Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
The Boris loyalists will still cling to Brexit as their man is inexorably associated with it. But when he's gone I suspect the Tories will start regarding Brexit as something akin to the Poll Tax - an aberration, something to do with early senility and a regime that had lost its way.
Wow. I had not realized how horrible Everton's line up of opponents until the end of the season. Leicester twice, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. Hard to see how they get the points to stay up.
Have had no phone reception for the last couple of hours which was a little scary. Luckily my phone map continued showing my position and the route most of the way.
I stopped for my pistachio nut and beer lunch by a little river called Rec De Sant Miquel. More San Miguel was flowing than Sant Miquel; I didn’t need the bridge!
Also just realised I’m not going to make it to the French border today. There are no rooms I can find in Portbou, or in Cerbère just over the border, so I’ve got a room in Colera instead tonight and will head for Banyuls-sur-mer in France tomorrow.
Are you doing this entirely as you go? Ie carrying all your luggage as you hike?
That’s impressive, if so. Must be quite a rucksack
I’d love to do a long long walking tour (I love hiking, I love that pleasurable exhaustion at the end of the day, the much earned dinner, the deep deep sleep) what puts me off is lugging all my stuff
I know holiday companies will do it all for you but it feels a bit like cheating
Everything is in my rucksack, which was small enough to be Ryanair hand luggage. All I’m carrying is enough underwear and t-shirts for a week, a couple of shirts and my washbag. I’ve got a (vey classy Fortnum & Mason) shopping bag to carry my daily beer and lunch and my phone battery pack. I’ve managed to attach my jacket to my rucksack, which is handy as it won’t fit inside. I expect my one pair of jeans will be able to walk home on their own!
Cool
Modern down jackets are brilliant for these reasons. They keep you warm in the cold and dry in the wet, yet they are featherlight, and you can squash them into a daypack if needs be
You do need a guaranteed run of good weather tho. If you get real cold, and hard rain, then you need layers and layers and that means actual proper luggage which is a pain to carry
My problem would be books. I love to read real books, especially if they relate to where I am. But they are heavy
Izmir has been a revelation. What made me hate it at first is the same reason it is brilliant. Off puttingly ugly so no one bothers, yet actually fascinating, ridiculously cheap (5 star hotel: £60), surrounded by wild coast and superb history and with great public transport. Also, stuffed mussels. And 3 hour direct flights from Luton
I am going to return and do a piece for the Knappers’ Gazette
I wouldn't recommend a down jacket for any serious trekking. Useful for a stroll in a London park in December perhaps.
As for books, invest in an audiobook subscription service. You can listen while you walk if you want. It makes it possible to have hundreds of books with you for no extra weight. It's obviously not as good as a physical book in some respects, but extremely convenient for travel.
Have had no phone reception for the last couple of hours which was a little scary. Luckily my phone map continued showing my position and the route most of the way.
I stopped for my pistachio nut and beer lunch by a little river called Rec De Sant Miquel. More San Miguel was flowing than Sant Miquel; I didn’t need the bridge!
Also just realised I’m not going to make it to the French border today. There are no rooms I can find in Portbou, or in Cerbère just over the border, so I’ve got a room in Colera instead tonight and will head for Banyuls-sur-mer in France tomorrow.
Are you doing this entirely as you go? Ie carrying all your luggage as you hike?
That’s impressive, if so. Must be quite a rucksack
I’d love to do a long long walking tour (I love hiking, I love that pleasurable exhaustion at the end of the day, the much earned dinner, the deep deep sleep) what puts me off is lugging all my stuff
I know holiday companies will do it all for you but it feels a bit like cheating
Everything is in my rucksack, which was small enough to be Ryanair hand luggage. All I’m carrying is enough underwear and t-shirts for a week, a couple of shirts and my washbag. I’ve got a (vey classy Fortnum & Mason) shopping bag to carry my daily beer and lunch and my phone battery pack. I’ve managed to attach my jacket to my rucksack, which is handy as it won’t fit inside. I expect my one pair of jeans will be able to walk home on their own!
Cool
Modern down jackets are brilliant for these reasons. They keep you warm in the cold and dry in the wet, yet they are featherlight, and you can squash them into a daypack if needs be
You do need a guaranteed run of good weather tho. If you get real cold, and hard rain, then you need layers and layers and that means actual proper luggage which is a pain to carry
My problem would be books. I love to read real books, especially if they relate to where I am. But they are heavy
Izmir has been a revelation. What made me hate it at first is the same reason it is brilliant. Off puttingly ugly so no one bothers, yet actually fascinating, ridiculously cheap (5 star hotel: £60), surrounded by wild coast and superb history and with great public transport. Also, stuffed mussels. And 3 hour direct flights from Luton
I am going to return and do a piece for the Knappers’ Gazette
Let's hope some other publication does not snipe your piece under a different name.
Wow. I had not realized how horrible Everton's line up of opponents until the end of the season. Leicester twice, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. Hard to see how they get the points to stay up.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
The Boris loyalists will still cling to Brexit as their man is inexorably associated with it. But when he's gone I suspect the Tories will start regarding Brexit as something akin to the Poll Tax - an aberration, something to do with early senility and a regime that had lost its way.
I doubt it, remember most Tory voters voted for Brexit even when Cameron was PM. Now some 2015 Tory Remain voters have gone Labour or LD and 2015 UKIP voters have mainly gone Tory, the Tory vote and membership is even more pro Brexit. Boris or no Boris.
A Labour government might align the UK closer to the EEA again and in time future generations of Tories might accept that but this generation of Tories won't
The right wing press will of course love a Le Pen win just because she’s anti EU but a win for her would be terrible for the UK and the EU .
I think a Melenchon win would be worse for EU unity because of his Germanophobic streak. He wrote a whole book about the evils of German domination via the EU.
The Franco-German motor is looking clapped out whoever wins.
Read this interview with Karaganov (reliable bellwether of 🇷🇺ruling elite majority consensus).
If afterwards you still harbor any illusions about sustainable negotiated settlement with Putin's Kremlin on European security order read it again. And again.
As he says, war with West looks more inevitable as each day goes by.
Hope to God he is wrong.
Indeed. Anyone with eyes and honest evidence knows that war with the West is not just unwinnable for Russia, but could only end in rout for them, unless:
1. The Putinists are very confident that they can mobilize 5th columns to great effect, or they can bring in China on their side (no other ally would make a significant difference), OR 2. It goes nuclear.
Given the shocking state of most Russian military kit, how likely are the Russians not to have skimped on nuclear weapon maintenance?
I think you made a similar point before and it's a very fair one but not desperately comforting.
Say 90% of their warheads don't work - that still leaves a totally trashed world in the event of them being fired. Especially since the Western retaliation would presumably have to be based on assumption Russian nukes work.
And the Chinese retaliation if they cannot accurately tell where incoming missiles are aimed.
Unless Putin fires a nuclear missile at a NATO nation there will be no NATO nuclear weapons fired at Russia and even then only a NATO nuclear response is guaranteed if France, the USA or UK are hit.
China is on the other side of the world, even if closer to Russia now.
You keep writing this. Do you think that the more times you write that NATO will only retaliate a strike on a NATO member the truer it becomes.
Were Russia to strike Finland or Sweden, I have no doubt the narrative changes.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
“Thinned skinned Rishi is clearly angry that information that it was clearly in the public interest to be released has come into the public domain.
Rather than ruefully and genuinely admit he and his wife should have done things differently he demands that the state engages in a witch hunt. Everyone else is to blame but the pair of them I guess.
Shows the stature of the man really. He's proved himself to be unfit for high office.”
Have had no phone reception for the last couple of hours which was a little scary. Luckily my phone map continued showing my position and the route most of the way.
I stopped for my pistachio nut and beer lunch by a little river called Rec De Sant Miquel. More San Miguel was flowing than Sant Miquel; I didn’t need the bridge!
