Thread 22. Sunak: Taxes, Truth and Tories

[pointythings]

The previous thread filled up fast, so here's another one with a reasonably topical title!

Our local Tory incumbent seems to have given up - reckon he knows this time he's going to lose to our local independent who he only beat by a few hundred votes last time. Local independent is very active, very visible, really does things for the community. He and I disagree on Brexit, but his local focus is excellent so he has my vote.

twitter.com/supertanskiii/status/1643628402803458051?s=46&t=Uw4lJNwxFZFnX0Xs3doHYg

Think the local conservatives thing is happening in certain areas - Milton Keynes and West Norfolk candidates have used it.

Don't blame local conservatives for Westminster decisions!

@Notonthestairs I will blame them though, because they're too chicken to walk away from the party and go it as independents. And they're still Tories.

I don't think "don't blame me for my crap Party" will win many people over

Scott Benton was very loose lipped

Benton suggested he had already tabled questions on behalf of companies and named another MP he said did the same. He took out his mobile phone to read a question he’d tabled the previous month asking about the penalties that could be imposed on a regulator for repeatedly breaching the regulator’s code.
Later in the meeting, the conversation moved on to whether he could obtain a copy of the gambling white paper in advance of publication and leak it to the company.
Benton appeared to have no qualms about doing this even though it was likely to contain market-sensitive information and the undercover reporter made it clear that the fund could profit from this.

Sadly the dog whistle worked

BREAKING: Suella Braverman has WON the selection battle for Fareham and Waterlooville - which was expected to be very close
Suella Braverman: 77
Flick Drummond: 54

https://twitter.com/PolitlcsUK/status/1643701076288208896?t=zh2483OmN2blDeBPhiDnmQ&s=19

Are there any conservative MPs not up to there necks in grubby behaviour?

We've heard nothing about the local elections here. You wouldn't think they were happening.

@jgw1, I was right, although I did think for a while that your blue sky thinking had killed the debate.

AFAIC... that is strikingly close for a serving Home Secretary.

Well at least she will be able to pay for her utility bills.

Just came to say the same thing

Interestingly I also noted a post by our current crime commissioner on Bravermans FB page the other day which many responded to saying she shouldn't be political.

Drummond use to have that role.

The interesting thing is some local councillors publicly stating they don't think they could canvas local people to vote for Braverman with her current policies in all good conscience

Sunak taking swift action again. What was it - accountability transparency something?

Scott Benton appeared willing to break multiple parliamentary rules when he met to discuss a job advising a fake investment fund. But I understand tthe Tories have tonight decided NOT to remove the whip (as Labour are calling for) at this stage
thetimes.co.uk/article/tory-m…

twitter.com/billykenber/status/1643685692688547840?s=46&t=Uw4lJNwxFZFnX0Xs3doHYg

As an aside, how the fuck have they put Fareham and Waterlooville together. They are nowhere near each other.

We used to live very near Havant, that side of Pompey is blue, Fareham is the other side and they are generally red (football reference).

Geographically, there's the small matter of Portsmouth in the middle. I'd love to know the reasoning if anyone can enlightenment me.

More fool them for choosing her.

It's all coming out of the woodwork...

Official records show Conservative MP Scott Benton, who was filmed offering to lobby ministers, table questions and leak documents on behalf of gambling lobbyists, also secured a parliamentary pass for the "gambling consultant" Stephen Donoughue.

twitter.com/adambienkov/status/1643682842835132430?s=46&t=Uw4lJNwxFZFnX0Xs3doHYg

Gutted about Braverman. Says a lot about the attitudes of grassroots Tory members. None of it good.

But we already knew that about the grassroots Tory members. They gave us Boris and the Lettuce. Why would any of us expect better from them?

Interesting article from Bylines revealing yet again what a small world right wing politics & money really is...

bylinetimes.com/2023/04/05/suella-braverman-to-address-radical-national-conservatism-event-with-ties-to-us-right/

Braverman is keynote speaker at radical right wing conference.
She will be joined by JRM, Gove, Miriam Cates, Danny Kruger, Frost & John Hayes. So all the Tory headbangers.

A lot of American money sloshing about however. Previous events run by the same people have had Orban and Meloni as speakers so they are in excellent company.

It is sponsored by the Republican Party big money donors - they are basically setting up satellite groups under Common Sense banner (ring any bells?) Badenoch has spoken at their events.
But then so has Laurence Fox.
Ties to Tufton Street. Etc etc.

Breaking news that Benton has his whip suspended

Good. Dense & corrupt.

Good to hear. They really are at the trough at every chance aren't they

Fina flippin lu Sunak acts!

Fina-flippin'-ly that was meant to say 🤦🏻‍♀️

I know. But I had a forlorn hope that even they might finally have had enough of Cruella.

I always presume a fair few will be excited to have a (in)famous MP.

Someone did try and argue about it.

What I thought was striking was just how few votes there were.

https://boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/review2023/b65f7782-658b-4c4a-9cba-59c16c807f77/a3-maps/SE344_Fareham%20and%20Waterlooville%20CC.pdf

This is the proposed new constituency