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In light of guidelines with regard to politics et al, I figured I would post this here. I did not vote in today's elections in the UK. Because I believe Kier Starmer lied to the whole British people, and he is as slimy as a course of Frog's Legs in any French restaurant.

He did a giant bait and switch to get people to vote him and his party into power. Which, as someone who was raised in the North of England is practically heresy to talk about. Since he got in he has done his best to overturn freedoms, and liberties, just because he is, at heart, a lawyer. Very good at trying to spin how crap people have it.

I did not vote because the whole Reform thing is literally Trump's best UK ally... Nigel Farage. Who wants to tell you he's the common man when he's worth more than probably the top 10 companies in the UK, The guy wants to build concentration camps for people scared out of their minds.

No wonder he is best friends with Donald Trump.

Well my whole council is now under Reform control. Lets see if we still have a pride this summer now.

Quote from: Charlotte Kitty on May 08, 2026, 05:43:08 PMWell my whole council is now under Reform control. Lets see if we still have a pride this summer now.

I hope you do.  This whole thing is like an 80's movie with Brian Glover.

Dare I comment on political matters.......

It stinks! I did not vote either for all of the reasons Lauren stated. I thought I might have voted for the Greens this year but they used a paper candidate, someone from South East England who did zero campaigning and knew nothing about the area and had no intention of moving up here to take up the post. Labour? Not on your nellie, Starmer is a liar, I'm sick of these elitist politicians pretending they care about the North. Tories, no chance I'm voting for them, Reform? Hell no the thought that they are headed for power in the next general election terrifies me. The Liberal Democrats didn't even put a candidate forward.

Things need to change fast if the country is going to avoid following in Trumps footsteps.

When starmer was a lawyer he was responsible for the factor 8 contaminated blood scandal, he did nothing to bring justice for those suffers and he is still not doing enough. Most of them will be dead before they get compensation. He's a total slimeball who is more interested in giving jobs to his mates.

I think I have managed to be quite muted there considering. I hope I don't get told off again!

Reform got in at my local Ward but the council has remained Labour but only because most of the seats weren't up for election this time around.

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 08, 2026, 06:33:30 PMDare I comment on political matters.......

Look at that, Sarah.

You voiced your opinion and didn't get in trouble!

I think you are getting the hang of this politics thing. Maybe you should run for office.

I'd vote for you.

😁

I second that. I have been known to also be somewhat outspoken with regard to all this stuff. Maybe it's just British people being given a voice when mostly here, we don't have one, haha.

I do have a newfound respect for our King though, after his recent visit to the US. He was a statesman in every sense of the word.

The Greens are kind of like Reform. They talk a good game but like... how realistic is anything they say? They are like politics version of Greenpeace. Good in theory, but it all falls apart in practice. With less ties to racism.

I hope things can change but I am not confident. Starmer likes to pretend that all the nasty stuff which goes on... he knew nothing about it. He pleads ignorance. I don't see him being Prime Minister much longer.

It just... it makes me sad.

Do you ladies think things might change for the better when there is a new Labor leader.

My cousins talk about what the Tories did to the country, Nigel is a former commodities trader who is supposedly the poor peoples friend because he drinks and smokes.

He would likely Trumpify your country.

That doesn't leave many options.

I'm paranoid Australia might head down the same path as the far right is gaining popularity propped up by billionaire dollars

Quote from: Petunia on May 09, 2026, 12:26:53 AMDo you ladies think things might change for the better when there is a new Labor leader.

My cousins talk about what the Tories did to the country, Nigel is a former commodities trader who is supposedly the poor peoples friend because he drinks and smokes.

He would likely Trumpify your country.

That doesn't leave many options.

I'm paranoid Australia might head down the same path as the far right is gaining popularity propped up by billionaire dollars

No, Petunia. As sad as that is to say. There is probably no one in the Labour party who could step up at this point because Starmer is kind of like a Tony Blair figure. Everyone just knows who he is. I think maybe Angela Rayner might make a go of it... but she is somewhat disgraced in politics circles because she did what they all do and play the system. We voted in the last general election for him. Not really the party. Most people couldn't really name anyone else in his government. They just make laws and we go about things like good little worker bees.

I do not think there would be a significant change with someone else in power. Sadly.

The Tories... I mean they were worse but at least they were honest about it.

I do hope that Australia doesn't head down the same road. You have always seemed like the more sensible approach to governing people.

Its simple. Nothing will ever change for the good in politics. Add to that the UK is going one direction- down. Thats why I'm doing everything I want so quick. I don't believe there will be a decent life to live here in 10 years. This is probably my last chance at making something for myself before it goes to just existing.

