Labour draws level with Reform after Burnham's takeover
Labour has drawn level with Reform UK in polling following the takeover of Andy Burnham as party leader and prime minister.
A survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of Sky News and The Times shows the government drawing level with Nigel Farage's party.
Reform has dominated public opinion for a significant chunk of this parliament.
Today's results come as Labour gained a slight boost after Burnham came to power, and Farage's party fell in popularity.
It is the first time that Labour has been in a position other than behind Reform UK since 14 April 2025.
The results were as follows:
Zooming out a bit,
Although our latest voting intention poll (22-23 July 2026) is largely within the margin of error of our previous poll, Labour is up six points from its low of 16% recorded as recently as May, while Reform UK's figure is the lowest recorded by our tracker since March 2025
If you want to spook the market cause uncertainty then
Burnham was clear just now he is not scrapping stamp duty
Once there is concerted speculation nothing a government can do or say will be definitive for the foreseeable future in removing grounds for further speculation. All of: Yes, No, No for now, Wait and see, No Comment are fuel to the fire.
I think if Burnham said "We won't be doing anything like that without a general election", then that would be fine. Okay, you could argue that just shifts the speculation on to will there be an early election but that uncertainty is there anyway.
Interesting no 10 have said Burnham has no plans to scrap council tax or stamp duty
Lots of wasted discussion on previous thread if so
He wouldn't be able to do anything as radical as that without having a general election first.
Yes he would. Parliament is sovereign.
In fact, he would be far better off doing it well in advance in a general election in hope of the benefits smothering the controversies by the time the votes were cast. The other way around, as Theresa May and Stanley Baldwin could explain to you, tends to be sub-optimal in electoral terms.
Do you know, I'd never done this until this morning, but I had a look at the 1987 Conservative manifesto:
We will legislate in the first Session of the new Parliament to abolish the unfair domestic rating system and replace rates with a fairer Community Charge.
This will be a fixed rate charge for local services paid by those over the age of 18, except the mentally ill and elderly people living in homes and hospitals. The less-well-off and students will not have to pay the full charge but everyone will be aware of the costs as well as the benefits of local services.
And the way they sold it, as being a much cheaper and fairer way of doing local taxes, was immensely popular.
Until the moment they realised that it would cost them more...
Labour draws level with Reform after Burnham's takeover
Labour has drawn level with Reform UK in polling following the takeover of Andy Burnham as party leader and prime minister.
A survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of Sky News and The Times shows the government drawing level with Nigel Farage's party.
Reform has dominated public opinion for a significant chunk of this parliament.
Today's results come as Labour gained a slight boost after Burnham came to power, and Farage's party fell in popularity.
It is the first time that Labour has been in a position other than behind Reform UK since 14 April 2025.
The results were as follows:
Zooming out a bit,
Although our latest voting intention poll (22-23 July 2026) is largely within the margin of error of our previous poll, Labour is up six points from its low of 16% recorded as recently as May, while Reform UK's figure is the lowest recorded by our tracker since March 2025
If you want to spook the market cause uncertainty then
Burnham was clear just now he is not scrapping stamp duty
Once there is concerted speculation nothing a government can do or say will be definitive for the foreseeable future in removing grounds for further speculation. All of: Yes, No, No for now, Wait and see, No Comment are fuel to the fire.
We need to find ways to make London the centre of European finance once again. And if that requires the abolition of Stamp duty then so be it. This is our biggest single industry. Allowing things that harm it to remain on the statute books is as absurd as stopping the exploitation of north sea oil and gas. And only a lunatic would do that*.
Labour draws level with Reform after Burnham's takeover
Labour has drawn level with Reform UK in polling following the takeover of Andy Burnham as party leader and prime minister.
A survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of Sky News and The Times shows the government drawing level with Nigel Farage's party.
Reform has dominated public opinion for a significant chunk of this parliament.
Today's results come as Labour gained a slight boost after Burnham came to power, and Farage's party fell in popularity.
It is the first time that Labour has been in a position other than behind Reform UK since 14 April 2025.
The results were as follows:
Zooming out a bit,
Although our latest voting intention poll (22-23 July 2026) is largely within the margin of error of our previous poll, Labour is up six points from its low of 16% recorded as recently as May, while Reform UK's figure is the lowest recorded by our tracker since March 2025
The main swing seems to be from Green to Labour as MiC shows, that is what has given Burnham a Labour lead with the pollster today and is also shown in other polls.
Reform are also down a little since Burnham entered No10, the Tories and LDs little changed. Indeed the Reform lead over the Tories has been slashed to almost nothing, so Kemi might have something to thank him for
It only takes a third of reform to switch to Kemi to get her to 30% on that poll
Reeves announced a Mansion Tax (additional Council tax) on properties over £2m in the 2025 Budget.
Implementation date? April 2028.
That's right - it's going to take two and a half years just to value properties over £2m and do all the admin to bring that in.
Many people on here don't seem to have any idea of how long it takes to make major changes.
If, and it's a huge if, Burnham did want to scrap Stamp Duty and bring in a Land Value Tax the implementation date would be 2030 at the absolute earliest, more likely 2031 or 2032.
There is literally zero chance of any change like this actually coming into effect pre GE.
Disgraceful decision to stop (a mere £2.8million) funding for Jodrell Bank and hence force its closure . Andy Burnham needs to reverse this given his no 10 north will cost more . Are we really this dumbed down as a society we can spend billions in unnecessary welfare and millions on a new office for the pm but not on a national scientific and heritage site ?
Reeves announced a Mansion Tax (additional Council tax) on properties over £2m in the 2025 Budget.
Implementation date? April 2028.
That's right - it's going to take two and a half years just to value properties over £2m and do all the admin to bring that in.
Many people on here don't seem to have any idea of how long it takes to make major changes.
