Maybe all the other Reform MPs ought to resign their seats, and see if the other parties will contest any of those, (with Reform offering to fund the Treasury for the cost of the elections).
Maybe all the other Reform MPs ought to resign their seats, and see if the other parties will contest any of those, (with Reform offering to fund the Treasury for the cost of the elections).
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Another election just a couple of months after the first is something people will notice. They will ask, “Why are we voting again?” and “Why didn’t you stand last time?”
Because the last one was not a real election, this one is.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Another election just a couple of months after the first is something people will notice. They will ask, “Why are we voting again?” and “Why didn’t you stand last time?”
Yes, they'll notice, but I don't think they'll hold it against anyone on the second question. Why would they? Once they know the situation it would clearly be a very different reason for the by-election.
"We didn't stand because he hadn't been found to have done anything wrong before, so why would we ask you to reconsider your choice from two years ago? Now he has done wrong and the people of Clacton triggered this by-election, not him, so we stand"
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Another election just a couple of months after the first is something people will notice. They will ask, “Why are we voting again?” and “Why didn’t you stand last time?”
That's what Farage is hoping for - but he still needs to get people out this time round.
If the other parties know who the none Reform voters in Clacton are - quietly spending a few £k to remind them to vote for the other candidate would be money potentially very well spent.
Did none of the sallow-faced twenty three year old Farage acolytes in his entourage look up from their snapchat and ask:
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
It makes them all look utterly un-democratic.
Eh? Democracy was enacted in Clacton in July 24 when they all stood and Farage won handsomely. Why should they participate in Farage's 'save my skin' project?
I get the argument, but will the voters of Clacton. The other parties all very much want a by-election, they just want it after the Parliamentary investigation has said Farage was a naughty boy. With Davis, there wasn’t a second by-election hanging in the air. Here, there is, and it might come across weird to not fight one but then fight another a short time after.
I don't think voters care about such things. The uninterested Clacton resident might get briefly confused why they are doing it all again, but once it's explained what is the likely outcome? Mostly shrugs, maybe lower turnout if people are bored of it all, but possibly higher if the others actually stand that time, and those who would otherwise back them would hesitate because they didn't stand in this one? Seems unlikely.
“once it’s explained”… Will voters even give you enough time to explain? Is the explanation convincing?
And every minute you spend explaining arcane Parliamentary rules is a minute you’re not repeating the important message of “Farage is rich and corrupt”.
Maybe Owen Jones will stand in Clacton, since he thought the Greens ought to have done so, and he believes someone other than Binface ought to oppose Farage.
Liz Truss. We need Liz to stand. A Farage vs. Binface vs. Liz by-election would be perfect.
Did none of the sallow-faced twenty three year old Farage acolytes in his entourage look up from their snapchat and ask:
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
It makes them all look utterly un-democratic.
Eh? Democracy was enacted in Clacton in July 24 when they all stood and Farage won handsomely. Why should they participate in Farage's 'save my skin' project?
I get the argument, but will the voters of Clacton. The other parties all very much want a by-election, they just want it after the Parliamentary investigation has said Farage was a naughty boy. With Davis, there wasn’t a second by-election hanging in the air. Here, there is, and it might come across weird to not fight one but then fight another a short time after.
Not really - this election is all bluster with Farage trying to get in front of a ton of crap that is coming his way...
Heck I can see why he thought this plan was a great idea but everyone saw through it immediately and an equivalent joke candidate is available and actually rather more deserving of Clacton's vote.
When you say “everyone saw through it immediately”, you mean political journalists and us nerds on PB. That is very much not everyone. Voters do not, by and large, follow these matters closely. The case being made is way too complicated for a political soundbite.
“Farage is a bad ‘un and you should oppose him, but not in this by-election, just in another by-election to come.” That’s not a good doorstep message. “Farage took £5 million and kept it secret,” that’s a good doorstep message, but you can’t use that in this election.
Yes, by not campaigning this time, they don't need a message for now. This is Farage's ego which nobody forced to happen other than him and nobody is playing along.
If they don’t campaign now, Farage gets to define the story, which means he wins the second by-election.
Maybe all the other Reform MPs ought to resign their seats, and see if the other parties will contest any of those, (with Reform offering to fund the Treasury for the cost of the elections).
What would be the reason for them to resign? None of them are facing questions about their financial disclosures as far as I'm aware. What national issue would justify such a grand gesture?
The suggestion confuses me - criticise him or say it is justified Farage's action is about him, and the reporting around him recently. Absent that and what remains as a pretext?
Can honestly say that the decision of the establishment parties not to fight Clacton is one of the biggest mistakes they've ever made. But totally predictable. Exactly what Farage was probably calculating would happen.
I very much doubt Farage expected to be exposed as a Trump like chancer with his attempt to evade scrutiny
This is a farce all of his own making as he is 'Trumped' by the grown ups
I cannot honestly see in what world of madness the establishment parties not standing in this farce is a mistake given there will be another by-election if he proves guilty of failing to tell the authorities about the small matter of five million quid.
