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Original poster

Good on Kemi!

510 replies

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 15/01/2026 15:17

I'm no fan of Kemi Badenoch, but I'm even less of a fan of Robert Jenrick, and I'm rather delighted to see that she has sacked him and withdrawn the whip before he could jump to Reform.

She has definitely had the last laugh here. He must be spitting bullets!!

OP posts:
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13
Dragonflytamer · 18/01/2026 16:07

TeenagersAngst · 18/01/2026 15:53

Can’t tell is this is sarcasm? The word ‘interesting’ was in inverted commas because I was quoting Sir John Curtice.

Reform is polling well in some of the councils which have applied to postpone so this move benefits other parties more than it does them.

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The main beneficiaries are obviously the councillors, that are about to loss their seats, they are the ones making the decision to delay following the established Reeves strategy of delay and hope for a miracle.

PandoraSocks · 18/01/2026 16:01

TeenagersAngst · 18/01/2026 15:56

I think his point was that setting aside absolute numbers, a greater percentage of councils asking to postpone are Labour vs other political parties. In the interview I saw, he was pondering why this is.

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OK, thanks. I'll try to find his interview.

TeenagersAngst · 18/01/2026 15:56

PandoraSocks · 18/01/2026 15:49

I think only 9 of the 67 councils involved are Tory and three of those are possibly postponing.

Not sure exactly how many of rest of the 67 are Labour, but it is not surprising if the majority asking for postponements are Labour if the majority of the 67 are Labour?

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I think his point was that setting aside absolute numbers, a greater percentage of councils asking to postpone are Labour vs other political parties. In the interview I saw, he was pondering why this is.

TeenagersAngst · 18/01/2026 15:53

Dragonflytamer · 18/01/2026 15:48

Hmmm that is "interesting". I wonder if there is also a correlation with places where Reform are polling well that would be "interesting" too.

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Can’t tell is this is sarcasm? The word ‘interesting’ was in inverted commas because I was quoting Sir John Curtice.

Reform is polling well in some of the councils which have applied to postpone so this move benefits other parties more than it does them.

PandoraSocks · 18/01/2026 15:49

TeenagersAngst · 18/01/2026 15:28

It’s becoming clear that the councils are taking longer to restructure than anticipated. Some mayoral elections have already been postponed.

Sir John Curtice was being interviewed and said it’s ‘interesting’ that the majority of councils requesting the postponement are Labour.

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I think only 9 of the 67 councils involved are Tory and three of those are possibly postponing.

Not sure exactly how many of rest of the 67 are Labour, but it is not surprising if the majority asking for postponements are Labour if the majority of the 67 are Labour?

Dragonflytamer · 18/01/2026 15:48

TeenagersAngst · 18/01/2026 15:28

It’s becoming clear that the councils are taking longer to restructure than anticipated. Some mayoral elections have already been postponed.

Sir John Curtice was being interviewed and said it’s ‘interesting’ that the majority of councils requesting the postponement are Labour.

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Hmmm that is "interesting". I wonder if there is also a correlation with places where Reform are polling well that would be "interesting" too.

TeenagersAngst · 18/01/2026 15:28

NoWordForFluffy · 18/01/2026 15:17

Ah, somehow that had passed me by! But I would think that they would surely time the change so the elections for the new authorities will fall in line with the usual election timetable? That would make the most sense?

In any event, elections should just go ahead as planned in case of delays.

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It’s becoming clear that the councils are taking longer to restructure than anticipated. Some mayoral elections have already been postponed.

Sir John Curtice was being interviewed and said it’s ‘interesting’ that the majority of councils requesting the postponement are Labour.

NoWordForFluffy · 18/01/2026 15:17

TeenagersAngst · 18/01/2026 15:06

Because some councils are being merged into larger unitary authorities. It’s those councils that have been allowed to apply for a postponement since they wont exist in a year’s time.

That’s the theory. My worry is they won’t be ready next year either.

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Ah, somehow that had passed me by! But I would think that they would surely time the change so the elections for the new authorities will fall in line with the usual election timetable? That would make the most sense?

In any event, elections should just go ahead as planned in case of delays.

TeenagersAngst · 18/01/2026 15:06

NoWordForFluffy · 18/01/2026 14:43

Why would they hold council elections again in 6 or 9 months' time (other than if a by-election was required for some reason)? Council elections are held in May (other than by-elections).

I'm not sure you understand how council elections work (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/election-timetable-in-england/election-timetable-in-england).

If you're going to throw shade on Eastern and her opinion of Labour, at least base your post on a feasible position.

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Because some councils are being merged into larger unitary authorities. It’s those councils that have been allowed to apply for a postponement since they wont exist in a year’s time.

That’s the theory. My worry is they won’t be ready next year either.

PandoraSocks · 18/01/2026 15:02

I thought the issue about the 67 areas is that if councillors are elected in May they will end up serving only for a short time until the new councils are put in place. Then new elections will be required for the new councils/unitary authorities.

Happy to be corrected.

