It's going to Messi vs Bellingham isn't it for a game of the ages?
Maybe maybe not. Several teams can win this, inc us. If things break for us - ie the underestimated randomness factor rewards rather than punishes - we'll do it.
Best WC ever imo. Trump and Infantino have tried their best to shit all over it but they have failed. The football has prevailed.
Totally disagree. Least interested I've ever been in a world cup. Maybe I'm just getting old and grumpy, but the VAR is rubbish, many of the players are clearly knackered from too much football and now we have the corruption of the US president tainting the whole thing.
Time for UEFA to break away and try to set up a rival world cup imo.
Keep the Euros every four years and in the World Cup years have a Euro-Leagues championship.
Each national team manager selects a squad from players who play in that country’s league and have a tournament. All the money ex costs from sponsorship etc is distributed in a reverse way so the lowest ranked leagues get the bulk of the money to share amongst their teams to work towards levelling them up and the top leagues don’t get anything.
Whilst there would be big disparities there already are on a national teams basis anyway but would be fun to see a Premier League 11 take on La Liga 11,Serie A 11, PSG, etc.
Form wise Sinner has been very average so far and had a very kind draw . If Djokovic could keep up this level he could win that elusive 25th Grand Slam .
Also for additional context, serious though today's Guardian allegations are, my understanding is they only represent the tip of the iceberg over what's to come.
Do we think Reform expected this response from the other parties? Difficult to see what Farage gains from a byelection against Binface
I think they can't really do anything right at present.
This move seems to be jumping the gun. He hasn't been suspended or recalled yet.
I've heard rumblings of Farage going out of politics again to come sweeping back in again before the GE. I'm not sure how viable a strategy that is, though there's absolutely no doubt the man needs a break.
Why does he need a break? What has he been doing?
I think he's probably got the most punishing schedule in politics.
PMSL. 🤣
Turning up at a pub every now and then is more punishing than being Prime Minister?
Or any other Minister?
The infantile level of debate here concerning Reform issues is quite extraordinary.
There's an amount of flippancy to be sure, but extraordinary claims do require backing up, so it would be interesting to know what it is about Farage's schedule that is indeed so punishing.
I have no idea what his schedule is, so leaving aside any quips around surgeries or time he spends in Clacton (the people there truly probably do not care), what information is there about his schedule that is so extraordinary compared to his contemporary party leaders?
He spent the entirety of last year's summer recess doing press conferences and touring the country while other party leaders were relaxing at home. The web gives only one record of a holiday post his re-entry into politics, which Farage said was his first since the jungle, and there is no record of one since. Look at the recent furore - he's registered 140 days of outside work in addition to his political duties. This is not me making some moral claim that he's out saving puppies, I merely suggest the man should take a holiday as he's spent, and it's not surprising.
Sadly, even this rather bland and I think self-evident observation gets leaped on by the low wattage brigade and rather than debating actual issues I then have to go on a fact-finding mission to defend my point. Mission accomplished I suppose from the idiots on campaign mode, but hardly enjoyable from an adult conversation perspective.
That's a bit self pitying, how are people supposed to know he does a lot of press conferences and outside work unless someone tells us, just take it on faith? We may follow political minutiae but I certainly don't get a sense of what party leaders, other than the PM, get up to on a day to day basis.
Do Polankski or Badenock work hard? I have no idea, if someone said they did I'd not be able to judge.
People aren't inclined to give Farage any credit, but if the facts are he's very active, fine.
He has only made a third of House of Commons votes this year.
I expect his outside interests take up a lot of time pumping gold, crypto, and redecorating his 5 mansions must take a lot of time too.
If he is finding this all a bit much then is he up to being minister, let alone PM?
I don’t wish to be seen to be jumping the gun here, but I am starting to wonder whether there might other reasons he is not up to those roles…
If the Greens stand a candidate then they really are pathetic.
The Greens are populist, in case you hadn't noticed.
Why does that make it a sensible choice for them to stand? I would have thought everyone dropping out would make the whole thing seem farcical and weaken Farage, which is Polanski's most clearly stated aim (one can debate whether his strategy is the most effective to achieve that aim).
The Greens will surely lose, and lose badly. Sure they get a bit of press attention, but the narrative they can spin on populist surges in by-elections is currently pretty good. Visibly losing big to Farage, whether in Clacton or not, seems to puncture that bubble somewhat.
You clearly have an alternative take - could you explain it?
I hope Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem supporters go out and vote for Count Binface. Even if he doesn’t beat Farage, it would be so funny to see him beat the Greens.
Also for additional context, serious though today's Guardian allegations are, my understanding is they only represent the tip of the iceberg over what's to come.
The question is when do you publish the gory details.
Do you wait until the only candidates are Farage vs Count Binface and help Count Binface become an MP until at least the next election or do you wait until the second by-election..
I personally hope Count Binface can find some Clacton pubs where the hand dryers need to be moved...
If the Greens stand a candidate then they really are pathetic.
The Greens are populist, in case you hadn't noticed.
Why does that make it a sensible choice for them to stand? I would have thought everyone dropping out would make the whole thing seem farcical and weaken Farage, which is Polanski's most clearly stated aim (one can debate whether his strategy is the most effective to achieve that aim).
The Greens will surely lose, and lose badly. Sure they get a bit of press attention, but the narrative they can spin on populist surges in by-elections is currently pretty good. Visibly losing big to Farage, whether in Clacton or not, seems to puncture that bubble somewhat.
You clearly have an alternative take - could you explain it?
I hope Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem supporters go out and vote for Count Binface. Even if he doesn’t beat Farage, it would be so funny to see him beat the Greens.
It's 9pm local time in London, everyone in the Royal Box has left the building, and the camera pans to the one person who stayed to watch the last match of the day...Roger Federer
Matt Goodwin has been out in the sun without a hat:
Nigel Farage just called a by-election in Clacton so that the People can take on the Rotten Establishment and take back their country. This is 4D chess.
It's 9pm local time in London, everyone in the Royal Box has left the building, and the camera pans to the one person who stayed to watch the last match of the day...Roger Federer
In awful news - LNER now use Ricky Gervais's gin and whiskey which comes in impossible to open metal bottles.
I'm 80 minutes into a 150 minute journey and appear to be the designated drop of point for problematic (half opened) bottles. I've got my 5th bottle already and I should in theory get 3 for the entire journey.
This is presumably the plan, but it won't stop the questions coming - he could claim they liked him more now already, in terms of Reform's polling.
Farage won 46.2% of the Clacton vote in 2024, when Reform polled 14.3% nationally.
In the 2014 by election, Carswell won the seat by 59.7%.
Reform is today polling almost double its 2024 numbers.
I would be *shocked* if Farage fails to *increase* his share of the vote in Clacton vs 2024.
This will allow him to claim (with some evidence) that it’s not just that people don’t care about his personal finances - but they actually like him *more* now than they did when they didn’t know about the £5m gift etc. https://nitter.poast.org/tomhfh/status/2074494861915418654#m
Matt Goodwin has been out in the sun without a hat:
Nigel Farage just called a by-election in Clacton so that the People can take on the Rotten Establishment and take back their country. This is 4D chess.
Also for additional context, serious though today's Guardian allegations are, my understanding is they only represent the tip of the iceberg over what's to come.
The question is when do you publish the gory details.
Do you wait until the only candidates are Farage vs Count Binface and help Count Binface become an MP until at least the next election or do you wait until the second by-election..
I personally hope Count Binface can find some Clacton pubs where the hand dryers need to be moved...
When they have been fully verified and lawyered.
This is something you do not want to get wrong/not be able to back up.
Its heating up between Farage and Sky on the twitters.
I think Sky might have dropped a clanger. Farage released footage from CCTV which doesn't really show what he has been claiming. But Sky changed their story, now say saying well we did go to that house, yes we did approach people living there to ask to speak to Farage, because it is because Farage is registered to vote there. And Farage is saying I am registered to vote in Clacton.
Matt Goodwin has been out in the sun without a hat:
Nigel Farage just called a by-election in Clacton so that the People can take on the Rotten Establishment and take back their country. This is 4D chess.
This is presumably the plan, but it won't stop the questions coming - he could claim they liked him more now already, in terms of Reform's polling.
Farage won 46.2% of the Clacton vote in 2024, when Reform polled 14.3% nationally.
In the 2014 by election, Carswell won the seat by 59.7%.
Reform is today polling almost double its 2024 numbers.
I would be *shocked* if Farage fails to *increase* his share of the vote in Clacton vs 2024.
This will allow him to claim (with some evidence) that it’s not just that people don’t care about his personal finances - but they actually like him *more* now than they did when they didn’t know about the £5m gift etc. https://nitter.poast.org/tomhfh/status/2074494861915418654#m
Of course he will if he’s in a one (and a bit) horse race
This is presumably the plan, but it won't stop the questions coming - he could claim they liked him more now already, in terms of Reform's polling.