Also just realised I’m not going to make it to the French border today. There are no rooms I can find in Portbou, or in Cerbère just over the border, so I’ve got a room in Colera instead tonight and will head for Banyuls-sur-mer in France tomorrow.
Are you doing this entirely as you go? Ie carrying all your luggage as you hike?
That’s impressive, if so. Must be quite a rucksack
I’d love to do a long long walking tour (I love hiking, I love that pleasurable exhaustion at the end of the day, the much earned dinner, the deep deep sleep) what puts me off is lugging all my stuff
I know holiday companies will do it all for you but it feels a bit like cheating
I do the same but on a bike, off road. Organise myself and it is wonderful for all the reasons you mention. I prefer the bike to walking as (in my opinion) you see more in particular wildlife as you tend to catch it by surprise.
I have done SW Coast of France, Normandy and Brittany and would have done Loire this spring if I hadn't broken my legs.
I've noticed that some wildlife is unfazed by bikes even if they see you. I've managed to get close to rabbits on the road side, and birds of prey on fence posts on bike, and just stop and look at them for a while. They can see you but they just don't seem to care. It doesn't seem to work with deer; they just scarper anyway. And weirdly cows seem to get more freaked out by bikes than if you're on foot.
Several times I have had something travel next to me. The most impressive was a barn owl who flew close and parallel to me for a bit.
For me it was a C130 parallel to and slightly below me on (I think) Loch Garry, A87 anyway. Couldn't keep up on a Ducati 748!
Read this interview with Karaganov (reliable bellwether of 🇷🇺ruling elite majority consensus).
If afterwards you still harbor any illusions about sustainable negotiated settlement with Putin's Kremlin on European security order read it again. And again.
As he says, war with West looks more inevitable as each day goes by.
Hope to God he is wrong.
Indeed. Anyone with eyes and honest evidence knows that war with the West is not just unwinnable for Russia, but could only end in rout for them, unless:
1. The Putinists are very confident that they can mobilize 5th columns to great effect, or they can bring in China on their side (no other ally would make a significant difference), OR 2. It goes nuclear.
Given the shocking state of most Russian military kit, how likely are the Russians not to have skimped on nuclear weapon maintenance?
I think you made a similar point before and it's a very fair one but not desperately comforting.
Say 90% of their warheads don't work - that still leaves a totally trashed world in the event of them being fired. Especially since the Western retaliation would presumably have to be based on assumption Russian nukes work.
And the Chinese retaliation if they cannot accurately tell where incoming missiles are aimed.
Unless Putin fires a nuclear missile at a NATO nation there will be no NATO nuclear weapons fired at Russia and even then only a NATO nuclear response is guaranteed if France, the USA or UK are hit.
China is on the other side of the world, even if closer to Russia now.
You keep writing this. Do you think that the more times you write that NATO will only retaliate a strike on a NATO member the truer it becomes.
Were Russia to strike Finland or Sweden, I have no doubt the narrative changes.
Even then NATO would not nuke Russia, at most it would be an airstrike and even then not guaranteed as neither are in NATO so it could just be even tighter sanctions on Russia
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
Mate, you are a fan of Franco. I think G is more in tune with Conservative voters than you are.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
Mate, you are a fan of Franco. I think G is more in tune with Conservative voters than you are.
I suspect that may be wishful thinking. At least as far as the most influential voters, the party members, are concerned.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
Mate, you are a fan of Franco. I think G is more in tune with Conservative voters than you are.
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
I never said I was a fan of his anyway, just he did keep Spain together
“Thinned skinned Rishi is clearly angry that information that it was clearly in the public interest to be released has come into the public domain.
Rather than ruefully and genuinely admit he and his wife should have done things differently he demands that the state engages in a witch hunt. Everyone else is to blame but the pair of them I guess.
Shows the stature of the man really. He's proved himself to be unfit for high office.”
“Thinned skinned Rishi is clearly angry that information that it was clearly in the public interest to be released has come into the public domain.
Rather than ruefully and genuinely admit he and his wife should have done things differently he demands that the state engages in a witch hunt. Everyone else is to blame but the pair of them I guess.
Shows the stature of the man really. He's proved himself to be unfit for high office.”
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
The Boris loyalists will still cling to Brexit as their man is inexorably associated with it. But when he's gone I suspect the Tories will start regarding Brexit as something akin to the Poll Tax - an aberration, something to do with early senility and a regime that had lost its way.
I doubt it, remember most Tory voters voted for Brexit even when Cameron was PM. Now some 2015 Tory Remain voters have gone Labour or LD and 2015 UKIP voters have mainly gone Tory, the Tory vote and membership is even more pro Brexit. Boris or no Boris.
A Labour government might align the UK closer to the EEA again and in time future generations of Tories might accept that but this generation of Tories won't
But Brexit was just a hazy fantasy when Cameron was leader. In the cold, harsh light of day are any Tories still tingly about it? I suspect most couldn't care less about having a Remainer leader now and might even find it therapeutic - a kind of release.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
I am certainly not on the same page as yourself and more likely to be in tune with conservatives voters
I know Sunday is your PB day of rest HY, but have you noticed the Aussie election called.
Has your man Morrison waited till the last possible moment?
The polls have turn back towards the government in April.
Plus Morrison still leads on preferred PM, I remain of the view he will be narrowly re elected
Since Howard no PM has lasted longer than Morrison has managed already at not even 4 years, and that was a surprise. He will have done very well if he can hold on again.
Have had no phone reception for the last couple of hours which was a little scary. Luckily my phone map continued showing my position and the route most of the way.
I stopped for my pistachio nut and beer lunch by a little river called Rec De Sant Miquel. More San Miguel was flowing than Sant Miquel; I didn’t need the bridge!
Also just realised I’m not going to make it to the French border today. There are no rooms I can find in Portbou, or in Cerbère just over the border, so I’ve got a room in Colera instead tonight and will head for Banyuls-sur-mer in France tomorrow.
Are you doing this entirely as you go? Ie carrying all your luggage as you hike?
That’s impressive, if so. Must be quite a rucksack
I’d love to do a long long walking tour (I love hiking, I love that pleasurable exhaustion at the end of the day, the much earned dinner, the deep deep sleep) what puts me off is lugging all my stuff
I know holiday companies will do it all for you but it feels a bit like cheating
Everything is in my rucksack, which was small enough to be Ryanair hand luggage. All I’m carrying is enough underwear and t-shirts for a week, a couple of shirts and my washbag. I’ve got a (vey classy Fortnum & Mason) shopping bag to carry my daily beer and lunch and my phone battery pack. I’ve managed to attach my jacket to my rucksack, which is handy as it won’t fit inside. I expect my one pair of jeans will be able to walk home on their own!
Cool
Modern down jackets are brilliant for these reasons. They keep you warm in the cold and dry in the wet, yet they are featherlight, and you can squash them into a daypack if needs be
You do need a guaranteed run of good weather tho. If you get real cold, and hard rain, then you need layers and layers and that means actual proper luggage which is a pain to carry
My problem would be books. I love to read real books, especially if they relate to where I am. But they are heavy
Izmir has been a revelation. What made me hate it at first is the same reason it is brilliant. Off puttingly ugly so no one bothers, yet actually fascinating, ridiculously cheap (5 star hotel: £60), surrounded by wild coast and superb history and with great public transport. Also, stuffed mussels. And 3 hour direct flights from Luton
I am going to return and do a piece for the Knappers’ Gazette
I wouldn't recommend a down jacket for any serious trekking. Useful for a stroll in a London park in December perhaps.
As for books, invest in an audiobook subscription service. You can listen while you walk if you want. It makes it possible to have hundreds of books with you for no extra weight. It's obviously not as good as a physical book in some respects, but extremely convenient for travel.
