Local elections: Rishi Sunak should call general election now | UK politics | New Statesman podcast

"Get [a general election] done now, so you can recover sooner" says polling expert Ben Walker.
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After a bruising set of results for the Conservatives in the UK local elections 2024, will Rishi Sunak call a general election?
Rachel Cunliffe discusses the results with Ben Walker, who says a poor showing has rallied Conservatives away from a leadership challenge because, as he says, "oh my god, [the results] are so bad". Which means the Prime Minister should call an election now to avoid further damage to the Conservative brand.
Keir Starmer and Labour, meanwhile, are celebrating historic wins including the Blackpool by-election.
See our full election results map here: sotn.newstatesman.com/2024/05...
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[@ianfraser6161]

The longer Sunak leaves the GE, the more seats they will lose.

[@martineyles]

Yes, but also the longer he will remain PM and Party leader. As soon as he loses the GE, he will not be PM and will also resign as party leader.

[@fatphoca5009]

​@lisabutcher661It's not Rishi it's Bojo's sycophantic supporters tearing the Tories apart.

[@StevieSpiers-ru3mf]

@fatphoca5009 nonsense Sunak has been at the top table for 4 years. And he WAS a de Pfefell Johnson sycophant himself before he saw his chance and stabbed him in the back.

[@fatphoca5009]

@@StevieSpiers-ru3mf the only person who stabbed bojo in the back was his own arrogant idiotic ego.

[@Lee_303]

@@martineylesyes but it gives the agitator Braverman more time to create trouble for the new government, race wars, maybe even piss off the Irish with our failed asylum seekers & reinstate terrorism on our soil. Let’s face it, the tories knew they were getting kicked out for a long time now & they will make as much trouble as they can. And I have zero sympathy for this incarnation of “Labour”.

[@simoningate2056]

Call the election now for goodness sake.

[@michaelsrowland]

He is not going to do that is he ??

[@stuartmelville5684]

@@michaelsrowland he will do what someone else tells him ... he is all trousers no balls

[@-BY205]

😂😂 2019 😂😂 better not 😂😂

[@JC-oy9ou]

Sunak will probably call a general election in October

[@connorlomax1269]

@@stuartmelville5684not that much trouser mate they only come down to his shins 😂😂

[@danielcreamer9669]

The distance between what Rishi should do and what he does is vast!

[@thepm3972]

Same with his income compared to the average person

[@user-sd3ik9rt6d]

Its only going to get worse for the Tories

[@cv990a4]

One possible logic is, if huge Tory loss is foreordained, and you're hard-right, then what do you have to lose by voting Reform? What does it matter if Labour's majority is an extra 50 seats than it would have been if it's already massive? I get the idea of a squeeze if the election was close, but no one expects close. Doesn't that free up people to vote for what they want, as opposed to voting tactically/strategically? Also applies somewhat to Labour, BTW.

[@alanwatterson2850]

Which is better for the UK.

[@preciousdevere288]

Good!

[@user-sd3ik9rt6d]

@@cv990a4 I want people to be pissed of with the Tories, no matter if they are wets or hardliners.

[@somepeopleneverlearn]

Never trust a tory

[@roguetrooper5401]

Never trust a politician

[@pamelaadam9207]

Red or blue

[@RobertCollins-fq5tw]

The nasty party.

[@RobertCollins-fq5tw]

Tory or Labour same crap different a hole.

[@Biketunerfy]

@@roguetrooper5401damn right there. Never ever trust a politician.

[@johnmartin7158]

Rishi is Labours most devout friend.

[@chuckley99]

Boris 'forgot' his ID on purpose to make the headlines,

[@stuartmelville5684]

i thought he probably said to himself "everyone knows me im more popular than the king im the most popular person in britain and dont forget i only make the rules for the plebs those rules are not for me" would be my guess lol

[@Eideric]

Did he?

[@petyrkowalski9887]

I dont think so..I just think he is a buffoon and it was a case of « dont you know who I am »….

[@marigoldwhite867]

I think it's strong u need id to votemore like north Korea or russia or China every day

[@siondafydd]

Yeah it was clearly just him trying to get back into the public eye (which the media have allowed). People wrongly think of Johnson as some funny bad hair man. But he isn’t. He isn’t incompetent, he’s corrupt. He pushes campaigns built on lies and ignores laws, not because he’s mistaken or misguided.

[@marksimons8861]

Tbis is all down to total repugnance of what the Tories have done in the last five years. It's impossible to forgive a party that gave us a hard Brexit.

