Farage and Polanski are both extreme politicians feeding on a disenchanted electorate and both are dangerous
The usual anti Kemi suspects are entirely predictable, but it is evident that she has grown into her role and is getting a hearing
As far as I know the last three polls have the conservatives in 2nd place and Kemi's task is to overtake Farage and regain the centre right over the next 3 years
She is the leader of the opposition so does get more coverage and has a positive outlook which according to some is not accepting reality
Actually the party facing the biggest crisis is Labour stuck with an impotent leader and crossing their fingers that Burnham can ride to the rescue but first has the wee problem of winning in Makerfield
The days of 2 party politics is over with 5, even 7, fighting to be heard and anyone who knows how GE29 will turn out is wishcasting
I would just say Kemi has won over @HYUFD and to be fair he is supportive
A slight correction - of the last three polls in the field, the Conservatives are second in two and third in one and 1-2 points in front of Labour which is well within margin of error which includes the Greens so all we can say is Reform are clearly ahead but Labour,Conservatives and Greens are statistically level and ahead of the Lib Dems.
Badenoch gets plenty of air time - I'm not sure how "positive" her outlook is - she seems to be maoning about the Government all the time and as for her response, it's all "we've got a plan" which will presumably work until we see the detail.
Thanks for the correction but they do lead labour in all 3
As to your last paragraph that is true for all parties and why 3 years out of a GE it is impossible to predict
Kemi has committed to ending stamp duty, the farm tax, and has opened the topic of student fees
If she is wise she will concentrate on the young, NEETS, and reduce business tax
I know from my own family the distress of NEETS
I would pose a question
How much does a NEET receive on benefits per week ?
How much does it cost an employer with the new minimum wage rises to employ a NEET for a week ?
In the circumstances that there is a substantial difference then reduce the minimum wage to address this and for employers to be able to create the entry level jobs NEETS are so in need off
Yes, labour and the unions would be outraged but as long as this crisis remains an issue their ideology is responsible and unhelpful
She can't concentrate on NEETS AS She was complicit on the creation of the Boris wave.
Sdhe can't deny she wasn't there, she was.
Of course she can and will
Can I remind you Starmer has u turned 16 plus times in less than 2 years
NEETS also have nothing to do with the Boriswave, which to be fair Sunak largely addressed hence the better figures
My family have experience of this and labour have to face that they have to address the problem they made worse and judging by Sky's comments they have accepted the problem
You talk about the centre ground, which is something you seem to think other people create - rather than accurately diagnosing the country's problems and pushing for the right solutions.
Maybe that’s why you pushed Net Zero legislation with no plan and with no forecast on the cost of energy.
Gavin Barwell would be happier not in a right wing party. That's a very pleasant way of putting it.
While the UK argues over whether Burnham's gravy with chips is the answer to our problems, over in Iranian waters:
The debate is therefore no longer between a bad option and a worse one. It is increasingly a choice between two very bad outcome, one of which at least imposes tangible limits on Iran's nuclear progress.
If Iran gets sanctions relief (or alternative funding) in exchange for opening Hormuz, those sanctions can't also leverage meaningful concessions on nuclear disarmament. Iran has got what it wants through opening the Strait. It may agree some token concessions to get the deal over the line.
You talk about the centre ground, which is something you seem to think other people create - rather than accurately diagnosing the country's problems and pushing for the right solutions.
Maybe that’s why you pushed Net Zero legislation with no plan and with no forecast on the cost of energy.
Gavin Barwell would be happier not in a right wing party. That's a very pleasant way of putting it.
I knew Gavin at Cambridge, and he was ... how to put this ... very nice.
Goodness, is there anything about Reform’s candidate that shows promise? He doesn’t even seem to know their policies.
They only need to know the one. Racism.
Not a huge fan of Reform but, despite a lot of their followers’ proclivities, isn’t Reform more nativist than racist? They don’t want immigrants of any creed or colour and they have many members etc of different colours who just don’t want anyone in.
Whilst Djokovic is still playing I can cling to my younger days .
Once he retires my tennis connection will be gone . Really sad to see him get knocked out . He will be absolutely gutted knowing with Sinner going out this was his best chance to get the record .
Aren't there about 5-6 miles between them, that's some serious nit picking. Its not exactly Matt Goodwin parachuting in from down Sufffffh having gone to an Oasis gig once thus making him a local candidate.
Whilst Djokovic is still playing I can cling to my younger days .
Once he retires my tennis connection will be gone . Really sad to see him get knocked out . He will be absolutely gutted knowing with Sinner going out this was his best chance to get the record .
Goodness, is there anything about Reform’s candidate that shows promise? He doesn’t even seem to know their policies.
They only need to know the one. Racism.
Not a huge fan of Reform but, despite a lot of their followers’ proclivities, isn’t Reform more nativist than racist? They don’t want immigrants of any creed or colour and they have many members etc of different colours who just don’t want anyone in.
That is a fair and important distinction at the official level, but they don't mind a bit of racist dog whistling from time to time even if they avoid the overt stuff.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) said in a yet-to-be-published proposed rule Friday that it’s drawing up plans to radically crack down on mail voting by sending ballots only to voters who are registered with the federal government. https://x.com/marceelias/status/2060416696503222636
A Chancellor who pleaded guilty to making a false misrepresentation in respect of the alleged theft of her phone. Are they having a laugh? What credibility could she possibly bring to the markets? FFS really doesn't cover it.
MAGA are determined to prevent free and fair elections in November, it seems.
Of course they are.
1. They can (or rather, the mechanisms that are meant to stop this sort of thing aren't working, which boils down to the same thing). 2. If they don't, they will lose, and then they are in all sorts of trouble.
