Suedehead2

I’ve only just got round to reading this. Thanks for all the votes for Salad (and, of course, Suede). I wasn’t sure Salad would be allowed as their singer was Dutch. I saw them live several times in the 90s. I think the only ones I would have seen more would be Suede, the Manics, Ash and Pulp. Good to see some quirky Welsh entries from the Super Furries and Gorkys. They both released some great songs.

For Farage, all publicity is good publicity. That's why he went for the "I'm not standing" / "Actually, I am" nonsense. Two occasions when he makes the headlines. Today's story puts him up front again. If broadcasters, apply the impartiality rules properly, that should be the last we hear of the frog-faced fascist in this campaign.

So Farage has appointed homself as leader of the party, having said he didn’t want the job, and has also selected himself as candidate for Clacton, having said he wouldn’t stand. Don’t you just love honesty and democracy Freedom UK style?

We needed an "Almost everything" option for worst song this week.

Cohen's evidence was backed up by recordings and written documents. That's why attempts to discredit him failed.

I suspect the Guardian will go for Labour, but with a caveat that people should vote Lib Dem if they are best placed to beat the Tories.

I liked the episode. The idea of having a central character who was truly horrible was a good twist. Yes, the idea of how vacuous young people can be was overplayed, but exaggeration is a common dramatic ploy.

He was convicted of false accounting. All the evidence was backed up by recordings and written documents. Twelve people, who had been vetted to avoid pro- or anti-Trump bias found him guilty. Thirty-four times. Trump is a criminal.

Aqualung – Strange and Beautiful (I'll Put a Spell On You) John Otway – Bunsen Burner Coldplay – Clocks Erasure – Solsbury Hill Manic Street Preachers – There by the Grace of God

Good Morning Judge by 10CC would fit as well. "I didn't do it, I wasn't there / I didn't want it, I wouldn't dare"

Kemi Bad Enoch has managed the unlikely achievement of hitting a new low. She has attacked a Labour candidate for supporting Brianna Ghey’s parents in their attempt to have her recognised as female on her death certificate.

One of the many problems faced by the outgoing government has been the number of MPs who have been a total embarrassment. It is not surprising that Starmer, who will face a far more hostile press than the succession of Tory PMs, wants to avoid similar embarrassment.

A poll showing how effective tactical voting can be might encourage people to do exactly that. One of the reasons Portillo lost in 1997 is that the Observer published a poll the weekend before the election that showed that Labour could win the seat. That was the headline, but it included a lot of other Tory-held seats which suddenly became very vulnerable.

I can’t see Dianne Abbott accepting a seat in the Lords.

This week's ramblings can be found from the front page or the latest news box.

The orange thing is now a convicted criminal.

How far are you from a marginal seat? If there is nowhere reasonably close to send activists, they will be encouraged to work in your constituency.

I refuse to watch the debates if only two leaders are invited. Meanwhile, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, my MP, has been suspended by the Labour Party which means he can’t be a Labour candidate. We’ll see who the party high command impose as a candidate.

Easy decision for me.

Gorillaz – 19/2000 Ash – Shining Light New Order – Crystal Fatboy Slim – Sunset (Bird of Prey) Manic Street Preachers – So Why So Sad

The plan is for it to start in autumn 2025 and would be for 18-yer-olds. Therefore, not a single one of the people on the programme would have voted for it. There is meant to be a "choice" between a year in the armed forces or one weekend a month on "voluntary" community service. This must be a new meaning of the word "voluntary" I was previously unaware of. The Home Secretary, Jimmy Dimly, has said that there will be no criminal sanction for non-compliance. How will that work? Of course, if there is a fine for not taking part, that just means that teenagers from wealthier backgrounds can just buy their way out of it. In other words, it's a scheme for the plebs.

So not in the top 20.

John Redwood and Michael Gove have both joined the long list of Tory MPs who won’t be contesting the election. They, along with Dominic Raab, represent seats being targeted by the Lib Dems. That’s three potential Portillo moments gone.

The chart commentary returns after last week's technical problems. It can be found from the front page or the latest news box.

Tactical voting can happen without a formal pact. Voters can see for themselves who is best placed to defeat Tory MPs and opposition parties will concentrate their efforts on seats they can win. In my home county of Sussex (East and West), Labour will ignore Lewes and Eastbourne while the Lib Dems will do nothing in Crawley.