the president, Cassidy last year cast the deciding vote to advance vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, flying in the face of the senator’s support for immunizations and training as a physician."
He deserved to lose for inflicting RFK Jr on America.
I presume that Julia Letlow is a sufficiently loony to win the backing of Trump and his supporters.
Cassidy was no saint. Somebody with real integrity would have stared down RFK Jr as well as Mushroom Shaped.
But it’s not a stretch to say that while many Republicans the Peroxide Pervert is forcing out are not much good, their replacements are a whole lot worse.
The Bulgarian song was written by the singer with one Norwegian and two Greeks, so a good model of European collaboration. Good Eurovision song, but I still think Moldova should’ve won.
Conversation I had at Tommy's Rally. After I took a photo, slightly too obviously, of a fairly well-dressed 50-ish guy - clearly drunk - lurching about, as a French girl denounced rapists onstage
Him: "Are you a journalist then?"
Me: "Yes. How did you guess?"
Him: "Coz you're takin photos of me. I'm very drunk."
Me: "I won't use them, I promise."
Him: "S'OK. Dya know why I am here? Coz my best friend is Asian and and and my other friend is black and and and I came down from Manchester alone but but but, eh, I must look degenerate I know that"
Me: "I promise I won't use photos."
Him: "OK alright I - I - I - if my daughter found out i wuz here she wouldn't ever talk to me again but, but, but I can't just sit back and let it happen, they're taking the piss, all these people, on boats, d'you know how much tax I pay?"
Me: "No."
Him: "Four grand a month I've - I have - I earn a lot and - and - and - and if my company ever found out I was here that would be the end of me but you can't just do nothing can you? I've never been to anything like this in my life. Never. But, but, but look around there's no hate here, is there? No hate, we just- just - have to get a grip. They're taking the piss. We don't have any choice."
We shook hands and separated. That rally was largely a cri de coeur from people like him. They are NOT racist, they are NOT filled with hate. They have had enough. Politicians that dismiss this as "mere racism" are insane
Ouch in Louisiana: Bill Cassidy didn't even make the Senate primary run off.
"Cassidy’s bid to win the Republican party’s nomination for a third term in the deep-red state was imperiled by his decision to vote in favor of Trump’s conviction after the January 6 insurrection. In what was widely seen as an effort to rehabilitate his standing with the president, Cassidy last year cast the deciding vote to advance vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, flying in the face of the senator’s support for immunizations and training as a physician."
He deserved to lose for inflicting RFK Jr on America.
I presume that Julia Letlow is a sufficiently loony to win the backing of Trump and his supporters.
Cassidy was no saint. Somebody with real integrity would have stared down RFK Jr as well as Mushroom Shaped.
But it’s not a stretch to say that while many Republicans the Peroxide Pervert is forcing out are not much good, their replacements are a whole lot worse.
It's a demonstration that kowtowing to Trump only irregularly isn't enough.
And if you actively vote against him, as Massie (who is as conservative as they come) has over the Epstein files, they will spare no effort to destroy you.
The Thomas Massie primary is truly insane. We are looking at the most expensive U.S. House primary in history, with spending pushing toward $35 million.
Massie's opponent, Ed Gallrein, has raised just $2 million on his own. The rest of the money, over $14 million, is coming from outside Super PACs who desperately want Massie gone.
On top of that, Pete Hegseth is being deployed to Kentucky to campaign against him. Stephen Miller & Con Inc. have been on massive Twitter tirades attacking him. And there was a highly coordinated smear campaign of unfounded allegations launched this week by Con Inc. influencers.
When the establishment is willing to spend $35M+ and go to these lengths to take one man down, it really makes you wonder why.
Whether you like Massie or not, this election will determine whether or not we as voters actually have a voice anymore. If outside special-interest money can successfully buy a seat and sway an election like this, we have a serious, serious problem. https://x.com/cabsav456/status/2055761617485509092
(Incidentally, it's illegal for Hegseth to be campaigning like this while in office.)
Ouch in Louisiana: Bill Cassidy didn't even make the Senate primary run off.