Farage won 46.2% of the Clacton vote in 2024, when Reform polled 14.3% nationally.
In the 2014 by election, Carswell won the seat by 59.7%.
Reform is today polling almost double its 2024 numbers.
I would be *shocked* if Farage fails to *increase* his share of the vote in Clacton vs 2024.
This will allow him to claim (with some evidence) that it’s not just that people don’t care about his personal finances - but they actually like him *more* now than they did when they didn’t know about the £5m gift etc. https://nitter.poast.org/tomhfh/status/2074494861915418654#m
So Farage wins his byelection with 5000 votes and Count Binface on 3000 say. What does that actually prove...
So it turns out one can, in fact, barrage the farage.
Despite claims to the contrary he must be severely rattled to perform this kind of stunt - usually they'd just stonewall it, so the very fact of deciding to prove that the voters of Clacton still back him - which I expect they do - indicates he and the party see the matter as too serious for the usual tactics.
In awful news - LNER now use Ricky Gervais's gin and whiskey which comes in impossible to open metal bottles.
I'm 80 minutes into a 150 minute journey and appear to be the designated drop of point for problematic (half opened) bottles. I've got my 5th bottle already and I should in theory get 3 for the entire journey.
This is a scandal that I wish more people would focus on. In a first class seat between Newcastle and London, they now only bring you free booze once per hour unless you sweet talk them.
Questions should be asked in Parliament. When I have a first class seat, my glass should remain full.
Also for additional context, serious though today's Guardian allegations are, my understanding is they only represent the tip of the iceberg over what's to come.
The question is when do you publish the gory details.
Do you wait until the only candidates are Farage vs Count Binface and help Count Binface become an MP until at least the next election or do you wait until the second by-election..
I personally hope Count Binface can find some Clacton pubs where the hand dryers need to be moved...
When they have been fully verified and lawyered.
This is something you do not want to get wrong/not be able to back up.
But before you think the rival papers have caught up.
In awful news - LNER now use Ricky Gervais's gin and whiskey which comes in impossible to open metal bottles.
I'm 80 minutes into a 150 minute journey and appear to be the designated drop of point for problematic (half opened) bottles. I've got my 5th bottle already and I should in theory get 3 for the entire journey.
I never realised it was a genuine product. Always thought the ads I’d seen on Twitter were a pisstake of sleb endorsed plonk such as the Gary Barlow,wine range
Hello from Spain. This Farage stunt. Is the idea that winning the by election means that all the questions and investigations about money are quietly dropped and never mentioned again?
Because that isn’t how this works.
The entire by election will be a continuous “who pays you” onslaught. He beats Binface. And then the first question is “who pays you” and the formal investigations continue.
In awful news - LNER now use Ricky Gervais's gin and whiskey which comes in impossible to open metal bottles.
I'm 80 minutes into a 150 minute journey and appear to be the designated drop of point for problematic (half opened) bottles. I've got my 5th bottle already and I should in theory get 3 for the entire journey.
This is a scandal that I wish more people would focus on. In a first class seat between Newcastle and London, they now only bring you free booze once per hour unless you sweet talk them.
Questions should be asked in Parliament. When I have a first class seat, my glass should remain full.
The Greens must withdraw and make this a straight fight between a performative attention-seeking clown and Count Binface
The message the establishment is going to send is that it doesn't matter if Farage gets 90% of the vote in one of the 650 constituencies in the UK because that constituency is beyond the pale as far as they're concerned. How many other constituencies would be in the same category for them?
This is presumably the plan, but it won't stop the questions coming - he could claim they liked him more now already, in terms of Reform's polling.
Farage won 46.2% of the Clacton vote in 2024, when Reform polled 14.3% nationally.
In the 2014 by election, Carswell won the seat by 59.7%.
Reform is today polling almost double its 2024 numbers.
I would be *shocked* if Farage fails to *increase* his share of the vote in Clacton vs 2024.
This will allow him to claim (with some evidence) that it’s not just that people don’t care about his personal finances - but they actually like him *more* now than they did when they didn’t know about the £5m gift etc. https://nitter.poast.org/tomhfh/status/2074494861915418654#m
It would have been a brilliant plan, if only everyone else had fallen for it.
