'Serviette' is just a horrible word anyway. Admittedly napkin isn't much better. 'Paper napkin' is what I'd use, the word 'napkin' being used for the heavy cloth affair.
"Serviette" is the sort of word that should only be used by a Gone With the Wind type Southern Belle.... To rhyme with Lafayette.
Saw the Labour candidates (two newbies) plus presumably their Agent having a walk round the Ward this morning. Not canvassing or leafletting - just taking in the ambience of an East Ham morning.
I suspect canvassing/leafletting will be underway very soon. Looking forward to the SOPN next week.
what is SOPN?
Sorry, the runners and riders to use horse racing parlance. On Wednesday (in Newham and the rest of England), each council will release the list of those who have jumped through the hoop of submitting valid nomination papers (not as easy as you'd think) and will be candidates on May 5th.
In Newham, there are 66 seats plus the Mayoral election. I suspect both Labour and the Conservatives will have full slates of candidates but the LDs, Greens and others will be picking their battles. Newham Socialist Labour may or may not contest the local elections but will put up a Mayoral candidate (as will LDs, Greens, TUSC and maybe a couple of Independents).
The article is by an Argentinian and the use of language makes an important point to remind us what they think, even if we don't agree. The Graun uses Falklands just an inch away ...
His argument that allowing Argentina's defeat in a war of aggression to settle the matter "would set a dangerous precedent" sounds like something Sergey Lavrov would say.
Yes indeed, Foreign Ministers really do talk a load of old bollocks for a living, even by the standards of government ministers.
It's very funny.
Whilst the Argentine Foreign Minister is blathering on about "40 years of vibrant democracy" in the Grauniad (nothing about former President Cristina Kirchner who is currently avoiding a trial for High Treason by being Vice President, I think - very complex), whilst the Deputy Foreign Minister is comparing the UK/Falklands to Russia/Ukraine in the Telegraph.
Made funnier by their previous closeness to Putin.
Meanwhile the idiots who 'run' the Guardian first printed their article with "Falklands" in places, and have done a reverse ferret to "Malvinas" within hours.
The author, who is Argentina's Foreign Minister used Malvinas, as one would expect. Somewhat discourteous to 'edit' his piece, surely.
Given it was an article for a British paper regarding a British overseas territory what the Argentine foreign minister wanted to call it should have been ignored
Very, very gently may I remind you that there's a dispute over the territory. It's not clear-cut; Mrs Thatcher' s Government, for example, was discussing the 'best way forward' with the Argentines. Until the gun was jumped here, which spurred the Argentine Government into foolish and very ill-advised action.
There is no dispute over the territory from our side now.
It is British territory and with a population who wish to remain British and the British government is clear on that. End of conversation.
We do not need wet leftie appeasers giving encouragement to the Argentine government!
Temper, temper. No need to be nasty.
There is nothing nasty about defending British territory and dismissing those who would hand it over to Argentina
Where/when did I say I wanted the islands handed over to the Argentines?
You didn't say we should nuke Argentina if they attacked. That's close enough.
'Serviette' is just a horrible word anyway. Admittedly napkin isn't much better. 'Paper napkin' is what I'd use, the word 'napkin' being used for the heavy cloth affair.
Is it just me, or is the case that really posh people don't care about this stuff very much. At least all the one I know don't.
The whole having a book on which spoon to use with which dish thing strikes me as very invented. Sort of like American attempts to be aristocratic - wildly over the top.
It made some sense when a substantial table was set for many courses in that you didn't want the waiting staff to be trying to find extra cutlery throughout the meal. Any formal dinner for a good number of people verges on chaos anyway.
Well, I thought it was bloody simply - set the cutlery so you work inwards. Or is that too prole like?
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
The article is by an Argentinian and the use of language makes an important point to remind us what they think, even if we don't agree. The Graun uses Falklands just an inch away ...
In what way is the issue not settled? The residents want to be British.
Quite. But it is always good to be aware of people nearby who don't agree. Not paying such things enough attention led to the downsizings that led to the 1980s war.
So it’s our fault the Argentinians invaded? Got that.
And Scotland’s residents get to decide their future but not the Falkland Islanders?
How do you keep so many contradictory principles straight in your head?
Don't think @Carnyx is saying that. He is spot on that the conflict came about because we had ignored the warning signs. That is a well established view and why Lord Carrington honourably resigned.
There was a bit of hilarity after the war, when a dig through the institutional policies was done. Apparently, it was discovered that the Foreign Office had been coordinating a campaign to get rid of the various dependent territories - even trying to bribe some of them to go away. IIRC The Turks and Caicos, and others...
Was Gibraltar included? Can't remember! Of course no-one was suggesting we should leave the EU then. Membership was a cornerstone of Conservative policy.
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
Her best chance of winning once she gets to the runoff is for everyone to expect an easy Macron victory, as the establishment consensus was for a big Remain win and Clinton win in 2016.
Then she is more likely to pick up protest voters while fewer liberals turn out
If she is more than 5 points behind Macron after round one, she won't win in Round two. If she is closer, it will panic those diametrically opposed to her winning into turning out for Macron. That's her dilemma.
Remain was often more than 5 points ahead of Leave, as Clinton was often more than 5 points ahead of Trump.
She will pick up the vast majority of Zemmour voters, more Pecresse voters than the percentage of Fillon voters who voted for her in 2017. The left are also not enthusiastic about Macron seeing him as the President of the rich and big business and some of them who voted for him in the 2017 runoff will stay home this time.
The article is by an Argentinian and the use of language makes an important point to remind us what they think, even if we don't agree. The Graun uses Falklands just an inch away ...
His argument that allowing Argentina's defeat in a war of aggression to settle the matter "would set a dangerous precedent" sounds like something Sergey Lavrov would say.
Yes indeed, Foreign Ministers really do talk a load of old bollocks for a living, even by the standards of government ministers.
It's very funny.
Whilst the Argentine Foreign Minister is blathering on about "40 years of vibrant democracy" in the Grauniad (nothing about former President Cristina Kirchner who is currently avoiding a trial for High Treason by being Vice President, I think - very complex), whilst the Deputy Foreign Minister is comparing the UK/Falklands to Russia/Ukraine in the Telegraph.
Made funnier by their previous closeness to Putin.