"Cassidy’s bid to win the Republican party’s nomination for a third term in the deep-red state was imperiled by his decision to vote in favor of Trump’s conviction after the January 6 insurrection. In what was widely seen as an effort to rehabilitate his standing with the president, Cassidy last year cast the deciding vote to advance vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, flying in the face of the senator’s support for immunizations and training as a physician."
He deserved to lose for inflicting RFK Jr on America.
I presume that Julia Letlow is a sufficiently loony to win the backing of Trump and his supporters.
Cassidy was no saint. Somebody with real integrity would have stared down RFK Jr as well as Mushroom Shaped.
But it’s not a stretch to say that while many Republicans the Peroxide Pervert is forcing out are not much good, their replacements are a whole lot worse.
It's a demonstration that kowtowing to Trump only irregularly isn't enough.
And if you actively vote against him, as Massie (who is as conservative as they come) has over the Epstein files, they will spare no effort to destroy you.
The Thomas Massie primary is truly insane. We are looking at the most expensive U.S. House primary in history, with spending pushing toward $35 million.
Massie's opponent, Ed Gallrein, has raised just $2 million on his own. The rest of the money, over $14 million, is coming from outside Super PACs who desperately want Massie gone.
On top of that, Pete Hegseth is being deployed to Kentucky to campaign against him. Stephen Miller & Con Inc. have been on massive Twitter tirades attacking him. And there was a highly coordinated smear campaign of unfounded allegations launched this week by Con Inc. influencers.
When the establishment is willing to spend $35M+ and go to these lengths to take one man down, it really makes you wonder why.
Whether you like Massie or not, this election will determine whether or not we as voters actually have a voice anymore. If outside special-interest money can successfully buy a seat and sway an election like this, we have a serious, serious problem. https://x.com/cabsav456/status/2055761617485509092
(Incidentally, it's illegal for Hegseth to be campaigning like this while in office.)
Good morning, everyone.
Be fair. It's not like Hegseth has anything else to do at the moment,
Ouch in Louisiana: Bill Cassidy didn't even make the Senate primary run off.
"Cassidy’s bid to win the Republican party’s nomination for a third term in the deep-red state was imperiled by his decision to vote in favor of Trump’s conviction after the January 6 insurrection. In what was widely seen as an effort to rehabilitate his standing with the president, Cassidy last year cast the deciding vote to advance vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, flying in the face of the senator’s support for immunizations and training as a physician."
He deserved to lose for inflicting RFK Jr on America.
I presume that Julia Letlow is a sufficiently loony to win the backing of Trump and his supporters.
Cassidy was no saint. Somebody with real integrity would have stared down RFK Jr as well as Mushroom Shaped.
But it’s not a stretch to say that while many Republicans the Peroxide Pervert is forcing out are not much good, their replacements are a whole lot worse.
It's a demonstration that kowtowing to Trump only irregularly isn't enough.
And if you actively vote against him, as Massie (who is as conservative as they come) has over the Epstein files, they will spare no effort to destroy you.
The Thomas Massie primary is truly insane. We are looking at the most expensive U.S. House primary in history, with spending pushing toward $35 million.
Massie's opponent, Ed Gallrein, has raised just $2 million on his own. The rest of the money, over $14 million, is coming from outside Super PACs who desperately want Massie gone.
On top of that, Pete Hegseth is being deployed to Kentucky to campaign against him. Stephen Miller & Con Inc. have been on massive Twitter tirades attacking him. And there was a highly coordinated smear campaign of unfounded allegations launched this week by Con Inc. influencers.
When the establishment is willing to spend $35M+ and go to these lengths to take one man down, it really makes you wonder why.
Whether you like Massie or not, this election will determine whether or not we as voters actually have a voice anymore. If outside special-interest money can successfully buy a seat and sway an election like this, we have a serious, serious problem. https://x.com/cabsav456/status/2055761617485509092
(Incidentally, it's illegal for Hegseth to be campaigning like this while in office.)
