Are England allowed to concede the semi-final rather than go through it? I mean we've all had a nice time, and final four isn't bad, but probably leave it to the pros from here.
I'm hoping the winner of this match are so drained by this match that they are broken for next weekend's semi final and England smash them.
More chance of the Tories making a comeback to win the next GE....
Are England allowed to concede the semi-final rather than go through it? I mean we've all had a nice time, and final four isn't bad, but probably leave it to the pros from here.
I'm hoping the winner of this match are so drained by this match that they are broken for next weekend's semi final and England smash them.
Are England allowed to concede the semi-final rather than go through it? I mean we've all had a nice time, and final four isn't bad, but probably leave it to the pros from here.
The only tiniest hope comes from the last World Cup where England spent everything they had to beat NZ in the semi and were gone in the final v SA. Clutching at the most minuscule, Rishi sized straw here…
I have now seen enough. Clearly the cricket World Cup should stop now, based on poor crowds, and the trophy retained by the holders (whoever that may be).
In the rugby World Cup, I feel that SA, France, Argentina, and NZ need to be disqualified for excessive preparation beforehand and unfair levels of talent. Whoever is left should battle it out for the trophy.
hmmm so two bits of that article...quotes incoming "yet a recent change in the classification of the Lions account by HSBC means any cash deposits or withdrawals attract a 1.5 per cent charge."
and
"What jars,' says Jim, 'is that the payment machines and the online ticketing system we use charge on a percentage of takings basis. So for our recent Beer Festival in August, we made a profit of £8,000 instead of £9,000."
So on 9000 depositing cash would have cost 135 but using cashless systems cost a 1000. Aren't the proponents of cashless always telling us its so much cheaper for things to be cashless?
It doesn't past the smell test.
Cashless is much cheaper usually.
Transaction charges on debit cards is something like 30p per transaction, 2% for Mastercard and Visa credit cards, and 4% for AMEX.
(There are other transaction charging percentages but that's the usual ballpark.)
"Online ticketing system" - presumably this is some sort of website they are paying for, as opposed to simply the transaction.
But even then the costs aren't that high.
It simply doesn't pass the smell test for me.
I think it's possible they've been done over and sold something they don't really need at an exorbitant cost. This happens in all sorts of areas, though is more prevalent with something like IT when a lot of the people buying it don't understand it.
Yup that seems plausible, the whole payment system is rapidly evolving, nowadays you don't need any hardware other than a smartphone.
Are England allowed to concede the semi-final rather than go through it? I mean we've all had a nice time, and final four isn't bad, but probably leave it to the pros from here.
I'm hoping the winner of this match are so drained by this match that they are broken for next weekend's semi final and England smash them.
Fantasy
I live in Hope, actually I live in Dore, which is 10 miles away from Hope.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
So the idea is they could lose a bunch of MPs and use that as a mandate for another independence referendum. Hmm. Run that past me again. Humza.
If they have a majority that's it. It was good enough for Mrs Thatcher, remember.
Holyrood wasn't even created when Thatcher was PM and she is no longer even alive.
Instead as the UK SC confirmed if Unionists have a majority across the UK, then Westminster can block an indyref2 indefinitely
Thank you for clarifying that Margaret Thatcher is no longer even alive.
Even dead she haunts the dreams of both Labour and the Tories.
Hard to think of another Prime Minister who exerted such an extraordinary and divisive stranglehold on British politics so long after death. Pitt and Peel, perhaps, but very few others.
Winston Churchill?
I wouldn't think of him as a divisive figure post mortem, although goodness knows he was divisive enough in his career.
This is a great response to a question I asked this evening while discussing this vexing situation - "what is it that Hamas were hoping to get from their actions?" eternal discord and grievance - horrifying but entirely plausible.
i) Preserve their power base amongst the people of Gaza and prevent interlopers superseding them as the supreme Gazan power
ii) Attempt to unify anti-Israeli forces outside Gaza under one banner (theirs)
iii) Attempt to disrupt the Israeli rapprochment with other countries, eg Saudi Arabia
In short:
i) keep the power they have
ii) gain allies
iii) weaken the power of their enemy
So far, unfortunately, it seems to be working
Excellent strategy and execution from Hamas.
The only thing Gaza produces is people so that's the resource they exploit.
Burning up people to achieve their goal. Not good.
I think it was Napoleon who was supposed to have said some thing like “France produces an income of x hundred thousand new soldiers each year. I intend to live upon my income.”