[@user-cn2uh1jy4e]

Rubbish

[@Chris47368]

They especially wrecked the future of my generation(mid 20's here) - I will never forgive these people! It especially sucks since I was only 17 in 2016, hence unable to vote in the 2016 referendum. Our generation did not have a say in leaving the EU and now we have to bear the consequences and lost opportunities the most...

[@user-fo9bv2mm1g]

@@Chris47368 It's called age limited activity.

[@ashleyauty9642]

There is literally a German comedian in EU parliament showing people what it’s like and young people still think it’s a institution that cares about people and not money from lobbyists. It’s like moaning I was only 14 when all my family where decided what bottle of wine was the table. 😂

[@Chris47368]

@@user-fo9bv2mm1g Still not the point. This referendum should not have even happened in the first place, especially with only 50% needed to decide something so majorly important that the public were so misinformed about. If David Cameron had more of a backbone we also wouldn't be in the mess we are right now, he wanted to appease the small faction of radicals in his party thinking that the public were not this misinformed. If we did not have such a far right dominated press in this country, we also would not have had 14 years of tory rule to make our lifes a living hell - in which schools and even hospitals are crumbling apart. If I had my own way with this tory government and these far right "jornalists" who help enable this government and their rotten policies via spreading disinformation and lies - They would all be held criminally accountable for all the damage they helped cause to both the individual as well as the UK as a whole. I just grow tired of the amount of hate towards others, the disinformation and the suffering caused by this very small group of people in control of this country...all while seeing these people get richer in the process at the cost of everyone else.

[@geraltofrivia8529]

Zero seats! Zero seats! Zero seats!

[@johnmartin7158]

Play it again Sam. Hahahahah Agree. Reform =. 0 seats.

[@moonman3812]

ZERO SEATS! *PUMPS CHEST* ZERO SEATS! *PUMPS CHEST* ZERO SEATS! *PUMPS CHEST*

[@geraltofrivia8529]

@@moonman3812 I have no idea why this video showed up in my feed, but Roland rats message is spreading it appears 😉

[@marksimons8861]

So far, the Tories are nowhere near losing 500 seats. It's a disgrace. A national disgrace!

[@FranzBieberkopf]

As of now there's still 16 councils to declare😊

[@nathanlewis42]

they have lost 448 as of now. It may happen

[@marksimons8861]

@@nathanlewis42 Let's hope so. Anything less than -500 will be spun as a Tory victory.

[@nasimalarakhia2539]

The sooner he goes the better for the country he is waste of time

[@chickenbites8877]

He currently on the news gaslighting us that we really want his Tory government 😂😂😂

[@Helen-nl9lv]

Tragic. And there are people out there who will still vote for this unwelcome corrupt import.

[@-BY205]

😂😂😂2019 😂😂😂 4 years 😂

[@Dragonsitter]

Low turnout usually works against Labour. NOT THIS TIME

[@navi2710]

Don't forget the new voting restrictions where everyone has to bring a photo ID and the polling stations are only open till 5pm. Most people finish work at 5pm. Tories were expecting these restrictions would harm Labour but it backfired.

[@nathanlewis42]

@@navi2710 or maybe Labour would have won even more without those restrictions.

[@sarangistudent8614]

@@navi2710mad that we only get so little time to vote for any election. That window is open for 2 MONTHS in Indian elections, and you get people here saying ‘democracy is dead’ over there, without looking at all the different voter suppression tactics going on over here.

[@Dragonsitter]

@@navi2710 I don’t think that’s correct. Polling stations usually close at 10pm!!

[@navi2710]

@Dragonsitter checked several and they closed at 5pm. Even my local polling station closed at 5pm.

[@emelpolat4762]

Ben Houchen conveniently forgot he was a tory until he'd won. Claimed to have forgotten his rosette... Now we're stuck with the shyster for 4 more years

[@rusty911s2]

'Oh dear Rishi' I shall cry myself to sleep tonight. Not.

[@stuartmelville5684]

i wonder if its possible to fall asleep laughing yourself to sleep technically your likely to cry with laughter whatever you choose i bet you slept just that little bit better for some strange reason ;)

[@pip1723]

Tory losses oh dear, how sad, never mind.

[@mukunthanteam6834]

After 50 years where I live labor party has won because of our prime minister thank you Mr Sunak.

[@thepm3972]

Where I live the tories have not won in 50 years yet I have had to live with their look after rich friends and trickle down economics....please sir can I have a trickle....thatcher took my school milk away...unforgettable..the stats don't lie...the tories look after their own...educated yourself and never forget...

