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#1

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 08:17:14 AM

What other meaning?

Islam/Islamism.

On that, Galloway is rolling out his party more. It looks like they've done very well in Rochdale so he'll likely run (and possibly win) at the general election. They also say they think they've knocked out the Labour Deputy Leader of Manchester Council and it may be a factor in Labour losing the West Midlands Mayoralty. Labour sources confirming the vote in Muslim wards has collapsed and gone to a Galloway-backed independent.

Meanwhile, yesterday, he announced new candidates including former England spin bowler Monty Panesar (note the "For Britain. For Gaza" slogan):


Another candidate announced was a former Tory candidate who was kicked out of the party for anti-trans remarks. Galloway is still trying to get Corbyn to run for the party, but has said he won't stand a candidate against him.

Meanwhile Galloway doing an interview with Aaron Bastani said he opposed the LGBT+ content on the national curriculum - basically gay relationships aren't "normal" and children shouldn't be taught they are. That was the focus of a campaign (whipped up by outside agitators) in a Muslim area of Birmingham.

I think it's possibly the first Green-Brown alliance in European politics - trying to appeal to socially conservative Muslim working class communities and socially conservative white working class/"left behind" areas. Maybe the Socialist Party in the Netherlands has or could try a similar pitch, maybe it's where Sahra Wagenknecht's group ends up politically?

Now separately Bastani's response to the interview is this:

Aaron Bastani
@AaronBastani
On foreign policy issues in general, &  Palestine in particular, George Galloway has been outstanding for decades.

When he won in Rochdale I was happy - it was a powerful signal to the establishment.

But what he told me in a recent interview shocked me.

I do not think that the man who called the collapse of the USSR the "biggest catastrophe of my life" and famously went to Baghdad in the run up to the (first) Gulf War to salute Saddam's "indefatigability" has been outstanding on foreign policy for decades. I think he's been a rancid sewer. But that's just me.

Also it's not really a surprise his line on gay rights has always been that gay people should be "loved" and treated kindly etc but that it's a second order issue to him and people talking about, say, regimes that execute LGBT+ people are just "distracting" from real issues. It's the old "straight left" wing of the hard left, with an increasingly Islamist flavour.

Having said all that - it does look like Gaza has had an impact on Labour's vote in certain areas and communities. I imagine that will hold for the general election too.

Edit: Just to say again I really do think Galloway's the most loathsome man in British politics and he's living down to that again.

#2

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Tamas - Today at 07:57:49 AM

What other meaning?

#3

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Sophie Scholl - Today at 06:48:00 AM

If you're agreeing with Christopher Rufo's opinion and find yourself on the same side he is on a topic, it might be wise to really, *really* scrutinize your stance and be open to changing it. 

#4

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by Sophie Scholl - Today at 06:43:11 AM

 

#5

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Josquius - Today at 06:13:56 AM

Funny to see the colour green's other meaning coming into vogue.
Not the most natural combination of groups you'd expect.

Its an unfortunate move really as in our undemocratic system it really does just run the risk of splitting the non-tory vote. Though a few Green MPs isn't something I would mind seeing one bit.

#6

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by Syt - Today at 06:08:38 AM

    

#7

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Sheilbh - Today at 05:21:07 AM

I've heard a few people say that in certain areas Labour were surprised at quite how much Gaza came up - particularly relevant in the West Midlands. And I don't think the Lib Dems are the default protest vote from Labour any more, I suspect the Greens are filling that role.

And on that - via the BBC:


More broadly though, so far the Tories are losing about half their seats which is in line with expectations and the polls and as one psephologist said on the BBC points to them being at risk of near-annihilation at the general election

Edit: From John Curtice on Labour and Gaza, "on average, the party's support is down by eight points since last year in wards where more than 10% of people identify as Muslim." I think it will have an impact in the West Midlands - Labour also saying turnout down there in Birmingham because of the council disaster. Wonder if it'll show up in London?

#8

Off the Record / Re: What does a BIDEN Presiden...

Last post by Josquius - Today at 03:39:20 AM

Fair props to her making a career out of the most basic of half arsed research. Wish I had such an ability.

#9

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Tamas - Today at 03:29:15 AM

The Russian push seems to have begun.

Hopefully not, there don't seem to be much (or any) buzz about it on Twitter at all.

#10

Gaming HQ / Re: PSA: Game Discounts

Last post by Josquius - Today at 02:57:07 AM

I preferred F3 to be honest. The plot and setting just had more of a solid put together feel to it.
Though it maybe helped that I played it first and it had been years since Oblivion so it had some originally to it.