Maybe Owen Jones will stand in Clacton, since he thought the Greens ought to have done so, and he believes someone other than Binface ought to oppose Farage.
Liz Truss. We need Liz to stand. A Farage vs. Binface vs. Liz by-election would be perfect.
Maybe all the other Reform MPs ought to resign their seats, and see if the other parties will contest any of those, (with Reform offering to fund the Treasury for the cost of the elections).
What would be the reason for them to resign? None of them are facing questions about their financial disclosures as far as I'm aware. What national issue would justify such a grand gesture?
The suggestion confuses me - criticise him or say it is justified Farage's action is about him, and the reporting around him recently. Absent that and what remains as a pretext?
All of the unionist MPs resigned their seats in 1986 in order to prove a political point they thought was important, so it's happened before.
Did none of the sallow-faced twenty three year old Farage acolytes in his entourage look up from their snapchat and ask:
"What if all the other parties pull out?"
It makes them all look utterly un-democratic.
Eh? Democracy was enacted in Clacton in July 24 when they all stood and Farage won handsomely. Why should they participate in Farage's 'save my skin' project?
I get the argument, but will the voters of Clacton. The other parties all very much want a by-election, they just want it after the Parliamentary investigation has said Farage was a naughty boy. With Davis, there wasn’t a second by-election hanging in the air. Here, there is, and it might come across weird to not fight one but then fight another a short time after.
I don't think voters care about such things. The uninterested Clacton resident might get briefly confused why they are doing it all again, but once it's explained what is the likely outcome? Mostly shrugs, maybe lower turnout if people are bored of it all, but possibly higher if the others actually stand that time, and those who would otherwise back them would hesitate because they didn't stand in this one? Seems unlikely.
“once it’s explained”… Will voters even give you enough time to explain? Is the explanation convincing?
And every minute you spend explaining arcane Parliamentary rules is a minute you’re not repeating the important message of “Farage is rich and corrupt”.
If they are amendable to the message of him being rich and corrupt then a) they won't care that you didn't stand before, b) they will look at what options are available now, not 4 months ago.
"Oh, I agree Farage is rich and corrupt but you didn't stand last time when he wasn't yet found to be corrupt so you don't get my vote" doesn't make any sense to me.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Another election just a couple of months after the first is something people will notice. They will ask, “Why are we voting again?” and “Why didn’t you stand last time?”
Because the last one was not a real election, this one is.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Another election just a couple of months after the first is something people will notice. They will ask, “Why are we voting again?” and “Why didn’t you stand last time?”
Because the last one was not a real election, this one is.
a. That’s not a very good answer, I suggest. The first election will feel like a real election (because it is legally a real election), so you have to explain why you’re calling it not real, and if you’re having to explain, you’re not winning.
b. Even if your strategy works, you’ve lost time and focus from your main message (Farage is corrupt).
Maybe all the other Reform MPs ought to resign their seats, and see if the other parties will contest any of those, (with Reform offering to fund the Treasury for the cost of the elections).
What would be the reason for them to resign? None of them are facing questions about their financial disclosures as far as I'm aware. What national issue would justify such a grand gesture?
The suggestion confuses me - criticise him or say it is justified Farage's action is about him, and the reporting around him recently. Absent that and what remains as a pretext?
All of the unionist MPs resigned their seats in 1986 in order to prove a political point they thought was important, so it's happened before.
Yes, but I asked what political point they would be proving here. You didn't suggest one, and still haven't - Farage resigned on a point of personal principle, not a policy or party matter.
What would the rest of Reform be resigning about? What important matter would make for a grand gesture?
I'm not even ridiculing the idea in theory at some point, but you surely have some idea what they'd resign about since you suggest they might do it.
Grifters to the left of me, grifters to the right of me....
MSP who ‘begged for cash’ to fund visa has £250k house in India
A property in Manivannan’s home of Chennai which is the size of a typical semi-detached home in the UK (97sqm) would cost around $60,140 (£44,974), according to website Global Property Guide
Bod in the studio reckons "Switzerland deserved that". Seems to be a recurring theme that the team that creates fewer chances 'deserves it's', personally I'd rather the flawed attacking team goes through as a neutral. Disappointing result
I assume the next thing that will happen in this saga is that someone will decide to stand as an "Independent X candidate" where X is one of the centre-left parties, and then the party concerned will be so annoyed that they'll try to launch some sort of legal action against them, but it would probably fail because everyone has the right to stand as an independent candidate if they wish to.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Another election just a couple of months after the first is something people will notice. They will ask, “Why are we voting again?” and “Why didn’t you stand last time?”
