All those old lefties wanging on about Diane Abbot again.
You do realise that this is a factional fight instigated by Starmer and labour rightwingers don't you? And in the middle of an election campaign after a successful first week. The labour right would rather damage their campaign than pass up the opportunity to purge a few more lefties.
I'm not sure why you keep post that scotroutes they are an inherent part of our politics now
Starmer could however end it instantly by simply saying that of course the sitting MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington will be the Labour candidate. That would pretty much be the end of the matter.
Not for everyone it wouldn't...
Although he really should not have that level of power in a democratic organisation, no one should.
Let's be fair, he does though. The timelines and press gossip suggests this was pretty much done with in December, DA apparently finished a mandated awareness course in February but the haggling point WRT restoration of the whip was her agreeing to deselection at the GE. It's arguably more concerning if SKS wasn't pulling some strings.
I understand the current leadership's urge to break with the Corbyn legacy and marginalise anyone backed by momentum, but Diane Abbott was probably a step too far, I also think they thought there was more time. You're right the most expedient route now, would be to allow her to run (it's an almost guaranteed seat too) so they must really be keen for her not to be present in the next parliament...
Let’s be fair, he does though.
Absolutely he does, and he uses that undemocratic power to his full advantage.
Today Starmer organised the deselection another left-wing brown-skinned woman critical of Israel, whilst simultaneously had a white right-wing committed zionist man parachuted into a safe seat.
Faiza Shaheen :
https://labourlist.org/2024/05/chingford-faiza-shaheen-general-election-2024-labour/
Luke Akehurst :
https://www.webelieveinisrael.org.uk/our_team
And for clarity:
Luke Akehurst has been Director of We Believe in Israel since its foundation in 2011.
Luke is not Jewish but has been a committed Zionist all his life.
You’re right the most expedient route now, would be to allow her to run
Anyone dare/care to comment on the nature of the offence that got her suspended? You think she was right or making a valid point?
I'm not sure I can gather up enough ****s to give one either way on her fate. I've always found her persona unlikable which made listening to or respecting what she actually had to say quite hard. She's like one those people arguing on the same side as you in a conversation who manages to make even you question your own views because they do it in such a teeth itching way. I'm not sure her grumbling away on the backbenches would have done a lot of harm. The far more interesting element of the story is the lack of savvy Starmer has shown with the way he has handled her and the whole Elphicke shambles. When your political opposition has basically got the gun out of the drawer and inserted the muzzle in their own mouth and all you have to do is make as little noise as possible so as not to disturb them whilst they pull the trigger, you have to wonder how he managed it.
A party that has room for Elphicke but not for Abbott doesn’t have room for me either.
Agreed. They both have terrible political judgment and offensive views. Neither should be an MP by 5th July.
As soon as one of them opens a can of G&T on the Underground though, they’re front page news for days…
The person you are discussing is not well. The drinking alone on a commuter train; the difficulty dressing themselves; the confusion; the erratic and provocative behaviour; the shaking hands. They have endured appalling abuse and awful developments in their private life. It's time for them to retire and have a less stressful job.
I'm not saying that just because I disagree with them politically. I do also think they should make way for being totally wrong on almost every issue, just like I do about Corbyn. But Corbyn by all appearances seems in perfect health, very vigorous, and is as sharp as he has always been. The same is not true for the other person.
Just had to look up who Tam Dayell is, which kind of tells the story
I think it might say more about you than Dalyell!
She would make a good Lord, regardless of whether you like her politics or not.
Weird comment - obviously people are entitled to disagree about whether a peer's politics are sensible but you can't pretend their politics are separate from their role as a legislator.
There is a weird meme that Lords are loveable, effective and apolitical reviewers of Commons legislation. I don't think any of these things are true.
But what has she done in her 40 years in Parliament, i’ve not really seen her noted as being a minister for anything, or leading on policies to be mentioned in the same breath as Tony Benn, or Ken Clarke, and also interesting that both Benn and Clarke were backbench non entities whilst in their 70s?
Its interesting that you think the only way you get things done is by being a minister - on that basis once cabiner are appointed everyone else should go home. She did server on many a commons committee (how stuff actually gets done in the commons) and was a shadow minister at various time. She's been a thorn in the side of the labour party - and consistently re-elected presumably her local constituents think she is a reasonably decent MP.
Just had to look up who Tam Dayell is, which kind of tells the story, same with Peter Bottomley, backbenchers who do nothing of real note, you’ve basically named people who didn’t really do much in Parliament after they hit retirement age.
Tam Dalyell is the "author" of the West Lothian question - probably the most fundamental point (still unresolved) about the consequences of devolution on the UK "Constitution". I "knew" him as a columnist in the New Scientist in the 1990s where we was regularly found discussing government-science related issues. But he made a career of being, not a minister or major post holder but rather being a particular pain in the arse who felt no need to tow the party line. I'd put Benn, Clarke and Abbott in the same camp. These type of MP who feel no need to do as they are told to follow a career path are hugely valuable to democracy. He got thrown out the house for asking tricky questions about Blair's dirty dossier.