Down jackets are fine if you don’t mind them being a bit disposable. Ie you might shred one after a few trips. But they do the job
I love Berghaus long sleeve zip up tops as layering. Easy to wash, perfect for adventures, smart enough to get away with at a bar (at a pinch) yet robust enough for real experiences
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
I am certainly not on the same page as yourself and more likely to be in tune with conservatives voters
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
Mate, you are a fan of Franco. I think G is more in tune with Conservative voters than you are.
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
I never said I was a fan of his anyway, just he did keep Spain together
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
I am certainly not on the same page as yourself and more likely to be in tune with conservatives voters
Any conservative voters who commit heresy against HY are not and never were conservative voters.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
Mate, you are a fan of Franco. I think G is more in tune with Conservative voters than you are.
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
I never said I was a fan of his anyway, just he did keep Spain together
If you are not a fan, why are you so confident the average Tory is a fan?
“Thinned skinned Rishi is clearly angry that information that it was clearly in the public interest to be released has come into the public domain.
Rather than ruefully and genuinely admit he and his wife should have done things differently he demands that the state engages in a witch hunt. Everyone else is to blame but the pair of them I guess.
Shows the stature of the man really. He's proved himself to be unfit for high office.”
FPT: On the cost of living theory crisis, the caveat is that the savings ratio was insanely high during lockdown (among Tory income levels, at least), and discretionary spending hasn't rocketed after restrictions eased.
In theory, this means there is a lot of flex in Tory household budgets, which should neuter the problem somewhat.
Problem for Johnson is that people don't really think like that (see Prospect Theory). Also, people on lower incomes have been fucked throughout, so the general consensus that the north is lost is probably right (particularly as they spend more (%) on fuel/energy).
There is a big pot of WFH Southern Savings that the Treasury could go after, but that cohort is the final Tory redoubt. No chance.
Yes, fuel poverty is much more a northern problem than a southern one. You're right to focus on these regional differences.
My personal campaign is to get better poverty indicators: "After Housing Costs" is useless if live in Ullapool or something, and it costs you £50 to go shopping in Inverness.
Cities are also just great to live in; it's worth paying extra for that (personal view though), especially if it reduces your commute.
Why would you want to shop in Inverness in the first place.
I expect most people are just grateful to not be in Ayr
LOL, smartarse the comedienne thinks they are funny. Given you are so thick you think I am in Ayr says it all.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
Mate, you are a fan of Franco. I think G is more in tune with Conservative voters than you are.
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
I never said I was a fan of his anyway, just he did keep Spain together
If you are not a fan, why are you so confident the average Tory is a fan?
I was a Remainer in 2016, if anything I am on the moderate wing of the Tory membership now in terms of views of the EU.
BigG is also far closer to Starmer Labour or Davey's LDs than the current Tory leadership, just he has not admitted it to himself yet
FPT: On the cost of living theory crisis, the caveat is that the savings ratio was insanely high during lockdown (among Tory income levels, at least), and discretionary spending hasn't rocketed after restrictions eased.
In theory, this means there is a lot of flex in Tory household budgets, which should neuter the problem somewhat.
Problem for Johnson is that people don't really think like that (see Prospect Theory). Also, people on lower incomes have been fucked throughout, so the general consensus that the north is lost is probably right (particularly as they spend more (%) on fuel/energy).
There is a big pot of WFH Southern Savings that the Treasury could go after, but that cohort is the final Tory redoubt. No chance.
Yes, fuel poverty is much more a northern problem than a southern one. You're right to focus on these regional differences.
My personal campaign is to get better poverty indicators: "After Housing Costs" is useless if live in Ullapool or something, and it costs you £50 to go shopping in Inverness.
Cities are also just great to live in; it's worth paying extra for that (personal view though), especially if it reduces your commute.
Why would you want to shop in Inverness in the first place.
I expect most people are just grateful to not be in Ayr
LOL, smartarse the comedienne thinks they are funny. Given you are so thick you think I am in Ayr says it all.
Wow, that was a remarkably sensitive response given I was just doing the same thing you did.
FPT: On the cost of living theory crisis, the caveat is that the savings ratio was insanely high during lockdown (among Tory income levels, at least), and discretionary spending hasn't rocketed after restrictions eased.
In theory, this means there is a lot of flex in Tory household budgets, which should neuter the problem somewhat.
Problem for Johnson is that people don't really think like that (see Prospect Theory). Also, people on lower incomes have been fucked throughout, so the general consensus that the north is lost is probably right (particularly as they spend more (%) on fuel/energy).
There is a big pot of WFH Southern Savings that the Treasury could go after, but that cohort is the final Tory redoubt. No chance.
Yes, fuel poverty is much more a northern problem than a southern one. You're right to focus on these regional differences.
My personal campaign is to get better poverty indicators: "After Housing Costs" is useless if live in Ullapool or something, and it costs you £50 to go shopping in Inverness.
Cities are also just great to live in; it's worth paying extra for that (personal view though), especially if it reduces your commute.
Why would you want to shop in Inverness in the first place.
There’s a Tesco superstore in Ullapool, I’m sure it’ll supply as much flaked Parmesan as anyone could eat.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
Mate, you are a fan of Franco. I think G is more in tune with Conservative voters than you are.
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
I never said I was a fan of his anyway, just he did keep Spain together
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
No. Just no.
He makes the most extraordinary comments with absolutely no evidence
I’ve watched “normal” Republicans go from saying “Look, everyone knows Trump lost, just let him talk” to saying “Look, everyone knows there was something wrong with the election.”
They never specify what was “wrong”, because all the specific claims have been discredited and rejected by courts. They just hang their hats on the vague sense that if lots of people believe something, it must be at least partly true.
If Le Pen wins, could London see a big influx of French people who strongly dislike her?
How common is it for people to follow through on 'If X wins I'll move' type comments? I suspect not high, and there would be easier destinations.
Very interesting question. Where would nationals of each country prefer to move to if forced to leave their own country?
For me, I have chosen to live in the US. Assuming I'd have to choose somewhere other than either the US or UK, I'd probably chose either Ireland or Western Canada. The Maritimes are just too bleak for my taste, and even in Toronto, the winters are too fierce for me.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
The Boris loyalists will still cling to Brexit as their man is inexorably associated with it. But when he's gone I suspect the Tories will start regarding Brexit as something akin to the Poll Tax - an aberration, something to do with early senility and a regime that had lost its way.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
Mate, you are a fan of Franco. I think G is more in tune with Conservative voters than you are.
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
I never said I was a fan of his anyway, just he did keep Spain together
If you are not a fan, why are you so confident the average Tory is a fan?
HYUFD obviously thinks that failing to reconquer Gibraltar is a black mark against Franco.
Have had no phone reception for the last couple of hours which was a little scary. Luckily my phone map continued showing my position and the route most of the way.
I stopped for my pistachio nut and beer lunch by a little river called Rec De Sant Miquel. More San Miguel was flowing than Sant Miquel; I didn’t need the bridge!
Also just realised I’m not going to make it to the French border today. There are no rooms I can find in Portbou, or in Cerbère just over the border, so I’ve got a room in Colera instead tonight and will head for Banyuls-sur-mer in France tomorrow.
Are you doing this entirely as you go? Ie carrying all your luggage as you hike?
That’s impressive, if so. Must be quite a rucksack
I’d love to do a long long walking tour (I love hiking, I love that pleasurable exhaustion at the end of the day, the much earned dinner, the deep deep sleep) what puts me off is lugging all my stuff
I know holiday companies will do it all for you but it feels a bit like cheating
I do the same but on a bike, off road. Organise myself and it is wonderful for all the reasons you mention. I prefer the bike to walking as (in my opinion) you see more in particular wildlife as you tend to catch it by surprise.
I have done SW Coast of France, Normandy and Brittany and would have done Loire this spring if I hadn't broken my legs.
