The Lib Dems often act as a think tank for future Labour (and occasionally Tory) policies, so look out for the 24 hour booking line appearing in Labour pledges soon:
1) I suppose we can't know how many personations (?) took place
2) Surely it's older voters who are most likely to not have a valid passport/driving licence? Even with the trend for not drinking/driving, most younger people have ID to get into concerts etc
3) lots of countries that we admire have ID requirements (and monarchies ). Sweden, for example.
The main thing it will do is cause massive queues, lots of angst and general ill feeling.
Golly Gosh, the excitement is mounting isn’t it, not long to go. I have done the Coronation Quiche twice now, came out my oven different both times, the first one probably better than the second. I’ll make a few for Sunday’s Coronation flat party round ours so if one don’t look right I can hide it.
Golly Gosh, the excitement is mounting isn’t it, not long to go. I have done the Coronation Quiche twice now, came out my oven different both times, the first one probably better than the second. I’ll make a few for Sunday’s Coronation flat party round ours so if one don’t look right I can hide it.
Good evening, o lunar lagomorph. Have a search in the Grauniad for Felicity Cloake's article some time back - looks pretty useful in pinning down the faults in the recipe and how to deal with them.
The Lib Dems often act as a think tank for future Labour (and occasionally Tory) policies, so look out for the 24 hour booking line appearing in Labour pledges soon:
“Canadians are very much split on their opinions when it comes to the monarchy in Canada. Roughly half (54%) agree (20% strongly/33% somewhat) that now that Queen Elizabeth II’s reign has ended, Canada should end its formal ties to the British monarchy. This sentiment is down 5 points from 2021, but up from 44% in 2011. Conversely, 46% disagree (19% strongly/27% somewhat) that Canada should sever ties, up 5 points.”
Only 20% are strong republicans (bet they’re mostly in Quebec). You need way more than that to go through the enormous arse-ache of massive constitutional turmoil. It’s not gonna happen. Canada is a safe, stable, prosperous country, looked on with envy by many. Why change what works?
Also, the monarchy sets Canada apart from the USA and, in my experience, Canadians love ANYTHING that does that
It's in the Guardian, so you can properly ChatGPT the whole article from here: "write me an article in the style of the Guardian as to why the monarchy is unpopular in Canada"
In fact, I just did - here is what it said: "As a Commonwealth country with a constitutional monarchy, Canada has long been associated with the British royal family. However, recent years have seen a decline in support for the monarchy in Canada, with polls indicating that a growing number of Canadians now believe that the country should become a republic.
The reasons for this shift in opinion are multifaceted. Firstly, many Canadians see the monarchy as an anachronism that is out of step with modern values. The monarchy is seen by some as a relic of the past, with its focus on tradition and ceremony seen as at odds with Canada's progressive, diverse and egalitarian society.
Additionally, many Canadians object to the idea of a hereditary head of state. The fact that the position of monarch is passed down through a single family, with no democratic input, is seen by many as fundamentally undemocratic. In a country that values meritocracy and equal opportunity, the idea of a person holding a position of power simply because of their birthright is unpalatable to many.
Another factor contributing to the unpopularity of the monarchy in Canada is the cost of maintaining the royal family. Despite the fact that Canada is a constitutional monarchy, the royal family does not actually reside in the country, meaning that Canadian taxpayers foot the bill for their security when they visit. This has led to criticism that the money spent on the monarchy could be better used to fund public services or support vulnerable communities.
Moreover, recent controversies surrounding the royal family have also played a role in eroding support for the institution. The revelations of racism and colonialism made by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in their interview with Oprah Winfrey, as well as the scandals surrounding Prince Andrew, have called into question the values and behaviour of the royal family.
Despite these challenges, supporters of the monarchy argue that it provides a link to Canada's history and tradition, and that the cost of maintaining the royal family is minimal compared to the economic benefits that they bring to the country. However, with support for the monarchy declining and calls for a republic growing louder, it remains to be seen whether the institution will continue to have a place in Canadian society.
The Lib Dems often act as a think tank for future Labour (and occasionally Tory) policies, so look out for the 24 hour booking line appearing in Labour pledges soon:
1) I suppose we can't know how many personations (?) took place
2) Surely it's older voters who are most likely to not have a valid passport/driving licence? Even with the trend for not drinking/driving, most younger people have ID to get into concerts etc
3) lots of countries that we admire have ID requirements (and monarchies ). Sweden, for example.
The main thing it will do is cause massive queues, lots of angst and general ill feeling.
1) True, but many things are a potential risk and we don't take the most extreme action to prevent it without a good reason, especially when it might have other harmful effects. Otherwise we'd set the speed limit at 10mph on every road to avoid risk of high speed crashes.
2) Apparently not the case, though I do think older people will more likely forget to bring ID and not bother to return.
3) Yes, and people sometimes focus their ire on the wrong thing - having to produce ID being inherently fascist or something - but they do also focus on the specific implementation and situation.
A lot of people are invested now in seeing it as a disaster that I'm fairly confident it will be reported as such regardless of whether it is - officials have been warning for months about chaos, and despite doing what they can loads of people still will have no idea about it, so I am sure there will be some amount of chaos. Of course, some would happen with any change, and wouldn't automatically mean a policy is awful, but it does beg the question why the disruption was necessary.
The Lib Dems often act as a think tank for future Labour (and occasionally Tory) policies, so look out for the 24 hour booking line appearing in Labour pledges soon:
“Canadians are very much split on their opinions when it comes to the monarchy in Canada. Roughly half (54%) agree (20% strongly/33% somewhat) that now that Queen Elizabeth II’s reign has ended, Canada should end its formal ties to the British monarchy. This sentiment is down 5 points from 2021, but up from 44% in 2011. Conversely, 46% disagree (19% strongly/27% somewhat) that Canada should sever ties, up 5 points.”
Only 20% are strong republicans (bet they’re mostly in Quebec). You need way more than that to go through the enormous arse-ache of massive constitutional turmoil. It’s not gonna happen. Canada is a safe, stable, prosperous country, looked on with envy by many. Why change what works?
Also, the monarchy sets Canada apart from the USA and, in my experience, Canadians love ANYTHING that does that
It's in the Guardian, so you can properly ChatGPT the whole article from here: "write me an article in the style of the Guardian as to why the monarchy is unpopular in Canada"
The Lib Dems often act as a think tank for future Labour (and occasionally Tory) policies, so look out for the 24 hour booking line appearing in Labour pledges soon:
On topic, I'll say it again, if the government were serious about strengthening election integrity then they would have cracked down on postal voting at the same time.
Since they haven't then the vote suppression allegations are fair.
Golly Gosh, the excitement is mounting isn’t it, not long to go. I have done the Coronation Quiche twice now, came out my oven different both times, the first one probably better than the second. I’ll make a few for Sunday’s Coronation flat party round ours so if one don’t look right I can hide it.
Good evening, o lunar lagomorph. Have a search in the Grauniad for Felicity Cloake's article some time back - looks pretty useful in pinning down the faults in the recipe and how to deal with them.
Many thanks. The soup point half relevant to my second attempt
“My top tips for anyone attempting it: unless you’re a pastry whizz, make double the amount suggested, put the case back in the oven for another five minutes to dry out after removing the baking beans, and make sure you squeeze every last drop of water out of your spinach before adding it or you’ll end up with egg soup. I’d also warn you it’s likely to take longer than 25 minutes to achieve the golden beauty of the palace’s version.”
However where she says place in oven, all ovens and parts of oven vary in my opinion, so flicks golden beauty point needs to be taken with a pinch of salt as both my efforts did not lack for being golden.
1) I suppose we can't know how many personations (?) took place
2) Surely it's older voters who are most likely to not have a valid passport/driving licence? Even with the trend for not drinking/driving, most younger people have ID to get into concerts etc
3) lots of countries that we admire have ID requirements (and monarchies ). Sweden, for example.
