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Original poster

Thread 35 Starmer: Old and smelling of roses

993 replies

DuncinToffee · 14/10/2025 20:26

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
140
bombastix · 15/10/2025 14:27

It’s foolish. What it is likely to do is expose the cabinet position during the last government on China. That isn’t great, and you can see already various former ministers are setting out their stall…

Suella Braverman: I said in 2023 China posed a threat to UK
Suella Braverman has said that she said China posed a threat to the UK in 2023 when she was home secretary.
She also said Beijing should be on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (Firs) which was launched in July. Currently just Iran and Russia are listed in that tier.
The former home secretary wrote on X: “A bit of noise today about who said what in 2023 about China. As Home Secretary at the time, I was always clear: China posed a threat to the UK in 2023. It should be listed on the Enhanced Tier, as I’ve urged repeatedly.”

Anyway, Badenoch should be battering Starmer on the economy or many of the other weak fronts the government has. This has the potential to explode in her face. Who controls the flow of information on this? The current government who would like to embarrass her.

Also tbh it’s not great scrutiny of a government that has problems. It won’t get Badenoch more voters and Starmer controls what gets released. I’d be going for Rachel Reeves and her budget. Lots of people care about that.

PandoraSocks · 15/10/2025 14:48

"While there was sufficient evidence when charges were originally brought against the two men in April 2024, a precedent set by another spying case earlier this year meant China would need to have been labelled a "threat to national security" at the time of the alleged offences"

The offences were between Dec 21 and Feb 23. So this can't be pinned on Labour.

BIossomtoes · 15/10/2025 14:59

PandoraSocks · 15/10/2025 14:48

"While there was sufficient evidence when charges were originally brought against the two men in April 2024, a precedent set by another spying case earlier this year meant China would need to have been labelled a "threat to national security" at the time of the alleged offences"

The offences were between Dec 21 and Feb 23. So this can't be pinned on Labour.

Some people will give it a bloody good go though.

placemats · 15/10/2025 15:11

I've got a funny feeling that Badenoch will spectacularly fail when it comes to the budget. She's unable to keep her powder dry.

bombastix · 15/10/2025 16:10

PandoraSocks · 15/10/2025 14:48

"While there was sufficient evidence when charges were originally brought against the two men in April 2024, a precedent set by another spying case earlier this year meant China would need to have been labelled a "threat to national security" at the time of the alleged offences"

The offences were between Dec 21 and Feb 23. So this can't be pinned on Labour.

That is quite an important legal point. You need to carefully scope the charge and the basis.

So Starmer is right, and Badenoch is wrong.

I assume there were extended discussions in cabinet in classifying China as a threat. Suella Braverman makes it clear there was.

I do not understand the Conservative Party. Do they have a death wish? An inquiry would make this extremely clear. Unless Kemi Badenoch thinks it will finish off her political rivals she is madder than a box of hot frogs.

Starmer has real problems domestically. Go for those.

placemats · 15/10/2025 16:14

The Tories were stabbed in the back by Reform, previously known as Brexit Party, and all enabled by Boris Johnson.

SerendipityJane · 15/10/2025 16:17

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 15/10/2025 06:05

It surely can't just be me that thinks everything is wrong with this?
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tommy-robinson-faces-three-week-36067343

How else would MI5s best agent be able to get into Israel ?

placemats · 15/10/2025 16:18

bombastix · 15/10/2025 16:10

That is quite an important legal point. You need to carefully scope the charge and the basis.

So Starmer is right, and Badenoch is wrong.

I assume there were extended discussions in cabinet in classifying China as a threat. Suella Braverman makes it clear there was.

I do not understand the Conservative Party. Do they have a death wish? An inquiry would make this extremely clear. Unless Kemi Badenoch thinks it will finish off her political rivals she is madder than a box of hot frogs.

Starmer has real problems domestically. Go for those.

Show quote history

Starmer doesn't have a domestic problem. This Government is delivering on manifesto promises. The problem is MSM and toxic social media. If course once Reform cosied up to Russia and Trump, it's obviously going to have a backlash - latest poll sees Reform sliding down.

