YoungWillz

Sir Mansel Aylward, physician and academic, reportedly dead: https://bevancommission.org/with-deep-sadness-professor-sir-mansel-aylwards-passing/ He devised the Work Capability Assessment Scheme and assisted in Cameron's disability benefits crackdown.

Oh there's no doubt it is politically motivated - however, we don't know where the complaint has come from, so we can't judge. As I've said before, most folk don't care who wants a job in Parliament. They want to know what the party you stand for believes. So people will gravitate towards them - the last election proved people will move towards parties with a vision, even when that doesn't necessarily chime with their usual beliefs. That's why this election, more than any other in my lifetime is wide open. Pollsters gonna poll, and it's looking good for Labour, but I don't think it's because they offer anything greatly visionary. I don't think Labour want MPs who deviate from the overall message, that's something the Tories have been historically good at - but they are becoming fractured already by the behind the scenes complaints about fighting an election they weren't prepared for.

My understanding is that a complaint about Russell-Moyle's behaviour from years ago has been made, and Labour's process has kicked in, rather than a purge from the top. I've been following the Twitter nonsense. Interesting to see the various posts suggesting Starmer is as bad as Sunak, therefore voters should minimise his majority by voting for someone else. I've said before that folk have to be persuaded by Labour to avoid them scattering to other parties, but there seem to be active campaigning for this. These seem to be the only way Tories can hang on to seats they may well lose. I'm no fan of politicians as may be clear. This country however has suffered under the two main parties when they have mahoosive majorities. I have a feeling right or wrong that this may well be decided by the stay at homes rather than the actual voters.

Jorgie Porter pregnant: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13473767/Hollyoaks-star-Jorgie-Porter-reveals-pregnant-second-child.html

I mean I agree. If the media took the view this is a side issue in a proper election, we'd get 5 minutes of it and move on to the messaging of the parties. I could care less whether any MP wants to hold on to their job, regardless of their health issues or anything else. We had enough of that with Brokenshire and Gillan and other MPs who stood for election only to pop their clogs and cause by-elections. Maybe Abbott isn't at that stage yet, but she was certainly wobbly from what I saw.

You know, this is just a personal view, but it sounds like she's taking the voters for granted, rather than seeking their votes. She also seems to take the view that she's entitled to be MP - nearly 40 years is a damn good run, and she could go to the Lords and still be relevant. Here it's like that ad for Yorkshire Tea, but where Patrick Stewart walks up to her and says he wishes her well in retirement, only for her to throw the boiling liquid in Stewart's face, jump on a desk and scream "I'm going nowhere bitch, this is my job for life and you will pay me no matter how badly I do my job". Also, this is a talking point boring the voters. The press have obviously taken the view that by covering this, they don't have to look at Sunak's dismal performances or Starmer's Q & A college professor act. But that is precisely what they should be prioritising, instead of saying we'll cover this and that is blocking out Labour's message.

Linda Gehringer, US actress with parts in American Pie and As Good As It Gets on film, reportedly dead: https://x.com/DallasTheater/status/1795870348291748048 TV Roles include LA Law, Dallas, Ally McBeal (as Janet Reno), The West Wing and Fear The Walking Dead. Probably of more interest to @msc and @Death Impends, a fair old major part in Strange Bedfellows for Columbo. The one where George Wendt does some murdering.

I wonder if he swings both ways. Asking for my roommate. (Hint - I live alone).

Jonathan Gullis and Oliver Dowden realise they were supposed to be on Sunak's sleeper.

Australian DJ Bob Rogers, who trailed the Fabs through their 1964 tour through Europe, Asia and Australia, reportedly dead aged 97: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13471041/Bob-Rogers-Sydney-radio-legend-dies-age-97-tributes-flock-devastated-fans.html Ninja-ed!!!

You are Rachel Reeves, and I claim my five pounds.

Seems to me that the Tories have managed to piss off: Teenagers - National Service Students - cancelling their courses Workers - freezing the tax allowance limit Pensioners - worried more about services than their possible 2 quid a week rise, having been taxed right up to now to the hilt. Would be pensioners - See the WASPI women. Also, when will he rule out raising the pensionable age? Only people comfortably off seem to be able to afford him.

Oh yeah, if anyone is good at treating pensioners with respect and dignity....

Marilyn Galsworthy, Stromberg's assistant in The Spy Who Loved Me, reportedly recovering from a coma: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13469549/Could-cannabis-farm-costly-whiff-trouble-Sussexes-19-5million-Montecito-mansion.html

Bam Margera reportedly married for third time: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13469223/Bam-Margera-MARRIED-Jackass-star-Dannii-Marie.html

Elmer Boyd, last living homicide detective from the Dallas police force who took Oswald in and interrogated him, reportedly dead aged 96: https://ktxs.com/news/local/last-surviving-dallas-detective-from-kennedy-assassination-case-passes-away That would be the widely discredited and corrupt Dallas force that planted evidence, claimed Oswald killed Tippit with a gun Oswald didn't have and failed to record any of the interrogations they carried out. There's more on him, but I cannot be arsed rehearsing at this late hour. I might follow up tomorrow. Edit: Pic of him escorting Oswald.

Coffee. One of the few things Rudy doesn't drink. If he was true to himself, he'd being selling hairspray flavoured wine boxes.

IIRC this was a policy announced by Sunak a year ago. A YEAR AGO. And not implemented. While apprenticeships decline in number, this isn't going get more apprentices in anywhere. I've already had my say on this - it was the Tories who widely expanded the number of universities and courses 30 years ago, now they are agin them.

Herb Elfring being reported dead: https://x.com/goc970/status/1795557965526634574 and https://x.com/TedNugent/status/1795211745092624773

Not sure. Sunak is the man who said "Let them die" during the pandemic. Sunak is the man who put up taxes on pensioners to the tune of over 1000 quid a year on average. Sunak thinks he can buy their votes by returning under 2 quid a week to them - and they'll have to wait until 2025 to get it. Sunak's record waiting lists means there are a lot of older people waiting on surgery. Sunak can't get ambulances to people who need them in target times - especially in an emergency. Sunak has presided over price hikes on food and energy - leaving pensioners decide whether their cat food looks tasty. Sunak's wild west approach to public services and local authority funding means their council tax has gone through the roof. The lack of adequate policing and investigation of crime means they are less safe in their homes. Sunak's continued failures on social care mean they are likely to continue to get 5 minute visits from their local care provider - if they are lucky. But hey, they require what is it? Dignity...respect? They will always protect pensioners? REALLY?

Albert Ruddy QO: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13468727/Godfather-producer-Al-Ruddy-dead-94-Hollywood-icon-created-Hogans-Heroes-worked-Million-Dollar-Baby-featured-Offer-Clint-Eastwood-Al-Pacino-Hilary-Swank-pay-tribute.html

David Berkowitz, Son of Sam and identical twin sister of Anne Frank, denied parole: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/david-berkowitz-parole-son-of-sam-b2552661.html

Police declare no action on complaint about Rayner. The cops were heard to say the investigation was taxing, but there was no interest.

Jeanne Bisgood Telegraph Obit: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2024/05/28/jeanne-bisgood-golfer-dominant-amateur-1950s-obituary/

With Sunak announcing the election in the pouring rain and Davey falling into a lake, will Starmer sink to the challenge? Labour party wet t-shirt competition, perhaps?