Because the last one was not a real election, this one is.
a. That’s not a very good answer, I suggest. The first election will feel like a real election (because it is legally a real election), so you have to explain why you’re calling it not real, and if you’re having to explain, you’re not winning.
b. Even if your strategy works, you’ve lost time and focus from your main message (Farage is corrupt).
a - is simple, Farage paid for it as a political stunt - and by the looks of it the receipts will be available.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Another election just a couple of months after the first is something people will notice. They will ask, “Why are we voting again?” and “Why didn’t you stand last time?”
Yes, they'll notice, but I don't think they'll hold it against anyone on the second question. Why would they? Once they know the situation it would clearly be a very different reason for the by-election.
"We didn't stand because he hadn't been found to have done anything wrong before, so why would we ask you to reconsider your choice from two years ago? Now he has done wrong and the people of Clacton triggered this by-election, not him, so we stand"
“Once they know the situation”: again, time explaining all this to people who don’t follow politics is time lost on your key campaign messages.
Also, it’s not like the other parties don’t think Farage is in the wrong now. They’re all going around saying Farage has done something wrong now.
Maybe all the other Reform MPs ought to resign their seats, and see if the other parties will contest any of those, (with Reform offering to fund the Treasury for the cost of the elections).
What would be the reason for them to resign? None of them are facing questions about their financial disclosures as far as I'm aware. What national issue would justify such a grand gesture?
The suggestion confuses me - criticise him or say it is justified Farage's action is about him, and the reporting around him recently. Absent that and what remains as a pretext?
All of the unionist MPs resigned their seats in 1986 in order to prove a political point they thought was important, so it's happened before.
Yes, but I asked what political point they would be proving here. You didn't suggest one, and still haven't - Farage resigned on a point of personal principle, not a policy or party matter.
What would the rest of Reform be resigning about? What important matter would make for a grand gesture?
I'm not even ridiculing the idea in theory at some point, but you surely have some idea what they'd resign about since you suggest they might do it.
People are not treating our Dear Leader with deference.
If people won't give you the time of day to explain why you didn't stand in a by-election 4 months before another one, they aren't going to listen to your message about Farage at the second one anyway, they'll continue to back the incumbent. If they don't like Farage either historically or because he has just had a recall petition for being corrupt, then they'll be angry enough at him to give you the time of day, if for some reason you are angry they didn't stand before he was found corrupt.
I assume the next thing that will happen in this saga is that someone will decide to stand as an "Independent X candidate" where X is one of the centre-left parties, and then the party concerned will be so annoyed that they'll try to launch some sort of legal action against them, but it would probably fail because everyone has the right to stand as an independent candidate if they wish to.
but not with the word independent in front of a registered party name.
I assume the next thing that will happen in this saga is that someone will decide to stand as an "Independent X candidate" where X is one of the centre-left parties, and then the party concerned will be so annoyed that they'll try to launch some sort of legal action against them, but it would probably fail because everyone has the right to stand as an independent candidate if they wish to.
Under modern election law, you can’t stand as “independent Labour” or “independent Conservative”. No legal action needed.
I assume the next thing that will happen in this saga is that someone will decide to stand as an "Independent X candidate" where X is one of the centre-left parties, and then the party concerned will be so annoyed that they'll try to launch some sort of legal action against them, but it would probably fail because everyone has the right to stand as an independent candidate if they wish to.
People can stand as an independent, but they cannot stand under a label which might confuse people into thinking they were backed or affiliated with another political party. That's why someone cannot stand as Independent Reform either. You're not allowed to trick people like that.
So I don't think it would even require a legal challenge, the election workers would just not accept such a label to be used because it is not permissible.
So this 'example' of establishment parties being 'devious' probably fails.
I assume the next thing that will happen in this saga is that someone will decide to stand as an "Independent X candidate" where X is one of the centre-left parties, and then the party concerned will be so annoyed that they'll try to launch some sort of legal action against them, but it would probably fail because everyone has the right to stand as an independent candidate if they wish to.
Under modern election law, you can’t stand as “independent Labour” or “independent Conservative”. No legal action needed.
I assume the next thing that will happen in this saga is that someone will decide to stand as an "Independent X candidate" where X is one of the centre-left parties, and then the party concerned will be so annoyed that they'll try to launch some sort of legal action against them, but it would probably fail because everyone has the right to stand as an independent candidate if they wish to.
but not with the word independent in front of a registered party name.
Sounds like establishment devilry to me. I blame the Literal Democrats.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Another election just a couple of months after the first is something people will notice. They will ask, “Why are we voting again?” and “Why didn’t you stand last time?”
Because the last one was not a real election, this one is.
a. That’s not a very good answer, I suggest. The first election will feel like a real election (because it is legally a real election), so you have to explain why you’re calling it not real, and if you’re having to explain, you’re not winning.
b. Even if your strategy works, you’ve lost time and focus from your main message (Farage is corrupt).
a - is simple, Farage paid for it as a political stunt - and by the looks of it the receipts will be available.
Indeed.
