The Starmer Years - Can The New Broom Sweep Clean?

[whelk]

TBF Neill does fall well into the colossal obnoxious corrupt cunt category.

Funny photo - that’s just how Rachel Reeves looks. In no way presenting any bias

And they’ve done their best to make his face not looked like the deformed ball bag that it is.

[Gloucester Saint]

Rejoin the Single Market if you want to sort out the economy. The hard Brexit pursued by Johnson and Frost, his Sherpa that couldn’t climb Butser Hill, wiped 7% off GDP and a £40bn annual gap in the economy. Neil won’t admit that and until he does, he has no credibility with me.

Labour need to stop being timid about this and tell people truth. Neil’s article is null and void then.

Edited Saturday at 10:44 by Gloucester Saint

[hypochondriac]

5 minutes ago, whelk said:

TBF Neill does fall well into the colossal obnoxious corrupt cunt category.

Funny photo - that’s just how Rachel Reeves looks. In no way presenting any bias

And they’ve done their best to make his face not looked like the deformed ball bag that it is.

Like I said, you'd dismiss it based on who it is rather than what it says. The photo is there because how she looked and acted in the house was in the article. 

[whelk]

5 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Rejoin the Single Market if you want to sort out the economy. The hard Brexit pursued by Johnson and Frost, his Sherpa that couldn’t climb Butser Hill, wiped 7% off GDP and a £40bn annual gap in the economy. Neil won’t admit that and until he does, he has no credibility with me.

Labour need to stop being timid about this and tell people truth. Neil’s article is null and void then.

Indeed it’s the elephant in the room. Just wanting growth is pretty meaningless

[whelk]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

Like I said, you'd dismiss it based on who it is rather than what it says. The photo is there because how she looked and acted in the house was in the article. 

There aren’t many who rival him to compete for my loathing but you know I respect your posts by and large

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, whelk said:

There aren’t many who rival him to compete for my loathing but you know I respect your posts by and large

I always found him equally excoriating to both sides during his interviews. He's been heavily critical and no fan of the tories for years. I don't see what about his criticism were inaccurate?  

Likewise, I often disagree with you but appreciate you don't just start shouting insults and respect your point of view. 

[Gloucester Saint]

45 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

I always found him equally excoriating to both sides during his interviews. He's been heavily critical and no fan of the tories for years. I don't see what about his criticism were inaccurate?  

Likewise, I often disagree with you but appreciate you don't just start shouting insults and respect your point of view. 

It’s not necessarily disagreeing with what’s there because there is some truth there - albeit the tone is very partisan given the audience - but what’s missing. Brexit and the type of Brexit, what that newspaper demanded - has murdered commercial investment in the UK as an overall trend, and productivity is every bit as much a problem in the private sector as public. Skills development is another banana skin that successive governments have not made progress on consistently and become yet another ideological football. 2011-23 there were 11 growth strategies and Labour are producing yet more now. Our businesses, colleges and universities need more consistency, stability and consensus to stick their necks out and make the major investments in R&D needed than we’ve had since 2016, when at least we had some continuation from Brown-Darling-Osborne-Cable.

https://www.economicsobservatory.com/how-can-the-uk-revive-its-ailing-productivity

 

Edited Saturday at 11:40 by Gloucester Saint

[hypochondriac]

Interesting Streeting referring to Pakistani rape gangs. That's a welcome change that wouldn't have happened a few months ago. One step closer to admitting they are actually a problem. 

[Turkish]

The Tories saved SOG life 

Edited Saturday at 15:36 by Turkish

[Turkish]

Well this is awkward

 

[badgerx16]

12 hours ago, Turkish said:

Well this is awkward

 

Stopped being an MP in 2005, suspended by Labour last summer over undisclosed matters in his private life.

 

[Lord Duckhunter]

3 hours ago, badgerx16 said:

suspended by Labour last summer over undisclosed matters in his private life.

 

Was it subject to a gagging order like Nick Brown’s suspension , or are the press free report on why he was suspended? 

[badgerx16]

4 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Was it subject to a gagging order like Nick Brown’s suspension , or are the press free report on why he was suspended? 

According to this it was nothing to do with tweeting pornographic images of younng men:

https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2024/06/11/former-hove-mp-suspended-from-party-over-serious-allegations/

[hypochondriac]

Good to see that Labour councils have their priorities in order. As I said though, Streeting used the more correct term Pakistani rape gangs earlier in the week so hopefully this an anomaly. 

[harvey]

6 hours ago, badgerx16 said:

Stopped being an MP in 2005, suspended by Labour last summer over undisclosed matters in his private life.

 

Didn't prevent him appearing on tv last week attacking Elon Musk for criticising Starmer and Phillips over their handling of the GG scandal.

[hypochondriac]

If this comes to pass, would be interested in your thoughts @whelk. Not exactly a sign of a government doing well. In my opinion very unlikely she makes it till June. 

