POLITICS CORNER

[Whyperion]

If it helps the US are somewhat (as a population) losing interest in Israel. I didnt realise US politicians were pretty much divided even in 1948 . Israel (Ben Gurian) Pretty much forced the hand with declaring Palestine as Israel - with Gaza and West Bank basically being western compromises for the general population prior to the increased settlement of (mainly displaced from Europe etc people of Jewish faith).

[Stanley]

I totally agree with you Ian. At this very moment women and children are starving death due to famine caused deliberately by the IDF as a weapon of war.
At first I thought it was simply the right wing Zionists in the Knesset who were at fault but I am afraid I am now beginning to ask why the Israeli population are allowing their government to act in this manner.
It is now perfectly clear that Israel will never agree to a two-state solution and are not going to rest until the Palestinian Arabs have been driven out of what we used to call Palestine. We can never again assume that Syria and Lebanon are stable, they could well be next on the shopping list.

[Stanley]

See THIS outstanding example of being too stubborn and wilful for the good of the Party....
Sir Keir Starmer has defended the decision to axe winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners, as calls for a reversal of the policy continue. A group of around 45 Labour MPs representing seats in northern England and the Midlands have joined those urging the government to rethink the move. During Prime Minister's Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pressed Sir Keir to "listen to his own party and change course". The policy has partly been blamed for Labour's poor performance in last week's local elections in England, which saw the party lose two-thirds of the council seats it was defending.
He and his colleagues have ignored the protests of the Party Members since before the election. It is a dreadful mistake.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing a growing rebellion by Labour MPs over planned welfare cuts some have warned are "impossible to support" without a "change of direction". In a letter to The Guardian,, external 42 MPs said proposed welfare savings worth £5bn a year by 2030 had "caused a huge amount of anxiety and concern among disabled people and their families". The MPs urged ministers to delay any decisions until assessments of the potential impact of the cuts on employment and health had been published.
Starmer and Reeves are wrong if they think this is going away. As someone pointed out yesterday, remember Margaret Thatcher and the Poll Tax.

[Stanley]

The media want us to look at Starmer being statesmanlike in Kyiv but I can't forget his problem here at home as the rebellion against the Starmer/Reeves austerity grows. They are hoping it will go away but I don't think it will. This is not a social democratic government, it is much further to the right. They are making the same mistakes Blair made.

[Stanley]

Starmer is ignoring the clear evidence that he needs to address the disquiet with him and Reeves on austerity. He is concentrating on immigration. Hasn't he realised that migrant numbers are a lost cause because UK politicians have no control over the factors that increase them.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report....
Counter-terrorism police are investigating after two properties linked to Sir Keir Starmer were damaged in suspected arson attacks. Emergency services were called to a fire at the prime minister's private home in Kentish Town, north London, in the early hours of Monday. There was damage to the property's entrance but nobody was hurt, the Metropolitan Police said. And just after 03:00 BST on Sunday, emergency services were called to a small fire at the front door of a house converted into flats in nearby Islington, a property that is also linked to Sir Keir. One person was assisted to safety via an internal staircase by crews wearing breathing apparatus, London Fire Brigade said. Police are also looking into a car fire as part of the probe.
Doesn't look like a coincidence. What could it indicate?

[Stanley]

Have a look at THIS plan to move some civil servants out of London.....
1 hour ago
Thousands of civil servants are to be moved out of London under plans to save money and shift government jobs to offices across the country. The government is aiming to cut the number of roles in London by 12,000 and close 11 offices in the capital to save £94m a year by 2032. The changes will see two new government campuses opened in Manchester and Aberdeen, and roles created in other towns and cities. Unions welcomed proposals to relocate officials but said they wanted more details on how civil servants would be impacted. Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said the government wanted to move decision-making "closer to communities all across the UK". He said: "By relocating thousands of civil service roles we will not only save taxpayers money, we will make this government one that better reflects the country it serves."
I've lost count of the number of times I have heard this proposed but it has never happened so don't hold your breath.
I remember one memorable plan to build a new 'Administration City' on the moors above rocking Stones on the M62. I think someone went up there and had a look at it and realised it wasn't a good idea....

