Reminds me not a little of lamb flavoured crisps which included "lamb powder" in the ingredients. Incredibly off-putting.

Surely what the article calls "former peers" (inc former hereditaries) *are still* peers, just not entitled to a writ of summons to the HoL.

Many, many days have 0 arrivals. But there are surges: 317, 138 and 275 on 17, 18 and 19 Jan. Small numbers in terms of UK population but would have been headline worthy if Trump weren't keeping the headlines flowing single handedly.

Even Farage wouldn't... Surely?

Unless he doesn't actually *want* to be PM but rather likes earning the cash...

...but not to the sort of person who might switch their vote from the Tories to Reform, I guess.

Detoxifies the Tories though... What's left of them.

I hear and understand the argument that defections from the Tories benefit Reform and harm the Tories. But... all the defectors are *so* unpalatable.

Of course - tactical voting can't be one way. Well - shouldn't be, anyway!

Depends on the ward/constituency

*government

Well, let's all hope we can learn that lesson from the US. But I agree - people do like to believe in one simple trick 😞

I'm not arguing that Labour are or are not progressive. I was only saying that I'd vote for them if the alternative was a Reform governor.

I get where you're coming from but... well, necessary lessons are all well and good until it gets like Minnesota.

I'm a Liberal Democrat. But I'd happily vote Labour to stop Reform. People who are appalled by the prospect of a Reform government need to work together to stop it, no matter how unpalatable the potential alliances might be.

Fair point. I'm clearly not arguing that it's a *perfect* system...

Although you'd be forgiven if you'd thought the same after Howard and Hague.

Oh no and I replied to your comment! Pls be kind 😂

I rather like the institution of our monarchy, although if you were starting from scratch you prob wouldn't go for it. I quite like that our politicians have to bow to someone rather than having people kow-towing to them. And the recipient of the bows doesn't have huge amounts of personal power.

We did see the back of him fairly sharpish (and I wonder if the unsuitable marriage was an excuse as much as anything)