I work in the Civil Service and have to do a yearly computer learning on Corruption and Bribery. I don't think it's fair that the Prime Minister is held to lower standards in terms of receiving gifts than I am. I fi can't accept a twenty quid voucher from someone because I have already helped them, how can Starmer accept "no strings attached" 100k in clothes and gifts? I don't care who you are, that corrupts your views of someone, being given that amount of money.
Thank you so much for covering migration. I know that the donations debacle is important for a variety of reasons, but it is terrifying that this gov has been consulting a *fascist* gov on immigration.
Years ago the reason civil service wages were lower than the private sector was that a civil service job was guaranteed for as long as you wished. Not anymore, everything on contract. Also most civil servants had a view that they were contributing to society and that ended with that damm Thatcher woman. "There is no society "
What a wonderful person Zoe is thank you for having her on the show she made me pleased or happy that the Zoes exist still please continue with Zoes work thank you again Zoe
Starmer's whole "following the rules" defense is so deeply weird. The rules are that you have to declare it. Why? So that the public (and the press) can see what you're getting and judge for themselves if it's appropriate. Which is exactly what people are doing now. Yes, he followed the rules. And the criticism he is getting? That's us following the rules. It speaks volumes of our current PM that his attitude is "if a rule doesn't say I can't do it, there's nothing wrong with it" - an attitude most of us grew out of at around the age of seven.
Didn’t I hear about how they were adding a dog’s DNA to their license in Italy so they could identify dog poo on the street? Put that in the pet license and I’d be all for it
Didn't the new government decide to further frak the climate by auctioning new north sea drilling permits? Shouldn't those permits have had a minimum bid that would cover the cost of subsidizing heating fuel for everyone in the United Kingdom for the life of the permit with a surplus to cover any environmental clean up caused by the drilling?
i am 51 and remember going to the post office to buy our Dog Licence. You could call the Dog Catcher if there was an unlicensed dog and they would come and take it away!
As an American, this doesn't surprise me in the least. We have a Supreme Court justice named Clarence Thomas, who also has accepted money, privately funded trips, etc, from a billionaire. Deja vu all over again.
Denmark doesn't have a minimum wage and still McDonalds couldn't exploit the workers with low wages. Minimum wage is a way to exploit people (And enforce non union solutions), not a solution to better wages. Only strong unions create strong wages.
Top tier episode! Zoe Gardner was an absolutely fantastic guest and made so many great points! Wish we had something like this podcast in Sweden about our politics but sadly I don't think it would live up to the charm of Nish and Coco! ☺️
Listening to you lovely folks talking about offshore processing in the exactly the same way we have been talking about it here in Australia for 20 years is making me cry. It is so deeply horrific.
On the surface if you compare Labour with the Conservatives it's not the worst thing in the world but when Keir Starmer says the UK hasn't got any money THEN targets pensioners to cut their winter full duty while receiving £100,000 + in gifts "according to the rules".....its DISGUSTING and MORALLY DESPICABLE!!!
Back before we switched to proportional voting, NZ had a left-wing coalition party called Alliance that was made up of New Labour, The Greens, and a few other minor parties who teamed up for mutual support. From what I recall, they went their separate ways under the new voting system, but it certainly helped their constituent parts remain relevant.
I thought Coco was meaning a license like a drivers license (tested knowledge) rather than a TV license that's more like registration (fee). I'd take it a step further and have a test and license for all pet's and kids
I feel like the "splitting the left" argument just holds no weight whatsoever at this point. There is no substantial "left" in British politics. If they wanna create one then great. I'm not convinced it'll get any traction but it's got to be worth a shot. I like the Greens, but they have a reputation for being this middle class party for middle class vegetarians. Imo it's an unfair reputation but it's one that they carry nonetheless. In places like Liverpool - traditionally Labour, very working class - the Labour vote share fell quite substantially, not enough for them to lose, but it fell as it did during Blair - Brown. The even bigger swing was not vote share but turnout, some of those constituencies had like 44% turnout. Some MPs lost more than half the votes they got in 2019. If everyone who had not voted Labour that previously voted Labour voted for the same person, they would have finally lost at least one or two constituencies in Liverpool. The greens just don't carry enough momentum in these working class areas. A party with less baggage could certainly improve things in those kinds of places. Then again, you get to the issue that we treat new parties like an irrelevance. That might be changing as we saw quite a few independents elected, though.