Goodness, is there anything about Reform’s candidate that shows promise? He doesn’t even seem to know their policies.
They only need to know the one. Racism.
Not a huge fan of Reform but, despite a lot of their followers’ proclivities, isn’t Reform more nativist than racist? They don’t want immigrants of any creed or colour and they have many members etc of different colours who just don’t want anyone in.
Well if they are a reflection on Farage, probably not. Certainly according to his cohort at Dulwich College, where apparently he sang wartime German songs on field trips to Sussex and it would seem by contemporaneous reports that he particularly didn't like Jewish people like Peter Ettedgui.
Although, maybe I am wrong about the party as Bob the Plumber seems to have an unhealthy dislike of women's rights.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) said in a yet-to-be-published proposed rule Friday that it’s drawing up plans to radically crack down on mail voting by sending ballots only to voters who are registered with the federal government. https://x.com/marceelias/status/2060416696503222636
And yet Alito and Thomas will certainly find a way to support it.
A Chancellor who pleaded guilty to making a false misrepresentation in respect of the alleged theft of her phone. Are they having a laugh? What credibility could she possibly bring to the markets? FFS really doesn't cover it.
Absolutely, they should go with Rayner who has a full grasp on tax issues.
Whilst Djokovic is still playing I can cling to my younger days .
Once he retires my tennis connection will be gone . Really sad to see him get knocked out . He will be absolutely gutted knowing with Sinner going out this was his best chance to get the record .
You're lucky. My interest in tennis pretty much died with the careers of McEnroe, Connors, Borg and Federer. I almost never watch it these days.
Whilst Djokovic is still playing I can cling to my younger days .
Once he retires my tennis connection will be gone . Really sad to see him get knocked out . He will be absolutely gutted knowing with Sinner going out this was his best chance to get the record .
You're lucky. My interest in tennis pretty much died with the careers of McEnroe, Connors, Borg and Federer. I almost never watch it these days.
I grew up loving Lendl because my brother looked like Boris Becker so didn’t want either of those ginger bastards to be happy.
A Chancellor who pleaded guilty to making a false misrepresentation in respect of the alleged theft of her phone. Are they having a laugh? What credibility could she possibly bring to the markets? FFS really doesn't cover it.
I agree that a Haigh is wholly unsuitable.
The fact that anyone would take seriously the suggestion is risible.
Haigh is probably a decent junior Minister at best.
A Chancellor who pleaded guilty to making a false misrepresentation in respect of the alleged theft of her phone. Are they having a laugh? What credibility could she possibly bring to the markets? FFS really doesn't cover it.
Absolutely, they should go with Rayner who has a full grasp on tax issues.
In fairness she probably has a better understanding of tax issues and the vagaries of our over complicated systems than most. The obvious choice is Streeting but it is starting to look as if internal Labour party politics might block that.
St Mary’s Church in Ince once served the people of Makerfield. Now it’s a mosque.
Our Christian heritage is being erased. Reform UK will ban the conversion of churches and protect Britain’s traditions.
Oh goody onto Muslim bashing
I'm an Athiest.
But even I can see the merits of a place of worship remaining a place of worship rather than rotting and decaying.
No God could argue with that.
Farage is the devil on earth.
Is he really? He’s a massive knob in many ways but he’s way down the list of devils on the planet right now. Hyperbole just ruins a position’s veracity.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) said in a yet-to-be-published proposed rule Friday that it’s drawing up plans to radically crack down on mail voting by sending ballots only to voters who are registered with the federal government. https://x.com/marceelias/status/2060416696503222636
That’s unbelievable. There is no federal government register and how on earth practically are you supposed do this even if there was . Even if this disgraceful action is ruled illegal it’s about sowing doubt in voters minds .
You talk about the centre ground, which is something you seem to think other people create - rather than accurately diagnosing the country's problems and pushing for the right solutions.
Maybe that’s why you pushed Net Zero legislation with no plan and with no forecast on the cost of energy.
Gavin Barwell would be happier not in a right wing party. That's a very pleasant way of putting it.
I knew Gavin at Cambridge, and he was ... how to put this ... very nice.
He knocked on my door once when he was prospective parliamentary candidate for South Staffs as replacement for Sir Patrick Cormack, he appeared to be a complete geek
Even in a Labour landslide he couldn't lose and didn't.
A Chancellor who pleaded guilty to making a false misrepresentation in respect of the alleged theft of her phone. Are they having a laugh? What credibility could she possibly bring to the markets? FFS really doesn't cover it.
I agree that a Haigh is wholly unsuitable.
The fact that anyone would take seriously the suggestion is risible.
Haigh is probably a decent junior Minister at best.
Is there a table of what level of criminality or misdeeds are suitable to each level of government role?
"I'd be interested in Cyclefree's comment on a Supreme Court Justicd failing one of her basic tests.
Samuel Alito’s son has worked as a lawyer inside Trump’s Treasury Department since early last year. The administration hid it.
No public resume, no LinkedIn, no mention on the Treasury website, outdated bar listings. Four former officials confirmed it.
The public was never told.
Here is why that matters.
Philip Alito served as an attorney-adviser in Treasury’s general counsel office, briefed on department matters across the board, while the Supreme Court took up a case in which the Treasury Department was a named defendant.
The department never disclosed the connection in court.
Justice Alito did not recuse.
The federal recusal law is plain. A justice must step aside in any case where his impartiality might reasonably be questioned.
That is the test.
Not whether anyone can prove influence but whether a reasonable person looking at this would doubt it. A justice ruling on cases involving the very agency that employs his son fails that test on its face... https://x.com/MikeLevin/status/2060049428434518037"
This is not just my test. It is basic A, B, C stuff for any judge - let alone a judge in the US's apex court. Alito should have recused himself. That he did not understand this or did but did not care is a disgrace and makes him unfit to be a judge.
