I’m in favour of politicians who listen to feedback and/or change their view when the facts change. But the number and frequency of U-turns starts to beg other questions: is the strategy clear? And if it wasn’t clear before, why not?

“As tastes changed …”, is exceptionally generous to the choice that was made.

Agree with this view but also worth looking at, “Success and Luck”, by Robert Frank for a deeper investigation.

One way to look at this is +5pp for mainstream parties, -5pp for disruptor parties (RFM and GRN). A move toward safety (the devil you know, whether right or left) in light of a European defence crisis? Or just a blip?

I was all set to argue that London is not failing, but actually, this is a fair op.

Walking into the City early on a misty morning, where the street names remind you of its long history, is a magical and sobering experience. People have done business here for 2000 years. We have the privilege of taking our turn.

Are we forcing committed public servants out of roles? Is chasing resignations a facile substitute for substantive public debate?

Traffic cones first used in the UK in 1958. This is a pre-cone moment.

We need serious investment behind our Prison Officers and in the infrastructure. How is that budget looking Rach?

The bar is set too low for changing PM, as we saw with the revolving door in 2019-24. The role is too important. A change of PM should automatically imply a consultation with the electorate, ie, a General Election.

Not the first politician to be lucky at cards. Nixon funded his first campaign with poker winnings from his WWII Navy days.

It didn’t end well, of course.

Read this in print and came here to like. There is balance in this article but also valid highlighting of the risks of going further down this path.

Fiscally incontinent is the exact phrase used by the FT to describe Labour MPs during the welfare bill revolt: “… the City still sees [Reeves] as a firewall between the bond markets and fiscally incontinent Labour MPs”. Does any party have a firm hold on fiscal policy currently?

Thank you for this @lunchinthebookies.bsky.social and for the initial question @jburnmurdoch.ft.com An example of social media at its most informative.

I once went to an academic conference in Oxford. Jumped in a cab at the station and pulled out the invite to give the cabbie the exact address. It was all on Cambridge University letter headed paper. Exited cab and walked sheepishly back into the station.

Source: “Inside the FT: A guide to the art of FT journalism”