If, and it's a huge if, Burnham did want to scrap Stamp Duty and bring in a Land Value Tax the implementation date would be 2030 at the absolute earliest, more likely 2031 or 2032.
There is literally zero chance of any change like this actually coming into effect pre GE.
I think we understand how long it takes for the government to make major changes.
Disgraceful decision to stop (a mere £2.8million) funding for Jodrell Bank and hence force its closure . Andy Burnham needs to reverse this given his no 10 north will cost more . Are we really this dumbed down as a society we can spend billions in unnecessary welfare and millions on a new office for the pm but not on a national scientific and heritage site ?
There seems to be a disconnect between your aspiration for Jodrell and your PB name. I'm confused.
Reeves announced a Mansion Tax (additional Council tax) on properties over £2m in the 2025 Budget.
Implementation date? April 2028.
That's right - it's going to take two and a half years just to value properties over £2m and do all the admin to bring that in.
Many people on here don't seem to have any idea of how long it takes to make major changes.
If, and it's a huge if, Burnham did want to scrap Stamp Duty and bring in a Land Value Tax the implementation date would be 2030 at the absolute earliest, more likely 2031 or 2032.
There is literally zero chance of any change like this actually coming into effect pre GE.
You get the preparation underway now but the announcement can't be until after the next election - and even then you need to be very careful and put in some mitigation for those who pay stamp duty after date xyz...
If you want to spook the market cause uncertainty then
Burnham was clear just now he is not scrapping stamp duty
Who do you believe? "No mandate, open borders Andy" ( Nice one Nigey) or the Daily Telegraph?
Burnham own words
As has just been said, and commented on earlier by a financial adviser scrapping council tax and stamp duty would take us through the next GE and why for it to succeed it needs cross party support
Disgraceful decision to stop (a mere £2.8million) funding for Jodrell Bank and hence force its closure . Andy Burnham needs to reverse this given his no 10 north will cost more . Are we really this dumbed down as a society we can spend billions in unnecessary welfare and millions on a new office for the pm but not on a national scientific and heritage site ?
There seems to be a disconnect between your aspiration for Jodrell and your PB name. I'm confused.
Why? The name does not mean I don’t want any government spending just less and spending on effective things like this. Does this answer your rather smug enquiry?
Labour draws level with Reform after Burnham's takeover
Labour has drawn level with Reform UK in polling following the takeover of Andy Burnham as party leader and prime minister.
A survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of Sky News and The Times shows the government drawing level with Nigel Farage's party.
Reform has dominated public opinion for a significant chunk of this parliament.
Today's results come as Labour gained a slight boost after Burnham came to power, and Farage's party fell in popularity.
It is the first time that Labour has been in a position other than behind Reform UK since 14 April 2025.
The results were as follows:
Let's be honest, drawing level with Farage on 22% is a bit disappointing after the earlier poll from MoreInCommon.
Not really, no. And your own posts reinforce that. It's a heck of a turnaround in 2 months. You couldn't stop going on about the fact they were third with this pollster only weeks ago. Third to (joint) first is, as I am sure you can accept, an decent turnaround in such a short space of time.
If you want to spook the market cause uncertainty then
Burnham was clear just now he is not scrapping stamp duty
Who do you believe? "No mandate, open borders Andy" ( Nice one Nigey) or the Daily Telegraph?
Burnham own words
As has just been said, and commented on earlier by a financial adviser scrapping council tax and stamp duty would take us through the next GE and why for it to succeed it needs cross party support
Getting the committee together to discuss the selection of the committee to decide the biscuits for the committee that decides on the colour of the logo for the team that looks at the possibility of doing this will take us past the next election.
There seem to be many on here who believe, or just parrot, that Kemi is anti human rights and anti the environment, because she wants out of the ECHR and Net Zero
Are the ECHR and Net Zero the only ways to get human rights and green policies (obviously unconnected to Green policies)?
No. The problem with the ECHR is that it's a living document, with future additions and amendments done by the judges in Strasbourg. This may result in findings that the British find unsatisfactory, and those only increase with time. The answer is to freeze it at a given moment (the British Fork, so to speak), respect the existing rights, and any further amendments can then be incorporated by the British or ignored as Parliament decrees.
Problem is, the "ECHR departure" option tends to be invoked by politicians who would cheerfully deny the existing rights to their designated targets, which leads to discomfort with the electorate who aren't stupid.
There seem to be many on here who believe, or just parrot, that Kemi is anti human rights and anti the environment, because she wants out of the ECHR and Net Zero
Are the ECHR and Net Zero the only ways to get human rights and green policies (obviously unconnected to Green policies)?
No. The problem with the ECHR is that it's a living document, with future additions and amendments done by the judges in Strasbourg. This may result in findings that the British find unsatisfactory, and those only increase with time. The answer is to freeze it at a given moment (the British Fork, so to speak), respect the existing rights, and any further amendments can then be incorporated by the British or ignored as Parliament decrees.
Problem is, the "ECHR departure" option tends to be invoked by politicians who would cheerfully deny the existing rights to their designated targets, which leads to discomfort with the electorate who aren't stupid.
And that the living instrument doctrine is an invention of those judges.
Disgraceful decision to stop (a mere £2.8million) funding for Jodrell Bank and hence force its closure . Andy Burnham needs to reverse this given his no 10 north will cost more . Are we really this dumbed down as a society we can spend billions in unnecessary welfare and millions on a new office for the pm but not on a national scientific and heritage site ?
It's a big loss for a small amount of money. (And presumably will lead to some urgent looking down the back of the sofa.) But it's the endpoint of where science funding policy has been going for decades.
For most of the time I've been watching/participating in/watching science, the game has been "is this research going to turn into sellable product in 5-10 years?" It's a similar mindset to the "is this degree going to give a return on investment?"
And in general, radio astronomy doesn't lead to things you can sell, except for flagship science documentaries. And we've already got Professor Brian Cox for that.
