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Can I Tell You a Secret? – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 12,158
edited July 17 in General
imageCan I Tell You a Secret? – politicalbetting.com

Most of the things that make voters happy or sad, richer or poorer… well… governments have very little power over them. 

Read the full story here

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Comments

  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 17,391
    First
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,575
    TOPPING said:

    I would bloody love to know what SKS thought of Joe Biden in his meeting with him.

    Don't suppose we will be finding out any time soon but interesting to ponder.

    An American journalist should have taken the opportunity to ask him about his policy of retirement at 80 for members of the House of Lords.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,540
    No wickets for a while please.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,157
    Chris said:

    https://x.com/rachaelmbade/status/1811382505825554818

    @SpeakerPelosi has been advising frontline members to voice their district & do what they need for re-election -- even if it means calling on Biden to step aside. (Her one request: wait until NATO concludes out of respect for the office & Biden)

    For other safe-seat members, she's encouraging them to take their desire for him to step aside straight to the WH or campaign to minimize party infighting.

    For her part, Pelosi has told some people that Biden won't win and should step aside.

    It looks as though Biden and Harris may be approaching crossover on Betfair.
    FPT They've crossed over a few times on Betfair
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 17,391
    Agree re the header. For all those who have banged on endlessly about how rubbish the Tories have been, and how its all about Partygate and Brexit, in reality the biggest factors by far have been the response to Covid and Ukraine. Combined the two led to huge spikes in inflation after 15 years with historically low figures. People became used to low interest rates were shocked, shocked that outside effects could mean they need to pay more for their mortgage. Anyone older than 40 would know that and those 55 and older will bang on about 15% interest rates.
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 17,391
    Andy_JS said:

    No wickets for a while please.

    I'd much prefer a spirited WI batting performance. A two day win (or early tomorrow) does little for Test cricket as a whole.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 8,633
    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,539
    Andy_JS said:

    No wickets for a while please.

    Well, none during tea anyway....
  • FeersumEnjineeyaFeersumEnjineeya Posts: 4,408
    edited July 11

    Agree re the header. For all those who have banged on endlessly about how rubbish the Tories have been, and how its all about Partygate and Brexit, in reality the biggest factors by far have been the response to Covid and Ukraine. Combined the two led to huge spikes in inflation after 15 years with historically low figures. People became used to low interest rates were shocked, shocked that outside effects could mean they need to pay more for their mortgage. Anyone older than 40 would know that and those 55 and older will bang on about 15% interest rates.

    While the trend in interest rates was indeed already upwards, Liz Truss's mini-budget added a memorable blip to the graph.

    Edit, oh and yes, my dad was paying 15% at one point. But that was on a house that he bought for £20K and which sold for £600K a few years ago.
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 17,391

    Agree re the header. For all those who have banged on endlessly about how rubbish the Tories have been, and how its all about Partygate and Brexit, in reality the biggest factors by far have been the response to Covid and Ukraine. Combined the two led to huge spikes in inflation after 15 years with historically low figures. People became used to low interest rates were shocked, shocked that outside effects could mean they need to pay more for their mortgage. Anyone older than 40 would know that and those 55 and older will bang on about 15% interest rates.

    While the trend in interest rates was indeed already upwards, Liz Truss's mini-budget added a memorable blip to the graph.
    I don't think it did much to the longer term trend, but it did give opponents a huge stick to beat the Tories with.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,397
    It's impossible for me to read any Arnie quote without hearing his voice in my head.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,110
    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    Wages are rising, but people are still worse off than four years ago.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 42,809
    edited July 11
    O/T but the latest PR triumph for the Met.

    Using real deceased people's identities for their undercover officers. But not just babies', Day of the Jackal style: actual adults'.

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jul/11/undercover-police-public-inquiry-identity-michael-hartley-frank-bennett
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,539
    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
  • TazTaz Posts: 14,361
    Carnyx said:

    O/T but the latest PR triumph for the Met.

    Using real deceased people's identities for their undercover officers. But not just babies', Day of the Jackal style: actual adults'.

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jul/11/undercover-police-public-inquiry-identity-michael-hartley-frank-bennett

    So this makes them no better than organised crime gangs.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,575

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    Anyone taking over during the middle of the pandemic would have a similar record.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,575
    https://x.com/ziayus/status/1811341993462702407

    It is an honour to be appointed Chairman of Reform UK.

    Against all odds, under @Nigel_Farage leadership, our people’s movement won 4 million votes, 14% of the vote, elected 5 MPs with 98 second places.

    This is just the beginning. The important work of professionalising the party, building national infrastructure and continuing to grow membership has already begun.

    I will bring all my expertise, energy and passion to the role to ensure we achieve our mission of returning Great Britain to greatness.
  • CookieCookie Posts: 13,765
    Good article Robert - thanks.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 8,633
    Carnyx said:

    O/T but the latest PR triumph for the Met.

    Using real deceased people's identities for their undercover officers. But not just babies', Day of the Jackal style: actual adults'.

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jul/11/undercover-police-public-inquiry-identity-michael-hartley-frank-bennett

    Moving the Met's national responsibilities to the GB wide BTP could have been Starmer Labour's BoE independence moment.
  • eekeek Posts: 28,362
    rcs1000 said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    Wages are rising, but people are still worse off than four years ago.
    +1 - I heard a telling story a while back about people not going out to eat as often as they had before because the cost of eating out had risen so much.. And it's things like that people notice way more than anything else...
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,540
    Interesting header, thanks.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,575
    eek said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    Wages are rising, but people are still worse off than four years ago.
    +1 - I heard a telling story a while back about people not going out to eat as often as they had before because the cost of eating out had risen so much.. And it's things like that people notice way more than anything else...
    Flattening the income distribution makes the people in the middle feel relatively worse off.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 42,809
    Eabhal said:

    Carnyx said:

    O/T but the latest PR triumph for the Met.

