Not The Politics Thread.

[CosbehFox]

2 hours ago, HighPeakFox said:

Seriously, I hope @UpTheLeagueFox is in good health and heart.

He’s still posting on Twitter. So I believe it to be true 

[Guest Chocolate Teapot]

9 hours ago, Daggers said:

Strange isn’t it, he was always so prompt to stick them up.

 

Maybe he missed your post so I’ll lob this here…

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[RoboFox]

5 hours ago, MrP said:

Was just browsing this morning and saw this so I'll reply

 

He just needs to go and go as soon as possible now - the last few months have been so shambolic it's gone long beyond any sort of joke, 2019 was still the easiest vote of my life given Corbyn and Brexit but he has long served his purpose now. There doesn't seem to be a single person now working inside the operation that has any competence at all and the attempted rigging of the Owen Patterson affair really should have been the end - one of the reasons Blair and Thatcher were so successful was that they had dissenting voices in cabinet/no 10 to speak up when they were doing something wrong - that's clearly not the case here.

 

I don't think they'll be far off having the number of letters and if they lose North Shropshire next week that's surely it.

 

Sunak and Truss to fight out the leadership - from the Tory members I know I think Sunak would have a leadership contest wrapped up providing he promised to be more fiscally Conservative on taxation and public spending, which is actually his natural political position despite the bizarre path taken since the pandemic started.

 

All the best and Merry Christmas to all, I'll try and reply if anyone has anything specific to ask but I'm a busy man now, marriage next year, beautiful daughter born five months ago and had a career change so now working in pastoral care (job I absolutely love as well which is something I've never had before) - the biggest piece of advice I'd give anybody now is to try and find work that you enjoy and involves improving the lives of others, even if it means a little less money - the rewards and feel good factor is quite incredible.

 

Good times and it's important to enjoy life while it's like this because it won't always be - although nothing can ever prepare you for the tiredness of having a baby.

 

(Although less said about the football and cricket the better)

I knew you couldn't stay away. 

 

Glad to hear you're doing well me ol' bean. Have a cracking Christmas. 

 

Edited 10 December 2021 by RoboFox

[RoboFox]

G'wan Dom. You've been waiting for your moment to GYOB on De Pfeffel and his cohorts. 

 

If he puts the pictures out there, it'll be the most remarkably unforeseen redemption arc in history. 

 

 

[FoxesDeb]

5 hours ago, MrP said:

Was just browsing this morning and saw this so I'll reply

 

He just needs to go and go as soon as possible now - the last few months have been so shambolic it's gone long beyond any sort of joke, 2019 was still the easiest vote of my life given Corbyn and Brexit but he has long served his purpose now. There doesn't seem to be a single person now working inside the operation that has any competence at all and the attempted rigging of the Owen Patterson affair really should have been the end - one of the reasons Blair and Thatcher were so successful was that they had dissenting voices in cabinet/no 10 to speak up when they were doing something wrong - that's clearly not the case here.

 

I don't think they'll be far off having the number of letters and if they lose North Shropshire next week that's surely it.

 

Sunak and Truss to fight out the leadership - from the Tory members I know I think Sunak would have a leadership contest wrapped up providing he promised to be more fiscally Conservative on taxation and public spending, which is actually his natural political position despite the bizarre path taken since the pandemic started.

 

All the best and Merry Christmas to all, I'll try and reply if anyone has anything specific to ask but I'm a busy man now, marriage next year, beautiful daughter born five months ago and had a career change so now working in pastoral care (job I absolutely love as well which is something I've never had before) - the biggest piece of advice I'd give anybody now is to try and find work that you enjoy and involves improving the lives of others, even if it means a little less money - the rewards and feel good factor is quite incredible.

 

Good times and it's important to enjoy life while it's like this because it won't always be - although nothing can ever prepare you for the tiredness of having a baby.

 

(Although less said about the football and cricket the better)

Ah it's lovely to hear that all is going well for you, we miss you here. 

