What we need to talk about is s4 of the Hate Crime and Public Order (S) Act 2021 which is due to come into force on 1st April 2024. This is apparently too long for a single post.
4 Offences of stirring up hatred (1) A person commits an offence if— (a) the person— (i) behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would consider to be threatening, abusive or insulting, or (ii) communicates to another person material that a reasonable person would consider to be threatening, abusive or insulting, and (b) either— (i) in doing so, the person intends to stir up hatred against a group of persons based on the group being defined by reference to race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), or ethnic or national origins, or (ii) a reasonable person would consider the behaviour or the communication of the material to be likely to result in hatred being stirred up against such a group. (2) A person commits an offence if— (a) the person— ... (ii) communicates to another person material that a reasonable person would consider to be threatening or abusive, and (b) in doing so, the person intends to stir up hatred against a group of persons based on the group being defined by reference to a characteristic mentioned in subsection (3). (3) The characteristics are— (a) age, (b) disability, (c) religion or, in the case of a social or cultural group, perceived religious affiliation, (d) sexual orientation, (e) transgender identity, (f) variations in sex characteristics.
I was going to wait for April Fools Day to bring this up.
It's shocking. The SNP are plunging the county into a form of authoritarian dystopia.
What push back is happening in Scotland over this. Will it damage the SNP electorally?
Who knows? The relevant Minister is promising that the police will investigate every complaint, a promise they do not make, for example, in respect of burglary. They can also record any such alleged incident even when they take the view that an actual offence has not occurred.
As a side not apropos of the conversation the other day...that allegation was investigated or not will then show up on an enhanced dbs check
On present polling I am not entirely confident that the Tories will come second here.
And yet, me, FPT
Well... in 62.4% Leave Wellingborough, Reform got third place and 13.0%. And that was with just about the worst possible Conservative candidate.
Reform's probelm in a nutshell. They hurt the Conservative vote everywhere but probably can't win anywhere. Their core vote- grumpy old men who don't like the way the world is going and especially don't like their own decrepitude- is too dispersed.
A question for people who support vat on private school fees. (note no skin in this game whatsoever as wont affect me). Do you also support vat on university fees as well which are also currently exempt and serve a minority of people in the country and also provide the networking effect.
If not justify why its different
For god's sake don't introduce logic into it all.
Like you I couldn't care less it sounds vaguely right not to have a tax exemption for the most privileged folk in the land (bless 'em). I think however that the (un?)intended consequences of the effect on the state sector will be one of those elements that those involved curse to high heaven while the Lab politicians put it away as job done.
What I wonder do the state sector heads think about the possible influx of more students into their midsts.
As each of them will arrive with five grand+ funding and, presumably, reasonably engaged parents, most heads will be delighted unless they are heavily over subscribed and Tristram only got in because said parents came to the admissions appeal armed with a top barrister…
Yes that is probably true. And, without making any assumptions, perhaps those heads might be concerned at the standards those parents had previously expected and might expect at their new school.
I really don’t think the expensive barrister argument works - any school that is over subscribed fully understands how to handle admission appeals - an expensive barrister isn’t going to help them, the staff member quietly telling you the key phrases to write in the appeal document is
My point about welcoming pointy-elbowed parents (the example was given that it would help petition govt for funds) is that some of their pointy-elbowedness might be aimed at the school itself if it is thought it doesn't measure up to their previous private school.
A question for people who support vat on private school fees. (note no skin in this game whatsoever as wont affect me). Do you also support vat on university fees as well which are also currently exempt and serve a minority of people in the country and also provide the networking effect.
If not justify why its different
For god's sake don't introduce logic into it all.
Like you I couldn't care less it sounds vaguely right not to have a tax exemption for the most privileged folk in the land (bless 'em). I think however that the (un?)intended consequences of the effect on the state sector will be one of those elements that those involved curse to high heaven while the Lab politicians put it away as job done.
What I wonder do the state sector heads think about the possible influx of more students into their midsts.
As each of them will arrive with five grand+ funding and, presumably, reasonably engaged parents, most heads will be delighted unless they are heavily over subscribed and Tristram only got in because said parents came to the admissions appeal armed with a top barrister…
Yes that is probably true. And, without making any assumptions, perhaps those heads might be concerned at the standards those parents had previously expected and might expect at their new school.
I really don’t think the expensive barrister argument works - any school that is over subscribed fully understands how to handle admission appeals - an expensive barrister isn’t going to help them, the staff member quietly telling you the key phrases to write in the appeal document is
My point about welcoming pointy-elbowed parents (the example was given that it would help petition govt for funds) is that some of their pointy-elbowedness might be aimed at the school itself if it is thought it doesn't measure up to their previous private school.
Most heads would welcome more pushy parents trying to get the school to improve.
When I was a school governor - it got to the point where I literally created a governing body of parents and former teaching staff because no parents cared
On present polling I am not entirely confident that the Tories will come second here.