Meanwhile the idiots who 'run' the Guardian first printed their article with "Falklands" in places, and have done a reverse ferret to "Malvinas" within hours.
The author, who is Argentina's Foreign Minister used Malvinas, as one would expect. Somewhat discourteous to 'edit' his piece, surely.
Given it was an article for a British paper regarding a British overseas territory what the Argentine foreign minister wanted to call it should have been ignored
He can call it any thing he damn well likes in a paper published in the UK and it is up to the readers whether they ignore it or not. We are not a dictatorship although clearly you would like us to be seeing as you consider Russia to be a democracy.
To be honest I would be shocked if an Argentinian didn't call the Falklands Malvinas.
Well half the Guardian readers would hand it over to Buenos Aires anyway, no surprise they will also let the Argentine Minister completely disrespect the people of the Falklands who wish to remain British. No surprise either you have no problem with that
So you are in favour of censoring the language used and stories told in a British newspaper because you don't agree with it, even to the extent that someone uses the name they give to an island. Do you want to censor the French for not using the term English Channel.
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?
'Serviette' is just a horrible word anyway. Admittedly napkin isn't much better. 'Paper napkin' is what I'd use, the word 'napkin' being used for the heavy cloth affair.
Is it just me, or is the case that really posh people don't care about this stuff very much. At least all the one I know don't.
The whole having a book on which spoon to use with which dish thing strikes me as very invented. Sort of like American attempts to be aristocratic - wildly over the top.
It made some sense when a substantial table was set for many courses in that you didn't want the waiting staff to be trying to find extra cutlery throughout the meal. Any formal dinner for a good number of people verges on chaos anyway.
Well, I thought it was bloody simply - set the cutlery so you work inwards. Or is that too prole like?
Accepted wisdom. The modern diner might though choose the tools most appropriate to the task.
The article is by an Argentinian and the use of language makes an important point to remind us what they think, even if we don't agree. The Graun uses Falklands just an inch away ...
His argument that allowing Argentina's defeat in a war of aggression to settle the matter "would set a dangerous precedent" sounds like something Sergey Lavrov would say.
Yes indeed, Foreign Ministers really do talk a load of old bollocks for a living, even by the standards of government ministers.
It's very funny.
Whilst the Argentine Foreign Minister is blathering on about "40 years of vibrant democracy" in the Grauniad (nothing about former President Cristina Kirchner who is currently avoiding a trial for High Treason by being Vice President, I think - very complex), whilst the Deputy Foreign Minister is comparing the UK/Falklands to Russia/Ukraine in the Telegraph.
Made funnier by their previous closeness to Putin.
Meanwhile the idiots who 'run' the Guardian first printed their article with "Falklands" in places, and have done a reverse ferret to "Malvinas" within hours.
The author, who is Argentina's Foreign Minister used Malvinas, as one would expect. Somewhat discourteous to 'edit' his piece, surely.
Given it was an article for a British paper regarding a British overseas territory what the Argentine foreign minister wanted to call it should have been ignored
Very, very gently may I remind you that there's a dispute over the territory. It's not clear-cut; Mrs Thatcher' s Government, for example, was discussing the 'best way forward' with the Argentines. Until the gun was jumped here, which spurred the Argentine Government into foolish and very ill-advised action.
There is no dispute over the territory from our side now.
It is British territory and with a population who wish to remain British and the British government is clear on that. End of conversation.
We do not need wet leftie appeasers giving encouragement to the Argentine government!
Temper, temper. No need to be nasty.
There is nothing nasty about defending British territory and dismissing those who would hand it over to Argentina
Where/when did I say I wanted the islands handed over to the Argentines?
Where/when did I specifically mention you?
Your post at 4.46 seemed, at least, to be directed at me.
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
Saw the Labour candidates (two newbies) plus presumably their Agent having a walk round the Ward this morning. Not canvassing or leafletting - just taking in the ambience of an East Ham morning.
I suspect canvassing/leafletting will be underway very soon. Looking forward to the SOPN next week.
what is SOPN?
Sorry, the runners and riders to use horse racing parlance. On Wednesday (in Newham and the rest of England), each council will release the list of those who have jumped through the hoop of submitting valid nomination papers (not as easy as you'd think) and will be candidates on May 5th.
In Newham, there are 66 seats plus the Mayoral election. I suspect both Labour and the Conservatives will have full slates of candidates but the LDs, Greens and others will be picking their battles. Newham Socialist Labour may or may not contest the local elections but will put up a Mayoral candidate (as will LDs, Greens, TUSC and maybe a couple of Independents).
Thanks, that makes since, I've seen some posters on here, mention how many of each party's are standing in Scotland, I assume the deadline is Scotland is a week earlier? do we have the aggregate numbers for Scotland yet?
In Dmytrivka (Kyiv Oblast), 2 Ukrainian tanks attacked a Russian armoured squadron of 10 tanks and totally destroyed it. “This is a paragon of military virtue and professionalism”, — Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine Oleksii Arestovych https://twitter.com/Hromadske/status/1510280719955898370
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?
Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.
The article is by an Argentinian and the use of language makes an important point to remind us what they think, even if we don't agree. The Graun uses Falklands just an inch away ...
His argument that allowing Argentina's defeat in a war of aggression to settle the matter "would set a dangerous precedent" sounds like something Sergey Lavrov would say.
Yes indeed, Foreign Ministers really do talk a load of old bollocks for a living, even by the standards of government ministers.
It's very funny.
Whilst the Argentine Foreign Minister is blathering on about "40 years of vibrant democracy" in the Grauniad (nothing about former President Cristina Kirchner who is currently avoiding a trial for High Treason by being Vice President, I think - very complex), whilst the Deputy Foreign Minister is comparing the UK/Falklands to Russia/Ukraine in the Telegraph.
Made funnier by their previous closeness to Putin.
Meanwhile the idiots who 'run' the Guardian first printed their article with "Falklands" in places, and have done a reverse ferret to "Malvinas" within hours.
The author, who is Argentina's Foreign Minister used Malvinas, as one would expect. Somewhat discourteous to 'edit' his piece, surely.
Given it was an article for a British paper regarding a British overseas territory what the Argentine foreign minister wanted to call it should have been ignored
Very, very gently may I remind you that there's a dispute over the territory. It's not clear-cut; Mrs Thatcher' s Government, for example, was discussing the 'best way forward' with the Argentines. Until the gun was jumped here, which spurred the Argentine Government into foolish and very ill-advised action.
