The Politics Thread

[scutty brown]

Trump says USA attacked by 111 missiles from the "Islamic Republic of Japan"

External Link/Members Only

[john122350]

FBI investigates Argentine Football Association over alleged money laundering | The Business Standard External Link/Members Only

[DastardlyDick]

IMO he was right to be angry at Sky News/Times for putting his daughter in danger by revealing her location.

This is the house that Farage himself was perfectly happy to pose in front of, and, from CCTV "evidence" he has provided, a whole 2 people are seen approaching the house and Ms Farage. Both promptly walked off when challenged by her. It doesn't even come close to the Legal definition of Harassment.
The only person who's revealed her location is her Dad.

[DastardlyDick]

FBI investigates Argentine Football Association over alleged money laundering | The Business Standard External Link/Members Only

Didn't give Trump a piece of the action.

[Vice Admiral]

So Laurence Fox, leader – and sole member? – of the Reclaim Party is to stand in the Clacton by-election.

Hmm.

I don't want the Count Binface vote to be diluted, but I guess that Fox is more likely to take votes from Farage.

In any case, I've decided to stand myself.  In my view there aren't enough silly parties in the UK with names beginning with the letters "Re", so I'm starting one called Regurgitate.  Our slogan will be "Bring it all back up!"

Regurgitate hasn't yet formulated any coherent policies (but then nor have Reform, Restore and Reclaim).  However we will be positioning ourselves in such a way as to attract the moron vote.

Which gives us a pretty good chance of winning in Clacton.

[bigden40]

Disappointed to see the government appoint Ruth Hunt (ex-Stonewall CEO) as a Civil Service Commissioner, the commissioners oversee civil service appointments.

[Blackpool Rock]

So Laurence Fox, leader – and sole member? – of the Reclaim Party is to stand in the Clacton by-election.

Hmm.

I don't want the Count Binface vote to be diluted, but I guess that Fox is more likely to take votes from Farage.

In any case, I've decided to stand myself.  In my view there aren't enough silly parties in the UK with names beginning with the letters "Re", so I'm starting one called Regurgitate.  Our slogan will be "Bring it all back up!"

Regurgitate hasn't yet formulated any coherent policies (but then nor have Reform, Restore and Reclaim).  However we will be positioning ourselves in such a way as to attract the moron vote.

Which gives us a pretty good chance of winning in Clacton.

Yes it now looks like there may be a few comedy / crank parties standing and that includes Reform 
I really think that only 1 should stand against Farage just to give us the potential for a really good laugh if they can win it or at least run him close

[Vice Admiral]

So Laurence Fox, leader – and sole member? – of the Reclaim Party is to stand in the Clacton by-election.

Hmm.

I don't want the Count Binface vote to be diluted, but I guess that Fox is more likely to take votes from Farage.

In any case, I've decided to stand myself.  In my view there aren't enough silly parties in the UK with names beginning with the letters "Re", so I'm starting one called Regurgitate.  Our slogan will be "Bring it all back up!"

Regurgitate hasn't yet formulated any coherent policies (but then nor have Reform, Restore and Reclaim).  However we will be positioning ourselves in such a way as to attract the moron vote.

Which gives us a pretty good chance of winning in Clacton.

Yes it now looks like there may be a few comedy / crank parties standing and that includes Reform 
I really think that only 1 should stand against Farage just to give us the potential for a really good laugh if they can win it or at least run him close

At the 2024 general election, Farage won only 46.2% of the vote in Clacton.  If the non-Farageiste majority unite round one candidate, Count Binface could indeed be elected.

It would do wonders for our reputation abroad.  Ever since Brexit, the United Kingdom has been a bit of an international joke, but Binface beating Farage would be a transformative event.  We'd again be respected everywhere.

[scutty brown]

So Laurence Fox, leader – and sole member? – of the Reclaim Party is to stand in the Clacton by-election.

Hmm.

I don't want the Count Binface vote to be diluted, but I guess that Fox is more likely to take votes from Farage.

In any case, I've decided to stand myself.  In my view there aren't enough silly parties in the UK with names beginning with the letters "Re", so I'm starting one called Regurgitate.  Our slogan will be "Bring it all back up!"

Regurgitate hasn't yet formulated any coherent policies (but then nor have Reform, Restore and Reclaim).  However we will be positioning ourselves in such a way as to attract the moron vote.

Which gives us a pretty good chance of winning in Clacton.