Will be an interesting test for Reform. Their performance in Wellingborough was not great - the Tories' blundering campaign gave them every possible advantage and they still only got 13%. They had a high media profile but their grassroots effort was pretty useless, they were even observed campaigning in the next door constituency on polling day. Can they get their act together this time?
A question for people who support vat on private school fees. (note no skin in this game whatsoever as wont affect me). Do you also support vat on university fees as well which are also currently exempt and serve a minority of people in the country and also provide the networking effect.
If not justify why its different
For god's sake don't introduce logic into it all.
Like you I couldn't care less it sounds vaguely right not to have a tax exemption for the most privileged folk in the land (bless 'em). I think however that the (un?)intended consequences of the effect on the state sector will be one of those elements that those involved curse to high heaven while the Lab politicians put it away as job done.
What I wonder do the state sector heads think about the possible influx of more students into their midsts.
As each of them will arrive with five grand+ funding and, presumably, reasonably engaged parents, most heads will be delighted unless they are heavily over subscribed and Tristram only got in because said parents came to the admissions appeal armed with a top barrister…
Yes that is probably true. And, without making any assumptions, perhaps those heads might be concerned at the standards those parents had previously expected and might expect at their new school.
I really don’t think the expensive barrister argument works - any school that is over subscribed fully understands how to handle admission appeals - an expensive barrister isn’t going to help them, the staff member quietly telling you the key phrases to write in the appeal document is
My point about welcoming pointy-elbowed parents (the example was given that it would help petition govt for funds) is that some of their pointy-elbowedness might be aimed at the school itself if it is thought it doesn't measure up to their previous private school.
Most heads would welcome more pushy parents trying to get the school to improve.
When I was a school governor - it got to the point where I literally created a governing body of parents and former teaching staff because no parents cared
On present polling I am not entirely confident that the Tories will come second here.
Will be an interesting test for Reform. Their performance in Wellingborough was not great - the Tories' blundering campaign gave them every possible advantage and they still only got 13%. They had a high media profile but their grassroots effort was pretty useless, they were even observed campaigning in the next door constituency on polling day. Can they get their act together this time?
Given the area it really is prime Reform territory. Being frank
if they can’t make it here, they won’t make it anywhere
Judge Merchan to Trump's team: "That you don't have a case right now is really disconcerting."
"You are literally accusing the Manhattan DA's office and the people assigned to this case of prosecutorial misconduct." Merchan says Trump's team doesn't have a single example to support that allegation. https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1772279809034359218
A question for people who support vat on private school fees. (note no skin in this game whatsoever as wont affect me). Do you also support vat on university fees as well which are also currently exempt and serve a minority of people in the country and also provide the networking effect.
If not justify why its different
For god's sake don't introduce logic into it all.
Like you I couldn't care less it sounds vaguely right not to have a tax exemption for the most privileged folk in the land (bless 'em). I think however that the (un?)intended consequences of the effect on the state sector will be one of those elements that those involved curse to high heaven while the Lab politicians put it away as job done.
What I wonder do the state sector heads think about the possible influx of more students into their midsts.
As each of them will arrive with five grand+ funding and, presumably, reasonably engaged parents, most heads will be delighted unless they are heavily over subscribed and Tristram only got in because said parents came to the admissions appeal armed with a top barrister…
Yes that is probably true. And, without making any assumptions, perhaps those heads might be concerned at the standards those parents had previously expected and might expect at their new school.
I really don’t think the expensive barrister argument works - any school that is over subscribed fully understands how to handle admission appeals - an expensive barrister isn’t going to help them, the staff member quietly telling you the key phrases to write in the appeal document is
My point about welcoming pointy-elbowed parents (the example was given that it would help petition govt for funds) is that some of their pointy-elbowedness might be aimed at the school itself if it is thought it doesn't measure up to their previous private school.
Most heads would welcome more pushy parents trying to get the school to improve.
When I was a school governor - it got to the point where I literally created a governing body of parents and former teaching staff because no parents cared
And to an extent, that's happening already. The kind of middle class parents who would have sent their kids private a couple of generations ago mostly don't now. And that does change the norms in schools in a good way.
Judge Merchan to Trump's team: "That you don't have a case right now is really disconcerting."
"You are literally accusing the Manhattan DA's office and the people assigned to this case of prosecutorial misconduct." Merchan says Trump's team doesn't have a single example to support that allegation. https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1772279809034359218
Justice Merchan kicker before the morning recess:
“The People went so far above and beyond what they were required to do that it’s odd that we’re even here.”
On present polling I am not entirely confident that the Tories will come second here.
Will be an interesting test for Reform. Their performance in Wellingborough was not great - the Tories' blundering campaign gave them every possible advantage and they still only got 13%. They had a high media profile but their grassroots effort was pretty useless, they were even observed campaigning in the next door constituency on polling day. Can they get their act together this time?
Given the area it really is prime Reform territory. Being frank
if they can’t make it here, they won’t make it anywhere
Are you suggesting they should get the former MP for Braintree to be their candidate?
On present polling I am not entirely confident that the Tories will come second here.
