[seankenny]

Come back Brutus 😢

Broad church means lots of views. I think the present CV situation makes many people (and posts - mine included) a lot more snarky than usual...

Ooooh I resent the insinuation that I wrote a more than usually snarky anti-Corbyn post due to CV! 

I think Brutus should definitely contribute. My points are about the broader far left rather than any single individual.

[mrjonathanr]

I have no interest in an echo chamber and anyone who does really needs to step away from their screen. It is important to hear a good range of different views imo. Sean’s, galpinos’s, Brutus’s contributions- all worthwhile.
If Brutus wants to step back that’s a shame, and does seem unduly sensitive, but really it his prerogative.

[Davo]

Hi

I don’t often post but generally read these threads and find them interesting. I am also really interested in hearing different points of view and also from people who are very invested in the situation or are members of the Labour Party such as (I believe?) Brutus and Sean. So I think it would be great if you did feel able to contribute.

My own feeling about the leadership contest is that (disclaimer: I am not a Labour Party member but did vote Labour) I would pretty much have been happy with all of them and whoever it was would have been a huge improvement on Corbyn in terms of ability to perform well in the media and also not alienate people who could vote Labour. I guess RLB would have been the hardest sell to the public but I thought that she generally interviewed well.

Policy wise I liked the 2017 manifesto a lot and was okay with the 2019 one I just thought that it had too much in it.

I really struggle to understand much of the internal wranglings and vitriol that has clearly taken hold and I hope that Starmer manages to put an end to that and get the party to work together.

[Oldmanmatt]

As a little essay, this was thought provoking and it seemed aspects of it could be applied to our own situation, here:

https://www.quora.com/What-dont-most-liberals-realize/answer/Peter-Kruger?ch=1&share=95ddcb10&srid=iAmK&fbclid=IwAR2t4wGeid9w19XicEbhJEXhm2cNae9sci-4UOivdgHLLskVJTkT1gjEPgU

[ali k]

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/keir-starmer-approval-rating-boris-johnson-first-time-a4438786.html

Early days I know, but this brought me a little joy this morning. At what point will Johnson be sacrificed I wonder?

[TobyD]

Opinions on the merger of Dfid and the foreign office seem pretty predictable, I thought this was by far the best analysis I've read,
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2020/06/david-cameron-has-broken-his-silence-criticise-boris-johnson-heres-why

The thought of giving Raab even more to do when hes a total failure at his current breif is rather unsettling.  I could see that the merger might make sense if you had a competent administration. 

[ali k]

Yeh that was my feelings on it. I can see the arguments for and against the merger but my concerns boil down to two main ones:
1. Of all the things the govt and civil servants could be spending valuable time and effort on right now, departmental restructuring would come pretty low down my list of priorities.
2. Johnson’s preoccupation with it seems to be borne out of a frustration during his time as Foreign Sec not to be able to engage in a fairly short-termist transactional approach to foreign policy and aid. I have absolutely no faith that between him and Raab there will be any great long-term strategy. It seems more likely to be used as a simple carrot or stick approach with minimal concern for global consequences.

[seankenny]

Opinions on the merger of Dfid and the foreign office seem pretty predictable, I thought this was by far the best analysis I've read,
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2020/06/david-cameron-has-broken-his-silence-criticise-boris-johnson-heres-why

The thought of giving Raab even more to do when hes a total failure at his current breif is rather unsettling.  I could see that the merger might make sense if you had a competent administration.

I thought the NS piece was very good on the Westminster aspect of the DfID/FCO merger, but poor on the operational impacts. I've worked in the aid and development sector for several years, including a on project which involved close co-operation with DfID staff. There's a real depth of technical and specialist expertise in the department and, unlike many of the things the government trumpets as world-class, it actually is.

Running development programmes and doing diplomacy are two different things, and what do we do when they contradict each other? If realpolitik means cosying up to an unpleasant regime, and development means supporting disadvantaged groups in that country - say campaigners against female genital mutilation - then I think it's almost inevitable that as development plays second fiddle to foreign policy interests, the outcomes for the world's poorest will decline. Given that DfID has led the world in things like setting standards (boring, but important) there could also be a knock-on effect.