@Kaltagstar96 I mean not really? They're alright, a sight better than Labour/Tories for sure, I thought about voting for them actually, but when it comes to some of the most pressing things on the left, in particular nationalisation, the Liberal Democrats are against it. I don't honestly trust them, after everything that happened in coalition. While I'd be ready at this point, to forgive it, things such as their opposition to the tax on private schools make me think they just oppose Labour for the sake of it quite a lot, which is basically the same vibes as the tuition fees debacle. I like them well enough though, don't get me wrong. I'd rather have them in government than any of the buffoons but we've sold ourselves a lie that only two parties can ever win.
@Kaltagstar96 I mean not really? They're alright, I nearly voted for them, and much better than Tories/Labour for sure. But they are opposed to some really critical things like nationalisation, which is particularly pressing at the moment. They also oppose things like Labour's tax on private schools, which gives me the vibes they are only really opposed to whatever Labour does bc it suits them - very reminiscent of the tuition fees debacle. Don't get me wrong I like them well enough and I'd rather have them than the people we currently rotate but sadly we have sold ourselves a lie that only two parties can possibly win. (Apologies if I've replied twice I can't really tell)
I mean...its no different than the other party is it? As all politicians do this so I am not sure why the media in the UK seems to hold Labour to a higher standard just because they say they are on the left...they are still politicians and this is how all politics in the UK has worked for years. Where was Labour saying they would offer any change? Where did they say they would look to tighten up rules? Where did they say that Government expenses would be changed? I am sorry but I feel like I am the only person in the country not surprised by this!
While Starmer's stuff wasn't nearly as bad as 99% of things the Tories did in power, it's not a good look for him when his entire thing was that he had more integrity than the Conservatives. This is why I'm glad I didn't vote for him and decided to vote Lib Dem instead.
@@Kaltagstar96 Right, but that wouldn't change the fact the Ed Davie too would have received the gifts. I am not sure that Starmer and his wife receiving gifts actually diminishes his integrity, unless evidence is uncovered that the gifts have influenced any of his decisions!
@@sharkbelly1169 Go away. All politicians receive gifts. Boris received millions in gifts! Right wing media making a fuss about this, is complete hypocrisy and nobody should be falling for it!
The gift topic is a real (sue) grey area imo. Things like the football tickets can be spun/excused as a security measure, but they also have to be more aware of how accepting expensive clothes will be latched onto by the opposition. Starmer is obviously not above the temptation of free stuff (aren’t we all) but they must know ‘because I like free shit’ isn’t going to wash with the press
As a nurse.....i have to reject any gift over about tenner. Because any more could influence me to give prefrence to that patient. Like, im sorry, why as a nurse am i held to higher standards than the fucking Prime Minister?? Tories 2.0 Im sorry Milliband tho is quite positive, and that tiktok is quite cute
is your statement that Starmer took more freebies than any other leader correct. the gifts in question are from period in opposition, which have to be declared. whereas many freebies in govt dont have to be declared as considered part of the job. So I think you will find a long list of Tories from last govt that had a lot of freebies they did not have to declare e.g. i believe when Rishi got into the posh boxes at Southampton football match. Amazingly the majority of press raising this as a Starmer issue, did not raise issues with similar items from Tories. Go figure........ the string of different attack lines in recent weeks are imo a concerted effort to derail Labour from the upcoming budget which will tax some of the rich
Really great episode. Zoe Gardner is really a fantastic guest and advocate for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. 41:15 Speaking on Empty homes, anyone recall a programme on terrestrial TV called Britain’s empty homes over 10 years ago? There are currently nearly one million long term empty homes in Britain, whilst we need 4 million new homes for people and these properties are languishing and falling into disrepair. I don’t really understand the exception for short term lets like Air B&B. I think the rules on owning properties on top of one home need to be much tighter. Even commercial buildings could, in some cases, be repurposed into residential housing. There’s a housing crisis and there’s empty homes. It’s so jarring.