    Using real deceased people's identities for their undercover officers. But not just babies', Day of the Jackal style: actual adults'.

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jul/11/undercover-police-public-inquiry-identity-michael-hartley-frank-bennett

    Moving the Met's national responsibilities to the GB wide BTP could have been Starmer Labour's BoE independence moment.
    Interesting thought.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 55,228

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 42,809

    eek said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    Wages are rising, but people are still worse off than four years ago.
    +1 - I heard a telling story a while back about people not going out to eat as often as they had before because the cost of eating out had risen so much.. And it's things like that people notice way more than anything else...
    Flattening the income distribution makes the people in the middle feel relatively worse off.
    Doesn't explain relative increase in dinnersoutlessness, though.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,575
    Carnyx said:

    eek said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    Wages are rising, but people are still worse off than four years ago.
    +1 - I heard a telling story a while back about people not going out to eat as often as they had before because the cost of eating out had risen so much.. And it's things like that people notice way more than anything else...
    Flattening the income distribution makes the people in the middle feel relatively worse off.
    Doesn't explain relative increase in dinnersoutlessness, though.
    It does. If the wages for service workers go up, the number of people who can afford to pay them goes down.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,110
    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan definitely emboldened Putin.

    But on the other hand, that was just Biden following Trump's plan.

    Regarding Israel and Gaza: I do wonder if Putin's hand was involved there too. Russia and Iran are close. And Iran is the main backer of Hamas. It was definitely in Putin's interest to have the West distracted by Israel. Could he have nudged (supplied money) etc? Or am I being paranoid?

    But that's about it, no? I mean you could point to China's military build up, but that started long before either Trump or Biden became President.
  • FlatlanderFlatlander Posts: 4,660
    5-4-2-1

    Not the figures of someone who is done...
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 21,968
    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The world was much more dangerous under Trump.

    It was under him we had a global pandemic and lockdowns.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,540
    edited July 11
    Slugfest at Wimbledon between Paolini and Vekic.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/live/c6pp2llm5krt
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 50,186

    Carnyx said:

    eek said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    Wages are rising, but people are still worse off than four years ago.
    +1 - I heard a telling story a while back about people not going out to eat as often as they had before because the cost of eating out had risen so much.. And it's things like that people notice way more than anything else...
    Flattening the income distribution makes the people in the middle feel relatively worse off.
    Doesn't explain relative increase in dinnersoutlessness, though.
    It does. If the wages for service workers go up, the number of people who can afford to pay them goes down.
    Yup - in London, going to the pub is now an expensive thing. Too expensive for many young people.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 23,104
    Dethreaded.

    So, can anyone see behind the first statement from Louise Haigh, the Transport Minister:

    New Transport Secretary Louise Haigh promised to deliver the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation.

    The Secretary of State immediately convened officials to begin work at pace across the department on rail reform, further devolution of bus powers, ensuring infrastructure works for the whole country, and supporting local authorities to fix roads for the long term.

    In her first address to Department for Transport (DfT) staff on Monday (8 July 2024), Haigh set out her 5 strategic priorities, putting transport at the heart of mission-driven government.

    They include:

    improving performance on the railways and driving forward rail reform
    improving bus services and growing usage across the country
    transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country, promoting social mobility and tackling regional inequality
    delivering greener transport
    better integrating transport networks

    Getting straight into action, the Transport Secretary’s first official visit later this week will be focused on plans to deliver better buses in every corner of the country, beginning a round of engagement with Mayors and devolved leaders who will be key delivery partners.


    And we have:

    The newly-appointed Rail Minister, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE will also bring decades of experience to help realise the Government’s ambition of transforming infrastructure and improving public transport to deliver for passengers.

    In addition, the Prime Minister has announced the appointment of new ministers at the Department, including Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood MP, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP, and Aviation, Maritime, and Security Minister Mike Kane MP.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-sets-out-5-key-priorities-to-deliver-the-biggest-overhaul-to-transport-in-a-generation

    Thoughts?
  • maaarshmaaarsh Posts: 3,590

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    If he couldn't post a jobs rebound taking over in the first Covid January then you really would worry. The stockmarket highs have more than a little to do with inflation figures that not many people are thankful for. Joe can try to run on his record, if he can remember it, but it won't do him much good.
  • maaarshmaaarsh Posts: 3,590

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The world was much more dangerous under Trump.

    It was under him we had a global pandemic and lockdowns.
    It was also under him the Vaccines were developed, and the announcement of that fact was deferred until the week after the election.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 27,840
    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan definitely emboldened Putin.

    But on the other hand, that was just Biden following Trump's plan.

    Regarding Israel and Gaza: I do wonder if Putin's hand was involved there too. Russia and Iran are close. And Iran is the main backer of Hamas. It was definitely in Putin's interest to have the West distracted by Israel. Could he have nudged (supplied money) etc? Or am I being paranoid?

    But that's about it, no? I mean you could point to China's military build up, but that started long before either Trump or Biden became President.
    Russia might have prompted Hamas but all the indications were it took Iran completely by surprise, so not by the mechanism you propose.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 27,840
    maaarsh said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The world was much more dangerous under Trump.