This is a great response to a question I asked this evening while discussing this vexing situation - "what is it that Hamas were hoping to get from their actions?" eternal discord and grievance - horrifying but entirely plausible.
i) Preserve their power base amongst the people of Gaza and prevent interlopers superseding them as the supreme Gazan power
ii) Attempt to unify anti-Israeli forces outside Gaza under one banner (theirs)
iii) Attempt to disrupt the Israeli rapprochment with other countries, eg Saudi Arabia
In short:
i) keep the power they have
ii) gain allies
iii) weaken the power of their enemy
So far, unfortunately, it seems to be working
Excellent strategy and execution from Hamas.
The only thing Gaza produces is people so that's the resource they exploit.
Burning up people to achieve their goal. Not good.
I think it was Napoleon who was supposed to have said some thing like “France produces an income of x hundred thousand new soldiers each year. I intend to live upon my income.”
Haven't heard that one, but when Bernadotte lamented the 1300 French dead of Austerlitz, Napoleon shrugged and said 'the women of Paris can replace them in one night.'
Are England allowed to concede the semi-final rather than go through it? I mean we've all had a nice time, and final four isn't bad, but probably leave it to the pros from here.
I'm hoping the winner of this match are so drained by this match that they are broken for next weekend's semi final and England smash them.
Fantasy
I live in Hope, actually I live in Dore, which is 10 miles away from Hope.
France will win this, red card or not, they are too good. But the Boks are brilliant
England will, ahem, struggle a tad against France
I can't see France losing to NZ at home, not in a final in fervent Paris
Ireland might have given them a game, but the ABs it is, yet the ABs are not a vintage AB side and they got a bit lucky against an Irish machine on the blink
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
So the idea is they could lose a bunch of MPs and use that as a mandate for another independence referendum. Hmm. Run that past me again. Humza.
If they have a majority that's it. It was good enough for Mrs Thatcher, remember.
Holyrood wasn't even created when Thatcher was PM and she is no longer even alive.
Instead as the UK SC confirmed if Unionists have a majority across the UK, then Westminster can block an indyref2 indefinitely
Thank you for clarifying that Margaret Thatcher is no longer even alive.
Even dead she haunts the dreams of both Labour and the Tories.
Hard to think of another Prime Minister who exerted such an extraordinary and divisive stranglehold on British politics so long after death. Pitt and Peel, perhaps, but very few others.
Winston Churchill?
I wouldn't think of him as a divisive figure post mortem, although goodness knows he was divisive enough in his career.
Quite different opinions on him from various bits of the Empire, from India to Australia.
France will win this, red card or not, they are too good. But the Boks are brilliant
England will, ahem, struggle a tad against France
I can't see France losing to NZ at home, not in a final in fervent Paris
Ireland might have given them a game, but the ABs it is, yet the ABs are not a vintage AB side and they got a bit lucky against an Irish machine on the blink
Bur what a series of quarter finals!
Weirdly I reckon SA will win despite France having a points and man advantage
According to the exit poll the L&J party are likely to be the largest single party but are also going to be short of a majority and struggling to find allies to get them there.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
So the idea is they could lose a bunch of MPs and use that as a mandate for another independence referendum. Hmm. Run that past me again. Humza.
If they have a majority that's it. It was good enough for Mrs Thatcher, remember.
Holyrood wasn't even created when Thatcher was PM and she is no longer even alive.
Instead as the UK SC confirmed if Unionists have a majority across the UK, then Westminster can block an indyref2 indefinitely
Thank you for clarifying that Margaret Thatcher is no longer even alive.
Even dead she haunts the dreams of both Labour and the Tories.
Hard to think of another Prime Minister who exerted such an extraordinary and divisive stranglehold on British politics so long after death. Pitt and Peel, perhaps, but very few others.
Winston Churchill?
I wouldn't think of him as a divisive figure post mortem, although goodness knows he was divisive enough in his career.
Quite different opinions on him from various bits of the Empire, from India to Australia.
Here is my comment:
Hard to think of another Prime Minister who exerted such an extraordinary and divisive stranglehold on British politics so long after death. Pitt and Peel, perhaps, but very few others.
Your comment therefore is rather irrelevant. Yes of course other people despise him, often with good reason, but that's not connected to British politics. Foot didn't invoke Churchill as a hate figure the way many in Labour still do with Thatcher.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
So the idea is they could lose a bunch of MPs and use that as a mandate for another independence referendum. Hmm. Run that past me again. Humza.
