Stephen Smith

I enjoy it as a programme, but agree it’s not designed for that question. We need, the BBC needs, an On The Record style show.

Vote early, vote often.

Through the underhand, elitist trick of ‘being a proper pollster’?

This government failing to do due diligence on a decision - the law, someone’s character, whether there’s a chance of getting it through Parliament? Hard to believe

That it’s the mothers fault they’re absent?

No excuse for tactical deafness

One of those irregular verbs. You’re factional and I am principled

I’m so sure an NHS manager’s career would thrive under a Reform government

The voters they actually got

Something could happen say unnamed people.

Has he become a temporary-immigrant somewhere?

He was their sketch writer. He was quite funny. And now…

Hopefully you’re right, but then the government is climbing down from ‘PA deserved to be proscribed’. Maybe they’re comfortable with that in their latest incarnation

I wonder if it provides an off-ramp for the absurd position they’ve got themselves into: urgent review by KC of proscription rules, create a category for the likes of PA, quietly not get round to doing anything

The emulsified offal tube factory?

Robin Butler was, I had thought, only the equivalent of a DG - albeit in the Treasury and having been PPS to the PM - when he was appointed CS

My assumption for LD leaflet rate was meteorically high in 1/6 of the seats, barely anything in 4/6.

‘Couldn’t just change the SC decision’, wherever you stand on the issue is such an odd position for a party possessed of a hefty majority and able to pass primary legislation

I agree, on both counts. Sad paucity of people who would be the Blair, though (either competence or vision - both would be a bonus!)

If Keir can make a poor, tone deaf, problem-waiting-to-happen appointment, he will. Though rationally, she should be judged on what she’s done the last couple of jobs, not a decade ago

Did he have any say in the matter?

‘Need’ as in ‘should be’, or ‘are’? If the latter, when and by whom?

Yep - though I suppose to be fair, the structural changes might produce headlines on the day and service improvements well into the following parliament, far more so than in keeping the status quo structure

But on the ‘take action’ point, be seen by who? As an interested observer, I’ll notice abolishing NHSE, but as a resident and occasional patient, I’ll notice the waiting times

Can’t play the victim that way?

‘Worst columnist’ in a world which includes Simon Jenkins is quite the claim

Cooler working in ‘secret volcano base development’ though. Easier to kid yourself that it might be for Thunderbirds

If only Keir Starmer KC knew someone skilled at asking questions of people who didn’t want to give full answers

I idly wonder whether the lads culture No10 and football fan PM who’s rarely appointed lots of people (assume at CPS was left to the COO) thinks you appoint, sack and manage people, as clubs do managers and players

I have been 35 since I was about 15, and intend to still be 35 when I’m 70. Whether actual mid-thirties will see me as their peer when I get there, I rather doubt