Maggie was, unsurprisingly, the last PM to really get that.
📰 'Andy Burnham needs to stop talking about Thatcher', according to Rishi Sunak in July 2026.
🗞️ 'I will be the heir to Margaret Thatcher': 'I am a Thatcherite, I am running as a Thatcherite and I will govern as a Thatcherite,' according to Rishi Sunak in July 2022. https://x.com/exPremiers/status/2081304230724239792
It's impossible to avoid speaking about Thatcher. More than any other politician since Atlee she is responsible for the way the country is now (for good or ill). The core of political debate is whether you accept the Thatcher dispensation or you don't.
The Left still hate Thatcher because she pointed out the impracticalities of all they held dear.
Then fixed them.
I'm not at all convinced Burnham hates Thatcher; I certainly don't. But she made an awful lot of mistakes we've never acknowledged.
It's an easy cop out to dismiss criticism as irrational hate.
Let's be genrous and say you are highly unusual on the Left in not blaming the ills of the Universe on Thtacher.
What I heard from Burnham last week didn't suggest he was a paid up member of the Maggie fan club!
I think it's perfectly possible to dislike large parts of Thatcher's political and economic legacy without hating the woman herself. For my part I think there was much to admire about Thatcher as well as much to dislike. Moreover, even if you might have thought her prognosis of the UK's problems in the 1970s and her solutions were correct at the time it doesn't imply that the UK's current problems necessarily share the same source or are amenable to the same solutions.
The more you read up on macroeconomic policy through that era (for example cf. the tyranny of nostalgia) the more you realise that that Tory government didn’t understand what it was doing, and insofar as it didn’t, didn’t care about the consequences. They inherited some favourable winds - notably, North Sea Oil - but rather than exercise the wisdom of the Norwegians, didn’t invest this but instead blew it on tax cuts for the rich. There were undoubtedly some issues outstanding from the 1970s that were resolved by the Thatcher government’s blunt instruments, but in the round they left us with the poisoned chalice with which we now struggle. With hindsight, Blair should have been braver in recognising her toxic legacy rather than seeking to absorb and build upon it.
Why would he? By 1997 the UK had low inflation, low unemployment, few strikes and strong growth. Foot and Kinnock twice had both been defeated strongly opposing Thatcherism so Blair had to accept much of it.
Even now Burnham's repudiating Thatcherism still only gets Labour to 28% at best, with the divide on the Thatcherite right between Tories and Reform gifting Labour a poll lead
Isn't the term 'Thatcherism' being used as cover for imprecision of thought? Which bits, what policies, which outcomes, what alternatives, how best to deal next with what might be a better discussion.
Mrs T, like all PMs from Attlee was implementing post WWII social democracy in a particular way significant for the times, and imperfectly. Burnham suggests (and no-one suggests) serious derogation from social democracy. He is neither a socialist nor a libertarian.
There are, it seems to me two deep questions: Is the social democrat deal of 1945 and onwards deliverable in any form?
If it is, then how. If it isn't, what would be the next national deal after the last 80 years.
Burnham's answer is obvious: continue and extend the social democratic deal; evidence - his concern for social care as a function of the state.
What I've learned from my observation of politics is that Thatcherism means 'what I currently am doing' for some people on the right and no more, no less.
Sure, it can probably be actually defined, but like any loose term with the passage of time it has become a couple of basic ideological points and some slogans.
The worst President in American history and the worst man to be President in American history.
No one will live up the legacy of William Henry Harrison, who could definitively state he left the country in just as good a state as it was when he took up office.
31 days in office... which is why he is usually not on the list of Presidential rankings. After Trump in last place, I guess Buchanan and Harding fight it out for the also ran of worst American Presidents.
Poor old Nixon, not even considered the worst President.
Interesting think exercise. We all know the industrial scale bad stuff about Trump, but as a tonic so to speak name one good thing that Trump has done. Anything at all?
Because Nixon and Harding were awful presidents but they also had achievements - Harding in getting federal finances under control and limited civil rights; Nixon - sex equality, EPA and arms control.
For his supporters introducing tariffs and deporting, he did get the Abraham Accords agreed between Israel and Arab states too
It’s a reasonable argument that the government should seek a positive net return . However it spends hundreds of billions on youth welfare benefits that produce no return and worse destroy meaningful lives .
It’s seems therefore illogical to deny a poultry sun for a northern ( listening Andy?) icon that is respected locally , nationally and internationally
📰 'Andy Burnham needs to stop talking about Thatcher', according to Rishi Sunak in July 2026.
🗞️ 'I will be the heir to Margaret Thatcher': 'I am a Thatcherite, I am running as a Thatcherite and I will govern as a Thatcherite,' according to Rishi Sunak in July 2022. https://x.com/exPremiers/status/2081304230724239792
It's impossible to avoid speaking about Thatcher. More than any other politician since Atlee she is responsible for the way the country is now (for good or ill). The core of political debate is whether you accept the Thatcher dispensation or you don't.
The Left still hate Thatcher because she pointed out the impracticalities of all they held dear.
Then fixed them.
I'm not at all convinced Burnham hates Thatcher; I certainly don't. But she made an awful lot of mistakes we've never acknowledged.
It's an easy cop out to dismiss criticism as irrational hate.
Let's be genrous and say you are highly unusual on the Left in not blaming the ills of the Universe on Thtacher.
What I heard from Burnham last week didn't suggest he was a paid up member of the Maggie fan club!
I think it's perfectly possible to dislike large parts of Thatcher's political and economic legacy without hating the woman herself. For my part I think there was much to admire about Thatcher as well as much to dislike. Moreover, even if you might have thought her prognosis of the UK's problems in the 1970s and her solutions were correct at the time it doesn't imply that the UK's current problems necessarily share the same source or are amenable to the same solutions.
