UK storms: hurricane-force winds wreak chaos as floods continue
More than 50,000 people without power supplies as hundred-mile an hour winds prompt Met Office warnings
Hundred-mile an hour winds buffeted Wales on Wednesday, leaving more than 50,000 people without power supplies, and caused chaos on the road and rail networks in north west England.
A high of 108mph was recorded in Aberdaron, as the Met Office issued a rare red warning for Wales and north-west England, indicating people should take action because the winds were so strong that there was a likely risk to life.
As more weather-related misery overwhelmed the country on the back of the devastating flooding, a Met Office forecaster, Kirk Waite, said: "Red warnings are a very rare thing for us to issue. We only issue them when we do think there is a need to take action to preserve life." He said the last such warning was issued due to snow in January last year.
Waite added the winds were expected to die down in England and Wales overnight on Wednesday and during the day on Thursday – but he went on to warn that there would be fresh problems in the shape of wintry showers which would bring a risk of ice.
Rain and strong winds are then expected to return on Friday and likely to exacerbate flooding in areas already affected – as the level on the river Severn in Worcestershire reached what was thought to be a record while the Thames reached levels not seen since 1967 in places.
Several days ago I Tweeted the following prediction... Lab 50% UKIP 23% Tory 15% Lib Dem <5%
That was in an expectation of a UKIP surge this week which has not happened.
Living in the constituency I have seen loads of Labour out and about, knocking on doors, the BNP have been rooted outside Asda in Wythenshawe and there has been the odd UKIP van driving around and leaflet through the letter box.
It really would not surprise me if the Tories beat UKIP here, possible quite easily.
Several days ago I Tweeted the following prediction... Lab 50% UKIP 23% Tory 15% Lib Dem <5%
That was in an expectation of a UKIP surge this week which has not happened.
Living in the constituency I have seen loads of Labour out and about, knocking on doors, the BNP have been rooted outside Asda in Wythenshawe and there has been the odd UKIP van driving around and leaflet through the letter box.
It really would not surprise me if the Tories beat UKIP here, possible quite easily.</p>
According to the Ashcroft poll, UKIP are second only to Labour in their activity in the by-election.
and there has been the odd UKIP van driving around and leaflet through the letter box.
Hmmmmmm?
The party says it has had between 40 and 50 campaigners coming up every day. Farage himself has visited twice and will return next week for another day of campaigning and for the count, although he appears to be being used as much as a magnet for the party members, who love him, to travel from Falmouth, Inverness and the Isle of Wight to knock on doors. Neil and Christine Hamilton will visit on Monday.
That was in an expectation of a UKIP surge this week which has not happened.
Of kipper activists?
That's surprising. They almost certainly aren't that well organised in a safe labour seat but they must have a presence. I doubt all kipper boasts about membership numbers are false
Of course this is going to matter quite a bit too.
and there has been the odd UKIP van driving around and leaflet through the letter box.
Hmmmmmm?
The party says it has had between 40 and 50 campaigners coming up every day. Farage himself has visited twice and will return next week for another day of campaigning and for the count, although he appears to be being used as much as a magnet for the party members, who love him, to travel from Falmouth, Inverness and the Isle of Wight to knock on doors. Neil and Christine Hamilton will visit on Monday.
"The ‘Mrs Duffy’ moment was so damaging to Labour in 2010 because it encapsulated a fear that had been building for years: that New Labour looked down its nose at people who were worried about immigration. Labour won few votes among those who saw immigration as their most important issue, but it lost plenty among people who felt the party disdained their views....
Immigration is a vortex issue: it sucks in concerns about housing, wages, benefits, jobs, public services, community cohesion and crime. Recent European immigration creates a new set of issues as young workers expecting to be here for a short period of time compete with tradespeople trying to support families in Britain in the midst of a cost of living crisis. "
and there has been the odd UKIP van driving around and leaflet through the letter box.
Hmmmmmm?
The party says it has had between 40 and 50 campaigners coming up every day. Farage himself has visited twice and will return next week for another day of campaigning and for the count, although he appears to be being used as much as a magnet for the party members, who love him, to travel from Falmouth, Inverness and the Isle of Wight to knock on doors. Neil and Christine Hamilton will visit on Monday.
Interestingly Ladbrokes have 20-30% as the favourite for UKIP's %. Interesting that the 'consensus' (or as near as we have) of the forecasts are a good few % away from the only poll.
