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

Correction: in the last 24 months and many have been returned to the estate from whence they came.

They can have their say without quoting another. No doubt it's all giggles and fun on the other thread now. On a serious topic.

The latest figures show that 262 prisoners in England and Wales were mistakenly released in the year leading up to March 2025, according to the prison service's annual digest.

That's a 128% increase compared to the 115 prisoners released in error in the year ending March 2024.

The fact that it was a particularly awful human being this time is neither here nor there. Next time it might actually be someone who was not in fact guilty - and all because the prison system has been starved of funding for so long that it can't maintain security. Would you be OK with that?

I never cross-quote on these threads. If I comment on one it’s stand alone. I’ve commented a few times on here (at most) when I’ve seen a comment I felt like responding to. I’ve no problem with anyone doing that with any comment I’ve made. We are on an anonymous forum on which anyone can write. Of course personal attacks or personal references etc are uncalled for and not welcome anywhere.

I’m of the view that grown up debates and discussion is always worthwhile. As long as it stays that way. At the same time I also understand that’s it’s nice to have spaces where it’s calm and people feel comfortable and amongst friends.

I just couldn’t see the emotive parallels with being upset about a freed / escaped sex offender, and not being upset about a paedophile being killed by other prisoners. Obviously there’s a theoretical / principle swimming around there if people feel the need to talk about it when a sex offender is accidentally released, but as I said, I don’t care.

@AbsentosaurusRex it concerns me that you do not see why it is cause for concern that prisoners get killed in prison. It really is worthwhile to look beyond a single story in the news to the bigger picture.

You may not cross quote but you do make nasty personal remarks with a laughing emoji. On the other thread.

Eta. So much for grown up discussion.

Final result of #aras25:

Electorate: 3,614,450
Votes cast: 1,656,436 (45.8%)

Spoilt: 213,738 (12.9%)
Valid poll: 1,442,698

Connolly: 914,143 (63.3%)
Humphreys: 424,987 (29.5%)
Gavin: 103,568 (7.2%)

Catherine Connolly is elected the tenth President of Ireland.

We got a thread title out of their insults

And one of the best we’ve ever had.

No I don’t. Why do you think I do?

Oh. I see you now. A homogenous mass of people who disagree with you. All the same. I see. It makes sense now.

If that's an example of the intelligence and wit of the other thread, I think I'll continue to ignore it...

Charge..I would.

Why thank you!

@AbsentosaurusRex any response to the point I made about looking beyond the murder in prison of one particularly despicable individual? Would you be concerned if someone were murdered who was later found to be innocent? Can you not see that prison safety matters?

We are missing you @AbsentosaurusRex

It’s an extremely complicated debate. One which no one wants to get in to in here, I’m sure. However - since you ask. I’d differentiate between prisoners, and paedophile prisoners. There is lots of evidence showing that paedophiles cannot be rehabilitated. They have a sexual preference. And it is for babies and children. Hence certain people annd groups, over time have attempted to normalise it. Some paedophiles have even wanted to die / be in prison as they know they can’t stop themselves. But anyway, I’m not sorry if a paedophile is killed. Call me anything you like, I’d never apologise for that view.

That whooshing noise is the point flying over your head...

I'm not particularly distressed about this particular death either. But it does concern me that prisons are so underfunded and understaffed that this could happen to literally anyone.

As for it being a complicated debate - we do a fair amount of that on here and would be fine with a sensible discussion of how the prison system in the UK could and should be improved for the benefit of society as a whole.

😂😂 sweet

I am typing this with my nose as I am sitting on my hands 😂(this is not aimed at you AbsentosaurusRex).

So high profile paedophile people who have died in prison include Epstein, who was close to Andrew, who should be formally known as Prince. Yet, no outrage, no phyrric calls for resignations. No statement regarding Broken Britain. Trafficking girls for the sexual gratification of very wealthy men.

We might not have misgivings about the paedophile recently murdered in prison but there was outrage (and quite rightly) about the prison officer who had boiling oil thrown over him by a terrorist. The same conditions allow both things to happen.

It was boiling water and sugar and it's a disgusting way to treat anyone, but especially those who work within the estate to try and keep order.

Impressively lazy thinking that murder/maiming within prisons is somehow a good thing.
I wonder how far that can stretched. Maybe we can dispense with police/courts etc. Vigilante style. Who gets to decide that? Offenders?