Change UK: Chuka Umunna resigns from Labour party and launches Independent Group

[AnnaKarpik]

The tories are openly funded by all sorts of shady cunts and it doesn't seem to do them any harm.

The key word is 'openly'. Political parties have to let us know which cunts are funding them. I imagine it must be the same for independents? <gets google fingers out>

 

[butchersapron]

The key word is 'openly'. Political parties have to let us know which cunts are funding them. I imagine it must be the same for independents? <gets google fingers out>

Nope - they have specifically set themselves up as Limited company in order not to have to let that sort of info out.

 

[butchersapron]

I suspect that while there is an audience for this kinda "new moderate" stuff, there isn't a base.

As the Library Dens gave found out to their cost.

The metropolitan liberal us nothing but pragmatic about how they cast their votes.

The egocentric idea of having the intellectual resources to choose, and the reality of having the capital (social, cultural and/or economic) to be in that position in the first place means that this audience will never be "loyal" enough to provide a secure base.

These voters can, and have, flitted between Labour and Lib Dems and Tory and Green and Labour and so on.

No party can count on them. They believe they're "above tribalism".

Yes, which is exactly why Corbyn has not chucked his lot in with them over brexit (despite plenty on his side wanting to slit their own throats through a total misreading of the scenario which is utterly baffling to anyone who understands labour roots) - they are not to be trusted electorally. And, i suspect, in lots of other ways too.

 

[Smokeandsteam]

Managed to find the posh wine bar and restaurant though

To be fair that is a nice looking spoons. Plus curry night is an ideal opportunity for them to express solidarity and explore the exotic culture of the coloured people

 

[xenon]

It will be a load of unsurprising pro remain business types anyway.

 

[Pickman's model]

To be fair that is a nice looking spoons. Plus curry night is an ideal opportunity for them to express solidarity and explore the exotic culture of the coloured funny-tinged people

c4u

you can bet that a.s. will be there holding court

 

[billy_bob]

I suspect that while there is an audience for this kinda "new moderate" stuff, there isn't a base.

As the Lib Dens have found out to their cost.

The metropolitan liberal is nothing but pragmatic about how they cast their votes.

The egocentric idea of having the intellectual resources to choose, and the reality of having the capital (social, cultural and/or economic) to be in that position in the first place means that this audience will never be "loyal" enough to provide a secure base.

These voters can, and have, flitted between Labour and Lib Dems and Tory and Green and Labour and so on.

No party can count on them. They believe they're "above tribalism".

So far, so New Labour, then. Buy the support of the waverers with shiny stuff with names like 'regeneration'; keep a safe, clean distance from the kind of people in places like South Shields whose support you reckon you can count on without actually having to meet them or anything. OK, it worked for a bit as an electoral strategy, but it's not one the last few years suggest was a recipe for long-term success...

 

[Patteran]

Ivan Lewis currently flirting with this on his twitter. He's been missing for over a year, no activity at all in his constituency since his suspension from the Labour Party over misconduct allegations. Apparently the potential inclusion of Lewis & Woodcock was divisive - & has prompted 'the Independent Grope' sniggers. Lewis running as an independent has genuine potential to split the vote in marginal Bury South & let a Tory in here.

 

[Ax^]

Although Chris wife might give a hint about were the money is coming from

 

[Sue]

Ivan Lewis currently flirting with this on his twitter. He's been missing for over a year, no activity at all in his constituency since his suspension from the Labour Party over misconduct allegations. Apparently the potential inclusion of Lewis & Woodcock was divisive - & has prompted 'the Independent Grope' sniggers. Lewis running as an independent has genuine potential to split the vote in marginal Bury South & let a Tory in here.

Had to look him up as couldn't remember which one he was. Allegedly sexually harassed a young woman. Nice.

 

[Smokeandsteam]

Had to look him up as couldn't remember which one he was. Allegedly sexually harassed a young woman. Nice.

Did he? I don't remember this story at all. I'll have a google. Sounds like an excellent addition to spoons curry club gang.

 

[belboid]

Ivan Lewis currently flirting with this on his twitter. He's been missing for over a year, no activity at all in his constituency since his suspension from the Labour Party over misconduct allegations. Apparently the potential inclusion of Lewis & Woodcock was divisive - & has prompted 'the Independent Grope' sniggers. Lewis running as an independent has genuine potential to split the vote in marginal Bury South & let a Tory in here.

Shuker has his own history as a sex pest, wonder which side he was on?

