Sheila Edwards

She would have been completely useless at discerning nuance or having the sensitivity to discover underlying sentiment. I’m not sure she would have even recognised satire. I find myself trying to think of a literary character in her mould - Goneril, intent on acquiring power perhaps?

What a choice!!

Imagine her cementing friendships with all those European leaders…

I don’t know how she feels inside or even if she “feels” anything, but what I hear is someone with the skin of an armadillo.

Badenoch “I’m in charge now” showing just how to lead the Tories to oblivion.

She has no answers, she’s just honing her skill of trying to make anyone who questions her look stupid and irrelevant - and I’ve never seen anyone else attempt it with Kuenssberg… Unfortunately for Badenoch, she was given enough rope to hang herself and she did so admirably.

What a diatribe from Badenoch! I’m not sure what she promised because she focussed on shouting down Kuenssberg and seemed to answer no questions other than by saying “I have a plan”. She managed to be downright aggressive and arrogant throughout.

Badenoch being interviewed by Kuenssberg was at her aggressive, bombastic worst. Even if she says “I have a plan”, it remains well hidden! Pleased to see she is currently providing more support for Labour than for the Party she leads.

Worse than ever - she sounded completely unhinged.

How many people’s security have they threatened with their xenophobic agenda?

I think he did refer to the importance of continuing the rules in alternative forms of education. Apprenticeships nearly always include both training in a work environment and further education.

However, it is certainly time he was given credit for something - I shall be hoping he’s now found his passion, defined his priorities and will act upon them.

At the moment Reform can do nothing other than attempt to intimidate the public; intimidation is their modus operandi. They seem to be succeeding in some quarters even if those “definitive” plans, whatever they are, just enable them to talk the talk.

I’ll wait and see.

I read what Mahmood said, not just what the Telegraph reported. The principle of “mandatory” volunteering is far from acceptable and I know the arguments against it. It is not without merits and if it can be made palatable, I would be in favour. It might be opportunity rather than punishment. End

I volunteered and managed volunteers for 15 years. Some, unable to find paid work, volunteered for permitted hours as a last resort. Few regretted it. This may not be mandatory for all, may offer options where people can use or acquire skills and may provide an alternative to exclusion.

I agree with you but there can be mutual benefit once initial reluctance is overcome. Lack of confidence, feeling of being unwelcome, language problems etc. could all contribute to that reluctance. The organisers too would have an important role to play i easing that settling in.

My brother helps run a Men’s Shed and there were a few asylum seekers living in a local hotel who joined. They had skills they shared with members from the local community and in return were helped to improve their English skills. It worked in more ways than imaginable.

Allegedly is certainly the right word! Scandal ridden Labour party - what about the scandal ridden government of Johnson, Truss and Sunak - and they had the MSM on their side. Ukraine, Gaza and Trump’s tariffs are just some international issues affecting the UK whether you choose to admit it or not

Fast track? They have speeded up processing and are repatriating some immigrants. What more do you suggest, while still remembering we are dealing with often desperate human beings?

And yet many of those from outside Europe were from countries who were part of the British Empire or more recently, the Commonwealth. We should feel indebted towards them.

Not many other papers quote fantasy numbers. The Express must have been very busy interviewing or perhaps it’s an assumption. Context is important - they may feel worse off but that is not entirely the fault of Starmer and the Labour party. 14 years of the Tories and global issues play their part.

Not yet - but maybe one day.

Thangham Debonnaire is more than capable of thinking for herself - or perhaps you think that different political parties should not have the same ideas?

The first article was dated early July, 2025.

Agreed, but you also need to look at the international financial crisis at that time and the post Iraq reactions.

This “nan” is not so easily fooled. A hint of misogynistic ageism…

Mason and Zeffman are busily twisting the knife too. I did vote Labour and am aware of their shortcomings. But … I have to search for reports on anything they’ve achieved while being overwhelmed by column inches on their failings - real, imagined or anticipated..

She did indeed!

Blair - 3 terms and Wilson won 4 elections but with a period in opposition in the middle.