    It was under him we had a global pandemic and lockdowns.
    It was also under him the Vaccines were developed, and the announcement of that fact was deferred until the week after the election.
    That was the odd thing about the last US election. Trump had a good story to tell about the pandemic, and his and VP Pence's role in combating it, but because Trump was running scared of the alt-right covid conspiracy nuts, he did not make that case.
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 11,043

    Agree re the header. For all those who have banged on endlessly about how rubbish the Tories have been, and how its all about Partygate and Brexit, in reality the biggest factors by far have been the response to Covid and Ukraine. Combined the two led to huge spikes in inflation after 15 years with historically low figures. People became used to low interest rates were shocked, shocked that outside effects could mean they need to pay more for their mortgage. Anyone older than 40 would know that and those 55 and older will bang on about 15% interest rates.

    I accept much of Robert’s thesis, but I’d also point out that the Tory polling doesn’t quite fit your description of events here. The Conservatives, as other governments, saw a COVID-19 poll boost initially. I don’t think voters globally did particularly blame incumbents for COVID. What voters didn’t like were, as we all agree, the post-COVID financial shocks.

    I note that Tory polling started falling with Partygate and it was a fairly flat line of decline from then until the start of the election campaign, barring the blip down with Truss. So, yes, inflation was a big part of that, but that doesn’t mean Partygate wasn’t part of it as well. All incumbents during this recent period of inflation have been hit in subsequent elections, but not all equally.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,569
    200 wickets and 6000 runs for Stokes, only 3rd cricketer to achieve that feat.
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 11,043

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    There is, however, a considerable disjunction between the US stock exchange and most voters’ experience of the economy.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,157
    Sandpit said:

    200 wickets and 6000 runs for Stokes, only 3rd cricketer to achieve that feat.

    Kallis and Kapil Dev the other two ?

    Not Googled or espned that..
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,569
    Pulpstar said:

    Sandpit said:

    200 wickets and 6000 runs for Stokes, only 3rd cricketer to achieve that feat.

    Kallis and Kapil Dev the other two ?

    Not Googled or espned that..
    Sobers and Kallis.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,054
    franklyn said:

    What is the email address for the editor of politicalbetting.com if I want to discuss submitting an article?

    Thanks

    Good afternoon @rcs1000 and @TheScreamingEagles . PB commentator @franklyn wishes to supply an article. Would you like to tell him how to do so?
  • MattW said:


    The newly-appointed Rail Minister, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE will also bring decades of experience to help realise the Government’s ambition of transforming infrastructure and improving public transport to deliver for passengers.

    In addition, the Prime Minister has announced the appointment of new ministers at the Department, including Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood MP, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP, and Aviation, Maritime, and Security Minister Mike Kane MP.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-sets-out-5-key-priorities-to-deliver-the-biggest-overhaul-to-transport-in-a-generation

    Thoughts?

    Peter Hendy lives and breathes public transport, but the rest appear to be seat-warmers. I would be pleasantly surprised if they achieve any positive changes at all.

    From a personal perspective, my fondest transport wish - reform of the hopeless motorcycle licensing system, the proposals for which have been sitting on a DfT shelf since 2016 - now looks vanishingly unlikely to happen.

  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,157
    Sandpit said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Sandpit said:

    200 wickets and 6000 runs for Stokes, only 3rd cricketer to achieve that feat.

    Kallis and Kapil Dev the other two ?

    Not Googled or espned that..
    Sobers and Kallis.
    https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/1000-runs-and-100-wickets-282786

    Jimmy Anderson on the list :D
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,569

    maaarsh said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The world was much more dangerous under Trump.

    It was under him we had a global pandemic and lockdowns.
    It was also under him the Vaccines were developed, and the announcement of that fact was deferred until the week after the election.
    That was the odd thing about the last US election. Trump had a good story to tell about the pandemic, and his and VP Pence's role in combating it, but because Trump was running scared of the alt-right covid conspiracy nuts, he did not make that case.
    One of Trump’s personal proud achievements in office was “Operation Warp Speed”, the US code name name for the accelerated development and approval of the Covid vaccines. Almost every time he mentions it at his rallies, a significant proportion of the the crowd boos loudly.

    It’s an example of the contrarianism and polarisation seen by both sides in US politics, and the change in leadership happened just as the vaccine rollout started. The liberal media switched almost overnight from “Trump’s dangerous vaccine” to “Biden’s wonderful vaccine”.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,110

    Carnyx said:

    eek said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    Wages are rising, but people are still worse off than four years ago.
    +1 - I heard a telling story a while back about people not going out to eat as often as they had before because the cost of eating out had risen so much.. And it's things like that people notice way more than anything else...
    Flattening the income distribution makes the people in the middle feel relatively worse off.
    Doesn't explain relative increase in dinnersoutlessness, though.
    It does. If the wages for service workers go up, the number of people who can afford to pay them goes down.
    In that scenario, the wages of service workers would have risen in real terms, while the wages of others would not. And while there has been a small amount of relative outperformance, the wages of service workers have fallen in real terms. (By a fairly staggering 8.5% peak to trough.)

    What this tells you is that the principle reason why costs - of food, etc - have risen is not because of paying people more, but because input costs are more expensive, in particular:

    (1) Energy is much more expensive than it was (thanks to the Russian invasion of Ukraine)
    (2) Agricultural products are also much more expensive (same reason, albeit indirectly via the Haber process)
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,110
    Sandpit said:

    maaarsh said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The world was much more dangerous under Trump.

    It was under him we had a global pandemic and lockdowns.
    It was also under him the Vaccines were developed, and the announcement of that fact was deferred until the week after the election.
    That was the odd thing about the last US election. Trump had a good story to tell about the pandemic, and his and VP Pence's role in combating it, but because Trump was running scared of the alt-right covid conspiracy nuts, he did not make that case.
    One of Trump’s personal proud achievements in office was “Operation Warp Speed”, the US code name name for the accelerated development and approval of the Covid vaccines. Almost every time he mentions it at his rallies, a significant proportion of the the crowd boos loudly.

    It’s an example of the contrarianism and polarisation seen by both sides in US politics, and the change in leadership happened just as the vaccine rollout started. The liberal media switched almost overnight from “Trump’s dangerous vaccine” to “Biden’s wonderful vaccine”.
    Did the liberal media really shout about "Trump's dangerous vaccine"?

    Could I see some links?
  • BournvilleBournville Posts: 309
    MattW said:

    Dethreaded.

    So, can anyone see behind the first statement from Louise Haigh, the Transport Minister:

    New Transport Secretary Louise Haigh promised to deliver the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation.

    The Secretary of State immediately convened officials to begin work at pace across the department on rail reform, further devolution of bus powers, ensuring infrastructure works for the whole country, and supporting local authorities to fix roads for the long term.

    In her first address to Department for Transport (DfT) staff on Monday (8 July 2024), Haigh set out her 5 strategic priorities, putting transport at the heart of mission-driven government.

    They include:

    improving performance on the railways and driving forward rail reform
    improving bus services and growing usage across the country
    transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country, promoting social mobility and tackling regional inequality
    delivering greener transport
    better integrating transport networks

    Getting straight into action, the Transport Secretary’s first official visit later this week will be focused on plans to deliver better buses in every corner of the country, beginning a round of engagement with Mayors and devolved leaders who will be key delivery partners.




    Thoughts?

    Revolutionary. Why did no one think of just improving things, telling civil servants to work faster, or "engaging with key delivery partners" before?
  • ianian Posts: 23

    MattW said:


    The newly-appointed Rail Minister, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE will also bring decades of experience to help realise the Government’s ambition of transforming infrastructure and improving public transport to deliver for passengers.

    In addition, the Prime Minister has announced the appointment of new ministers at the Department, including Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood MP, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP, and Aviation, Maritime, and Security Minister Mike Kane MP.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-sets-out-5-key-priorities-to-deliver-the-biggest-overhaul-to-transport-in-a-generation

    Thoughts?

    Peter Hendy lives and breathes public transport, but the rest appear to be seat-warmers. I would be pleasantly surprised if they achieve any positive changes at all.

    From a personal perspective, my fondest transport wish - reform of the hopeless motorcycle licensing system, the proposals for which have been sitting on a DfT shelf since 2016 - now looks vanishingly unlikely to happen.

    Lilian Greenwood has been specialising in transport for quite some time, not just a seat warmer
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 11,043
    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    maaarsh said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The world was much more dangerous under Trump.

    It was under him we had a global pandemic and lockdowns.
    It was also under him the Vaccines were developed, and the announcement of that fact was deferred until the week after the election.
    That was the odd thing about the last US election. Trump had a good story to tell about the pandemic, and his and VP Pence's role in combating it, but because Trump was running scared of the alt-right covid conspiracy nuts, he did not make that case.
    One of Trump’s personal proud achievements in office was “Operation Warp Speed”, the US code name name for the accelerated development and approval of the Covid vaccines. Almost every time he mentions it at his rallies, a significant proportion of the the crowd boos loudly.

    It’s an example of the contrarianism and polarisation seen by both sides in US politics, and the change in leadership happened just as the vaccine rollout started. The liberal media switched almost overnight from “Trump’s dangerous vaccine” to “Biden’s wonderful vaccine”.
    Did the liberal media really shout about "Trump's dangerous vaccine"?

    Could I see some links?
    The phrase “Trump’s dangerous vaccine” gets a mere three hits on Google.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,859

    Agree re the header. For all those who have banged on endlessly about how rubbish the Tories have been, and how its all about Partygate and Brexit, in reality the biggest factors by far have been the response to Covid and Ukraine. Combined the two led to huge spikes in inflation after 15 years with historically low figures. People became used to low interest rates were shocked, shocked that outside effects could mean they need to pay more for their mortgage. Anyone older than 40 would know that and those 55 and older will bang on about 15% interest rates.

    Yet the inflation spike was in 2022 and the Tory ratings began falling sharply in 2021.

  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,575
    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    maaarsh said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The world was much more dangerous under Trump.

    It was under him we had a global pandemic and lockdowns.
    It was also under him the Vaccines were developed, and the announcement of that fact was deferred until the week after the election.
    That was the odd thing about the last US election. Trump had a good story to tell about the pandemic, and his and VP Pence's role in combating it, but because Trump was running scared of the alt-right covid conspiracy nuts, he did not make that case.
    One of Trump’s personal proud achievements in office was “Operation Warp Speed”, the US code name name for the accelerated development and approval of the Covid vaccines. Almost every time he mentions it at his rallies, a significant proportion of the the crowd boos loudly.

    It’s an example of the contrarianism and polarisation seen by both sides in US politics, and the change in leadership happened just as the vaccine rollout started. The liberal media switched almost overnight from “Trump’s dangerous vaccine” to “Biden’s wonderful vaccine”.
    Did the liberal media really shout about "Trump's dangerous vaccine"?

    Could I see some links?
    There were definitely reports that framed the rush to develop a vaccine as risky:

    https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/the-risks-and-rewards-of-operation-warp-speeds-approach-to-vaccines
  • Nunu5Nunu5 Posts: 964
    Should there be a bank holiday if England win Euro 2024?