We have had similar instances here - in employment tribunals, for instance. And most infamously in the Lords when it was deciding whether Pinochet could be extradited and Lord Hoffmann failed to declare his and his wife's links with Amnesty, which was a party in the case. When it came out, the previous judgment was set aside and a new court without Hoffmann decided the issue. The other judges were pretty scathing about Hoffmann's failure, one of them describing the issue as something that a first year law student would have understood. Ouch!
The current SC justices in the US have pretty much destroyed their own reputations and have come close to destroying that of the court itself. It will take one hell of an effort by future justices - and lot of bi-partisan political will (if that is even there) to put that right.
Thank you for the considered reply, Cyclefree.
The extraordinary thing is that the SC is the only court in the US which does not have formal ethical rules (for the judges).
A Chancellor who pleaded guilty to making a false misrepresentation in respect of the alleged theft of her phone. Are they having a laugh? What credibility could she possibly bring to the markets? FFS really doesn't cover it.
I agree that a Haigh is wholly unsuitable.
The fact that anyone would take seriously the suggestion is risible.
Haigh is probably a decent junior Minister at best.
Is there a table of what level of criminality or misdeeds are suitable to each level of government role?
You have shown me Louise Haigh, I'll raise you Nadhim Zahawi.
Whilst Djokovic is still playing I can cling to my younger days .
Once he retires my tennis connection will be gone . Really sad to see him get knocked out . He will be absolutely gutted knowing with Sinner going out this was his best chance to get the record .
You're lucky. My interest in tennis pretty much died with the careers of McEnroe, Connors, Borg and Federer. I almost never watch it these days.
I grew up loving Lendl because my brother looked like Boris Becker so didn’t want either of those ginger bastards to be happy.
When players stopped playing serve and volley on grass, the game died.
You talk about the centre ground, which is something you seem to think other people create - rather than accurately diagnosing the country's problems and pushing for the right solutions.
Maybe that’s why you pushed Net Zero legislation with no plan and with no forecast on the cost of energy.
Gavin Barwell would be happier not in a right wing party. That's a very pleasant way of putting it.
I knew Gavin at Cambridge, and he was ... how to put this ... very nice.
He knocked on my door once when he was prospective parliamentary candidate for South Staffs as replacement for Sir Patrick Cormack, he appeared to be a complete geek
Even in a Labour landslide he couldn't lose and didn't.
"I'd be interested in Cyclefree's comment on a Supreme Court Justicd failing one of her basic tests.
Samuel Alito’s son has worked as a lawyer inside Trump’s Treasury Department since early last year. The administration hid it.
No public resume, no LinkedIn, no mention on the Treasury website, outdated bar listings. Four former officials confirmed it.
The public was never told.
Here is why that matters.
Philip Alito served as an attorney-adviser in Treasury’s general counsel office, briefed on department matters across the board, while the Supreme Court took up a case in which the Treasury Department was a named defendant.
The department never disclosed the connection in court.
Justice Alito did not recuse.
The federal recusal law is plain. A justice must step aside in any case where his impartiality might reasonably be questioned.
That is the test.
Not whether anyone can prove influence but whether a reasonable person looking at this would doubt it. A justice ruling on cases involving the very agency that employs his son fails that test on its face... https://x.com/MikeLevin/status/2060049428434518037"
This is not just my test. It is basic A, B, C stuff for any judge - let alone a judge in the US's apex court. Alito should have recused himself. That he did not understand this or did but did not care is a disgrace and makes him unfit to be a judge.
We have had similar instances here - in employment tribunals, for instance. And most infamously in the Lords when it was deciding whether Pinochet could be extradited and Lord Hoffmann failed to declare his and his wife's links with Amnesty, which was a party in the case. When it came out, the previous judgment was set aside and a new court without Hoffmann decided the issue. The other judges were pretty scathing about Hoffmann's failure, one of them describing the issue as something that a first year law student would have understood. Ouch!
The current SC justices in the US have pretty much destroyed their own reputations and have come close to destroying that of the court itself. It will take one hell of an effort by future justices - and lot of bi-partisan political will (if that is even there) to put that right.
Thank you for the considered reply, Cyclefree.
The extraordinary thing is that the SC is the only court in the US which does not have formal ethical rules (for the judges).
It is literally a law unto itself.
You are tempted to use the word "shocking" but, let's face it, nothing this SC does has the capacity to shock anymore.
Kemi has certainly improved relative to Starmer since 2025 in terms of her image with the voters and is also clearly less feared by voters than Polanski or Farage. So that should provide some encouragement to Tories
Channel 4 News challenges Nicola Sturgeon at the Hay Festival over claims she shut down concerns about her estranged husband Peter Murrell embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP.
A Chancellor who pleaded guilty to making a false misrepresentation in respect of the alleged theft of her phone. Are they having a laugh? What credibility could she possibly bring to the markets? FFS really doesn't cover it.
Absolutely, they should go with Rayner who has a full grasp on tax issues.
Channel 4 News challenges Nicola Sturgeon at the Hay Festival over claims she shut down concerns about her estranged husband Peter Murrell embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP.
Elsewhere I saw she has now admitted that keeping him in his job when she became leader was a mistake.
Channel 4 News challenges Nicola Sturgeon at the Hay Festival over claims she shut down concerns about her estranged husband Peter Murrell embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP.
Channel 4 News challenges Nicola Sturgeon at the Hay Festival over claims she shut down concerns about her estranged husband Peter Murrell embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP.
