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As ever cartoonist Steve Bell hits the nail on the head – politicalbetting.com

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Comments

  • IshmaelZIshmaelZ Posts: 21,830

    I don't wish to alarm anybody but Steve Bell doing a funny cartoon is a sign of the apocalypse as foretold in the book of revelation.

    Let's worry about that when it happens.

    cf the brutally accurate Private Eye parody of a Scarfe cartoon. Caption: "This is Mrs Thatcher. I hate her."
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 27,417
    dixiedean said:

    Remember him turning out for Castleford in some Rugby League friendly or summat.
    Gutsy bloke.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HtOStRhJYo&list=PLI7P52LOUKjbj3MZ1V1eVLyXwLPodPLLb&index=3
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146

    I sure ain't posh but then I don't share your sort's obsession with class. I'd estimate you as C1>B, ie not a hope in hell of being considered posh. Unselfconscious use of the word posh is a bit of a tell fyi.
    “Posh” was Gordon Brown code for “English”. SLab’s dogwhistle.
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,503
    biggles said:

    Isn’t Mélenchon anti-NATO and anti-EU? Seems odd for him to surge in France with those policies at the minute?

    Might be a few Le Pen to Melenchon switchers.
  • Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,954
    dixiedean said:

    Remember him turning out for Castleford in some Rugby League friendly or summat.
    Gutsy bloke.
    And climbing up Nelson's Column without safety apparatus - makes me go cold looking at it!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGZ-h70IK9s
  • Pro_RataPro_Rata Posts: 5,546
    rcs1000 said:

    @d_d is proving to be a poor predictor of French polls.
    You're waking him up.

    Do you really want to trip trap, trip trap over that bridge?
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 35,164

    Update - Moscow Exchange to remain closed for share trading tomorrow
    ForEx and bond markets will re-open (as per announcement earlier...)

    What proportion of Russians hold shares? I assume not very many.
  • philiphphiliph Posts: 4,705
    Farooq said:

    Maybe not, but you can have frosty but peaceful relations.
    Yes, but Putin will not negotiate and avcept a neutral or demilitarised Crimea. That is abject defeat for him.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 30,482
    Farooq said:

    I don't mean to be glib, but there's a very easy peaceful solution. Russia goes home.
    They won't be chased over the border. The killing stops if the aggressor stops.
    Peaceful perhaps, but not easy. Thankfully, Zelensky seems to be motivated by the best interests of his country rather than a visceral hatred of the enemy. Hopefully Putin will prove to have a smidgen of that mentality too, we'll see.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,314
    biggles said:

    Isn’t Mélenchon anti-NATO and anti-EU? Seems odd for him to surge in France with those policies at the minute?

    Pro-NATO folk consolidating behind Macron, the more obviously Putiny characters getting some bleeding to Melenchon, who I'm guessing is of that ilk but not as obviously?
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,314
    DavidL said:

    Maybe in the short run. But Ukraine is never going to forgive Russia for this. Never.
    Well nations can be pretty forgiving pretty quickly, but it would require the end of the Putin regime and replacement by a contrite new government.

    So never.
  • My son and daughter in law are expecting their third child in September and this has prompted them to seek a buyer for their home as they need to upgrade to 4 bedrooms

    We have been chatting and agreed that in any home they purchase they will take into account the insulation levels and upgrade including installing solar panels

    They will seek to negotiate the price and this raises the question about home sales and just how much buyers will be seeking to make them as energy efficient as possible and of course this will not be at taxpayers expense

    Just one of the many things that will change in the coming months and years
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    philiph said:

    It looks attractive.
    Gotta love a contrary bastard.
  • philiphphiliph Posts: 4,705

    Gotta love a contrary bastard.
    No, just telling a lie to prove him wrong.
  • SeaShantyIrish2SeaShantyIrish2 Posts: 17,559
    Pro_Rata said:

    You're waking him up.

    Do you really want to trip trap, trip trap over that bridge?
    RCS can shut down double dose of dipshit anytime he takes a notion. As PB monitor-meister.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,942
    kle4 said:

    Well nations can be pretty forgiving pretty quickly, but it would require the end of the Putin regime and replacement by a contrite new government.

