UK General Discussion: Rishecession

[Pulaski]

A much closer result than many expected, myself included.

A Foreign Secretary with underwhelming charisma ascending to the head of a beleagured 12-year-old Conservative government whose mismanagement saw Britain's global influence severely curtailed. All getting a bit Douglas-Home over here.

[Pulaski]

This might be embarrassing for the new PM.

https://twitter.com/itvcalendar/status/1567102473826885637?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7...

Already came out during the hustings. Breezed over by the same people who chastised Corbyn for similar sentiments.

(Mind you, Corbyn didn't exactly work hard to dispel those perceptions)

[Pulaski]

I've written long posts about fracking in the past and how little sense it makes so I won't bother here, but can I just say how delighted I am that JRM's latched on to an initiative that will undoubtedly lose the Tories votes, and hopefully do damage to his carefully crafted image as an old-fashioned gent.

I noticed that quite a number of Tory MPs expressing concern come from marginal seats in the North & Midlands - Blackpool South, Bolsover, Blackpool North & Cleveleys (maybe a stretch that last one). Hopefully fracking helps Labour to reclaim some of that red wall.

[Pulaski]

Boris Johnson returns as leader within a year as the voice of rationality and moderation. Calling it now.

Boris Johnson makes Kevin Rudd look selfless and even-tempered. An amazing accomplishment really.

[Pulaski]

It still confuses me how a second house works in a meaningful way in a parliamentary system.

For my money, since in the majority of Westminster systems a clear majority in the lower house is the norm and lower houses often serve as basically just an electoral college, an upper house that is relatively representative (so definitely not the Lords) can assist in restricting governments to work with other parties to pass legislation, potentially protecting against the "tyranny of the majority" (not even a majority as very often governments are elected with far less than 50% of votes these days).

An alternative would be something like New Zealand where parliament is unicameral but the electoral system is set up such that outright majorities are rare (present circumstances excepted) so parties of government have to reach out or moderate their approaches to pass legislation. As someone who's far from moderate in their politics this can be personally frustrating but is probably healthier for democracies overall.

[Pulaski]

I compared Truss to Douglas-Home when she ascended, but she's outdone him. I honestly don't think we've seen a Prime Minister in modern history manage to make their leadership basically untenable in such a short period of time. May was pretty quick thanks to the poisoned chalice she inherited, but Truss has blown her record to smithereens.

I understand Starmer's overtures to the centre-ground - it's hardly an innovation - but I hope as Prime Minister he'll keep true to his Labour roots.

[Pulaski]

We might even see another Christian Wakeford at this rate.

Rats leaving a sunken ship deserve no lifeboats. Let them drown.

[Pulaski]

Amazing lack of content, so much so that she kept repeating herself endlessly, even though it was not a long speech.

Please tell me we got an update on those Beijing Pork markets.

[Pulaski]

It always confuses me that political parties are allowed to play songs when they obviously haven't cleared it with the artists first. I know in some cases the artists no longer have the rights, but when they do, and the conferences function as a massive fundraising opportunity (which they inevitably do), does that not violate copyright?

[Pulaski]

This is just wonderful.

[Pulaski]

Nobody gives a quote like "anonymous Tory MP" does.

https://twitter.com/MrMichaelSpicer/status/1581028189979041792

OK, technically this is a parody, but at this point........

This is actually a good test for people; see how far they get into this before they realise it's parody. I got to "sea lion driving a segway into a bear trap factory."

When Truss goes there will surely have to be a general election called won't there?

[Pulaski]

I know I will probably get slated for this again but I'd still definitely keep an eye on Braverman - a dark horse to take over.

[Pulaski]

https://twitter.com/jessicaelgot/status/1583092314846941184
One day, I will be a calm and rational poster, who doesn't fall for defection rumours. But today is not that day.

Labour should tell whoever that is to sit and spin. Why reward careerist slimes?