If they have a majority that's it. It was good enough for Mrs Thatcher, remember.
You need momentum to generate political change. I suppose losing seats is a form of momentum but is scarcely likely to be in the direction you are seeking. No?
(I think, with respect, the majority Mrs T would have been thinking of would not have borne much resemblance to, or would have any bearing on, the type of majority Mr Yousaf is contemplating. Which in any event is just an exercise in keeping his troops happy. Mrs T was interested in effecting change, Mr Y on keeping his job.)
Edit: with precisely equal and opposite respect: there is no such thing as momentum in politics, any more than there is in biology (other than biomechanics).
The majority Mrs T had in mind was exactly the same. More than 50% of Scottish Parliamentary constituencies.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
This is possibly the best 40 minutes of sport I have ever seen
NOOOOO don't ruin it with a red
Incredible rugby. For once, you might not be exaggerating.
Best forty mins of rugby I've ever seen.
Yup. Almost as entertaining as a low end premier league football match, which is good going for rugby.
I mean, I’m a football man first and foremost but that’s a daft comment. This is an utterly superb example of team sport of any code.
Nah. The best rugby, when it’s near perfect, can be beautiful. Football is routinely beautiful every week, at lower levels.
But, horses for courses. Everyone is entitled to their own, incorrect, opinion. And this is an entertaining match.
I’ve watched a lot of lower league, and non league, football and its many things. Wouldnt call it beautiful though. Enthusiastic and energetic certainly.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
So the idea is they could lose a bunch of MPs and use that as a mandate for another independence referendum. Hmm. Run that past me again. Humza.
If they have a majority that's it. It was good enough for Mrs Thatcher, remember.
Holyrood wasn't even created when Thatcher was PM and she is no longer even alive.
Instead as the UK SC confirmed if Unionists have a majority across the UK, then Westminster can block an indyref2 indefinitely
You keep adducing Henry VIII and Charles I as the models for modern politics. So, I don't think you have any argument at all.
With Charles I he wasn't even a model for early modern politics, which is why he came a cropper.
I don';t know. Someone closing down Parliament, trying to make the Scots conform to English law and practice, and handing out dodgy monopolies left, right and centre to his chums? All very modern.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
So the idea is they could lose a bunch of MPs and use that as a mandate for another independence referendum. Hmm. Run that past me again. Humza.
If they have a majority that's it. It was good enough for Mrs Thatcher, remember.
Holyrood wasn't even created when Thatcher was PM and she is no longer even alive.
Instead as the UK SC confirmed if Unionists have a majority across the UK, then Westminster can block an indyref2 indefinitely
Thank you for clarifying that Margaret Thatcher is no longer even alive.
Even dead she haunts the dreams of both Labour and the Tories.
Hard to think of another Prime Minister who exerted such an extraordinary and divisive stranglehold on British politics so long after death. Pitt and Peel, perhaps, but very few others.
Winston Churchill?
I wouldn't think of him as a divisive figure post mortem, although goodness knows he was divisive enough in his career.
Quite different opinions on him from various bits of the Empire, from India to Australia.
Here is my comment:
Hard to think of another Prime Minister who exerted such an extraordinary and divisive stranglehold on British politics so long after death. Pitt and Peel, perhaps, but very few others.
Your comment therefore is rather irrelevant. Yes of course other people despise him, often with good reason, but that's not connected to British politics. Foot didn't invoke Churchill as a hate figure the way many in Labour still do with Thatcher.
To your original comment, it’s hard to work this out 100 years later, but I think Chamberlain was in this category for those who were active politicians in the 30s. There’s a school of thought that Rab Butler never made PM because he backed appeasement and I think a perception of Chamberlain lasted and affected his successors (would Eden have Gaitskill have both gone so hard on Suez without those ghosts?) that we find it hard to see with modern eyes.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
So the idea is they could lose a bunch of MPs and use that as a mandate for another independence referendum. Hmm. Run that past me again. Humza.
If they have a majority that's it. It was good enough for Mrs Thatcher, remember.
Holyrood wasn't even created when Thatcher was PM and she is no longer even alive.
Instead as the UK SC confirmed if Unionists have a majority across the UK, then Westminster can block an indyref2 indefinitely
Thank you for clarifying that Margaret Thatcher is no longer even alive.
Even dead she haunts the dreams of both Labour and the Tories.
Hard to think of another Prime Minister who exerted such an extraordinary and divisive stranglehold on British politics so long after death. Pitt and Peel, perhaps, but very few others.
Winston Churchill?
