Be Excellent To Each Other

Actually, from my perspective there doesn't. I don't want a Labour win in 2020, particularly. What I want is political engagement, debate, opposing ideas, and something different to the last 5 years where Labour haven't even dared to object to most of the governmental actions where any sane party would have actually, for god's sake, been in opposition.

Whose grief?

Every even slightly left leaning person I know is ecstatic with Corbyn being elected. Even most of the centrists are actually interested in having a real opposition instead of Tory-lite.

Labour supporters are ecstatic to a man/woman about this? Seriously? Wow.

Ah well, good luck to them. So am I.

In other news, another defenestration in Australia. I know little about Australian politics, but what I did know of Abbott I didn't like.

It's an interesting question. Someone should organise some sort of a big poll or vote to determine exactly how many Labour supporters are in favour of Corbyn.

73%

Big difference between being ecstatic and voting for the lesser of evils, though

You don't get a 60% landslide grudgingly.

The BBC keep doing videos like this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34245061

Shitty 'new age' reporting that isn't reporting. Backing music over sliding graphics of text and artsy clips of no real content. What I wouldn't give for just 60 seconds of proper fucking reporting with a real person speaking rather than this shit. They probably think this substanceless guff appeals to the kids thesedays, what their their snapchats and youtubes and stuff.

Hmm. Corbs has done something very laudible here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 00075.html

Can't find mention of it on the BBC at all.

It was included, very briefly and glancingly, in a run down of shadow cabinet appointments

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34241395

Crikey you're not kidding. That's as brief as it can be.

I've met Luciana Berger. Very ambitious woman. Also, Jewish

To be fair, all credit to him on this. Mental health is all too often regarded as the 'poor relation' of healthcare, which, given how prevalent and devastating it clearly is, is surely an oversight long overdue for redress. May help to move us forwards in fighting social stigma type issues as well.

Yes, with any hope it will raise awareness and, as you say, start to erase the stigma. Hopefully even among The Telegraph assistant editors.

Updated now.

Yeah, I saw that it had been updated some time yesterday.

So much of the press has long been corrupt and pathetic that it will deserve its own demise.

Jeremy Warner, the author, was just as charming on Twitter:

What an arsehole.

This is an excellent and concise explanation for how Corbyn as the leader of the Labour party happened, argued from an economic perspective. Pretty accessible even if you have no real grounding in economics.

I'm curious to see how the BBC coverage will change. The Tories used to whine like pathetic little two year olds at every perceived bit of left wing bias before, how ever will they cope now that the BBC will be duty bound to give Corbyn's views and policies a fair airing?

Actually they'll no doubt respond by destroying the BBC just like they try to do with anything that doesn't fit with their fanatical ideology, regardless of whether anyone else wants them to or not.

Probably would be of more persuasive argument if it came from a more independent source, but Krugman/Corbyn/Murphy are all super best mates. Krugman wrote the papers that Murphy based Green QE on, which Corbyn first nicked as PQE then engaged with Murphy and Krugman to refine.

Yeah well, journos, what can I say that I haven't already said.

Don't approve of the crass language, but to be fair to the Torygraph, having a Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer who appears to have said what he's said about former members of the IRA, and seems a bit of a commie to boot, is pretty 'off the scale' to most people, myself included. I never thought I could miss Ed Balls so quickly.

I don't understand what tax credits are

Not sure if a softly softly approach at PMQs is the best idea. At best, it'd be like playing a positional passing game in Rocket Ball with Beex. At worst, Cameron could eviscerated him but I agree with the smart money that the best play is to use the disquiet in the Labour ranks to stick the thin end of the (red) wedge in and then softly hammer it home.

I like PMQs . I like it because the put downs, the written answers and the jeering.

It literally doesn't matter what anyone says in PMQs even one jot. The papers will report what they want to report. Cameron could black up and call Dianne Abbott a dirty nigger, and The Sun would report that Corbyn was a disaster.

Who cares if he didn't sing the anthem, seriously. What a pathetic state of affairs the British media has become

He does - he cares an enormous amount, otherwise he'd have sung it. He knew it would be noticed, he knew it would be reported on, he knew a good chuck of the population would think it a dickish move, so why he did it is a very interesting question.

WTFF? He is an atheist and a republican. I know that if I am in a church for a funeral or whatever it feels far more disrespectful to believers for me to stand there not-even-half-heartedly mumbling along with it all than to simply stay silent.

The more I hear about him, the more I like the guy.

Hmm, I disagree, even as someone who isn't particularly keen on the concept or actuality of the British Monarchy (but mindful of even less palatable alternatives).

