(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
I have no belief in the effectiveness of the EU Parliament. I simply find the negatiuve reaction to their passing of a resolution to uphold the standards of the institution to be quite deeply strange.
It's just people reacting to a tweet when they have no context of what's been going on for years. Any idiot can juxtapose two unrelated things and provoke a reaction. A few minutes looking at the details is the cure, but some people prefer the rush of emotion to the facts.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
In your view, other views are available
Poland's government has been politically interfering with its judiciary. Read up on it, it's very bad. It's been going on for years. It's only the timing, the juxtaposition of two unrelated stories, that is making people react. Rule of law matter, you don't suspend it just because there are refugees coming in.
There is common sense but then to many the EU is sacrosanct and can do no wrong
Hungary, Ukraine and Poland are all, ultimately, about the rule of law. Can't have one without the others. And so, yes, the timing has an awkward aspect, but it in other ways it is perfect. It underscores the West's commitment to defending the rule or law whether attacked overtly and militarily, or covertly through the country's own democratic and legal mechanisms.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
In your view, other views are available
Poland's government has been politically interfering with its judiciary. Read up on it, it's very bad. It's been going on for years. It's only the timing, the juxtaposition of two unrelated stories, that is making people react. Rule of law matter, you don't suspend it just because there are refugees coming in.
There is common sense but then to many the EU is sacrosanct and can do no wrong
I don't believe I've ever considered the EU as sacrosanct and unable to do wrong, certainly not having voted for Brexit in the first place. Recant that position though I may have the EU remains an organisation that cocks up frequently.
So the idea anyone raising it believes the EU can do no wrong is provably nonsense.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
I have no belief in the effectiveness of the EU Parliament. I simply find the negatiuve reaction to their passing of a resolution to uphold the standards of the institution to be quite deeply strange.
When Russian forces are on the streets of Brussels and the Russian flag is raised above the EU Parliament no doubt they will still be voting to sanction their supposed fellow member states and NATO allies!
If we get to the point of Russian troops storming Brussels I believe the parliament would at the least consent to adjourn until they can get to Strasbourg.
I have no belief in the effectiveness of the EU Parliament. I simply find the negatiuve reaction to their passing of a resolution to uphold the standards of the institution to be quite deeply strange.
When Russian forces are on the streets of Brussels and the Russian flag is raised above the EU Parliament no doubt they will still be voting to sanction their supposed fellow member states and NATO allies!
Remember when you said Russia is a democracy? Hilarious times, those heady days of [checks notes] two weeks ago
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
I might be angry with my government - but i don't think as a result I'd be calling for other organisations to impose sanctions on my country as a result.
Ukr offers $1m to any ru pilot who defects with his plane.
I admire the inventiveness of that ! The west should offer £1 billion to any russian nuclear missile commander who defects with that !
I seem to recall that in Iraq and Pakistan, offering larger amounts of bounty was sometimes counterproductive. Because poor people can imagine, in their wildest dreams, what $1000 is. They have a tough time imagining $25 million, let alone $1 billion, so it means less to them and is less motivating.
Ukr offers $1m to any ru pilot who defects with his plane.
I admire the inventiveness of that ! The west should offer £1 billion to any russian nuclear missile commander who defects with that !
Judging by the (lack of) maintenance of most of their sporadically used gear I doubt the average Russian nuclear warhead could boil a kettle on command.
I have no belief in the effectiveness of the EU Parliament. I simply find the negatiuve reaction to their passing of a resolution to uphold the standards of the institution to be quite deeply strange.
When Russian forces are on the streets of Brussels and the Russian flag is raised above the EU Parliament no doubt they will still be voting to sanction their supposed fellow member states and NATO allies!
If we get to the point of Russian troops storming Brussels I believe the parliament would at the least consent to adjourn until they can get to Strasbourg.
France has nukes unlike Belgium, so yes they might be a bit safer there
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
In your view, other views are available
Poland's government has been politically interfering with its judiciary. Read up on it, it's very bad. It's been going on for years. It's only the timing, the juxtaposition of two unrelated stories, that is making people react. Rule of law matter, you don't suspend it just because there are refugees coming in.
There is common sense but then to many the EU is sacrosanct and can do no wrong
It'll shock you to hear that there is a flip side to that. The best thing to do is to expand your reading on the subject to beyond 280 characters before emoting.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
Has it gone through ? It was something they were consulting on earlier this year.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
Has it gone through ? It was something they were consulting on earlier this year.
It is certainly Drakeford's intention and there is uproar here
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
I might be angry with my government - but i don't think as a result I'd be calling for other organisations to impose sanctions on my country as a result.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
I might be angry with my government - but i don't think as a result I'd be calling for other organisations to impose sanctions on my country as a result.
