POLITICS CORNER

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report on the demonstrations in London.....
Britain will not surrender its flag to those who wish to use it as a symbol of violence, fear and division, Sir Keir Starmer has said. The prime minister said the flag represents "our diverse country" and he will not allow people to feel intimidated on "our streets because of their background or the colour of their skin". His comments come after more than 150,000 people took to the streets of central London for a "Unite the Kingdom" march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, and about 5,000 took part in a counter-protest, co-ordinated by Stand Up To Racism. Earlier, Business Secretary Peter Kyle said marchers were "demonstrating freedom of association and freedom of speech". The prime minister said on Sunday afternoon: "People have a right to peaceful protest. It is core to our country's values. "But we will not stand for assaults on police officers doing their job or for people feeling intimidated on our streets because of their background or the colour of their skin."Britain is a nation proudly built on tolerance, diversity and respect. Our flag represents our diverse country and we will never surrender it to those that use it as a symbol of violence, fear and division."
Tech billionaire Elon Musk spoke to protesters on Whitehall via videolink, telling them to "fight back" or "die". He also referred to massive uncontrolled migration and called for a change of government in the UK. Kyle criticised some of Musk's comments as "totally inappropriate". Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed crowds directly at the march where he criticised politicians for "parroting" his ideas.
People like Musk and Robinson are cashing in on the lack of positive progress on matters like immigration. This is down to bad management of the administration of the UK by Parliament. We need positive leadership and sensible policies instead of the drift and indecision which characterises the Labour Administration.

[Julie in Norfolk]

I find it hard to believe that they have been in power for over a year now. I know that they have changed some things and they are measuring those with whatever metric they find useful, but I don't see much improvement in things that affect average people.

That is no reason though for the frightful demonstration by the likes of Tommy Robinson, or whatever name he is using, and the other right wing wannabe fascists. They are no more than hooligans, the like of which we used to get at football matches. They are, though, entitled to their opinion; I just wish they'd keep it to themselves.

[Tripps]

Looks like being a lively couple of political days. Up to and including the overthrow of Sir Keir Rodney Starmer.

Mr Speaker has allowed a debate on the Mandelson affair. Mandelson has "vowed revenge" so they say. Defections and resignations on all sides have occurred.

I still can't take Reform seriously. What have they actually done bar make a lot of noise. Without Nigel Farage they would be nothing - and he looks tired, and I doubt he will be still be politically active when the next election happens (which may be a lot sooner than we think) .

Big day for popcorn sales I'd say. I've got mine. . . .

[Stanley]

I think you are on the money David.
See THIS report about another Downing Street resignation....
Paul Ovenden, a senior aide to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has resigned after offensive and sexual text messages came to light in which he recounted a conversation about veteran MP Diane Abbott. The messages were reported in the Daily Mail, and are understood to have been made eight years ago, as part of an online private conversation. In a statement to ITV News, Mr Ovenden said he was "truly, deeply sorry for it and the hurt it will cause". A spokesperson for the prime minister called the messages "appalling and unacceptable", saying: "As the first black woman to be elected to Parliament, Diane Abbott is a trailblazer who has faced horrendous abuse throughout her political career." They added: "These kinds of comments have no place in our politics." Abbott has declined to comment on Mr Ovenden's resignation. Mr Ovenden was Sir Keir's director of political strategy and the messages are understood to have been made when he was a press officer for the Labour party. In the messages, he recounted colleagues' comments made during a more explicit version of the game Snog, Marry, Avoid with graphic sexual imagery relating to Abbott. Abbott is the longest-serving female MP in Parliament, having represented the Hackney North and Stoke Newington constituency since 1987. For much of her parliamentary career she has been a Labour MP, but earlier this year was suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party for comments she made about racism.
This is a comparatively unimportant matter but it shads light on the culture that underlies politics and couldn't have come at a worse time.
HERE'S the latest BBC comment on the Mandelson Affair....
Sir Keir Starmer has said he would "never" have appointed Peter Mandelson as his ambassador to the US if he had known the full details of his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. In his first comments since sacking Lord Mandelson, Sir Keir said the Labour peer went through a proper due diligence process before his appointment, but he added: "Had I known then what I know now, I'd have never appointed him." Sir Keir gave public backing to Lord Mandelson in the Commons on Wednesday only to sack him the following day. Opposition MPs will get a chance to put further pressure on the government after the Speaker granted the Tories an emergency debate on the appointment on Tuesday.
Starmer is in full reverse ferret mode after endorsing Peter Mandelson and faces a barrage of criticism this week in the house as well as in public. His enemies have smelt blood and he will do well if he survives the week. It is quite obvious that he has last control of the government, the Party, his management structure inside No 10 and even his personal staff. The remedy is to replace him with someone who is more competent.
Where is the Cabinet in all this or has sofa government rendered them helpless?