[@alanwatterson2850]

That's spelled Sunk.

[@user-cn2uh1jy4e]

He'll be trounced if he calls a election.Thats why he won't.

[@Snugggg]

but theres still so much more to pillage! if Ukraine start gaining ground against Russia now the aid package has passed, he will seize on that and try to claim it as a government policy victory, then try to ride it all the way through to the election.

[@JC-oy9ou]

October general election

[@roger_melly5025]

I thought she introduced him as a pollen expert 😂😂

[@endermasa9451]

I’m really glad he mentioned North Yorkshire. People don’t understand how improbable it should be that labour win there, that is where Sunak’s own constituency is. It demonstrates a huge shift

[@user-bk9co6hn9s]

Yo ho, haha , finally at last good bye Tories, good riddance, & take your dinosaurs with you.. general election now , asap.

[@matthewtrow5698]

I seriously believed the rumours that Sunak would call a July election earlier this week - more fool me. It seemed like the obvious moment to try and grasp the nettle and attempt to mitigate the obvious wipeout the Tories are facing in the coming GE. The news cycle was all about "stop the boats", it seemed Sunak was enjoying some success in his flagship policy - but nope, didn't happen. Clearly the rumour was Labour generated - and they are going to keep on doing that. Watching Sunak take the stage with Ben Houchen was sheer cringe. Sunak is an awful public speaker, so unnatural - "stockmarket tech-bro" - from a completely different world to 99.9% of the electorate. He should call a general election now, but he won't - if the Tories get a success with Andy Street then a Tory right wing rebellion will be snuffed out. (at least until the GE, after which Sunak is out and another Tory circus comes to town) I suspect Street will clinch it and Sunak will be PM for another 6 months.

[@John-kb7pv]

Sunak is.hoping the party will.remove him before he has to fight a GE

[@mrD66M]

Think he's only waiting for India trade deal to call the GE. Sunak has got no more aces up his sleeve, Rwanda being "operational" will only show what an expensive failure it is. trying to smear Labour when most who tried to amend that s#itsandwich law were tory peers.

[@a.d.clarke4990]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="151">2:31</a> to an extent but Reform didn’t even run in a lot of councils so how have Reform affected those votes? Doesn’t make much sense.

[@mukunthanteam6834]

The judgment of the people is the greatest judgment

[@ronwade6252]

Little Sunak hasn’t got the guts to call an early election.

[@JC-oy9ou]

October general election guarantee it

[@peteratkin3788]

Reform, how would there wins translate in a GE? though good they're bashing Tories, never get tired of that, keep going Labour.

[@sarangistudent8614]

What, all 2 council seats won so far? I think that translates to 0 seats and some way off 1 in a GE. Mad that the right wing media going on and on and on and on about reform.

[@50brian50]

Time for Pinocchio sunak to go and take the rest of your lot with you

[@StevieSpiers-ru3mf]

The runt will cling on until the last moment, he's gutless.

[@bigawdays5724]

Do you really think they will call it now? their pocket is sill not full yet.

[@Talushallux1]

Why would he call an election right now when support for Tory is at an all-time low?

[@mrD66M]

It can get lower...

[@matthewframpton8737]

Because it's continuing to get lower. If they knew what would happen today a year ago - he'd have called it then. The same is true of today and next December.

[@Talushallux1]

@mrD66M It's difficult to predict if it can get lower. I'm not sure if the start of Rwandan flights can swing a few voters in their favour! As per polling experts, Tories are expected to lose 500 seats!

[@ianfraser6161]

Because it will get lower.

[@ianfraser6161]

@@mrD66M, it will.

[@chrisd1982]

As someone who has dyspraxia id love to how that would make you forget your ID?

[@alanwatterson2850]

Maybe "Don't you know who I am?!" mostly works.

[@trustmeimaphysiologist]

At this point, the only thing that makes sense to me is that Sunak is hanging on to push through the India trade deal to enrich his family.

[@albertbrammer9263]

Farmers (not landowners) are upset about Brexshit and how the Tories have handled iy

[@Alexander-uj5pb]

No GE, sunak hasn't satisfied his plan just yet, his pockets are not yet filled!

[@dorothyb.]

Interesting to consider that delaying the election has just given Reform time to amass numbers.