    All Britons
    Yes: 39%
    No: 51%

    18-24 year olds
    Yes: 55%
    No: 32%

    65+ year olds
    Yes: 18%
    No: 73%

    https://yougov.co.uk/topics/society

    Why are our old people so miserable?
  • Nunu5Nunu5 Posts: 964

    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    maaarsh said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The world was much more dangerous under Trump.

    It was under him we had a global pandemic and lockdowns.
    It was also under him the Vaccines were developed, and the announcement of that fact was deferred until the week after the election.
    That was the odd thing about the last US election. Trump had a good story to tell about the pandemic, and his and VP Pence's role in combating it, but because Trump was running scared of the alt-right covid conspiracy nuts, he did not make that case.
    One of Trump’s personal proud achievements in office was “Operation Warp Speed”, the US code name name for the accelerated development and approval of the Covid vaccines. Almost every time he mentions it at his rallies, a significant proportion of the the crowd boos loudly.

    It’s an example of the contrarianism and polarisation seen by both sides in US politics, and the change in leadership happened just as the vaccine rollout started. The liberal media switched almost overnight from “Trump’s dangerous vaccine” to “Biden’s wonderful vaccine”.
    Did the liberal media really shout about "Trump's dangerous vaccine"?

    Could I see some links?
    There were definitely reports that framed the rush to develop a vaccine as risky:

    https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/the-risks-and-rewards-of-operation-warp-speeds-approach-to-vaccines
    Well yes of course it's risky to develop a vaccine at speed. Duh
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,309
    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    what kind of mumbo jumbo bollox is that.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 21,968
    IanB2 said:

    Agree re the header. For all those who have banged on endlessly about how rubbish the Tories have been, and how its all about Partygate and Brexit, in reality the biggest factors by far have been the response to Covid and Ukraine. Combined the two led to huge spikes in inflation after 15 years with historically low figures. People became used to low interest rates were shocked, shocked that outside effects could mean they need to pay more for their mortgage. Anyone older than 40 would know that and those 55 and older will bang on about 15% interest rates.

    Yet the inflation spike was in 2022 and the Tory ratings began falling sharply in 2021.

    That's when Sunak betrayed the manifesto and increased National Insurance.

    Which prompted me to write a thread header on the same day, published the next day, on why I was quitting the Tories.

    The polls started turning after that.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,309

    MattW said:

    Dethreaded.

    So, can anyone see behind the first statement from Louise Haigh, the Transport Minister:

    New Transport Secretary Louise Haigh promised to deliver the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation.

    The Secretary of State immediately convened officials to begin work at pace across the department on rail reform, further devolution of bus powers, ensuring infrastructure works for the whole country, and supporting local authorities to fix roads for the long term.

    In her first address to Department for Transport (DfT) staff on Monday (8 July 2024), Haigh set out her 5 strategic priorities, putting transport at the heart of mission-driven government.

    They include:

    improving performance on the railways and driving forward rail reform
    improving bus services and growing usage across the country
    transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country, promoting social mobility and tackling regional inequality
    delivering greener transport
    better integrating transport networks

    Getting straight into action, the Transport Secretary’s first official visit later this week will be focused on plans to deliver better buses in every corner of the country, beginning a round of engagement with Mayors and devolved leaders who will be key delivery partners.




    Thoughts?

    Revolutionary. Why did no one think of just improving things, telling civil servants to work faster, or "engaging with key delivery partners" before?
    Fine words butter no parsnips. Labour are mouthing plenty of stuff but will it ever amount to anything other than verbal diarrhea
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 21,968
    Nunu5 said:

    Should there be a bank holiday if England win Euro 2024?

    All Britons
    Yes: 39%
    No: 51%

    18-24 year olds
    Yes: 55%
    No: 32%

    65+ year olds
    Yes: 18%
    No: 73%

    https://yougov.co.uk/topics/society

    Why are our old people so miserable?

    They don't have to go to work whether there's a bank holiday or not.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,569
    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    maaarsh said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The world was much more dangerous under Trump.

    It was under him we had a global pandemic and lockdowns.
    It was also under him the Vaccines were developed, and the announcement of that fact was deferred until the week after the election.
    That was the odd thing about the last US election. Trump had a good story to tell about the pandemic, and his and VP Pence's role in combating it, but because Trump was running scared of the alt-right covid conspiracy nuts, he did not make that case.
    One of Trump’s personal proud achievements in office was “Operation Warp Speed”, the US code name name for the accelerated development and approval of the Covid vaccines. Almost every time he mentions it at his rallies, a significant proportion of the the crowd boos loudly.

    It’s an example of the contrarianism and polarisation seen by both sides in US politics, and the change in leadership happened just as the vaccine rollout started. The liberal media switched almost overnight from “Trump’s dangerous vaccine” to “Biden’s wonderful vaccine”.
    Did the liberal media really shout about "Trump's dangerous vaccine"?

    Could I see some links?
    Most of their own commentary was wiped from the internet a few months later, but the gist of it was they thought that Trump’s accelerated plan was prioritising the election date over the safety case.

    Here’s Kamala Harris saying that she won’t take a vaccine if Trump says to do so. https://m.youtube.com/shorts/Iks_qLgnmrY
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,413
    Nunu5 said:

    Should there be a bank holiday if England win Euro 2024?

    All Britons
    Yes: 39%
    No: 51%

    18-24 year olds
    Yes: 55%
    No: 32%

    65+ year olds
    Yes: 18%
    No: 73%

    https://yougov.co.uk/topics/society

    Why are our old people so miserable?

    There wasn’t a Bank Holiday in 1966!
    Although I’m all for public holidays; the only trouble is that someone has to catch up on them!
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 21,968
    Sandpit said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    maaarsh said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The world was much more dangerous under Trump.