Truly remarkable finish to yesterday's acts at the Dart Music Festival.
Kissmet - Bhangra/rock fusion. Everyone, from the front of the crowd to the back, arm-waving, jumping, going off their heads to two Sikhs and couple of other rockers belting out 2,000 year old lyrics in Sanksrit.
Born in Peterborough, every Thursday night they used to listen to Top of the Pops. And thought the theme music was "their music!". So last night as well as ancient Sanskrit, we got the Bhangra version of Whole Lotta Love...
Truly remarkable finish to yesterday's acts at the Dart Music Festival.
Kissmet - Bhangra/rock fusion. Everyone, from the front of the crowd to the back, arm-waving, jumping, going off their heads to two Sikhs and couple of other rockers belting out 2,000 year old lyrics in Sanksrit.
Born in Peterborough, every Thursday night they used to listen to Top of the Pops. And thought the theme music was "their music!". So last night as well as ancient Sanskrit, we got the Bhangra version of Whole Lotta Love...
Truly remarkable finish to yesterday's acts at the Dart Music Festival.
Kissmet - Bhangra/rock fusion. Everyone, from the front of the crowd to the back, arm-waving, jumping, going off their heads to two Sikhs and couple of other rockers belting out 2,000 year old lyrics in Sanksrit.
Born in Peterborough, every Thursday night they used to listen to Top of the Pops. And thought the theme music was "their music!". So last night as well as ancient Sanskrit, we got the Bhangra version of Whole Lotta Love...
They should do a bhangra version of “Bangaranga”.
Bhangaranga. Eurovision tribute act.
Will mention it to the delightfully named Ron Singh....
I know we're not meant to criticise the British Polling Council on here, but I must say I think it gets everything wrong with its obsession with unbiased samples and consistent methodologies.
How on earth are pollsters supposed to guarantee the right answer in every poll?
They do it much better in Russia.
There, because Putin's approval ratings have been dropping from around 80% to 65% in opinion polls. So the state pollster quite correctly and appropriately changed the methodology from only phone surveys to include door to door interviews.
Because there's nothing better calculated to get an objective response in a dictatorship than a government employees turning up at your door and asking what you think of the dictator, obviously.
Ouch in Louisiana: Bill Cassidy didn't even make the Senate primary run off.
"Cassidy’s bid to win the Republican party’s nomination for a third term in the deep-red state was imperiled by his decision to vote in favor of Trump’s conviction after the January 6 insurrection. In what was widely seen as an effort to rehabilitate his standing with the president, Cassidy last year cast the deciding vote to advance vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, flying in the face of the senator’s support for immunizations and training as a physician."
He deserved to lose for inflicting RFK Jr on America.
I presume that Julia Letlow is a sufficiently loony to win the backing of Trump and his supporters.
Cassidy was no saint. Somebody with real integrity would have stared down RFK Jr as well as Mushroom Shaped.
But it’s not a stretch to say that while many Republicans the Peroxide Pervert is forcing out are not much good, their replacements are a whole lot worse.
It's a demonstration that kowtowing to Trump only irregularly isn't enough.
And if you actively vote against him, as Massie (who is as conservative as they come) has over the Epstein files, they will spare no effort to destroy you.
The Thomas Massie primary is truly insane. We are looking at the most expensive U.S. House primary in history, with spending pushing toward $35 million.
Massie's opponent, Ed Gallrein, has raised just $2 million on his own. The rest of the money, over $14 million, is coming from outside Super PACs who desperately want Massie gone.
On top of that, Pete Hegseth is being deployed to Kentucky to campaign against him. Stephen Miller & Con Inc. have been on massive Twitter tirades attacking him. And there was a highly coordinated smear campaign of unfounded allegations launched this week by Con Inc. influencers.
When the establishment is willing to spend $35M+ and go to these lengths to take one man down, it really makes you wonder why.
Whether you like Massie or not, this election will determine whether or not we as voters actually have a voice anymore. If outside special-interest money can successfully buy a seat and sway an election like this, we have a serious, serious problem. https://x.com/cabsav456/status/2055761617485509092
(Incidentally, it's illegal for Hegseth to be campaigning like this while in office.)
