A quarrel in a far away country, between people of whom we know nothing – politicalbetting.com
Labour voters tend to think that Keir Starmer has badly handled the party's response to Israel/PalestineWell: 25%Badly: 42%https://t.co/DYftHk3rMp pic.twitter.com/S90UDoRL7B
The problem Starmer has is that while most Labour voters from 2019 instinctively side with the Palestinians, floating voters who voted Conservative in 2019 are either neutral or more sympathetic to the Israelis.
Hence to win the election he is targeting the latter assuming the former have nowhere else to go but a protest vote for the Greens or SNP in safe Labour or SNP seats
Personally I think it's very sad when people edit the post they're quoting when there's no need to do so for text length. It's usually because there's an argument in there they don't like because it undermines their point.
Personally I think it's very sad when people edit the post they're quoting when there's no need to do so for text length. It's usually because there's an argument in there they don't like because it undermines their point.
Btw I encourage you all to vote Labour at the next GE.
Personally I think it's very sad when people edit the post they're quoting when there's no need to do so for text length. It's usually because there's an argument in there they don't like because it undermines their point.
Btw I encourage you all to vote Labour at the next GE.
What is clear from the figures (and was obvious anyway) is that those more sympathetic to the Palestinians are not switching from Labour to Tory. They may not like Sir K's approach, but they have nowhere relevant to go.
Sir K has an impossible task, though slightly easier because he has no power. His essential coalition of voters includes millions of Tory voters, and any hint of Corbynism, the friend of Hamas, will lose them in numbers. The votes he needs are split into: Don't know, don't care, Israel preferred, plague on both, support both equally, Palestinians preferred, Hamas preferred.
Even without this multiple dilemma no policy is coherent or sustainable; with that fact in play he can only engage in damage limitation. Good luck.
Don't think it will derail SKS getting to Downing St. as the British public have made up their minds. They want the Tories OUT!
It is, however, a big warning sign of what's going to happen when Labour get into government... Not just this but over so many things such as strikes, Brexit, net zero, probably house building... Labour is very likely to get into power and rapidly disintegrate.
So neither are doing a very good job it seems. Not sure what people expect them to do mind.
I think the failure is with Israel which hasn't clearly set out what it is trying to do. Lots of calls for a ceasefire but what then? Hamas will simply take the chance to rearm and get ready again. What is to be done about the supply of weapons from Iran?
Also I'd like to see some polling on antisemitism.
The truth is the issue is increasingly treacherous. About the only people who I’ve seen manage the terrain well are Barack Obama and that clip of Baroness Warsi.
It seems to me that few people think either leader has handled the issue very well. so the top category may as well be ignored.
And if the top category is ignored, then the responses to Starmer are pretty evenly spread, while Sunak has pleased former Tory supporters and alienated former Labour supporters. But isn't that what one would expect to happen anyway?
It may be causing Starmer internal problems in his party, but I don't see anything in those figures to suggest a significant effect on public support.
Don't think it will derail SKS getting to Downing St. as the British public have made up their minds. They want the Tories OUT!
It is, however, a big warning sign of what's going to happen when Labour get into government... Not just this but over so many things such as strikes, Brexit, net zero, probably house building... Labour is very likely to get into power and rapidly disintegrate.
One term Lab government, IMO.
Wishful thinking because the Tories have so badly shit the bed.
Having said that UK Labour needs to look at NZ Labour for what happens when you over promise and badly fail to deliver.
But Starmer is no Ardern. His top team is reasonably impressive and I expect his Cabinet to be more so (Benn etc).
The truth is the issue is increasingly treacherous. About the only people who I’ve seen manage the terrain well are Barack Obama and that clip of Baroness Warsi.
In the circs, Keir is doing OK-to-well.
I haven't seen too much of Baroness Warsi. Though she did deem it necessary to correct Rishi Sunak after he talked about antisemitism to say that all forms of racism are unacceptable. Gleefully retweeted by St James O'Brien. Rather ignoring the fact that Jews appear more fearful than any other group of the population, there had been an appalling massacre of them the week before andd the Met are advising against the dangers of a pro-Israel rally.
Don't think it will derail SKS getting to Downing St. as the British public have made up their minds. They want the Tories OUT!
It is, however, a big warning sign of what's going to happen when Labour get into government... Not just this but over so many things such as strikes, Brexit, net zero, probably house building... Labour is very likely to get into power and rapidly disintegrate.
One term Lab government, IMO.
I have no doubt people were saying the same in 1997. The 13 years of Labour government that followed was of course vastly superior to the shambles of the past 13 years.
O/T The Mauritshuis in The Hague must surely be the finest art gallery in the world. A perfect gem.
