Thread 35 Starmer: Old and smelling of roses

[DuncinToffee]

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

Taxes optional but greatly appreciated.

Previous thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5418471-thread-34-starmer-conference-swanwiches-and-a-deputy-leader-contest?page=40

More Rhodes cat tax.

My tax is 'Hector', a linocut by Vanessa Lubach

I don't like it, but I actually think the judge made quite a wise decision.

If he had prevented SYL going to Israel, it would have fed into the narrative that the"state" is persecuting him etc. Let wee Stephen have his little jolly. It will also be very difficult for him to bang on about "two tier" justice after this.

If he fucks about and doesn't come back when he is supposed to, then he will be once again shown up as the criminal he is.

I'm appalled that the Israeli government are entertaining someone like Yaxley-Lennon. (If indeed they are of course)

He is officially invited by an Israeli minister, the Jewish Leadership Council has condemned the invite

He also has Musk alledgely paying for his legal costs.

They have officially invited him. I wonder if he will actually go? I assume he will be accompanied by Israeli officials etc. a lot of the time, which might make it difficult for him when it comes to certain habits he allegedly indulges in?

Paying tax with a pic of a walk in local woods yesterday. Dog is out of sight behind a tree somewhere.

I thought this post on Bluesky made an excellent point

Lest we forget ... the original victim of foreigners coming over here and taking are jobs.

John Crace

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/oct/14/keir-starmer-back-on-familiar-ground-after-walk-on-part-in-the-trump-show-in-egypt

He nails it, as per usual.

St. Kemi will be gone by this time next year if hhe Tories tank in the May elections. Mind you, so could Starmer, I suppose.

Apologies in advance, but I went over to the "other" thread to say my bit about all the personal attacks. I am obviously not planning to habitually post there, but I may have given some of them an excuse to come here.

History shows us that they don’t really need an excuse.

Bit of autumn colour.

Virginia creeper? I have lots of it, it is lovely if a bit of a thug.

Does anyone understand what is going on with this China and alledged spies case?

This is the latest:

Starmer says he will publish the witness statements made by the government in the China spy trial case. He says he intends to publish them in full, but they are being checked first.

And he restates the government’s claim that the prosecution failed because of the stance taken by the previous government.

That last statement better be 100% watertight or Starmer will be in deep shit.

I meant the case itself, it's hard to make sense of it. Just hoping someone can explain it in layman's term.

BBC Explainer I’m just reading this myself

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceq057734w1o

It is of course complicated.

@Notonthestairs this year's Autumn colours have actually made me smile.

Snap BIWI

It is interesting that Cash is referred to as a "Parliamentary researcher", but it isn't specified that he was a former parliamentary aide to two Conservative MPs.

But perhaps my tin foil hat is too tight.

Eta: it is too tight. He was an aide to Alicia Kearns.

After storm Amy, leaves here are either still green and firmly attached or slippery brown mulch.

It is grey here, but fallen leaves are crisp. Which is a miracle for Wales!

China spy case is fascinating. Starmer was confident in the Commons and had reason to be. He would not disclose these statements if he wasn’t. And it suits him to do it. Kills it ever being revived as a case.

I am surprised that Badenoch pressed so hard on it. It has the capacity to be vastly more embarrassing for the Conservatives than Labour.

The CPS may have to explain the standard you have to meet to prosecute these cases, because that does not look clear.

Political games on national security is a game government wins. So too with this, for all it matters.

I am surprised that Badenoch pressed so hard on it. It has the capacity to be vastly more embarrassing for the Conservatives than Labour

That is what I thought. It is intriguing.