Good morning, everyone.
Be fair. It's not like Hegseth has anything else to do at the moment,
I think I would probably be wanting him campaigning against me than for me but I may be misjudging the electorate.
I know we're not meant to criticise the British Polling Council on here, but I must say I think it gets everything wrong with its obsession with unbiased samples and consistent methodologies.
How on earth are pollsters supposed to guarantee the right answer in every poll?
They do it much better in Russia.
There, because Putin's approval ratings have been dropping from around 80% to 65% in opinion polls. So the state pollster quite correctly and appropriately changed the methodology from only phone surveys to include door to door interviews.
Because there's nothing better calculated to get an objective response in a dictatorship than a government employees turning up at your door and asking what you think of the dictator, obviously.
Burnham played Brexit quite well in the interview I thought. I think he’s a shoe in
I believe the term is "shoo in".
No mistake goes unpunished on pb.com.
Unless he mean Burnham already has a shoe in through the door of No.10, which could sorta work.
He’s definitely putting the boot in. Does that count?
Thing is, shoe-in does work if we consider a football derivation, which might be why it is gaining popularity as an alternative to the older, mainstream shoo-in. It would also explain why American lexicographers can make no sense of it.
If you are going to topple a prime minister, then it is usually for the best to perform the operation ruthlessly and at speed. [But] Labour’s convulsions about whether and how to navigate to a post-Starmer world will be extremely protracted and highly perilous.
One danger is that the conflict in the Middle East delivers an economic shock and a new anti-Labour legend is born that the party wrecked people’s standard of living because its members were too busy feuding with each other to govern.
One blunder was made by Sir Keir’s team when they sent him out to make a “fightback” speech that was devoid of any inspirational content. The next miscalculation was made by Mr Streeting who wrongly assumed that Sir Keir would fold under the weight of the demands to quit. And so all eyes now turn northwards to Andy Burnham, the messiah of Manchester. Fighting a byelection is a high-risk, high-reward gamble. If it comes off, his march on the leadership may start to look irresistible. “I think Andy is on his way,” says one cabinet member who has fought fiercely to keep Sir Keir at Number 10. Mr Burnham will be running on the unofficial slogan: Vote Labour. Get Starmer Out.
Listening to Labour people, I hear many of them say that Sir Keir is circling the plughole and the ideal outcome will be to have a new leader in place in time for the party conference in September. Maybe just another four months of toil and trouble to go then – all going to plan. If it be done, it will be done agonisingly slowly.
Personally I still think the logic, if he wins the by-election convincingly, points to a rapid coronation in the summer.
I agree. If he wins the by election, I will be very surprised if anyone else can get enough nominations to stand against him and I don't think Starmer, who doesn't need nominations, will because he would be humiliated. So, it all turns on the by election.
Ouch in Louisiana: Bill Cassidy didn't even make the Senate primary run off.
"Cassidy’s bid to win the Republican party’s nomination for a third term in the deep-red state was imperiled by his decision to vote in favor of Trump’s conviction after the January 6 insurrection. In what was widely seen as an effort to rehabilitate his standing with the president, Cassidy last year cast the deciding vote to advance vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, flying in the face of the senator’s support for immunizations and training as a physician."
He deserved to lose for inflicting RFK Jr on America.
I presume that Julia Letlow is a sufficiently loony to win the backing of Trump and his supporters.
Cassidy was no saint. Somebody with real integrity would have stared down RFK Jr as well as Mushroom Shaped.
But it’s not a stretch to say that while many Republicans the Peroxide Pervert is forcing out are not much good, their replacements are a whole lot worse.
This is slightly unusual though. It's apparently well over a decade since an (elected) incumbent Senator lost their primary.
I know we're not meant to criticise the British Polling Council on here, but I must say I think it gets everything wrong with its obsession with unbiased samples and consistent methodologies.
How on earth are pollsters supposed to guarantee the right answer in every poll?