I don't think Farage v Count Binhead will feel like a real election to anyone and anyone who cares enough about the law to know it technically is one will also understand why they haven't stood.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Another election just a couple of months after the first is something people will notice. They will ask, “Why are we voting again?” and “Why didn’t you stand last time?”
Because the last one was not a real election, this one is.
a. That’s not a very good answer, I suggest. The first election will feel like a real election (because it is legally a real election), so you have to explain why you’re calling it not real, and if you’re having to explain, you’re not winning.
b. Even if your strategy works, you’ve lost time and focus from your main message (Farage is corrupt).
a - is simple, Farage paid for it as a political stunt - and by the looks of it the receipts will be available.
Indeed.
I don't think Farage v Count Binhead will feel like a real election to anyone and anyone who cares enough about the law to know it technically is one will also understand why they haven't stood.
There'll be next to no political activity going on - Binface will show up to a few pubs I guess, as will Nigel - and media coverage even locally will surely have little to go on. I would be impressed but surprised if the turnout is decent.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Another election just a couple of months after the first is something people will notice. They will ask, “Why are we voting again?” and “Why didn’t you stand last time?”
Yes, they'll notice, but I don't think they'll hold it against anyone on the second question. Why would they? Once they know the situation it would clearly be a very different reason for the by-election.
"We didn't stand because he hadn't been found to have done anything wrong before, so why would we ask you to reconsider your choice from two years ago? Now he has done wrong and the people of Clacton triggered this by-election, not him, so we stand"
“Once they know the situation”: again, time explaining all this to people who don’t follow politics is time lost on your key campaign messages.
Also, it’s not like the other parties don’t think Farage is in the wrong now. They’re all going around saying Farage has done something wrong now.
I don't agree with the time lost point. I think it really overeggs the idea that more than a bare handful of people will hold some kind of resentment that people did not stand last time, since it also relies on people knowing nothing about the circumstances of why the parties didn't, yet placing primary significance on the fact they did not.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Another election just a couple of months after the first is something people will notice. They will ask, “Why are we voting again?” and “Why didn’t you stand last time?”
Because the last one was not a real election, this one is.
a. That’s not a very good answer, I suggest. The first election will feel like a real election (because it is legally a real election), so you have to explain why you’re calling it not real, and if you’re having to explain, you’re not winning.
b. Even if your strategy works, you’ve lost time and focus from your main message (Farage is corrupt).
a - is simple, Farage paid for it as a political stunt - and by the looks of it the receipts will be available.
Indeed.
I don't think Farage v Count Binhead will feel like a real election to anyone and anyone who cares enough about the law to know it technically is one will also understand why they haven't stood.
Grifters to the left of me, grifters to the right of me....
MSP who ‘begged for cash’ to fund visa has £250k house in India
A property in Manivannan’s home of Chennai which is the size of a typical semi-detached home in the UK (97sqm) would cost around $60,140 (£44,974), according to website Global Property Guide
Maybe Owen Jones will stand in Clacton, since he thought the Greens ought to have done so, and he believes someone other than Binface ought to oppose Farage.
Liz Truss. We need Liz to stand. A Farage vs. Binface vs. Liz by-election would be perfect.
I assume the next thing that will happen in this saga is that someone will decide to stand as an "Independent X candidate" where X is one of the centre-left parties, and then the party concerned will be so annoyed that they'll try to launch some sort of legal action against them, but it would probably fail because everyone has the right to stand as an independent candidate if they wish to.
I think this is also a good example of where people really want to believe opponents are insidious rather than just holding different beliefs, and so quickly believe an easily disprovable theory of how they might trip themselves up with their insidiousness. Hopecasting even.
Worth remembering and not assuming Reform or Labour or whomever will do whatever dastardly thing you think.
Well, good night everybody. Unfortunately I never did get any indication on whether it matters whether Farage failed to disclose a gift, nor what point to prove might cause Reform to resign en masse, fun as that would be, but hey ho, I'm not entitled to answers nor is anyone entitled to answers from me.
Grifters to the left of me, grifters to the right of me....
MSP who ‘begged for cash’ to fund visa has £250k house in India
A property in Manivannan’s home of Chennai which is the size of a typical semi-detached home in the UK (97sqm) would cost around $60,140 (£44,974), according to website Global Property Guide
The Telegraph read it in the register of interests, so...?
They have claimed this horrific background story growing up in poverty and hunger, and parents who were forced to be prozzies to make ends meet, and asked for donations to help get by. And yet they own a house worth 4x the average semi-detached property in India in their 20s. I think its valid thing to point out that perhaps they might not having been telling the whole truth.
The hard far right join the chat....Laurence Fox has announced that he will stand as a candidate in the Clacton-on-Sea by-election.
I think he had moved his mob in with Restore.
No, Lozza is yet another Re…
Redo, or Repeat or Rejig.
I can’t remember which.