Musee D'Orsay for me, its about the only thing worth visiting in Paris.
https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl for me. It is simple, but effective in presenting the context around the pictures. So much more than just hanging stuff on the wall by the year.
Don't think it will derail SKS getting to Downing St. as the British public have made up their minds. They want the Tories OUT!
It is, however, a big warning sign of what's going to happen when Labour get into government... Not just this but over so many things such as strikes, Brexit, net zero, probably house building... Labour is very likely to get into power and rapidly disintegrate.
One term Lab government, IMO.
This. All that matters. Starmer and more than half of the Shadow Cabinet are ready for Government. The Labour Party beyond that is not. Of course the Tories may blow up even more severely in Opposition such that he gets away with it, but I think a Tory Party with a sniff of a return to power will not.
So Sunak is 24 v 43 and Starmer 25 v 42. Sounds like an absolute game changer, Betfair to flip flop by Sunday?
27/43 to 18/42. But, I don't see it changing many votes, at this stage.
For it to matter, it has to switch a meaningful number of votes in the right places.
Making crude, unevidenced assumptions about which Labour supporters are potentially unhappy, how many of them live in likely battleground seats for 2024/5?
Anyhoo.... 1. As we prepare to plunge ourselves into winter darkness that is the end of BST, the continued Labour lead means the Conservatives have been in the dark for a long while now.
🔴 Lab 46% (-2) 🔵 Con 26% (-1) 🟠 LD 10% (NC) ⚪ Ref 7% (NC) 🟢 Green 6% (+2) 🟡 SNP 3% (+1)
Don't think it will derail SKS getting to Downing St. as the British public have made up their minds. They want the Tories OUT!
It is, however, a big warning sign of what's going to happen when Labour get into government... Not just this but over so many things such as strikes, Brexit, net zero, probably house building... Labour is very likely to get into power and rapidly disintegrate.
One term Lab government, IMO.
Not sure about one term Labour government, but I agree that once in government, all of the **** becomes their problem. Things are very different to 1997.
So Sunak is 24 v 43 and Starmer 25 v 42. Sounds like an absolute game changer, Betfair to flip flop by Sunday?
27/43 to 18/42. But, I don't see it changing many votes, at this stage.
For it to matter, it has to switch a meaningful number of votes in the right places.
Making crude, unevidenced assumptions about which Labour supporters are potentially unhappy, how many of them live in likely battleground seats for 2024/5?
Anyhoo.... 1. As we prepare to plunge ourselves into winter darkness that is the end of BST, the continued Labour lead means the Conservatives have been in the dark for a long while now.
🔴 Lab 46% (-2) 🔵 Con 26% (-1) 🟠 LD 10% (NC) ⚪ Ref 7% (NC) 🟢 Green 6% (+2) 🟡 SNP 3% (+1)
Best place for the loon. I stood for over an hour at Basel Airport this morning queuing at passport control whilst EU nationals waltzed past me. The Frogs loved holding us up. Thanks Boris. You give politics a filthy name.
Don't think it will derail SKS getting to Downing St. as the British public have made up their minds. They want the Tories OUT!
It is, however, a big warning sign of what's going to happen when Labour get into government... Not just this but over so many things such as strikes, Brexit, net zero, probably house building... Labour is very likely to get into power and rapidly disintegrate.
One term Lab government, IMO.
Wishful thinking because the Tories have so badly shit the bed.
Having said that UK Labour needs to look at NZ Labour for what happens when you over promise and badly fail to deliver.
But Starmer is no Ardern. His top team is reasonably impressive and I expect his Cabinet to be more so (Benn etc).
If Labour unravel in office, things could go in several other directions than a Tory revival. Despite FPTP it might provide an opportunity for a Macron-like figure to emerge.
So Sunak is 24 v 43 and Starmer 25 v 42. Sounds like an absolute game changer, Betfair to flip flop by Sunday?
27/43 to 18/42. But, I don't see it changing many votes, at this stage.
For it to matter, it has to switch a meaningful number of votes in the right places.
Making crude, unevidenced assumptions about which Labour supporters are potentially unhappy, how many of them live in likely battleground seats for 2024/5?
Anyhoo.... 1. As we prepare to plunge ourselves into winter darkness that is the end of BST, the continued Labour lead means the Conservatives have been in the dark for a long while now.
🔴 Lab 46% (-2) 🔵 Con 26% (-1) 🟠 LD 10% (NC) ⚪ Ref 7% (NC) 🟢 Green 6% (+2) 🟡 SNP 3% (+1)
i could see something like this causing trouble for Labour in the future - but in government. Above and beyond Corbyn and his gobshites, a section of Labour voters do care very strongly about this issue.