In awful news - LNER now use Ricky Gervais's gin and whiskey which comes in impossible to open metal bottles.
I'm 80 minutes into a 150 minute journey and appear to be the designated drop of point for problematic (half opened) bottles. I've got my 5th bottle already and I should in theory get 3 for the entire journey.
This is a scandal that I wish more people would focus on. In a first class seat between Newcastle and London, they now only bring you free booze once per hour unless you sweet talk them.
Questions should be asked in Parliament. When I have a first class seat, my glass should remain full.
That’s nationalisation for you.
All I ever want is beer and sandwiches. Surely I can have that from a Labour transport minister?
The Greens must withdraw and make this a straight fight between a performative attention-seeking clown and Count Binface
The message the establishment is going to send is that it doesn't matter if Farage gets 90% of the vote in one of the 650 constituencies in the UK because that constituency is beyond the pale as far as they're concerned. How many other constituencies would be in the same category for them?
It's the ultimate Reform seat, they're the only serious alternative, and it's a direct fight: testing their messages and strength is of real benefit.
It's marginal but I think CON are right to sit it out... As it's just an endorsement of Farages Trumpian distraction tactics.
Sit out his vanity election and make him look foolish by going up against Count Binface and MRLP and get ready for the *real* by election, after he's censured by Parliamentary authorities....
I get that logic but the risk is the voters of Clacton are forced to have two by-elections and they won't thank the Tories for giving them no choice in the first.
I'd fight it on an honest basis and, if another is triggered, fight it again.
You might be right, Casino (not for the first time) We'll see...
Whatever happens. I think Nigel is imploding and he won't lead REF into the next election....
Hopefully, but I'm not so sure. Otoh this shows he's in trouble (and knows it) on grift/corruption. But otoh it shows that the idea he doesn't really want it - to be PM - is nonsense.
Unlike Davis though who was running on a policy position of principle, Farage is clearly hoping for a big majority to head off any recall petition related to an inquiry. The problem with the other parties not standing is he will likely win an even bigger majority and accuse the other parties of running scared
The other parties will fight the election if the Standards Commissioner's decision rules against him which will happen even if he wins this farce
Yes but if Farage romps home against the Greens he can say Clacton has already given their verdict in his favour and the pressure for a recall petition will likely collapse unless Reform see a significant decline in their poll rating
What if the Chancellor just doesn’t allow him to join the Chiltern hundreds?
“Sorry Nigel, you’ve failed the fit and proper person test”.
Dear Mr Farage, Thank you for application for the post of Steward of the Manor of Northstead. Having carefully considered your application we will not be taking it further. Thank you for your interest in Northstead. We wish you the best in your future career.
In awful news - LNER now use Ricky Gervais's gin and whiskey which comes in impossible to open metal bottles.
I'm 80 minutes into a 150 minute journey and appear to be the designated drop of point for problematic (half opened) bottles. I've got my 5th bottle already and I should in theory get 3 for the entire journey.
I never realised it was a genuine product. Always thought the ads I’d seen on Twitter were a pisstake of sleb endorsed plonk such as the Gary Barlow,wine range
Danny DeVito's Limoncello also real. And Walton Goggins has a vodka.
The Greens must withdraw and make this a straight fight between a performative attention-seeking clown and Count Binface
The message the establishment is going to send is that it doesn't matter if Farage gets 90% of the vote in one of the 650 constituencies in the UK because that constituency is beyond the pale as far as they're concerned. How many other constituencies would be in the same category for them?
The message is winning elections has no bearing on whether someone followed the rules around declarations.
Or are you seriously suggesting democratic mandate erases potential wrongdoing?
If so, do you extend that to other politicans, and why?
Unlike Davis though who was running on a policy position of principle, Farage is clearly hoping for a big majority to head off any recall petition related to an inquiry. The problem with the other parties not standing is he will likely win an even bigger majority and accuse the other parties of running scared
The other parties will fight the election if the Standards Commissioner's decision rules against him which will happen even if he wins this farce
Yes but if Farage romps home against the Greens he can say Clacton has already given their verdict in his favour and the pressure for a recall petition will likely collapse unless Reform see a significant decline in their poll rating
Hasn't every recall petition bar the first succeeded?
He'd probably win a recall too, but it's still a different situation - alleged wrongdoing vs actual wrongdoing. The anti farage vote would have justification to keep pushing.
This is presumably the plan, but it won't stop the questions coming - he could claim they liked him more now already, in terms of Reform's polling.
