gary1979666

Was nice to see Jerry in BCS.

I'm not saying he didn't do anything, but in the grand scheme of things he was flicking Johnson's ears, which Boris was slitting his own wrists. That loyalty is coming across as blind loyalty, which makes others question your judgement. I don't think there's anyone else on the forum who presents such a one sided view on a politician. Even people sympathetic to your view will turn against such an opinion.

I don't think Starmer had much to do with Boris going if I'm honest. Boris did all this to himself. If anything, Starmer's beer in Durham diverted attention away from the shitshow of Johnson. I know he was cleared, but that beer is on a par with Sunak turning up early for a meeting and getting fined because they had premeeting cake. Same with the polls - it's not a pull factor for people voting labour - it's people deserting the Tories. I'm not saying Starmer is terrible either though. I'm a centrist who voted Tory a lot in the past (not Bojo) and am considering voting Labour if Truss gets in. His approach to the unions is right - he needs to win over those who voted Tory in the past to stand a chance of getting in power. Pandering to the unions would put them right off. He's solid, which is what the country needs after Johnson / Truss, but he needs a bit more spark to get it right. I also think you unwavering support of him makes others dislike him more. Telling someone that because they live in a different country that they shouldn't care is really odd. I'll always have a link to the UK wherever I live. It'll always be my business what happens here.

With the pay deals getting discussed, a quick story from schools - my other half is a primary head and she has said that her team are happy about the new % increase for next year....unfortunately, with no increase in funding, she needs to make cuts to the equivalent of 2.5 TA's.

Exactly - either everyone contributes to it via taxes or just those who use the rail service via the rail fares (which are already heavily subsidised). The problem is that the the income from railfares has dropped due to the pandemic and has only re-risen part of the way (homeworking, etc). so will likely never be what it was. Who should foot the bill? Sounds like we'll have to pay the drivers, etc more too - that money has to come from somewhere.

Wasn't there a clip of him on LBC where Marr had him admit the 3 or 4 of them were not going to happen now?

I guess he stands a better chance against Truss than Mordaunt. Depends on where the votes of those eliminated end up - he may not have the numbers to support it.

I think it's that last paragraph that is the sticking point, as Labour have tabled the vote against the government and the prime minister - so as it mentions an individual, then it should be in opposition time. According to the Beeb: In a statement, a government spokesperson said: “We have given Labour the option to table a straightforward vote of no confidence in the government. "They have chosen to play politics by tabling a vote of no confidence in the government and the prime minister."

There's only 4 of them with the required 20 nominations so far (Rishi, Liz, Mourdunt and Tugboat) - wonder how many of the rest will even get over the line today.

Damp squib - if he was going to do it, should have been before all the resignations.

Private school is an interesting one - I'm privately educated (granted in Newcastle), it gave me a good education. I got decent, but not superstar grades. I went to a good uni, scraped a Desmond in maths. Ended up in accountancy on a good salary. I've no idea what difference there'd have been if my folks hadn't sent me privately, but I'd like to think I'd still do pretty well. It may be different at the Etons, Winchesters, etc, but it's not an old boys network of legs up, internships, etc - we just apply for jobs. A lot of my mates have done well for themselves too. It's likely that it just boosted our grades up a notch or too, possibly getting us to a better uni than we'd have gone to. Who knows. My folks didn't have flash jobs or anything - probably £40k between them. But made sacrifices to pay the fees - which by today's standards weren't as high. I'd like to send my son privately, but the fees are ridiculous. Me and my partner are well off, but still can't afford it down here in Herts/Cambs. Feels like a completely different level to afford private schools now. I guess what I'm saying is that a politician in their 40's/50's who is privately educated isn't necessarily from that high an upbringing.

Reckon it will hardly register with the public - just a bit of attention seeking. The focus is now on the process of the leadership election, when those of the public who give a toss, will want to find out a bit more about the candidates. Boris is going, he's irrelevant to them now.

It's ridiculous - do some of these people not have any self awareness- they'd be way above what they are capable and would be obliterated in a national poll, whenever that may be. The right of the party are going to split their vote - and whilst that is good for the more sensible candidates, it's self defeating.

What do people reckon to Ms Marvel? It's fun, but kinda glad it is only 6 episodes.

@NeilIs it possible to move this to the Discussions section, as not really Glasto related.

Thor 4 was still pretty good, but get what you mean - wasn't as good as Ragnarok, but still really enjoyed it and plenty of laughs. Christian Bale was a great villain. Felt like a standalone film, rather than part of the bigger picture, but don't think that really mattered.

Who would think joining that cabinet would be a good idea. Though decent severence pay when the new PM comes in. Apparently the new/old education secretary nets an extra £16k severence for her 2days work.

Again! 😂

I don't think Barry is saying the Tories aren't up to their gills in sleaze - he's just saying that it's rife in parliament, so it's a bit of a glass houses situation. To call all tories and their voters c**ts is just lazy. There are plenty on all sides of the house there for wrong reasons, but also there'll be lot on all sides trying to do good - though their methods will differ. Granted Barry may not always adopt the right debating style, but him, Stevie, lost, etc are generally fair in their view. Ironically, you're one of the most dogmatic supporter of Labour / Starmer and will deflect til the cows come home if there's criticism aimed at poor Kier. But let's not argue today, we're all here to share in the downfall of Boris....it's like the football match in the war, let's just enjoy it, then pick up our rifles again when he's gone! 🙂

Could also be shooting themselves in the foot - i.e. when Scotland gains independence, then Labour may no longer be the biggest party left in rUK.

It's funny that, given the sort of persona Farage gives out, there's been no sexual harrassment claims about him....he'd be first on my list.

I think that they need to take a leaf out of the books of Slam Dunk and 2000 Trees. They seem to get the balance right between the up and coming bands and the nostalgia bands. At SD, I get my fill of bands from my youth 20 years ago, but also get to check out some new stuff as well. Appreciate it's a different scale and different genres, but the principles are solid. It looks like Download could do with another stage too - 4 feels light; an extra one could give it a bit more breadth. If you think Slam Dunk pretty much had 6 stages. Granted it has the opposite problem of too much choice of headliner! 🤷‍♂️

😂 I know the political balance is trying to stick to a middle line, but pissing both sides of the argument isn't quite what they meant. It's interesting when you read some of the measures that the RMT are rejecting, aside from the pay issue. All the advances in technology which could see safety improved, albeit at the cost of jobs. But given that ~20% of commuters aren't going back to commuting, post pandemic - that gap in funding has to come from somewhere and lowering costs seems like a more efficient way.

Exactly - plus at L&R each cohead normally alternates, so each of them close a festival - can't really do that at DL.