Starmer lucky? I'd say Sunak was lucky - first managing to marry into the billionaire bracket, then dropping into Number 10 after he lost a leadership vote but, whaddayaknow, to an opponent who turned out to be the most disastrously incompetent PM anyone can remember.
Wales is, in a way, Labour’s biggest achilles heel. Place has been a shit-show since forever, and there appears no desire amongst the Welsh ruling class (nor the Welsh at large, tbh) to address it.
So Amazon Prime video is now introducing adverts unless you agree to pay extra….
If you pay extra, do you get Amazon Prime Prime?
This reminds me of what Starbucks call their smallest size coffee. "Tall".
I've always been infuriated by that. So much so that I refuse to acknowledge it. If for some reason I find myself in Starbucks (which sometimes despite best efforts I do) I will make a point to freight my coffee order with "your smallest size" please.
Standard practice. At McDonalds when I worked there you always asked if customers wanted a large this, that, or the other. There was no small, just medium or large.
Although there are small and medium options there (eg on the chips) even if the staff are trained to steer you away from them. And on the coffee they describe their smallest as "regular" which is not a complete lie. But this thing of Starbucks, calling their actual smallest available coffee "tall" is just gratuitous mendacity as far as I can see. If they have a good reason for it I'm all ears but I bet they haven't.
"Tall" used to be the second smallest size and there was a "small", but when they added "venti", they didn't want too many size options and "small" got dropped.
Starbucks still sells "short" drinks, they're just not listed on the menu. I always have a "short latte".
Keen to roadtest this but I'm skeptical. Only celebs can usually order off menu.
It works. Short filter for me, on the rare occasions there isn't a better place nearby...
I too will avoid Starbucks.
But there are times when it is the best - or only - option.
Small Airports in the US, for example. There Starbucks is often the best chance of getting a coffee that isn't flavoured in some weird and deeply unpleasant way.
The other thing with Starbucks is that if you have to, exploit them. Make lengthy use of their facility. You're paying silly money to support their exciting tax arrangements and twatty naming of product. So get best value by staying a long time.
You’re not really paying for the coffee, you’re primarily paying for somewhere reasonably comfortable to sit, with wifi, that they’re happy to let you use for at least an hour.
I could understand that, it is people getting takeaways that seems extraordinary to me. Paper cup, same price, and not even very nice coffee.
That to me is the definition of frivolous spending. Do that 5 days a week and the cost is more than a sky subscription
There is a coffee shop on the ground floor of our office building. I see people walking in to the office with a cup in their hand, despite the presence of two bean to cup machines in our office that are free to use.
Not only are they pissing their money away, they are creating rubbish with unnecessary disposable cups.
That is madness. My work has free tea and coffee and I don't drink coffee anyway, it is the devil's work, so I spend no money in Starbucks.
Coffee is awful. And also economically unsound. It causes a Costa living crisis.
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
And they just knaw mature trees away and it's all OK because it's 'nature'. Shoot the little blighters I say.
A few weeks ago I saw what looked like a dead beaver in the middle of Warminster (near where the river enters the main park). Assumed it was something else that just looked like a beaver, but turned out it was. Apparently they are in Somerset so presumably are spreading now. Natural predators seem rare (too big for foxes, I think, maybe a determined badger?). Somewhat like the explosion of Red Kites in recent years, I foresee a beaver explosion. (Stop sniggering at the back).
And they just knaw mature trees away and it's all OK because it's 'nature'. Shoot the little blighters I say.
A few weeks ago I saw what looked like a dead beaver in the middle of Warminster (near where the river enters the main park). Assumed it was something else that just looked like a beaver, but turned out it was. Apparently they are in Somerset so presumably are spreading now. Natural predators seem rare (too big for foxes, I think, maybe a determined badger?). Somewhat like the explosion of Red Kites in recent years, I foresee a beaver explosion. (Stop sniggering at the back).
My uncle lives in Warminster, I will tell him to keep an eye out for the badgers
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
I never understood why call a bucket of coffee a Venti....until one of my American colleagues explained. Going back to World War 2 - American soldiers in Italy always complained that their coffees (espresso) were too small and asked for water to be added - hence Americano coffee.
Starbucks then followed American Italian traditions and invented the Grande, or large.
The biggest large - a Venti then refers to 20 ounces. I had no idea how much that was so had to look it up - a Pint. That I understand, even though I dont use pints for anything except beer.
Lost on me and most Europeans.
Even the Brexity gammons dont get it - because while they yearn for ounces, fathoms and groats - they dont speak forrin...
Probably explains why American coffee is often reckoned to be weak. You can buy a venti Flat White, of all things, which if it were made to the correct proportions, should contain more than 6 espresso shots.
In Louisiana circa 1975 locals used to call standard American coffee of that day, "Yankee dishwater".
We all know that pineapple on pizza is a food of the Gods. I've just made my son a pizza that used barbecue sauce rather than tomato sauce. Where does this rank in PB's dream foods?
And can a pizza without tomato sue be called a pizza?
IIRC tomatos are NOT traditional to traditional made-in-Napoli pizza? (Cyclefree knows for sure!)
Well, my local Italian restaurant does a "Pizza Napolitano" which does not contain cheese. Olives, capers and anchovies on an extra-tomato-ey base. Sadly, they stopped offering it as a takeaway option - only for sit-in now.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
All that I can say is that its a good thing for Luke that he didn't arrive on a dinghy.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
All that I can say is that its a good thing for Luke that he didn't arrive on a dinghy.
I admire him for adopting the fitness regime needed for elite darts at such a young age.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
We all know that pineapple on pizza is a food of the Gods. I've just made my son a pizza that used barbecue sauce rather than tomato sauce. Where does this rank in PB's dream foods?
And can a pizza without tomato sue be called a pizza?
It’s known as a pizza bianca
I’ve had it in Italy - what to the purists say about it, though?
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
From what I remember from reading on PB, these sort of hypothetical polls aren't that accurate
Indeed, this magnificent thread header pointed out that hypothetical polling is like a Hawaiian pizza, both should be avoided by right thinking people everywhere.
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
In 2019, it was pretty clear who (BoJo) and what (Get Brexit Done) the solution was. Brexit Party supporters went across to the Conservatives and the rest is history.
I'm not saying that a similar solution doesn't exist this time, but it's a lot less obvious.
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
From what I remember from reading on PB, these sort of hypothetical polls aren't that accurate
Indeed, this magnificent thread header pointed out that hypothetical polling is like a Hawaiian pizza, both should be avoided by right thinking people everywhere.
Whereas hypothetical polls in 1990 correctly predicted that Major would overcome Thatcher's deficit against Kinnock, in 1994 that Blair was the strongest contender for Labour, in 2005 that Cameron was the strongest contender for the Tories and in early 2019 that Boris would beat Corbyn
We all know that pineapple on pizza is a food of the Gods. I've just made my son a pizza that used barbecue sauce rather than tomato sauce. Where does this rank in PB's dream foods?