O/T The Mauritshuis in The Hague must surely be the finest art gallery in the world. A perfect gem.
Musee D'Orsay for me, its about the only thing worth visiting in Paris.
I wouldn't say it is the only thing worth visiting but it is certainly the shining gem. I much prefer the Musee D'Orsay to the Louvre.
Ive been to Paris quite a lot and my son has just moved there. Last time I did the Sainte Chappelle ( overrated ) and Notre Dame. ND was really good as they had an exhibition on the restoration which was really well presented. The other thing I have been advised to see is the catacombs not sure if they will be as good as the hype.
Don't think it will derail SKS getting to Downing St. as the British public have made up their minds. They want the Tories OUT!
It is, however, a big warning sign of what's going to happen when Labour get into government... Not just this but over so many things such as strikes, Brexit, net zero, probably house building... Labour is very likely to get into power and rapidly disintegrate.
One term Lab government, IMO.
I have no doubt people were saying the same in 1997. The 13 years of Labour government that followed was of course vastly superior to the shambles of the past 13 years.
Erm, no, I don't think so. By 1997 it was clear that Blair was in complete and total control of his party - The only possible cloud on the horizon was possibly Blair and Brown not getting on but nobody really thought that would be an issue. Otherwise it was clear Labour would be in power for a longgggg time.
Thing is this is not 1997. In 1997 Labour had a good economy and plenty of money to spend. This time Labour will be governing without any money to spend - That will fundamentally be their problem.
Add to that the party is still well to the left of SKS (as we see over the complaints of Starmers handling of the Israel/Palestine crisis) plus all the other issues like Rejoiners expecting a reversal of Brexit (which isn't going to happen) the Unions having a taste for strikes (that will be compounded by Lab governing without any money) Net Zero, etc etc.
I think a scenario like 1974-1979 is very plausible for the 2024-2029 Parliament. More likely than the Parliament proceeding like 1997-2001 anyway...
Just flashed up that Boris Johnson is going to join GB News as a presenter!
They must have more money than sense. Or the books aren’t doing as well as we thought!
Yes, there must be a financial angle here: I can't really see Boris doing TV work just for his own amusement. I wonder if The Mail has gotten bored with him and isn't renewing his contract. Boris's columns were rather predicated on how better the world would be if only he, Boris, was running things. That's obviously now been knocked into a cocked hat. Everyone now needs to work out exactly what Boris is for.
Don't think it will derail SKS getting to Downing St. as the British public have made up their minds. They want the Tories OUT!
It is, however, a big warning sign of what's going to happen when Labour get into government... Not just this but over so many things such as strikes, Brexit, net zero, probably house building... Labour is very likely to get into power and rapidly disintegrate.
One term Lab government, IMO.
I have no doubt people were saying the same in 1997. The 13 years of Labour government that followed was of course vastly superior to the shambles of the past 13 years.
Erm, no, I don't think so. By 1997 it was clear that Blair was in complete and total control of his party - The only possible cloud on the horizon was possibly Blair and Brown not getting on but nobody really thought that would be an issue but otherwise it was clear Labour would be in power for a longgggg time.
Thing is this is not 1997. In 1997 Labour had a good economy and plenty of money to spend. This time Labour will be governing without any money to spend - That will fundamentally be their problem.
Add to that the party is still well to the left of SKS (as we see over the complaints of Starmers handling of the Israel/Palestine crisis) plus all the other issues like Rejoiners expecting a reversal of Brexit (which isn't going to happen) the Unions having a taste for strikes (that will be compounded by Lab governing without any money) Net Zero, etc etc.
I think a scenario like 1974-1979 is very plausible for the 2024-2029 Parliament. More likely than the Parliament proceeding like 1997-2001 anyway...
The only way this will make any difference at a GE is if Labour has had some sort of split or splinter group caused by Starmer's current approach. We all know the big divisions Labour has had in the very recent past over anti-semitism (e.g. Luciana Berger) and there is a non-zero chance that their might be a breakaway. There have already been quite a few councillor resignations over Starmer's policy.
Best place for the loon. I stood for over an hour at Basel Airport this morning queuing at passport control whilst EU nationals waltzed past me. The Frogs loved holding us up. Thanks Boris. You give politics a filthy name.
I’ve heard this rubbish before. There are many valid criticisms of Brexit but this isn’t one of them.
I have travelled a lot in Europe post-Brexit. Sometimes it’s been quicker to be non-EU (holiday destinations with e-gates), usually it’s the same, very occasionally it’s been slower. Overall? No change.