I wouldn't think of him as a divisive figure post mortem, although goodness knows he was divisive enough in his career.
Quite different opinions on him from various bits of the Empire, from India to Australia.
Here is my comment:
Hard to think of another Prime Minister who exerted such an extraordinary and divisive stranglehold on British politics so long after death. Pitt and Peel, perhaps, but very few others.
Your comment therefore is rather irrelevant. Yes of course other people despise him, often with good reason, but that's not connected to British politics. Foot didn't invoke Churchill as a hate figure the way many in Labour still do with Thatcher.
To your original comment, it’s hard to work this out 100 years later, but I think Chamberlain was in this category for those who were active politicians in the 30s. There’s a school of thought that Rab Butler never made PM because he backed appeasement and I think a perception of Chamberlain lasted and affected his successors (would Eden have Gaitskill have both gone so hard on Suez without those ghosts?) that we find it hard to see with modern eyes.
No idea if it is right, but it's an interesting idea!
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
So the idea is they could lose a bunch of MPs and use that as a mandate for another independence referendum. Hmm. Run that past me again. Humza.
If they have a majority that's it. It was good enough for Mrs Thatcher, remember.
Holyrood wasn't even created when Thatcher was PM and she is no longer even alive.
Instead as the UK SC confirmed if Unionists have a majority across the UK, then Westminster can block an indyref2 indefinitely
You keep adducing Henry VIII and Charles I as the models for modern politics. So, I don't think you have any argument at all.
With Charles I he wasn't even a model for early modern politics, which is why he came a cropper.
I don';t know. Someone closing down Parliament, trying to make the Scots conform to English law and practice, and handing out dodgy monopolies left, right and centre to his chums? All very modern.
What’s old fashioned is that he didn’t get away with it!
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
So the idea is they could lose a bunch of MPs and use that as a mandate for another independence referendum. Hmm. Run that past me again. Humza.
If they have a majority that's it. It was good enough for Mrs Thatcher, remember.
Holyrood wasn't even created when Thatcher was PM and she is no longer even alive.
Instead as the UK SC confirmed if Unionists have a majority across the UK, then Westminster can block an indyref2 indefinitely
Thank you for clarifying that Margaret Thatcher is no longer even alive.
Even dead she haunts the dreams of both Labour and the Tories.
Hard to think of another Prime Minister who exerted such an extraordinary and divisive stranglehold on British politics so long after death. Pitt and Peel, perhaps, but very few others.
Winston Churchill?
I wouldn't think of him as a divisive figure post mortem, although goodness knows he was divisive enough in his career.
Quite different opinions on him from various bits of the Empire, from India to Australia.
Here is my comment:
Hard to think of another Prime Minister who exerted such an extraordinary and divisive stranglehold on British politics so long after death. Pitt and Peel, perhaps, but very few others.
Your comment therefore is rather irrelevant. Yes of course other people despise him, often with good reason, but that's not connected to British politics. Foot didn't invoke Churchill as a hate figure the way many in Labour still do with Thatcher.
To your original comment, it’s hard to work this out 100 years later, but I think Chamberlain was in this category for those who were active politicians in the 30s. There’s a school of thought that Rab Butler never made PM because he backed appeasement and I think a perception of Chamberlain lasted and affected his successors (would Eden have Gaitskill have both gone so hard on Suez without those ghosts?) that we find it hard to see with modern eyes.
No idea if it is right, but it's an interesting idea!
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
It doesn't tell us anything new to be honest. We know Starmer is not as wildly popular as Blair was in 1995-97. To be fair to Starmer, Blair is a hard act to follow and had there been no Blair (with all the cynicism the period produced), I think Starmer would be much more popular.
As New Zealand showed yesterday, it's quite possible for an opposition to win solely because the incumbent Government has become so unpopular and the swing achieved by Luxon isn't far off what the polls are predicting Starmer will get.
This is a great response to a question I asked this evening while discussing this vexing situation - "what is it that Hamas were hoping to get from their actions?" eternal discord and grievance - horrifying but entirely plausible.
i) Preserve their power base amongst the people of Gaza and prevent interlopers superseding them as the supreme Gazan power
ii) Attempt to unify anti-Israeli forces outside Gaza under one banner (theirs)
iii) Attempt to disrupt the Israeli rapprochment with other countries, eg Saudi Arabia
In short:
i) keep the power they have
ii) gain allies
iii) weaken the power of their enemy
So far, unfortunately, it seems to be working
Excellent strategy and execution from Hamas.