Farage won 46.2% of the Clacton vote in 2024, when Reform polled 14.3% nationally.
In the 2014 by election, Carswell won the seat by 59.7%.
Reform is today polling almost double its 2024 numbers.
I would be *shocked* if Farage fails to *increase* his share of the vote in Clacton vs 2024.
This will allow him to claim (with some evidence) that it’s not just that people don’t care about his personal finances - but they actually like him *more* now than they did when they didn’t know about the £5m gift etc. https://nitter.poast.org/tomhfh/status/2074494861915418654#m
Likelihood, with other parties boycotting, that turnout will be down. And so will Farage's vote. No-one cares about turnout. So doubt the result will much to shout about, at least by Nige. Count Binface will be having a ball though.
It's going to Messi vs Bellingham isn't it for a game of the ages?
Maybe maybe not. Several teams can win this, inc us. If things break for us - ie the underestimated randomness factor rewards rather than punishes - we'll do it.
Best WC ever imo. Trump and Infantino have tried their best to shit all over it but they have failed. The football has prevailed.
Totally disagree. Least interested I've ever been in a world cup. Maybe I'm just getting old and grumpy, but the VAR is rubbish, many of the players are clearly knackered from too much football and now we have the corruption of the US president tainting the whole thing.
Time for UEFA to break away and try to set up a rival world cup imo.
Really? So many fabulous nail biting matches. So many big stars firing. Lots of great goals. Lots of compelling stories. And England of course. Still rolling and genuine contenders.
I didn't want to get into it, because of Trump and Infantino, but I've ended up totally hooked. That's how great it's been.
Unlike Davis though who was running on a policy position of principle, Farage is clearly hoping for a big majority to head off any recall petition related to an inquiry. The problem with the other parties not standing is he will likely win an even bigger majority and accuse the other parties of running scared
The other parties will fight the election if the Standards Commissioner's decision rules against him which will happen even if he wins this farce
Yes but if Farage romps home against the Greens he can say Clacton has already given their verdict in his favour and the pressure for a recall petition will likely collapse unless Reform see a significant decline in their poll rating
He can - and will - say it.
Still bollocks though. The electorate needs to in possession of all the facts to judge him.
It's going to Messi vs Bellingham isn't it for a game of the ages?
Maybe maybe not. Several teams can win this, inc us. If things break for us - ie the underestimated randomness factor rewards rather than punishes - we'll do it.
Best WC ever imo. Trump and Infantino have tried their best to shit all over it but they have failed. The football has prevailed.
Totally disagree. Least interested I've ever been in a world cup. Maybe I'm just getting old and grumpy, but the VAR is rubbish, many of the players are clearly knackered from too much football and now we have the corruption of the US president tainting the whole thing.
Time for UEFA to break away and try to set up a rival world cup imo.
Really? So many fabulous nail biting matches. So many big stars firing. Lots of great goals. Lots of compelling stories. And England of course. Still rolling and genuine contenders.
I didn't want to get into it, because of Trump and Infantino, but I've ended up totally hooked. That's how great it's been.
Yep. It’s been an absolutely superb tournament- and anyone who says otherwise clearly has no interest nor knowledge about football.
The Greens must withdraw and make this a straight fight between a performative attention-seeking clown and Count Binface
Will they stand down though? My impression is that the Greens, certainly Polanski, relish the rise of their fellow populists. The more mainstream politics is destabilised the better they like it.
Form wise Sinner has been very average so far and had a very kind draw . If Djokovic could keep up this level he could win that elusive 25th Grand Slam .
Well he did Sinner in the Oz semi final. And there's no Carlos waiting in the final this time.
I think Sinner will win though. Hope I'm wrong because I'd love to see #25.
In awful news - LNER now use Ricky Gervais's gin and whiskey which comes in impossible to open metal bottles.
I'm 80 minutes into a 150 minute journey and appear to be the designated drop of point for problematic (half opened) bottles. I've got my 5th bottle already and I should in theory get 3 for the entire journey.
This is a scandal that I wish more people would focus on. In a first class seat between Newcastle and London, they now only bring you free booze once per hour unless you sweet talk them.
Questions should be asked in Parliament. When I have a first class seat, my glass should remain full.
That’s nationalisation for you.