    It was under him we had a global pandemic and lockdowns.
    It was also under him the Vaccines were developed, and the announcement of that fact was deferred until the week after the election.
    That was the odd thing about the last US election. Trump had a good story to tell about the pandemic, and his and VP Pence's role in combating it, but because Trump was running scared of the alt-right covid conspiracy nuts, he did not make that case.
    One of Trump’s personal proud achievements in office was “Operation Warp Speed”, the US code name name for the accelerated development and approval of the Covid vaccines. Almost every time he mentions it at his rallies, a significant proportion of the the crowd boos loudly.

    It’s an example of the contrarianism and polarisation seen by both sides in US politics, and the change in leadership happened just as the vaccine rollout started. The liberal media switched almost overnight from “Trump’s dangerous vaccine” to “Biden’s wonderful vaccine”.
    Did the liberal media really shout about "Trump's dangerous vaccine"?

    Could I see some links?
    Most of their own commentary was wiped from the internet a few months later, but the gist of it was they thought that Trump’s accelerated plan was prioritising the election date over the safety case.

    Here’s Kamala Harris saying that she won’t take a vaccine if Trump says to do so. https://m.youtube.com/shorts/Iks_qLgnmrY
    I normally agree with you on most things but I can't agree with that.

    Rule number one of the internet is that nothing gets wiped from it.
  • eristdooferistdoof Posts: 5,065
    Nunu5 said:

    Should there be a bank holiday if England win Euro 2024?

    All Britons
    Yes: 39%
    No: 51%

    18-24 year olds
    Yes: 55%
    No: 32%

    65+ year olds
    Yes: 18%
    No: 73%

    https://yougov.co.uk/topics/society

    Why are our old people so miserable?

    Most 65+ year olds have retired. They know it costs money to have an extra bank holiday and don't like the idea of having to pay when they get nothing for it.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,569
    How much will it cost Lord’s if they have to refund three days of ticket sales, and eat the cost of a whole load of F&B they ordered in expecting at least three days’ play?
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,413
    malcolmg said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    what kind of mumbo jumbo bollox is that.
    No worse, Malc, than some other non sequitour concludions drawn elsewhere.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,540
    Sandpit said:

    How much will it cost Lord’s if they have to refund three days of ticket sales, and eat the cost of a whole load of F&B they ordered in expecting at least three days’ play?

    Not sure. I usually get a ticket for the final day because it's only £25 whereas you pay £160 for the other days.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,094
    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    People do, in general, underweight randomness as a factor in the outcomes of most things.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,540
    Nunu5 said:

    Should there be a bank holiday if England win Euro 2024?

    All Britons
    Yes: 39%
    No: 51%

    18-24 year olds
    Yes: 55%
    No: 32%

    65+ year olds
    Yes: 18%
    No: 73%

    https://yougov.co.uk/topics/society

    Why are our old people so miserable?

    Because there's no such thing as free money perhaps.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,397
    rcs1000 said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    Wages are rising, but people are still worse off than four years ago.
    "Vay-ges ah rising, but pee-pul ah still verce off dan four years ago."
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,413
    Sandpit said:

    How much will it cost Lord’s if they have to refund three days of ticket sales, and eat the cost of a whole load of F&B they ordered in expecting at least three days’ play?

    Can you insure against such an eventuality?
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,413
    Andy_JS said:

    Nunu5 said:

    Should there be a bank holiday if England win Euro 2024?

    All Britons
    Yes: 39%
    No: 51%

    18-24 year olds
    Yes: 55%
    No: 32%

    65+ year olds
    Yes: 18%
    No: 73%

    https://yougov.co.uk/topics/society

    Why are our old people so miserable?

    Because there's no such thing as free money perhaps.
    I’m not miserable. I enjoy someone else’s discomfort as much as anyone!
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,397
    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan definitely emboldened Putin.

    But on the other hand, that was just Biden following Trump's plan.

    Regarding Israel and Gaza: I do wonder if Putin's hand was involved there too. Russia and Iran are close. And Iran is the main backer of Hamas. It was definitely in Putin's interest to have the West distracted by Israel. Could he have nudged (supplied money) etc? Or am I being paranoid?

    But that's about it, no? I mean you could point to China's military build up, but that started long before either Trump or Biden became President.
    I think Putin just rolls the dice on disrupting the West wherever and whenever he can, and sometimes he gets lucky.
  • MPartridgeMPartridge Posts: 174
    Joe biden odds for democrat nominee now

    2.72

    Yesterdy afternoon it was 1.5.

    I think the end is nigh
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,540
    "'I don't want to jinx it' - PM on Euros bank holiday"

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd197zdxv52o
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,397

    Joe biden odds for democrat nominee now

    2.72

    Yesterdy afternoon it was 1.5.

    I think the end is nigh

    He's been out above 3 before.

    The market is very jumpy on any poor news for him, and always has been.

    It doesn't mean that anyone "knows" anything.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,015
    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    Like record manufacturing investment ?
    That just happened all in its own, I suppose ?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,015
    malcolmg said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    what kind of mumbo jumbo bollox is that.
    The usual ?
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,397
    Hev a lov-a-lay DEH, asswhoorl.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,094

    https://x.com/ziayus/status/1811341993462702407

    It is an honour to be appointed Chairman of Reform UK.

    Against all odds, under @Nigel_Farage leadership, our people’s movement won 4 million votes, 14% of the vote, elected 5 MPs with 98 second places.

    This is just the beginning. The important work of professionalising the party, building national infrastructure and continuing to grow membership has already begun.

    I will bring all my expertise, energy and passion to the role to ensure we achieve our mission of returning Great Britain to greatness.

