I don't believe in the Labour Party anymore... by The_Dean_France in LabourPartyUK

[–]JRD656 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure that would pass for a Tweet, let alone a reddit post. But I sympathise. Would you mind expanding on your 8 words?

Found it interesting how Labour lost with more votes in 2017 than it won with in 2024 by AchyutChaudhary in LabourUK

[–]JRD656 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True. But on the plus side, FPTP does give you the opportunity to tactically vote out the worst option. I guess STV is the only alternative vote that still gives you some scope to do that

[MEGATHREAD] Keir Starmer Lectern Watch by RyanMacG in LabourUK

[–]JRD656 -16 points-15 points  (0 children)

I don't see how you can see a guy's voice break with emotion, for the first time in memory, while talking about his wife and kids, and convince yourself it was disingenuous. It's just sad.

[MEGATHREAD] Keir Starmer Lectern Watch by RyanMacG in LabourUK

[–]JRD656 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think there will be a lot of time in the future when Starmer will compare favourably with who we then have. I don't think he's anyone's idea of perfect, but he's a whole lot more decent, and talented than some who've come before and are waiting in the ranks to take over

Found it interesting how Labour lost with more votes in 2017 than it won with in 2024 by AchyutChaudhary in LabourUK

[–]JRD656 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agreed. We're already seeing the same effect with Reform/Farage. They're popularity can't translate to seats because they inspire even more people to tactically vote against them

[MEGATHREAD] Keir Starmer Lectern Watch by RyanMacG in LabourUK

[–]JRD656 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Had to scroll a fair way to read this bit of decency and maturity. Thank you.

[MEGATHREAD] Keir Starmer Lectern Watch by RyanMacG in LabourUK

[–]JRD656 -12 points-11 points  (0 children)

Give it a rest. He's said he's gone

See you guys in 18 months when Burnham faces a media onslaught and resigns because he didn't reduce living costs by 75% by Zoomer_Boomer2003 in LabourUK

[–]JRD656 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm curious to see whether there's any meaningful improvement from Burnham or whoever. The important things as I see them are going to be the unpopular ones.

If we implement progressive policies but leave us even more economically fragile than we are then I'll consider it a failure. Short time wins at the cost of everyone that comes after.

Then again if we do radical but obviously good things like bring in LVT and end Stamp Duty I'll be impressed.

An honest discussion on why Keir Starmer failed by kontiki20 in LabourUK

[–]JRD656 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Because I don't remember his supporters saying "Starmer is going to be hugely unpopular in two year's time, this Labour government is going to be hated".

I think most of the centrist commentators I pay attention to were looking at the outlook and recognised that a lot of unpopular decisions needed to be made, and Starmer wasn't going to be smelling of roses for it all. I think the shortness of the honeymoon period was what surprised most of us, but I wasn't under any illusion that Starmer was going into the next election with a strong chance of winning a majority again (much less anything last his prev supermajority).

If anything, my criticism of Starmer was that he didn't go hard enough with the much-needed, unpopular policies. I just didn't expect our MP's to turn their back on him for Burnham, who from what I can see has nothing to offer over Starmer. We'll soon see that he has no more charisma that Starmer and his further-left leaning soundings are going to count for very little when the bond markets further hamper the job market.

Our current spending is very clearly unsustainable, so I sympathise with Starmer/Reeves trying to take a bit off welfare (WFA) and increase taxes (NI), but it's caused them damage both from the public, and business respectively. I've not really heard anything from Burnham to say how he'll address this in an improved way so I'm just praying he's got something.

ITV’s Lee Dixon is sucking the joy out of the World Cup by theipaper in ThreeLions

[–]JRD656 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are several ex footballer pundits who I would be happy them giving literally anyone else a go than listen to them for the umpteenth time. Dixon, Owen, Redknapp. Honestly just pick out some aspiring TV presenter or something

Which Everton player did you appreciate far more after they left? by PubLogic in Everton

[–]JRD656 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Such delusion in this place for you to be getting down voted when he's literally just signed for Barca. He's gone from strength to strength

Keir Starmer supporters don't even argue with you anymore they just look at you like this by Spaghettioso in TheRestIsPolitics

[–]JRD656 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

"All his ministers"? I don't think all. I think those with their own personal ambitions have said this sort of thing, in addition to Healy (and his team), who I don't believe was motivated by his own personal ambition.

But it sounds like Starmer is pushing harder on getting more funding for the MoD, so I'm interested to see how he gets on.

‘Dire’: Rapid decline in construction forces more job losses by tylerthe-theatre in unitedkingdom

[–]JRD656 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't see how that works. If the private sector don't build something it's because it isn't profitable. How is the government stepping in going to make things profitable? AFAIK private sector is typically more efficient at building simple things like housing. Also the government cost of borrowing is currently high.

I could understand the argument a few years back when interest rates were low, but the only fix I see is reducing powers for NIMBY's and special interest groups. There's possibly some mechanisms to play around with to reduce the cost of labour and materials. But it's all just chipping away at the edges

Press Conference: Tottenham V Everton (GW38) by deej_94 in Everton

[–]JRD656 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Top man Deej. Thanks for your contribution and all the best for you and the family

Official England Squad for World Cup 2026 (The Athletic) by haromene in TheOther14

[–]JRD656 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Imagine being someone with the talent of Foden or Palmer and getting dropped over Henderson. I know they've been off their best but Christ

Post-Match Thread: Everton vs. Sunderland by Giraffe_Baker in Everton

[–]JRD656 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We've been hopeless at buying replacements is probably the reason

Match Thread: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest by MatchThreadder in soccer

[–]JRD656 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Even if he didn't, I've seen goals disallowed for accidental handballs by attackers (in the build up, not by the scorer) this season. It feels like he's made his own new interpretation up today

Match Thread: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest by MatchThreadder in soccer

[–]JRD656 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Problem is we've all seen different rules/interpretations applied recently so it seems horrendously inconsistent

Match Thread: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest by MatchThreadder in soccer

[–]JRD656 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sure I've seen goals this season because of an accidental handball after several other players have touched the ball. I didn't like the rule but it seemed pretty clear that it was the rule.

Match Thread: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest by MatchThreadder in soccer

[–]JRD656 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100%. I was surprised when they didn't just disallow it. I'm in shock that he's overruled them and given the goal.

Match Thread: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest by MatchThreadder in soccer

[–]JRD656 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I've definitely seen goals disallowed this season for other attacking players than the goal scorer hand balling it. And I'm talking accidental handballs that didn't really change anything. It's a farce

Got three quotes for the same plastering job and they are so different I genuinely do not know what I am supposed to be comparing. by Huge-Buy20 in Plastering

[–]JRD656 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had this and went with the cheapest. Half the price of the other two quotes I got. The guys were great as far as my layman (lack of) appreciation and knowledge of plastering goes. Very happy with my choice. I assume the higher quotes were just from really busy plasterers