The Politics Thread

[mh]

How will burning buses and cars make things any better? They are just using it as an excuse for mindless violence.

They are burning the buses and cars as a distraction. The torching of the homes of "foreigners" and forcing them to leave is the main aim of the night's rioting. Aka a pogrom.

[bigden40]

He was but don't let facts get in the way.

Exactly.

I get frustrated by the way that really important issues that require serious discussion and action get undermined by being conflated with other issues and mixed with a touch of racism. This makes the governments tendency to deflect from the issue to the reaction to the issue easier for them to get away with. 

We definitely have an issue in the UK, and much of the west, of excessively high immigration, in the 21st century, of largely unskilled and uneducated individuals who have not integrated well in the west.  This causes both economic and societal issues which are painfully obvious.  There should be a serious conversation on this.  It’s not racist to observe and comment on the problem.

The Digwas do not fall into this category though. A third generation British Sikh represents a period when immigration met post-war labour shortages and populations who have generally integrated well into British society.  Ranting about them not being British and deportations and so on actually undermines the case for dealing with 21st century immigration problems. 

The Digwas are British, committed crimes in Britain and are facing British justice. 

The question raised by the Nowak/Digwa is a separate one about the impact of DEI on our institutions. It’s an equally valid conversation but a different one.

[bigden40]

His mother has been charged.

As noted a few posts up.

So has the brother and the father.

[bigden40]

Somewhat bemused to read this morning that the Democrats, the party that urges you to Believe All Women and calls everyone on the right a Nazi, have selected as their Senate candidate for Maine a guy with a Nazi tattoo and a string of allegations from women against him. 

Standards for “toxicity” apparently don’t apply when it’s your guy. We see that hypocrisy often in politics but given the absolutism on those issues from the left it does take that partisanship to the extreme.  Schumer, Sanders, Warren are all openly supporting him, whilst others deflect.  The only mild criticisms I’ve seen were from Sen Fetterman.

[george r]

Two of Timmy’s patriots thugs have been jailed for violence at the Henry Nowak protest 

That’s what happens when you viciously attack the police 

the police who were attacked at Manchester airport might not agree ? 

[sparkus]

His mother has been charged.

And it's now up to the police to prove she willingly helped him evade capture, as opposed to being as duped as they were.

[Vice Admiral]

There is a powerful article in today’s Times by Trevor Phillips (who is black) that points, I’m afraid, to shameless double standards over the response to the Henry Nowak murder. 

I am far from being a Farageiste, but politicians should be fair and consistent – and David Lammy, in particular, has not been.

Here is an extract from Phillips's article:

This week’s unspoken pact between Badenoch and Starmer to blame Farage for the Southampton disturbances fell at the first hurdle. Anger in the city was largely triggered by the police’s release of bodycam video; if anything the Reform boss followed the crowd rather than led it.

And the establishment pact will have left many voters with the stench of double standards in their nostrils. In June 2020 Starmer reacted to the death of George Floyd with “shock and anger”. He demanded that the then prime minister Boris Johnson tell President Trump that the incident had “justifiably prompted anger”. His colleagues chimed in, David Lammy writing of “righteous anger”, Shabana Mahmood of “anger at this outrage” and Sadiq Khan of his “fury and anguish”.

Yet this weekend, the now deputy prime minister told me that he had, on Saturday, admonished his pal JD Vance for sticking his nose into a British tragedy, and rejected the vice-president’s use of Lammy’s own words “righteous anger” as a proper reaction to the death of Henry Nowak. Starmer scolded Farage’s call to “rage”, conveniently forgetting the “anger” and “fury” he and his colleagues had summoned six years ago.

The British people might reasonably ask, what is the difference between George Floyd and Henry Nowak? The deputy prime minister struggled to find a response when I asked him that question yesterday. Most of us would say that the answer is plain; to coin a phrase, it is there before us in black and white.

On Tuesday I quoted Trevor Phillips calling out Labour – and specifically, David Lammy – for shameless double standards over Black Lives Matter and related issues.  (See above.)

