Smint

These kind of snap elections to shore up power rarely go well, plus if Macron is unpopular we could easily see a Far right Prime Minister which would be very dangerous. Also of huge concern is the amount of support the Austrian, German and French Far Right hold with the youth of the country too. The President of the National Rally who was so successful today, Jordan Bardella is 28. And in a period where the effect of the climate emergency has become too apparent, especially in certain European countries, the Greens were big losers, currently down 19 seats from 72 to 53. In a couple of countries (Sweden, Portugal) the Far Right support fell but overall not a good night for the progressives at all.

Far right leading Macron's Renaissance part by 2:1 in France prompting Macron to dissolve Assembly and call National elections. Serious stuff.

Where do you get this up to date information about who is standing in your seat? Interested to know.

In 2010 Clegg's Liberal Democrats actually lost seats (although gained votes) from Charles Kennedy's high watermark in 2005 (where the Iraq war was a bit of a factor).

Sunak getting loads of flack for this now from all quarters - some are even saying it could be a resignation matter. Even though I'm happy that's destroying the Tories chance of government even more, I am slightly uncomfortable about this over promoting Patriotic/War issues more than every other issue going. Yes it was a disrespectful, ceremonial gaffe but it does create a trap for the incoming Labour government in the future to appear ultra "patriotic" at all times. Still short term gain though.

Excellent video which reflects the duality of the song with its beautiful and more menacing moments. Very Running Up That Hill/Electric Heart/Bury a Friend vibe. Hope it gives the song a nice boost, although tbh I'm delighted and surprised CHIHIRO is doing as well as it feels more like an album track with its 5 minutes of mysterious, swirling, building atmosphere. Certainly not as catchy as the more obvious singles LUNCH or BIRDS OF A FEATHER. But the magical and addictive CHIHIRO is now definitely my favourite Billie song of all time, and she has set the bar pretty damn high!

But if they did stand candidates down en masse then that would not really help the Tories much as people want the Tories out full stop. Would also ruin Reform'/Farage's brand as they pledged 100% not to do it. Hence why Farage himself is standing in Clacton - in 2019 he didn't stand anywhere. Their goal is not to help the Tories win, it's post election strategy is to infiltrate the Tories 100% with Farage as next leader of a demoralised Tory party or if that doesn't work, replace the Tories.

Well the Labour leads are stupidly high over 20 points. If they are under 15 will start worrying. But yes Reform are prob taking some of the anti Tory vote from Labour. But as long as the Tories don't recover themselves (very unlikely with Sunak) and no Reform/Tory deals - could only be for a few gammony Tory MPs then nothing to worry about. Can't see anyone apart from Farage winning a seat.

Ghastly right wing Labour stooge Luke Akehurst,parachuted into a safe Labour seat at the last minuge, has been caught on video saying about (left wing Jewish Labour members) - "They have abandoned very much of their Jewish identity. They don't go to shul at all. It's become a purely cultural thing around a bowl of chicken soup." I would strongly hope that Starmer suspends him immediately as he has suspended several candidates for far, far less.

Must have read like 100 articles in the Guardian predicting huge wins for the far right (whether in the ID or ECR). Let's hope that is more muted. I remember the last EU elections in the UK. Such a topsy-turvy time for British politics with all those ghastly Brexit MEPs being elected and that horrible "turning back on Parliament" stunt they did. In a way glad we don't have these if only for the embarrassment they caused the UK - although would rejoin EU in Heartbeat, perhaps that's the only Brexit "benefit"

Wow would have been a 27 point lead for Labour if they kept their old methodology

Phew - as the early poll and the usual tedious right wing papers lead with Sunak winning (not that they are that influential any more it seems, giving Labour's gargantuan poll lead). And hopefully Starmer will prepare better for the next one.

YouGov poll said Sunak won by 51/49. Didn't watch it myself but shows Starmer needs a bit of work getting his points across about why vote Labour.

This together with the rapid progress of the climate emergency (which will fuel global migration on a level never seen before) and the terrifying vision of AI gone amok means life is going to be pretty horrific for the next generation.

To get the big US hit? For some bizarre reason LB has had countless big hits there.