Anthony Michael

I agree it’s very choppy waters right now and the UK faces some brutally hard choices. Voting has never been more volatile, and much of that is the media (and its owners) deliberately cranking up the chaos and misinformation for their own gain.That said, I don’t think any UK leader has real influence on Iran. Brexit has left any PM far less important on the world stage. My big worry is how we stop the Farage disaster. Much as I like many things about Starmer, I don’t think he’s the one who can defeat him and maybe better to make a change sooner rather than later. Three years will pass in a flash

@alphamike20 @AndyBurnhamGM You got to see it run longer surely. The world is in choppy waters with Iran and things might get a lot worse fast. Would you want a new leader dealing with what is essentially an international problem? We got three years left to make it a choice between Labour or Reform.

I can confirm that I will be requesting the permission of the NEC to stand in the Makerfield by-election. I grew up in this area and have lived here for 25 years. I care deeply about it and its people. I know they have been let down by national politics. Ten years ago, I decided to leave Westminster. Why? Because, after 16 years, I came to the conclusion that our national political system does not work for areas like ours. I learnt this fighting its failure to invest in the Wigan borough, for justice for the Hillsborough families and against its treatment of Greater Manchester during the pandemic. Over the last decade, I have been challenging this failure from the outside and building a new and better way of doing politics. We have built Greater Manchester into the fastest-growing city-region in the UK and put buses back under public control, introducing a £2 fare cap to help people with cost-of-living pressures. However, there is only so much that can be done from Greater Manchester. Much bigger change is needed at a national level if everyday life is to be made more affordable again. This is why I now seek people’s support to return to Parliament: to bring the change we have brought to Greater Manchester to the whole of the UK and make politics work properly for people. Millions are struggling and they need the Labour Government to succeed. It has already made changes to make life better for them in its first two years. After this week, we owe it to people to come back together as a Labour movement, giving the Prime Minister and the Government the space and stability they need as the by-election takes place. I want to recognise the difficult decision taken by Josh Simons and the sacrifice he and his family are making. I have worked closely with him as Mayor on issues like flooding and illegal waste dumping and have seen first-hand how effective he has been. He has put the communities of Makerfield first, made a real difference for them and should take great pride in that. Finally, I truly do not take a single vote for granted and will work hard to regain the trust of people in the Makerfield constituency, many of whom have long supported our party but lost faith in recent times. We will change Labour for the better and make it a party you can believe in again. ENDS

@chrs1927 @AndyBurnhamGM I am inclined to agree but I also do not think Starmer can turn voters round even when we see metrics improving on growth, waiting list and immigration quite a pickle !

@AndyBurnhamGM As a member I will not vote for you. Your actions have destabilised this government and played into the hands of our opponents. If you had stood in the election I would have considered it. I voted for you the last time you stood for the leadership. Hubris.

@supertanskiii Pritt sticks !!

Labour insiders are seriously suggesting that Ed Miliband runs for leader? What the fuck? Have they been sniffing the glue sticks at No 10?

@AlistairCarns There’s a lot to be said for ‘By Strength and Guile’. Strong leaders rise to the occasion, and the UK needs that spirit right now. Wishing you a very good morning, Al!

Good morning world!

@yanisvaroufakis Even if you disagree with Yanis's politics, anyone genuinely interested in economic solutions should seriously engage with his arguments even if they are uncomfortable.

A surprisingly agreeable and wholesome discussion with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart on their THE REST IS POLITICS podcast. I wish there were more opportunities for political adversaries to engage in discussions such as this one.... youtube.com/watch?v=QEgpcM…

@Martina Brilliant thanks!

Roflmao

@JohnSimpsonNews Unfortunately, blocking bots or people who just want to abuse is like whack-a-mole, but at least it's just as fun!

I’ve just spent an enjoyable hour blocking people who can’t be polite when they disagree with me. If you’re rude, threatening, ageist or abusive, straight down the toilet you go. Simple pleasures... Why not just disagree without being offensive? That way I’ll listen to you.

@DembinskaRoza I suspect he already has!

Wywiezie co nakradł do Ameryki???

@JohnSimpsonNews @PhilipRadbourne Nothing is criminal in the US with the way presidential pardons from Trump

People seem to have forgotten the two massive spikes in oil trading, one on 23 March, immediately before Donald Trump’s post announcing a delay in attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure, and the other on 7 April when he declared a ceasefire. Investors made something like $1.5 billion. But were these a genuine huge gamble, or was it insider trading — a serious criminal offence in the US?

@Kasparov63 Forget chess or poker would be nice if US had a president that could play checkers

A good start, but to be honest, perhaps even better to be a good poker player like Churchill or Truman!

@BBCSteveR @BBCNews @BBCBenTavener I think Orban will get a Trump card! Maybe a discounted Golden Visa!

Viktor Orbán has lost an election. Vladimir Putin has lost a trump card. @BBCNews Producer @BBCBenTavener

@RealJakeBroe II think the full force of Trump, Vance, and Putin are why he is as low as 27%.

Viktor Orban is only going to end up with 27% of the seats in Hungary's parliament. With the full force and support of Russia, MAGA, and Trump behind Orban, the best they could do was get him to 27%!

@JohnSimpsonNews @PhilipRadbourne Oh, I think Trump and Vance significantly influenced the vote!

With Orbán gone, NATO and the EU have lost a Putin-influenced brake on their decision-making. It’s another blow to Russia—and a disappointment to Trump and Vance, who failed to influence the vote.

@RpsAgainstTrump this might help pay for the Golf !!

After announcing a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump spent another day golfing at Doral on the taxpayers’ dime. Will Trump congratulate Péter Magyar for defeating his buddy Viktor Orbán in Hungary?

@GavinNewsom But!!

JD Vance proves he's a lightweight twice in 48 hours. Congratulations to the people of Hungary -- democracy, free press and human rights win today. There is hope.

@McFaul Trump might offer Viktor Orbán a discount on a Golden Visa

Will Trump congratulate Magyar too?

Where should we send him next?

The end of Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime is a victory not just for Hungary, but for people who value democracy around the world. Congratulations to Tisza, to incoming leader Péter Magyar, and to Hungarians everywhere.

@TheMaineWonk Well at least Orban can afford the Trump Golden Visa

How long before Trump offers Viktor Orbán asylum in the United States?

@Scaramucci Not just who your friends are you also gain real respect from stangers

One of the worst things that can happen to you is a really good run of success where you start believing your own bullshit. 👇🏼 That's the foibles of Greek tragedy. The hubris. The arrogance. I'm flying high — so I'll always fly high. The White House was that moment for me. Unexpected. Humbling. I'm fully accountable for what happened. But it changed me for the better. When I put my ego into decisions — when I let my pride drive — I make really bad choices. I know that now in a way I didn't before. And when you're having the worst moment of your life? You find out very quickly who your real friends are.