POLITICS CORNER

[PanBiker]

He will immediately make political capital out of this.

Yes he will, he has already claimed it was like the JFK event, hardly, the bloke missed!

[Tripps]

this is the natural consequence of the level of political feeling that Trump promotes....

Outrageous quote! That says to me "if you don't agree with them - shoot them"

The natural consequence in a nation that also boasts Bob Bliss, is surely the ballot box. An American lady on SKY News has just said "if you don't like the guy - don't vote for him"

Before this event - in a mood of naive enquiry - I asked the AI progarmme two questions

1. What harm did President Donald Trump do during his time in office?
2. What harm did President George W Bush do during his time in office?

If anyone would like me to show the replies - just ask.

7.00 pm. Times up. All who matter have seen the offer and declined.
Please yourelf as Mr Howerd used to say.

[Stanley]

See THIS worrying BBC report.
The government’s adviser on political violence has written to the home secretary asking to investigate the intimidation of candidates during the general election. Lord Walney is suggesting there could have been a "concerted campaign by extremists". He is urging Yvette Cooper and Security Minister Dan Jarvis to commission a short inquiry to find out if groups in different constituencies were working together and to document what he calls the "dark underbelly" of abuse.
We have just seen what can happen in politics when abuse is unchecked in the attempt on Trump's life in the US. Lord Walney does right to call for investigation and note that he did this before the shooting.

[Stanley]

See THIS report of Joe Biden asking for calm.....
US President Joe Biden has condemned the assassination attempt on his predecessor Donald Trump in a primetime address from the White House, telling Americans that US politics must never be a "killing field". Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, was wounded in the ear after a gunman opened fire at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. One person was killed and two more were critically injured in the attack. In the Oval Office address - just the third of his presidency - Mr Biden urged Americans to "take a step back" and warned that "political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated". "No matter how strong our convictions, we must never descend into violence," Mr Biden said in remarks that lasted just under seven minutes.
Mr Biden seems to be agreeing with me....

[Stanley]

Two things struck me about the political news this morning. First how quickly the attempt on Donald Trump's life dropped out of the headlines and second, THIS report on Tory Party funding.
The Conservatives took an election campaign donation from a property firm part-owned by one of the UK’s richest men just days after he was jailed by a Swiss court for exploiting domestic staff. The party received £50,000 from Westminster Development Services Limited, which was established in 2015 by a consortium of investors led by the Hinduja Group. Company records show the firm is part-owned by Prakash Hinduja’s AMC Project Services Limited. The donation was received on 1 July, just 10 days after Prakash Hinduja and his wife Kamal were found guilty of exploitation and illegal employment by a Swiss court and sentenced to four years and six months in prison. They did not attend court proceedings, pleading ill health. They were acquitted of the more serious charge of human trafficking. Their lawyers said they would appeal
There is another report that Labour had more donations than all the other parties put together..... The phrase that comes to mind is muck to t'midden.
Elsewhere it is reported that a 'root and branch ' review of defence spending has been ordered. Working on the principle no doubt to uncover all the nasty little secrets the Tories have been hiding. The result will not be a pretty picture......

[Stanley]

THIS BBC report does not bode well for us if and when Trump regains the Presidency.
The deputy prime minister has dismissed comments by Donald Trump's running mate for US vice president that UK under Labour might be the first "truly Islamist" country with nuclear weapons. JD Vance, the Ohio senator chosen as Trump's vice presidential candidate on Monday night, made the comments while at the National Conservatism conference in Washington DC last week. The 39-year-old said he was "beating up" on the UK, and had discussed with a friend “what is the first truly Islamist country to get a nuclear weapon", then joked "maybe it's Iran, maybe Pakistan kind of counts, and then we sort of decided maybe it's actually the UK since Labour just took over". The suggestion that Islamists are gaining in power in some European countries with Muslim minorities is common in some right-wing US political circles. Angela Rayner told ITV that Mr Vance had said "quite a lot of fruity things in the past" but said does not "recognise" his characterisation of the UK.
It makes the phrase 'special relationship sound a bit hollow!

[Tripps]

The suggestion that Islamists are gaining in power in some European countries with Muslim minorities is common in some right-wing US political circles.

And is observable to others who are 'keeping up' elsewhere.

Here is a list of all the current Councillors in Brierfield.

