The Starmer Years - Can The New Broom Sweep Clean?

[sadoldgit]

7 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

got to love how soggy (and his ilk) are screaming about him living in Monaco, the language he used etc, to completely drown-out the entirely correct point raised.

The levels of immigration is completely unsustainable, the levels of benefits is completely unsustainable, and the notion of immigrants coming in to immediately consume benefits is completely unsustainable and fucking insane.

What makes it worse, all those in power do is tinker around the edges whilst displaying their moral (faux) outrage when someone uses language that has political currency to be cashed  in.

The population in the UK has exploded since the year 2000 (not 2020), and that is the point. Something like a 20% increase in 25 years. How the fuck is the country (and us as individuals) supposed to exploit public serves at an expected high level with that...

Anyway, DoEs JiM rEaLlY KnOw wHat CoLOniSaTiOn MeaNs!!!

Oh dear, the xenophobe has kicked off again. 
There is a grown up conversation to be had about levels of immigration. The trouble is that you (and your ilk) have to demonise immigrants and blame everything on them. That is the main issue here. It’s the same old dog whistle tactic Farage has been using for years and it works on you guys every time.

I don’t think that anybody agrees that we, along with every other European country, don’t have issues with immigration levels both legal and illegal. As said, the problem we have is that people with a certain political agendas weaponise the issues for their own ends. You may think that using words like colonise is no big deal. That is because you think he is right. You ignore white sex offenders but constantly post about sex offenders with dark skin. You (and your ilk) buy into the whole foreigners are the problem shtick and you have done it here again today.
 

 

[Weston Super Saint]

1 minute ago, sadoldgit said:

Oh dear, the xenophobe has kicked off again. 
There is a grown up conversation to be had about levels of immigration. The trouble is that you (and your ilk) have to demonise immigrants and blame everything on them.

This is just gaslighting.  Where has he done that?

[sadoldgit]

9 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

This is just gaslighting.  Where has he done that?

Farage, “Jim” and the people who support them talk about immigration and immigrants as if they are the root of the country’s problems. Batman has spent years highlighting “issues” around foreigners. Perhaps you haven’t been paying attention?

This country has an aging population and the birth rate is down. Without immigrants there will be fewer people to pay your pension and look after you in your care home in future. Instead of going into bat for Batman you should think about the consequences to you and your family if the people who speak the same language as him get into power here.

[AlexLaw76]

13 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

Farage, “Jim” and the people who support them talk about immigration and immigrants as if they are the root of the country’s problems. Batman has spent years highlighting “issues” around foreigners. Perhaps you haven’t been paying attention?

This country has an aging population and the birth rate is down. Without immigrants there will be fewer people to pay your pension and look after you in your care home in future. Instead of going into bat for Batman you should think about the consequences to you and your family if the people who speak the same language as him get into power here.

You are such a prat. No one has ever said all immigration is bad. What is being said, which you completely ignore, the levels of immigration is currently completely and totally unsustainable.

 

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

You are such a prat. No one has ever said all immigration is bad. What is being said, which you completely ignore, the levels of immigration is currently completely and totally unsustainable.

 

And people have voted to lower immigration for years now, governments have come to power promising to tackle it and it rockets up every time.

[sadoldgit]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

You are such a prat. No one has ever said all immigration is bad. What is being said, which you completely ignore, the levels of immigration is currently completely and totally unsustainable.

 

I don’t think I have ever read a post from you where you don’t speak negatively about immigration. I don’t think I have ever seen a post from you about white sex offenders.

You wrote in support of comments by someone which have been condemned by everyone who doesn’t think the same way as people like Farage. What am I supposed to think about your views?

[hypochondriac]

10 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

I don’t think I have ever read a post from you where you don’t speak negatively about immigration. I don’t think I have ever seen a post from you about white sex offenders.

You wrote in support of comments by someone which have been condemned by everyone who doesn’t think the same way as people like Farage. What am I supposed to think about your views?

In a sea of oddball comments thats about the weirdest. 

[whelk]

2 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

In a sea of oddball comments thats about the weirdest. 

