The Politics Thread

[Blackpool Rock]

Did he though?

He did for quite a while court and keep Trump reasonably happy but ultimately that's an impossible task, i'm wondering whether Burnham would just tell it straight to Tango man 

Could actually raise his popularity with the voting public even if it means we get a load more tariffs etc 

[bigden40]

I think so to maybe spent to much time focusing overseas and not on problems at home.

Kept us out of a futile Iranian war mind you

Not even convinced by that. We were never going to be in the conflict, and he procrastinated on the limited requests being made of us by our largest ally, and just pissed everyone off. Didn’t stop our bases being attacked though.

[bigden40]

He did for quite a while court and keep Trump reasonably happy but ultimately that's an impossible task, i'm wondering whether Burnham would just tell it straight to Tango man 

Could actually raise his popularity with the voting public even if it means we get a load more tariffs etc 

I’m sure The Donald is quaking in his boots at the though of having to deal with Burnham 

And complaining about or pushing back on Trump is not really a substitute for actual policy. 

[Blackpool Rock]

I’m sure The Donald is quaking in his boots at the though of having to deal with Burnham 

And complaining about or pushing back on Trump is not really a substitute for actual policy.

Well Trump's so wrapped up in his own bubble that nothing bothers him although he does hit out like a child unless you fawn over his every word 

Realistically nobody can handle Trump as he's a Man Child

[juzz]

He did for quite a while court and keep Trump reasonably happy but ultimately that's an impossible task, i'm wondering whether Burnham would just tell it straight to Tango man 

Could actually raise his popularity with the voting public even if it means we get a load more tariffs etc 

I am not sure he has the reputation for saying it straight   I think like most politicians, he bend with the wind and adjusts accordingly.  Hence the joke famously circulating Whitehall:
 "Have you heard the one about a Blairite, a Brownite and a Corbynite going into a pub?"  the barman says "What will you be having, Mr Burnham?".

[WARSZAWA16]

Two year Keir.

[mh]

The Labour party is indebted to Starmer for ridding them of the taint of Corbyn and delivering them an election win when the UK's press and media are ranged against Labour and in favour of the Tories (historically) and anyone but Labour, it seems (on an ongoing basis).

Once in power Starmer retreated into a bunker and alienated everyone, but he wasn't one tenth as bad as has been made out and we may be about to see that play out with those vying to replace him or those lining up to support Burnham if there's a coronation. This "least popular prime minister ever" schtick is confected nonsense.

It isn't fair on Starmer, with economic indicators all seeming to be showing signs of improvement. He took the flak and won't be there if the benefits continue. But he made bad decisions and sometimes no decision when one was needed.

Here we go again. The tenure of a UK PM will soon be measured in months rather than years.

[george r]

in nearly every interview starmer said he would fight in any leadership election ? now he has jumped ship 

[Jerboa]

Starmer just wanted power for the sake of power. He got elected by default on a very low turn out, I remember watching his constituency being declared, with only a small majority.
Before he got into power he criticised the Tories for wanting to take away OAP's winter fuel allowance, then he does it himself. And digital ID that was not in his manifesto.

What really showed was after the Southport massacre, he went up there, and publicly lay flowers, the locals started heckling him, saying he just came for a photo op, if he had actually stopped and tried to engage with the people, as a human and showed some humanity and relatability, maybe he would have been given some respect, but he has zero personal skills.

[mh]

in nearly every interview starmer said he would fight in any leadership election

This was the right thing to say then

now he has jumped ship 

This was the right thing to say now.

That's politics for you.

[finn5555]

in nearly every interview starmer said he would fight in any leadership election ? now he has jumped ship 

That’s politics 

[myothernameis]

That’s politics 

Looks like Andy Burnham will not have anyone else challenging for the position of PM

[juzz]

Looks like Andy Burnham will not have anyone else challenging for the position of PM

Angela Rayner?? That is not any form of hope on my part.