    So never.
    Contrite with a large cheque book just maybe. So never.
  • philiphphiliph Posts: 4,705
    philiph said:

    No, just telling a lie to prove him wrong.
    But I am contrary now I think about it.
  • I said earlier that England has around the same number of empty homes as Ireland (200-250k). I pointed out that Ireland has one in eight homes empty; I didn't mention that England has about twelve times as many homes (24m to 2m), so has an empty homes ratio of about one in a hundred.

    I did say that France has over 2.5m empty homes. I didn't mention Germany (1.8m), Italy (over 2m) or Spain (3.4m).
  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 6,735
    kle4 said:

    Pro-NATO folk consolidating behind Macron, the more obviously Putiny characters getting some bleeding to Melenchon, who I'm guessing is of that ilk but not as obviously?
    Makes sense I suppose. Macron being attacked from the left might make for a more tense election.
  • philiphphiliph Posts: 4,705
    Farooq said:

    I don't think there's peace with Putin at the helm. He needs either to retire or to "retire".
    I agree. I have been saying that from round about day one.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 54,503
    Russia’s suspending convertibility of the rouble until September.
  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 6,735
    philiph said:

    But I am contrary now I think about it.
    No you’re not.
  • IshmaelZIshmaelZ Posts: 21,830

    I don't wish to alarm anybody but Steve Bell doing a funny cartoon is a sign of the apocalypse as foretold in the book of revelation.

    Also, apocalypse is just Greek for "revelation." You might as well write a sign of the revelation as foretold in the book of apocalypse.
  • philiphphiliph Posts: 4,705
    kle4 said:

    Well nations can be pretty forgiving pretty quickly, but it would require the end of the Putin regime and replacement by a contrite new government.

    So never.
    Is the bastard Putin imortal?
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 50,802
    These Ukranians look pleased with their panzerfausts. Old Skool.

    https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1501303979153711108?t=my_acjjaJNB2pd8Pd7j3cw&s=19
  • IshmaelZIshmaelZ Posts: 21,830
    DavidL said:

    Maybe in the short run. But Ukraine is never going to forgive Russia for this. Never.
    France and Germany seem to get on OK these days. And if I were Ukrainian I'd find it a whole heap easier to ascribe most of the blame to Putin than to AH.
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,503
    edited March 2022

    My son and daughter in law are expecting their third child in September and this has prompted them to seek a buyer for their home as they need to upgrade to 4 bedrooms

    We have been chatting and agreed that in any home they purchase they will take into account the insulation levels and upgrade including installing solar panels

    They will seek to negotiate the price and this raises the question about home sales and just how much buyers will be seeking to make them as energy efficient as possible and of course this will not be at taxpayers expense

    Just one of the many things that will change in the coming months and years

    All the best to them, they might be a bit limited for choice. Not sure what things are like where they are but this is where I live:



    I have never seen so few properties on the market in and around my estate.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,583
    edited March 2022

    “Posh” was Gordon Brown code for “English”. SLab’s dogwhistle.
    Except much of Scotland is posher than most of England outside London and the South East, certainly around Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire and St Andrews for example.

    After all the only royal palaces and residences outside London and the South and Norfolk are in Scotland, Holyroodhouse, Birkhall and Balmoral
  • philiphphiliph Posts: 4,705
    biggles said:

    No you’re not.
    I agree with you
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 37,614
    Russia has suspended the sale of foreign currencies until September 9, the central bank said Wednesday.
    Between March 9 and September 9 "the banks will not be able to sell foreign currencies to citizens." (AFP)
    All ruble convertibility is over. Putin has destroyed the ruble.

    https://twitter.com/anders_aslund/status/1501315627386118145
  • IshmaelZIshmaelZ Posts: 21,830
    Farooq said:

    you're both wrong
    make that 3 of you.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 37,614
    Ukraine war: Russian president Vladimir Putin is barred from UK pub http://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-russian-president-vladimir-putin-is-barred-from-uk-pub-12560787
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 50,802
    Former Georgian Defence Minister wasting no time:

    #Ukraine: Georgian volunteers, led by the former Georgian Defence Minister, captured a Russian BMP-2 IFV.