 

Congratulations on your new arrival and your new job, hope the wedding is exactly as you want it to be, and Merry Christmas to you too x

[Farrington fox]

With many Tory backbenchers publicly coming out as intending to vote against this latest round of restrictions which have been implemented on inconclusive data. I would have thought Captain Hindsight may consider whipping his MP's to vote against the restrictions next Tues. Combined with the defecting Tories there would be a chance of defeating the Government and thus table a motion of no confidence in Johnson. 

 

Or are the Tory backbenchers merely making noises to placate the electorate, safe in knowledge that Labour won't vote against them.

[Voll Blau]

1 minute ago, Farrington fox said:

With many Tory backbenchers publicly coming out as intending to vote against this latest round of restrictions which have been implemented on inconclusive data. I would have thought Captain Hindsight may consider whipping his MP's to vote against the restrictions next Tues. Combined with the defecting Tories there would be a chance of defeating the Government and thus table a motion of no confidence in Johnson. 

 

Or are the Tory backbenchers merely making noises to placate the electorate, safe in knowledge that Labour won't vote against them.

Regardless of what pain it inflicts on Johnson, voting against public health measures recommended by the chief medical officer, no matter how any of us might feel about them, is still not a good look for any opposition, especially when Labour all along said mask-wearing on public transport should have been retained. Captain Foresight strikes again there (and not for the first time in this pandemic), making that nickname look even more ridiculous than it already does any time Johnson decides to use it.

[Alf Bentley]

5 hours ago, MrP said:

Was just browsing this morning and saw this so I'll reply

 

He just needs to go and go as soon as possible now - the last few months have been so shambolic it's gone long beyond any sort of joke, 2019 was still the easiest vote of my life given Corbyn and Brexit but he has long served his purpose now. There doesn't seem to be a single person now working inside the operation that has any competence at all and the attempted rigging of the Owen Patterson affair really should have been the end - one of the reasons Blair and Thatcher were so successful was that they had dissenting voices in cabinet/no 10 to speak up when they were doing something wrong - that's clearly not the case here.

 

I don't think they'll be far off having the number of letters and if they lose North Shropshire next week that's surely it.

 

Sunak and Truss to fight out the leadership - from the Tory members I know I think Sunak would have a leadership contest wrapped up providing he promised to be more fiscally Conservative on taxation and public spending, which is actually his natural political position despite the bizarre path taken since the pandemic started.

 

All the best and Merry Christmas to all, I'll try and reply if anyone has anything specific to ask but I'm a busy man now, marriage next year, beautiful daughter born five months ago and had a career change so now working in pastoral care (job I absolutely love as well which is something I've never had before) - the biggest piece of advice I'd give anybody now is to try and find work that you enjoy and involves improving the lives of others, even if it means a little less money - the rewards and feel good factor is quite incredible.

 

Good times and it's important to enjoy life while it's like this because it won't always be - although nothing can ever prepare you for the tiredness of having a baby.

 

(Although less said about the football and cricket the better)

 

Good to hear from you and to hear that you're enjoying both family life and work. I'm sure your daughter's first Christmas will be a special time for all.

 

I'll spare you a repetition of my predictably negative views of Johnson, except to say that I hope he goes for the sake of belief in the democratic system. It does no good for democracy to be brought into disrepute, encouraging public cynicism.

I say that even though, as (more-or-less) a Labour supporter, I reckon Labour would have more chance of a good election result in 2023-24 against BJ than it might have against a new leader.

 

As someone who wants the Tories out, I'd see Sunak as a more dangerous opponent than Truss. He's one of the minority of politicians who comes across with natural charm and honesty on TV (whether he is honest or not).

Truss seems wooden (even more so than Starmer), stilted and lacking in charisma and the ability to express herself fluently on her feet. I gather she's approved of by a lot of Tory members due to impeccable laissez-faire credentials and has a reputation for getting things done as a minister, but I find her status as a favourite quite surprising. But maybe I'm missing something? I suppose Thatcher came across as similarly stilted and lacking in charisma when she first became leader, but grew into the job sufficiently to stay PM for 11 years....

 

But I still reckon that (a) the next election will depend greatly on "events, dear boy, events" - and there could be a lot of economic and political "events" in the next 2 years; (b) while the Tories losing power is distinctly possible, it's still hard to see Labour winning a majority without some sort of comeback in Scotland, even if they recover most red wall seats and win a few more in liberal-Tory seats in the South.

