What Is Happening To Our Country?

[badgerx16]

Shadow Chancellor speaks at conference

Grant Shapps speaks

Discussion on the "Future of the Union"

[Gloucester Saint]

Chris Mason twisting the knife on BBC. Their 1922 Committee have got to act by the spring of next year unless Reform implodes by then (it won’t yet) as Badenoch trying to take them on directly and out-Reform him is stupid. 

They need a centre right pro business leader like Street if they can find him a seat, attack Farage on that as it’s his Achilles Heel and hold Reeves to better account. 

[Gloucester Saint]

In Private Eye, just to show what a buffoon Badenoch is, she’s been directing her followers to Turning Point UK’s website. Which amongst other activities last month featured TPUK members accusing Southampton motorists without evidence of taking down their ‘fucking flags’ and being a ‘fucking cunt’.

TPUK went one better down the M27, thinking they were gatecrashing Corbyn launching his new party. Corbyn was nowhere near Portsmouth but TPUK did manage to find a mob of ex-EDL and BNP boneheads who chanted ‘Corbyn’s a wanker’ through a PA system. Not only was Corbyn nor his new party not there but Hampshire Police dispersed them as they frightened disabled kids having a dance meeting in the community centre upstairs.

TPUK thanked Kemi for being the only elected party leader who reached out to them.

Edited October 6 by Gloucester Saint

[Lighthouse]

4 hours ago, Turkish said:

The biggest conspiracy theory ever sold was that anyone who questions the narrative is a conspiracy theorist 

I love shoving things up my arse as much as the next man, but if 'questioning the narrative' involves taking five caramel lattes a day up the poo pipe and dying from lymphoma aged 23, I'll probably stick to being a sheep.

[whelk]

13 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

In Private Eye, just to show what a buffoon Badenoch is, she’s been directing her followers to Turning Point UK’s website. Which amongst other activities last month featured TPUK members accusing Southampton motorists without evidence of taking down their ‘fucking flags’ and being a ‘fucking cunt’.

TPUK went one better down the M27, thinking they were gatecrashing Corbyn launching his new party. Corbyn was nowhere near Portsmouth but TPUK did manage to find a mob of ex-EDL and BNP boneheads who chanted ‘Corbyn’s a wanker’ through a PA system. Not only was Corbyn nor his new party not there but Hampshire Police dispersed them as they frightened disabled kids having a dance meeting in the community centre upstairs.

TPUK thanked Kemi for being the only elected party leader who reached out to them.

Only caught the headlines of their Conference but seeming clear going far more to the right. Hopefully split some of Reform voters although they have no one with any charisma especially the current leader. Just seem desperate. Oh yeah and the streets are not safe anymore -lol

[Gloucester Saint]

36 minutes ago, whelk said:

Only caught the headlines of their Conference but seeming clear going far more to the right. Hopefully split some of Reform voters although they have no one with any charisma especially the current leader. Just seem desperate. Oh yeah and the streets are not safe anymore -lol

The ‘Streets not safe’ line Reform have also been pushing with huge (and inevitably dodgy) funding on Facebook. Splitting the Reform vote with a change of leader is probably the best they can hope for. I’d be getting Street elected however they can as an MP and getting him as leader, fresh face without the tarnish of the post-Brexit disaster.

[whelk]

Just now, Gloucester Saint said:

The ‘Streets not safe’ line Reform have also been pushing with huge (and inevitably dodgy) funding on Facebook. Splitting the Reform vote with a change of leader is probably the best they can hope for. I’d be getting Street elected however they can as an MP and getting him as leader, fresh face without the tarnish of the post-Brexit disaster.

Agree about Street. Don’t think this current lot seem to understand how most of the public view them. And that isn’t just the 14 years of discontent- when they put people like Philps out sounding like a Reform guy so many switch off.  Never been a massive Tory fan but could at least respect their grandees and what they were trying to do. This lot seem like writing on the hoof after their focus group findings. Although Labour are pretty similar in that respect.

