RayC

The 'male models' incident might be a Profumo type episode, it might be a sting operation or it might be nothing. Time will time. If the former, Starmer will be gone quickly. Assuming that 'there is nothing to see', I very much doubt that Starmer will be gone within the next 18 months. No one in the cabinet is going to openly challenge his leadership this year unless there is some other scandal. There may be grumbles on the backbenches, but there is not open rebellion and, more importantly, there is no one there who could mount a credible leadership challenge.

Genuine question: When do you think that Starmer will be gone by?

Were you on the electoral register? If not, then the MP was under no obligation to represent you. If you were on the electoral register - and that was the reason given to you for refusing to support your case - then imo this MP is failing in their responsibilities and, in your position, I would have complained to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. MPs are obviously not obliged to support constituents' every grievance as they may not think that there is a case to answer. However, imo they cannot refuse to support your case simply because you live abroad if you are registered as one of their constituents.

Completely ridiculous. Compare and contrast: https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/europe-and-central-asia/eastern-europe-and-central-asia/russia/report-russia/ https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/europe-and-central-asia/western-central-and-south-eastern-europe/united-kingdom/report-united-kingdom/

Whether it is a commercial or public channel is surely irrelevant to the point about those complaining about programmes which they themselves have not seen.

A MAD 2025 indeed. And no doubt, an outcome most Western-hating Russians are also looking forward to.

Imo largely token measures e.g. banning of a dozen or so Russian nationals from the EU, etc. A much stronger response was needed. It was an invasion of a sovereign country with whom - but for Russian invention - the EU would have had a trade agreement. Too little was done by the EU at the time. Imo at the very least, a plan - and serious intention - to move away from dependency on Russian energy supplies should have been implemented in 2014, not 2022.

You didn't. That particular comment wasn't directed at you specifically. It was a general observation. However, I understand why you might think that it was directed at you. Apologies. Nevertheless, my point stands: This is a non-story. GB News are considering the future of one of their programmes ... And? It's no surprise that an organisation should review the performance of one of its' products. Yes, it would be a strange behaviour to complain about a TV programme which the person has not seen. However, it is an assumption that is the case. In any event, why assume that such behaviour is limited to lefties? It's no less (or more) likely that right-wingers who don't watch HIGNFY might complain about it.

Then it shouldn't take OFCOM very long to dismiss the complaints if that is the case. "(GB News) is reportedly considering axing the show after receiving thousands of complaints, including a formal petition and an ongoing Ofcom investigation". There is no suggestion that GB News are being forced to stop making the programme. They are making a business decision. This is a non-story.

Hopefully you will be able to sort things out quickly by phone. If not, I would write to Liz Kendall in her capacity as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions detailing what you have stated in this thread. Depending on when you left the UK you may still be eligible to vote. You will need to re-register as a voter. Once that is done, your MP would have no choice but to (at least) consider your grievance. I know that MPs are busy people but imo your ex-MP's reaction was appalling. Good luck

All no doubt true but I don't think that it negates the gist of @Hanaguma's point. Europe's move away from dependency on Russian gas only began in 2022. Putin invaded Crimea in 2014 and was supporting separatists in Donbass before that. The EU should have acted much sooner.

We clearly have a different definition of what constitutes oppression.

Or alternatively, All crows are black Crows are birds Therefore all birds are black

It appears that some others' even more pathetic lives revolve involve placing Trump on a pedestal, kissing his bodily parts and then making excuses for him when he fails to deliver on his promises.

Immediate stronger economic sanctions on Russia. An ultimatum issued to Putin that unless he agrees to an immediate ceasefire and negotiations, NATO will increase its' support for Ukraine to whatever extent necessary. Obviously this will US support. Unfortunately, doubtful this will be forthcoming.

Perhaps you are right but obviously neither is Trump. Trump has failed to end the war and has, arguably, damaged Ukraine with his personal attacks on Zelensky and his lukewarm attitude towards NATO.

Where have you been for the last few months? Did you miss the volitality on the financial markets? (The indices may be back to where they were but Trump's policies caused unnecessary chaos). As a US national, maybe you haven't noticed - maybe you even welcome it? - but the trust that the US traditionally enjoyed with her European allies have been severely weakened by Trump's policies. Maybe you haven't noticed - and perhaps, don't care? - that Trump's appeasement of Russia and indifference about Ukraine's fate has emboldened Putin? Maybe, unlike me, you don't actually consider any of that to be negative?

Yes.

To most of the world as a result of the instability caused by his policies.

How could the EU have bullied the UK after Brexit? The EU needs the UK more than the UK needs the EU. It must be true. It's what Brexiters told us before and after the Referendum.

Chapter 4 of 'Das Kapital'?

Your first comment: "The only thing that affects the market is Trump" Your second comment (one hour later): "Everything has a "major effect"" If that's not contradictory I don't know what is! I have no hatred of Trump - deranged or otherwise - but I believe that his foreign policies, notably wrt international trade and the war in Ukraine, have had a negative effect. One major consequence is that the US's traditional allies in Europe and Australisia have been alienated. Maybe Trump's policies are having a beneficial effect domestically in the US? That's for US citizens and nationals to judge. Internationally, his policies have - so far - been harmful.

Not 'everything' has a major effect but you are now contradicting yourself.

"Their powerful Trade Barriers, VAT Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American Companies, and more ... ” Who pulled the plug on TTIP? One Donald J. Trump. VAT is a tax levied on (almost) all goods and services sold in Europe: It is also paid by European producers/ consumers. It is NOT an import tax Financial Trade barriers: "The European Commission says it charges an average tariff of just 1% on US products entering the EU market, "considering the actual trade in goods". It adds that the US administration collected approximately €7 billion of tariffs on EU products in 2023 compared to the EU's €3 billion on US goods." (Source: Euronews) Non-monetary trade unions: Like safety regulations? These apply equally to European producers. They are NOT import taxes Monetary manipulations: I guess Trump thought that he might as well throw that ridiculous accusation in for good measure Unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American Companies: You break the law, you pay the price. If there is no case to answer it will be thrown out of court But hey, let's not let the facts get in the way of a good rant. If Trump's goal is to alienate the EU and bring Brussels and Beijing closer together then I have to commend him: That strategy seems to be working extremely well.

I wouldn't say that Trump's actions are the 'only' thing which affects the market but they certainly have a major effect: That's the problem. The 'Thanks' and 'Agree' buttons are available for you to reply to me.