Has he been drinking? Even by his normal he seems a little deranged today

[egg]

This thread! 🤣

Blimey. 

[sadoldgit]

The net migration figure for year ending 2025 was 204,000, nearly 2/3rds lower than the previous year. It is the lowest annual figure since 2021. 
You won’t hear this when certain people discuss immigration though.

[Weston Super Saint]

16 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

The net migration figure for year ending 2025 was 204,000, nearly 2/3rds lower than the previous year. It is the lowest annual figure since 2021. 
You won’t hear this when certain people discuss immigration though.

The reason for that, as has been clarified umpteen times already, is because the Tory government stopped International students from bringing their dependents with them and granting them visas to work.

It has been discussed many times previously.  Probably not by your made up acquantainces though.

[Sir Ralph]

2 hours ago, sadoldgit said:

I don’t think I have ever read a post from you where you don’t speak negatively about immigration. I don’t think I have ever seen a post from you about white sex offenders.

You wrote in support of comments by someone which have been condemned by everyone who doesn’t think the same way as people like Farage. What am I supposed to think about your views?

I’m just glad you don’t make any discussion about colour or race……

[Turkish]

4 hours ago, sadoldgit said:

Farage, “Jim” and the people who support them talk about immigration and immigrants as if they are the root of the country’s problems. Batman has spent years highlighting “issues” around foreigners. Perhaps you haven’t been paying attention?

This country has an aging population and the birth rate is down. Without immigrants there will be fewer people to pay your pension and look after you in your care home in future. Instead of going into bat for Batman you should think about the consequences to you and your family if the people who speak the same language as him get into power here.

Fuck me you talk some bollocks 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

3 hours ago, whelk said:

Has he been drinking? Even by his normal he seems a little deranged today

I think he got a little carried away at brunch today. Quite the tirade of nonsense.

[Turkish]

Just now, Holmes_and_Watson said:

I think he got a little carried away at brunch today. Quite the tirade of nonsense.

That bottomless brunch with unlimited Prosecco taking its toll. Probably tried to slide one in Mrs SOG now passed out on the sofa next to the dog  

[Holmes_and_Watson]

3 minutes ago, Turkish said:

That bottomless brunch with unlimited Prosecco taking its toll. Probably tried to slide one in Mrs SOG now passed out on the sofa next to the dog  

That's a plus Mrs SOG is still there, after being blamed for getting a racially motivated attack on a car wrong, and getting CPS things muddled.

A relationship that lasts through hardships (and endless perseverance on her part) just in time for Valentine's Day. 

[Lord Duckhunter]

19 hours ago, sadoldgit said:

Without immigrants there will be fewer people to pay your pension and look after you in your care home in future.

If they’re moving here, that means less people in the country they’re leaving. There’s going to be fewer people paying their pensions and looking after that countries elderly, do you not give a fuck about them? 

Edited Saturday at 13:16 by Lord Duckhunter

[east-stand-nic]

Seems he lost his broom. 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2170847/keir-starmer-rachel-reeves-paedophile-labour-councillor?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwdGRjcAP9gOJjbGNrA_2A2GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHpN7O7wHPqmXGC-YMTkMmCuaSrntLWk96MScQzVM2Vic20ohkCH7hJrCIyGr_aem_FHur27NHYKrFry-_DCDS6w

 

[Turkish]

How many new heads is his broom going to need?

Edited Saturday at 17:55 by Turkish

[Lord Duckhunter]

So it looks like Nigel was right, and the New Broom was wrong, it was illegal to delay the elections. Strange that Mr Rules, ex head of CPS got this wrong, and they’ve now got to cough up 100k. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70ne31d884o

 

[Lord Duckhunter]

 
 

The Community Reaction

As is tradition on SaintsWeb, SoG’s defense of the delays led to massive thread creep.

• Opposition: Many regular posters accused him of being an apologist for the "erosion of democracy" and pointed out that the majority of the delayed councils were in areas where the governing party feared losses.

• The Result: These threads often devolved into 50+ page arguments where SoG would meticulously quote-reply to every detractor, leading to the usual calls from other users for him to "give it a rest."