Will be an interesting test for Reform. Their performance in Wellingborough was not great - the Tories' blundering campaign gave them every possible advantage and they still only got 13%. They had a high media profile but their grassroots effort was pretty useless, they were even observed campaigning in the next door constituency on polling day. Can they get their act together this time?
Given the area it really is prime Reform territory. Being frank
if they can’t make it here, they won’t make it anywhere
Are you suggesting they should get the former MP for Braintree to be their candidate?
The judgment against him stands pending appeal. No reason given for the reduction in the bond amount. (One has to take the special Trump consideration as read, I guess. And yes, it's pathetic.)
Can someone indicate the likely time-frame for this appeal? Assuming that Trump is able to post the $175Mn by the new deadline, what then happens and how soon can the appeal be heard? In my mind it seems plausible that the appeal might reduce the amount of the fine, but it seems unlikely to completely throw out the whole case - so just wondering when Trump will have to actually pay up?
The judgment against him stands pending appeal. No reason given for the reduction in the bond amount. (One has to take the special Trump consideration as read, I guess. And yes, it's pathetic.)
It looks like 5 judges were overseeing this and the court is likely to have a much more Democrat leaning judiciary given its NY so we can’t really blame this on some pro Trump judge .
As I appear to be too late to be the first to ramp the chances of Reform pushing the Cons into third in Blackpool, can I be the first to ask if there are markets on a) the Reform candidate being found to have made some dodgy social media comments, or b) a scandal engulfing either or both (or both together!) the Lab and Con candidates!
The judgment against him stands pending appeal. No reason given for the reduction in the bond amount. (One has to take the special Trump consideration as read, I guess. And yes, it's pathetic.)
It looks like 5 judges were overseeing this and the court is likely to have a much more Democrat leaning judiciary given its NY so we can’t really blame this on some pro Trump judge .
If he can't make $175m within 10 days he is so screwed....
On present polling I am not entirely confident that the Tories will come second here.
Will be an interesting test for Reform. Their performance in Wellingborough was not great - the Tories' blundering campaign gave them every possible advantage and they still only got 13%. They had a high media profile but their grassroots effort was pretty useless, they were even observed campaigning in the next door constituency on polling day. Can they get their act together this time?
Blackpool South: The Borough of Blackpool wards of Bloomfield, Brunswick, Clifton, Hawes Side, Highfield, Marton, Squires Gate, Stanley, Talbot, Tyldesley, Victoria, and Waterloo.
Would have thought this was gift week for Reform looking at the constituency...
The judgment against him stands pending appeal. No reason given for the reduction in the bond amount. (One has to take the special Trump consideration as read, I guess. And yes, it's pathetic.)
I am losing track, is this the one where he's being charged that money because someone accused him of dragging them into a department store changing cubicle and raping them and he denied it, thus unfairly damaging their reputation?
On present polling I am not entirely confident that the Tories will come second here.
Will be an interesting test for Reform. Their performance in Wellingborough was not great - the Tories' blundering campaign gave them every possible advantage and they still only got 13%. They had a high media profile but their grassroots effort was pretty useless, they were even observed campaigning in the next door constituency on polling day. Can they get their act together this time?
Reform's performance in Blackpool will be most, er, illuminating...
On present polling I am not entirely confident that the Tories will come second here.
Will be an interesting test for Reform. Their performance in Wellingborough was not great - the Tories' blundering campaign gave them every possible advantage and they still only got 13%. They had a high media profile but their grassroots effort was pretty useless, they were even observed campaigning in the next door constituency on polling day. Can they get their act together this time?
Blackpool South: The Borough of Blackpool wards of Bloomfield, Brunswick, Clifton, Hawes Side, Highfield, Marton, Squires Gate, Stanley, Talbot, Tyldesley, Victoria, and Waterloo.
Would have thought this was gift week for Reform looking at the constituency...
Yep - Reform should be a strong second place (absolute) minimum.
Now Reform being first (unlikely) or a strong second place is going to destroy Rishi with Red Wall Troy MPs as all hope is lost.
But it will equally destroy reform if they don’t do well here - so as a by election it’s going to give us a good idea of how the next election will play out
The judgment against him stands pending appeal. No reason given for the reduction in the bond amount. (One has to take the special Trump consideration as read, I guess. And yes, it's pathetic.)
I am losing track, is this the one where he's being charged that money because someone accused him of dragging them into a department store changing cubicle and raping them and he denied it, thus unfairly damaging their reputation?
The judgment against him stands pending appeal. No reason given for the reduction in the bond amount. (One has to take the special Trump consideration as read, I guess. And yes, it's pathetic.)
I am losing track, is this the one where he's being charged that money because someone accused him of dragging them into a department store changing cubicle and raping them and he denied it, thus unfairly damaging their reputation?
Nope this is the obtaining loans via overstating values one
The judgment against him stands pending appeal. No reason given for the reduction in the bond amount. (One has to take the special Trump consideration as read, I guess. And yes, it's pathetic.)
I am losing track, is this the one where he's being charged that money because someone accused him of dragging them into a department store changing cubicle and raping them and he denied it, thus unfairly damaging their reputation?
