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Thread 41 Starmer : "Alban Arthan" the returning of the light

997 replies

DuncinToffee · 11/01/2026 19:49

Previous thread https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5461238-thread-40-starmer-prettig-kerstfeest-nollaig-shona-hyvaa-joulua-nadolig-llawen-god-jul-feliz-navidad-bouan-noue-nollaig-chridheil?page=40

Welcome to 2026 for political discussion, general chat and taxes in kind.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
89
Lalgarh · 17/01/2026 20:48

DuncinToffee · 17/01/2026 16:46

Here we go with the 🍊madman

Trump says eight European countries face 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland –
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland will face tariffs from 1 February

Apparently there's only 1 UK soldier there, but that's a enough for the fragile snowflake

LlttledrummergirI · 17/01/2026 21:04

Notonthestairs · 17/01/2026 20:46

Yep. Should be a united front. No time for messing about worrying about Heritage Foundation etc.

Trouble is, she is contrary for the sake of it. She would rather oppose everything than do what is right for the country. Weak leadership. Parliament should absolutely be supporting Denmark.

DuncinToffee · 18/01/2026 09:54

Nige is chickening out of a BBC interview today (no I wasnt aware he wasnt banning the BBC anymore either)

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MsJinks · 18/01/2026 10:04

Well - he’d have to own Trump is wrong on Greenland.
And awkward questions re how he disliked Jenrick last week but he’s shuffling him into the ‘shadow front bench’ this week. Ah - he probably wouldn’t have such difficult questions actually!
But Greenland will probably be high on the agenda on the BBC and he’d have to out himself as against or for Trump (and in turn Putin). Rock and a hard place - oh dear.

LlynTegid · 18/01/2026 10:11

placemats · 17/01/2026 10:17

I think also Labour have got to be changing how they communicate. Recognise more that tv watching is limited, that the mainstream press are hostile, and be competent in communication.

Wes Streeting should be speaking more about NHS improvements, not trying to start his pitch to succeed Keir Starmer whenever that comes about.

BIossomtoes · 18/01/2026 10:27

DuncinToffee · 18/01/2026 09:54

Nige is chickening out of a BBC interview today (no I wasnt aware he wasnt banning the BBC anymore either)

He’s backed out of the Kuenssberg interview? Wow, that’s extraordinary, he’s normally such a publicity addict. I expect he was afraid of being pressed on the alleged Labour figure defection.

Notonthestairs · 18/01/2026 11:14

Farage doesn’t want to be pressed about Trump.

He doesn’t want to be on camera agreeing with or criticising Trump.

DuncinToffee · 18/01/2026 11:17

Notonthestairs · 18/01/2026 11:14

Farage doesn’t want to be pressed about Trump.

He doesn’t want to be on camera agreeing with or criticising Trump.

This and Davos I think is more likely the case than the possible Labour defection

OP posts:
DuncinToffee · 18/01/2026 11:22

"We were expecting Nigel Farage to join us this week before Reform tells us he's under the weather. So the deputy leader of Reform, Richard Tice, set his alarm early at the last minute."

OP posts:
SerendipityJane · 18/01/2026 11:25

DuncinToffee · 18/01/2026 11:22

"We were expecting Nigel Farage to join us this week before Reform tells us he's under the weather. So the deputy leader of Reform, Richard Tice, set his alarm early at the last minute."

What is the time difference to Dubai ?

In centuries ?

itsgettingweird · 18/01/2026 11:31

SerendipityJane · 18/01/2026 11:25

What is the time difference to Dubai ?

In centuries ?

🤣🤣

dontcallmelen · 18/01/2026 11:44

SerendipityJane · 18/01/2026 11:25

What is the time difference to Dubai ?

In centuries ?

😂😂 I do sometimes miss the laughing emoji
Farage has never really liked being questioned he likes to talk at the interviewer maybe this morning he knew he wouldn’t get away with that approach, if they only did it more instead of letting him get away with it we would have seen more of the petulant grifter that he is.

SerendipityJane · 18/01/2026 12:02

dontcallmelen · 18/01/2026 11:44

😂😂 I do sometimes miss the laughing emoji
Farage has never really liked being questioned he likes to talk at the interviewer maybe this morning he knew he wouldn’t get away with that approach, if they only did it more instead of letting him get away with it we would have seen more of the petulant grifter that he is.

His metier is either a carefully curated appearance - and we can bet he gets the questions in advance.

Or a shouty clip where there is really only bandwidth for a single question and a single answer.

