[Youngian]

Withnail?

That'd be lighter fluid.

And the finest wines known to humanity and I want them now.

[mattomac]

I think I had my first coffee at University midway through and that was just to perk me up, I did see a general trend from then onwards so early to mid 00s

[The Weeping Angel]

It's all Reeves's fault of course.

[mattomac]

“Refuse to listen” and then U-turn….

Eh

[Tubby Isaacs]

I think Osborne dropped several taxes just in one budget, didn't he?

There's a real danger with the media that these things become talking points to be set in false equivalence against enormous mistakes like austerity and the Brexit referendum.

[RedSparrows]

But people voted for austerity and Brexit therefore they are sacrosanct and right. The fact that polls show different feelings retrospectively is irrelevant.

People voted for Labour and now polls are bad so that democratic act is irrelevant.

[The Weeping Angel]

I think Osborne dropped several taxes just in one budget, didn't he?

There's a real danger with the media that these things become talking points to be set in false equivalence against enormous mistakes like austerity and the Brexit referendum.

I think it was the 2012 omnishambles budget.

[Boiler]

Just FUCK OFF, you oleaginous cunt

Mandelson praises Trump’s ‘graciousness’ and declines to apologise for friendship with Jeffrey Epstein

[Abernathy]

Which oleaginous cunt are you addressing ? Ben Cuntish ?

[Youngian]

Just FUCK OFF, you oleaginous cunt

Mandelson praises Trump’s ‘graciousness’ and declines to apologise for friendship with Jeffrey Epstein

A depressing swan song to an illustrious career. The last of the summer piss.

[Tubby Isaacs]

David Higham, who's an ex-senior civil servant, singled out Hestletine and Mandelson as very effect ministers he'd worked for. Hestletine was no surprise to me but Mandelson was, because he almost went out of his way to make himself look like he was interested in politicking as much as outcomes.

This is indeed a very poor end to his career.

[Abernathy]

Did I tell you all my Mandelson story already? I must surely have done.

It was 2004, and I was working in the Birmingham Hodge Hill by-election (the one that got Liam Byrne elected). It was a full-on affair, working our collective bollocks off.

Anyhow, we were out on the doorsteps one day doing something called “blitzing”. The idea is that you sweep along the street in a big group, and we foot soldiers knock on people's doors. When you get somebody in, you ask if they want to meet the candidate, or in a high-profile by-election like this, whatever shadow minister you have along with you. I had knocked on one door and was interrogating a wee Brummie wifie on the door step : “Hello, I’m from the Labour Party. Will you be voting in the by-election ?” when I became aware that she was distracted by something happening over my shoulder. It was Mandelson, slithering up the garden path like Ka from The Jungle Book, extending a hand towards our voter : “Helloooo” intoned Mandy, in a voice that reminded me of no-one so much as Leslie Phillips. Recognising Mandy instantly, the woman practically melted right there on the doorstep. She was absolutely star-struck, and clearly bloody loved him. Another vote definitely in the bag.

It was one of the most remarkable things I’ve ever witnessed. What an absolute charmer Peter was - and how are the mighty fallen.

[davidjay]

It'll be Starmer's fault.

[The Weeping Angel]

I think Osborne dropped several taxes just in one budget, didn't he?

There's a real danger with the media that these things become talking points to be set in false equivalence against enormous mistakes like austerity and the Brexit referendum.

It's more about how it's a sign that the government is weak.

[Youngian]

Mandelson's smooth enough to schmooze his way into any circle. That's what gets him into trouble as he's not very picky about the circles.

[The Weeping Angel]

[Tubby Isaacs]

Incredible.

I thought this was a good idea that worked in other places. But I forgot the rule that nobody’s allowed to do anything unless they’re Farage or Boris Johnson, who are allowed to be “bold”.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Actually seems like lots of the work is going ahead but the main justification for it, proving the right to work, isn't going to require digital ID.

I see my faves are on the scene.

Lisa Smart, the Liberal Democrats’ Cabinet Office spokesperson, said: “No 10 must be bulk ordering motion sickness tablets at this rate to cope with all their U-turns.

“It was clear right from the start this was a proposal doomed to failure, that would have cost obscene amounts of taxpayers money to deliver absolutely nothing.

“The government now needs to confirm that the billions of pounds earmarked for their mandatory digital ID scheme will be spent on the NHS and frontline policing instead.”

That wasn't clear right from the start, seeing they've made it work in plenty of other countries (aren't the Lib Dems supposed to be Europeans?). Did Estonians, who are very happy with their system, kick off with juvenile bollocks about "frontline policing"? Or do they understand the concept of investment there, perhaps?

Obviously, opposition parties are going to have a pop, but this rubbish from self-appointed grown up parties is incredibly depressing. This is the thinking that's left us with shit NHS IT (despite the Blair scheme having covered its costs, per the NAO). Easier to have a pop about taking money away from bobbies on the beat. And the "everything's shit, the government is much worse than they actually are" is going to benefit Reform more than the Lib Dems, one might think.

[Boiler]

Another bit of potentially good news:

New Birmingham-Manchester rail link to be proposed

The government is set to announce its intention to build a new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester, the BBC understands.

Previous plans for the HS2 high-speed rail line had included a line between the two cities, but that part of the project was scrapped by Rishi Sunak's government.

On Wednesday, the government is also expected to confirm proposals for new and improved rail links across the North of England in a scheme known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).

Little detail about a new Birmingham to Manchester route is anticipated, other than the intention to build it after NPR is completed, meaning it may not happen for decades.

Cue the usual rubbishing everywhere, including the accompanying SYB underneath it.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Makes sense. NPR and HS2 would share a fair bit of infrastructure. I was sceptical that all that money would get spent just to run more trains between Liverpool and Manchester.