Interestingly Ladbrokes have 20-30% as the favourite for UKIP's %. Interesting that the 'consensus' (or as near as we have) of the forecasts are a good few % away from the only poll.
Jonathan Arnott (@JonathanArnott) 06/02/2014 19:45 Ashcroft's by-election polls this Parliament have understated UKIP by 1%,2%,8%,11%,13% and 7%. So what does the Wythenshawe 15% really mean
I'd have thought the critical thing for Ukip from the by-election is whether or not they can manage to recombine the two chunks of the Tory vote up north that split in the 80s and seal themselves in as the official opposition in Lab heartlands.
edit: "Tory" here used as in small c conservative not Tory as PR company for the City
Cameron producing the serious statesman's scowl for the cameras. Now Toenails adding triumvirate of Alexander, Balls and Osborne working out the price of Salmond.
Interestingly Ladbrokes have 20-30% as the favourite for UKIP's %. Interesting that the 'consensus' (or as near as we have) of the forecasts are a good few % away from the only poll.
Jonathan Arnott (@JonathanArnott) 06/02/2014 19:45 Ashcroft's by-election polls this Parliament have understated UKIP by 1%,2%,8%,11%,13% and 7%. So what does the Wythenshawe 15% really mean
I entirely agree, and the fact we only have one poll is significant. But it's still noteworthy I guess that on this occasion we broadly are willing to trust our instincts this much beyond the polling data, even if the minimal polling data and strong other indications are why.
Looks plausible, but I suspect the LD share will be even lower, and the Tories a bit higher. I have no inside info, but I'll have a stab: Lab 57, UKIP 18, Con 18, LD 3, BNP 2, Green 1, Loony 0.2. As I've said, a problem for non-Labour parties is that it's near to Manchester, and that's a Labour fortress packed with activists, though there should be some LibDems still left. If you're a keen Tory or UKIP supporter in, say, Surrey, it's quite a trek. Eastleigh gave Labour the same problem.
Ah yes, that's the results from the day when a bystander ticking off Ed shifted millions of votes, eh? If the floods are having a political effect at all, it's not visible to the naked eye so far, except perhaps a slight weakening for the Tories.
UKIP need to get cuter about the managing expectations game. It's not obvious they'll finish second and if they don't, they'll be seen to have underperformed in a constituency where they had no track record.
Looks plausible, but I suspect the LD share will be even lower, and the Tories a bit higher. I have no inside info, but I'll have a stab: Lab 57, UKIP 18, Con 18, LD 3, BNP 2, Green 1, Loony 0.2. As I've said, a problem for non-Labour parties is that it's near to Manchester, and that's a Labour fortress packed with activists, though there should be some LibDems still left. If you're a keen Tory or UKIP supporter in, say, Surrey, it's quite a trek. Eastleigh gave Labour the same problem.
Ah yes, that's the results from the day when a bystander ticking off Ed shifted millions of votes, eh? If the floods are having a political effect at all, it's not visible to the naked eye so far, except perhaps a slight weakening for the Tories.
UKIP need to get cuter about the managing expectations game. It's not obvious they'll finish second and if they don't, they'll be seen to have underperformed in a constituency where they had no track record.
I disagree. Managing the press after a by-election is less important to them. It's more important to suggest they're the alternative before the election in a FPTP system.
UKIP need to get cuter about the managing expectations game. It's not obvious they'll finish second and if they don't, they'll be seen to have underperformed in a constituency where they had no track record.
Farage said under 10% was bad, over 15% was "very, very very good"
It often gets me in trouble with Mr Moderator, so all I will say is that the giving out of the NHS contracts to Tory donors is quiet obviously a complete and utter coincidence.
The flood's the major story from now on so even if the kippers do get a half-decent second nobody will care that much. Of course they won't care about the labour win either but it's a safe labour seat so the media were hardly going to go big on that anyway.
UKIP need to get cuter about the managing expectations game. It's not obvious they'll finish second and if they don't, they'll be seen to have underperformed in a constituency where they had no track record.
If UKIP don't talk themselves up as the Next Big Thing, they're not a story.
So the private equity behind Circle health are supporters of the Tories? Surely the fact that Circle were awarded most of their contracts by Labour should give pause for thought. Indeed Andy Burnham signed off a few of them!
It often gets me in trouble with Mr Moderator, so all I will say is that the giving out of the NHS contracts to Tory donors is quiet obviously a complete and utter coincidence.