I actually love the Met. It’s vast - too vast - but it lacks the statist pomposity of both the Louvre and the National Gallery.
The National Gallery is close to perfect. Not as overwhelmingly big as the Louvre or the Met but it covers all of European art and almost everything is a masterpiece
I’d put it alongside the National Gallery in Washington DC - which is similar in its smaller size plus high quality
But then I think of the Prado, and the Kunsthistoriche and the Hermitage. Which are hardly lacking….
The only way this will make any difference at a GE is if Labour has had some sort of split or splinter group caused by Starmer's current approach. We all know the big divisions Labour has had in the very recent past over anti-semitism (e.g. Luciana Berger) and there is a non-zero chance that their might be a breakaway. There have already been quite a few councillor resignations over Starmer's policy.
It may persuade Corbyn to stand in London. I assume that’s partly why the Mayor came out for a “ceasefire” (whatever that silly idea means in this context - presumably a one sided one) as he did.
O/T The Mauritshuis in The Hague must surely be the finest art gallery in the world. A perfect gem.
Musee D'Orsay for me, its about the only thing worth visiting in Paris.
I like the Musee D'Orsay - a lot. But pretty much every painting in the Mauritshuis is gorgeous. I'd have any one of them on my wall at home.
Contrast with the Munch museum we were at in Oslo on Wednesday. That's very interesting but I's struggle to live with any of his paintings. Maybe one or two landscapes at a push.
Just flashed up that Boris Johnson is going to join GB News as a presenter!
They must have more money than sense. Or the books aren’t doing as well as we thought!
Yes, there must be a financial angle here: I can't really see Boris doing TV work just for his own amusement. I wonder if The Mail has gotten bored with him and isn't renewing his contract. Boris's columns were rather predicated on how better the world would be if only he, Boris, was running things. That's obviously now been knocked into a cocked hat. Everyone now needs to work out exactly what Boris is for.
What is Boris for Boris is for rent to the highest bidder That's what Boris is for
I actually love the Met. It’s vast - too vast - but it lacks the statist pomposity of both the Louvre and the National Gallery.
The National Gallery is close to perfect. Not as overwhelmingly big as the Louvre or the Met but it covers all of European art and almost everything is a masterpiece
I’d put it alongside the National Gallery in Washington DC - which is similar in its smaller size plus high quality
But then I think of the Prado, and the Kunsthistoriche and the Hermitage. Which are hardly lacking….
I have only been to the Prado once, and it blew me away. But I really like Spanish art - Goya and El Greco and Velazquez etc.
The Kunst is a bit of an also-ran. I’ve not been to the Hermitage, and the way the world is going maybe I never will…
I actually love the Met. It’s vast - too vast - but it lacks the statist pomposity of both the Louvre and the National Gallery.
The National Gallery is close to perfect. Not as overwhelmingly big as the Louvre or the Met but it covers all of European art and almost everything is a masterpiece
I’d put it alongside the National Gallery in Washington DC - which is similar in its smaller size plus high quality
But then I think of the Prado, and the Kunsthistoriche and the Hermitage. Which are hardly lacking….
Also, the National Gallery does (or did) a lovely breakfast in the restaurant bit on Trafalgar Square.
O/T The Mauritshuis in The Hague must surely be the finest art gallery in the world. A perfect gem.
Musee D'Orsay for me, its about the only thing worth visiting in Paris.
I wouldn't say it is the only thing worth visiting but it is certainly the shining gem. I much prefer the Musee D'Orsay to the Louvre.
Ive been to Paris quite a lot and my son has just moved there. Last time I did the Sainte Chappelle ( overrated ) and Notre Dame. ND was really good as they had an exhibition on the restoration which was really well presented. The other thing I have been advised to see is the catacombs not sure if they will be as good as the hype.
I have yet to see the Sainte Chappelle (the lift has been broken every time we've tried - I mean, I am grateful and surprised there even is a lift but it would be nice for it to work). Having studied gothic architecture in an evening class, It really would like to see the example for myself.
Just flashed up that Boris Johnson is going to join GB News as a presenter!
They must have more money than sense. Or the books aren’t doing as well as we thought!
Given they have no sense at all, that isn't exactly hard.
I wonder what they are paying him and how they afford it, though. They can't be exactly wealthy given how insignificant they are.
Sigh. The point of GB News is not to make money.
No, but they must have *some* money. Where are they getting it from? If their sponsors are coughing up more given what a fiasco it's been so far they must be even thicker than I thought.
Just flashed up that Boris Johnson is going to join GB News as a presenter!
They must have more money than sense. Or the books aren’t doing as well as we thought!
