Thread 35 Starmer: Old and smelling of roses

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In an interview on the Today programme, David Bull, the Reform UK chair, said that the Caerphilly result was remarkable for his party because it was only four years old. He said:

Of course, it’s disappointing for us [not to win], but you also have to look at what an extraordinary result it was for us, because we’re only four years old.

At the last election, we polled 1.7% and to go to a meteoric 36% I think, by any sort of metric, is absolutely amazing.

Nope. You lost. That is all that matters.

Also, isn't it funny how Farage vanishes from the airwaves when his party loses?

Yes it is a terrible result for Labour. Starmer needs to take note.

Also from the Guardian re the new party guff:

This is misleading. Technically Reform UK has only been operating since 2021. But it was not launched then as a new party; all that happened was that the Brexit party, which has been formed by Nigel Farage in 2018, changed its name in response to the fact that Brexit had been achieved.

Farage set up the Brexit party after Ukip, which he had led, on and off for more than a decade, turned very far-right under a new leader. But Ukip is now just an empty shell and many of the people who worked for it, and supported it, when Farage was leader are now lined up behind Farage.

In organisational terms, Reform UK is a new party. But Farage has been a prominent figure in UK politics for more than two decades, which means he is arguably Britain’s longest-serving political leader, not its newest.

My phone hasn't stopped pinging. Everyone here in my part of Wales and my Welsh friends in other parts of the world are so happy. This really was a landmark by-election for us.

Sorry, I’ve asked MN to remove it. Hopefully this works instead.

https://www.thetimes.com/article/f3f7099e-dfe4-4fea-b02a-a16d81a16843?shareToken=3bf87f60c0f70a96c3ace23a779baffe

Never been so relieved well done Plaid 🎉

Good news, well done Caerphilly!

Farage has indeed gone awol, BBC breakfast feels out of sorts, they banked on a Reform win it seems.

Message to Labour again, stop chasing the Reform vote.

Tories down to 2%

Thanks for the shingles jab info Placemats I had my first one in June due the second one in December Yy anyone eligible please make sure you get it had a few friends over the last year or so who have had shingles a couple of them were really unwell.

“The joke among Plaid supporters at the count was that long before the declaration Mr Farage was halfway down the M4 on his way back to London.”

Just waking up and looking at the news. I’m so relieved! Da iawn Caerffili!

Zia Yusuf stepped down on Wednesday as head of the national Reform “DOGE” unit that has been “struggling to find council waste to cut,” according to Politico. He was just four months into the role and had already resigned once and returned to it.

Tumbleweed on Farage's Twitter too.

There were seven council by-elections last night. I have seen 5 results I think. No cigar for Farage so far. 3 gains for Lib Dems.

Re the collapse of Labour in Caerphilly - while part of it is down to the current view of the Westminster leadership I think it as coming anyway. People feel that they’ve had a long enough run and that it’s not good for one party to have control for so long. On top of that, Indy-curiosity is increasing. It’s complex.

I had it last year on my face and head and in my eye. It’s not pleasant. Prompt response by my optician and the NHS has meant my sight is fine (slight change in prescription for my lens) but I’m seriously considering paying for the jab early.

I think the era of two party politics is on the wane and a good thing too. Genuine cross party politics can only be a good thing.

I think that is very true Cardi. I don't know about you, but a few of my Welsh Labour friends are turning to PC, as have I.

PR next I hope

Excellent news from Caerphilly, I am so happy!

It’s not a bad article. I am a Reeves critic. My real feeling about her is that she is a staggeringly poor politician.

Whitehall efficiencies - well okay. I think that was an old Tory line. In fact what happened is that departments borrowed from the reserve. I understand Reeves has put a stop to that. That will mean cuts as departments have to find alternatives. 20 percent reduction in CS would be a start. Streamlining basic decision making and administration into AI would also be sensible.

Income tax - understand that the current government idea is 2p on the basic rate, cut 2p on NICS (catches pensioners and landlords). Tbh while it may seem like political suicide the reality is that Labour are in real trouble now even without breaking a manifesto. The elephant in the room has always been the basic rate being too low.

Investment- please. Have just been to Switzerland for a week. How it could be, if we thought differently.

Congratulations to Plaid for the outstanding win. Lee Anderson has said that Reform will do better under the PR system - not sure he understands how PR works.

I'm a life long labour voter. I'm Welsh. If I lived in a constituency at risk from Reform I woud definitely do a tactical vote for Plaid - this may have been some of the reason for the collapse of the Labour vote. We already have PR for Senedd elections so no doubt there will be some Reform presence in the Senedd after next year's elections

My sister had it many years ago and was very unwell with it. It's expensive to purchase but if it means keeping your eyesight then well worth it.

Yes, I heard that, what bad losers and it is misleading as what is the difference between UKIP and Reform in terms of leader and principles.

Income tax - understand that the current government idea is 2p on the basic rate, cut 2p on NICS (catches pensioners and landlords)

I think this is a fair move. There will be a hell of a fuss but by the time the GE rolls around, people may have got used to it.

Labour are a bit screwed right now, to say the least, so they may as well be bold and make some unpopular decisions.

From UKIP to Brexit Party to Reform.

It's messing with people's minds that this is seen as a good thing