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?

[Julie in Norfolk]

It strikes me that the Labour party must have done b*gger all preparation for getting into power. It is basic stuff that they are getting wholly wrong (beside their ideology) and all of that makes me think that they thought nothing through as far as what the consequences were. After so many years of Tory misrule, and such a massive majority, they appear to be complacent and seem to have forgotten a few basic tenets. The civil service also needed to rethink any advice that they were giving. Sir Humphrey Appleby needs to start managing this!

[Stanley]

Julie! So true..... You ought to be doing Sue Gray's old job.....
(Why is it so clear to us but evidently a closed book to them?)

[Tripps]

Further to Wednesday's post. The press report. It got worse - swearing (in Urdu) at the Council Leader. Note the skilful denial. - first denies using the alleged words - then says he did not direct them at the leader. He'll go far in politics.

The full council meeting on Wednesday (September 17), was adjourned by the mayor when councillors started shouting over each other during a motion on recognising the state of Palestine and famine in Gaza. As councillors prepared to leave the chamber, another argument broke out. It is alleged a slur was used against Labour council leader Councillor Arooj Shah, though what precise word was allegedly used has not been disclosed.

Arooj Shah claims she was insulted by Cllr Ghafoor of the Oldham Group.
Cllr Kamran Ghafoor denies using the word. The Mayor of Oldham, Labour Cllr Eddie Moores, cancelled the rest of the meeting, citing ‘aggressive behaviour’. Councillor Shah said she was ‘horrified’, and alleged: “In the midst of a discussion, following the adjournment of the meeting, the leader of the Oldham Group used a degrading and explicit insult. “We all have a duty to uphold the highest standards in public office and I will be making a formal complaint regarding the incident.” Cllr Shah said the word, which has not been disclosed, carries particular cultural weight in South Asian communities.

Fellow Labour Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, who was involved in the initial clash, claimed: “The adjournment happened because elected members didn’t feel safe. “An abusive, vulgar word was used. The word was spoken in Urdu/Punjabi language. "To be that aggressive and verbally abuse a woman, that’s not how elected members should be behaving.”

Councillor Ghafoor has staunchly denied the allegations and said it was a "smear tactic". He said: “The suggestion that I used a ‘sexually degrading’ term against Councillor Shah is completely false. "I did not, at any point, direct any such remark at her.
“To now suggest that councillors ‘did not feel safe’ because of me is an attempt to cover up the reality of what actually happened, which is that the meeting was first adjourned because Councillor Mushtaq repeatedly interrupted and tried to shout me down while I was exercising my right of reply.
“Oldham deserves better than smear tactics and cynical attempts to silence opposition. I will not allow these false accusations to go unchallenged, and I will continue to speak up on behalf of the people of Oldham.”
The meeting is due to resume next week following a review of CCTV.

[Stanley]

Local politics at its finest. Thanks for the report David!
See THIS report from the US....
A US federal judge has struck down Donald Trump's $15bn defamation lawsuit against the New York Times newspaper, citing issues with its contents. US District Judge Steven Merryday in his ruling on Friday said Trump had violated a federal rule requiring applicants to outline in a "short and plain statement" why they deserve relief from the court. A legal complaint, the judge said, is not "a protected platform to rage against an adversary". He gave Trump 28 days to file an amended complaint.
And have a look at THIS on more problems for Trump....
Updated 25 minutes ago
US Senator Ted Cruz has accused the head of America's broadcast regulator of acting like "a mafioso" in the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel - the sharpest attack yet from a conservative Republican on the controversy. He said Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr's threat to ABC over their comedian's monologue about slain conservative influencer Charlie Kirk was "dangerous as hell". "That's right out of Goodfellas," the Texas Republican said, affecting a mobster's accent. Other Republicans in Congress have been more muted in their criticism of how the FCC pressed Disney-owned ABC to take action on Kimmel, who was indefinitely suspended on Wednesday. The row started after Kimmel appeared to suggest in his monologue on Monday night that the alleged gunman charged with murdering Kirk was a Maga Republican, although authorities in Utah have said the suspect was "indoctrinated with leftist ideology". Before ABC's decision, Carr said there would be consequences if Kimmel stayed on air. The FCC chairman said that Kimmel was "appearing to directly mislead the American public" in his on-air remarks.