Whilst the Sturgeon story is quite amusing it’s almost pointless political reporters taking so much time on it now as she is retired and gone. I do think that they would be better doorstepping Farage over the £5m as that is current and relevant to the future of the nation whereas Sturgeon is a bit passé.
Channel 4 News challenges Nicola Sturgeon at the Hay Festival over claims she shut down concerns about her estranged husband Peter Murrell embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP.
I don't like Nippy, but this is b0ll0cks. So her husband embezzled £400k and will quite rightly do bird. There is no evidence to suggest she knew that the gifts from her husband had fallen off the back of a lorry.
Why all the interest when Farage's, allegedly unreported to the authorities, gifts don't raise an eyebrow.
A Chancellor who pleaded guilty to making a false misrepresentation in respect of the alleged theft of her phone. Are they having a laugh? What credibility could she possibly bring to the markets? FFS really doesn't cover it.
Absolutely, they should go with Rayner who has a full grasp on tax issues.
In fairness she probably has a better understanding of tax issues and the vagaries of our over complicated systems than most. The obvious choice is Streeting but it is starting to look as if internal Labour party politics might block that.
🚨 NEW: Andy Burnham would end all Government contracts for asylum accommodation and hotels if he becomes Prime Minister
The responsibility for providing accommodation would instead be given to local authorities
That’s a good policy as it will allow local authorities to reflect their residents and allow in asylum seekers en masse - I can see all local authorities suddenly having huge support for asylum hostels in their areas such as Islington etc.
St Mary’s Church in Ince once served the people of Makerfield. Now it’s a mosque.
Our Christian heritage is being erased. Reform UK will ban the conversion of churches and protect Britain’s traditions.
Oh goody onto Muslim bashing
I'm an Athiest.
But even I can see the merits of a place of worship remaining a place of worship rather than rotting and decaying.
No God could argue with that.
Farage is the devil on earth.
Or they can actually be put to a worthwhile use as architecturally interesting housing
There's obviously a huge excess of churches because the rate of church attendance has collapsed.
If the people of Makerfield still wanted churches to go to, and still went to church, then the churches would all still be open as churches.
There are plenty of churches which still have good congregations and people who still want them for life events as well.
In this case though this church was closed in the 1970s and is now used as a community centre with prayer room rather than being solely a Mosque, there remains another church in the town
A Chancellor who pleaded guilty to making a false misrepresentation in respect of the alleged theft of her phone. Are they having a laugh? What credibility could she possibly bring to the markets? FFS really doesn't cover it.
Absolutely, they should go with Rayner who has a full grasp on tax issues.
In fairness she probably has a better understanding of tax issues and the vagaries of our over complicated systems than most. The obvious choice is Streeting but it is starting to look as if internal Labour party politics might block that.
I'm Britain, about 930,000 Muslims will attend a mosque each week, while about 702,000 Christians will visit a church each week.
There are about 40,000 churches in Britain, while there are just under 2,000 mosques.
Thus the average weekly attendance at a mosque is 465, and at a church is 18.
I don't think that's true.
It appears true if you ask Muslims how often they go to Mosque. But if you ask the Mosques themselves what their attendence is, you get a much lower number. It turns out that lots of Muslims who only go for Eid and the like, report going every week.
Are politicians asking AI to come up with their policies?
Burnham: Please come up with a good policy on asylum accommodation and make sure there aren't any holes in it.
AI: Good call! You're thinking ahead to avoid any political beartraps. Now you're really operating like a prime minister in waiting. Here's what I would do....
....
Burnham: It's just giving them more ammunition to use against me. Why did you suggest such a stupid idea?
AI: So what happened is that you asked me to make sure there weren't any holes, and I didn't do that.
A Chancellor who pleaded guilty to making a false misrepresentation in respect of the alleged theft of her phone. Are they having a laugh? What credibility could she possibly bring to the markets? FFS really doesn't cover it.
Absolutely, they should go with Rayner who has a full grasp on tax issues.
In fairness she probably has a better understanding of tax issues and the vagaries of our over complicated systems than most. The obvious choice is Streeting but it is starting to look as if internal Labour party politics might block that.
“starting” ???
I am glad you made it back from your expedition.
I'm still on it, having had a week in Northamptonshire. Its been great but I must admit that I am struggling to keep up with the political stories as much as I usually do. Back home next Thursday when I can start to catch up properly.
Are politicians asking AI to come up with their policies?
Burnham: Please come up with a good policy on asylum accommodation and make sure there aren't any holes in it.
AI: Good call! You're thinking ahead to avoid any political beartraps. Now you're really operating like a prime minister in waiting. Here's what I would do....
....
Burnham: It's just giving them more ammunition to use against me. Why did you suggest such a stupid idea?
AI: So what happened is that you asked me to make sure there weren't any holes, and I didn't do that.
AI: It appears I have accidentally deleted your asylum database.
I'm Britain, about 930,000 Muslims will attend a mosque each week, while about 702,000 Christians will visit a church each week.
There are about 40,000 churches in Britain, while there are just under 2,000 mosques.
Thus the average weekly attendance at a mosque is 465, and at a church is 18.
I don't think that's true.
It appears true if you ask Muslims how often they go to Mosque. But if you ask the Mosques themselves what their attendence is, you get a much lower number. It turns out that lots of Muslims who only go for Eid and the like, report going every week.
It is also worth pointing out that number is for Anglican churches, not all churches.
In light of this silly tweet, maybe somebody should note this building was not actually a church, it was a school which hosted church services, and it is not a mosque, rather it is a community centre that has a prayer room Muslims rent.
(As a side note, it is actually illegal to use a former Anglican Church as a place of worship for a non-Christian religion. They can be sold to other Christians, converted to fully secular purposes, or demolished.)