And can a pizza without tomato sue be called a pizza?
It’s known as a pizza bianca
I’ve had it in Italy - what to the purists say about it, though?
At the very least it'll be traditional in the one can neglect having tomatoes available. My guess is just that though.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
I dunno. My son plays football in an U15 team and the parents frequently comment on the likelihood of various 6ft opponents with a full beard being actually 25, black or white, it makes no difference. And we are mostly fully signed up members of the tofu eating wokerati.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
You sound like one of these really woke people who just have to bring race and gender into everything. It's a game of darts. Luke looks older than he is.
We all know that pineapple on pizza is a food of the Gods. I've just made my son a pizza that used barbecue sauce rather than tomato sauce. Where does this rank in PB's dream foods?
And can a pizza without tomato sue be called a pizza?
It’s known as a pizza bianca
I’ve had it in Italy - what to the purists say about it, though?
Pizza originated in Naples, Italy and subsequently spread through the Roman Empire (yes, it’s that old!). It captured the hearts and taste buds of the world, including the United States. But when most Americans think “pizza,” what they’re usually thinking about is pizza made with a base of tomato sauce, known as “red” pizza. If on the other hand you travel to Italy, pizza’s home country, you’ll see that most menus offer you a choice of red or white pizza.
Essentially, red pizza is a pizza with a tomato sauce base, while white pizza is a pizza with a cheese base. The two traditions are equally venerable; ancient Romans used to cut their white pizza in two and eat it with figs or cheese and chicory, and white pizza—or pizza bianca—was first used to check the temperature of the bricks before cooking the bread for the day.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
I dunno. My son plays football in an U15 team and the parents frequently comment on the likelihood of various 6ft opponents with a full beard being actually 25, black or white, it makes no difference. And we are mostly fully signed up members of the tofu eating wokerati.
Apparently young people are starting to look older again now reversing a trend of them looking younger culminating in the millenials. Maybe the stress of the past few years has prematurely aged them.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
You sound like one of these really woke people who just have to bring race and gender into everything. It's a game of darts. Luke looks older than he is.
All zealots turn into the thing they profess to hate. The anti woke are a prime example.
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
In 2019, it was pretty clear who (BoJo) and what (Get Brexit Done) the solution was. Brexit Party supporters went across to the Conservatives and the rest is history.
I'm not saying that a similar solution doesn't exist this time, but it's a lot less obvious.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
You sound like one of these really woke people who just have to bring race and gender into everything. It's a game of darts. Luke looks older than he is.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
I dunno. My son plays football in an U15 team and the parents frequently comment on the likelihood of various 6ft opponents with a full beard being actually 25, black or white, it makes no difference. And we are mostly fully signed up members of the tofu eating wokerati.
Apparently young people are starting to look older again now reversing a trend of them looking younger culminating in the millenials. Maybe the stress of the past few years has prematurely aged them.
My son didn't get the memo! My kids all look about 2-3 years younger than they are. Mind you my wife looks about 15 years younger than she is so perhaps it's not surprising.
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
No. At the time it was a free anti-EU vote. It was simply a reaffirming signal that the Brexit vote was something that we wished to press forwards.
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
Yes and Farage is charismatic too, more so than May was and Sunak is.
Combined Yougov has the Tories and a Farage led Reform on 35%, yet divided the Tories are on just 21%. In that scenario PR would actually be better for the Tories, otherwise as in Canada in the post 1993 split between the Canadian Tories and Reform FPTP just splits the rightwing vote (which it did until the Tories and Canadian Alliance, successor to Reform, merged in 2003 to form today's Conservative Party of Canada). In the US too if Trump doesn't get the GOP nomination and goes 3rd party he could also hand the election to Biden on a plate via the FPTP EC.
While in Italy, which has PR, a united coalition of centre right Forza Italia and populist right Lega Nord and Brothers of Italy is in government. In NZ too a rightwing government of centre right Nationals and populist NZ First and libertarian ACT are in government with PR and in Spain the PP and Vox are just a whisker away from government, also with PR. In Sweden as well the Sweden Democrats and Moderates have formed a rightwing government with PR. Of course Netanyahu's broad rightwing government of multiple parties in Israel has also been elected via PR
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
I dunno. My son plays football in an U15 team and the parents frequently comment on the likelihood of various 6ft opponents with a full beard being actually 25, black or white, it makes no difference. And we are mostly fully signed up members of the tofu eating wokerati.
I’d be surprised if anyone saying it about a young black man, or young female, on social media got away without a pile on.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
Yes and Farage is charismatic too, more so than May was and Sunak is.
Combined Yougov has the Tories and a Farage led Reform on 35%, yet divided the Tories are on just 21%. In that scenario PR would actually be better for the Tories, otherwise as in Canada in the post 1993 split between the Canadian Tories and Reform FPTP just splits the rightwing vote (which it did until the Tories and Canadian Alliance, successor to Reform, merged in 2003 to form today's Conservative Party of Canada). In the US too if Trump doesn't get the GOP nomination and goes 3rd party he could also hand the election to Biden on a plate via the FPTP EC.
While in Italy, which has PR, a united coalition of centre right Forza Italia and populist right Lega Nord and Brothers of Italy is in government. In NZ too a rightwing government of centre right Nationals and populist NZ First and libertarian ACT are in government with PR and in Spain the PP and Vox are just a whisker away from government, also with PR. In Sweden as well the Sweden Democrats and Moderates have formed a rightwing government with PR
Farage really has to be one RefUK leader - imagine the debates ft him vs Sunak & Sir Keir; could all that ‘low immigration and high wages’ guff from Starmer end up with “I agree with Nige”?
I am very pleased to disclose that Starbucks has had to struggle on without my custom for some 8 years or so. Even way back in my teens when I was into those horrible iced things, Starbucks ones were all gritty and sugary, whereas Coffee Republic they were smooth and tasted of coffee.
I can't stand Starbucks.
They impertinently ask for your name and then announce it several times loudly and publicly.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
I dunno. My son plays football in an U15 team and the parents frequently comment on the likelihood of various 6ft opponents with a full beard being actually 25, black or white, it makes no difference. And we are mostly fully signed up members of the tofu eating wokerati.
Apparently young people are starting to look older again now reversing a trend of them looking younger culminating in the millenials. Maybe the stress of the past few years has prematurely aged them.
My son didn't get the memo! My kids all look about 2-3 years younger than they are. Mind you my wife looks about 15 years younger than she is so perhaps it's not surprising.
Does anyone think (as opposed to wish) that charges will eventually arise from this performance, and, if so, when? My guess is yes, and shortly after the GE date is announced.
