I have an irrational and yet intense dislike for Gyles Brandreth. I don't know why.
I have an irrational and yet intense dislike for Gyles Brandreth. I don’t know why.
He’s Tory, and always appeared in interviews to be a smug ****,
I suspect that the tactical voting sites will update as we get closer. Worth looking at who is funding each one, as there's opportunities for mischief. The Carol Vorderman one you'd think is reliable and well resourced and algorithmed
I’m just watching Richi chatting shite on the news in a Midlands factory. Why would you agree/volunteer to sit behind or anywhere near the arsehole and not swear at him or heckle?
The reason you go to factories and other workplaces rather than town halls, the high street, a park, a library etc is to seem to be meeting 'the people' whilst specifically not to meeting the public. Business owners, supportive of your cause, have control over entry to the premises and can choose who is present - and that can of course extend to filling the room with people who don't actually work in said workplace but will happily be dressed up to look like they do.
What's surprising about the midland factory visit isnt that the plants in the audience were in fact Tory Councillors who'd been bussed in - but that they managed to find some Tory Councillors who are still Tory Councillors.
There's no way they can vet these people properly
https://twitter.com/PGMcNamara/status/1793702331961450798?t=FNljCGJB5ss8m4Gmwcm5IQ&s=19
The reason you go to factories and other workplaces rather than town halls, the high street, a park, a library etc is to seem to be meeting ‘the people’ whilst specifically not to meeting the public. Business owners, supportive of your cause, have control over entry to the premises and can choose who is present –
I will spit in the gutter as Sunday's club ride goes past West Transport then.....
There’s no way they can vet these people properly
Its been suggested that part of the reason for the hasty election is to railroad Reform into running candidates that they haven't had time to vet properly so that any dirty laundry that brings to light hampers their campaign. Seems they didn't take their own party's situation into account.
There’s no way they can vet these people properly
I can't help but wonder if there will be some seats with no tory standing. If you have no hope, why would you waste the time?
Why would you agree/volunteer to sit behind or anywhere near the arsehole and not swear at him or heckle?
There seems to have been two types of people involved.
The imported tory councillors etc and then some real staff.
First set is self explanatory and as for the second. I think that can be answered by the boss saying "chances are Sunak will lost his main job in six weeks. Do you want to beat him to the jobcentre?"
If I knew he was coming the week before I would definitely be buying some lottery tickets but when they didnt give me retirement money would zip my mouth.
To be fair, since the collapse of the BNP, a lot of the locals round Ilson have become Tory voters.
I thought that was a bit purile really. They have to be very careful with this kind of stuff.
Yeah, sure.
Edit: oh for ****s sake it's a picture of Ed Miliband eating a bacon buttie. Ffs it's 2024 and the one thing that worked now doesn't.
Yeah can't say that I was blown away by that Labour vid. Then again I wasn't too chuffed when they let in Elphicke either!
The body language of the Tory who drew the short straw and is on QT tonight says ‘please good, just let’s get this over with’
Channel 4 news reporting earlier that on Rishi’s visit to some factory or other today, where he did his nauseating head boy routine, the people who asked the questions were plants. They were local Tory councillors given hi viz vests to make it look like they worked there and ask pre-prepared questions
He really is a pathetic little worm!
Then again I wasn’t too chuffed when they let in Elphicke either!
are they under any obligation to select her as a candidate?
Really? No-one's mentioned the councillors asking questions...
I can’t help but wonder if there will be some seats with no tory standing. If you have no hope, why would you waste the time?
You have to serve a couple of hopeless elections in unwinnable seats before you get picked for a viable one. At least, that was it traditionally - maybe the rules are different now.
If you were purely interested in seeking power, you'd join the Tories now, serve loyally at an election, lose, and then exploit the bloodletting and open posts in the next parliament to claw your way up.
There’s no way they can vet these people properly
They can't even properly vet their own MPs.
You have to serve a couple of hopeless elections in unwinnable seats before you get picked for a viable one. At least, that was it traditionally – maybe the rules are different now.
The first seat which Rishi Sunak contested for the Tories was a safe Tory seat in the 2015 GE.
Similarly the first seat Keir Starmer contested for Labour was a safe Labour seat in the 2015 GE.
Enthusiastic self-serving political careerists can be catapulted straight to the top in modern UK politics. They don't really need any experience these days, not even a stint as a local councillor.
You have to serve a couple of hopeless elections in unwinnable seats before you get picked for a viable one. At least, that was it traditionally – maybe the rules are different now
The bell ends they sent out to bat in the red wall seats in 2019 were never expected to win but, you know… Jeremy Corbyn. So hey ho… here we are.