Charlotte 😻

Quote from: Lori Dee on May 08, 2026, 06:47:52 PMLook at that, Sarah.

You voiced your opinion and didn't get in trouble!

I think you are getting the hang of this politics thing. Maybe you should run for office.

I'd vote for you.

😁

Ha Ha! You put a smile on my face there Lori! Thank you!

Quote from: Sephirah on May 08, 2026, 11:56:09 PMI second that. I have been known to also be somewhat outspoken with regard to all this stuff. Maybe it's just British people being given a voice when mostly here, we don't have one, haha.

I do have a newfound respect for our King though, after his recent visit to the US. He was a statesman in every sense of the word.

The Greens are kind of like Reform. They talk a good game but like... how realistic is anything they say? They are like politics version of Greenpeace. Good in theory, but it all falls apart in practice. With less ties to racism.

I hope things can change but I am not confident. Starmer likes to pretend that all the nasty stuff which goes on... he knew nothing about it. He pleads ignorance. I don't see him being Prime Minister much longer.

It just... it makes me sad.

Yes, I'm a bit ambivalent towards the Royal family but I have to say Charlie Boy did us proud on this visit.

I think you will be right and Starme might be ousted but the thing is, changing leaders all the time just sows chaos and nothing ever gets done.

Quote from: Sephirah on May 09, 2026, 12:35:42 AMNo, Petunia. As sad as that is to say. There is probably no one in the Labour party who could step up at this point because Starmer is kind of like a Tony Blair figure. Everyone just knows who he is. I think maybe Angela Rayner might make a go of it... but she is somewhat disgraced in politics circles because she did what they all do and play the system. We voted in the last general election for him. Not really the party. Most people couldn't really name anyone else in his government. They just make laws and we go about things like good little worker bees.

I do not think there would be a significant change with someone else in power. Sadly.

The Tories... I mean they were worse but at least they were honest about it.

I do hope that Australia doesn't head down the same road. You have always seemed like the more sensible approach to governing people.

I believe there are only two well known people who could save the Labour party. Angela Raynor (don't think that will ever happen because the media will have a field day over her tax evasion) and Andy Burnham (was blocked from becoming an MP by Starmer) given they are both blocked as it were, the future looks bleak. It needs a root and branch clearout of all the "new labour" fanatics, especially Wes Streeting as he is eyeing power next. Maybe someone will rise from obscurity from the back benches to grab the helm, We don't know the politics of the quiet background members.

The difference between the people at the top of all the three main political parties is tiny. We know that if either one of them gets in there will be no meaningful change. THis is why Reform and the Greens have made such big gains, people are crying out to be listened to and for the Westminster elite to be shown the door. I would take the Greens over Reform any day of the week mind.

Quote from: Charlotte Kitty on May 09, 2026, 02:27:05 AMIts simple. Nothing will ever change for the good in politics. Add to that the UK is going one direction- down. Thats why I'm doing everything I want so quick. I don't believe there will be a decent life to live here in 10 years. This is probably my last chance at making something for myself before it goes to just existing.

Charlotte 😻

It's not inevitable Charlotte. I agree with you, things look in freefall at the moment but change can happen. We need the same sort of democratic socialism that arose after the war and spawned things like the welfare system, the NHS and invested in proud British Industry. It has happened before, it WILL happen again, I just hope it happens sooner rather than later.

Keep the faith!

Well, surprisingly I was contacted by our new Reform councillor after a social media comment I posted. The guy does seem to have the interests of the local community at his heart, he lives in the area and is ex forces. Whilst I told him I do not agree with the upper echelons in his party, I do wish him well in trying to bring about local change.

A refreshing change to have a proactive councillor. I still won't vote for them though but maybe they aren't all lunatics.

Felt left out and let down by every UK political party for a long time.Working class, worked the rubbish jobs no one else wanted on shifts to make the money up. Dead end factory,warehouse,bus driving,hotel and bar jobs. Union member from 16,unashamed lefty. Now an OAP with COPD and type 2 diabetes. Glad I won't be around to see the far right destroy the sick,poor,disabled,working class,pensioners and LGBT community.
This is my country, don't want to live where I have to deal with new languages and money or drive on the other side of the road. I'm staying here and if the bastards come for me I won't be going without a fight.

I don't know enough about UK politics, but politics in general swings like a pendulum. There will be times when it swings to the far right, then, with major backlash, it will swing back to the left. More backlash, and it starts swinging back to the right.

