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Tories Heading For An Electoral ‘Iceberg’ Under Rishi Sunak, Says Simon Clarke

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The Tories are heading towards an electoral “iceberg” unless Rishi Sunak is dumped as leader, Simon Clarke has warned.

The former cabinet minister – who last night called for the prime minister to be ousted by his MPs – said the Conservatives are heading for “a shattering defeat” unless they change course.

His comments, in an interview with the BBC, is a further challenge to Sunak’s authority as he struggles to turn around his party’s fortunes.

In an article in today’s Daily Telegraph, Clarke said the Tories were “meekly sleepwalking towards an avoidable annihilation” with Sunak at the helm.

That led to a furious backlash from senior Conservatives, including former ministers David Davis, Liam Fox and Priti Patel.

But Clarke told the BBC he was undeterred and re-iterated his desire to see Sunak booted out of No.10 before the general election.

He said: “I’ve incurred some pretty hostile comments from a number of people and look, you know, in every since I’m a big guy, I can take that and I totally respect the strong views that something like this evokes, right.

“No one likes the guy who’s shouting ‘iceberg’. But I suspect that people will be even less happy if we hit the iceberg. And we are on course to do that.”

The former Treasury secretary added: “I want a Conservative government that delivers for communities like mine and for our country. And I really worry that we are on course for a shattering defeat.”

Clarke said it was “a moment of decision for the Conservative Party” and pointed out that the opinion polls had got even worse for the Tories under Sunak.

“There is really compelling evidence that we are on course for what I would say is an avoidable catastrophe,” he said.

“I think there is a very real risk that because we’re not connecting with the British public because, frankly, the prime minister is not listening to the things that the public really wants us to address, in particular on migration, that we end up with a very serious election defeat and then a decade of decline or more under Keir Starmer.”

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Paloma Diamond Fans Can’t Wait For Her To Win An Oscar. But The Thing Is, She Doesn’t Exist

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If you’re on TikTok at all, you might recognise the name Paloma Diamond. The character is the creation of New Zealand TikToker Julian Sewell, who has been posing as Diamond ever since October last year.

In a TikTok that currently has over 19 million views, Sewell aped the Academy Awards with a flawless parody called “Every Best Actress Award Intro”. In it, an announcer introduces five fictional actresses and their (impeccably named) non-existent films, including Paloma Diamond.

The hilarious TikTok went viral, spawning countless write-ups around the world, and has caused Sewell’s following to surge across various platforms.

In an interviewer with Sunday Magazine via The Post, Sewell commented that he didn’t mean to create a new cinematic universe, but is happy with the response he’s gotten so far.

“I [get] an influx of really kind and supportive messages from people I’ve never met before, saying ‘oh my god you make my day,’ or ‘I was having an awful day until I saw your video and it made me laugh’ – and that’s all that matters.”

Since his first video, Sewell’s best actress characters have developed their own currency online, with users across Instagram, X and TikTok all desperate to see more from the likes of Lorelai Lynch and Taylor Witherfork.

But none are more sought after than Diamond, who Sewell has really run with, posting parodies of the Meryl Streep-esque performer taking part in Vogue’s 73 Questions and The Hollywood Reporter’s Actress Roundtable series.

One of the ongoing gags in the Paloma Diamond universe is the fact that the “actress” has been nominated for an Oscar 18 times, but has never won one. Well, as of 2024, Diamond has another nomination, and fans are keen to see her finally take home the coveted award.

Here’s how some X users have reacted online to Diamond’s nomination…

Here’s hoping Diamond gets her much-deserved flowers at this year’s ceremony on 10 March.

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Simon Clarke Calls On Rishi Sunak To Be Ousted As Prime Minister

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Simon Clarke has called on Rishi Sunak to be ousted as prime minister.

The former cabinet minister said the Tories “will be massacred” if Sunak leads them into the general election.