Well....I was thinking of forming the Reprobate Party
Should suit us all quite well

[Blackpool Rock]

Well....I was thinking of forming the Reprobate Party
Should suit us all quite well

Yes be good if you could throw your condom into the ring   

[Blackpool Rock]

At the 2024 general election, Farage won only 46.2% of the vote in Clacton.  If the non-Farageiste majority unite round one candidate, Count Binface could indeed be elected.

It would do wonders for our reputation abroad.  Ever since Brexit, the United Kingdom has been a bit of an international joke, but Binface beating Farage would be a transformative event.  We'd again be respected everywhere.

The thing is that Farage is the party leader and everything pretty much coalesces around him, i'm guessing he could still be the party leader but if Reform did win the next GE even if they had to form a coalition it would be pretty weird having Farage as party leader and some other Reform MP as the PM 

Obviously he could stand again at the next GE and win a seat but would it mean he decided to throw in the towel 
We saw once before with one of the previous party names that when he stood down the popularity of the party took a dive, basically without Farage Reform is finished

[DastardlyDick]

The thing is that Farage is the party leader and everything pretty much coalesces around him, i'm guessing he could still be the party leader but if Reform did win the next GE even if they had to form a coalition it would be pretty weird having Farage as party leader and some other Reform MP as the PM 

Obviously he could stand again at the next GE and win a seat but would it mean he decided to throw in the towel 
We saw once before with one of the previous party names that when he stood down the popularity of the party took a dive, basically without Farage Reform is finished

If you read Reform's Constitution, you'll find it's high on impossible to oust Farage as Leader. Either over 50% of members "in good standing" have to write to the Chairman (currently, 30p Lee) to request a motion of No Confidence. The Reform MPs are not eligible to request such a vote until there are over 100 of them, at which point the 50% comes into play.
Even if he does get removed, he still owns over 50% of the shares in Reform 2025 Ltd and the copyrights to their logos etc, so they'd cease to exist as a Party, unless Tice, the other shareholder, buys him out.

[Vice Admiral]

There are currently six candidates declared as candidates in the by-election of the century (I thought we had one of those last month?):

Nigel Farage, Reform UK

Count Binface, Count Binface Party

Laurence Fox, Reclaim Party

Adham Alkhatip, Forward Party (photo below)

Vice Admiral, Regurgitate UK (aka Backward Party)

Scutty Brown, Reprobate Party

Farage is still the odds-on favourite, although his odds are drifting.  Binface’s odds are in the 7/2 to 13/2 range.


Hidden Image/Members Only

[RedKettle]

External Link/Members Only

It appears Ukraine is having some success cutting off supplies to Crimea and also creating fuel shortages in Russia. I did hear this from a member of Uk military a few weeks ago who thought this might put Putin under some pressure, I like to think so but fear it might not be enough to change anything.

Obviously our resident friends of dictatorship will dispute the information (BBC, MSM etc etc) and play down the importance.  Personally I think it is useful for Ukraine but a long way from a game changer. 

Of course we all know Trump likes a winner so it may have been a factor in the Patriot production deal.

[Jonestown]

The incoming Holy Trinity, Burnham, Miliband Jr, Haigh.

I reckon the worst Reform could do would be a walk in the park compared to what that threesome have in mind for us.

[Squire Haggard]

The incoming Holy Trinity, Burnham, Miliband Jr, Haigh.

I reckon the worst Reform could do would be a walk in the park compared to what that threesome have in mind for us.

Milipede thinks he's helping climate change by not letting us drill our own oil, but import from abroad instead.

[mills_and_bhuna]

External Link/Members Only

It appears Ukraine is having some success cutting off supplies to Crimea and also creating fuel shortages in Russia. I did hear this from a member of Uk military a few weeks ago who thought this might put Putin under some pressure, I like to think so but fear it might not be enough to change anything.

Obviously our resident friends of dictatorship will dispute the information (BBC, MSM etc etc) and play down the importance.  Personally I think it is useful for Ukraine but a long way from a game changer. 

Of course we all know Trump likes a winner so it may have been a factor in the Patriot production deal.

I've told you before.
Trump is just as invested in this war as the rest of the neocons.
The split is a ruse.
It's just mind boggling that you people think that a peace deal would end the US warmongering.
China is next if that happens.
Better get your Xi is a dictator, worse than Mao, poor Chinese people in poverty, Uiyghur genocide, South China Sea aggression excuses ready.
I think that's behind all the recent obsession with Outer Space .
They're doing a reco in case they run out of enemies on Planet Earth.