Reclaim. I seemed to remember he is backed by some mega wealthy person as well. But clearly they backed the wrong horse as all he has done is end up spending all that money on legal fees.
The hard far right join the chat....Laurence Fox has announced that he will stand as a candidate in the Clacton-on-Sea by-election.
I think he had moved his mob in with Restore.
No, Lozza is yet another Re…
Redo, or Repeat or Rejig.
I can’t remember which.
Reclaim. I seemed to remember he is backed by some mega wealthy person as well. But clearly they backed the wrong horse as all he has done is end up spending all that money on legal fees.
Previously run under blinkers and with a hood but failed to stop tendency to run off course...
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
I am wondering what political normies who have never heard of Count Binface despite his presence in recent years at high profile by-elections like Makerfield, will make of 'Farage to face off against Binface' headlines.
If the Greens are also not standing, which now seems to be the case, Binface must surely get equal time with broadcasters ? Look forward to seeing him on the Question Time special.
It is both illegal to share such information, and likely to get people arrested or killed by the Iranian regime, if this is true..
The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund has filed a lawsuit alleging that the Trump administration has been sharing confidential information about Iranian asylum seekers with the Iranian government. https://x.com/ABC/status/2074525878462095574
Farage can not simply resign - he must apply for a paid position as the Vicar of Dibley (or something). Just reject his application. Therefore no byelection. Let him sweat until the investigation into him is complete.
Well yesterday morning the rumour was that Sen. Mitch McConnell was either dead or brain-dead in the hospital, by this morning a number of Republicans say they’ve spoken to him, that rumours of his demise are incorrect.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
Given how much centrist dads love Binface, he may be the establishment.
Binface was afaicr a 'led by donkeys' style centrist dad campaign. Rather sad I think. The appropriation and commodification of British eccentricity. I'd be upset if I were the Monster Raving Loony Party.
He puts in more effort than them, simple as that. It'll all be mostly safe light satire from the centre, but that's in the spirit of a joke candidate to not be very serious. I like his mixing local pledges alongside sillier ideas.
He is apparently 'The banksy of satire'*
*has billious attack.
It's just quite manipulative. The MRLP seem genuinely joyous eccentrics. Their being superseded by a soft left marketing campaign in a silver mask is a depressing sign of the times.
Nah, the OMRLP have been rubbish for years, but I agree Binface isn't very funny either.
But being a bit half arsed is part of the joke itself.
Well yesterday morning the rumour was that Sen. Mitch McConnell was either dead or brain-dead in the hospital, by this morning a number of Republicans say they’ve spoken to him, that rumours of his demise are incorrect.
Well yesterday morning the rumour was that Sen. Mitch McConnell was either dead or brain-dead in the hospital, by this morning a number of Republicans say they’ve spoken to him, that rumours of his demise are incorrect.
I think the evidence of him having had a heart attack is pretty strong. Beyond that, who knows?
Agreed. He was to the hospital by ambulance a couple of weeks ago, following what was either a heart attack or a stroke, and hasn’t been heard from since.
The conspiracy theory is that he only needs to be alive for another couple of weeks to avoid an autumn by-election, so that’s what “they” are doing.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
Given how much centrist dads love Binface, he may be the establishment.
Binface was afaicr a 'led by donkeys' style centrist dad campaign. Rather sad I think. The appropriation and commodification of British eccentricity. I'd be upset if I were the Monster Raving Loony Party.
He puts in more effort than them, simple as that. It'll all be mostly safe light satire from the centre, but that's in the spirit of a joke candidate to not be very serious. I like his mixing local pledges alongside sillier ideas.
He is apparently 'The banksy of satire'*
*has billious attack.
It's just quite manipulative. The MRLP seem genuinely joyous eccentrics. Their being superseded by a soft left marketing campaign in a silver mask is a depressing sign of the times.
Nah, the OMRLP have been rubbish for years, but I agree Binface isn't very funny either.
But being a bit half arsed is part of the joke itself.
Binface v Farage on Question Time, just the two of them, would be absolutely hilarious though!
NF takes himself way too seriously to deal with standing against a comedy character.
Well yesterday morning the rumour was that Sen. Mitch McConnell was either dead or brain-dead in the hospital, by this morning a number of Republicans say they’ve spoken to him, that rumours of his demise are incorrect.
Fascinating events. Creative approach by Farage to take control of the situation, but a surprising and possibly effective approach by everyone else to say they’re not playing.
But let’s say Farage beats Binface and is re-elected, then the investigation(s) into him re-start, they suggest a suspension, there’s a recall petition and another by-election in which everyone stands… I can see voters being fed up then that they have to go vote again. They’ll say to the candidates, “Well, why didn’t you stand a few months ago?” Maybe it increases Farage’s chance of winning that new election.
It all becomes a farce, but I don’t know that the electorate will all blame Farage for the farce.
The parties should privately find some independent, serious candidate to stand this time and win.