In today’s Times Matthew Parris calls out Reform UK for even worse behaviour: something so shocking that, unless the party apologises, it will have lost whatever meagre claim it may have to probity and decency.

Parris begins by referring to the MP Danny Kruger’s recent “religious awakening” – which seems to be have occurred soon before his having also awakened to an overwhelming need to defect from the Conservatives to Reform UK.

Parris continues:

I’ve been hoping for Kruger’s response to what seems to me an outright lie of a particularly dirty kind that his party, and his Reform colleague Robert Jenrick, are peddling: a lie seriously and personally defaming Kemi Badenoch.

You may recall that she said (after the awful murder of Henry Nowak): “I don’t want to hear about Black Lives Matter. I don’t want to hear about white lives matter. Everyone matters. Henry Nowak matters.”

The subsequent post in Reform’s official social media account filleted from this and attributed to Badenoch just these nine words: “I don’t want to hear about white lives matter”.

Robert Jenrick, quick to endorse this contemptible misrepresentation, posted on Facebook a photo of Badenoch’s face with two quotes from her. First (after the death of George Floyd) “Black lives do matter” and, juxtaposed, those same nine words “I don’t want to hear about white lives matter”.

"Contemptible" doesn't even begin to cover it. 

[Doc Holliday]

the police who were attacked at Manchester airport might not agree ? 

It is a very complex case. One brother has been found guilty charges of assault and ABH. The jury could twice not reach a decision on the other brother, as well as one separate charge of assault for the convicted brother. Note it is a jury that cannot decide.

Now that no further retrial will take place, the convicted brother is due for sentencing later this month.

As with the recent Nowak case the police did themselves no favours in how they handled it and added to the complexity.

[mills_and_bhuna]

When you're banging prozzies, do you keep the TDS grimace?

You make Webpunter look like fucking Einstein.
When you're cheering on Epstein's buddies does the penny never drop?

[Jerboa]

It is a very complex case. One brother has been found guilty charges of assault and ABH. The jury could twice not reach a decision on the other brother, as well as one separate charge of assault for the convicted brother. Note it is a jury that cannot decide.

Now that no further retrial will take place, the convicted brother is due for sentencing later this month.

As with the recent Nowak case the police did themselves no favours in how they handled it and added to the complexity.

And the question the public would ask, was the jury filled with members of the RNIB? If that was two white lads who reacted as they did, to being arrested, you can guarantee they would have been tried and found guilty, at the speed of 1,000 gazelles. #TwoTierBritain

[Doc Holliday]

And the question the public would ask, was the jury filled with members of the RNIB? If that was two white lads who reacted as they did, to being arrested, you can guarantee they would have been tried and found guilty, at the speed of 1,000 gazelles. #TwoTierBritain

But one was found guilty by the jury in the original trial? The complexity introduced by the police response and handling meant the jury struggled to agree on all the charges.

[Snagbadjer]

And it's now up to the police to prove she willingly helped him evade capture, as opposed to being as duped as they were.

Why are you so reluctant to accept that they could just be acting tribally and do not share out worldview?

[Snagbadjer]

It is a very complex case. One brother has been found guilty charges of assault and ABH. The jury could twice not reach a decision on the other brother, as well as one separate charge of assault for the convicted brother. Note it is a jury that cannot decide.

Now that no further retrial will take place, the convicted brother is due for sentencing later this month.

As with the recent Nowak case the police did themselves no favours in how they handled it and added to the complexity.

Not complex at all. Clear as day on the video.

[finn5555]

But one was found guilty by the jury in the original trial? The complexity introduced by the police response and handling meant the jury struggled to agree on all the charges.

Getting the CPS to charge is complex enough with the two stage legal test. Getting a jury to convict is a whole different ball game.

[finn5555]

What misinformation?

One example:

Police officers who were not present at the scene of the crime have been incorrectly identified in social media posts. One even left the force in 2024 but was named as being on the scene. They have received death threats.

[sparkus]

Why are you so reluctant to accept that they could just be acting tribally and do not share out worldview?

Tribally? As Sikhs?

[Jerboa]

But one was found guilty by the jury in the original trial? The complexity introduced by the police response and handling meant the jury struggled to agree on all the charges.