In case no one's mentioned it, Ladbrokes have turnout under 35% at 5/6 which I think may represent value, especially if there's bad weather tomorrow....
So the private equity behind Circle health are supporters of the Tories? Surely the fact that Circle were awarded most of their contracts by Labour should give pause for thought. Indeed Andy Burnham signed off a few of them!
It often gets me in trouble with Mr Moderator, so all I will say is that the giving out of the NHS contracts to Tory donors is quiet obviously a complete and utter coincidence.
That is why I stated it was a complete and utter coincidence that some of them that were given the contracts and it had absolutely nothing to do with the money they were giving to the Conservative Party, nothing to do with one of the people who helped draw up the Bill also ended up tendering for the services included in the Bill for his company and absolutely nothing at all to do with Tory MP who was on one of the tendering companies payroll.
Seriously, it can't be long before a Sky News reporter gets washed or blown into a river or the sea. What's the point?
It would be a shame if just as Crick and Channel 4 got round to giving Hancock the "Bloom" treatment they got swept out to sea or eaten by a giant mutated newt hatched in silted up Somerset drainage ditches.
So the private equity behind Circle health are supporters of the Tories? Surely the fact that Circle were awarded most of their contracts by Labour should give pause for thought. Indeed Andy Burnham signed off a few of them!
It often gets me in trouble with Mr Moderator, so all I will say is that the giving out of the NHS contracts to Tory donors is quiet obviously a complete and utter coincidence.
That is why I stated it was a complete and utter coincidence that some of them that were given the contracts and it had absolutely nothing to do with the money they were giving to the Conservative Party, nothing to do with one of the people who help draw up the Bill also ended tendering for the services for his company and absolutely nothing at all to do with Tory MP on the tendering companies payroll.
So the private equity behind Circle health are supporters of the Tories? Surely the fact that Circle were awarded most of their contracts by Labour should give pause for thought. Indeed Andy Burnham signed off a few of them!
It often gets me in trouble with Mr Moderator, so all I will say is that the giving out of the NHS contracts to Tory donors is quiet obviously a complete and utter coincidence.
That is why I stated it was a complete and utter coincidence that some of them that were given the contracts and it had absolutely nothing to do with the money they were giving to the Conservative Party, nothing to do with one of the people who help draw up the Bill also ended tendering for the services for his company and absolutely nothing at all to do with Tory MP on the tendering companies payroll.
You trust what the police have to say on this? Really?
Smells like a typical CYA operation.
Er... when did I say that, exactly?
You linked to the front page. ;-)
There's only one proven liar on this whole affair so far, and that was a police officer. Given the previous leaking of the police log now looks exceptionally bogus, I treat this with similar disdain.
Cameroons won't blame the EU biodiversity targets or the EA for putting green issues before drainage so they're stuffed and look likely to get beasted to oblivion.
Damn. Not sure if it has already been mentioned but I just caught up with the news that Tony Benn is seriously ill in hospital.
I wish him all the very best. He may have been from the opposite end of the political spectrum to me but he is a man of great integrity and one of the best Parliamentarians of the 20th century and I do hope he makes a good recovery.
You trust what the police have to say on this? Really?
Smells like a typical CYA operation.
Er... when did I say that, exactly?
You linked to the front page. ;-)
There's only one proven liar on this whole affair so far, and that was a police officer. Given the previous leaking of the police log now looks exceptionally bogus, I treat this with similar disdain.
Phil Hammond is to the floods what Avery LP is to polling predictions.
Any politician on there would have it tough.
Gutsy for going on I thought. Though he did do that 'don't attack *our*' - armed forces, in this case - routine when someone said something that clearly wasn't attacking them. Hate that tactic.
So the private equity behind Circle health are supporters of the Tories? Surely the fact that Circle were awarded most of their contracts by Labour should give pause for thought. Indeed Andy Burnham signed off a few of them!
It often gets me in trouble with Mr Moderator, so all I will say is that the giving out of the NHS contracts to Tory donors is quiet obviously a complete and utter coincidence.
That is why I stated it was a complete and utter coincidence that some of them that were given the contracts and it had absolutely nothing to do with the money they were giving to the Conservative Party, nothing to do with one of the people who help draw up the Bill also ended tendering for the services for his company and absolutely nothing at all to do with Tory MP on the tendering companies payroll.
Phil Hammond is to the floods what Avery LP is to polling predictions.
Any politician on there would have it tough.
