Thread 26 Starmer: Cats, Rebels and Orange Chaos

[DuncinToffee]

Previous thread https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5349605-thread-25-starmer-cheers-for-a-falling-out-among-thieves?page=40&reply=145224605

Question time tonight has a Reform councillor, ex Conservative naturally, on the panel. @SerendipityJane I get that local governance is important, but really this is getting ridiculous.

The BBC rarely reports on disabilities as if they are anything other than a lifestyle choice. And have done for years.

Although they love a good story about one of their own falling foul of the UKs medieval attitude to accessibility.

Don't get me wrong. I (too) am inspired and humbled by some incredible achievements. However truthful reporting would show these are in the face of the UKs provisions, not because of them (and all the more remarkable for it).

In good news, I'm getting an e-gift card from M&S after my order was cancelled in April (sadly lovely item no longer available). Good to see the store back up and working again.

I can't be sure if I have seen a full episode of QT this century.

My problem is I can remember when it was good.

Similar myself.

I've concluded that Badenoch wasn't annoyed that Starmer missed PMQs (particularly given her record), she was annoyed Stride and Philp got their turn in the sun - or more to the point a bit more coverage on Twitter.

I understand Jenrick is the front runner to take over from her but I imagine Stride, Cleverly, Trott and Philp will all throw their hats into the ring when the time comes.

PMs missing PMQs for international summits is entirely to be expected. Sunak missed a number for just that reason.

Her latest suggestion is that it should have been moved to Thursday

It was 15 minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays until Blair I think.
She didnt complain when Sunak missed them (and neither did anyone else because its quite standard stuff)

What she's worried about is snippets of herself to put on Twitter - trying to ward off the inevitable.

You mean they've found one who hasn't resigned and sacked the job off?

Thomas Kerr, only defected this year and therefore kept his seat he won as a Tory.

Whilst I appreciate the fiction that we elect people, not parties, one of the single most effective ways some trust could be restored to politics is if a change of party is treated like a conviction and the constituency are allowed to petition for a recall (re-election).

Alternatively (and/or additionally), if an MP does change parties, they are then liable in civil law to repay the expenses incurred by the party the stood for.

Major climbdown on the Bill incoming according to the BBC news site.

From the Guardian

Full details of those welfare bill concessions:

1. Only cut benefits for new claimants
2. Spend billions more on employment support
3. Consultation on PIP cuts, with changes to be made at committee stage

Almost anyone else, but not two of the three previous Tory leaders.

It's a colossal step down and a massive victory according to the BBC news reporter whose name I've forgotten.

Chris somebody.

Mason?

Don't remind me! 😁

He sounds like the Daily Mail on steroids.

They are not rebels. They are MPs who are best representing their constituents.

Chris Mason is suffering withdrawal symptoms from years of Tory drama.

These MPs understand the devastating effects upon their constituents and have unted to enforce changes. It worked.

I think the rebels (sorry placemats!) need to keep pressing for the bill to be ditched. The concession to apply the changes to new claims only is unfair and creates (forgive me) a two-tier disability benefit system.

I’m wary that by new claimants they’ll also extend it to people who are being reviewed. They can change points on review.

They are saying brand new claims only, if I have understood correctly. But you're right. Once the four points rule comes into existence, there is nothing to stop it being extended in the future.

It is totally unfair, whichever way you slice it.

Maybe they should stop reviewing people with disabilities that are never going to improve. Nobody with a physical disability is ever going to be less disabled tomorrow than they were yesterday. Just doing that would save money.

Same for those with severe or profound learning disabilities or otherwise complex neurological disabilities. By adulthood, any "improvements" are going to be hard won and marginal and likely rely on the sort of scaffolding that counts as "care" in the first place.