Edited 8 hours ago by hypochondriac

[harvey]

20 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

If this comes to pass, would be interested in your thoughts @whelk. Not exactly a sign of a government doing well. In my opinion very unlikely she makes it till June. 

What's Diane Abbott up to nowadays?

[hypochondriac]

25 minutes ago, harvey said:

What's Diane Abbott up to nowadays?

The last time I saw her she was making a decent contribution to trying to prevent assisted suicide so she's gone up in my estimation-albeit the only way was up. 

[Lord Duckhunter]

4 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

Good to see that Labour councils have their priorities in order

So has Starmer.
 

Looking after us plebs that pay for tickets. 

Edited 7 hours ago by Lord Duckhunter

[whelk]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

If this comes to pass, would be interested in your thoughts @whelk. Not exactly a sign of a government doing well. In my opinion very unlikely she makes it till June. 

If a week is a long time in politics what is 6 months?

I have no idea whether she goes or not but is funny how many seem to think economic growth is just a couple of budget decisions away, As Gloucester pointed out Brexit fucked the economy and lead to huge growth in migrants fom non-EU countries. There isn’t simple fixes whatever Badenoch or Farage might say. 

[hypochondriac]

15 minutes ago, whelk said:

If a week is a long time in politics what is 6 months?

I have no idea whether she goes or not but is funny how many seem to think economic growth is just a couple of budget decisions away, As Gloucester pointed out Brexit fucked the economy and lead to huge growth in migrants fom non-EU countries. There isn’t simple fixes whatever Badenoch or Farage might say. 

We've gone from modest and pretty uninpressive growth at the tail end of the tories to some of the worst economic performance in years with perhaps only Truss' short tenure rivaling it. Let's not pretend that this situation would have happened whoever was in charge or whatever decisions anyone took. This wasn't inevitable. 

Edited 7 hours ago by hypochondriac

[Gloucester Saint]

13 minutes ago, whelk said:

If a week is a long time in politics what is 6 months?

I have no idea whether she goes or not but is funny how many seem to think economic growth is just a couple of budget decisions away, As Gloucester pointed out Brexit fucked the economy and lead to huge growth in migrants fom non-EU countries. There isn’t simple fixes whatever Badenoch or Farage might say. 

And certainly not a panacea from the private sector which the Tory right and Farage crippled with a hard, red tape intensive Brexit. They need help to make exporting easier. Frictionless trade my arse. 

[Gloucester Saint]

6 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

We've gone from modest and pretty uninpressive growth at the tail end of the tories to some of the worst economic performance in years. Let's not pretend that this situation would have happened whoever was in charge or whatever decisions anyone took. This wasn't inevitable. 

Read Paul’s opening remarks and you’ll change your understanding https://ifs.org.uk/events/general-election-2024-ifs-manifesto-analysis

Paul Johnson is our top independent expert on the public finances and the IFS were very critical of the main parties not being honest, and they savaged Reform UK’s manifesto.

Personally I’d have reversed Hunt’s uncosted NI cuts rather than put it on the employers but trying to pretend it wasn’t a horrific hand is fantasy. 

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Read Paul’s opening remarks and you’ll change your understanding https://ifs.org.uk/events/general-election-2024-ifs-manifesto-analysis

Paul Johnson is our top independent expert on the public finances and the IFS were very critical of the main parties not being honest, and they savaged Reform UK’s manifesto.

Personally I’d have reversed Hunt’s uncosted NI cuts rather than put it on the employers but trying to pretend it wasn’t a horrific hand is fantasy. 

Of course the economy wasn't in good shape but let's not pretend that the political choices Labour have made haven't contributed to what we are seeing now. To suggest that what we have now was unavoidable is a fantasy. 

[Gloucester Saint]

18 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Of course the economy wasn't in good shape but let's not pretend that the political choices Labour have made haven't contributed to what we are seeing now. To suggest that what we have now was unavoidable is a fantasy. 

Whoever was in power had invidious options without rejoining the Single Market. I share the IFS’s frustration about the parties and media not being honest with the trade offs of their decision-making. Ian Hislop hit the nail on the head when he said that Boris started the era of fantasy thinking with the NHS red bus and boosterism with an economy reduced by 7-10%. That means less spending on key services and a lot more paperwork for firms of all sizes. The cake-ism and rhetoric from him, Farage, Frost etc about the easiest deal in history poured petrol on the fire.

Politicians have always been marmite figures but Boris really damaged our democracy.

Anyone would be boxed in, I wish Labour would just say ‘if you want services back, and end to austerity, rejoining the Single Market gives us a huge boost to do it and power up growth’. Lose some Red Wall seats but would gain even more in the South. Public opinion has swung in favour of it. Access to the EIB at much better rates for infrastructure borrowing and investment too, losing that was another ‘gift’ from Brexit. And secure our borders better against migrants the public doesn’t want.

