Yeh, but as an act of rebellion as soon as he'd left I'd bin it, defrost the coq-au-vin, bratwurst and paella that are hidden in the freezer... and devour them next day while listening to a Verdi opera on the cd..

Well the DT obviously thinks it was better then…. it had an owner

Oh, no disagreement from me there, Daniel. What I am challenging is Stephen’s claim of him being ‘hated’ to account for his poll collapse. I suggest the emotional reaction amongst previous Labour voters is more a loss of hope, faith and deep disappointment. It’s one of tenor and accuracy

Don’t disagree with that at all, Alex. It confers a lower charged animosity towards an individual politician than the term Stephen used - and which more likely represents the drop in poll numbers since the election amongst those who voted Labour

I think this sums it up as succinctly as it’s been put this evening.

I understand and sympathise with everything you write there - and agree. But that was what I was attempting to convey to Stephen - clearly unsuccessfully. After all you’ve experienced - you describe it in a less visceral term than ‘hatred’. Journalists have to be so careful with the terms they use.

Is that addressed to me Stephen? (The timeline is accumulating). I gave my answer to Ashley, thinking it was to you - then assuming you would read it anyway. I can re-do it if you need me to. Trying to keep this polite, rational and reasoned.

Yes, can see that. 'Disliked' is a whole level of intensity from Stephen's 'hatred' - which is the subject of my questioning.

That’s a more nuanced response, and can understand that. I do worry about the language some use towards named politicians: both in it its veracity - and in its consequences on the political temperature it engenders.

Yes, sorry - only realised that afterwards. Good thoughts to you for your time and effort.

It was for 6 weeks, not just Election Day - and if since then you’ve encountered ‘hatred’ in replies from folk who had previously voted Labour (given you’re explaining the loss of support since a more favourable baseline ) - then I defer to your experience. How can I not? But the challenge is valid

Yes. Most recently in the Mayoral election here back in May. And yes, there were doors that said they wouldn’t vote Labour that time because of WFA and disability payment changes. Did I encounter ‘hatred’. All I can tell you is - no. It was rational, it was calmly put, it wasn’t ‘hatred’.

Yes, hated by Farage supporters and Corbynites since forever. Legions of them will express their views. But does it describe the peeling away of support by those who voted for a Labour candidate 16 months ago?

I don’t think it’s unfair …. voters are perfectly entitled to change their minds. Plenty of Corbynites and Faragists will ‘hate’ him from well before the election (as this article dates from). But looking for why people have changed their minds since July ‘24 is the discussion

Is it ‘hatred’? He hasn’t held parties in No10; hasn’t said let the bodies pile high; hasn’t sent lending rates spiralling by a markets-alienating budget; isn’t taking helicopters everywhere… It’s more disillusionment, face-palming, irritation at the to & fros… impatience with the lack of connection

The person's name was redacted in the email and stamped 'Victim' to give context. Fox should have made that clearer by putting the termnin parentheses

It wasn't called the Age of Enlightenment for nothing.

Currently, the age of 'Don't contradict my satisfying prejudices with your so-called facts because I've got torrents of social media allies'.