Apart from that, the Russian asset masquerading as a political candidate is perfectly right.
Are politicians asking AI to come up with their policies?
Burnham: Please come up with a good policy on asylum accommodation and make sure there aren't any holes in it.
AI: Good call! You're thinking ahead to avoid any political beartraps. Now you're really operating like a prime minister in waiting. Here's what I would do....
....
Burnham: It's just giving them more ammunition to use against me. Why did you suggest such a stupid idea?
AI: So what happened is that you asked me to make sure there weren't any holes, and I didn't do that.
AI: It appears I have accidentally deleted your asylum database.
Aren't there about 5-6 miles between them, that's some serious nit picking. Its not exactly Matt Goodwin parachuting in from down Sufffffh having gone to an Oasis gig once thus making him a local candidate.
It's the criticism of Burnham that he isn't local, though. He's from about the same distance away. 2 miles is a bloody long way round there.
St Mary's church in Ince was demolished in 1978 due to mining subsidence. The school remained but closed due to lack of attendance due to having a thoroughly shit reputation. The derelict school is now a Mosque and community centre. So not quite as Reform would have us believe.
I'm Britain, about 930,000 Muslims will attend a mosque each week, while about 702,000 Christians will visit a church each week.
There are about 40,000 churches in Britain, while there are just under 2,000 mosques.
Thus the average weekly attendance at a mosque is 465, and at a church is 18.
I don't think that's true.
It appears true if you ask Muslims how often they go to Mosque. But if you ask the Mosques themselves what their attendence is, you get a much lower number. It turns out that lots of Muslims who only go for Eid and the like, report going every week.
With Starmer as Labour leader still those results with Nowcast don't give Reform a majority but 288 seats.
With Burnham as Labour leader Reform's seat total falls further to 245 but Labour plus the LDs plus the SNP and PC and MIN would have a majority even with Labour second on seats
Interesting to note 8% of NEETs are aged 16-17. I certainly remember when I was in local Government a lot of time and effort went into ensuring EVERY 16-17 age old was either in education, employment and training. Have Councils been able to continue this work given spending pressures elsewhere?
It's also worth noting a quarter of NEETs are not seeking work due to sickness and disability so again the myth about a generation of "malingers" or "scroungers" fails to survive contact with reality (along with a series of other crass generalisations).
Two notable takeaways then: 1- Putin believed Trump would help Russia in Ukraine, which is remarkable in its own right. 2- Putin no longer believes Trump has the power or ability to do so, also notable.
I'm Britain, about 930,000 Muslims will attend a mosque each week, while about 702,000 Christians will visit a church each week.
There are about 40,000 churches in Britain, while there are just under 2,000 mosques.
Thus the average weekly attendance at a mosque is 465, and at a church is 18.
I don't think that's true.
It appears true if you ask Muslims how often they go to Mosque. But if you ask the Mosques themselves what their attendence is, you get a much lower number. It turns out that lots of Muslims who only go for Eid and the like, report going every week.
It’s like people in new relationships telling their new partner they go to the STI clinic regularly when in fact they went once after a stag do in Magaluf twelve years ago.
Farage and Polanski are both extreme politicians feeding on a disenchanted electorate and both are dangerous
The usual anti Kemi suspects are entirely predictable, but it is evident that she has grown into her role and is getting a hearing
As far as I know the last three polls have the conservatives in 2nd place and Kemi's task is to overtake Farage and regain the centre right over the next 3 years
She is the leader of the opposition so does get more coverage and has a positive outlook which according to some is not accepting reality
Actually the party facing the biggest crisis is Labour stuck with an impotent leader and crossing their fingers that Burnham can ride to the rescue but first has the wee problem of winning in Makerfield
The days of 2 party politics is over with 5, even 7, fighting to be heard and anyone who knows how GE29 will turn out is wishcasting
I would just say Kemi has won over @HYUFD and to be fair he is supportive
A slight correction - of the last three polls in the field, the Conservatives are second in two and third in one and 1-2 points in front of Labour which is well within margin of error which includes the Greens so all we can say is Reform are clearly ahead but Labour,Conservatives and Greens are statistically level and ahead of the Lib Dems.
Badenoch gets plenty of air time - I'm not sure how "positive" her outlook is - she seems to be maoning about the Government all the time and as for her response, it's all "we've got a plan" which will presumably work until we see the detail.
Thanks for the correction but they do lead labour in all 3
As to your last paragraph that is true for all parties and why 3 years out of a GE it is impossible to predict
Kemi has committed to ending stamp duty, the farm tax, and has opened the topic of student fees
If she is wise she will concentrate on the young, NEETS, and reduce business tax
I know from my own family the distress of NEETS
I would pose a question
How much does a NEET receive on benefits per week ?
How much does it cost an employer with the new minimum wage rises to employ a NEET for a week ?
In the circumstances that there is a substantial difference then reduce the minimum wage to address this and for employers to be able to create the entry level jobs NEETS are so in need off
Yes, labour and the unions would be outraged but as long as this crisis remains an issue their ideology is responsible and unhelpful
The first point is 46% of NEETs claim no benefits at all.
I have read that but it needs explaining
Are they living with their family and how are they supporting themselves ?
Or are they in education and training so not a NEET ?