Have to be charges Red, teh £600K alone is gone, not to mention all the other stuff found, will SNP be bankrupt before then. They have now taken all the branches money and will burn through that quickly, only income they have now is the short money and no chance they will find £1.5M for the election. Good few court cases coming up as well, judge will not be happy they have shredded all the evidence, she is toast one way or another, almost as many cases as Trump.
It will be interesting to see how they fight an election with no money, no donors and having pissed off most of their activists. Hope their SPADs are good at canvassing!
Problem SNP have is that they won't be able to focus their resources in certain key target seats in the way that Labour, Con and LibDem will. The downside to their previous success. I guess, in practice, they will have to respond to the demands of sitting MPs, which will be good news for the incumbents in the seats the Scottish Tories and LibDems are defending.
I suspect they will concentrate their resources on supporting their most loyal MPs. So, support for people like Alison Thewliss, but not for people like Joanna Cherry.
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
Yes and Farage is charismatic too, more so than May was and Sunak is.
Combined Yougov has the Tories and a Farage led Reform on 35%, yet divided the Tories are on just 21%. In that scenario PR would actually be better for the Tories, otherwise as in Canada in the post 1993 split between the Canadian Tories and Reform FPTP just splits the rightwing vote (which it did until the Tories and Canadian Alliance, successor to Reform, merged in 2003 to form today's Conservative Party of Canada). In the US too if Trump doesn't get the GOP nomination and goes 3rd party he could also hand the election to Biden on a plate via the FPTP EC.
While in Italy, which has PR, a united coalition of centre right Forza Italia and populist right Lega Nord and Brothers of Italy is in government. In NZ too a rightwing government of centre right Nationals and populist NZ First and libertarian ACT are in government with PR and in Spain the PP and Vox are just a whisker away from government, also with PR. In Sweden as well the Sweden Democrats and Moderates have formed a rightwing government with PR
But at the moment we have FPTP.
That's a system that's utterly brutal to nationwide parties on 21 percent.
And to parties that are being attacked on both flanks.
In the prediction challenge, I went for "Labour by a big but not quite landslide win". That requires the Conservatives to be a bit below 200, but not much.
If RefUK don't get squeezed, they can pretty easily destroy the Conservatives, whilst picking up few seats themselves. And I don't see a viable way that Rishi can win them over. (Hand over to Suella running on Get ECHRxit Done?)
We all know that pineapple on pizza is a food of the Gods. I've just made my son a pizza that used barbecue sauce rather than tomato sauce. Where does this rank in PB's dream foods?
And can a pizza without tomato sue be called a pizza?
It’s known as a pizza bianca
I’ve had it in Italy - what to the purists say about it, though?
Pizza originated in Naples, Italy and subsequently spread through the Roman Empire (yes, it’s that old!). It captured the hearts and taste buds of the world, including the United States. But when most Americans think “pizza,” what they’re usually thinking about is pizza made with a base of tomato sauce, known as “red” pizza. If on the other hand you travel to Italy, pizza’s home country, you’ll see that most menus offer you a choice of red or white pizza.
Essentially, red pizza is a pizza with a tomato sauce base, while white pizza is a pizza with a cheese base. The two traditions are equally venerable; ancient Romans used to cut their white pizza in two and eat it with figs or cheese and chicory, and white pizza—or pizza bianca—was first used to check the temperature of the bricks before cooking the bread for the day.
"pizza /ˈpiːtsə/ noun a dish of Italian origin, consisting of a flat round base of dough baked with a topping of tomatoes and cheese, typically with added meat, fish, or vegetables."
It's cheese on toast. Just about edible if nothing else available. Nothing much else to say is there?
What is left to move the dial? The Tories have thrown everything at the wall and nothing seems to be sticking, at this point it feels like managed decline rather than an approach to improve the country in any meaningful way.
If Trump gets in again the effects on uk politics will be interesting. Will this aid the establishment of a more openly nationalist right wing party in the uk as Trump makes speeches about immigrants poisoning the lifeblood of the country. Interesting times.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
I dunno. My son plays football in an U15 team and the parents frequently comment on the likelihood of various 6ft opponents with a full beard being actually 25, black or white, it makes no difference. And we are mostly fully signed up members of the tofu eating wokerati.
Memories of the Saudi team at the 1989 U-16 World Cup
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
They would. There have been endless insinuations about certain African footballers' birth certificates possibly not being entirely accurate over the years. Often with some level of seriousness.
And people's reactions would entirely depend on whether, as with Littler, it was for the most part good-natured jokey disbelief and awe. Or whether it was accompanied by some much nastier stuff.
When Jude Bellingham broke through at Birmingham there were lots of comments about scarcely being able to believe his age as there was this 6ft lad bossing fully grown men aged 16 - no one shouted racism because it was clear there was nothing sinister to it.
If Trump gets in again the effects on uk politics will be interesting. Will this aid the establishment of a more openly nationalist right wing party in the uk as Trump makes speeches about immigrants poisoning the lifeblood of the country. Interesting times.
If Trump gets in again, having won the GOP nomination and not gone 3rd party, then a defeated Tories would likely follow suit and elect a populist leader like Braverman or Badenoch or else risk being replaced by a Farage led Reform
What is left to move the dial? The Tories have thrown everything at the wall and nothing seems to be sticking, at this point it feels like managed decline rather than an approach to improve the country in any meaningful way.
I will see you all tomorrow
I agree. I do not see a route to victory for the Conservative Party at the next election. More - I think a Labour majority is now a 90%+
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
Yes and Farage is charismatic too, more so than May was and Sunak is.
Combined Yougov has the Tories and a Farage led Reform on 35%, yet divided the Tories are on just 21%. In that scenario PR would actually be better for the Tories, otherwise as in Canada in the post 1993 split between the Canadian Tories and Reform FPTP just splits the rightwing vote (which it did until the Tories and Canadian Alliance, successor to Reform, merged in 2003 to form today's Conservative Party of Canada). In the US too if Trump doesn't get the GOP nomination and goes 3rd party he could also hand the election to Biden on a plate via the FPTP EC.
While in Italy, which has PR, a united coalition of centre right Forza Italia and populist right Lega Nord and Brothers of Italy is in government. In NZ too a rightwing government of centre right Nationals and populist NZ First and libertarian ACT are in government with PR and in Spain the PP and Vox are just a whisker away from government, also with PR. In Sweden as well the Sweden Democrats and Moderates have formed a rightwing government with PR
But at the moment we have FPTP.
That's a system that's utterly brutal to nationwide parties on 21 percent.
And to parties that are being attacked on both flanks.
In the prediction challenge, I went for "Labour by a big but not quite landslide win". That requires the Conservatives to be a bit below 200, but not much.
If RefUK don't get squeezed, they can pretty easily destroy the Conservatives, whilst picking up few seats themselves. And I don't see a viable way that Rishi can win them over. (Hand over to Suella running on Get ECHRxit Done?)
Yes, hence at the moment PR might be be better for the Tories than FPTP
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
Yes and Farage is charismatic too, more so than May was and Sunak is.