 

Good to have you back, even if it's only occasionally.  

 

Edited 10 December 2021 by Alf Bentley

[Strokes]

4 minutes ago, Farrington fox said:

With many Tory backbenchers publicly coming out as intending to vote against this latest round of restrictions which have been implemented on inconclusive data. I would have thought Captain Hindsight may consider whipping his MP's to vote against the restrictions next Tues. Combined with the defecting Tories there would be a chance of defeating the Government and thus table a motion of no confidence in Johnson. 

 

Or are the Tory backbenchers merely making noises to placate the electorate, safe in knowledge that Labour won't vote against them.

I’d imagine Starmer quite shrewdly is thinking if Johnson goes now, he might give his successor time to turn around public opinion. Whereas letting this simmer slowly is a far better way get elected.

 

More than one way to skin a cat.

[Farrington fox]

8 minutes ago, Strokes said:

I’d imagine Starmer quite shrewdly is thinking if Johnson goes now, he might give his successor time to turn around public opinion. Whereas letting this simmer slowly is a far better way get elected.

 

More than one way to skin a cat.

Good point. His own had better hurry up and stab him in the back then. Because with him I can't see them winning a majority at the next GE.

[Strokes]

10 minutes ago, Farrington fox said:

Good point. His own had better hurry up and stab him in the back then. Because with him I can't see them winning a majority at the next GE.

I’d be amazed if he his still PM by March.

[Bellend Sebastian]

20 minutes ago, Strokes said:

I’d imagine Starmer quite shrewdly is thinking if Johnson goes now, he might give his successor time to turn around public opinion. Whereas letting this simmer slowly is a far better way get elected.

 

More than one way to skin a cat.

You may have noticed that noisy social media Labour left are convincing themselves that Starmer is simply incompetent, and I must admit I was starting to wonder if he was up to the job, but I think you're right in that it does look increasingly like this is actual strategy

[Strokes]

Just now, Bellend Sebastian said:

You may have noticed that noisy social media Labour left are convincing themselves that Starmer is simply incompetent, and I must admit I was starting to wonder if he was up to the job, but I think you're right in that it does look increasingly like this is actual strategy

It’s the best strategy surely? Know your enemy. Why press for his resignation if you think you can beat him.

[LVFox]

The worst thing for Labour right now is Boris going. Starmer right not to bang that drum too hard.

 

Boris is absolutely done, and everyone knows it. It's just a matter of if the Tory's are smart enough to recognise it quickly and get him out the door sooner rather than later.

[Finnaldo]

25 minutes ago, Strokes said:

It’s the best strategy surely? Know your enemy. Why press for his resignation if you think you can beat him.

 

24 minutes ago, LVocey said:

The worst thing for Labour right now is Boris going. Starmer right not to bang that drum too hard.

 

Boris is absolutely done, and everyone knows it. It's just a matter of if the Tory's are smart enough to recognise it quickly and get him out the door sooner rather than later.

Exactly, and we’ll get the same ‘Labour want to stand in the way of the government’ campaign that always flips the narrative. Boris won’t ever take account, he won’t ever apologise, so asking him to apologise will just push his utter refusal to face the reality of the situation. Draws out and highlights the incompetence without losing support. 

[Jon the Hat]

6 hours ago, String fellow said:

The government's response to the number of small boats crossing the Channel is also a very significant factor.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/11/20/migrant-crisis-puts-tories-peril/

I doubt many people who think that are about to vote Labour, but they might think Boris is weak.

[Buce]

39 minutes ago, Strokes said:

It’s the best strategy surely? Know your enemy. Why press for his resignation if you think you can beat him.

 

Never interupt your enemy when he is making a mistake - Napoleon Bonaparte

[bovril]

44 minutes ago, LVocey said:

The worst thing for Labour right now is Boris going. Starmer right not to bang that drum too hard.

I can't see Sunak appealing that much to some of newer Tory voters from 2019. Truss maybe a bit more. 

[Strokes]

17 minutes ago, bovril said:

I can't see Sunak appealing that much to some of newer Tory voters from 2019. Truss maybe a bit more. 

