Latest news with #HumblePie
Spectator
2 days ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Liz Kendall's humiliating welfare climb-down
'This government believes in equality and social justice,' began Liz Kendall. Which government she was describing is anyone's guess. I suspect that if you were to ask the general public what they thought the government believed in, 'equality' and 'social justice' wouldn't even make the top 100 printable responses. The government were facing a backbench rebellion so great that even the cabinet – who, as anyone who has ever seen them give an interview can attest, have an appetite for humiliation which appears to be almost sadomasochistic – were having second thoughts Kendall was at the House for the start of a monumental climb-down: think Hillary and Tenzing in reverse. The hapless one-time leadership candidate was now the face of the Starmer government as it explained why it was backtracking on its flagship welfare reforms. Kendall claimed it was because this Labour government listens. In fact, it was because they were facing a backbench rebellion so great that even the cabinet – who, as anyone who has ever seen them give an interview can attest, have an appetite for humiliation which appears to be almost sadomasochistic – were having second thoughts. The great climb-down was delivered in a sort of identikit motivational speaker voice. Kendall had the general air of someone leading a team ice-breaker exercise for a depressed corporate team at the Best Western off the Reading Ring Road. In a just world, this is exactly what most of her colleagues would be doing. 'We are delivering on our promises' Kendall whirred, all misplaced emphases and faux sincerity. There came a sort of apologia for what the government had done which, though technically delivered facing the Tory benches, was basically directed at the rebels. Kendall referenced what she presumably believes to be government successes. We heard at length and at volume about the 'Right to Try' scheme. This policy which enabled disabled people to try out the world of work is clearly an attempt to produce a catchy title and legacy akin to Thatcher's famous policy. To use a cinematic analogy: this is less an affectionate remake and more like someone filming a blockbuster on a handheld camera at the back of a cinema, with every other scene interrupted by someone going for a pee, and then trying to sell it out of the back of a van. After this bluff came the catering sized portion of Humble Pie. 'We have listened carefully,' Kendall said, 'in particular to disabled people and their organisations'. This must be some new policy on behalf of Kendall since she was one of the core cabinet cheerleaders of the Assisted Suicide Bill, which disabled groups opposed unanimously. The shadow secretary of state, Helen Whately didn't spend long responding to the absurdity of what had just been said. 'Nothing we've seen of Labour over the last few weeks suggests they have the courage and conviction to deal with this problem'. As Donald Trump once said, 'many such cases'. She asked one question of the Secretary of State: how were they going to pay for this? 'I'm in listening mode.' said Kendall in response which actually drew a laugh. She then reverted to an old trick of talking about how awful the Tories had been. For this she got some lukewarm cheers. Behind her, the crocodiles began to circle. This won't be the Starmer government's last cock-up and climb-down, but it might prove to be the first which its obituarists reference as leading to the inevitable.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Rod Stewart admits 'the whole thing floundered' as he shares heartbreak over split
Sir Rod Stewart has set the record straight on why The Faces split, as he revealed he would've stayed in the band for the rest of his life if he could have One of the big names set to grace the stage at this year's Glastonbury Festival, Sir Rod Stewart, has spilled the beans on the historical band split that saw The Faces, a group he fronted, disband. The rock outfit was established in 1969 in London, featuring not just Rod but also Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan, Ronnie Wood, and Kenney Jones. The collective was an assembly of musicians who had parted ways with previous bands. Ronnie L, Ian, and Kenney once were part of Small Faces, which disintegrated when lead vocalist Steve Marriott departed to start Humble Pie. Concurrently, Sir Rod and Ronnie W were eager to exit the Jeff Beck Group and soon amalgamated their talents with the trio. Amidst these transitions, they formed The Faces, only to go their separate ways come 1975. Rumours have long circulated that Sir Rod's thriving solo career was the catalyst for the break up. However, in a candid chat with Zoe Ball on her BBC Radio 2 show earlier this month, Rod clarified his stance, expressing his fondness for the band and debunking the narratives that he walked away from The Faces. Reflecting on the enduring bond he shares with Ronnie W and Kenney despite the absence of Ian and Ronnie L, he nostalgically noted: "We don't talk about the old times very much, I