I do not know the explanation but it does mean 54% are claiming benefits
Farage and Polanski are both extreme politicians feeding on a disenchanted electorate and both are dangerous
The usual anti Kemi suspects are entirely predictable, but it is evident that she has grown into her role and is getting a hearing
As far as I know the last three polls have the conservatives in 2nd place and Kemi's task is to overtake Farage and regain the centre right over the next 3 years
She is the leader of the opposition so does get more coverage and has a positive outlook which according to some is not accepting reality
Actually the party facing the biggest crisis is Labour stuck with an impotent leader and crossing their fingers that Burnham can ride to the rescue but first has the wee problem of winning in Makerfield
The days of 2 party politics is over with 5, even 7, fighting to be heard and anyone who knows how GE29 will turn out is wishcasting
I would just say Kemi has won over @HYUFD and to be fair he is supportive
A slight correction - of the last three polls in the field, the Conservatives are second in two and third in one and 1-2 points in front of Labour which is well within margin of error which includes the Greens so all we can say is Reform are clearly ahead but Labour,Conservatives and Greens are statistically level and ahead of the Lib Dems.
Badenoch gets plenty of air time - I'm not sure how "positive" her outlook is - she seems to be maoning about the Government all the time and as for her response, it's all "we've got a plan" which will presumably work until we see the detail.
Thanks for the correction but they do lead labour in all 3
As to your last paragraph that is true for all parties and why 3 years out of a GE it is impossible to predict
Kemi has committed to ending stamp duty, the farm tax, and has opened the topic of student fees
If she is wise she will concentrate on the young, NEETS, and reduce business tax
I know from my own family the distress of NEETS
I would pose a question
How much does a NEET receive on benefits per week ?
How much does it cost an employer with the new minimum wage rises to employ a NEET for a week ?
In the circumstances that there is a substantial difference then reduce the minimum wage to address this and for employers to be able to create the entry level jobs NEETS are so in need off
Yes, labour and the unions would be outraged but as long as this crisis remains an issue their ideology is responsible and unhelpful
The first point is 46% of NEETs claim no benefits at all.
I have read that but it needs explaining
Are they living with their family and how are they supporting themselves ?
Or are they in education and training so not a NEET ?
I do not know the explanation but it does mean 54% are claiming benefits
Farage and Polanski are both extreme politicians feeding on a disenchanted electorate and both are dangerous
The usual anti Kemi suspects are entirely predictable, but it is evident that she has grown into her role and is getting a hearing
As far as I know the last three polls have the conservatives in 2nd place and Kemi's task is to overtake Farage and regain the centre right over the next 3 years
She is the leader of the opposition so does get more coverage and has a positive outlook which according to some is not accepting reality
Actually the party facing the biggest crisis is Labour stuck with an impotent leader and crossing their fingers that Burnham can ride to the rescue but first has the wee problem of winning in Makerfield
The days of 2 party politics is over with 5, even 7, fighting to be heard and anyone who knows how GE29 will turn out is wishcasting
I would just say Kemi has won over @HYUFD and to be fair he is supportive
A slight correction - of the last three polls in the field, the Conservatives are second in two and third in one and 1-2 points in front of Labour which is well within margin of error which includes the Greens so all we can say is Reform are clearly ahead but Labour,Conservatives and Greens are statistically level and ahead of the Lib Dems.
Badenoch gets plenty of air time - I'm not sure how "positive" her outlook is - she seems to be maoning about the Government all the time and as for her response, it's all "we've got a plan" which will presumably work until we see the detail.
Thanks for the correction but they do lead labour in all 3
As to your last paragraph that is true for all parties and why 3 years out of a GE it is impossible to predict
Kemi has committed to ending stamp duty, the farm tax, and has opened the topic of student fees
If she is wise she will concentrate on the young, NEETS, and reduce business tax
I know from my own family the distress of NEETS
I would pose a question
How much does a NEET receive on benefits per week ?
How much does it cost an employer with the new minimum wage rises to employ a NEET for a week ?
In the circumstances that there is a substantial difference then reduce the minimum wage to address this and for employers to be able to create the entry level jobs NEETS are so in need off
Yes, labour and the unions would be outraged but as long as this crisis remains an issue their ideology is responsible and unhelpful
The first point is 46% of NEETs claim no benefits at all.
I have read that but it needs explaining
Are they living with their family and how are they supporting themselves ?
Or are they in education and training so not a NEET ?
I do not know the explanation but it does mean 54% are claiming benefits
Working cash in hand jobs, probably.
In a way, the alarming thing is that we don't really know.
One of the other standout points of the Milburn report is that we spend 25 times as much on benefits as on employment support for young people.
We have a fairly shrewd idea who the NEETs are, and can anticipate who is at risk at age 18/16/14... As with troubled families, intensive work with at-risk young people feels like it would pay big dividends. Trouble is, it isn't consistent with a Smaller State, and the costs are now and the benefits come later.
Pass me another bad of seedcorn, I'm feeling hungry.
There is a studied lack of interest in what happens at the bottom of the economy.
This was the stuff that started the modern liberals in the 19th cent.
Interesting to note 8% of NEETs are aged 16-17. I certainly remember when I was in local Government a lot of time and effort went into ensuring EVERY 16-17 age old was either in education, employment and training. Have Councils been able to continue this work given spending pressures elsewhere?
It's also worth noting a quarter of NEETs are not seeking work due to sickness and disability so again the myth about a generation of "malingers" or "scroungers" fails to survive contact with reality (along with a series of other crass generalisations).
Yes but Labour ducked the welfare reforms needed to try and get those on sickness benefit and capable of some work into the workplace
I'm Britain, about 930,000 Muslims will attend a mosque each week, while about 702,000 Christians will visit a church each week.
There are about 40,000 churches in Britain, while there are just under 2,000 mosques.
Thus the average weekly attendance at a mosque is 465, and at a church is 18.
I don't think that's true.
It appears true if you ask Muslims how often they go to Mosque. But if you ask the Mosques themselves what their attendence is, you get a much lower number. It turns out that lots of Muslims who only go for Eid and the like, report going every week.
