[Youngian]

Judging by yesterday's PMQs, Ed Davey fancies himself as Mr Euro Churchill to Starmer's Chamberlain. Let's hope like Neville, the PM is planning for the worst.
If only judged by utterly baffling political survival skills, Ed Davey is Britain Trump. And it's not the Tories who are going to gain by the death of Atlanticism.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Per Stephen Bush, the Guardian headline of what Reeves said is too strong.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Judging by yesterday's PMQs, Ed Davey fancies himself as Mr Euro Churchill to Starmer's Chamberlain. Let's hope like Neville, the PM is planning for the worst.
If only judged by utterly baffling political survival skills, Ed Davey is Britain Trump. And it's not the Tories who are going to gain by the death of Atlanticism.

Lots assumptions that Davey is going to carve out a strong position with this sort of stuff. I’m not so sure. People can tell the difference between being the Foreign Secretary and being in the Liberal Democrats.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I don’t know how much can be done without treaties. Hope lots can, given Orban and Fico will have vetoes.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Don't agree with Dave Penman here on the Ministerial Code.

However, he said the updated code stopped short of much more comprehensive reforms – including making the findings of the independent adviser on ministerial interests binding rather than advisory.

A civil servant sacking ministers seems like overreach to me and unnecessary. Bozo paid a price for overriding independent processes (Patel, Paterson). Starmer certainly would.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... -head-says

[Tubby Isaacs]

Not very encouraging here. Have Europe given up on Ukraine already, or is this just a desperate Ukrainian official sounding off?

I don't at all buy the comment of the expert quoted that Jonathan Powell is aligned with Trump on Ukraine just because he's done a lot of work on conflict resolution, mind.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/ ... n-election

[Crabcakes]

I suspect the Ukrainians are being savvy and striking while the iron is hot. The shock at Trump returning has galvanised people, because they’re scared. What better time to remind them a strong Ukraine is a more cautious Putin?

[Tubby Isaacs]

The previous government's time Best Value challenge to South Cambridgeshire Council's 4 day week has been dropped.

https://bsky.app/profile/jacktshaw.bsky ... gw2q6h622l

[Oboogie]

I'm becoming quite a Darren Jones fanboy. He's been doing the media rounds this weekend and continues to impress. He's clearly bright, across his brief and stands out as a better media performer than many of the cabinet. He's got to be a contender for a future Chancellor and, if he continues to perform this well, when the time comes, leader.

[Youngian]

I'll happily have a flutter on Darren being the next Labour leader.

[Abernathy]

Oboogie may be right about Jones as a possible future leader. He’s been everywhere on all news media since the budget, and has been very impressive indeed.

I tipped Bridget Phillipson as a future leader a couple of years ago during the Corbyn interlude, and I still think she’ll be in frame at least. A very, very, impressive lady.

[davidjay]

Next time round the pressure might be on regarding another white man.

[Crabcakes]

I'm becoming quite a Darren Jones fanboy. He's been doing the media rounds this weekend and continues to impress. He's clearly bright, across his brief and stands out as a better media performer than many of the cabinet. He's got to be a contender for a future Chancellor and, if he continues to perform this well, when the time comes, leader.

He is remarkably good. A UK version of the equally excellent Pete Buttigieg.

[mattomac]

Pretty sure I tipped him a while back as a future leader.

[The Weeping Angel]

Oh no Clarkson's going to attend a protest.

[The Weeping Angel]

Just asking questions from Sam Coates

[Bones McCoy]

Oh no Clarkson's going to attend a protest.

What's he gonna do?
Complain about rich townies coming along and buying up farms?

[Tubby Isaacs]

Just asking questions from Sam Coates

Pitiful Kipper crap from Coates.

Just askin', indeed.

[Tubby Isaacs]

He went to Ireland? Ireland?! Fucking hell, I bet he was swimming in the warm sea, like Jim Callaghan.

[Andy McDandy]

Every Christmas, some "royal watcher" sends in to the Times a list of how many days and hours prominent members of the Royal family have chalked up on official business, including how many days out of the country. Those that chalk up a lot tend to be considered good value for money, flying the flag and all that shite.

And just to clarify that this isn't about politician vs royalty, I distinctly remember back in the Blair years the right wing press pouring scorn on John Prescott for being sent in Blair's place to some G20 or similar conference. Big photos pointing out who all these presidents and PMs were, and there was Prezza, looking all grumpy. How shameful for Britain, Tony couldn't be bothered etc.

This is one of those LBJ swimming pool moments. Whatever he does, they'll paint it as bad.