Here is the News.

tricky
25 Apr 2023
chat_bubble_outline 3.0K
  • link
    Board
    19 Jun 2026, 9:19 a.m.
    link

    I do slightly worry that division stoked amongst the current governing party is all part of the process to make sure that values that most of us would stand by are diluted, so that those things we really don't want for ourselves can triumph. Honest and balanced reporting would help. By all means hold the government to the standards that we expect...but hold others to the same standard. You can present away, but it wont get very far if the presentation isn't given equal footing to others 'presentation'.

    Buyer beware.

    In other news, I know someone in the Makerfield constituency who had expressed concerns in the run up to yesterday "where have these people come from, what on earth are they talking about" - very worried about the divisive demonising claptrap of a circus that descended on the constituency to boil peoples brains. They will be very relieved this morning.

  • link
    Squad
    19 Jun 2026, 9:33 a.m.
    link

    "where have these people come from, what on earth are they talking about"

    Isn’t that Reform’s argument?

  • link
    Board
    19 Jun 2026, 9:37 a.m.
    link

    ....not really, their 'argument' is to throw an avalanche of divisive shit at the media, to obscure with mud that their whole purpose is to let their funders do whatever they want to you. You might expect an actual argument to have some fundamental tenets that can be scrutinised and tested.

    It is perhaps ironic that is what some good people think of them.

  • link
    Squad
    19 Jun 2026, 10:25 a.m.
    link

    No, no and thrice no. Teh Reform constituency are thoroughly bought into the "Liebour" narrative and our Nige/Rupert are great lads who think nothing but of the working class. Though Labour have done a fair amount of good stuff, quietly, there needs to be some populist wins. Something like taking the tax burden off pubs. Which will have to be shifted elsewhere.

  • link
    Squad
    19 Jun 2026, 10:26 a.m.
    link

    Preferably onto small branded clothing printers

  • link
    Squad
    19 Jun 2026, 10:35 a.m.
    link

    Starmer announcing some sensible reforms to the house buying process today. That's the kind of popular and relatively easy quick win that can begin to have an impact on people's lives.

    Can't believe that Starmer clearly thinks he has a chance of winning a leadership contest. Go now you fool, go with your dignity intact.

  • link
    Squad
    19 Jun 2026, 10:49 a.m.
    link

    If you forgive the Twatter link, this is pretty powerful.

  • link
    Squad
    19 Jun 2026, 10:57 a.m.
    link

    Excellent.

  • link
    Squad
    19 Jun 2026, 11:04 a.m.
    link

    I remember joining as an affiliate during one of the leadership contests years ago and voted for Burnham. I could see Corbyn would be a disaster.

    Burnham has since gone away and proved himself in Manchester and has done a good job.

    It will definitely help with the electorate that he’s relatable and normal. But he will have the right wing press assault which will never be easy.

    Starmer needs to realise his time is up and go with some dignity.

  • link
    Squad
    19 Jun 2026, 11:25 a.m.
    link

    I could be wrong but I don't think RC was trying to give a comprehensive assessment of Reform's aims/objectives/methodogy I think he was making a joke.

  • link
    Board
    19 Jun 2026, 11:40 a.m.
    link

    Agreed...but if the Alf Garnet character, and 'Born in the USA', have taught us anything it's that there's a lot of thick people about who miss the point* - so it's best to be explicit for these chumps.

    * definitely not excluding myself from this category.

  • link
    Squad
    19 Jun 2026, 4:07 p.m.
    link

    Speaking as someone who lives and runs a business in Manchester, it's a powerful place. Burnham didnt start it. This is a good telling of the foundations of it in the early 90s. But Burnham has kept it rolling. Our tech partners want to come here. The Europeans spend time here because you can get business done and the city feels alive. Stuff gets built, the public estate improves all the time. But too many of the locals dont see it because their eyes are glued to the socials. When I first came here, I was off my tits and on my arse. The City provided a foundation for me to get my shit together, have a family and build a business and at the same time still have a wild array of fun things to go and do. The place is culturally thriving. Such a shame we are out of Europe because this feels like a proper European City. Which I fear Reform will utterly fuck up.

  • link
    Squad
    19 Jun 2026, 8:15 p.m.
    link
  • link
    Squad
    22 Jun 2026, 9:48 a.m.
    link

    Just saw Starmer speech.

    None of the achievements he listed really seemed true to me. Or I guess it maybe that whilst they are true, improving something from totally fucked to just fucked doesn't really seem like a win (losing every game 2-0 rather than 5-0 is progress, but...).

    Anyway, those who follow politics and Labour much more than me, will Burnham be better?

  • link
    Board
    22 Jun 2026, 9:56 a.m.
    link

    How does that compare with the available alternatives?

    The idea that the prime minister becomes someone who wasn't an MP until a week ago, or an ugly bunfight for the top job, almost certainly leaves them open to the sort of propaganda criticism that will seriously harm the party long term.

    ...and they are the only credible alternative to the forces of evil.

    I had to hold my nose with Starmer, but that might prove preferable to having our bollocks repeatedly nailed to a board.

  • link
    Squad
    22 Jun 2026, 10:20 a.m.
    link

    So still losing 2-0 every week but that is better than getting Farage in as manager and losing 5-0.