Thread 18 Starmer: All sides of the House agree apart from the Trump bootlickers

[DuncinToffee]

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https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5264338-thread-17-starmer-treading-softly?page=40&reply=142243865

That was before Reform became the Putin party.

Whether such things matter to Runcornians is another matter. But it's certainly something a sharp savvy media campaign for the Tories could capitalise on if we assume they aren't tainted by Russian roubles.

Of course if the Tories don't challenge that, maybe the LibDems could suggest they are both only moving their lips when Vlad says so.

The last few weeks have moved UK - and world - politics on in a way unseen in July 2024. I am not sure a direct comparison can be much use.

Oh I know it's quite startling the turn of events since Trump got into the White House and the huge effect on the world political stage, especially in Europe, with Ukraine. And you are correct about Reform and the Tories - the latter cannot afford to lose more votes so will they try as you suggest to outperform Reform?

I can't hear "Runcorn" without thinking of Harry Potter!

Anyway I'm glad he got a prison sentence and yes, we should automatically have a by election and I don't think we should be waiting for anyone to decide to complete some paperwork or vote etc first.

Interesting stats re sex based voting in Germany and the swing from centre left and right to more definitive left and right.

This BBC link gives the data on sex based voting. No surprise that men are more right wing - though an interesting point on the TikTok generation.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx29wlje6dno

I think some of the polarisation in younger people's votes could be put down to younger people being more idealistic, too. I can't be the only one here who knew young people from a private school background who wore army surplus, became pretty grungy and campaigned for the SWP at university only to cut their hair, have a wash and secure a corporate job that their parents would approve of, on graduation.

There is that "Rebel Rebel" factor too. The younger you are the less you think you have to lose by "sticking it to the man". I am of an age to remember punks wearing Nazi gear because it was shocking. Yes, some did get sucked into the whole NF thing. However most were more than likely going to Anti Nazi League and Rock against Racism events.

Farages longevity could also be problematic. It's hard to appeal to a demographic whose parents will admit to voting for you as a protest vote.

However the best defence against Reform is to incessantly point out their shilly shallying over Putin when even - even - St. Kemi managed to be clear.

There are a lot of rich folk in the UK who stand to lose a fuck of a lot if Putin gets a grasp. These people may have seemed natural Reform backers. But as JHB (who speaks for them) showed, they really aren't.

I hope at least one major broadcaster has an interviewer who can speak Arabic for when Tice gets interviewed in Dubai. Not only can they ask what the weather is like, they can give "our Dick" a chance to demonstrate how integration Reform style looks. I'd accept unlimited airtime on that.

I see none of the Reform MPs thought fit to stay in the HoC for the update on Ukraine. They left after questions about electric cars. Priorities.

Presumably a zoom call with Putin ?

I'm sure Tice has been studying the language intensively and is well on the way to fluency.

Priorities

No, it's pillocks.

Wish someone would bury Tice in the sand up to his neck & a camel piss on his head fed up with him Farage & the three other moronic reform MPs.

I hope at least one major broadcaster has an interviewer who can speak Arabic for when Tice gets interviewed in Dubai. Not only can they ask what the weather is like, they can give "our Dick" a chance to demonstrate how integration Reform style looks. I'd accept unlimited airtime on that.

Bet Matt Frei could give it a go. He seems to interview in several languages with ease.

Ed Davey on bluesky

The US just voted alongside Russia, Belarus and North Korea against a UN resolution to support Ukraine.

This is a wake-up call for all those cheerleading Trump in our country.

https://bsky.app/profile/fascinatorfun.bsky.social/post/3liwxqc7zis27

Macron’s face speaks for us

Grimes on top form as usual 🙄

Ffs. What an idiot.

Also conveniently ignoring the fact that his Brexit loving friends have sown much of that division 😬

I hope the BBC respect the fact that our PM has a mighty diplomatic tightrope to walk this week and they report on this with some intelligence .
It is serious and it is frightening.

China refrains from voting and this is huge. That's a political statement.

What do you reckon that means?

Agree @Elodie09 I bet we can guess what Starmer really thinks of Trump.

I thank the lucky stars that Labour is in power with a strong Lib Dem, who really need to convince all ties severed from a Tory alliance, in third but looking more like a supportive opposition.

Absolutely. Agree or disagree with decisions Starmer has made there's no denying hes far too normal to be a trump supporter!

I think it means that China is supporting European countries. Never underestimate the work that goes on behind the mostly right wing media headlines, and the actual truth regarding the connections geographically and historically between Asia east and west, and Europe.

It is slightly delicious that old fag breath won't be able to criticise Starmer for being diplomatic about the Orange Menace.

Yes Russia is the Achilles heel, had historical connections with China as well but relationships have soured recently and it's all because of a certain multi billionaire on paper and a man who if he was a woman would be in a care home. Not even joking about him.

China's abstention isn't a change of position.

thediplomat.com/2025/02/how-did-asian-countries-vote-in-the-2025-un-resolution-condemning-russias-ukraine-invasion/