Senedd Election 2026

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

Not sure how youÂ’re confused at the difference but zero problem with Welsh nationalism, which is very inclusive and doesnÂ’t invoke hatred. English nationalism which has spread into parts of Wales is based on bigotry, division and racism which has thankfully been rejected by the bulk of Welsh people.

The anthem loud and proud is a good demonstration of this. It doesnÂ’t celebrate colonies and exploitation whilst bootlicking a certain family.

To sum up : Nationalism with a set of right minded people is lovely, nationalism with thick right wing racists not so much. Bit worried you canÂ’t see the difference in the two but IÂ’m not surprised

The flying of the welsh flag outside the senedd on saturday was not threatening , the comments against it from bitter reform voters were pathetic

I am not a welsh speaker and would vote against independence but feel we have all done our bit to defeat the far right

The flag shaggers over the bridge are creepy and the taffs supporting all that nonsense even worse

[goats]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

Will be interesting to see what PC can come up with in the next few months, if they go down the more taxation or anything to do with cars I think they will suffer the same fate as Labour, it’s already far too expensive to drive or own a vehicle. Amusing that he wants to go it alone and not jump into bed with Labour, like they used to do, probably realising how incredibly unpopular the Labour policies were…..
Reform will soon be running things in Westminster though, that will make it even more interesting…..

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

Will be interesting to see what PC can come up with in the next few months, if they go down the more taxation or anything to do with cars I think they will suffer the same fate as Labour, itÂ’s already far too expensive to drive or own a vehicle. Amusing that he wants to go it alone and not jump into bed with Labour, like they used to do, probably realising how incredibly unpopular the Labour policies wereÂ…..
Reform will soon be running things in Westminster though, that will make it even more interestingÂ…..

IF Labour get a new leader then that might bump them up sufficiently in the polls to hold on in a coalition of us left of centre voters

If they dont sort that out fairly quickly ......and most of the cabinet needs to go too ....then its Nigel Farage PM in just over 3 years time

[JamesWales]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

Not sure how you’re confused at the difference but zero problem with Welsh nationalism, which is very inclusive and doesn’t invoke hatred. English nationalism which has spread into parts of Wales is based on bigotry, division and racism which has thankfully been rejected by the bulk of Welsh people.

The anthem loud and proud is a good demonstration of this. It doesn’t celebrate colonies and exploitation whilst bootlicking a certain family.

To sum up : Nationalism with a set of right minded people is lovely, nationalism with thick right wing racists not so much. Bit worried you can’t see the difference in the two but I’m not surprised

You are quite hateful on here though. Welsh Nationalism absolutely can be hateful, especially towards English people, and it can also be racist generally. The biggest difference where I would likely agree, although you didn't actually say it, is that English nationalism, representing a much larger area and population could theoretically pose a threat to neighbours in a way that Welsh nationalism wouldn't. Same way as even if France and Luxembourg had identical nationalist movements, one would be characterised as potentially more threatening to others.

Other than that, you've posted a load of bigoted comments and then claimed that Welsh nationalism is free of it! Perhaps a lack of irony is a characteristic of Welsh nationalism too?!

[JamesWales]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

IF Labour get a new leader then that might bump them up sufficiently in the polls to hold on in a coalition of us left of centre voters

If they dont sort that out fairly quickly ......and most of the cabinet needs to go too ....then its Nigel Farage PM in just over 3 years time

I don't think it is. Farage doesn't have the support to be PM. At some point leaders crossover from asset to liability. Starmers crossover was rapid, Farages is slower. Farage has been an asset so far in terms of name recognition and speaking and media ability etc but he will increasingly be seen as unable to get Reform over the line. Had a few conversations with (saner) parts of the anti Reform vote over this election and almost universally it's about Farage as opposed to any particular policy(ies).

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

I don't think it is. Farage doesn't have the support to be PM. At some point leaders crossover from asset to liability. Starmers crossover was rapid, Farages is slower. Farage has been an asset so far in terms of name recognition and speaking and media ability etc but he will increasingly be seen as unable to get Reform over the line. Had a few conversations with (saner) parts of the anti Reform vote over this election and almost universally it's about Farage as opposed to any particular policy(ies).

