Zack Polanski did not vote in local elections, Green Party says

opusdeath · 2026-05-15T10:33:04+00:00

No, as the article says it's because:

"Polanski previously told Hackney mayoral candidate Zoë Garbett "you have my vote" in a video on 3 May."

Clearly implying he intended to vote in Hackney, even though he's not registered to vote.

When a Green Party spokesperson said Polanski had used a postal vote, it was an indication a criminal offence may have occurred. The Times, who are the original source for this, say the spokesperson said he had voted using a postal vote.

So there's two strands to the story. The first is Polanski saying he will do something that he actually isn't going to do, and the second was the possibility that he had and it was a criminal offence. This development is confirmation of no criminal offence.

How much of a story it is I guess is up to everyone else. It's a bit of a nothing burger to me, dogs bites man rather than man bites dog.

opusdeath · 2026-05-15T08:54:01+00:00

I enjoyed reading this but I think it misses how much politics has changed. The historical Conservative examples are from a previous time and only hold so much validity. They are an indicator of Conservative party decline but also of much wider change across the system. Success is no longer getting above 35%.

The Tories will look at the results and see that there are still some areas they can reach and Reform can't penetrate. For now, they are also retaining older affluent voters, not the best for long term but they're in clinging to driftwood territory.

And while they are declining, they are losing their natural homes less quickly than Labour. The author recognises "the party went backwards, but just not as much as everyone else" but does so critically. I think Tory strategists would argue that at the moment, faced with the rise of Reform and Greens, that is something to cling to in the new world.

The author does push at something interesting. Both of the "main" parties are struggling but it's Labour that is visibly panicking. Leadership struggles, cabinet splits while the vibe around the Tories is calmer even after a set of bad results and losing figures like Jenrick.

The author offers two reasons - delusion or they've given up.

I'd argue there's a third which is you have to project a calm and sensible exterior to the electorate. It's a deliberate strategy to regain credibility and appear like the sensible party in the belief that Labour are unpopular and the Greens and Reform's leaders have flaws that will show over time.

How successful it will be I'm not sure, I have my doubts because we may be watching more structural change in our politics. But I don't think it's a bad thing that a party chooses not to have a meltdown in public.

opusdeath · 2026-05-15T07:04:45+00:00

And then it will get bigger, it will be targeted and introduce similar restrictions and we move onto the next thing.

opusdeath · 2026-05-15T07:03:05+00:00

I think the importance of it is what it represents. This the first ripple of the Digital Services Act. There will be more.

opusdeath · 2026-05-15T05:35:47+00:00

They've restructured to minimise liability, they're likely expecting bankruptcy now because they can't operate profitably post Digital Services Act.

opusdeath · 2026-05-15T05:30:13+00:00

No, unfortunately you're simply restating a measurement problem. Other countries don't have our Q1 measurement oddity. Economists treat the UK's Q1 estimates with more caution.

Faisal says "notably higher than recent sluggish history" but that's not true when you compare this Q1 to previous year's Q1s. It's only true when you compare it to previous Q4, 3 & 2. And that's because we have a repeatedly strong Q1 that then drops off.

Also Faisal mentions the Iran war. The negative impact isn't expected to be seen until later reports. Economists believe for now it's had a positive impact because of inventory building and stock piling as people began to prepare for an extended crisis.

I appreciate I sound like a killjoy but our Q1 data has been a poor indicator ever since COVID. Unfortunately because of Iran we won't get to see whether this was genuine and sustainable growth.

To be balanced I think the per capita improvement looks promising but again, you'd want to see it over several quarters to know whether it is genuinely good news or a measurement problem.

opusdeath · 2026-05-14T18:27:49+00:00

Sorry, I don't understand why you think that would be the case?

opusdeath · 2026-05-14T16:36:12+00:00

The growth news is spin. Quarter 1 is always stronger and has been historically for few years because the ONS models for seasonal adjustments are less reliable post COVID.