The main thing it will do is cause massive queues, lots of angst and general ill feeling.
There are some things we do know, though.
We know that instances of people trying to vote and discovering that someone else has stolen their vote are pretty rare. Otherwise a fair number of us would directly know it had happened to us or someone we knew.
We also know that, for Westminster, it would take an awful lot of fake votes to shift the result. Yes, some results are eyewateringly tight, but nobody knows which ones they are in advance.
On top of that, we know that there are definite issues with postal voting, which really seems like a bigger issue of public confidence and where the government is doing zipp
So whatever it is, it's not a real solution to a real problem. I agree that it's not a slam-dunk Conservative bonus, but that's more incompetence than integrity. My hunch is that a lot of the ruling faction of the Conservative Party really wish they could be US Republicans, and do gerrymandering and voter supression properly.
Local elections are potentially quite exciting, in the sense that if one of the parties does far worse than expected it could put the leader of that party under unexpected pressure to stand down.
1) I suppose we can't know how many personations (?) took place
2) Surely it's older voters who are most likely to not have a valid passport/driving licence? Even with the trend for not drinking/driving, most younger people have ID to get into concerts etc
3) lots of countries that we admire have ID requirements (and monarchies ). Sweden, for example.
The main thing it will do is cause massive queues, lots of angst and general ill feeling.
There are some things we do know, though.
We know that instances of people trying to vote and discovering that someone else has stolen their vote are pretty rare. Otherwise a fair number of us would directly know it had happened to us or someone we knew.
We also know that, for Westminster, it would take an awful lot of fake votes to shift the result. Yes, some results are eyewateringly tight, but nobody knows which ones they are in advance.
On top of that, we know that there are definite issues with postal voting, which really seems like a bigger issue of public confidence and where the government is doing zipp
So whatever it is, it's not a real solution to a real problem. I agree that it's not a slam-dunk Conservative bonus, but that's more incompetence than integrity. My hunch is that a lot of the ruling faction of the Conservative Party really wish they could be US Republicans, and do gerrymandering and voter supression properly.
Hmm, I hadn't considered the slippery slope argument. The tell is that they didn't seek political consensus on it.
Poor Leon, is there any subject he's never right on?
Nato suspects that Russia has planted explosives on critical European undersea infrastructure, based on intelligence from the companies that run oil and gas rigs, pipelines, electricity connectors and telecoms cables.
In mid-February the alliance set up a “critical undersea infrastructure co-ordination cell” led by Lieutenant General Hans-Werner Wiermann, a retired German military officer.
Amid reports of Russian espionage operations, his main mission is to find out what Russia has been up to since last autumn’s sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines shocked the alliance and panicked governments.
The unit will report to a summit of Nato leaders in July and is building an intelligence picture of the critical infrastructure. “Why is there this Russian focus on undersea offshore infrastructure? The answer is obvious,” said a Nato official involved in the work.
“If Russia attacks one of our power plants on land, that is war. If the Russians can sabotage one of our undersea pipelines or cables then — look at Nord Stream, we still do not know who did that — they can attack deniably.”
While investigations into the Nord Stream bombing continue and several theories have been suggested, there is growing evidence that links the Russian navy to the attack.
FPT: Just a reminder: Yes, Biden is older than Trump. But, unlike Biden, Trump is obese, eats a poor diet, and gets almost no exercise. Moreover, Trump's social support is weaker.
In my opinion, Trump is currently under more stress than Biden, what with all Trump's legal problems.
An actuary could probably give us some useful estimates on how long the two men will live.
(I have never voted for either, and have no plans to do so in the future.)
Poor Leon, is there any subject he's never right on?
Nato suspects that Russia has planted explosives on critical European undersea infrastructure, based on intelligence from the companies that run oil and gas rigs, pipelines, electricity connectors and telecoms cables.
In mid-February the alliance set up a “critical undersea infrastructure co-ordination cell” led by Lieutenant General Hans-Werner Wiermann, a retired German military officer.
Amid reports of Russian espionage operations, his main mission is to find out what Russia has been up to since last autumn’s sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines shocked the alliance and panicked governments.
The unit will report to a summit of Nato leaders in July and is building an intelligence picture of the critical infrastructure. “Why is there this Russian focus on undersea offshore infrastructure? The answer is obvious,” said a Nato official involved in the work.
“If Russia attacks one of our power plants on land, that is war. If the Russians can sabotage one of our undersea pipelines or cables then — look at Nord Stream, we still do not know who did that — they can attack deniably.”
While investigations into the Nord Stream bombing continue and several theories have been suggested, there is growing evidence that links the Russian navy to the attack.
Is there any logical reason Russia would attack its OWN infrastructure (it paid and campaigned for Nordstream) thus ending any chance of exerting leverage via that pipeline? No
Most recent Canada polling I could find on monarchy:
>> Research Co - Fewer than One-in-Five Canadians Want Monarchy to Continue
The proportion of Canadians who would like to maintain a form of government with a monarch has fallen to the lowest level recorded in 14 years, a new Research Co. poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 19% of Canadians say they would prefer for Canada to remain a monarchy, down 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2022.
More than four-in-five Canadians (44%, +8) would prefer for Canada to have an elected head of state, while 22% (-2) do not care either way and 15% (+4) are undecided.
Fewer than one-in-four Albertans (24%, -18), Atlantic Canadians (also 24%, -16) and British Columbians (23%, -11) endorse the continuation of the monarchy. The numbers are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (20%, -6), Ontario (19%, -12) and Quebec (14%, -11). . . .
Results are based on an online study conducted from March 3 to March 5, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
A Tory paid £2,000 a month by a betting lobbying group is at the centre of an inquiry into allegations that he provided paid parliamentary advice.
Laurence Robertson, the MP for Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, has been paid by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) since 2020 for ten hours of work a month.
Originally, he registered this second job as a “parliamentary adviser on sport and safer gambling”, and The Times revealed in 2021 that he had used questions in parliament to warn ministers away from tougher gambling laws.
However, last month he changed the role to drop the parliamentary aspect, after rules were introduced in December banning the provision of paid parliamentary advice.
Robertson says he does not provide parliamentary advice to the BGC, which represents about 90 per cent of the UK’s licensed betting and gaming businesses, including betting shops, online gaming shops, bingo operators and casinos.
Daniel Greenberg, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, has opened an investigation into Robertson. The MP is being investigated over “the agreement to provide and/or provision of paid parliamentary advice”, and The Times understands it is in relation to his role at the BGC.
Greenberg has also begun an inquiry into Scott Benton, the MP for Blackpool South. Benton had the Tory whip removed after a Times investigation found he was willing to lobby on behalf of a gambling firm.
My favourite counter-measure would be quite technical - instruct the Boundary Commission to draw constituency boundaries according to population, as shown by the census, rather than by the number who have registered. That would eliminate the inherent bias to older, more settled people, as opposed to young people who constantly move around. I wouldn't extend the vote to anyone unregistered, but a community of 80,000 should be worth an MP regardless of how many of them have in fact registered.
FPT: Just a reminder: Yes, Biden is older than Trump. But, unlike Biden, Trump is obese, eats a poor diet, and gets almost no exercise. Moreover, Trump's social support is weaker.
In my opinion, Trump is currently under more stress than Biden, what with all Trump's legal problems.
An actuary could probably give us some useful estimates on how long the two men will live.
(I have never voted for either, and have no plans to do so in the future.)
I’m not sure Trump is quite so obese any more? He’s on Ozempic, appaz
I have not subscribed to the opinion that some in the conservative party have, that Sue Gray's report was influenced by her connections with labour.
However, it seems she was approached by Starmer in October and the point that is controversial is that her discussions with Starmer may be in breach of the civil service code and I suggest that it is wise to wait to see the report due shortly which will receive plenty of coverage in the media, not least Sky
On the subject of Sky, Sam Coates posted this today which summarises the position as of now
There are reasons to be sceptical but I don't think that's one of them. High-definition cameras are becoming more and more ubiquitous and the Kremlin is probably the most filmed place in Russia.
