Normally I would say getting criticised by the Trump administration would be a positive for most politicians in the UK but I don’t think Bridget Phillipson will benefit here. Unless she can provide some documentary evidence she’s going to look like a chump by the US Ambassador to Israel. In just under a fortnight we will find out if she’s won or lost, voting only opened four days ago so this could have an impact. The odds feel right. TSE
It’s only one poll but given the generally dire ratings Kemi Badenoch and her party experience this is something that needs to be cherished. I still think the Tories are going to be pummelled next May and that will trigger Badenoch’s exit despite her performance last week. TSE
I know I am not the only person who thinks Nigel Farage’s close relationship with Donald Trump might be a major reason Reform do worse than expected at the next election. Sir Keir Starmer’s relationship with Trump is transactional whilst Farage seems to be an enthusiastic backer of the economically illiterate, science denying, attack on the rule of law, culture wars that Trump espouses which doesn’t go down well with the majority of Brits. TSE
This poll isn’t surprising as people generally do not like taxes they have to pay. There appears to have been no boost to the Tories in last night’s locals. TSE
This polling probably explains why the Tories announced at their conference they would keep the triple lock until at least 2034. The United Kingdom is in danger of becoming a society where the workers keep transferring their wealth to the pensioner class, that long term isn’t sustainable. TSE
if I were advising Labour or the Tories I would tell them to focus on linking Reform/Farage to Trump which will help amplify these findings and focus on Reform’s councillors and potential MPs. There’s also the fawning over Lucy Connolly and the platforming of Aseem Malhotra and his views on the Covid 19 vaccines. Coupled with YouGov’s polling showing a plurality of voters think Reform, their policies, and their voters are racist means I think polling from Ipsos is sub-optimal…
If I were Kemi Badenoch I would be worried about being seen as about as trustworthy as Boris Johnson. TSE
The Times have the story about how some Tory MPs including those in the shadow cabinet are looking to oust Kemi Badenoch as soon as next month, Robert Jenrick wants to wait until after next year’s elections. One thing I hadn’t expected is this little nugget as I expected Badenoch to dragged kicking and screaming from the leadership, she would display a level of self awareness she has hitherto failed to show. Two senior allies of Badenoch said that she…