They do it much better in Russia.
There, because Putin's approval ratings have been dropping from around 80% to 65% in opinion polls. So the state pollster quite correctly and appropriately changed the methodology from only phone surveys to include door to door interviews.
Because there's nothing better calculated to get an objective response in a dictatorship than a government employees turning up at your door and asking what you think of the dictator, obviously.
I know we're not meant to criticise the British Polling Council on here, but I must say I think it gets everything wrong with its obsession with unbiased samples and consistent methodologies.
How on earth are pollsters supposed to guarantee the right answer in every poll?
They do it much better in Russia.
There, because Putin's approval ratings have been dropping from around 80% to 65% in opinion polls. So the state pollster quite correctly and appropriately changed the methodology from only phone surveys to include door to door interviews.
Because there's nothing better calculated to get an objective response in a dictatorship than a government employees turning up at your door and asking what you think of the dictator, obviously.
I know we're not meant to criticise the British Polling Council on here, but I must say I think it gets everything wrong with its obsession with unbiased samples and consistent methodologies.
How on earth are pollsters supposed to guarantee the right answer in every poll?
They do it much better in Russia.
There, because Putin's approval ratings have been dropping from around 80% to 65% in opinion polls. So the state pollster quite correctly and appropriately changed the methodology from only phone surveys to include door to door interviews.
Because there's nothing better calculated to get an objective response in a dictatorship than a government employees turning up at your door and asking what you think of the dictator, obviously.
I know we're not meant to criticise the British Polling Council on here, but I must say I think it gets everything wrong with its obsession with unbiased samples and consistent methodologies.
How on earth are pollsters supposed to guarantee the right answer in every poll?
They do it much better in Russia.
There, because Putin's approval ratings have been dropping from around 80% to 65% in opinion polls. So the state pollster quite correctly and appropriately changed the methodology from only phone surveys to include door to door interviews.
Because there's nothing better calculated to get an objective response in a dictatorship than a government employees turning up at your door and asking what you think of the dictator, obviously.
Conversation I had at Tommy's Rally. After I took a photo, slightly too obviously, of a fairly well-dressed 50-ish guy - clearly drunk - lurching about, as a French girl denounced rapists onstage
Him: "Are you a journalist then?"
Me: "Yes. How did you guess?"
Him: "Coz you're takin photos of me. I'm very drunk."
Me: "I won't use them, I promise."
Him: "S'OK. Dya know why I am here? Coz my best friend is Asian and and and my other friend is black and and and I came down from Manchester alone but but but, eh, I must look degenerate I know that"
Me: "I promise I won't use photos."
Him: "OK alright I - I - I - if my daughter found out i wuz here she wouldn't ever talk to me again but, but, but I can't just sit back and let it happen, they're taking the piss, all these people, on boats, d'you know how much tax I pay?"
Me: "No."
Him: "Four grand a month I've - I have - I earn a lot and - and - and - and if my company ever found out I was here that would be the end of me but you can't just do nothing can you? I've never been to anything like this in my life. Never. But, but, but look around there's no hate here, is there? No hate, we just- just - have to get a grip. They're taking the piss. We don't have any choice."
We shook hands and separated. That rally was largely a cri de coeur from people like him. They are NOT racist, they are NOT filled with hate. They have had enough. Politicians that dismiss this as "mere racism" are insane
There was me thinking Tommy Robinson was a racist. I didn't realise he was just an ordinary chap, fed up with all the boat people. Silly me.
I know we're not meant to criticise the British Polling Council on here, but I must say I think it gets everything wrong with its obsession with unbiased samples and consistent methodologies.
How on earth are pollsters supposed to guarantee the right answer in every poll?
They do it much better in Russia.
There, because Putin's approval ratings have been dropping from around 80% to 65% in opinion polls. So the state pollster quite correctly and appropriately changed the methodology from only phone surveys to include door to door interviews.
Because there's nothing better calculated to get an objective response in a dictatorship than a government employees turning up at your door and asking what you think of the dictator, obviously.