Yes, there must be a financial angle here: I can't really see Boris doing TV work just for his own amusement. I wonder if The Mail has gotten bored with him and isn't renewing his contract. Boris's columns were rather predicated on how better the world would be if only he, Boris, was running things. That's obviously now been knocked into a cocked hat. Everyone now needs to work out exactly what Boris is for.
What is Boris for Boris is for rent to the highest bidder That's why Boris is a whore
Best place for the loon. I stood for over an hour at Basel Airport this morning queuing at passport control whilst EU nationals waltzed past me. The Frogs loved holding us up. Thanks Boris. You give politics a filthy name.
Yeah?
In Catania airport the Italians have introduced a special lane for Brits (plus Americans, Japanese, Koreans, the usual). They’ve put in scanners and after the scanner a man stamps your passport in half a second
The EU queue and “approved nations” queue were the exact same size and moved at the exact same pace
Honestly, stop whining about passport queues. The problems are being ironed out and pretty soon technology will render all passport queues and eventually all passports a thing of the past
In one sense, there's little either man could do as long as America keeps arming them - a big difference compared to, say, apartheid South Africa, where Reagan/Bush were balanced by Congress. In another sense, most voters aren't sympathetic to bombing Gaza and it would have been a vote winner to be more clearly against it, especially costlessly from opposition.
But I don’t doubt that Boris will be reasonably entertaining. Comic bollocks is actually his metier, he’s a better “performer” than writer for sure.
Curiously, GB News can only be hiring him because of Brexit. Everything else he's done - Covid lockdowns, Net Zero, Levelling Up etc. - would deemed by their audience as deeply socialist and dangerous.
O/T The Mauritshuis in The Hague must surely be the finest art gallery in the world. A perfect gem.
Musee D'Orsay for me, its about the only thing worth visiting in Paris.
I wouldn't say it is the only thing worth visiting but it is certainly the shining gem. I much prefer the Musee D'Orsay to the Louvre.
Ive been to Paris quite a lot and my son has just moved there. Last time I did the Sainte Chappelle ( overrated ) and Notre Dame. ND was really good as they had an exhibition on the restoration which was really well presented. The other thing I have been advised to see is the catacombs not sure if they will be as good as the hype.
I have yet to see the Sainte Chappelle (the lift has been broken every time we've tried - I mean, I am grateful and surprised there even is a lift but it would be nice for it to work). Having studied gothic architecture in an evening class, It really would like to see the example for myself.
When I went it was extremely busy, I wished I had looked at the guides to see if there was a slack time. If you can clear the tourists there's more to look at.
Best place for the loon. I stood for over an hour at Basel Airport this morning queuing at passport control whilst EU nationals waltzed past me. The Frogs loved holding us up. Thanks Boris. You give politics a filthy name.
I’ve heard this rubbish before. There are many valid criticisms of Brexit but this isn’t one of them.
I have travelled a lot in Europe post-Brexit. Sometimes it’s been quicker to be non-EU (holiday destinations with e-gates), usually it’s the same, very occasionally it’s been slower. Overall? No change.
O/T The Mauritshuis in The Hague must surely be the finest art gallery in the world. A perfect gem.
Musee D'Orsay for me, its about the only thing worth visiting in Paris.
I wouldn't say it is the only thing worth visiting but it is certainly the shining gem. I much prefer the Musee D'Orsay to the Louvre.
Ive been to Paris quite a lot and my son has just moved there. Last time I did the Sainte Chappelle ( overrated ) and Notre Dame. ND was really good as they had an exhibition on the restoration which was really well presented. The other thing I have been advised to see is the catacombs not sure if they will be as good as the hype.
I have yet to see the Sainte Chappelle (the lift has been broken every time we've tried - I mean, I am grateful and surprised there even is a lift but it would be nice for it to work). Having studied gothic architecture in an evening class, It really would like to see the example for myself.
When I went it was extremely busy, I wished I had looked at the guides to see if there was a slack time. If you can clear the tourists there's more to look at.
O/T The Mauritshuis in The Hague must surely be the finest art gallery in the world. A perfect gem.
Musee D'Orsay for me, its about the only thing worth visiting in Paris.
I wouldn't say it is the only thing worth visiting but it is certainly the shining gem. I much prefer the Musee D'Orsay to the Louvre.
Ive been to Paris quite a lot and my son has just moved there. Last time I did the Sainte Chappelle ( overrated ) and Notre Dame. ND was really good as they had an exhibition on the restoration which was really well presented. The other thing I have been advised to see is the catacombs not sure if they will be as good as the hype.
