Politics at Westminster | BREAKING: UKIP



But of course Theresa says she cares about mental health.

I don't know what makes me more angry, a government that continually takes awful positions or an electorate that doesn't care about them
 


But of course Theresa says she cares about mental health.

I don't know what makes me more angry, a government that continually takes awful positions or an electorate that doesn't care about them

Increasingly this. Turkeys keep voting for christmas.
 
Corbin says he will not stand down til 2020, despite lose in Copeland.

He is both unelectable as well as a now a lame duck.

Labour are so screwed - what a mess.
 


But of course Theresa says she cares about mental health.

I don't know what makes me more angry, a government that continually takes awful positions or an electorate that doesn't care about them

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"I'm just saying there should be tests. Well I don't know, when they go down the DSS to make a claim then they should set off a fire alarm...a fake fire alarm everybody legs it out the office leaving them there. If they're fake they'll be up and running with them, if they're real they'll be left there screaming for help. And then you just come back in and say 'It's alright, don't cry; it's just a test. You've passed here's your money'"
 
The experience of recent years makes a rather convincing case against the use of 'testing', particularly if there is a profit-making element. Which is before you get to the substance of the remarks, which suggest that anxiety disorders do not carry a ebilitating effect (not credible). Yet, over time and provided there is the appropriate support, many such cases can be treated or at least managed, so i doubt its financial relevance sounds like a red herring.
 
It'll make for an interesting by-election. Locally the CLP has been in real trouble for a while, with the CLP being suspended due to allegations of bullying last summer. And, no, nothing to do with Corbyn, just different groups jostling for position to replace an MP who was obviously not going to continue forever.

Considering the national picture, it'll be most interesting to see how the Lib Dems fare. This'll be a test of whether there's a revival going on. The Lib Dems had been a steady second in the constituency since the mid 90s, but got hammered in 2015, losing 10,000 votes and falling to 5th. If they're going to see a national revival any time soon, this is the kind of seat they need to show progress in. Not to win, they wont, but to at least get back to second place.

Labour will take some flak if their majority falls, which it probably will, but being falsely inflated at the last election makes that inevitable. If they get a bit over 60% of the vote, that'll be a decent result and put it back to where it usually is. If they get below 50%, they should worry. A loss is all but impossible.
 
It'll make for an interesting by-election. Locally the CLP has been in real trouble for a while, with the CLP being suspended due to allegations of bullying last summer. And, no, nothing to do with Corbyn, just different groups jostling for position to replace an MP who was obviously not going to continue forever.

Considering the national picture, it'll be most interesting to see how the Lib Dems fare. This'll be a test of whether there's a revival going on. The Lib Dems had been a steady second in the constituency since the mid 90s, but got hammered in 2015, losing 10,000 votes and falling to 5th. If they're going to see a national revival any time soon, this is the kind of seat they need to show progress in. Not to win, they wont, but to at least get back to second place.

Labour will take some flak if their majority falls, which it probably will, but being falsely inflated at the last election makes that inevitable. If they get a bit over 60% of the vote, that'll be a decent result and put it back to where it usually is. If they get below 50%, they should worry. A loss is all but impossible.

Interesting. If we do see a stark Lib Dem revival back into second place and Labour at around mid 50s it will be fun to see it portrayed as a huge Lib Dem victory over Corbyn even though it is a return to equilibrium. I've been as critical of Corbyn's leadership as anyone but it will be important not to get carried away when analysing this one.

As you say if Labour are under 50% it's a huge worry for them and if they somehow lose the seat Corbyn is done and dusted.
 
Corbin says he will not stand down til 2020, despite lose in Copeland.

He is both unelectable as well as a now a lame duck.

Labour are so screwed - what a mess.

I dont think anyone in their right minded expected him to stand down because of the Copeland result. If things don't improve certainly but id say the parties image on Brexit is a bigger reason than one byelection
 


But of course Theresa says she cares about mental health.

I don't know what makes me more angry, a government that continually takes awful positions or an electorate that doesn't care about them

May following in the footsteps of Cam/Osb. Shame on her.

Vicar's gaughter who doesn't care about people and learnt nothing from her father and God's teachings.
 
Further background info on the case of Irene Clennell:

Hi everyone - thanks so much again for all of your contributions. It's been amazing to see so many people get behind Irene.

There have been a couple of questions about the time Irene spent in Singapore during the past 30 years since she married John and I just want to clarify this.

Just as we have told every journalist and everyone who's asked us, Irene came here 30 years ago and married my brother in 1990 They moved back to Singapore in 1992 with their 2 sons and then returned to the UK John in 1998 and Irene 1999 when her mother passed away. In 2001 Irene went back to Singapore as there were issues in Singapore that needed to be addresssed and she returned to the UK in 2003 Irene made 4 applications between 2003/2004 which were all rejected and in 2005 she had to return to Singapore as she had no right of appeal.

Irene attempted to return in 2007 but was detained and returned on the next flight back to Singapore
Irene's father passed away 2008 and again she made an application and again it was rejected
Irene eventually was allowed into the UK in 2013 and all applications have been rejected since.

We have been really clear about this with everyone we've spoken to.

Angela

https://www.gofundme.com/bringirenehome#updates
 
May is such a joke:

"We didn't sneak it out [the changes to PIP], it was in a written ministerial statement to parliament"

That is literally sneaking it out.
 
I also can't believe May is still using the line of defence on NHS/health that it requires a government that won't put a strong economy at risk. I mean ffs.
 
Apologies for three posts in a row, but PMQs is currently two people utterly out of their depth flailing around, stumbling over prewritten questions and jokes. It's embarrassing for all.
 