Yes that's generally the case, although when Boris Nemtsov was murdered on the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge next to the Krermlin all the security cameras in the area had entirely coincidentally been switched off for maintenance.
(I'm not sure how seriously to take the results, since when I went through the steps, it claimed I might live 20 more years to 102. I'll turn 80 this August.)
Poor Leon, is there any subject he's never right on?
Nato suspects that Russia has planted explosives on critical European undersea infrastructure, based on intelligence from the companies that run oil and gas rigs, pipelines, electricity connectors and telecoms cables.
In mid-February the alliance set up a “critical undersea infrastructure co-ordination cell” led by Lieutenant General Hans-Werner Wiermann, a retired German military officer.
Amid reports of Russian espionage operations, his main mission is to find out what Russia has been up to since last autumn’s sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines shocked the alliance and panicked governments.
The unit will report to a summit of Nato leaders in July and is building an intelligence picture of the critical infrastructure. “Why is there this Russian focus on undersea offshore infrastructure? The answer is obvious,” said a Nato official involved in the work.
“If Russia attacks one of our power plants on land, that is war. If the Russians can sabotage one of our undersea pipelines or cables then — look at Nord Stream, we still do not know who did that — they can attack deniably.”
While investigations into the Nord Stream bombing continue and several theories have been suggested, there is growing evidence that links the Russian navy to the attack.
Is there any logical reason Russia would attack its OWN infrastructure (it paid and campaigned for Nordstream) thus ending any chance of exerting leverage via that pipeline? No
I hear Russia used What.Three.Words to locate the Nord Stream.
I have not subscribed to the opinion that some in the conservative party have, that Sue Gray's report was influenced by her connections with labour.
However, it seems she was approached by Starmer in October and the point that is controversial is that her discussions with Starmer may be in breach of the civil service code and I suggest that it is wise to wait to see the report due shortly which will receive plenty of coverage in the media, not least Sky
On the subject of Sky, Sam Coates of posted this today which summarises the position as of now
The Tories and their client media have been saying that its a political stutch-up. Except that the report into Boris was done and dusted months before the first approach from Starmer.
Which means the scandal is that Ed Llewlyn stepped straight from the civil service to being David Cameron's Chief of Staff...
Most recent Canada polling I could find on monarchy:
>> Research Co - Fewer than One-in-Five Canadians Want Monarchy to Continue
The proportion of Canadians who would like to maintain a form of government with a monarch has fallen to the lowest level recorded in 14 years, a new Research Co. poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 19% of Canadians say they would prefer for Canada to remain a monarchy, down 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2022.
More than four-in-five Canadians (44%, +8) would prefer for Canada to have an elected head of state, while 22% (-2) do not care either way and 15% (+4) are undecided.
Fewer than one-in-four Albertans (24%, -18), Atlantic Canadians (also 24%, -16) and British Columbians (23%, -11) endorse the continuation of the monarchy. The numbers are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (20%, -6), Ontario (19%, -12) and Quebec (14%, -11). . . .
Results are based on an online study conducted from March 3 to March 5, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
“Fewer than half of Canadians (47%, -5) expect Canada to still be a monarchy in twenty years, while more than a third (36%, +5) believe the country will feature an elected head of state by then.”
So a large plurality expect Canada to still be a monarchy in TWO DECADES
It’s just not an issue in Canada. I have quite a few Canadian friends and relatives. In their Canadian way they veer between polite apathy, and polite interest or disinterest. The only serious republicanism is in Quebec
I suggest this will not change despite Canada’s large scale immigration. People who move there, move there partly for the stability and prosperity. They don’t move for the weather
And they only have to look south to see a totally dysfunctional republic spiraling into crime, murder, rancor, race division, endless gun violence, brutal urban decay, declining life expectancy and widescale drug addicted helplessness, with quasi-fascist presidents stoking insurrection. Who would prefer that to an ancient dependable monarchy with nice music and silly hats?
Just been for a walk down to the supermarket in Landerneau, the town I’m staying in tonight. They have loads of flags flying alongside both sides of the riverbank
I saw the Breton flag and loads I didn’t recognise, then saw an Irish flag, a Welsh flag, a Scottish flag and a Cornish flag!
I think they must all be flags of Celtic nations and regions
Poor Leon, is there any subject he's never right on?
Nato suspects that Russia has planted explosives on critical European undersea infrastructure, based on intelligence from the companies that run oil and gas rigs, pipelines, electricity connectors and telecoms cables.
In mid-February the alliance set up a “critical undersea infrastructure co-ordination cell” led by Lieutenant General Hans-Werner Wiermann, a retired German military officer.
Amid reports of Russian espionage operations, his main mission is to find out what Russia has been up to since last autumn’s sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines shocked the alliance and panicked governments.
The unit will report to a summit of Nato leaders in July and is building an intelligence picture of the critical infrastructure. “Why is there this Russian focus on undersea offshore infrastructure? The answer is obvious,” said a Nato official involved in the work.
“If Russia attacks one of our power plants on land, that is war. If the Russians can sabotage one of our undersea pipelines or cables then — look at Nord Stream, we still do not know who did that — they can attack deniably.”
While investigations into the Nord Stream bombing continue and several theories have been suggested, there is growing evidence that links the Russian navy to the attack.
Is there any logical reason Russia would attack its OWN infrastructure (it paid and campaigned for Nordstream) thus ending any chance of exerting leverage via that pipeline? No
Was there ''any logical reason" for the Dutch to attack their OWN infrastructure (as wartime measure) since they paid for and built those dikes? Yes.
I have not subscribed to the opinion that some in the conservative party have, that Sue Gray's report was influenced by her connections with labour.
However, it seems she was approached by Starmer in October and the point that is controversial is that her discussions with Starmer may be in breach of the civil service code and I suggest that it is wise to wait to see the report due shortly which will receive plenty of coverage in the media, not least Sky
On the subject of Sky, Sam Coates of posted this today which summarises the position as of now
The Tories and their client media have been saying that its a political stutch-up. Except that the report into Boris was done and dusted months before the first approach from Starmer.
Which means the scandal is that Ed Llewlyn stepped straight from the civil service to being David Cameron's Chief of Staff...
Indeed some have and they are wrong
Sue Gray's report was quite lenient for Johnson and I do not question its veracity
The question that is relevant is whether Starmer and Sue Gray entered discussions on her appointment in breach of the civil service code and on that subject it will become public knowledge soon enough and if she did any gardening leave she may have to take
Poor Leon, is there any subject he's never right on?
Nato suspects that Russia has planted explosives on critical European undersea infrastructure, based on intelligence from the companies that run oil and gas rigs, pipelines, electricity connectors and telecoms cables.
In mid-February the alliance set up a “critical undersea infrastructure co-ordination cell” led by Lieutenant General Hans-Werner Wiermann, a retired German military officer.
Amid reports of Russian espionage operations, his main mission is to find out what Russia has been up to since last autumn’s sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines shocked the alliance and panicked governments.
The unit will report to a summit of Nato leaders in July and is building an intelligence picture of the critical infrastructure. “Why is there this Russian focus on undersea offshore infrastructure? The answer is obvious,” said a Nato official involved in the work.
“If Russia attacks one of our power plants on land, that is war. If the Russians can sabotage one of our undersea pipelines or cables then — look at Nord Stream, we still do not know who did that — they can attack deniably.”
While investigations into the Nord Stream bombing continue and several theories have been suggested, there is growing evidence that links the Russian navy to the attack.
Is there any logical reason Russia would attack its OWN infrastructure (it paid and campaigned for Nordstream) thus ending any chance of exerting leverage via that pipeline? No
I hear Russia used What.Three.Words to locate the Nord Stream.