I can’t really see Sunak resonating with many tbf. Then I really can’t see anyone appealing towards the top end of the tories now.

[FoxesDeb]

1 hour ago, Strokes said:

I can’t really see Sunak resonating with many tbf. Then I really can’t see anyone appealing towards the top end of the tories now.

You don't think Sunak might get the popularity vote from furlough? 

[Voll Blau]

3 minutes ago, FoxesDeb said:

You don't think Sunak might get the popularity vote from furlough? 

It's getting him past the Tory members that'd be the problem there...

[StanSP]

 

 

[MrP]

9 hours ago, Buce said:

Sounds like you've cracked this life thing, Matt.

 

Made up for you, mate.

Thanks Buce I appreciate that.

 

2019 was arguably the lowest point in my life so it's fantastic to feel like this just a couple of years later - although life is such a twist of fate can reverse it even quicker, which means it's so important to enjoy the good times.

 

7 hours ago, Finnaldo said:

I know the lion’s share of folk (including myself) never saw eye to eye with your views but you always had a well-informed, well-written argument and came from a place of genuine belief which isn’t always the case on this thread. Obviously things got heated more than once but you were a net positive contributor to this thread and forum in general. 
 

Hope your Mrs and the baby are you doing well and have a great Christmas mate!

 

(and find a non-league team to follow mate, Leicester ain’t worth it this season )

Thanks for the kind words.

 

I used to get far too wound up on here and since leaving the place I've realised it's far better to stay off, not just this but most Social Media - heavy moderation is necessary and I try to limit myself to 30 minutes a day online, I've felt far better for it.

 

4 hours ago, Alf Bentley said:

Good to hear from you and to hear that you're enjoying both family life and work. I'm sure your daughter's first Christmas will be a special time for all.

 

I'll spare you a repetition of my predictably negative views of Johnson, except to say that I hope he goes for the sake of belief in the democratic system. It does no good for democracy to be brought into disrepute, encouraging public cynicism.

I say that even though, as (more-or-less) a Labour supporter, I reckon Labour would have more chance of a good election result in 2023-24 against BJ than it might have against a new leader.

 

As someone who wants the Tories out, I'd see Sunak as a more dangerous opponent than Truss. He's one of the minority of politicians who comes across with natural charm and honesty on TV (whether he is honest or not).

Truss seems wooden (even more so than Starmer), stilted and lacking in charisma and the ability to express herself fluently on her feet. I gather she's approved of by a lot of Tory members due to impeccable laissez-faire credentials and has a reputation for getting things done as a minister, but I find her status as a favourite quite surprising. But maybe I'm missing something? I suppose Thatcher came across as similarly stilted and lacking in charisma when she first became leader, but grew into the job sufficiently to stay PM for 11 years....

 

But I still reckon that (a) the next election will depend greatly on "events, dear boy, events" - and there could be a lot of economic and political "events" in the next 2 years; (b) while the Tories losing power is distinctly possible, it's still hard to see Labour winning a majority without some sort of comeback in Scotland, even if they recover most red wall seats and win a few more in liberal-Tory seats in the South.

 

Good to have you back, even if it's only occasionally.  

Thanks!

 

Agree with pretty much everything there and we see certainly now in hung parliament territory.

 

Starter has actually positioned Labour quite well and seeing the hard left step up the attacks probably shows he is doing a good job.

 

When it comes to an election having a moderate in charge is also good for calming the Tory vote - the reason turnout was often low under Blair was a lot of Conservative leaning voters didn't bother as they didn't fear a Labour government.

 

If there was a General Election tomorrow this would be the first time I wouldn't vote (unless we had a decent indy) as I'm not desperate to stop Starmer being the PM - but if Labour had a McDonnell or Burgon in charge I'd reluctantly still feel I had to vote for them.

[bovril]

StanSP the new up the league fox

[bovril]

Slightly ironic that the government can mishandle a pandemic costing hundreds of thousands of deaths, threaten to rip up an international treaty that has huge ramifications for peace in Ireland, oversee food and petrol shortages, totally fail to do anything about illegal immigration but... it's a Christmas party that really pisses the electorate off.