Gutsy for going on I thought. Though he did do that 'don't attack *our*' - armed forces, in this case - routine when someone said something that clearly wasn't attacking them. Hate that tactic.
It often gets me in trouble with Mr Moderator, so all I will say is that the giving out of the NHS contracts to Tory donors is quiet obviously a complete and utter coincidence.
Ah, yes, I remember a poster here called RedRag who often complained about Tory donors winning a contract to run a hospital. Even though it was the last Labour government who made the decision to outsource the running of the hospital to the private sector.
Phil Hammond is to the floods what Avery LP is to polling predictions.
Any politician on there would have it tough.
Gutsy for going on I thought. Though he did do that 'don't attack *our*' - armed forces, in this case - routine when someone said something that clearly wasn't attacking them. Hate that tactic.
We must presume the Pickles is being safely deployed elsewhere as a sandbag. Hammond really did stick his foot in his mouth with that tosh about the army and you could tell the audience really despised that.
Phil Hammond is to the floods what Avery LP is to polling predictions.
Any politician on there would have it tough.
Gutsy for going on I thought. Though he did do that 'don't attack *our*' - armed forces, in this case - routine when someone said something that clearly wasn't attacking them. Hate that tactic.
We must presume the Pickles is being safely deployed elsewhere as a sandbag. Hammond really did stick his foot in his mouth with that tosh about the army and you could tell the audience really despised that.
Pickles was on the one show,answering Questions from people who were flooded.
So the private equity behind Circle health are supporters of the Tories? Surely the fact that Circle were awarded most of their contracts by Labour should give pause for thought. Indeed Andy Burnham signed off a few of them!
It often gets me in trouble with Mr Moderator, so all I will say is that the giving out of the NHS contracts to Tory donors is quiet obviously a complete and utter coincidence.
That is why I stated it was a complete and utter coincidence that some of them that were given the contracts and it had absolutely nothing to do with the money they were giving to the Conservative Party, nothing to do with one of the people who help draw up the Bill also ended tendering for the services for his company and absolutely nothing at all to do with Tory MP on the tendering companies payroll.
THE scandal surrounding the award of a £32 million smallpox vaccine contract to a Labour Party donor grew last night after the Government's attempt to justify the deal was flatly contradicted by Britain's leading virologist.
It was the clear policy of all three major English parties at the last election to increase the use of private companies in the NHS.
So we should not be surprised when this consensus policy is carried out, and remember that Burnham, Balls and Miliband were all in the cabinet that gave contracts to private health companies.
You are deluded if you think health policy will be different next time Burnham takes over.
So the private equity behind Circle health are supporters of the Tories? Surely the fact that Circle were awarded most of their contracts by Labour should give pause for thought. Indeed Andy Burnham signed off a few of them!
It often gets me in trouble with Mr Moderator, so all I will say is that the giving out of the NHS contracts to Tory donors is quiet obviously a complete and utter coincidence.
That is why I stated it was a complete and utter coincidence that some of them that were given the contracts and it had absolutely nothing to do with the money they were giving to the Conservative Party, nothing to do with one of the people who help draw up the Bill also ended tendering for the services for his company and absolutely nothing at all to do with Tory MP on the tendering companies payroll.
I am with you Fox those companies gave hundreds of thousands of pounds to the Conservative Party voluntarily and it had absolutely nothing at all any way what so ever to do with winning contracts in the NHS....and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
You're conversations have headed in a direction that have verged and probably are defamatory.
So please drop this topic. - This is not a polite request, this is an instruction.
Compouter, you have been previously warned about this.
In the past, we've had to go through the archives when defamatory comments, when the topic of donors, the NHS and circle health have been raised in the past.
So the private equity behind Circle health are supporters of the Tories? Surely the fact that Circle were awarded most of their contracts by Labour should give pause for thought. Indeed Andy Burnham signed off a few of them!
It often gets me in trouble with Mr Moderator, so all I will say is that the giving out of the NHS contracts to Tory donors is quiet obviously a complete and utter coincidence.
That is why I stated it was a complete and utter coincidence that some of them that were given the contracts and it had absolutely nothing to do with the money they were giving to the Conservative Party, nothing to do with one of the people who help draw up the Bill also ended tendering for the services for his company and absolutely nothing at all to do with Tory MP on the tendering companies payroll.
THE scandal surrounding the award of a £32 million smallpox vaccine contract to a Labour Party donor grew last night after the Government's attempt to justify the deal was flatly contradicted by Britain's leading virologist.
