Politics in 2024 - the year of elections

...the website? Doesn't matter who it actually was, any side facing an inevitable loss has to do something to energize the local activists and voters in general to still make an effort. That was arguably the biggest lesson the Conservatives learnt in 1997 - if you're going to lose regardless, at least be planning for 3-5 years time...

...the Conservatives will lose by 150-170 seats. I don't think it will be the whitewash some people expect but there are so many unusual factors in play (including the SNP) that the 'traditional' polling may well struggle again...

I see the Telegraph is headlining a poll which suggests the Conservatives will only retain 169 seats giving Labour a 120 seat majority.

Are they just trying to scare Sunak into making certain policy decisions, such as toughening up the Rwanda bill, watering Fownhope net zero and tax cuts at the next Budget?

Sunak is beyond redemption with Tory grass root loyalists, the centre no longer believes him and the general population doesn't like him.

So, Jeremy Hunt may well have £20bn to play with. What to do? Increase health, education, defence? Pay off some debt? Make tax cuts?

This tweet gives some options:

Arguments against this ?

Gina Miller;

As people absorb the provocative speech by General Patrick Sanders, Chief of General Staff - it is merely a warning at this stage.

It's interesting he says "mobilisation, reservists or conscription". It's quite right that conscription is the last on that list and a last resort.

The genie is out of the bottle with the invasion of Ukraine, and it's absolutely crucial that NATO remains strong and that NATO countries support them as we have been doing. This is an extremely worrying problem on our doorstep in Europe.

For getting on a century now, we have relied on the US for our security. But that partnership is in peril with the possibility of Trump 2.0. Even with Biden in the White House he can't get congressional approval for the spending he wants to support Ukraine, and the American people are increasing against getting involved in foreign wars or peace keeping. They believe China is the bigger threat and that means supporting Europe and the UK is less of a priority.

That means Europe must be serious about its own security. For years in this country, we have had hysteria in the right wing press about the spectre of a European Army where all members contribute. But when we're faced with this reality of Putin beating a path to the borders of the European Union, doesn't serious European co-operation on defence begin to sound a good idea?

That's surely essential and as major global player it would be bizarre and indefensible if the UK didn't play its part in securing the future of democracy and freedom on our own doorstep and continent.

As people absorb the provocative speech by General Patrick Sanders, Chief of General Staff - it is merely a warning at this stage.

It's interesting he says "mobilisation, reservists or conscription". It's quite right that conscription is the last on that list and a last resort.

The genie is out of the bottle with the invasion of Ukraine, and it's absolutely crucial that NATO remains strong and that NATO countries support them as we have been doing. This is an extremely worrying problem on our doorstep in Europe.

For getting on a century now, we have relied on the US for our security. But that partnership is in peril with the possibility of Trump 2.0. Even with Biden in the White House he can't get congressional approval for the spending he wants to support Ukraine, and the American people are increasing against getting involved in foreign wars or peace keeping. They believe China is the bigger threat and that means supporting Europe and the UK is less of a priority.

That means Europe must be serious about its own security. For years in this country, we have had hysteria in the right wing press about the spectre of a European Army where all members contribute. But when we're faced with this reality of Putin beating a path to the borders of the European Union, doesn't serious European co-operation on defence begin to sound a good idea?

That's surely essential and as major global player it would be bizarre and indefensible if the UK didn't play its part in securing the future of democracy and freedom on our own doorstep and continent.

I agree Hunt will spend it. I'd go for a bit for school rebuilding after the recent news, something to placate Martin Lewis 😉 and the rest on tax cuts. Most likely a reduction in some or all of: Income tax, possibly VAT and/or Corporation tax, Stamp Duty and IHT.

Nato command and control needs US inclusion in reality as no other member state really has the capacity to do it on a large scale.

As for politics, Orban may disagree, as could Trump.

There's a reason Vlad is playing for time and undermining confidence in Ukraine’s abilities.

No change to MoT rules.

"A plan to extend the time between car MOTs has been scrapped - to the delight of campaigners who warned Britain's roads could end up full of faulty vehicles.

The Department for Transport had been looking at requiring MOTs every two years instead of one - and delaying a new car's first MOT from the third to fourth year.

The plan, devised by Boris Johnson's government, was billed as potentially saving Britons £100m a year - but experts thought it was dangerous.

They also dismissed the money saving claim, with the AA suggesting an annual MOT saved motorists between £200 and £400 by picking up faults early.

The DfT announced today the proposal had been ditched following a consultation - though changes to MOTs are still being looked at.

Roads minister Guy Opperman said: "We have listened to drivers and industry, and keeping MOTs in their current form shows once again that we are on the side of motorists."

Jakob Pfaudler, CEO at the AA, welcomed the decision, saying 83% of its members polled "overwhelmingly supported" the annual test."