Keir Starmer's time is up

[Petcha]

Don't think it warrants its own thread. But I think the appointment of Mandelson as ambassador to the US is a very sage one. He's the creepiest, slimiest politician/svengali I've ever witnessed which I think is exactly what is required in DC from January. He'll run rings around them. He'll butter up Trump like no other ambassador before. Trump's an anglophile and he's going to have the most 'charming' Englishman possible kissing his orange arse.

It's sad that we've got to this position but yeh - I think it's a good move.

 

[Serge Forward]

Don't think it warrants its own thread. But I think the appointment of Mandelson as ambassador to the US is a very sage one. He's the creepiest, slimiest politician/svengali I've ever witnessed which I think is exactly what is required in DC from January. He'll run rings around them. He'll butter up Trump like no other ambassador before. Trump's an anglophile and he's going to have the most 'charming' Englishman possible kissing his orange arse.

It's sad that we've got to this position but yeh - I think it's a good move.

Exactly what is required by whom. I'm really not getting who would actually benefit from "nasty cunt, meet another nasty cunt".

 

[Petcha]

Exactly what is required by whom. I'm really not getting who would actually benefit from "nasty cunt, meet another nasty cunt".

Tariffs. And the fact that Trump is proposing loads of them. For all his evil ways, Mandelson does understand international trade. And I'm sure even he will be aware of Mandelson's history. They're not sending a lightweight.

 

[Smokeandsteam]

Tariffs. And the fact that Trump is proposing loads of them. For all his evil ways, Mandelson does understand international trade. And I'm sure even he will be aware of Mandelson's history. They're not sending a lightweight.

When did free trade and markets and the free movement of capital become as natural as breathing air to most people?

 

[PR1Berske]

Don't think it warrants its own thread. But I think the appointment of Mandelson as ambassador to the US is a very sage one. He's the creepiest, slimiest politician/svengali I've ever witnessed which I think is exactly what is required in DC from January. He'll run rings around them. He'll butter up Trump like no other ambassador before. Trump's an anglophile and he's going to have the most 'charming' Englishman possible kissing his orange arse.

It's sad that we've got to this position but yeh - I think it's a good move.

This is what I think, too. Ambassadors for the "big" countries need to wine, dine and occasionally sign, and there's no better hand-clasper than "Mandy". There are two kinds of 'sleaze ' in politics, and this is, under Trump and within his influence, the right kind.

 

[PR1Berske]

When did free trade and markets and the free movement of capital become as natural as breathing air to most people?

It's inescapable with Trump and Musk at the levers and buttons. We need to keep on the right side of whichever punitive measures they put in place to "make America great again". Tarrifs punish us, and that punishes shoppers, workers, you name it. Mandelson has perfected the Dark Arts, and whilst horrible in 'the real world', we need that expertise.

 

[Pickman's model]

This is what I think, too. Ambassadors for the "big" countries need to wine, dine and occasionally sign, and there's no better hand-clasper than "Mandy". There are two kinds of 'sleaze ' in politics, and this is, under Trump and within his influence, the right kind.

Trump already has a pet englishman and one who shares much of his politics so I don't know it'll work as well as you believe. And farage has slime to spare

 

[Pickman's model]

It's inescapable with Trump and Musk at the levers and buttons. We need to keep on the right side of whichever punitive measures they put in place to "make America great again". Tarrifs punish us, and that punishes shoppers, workers, you name it. Mandelson has perfected the Dark Arts, and whilst horrible in 'the real world', we need that expertise.

Yeh he's perfected the dark arts of spin but we don't need a washing machine in washington

 

[Pickman's model]

Tariffs. And the fact that Trump is proposing loads of them. For all his evil ways, Mandelson does understand international trade. And I'm sure even he will be aware of Mandelson's history. They're not sending a lightweight.

