The Israel-Gaza crisis is blazing, and blaring out of the Commons is a type of rhetoric against Israel that resembles the Nazi sabre rattling of the 30’s.
It’s all too obvious for some that images of children suffering makes for a bad state across a border. The truth is stranger than fiction, but Labour don’t care.
The falling out with reality is the latest saga in Sir Keir Starmer’s attempt to stay on top of political ratings. The Tony Blair Channel has turned up the volume.
The Prime Minister has acted the part in nearly a year since his landslide win. His Plan for Change has become a keystone of his program for Government.
It’s defined a charge in and through multiple departments, setting a clear mandate for many of his spending pledges.
While he’s proved himself to be an effective figurehead, he’s yet to be a leader for everyone. The socialist values at the heart of Labour are coming out, but not much more is coming through.
There’s a feeling Labour are overlooking important issues at present. The doubts are not just on the side of sins of commission. These include offering Europeans freer travel here, while allowing international trafficking gangs ongoing access at the coast.
There are also sins of omission, such as not restoring the Winter Fuel payment, or failing to promise a definite lower price for domestic energy users. These are the sorts of decisions politicians love to promise, so why the delay? What else is there to do but deliver on it?
Luke Campbell MBE has thanked the people of Hull and East Yorkshire for his election as Mayor. He posted his comments on X, noting he wants to act and not talk.
Reform UK now have two Mayors, thanks to this set of local elections. It has a Mayor in Greater Lincolnshire, and Hull and East Yorkshire. This makes it a new force in elected mayoralties in the UK.
Sarah Pochin’s win in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election has led to Reform UK getting its first female MP in the House of Commons.
It’s a bonus as it recovers from the loss of Rupert Lowe MP (Great Yarmouth/Independent), following abuse allegations.
The Labour government is going ahead with a plan to build 1.5 million homes. It’s not clear who will benefit from these.
An article on Gov.uk says tens of thousands will enter the labour market due to new investment to get us building.
The lack of at least a longlist for new tenants is an omission by a government promising change to its support base.
Reform UK now has four MP’s on its books after the suspension of Rupert Lowe MP (Great Yarmouth/Independent) because he was accused of professional malpractice by staff, as reported in the popular press.
Now the dogs are out. In particular, Ben Habib has struck out at the character of Nigel Farage MP (Clacton/Reform UK), who he knows well having also been an MEP and at his side in previous years.
He says Farage is “not for the end goal of securing a bright, prosperous, independent United Kingdom.” The criticisms are broad but it’s what a leader expects in the fulcrum of UK politics.
Sir Winston Churchill is an example of a successful politician in our political system. He fitted into the fabric of the UK political estate with characteristic tenacity and verve.
He spoke to the nation during the Second World War. He acted as Prime Minister during its darkest times. He also took time to write and paint his times as he saw fit.
He was known as a gentle figure. His many friends looked to him for guidance and advice in their own affairs. He took difficulty in his stride and enjoyed the fruits of his success.
Nick Tenconi, leader of UKIP (of Brexit fame), is leading a charge against those who he claims have taken control of civil assembly and also civic debate too.
His marches, filmed for UKIP’s social media channels, are a broad swipe against such a prohibitive culture. He says he’s non-racist, pro-Christian, and pro-British.
He singles out protest activity, but also socialism, as part of a broader threat from the Left. His party backs limits on immigration, and pro-nation policies.
The Scottish Parliament, like the UK Supreme Court, is a relatively new feature on the UK political scene. It will take time to understand its importance, and its true significance.
The passing of laws isn’t a passage of time. The effectiveness of its legislative program is its truer litmus test. It has to be seen to be true to be called effective, and to get respect.
It’s believed to be a positive step toward independence, which at present is Scotland’s largest political ambition. However, it’s not clear if it will fully satisfy all the aims in mind.
The streets outside Westminster were busy with normal foot traffic and other activity. While the prospect of another farmer’s protest began to show, a much smaller march in favour of an Iranian figure started hours earlier.
It was a combative outing for Kemi Badenoch MP (North West Essex/Conservatives). She said Sir Keir Starmer MP (Holborn and St Pancras/Labour) doesn’t know his brief.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said she keeps to a script “that doesn’t allow adaptation”, and finds it “tedious”. It’s not just a matter of style but also substance here.
Olivia Bailey MP (Reading West and Mid Berkshire/Labour) spoke about her own experience of abuse and shame as an LGBT+ person, saying:
“The best way to honour the LGBT+ people who have, throughout history, fought for our rights, often at great personal cost, is to never be complacent, to link arms as a community and to make it our solemn mission to ensure that Pride is not just our protest against the pernicious effects of shame, but something felt freely by every LGBT person finally allowed to just be who they are.”
Reform UK has rapidly increased its membership of late. It now surpasses 200,000. It’s a powerful surge of support since its inception, and election of five MP’s last July.
It needs more than 100,000 members to surpass Labour. It’s no mean feat. Yet the party has shown its potential to grow support organically outside of an election cycle.