The judgment against him stands pending appeal. No reason given for the reduction in the bond amount. (One has to take the special Trump consideration as read, I guess. And yes, it's pathetic.)
It looks like 5 judges were overseeing this and the court is likely to have a much more Democrat leaning judiciary given its NY so we can’t really blame this on some pro Trump judge .
If he can't make $175m within 10 days he is so screwed....
Even Donny Deadbeat ought to be able to raise that much.
The judgment against him stands pending appeal. No reason given for the reduction in the bond amount. (One has to take the special Trump consideration as read, I guess. And yes, it's pathetic.)
I am losing track, is this the one where he's being charged that money because someone accused him of dragging them into a department store changing cubicle and raping them and he denied it, thus unfairly damaging their reputation?
Nope this is the obtaining loans via overstating values one
Whether what happened in 1971 should be called a "genocide" depends on the definition on the word -- but what happened was certainly horrific: "Seeking to curtail the Bengali self-determination movement, erstwhile Pakistani president Yahya Khan approved a large-scale military deployment, and in the nine-month-long conflict that ensued, Pakistani soldiers and local pro-Pakistan militias killed between 300,000 and 3,000,000 Bengalis and raped between 200,000 and 400,000 Bengali women in a systematic campaign of mass murder and genocidal sexual violence.[3] In their investigation of the genocide, the Geneva-based International Commission of Jurists concluded that Pakistan's campaign involved the attempt to exterminate or forcibly remove a significant portion of the country's Hindu populace." source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_genocide
(As the article notes at the beginning, both the factual accuracy and the neutrality of the article are "disputed". I know of no simple way for anyone not a historian specializing in the conflict to resolve those disputes, but if there is an accessible source that any of you can recommend, I would be grateful to know that.)
Can someone indicate the likely time-frame for this appeal? Assuming that Trump is able to post the $175Mn by the new deadline, what then happens and how soon can the appeal be heard? In my mind it seems plausible that the appeal might reduce the amount of the fine, but it seems unlikely to completely throw out the whole case - so just wondering when Trump will have to actually pay up?
If I read it right, they said September 2024 for the appeals.
It does start to look as though either (a) the American judicial system is more broken than the Titanic or (b) Trump really *is* getting special treatment due to his politics.
Of course, the latter does to a great degree imply the former.
There have been 12 by-elections in the 17 months since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister; the Conservatives have lost half of them (hat-tip: @hanwo0dward).
On present polling I am not entirely confident that the Tories will come second here.
Will be an interesting test for Reform. Their performance in Wellingborough was not great - the Tories' blundering campaign gave them every possible advantage and they still only got 13%. They had a high media profile but their grassroots effort was pretty useless, they were even observed campaigning in the next door constituency on polling day. Can they get their act together this time?
Given the area it really is prime Reform territory. Being frank
if they can’t make it here, they won’t make it anywhere
And if I can make it there I'm gonna make it anywhere It's up to you Blackpool South, Blackpool South.
I predicted this this morning, the American legal system has a real problem with being nasty to rich white guys, but it is still a bitter disappointment.
There have been 12 by-elections in the 17 months since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister; the Conservatives have lost half of them (hat-tip: @hanwo0dward).
Only half . The only one I can think of that they won was Bozos old seat .
I predicted this this morning, the American legal system has a real problem with being nasty to rich white guys, but it is still a bitter disappointment.
On this basis all thats going to happen is rich people will leave NY and go to places like Texas and Florida where they dont get hassled.
There have been 12 by-elections in the 17 months since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister; the Conservatives have lost half of them (hat-tip: @hanwo0dward).
Only half . The only one I can think of that they won was Bozos old seat .
A question for people who support vat on private school fees. (note no skin in this game whatsoever as wont affect me). Do you also support vat on university fees as well which are also currently exempt and serve a minority of people in the country and also provide the networking effect.
If not justify why its different
For god's sake don't introduce logic into it all.
Like you I couldn't care less it sounds vaguely right not to have a tax exemption for the most privileged folk in the land (bless 'em). I think however that the (un?)intended consequences of the effect on the state sector will be one of those elements that those involved curse to high heaven while the Lab politicians put it away as job done.
What I wonder do the state sector heads think about the possible influx of more students into their midsts.
As each of them will arrive with five grand+ funding and, presumably, reasonably engaged parents, most heads will be delighted unless they are heavily over subscribed and Tristram only got in because said parents came to the admissions appeal armed with a top barrister…
Yes that is probably true. And, without making any assumptions, perhaps those heads might be concerned at the standards those parents had previously expected and might expect at their new school.
I really don’t think the expensive barrister argument works - any school that is over subscribed fully understands how to handle admission appeals - an expensive barrister isn’t going to help them, the staff member quietly telling you the key phrases to write in the appeal document is
My point about welcoming pointy-elbowed parents (the example was given that it would help petition govt for funds) is that some of their pointy-elbowedness might be aimed at the school itself if it is thought it doesn't measure up to their previous private school.