Watch this - seriously - and tell me that Russia blew up Nordstream
A “Babylon 5” animated movie is in the works from original series creator J. Michael Straczynski.
“BABYLON 5 ANIMATED MOVIE [sic] coming from Warner Bros. Animation & WB Home Entertainment!” Straczynski announced via Twitter. “Classic B5: raucous, heartfelt, nonstop, a ton of fun through time and space & a love letter to the fans. Movie title, release date and other details coming one week from today.”
Straczynski further said that the film is “already finished and in the can” and that “it feels the most B5-ish of anything we’ve done since the original show.”
The Lib Dems often act as a think tank for future Labour (and occasionally Tory) policies, so look out for the 24 hour booking line appearing in Labour pledges soon:
My favourite counter-measure would be quite technical - instruct the Boundary Commission to draw constituency boundaries according to population, as shown by the census, rather than by the number who have registered. That would eliminate the inherent bias to older, more settled people, as opposed to young people who constantly move around. I wouldn't extend the vote to anyone unregistered, but a community of 80,000 should be worth an MP regardless of how many of them have in fact registered.
Agreed - calculating based on a measure that is even more changable than mere population growth is a poor idea.
(I'm not sure how seriously to take the results, since when I went through the steps, it claimed I might live 20 more years to 102. I'll turn 80 this August.)
Jim, have you (yet) announced your candidacy for Governor of Washington in 2024?
Race is wide open AND the Republicans DO need a quasi-semi-incredible candidate.
(Realize that Allanbrooke and others will attack you as WAY over the hill, but thems the breaks.)
IF you trim your ambitions just a tad, you could run for something else instead - plenty of opportunity for a young go-getter such as yourself!
A Tory paid £2,000 a month by a betting lobbying group is at the centre of an inquiry into allegations that he provided paid parliamentary advice.
Laurence Robertson, the MP for Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, has been paid by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) since 2020 for ten hours of work a month.
Originally, he registered this second job as a “parliamentary adviser on sport and safer gambling”, and The Times revealed in 2021 that he had used questions in parliament to warn ministers away from tougher gambling laws.
However, last month he changed the role to drop the parliamentary aspect, after rules were introduced in December banning the provision of paid parliamentary advice.
Robertson says he does not provide parliamentary advice to the BGC, which represents about 90 per cent of the UK’s licensed betting and gaming businesses, including betting shops, online gaming shops, bingo operators and casinos.
Daniel Greenberg, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, has opened an investigation into Robertson. The MP is being investigated over “the agreement to provide and/or provision of paid parliamentary advice”, and The Times understands it is in relation to his role at the BGC.
Greenberg has also begun an inquiry into Scott Benton, the MP for Blackpool South. Benton had the Tory whip removed after a Times investigation found he was willing to lobby on behalf of a gambling firm.
(I'm not sure how seriously to take the results, since when I went through the steps, it claimed I might live 20 more years to 102. I'll turn 80 this August.)
Jim, have you (yet) announced your candidacy for Governor of Washington in 2024?
Race is wide open AND the Republicans DO need a quasi-semi-incredible candidate.
(Realize that Allanbrooke and others will attack you as WAY over the hill, but thems the breaks.)
IF you trim your ambitions just a tad, you could run for something else instead - plenty of opportunity for a young go-getter such as yourself!
Oh dear describing Biden as gaga has hurt hasnt it ?
“I’ve only been Prime Minister for six months, but I do believe we are making good progress. If you think about where were were then, and where we are now. Our economy is in much better shape. Our politics doesn’t feel like a box set drama anymore, and our friends and our allies know that we are back…”
What a pathetic little turd. Demanding party loyalty yet stabbing out at his party at every opportunity to cover his total inadequacy. But how fitting that 'friends and allies' get a mention given that they're who his Government operates for.
Poor Leon, is there any subject he's never right on?
Nato suspects that Russia has planted explosives on critical European undersea infrastructure, based on intelligence from the companies that run oil and gas rigs, pipelines, electricity connectors and telecoms cables.
In mid-February the alliance set up a “critical undersea infrastructure co-ordination cell” led by Lieutenant General Hans-Werner Wiermann, a retired German military officer.
Amid reports of Russian espionage operations, his main mission is to find out what Russia has been up to since last autumn’s sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines shocked the alliance and panicked governments.
The unit will report to a summit of Nato leaders in July and is building an intelligence picture of the critical infrastructure. “Why is there this Russian focus on undersea offshore infrastructure? The answer is obvious,” said a Nato official involved in the work.
“If Russia attacks one of our power plants on land, that is war. If the Russians can sabotage one of our undersea pipelines or cables then — look at Nord Stream, we still do not know who did that — they can attack deniably.”
While investigations into the Nord Stream bombing continue and several theories have been suggested, there is growing evidence that links the Russian navy to the attack.
Is there any logical reason Russia would attack its OWN infrastructure (it paid and campaigned for Nordstream) thus ending any chance of exerting leverage via that pipeline? No
I hear Russia used What.Three.Words to locate the Nord Stream.
Watch this - seriously - and tell me that Russia blew up Nordstream
A “Babylon 5” animated movie is in the works from original series creator J. Michael Straczynski.
“BABYLON 5 ANIMATED MOVIE [sic] coming from Warner Bros. Animation & WB Home Entertainment!” Straczynski announced via Twitter. “Classic B5: raucous, heartfelt, nonstop, a ton of fun through time and space & a love letter to the fans. Movie title, release date and other details coming one week from today.”
Straczynski further said that the film is “already finished and in the can” and that “it feels the most B5-ish of anything we’ve done since the original show.”
(I'm not sure how seriously to take the results, since when I went through the steps, it claimed I might live 20 more years to 102. I'll turn 80 this August.)
Jim, have you (yet) announced your candidacy for Governor of Washington in 2024?
Race is wide open AND the Republicans DO need a quasi-semi-incredible candidate.
(Realize that Allanbrooke and others will attack you as WAY over the hill, but thems the breaks.)
IF you trim your ambitions just a tad, you could run for something else instead - plenty of opportunity for a young go-getter such as yourself!
Oh dear describing Biden as gaga has hurt hasnt it ?
Think that JM is holding up well AND doing good. Perhaps NOT as much as Joe. But few do!
FPT: Just a reminder: Yes, Biden is older than Trump. But, unlike Biden, Trump is obese, eats a poor diet, and gets almost no exercise. Moreover, Trump's social support is weaker.
In my opinion, Trump is currently under more stress than Biden, what with all Trump's legal problems.
An actuary could probably give us some useful estimates on how long the two men will live.
(I have never voted for either, and have no plans to do so in the future.)
Well, maybe. But the problem is that Biden is beginning to look frail while Trump, from what I've seen, remains in tub-thumping form. That said, Joe does seem to be able to rise to important occasions so, hopefully, he will cope with the election if carefully managed and paced.
If 10 or 15 years ago you’d have said to me that we would be in a situation in 2023 where aerial objects (whatever their size or provenance) were being shot down over the Kremlin I’d have thought you were mad.
“I’ve only been Prime Minister for six months, but I do believe we are making good progress. If you think about where were were then, and where we are now. Our economy is in much better shape. Our politics doesn’t feel like a box set drama anymore, and our friends and our allies know that we are back…”
What a pathetic little turd. Demanding party loyalty yet stabbing out at his party at every opportunity to cover his total inadequacy. But how fitting that 'friends and allies' get a mention given that they're who his Government operates for.
Curious commentary. Are you the guy still holding a light for Ms Truss?
I have not subscribed to the opinion that some in the conservative party have, that Sue Gray's report was influenced by her connections with labour.
However, it seems she was approached by Starmer in October and the point that is controversial is that her discussions with Starmer may be in breach of the civil service code and I suggest that it is wise to wait to see the report due shortly which will receive plenty of coverage in the media, not least Sky
On the subject of Sky, Sam Coates of posted this today which summarises the position as of now
The Tories and their client media have been saying that its a political stutch-up. Except that the report into Boris was done and dusted months before the first approach from Starmer.