[Holmes_and_Watson]

31 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

So it looks like Nigel was right, and the New Broom was wrong, it was illegal to delay the elections. Strange that Mr Rules, ex head of CPS got this wrong, and they’ve now got to cough up 100k. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70ne31d884o

 

PM apologising for believing someone, rather than take responsibility.

Chief of staff left while PM dithered.

Chief of Comms and top civil servant leave.

Desperate SPADs demanding loyalty to save PM

Caught trying to select which bits of Mandelson communications to release.

Cabinet office investigation  on a minister's response. Not investigating the body responsible for the action.

Caught running from an even bigger thumping by trying to postpone elections.

I'm so pleased the grown up, non sleaze party are in charge.

[whelk]

This Reform lot happy to piss away money electing zombie councils. But of course reported as ‘Starmer U-turn’ for all the thick bastards 

Not well thought through though, just like local government reorganisation generally. Having good intentions isn’t the same as pushing complex restructuring through with no cost of change money for councils.

[Lord Duckhunter]

😂😂 Thick bastards 

 

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said his party "fought tooth and nail to stop this stitch-up and the government has been forced into a humiliating U-turn".

 

Green Party leader Zack Polanski said he was "pleased the government has done another U-turn",

 

 

 

 

[whelk]

Councils individually voted, it wasn’t a Starmer mandate. Dragged on though so terms clearly open to being challenged in the courts. Maybe your Spectator podcast will enlighten you. 

[badgerx16]

People who regularly slag off Davey and Polanski suddenly agree with them when they say something they agree with.

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

People who regularly slag off Davey and Polanski suddenly agree with them when they say something they agree with.

But only after Nigel Redknapp had been praised first.

[east-stand-nic]

So, I was right after all. Who was the numpty on here claiming he used to work in councils and knew all about it.  😂

[egg]

1 hour ago, east-stand-nic said:

So, I was right after all. Who was the numpty on here claiming he used to work in councils and knew all about it.  😂

 

Edited 6 hours ago by egg
Can't be arsed.

[badgerx16]

1 hour ago, east-stand-nic said:

So, I was right after all. Who was the numpty on here claiming he used to work in councils and knew all about it.  😂

No Nic, you were and still are wrong.

[tdmickey3]

1 hour ago, east-stand-nic said:

So, I was right after all. Who was the numpty on here claiming he used to work in councils and knew all about it.  😂

Nic, you are wrong about everything, you just need to accept it and you would receive less ridicule

[badgerx16]

"Twenty-nine councils have confirmed to Sky News they have written to the government asking their local elections be postponed by a year, citing the resources needed to deliver the local government reorganisation (LGR) programme, and the cost of holding elections."

"All 63 councils offered a delay to their May elections by the government have now confirmed their positions to Sky News, after the deadline to request a postponement passed at midnight on Thursday."

As I said, the Councils requested the postponement due to LG reorganisation.

https://news.sky.com/story/local-elections-2026-over-a-third-of-councils-offered-a-delay-have-requested-one-is-yours-on-the-list-13494762

Edited 6 hours ago by badgerx16

[whelk]

3 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

"Twenty-nine councils have confirmed to Sky News they have written to the government asking their local elections be postponed by a year, citing the resources needed to deliver the local government reorganisation (LGR) programme, and the cost of holding elections."

"All 63 councils offered a delay to their May elections by the government have now confirmed their positions to Sky News, after the deadline to request a postponement passed at midnight on Thursday."

As I said, the Councils requested the postponement.

https://news.sky.com/story/local-elections-2026-over-a-third-of-councils-offered-a-delay-have-requested-one-is-yours-on-the-list-13494762

No no no! Starmer is just the same as Putin stamping out democracy. I’ve seen a meme

[badgerx16]

Just now, whelk said:

No no no! Starmer is just the same as Putin stamping out democracy. I’ve seen a meme

I read that as "I've seen the memo".

