[Malcolm Armsteen]

Talk about missing the point. I’m not a former teacher of anything, but it bothered me, personally, which is why I took a few seconds to correct them. Which bit of “posting carefully and correctly as a matter principally of courtesy and respect” didn’t you understand ?

The point was that I didn't think somebody being a bit sloppy with punctuation was a case of them being disrespectful. But as I say, each to their own.

Absolutely is. Us old-school English teachers used to make a point of teaching about it.

And it's easier now with auto-correct and spelling suggestions.

Of course dyslexia negates criticism, largely, but that isn't the case here. I recognise dyslexia and in this context wouldn't mention it.

But as I say, I am a very literal person, and I often struggle to understand badly punctuated or spelled English.

[Corrections to 2 typos and recasting a sentence to better convey my thoughts]

[The Weeping Angel]

Starmer isn't like his younger self and that's bad because reasons.

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/poli ... elf-labour

Last week, the prime minister appeared to be governing against his former self. The barrister who came to public prominence as the (unpaid) representative of two misfit environmental campaigners in the iconic McLibel case took to the pages of the Daily Mail to denounce an agitator against the expansion of the A47 in Norfolk as a green “zealot.” Sixty-eight-year-old Andrew Boswell was helpfully identified by name in the accompanying Mail spread.

The aspiring Labour leader, who celebrated a 2020 Court of Appeal ruling against expanding Heathrow by congratulating climate campaigners, has in 2025 made a great show of narrowing the grounds for challenging infrastructure projects, as he paves the way for a bigger airport.

Andrew Boswell was identified over a year ago by the Mail. But Keir blew his cover by talking about a former Green Councillor who blocks things in the Mail.

[Oboogie]

How does Boswell block things in the Mail?
I wish I had that as my superpower!

[The Weeping Angel]

I meant that in an article in the Mail Starmer talked about a former Green Councillor who was blocking infrastructure.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I didn't read the article. I assume it's a problem because there are quite a lot of voters like his younger self who might not like airports expanding and the like. Maybe, but provided the nature fund works properly, I think he'll be able to tap green voters for tactical support.

[Tubby Isaacs]

German chancellor Olaf Sholz to visit UK for talks with Starmer on Sunday
Keir Starmer will host the German chancellor this weekend, PA Media reports. Olaf Scholz will visit the UK to meet the Prime Minister on Sunday, Downing Street confirmed.

There's Sir Keir again, not engaging with Europe, only cares about Trump, delusional etc.

Is Scholz likely to be in the new government? I suppose if he isn't he might be able to speak more freely to Starmer.

[davidjay]

German chancellor Olaf Sholz to visit UK for talks with Starmer on Sunday
Keir Starmer will host the German chancellor this weekend, PA Media reports. Olaf Scholz will visit the UK to meet the Prime Minister on Sunday, Downing Street confirmed.

There's Sir Keir again, not engaging with Europe, only cares about Trump, delusional etc.

Is Scholz likely to be in the new government? I suppose if he isn't he might be able to speak more freely to Starmer.

But... but... 17.4 million... will of the people...

[Tubby Isaacs]

Jon Worth
‪@jonworth.eu‬
Why would anyone possibly think Starmer would do 1) what's ethically right but tactically problematic, 2) offers no immediate advantages to him, 3) concerns foreign policy (that he largely seems to ignore) and 4) is somehow aiding "Europe" and hence likely gets a tabloid backlash?

Starmer's been ignoring foreign policy today by meeting NATO's General Secretary and EU leaders. On other days, he ignores foreign policy by professing strong support for Ukraine. And whatever you think of it, what's trying to stay in Trump's good books if not foreign policy?

Some Europhiles have lost it completely. The more I see of this stuff, the less rash it looks for Starmer to alienate this constituency. Starmer would probably get it in the neck if he joined the Single Market because he should have joined the EU properly, and the Euro, and Schengen. Sure, the socially conservative Labour voters are a nuisance, but they might show up if growth picks up.

[Youngian]

Starmer needs a policy on overnight European rail travel. That’ll make Jon Worth very happy.

[Tubby Isaacs]

The rail regulator is putting a fair bit of effort into getting more trains through the Channel Tunnel. Maybe some of those can run at night.

[The Weeping Angel]

Jon Worth
‪@jonworth.eu‬
Why would anyone possibly think Starmer would do 1) what's ethically right but tactically problematic, 2) offers no immediate advantages to him, 3) concerns foreign policy (that he largely seems to ignore) and 4) is somehow aiding "Europe" and hence likely gets a tabloid backlash?

Starmer's been ignoring foreign policy today by meeting NATO's General Secretary and EU leaders. On other days, he ignores foreign policy by professing strong support for Ukraine. And whatever you think of it, what's trying to stay in Trump's good books if not foreign policy?

Some Europhiles have lost it completely. The more I see of this stuff, the less rash it looks for Starmer to alienate this constituency. Starmer would probably get it in the neck if he joined the Single Market because he should have joined the EU properly, and the Euro, and Schengen. Sure, the socially conservative Labour voters are a nuisance, but they might show up if growth picks up.

Here's what Worth had to say on the latest book by Maguire and Pogrund.

Ooof, this isn't a fun read

And sure, Owen Jones has an axe to grind here, but at the same time this does offer some framework for understanding the vacuum at the top of UK government

[Tubby Isaacs]

Haven't read the book or the review, but the idea the Government aren't doing anything and all "vacuum" (roughly translated, I am very clever), that irritates me.

What's the "failed ideology" after 6 months? Not even Monetarism failed that fast.

[kreuzberger]

Our chattering classes have become far too used to performative government, the likes of which achieved the thick end of nothing but chaos. It's collective political amnesia which will garner little more 3-star reviews in the Sundays.

Edit: >>

[The Weeping Angel]

Haven't read the book or the review, but the idea the Government aren't doing anything and all "vacuum" (roughly translated, I am very clever), that irritates me.

What's the "failed ideology" after 6 months? Not even Monetarism failed that fast.

Blue Labour well Stephen Bush says so at any rate.

[davidjay]

Owen Jones dunnarf love himself. I don't think I've ever read so many "As I said.....and I was right"isms in one article.

[Abernathy]

I long ago stopped affording Squealer any sort of credibility whatsoever. He is an embittered disruptor, and the fantasy of Starmer as an empty vessel/crap leader (Jeremy Corbyn, anyone?) is without any doubt completely invented. It suits Jones' purpose to piggy-back on Pogrund & Maguire's hatchet job - which is similarly mostly concocted.

Literally nothing to see here.

[Tubby Isaacs]

This Chagos Islands fuss is a load of bollocks and all. The UK benefits, like any non-world power, from accepting decisions of international courts. The idea of paying to lease a major military base isn't some sort of unthinkable piece of far leftism. Nor is the mooted cost (£90m a year, out of a £50bn defence budget) extortionate.

A new government got elected in Mauritius. They've got some leverage, but also considerable incentive to misrepresent the deal to a domestic audience. The Times does some good reporting, but also hates the Labour Government.

Not sure how trying to do this deal fits in with "Starmer sucks up to Trump".

[The Weeping Angel]

On X numerous people are convinced that this is a terrible deal and it will look bad because we will be giving 18 billion away to Mauritius whilst pensioners freeze.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Apparently some people in the Cabinet are saying that. Tough shit, it's their job to make the case.

[Bones McCoy]

We're missing a "Why must Kier resign this week" board.

• He sent Tommeh to the Gulags.
• He sold our most profitable colony to a shower of hottentots.
• He's not as exciting as funtime Boris.
• Felon Musk says so.
• Something about voice coaching.