Combined Yougov has the Tories and a Farage led Reform on 35%, yet divided the Tories are on just 21%. In that scenario PR would actually be better for the Tories, otherwise as in Canada in the post 1993 split between the Canadian Tories and Reform FPTP just splits the rightwing vote (which it did until the Tories and Canadian Alliance, successor to Reform, merged in 2003 to form today's Conservative Party of Canada). In the US too if Trump doesn't get the GOP nomination and goes 3rd party he could also hand the election to Biden on a plate via the FPTP EC.
While in Italy, which has PR, a united coalition of centre right Forza Italia and populist right Lega Nord and Brothers of Italy is in government. In NZ too a rightwing government of centre right Nationals and populist NZ First and libertarian ACT are in government with PR and in Spain the PP and Vox are just a whisker away from government, also with PR. In Sweden as well the Sweden Democrats and Moderates have formed a rightwing government with PR
Farage really has to be one RefUK leader - imagine the debates ft him vs Sunak & Sir Keir; could all that ‘low immigration and high wages’ guff from Starmer end up with “I agree with Nige”?
The question is why won't NF do it? Not enough money involved? Can't be arsed? Doesn't really want to destroy the Tories despite his drivel?
What is left to move the dial? The Tories have thrown everything at the wall and nothing seems to be sticking, at this point it feels like managed decline rather than an approach to improve the country in any meaningful way.
I will see you all tomorrow
I agree. I do not see a route to victory for the Conservative Party at the next election. More - I think a Labour majority is now a 90%+
Scrutiny of labour is the only thing that will move the dial. Most people are not wasting their lives posting on PB. Most people do not obsess about politics. But they pay attention a tiny bit more during general elections.
I think a labour majority is nailed on, but I think the polls will narrow somewhat. Expect a day of ‘The Day The Polls Turned’ once during the campaign…
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
Yes and Farage is charismatic too, more so than May was and Sunak is.
Combined Yougov has the Tories and a Farage led Reform on 35%, yet divided the Tories are on just 21%. In that scenario PR would actually be better for the Tories, otherwise as in Canada in the post 1993 split between the Canadian Tories and Reform FPTP just splits the rightwing vote (which it did until the Tories and Canadian Alliance, successor to Reform, merged in 2003 to form today's Conservative Party of Canada). In the US too if Trump doesn't get the GOP nomination and goes 3rd party he could also hand the election to Biden on a plate via the FPTP EC.
While in Italy, which has PR, a united coalition of centre right Forza Italia and populist right Lega Nord and Brothers of Italy is in government. In NZ too a rightwing government of centre right Nationals and populist NZ First and libertarian ACT are in government with PR and in Spain the PP and Vox are just a whisker away from government, also with PR. In Sweden as well the Sweden Democrats and Moderates have formed a rightwing government with PR
But at the moment we have FPTP.
That's a system that's utterly brutal to nationwide parties on 21 percent.
And to parties that are being attacked on both flanks.
In the prediction challenge, I went for "Labour by a big but not quite landslide win". That requires the Conservatives to be a bit below 200, but not much.
If RefUK don't get squeezed, they can pretty easily destroy the Conservatives, whilst picking up few seats themselves. And I don't see a viable way that Rishi can win them over. (Hand over to Suella running on Get ECHRxit Done?)
The only thing that can prevent a big Labour majority are some kind of scandal on a partygate level. Sir Keir is stiff as a board, lies through his teeth, and is bound to look crap during the campaign, but the Tory brand is so damaged, and Sunak appears so weak and disconnected with voters, that I don’t think it matters.
There’s literally no one to replace him with who can turn it around either, they’ve made a mess of it that their worst enemies couldn’t have dreamed of
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
It categorically did not.
It was like a free hit in Cricket. A chance to vote knowing that there was absolutely no chance that anyone "elected" would end up in Parliament, and to reaffirm the referendum result, and say that the Brexit deadlock in Parliament needed resolving.
The result was 99% due to Theresa May and the House of Commons, 1% if that due to Farage - and it only happened as it was not a Westminster election.
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
Yes and Farage is charismatic too, more so than May was and Sunak is.
Combined Yougov has the Tories and a Farage led Reform on 35%, yet divided the Tories are on just 21%. In that scenario PR would actually be better for the Tories, otherwise as in Canada in the post 1993 split between the Canadian Tories and Reform FPTP just splits the rightwing vote (which it did until the Tories and Canadian Alliance, successor to Reform, merged in 2003 to form today's Conservative Party of Canada). In the US too if Trump doesn't get the GOP nomination and goes 3rd party he could also hand the election to Biden on a plate via the FPTP EC.
While in Italy, which has PR, a united coalition of centre right Forza Italia and populist right Lega Nord and Brothers of Italy is in government. In NZ too a rightwing government of centre right Nationals and populist NZ First and libertarian ACT are in government with PR and in Spain the PP and Vox are just a whisker away from government, also with PR. In Sweden as well the Sweden Democrats and Moderates have formed a rightwing government with PR
Farage really has to be one RefUK leader - imagine the debates ft him vs Sunak & Sir Keir; could all that ‘low immigration and high wages’ guff from Starmer end up with “I agree with Nige”?
The question is why won't NF do it? Not enough money involved? Can't be arsed? Doesn't really want to destroy the Tories despite his drivel?
I don't think he will. For 2 reasons, the first is that he wants ermine after the GE, and might get it from one of Badenoch/Braverman/Patel
The second is that he doesn't want to be tied to a seat, having been defeated seven times. He would prefer the national stage.
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
Yes and Farage is charismatic too, more so than May was and Sunak is.
Combined Yougov has the Tories and a Farage led Reform on 35%, yet divided the Tories are on just 21%. In that scenario PR would actually be better for the Tories, otherwise as in Canada in the post 1993 split between the Canadian Tories and Reform FPTP just splits the rightwing vote (which it did until the Tories and Canadian Alliance, successor to Reform, merged in 2003 to form today's Conservative Party of Canada). In the US too if Trump doesn't get the GOP nomination and goes 3rd party he could also hand the election to Biden on a plate via the FPTP EC.
While in Italy, which has PR, a united coalition of centre right Forza Italia and populist right Lega Nord and Brothers of Italy is in government. In NZ too a rightwing government of centre right Nationals and populist NZ First and libertarian ACT are in government with PR and in Spain the PP and Vox are just a whisker away from government, also with PR. In Sweden as well the Sweden Democrats and Moderates have formed a rightwing government with PR
Farage really has to be one RefUK leader - imagine the debates ft him vs Sunak & Sir Keir; could all that ‘low immigration and high wages’ guff from Starmer end up with “I agree with Nige”?
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
Yes and Farage is charismatic too, more so than May was and Sunak is.
