[Nigredo]

I would have found little agreement with David Amess on anything and there will be a time to scrutinise his voting record but none of it merited his death.

I am aghast at what happened to David Amess because of the basic principle that people should be able to go to work and not be murdered.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Particularly because he was by all accounts very accessible.

[Oboogie]

I would have found little agreement with David Amess on anything and there will be a time to scrutinise his voting record but none of it merited his death.

I am aghast at what happened to David Amess because of the basic principle that people should be able to go to work and not be murdered.

Agreed. It really shouldn't need saying.
David Amess objectionable voting record is irrelevant.
Thomas Mair found Jo Cox's voting record objectionable.
That is also irrelevant.
In a democracy there is a peaceful, legal path to getting rid of politicians with whom we don't agree.

[kreuzberger]

Rather than make Sarfend a city in honour of David Amess, wouldn't it be better to blast it from the face of the earth so that Islamists don't see it as a place of pilgrimage?

[Youngian]

There’s been a lot rhetoric along the lines of Nick Robinson this morning; Amess was one of the good guy local MPs who didn’t climb ‘the greasy pole.’ In other words any politician who actually wants to govern and make a difference is a venal careerist. Anyone in the Labour Party is familiar with this lazy populist piffle.

[Oboogie]

The implication of that is anyone who rises to their party's front bench is up to no good and motivated by self-interest. No question of them being promoted because they're good at their job of course.

[Cyclist]

The implication of that is anyone who rises to their party's front bench is up to no good and motivated by self-interest. No question of them being promoted because they're good at their job of course.

And the current Party of Government are a prime example.

[Youngian]

And the current Party of Government are a prime example.

Couldn’t have come at a worse time to argue that politicians aren’t all self-serving and ‘at it’ when we have a government that is. The two are related. Those that gain from inflaming a poisonous culture that deems politicians as venal and corrupt are populists who are.

[Andy McDandy]

While there's always been a sentiment of "they're all in it for themselves" about politicians going back to probably the dawn of time, the expenses scandal had a really profound effect on this country's political climate.

"They're all at it" was the popular take, and any trust in politicians was effectively swept away. It was about then that Question Time turned from an effort to actually get opinions from people, into a bear pit where people roared their disapproval. But hey, the ratings went up and they never looked back.

Most damagingly, by destroying people's faith in the probity of MPs, they laid the bar ridiculously low. "OK, they all hate us but they can't do without us, or actually get rid of us because of the selection system and safe seats, so we may as well fill our boots".

[mattomac]

Yup, I remember attending fringe events while at University in the 00s (Bournemouth being a favoured party conference town).

Everything seemed more open to be discussed then. Dunno if you would be allowed in those even out of the zone, suppose the Labour far left ones but I’ve read enough about Soviet congresses.

[RedSparrows]

As ever, confusing cynicism for scepticism is a poisonous mistake to make, and I'm increasingly convinced people should take more responsibility for committing it. It's on every individual to do better, even as structures and invested power encourage (MSM! The Tories! etc etc...) it remorselessly.

[Youngian]

Gove facing some nasty heckling from anti-science nut bags. He shouldn’t have to put up with this but should do a bit of soul searching as to his part in pandering to this rabble

[Cyclist]

Surely he should welcome it. He's the one who announced we'd all had enough of experts.

#reapingthewhirlwind

[mattomac]

The haunted Victorian fart knows what he is doing….

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58993387

[Youngian]

The haunted Victorian fart knows what he is doing….

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58993387

Is that true? MPs will find out if they accuse him of lying.

Sir Lindsay has encouraged MPs to continue to wear masks during debates, but has said there is "no meaningful way" for him to enforce this as he does not have the right to stop elected MPs entering the Commons.

[Crabcakes]

Gove facing some nasty heckling from anti-science nut bags. He shouldn’t have to put up with this but should do a bit of soul searching as to his part in pandering to this rabble

Fun fact: the anti-science nutbag is a former Tory councillor!

[Youngian]

Fun fact: the anti-science nutbag is a former Tory councillor!

Had to stand down for being racist in ear shot.

[Nigredo]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-59076946

Sympathies for the dead and all that but this is ridiculous

[Bones McCoy]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-59076946

Sympathies for the dead and all that but this is ridiculous

Mark fucking Francois; what's he doing there? Collecting third prize?

[Boiler]

All part of the Essex Massive, innit?