Mohammad Hanif
Naeem Ashraf
Qamar Shazad
Yasser Iqbal
Adeel Waseem
Hashim Raza
Saqlain Ali
Sania Mazmal
Mohammed Khan

[Stanley]

In case you didn't notice we just had a Muslim PM also.....
'Muslim influence' wasn't seen as a bad thing when we got our alphabet and the basis of mathematics off them. (Remember Al-Gebra?)

See THIS BBC report on a peculiar piece of politics.
Civil servants have changed documents describing Liz Truss's mini-budget as "disastrous" after she complained they showed political bias. Briefing notes on the King's Speech, published earlier on the government website, said the former PM's approach had damaged the UK's financial credibility. They added that Labour's plans for mandatory pre-Budget forecasts would ensure "mistakes" by her government "cannot be repeated". It comes after Ms Truss, who lost her seat in the election earlier this month, called it a "flagrant breach" of impartiality rules and a "personal and political attack". Writing to Simon Case, the UK's top civil servant, she asked for the material to be removed, with "suitable admonishment for those responsible". The Cabinet Office said the documents had now been "corrected and updated". A spokesperson added that Mr Case had "responded to Liz Truss and directed for these references to be removed".
In case anybody has forgotten Truss tanked the economy in a week and in some ways it has not recovered yet. I sympathise with whoever wrote those briefing notes.....
I say peculiar because Truss lost her seat and one wonders how her request could carry any weight. They must have different rules in the Westminster Village.

[PanBiker]

Re writing factual history is always a bad idea, you get the holocaust deniers, flat earth nutters and we never went to the moon brigade with stuff like that. Newspapers have a lot to answer for also as if it's in the paper it must be right. Replace that with believe everything you see on social media and it's no wonder the planet is in the state that it's in.

[Sue]

I thought he was Hindu Stanley like my brother in law. The children celebrated the Hindu festival of light. This what Wikipedia says

Rishi Sunak was born on 12 May 1980 in Southampton General Hospital in Southampton, Hampshire, to East African-born Hindu parents of Indian Punjabi descent.

[Big Kev]

I thought he was Hindu

Me too

[Stanley]

My mistake. you are all right and I am wrong..... Discrimination of this sort is so corrosive of society as a whole.

I listened to a reprise of THIS terrible injustice yesterday on R4 and I agree with the Minister who wants sanctions against the head of the review body.
The justice secretary is to seek the sacking of the chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) following the publication of a review into the case of Andrew Malkinson. Shabana Mahmood said Helen Pitcher - who heads up the body responsible for investigating alleged miscarriages of justice - was "unable to fulfil her duties". An independent review published on Thursday found Mr Malkinson, who waited 20 years to be exonerated of rape, was completely failed by the key agency reviewing his case. The damning report concludes he could have been freed five years after receiving a life sentence for a 2003 rape. Mr Malkinson welcomed the news, saying Ms Pitcher had "proved herself utterly unfit to lead the CCRC". The report revealed the body’s investigators and leaders failed to follow up evidence of innocence right up to 2022. The justice secretary said the findings were "sobering". "It is my firm view that Helen Pitcher is unfit to fulfil her duties as chair of the CCRC. I have therefore begun the process to seek her removal from that position," Ms Mahmood said.
There is much more and the case for sanctions is overwhelming.

See also THIS damning report on the government's handling of the Covid pandemic.
Significant flaws in the UK’s pandemic planning meant Covid caused more deaths and economic costs than it should have, the first report of the Covid Inquiry says. The 217-page report called for radical reform of the systems, saying the UK government and devolved nations “failed their citizens”. It said the UK planned for the wrong pandemic – a mild one where spread of a new virus was inevitable - and this led to the UK turning to “untested” lockdowns. Part of the blame, it said, was groupthink by scientists and too little challenge from ministers.
Again, there is much more but could we please take notice this time and act in the light of experience? The only certainty is that there will be another pandemic and surely we learned something?

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report of an interview given by Robert Jenrick.....
The Conservative Party may not be at its "lowest ebb" and things could "undoubtedly" get worse, potential Tory leadership candidate Robert Jenrick has said. The former Home Office minister told the BBC his party should be "repenting for some of the mistakes we've made, such as on immigration". He said it was a "possibility" that his party could be consigned to history. He also accused some of his colleagues - including possible leadership rival James Cleverly - of not caring enough about illegal immigration. Mr Jenrick survived the drubbing his party got in the recent election holding on to his Newark constituency, albeit with a much-reduced majority.
Although I'll allow that Jenrick may be correct in his warning, I do not trust this man. I have always said since he resigned over immigration that he has a hidden agenda. He will bear watching.......

