POLITICS CORNER

[Tripps]

Note, she has only resigned the post of Whip.
Re: POLITICS CORNER

by Stanley » Thu Jun 19, 2025 4:31 am

Of course - one's principles do not go as far as resigning my £94k per annum job. Do get real please.

Just musing with an open mind, that perhaps such people as the Attorney - General, Baron Richard Hermer, and the energy net zero fanatic, and son of a Marxist philosopher, Ed Miliband, may not have the well being of the Nation at heart. In fact there is quite a bit of plain evidence that the opposite is their ultimate aim.

Surely not Brer Rabbit I hear you cry. Well - if that was the case they'd hardly be likely to admit it openly would they?

Watch what they do - not what they say, and open your mind.

[Tripps]

There were two Pendle Council meetings last night. A normal meeting following the election of a new Chief Executive. In view of the furore which happens at election time - you'd think that the online audience would be larger than 5 viewers.

The development of Councillor Lola Whipp's new image proceeds apace, though I'd say there is still some way to go. Would it not have been easier to save it "for the weeknd"? Still - whatever makes you happy. . . .

Lola.png

[Stanley]

I don't know anything about Baron Hermer but I tend to agree with you about Miliband......
As for Lola. I'm too old to even think about changing my ways and all I can say is good grief, what is the world coming to?

See THIS report on the assisted dying Bill.
In an historic vote, MPs have approved a bill which would pave the way for huge social change by giving terminally ill adults in England and Wales the right to end their own lives. The Terminally Ill Adults Bill, which was backed by 314 votes to 291, will now go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny. The bill was approved with a majority of 23 MPs, representing a drop from the first time it was debated in November, when it passed by a margin of 55. The vote came after an emotionally-charged debate which saw MPs recount personal stories of seeing friends and relatives die. It is likely, although not guaranteed, that the House of Lords will approve the bill later this year. If that happens, ministers would have a maximum of four years to implement the measures, meaning it could be 2029 before assisted dying becomes available.

[Stanley]

The fact that Lola Whipp is still referred to as 'he' in the council minutes.....
Mark me down as confused....

[Tripps]

I guess it's to do with the very recent High Court ruling which - surprisingly and much to the disappointment of the woke community - ruled that " when the term "woman" is used in the Equality Act it means a biological woman, and "sex" means biological sex." So he doen't really qualify in law, to be labelled as a 'she'.

High Court Ruling

They say that JK Rowling and Stephen Fry are barely on 'speakers' over it. Oh dear.

Personally I'd favour a lot of generosity of spirit in the matter. Let people dress in (almost) any way they wish - whatever makes you happy - though perhaps not have quite so much bra strap on display for now..

[Stanley]

That thought struck me as well David.
THIS report jumped out at me when I looked in BBC Political News.....
New soldiers should be offered a £10,000 bonus to rapidly boost troop numbers to deal with an increasingly unpredictable world, the Lib Dems have said. The government should also distribute pamphlets to make sure every British home is "war-ready" and able to deal with blackouts and chaos caused by the outbreak of conflict or cyber-attacks, Lib Dem Leader Sir Ed Davey said. The Lib Dems claim the plans will "urgently" boost to the number of trained soldiers from just under 71,000, external to more than 73,000. In the face of a "barbaric" Russian President Vladimir Putin and an "erratic" US President Donald Trump, Sir Ed said the UK must be better prepared.
I can agree that the nation should be better prepared but I don't see how offering bribes to recruits can be right or sensible. If you're going to throw money at the problem, start by reviving the concept of Civil Defence. We know exactly how to do that and in the event it would be a very useful infrastructure to have in place. (LINK)

[Tizer]

The Baltic states should be consulted - they know how to do it and have plenty of experience.

[Stanley]

They were the first to warn us about the Bear this time round.....

[Tripps]

It is likely, although not guaranteed, that the House of Lords will approve the bill later this year. If that happens, ministers would have a maximum of four years to implement the measures, meaning it could be 2029 before assisted dying becomes available.

As well as not being active for four years - we learn that the "procedure" may cost about £15,000 a pop. Can you get it on the NHS, or do you have to go 'private'? Can you do a "Go fund me"?

I've not been keeping up - but last I read - the patient must do the necessary for him or herself. That would rule out the most deserving I'd guess. Can't wait to hear what the noble Lords make of it all. They are nearer the end. . . .

I learn that this is now the fifth most common cause of death in Canada, where it is already legal. That seems excessive to me. Is that what was planned, and is intended to happen here?

"Couldn't organise a bun fight in a bakery"

[Stanley]

"They are nearer the end. . . ."
Speaking from my vantage point in my ninetieth year all I have to say is that I am fed up with the constant references to death and I hope the attention seekers will shut up now. I can see why it could become important eventually but being a normal human 'sufficient until the day is the evil thereof'!
I shall carry on doing what I do now, one day at a time.