[PanBiker]

The FCC chairman said that Kimmel was "appearing to directly mislead the American public" in his on-air remarks.

He cant hold a candle to the Donald in that respect. Seek out the 100 lies that he has spouted to the world since he came into office in January. It took a 2 hour plus CH4 documentary to disassemble all the lies and exaggerations that he has traipsed out so far. Proving beyond doubt that he is a pathological liar every time he opens his mouth.

[Tripps]

Only "The Sun" seems to have gone with this story.
Even with a 'happy ending' I'd say it merits a wider audience?


DONALD Trump's helicopter Marine One was forced to make an emergency landing with the President and Melania on board.
A hydraulic issue saw the presidential chopper forced to make an emergency landing on its journey from Chequers to London's Stansted airport.
Marine One was forced to make an emergency landing before reaching Stansted:
A hydraulic issue sparked the helicopter scare. Mr Trump arrived approximately 20 minutes behind schedule.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement: "Due to a minor hydraulic issue, and out of an abundance of caution, the pilots landed at a local airfield before reaching Stansted airport. "The president and first lady safely boarded the support helicopter.
"The president and first lady were later able to board Air Force One for the return journey from the UK."


PS Seek out the 100 lies that he has spouted to the world since he came into office in January.

How does he get away with it? He just denied that he knew Mandelson - LBC then played a jocular verbal interplay between the pair back in May easily proving that he did. The man is ruthless and a total bully. The interviewers know that if they ask difficult questions and persist (rarely allowed to), they are at best unlikely to be invited back, or at worst be described as 'fake news' and be receiving their P45 the next day. He would not hesitate to ban the BBC from his press conferences, if necessary. No one there dare take that chance. Could he survive a one to one interview with say Andrew Neil or Jeremy Paxman? That said - it's not our job to rein him in - that's for his fellow countrymen. Why are people of the calibre of Bob Bliss going unheard? I heard yesterday that the US economy was in a mess, yet the Dow Jones had closed at a record high.
What's a chap to believe?

[Stanley]

"What's a chap to believe? "
That Trump has got away with trashing the checks and balances in the US Constitution. The reason why he has been able to do this is because the US is politically immature, they've only been doing this democracy thing for 200 years..... Due to the venal nature of US politics, the most likely way he will be thrown out is when his insane economics finally trashes the economy and that will eventually happen. Roll on the Day!

THIS is the foremost topic in politics this morning.....
3 hours ago
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state in a statement on Sunday afternoon. The move comes after the prime minister said in July the UK would shift its position in September unless Israel met conditions including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza and committing to a long-term sustainable peace deal that delivers a two-state solution. It represents a major change in British foreign policy after successive governments said recognition should come as part of a peace process and at a time of maximum impact. The move has drawn fierce criticism from the Israeli government, hostage families and some Conservatives. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said such a move "rewards terror". However, UK ministers argue there was a moral responsibility to act to keep the hope of a long-term peace deal alive.
I agree with this move. Whilst I recognise I recognise the problems with timing, it is important that the Palestinians are given some hope of an eventual two state solution at a time when Israel's intentions, genocide and settlement of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, are in the ascendant. Too much of the West's policies are directly supporting the Israelis, time we did something for the Palestinians.

[PanBiker]

I agree with you assessment of the Palestinian issue, there must be a two state solution. With regard to American Democracy, they are only one party above a dictatorship. Two party only politics is bound to fail as you can only have yo yo politics, nothing more nothing less. The first past the post thing doesn't help. Like here some form of PR is required so that smaller parties have a chance to have their voices heard. There will be thousands of folk that dont fall into ether the Republican or Democratic Parties camps but they have no further options so probably dont vote. I suspect that America may be like us in turnout, more people probably didn't vote for Trump than did, any situation like that cannot be democratic. I don't think our system is particularly democratic as it stands but at least we have multiple parties so do have some choice at the ballot box. Folk should be forced to vote though. There we go I have spoilt it!