I used Peter Bottomley as an example because he is the current oldest MP, and has said he will stand again. He's been around since the Thatcher years - not many of them left, consistently getting re-elected, again whilst he might have a safe seat he gets reselected and reelected so he's doing something to please his constituents. Thats what I want in a back bencher.
Yup, the Diane Abbott issue is a huge distraction and a gift to the Tories.
And quite frankly makes zero difference to 99.9% of us - stop being distracted you gullible idiots (or you DO want a Tory Govt).
If you're happy for a Tory Govt, give us tips for how you're going to afford, for example, to pay for private healthcare to cover ALL your needs please.
Oh, and IMO a vote for a Tory MP is a vote for continued corruption - they're taxing you to give it to pals & backers, and you're happy with this. Or are you also on the make?
And quite frankly makes zero difference to 99.9% of us – stop being distracted you gullible idiots (or you DO want a Tory Govt
Well I think you will find the views of STWers makes a negligible difference to 100% of the population.
The people currently being distracted by the huge Starmer created cockup are the media, political pundits, and Labour politicians who are being asked awkward questions in TV and radio studios.
I used Peter Bottomley as an example because he is the current oldest MP, and has said he will stand again. He’s been around since the Thatcher years – not many of them left, consistently getting re-elected, again whilst he might have a safe seat he gets reselected and reelected so he’s doing something to please his constituents. Thats what I want in a back bencher.
wearing a blue tie seems to be the bar for getting voted in as a Tory MP round here...
stop being distracted you gullible idiots
Such a winning argument there.
(or you DO want a Tory Govt).
The question is vs what. Starmer was busy today welcoming a lifelong tory voter having spent yesterday purging the left. There was no mention of the tory having changed their political views but simply finding Starmers party now acceptable to them.
Twitter links aren't loading/embedding at the minute but I imagine the delightful Luke Akehurst will not be standing for Labour, good, he's a nasty little *****
but I imagine the delightful Luke Akehurst will not be standing for Labour, good, he’s a nasty little *****
Eh? He's been selected:
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/labour-loyalist-luke-akehurst-selected-29262889
He may be selected now but I imagine (or at least hope) he'll be sidelined
As an aside here's Liz Truss's latest moment.
Liz Truss appears on Sarkon Of Arkad (Carl Benjamin) podcast The Lotus Eaters - link to Byline Times
Anyone dare/care to comment on the nature of the offence that got her suspended? You think she was right or making a valid point?
I think there was a small kernel of truth in it, but it was appallingly expressed and the subsequent furore was entirely predictable. However, she's served her punishment.
He may be selected now but I imagine (or at least hope) he’ll be sidelined
He's on the NEC, how is his selection not going to go through?!?!
He claims to be a lifelong zionist, surely that guarantees Labour Party candidature?
We're not going to end up with a repeat of Kinnock throwing away an election are we?
We’re not going to end up with a repeat of Kinnock throwing away an election are we?
It's not out of the question IMO.
We’re not going to end up with a repeat of Kinnock throwing away an election are we?
Same old Labour party - please, please wash your dirty laundry in private (or after you've won!). But no - let's not do that - let's get it all out in public beforehand, have a load of in-fighting, and risk it all.
I'm voting Labour - but often wonder why.
We’re not going to end up with a repeat of Kinnock throwing away an election are we?
It’s not out of the question IMO
It's not over til the person of larger stature sings
All Starmer needs is a stoney beach and some waves. 🙂
There will always be infighting, they're political parties. Knives in the back are the norm.
Ernie noted earlier in the thread that in his constituency the most left wing candidate is the LibDem, I'm beginning to think it's not just his local candidate. Starmers pledges are long forgotten as the party lurches right.
I'd like to see just a hint of the welfare state and socialism without going as far as a 90 odd percent top tax rate or Corbyn's 1974 rallying of the comrades. Just a few classic lefty priinciples such as we had under Edward Heath.
It’s not out of the question IMO
Of course it is. It has long been certain that the next UK PM will be Keir Starmer. The only people who might have genuinely doubted that appear to have been a few deluded Tory politicians.
Although the scare stories and dark suggestions of a Tory victory by those with vested interests in silencing any criticism of Starmer are obviously predictable.
The current situation is not comparable to 1992.
Lots of variation in that set of polls.
Lots of variation in that set of polls.
The variation comes in because most pollsters are asking about current voting intentions, the Don't Knows are excluded
The ones with the lowest labour leads (jl partners 12pt, opinium 14, more in common 17) all try and squeeze out who the DKs would vote for if they really had to, in that instance a further 5- 7% break for the Tories.
In this way they think it's a more accurate representation of how people will vote on July 4th, but that assumes that a) they actually will vote & b) they'll definitely vote tory
On top of that I think for almost all pollsters the numbers are weighted by how people voted at the previous GE, which is another assumption that favours the Tories (most of the DKs voted Tory last time)
The the weighted queezed numbers for JL partners look like this:
Labour: 40%
Conservatives: 28%
Reform UK: 12%
Lib Dems: 10%
Green: 5%
Unsqueezed but still weighted they look like this
Lab 43%
Con 26%
Reform 10%
LD 10%
Green 6%
Could you imagine Rishis face if he accidentally won? Would be like Boris and Gove on results day all over again.