Most heads would welcome more pushy parents trying to get the school to improve.
When I was a school governor - it got to the point where I literally created a governing body of parents and former teaching staff because no parents cared
And to an extent, that's happening already. The kind of middle class parents who would have sent their kids private a couple of generations ago mostly don't now. And that does change the norms in schools in a good way.
I've heard stories from teacher friends where they have all but begged parents to make a fuss with the Council because that's the only way to improve things.
I predicted this this morning, the American legal system has a real problem with being nasty to rich white guys, but it is still a bitter disappointment.
On this basis all thats going to happen is rich people will leave NY and go to places like Texas and Florida where they dont get hassled.
That doesn't appear to have helped Trump evade the consequences of his frauds.
The uselessness of the American legal system is helping him mightily though.
On present polling I am not entirely confident that the Tories will come second here.
Will be an interesting test for Reform. Their performance in Wellingborough was not great - the Tories' blundering campaign gave them every possible advantage and they still only got 13%. They had a high media profile but their grassroots effort was pretty useless, they were even observed campaigning in the next door constituency on polling day. Can they get their act together this time?
Reform's performance in Blackpool will be most, er, illuminating...
I predicted this this morning, the American legal system has a real problem with being nasty to rich white guys, but it is still a bitter disappointment.
On this basis all thats going to happen is rich people will leave NY and go to places like Texas and Florida where they dont get hassled.
That doesn't appear to have helped Trump evade the consequences of his frauds.
Only becuase he was working under the current system.
If he had had no investments in NY then he wouldnt have been dragged in to court,
The other prosecutions are by and large polictically based rather than financial.
There have been 12 by-elections in the 17 months since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister; the Conservatives have lost half of them (hat-tip: @hanwo0dward).
Only half . The only one I can think of that they won was Bozos old seat .
There have been 12 by-elections in the 17 months since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister; the Conservatives have lost half of them (hat-tip: @hanwo0dward).
Only half . The only one I can think of that they won was Bozos old seat .
I predicted this this morning, the American legal system has a real problem with being nasty to rich white guys, but it is still a bitter disappointment.
On this basis all thats going to happen is rich people will leave NY and go to places like Texas and Florida where they dont get hassled.
They look kindly on fraud there ? (So long as you're rich.)
Interesting article from Opinium's Adam Drummond on what the Conservatives can do to win back defectors to Reform.
Summary: they can't. Reform supporters hate the Tories and want things on eg Immigration that are impossible to deliver.
Loss to Reform isn't even the Conservatives biggest problem. They have lost a similar number to Labour whom they are not going to get back in at least the short term. Their best hope is keep some Don't Knows and hang on to maybe a bit over half their previous vote.
On present polling I am not entirely confident that the Tories will come second here.
Will be an interesting test for Reform. Their performance in Wellingborough was not great - the Tories' blundering campaign gave them every possible advantage and they still only got 13%. They had a high media profile but their grassroots effort was pretty useless, they were even observed campaigning in the next door constituency on polling day. Can they get their act together this time?
Blackpool South: The Borough of Blackpool wards of Bloomfield, Brunswick, Clifton, Hawes Side, Highfield, Marton, Squires Gate, Stanley, Talbot, Tyldesley, Victoria, and Waterloo.
Would have thought this was gift week for Reform looking at the constituency...
Yep - Reform should be a strong second place (absolute) minimum.
Now Reform being first (unlikely) or a strong second place is going to destroy Rishi with Red Wall Troy MPs as all hope is lost.
But it will equally destroy reform if they don’t do well here - so as a by election it’s going to give us a good idea of how the next election will play out
Interesting article from Opinium's Adam Drummond on what the Conservatives can do to win back defectors to Reform.
Summary: they can't. Reform supporters hate the Tories and want things on eg Immigration that are impossible to deliver.
Loss to Reform isn't even the Conservatives biggest problem. They have lost a similar number to Labour whom they are not going to get back in at least the short term. Their best hope is keep some Don't Knows and hang on to maybe a bit over half their previous vote.
A counterfactual to consider: imagine that Blair had won an even bigger landslide in 1997. How would the path back to power have looked for a party of the right?
Interesting article from Opinium's Adam Drummond on what the Conservatives can do to win back defectors to Reform.
Summary: they can't. Reform supporters hate the Tories and want things on eg Immigration that are impossible to deliver.
Loss to Reform isn't even the Conservatives biggest problem. They have lost a similar number to Labour whom they are not going to get back in at least the short term. Their best hope is keep some Don't Knows and hang on to maybe a bit over half their previous vote.
A counterfactual to consider: imagine that Blair had won an even bigger landslide in 1997. How would the path back to power have looked for a party of the right?
There have been 12 by-elections in the 17 months since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister; the Conservatives have lost half of them (hat-tip: @hanwo0dward).
Only half . The only one I can think of that they won was Bozos old seat .
Interesting article from Opinium's Adam Drummond on what the Conservatives can do to win back defectors to Reform.
Summary: they can't. Reform supporters hate the Tories and want things on eg Immigration that are impossible to deliver.
