Kmflett's Blog

Tom Baldwin’s biography* of Keir Starmer reminds that when he was elected as Labour Leader in 2020 he was seen by some on the moderate left as ‘Corbyn in a suit’. That is he had similar policies to Jeremy Corbyn but did not have a beard and had the appearance, with dark suits, of ‘centrist dad’ (Times 16th September 2024).

Of course image matters in politics and there hasnt been a PM with a beard since 1902 (and he was a Tory).

Of course the Corbyn part of the equation was soon ditched and now just the suit remains. It is an expensive decent quality suit though and Starmer is one of those people who looks like he was born wearing a suit as it were..

Ephemeral it certainly is but the choice of the original six Tory leadership candidates (now four) when it comes to chocolate is certainly retro. There is no sign of artisan chocolate, presumably too Woke.

Both Jenrick and Tugendhat plumped for Yorkie, with Mel Stride going for Snickers, James Cleverly opting for Mars and Priti Patel preferring Dairy Milk

Kemi Badenoch swerved the event

The Northern (England) Tory leadership hustings were held in Yarm on 17th August 2024 Info from James Heale, Spectator, Political Correspondent

A new book by Guardian journalist Anushka Asthana about the rise to control of Labour of the Starmerite clique reveals that Ralph Miliband was right about the reality of Labour’s Broad Church.

Asthana notes that the concern of Labour fixer McSweeney was not that Jeremy Corbyn was unelectable but precisely that he was electable. If he headed a Labour Government it would undermine the Starmerite Project which was different to that of Corbyn.

The wider point is that Britain’s electoral system brings together quite widely differing groups who might more sensibly be in different parties and then co-operate electorally or not.

Asthana writes:

McSweeney claimed that one of the key problems the group might encounter was “a Labour government” – making explicit that his concern was not whether Corbyn could win, but that if he were to become prime minister it would prevent the renewal they were focused on.

‘Corbyn had flown too close to the sun’: how Labour insiders battled the left and plotted the party’s path back to power | Labour | The Guardian

Ralph Miliband author of a history of the first six decades of the Labour Party, Parliamentary Socialism (1961) argued about the Broad Church:

Pious references to the Labour Party being a ‘broad church’ which has always incorporated many different strands of thought fail to take account of a crucial fact, namely that the ‘broad church’ of Labour only functioned effectively in the past because one side – the Right and Centre – determined the nature of the services that were to be held, and excluded or threatened with exclusion any clergy too deviant in its dissent.

The issue for McSweeney was that the Corbynites were not sitting in their traditional place in the pews at the back muttering but were actually controlling the order of service.

16th September

The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has called on Labour leader Keir Starmer to forget his obsession with smart suits, donated by benefactors, and grow a beard instead.

Unlike the suits, a beard is cost free and is also environmentally friendly.

BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, Keir Starmer says that his suits are all about the impression he makes when he represents Britain on the world stage. We say to Keir: a beard makes a bigger impression and also adds some much need gravitas too.

This Clacton billboard, showing Nigel Farage’s extra-Parliamentary earnings for his first month as an MP to August 4th, is financed by Led By Donkeys and will be in place for six months. It will be updated when the Register of MPs interests is.

Led By Donkeys, broadly an activist political grouping based out of Hackney it might be reflected are a lot better at political stunts and imagery than the equivalent spinners in Government are. Perhaps that in itself is a commentary on modern politics

A lot has happened in the last 15 years and a good deal of it not for the good.

One positive has been the explosion of craft beer, in terms of styles, availability and quality.

Few if any breweries encapsulate that better than Kernel and its founder Evin O’Riordan who has now been brewing with a beard for 15 years.

Over the last few days Kernel have held events at pubs in London and Manchester and their latest tap room to highlight the range of beers they produce combined with some excellent cheese.

Kernel held a 10th birthday event in 2019 at their then new taproom in Sarf London on Saturday 14th September (it was at the end of Enid St, the far end of the Bermondsey Beer Mile).

Kernel’s beer remains excellent five more years on. Kernel continue to push at the boundaries of what makes good and interesting beer.

The bottles and the label remain as they were although rather easier to get nowadays. As much to the point Kernel just continues doing what it does very well. No crowdfunding, takeovers and mega-expansion plans.

Its perhaps the toughest of all business models but arguably the best.

Here’s to the next few years.

The Ambridge Socialist

15th September

George has been charged with perverting the course of justice. Sgt Knacker Burns popped round during the week to remind him, using his police training, what this could mean. George seems to have survived unscathed.

Reviewing Archers social media some sympathy for Knacker is noted along the lines that he is unwell and the impact of his job has had on his health. This may be so but a quick look at the number of Metrpolitan Police officers currently suspended for at the very least unprofessional activities, notwithstanding those convicted and jailed for serious crimes may suggest that Knacker was just doing his job

Knacker Burns tries to cover up his attack on George by diverting attention to Emma and Will

Police Officers are notoriously ignorant of the law which is why the CPS exists. Acting on information from Chris he got over a beer in the Bull Knacker now appears to decided that Emma and Will have been assisting an offender. The Ambridge Two would be well advised to get a lawyer and draw the attention of the police to Knacker’s assault on George as well.

In Other News

Redecorating,. Alistair has moved the Professor’s statue of Beardyman (otherwise known as Plato). He did not have planning permission.

Brian and Alice have been to Ruairi’s graduation ceremony in London.

Jazzer is preparing a sunflower for the Flower and Produce Show. Strictly speaking its not actually his sunflower but given other events it should be fine.

28th September

The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood stands a good chance of being named Beard of Autumn 2024 after he appeared in the first three 2024 programmes with a distinguished beard.

The campaigners say that Revel Horwood will need to resist BBC pressure to shave his beard. While Strictly often has hirsute contestants and professional dancers it is thought that Revel Horwood is the first ever judge to wear a beard.

The seasonal vote for Beard of Autumn takes place each year in the first half of October. The shortlist will be revealed on 8th October with the winner declared on 15th October after two Close Shave rounds of voting and a Beard Off Final

The winner goes forward to the annual Beard of the Year vote in December.

BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, Craig Revel Horwood is noted for his astute professional views on Strictly dancers and his beard is adding extra gravitas.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray has called Larry the Cat, veteran Downing St Mouser a ‘shit’ and ‘miserable’.

Those familiar with New New Labour politics will see a political method at work here.

Starmer has moved the family cat JoJo and a newly acquired Siberian cat Prince into Downing St. Is the street big enough for the three of them? Judging by Murray’s comments there is a project underway to characterise Larry as past it. He can then make way for the Starmerite JoJo and Prince…

Time to defend Larry from an attempted purge