[Tripps]

Must mention this - I drowsily heard an interview with a lady on LBC as I was waking up this morning. Didn't have a clue as to who or what she was. I was impressed by her clear thinking, good diction and expression. No evasion- in contrast to most other politicians.

I checked her out today, and I'm tipping her for high office. It's a bit disappointing to find that she is in the Labour Party but she ticks all the required boxes and is described as BAME and Moslem. Sorry Heidi Allen, you had your chance, but I think I have a new heroine.

I think I'll ask Paddy Power - what price for future P.M.?

Her name won't be so easy to remember, but I'm sure we'll hear a lot more of it

She is Nesil Caliskan. Take note.
********************************************************************

PS looks like I'm not her only fan - and confirms that I wasn't dreaming

Terry Paul @TerryPaul_NEC · 2h
Totally. Just heard @Nesil_Caliskan on @lbc talking to @mattfrei. Clear, insightful and knowledgeable, unlike our Government

*****************************
PPS - From the leader of Basildon Council.
If you want to hear what cool, calm leadership sounds like in a crisis, I hope you heard @Nesil_Caliskan on various national radio stations today. One of @LGA_Labour’s best.
**************************

I learn today that after the recent General Election - this lady is now Labour MP for Barking.

Game on ! You heard it here first.

I saw this lady for the first time on PMQ's today. She didn't look at all as I had imagined,. and frankly was a bit less impressive than I'd like to have seen at this stage. I think we can safely dismiss thoughts of her being a future PM.

[Stanley]

Hard luck David. Back to Heidi Allen?

I saw THIS headline in the BBC politics feed.
More than a thousand inmates will be released early to free up spaces in prisons in England and Wales, the justice secretary has announced, as the government grapples with an overcrowding crisis. Under the move, offenders serving one to four years who are recalled to prison for breaching their licences, will be released after 28 days. Shabana Mahmood said a £4.7bn investment would fund more prisons, but said it would not be possible to "build our way out of this crisis". A senior Ministry of Justice (MoJ) official said the government would "run out of prison places in just five months' time" if action was not taken.

[Stanley]

THIS BBC in depth article is worthy of attention I think. It looks at whether the UK is really inching back towards Europe.
My opinion is that leaving the EU was the biggest political mistake of the century and I will never forgive the Brexiteers for the damage they inflicted on us all. Have a read and see what you think.....

[Stanley]

Is it just me or is there no politics at the moment? All I can find a mention of in Domestic politics is the Death Bill.

[Tripps]

Is it just me or is there no politics at the moment?

As Professor Joad used to say "It depends on what you mean by Politics".

Strong rumour that the winter fuel allowance will be reinstated in some form - does that count?

The Assisted Dying Bill is horrifying. I watched the voting yesterday, and came away no wiser. The Parliament channel needs a commentator. The procedures are more complex than Oldham Council, and I'm not always sure what is happening there. There was not enough time for debate. I heard that ten MP's who had tabled amendments were denied a speech due to lack of time. What happens next?

[Stanley]

"The Assisted Dying Bill is horrifying."
I agree with you David. I can understand the need for it under some circumstances but still hate the concept.
As for Winter Fuel Allowance and the whole concept of a Labour Economic policy that seeks to achieve 'sound money' by imposing austerity on the poorest in society, it needs to change. If it doesn't it will be the death of the Party.
Starmer and Reeves seem to be unable to grasp this fact of life....

THIS alarms me as well....
31 minutes ago
Two prominent far-right figures have set out plans to hijack the success of Reform UK and push the party towards extremist views. David Clews, a conspiracy theorist and far-right influencer, and Mark Collett, a Nazi-sympathiser who set up the far-right Patriotic Alternative (PA), have called for supporters to "infiltrate" Nigel Farage's party to push their own "pro-white" and anti-immigration agenda. In an online broadcast, Clews claimed - without offering evidence - that sympathisers were already active inside Reform, including "branch chairs" and people "on candidate lists".

