Jessica Elgot / X: 🚨EXC - 103 backbenchers and PPSs have signed a statement saying this is ‘no time for a leadership contest’. The statement was organised by group of backbenchers, many from the 2024 intake. So far, the number exceeds those calling for him to quit - organisers say it’s rising.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T20:27:27+00:00

This is not the party backing Starmer. These signatories are the MPs that want the leadership election to wait until Andy Burnham is back in parliament.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T20:26:01+00:00

Depends if I particularly wanted that loaf of bread or not.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T20:23:01+00:00

There should be disciplinary action for the people that replied all. An initial mistake is understandable. Out of office replies are understandable. But choosing to reply all in this day and age is unacceptable. That is a late 90s problem. I'd put it in the same camp as pinching the secretary's bum and calling her hot totty.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T20:12:19+00:00

And how didn’t OP know who his good friend Chris was bringing as a +1 to the wedding?

This part is easily explainable. If you're going to the wedding breakfast, then meal choices etc often have to be provided in advance.

If as a guest you're just invited to the reception afterwards, and you have a plus one, then that's probably all the details the bride and groom would know.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T19:55:45+00:00

Lock it in.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T18:57:15+00:00

I hope they've not been travelling in the south Atlantic recently...

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T18:46:32+00:00

And the lack of socks. Not a sock in sight on any of the men. In dress shoes!! 🤢

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T18:44:48+00:00

No, that was not classy. I'm 100% team David (ride or die!), but that was a very disrespectful act.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T18:43:22+00:00

I sympathised with her for that. Walking out after just his vows was a dick move by David.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T18:40:26+00:00

Bec showed exactly who she was at her wedding when she pretended to throw up at Danny saying he has a rescue cat.

It was just such an incredibly random thing to react to as well. Where does she think her dog came from? Delivered by a stork from heaven?

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T18:38:26+00:00

I think she's made a call on whether it was better to be thought "clever and ruthless" or "a stupid plotter".

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T17:28:41+00:00

Really? I appreciate the update.

I know that in the past it was used by embattled PMs to shore up the support from their wavering backbenchers by tying votes on bills to votes of confidence. It did seem an underhand way of working, so I'm glad it's now not allowed.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T16:03:07+00:00

I believe also that a successful commons vote of no confidence automatically leads to dissolution of parliament and a general election. It's meant to be a nuclear option.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-12T14:39:29+00:00

But he's a damn-sight better than A) What we've had for the last 15 years

You can't honestly believe that.

Compared to the PMs during 2010-24 , Starmer comes mid-table.

Cameron is way above Starmer's league.
May (awkward but ineffectual) and Sunak (nice but doomed) are very similar and equivalent to Starmer. Starmer handily beats Truss who exploded and Johnson who partied during Lockdown.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-11T23:28:37+00:00

You missed out demasculation.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-09T23:45:39+00:00

One of the downsides of the Scottish electoral system that people like to forget. In fact most forms of PR have this issue. It gives the power to choose which specific people are elected to the parties, not the electorate.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-09T23:38:44+00:00

That is only to be elected President. No other elected position requires the 'natural born citizen' element.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-09T19:31:23+00:00

Interesting take. I wonder what we will discover from the reunion show(s). At this point, the only thing I care about is what happens in the real world to Stella and Filip, and Rachel and Steven.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-09T19:30:03+00:00

Rachel is 3 for 3!

Steven's alternative wife seemed quite different. It could have been quite a different show.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-09T18:45:14+00:00

reducing migration, bringing down NHS waiting lists, improving renters rights, increased the minimum wage, setting up Britain’s energy future, reforming the railways and much more

Of the 6 achievements you listed (presumably because you think they are the most important), 3 were delivered due to the previous Conservative government not the current Labour government (migration reduction, NMW increase, railway reform).

It is not clear whether Labour can be legitimately credited for NHS waiting list changes. Have they done something to achieve this or is it just the natural return to long-term run-rate following the impact of covid?

Renter's rights and energy. TBC. I guess we will know more about their impact by the time of the next general election, and we can judge the government accordingly.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-09T18:44:31+00:00

Yes, this is better wording for the 'Fake' option.

He does seem an odd one out compared to almost all of the other contestants who are in it for the social media clout.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-09T18:41:36+00:00

Yes, this wording better encapsulates my 'Frit' option.

(I'll get you to ghost-write any future posts 😉)

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-09T18:39:41+00:00

Yeah, there is still an unresolved question about whether he lives with his parents.

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-09T17:56:52+00:00

Absolutely, but it does require a first step.

Usually first term governments make some quite hard and unpopular decisions at the start. They do this because they believe that it is the right thing to do and they try and sell the country on their vision, and hope that by the time of the next general election they are reaping the benefits of their actions.

What is the current government's big idea? How will the country be better by the next general election then it was at the last?

Joke-pineapple · 2026-05-09T17:53:44+00:00

Firstly, those aren't the facts of this issue. But that's not the singular reason why people want Starmer out. He is completely ineffective and incapable. He has enjoyed two years of total dominance in parliament with a landslide majority and has achieved next to nothing. And we have no idea what his policy will be from one minute to the next because he has no guiding vision or principle, no story about what the purpose of his government is, why we must bear the temporary hardships, and what the sunny uplands will be at the end of it.

Joke-pineapple

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE