[Oboogie]

I binged Radio 4's history of the Weimar Republic last night, some of it felt frighteningly contemporary.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002w5pm

[Boiler]

I binged Radio 4's history of the Weimar Republic last night, some of it felt frighteningly contemporary.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002w5pm

Ta for that, @Oboogie - get_iplayer has obliged me and that will be on a USB stick to listen to in the car next time I commute to work.

[kreuzberger]

Katja Hoyer strikes me a fine person, on so many levels.

[Youngian]

Another big up for BBC local radio interviewing. This time its BBC Derby bringing some Reform simpleton council leader to book
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1HzajwaMrD/

[mattomac]

Katja Hoyer strikes me a fine person, on so many levels.

Really enjoyed her two previous books.

[Yug]

Speculation, rumour, shit-stirring, and a bit of soldier rimming, dressed up as news

Is Birmingham's Royal Marine a dark horse for PM?

Not many MPs have a back story that's a classified military secret.

But the exploits of Birmingham Selly Oak MP Al Carns as a Royal Marine Commando in Afghanistan are what some say make him perfect to turn around Labour's fortunes.

While all eyes are on whether Andy Burnham can return to Parliament and end Sir Keir Starmer's time in Number 10, an action man from the Midlands is a dark horse to rival the so-called "King of the North".

The name Carns was first being whispered in some Labour circles a few months ago, but those whispers have turned into excited chatter now a leadership contest is all but under way. But what is he like? On Sunday's BBC Politics Midlands programme, a friend has been building up a picture of the man...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y7rdz7zjzo

[Youngian]

The name Carns was first being whispered in some Labour circles a few months ago, but those whispers have turned into excited chatter now a leadership contest is all but under way.

Mainly by himself according Westminster whispers. The 'sport ar troops' brigade are a bunch of poseurs who aren't going to switch to Labour because they've put Captain Hurricane in charge. He's only been an MP for two years and has no background in the party or labour movement.
As Keir found out, successful leadership of an organisation can't always be transplanted to the political field. Carns is a man to watch, though.

[Abernathy]

Superficially, the notion of an all-action hero with an unimpeachable military record as Labour leader may indeed be attractive- or even electorally beneficial, but that seems to be the beginning and the end of Mr. Carns' qualities. As Ian points out, he's really only been in politics less than 2 years, and I've seen very little evidence of political skill, strategy or know-how (I guess we can take his leadership skills as read). It's something of a mystery to me as to why he is being talked up in this regard.