The hope is that someday, it will finally stop somewhere in the middle, or at least the swings will be small and gentle. Then, some yahoo comes along and starts pushing hard to get it moving again. And it is never the common man who starts it moving again.

I think the problem is that the pendulum has been stuck right of centre in UK politcs since the days of Blair. It sounds great in principle but when it's stuck in the middle nothing big ever gets done for fear of alienating one side or the other. It is all about avoiding change so as not to upset one side or the other even when change is so badly needed, they will do everything they can to do nothing!

It should swing from left to right but it has been stopped for so long now that now it has started moving it is swinging wildly to the far right. This will inevitably lead to a much more polarized society.

Part of the reason for this backlash is that there is a general feeling that it doesn't matter who you vote for, the same centerist people get into power. That is why voter turn out has been so poor in the past.

It needs to go back to a steady left to right swing depending on what the country needs but this extreme swing will spell disaster for British society I fear.

The latest - Starmer has decided that after the terrible performance and wholesale rejection of his "New Labour" politics he is not going to step down, not going to change anything and is bringing ex PM Gordon Brown in to tell him what to do. Gordon Brown was an architect of new labour and is a despised figure that lost the only election where he stood as leader. Well done Kier, that will stop Reform in it's tracks at the next election.

We're all dooomed!

I aint sayin nuffin as I like coming here!!!

Quote from: davina61 on May 09, 2026, 11:03:14 AMI aint sayin nuffin as I like coming here!!!

Wasn't this supposed to be the safe place???? Oooops, Have I gone and done it again!

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 09, 2026, 10:41:00 AMI think the problem is that the pendulum has been stuck right of centre in UK politcs since the days of Blair.

I agree that perspective can affect how the scale appears. When stuck in one position for too long, even the slightest movement can appear extreme.

I'm just not looking forward to my council being run by Reform. At best they'll just mess everything up through lack of experience.  At worst will just make division even worse and life here more difficult.

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 09, 2026, 11:30:59 AMWasn't this supposed to be the safe place???? Oooops, Have I gone and done it again!

It still is safe.

I don't think anybody has said anything outrageous or imflammatory, nobody has forced their political views, it's all just frustration at the system.

I do tend to think that the internet and social media have a big influence on how things are run.

Pollies seem to spend a lot of time reacting to the latest thing going on, the public tend to group around like minded views and get their news from a biased source that fits their own narrative, and instead of working toward a longer term.solution the pollies end up dealing with short term appeasement.

Plus, the very rich seem to be manipulating almost all the democracys that remain.

I'll get my coat.

Lucky for us (as in U.S.), the Russians didn't steal the last election; algorithms did.

Which is a euphemism for the 'filthy rich.'

Quote from: Dances With Trees on May 09, 2026, 05:23:50 PMthe Russians didn't steal the last election; algorithms did.

I was going to point out that you misspelled "oligarchs".

🤣

Just tax the very rich.

Well they are already supposed to be paying high taxes, they just have the means to pay for specialists to help them avoid it! That won't change if you raise taxes, they'll just move their money out of reach!

There is no point ducking the issues, there needs to be investment and/or nationlisation in British industry so that the population has the opportunity to train and get meaningful skilled jobs with prospects. The more people in the country who have better paid jobs and the better British owned companies perform the more taxes available to the government.

Ever since the Thatcher and Reagan era, successive governments have viewed "investment" as a dirty word. All they want to do is sell off anything of value to private companies to make a quick buck. The problem is they are running out of things to sell now.

Eveything they privatised is run at the lowest cost possible and their staffs wages have been driven down and down in order to maximise profits. This has resulted in terrible service, poor performance and crucially less taxes coming in to the coffers. Nothing has improved by switching to private companies.

I mean this is just my thoughts obviously. At the end of the day I'm a Northerner! You might expect us to have these views as we have been decimated up here by the loss of our once proud industries and we have never recovered. Other countries have nationalised or subsidised industries, there is no good reason why we should be any different.

I'm old enough to remember the mining and ship building industries of the North East. All dead now and they didn't have to be. Tyneside built some of the best ships in the world. All that skill base has gone. We used to make the best tanks too but they shut down the Armstrong factory after the Challenger 2 stopped production. We could do with that industry right about now with all the threats in the world these days. So short sighted!

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 10, 2026, 03:54:57 AMWell they are already supposed to be paying high taxes, they just have the means to pay for specialists to help them avoid it! That won't change if you raise taxes, they'll just move their money out of reach!

There is no point ducking the issues, there needs to be investment and/or nationlisation in British industry so that the population has the opportunity to train and get meaningful skilled jobs with prospects. The more people in the country who have better paid jobs and the better British owned companies perform the more taxes available to the government.

