Sometimes, it feels like we've moved from the thinking "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" to "if it works, lets break it".....

I see Sky is running a strapline on its 10pm programme that the government has softened sanctions on Russian oil. Chris Bryant has clarified this isn't the case, as these products are not currently sanctioned. Poor stuff (again) from Sky.

Seems like Reform councillors are resigning, being suspended or defecting every day. Farage was never interested in the calibre of these people. It was always just to get the big headlines at election time. Getting bums on seats. And bums (or worse) they are turning out to be.

Tomorrow, I am Bournemouth's biggest fan! 😀

Would not surprise me if, by the end of all the Labour leadership malarkey, we see a few of their MPs shuffle off to Reform. What a state we are in.

There is plenty of discussion about public ownership. One area where state ownership/production could help is baby products. Nappies, prams, baby milk etc. all manufactured to high standards and sold on a not for profit basis. Stupid idea? Or would this work? Includes innovation/development teams.

I do wonder, with the way societies are getting angrier and angrier, encouraged by rabble rousers and toxic media, whether, rather than a continental wars in the "West", at some point, we will have multiple civil wars, with no real leaders, just packs of people going after anyone they fancy.

Watching Josh Simons being interviewed. Says that Westminster (Labour) had imploded over the last week. It has imploded because of the actions of Labour MPs and nobody else. Yes, the media has stirred things up. But Labour MPs could have stood back and seen the bigger picture. They haven't.

Possible that Nigel Farage's greed is going to consume him.

Would not surprise me if some Labour MPs are even aware of Farage's financial shenanigans. Too busy imploding. Fools.

Would be interesting to know if Keir Starmer sounded out Angela Rayner about the Health Minister vacancy.

It's quite ironic that Wes Streeting and the Junior Ministers highlighted a lot of positive things that the Government had done. A government that seemed to be working diligently with direction and purpose. And led, by err Keir Starmer, who apparently has no direction or purpose.

Wonder if Nigel's "rewards" were what caused Coutts to get concerns.

Just a thought. If Wes does become Prime Minister and moves into No 10, would his time there be known as Downing Streeting?

If Angela Rayner is savvy, she'll not stand at this point and let Wes Streeting (plus anyone else) lose to Keir Starmer. She can get back into Cabinet but make sure Keir ups his game. Burnham isn't getting back into Parliament easily, if at all (just a hunch). Also lets Iran damage reduce a bit.

Wes Streeting allies Sir. Er, not sure how many. Perhaps as many as 81, perhaps less. Might be coming this way today, but might not be. Perhaps we might have a bit of time for tiffin.....

Decent UK GDP figures out this morning. There has been a lot of sneering about "Rachel from accounts". But it looks like she's delivering well in her role. The Iran war will likely have a negative impact going forward. But positive.

Watching Heidi Alexander on Sky at the moment. She's always very decent on the media round.

I do wonder whether the high level "packaging" of the Governments legislative programme is unhelpful. At a high level, it sounds a bit bland and unadventurous. However, when you start drilling down and unpack it, there is actually a lot of practical, helpful stuff happening.

Whether people agree it's fair or not, if Wes Streeting becomes Labour leader, the right-wing press will periodically print the photo of his younger self with Mandelson, just to "remind" the electorate. Similar "reminders" of past deeds for any other leaders.

If the reports about Wes Streeting are correct, the Labour Party is going to really shoot itself in the foot.

Will be interesting to see what is in the King's speech tomorrow. Wonder if there will be any surprises?

The more I watch the politics playing out, the more I'm pleased that I didn't vote for Labour at the last general election (and happily got rid of the Tory). Too many Labour MPs not understanding this goes well beyond Keir Starmer. It's about getting rid of a non Tory or Reform government.

Reading Paul Fosters letter in the feed. He writes paragraph 2 and then at the end, calls for Starmer to go. After writing paragraph 2..... First minister resigns and calls for Starmer’s resignation ahead of critical cabinet meeting – UK politics live www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

Congratulations to all the Labour MPs shit stirring this morning. Helping working people by, err, putting up borrowing costs for them. And if there is a messy leadership contest, borrowing costs will remain volatile. Well done!!!