[george r]

Angela Rayner?? That is not any form of hope on my part.

she has kept a low profile since her tax fiddle , sorry mistake 

[finn5555]

Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson found guilty of all 18 sex abuse charges, including rape, The 63-year-old former MP had pleaded not guilty.

and his wife was complicit, Eleanor Donaldson did the act of aiding rape.

Monster mansion for him now 

[qarma]

Burnham's got a very tough job because Labour are just so completely talentless and devoid of real-world experience.

The only hope is that, with him being Manchester Mayor and therefore outside the Westminster bubble, he has experienced the consequences of Starmer's & Reeves' dire policy decisions and he can relate to the sense of hopelessness & despair that people feel. This might make him go in a different direction.

My fear is he is just Starmer 2.0.

[Jerboa]

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson guilty of child sex abuse charges including one count of rape External Link/Members Only

[puntingking]

Burnham's got a very tough job because Labour are just so completely talentless and devoid of real-world experience.

The only hope is that, with him being Manchester Mayor and therefore outside the Westminster bubble, he has experienced the consequences of Starmer's & Reeves' dire policy decisions and he can relate to the sense of hopelessness & despair that people feel. This might make him go in a different direction.

My fear is he is just Starmer 2.0.

I hope for the good of the country who ever is our next prime minister does a good job. There is a low bar what is considered a good job now thanks to past prime ministers lowering our expectations.

 

[Blackpool Rock]

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson guilty of child sex abuse charges including one count of rape External Link/Members Only

What's Tommy's stance on this then, presumably OK with it as he's not the right demographic to object to 

[Jerboa]

What's Tommy's stance on this then, presumably OK with it as he's not the right demographic to object to 

Well done, you've won dick head of the day award. 

[Blackpool Rock]

I hope for the good of the country who ever is our next prime minister does a good job. There is a low bar what is considered a good job now thanks to past prime ministers lowering our expectations.

 

In the eyes of the electorate I don't think anyone will be considered to be doing a good job, as i've said many times peoples expectations are far too high.

I will be interested to hear what his policies are once he sets them out

[Blackpool Rock]

Well done, you've won dick head of the day award. 

Sorry to take your crown but i'm sure you'll have it back soon enough 

[Thephoenix]

And Andy doesn’t fill the charisma deficit in the slightest.

It seems the good folk of Makerfield may disagree with you.

[bigden40]

It seems the good folk of Makerfield may disagree with you.

Was charisma a factor?  The good people of Makerfield have elected the Labour candidate, usually by 10,000+, in every election for decades.

A PM has a wider constituency to appeal to.

[Vice Admiral]

Those of us who think that the United Kingdom may come to regret the advent of the Manchester Messiah are not alone.

Peter Brookes, the Times’s veteran political cartoonist – he’s 82! – clearly shares our view.  His Burnham cartoon in today’s paper is entitled: “Coming Up: Buyers’ Remorse”.

Hidden Image/Members Only

[Jerboa]

Funny how Burnham called for a general election in 2022 after Sunak became PM. 

[mills_and_bhuna]

Those of us who think that the United Kingdom may come to regret the advent of the Manchester Messiah are not alone.

Peter Brookes, the Times’s veteran political cartoonist – he’s 82! – clearly shares our view.  His Burnham cartoon in today’s paper is entitled: “Coming Up: Buyers’ Remorse”.

Hidden Image/Members Only

It seems Burnham Derangement Syndrome is now a thing .
Some friendly advice.
Reading the Times won't cure you of this affliction.

[Vice Admiral]

Funny how Burnham called for a general election in 2022 after Sunak became PM. 

I suspect that anyone expecting consistency in any of the upstart Burnham's positions is likely to be sorely disappointed.

[bigden40]

Funny how Burnham called for a general election in 2022 after Sunak became PM. 

As did Starmer, Streeting, Rayner and several others. 

Whilst Badenoch and other senior Tories are now making the unlocked leader argument. 

[finn5555]

I suspect that anyone expecting consistency in any of the upstart Burnham's positions is likely to be sorely disappointed.