Farage could be caught dealing heroin to kids and he would still get people voting for him

I have always said its pointless trying to tell his voters how dangerous he is , the left of centre and moderates are better off accepting 20 to 30 percent of the country supports them and joining together to defeat them

[JamesWales]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

Farage could be caught dealing heroin to kids and he would still get people voting for him

I have always said its pointless trying to tell his voters how dangerous he is , the left of centre and moderates are better off accepting 20 to 30 percent of the country supports them and joining together to defeat them

Farage isn't dangerous, and there are other leaders who face similar issues and get votes from supporters. But what he lacks is an inability to reach across in the way someone like Blair, Starmer, Cameron etc could

[TheBirchgrovePub]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

You are quite hateful on here though. Welsh Nationalism absolutely can be hateful, especially towards English people, and it can also be racist generally. The biggest difference where I would likely agree, although you didn't actually say it, is that English nationalism, representing a much larger area and population could theoretically pose a threat to neighbours in a way that Welsh nationalism wouldn't. Same way as even if France and Luxembourg had identical nationalist movements, one would be characterised as potentially more threatening to others.

Other than that, you've posted a load of bigoted comments and then claimed that Welsh nationalism is free of it! Perhaps a lack of irony is a characteristic of Welsh nationalism too?!

I think you’re confusing hateful comments about English people with hateful comments about racist, reform supporters, whether they’re English or Welsh

[JamesWales]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

I think you’re confusing hateful comments about English people with hateful comments about racist, reform supporters, whether they’re English or Welsh

We've just read constant bile, stereotypes, assumptions, abuse from you at anyone who thinks differently. Its bigotry whatever you call it. "It's okay, I hate them for the right reasons" is the calling card of every bigot to walk the planet.

[TheBirchgrovePub]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

We've just read constant bile, stereotypes, assumptions, abuse from you at anyone who thinks differently. Its bigotry whatever you call it. "It's okay, I hate them for the right reasons" is the calling card of every bigot to walk the planet.

Quite a difference in hating people who are bigots and racist rather than hating people as a bigot and racist.

It’s not a gotcha to accuse someone of being bigoted towards bigoted right wing racists. Whatever makes you feel better though

[JamesWales]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

Quite a difference in hating people who are bigots and racist rather than hating people as a bigot and racist.

It’s not a gotcha to accuse someone of being bigoted towards bigoted right wing racists. Whatever makes you feel better though

It absolutely IS bigoted to hate people based on things they are not, which is what you have done on several occasions now. The lack of self awareness is off the scale.

[jon1959]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

Farage isn't dangerous, and there are other leaders who face similar issues and get votes from supporters. But what he lacks is an inability to reach across in the way someone like Blair, Starmer, Cameron etc could

In what way did Starmer 'reach across'?

He won the 2024 election (two thirds of the seats on one third of the votes) with a lower number of votes than Corbyn in either 2017 or in 2019!

His big effort at 'reaching across' since 2024 has been to appeal to Reform supporters/voters with his own dull version of Faragism. It has failed spectacularly. He managed to get something like 1% of Reform supporters to say they might vote Labour.

In the meantime he has driven away vast swathes of 'progressive' voters who used to support Labour but despise his migrant and welfare claimant blaming, his abandonment of a radical green industrial strategy, his cosying up to Big Pharma and Big Tech as part of his privatising mission, his attacks on the poorest and most vulnerable, his complicity in the Gaza genocide, his constant lies, deflections and incompetence - his irritating voice and his weaselly personality.

But at least he always 'takes full responsibility' - by blaming and sacking everyone else.

[JamesWales]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

In what way did Starmer 'reach across'?

He won the 2024 election (two thirds of the seats on one third of the votes) with a lower number of votes than Corbyn in either 2017 or in 2019!

His big effort at 'reaching across' since 2024 has been to appeal to Reform supporters/voters with his own dull version of Faragism. It has failed spectacularly. He managed to get something like 1% of Reform supporters to say they might vote Labour.

