BenInChamonix

They didn’t think beyond the ‘Epic Fury’ part

Good to be pragmatic - but the enormous elephant in the room is that it was the US started this war illegally.

There should be consequences for ignoring International Law & it seems like too many countries are happy to ignore that uncomfortable truth.

That thing we’ve been wanging on about incessantly for a decade….. well, now you’ve actually done it, we’ve decided it’s a shit idea.

I agree. How long will action take though? As people on here pointed out, after May sounds logical, but that would be to accept throwing 100’s / 1,000s of councillors under the bus.

The bold option would be to do something now, but Labour feel so lost I just can’t see it happening.

His words ring hollow now; he has lost the trust of the electorate & a lot of his own party.

The only thing I can see saving him is decisive action. Sack Mahmood, ditch the anti-immigrant rhetoric, significant Cabinet reshuffle, radical progressive policy shift. Not going to happen though.

What a tangled web they’ve woven:

- Can’t talk about their progressive policy successes due to fear of Reform
- Grandstanding racist immigration policy which their base hates & contradicts their core values

Polling numbers at lowest ever, and he STILL can’t connect the dots

Perhaps he was bullied into sending the letter by the ghost of Morgan McSweeney

I think that’s fair for mis-speaking in an interview, but for a letter….. it’s not “heat of the moment”, it would have gone through several edits & approvals etc.

To me it’s more symptomatic of a man who is out of his depth, has very poor political instincts & doesn’t have any guiding principles.

GOP Senator Sheehy: “why we’re seeing multiple reasons for the war is that the Iranian regime poses multiple threats” 🤪

This is so ridiculous & pathetic I’m struggling to get my head around it.

So he’s distancing himself from the rallying cry that he - Keir Starmer - sent to his entire parliamentary party *3 days ago* ?!

Ah well, he’ll soon be back on the media circuit as an “academic”

Objectively hilarious.

That man has razor sharp political instincts. If only we could say the same of his arch nemesis, Keir Starmer.

If the answer is ‘no’ then it will really expose the right-wing bias of the media in general, and institutions like the BBC.

What’ll be interesting to see is whether the Greens start getting the same sort of media attention as Reform.

They have a similar (small) number of MPs & now similar polling.

The excuse with Farage was always polls & ‘he could be next PM’. Let’s see, but I’m not holding my breath.

Thank fuck. It’s been predictably horrific here the previous 3 weeks

Due to terrain I was spending a lot of time running head down to avoid tripping. I’ve been working on form to have a more upright position; shoulders back, head up as a default. Eyes on the horizon - added bonus that I can enjoy the scenery more.

Most of the joy for me is being in beautiful places.

As always, my point about international law is that either you take it seriously or you do not.

It is hardly international law when you invoke it only against some nations but not others.

The clue is in the word “international”.

Ha - always in a hurry! Sometimes it would be good to slow down & look around more… maybe next year 😆

I agree, sounds fantastic

Even the Mirror using the term ‘expats’ when they mean ‘immigrants’

Sounds awesome. Good long days in the mountains. I’ve never been to the Pyrenees to run, have to sort that out some time, maybe next year

How long is the thru hike you’re planning?

Next week’s long run I’ll probably stay below 1,200m and descend further towards the valley floor at Passy & get my vert that way

John Rentoul has, time & again, proved himself to be a total moron.

I think in the race it’s fine, plenty of aid stations. There’s just one climb that is close to 2,000m after BSM in the heat of the day which apparently a killer.

I’m doing a recce in July over 3 days - I think there are some long stretches where you don’t hit any towns, villages or even huts

I have a very small filter that fits into a Salomon 500ml soft flask. Never had to use it yet (although I’ve needed it when I haven’t had it). Will definitely be taking it on my TDS recce this year as there aren’t many places to get water

Good run here yesterday too. Got lucky as the weather today was cloudy & cooler

Are you completely insane? Do you honestly believe those 20% of left-wing Labour MPs get ‘disproportionate encouragement from the UK press’?!

Good episode. The bit that stood out for me on G&D is the universal fallacy that Labour is losing votes left AND right.

As Alex points out, it’s not true & hasn’t been for months. Lab is haemorrhaging to the left. If they don’t understand this & react accordingly, they’re dead in the water.