Which means the scandal is that Ed Llewlyn stepped straight from the civil service to being David Cameron's Chief of Staff...
Indeed some have and they are wrong
Sue Gray's report was quite lenient for Johnson and I do not question its veracity
The question that is relevant is whether Starmer and Sue Gray entered discussions on her appointment in breach of the civil service code and on that subject it will become public knowledge soon enough and if she did any gardening leave she may have to take
The breach being? It seems the Tories claiming the breach is merely if you want to recruit a senior civil servant you need to approach government first, not tap them up? Maybe that is a breach, but not a whopper of a breach, also one the Tories will always have to have strictly followed or else this blows up in their face, certainly not enough a breach to demand it must be more than 6 months gardening leave between jobs do you think?
FPT: Just a reminder: Yes, Biden is older than Trump. But, unlike Biden, Trump is obese, eats a poor diet, and gets almost no exercise. Moreover, Trump's social support is weaker.
In my opinion, Trump is currently under more stress than Biden, what with all Trump's legal problems.
An actuary could probably give us some useful estimates on how long the two men will live.
(I have never voted for either, and have no plans to do so in the future.)
Well, maybe. But the problem is that Biden is beginning to look frail while Trump, from what I've seen, remains in tub-thumping form. That said, Joe does seem to be able to rise to important occasions so, hopefully, he will cope with the election if carefully managed and paced.
It's NOT the prospect of a frail Trump that worries people.
It's a hail-and-hearty Trump (even if thanks to miracle of modern chemistry) that's the danger.
I have not subscribed to the opinion that some in the conservative party have, that Sue Gray's report was influenced by her connections with labour.
However, it seems she was approached by Starmer in October and the point that is controversial is that her discussions with Starmer may be in breach of the civil service code and I suggest that it is wise to wait to see the report due shortly which will receive plenty of coverage in the media, not least Sky
On the subject of Sky, Sam Coates of posted this today which summarises the position as of now
The Tories and their client media have been saying that its a political stutch-up. Except that the report into Boris was done and dusted months before the first approach from Starmer.
Which means the scandal is that Ed Llewlyn stepped straight from the civil service to being David Cameron's Chief of Staff...
Indeed some have and they are wrong
Sue Gray's report was quite lenient for Johnson and I do not question its veracity
The question that is relevant is whether Starmer and Sue Gray entered discussions on her appointment in breach of the civil service code and on that subject it will become public knowledge soon enough and if she did any gardening leave she may have to take
And here is the can of worms you are now peddling.
Civil servants step from the service to plush jobs. Like Ed Llewelyn straight into Downing Street. That was ok. All the previous ones were ok. But the SueGray one was BAD because she wrote a report about Boris (which exonerated him) and therefore we must stop civil servants moving into jobs.
Except that would be rather bad for the civil service. Which is why the non-report into the non-scandal was spun by the Tories to liar media to tell lies to the gullible - sadly that includes you. After digesting 10 days of nonsense about Currygate lies, you are now eating Graygate and saying "this looks very serious".
I have not subscribed to the opinion that some in the conservative party have, that Sue Gray's report was influenced by her connections with labour.
However, it seems she was approached by Starmer in October and the point that is controversial is that her discussions with Starmer may be in breach of the civil service code and I suggest that it is wise to wait to see the report due shortly which will receive plenty of coverage in the media, not least Sky
On the subject of Sky, Sam Coates of posted this today which summarises the position as of now
The Tories and their client media have been saying that its a political stutch-up. Except that the report into Boris was done and dusted months before the first approach from Starmer.
Which means the scandal is that Ed Llewlyn stepped straight from the civil service to being David Cameron's Chief of Staff...
Indeed some have and they are wrong
Sue Gray's report was quite lenient for Johnson and I do not question its veracity
The question that is relevant is whether Starmer and Sue Gray entered discussions on her appointment in breach of the civil service code and on that subject it will become public knowledge soon enough and if she did any gardening leave she may have to take
From today's Times. Alex Thomas is from the Institute for Government.
Thomas added: “The context is about policy, government operations and is mostly about government information. You could argue that it was about government-relevant contacts rather than all personal contacts and certainly the practice has not been to ban personal contacts between civil servants and the opposition.
“A very strict application of this would cover everything, but in practice no government has enforced that as regards personal contact. The question is whether opening discussions about a job is personal or official contact.”
Most recent Canada polling I could find on monarchy:
>> Research Co - Fewer than One-in-Five Canadians Want Monarchy to Continue
The proportion of Canadians who would like to maintain a form of government with a monarch has fallen to the lowest level recorded in 14 years, a new Research Co. poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 19% of Canadians say they would prefer for Canada to remain a monarchy, down 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2022.
More than four-in-five Canadians (44%, +8) would prefer for Canada to have an elected head of state, while 22% (-2) do not care either way and 15% (+4) are undecided.
Fewer than one-in-four Albertans (24%, -18), Atlantic Canadians (also 24%, -16) and British Columbians (23%, -11) endorse the continuation of the monarchy. The numbers are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (20%, -6), Ontario (19%, -12) and Quebec (14%, -11). . . .
Results are based on an online study conducted from March 3 to March 5, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
I have not subscribed to the opinion that some in the conservative party have, that Sue Gray's report was influenced by her connections with labour.
However, it seems she was approached by Starmer in October and the point that is controversial is that her discussions with Starmer may be in breach of the civil service code and I suggest that it is wise to wait to see the report due shortly which will receive plenty of coverage in the media, not least Sky
On the subject of Sky, Sam Coates of posted this today which summarises the position as of now
The Tories and their client media have been saying that its a political stutch-up. Except that the report into Boris was done and dusted months before the first approach from Starmer.
Which means the scandal is that Ed Llewlyn stepped straight from the civil service to being David Cameron's Chief of Staff...
Indeed some have and they are wrong
Sue Gray's report was quite lenient for Johnson and I do not question its veracity
The question that is relevant is whether Starmer and Sue Gray entered discussions on her appointment in breach of the civil service code and on that subject it will become public knowledge soon enough and if she did any gardening leave she may have to take
You do seem to like to jump to conclusions where Starmer is concerned, I remember your early Currygate enthusiasm, yet with Partygate it was all "let's wait for the Gray Report".
If Sunak disallows Gray from ever working for Starmer, that is fair enough it is in his gift and a massive one-upmanship win for Sunak. He is after all Prime Minister. But in no way was Gray ever compromised over Partygate. Johnson was banged to rights because he was caught red-handed.
On topic. Mike's header is proof, it were needed, that the Conservatives under Johnson and now Sunak are far more malign with a plot to suppressa significant proportion of the population from voting is far more serious than the date at which Starmer first approached Gray
(I'm not sure how seriously to take the results, since when I went through the steps, it claimed I might live 20 more years to 102. I'll turn 80 this August.)
Jim, have you (yet) announced your candidacy for Governor of Washington in 2024?
Race is wide open AND the Republicans DO need a quasi-semi-incredible candidate.
(Realize that Allanbrooke and others will attack you as WAY over the hill, but thems the breaks.)
IF you trim your ambitions just a tad, you could run for something else instead - plenty of opportunity for a young go-getter such as yourself!
Oh dear describing Biden as gaga has hurt hasnt it ?
A shame that Trump is even more gaga, thinking he won in 2020.
Most recent Canada polling I could find on monarchy:
>> Research Co - Fewer than One-in-Five Canadians Want Monarchy to Continue
The proportion of Canadians who would like to maintain a form of government with a monarch has fallen to the lowest level recorded in 14 years, a new Research Co. poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 19% of Canadians say they would prefer for Canada to remain a monarchy, down 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2022.
More than four-in-five Canadians (44%, +8) would prefer for Canada to have an elected head of state, while 22% (-2) do not care either way and 15% (+4) are undecided.
