"we'll change the things that need changing and that's all we'll change": the paSUKification of post-brexit politics 2021

Focus group of swing voters on @TimesRadio just now has a truly appalling impression of Starmer, while thinking Johnson is a clown but likeable character. The 'hindsight' attack still has strong appeal & predictably Facebook rumours about his DPP record are making an impression.

— Sienna Rodgers (@siennamarla) October 19, 2021

"rumours"

I can't imagine how any made up rumour shit on FB could be any more appalling than his DPP record actually is.

the 08:10 interview on radio 4 this morning was tory mnister (Anne-Marie Trevelyan) talking about something or other*, but the follow up question was about boris and bubbles and christmas. she started by saying she had no special knowledge of the arrangements but then quite happily carried on for 5 minutes saying that he did nothing illegal and here's why...

* oh, gas boilers and replacing then with expensive air source heat pumps. 10 minutes on this and obvious that she's never heard of a flat. also, they removed the more accessible insulation grant some while ago...

i only hear some of these but every time it's a tory minister it's just a pack of lies and excuses and wrongness.

I'm imagining that wanker out of Coldplay having the most expensive ground source heat pump system going installed at his luxury home and getting lower heating bills than someone on universal credit with a standard gas boiler. Just to make myself feel happier.

so that £450m allotted by the govt in heat pump subsidies the govt = 900 people with 5k towards a heating system that could cost up to 20k.

the govt

Just reading an article in the Guardian about the need to implement a Plan B around Covid-19 now - essentially, re-introduce face coverings and advise work from home, where possible. It mentions that Starmer, while criticising the government, falls short of calling for a "Plan B". My sense is that the people calling for this Plan B are people I would largely trust/believe. Would Starmer calling for it be such a vote loser? Or is he just being a bit feeble and vague?

I think "feeble and vague" is being a bit too generous. He's a cowardly piece of shit and so far has offered no alternative to the UK's govt's disastrous covid strategies other than the usual quivering "this is not very good" type intervention that puts zero pressure on them to do anything else.

I can actually get that there was a point (early on in the pandemic) when it felt useful to be (feebly and vaguely?) seen as being alongside the government ... but we're long past that, aren't we? Would it be weird to hope for an opposition to be saying "Fuck this shit - too many people are dying"? I thought Starmer was good on detail?

he's only ever showed his *forensic* skills when the state needs them to cover up the police murdering people in cold blood or implementing kangaroo courts during the riots or prosecuting benefit fraud cases like they are dealing with murder cases etc...etc.. the guy is a fucking plant.

The whole civility thing reminds me when my mum's MP personally promised my mum she would not vote for benefit cuts, and then voted for them

— FearTheWalkingH&SRep🎃 (@ESOLallstars) October 19, 2021

I saw some clown yesterday suggesting that MP's parliamentary voting records shouldn't even be on public record. They work to ruin your life... now keep it civil

Starmer is terrible sure but I do think a vote to reinstate measures would fail hard right now.

some clown yesterday suggesting that MP's parliamentary voting records shouldn't even be on public record

funny seeing this guy being roasted on twitter, someone I've met a couple of times

omg he's real!

the weaselly justification he gives is that he thinks TheyWorkForYou gives insufficient context, that ppl should be told whether a certain vote was because of the whip and whatnot. because voting for austerity is fine if the party says you must, of course.

perhaps if they released some contrived video of themselves shedding some tears before reluctantly voting/abstaining for poverty they could retain some pretence that they represent their constituents interests.

like homer eating his lobster

TheyWorkForYou gives insufficient context, that ppl should be told whether a certain vote was because of the whip and whatnot

the possibility that an MP has hidden convictions that their voting record doesn't do justice. as calzino says: a clown.

in any case an MP's views is at best a second order consideration as compared to what their record is on the thing they are elected as a representative to do: legislate

absolutely, it's a ridiculous position, based on thinking of MPs as our parasocial friends.