Sadly I don’t think Starmer and Reeves have the bollocks to be up front about it. Streeting or Burnham would. 

Edited 6 hours ago by Gloucester Saint

[Weston Super Saint]

56 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Personally I’d have reversed Hunt’s uncosted NI cuts rather than put it on the employers but trying to pretend it wasn’t a horrific hand is fantasy. 

I imagine that'll be next.  Probably end of April / beginning of May?  Maybe hidden in amongst an extra bank holiday?

[StDunko]

4 hours ago, harvey said:

Didn't prevent him appearing on tv last week attacking Elon Musk for criticising Starmer and Phillips over their handling of the GG scandal.

It demonstrates the quality of GB News guests, doesn't it.

[harvey]

14 minutes ago, StDunko said:

It demonstrates the quality of GB News guests, doesn't it.

You said it...ex Liebour MP defending a GG scandal....I wonder why?

[badgerx16]

15 minutes ago, harvey said:

You said it...ex Liebour MP defending a GG scandal....I wonder why?

How was he 'defending' it ?

Musk was stoking the flames based on out-of-context and deliberately misconstrued quotes. Calling for Jess Philips to be jailed served no purpose other than to provoke personal attacks and threats against her. Conspiring to overthrow the legitimate democratic Government of the UK shows how unjustifiably megalomaniacal he is.

Edited 5 hours ago by badgerx16

[harvey]

1 minute ago, badgerx16 said:

How was he 'defending' it ?

Attacking Elon Musk for highlighting Starmers and Philips 'handling' 'hiding' of the situation......do you disagree?

[badgerx16]

Just now, harvey said:

Attacking Elon Musk for highlighting Starmers and Philips 'handling' 'hiding' of the situation......do you disagree?

Yes. Neither Starmer or Philips is 'hiding' or covering up anything. Musk is just an ill-informed, not too bright, person with an inflated ego and the wisdom of a ten year old.

[harvey]

2 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

Yes. Neither Starmer or Philips is 'hiding' or covering up anything. Musk is just an ill-informed, not too bright, person with an inflated ego and the wisdom of a ten year old.

Really?...I guess you're not very well informed then.

[harvey]

5 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

Yes. Neither Starmer or Philips is 'hiding' or covering up anything. Musk is just an ill-informed, not too bright, person with an inflated ego and the wisdom of a ten year old.

Would you be referring to that multi billionaire not too bright person?

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

Yes. Neither Starmer or Philips is 'hiding' or covering up anything. Musk is just an ill-informed, not too bright, person with an inflated ego and the wisdom of a ten year old.

Agree with most of that, Musk is clearly very, very bright in a technical/engineering solutions way but not socially which isn’t a total surprise with Asperger’s. His declining mental health has probably led to finding social masking more difficult. What’s interesting is that none of the Coalition era Conservatives who worked with Starmer at the CPS have joined in with the attacks and some have said that he’s (Musk) wrong. 

[badgerx16]

4 minutes ago, harvey said:

Would you be referring to that multi billionaire not too bright person?

Yes.

[harvey]

1 minute ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Agree with most of that, Musk is clearly very, very bright in a technical/engineering solutions way but not socially which isn’t a total surprise with Asperger’s. His declining mental health has probably led to finding social masking more difficult. What’s interesting is that none of the Coalition era Conservatives who worked with Starmer at the CPS have joined in with the attacks and some have said that he’s (Musk) wrong. 

I guess 'declining mental health' coincides with calling out anyone who goes along with the Legacy media narrative?

[harvey]

Just now, badgerx16 said:

Yes.

Well you must be well 'intelijunt' then.

[badgerx16]

Just now, harvey said:

I guess 'declining mental health' coincides with calling out anyone who goes along with the Legacy media narrative?

Do you think he should be calling for Jess Philips to be jailed and for the Government to be overthrown, given the amplification that X provides him ?

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, harvey said:

I guess 'declining mental health' coincides with calling out anyone who goes along with the Legacy media narrative?

He has been open about it several times - there’s loads https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/elon-musk-mental-health

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/elon-musks-biographer-warns-the-billionaire-is-going-mad-and-could-endanger-us-all-says-he-is-deeply-unwell/articleshow/117130551.cms?from=mdr

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/elon-musk-ketamine-depression-treatment

[badgerx16]

1 minute ago, harvey said:

Well you must be well 'intelijunt' then.

Sufficiently.

[harvey]

Just now, badgerx16 said:

Do you think he should be calling for Jess Philips to be jailed and for the Government to be overthrown, given the amplification that X provides him ?

I'll be honest and say that Jess Phillips and Keir Starmer are vile people who I have no common ground with...I think they're both self serving (as all politicians are)

As for X...I'm grateful that the platform is so anti free speech now.