Ever since the Thatcher and Reagan era, successive governments have viewed "investment" as a dirty word. All they want to do is sell off anything of value to private companies to make a quick buck. The problem is they are running out of things to sell now.

Eveything they privatised is run at the lowest cost possible and their staffs wages have been driven down and down in order to maximise profits. This has resulted in terrible service, poor performance and crucially less taxes coming in to the coffers. Nothing has improved by switching to private companies.

I mean this is just my thoughts obviously. At the end of the day I'm a Northerner! You might expect us to have these views as we have been decimated up here by the loss of our once proud industries and we have never recovered. Other countries have nationalised or subsidised industries, there is no good reason why we should be any different.

I'm old enough to remember the mining and ship building industries of the North East. All dead now and they didn't have to be. Tyneside built some of the best ships in the world. All that skill base has gone. We used to make the best tanks too but they shut down the Armstrong factory after the Challenger 2 stopped production. We could do with that industry right about now with all the threats in the world these days. So short sighted!

This is exactly what I was saying to my partner yesterday  with regards the UK. Unfortunately I'm not optimistic any of this will ever happen and improve. Add to that your talking 10 years ramp up before the damage is fixed at least. All I've seen all my adult life is back to back financial problems. As far as i experience there is no such thing as postive times.

Charlotte 😻

See that's part of the problem. Simply because it will take 10-20 years to see results no governments are willing to invest the money as they are always thinking of the 5 year election periods. They are totally incapable of thinking long term.

I think this is where coaltion governments have the advantage because parties are forced to agree and comprimise and there is far less opposing for the sake of opposing. This confrontational model is partly at fault.

It could become one of the very few benefits of a fractured political system that we get more hung parliments.

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 09, 2026, 10:41:00 AMI think the problem is that the pendulum has been stuck right of centre in UK politcs since the days of Blair. It sounds great in principle but when it's stuck in the middle nothing big ever gets done for fear of alienating one side or the other. It is all about avoiding change so as not to upset one side or the other even when change is so badly needed, they will do everything they can to do nothing!

It should swing from left to right but it has been stopped for so long now that now it has started moving it is swinging wildly to the far right. This will inevitably lead to a much more polarized society.

Part of the reason for this backlash is that there is a general feeling that it doesn't matter who you vote for, the same centerist people get into power. That is why voter turn out has been so poor in the past.

It needs to go back to a steady left to right swing depending on what the country needs but this extreme swing will spell disaster for British society I fear.

The latest - Starmer has decided that after the terrible performance and wholesale rejection of his "New Labour" politics he is not going to step down, not going to change anything and is bringing ex PM Gordon Brown in to tell him what to do. Gordon Brown was an architect of new labour and is a despised figure that lost the only election where he stood as leader. Well done Kier, that will stop Reform in it's tracks at the next election.

We're all dooomed!

I mean the Tories were not really in the centre of anything. They wanted to send immigrants off to Rwanda, a country known to have a moderate genocide issue. And they were in power for a long, long time. They only got more right wing as time went on. Probably why people voted Labour in a landslide, like they did back in 1996. In my opinion, the trouble is that Labour just lied about everything. They did a massive bait and switch. To hear Starmer talk, he was the champion of trans rights... while he was in opposition. Even invited the mother of that sadly murdered trans girl into parliament.

Soon as he got into power... Trump hates trans people, so we had to alienate trans people because that's the way the wind was blowing. Champion the poorest off... then immediately try to go after them because it's easier than going after the rich. He just abandoned everything that got people to vote for him, in my opinion. And became an also ran. (Horse racing term - means just someone who just showed up). He was too focused on introducing an authoritarian state. Just look at all the online stuff. Age verification, VPN blocking, digital ID... There are more important things in the world to care about, Kier.

I don't think there's necessarily anything inherently wrong with a centrist view. And trying to not alienate people. I mean surely that's the point? It's when you lie to people and say one thing, then immediately do another thing. That's when people lose faith in you.

He did try to be a Tony Blair figure, but failed miserably and is now paying the price.

It's all relative isn't it, compared to Reform, the Tories were centre right and that is a scary thought. Yeah I agree that Rwanda thing was shameful.

You're right, I forgot about that when he brought that girls mother in, had her in the public gallery didn't he and talked directly to her. SUch a tradgedy what happend to that poor girl, Brianna wasn't it? That makes his betrayal all the worse!

I would agree with you that when everything is fixed and working, a centrists view can be a good thing but we need more radical change if we are going to undo all the damage that has happened in the past. We need a true political left. All there is at the moment is centre, centre right and far right. The Greens have shown promising gains though I think it will be too soon for them to mount a challenge but they could be instrumental in a coalition government.

