Current Affairs - 2026

[Stephen]

Do any of them whatever party think whats best for the country. They make all the right noises but thats about it.

For me, Starners downfall is not getting a firm grip on illegals coming into this country, and the country has had enough.

[towny44]

Yes’ that’s exactly what I think…I will go further and say I think he has introduced some good policies…those who think Reform is the answer, then think again, because those who voted to get Labour out are the very people who will get Sh*t on if Reform ever gets in.

Our political system is broken

He has introduced quite a lot of policies increasing the spend on the poorest in the country, many of them aimed at bringing children out of poverty, his claim not mine. Unfortunately most of these are not popular with the the average working man, who thinks poor families living on the bread line should limit the size of their families, so they can live within their means. None of these policies are doing anything to help the economy to grow, but Starmer still thinks the govt should spend even more on the poorest when there is little or no growth in the economy, resulting in even less to spend on investing in growth. In fact his latest splurge of largesse in nationising British Steel is rather like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

But John isn't that just age old Labour policy

It is indeed normal labour policy David, but clearly Onelife missed that lesson during the last few Labour govts.

[Ray B]

it is the mood of the country at the moment, added to that many who voted at the local elections voted on national issues and not local issues.

So true,and when interviewed on the TV, I have yet to hear a sensible answer as to why they want Starmer/Labour out, only gibberish like "well they don't do anything".
Most don't know what they want or who is going to make a better job. It's a mess.

[oldbluefox]

My concern is who takes over if Starmer goes as I have no faith in any of them.
Be a good start to get rid of Rachel.

[Onelife]

He has introduced quite a lot of policies increasing the spend on the poorest in the country, many of them aimed at bringing children out of poverty, his claim not mine. Unfortunately most of these are not popular with the the average working man, who thinks poor families living on the bread line should limit the size of their families, so they can live within their means. None of these policies are doing anything to help the economy to grow, but Starmer still thinks the govt should spend even more on the poorest when there is little or no growth in the economy, resulting in even less to spend on investing in growth. In fact his latest splurge of largesse in nationising British Steel is rather like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

But John isn't that just age old Labour policy

It is indeed normal labour policy David, but clearly Onelife missed that lesson during the last few Labour govts.

Remind me...what did the conservatives achieve in their 14 years of Government?

“Between 2010 and 2024, the UK economy experienced historically low growth, described by the Institute for Fiscal Studies as "abysmal" and representing the worst period of economic growth since the 1920s”.

And I remind you John…I was the only one on this forum (that I Know About) that didn’t vote in the general election…not because I couldn’t be bothered, it was because I don’t go wagging my tail to a political system that continually fails to deliver….you, it appears are happy to keep going round in circles.

[oldbluefox]

You don’t seem to have much faith in voting OL. It’s much the same in Russia, N Korea and Iran.
At least by voting we have some choice although they all say one thing out of power and something totally different once elected.
Just get rid of Rachel, she’s clueless.

[Ray B]

I do think the headless chicken dance revolving around the PM is mainly being fuelled by the media, pushing for a higher sales news day or tv .

[oldbluefox]

I do think the headless chicken dance revolving around the PM is mainly being fuelled by the media, pushing for a higher sales news day or tv .

Spot on Ray. Nowadays they seem more interested in making the news than reporting it. Give it a few days and they’ll latch onto someone else.

[Onelife]

You don’t seem to have much faith in voting OL. It’s much the same in Russia, N Korea and Iran.
At least by voting we have some choice although they all say one thing out of power and something totally different once elected.
Just get rid of Rachel, she’s clueless.

I see where you are going with your projected fate of the uk political system but I credit you with having a more realistic view point. Most prominent political thinkers are saying that our political system is not fit for purpose, indeed we have all witnessed the pantomime antics of he/she who would be leader, a situation which isn’t conducive to a political system that takes the country forward, it is a system that has allowed itself to descend into playground antics where all the children are indoctrinated into a mindset where destroying both good and bad policies of the government has become their ultimate quest, only then to find that when they get into power the opposition parties can do the same to them…this is futile politics where we all end up losers…it is for this reason no change other than a radical re-think of how we conduct or political system will surffice…less of course you follow John’s merry-go-round political stance and keep voting in the hope that it will eventually sort itself out…it won’t, that’s why I decided not to vote and become another tail waggler that supports this shambolic situation.

[oldbluefox]

If you’re thinking along the lines of proportional representation that doesn’t work either. So what is the answer?
Perhaps we should make political parties responsible for the promises they make. What happened to Starmers ‘Smash the Gangs’ promise just as an example? They all make rash promises to get elected and should be held accountable.

[david63]

So what is the answer?

My suggestion, and I have made it before, is to abolish political parties and all MPs become independents and we have an elected MP. There should also be a mechanism whereby an MP can be recalled by his/her constituency if not fulfilling their mandate.

The MPs would then form alliances based on the arguments and, more importantly, the views of their constituents.

[Mervyn and Trish]

My suggestion is to follow the Australian model and make voting mandatory. Then no-one could sit on their hands and then complain about the result.

[Onelife]

If you’re thinking along the lines of proportional representation that doesn’t work either. So what is the answer?
Perhaps we should make political parties responsible for the promises they make. What happened to Starmers ‘Smash the Gangs’ promise just as an example? They all make rash promises to get elected and should be held accountable.

Funnily enough my views fall somewhere between what David has suggested. Doing away with political parties and replacing them with what then would become a consortium of minds (otherwise known as the cabinet) with expertise to take this country in the right direction. I would, as David has said, make all MP’s independent and scrap the requirement for MP’s to attend and vote on matters that should be decided by this more informed group of experts…while still allowing MP’s to put forward matters arising from their own constituencies, they are, and should be seen as foot soldiers doing the work of those they represent and not having a say or influence on matters that many only have a superficial understanding of.

I would scale back drastically the house of Lords and remove their titles.

I think proportional representation is a fairer system but in our present political climate it would only facilitate a bigger voice for those who think they deserve more political clout.

I don’t underestimate the challenges that changing our political landscape would entail but our present system is letting this country down…no more destructive party politics, less political climbers and hopefully the first steps in getting rid of Kings and Queens.

So how do we make this change...that's the easy part, we all vote Reform in the next general election which once in power should after a very short period of time bring this country to its knees, with I suspect then the electorate begging for a different style of governance.

[david63]

So how do we make this change.

That is the big problem - it is impossible to make such a dramitic change as with the system we have the government of the day would have to create and pass the legislation to do it and they are highly unlikely to vote themselves out of a lucratively paid job

[Onelife]

So how do we make this change.

That is the big problem - it is impossible to make such a dramitic change as with the system we have the government of the day would have to create and pass the legislation to do it and they are highly unlikely to vote themselves out of a lucratively paid job

I do recognise the complexity of changing entrenched political structures,...and being realistic I know this is unattainable in the short term. That is not to say things can’t evolve towards different ways of governing. In three years time we could be looking at the prospect of a coalition government which has the possibility of becoming the norm for a good many years to come. With this in mind I would like to think there are think tanks already working on how best to make a transition as smooth as possible, thus putting in place a structure that enables parties to reach decisions void of party aspirations…basicaly all working for long term goals as opposed to short term u-turns which we have witnessed across all political governing parties.

[david63]

Coincidence or just good luck?

Angela Raynor cleared by HMRC

[Stephen]

Your about early David. Not another alfa announcement

[david63]

Your about early David. Not another alfa announcement

We are an hour ahead of UK

[Onelife]

Coincidence or just good luck?

Angela Raynor cleared by HMRC

To be fair to Angela she does wear her heart on her sleeve…and spends hours reciting what she is going to say…alas, she still sounds as if she is reading from a script.

[Stephen]

Your about early David. Not another alfa announcement

We are an hour ahead of UK

Just testing.

[Stephen]

Coincidence or just good luck?

Angela Raynor cleared by HMRC

To be fair to Angela she does wear her heart on her sleeve…and spends hours reciting what she is going to say…alas, she still sounds as if she is reading from a script.

Can’t stand the woman. God help us if she ever got the top job.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Agreed. Dreadful loud fish wife.

I notice Rachel from Accounts is supporting Sir Hindsight. Knows if anybody else wins she'll be fired.

[Ray B]

And so it begins, news presenters prattlng on relentlessly now Streeting has give his notice in. They have been straining on the leash for this moment.
Waiting for Angela to join the party.

[Stephen]

And we’re off

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cwy21gpr1kzt

[david63]

Can’t stand the woman.

That makes two of us