    Note Barrett Model 99 AMR. https://t.co/k7SVVnpHI7
  • Scott_xP said:

    Russia has suspended the sale of foreign currencies until September 9, the central bank said Wednesday.
    Between March 9 and September 9 "the banks will not be able to sell foreign currencies to citizens." (AFP)
    All ruble convertibility is over. Putin has destroyed the ruble.

    https://twitter.com/anders_aslund/status/1501315627386118145

    Is it rubble?
  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 6,735
    Foxy said:

    These Ukranians look pleased with their panzerfausts. Old Skool.

    https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1501303979153711108?t=my_acjjaJNB2pd8Pd7j3cw&s=19

    Christ, I hope someone briefs them on which silhouettes NOT to run towards if you only have one of them. There’s some to leave to your mates with NLAW and Javelin.
  • philiphphiliph Posts: 4,705
    Farooq said:

    you're both wrong
    But not as wrong as you
  • The eldest son of a Tory MP and former government minister is among a group of British ex-servicemen who have joined the war in Ukraine.

    Ben Grant, 30, who spent more than five years as a commando in the Royal Marines, is part of group of seven ex-servicemen who arrived in Ukraine over the weekend to fight invading Russian forces.

    His mother is Helen Grant, the Conservative MP for Maidstone and Boris Johnson’s special envoy on girls’ education. She is also a former minister for sport and tourism.

    The Guardian spoke to Grant in the ticket hall of Lviv station on Saturday as he waited to board a train for Kyiv.

    He said: “I haven’t been sent, nothing to do with the government, nothing to do with my mother. Just wanna make that clear, completely off my own back, I decided to do this. I didn’t even tell my mum, but it is what it is.”

    Grant, said he chose to head for Ukraine after seeing footage of Russian bombing of a house where a child could be heard screaming. He said: “I thought, I am a father of three, and if that was my kids I know what I would do, I would go and fight. Then I thought I would want another load of people who might be skilled enough to help me come and help me, come and help me, save my family.”


    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/08/tory-mps-son-among-uk-ex-servicemen-heading-to-ukrainian-front-line
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 18,181

    I said earlier that England has around the same number of empty homes as Ireland (200-250k). I pointed out that Ireland has one in eight homes empty; I didn't mention that England has about twelve times as many homes (24m to 2m), so has an empty homes ratio of about one in a hundred.

    I did say that France has over 2.5m empty homes. I didn't mention Germany (1.8m), Italy (over 2m) or Spain (3.4m).

    England's housing market is just messed up. At that sort of empty homes ratio, buyers can't exert much choice over which house they buy- it's just grabbing whatever is in roughly the right location, whatever the cost and quality.

    With the consequences we see around us. Goodness knows how this gets fixed.
  • SeaShantyIrish2SeaShantyIrish2 Posts: 17,559

    Plot twist!! Washington indicates it wasn't pre-consulted on Poland's decision to transfer jets...

    Victoria Nuland, State Department Undersecretary, just told Senate cmtte hearing: "To my knowledge, it wasn't pre-consulted with us that they planned to give these planes to us."


    https://twitter.com/LOS_Fisher/status/1501302889859325954

    All diplomatic statement must be carefully parsed and each word weighed.

    In this case, could be somewhat less dramatic (pun intended). For example, consultations (that she was aware of) had suggested other alternatives?

    Just sayin'
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,620
    Foxy said:

    These Ukranians look pleased with their panzerfausts. Old Skool.

    https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1501303979153711108?t=my_acjjaJNB2pd8Pd7j3cw&s=19

    I assume that Panzerfaust translates as tank fucker.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 18,181

    Is it rubble?
    The ruble is certainly in truble.

    (I think I may have nicked that gag from an episode of Metal Mickey.)
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,306
    16 year old schoolboys in Kyiv saying "Yes it is scary but I am ready to fight, we have to be ready", as they are offered their FIRST arms training

    God speed them
  • tlg86 said:

    All the best to them, they might be a bit limited for choice. Not sure what things are like where they are but this is where I live:



    I have never seen so few properties on the market in and around my estate.
    Actually my son has his own house and lived with his now wife in hers, and so they are in the fortunate position of being able to upgrade by selling both

    There is a shortage but there are some available but you have to act quickly
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,583

    France, Elabe poll:

    Macron (LREM-RE): 33.5% (+8.5)
    Le Pen (RN-ID): 15% (-2)
    Mélenchon (LFI-LEFT): 13% (+0.5)
    Zemmour (REC-NI): 11% (-3)
    Pécresse (LR-EPP): 10.5% (-1.5)


    +/- vs. 27-28 February 2022

    Fieldwork: 7-8 March 2022
    Sample size: 1,484

    It will be so funny if Melenchon scrapes into the runoff.

