UK Politics Thread part II

[Jimbuna]

Is Reform now the true opposition party in the UK?

As Reform UK closes in on overtaking the Tories with its burgeoning base of grassroots supporters, GB News asks its members if Nigel Farage is effectively Leader of the Opposition.

Having only exceeded 100,000 members in late November following the defection of ex-Tory MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf has looked to rapidly grow the revamped Brexit Party.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknew...0ed62174&ei=81

[MGR1]

Reform need to be a lot more choosy about the loons it associates with:

Reform remove Scottish official after family claim

A Reform UK organiser in Scotland has been removed from his post after it was reported he had family ties to violent Loyalists.

Nigel Farage's party confirmed Craig Campbell was no longer a member after the Daily Record said he is the son of a Loyalist bomber, and the cousin of a man jailed for stabbing a Celtic fan to death.

It was also claimed that he had images comparing the SNP to Nazis on his social media accounts, which have now been deleted.
A spokesperson for Reform UK Scotland said the party "will not tolerate discrimination of anyone in any form".

According to the Record, Campbell is the cousin of Jason Campbell, who was jailed in 1996 for murdering 16-year-old Celtic supporter Mark Scott in Glasgow.

The trial heard the attacker ran up behind the victim, who was wearing a Celtic scarf, and screamed a sectarian remark before stabbing him.
The murder inspired the creation of anti-sectarian charity Nil by Mouth.

A Reform Party associated with the worst examples of Loyalist violence is very unwelcome in Scotland.

"Protestant Ascendency" my rear end, and I'm an athiest, not a Catholic. Although, as I believe that reform have been sucking up to the nutters of True Unionist Voice in Northern Ireland, I have severe doubts.

Moseley would be proud.

Mike.

[Jimbuna]

Reeves prepares new tax bombshell as growth plans collapse and recession looms

They thought Sir Keir Starmer's clear victory would bring the stability many other countries lacked, especially with Chancellor Rachel Reeves running the economy.

Markets aren't happy now. Neither are pensioners, farmers, business owners, and taxpayers.

Reeves vowed to ignite growth in a sluggish economy, assuring the nation it was her number one priority.

That pledge turned out to be as reliable as her CV. Or her promise not to increase taxes on working people.

Far from delivering growth, Reeves seems to have abolished it altogether.

She inherited an economy that was finally starting to grow, rising 0.7% in the first quarter and 0.4% in the second.

That was the fastest rate in the G7.

But instead of building on that, she swung her wrecking ball.

Confidence collapsed as Reeves bemoaned the £22 billion black hole she claimed not to notice before the election and threatened massive tax hikes in her Budget, four months down the line.

Her credibility also collapsed when black holes were discovered in her CV.

In the first three months of Labour rule (July, August and September) growth crashed to a mere 0.1%. Updated figures show it didn't even manage that.

That figure was revised downwards over Christmas. To a big fat zero.

The economy didn't grow at all in Labour's first quarter.

It shrank by 0.1% in both October and November, and December may be worse.

Reeves will slap £40billion of new taxes on businesses from April. Bosses are already shedding jobs and cutting investment as they try to avert the shock.

Instead of flocking to the UK, as Starmer promised, global investors are getting out. FTSE companies are fleeing to the US.

Instead of growth, Reeves risks driving us into recession.

Reeves defends herself by claiming: "You can't turn round 14 years of poor economic performance in six months."

Unfortunately, six months is long enough to make it worse.

As the economy shrinks, we're sliding deeper into trouble.

Our borrowing costs have spiked to the highest level against Germany since 1990, even as Germany plunges into political and economic chaos.

This is costing us billions in extra interest. And remember, Reeves is borrowing another £30billion next year, after fiddling the rules to do so.

We saw under Liz Truss what happens when markets lose faith in the UK. We're getting close to that again.

If we slide into recession, Reeves will have to raise taxes yet again in 2025, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has just warned.

But this will only destroy more growth. We're heading into a vicious spiral.

Growth is the lifeblood of an advanced society. It's how we fund everything from the army to the NHS.

