Brexit and the waning days of the United Kingdom

[Tamas]

That's your issue of the day Sheilbh, but current and aspiring Labour leadership set their sights at higher planes of existence:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jun/29/let-staff-leave-early-to-watch-england-game-labour-urges-firms

Labour is calling on England's employers to allow staff to leave work early to watch the Euro 2020 clash with Germany.

Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner urged the prime minister to back their call for an early finish, so that the public don't miss a minute of the 5pm fixture.

Gareth Southgate's team face the German side at Wembley on Tuesday, as they bid to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Rayner, Labour's deputy leader, said: "Today is an absolutely massive day for our country. After being apart from our friends and family for so long, many of us will want to watch the game with our loved ones, whether at home or in the pub.

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"So we urge the prime minister to back Labour's call to let staff finish early so they can enjoy the game and get behind the England team."

[Sheilbh]

I fully support all proposals that involve people doing less

In fairness I've always had fairly flexible bosses who'd set up a TV for Euros/World Cups that you could watch providing you made up the time.

[Josquius]

Guess it's more of an issue for people working in factories, shops, trades, etc... Would be a seriously dick boss in an office who doesn't let people watch.

[The Brain]

Are there any adults in British politics?

[The Larch]

Today I learned that Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden's singer) is a Tory and a Brexiteer. 

[Sheilbh]

Are there any adults in British politics?

An adult in British politics?

[The Brain]

[The Brain]

Today I learned that Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden's singer) is a Tory and a Brexiteer. 

What about Steve Harris?

[viper37]

That's your issue of the day Sheilbh, but current and aspiring Labour leadership set their sights at higher planes of existence:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jun/29/let-staff-leave-early-to-watch-england-game-labour-urges-firms

Labour is calling on England's employers to allow staff to leave work early to watch the Euro 2020 clash with Germany.

Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner urged the prime minister to back their call for an early finish, so that the public don't miss a minute of the 5pm fixture.

Gareth Southgate's team face the German side at Wembley on Tuesday, as they bid to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Rayner, Labour's deputy leader, said: "Today is an absolutely massive day for our country. After being apart from our friends and family for so long, many of us will want to watch the game with our loved ones, whether at home or in the pub.

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"So we urge the prime minister to back Labour's call to let staff finish early so they can enjoy the game and get behind the England team."

Damn! I wish I could use that to get out of our Monday nigths council sessions!

[viper37]

Today I learned that Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden's singer) is a Tory and a Brexiteer. 

Tory is fine.  Brexiteer though, I'm disapointed.   such a nice guy.

[garbon]

Guess it's more of an issue for people working in factories, shops, trades, etc... Would be a seriously dick boss in an office who doesn't let people watch.

[alfred russel]

That almost tempts me to get involved.

It is nowhere near that level of certain for the Tories and I'd say the consensus is Labour will probably win (Galloway is a potential spoiler).

So based on this I bought about $100 of labour at 17%, then you posted the poll that came out that had labour down 6 points and I sold most for about a $45 profit, then I bought $60 more at 17% but now labour is falling in the betting markets...around 14% odds. Not sure why they are falling -- doesn't seem to be much news.

[Sheilbh]

The vote's tomorrow? There's been more reports from the constituency? And I've seen reporting that though they're not saying it Labour have written it off now.

Edit: And sorry

[alfred russel]

The vote's tomorrow? There's been more reports from the constituency? And I've seen reporting that though they're not saying it Labour have written it off now.

Edit: And sorry

Why would labour write it off? Why not fight to the end?

If I can close my current open position at break even I will have won $45! If I can't, and Labour somehow pulls it out, I win $350.

[Sheilbh]

Why would labour write it off? Why not fight to the end?

Oh they are and officially they're saying they're in to win it etc. But privately they're briefing that it's lost and the leader is trying to preserve his position with the party privately already - lots of "unique circumstances". But they've used that excuse before and there's only so many times you can count on "unique circumstances".

There was some polling on this which is not great, not terrible for Starmer:

Sam Coates Sky
@SamCoatesSky
Headlines from YouGov/Sky Labour members poll
- 69% say Burnham better leader
- 41% say Starmer shd quit if Batley loss
- Support even lower in N England
- 21% Lab members believe they'll win next GE

And Burnham's very much looking interested - there was an interview published today, which I'm sure Starmer would have loved. It includes a lovely denial from Burnham, followed by his leadership pitch

"I ain't going back any time soon," he says. "I get asked it relentlessly: would I ever go back? So the answer is, I would, but it's not any time soon. I'm supporting Keir – I want him to win the next general election, and I will do whatever I can to help him achieve that." I sense there's a "but" coming. "If it were to happen, the answer to your question is: it's not about personal ambition alone – although you can't really say there's not some of that, of course."

Burnham warms to his theme, all the ways in which his experience and his vision – reformist on the economy, traditionalist on crime – have evolved. He is ready in a way he wasn't in 2015 or 2010. "My journey has given me, I think now – I am really clear about the things that need to happen to make this country a much better, fairer place. Anyway, that's the answer: I have got clarity, finally, about what I'm about, what kind of programme I would bring forward." And if he tried for the leadership, we would see a new Andy Burnham, one forged from his time as Labour's King of the North. "If there was a moment where that was right, then I've indicated that I would be prepared to go back. But I wouldn't put the old suit back on – it would be to go back as something different."