This morning I note THIS BBC report......
Updated 22 minutes ago
More than 100 Labour MPs are supporting a fresh effort to block the government's planned changes to the benefits system. The MPs have signed an amendment that would give them an opportunity to vote on a proposal to reject the welfare reform bill in its entirety. Dozens of Labour MPs have expressed concerns about the plans to cut disability and sickness-related benefits payments to save £5bn a year by 2030. Ministers have attempted to soften the impact of the welfare changes, but many Labour MPs remain discontented with the package of benefits reforms. The welfare reform bill - called the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - will include proposals to make it harder for disabled people with less severe conditions to claim personal independence payment (Pip). The amendment, published on the UK Parliament website, external, notes "the need for the reform of the social security system" before outlining reasons why the bill should be rejected.

[Stanley]

See THIS report about purchasing US weapons systems.
5 hours ago
The UK government is to purchase 12 new fighter jets which can be equipped with nuclear bombs, and join Nato's airborne nuclear mission. Downing Street says the move is "the biggest strengthening of the UK's nuclear posture in a generation". The new F-35 A jets can still carry conventional weapons, but have the option of being equipped with US-made nuclear bombs. The decision will be announced by the prime minister at the Nato summit taking place this week in the Netherlands. Nato's airborne nuclear mission involves allied aircraft being equipped with American B61 bombs stockpiled in Europe. Seven other countries, including the US, Germany and Italy, already use the dual-capability jets. The use of nuclear weapons would require the authorisation of Nato's nuclear planning group as well as the US president and British prime minister.
At the same time, in another report, Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to "press ahead" with the government's planned welfare changes, despite a growing rebellion from Labour backbench MPs. More than 120 Labour MPs have signed up to an effort to block plans to cut disability and sickness-related benefits payments to save £5bn a year by 2030. The threatened rebellion is enough to wipe out the government's working majority in Parliament. But speaking ahead of a meeting of Nato leaders, the prime minister said the current welfare system was "unsustainable" and could not be left unreformed. Asked by journalists if he would consider pausing the reforms given the size of the rebellion, Sir Keir said: "I intend to press ahead".
I feel as though I am back in the 1950s at the start of the Cold War. Can't they see that this is collective madness?

[Stanley]

Things are no clearer this morning..... Labour could be heading into real trouble.
The only person taking any positives from this situation is Nigel Farage.....

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report....
The government is expected to announce a deal with Labour rebels on its planned benefits changes. Multiple sources tell the BBC existing claimants of the Personal Independence Payment (Pip) will continue to receive what they currently get, as will recipients of the health element of Universal Credit. Instead, planned cuts will only hit future claimants. Ministers are expected to fast-track a £1bn support plan originally scheduled for 2029. The concessions amount to a massive climbdown from the government, which was staring at the prospect of defeat if it failed to accommodate the demands of over 100 of its backbenchers. It comes after Sir Keir Starmer spent Thursday making calls to shore up support among the 120 Labour MPs who backed an amendment to stop the government's flagship welfare bill ahead of a Commons vote on Tuesday. Speaking in the Commons earlier, Sir Keir said he wanted to "see reform implemented with Labour values and fairness". He said he recognised that MPs of all parties were "eager" to reform the "broken" welfare system. Broadly speaking the rebels have told the BBC their colleagues are happy with the concessions, meaning the bill is now likely to pass.
Starmer is having difficulty in complete conversion of Labour to 'Tory-lite'.

[Stanley]

See THIS report on yesterday's debate.....
5 hours ago
"What an absolute bloody shambles!" When we tell you that this is the unvarnished view of a Labour MP now willing to back the Prime Minister Keir Starmer's benefits plans, you get a sense of how much anger this row has provoked and is still provoking. And there are still plenty who are not happy and still either pushing for further changes or planning to vote against the measures. "It is not the resolution lots of people want. They are tinkering with a broken bill," another MP tells us.
Kier Starmer is not having a good week. I said long before the election that Starmer was the wrong man for Leader of Labour and unfortunately he is working hard to prove me right. This is not going to end well.

[Stanley]

Forget personalities and look at what really matters. THIS is what grabbed me....
UK car production sank to its lowest level for May since 1949 as US tariffs hit exports, an industry group has said. Production fell by nearly a third from a year earlier to 49,810 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which - excluding the period hit by the 2020 Covid pandemic lockdowns - was the lowest figure for 76 years. Exports to the US halved as President Donald Trump's tariffs caused some UK car makers to halt shipments. However, US import taxes on UK cars are due to be cut by the end of June, giving cause for optimism, the SMMT said. The drop in exports to the US came after the Trump administration announced new 25% tariffs on cars and car parts in March. This "depressed demand instantly forcing many manufacturers to stop shipments", the SMMT said. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) suspended shipments to the US in April, while Aston Martin reduced exports, after the tariffs were imposed early in the month. The US share of UK exports fell from nearly a fifth to just over a tenth in May.

