UK General Election 2024

[Ediswan]

Today's Conservative party political broadcast included the Union Flag flying upside down. Make of that what you will.

 

[najaB]

Today's Conservative party political broadcast included the Union Flag flying upside down. Make of that what you will.

Isn't that a sign of distress?

 

[SteveP29]

Tories pledge new GP surgeries in community care boost

The party says allowing pharmacies to treat more conditions will also free up GP appointments.

www.bbc.com

Coming the same day as those hospitals they promised in 2019?

They could build 400 hospitals and 10000 doctors surgeries, they'd all be a waste of time until they can be staffed.
They can promise the earth and deliver nothing, knowing that they don't have to deliver because they can't fill the current vacancies the NHS currently has.

He's also the political equivalent of thrush, unpleasant and keeps coming back.

You mean he's an irritating c***

 

[JGurney]

Today's Conservative party political broadcast included the Union Flag flying upside down.

A pratty political broadcast.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Galloway benefitted from a dodgy Labour candidate having to be abandoned by the wider party, making the election a free for all. Had this not happened, Labour would almost certainly have won (remember Galloway lost in Batley and Spen when Labour's national polling was dire).

Another benefit for Galloway was that the Green's candidate was condemned for Islamophobia, which unsurprisingly isn't popular with the voter demographic in Rochdale (a large diaspora of muslims) meaning that there was no proper candidate to the political left of the Lib Dems standing at the by-election except Galloway.

 

[dangie]

Today's Conservative party political broadcast included the Union Flag flying upside down. Make of that what you will.

I appreciate that many don’t know there is a right way or wrong way which in itself is bad, for for a party political broadcast on behalf of a major UK party it’s really unforgivable.

 

[jamesontheroad]

Farage is to become the leader of Reform UK it's been announced on the BBC News website. Tice offered him the job and he's accepted.

If you would like to support Farage and Reform UK don't forget to tick the box titled "grift aid".

He's also the political equivalent of thrush, unpleasant and keeps coming back.

Farage has decided to stand in Clacton, having said a few days ago he wouldn't

The only thing that allows Farage to claim he's against career politicians is that his own career as a politician has been so spectacularly unsuccessful. I think he has stood for parliament seven times and failed every time.

 

[AlterEgo]

I appreciate that many don’t know there is a right way or wrong way which in itself is bad, for for a party political broadcast on behalf of a major UK party it’s really unforgivable.

They have likely taken a stock video which was showing the flag flying to the left, with pole on the right, and reversed it so the flagpole is on the left - the "proper" way. But their comms people are daft anyway, this is the latest in maybe 20 or 30 gaffes!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I appreciate that many don’t know there is a right way or wrong way which in itself is bad, for for a party political broadcast on behalf of a major UK party it’s really unforgivable.

But their comms people are daft anyway, this is the latest in maybe 20 or 30 gaffes!

So, where are we up to now?

Election announcement in the pouring rain? A visit by Sunak to the Titanic Quarter in Belfast as well as him being photographed by an aeroplane's "exit" sign, ten days or so ago? Being photo-bombed by the LibDems campaign boat whilst being interviewed alongside the Thames yesterday?

What else have I missed? And just how competent are his advisors?

 

[JamesT]

The only thing that allows Farage to claim he's against career politicians is that his own career as a politician has been so spectacularly unsuccessful. I think he has stood for parliament seven times and failed every time.

I think it could be argued he's been very successful. It was pressure from UKIP which led to the referendum and ultimately leaving which was his major policy goal. He has indeed failed to be elected to the UK parliament seven times, but that reflects the vagaries of FPTP. He was an MEP for 21 years and in the last two European Parliament elections his party was the largest from the UK.

 

[SuspectUsual]

If Farage did win Clacton, I can't help but think he'd be a spectacularly awful constituency MP - I just don't think he'd care about his constituents or even be there much of the time

What else have I missed?