Fewer than one-in-four Albertans (24%, -18), Atlantic Canadians (also 24%, -16) and British Columbians (23%, -11) endorse the continuation of the monarchy. The numbers are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (20%, -6), Ontario (19%, -12) and Quebec (14%, -11). . . .
Results are based on an online study conducted from March 3 to March 5, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
“Fewer than half of Canadians (47%, -5) expect Canada to still be a monarchy in twenty years, while more than a third (36%, +5) believe the country will feature an elected head of state by then.”
So a large plurality expect Canada to still be a monarchy in TWO DECADES
It’s just not an issue in Canada. I have quite a few Canadian friends and relatives. In their Canadian way they veer between polite apathy, and polite interest or disinterest. The only serious republicanism is in Quebec
I suggest this will not change despite Canada’s large scale immigration. People who move there, move there partly for the stability and prosperity. They don’t move for the weather
And they only have to look south to see a totally dysfunctional republic spiraling into crime, murder, rancor, race division, endless gun violence, brutal urban decay, declining life expectancy and widescale drug addicted helplessness, with quasi-fascist presidents stoking insurrection. Who would prefer that to an ancient dependable monarchy with nice music and silly hats?
Unpicking the monarchy would be a devilish task. Can't really see many politicians in Canada (still less UK) really wanting to burn the political capital involved. Really, what's the benefit?
If 10 or 15 years ago you’d have said to me that we would be in a situation in 2023 where aerial objects (whatever their size or provenance) were being shot down over the Kremlin I’d have thought you were mad.
But here we are, the world in 2023.
Do you remember that German guy who landed his ultra-light or whatever on Red Square?
I have not subscribed to the opinion that some in the conservative party have, that Sue Gray's report was influenced by her connections with labour.
However, it seems she was approached by Starmer in October and the point that is controversial is that her discussions with Starmer may be in breach of the civil service code and I suggest that it is wise to wait to see the report due shortly which will receive plenty of coverage in the media, not least Sky
On the subject of Sky, Sam Coates of posted this today which summarises the position as of now
The Tories and their client media have been saying that its a political stutch-up. Except that the report into Boris was done and dusted months before the first approach from Starmer.
Which means the scandal is that Ed Llewlyn stepped straight from the civil service to being David Cameron's Chief of Staff...
Indeed some have and they are wrong
Sue Gray's report was quite lenient for Johnson and I do not question its veracity
The question that is relevant is whether Starmer and Sue Gray entered discussions on her appointment in breach of the civil service code and on that subject it will become public knowledge soon enough and if she did any gardening leave she may have to take
You do seem to like to jump to conclusions where Starmer is concerned, I remember your early Currygate enthusiasm, yet with Partygate it was all "let's wait for the Gray Report".
If Sunak disallows Gray from ever working for Starmer, that is fair enough it is in his gift and a massive one-upmanship win for Sunak. He is after all Prime Minister. But in no way was Gray ever compromised over Partygate. Johnson was banged to rights because he was caught red-handed.
That would, however, be foolish.
After all, it's still just about possible that the Conservatives will be in opposition at some point.
Most recent Canada polling I could find on monarchy:
>> Research Co - Fewer than One-in-Five Canadians Want Monarchy to Continue
The proportion of Canadians who would like to maintain a form of government with a monarch has fallen to the lowest level recorded in 14 years, a new Research Co. poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 19% of Canadians say they would prefer for Canada to remain a monarchy, down 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2022.
More than four-in-five Canadians (44%, +8) would prefer for Canada to have an elected head of state, while 22% (-2) do not care either way and 15% (+4) are undecided.
Fewer than one-in-four Albertans (24%, -18), Atlantic Canadians (also 24%, -16) and British Columbians (23%, -11) endorse the continuation of the monarchy. The numbers are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (20%, -6), Ontario (19%, -12) and Quebec (14%, -11). . . .
Results are based on an online study conducted from March 3 to March 5, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
I have not subscribed to the opinion that some in the conservative party have, that Sue Gray's report was influenced by her connections with labour.
However, it seems she was approached by Starmer in October and the point that is controversial is that her discussions with Starmer may be in breach of the civil service code and I suggest that it is wise to wait to see the report due shortly which will receive plenty of coverage in the media, not least Sky
On the subject of Sky, Sam Coates of posted this today which summarises the position as of now
The Tories and their client media have been saying that its a political stutch-up. Except that the report into Boris was done and dusted months before the first approach from Starmer.
Which means the scandal is that Ed Llewlyn stepped straight from the civil service to being David Cameron's Chief of Staff...
Indeed some have and they are wrong
Sue Gray's report was quite lenient for Johnson and I do not question its veracity
The question that is relevant is whether Starmer and Sue Gray entered discussions on her appointment in breach of the civil service code and on that subject it will become public knowledge soon enough and if she did any gardening leave she may have to take
You do seem to like to jump to conclusions where Starmer is concerned, I remember your early Currygate enthusiasm, yet with Partygate it was all "let's wait for the Gray Report".
If Sunak disallows Gray from ever working for Starmer, that is fair enough it is in his gift and a massive one-upmanship win for Sunak. He is after all Prime Minister. But in no way was Gray ever compromised over Partygate. Johnson was banged to rights because he was caught red-handed.
I really do not understand how you can conclude that from my comments and indeed Sam Coates from Sky
Maybe wait for the final report to be published to see if Gray appointment by Starmer is ok
Indeed I complimented Sue Grays report on Johnson for its veracity and absolutely agree with your comments on that aspect of this issue
I have not subscribed to the opinion that some in the conservative party have, that Sue Gray's report was influenced by her connections with labour.
However, it seems she was approached by Starmer in October and the point that is controversial is that her discussions with Starmer may be in breach of the civil service code and I suggest that it is wise to wait to see the report due shortly which will receive plenty of coverage in the media, not least Sky
On the subject of Sky, Sam Coates of posted this today which summarises the position as of now
The Tories and their client media have been saying that its a political stutch-up. Except that the report into Boris was done and dusted months before the first approach from Starmer.
Which means the scandal is that Ed Llewlyn stepped straight from the civil service to being David Cameron's Chief of Staff...
Indeed some have and they are wrong
Sue Gray's report was quite lenient for Johnson and I do not question its veracity
The question that is relevant is whether Starmer and Sue Gray entered discussions on her appointment in breach of the civil service code and on that subject it will become public knowledge soon enough and if she did any gardening leave she may have to take
You do seem to like to jump to conclusions where Starmer is concerned, I remember your early Currygate enthusiasm, yet with Partygate it was all "let's wait for the Gray Report".
If Sunak disallows Gray from ever working for Starmer, that is fair enough it is in his gift and a massive one-upmanship win for Sunak. He is after all Prime Minister. But in no way was Gray ever compromised over Partygate. Johnson was banged to rights because he was caught red-handed.
The best one from my time as a PBer - both Big G and HY (united for once) in claiming Starmer has made a huge political error, dissing Peppa Pig world.
Most recent Canada polling I could find on monarchy:
>> Research Co - Fewer than One-in-Five Canadians Want Monarchy to Continue
The proportion of Canadians who would like to maintain a form of government with a monarch has fallen to the lowest level recorded in 14 years, a new Research Co. poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 19% of Canadians say they would prefer for Canada to remain a monarchy, down 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2022.
More than four-in-five Canadians (44%, +8) would prefer for Canada to have an elected head of state, while 22% (-2) do not care either way and 15% (+4) are undecided.
Fewer than one-in-four Albertans (24%, -18), Atlantic Canadians (also 24%, -16) and British Columbians (23%, -11) endorse the continuation of the monarchy. The numbers are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (20%, -6), Ontario (19%, -12) and Quebec (14%, -11). . . .