Clarke – a close ally of former PMs Boris Johnson and Liz Truss – is the first Conservative MP to break ranks and call for Sunak to go.

His dramatic intervention comes after a succession of opinion polls since Christmas showed Labour’s already-huge lead over the Tories getting even bigger.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Clarke said: “I know many MPs are afraid another change of leader would look ridiculous.

“But what could be more ridiculous than meekly sleepwalking towards an avoidable annihilation because we were not willing to listen to what the public are telling us so clearly?”

He added: “We have a clear choice. Stick with Rishi Sunak, take the inevitable electoral consequences, and give the Left a blank cheque to change Britain as they see fit.

“Or we can change leader, and give our country and party a fighting chance.”

Clarke was one of 11 Tory rebels who last week voted against Sunak’s flagship Rwanda bill, saying it would not work.

A Conservative Party spokesperson told The Sun: “This is a self-indulgent attempt to undermine the government at a critical moment for the country.

“He may claim to be helping the party but the only person he is doing any favours for is Sir Keir Starmer.”

Senior Tory MPs rallied round Sunak in the wake of Clarke’s criticism.

Former Brexit secretary David David said: “This is getting silly. The party and the country are sick and tired of MPs putting their own leadership ambitions ahead of the UK’s best interests.”

Former defence secretary Liam Fox said: “This is not the time for self indulgence and tribalism in the party.

“Those who have an agenda to destabilise the government in an election year should understand the consequences. Having been on the front bench for all 13 years in opposition, it is a miserable place. Be warned.”

Meanwhile, ex-home secretary Priti Patel said: “At this critical time for our country, with challenges at home and abroad, our party must focus on the people we serve and deliver for the country.

“Engaging in facile and divisive self indulgence only serves our opponents, it’s time to unite and get on with the job.”

Clarke’s comments come just a week after No.10 election guru Isaac Levido told Tory MPs to unite or lose the next election.

Speaking at a meeting of the backbench 1922 committeem, he said: “Let me be clear. Divided parties fail. It’s time to get serious – I am fighting to win this election, and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe it was possible. We all need to be be fighting to win this election.”

Pat McFadden, Labour’s national campaign co-ordinator, said: “Labour will focus on serving the British people whilst the Tories form another circular firing squad.

“There are many good reasons for getting rid of this clapped out Conservative government and liberating the British people from endless bouts of Tory infighting is certainly one of them.”

Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “It is utterly ludicrous that the Conservative Party is even discussing installing a fourth prime minister without even giving voters a say.

“The Conservatives are once again fighting like rats in a sack while families face soaring bills and an NHS crisis.

“People are sick and tired of this never ending Conservative Party soap opera. It’s time for Rishi Sunak to give voters the chance to put an end to this farce and call a general election.”

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Here’s How The Oscar Nominees Are Actually Selected, And It’s Fascinating

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2024′s Oscar nominees have just been announced, and the team behind Oppenheimer, Killers Of The Flower Moon and Poor Things all have major cause for celebration.

But how are the picks chosen?

Well, you might have heard winners thank the Academy during their speeches. But you might not have known that The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences they’re referring to boasts “nearly 11,000” members who are divided into 17 branches.

First of all, who are The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences?

They’re a massive group of experts who all work in the film industry across various disciplines. But that doesn’t mean they’re all in creative fields, like set design or acting ― some are executives or PR pros.

As president of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Janet Yang said at the start of the 2024 Oscar nominations, people vote in their area of expertise.

“The Oscar nominees in almost every category were voted upon by peers in the branch,” she explained. “Actors vote for actors; film editors vote for film editors; costume designers for costume designers; and so on.”

“Best Picture nominations, however, are determined by all Academy members,” she added.

Once nominees have been decided, all voting members can cast their ballot on who wins.

How do they vote once nominees have been selected?

The vote takes place online. For most categories, Academy members simply pick one favourite ― and the one with the most votes wins.

Again, though, Best Picture is different.