I know we're not meant to criticise the British Polling Council on here, but I must say I think it gets everything wrong with its obsession with unbiased samples and consistent methodologies.
How on earth are pollsters supposed to guarantee the right answer in every poll?
They do it much better in Russia.
There, because Putin's approval ratings have been dropping from around 80% to 65% in opinion polls. So the state pollster quite correctly and appropriately changed the methodology from only phone surveys to include door to door interviews.
Because there's nothing better calculated to get an objective response in a dictatorship than a government employees turning up at your door and asking what you think of the dictator, obviously.
Ouch in Louisiana: Bill Cassidy didn't even make the Senate primary run off.
"Cassidy’s bid to win the Republican party’s nomination for a third term in the deep-red state was imperiled by his decision to vote in favor of Trump’s conviction after the January 6 insurrection. In what was widely seen as an effort to rehabilitate his standing with the president, Cassidy last year cast the deciding vote to advance vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, flying in the face of the senator’s support for immunizations and training as a physician."
He deserved to lose for inflicting RFK Jr on America.
I presume that Julia Letlow is a sufficiently loony to win the backing of Trump and his supporters.
Cassidy was no saint. Somebody with real integrity would have stared down RFK Jr as well as Mushroom Shaped.
But it’s not a stretch to say that while many Republicans the Peroxide Pervert is forcing out are not much good, their replacements are a whole lot worse.
This is slightly unusual though. It's apparently well over a decade since an (elected) incumbent Senator lost their primary.
And several are now doing so as the MAGA revolution eats its children.
Conversation I had at Tommy's Rally. After I took a photo, slightly too obviously, of a fairly well-dressed 50-ish guy - clearly drunk - lurching about, as a French girl denounced rapists onstage
Him: "Are you a journalist then?"
Me: "Yes. How did you guess?"
Him: "Coz you're takin photos of me. I'm very drunk."
Me: "I won't use them, I promise."
Him: "S'OK. Dya know why I am here? Coz my best friend is Asian and and and my other friend is black and and and I came down from Manchester alone but but but, eh, I must look degenerate I know that"
Me: "I promise I won't use photos."
Him: "OK alright I - I - I - if my daughter found out i wuz here she wouldn't ever talk to me again but, but, but I can't just sit back and let it happen, they're taking the piss, all these people, on boats, d'you know how much tax I pay?"
Me: "No."
Him: "Four grand a month I've - I have - I earn a lot and - and - and - and if my company ever found out I was here that would be the end of me but you can't just do nothing can you? I've never been to anything like this in my life. Never. But, but, but look around there's no hate here, is there? No hate, we just- just - have to get a grip. They're taking the piss. We don't have any choice."
We shook hands and separated. That rally was largely a cri de coeur from people like him. They are NOT racist, they are NOT filled with hate. They have had enough. Politicians that dismiss this as "mere racism" are insane
There was me thinking Tommy Robinson was a racist. I didn't realise he was just an ordinary chap, fed up with all the boat people. Silly me.
That tax he pays, hardly any of it goes on people who have come over on boats. It goes on the NHS, pensions, schools etc. But he'll think its all going on boat people.
Conversation I had at Tommy's Rally. After I took a photo, slightly too obviously, of a fairly well-dressed 50-ish guy - clearly drunk - lurching about, as a French girl denounced rapists onstage
Him: "Are you a journalist then?"
Me: "Yes. How did you guess?"
Him: "Coz you're takin photos of me. I'm very drunk."
Me: "I won't use them, I promise."
Him: "S'OK. Dya know why I am here? Coz my best friend is Asian and and and my other friend is black and and and I came down from Manchester alone but but but, eh, I must look degenerate I know that"
Me: "I promise I won't use photos."
Him: "OK alright I - I - I - if my daughter found out i wuz here she wouldn't ever talk to me again but, but, but I can't just sit back and let it happen, they're taking the piss, all these people, on boats, d'you know how much tax I pay?"
Me: "No."