Perhaps, but the situation is more complicated when one is pooling sovereignty in an organisation like the EU. Some of the MEPs will be of a political perusasion opposed to the government at home, and some of the opinion at home will be in favour of opposing their government. Many will see the EU doing it and not like that, but others won't necessarily see the EU as so much of an external force.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
My corner of Wales seems politically happier than yours.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
That's madness. How does that work? Who is it imposed on? Is it on accommodation? Wales is just 40 miles down the road. But so is the Peak District; the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales not much further. Wales has great beaches, but so does Devon and Cornwall. And people can go abroad again now. Tourism is pretty competitive again. Utter lunacy.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
I've been really impressed by Poland's willingness to take so many refugees without whinging that they ought to be spread across all the EU countries. At the very least, I think they deserve financial help for that. But at the same time the Government is increasingly Trumpian in its attitude to opponents and notably willing to subvert the judiciary. Being penalised for it by the EU has been a long time coming. The juxtaposition doesn't look great, though, and it would have been sensible to delay the vote for a couple of months.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
My corner of Wales seems politically happier than yours.
Well it's not got Wales's biggest BJ fan in it for a start.
Twitter has removed false tweets from the Russian embassy account in London that claimed images from the bombing of a children’s and maternity hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine, were fake"
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
It doesn't in the slightest, but: 1) "many" is (probably?) not a majority 2) there's a long way from "angry" to "prepared to vote in their country's immediate short-term interests"
I never had much of a idea as to what the UK MEPs were voting for and why, but I'm certain it had way more to do with internal EU politics and horse-trading than anything else.
Ukr offers $1m to any ru pilot who defects with his plane.
I admire the inventiveness of that ! The west should offer £1 billion to any russian nuclear missile commander who defects with that !
Judging by the (lack of) maintenance of most of their sporadically used gear I doubt the average Russian nuclear warhead could boil a kettle on command.
Perhaps true, but not something one generally wishes to test.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
I might be angry with my government - but i don't think as a result I'd be calling for other organisations to impose sanctions on my country as a result.
Scotland's government otoh
I also consider Scotland's government a tad sub-optimal, but I wouldn't call for sanctions on Scotland either. Not even when they arbitrarily decide to bar travel from Greater Manchester.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Have a look at the 2013 polls….
Have a look at the economic train wreck coming down the track which wasn't coming down the track in 2015.
If Johnson holds on in 2024 he is able to defy gravity. Perhaps he can.
There are huge questions for all political parties going forward as this war has changed everything, and the party that can come forward with policies to address the cost of living, the need to source our own oil and gas for a transition period of years , and address how the NHS and now defence demands billions of additional investments when we have absolutely no money will win
Predicting landslides may comfort some but the reality is it could be anything between a labour government, a coalition, or dare I say Boris with a majority government
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
Checking it's an overnight stay tax, which I'm not sure they have the power to impose on hotels.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
I've been really impressed by Poland's willingness to take so many refugees without whinging that they ought to be spread across all the EU countries. At the very least, I think they deserve financial help for that. But at the same time the Government is increasingly Trumpian in its attitude to opponents and notably willing to subvert the judiciary. Being penalised for it by the EU has been a long time coming. The juxtaposition doesn't look great, though, and it would have been sensible to delay the vote for a couple of months.
It's already been delayed for an unfeasibly long time. Kudos to the EU Parliament I say.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
My corner of Wales seems politically happier than yours.
Probably until Drakeford's policies come into force
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
That's madness. How does that work? Who is it imposed on? Is it on accommodation? Wales is just 40 miles down the road. But so is the Peak District; the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales not much further. Wales has great beaches, but so does Devon and Cornwall. And people can go abroad again now. Tourism is pretty competitive again. Utter lunacy.
Around £3 a night for a hotel stay and £1 for a campsite. I don't think you will mind spending so few of your English pounds on me.
No matter the poor performance of the Russians we're perfectly capable of doing much the same. In this I'm mainly criticising Generals - we have far too many, the MoD - flabby beyond imagination, the treasury - procurement is easy, you buy stuff that works, but that doesn't happen so much; but also it seems that the average serviceman isn't so engaged (Oddly the guys that we want are off awol - although I'd not back their actions).
AFAICS we only have 3 real Generals in the Army.
Though two of them are called Sir Mark Alexander Popham Carleton-Smith and Sir Patrick Nicholas Yardley Monrad Sanders, which probably makes up for the other 20 we haven't got.
I'm not sure which sod put their full names on Wikipedia.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
That's madness. How does that work? Who is it imposed on? Is it on accommodation? Wales is just 40 miles down the road. But so is the Peak District; the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales not much further. Wales has great beaches, but so does Devon and Cornwall. And people can go abroad again now. Tourism is pretty competitive again. Utter lunacy.
