UK election 2024

[Nearly Sane]

'No Rwanda flights before election, says Rishi Sunak' - in other words,  'you'll only get them if you're good and that way we get to see if they work in the way I claim'


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-69052507

[jeremyp]

I hope I am wrong, but it seems to me that one obvious reason to call the election now would be if Sunk knew something very bad is going to happen in August.

[ProfessorDavey]

I hope I am wrong, but it seems to me that one obvious reason to call the election now would be if Sunk knew something very bad is going to happen in August.

I think the August inflation figures won't be as good as we have now because the drop in energy costs last summer will work there way out of the system.

[Aruntraveller]

Nigel Farage not standing again:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/breaking-nigel-farage-not-stand-32873398

Lily-Livered, yellow belly comes to mind.

[SteveH]

"Apres moi, le deluge"

[SteveH]

A Yank view.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/22/world/europe/uk-election-sunak-politics.html

[Nearly Sane]

We've called a General Election by mistake

[Nearly Sane]

Nigel Farage not standing again:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/breaking-nigel-farage-not-stand-32873398

Lily-Livered, yellow belly comes to mind.

Indeed, but why should he bother if he can swan about feeling important in the US. Farage has got his major achievement done, and being an MP even were he elected would be too much like work.

[Nearly Sane]

I think the August inflation figures won't be as good as we have now because the drop in energy costs last summer will work there way out of the system.

And if interest rates stay the same or are only down by .25%, then more people moving out of previously low deals into higher ones. I think it's known bad/disappointing news with no known good news.

[ProfessorDavey]

Indeed, but why should he bother if he can swan about feeling important in the US. Farage has got his major achievement done, and being an MP even were he elected would be too much like work.

He's said that he won't stand as a candidate, but he will help with the campaign. That second part is the most important here - whether he actually does anything at a national level to help Reform or is largely absent. If the former then I think he will be more effective for Reform than if he was a candidate in a single seat.

[Nearly Sane]

He's said that he won't stand as a candidate, but he will help with the campaign. That second part is the most important here - whether he actually does anything at a national level to help Reform or is largely absent. If the former then I think he will be more effective for Reform than if he was a candidate in a single seat.

Agreed.  I suspect though that he'll do more in the US as it will be easier for him to make money there.

[Nearly Sane]

I'm interested to see if there's an expansion of the use of the phrase 'environmental dogma' that Sunak used in his suicide note speech yesterday. I think it could be a key means to increase their vote if they expand on it. People aren't going to vote Tory because they like their green policies, and they'll lose votes to Reform on it, if they don't look as if they are different from the Labour Party.

[Nearly Sane]

'Rishi Sunak's smoking ban bill set to be shelved due to election' . Will be fascinating to see if, given the indications that it's going to be in the manifesto, whether all candidates actually stick by it when questioned on it.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-69053763

[Nearly Sane]

One thing I should have noted during Starmer's statement last night, do you think that he's had a flag carrier at all events in the last few months just in case?

[Nearly Sane]

Vote Dalek

https://youtu.be/p4-X8-luDLc?si=34QClj5MQsDNqa1C

[ProfessorDavey]

Agreed.  I suspect though that he'll do more in the US as it will be easier for him to make money there.

True - but it isn't either/or is it. If he chooses Farage can do serious national-level campaigning here for Reform, but done and dusted by early July and then head over to the states for the critical period of their campaign through the Autumn up to November.

Had Sunak called an election for October then Farage couldn't have done both - he would have needed to opt for one or the other. And I guess being able to claim (rightly or wrongly) that he'd had a major input into booting out an incumbent leader in the UK will increase his stock in the US.

[Nearly Sane]

True - but it isn't either/or is it. If he chooses Farage can do serious national-level campaigning here for Reform, but done and dusted by early July and then head over to the states for the critical period of their campaign through the Autumn up to November.

Had Sunak called an election for October then Farage couldn't have done both - he would have needed to opt for one or the other. And I guess being able to claim (rightly or wrongly) that he'd had a major input into booting out an incumbent leader in the UK will increase his stock in the US.

Maybe he cut Sunak in on his earnings.

[ProfessorDavey]

Maybe he cut Sunak in on his earnings.

Don't think he needs it somehow - he's richer than the King don't ya know.

[Nearly Sane]

Voters in Northern Ireland have their own election


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clkk0r19ev3o

[Nearly Sane]

'Things Can Only Get Better storms charts after drowning out Rishi Sunak' - D:Ream's pensions get better

https://metro.co.uk/2024/05/23/brian-cox-pokes-fun-rishi-sunak-d-reams-chart-resurgence-20894081/

[Nearly Sane]

'Rishi Sunak scores own goal in chat with Welsh workers', probably followed up by asking which of their houses were they going to be cheering for England in.   

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/rishi-sunak-scores-own-goal-in-chat-with-welsh-workers/ar-BB1mVHmu

[Nearly Sane]

Corbyn in Islington North will be fun


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c033z38m849o

[Nearly Sane]

.

[Nearly Sane]

Useful chart

[jeremyp]

.

I was talking to a friend about this yesterday. I said “who could have predicted in 2015 that we would have had five different prime ministers by now”. He said “yes, and who could have predicted that Theresa May would be the best one.”