DT Politics Thread

[Mason89]

I have family in Arran, worked on Arran, lived on Arran, got married on Arran and visit Arran every chance I get 

Nobody cares more about these ferries than Herald readers who never use them 

[tom_widdows]

BBC saying Viktor Orban has conceded.

Given the opposition leader was previously park of Orban's party be interesting to see if there is to be any change in Hungary

[Jupiter]

Why are the BBC obsessed with the Hungarian election? They've never been bothered about elections in eastern Europe before. I'm sure 99.999999999% of British people couldn't care less who won.

[Mason89]

28 minutes ago, Jupiter said:

Why are the BBC obsessed with the Hungarian election? They've never been bothered about elections in eastern Europe before. I'm sure 99.999999999% of British people couldn't care less who won.

It’s a setback for the dullest reactionary racist simpletons on the planet, ours included. 

[RicoS321]

42 minutes ago, Jupiter said:

Why are the BBC obsessed with the Hungarian election? They've never been bothered about elections in eastern Europe before. I'm sure 99.999999999% of British people couldn't care less who won.

Yes they have. They covered the result in the last Polish election for example. It's unusual for a European leader to be in place for 16 years, too, so it is reasonably interesting. I think that they should give Eastern European elections as much coverage as French or German. A reasonable amount, but nae overboard.

Edit: not that I give a shite about any election really. For the avoidance of doubt, I'm giving an objective point of view on the state broadcaster and what would seem to be reasonable. 

Edited Monday at 18:23 by RicoS321

[InversneckieDob]

Edgy.

[tom_widdows]

2 hours ago, RicoS321 said:

Edit: not that I give a shite about any election really. For the avoidance of doubt, I'm giving an objective point of view on the state broadcaster and what would seem to be reasonable

 

[RicoS321]

8 hours ago, tom_widdows said:

 

Well, since you ask.... which election in recent times should I have given a fuck about? Really, I mean? Not just pretendy attachment of importance to make it sound like I care. Are any of us really going to know the difference between Orban being in power in Hungary, or his counterpart? The last UK election was "fought" on the inspiring idea of giving the incumbent party a bloody nose for a decade. Which nation and its shining example should make me, or anyone else, think that representative democracy is a successful system (trite, reductive Churchill quotes aside)? Even the Scottish elections, more egalitarian and closer to home as they are, hold about the importance of this season's player of the year if we're being honest about it. 

[Ajja]

Surely the focus on Hungary is because of the investment the US (Trump admin) have made in Orbán. Vance being over there campaigning for him is just another shitshow that UK media will leap on as anything that tracks the demise of Trump is box office at the moment. Add to that, Orbán has been a European poster boy for Populist rhetoric and with the rise of Farage and Reform we now, unfortunately, have more skin in the Populist game. 
 

It’s true Magyar is not much different to Orbán, cut from similar cloth and holds very similar views on immigration for example. He campaigned on domestic economics and cost of living exclusively. Didn’t touch foreign policy at all. The swings have been quite incredible in rural areas particularly, largely fuelled by a leaked video of the foreign secretary cosying up to Russia. It’s fascinating to see the populist commentators across Europe trying to paint Magyar as a leftie progressive just because he ousted Orbán, he is definitely not that. . 

Edited Wednesday at 04:52 by Ajja

[Mason89]

The only thing that unites the whole nation these days, is that Keir Starmer is a bag of shit 

It’s astonishing how far he’s got in life. Even more so than Truss 

[TheDonbytheDee]

23 minutes ago, Mason89 said:

The only thing that unites the whole nation these days, is that Keir Starmer is a bag of shit 

It’s astonishing how far he’s got in life. Even more so than Truss 

He'd be toast if it wasn't for the fact elections are coming up in a few weeks.

If they go the way predictions are saying they will, he will have nowhere to hide and will go.

I didn't think any person could fuck it up as much as Starmer has, since Labour returned to power.

Everything they touch just turns to shit.