Him: "Four grand a month I've - I have - I earn a lot and - and - and - and if my company ever found out I was here that would be the end of me but you can't just do nothing can you? I've never been to anything like this in my life. Never. But, but, but look around there's no hate here, is there? No hate, we just- just - have to get a grip. They're taking the piss. We don't have any choice."
We shook hands and separated. That rally was largely a cri de coeur from people like him. They are NOT racist, they are NOT filled with hate. They have had enough. Politicians that dismiss this as "mere racism" are insane
There was me thinking Tommy Robinson was a racist. I didn't realise he was just an ordinary chap, fed up with all the boat people. Silly me.
That tax he pays, hardly any of it goes on people who have come over on boats. It goes on the NHS, pensions, schools etc. But he'll think its all going on boat people.
I would have thought quite a lot of it goes on his policing costs and court cases.
Comments
What a mug paying all that tax. Assuming true.
Hmm.
I think PB did.
Edit: Although Bulgaria song seems the type the public will love
They are not a great advert for the cause. But the pain is real and they feel it, and I imagine for everyone at that rally there are maybe 50 people behind them who feel roughly the same way but would not or could not ever go to a rally in London
If there were 80,000 people there today (my guess) that means 4m voters. That is the potential, optimal vote for Restore (ie to the right, beyond Reform)
It shows that public opinion hasn't really changed that much at all, that supposedly pro-EU politicians aren't willing to try to convince voters of the merits of rejoining the EU, that they know it's a vote loser in the country as a whole.
They only mention it when they are talking to a pro-EU audience.
We're on the march wi' Ally's Army
We're going tae the Argentine
And we'll really shake them up
When we win the World Cup
Cause Scotland is the greatest football team
We're representing Britain
And we're gaunny do or die
England cannae dae it
Cause they didnae qualify
https://genius.com/Andy-cameron-allys-tartan-army-lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcE86JmIN3E
Rod Stewart did the official song which he once described as his favourite work.
Course they may ask him what he earns after tax as a follow up and conclude he lives in an entirely different world.
And that his problems aren't particularly pressing.
...
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.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/16/people-injured-car-crowd-modena-northern-italy
No, it's beyond me.
See you for Makerfield
Goodnight 👍
No idea why this "came out of nowhere" as Norton keeps saying.
Belay that! There was!
Thats 2 years in a row that Eurovision was nearly astroturfed into destruction.
https://youtu.be/gwdGpGCGrzs?feature=shared
Peter Mandelson tells friends he backs Wes Streeting for Labour leader
https://youtu.be/gwdGpGCGrzs?feature=shared
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiY38X9pciI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TDKFC1xeMM
"Nor can we be complacent about Scottish devolution."
"As for food prices I'm quite convinced that we should be able to make progress in ending some of the foolish and expensive aspects of the Common Market agricultural policy in the next Parliament"
If you are going to topple a prime minister, then it is usually for the best to perform the operation ruthlessly and at speed. [But] Labour’s convulsions about whether and how to navigate to a post-Starmer world will be extremely protracted and highly perilous.
One danger is that the conflict in the Middle East delivers an economic shock and a new anti-Labour legend is born that the party wrecked people’s standard of living because its members were too busy feuding with each other to govern.
One blunder was made by Sir Keir’s team when they sent him out to make a “fightback” speech that was devoid of any inspirational content. The next miscalculation was made by Mr Streeting who wrongly assumed that Sir Keir would fold under the weight of the demands to quit. And so all eyes now turn northwards to Andy Burnham, the messiah of Manchester. Fighting a byelection is a high-risk, high-reward gamble. If it comes off, his march on the leadership may start to look irresistible. “I think Andy is on his way,” says one cabinet member who has fought fiercely to keep Sir Keir at Number 10. Mr Burnham will be running on the unofficial slogan: Vote Labour. Get Starmer Out.
Listening to Labour people, I hear many of them say that Sir Keir is circling the plughole and the ideal outcome will be to have a new leader in place in time for the party conference in September. Maybe just another four months of toil and trouble to go then – all going to plan. If it be done, it will be done agonisingly slowly.