Apologies for three posts in a row, but PMQs is currently two people utterly out of their depth flailing around, stumbling over prewritten questions and jokes. It's embarrassing for all.
''Brexit means Brexit'' mate. Agree May is completely shite(And a cnut)but nationalism and bigotry will win her the next election.
 
Apologies for three posts in a row, but PMQs is currently two people utterly out of their depth flailing around, stumbling over prewritten questions and jokes. It's embarrassing for all.

I thought Corbyn did well to be honest even if he didn't shift May out of her *insert here* answers.

Every week no matter the issue its the same. There's always the claim from her that they're actually spending or doing more than any past government, that everything needs a strong economy and Labour can't deliver this. Then you've got a couple of jibes jokes awkwardly thrown in.

At least Corbyn called her out on this with them actually borrowing more. Thats something you never hear from Labour for some reason
 
At least Corbyn called her out on this with them actually borrowing more. Thats something you never hear from Labour for some reason

Hangover from the "Labour spent too much money" era. Labour have been scared to talk about debt for a long time, because the Tories point out the deficit they inherited.
 
Apologies for three posts in a row, but PMQs is currently two people utterly out of their depth flailing around, stumbling over prewritten questions and jokes. It's embarrassing for all.

Ive been watching or listening to PMQs for a couple of decades now, and this is easily the worst its ever been, by a mile. It gets better and worse over time of course, but there's never been a period that we've had two such inarticulate, unnatural speakers in post. When Angus Robertson gets his question after Corbyn, the difference is really striking.
 
The Government can get by with those answers because Labour has little in the way of a policy programme. And given their trust problem with the electorate, the costing of such has to stand up to scrutiny. This goes for both economic and health matters. Whilst the public is aware that Corbyn disagrees on a range of issues, this is not by itself sufficient pressure to sway a government and draw an internal revolt.

We'll have to see how the Budget goes in a few week, but i expect May to be an improvement (even if marginally) on what otherwise might have occurred with CamBorne in charge, at least economically. Social policy and civil liberties are still the obvious areas of confrontation IMO. Even on education, things would have been worse under the previous regime.
 
We'll have to see how the Budget goes in a few week, but i expect May to be an improvement (even if marginally) on what otherwise might have occurred with CamBorne in charge, at least economically.

Based on what exactly? She's following the same austerity bollocks that they did, but combining it with crashing out of the single market like a suicidal lemming. She is to economics what Piers Morgan is to tact and diplomacy.
 
Genuinely don't know how you screw up a joke about Cat Smith's attempt at spin, May is quite the talent.
 
The Government can get by with those answers because Labour has little in the way of a policy programme. And given their trust problem with the electorate, the costing of such has to stand up to scrutiny. This goes for both economic and health matters. Whilst the public is aware that Corbyn disagrees on a range of issues, this is not by itself sufficient pressure to sway a government and draw an internal revolt.

We'll have to see how the Budget goes in a few week, but i expect May to be an improvement (even if marginally) on what otherwise might have occurred with CamBorne in charge, at least economically. Social policy and civil liberties are still the obvious areas of confrontation IMO. Even on education, things would have been worse under the previous regime.

To be honest im expecting worse from her as she's dogmatic and brutal when it comes to implementing policy. Circumstances may mean that they try and paint a pretty picture of the economy but there's always the awkward thing where they pretend its fixed but not quite fixed enough to handover to Labour.

I'd agree about policies but thats always the case this duration of the election cycle isn't it? Labour can't be expected to cost anything for 2021 so principles is all they have.
 
But how many people actually care about PMQs, aside from us political animals? For the most part, they are either a nice foundation in PR terms (little more), or a possible sign of worse problems.


To be honest im expecting worse from her as she's dogmatic and brutal when it comes to implementing policy. Circumstances may mean that they try and paint a pretty picture of the economy but there's always the awkward thing where they pretend its fixed but not quite fixed enough to handover to Labour.

I'd agree about policies but thats always the case this duration of the election cycle isn't it? Labour can't be expected to cost anything for 2021 so principles is all they have.

Perhaps it comes down to how bad you think Osborne was/might have been.

They needn't cost out an entire manifesto, just a few specific policies which they intend to target the government on particularly. Labour must be in position to offer a viable alternative, if it hopes to force May's hand on something. The electorate's problems don't abide by a five year timetable, so why should the battle of ideas?
 
In a move sure to terrorise blind people with canes across the country, Amber Rudd has authorised more powerful Tasers for police.

Excellent, I'd give them to traffic wardens as well, hospital security guys, teachers, crowd marshals, customs bods, loads of people, anyone steps out of line gets fecking tasered.
 
Springtime for Hammond and the treasury,

"The top 1% of income tax payers pay 27% of all income tax - a higher proportion than under Labour."

He says this as a good thing. Now i don't think he's so stupid to understand the connection to equality here but he clearly does think the public that dense. He's already used the analogy of household debt to say we can't borrow and burden future generations more (thats not how borrowing works Mr Hammond).
 
Springtime for Hammond and the treasury,

"The top 1% of income tax payers pay 27% of all income tax - a higher proportion than under Labour."

He says this as a good thing. Now i don't think he's so stupid to understand the connection to equality here but he clearly does think the public that dense. He's already used the analogy of household debt to say we can't borrow and burden future generations more (thats not how borrowing works Mr Hammond).

Plus if it's increasing that really shows that wage growth is horribly unequal

Anyway:



They are going to have to repeal this. Maybe it can be part of the great repeal bill.
 
They are going to have to repeal this. Maybe it can be part of the great repeal bill.

To be fair they have every right to do so. I'm still shocked seeing Tories so keen to increase taxes.

The NI rise for self-employed people, speaking as one, is a little bit of a concern. While I get that the pension contribution disparity is no longer an issue (for most people) I still worry about the difference in sick pay, paid leave etc.