[Stanley]

See THIS Political headline....
Major concessions have put the government in a "better position" to pass welfare reforms, the health secretary said, as he admitted Labour's leadership mishandled the rollout of its flagship bill. Wes Streeting said Labour MPs raised "substantial" concerns about planned welfare cuts, and the government strengthened its plans as a result. Last week, the prime minister was forced into a dramatic U-turn to avoid a House of Commons defeat after more than 120 Labour backbenchers threatened to vote down his plans. "We are in a much better position this week than last week," Streeting told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, saying the government has to "learn" from narrowly avoiding rebellion.
Ever heard the phrase 'making virtue out of necessity'? This is a classic example. The rebellion is a reality, policies have to be tailored to fit.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report on the restart of the Covid Inquiry....
A civil servant's assertion that there was a "generational slaughter within care homes" in the early days of the pandemic is a phrase that "chimes with the experience of thousands of our families", the Covid inquiry has heard. Pete Weatherby, barrister for the campaign group Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK, said the phrase might seem an exaggeration but it highlighted issues the inquiry must address. His opening statement came on the first day of the sixth part of the Covid inquiry which will focus on the impact of the pandemic on care services for elderly and disabled people. The government has said it is committed to learning lessons from the inquiry.
Is this commitment going to stutter and stall like the PO Horizon or the Contaminated Blood scandal?

[Tripps]

I know a great deal about DLA / PIP benefit. A lot more than more than most MPs do. A lot about Motability too.

They are now saying that the "reforms" to welfare benefit will be delayed until the Timms review is completed. (Long grass beckons). That will include a consultation with the recipients.

DHSS "We are thinking of stopping you from getting PIP - or at best freezing it. Do you agree to that action?"

Benefit recipient - "NO" it is quite unfair and you must carry on as it is now"! We are the sixth largest economy in the world.

DHSS OK that's fine. Rachel - can you find any more down the back of the sofa?

Bun fight in a bakery

**********

PS Ian Lavery MP for Blyth - (on the same side as Stephen Timms MP) has a few carefully chosen words to add.

[Stanley]

I think Mr Lavery has a good case....
See THIS comment in BBC politics....
59 minutes ago
The extraordinary thing about this is it felt, albeit perhaps just fleetingly, like the fraught and chaotic parliamentary rows about Brexit. Or even the bumpy moments for Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. It is extraordinary to say that because the parallel seems absurd: those moments in recent years happened to prime ministers without their own mandate or much of a majority or when engulfed in scandal. But the parallel is this: a government transparently not in control of events, shoved around humiliatingly by parliament. The astonishing thing about this row is Sir Keir Starmer has a mandate and a majority. But not only did swathes of his own MPs desert him, Downing Street was insufficiently nimble to first clock the breadth and depth of their anger and then realise quickly enough the scale of what would be necessary to deal with it.
Having a mandate and a majority isn't enough if he can't read his MPs and lead in a way which satisfies them. I have been saying it for more than two years.... he is the wrong person to lead the Party. Like his hero Blair, he is ignoring Socialist values in pursuit of power and in the end he will fail.

[Tripps]

Ten out of ten for "this is outrageous man" . I love the accent.
I lived in the constituency when Eddie MIlne was MP and have taken an interest since. Remember "the bounder" John Ryman?

PMQ' s was memorable. The Chancellor, who looked as if she had not slept for several days, and probably hadn't, was openly in tears, and the PM did not endorse her. In a hasty later statement though, he did so when he realised what trouble he had caused.

They said the tears were said due to a 'personal matter' - which of course good manners prevents us from doubting.

The Labour Party is in chaos, which is evidenced by the spin to support Starmer on other channels. James O'Brien spent an hour interviewing a sychophantic supporter who mentioned at great length his human qualities on the recent death of his brother - and GBN had Lord George Foulks to do the job.
Good grief - when he is dug up to speak you know you are in trouble.

The bill yesterday was of course a great success and just what they wanted. Winston Smith has done his work overnight.

PS I was going to comment on the fact that several ladies on the TV seem to have a greatly changed appearance lately. I put it down to people who didn't really need it, had started on weight reduction injections to lose a few pounds.

[Stanley]

"The Labour Party is in chaos"
I agree David. And THIS report in BBC politics underlines how unaware Starmer was of the Chancellor's distress.
Those of us watching on from the press gallery of the House of Commons could see the tears rolling down the chancellor's cheeks. Not once or twice or for a minute or two, but throughout the half hour. As Reeves sat crying next to Sir Keir Starmer in the Commons, the prime minister was completely unaware of it. After he left the chamber, an aide suggested that Sir Keir might want to check on his chancellor. The PM expressed puzzlement - he had been so focused on answering questions he had not noticed her tears.
It would be bad enough if it was only in man management Starmer was failing but he is a disaster as Party Leader because in his blind endorsement of Blairite centralist principles he has totally ignored the fact that Labour is a party founded on social democratic principles not a Tory-lite vehicle for his personal advancement.
Further into the article this emerged.
Immediately after the session as the chancellor's team argued "a personal matter" was the reason for the chancellor's emotion, multiple cabinet ministers seemed to contradict that this was the only reason. "She had an altercation with Lindsay [Hoyle, the Speaker] just before PMQs", claimed one senior minister. "They had a row. I think he ended up apologising to her." A second minister added that a disagreement with the Commons Speaker was the main reason for the chancellor's distress.
As a lowly punter I am forced to question whether we are getting value for money in terms of governance. As David's cartoon a couple of days ago alluded, perhaps it's time for a reboot!