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Thread 49 Starmer - Cóż to jest 5 milionów funtów między przyjaciółmi

876 replies

DuncinToffee · 12/05/2026 08:23

Welcome to our long running thread for political discussion, general chit chat, a friendly hug and taxes in kind

Flowers for anyone who needs them in real life

Previous thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5523207-thread-48-starmer-der-teufel-ist-ein-eichhornchen?page=40

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68
DuncinToffee · 19/05/2026 10:58

I dont think you can really blame voters in cases where the person elected is actually ineligible to stand. That is solely on the party clearing them to stand.

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DuncinToffee · 19/05/2026 11:03

placemats · 18/05/2026 23:15

https://www.markpack.org.uk/176783/how-many-councillors-has-reform-uk-lost-since-the-may-2026-elections/

Just leaving this here before I head to my bed.

There's no scrutiny obviously in the candidates being picked as councillors for Reform and all credit to Lib Dem peer Mark Pack for calling this out on his blog. Makes for sobering reading.

The link in there to Paul Webster’s tracker includes all parties

He has 9 Reform, 4 Green and 2 Conservative

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Cheguevarahamster · 19/05/2026 11:08
Serious Brian Cox GIF by SuccessionHBO

To paraphrase Brian Cox. They are not serious people*. The antisemitism was deeply disturbing.

*I love Caroline Lucas though.

Fandango52 · 19/05/2026 11:22

Cheguevarahamster · 19/05/2026 11:08

To paraphrase Brian Cox. They are not serious people*. The antisemitism was deeply disturbing.

*I love Caroline Lucas though.

100% agree.

placemats · 19/05/2026 12:02

pointythings · 18/05/2026 18:35

I have blue hair, so I would immediately be marked out as a lefty. But hilariously enough one of the regulars in our local pub quiz has bright purple hair - not the subtle glassic rinse!) and is a massive Restore fan.

It's interesting about the mental maths - my DC used to come with me and help with the catering at our archery club, which involved making change, rapid calculation etc. That might well have been more useful than I was expecting.

Yes we always had a "shop" with a toy till and real money. It did have a bleepy credit card 😀

A fellow invigilator was asked what number May was 👀🤭

placemats · 19/05/2026 12:04

DuncinToffee · 19/05/2026 11:03

The link in there to Paul Webster’s tracker includes all parties

He has 9 Reform, 4 Green and 2 Conservative

Working for the local authority as a teacher is a basic reason for exemption to stand.

DuncinToffee · 19/05/2026 13:54

Andy Burnham is the candidate for Makerfield., the NEC didn't shortlist anyone else.

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BIossomtoes · 19/05/2026 14:00

It would have been pointless. It’s going to be fun and games for the next four weeks.

PickAChew · 19/05/2026 14:17

I doubt that anyone wanted to be the person who thought they could or should go up against him.

LizzieW1969 · 19/05/2026 14:24

PickAChew · 19/05/2026 14:17

I doubt that anyone wanted to be the person who thought they could or should go up against him.

I think that’s probably the exact reason why there was no shortlist. It will be very interesting to see what happens.

LizzieW1969 · 19/05/2026 14:56

Well, hopefully Restore will split the Reform vote, which might actually help Burnham win the seat.

BIossomtoes · 19/05/2026 14:58

Reform has chosen a local candidate. A plumber, they obviously think it worked a charm for Hannah Spencer.

PickAChew · 19/05/2026 15:03

BIossomtoes · 19/05/2026 14:58

Reform has chosen a local candidate. A plumber, they obviously think it worked a charm for Hannah Spencer.

It's the guy who came second, last time

BIossomtoes · 19/05/2026 15:06

More in Common has been polling in Makerfield. It seems that Reform would take the seat with anyone other than Burnham standing for Labour but early signs indicate he’ll win a close race.

Cheguevarahamster · 19/05/2026 15:12

PickAChew · 19/05/2026 15:03

Is this the same Rebecca Shepherd?
Rebecca Shepherd | Sellick Partnership https://share.google/pDhuAa1ykIlOJBFQW

I don't think so.

PickAChew · 19/05/2026 15:18

Cheguevarahamster · 19/05/2026 15:12

I don't think so.

Very unfortunate for her, either way. Both in the northwest. Look very, very similar. Restore Rebecca is open about being a disability advocate. Linked Rebecca also likes black people and supports LGBTQI+ initiatives.

Piggywaspushed · 19/05/2026 15:24

That Rebecca is about half the age of Restore Rebecca!

PickAChew · 19/05/2026 15:41

Piggywaspushed · 19/05/2026 15:24

That Rebecca is about half the age of Restore Rebecca!

And there is a better photo of her on Ladbible, where she's looking less corporate!

DuncinToffee · 19/05/2026 16:07

Bit more on Reform's candidate

https://bsky.app/profile/reformexposed.bsky.social/post/3mm7h2bfe7226

Reform UK had selected Robert Kenyon as their candidate.

He campaigned on being in the British Army, but was just a British Army reservist Lance Corporal.

He might want to now clarify this:

“Because of his part-time military background Mr Kenyon refuses to discuss Reform leader Nigel Farage’s controversial view that the West provoked Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine by the eastern expansion of the European Union and NATO.”

“I am not allowed to voice an opinion of stuff like that,” he said

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DuncinToffee · 19/05/2026 16:09

Another candidate

The Official Monster Raving Loony Party has named its leader and co-founder Alan "Howlin" Laud Hope as its candidate for the Makerfield by-election.

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DuncinToffee · 19/05/2026 16:15

Kenyon's SM posts are being deleted and it looks like Dan Hodges has some more info on him

https://bsky.app/profile/hughster.bsky.social/post/3mm7nimew7c2h

Hughster (@hughster.bsky.social)

Looks like someone has

https://bsky.app/profile/hughster.bsky.social/post/3mm7nimew7c2h

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DuncinToffee · 19/05/2026 16:19

Oh

Exclusive: The UK Statistics Authority has rapped Kemi Badenoch over claims she made at PMQs last month about the number of people claiming Universal Credit.

Asked to comment, a spokesman for Badenoch replied with a “yawning” emoji.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclusive-statistics-watchdog-raps-kemi-badenoch-over-universal-credit-claim_uk_6a0c75e4e4b0d1a142e141eb?se

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PickAChew · 19/05/2026 16:20

DuncinToffee · 19/05/2026 16:15

Kenyon's SM posts are being deleted and it looks like Dan Hodges has some more info on him

https://bsky.app/profile/hughster.bsky.social/post/3mm7nimew7c2h

Not fast enough. Some interesting info about who he associates with in that thread.