Will you watch tonight’s debate on BBC at 7:30pm?

It’s alarming that government policy, which is supported by the Labour Party isn’t understood by some. It isn’t about ‘collecting Muslim votes’, it’s about a desire to stop the war and establish lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.
Freya, remember the Good Friday Agreement as a result of which the paramilitaries in Northern Ireland pose much less threat than they did.

There has not been at any point any intention of working with Hamas.

Please read this official Labour Party Statement as regards Hamas

labour.org.uk/updates/press-releases/keir-starmers-statement-to-the-commons-on-israel-gaza-2/

" But Hamas still hold hundreds more. Sons, daughters, mums, dads, still missing. Innocent people who could, if Hamas willed it, be released immediately. But they remain hostage, because Hamas want the chaos of war. Hamas want Jews to suffer. Hamas want the Palestinian people to share in the pain

Because the Palestinian people are not their cause. Peace is not their aim. The dignity of human life – Jew or Muslim – means absolutely nothing to them.

And in the light of their barbarism, Israel has the right to defend herself. Yes, to get their hostages home but *also to defeat Hamas so nobody need suffer like this again.

That is a social media generated video, not reported on any mainstream news channels Chestnut. Were you aware of that?

Chestnut

I think anyone thinking of voting Labour should be aware that there are things going on behind the scenes that the public may not be aware of. Here for example we have Angela Rayner promising Muslim voters that if they vote for her then Labour will recognise Palestine. The video is very revealing, the desperate babbling and the reaction of those around her.
Angela Rayner appeals to Muslim voters

Yes I am aware of this, to collect the Muslim votes. If Hamas goes, maybe, but they have been declared a terrorist organisation, how can any Gov, only Left wing , Spain Norway Ireland, vote to give terrorists a stage.
Another good reason not to vote Labour.

Yes, Reform having to ditch candidates for Racism - this report 2 days old and two candidates ditched after accusations of racism and religious hate.

Channel 4 news, includes a video with one of the candidates where the candidate compares black people with animals and other very racist memes.

www.channel4.com/news/two-reform-uk-candidates-ditched-after-accusations-of-racism-and-religious-hate#

They haven't had time to vet candidates.

He got the job after just a Zoom interview with Tice.

Galaxy

The lib dems seem to have a strong ish group within who tend to put up some resistance. They do it in a very polite lib dem sort of way

Yes, I agree - I was thinking more of people with dodgy issues in their past really, rather than group uprisings.

The lib dems seem to have a strong ish group within who tend to put up some resistance. They do it in a very polite lib dem sort of way

Siope

I will give it a go. There are a number of intelligent, articulate politicians who, when Ive seen them speak, seem to be on top of their brief, involved: Flynn, Rayner, Cooper & Denyer, in particular.

I hope the format allows for informed debate, and that the moderation is high quality.

I agree. As far as informed debate goes, all I've seen so far has been arguing and shouting over each other. (not a good look) Lets hope as you say, that there is better moderation this time.

I think it’s probably more a risk for small parties who are far right or left, in fairness to the Lib Dem’s they don’t seem to attract more than their fair share of people with shady backgrounds?

It's the risk of all small parties I think, it happened to the Greens to some extent. Obviously there are all sorts of problems with a two party race but the small parties quite frequently worry me.

MayBee70

Whitewavemark2

Desperate tactics. It is Reform that the Tories should be frightened of.

I’ve just seen a poll that puts Reform level with the Tories😮

One Reform candidate, Gary Sutherland, was fined £2,000 for kicking a dog a year or so ago.

Yes - that is why they reckon that the reform support in the polls won’t hold up, because now the candidates will come under more scrutiny and their history will be revealed just as it did with the UKiP lot.

So racists, criminals, the dim etc will be revealed and decent folk will turn away from giving them the support.

Whitewavemark2

Desperate tactics. It is Reform that the Tories should be frightened of.

I’ve just seen a poll that puts Reform level with the Tories😮

One Reform candidate, Gary Sutherland, was fined £2,000 for kicking a dog a year or so ago.

Desperate tactics. It is Reform that the Tories should be frightened of.

I’ve just seen a poll that puts Reform level with the Tories😮

David Cameron once described Gaza as a ‘prison camp’ did he not?

reference for last statement
www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Gov.UK+support+two+state+solution&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

And again earlier - January - recognising Palestinian State

"Is the UK considering Recognising Palestine state?

Britain is ready to bring forward the moment when it formally recognises a Palestinian state, the foreign secretary has suggested. Lord Cameron said Palestinians had to be given a political horizon to encourage peace in the Middle East"

Raynor was not saying anything new as regards this. These are just anti-Labour smear tactics

Of course they are, and words like 'behind the scenes' and 'desperate attempt' fool nobody. They just expose the smear for what it is.

It's wise to check facts before making allegations?

Let's get this straight. It is UK government policy that talks for cease fire and heading towards a two state solution

www.gov.uk/government/speeches/uk-statement-on-the-situation-of-workers-of-the-occupied-arab-territories#:~:text=The%20UK%20supports%20an%20irreversible,resumed%20at%20the%20appropriate%20time.

See point 7

"The UK supports an irreversible two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. The UK has offered support to the Palestinian Authority to implement much-needed reforms, and we encourage labour and social policy reforms to be resumed at the appropriate time. An effective PA is vital for lasting peace and progress towards a two-state solution

Raynor was not saying anything new as regards this. These are just anti-Labour smear tactics

I don't think the LP are 'desperate', though. They are a long way ahead.

Doodledog

I don't think that was 'behind the scenes' . Clearly it was in front of journalists, there was a photo opportunity, and is not secret.

Do you think that Muslim voters should not have their concerns addressed, Chestnut?

Anyone's concerns about this country should be addressed but that is not what is happening here. Making promises like this are just a desperate attempt to win voters but could have far reaching consequences.

In what way, maddie?

Oh dear, this thread has deteriorated somewhat since I last looked at it.

I don't think that was 'behind the scenes' . Clearly it was in front of journalists, there was a photo opportunity, and is not secret.

Do you think that Muslim voters should not have their concerns addressed, Chestnut?

Chestnut

I think anyone thinking of voting Labour should be aware that there are things going on behind the scenes that the public may not be aware of. Here for example we have Angela Rayner promising Muslim voters that if they vote for her then Labour will recognise Palestine. The video is very revealing, the desperate babbling and the reaction of those around her.
Angela Rayner appeals to Muslim voters

I don’t think ‘Senior Labour Politician reiterates Labour’s official position on Palestine’ is quite the secret shock you think it is.

Starmer has already said this weeks ago (even that Mail article acknowledges that) and has made it clear he expects it to be in the Labour manifesto.

See, for example, www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/starmer-labour-manifesto-leak-palestine-israel-state-b2558259.html

www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/06/06/keir-starmer-recognition-for-palestine-in-labour-manifesto/

www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-labour-leader-starmer-says-wants-recognise-palestinian-state-part-peace-2024-05-24/