The more you read up on macroeconomic policy through that era (for example cf. the tyranny of nostalgia) the more you realise that that Tory government didn’t understand what it was doing, and insofar as it didn’t, didn’t care about the consequences. They inherited some favourable winds - notably, North Sea Oil - but rather than exercise the wisdom of the Norwegians, didn’t invest this but instead blew it on tax cuts for the rich. There were undoubtedly some issues outstanding from the 1970s that were resolved by the Thatcher government’s blunt instruments, but in the round they left us with the poisoned chalice with which we now struggle. With hindsight, Blair should have been braver in recognising her toxic legacy rather than seeking to absorb and build upon it.
Why would he? By 1997 the UK had low inflation, low unemployment, few strikes and strong growth. Foot and Kinnock twice had both been defeated strongly opposing Thatcherism so Blair had to accept much of it.
Even now Burnham's repudiating Thatcherism still only gets Labour to 28% at best, with the divide on the Thatcherite right between Tories and Reform gifting Labour a poll lead
Isn't the term 'Thatcherism' being used as cover for imprecision of thought? Which bits, what policies, which outcomes, what alternatives, how best to deal next with what might be a better discussion.
Mrs T, like all PMs from Attlee was implementing post WWII social democracy in a particular way significant for the times, and imperfectly. Burnham suggests (and no-one suggests) serious derogation from social democracy. He is neither a socialist nor a libertarian.
There are, it seems to me two deep questions: Is the social democrat deal of 1945 and onwards deliverable in any form?
If it is, then how. If it isn't, what would be the next national deal after the last 80 years.
Burnham's answer is obvious: continue and extend the social democratic deal; evidence - his concern for social care as a function of the state.
What I've learned from my observation of politics is that Thatcherism means 'what I currently am doing' for some people on the right and no more, no less.
Sure, it can probably be actually defined, but like any loose term with the passage of time it has become a couple of basic ideological points and some slogans.
The worst President in American history and the worst man to be President in American history.
No one will live up the legacy of William Henry Harrison, who could definitively state he left the country in just as good a state as it was when he took up office.
31 days in office... which is why he is usually not on the list of Presidential rankings. After Trump in last place, I guess Buchanan and Harding fight it out for the also ran of worst American Presidents.
Poor old Nixon, not even considered the worst President.
I give Nixon credit for resigning and also losing the 1960 election with honour.
He also established diplomatic relations with China, established the EPA and negotiated Salt 1 with the USSR and the Paris Peace talks over Vietnam and desegregated southern schools.
Nixon was also probably the highest IQ US President there has been since WW2 for all his faults
GOP president, certainly.
Carter (businessman and nuclear engineer) Clinton (Rhodes scholar) and Obama are somewhere up there.
Yes but I would say Nixon had a higher IQ than them too, Hillary had she become President would probably have matched Nixon in raw IQ terms (maybe Gore as well) but she lost to Trump in 2016 of course and Gore to Bush in 2000
Labour draws level with Reform after Burnham's takeover
Labour has drawn level with Reform UK in polling following the takeover of Andy Burnham as party leader and prime minister.
A survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of Sky News and The Times shows the government drawing level with Nigel Farage's party.
Reform has dominated public opinion for a significant chunk of this parliament.
Today's results come as Labour gained a slight boost after Burnham came to power, and Farage's party fell in popularity.
It is the first time that Labour has been in a position other than behind Reform UK since 14 April 2025.
The results were as follows:
Covers same timeframe as MiC but with Labour tied with Reform not ahead and the top 3 parties all lower than MiC has them. The Greens do 5% better with Yougov than with MiC
Disgraceful decision to stop (a mere £2.8million) funding for Jodrell Bank and hence force its closure . Andy Burnham needs to reverse this given his no 10 north will cost more . Are we really this dumbed down as a society we can spend billions in unnecessary welfare and millions on a new office for the pm but not on a national scientific and heritage site ?
At that cost - which sounds low - if Jodrell Bank is worth having would not our wealthier universities be queueing to have it. The Fenland poly and the servitors of Oxenford come to mind. But Manchester isn't far away, and scientists all vote.
Interesting no 10 have said Burnham has no plans to scrap council tax or stamp duty
Lots of wasted discussion on previous thread if so
He wouldn't be able to do anything as radical as that without having a general election first.
Yes he would. Parliament is sovereign.
In fact, he would be far better off doing it well in advance in a general election in hope of the benefits smothering the controversies by the time the votes were cast. The other way around, as Theresa May and Stanley Baldwin could explain to you, tends to be sub-optimal in electoral terms.
Do you know, I'd never done this until this morning, but I had a look at the 1987 Conservative manifesto:
We will legislate in the first Session of the new Parliament to abolish the unfair domestic rating system and replace rates with a fairer Community Charge.
This will be a fixed rate charge for local services paid by those over the age of 18, except the mentally ill and elderly people living in homes and hospitals. The less-well-off and students will not have to pay the full charge but everyone will be aware of the costs as well as the benefits of local services.
It's the most economically right wing manifesto any British government has ever been elected on.
I think the Hundred are getting really desparate, 4 emails today with offers.
Not surprised.
I went to a lot of Hundred matches last year and the year before, and was thinking about going to the match yesterday at Trent Bridge. But then I saw the price was £54 instead of £40 last year and decided not to go. £40 was already a bit on the steep side for that type of slightly trashy cricket.
Disgraceful decision to stop (a mere £2.8million) funding for Jodrell Bank and hence force its closure . Andy Burnham needs to reverse this given his no 10 north will cost more . Are we really this dumbed down as a society we can spend billions in unnecessary welfare and millions on a new office for the pm but not on a national scientific and heritage site ?
At that cost - which sounds low - if Jodrell Bank is worth having would not our wealthier universities be queueing to have it. The Fenland poly and the servitors of Oxenford come to mind. But Manchester isn't far away, and scientists all vote.