It was the clear policy of all three major English parties at the last election to increase the use of private companies in the NHS.
Indeed, if you are very strongly against private sector companies running NHS hospitals then dont vote Tory or Lib Dem or Labour. And if you really dont like seeing private donors to political parties subsequently winning government contracts then dont vote Tory or Labour.
Unfortunately however you vote Tory or Labour are going to win so you cant actually stop either of these things.
Phil Hammond is to the floods what Avery LP is to polling predictions.
Any politician on there would have it tough.
Gutsy for going on I thought. Though he did do that 'don't attack *our*' - armed forces, in this case - routine when someone said something that clearly wasn't attacking them. Hate that tactic.
We must presume the Pickles is being safely deployed elsewhere as a sandbag. Hammond really did stick his foot in his mouth with that tosh about the army and you could tell the audience really despised that.
Pickles was on the one show,answering Questions from people who were flooded.
Damn. Not sure if it has already been mentioned but I just caught up with the news that Tony Benn is seriously ill in hospital.
I wish him all the very best. He may have been from the opposite end of the political spectrum to me but he is a man of great integrity and one of the best Parliamentarians of the 20th century and I do hope he makes a good recovery.
Hear hear Richard - while you probably would have agreed only on Europe, some things transcend politics. Your post does you enormous credit.
I have made no criticism of Circle Health, just pointed out that they have gained contracts from both the Coalition govt and the last Labour one.
They area reasonably well run company, who used to run the ISTC's in Nottingham and Burton. They do quite good work, significantly better than some other companies.
You're conversations have headed in a direction that have verged and probably are defamatory.
So please drop this topic. - This is not a polite request, this is an order.
Compouter, you have been previously warned about this.
In the past, we've had to go through the archives when defamatory comments, when the topic of donors, the NHS and circle health have been raised in the past.
Phil Hammond is to the floods what Avery LP is to polling predictions.
Any politician on there would have it tough.
Gutsy for going on I thought. Though he did do that 'don't attack *our*' - armed forces, in this case - routine when someone said something that clearly wasn't attacking them. Hate that tactic.
We must presume the Pickles is being safely deployed elsewhere as a sandbag. Hammond really did stick his foot in his mouth with that tosh about the army and you could tell the audience really despised that.
Pickles was on the one show,answering Questions from people who were flooded.
Phil Hammond is to the floods what Avery LP is to polling predictions.
Any politician on there would have it tough.
Gutsy for going on I thought. Though he did do that 'don't attack *our*' - armed forces, in this case - routine when someone said something that clearly wasn't attacking them. Hate that tactic.
We must presume the Pickles is being safely deployed elsewhere as a sandbag. Hammond really did stick his foot in his mouth with that tosh about the army and you could tell the audience really despised that.
Pickles was on the one show,answering Questions from people who were flooded.
Phil Hammond is to the floods what Avery LP is to polling predictions.
Any politician on there would have it tough.
Gutsy for going on I thought. Though he did do that 'don't attack *our*' - armed forces, in this case - routine when someone said something that clearly wasn't attacking them. Hate that tactic.
We must presume the Pickles is being safely deployed elsewhere as a sandbag. Hammond really did stick his foot in his mouth with that tosh about the army and you could tell the audience really despised that.
Pickles was on the one show,answering Questions from people who were flooded.
You can keep ya #KayBurley, what this country really needs now is Eric Pickles & Shane Richie #weather #oneshow #FML pic.twitter.com/NdKrjvsv3Q
With people who were flooded,never easy.
Still somewhat easier than actually being the people who were flooded though. So you'll forgive me for not crying to many tears for Pickles considering that even the chumocracy seemed to be less than happy with his performance lately. Drafted from the subs bench or not.
In case no one's mentioned it, Ladbrokes have turnout under 35% at 5/6 which I think may represent value, especially if there's bad weather tomorrow....
Also depends on how many postal ballots have already been returned.
A friend of mine was waiting in the rain in London in the eighties, when Tony Benn came out of an office and got into a car. He offered her a lift to the train station. She had a pleasant chat with him on the journey.
For all his odd politics, I believe him a genuinely kind and humble individual. I hope he gets well soon.
My Brother once shared a vehicle with Gordon Brown at about the same time, but was less than impressed!
Damn. Not sure if it has already been mentioned but I just caught up with the news that Tony Benn is seriously ill in hospital.