It’s like people in new relationships telling their new partner they go to the STI clinic regularly when in fact they went once after a stag do in Magaluf twelve years ago.
Think I'd be more concerned if a new partner felt they needed to go to the STI clinic monthly.
St Mary's church in Ince was demolished in 1978 due to mining subsidence. The school remained but closed due to lack of attendance due to having a thoroughly shit reputation. The derelict school is now a Mosque and community centre. So not quite as Reform would have us believe.
Shocked, I tell you, shocked.
A couple of caveats, though.
As with the "four star hotels turned into asylum facilities" thing, it's also about people's memories. Indeed, the people who go to church most tend to be least cross about churches closing. It's sad, sure, but it's also a relief to put down the burden of trying to keep an unviable church open. (Been there, done that.)
Also, the CofE did a pretty drastic reorganisation of its churches in Wigan a few years back, to try to match the number of services and buildings to the number of parishoners and resources. (Even if you can find enough money, it's a struggle to find enough clergy.) Oh, and to grow the church. https://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/transforming-wigan/
Although it's got nothing to do with the government, or the Muslims, I wouldn't be shocked if there were some discontent to mine here.
But the bottom line is what it's always been. About ten percent of those who describe themselves as Church of England turn up each Sunday (see https://tswyatt.substack.com/p/half-empty-or-half-full for some fun figures). That's not enough to keep this much show on the road. For those who are really keen on Preserving England's Christian Heritage, there's a pretty obvious action to take.
I'm Britain, about 930,000 Muslims will attend a mosque each week, while about 702,000 Christians will visit a church each week.
There are about 40,000 churches in Britain, while there are just under 2,000 mosques.
Thus the average weekly attendance at a mosque is 465, and at a church is 18.
I don't think that's true.
It appears true if you ask Muslims how often they go to Mosque. But if you ask the Mosques themselves what their attendence is, you get a much lower number. It turns out that lots of Muslims who only go for Eid and the like, report going every week.
It’s like people in new relationships telling their new partner they go to the STI clinic regularly when in fact they went once after a stag do in Magaluf twelve years ago.
Think I'd be more concerned if a new partner felt they needed to go to the STI clinic monthly.
I'm Britain, about 930,000 Muslims will attend a mosque each week, while about 702,000 Christians will visit a church each week.
There are about 40,000 churches in Britain, while there are just under 2,000 mosques.
Thus the average weekly attendance at a mosque is 465, and at a church is 18.
I don't think that's true.
It appears true if you ask Muslims how often they go to Mosque. But if you ask the Mosques themselves what their attendence is, you get a much lower number. It turns out that lots of Muslims who only go for Eid and the like, report going every week.
It’s like people in new relationships telling their new partner they go to the STI clinic regularly when in fact they went once after a stag do in Magaluf twelve years ago.
Think I'd be more concerned if a new partner felt they needed to go to the STI clinic monthly.
He's selling so many pardons that it's depressing the market price.
Imagine how bad things would be if the US Constitution didn't codify a robust set of checks and balances.
If the Dems get control of both Hoises they need to amend the rules on Pardons PDQ so that they can go after the Trump family and associates if they have proof of grift etc. There seriously needs to be a robust limit on why and who and how many can be pardoned by a president - the latter is important as it will ensure future presidents have to think carefully about using up their tokens on people in case they need them later.
The crazy thing is that the concept of a pardon is so tied up in Monarchies of the old order that most monarchies wouldn’t have anything like these powers nor would their governments.
They would have to be utterly shameless to do so, given the pre-emptive pardons Biden handed out, including to his own family.
I'm Britain, about 930,000 Muslims will attend a mosque each week, while about 702,000 Christians will visit a church each week.
There are about 40,000 churches in Britain, while there are just under 2,000 mosques.
Thus the average weekly attendance at a mosque is 465, and at a church is 18.
I don't think that's true.
It appears true if you ask Muslims how often they go to Mosque. But if you ask the Mosques themselves what their attendence is, you get a much lower number. It turns out that lots of Muslims who only go for Eid and the like, report going every week.
It’s like people in new relationships telling their new partner they go to the STI clinic regularly when in fact they went once after a stag do in Magaluf twelve years ago.
Think I'd be more concerned if a new partner felt they needed to go to the STI clinic monthly.
On the other hand you could be fairly certain they had been treated, while someone who never goes...
Comments
Can I remind you Starmer has u turned 16 plus times in less than 2 years
NEETS also have nothing to do with the Boriswave, which to be fair Sunak largely addressed hence the better figures
My family have experience of this and labour have to face that they have to address the problem they made worse and judging by Sky's comments they have accepted the problem
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/26150222.makerfield-reform-candidate-went-primary-school-st-helens/
Once he retires my tennis connection will be gone . Really sad to see him get knocked out . He will be absolutely gutted knowing with Sinner going out this was his best chance to get the record .
A Popular Information reveals that two more "progressive" super PACs are linked to House Republicans and Speaker Mike Johnson.
They've worked pretty hard to cover their tracks, but not quite hard enough.
Follow along for details...
https://x.com/JuddLegum/status/2060391528191725968
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) said in a yet-to-be-published proposed rule Friday that it’s drawing up plans to radically crack down on mail voting by sending ballots only to voters who are registered with the federal government.
https://x.com/marceelias/status/2060416696503222636
St Mary’s Church in Ince once served the people of Makerfield. Now it’s a mosque.
Our Christian heritage is being erased. Reform UK will ban the conversion of churches and protect Britain’s traditions.
Oh goody onto Muslim bashing
1. They can (or rather, the mechanisms that are meant to stop this sort of thing aren't working, which boils down to the same thing).