    Oh dear. I think we know where that last bit is going with the tiniest of edits.
  • MPartridgeMPartridge Posts: 174

    Joe biden odds for democrat nominee now

    2.72

    Yesterdy afternoon it was 1.5.

    I think the end is nigh

    He's been out above 3 before.

    The market is very jumpy on any poor news for him, and always has been.

    It doesn't mean that anyone "knows" anything.
    Potentially, but I will stunned if he is still the presumptive nominee this time next week
  • maaarshmaaarsh Posts: 3,590
    Andy_JS said:

    "'I don't want to jinx it' - PM on Euros bank holiday"

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd197zdxv52o

    Bizarre kite to fly - impossible to do the following day and weirdly after the Lord Mayors any later
  • stodgestodge Posts: 13,866

    Agree re the header. For all those who have banged on endlessly about how rubbish the Tories have been, and how its all about Partygate and Brexit, in reality the biggest factors by far have been the response to Covid and Ukraine. Combined the two led to huge spikes in inflation after 15 years with historically low figures. People became used to low interest rates were shocked, shocked that outside effects could mean they need to pay more for their mortgage. Anyone older than 40 would know that and those 55 and older will bang on about 15% interest rates.

    I accept much of Robert’s thesis, but I’d also point out that the Tory polling doesn’t quite fit your description of events here. The Conservatives, as other governments, saw a COVID-19 poll boost initially. I don’t think voters globally did particularly blame incumbents for COVID. What voters didn’t like were, as we all agree, the post-COVID financial shocks.

    I note that Tory polling started falling with Partygate and it was a fairly flat line of decline from then until the start of the election campaign, barring the blip down with Truss. So, yes, inflation was a big part of that, but that doesn’t mean Partygate wasn’t part of it as well. All incumbents during this recent period of inflation have been hit in subsequent elections, but not all equally.
    The big mistakes weren't made when Covid was around - the overall responses initially at least were very popular and we know people rally to Governments during times of crisis and the Opposition is muted.

    The problems began as we came out of Covid - why did no one realise there would be a surge in demand once people were "unlocked" and why did no one recognise the consequences of it happening unevenly and the impact on global supply chains?

    A more phased unlocking might have helped but all that demand pumped into the economy in one big splurge had only one effect - inflation. This was compounded by the supply shock of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the supply chains were put under inordinate stress.

    Inflation eventually wore down the cash reserves which had accumulated during the pandemic but the global supply impacts have continued - oil is $80-85 a barrel in summer now.

    When you have economies based on consumption and people stop or are forced to stop consuming, you get big problems. You also get big problems when, to quote the late Freddie Murcury "they want it all and they want it now".
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,687
    edited July 11
    Maggie Haberman
    @maggieNYT
    ·
    14m

    NEW: The Biden team tests Harris strength against Trump.
    @reidepstein

    @ShaneGoldmacher

    @llerer
    me


    https://x.com/maggieNYT/status/1811433963208188380
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 21,968
    .
    maaarsh said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "'I don't want to jinx it' - PM on Euros bank holiday"

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd197zdxv52o

    Bizarre kite to fly - impossible to do the following day and weirdly after the Lord Mayors any later
    Next day is utterly impossible, only day to make sense would be to pick a date a month or so later to have as a bank holiday and have a victory parade/celebrations then.
  • ian said:

    Lilian Greenwood has been specialising in transport for quite some time, not just a seat warmer

    I did a bit of research and can't find a single interesting or innovative proposal from her. At all.

    Everything I read indicates she is the kind of person who sees value in developing a framework for government and stakeholders to make informed decisions about future initiatives aimed toward achieving the opportunity for positive outcomes in the transport sector, particularly with regard to disenfranchised groups.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,094

    Joe biden odds for democrat nominee now

    2.72

    Yesterdy afternoon it was 1.5.

    I think the end is nigh

    It might be but that market has been all over the place for days.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 50,186
    Andy_JS said:

    Nunu5 said:

    Should there be a bank holiday if England win Euro 2024?

    All Britons
    Yes: 39%
    No: 51%

    18-24 year olds
    Yes: 55%
    No: 32%

    65+ year olds
    Yes: 18%
    No: 73%

    https://yougov.co.uk/topics/society

    Why are our old people so miserable?

    Because there's no such thing as free money perhaps.
    There are estimates that a “special”, one off Bank Holiday cost £1.36Bn
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,687
    “Can you imagine what it would feel like to wake up on November 6 and discover that a plurality of Americans chose the insurrectionist who attempted a coup?

    Imagine what such an administration would be emboldened to do.”

    https://x.com/BillKristol


    I suggest they get used to the idea, because unless the Dems see sense in the next month...
  • eristdooferistdoof Posts: 5,065

    5-4-2-1

    Not the figures of someone who is done...

    It is a coundown by someone with Dyscalculia.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,687
    Two-thirds of Americans in a new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll – including a majority of Joe Biden’s own supporters – say he should step aside as his party’s presumptive nominee for president given his debate performance two weeks ago. That’s even as Biden continues to run evenly with Donald Trump, with no meaningful post-debate change in vote preferences.

    Americans divide 46-47% between Biden and Trump if the election were today,

    https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-age-campaign-poll/story?id=111825221
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,397
    eristdoof said:

    5-4-2-1

    Not the figures of someone who is done...

