Kind of on the same lines, it’s striking that, whereas for months now the election has seemed long overdue, all the early interviews with Sunak have been suggesting that he has launched it prematurely (not just because of the candidates thing, but because the Rwanda policy isn’t operational, the fall in the inflation rate isn’t settled etc., making ‘the plan is working’ line look not just lame but sneaky). It’s surely another sign of Sunak’s political ineptness that he is now seen as having gone to the country both too late *and* too early.
Two of his big policies are Rwanda and Smoking. The latter being mentioned in his damp daub lectern speech, and yet neither will be accomplished by the time of the election. What fuckwittery is that? Whatever the quality of the policies they cannot be claimed as ‘successes’ during the campaign (although he will try to).
“To stand in the middle of Manchester with a blue rosette having people call you a twat for a month and a half” sounds massively appealing. Where do I sign up?
I am genuinely gobsmacked at the number of gaffs and cock ups Sunak has made already, and it’s only day 2!
The received wisdom is that the polls will narrow, but I just wonder if they might even widen. People cannot stand the sight/sound of Sunak, whereas most folk haven’t really seen much of Starmer yet. I think the contrast will increasingly favour the latter.
If Labour go big on things like the environment (which today’s reporting suggests they will), I feel there’s a decent chance they might actually improve their lead.
A letter in the Guardian pointed out that the summer election is an attempt to disenfranchise students as they mostly register to vote at their Uni address, and will be home with parents for the summer in July. Please do encourage or help any students to register at an appropriate address, or apply for a postal vote to avoid falling into this trap.
We really wanted to do that, but our whole special offer plan of 20% off has completely failed due to all sorts of very boring technical reasons. So now I have to rely on selling just on the quality of the books, which is obviously a disaster.
Maybe they’ve learnt that the further you drift from reality the worse it gets come election time. This lot are so incompetent and out of control, corrupt and mired in scandal that without their hands on the “levers of power” as Michael Heseltine puts it, they’re even more defenceless against all the shit they’ve pulled. Theyre disgusting. They got off easy. All those enquiries and no convictions.
Even if only 1%, not 5%, of one college cohort of Brits go to Oxbridge, surely in the past 5-10 years enough new youngsters have built connections, aquired the smug self-confidence of Boris/ Liz Truss/ Rees-Moog etc that they are absolutly right (while not knowing or caring about actual facts) that they will confidently apply?
In addition, racist wankers on social media (Tommy Robinson, IIRC?) would also fit with the mood in Tory party.
Kind of on the same lines, it’s striking that, whereas for months now the election has seemed long overdue, all the early interviews with Sunak have been suggesting that he has launched it prematurely (not just because of the candidates thing, but because the Rwanda policy isn’t operational, the fall in the inflation rate isn’t settled etc., making ‘the plan is working’ line look not just lame but sneaky). It’s surely another sign of Sunak’s political ineptness that he is now seen as having gone to the country both too late *and* too early.
Yeah surely either May or Nov, not July!
Two of his big policies are Rwanda and Smoking. The latter being mentioned in his damp daub lectern speech, and yet neither will be accomplished by the time of the election. What fuckwittery is that? Whatever the quality of the policies they cannot be claimed as ‘successes’ during the campaign (although he will try to).
He’s just so crap at all of this.
It's really quite remarkable. He wants to sell himself on two policies he just prevented from taking place.
An arse looking for it's head, is absolutely my phrase of the week. It's breathtaking how bad the Conservatives have been this week.
“To stand in the middle of Manchester with a blue rosette having people call you a twat for a month and a half” sounds massively appealing. Where do I sign up?
I am genuinely gobsmacked at the number of gaffs and cock ups Sunak has made already, and it’s only day 2!
The received wisdom is that the polls will narrow, but I just wonder if they might even widen. People cannot stand the sight/sound of Sunak, whereas most folk haven’t really seen much of Starmer yet. I think the contrast will increasingly favour the latter.
If Labour go big on things like the environment (which today’s reporting suggests they will), I feel there’s a decent chance they might actually improve their lead.
Ian going off on Dorian's punctuation is my favourite thing in 2024 😄
Very well said that man. I think I will pre-order the books from my local independent bookstore.
Ian continues his one man war against parentheses.
A letter in the Guardian pointed out that the summer election is an attempt to disenfranchise students as they mostly register to vote at their Uni address, and will be home with parents for the summer in July. Please do encourage or help any students to register at an appropriate address, or apply for a postal vote to avoid falling into this trap.
Find myself wondering if Armando Ianucci is secretly a SpAd with an alias and false moustache.
Yep, though even the excellent actors of The Thick of It would struggle to make some of what is happening in the Tory party credible.
Books-preorder special offer for all 3 surely?
We really wanted to do that, but our whole special offer plan of 20% off has completely failed due to all sorts of very boring technical reasons. So now I have to rely on selling just on the quality of the books, which is obviously a disaster.
Ah..thanks for replying so quickly. You have my sympathy, the best ideas often fail due to ‘technical issues’. The books look great.
I love it when you get sweary, especially when it’s as justified as it has been this week
Maybe they’ve learnt that the further you drift from reality the worse it gets come election time. This lot are so incompetent and out of control, corrupt and mired in scandal that without their hands on the “levers of power” as Michael Heseltine puts it, they’re even more defenceless against all the shit they’ve pulled. Theyre disgusting. They got off easy. All those enquiries and no convictions.
that sums it up; too late and too early. nice.
I honestly do not know how they are going to find these people. Will they bribe them?!
Surely there will be seats with no candidate at all…?
Or, arse without a head, seat without candidate.
Even if only 1%, not 5%, of one college cohort of Brits go to Oxbridge, surely in the past 5-10 years enough new youngsters have built connections, aquired the smug self-confidence of Boris/ Liz Truss/ Rees-Moog etc that they are absolutly right (while not knowing or caring about actual facts) that they will confidently apply?
In addition, racist wankers on social media (Tommy Robinson, IIRC?) would also fit with the mood in Tory party.
Reminds me of the final scenes of ‘the hunt for red October’
Or the early scenes of “Death of Stalin”
Reminds me of a picture by E Munch.