 

[mauvais]

Ivan Lewis currently flirting with this on his twitter. He's been missing for over a year, no activity at all in his constituency since his suspension from the Labour Party over misconduct allegations. Apparently the potential inclusion of Lewis & Woodcock was divisive - & has prompted 'the Independent Grope' sniggers. Lewis running as an independent has genuine potential to split the vote in marginal Bury South & let a Tory in here.

Would anyone here really vote for Lewis the [invisible] man?

 

[cupid_stunt]

The media is having a field day with speculation.

Labour and the Conservatives are today braced for a further round of resignations after several MPs quit to form a group of independents.

Seven Labour defectors and party leader Jeremy Corbyn have been privy to a barrage of criticism, following Monday's momentous 'independent group' announcement.

Mr Corbyn faces the task of warding off any further resignations from party members, with multiple MPs warning more could be afoot.

Labour and Tories braced for wave of resignations - LIVE

I am not convinced, but lets be honest, all bets are off, anything could happen.

 

[danny la rouge]

Although Chris wife might give a hint about were the money is coming from

Nicola Murphy, founder of Labour Tomorrow? (An organisation which funds Labour-connected activists and groups who oppose Jeremy Corbyn as party leader).

I tried to look at their website, but it seems lots of other people are doing that too, because it's currently just giving me an error message. http://www.labourtomorrow.co.uk/author/labourtomorrow/

 

[danny la rouge]

Had to look him up as couldn't remember which one he was. Allegedly sexually harassed a young woman. Nice.

Indeed. Although strangely, it was Patteran who posted what you quoted, not me.

(I think it's a sign MI5 are watching us).

ETA: I see you've edited, making me look even more paranoid.

 

[Sue]

Indeed. Although strangely, it was Patteran who posted what you quoted, not me.

(I think it's a sign MI5 are watching us).

 

[tim]

New Dems would get some of the current 'reluctant' labour and Tory vote too. En marche!

En panne!

 

[SpookyFrank]

Ivan Lewis currently flirting with this on his twitter. He's been missing for over a year, no activity at all in his constituency since his suspension from the Labour Party over misconduct allegations. Apparently the potential inclusion of Lewis & Woodcock was divisive - & has prompted 'the Independent Grope' sniggers. Lewis running as an independent has genuine potential to split the vote in marginal Bury South & let a Tory in here.

I wish I could skive off work for a year and not get fired.

 

[Patteran]

Would anyone here really vote for Lewis the [invisible] man?

I suspect so, yes. He will deploy aspects of identity politics in an attempt to create & separate a non-tory jewish vote, & may pick up some votes from the scattered lib dems - plus the whole technocrat/'evidence based policies' vanity angle of TIG might pull some votes from the new middle class village elements. Not enough to win, but enough to stop Labour winning. It's been tight here historically. Of course, this will all be different if the boundary changes happen & we're (re)merged with Midd.

 

[tim]

Indeed. Although strangely, it was Patteran who posted what you quoted, not me.

(I think it's a sign MI5 are watching us).

ETA: I see you've edited, making me look even more paranoid.

MI5 are currently focused on trying to get Angela Smith to say her lines right.

 

[Pickman's model]

MI5 are currently focused on trying to get Angela Smith to say her lines right.

they may be gone some time

 

[Zapp Brannigan]

Not that I think it would happen, but as a hypothetical. If there were a few "moderate" Conservatives who joined the Independents, to the point where the Tories and DUP no longer held enough seats, what happens?

Heaven forbid, we might end up with a dysfunctional parliament that can't get anything passed.

 

[Patteran]

Had to look him up as couldn't remember which one he was. Allegedly sexually harassed a young woman. Nice.

Labour suspends ex-minister Ivan Lewis over sexual harassment claim

He's gone from the wretched non-apology of 'i'm sorry if this was inappropriate' to 'the so called process was corrupt and politically motivated'. Women involved erased completely.

 

[danny la rouge]

I suspect that while there is an audience for this kinda "new moderate" stuff, there isn't a base.

 

[8ball]

MI5 are currently focused on trying to get Angela Smith to say her lines right.

I'd never heard the phrase "funny tinge" until today.
It's like your Nan struggling to be PC.

 

[skyscraper101]

Same. Where on earth did that phrase even come from.

 

[Patteran]

Same. Where on earth did that phrase even come from.

Same. Was she trying to say 'fringe', baulked, & ended up swallowing her words? And then her PR team insisted she just apologise for mis-speaking rather than arguing the specifics?

 

[elbows]

I'll take a one way ticket to the funny fringe,
In search of a neo lib money binge,
Some of us were born to whinge,
At the sight of Corbyns scorched earth singe.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I'd never heard the phrase "funny tinge" until today.

I don't think anyone had, including Smith.