Without it, we're doomed. And Reeves has just abolished it.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/othe...b05dc3fd&ei=11

[JU_88]

"Growth is the lifeblood of an advanced society. It's how we fund everything from the army to the NHS"


No, this kind of non organic 'Growth' is the lifeblood of a moronic society riding out the tail end of a 50 year debt binge and sleep walking in to a disaster, Infinate growth in a finite world doesnt end well as we are currently finding out, but eventually end it must.
We cant let GDP contract or else our borrowing costs rise, so then its harder to service the national debt and meet our obligations.
2025 will see the money printers back in action to save us from doom with another artifical liquidity cycle, so get ready for another 10-18% of your purchasing power to be wiped out if you are 100% in central bank issued cash of any kind.
But if your are in Real estate, gold, bitcoin or other assets - it should be a hoot.
There will surley be more cries of 'the rich are getting richer and poor are getting poorer' while everyone fails to spot the elephant in the room (the rich hold assets, while the poor hold what little cash they can, and the latter is slowly bleeding out much too rapidly for wages to keep up)
It would be funny if it wasnt so sad.


A quarter of ALL GDP in the world is now spent on 'servicing' debt - not paying it down, just covering the interest, thats where we are at and I dont call it 'advanced' I call it 'irresponsible and living beyond your means'. If some one does that with credit card you will call him an idiot. You can replace Starmer with a certified genius or a ham sandwich, it wont make alot of difference at this point. There is no magical pain free way out.

[Jimbuna]

Ed Miliband handed brutal net zero warning after Germany fiasco

Bottlenecks in Germany's energy system should act as a warning for Ed Miliband and his clean power ambitions, experts have said.

Issues with Germany's electricity grid mean energy generated by the country's wind farms is going to waste as it fails to get to the places where it is needed.

While German wind power is generated in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, industrial demand is needed most in southern states such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

But congestion in Germany's grid means electricity isn't reaching the country's powerhouse regions.

Experts are warning Germany's issue could be repeated in the UK, with Britain's grid possibly leading to the same outcome as wind power generation is focused in the north, despite demand being greatest in the south.

Jan Rosenow, an energy markets expert at the Regulatory Assistance Project, said Britain's clean power target is "very aggressive" and his worry is if the UK doesn't get things right due to the Government's "very short timescales", then there is a risk of running into the same issues that countries such as Germany have experienced.

He told the Telegraph: "We're actually in a situation that is not that dissimilar. And so if we cannot build up the grid quickly enough, we will run into similar constraints."

Germany has seen its total capacity rise from 38.6 gigawatts (GW) in 2014 to 70GW today as the country charges ahead with plans to cut its planet-warming carbon emissions.

Because of the way Germany's energy market is set up, a grid operator has to pay a wind farm to cut its output in order to reduce congestion.

Grid operator Amprion has estimated the cost of managing congestion in 2023 alone was nearly £2.9billion, figures cited by the Telegraph show.

Wasted renewable energy in Germany over the past 10 years has more than doubled to 4%, according to the same publication.

Earlier this month, the Government unveiled a clean power action plan to decarbonise Britain's electricity grid by the end of the decade in a bid to protect households from future energy price spikes, boost growth and tackle the climate crisis. Labour has set a target of 95% clean power across the UK by 2030.

A vast amount of infrastructure will have to be built over the next few years, posing difficult trade offs, including significant impacts on communities and the natural world.

The biggest challenge will be transforming the grid, with the Government announcing plans for Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator to work together on reordering the queue of clean energy projects looking to connect to it.

Britain's system has been operating on a dysfunctional "first-come-first-serve" basis, but key projects identified to help reach the 2030 target will be brought forward in a move which is likely to prove controversial.

The Government will introduce new powers under its upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill aimed at protecting itself from legal challenges from projects being pushed back.

UK onshore and offshore wind farms recently set a record of more than 22.5GW of power, providing 68.3% of the country's electricity on December 18.

Neso's data shows the record was set just days after wind power generated more than 22GW for the first time, with 22.4GW recorded on December 15.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/new...d622d5f1&ei=35

[Jimbuna]

Keir Starmer humiliated as Labour hit with embarrassingly low approval ratings

Disapproval for Sir Keir Starmer's government is at a record high according to data in a new poll.

According to the poll conducted by YouGov, 62% of those surveyed said that they disapprove of the government's record to date up from 32% in the weeks following Labour's landslide success in July.

Such significant disapproval ratings so early into a premiership are almost unheard of, with Boris Johnson's government sitting at just 44% six months after his general election win in 2019.

Government approval ratings are down from 29% in July to just 17%, capping off a difficult second half of the year for Starmer who has been blighted by 'freebie-gate', farmers protests, fury over the removal of the winter fuel allowance and the surge of Reform UK in his short time in number 10.

Outcry over policies such as the winter fuel allowance has seen Labour's favourability fall sharply with older voters, with a staggering 82% of those surveyed over the age of 65 saying that they disapprove of the government's performance to date - The highest figure recorded since the weekly tracker began in 2011.

disapprove of the government's performance to date.