Loss to Reform isn't even the Conservatives biggest problem. They have lost a similar number to Labour whom they are not going to get back in at least the short term. Their best hope is keep some Don't Knows and hang on to maybe a bit over half their previous vote.
My view is that if Trump agrees to the POTUS debates he will have a mad, rambling, ranting meltdown in at least one of them and that will be the end of his chances with enough independents to seal another term for Biden.
I have bet accordingly.
I doubt sadly he will agree to any debates however.
Yes and no. On one hand you can see it for what it is (disingenuous at best when central funding is such a large part of the council's funds) but also a lot of people still (rightly or wrongly) associate Labour with profligacy and poor financial management and it will resonate with them.
Remember winning elections is not about winning over the intelligent folk on PB...
There have been 12 by-elections in the 17 months since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister; the Conservatives have lost half of them (hat-tip: @hanwo0dward).
And does he get any credit on PB for generating this remarkable number of betting opportunities? Not a whisper.
My view is that if Trump agrees to the POTUS debates he will have a mad, rambling, ranting meltdown in at least one of them and that will be the end of his chances with enough independents to seal another term for Biden.
I have bet accordingly.
I doubt sadly he will agree to any debates however.
There's a big risk that what you consider to be a mad, rambling, ranting meltdown will go down well with that part of the electorate.
On present polling I am not entirely confident that the Tories will come second here.
Will be an interesting test for Reform. Their performance in Wellingborough was not great - the Tories' blundering campaign gave them every possible advantage and they still only got 13%. They had a high media profile but their grassroots effort was pretty useless, they were even observed campaigning in the next door constituency on polling day. Can they get their act together this time?
Given the area it really is prime Reform territory. Being frank
if they can’t make it here, they won’t make it anywhere
Are you suggesting they should get the former MP for Braintree to be their candidate?
It's up to you, Newmark, Newmark!
Theeeese....vagabond blues (Tara-dara-dah-dah) Aaaaare melting awaaay...
Greetings all, been a while. Just popping by and thought I'd say hello. In terms of Blackpool South, it's been a low turnout constituency since the turn of the millennium, which may impact. Saw some comment from Luke Tryl of More In Common saying focus group responses there suggest very low esteem for all politicians/disillusionment rampant etc which suggests to me Reform might get a reasonable return if they can capture a plague on all your houses thing, maybe helped by a May 2nd date (local electors who might not have bothered for just a by election). Easy Labour regain, they need to go beyond 50% to suggest major progress imo. Hope you're all well
Judge Merchan to Trump's team: "That you don't have a case right now is really disconcerting."
"You are literally accusing the Manhattan DA's office and the people assigned to this case of prosecutorial misconduct." Merchan says Trump's team doesn't have a single example to support that allegation. https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1772279809034359218
This is the Republican candidate for the Presidency too !!
My view is that if Trump agrees to the POTUS debates he will have a mad, rambling, ranting meltdown in at least one of them and that will be the end of his chances with enough independents to seal another term for Biden.
I have bet accordingly.
I doubt sadly he will agree to any debates however.
There's a big risk that what you consider to be a mad, rambling, ranting meltdown will go down well with that part of the electorate.
There have been 12 by-elections in the 17 months since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister; the Conservatives have lost half of them (hat-tip: @hanwo0dward).
And does he get any credit on PB for generating this remarkable number of betting opportunities? Not a whisper.
He is losing the General Election one seat at a time...
Deltapoll has Con 26% (+3) Lab 44% (-2) Lib Dem 9% (-) Reform 11% (-1) SNP 3% (+1) Green 6% (+1) Other 2% (-1) Fieldwork: 22nd-25th March 2024 Sample: 1,589 GB adults Reversion to mean from last week. One interesting nugget is economic competence score at 44 34 to Labour. 34 is the best Tory return on this metric for over a year. In and of itself a nothingness but the sort of thing they'd need to see more regularly to claw back some ground.
Deltapoll has Con 26% (+3) Lab 44% (-2) Lib Dem 9% (-) Reform 11% (-1) SNP 3% (+1) Green 6% (+1) Other 2% (-1) Fieldwork: 22nd-25th March 2024 Sample: 1,589 GB adults Reversion to mean from last week. One interesting nugget is economis competence score at 44 34 to Labour. 34 is the best Tory return on this metric for over a year. In and of itself a nothingness but the sort of thing they'd need to see more regularly to law back some ground.
But is it not true that this is an area where the Cons traditionally had leads, if not large leads, over Labour? So being at -10 (34 to 44) is not good at all. It may be an 'improvement', but it still won't save them
Deltapoll has Con 26% (+3) Lab 44% (-2) Lib Dem 9% (-) Reform 11% (-1) SNP 3% (+1) Green 6% (+1) Other 2% (-1) Fieldwork: 22nd-25th March 2024 Sample: 1,589 GB adults Reversion to mean from last week. One interesting nugget is economis competence score at 44 34 to Labour. 34 is the best Tory return on this metric for over a year. In and of itself a nothingness but the sort of thing they'd need to see more regularly to law back some ground.
