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Ian Watkins's avatar

Reform came second to Labour in around 100 constituencies. It might not be the Tories that Labour have to contend with. I think next year's local elections will be a bellwether. If Labour get pasted then 2TK's authority will disappear overnight.

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Aug 16
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Ian Watkins's avatar

I shamelessly nicked 2TK from someone else 🙂

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Mark Eaton's avatar

Depressing, but all too realistic I fear.

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george hancock's avatar

There is no guarantee that Reform will be allowed on the ballot at the next election.

Parliamentary parties propagandise Reform as a so called ‘far right’ party.

So I would be surprised if there were NO moves to ban Reform.

Would that mean democracy was finished in the UK?

I can hear the response now ‘you still have Labour, Torys, Lib Dem’s and Greens to pick from’ 😳

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The Martyr's avatar

That would be a really big call even from Starmer who has shamelessly politicised the police and courts in his first 6 weeks in power. Calling 4 million voters (and up from 14% to 18% in a poll the other day) extreme right wing feels a step too far even for an extreme Trotskyite like him.

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george hancock's avatar

I hope you’re right but when you can be arrested for silent prayer within 150 metres of a clinic, anything is possible.

You just have to get the propaganda right.

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Henry North's avatar

Mexborough. I see

what you did there. Considering it's just a little way away from Swinton and W upon Dear**

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Aug 16
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Daz Pearce's avatar

A great comment and many thanks for it.

Who on earth is advising these people to plead guilty?

Any solicitor worth bothering with will advise their client "plead not guilty and say no comment in the interview".

The possibility that these trials 'aren't really happening' is a real one. The speed of them from arrest to verdict wouldn't be possible even if a significant minority went not guilty.

There simply aren't the duty solicitors around to do this either so something clearly isn't right about this at all.

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Aug 17
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Daz Pearce's avatar

You're right.

The maths just don't add up - how many practicing 'duty solicitors' are there? Does an accused person not have the right to ask for a solicitor of his/her choosing - particularly if they have a few quid to pay for them?

Solicitors 'should' have a vested interest in dragging these cases out so advising clients to plead guilty immediately is like turkeys voting for Christmas. It costs them 'by the hour' public money doesn't it?

Hey - at least they cleared the jails in good time to lock the 'rioters' up. Very convenient (and entirely coincidental, I'm sure) timing.

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