This sounds like a Great British Sausage gambit by someone.
I think the Hundred are getting really desparate, 4 emails today with offers.
You're on their mailing list? I wouldn't be admitting to that on here...
I been to a few matches, didn't like it. I was thinking maybe I will be nice and take my mates kids to a game so stay subscribed and previous years the spamming hasn't really been very much.
I think the Hundred are getting really desparate, 4 emails today with offers.
You're on their mailing list? I wouldn't be admitting to that on here...
I been to a few matches, didn't like it. I was thinking maybe I will be nice and take my mates kids to a game so stay subscribed and previous years the spamming hasn't really been very much.
Interesting no 10 have said Burnham has no plans to scrap council tax or stamp duty
Lots of wasted discussion on previous thread if so
He wouldn't be able to do anything as radical as that without having a general election first.
Following the precedent of Major and Heseltine, who held a general election before introducing council tax?
Well they were getting rid of the hated Poll Tax and they were already Conservative MP's and in the case of Major, a senior cabinet member in Thatchers last government.
Situation with Burnham is very different, given he wasn't even an MP until a couple of weeks ago. If he wants to do anything radical or that deviates too much from Starmers manifesto he really must call an election.
And I think he will. I think we'll have another general election next spring at the latest.
Now I think Farage / Reform make a lot out of nothing most of the the time, but erhh this 2 weeks after a politician has been murdered. Seems like Walter Titty has deleted it now, I am sure he will claim something or other about not noticing.
I think the Hundred are getting really desparate, 4 emails today with offers.
Not surprised.
I went to a lot of Hundred matches last year and the year before, and was thinking about going to the match yesterday at Trent Bridge. But then I saw the price was £54 instead of £40 last year and decided not to go. £40 was already a bit on the steep side for that type of slightly trashy cricket.
£54 for a Hundred match? T20 Blast have got that expensive like that, didn't realise Hundred had. All the offers I am getting is come for £25, then £20, now £15 and bring kids for a £5.
I think the Hundred are getting really desparate, 4 emails today with offers.
Not surprised.
I went to a lot of Hundred matches last year and the year before, and was thinking about going to the match yesterday at Trent Bridge. But then I saw the price was £54 instead of £40 last year and decided not to go. £40 was already a bit on the steep side for that type of slightly trashy cricket.
£40 for a Hundred match? T20 Blast have got that expensive, didn't realise Hundred had. All the offers I am getting is come for £25, then £20, now £15 and bring kids for a £5.
The global cricket franchise companies didn't give the ECB and counties a pile of cash out of the goodness of their hearts.
..if Brits share Burnham’s view about neglect of the north, they are less engaged by his argument that neo-liberalism is to blame for our problems. 20% say it is to blame, 12% it isn’t. But that may be because only 1 in 5 say they could actually describe what neoliberalism is https://x.com/LukeTryl/status/2081425154316386638
I'm astonished it's 1 in 5. My guess is that maybe 1 in 20 could actually do so.
I think the Hundred are getting really desparate, 4 emails today with offers.
Not surprised.
I went to a lot of Hundred matches last year and the year before, and was thinking about going to the match yesterday at Trent Bridge. But then I saw the price was £54 instead of £40 last year and decided not to go. £40 was already a bit on the steep side for that type of slightly trashy cricket.
£54 for a Hundred match? T20 Blast have got that expensive like that, didn't realise Hundred had. All the offers I am getting is come for £25, then £20, now £15 and bring kids for a £5.
I presume these are the amounts they are paying you to go ? Like a drugs trial sort of thing - unpleasant but bearable for the right amount of money
Interesting no 10 have said Burnham has no plans to scrap council tax or stamp duty
Lots of wasted discussion on previous thread if so
He wouldn't be able to do anything as radical as that without having a general election first.
Following the precedent of Major and Heseltine, who held a general election before introducing council tax?
Only to scrap the unpopular poll tax
U-turns on manifesto commitments are fair game then, so long as they are popular.
Not really. Even then, they were pushing it and I remember at the time a lot of people thought they should have an election after Mrs T was overthrown.
And we're talking about nearly 40 years ago.... In theory we should have more demorctraitc accountability now than we did all those years ago, not less.
I think the Hundred are getting really desparate, 4 emails today with offers.
Not surprised.
I went to a lot of Hundred matches last year and the year before, and was thinking about going to the match yesterday at Trent Bridge. But then I saw the price was £54 instead of £40 last year and decided not to go. £40 was already a bit on the steep side for that type of slightly trashy cricket.
£54 for a Hundred match? T20 Blast have got that expensive like that, didn't realise Hundred had. All the offers I am getting is come for £25, then £20, now £15 and bring kids for a £5.
I presume these are the amounts they are paying you to go ?
LOL. Even then I will probably give it a pass. I just can't stand all the fake US inspired "hyping" and TikTok-esque constant over stimulation. And I say that am really enjoying going to England T20 where there is plenty of music and sing-alongs. I know its for the kiddies, but its like the worst bits of US sports attempts at filling dead air.
It’s a reasonable argument that the government should seek a positive net return . However it spends hundreds of billions on youth welfare benefits that produce no return and worse destroy meaningful lives .
It’s seems therefore illogical to deny a poultry sun for a northern ( listening Andy?) icon that is respected locally , nationally and internationally
They just need to rename it Jodrell North Bank and the money will come flowing in.
I think the Hundred are getting really desparate, 4 emails today with offers.
Not surprised.
I went to a lot of Hundred matches last year and the year before, and was thinking about going to the match yesterday at Trent Bridge. But then I saw the price was £54 instead of £40 last year and decided not to go. £40 was already a bit on the steep side for that type of slightly trashy cricket.
£54 for a Hundred match? T20 Blast have got that expensive like that, didn't realise Hundred had. All the offers I am getting is come for £25, then £20, now £15 and bring kids for a £5.