Details here and due to come in force in Autumn 22
No matter the poor performance of the Russians we're perfectly capable of doing much the same. In this I'm mainly criticising Generals - we have far too many, the MoD - flabby beyond imagination, the treasury - procurement is easy, you buy stuff that works, but that doesn't happen so much; but also it seems that the average serviceman isn't so engaged (Oddly the guys that we want are off awol - although I'd not back their actions).
AFAICS we only have 3 real Generals in the Army.
Though two of them are called Sir Mark Alexander Popham Carleton-Smith and Sir Patrick Nicholas Yardley Monrad Sanders, which probably makes up for the other 20 we haven't got.
I'm not sure which sod put their full names on Wikipedia.
Probably not many Hartlepool connections with those lads.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
It doesn't in the slightest, but: 1) "many" is (probably?) not a majority 2) there's a long way from "angry" to "prepared to vote in their country's immediate short-term interests"
I never had much of a idea as to what the UK MEPs were voting for and why, but I'm certain it had way more to do with internal EU politics and horse-trading than anything else.
The question of what's in the country's interests is, of course, central here. In my view, rule of law is foundational, and anything built upon a system that subverts justice to politics is unsteady at best. I would personally take a "short term" economic hit to have an independent judiciary. So would most people. That is, after all, we have a justice system funded by the taxpayer. Rule of law is a public good and should extend to all independent of means.
If some people come to the opposite view after at least considering the issue, I can hear that (and I would still disagree). I just don't think "but this other crisis!" is at all an honourable argument. Especially as the actions that have led to this long predate the current iteration of the Ukraine situation.
And, in any case, a strong economy requires rule of law. Kleptocracies tend to underperform significantly economically as the uncertainty they bring increases the costs of investment.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
That's madness. How does that work? Who is it imposed on? Is it on accommodation? Wales is just 40 miles down the road. But so is the Peak District; the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales not much further. Wales has great beaches, but so does Devon and Cornwall. And people can go abroad again now. Tourism is pretty competitive again. Utter lunacy.
Around £3 a night for a hotel stay and £1 for a campsite. I don't think you will mind spending so few of your English pounds on me.
P.S It has Labour and PC support.
I wonder what it will end up as in several years time.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
That's madness. How does that work? Who is it imposed on? Is it on accommodation? Wales is just 40 miles down the road. But so is the Peak District; the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales not much further. Wales has great beaches, but so does Devon and Cornwall. And people can go abroad again now. Tourism is pretty competitive again. Utter lunacy.
Around £3 a night for a hotel stay and £1 for a campsite. I don't think you will mind spending so few of your English pounds on me.
P.S It has Labour and PC support.
I don't begrudge you, Pete (whereabouts in Wales are you?) - but costs add up, and if accommodation in Wales ends up being more expensive than accommodation not in Wales, then business will flow to not-Wales. It's only a bit - so it will only have a bit of an effect - but changes to costs have effects on people's choices. And fewer people will visit Wales as a result.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
My corner of Wales seems politically happier than yours.
Probably until Drakeford's policies come into force
Drakey for his manifold faults is head and shoulders less bad that Paul and Andrew RT Gammon.
Chelsea to have home advantage in their PL matches.
Can they sell tickets?
No. This is one sanction the Government confirmed will be enforced in order to deprive Abramovich of “benefiting from his ownership of the club”. That means only those who have previously bought tickets for home matches - including approximately 28,000 season-ticket holders - will be able to attend. That would appear to include any away supporters at Stamford Bridge, which may not go down well with rival clubs and their fans, and could cast doubt on the integrity of any competition.
As it stands, Chelsea will be forced to hold their Champions League home matches from the quarter-final onwards behind closed doors because cup ties are not included in a season ticket. It is also unclear how many supporters will be allowed to attend their remaining FA Cup ties. Ticket revenue for those ties is shared and some of the away allocation - but not all - has already been sold for Chelsea’s quarter-final at Middlesbrough.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Have a look at the 2013 polls….
Have a look at the economic train wreck coming down the track which wasn't coming down the track in 2015.
If Johnson holds on in 2024 he is able to defy gravity. Perhaps he can.
There are huge questions for all political parties going forward as this war has changed everything, and the party that can come forward with policies to address the cost of living, the need to source our own oil and gas for a transition period of years , and address how the NHS and now defence demands billions of additional investments when we have absolutely no money will win
Predicting landslides may comfort some but the reality is it could be anything between a labour government, a coalition, or dare I say Boris with a majority government
Coalition sounds Ok. The last coalition we had in 2010-15 was arguably one of the best governments for a while. Perhaps we should hope that the SNP hold the balance and behaves so unreasonably that we get a German style grand coalition?
Sensible members of the public would fund Labour. Would be better for us all.