[Sir Ralph]

My 5 year old could have told the treasury this would happen. Welcome to a Labour government. Big increase in youth unemployment - as I was mocked on here before for saying, linked to minimum wage increase. You increase your costs for struggling businesses and guess what, they reduce the workforce!
Just a reminder before the 5 year period was Covid19 shutdown so at least they haven’t matched that (yet). Good to see public sector pay growth more than doubling private sector pay. So basically, more unemployment and people on welfare (higher tax burden) and significant public sector pay increases (higher tax burden) and lower growth predictions.
 

This is all very predictable. “Growing the economy day by day” 🤣

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c62756plrp6t

Edited 6 hours ago by Sir Ralph

[whelk]

I would like to know which charity employees one of the thickest cunts on the planet, that’s assuming they pay the bloke

[hypochondriac]

17 minutes ago, whelk said:

No no no! Starmer is just the same as Putin stamping out democracy. I’ve seen a meme

Of course those councils took the opportunity to stay in power a little longer. They knew it would be a virtual wipeout for Tory and Labour. Not sure why they were given the opportunity to opt out of democracy given it's now been ruled to be illegal 

[Farmer Saint]

21 minutes ago, whelk said:

I would like to know which charity employees one of the thickest cunts on the planet, that’s assuming they pay the bloke

I thought he was an estate agent.

[whelk]

2 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

I thought he was an estate agent.

Nic is the self-proclaimed most travelled worldly wise poster on the forum. Claims to work for a charity which I take a face value although Lord knows who gives this chap any responsibility.

[whelk]

12 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Of course those councils took the opportunity to stay in power a little longer. They knew it would be a virtual wipeout for Tory and Labour. Not sure why they were given the opportunity to opt out of democracy given it's now been ruled to be illegal 

lol - ‘opt out of democracy’ you little drama queen

[Sir Ralph]

8 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

I thought he was an estate agent.

Glad to see I’m still living rent free 🤣

[hypochondriac]

16 minutes ago, whelk said:

lol - ‘opt out of democracy’ you little drama queen

The high court would have ruled it to be illegal. Preventing the electorate from being able to vote for two years is not on regardless of whether there's a reorganisation going on or not. It has rightly not been allowed to happen and is a further embarrassment for the government. I wonder what certain people would be saying if it was reform in power inviting councils to cancel elections. No doubt stupid words like the word fascism would be being thrown around.

Edited 5 hours ago by hypochondriac

[east-stand-nic]

Here is why this U-turn happened:

Legal Pressure and Risk: The Labour government was warned that postponing these elections was likely illegal. The decision to reinstate them followed a legal challenge in the High Court brought by Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.

Avoiding "Anti-Democratic" Accusations: Opponents accused the government of trying to suppress democracy and prevent a predicted "wipeout" by Reform UK in those areas.

Mounting Political Pressure: The reversal is the latest in a series of U-turns by Starmer, leading to accusations of a "zombie government" and a "new humiliation" for the Prime Minister.

Pressure from Local Authorities: Councillors described the situation as "chaos" and "whiplash" due to changing government decisions, as they faced an "unnecessary race against time" to prepare for the elections. 

 

[Farmer Saint]

40 minutes ago, Sir Ralph said:

My 5 year old could have told the treasury this would happen. Welcome to a Labour government. Big increase in youth unemployment - as I was mocked on here before for saying, linked to minimum wage increase. You increase your costs for struggling businesses and guess what, they reduce the workforce!
Just a reminder before the 5 year period was Covid19 shutdown so at least they haven’t matched that (yet). Good to see public sector pay growth more than doubling private sector pay. So basically, more unemployment and people on welfare (higher tax burden) and significant public sector pay increases (higher tax burden) and lower growth predictions.
 

This is all very predictable. “Growing the economy day by day” 🤣

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c62756plrp6t

Unemployment for 16 & 17 year olds has fallen though, so don't think it has anything to do with the minimum wage. 

Benefits and Employers NI though, that's where the big issue is.

What is odd is it is matching 2015 though - what was the reason for high youth unemployment then?

At least the economy is still outpacing anything the Tory's could do outside COVID bounce-back over the last 8 years. Got to have some positives.