I've noticed that some wildlife is unfazed by bikes even if they see you. I've managed to get close to rabbits on the road side, and birds of prey on fence posts on bike, and just stop and look at them for a while. They can see you but they just don't seem to care. It doesn't seem to work with deer; they just scarper anyway. And weirdly cows seem to get more freaked out by bikes than if you're on foot.
Highly unlikely it was the bike that scared the crap out of them
Have had no phone reception for the last couple of hours which was a little scary. Luckily my phone map continued showing my position and the route most of the way.
I stopped for my pistachio nut and beer lunch by a little river called Rec De Sant Miquel. More San Miguel was flowing than Sant Miquel; I didn’t need the bridge!
Also just realised I’m not going to make it to the French border today. There are no rooms I can find in Portbou, or in Cerbère just over the border, so I’ve got a room in Colera instead tonight and will head for Banyuls-sur-mer in France tomorrow.
Are you doing this entirely as you go? Ie carrying all your luggage as you hike?
That’s impressive, if so. Must be quite a rucksack
I’d love to do a long long walking tour (I love hiking, I love that pleasurable exhaustion at the end of the day, the much earned dinner, the deep deep sleep) what puts me off is lugging all my stuff
I know holiday companies will do it all for you but it feels a bit like cheating
I do the same but on a bike, off road. Organise myself and it is wonderful for all the reasons you mention. I prefer the bike to walking as (in my opinion) you see more in particular wildlife as you tend to catch it by surprise.
I have done SW Coast of France, Normandy and Brittany and would have done Loire this spring if I hadn't broken my legs.
I've noticed that some wildlife is unfazed by bikes even if they see you. I've managed to get close to rabbits on the road side, and birds of prey on fence posts on bike, and just stop and look at them for a while. They can see you but they just don't seem to care. It doesn't seem to work with deer; they just scarper anyway. And weirdly cows seem to get more freaked out by bikes than if you're on foot.
Highly unlikely it was the bike that scared the crap out of them
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
Unicorn alert. Such a deal is not available without FoM. Being in the single market is something you either are, or are not. If the EU allowed a pick and choose position there would have been no Brexit.
I think that those backing Rishi for PM had assumed that he had at least a modicum of political nous. There seem to be surprisingly high numbers of politicians in Westminster who lack even the basics.
Sunak's mistake is that he believed he was indeed the chap who featured in his own glib, super-slick publicity, and the voters thought he was ace. Did he really think nobody would notice that he was filling up somebody else's Kia? Foolish.
All good politicians know that bad publicity is just around the corner, but Sunak doesn't seem able to cope with it. A fatal flaw - 'how dare you even comment on my wife!' - and stunningly naïve.
Have had no phone reception for the last couple of hours which was a little scary. Luckily my phone map continued showing my position and the route most of the way.
I stopped for my pistachio nut and beer lunch by a little river called Rec De Sant Miquel. More San Miguel was flowing than Sant Miquel; I didn’t need the bridge!
Also just realised I’m not going to make it to the French border today. There are no rooms I can find in Portbou, or in Cerbère just over the border, so I’ve got a room in Colera instead tonight and will head for Banyuls-sur-mer in France tomorrow.
Are you doing this entirely as you go? Ie carrying all your luggage as you hike?
That’s impressive, if so. Must be quite a rucksack
I’d love to do a long long walking tour (I love hiking, I love that pleasurable exhaustion at the end of the day, the much earned dinner, the deep deep sleep) what puts me off is lugging all my stuff
I know holiday companies will do it all for you but it feels a bit like cheating
I do the same but on a bike, off road. Organise myself and it is wonderful for all the reasons you mention. I prefer the bike to walking as (in my opinion) you see more in particular wildlife as you tend to catch it by surprise.
I have done SW Coast of France, Normandy and Brittany and would have done Loire this spring if I hadn't broken my legs.
I've noticed that some wildlife is unfazed by bikes even if they see you. I've managed to get close to rabbits on the road side, and birds of prey on fence posts on bike, and just stop and look at them for a while. They can see you but they just don't seem to care. It doesn't seem to work with deer; they just scarper anyway. And weirdly cows seem to get more freaked out by bikes than if you're on foot.
Highly unlikely it was the bike that scared the crap out of them
LOL. For eagles and kites, they'll fly off at 100m if you're walking, but you can drive up fairly close in a car before they spook. Same with foxes around us.
Sunak's mistake is that he believed he was indeed the chap who featured in his own glib, super-slick publicity, and the voters thought he was ace. Did he really think nobody would notice that he was filling up somebody else's Kia? Foolish.
All good politicians know that bad publicity is just around the corner, but Sunak doesn't seem able to cope with it. A fatal flaw - 'how dare you even comment on my wife!' - and stunningly naïve.
Surprising how long it took. Which indicates a considerable degree of media manipulation both before and after.
The right wing press will of course love a Le Pen win just because she’s anti EU but a win for her would be terrible for the UK and the EU .
Bad for the EU but in what way terrible for the UK?
Macron is already seriously hostile. I doubt Le Pen would be worse
And a weakened, bewildered EU is in our favour
There is the Putin factor, however, if you are referring to that then fair enough
A Europe drifting away from social democracy, liberal values and co-operation towards softhead national populism is not my idea of what's good for the UK.
It's a bit like shitting your pants and thinking if others do the same then that improves your prospects.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
The Boris loyalists will still cling to Brexit as their man is inexorably associated with it. But when he's gone I suspect the Tories will start regarding Brexit as something akin to the Poll Tax - an aberration, something to do with early senility and a regime that had lost its way.
....early senility.....
Poor old Stark Raving projecting a bit there one feels.
Read this interview with Karaganov (reliable bellwether of 🇷🇺ruling elite majority consensus).
If afterwards you still harbor any illusions about sustainable negotiated settlement with Putin's Kremlin on European security order read it again. And again.
As he says, war with West looks more inevitable as each day goes by.
Hope to God he is wrong.
Indeed. Anyone with eyes and honest evidence knows that war with the West is not just unwinnable for Russia, but could only end in rout for them, unless:
1. The Putinists are very confident that they can mobilize 5th columns to great effect, or they can bring in China on their side (no other ally would make a significant difference), OR 2. It goes nuclear.
Given the shocking state of most Russian military kit, how likely are the Russians not to have skimped on nuclear weapon maintenance?
I think you made a similar point before and it's a very fair one but not desperately comforting.
Say 90% of their warheads don't work - that still leaves a totally trashed world in the event of them being fired. Especially since the Western retaliation would presumably have to be based on assumption Russian nukes work.
And the Chinese retaliation if they cannot accurately tell where incoming missiles are aimed.
Unless Putin fires a nuclear missile at a NATO nation there will be no NATO nuclear weapons fired at Russia and even then only a NATO nuclear response is guaranteed if France, the USA or UK are hit.
China is on the other side of the world, even if closer to Russia now.
You keep writing this. Do you think that the more times you write that NATO will only retaliate a strike on a NATO member the truer it becomes.
Were Russia to strike Finland or Sweden, I have no doubt the narrative changes.
Even then NATO would not nuke Russia, at most it would be an airstrike and even then not guaranteed as neither are in NATO so it could just be even tighter sanctions on Russia
Well what is the point of the nuclear deterrent if Russia flattens Stockholm and Helsinki and NATO just shrugs it's shoulders and says "well it's not on our patch, carry on, as you were".
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
The Boris loyalists will still cling to Brexit as their man is inexorably associated with it. But when he's gone I suspect the Tories will start regarding Brexit as something akin to the Poll Tax - an aberration, something to do with early senility and a regime that had lost its way.
....early senility.....
Poor old Stark Raving projecting a bit there one feels.
don't think so, I was referring to myself looking over my shoulder...
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
Mate, you are a fan of Franco. I think G is more in tune with Conservative voters than you are.
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
I never said I was a fan of his anyway, just he did keep Spain together
If you are not a fan, why are you so confident the average Tory is a fan?