[Stanley]

I don't see advocating compulsory voting as spoiling anything, it's a valid point of view. But is it possible we could get some skewed results if every moron in the country was forced to the ballot box?
See THIS report which heads the news feeds this morning.
Updated 5 hours ago
Sir Keir Starmer has announced the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state, in what represents a significant change in government policy. In a video statement on X, the prime minister said: "In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and a two-state solution." Australia, Canada and Portugal also announced formal recognition of the state of Palestine, with France expected to follow. The decision has drawn fierce criticism from the Israeli government, families of hostages held in Gaza and some Conservatives. Responding on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a Palestinian state "will not happen". Saying he had "a clear message" to the leaders who had declared recognition, he added: "You are giving a huge reward to terrorism". Both the Israeli and US governments say recognition is a diplomatic gift for Hamas following its attack in southern Israel on 7 October 2023 in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. Sir Keir insisted the decision "is not a reward for Hamas" because it means Hamas can have "no future, no role in government, no role in security". "Our call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of [Hamas's] hateful vision," he said. The move is a "pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future", he continued, adding the "starvation and devastation [in Gaza] are utterly intolerable" and the "death and destruction horrifies all of us".
If any endorsement is needed it is Netanyahu's opposition to the policy, that signals to me that we are possibly on the right track. I can have no more certainty than that

[Tripps]

I can't help thinking that the muslim vote in UK is a factor in the decision to support this policy. Their attitude to it was seen in microcosm in Oldham last week. (Round two this week). They have mainly resigned from the Labour party, and gone independent . Many have attached themselves to the Corbyn Sultana circus, though that seems to be 'dead on arrival'.

Further evidence of my contention that a politician is someone who does something for one reason whilst pretending it's for another.

[Whyperion]

I suppose the question is What "Country" owns Gaza / West Bank. Ever since the Ottoman Empire collapsed the oil divided middle east left the Palestine bit rather behind. Jews mainly from Europe had been legally buying land , and went to live there, argueably extending into undpurchased bits for protection. WW2 left over tanks allowed the declared Israeli government to take more land, including bits of what had been Egypt given control ( most of that would be returned, with conditions , to Egypt- having no real economic value that land is basically open space) UK wanted more to protect access through Suez to India.
There is a lot similar Palestine to Northern Ireland. Hamas tends to speak for Gaza as much because no one else is organised. Hamas has to be talked to, if less threat from Israel one hopes they can formally drop opposition to retake Israel as a whole , not easy to accept reality , and they can end up feeling like Ukraine with Russia in possesion of a chunk of their historic territory.
Labour Party still sent social media happy new year messages to (British?) Jews Rosh Hashanah begins September 22, 2025 (is that Vernal Equinox this year too ?)
Other Commonwealth and European Nations are accepting Palestine as more than observer at the UN. Maybe one day Palestine will join the EU.

[Stanley]

You could have a point David but I think that even if it is so, a large part of the pressure to act has been the awful behaviour of the Israelis.
HERE'S one piece of heartening news......
Seven charities have dropped the Duchess of York as a patron or ambassador after an email from 2011 revealed that she called sex offender Jeffrey Epstein her "supreme friend" and seemed to apologise for her public criticism of him. Julia's House, a children's hospice, was the first to remove Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew's ex-wife, saying it was "inappropriate" for her to continue in the role. The Teenage Cancer Trust, Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, Children's Literacy Charity, National Foundation for Retired Service Animals and Prevent Breast Cancer also announced they had dropped the duchess as patron. The British Heart Foundation said she would no longer be its ambassador.