I wish him all the very best. He may have been from the opposite end of the political spectrum to me but he is a man of great integrity and one of the best Parliamentarians of the 20th century and I do hope he makes a good recovery.
Hear hear Richard - while you probably would have agreed only on Europe, some things transcend politics. Your post does you enormous credit.
EU wants NHS privatized so other EU countries can bid for chunks - like they obviously would and same reason as Royal Mail. The political class are all lying about it as usual.
Altercations at the gate before the plebgate incident - who'd a thunk it.
Is it just me or is Plebgate the most esoteric, dull, politics story ever? Does anyone care either way any more? It has dragged on for what seems like an eternity
Phil Hammond is to the floods what Avery LP is to polling predictions.
Any politician on there would have it tough.
Gutsy for going on I thought. Though he did do that 'don't attack *our*' - armed forces, in this case - routine when someone said something that clearly wasn't attacking them. Hate that tactic.
We must presume the Pickles is being safely deployed elsewhere as a sandbag. Hammond really did stick his foot in his mouth with that tosh about the army and you could tell the audience really despised that.
Pickles was on the one show,answering Questions from people who were flooded.
Is it just me or is Plebgate the most esoteric, dull, politics story ever? Does anyone care either way any more? It has dragged on for what seems like an eternity
It's tough to care any more (or frankly even at the start) but it's surely interesting to know how far some police officers will go to fit up even a Cabinet member and there are also the various betting implications. As to how rude Mitchell was to the police in the first place, who cares.
A friend of mine was waiting in the rain in London in the eighties, when Tony Benn came out of an office and got into a car. He offered her a lift to the train station. She had a pleasant chat with him on the journey.
For all his odd politics, I believe him a genuinely kind and humble individual. I hope he gets well soon.
My Brother once shared a vehicle with Gordon Brown at about the same time, but was less than impressed!
Damn. Not sure if it has already been mentioned but I just caught up with the news that Tony Benn is seriously ill in hospital.
I wish him all the very best. He may have been from the opposite end of the political spectrum to me but he is a man of great integrity and one of the best Parliamentarians of the 20th century and I do hope he makes a good recovery.
Hear hear Richard - while you probably would have agreed only on Europe, some things transcend politics. Your post does you enormous credit.
I suspect, because they are kindred spirits on Europe, Richard T and Benn would have found more to agree on than I would with Benn. Yet I met him once and found him to be a kind and engaging individual with a great interest in others. I hope he gets well soon, and I suspect others on this thread will join me in that.
Phil Hammond is to the floods what Avery LP is to polling predictions.
Any politician on there would have it tough.
Gutsy for going on I thought. Though he did do that 'don't attack *our*' - armed forces, in this case - routine when someone said something that clearly wasn't attacking them. Hate that tactic.
We must presume the Pickles is being safely deployed elsewhere as a sandbag. Hammond really did stick his foot in his mouth with that tosh about the army and you could tell the audience really despised that.
Pickles was on the one show,answering Questions from people who were flooded.
Comments
I gave a vote of thanks to Graham Jones MP for his first post on PB.
More than 50,000 people without power supplies as hundred-mile an hour winds prompt Met Office warnings
Hundred-mile an hour winds buffeted Wales on Wednesday, leaving more than 50,000 people without power supplies, and caused chaos on the road and rail networks in north west England.
A high of 108mph was recorded in Aberdaron, as the Met Office issued a rare red warning for Wales and north-west England, indicating people should take action because the winds were so strong that there was a likely risk to life.
As more weather-related misery overwhelmed the country on the back of the devastating flooding, a Met Office forecaster, Kirk Waite, said: "Red warnings are a very rare thing for us to issue. We only issue them when we do think there is a need to take action to preserve life." He said the last such warning was issued due to snow in January last year.
Waite added the winds were expected to die down in England and Wales overnight on Wednesday and during the day on Thursday – but he went on to warn that there would be fresh problems in the shape of wintry showers which would bring a risk of ice.
Rain and strong winds are then expected to return on Friday and likely to exacerbate flooding in areas already affected – as the level on the river Severn in Worcestershire reached what was thought to be a record while the Thames reached levels not seen since 1967 in places.
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/feb/12/uk-storms-hurricaine-force-winds-floods-crisis
Lab 50%
UKIP 23%
Tory 15%
Lib Dem <5%
That was in an expectation of a UKIP surge this week which has not happened.