The Prime Minister has caused anger from his own side on several occasions and has been criticised publicly by trade unions and backbench MPs.

Early into the government's tenure, the refusal to remove the two-child benefit cap saw Starmer faced with his first MP rebellion as seven MPs were suspended from the party for voting against the government.

The removal of the winter fuel payment, a measure introduced and celebrated by New Labour also saw Starmer faced with friendly fire whilst the decision earlier this month to reject the WASPI women's fight for compensation saw Labour MPs turn on the Prime Minister on social media and in the Commons.

Across Europe and North America, the approval ratings of centre-left parties are in similar decline, with the poll serving the government with a reminder that Britain is no outlier.

In Germany and France, Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron look set to be ousted from power by figures from the right whilst the same is set to happen in Canada as Justin Trudeau continues to flounder.

The election of Giorgia Meloni in Italy and the re-election of Donald Trump in the US mean that Starmer could be set to be the only centre-left leader at next year's G7 meeting in Canada.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknew...0a92f74a&ei=10

[Jimbuna]

Labour civil war erupts as Keir Starmer branded 'liar' for 'attack on working class'

A Labour councillor has launched a blistering attack on Keir Starmer following a dismal by-election result for the party.

Steve Edwards, a member of Dudley Council in the West Midlands, took to Facebook to accuse his party leader of spreading lies to secure victory in the General Election.

In the by-election the Conservatives got 35% of the vote, Reform 30% and Labour just 28%.

Ewdwards wrote: "Thank you to everyone in Brockmoor and Pensnett who held their nose and voted Labour in the borough by-election on December 19. Unfortunately, we came third.

"The over-riding message on the doorstep was anti-Starmer and rightly so. Sir Keir Starmer's attack on the working class, our children and parents/grandparents is unjustifiable.

"He lied to us all to get elected and does not deserve to be the leader of the Labour Party. Good, honest councillors will lose their seats because of Keir Starmer's actions and his attack on working-class people.

"I hope that election results such as this Labour coming third in a seat that only six months ago became one of our safest seats will be the kick up the a**e the national Labour Party needs. But the truth is I don't think Starmer gives a damn.

"I stay in the party hoping he is booted out and a proper working-class person, not an Establishment stooge, gets to lead it again. Your local councillors will continue to work hard and follow the traditional Labour values in spite of Starmer's actions."

In July, Labour triumphed in the area with nearly 64% of the vote. However, in the local election on December 19 for another seat in Mr Edwards' ward, it fell to third place with a mere 28 per cent of the vote, trailing behind the Conservatives and Reform.

Edwards, who identifies as a working-class man committed to "the values the Labour Party was founded to deliver", defended his remarks last night.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, he emphasised that Labour must care for "the most vulnerable in society that includes pensioners and children".
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknew...bb98eee6&ei=40

[Jimbuna]

UK politics live: Half of Labour voters ‘let down’ by Starmer, Jenrick vows he won’t return Tories to centre

Sir Keir Starmer‘s popularity has hit a new low after a new poll revealed that nearly 60 per cent of the public disapproves of the government’s performance so far.

As Labour approaches its 100th day in power, the government is facing a rocky start. A YouGov survey found 59 per cent of voters feel unimpressed with the new government with only 18 per cent expressing approval.

Adding to the prime minister’s challenges, another recent poll found a concerning decline in the party’s support.

The Techne UK weekly tracker poll for The Independent has revealed voters aged 55 and over have abandoned Sir Keir’s party, with a dramatic slide to less than 30 per cent.

It comes as the prime minister chaired his inaugural devolved government summit today, but his new envoy, Sue Gray, was absent.

Defending his colleague, cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said Ms Gray has “been through quite a lot” in recent weeks, explaining her career break.

In the Tory leadership race, Robert Jenrick has admitted regret over his decision to order the removal of murals depicting cartoon characters from a children’s asylum centre. Speaking on LBC, he reflected on his time as immigration minister and claimed “lessons have been learned”.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknew...eedsansarticle

[Jimbuna]

Which category?.....Comedy or Horror?

[Moonlight]

When Starmer says "let me be clear" it means he has no effing idea, I'm not sure if Starmer paid for his charisma bypass or had it donated to him, but I can tell him now that it was a total success!!

[Jimbuna]

[Jimbuna]

Former Asda and M&S chief warns of more economic gloom amid Labour's tax hikes

A top businessman has revealed he is "despondent" about the state of the UK economy.

Stuart Rose, the former chairman of Asda and Marks and Spencer, revealed firms are facing a "very tough" time amid "no growth", "poor productivity" and "a very, very large tax burden".

