POLITICS CORNER

[Stanley]

See THIS for the most important piece of political news.....
The UK economy had zero growth between July and September, revised official figures show. The revised data comes after a series of disappointing figures including inflation rising at its fastest pace for eight months and the economy unexpectedly shrinking in October. One of the UK's leading business groups, the CBI, said its latest company survey suggested "the economy is headed for the worst of all worlds". Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the challenge to fix the economy "after 15 years of neglect is huge", while shadow chancellor Mel Stride said Monday's figures showed "growth has tanked on Labour's watch". The revised figure will be a blow to the government which has made boosting the economy its top priority.
It's no good the parties blaming each other, they are all implicated to a degree, the Tories perhaps most as they held power for 15 years and it grew on their watch. What matters is what should be done about it.
At the beginning of WW2 when the government had this problem they borrowed and spent, deficit financed spending which got the economy working and in the end saved us. I have been advocating this approach for years instead of the Tory policy of austerity. If Labour don't do it now they are lost. The signs of stagflation are clear but nobody is mentioning that!

[Stanley]

See THIS for a sad reflection on the world this Xmas.....
The little town of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank has good reason to consider itself the capital of Christmas but this year it does not feel like it. There are very few visitors at what is typically a peak time. There are not the usual cheerful street decorations nor the giant Christmas tree in front of the Nativity Church, built over the spot where it is believed that Jesus was born. Public celebrations of Christmas have been cancelled for a second year because of the war in Gaza. Palestinian Christians are only attending religious ceremonies and family gatherings. "This should be a time of joy and celebration," comments Reverend Dr Munther Isaac, a local Lutheran pastor. "But Bethlehem is a sad town in solidarity with our siblings in Gaza." At his church, the Nativity scene shows baby Jesus lying in a pile of rubble. In the run-up to Christmas, a prayer service focused on the catastrophic situation in Gaza. "It's hard to believe that another Christmas has come upon us and the genocide has not stopped," Isaac said in his strongly worded sermon. "Decision makers are content to let this continue. To them, Palestinians are dispensable." Israel strongly denies accusations of genocide in Gaza and judges at the UN's top court have yet to rule in a case alleging genocide, brought by South Africa.

[Stanley]

THIS is the political news this morning....
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused Nigel Farage of "fakery" over Reform UK membership numbers, after his party said they had surpassed the Tories in signed-up members. A digital tracker on Reform's website shows its membership numbers have overtaken the 131,680 figure declared by the Conservatives earlier this year. Badenoch said Reform's counter was "coded to tick up automatically". Farage said he would "gladly invite" a firm to audit the party's membership numbers as long as the Conservatives did the same. When the figure was announced on Boxing Day, Farage said it was a "historic moment". Reacting to the growing tally on X, he said, external: "The youngest political party in British politics has just overtaken the oldest political party in the world." Party chairman Zia Yusuf said Reform had broken the "centuries-long stranglehold on the centre-right of British politics by the Tories".
I'm not qualified to judge their relative merits but I have to admit that Farage is making a reasonable case. Time will tell but looking at Labour's dismal performance one is allowed a slight flutter of alarm!

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report which heads the political news this morning.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the chancellor and business secretary have written to the UK's main regulators asking them to come up with ideas for reform that could boost economic growth. They contacted watchdogs, including energy regulator Ofgem and water regulator Ofwat, before Christmas asking them to submit proposals by mid-January. This comes after figures published earlier this week indicated the UK economy had flatlined between July and September. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said the letter "says all you need to know" about Sir Keir's government, claiming he has to "beg his own government to create growth after Labour's damaging Budget".
I have to confess I don't know whether this is innovative thinking or a sign we have a PM who is floundering. I suspect the latter.
I look at the number of promises of action made in the election campaigning and the actual progress since then and as far as I am concerned Starmer is failing..... I would love to be proved wrong but the evidence stacks up against him. What does this mean for the rest of his term? I get the feeling we are in for some shocks in 2025.