Better than this 🤡

Hidden Image/Members Only

[Squire Haggard]

I'll wait and see what he does. If he's renationalising utilities and other stuff taxes should go up.

If he's going to promise to ''smash the gangs and stop the boats'' like Sir Wanker I'll believe it when I see it.

The EU parliament voted on this a couple of days ago. Will it stop or reduce the small boat crossings?

''The European Parliament gave the final green light to a new EU law allowing controversial return hubs outside the bloc and home searches, as conservatives voted with far-right groups to pass the legislation.
The European Parliament on Wednesday approved a law aimed at speeding up the return of migrants with no legal right to remain in the EU, thanks to backing from centre-right and far-right political groups.''

''The “return regulation” is the bloc's toughest shift in migration policy in decades. It is considered controversial as it would allow EU countries to set up deportation centres outside the bloc, known as return hubs, through agreements with non-EU countries.''

External Link/Members Only

[mills_and_bhuna]

I'll wait and see what he does. If he's renationalising utilities and other stuff taxes should go up.

If he's going to promise to ''smash the gangs and stop the boats'' like Sir Wanker I'll believe it when I see it.

The EU parliament voted on this a couple of days ago. Will it stop or reduce the small boat crossings?

''The European Parliament gave the final green light to a new EU law allowing controversial return hubs outside the bloc and home searches, as conservatives voted with far-right groups to pass the legislation.
The European Parliament on Wednesday approved a law aimed at speeding up the return of migrants with no legal right to remain in the EU, thanks to backing from centre-right and far-right political groups.''

External Link/Members Only

Isn't it funny that the far-right groups who protest the most about migration are the ones who have no problems with the foreign policies which align us with the country which made the source countries of these migrants ungovernable hellholes.
Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Somalia.

[Squire Haggard]

Isn't it funny that the far-right groups who protest the most about migration are the ones who have no problems with the foreign policies which align us with the country which made the source countries of these migrants ungovernable hellholes.
Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Somalia.

I think those countries can easily manage to be hellholes all on their own.

[Blackpool Rock]

As did Starmer, Streeting, Rayner and several others. 

Whilst Badenoch and other senior Tories are now making the unlocked leader argument.

It said earlier on the news though that Badenoch had been fairly quiet on the "need an election front", basically she knows she ain't getting elected anytime soon 

[Vice Admiral]

It said earlier on the news though that Badenoch had been fairly quiet on the "need an election front", basically she knows she ain't getting elected anytime soon 

I don't think anyone wants an election!  Not necessarily even Reform UK. 

[WARSZAWA16]

Hidden Image/Members Only

[mills_and_bhuna]

I think those countries can easily manage to be hellholes all on their own.

I suppose we'll never know because it suits the West to have chaos.
All the easier to plunder resources on the cheap.
Build a few bases.
Install a puppet.
And Bob is your mother's brother.
e.g. Marcos, Shah, and the guy from Syria who was Al Qaeda. Oh and Zelen$ky

[puntingking]

I don't think anyone wants an election!  Not necessarily even Reform UK.

+1

[puntingking]

In the eyes of the electorate I don't think anyone will be considered to be doing a good job, as i've said many times peoples expectations are far too high.

I will be interested to hear what his policies are once he sets them out

 

[juzz]

I've just listened to 'The rest is Politics' podcast - I often find it greater than than expected of its two presenters Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart.

One point they made was particularly interesting - the leap from quite successful mayor to PM has been done before - by Boris Johnson (albeit via a stint as Foreign Sec). And we all know how well that went.

I wondered if Boris was a successful mayor - but they suggested that by metrics such as Boris Bikes, the 2012 Olympics, the zip wire (!), he was. Apparently he was also liked by staff when he was mayor.  How that changed when he became PM!

[Jerboa]

Russian troop build-up threatens city seen as key to seizing Ukraine's Donbas External Link/Members Only
As I was saying.....Looks like the writing is on the wall, so the state media had to actually cover Kostyantynivka for the first time.