I was a Remainer in 2016, if anything I am on the moderate wing of the Tory membership now in terms of views of the EU.
BigG is also far closer to Starmer Labour or Davey's LDs than the current Tory leadership, just he has not admitted it to himself yet
I voted remain also but the idea you are a moderate conservative is for the birds
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
Unicorn alert. Such a deal is not available without FoM. Being in the single market is something you either are, or are not. If the EU allowed a pick and choose position there would have been no Brexit.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
My pulses quickened yesterday when I heard in semi slumber on the radio that "Boris was facing jailtime".
Sunak's mistake is that he believed he was indeed the chap who featured in his own glib, super-slick publicity, and the voters thought he was ace. Did he really think nobody would notice that he was filling up somebody else's Kia? Foolish.
All good politicians know that bad publicity is just around the corner, but Sunak doesn't seem able to cope with it. A fatal flaw - 'how dare you even comment on my wife!' - and stunningly naïve.
Some wise old politician (this was decades ago) pointed out that Head Boys often don't make it to the top in politics. If you are used to being promoted by others on the basis of your merits, there is something you don't develop in your temprament- some combination of emollience and sharp elbows- that is really useful for climbing greasy poles. And Head Boy is a funny role- in charge of something nebulous, but actually not in charge of anything since all the authority continues to rest with the adults.
Read this interview with Karaganov (reliable bellwether of 🇷🇺ruling elite majority consensus).
If afterwards you still harbor any illusions about sustainable negotiated settlement with Putin's Kremlin on European security order read it again. And again.
As he says, war with West looks more inevitable as each day goes by.
Hope to God he is wrong.
Indeed. Anyone with eyes and honest evidence knows that war with the West is not just unwinnable for Russia, but could only end in rout for them, unless:
1. The Putinists are very confident that they can mobilize 5th columns to great effect, or they can bring in China on their side (no other ally would make a significant difference), OR 2. It goes nuclear.
Given the shocking state of most Russian military kit, how likely are the Russians not to have skimped on nuclear weapon maintenance?
I think you made a similar point before and it's a very fair one but not desperately comforting.
Say 90% of their warheads don't work - that still leaves a totally trashed world in the event of them being fired. Especially since the Western retaliation would presumably have to be based on assumption Russian nukes work.
And the Chinese retaliation if they cannot accurately tell where incoming missiles are aimed.
Unless Putin fires a nuclear missile at a NATO nation there will be no NATO nuclear weapons fired at Russia and even then only a NATO nuclear response is guaranteed if France, the USA or UK are hit.
China is on the other side of the world, even if closer to Russia now.
You keep writing this. Do you think that the more times you write that NATO will only retaliate a strike on a NATO member the truer it becomes.
Were Russia to strike Finland or Sweden, I have no doubt the narrative changes.
Even then NATO would not nuke Russia, at most it would be an airstrike and even then not guaranteed as neither are in NATO so it could just be even tighter sanctions on Russia
Well what is the point of the nuclear deterrent if Russia flattens Stockholm and Helsinki and NATO just shrugs it's shoulders and says "well it's not on our patch, carry on, as you were".
We would be in a terrifying situation but I think a similar level of strike would be delivered (game theory tit for tat) probably with a massive set of conventional strikes plus making it clear that a maximum nuclear attack was readied.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
The Boris loyalists will still cling to Brexit as their man is inexorably associated with it. But when he's gone I suspect the Tories will start regarding Brexit as something akin to the Poll Tax - an aberration, something to do with early senility and a regime that had lost its way.
....early senility.....
Poor old Stark Raving projecting a bit there one feels.
don't think so, I was referring to myself looking over my shoulder...
Posting here will keep you young - look at Jack W!
FPT: On the cost of living theory crisis, the caveat is that the savings ratio was insanely high during lockdown (among Tory income levels, at least), and discretionary spending hasn't rocketed after restrictions eased.
In theory, this means there is a lot of flex in Tory household budgets, which should neuter the problem somewhat.
Problem for Johnson is that people don't really think like that (see Prospect Theory). Also, people on lower incomes have been fucked throughout, so the general consensus that the north is lost is probably right (particularly as they spend more (%) on fuel/energy).
There is a big pot of WFH Southern Savings that the Treasury could go after, but that cohort is the final Tory redoubt. No chance.
Yes, fuel poverty is much more a northern problem than a southern one. You're right to focus on these regional differences.
My personal campaign is to get better poverty indicators: "After Housing Costs" is useless if live in Ullapool or something, and it costs you £50 to go shopping in Inverness.
Cities are also just great to live in; it's worth paying extra for that (personal view though), especially if it reduces your commute.
Why would you want to shop in Inverness in the first place.
I expect most people are just grateful to not be in Ayr
LOL, smartarse the comedienne thinks they are funny. Given you are so thick you think I am in Ayr says it all.
Wow, that was a remarkably sensitive response given I was just doing the same thing you did.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
Unicorn alert. Such a deal is not available without FoM. Being in the single market is something you either are, or are not. If the EU allowed a pick and choose position there would have been no Brexit.
I know Sunday is your PB day of rest HY, but have you noticed the Aussie election called.
Has your man Morrison waited till the last possible moment?
The polls have turn back towards the government in April.
Plus Morrison still leads on preferred PM, I remain of the view he will be narrowly re elected
You mean you hope he will be reelected
In the 2019 Australian general election the preferred PM polling was more accurate than the 2PP polling
With what happened last time, and the polls already giving government better scores, I’d call it a toss up. But a toss up call makes the longer odds you can get the value bet?
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
Mate, you are a fan of Franco. I think G is more in tune with Conservative voters than you are.
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
I never said I was a fan of his anyway, just he did keep Spain together
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
No. Just no.
He makes the most extraordinary comments with absolutely no evidence
Nobody should admire Franco for any reason. Of course HYUFD talks again of stuff he didn't live thru' (unlike many of us who were around when he was in power and visited Spain), although a quick look at Wikipedia answers the question as to whether he should be admired for anything.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
The Boris loyalists will still cling to Brexit as their man is inexorably associated with it. But when he's gone I suspect the Tories will start regarding Brexit as something akin to the Poll Tax - an aberration, something to do with early senility and a regime that had lost its way.
....early senility.....
Poor old Stark Raving projecting a bit there one feels.
Odd remark. It's an established piece of Tory folklore that the Poll Tax came about because Maggie had started to go a bit gaga.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
Mate, you are a fan of Franco. I think G is more in tune with Conservative voters than you are.
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
I never said I was a fan of his anyway, just he did keep Spain together
If you are not a fan, why are you so confident the average Tory is a fan?
I was a Remainer in 2016, if anything I am on the moderate wing of the Tory membership now in terms of views of the EU.
BigG is also far closer to Starmer Labour or Davey's LDs than the current Tory leadership, just he has not admitted it to himself yet
I voted remain also but the idea you are a moderate conservative is for the birds
As all of the moderate conservatives have been purged, HY probably is moderate. I just don't get what motivates people to defend the very things they are against just because their side is doing it...
Read this interview with Karaganov (reliable bellwether of 🇷🇺ruling elite majority consensus).
If afterwards you still harbor any illusions about sustainable negotiated settlement with Putin's Kremlin on European security order read it again. And again.
As he says, war with West looks more inevitable as each day goes by.
Hope to God he is wrong.
Indeed. Anyone with eyes and honest evidence knows that war with the West is not just unwinnable for Russia, but could only end in rout for them, unless:
1. The Putinists are very confident that they can mobilize 5th columns to great effect, or they can bring in China on their side (no other ally would make a significant difference), OR 2. It goes nuclear.
Given the shocking state of most Russian military kit, how likely are the Russians not to have skimped on nuclear weapon maintenance?
I think you made a similar point before and it's a very fair one but not desperately comforting.
