I don’t think Macron is held in particularly high esteem in France mate. From what I hear from my partner’s family in LeHavre and Montpellier, the French electorate do not see him as any kind of saviour, and he isn’t really middle ground at all, he’s a banker representing the most privileged class of people, who only wins by default; seems the French electorate have completely lost faith in their country’s body politic, but aren’t - thank God - desperate or deluded enough to elect LePen. Yet.
Yeah, Macron has largely just had the advantage of being the one borderline-credible candidate to sop up centrish votes after the Republicans and Socialists both self-immolated. He isn't particularly well-liked, but there isn't a hell of a lot else beyond the hard left and hard right in French politics.
This article was written by a black journalist, Darren Lewis. “HERE’S the thing about celebrating the supposedly ‘diverse’ candidates for Prime Minister. Whose interests do the likes of Kemi Badenoch and Rishi Sunak serve beyond their own? Widen that to Suella ‘de vil’ Braverman –eliminated from the race last week – and Priti Patel. I’ve included Patel because, even though she decided not to stand, she is still being cited as a triumph of diversity. Where is the policy from any of them that will make life better for the UK’s Black and Brown men, women and children? Particularly given the well-documented statistical disadvantages in areas such as health, education, immigration and the justice system? Braverman wants to withdraw from the European Court of Human Rights, for goodness sake. Patel still wants to push her reprehensible ‘ship first, ask questions later’ Rwanda policy. Badenoch, the daughter of a Nigerian oil baron, is being lauded as “refreshing” and “straight-talking” when she appears to lack any kind of substance on, say, dealing with the cost-of-living crisis, the economy or the NHS, let alone progress for Black or Brown people. Instead she wants to water down the Online Safety Bill – designed to protect you, me, our children and millions across the country from the scourge of social media. She also twists arguments about Critical Race Theory to wind up her supporter base. It will always be good to see Black and Brown faces in the positions of power to which we should all aspire. But the whole point of diversity is to embolden other demographics to champion issues for those either overlooked or disregarded. It is not about optics. And it most certainly is not about promoting individuals who legitimise racism. Badenoch, Patel and Braverman empower the dinosaurs within the Tory party – and out in the wider country – to feel comfortable once again expressing xenophobic viewpoints and rejecting equality. In fact, the Tories are following a growing trend of businesses and organisations either appointing, in effect, Black and Brown racial gatekeepers, knowing that outside critics will run scared of challenging them on race. Or promoting individuals who refuse to rock the boat and instead harden the message. Either way, the culture within their companies and organisations remains the same. The resistance to change remains the same –but the gatekeepers get rich and the illusion is created that their employers are somehow progressive. Look, of course you can be Black or Brown and be a Tory. Historically some African and Asiatic migrants to the UK come from countries with caste hierarchies. We are most definitely not all one homogenous group that thinks the same. Nor should we be. But don’t tell me that we should be breaking out the bunting for replacing a system previously reeking of self-serving white ministers with one reeking of self-serving Black or Brown ones. Diversity is challenging the established order. Not reinforcing to that order by telling those in power what they want to hear.”
This is the absurd thing. Intellectually and in terms of his capacity to take on the workload, there's no doubt that Sunak is streets ahead of them all (bar perhaps Badenoch). William Hague writes a really good piece in the Times today about how Sunak worked like a dog and won over the doubters in his Richmond (Yorkshire) constituency. But if he gets into the final two (which he will, easily), then going by this, the Tory membership would vote for Truss or Mordor. I don't think Badenoch will get to the final two. You can make your minds up about why Sunak wouldn't get the job, but it doesn't make for terribly nice thinking.
I wondered if Britain First saying they'd support Badenoch with their infiltrated members would have an effect. If she'd won, BF would have been crowing and the link would be out there, even if it was nonsense.
And Truss now favourite. Heaven help us. What a weakling; what an utter intellectual vacuum we're probably going to have representing our country. Buckle up. It's going to be a long couple of years. Vin
Allowing for the fact (aka assumption) that the Tories aren't about to announce a general election anytime soon, promoting Truss to be leader of the party, and de facto Prime Minister, will almost certainly mean that she will be destroyed in any debating scenario, inside or outside the House of Commons. Putting Truss in charge will show up the Tories to be a bunch of inept charlatans, clinging to power on the coat-tails of multi-millionaires and newspaper barons. So, it may indeed be a long couple of years, but it should result in a humiliating defeat for the Tories at the next general election, as the country will have had more than long enough to see through any attempt at making out that things are all right.
I came across this on the GLS shipping site it's their post Brexit information. There must be similar regulations for UK to EU what sort of a triumph is that? Thankfully most don't tar all with the same brush but many are dismayed at the self harm that is Brexit. "Shipping to the UK With the start of the Brexit, the protocols for parcel shipping to the UK have changed. Shipments that do not have the correct paperwork will be returned without explanation. A good preparation is half the work; These are the most important things to be aware of when shipping to the UK: An EORI number for customs clearance; HS codes to classify your goods; Shipments must be accompanied by a commercial pro forma invoice in duplicate (original+copy); The right Incoterms for your shipment. For a complete overview of the new requirements and other important issues for you as a consignor, please contact your GLS contact person."
Every time I see her in front of the cameras, I think aw bless, she nearly got some of the words right. I almost feel embarrassed for her, like when one of your kids is really **** in the school play but you have to watch because they're yours. Then I remember what's she is and I hope for live spontaneous combustion for the greater good.
"We can't keep David Cameron, after he failed to convince the public not to vote for Brexit. How do we replace him with someone even more wooden and unconvincing?" "We can't keep Theresa May, she bungled the Brexit negotiations. How do we replace her with someone who will bungle everything?" "We can't keep Boris Johnson, he's a self-dealing gobshite of the highest order. How do we replace him with someone even more manifestly unqualified?"