To my mind, this was, I think, a commemorative of those valiant souls who gave their lives to the British State as part of the Battle of Britain, precisely so that people like Corbyn could enjoy the type of freedoms he is only too happy to exercise with his tediously frequent dissents. The British Anthem would've very much mattered to them (and very likely their survivors and still living comrades), so y'know, the decent thing to have done and in all recognition of their great sacrifice and sensibilities, would've been for Corbyn to sing the bloody song with them? Pfft, but no, it's all 'yeah I know you gave your lives in your 20s, but it's beneath my precious little principles to sing the Anthem with your comrades'. Perhaps the bearded, scruffy twat shouldn't have turned up at all then in that case, rather than piss them all off with this petulant little display?

In doing this, I personally think he's shown no decorum or sensitivity at all; it's an uncomfortable reminder of Michael Foot turning up to a Remembrance Memorial in his old duffle coat, except at least he bloody sang IIRC (and didn't hang out with Gerry Adams). He's already been openly condemned this morning by members of his own front bench and there are loud murmurs now afoot of more progressive Labour MPs crossing the floor to the Tories... let's see how he fares during PMQs, I'm betting 'damp squib' but we'll see.

I wonder how many of those Labour supporters will be 'ecstatic to have Corbyn elected' by Christmas - or even by the end of this month... not many I should think

If he had sung it then there would have been a scandal that he's a hypocrite, and toadying up to The Queen, and disrespecting servicemen by telling lies about not being religious or a monarchist, etc.

I think that knowing he would be crucified either way, taking the route in which he actually believes is eminently sensible.

While the papers will shriek on it tediously, I can only respect Corbyn for sticking to his principles on choosing not to sing simply to placate a public perception and the media.

Silently showing respect, great. I don't know if he's an atheist but as a republican I can see why he wouldn't sing 'God save the Queen'. As an atheist that supports the abolition of the monarchy I don't sing it either.

Yeah it is pretty clear that certain corners of the media are going for the jugular, they want to crucify him no matter what he does. Attempting to appease the media didn't really get Gordon Brown or Ed Miliband very far, did it? Might as well just stick to his principals.

I think it makes him look obstinate.

Apparently he just said he'd take "full part" next time anthem singing is deemed appropriate.

Heh, so he hasn't even got moral consistency on his side.
What an utter bumbling twat.

It is a rookie error. To change his mind would be inconsistent, to stick with not singing would be obstinate.

Best have avoid the situation in the first place as it has affected the team's a bit to score big points on last night's Tory rebellion.

I should work in this kind of field, me, anticipating problems rather than mopping them up.

Yep. See my earlier post above (which wasn't there when I first posted as I was out and about picking up this 911 (991.1)C2GTS which is rather fab )

Also to add: thinking about it, this is just so typical of Corbyn and his 32-year luxury of being able to do precisely what he bloody well wants, because he didn't matter/no-one was listening to him. Consensus politics, collective responsibility...? Pfft, like he's ever had to care about either.

But, he's going on a crash course now though alright - grown up time now.

This is what he said:

"I was at the Battle of Britain memorial yesterday. I was there out of respect for that amazing moment in British history. I was also thinking about my family, my mum and dad who were there at that time in London and who worked as air raid wardens during the Blitz. I was thinking about them. It was a respectful ceremony, and I stood in respect throughout it.
"I am going to be at many events and I will take part fully in those events. I don't see a problem about this. I was there and I will show my respect in the proper way at all future events. The proper way is to take a full part in it and I will take a full part."

It's not a prepared statement and it's pretty ambiguous.

Oh dear. He will need to getting used to handling these kind of teacup storms to avoid them blowing up and turning into a PR nightmare. Flip-flop you don't.

Again, in fairness to Corbyn here - he's doing well in PMQs. Nothing inflammatory, reiterating a commitment to sensible adult behaviour during the questioning, and sourcing the questions from canvassing the public. Obviously directed along the lines he wishes to question - mostly housing, but being able to cite specific examples with quotes from real people - that's a winner.

Cameron is prepped however, and has convincing answers. If the rest of the MPs could pipe down with their generic jeering and cheering it would be better still.

Jesus, that pissed me off. Nothing wrong with a quick "hear, hear" if you agree with something, but fuck off with your constant braying, you cunts.

On that - why aren't they allowed to applaud by clapping?

Tradition innit, not that it stops those SNP twats from doing it as often as they like. Nothing but carping about TEH VOWS from them today.

Who are you and what have you done with EBG?

I'm not voting from him, but in isolation it was a competent presentation that's already left people saying 'Hmm, that was a bit different'. It even had the gurning cunts of the Daily Politics show a bit muted in response.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, the economic recovery marches on apace:



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34267120

Tchoh! Those useless, evil, bastard Tories eh?

Don't forget the growth in unemployment too!

I'd be interested to see where the growth fits exactly, in terms of relative wealth. Is is evenly distributed, concentrated in the higher echelons, or more focused at lower wage earners.

Ideally it would be the first or third of those options.