My view is that if Trump agrees to the POTUS debates he will have a mad, rambling, ranting meltdown in at least one of them and that will be the end of his chances with enough independents to seal another term for Biden.
I have bet accordingly.
I doubt sadly he will agree to any debates however.
There's a big risk that what you consider to be a mad, rambling, ranting meltdown will go down well with that part of the electorate.
I think that's a very good point. All the things that should have completely discredited Trump (his indictments, his convictions, his poor business sense, his lack of knowledge of, or even interest in, government, economics, diplomacy, the coup attempt, etc. etc.) have lost him the supporters he wouldn't get anyway - the sane, the sensible and the civilised. Anybody whose votes he could lose from being terrible has already surely deserted him.
The only way I can see of reducing his support amongst the rest is to cut off the oxygen of publicity from him. That's why they stick with him - he's funny and outrageous. Unfortunately he is a brilliant self-publicist, he makes great copy and he's the candidate for one of the two parties, so I don't think that will happen, this year at least.
Deltapoll has Con 26% (+3) Lab 44% (-2) Lib Dem 9% (-) Reform 11% (-1) SNP 3% (+1) Green 6% (+1) Other 2% (-1) Fieldwork: 22nd-25th March 2024 Sample: 1,589 GB adults Reversion to mean from last week. One interesting nugget is economis competence score at 44 34 to Labour. 34 is the best Tory return on this metric for over a year. In and of itself a nothingness but the sort of thing they'd need to see more regularly to law back some ground.
But is it not true that this is an area where the Cons traditionally had leads, if not large leads, over Labour? So being at -10 (34 to 44) is not good at all. It may be an 'improvement', but it still won't save them
No it won't save them, but an improvement might see them lose by, say, 10 to 15 instead of much closer to 20 and up. They are a mile on broken glass in bare feet from closing the gap to HP
Deltapoll has Con 26% (+3) Lab 44% (-2) Lib Dem 9% (-) Reform 11% (-1) SNP 3% (+1) Green 6% (+1) Other 2% (-1) Fieldwork: 22nd-25th March 2024 Sample: 1,589 GB adults Reversion to mean from last week. One interesting nugget is economis competence score at 44 34 to Labour. 34 is the best Tory return on this metric for over a year. In and of itself a nothingness but the sort of thing they'd need to see more regularly to law back some ground.
Swingback. Or noise.
Nice to see you back.
Thank you. Just Reversion to somewhere around the Deltapoll mean. Find out if last weeks Redfield was also an outlier shortly.
Comments
me, FPT
Well... in 62.4% Leave Wellingborough, Reform got third place and 13.0%. And that was with just about the worst possible Conservative candidate.
Reform's probelm in a nutshell. They hurt the Conservative vote everywhere but probably can't win anywhere. Their core vote- grumpy old men who don't like the way the world is going and especially don't like their own decrepitude- is too dispersed.
When I was a school governor - it got to the point where I literally created a governing body of parents and former teaching staff because no parents cared
Miscarriage of Justice.
https://twitter.com/MuellerSheWrote/status/1772284507938340963
if they can’t make it here, they won’t make it anywhere
Judge Merchan to Trump's team: "That you don't have a case right now is really disconcerting."
"You are literally accusing the Manhattan DA's office and the people assigned to this case of prosecutorial misconduct." Merchan says Trump's team doesn't have a single example to support that allegation.
https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1772279809034359218
X's case against the CCDH is dismissed, with the judge ruling that the suit was intended to punish CCDH for free speech
https://twitter.com/kateconger/status/1772278638508912849
“The People went so far above and beyond what they were required to do that it’s odd that we’re even here.”
https://x.com/klasfeldreports/status/1772280812576051364?s=46&t=cxkq0jndvkhIwWZCCEL3QQ
It's up to you, Newmark, Newmark!
https://twitter.com/KlasfeldReports/status/1772282068795347282
The judgment against him stands pending appeal. No reason given for the reduction in the bond amount.
(One has to take the special Trump consideration as read, I guess. And yes, it's pathetic.)
Musk should pony up the legal fees for CCDH without being forced to by the court.
https://twitter.com/RomanValentinus/status/1772281615328202855
There is a police commissioner election on the 2nd
Would have thought this was gift week for Reform looking at the constituency...
Now Reform being first (unlikely) or a strong second place is going to destroy Rishi with Red Wall Troy MPs as all hope is lost.
But it will equally destroy reform if they don’t do well here - so as a by election it’s going to give us a good idea of how the next election will play out
It’s very unlikely though that Trump could appeal any loss there to the Supreme Court .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_Genocide_Remembrance_Day
Whether what happened in 1971 should be called a "genocide" depends on the definition on the word -- but what happened was certainly horrific:
"Seeking to curtail the Bengali self-determination movement, erstwhile Pakistani president Yahya Khan approved a large-scale military deployment, and in the nine-month-long conflict that ensued, Pakistani soldiers and local pro-Pakistan militias killed between 300,000 and 3,000,000 Bengalis and raped between 200,000 and 400,000 Bengali women in a systematic campaign of mass murder and genocidal sexual violence.[3] In their investigation of the genocide, the Geneva-based International Commission of Jurists concluded that Pakistan's campaign involved the attempt to exterminate or forcibly remove a significant portion of the country's Hindu populace."