In the meantime he has driven away vast swathes of 'progressive' voters who used to support Labour but despise his migrant and welfare claimant blaming, his abandonment of a radical green industrial strategy, his cosying up to Big Pharma and Big Tech as part of his privatising mission, his attacks on the poorest and most vulnerable, his complicity in the Gaza genocide, his constant lies, deflections and incompetence - his irritating voice and his weaselly personality.

But at least he always 'takes full responsibility' - by blaming and sacking everyone else.

Reached across in the sense of gaining the centre ground and winning an election. Like Blair, Cameron etc

[Eric Cartman]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

In what way did Starmer 'reach across'?

He won the 2024 election (two thirds of the seats on one third of the votes) with a lower number of votes than Corbyn in either 2017 or in 2019!

His big effort at 'reaching across' since 2024 has been to appeal to Reform supporters/voters with his own dull version of Faragism. It has failed spectacularly. He managed to get something like 1% of Reform supporters to say they might vote Labour.

In the meantime he has driven away vast swathes of 'progressive' voters who used to support Labour but despise his migrant and welfare claimant blaming, his abandonment of a radical green industrial strategy, his cosying up to Big Pharma and Big Tech as part of his privatising mission, his attacks on the poorest and most vulnerable, his complicity in the Gaza genocide, his constant lies, deflections and incompetence - his irritating voice and his weaselly personality.

But at least he always 'takes full responsibility' - by blaming and sacking everyone else.

Oh give over, Starmer hasn't blamed immigrants or welfare claimants for anything, he recognises the economic and societal effects of both. He also hasn't 'attacked the poor', this is just childish hyperbole.

As for reaching across, labour won seats in 2024 that I thought they could never win, my old seat Hertford + Stortford being one. Yep the soft Tory vote was killed off because of Brexit and those people won't switch to reform but Labour were inconsequential in those kinds of areas and became the default other choice precisely because they weren't a risk like they were under Corbyn.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Senedd Election 2026

Reached across in the sense of gaining the centre ground and winning an election. Like Blair, Cameron etc

Starmer won because he wasn’t a Tory, simple as that. The electorate have never liked Starmer, a few don’t because they had seen what he’d done after acquiring the Labour leadership, but I’d say the majority of them were prepared to give him a chance as PM and were hopeful that Labour’s endless droning on about “change” during the election campaign would be realised. Well, Labour delivered on the change by proposing a set of deeply unpopular measures, which would only raise relatively small amounts, that were not only mean spirited, cruel and malicious, they were also extremely stupid - someone like Blair who, whatever you may think of him, is a savvy politician, would never have gone anywhere near them.

I’ve never known a time when the country was so desperate for change as it is now because, apart from the favoured few who just richer and richer no matter what the economic circumstances, life is more shittier for them now than it was fifteen years ago.Although Labour tried to change things by behaving nothing like any other Labour Government I’ve known before, they also seemed to ignore their base. For example, their leader started making Enoch Powell like speeches and then said oh I didn’t realise when this was pointed out to him.

Worse still, Starmer, and a few others in the Cabinet, soon started accepting “freebies” just like those who the country had been so keen to boot out only a few weeks earlier. People defend Starmer by saying things like what’s a pair of glasses against £5 million quid, but, for me, it’s the fact that a pair of glasses is such a mundane, every day thing that everybody pays up for which makes Starmer’s expecting of and then accepting a free pair all the worse.

People, not altogether surprisingly, start looking elsewhere when they see little hope in their lives and, in such times, grifters like Trump, Farage and Johnson come to the fore by attacking “them” - that is, some group of “outsiders” that are in a minority. Believe it or believe it not, I’ve had a couple of conversations since polling day on Thursday that suggest this is bringing about a new reality which those who we have chosen to run the country since 2010 should be ashamed of. If, heaven forbid, we end up with Nigel Farage PM, it’ll be down to the failings of the likes of David Cameron, Nick Clegg, George Osbourne, Theresa May, Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves.