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

[DuncinToffee]

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

Someone’s missing their MP salary, not to mention expenses.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jan/12/former-tory-chancellor-nadhim-zahawi-defects-to-reform-uk

Zahawi has defected to Reform. I’m a little surprised at that really.
thanks for the new thread @DuncinToffee
Cat tax in the form of Perdy enjoying watching a yoga session

Beat me to it @BIossomtoes!

Those stables don't heat themselves.

I am surprised at that one.

I’m surprised too. I wonder if there’s been a financial inducement.

Wonder if Boris Johnson will join Reform.

Johnson will keep his options open until much closer to the election then do whatever is best for Johnson.

Why is the BBC broadcasting Farage's press conference?

He is saying again he thinks there will be a GE before 2029, but doesn't explain how that will happen.

He doesn't need to.

All he needs to do is plant the seed in the heads of the permadim (MN being one channel) that it "should" happen. And when it doesn't he can squeal :

and doubtless some guff about the violence inherent in the system.

I thought that was a map of flagshagger hotspots.

Has anyone checked ?

A Tory spokesperson goes in two-footed: "Reform is fast becoming the party of has-been politicians looking for their next gravy train. Their latest recruit used to say he'd be 'frightened to live in a country' run by Nigel Farage, which shows the level of loyalty for sale."

Glad they are admitting it

Only took a week

Ofcom has launched an inquiry into X over sexualised imagery on Grok. It is not currently clear whether or how this will link to Ofcom's need to investigate X over other breaches of its legal duties under the Online Safety Act
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/ofcom-launches-investigation-into-x-over-grok-sexualised-imagery

Very behind but just seen news of defection.

I was surprised at it too tbh

Another follow the oil money?

https://www.ft.com/content/9a495d3c-8c8e-4938-8075-44644c0ad7eb

From Iraqi oilfields to Tory HQ: how Nadhim Zahawi mixed business and politics The UK Conservative party chair’s tax travails are the latest chapter in a career that has brought him great wealth

It is a shame Labour didn't manage to say this first.

Looking quickly on X, Farage's supporters don't seem too happy. Maybe it will drive them to Advance or what ever it is called and split the far right vote.

Zahawi is busy deleting old tweets 😅

Too late!

He is a twat. Didn't he think to delete them before the presser was held?

How do you know that they didn't say it first?

Have they made a statement?

I think if you vote Reform as you’re sick of the Tories then the influx is disappointing and a worry.
Zahawi never seemed too radically right either - the usual suspects of 30p Lee and Gullis are obviously to the right and expounded views on immigration so guess they’re ok.
How many Tories will be too many? When will more Reform go to Advance? Difficult balancing act for Frog but I won’t waste a millisecond troubling myself about that!

Thanks for the new thread. No tax I'm afraid. I'm a little short.

Late PMK. I’m trying to catch up. Made too many commitments for this month. January me is cursing October me!

Thanks for the new thread @DuncinToffee . Tax to come. I will try and contribute more to the new thread.

A description of Nadhim Zahawi's sacking from the excellent "Tories the end of an error" by Russ Jones. "Nadhim Zahawi, a child's drawing of perfect greed superimposed onto a competitively evil gonad, who manged to limp on for a couple of months before years of duplicity about his tax affairs caught up with him, along with a million pound fine from the HRMC"

Lest we forget what monumental grifters the Tories were.

Zahawi was asked about vaccines, awkward