I don't think polls have ever been this wide at the start of a GE and then been wrong about the winner
As for starmer purging his troublenakrs
Yup we all underestimated how ruthless he was, he wants to win this GE and nothing is going to stand in his way.
Getting rid of MPs that could cause problems for him on a range of things: Ukraine, EU Israel, and others now rather than before the vote and definitely before they become rebel MPs in a Labour government makes sense.
I'm sure he'd rather face them as independents than troublesome headline grabbers on his own party.
where can i find details of the constitutional make up and financial/media backing for each of the two main parties.
Getting rid of MPs that could cause problems for him on a range of things: Ukraine, EU Israel, and others now rather than before the vote and definitely before they become rebel MPs in a Labour government makes sense.
Cos that worked so well for the Tories when they got rid of all the Remainers... 🤔
We’re not going to end up with a repeat of Kinnock throwing away an election are we?
even my Brexity, Tory-Voting builder mates said last week they'd vote Labour just for a change but some of them are now having second thoughts as they do not like the left.
but some of them are now having second thoughts as they do not like the left.
Starmers got that part covered 😉
When is Ed Davey going to admit he had an activity holiday booked and has forced the LibDems to arrange the campaign around it?
I'm trying to work out if its genius or madness from the Libdems. Would you take him seriously as a potential prime minister after the last 72hrs - of course not, but I've got about as much chance as become PM as he has so why try to make yourself look like you think it's a possibility. I'm assuming they are working their arses off in a few constituencies and that'll be about the end of it.
Kind of miss having the Lib Dems as a viable voting option. For some time political compass had them to the left of Labour. Now - who knows, not got a scooby about any of their current policies.
Now – who knows, not got a scooby about any of their current policies.
Doesn't really matter. If they don't get invited to join a coalition then their policies are irrelevant.
If they do get invited then it's up to the members to decide what their policies are.
There are only two reasons to vote Lib-Dem. The first is because they are the only option to beat the local Tory in your seat. The second is that you have no idea what any policies should be and you want the 70,000 or so LibDem members to decide for you.
Lots of variation in that set of polls.
Well they are opinion polls with a 3% margin of error, it would strange if there wasn't.
Certain things are however remarkably consistent. Firstly not one single poll since the beginning of October last year has given the Tories more than 30% of the vote.
And secondly not one single poll since August 2021 has placed Labour on less than 40%.
This is borne out by by-election results.
Furthermore none of the polls in the first week of the election campaign are showing any significant shift in favour of the Tories. There is only 5 weeks until the general election, time has all but run out.
Obviously anything is "possible"....... for example Reform UK "could" win the general election. But the reality is that Rishi Sunak is toast.
Ernielynch : Eh? He’s been selected:
Luke Akehurst has deleted 2000+ tweets in the last few weeks, I hope someone has them saved as it’ll be amusing to see Starmer explain away his blatant Islamophobia and calling all Gaza residents rats that should be drowned (not quite word for word perfect but he’s deleted the specific tweet)
Luke Akehurst has deleted 2000+ tweets in the last few weeks
I wasn't aware. But if no one is too right-wing for Starmer's Labour Party I doubt that anyone is too islamophobic/pro-zionist.
Who has been expelled from the Labour Party for being islamophobic? No one! Despite the Forde Report's very serious accusations of islamophobia within the Labour Party.
Labour: 40%
Conservatives: 28%
Reform UK: 12%
Lib Dems: 10%
Green: 5%
a lot depends on where those votes get cast though - if you take a reform voter in a safe seat (for anyone) they'll likely vote reform, but if they're in a swing seat they may tend to vote tory (as that is better than labour for a lot of them) swinging the vote where it matters most.
FWIW I don't think labour will lose, but I think it'll be a lot closer than that looks - greens will end up with <1% of the seats, lib dems around 2% - time will tell whether reform get any (ukip never did in a full election)
Who has been expelled from the Labour Party for being islamophobic? No one! Despite the Forde Report’s very serious accusations of islamophobia within the Labour Party.
Who did it name?
154 of Forde's 165 recommendations have been taken up.
greens will end up with <1% of the seats, lib dems around 2% – time will tell whether reform get any (ukip never did in a full election)
This all depends on the targeting, doesn’t it? One of these parties is far better at that than the other two, and you’ll know by now if you’re in a target seat by the number of Focus leaflets you’ve had.
Well they are opinion polls with a 3% margin of error, it would strange if there wasn’t.
Best 27 pt lead for Labour or at worst a 12pt lead.
I'm not sure what that even begins to tell us. So which poll is more valid then? The margin of error doesn't account for that difference.
(Just seen Kimbers post) but my point still stands which is the most valid poll? I guess that's down to assumptions.