[myothernameis]

There are currently six candidates declared as candidates in the by-election of the century (I thought we had one of those last month?):

Nigel Farage, Reform UK

Count Binface, Count Binface Party

Laurence Fox, Reclaim Party

Adham Alkhatip, Forward Party (photo below)

Vice Admiral, Regurgitate UK (aka Backward Party)

Scutty Brown, Reprobate Party

Farage is still the odds-on favourite, although his odds are drifting.  Binface’s odds are in the 7/2 to 13/2 range.


Hidden Image/Members Only

The Human Fox has now joined the list



Hidden Image/Members Only

[Charliehutton]

I've told you before.
Trump is just as invested in this war as the rest of the neocons.
The split is a ruse.
It's just mind boggling that you people think that a peace deal would end the US warmongering.
China is next if that happens.
Better get your Xi is a dictator, worse than Mao, poor Chinese people in poverty, Uiyghur genocide, South China Sea aggression excuses ready.
I think that's behind all the recent obsession with Outer Space .
They're doing a reco in case they run out of enemies on Planet Earth.

When discussing football and prostitutes you seem a perfectly normal, likeable guy. Dr Jekyll. Politics, you turn into an incomprehensible gibbering frothing at the mouth nutcase in need of a nurse. Mr Hyde. No offence 

[Charliehutton]

There are currently six candidates declared as candidates in the by-election of the century (I thought we had one of those last month?):

Nigel Farage, Reform UK

Count Binface, Count Binface Party

Laurence Fox, Reclaim Party

Adham Alkhatip, Forward Party (photo below)

Vice Admiral, Regurgitate UK (aka Backward Party)

Scutty Brown, Reprobate Party

Farage is still the odds-on favourite, although his odds are drifting.  Binface’s odds are in the 7/2 to 13/2 range.


Hidden Image/Members Only

You mean, unlike Labour anointing Burnham as their leader, he'll face a challenge?

[pbrown355]

Oh yeah all hail the saviour 

Oh hang on a minute wasn't oil / gas etc flowing freely through the Strait of Hormuz unhindered until Trump started throwing bombs around 

It's like someone setting someone else on fire then saying they are a hero for putting the fire out 

yep, but he hasn't put the fire out yet!

[DastardlyDick]

Jenrick has now joined Farage in the shit - the Met have opened a Criminal Investigation into his donations when he was trying to be Tory Leader.
External Link/Members Only
Lowe has sparked outrage by dismissing Dunblane as "a murder" while criticising UK Gun Laws.
External Link/Members Only

[sparkus]

There are currently six candidates declared as candidates in the by-election of the century (I thought we had one of those last month?):

Nigel Farage, Reform UK

Count Binface, Count Binface Party

Laurence Fox, Reclaim Party

Adham Alkhatip, Forward Party (photo below)

Vice Admiral, Regurgitate UK (aka Backward Party)

Scutty Brown, Reprobate Party

Farage is still the odds-on favourite, although his odds are drifting.  Binface’s odds are in the 7/2 to 13/2 range.


Hidden Image/Members Only

Don't forget Piers Corbyn.

Sorry but how is this anything other than an absolute freakshow? 

[mills_and_bhuna]

When discussing football and prostitutes you seem a perfectly normal, likeable guy. Dr Jekyll. Politics, you turn into an incomprehensible gibbering frothing at the mouth nutcase in need of a nurse. Mr Hyde. No offence 

Maybe you need a nurse.
It is a possibility.

[Doc Holliday]

I've told you before.

That one arrogant sentence says pretty much everything about you.

Like all of us you are an anonymous individual on a punting forum. You may give your onion on a subject, but that anonymity means you have neither the credentials or authority to tell anyone anything.

[Vice Admiral]

Sorry but how is this anything other than an absolute freakshow?

There are now ten declared candidates:
External Link/Members Only

In addition, the Monster Raving Loony Party and Rejoin EU have indicated that they will be fielding candidates.

This means that Binface, who had early-mover advantage, is now less likely to win, since he's likely to get lost in the crowd.  (He was interviewed on Newsnight on Wednesday.  He comes across as a bit, erm, odd.)

Nonetheless, if Farage wins – as he probably will – I cannot think that, while he'll bluster away about the main parties' "cowardice", he'll much relish the thought of standing on the stage at Clacton announcing that he's defeated the Establishment, when the said Establishment is represented by a bunch of comedians.

Or perhaps Farage has all along been thinking of the “other” Establishment, the famous satirical comedy club run by Peter Cook in Soho for a few years in the early sixties?

[Blackpool Rock]

There are now ten declared candidates:
External Link/Members Only

In addition, the Monster Raving Loony Party and Rejoin EU have indicated that they will be fielding candidates.

