Thread 34 Starmer - Conference Swanwiches and a Deputy Leader contest

[DuncinToffee]

Pull up a chair for some friendly chit chat about politics, cats, dogs and much more

Taxes optional but greatly appreciated.

Previous thread

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5411278-thread-33-starmer-gerst-monath?page=40&reply=147446478

The Covid Inquiry resumes today with module 8, Children and young people

This module will examine the impact of the pandemic on children and young people, namely their mental and physical health, and education or early years provision.

It is expected to run between 29 September and 23 October 2025.

Probably the best take on digital ID (when you include the comments)

https://www.theregister.com/2025/09/29/digital_id_opinion_column/

But there are also a number of differences from the last time this was tried. The most obvious is that Starmer wants to repurpose everyone's smartphone as an ID card, saving the government from having to issue pieces of plastic, potentially making the scheme cheaper and easier to establish. That does also mean that what the government press release calls "the authoritative proof of who someone is and their residency status in this country" will reside on devices mostly made in China with software controlled by US companies.

Just listened to Rachel Reeves at conference. An impressive speech. Loved her speaking about breakfast clubs and the difference it makes.

Late to the thread again. Been subject to some slimy bastard opening a bank account in my name and having to sort out the mess. (Bank of Scotland have not exactly covered themselves in glory. )
Does make me think that putting even more data out there (for some lowlives to steal) on the digital ID card might not be a good idea...
Anyway atmospheric tax of last night's mist enclosed.

I agree it was a good speech. Closer ties with the EU, finally. She handled the Palestine protest well too.

Mahmood is on now. I don't agree with making it harder to get IRL but she spoke well against the far right hatred.

Watched him on GMB this morning. He was awful. Reid and Balls were clarifying with him and it highlighted the holes in their plan and rather than calmly respond he got all flustered and cross and just shouted louder. He was dreadful.

I see the Halal meat thread didn't go as expected.

I wonder if Reform have made as many concerned citizens as they can, and now they are simply making existing ones more concerned ?

It's totally not worth it for the 10 quid (insert other currencies here) voucher for the ubiquitous takeaway 'hack'.

It's not fair !!!

You're supposed to start frothing like a loon at the mention of "halal", not digress about issues unrelated to muslemic immigration.

Shame on you.

There seems to be a plethora of anti-Islam threads and posters today. Wonder why?

Thank you for the new thread Duncin & all contributors.
@takingcareofme2023 I’m so sorry the wanderer has not yet returned keep on hoping💐
I haven’t had a chance to listen to any of conference yet hopefully will catch up a bit later. My main concern is for my granddaughter’s future I cannot even begin to imagine what would be in store if reform isn’t stopped it’s so utterly chilling that a bunch of grifting morally bankrupt fools could even be considered for government is truly the stuff of nightmares.
Grumpy crikey what an absolute pain for you hope it gets sorted quickly.

MrsJinks well done for turning out again 👏
is Darren Grimes the love child of JDVance they look remarkably similar 🤢

Admittedly some more subtle than others.

The problems is the subtle ones fail to whip up the necessary frenzy. Not quite sure why, as we all know Reform voters aren't stupid.

We've moved from thinly veiled Islamophobia to totally unveiled.

Save Are Swans !!!

Actually, realising there is nothing new under the sun can be a warming feeling.

Host: "so, you're unemployed, what do you think about that ?"
Youth (mumbles)
Audience member "THE TORIES !"
Host: "DON'T HELP HIM !!!"
Youth: "Well, it's the tories innit ?"

In honour of MN ...

😂

Targeted maintenance grants for students to be reintroduced

Disadvantaged students studying priority courses will benefit from extra financial support to access and excel in higher education.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/targeted-maintenance-grants-for-students-to-be-reintroduced

I had to explain that one to DH 🤣

It took me longer than it should!

Me too!

Took me a while to get cock womble but laughed too hard when I’d got there 🤦🏼‍♀️🤣

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/29/covid-school-closures-in-uk-damaged-very-fabric-of-childhood

Odd headline when the first paragraph says “The Covid pandemic disrupted the “very fabric of childhood”, the UK inquiry has heard” and then says “Some children lost parents, grandparents and other loved ones to Covid. Some children died from Covid, while others continue to live with the “severe, and, for many, long-lasting” consequences of the pandemic”
School closures are not at all what disrupted the fabric of childhood. And there was no alternative. Enough teachers died and covid was passed via school contact as it was. Fed up with it all being teachers’ fault as per.