Nigel Long

Fifty Labour MPs sign letter objecting to Andy Burnham decision Labour's ruling National Executive Committee blocked the Greater Manchester mayor from standing in a by-election.

There are 403 Labour MPs (which the BBC report fails to mention for some reason) so this is hardly a resounding show of support for Andy Burnham.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I remember the pictures of Felix having lots of fun in his paddling pool on a hot afternoon. A beautiful memory and a beautiful much loved dog.

You don't know me, but I know someone who is a friend of Dolly Parton. It involves me doing the tannoy at a non-League club and ... never mind. 😀

At the senior levels of non-League the member clubs are required to have active official X accounts.

The man with the All Line Rover

How the exasperating, indispensable BBC must change Its latest crisis needs to spur reforms to bolster its news division

This, from The Economist, makes no sense. The BBC is far more than a news outlet and to kill off its output in other core areas would hasten its demise.

That said, its news operation needs a thorough shake-up. Rory Stewart has a good take on how to do that.

www.economist.com/leaders/2025...

The Lucy Show was also shown on UK TV in the 60s.

Starmer is losing senior figures at the rate of one a week Lord Mandelson's departure follows a similar pattern to that of deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.

If only BBC News could catch up. I can think of at least three who've overstepped the mark (and then some) who remain in their jobs.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Erm, maybe those with "legitimate concerns" missed plastering red and white banners where I live?

You people seriously need to get your snouts out of X/Twitter. It's not real life, or anything near. I know those who've fallen down that rathole. Not pretty.

I expect far better than this crap.

Small Is Beautiful - EF Schumacher

Far more relevant now than on the day it was first published. It was relevant then too, but was ignored by those in positions to make a difference.

And, here we are.

Late reply. Yes, as that train had to get to Paddington to form the service westbound to Taunton. It couldn't as the line was blocked eastbound at Pewsey due to the freight train failure.

I don't have any inside knowledge, I was just looking at realtimetrains.co.uk , which I strongly recommend.

... a freight train from Whatley Quarry was the culprit. Nought to do with GWR or Network Rail.

Broken down train at Pewsey blocked the line. Now cleared.

Tutting.

Time for bed?

I'm disappointed there's no sign of a Farage /Reform puff piece on the BBC News website tonight. Starting to miss them already.

Assuming he's still compos mentis, Rupert will be less than delighted with his protoges tonight.

Oh I agree. Another example of this Government's dismal messaging. Farage has never been out-Faraged, but great minds in the No. 10 bunker clearly think otherwise. Just bonkers.

I completely agree that talented people should be welcome to pursue their careers in the UK. The key is that employers addicted to a ready supply of overseas cheap labour will be forced to invest in people if they want to stay in business. Call it the ANZ model if you like. I'm ok with that.

But that's not what the PM is saying. He's saying the Tories' experiment in open borders post-Brexit has caused incalculable damage. That's true at the macro level - we already have "the left behind" and their prospects are not improved by an influx of cheap labour that creates another underclass.

There may be roubles ahead ....

Highway to Hell

"Potentially" carrying some work here. Anyone who knows where we are in over 4 years time, then I want to know them and to invest accordingly.

I'm guessing a lot of Americans abroad are pretending to be Canadians right now.

Given the immense vastness of all the music ever created by humanity, it’s such a weird coincidence that the very best songs all happened to be released when I was aged 14-21.

Headline Headline

Our Laura expends plenty of energy on the Farage phenomenon while strangely not mentioning he's just offering a slightly more palatable version of what Tate and Yaxley-Lennon have for sale.

It's always been about relieving the easily persuaded of their cash.

Follow the money Laura. Basic stuff.

Morning All, a seasonal offering 😁

George Elgar Hicks's "Missed Christmas bin collection"
Oil on canvas,
1863
Tate London

Slowly, majestically, loudly, from the thick fog, the bin lorries emerge after their long sleep. And the people rejoiced and ran downstairs in their pyjamas for it was their time #bins

Merry Christmas to all!!
Hope it's been a mental one x

How industrial relations works.