British Politics
Been on holiday for a few weeks, surprised to find no general discussion of British politics so though I'd kick one off.
In the words of Ian McShane in one of the John Wick flicks (though actually it was the Roman historian Vegetius):-- 'Si vis pacem para bellum,' that is, 'If you want peace, prepare for war.' Appeasement theory got tested to destruction in '38-9, after which the Oxford Union struck their infamous 1933 pacifist resolution, 'This House would not fight for King and Country,' from their records.
Farage's furious pretence that the 12-month rule doesn't exist (the rule that you must declare gifts and in-kind benefits received in the 12 months before you become an MP) is beginning to look a bit desperate.
I defend chamberlain who is much maligned.
He did rearm.
Ironically churchill ran down the armed services.
I'm feeling that maybe Reform has just shot its bolt now with the press and public not really letting this 5 mill thing go, and Restore chipping at the Reform presence. Here's hoping.
I'm feeling that maybe Reform has just shot its bolt now with the press and public not really letting this 5 mill thing go, and Restore chipping at the Reform presence. Here's hoping.
it would be good.
As an added bonus the self-aggrandizing deluded fool that is starmer would be aghast at his bad timing
If you can handle these chuckleheads (well, just the one of them for this), the journalist interviewed is pretty interesting.
"There's no money in politics if you're straight. If you're corrupt, there's probably money"
- Nigel Farage, June 2024
There's a good chance that so much more about him will come out between now and the by-election that he won't even stand.
According to Rees-Mogg there are more financial issues within Reform UK to come and leaks against Farage are coming from within Reform UK, while there are others within Reform UK who want to replace him as leader.
Some of the models are suggesting it'll still be a relatively straightforward safe Reform seat, but it'll be a wild campaign. Two of the biggest by elections in UK history back-to-back.
One of my first thoughts was also that he probably won't stand. Will **** of to the usa or somwhere instead.
lol what a joke
Others should refuse to take part in the by-election don't put a candidate forward
It stops the inquiry into him temporarily. No doubt he'll use it to push his "I'm so persecuted, all the establishment are after me" rhetoric.
Can't think where he got that from...
Tories and Lib Dems are also saying they won’t field a candidate. Labour are expected to follow suit, so Farage will probably only face fringe party candidates.
Count Binface is standing as a unity candidate.
Vote Binface!
Yes any inquiries into farage resume if he wins clacton again. That doesn't solve his problems
The standards commissioner can resume the inquiry if it is considered proportionate -- which, in respect of a significant party leader, it might well be, given the obvious public interest -- even if Farage loses or decides at the last minute not to stand.
Now this is interesting.
The £5m gift to Nigel Farage by a cryptocurrency billionaire was reported to the National Crime Agency by bankers who were concerned it may have been laundered money, the Guardian can reveal.
The disclosure will put further pressure on the Reform UK leader, who is awaiting a decision by the standards commissioner over whether his failure to declare the money breached parliamentary rules.
Farage was given a deadline of 1pm on Tuesday to respond to the Guardian about this article. He gave a video address at 2pm announcing he would force a byelection in his seat of Clacton-on-Sea.
The potential criminal element may be what is making Farage so nervous.
William Hill have Count Binface at 7/2 to win Clacton, shortening from 4/1 yesterday (already very short odds for a comedy or novelty candidate, since no such candidate has ever won a parliamentary seat before). Farage won with 46.2% last time and has barely visited the place or done anything at all to represent it. As the anti-Farage vote is the plurality, and some previous Farage voters may be disillusioned, then, if the ABF vote did get behind Count Binface, he could conceivably win.
It seems unlikely he could wear the outfit in the Commons chamber, but a couple of his manifesto pledges -- to press for the improvement of train wi-fi and the improvement of train services overall -- would be reasonable for a backbench independent. Not sure about bringing the price of a 99 ice-cream down to 99p, though.
One of Labour’s most generous donors has offered to fund Count Binface’s bid in the Clacton by-election, where he stands as one of Nigel Farage’s few opponent.
Dale Vince, a green energy industrialist, is able to donate up to £180,050 to Count Binface to spend on campaigning materials.
Mr Vince told The Telegraph: “I want Binface to win, and I am prepared to support him – morally, verbally and financially if that works for him.”
I doubt Count Binface will take him up on that, since his whole gig is being non-party.
Rupert Rowe really seems to know his stuff. I was impressed with his knowledge on Dunblane