You mean because the initial contact by PC Marsden with the dumby 1 was a little rough, and he didn't formerly introduce himself and ask if he minded coming with him? They absolutely knew they were constables and knew why they were being stopped. You can only think the jury had some social justice warriors or other Muhammadans, who refused to find the brothers guilty of assaulting PC Marsden.

[Doc Holliday]

Not complex at all. Clear as day on the video.

Not complex? Were you in court during either trial? Have you any understanding of the detail of the case?

Clear as day? You mean rather like the 'beheading' was also clear to you on the other video.

[Doc Holliday]

You mean because the initial contact by PC Marsden with the dumby 1 was a little rough, and he didn't formerly introduce himself and ask if he minded coming with him? They absolutely knew they were constables and knew why they were being stopped. You can only think the jury had some social justice warriors or other Muhammadans, who refused to find the brothers guilty of assaulting PC Marsden.

More backtracking. You really are struggling. A 'little rough' as in kicking someone in the face who had been tasered and then stamping on his head? He may still face criminal proceedings himself. Can you not see how his actions made it difficult for the jury?

So both juries were biased? Yet they found Amaaz guilty of assaulting two police officers and a member of the public. Just not Marsden?

Incidentally the judge would have accepted a majority verdict of 10 but neither jury could reach that in relation to PC Marsden's assault.

[finn5555]

So more are being sentenced today for the rioting, Dillon Crawford seems a nice chap 

Crawford has 19 convictions for 33 offences including battery, robbery, burglary and shoplifting.

On one occasion, he broke a partner's front teeth, punched her unconscious and when she woke up told her he had put bleach in her hair.

[DastardlyDick]

And it's now up to the police to prove she willingly helped him evade capture, as opposed to being as duped as they were.

To get charged, the CPS must be fairly confident of getting a "guilty" verdict.

[bigden40]

And it's now up to the police to prove she willingly helped him evade capture, as opposed to being as duped as they were.

That would be the role of the CPS rather than the police. 

The police have to prove, to the CPS, that there is enough admissible evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

[mills_and_bhuna]

Why are you so reluctant to accept that they could just be acting tribally and do not share out worldview?

Define 'our worldview' .

[Blackpool Rock]

A bad start to the morning for Labour's immigration policies, if last weeks two tier policing revelation wasn't enough

A generous welcome by Labour ticking the boxes rescuing & homing yet another migrant 

Sorry Webbie but this guy in Belfast claimed asylum in Feb23 and was given it later that year under the Tories (he arrived a full year and 5 months before Labour were elected) when they were in shit street letting everyone in and seemingly not processing much in the way of deporting anyone so easier to just give them asylum 

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said he understood the suspect made his way from Sudan to Paris before flying to Dublin, and then travelled by bus to Belfast on 10 February 2023 - the date on which he claimed asylum

Sudanese national Hadi Alodid travelled from Dublin to Belfast in 2023 and was granted refugee status the same year.

External Link/Members Only
External Link/Members Only

[bigden40]

Sorry Webbie but this guy in Belfast claimed asylum in Feb23 and was given it later that year under the Tories (he arrived a full year and 5 months before Labour were elected) when they were in shit street letting everyone in and seemingly not processing much in the way of deporting anyone so easier to just give them asylum 

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said he understood the suspect made his way from Sudan to Paris before flying to Dublin, and then travelled by bus to Belfast on 10 February 2023 - the date on which he claimed asylum

Sudanese national Hadi Alodid travelled from Dublin to Belfast in 2023 and was granted refugee status the same year.

External Link/Members Only
External Link/Members Only

You are correct on this, and every government of the last 25+ years has failed to control this.  It’s actually hard to say who the biggest culprit on our  immigration failings is - Tony Bliar or Bozo Johnson - but regardless this government isn’t making things any better.