There is no dispute over the territory from our side now.
It is British territory and with a population who wish to remain British and the British government is clear on that. End of conversation.
We do not need wet leftie appeasers giving encouragement to the Argentine government!
Temper, temper. No need to be nasty.
There is nothing nasty about defending British territory and dismissing those who would hand it over to Argentina
Where/when did I say I wanted the islands handed over to the Argentines?
You didn't say we should nuke Argentina if they attacked. That's close enough.
At the time one MP was heard to remark “We should nuke Rio! That’d show ‘em”
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
Parachute Regiment battle honours. (Although somebody was taking a risk naming a military action Operation Slapstick....)
Are the middle classes more socially liberal than the working classes? It is often asserted, but I don't see much evidence. Many wealthy rural villages are stultifyingly conformist. Many poorer areas are very tolerant of other folk's peccadilloes.
According to opinion polling, yes, although like you my own anecdotal experience is rather mixed. My impression is that middle class people tend to talk up their social liberalism while working class people do the opposite.
Indeed. I feel the middle classes can often intellectualise their liberalism in general terms. But are less happy if hippies or asylum seekers actually live next door. As you say. The working classes don't like it in theory, but can be far more kind in practice.
Also, people's prejudices can be very weird and ramdomly focused. I've told the story before about the woman I called on in a middle-class neighbourhood as part of my usual hi-I'm-your-MP-how-are-things round.
"I'm furious." "I'm sorry to hear that. What's the problem?" "You know about my neighbour? The policeman who was imprisoned for having child porn? He's been let out this week." I remembered the case - he had 20,000 photos. "I understand your feeling. But I suppose he's paid his debt to society so we should give him a chance?" "That's not it! He's a lovely man, we always liked him as a neighbour. But in prison he let his house to TWO POLISH WOMEN. I didn't come here to live next to people from POLAND! And now he says he can't evict thewm as they've been there too long." "Have they caused you any trouble?" "No, that's not the point!" (went in and slammed the door)
I called on them next. Two cleaning ladies, pleasant. I asked cautiously if they were finding people friendly. "Oh, yes, the British are very kind."
Should I have done something? I just left them my details in case they ever had any problems, and never heard further. But although it was the most extreme case, it wasn't unique - I met people who liked West Indians and disliked Pakistanis, people who liked Pakistanis but disliked gays, and so on.
The article is by an Argentinian and the use of language makes an important point to remind us what they think, even if we don't agree. The Graun uses Falklands just an inch away ...
His argument that allowing Argentina's defeat in a war of aggression to settle the matter "would set a dangerous precedent" sounds like something Sergey Lavrov would say.
Yes indeed, Foreign Ministers really do talk a load of old bollocks for a living, even by the standards of government ministers.
It's very funny.
Whilst the Argentine Foreign Minister is blathering on about "40 years of vibrant democracy" in the Grauniad (nothing about former President Cristina Kirchner who is currently avoiding a trial for High Treason by being Vice President, I think - very complex), whilst the Deputy Foreign Minister is comparing the UK/Falklands to Russia/Ukraine in the Telegraph.
Made funnier by their previous closeness to Putin.
Meanwhile the idiots who 'run' the Guardian first printed their article with "Falklands" in places, and have done a reverse ferret to "Malvinas" within hours.
The author, who is Argentina's Foreign Minister used Malvinas, as one would expect. Somewhat discourteous to 'edit' his piece, surely.
Given it was an article for a British paper regarding a British overseas territory what the Argentine foreign minister wanted to call it should have been ignored
He can call it any thing he damn well likes in a paper published in the UK and it is up to the readers whether they ignore it or not. We are not a dictatorship although clearly you would like us to be seeing as you consider Russia to be a democracy.
To be honest I would be shocked if an Argentinian didn't call the Falklands Malvinas.
Well half the Guardian readers would hand it over to Buenos Aires anyway, no surprise they will also let the Argentine Minister completely disrespect the people of the Falklands who wish to remain British. No surprise either you have no problem with that
So you are in favour of censoring the language used and stories told in a British newspaper because you don't agree with it, even to the extent that someone uses the name they give to an island. Do you want to censor the French for not using the term English Channel.
You really are a fascist aren't you?
They deliberately allowed it to be called Les Malvinas knowing full well that is the term which is the basis of the Argentine claim to the Falklands against the will of its people. The French are not making a claim to the Channel Islands.
Though of course no surprise your haughty liberalism resorts to calling anyone a Fascist who disagrees with you!
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?
Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping. There are lot of excellent places in Essex.
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
Le Pen is now closer to Macron than Melenchon is to Le Pen in both first round polls today
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
The train from King's Cross to Cambridge doesn't go through Essex.
The article is by an Argentinian and the use of language makes an important point to remind us what they think, even if we don't agree. The Graun uses Falklands just an inch away ...
His argument that allowing Argentina's defeat in a war of aggression to settle the matter "would set a dangerous precedent" sounds like something Sergey Lavrov would say.
Yes indeed, Foreign Ministers really do talk a load of old bollocks for a living, even by the standards of government ministers.
It's very funny.
Whilst the Argentine Foreign Minister is blathering on about "40 years of vibrant democracy" in the Grauniad (nothing about former President Cristina Kirchner who is currently avoiding a trial for High Treason by being Vice President, I think - very complex), whilst the Deputy Foreign Minister is comparing the UK/Falklands to Russia/Ukraine in the Telegraph.
Made funnier by their previous closeness to Putin.
Meanwhile the idiots who 'run' the Guardian first printed their article with "Falklands" in places, and have done a reverse ferret to "Malvinas" within hours.
The author, who is Argentina's Foreign Minister used Malvinas, as one would expect. Somewhat discourteous to 'edit' his piece, surely.
Given it was an article for a British paper regarding a British overseas territory what the Argentine foreign minister wanted to call it should have been ignored
Very, very gently may I remind you that there's a dispute over the territory. It's not clear-cut; Mrs Thatcher' s Government, for example, was discussing the 'best way forward' with the Argentines. Until the gun was jumped here, which spurred the Argentine Government into foolish and very ill-advised action.
There is no dispute over the territory from our side now.
It is British territory and with a population who wish to remain British and the British government is clear on that. End of conversation.
