Hmmm....

In a rare confluence, Canada, Britain, and Australia held elections within a week of one another, although in Britain’s case, these were local elections in England. Yet England’s local elections may turn out to be the most consequential of the three for centre-right politics across the Western world. Last year I noted, amidst a gathering crisis of democracy, the rise of the New Right on both sides of the North Atlantic. Against that wider backdrop, at the start of the year, centre-right parties were expected to do well in all three countries.

In an interesting week, Canada’s Conservative Party saw a once 20-point advantage in the polls slide behind the governing Liberal Party on 28 April, UK Reform caused a political earthquake in England as it exceeded expectations and forecasts on 1 May, and Australia’s Liberal-National coalition suffered the shock of a significant swing against it to hand Labor a landslide re-election victory on 3 May. The polls proved reasonably accurate in capturing the electoral shifts in Canada and England but failed spectacularly in Australia. 

Factional ferrets, backstabbing bandicoots, and the great Teal tango - how the Libs turned on their own and left Dutton in the dust. By Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble, Chief Political Correspondent, Ratty News -  keeping paws on the pulse and noses in the nonsense.

Ratty News can now reveal the explosive truth behind Peter Duttons's catastrophic election loss: it wasn’t incompetence. It wasn’t the Teals. It wasn’t even the cost-of-living crisis.

It was a hit job. An inside job. A Ratstab.

Sources embedded in the Liberal Party's subterranean burrows have leaked details of Operation Ratstab – a covert campaign of sabotage orchestrated by a cabal of factional insiders known only as The Black Paw. This Armani-suited syndicate of Sydney moderates, teal-curious technocrats, and ex-Turnbull loyalists didn’t just torpedo Dutton’s run.

They detonated the entire ship, saluted ironically, and then popped over to the North Shore for pinot noir and crumbed cheese on toast.

Magic happens everywhere and goodness, wonder and delight can be found alive and well throughout the world. 

All we need do is look to our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, for the joy in the simplicity of delight to be found in such timeless heroes.

Fairies are part of my Manx heritage so it is not be be treated lightly that you have my assurance that the Tooth Fairies are still flying around the world doing a great job. 

They tell me that the Easter Bunny is also ready for a bumper Easter Egg day. But they asked me to remind the children to brush their teeth and not get carried away with too many goodies from the Bunny basket.

Enjoy!

How many people around the world have been warning about the danger we are in?  All around the world, we have been called conspiracy theorists and accused of peddling misinformation and disinformation. Yet we are being proven correct mere months after.

One can't help but think back to the man who warned of danger. Thank goodness, back then, people listened.

Paul Revere, a silversmith from Boston, is one of the most celebrated figures of the American Revolutionary War. Born on January 1, 1735, Revere's life and actions have become an emblem of the spirit of American independence. His legendary midnight ride on April 18, 1775, to warn the colonial militia of the approaching British forces has etched his name into American history.

However, Revere's contributions to the American Revolution extend far beyond this single act of heroism.

• Senate Majority Challenge: Controlling the House is key in federal elections, but no laws pass without a Senate majority (39 out of 76 senators). The Coalition (30) and Labor (25) fall short, leaving 21 crossbench senators as pivotal players.
• Historical Shift: From 1901-1949, the "first-past-the-post" system favored major parties, limiting minor party representation. The 1949 switch to proportional representation (14.29% of votes guarantees a senator) enabled crossbench growth.
• Crossbench Evolution: The Democratic Labor Party (DLP) held influence in the 1950s-60s (around 6 senators). The Australian Democrats peaked in 1998 with 9 senators but later faded. Today, the Greens dominate the crossbench with 12 of 21 seats.
• Labor-Greens Alliance: Labor has strategically supported the Greens, creating a stable left-leaning crossbench, unlike the fragmented minor right.
• Minor Right Struggles: In 2022, minor right parties won 11.12% of votes (enough for 6 senators across states) but only secured 2 due to vote splintering. Current right-wing crossbenchers: Babet, Hanson, Rennick, Roberts (4 total).
• Shared Minor Right Values: Despite differences, minor right parties agree on skepticism of climate narratives, rejecting "woke" ideology, pride in Australia, smaller government, and support for free enterprise and speech.
• Four Strategies to Maximize Minor Right Power:
  • Merger: Unfeasible due to AEC rules and risks diluting distinct identities like the Liberals.
  • Preference Deals: Tried in 2022 but failed as 1/3 of votes leaked to the Coalition via preferences.
  • Summit: Leaders pick the strongest candidate per state, but consensus is hard to achieve.
  • Grand Primary: Each state holds a public event where minor right members vote for the best Senate candidate. A joint ticket (e.g., One Nation/Trumpet of Patriots/Libertarian) is formed, maximizing votes and legitimacy.
• Grand Primary Benefits: Offers transparency, energizes supporters, and could attract broader public attention via live-streaming. Losing candidates’ supporters are likely to respect the democratic outcome.
• Call to Action: Supporters of minor right parties are urged to share the Grand Primary idea with party leaders to boost Senate representation.