When & how will Burnham’s honeymoon come to an end?

[Theblueyonder]

Burnham’s leadership has been relatively free of drama, so far, and certainly when compared to his hapless predecessor.

What do we think will represent Burnham’s first real test? The budget, or something else?

Where do you think those lost Reform votes will migrate to?

They always have been obsessed with Rayner, desperate for mud to sling at her.

Hang tight @Texanmonkeyyou’ve mentioned Rayner ;

I would deploy a smiling emoji.

Rayner seems to find mud without any exogenous assistance.

That’s brilliant. Particularly when you bear in mind that she wasn’t even a minister for most of that 18 month period.

I am waiting for him to roll out the usual photo ;

No idea what who or what photo you’re referring to here.

No worries.

John Healey has ruled out increasing capital gains tax (CGT) to the same level as income tax in the Budget, according to reports.

What reports where?

Are you worried, ES?

You never appear worried, unflappable, yes.

Come now, did mother never teach you….

To ask questions? Yes, she did.

Tut tut Blossom!

Healey rejects calls to equalise capital gains and income tax rates
UK proposal had been backed by senior Labour figures, triggering nervousness among entrepreneurs and investors
FT and others.

Senior cabinet ministers had spooked some investors by supporting big increases in capital gains tax ahead of the October 28 Budget, but four people close to the matter said the Treasury had no intention of equalising it with income tax.

One of the people called the proposal “batshit crazy”, while another pointed to the argument that people would change their behaviour by leaving the UK or delaying sales, resulting in a drop in income for the Treasury.

Has she paid her stamp duty bill yet?

Me? I feel pretty happy, I usually do anyway, but I love that KB has delivered a fantastic speech and seen results. She’s up against a lot (the usual attacks) but she’s doing it and leading well. Love it.

Plus the sun is shining and all that.

Absolutely.

Keep going, Kemi.

WTAF, an outbreak of common sense in the government.

Ed Miliband has approved a massive new oil field development in waters around the Falkland Islands.

The Sea Lion field is thought to contain up to 1.7 billion barrels of oil and could now be in production as early as next year.

Confirmation of the Foreign Secretary’s decision to approve the scheme came from Navitas, the Israeli company leading the development, with the UK Government expected to make an announcement later today.

Well, she was cleared by the HMRC investigation. But I think you wouldn’t accept any verdict other than guilty, would you?

That remains to be seen. Potentially Labour if Andy Burnham if gets on top of the cost of living crisis, and gets devolution right in a way that makes people genuinely feel they have more power in their communities. Potentially the Conservatives, if Kemi Badenoch starts talking more like a One Nation Conservative and can persuade the red wall her party aren’t just there to serve the wealthiest.

TBH I don’t personally mind that much, because above all what I want is for Reform to be pushed back into the fringes of politics, for the Overton window to be dragged back towards the centre, and for the tone of political debate in this country to become less hyperbolic, less divisive, less knee jerk and more grounded in reality. I would much, much rather see the Conservatives as the dominant right wing force in the country than Reform.

You meant to type that the UK will not raise capital gains tax to same level as income tax and that Healy could still opt for a smaller increase.

FT reported this

Please be accurate when you repeat information.

I don’t think Kemi has or needs to lean on one nation stuff. She’s not using those lines but her own approach, which is working so far.

Things have moved on since then in any case, and not just here. Politically EU countries will try to resolve migration issues, and the U.K. You can see it put pressure on politics atm.

This is true. If Badernoch moves more towards the centre right, she’ll win back votes from some of the more moderate voters who abandoned the party for the Lib Dems at the last election.

Her approach isn't working, though. Yes the Tories have had a bounce in the yougov poll, but generally have been trailing third for a long time. She definitely needs the One Nation Tory vote.