UK Watch

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Charlotte Walker (@purplepadma@beige.party)

ICYMI, as of today the UK has a “Common Sense Tsar” who will personally fight back against the pernicious scourge of wokery. The incumbent is someone who completely failed to be elected Tory leader, held a couple of cabinet jobs, then flounced off to be a TV presenter on Fox-wannabe, GB News. It has physically pained me to type all this out, and not because I have RSI in my tooting finger

Colin H. (@GlasWolf@mastodon.scot)

Today, the #Tories awarded an unelected man a life peerage just so they could make him Foreign Secretary, one of the so-called Great Offices of State. As an non-MP he won't have to face any questioning in the HoC chamber. Nine days ago it was revealed that the government is planning to broaden the definition of extremism to include those who "undermine the UK’s system of parliamentary democracy, its institutions and values". Funny old world, eh? #Cameron #Sunak #Hypocracy #YouYesYet

Mad, huh?

[Irrev-Black]

Lovely merch article for the political Anglophile:

*UPDATED* A Cabinet of Arseholes T-Shirt

It's increasingly obvious that the government is run by another cabinet choc-full of arseholes, as seen on this Cabinet of Arseholes T-shirt!

[pipbarber]

A minister for 'common sense' is really a minister for propaganda. The tiny glimmer of light is the fact that there is a need for a propaganda minister in the first place. Normally, the dominant structures in liberal democracy and neoliberalism are so deeply embodied in society that hardly anyone notices they even exist. The gulf between the ideological promises and reality on the ground is of such a magnitude in the UK, or so it seems, that there is suddenly a need to produce a propaganda ministry to counter all that realisation going on that the whole system is bullshit.

[stylofone]

A minister for 'common sense' is really a minister for propaganda. The tiny glimmer of light is the fact that there is a need for a propaganda minister in the first place. Normally, the dominant structures in liberal democracy and neoliberalism are so deeply embodied in society that hardly anyone notices they even exist. The gulf between the ideological promises and reality on the ground is of such a magnitude in the UK, or so it seems, that there is suddenly a need to produce a propaganda ministry to counter all that realisation going on that the whole system is bullshit.

It reminds me of this bit of commentary about the National Trust, on how the fringe elements now dominating the tory government have moved further and further away from reality. "Normal" types, including lifelong Conservative Party supporters people just aren't with them. It's not like America there are tens of millions of everyday nutters.

Yet again the culture warriors lose because the public rejects them, unmoved by their eccentric and malevolent obsessions, irritated by their political weaponising of everything. The Tories should note that the trust has 5 million members, its council representing other colossal charities, such as the CPRE (the countryside charity formerly known as the Campaign to Protect Rural England), the RSPB, English Heritage, the Wildlife Trusts, the Woodland Trust and others. Here are the massed ranks of middle England – and they are modern, progressive and resistant to culture-war nonsense. Alongside heritage, they are concerned about the climate, human rights and an honest representation of history, as perceptions change through the generations. But the Tories have vacated this normal world, “the party and the people now passing each other like ships in the night”, says Robert Ford, a professor of political science. And they may not meet again for a very long time.

Suella Braverman is sunk, and so are the Tories: a party of nihilists, led by a loser | Polly Toynbee

The former home secretary is a dangerous loudmouth, but she speaks for a party that has been marching rightwards for years, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee

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Cost of that Brexit thingy?

Brexit: New report suggests UK £311bn worse off by 2035 due to leaving EU

The report came up with a scenario for growth if the UK had stayed inside the EU, and compared it to forecasts the Office for Budget Responsibility made in March last year.

[Irrev-Black]

Meanwhile.... General calls for Dad's Army 2024.

Britain must train citizen army, military chief warns

General Sir Patrick Sanders points to threat of Russia as he warns of UK's lack of readiness for war.

Charles Stross has some comments to make (and don't miss those who comment at the end of his post).

