How long can Starmer survive? Getting popcorn ready 🍿🍿

'Labour will end the use of “dodgy front companies” that hide the source of dark money for political donations as part of its sweeping elections bill, which will give votes to 16-year-olds and pave the way for “opt-out” voter registration.

Gifts and hospitality for politicians sponsored by foreign states or companies will also be severely curbed, the Guardian understands.

The government also intends to put new restrictions on cryptocurrency donations and the size of foreign donations, a key concern of Labour MPs about money that may be funnelled to Reform UK.

Elon Musk, the billionaire X owner, was once reported to have been interested in a multimillion pound donation to Nigel Farage’s party, though later said he had failed to be impressed by the Reform UK leader.'
this won't make Labour popular with some. Time to desperately find more mud to throw at them

Another one gone

“A councillor elected under the Reform UK banner in Sunderland has already walked away.

Ian McKinley, who represents Hetton ward, has quit the party after internal disputes and says he’ll now serve the rest of his term as an Independent until May because he felt he couldn’t deliver for residents properly from inside the party.

And this is the key point 👇

He was only just elected. ⏳

Not years down the line. Not after a long saga. Months. 📆

That should worry people. ⚠️

You don’t fall out with your own party that quickly unless something is seriously off. Local government is hard enough without internal drama getting in the way. Residents expect their councillors to get on with fixing roads, sorting bins and dealing with housing issues, not spending their first few months battling branch chairs. 🤦‍♂️

Reform says he’s “betrayed residents.” But from his point of view, he’s saying he couldn’t keep his promises while staying inside the party. “
From instagram

I think the Huge amount of interest that Nigel Farage receives shows how much people are actually talking about him and reform.

Reform is popular right now, but may not be in three years time. But if things are no different by then, and Labour are still doing badly in the polls then Farage could be the next PM.

Labour and Conservatives councils will have differing focus but what they share is extensive experience, totally lacking in Reform. It’s crazy to expect decent services from them

Allira

MayBee70

Farage is now on BBC2. I can’t get away from the man. He has a handful of MPs but is constantly on tv.

I haven't seen him for quite a while.

We also have a 'silent' button so can think "Your lips are moving but all I hear is blah, blah, blah".

I don’t want to see him, silent or not. I was watching the Olympics and next thing I knew there he was …

Allira 20.18- I’m in agreement with you 😊

LemonJam

Reform just don't have the experience, knowledge, culture, leadership or maturity to act in local or national government, in agreement with Nick Brown- Farage is more interested in making enormous sums of money, gaining narcissistic attention via media appearances than a true interest in public service. The UK deserves much better than Reform/Farage in these challenging times.

I agree about Reform not having experience, knowledge etc etc.

And I also believe that about this Labour government.

I have no idea what the future holds but I'm not wildly optimistic

LemonJam

Reform just don't have the experience, knowledge, culture, leadership or maturity to act in local or national government, in agreement with Nick Brown- Farage is more interested in making enormous sums of money, gaining narcissistic attention via media appearances than a true interest in public service. The UK deserves much better than Reform/Farage in these challenging times.

Perhaps if he'd turned up occasionally when he was an MEP and now he is an MP he might have learned how it all works.

MayBee70

Farage is now on BBC2. I can’t get away from the man. He has a handful of MPs but is constantly on tv.

I haven't seen him for quite a while.

We also have a 'silent' button so can think "Your lips are moving but all I hear is blah, blah, blah".

Reform just don't have the experience, knowledge, culture, leadership or maturity to act in local or national government, in agreement with Nick Brown- Farage is more interested in making enormous sums of money, gaining narcissistic attention via media appearances than a true interest in public service. The UK deserves much better than Reform/Farage in these challenging times.

“Reform councillor Nick Brown has resigned the whip and will now sit as an Independent.

And he didn’t go quietly.