[Whyperion]

The remedy is to replace him with someone who is more competent.
Sorry, with loads of Labour MPs finding one that has a competance to Lead A)The Party B)The Cabinet C) The Country is thin on the ground.
All the good ones went , in one way or another. None appear to be educated that well in economics or have a flair to carry the countrys difficulties forward. Either of the two up for Deputy at a push , maybe one might step down without a vote by the end of the week if they have any sense.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC update on Mandelson....
A senior Labour MP has said "red flags were missed or ignored" before Peter Mandelson's appointment as the UK's ambassador to the US, in an emergency debate about his sacking. Dame Emily Thornberry, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said "something went very wrong" given Lord Mandelson's known links to convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein.
David's account is a far better report of a non-event. This is not the end of the affair i get the feeling that a fuse is burning........

[Tripps]

Full meeting of Oldham Council tonight. First in the new venue.

The main recent defector from the Conservatives to Reform UK Councillor Lewis Quigg, strangely failed to put in an appearance.
All went quite quite well for a couple of hours - then there was a motion about Gaza, and a small war broke out, mainly out amongst the Pakistani origin Councillors. Voices were raised and tempers flared until the Mayor (perhaps a little hastily in my opinion) suspended the sitting.

I must say that the essence of the difference of opinion was bit of a mystery to me, and even why it was being discussed in Local Government at all, rather than at national level? There was a pause for about an hour and a half - then it was announced that the meeting was over, and would be rearranged for a future date.

Can't wait. . . .

[Stanley]

See THIS latest BBC report on Gaza....
6 hours ago
Local residents and eyewitnesses say dozens of Israeli tanks and military vehicles have pushed into a major residential district of Gaza City, on the second day of Israel's ground offensive aimed at occupying the area. Video footage shows tanks, bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers moving on the edges of Sheikh Radwan, in northern Gaza City. Thick clouds of smoke can be seen as Israeli forces fire artillery shells and smoke bombs to cover their advance. The Sheikh Radwan district was home to tens of thousands of people before the war and is considered one of the city's most densely populated areas. Israel says the aim of its Gaza City offensive is to free hostages held by Hamas and defeat up to 3,000 fighters in what it describes as the group's "last stronghold" - but the operation has drawn widespread international condemnation. The leaders of more than 20 major aid agencies, including Save the Children and Oxfam, warned that "the inhumanity of the situation in Gaza is unconscionable". Residents in Sheikh Radwan said Wednesday's incursion followed a wave of heavy airstrikes targeting buildings and main streets across the neighbourhood, in what appeared to be preparation for the ground assault. Saad Hamada, a local resident who fled south with his family earlier on Wednesday, told the BBC: "The drones didn't leave anything. They hit solar panels, power generators, water tanks, even the internet network. "Life became impossible, and that is what forced most people to leave despite the danger."
No mention of the fact this latest move by the IDF has been described as genocide. Can anyone have any doubts that the real aim is to complete the demolition of Gaza City ready for Jewish resettlement?