Trump has his friend Nigel to fill him in on mandelson's background

 

[PR1Berske]

Trump already has a pet englishman and one who shares much of his politics so I don't know it'll work as well as you believe. And farage has slime to spare

I'll concede this to a degree. Farage serves another purpose for Trump (and I think the Musk alliance/money is important here). Many of those close to Trump end up fired, resigned, or otherwise thrown away, so maybe this is a case of needing to keep friends close, enemies closer, and expedient figures at arm's length.

 

[Serge Forward]

This is what I think, too. Ambassadors for the "big" countries need to wine, dine and occasionally sign, and there's no better hand-clasper than "Mandy". There are two kinds of 'sleaze ' in politics, and this is, under Trump and within his influence, the right kind.

Again, who benefits from this? Not the working class, that's for sure.

 

[Smokeandsteam]

It's inescapable with Trump and Musk at the levers and buttons. We need to keep on the right side of whichever punitive measures they put in place to "make America great again". Tarrifs punish us, and that punishes shoppers, workers, you name it. Mandelson has perfected the Dark Arts, and whilst horrible in 'the real world', we need that expertise.

I ask again. Has neoliberal economics damaged everyone's brain to the extent that the logic of the market is now as natural as breathing air?

Trump's proposed use of tariffs may be bad, but tariffs do not punish shoppers or workers: capitalism does. Once the left used to fight for import controls to protect workers jobs and industries. Once the left understood that to build a national economy and full employment that the free movement of capital was a threat to the wider interests of the economy and citizens.

On your other point, the entire media narrative, which you appear to have swallowed whole, around the appointment of Mandelson is cretinous. Firstly, the return of Peter Mandelson - to any role - is in itself a bad thing. He is scum. Secondly, the idea that Mandelson (who has never had a real job or run a business) is some sort of expert on trade purely because he was previously appointed to trade roles 30 years ago by new labour is utterly laughable. Finally, whose interests do you think he's going to America to slime around advocating? Clue: it won't be yours or mine.

Jesus wept.

 

[Serge Forward]

Neo liberalism swallowed hook, line and sinker

 

[Chz]

I'm not sure what anyone expects the ambassador to the States to do for the working class in the UK. It's sort of not part of their remit. What's more telling is that it's the sort of job that often goes to old friends and buddies, which says a lot about the company KS keeps.

 

[teqniq]

Pass the sick bag:

 

[brogdale]

Pass the sick bag:

View attachment 455755

So the Greens were right, then?

 

[The39thStep]

This is what I think, too. Ambassadors for the "big" countries need to wine, dine and occasionally sign, and there's no better hand-clasper than "Mandy". There are two kinds of 'sleaze ' in politics, and this is, under Trump and within his influence, the right kind.

Kid Eternity school of politics.Sycophantic fawning of the the 'right' section of the political class.

 

[Petcha]

I ask again. Has neoliberal economics damaged everyone's brain to the extent that the logic of the market is now as natural as breathing air?

Trump's proposed use of tariffs may be bad, but tariffs do not punish shoppers or workers: capitalism does. Once the left used to fight for import controls to protect workers jobs and industries. Once the left understood that to build a national economy and full employment that the free movement of capital was a threat to the wider interests of the economy and citizens.

On your other point, the entire media narrative, which you appear to have swallowed whole, around the appointment of Mandelson is cretinous. Firstly, the return of Peter Mandelson - to any role - is in itself a bad thing. He is scum. Secondly, the idea that Mandelson (who has never had a real job or run a business) is some sort of expert on trade purely because he was previously appointed to trade roles 30 years ago by new labour is utterly laughable. Finally, whose interests do you think he's going to America to slime around advocating? Clue: it won't be yours or mine.

Jesus wept.

Yes, good point. Let's put Corbyn or Abbot on a flight to DC to butter up Trump and Musk, that should do the trick.

It's called pragmatism. Horses for courses, whatever you want to call it. Mandelson knows the circuit. He'll be far more adept in the role than anyone I can think of, as vile as it all seems. And yes, tariffs are going to hurt everyone, including the working classes. If we can use the sliminess of Mandelson to lessen the blow, then so be it.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Yes, good point. Let's put Corbyn or Abbot on a flight to DC to butter up Trump and Musk, that should do the trick.