I presume these are the amounts they are paying you to go ?
LOL. Even then I will probably give it a pass. I just can't stand all the fake US inspired "hyping" and TikTok-esque constant over stimulation. And I say that am really enjoying going to England T20 where there is plenty of music and sing-alongs. I know its for the kiddies, but its like the worst bits of US sports attempts at filling dead air.
Last Night's Trent Rockets victory was as exciting as cricket gets.
Despite high expectations, and generally liking the output by Nolan that I've seen, I felt it was flat, turgid, way too long and pretty badly acted. Gratified to see a similar criticism.
Sean Bean in Troy was better. Actually, Troy was the better film imo.
I know its the hundred (and I can feel @ydoethur's hackles rising already) but there is a lot of talk about how Sam Curran's captaincy has improved out of all recognition in the last couple of years. He may not be the worst idea for captain of the test team but I'd still like to see more of him in the longer forms of the game.
Despite high expectations, and generally liking the output by Nolan that I've seen, I felt it was flat, turgid, way too long and pretty badly acted. Gratified to see a similar criticism.
Sean Bean in Troy was better. Actually, Troy was the better film imo.
Far better film on atm in The Invite . Very very funny almost belly ache laughing at times ( I tend to be grumpy as well)
..if Brits share Burnham’s view about neglect of the north, they are less engaged by his argument that neo-liberalism is to blame for our problems. 20% say it is to blame, 12% it isn’t. But that may be because only 1 in 5 say they could actually describe what neoliberalism is https://x.com/LukeTryl/status/2081425154316386638
I'm astonished it's 1 in 5. My guess is that maybe 1 in 20 could actually do so.
(Or they're just confident they could google it.)
Probably about the same number who can define liberalism, socialism, social democracy, conservatism and populism
It’s a reasonable argument that the government should seek a positive net return . However it spends hundreds of billions on youth welfare benefits that produce no return and worse destroy meaningful lives .
It’s seems therefore illogical to deny a poultry sun for a northern ( listening Andy?) icon that is respected locally , nationally and internationally
The Starmer government have overseen a load of cuts to things that don't save any money but pretty clear benefits and generally really illogical decision while unwillng to tackle the big costs / just borrowing a load more. They did reverse the super computer one after initially binning that and wasting a year. But also not willing to give AZN £10m extra for a R&D facility, which resulted in them pulling £100m's in investment. Stuff like they cut the funding available for an adopted kid to get counselling to save £50m a year. Imagine if the Tories did that.
Despite high expectations, and generally liking the output by Nolan that I've seen, I felt it was flat, turgid, way too long and pretty badly acted. Gratified to see a similar criticism.
Sean Bean in Troy was better. Actually, Troy was the better film imo.
I haven't seen it, but a couple of people I know who have said it was a bit boring. Nolan makes some amazing films, but also likes to make ones that don't half gone on and not above making some stinkers, Tenet was utter balls.
I think the Hundred are getting really desparate, 4 emails today with offers.
Not surprised.
I went to a lot of Hundred matches last year and the year before, and was thinking about going to the match yesterday at Trent Bridge. But then I saw the price was £54 instead of £40 last year and decided not to go. £40 was already a bit on the steep side for that type of slightly trashy cricket.
£40 for a Hundred match? T20 Blast have got that expensive, didn't realise Hundred had. All the offers I am getting is come for £25, then £20, now £15 and bring kids for a £5.
The global cricket franchise companies didn't give the ECB and counties a pile of cash out of the goodness of their hearts.
Sure. But the gate receipts are absolute peanuts in the overall scheme of things.
Four home games - average paying crowd say 10,000 - so 40,000 @ say £30 per ticket (£25 exc VAT) gives £1m
Reform UK say they are reporting Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police after he shared a post to his Instagram which included a photo of a man wearing a top featuring the name "Nigel" alongside an image of a guillotine.
Now I think Farage / Reform make a lot out of nothing most of the the time, but erhh this 2 weeks after a politician has been murdered. Seems like Walter Titty has deleted it now, I am sure he will claim something or other about not noticing.
I think the Hundred are getting really desparate, 4 emails today with offers.
Not surprised.
I went to a lot of Hundred matches last year and the year before, and was thinking about going to the match yesterday at Trent Bridge. But then I saw the price was £54 instead of £40 last year and decided not to go. £40 was already a bit on the steep side for that type of slightly trashy cricket.
£40 for a Hundred match? T20 Blast have got that expensive, didn't realise Hundred had. All the offers I am getting is come for £25, then £20, now £15 and bring kids for a £5.
The global cricket franchise companies didn't give the ECB and counties a pile of cash out of the goodness of their hearts.
Sure. But the gate receipts are absolute peanuts in the overall scheme of things.
Four home games - average paying crowd say 10,000 - so 40,000 @ say £30 per ticket (£25 exc VAT) gives £1m
ONE million pounds - it's absolutely laughable.
The goal is global T20 franchises with traveling carnival of matches every month. 300-400m watch IPL games, that is ultimately what they want to tap into with a consistent diet of T20 matches and then also increase the viewership worldwide e.g 4m already subscribe to Willow tv in the US.
And no fans at all, no atmosphere, is a known killer for viewership.
I think the Hundred are getting really desparate, 4 emails today with offers.
Not surprised.
I went to a lot of Hundred matches last year and the year before, and was thinking about going to the match yesterday at Trent Bridge. But then I saw the price was £54 instead of £40 last year and decided not to go. £40 was already a bit on the steep side for that type of slightly trashy cricket.
£54 for a Hundred match? T20 Blast have got that expensive like that, didn't realise Hundred had. All the offers I am getting is come for £25, then £20, now £15 and bring kids for a £5.
I presume these are the amounts they are paying you to go ?