He blasted the "very bloated public sector", adding "the prospects are not good".

A major study, published on Boxing Day, revealed Rachel Reeves's bombshell Budget has stifled economic growth and dampened business activity in the UK.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/othe...6766c2d0&ei=75

[Jimbuna]

Hardly surprising.

Starmer haemorrhaging votes as Farage set to scoop 120 more seats, new poll says

New polling predicts Sir Keir Starmer would suffer a battering at the ballot box from Reform UK at the next election with Nigel Farage's party potentially winning 120 seats.

The new research by political strategy firm Stonehaven for The i Paper also gives a doom-laded prediction for the Prime Minister that his own party would lose 134 seats, plummeting down to 278, which would not be enough to hold a majority in Parliament.

The shocking new data, described a "mega-poll" of 17,000 people, mirrors a trend found just days ago by another poll by the think tank More in Common which claimed Reform UK would win 67 seats and Labour just 228.

According to The i Paper, the latest polling, which was carried out since the General Election with newest recordings in December, found that former Conservative voters who voted Labour for the first time in 2024 would now cast their ballot for Reform.

Dubbed "hero voters" by Labour, if these people switched to Reform UK at the next election it could scupper the majority of the Prime Minister's plans which he has repeatedly said are based on 10 years in power, with a workable majority.

The Stonehaven research found that 55% those deciding to back Reform UK over Labour cited immigration and border control as a top priority, this was followed by the 'health and state of the NHS' with 47%, and then rising food prices with 46%.

The soaring cost of energy bills was said to be a main reason for leaving Labour by 32% of responders.

Luke Betham, head of data science at Stonehaven, said the Government will have to show it has a plan to convince voters to come back after the General Election in July.

He said: "Immigration is the key issue that is driving them away from Labour... Labour should start by focusing on where these voters are, not where the party wants them to be.

"The change that was voted for at the last election cannot be realised, in their minds, unless immigration is part of the Government's delivery narrative come the next election."

Labour's Dover and Deal MP Mike Tapp, who holds a 7,000 vote majority over Reform, told The i Paper his party did "inherit open borders from the Conservatives".

He added: "We know that this matters to voters and it matters to us too, border security is a part of our national security and that is why it is a fundamental part of our plans to rebuild the country."

So far Sir Keir Starmer Prime Minister has ignored recent abysmal polling for Labour and his own declining popularity, saying he will be judged at the next general election.

A petition calling for a re-run of the general election, now signed by more than three million people, will not lead to another election but will get renewed attention when MPs debate it in January.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other...88f874e3&ei=14

[Jimbuna]

[Gorpet]

Originally Posted by JU_88

"Growth is the lifeblood of an advanced society. It's how we fund everything from the army to the NHS"


No, this kind of non organic 'Growth' is the lifeblood of a moronic society riding out the tail end of a 50 year debt binge and sleep walking in to a disaster, Infinate growth in a finite world doesnt end well as we are currently finding out, but eventually end it must.
We cant let GDP contract or else our borrowing costs rise, so then its harder to service the national debt and meet our obligations.
2025 will see the money printers back in action to save us from doom with another artifical liquidity cycle, so get ready for another 10-18% of your purchasing power to be wiped out if you are 100% in central bank issued cash of any kind.
But if your are in Real estate, gold, bitcoin or other assets - it should be a hoot.
There will surley be more cries of 'the rich are getting richer and poor are getting poorer' while everyone fails to spot the elephant in the room (the rich hold assets, while the poor hold what little cash they can, and the latter is slowly bleeding out much too rapidly for wages to keep up)
It would be funny if it wasnt so sad.


A quarter of ALL GDP in the world is now spent on 'servicing' debt - not paying it down, just covering the interest, thats where we are at and I dont call it 'advanced' I call it 'irresponsible and living beyond your means'. If some one does that with credit card you will call him an idiot. You can replace Starmer with a certified genius or a ham sandwich, it wont make alot of difference at this point. There is no magical pain free way out.

But, above all Democracy must be in the forefront and Ukraine needs are above UK needs. Oh paying interest the United States , Ah we own the world currency and we don't pay anything.The rest of the planet will squat and pay.That includes NATO, and all of these parasites ,If they want war let them pay after all it's in their backyard. And the Blue Bloods in America,That are our ruling class, will make damn sure the world bends the knee. Oh damn there are no blue bloods.Only Progressives and only the Islamist can stop these fanatics.

Ok, I stopped drinking my medication.What is the 50 year debt ?