[Tizer]

Like the rest of the world, we are heading on a course towards authoritarian governments, populism and libertarianism. It will probably require Nature to shake us out of it with an `unprecedented' massive event.

[Stanley]

I fear you could be right Peter..... I can't see any way there can be a happy ending!

[Stanley]

I think THIS qualifies as political news this morning......
Former US President Jimmy Carter has died aged 100, the centre he founded has confirmed. The former peanut farmer lived longer than any president in history and celebrated his 100th birthday in October. The Carter Center, which advocates for democracy and human rights around the world, said he died on Sunday afternoon at his home in Plains, Georgia. The Democrat served as president from 1977 to 1981, a period beset by economic and diplomatic crises. After leaving the White House with low approval ratings, his reputation was restored through humanitarian work which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.

[Stanley]

The only 'political' news this morning is the New Years Honours list.

[Stanley]

See THIS report from the US
Police are investigating after a Tesla Cybertruck filled with fuel canisters and firework mortars exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The driver was killed and seven people were injured, police said without naming any of the individuals involved. Officials said all injuries were minor. The truck was rented in Colorado and arrived in the city Wednesday morning, less than two hours before the detonation, police said. Parked in front of the hotel near a glass entrance, the vehicle started to smoke, then exploded. In an evening address, President Joe Biden said the White House was tracking the incident and law enforcement was investigating "whether there's any possible connection with the attack in New Orleans", which left 15 dead early on New Year's Day.
Not a very peaceful start to the New Year.
Here in the UK the politicians are still recovering from their celebrations. Or at least, that's how it seems!

[Stanley]

I'm sure I heard Oldham Council mentioned on WATO and immediately thought of David, he said the BBC couldn't ignore it but I can find nothing on the website. I heard the reporter say that Jess Philips had said it was not a matter for central government but for the local council. The Tories disagree and I think they are taking the matter further.....

[Tripps]

I don't expect the BBC to cover the story. The fact that Elon Musk has put his oar in, will add some pressure to do so though. Here is some background to the matter. Jess Philips' seat depends on her attitude to the issue. Any action that even suggested an anti muslim attitude would cost her the next election.

Link

I await the abandoned latest Council meeting's resumption with interest. The whole affair - like the Council itself - is a shambles.

PS - The plot thickens - Elon Musk has managed to involve Tommy Robinson (not his real name) and Sir Keir Rodney Starmer (real name) into the imbroglio. Guardian Link

PPS After a warning that temperatures will drop to -10 C shortly Sir Keir Rodney is pictured queue jumping for a wooden sledge ride in sunny Madeira. After cutting the WFA that's not a good look in the circs.

[Stanley]

Morning David..... I have read both those clips and agree with those who say that the UK administration should stop posting on X. Elon Musk is going to cause more trouble than he is worth eventually and Trump may realise this but too late!
Is my memory correct, I remember a similar dispute in Keighley involving another lady MP and I think she handled it better.

See THIS for today's installment of the saga.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for a full national public inquiry into the UK's "rape gangs scandal". It comes after Home Office minister Jess Phillips rejected Oldham Council's request for a government-led inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation - saying the council should lead it instead. Her decision, taken in October, was reported by GB News on Wednesday and then picked up by Elon Musk on his social media platform X, and several senior Tories. Shadow Home Office minister Chris Philp told the BBC the time had come for a national inquiry, with powers to "compel witnesses to come forward", to get "to the truth". The Home Office has been approached for comment. A Labour spokesperson said: "The Home Office supports police investigations and independent inquiries to get truth and justice for victims." They said Labour had supported the 2022 national inquiry into child sexual abuse under Professor Alexis Jay, adding the government was "working at pace" to implement its recommendations.