This is such a non-story. I literally couldn’t care less how many freebies the PM takes, I care about the policies they’re pushing and the reforms they’re making. This is just distraction 🙄
Prior to the election Starmer was proposing improving workers rights, especially for food delivery drivers. JustEat give Starmer tickets to the UK Kebab championships Starmer is reported to be thinking about scrapping those proposals.
@@stephenwood2172 Know what? Maybe? Maybe I'm sick to the back teeth of politics in this country? Perhaps I'm really fucking sick of our votes here in Scotland making zero difference to what happens in Westminster. Maybe...just maybe...I have hit my limit for how many fucks I can give about certain news stories.
![Gucci Mane & Sexyy Red - You Don't Love Me [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/j7IBqyFKT4c/mqdefault.jpg)
I work in the Civil Service and have to do a yearly computer learning on Corruption and Bribery. I don't think it's fair that the Prime Minister is held to lower standards in terms of receiving gifts than I am. I fi can't accept a twenty quid voucher from someone because I have already helped them, how can Starmer accept "no strings attached" 100k in clothes and gifts? I don't care who you are, that corrupts your views of someone, being given that amount of money.
Was so good to chat with you both :) love the podcast
Also have to say I fully support a license for owning dogs. Dog owners are a MENACE.
Thanks for coming on the show Zoe!
@@zoegardner9540Well, the ones who are irresponsible. They need a license. Crap, they shouldn't be able to have pets, let along a dog.
Garmageddon, surely?
Thank you so much for covering migration. I know that the donations debacle is important for a variety of reasons, but it is terrifying that this gov has been consulting a *fascist* gov on immigration.
Years ago the reason civil service wages were lower than the private sector was that a civil service job was guaranteed for as long as you wished. Not anymore, everything on contract. Also most civil servants had a view that they were contributing to society and that ended with that damm Thatcher woman. "There is no society "
What a wonderful person Zoe is thank you for having her on the show she made me pleased or happy that the Zoes exist still please continue with Zoes work thank you again Zoe
Starmer's whole "following the rules" defense is so deeply weird. The rules are that you have to declare it. Why? So that the public (and the press) can see what you're getting and judge for themselves if it's appropriate. Which is exactly what people are doing now. Yes, he followed the rules. And the criticism he is getting? That's us following the rules.
It speaks volumes of our current PM that his attitude is "if a rule doesn't say I can't do it, there's nothing wrong with it" - an attitude most of us grew out of at around the age of seven.
Didn’t I hear about how they were adding a dog’s DNA to their license in Italy so they could identify dog poo on the street? Put that in the pet license and I’d be all for it
Didn't the new government decide to further frak the climate by auctioning new north sea drilling permits? Shouldn't those permits have had a minimum bid that would cover the cost of subsidizing heating fuel for everyone in the United Kingdom for the life of the permit with a surplus to cover any environmental clean up caused by the drilling?
i am 51 and remember going to the post office to buy our Dog Licence. You could call the Dog Catcher if there was an unlicensed dog and they would come and take it away!
As an American, this doesn't surprise me in the least. We have a Supreme Court justice named Clarence Thomas, who also has accepted money, privately funded trips, etc, from a billionaire. Deja vu all over again.
What I hate is the entitlement, like mate u going to see the footie is a luxury u chose to be the pm, tough. Even then he can go in disguise
Corbyn continued to watch in the stands with the plebs when he was LOTO...
Denmark doesn't have a minimum wage and still McDonalds couldn't exploit the workers with low wages.
Minimum wage is a way to exploit people (And enforce non union solutions), not a solution to better wages. Only strong unions create strong wages.
Top tier episode! Zoe Gardner was an absolutely fantastic guest and made so many great points! Wish we had something like this podcast in Sweden about our politics but sadly I don't think it would live up to the charm of Nish and Coco! ☺️
Listening to you lovely folks talking about offshore processing in the exactly the same way we have been talking about it here in Australia for 20 years is making me cry. It is so deeply horrific.
