Yes, of course they do, that's why they're sending Akehurst there.Well, does Labour think it's safe enough without Akehurst?
Yes, of course they do, that's why they're sending Akehurst there.Well, does Labour think it's safe enough without Akehurst?
They'd have come up with an excuse if Starmer had nominated Harold Shipman's corpse as a candidate.I'd like to hear from Labour supporters what their take is for why Starmer has ascended a horrible, bigoted mess of a candidate that is Luke Akehurst. We're getting plenty of mental gymnastics to justify the brutal deselection of the likes of Faiza Shaheen, but by the same token I'd want to hear what the benefits are to incorporate the likes of Akehurst.
44% of the vote in 2019, 59% in 2017. Yes its very much safe enough, especially if you'd factor the expected nationwide swing in Labour's favour. I think its safe to assume they haven't parachuted him in because they were worried they were losing that one, and even if that were the case why would they have expected someone like him to be the clutch factor?Well, does Labour think it's safe enough without Akehurst?
"He can solve the country's pension crisis."They'd have come up with an excuse if Starmer had nominated Harold Shipman's corpse as a candidate.
This is the long and the short of it really. It's such a safe seat that even he can't feck it up.44% of the vote in 2019, 59% in 2019. Yes its very much safe enough, especially if you'd factor the expected nationwide swing in Labour's favour. I think its safe to assume they haven't parachuted him in because they were worried they were losing that one, and even if that were the case why would they have expected someone like him to be the clutch factor?
So it begs the question as to why he's been parachuted in? He's not local to the area, isn't considered a talented or future star of the party, and his only claim to fame is being a vehement apologist of Israel to the extent that he's dancing with accusations of antisemitism considering the comments he's made about anti-Zionist Jews.
A 'thank you' for getting and sustaining a pro-leadership majority on the NEC. Plus an assurance that he will never break the whip. Plenty of safe seats or expected gains have been stitched up this way.44% of the vote in 2019, 59% in 2017. Yes its very much safe enough, especially if you'd factor the expected nationwide swing in Labour's favour. I think its safe to assume they haven't parachuted him in because they were worried they were losing that one, and even if that were the case why would they have expected someone like him to be the clutch factor?
So it begs the question as to why he's been parachuted in? He's not local to the area, isn't considered a talented or future star of the party, and his only claim to fame is being a vehement apologist of Israel to the extent that he's dancing with accusations of antisemitism considering the comments he's made about anti-Zionist Jews.
This is the long and the short of it really. It's such a safe seat that even he can't feck it up.
A 'thank you' for getting and sustaining a pro-leadership majority on the NEC. Plus an assurance that he will never break the whip. Plenty of safe seats or expected gains have been stitched up this way.
They've twisted themselves into mental pretzels pre Akehurst, no excuse will surprise me this time. @VorZakone suggesting he's been parachuted into one of Labours safest seats because they're worried about votes is going to be one of the less outrageous takes I'd imagine.Oh I agree completely.
I'm just curious to hear the justifications from Starmer's most stalwart defenders here. I've heard all sorts of justifications as to why Shaheen and Abbott (initially) were deselected, I'd also be keen to hear what they'd have to say about Akehurst.
I have no expertise on UK politics. It was just a random question because usually the explanation is "they think this is electorally good" when it comes to politics in general.They've twisted themselves into mental pretzels pre Akehurst, no excuse will surprise me this time. @VorZakone suggesting he's been parachuted into one of Labours safest seats because they're worried about votes is going to be one of the less outrageous takes I'd imagine.
Alright, it does seem safe. I don't know why they parachuted the guy in.44% of the vote in 2019, 59% in 2017. Yes its very much safe enough, especially if you'd factor the expected nationwide swing in Labour's favour. I think its safe to assume they haven't parachuted him in because they were worried they were losing that one, and even if that were the case why would they have expected someone like him to be the clutch factor?
So it begs the question as to why he's been parachuted in? He's not local to the area, isn't considered a talented or future star of the party, and his only claim to fame is being a vehement apologist of Israel to the extent that he's dancing with accusations of antisemitism considering the comments he's made about anti-Zionist Jews.
I really hope the people of Durham feck him off back into irrelevance but I just can't see it happening.I have no expertise on UK politics. It was just a random question because usually the explanation is "they think this is electorally good" when it comes to politics in general.
Alright, it does seem safe. I don't know why they parachuted the guy in.
Not going to defend the criticisms of Labour or Starmer in your post but i absolutely need to do a little fact checking here to highlight that the bolded is catagorically not true. Hunt and Sunak have they themselves, done absolutely nothing in terms of policy to affect inflation or energy prices.Starmer's turning out to be more of a nothing burger than I had originally expected. Almost to the point where I have no idea what his plans are for the country at all. The gobshite state of the UK economy is, to me, the single biggest problem that anyone in 10 Downing St should be looking to tackle and Sunak/ Hunt are at least putting forward ideas. Starmer/ Reeves have nothing concrete to offer - all they keep harping on in every interview is Lizz Truss and how she fecked up that interim budget. Well it's been almost two years on from that and like it or not but Sunak/ Hunt have stabilized inflation, have brought energy prices down a little, and state that they plan to grow the economy by cutting taxes. You can disagree with them on whether that's how you should fix the economic problems of the UK but at least they have ideas. Reeves keeps talking about how she will balance the budget like it's some revolutionary thought but that's basic math and table stakes for a Chancellor. Being better than Quasi Quarteng is not enough - a high schooler could've done a better job.
The Tories have been absolutely disgraceful the last 10 years - poltically, economically, and morally - but with just one month to the election I am suddenly finding it hard to get myself to vote Labour given that Starmer's only pitch is that they're "not the Tories"
What an absolute let down
This is the long and the short of it really. It's such a safe seat that even he can't feck it up.
I still think he can.
He is a remarkably unlikeable person, and at some point, a mainstream jounralist is going to pick up on his open racism. I see the latest 'find' is his remarks about Glenda Jackson. Her son is daily mail journalist Dan Hodges.
Or this from 1998!I still think he can.
He is a remarkably unlikeable person, and at some point, a mainstream jounralist is going to pick up on his open racism. I see the latest 'find' is his remarks about Glenda Jackson. Her son is daily mail journalist Dan Hodges.
Can you share the tweet please?I see medhi Hasan, with his 1.5 million followers, has just tweeted about akehurst.
I doubt the 'ignore it all' strategy is going to play out now, and they can't even replace him now, candidate deadline has gone.
Absolute idiocy putting him anywhere near the public.
Can you share the tweet please?
Here is a fully story confirming this: https://www.politicshome.com/news/a...lised-leftwing-angry-leaderships-policy-vetos
Political pragmatism and you're a naive zealot if you think otherwise if I remember correctly.I'd like to hear from Labour supporters what their take is for why Starmer has ascended a horrible, bigoted mess of a candidate that is Luke Akehurst. We're getting plenty of mental gymnastics to justify the brutal deselection of the likes of Faiza Shaheen, but by the same token I'd want to hear what the benefits are to incorporate the likes of Akehurst.
I feel sorry for anyone who is voting for him.
A 'thank you' for getting and sustaining a pro-leadership majority on the NEC. Plus an assurance that he will never break the whip. Plenty of safe seats or expected gains have been stitched up this way.
I am probably not going to vote.Genuine question, but if you're normally a Labour voter, who the feck do you vote for? There's absolutely no chance I'm voting Conservative, and I'd probably just enjoy the fact they get fecked off more than anything from this election, as I have zero faith in any of these clowns actually doing anything good anyway. But out of spite I just want to see them lose at this stage. I see no other wins to be had anymore.
Genuine question, but if you're normally a Labour voter, who the feck do you vote for? There's absolutely no chance I'm voting Conservative, and I'd probably just enjoy the fact they get fecked off more than anything from this election, as I have zero faith in any of these clowns actually doing anything good anyway. But out of spite I just want to see them lose at this stage. I see no other wins to be had anymore.
I'm surprised. Partly depends on your local options I suppose.I am probably not going to vote.
I am probably not going to vote.
Well manifestos are next week, why not wait til then before deciding if they have any ideas?Starmer's turning out to be more of a nothing burger than I had originally expected. Almost to the point where I have no idea what his plans are for the country at all. The gobshite state of the UK economy is, to me, the single biggest problem that anyone in 10 Downing St should be looking to tackle and Sunak/ Hunt are at least putting forward ideas. Starmer/ Reeves have nothing concrete to offer - all they keep harping on in every interview is Lizz Truss and how she fecked up that interim budget. Well it's been almost two years on from that and like it or not but Sunak/ Hunt have stabilized inflation, have brought energy prices down a little, and state that they plan to grow the economy by cutting taxes. You can disagree with them on whether that's how you should fix the economic problems of the UK but at least they have ideas. Reeves keeps talking about how she will balance the budget like it's some revolutionary thought but that's basic math and table stakes for a Chancellor. Being better than Quasi Quarteng is not enough - a high schooler could've done a better job.
The Tories have been absolutely disgraceful the last 10 years - poltically, economically, and morally - but with just one month to the election I am suddenly finding it hard to get myself to vote Labour given that Starmer's only pitch is that they're "not the Tories"
What an absolute let down
Spoil your ballot. Make sure they know.I am probably not going to vote.
There are few things I despise more that them. But Labour have made a specific electoral pitch to the centrist and ex Tory voters. They have made that decision knowing they will lose votes from the left, but hope to gain more overall.I've considered it, but could you face another 4+ years of these twats?
We really need compulsory voting with a none of the above optionSpoil your ballot. Make sure they know.
She’s standing as an independent now and is the overwhelming favourite for her constituency. It’s not ideal but any seat that isn’t a Tory/Labour/Reform is a small victory.I'd like to hear from Labour supporters what their take is for why Starmer has ascended a horrible, bigoted mess of a candidate that is Luke Akehurst. We're getting plenty of mental gymnastics to justify the brutal deselection of the likes of Faiza Shaheen, but by the same token I'd want to hear what the benefits are to incorporate the likes of Akehurst.
We really need compulsory voting with a none of the above option