I see Zack Polanski lived on a narrow boat for a time. Was he going after floating voters? As it's a canal joke, I should have typed with the caps LOCK on......I'll get my life jacket......

Thinking about Keir Starmer's end of year appraisal. Delivery has been decent and on track. And has dealt well with international issues. Some tactical errors, but have been partly remedied.

Interesting to see Shabana Mahmood has apparently been in to see the Prime Minister. Responsible for drawing up immigration policies that have been a real negative for Labour. Not needed and distasteful. Quite ironic that she's stopped by......

Today's fantasy phrase is "orderly transition".....

I see 3 government parliamentary aides have resigned. 3 people who haven't been able to see the bigger picture.

If I was a Labour MP wanting to challenge for the leadership, I'd not want the process to be delayed until September, so that Andy Burnham gets a chance to become an MP and throw his hat in the ring.....

So Catherine West has had her Baldrick moment!

I see Labour is moving towards creating a huge mess for itself.

You have to wonder whether the Reform vetting guidance is missing some key words. For example, the word "NOT". Like in candidates "must NOT have posted vile racist comments on social media.

Is Angela Rayners intervention going to be the 2026 version of Margaret Beckett helping Jeremy Corbyn out. By that, I mean it adds a bit of credibility that starts something bigger. I'm not sure. But you never know.

My piss is being boiled because when we see the hint of something that looks like we may get nice things we piss all over it. And that's why we can't have nice things.

I see that Catherine West MP wants to start a leadership challenge. Labour does have a habit of shooting itself in the foot.

So if Farage has trousered £5 million, to pay for has security in the years ahead, he'll have no trouble showing that the majority of it is in a bank account, will he? (even if it is accruing interest perhaps).

Voters in the UK can see what is going on in the US and how extremism negatively impacts so many people's lives. But rather than be warned/appalled, 25-30% are saying "Yeah, we want some of that, bring it on....". All led by the multimillionaires Farage and Tice, who relate to them, apparently...

1/ A few thoughts on the elections yesterday. Labour got a drubbing, as they likely expected, although the results in London and Wales were probably much worse than they thought they'd be. Going forward a) changing leader will do nothing beneficial. b) delivery is now key.

So, based on turnout, 25% of voters are definitely up for a bit of fascism. Their lives won't get any better, of course. But at least they'll see other groups of people being treated worse than they are under Reform policies. And they will draw comfort from that.

There are probably lessons for all of the parties to take from the local elections. But I suspect the bigger lesson will be that many voters will find their council services will be a fair bit worse than they were before May 7.

Being charitable, the people of Sunderland are at best masochists...

Would love to see a Tory wipeout tomorrow. And although she is a gift to Labour, I'd be OK if it sees Kemi challenged. Chris Philp, Victoria Atkins, Helen Whatley and James Cleverly would also lead the Tories in the same unpleasant way.

Dynamic pricing in a lot of instances is evil!

Will be interesting to see whether there will be a lot of extra private plane movements in/out of Ferihegy (Budapest Airport) from this Friday and over the weekend. Possibly with excess baggage......

Michael Gove on Cathy Newman's new show twice on a fortnight. Mmmmm. Talking about the Iran War and how it impacts the UK. A friend of Trump and a leading Brexiteer says we are exposed. Of course, the little weasel had nothing to do with making things more difficult for us........🤡🤡💩💩💩💩

I'll be interested to see what happens to the Tories in Thursdays elections. The focus has been on Labour. But, it is possible that the Tories get wiped out in some areas. Pressure on Badenoch?

The turnout for council elections is usually poor. So, the full effects of tactical voting may not be felt. But in recent weeks, I'm coming to the conclusion that by 2029, people will be so polarised in their views, tactical voting won't actually be a big thing. Voting will be fractured.

I've heard on the quiet that the US Secretary of State will be taking the lead role in a Shakespeare adaptation. Yes, keen amateur thespian Marco will be taking the lead role in Rubio and Juliet, after hearing many Americans say "Rubio, Rubio, where for art thou, Rubio......Gets coat......