Brexit and the waning days of the United Kingdom

[Sheilbh]

Goodness - man charged with murder of Ann Widdecombe and police indicating it was politically motivated (we'll need to see what comes out in the trial and, possibly, after). But the details are horrendous. As I say she was an almost 80 year old woman eating her lunch in the kitchen - from the Times:

Kashif Malik, for the prosecution, told the court that Kerry allegedly struck Widdecombe with the hammer 21 times, then tipped her out of a chair and took her wallet. He is accused of being in the house for two minutes.
[...]
Ring doorbell footage was recovered from the property that showed the defendant's red Vauxhall Corsa pulling up outside, before he allegedly entered through the unlocked front door and walked towards the kitchen entrance.

The court heard how the defendant was recorded wearing black gloves and holding a hammer. While leaning against the hallway wall and looking toward the kitchen, he allegedly said: "Don't suppose you have bank cards and ID?"

[Jacob]

Anything more on the "politically motivated" part?

[Sheilbh]

Not much - the initial investigation was proceeding on burglary lines of inquiry and then counter-terrorism took over following new evidence. He seems to have driven 300 miles from South Yorkshire to her bungalow in Devon. Some talk of him being a bit of a loner online - and very likely left-wing motivation politically. White male so unlikely to be violent Islamist (the last attack on a politician was a violent Islamist) - some reports that this guy appeared to have a list of targets.

Ann Widdecombe was a Tory minister on the right of the party in the 90s and latterly in Reform (she always had a persona as a bit of a battleaxe if that helps).

But he's been charged so reporting restrictions will be in place so there won't be much coverage now except for what is said in court proceedings.

[Josquius]

It's a very strange attack.
When I first heard of her death I met it with "Oh. Guess she was that age" but then it came out it was murder and.... What?
Travelling to the other side of the country to murder someone who was never top dog and is no longer in front line politics. A victim who really isn't who you would think would top a hit list of a violently inclined person on the left....
It's very strange.

Stark contrast to the two MP murders where it was local crazies to blame.
Really curious what comes out in court.

[Sheilbh]

It's so weird - and given that he came in and said have you got any bank cards and then took her wallet I can see why the Devon police initially thought it was just a burglary (an odd one admittedly).

But yeah travelling 300 miles from South Yorkshire to Devon to kill someone. But also that his target was somone who - as you say - was never a top level figure in politics and is now 78 - she still does media and I think she does basically a one woman show touring the country - but not a major political figure. It's very strange. I've not seen any update on this but I did read at the start of this that there was a list of other possible targets

I think it is a bit similar to the Amess murderer in that sense. Not as long a journey but his killer travelled from North London to Southend to attack Amess during his surgery and also reportedly had a list.

[Sheilbh]

I think very good first week for Burnham - it is kind of just night and day seeing someone come into office with a it of a sense of a plan and energy and comms strategy compared to Starmer's first week. Lots more that will be difficult. I saw the video of him leaving the new Number 10 North in Manchester to a cheering crowd and shouting back to them "I love you Manchester" - and I did think to myself that when the fall comes it will be far.  (Edit: Couldn't find a Bluesky version, but that clip, a King of the North update, from a Manchester Evening News journalist: https://x.com/CharlotteFish_/status/2080712445039882684?s=20). And Burnham's ow video comms throughout the week have been so much better.

But I think a good start and some interesting appointments - plus I think a fairly clear sense of direction which will help in government. I've mentioned before but civil servants complained that they did not know what sort of options to present to Starmer because they didn't have a clear sense of his priorities - that's not an issue now. I would add that I think there is a fundamental tension/contradiction at the heart of Burnham project (and perhaps more generally the left advocating devolution of power) but skilled politicians are those who can reconcile contradictions or at least make it appear so like a magic trick (until they can't).

Also some interesting organisation of government changes which feels like long-overdue nettle-grasping. And on that side struck that it is a very New Labour group around Burnham - people he worked with in government and then people he worked with in Manchester too. That's important in some ways - several of the key figures have credibility and clearly know him/have Burnham's choice which means that when they are acting as "the voice of the PM" in interactions with the civil service/ministers, they'll be able to do so credibly. And they have useful experience. Interesting contrast with Starmer who just hired lots of people who worked for Blair because they'd done the job before 15 years ago - Burnham is basically hiring people who were similar level to him, other ministers or junior spads who've gone on to have other careers since then. So not the grandees but the next generation junior apparatchiks (as he himself once was).

Edit: Also need to see how it plays out and these numbers will fall but struck that this is the first time I can remember when both the PM and the LOTO have positive approval ratings


I think part of it is very simply that with affective politics, age of attention etc - Kemi Badenoch and Andy Burnham are very able to "perform" authenticity. They seem authentic and we know that matters.

More broadly (this is a rolling average) - you can see those trends reflected. Reform shot up, plateaued and are now trending down. The Greens did well - and then there was Polanski's response to Golders Green (and some internal leadks of fights within the Greens that demonstrate the problms they have/problem with them). Tories have stabilised and numbers vary a lot over different pollsters but some signs of recovery. Labour got boost from Starmer leaving and Burnham coming in. The Lib Dems continue to exist.

[HVC]

Any time sheilbh is this happy about a politician something bad is bound to heppen

[garbon]

Any time sheilbh is this happy about a politician something bad is bound to heppen

Hey, allow him his initial joy.