Brexit and the waning days of the United Kingdom

[Tonitrus]

My experience with the UK and the military gave me that impression that while they don't have the culture of fawning over their military service members that we tend to have, the Brits take the legacy/memory of their veterans very seriously and equal us when it comes to honoring and memorializing their service.

[garbon]

A different possibility....British political leaders made a big fuss about the insult partly to place Farage in a difficult spot. He could either criticise his orange mentor or lose support by pretending it was ok. Since no money or real estate was involved we could count on Trump not being particularly offended so it was a low risk stance.

Maybe, but that doesn't appear to have worked out. Farage said Trump was wrong and Trump backtracked as far as Britain.

Also, if Trump wasn't going to be particularly offended then it wasn't much of a trap for Farage.

[Sheilbh]

Andy Burnham seeks permission to stand in MP by-election and says he wants to back government "not undermine it"

Starmer loyalists and the Labour right on the National Executive Committee blocked Burnham from standing.

I could be wrong but I suspect this will be the end. I do not think this government has the political authority to block the most popular politician in the country from becoming an MP without facing serious consequences.

If I were Wes Streeting I'd be delighted that Andy Burnham has been blocked - but also use these as my pretext for launching a leadership bit: "we need to be a plural, open party" etc. Especially as I think the window for Streeting is shrinking.

[mongers]

My experience with the UK and the military gave me that impression that while they don't have the culture of fawning over their military service members that we tend to have, the Brits take the legacy/memory of their veterans very seriously and equal us when it comes to honoring and memorializing their service.

[garbon]

Andy Burnham seeks permission to stand in MP by-election and says he wants to back government "not undermine it"

Starmer loyalists and the Labour right on the National Executive Committee blocked Burnham from standing.

I could be wrong but I suspect this will be the end. I do not think this government has the political authority to block the most popular politician in the country from becoming an MP without facing serious consequences.

If I were Wes Streeting I'd be delighted that Andy Burnham has been blocked - but also use these as my pretext for launching a leadership bit: "we need to be a plural, open party" etc. Especially as I think the window for Streeting is shrinking.

Seriously what were they thinking? Reform was already pushing the anti-democratic line with the councils that were delaying elections. Now they think it is a good idea to deny Burnham a chance to be an MP?

[garbon]

Also, I hate that I now need to agree with John McDonnell.   Thanks, Starmer.

[Sheilbh]

Seriously what were they thinking? Reform was already pushing the anti-democratic line with the councils that were delaying elections. Now they think it is a good idea to deny Burnham a chance to be an MP?

I know.

I think it is another sign of just how factional the people at the top of Labour are right now. On the anti-democratic line I posted before the election about Michael Crick's work tracking quite how many candidate selections were being basically rigged by the party leadership - I think this is just another sign. To be honest I'm surprised - given that the soft left currently in government, like Ed Miliband (and bright young rising stars like Miatta Fahnbulleh) were making public statements saying they'd like Burnham to run, I thought they'd have the wisdom to avoid a fight.

We'll see what happens but the gossip from Labour MPs last night was that the NEC were going to impose either an all BAME or all women shortlist (as the balance in the parliamentary party allows that right now) as a way of blocking Burnham. I can't think of a way of blocking Burnham that is more likely to backfire with the public.

I sympathise with Reform on the council election. They've already been delayed for one year, they're now being delayed for two years - it's not good and governments shouldn't get into the habit of delaying elections. I also don't really understand why/what in the local government reforms need elections to be delayed?

[Sheilbh]

Also, I hate that I now need to agree with John McDonnell.   Thanks, Starmer.

Also the fate of Your Party has really clarified that McDonnell was very much the brains/operator nous on the Labour hard left.

[Tamas]

Andy Burnham seeks permission to stand in MP by-election and says he wants to back government "not undermine it"

Starmer loyalists and the Labour right on the National Executive Committee blocked Burnham from standing.

I could be wrong but I suspect this will be the end. I do not think this government has the political authority to block the most popular politician in the country from becoming an MP without facing serious consequences.

If I were Wes Streeting I'd be delighted that Andy Burnham has been blocked - but also use these as my pretext for launching a leadership bit: "we need to be a plural, open party" etc. Especially as I think the window for Streeting is shrinking.

Seriously what were they thinking? Reform was already pushing the anti-democratic line with the councils that were delaying elections. Now they think it is a good idea to deny Burnham a chance to be an MP?

Yeah WTF, if nothing else, surely this is a terribly weak move from Starmer. So insecure in his seat he very publicly denies a potential rival from running for MP.

[Richard Hakluyt]

A Labour majority of 150 or so and this he what he does with it. Johnson also had a huge majority and did nothing constructive with it.

We are in the midst of trying times which require competent government and are governed by hacks and charlatans.