I don't think the public will react all that much, now or at some future by-election. Not least because without an actual contest going on beyond Farage, Binface, and possibly a handful of other unheard of minor parties and local loonies (as opposed to Loonies), it won't get much press and the reason for it will quickly fade from memory unless it all kicks up again once he is back in Parliament.
But the little things can add up. Farage has a lot of baggage, is very liked by some and very hated by others, and at the moment the party is doing pretty well nonetheless. I'd expect that to continue in the short term.
If he's recalled a second time because he's found to have breached the rules I don't think the outcome will be much affected by their already having been one recently. Reform are strong enough locally he'd probably still win, but the level might be down a little as the few people who are waiting for the evidence to make up their mind would maybe switch, but everyone else will be just as fired up, or not, as before.
Another election just a couple of months after the first is something people will notice. They will ask, “Why are we voting again?” and “Why didn’t you stand last time?”
Because the last one was not a real election, this one is.
a. That’s not a very good answer, I suggest. The first election will feel like a real election (because it is legally a real election), so you have to explain why you’re calling it not real, and if you’re having to explain, you’re not winning.
b. Even if your strategy works, you’ve lost time and focus from your main message (Farage is corrupt).
a - is simple, Farage paid for it as a political stunt - and by the looks of it the receipts will be available.
Indeed.
I don't think Farage v Count Binhead will feel like a real election to anyone and anyone who cares enough about the law to know it technically is one will also understand why they haven't stood.
There'll be next to no political activity going on - Binface will show up to a few pubs I guess, as will Nigel - and media coverage even locally will surely have little to go on. I would be impressed but surprised if the turnout is decent.
Depending on the date, the weather, and how limp the campaign is, we may get a new low turnout record.
Well yesterday morning the rumour was that Sen. Mitch McConnell was either dead or brain-dead in the hospital, by this morning a number of Republicans say they’ve spoken to him, that rumours of his demise are incorrect.
I think the evidence of him having had a heart attack is pretty strong. Beyond that, who knows?
Agreed. He was to the hospital by ambulance a couple of weeks ago, following what was either a heart attack or a stroke, and hasn’t been heard from since.
The conspiracy theory is that he only needs to be alive for another couple of weeks to avoid an autumn by-election, so that’s what “they” are doing.
People on all sides of the political specrtrum are want to believe conspiracy theories about their political opponents.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
Given how much centrist dads love Binface, he may be the establishment.
Binface was afaicr a 'led by donkeys' style centrist dad campaign. Rather sad I think. The appropriation and commodification of British eccentricity. I'd be upset if I were the Monster Raving Loony Party.
He puts in more effort than them, simple as that. It'll all be mostly safe light satire from the centre, but that's in the spirit of a joke candidate to not be very serious. I like his mixing local pledges alongside sillier ideas.
He is apparently 'The banksy of satire'*
*has billious attack.
It's just quite manipulative. The MRLP seem genuinely joyous eccentrics. Their being superseded by a soft left marketing campaign in a silver mask is a depressing sign of the times.
Nah, the OMRLP have been rubbish for years, but I agree Binface isn't very funny either.
But being a bit half arsed is part of the joke itself.
Binface v Farage on Question Time, just the two of them, would be absolutely hilarious though!
NF takes himself way too seriously to deal with standing against a comedy character.
ASSUMING the Beeb do not have such an event, then m'Lud, what was the purpose of the Makerfield Question Time, why were half of the candidates not present ?
I put it to you m'Lud that the Makerfield QT was in fact nothing more than a device to help one candidate, in fact subsequently the successful candidate project the image he wanted to project. As that QT was within the Election period, it was worth more than £500, it follows that it was third party support for one candidate and as such ought to be included in his election expenses.
I put it to you m'Lud that it isn't and that was not an oversight but a cynical device worth at least £500k to the successful candidate. That is the reason m'Lud my client, an aggrieved elector of Makerfield deprived of lawful representation in the House of Commons is seeking a Writ of Undue Election.
Well yesterday morning the rumour was that Sen. Mitch McConnell was either dead or brain-dead in the hospital, by this morning a number of Republicans say they’ve spoken to him, that rumours of his demise are incorrect.
I think the evidence of him having had a heart attack is pretty strong. Beyond that, who knows?
Agreed. He was to the hospital by ambulance a couple of weeks ago, following what was either a heart attack or a stroke, and hasn’t been heard from since.
The conspiracy theory is that he only needs to be alive for another couple of weeks to avoid an autumn by-election, so that’s what “they” are doing.
People on all sides of the political specrtrum are want to believe conspiracy theories about their political opponents.
I for one never believe in conspiracy theories, I only deal in facts, like the fact that the moon landings were faked.
Well yesterday morning the rumour was that Sen. Mitch McConnell was either dead or brain-dead in the hospital, by this morning a number of Republicans say they’ve spoken to him, that rumours of his demise are incorrect.
I think the evidence of him having had a heart attack is pretty strong. Beyond that, who knows?
Agreed. He was to the hospital by ambulance a couple of weeks ago, following what was either a heart attack or a stroke, and hasn’t been heard from since.
The conspiracy theory is that he only needs to be alive for another couple of weeks to avoid an autumn by-election, so that’s what “they” are doing.
People on all sides of the political specrtrum are want to believe conspiracy theories about their political opponents.
It's not a conspiracy theory to say that McConnell has effectively disappeared for several weeks, or to point out the deadline for a special election. Those are simply facts.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
Given how much centrist dads love Binface, he may be the establishment.
Binface was afaicr a 'led by donkeys' style centrist dad campaign. Rather sad I think. The appropriation and commodification of British eccentricity. I'd be upset if I were the Monster Raving Loony Party.
He puts in more effort than them, simple as that. It'll all be mostly safe light satire from the centre, but that's in the spirit of a joke candidate to not be very serious. I like his mixing local pledges alongside sillier ideas.
He is apparently 'The banksy of satire'*
*has billious attack.
It's just quite manipulative. The MRLP seem genuinely joyous eccentrics. Their being superseded by a soft left marketing campaign in a silver mask is a depressing sign of the times.
Nah, the OMRLP have been rubbish for years, but I agree Binface isn't very funny either.
But being a bit half arsed is part of the joke itself.
Binface v Farage on Question Time, just the two of them, would be absolutely hilarious though!
NF takes himself way too seriously to deal with standing against a comedy character.
Will Count BinFace be like the Mandalorian and not remove their helmet in public?
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
Given how much centrist dads love Binface, he may be the establishment.
Binface was afaicr a 'led by donkeys' style centrist dad campaign. Rather sad I think. The appropriation and commodification of British eccentricity. I'd be upset if I were the Monster Raving Loony Party.
He puts in more effort than them, simple as that. It'll all be mostly safe light satire from the centre, but that's in the spirit of a joke candidate to not be very serious. I like his mixing local pledges alongside sillier ideas.
He is apparently 'The banksy of satire'*
*has billious attack.
It's just quite manipulative. The MRLP seem genuinely joyous eccentrics. Their being superseded by a soft left marketing campaign in a silver mask is a depressing sign of the times.
Nah, the OMRLP have been rubbish for years, but I agree Binface isn't very funny either.
But being a bit half arsed is part of the joke itself.
Binface v Farage on Question Time, just the two of them, would be absolutely hilarious though!
NF takes himself way too seriously to deal with standing against a comedy character.
ASSUMING the Beeb do not have such an event, then m'Lud, what was the purpose of the Makerfield Question Time, why were half of the candidates not present ?
I put it to you m'Lud that the Makerfield QT was in fact nothing more than a device to help one candidate, in fact subsequently the successful candidate project the image he wanted to project. As that QT was within the Election period, it was worth more than £500, it follows that it was third party support for one candidate and as such ought to be included in his election expenses.
I put it to you m'Lud that it isn't and that was not an oversight but a cynical device worth at least £500k to the successful candidate. That is the reason m'Lud my client, an aggrieved elector of Makerfield deprived of lawful representation in the House of Commons is seeking a Writ of Undue Election.
What a load of bollocks.
Firstly, the only people potentially unfairly disadvantaged were parties who were not present, You can't argue that it unfairly disadvantaged Kenyon on the basis he was transparently a useless lump - that was his and Reform's problem, not the problem of the BBC.
Secondly, the choice of parties represented was wholly justified based on polls and past performance. There has never beem a requirement to give equal prominance to every fringe candidate in an election - their existence was properly acknowledged.
Thirdly, there is no rule that a broadcaster has to give the same prominence to every by-election. There has always been more interest in some by-elections than others.
Finally, your criticism is of the BBC, not Burnham. You can't get an election writ based on a broadcaster who isn't controlled by a candidate doing something you say is in brweach of due impartiality (although, as I say, it clearly isn't).
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.
You can be registered to vote in more than one place.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 16m Official. Count Binface v The Establishment Candidate.
Given how much centrist dads love Binface, he may be the establishment.
Binface was afaicr a 'led by donkeys' style centrist dad campaign. Rather sad I think. The appropriation and commodification of British eccentricity. I'd be upset if I were the Monster Raving Loony Party.
He puts in more effort than them, simple as that. It'll all be mostly safe light satire from the centre, but that's in the spirit of a joke candidate to not be very serious. I like his mixing local pledges alongside sillier ideas.
He is apparently 'The banksy of satire'*
*has billious attack.
It's just quite manipulative. The MRLP seem genuinely joyous eccentrics. Their being superseded by a soft left marketing campaign in a silver mask is a depressing sign of the times.
Nah, the OMRLP have been rubbish for years, but I agree Binface isn't very funny either.
But being a bit half arsed is part of the joke itself.