The joys of long distance rail journeys Back when I was working in an office remotely managed by a total idiot there used to be occasional punishment trips to be bollocked and given project briefings and hard copies of design info. The beauty of these was that he wouldn't sanction travel before 9.30am due to the cost and the bollocking / briefing would generally be done by early afternoon. So a relaxing trip up with a bacon sarnie and a book, bollocking, diversion via the supermarket for a case of beer to drink on the way back, meet colleagues in the pub to brief them and then rock up the next morning hungover in time for mid-morning bacon sandwich run. 2 decades on I still meet up with those colleagues every year such was the team bond it inspired.
If the Greens stand a candidate then they really are pathetic.
The Greens are populist, in case you hadn't noticed.
Why does that make it a sensible choice for them to stand? I would have thought everyone dropping out would make the whole thing seem farcical and weaken Farage, which is Polanski's most clearly stated aim (one can debate whether his strategy is the most effective to achieve that aim).
The Greens will surely lose, and lose badly. Sure they get a bit of press attention, but the narrative they can spin on populist surges in by-elections is currently pretty good. Visibly losing big to Farage, whether in Clacton or not, seems to puncture that bubble somewhat.
You clearly have an alternative take - could you explain it?
I hope Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem supporters go out and vote for Count Binface. Even if he doesn’t beat Farage, it would be so funny to see him beat the Greens.
This is presumably the plan, but it won't stop the questions coming - he could claim they liked him more now already, in terms of Reform's polling.
Farage won 46.2% of the Clacton vote in 2024, when Reform polled 14.3% nationally.
In the 2014 by election, Carswell won the seat by 59.7%.
Reform is today polling almost double its 2024 numbers.
I would be *shocked* if Farage fails to *increase* his share of the vote in Clacton vs 2024.
This will allow him to claim (with some evidence) that it’s not just that people don’t care about his personal finances - but they actually like him *more* now than they did when they didn’t know about the £5m gift etc. https://nitter.poast.org/tomhfh/status/2074494861915418654#m
So Farage wins his byelection with 5000 votes and Count Binface on 3000 say. What does that actually prove...
That 2,001 people will be rueing that they didn;t vote?
In awful news - LNER now use Ricky Gervais's gin and whiskey which comes in impossible to open metal bottles.
I'm 80 minutes into a 150 minute journey and appear to be the designated drop of point for problematic (half opened) bottles. I've got my 5th bottle already and I should in theory get 3 for the entire journey.
I never realised it was a genuine product. Always thought the ads I’d seen on Twitter were a pisstake of sleb endorsed plonk such as the Gary Barlow,wine range
Danny DeVito's Limoncello also real. And Walton Goggins has a vodka.
The Greens must withdraw and make this a straight fight between a performative attention-seeking clown and Count Binface
Will they stand down though? My impression is that the Greens, certainly Polanski, relish the rise of their fellow populists. The more mainstream politics is destabilised the better they like it.
Exactly. They are opponents of Reform, but the latter's rise is not bad for them.
Form wise Sinner has been very average so far and had a very kind draw . If Djokovic could keep up this level he could win that elusive 25th Grand Slam .
Well he did Sinner in the Oz semi final. And there's no Carlos waiting in the final this time.
I think Sinner will win though. Hope I'm wrong because I'd love to see #25.
Nigel Farage is to the British establishment in 2026 what the Sex Pistols and Johnny Rotten were to it in 1977.
Public School Boy. Commodity Trader via his old man's contacts. Professional politician with over loaded expenses. Mates with Billionaire. Mates with ex Tory cabinet ministers Mates with the US President.
Also for additional context, serious though today's Guardian allegations are, my understanding is they only represent the tip of the iceberg over what's to come.
The question is when do you publish the gory details.
Do you wait until the only candidates are Farage vs Count Binface and help Count Binface become an MP until at least the next election or do you wait until the second by-election..
I personally hope Count Binface can find some Clacton pubs where the hand dryers need to be moved...
When they have been fully verified and lawyered.
This is something you do not want to get wrong/not be able to back up.
So not rushing it and waiting until the week before the postal votes of by-election 2 makes sense...
Nigel Farage is to the British establishment in 2026 what the Sex Pistols and Johnny Rotten were to it in 1977.
Public School Boy. Commodity Trader via his old man's contacts. Professional politician with over loaded expenses. Mates with Billionaire. Mates with ex Tory cabinet ministers Mates with the US President.
Yep, pure punk.
Farage thought he would win against all the major parties. If the major parties aren’t competing, Farage will just look a fool. I don’t think that was his plan.