We do not need wet leftie appeasers giving encouragement to the Argentine government!
Temper, temper. No need to be nasty.
There is nothing nasty about defending British territory and dismissing those who would hand it over to Argentina
Where/when did I say I wanted the islands handed over to the Argentines?
You didn't say we should nuke Argentina if they attacked. That's close enough.
At the time one MP was heard to remark “We should nuke Rio! That’d show ‘em”
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?
Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
The train from King's Cross to Cambridge doesn't go through Essex.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
The train from King's Cross to Cambridge doesn't go through Essex.
Really? I'd suggest that you're absolutely wrong, but now I have to look it up
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
The train from King's Cross to Cambridge doesn't go through Essex.
The M11 certainly does
Widely regarded in that stretch as the best of Essex too.
'Serviette' is just a horrible word anyway. Admittedly napkin isn't much better. 'Paper napkin' is what I'd use, the word 'napkin' being used for the heavy cloth affair.
Is it just me, or is the case that really posh people don't care about this stuff very much. At least all the one I know don't.
The whole having a book on which spoon to use with which dish thing strikes me as very invented. Sort of like American attempts to be aristocratic - wildly over the top.
It made some sense when a substantial table was set for many courses in that you didn't want the waiting staff to be trying to find extra cutlery throughout the meal. Any formal dinner for a good number of people verges on chaos anyway.
Well, I thought it was bloody simply - set the cutlery so you work inwards. Or is that too prole like?
Just use the same fork n knife all the way through. But wipe them on your serviette between courses.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
The train from King's Cross to Cambridge doesn't go through Essex.
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?
Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.
I don’t think UK comparators are helpful to be honest. There are no read across between UK and Irish Republic because their politics is more founded in nationalism and history than ours. And so it is with France, you simply embarrass yourself trying to make sense of snails comparing them with Oysters.
Macron is a sitting duck because the left and right sharing yellow jackets shared the same platform of anti EU, tax and financial reform, and drawbridge up, not only is Macron not prepared to go there, his manifesto is a declaration of war on that yellow jacket platform. Macrons win last time was attracting half of Fillions 20% and the other half abstaining, he doesn’t have that low hanging vote this time, and many of Melenchon supporters drifted to macron too the others abstaining.
Does your comparing oysters with snails conclude Le pen supporters can’t vot Melenchon in anti macron vote and Melenchon supporters can’t vote Le Pen in anti macron vote? Then that is where I think your mistake is.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?
Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.
as is not more sympathetic to Putin/Russian?
As in being more of a left-wing chauvinist.
I meant if Melenchon is elected, would be change Frances policy in the Ukraine -Russia war, and if so in which direction?
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping. There are lot of excellent places in Essex.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.
I really think that the United team should shake hands with their team mates before the match and tell them what position they are playing today. It would certainly be more useful than one of Ralf's team talks, that is for sure. They might even spot that no one said they were playing number 9.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
The train from King's Cross to Cambridge doesn't go through Essex.
The M11 certainly does
What has that got to do with trains?
Where did I mention trains? If you are driving the main route from London to Cambridge is via the M11 through Essex
'Serviette' is just a horrible word anyway. Admittedly napkin isn't much better. 'Paper napkin' is what I'd use, the word 'napkin' being used for the heavy cloth affair.
Is it just me, or is the case that really posh people don't care about this stuff very much. At least all the one I know don't.
The whole having a book on which spoon to use with which dish thing strikes me as very invented. Sort of like American attempts to be aristocratic - wildly over the top.
It made some sense when a substantial table was set for many courses in that you didn't want the waiting staff to be trying to find extra cutlery throughout the meal. Any formal dinner for a good number of people verges on chaos anyway.
Well, I thought it was bloody simply - set the cutlery so you work inwards. Or is that too prole like?
Just use the same fork n knife all the way through. But wipe them on your serviette between courses.
That'd be ghastly - you wipe your cutlery and anything else on your sleeve. The whole point of napkins at dinner is that you return them pristine.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
The train from King's Cross to Cambridge doesn't go through Essex.
The M11 certainly does
But you agree that there are travel options that bypass Essex?
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
Parachute Regiment battle honours. (Although somebody was taking a risk naming a military action Operation Slapstick....)
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.
Remain was often more than 5 points ahead of Leave, as Clinton was often more than 5 points ahead of Trump.
She will pick up the vast majority of Zemmour voters, more Pecresse voters than the percentage of Fillon voters who voted for her in 2017. The left are also not enthusiastic about Macron seeing him as the President of the rich and big business and some of them who voted for him in the 2017 runoff will stay home this time.
It's a tad disingenuous to compare a two-round election such as the French Presidential contest to the single round US Presidential election and the one-off European Referendum. It's apples and oranges at best.
As for the second round, in 2017, Le Pen gained an additional three million votes - Macron gained twelve million. That meant the gap between Macron and Le Pen went from a million to ten million.
So, for every five votes cast in the second round, Macron got four. That was a comprehensive win.
I agree most of the Zemmour voters will break for Le Pen - as for Pecresse, she's polling at 9% while Fillon won 20%. Among those aged over 65, she trails Macron 31-18 so she doesn't have enough votes to make a difference.
Are we likely to see Melenchon and Jadot supporters abstaining or breaking for Le Pen in large numbers? I very much doubt it. Even if Macron wins the second round 60-40 he'll still be an easy winner.
The article is by an Argentinian and the use of language makes an important point to remind us what they think, even if we don't agree. The Graun uses Falklands just an inch away ...
His argument that allowing Argentina's defeat in a war of aggression to settle the matter "would set a dangerous precedent" sounds like something Sergey Lavrov would say.
Yes indeed, Foreign Ministers really do talk a load of old bollocks for a living, even by the standards of government ministers.
It's very funny.
Whilst the Argentine Foreign Minister is blathering on about "40 years of vibrant democracy" in the Grauniad (nothing about former President Cristina Kirchner who is currently avoiding a trial for High Treason by being Vice President, I think - very complex), whilst the Deputy Foreign Minister is comparing the UK/Falklands to Russia/Ukraine in the Telegraph.
Made funnier by their previous closeness to Putin.
Meanwhile the idiots who 'run' the Guardian first printed their article with "Falklands" in places, and have done a reverse ferret to "Malvinas" within hours.
