Wigapedia

In most advanced democracies, there is an unwritten compact between the victor & the electorate that they are merely the caretaker of the democratic system they lead, & their obligation is to pass it on.

Trump, like all autocrats, views democracy as a vehicle to extert power and accumulate wealth.

James Talarico said that Trump's understanding was an inch deep on every subject.

But what he *does* understand is that the guardrails on Presidential power are mainly voluntary; and the limitations on Presidential corruption heavily depend on there being an independent DOJ, FBI and judiciary.

I saw an episode of 'Last WeekTonight' in which Jon Oliver highlighted just how many US local elections were running unopposed candidates.
Many of them quite extreme, politically.
That's a façade of democracy.
It's unheard of in the UK at lesst, that anyone would run unopposed in a public election.

Tommy Robinson has endorsed Reform’s candidate Matthew Goodwin, telling his X followers to “Vote for Matt” at the upcoming by-election.

Tommeh has not explicitly said which of Matt's views attracted him to the fomer academic, but one imagines it was Matt's firm stance on govt fiscal responsibility.

Not now, excruciating tropical disease ...

Its the lead on the BBC news. A party that could comfortably fit all their Mp's in one lift, announcing their Chancellor in readiness for government.

Only 318 MP's short.

All promotions are, to a greater or lesser extent, the product of someone else passing on.
The fact that you will remember David and keep his memory alive is a good thing. An external appointee would have had no such connection.
David would undoubtedly be happy for your success.

'Shrove Tuesday' when I was young.
We'd go looking for them in the fields near our house.
You hardly ever see a shrove in the wild anymore.

Peter Mandelson was a compromised individual who allowed his desire to associate with wealthy would-be patrons, to overshadow whatever his political qualities may have been.
And the Mail has used this as a stick to beat Starmer.
But had he been a Tory, the Mail would be employing him as a columnist.

Putin imprisoned and killed his previous electoral challenger and recently imprisoned his current electoral rival.
On one view., this would appear to be a much greater threat to 'free speech' than outlawing hate speech from Neo-Nazis.
What did Trump say about Putin's attack on democracy?

The fact that an Act of Parliament is required to remove someone from the Lords, *who has already resigned*, certainly speaks to a constitution fit for purpose and ready to meet the much anticipated technological revolution ahead.

The govt. and local councils are (apparently) concerned about High Streets dying.
Well, give people a reason to go there.
Interesting shops, pleasant cafes, good eateries, public parks.
The stuff you can't get on Amazon.
How many people wants more shops to buy vapes, American Candy & fried chicken?

Just because they pepper-sprayed, disarmed and then two of them shot the guy ten times while he was lying prone on the ground?
And all of this was filmed from multiple angles?
Are you suggesting this might be unlawful?
The American govt has declared this to be justified.
With almost zero pushback.

Tutors are rarely intended to add to the education of any child. They are generally wheeled in to coach on exam technique.

I think its purpose, in its current carefully-assembled guise, is to make voting all but irrelevant going forward.
Democratic policies are ruled unconstitutional or 'overreach'.
Whereas GOP actions are unfettered due to 'national security' - the new magic phrase which pemits almost everything.

The US Administration isn't even hiding its sympathies now. Right down to the insignia on the shirt collars.
Bet he has nice shiny boots.

I'm pretty sure Lauren Laverne would have got more animated answers, if she'd interviewed Alexa.

'Everyone' contains certain terms & conditions*.

(*only applies to white people)

He acts in the interests of his donors.
Reform UK policies (and his speeches) merely reflect the views the donors have paid for.
Particularly on tax and impediments to profit (such as environmental protections).

BUPA is inexpensive in the UK thanks to the NHS.
The NHS funds the GP's who are the gatekeepers to private care.
The NHS buying power keeps the cost of drugs and surgical treatment low.
It's difficult to understand the sheer madness of the US system until you've experienced it (& seen the bill!)

It's magnificent.
Heartily recommend👍🏼

I'm nostalgic for the good old days when the media narrative was that Hilary Clinton's email protocol made her dangerously unfit for office.

But it stops people writing, talking and thinking about the Epstein files (still under wraps)

Reform would like to remodel the UK in a way which favours the millionaires and billionaires who fund it:
* abolish employee protections
* private healthcare for profit
* tax cuts for the wealthiest
* slash CGT
* abolish welfare.

They look with envious eyes on the success of the GOP in America.

They handed him a gilded life on a silver plate.

Bob the Grifter was once highly critical of politicians who got elected for a party, and then decided to abandon their constituents by leaving.
Especially those idiots at Reform.
But that was then.

Temu Enoch Powell.

I had suggested that Reform UK was the charity shop of politics, where the Conservatives off-loaded unwanted politicians, who have seen better days.

But turns out it's the DFS of politics.

"Sale must end soon!!"
(but it never does)

I don't remember seeing *these* in 'Total Recall'.

Another fail by Hollywood.

By leaving the existing dictatorship in place in Venuzuela, and refusing to contemplate supporting the person *actually elected* president, Trump has demonstrated (once again) that not only is he no friend of democracy, he actively *hates* democracy.
He admires - if not adores - autocracy.