Anyone leaving Labour party with Chuka and his mates?

[longwayoff]

I am seriously worried. Politics across the West is an utter mess - thanks Putin, nice work - and I can't see that this will help. It will split the left vote and right-wing ideology will continue stomping its way to more power. We are asterisked all ways from hell to breakfast.

The left is supposed to be open minded and tolerant. It has become less and less so. I'm 29 and I'm completely disillusioned with it.

Extreme left is brutal, and intolerant with no room for debate of opinion and aims to destroy anyone with a different viewpoint. See Communism in practice.

Extreme left almost loses the circle to become extreme right in fact.

There's no point having some allegedly highly principled socialist as party leader when no one will vote for him.

This.

I would put good money on the majority of people not giving two hoots about the Iraq war.

I grew up in a very asian area of East London and consequently have a lot of muslim friends. Blair is still universally hated amongst them for the Iraq war. Most of them believe that's the reason we have terrorists.

That's not necesarily what I think, but that is what they think.

Anyway - sorry for derailing. I agree, we are missing a middle ground in politics.

I cannot get worked up over the tuition fees thing. I am 27k in debt from my student days. I pay it off at the rate of £56 a month, which comes straight out of my PAYE, it didn't count towards my credit rating or mortgage etc, and it gets written off after 25 years. It's hardly a back breaking life changing thing.

Not a popular opinion that, but it's mine.

I've wanted to dislike Chuka for years! He's clean cut, handsome and a bit snarky. He just seemed a cliche. However during this Brexit process, I've heard him talk a lot. I feel he speaks for people like me who want a good economy and social justice.
Anna Soubry is right. The Tory party has been hijacked by the extreme right who doesn't possess true conservative values. Conservatism isn't about ideology or radical change. It's pragmatic and measured. The ERG has ruined the party.

Thanks for numbers shatner. Just watching Anna Soubry and co. press conference. Spot on assessment of what's happened to the Tory party. I'm not a Tory supporter but we need to have them, preferably in the incarnation with which we're familiar rather than the Trumpian version beginning to manifest. We can see where its going. It's not an improvement.

@KateAdiesEarrings

On Brexit, the majority of Scotland voted to leave so the SNP have quite a strong mandate on Brexit

Eh? Just looked it up and Scotland voted Remain 62-38. All council areas backed Remain. So the SNP wouldn't be ignoring constituents' views at all.

I genuinely don't know why people don't like Chuka so much. They only ever say "oh he's too smooth" or similar, without any actual concrete reasons.

I mean, so what? Do we not want politicians with a bit of charisma about them?

NOrdic so was I. Shake up call for both main parties. Just a shame they've all done this at a key point in the EU negotiations. And now the DUP tail will wag the Tory dog even more - or can they?

Dr Woolaston said she didn't recognise the party she'd joined ... I guess that's what informed Chuka and his colleagues.

I feel he speaks for people like me who want a good economy and social justice.

Me too.

And how do we feel about Derek Hatton being back in the party and touted to be the labour candidate for Liverpool Mayor?

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/19/the-return-of-king-rat-derek-hatton-marks-a-new-low-for-labour

I love seeing three strong intelligent women standing up to JRM et al.

How can the DUP tail wag the Tory dog when they no longer give May a majority - the majority it took a £1bn bribe to achieve?

Hatton. Not my immediate business any more. But I'd guess it's not surprising and just 'bad'. There's no 'swing seats' that are necessary to win a GE that would be gotten with Hatton.
But then the leadership aren't focusing on a GE victory.

Me too.

As a US political commentator once said "you know your country's politics is in trouble when there is more fringe in evidence than rug" so yes Butterymuffin (if I still had a vote) I would definitely vote for the "let's stop all the nonsense party"!

Can anyone explain to me please why the ERG have gained so much power and influence please?

Thats the Derek Hatton who thinks [the lying bitch] women should loose the right to anonymity if they accuse someone of rape and they aren't found guilty...

Yay labour, so good to women under JC leadership

@MrPan IMO Hatton is a sign of where the part is heading - back into the dark ages

On Brexit, the majority of Scotland voted to leave so the SNP have quite a strong mandate on Brexit.

Whit?

I just stood and applauded three magnificently impressive women who are prepared to make a stand to try to save our wonderful country from catastrophe.

Thank you Heidi, Sarah & Anna. I will support you, Luciana, Chukka and your colleagues in any way I can.

The ERG has got so much influence because May has allowed herself to be backed into a corner by a bunch of old Etonian bully boys. I bet they were rubbing their hands when she picked up the poison chalice of leadership. They’ve used her to do their dirty work for them.

The DUP are getting a great deal to say at present, none of it in the least way helpful.

Hatton's got some equally lovely friends.

Such a good look for you, Labour Party...

Fucking "Degsy" Jesus Fucking Christ

You bankrupted an already poor city and should have gone jail you corrupt lunatic

Sanguine, Anna Soubry says homeless UKippers are joining the conservative party and agitating at local level to deselect 'old tory' traitors. Apparently this is via the Vote Leave webpage. This is a move worthy of Momentum which did something similar I believe. Who's instigating such disruption of both parties? Who's funding it? And where is Steve Bannon these days,?

Thanks Alsohuman it just seems odd that TM is allowing them so much room for manoeuvre. [[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/06/jacob-rees-mogg-and-the-shadowy-group-of-tories-shaping-brexit
This Guardian article touches on shadowy influences/funding questions]]

Who's instigating such disruption of both parties? Who's funding it?

Very important questions.