The author, who is Argentina's Foreign Minister used Malvinas, as one would expect. Somewhat discourteous to 'edit' his piece, surely.
Given it was an article for a British paper regarding a British overseas territory what the Argentine foreign minister wanted to call it should have been ignored
Very, very gently may I remind you that there's a dispute over the territory. It's not clear-cut; Mrs Thatcher' s Government, for example, was discussing the 'best way forward' with the Argentines. Until the gun was jumped here, which spurred the Argentine Government into foolish and very ill-advised action.
There is no dispute over the territory from our side now.
It is British territory and with a population who wish to remain British and the British government is clear on that. End of conversation.
We do not need wet leftie appeasers giving encouragement to the Argentine government!
Temper, temper. No need to be nasty.
There is nothing nasty about defending British territory and dismissing those who would hand it over to Argentina
Where/when did I say I wanted the islands handed over to the Argentines?
You didn't say we should nuke Argentina if they attacked. That's close enough.
At the time one MP was heard to remark “We should nuke Rio! That’d show ‘em”
“Indeed. But won’t it upset the Brazilians?”
At the start of the German invasion of USSR in WW2 some plains in USSR coolers bombed the capital of Hungary. which was a strange move, Germans ,Romanian and a few other nations had invaded, but at that point Hungary had not taken part.
Most historians focused on the idea that is was a fules flag operation to bring Hungary in to the war, and it might have been that, even if, it think, to this day nobody has been able to prove that.
Personably, and this might be the dyslectic in me but, I think it was a miscommunication between Bucharest and Budapest. and a USSR Air force squadron that did not what to question 'orders'
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?
Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.
I don’t think UK comparators are helpful to be honest. There are no read across between UK and Irish Republic because their politics is more founded in nationalism and history than ours. And so it is with France, you simply embarrass yourself trying to make sense of snails comparing them with Oysters.
Macron is a sitting duck because the left and right sharing yellow jackets shared the same platform of anti EU, tax and financial reform, and drawbridge up, not only is Macron not prepared to go there, his manifesto is a declaration of war on that yellow jacket platform. Macrons win last time was attracting half of Fillions 20% and the other half abstaining, he doesn’t have that low hanging vote this time, and many of Melenchon supporters drifted to macron too the others abstaining.
Does your comparing oysters with snails conclude Le pen supporters can’t vot Melenchon in anti macron vote and Melenchon supporters can’t vote Le Pen in anti macron vote? Then that is where I think your mistake is.
My mistake? I was just offering what I thought was a more helpful comparison than Corbyn, but I do agree with you that there is no direct read across.
Personally I think it's very possible that Macron will lose to Le Pen because the centrist vote is soft and the leftist vote is fungible. I posted on here a couple of days ago that the tightening second round polls between Macron and Melenchon are a warning that he is even more vulnerable to Le Pen than it appears on the surface.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
The train from King's Cross to Cambridge doesn't go through Essex.
The M11 certainly does
What has that got to do with trains?
Where did I mention trains? If you are driving the main route from London to Cambridge is via the M11 through Essex
You didn't restrict your comment to driving, implying that all modes of transport required a trip through Essex.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping. There are lot of excellent places in Essex.
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
(1) Macron is not toast, but it is entirely possible Le Pen wins. She has brought the FN much more into the political centre than people realise. That being said... he's the very clear favourite.
(2) Against Melenchon (or Zemmour), then I do think Macron walks it.
(3) It is worth remembering that Macron's approval/disapproval rating is at the best it's been in three and a bit years. Yes, he's underwater (54-44), but that is still more than 10 points better than his closest challenger (Le Pen), and it's massively better than Zemmour or Melenchon.
(4) In 2017, Le Pen flattered to deceive in the run off. She was regularly polling 41-42 against 58-59 for Macron; i.e. a less than 3:2 advantage for him. And yet when the votes were counted, it was 2:1 in his favour.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.
You really think going via train through Stevenage rather than by road via historic Saffron Walden is the better route to Cambriidge?
Well, it is if you don't have a car.
Not at all. If you don't yet have a car, the Epping Tory Party solution is wait til your parents die, then use your inheritance to buy a car, and then you can finally visit Cambridge.
'Serviette' is just a horrible word anyway. Admittedly napkin isn't much better. 'Paper napkin' is what I'd use, the word 'napkin' being used for the heavy cloth affair.
Is it just me, or is the case that really posh people don't care about this stuff very much. At least all the one I know don't.
The whole having a book on which spoon to use with which dish thing strikes me as very invented. Sort of like American attempts to be aristocratic - wildly over the top.
It made some sense when a substantial table was set for many courses in that you didn't want the waiting staff to be trying to find extra cutlery throughout the meal. Any formal dinner for a good number of people verges on chaos anyway.
Well, I thought it was bloody simply - set the cutlery so you work inwards. Or is that too prole like?
Just use the same fork n knife all the way through. But wipe them on your serviette between courses.
If God didn’t intend us to use our hands he wouldn’t have invented Burgers and Fries.
Happy to be quoted for free in the next editions of Debrettes.
And for the next edition of Hoyles, I always call it “Hunt the ****”
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
I love the unintentional irony of the deputy defence minister saying that the commander of the regiment lived for a future of the Russian people "without Nazism" .
So he was planning a coup against Putin before he died, was he?
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?
Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.
as is not more sympathetic to Putin/Russian?
As in being more of a left-wing chauvinist.
I meant if Melenchon is elected, would be change Frances policy in the Ukraine -Russia war, and if so in which direction?
As far as Ukraine is concerned, I don't think it makes a massive difference who wins. A more nationalist President might take a weaker line on sanctions and accelerate the schism with Poland and the Baltic states, so maybe that's the biggest potential flashpoint.
Remain was often more than 5 points ahead of Leave, as Clinton was often more than 5 points ahead of Trump.
She will pick up the vast majority of Zemmour voters, more Pecresse voters than the percentage of Fillon voters who voted for her in 2017. The left are also not enthusiastic about Macron seeing him as the President of the rich and big business and some of them who voted for him in the 2017 runoff will stay home this time.
It's a tad disingenuous to compare a two-round election such as the French Presidential contest to the single round US Presidential election and the one-off European Referendum. It's apples and oranges at best.
As for the second round, in 2017, Le Pen gained an additional three million votes - Macron gained twelve million. That meant the gap between Macron and Le Pen went from a million to ten million.