This means that Binface, who had early-mover advantage, is now less likely to win, since he's likely to get lost in the crowd.  (He was interviewed on Newsnight on Wednesday.  He comes across as a bit, erm, odd.)

Nonetheless, if Farage wins – as he probably will – I cannot think that, while he'll bluster away about the main parties' "cowardice", he'll much relish the thought of standing on the stage at Clacton announcing that he's defeated the Establishment, when the said Establishment is represented by a bunch of comedians.

Or perhaps Farage has all along been thinking of the “other” Establishment, the famous satirical comedy club run by Peter Cook in Soho for a few years in the early sixties?

Reclaim may drag a few voters away from Farage but what we really need is 1 "Unity" comedy candidate otherwise they are all just splitting the vote so that Farage wins 

[RedKettle]

When discussing football and prostitutes you seem a perfectly normal, likeable guy. Dr Jekyll. Politics, you turn into an incomprehensible gibbering frothing at the mouth nutcase in need of a nurse. Mr Hyde. No offence 

Completely agree. On non political threads I usually agree with his posts, which causes me such internal confusion I have to take a quiet 5 minutes to settle myself!

[RedKettle]

The incoming Holy Trinity, Burnham, Miliband Jr, Haigh.

I reckon the worst Reform could do would be a walk in the park compared to what that threesome have in mind for us.

Exactly what they thought in pre war Germany.

[Vice Admiral]

I will be surprised if Burnham is a success as Prime Minister (not least because these days it's a near impossible job), but I should give credit when it's due – and his remarks yesterday about Israel and Gaza were, for me, pretty well pitch-perfect:
External Link/Members Only
____________________

He said more needed to be done to "strengthen our approach", to "ensure the Israeli government adheres to international law and to keep the prospect of a two-state solution alive".

He accused Israel of violating the US-brokered ceasefire agreement and said there had been a surge of settler violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

"[Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's government is clearly attempting to make a two-state solution impossible," he said, calling for further sanctions and measures to ban trade in goods with illegal settlements in the West Bank.
____________________

I dare say that cynics might argue that this position (a) will go down well with the Labour left, which Burnham needs to keep happy and (b) might lure back some of the Muslim voters who are defecting to the Greens.

Nonetheless he is right to be firm and clear on Gaza – which Starmer was not.

[Followyourdick]

Disappointed to see the government appoint Ruth Hunt (ex-Stonewall CEO) as a Civil Service Commissioner, the commissioners oversee civil service appointments.

Why?

[Blackpool Rock]

Exactly what they thought in pre war Germany.

Exactly but it's not in living memory for most people who actually have cushy lives by comparison, it's dangerous when so many people put blind faith in false promises 

[Thephoenix]

Completely agree. On non political threads I usually agree with his posts, which causes me such internal confusion I have to take a quiet 5 minutes to settle myself!

I've long suspected Mr Mills & Mr Bhuna to be 2 different blokes but I can't work out who's who. 

[bigden40]

Why?

Because the last thing we need is more gender ideology in the civil service just as common sense seems to be returning.

She was responsible for Stonewall's worst excesses, heavily criticised in the CASS review and should have been booted from the Lords not put in a position of influence like this. . 

[Punting2022]

We cant as the public let burnham suceed. Immigration will rise under him.
Went bournemouth week just gone. Such a lovely beach ruined by bad labour and torie policies. Didnt feel safe.

[Punting2022]

I will be surprised if Burnham is a success as Prime Minister (not least because these days it's a near impossible job), but I should give credit when it's due – and his remarks yesterday about Israel and Gaza were, for me, pretty well pitch-perfect:
External Link/Members Only
____________________

He said more needed to be done to "strengthen our approach", to "ensure the Israeli government adheres to international law and to keep the prospect of a two-state solution alive".

He accused Israel of violating the US-brokered ceasefire agreement and said there had been a surge of settler violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

"[Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's government is clearly attempting to make a two-state solution impossible," he said, calling for further sanctions and measures to ban trade in goods with illegal settlements in the West Bank.
____________________

I dare say that cynics might argue that this position (a) will go down well with the Labour left, which Burnham needs to keep happy and (b) might lure back some of the Muslim voters who are defecting to the Greens.

Nonetheless he is right to be firm and clear on Gaza – which Starmer was not.

As a country we should stick with isreal and the usa. Lets not forgot hamas started all this issue a few years ago

[Zimbaman]

We cant as the public let burnham suceed. Immigration will rise under him.
Went bournemouth week just gone. Such a lovely beach ruined by bad labour and torie policies. Didnt feel safe.

