The Doctor

Honestly I think you underestimate the extent to which millennials, and particularly gen Z, despise Starmer and labour (starmers approval rating is -17% among 18-24 year olds). Sure, they'll win this time however their voting coalition is a combination of young people who hate them but hate the tories more, and regular tory voters who don't like Sunak. The latter will go back to the tories under a new leader, the former will likely split between staying labour to keep the tories out, or go to third parties (e.g. the greens). It's essentially the same issue Biden is facing - the youth vote don't like him and are not best pleased at having to hold their nose to prevent trump again.

I think that's a fair assessment and as you say, the problem is that the tories will eventually sort themselves out. he is going to be PM purely because the tories have taken very deliberate aim at their own feet. like he's currently got a -10% approval rating: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/trackers/keir-starmer-approval-rating with starmer, labour will be in charge for 5 years then in the wilderness for another 15-20.

I'm not expecting him to be a communist, particularly given corbyn was a bog standard democratic socialist, what I'm expecting is for the human rights lawyer to actually, y'know, speak up in defence of human rights as the tories signal their desire to destroy them, a test he has repeatedly failed

my problem with that is it then becomes an article of faith "oh no, he totally believes in [progressive policy he didn't defend], he's just ensuring he can have power to enact it", and frankly I'm more of a "when someone tells you who they are, believe them" person.

and in that debate and vote on the debate Starmer whipped labour to not stand up for devolution and confirmed that he's also of the position that Westminster should be able to block the devolved parliaments doing anything, even if it's within the devolved parliament remit, if the Westminster government doesn't like it. in which case, why even have devolution? unfortunately we don't really have a pro scottish independence party in Yorkshire for pretty obvious reasons, so I'll be voting Women's Equality Party if they stand, Greens if they dont, and if neither stand in my constituency then there's a beer garden with my name on it that day.

abstained over the s35 vote for the GRR bill Scotland passed. the bill that holyrood passed did not touch on any reserved powers, they were very careful on that and voted down multiple amendments that would have brought it up against reserved powers. but the tories didn't like the bill and so made up a false clash and vetoed it under s35. Labour could have taken a stance about this affront to devolution but instead abstained

incredibly stupid idea, there's a reason very few countries have it and why conscription is generally not used by nations except in the worst case scenario of a major war, and it's because forcing a bunch of teenagers who don't want to be there into the army turns it into an ineffective babysitters. the volunteering in charity and civic causes is less bad but does still have the same issue of if you force people to do something you get ineffective people who resent being there.

let's have a look at his record in opposition (including this campaign): waved through the spy-cops protection allowed the tories to ride roughshod over devolution supports the two child benefit cap welcomed right wing headbangers like Elphicke into labour and outside of parliament: described major human rights abuses (cutting off water to Palestine) as something that Israel has the right to do fanboyed in the telegraph over Thatcher the dude is not left wing, in a sane country where the right wing party weren't doing the Simpsons Republican convention skit (we're just plain evil, we want what's worst for everyone), he'd belong in that more moderate right wing party.

reform won't win a single seat, nor do I see how a labour majority of 10-20, where they can still be worried by the handful of actually left wing mps they have, benefits reform uk

massive majority would be bad news tbh, gives Starmer free reign to implement his worst impulses without any worry of SCG rebels bringing down his more authoritarian garbage and without having to offer something to the greens or whatever other third parties the left wingers who he told to **** off ****ed off to

almost like he's campaigning as a local MP and is focusing on local achievements? tbh it's gonna be hilarious watching the labour flailing when Islington doesn't fall in line and support whatever private healthcare connected briefcase they impose on the CLP

walking Wembley way is quite scary

championship player of the season completely anonymous in the playoff final... can you really be the best player in an entire season if you don't show up when it matters?

oh, they got this all screwed up...

getting injured in a game you're not even playing in is peak Evans tbh

both, assuming Ortega hasn't given Gvardiol a shout there, Gvardiol shouldn't just be heading it up in the air like that but Ortegas got no business being that far out

also historically one of labours core voter bases has been uni students (personally not convinced this will persist regardless, lot of young people angry with starmers bothsidesism over Israel) and this is timed for right around when student leases end.

that the Tory promise for this election then, combined UK national team going forward?

ok but are you telling me you wouldn't get some sick joy at seeing Rishi cry at Wembley this weekend?

the boundary changes I think will save the Tories a bit, going for labour being ~5-10 seats short of a majority and forming a coalition with the lib dems

also, can't believe everyone has missed the obvious answer of Yann Kermorgant:

derby was a similar screamer tbf

twitter mostly. I go to the circus for my news which is why it's mostly about clowns

too busy going to Briehab https://nypost.com/2024/05/18/us-news/i-went-to-rehab-for-my-cheese-addiction/

wild that he'd give that and miss the one earlier in the half