Re: Local Elections 2026
 

For two main reasons

A) your buddy’s war with Iran
B) From Reuters - Long-term British borrowing costs surged to their highest in nearly 30 years, sterling slumped and shares fell on Tuesday as investors ​brace for a potential change of leadership that could weaken fiscal discipline.

The Markets want Starmer to stay…

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

Labour unions signal Starmer exit as pressure mounts on Prime Minister



Trade unions affiliated with the Labour Party have dramatically escalated pressure on Keir Starmer by declaring it is now “clear” he will not lead Labour into the next general election.

In a striking joint intervention, union figures warned that while the Government had made some progress since taking office, Labour “cannot continue on its current path”, adding to the mounting sense of crisis surrounding Starmer’s leadership.

In my view, the statement is likely to intensify speculation about a potential leadership contest after weeks of growing unrest within Labour ranks, following disastrous local election results, plunging poll ratings, and market turbulence.


https://londonlovesbusiness.com/labo...rime-minister/

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

I though @stephenkb put it well

And a great reply from @wrathofgodbot

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

thenry for King :D

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

i want to be emperor or i'm not playing

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

I may not have the time to be Foreign Secretary, far too busy hoarding Beans, Potatoes and Carrots ready for the collapse of Civilisation.

I also only speak two languages - English and Swearing - and have no wish to fly around the World visiting Countries where I have to shake hands (or other appendages) with strange people wearing funny hats.

However (never underestimate a good however in a closing statement) with the use off a private office (or garden shed) I could find time to mutter "bugger off" down the phone every hour or so ;)

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

Trump’s just awaiting your call - I’m sure you’d fit in there… ;)

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

... and Hugh for ... (suggestions invited).

---------- Post added at 12:18 ---------- Previous post was at 12:17 ----------

In which case, I'll be Foreign Secretary and you can be Chief of Secret Police.

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

If invited, I would not serve - as I’m not a member of the Victor Meldrew Appreciation Society (unlike the previous nominees), I could not bring the same energy* to any role offered…

*negative

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

You shall be known as Lord Skidmark

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

Chief of Secret Police, yes that might work, I could easily change my phone mutterings to "don't look behind you" :D

Not even with a bribe of half price whisky every Thursday?

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

stamp licker

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

Now at the risk of dragging this thread kicking and screaming back on course;

"We want cheap prices and business responds with cheap labour to deliver that whilst maintaining profits.” Well duh, by far the biggest cost to any company is labour costs, staff salaries. You want to reduce the price of your goods, then that’s really the only way to go.


"We want more from the NHS because we need more from the NHS, collectively.

To get more from the NHS, we need a government that supports economic growth and doesn't piss money away on excessive benefits.”

Or do we need the NHS?

Now before everyone piles in to flame me; just hear me out. Do we want the current NHS (conceived in the 1940s), or do we want an effective national health system which, maybe is funded differently - yes, will still provide treatment to everyone who needs it - but being funded by direct taxation only, is that really the best way to do it?

I vaguely remember my late father telling me that the ‘NHS is the envy of the world’ - although you do have to question if that actually right, so why have few other countries adopted the same model?

And this is not a hard choice between the UK and US models - what happens in France or Germany? If you are a poor person in Germany with a serious illness, do they just leave you to die at the side of the road? Of course not, there are safety nets.

The question is this, is the current way the NHS is funded the ‘best’ way - are there alternatives to provide the same level of cover? And yes I know there have been studies which appear to show that the way the NHS is currently funded is the cheapest way to provide the best cover - but if they are true then why haven’t other countries taken it up?

Every single party and politician secretly knows that the current system is simply not sustainable, but dare not suggest it; as it is electoral suicide.

At some point the question will need to be answered, it’s a case of who has the ‘cojones’ to do it!

Re: Local Elections 2026
 

I'd like an NHS Dentist, none to be seen around here.