[@elbib2446]

nothing to really celebrate here,the rise of reform is worrying,will you see a deluge of hard brexit tories jumping ship to reform,also worrying,as present labour also follow a populist trend,and i want labour to be labour,and not to bend policies to appeal to the reform crowd,in order to win elections.brexit is still the major problem for the countrys woes,labour need to be firm about rejoining europe,not some wishy washy,we are in ,but not really in nonsense,rather than cow towing to the reform lot

[@gertrudert]

The photograph of Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner, standing in front of the "Britain's Future" flags that the BBC currently have as the top image on their live election feed, looks entirely like a racist "Britain First" type party when you just glance at it. Worrying as you are completely right, Starmer's Labour is just chasing populism and showing it's bigot-y underbelly

[@Biketunerfy]

It is called the Tees valley, I should know I live here. The panflets for the elections say Tees Valley on them.

[@Mike_5]

Even the Green Party were enjoying this

[@peterdollins3610]

Little Rishi is a winner. For Labour.

[@stuartmelville5684]

rishi has infiltrated the tory party secretly he working for labour its that deep state chit there all talking about lmao im only joking :P

[@Matt-ou7tu]

Labour isn't really popular. It's more a case of how much the Conservatives are hated because of how terrible a job the Conservatives have made of running the country.

[@californiadreamin8423]

Where is your evidence that Labour isn’t popular.

[@royboy565]

It's pretty well accepted that when election comes round that govts lose elections, oppositions don't win them. Especially after over a long period of time.

[@LondonSingh24]

Resign rishi Vote Labour

[@annealbrecht396]

Vote reform

[@moonman3812]

@@annealbrecht396 Vote conform, hope not hate party

[@paulstix1]

Very informative and interesting. Thanks 🙏

[@mattpreece6106]

How is it they say its good for Nigel Farage before they mention how good it is for Labour? XD. Media are obsessed

[@stuartmelville5684]

he who pays the most gets the loudest voice ....... im no guru :P or yoda i am not ;)

[@inkipinki8468]

I disagree! I hope both main party go down!

[@martincheeseman5809]

Come on Kier we know you will do it !!😊

[@davidchamberlain5425]

Bye bye tories ....forever🤔👍👍👍👍👍

[@martincheeseman5809]

Com on kier you will do it!

[@ianfraser6161]

Keir can do it, I am certain.

[@pamelaadam9207]

Keir is just another tory

[@user-fo9bv2mm1g]

@@ianfraser6161 Do what? Tell you what a woman is?

[@georgemaund4964]

Did Boris genuinely forget or mislay his wallet with his ID, hope to blag it without or deliberately leave his ID at home to create an incident/get himself in the news ?

[@Will_Hallett_Art]

They just need to stick to the plan

[@1pauljs]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="405">6:45</a> wonderful news indeed. 😊

[@mark63424able]

The interesting thing with Teeside is that they elected a Tory mayor but a Labour PCC. Also, in the candidate pamphlet, Ben Houchen did not mention "Conservative" or "Rishi Sunak" once, the only indication he was a tory was the blue background. Whereas the Labour and Lib Dem candidates both heavily referenced the national parties. He practically campaigned as an independant.

[@1cpascal]

Even if Sunak doesn't call the GE, he might step down from office soon. That sometimes happens when a party has such a huge loss as this one. And as we know that any potential replacement would be an even bigger embarassment than Sunak, that will be a still greater loss for the Tories when the GE finally happens.

[@martincheeseman5809]

I always vote labour !

[@alanfrost4661]

Have you had a labotomy

[@TerriObrien-mi5rx]

I always vote Labour,for anyone considering voting Tory are more likely to be lobotomised 😮14 years of corruption,chaos,sycophancy, Enough is enough of this clown show 🤡🤡🤡👿

[@royboy565]

​@@alanfrost4661No otherwise he would have said I always vote tory.

[@terrymoore861]

Nobody could rescue the Con servative party. Stopped the MONTHLY inflation rate? What about the cumulative monthly inflation figure increasing so many retail goods by 100% like toilet paper, sugar, cement..... Have salaries and pensions increased by 100%?

[@phild8192]

God help us if reform ever get in 😢

[@MrBlooDeck]

I don't think is a good result for Labour, the takeaway from this the Tories are collapsing whether you vote Labour or not, limiting their draw for anti-tory votes.

[@anthonybrown4874]

Sunak is likely to be waiting for good news and lower interest rates they have to accept theelectorate that reflect on a BJ & LT governments a poor Brexit deal are very disillusioned with their performance so to call an election now would be disastrous.