Combined Yougov has the Tories and a Farage led Reform on 35%, yet divided the Tories are on just 21%. In that scenario PR would actually be better for the Tories, otherwise as in Canada in the post 1993 split between the Canadian Tories and Reform FPTP just splits the rightwing vote (which it did until the Tories and Canadian Alliance, successor to Reform, merged in 2003 to form today's Conservative Party of Canada). In the US too if Trump doesn't get the GOP nomination and goes 3rd party he could also hand the election to Biden on a plate via the FPTP EC.
While in Italy, which has PR, a united coalition of centre right Forza Italia and populist right Lega Nord and Brothers of Italy is in government. In NZ too a rightwing government of centre right Nationals and populist NZ First and libertarian ACT are in government with PR and in Spain the PP and Vox are just a whisker away from government, also with PR. In Sweden as well the Sweden Democrats and Moderates have formed a rightwing government with PR
Farage really has to be one RefUK leader - imagine the debates ft him vs Sunak & Sir Keir; could all that ‘low immigration and high wages’ guff from Starmer end up with “I agree with Nige”?
The question is why won't NF do it? Not enough money involved? Can't be arsed? Doesn't really want to destroy the Tories despite his drivel?
Yes, that is a good question. If he really did want to destroy them, he will surely give it a go this year.
If Trump gets in again the effects on uk politics will be interesting. Will this aid the establishment of a more openly nationalist right wing party in the uk as Trump makes speeches about immigrants poisoning the lifeblood of the country. Interesting times.
If the weather continues at minus 20 in Finland, do you think this will impact on the output of Russian propoganda?
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
I dunno. My son plays football in an U15 team and the parents frequently comment on the likelihood of various 6ft opponents with a full beard being actually 25, black or white, it makes no difference. And we are mostly fully signed up members of the tofu eating wokerati.
I’d be surprised if anyone saying it about a young black man, or young female, on social media got away without a pile on.
There's an age-old tradition that its rude to discuss women's ages, so probably with a female yeah it might get more of a backlash, because it is rude.
There's absolutely no racial issue though and the same has happened with young black prodigies who look older than they are when they breakthrough without any backlash, such as already mentioned with Jude Bellingham.
There's nothing weird with mentioning Luke's appearance. He's 16 but he looks like he wouldn't be asked for ID in most Challenge 25 scenarios.
If Trump gets in again the effects on uk politics will be interesting. Will this aid the establishment of a more openly nationalist right wing party in the uk as Trump makes speeches about immigrants poisoning the lifeblood of the country. Interesting times.
If Trump gets in again, having won the GOP nomination and not gone 3rd party, then a defeated Tories would likely follow suit and elect a populist leader like Braverman or Badenoch or else risk being replaced by a Farage led Reform
Yes on the same note look how islamic calls to prayers outside our parliament are becoming much more common now.
We all know that pineapple on pizza is a food of the Gods. I've just made my son a pizza that used barbecue sauce rather than tomato sauce. Where does this rank in PB's dream foods?
And can a pizza without tomato sue be called a pizza?
It’s known as a pizza bianca
I’ve had it in Italy - what to the purists say about it, though?
Pizza originated in Naples, Italy and subsequently spread through the Roman Empire (yes, it’s that old!). It captured the hearts and taste buds of the world, including the United States. But when most Americans think “pizza,” what they’re usually thinking about is pizza made with a base of tomato sauce, known as “red” pizza. If on the other hand you travel to Italy, pizza’s home country, you’ll see that most menus offer you a choice of red or white pizza.
Essentially, red pizza is a pizza with a tomato sauce base, while white pizza is a pizza with a cheese base. The two traditions are equally venerable; ancient Romans used to cut their white pizza in two and eat it with figs or cheese and chicory, and white pizza—or pizza bianca—was first used to check the temperature of the bricks before cooking the bread for the day.
I've been watching quite a few cookery/travelogue shows of late and I'd be quite surprised if Italy (or 'Rome') could lay much of a claim to the dish. Across the middle east, north africa, georgia, you name it - there are similar dishes.
I would 100% give them props for "The Pizza" - as in the circular dough baked on high heat usually with some sort of olive-oil & cheese/meat topping though.
To quote Blackadder :
Blackadder: Now, Baldrick, go to the kitchen and make me something quick and simple to eat, would you? Two slices of bread with something in between.
Baldrick: What, like Gerald, Lord Sandwich had the other day?
Seattle Times (via AP) - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. qualifies for presidential ballot in Utah, the first state to grant him access
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has collected enough signatures to appear on the 2024 presidential ballot in Utah, election officials say, marking the first state where the independent candidate and prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist has qualified.
Kennedy has met the 1,000-signature requirement needed to qualify in Utah and can officially file to run as a presidential candidate in the state before a March 5 deadline, state Elections Director Ryan Cowley said.
Utah is the first state where Kennedy’s campaign submitted signatures and qualified for ballot access, campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear said. She did not indicate which day he would file for candidacy. . . .
SSI - Below are requirements for independent/3rd-party POTUS candidates for general election ballot:
To appear on the General Election ballot either as a nominee of a minor party or as an independent candidate, candidates must demonstrate support by Washington State voters through obtaining 1,000 signatures of Washington registered voters. These voters must attend a state convention held in support of the party or candidate. Conventions may only be during a specific period, from the first Saturday in May to the last Saturday in July. The Convention Chair must submit all required documents to the Secretary of State by the first Friday in August.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
They would. There have been endless insinuations about certain African footballers' birth certificates possibly not being entirely accurate over the years. Often with some level of seriousness.
And people's reactions would entirely depend on whether, as with Littler, it was for the most part good-natured jokey disbelief and awe. Or whether it was accompanied by some much nastier stuff.
When Jude Bellingham broke through at Birmingham there were lots of comments about scarcely being able to believe his age as there was this 6ft lad bossing fully grown men aged 16 - no one shouted racism because it was clear there was nothing sinister to it.
I think you are missing the point - Littler’s age isn’t being questioned just because he’s bossing fully grown men, it’s because he looks about 40.
Bellingham doesn’t look 20 years older than he is, he’s just a great footballer
Your first paragraph is why lots of people wouldn’t make the jokes about a hypothetical black Luke Littler, and would cry ‘racist’ if someone did
If Trump gets in again the effects on uk politics will be interesting. Will this aid the establishment of a more openly nationalist right wing party in the uk as Trump makes speeches about immigrants poisoning the lifeblood of the country. Interesting times.
If Trump gets in again, having won the GOP nomination and not gone 3rd party, then a defeated Tories would likely follow suit and elect a populist leader like Braverman or Badenoch or else risk being replaced by a Farage led Reform
Yes on the same note look how islamic calls to prayers outside our parliament are becoming much more common now.
If Trump gets in again the effects on uk politics will be interesting. Will this aid the establishment of a more openly nationalist right wing party in the uk as Trump makes speeches about immigrants poisoning the lifeblood of the country. Interesting times.