🚧 He blasted the decision to cancel the long-promised Toft Hill Bypass, despite millions having been allocated.
✂️ He accused the administration of failing to “slash council waste” or deliver any real reform of Durham County Council.

🤐 Culture of Yes-men
His letter describes a leadership culture where questioning decisions is met with hostility rather than debate. Allegations of bullying. A formal complaint to Standards. A party machine that values loyalty over scrutiny.

He also filed a complaint against Deputy Leader Darren Grimes, accusing him of belittling colleagues and failing basic standards of leadership. Brown’s view is blunt: some in the leadership seem more interested in building a social media profile and chasing a seat in Westminster than listening to councillors or residents“

sixandahalf: 'People believe the story'.

Just read article about Kent Council where 3.99% council tax increase agreed despite promising in their campaigning leaflets to reduce council tax in Kent if it won. To achieve the 3.99% increase the new budget will be Kent's highest exposure to financial risk ( up 60% from last year) and almost all of the risk is rated 4 out of 5 as likely to happen. The budget cuts £1.2 million from fostering services, £700,000 from fostering for children with disabilities, infrastructure static, ie not increasing with inflation so in reality a cut etc etc.

No, I for one don't agree with any of the Farage/Reform UK fantastical 'stories".

MayBee70

GrannyGravy13

MayBee70

Farage is now on BBC2. I can’t get away from the man. He has a handful of MPs but is constantly on tv.

Obviously TV and other media look at ratings and sales, if Nigel Farage pushes the viewing figures and/or sales up, then of course he will be asked to go on time and time again.

I disagree. I think that, with 24 hour news channels he just makes sure Reform are always available.

If you are correct, then maybe the other parties should also ensure that they always have someone ready and willing to go any programme/media?

Reform are seldom on ITV or BBC Breakfast news programmes, mind you neither are the Lib Dem’s or Greens.

It’s always a member of the government and their shadow, currently Labour and Conservative.

Galaxy

So I don't think Reform is a cult, I think it is a political party with considerable support. I think for example if Farage becomes PM ( quite likely in my view) and fails to address the immigration issue ( again quote likely in my view), he will be abandoned by those who currently support him.

He’ll still have five years in which to fulfil the desires of his financial backers ( who aren’t in it to help the poor and underprivileged).

GrannyGravy13

MayBee70

Farage is now on BBC2. I can’t get away from the man. He has a handful of MPs but is constantly on tv.

Obviously TV and other media look at ratings and sales, if Nigel Farage pushes the viewing figures and/or sales up, then of course he will be asked to go on time and time again.

I disagree. I think that, with 24 hour news channels he just makes sure Reform are always available.

Maremia

Gosh, I agree with you there ronib. Farage is smart, and has the media exposure thing sussed.
Still doesn't make him a good choice as PM. Just makes him a good storyteller.

People believe the story.

MayBee70

Farage is now on BBC2. I can’t get away from the man. He has a handful of MPs but is constantly on tv.

Obviously TV and other media look at ratings and sales, if Nigel Farage pushes the viewing figures and/or sales up, then of course he will be asked to go on time and time again.

I thought Reform was a registered company. Not a political party at all.

So I don't think Reform is a cult, I think it is a political party with considerable support. I think for example if Farage becomes PM ( quite likely in my view) and fails to address the immigration issue ( again quote likely in my view), he will be abandoned by those who currently support him.

So are you saying cults are just politics that you don't agree with.

Gosh, I agree with you there ronib. Farage is smart, and has the media exposure thing sussed.
Still doesn't make him a good choice as PM. Just makes him a good storyteller.

Cults can be enormous. How many are in the MAGA cult just now?

Er yes MayBee70 doesn’t Farage have a financial stake in GB news plus his own hourly tv show twice a week? He’s smart whether you love or hate him. He is miles ahead of most other politicians in positive media exposure.

Farage is now on BBC2. I can’t get away from the man. He has a handful of MPs but is constantly on tv.

I think of cults as people following a leader blindly no matter what they say or do.