[@RoryWebb-ci3to]

What’s this means is we want the torries out

[@archiesmum8601]

He needs to call it NOW There's absolutely no point in stringing it out any longer. The local election results are saying the British public is done with him & his party. He could at least have enough respect, even if its only self respect to walk away

[@JC-oy9ou]

October general election

[@marigoldwhite867]

But he wont

[@sandyellis28]

Just talking at the funeral🤣. May they rest in peace - and let us all rest in peace too. No time nor interest in an obituary either! Only thing I’d say is Reform really seem to hate Cons even more than Labour to me. Perhaps same as Galloway’s party & some Muslim / left Independents seem to hate Lab more. Thou I wondered why there wasn’t a Reform candidate in Tees Valley & whether there was some pact / deal done so as not to split the vote & risk a Lab win & investigation etc.

[@marigoldwhite867]

Its obvious why it was introduced just one more thing in tory list of horrors

[@jonsteele7227]

How much is tactical voting boosting this. No one is mentioning it. But I think it is happening

[@67Parsifal]

Why was the NS supporting the Tory-inspired crap about Khan under-performing?

[@ianandrews6890]

Labour only improved its vote share from by 2% since 2019 . The Conservatives lost 19% , but most went to Reform UK & centre-right independents . All the General Election projections I've seen still point to a "hung Parliament" . Certainly no obvious Labour mandate appearing yet in the vote figures , so at this stage Mr Sunak seems to have a path to victory. If the Rwanda option turns out to be a lasting solution to the "illegal migrant crisis" , most of the Reform UK votes will come flooding back to the Conservatives. I wouldn't be calling an election just yet , if I were Mr Sunak.

[@jujutrini8412]

More people are going to be willing to vote for Reform in by-elections than the General Election. I know a few people who would normally vote Tory who are voting Reform this time and they seem to be mightily fed up of the Tories but still not fully committing to voting Reform in the GE.

[@alanive2001]

Where’s Anoosh?

[@kashdiscovers1050]

I can understand this comment from a tory to preserve whatvyou have but if you support Labour would it not be better for sunak to delay the election as this will be more devastating for them as the longer they leave it the more they will lose there vote bank

[@preciousdevere288]

Get rid of bad rubbish Tories out now...call a GE.

[@gonagoon0_100]

you want to know sunak ? so listen the interview , his father in law did time ago and you see all his idea he has where it comes from

[@Dani20240]

Please replace rishi now before the general election.

[@JC-oy9ou]

It's too late now

[@marigoldwhite867]

You shall hve ur fishy on a little dishy when rishi stops the boats coming in

[@bronzeshield6382]

Shocking. I dont trust Labour but ill probably be voting for them. Not voting conservatives obv.

[@tellthetruthandshamethedev2489]

Refuse to vote to all of them. Vote for people to govern not these rich elites, who no care.

[@NPC-st7zv]

Biggest winner Voter apathy

[@SP-eo1vl]

Good News for Ben Houchen but where was his rosette

[@stuartmelville5684]

ben never been so popular his names more popular than trump .... only for one day though mabey two :P

[@nicks4934]

Top knot Ben. A pretty poor researcher imho

[@DeepakDograx323045]

Do Elections Prime Minister of England for win again but watch not thining bring Ecomomy ahead again strange this

[@gracemwende8054]

She mast trast THANK YOU

[@nicks4934]

Do up your shirt Ben. Youre at work

[@bigphil8848]

😂

[@alberttatlock1541]

With most of the local election results now in, Labours share of the vote is only up 2% on their 2019 GE result. Thats not enough to win an election, they would have to go into coaltion with Libs just to get a single figure majority. And thats based on Local elections which tend to go against the governing party more than parliamentary elections.

[@royboy565]

It doesn't have to go up much to win the next election. Tory vote is splitting between reform and tory so Labour can keep same share of vote or slightly more than last election and win that way. That's how barmy fpp system of voting is. The only fair system is P R. It would mean more coalition govts but iny opinion that is better because the loonies from the two main parties won't get a look in.

[@alberttatlock1541]

@@royboy565 True, it doesnt have to go up much if the other votes split. in the right proportion. But it has only gone up 2%, and could easily fall back because some of these votes are protest, plus some Tories just abstained in protest and could vote in a GE which would reduce Labours %. Its not over until Emily Thornberry sings.