Now they are going to slash public services - clearly what the electorate wanted last election. Labour need to get much tougher on immigration, even for the optics, Agree with Trump that needs to think about using military although so many in his party would oppose but at least he could say went down trying rather than limping through the term with no one really knowing where we are going

[Turkish]

Robert Jenrick being accused of racism because he said part of Birmingham is a shit hole and didn’t see another white person 🤦

Edited October 7 by Turkish

[Gloucester Saint]

25 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Robert Jenrick being accused of racism because he said part of Birmingham is a shit hole and didn’t see another white person 🤦

It’s ignorant as much as racist but goes to prove that Bob Jenryck should never be anywhere near power, let alone the stench of corruption around him over the years. Wouldn’t be surprised if he jumped ship to Reform once Badenoch is ousted. Then he can help them tank like he did the Tories.

Compare the maturity here with Andy Street’s comments, having been Mayor of the region and having actually lived there for decades https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy85zlpwne6o

Edited October 7 by Gloucester Saint

[badgerx16]

25 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Robert Jenrick being accused of racism because he said part of Birmingham is a shit hole and didn’t see another white person 🤦

Surprised he could see anything other than piles of bin bags.

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

Surprised he could see anything other than piles of bin bags.

Rat population hardly needed adding to with his visit.

[Turkish]

20 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

It’s ignorant as much as racist but goes to prove that Bob Jenryck should never be anywhere near power, let alone the stench of corruption around him over the years. Wouldn’t be surprised if he jumped ship to Reform once Badenoch is ousted. Then he can help them tank like he did the Tories.

Compare the maturity here with Andy Street’s comments, having been Mayor of the region and having actually lived there for decades https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy85zlpwne6o

if diversity is our strength and we want a multi cultural integrated society then going to an area and not seeing any white people means that area isn't diverse and multi-cultural, surely?

[Gloucester Saint]

49 minutes ago, Turkish said:

if diversity is our strength and we want a multi cultural integrated society then going to an area and not seeing any white people means that area isn't diverse and multi-cultural, surely?

People see what they want to see for their narrative. Did he visit any of the local community centres? Any of the faith establishments? The pubs and clubs? Meeting and engaging with people is how you find out what the level of cohesion really is or isn’t. 

Handsworth had a violent history in the 1980s and added to the bin strike (Unite is a disgrace as well as their City Council) it’s easy to resort to stereotypes. But I’d rather take the word of a recent and effective Conservative Mayor for that region who knows the area inside out than a failed and corrupt former Minister who spends his time making videos of fare evaders, getting in the way of the BTP.

[Turkish]

19 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

People see what they want to see for their narrative. Did he visit any of the local community centres? Any of the faith establishments? The pubs and clubs? Meeting and engaging with people is how you find out what the level of cohesion really is or isn’t. 

Handsworth had a violent history in the 1980s and added to the bin strike (Unite is a disgrace as well as their City Council) it’s easy to resort to stereotypes. But I’d rather take the word of a recent and effective Conservative Mayor for that region who knows the area inside out than a failed and corrupt former Minister who spends his time making videos of fare evaders, getting in the way of the BTP.

That's the case with everyone though isn't it. We are all guilty of confirmation bias. I have no idea what he did when he was there, but it "appears" that the point he was making was that the community was overwhelmingly of one ethnicity and not the diverse culture we are told is our strength.

[badgerx16]

There are plenty of places around the country, especially in the more rural areas, where Jenrick is unlikely to see a black face. Is that a sign that multiculturism is failing ?

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, badgerx16 said:

Surprised he could see anything other than piles of bin bags.

Were they black too?

[Turkish]

2 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

There are plenty of places around the country, especially in the more rural areas, where Jenrick is unlikely to see a black face. Is that a sign that multiculturism is failing ?

It interesting that the people that live in the places you describe are often the ones who shout loudest about how great immigration is for the country......... 

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Were they black too?

