UK General Election 2024 (or 25)

[Derek27]

James Cleverly has raised human rights every time he's visited China, and he's going to do it again. That will tell 'em.

I agree with him. I'd rather we deal and talk with China than not. Being grumpy and taking a high moral stance doesn't help. Sure, if they invade Taiwan the s**t will hit the fan. And their increasingly authoritarianism is disturbing and smacks of the Putin situation. People with power focussing on cementing that power even further. Very worrying.

I was really commenting on the irony. It's a bit like going to the pub with a rapist mate, ticking him off for it but still drinking with him.

[greenmark]

James Cleverly has raised human rights every time he's visited China, and he's going to do it again. That will tell 'em.

I agree with him. I'd rather we deal and talk with China than not. Being grumpy and taking a high moral stance doesn't help. Sure, if they invade Taiwan the s**t will hit the fan. And their increasingly authoritarianism is disturbing and smacks of the Putin situation. People with power focussing on cementing that power even further. Very worrying.

I was really commenting on the irony. It's a bit like going to the pub with a rapist mate, ticking him off for it but still drinking with him.

Well yes, but it's better to do that than say "f**k off you complete pervert".
Thereby isolating the person further. But I feel this is heading the wrog way, so I'll let you have the last word. It is after all the UK election odds thread so wider speculation is off topic.

[Derek27]

I agree with him. I'd rather we deal and talk with China than not. Being grumpy and taking a high moral stance doesn't help. Sure, if they invade Taiwan the s**t will hit the fan. And their increasingly authoritarianism is disturbing and smacks of the Putin situation. People with power focussing on cementing that power even further. Very worrying.

I was really commenting on the irony. It's a bit like going to the pub with a rapist mate, ticking him off for it but still drinking with him.

Well yes, but it's better to do that than say "f**k off you complete pervert".
Thereby isolating the person further. But I feel this is heading the wrog way, so I'll let you have the last word. It is after all the UK election odds thread so wider speculation is off topic.

We're not even having an argument and you're letting me have the last word!

It's generous to surrender the last word, but to be truly diplomatic, you do it without mentioning it and claiming credit.

[greenmark]

I was really commenting on the irony. It's a bit like going to the pub with a rapist mate, ticking him off for it but still drinking with him.

Well yes, but it's better to do that than say "f**k off you complete pervert".
Thereby isolating the person further. But I feel this is heading the wrog way, so I'll let you have the last word. It is after all the UK election odds thread so wider speculation is off topic.

We're not even having an argument and you're letting me have the last word!

It's generous to surrender the last word, but to be truly diplomatic, you do it without mentioning it and claiming credit.

Well, I'm not sure what you're saying to me there, but anyhow Cleverley is unlikely to do anything different than his Labour replacement would.
Sure enough if Truss had remained she'd have instructed her Foreign Secretary to tell the Chinese to get stuffed, but she's an idiot.
Whatever Cleverly does in China won't matter a jot for the UK election.

[Derek27]

I thought I had the last word.

[greenmark]

I thought I had the last word.

[Derek27]

Is Sunak replacing Ben Wally with a cowboy defence secretary, someone who can get the job done cheaply?

[Derek27]

Gillian Keegan apologises for saying when she thought the cameras were off: Does anyone ever say you've done a flipping good job?

That was Yes Minister stuff Gillian.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66709282

[Derek27]

Former cabinet minister, Sir Gavin Williamson's teenage son has been told to undergo a behaviour training course.

No, sorry, it's not his son, it's Sir Gavin himself.

[firlandsfarm]

Labour controlled Birmingham CC take bankruptcy action ... think before you vote!

[Derek27]

Labour controlled Birmingham CC take bankruptcy action ... think before you vote!

I've just heard that on the news. Has it ever happened to a council before and what exactly does mean to the people living in Birmingham?

[greenmark]

Labour controlled Birmingham CC take bankruptcy action ... think before you vote!

I've just heard that on the news. Has it ever happened to a council before and what exactly does mean to the people living in Birmingham?

£87m on a budget of £3.2billion hardly seems ground for bankruptcy. But I know nothing really.

[Derek27]

Labour controlled Birmingham CC take bankruptcy action ... think before you vote!

I've just heard that on the news. Has it ever happened to a council before and what exactly does mean to the people living in Birmingham?

£87m on a budget of £3.2billion hardly seems ground for bankruptcy. But I know nothing really.

My limited understanding of bankruptcy is that you're cleared of all your debts but suffer certain disqualifications from business, directorship, etc. But for a council, that will be replaced by a new administration so I'm don't know how damaging it is.

[firlandsfarm]

I've just heard that on the news. Has it ever happened to a council before and what exactly does mean to the people living in Birmingham?

£87m on a budget of £3.2billion hardly seems ground for bankruptcy. But I know nothing really.

My limited understanding of bankruptcy is that you're cleared of all your debts but suffer certain disqualifications from business, directorship, etc. But for a council, that will be replaced by a new administration so I'm don't know how damaging it is.

I think it means they can keep buggering on but can only spend money on essential items.

[Superworm]

Chris Bumpincher loses his appeal, triggering another by-election.