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_genocide
(As the article notes at the beginning, both the factual accuracy and the neutrality of the article are "disputed". I know of no simple way for anyone not a historian specializing in the conflict to resolve those disputes, but if there is an accessible source that any of you can recommend, I would be grateful to know that.)
It does start to look as though either (a) the American judicial system is more broken than the Titanic or (b) Trump really *is* getting special treatment due to his politics.
Of course, the latter does to a great degree imply the former.
@hanwo0dward).
I'm gonna make it anywhere
It's up to you
Blackpool South, Blackpool South.
UN security council passes resolution calling for immediate ceasefire, as US abstains
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/mar/25/israel-gaza-live-unrwa-aid-north-gaza-un-security-council-vote-ceasefire-middle-east-latest
https://www.reuters.com/legal/trump-has-hours-cover-454-million-judgment-or-risk-property-seizure-2024-03-25/
I predicted this this morning, the American legal system has a real problem with being nasty to rich white guys, but it is still a bitter disappointment.
6 Tory losses
1 Tory hold
1 Labour loss
3 Labour holds
1 SNP loss.
https://x.com/conservatives/status/1772292369972334671?s=46&t=2iv1prQ4P8HyMrM-UX0Dig
Don’t they realise how tone-deaf this is?
The uselessness of the American legal system is helping him mightily though.
If he had had no investments in NY then he wouldnt have been dragged in to court,
The other prosecutions are by and large polictically based rather than financial.
(So long as you're rich.)
Summary: they can't. Reform supporters hate the Tories and want things on eg Immigration that are impossible to deliver.
Loss to Reform isn't even the Conservatives biggest problem. They have lost a similar number to Labour whom they are not going to get back in at least the short term. Their best hope is keep some Don't Knows and hang on to maybe a bit over half their previous vote.
https://opinium.substack.com/p/for-conservative-to-reform-defectors?triedRedirect=true
Trump says he's Jesus.
https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1772270369400934709
- Tories 1 (-6)
- Lab 9 (+5)
- LDs 1 (+1)
- Workers Party 1 (+1)
- SNP 0 (-1)
On my first visit, I was taken there by (now) Lord Roberts of Belgravia and while there a famous royal biographer tried urgently to seduce me
My more recent visit was less colourful, I confess. Perhaps that’s why I now find it dull
The judge allows him to do so, and the DA has a week to respond.
How might that motion fare?
The judge's parting words:
"That's fine. See you all on the 15th."
https://twitter.com/KlasfeldReports/status/1772296666504147023
I have bet accordingly.
I doubt sadly he will agree to any debates however.
Remember winning elections is not about winning over the intelligent folk on PB...
(Tara-dara-dah-dah)
Aaaaare melting awaaay...
In terms of Blackpool South, it's been a low turnout constituency since the turn of the millennium, which may impact. Saw some comment from Luke Tryl of More In Common saying focus group responses there suggest very low esteem for all politicians/disillusionment rampant etc which suggests to me Reform might get a reasonable return if they can capture a plague on all your houses thing, maybe helped by a May 2nd date (local electors who might not have bothered for just a by election).
Easy Labour regain, they need to go beyond 50% to suggest major progress imo.
Hope you're all well
This anecdote is new to me.
John Carpenter on horror classic The Thing: ‘It was an enormous failure and I got fired’
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/mar/25/john-carpenter-kurt-russell-the-thing-horror-classic
...Ennio Morricone wrote the score. I went to see him in Rome. He didn’t speak any English and I didn’t speak any Italian. He played me a couple of things and, through a translator, I said: “In general, can I request you use fewer notes?” He did – and the result is the opening theme...
Worth noting that Reform currently don’t have a candidate which is a might strange given this by election has been obvious for a while https://www.reformparty.uk/blackpool-south-constituency
Con 26% (+3)
Lab 44% (-2)
Lib Dem 9% (-)
Reform 11% (-1)
SNP 3% (+1)
Green 6% (+1)
Other 2% (-1)
Fieldwork: 22nd-25th March 2024
Sample: 1,589 GB adults
Reversion to mean from last week. One interesting nugget is economic competence score at 44 34 to Labour. 34 is the best Tory return on this metric for over a year. In and of itself a nothingness but the sort of thing they'd need to see more regularly to claw back some ground.
Nice to see you back.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e0GUT_H6ubM
The only way I can see of reducing his support amongst the rest is to cut off the oxygen of publicity from him. That's why they stick with him - he's funny and outrageous. Unfortunately he is a brilliant self-publicist, he makes great copy and he's the candidate for one of the two parties, so I don't think that will happen, this year at least.
"her first response was 'it's f&$$ing miles away'. There hasn't been a second response."
The same is probably true of Boris.