Piggywaspushed · 15/10/2025 16:24

Joining thread late just to read along. No tax.

Sorry, been a bit preoccupied of late as my mum died last week. You may recall she was in the US so it's been a very unsettling and odd experience.

I'm going to lose it and tell someone to fuck off. Nearly did it at work today.

Notonthestairs · 15/10/2025 16:28

Piggywaspushed · 15/10/2025 16:24

Joining thread late just to read along. No tax.

Sorry, been a bit preoccupied of late as my mum died last week. You may recall she was in the US so it's been a very unsettling and odd experience.

I'm going to lose it and tell someone to fuck off. Nearly did it at work today.

I am so sorry Piggy. Swear away.

pointythings · 15/10/2025 16:37

I am so sorry, @piggywaspushed . Swear as much as you want on here.

PandoraSocks · 15/10/2025 16:45

Piggywaspushed · 15/10/2025 16:24

Joining thread late just to read along. No tax.

Sorry, been a bit preoccupied of late as my mum died last week. You may recall she was in the US so it's been a very unsettling and odd experience.

I'm going to lose it and tell someone to fuck off. Nearly did it at work today.

Oh piggy. Swear away here. I am so sorry 🫂

dontcallmelen · 15/10/2025 16:48

@Piggywaspushed sincere condolences swear & rant as much as you want 💐

SerendipityJane · 15/10/2025 17:09

PandoraSocks · 15/10/2025 16:52

Cummings claims China obtained ‘extremely secret’ government data | The Independent https://share.google/hRlzLzSAZfsrVqdm8

If I had to bet on the sorts of people who kept the receipts, his name would be at the very top. Remember his unashamed lifes work (like one N. Farright) is to destroy the Tory party.

I wonder if he's worrying he's too late to the party ?

BIWI · 15/10/2025 17:13

I’m so sorry to hear that @Piggywaspushed Flowers

bombastix · 15/10/2025 17:17

placemats · 15/10/2025 16:18

Starmer doesn't have a domestic problem. This Government is delivering on manifesto promises. The problem is MSM and toxic social media. If course once Reform cosied up to Russia and Trump, it's obviously going to have a backlash - latest poll sees Reform sliding down.

Show quote history

The cause is one thing. But to say there are not domestic problems is too sunny a view. We have a significant far right problem, we have a stuttering economy, and we have the budget of a lifetime to be delivered soon.

These are big problems domestically. I wish this government well, but it seems to me that you can’t ming vase this stuff. Reeves is to my mind very unimpressive.

Original poster
DuncinToffee · 15/10/2025 17:36

So sorry to hear about you mum @Piggywaspushed Flowers

Rant away

OP posts:
Original poster
DuncinToffee · 15/10/2025 17:39

And Cummings can fuck off.

OP posts:
Spandauer · 15/10/2025 17:45

@Piggywaspushed condolences and hope you're surrounded by supportive family and friends who will be happy to join you in a swear-fest.

Piggywaspushed · 15/10/2025 17:46

Thanks guys - family not really but work colleagues, yes (not the ones I want to swear at but the nice ones!)

I got a MN flower emoji - my first! - so that's a nice novelty.

Original poster
DuncinToffee · 15/10/2025 17:47

bombastix · 15/10/2025 17:17

The cause is one thing. But to say there are not domestic problems is too sunny a view. We have a significant far right problem, we have a stuttering economy, and we have the budget of a lifetime to be delivered soon.

These are big problems domestically. I wish this government well, but it seems to me that you can’t ming vase this stuff. Reeves is to my mind very unimpressive.

Show quote history

What do you mean with 'the budget of a life time'?

OP posts:
Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 15/10/2025 17:51

My sympathies @Piggywaspushed 💐

Original poster
DuncinToffee · 15/10/2025 17:53

Archived version of the FT, article by Chris Giles,

No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
It’s far from perfect, but the UK’s spending is broadly controlled and employment is high

https://archive.ph/QkwNp

OP posts:
dontcallmelen · 15/10/2025 17:55

I’m wondering if some of the extra economic support KS has drafted into the treasury department will make a difference?