Mailwatch(ed) Forum

Political cartoons are a piece of piss, aren't they? Ella Baron thinks of the most obvious cliche that comes to mind ("revolving door") and draws one. Perhaps she could draw a picture of herself selling bags with "old rope" written on them. Or maybe consider the role of her employer in pushing out Starmer. Kath Viner in a hot dog man costume.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... et-cartoon

The Weeping Angel wrote: ↑Mon Jul 20, 2026 9:32 pm Phillipson's been pushed out and replaced by Lucy Powell,

Phillipson's been left with women and equalities, which I wouldn't want in the current climate. Unless it's going to be much more beefy role with a strong emphasis on social class.

Powell looks like a mate appointment.

Also keeping Nandy. What has she done to deserve being kept on?

The Weeping Angel wrote: ↑Mon Jul 20, 2026 9:58 pm Also keeping Nandy. What has she done to deserve being kept on?

She's a North West MP.

Hillipsonn is a huge loss to education. Powell is a vacuous no-mark.
Loyalty rewarded over competence, not a good look.

Phillipson still has Women and Equalities however.

I'm trying to be objective but it's not looking good.

What are Wes Streeting's qualifications for defence?
John Healey wasn't doing a bad job but, if it was felt he needed replacing, Dan Jarvis or Al Carns would be obvious choices - people who are experienced and understand the brief better than anyone in Parliament.
Or there's Wes who, as far as I'm aware, has never shown any interest in the subject and brings no knowledge or expertise at a moment when defence is more important than it's been for about forty years.
Ludicrous.

This looks like the Johnson era all over again: loyalty over experience.

The Manc Mafia has become real; also, putting Rayner and Haigh back in the Cabinet is a gift to the Opposition and a hostile media.

Oboogie wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2026 2:11 am What are Wes Streeting's qualifications for defence?

None. It's a reward for getting him into Downing Street - nothing more. The only place Streeting should be is in a Suffolk ditch, tied up in a secondhand hessian sack.

Christ, this has shades of Trumpism.

Burnham the Berk.

Digital ID scrapped. We don’t need any of that fancy shit like they have all over the EU.

VAT removed from energy bills, which favours people who use the most energy the most. Not very progressive.

Rayner may have got lucky with HMRC but I’ve no objection to her coming back. Had she got a small penalty, would have been fine too.

But otherwise looks like a bunch of agitators rewarded. I include Miliband, Mahmood and Cooper in that.

Now he's got your last job in politics (hopefully).

Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2026 8:13 am Digital ID scrapped. We don’t need any of that fancy shit like they have all over the EU.

No case was made for scrapping it other than the money will be better spent on X, Y and whatever.
Another case of Schrodinger's Full of shite voter, talks tough on illegal immigrants coming in but doesn't want any measures that might help if its a minor hassle to them.

Poor appointments bar Healey who is fine by me.

Powell should have been given something vacuous.

Streeting at defence is frankly comedic.

When you had Al Carns right there it is a bit odd. He’s shoved all his opposition on the Back benchers, not the best move.

As for VAT that’s the weakest of moves, was expecting a bit more. ID won’t pass anyhow so probably best it’s scrapped it’s a backwards move but this country is pretty backwards

mattomac wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2026 8:39 am Streeting at defence is frankly comedic.

Unfortunately, there's no comedy here. Defence, like it or not, is now a serious matter.

mattomac wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2026 8:39 am He’s shoved all his opposition on the Back benchers, not the best move.

Well, at least he's not removed the whip from them, unlike the blond bastard...

Its not necessarily a good move to have a defence secretary with a background in one particular military service. An outsider can take a more strategic view than 'build more tanks' says ex army minister.

What's Darren Jones done wrong to merit the backbenches?

Youngian wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:07 am

What's Darren Jones done wrong to merit the backbenches?

Not pushed his tongue far enough up Backstabber's arse?


I'm getting the impression that Backstabber Burnham isn't getting off to a very good start.

Youngian wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:07 am What's Darren Jones done wrong to merit the backbenches?

I think Burnham's frit of him.
Darren Jones is Starmer without the stage fright, a competent, pragmatic administrator who doesn't sound robotic on mic... an obvious potential leadership candidate.
Someone like that having cabinet experience is the last thing Burnham wants when he starts looking ropey.

Youngian wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2026 8:28 am

Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2026 8:13 am Digital ID scrapped. We don’t need any of that fancy shit like they have all over the EU.

No case was made for scrapping it other than the money will be better spent on X, Y and whatever.
Another case of Schrodinger's Full of shite voter, talks tough on illegal immigrants coming in but doesn't want any measures that might help if its a minor hassle to them.

Digital ID is an investment. Straight talking common sense says "people need money NOW"

Making multiple areas of life as frictionless as renewing your Road Tax*.

Saving costs by removing administrative overheads (in turn reducing the number of clipboard wielding officials).

Down with that type of thing.


* Yes, I know. Vehicle Excise Duty.