The only thing Gaza produces is people so that's the resource they exploit.
Burning up people to achieve their goal. Not good.
I think it was Napoleon who was supposed to have said some thing like “France produces an income of x hundred thousand new soldiers each year. I intend to live upon my income.”
Haven't heard that one, but when Bernadotte lamented the 1300 French dead of Austerlitz, Napoleon shrugged and said 'the women of Paris can replace them in one night.'
Shades of Benjamin Franklin's maths...
Britain, at the expence of three millions, has killed 150 Yankies this campaign, which is £20,000 a head; and at Bunker’s Hill she gained a mile of ground, half of which she lost again by our taking post on Ploughed Hill.6 During the same time 60,000 children have been born in America. From these data his mathematical head will easily calculate the time and expence necessary to kill us all, and conquer our whole territory.
SNP delegates have backed Humza Yousaf's plan to use the next general election result to push for a second independence referendum.
An amended version of the strategy was voted through overwhelmingly at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen.
It is based on winning a majority of Scottish seats, at least 29.
This would provide a mandate to for another referendum, according to the proposals.
Under the agreed strategy, if the SNP win the majority of seats in Scotland in the next general election, it will demand the powers to hold a referendum are transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Alternatively, the strategy said the party should consider using the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as a de facto referendum.
So the idea is they could lose a bunch of MPs and use that as a mandate for another independence referendum. Hmm. Run that past me again. Humza.
If they have a majority that's it. It was good enough for Mrs Thatcher, remember.
Holyrood wasn't even created when Thatcher was PM and she is no longer even alive.
Instead as the UK SC confirmed if Unionists have a majority across the UK, then Westminster can block an indyref2 indefinitely
You keep adducing Henry VIII and Charles I as the models for modern politics. So, I don't think you have any argument at all.
With Charles I, his ideas were dodgy but his execution was unique.
Certainly more personal than Henry Tudor, that's for sure.
A better husband, though that's a low bar to clear.
When I teach the Russian revolution I have a PowerPoint considering the good and bad qualities of Nicholas II.
The 'good qualities' contains four words - 'good husband and father.'
When studying the same period in 1969 I made an ill-informed comment about the February revolution and my exasperated tutor said "I'll phone Kerensky and ask him".
The counting continues in Poland and it continues to look as though Law & Justice (PiS) is going to come up short even with Confederation.
The opposition grouping headed by Civic Coalition looks to have about 52% of the vote and a majority in the Sejm.
Of greater interest is the geographical split - PiS has won in the eastern half of Poland and in the countryside but the western half of the country has voted for the Civic Coalition - it's almost a clear split between those parts of Poland which were at one time German and those parts which have in the past been Russian.
It reflects geographical, historical, cultural and economic divides seen in other countries.
Naturally and Iran knows that comes with huge risks.
In a sense, Hamas has already broadened the conflict pitching those Arabs able and willing to co-exist with Israel against those which can't or won't. The broadening conflict would threaten to destablise Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt to name but three where radicalised populations could threaten established and moderate regimes.
This again explains so much of why Hamas did what it did last weekend - it was an attack on Israel but also on moderate Arab states.
It doesn't tell us anything new to be honest. We know Starmer is not as wildly popular as Blair was in 1995-97. To be fair to Starmer, Blair is a hard act to follow and had there been no Blair (with all the cynicism the period produced), I think Starmer would be much more popular.
As New Zealand showed yesterday, it's quite possible for an opposition to win solely because the incumbent Government has become so unpopular and the swing achieved by Luxon isn't far off what the polls are predicting Starmer will get.
I though the lack of Tactical Voting interesting, though not sure how an MRP shows it.
France will win this, red card or not, they are too good. But the Boks are brilliant
England will, ahem, struggle a tad against France
I can't see France losing to NZ at home, not in a final in fervent Paris
Ireland might have given them a game, but the ABs it is, yet the ABs are not a vintage AB side and they got a bit lucky against an Irish machine on the blink
Bur what a series of quarter finals!
Weirdly I reckon SA will win despite France having a points and man advantage
France will win this, red card or not, they are too good. But the Boks are brilliant
England will, ahem, struggle a tad against France
I can't see France losing to NZ at home, not in a final in fervent Paris
Ireland might have given them a game, but the ABs it is, yet the ABs are not a vintage AB side and they got a bit lucky against an Irish machine on the blink
Bur what a series of quarter finals!
Weirdly I reckon SA will win despite France having a points and man advantage
Called it!