2. If they don't, they will lose, and then they are in all sorts of trouble.
Although, maybe I am wrong about the party as Bob the Plumber seems to have an unhealthy dislike of women's rights.
But even I can see the merits of a place of worship remaining a place of worship rather than rotting and decaying.
No God could argue with that.
Farage is the devil on earth.
The fact that anyone would take seriously the suggestion is risible.
Haigh is probably a decent junior Minister at best.
Even in a Labour landslide he couldn't lose and didn't.
The extraordinary thing is that the SC is the only court in the US which does not have formal ethical rules (for the judges).
It is literally a law unto itself.
If the people of Makerfield still wanted churches to go to, and still went to church, then the churches would all still be open as churches.
https://x.com/Channel4News/status/2060421022038290631
Channel 4 News challenges Nicola Sturgeon at the Hay Festival over claims she shut down concerns about her estranged husband Peter Murrell embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP.
🚨 NEW: Andy Burnham would end all Government contracts for asylum accommodation and hotels if he becomes Prime Minister
The responsibility for providing accommodation would instead be given to local authorities
Why all the interest when Farage's, allegedly unreported to the authorities, gifts don't raise an eyebrow.
Pretty tough place to grow up, but interesting, for sure: https://www.mshinstitute.org/volcano-cam
Joe Moores (17) brings up a superb maiden T20 half century with back to back reverse scoops, in 35 balls with four 4s and three 6s.
https://x.com/lancscricket/status/2060431754364682259?s=20
I'm Britain, about 930,000 Muslims will attend a mosque each week, while about 702,000 Christians will visit a church each week.
There are about 40,000 churches in Britain, while there are just under 2,000 mosques.
Thus the average weekly attendance at a mosque is 465, and at a church is 18.
That'll end well.
In this case though this church was closed in the 1970s and is now used as a community centre with prayer room rather than being solely a Mosque, there remains another church in the town
“starting” ???
I am glad you made it back from your expedition.
It appears true if you ask Muslims how often they go to Mosque. But if you ask the Mosques themselves what their attendence is, you get a much lower number. It turns out that lots of Muslims who only go for Eid and the like, report going every week.
AI: Good call! You're thinking ahead to avoid any political beartraps. Now you're really operating like a prime minister in waiting. Here's what I would do....
....
Burnham: It's just giving them more ammunition to use against me. Why did you suggest such a stupid idea?
AI: So what happened is that you asked me to make sure there weren't any holes, and I didn't do that.
Youth hosteling with asylum seekers.
Asylum seeker tennis.
In light of this silly tweet, maybe somebody should note this building was not actually a church, it was a school which hosted church services, and it is not a mosque, rather it is a community centre that has a prayer room Muslims rent.
(As a side note, it is actually illegal to use a former Anglican Church as a place of worship for a non-Christian religion. They can be sold to other Christians, converted to fully secular purposes, or demolished.)
Apart from that, the Russian asset masquerading as a political candidate is perfectly right.
2 miles is a bloody long way round there.
Are they going to pay to keep them open?
The derelict school is now a Mosque and community centre.
So not quite as Reform would have us believe.
With Burnham as Labour leader Reform's seat total falls further to 245 but Labour plus the LDs plus the SNP and PC and MIN would have a majority even with Labour second on seats
https://electionmaps.uk/nowcast/custom
For those suddenly interested in the NEET issue because of the Alan Milburn report, this is some work from late last year which is of interest:
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/inequalities/2025/12/10/three-myths-about-neets-in-the-uk/
Interesting to note 8% of NEETs are aged 16-17. I certainly remember when I was in local Government a lot of time and effort went into ensuring EVERY 16-17 age old was either in education, employment and training. Have Councils been able to continue this work given spending pressures elsewhere?
It's also worth noting a quarter of NEETs are not seeking work due to sickness and disability so again the myth about a generation of "malingers" or "scroungers" fails to survive contact with reality (along with a series of other crass generalisations).
Two notable takeaways then:
1- Putin believed Trump would help Russia in Ukraine, which is remarkable in its own right.
2- Putin no longer believes Trump has the power or ability to do so, also notable.
https://x.com/jimsciutto/status/2060446843872448546?s=20
But apart from that spot on.
This was the stuff that started the modern liberals in the 19th cent.
A federal judge has ordered the Kennedy Center to remove President Trump's name from the facade, website, letterhead, and official materials.
Congress named the Center by statute in 1964 - and the judge ruled only Congress can change it.
https://x.com/yashar/status/2060436194828099589?s=20
A couple of caveats, though.
As with the "four star hotels turned into asylum facilities" thing, it's also about people's memories. Indeed, the people who go to church most tend to be least cross about churches closing. It's sad, sure, but it's also a relief to put down the burden of trying to keep an unviable church open. (Been there, done that.)
Also, the CofE did a pretty drastic reorganisation of its churches in Wigan a few years back, to try to match the number of services and buildings to the number of parishoners and resources. (Even if you can find enough money, it's a struggle to find enough clergy.) Oh, and to grow the church.
https://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/transforming-wigan/
Although it's got nothing to do with the government, or the Muslims, I wouldn't be shocked if there were some discontent to mine here.
But the bottom line is what it's always been. About ten percent of those who describe themselves as Church of England turn up each Sunday (see https://tswyatt.substack.com/p/half-empty-or-half-full for some fun figures). That's not enough to keep this much show on the road. For those who are really keen on Preserving England's Christian Heritage, there's a pretty obvious action to take.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on-y9Pv-CJA
Fun Boy Three - The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum
Hadn't thought of it since it was actually in the charts. But it felt quite appropriate given what was going on. So ... well done google?
Nice...