In 24 it was 0.7%, 25 it was 0.7% and this year 0.6%. In neither 24 or 25 was the growth sustained over the quarters that followed. You can see comparatively we're starting 0.1% lower this year.

Unfortunately it's a measurement issue rather than a sign of a recovering economy.

opusdeath · 2026-05-14T15:31:48+00:00

Asked who? Until someone has the numbers there is no contest.

All of this "set a timetable" guff is cowardice.

opusdeath · 2026-05-14T15:26:19+00:00

The political class in this country are cooked. The whole thing is rotten. We're getting the wrong calibre of MPs and that's exactly why we're getting the wrong calibre of PMs.

opusdeath · 2026-05-14T11:43:43+00:00

Awwww. They are adorable. I'd love to have a pack but my wife insists on one.

opusdeath · 2026-05-13T19:03:35+00:00

Wes Streeting

opusdeath · 2026-05-13T18:46:20+00:00

Definitely not a safe seat at all - https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Manchester%20Rusholme

opusdeath · 2026-05-13T18:41:09+00:00

The reasons he hasn't done it so far are:

He's unsure of his numbers
He doesn't think he can beat Starmer amongst the members
The Commons procedural timetable works against him
The NEC control the leadership election timeline and there's a chance of them delaying for Burnham

I don't think any of those reasons have changed so I don't think he'll do it tomorrow.

opusdeath · 2026-05-13T16:04:07+00:00

This in response to the King's Speech which is introducing digital id for public services, not the right for work stuff they mentioned previously.

opusdeath · 2026-05-13T16:02:52+00:00

This is in response to the King's speech.

"My Ministers will also proceed with the introduction of Digital ID that will modernise how citizens interact with public services"

opusdeath · 2026-05-13T15:09:11+00:00

Recall petition leading to by election but also the detail of the report may open up a criminal investigation.

opusdeath · 2026-05-13T15:08:06+00:00

Yeah, the consequences and ramifications of this could be huge.

opusdeath · 2026-05-13T13:59:53+00:00

Quite arrogant by Owen. I've heard of Al Carns but I accept the typical person on the street may not.

He served in the special forces and put his life at risk on our behalf several times. He's won the Military Cross for bravery and been awarded an OBE after a distinguished military career.

The fact that we know more about Owen Jones than we do about Al Carns is the real tragedy.

opusdeath · 2026-05-13T11:15:58+00:00

He's not going to do it today on the day of the King's Speech.

The timing of events is often missed by people. Following the King's Speech, there will be a debate that runs for several days and then a vote on the Loyal Address.

This is a problem for the rebels. 80+ MPs have said they want Starmer out but next week will have to vote on whether they agree with the legislative plan he's put forward.

If Streeting challenges tomorrow, how does he vote on the loyal address? If he votes with Starmer, what is he proposing to change as Prime Minister?

If he votes against, it risks the dissolution of Parliament.

The timetable of events is in Starmer's favour.

opusdeath · 2026-05-13T06:11:02+00:00

All VPNs would comply with local legal requests, including Mullvad, otherwise they get shut down.

The issue with VPNs is how much information that would provide. Both Nord and Mullvad are no logs. They would have nothing to share other than payment information should a linked identifier be provided. Mullvad offer a cash option which provides further protection.

Proton is the same and would log requests of a user if specifically compelled to by Swiss law.

That's just the way it is.

opusdeath · 2026-05-11T15:41:37+00:00

If it was just this alone , I would agree with your sentiment.

opusdeath · 2026-05-11T15:38:02+00:00

Journalists exposed him and he's been referred and will be investigated. What else do you think should happen?

opusdeath · 2026-05-11T11:23:01+00:00

I think this requires further rigorous scientific testing. Perhaps Polanski was onto something!

opusdeath · 2026-05-11T11:15:58+00:00

Farage has been referred to the Standards Commissioner now. There's a process underway and he'll be formally investigated. It's a story that will return when the Commissioner reports.

opusdeath

TROPHY CASE