On another matter regarding Starmer's leadership......
See THIS matter in Nottingham.
Twenty councillors have quit Labour in protest at the party's direction under Sir Keir Starmer. The councillors - from Broxtowe Borough Council in Nottinghamshire - claimed the party had "abandoned traditional Labour values" and criticised policies such as cutting the winter fuel allowance for some pensioners. Council leader Milan Radulovic, who had been a party member for 42 years, is among those walking away from Labour. A local Labour spokesperson said the decision by some councillors to sit as independent 18 months after they were elected was "incredibly disappointing".
If as David says Starmer is enjoying the sun in Madeira, he has been badly advised. He ought to be back here minding the shop. He seems to spend an awful lot of time out of the office at Downing Street......

[Tripps]

I'm begining to suspect that either Donald Trump or Elon Musk (or perhaps both ) are anonymous members of this site. Musk swiftly intervened in the Oldham Council affair, after it was mentioned here, and now Trump says we should re-open the North Sea energy fields after our discussion about the word "dunkelflaute". Looks like he has joined the dots, and realised that Net Zero is an impossible and irrelevant nonsense.

Update - the Tory leader on the Oldham Council resigned from the position yesterday. I'm guessing he feels he is a bit too old for fisticuffs in the ante room. He has not resigned his seat though - he's still an Independent Councillor.


He wants to be in the best seats when the bell goes for the next round.

PS Here is a summary from Raja Mia who knows a lot about it all. Worth a (critical) look I'd say.

[Stanley]

I listened to as much as I could stomach David and I believe the man. He is telling the same story I heard in Rochdale when the Satanic Abuse furore was in full flow in the 1980s and one poor mentally challenged man killed himself after being falsely accused. Many Councillors had intimate knowledge but had to keep quiet because telling what they knew would certainly be political suicide.

See THIS BBC report on reactions to Musk's interventions.....
Elon Musk's attack on the government's handling of grooming gangs is "misjudged and certainly misinformed", Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said. Tech multi-billionaire Musk has posted a series of messages on his social media site X, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of failing to prosecute gangs that systematically groomed and raped young girls, and calling for safeguarding minister Jess Phillips to be jailed. Asked about his comments, Streeting said "this government takes the issue of child sexual exploitation incredibly seriously". He invited Musk to "roll up his sleeves and work with us" against rape gangs. The Tories have also criticised Musk for "sharing things that are factually inaccurate"
Isn't it about time for someone to tell Musk to mind his own business? Just because he is rich and a favourite of the next US President doesn't mean he has the right to make statements about what should happen in UK domestic politics.....

[Tripps]

This brought to mind a (now dormant) award winning blog by "Winston Smith" from 2009 which I used to read at the time, and I think should be read in conjunction with the criticism of the social workers involved, and the frequent use of the phrase "duty of care".

Driving Miss Crazy

[Stanley]

Thanks for the link David.... What 'Mr Smith' describes there is the same behaviour and constraints on staff that I heard about from my friends who were councillors and social workers in Rochdale. Social services were on a hiding to nothing as the children they were trying to help knew that the workers had no sanctions they could use. As one lady told me, there were many occasions when a slap on the face would have stopped a hysterical tirade but they daren't do it.
In almost all cases, the children were out of control and their parents had given up. What were the social workers to do?

How did we get to the point where a US tech billionaire is making the political news in the UK? (LINK)

[Stanley]

Not too sure what to make of THIS.......
Elon Musk has called for Nigel Farage to be replaced as leader of Reform UK, just weeks after reports the multi-billionaire was in talks to donate to the party. In a post on his social media site X, Musk said Farage "doesn't have what it takes" to lead the party - but did not explain his reasoning. Farage suggested this was due to a disagreement over Musk's support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson. He said Musk's comment was "a surprise", but that he would "never sell out my principles". The comment from the tech entrepreneur comes hours after Farage described Musk as a "friend" in an interview on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme.
I am reminded of the old saying about needing a long spoon if you are supping with the devil. Two attention-seeking news junkies is my considered opinion.

Such a shame that our politics has been dragged down to the point where this heads the news. Where is Starmer?

[PanBiker]

Where is Starmer?

Defending his tenure as public prosecutor, also attacked by the non elected US billionaire. Musk has the audacity to call for a public enquiry in the UK regarding his time in the role. Who the bloody hell does he think he is?

[Whyperion]

I have little time for Musk, but I do get the feeling that the general people of Oldham itself would be better with a National Enquiry rather than a local authority (which has already been recognised to have "failed" its younger citizens) introspection, and yes the previous tory administration had time to put such a thing in place . like a lot of things the should have done and didnt. It shouldnt be up to Musk, Farage or Baddenoch to be calling for it , its something a sensible Labour govt should have done without even thinking about it really

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report.....
Prof Alexis Jay, the former chair of a national inquiry into child sexual abuse, has called for the "full implementation" of reforms set out in her 2022 report, which warned of "endemic" abuse across society in England and Wales. A campaign group chaired by Prof Jay, called Act on IICSA, said ministers must commit to a "clear timeline" to adopt the recommendations laid out by the Independent Inquiry Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). The government says it supports the changes. The group warned against "politicising" sexual violence and pushed back against "misinformation". Prof Jay also distanced herself from calls from the Conservatives and Reform UK for a new inquiry into grooming gangs. The IICSA national inquiry was set up in 2015 and carried out 15 investigations, including into grooming gangs and abuse in schools and church settings.
My mind immediately went to the Dilnot commission of 2010 and the way it's findings were ignored. Are we looking at the same syndrome here? We all know that the elephant in the room is always the fact that if these recommendations were to be financed and implemented it would cut the money down to spend on vanity projects. Just one example, look at the amount of money wasted on HS2
I wish Professor Jay well but like Sir Andrew Dilnot she is facing a firmly locked door!
What we are looking at is the kicking of important matters into the long grass. The furore over Musk is simply a distraction and is just what Labour needed.

[Tripps]

Good day to bury bad news for Government anti corruption Minister Tulip Siddiq Another opportunity to use the Abe and Hymie punch line - "here's that fifty quid I owe you" again as she refers herself to the Standards Committee. That should take till tea time at the latest.

"How much did you make on the Russian nuclear deal Aunty - the BBC say 3.9 Billions? "My goodness you are a rascal. I think you'd best stay out of sight in the back bedroom for a bit longer".

[Stanley]

You've lost me with your second comment David. I must be missing something.... (Quite a common occurrence these days!)

Later at 06:00.... Donald Trump gets even more surreal, he states that the use of force to take over the Panama Canal cannot be ruled out and has renamed the Gulf of Mexico 'The Gulf of America'.
Is this man serious, joking or simply delusional?
(I forgot to mention, he is firming up his bid to take over Greenland..... )

[Tripps]

You've lost me with your second comment David. I must be missing something....

Indeed. Do keep up.

The notion that the Bangladeshi financial authorities are checking up on a British Government Minister with responsibilty for anti corruption issues is grotesque.

Here's the (surely neutral) view from Paris Tulip

Her Aunty is said to have " fled to India". I was amusing myself by imagining she is hiding in Tulip's spare bedroom - which is not inconceivable. Alan Bennett is probably writing a play of the subject. as a follow up to "The Lady in the Van".

Sir Keith Rodney Starmer has said she has his full support. I'd give her a week - tops.

[Stanley]

I have to agree about Tulip.... She looks a very dodgy appointment to me, but we have already had evidence that Starmer isn't very good at assessing candidates whether political or civil.
I see that Starmer is giving even more oxygen to Musk who is seeking publicity. The truth is that he is useful to other publicity seekers. I see questions being raised about Starmer's possible acquiescence in yet another inquiry into abuse. Is this yet another ploy to kick the can down the road?

[PanBiker]

The last independent enquiry took seven years to complete and emerged with 20 recommendations, none of which were actioned by the previous Tory government. Starmer is correct in saying that all the previous recommendations will be implemented. Another enquiry would be definitely kicking the can down the road and would be a perfect get out of jail free card.

Potential, new enquiry, another 6 or 7 years, one term Labour Government because no one is looking at the bigger picture. Tories or Reform get in, nowt gets done.

I am no Starmer fan but he is right in this instance.