Say 90% of their warheads don't work - that still leaves a totally trashed world in the event of them being fired. Especially since the Western retaliation would presumably have to be based on assumption Russian nukes work.
And the Chinese retaliation if they cannot accurately tell where incoming missiles are aimed.
Unless Putin fires a nuclear missile at a NATO nation there will be no NATO nuclear weapons fired at Russia and even then only a NATO nuclear response is guaranteed if France, the USA or UK are hit.
China is on the other side of the world, even if closer to Russia now.
You keep writing this. Do you think that the more times you write that NATO will only retaliate a strike on a NATO member the truer it becomes.
Were Russia to strike Finland or Sweden, I have no doubt the narrative changes.
Even then NATO would not nuke Russia, at most it would be an airstrike and even then not guaranteed as neither are in NATO so it could just be even tighter sanctions on Russia
Well what is the point of the nuclear deterrent if Russia flattens Stockholm and Helsinki and NATO just shrugs it's shoulders and says "well it's not on our patch, carry on, as you were".
You know the answer to this. The nuclear deterrent is meant to protect those who possess it from nuclear attack. It deters nuclear attack upon those nations, as the would-be attacker knows that in return they will be nuked. Clearly it doesn't deter them from attacking a completely different country.
I think that those backing Rishi for PM had assumed that he had at least a modicum of political nous. There seem to be surprisingly high numbers of politicians in Westminster who lack even the basics.
Really the problem is that most of his approval rating was based on massive state spending at stable prices. When you raise the finance to pay for the spending and prices start to inflate, people start to hate you, and a marital-fiscal embarrassment turns into a terminal blow.
FPT: On the cost of living theory crisis, the caveat is that the savings ratio was insanely high during lockdown (among Tory income levels, at least), and discretionary spending hasn't rocketed after restrictions eased.
In theory, this means there is a lot of flex in Tory household budgets, which should neuter the problem somewhat.
Problem for Johnson is that people don't really think like that (see Prospect Theory). Also, people on lower incomes have been fucked throughout, so the general consensus that the north is lost is probably right (particularly as they spend more (%) on fuel/energy).
There is a big pot of WFH Southern Savings that the Treasury could go after, but that cohort is the final Tory redoubt. No chance.
Yes, fuel poverty is much more a northern problem than a southern one. You're right to focus on these regional differences.
My personal campaign is to get better poverty indicators: "After Housing Costs" is useless if live in Ullapool or something, and it costs you £50 to go shopping in Inverness.
Cities are also just great to live in; it's worth paying extra for that (personal view though), especially if it reduces your commute.
Why would you want to shop in Inverness in the first place.
I expect most people are just grateful to not be in Ayr
LOL, smartarse the comedienne thinks they are funny. Given you are so thick you think I am in Ayr says it all.
Wow, that was a remarkably sensitive response given I was just doing the same thing you did.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
The Boris loyalists will still cling to Brexit as their man is inexorably associated with it. But when he's gone I suspect the Tories will start regarding Brexit as something akin to the Poll Tax - an aberration, something to do with early senility and a regime that had lost its way.
....early senility.....
Poor old Stark Raving projecting a bit there one feels.
Odd remark. It's an established piece of Tory folklore that the Poll Tax came about because Maggie had started to go a bit gaga.
I'm puzzled by the the decision to keep non-dom status (controversial) but stop avoiding tax on foreign income in the UK (uncontroversial).
The non-dom status has significant inheritance tax advantages.
Yes it does, and I think the opposition parties are storing that one up for use shortly. As in: 'What's the advantage of non-dom status for Mrs S? Answer: To avoid the inheritance tax that the rest of us in the UK have to pay'.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
Mate, you are a fan of Franco. I think G is more in tune with Conservative voters than you are.
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
I never said I was a fan of his anyway, just he did keep Spain together
If you are not a fan, why are you so confident the average Tory is a fan?
I was a Remainer in 2016, if anything I am on the moderate wing of the Tory membership now in terms of views of the EU.
BigG is also far closer to Starmer Labour or Davey's LDs than the current Tory leadership, just he has not admitted it to himself yet
I voted remain also but the idea you are a moderate conservative is for the birds
At least HYUFD doesn't pretend unlike you. Why don't you leave him alone?
Read this interview with Karaganov (reliable bellwether of 🇷🇺ruling elite majority consensus).
If afterwards you still harbor any illusions about sustainable negotiated settlement with Putin's Kremlin on European security order read it again. And again.
As he says, war with West looks more inevitable as each day goes by.
Hope to God he is wrong.
Indeed. Anyone with eyes and honest evidence knows that war with the West is not just unwinnable for Russia, but could only end in rout for them, unless:
1. The Putinists are very confident that they can mobilize 5th columns to great effect, or they can bring in China on their side (no other ally would make a significant difference), OR 2. It goes nuclear.
Given the shocking state of most Russian military kit, how likely are the Russians not to have skimped on nuclear weapon maintenance?
I think you made a similar point before and it's a very fair one but not desperately comforting.
Say 90% of their warheads don't work - that still leaves a totally trashed world in the event of them being fired. Especially since the Western retaliation would presumably have to be based on assumption Russian nukes work.
And the Chinese retaliation if they cannot accurately tell where incoming missiles are aimed.
Unless Putin fires a nuclear missile at a NATO nation there will be no NATO nuclear weapons fired at Russia and even then only a NATO nuclear response is guaranteed if France, the USA or UK are hit.
China is on the other side of the world, even if closer to Russia now.
You keep writing this. Do you think that the more times you write that NATO will only retaliate a strike on a NATO member the truer it becomes.
Were Russia to strike Finland or Sweden, I have no doubt the narrative changes.
Even then NATO would not nuke Russia, at most it would be an airstrike and even then not guaranteed as neither are in NATO so it could just be even tighter sanctions on Russia
Well what is the point of the nuclear deterrent if Russia flattens Stockholm and Helsinki and NATO just shrugs it's shoulders and says "well it's not on our patch, carry on, as you were".
You know the answer to this. The nuclear deterrent is meant to protect those who possess it from nuclear attack. It deters nuclear attack upon those nations, as the would-be attacker knows that in return they will be nuked. Clearly it doesn't deter them from attacking a completely different country.
That's clearly false, and you demonstrably know nothing about this subject if you think that's true.
I'm puzzled by the the decision to keep non-dom status (controversial) but stop avoiding tax on foreign income in the UK (uncontroversial).
The non-dom status has significant inheritance tax advantages.
Yep. They haven’t quashed this story. Until the Sunaks fully normalise their tax status (at huge cost to themselves - esp re inheritance tax) the knives will be out and he’ll be bought down sooner or later. It’s an untenable position.
Rishi either hasn’t realised this, or intends to put up a stand and die on the hill of tax avoidance. If you’re gonna be a British minister, especially CoftE or PM, you have to be whiter then white on this stuff.
Wow. I had not realized how horrible Everton's line up of opponents until the end of the season. Leicester twice, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. Hard to see how they get the points to stay up.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
The Boris loyalists will still cling to Brexit as their man is inexorably associated with it. But when he's gone I suspect the Tories will start regarding Brexit as something akin to the Poll Tax - an aberration, something to do with early senility and a regime that had lost its way.
....early senility.....
Poor old Stark Raving projecting a bit there one feels.
Odd remark. It's an established piece of Tory folklore that the Poll Tax came about because Maggie had started to go a bit gaga.
FPT: On the cost of living theory crisis, the caveat is that the savings ratio was insanely high during lockdown (among Tory income levels, at least), and discretionary spending hasn't rocketed after restrictions eased.
In theory, this means there is a lot of flex in Tory household budgets, which should neuter the problem somewhat.
Problem for Johnson is that people don't really think like that (see Prospect Theory). Also, people on lower incomes have been fucked throughout, so the general consensus that the north is lost is probably right (particularly as they spend more (%) on fuel/energy).