LOL. Even then I will probably give it a pass. I just can't stand all the fake US inspired "hyping" and TikTok-esque constant over stimulation. And I say that am really enjoying going to England T20 where there is plenty of music and sing-alongs. I know its for the kiddies, but its like the worst bits of US sports attempts at filling dead air.
Last Night's Trent Rockets victory was as exciting as cricket gets.
I'm reminded of the caddy who was asked what he thought of a rich man's game:
Well, sir, your game is no so bad, but I think golf is better.
Reform UK say they are reporting Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police after he shared a post to his Instagram which included a photo of a man wearing a top featuring the name "Nigel" alongside an image of a guillotine.
Reform UK say they are reporting Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police after he shared a post to his Instagram which included a photo of a man wearing a top featuring the name "Nigel" alongside an image of a guillotine.
Should they not be reporting the bloke wearing the t-shirt first if that is the route they want to go down?
I am no Polanski fan, but retweeting an unpleasant post about Farage and the work of the Grim Reaper is less problematic than Farage quoting Andrew Tate bullshite which caused riots and the attempted burning of migrants in their hotel beds.
Reform UK say they are reporting Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police after he shared a post to his Instagram which included a photo of a man wearing a top featuring the name "Nigel" alongside an image of a guillotine.
Reform UK say they are reporting Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police after he shared a post to his Instagram which included a photo of a man wearing a top featuring the name "Nigel" alongside an image of a guillotine.
Reform UK say they are reporting Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police after he shared a post to his Instagram which included a photo of a man wearing a top featuring the name "Nigel" alongside an image of a guillotine.
Should they not be reporting the bloke wearing the t-shirt first if that is the route they want to go down?
I am no Polanski fan, but retweeting an unpleasant post about Farage and the work of the Grim Reaper is less problematic than Farage quoting Andrew Tate bullshite which caused riots and the attempted burning of migrants in their hotel beds.
Farage considers he is such a victim.
It's not the grim reaper it's a guillotine. Implication quite clear. And should someone behead Farage tonight you would look rather foolish.
Polanski is an idiot, every bit as stupid as Corbyn.
Reform UK say they are reporting Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police after he shared a post to his Instagram which included a photo of a man wearing a top featuring the name "Nigel" alongside an image of a guillotine.
I don't usually pay much attention to the below the line comments, but I did happen to see this one - and it's great!
Morrissey gave an interview shortly after this and said the police raided his house looking for a guillotine. "Curiously, they actually found one." Morrissey said. lol
Reform UK say they are reporting Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police after he shared a post to his Instagram which included a photo of a man wearing a top featuring the name "Nigel" alongside an image of a guillotine.
Should they not be reporting the bloke wearing the t-shirt first if that is the route they want to go down?
I am no Polanski fan, but retweeting an unpleasant post about Farage and the work of the Grim Reaper is less problematic than Farage quoting Andrew Tate bullshite which caused riots and the attempted burning of migrants in their hotel beds.
Farage considers he is such a victim.
He'll be fine. He's got a £5m personal security budget. I'd worry otherwise.
The walls are closing in on Todd Blanche, Trump's Attorney General.
Katie Phang, a campaigning lawyer who has taken Court Action to force the release of particular unredacted emails where individuals other than victims' have had their details redacted in violation of the law, reviewing a few items of detail like an impatient school teacher:
Reform UK say they are reporting Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police after he shared a post to his Instagram which included a photo of a man wearing a top featuring the name "Nigel" alongside an image of a guillotine.
Reform UK say they are reporting Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police after he shared a post to his Instagram which included a photo of a man wearing a top featuring the name "Nigel" alongside an image of a guillotine.
Reform UK say they are reporting Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police after he shared a post to his Instagram which included a photo of a man wearing a top featuring the name "Nigel" alongside an image of a guillotine.
I think the Hundred are getting really desparate, 4 emails today with offers.
Not surprised.
I went to a lot of Hundred matches last year and the year before, and was thinking about going to the match yesterday at Trent Bridge. But then I saw the price was £54 instead of £40 last year and decided not to go. £40 was already a bit on the steep side for that type of slightly trashy cricket.
£54 for a Hundred match? T20 Blast have got that expensive like that, didn't realise Hundred had. All the offers I am getting is come for £25, then £20, now £15 and bring kids for a £5.
I presume these are the amounts they are paying you to go ?
LOL. Even then I will probably give it a pass. I just can't stand all the fake US inspired "hyping" and TikTok-esque constant over stimulation. And I say that am really enjoying going to England T20 where there is plenty of music and sing-alongs. I know its for the kiddies, but its like the worst bits of US sports attempts at filling dead air.
I'm just a grumpy old man about all this, and having been brought up on Lords and the Oval, for the last 40 years have lived outside first class cricket country. Children got into the Oval for 1/6 when I first went in about 1962/3.
Cricket is now fragmented, commercialised and often fake, with often nothing at stake but cash. That's fine with football, it's a viable culture. Cricket is only a viable culture if the game matters more than money, if there is something real at stake and if it is accessible at a high level nationally.
I don't believe it can ever recover until home test matches are live on free to air, until test series are the crown of the year and the County Championship (in a single division) is the main dish.
It is sad to remember how recently - 2005 was it - that a five match ashes series on free to air telly captivated millions.
Thinking about our woeful ashes series in the winter, and the rubbish we played against NZ, and looking at empty stands in the WI tests makes me think it may well be beyond recovery except at the very local level, where it quietly carries on.
It’s a reasonable argument that the government should seek a positive net return . However it spends hundreds of billions on youth welfare benefits that produce no return and worse destroy meaningful lives .
It’s seems therefore illogical to deny a poultry sun for a northern ( listening Andy?) icon that is respected locally , nationally and internationally
They just need to rename it Jodrell North Bank and the money will come flowing in.
Jodrell West Bank, and then all the Greens will come on board.