Binface v Farage on Question Time, just the two of them, would be absolutely hilarious though!
NF takes himself way too seriously to deal with standing against a comedy character.
Will Count BinFace be like the Mandalorian and not remove their helmet in public?
Comments
"We didn't stand because he hadn't been found to have done anything wrong before, so why would we ask you to reconsider your choice from two years ago? Now he has done wrong and the people of Clacton triggered this by-election, not him, so we stand"
If the other parties know who the none Reform voters in Clacton are - quietly spending a few £k to remind them to vote for the other candidate would be money potentially very well spent.
And every minute you spend explaining arcane Parliamentary rules is a minute you’re not repeating the important message of “Farage is rich and corrupt”.
The suggestion confuses me - criticise him or say it is justified Farage's action is about him, and the reporting around him recently. Absent that and what remains as a pretext?
"Oh, I agree Farage is rich and corrupt but you didn't stand last time when he wasn't yet found to be corrupt so you don't get my vote" doesn't make any sense to me.
b. Even if your strategy works, you’ve lost time and focus from your main message (Farage is corrupt).
What would the rest of Reform be resigning about? What important matter would make for a grand gesture?
I'm not even ridiculing the idea in theory at some point, but you surely have some idea what they'd resign about since you suggest they might do it.
MSP who ‘begged for cash’ to fund visa has £250k house in India
A property in Manivannan’s home of Chennai which is the size of a typical semi-detached home in the UK (97sqm) would cost around $60,140 (£44,974), according to website Global Property Guide
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/94ebc04bb0a011a5
Disappointing result
Also, it’s not like the other parties don’t think Farage is in the wrong now. They’re all going around saying Farage has done something wrong now.
So I don't think it would even require a legal challenge, the election workers would just not accept such a label to be used because it is not permissible.
So this 'example' of establishment parties being 'devious' probably fails.
I don't think Farage v Count Binhead will feel like a real election to anyone and anyone who cares enough about the law to know it technically is one will also understand why they haven't stood.
Redo, or Repeat or Rejig.
I can’t remember which.
Worth remembering and not assuming Reform or Labour or whomever will do whatever dastardly thing you think.
For the mayoral contest he failed to get his papers in, so could be a non-runner, probably trigger a Rule 4 deduction
https://x.com/maitlis/status/2074609873967268201#m
Could be time to cashout
I think the current record is 26!
Peter.
Look forward to seeing him on the Question Time special.
The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund has filed a lawsuit alleging that the Trump administration has been sharing confidential information about Iranian asylum seekers with the Iranian government.
https://x.com/ABC/status/2074525878462095574
Reform claiming that Farage was "not politically active".
https://x.com/ABC/status/2074525878462095574
Farage was chairman of Reform, and appeared on Question Time in both 2023 and 2024.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5205604/
The US has now revoked Iran's oil sanctions waiver.
Issuance of Amended Iran-related General License
https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20260707
Saratov.
https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2074651901799411954
Americans appear to have attacked the launch sites in return.
Brent up 3% this morning, over $70.
https://x.com/scottjenningsky/status/2074537046752845872
https://x.com/abc/status/2074597349783933082
Some are not so sure though, think it’s all about as co-ordinated as the Dems all turning on Platner overnight. https://x.com/kyliejanekremer/status/2074562302590796193
But being a bit half arsed is part of the joke itself.
The conspiracy theory is that he only needs to be alive for another couple of weeks to avoid an autumn by-election, so that’s what “they” are doing.
NF takes himself way too seriously to deal with standing against a comedy character.
Or is it that Republicans are right to pretend McConnell isn't dead ?
I put it to you m'Lud that the Makerfield QT was in fact nothing more than a device to help one candidate, in fact subsequently the successful candidate project the image he wanted to project. As that QT was within the Election period, it was worth more than £500, it follows that it was third party support for one candidate and as such ought to be included in his election expenses.
I put it to you m'Lud that it isn't and that was not an oversight but a cynical device worth at least £500k to the successful candidate. That is the reason m'Lud my client, an aggrieved elector of Makerfield deprived of lawful representation in the House of Commons is seeking a Writ of Undue Election.
What an odd by-election.
Those are simply facts.
Firstly, the only people potentially unfairly disadvantaged were parties who were not present, You can't argue that it unfairly disadvantaged Kenyon on the basis he was transparently a useless lump - that was his and Reform's problem, not the problem of the BBC.
Secondly, the choice of parties represented was wholly justified based on polls and past performance. There has never beem a requirement to give equal prominance to every fringe candidate in an election - their existence was properly acknowledged.
Thirdly, there is no rule that a broadcaster has to give the same prominence to every by-election. There has always been more interest in some by-elections than others.
Finally, your criticism is of the BBC, not Burnham. You can't get an election writ based on a broadcaster who isn't controlled by a candidate doing something you say is in brweach of due impartiality (although, as I say, it clearly isn't).
Case laughed out of court.
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