Living in the constituency I have seen loads of Labour out and about, knocking on doors, the BNP have been rooted outside Asda in Wythenshawe and there has been the odd UKIP van driving around and leaflet through the letter box.
It really would not surprise me if the Tories beat UKIP here, possible quite easily.
twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/status/431670386523398145/photo/1
Hmmmmmm?
The party says it has had between 40 and 50 campaigners coming up every day. Farage himself has visited twice and will return next week for another day of campaigning and for the count, although he appears to be being used as much as a magnet for the party members, who love him, to travel from Falmouth, Inverness and the Isle of Wight to knock on doors. Neil and Christine Hamilton will visit on Monday.
http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2014/02/on-the-road-with-ukip-in-the-common-sense-battle-bus/
Intriguing that on the eve of poll Labour are out talking down UKIP.
Lab: 11,923 (54.1%)
UKIP: 4,572 (20.7%)
Con: 3,630 (16.5%)
LD: 1,084 (4.9%)
BNP: 489 (2.2%)
Green: 244 (1.1%)
Loony: 115 (0.5%)
Lab, maj: 7,351 (33.3%)
Changes:
Lab: +10.0%
UKIP: +17.3%
Con: -9.1%
LD: -17.4%
BNP: -1.7%
You don't need barcodes you just need people who know who the people with postal votes are in their local ward.
That's surprising. They almost certainly aren't that well organised in a safe labour seat but they must have a presence. I doubt all kipper boasts about membership numbers are false
Of course this is going to matter quite a bit too.
Interesting mind set you have.
I am not in anyway affiliated to any party, just a passing interest in politics who lives in Sale East.
As I said, Labour have knocked on my door several times, I have met Mike Kane.
I have not seen anyone from UKIP other than driving passed me in their purple vans.
I have seen Eddy Sulivan from the BNP several times in Wythenshawe outside Asda.
If you do not like the reality of my experiences here over the last several weeks don't shoot the messenger.
Damian Carrington @dpcarrington 4h
VIDEO The Atlantic storm factory in action, hitting UK and western Europe - satellite animation http://gu.com/p/3mkzf/tw via @guardian
Kátia Luisa Baptista @KatiaLuisa 1m
"@CP24: Ice storm across US knocks out power to 350,000 http://www.cp24.com/world/ice-storm-across-u-s-south-knocks-out-power-to-350-000-homes-businesses-1.1682449#ixzz2t99zUOub …" looks like ice storms are popular this winter #SoDangerous
CON 32%
LAB 39%
LD 8%
UKIP 13%
Wasn't me that wrote it, honest...
Labour cannot duck the issue of immigration
"The ‘Mrs Duffy’ moment was so damaging to Labour in 2010 because it encapsulated a fear that had been building for years: that New Labour looked down its nose at people who were worried about immigration. Labour won few votes among those who saw immigration as their most important issue, but it lost plenty among people who felt the party disdained their views....
Immigration is a vortex issue: it sucks in concerns about housing, wages, benefits, jobs, public services, community cohesion and crime. Recent European immigration creates a new set of issues as young workers expecting to be here for a short period of time compete with tradespeople trying to support families in Britain in the midst of a cost of living crisis. "
http://www.progressonline.org.uk/2014/02/07/the-immigration-vortex/
http://politicalbetting.vanillaforums.com/discussion/comment/211459/#Comment_211459
06/02/2014 19:45
Ashcroft's by-election polls this Parliament have understated UKIP by 1%,2%,8%,11%,13% and 7%. So what does the Wythenshawe 15% really mean
attorneys demand billions from 'big food' (read: McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys etc) to fight obesity.
The lead attorney's name. Yep, it's McDonald.
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/02/food-industry-obesity-health-care-costs-103390.html
edit: "Tory" here used as in small c conservative not Tory as PR company for the City
How many of the windmills have been damaged?
Cameron producing the serious statesman's scowl for the cameras. Now Toenails adding triumvirate of Alexander, Balls and Osborne working out the price of Salmond.
•Chris Christie 13% {16%} [18%] (15%)
•Mike Huckabee 13%
•Marco Rubio 12% {7%} [7%] (12%)
•Paul Ryan 9% {12%} [11%] (13%)
•Rand Paul 9% {9%} [12%] (9%)
•Jeb Bush 8% {8%} [10%] (10%)
•Sarah Palin 8%
•Scott Walker 7% {4%} [4%] (2%)
General Election
•Hillary Clinton (D) 52% {56%} [53%]
•Paul Ryan (R) 44% {40%} [37%]
•Hillary Clinton (D) 58% (50%) {48%} [47%] (46%)
•Chris Christie (R) 37% (37%) {45%} [41%] (43%)
•Hillary Clinton (D) 62% {59%}
•Sarah Palin (R) 35% {36%}
Areas hit by flooding account for 13% of output. Could be big hit to GDP.