So we get Gullis and Lee Anderson and my * of an MP James Daly. They’ll all be gone as quickly as they came but we’ve all had to endure these utter *-wits for 5 years and just look at the damage they’ve done
politecameraaction
Free MemberReally? No-one’s mentioned the councillors asking questions…
It ought to be a big deal but that's just an indication of how far things have gone wrong. People just aren't shocked or even really disappointed about it, it's just another sigh. Not good.
Very skeptical that people will turn to smaller parties when FPTP still exists, especially in our world of polarised politics, where if you dont vote for one of the 2 main parties you are helping the other one,
far more people simply wont vote than vote for either reform, green or the lib dems
Chippenham has been Conservative for decades, and the town council has been largely Conservative as well, but with new boundaries from 2023, the seat could change. In 2019 the results were:
Con - 54.6%
Lib - 31.3%
Lab - 12.3%
Green - 1.9%
Conservative majority of 23.2%
Now the situation regarding chance of winning:
Con - 30%
Lib - 56%
Lab - 14%
Green - 0%
Reform - 0%
The only people canvassing during the last council election were Liberals, I had a couple of Conservative leaflets stuffed through my letterbox, which went straight into my recycling, and I can’t remember when I last saw a poster for a Labour candidate.
@jam-bo They’ve already selected someone else but in any case she’s not standing.
ernielynch
Full Member
I have an irrational and yet intense dislike for Gyles Brandreth. I don’t know why.
Deviation. Intense dislike for Giles Brandreth is perfectly rational
The thing is I can't remember the last time Brandreth made a comment which could be described as political, so it can't be that.
And yet I do intensely dislike him. I guess it's probably that he extrudes "needy attention seeker" every time he's on the telly.
Keir Starmer
Angela Rayner
Rachel Reeves
Richard Burgon
Annelise Dodds
Sadiq Khan
Andy Burnham
Yvette Cooper
Wes Streeting
Ed Miliband
David Lammy
Pat McFadden
Shabana Mahmood
Louise Haigh
Thangnam Debbonaire
Emily Thornberry
Lisa Nandy
God help us. If you can, emigrate.
Yeah, I know right, It's been the dream team up until now.
I have an irrational and yet intense dislike for Gyles Brandreth. I don’t know why.
Have you seen the video of him and Gary Glitter chatting on the sofa on TVAM? It's, erm, yewtree-worthy...
It ought to be a big deal but that’s just an indication of how far things have gone wrong. People just aren’t shocked or even really disappointed about it, it’s just another sigh. Not good.
Didn’t actually didn’t mind that labour vid pointing it out.
I’m more worried about people not voting,reform standing down and him sliding back in.
I can’t see it happening but strange times.
Deviation. Intense dislike for Giles Brandreth is perfectly rational
But no hesitation, to be fair.
That tactical vote site seems to be using the data from the 2019 election, so it's not really helpful, my constituency had a massive tory majority with LibDem a long way back and Labour even further behind, so it suggests a LibDem tactical vote. All the more recent polls I can find now show all 3 parties are now pretty close at about 30% of the votes each, which would mean you should just vote for which ever opposition party you fancy...
God help us. If you can, emigrate
missing you already..
grimep
Free Member
Keir Starmer
Angela Rayner
Rachel Reeves
Richard Burgon
Annelise Dodds
Sadiq Khan
Andy Burnham
Yvette Cooper
Wes Streeting
Ed Miliband
David Lammy
Pat McFadden
Shabana Mahmood
Louise Haigh
Thangnam Debbonaire
Emily Thornberry
Lisa Nandy
God help us. If you can, emigrate.
In the time it took you to type that out, you could have made yourself a nice cup of chamomile tea
You appear to be totally convinced that the Tories won't win the general election on July 4th grimep, why?
What have the Tories done which convinces you that they stand no chance of winning?
I thought Rishi Sunak sounded quite buoyant yesterday.
I thought Rishi Sunak sounded quite buoyant yesterday.
Considering what we have to float on in the country, that would include nearly everything
grimep Free Member
...Thangnam Debbonaire...
You're not fond of government Thangnam-style?
If you can, emigrate.
Not so easy these days.
The left has shown repeatedly that it will hold its nose and support a centrist candidate.
There is one fairly large exception to that...
Corbyn expected to stand as independent candidate https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c033z38m849o
I’m more worried about people not voting,reform standing down and him sliding back in.
I can’t see it happening but strange times.
I'm still worried about this, TBH.