I have yet to see the Sainte Chappelle (the lift has been broken every time we've tried - I mean, I am grateful and surprised there even is a lift but it would be nice for it to work). Having studied gothic architecture in an evening class, It really would like to see the example for myself.
When I went it was extremely busy, I wished I had looked at the guides to see if there was a slack time. If you can clear the tourists there's more to look at.
Go to the Musee Carnavalet.
Thanks, Ill do that, its a short walk from where my son lives.
Off topic, but on politics: This agreement -- assuming it is followed by similar agreements with the other automakers -- will help Biden, especially in the Midwest: 'Ford workers are giving positive feedback on the new contract their union negotiated with the automaker, with some calling the 25 percent raise and other details “historic.”' source$: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/10/26/ford-uaw-contract-strike/
The article has fewer details than I would like, but it appears that the new contract will treat new employees more fairly. (For some years the Big Three have had a two-tier pay systems, in which new employees were paid significantly less.)
I actually love the Met. It’s vast - too vast - but it lacks the statist pomposity of both the Louvre and the National Gallery.
The National Gallery is close to perfect. Not as overwhelmingly big as the Louvre or the Met but it covers all of European art and almost everything is a masterpiece
I’d put it alongside the National Gallery in Washington DC - which is similar in its smaller size plus high quality
But then I think of the Prado, and the Kunsthistoriche and the Hermitage. Which are hardly lacking….
I have only been to the Prado once, and it blew me away. But I really like Spanish art - Goya and El Greco and Velazquez etc.
The Kunst is a bit of an also-ran. I’ve not been to the Hermitage, and the way the world is going maybe I never will…
I’ve been to every single great museum in the world. No joke
The ones in DC this spring were the last on my list
So I feel quite confident of my opinion here
The Hermitage is mindblowingly good. Easily makes the top 5. Also a peerless location
What’s more, you kind of expect it to have phenomenal art from 13th-19th century. Collected by the tsars. But it ALSO has a fabulous modern art collection up to about 1930 (iirc). Where did they get that?!
Presumably it was seized from aristos fleeing the revolution and afterwards. Unexpected
I actually love the Met. It’s vast - too vast - but it lacks the statist pomposity of both the Louvre and the National Gallery.
The National Gallery is close to perfect. Not as overwhelmingly big as the Louvre or the Met but it covers all of European art and almost everything is a masterpiece
I’d put it alongside the National Gallery in Washington DC - which is similar in its smaller size plus high quality
But then I think of the Prado, and the Kunsthistoriche and the Hermitage. Which are hardly lacking….
A good thing about the National Gallery is that it doesn't usually get really crowded.
O/T The Mauritshuis in The Hague must surely be the finest art gallery in the world. A perfect gem.
Musee D'Orsay for me, its about the only thing worth visiting in Paris.
I wouldn't say it is the only thing worth visiting but it is certainly the shining gem. I much prefer the Musee D'Orsay to the Louvre.
Ive been to Paris quite a lot and my son has just moved there. Last time I did the Sainte Chappelle ( overrated ) and Notre Dame. ND was really good as they had an exhibition on the restoration which was really well presented. The other thing I have been advised to see is the catacombs not sure if they will be as good as the hype.
I have yet to see the Sainte Chappelle (the lift has been broken every time we've tried - I mean, I am grateful and surprised there even is a lift but it would be nice for it to work). Having studied gothic architecture in an evening class, It really would like to see the example for myself.
When I went it was extremely busy, I wished I had looked at the guides to see if there was a slack time. If you can clear the tourists there's more to look at.
We're in Paris in February, it's definitely on my list. Good shout about checking for quiet times.
Just flashed up that Boris Johnson is going to join GB News as a presenter!
They must have more money than sense. Or the books aren’t doing as well as we thought!
Given they have no sense at all, that isn't exactly hard.
I wonder what they are paying him and how they afford it, though. They can't be exactly wealthy given how insignificant they are.
Sigh. The point of GB News is not to make money.
No, but they must have *some* money. Where are they getting it from? If their sponsors are coughing up more given what a fiasco it's been so far they must be even thicker than I thought.
Given that you can get Zillions for NftCryptoSpaceLaunch, Gammon British News seems almost sane as an investment.
I mean, the audience exists, the channel actually exists, the channel managing to reach the audience doesn't actually defy the laws of physics.....
The truth is the issue is increasingly treacherous. About the only people who I’ve seen manage the terrain well are Barack Obama and that clip of Baroness Warsi.
In the circs, Keir is doing OK-to-well.