[@marigoldwhite867]

A coalition sounds right wth the libdems yes

[@dh1380]

This is a lot more tolerable than that horrible "Labour Social" thing -448 so far Not being funny but I'm a veteran and I would never be stupid enough to rely on that card as a form of ID. The army etc will literally pay for you to get a driver's license and show me a Veteran that doesn't know the importance of having a valid passport. Nevertheless there is no getting away from why this legislation was introduced.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Cnut is a byword for a delusional attempt to avert the inevitable, hence the term 'Canute syndrome' Has Rishi got King Kanute syndrome. Looks like it to me.

[@thematthew761]

This is what Pedro Sanchez did after he got crushed in local elections

[@howmanybeansmakefive]

Please for the love of god put the nation out its misery and call a GE. I live abroad atm, and I don’t think people in the uk realize how much of a laughing stock/trainwreck we are internationally. Even if you think you do, multiply that by 10. Every extra day of this chaos is dwindling our moral standing, inward investment, and reputation.

[@Claptonite555]

I thought this was a General election. What's going on?

[@howmanybeansmakefive]

@@Claptonite555 this was an England-wide local election, voting for local councils and mayors, not members of parliament. Though there was one by-election at the same time for a Blackpool MP.

[@Claptonite555]

@@howmanybeansmakefive Thank You For Your Reply

[@marigoldwhite867]

Its local elections

[@davidgerrard8661]

Chemistry

[@marigoldwhite867]

Its possible we cd hve a Tory come back but hope not

[@martincheeseman5809]

Rishi just piss off!

[@RobertCollins-fq5tw]

Sunak is a comedian.

[@JC-oy9ou]

Sunak is a billionaire

[@marigoldwhite867]

But tgeyare not boats they are dingys

[@marigoldwhite867]

Well thats the nub of it the tide cd turn wth rwanda that is the fly invthe ointment

[@leakoe3797]

Reform all the way..

[@stuartmelville5684]

to hell ...... there i finished that sentence for him ..... your welcome ;)

[@captaintorch983]

Lets get a new Labour government in power ASAP. It's time that the youth of today learned for themselves, just how utterly useless they are. Reminds me of those golden days when I put my first poster of Harold Wilson in the front window!

[@royboy565]

Yes with Labour we will get record NHS waiting lists, record food bank use, highest taxes for 70 years, record in work poverty, record evictions, first sitting P M to break the law, record low wage growth since the napoleonic wars, record debt of 3 trillion. Oh hang on.. That's the tories now.

[@royboy565]

This present tory govt since 2019 is the worst govt ever to hold office in the UK bar none. Just check the stats

[@jamonit7169]

I felt rather smug with myself when I came up with "The biggest threat to the labour party is a labour government", I can only imagine I heard it somewhere and forgot when. cheers

[@mukunthanteam6834]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="91">1:31</a>

[@sebastianaminoff9703]

Why? Keir Starmer will continue the exact same policies. Not sure what the New Statesman thinks a general election will accomplish.

[@royboy565]

There has to be one by January 2025 anyway.

[@kingpig8732]

Statistically the UK did better under Blair, so if Keir is really a blairite 'Tory' as you might say, that would still be way better than the conservatives, during new labour's time in, the economy grew and most things did get better for us, except for immigration of course but i guess we can't have our cake and eat it here

[@marigoldwhite867]

Kowtowing

[@quinnnewman9538]

Bravverman may be right about the Pro-hamas protestors but the economic ruin that has been brought by the conservatives puts all developed nations to shame. Sunak deserves to lose and Starmer Deserves leadership

[@user-fo9bv2mm1g]

Right about Sunak, wrong about Starmer.

[@mazzy_vc]

What a joke to blame dyspraxia for not having appropriate ID. Imagine showing up to the airport without a passport and then being mad you aren’t allowed on the plane. It’s been well over a year now since voter ID became required, people should be more than prepared to prove who they are before making decisions about the government of this country.

[@bramharms72]

It's probably impossible to measure but how many of the people going to reform simply couldn't vote for a party with a leader with a brown face? The moderately left channels I follow never mention this at all, but simple basic racism is a factor in these circles. It seems they can stomach the 2 hateful ladies (I'm not even going to spend a second searching for their names) but they weren't party leaders. The position of leader is very important to these fascists.

[@jamonit7169]

Reform's deputy leader has a brown face!

[@bramharms72]

@@jamonit7169 That's exactly what I mean. Deputy leader. They have no problem with using useful idiots to use as a talking point against accusations of racism. Some groups (not the really hardcore ones) even find it funny, as long as everyone on the inside knows who the real leader is.

[@user-dc2bj9jt5x]

Your curry tastes like your great grandmother cooked it😂

[@chocolatesugar4434]

Who is still voting for conservatives??? 🤯