If Trump gets in again, having won the GOP nomination and not gone 3rd party, then a defeated Tories would likely follow suit and elect a populist leader like Braverman or Badenoch or else risk being replaced by a Farage led Reform
Yes on the same note look how islamic calls to prayers outside our parliament are becoming much more common now.
They are all British Airways pilots though. It's the only way they can struggle through their post-vax problems.
On that topic there has been this worrying trend notably coming to light,
A tragic start to a flight for all concerned, after a 52-year-old steward tragically collapsed as the busy flight from London Heathrow to Hong Kong prepared to depart.
The 2nd BA Steward to die onboard within 10 days too.
I am very pleased to disclose that Starbucks has had to struggle on without my custom for some 8 years or so. Even way back in my teens when I was into those horrible iced things, Starbucks ones were all gritty and sugary, whereas Coffee Republic they were smooth and tasted of coffee.
I can't stand Starbucks.
They impertinently ask for your name and then announce it several times loudly and publicly.
You don't have to tell them your real name.
Starbucks Barista - "May I have a name for your order?"
If Trump gets in again the effects on uk politics will be interesting. Will this aid the establishment of a more openly nationalist right wing party in the uk as Trump makes speeches about immigrants poisoning the lifeblood of the country. Interesting times.
If Trump gets in again, having won the GOP nomination and not gone 3rd party, then a defeated Tories would likely follow suit and elect a populist leader like Braverman or Badenoch or else risk being replaced by a Farage led Reform
Yes on the same note look how islamic calls to prayers outside our parliament are becoming much more common now.
They are all British Airways pilots though. It's the only way they can struggle through their post-vax problems.
On that topic there has been this worrying trend notably coming to light,
A tragic start to a flight for all concerned, after a 52-year-old steward tragically collapsed as the busy flight from London Heathrow to Hong Kong prepared to depart.
The 2nd BA Steward to die onboard within 10 days too.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
Emma Raducanu? Sky the skateboarder? I don't think they were called out as faking their age.
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
Labour at 21% ????
Tice's warning of a "Starmergeddon" gaining massive traction?
Tax cuts, reduction in Government spending of a whopping 5% and standards improving through reduction in "waste" under a Reform Government. So promoting the same old Mom and apple pie bollocks as Con and Lab.
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
It categorically did not.
It was like a free hit in Cricket. A chance to vote knowing that there was absolutely no chance that anyone "elected" would end up in Parliament, and to reaffirm the referendum result, and say that the Brexit deadlock in Parliament needed resolving.
The result was 99% due to Theresa May and the House of Commons, 1% if that due to Farage - and it only happened as it was not a Westminster election.
It still gave an indication of what could happen. I think your embarrassment at voting for Farage in 2019 means you overcompensate
Wales is, in a way, Labour’s biggest achilles heel. Place has been a shit-show since forever, and there appears no desire amongst the Welsh ruling class (nor the Welsh at large, tbh) to address it.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
Emma Raducanu? Sky the skateboarder? I don't think they were called out as faking their age.
Emma Raducanu didn’t look like she was in her late thirties when she was sixteen
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
14% now could easily turn into 20% at a general election.
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
So Reform would go from winning no seats under Tice to winning no seats under Farage.
Reform would be a clear 3rd on voteshare though, as UKIP were in 2015, on 14% and well ahead of the LDs on 10% with the Greens on 8%. UKIP also did get 1 MP for their 12% of the 2015 vote.
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42% https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
The 2019 Euros give an indication of what a Farage led party can do to the Tories when they have a leader their voters don’t like
It categorically did not.
It was like a free hit in Cricket. A chance to vote knowing that there was absolutely no chance that anyone "elected" would end up in Parliament, and to reaffirm the referendum result, and say that the Brexit deadlock in Parliament needed resolving.
The result was 99% due to Theresa May and the House of Commons, 1% if that due to Farage - and it only happened as it was not a Westminster election.
It still gave an indication of what could happen. I think your embarrassment at voting for Farage in 2019 means you overcompensate
I'm not embarrassed.
I didn't vote for Farage either.
I voted to send a message to the Commons and we got rid of Theresa May, got Boris in her stead and within a year we had Brexit done.
I was quite pleased with how I voted and in the same situation I'd do the same again . . . but only because it was a bullshit election that was utterly meaningless and was no more about sending Farage to Westminster than voting for him in I'm A Celeb was.
In a real election, to Westminster, people would vote differently.
“Meanwhile, campaigning in Surrey where the Liberal Democrats are hoping to win a number of Conservative-held seats at the next general election, party leader Sir Ed Davey said he regretted not asking "tougher questions" of Post Office managers when he was postal affairs minister in the coalition government from 2010 to 2012. Asked why he refused to meet Alan Bates, the postmaster who led the campaign to expose the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, he said: "It is a national scandal... dreadful and it's been going on for so long. The Conservative government really needs to sort out the compensation. "I regret not having asked the Post Office managers even tougher questions than I did." Asked why he accepted the Post Office's assertions at face value, Sir Ed replied: "I asked really tough questions of Post Office managers and indeed the officials. I wish I'd gone further." He congratulated Mr Bates for his campaign, he added.”
Ed Davey regrets his part in the Post Office scandal. That's all right then. He regrets it. He's not losing sleep over it, or money, or his job. Do the decent thing, Ed, or STFU.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
Emma Raducanu? Sky the skateboarder? I don't think they were called out as faking their age.
Emma Raducanu didn’t look like she was in her late thirties when she was sixteen
So what's your point?
Luke does, so people have commented on that about Luke, because its true.
Find a black or female 16 year old who looks like he's in his late thirties or forties and see if others haven't made remarks to that effect.
Its absurd, you don't have to turn everything into race.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
I dunno. My son plays football in an U15 team and the parents frequently comment on the likelihood of various 6ft opponents with a full beard being actually 25, black or white, it makes no difference. And we are mostly fully signed up members of the tofu eating wokerati.
I’d be surprised if anyone saying it about a young black man, or young female, on social media got away without a pile on.
There's an age-old tradition that its rude to discuss women's ages, so probably with a female yeah it might get more of a backlash, because it is rude.
There's absolutely no racial issue though and the same has happened with young black prodigies who look older than they are when they breakthrough without any backlash, such as already mentioned with Jude Bellingham.
There's nothing weird with mentioning Luke's appearance. He's 16 but he looks like he wouldn't be asked for ID in most Challenge 25 scenarios.
Jude Bellingham didn’t look old for a teenage athlete
John Rentoul @JohnRentoul · 1h Farage as leader would increase Reform vote from 11% to 14%, leaving Lab lead unchanged at 21pts: @YouGov for Times
Labour at 21% ????
Tice's warning of a "Starmergeddon" gaining massive traction?