Seems so 

 

[badgerx16]

Turkish beat me to it

Edited October 7 by badgerx16

[badgerx16]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

It interesting that the people that live in the places you describe are often the ones who shout loudest about how great immigration is for the country......... 

But what sort of immigration ?

[Turkish]

Just now, badgerx16 said:

But what sort of immigration ?

I suspect they dont care as long as they can be seen as great people without it impacting where they live

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

It interesting that the people that live in the places you describe are often the ones who shout loudest about how great immigration is for the country......... 

I dunno though, South Devon, which is 98% white Uk/N European, where my folks live is definitely not shouting loudly about the merits of immigration. Quite the opposite - the shopping centres have Reform stands  and their NextDoor app is full of Duckhunter and Soggy type characters arguing, x100 the amount happening on here. The one up here is completely different outlook with places like Gloucester and Cheltenham a lot more diverse than Devon and only an hour from Bristol/Birmingham.

Edited October 7 by Gloucester Saint

[pingpong]

Because the area he was in is roughly the inverse of sotons demographic, presumably if he came here he would be scared by the lack of Asian and black faces?

He went on to explain he wants to see all skin colours side by side, so I assume he would be horrified if he went to Romsey.

I look forward to the Tory policies designed to increase ethnic diversity in their stronglands, it will be quite a shift.

[benjii]

5 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

The ‘Streets not safe’ line Reform have also been pushing with huge (and inevitably dodgy) funding on Facebook. Splitting the Reform vote with a change of leader is probably the best they can hope for. I’d be getting Street elected however they can as an MP and getting him as leader, fresh face without the tarnish of the post-Brexit disaster.

The streets aren’t safe from Reform:

 

[rallyboy]

Jenrick is just a fucking idiot trying to appeal to fucking idiots.

And all the time we're talking about that no one is talking about the corrupt deal his party did on asylum hotels that has just been exposed.

[Gloucester Saint]

8 hours ago, benjii said:

The streets aren’t safe from Reform:

 

Reform pissing it up the wall again

[hypochondriac]

At last some positive news coming out of our courts. The man convicted for burning a Qaran has won on appeal:

"There is no offence of blasphemy in our law. Burning a Koran may be an act that many Muslims find desperately upsetting and offensive. The criminal law, however, is not a mechanism that seeks to avoid people being upset, even grievously upset. The right to freedom of expression, if it is a right worth having, must include the right to express views that offend, shock or disturb.
 
"We live in a liberal democracy. One of the precious rights that affords us is to express our own views and read, hear and consider ideas without the state intervening to stop us doing so. The price we pay for that is having to allow others to exercise the same rights, even if that upsets, offends or shocks us."

Well said whoever those judges were.

[Lord Duckhunter]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

At last some positive news coming out of our courts. The man convicted for burning a Qaran has won on appeal:

Is he in hiding? 

[hypochondriac]

5 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Is he in hiding? 

I believe he was. I'm not sure if that's still the case. Pretty shameful that he was charged in the first place given that the justification for doing so was the alarm and distress caused to the man who attempted to murder him.

[egg]

1 hour ago, hypochondriac said:

At last some positive news coming out of our courts. The man convicted for burning a Qaran has won on appeal:

"There is no offence of blasphemy in our law. Burning a Koran may be an act that many Muslims find desperately upsetting and offensive. The criminal law, however, is not a mechanism that seeks to avoid people being upset, even grievously upset. The right to freedom of expression, if it is a right worth having, must include the right to express views that offend, shock or disturb.
 
"We live in a liberal democracy. One of the precious rights that affords us is to express our own views and read, hear and consider ideas without the state intervening to stop us doing so. The price we pay for that is having to allow others to exercise the same rights, even if that upsets, offends or shocks us."

Well said whoever those judges were.

Sensible judgement, and pleasing they didn't throw the book at him. 

[hypochondriac]

2 minutes ago, egg said:

Sensible judgement, and pleasing they didn't throw the book at him. 

They were probably worried he'd burn it.