That would be a massive shock wouldn't it but then I was shocked when I woke up the morning after the Brexit vote so know how stupid people allowed to vote can be.
There is one fairly large exception to that…
Corbyn expected to stand as independent candidate
It's an exception, but one of 650 constituencies is hardly a large one.
reform standing down
There is zero chance of Reform UK pulling out of the general election because frankly it would be of zero advantage to them.
The Tories are going to lose the general election whether Reform UK stand or not - the arithmetic makes that clear.
All that Reform UK not standing would achieve is that the Tories might not lose by quite as much.
The worse the Tories do on July 4th the better it is for Reform UK, who very obviously want to be seen as the right-wing alternative to the Tories.
Reform UK are very clearly not going to help the Tories get a respectable result.
2019 was quite different because Corbyn had committed Labour to a second referendum, so the Brexit Party were willing to help defeat Labour.
This time Starmer has committed Labour to accepting Brexit plus there is no reasonable possibility of Labour losing the election.
And let's face it, Starmer as prime minister isn't going to scare them as much as Corbyn being prime minister. Prime minister Corbyn must have been the stuff of nightmares for them - a leftie woke foreigner-loving cyclist?!?!
I thought Rishi Sunak sounded quite buoyant yesterday.
was that another rain pun?
The remaining tories after the election will essentially be reform in all but name
are they under any obligation to select her as a candidate?
Excellent question, shouldn't it be the local constituency labour party that decides if they want another Elphicke for Dover?
Or was she standing down anyway? Her crossing the floor was supposed to be sticking the knife in to Rishi, but she's already become a liability for Labour.
There is zero chance of Reform UK pulling out of the general election because frankly it would be of zero advantage to them.
Completely agree. This is their opportunity to get as much money out of their gullible followers until the next election. There is no chance of them not taking full advantage of this sales period.
this feels like it will bite sunak in the arse
he lied to her face, knowing in that just a few hours he'd be announcing an election and the law would never get through
Lib-Dems announcing that they want to give patients the right to see a GP within 7 days, which is fine, I guess. How're you going to achieve that Ed?
Put GPs in glass offices and allow folk to come and see them work through the windows. Solved it.
How’re you going to achieve that Ed?
I don't think he posts on here so let me help you:
Lib-Dems announcing that they want to give patients the right to see a GP within 7 days,
7 days!
Pretty low bar to set.
From Ernie's BBC link
Half of the 8,000 extra GPs would come from boosting recruitment, while the rest would be secured by retaining more experienced GPs, the Lib Dems said.
So the "extra" 8000 is 4000 new and 4000 existing that didn't leave, most likely because they moved into partnership / managerial GP areas which means they see less patients... This is just like the Tory "new" hospitals.
I’m genuinely shocked that of the laws they pushed through today won’t include the renters reform bill to put a stop no fault evictions
Who saw that coming?
7 days!
Pretty low bar to set.
If you’ve tried to actually get a GP’s appointment recently, you’ll know that’s actually a pretty ambitious target from where we presently are.
In our local surgery you’ll be looking at a month, minimum
"Half of the 8,000 extra GPs would come from boosting recruitment, while the rest would be secured by retaining more experienced GPs, the Lib Dems said."
"The Lib Dems said" makes it very clear that there would be 4000 new GPs under their plan. I can't see any evidence of the LibDems trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes.
7 days!
Pretty low bar to set.
Yep, that was my immediate reaction, and as binners points out, a sad reflection of our times.
binnersFull Member
I’m genuinely shocked that of the laws they pushed through today won’t include the renters reform bill to put a stop no fault evictions
wow Im pretty sure I heard on R4 yesterday they definitely were going to put it through!
Everyone assumes the polls will narrow over the course of the campaign
But what if Sunak standing brolly-less & dead eyed in the pouring rain, u-turning on a GE with D-Ream/Steve Bray drowning him out, was actually the high point?
A complete Tory campaign collapse is underpriced
Pretty low bar to set.
GP: Not an urgent care service. If you're that poorly, that you need to see someone quickly; hi thee to A&E.
“Half of the 8,000 extra GPs would come from boosting recruitment, while the rest would be secured by retaining more experienced GPs, the Lib Dems said.”
It takes 7 years minimum to train a GP, and then another 5-10 to actually know what you're doing. Giving patients "legal rights" to see a GP is just asking for trouble for some patients IMO. I can see managing that wouldn't be hugely fun times for my staff. Retaining more experienced GPs? Is that code for paying them more?