Results are based on an online study conducted from March 3 to March 5, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Just been for a walk down to the supermarket in Landerneau, the town I’m staying in tonight. They have loads of flags flying alongside both sides of the riverbank
I saw the Breton flag and loads I didn’t recognise, then saw an Irish flag, a Welsh flag, a Scottish flag and a Cornish flag!
I think they must all be flags of Celtic nations and regions
Comments
Makes getting an appointment a bit easier, not everyone is fortunate, particularly as my father does the triage work.
That said, e-consult is the future.
Some news about restoring 'free speech' in US Universities.
2) Surely it's older voters who are most likely to not have a valid passport/driving licence? Even with the trend for not drinking/driving, most younger people have ID to get into concerts etc
3) lots of countries that we admire have ID requirements (and monarchies ). Sweden, for example.
The main thing it will do is cause massive queues, lots of angst and general ill feeling.
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/coronation-quiche
And the drinks
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12031213/Cheers-Coronation-cocktails.html
In fact, I just did - here is what it said:
"As a Commonwealth country with a constitutional monarchy, Canada has long been associated with the British royal family. However, recent years have seen a decline in support for the monarchy in Canada, with polls indicating that a growing number of Canadians now believe that the country should become a republic.
The reasons for this shift in opinion are multifaceted. Firstly, many Canadians see the monarchy as an anachronism that is out of step with modern values. The monarchy is seen by some as a relic of the past, with its focus on tradition and ceremony seen as at odds with Canada's progressive, diverse and egalitarian society.
Additionally, many Canadians object to the idea of a hereditary head of state. The fact that the position of monarch is passed down through a single family, with no democratic input, is seen by many as fundamentally undemocratic. In a country that values meritocracy and equal opportunity, the idea of a person holding a position of power simply because of their birthright is unpalatable to many.
Another factor contributing to the unpopularity of the monarchy in Canada is the cost of maintaining the royal family. Despite the fact that Canada is a constitutional monarchy, the royal family does not actually reside in the country, meaning that Canadian taxpayers foot the bill for their security when they visit. This has led to criticism that the money spent on the monarchy could be better used to fund public services or support vulnerable communities.
Moreover, recent controversies surrounding the royal family have also played a role in eroding support for the institution. The revelations of racism and colonialism made by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in their interview with Oprah Winfrey, as well as the scandals surrounding Prince Andrew, have called into question the values and behaviour of the royal family.
Despite these challenges, supporters of the monarchy argue that it provides a link to Canada's history and tradition, and that the cost of maintaining the royal family is minimal compared to the economic benefits that they bring to the country. However, with support for the monarchy declining and calls for a republic growing louder, it remains to be seen whether the institution will continue to have a place in Canadian society.
Regenerate response"
2) Apparently not the case, though I do think older people will more likely forget to bring ID and not bother to return.
3) Yes, and people sometimes focus their ire on the wrong thing - having to produce ID being inherently fascist or something - but they do also focus on the specific implementation and situation.
A lot of people are invested now in seeing it as a disaster that I'm fairly confident it will be reported as such regardless of whether it is - officials have been warning for months about chaos, and despite doing what they can loads of people still will have no idea about it, so I am sure there will be some amount of chaos. Of course, some would happen with any change, and wouldn't automatically mean a policy is awful, but it does beg the question why the disruption was necessary.
https://twitter.com/daaronovitch/status/1653800751116722178?s=46
Another currygate.
In fact, I just did - here is what it said: They hope people that work use private GPs and private healthcare.
Quite frankly, I now would.
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1653509582046769156?s=46&t=BXfRXqZ4RcCOdvlSgUjZSg
Some fascinating plasma physics at Mach 15
Since they haven't then the vote suppression allegations are fair.
I might get a couple of dozen
Or is it another SKS lie?
“My top tips for anyone attempting it: unless you’re a pastry whizz, make double the amount suggested, put the case back in the oven for another five minutes to dry out after removing the baking beans, and make sure you squeeze every last drop of water out of your spinach before adding it or you’ll end up with egg soup. I’d also warn you it’s likely to take longer than 25 minutes to achieve the golden beauty of the palace’s version.”
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/apr/17/more-like-spinach-pie-felicity-cloake-tests-king-charles-and-camillas-coronation-quiche
However where she says place in oven, all ovens and parts of oven vary in my opinion, so flicks golden beauty point needs to be taken with a pinch of salt as both my efforts did not lack for being golden.
We know that instances of people trying to vote and discovering that someone else has stolen their vote are pretty rare. Otherwise a fair number of us would directly know it had happened to us or someone we knew.
We also know that, for Westminster, it would take an awful lot of fake votes to shift the result. Yes, some results are eyewateringly tight, but nobody knows which ones they are in advance.
On top of that, we know that there are definite issues with postal voting, which really seems like a bigger issue of public confidence and where the government is doing zipp
So whatever it is, it's not a real solution to a real problem. I agree that it's not a slam-dunk Conservative bonus, but that's more incompetence than integrity. My hunch is that a lot of the ruling faction of the Conservative Party really wish they could be US Republicans, and do gerrymandering and voter supression properly.
Heh
Chortle
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/134265215#/?channel=RES_BUY
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133599851#/?channel=RES_BUY
Oh get your minds out of the gutter.
I suspect it's another made up story, like donkeygate.
LAB: 6%
GRN: 5%
CON: 2%
LDM: 1%
% of Each Household Income Bracket Without ID:
£0-20k: 11%
£20-40k: 4%
£40k+: 1%
Via Survation, 24-28 Apr.
https://twitter.com/ElectionMapsUK/status/1653757539908042752
This is a device to boost Conservative vote share through voter suppression and nothing else.
Nato suspects that Russia has planted explosives on critical European undersea infrastructure, based on intelligence from the companies that run oil and gas rigs, pipelines, electricity connectors and telecoms cables.
In mid-February the alliance set up a “critical undersea infrastructure co-ordination cell” led by Lieutenant General Hans-Werner Wiermann, a retired German military officer.
Amid reports of Russian espionage operations, his main mission is to find out what Russia has been up to since last autumn’s sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines shocked the alliance and panicked governments.
The unit will report to a summit of Nato leaders in July and is building an intelligence picture of the critical infrastructure. “Why is there this Russian focus on undersea offshore infrastructure? The answer is obvious,” said a Nato official involved in the work.
“If Russia attacks one of our power plants on land, that is war. If the Russians can sabotage one of our undersea pipelines or cables then — look at Nord Stream, we still do not know who did that — they can attack deniably.”
While investigations into the Nord Stream bombing continue and several theories have been suggested, there is growing evidence that links the Russian navy to the attack.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nord-stream-pipeline-report-russia-putin-ships-site-explosion-3xx50vgbh
What about a proper house? Freehold and full ownership?
https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/plymouth-woman-finds-king-charles-8407643
https://twitter.com/MattCartoonist/status/1652344154716880896
In my opinion, Trump is currently under more stress than Biden, what with all Trump's legal problems.
An actuary could probably give us some useful estimates on how long the two men will live.
(I have never voted for either, and have no plans to do so in the future.)
Is there any logical reason Russia would attack its OWN infrastructure (it paid and campaigned for Nordstream) thus ending any chance of exerting leverage via that pipeline? No
Or check best before date.
>> Research Co - Fewer than One-in-Five Canadians Want Monarchy to Continue
The proportion of Canadians who would like to maintain a form of government with a monarch has fallen to the lowest level recorded in 14 years, a new Research Co. poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample, only 19% of Canadians say they would prefer for Canada to remain a monarchy, down 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2022.
More than four-in-five Canadians (44%, +8) would prefer for Canada to have an elected head of state, while 22% (-2) do not care either way and 15% (+4) are undecided.
Fewer than one-in-four Albertans (24%, -18), Atlantic Canadians (also 24%, -16) and British Columbians (23%, -11) endorse the continuation of the monarchy. The numbers are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (20%, -6), Ontario (19%, -12) and Quebec (14%, -11). . . .