So, for every five votes cast in the second round, Macron got four. That was a comprehensive win.
I agree most of the Zemmour voters will break for Le Pen - as for Pecresse, she's polling at 9% while Fillon won 20%. Among those aged over 65, she trails Macron 31-18 so she doesn't have enough votes to make a difference.
Are we likely to see Melenchon and Jadot supporters abstaining or breaking for Le Pen in large numbers? I very much doubt it. Even if Macron wins the second round 60-40 he'll still be an easy winner.
No it isn't. Already 47% for Le Pen in the runoff with Ipsos today is identical to the voteshare Trump got in 2016 and 2020 and only 3% of US voters in 2020 did not vote for Biden or Trump. It is also about the same as the combined vote for the Conservatives and Brexit Party here in 2019.
If you want to compare to 2017 there has been a clear shift away from Macron. Only 27% of Melenchon voters and 45% of Pecresse voters now say they will bother to turn out for Macron in the runoff compared to 52% and 48% in 2017.
I've never eaten there - to be honest, the High Street has a number of excellent restaurants. My personal favourite remains Zaikaa as you know especially for the Sunday banquet but Harley's does a excellent lunch and Quore Matto is excellent Italian food.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping. There are lot of excellent places in Essex.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.
250/1, prematch, on that scoreline - some lucky sod got 50p @ 900/1, inplay.
My other half reckons Arsenal now on for 3rd 😂
She started the afternoon fuming when other team cried off todays Volleyball game with Covid. I pointed out, didn’t Arsenal do the same to Tottenham? 😏
If I get to the Pearly Gates and St Peter is wearing Arsenal badge, how much trouble am I in?
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
Parachute Regiment battle honours. (Although somebody was taking a risk naming a military action Operation Slapstick....)
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping. There are lot of excellent places in Essex.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping. There are lot of excellent places in Essex.
I've never eaten there - to be honest, the High Street has a number of excellent restaurants. My personal favourite remains Zaikaa as you know especially for the Sunday banquet but Harley's does a excellent lunch and Quore Matto is excellent Italian food.
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?
Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.
I don’t think UK comparators are helpful to be honest. There are no read across between UK and Irish Republic because their politics is more founded in nationalism and history than ours. And so it is with France, you simply embarrass yourself trying to make sense of snails comparing them with Oysters.
Macron is a sitting duck because the left and right sharing yellow jackets shared the same platform of anti EU, tax and financial reform, and drawbridge up, not only is Macron not prepared to go there, his manifesto is a declaration of war on that yellow jacket platform. Macrons win last time was attracting half of Fillions 20% and the other half abstaining, he doesn’t have that low hanging vote this time, and many of Melenchon supporters drifted to macron too the others abstaining.
Does your comparing oysters with snails conclude Le pen supporters can’t vot Melenchon in anti macron vote and Melenchon supporters can’t vote Le Pen in anti macron vote? Then that is where I think your mistake is.
My mistake? I was just offering what I thought was a more helpful comparison than Corbyn, but I do agree with you that there is no direct read across.
Personally I think it's very possible that Macron will lose to Le Pen because the centrist vote is soft and the leftist vote is fungible. I posted on here a couple of days ago that the tightening second round polls between Macron and Melenchon are a warning that he is even more vulnerable to Le Pen than it appears on the surface.
It’s happening isn’t it William, or at least Macron in heck of a fight?
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
Parachute Regiment battle honours. (Although somebody was taking a risk naming a military action Operation Slapstick....)
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
Parachute Regiment battle honours. (Although somebody was taking a risk naming a military action Operation Slapstick....)
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping. There are lot of excellent places in Essex.
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
(1) Macron is not toast, but it is entirely possible Le Pen wins. She has brought the FN much more into the political centre than people realise. That being said... he's the very clear favourite.
(2) Against Melenchon (or Zemmour), then I do think Macron walks it.
(3) It is worth remembering that Macron's approval/disapproval rating is at the best it's been in three and a bit years. Yes, he's underwater (54-44), but that is still more than 10 points better than his closest challenger (Le Pen), and it's massively better than Zemmour or Melenchon.
(4) In 2017, Le Pen flattered to deceive in the run off. She was regularly polling 41-42 against 58-59 for Macron; i.e. a less than 3:2 advantage for him. And yet when the votes were counted, it was 2:1 in his favour.
Have you changed your tune a little bit? Are you wearing the flip flops today Robert 🙂
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?
Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.
as is not more sympathetic to Putin/Russian?
As in being more of a left-wing chauvinist.
I meant if Melenchon is elected, would be change Frances policy in the Ukraine -Russia war, and if so in which direction?
As far as Ukraine is concerned, I don't think it makes a massive difference who wins. A more nationalist President might take a weaker line on sanctions and accelerate the schism with Poland and the Baltic states, so maybe that's the biggest potential flashpoint.
You don't know many Ukranians do you?
They're great people and if you had met them you'd never have posted as you did.
Lowest ever combined seat total for FF+FG+Green gvt:
SF 64 FF 36 FG 35 Ind 10 Grn 4 SD 4 PP 4 Lab 2 Aontu 1
Still 7 more than SF though
It's not good for FG at all even with SF plateauing at 33% (even if they are hoping for a recovery when Varadkar regains the Taoiseach position), some FG is also possibly vulnerable to a Labour and Green recovery in Dublin (and remember FG also lost a by election to Labour in Dublin last year which is not one of the 2 projected Labour seats).
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?
Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.
I don’t think UK comparators are helpful to be honest. There are no read across between UK and Irish Republic because their politics is more founded in nationalism and history than ours. And so it is with France, you simply embarrass yourself trying to make sense of snails comparing them with Oysters.
Macron is a sitting duck because the left and right sharing yellow jackets shared the same platform of anti EU, tax and financial reform, and drawbridge up, not only is Macron not prepared to go there, his manifesto is a declaration of war on that yellow jacket platform. Macrons win last time was attracting half of Fillions 20% and the other half abstaining, he doesn’t have that low hanging vote this time, and many of Melenchon supporters drifted to macron too the others abstaining.
Does your comparing oysters with snails conclude Le pen supporters can’t vot Melenchon in anti macron vote and Melenchon supporters can’t vote Le Pen in anti macron vote? Then that is where I think your mistake is.
