I think it’s more that people enjoyed bombing about on Raleigh Choppers and watching The Tomorrow People 50 years ago.

youtu.be/s13YC7RsimE?...

A fantastic episode. Loads of gaps in my understanding filled, side quests initiated, bar facts stored away. Bless you Andrew, this is brilliant work.

Sometimes those records have a bit of magic to them that is really hard to explain. Another example is A Deh Pon Dem by The Soulettes (Rita Marley plus some Wailers I think) made out of The Miracles’ Choosey Beggar. There’s a tone - not melancholy, not sweet - that I don’t think we have a word for.

No, and there will probably be further watering-down. It’s shit. I’m not campaigning for the Labour Party here. I was just pushing back a bit at the ‘they’re all the same, I don’t care if there’s a Reform govt’ which I get why people are saying it but it terrifies me

Well, fine. I agree with you. I’m not arguing with what you are saying about how much worse it is getting, specifically under Labour, for trans people. It is worse. Let’s leave it there. Sorry if I was the cause of any harm.

I don’t think we’re quite there yet but I can certainly foresee a point when I think they 100% can’t win. You could then, or ideally before then, work for an electoral pact G / Lab / LD, coordinated standing aside etc. But with FPTP that’s incredibly risky and complex

Yes

I suppose I still think those are slightly different versions of ‘worse’ that it is possible, although incredibly depressing, to choose between.

I’m not screaming. I think the vote *is* split. It’s done, clearly. So with the Conservatives about to collapse entirely, Labour losing its natural voters (largely their own fault), Green and LD a long way from a majority, Reform ascendant, it’s bad. All I’d say is I don’t think ‘they’re all as bad’

The thing is you can’t vote for a coalition at the election. I would love to see a progressive coalition. But that would require a three-or four-way split with no party able to form a majority. It’d be great but without electoral reform, stuck with this ludicrous FPTP system, you get one tick.

If you expect them to *lose badly* - you are quite probably right - who do you think will be in government?

I’m not discouraging or encouraging anyone to do or not do anything. If you can vote green with a chance to
return an MP (that will be in more places in future, good). But let’s be honest - the fight will be Labour vs Reform. If Labour vote collapses
completely that’s a Reform govt, as
I see it.

No, I see that. Ok.

I mean that’s not quite how I’d put it but fair enough. I think there is a chance of a progressive alliance with the greens but that’s not something you can plan for and would only be possible in very odd electoral circumstances. Vote for the least worst. So depressing, but yeah.

It’s MPs like him that forced the government climb down on welfare cuts / winter fuel. Would I like to see more like him in the governing party? Yes. But it’s not just him. I dunno, it’s. not very convincing an argument, I get this.

I’m gonna say it again. You are clearly lost to the Labour Party. That is on them not on you. I do not blame you. Honestly. I used to campaign for Labour and I couldn’t now. Partly because of how they have treated trans people but not just that. I just want to be clear about what is at stake here.

What? It’s classist to be worried about 150,000 people marching behind Tommy Robinson?