NoWordForFluffy · 18/01/2026 14:43

Abhannmor · 18/01/2026 14:16

Can you imagine if councils held these elections now and again in six , nine or twelve months, at the expense of council tax payers?
All the posts about ' barmy Labour wasting your hard earned money ' with @EasternStandard doubtless well to the fore

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Why would they hold council elections again in 6 or 9 months' time (other than if a by-election was required for some reason)? Council elections are held in May (other than by-elections).

I'm not sure you understand how council elections work (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/election-timetable-in-england/election-timetable-in-england).

If you're going to throw shade on Eastern and her opinion of Labour, at least base your post on a feasible position.

EasternStandard · 18/01/2026 14:37

PandoraSocks · 18/01/2026 14:33

Or there would be claims that they didn't like the first result, so are trying again.

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Not great excuses here.

Obviously if you’re pro Labour / left it’s great they’re delayed but Labour have only 11% approval. People would like to give feedback via a vote.

PandoraSocks · 18/01/2026 14:33

Abhannmor · 18/01/2026 14:16

Can you imagine if councils held these elections now and again in six , nine or twelve months, at the expense of council tax payers?
All the posts about ' barmy Labour wasting your hard earned money ' with @EasternStandard doubtless well to the fore

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Or there would be claims that they didn't like the first result, so are trying again.

EasternStandard · 18/01/2026 14:18

Abhannmor · 18/01/2026 14:16

Can you imagine if councils held these elections now and again in six , nine or twelve months, at the expense of council tax payers?
All the posts about ' barmy Labour wasting your hard earned money ' with @EasternStandard doubtless well to the fore

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Not at all. I want the local ejections to go ahead, I even signed the petition.

Let people vote. People feel strongly about Labour, no point delaying because Starmer is afraid he’ll be wiped out.

Abhannmor · 18/01/2026 14:16

BIossomtoes · 18/01/2026 13:32

You can all say it as much as you like, it still won’t be true. Maybe it’s time for a change in Wales, it would be interesting to see how it goes under Plaid. I’d definitely be voting that way if I lived in Wales.

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Can you imagine if councils held these elections now and again in six , nine or twelve months, at the expense of council tax payers?
All the posts about ' barmy Labour wasting your hard earned money ' with @EasternStandard doubtless well to the fore

TheNuthatch · 18/01/2026 14:03

EasternStandard · 18/01/2026 13:39

A bit too close there ; pp can counter as much as they like, voters will still see Labour denying a vote.

The councils doing it are projected to get heavy Labour losses. It’s no surprise Starmer is panicking. About his own career too.

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Yeah, most are Labour led councils. Funny that.

Apart from the fact that he's a populist who wants to break up the UK, I do have a soft spot for Rhun Ap Iorwerth. He reminds me of Lee Evans the comedian. 😂

EasternStandard · 18/01/2026 13:39

TheNuthatch · 18/01/2026 13:37

Oops. My bad. Must keep pretending.

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A bit too close there ; pp can counter as much as they like, voters will still see Labour denying a vote.

The councils doing it are projected to get heavy Labour losses. It’s no surprise Starmer is panicking. About his own career too.

TheNuthatch · 18/01/2026 13:37

EasternStandard · 18/01/2026 13:24

You can’t say that @TheNuthatchLabour don’t like people noticing about the local elections ;

Wales will be interesting for Starmer. Even if they avoid some of the heavy council losses he’ll still be under scrutiny if he has large losses there.

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Oops. My bad. Must keep pretending.

TheNuthatch · 18/01/2026 13:36

BIossomtoes · 18/01/2026 13:32

You can all say it as much as you like, it still won’t be true. Maybe it’s time for a change in Wales, it would be interesting to see how it goes under Plaid. I’d definitely be voting that way if I lived in Wales.

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Would you prefer a soft or a hard border between England and Wales?

TheNuthatch · 18/01/2026 13:35

PandoraSocks · 18/01/2026 13:13

No. I am voting Plaid Cymru.

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So you'll vote to remove Labour from power in Wales. Then at the next GE, you'll use your vote to help Labour retain power in Westminster. Have I got that right?

BIossomtoes · 18/01/2026 13:32

EasternStandard · 18/01/2026 13:24

You can’t say that @TheNuthatchLabour don’t like people noticing about the local elections ;

Wales will be interesting for Starmer. Even if they avoid some of the heavy council losses he’ll still be under scrutiny if he has large losses there.

Show quote history

You can all say it as much as you like, it still won’t be true. Maybe it’s time for a change in Wales, it would be interesting to see how it goes under Plaid. I’d definitely be voting that way if I lived in Wales.

Abhannmor · 18/01/2026 13:25

Farage eventually falls out with everyone. Generic hates him anyway , so where will he go after this move I wonder?

EasternStandard · 18/01/2026 13:24

TheNuthatch · 18/01/2026 13:10

Not sure what that has to do with cancelling elections, but hey ho.

Will you vote for Labour in Wales?

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You can’t say that @TheNuthatchLabour don’t like people noticing about the local elections ;

Wales will be interesting for Starmer. Even if they avoid some of the heavy council losses he’ll still be under scrutiny if he has large losses there.

PandoraSocks · 18/01/2026 13:18

BIossomtoes · 18/01/2026 13:16

No elections have been cancelled.

Doesn't matter how many time you say it @BIossomtoes . Farage the gutless says elections are cancelled so it must be true.