[webpunter]

Sorry Webbie but this guy in Belfast claimed asylum in Feb23 and was given it later that year under the Tories (he arrived a full year and 5 months before Labour were elected) when they were in shit street letting everyone in and seemingly not processing much in the way of deporting anyone so easier to just give them asylum 

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said he understood the suspect made his way from Sudan to Paris before flying to Dublin, and then travelled by bus to Belfast on 10 February 2023 - the date on which he claimed asylum

Sudanese national Hadi Alodid travelled from Dublin to Belfast in 2023 and was granted refugee status the same year.

External Link/Members Only
External Link/Members Only

Both the Conservatives & Labour have been shite on controlling migration
Its in the last couple of years more & more such attacks by imports
& the attack has happened under Starmer's watch
Labour's policies & statements are so pro imports they know its their future voter base increasing
Do they make any attempt to stop Mislamic marches supporting the Palestinians ?, not that i can see
Labour aren't gonna change their approach

There should be a blanket ban on all illegal migrants
They arrive illegally small boats trucks once they get apprehended its straight to a detention centre & then deported
I dont give a monkey's arse about their sob stories
Its the lefty socialists who are controlling what happens
The UK is seen as so welcoming compared to other countries no wonder the imports try to get here
It should be made as unattractive as possible - arrive / detained / then fucked off back to where they're from
As soon as large numbers of them realise that this is the likely outcome & they've blown their life savings put their families at home in debt less will come

External Link/Members Only
Hegseth attacks Europe over migration with beach 'invasion' D-Day speech
On Friday, US Vice-President JD Vance blamed the death of the 18-year-old British student Henry Nowak, who was fatally stabbed last year in Southampton by Vickrum Digwa, on the "mass invasion of migrants".

He may not be entirely right however he isn't wrong

In December, the Trump administration unveiled its new National Security Strategy, which asserted that
if current trends continue Europe would be "unrecognisable in 20 years or less" and its economic issues are "eclipsed by the real and more stark prospect of civilisational erasure".

Erasure is already happening how many cities like Leicester Bradford have no go zones for white people ?
A dedicated ICE force here would scare the shit out of imports those here rapidly report the grief some of them decide to leave of their own accord & more importantly word spreads. A good start

20 years
I think it will be shorter than that
Legal migration is needed to fill jobs which lazy fuck british people don't want to do
Easier for them to be on generous benefits doing the square root of FA
Labour & their benefits giveaways are costing the country a fortune economically & socially
Its not gonna get any better
A hard policy on encouraging legal migration [those who will add value] & flattening illegal numbers is needed.  And quickly

The brexit promise control immigration is a disaster
Loads of hard working EEs who integrate get jobs pay taxes send their kids to school learn the lingo are forced to leave
Replaced with the brown often mislamic tide

We better pray for Reform winning the election 

[ulstersubbie]

Define 'our worldview' .

Sensible answers on a postcard. Stop provoking the masses Mills, they hate you enough as it is!   

[Jerboa]

Sorry Webbie but this guy in Belfast claimed asylum in Feb23 and was given it later that year under the Tories (he arrived a full year and 5 months before Labour were elected) when they were in shit street letting everyone in and seemingly not processing much in the way of deporting anyone so easier to just give them asylum 

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said he understood the suspect made his way from Sudan to Paris before flying to Dublin, and then travelled by bus to Belfast on 10 February 2023 - the date on which he claimed asylum

Sudanese national Hadi Alodid travelled from Dublin to Belfast in 2023 and was granted refugee status the same year.

External Link/Members Only
External Link/Members Only

I asked the question yesterday, how can a Sudanese migrant fly from Europe to Dublin, when by the ROI visa rules Sudanese passport holders need a visa? Dublin is not enforcing their immigration laws, if they fined every airline who allowed a illegal migrant to fly, it would stop overnight.

[DastardlyDick]

I asked the question yesterday, how can a Sudanese migrant fly from Europe to Dublin, when by the ROI visa rules Sudanese passport holders need a visa? Dublin is not enforcing their immigration laws, if they fined every airline who allowed a illegal migrant to fly, it would stop overnight.

Because enforcement has been delegated to Airline check in staff and the issuing of Visa's contracted out to VFS.
For all we know, he may have had a Visa - the fact that PSNI didn't say "entered the Republic of Ireland illegally" suggests to me that he had a Visa - you can bet the Guarda would have told them either way.
Another possible issue is that what is now Mali was, until 1960, French Sudan, so he may have had a French Passport by descent. EU Passport - no checks.