I see also that the Commons international development select committee is being disbanded, meaning less oversight and scrutiny, as is the way of this government.

I thought this was good:
https://www.devex.com/news/what-happens-when-an-aid-department-is-folded-96262

[TobyD]

Opinions on the merger of Dfid and the foreign office seem pretty predictable, I thought this was by far the best analysis I've read,
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2020/06/david-cameron-has-broken-his-silence-criticise-boris-johnson-heres-why

The thought of giving Raab even more to do when hes a total failure at his current breif is rather unsettling.  I could see that the merger might make sense if you had a competent administration.

I thought the NS piece was very good on the Westminster aspect of the DfID/FCO merger, but poor on the operational impacts. I've worked in the aid and development sector for several years, including a on project which involved close co-operation with DfID staff. There's a real depth of technical and specialist expertise in the department and, unlike many of the things the government trumpets as world-class, it actually is.

Running development programmes and doing diplomacy are two different things, and what do we do when they contradict each other? If realpolitik means cosying up to an unpleasant regime, and development means supporting disadvantaged groups in that country - say campaigners against female genital mutilation - then I think it's almost inevitable that as development plays second fiddle to foreign policy interests, the outcomes for the world's poorest will decline. Given that DfID has led the world in things like setting standards (boring, but important) there could also be a knock-on effect.

I see also that the Commons international development select committee is being disbanded, meaning less oversight and scrutiny, as is the way of this government.

I thought this was good:
https://www.devex.com/news/what-happens-when-an-aid-department-is-folded-96262

Sean, there's another article on the New Statesman site by their other main political reporter saying more or less exactly what you do above.

[Offwidth]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2020/jun/17/martin-rowson-on-pms-plan-to-merge-dfid-with-foreign-office-cartoon

[Offwidth]

Almost missed this...

https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2020/06/perfect-storm-causes-boris-johnson-s-first-parliamentary-defeat-election

[TobyD]

Far more interesting today was RLB being sacked,  I think it's really the only thing Starmer could have done to maintain credibility given Corbyn's utter failure to do anything about antisemitism.  I'm sure some on the left will still get all stroppy but what did she expect if she shares conspiracy theories on Twitter?

[mrjonathanr]

Did you read the original article Toby? I had a look. No sensible politician would maintain th3 rightful ness of that, the wording made it sound as if Israel were had led the US astray regarding the death of George Floyd:

Systemic racism is a global issue,” she adds. “The tactics used by the police in America, kneeling on George Floyd’s neck, that was learnt from seminars with Israeli secret services.” 

The following disavowal by Israeli spokesperson was inserted into the article after the brouhaha, it wasn’t’t there when I first read it just after she was sacked.

Starmer showing good - and long overdue- leadership on this matter.

[ali k]

I presume he saw a good opportunity to kill a few birds with one stone, and a shrewd political move that would also ‘cut through’ to the general public. Getting a grip on anti-semitism, a clear break from Corbynism, and also getting rid of someone underperforming? I hadn’t heard much from her during the schools rows - was she just shit at the job? It’s certainly grabbed some of the news agenda and draws a stark contrast with Johnson’s weak leadership. Win win win for him probably.

[mrjonathanr]

Agreed on all points. Long-Bailey’s contribution on schools has been nil as far as I can discern. And this will come to be vaguely remembered as Starmer being tough on antisemitism by the public in general, long after the details have been forgotten. More differentiation from Corbyn.

[mrjonathanr]

This is a reckless overreaction. We stand in full solidarity with Rebecca Long-Bailey.
The central point of Maxine Peak's claim is that US police officers are frequently trained by Israeli security forces. On this, she is absolutely correct. This relationship has been documented and criticised by Amnesty USA due to the involvement of the Israeli security forces in 'chronic' human rights abuses. It is not antisemitic to point this out.