Also he is pretty much at the Farage event horizon now. Basically all the people who are going to support reform because of him are already supporters of reform because of him. There is no hidden mass who are undecided on the Farage factor.

He also now has to manage the big beasts he is sucking off in. I can't see Jenrick or Zahawi being shrinking violets content to toil in the shadows in the cause of Nigel.

For whatever reason - call it destiny ? - the UKs election cycles are out of step with Nigels needs.

PandoraSocks · 18/01/2026 12:16

DuncinToffee · 18/01/2026 11:22

"We were expecting Nigel Farage to join us this week before Reform tells us he's under the weather. So the deputy leader of Reform, Richard Tice, set his alarm early at the last minute."

We were expecting Nigel Farage to join us this week before Reform tells us he's under the weather

I do hope it is nothing trivial. In reality he is probably just hungover.

MsJinks · 18/01/2026 12:23

Nige is definitely feeling a bit green I’d say.
Where does Tice sit on Greenland? I’m becoming surprised he is still in Reform tbh though.

dontcallmelen · 18/01/2026 12:27

PickAChew · 17/01/2026 13:39

Lovely news for both of you, @BestIsWest amd @countrygirl99

And Blossom glad your Dh is getting the treatment & support he needs.
I’ve had two instances last couple of months GP have been really on the ball referrals within two weeks/tests & treatments started sincerely wish this was everyone’s experience.

DuncinToffee · 18/01/2026 12:27

I didn't watch LK, this is from the BBC article

Also on the programme on Sunday, Reform UK MP Richard Tice agreed that the move would be "completely wrong".

"The objective of protecting Greenland for all Nato allies is correct, the way he is going about it is completely wrong."

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SerendipityJane · 18/01/2026 12:34

I wonder who will be first to break ranks and proceed to treat the US as it acts - a belligerent power. I mean they aren't even calling us allies any more ?

We should be treating the US as the China of the West.

pointythings · 18/01/2026 12:51

PandoraSocks · 18/01/2026 12:16

We were expecting Nigel Farage to join us this week before Reform tells us he's under the weather

I do hope it is nothing trivial. In reality he is probably just hungover.

Why didn't they just bring on a tub of lard?

MsJinks · 18/01/2026 12:58

SerendipityJane · 18/01/2026 12:34

I wonder who will be first to break ranks and proceed to treat the US as it acts - a belligerent power. I mean they aren't even calling us allies any more ?

We should be treating the US as the China of the West.

I’ve always been wanting the Davey approach, though appreciate reasons why smarming was seen as more suitable.
But I just said on another thread that I now think the ‘smarming’ by Europe is probably a good thing as we’ve come to Greenland - in no universe can Trump say we’ve been unfriendly or acting badly towards him/the US - well he will say it if it suits obviously- but other US politicians and some military won’t agree and may manage to dissuade him from action, including tarries etc.
I do however think the time is now to accept they’re no longer an ally and work more pragmatically - no state visits at the least!

MsJinks · 18/01/2026 13:03

DuncinToffee · 18/01/2026 12:27

I didn't watch LK, this is from the BBC article

Also on the programme on Sunday, Reform UK MP Richard Tice agreed that the move would be "completely wrong".

"The objective of protecting Greenland for all Nato allies is correct, the way he is going about it is completely wrong."

Cheers - that’s a bit too disingenuous for my preference, though at least states actions are wrong, and we want the opposition party consensus on this!

But I guess the real Tice achievement today is Nige didn’t have to say anything anti trump himself publicly.
How much does Tice get for doing the great leader’s bidding?

PickAChew · 18/01/2026 13:16

MsJinks · 18/01/2026 12:58

I’ve always been wanting the Davey approach, though appreciate reasons why smarming was seen as more suitable.
But I just said on another thread that I now think the ‘smarming’ by Europe is probably a good thing as we’ve come to Greenland - in no universe can Trump say we’ve been unfriendly or acting badly towards him/the US - well he will say it if it suits obviously- but other US politicians and some military won’t agree and may manage to dissuade him from action, including tarries etc.
I do however think the time is now to accept they’re no longer an ally and work more pragmatically - no state visits at the least!

I think being truly diplomatic was a necessity for his first year back in power and, even though it hasn't fully appeased him - in fact, especially because it hasn't appeased him - we and other NATO allies have the evidence to ask him how the hell does he think we can take him at his word, over anything.

BIossomtoes · 18/01/2026 13:25

I’ve just watched LK and, despite her best shit stirring efforts, effectively Tice and Nandy were both saying the same thing, ie more is achieved through private conversations than public confrontation.