Well ye-es... but unfortunately sensible members of the public tend not to fund any political parties. The era of parties funded by mass memberships has passed, if it ever existed.
I don't have a solution, btw, and I welcome that Labour is no longer in hock to the loonies at Unite.
Sensible members of the public would fund Labour. Would be better for us all.
Well ye-es... but unfortunately sensible members of the public tend not to fund any political parties. The era of parties funded by mass memberships has passed, if it ever existed.
I don't have a solution, btw, and I welcome that Labour is no longer in hock to the loonies at Unite.
I am reasonably sensible and I fund Labour every month
Sensible members of the public would fund Labour. Would be better for us all.
Well ye-es... but unfortunately sensible members of the public tend not to fund any political parties. The era of parties funded by mass memberships has passed, if it ever existed.
I don't have a solution, btw, and I welcome that Labour is no longer in hock to the loonies at Unite.
They, and the Tories, will just have to get by on less money. The amount capable of being donated by an individual or group should be much reduced.
A lot of new videos of Ukrainians destroying Russian tanks today, especially in the vicinity of Kyiv.
Very poor tactics from the Russians according to most commentaries I've read.
Yet they've moved 5 km closer to Kiev.
The brutality of the plan is quite something, both for the young Russian conscripts and Ukraine.
It is reminiscent of their WW2 tactics. Even when they had the enemy on the run and at their mercy the strategy seemed to be throw bodies at them and win by brute strength and willpower rather than strategy.
From what I have heard it may be that the defenders of Kiev would actually prefer the Russians to get a bit closer. It is a stretagy known as 'hugging' and it works particularly well when you are defending on home soil but you have a deficit of men and munitions.
All the Americans I know are talking about the price of gas. It is totemic over there in a way it isn't for us. Nearing eight dollars a gallon in some places. Increasing discontent about inflation, too.
I think perhaps the difference with the UK is people don't think petrol or food prices would be any cheaper under a Labour government, while they seem to think they would be cheaper under the republicans over in the States.
Going to be ironic when the Western world unites long enough to put Putin back in his box just in time to let laughing boy Trump back in the White House and undo it all.
All the Americans I know are talking about the price of gas. It is totemic over there in a way it isn't for us. Nearing eight dollars a gallon in some places. Increasing discontent about inflation, too.
I think perhaps the difference with the UK is people don't think petrol or food prices would be any cheaper under a Labour government, while they seem to think they would be cheaper under the republicans over in the States.
We put up with getting ripped off, don't we? I reckon it's partly why the Premier League is so successful. The Germans would never put up with paying what we do to watch our own domestic football.
All the Americans I know are talking about the price of gas. It is totemic over there in a way it isn't for us. Nearing eight dollars a gallon in some places. Increasing discontent about inflation, too.
I think perhaps the difference with the UK is people don't think petrol or food prices would be any cheaper under a Labour government, while they seem to think they would be cheaper under the republicans over in the States.
Last time I was over there I can remember a couple of occasions when I remarked how cheap petrol was in the USA compared to the UK.
All the Americans I know are talking about the price of gas. It is totemic over there in a way it isn't for us. Nearing eight dollars a gallon in some places. Increasing discontent about inflation, too.
I think perhaps the difference with the UK is people don't think petrol or food prices would be any cheaper under a Labour government, while they seem to think they would be cheaper under the republicans over in the States.
Last time I was over there I can remember a couple of occasions when I remarked how cheap petrol was in the USA compared to the UK.
It didn't win me any friends.
One irony is that because our taxes are so ridiculously high, it kind of levels out prices. The price of petrol has gone from trough to peak here up by about 60% already but the price of oil has gone up much, much more than that.
I expect as a percentage gas price rises have risen far higher there than here.
All the Americans I know are talking about the price of gas. It is totemic over there in a way it isn't for us. Nearing eight dollars a gallon in some places. Increasing discontent about inflation, too.
I think perhaps the difference with the UK is people don't think petrol or food prices would be any cheaper under a Labour government, while they seem to think they would be cheaper under the republicans over in the States.
Last time I was over there I can remember a couple of occasions when I remarked how cheap petrol was in the USA compared to the UK.
It didn't win me any friends.
Amazing that all the US oil fortunes were made when oil was like 2c a gallon! (Made up numbers)
These long-standing links need to be got rid of anyway. Unions are such a 19th Century concept anyway.
The Tories have similar awful baggage.
Comrade Len and Sharon on the one hand, Comrade Putin shills on the other.
Publicly funded and capped election campaigns can't come soon enough.
Absolutely not! Our taxes should be going to 'schools and hospitals' etc not funnelled to political parties.
If you can't get the public to voluntarily give your party money, then either convince them to do so, or just cope with spending less money.
You don't like who has been giving Labour money (nor do I). But just look at who has been filling your Party's trough.