There was a photo in a Morrisons store with the big store sign behind him, and Sunak's head obscuring the "ris" so the sign said "Moron" - not sure if its from this campaign but its certainly appeared on social media during it

 

[Energy]

If Farage did win Clacton, I can't help but think he'd be a spectacularly awful constituency MP - I just don't think he'd care about his constituents or even be there much of the time



There was a photo in a Morrisons store with the big store sign behind him, and Sunak's head obscuring the "ris" so the sign said "Moron" - not sure if its from this campaign but its certainly appeared on social media during it

The Morrisons was very close but unfortunately had to be photoshopped to get the true 'mor'...'on.

The Mickey Mouse appearance when he spoke at Niftylift (yes the access platform company) in Milton Keynes is real.

Image Description: Rishi Sunak stood in front of a machine with two black circles on it. They appear on either side of him giving the visual appearance of Mickey Mouse.

There are still many more weeks for many more blunders...

 

[X-City-WM]

What else have I missed?

Asking Welsh brewery workers if they are looking forward to a football competition to which the response was that Wales didn't qualify for said competition.

Taking questions from "workers" at a biscuit factory, only two of those asking questions were Tory councillors posing as workers.

 

[Ediswan]

They have likely taken a stock video which was showing the flag flying to the left, with pole on the right, and reversed it so the flagpole is on the left - the "proper" way. But their comms people are daft anyway, this is the latest in maybe 20 or 30 gaffes!

That would not matter. When flown from a pole (or similar), the rule is that the wide white stripe goes at the top of the pole. Whether that appears to be left or right depends on the observer. The 'top left' rule applies when displayed other than on a pole.

In thsa case, they appear to have applied the 'top left' rule, but shown a pole to the right of the flag. Quite possibly CGI,

 

[AlterEgo]

That would not matter. When flown from a pole (or similar), the rule is that the wide white stripe goes at the top of the pole. Whether that appears to be left or right depends on the observer. The 'top left' rule applies when displayed other than on a pole.

In thsa case, they appear to have applied the 'top left' rule, but shown a pole to the right of the flag. Quite possibly CGI,

Ah yes, I suspect you're right!

 

[dangie]

They have likely taken a stock video which was showing the flag flying to the left, with pole on the right, and reversed it so the flagpole is on the left - the "proper" way. But their comms people are daft anyway, this is the latest in maybe 20 or 30 gaffes!

But the flag would still be upside down.

It was mounted onto the flagpole upside down.

Note: I haven't seen the broadcast.

 

[edwin_m]

Flying the flag upside down could be someone dog-whistling the Trump people, who sometimes do the same with the US flag. I'd agree their country is in distress, though not about the cause. However, much more likely to be a mistake, as a doubt more than 10% of the population would know which way up it is for the Union Flag, and it's virtually impossible to see the difference (though other flags, such as the French one, are identical when upside down anyway).

 

[Busaholic]

It's one of the key requirements to have the name and address of the promoter on campaign materials. There isn't a requirement not to mislead voters or even be honest in campaign materials, the only thing off limits is false statements of fact about the personal conduct or character of a candidate.

There isn't a factual claim to be another parties candidate and the accompanying text makes much clearer he's appealing to those voters rather than saying he's representing that party. The requirements only get stricter for the nomination and ballot papers around political party representation or description on ballot paper, but it's incredibly unlikely anyone would try anything at that stage with the current regulations.

He is clever, or, rather, wily enough to know there'll be no repercussions from either the Electoral Commission or the Derbyshire Police. Whether anyone in his constituency who would otherwise vote for him as a Conservative now decides not to so on principle I don't know, but I'd like to think so. Dominic Raab(id) the unlamented ex-Deputy PM did even worse at the last GE in the form of a video implying that it came from Labour and didn't even get his knuckles rapped. No wonder the Tories are so close to the Trump mob. The only consolation is that July 4th will be the end of them for a very long time, hopefully.

By elections are the natural home of protest votes. And George Galloway had been ingratiating himself in Rochdale for some time. Farage on the other hand has arrived in Clacton with four weeks to go.

Labour' s late change of candidate had much to do with it too, especially when they chose the wrong replacement. The one who should have been chosen, Paul Waugh, should wipe him out this time, especially given his disappearance in the town until a little under two weeks ago.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Sunak has apparently arrived in Manchester for the Leaders Debate tonight.