[Stanley]

See THIS for evidence that the Tories don't like being in Opposition and not having as much time to speak......
Conservative MP Victoria Atkins has been criticised for her behaviour during a parliamentary debate as she attempted to loudly interrupt another MP. A video of the incident on Friday shows the shadow health and social care secretary standing at the despatch box and speaking over Labour's Steve Reed, while deputy speaker Christopher Chope calls for order. Mr Chope then tells the chamber: "The right honourable lady has behaved abominably."
The Tories are going to have to get used to less time at the dispatch box, it's the nature of Opposition.

THIS end of session report by Laura Kuenssberg is worth reading I think.
MPs hate it when you say Parliament goes on holiday. The technical term is "recess", when the green benches empty and the arguments fall silent. Our esteemed representatives rightly point out that many of them work over the summer, whether as ministers in the government or the important work of helping their constituents. But we are, very nearly, at what might more accurately be called the "end of term" (recess begins 30 July). The world looks very different to the previous session of Parliament – Keir Starmer’s just been pictured at his third cabinet meeting, hosting Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. So how do the parties’ end-of-term reports read in summer 2024?
She goes on to give a sketch of all the parties and I think it's a handy way of re-orienting ourselves, so much has changed. Now we watch to see if Labour can keep its promise.

PS. I get the feeling that someone has suggested to Tony Blair that it might be a good thing if he took a bit more of a back seat....

[Big Kev]

BBC News - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv2gryx1yx1t
Joe Biden ends election campaign and endorses Kamala Harris to be new nominee.

[Stanley]

Too late I think but thank God for that!
SEE THIS BBC report.
Harris is a risk but one many Democrats will want to take The prospects for Kamala Harris being the Democratic nominee have received a big boost with Joe Biden’s endorsement. He gave her his full backing, calling his decision to make her vice-president four years ago the best he ever made. She responded by saying she was honoured to have his endorsement and would do everything possible to win the nomination. It is possible that most Democrats will follow the president’s lead and fall in line behind the vice-president to avoid ongoing uncertainty less than a month from the Democratic convention. There are practical and political reasons for doing so. She is next in the constitutional line of succession. The optics of passing over the first black woman on a presidential ticket would be terrible for the party. She would also immediately have access to the roughly $100 million in funds the campaign has raised so far.
I hope the Party endorses her unopposed. It will play well with blacks and women and is well worth the risk.
Trump is a misogynist and many women will welcome the chance to strike a blow at him.

Meanwhile in the UK I either heard or saw discussions inside the Treasury on how to 'excuse' the fact that the proposals of the advisory bodies on increases in education and health pay (5.5%) should be accepted.
Did no one think of pointing out that the reason why this dilemma exists is that for too long the recommendations of the advisory bodies have been ignored. It is high time they were listened to.

Later at 0505. Donald Trump has made his first mistake, he has said publicly that Kamala Harris will be easier to defeat. That will automatically garner her hundreds of thousands of votes from women. This is going to be a major factor.....

[Stanley]

THIS caught my eye this morning....
The Conservatives are to start a three-month leadership contest to replace Rishi Sunak this week, due to end with the announcement of a new Tory leader on 2 November. Nominations will open on Wednesday, with candidates needing the backing of 10 MPs to enter the first round of voting. MPs will narrow this down to four candidates, who will then have a chance to speak to party members at the Conservative conference which starts on 29 September. MPs will then whittle those down to two candidates, with the final winner chosen by Conservative Party members in an online ballot.
It struck me that this will be a political exercise in which no holds will be barred. I am glad I don't have any stake in it and can regard it as a spectator sport.....

[Tizer]

Kamala Harris says she's looking forward to using her extensive attorney experience to deal with a man who committed over a hundred felonies.

[PanBiker]

Yes and supported an armed insurrection against one of the seats of government when he lost last time. Trump has already alienated just about every female and especially women of colour with his misogynistic comments, he should be in gaol! Mind you with the stupid laws in the U.S. that would not preclude him from becoming President. I think that qualifies the USA as a broken democracy.