Javid press conference at 5pm today

Doesn't seem like it will be a big announcement on restrictions. Government pretty much holding the line of '200 deaths and hospital no's. good please carry on'

NEW: Former Labour Minister Tom Harris has been appointed as lead non exec director at the Tory Scotland Office

— Paul Hutcheon (@paulhutcheon) October 20, 2021

This is the guy who's been employed as the token Voice of Sensible Labour at the Telegraph for the last god knows how many years.

BREAKING: Queen cancels trip to Northern Ireland on medical advice https://t.co/cPr9uDZAQe

— The Independent (@Independent) October 20, 2021

Do we get more days off if she dies or more for the Platinum Jubilee thing?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58980384

Labour’s only objection to the proposed online crackdown is that it doesn’t go far enough.

Jail for Pasha Durov! Jail for one thousand years!

Lol "Kieth" really got to him huh?

tfw you vote Conservative because its less dangerously authoritarian than Starmer Labour!

Labour governments have been plenty authoritarian in the past tbf.

last non-fash home secretary from *any party* was roy jenkins the first time of asking only

you also prosecuted a guy for getting fisted https://t.co/Wge1mrbyFz

— tactically inept cabbage head (@jeremywhorebyn) October 20, 2021

Red faces over at the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police, as a jury took under three hours to clear former aide to London Mayor Boris Johnson , Simon Walsh of a string of charges brought under “extreme porn” laws. Indeed, were Twitter an accurate reflection of the nation’s views on a topic, Keir Starmer, Head of the CPS and all those involved in the prosecution would this afternoon be looking for new jobs: such has been the mix of disbelief and outrage that public money and police time should be wasted on footling state attempts to interfere in the private lives of consenting adults.

just when you think every damning moment of his wretchedly conservative and authoritarian DPP period has already been dug up, this thread has links to the "fistgate" case of 2012.

Looks like yesterday's press conference was a belated plead for over 50s to get their booster. Just one more failure from the government.

this would be a good moment to attack Sturgeon's record though I reckon. That's how you do serious opposition.

The Tories are the opposition to Sturgeon though - it's one of the reasons she keeps winning.

Party strategists believe for Starmer to enter Downing Street Scottish Labour will have to win seats from the SNP at the general election.

Speaking to the Record, he offered a highly negative view of how Sturgeon had dealt with the coronavirus.

how to win Scotland Back, give the Westminster govt a free pass and attack Sturgeon.

When Covid hit, we thought it might make society more compassionate - now we can see if it did...@pollybindman & I on the results of the British Social Attitudes Survey (in which Prof John Curtice questions my "liberal elite commentator" assumptions!):https://t.co/e8PUH4qPf3

— Anoosh Chakelian (@Anoosh_C) October 21, 2021

this is largely a propos of nothing but i like to remember every now and then what an utter charlatan cunt John Curtice is

Yes, all he was saying is policy can have an impact on attitudes, so it's perfectly possible to turn ppl around welfare, for example.

Trying to follow this piece on the Tory Green new deal, will finish later

This is an exceptional piece by @Adam_Blanden exploring what Tory Green strategy will look like in the context of an increased role for the state in propping up capitalism and the interlock of state, private sector contractors & the financial sector. https://t.co/GE9eguo6dx

— Tom Gann (@Tom_Gann) October 21, 2021

This country..

Ooooft, Nicholas Witchell has his black tie on just incase. pic.twitter.com/vQGJuV1Hzf

— Alex Tiffin (@RespectIsVital) October 22, 2021

Only proper to wear it in every appearance since his death

don’t threaten me with a good time witchell

I mean it's fine tbh. Long term it's ppl who are more unlikeable than the Queen (The Queen is liked or ppl don't mind her) on the throne.

Trying to enjoy the speculation but also facing the crushing realisation that we're in for months of flag waving. Is it going to be worse combined with peak poppy season or is it better to get them over and done with together?

— libcom.org (@libcomorg) October 22, 2021

Please die today.

I prefer the "didn't wanna go to an Orange Lodge party" theory