There is a big pot of WFH Southern Savings that the Treasury could go after, but that cohort is the final Tory redoubt. No chance.
Yes, fuel poverty is much more a northern problem than a southern one. You're right to focus on these regional differences.
My personal campaign is to get better poverty indicators: "After Housing Costs" is useless if live in Ullapool or something, and it costs you £50 to go shopping in Inverness.
Cities are also just great to live in; it's worth paying extra for that (personal view though), especially if it reduces your commute.
Why would you want to shop in Inverness in the first place.
I expect most people are just grateful to not be in Ayr
LOL, smartarse the comedienne thinks they are funny. Given you are so thick you think I am in Ayr says it all.
Wow, that was a remarkably sensitive response given I was just doing the same thing you did.
Calm down, dear, it was just a joke.
Pity you do not recognise reciprocity
I will recognise it if you do
I will adjust my tin ear, or should I say my Rishi ear
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
Unicorn alert. Such a deal is not available without FoM. Being in the single market is something you either are, or are not. If the EU allowed a pick and choose position there would have been no Brexit.
Something pretty close was on offer- May's deal looked a lot like a single market in goods without freedom of movement. The price of that was permanent alignment on EU market standards. And the ERG weren't having that.
Barnier's Staircase was all about pick and choose. But also the idea that the choices had consequences. What wasn't negotiable was the idea that seamless access required alignment. And that's a pretty fundamental point to ask the EU to concede on.
Read this interview with Karaganov (reliable bellwether of 🇷🇺ruling elite majority consensus).
If afterwards you still harbor any illusions about sustainable negotiated settlement with Putin's Kremlin on European security order read it again. And again.
As he says, war with West looks more inevitable as each day goes by.
Hope to God he is wrong.
Indeed. Anyone with eyes and honest evidence knows that war with the West is not just unwinnable for Russia, but could only end in rout for them, unless:
1. The Putinists are very confident that they can mobilize 5th columns to great effect, or they can bring in China on their side (no other ally would make a significant difference), OR 2. It goes nuclear.
Given the shocking state of most Russian military kit, how likely are the Russians not to have skimped on nuclear weapon maintenance?
I think you made a similar point before and it's a very fair one but not desperately comforting.
Say 90% of their warheads don't work - that still leaves a totally trashed world in the event of them being fired. Especially since the Western retaliation would presumably have to be based on assumption Russian nukes work.
And the Chinese retaliation if they cannot accurately tell where incoming missiles are aimed.
Unless Putin fires a nuclear missile at a NATO nation there will be no NATO nuclear weapons fired at Russia and even then only a NATO nuclear response is guaranteed if France, the USA or UK are hit.
China is on the other side of the world, even if closer to Russia now.
You keep writing this. Do you think that the more times you write that NATO will only retaliate a strike on a NATO member the truer it becomes.
Were Russia to strike Finland or Sweden, I have no doubt the narrative changes.
Even then NATO would not nuke Russia, at most it would be an airstrike and even then not guaranteed as neither are in NATO so it could just be even tighter sanctions on Russia
Well what is the point of the nuclear deterrent if Russia flattens Stockholm and Helsinki and NATO just shrugs it's shoulders and says "well it's not on our patch, carry on, as you were".
You know the answer to this. The nuclear deterrent is meant to protect those who possess it from nuclear attack. It deters nuclear attack upon those nations, as the would-be attacker knows that in return they will be nuked. Clearly it doesn't deter them from attacking a completely different country.
That's clearly false, and you demonstrably know nothing about this subject if you think that's true.
Do enlighten me. Or am I expected to take this pathetic riposte complete with split infinitive as the last word on the matter?
I think that those backing Rishi for PM had assumed that he had at least a modicum of political nous. There seem to be surprisingly high numbers of politicians in Westminster who lack even the basics.
Really the problem is that most of his approval rating was based on massive state spending at stable prices. When you raise the finance to pay for the spending and prices start to inflate, people start to hate you, and a marital-fiscal embarrassment turns into a terminal blow.
That's true but he could have managed the hard decision phase and remained a contender. What I'm referring to is the tax arrangements and also his belated response. Astonishing he didn't see it coming and made defensive adjustments years ago.
Sunak's mistake is that he believed he was indeed the chap who featured in his own glib, super-slick publicity, and the voters thought he was ace. Did he really think nobody would notice that he was filling up somebody else's Kia? Foolish.
All good politicians know that bad publicity is just around the corner, but Sunak doesn't seem able to cope with it. A fatal flaw - 'how dare you even comment on my wife!' - and stunningly naïve.
Some wise old politician (this was decades ago) pointed out that Head Boys often don't make it to the top in politics. If you are used to being promoted by others on the basis of your merits, there is something you don't develop in your temprament- some combination of emollience and sharp elbows- that is really useful for climbing greasy poles. And Head Boy is a funny role- in charge of something nebulous, but actually not in charge of anything since all the authority continues to rest with the adults.
Rishi looks like another victim of that curse.
Which would be true if he had actually been “head boy” but he wasn’t.
I'm puzzled by the the decision to keep non-dom status (controversial) but stop avoiding tax on foreign income in the UK (uncontroversial).
The non-dom status has significant inheritance tax advantages.
Yep. They haven’t quashed this story. Until the Sunaks fully normalise their tax status (at huge cost to themselves - esp re inheritance tax) the knives will be out and he’ll be bought down sooner or later. It’s an untenable position.
Rishi either hasn’t realised this, or intends to put up a stand and die on the hill of tax avoidance. If you’re gonna be a British minister, especially CoftE or PM, you have to be whiter then white on this stuff.
I'm with HYUFD. In fact, I think that the Tories should base their next election campaign on how much pride modern Tories take in being the heirs to Franco and Pinochet. Please.
“Thinned skinned Rishi is clearly angry that information that it was clearly in the public interest to be released has come into the public domain.
Rather than ruefully and genuinely admit he and his wife should have done things differently he demands that the state engages in a witch hunt. Everyone else is to blame but the pair of them I guess.
Shows the stature of the man really. He's proved himself to be unfit for high office.”
When you unite the FT and the DM readers against you, you’ve got a serious problem.
Johnson will be delighted as he manifests in Ukraine seeking a slice of vicarious war kudos. He survives all of his scandals and now sees the main alternative to his leadership brought low by his own. I think this man has made a pact with Lucifer. The luck is too extreme to be explained any other way.
I'm puzzled by the the decision to keep non-dom status (controversial) but stop avoiding tax on foreign income in the UK (uncontroversial).
The non-dom status has significant inheritance tax advantages.
Yep. They haven’t quashed this story. Until the Sunaks fully normalise their tax status (at huge cost to themselves - esp re inheritance tax) the knives will be out and he’ll be bought down sooner or later. It’s an untenable position.
Rishi either hasn’t realised this, or intends to put up a stand and die on the hill of tax avoidance. If you’re gonna be a British minister, especially CoftE or PM, you have to be whiter then white on this stuff.
If Le Pen wins, could London see a big influx of French people who strongly dislike her?
How common is it for people to follow through on 'If X wins I'll move' type comments? I suspect not high, and there would be easier destinations.
One needs to allow for those who were going to move anyway but don't get so much attention because reasons.
Lady Mone famously did it the other way round - closed her business in Scotland and moved even though her side won indyref 1.
Was that not due to the business due to be going under though and seeing rich pickings at Westminster
It actually doesn't really matter what the reasons were, in this or other cases: it just shows the bad faith. And the lack of credibility of a signigicant percentage of such promises. Though not as bad as Vote No to Stay in the EU.
Rather ridiculous given Tugendhat is a Remainer unlike Sunak and not even in the Cabinet.