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 10, 2026, 04:32:31 PMIt's all relative isn't it, compared to Reform, the Tories were centre right and that is a scary thought. Yeah I agree that Rwanda thing was shameful.

You're right, I forgot about that when he brought that girls mother in, had her in the public gallery didn't he and talked directly to her. SUch a tradgedy what happend to that poor girl, Brianna wasn't it? That makes his betrayal all the worse!

I would agree with you that when everything is fixed and working, a centrists view can be a good thing but we need more radical change if we are going to undo all the damage that has happened in the past. We need a true political left. All there is at the moment is centre, centre right and far right. The Greens have shown promising gains though I think it will be too soon for them to mount a challenge but they could be instrumental in a coalition government.

I don't disagree with you, Sarah. There does need to be a big change. I don't think Reform is the change the UK needs though. That's literally out of the frying pan into the fire. The saddest thing is that it's a sign of people just not knowing where to turn. They want something, but that something will be the worst thing they can get. Like Brexit (that's all I will say about that... whole different conversation).

I guess I can understand that's why some people voted for Trump in the US. Anti-establishment. A shake-up. It's a cry for help rather than understanding what that help would entail. I can understand the motivation, even with what it's led to.

You are right and there is no real political left in the UK. I do not know who could fill that gap, though.

i have hope for a labour revolt and wholesale transformation of that party but I thbnik it's not likely until they get a bloddy nose.

You are damn right the country doesn't need the change that Reform will bring. total wolf in sheeps clothing that lot. They will get into power next time round though and that means another 5 years of total chaos and nothing get done to fix anything. I will be retired before they do anything positive for working people!

You have to have hope. Otherwise you have nothing.

On another note, though. I really like your smile in your current avatar. <3

Hope really is the key these days with everything that is going on in the world. In our session retreat for church, hope was something we spent time on yesterday because it really is what allows us to be able to move forward each day. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: Sephirah on May 10, 2026, 05:34:28 PMYou have to have hope. Otherwise you have nothing.

On another note, though. I really like your smile in your current avatar. <3

I vote for Sarah!

Let's start a Stottie Party!

If you don't like Tories, or Reform, or Labour, what LEFT?

STOTTIES!

Quote from: Lori Dee on May 10, 2026, 05:41:08 PMI vote for Sarah!

Let's start a Stottie Party!

If you don't like Tories, or Reform, or Labour, what LEFT?

STOTTIES!

Seconded. I recently learned that the word "Stottie" came from the Old English word "Stott".. to bounce. Because the bread would bounce when dropped on the floor. Fitting, I think. <3

Ha Ha! You lot are mental! You would put a nutcase like me in power? Imagine the delightful lunacy! And of course "free stotties for everyone!"

Thank you Lauren, for the avatar comment. Personally I think it looks a bit like a nervous smile, I'm not very photogenic unfortunately.

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 10, 2026, 06:14:22 PMHa Ha! You lot are mental! You would put a nutcase like me in power? Imagine the delightful lunacy! And of course "free stotties for everyone!"

Thank you Lauren, for the avatar comment. Personally I think it looks a bit like a nervous smile, I'm not very photogenic unfortunately.

I wholeheartedly disagree, Sarah. You are extremely photogenic. Granted, it isn't the giant Cheshire Cat grin, that I know you have in you, haha. But... your smile is honestly beautiful. As are you. :)

Quote from: Sephirah on May 10, 2026, 06:52:13 PMI wholeheartedly disagree, Sarah. You are extremely photogenic. Granted, it isn't the giant Cheshire Cat grin, that I know you have in you, haha. But... your smile is honestly beautiful. As are you. :)

Stop it you, you'll make me embarrassed!

When I was at collage we had a social study lesson (why? it was a mechanics course) and we did a questionnaire on politics . Shown as dots on a graph we had one total Fascist, a few leaning to Communist and one dot in the centre. That was me!

Politics and politicians are messy all over the world unfortunately. Been that way forever and won't easily change.

And now the hounds smell blood they are after Starmer!!

I'm not bloody surprised Davina, he is an abysmal leader! He has no plan and all his policies seem to be adversely affecting the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.

They really need to pick better leaders. If he goes, and I think he will, that will be seven PM's in ten years? Surely that's more than any other country? Tin pot 3rd world countries have more stable leaderships!

I don't see any viable leader in the labour party to take over unless someone rises from obscurity on the back benches. I don't see anything stopping Reform now.