[Tripps]

I watched something from America last night - no escape - it was on all the news channels that I frequent.
The star of the show was someone called Kamala Harris, and I saw more of her in that event than I have seen in the time since she became VP. There was quite a nice speech from someone called "the Second Gentleman" - seems he was Mr Harris. To describe her as 'a person of color' would be stretching it a bit I'd say, but it suits the narrative and people are mostly a bit dim so let's try it.

I have seen nothing to support what comes next, but I'll take a chance and write it anyway.

There were audio interjections (no video) from chap called Joe Biden, but he sounded nothing like the Joe I've heard stumble through the last few months. He was strong voiced, cogent, alert, lively, and spontaneous. He could not have been using a screen prompter. Got me thinking - that he has retired from the field with a convenient case of Covid, and has not been seen since. He resigned his candidacy by a statement on Twitter (X). He could easily have been present on video to support Kamala but wasn't.

I don't think the voice was his. If Putin can have several body doubles then Biden can have a voice over artist.

[Stanley]

David, that sounds like a conspiracy theory...
I suggest we let the woman run, support her and hope she beats her terrible opponent.

See THIS for another Tory initiative which has bitten the dust.
The contract for the Bibby Stockholm barge, which houses asylum seekers off the coast of Dorset, will not be renewed past January, the Home Office has announced. Extending the use of the barge, which is moored off Portland, would have cost more than £20m next year. The three-storey vessel has capacity for up to 500 men, aged from 18 to 65. Now run under a Labour government, the Home Office said the move was part of a commitment to “clear the backlog and fix the asylum system”.
I see no signs of what will happen to the present occupants but have never liked the concept of warehousing human beings even if the doors were always left open.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report about the contest for the next Tory Leader....
Former minister Tom Tugendhat has announced he is running to be the next Conservative leader. Writing in the Daily Telegraph,, he said he was “not just running to be the next Conservative leader" but also to become the "next Conservative prime minister". Mr Tugendhat is the second Tory MP to enter the contest to replace Rishi Sunak as party leader, following former home secretary James Cleverly's announcement on Tuesday.

[Tizer]

JD Vance might not last long as Trump's choice of running mate. His past is catching up with him. The most prominent example is his 2021 reference to `childless cat ladies and now he's probably going send all the Swifties rushing to vote for Harris rather than Trump.

There has also been backlash from fans of singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who has no children - and three cats. "It's bold, for someone seeking votes, to hone in on 'childless cat ladies' when the leader of Childless Cat Ladies is Taylor Swift," British writer Caitlin Moran posted on X. Another X user, shared the Time magazine cover where Swift posed with one of her cats, writing: "Hell hath no fury like a certain childless cat lady who has yet to endorse a presidential candidate." LINK

Another potential problem for the Trumpers is that Kamala Harris has been joining in with the `brat summer' of Charli XCX and appealing to her fans by using the same shade of green on her web presence. Trump will have to cope with a brat, hurray!

[Stanley]

All that is good news..... I do hope Trump gets the negative results of all these trends.
As a public service I looked Charlie XCX up and THIS explanation of Brat Summer might help your understanding. (It hasn't helped mine!)

Meanwhile, in the world of real politics, see THIS report about the fallout from the affair at Manchester Airport....
Greater Manchester's mayor Andy Burnham has criticised Reform UK MP Lee Anderson for his response to footage which appeared to show a police officer kicking and stamping on a man. Mr Anderson told the BBC the police officers involved faced a "clear risk" and should be "commended". However, Labour's Mr Burnham branded his comments "irresponsible" and said the footage was "very disturbing".
I heard Anderson's comments and I agree with Andy Burnham. Like so much of what Anderson says it was tinged with covert racism. I have no time at all for him or his ilk and it looks as though Reform has more members who are tarred with the same brush.

[Tizer]

As a public service I looked Charlie XCX up and THIS explanation of Brat Summer might help your understanding. (It hasn't helped mine!)

This page on the same site explains it better: LINK
The important aspect is that Harris is using this to engage youth, to replace the `old men' image of the Democrats and to show Trump as a sad, aggressive, misogynistic old man. All it needs now is for the Swifties to get behind the Democrats and there'll be a flood of young folk coming out to back Harris.