[PanBiker]

The infant brained Trump has apparently become a medical expert. He has decided that Paracetamol is not safe for pregnant women without giving any medical evidence to back his claim. Paracetamol is widely regarded worldwide as one of the safest painkillers on the market. He has also poured more fuel on the MMR vaccine, saying that the immunisations should be given separately as they are not safe as a combined vaccine. The WHO has condemned his comments and they add that his rhetoric on this subject will see a spike in infant deaths and disabilities from measles and other preventable illnesses such as polio. He should be locked up for these comments alone.

[Stanley]

Indeed Ian, I endorse that absolutely.... I wonder how many deaths will eventually follow thanks to him and his moronic hench man Kennedy.....

[Tripps]

He has also poured more fuel on the MMR vaccine, saying that the immunisations should be given separately as they are not safe as a combined vaccine. T

Which was exactly the view of Labour Party Prime Minister Anthony Charles Linton Blair, and his wife the barrister and judge Cherie Blair - both very intelligent people - in the days when Andrew Wakefield was spouting his theories. Blair wriggled and squirmed in interview - a master class in question avoidance, never admitting or denying the fact. I have no doubt at all that he did not allow his children the triple MMR vaccine. He was of course well able to afford to give the vaccines privately, and separately.

I wonder why President Trump is doing this now - what's to be gained? It's not as if there is an expensive medicine waiting to take over from this remendy, which costs just pence per dose, thus unleashing vast profits for the pharmaceutical industry. I doubt any doctors will be changing their prescribing routine. I think this an example of 'throwing a dead cat on the table' to divert attention from something else. What else? Take your pick - start with Jeffrey Epstein.

[Stanley]

Well remembered David, If I knew that I had forgotten. You could well be right about distraction tactics, Trump is deeper into the Epstein morass than he cares to admit.
HERE is evidence of Trump's latest reverse ferret over Russia....
Updated 40 minutes ago
US President Donald Trump has said Kyiv can "win all of Ukraine back in its original form", marking a major shift in his position on the war with Russia. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said Ukraine could get back "the original borders from where this war started" with the support of Europe and Nato, due to pressures on Russia's economy. His comments came after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, held after Trump had addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to end the war, but has previously warned that process would likely involve Ukraine giving up some territory, an outcome Zelensky has consistently rejected. In his post, Trump added Ukraine could "maybe even go further than that", but did not specify what he was referring to. He also made no reference to Crimea, which was invaded and annexed by Russia in 2014. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trump said his position had changed "after getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia military and economic situation". "Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act," he added, labelling Russia as a "paper tiger". Zelensky hailed the "big shift" in Trump's position, and speaking to reporters in the UN building, said he understood the US was willing to give Ukraine security guarantees "after the war is finished".
This could be the biggest dead cat distraction ever!

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report.....
3 hours ago
Andy Burnham has said MPs have privately called on him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer to become prime minister. In the Telegraph the Manchester mayor, who is not currently an MP, said he was not "plotting to get back" to Westminster but in the interview he did not rule out running again for the leadership. "I stood twice to be leader of the Labour Party. And I think that tells you, doesn't it?" His latest interview comes ahead of Labour's autumn conference, and after Sir Keir faced pressure from some MPs following the resignation of his deputy Angela Rayner and his sacking of Peter Mandelson. The mayor also told the Telegraph, external that Number 10 had created a "climate of fear" among some MPs. "People have contacted me throughout the summer", he said when asked if other MPs had urged him to run for the Labour leadership. "I'm not going to say to you that that hasn't happened, but as I say, it's more a decision for those people than it is for me." His comments, likely to be seen as a pitch for a leadership bid, come after his interview with the New Statesman on Wednesday where he criticised the prime minister's approach, saying there needed to be "wholesale change" to see off an "existential" threat to Labour.
They should make up their minds and get on with it. Starmer has lost control and if he isn't removed Labour is doomed.
(Make no mistake about it, this is a bid for the leadership.....)