In this case, a system called preferential voting is used, where Academy members rank every movie on the list ― and if one movie gets over 50% first-place votes in the first round, it wins immediately.

If no movie does this, the movie with the least first-place votes is eliminated ― then the remaining movies get bumped up a spot on the ballots. So, a movie that was someone’s second choice gets moved up to their first.

This keeps happening until a winner reaches the 50% mark. Hey, nobody ever said showbiz was easy…

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Everyone’s Saying The Same Thing About Ryan Gosling’s Oscar Nomination

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If you’ve seen Barbie (and judging by its blockbuster popularity, you probably have), you’ll know that Ryan Gosling played Stereotypical Ken in the film.

His character, whose official job was “beach” and whose main hobby was “pining after Margot Robbie’s Barbie,” delighted audiences with his hilarious antics and, er, fascinating singing voice.

Ryan Gosling has been nominated for the 2024 Oscars awards for Best Supporting Actor as Ken. The song played by his character, I’m Just Ken, which is ― well ― all about Ken has been nominated for Best Original Song.

And while nobody’s doubting the actor’s hilarious performance (which was undeniably incredible, and definitely Oscar-worthy in our opinion), some on X (formerly Twitter) have noticed that Greta Gerwig, the film’s director, and Margot Robbie ― Barbie’s main lead and producer of the film ― have not received a Best Director or Best Actress nomination.

This, some point out, is ironic given the feminist message of the film.

Of course, America Ferrera did receive an equivalent nomination for her role as Gloria in the movie (she’s been nominated for Best Supporting Actress). Greta Gerwig’s screenplay, co-written with Noah Baumbach, did get nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.

And Margot Robbie is indirectly nominated for Best Picture via her production work.

Still, people on X thought the Best Actress and Best Director omissions were… interesting. Here are some responses:

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Kayleigh McEnany Counsels Ex-Boss Trump On His Path To Victory Over Biden

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Fox News’ Kayleigh McEnany said on Sunday that Donald Trump must adopt a more appeasing tone and choose a fitting running mate to beat President Joe Biden. (Watch the video below.)

McEnany, who’s been accused of telling many lies on Trump’s behalf when she was the former president’s press secretary, praised remarks he made in New Hampshire earlier in the day, saying they were delivered with a “conciliatory tone”.

After GOP rival Ron DeSantis quit the race, the criminally indicted Trump praised the Florida governor’s campaign and said he appreciated his endorsement (as lukewarm as DeSantis’ words may have seemed). He also said he would retire his “Ron DeSanctimonious” nickname.

“That was a conciliatory tone,” McEnany said of Trump’s comments on The Big Weekend Show, which she co-hosts. “That reminds me of his victory speech in Iowa where he praised his opponents, praised his rivals. That’s the kind of tone he will need for the next nine months if he wants to prevail against Joe Biden.”

McEnany suggested Trump’s base will vote for him no matter what, so he has to muster support from other sources ― and that includes voters for his remaining GOP adversary, Nikki Haley.

“I think he [Trump] gets the DeSantis voter both in the primary and the general,” McEnany said. “The DeSantis voter tends to be a traditional conservative person of faith, and that naturally translates to Donald Trump. Where I think his challenge is both here and going forward into a general election, is winning over the Nikki Haley voter, winning over the establishment voter, winning over the independent, which is why I think that vice presidential pick is so important.”

“You must pick someone who helps to bring in that bloc because I believe the conservatives, the base, is going to come home, show up, rain or shine,” she continued. “You need the independent, you need the suburban women. You need that tone.”

A new CNN poll conducted before DeSantis’ departure showed Trump with an 11-point lead over Haley in New Hampshire’s primary on Tuesday. DeSantis pulled in just 6% of the vote.

Trump has said he already decided on a running mate but on Saturday he suggested his choice wasn’t so ironclad. He told Fox News that his selection has a “25% chance” of being the person he actually taps as his potential vice president.

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