Over in Downing Street it’s going to be a more dour celebration of 100 days in government than Labour expected when Starmer stood among Union Flags in front on No 10 back in July. Hacks’ summaries are all analysing how it “went off the rails”…
YouGov has released some helpful polling on how Britons feel about the first 100 days. 59% of Britons now disapprove of Labour’s record in government so far…
The breakdowns make for more sad reading: 37% expected Labour to do poorly, and have had their expectations confirmed. 30% are disappointed after expecting them to do well. Only 16% think Labour has done well…
The situation is even more dire among Labour voters, 47% of whom are disappointed in Labour’s performance. Only one in ten Labour voters think things have got better. The least popular policy so far has been releasing prisoners onto the streets early. Buyer’s remorse on strong display here…
Everyone has followed Guido’s story yesterday revealing that Downing Street is still locked in a bitter row over Sue Gray. She’s demanding a mega severance payout and salary…
Veteran Pat McFadden was sent out on the morning round to face questions over whether Gray will be grabbing a golden goodbye after leaving Number 10. After much probing, McFadden eventually told Times Radio that she probably would be entitled to severance pay:
“Whatever contractually is there, I’m sure she would be but, you know, I can’t comment on anybody’s individual circumstances.”
Gray had been on a probationary contract for four months, just like the other SpAds, though it’s unclear whether her departure qualifies for a golden goodbye. Meanwhile, she’s already giving her new “made-up job” the cold shoulder, skipping the first Council of Nations and Regions meeting in Scotland today…
While left-wing pundits have been busy constantly complaining about Twitter under Musk, the billionaire inventor has designed the future of automation. Creators gonna create…
Over at Warner Bros Studios near L.A. Musk got to the stage in a new Tesla “Cybercab,” the world’s first fully automated taxi with no steering wheel and no-plug charging – all for less than $30,000. The Tesla owner says it’ll be ready to ship in 2026. The BBC’s coverage has naturally poured cold water on the innovation by immediately citing regulator and health and safety concerns…
Musk also introduced the “Robovan” to carry 20 people (or cargo) to travel at 5 cents per mile. Tesla says the vehicles can be 10 times safer than humans and drive five to 10 times longer. A revolution…
Optimus just poured a drink and didn’t ask for a 25% tip on an iPad.
Just put $10M more into Tesla stock
— Chris Bakke (@ChrisJBakke) October 11, 2024
Attendees were served drinks by Telsa’s new “Optimus” robots. Billed as an “autonomous assistant, humanoid friend,” they can “do anything you want” for around $20,000 each. Musk says it will be “the biggest product ever, of any kind.” Four million people watched the unveiling on Twitter alone…
Parliamentary staffers are looking worried. One MP asks Guido: “Can the robot do casework?”
The UK economy finally shook off its summer slump, as latest figures show GDP rose by 0.2% in August after two months of stagnation—just in time for Rachel Reeves’ pre-budget spin. The ONS confirmed what City experts predicted: the economy is crawling along, though at least it’s not quite flatlining anymore….
Still, Britain’s services sector, the backbone of the economy, barely moved, ticking up by just 0.1%, with a boost from professional and scientific industries. More interestingly, the struggling production sector—led by manufacturing—saw a 0.5% lift, recovering from a dismal 0.7% drop in July. Even construction rebounded with a 0.4% rise after a dip the previous month. Some good news for ‘gloom and doom’ Reeves…
In a galaxy far, far away—or rather, in Whitehall—someone’s taken leave of their senses again. In the latest episode of out of this world government spending, £200,000 of taxpayer money is being used to fund research that aims to tackle climate change…through Star Wars. This is not a Sith trick…
UK Innovation and Research, a state-funded body, has handed over the money to Open University for a project titled “Using Star Wars to Improve Sector Sustainability Practices.” The study aims to draw parallels between environmental challenges in the Star Wars universe—such as the destruction of Alderaan—and real-world climate issues. Apparently, we’re supposed to learn something about tackling global warming by reflecting on a fictional planet blown to bits by the Death Star…
Joanna Marchong, investigations campaign manager of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said:
“Taxpayers will think that likening the Death Star to global warming is totally absurd. Funded research should focus on actual science, not sci-fi fantasies.”
The study will also helpfully dive into the “ecological impact of making props for the Star Wars films.” The force is clearly not strong with whoever thought this was a good use of public money…
Former leader of the SNP in Westminster Ian Blackford told Times Radio why he believes Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that she spent no time in the kitchen and therefore didn’t see any of her husband’s purchases:
“She doesn’t have a passion for cooking.”