[Adoniron]

To get charged, the CPS must be fairly confident of getting a "guilty" verdict.

The threshold for prosecution is "reasonable prospects of a conviction", which in effect means over 50%.

[Snagbadjer]

Not complex? Were you in court during either trial? Have you any understanding of the detail of the case?

Clear as day? You mean rather like the 'beheading' was also clear to you on the other video.

Don't need to be at the trial. The video I saw was clear as day. Surprised you can see it.

[Snagbadjer]

You are correct on this, and every government of the last 25+ years has failed to control this.  It’s actually hard to say who the biggest culprit on our  immigration failings is - Tony Bliar or Bozo Johnson - but regardless this government isn’t making things any better.

The biggest culprits are the British people for allowing it to happen.

[RandomGuy99]

Peace deal almost agreed

BBC News - US and Iran exchange strikes across Middle East for second day in a row
External Link/Members Only

[Snagbadjer]

Define 'our worldview' .

No.

But I'll give an example.
In English culture, FGM is considered abhorrent.
In numerous other places, it is the norm.

Different worldviews, incompatible cultures.

[Snagbadjer]

More backtracking. You really are struggling. A 'little rough' as in kicking someone in the face who had been tasered and then stamping on his head? He may still face criminal proceedings himself. Can you not see how his actions made it difficult for the jury?

So both juries were biased? Yet they found Amaaz guilty of assaulting two police officers and a member of the public. Just not Marsden?

Incidentally the judge would have accepted a majority verdict of 10 but neither jury could reach that in relation to PC Marsden's assault.

Wasn't rough at all. The stomp was clearly held back. And in most other countries  - including Pakistan - both men would have been shot dead for attacking police officers in an airport.

[Doc Holliday]

Not complex? Were you in court during either trial? Have you any understanding of the detail of the case?

Clear as day? You mean rather like the 'beheading' was also clear to you on the other video.

Don't need to be at the trial. The video I saw was clear as day. Surprised you can see it.

I disagree, it was complex hence the retrial. Also in many instances it is hugely beneficial to be there.

I assume you are referring to Manchester airport footage and that you still don't see an attempted beheading in NI?

I watch both videos with an open mind and without prior prejudice. If you don't your eyes play tricks on you. I admit to being obsessed with detail but the latter is hugely important especially in this case.

Here is the video  External Link/Members Only

Watch the video carefully from the beginning and in particular right until the end. Watch it multiple times concentrating each time on a single individual involved.

The initial arrest was clumsy. Marsden holds Amaaz's head which is the trigger for it kicking off. When the initial scuffle breaks out Marsden throws the first punch on the other brother.

Amaaz had been tasered and had fallen to the floor motionless. Given that situation do you still think the kick to the head was justified? Should a UK police officer be kicking people in the head anyway? Having watched it again do you still think it was not done with force? The stomp was not held back. Watch the video closely again. He missed the target predominantly because the mother protected and moved his head out of the way. He had also lost his spectacles so that may also have also affected his aim?

Much emphasis has been placed on this kick to the head and not what happens after with the other brother. After the initial stage the latter was seated with his hands behind his head and remained so throughout. He was finally approached again by Marsden who is pointing a taser at him. It is clear he was asked to get on the ground. His hands remained behind his head and he knelt down to do so. Marsden then kicks him in the thighs and forces him to the ground. Other officers are by then in attendance and there was clearly no need to have done that.

The point I am making is that it is the actions of PC Marsden that has made it difficult for the jury to reach a decision. Had he not behaved as he did, I feel Amaaz would have certainly been convicted of the assault on Marsden also and not just the other two officers and the member of the public where it all started. It is possible that perhaps the other brother's situation may also have been different?

[Thephoenix]

So the new Reform leader of St Helens council has wasted little time in attracting controversy by scrapping plans to support or promote local Pride events.

"We don't consider celebrations of sexuality, especially those with left-wing political leanings such as Pride, to be appropriate for St Helens Borough Council to dedicate valuable officer resources.
Individuals, the private sector, and charities are welcome to continue to support the event as they seem appropriate."

It's naturally created a backlash from left wing opponents and the local 'labour' press, but I think he may have a lot of support.

I'm so glad that laws on homosexuality have changed otherwise some of my friends would be in prison, and so would I for having an occasional HJ from a masseur and the odd cockatoo from a sexy lady boy, but I have some sympathy for the councillor in question.

If being voted to the council on a promise of reducing wastage and unnecessary spending maybe he's got a point?

[DastardlyDick]

Marsden will almost certainly lose his job for that kick - there's no justification for it - he should have cuffed the guy which would have rendered him immobile. That's what Taser is meant to be used for.

[DastardlyDick]

So the new Reform leader of St Helens council has wasted little time in attracting controversy by scrapping plans to support or promote local Pride events.

"We don't consider celebrations of sexuality, especially those with left-wing political leanings such as Pride, to be appropriate for St Helens Borough Council to dedicate valuable officer resources.
Individuals, the private sector, and charities are welcome to continue to support the event as they seem appropriate."

It's naturally created a backlash from left wing opponents and the local 'labour' press, but I think he may have a lot of support.

I'm so glad that laws on homosexuality have changed otherwise some of my friends would be in prison, and so would I for having an occasional HJ from a masseur and the odd cockatoo from a sexy lady boy, but I have some sympathy for the councillor in question.

If being voted to the council on a promise of reducing wastage and unnecessary spending maybe he's got a point?

I'm not a Reform voter, but I agree there are better things the money could be spent on, but Reform are bound to spend it on something that people will think even more ridiculous. He could have given a different reason too, the one given makes him look homophobic.

[Charliehutton]

"We don't consider celebrations of sexuality, especially those with left-wing political leanings such as Pride, to be appropriate for St Helens Borough Council to dedicate valuable officer resources.

Individuals, the private sector, and charities are welcome to continue to support the event as they seem appropriate."

They'll no doubt face some hysterical accusations of homophobia but they're dead right. Good for them.

[Jerboa]

Because enforcement has been delegated to Airline check in staff and the issuing of Visa's contracted out to VFS.
For all we know, he may have had a Visa - the fact that PSNI didn't say "entered the Republic of Ireland illegally" suggests to me that he had a Visa - you can bet the Guarda would have told them either way.
Another possible issue is that what is now Mali was, until 1960, French Sudan, so he may have had a French Passport by descent. EU Passport - no checks.

As I said if government fined airlines, no migrants without a visa would be boarded. They don't do it on flights to UK airports, because UKBA would fine airlines. I very much doubt he had a visa, you have to apply for a visa in Sudan, he would have to show he had funds to support himself for a holiday, ans a argument on why he would return to Sudan. Mali is a red herring there.

[Jerboa]

The defence secretary has resigned, he said Two Tier of failing to commit the government resources that are ​needed to defend the country. This government is a clown show!
External Link/Members Only

[webpunter]

External Link/Members Only

Defence Secretary John Healey resigns over military spending plans

Respec 

Labour prefer to spend money on benefits & imports

Britain is woefully unprotected
How long did it take them to get a warship to the Med to cover Cyprus ?
The list of being under resourced is endless 

Labour have always been anti war with the exception of Blair
Cunt Corbyn was often seen wearing jesus boots & white socks
Cutting an imposing figure 

At best Starmer comes across as metrosexual
Effeminate
Putin & leaders of countries like 👁️ran will be laughing their tits off when he comes up with bollocks about anything military

[webpunter]

The defence secretary has resigned, he said Two Tier of failing to commit the government resources that are ​needed to defend the country. This government is a clown show!
External Link/Members Only

Hidden Image/Members Only

[Jerboa]

External Link/Members Only

Defence Secretary John Healey resigns over military spending plans

Respec 

Labour prefer to spend money on benefits & imports

Britain is woefully unprotected
How long did it take them to get a warship to the Med to cover Cyprus ?
The list of being under resourced is endless 

Labour have always been anti war with the exception of Blair
Cunt Corbyn was often seen wearing jesus boots & white socks
Cutting an imposing figure 

At best Starmer comes across as metrosexual
Effeminate
Putin & leaders of countries like 👁️ran will be laughing their tits off when he comes up with bollocks about anything military

But the Labour politicians are proud of free breakfast clubs. 