The Greens must withdraw and make this a straight fight between a performative attention-seeking clown and Count Binface
Will they stand down though? My impression is that the Greens, certainly Polanski, relish the rise of their fellow populists. The more mainstream politics is destabilised the better they like it.
Greens are a very congregationalist party, so it may be a decision for them rather than central party.
I don't think it matters much, but might add to the gaity of the nation over the silly season.
Lab/LD/Green together got 24% last GE, so there is a centre-left vote there.
The Greens must withdraw and make this a straight fight between a performative attention-seeking clown and Count Binface
Will they stand down though? My impression is that the Greens, certainly Polanski, relish the rise of their fellow populists. The more mainstream politics is destabilised the better they like it.
Greens are a very congregationalist party, so it may be a decision for them rather than central party.
I don't think it matters much, but might add to the gaity of the nation over the silly season.
Lab/LD/Green together got 24% last GE, so there is a centre-left vote there.
Pick the right local candidate and the Greens could get all the NIMBYs and localists on the right.
The Greens must withdraw and make this a straight fight between a performative attention-seeking clown and Count Binface
Will they stand down though? My impression is that the Greens, certainly Polanski, relish the rise of their fellow populists. The more mainstream politics is destabilised the better they like it.
Greens are a very congregationalist party, so it may be a decision for them rather than central party.
I don't think it matters much, but might add to the gaity of the nation over the silly season.
Lab/LD/Green together got 24% last GE, so there is a centre-left vote there.
Pick the right local candidate and the Greens could get all the NIMBYs and localists on the right.
Whatever! They should do the only decent thing and withdraw so the main man - Count Binface - has a clear run at Nige.
The other parties should be just about visible rather than the size they are (so about half way up Binface's name in the bar) but that's almost Count Binface's campaign alongside regular constituent meetings at random pub here with sensible placed hand dryers..
How is it that Archer struggled during the test series to get it down much more than 82-83 mph and bowling like Robinson, T20 he rocks up and bowls 90-93 mph.
In awful news - LNER now use Ricky Gervais's gin and whiskey which comes in impossible to open metal bottles.
I'm 80 minutes into a 150 minute journey and appear to be the designated drop of point for problematic (half opened) bottles. I've got my 5th bottle already and I should in theory get 3 for the entire journey.
I never realised it was a genuine product. Always thought the ads I’d seen on Twitter were a pisstake of sleb endorsed plonk such as the Gary Barlow,wine range
Danny DeVito's Limoncello also real. And Walton Goggins has a vodka.
"Farage Gin has previously been sold through a company called Baxter Laois Limited, based in Southend, Essex, about an hour’s drive from Farage’s Clacton home, as well as via Farage’s own online shop.
According to a report by The Mirror, despite having promoted the drink on his website, Farage has never declared any income from the product since he became an MP last July. However, the Farage Gin web link disappeared last autumn and the last Instagram post by @Faragegin was on 20 April 2023. The account currently has 821 followers.
Importantly, while the gin carries Farage’s name, it is his wife Laure Ferrari who is named as sole director and shareholder of the business."
Comments
Each national team manager selects a squad from players who play in that country’s league and have a tournament. All the money ex costs from sponsorship etc is distributed in a reverse way so the lowest ranked leagues get the bulk of the money to share amongst their teams to work towards levelling them up and the top leagues don’t get anything.
Whilst there would be big disparities there already are on a national teams basis anyway but would be fun to see a Premier League 11 take on La Liga 11,Serie A 11, PSG, etc.
Jessica Elgot
@jessicaelgot
Nigel Farage versus Count Binface.
After all these years, could we finally have a silly season August?
https://x.com/jessicaelgot/status/2074552810499084342
Form wise Sinner has been very average so far and had a very kind draw . If Djokovic could keep up this level he could win that elusive 25th Grand Slam .
Do you wait until the only candidates are Farage vs Count Binface and help Count Binface become an MP until at least the next election or do you wait until the second by-election..
I personally hope Count Binface can find some Clacton pubs where the hand dryers need to be moved...
It's 9pm local time in London, everyone in the Royal Box has left the building, and the camera pans to the one person who stayed to watch the last match of the day...Roger Federer
https://x.com/BastienFachan/status/2074444583748940166?s=20
“Sorry Nigel, you’ve failed the fit and proper person test”.