Tax cuts, reduction in Government spending of a whopping 5% and standards improving through reduction in "waste" under a Reform Government. So promoting the same old Mom and apple pie bollocks as Con and Lab.
“Meanwhile, campaigning in Surrey where the Liberal Democrats are hoping to win a number of Conservative-held seats at the next general election, party leader Sir Ed Davey said he regretted not asking "tougher questions" of Post Office managers when he was postal affairs minister in the coalition government from 2010 to 2012. Asked why he refused to meet Alan Bates, the postmaster who led the campaign to expose the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, he said: "It is a national scandal... dreadful and it's been going on for so long. The Conservative government really needs to sort out the compensation. "I regret not having asked the Post Office managers even tougher questions than I did." Asked why he accepted the Post Office's assertions at face value, Sir Ed replied: "I asked really tough questions of Post Office managers and indeed the officials. I wish I'd gone further." He congratulated Mr Bates for his campaign, he added.”
Ed Davey regrets his part in the Post Office scandal. That's all right then. He regrets it. He's not losing sleep over it, or money, or his job. Do the decent thing, Ed, or STFU.
He was responsible for 19 months of the two decades. Who are the other ministers responsible, before or after?
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
Emma Raducanu? Sky the skateboarder? I don't think they were called out as faking their age.
Emma Raducanu didn’t look like she was in her late thirties when she was sixteen
So what's your point?
Luke does, so people have commented on that about Luke, because its true.
Find a black or female 16 year old who looks like he's in his late thirties or forties and see if others haven't made remarks to that effect.
Its absurd, you don't have to turn everything into race.
The point is that if a 16 yr old black sporting prodigy looked 38, people taking the piss out of that would be getting called racist by some people who are happy to take the piss out of Luke Littler for looking old
Breaking News - Uninformed sources suggest, that "Wilson" has (been) signed off PB, in order to go out gathering signatures to get RFKJr on the ballot in American Samoa.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
Emma Raducanu? Sky the skateboarder? I don't think they were called out as faking their age.
Emma Raducanu didn’t look like she was in her late thirties when she was sixteen
So what's your point?
Luke does, so people have commented on that about Luke, because its true.
Find a black or female 16 year old who looks like he's in his late thirties or forties and see if others haven't made remarks to that effect.
Its absurd, you don't have to turn everything into race.
The point is that if a 16 yr old black sporting prodigy looked 38, people taking the piss out of that would be getting called racist by some people who are happy to take the piss out of Luke Littler for looking old
Why would they? When has that ever happened?
Luke looks like he's in his late thirties or older. I think he looks older than I do and I'm 42, if I was working in a shop selling alcohol I wouldn't ask for his ID under Challenge 25. Commenting on that, is not racist, there is no race issue here.
All these jokes about Luke Littler looking old for his age… if he were a black 16 yr old and the same jokes were being made, I get the feeling a lot of those making the jokes would be saying “That’s a racist trope, you wouldn’t say it if he was white”
Early contender for the most bizarre post of 2024?
It’s bizarre that it’s true - if a black 16 yr old prodigy looked a lot older than his age, people wouldn’t dare say so, and those who did would be called out as racist for focussing on appearance rather than ability. I think the same logic works if it were a female prodigy
Emma Raducanu? Sky the skateboarder? I don't think they were called out as faking their age.
Emma Raducanu didn’t look like she was in her late thirties when she was sixteen
So what's your point?
Luke does, so people have commented on that about Luke, because its true.
Find a black or female 16 year old who looks like he's in his late thirties or forties and see if others haven't made remarks to that effect.
Its absurd, you don't have to turn everything into race.
The point is that if a 16 yr old black sporting prodigy looked 38, people taking the piss out of that would be getting called racist by some people who are happy to take the piss out of Luke Littler for looking old
Why would they? When has that ever happened?
Luke looks like he's in his late thirties or older. I think he looks older than I do and I'm 42, if I was working in a shop selling alcohol I wouldn't ask for his ID under Challenge 25. Commenting on that, is not racist, there is no race issue here.
Wales is, in a way, Labour’s biggest achilles heel. Place has been a shit-show since forever, and there appears no desire amongst the Welsh ruling class (nor the Welsh at large, tbh) to address it.
The tweeter is possibly not the most objective assessor of Labour, tbh...
I live in Wales and it is not as bad as the Tory client media would have us believe. Betsi Cadwallader and the botched rollout and certainly botched media rollout of the otherwise reasonable idea of the 20mph urban speed limit notwithstanding.
From my side of Offa's Dyke, the Welsh Government are a 4/10 exam pass. On the bright side the current Welsh government may be very vin ordinaire, but just imagine the sour grapes of a ruddy faced First Minister A.R.T. Davies. The Welsh answer to Liz Truss.
Comments
According to the Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/02/global-heating-beavers-alaska-northern-canada
If Farage returned as Reform leader the Sunak Tories would fall to only 21%, just 7% ahead of Reform (as opposed to 11% ahead of the current Tice led Reform) who are closer to the Tories than the Tories are to Labour on 42%
https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1742602515324035262?s=20
https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/news/beavers-have-been-returned-west-london-first-time-400-years
Olives, capers and anchovies on an extra-tomato-ey base.
Sadly, they stopped offering it as a takeaway option - only for sit-in now.
https://x.com/henrymoeranbbc/status/1742552236092215784?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q
https://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2019/12/01/your-regular-reminder-that-hypothetical-polls-can-be-as-accurate-as-an-american-war-film/
Here's another example of hypothetical polling is bobbins.
https://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2022/10/23/why-hypothetical-polling-is-bobbins/
I'm not saying that a similar solution doesn't exist this time, but it's a lot less obvious.
Whereas hypothetical polls in 1990 correctly predicted that Major would overcome Thatcher's deficit against Kinnock, in 1994 that Blair was the strongest contender for Labour, in 2005 that Cameron was the strongest contender for the Tories and in early 2019 that Boris would beat Corbyn
It's a game of darts. Luke looks older than he is.
Essentially, red pizza is a pizza with a tomato sauce base, while white pizza is a pizza with a cheese base. The two traditions are equally venerable; ancient Romans used to cut their white pizza in two and eat it with figs or cheese and chicory, and white pizza—or pizza bianca—was first used to check the temperature of the bricks before cooking the bread for the day.
Combined Yougov has the Tories and a Farage led Reform on 35%, yet divided the Tories are on just 21%. In that scenario PR would actually be better for the Tories, otherwise as in Canada in the post 1993 split between the Canadian Tories and Reform FPTP just splits the rightwing vote (which it did until the Tories and Canadian Alliance, successor to Reform, merged in 2003 to form today's Conservative Party of Canada). In the US too if Trump doesn't get the GOP nomination and goes 3rd party he could also hand the election to Biden on a plate via the FPTP EC.