[Willo of Whiteley]

Can we just start an annual Hunger Games of Reform and Tory members, let the idiots take each other out. 😂

[Turkish]

Vegan tampons in men’s toilets. Perfectly normal 😳

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/10/national-trust-vegan-tampons-mens-toilets-trans/

 

[egg]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Vegan tampons in men’s toilets. Perfectly normal 😳

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/10/national-trust-vegan-tampons-mens-toilets-trans/

 

Very odd. 

They don't need to be vegan. 

[Lighthouse]

https://news.sky.com/story/lostprophets-singer-ian-watkins-dies-after-attack-in-prison-13448665

 

One slightly less crowded prison.

[The Kraken]

Good

[badgerx16]

1 hour ago, Lighthouse said:

https://news.sky.com/story/lostprophets-singer-ian-watkins-dies-after-attack-in-prison-13448665

 

One slightly less crowded prison.

That'll save the tax payer a few quid.

[Turkish]

2 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

https://news.sky.com/story/lostprophets-singer-ian-watkins-dies-after-attack-in-prison-13448665

 

One slightly less crowded prison.

Good 

however I used to work with a bloke with the same name who also actually looks a bit like him and is of a similar age when I saw the initial post on Facebook that Ian Watson had been stabbed to death I didn’t have the same reaction

[Lighthouse]

5 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Good 

however I used to work with a bloke with the same name who also actually looks a bit like him and is of a similar age when I saw the initial post on Facebook that Ian Watson had been stabbed to death I didn’t have the same reaction

Sounds like you've got the wrong Ian Watkins mate.

[The Kraken]

Reach for the stars.

[Turkish]

17 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Sounds like you've got the wrong Ian Watkins mate.

His dopey bird hasn’t put their weekly out with friends group selfie  on Facebook yet so I’m still not convinced he’s alive 

[Turkish]

What’s everyone doing with their white privilege this weekend then?

[whelk]

34 minutes ago, Turkish said:

What’s everyone doing with their white privilege this weekend then?

I’ve got some Asians to make me a curry

[Turkish]

18 minutes ago, whelk said:

I’ve got some Asians to make me a curry

I bought something that was made in Bangladesh it wasn’t a curry  

[egg]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

What’s everyone doing with their white privilege this weekend then?

Slow Horses new season. Excellent so far. 

[Turkish]

15 minutes ago, egg said:

Slow Horses new season. Excellent so far. 

I watched Marching Powder on Friday, the new Danny Dyer blockbuster. It’s certainly in one of the worst films I’ve ever seen but at the same time quite funny and one you want to watch to the end. Would I recommend it or watch it again? absolutely not but if you’ve got a spare 90 minutes it’s weirdly endearing 

[Turkish]

Food for thought if we were faced with a zombie apocalypse would there be zombie rights activists? I’m going to say yes

[Holmes_and_Watson]

49 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Food for thought if we were faced with a zombie apocalypse would there be zombie rights activists? I’m going to say yes

The term is "mortally challenged", not "zombie" you lifeist! 

[rallyboy]

I'm no expert on flesh decomposition but in a positive for the modern zombie, I'm thinking they can transition quite easily from male to female with one little twist and a rip, and they don't have to just take the knee, they can actually leave one.

Either way, Farage and his supporters should get down the beach and shout at the first boatload of braindead zombies who stagger blindly up the shingle muttering nothing but grunts, safe in a crowd without a single sensible thought between them - Farage might want to use bibs so the police can tell who is who. 

 

[egg]

14 hours ago, Turkish said:

I watched Marching Powder on Friday, the new Danny Dyer blockbuster. It’s certainly in one of the worst films I’ve ever seen but at the same time quite funny and one you want to watch to the end. Would I recommend it or watch it again? absolutely not but if you’ve got a spare 90 minutes it’s weirdly endearing 

I like films that are so crap they're actually good, of that makes sense. 

I can't take Danny Dyer seriously as a hard man though. He's just a scrawny bloke with an exaggerated accent, and walks like he's lugging rolls of carpet under his arms.