NEW: Rishi Sunak has just arrived in Manchester with his best friend James Forsyth and 20 other aides ahead of tonight’s TV debate

x.com

x.com

However, the picture of him apparently at Manchester shows an Avanti service with the destination board showing "Blackpool North."

Sunak walking along a platform with a bag, alongside an Avanti service with the destination screen on the door reading "Blackpool North."

Faiza Shaheem has resigned from the Labour Party:

NEW: Former Labour candidate Faiza Shaheem has resigned from the Labour Party

x.com

x.com

Nigel Farage has apparently received a warm welcome in Clacton:

Nigel Farage is milkshaked in Clacton (2024)

x.com

x.com

Nigel Farage pictured arriving into Clacton whilst a lady throws a milkshake over him.

 

[Falcon1200]

Asking Welsh brewery workers if they are looking forward to a football competition to which the response was that Wales didn't qualify for said competition.

Surely a perfectly reasonable question, unless no-one, at all, in Wales is going to watch the Euros? Although it could have been put in a smarter way, perhaps asking (with a smile on his face) who the Welsh would be supporting given that they had not qualified; The answer would probably not be England!

 

[najaB]

Although it could have been put in a smarter way, perhaps asking (with a smile on his face) who the Welsh would be supporting given that they had not qualified; The answer would probably not be England!

But a savvy politician wouldn't mention it at all, since it would be likely to lose him more personal support than it could possibly gain him.

 

[Falcon1200]

But a savvy politician wouldn't mention it at all, since it would be likely to lose him more personal support than it could possibly gain him.

I'm not so sure, it would have shown that he a) knew something about football, and b) had a sense of irony/humour; Both of which might be lacking however!

 

[3141]

Surely a perfectly reasonable question, unless no-one, at all, in Wales is going to watch the Euros? Although it could have been put in a smarter way, perhaps asking (with a smile on his face) who the Welsh would be supporting given that they had not qualified; The answer would probably not be England!

Perfectly reasonable is not a quality that appeals to the media, particularly at election time.

 

[najaB]

I'm not so sure, it would have shown that he a) knew something about football, and b) had a sense of irony/humour; Both of which might be lacking however!

Pretty much the only way that works is if he specifically asked something like "Don't suppose you'll be cheering for England then?" but even that has the potential to backfire because there are, no doubt, fans in Wales who would support England and they might get turned off by the suggestion that all Welsh are England-haters.

 

[507021]

I hear Nigel Farage had another banana milkshake thrown at him today.

 

[simonw]

I hear Nigel Farage had another banana milkshake thrown at him today.

Currently on social media there is a lot of speculation that it was a reform staffer and it was,set up by reform/farage himself.

 

[Gloster]

Currently on social media there is a lot of speculation that it was a reform staffer and it was,set up by reform/farage himself.

Which is just what you would expect. Both the possibility that Reform set it up and that there is speculation on social media that it was a hoax. Personally, much as I trust Reform even less distance than I could throw a milkshake, I am prepared to accept (unless proven otherwise) that it was a genuine stunt, though possibly only a self-publicity one, and not Reform playing to the gallery. It is just the sort of thing that could be a prize embarrassment if it was a set up and they get rumbled: if it was the Conservatives I might believe it, considering their current level of competence.

 

[nw1]

It seems Farage has discovered a rather unlikely love of RnB / hip-hop music, apparently quoting "Milkshake" by Kelis when referencing the incident: "My milkshake brings all the voters from the yard", or something.

Also somewhere I heard he announced his candidacy to the backing of Eminem's "Without Me". Not sure if this was fake news though.

 

[Cowley]

I’m finding the debate a predictably hard watch. Can’t help feeling that Sunak is getting away with talking over the top of everyone too much.

Not that it’s always easy moderating things of course.

 

[Busaholic]

I’m finding the debate a predictably hard watch. Can’t help feeling that Sunak is getting away with talking over the top of everyone too much.

Not that it’s always easy moderating things of course.

Shall I forward your name to the TV authorities with a recommendation?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Jun 2024 ==

Currently on social media there is a lot of speculation that it was a reform staffer and it was,set up by reform/farage himself.

She didn't look like a Guardian reader.