I really enjoy the WhatsApp page in Private Eye and starting to think it may not be as far fetched as it first seemed. 

[Jupiter]

He's either lying about Mandelson or he's not in control of his own government. It's hard to say which is worse.

[Kowalski]

8 hours ago, Mason89 said:

The only thing that unites the whole nation these days, is that Keir Starmer is a bag of shit 

It’s astonishing how far he’s got in life. Even more so than Truss 

Total nonsense. Unites the whole nation? You sound like Chris fucking Mason.

Christ on a bike he’s inherited a country in a complete mess due to a succession of power hungry Tory cunts who were only in it for themselves. Brexit has ruined this country. 
 

Starmer is certainly not perfect but he’s a decent man making the best of a very bad hand.

 

Badenoch and Farage would have had us knee deep in Iran by now. 
 

Intrigued to know who you think would do a better job?

[Mason89]

2 minutes ago, Kowalski said:

Total nonsense. Unites the whole nation? You sound like Chris fucking Mason.

Christ on a bike he’s inherited a country in a complete mess due to a succession of power hungry Tory cunts who were only in it for themselves. Brexit has ruined this country. 
 

Starmer is certainly not perfect but he’s a decent man making the best of a very bad hand.

 

Badenoch and Farage would have had us knee deep in Iran by now. 
 

Intrigued to know who you think would do a better job?

He lied through his teeth to get the job. He starved kids to act hard then lied about it. He told his membership to fuck off. He appointed the world’s most notorious child sex traffickers friend as ambassador to the US. He appointed an absolute psycho as Home Secretary. He gave his shameful island of strangers speech. He criminalised pensioners protesting genocide. Release the sausages. 
 

Hes a wank who’s shite at his job 

[RicoS321]

3 hours ago, Kowalski said:

Total nonsense. Unites the whole nation? You sound like Chris fucking Mason.

Christ on a bike he’s inherited a country in a complete mess due to a succession of power hungry Tory cunts who were only in it for themselves. Brexit has ruined this country. 
 

Starmer is certainly not perfect but he’s a decent man making the best of a very bad hand.

 

Badenoch and Farage would have had us knee deep in Iran by now. 
 

Intrigued to know who you think would do a better job?

I've never seen someone outwith politics defend Keir Starmer in the wild, good for you. I think I could write a computer program more effective at being a human than the guy. I'd be curious to know what anyone thinks his reason in life is?

How do you know he's a decent man? He doesn't seem that decent. Nor does he seem the opposite. I struggle to form an opinion on the guy. He's impressive in his nothingness. I wouldn't be surprised if I one day came across him in my recycling bin, having thrown him out three days earlier without noticing. He's just an empty bottle. 

[Radiored]

I used to regard my right to vote as a privilege .... but now? As a former Labour party member, and latterly an SNP supporter, (and occasionally giving the Greens some 'love')  there is NO party ... or even a candidate I have any faith in. Of course, I will vote ... but it'll be for what I take a bet on being the least stinkiest shit ... full in the awareness I may well be proven wrong! I despair! 

There is absolutely NO political party likely to be campaigning in my constituency which even significantly overlaps with my personal sociopolitical world view. 

Problem is (not me!) .... that all established, or semi established parties I previously felt worthy of attracting my vote have abandoned their foundational roots and have simply become different - yet similar - brands of populism. 

It may be advantageous to forward, or at least 'parrot' the general 'word on the street' mantra ... but .... whilst Politicians need to represent the 'people' ... they also need to have some personal integrity and vision which guides and focuses the 'word on the street' in such a way that such words have meaning and direction.

I, for one, cannot remember anything inspiring and/or visionary worthy of my support being uttered/proposed for .... pffft ... fuck knows how long.

But hey ... at least we have democracy, eh? 

[TheDonbytheDee]

7 hours ago, Kowalski said:

Total nonsense. Unites the whole nation? You sound like Chris fucking Mason.

Christ on a bike he’s inherited a country in a complete mess due to a succession of power hungry Tory cunts who were only in it for themselves. Brexit has ruined this country. 

Undoubtedly he inherited a mess, probably a bigger mess than half the population realise, but you also have to factor in the Tories spent 14 years in power, but still managed to blame the previous Labour Government for the countries ills, right up to the end of their tenure.

Tony Blair is a cunt of the highest order, but when he had his landside in 1997, he gave people a bit of hope and had some half decent policies, which he imposed almost immediately after winning power. Working Tax Credits. Sure Start scheme and the minimum wage, were three transformational policies straight away and they certainly improved the NHS and Education.

Now Blair is a cunt of the highest order and a lot of the issues facing the UK and the world today, were started under his watch, but there was a bounce period after he came in. 

We have never had that with Starmer.

Like I say, he inherited a shit show, far worse than what Blair took over in 97, but has never once seemed the real deal. Lurching from one crisis, usually of their/his own doing, but never once looking like a leader.

The fact they are potentially speaking about Labour finishing fifth in the upcoming Council elections in May, less than two years into a landslide winning term, suggests that Starmer & the Labour Party are doing lots wrong.

You are entitled to your opinion min, but I certainly can't agree with it.

[TheDonbytheDee]

4 hours ago, Radiored said:

I will vote ... but it'll be for what I take a bet on being the least stinkiest shit ... 

How I see it min, although my stinkiest shit is still the SNP.

My youngest loon in entitled to his first vote, but is away for it and I told him not to worry about it.

I used to believe in the vote, but only a gype would attach any sort of of significance to it now.

 

 

[Mason89]

1 hour ago, TheDonbytheDee said:

How I see it min, although my stinkiest shit is still the SNP.

My youngest loon in entitled to his first vote, but is away for it and I told him not to worry about it.

I used to believe in the vote, but only a gype would attach any sort of of significance to it now.

 

 

I appreciate things are different up there but for the most part, the SNP have done alright for Scotland for the last two decades. Being the party in power and looking like land sliding the next election isn’t bad going. They’ve avoided any major scandal to the point that they have to make them up (ferries, camper vans, trans rights) 
 

Zack Polanski doesn’t represent populism. Their policies get written off as loony tree hugging but what they’re actually standing for, is some pretty reasonable shit that anyone sane wouldn’t argue against

The old saying is that if voting changed anything, they wouldn’t let us do it but it’s the only chance I’ve got of getting Jackie Baillie out my life. I remain positive 

[Kowalski]

3 hours ago, TheDonbytheDee said:

Undoubtedly he inherited a mess, probably a bigger mess than half the population realise, but you also have to factor in the Tories spent 14 years in power, but still managed to blame the previous Labour Government for the countries ills, right up to the end of their tenure.

Tony Blair is a cunt of the highest order, but when he had his landside in 1997, he gave people a bit of hope and had some half decent policies, which he imposed almost immediately after winning power. Working Tax Credits. Sure Start scheme and the minimum wage, were three transformational policies straight away and they certainly improved the NHS and Education.

Now Blair is a cunt of the highest order and a lot of the issues facing the UK and the world today, were started under his watch, but there was a bounce period after he came in. 

We have never had that with Starmer.

Like I say, he inherited a shit show, far worse than what Blair took over in 97, but has never once seemed the real deal. Lurching from one crisis, usually of their/his own doing, but never once looking like a leader.

The fact they are potentially speaking about Labour finishing fifth in the upcoming Council elections in May, less than two years into a landslide winning term, suggests that Starmer & the Labour Party are doing lots wrong.

You are entitled to your opinion min, but I certainly can't agree with it.

Never once looking like a leader? He’s a boring cunt but looks very good on the world stage IMHO. Competently outplaying Trump. 
 