Nigel Farage just called a by-election in Clacton so that the People can take on the Rotten Establishment and take back their country. This is 4D chess.
https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2074486311595937925
I'm 80 minutes into a 150 minute journey and appear to be the designated drop of point for problematic (half opened) bottles. I've got my 5th bottle already and I should in theory get 3 for the entire journey.
Farage won 46.2% of the Clacton vote in 2024, when Reform polled 14.3% nationally.
In the 2014 by election, Carswell won the seat by 59.7%.
Reform is today polling almost double its 2024 numbers.
I would be *shocked* if Farage fails to *increase* his share of the vote in Clacton vs 2024.
This will allow him to claim (with some evidence) that it’s not just that people don’t care about his personal finances - but they actually like him *more* now than they did when they didn’t know about the £5m gift etc.
https://nitter.poast.org/tomhfh/status/2074494861915418654#m
This is something you do not want to get wrong/not be able to back up.
I think Sky might have dropped a clanger. Farage released footage from CCTV which doesn't really show what he has been claiming. But Sky changed their story, now say saying well we did go to that house, yes we did approach people living there to ask to speak to Farage, because it is because Farage is registered to vote there. And Farage is saying I am registered to vote in Clacton.
Questions should be asked in Parliament. When I have a first class seat, my glass should remain full.
t's Boba!!!!!!!!!!!!
You back for Burnham???
Regardless, great to see you my love
Switz 4
Colombia 2.5
Draw 2.94
https://www.betfair.com/exchange/plus/football/market/1.259725211
Because that isn’t how this works.
The entire by election will be a continuous “who pays you” onslaught. He beats Binface. And then the first question is “who pays you” and the formal investigations continue.
It’s bloody stupid.
I’d want 10-1 I think. Simply because the prospect of a massive helmet becoming an MP is so hard to envisage.
Although Farage managed it.
Rachel Reeves (Hiring Manager)
Or are you seriously suggesting democratic mandate erases potential wrongdoing?
If so, do you extend that to other politicans, and why?
Robert Jenrick has a meltdown on #C4News
He refuses to accept that there are parliamentary rules that Nigel Farage may have broken
And insists the only people who can judge Nigel Farage are the people of Clacton
😅 - Whatever you do, please don't share this humiliating clip
https://bsky.app/profile/implausibleblog.bsky.social/post/3mq3eoiznrk2p
He'd probably win a recall too, but it's still a different situation - alleged wrongdoing vs actual wrongdoing. The anti farage vote would have justification to keep pushing.
I didn't want to get into it, because of Trump and Infantino, but I've ended up totally hooked. That's how great it's been.
Still bollocks though. The electorate needs to in possession of all the facts to judge him.
2) Put him and Farage together in one of the Parliamentary bars.
With the right policies, he could win.
I think Sinner will win though. Hope I'm wrong because I'd love to see #25.
Back when I was working in an office remotely managed by a total idiot there used to be occasional punishment trips to be bollocked and given project briefings and hard copies of design info. The beauty of these was that he wouldn't sanction travel before 9.30am due to the cost and the bollocking / briefing would generally be done by early afternoon. So a relaxing trip up with a bacon sarnie and a book, bollocking, diversion via the supermarket for a case of beer to drink on the way back, meet colleagues in the pub to brief them and then rock up the next morning hungover in time for mid-morning bacon sandwich run.
2 decades on I still meet up with those colleagues every year such was the team bond it inspired.
*So Farage's future is advertising Country Life Butter?
Ever get the feeling you've been cheated? Good night!
Commodity Trader via his old man's contacts.
Professional politician with over loaded expenses.
Mates with Billionaire.
Mates with ex Tory cabinet ministers
Mates with the US President.
Yep, pure punk.
I don't think it matters much, but might add to the gaity of the nation over the silly season.
Lab/LD/Green together got 24% last GE, so there is a centre-left vote there.
Vote Early! Vote Often!
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/09/has-nigel-farages-gin-company-been-struck-off/
"Farage Gin has previously been sold through a company called Baxter Laois Limited, based in Southend, Essex, about an hour’s drive from Farage’s Clacton home, as well as via Farage’s own online shop.
According to a report by The Mirror, despite having promoted the drink on his website, Farage has never declared any income from the product since he became an MP last July. However, the Farage Gin web link disappeared last autumn and the last Instagram post by @Faragegin was on 20 April 2023. The account currently has 821 followers.
Importantly, while the gin carries Farage’s name, it is his wife Laure Ferrari who is named as sole director and shareholder of the business."