I am seeing newspaper headlines today along the lines of British public will be called up to fight if UK goes to war because 'military is too small', Army chief warns, and I am rolling my eyes.

The Tories run this flag up the mast regularly whenever they want to boost their popularity with the geriatric demographic who remember national service (abolished 60 years ago, in 1963). Thatcher did it in the early 80s; the Army general staff told her to piss off. And the pols have gotten the same reaction ever since. This time the call is coming from inside the house—it's a general, not a politician—but it still won't work because changes to the structure of the British society and economy since 1979 (hint: Thatcher's revolution) make it impossible.

Reasons it won't work: there are two aspects, infrastructure and labour.

http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-st ... w-tin.html

[Irrev-Black]

Reform UK, that thing with a Farage in it, was previously the Brexit Party.

Its structure is similar to that of the redheaded Please Explain critter's party over here.

Who's funding this beast?

Formerly known as the Brexit Party before its rebrand, the party saw a funding peak during the 2019 election year, when the House of Commons reported that the Party received the highest average value per donation, at £461,111, however registered only received nine donations from two individuals.

Most significant contributions have been from former Conservative donors, such as British businessman Jeremy Hosking who gave nearly £250,000 in 2019, and over £2,500,000 in total as he continues to provide donations for Reform.

Brexiteer Hosking has also given millions to Laurence Fox’s Reclaim Party.

While Thailand based, technology investor and businessman Christopher Harborne is one of the biggest single donors to the party, also a Tory donor, having donated £10 million to Reform in the lead up to the 2019 general election.

Ex-Bullingdon Club member George Farmer gave £200,000 in 2019, the husband of Candace Owens and former CEO of far-right platform Parler.

The same year also saw the Brexit Party embroiled in a funding scandal after leader Nigel Farage boasted it had raised £750,000 in small donations in 10 days. The Party was criticised by the Electoral Commission over gifts accepted through online payments systems such as PayPal and told to check all donations for “possible illegal funding”.

The Party has also been criticised for its structure which gives almost total control to its leader, with its 115,000 paying registered supporters not holding any influence over policy.

Who funds the Reform UK Party?

A closer look at the money behind the right-wing political group

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Labour overturns 18,000 Tory majority to win Wellingborough byelection

Gen Kitchen takes seat for party for first time since 2001 general election to temper fears after testing week

Very big bi-election win for Labour, largest swing from Tories to Labour in 30 years. The interesting thing is the strong vote for Reform UK, Nigel Farage's right wing populist party, who also did well and probably stole quite a few Tory votes and you'd think that will be the case at the general election. That, and because the tories are possibly the most incompetent government in living memory, suggests that labour have a very high probability of winning in a year's time and that would be a relief for everyone, including quite a few tories, i'm guessing.

Not that much can be expected from labour.

Last week, Starmer formally dropped his flagship target of spending £28bn a year on green investment, citing poor economic conditions, despite support for the policy from the public and warnings from business leaders to keep it.

With policy uturns like that, even Rupert himself might endorse Starmer.

[pipbarber]

Rebel Tory MPs pushing for Rishi Sunak to quit before he is deposed

Some said to be lobbying for PM to resign to avoid spectacle of coup, while others are waiting for outcome of May local elections

Well, that was a big bi-election loss but really, what else can they do? The ideological horse is basically skeletal, at this point. It's starting to look as though changing leaders is the only viable distraction from the party's tome of failures and embarrassments, and who would want the gig? Someone who fancies 'Prime Minister of UK' on their cv in order to land a real job, i'm guessing. So basically a tory narcissistic mercenary, shouldn't be too hard to find.

[stylofone]

Another one from CPAC, so it crosses over with the USA. Truss was simply terrible in innovative ways, so this is an example of kakistocracy, and how the very worst can rise to the top.

Sunak urged to act against Truss for spreading rightwing conspiracy theories

Ex-PM appears with former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and talks of ‘deep state’ ousting her from power