Wallace should be in the top 3 to succeed Boris alongside Truss and Sunak, not Tugendhat
Is the Leaver/Remainer thing still a dynamic though? I get the impression that the Tories are now seeing Brexit as something of an embarrassment best forgotten about. (The last strained attempt to make a virtue out of it was the stuff with Rees-Mogg and The Sun but I doubt there'll be any repetition of that - just too silly.)
Of course it is, given the vast majority of Tory voters let alone Tory members are still strongly pro Brexit and the Brexit deal we have. That will continue to be the case for at least a generation
You live in a world of make believe
I am in favour of brexit but want a deal that draws the UK - EU closer together especially on trade
You are a Remain voter who voted for Blair and has never been a great fan of Boris.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
Mate, you are a fan of Franco. I think G is more in tune with Conservative voters than you are.
The average Tory member is probably more a fan of Franco than the EU now.
I never said I was a fan of his anyway, just he did keep Spain together
If you are not a fan, why are you so confident the average Tory is a fan?
I was a Remainer in 2016, if anything I am on the moderate wing of the Tory membership now in terms of views of the EU.
BigG is also far closer to Starmer Labour or Davey's LDs than the current Tory leadership, just he has not admitted it to himself yet
I voted remain also but the idea you are a moderate conservative is for the birds
At least HYUFD doesn't pretend unlike you. Why don't you leave him alone?
BigG strikes me as an exceptionally moderate and mild-mannered Conservative. In the same manner as (say) Southam for Labour. Both have their own angles and opinions on events, but neither have ever struck me as extreme.
Read this interview with Karaganov (reliable bellwether of 🇷🇺ruling elite majority consensus).
If afterwards you still harbor any illusions about sustainable negotiated settlement with Putin's Kremlin on European security order read it again. And again.
As he says, war with West looks more inevitable as each day goes by.
Hope to God he is wrong.
Indeed. Anyone with eyes and honest evidence knows that war with the West is not just unwinnable for Russia, but could only end in rout for them, unless:
1. The Putinists are very confident that they can mobilize 5th columns to great effect, or they can bring in China on their side (no other ally would make a significant difference), OR 2. It goes nuclear.
Given the shocking state of most Russian military kit, how likely are the Russians not to have skimped on nuclear weapon maintenance?
I think you made a similar point before and it's a very fair one but not desperately comforting.
Say 90% of their warheads don't work - that still leaves a totally trashed world in the event of them being fired. Especially since the Western retaliation would presumably have to be based on assumption Russian nukes work.
And the Chinese retaliation if they cannot accurately tell where incoming missiles are aimed.
Unless Putin fires a nuclear missile at a NATO nation there will be no NATO nuclear weapons fired at Russia and even then only a NATO nuclear response is guaranteed if France, the USA or UK are hit.
China is on the other side of the world, even if closer to Russia now.
You keep writing this. Do you think that the more times you write that NATO will only retaliate a strike on a NATO member the truer it becomes.
Were Russia to strike Finland or Sweden, I have no doubt the narrative changes.
Even then NATO would not nuke Russia, at most it would be an airstrike and even then not guaranteed as neither are in NATO so it could just be even tighter sanctions on Russia
Well what is the point of the nuclear deterrent if Russia flattens Stockholm and Helsinki and NATO just shrugs it's shoulders and says "well it's not on our patch, carry on, as you were".
You know the answer to this. The nuclear deterrent is meant to protect those who possess it from nuclear attack. It deters nuclear attack upon those nations, as the would-be attacker knows that in return they will be nuked. Clearly it doesn't deter them from attacking a completely different country.
That's clearly false, and you demonstrably know nothing about this subject if you think that's true.
Do enlighten me. Or am I expected to take this pathetic riposte complete with split infinitive as the last word on the matter?
Well you can look into the concept of the nuclear umbrella for starters. This concept covers a range of formal and informal agreements to provide security against catastrophic attack by a mutual enemy.
Whilst you're at it, you might want to look up what a split infinitive is. Not that I mind doing it, it's perfectly fine to not avoid doing it, but I didn't in the above post.
I'm puzzled by the the decision to keep non-dom status (controversial) but stop avoiding tax on foreign income in the UK (uncontroversial).
The non-dom status has significant inheritance tax advantages.
Yep. They haven’t quashed this story. Until the Sunaks fully normalise their tax status (at huge cost to themselves - esp re inheritance tax) the knives will be out and he’ll be bought down sooner or later. It’s an untenable position.
Rishi either hasn’t realised this, or intends to put up a stand and die on the hill of tax avoidance. If you’re gonna be a British minister, especially CoftE or PM, you have to be whiter then white on this stuff.
Silly man.
Slightly unfortunate wording ...
It’s just a figure of speech, not a dog whistle.
Oh, quite - I certainly didn't think you were getting oiut the whistle.
Comments
As for books, invest in an audiobook subscription service. You can listen while you walk if you want. It makes it possible to have hundreds of books with you for no extra weight. It's obviously not as good as a physical book in some respects, but extremely convenient for travel.
Macron is already seriously hostile. I doubt Le Pen would be worse
And a weakened, bewildered EU is in our favour
There is the Putin factor, however, if you are referring to that then fair enough
A Labour government might align the UK closer to the EEA again and in time future generations of Tories might accept that but this generation of Tories won't
The Franco-German motor is looking clapped out whoever wins.
Were Russia to strike Finland or Sweden, I have no doubt the narrative changes.
That rather proves my point, you are hardly typical of most current Tory voters and Tory members
“Thinned skinned Rishi is clearly angry that information that it was clearly in the public interest to be released has come into the public domain.
Rather than ruefully and genuinely admit he and his wife should have done things differently he demands that the state engages in a witch hunt. Everyone else is to blame but the pair of them I guess.
Shows the stature of the man really. He's proved himself to be unfit for high office.”
https://www.ft.com/content/4c225e8d-edcf-4e09-a69f-10044837ed34#comments-anchor
And the DM highest rated comments are terrible for Rishi, too;
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10704465/Rishi-orders-hunt-Red-Throat-leaker-wifes-non-dom-tax-status.html
When you unite the FT and the DM readers against you, you’ve got a serious problem.
I never said I was a fan of his anyway, just he did keep Spain together
I love Berghaus long sleeve zip up tops as layering. Easy to wash, perfect for adventures, smart enough to get away with at a bar (at a pinch) yet robust enough for real experiences
Yet it seems they have discontinued them! Madness
No. Just no.
BigG is also far closer to Starmer Labour or Davey's LDs than the current Tory leadership, just he has not admitted it to himself yet
Calm down, dear, it was just a joke.
https://twitter.com/prchovanec/status/1513138781146210308
https://twitter.com/prchovanec/status/1513139541691011073
For me, I have chosen to live in the US. Assuming I'd have to choose somewhere other than either the US or UK, I'd probably chose either Ireland or Western Canada. The Maritimes are just too bleak for my taste, and even in Toronto, the winters are too fierce for me.
Lady Mone famously did it the other way round - closed her business in Scotland and moved even though her side won indyref 1.
All good politicians know that bad publicity is just around the corner, but Sunak doesn't seem able to cope with it. A fatal flaw - 'how dare you even comment on my wife!' - and stunningly naïve.
It's a bit like shitting your pants and thinking if others do the same then that improves your prospects.
Which it doesn't.
However ...
Rishi looks like another victim of that curse.
Last I looked the best PM was even Steven.
Sorry if I was not clear Malc
Rishi either hasn’t realised this, or intends to put up a stand and die on the hill of tax avoidance. If you’re gonna be a British minister, especially CoftE or PM, you have to be whiter then white on this stuff.
Silly man.
Barnier's Staircase was all about pick and choose. But also the idea that the choices had consequences. What wasn't negotiable was the idea that seamless access required alignment. And that's a pretty fundamental point to ask the EU to concede on.
Whilst you're at it, you might want to look up what a split infinitive is. Not that I mind doing it, it's perfectly fine to not avoid doing it, but I didn't in the above post.