I haven't seen too much of Baroness Warsi. Though she did deem it necessary to correct Rishi Sunak after he talked about antisemitism to say that all forms of racism are unacceptable. Gleefully retweeted by St James O'Brien. Rather ignoring the fact that Jews appear more fearful than any other group of the population, there had been an appalling massacre of them the week before andd the Met are advising against the dangers of a pro-Israel rally.
I actually love the Met. It’s vast - too vast - but it lacks the statist pomposity of both the Louvre and the National Gallery.
The National Gallery is close to perfect. Not as overwhelmingly big as the Louvre or the Met but it covers all of European art and almost everything is a masterpiece
I’d put it alongside the National Gallery in Washington DC - which is similar in its smaller size plus high quality
But then I think of the Prado, and the Kunsthistoriche and the Hermitage. Which are hardly lacking….
A good thing about the National Gallery is that it doesn't usually get really crowded.
I went to the Wallace Collection about this time last year, really enjoyed it.
Best place for the loon. I stood for over an hour at Basel Airport this morning queuing at passport control whilst EU nationals waltzed past me. The Frogs loved holding us up. Thanks Boris. You give politics a filthy name.
Yeah?
In Catania airport the Italians have introduced a special lane for Brits (plus Americans, Japanese, Koreans, the usual). They’ve put in scanners and after the scanner a man stamps your passport in half a second
The EU queue and “approved nations” queue were the exact same size and moved at the exact same pace
Honestly, stop whining about passport queues. The problems are being ironed out and pretty soon technology will render all passport queues and eventually all passports a thing of the past
That's because our AI overlords won't allow us to travel.
Ivanka Trump Loses Bid to Block Subpoena Forcing Her Testimony in Her Father’s New York Civil Fraud Case The former president's daughter was initially a defendant in the civil fraud case, until succeeding in dismissing the counts against her on appeal https://themessenger.com/politics/ivanka-trump-must-testify-fraud-judge-engoron
Just flashed up that Boris Johnson is going to join GB News as a presenter!
They must have more money than sense. Or the books aren’t doing as well as we thought!
Given they have no sense at all, that isn't exactly hard.
I wonder what they are paying him and how they afford it, though. They can't be exactly wealthy given how insignificant they are.
Sigh. The point of GB News is not to make money.
No, but they must have *some* money. Where are they getting it from? If their sponsors are coughing up more given what a fiasco it's been so far they must be even thicker than I thought.
The owner is Chris Chandler’s Dubai-based investment vehicle, Legatum, funder of inter alia the “free market, pro-Brexit” lobby group, the Legatum Institute…and the Brexit-funding multi-millionaire hedge fund manager Paul Marshall.
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Hence to win the election he is targeting the latter assuming the former have nowhere else to go but a protest vote for the Greens or SNP in safe Labour or SNP seats
Sir K has an impossible task, though slightly easier because he has no power. His essential coalition of voters includes millions of Tory voters, and any hint of Corbynism, the friend of Hamas, will lose them in numbers. The votes he needs are split into: Don't know, don't care, Israel preferred, plague on both, support both equally, Palestinians preferred, Hamas preferred.
Even without this multiple dilemma no policy is coherent or sustainable; with that fact in play he can only engage in damage limitation. Good luck.
It is, however, a big warning sign of what's going to happen when Labour get into government... Not just this but over so many things such as strikes, Brexit, net zero, probably house building... Labour is very likely to get into power and rapidly disintegrate.
One term Lab government, IMO.
I think the failure is with Israel which hasn't clearly set out what it is trying to do. Lots of calls for a ceasefire but what then? Hamas will simply take the chance to rearm and get ready again. What is to be done about the supply of weapons from Iran?
Also I'd like to see some polling on antisemitism.
About the only people who I’ve seen manage the terrain well are Barack Obama and that clip of Baroness Warsi.
In the circs, Keir is doing OK-to-well.
And if the top category is ignored, then the responses to Starmer are pretty evenly spread, while Sunak has pleased former Tory supporters and alienated former Labour supporters. But isn't that what one would expect to happen anyway?
It may be causing Starmer internal problems in his party, but I don't see anything in those figures to suggest a significant effect on public support.
Having said that UK Labour needs to look at NZ Labour for what happens when you over promise and badly fail to deliver.
But Starmer is no Ardern.
His top team is reasonably impressive and I expect his Cabinet to be more so (Benn etc).
It only has Dutch golden age art, really. Which js amazing but rather limiting…
It is one of the finest SMALL museums in the world
They must have more money than sense. Or the books aren’t doing as well as we thought!
Making crude, unevidenced assumptions about which Labour supporters are potentially unhappy, how many of them live in likely battleground seats for 2024/5?
Anyhoo....