Personally I still think the logic, if he wins the by-election convincingly, points to a rapid coronation in the summer.
He deserved to lose for inflicting RFK Jr on America.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/17/republican-louisiana-senator-bill-cassidy-results-primary-trump
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33173058
Perhaps Liz Kendal might recall her response.
But it’s not a stretch to say that while many Republicans the Peroxide Pervert is forcing out are not much good, their replacements are a whole lot worse.
Unless he mean Burnham already has a shoe in through the door of No.10, which could sorta work.
And if you actively vote against him, as Massie (who is as conservative as they come) has over the Epstein files, they will spare no effort to destroy you.
The Thomas Massie primary is truly insane. We are looking at the most expensive U.S. House primary in history, with spending pushing toward $35 million.
Massie's opponent, Ed Gallrein, has raised just $2 million on his own. The rest of the money, over $14 million, is coming from outside Super PACs who desperately want Massie gone.
On top of that, Pete Hegseth is being deployed to Kentucky to campaign against him. Stephen Miller & Con Inc. have been on massive Twitter tirades attacking him. And there was a highly coordinated smear campaign of unfounded allegations launched this week by Con Inc. influencers.
When the establishment is willing to spend $35M+ and go to these lengths to take one man down, it really makes you wonder why.
Whether you like Massie or not, this election will determine whether or not we as voters actually have a voice anymore. If outside special-interest money can successfully buy a seat and sway an election like this, we have a serious, serious problem.
https://x.com/cabsav456/status/2055761617485509092
(Incidentally, it's illegal for Hegseth to be campaigning like this while in office.)
Be fair. It's not like Hegseth has anything else to do at the moment,
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/other/trump-blasts-weak-minded-lauren-boebert-for-supporting-thomas-massie/ar-AA23mXSI
Kissmet - Bhangra/rock fusion. Everyone, from the front of the crowd to the back, arm-waving, jumping, going off their heads to two Sikhs and couple of other rockers belting out 2,000 year old lyrics in Sanksrit.
What a night!
https://www.kissmet.co.uk/
Born in Peterborough, every Thursday night they used to listen to Top of the Pops. And thought the theme music was "their music!". So last night as well as ancient Sanskrit, we got the Bhangra version of Whole Lotta Love...
Will mention it to the delightfully named Ron Singh....
I know we're not meant to criticise the British Polling Council on here, but I must say I think it gets everything wrong with its obsession with unbiased samples and consistent methodologies.
How on earth are pollsters supposed to guarantee the right answer in every poll?
They do it much better in Russia.
There, because Putin's approval ratings have been dropping from around 80% to 65% in opinion polls. So the state pollster quite correctly and appropriately changed the methodology from only phone surveys to include door to door interviews.
Because there's nothing better calculated to get an objective response in a dictatorship than a government employees turning up at your door and asking what you think of the dictator, obviously.
https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/05/15/russia-s-state-pollster-changed-its-methodology-and-also-started-going-door-to-door-to-ask-people-whether-they-support-putin-the-president-s-rating-immediately-went-up
Starmer missed a huge trick here.
We are far behind the Russians on this and really need to catch up.
It's apparently well over a decade since an (elected) incumbent Senator lost their primary.
Is everyone nursing Eurovision hangovers ?
We clearly need to adopt other Russian governmental methods here, not just opinion polling, until the government gets an electorate it deserves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC4rHRMwiOY
Israel 4 votes
Ukraine 3 votes
Australia 2 votes
France 1 vote
After decades of shrinking and ecological catastrophe, part of the Aral Sea is expanding and coming back to life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67EApBM8hUI
https://x.com/MiddleEastEye/status/2055809397457379450
New: Lisa Nandy criticises Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting for saying the UK should rejoin the EU
Nandy says Labour should resist “reopening the Brexit wars” and that she finds Streeting’s call to rejoin yesterday “a bit odd”
She tells Sky: “If rejoining the EU is the answer, then essentially what we're saying to people is life was fine in 2015”