I don't have a party.
People should give money voluntarily, but apart from micro amounts it should be publicly and subject to scrutiny. I have no qualms with caps on donations, equitably applied, but the principle of it being voluntary absolutely should be sacrosanct.
Walking up Charlotte St. Generally one of London’s most vibrant streets (“a man could be happy living on Charlotte Street” - Saul Bellow). I remember strolling down here in spring last year and it was desolate. Almost every bar and restaurant shuttered. Some in deep decay. I thought “this will never recover. Or it will take many years”
It has recovered. Already. Apart from a small section above Goodge Street, all the premises are buzzing - either with customers, or the sounds of building work. Several places are brand new
Highly encouraging. The resilience of cities. They can take a lot of punishment
I was in town yesterday and walked from Liverpool Street to the West End in the spring sunshine. The amazing thing is how many interesting new businesses have sprung up, often in the place of dull chains that got the hell of out of dodge when the pandemic hit. I came to the conclusion that the reset might benefit London in the medium term. Emulation has been replaced with innovation upon her fair streets.
Yes. Exactly my impression
Lots of boring chain coffee shops and the like have disappeared. Replaced by “Mongolian wine bars” and “Nepalese bubble tea boutiques”
So parts of london are actually looking MORE attractive and diverse than they did pre-plague
I never had any doubt that London would bounce back. It has a vitality that can't be tamed. If the pandemic cleared out some boring businesses and boring people (moving to the sticks, not dying) so much the better. I am really looking forward to summer in the city, there is so much going on especially here in SE London.
If anything it feels more youthful than before. It is the young who have flooded back. In numbers
As they should
Yeah, although everyone looks young to me these days! What London really needs is a property price reset to make it more affordable to the young, creative types etc but that doesn't seem imminent.
Young creatives need to do what they've always done: descend on a cheaper, grimier part of town and gentrify the crap out of it.
Trouble is, there literally aren't many areas like that left, anywhere near the centre. Lots of rubbish bits further out, but who wants to gentrify Edmonton or Wembley? To be a good candidate for gentrification you need lots of intriguing period buildings, and old industrial spaces, that can be spruced up, but also enough urban density and good transport for liveliness
Wembley actually has reasonable opportunity at gentrification because of the international branding of the place, home of football etc.
The home of Arsenal has been 100% gentrified. Woolwich workshop where it began is now this bar, and the arsenal a yuppie warren, or whatever the equivalent term now is. Annoyingly the artillery museum had to move out. Still not reopened somewhere in Wilts yet AFAIK
Quite; and up the hill from the Arsenal. I didn't get to see them, spending so much time messing around the fragments of RN Dockyard which exist in the former supply base on the other side of the ferry from the Arsenal, and whizzing round the artillery museum whiuch was being packed up at the time. Definitely on the list for another London visit, together with Spitalfields, etc.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
I like the conceit that Wales is SO seductive it can afford to tax the odd person who ends up there through no fault of their own
Like everyone else I've been thinking a lot about the situation in Ukraine. I was deeply troubled by the bombings of the hospital, and the pictures of dead people. There are no easy answers, but the danger is that we end up in a fog of indecisiveness, and events run away from us.
Putin's regime has revealed itself to be the antithesis of everything that we value, and have come to appreciate through centuries of civilisation. They have to be confronted, and fought. So wherever the fight is, we have to go. Every bit of damage to this regime is progress. The more difficult it is for them in Ukraine, the better. The more they suffer now, the harder it is next time around, for them.
My conclusion is that if we want to make a difference in terms of beating Putin, we have to back the Ukrainian government. The most effective way we can do that, as individuals, is with money, by donating to the Ukrainian army. I'm going to do that, rather than donating to humanitarian causes and refugees. Not because these are not worthy causes, but because there is an unlimited supply of people willing to back such causes, but fewer people willing to back the army.
Given Melenchon is even more pro Putin than Le Pen and wants to pull France out of NATO (Le Pen has at least shredded pictures of her meeting Putin and opposed the invasion) I doubt it makes any difference at all to the likelihood of Le Pen being Macron's opponent in the runoff.
The latest poll has Macron getting a boost from the situation on 30%, Le Pen still second on 18%, Pecresse third on 12% and Melenchon and Zemmour tied 4th on 11%.
As this is a betting site, and you don’t wish to mislead us, “ Given Melenchon is even more pro Putin than Le Pen and wants to pull France out of NATO” share with us this evidence you have seen from this campaign. I looked around for this and couldn’t find it.
The problem is that Mélenchon is a Corbyn lookalike who is just as compromised as Le Pen when it comes to his stance vis a vis Putin. Hollande has just said that Mélenchon may be a “useful vote”, in that he’s the front runner amongst the fissiparous left, but he weren’t be a “useful president”! He’s plateauing in recent polls.