He’s lurching from one crisis to another because the right wing media are whipping up a storm, and people are buying into it. Too many right wing foreign investors hold a strangle hold on the press in this country. Can you imagine if Rayner becomes leader? She would be hounded out by the press to ensure Farage becomes PM resulting in many people having the country they deserve. 
 

As for Blair, totally agree but the real problems in the country started with Thatcher. 

[Kowalski]

8 hours ago, RicoS321 said:

I've never seen someone outwith politics defend Keir Starmer in the wild, good for you. I think I could write a computer program more effective at being a human than the guy. I'd be curious to know what anyone thinks his reason in life is?

How do you know he's a decent man? He doesn't seem that decent. Nor does he seem the opposite. I struggle to form an opinion on the guy. He's impressive in his nothingness. I wouldn't be surprised if I one day came across him in my recycling bin, having thrown him out three days earlier without noticing. He's just an empty bottle. 

You sound like you prefer a grandstanding style-over-substance persona for a PM so good for you, you’ll get one soon the way things are going…
 

Social media (well, Threads) has plenty of people praising Starmer. And I mean PLENTY. 

[Ajja]

To some extent I agree with Kowalski on Starmar in that he has come into a total mess largely created by ideologs who spent 14years trying to reduce state intervention to rubble under the guise of austerity. Added to that the shambles of Brexit and then Covid and we are economically knackered with no wiggle room and then Trump just keep cutting the legs away. 
I think the core problems with Starmar are personality driven. He’s incredibly stubborn, verging on arrogant and lacks self awareness. He’s surrounded himself with technocrats like himself who are busy in the background trying to fix so many broken things but there is no definable plan. He is incapable of telling a story or selling an idea and modern politics demands that more than ever. People followed fucking Boris Johnson, I mean if that doesn’t say everything about engagement with politics in this country. 
In their technocratic style, KS and Reeves seem incapable of reading the room and so go about doing what appears ‘sensible’ economically (farmers, rich old people fuel etc) but completely misunderstands the perceived social impact. 
Labour need a leader to come in who can make people feel like things are going to improve even if they aren’t and Starmar isn’t capable of that an the more he gets cornered the less able to do it he is. 

[Mason89]

14 minutes ago, Kowalski said:

He’s lurching from one crisis to another because the right wing media are whipping up a storm, and people are buying into it. 

I suppose if you’re going to completely absolve him of any responsibility, then yeah, he’s a great leader 

[Ajja]

14 minutes ago, Kowalski said:

You sound like you prefer a grandstanding style-over-substance persona for a PM so good for you, you’ll get one soon the way things are going…
 

Social media (well, Threads) has plenty of people praising Starmer. And I mean PLENTY. 

He has been pretty effective on foreign issues as the diplomatic role suits him well. He leads like a lawyer who can stand up to chaos with certainty, resolve and determination to follow the rules. 
 

it doesnt really trouble me that he is a bit animatronic if he is sorting shit out. I’m also 100% in favour of the farmers and fuel allowance stuff despite the misstep of how the press would savage him on it. What I can’t stomach is the absolute terror of speaking out against Isreal. The antisemitism that plagued the Labour Party under JC has done so much damage to their ability to speak out against atrocity and that has turned my head away from Labour. 

[RicoS321]

19 minutes ago, Kowalski said:

You sound like you prefer a grandstanding style-over-substance persona for a PM so good for you, you’ll get one soon the way things are going…
 

Social media (well, Threads) has plenty of people praising Starmer. And I mean PLENTY. 

I think the entire idea of a prime minister, president, nation or even representative democracy is an abstract pile of pish, which only "works" if you ignore the overwhelming evidence that shows it doesn't. Starmer is exactly the nothing character (nothing-over-substance?) that the system required at this particular stage in its cycle, and I expect that the next guy will be the style type as you suggest. It's the equivalent of the young/experienced/foreign manager search in fitba. It makes no odds really. The economic, consumption, parasitic juggernaut will drag them all down eventually. Probably a lot sooner than we expect. Then, perhaps, we can get rid of the entire charade.