Oh give over with this nonsense. We can’t as a country continue to let fruit cakes misrepresent the truth. Labour have been in 2 years and immigration has been going down. The reason there is an issue is down to Farage and his Brexit disaster. And here you are advocating more of the same 

[Doc Holliday]

We cant as the public let burnham suceed.

So we must stop the country from any attempt to succeed?

[finn5555]

We cant as the public let burnham suceed. Immigration will rise under him.
Went bournemouth week just gone. Such a lovely beach ruined by bad labour and torie policies. Didnt feel safe.

Yep it’s confirmed your deluded and misinformed 

[mills_and_bhuna]

As a country we should stick with isreal and the usa. Lets not forgot hamas started all this issue a few years ago

Christ on a bike. 

[Charliebp]

Christ on a bike. 

Ah, yes.  Let's not forget all of this started with the Hamas attack of 2023.

Not advocating for either side, here, but come on.

Edit: not aimed at you, Mills and bhuna. I am in agreement with you. The post you quoted didn't pop up!

[DastardlyDick]

As a country we should stick with isreal and the usa. Lets not forgot hamas started all this issue a few years ago

I agree that Hamas should not have attacked Israel and I would have backed limited retaliation, but what Israel did, and is doing, is way, way beyond that. Especially when it's all about keeping Netanyahu out of a jail cell.

[bigden40]

Oh give over with this nonsense. We can’t as a country continue to let fruit cakes misrepresent the truth. Labour have been in 2 years and immigration has been going down. The reason there is an issue is down to Farage and his Brexit disaster. And here you are advocating more of the same 

Nah.

Illegal immigration is up, a lot.

Net legal immigration is a lower, largely due to changes made by Sunak, but is still a very large number.  And the “net” is doing a lot of work there and is also concealing large emigration of UK born population. 

[Zimbaman]

Nah.

Illegal immigration is up, a lot.

Net legal immigration is a lower, largely due to changes made by Sunak, but is still a very large number.  And the “net” is doing a lot of work there and is also concealing large emigration of UK born population.

Yes. It’s ridiculous. Stop the immigration that we desperately need for skills shortages and to balance the aging population. Make it politically impossible. Then complain at a failing economy.

The increase in illegal immigration is down to Brexit and a complete lack of international agreements to send anyone back.

[Jerboa]

Yes. It’s ridiculous. Stop the immigration that we desperately need for skills shortages and to balance the aging population. Make it politically impossible. Then complain at a failing economy.

The increase in illegal immigration is down to Brexit and a complete lack of international agreements to send anyone back.

Do you have that comment saved so you can copy & paste it at will? 

The increase in illegal migration is because UK governments have been weak as piss to actually stop it. And that we house and feed the illegals once they get here, unlike in France.

[Charliehutton]

Yes. It’s ridiculous. Stop the immigration that we desperately need for skills shortages and to balance the aging population. Make it politically impossible. Then complain at a failing economy.

You appear to be better informed than the Home Office. According to them, as of earlier this month, 181 'small boats' carrying 11,884 illegal migrants have crossed the channel so far this year, yet they seem unaware of their particular skills.

[Jerboa]

You appear to be better informed than the Home Office. According to them, as of earlier this month, 181 'small boats' carrying 11,884 illegal migrants have crossed the channel so far this year, yet they seem unaware of their particular skills.

All engineers and doctors don't you know. 

[Zimbaman]

You appear to be better informed than the Home Office. According to them, as of earlier this month, 181 'small boats' carrying 11,884 illegal migrants have crossed the channel so far this year, yet they seem unaware of their particular skills.

You are confusing illegal with legal immigration 

[DastardlyDick]

The number of people arriving by 'small boats' is a fraction of the figure arriving by legal means. Even if the UK has the resources and willpower to use them the difference in numbers would be unnoticeable.

[Punting2022]

Yes. It’s ridiculous. Stop the immigration that we desperately need for skills shortages and to balance the aging population. Make it politically impossible. Then complain at a failing economy.

The increase in illegal immigration is down to Brexit and a complete lack of international agreements to send anyone back.

But the illigalls are just coming for free ac hotels. Cash handouts. Causing crime. Rape cases up in bournemouth since they got free beachside hotels. They are not filling a skills shortage. Infact legal migration is falling. Mostly due to them not wanting to come to the uk. London has fallen to certain ethnic groups.

Taxes are rising service dropping all because of the invasion.

People need to stop blaming brexit. Take control vote reform. Im even deflecting to restore.