[finn5555]

External Link/Members Only

Defence Secretary John Healey resigns over military spending plans

Respec 

Labour prefer to spend money on benefits & imports

Britain is woefully unprotected
How long did it take them to get a warship to the Med to cover Cyprus ?
The list of being under resourced is endless 

Labour have always been anti war with the exception of Blair
Cunt Corbyn was often seen wearing jesus boots & white socks
Cutting an imposing figure 

At best Starmer comes across as metrosexual
Effeminate
Putin & leaders of countries like 👁️ran will be laughing their tits off when he comes up with bollocks about anything military

You cannot blame Starmer, although i respect him for not dragging us into a pointless Iran conflict! Aside from that he is a weak PM.

The facts are there for all to see:

Defence spending has been in decline for many years Between 1992 and 1997 defence spending fell from 3.9% to 2.6% of GDP according to statistics. Then Blair started spending more for military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq (although the funds came from the reserve i believe)

Cameron slashed spending by 8% at the same time cutting military personnel by 12000.  He also said tanks would be cut by 40% and heavy artillery by 35%, (not sure if this actually happened)

Now the government  has committed to increase defence spending, according to the NATO definition, to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, or 2.6% of GDP when including additional elements of security and intelligence spending. It has since further committed to increase spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, in line with a new NATO target. (Trumps demands)

The previous Conservative government had committed to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030.

[Snagbadjer]

You make Webpunter look like fucking Einstein.
When you're cheering on Epstein's buddies does the penny never drop?

You don't need to be Albert Einstein to see that Donald J Trump has bought up every bit of real estate in your head. Do you think about him often too?

[Snagbadjer]

They'll no doubt face some hysterical accusations of homophobia but they're dead right. Good for them.

The tolerant lefties on here made homophobic remarks to me for seeing Brazilian TSs. But I don't take it personally.

[Snagbadjer]

I disagree, it was complex hence the retrial. Also in many instances it is hugely beneficial to be there.

I assume you are referring to Manchester airport footage and that you still don't see an attempted beheading in NI?

I watch both videos with an open mind and without prior prejudice. If you don't your eyes play tricks on you. I admit to being obsessed with detail but the latter is hugely important especially in this case.

Here is the video  External Link/Members Only

Watch the video carefully from the beginning and in particular right until the end. Watch it multiple times concentrating each time on a single individual involved.

The initial arrest was clumsy. Marsden holds Amaaz's head which is the trigger for it kicking off. When the initial scuffle breaks out Marsden throws the first punch on the other brother.

Amaaz had been tasered and had fallen to the floor motionless. Given that situation do you still think the kick to the head was justified? Should a UK police officer be kicking people in the head anyway? Having watched it again do you still think it was not done with force? The stomp was not held back. Watch the video closely again. He missed the target predominantly because the mother protected and moved his head out of the way. He had also lost his spectacles so that may also have also affected his aim?

Much emphasis has been placed on this kick to the head and not what happens after with the other brother. After the initial stage the latter was seated with his hands behind his head and remained so throughout. He was finally approached again by Marsden who is pointing a taser at him. It is clear he was asked to get on the ground. His hands remained behind his head and he knelt down to do so. Marsden then kicks him in the thighs and forces him to the ground. Other officers are by then in attendance and there was clearly no need to have done that.

The point I am making is that it is the actions of PC Marsden that has made it difficult for the jury to reach a decision. Had he not behaved as he did, I feel Amaaz would have certainly been convicted of the assault on Marsden also and not just the other two officers and the member of the public where it all started. It is possible that perhaps the other brother's situation may also have been different?

Are court cases often long and complex? Sure. Do retrials equate to complexity? Not necessarily. Were each of those videos clear as day as to who the bad people were? Undeniably.

[RandomGuy99]

It's always good to tell your enemy that you're coming

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