Edited 5 hours ago by Farmer Saint

[Farmer Saint]

8 minutes ago, Sir Ralph said:

Glad to see I’m still living rent free 🤣

Surely that's got to be an advantage of being an estate agent?

Edited 5 hours ago by Farmer Saint

[Sir Ralph]

2 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

Unemployment for 16 & 17 year olds has fallen though, so don't think it has anything to do with the minimum wage. 

Benefits and Employers NI though, that's where the big issue is.

What is odd is it is matching 2015 though - what was the reason for high youth unemployment then?

At least the economy is still outpacing anything the Tory's could do outside COVID bounce-back and the 3 years before that. Got to have some positives.

An extract from the BBC” The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says the figures reflect "weak hiring activity". Chancellor Rachel Reeves' 2024 Budget hiked employer National Insurance contributions and saw a rise in the minimum wage, leading some businesses to slow down hiring and replace outgoing workers.”. So yes it is a factor. Anyone who has ever run a business would put two and two together.

When referring to economic growth I assume you are referring to GDP growth. In 2021 it was circa 7.4% and 2022 was circa 4.3%. The Labour government is nowhere near this.

[Farmer Saint]

9 minutes ago, Sir Ralph said:

An extract from the BBC” The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says the figures reflect "weak hiring activity". Chancellor Rachel Reeves' 2024 Budget hiked employer National Insurance contributions and saw a rise in the minimum wage, leading some businesses to slow down hiring and replace outgoing workers.”. So yes it is a factor. Anyone who has ever run a business would put two and two together.

When referring to economic growth I assume you are referring to GDP growth. In 2021 it was circa 7.4% and 2022 was circa 4.3%. The Labour government is nowhere near this.

The COVID bounce-back years that I referred to you mean? It would be useful if you read what is written.

Why the fall in 16 & 17 year old unemployment then, they are more likely to be on minimum wage than those in the slightly older bracket? Or are they choosing to employ more younger people to ensure they don't have to pay above minimum wage?

Edited 5 hours ago by Farmer Saint

[Sir Ralph]

8 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

The COVID bounce-back years that I referred to you mean? It would be useful if you read what is written.

Why the fall in 16 & 17 year old unemployment then, they are more likely to be on minimum wage than those in the slightly older bracket? Or are they choosing to employ more younger people to ensure they don't have to pay above minimum wage?

The only year the Tories were fully in charge after Covid bounce back was 2023. You want to make the case that Labour has higher economic growth than 2023, that’s fine. Not sure what this shows though as it’s a one year sample in the context of the Ukraine war starting
 

I don’t know why 16/17 year olds appear to have higher employment. I haven’t researched this in depth (as I doubt you have) but the ONS appears to be concluding that the increased minimum wage is partly to blame. I recall saying this on this forum and being told I was some sort of evil capitalist not supporting minimum wage hikes. Oh well. 

Edited 5 hours ago by Sir Ralph

[Farmer Saint]

You want my genuine reason for these unemployment figures.

AI is already driving a lot of entry level jobs out of existence. It's something one of the firms I'm working with is doing with data entry/harvesting. Those jobs that were previously employed in the UK (or outsourced more recently) are starting to move to AI.

There needs to be a genuine drive to protect jobs, and the Government is sitting on it at the moment.

[Farmer Saint]

3 minutes ago, Sir Ralph said:

The only year the Tories were fully in charge after Covid bounce back was 2023. You want to make the case that Labour has higher economic growth than 2023, that’s fine. Not sure what this shows though as it’s a one year sample in the context of the Ukraine war starting
 

I don’t know why 16/17 year olds appear to have higher employment. I haven’t researched this in depth (as I doubt you have) but the ONS appears to be concluding that the increased minimum wage is partly to blame. I recall saying this on this forum and being told I was some sort of evil capitalist not supporting minimum wage hikes. Oh well. 

What was the growth in 2023 (0.3%)? How was 2018 and 2019 (1.4%)? Very similar to Labour was it not? 

Not sure this is the victory lap you think it is, employers NI is a far bigger barrier to employment than minimum wage.