mean there's only three of us left, obviously that's without Mac and Ronnie." He reminisced about the golden past saying: "But they were wonderful those days. That was a band I would've stayed in for the rest of my life." Countering the belief of many fans and critics alike, he specifies: "People think I left but I didn't, you know, Ronnie joined the [Rolling] Stones and so the whole thing floundered. "Ronnie Lane had already left because he wasn't happy, so once we lost Ronnie Lane, we lost the soul of the band really." The rock legend has stayed tight with his former bandmates Ronnie W and Kenney, with the trio now creating an album and a documentary together. There's also buzz about a potential comeback at Glastonbury this weekend. Rod shared some juicy details on their current endeavours, stating: "Yeah we've been filming it [the documentary] for some time, we're trying to finish off an album and it's all down to me again, because I've got to get the lyrics finished. "I've been working so bl***y hard, I've got two albums on the go, two documentaries. "I'm supposed to be doing a book about my model railway, which I've just dropped because I ain't got the time, but yeah, there is a documentary. "We've got a considerable amount of film and some really old stuff. Apparently Kodak gave all of The Faces cameras way back [then and said] 'Shoot what you want' and Kenny has still got it all. "So, it's going to go way back. I don't know when it's going to be finished, the album is down to me, I need to finish the lyrics off." Set to slay the Glastonbury Legends slot on Sunday, Rod confirmed last month that Ronnie will be strutting out on stage with him. While fans are hopeful for Kenney to join them, no official word has made the rounds yet. Festival organiser Emily Eavis expressed her excitement on Instagram, stating: "Bringing Sir Rod Stewart back for the Sunday afternoon slot on the Pyramid stage is everything we could wish for. What a way to bow out with the final legends slot before we take a fallow year. We cannot wait!".
New Straits Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Zahnita Wilson opens her first pie shop in Seri Kembangan
KUALA LUMPUR: Actress and model Zahnita Wilson has officially opened her first pie shop in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, after running her business from home for some time. The 40-year-old artiste-turned-entrepreneur shared the news on her Instagram yesterday, revealing her brand-new business premises, simply named Zahnita's Humble Pie. In her caption, she wrote: "Totally too busy for content creating lately. Welcome to my new place of business and new beginnings." "I am ready for open order of Zahnita's Humble Pie. Other healthy freshly baked goods are also available daily! "Best brewed coffee available soon too!! WhatsApp link in my bio to pre-order pie or other for details!" Zahnita also expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support from customers who have consistently put their trust in her. The comment section was filled with congratulatory messages, including those from fellow entrepreneurs who appeared delighted by Zahnita's success.
BBC News
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Peaky Blinders actor turned director tells of northern focus
A Peaky Blinders star who has turned his talents to directing has spoken of his hopes to reflect the lighter side of life in the north of Jack Hartley is hoping for more success at this year's Manchester Film Festival to follow the award he received at last year's who has also appeared in the likes of Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Holby City, saw his "surreal comedy" A Piece Of Cake - which was shot in Stockport, Greater Manchester - scoop a best cinematography year his film Humble Pie, shot in Audenshaw, is also being shown at the north of England's largest film festival. Hartley, 31, said: "When you see a lot of these shows on TV it is about how hard and depressing it is growing up in the north but growing up in Burnley it was great crack and I had a right laugh. "I want to lean into that more and celebrate that." 'Northern voices' Hartley described how he admires series such as Sky's comedy-drama Brassic, especially the work of Chorley actorJoe Gilgun and Hyde-born writer Danny Brocklehurst."I see something of their journey and I am hoping to follow in their footsteps," he said."Although I would say much of my work is not so much northern grit but leading into comedy and surrealism."He added: "I've always grown up enjoying a lot of northern comedies with the work of Peter Kay, Craig Cash and Caroline Ahearn – I feel like there's a gap for northern voice in film and TV"I don't see enough of it. I would love to carry that torch and keep championing northern talent and northern voices."The north is so full of talent and it would be great to keep pushing our great casts and crews."Hartley, who said he "fell into acting" said he became attracted to life on the other side of the camera because he wanted to "make my own ideas come to life". The 10-day festival starts on Friday. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
