Politics, politics, politics (so long and thanks for all the fish)

[Gutter Boy]

It will need a killer argument for us to rejoin.

The killer argument is against rejoining. That voters livelihoods will be put at risk by an influx of cheap labour.

And it doesn’t help that European politics are lurching to the right.

Enrich the rich. Undercut the poor on wage/conditions, then ramp up competition on their resources. Social dumping has always been the biggest flaw of the EU.

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

It was his choice to stage a coup when he did, allegedly he asked Starmer to stay until now so he could come up with some plans lol

TBH that sounds like rubbish. No one person in government dictates policy, well other than Trump. But its not about one leader picking a utopian view and running with it. Policy and plans are presented and approved/denied, as much by the treasury than anyone

 

[Mikey10]

There's a total absence of policies geared to growth either - ironically if they succeeded he'd have more money for the larger state he wants.

From today's Guardian.

Burnham’s Your First Home scheme ‘could boost Bellway’s house output by 10%’

Help-to-buy initiative for England could slow market while first-time buyers wait for launch, builder admits

www.theguardian.com

 

[Rorschach]

'About'... I love these numbers that are thrown about. The Bank of England said it had cost the UK Economy 6%. 6% of what though? It can't be 6% of GDP surely as that is £4 trillion, or £3trillion in cash terms. The latter would mean £180bn, the former £255bn. The suggested losses are usually £65bn to £100bn dependent on who is campaigning for what. Comparing trade then and now are very difficult because nothing is linear. The energy costs, supply chain issues etc have all impacted trade globally. We have hugely increased our services export, while products have stayed fairly level. Lord knows we could do with a 'guaranteed' £42bn a year, per year for the next 6 years.

£100 billion a year due to weaker business investment, lower productivity, and tighter labor constraints is the bloomberg analysis.
Source: Bloomberg.com https://share.google/sPGg3wm6gGHkJN4rG

The obr estimate was 4% gdp drag if I recall.

 

[Rorschach]

Not denying there's been an impact but the 100 billion has been debunked by various places - https://julianhjessop.com/2025/01/04/is-brexit-really-costing-the-uk-economy-100-billion-a-year/

Debunked by a dark money funded think tank affiliate would not be something I would take as wrote. I don't know how accurate the 100bil figure is but it lines up the obr and bank of england estimates.

 

[johnaliola]

Worth noting British gdp growth since Brexit exceeds that of France and Germany.

 

[robp135]

So Burnham is an election denier now?

 

[MadSpurs]

So Burnham is an election denier now?

What election is he denying?

 

[MadSpurs]

Latest polling, Reform at their lowest this parliament. I thought their bubble was starting to burst around 6-8 months ago, seems the polls might be suggesting that as well

YouGov
13 October 2026

• Labour: 24% (-3 from 4-5 Oct)
• Conservatives: 23% (+3)
• Reform UK: 21% (-1)
• Lib Dems: 12% (+1)
• Greens: 11% (=)
• SNP: 3% (=)
• Restore Britain: 2% (-1)
• Plaid Cymru: 1% (=)
• Others: 1% (-1)

Voting intention, 11-12 October 2026: Lab 24%, Con 23%, Ref 21%, LD 12%, Grn 11%

Latest YouGov Westminster voting intention figures

yougov.com

 

[robp135]

What election is he denying?

https://apnews.com/article/burnham-brexit-russia-interference-88cbab1370fdc24df719274e76fb5a26

 

[MadSpurs]

https://apnews.com/article/burnham-brexit-russia-interference-88cbab1370fdc24df719274e76fb5a26

OK? I don't see your point about denying an election though?

 

[robp135]

OK? I don't see your point about denying an election though?

So he is suggesting the Russians interfered but not to a point where it had any impact on the result?

 

[Baleforce]

Latest polling, Reform at their lowest this parliament. I thought their bubble was starting to burst around 6-8 months ago, seems the polls might be suggesting that as well

YouGov
13 October 2026

• Labour: 24% (-3 from 4-5 Oct)
• Conservatives: 23% (+3)
• Reform UK: 21% (-1)
• Lib Dems: 12% (+1)
• Greens: 11% (=)
• SNP: 3% (=)
• Restore Britain: 2% (-1)
• Plaid Cymru: 1% (=)
• Others: 1% (-1)

Voting intention, 11-12 October 2026: Lab 24%, Con 23%, Ref 21%, LD 12%, Grn 11%

Latest YouGov Westminster voting intention figures

yougov.com

fingers crossed

I do still see the odd reform sign put up in my village though, weird coincidence, whenever I get back from my late night dog walk someone seems to have knocked them down, snapped them in half and chucked them in the nearest hedge

 

[Mikey10]

So he is suggesting the Russians interfered but not to a point where it had any impact on the result?

Yes, that’s exactly what he is saying.

For further reading on Russia and Brexit:

Brexiters can’t cope with the fact that Putin was cheering them on | Rafael Behr

Russian meddling probably didn’t affect the referendum result – but the Kremlin’s motives for wanting to undermine the EU still matter, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr

www.theguardian.com

 

[Lost Mango]

So he is suggesting the Russians interfered but not to a point where it had any impact on the result?

So presumably found the report that Boris didn't bother publishing.

No election denial in there either. He hasn't said the Brexit vote was flawed or illegitimate, just that the Russians were involved.

 

[MadSpurs]

So he is suggesting the Russians interfered but not to a point where it had any impact on the result?

The result of an election? Brexit wasn't an election.

So, I ask again. What election is Burnham actually denying?

 

[robp135]

The result of an election? Brexit wasn't an election.

So, I ask again. What election is Burnham actually denying?

A referendum denier if you wish.

 

[robp135]

So presumably found the report that Boris didn't bother publishing.

No election denial in there either. He hasn't said the Brexit vote was flawed or illegitimate, just that the Russians were involved.

So what’s the point of bringing it up then?