My mistake? I was just offering what I thought was a more helpful comparison than Corbyn, but I do agree with you that there is no direct read across.
Personally I think it's very possible that Macron will lose to Le Pen because the centrist vote is soft and the leftist vote is fungible. I posted on here a couple of days ago that the tightening second round polls between Macron and Melenchon are a warning that he is even more vulnerable to Le Pen than it appears on the surface.
I think that analysis is right, and if you get 9s or better, then le Pen is a pretty attractive bet.
Ironically, though, the better Le Pen is polling, the more likely the soft centrist vote turns up. I wouldn't be surprised to see her underperforming her polls on the day.
Vox pop in Russia. Talk about colonial attitudes….
Chronicles of ordinary Russians continue “Russia must win of course. So that people in Ukraine can live more calmly” “Ukraine will become a secondary nation which won’t participate in anything. And we will take this land for ourselves. It’s always been like this” https://mobile.twitter.com/juliaskripkaser/status/1510296348289024001
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping. There are lot of excellent places in Essex.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping. There are lot of excellent places in Essex.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
Parachute Regiment battle honours. (Although somebody was taking a risk naming a military action Operation Slapstick....)
As Fowler remarked of split infinitives, there are those who care, and get it wrong, those who care and discriminate, and the vast majority who neither know nor care, and have much to be thankful for as the proponents are on very shaky ground at best.
I've found the only truly reliable class marker these days is the extent to which people heat their house.
Hot as lava is lower class, vs "put another jumper on, it's not that cold" whilst wiping the icicles from one's face = posher than posh.
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
(1) Macron is not toast, but it is entirely possible Le Pen wins. She has brought the FN much more into the political centre than people realise. That being said... he's the very clear favourite.
(2) Against Melenchon (or Zemmour), then I do think Macron walks it.
(3) It is worth remembering that Macron's approval/disapproval rating is at the best it's been in three and a bit years. Yes, he's underwater (54-44), but that is still more than 10 points better than his closest challenger (Le Pen), and it's massively better than Zemmour or Melenchon.
(4) In 2017, Le Pen flattered to deceive in the run off. She was regularly polling 41-42 against 58-59 for Macron; i.e. a less than 3:2 advantage for him. And yet when the votes were counted, it was 2:1 in his favour.
Have you changed your tune a little bit? Are you wearing the flip flops today Robert 🙂
It's always been possible for Le Pen to win, and I've been a lot more positive on her than most. Where I was wrong was thinking that the war in Ukraine would play out entirely to macrons benefit.
That being said, I think the close polls are a blessing to Macron, ensuring that lots of people who don't like Macron much, but like Le Pen less, still turn out.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.
You really think going via train through Stevenage rather than by road via historic Saffron Walden is the better route to Cambriidge?
I use the M11 quite a lot. It goes near Saffron Walden, but not through it.
I drove the entire length of the M11 this morning and I have to admit that I didn't notice Saffron Walden. But it was still dark for much of the journey so I may have missed it.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping. There are lot of excellent places in Essex.
I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.
I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.
Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.
not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?
Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.
as is not more sympathetic to Putin/Russian?
As in being more of a left-wing chauvinist.
I meant if Melenchon is elected, would be change Frances policy in the Ukraine -Russia war, and if so in which direction?
As far as Ukraine is concerned, I don't think it makes a massive difference who wins. A more nationalist President might take a weaker line on sanctions and accelerate the schism with Poland and the Baltic states, so maybe that's the biggest potential flashpoint.
You don't know many Ukranians do you?
They're great people and if you had met them you'd never have posted as you did.
If I knew more Ukrainians I would care more about who wins the French presidency? Run that by me again.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.
You really think going via train through Stevenage rather than by road via historic Saffron Walden is the better route to Cambriidge?
I use the M11 quite a lot. It goes near Saffron Walden, but not through it.
I drove the entire length of the M11 this morning and I have to admit that I didn't notice Saffron Walden. But it was still dark for much of the journey so I may have missed it.
It would add 20-30mins so increase the journey time by close to a third.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping. There are lot of excellent places in Essex.
The picture instantly conveys the mismatch between his public persona and his behaviour behind closed doors.
David Warburton, the Conservative MP for Somerton and Frome, sits in a dimly lit room with a whisky on the rocks, his eyes dazed and his face resting on his hand. In the foreground sitting atop an upturned baking tray: four lines of cocaine. He is said to have snorted “line after line after line” of the drug at the London home of a younger woman in the early hours of February 1. He had met her through politics and allegedly insisted on coming over, despite evidence that she was drunk.
Hours earlier Warburton, a 56-year-old married father of two and former businessman, had asked the woman to order the class A drugs on his behalf, telling her he would pay for them. According to an audio recording, he dismissed the suggestion that paying £160 for two grams was “spenny” — expensive — and said it was “quite good actually”.
Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping. There are lot of excellent places in Essex.
Comments
In Newham, there are 66 seats plus the Mayoral election. I suspect both Labour and the Conservatives will have full slates of candidates but the LDs, Greens and others will be picking their battles. Newham Socialist Labour may or may not contest the local elections but will put up a Mayoral candidate (as will LDs, Greens, TUSC and maybe a couple of Independents).
She will pick up the vast majority of Zemmour voters, more Pecresse voters than the percentage of Fillon voters who voted for her in 2017. The left are also not enthusiastic about Macron seeing him as the President of the rich and big business and some of them who voted for him in the 2017 runoff will stay home this time.
You really are a fascist aren't you?
But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.
https://twitter.com/Hromadske/status/1510280719955898370
Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
“Indeed. But won’t it upset the Brazilians?”
https://www.paradata.org.uk/article/battle-honours
"I'm furious."
"I'm sorry to hear that. What's the problem?"
"You know about my neighbour? The policeman who was imprisoned for having child porn? He's been let out this week."
I remembered the case - he had 20,000 photos. "I understand your feeling. But I suppose he's paid his debt to society so we should give him a chance?"
"That's not it! He's a lovely man, we always liked him as a neighbour. But in prison he let his house to TWO POLISH WOMEN. I didn't come here to live next to people from POLAND! And now he says he can't evict thewm as they've been there too long."
"Have they caused you any trouble?"
"No, that's not the point!" (went in and slammed the door)
I called on them next. Two cleaning ladies, pleasant. I asked cautiously if they were finding people friendly. "Oh, yes, the British are very kind."