    Still looks like a Macron v Le Pen runoff but Melenchon making a late rally with the left getting behind him.

    However the polls show Macron would trounce Melenchon in any runoff, even more than he would beat Zemmour
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 37,614
    Exclusive

    Boris Johnson has opened the door to a return to fracking in the UK, The Telegraph understands.

    Wants his ministers to look again at whether it can play a part in improving UK energy independence. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/03/08/boris-johnson-looks-fracking-amid-energy-supply-crisis/
  • IshmaelZIshmaelZ Posts: 21,830
    HYUFD said:

    Except much of Scotland is posher than most of England outside London and the South East, certainly around Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire and St Andrews for example.

    After all the only royal palaces and residences outside London and the South and Norfolk are in Scotland, Holyroodhouse, Birkhall and Balmoral
    Wester Hailes and West Granton particularly favoured by the smart set, for instance. The Kensington and Notting Hill of Edinburgh.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 50,802
    Scott_xP said:

    Ukraine war: Russian president Vladimir Putin is barred from UK pub http://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-russian-president-vladimir-putin-is-barred-from-uk-pub-12560787

    Might need a couple of Ukranian bouncers there, Putin doesn't take the hint when he's not wanted.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,314
    philiph said:

    Is the bastard Putin imortal?
    The key word was contrite, and in action more than words. I don't see that even if that insecure little troll pops his clogs.
  • HYUFD said:

    Still looks like a Macron v Le Pen runoff but Melenchon making a late rally with the left getting behind him.

    However the polls show Macron would trounce Melenchon in any runoff, even more than he would beat Zemmour
    Macron is home and dry
  • Gary_BurtonGary_Burton Posts: 737
    edited March 2022
    biggles said:

    Makes sense I suppose. Macron being attacked from the left might make for a more tense election.
    He hasn't even surged more steadily crept up while the right wing vote is split and he might only need to win over Rousell's vote.

    I'm not an expert on Melenchon's positions although I do think it would be a better policy debate with him in the runoff even if he gets crushed by Macron (up to 69-31% in some runoff polls). He was quite forthright on criticising NATO a couple of days ago which seemed brave to say the least. I would have thought he could do as well as 40% by being populist on domestic issues but if the debate is around NATO/security I suppose that plays far more to Macron's advantage
  • MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 14,008

    I assume that Panzerfaust translates as tank fucker.
    When David Cameron attempted it, it drew a few laughs. 😏
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,583

    Macron is home and dry
    Ironically Le Pen now runs him closest in runoff polls
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 35,164
    edited March 2022
    Scott_xP said:

    Exclusive

    Boris Johnson has opened the door to a return to fracking in the UK, The Telegraph understands.

    Wants his ministers to look again at whether it can play a part in improving UK energy independence. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/03/08/boris-johnson-looks-fracking-amid-energy-supply-crisis/

    That truly is earth-shattering news.

    I thought fracking in the UK had been ruled out on geological grounds?

    What time does the PB Geology team clock-on, it'd be good to have an informed view on this.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 50,802

    I assume that Panzerfaust translates as tank fucker.
    Tank-fister I think is the literal translation, and Germans are a rather literal bunch.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 50,967

    I said earlier that England has around the same number of empty homes as Ireland (200-250k). I pointed out that Ireland has one in eight homes empty; I didn't mention that England has about twelve times as many homes (24m to 2m), so has an empty homes ratio of about one in a hundred.

    I did say that France has over 2.5m empty homes. I didn't mention Germany (1.8m), Italy (over 2m) or Spain (3.4m).

    Lots of those latter are British owned?
  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 6,735

    That truly is earth-shattering news.

    I thought fracking in the UK had been ruled out on geological grounds?

    What time does the PB Geology team clock-on, it'd be good to have an informed view on this.
    Divorce soon?
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 27,417

    That truly is earth-shattering news.

    I thought fracking in the UK had been ruled out on geological grounds?

    What time does the PB Geology team clock-on, it'd be good to have an informed view on this.
    Absolutely no chance of fracking unless the local people actually personally gain financially.