Well done
Tho to be honest i don't think any of us had a clue about probably...
THE FOUR GREATEST QUARTER FINALS EVER PLAYED IN RUGBY
Every single one went to the line. Monumental. Rugby graduated as a sport, here. Nothing is like this
It doesn't tell us anything new to be honest. We know Starmer is not as wildly popular as Blair was in 1995-97. To be fair to Starmer, Blair is a hard act to follow and had there been no Blair (with all the cynicism the period produced), I think Starmer would be much more popular.
As New Zealand showed yesterday, it's quite possible for an opposition to win solely because the incumbent Government has become so unpopular and the swing achieved by Luxon isn't far off what the polls are predicting Starmer will get.
I though the lack of Tactical Voting interesting, though not sure how an MRP shows it.
We'll see what happens when the election is called - it may be the legacy of the coalition (which ended eight and a half years ago) makes it hard for some Labour inclined to consider voting LD. There's also the truth there aren't that many seats where the LDs are the main challenger compared to the number where Labour is the challenger.
It's also been historically the case Labour voters are more willing to vote LD than LD voters are to voter Labour.
Comments
In the rugby World Cup, I feel that SA, France, Argentina, and NZ need to be disqualified for excessive preparation beforehand and unfair levels of talent. Whoever is left should battle it out for the trophy.
Seems fair.
Natwest offer 1.5% on cards with no fixed transaction fee.
Revolut offer 0.8% on cards with 2p fixed transaction fee.
https://www.expertmarket.com/uk/merchant-accounts/cheapest-way-take-payments
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope,_Derbyshire
NOOOOO don't ruin it with a red
What a waste of a half, may as well have not bothered playing it.
*runs away*
England will, ahem, struggle a tad against France
I can't see France losing to NZ at home, not in a final in fervent Paris
Ireland might have given them a game, but the ABs it is, yet the ABs are not a vintage AB side and they got a bit lucky against an Irish machine on the blink
Bur what a series of quarter finals!
(Although it's taking a back seat to the rugby atm
But this is better.
The last 45 minutes of the Qatar Football World Cup final were better than this, that was possibly the greatest sporting occasion ever
But this is definitely competing for the best half of rugby ever played
But, horses for courses. Everyone is entitled to their own, incorrect, opinion. And this is an entertaining match.
Hard to think of another Prime Minister who exerted such an extraordinary and divisive stranglehold on British politics so long after death. Pitt and Peel, perhaps, but very few others.
Your comment therefore is rather irrelevant. Yes of course other people despise him, often with good reason, but that's not connected to British politics. Foot didn't invoke Churchill as a hate figure the way many in Labour still do with Thatcher.
But football cannot match this intensity and ferocity where every second counts - at this level
And in the end I prefer football to rugby. But the very best rugby is the best
The majority Mrs T had in mind was exactly the same. More than 50% of Scottish Parliamentary constituencies.
The 'good qualities' contains four words - 'good husband and father.'
what a game
As New Zealand showed yesterday, it's quite possible for an opposition to win solely because the incumbent Government has become so unpopular and the swing achieved by Luxon isn't far off what the polls are predicting Starmer will get.
Neil Henderson
@hendopolis
·
22m
FT UK: Israel warns Iran not to escalate war into broader Mideast conflict #TomorrowsPapersToday
https://twitter.com/hendopolis
The opposition grouping headed by Civic Coalition looks to have about 52% of the vote and a majority in the Sejm.
Of greater interest is the geographical split - PiS has won in the eastern half of Poland and in the countryside but the western half of the country has voted for the Civic Coalition - it's almost a clear split between those parts of Poland which were at one time German and those parts which have in the past been Russian.
It reflects geographical, historical, cultural and economic divides seen in other countries.
In a sense, Hamas has already broadened the conflict pitching those Arabs able and willing to co-exist with Israel against those which can't or won't. The broadening conflict would threaten to destablise Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt to name but three where radicalised populations could threaten established and moderate regimes.
This again explains so much of why Hamas did what it did last weekend - it was an attack on Israel but also on moderate Arab states.
1) Ever win a world cup (until 2027)
2) Be in the semis this year.
Tho to be honest i don't think any of us had a clue about probably...
THE FOUR GREATEST QUARTER FINALS EVER PLAYED IN RUGBY
Every single one went to the line. Monumental. Rugby graduated as a sport, here. Nothing is like this
It's also been historically the case Labour voters are more willing to vote LD than LD voters are to voter Labour.