It's called pragmatism. Horses for courses, whatever you want to call it. Mandelson knows the circuit. He'll be far more adept in the role than anyone I can think of, as vile as it all seems. And yes, tariffs are going to hurt everyone, including the working classes. If we can use the sliminess of Mandelson to lessen the blow, then so be it.

He's just an ambassador. He doesn't necessarily have Trump's ear in any meaningful sense. And even if he did, he is Peter Mandelson, the person who only this year recommended a huge hike in university tuition fees to 'fill the funding gap'. Smokeandsteam is right about this - people like Mandelson should rightly be considered our enemy.

If he represents any British interests in the US, it will be a very narrow set of business interests. For all we know, his advocacy and potential relationship with the Trump administration may help to accelerate the lowering of standards here to stay in the US's good books. That's certainly one potential outcome I could foresee from a cunt like him. He's likely mostly to be ignored, though. The British ambassador is someone to be summoned to be given instructions every now and then, and otherwise to be ignored.

Serious question: Why do you want the British government to be on good terms with Trump?

 

[Serge Forward]

Yes, good point. Let's put Corbyn or Abbot on a flight to DC to butter up Trump and Musk, that should do the trick.

It's called pragmatism. Horses for courses, whatever you want to call it. Mandelson knows the circuit. He'll be far more adept in the role than anyone I can think of, as vile as it all seems. And yes, tariffs are going to hurt everyone, including the working classes. If we can use the sliminess of Mandelson to lessen the blow, then so be it.

It's always fucking pragmatism The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, the innocent get bombed and genocided and the planet is fucked, all in the name of your capitalist pragmatism.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

You know, whatever you think of Putin, he's a source of cheap energy that can't be ignored. It would be in British interests to improve relations with him.

So he starts the occasional war by invading some place? Really, I mean we've all done it.

 

[Pickman's model]

Yes, good point. Let's put Corbyn or Abbot on a flight to DC to butter up Trump and Musk, that should do the trick.

It's called pragmatism. Horses for courses, whatever you want to call it. Mandelson knows the circuit. He'll be far more adept in the role than anyone I can think of, as vile as it all seems. And yes, tariffs are going to hurt everyone, including the working classes. If we can use the sliminess of Mandelson to lessen the blow, then so be it.

Pluck an old phone directory off the shelf, open the volume at a random page and jab your finger at haphazard and you'll hit on someone who'd do at least as good a job as mandelson

 

[breadandcircuse]

Well the Trumpster's campaign team are not welcoming Mandy.



Apologies for the x source, I don't usually do that, but I thought this was interesting.

 

[magneze]

Can't see it.

 

[brogdale]

Pluck an old phone directory off the shelf, open the volume at a random page and jab your finger at haphazard and you'll hit on someone who'd do at least as good a job as mandelson

True, but Mandelson will regrettably, of course, do a very good job at representing those in whose interest the LP governs.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Well the Trumpster's campaign team are not welcoming Mandy.



Apologies for the x source, I don't usually do that, but I thought this was interesting.

Trump forgives anything anyone has said about him in the past so long as they are currently sychophantic. Just look at his VP.

But this is a side-show anyway. Frankly, who gives a shit who the UK ambassador to the US is?

 

[Pickman's model]

True, but Mandelson will regrettably, of course, do a very good job at representing those in whose interest the LP governs.

I don't even think that'll be the case

 

[Pickman's model]

Trump forgives anything anyone has said about him in the past so long as they are currently sychophantic. Just look at his VP.

But this is a side-show anyway. Frankly, who gives a shit who the UK ambassador to the US is?

Peter mandelson

 

[brogdale]

I don't even think that'll be the case

Maybe, but it be for want of incentives.

 

[edcraw]

‘Freezing This Christmas’ Now Second Favourite For Christmas Number One

Despite the Mail loving this as a chance to attack both Labour and the BBC it doesn't appear to even be in the charts.