    Otherwise they'll oppose it followed by their councillors and MPs.
  • IshmaelZIshmaelZ Posts: 21,830
    kle4 said:

    The key word was contrite, and in action more than words. I don't see that even if that insecure little troll pops his clogs.
    It's very hard to know. Kremninology is impossible these days because it is the study of structures and relationships, and there aren't any: everything happens inside Putin's head. It's noticeable that we see no breathless and probably wildly inaccurate reports about the hawkish tendency headed by Obolensky vs the loose alliance of doves led by Bezhukov. There are no such people, unless they emerge from the woodwork after Putin's entirely accidental defenestration in the coming days
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,942
    Scott_xP said:

    Russia has suspended the sale of foreign currencies until September 9, the central bank said Wednesday.
    Between March 9 and September 9 "the banks will not be able to sell foreign currencies to citizens." (AFP)
    All ruble convertibility is over. Putin has destroyed the ruble.

    https://twitter.com/anders_aslund/status/1501315627386118145

    In fairness he did say he wanted to recreate the Soviet Union.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 50,802

    France, Elabe poll:

    Macron (LREM-RE): 33.5% (+8.5)
    Le Pen (RN-ID): 15% (-2)
    Mélenchon (LFI-LEFT): 13% (+0.5)
    Zemmour (REC-NI): 11% (-3)
    Pécresse (LR-EPP): 10.5% (-1.5)


    +/- vs. 27-28 February 2022

    Fieldwork: 7-8 March 2022
    Sample size: 1,484

    It will be so funny if Melenchon scrapes into the runoff.

    Currently 13 on Smarkets to make the final two. I have had a nibble.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,306
    Scott_xP said:

    Russia has suspended the sale of foreign currencies until September 9, the central bank said Wednesday.
    Between March 9 and September 9 "the banks will not be able to sell foreign currencies to citizens." (AFP)
    All ruble convertibility is over. Putin has destroyed the ruble.

    https://twitter.com/anders_aslund/status/1501315627386118145

    Autarky beckons for Russia. Generally doesn't go well. Cf Albania, North Korea
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 18,181
    HYUFD said:

    Ironically Le Pen now runs him closest in runoff polls
    Not that surprising, though.

    In different ways, Zemmour and Mélenchon are just beyond the pale. I'm not taking questions on that, they just are.

    Pécresse has turned out to be a disappointing candidate, a bit like TMay in 2017. She is also a bit stuffed in terms of ideology- she has to distance herself from Macron without going too far into Loonyville, and that leaves her with a fairly small space.

    If you want a convincing rival for Macron, you probably end up with someone like le Pen; shades of the great realignment along a national populist vs. global liberal axis. But once that alignment properly shakes out, national populism probably loses handily.
  • Wulfrun_PhilWulfrun_Phil Posts: 4,780

    Plot twist!! Washington indicates it wasn't pre-consulted on Poland's decision to transfer jets...

    Victoria Nuland, State Department Undersecretary, just told Senate cmtte hearing: "To my knowledge, it wasn't pre-consulted with us that they planned to give these planes to us."


    https://twitter.com/LOS_Fisher/status/1501302889859325954

    Sky News is suggesting that the US is going cool on the whole idea of providing or in this case just enabling air reinforcements to Ukraine. Logistical difficulties of providing Poland with replacements promised to Taiwan. Worried that it would be seen as escalation. A no fly zone by the back door. etc etc

    FFS
  • That truly is earth-shattering news.

    I thought fracking in the UK had been ruled out on geological grounds?

    What time does the PB Geology team clock-on, it'd be good to have an informed view on this.
    Reality is bitting as we need to transition to net zero, but ensure we are self reliant during the transition including new oil and gas production

    For those who object they need to explain and justify impoverishing our citizens when a compromise is available and when others will continue and send their product to us anyway

    This is another consequence of this war
  • IshmaelZIshmaelZ Posts: 21,830
    Leon said:

    Autarky beckons for Russia. Generally doesn't go well. Cf Albania, North Korea
    And a self-inflicted holodomor; their wheat comes from Ukraine.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 43,130
    edited March 2022
    Foxy said:

    Tank-fister I think is the literal translation, and Germans are a rather literal bunch.
    You didn't want your Churchill getting a fisting.
  • Gary_BurtonGary_Burton Posts: 737

    Not that surprising, though.

    In different ways, Zemmour and Mélenchon are just beyond the pale. I'm not taking questions on that, they just are.

    Pécresse has turned out to be a disappointing candidate, a bit like TMay in 2017. She is also a bit stuffed in terms of ideology- she has to distance herself from Macron without going too far into Loonyville, and that leaves her with a fairly small space.