Now I think Farage / Reform make a lot out of nothing most of the the time, but erhh this 2 weeks after a politician has been murdered. Seems like Walter Titty has deleted it now, I am sure he will claim something or other about not noticing.
Comments
Although our latest voting intention poll (22-23 July 2026) is largely within the margin of error of our previous poll, Labour is up six points from its low of 16% recorded as recently as May, while Reform UK's figure is the lowest recorded by our tracker since March 2025
https://bsky.app/profile/yougov.co.uk/post/3mrnbqqcdc226
(*TM Ed Miliband)
Reform -1
Conservative +1
Lib Dem -3
Greens - 0
From last poll
Repeated over and over again, week in, week out and always with the pause or talk of pause but with new threats on a Monday as markets open.
Trump to Axios: I'm ready for "strong military action" if Iran talks fail
https://www.axios.com/2026/07/27/trump-interview-iran-bombing-pause
Repeated over and over again, week in, week out and always with the pause or talk of pause but with new threats on a Monday as markets open.
Trump to Axios: I'm ready for "strong military action" if Iran talks fail
https://www.axios.com/2026/07/27/trump-interview-iran-bombing-pause
Implementation date? April 2028.
That's right - it's going to take two and a half years just to value properties over £2m and do all the admin to bring that in.
Many people on here don't seem to have any idea of how long it takes to make major changes.
If, and it's a huge if, Burnham did want to scrap Stamp Duty and bring in a Land Value Tax the implementation date would be 2030 at the absolute earliest, more likely 2031 or 2032.
There is literally zero chance of any change like this actually coming into effect pre GE.
But not always _why_ it takes so long.
As has just been said, and commented on earlier by a financial adviser scrapping council tax and stamp duty would take us through the next GE and why for it to succeed it needs cross party support
‘I would be ashamed to have written any part of this’: Odyssey translator Emily Wilson attacks Nolan blockbuster
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jul/27/odyssey-translator-emily-wilson-attacks-nolan-blockbuster
Long way to go and this is only one poll.
Problem is, the "ECHR departure" option tends to be invoked by politicians who would cheerfully deny the existing rights to their designated targets, which leads to discomfort with the electorate who aren't stupid.
@DaleJohnsonBBC
The Ifab confirms in a circular that mistaken identity should not be used for simulation as it was at the World Cup.
Now, which two countries benefited from the misreading of the laws of the game?
For most of the time I've been watching/participating in/watching science, the game has been "is this research going to turn into sellable product in 5-10 years?" It's a similar mindset to the "is this degree going to give a return on investment?"
And in general, radio astronomy doesn't lead to things you can sell, except for flagship science documentaries. And we've already got Professor Brian Cox for that.
Maggie was, unsurprisingly, the last PM to really get that.
It’s seems therefore illogical to deny a poultry sun for a northern ( listening Andy?) icon that is respected locally , nationally and internationally
https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/andy-burnham-leeds-health-social-care-north-5HjdfCs_2/
I really liked it.
I went to a lot of Hundred matches last year and the year before, and was thinking about going to the match yesterday at Trent Bridge. But then I saw the price was £54 instead of £40 last year and decided not to go. £40 was already a bit on the steep side for that type of slightly trashy cricket.
Situation with Burnham is very different, given he wasn't even an MP until a couple of weeks ago. If he wants to do anything radical or that deviates too much from Starmers manifesto he really must call an election.
And I think he will. I think we'll have another general election next spring at the latest.
This is what Zack Polanski has just posted on his instagram.
https://x.com/Nigel_Farage/status/2081778915903779244
https://x.com/LukeTryl/status/2081425154316386638
I'm astonished it's 1 in 5.
My guess is that maybe 1 in 20 could actually do so.
(Or they're just confident they could google it.)
And we're talking about nearly 40 years ago.... In theory we should have more demorctraitc accountability now than we did all those years ago, not less.
Sean Bean in Troy was better. Actually, Troy was the better film imo.
Four home games - average paying crowd say 10,000 - so 40,000 @ say £30 per ticket (£25 exc VAT) gives £1m
ONE million pounds - it's absolutely laughable.
Ailbhe Rea
@PronouncedAlva
Excl: John Healey has appointed Will Straw as his Chief of Staff in the Treasury.
Ailbhe Rea
@PronouncedAlva
Excl: John Healey has appointed Will Straw as his Chief of Staff in the Treasury.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y063yqlleo
Should they not be reporting the bloke wearing the t-shirt first if that is the route they want to go down?
And no fans at all, no atmosphere, is a known killer for viewership.
Well, sir, your game is no so bad, but I think golf is better.
Farage considers he is such a victim.
Perhaps he will weed out the deadbeats in the Treasury?
https://youtu.be/hsq3H_6XuFA
Polanski is an idiot, every bit as stupid as Corbyn.
Morrissey gave an interview shortly after this and said the police raided his house looking for a guillotine. "Curiously, they actually found one." Morrissey said. lol
Katie Phang, a campaigning lawyer who has taken Court Action to force the release of particular unredacted emails where individuals other than victims' have had their details redacted in violation of the law, reviewing a few items of detail like an impatient school teacher:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrtzVnguSAc
Cricket is now fragmented, commercialised and often fake, with often nothing at stake but cash. That's fine with football, it's a viable culture. Cricket is only a viable culture if the game matters more than money, if there is something real at stake and if it is accessible at a high level nationally.
I don't believe it can ever recover until home test matches are live on free to air, until test series are the crown of the year and the County Championship (in a single division) is the main dish.
It is sad to remember how recently - 2005 was it - that a five match ashes series on free to air telly captivated millions.
Thinking about our woeful ashes series in the winter, and the rubbish we played against NZ, and looking at empty stands in the WI tests makes me think it may well be beyond recovery except at the very local level, where it quietly carries on.
That is crass.
Politically, it will damage the Greens.