But what if Sunak standing brolly-less & dead eyed in the pouring rain, u-turning on a GE with D-Ream/Steve Bray drowning him out, was actually the high point?
It's a clever strategy........ Labour voters are renowned for wanting to help the weak and disadvantaged.
It takes 7 years minimum to train a GP
You do realise that this is not a new LibDem policy and one which they will have previously debated and discussed, and that there are undoubtedly some LibDem members with medical qualifications who know how long it takes to train a GP, don't you?
Boosting recruitment can simply refer to the Tory/Labour long established policy of poaching underpaid medical staff from poor third world countries.
20% VAT on private schools, I thought Labour's far left class hatred was expunged during the 'New Labour' years?
So all those ordinary, average earning families who's only hope of a decent school for the kids was scrimping, no holidays, no new car, make do and mend, to get them in a fee paying school will now be priced out of the sector and will have to find places in state schools (funded by taxes)
Geniuses.
It takes 7 years minimum to train a GP, and then another 5-10 to actually know what you’re doing. Giving patients “legal rights” to see a GP is just asking for trouble for some patients IMO.
This. It also has the effect of “induced demand” which makes the problem worse not better.
It’s like building bypasses to relieve traffic. A short term fix that makes the problem worse in the long run.
You can’t fix a demand problem just by increasing supply, the demand needs to be managed as well.
there are undoubtedly some LibDem members with medical qualifications who undoubtedly know how long it takes to train a GP, don’t you?
Actually I doubt that there are. Part of the problem with General Practice is that we are woefully under-represented in the higher echelons of government compared to our prevalence in medicine. Also most managerial/political GPs are part timers with very little insight into the profession.
20% VAT on private schools, I thought Labour’s far left class hatred was expunged during the ‘New Labour’ years?
Nothing to do with class, just treating them like the business they are and subjecting them to the same taxes. I would also remove their charitable status as none of them do ore than a token gesture to justify being a charity.
20% VAT on private schools, I thought Labour’s far left class hatred was expunged during the ‘New Labour’ years?
So all those ordinary, average earning families who’s only hope of a decent school for the kids was scrimping, no holidays, no new car, make do and mend, to get them in a fee paying school will now be priced out of the sector and will have to find places in state schools (funded by taxes)
Geniuses.
are you on crack.
Actually I doubt that there are.
Are you actually being serious or was that intended as casual hyperbole?
The Natalie Elphick thing was just to inflict max embarrassment on Sunak i think. They knew she wouldn't be standing next GE, and already had a candidate in place. Suspect they had no idea it would be only a month. Makes that decision to bring her onboard even more ridiculous
The Natalie Elphick thing was just to inflict max embarrassment on Sunak i think.
Defecting to Reform UK would have done far more damage. Rishi Sunak, along with everyone else, was able to just shrug his shoulders and look bemused.
So all those ordinary, average earning families who’s only hope of a decent school for the kids was scrimping, no holidays, no new car, make do and mend, to get them in a fee paying school will now be priced out of the sector and will have to find places in state schools (funded by taxes)
Are you a parody account or have you "started early"?
#edit: Joe-m beat me to it...
binnersFull Member
7 days!Pretty low bar to set.
If you’ve tried to actually get a GP’s appointment recently, you’ll know that’s actually a pretty ambitious target from where we presently are.In our local surgery you’ll be looking at a month, minimum
Had the occasion to need the GP for myself this week for the first time in a while. Called receptionist at 8am. Had appointment at 09:20 same day and the meds dispensed by pharmacy by 10am.
Pleasantly surprised. Not sure if that was just luck or the Scottish surgeries are fairing better than down south.
who know how long it takes to train a GP, don’t you?
I don't doubt. On the issues facing GPs currently? I doubt it if giving pats 'legal rights' to demand appts is what they have in mind.
I heard it as some leasehold reform was going through but not the ban om no fault evictions, but I was haf asleep at the time and it was a bit drowned out by a purring cat.
Nothing to do with class, just treating them like the business they are and subjecting them to the same taxes. I would also remove their charitable status as none of them do ore than a token gesture to justify being a charity.
I 90% agree with Labour's policy but in fairness...aren't there lots of things that are 0% or 5% VAT rated even when provided by for-profit businesses cause they're in a special category of Good Things e.g. healthcare (physios, GP services, dentistry...) and other forms of private education (music lessons, Kumon clubs, special education tuition), tampons...
VAT is much more about what the product is than who manufactures it, isn't it...?
Charitable status is a different one obvs. But it seems like the main difference is 80% business rates exemption. Is that a big deal or not? I don't know how this stuff works