Should I have done something? I just left them my details in case they ever had any problems, and never heard further. But although it was the most extreme case, it wasn't unique - I met people who liked West Indians and disliked Pakistanis, people who liked Pakistanis but disliked gays, and so on.
Though of course no surprise your haughty liberalism resorts to calling anyone a Fascist who disagrees with you!
There are lot of excellent places in Essex.
Edit - Beaten to it by @SandyRentool
Macron is a sitting duck because the left and right sharing yellow jackets shared the same platform of anti EU, tax and financial reform, and drawbridge up, not only is Macron not prepared to go there, his manifesto is a declaration of war on that yellow jacket platform. Macrons win last time was attracting half of Fillions 20% and the other half abstaining, he doesn’t have that low hanging vote this time, and many of Melenchon supporters drifted to macron too the others abstaining.
Does your comparing oysters with snails conclude Le pen supporters can’t vot Melenchon in anti macron vote and Melenchon supporters can’t vote Le Pen in anti macron vote? Then that is where I think your mistake is.
https://haywardsrestaurant.co.uk/
Lipstick and napkins must be a nightmare.
Latest RoI seats projection for March.
Lowest ever combined seat total for FF+FG+Green gvt:
SF 64
FF 36
FG 35
Ind 10
Grn 4
SD 4
PP 4
Lab 2
Aontu 1
As for the second round, in 2017, Le Pen gained an additional three million votes - Macron gained twelve million. That meant the gap between Macron and Le Pen went from a million to ten million.
So, for every five votes cast in the second round, Macron got four. That was a comprehensive win.
I agree most of the Zemmour voters will break for Le Pen - as for Pecresse, she's polling at 9% while Fillon won 20%. Among those aged over 65, she trails Macron 31-18 so she doesn't have enough votes to make a difference.
Are we likely to see Melenchon and Jadot supporters abstaining or breaking for Le Pen in large numbers? I very much doubt it. Even if Macron wins the second round 60-40 he'll still be an easy winner.
Most historians focused on the idea that is was a fules flag operation to bring Hungary in to the war, and it might have been that, even if, it think, to this day nobody has been able to prove that.
Personably, and this might be the dyslectic in me but, I think it was a miscommunication between Bucharest and Budapest. and a USSR Air force squadron that did not what to question 'orders'
Personally I think it's very possible that Macron will lose to Le Pen because the centrist vote is soft and the leftist vote is fungible. I posted on here a couple of days ago that the tightening second round polls between Macron and Melenchon are a warning that he is even more vulnerable to Le Pen than it appears on the surface.
Are you even British?
(2) Against Melenchon (or Zemmour), then I do think Macron walks it.
(3) It is worth remembering that Macron's approval/disapproval rating is at the best it's been in three and a bit years. Yes, he's underwater (54-44), but that is still more than 10 points better than his closest challenger (Le Pen), and it's massively better than Zemmour or Melenchon.
(4) In 2017, Le Pen flattered to deceive in the run off. She was regularly polling 41-42 against 58-59 for Macron; i.e. a less than 3:2 advantage for him. And yet when the votes were counted, it was 2:1 in his favour.
Happy to be quoted for free in the next editions of Debrettes.
And for the next edition of Hoyles, I always call it “Hunt the ****”
So he was planning a coup against Putin before he died, was he?
If you want to compare to 2017 there has been a clear shift away from Macron. Only 27% of Melenchon voters and 45% of Pecresse voters now say they will bother to turn out for Macron in the runoff compared to 52% and 48% in 2017.
Some Fillon voters have also gone to Zemmour and 79% of Zemmour voters say they will vote for Le Pen over Macron
https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2022-04/Ipsos-Barometre_2022-02-04.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_French_presidential_election
I'm also told Poppy's does a decent breakfast.
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/research/all-themes/all/key-walking-and-cycling-statistics-for-the-uk#:~:text=Travel mode in England in 2016&text=62% of all trips were,trips were under 1 mile.
She started the afternoon fuming when other team cried off todays Volleyball game with Covid. I pointed out, didn’t Arsenal do the same to Tottenham? 😏
If I get to the Pearly Gates and St Peter is wearing Arsenal badge, how much trouble am I in?
Our Aussie tech guys called the data storage facility the Wizard's Sleeve.
I never liked him anyway, cocky upstart. 😄
As for the Wizard's sleeve, we might be working with the same people.
So your statistic does not invalidate my point.
They're great people and if you had met them you'd never have posted as you did.
Ironically, though, the better Le Pen is polling, the more likely the soft centrist vote turns up. I wouldn't be surprised to see her underperforming her polls on the day.
Talk about colonial attitudes….
Chronicles of ordinary Russians continue “Russia must win of course. So that people in Ukraine can live more calmly” “Ukraine will become a secondary nation which won’t participate in anything. And we will take this land for ourselves. It’s always been like this”
https://mobile.twitter.com/juliaskripkaser/status/1510296348289024001
That's all.
Hot as lava is lower class, vs "put another jumper on, it's not that cold" whilst wiping the icicles from one's face = posher than posh.
That being said, I think the close polls are a blessing to Macron, ensuring that lots of people who don't like Macron much, but like Le Pen less, still turn out.
I Patay your lack of knowledge about history and so many other things.
Also the French best us at swearing, swearing in French is like wiping your arse with silk.
David Warburton has whip removed following claims that raise fresh questions about women’s safety in the House of Commons
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tory-mp-david-warburton-suspended-after-sex-and-drugs-allegations-h3t8ghj0q
David Warburton, the Conservative MP for Somerton and Frome, sits in a dimly lit room with a whisky on the rocks, his eyes dazed and his face resting on his hand. In the foreground sitting atop an upturned baking tray: four lines of cocaine. He is said to have snorted “line after line after line” of the drug at the London home of a younger woman in the early hours of February 1. He had met her through politics and allegedly insisted on coming over, despite evidence that she was drunk.
Hours earlier Warburton, a 56-year-old married father of two and former businessman, had asked the woman to order the class A drugs on his behalf, telling her he would pay for them. According to an audio recording, he dismissed the suggestion that paying £160 for two grams was “spenny” — expensive — and said it was “quite good actually”.
Couldn't some Tory MP with a tiny majority have a scandal involving drugs and sex?