[Whyperion]

Politics not quite in a becalmed state. Starmer has been trying what to do with respect to Ukraine that may even look competant.

The main talking point has been on of immigration - which has impacts on policies like education, housing , benefits among others. With the speech use of "Britain becoming an Island Of Strangers" which supposedly was trying to echo a speech of Enoch Powell that at the time I considered not even worth remembering , in part as much of the request of the UK for Carribean males to assist in rebuilding the country post WW2 had generally ceased anyway, with the 1972/1974 infiux of East African Asian (mainly Indian) being one change to the demographics of part of the UK - creating their own mini communities that I have never found to be exclusive with respect to persons being in the UK for much longer even if the curry oder would linger in the wallpaper of many houses. IF many of the present migrants are Students - they are the kind of folk that do have a more international view and pay good money to the economy to participate. Yes from the middle east the women do tend to hide away more even within their communities. If Starmer suggests net migration can be zero though I think there may be deliusion involved, not least as we dont count very well people leaving, and fewer Britons are leaving for the european sun spots. Guaranteed to come to the UK remain certain skilled job roles, anyone from Hong Kong and refugees from Ukraine ( some will return , others wont ) being notable. Despite it being suggested that the boat crosses of the Channel are fit men as economic migrants looking at the BBC films to me it is women and young children that make a good number of those that have already made a journey to a far away place which itself is a challenge to services. We need to process, find who could be useful to the economy and get them to work , but we also need to build decent permanent homes for everyone in need and on a waiting list and we dont see much determined progress to that in an affordable matter so our suburbs become the home of HMOs and B and B Hotels instead with someone making tons of money.

As to Strangers - I think BBC Radio 4 the News Quiz on Saturday got it about right

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report on progress in talks with the EU....
Negotiations for a deal between the UK and EU are still ongoing hours before the prime minister hosts a UK-EU summit on Monday. Sir Keir Starmer will meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the second time in four days as he aims to strike a deal with the EU on a range of issues. This could include a youth mobility scheme, allowing UK passport holders to use EU airport e-gates, and announcements on trade, security, and fishing rights. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have already described the deal as a "surrender" despite the contents not being known. As the talks continue into the night, the BBC understands, there is no deadline for when they will conclude. Negotiations for the UK are being led by the minister for UK-EU relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, who told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that he was driven by "ruthless pragmatism" and was focused on jobs, lower household bills, and stronger borders.
I know it has no bearing at all on the subject but I do like Ursula and wish she was representing us.....

[Stanley]

See THIS article by Chris Mason for a few clues about the EU.
1 hour ago
The self-imposed guardrails the government had imposed in these post-Brexit negotiations intentionally limited its room for manoeuvre. There will be no return to the European Union's customs union or single market or freedom of movement. So there was, then, a risk of pleasing few in the changes they agreed to: those who see themselves as custodians of the original Brexit deal would see it as an unforgivable dilution - and some do. And those who have consistently argued Brexit is a disaster would regard ministers are shamefully unambitious - and some do.
Nobody is going to be satisfied but my own feeling is that perhaps we have not seen a disaster.....

[Tripps]

Never mind the EU or Westminster - it's the annual Oldham Council meeting tomorrow Wed 21 May 2025 .Starts about 11.00 am.

I've just watched Rajah Mia's very long introduction to it, and It should be lively. It was a long watch - but had "the ring" about it. It will start with another emergency motion to defenestrate the Leader Arooj Shah.

I won't put links up, as both are easy to find if you are interested, and I don't blame you if you're not. You should be though - it's local but has national implications.

[Stanley]

I think it's wonderful that they can entertain and enthral you David. I'm afraid they just don't light my fire....

[Stanley]

Keir Starmer has done a partial reverse ferret on WFP but not told anyone what it is. This is not the best way to make friends and influence people....
David commented the other day that it looked as though his personal comms people were losing it, Looks as though you were spot on Old Lad!

[Tripps]

David commented the other day that it looked as though his personal comms people were losing it

That was a quote from the usually reliably despicable Isabel Oakeshott. She was right this time though.