This appals me.
-It does not look reckless; sacking RLB looks decisive and shows that anti-Semitic slurs are not acceptable in the PLP.
- Her 'central point' is being sanitised here, it a clear anti-Semitic trope, unjustifiably linking Israel to the death of George Floyd. 
- It IS anti-Semitic to promote distortions of the truth in a way which feeds an anti-Semitic narrative.

In my view, Momentum really bring themselves into disrepute by twisting things in this way. I get they want to defend the influence of the left at the top of the party, but I did not think they would try to justify clearly anti-Semitic speech in the process. 

[abarro81]

I get the impression they're just lost in an argument about what should/shouldn't constitute anti-semitism, and are more fussed about arguing about this than about how a lot of the public views the argument. Either RLB had to issue a grovelling apology or Starmer had to give her the boot

[ali k]

Jon Lansman this morning saying Starmer was making life harder for himself (in terms of uniting the party) by sacking her. No, I think you’re making it harder for him by continuing to sow division and turn this into a left-right battle you fool. It sounds like RLB didn’t answer the phone for 4hrs in the middle of a Twitterstorm yesterday. Starmer really had no option.

[galpinos]

Total car-crash by momentum imho.

1. Why RLB thought re-tweeting that article as a Labour front bencher is unfathomable. After antisemitism dogged the party at the last election, she decides to retweet an article with an antisemitic trope in it.
2. Regards of the "Israeli Secret Services" part, there's the "If you didn't vote for Corbyn you're a Tory"s section, the slagging off KS section etc. What did she think would happen?
2. Amnesty international have made some clarifications, Peake has apologised. RLB has not.
3. RLB apparently avoided KS for hours whilst this was all kicking off.

People didn't vote for Corbyn for many reasons but for me, he, and his momentum backed team, are incompetent politicians. RLB has basically been sacked for not being good at her job.

[mrjonathanr]

She has really helpedUk schoolchildren through the pandemic though. Really pushed Williamson to get his act together, hasn’t she? 

[Offwidth]

Wrong Aps are boring, we need to reach for the sky with our mistakes.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jun/26/satellite-experts-oneweb-investment-uk-galileo-brexit

[TobyD]

I entirely agree with all of the above.  Starmer was just doing what any vaguely credible politician would have done,  witness Johnson/ Jenerick for what an incompetent politician with little  integrity would have done. 

Landsman, Mccluskey etc are just showing that still don't get a significant part of the reason why they've helped to lose the last two elections. I'm sure that  Jess Phillips would be far better at pursuing Williamson for being so bloody useless 

[tomtom]

Wrong Aps are boring, we need to reach for the sky with our mistakes.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/jun/26/satellite-experts-oneweb-investment-uk-galileo-brexit

The more I read about this the more bonkers it sounds... apparently we can bolt on some sort of gps box onto the side of some mobile internet satellites (in a far lower orbit than regular  GPS ones) and have our own system. Or not.

[tomtom]

Aside from the satellites it’s been quite a week for the govt:

“ 1. Let’s start with the milder corruption: it was revealed Matt Hancock tried to block 400 homes and a primary school near Newmarket racecourse, after receiving at least £65,000 in donations from horseracing bigwigs who opposed the scheme
2. And then Robert Jenrick, the Housing Minister, overruled his dept and planning officers to rush through planning permission that saved Richard Desmond a £45m fee. Desmond is a billionaire pr0nographer, former-Express owner, and (subsequent to this) a Tory donor
3. The Tory Manifesto says: “we will offer more homes to local families, enabling councils to use developers’ contributions via the planning process”

4. The lost £45m was the “developers’ contribution”. One of Britain’s most deprived areas lost it. A billionaire kept it.
5. And then, I'm sure coincidentally, Desmond donated £12,000 to the Tory Party the next week. A bargain – only 0.02% of the £45m he saved

6. So this week Jenrick denied he had done anything wrong

7. Unfortunately, he had already admitted his actions were “unlawful” on 29 May
8. And then the business minister said voters could “raise their concerns at Tory fundraisers”

9. So now have to donate to the Tory Party before we can complain about the Tory Party doing illegal things for their donors
10. In Coronavirus news: Boris Johnson announced more relaxations of the lockdown, saying he would “trust the British public to use their common sense”

