We have something similar. Hats off to all the parties finding 2 candidates but I think the results could be all over the place.

Robbins does at least corroborate PM's claim that no minister was told of the vetting issue with Mandelson. He confirms he did not share it with them.

He is right.

Over the weekend, Labour MP @graemedowniemp.bsky.social called for the pension triple lock to be reformed to fund higher defence spending

“If there is to be a true whole of society approach to defence, and younger people could be expected to die, what are older people willing to sacrifice?”

And the electoral danger is that at the next election some of the voters can’t tell the difference either and just vote for the “real thing” or are so irked by the shapeshifting that they won’t lend their vote (see 2015)

At its most extreme I have seen councillors help a coalition partner destroy their own candidate and I could only conclude that in the daze of (local authority) power they have forgotten whose side they are on. It’s possibly the political equivalent of Stockholm syndrome?

There is also a potentially fatal danger I have observed around the ability to shape shift into facsimiles of coalition partners. It creates a reassuringly united front whilst governing but at the next election the party loses its separate identity with voters and also activists.

Yes. Those being vetted are assured that their data will be held “in the strictest confidence”. That undoubtedly gives rise to an enforceable legal duty of confidence.

Ed Davey and the inexorable drift towards conservatism Despite unprecedented electoral success, the Liberal Democrats are drifting on the tides of political debate and utterly failing to shift its terms.

Ed Davey and the inexorable drift towards conservatism by @jamesgraham.theliberati.net www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog...?

Just think of it as (a) a black bus (single decker naturally and not a crap Boris one) and (b) an act of conservation of a national treasure.

People don’t like to see the poors, do they? This is the joy of being both posh and having no object permanence, because if they’re not on your high street, they don’t exist.

I know exactly the type of people who have that perspective and I will keep the rude words about them inside me for now.

Even worse it is back by the local residents party trying to win the East Surrey seat (alongside blocking a 100 year old sports club updating its pitches because the incoming NIMBYS find hockey too noisy)

And from peak NIMBY Elmbridge bsky.app/profile/lorn...

“Thames Ditton Village is a very affluent area and we feel there are more appropriate locations that need it." "There's a lot of people in need…they should be having the free fruit and veg….Thames Ditton is [not] the right place for it."

Thames Ditton row over High Street food waste project Shop owners in Thames Ditton say a project offering surplus food for free could cut footfall.

Article on my “village” objecting to a food waste project. The main concern that Thames Ditton is too posh for it www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A local sports club has been in my area for over a 120 years providing free sports. They announced plans to improve the site. Local councillors announced plans to block it. Complaints include the noise of hockey balls is “disturbing” and existing floodlights are “too bright”.

Now as I look at it again what is the creature with the pointy hat/halo/headress behind him?

I always think that for religious zealots they are remarkably relaxed about smiting, fire and eternal damnation.

And the Latin mass (although very popular in my youth because it started at 11.15am and only lasted 45
minutes so you could recover from your hangover and still keep your parents happy by going to mass).

Ironically many of those attracted to Catholicism like the bits cradle Catholics are (at best) ambivalent about (reproductive and sexual freedom, smells & bells, lace and an all male clergy).

Most of all, it’s a testament to the resilience and determination of the Hungarian people — and a reminder to all of us to keep striving for fairness, equality and the rule of law.

If only there had been clues for her from a man of God that he might be a bit of a problem spiritually

🙌

💥🇭🇺🗳️First results of the Hungarian parliamentary elections are in: with 14.72% counted, the opposition leads with mandates nearing a two-thirds majority.

Everything points to Viktor Orbán’s defeat and Péter Magyar becoming Hungary’s next prime minister.

I am holding my breath for the result and then realise I can’t exhale until we see Orban do his worst

It occurs that the U.K. approach of a speedy change over reduces the risk of these shenanigans. PS latest Polymarket.

Sounds like the arrogant fuckwits we had in charge of Brexit negotiations

Clockwise