On the surface if you compare Labour with the Conservatives it's not the worst thing in the world but when Keir Starmer says the UK hasn't got any money THEN targets pensioners to cut their winter full duty while receiving £100,000 + in gifts "according to the rules".....its DISGUSTING and MORALLY DESPICABLE!!!
Zoe was fantastic - thanks for this.
Back before we switched to proportional voting, NZ had a left-wing coalition party called Alliance that was made up of New Labour, The Greens, and a few other minor parties who teamed up for mutual support. From what I recall, they went their separate ways under the new voting system, but it certainly helped their constituent parts remain relevant.
I thought Coco was meaning a license like a drivers license (tested knowledge) rather than a TV license that's more like registration (fee).
I'd take it a step further and have a test and license for all pet's and kids
As always Nish's use of the phrase "suboptimal" doing so much work here.
I feel like the "splitting the left" argument just holds no weight whatsoever at this point. There is no substantial "left" in British politics. If they wanna create one then great. I'm not convinced it'll get any traction but it's got to be worth a shot.
I like the Greens, but they have a reputation for being this middle class party for middle class vegetarians. Imo it's an unfair reputation but it's one that they carry nonetheless. In places like Liverpool - traditionally Labour, very working class - the Labour vote share fell quite substantially, not enough for them to lose, but it fell as it did during Blair - Brown. The even bigger swing was not vote share but turnout, some of those constituencies had like 44% turnout. Some MPs lost more than half the votes they got in 2019. If everyone who had not voted Labour that previously voted Labour voted for the same person, they would have finally lost at least one or two constituencies in Liverpool. The greens just don't carry enough momentum in these working class areas. A party with less baggage could certainly improve things in those kinds of places.
Then again, you get to the issue that we treat new parties like an irrelevance. That might be changing as we saw quite a few independents elected, though.
What about the Lib Dems?
@@Kaltagstar96 what about them?
@@Sophiex2024 Don't they count as the "substantial left"?
@Kaltagstar96 I mean not really? They're alright, a sight better than Labour/Tories for sure, I thought about voting for them actually, but when it comes to some of the most pressing things on the left, in particular nationalisation, the Liberal Democrats are against it.
I don't honestly trust them, after everything that happened in coalition. While I'd be ready at this point, to forgive it, things such as their opposition to the tax on private schools make me think they just oppose Labour for the sake of it quite a lot, which is basically the same vibes as the tuition fees debacle.
I like them well enough though, don't get me wrong. I'd rather have them in government than any of the buffoons but we've sold ourselves a lie that only two parties can ever win.
@Kaltagstar96 I mean not really? They're alright, I nearly voted for them, and much better than Tories/Labour for sure. But they are opposed to some really critical things like nationalisation, which is particularly pressing at the moment. They also oppose things like Labour's tax on private schools, which gives me the vibes they are only really opposed to whatever Labour does bc it suits them - very reminiscent of the tuition fees debacle.
Don't get me wrong I like them well enough and I'd rather have them than the people we currently rotate but sadly we have sold ourselves a lie that only two parties can possibly win.
(Apologies if I've replied twice I can't really tell)
I mean...its no different than the other party is it? As all politicians do this so I am not sure why the media in the UK seems to hold Labour to a higher standard just because they say they are on the left...they are still politicians and this is how all politics in the UK has worked for years. Where was Labour saying they would offer any change? Where did they say they would look to tighten up rules? Where did they say that Government expenses would be changed? I am sorry but I feel like I am the only person in the country not surprised by this!
Starmer's election slogan was 'change'
@@carrotman so was Obama's... Left politicians' skill is tricking left voters into thinking they're with us.
Talk about a miss-step, this is the mother of all miss-steps. Starmer should be squeaky clean on this. Massive own-goal. I hope Arsenal get relegated.
Cushy gifts to political figures; sounds like the US supreme court. Keirance Starmas.
While Starmer's stuff wasn't nearly as bad as 99% of things the Tories did in power, it's not a good look for him when his entire thing was that he had more integrity than the Conservatives. This is why I'm glad I didn't vote for him and decided to vote Lib Dem instead.
What would you do if Ed Davey was PM and was given gifts?
@@nigeltrigger4499 I would have said that it isn't a good look and that PM's should be accepting gifts.
@@Kaltagstar96 Right, but that wouldn't change the fact the Ed Davie too would have received the gifts. I am not sure that Starmer and his wife receiving gifts actually diminishes his integrity, unless evidence is uncovered that the gifts have influenced any of his decisions!
@@nigeltrigger4499 Replace "Starmer" with "Alito" or "Thomas" and I don't feel like you'd be saying that with your whole chest like that.
@@sharkbelly1169 Go away. All politicians receive gifts. Boris received millions in gifts! Right wing media making a fuss about this, is complete hypocrisy and nobody should be falling for it!
Alien is sci-fi, not horror!
horror adjecent dates are an exucse to cuddle when one person gets scared
Someone just made that same specsavers joke on QT
For international listeners ... Please explain "High Street".
basically the street whre the shops are
The gift topic is a real (sue) grey area imo. Things like the football tickets can be spun/excused as a security measure, but they also have to be more aware of how accepting expensive clothes will be latched onto by the opposition.
Starmer is obviously not above the temptation of free stuff (aren’t we all) but they must know ‘because I like free shit’ isn’t going to wash with the press
As a nurse.....i have to reject any gift over about tenner. Because any more could influence me to give prefrence to that patient. Like, im sorry, why as a nurse am i held to higher standards than the fucking Prime Minister?? Tories 2.0 Im sorry
Milliband tho is quite positive, and that tiktok is quite cute
Definitely not the same as wallpaper. Nothing to see here... 🤔
is your statement that Starmer took more freebies than any other leader correct. the gifts in question are from period in opposition, which have to be declared. whereas many freebies in govt dont have to be declared as considered part of the job. So I think you will find a long list of Tories from last govt that had a lot of freebies they did not have to declare e.g. i believe when Rishi got into the posh boxes at Southampton football match. Amazingly the majority of press raising this as a Starmer issue, did not raise issues with similar items from Tories. Go figure........
the string of different attack lines in recent weeks are imo a concerted effort to derail Labour from the upcoming budget which will tax some of the rich
The optics aren’t looking good
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Really great episode. Zoe Gardner is really a fantastic guest and advocate for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
41:15 Speaking on Empty homes, anyone recall a programme on terrestrial TV called Britain’s empty homes over 10 years ago?
There are currently nearly one million long term empty homes in Britain, whilst we need 4 million new homes for people and these properties are languishing and falling into disrepair.
I don’t really understand the exception for short term lets like Air B&B.
I think the rules on owning properties on top of one home need to be much tighter. Even commercial buildings could, in some cases, be repurposed into residential housing.
There’s a housing crisis and there’s empty homes. It’s so jarring.
Could've had Corbin. Tragedy he lost.
Starmers garments drama?🤷
This is such a non-story. I literally couldn’t care less how many freebies the PM takes, I care about the policies they’re pushing and the reforms they’re making. This is just distraction 🙄
@@lindsayshields-tumilty4824 You should. They are extremely influenced by their donors, not by the public.
Prior to the election Starmer was proposing improving workers rights, especially for food delivery drivers.
JustEat give Starmer tickets to the UK Kebab championships
Starmer is reported to be thinking about scrapping those proposals.
"I literally couldn't care less about corruption"
@@stephenwood2172 Know what? Maybe? Maybe I'm sick to the back teeth of politics in this country? Perhaps I'm really fucking sick of our votes here in Scotland making zero difference to what happens in Westminster. Maybe...just maybe...I have hit my limit for how many fucks I can give about certain news stories.
3:10 how are we defining "recent party leader"? It isn't a big claim on the surface given how much longer he has lasted on the role than the rest.
8:58 hes just having a wicked good time, isn't he 😅
_Garms for Starms_ - I think it’s evocative of _Cash for Questions_ or _Cash for Honours_ scandals
Goonergarmadrama