While in Italy, which has PR, a united coalition of centre right Forza Italia and populist right Lega Nord and Brothers of Italy is in government. In NZ too a rightwing government of centre right Nationals and populist NZ First and libertarian ACT are in government with PR and in Spain the PP and Vox are just a whisker away from government, also with PR. In Sweden as well the Sweden Democrats and Moderates have formed a rightwing government with PR. Of course Netanyahu's broad rightwing government of multiple parties in Israel has also been elected via PR
And if you are in jail?
BREAK OUT...
That's a system that's utterly brutal to nationwide parties on 21 percent.
And to parties that are being attacked on both flanks.
In the prediction challenge, I went for "Labour by a big but not quite landslide win". That requires the Conservatives to be a bit below 200, but not much.
If RefUK don't get squeezed, they can pretty easily destroy the Conservatives, whilst picking up few seats themselves. And I don't see a viable way that Rishi can win them over. (Hand over to Suella running on Get ECHRxit Done?)
"pizza
/ˈpiːtsə/
noun
a dish of Italian origin, consisting of a flat round base of dough baked with a topping of tomatoes and cheese, typically with added meat, fish, or vegetables."
It's cheese on toast. Just about edible if nothing else available. Nothing much else to say is there?
I note a poll from Deltapoll shows a Labour lead of 14 points:
📊 Labour lead of 14pts
Westminster voting intention:
LAB: 42% (+2)
CON: 28% (-1)
LDEM: 12% (+1)
REF: 9% (+2)
GRN: 6% (-1)
via
@DeltapollUK
, 22 - 29 Dec
https://twitter.com/BritainElects/status/1742550874994466991 (via X, formerly Twitter).
What is left to move the dial? The Tories have thrown everything at the wall and nothing seems to be sticking, at this point it feels like managed decline rather than an approach to improve the country in any meaningful way.
I will see you all tomorrow
We're in the clear for the next week or so.
Good job too.
And people's reactions would entirely depend on whether, as with Littler, it was for the most part good-natured jokey disbelief and awe. Or whether it was accompanied by some much nastier stuff.
When Jude Bellingham broke through at Birmingham there were lots of comments about scarcely being able to believe his age as there was this 6ft lad bossing fully grown men aged 16 - no one shouted racism because it was clear there was nothing sinister to it.
Well. You could get a points deduction. Join the club!
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/jan/03/nottingham-forest-face-questions-over-jonjo-shelveys-confused-exit-from-club
Conservative Party at the next election. More - I think a Labour majority is now a 90%+
I think a labour majority is nailed on, but I think the polls will narrow somewhat. Expect a day of ‘The Day The Polls Turned’ once during the campaign…
There’s literally no one to replace him with who can turn it around either, they’ve made a mess of it that their worst enemies couldn’t have dreamed of
It was like a free hit in Cricket. A chance to vote knowing that there was absolutely no chance that anyone "elected" would end up in Parliament, and to reaffirm the referendum result, and say that the Brexit deadlock in Parliament needed resolving.
The result was 99% due to Theresa May and the House of Commons, 1% if that due to Farage - and it only happened as it was not a Westminster election.
The second is that he doesn't want to be tied to a seat, having been defeated seven times. He would prefer the national stage.
There's absolutely no racial issue though and the same has happened with young black prodigies who look older than they are when they breakthrough without any backlash, such as already mentioned with Jude Bellingham.
There's nothing weird with mentioning Luke's appearance. He's 16 but he looks like he wouldn't be asked for ID in most Challenge 25 scenarios.
https://x.com/OnlyAsking3/status/1742613990977486870?s=20
Though I don't support points deductions for business reasons, only sporting ones. Slap them with a transfer ban rather than points off.
I would 100% give them props for "The Pizza" - as in the circular dough baked on high heat usually with some sort of olive-oil & cheese/meat topping though.
To quote Blackadder :
Seattle Times (via AP) - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. qualifies for presidential ballot in Utah, the first state to grant him access
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has collected enough signatures to appear on the 2024 presidential ballot in Utah, election officials say, marking the first state where the independent candidate and prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist has qualified.
Kennedy has met the 1,000-signature requirement needed to qualify in Utah and can officially file to run as a presidential candidate in the state before a March 5 deadline, state Elections Director Ryan Cowley said.
Utah is the first state where Kennedy’s campaign submitted signatures and qualified for ballot access, campaign spokesperson Stefanie Spear said. She did not indicate which day he would file for candidacy. . . .
SSI - Below are requirements for independent/3rd-party POTUS candidates for general election ballot:
To appear on the General Election ballot either as a nominee of a minor party or as an independent candidate, candidates must demonstrate support by Washington State voters through obtaining 1,000 signatures of Washington registered voters. These voters must attend a state convention held in support of the party or candidate. Conventions may only be during a specific period, from the first Saturday in May to the last Saturday in July. The Convention Chair must submit all required documents to the Secretary of State by the first Friday in August.
https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/candidates-campaigns/filing-resources/running-president-united-states
Bellingham doesn’t look 20 years older than he is, he’s just a great footballer
Your first paragraph is why lots of people wouldn’t make the jokes about a hypothetical black Luke Littler, and would cry ‘racist’ if someone did
A tragic start to a flight for all concerned, after a 52-year-old steward tragically collapsed as the busy flight from London Heathrow to Hong Kong prepared to depart.
The 2nd BA Steward to die onboard within 10 days too.
https://thesun.co.uk/news/25233892/tragedy-as-british-airways-steward-dies/
https://x.com/waynetlc/status/1742585181725192503?s=20
The Prisoner - "I am NOT a name!"
I've seen volleyballs that lasted longer.
Tax cuts, reduction in Government spending of a whopping 5% and standards improving through reduction in "waste" under a Reform Government. So promoting the same old Mom and apple pie bollocks as Con and Lab.
I didn't vote for Farage either.
I voted to send a message to the Commons and we got rid of Theresa May, got Boris in her stead and within a year we had Brexit done.
I was quite pleased with how I voted and in the same situation I'd do the same again . . . but only because it was a bullshit election that was utterly meaningless and was no more about sending Farage to Westminster than voting for him in I'm A Celeb was.
In a real election, to Westminster, people would vote differently.
Luke does, so people have commented on that about Luke, because its true.
Find a black or female 16 year old who looks like he's in his late thirties or forties and see if others haven't made remarks to that effect.
Its absurd, you don't have to turn everything into race.
Littler for looking old
Luke looks like he's in his late thirties or older. I think he looks older than I do and I'm 42, if I was working in a shop selling alcohol I wouldn't ask for his ID under Challenge 25. Commenting on that, is not racist, there is no race issue here.
From my side of Offa's Dyke, the Welsh Government are a 4/10 exam pass. On the bright side the current Welsh government may be very vin ordinaire, but just imagine the sour grapes of a ruddy faced First Minister A.R.T. Davies. The Welsh answer to Liz Truss.
I'm extremely bored of discussions of Luke's looks. Please move on.