Lefties really are looking for some bad news.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ed-miliband-labelled-flood-tourist-3134358
seems fair enough
It's others that are setting them up for a fall
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/fury-tory-party-donors-handed-3123469
Though I have to say that The Mirror is at least two years behind * ahem * Red Rag:
http://redrag1.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/red-rag-meet-lansleys-friends-who-are.html
http://redrag1.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/red-rag-buying-yourself-hospitaltory.html
Many thanks and good luck to everyone who took part - detailed predictions are on the site:
http://www.electiongame.co.uk/
Nearly everyone predicted a Labour win, there were 3 predictions for UKIP, and the average prediction was for a Labour majority of 7,312.
Cheers,
DC
http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2014/2/Heineken-UK-Ltd/SHP_ADJ_248899.aspx
Smells like a typical CYA operation.
Indy front page is fairly bizarre given the weather but I suppose they had to run it now to coincide with the conference tomorrow.
There is zero to be won by Philip Hammond taking incoming from a @BBCNewsnight audience.
There's only one proven liar on this whole affair so far, and that was a police officer. Given the previous leaking of the police log now looks exceptionally bogus, I treat this with similar disdain.
I wish him all the very best. He may have been from the opposite end of the political spectrum to me but he is a man of great integrity and one of the best Parliamentarians of the 20th century and I do hope he makes a good recovery.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26153520
In the meantime, Opportunity is still doing science, ten years into its 90-day mission, on the much harsher and more interesting Mars environment.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_(rover)
USA 1, China 0. :-)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7196420.stm
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article4004180.ece
I'VE LINKED TO IT NOW JJ. THAT MEANS I MUST AGREE WITH EVERYTHING IT SAYS.
THE scandal surrounding the award of a £32 million smallpox vaccine contract to a Labour Party donor grew last night after the Government's attempt to justify the deal was flatly contradicted by Britain's leading virologist.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1390812/Labour-claims-unravel-over-vaccine-deal.html
So we should not be surprised when this consensus policy is carried out, and remember that Burnham, Balls and Miliband were all in the cabinet that gave contracts to private health companies.
You are deluded if you think health policy will be different next time Burnham takes over.
** Looks around for Mod ***
You're conversations have headed in a direction that have verged and probably are defamatory.
So please drop this topic. - This is not a polite request, this is an instruction.
Compouter, you have been previously warned about this.
In the past, we've had to go through the archives when defamatory comments, when the topic of donors, the NHS and circle health have been raised in the past.
We do not want a rerun.
http://www.greenbenchesuk.com/search?q=Circle+health
The leaked details of encounter between Mitchell & police on night before 'Plebgate', in full http://thetim.es/Mdw6FR pic.twitter.com/U6563Cp46t
Unfortunately however you vote Tory or Labour are going to win so you cant actually stop either of these things.
They area reasonably well run company, who used to run the ISTC's in Nottingham and Burton. They do quite good work, significantly better than some other companies.
But I shall end there.
http://blog.englishelections.org.uk/2014/02/by-election-preview-wythenshawe-and.html
Is it me or has Pickles put on a few pounds?
Still somewhat easier than actually being the people who were flooded though.
So you'll forgive me for not crying to many tears for Pickles considering that even the chumocracy seemed to be less than happy with his performance lately. Drafted from the subs bench or not.
For all his odd politics, I believe him a genuinely kind and humble individual. I hope he gets well soon.
My Brother once shared a vehicle with Gordon Brown at about the same time, but was less than impressed!
Altercations at the gate before the plebgate incident - who'd a thunk it.
choccy biscuit time
BBC's Alan Little is on the train, talking to BBC News channel.
First photo is of pickles leader of the cons on Bradford council and 2nd photo is pickles now ;-)
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/7ZBUdPkHJos/hqdefault.jpg
No it isn't,but you were making a point that he wasn't going into the lions den because some silly tweet you posted.
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/7ZBUdPkHJos/hqdefault.jpg
Mod, I would advise that this post is taken down just in case the site is taken to court by Jabba the Hut for defamation of character ;-)