I’m calling you out on this, Blurp. to call the ardent Nationalist Melenchon Corbynite is to call Corbyn an ardent Nationalist. Le Pen and Melenchon sit on the opposite side of the table from Corbyn. Anti immigration. Anti EU. Close borders, look after our own with early retirement etc. you need to take a closer look and rethink your response.
Once it gets underway this French election is not as it seems - Macrons policy positions are a declaration of war on what the French Electorate want right now.
These long-standing links need to be got rid of anyway. Unions are such a 19th Century concept anyway.
The Tories have similar awful baggage.
Comrade Len and Sharon on the one hand, Comrade Putin shills on the other.
Publicly funded and capped election campaigns can't come soon enough.
Absolutely not! Our taxes should be going to 'schools and hospitals' etc not funnelled to political parties.
If you can't get the public to voluntarily give your party money, then either convince them to do so, or just cope with spending less money.
You don't like who has been giving Labour money (nor do I). But just look at who has been filling your Party's trough.
I don't have a party.
People should give money voluntarily, but apart from micro amounts it should be publicly and subject to scrutiny. I have no qualms with caps on donations, equitably applied, but the principle of it being voluntary absolutely should be sacrosanct.
I am comfortable with a small portion of my taxes ensuring balanced elections.
Obscene amounts of donated money indirectly from foreign benefactors like Putin must end. Why are his shills funding political parties? Out of altruism or for some undisclosed perceived benefit.
@JenGriffinFNC Putin has overestimated his ability to use cryptocurrency to bypass sanctions; US has intercepted and taken down a number of crypto networks: FBI Chief Chris Wray tells Senate Intell Committee.
No matter the poor performance of the Russians we're perfectly capable of doing much the same. In this I'm mainly criticising Generals - we have far too many, the MoD - flabby beyond imagination, the treasury - procurement is easy, you buy stuff that works, but that doesn't happen so much; but also it seems that the average serviceman isn't so engaged (Oddly the guys that we want are off awol - although I'd not back their actions).
AFAICS we only have 3 real Generals in the Army.
Though two of them are called Sir Mark Alexander Popham Carleton-Smith and Sir Patrick Nicholas Yardley Monrad Sanders, which probably makes up for the other 20 we haven't got.
I'm not sure which sod put their full names on Wikipedia.
Probably not many Hartlepool connections with those lads.
The first anagrams to "An arsier "x" marked Hartlepool", fwiw.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
I like the conceit that Wales is SO seductive it can afford to tax the odd person who ends up there through no fault of their own
These long-standing links need to be got rid of anyway. Unions are such a 19th Century concept anyway.
The Tories have similar awful baggage.
Comrade Len and Sharon on the one hand, Comrade Putin shills on the other.
Publicly funded and capped election campaigns can't come soon enough.
Absolutely not! Our taxes should be going to 'schools and hospitals' etc not funnelled to political parties.
If you can't get the public to voluntarily give your party money, then either convince them to do so, or just cope with spending less money.
You don't like who has been giving Labour money (nor do I). But just look at who has been filling your Party's trough.
I don't have a party.
People should give money voluntarily, but apart from micro amounts it should be publicly and subject to scrutiny. I have no qualms with caps on donations, equitably applied, but the principle of it being voluntary absolutely should be sacrosanct.
I am comfortable with a small portion of my taxes ensuring balanced elections.
Obscene amounts of donated money indirectly from foreign benefactors like Putin must end. Why are his shills funding political parties? Out of altruism or for some undisclosed benefit.
At best they are doing it so the billionaire donors stay richer than they otherwise would. At worst it is to promote the policy goals of our enemies.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
I like the conceit that Wales is SO seductive it can afford to tax the odd person who ends up there through no fault of their own
Hoping to do a deal with them where they pay me a 30% rebate for every night I stay away from the miserable place
Comrade Len and Sharon on the one hand, Comrade Putin shills on the other.
Publicly funded and capped election campaigns can't come soon enough.
The latter point: I think you're probably right. Doesn't quite sit comfortably though.
There is already a cap on election spending in terms of what each party can spend in any constituency promoting its candidate. The problem is "national" spending - billboards, social media and the like which are general in nature and are more about attacking the opposition than promoting any given party.
We need a much more robust notion of what constitutes political activity and political spending.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
It doesn't in the slightest, but: 1) "many" is (probably?) not a majority 2) there's a long way from "angry" to "prepared to vote in their country's immediate short-term interests"
I never had much of a idea as to what the UK MEPs were voting for and why, but I'm certain it had way more to do with internal EU politics and horse-trading than anything else.