11. 48 hours later a major incident was declared on the South Coast, as 500,000 people common-sensibly crowded the beaches
12. Boris Johnson said he “would not hesitate” to bring back lockdown if the rules on social distancing weren’t observed

13. 48 hours later, he hasn’t brought back lockdown

14. Then the govt announced councils would have the “power and resources” to enforce local lockdowns
15. But council leaders wrote to the govt to explain that they don’t actually have the legal powers to do this

16. And then 8 out of 10 councils in England have declared they are at risk of bankruptcy, having absorbed cuts of between 26% and 50%
17. Health leaders, including the presidents of Royal Colleges of Physicians, Nurses, GPs and Surgeons wrote to the govt asking for an urgent review of preparations for a second wave

18. The govt declined to do a review
19. And then the WHO warned of global shortage of oxygen and breathing equipment

20. So naturally, the govt opened pubs and cinemas

21. Then, after a month of not telling us the daily test numbers, the govt went a step further and cancelled the daily briefings altogether
22. UK Statistics Authority issued a 2nd official warning about the “trustworthiness” of the govt’s figures

23. Association of Medical Research said 74% of clinical trials had been put on hold in 2020 due to cuts

24. So we spent £900k painting a flag on Boris Johnson’s plane
25. And then it was revealed the govt spent £12m on the “world beating” contact app that didn’t work

26. If you paid the average £50,000 programmer salary, £12m buys 320 programmers

27. The German app code is open-source, and the free repository for it lists 34 programmers
28. The UK has repeatedly declined to use the free German App

29. Boris Johnson claimed in Parliament that "no country in the world has a working contact tracing app”

30. There are working contact tracing apps in: Angola, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh...
... Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Czech Rep, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Malaysia, Morocco, N Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, NZ, Poland ...
... Qatar, Russia, S Africa, S Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland and Vietnam. That's 42 countries.

31. The gov declined to publish its report on food and medicine shortage risks from no-deal Brexit, which surely bodes well.
32. Boris Johnson said Brexit must be delivered, as we have a “democratic duty” to listen to the people

33. A report this week found 9m voters – most thought likely to oppose the Conservatives – will vanish from the electoral roll when new Westminster seats are drawn up
34. When the govt (breaking pre-election promises) merged the Dept for International Development into Foreign Office 2 weeks ago, they said there would be no cuts to overseas aid

35. This week the Treasury asked govt depts to find "a minimum of 30%" cuts, including overseas aid
36. The govt continued to decry the removal of statues connected with slavery, as this might “diminish public knowledge of British history”

37. Govt cuts led to the closure of 773 public libraries, and I suspect many of them contained books about British History
38. The Minister for Arts said the govt was “committed to supporting the Arts Sector in through crisis”

39. Emergency funding for the arts (converted into £)

- France £6.3bn
- Germany £900m
- Canada £295m
- Italy £221m
- NZ £90
- Spain £68m
- Ireland £18m
- UK £0
40. In 2019 the govt committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050

41. A year on a report found at the current rate, the govt would hit its target by the year 3650, which is 1500 years from now, a mere 1470 years too late

42. This week it reached 38°C in the Arctic
43. The govt said it would “fairly and courageously to maintain law and order” in the light of the #BlackLivesMatter movement

44. And then the govt announced it wants to abolish trial by jury in order to address a 41,000-case backlog caused by its own cuts
45. It's Friday. Not even very late Friday. There are 2 more days of this week to go”

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1276512600398925824.html

[Offwidth]

What about continued Brexit related footshooting this week.


Tory MPs getting pissed off with government by focus groups

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/26/swedish-exceptionalism-coronavirus-covid19-death-toll

Spad spats

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/24/dominic-cummings-could-face-inquiry-over-special-advisers

A hard rain on the civil service

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hard-rain-is-going-to-fall-on-civil-service-says-dominic-cummings-gcq79vcl0

Arguably worst of all, most of this tsunami of shit barely appears on the most watched BBC TV news.