    If you want a convincing rival for Macron, you probably end up with someone like le Pen; shades of the great realignment along a national populist vs. global liberal axis. But once that alignment properly shakes out, national populism probably loses handily.
    Latest Elabe runoff polls

    ⏫Macron (LREM): 61 % (+3,5)
    ⏬Le Pen (RN): 39 % (-3,5)

    🆕Macron (LREM): 68,5 %
    🆕Mélenchon (FI): 31,5 %

    ⏫Macron (LREM): 69,5 % (+4)
    ⏬Zemmour (R!): 30,5 % (-4)

    Zemmour the weakest opposing candidate here, although not much in it.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 50,802

    He hasn't even surged more steadily crept up while the right wing vote is split and he might only need to win over Rousell's vote.

    I'm not an expert on Melenchon's positions although I do think it would be a better policy debate with him in the runoff even if he gets crushed by Macron (up to 69-31% in some runoff polls). He was quite forthright on criticising NATO a couple of days ago which seemed brave to say the least. I would have thought he could do as well as 40% by being populist on domestic issues but if the debate is around NATO/security I suppose that plays far more to Macron's advantage
    After all the nutty Right Populists haven't done much in the final two, give the nutty Left Populist a crack at it!
  • MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 14,008
    edited March 2022
    HYUFD said:

    Still looks like a Macron v Le Pen runoff but Melenchon making a late rally with the left getting behind him.

    However the polls show Macron would trounce Melenchon in any runoff, even more than he would beat Zemmour
    Polls are giving Macron war bounce, the actual vote may not, polling still a long way off, so what are you calling late rally? The election hasn’t really got going yet. This can get very tight for Macron regardless his opponent, because it won’t be a left or right opponent, it will be a strong nationalist, eurosceptic opponent in either Le Pen or Melenchon, armed with what they didn’t have last time, they know his true agenda, that means he won’t get a lot of abstensions in his favour this time, his agenda brought from left to right together with yellow shirts on. I wouldn’t rule out a Macron loss at this stage once it gets down to real issues and what voters on the ground want.
  • TheWhiteRabbitTheWhiteRabbit Posts: 12,454

    What proportion of Russians hold shares? I assume not very many.
    No, but it's Russian companies that are listed.

    Anyway, Isee I got played.

    Foreign exchange will open tomorrow. For currencies other than, er, the ruble.
  • FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 10,022
    Leon said:

    And, moreover, when we now learn that the absurd UK anti-fracking campaign was funded by Russia
    It'll be interesting to see which organisations/campaigns now start struggling for funds.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,306

    Sky News is suggesting that the US is going cool on the whole idea of providing or in this case just enabling air reinforcements to Ukraine. Logistical difficulties of providing Poland with replacements promised to Taiwan. Worried that it would be seen as escalation. A no fly zone by the back door. etc etc

    FFS
    I disagree. This has to be done very delicately. We do edge close to outright confrontation, which means outright war
  • It'll be interesting to see which organisations/campaigns now start struggling for funds.
    Please XR. Please XR.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,094
    Putin just banned the export of all raw materials from Russia apparently...
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,942
    Pulpstar said:

    Putin just banned the export of all raw materials from Russia apparently...

    He has genuinely gone insane. Does he want the Chinese against him too?
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 34,150

    Latest Elabe runoff polls

    ⏫Macron (LREM): 61 % (+3,5)
    ⏬Le Pen (RN): 39 % (-3,5)

    🆕Macron (LREM): 68,5 %
    🆕Mélenchon (FI): 31,5 %

    ⏫Macron (LREM): 69,5 % (+4)
    ⏬Zemmour (R!): 30,5 % (-4)

    Zemmour the weakest opposing candidate here, although not much in it.
    What about Macron versus the centre-right female candidate? Can't remember her name.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 50,802
    A Russian man with a blank sheet of paper and gagging himself was also detained at Kirov Square, Irkutsk today. 🤣

    A nice demonstration of the current state of paranoia of Russian police… https://t.co/XgdN75lgJE
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 34,150
    Scott_xP said:

    Exclusive

    Boris Johnson has opened the door to a return to fracking in the UK, The Telegraph understands.

    Wants his ministers to look again at whether it can play a part in improving UK energy independence. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/03/08/boris-johnson-looks-fracking-amid-energy-supply-crisis/

    Good news. Not fracking is ridiculous IMO. Similar to the opposition to GM crops about 20 years ago.
  • IshmaelZIshmaelZ Posts: 21,830
    Farooq said:

    Ummm, I think Russia is a net exporter of wheat
    Ah. Another thing I was wrong about, then
  • Please XR. Please XR.
    Why would the Russians fund XR? Surely the last thing they want is an accelerated move away from dependence on fossil fuels!
  • philiphphiliph Posts: 4,705
    Pulpstar said:

    Putin just banned the export of all raw materials from Russia apparently...

    Are oil and gas raw materials?
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 29,848
    Leon said:

    And, moreover, when we now learn that the absurd UK anti-fracking campaign was funded by Russia
    Probably it was but the usual form is to deny that voters can be influenced by online activity.
  • TheWhiteRabbitTheWhiteRabbit Posts: 12,454
    Farooq said:

    Ummm, I think Russia is a net exporter of wheat
    Wheat, yes. Food it is about neutral. Which implies quite the change to the Russian diet.

    At least, I assume so. A lack of exports will do nothing to help the ruble or foster foreign exchange reserves for imports.
  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 6,735

    You didn't want your Churchill getting a fisting.
    Dunno, it’s namesake was a public school boy.
  • FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 10,022
    DavidL said:

    He has genuinely gone insane. Does he want the Chinese against him too?
    China imports a fair bit of grain from Ukraine. Suspect they will be worried about that too.
  • Gary_BurtonGary_Burton Posts: 737
    Andy_JS said:

    What about Macron versus the centre-right female candidate? Can't remember her name.
    I think some of the pollsters aren't even bothering doing hypothetical runoffs for Pecresse because she seems so unlikely to get into the runoff. That said it still seems strange to do polls for Zemmour (and Melenchon) and not her.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 65,121
    Pulpstar said:

    Putin just banned the export of all raw materials from Russia apparently...

    He thinks we wont last long in solidarity once the fertiliser, potash, aluminium and nickel is turned off.

    Twat.

  • MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 14,008
    Foxy said:

    Currently 13 on Smarkets to make the final two. I have had a nibble.
    I was on at 14. You are too slow. Like the Leicester defence.
  • nico679nico679 Posts: 6,277
    biggles said:

    Isn’t Mélenchon anti-NATO and anti-EU? Seems odd for him to surge in France with those policies at the minute?

    Polls are giving Macron war bounce, the actual vote may not, polling still a long way off, so what are you calling late rally? The election hasn’t really got going yet. This can get very tight for Macron regardless his opponent, because it won’t be a left or right opponent, it will be a strong nationalist, eurosceptic opponent in either Le Pen or Melenchon, armed with what they didn’t have last time, they know his true agenda, that means he won’t get a lot of abstensions in his favour this time, his agenda brought from left to right together with yellow shirts on. I wouldn’t rule out a Macron loss at this stage once it gets down to real issues and what voters on the ground want.
    No chance the French will vote for any Putin apologist . The candidate that could have given him problems was Pécresse before her campaign hit the buffers .

  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 6,735
    Pulpstar said:

    Putin just banned the export of all raw materials from Russia apparently...

    Good job they are completely self sufficient in all they could ever need. Oh wait….
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 43,130
    biggles said:

    Dunno, it’s namesake was a public school boy.
    Vulnerable at the rear?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,306
    #UCRANIA LLEGAN REFUERZOS :

    Un envío de lanzagranadas e instructores N-LAW de países de la #OTAN llegó a #Kharkiv . Ya los combatientes están en instrucción y desplegados.
    Translated from Spanish by
    #UCRANIA REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE:

    A consignment of N-LAW grenade launchers and trainers from #OTAN countries arrived at #Kharkiv . The combatants are already in training and deployed.


    https://twitter.com/henrycontra/status/1501326564662853643?s=20&t=3tamDoDdZPnl45tq5lTwug

    Go, the NLAWs
  • x

    Why would the Russians fund XR? Surely the last thing they want is an accelerated move away from dependence on fossil fuels!
    The Russians know we need them. Whatever XR say. If we don't produce them, then we buy them.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 50,802

    I was on at 14. You are too slow. Like the Leicester defence.
    2 clean sheets in the last two games. Safe mid-table obscurity beckons. 🙂

    Rennes on Tursday are a challenge. Quite a decent side, so I am told.

    To Albania we're on our way....
This discussion has been closed.