I've been busy at Oldham Council Annual Meeting. It did not disappoint. Politics red in tooth and claw.

The Independent Oldham Group of largely Muslims walked out en masse near the end. That followed their leader Kamran Ghafoor, accusing the newly elected Deputy Mayor Brian Hobin, of asking for a bribe for his support - "never mind what's in it for f ..g Failsworth - what's in it for me? This was countered by an accusation of ignoring a serious wrongdoing. Most unlikely, but that looked a lot like a 'Siegheil' salute as Ghafoor walked out.

It's going to be a lively year.

I discovered that Deputy Mayor Brian Hobin is the owner of the pub - The Mare and Foal - in Failsworth, where Aunty Josie's funeral lunch was held in October 2018. Small world.

Rajah Mia is now openly supporting and recruiting for Reform UK,and seems to see that as the way forward for the elections next year. He may be right.

Here's the last few minutes of the meeting.
[bbvideo]Video link [/bbvideo]

[Stanley]

Watching that short excerpt was enough for me David. I am reminded of the quotation, "Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards!".
I'm afraid that sort of carry on wouldn't do for me. I would simply go home....

Meanwhile.... see THIS commentary by henry Zefferman....
The details will follow in the Budget this autumn. But make no mistake, this is a U-turn.
This is just the start of a damaging analysis of the actions of Starmer and Reeves. Zefferman points out that part of the reason for the reverse ferret could be because the same thing is going to happen again when welfare benefits are eroded.
The question that is being asked is why are the poorest and most disadvantaged first in the firing line for cuts, it's as simple as that and I share the call.
I know it's deeply unfashionable but they should go away and study Clause IV in order to understand what the basic aims of the Party are, they appear to have forgotten.

[Whyperion]

I thought Clause IV had been excised.

Meanwhile a year on since Sunak resigned and disolved the Govt. Really he should have hung on. The inward migration official figures are down by half as result of changes made - mainly one families of students and others not getting right to come to UK and some other measures. "illegal" migration may be up but its not by too much though maybe Starmer with talking to nations like Columbia has taken a better route than the Tories would have done.

But for Starmer (I'll splash the benefits because the economy looks more sound and when we can fully afford to do so) and then the numbers for April Govt borrowing shows it is up way beyond budget and forecast amounts - Tax Revenues seem lower (non doms disappeared?) and expenditure up - what commentary has not noted is that the ERS increase does not normally get paid to treasury until 14th May thus not included BUT NHS and similar weekly or end of month payrolls would have the higher payments (inflation wage increase) made . May will give a better view of how much cash the govt has, I feel it wont be a lot

[Stanley]

See THIS for proof that David is on the money....
A council leader has survived a second attempt to oust her in as many years. Labour's Arooj Shah, leader of a minority administration on Oldham Council, was saved when an independent group stepped in to outnumber others who had banded together to try to overthrow the leadership. Shah said the council needed to move on from the "distraction" of "childish games" and "identity politics". Kamran Ghafoor, who launched the failed takeover, said the motion of no confidence was driven "by a fundamental concern over leadership style, transparency, and decision-making". Ghafoor, who leads the Oldham Group, attempted to unite opposition groups but failed when 31 out of 58 voted against his leadership bid. The Failsworth Independents stepped in to give Shah the numbers she needed to survive.

Meanwhile Mr Starmer attempts to carry on as if nothing has happened and rabbits on about the Chagos Islands without telling the truth that the deal was always going to be done because the base on Diego Garcia is possibly the most important US SigInt gathering station in the world and no way was the USD going to allow it to be taken off them..... This has never been admitted. Look for a book called 'Body of Secrets. An anatomy of the National Security Agency' by James Bamford published by Random House NY in 2002. 750 pages of little known facts that is still the standard work on the subject.
(It is the best source I know of information on Menwith Hill.....)

[PanBiker]

(It is the best source I know of information on Menwith Hill.....)

Well, I know you cant ask simple questions on the base at Menwith Hill. I have the accolade of being responsible for being ejected at gunpoint from Menwith Hill for asking the wrong one!