Results are based on an online study conducted from March 3 to March 5, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
https://researchco.ca/2023/03/15/monarchy-2023/
AND THIS POLL also from March 2023
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canadians-uninterested-in-king-charles-coronation-monarchy-survey-suggests-1.6312072
A Tory paid £2,000 a month by a betting lobbying group is at the centre of an inquiry into allegations that he provided paid parliamentary advice.
Laurence Robertson, the MP for Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, has been paid by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) since 2020 for ten hours of work a month.
Originally, he registered this second job as a “parliamentary adviser on sport and safer gambling”, and The Times revealed in 2021 that he had used questions in parliament to warn ministers away from tougher gambling laws.
However, last month he changed the role to drop the parliamentary aspect, after rules were introduced in December banning the provision of paid parliamentary advice.
Robertson says he does not provide parliamentary advice to the BGC, which represents about 90 per cent of the UK’s licensed betting and gaming businesses, including betting shops, online gaming shops, bingo operators and casinos.
Daniel Greenberg, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, has opened an investigation into Robertson. The MP is being investigated over “the agreement to provide and/or provision of paid parliamentary advice”, and The Times understands it is in relation to his role at the BGC.
Greenberg has also begun an inquiry into Scott Benton, the MP for Blackpool South. Benton had the Tory whip removed after a Times investigation found he was willing to lobby on behalf of a gambling firm.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tory-mp-laurence-robertson-investigated-over-work-for-gambling-group-f03drznkh
I have not subscribed to the opinion that some in the conservative party have, that Sue Gray's report was influenced by her connections with labour.
However, it seems she was approached by Starmer in October and the point that is controversial is that her discussions with Starmer may be in breach of the civil service code and I suggest that it is wise to wait to see the report due shortly which will receive plenty of coverage in the media, not least Sky
On the subject of Sky, Sam Coates posted this today which summarises the position as of now
https://news.sky.com/story/sue-gray-labour-held-talks-with-senior-civil-servant-for-at-least-four-months-before-chief-of-staff-role-announced-12872234
(I'm not sure how seriously to take the results, since when I went through the steps, it claimed I might live 20 more years to 102. I'll turn 80 this August.)
Which means the scandal is that Ed Llewlyn stepped straight from the civil service to being David Cameron's Chief of Staff...
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/details/england-22661928-11918377?s=732d6e975907c1eaccf21cfbde3f28a925453c38a9b73c8a3476c4fe69d809ce#/
You also need to be able to find at £10k upfront to make it habitable, on top of any deposit you need to find.
In nice condition, on the same road, sold for £98k in 2019:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/details/england-59595543-11473894?s=d9a62866e7a1a6c6119ad5450300afcb6b57610bbac25d213b71a45400d5a96e#/
“Fewer than half of Canadians (47%, -5) expect Canada to still be a monarchy in twenty years, while more than a third (36%, +5) believe the country will feature an elected head of state by then.”
So a large plurality expect Canada to still be a monarchy in TWO DECADES
It’s just not an issue in Canada. I have quite a few Canadian friends and relatives. In their Canadian way they veer between polite apathy, and polite interest or disinterest. The only serious republicanism is in Quebec
I suggest this will not change despite Canada’s large scale immigration. People who move there, move there partly for the stability and prosperity. They don’t move for the weather
And they only have to look south to see a totally dysfunctional republic spiraling into crime, murder, rancor, race division, endless gun violence, brutal urban decay, declining life expectancy and widescale drug addicted helplessness, with quasi-fascist presidents stoking insurrection. Who would prefer that to an ancient dependable monarchy with nice music and silly hats?
I saw the Breton flag and loads I didn’t recognise, then saw an Irish flag, a Welsh flag, a Scottish flag and a Cornish flag!
I think they must all be flags of Celtic nations and regions
And a couple of EU flags, but no French flag..
Sue Gray's report was quite lenient for Johnson and I do not question its veracity
The question that is relevant is whether Starmer and Sue Gray entered discussions on her appointment in breach of the civil service code and on that subject it will become public knowledge soon enough and if she did any gardening leave she may have to take
America did it, via a proxy
https://twitter.com/trevorjukes1/status/1650470571522531330?s=61&t=GGp3Vs1t1kTWDiyA-odnZg
A “Babylon 5” animated movie is in the works from original series creator J. Michael Straczynski.
“BABYLON 5 ANIMATED MOVIE [sic] coming from Warner Bros. Animation & WB Home Entertainment!” Straczynski announced via Twitter. “Classic B5: raucous, heartfelt, nonstop, a ton of fun through time and space & a love letter to the fans. Movie title, release date and other details coming one week from today.”
Straczynski further said that the film is “already finished and in the can” and that “it feels the most B5-ish of anything we’ve done since the original show.”
https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/babylon-5-animated-movie-j-michael-straczynski-1235602391/
Race is wide open AND the Republicans DO need a quasi-semi-incredible candidate.
(Realize that Allanbrooke and others will attack you as WAY over the hill, but thems the breaks.)
IF you trim your ambitions just a tad, you could run for something else instead - plenty of opportunity for a young go-getter such as yourself!
Decent value for the buyers.
Revealed: senior Tory MP was paid £2,000 a month by lobbying firm
Bim Afolami ran a group calling for Rishi Sunak to overhaul the UK’s regulatory system
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/03/revealed-bim-afolami-tory-mp-was-paid-2000-a-month-by-lobbying-firm
Or vice versa.
“I’ve only been Prime Minister for six months, but I do believe we are making good progress. If you think about where were were then, and where we are now. Our economy is in much better shape. Our politics doesn’t feel like a box set drama anymore, and our friends and our allies know that we are back…”
What a pathetic little turd. Demanding party loyalty yet stabbing out at his party at every opportunity to cover his total inadequacy. But how fitting that 'friends and allies' get a mention given that they're who his Government operates for.
What matters is how accountable are those who exercise power.
But here we are, the world in 2023.
It's a hail-and-hearty Trump (even if thanks to miracle of modern chemistry) that's the danger.
Civil servants step from the service to plush jobs. Like Ed Llewelyn straight into Downing Street. That was ok. All the previous ones were ok. But the SueGray one was BAD because she wrote a report about Boris (which exonerated him) and therefore we must stop civil servants moving into jobs.
Except that would be rather bad for the civil service. Which is why the non-report into the non-scandal was spun by the Tories to liar media to tell lies to the gullible - sadly that includes you. After digesting 10 days of nonsense about Currygate lies, you are now eating Graygate and saying "this looks very serious".
Thomas added: “The context is about policy, government operations and is mostly about government information. You could argue that it was about government-relevant contacts rather than all personal contacts and certainly the practice has not been to ban personal contacts between civil servants and the opposition.
“A very strict application of this would cover everything, but in practice no government has enforced that as regards personal contact. The question is whether opening discussions about a job is personal or official contact.”
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sue-gray-latest-news-partygate-keir-starmer-civil-service-live-2023-5lkj6ctg8
At best, it's a grey area. A bit up from "Sue Gray must do a long spell of gardening leave becasue she looked at Simon Case funny", but not much.
The other question that is relevant is why Dan Blooming Hodges has seen the report;
https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1653501960337739814
If Sunak disallows Gray from ever working for Starmer, that is fair enough it is in his gift and a massive one-upmanship win for Sunak. He is after all Prime Minister. But in no way was Gray ever compromised over Partygate. Johnson was banged to rights because he was caught red-handed.
On topic. Mike's header is proof, it were needed, that the Conservatives under Johnson and now Sunak are far more malign with a plot to suppressa significant proportion of the population from voting is far more serious than the date at which Starmer first approached Gray
After all, it's still just about possible that the Conservatives will be in opposition at some point.
Would you like a vote on every British ambassador?
Maybe wait for the final report to be published to see if Gray appointment by Starmer is ok
Indeed I complimented Sue Grays report on Johnson for its veracity and absolutely agree with your comments on that aspect of this issue