1. As we prepare to plunge ourselves into winter darkness that is the end of BST, the continued Labour lead means the Conservatives have been in the dark for a long while now.
🔴 Lab 46% (-2)
🔵 Con 26% (-1)
🟠 LD 10% (NC)
⚪ Ref 7% (NC)
🟢 Green 6% (+2)
🟡 SNP 3% (+1)
https://twitter.com/wethinkpolling/status/1717905443115151685
Not sure how I’d feel about it if I paid him megabucks for an exclusive column…
Slight movement down by the Conseratives - reaction to the by-elections?
This week also saw the return of PeoplePolling, last seen on 31 March. Still consistently showing the Conservatives at 5% lower than the average.
QTWTAIN?
So it's a few percent between the Greens and SNP.
Labour are on maximum vote for our current structure of politics.
It’s vast - too vast - but it lacks the statist pomposity of both the Louvre and the National Gallery.
Thing is this is not 1997. In 1997 Labour had a good economy and plenty of money to spend. This time Labour will be governing without any money to spend - That will fundamentally be their problem.
Add to that the party is still well to the left of SKS (as we see over the complaints of Starmers handling of the Israel/Palestine crisis) plus all the other issues like Rejoiners expecting a reversal of Brexit (which isn't going to happen) the Unions having a taste for strikes (that will be compounded by Lab governing without any money) Net Zero, etc etc.
I think a scenario like 1974-1979 is very plausible for the 2024-2029 Parliament. More likely than the Parliament proceeding like 1997-2001 anyway...
I may be biased by my love of the Dutch Golden Age, of course.
Better than it’s two credible rivals, the Tate Modern and MoMA.
I have travelled a lot in Europe post-Brexit. Sometimes it’s been quicker to be non-EU (holiday destinations with e-gates), usually it’s the same, very occasionally it’s been slower. Overall? No change.
I’d put it alongside the National Gallery in Washington DC - which is similar in its smaller size plus high quality
But then I think of the Prado, and the Kunsthistoriche and the Hermitage. Which are hardly lacking….
What are the best *small* art galleries in the world?
The requirement being that you can see all the exhibits in an hour.
I would nominate the Hammer in Los Angeles, with an honourable mention for the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
But I don’t doubt that Boris will be reasonably entertaining. Comic bollocks is actually his metier, he’s a better “performer” than writer for sure.
Quite a small art section, but what they have, and its range, is amazing.
Contrast with the Munch museum we were at in Oslo on Wednesday. That's very interesting but I's struggle to live with any of his paintings. Maybe one or two landscapes at a push.
Boris is for rent to the highest bidder
That's what Boris is for
The Kunst is a bit of an also-ran.
I’ve not been to the Hermitage, and the way the world is going maybe I never will…
I wonder what they are paying him and how they afford it, though. They can't be exactly wealthy given how insignificant they are.
The point of GB News is not to make money.
In Catania airport the Italians have introduced a special lane for Brits (plus Americans, Japanese, Koreans, the usual). They’ve put in scanners and after the scanner a man stamps your passport in half a second
The EU queue and “approved nations” queue were the exact same size and moved at the exact same pace
Honestly, stop whining about passport queues. The problems are being ironed out and pretty soon technology will render all passport queues and eventually all passports a thing of the past
The Israeli Defense Force has released an Infographic showing the Hamas Headquarters and Terrorist Complex beneath the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
https://x.com/sentdefender/status/1717909792851677399?s=20
Confine yourself to the paintings, and you could do that.
And that his turn, such as it is, wears very thin very fast.
Anyway, a discussion on the finest art galleries in the world has to beat best and worst* carbs surely?
(*Grits, definitely.)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67217993
source$: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/10/26/ford-uaw-contract-strike/
The article has fewer details than I would like, but it appears that the new contract will treat new employees more fairly. (For some years the Big Three have had a two-tier pay systems, in which new employees were paid significantly less.)
The ones in DC this spring were the last on my list
So I feel quite confident of my opinion here
The Hermitage is mindblowingly good. Easily makes the top 5. Also a peerless location
What’s more, you kind of expect it to have phenomenal art from 13th-19th century. Collected by the tsars. But it ALSO has a fabulous modern art collection up to about 1930 (iirc). Where did they get that?!
Presumably it was seized from aristos fleeing the revolution and afterwards. Unexpected
I mean, the audience exists, the channel actually exists, the channel managing to reach the audience doesn't actually defy the laws of physics.....
The Courtauld beats all of those
The former president's daughter was initially a defendant in the civil fraud case, until succeeding in dismissing the counts against her on appeal
https://themessenger.com/politics/ivanka-trump-must-testify-fraud-judge-engoron