The question of what's in the country's interests is, of course, central here. In my view, rule of law is foundational, and anything built upon a system that subverts justice to politics is unsteady at best. I would personally take a "short term" economic hit to have an independent judiciary. So would most people. That is, after all, we have a justice system funded by the taxpayer. Rule of law is a public good and should extend to all independent of means.
If some people come to the opposite view after at least considering the issue, I can hear that (and I would still disagree). I just don't think "but this other crisis!" is at all an honourable argument. Especially as the actions that have led to this long predate the current iteration of the Ukraine situation.
Good effort! I can't disagree with any of that.
Missing the point a bit though. I'm still not buying that anything more than a tiny minority of Polish people support EU sanctions in this specific case.
Even among the tragic background, there is something very funny about Lavrov's delegation being received in Ankara by a massive pro-Ukraine crowd singing the Bayraktar song.
A lot of new videos of Ukrainians destroying Russian tanks today, especially in the vicinity of Kyiv.
Very poor tactics from the Russians according to most commentaries I've read.
Yet they've moved 5 km closer to Kiev.
The brutality of the plan is quite something, both for the young Russian conscripts and Ukraine.
isn’t it often young who are always cannon fodder in wars? I think the average age of death for US fighting in Vietnam was 19?
Average age of the combat soldiers as far as I know, from Paul Hardcastle.
In 1965 Vietnam seemed like just another foreign war, but it wasn't It was different in many ways, as so were those that did the fighting In World War II the average age of the combat soldier was twenty-six In Vietnam he was nineteen In inininininin Vietnam he was nineteen
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
I like the conceit that Wales is SO seductive it can afford to tax the odd person who ends up there through no fault of their own
Did Eadric accidentally miss the M5 at Almondsbury and wind up in his Covid safehouse in Penarth by accident, I wonder?
He'd have willingly paid his £3 a pop overnight tax.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
It doesn't in the slightest, but: 1) "many" is (probably?) not a majority 2) there's a long way from "angry" to "prepared to vote in their country's immediate short-term interests"
I never had much of a idea as to what the UK MEPs were voting for and why, but I'm certain it had way more to do with internal EU politics and horse-trading than anything else.
The question of what's in the country's interests is, of course, central here. In my view, rule of law is foundational, and anything built upon a system that subverts justice to politics is unsteady at best. I would personally take a "short term" economic hit to have an independent judiciary. So would most people. That is, after all, we have a justice system funded by the taxpayer. Rule of law is a public good and should extend to all independent of means.
If some people come to the opposite view after at least considering the issue, I can hear that (and I would still disagree). I just don't think "but this other crisis!" is at all an honourable argument. Especially as the actions that have led to this long predate the current iteration of the Ukraine situation.
Good effort! I can't disagree with any of that.
Missing the point a bit though. I'm still not buying that anything more than a tiny minority of Polish people support EU sanctions in this specific case.
Wait till you hear about what only a tiny minority of people in Scotland support, it’ll blow your mind.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Have a look at the 2013 polls….
What is going on in last couple of National Opinion polls, the Conservative position worsening? Is this the electorate passing judgement on their handling of British position in this war?
In betting terms, no war bounce instead worsening position, the “Tory leads in March” bet must be lengthening making it attractive long shot? All it needs is one rogue poll after a strong few days for them, if they can manage a strong few days in a row.
Comments
So the idea anyone raising it believes the EU can do no wrong is provably nonsense.
Can't remember the source of this insight.
If Johnson holds on in 2024 he is able to defy gravity. Perhaps he can.
Wales is just 40 miles down the road. But so is the Peak District; the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales not much further. Wales has great beaches, but so does Devon and Cornwall. And people can go abroad again now. Tourism is pretty competitive again.
Utter lunacy.
Twitter has removed false tweets from the Russian embassy account in London that claimed images from the bombing of a children’s and maternity hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine, were fake"
https://twitter.com/BloombergUK/status/1502009233956642820
1) "many" is (probably?) not a majority
2) there's a long way from "angry" to "prepared to vote in their country's immediate short-term interests"
I never had much of a idea as to what the UK MEPs were voting for and why, but I'm certain it had way more to do with internal EU politics and horse-trading than anything else.
Predicting landslides may comfort some but the reality is it could be anything between a labour government, a coalition, or dare I say Boris with a majority government
Redfield & Wilton Strategies
@RedfieldWilton
Donald Trump regains his lead over Joe Biden for the first time since 18 Dec.
2024 Presidential Election Hypothetical Voting Intention (8 Mar):
Donald Trump: 42% (+4)
Joe Biden: 40% (-2)
Don't know: 12% (-1)
https://twitter.com/RedfieldWilton/status/1501966292043112467
It is now, anyway.
Wild camping is possible in Wales.
P.S It has Labour and PC support.
Though two of them are called Sir Mark Alexander Popham Carleton-Smith and Sir Patrick Nicholas Yardley Monrad Sanders, which probably makes up for the other 20 we haven't got.
