14 Past 🇬🇧🌞🚜

Let’s have a think about what’s happening in Makerfield. This by election is costing taxpayers £226,208. And it’s happening because a Labour MP chose to step aside to make room for Andy Burnham’s leadership ambitions. He admitted that himself. But here’s some more interesting figures. If Burnham wins, he’ll have to resign as Greater Manchester Mayor too. That triggers another election costing taxpayers around £4.7 million. So in total, nearly £5 million of public money could be spent not on improving services, fixing roads, supporting communities or helping struggling families, but on political career ambitions. People are struggling with bills, crime, NHS waiting lists and communities being ignored. Yet Westminster politics still seems focused on who climbs the ladder next. That’s what frustrates people. Not democracy. Political games made to look like democracy.

@alexmaccaroon @emilyhewertson Also plays to the ‘we’d have won if it wasn’t for Brexit’ mob…

It has been a sustained policy of the BBC NOT to win Eurovision. It costs tens of millions to host for zero commercial return. Winning would be financially disastrous. Secondly - the country that redefined popular music in the 20th century, that has produced more stadium-filling musical acts than any other, should not care about winning a load of Europop Cack. Winning Eurovision would be deeply embarrassing and a sign something has gone seriously wrong.

@philjocar Morning guv’nor.

Good morning all.

@BurnsideWasTosh Bland evil? Amusing notion…

I hope we get to hear a lot more from Labour's great hope Andy Burnham. He seems to typify their mendacity, vacuity and bland socialist evil. As unable to answer a direct question as he is to wear age appropriate running shorts.

@ScotlandDX Well, there’s a bonny thing!

Chico passing Gourock today

I can't help thinking that if the British Government brought the energy it has to prevent the "far right" from entering the country to preventing illegal immigrants from entering the country there might not be a "far right" in the first place.

Goodness me, isn’t everyone cross…

@PaulEmbery @AndrewJPelling … but your brilliant analogy holds good if you had cited the fact that Captain Smith continued his northerly course and didn’t reduce speed despite myriad ice warnings over preceding days. Thanks, P. Dant.

@AndrewJPelling You're spoiling my brilliant analogy!

In a speech this afternoon, Wes Streeting said that Labour can only beat Reform at the next election if it changes course. He then called for Britain to rejoin the EU. A bit like the captain of the Titanic hearing "Iceberg ahead!" and replying, "Right. Head directly for it!"

@EssexPR @Drystonesonnet That, and being accompanied by a dog, are both indicators of upon which team you are probably not, coincidentally.

One thing I noticed today. Christianity was everywhere on the Unite The Kingdom march. So many crosses, signs about Jesus and so many vicars ! I’m not religious, I’m an atheist, but that today showed me that so many rely on their faith. A country built on that faith ✝️

@BrendanChilton @Drystonesonnet Gadzooks, sir, thou art not doing the work of those who would harm us. Thou hadst clearly not read the script. Best avoid windows, methinks.

As one of the last few Labour Brexiteers who fought the referendum, in light of comments made by the backbench MP for Ilford North todayI feel honour bound to re-launch a Labour campaign to protect Brexit and democracy. Will need help. Info to follow.

@AllisonPearson No doubt enriching some lawyers?

No. You. Won’t. You. Never. Do.

@BlickyIan The AI ran away with itself?

No idea - doesn't look too windy ?? Lots of over controlling ?

@ABC @MarcherReborn Oh Shit. How come someone was on hand to film it, and held the camera commendably stable when the train - er - unexpectedly struck the truck?

A locomotive struck a septic truck crossing the tracks in Chesapeake, Virginia, sending the truck flying and leaving the driver with life-threatening injuries. abcnews.link/Ta3gLdH

@beverleyturner @Oftheforest2 @KemiBadenoch Bad move, Kemi, after that superb performance after The King’s Speech. Very disappointed.

How can @KemiBadenoch not know who these people are?.... If you are the leader of the opposition and your PM has just banned 11 people from travelling to the UK because of their political views (or their "hate speech"), you should be consumed with curiousity to know who they are and what they said. OR you just don't care about #freespeech. You just care about winning elections. We are so sick of this theatre.

@TinyWriterLaura @Drystonesonnet Thank goodness for Master Thatcher. Can we have his mum back, though?

i grew up in a very quaint little village outside scunthorpe and mum just sent me a photo of a Master Thatcher re-thatching a cottage down the road, and honestly i love that there are still skilled people like this doing things that simply can’t be replaced by machines 🥺

The last remaining person in Parliament who served in the Armed Forces in the Second World War retired on Wednesday. Labour peer Lord Christopher, aged 101, bowed out, 81 years after WWII ended.

@Lost___London @ColdWarPod @PubHistoryTours The lad leaning on the cabinet by the railings is perhaps a tad early for his hook-up with Sir Keir…

A fantastic image of Piccadilly, 1979

@Ayaan @Drystonesonnet Definition of ‘Populism’/‘Populist’ from Chambers: “Someone who believes in the right and ability of the common people to play a major part in governing themselves” & “A supporter, wooer or student of the common people”. So anyone opposing populism is by definition undemocratic?

We should say this loud and clear: right-wing populism is not extremism!

Japanese politician says that Muslims shouldn’t be buried in Japan. ”Japan is a cremation country. Allocating land for Muslim burials is not appropriate. If they want burial, it should be done in their home countries at their own expense.”

Streeting throws his hat into the ring.