I'm not sure which sod put their full names on Wikipedia.
https://gov.wales/next-step-development-tourism-tax
Long way to go though
https://twitter.com/electpoliticsuk/status/1502013943765774339
Excellent news, Labour is ready for Government
At least he can always fall back on piano-playing if needs be.
Can they sell tickets?
No. This is one sanction the Government confirmed will be enforced in order to deprive Abramovich of “benefiting from his ownership of the club”. That means only those who have previously bought tickets for home matches - including approximately 28,000 season-ticket holders - will be able to attend. That would appear to include any away supporters at Stamford Bridge, which may not go down well with rival clubs and their fans, and could cast doubt on the integrity of any competition.
As it stands, Chelsea will be forced to hold their Champions League home matches from the quarter-final onwards behind closed doors because cup ties are not included in a season ticket. It is also unclear how many supporters will be allowed to attend their remaining FA Cup ties. Ticket revenue for those ties is shared and some of the away allocation - but not all - has already been sold for Chelsea’s quarter-final at Middlesbrough.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/03/10/roman-abramovich-sanctions-mean-chelsea-club-sale-transfer/
The Tories have similar awful baggage.
The brutality of the plan is quite something, both for the young Russian conscripts and Ukraine.
https://twitter.com/sommervilletv/status/1502000265490227206?t=X31S8-PxKq5gLS6HXbgUog&s=19
I don't have a solution, btw, and I welcome that Labour is no longer in hock to the loonies at Unite.
Publicly funded and capped election campaigns can't come soon enough.
From what I have heard it may be that the defenders of Kiev would actually prefer the Russians to get a bit closer. It is a stretagy known as 'hugging' and it works particularly well when you are defending on home soil but you have a deficit of men and munitions.
I think perhaps the difference with the UK is people don't think petrol or food prices would be any cheaper under a Labour government, while they seem to think they would be cheaper under the republicans over in the States.
If these tactics are unfamiliar to you, then you haven't been paying attention. Because this is the Russian attack playbook.
It didn't win me any friends.
If you can't get the public to voluntarily give your party money, then either convince them to do so, or just cope with spending less money.
I expect as a percentage gas price rises have risen far higher there than here.
Hope you are well btw.
People should give money voluntarily, but apart from micro amounts it should be publicly and subject to scrutiny. I have no qualms with caps on donations, equitably applied, but the principle of it being voluntary absolutely should be sacrosanct.
Putin's regime has revealed itself to be the antithesis of everything that we value, and have come to appreciate through centuries of civilisation. They have to be confronted, and fought. So wherever the fight is, we have to go. Every bit of damage to this regime is progress. The more difficult it is for them in Ukraine, the better. The more they suffer now, the harder it is next time around, for them.
My conclusion is that if we want to make a difference in terms of beating Putin, we have to back the Ukrainian government. The most effective way we can do that, as individuals, is with money, by donating to the Ukrainian army. I'm going to do that, rather than donating to humanitarian causes and refugees. Not because these are not worthy causes, but because there is an unlimited supply of people willing to back such causes, but fewer people willing to back the army.
Once it gets underway this French election is not as it seems - Macrons policy positions are a declaration of war on what the French Electorate want right now.
Nice to see Bond's latest film was a hit over there.
Obscene amounts of donated money indirectly from foreign benefactors like Putin must end. Why are his shills funding political parties? Out of altruism or for some undisclosed perceived benefit.
"⚡️Russia promises to open daily humanitarian corridors, but only to Russia.
From 10 a.m. every day, Russia will open humanitarian corridors towards Russia. This will be done without the permission of the Ukrainian government."
Either getting shelled to death or be yet another generation of Ukrainians to be deported to Siberia. What an appealing choice.
We need a much more robust notion of what constitutes political activity and political spending.
Missing the point a bit though. I'm still not buying that anything more than a tiny minority of Polish people support EU sanctions in this specific case.
Even among the tragic background, there is something very funny about Lavrov's delegation being received in Ankara by a massive pro-Ukraine crowd singing the Bayraktar song.
[English lyrics below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk3IbKsNVpw]
In 1965 Vietnam seemed like just another foreign war, but it wasn't
It was different in many ways, as so were those that did the fighting
In World War II the average age of the combat soldier was twenty-six
In Vietnam he was nineteen
In inininininin Vietnam he was nineteen
He'd have willingly paid his £3 a pop overnight tax.
In betting terms, no war bounce instead worsening position, the “Tory leads in March” bet must be lengthening making it attractive long shot? All it needs is one rogue poll after a strong few days for them, if they can manage a strong few days in a row.
That's how it should be done. No overt emotion. No need for hugs with the locals
Just the bare honest facts and show some of the blood, because we need to see it. War is awful