    It is a coundown by someone with Dyscalculia.
    And the spelling of someone with dyslexia.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,094
    edited July 11

    IanB2 said:

    Agree re the header. For all those who have banged on endlessly about how rubbish the Tories have been, and how its all about Partygate and Brexit, in reality the biggest factors by far have been the response to Covid and Ukraine. Combined the two led to huge spikes in inflation after 15 years with historically low figures. People became used to low interest rates were shocked, shocked that outside effects could mean they need to pay more for their mortgage. Anyone older than 40 would know that and those 55 and older will bang on about 15% interest rates.

    Yet the inflation spike was in 2022 and the Tory ratings began falling sharply in 2021.

    That's when Sunak betrayed the manifesto and increased National Insurance.

    Which prompted me to write a thread header on the same day, published the next day, on why I was quitting the Tories.

    The polls started turning after that.
    The rot set in when the public heard that you'd left the party?
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,687

    Andy_JS said:

    Nunu5 said:

    Should there be a bank holiday if England win Euro 2024?

    All Britons
    Yes: 39%
    No: 51%

    18-24 year olds
    Yes: 55%
    No: 32%

    65+ year olds
    Yes: 18%
    No: 73%

    https://yougov.co.uk/topics/society

    Why are our old people so miserable?

    Because there's no such thing as free money perhaps.
    There are estimates that a “special”, one off Bank Holiday cost £1.36Bn
    The 65+ don't need a Bank Holiday. Most of them are already on holiday.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,110

    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    maaarsh said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The world was much more dangerous under Trump.

    It was under him we had a global pandemic and lockdowns.
    It was also under him the Vaccines were developed, and the announcement of that fact was deferred until the week after the election.
    That was the odd thing about the last US election. Trump had a good story to tell about the pandemic, and his and VP Pence's role in combating it, but because Trump was running scared of the alt-right covid conspiracy nuts, he did not make that case.
    One of Trump’s personal proud achievements in office was “Operation Warp Speed”, the US code name name for the accelerated development and approval of the Covid vaccines. Almost every time he mentions it at his rallies, a significant proportion of the the crowd boos loudly.

    It’s an example of the contrarianism and polarisation seen by both sides in US politics, and the change in leadership happened just as the vaccine rollout started. The liberal media switched almost overnight from “Trump’s dangerous vaccine” to “Biden’s wonderful vaccine”.
    Did the liberal media really shout about "Trump's dangerous vaccine"?

    Could I see some links?
    There were definitely reports that framed the rush to develop a vaccine as risky:

    https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/the-risks-and-rewards-of-operation-warp-speeds-approach-to-vaccines
    Ummm: that piece - from the very liberal PBS - is extremely positive on the vaccine. Sure, they add a few things for balance in there, but the tone is "90% effective", "great joy", etc.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,110

    Hev a lov-a-lay DEH, asswhoorl.

    Casino "Arnie" Royale.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,569
    Andy_JS said:

    Sandpit said:

    How much will it cost Lord’s if they have to refund three days of ticket sales, and eat the cost of a whole load of F&B they ordered in expecting at least three days’ play?

    Not sure. I usually get a ticket for the final day because it's only £25 whereas you pay £160 for the other days.
    Andy_JS said:

    Sandpit said:

    How much will it cost Lord’s if they have to refund three days of ticket sales, and eat the cost of a whole load of F&B they ordered in expecting at least three days’ play?

    Not sure. I usually get a ticket for the final day because it's only £25 whereas you pay £160 for the other days.
    Yes, Lord’s are unusual in selling D5 tickets. Most grounds don’t, and sell them on the door if necessary.

    My theory is that the residents of St John’s Wood don’t like the idea of thousands of the ‘wrong type’ of people starting to queue up the night before!
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,600
    Is Sir Keir Starmer a risk to national and world security?

    Keir Starmer ‘went too far’ by confirming use of Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia

    Defence sources said that they were ‘disappointed’ the Prime Minster had allowed the conversation with President Zelensky to be made public


    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/07/11/starmer-ukraine-british-storm-shadow-missiles-russia/
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,569

    Sandpit said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    maaarsh said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The world was much more dangerous under Trump.

    It was under him we had a global pandemic and lockdowns.
    It was also under him the Vaccines were developed, and the announcement of that fact was deferred until the week after the election.
    That was the odd thing about the last US election. Trump had a good story to tell about the pandemic, and his and VP Pence's role in combating it, but because Trump was running scared of the alt-right covid conspiracy nuts, he did not make that case.
    One of Trump’s personal proud achievements in office was “Operation Warp Speed”, the US code name name for the accelerated development and approval of the Covid vaccines. Almost every time he mentions it at his rallies, a significant proportion of the the crowd boos loudly.

    It’s an example of the contrarianism and polarisation seen by both sides in US politics, and the change in leadership happened just as the vaccine rollout started. The liberal media switched almost overnight from “Trump’s dangerous vaccine” to “Biden’s wonderful vaccine”.
    Did the liberal media really shout about "Trump's dangerous vaccine"?

    Could I see some links?
    Most of their own commentary was wiped from the internet a few months later, but the gist of it was they thought that Trump’s accelerated plan was prioritising the election date over the safety case.

    Here’s Kamala Harris saying that she won’t take a vaccine if Trump says to do so. https://m.youtube.com/shorts/Iks_qLgnmrY
    I normally agree with you on most things but I can't agree with that.

    Rule number one of the internet is that nothing gets wiped from it.
    I shall keep looking, but there’s never been such a concerted effort to downrank anything, as there was with the covid vaccines.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,110
    Sandpit said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Sandpit said:

    maaarsh said:

    Leon said:

    Eabhal said:

    On topic: Real wages look quite good for Biden(Harris) at the moment. Are we sure that the economics are a problem in the US as they are elsewhere? Still got a few months to go.

    The numbers of jobs created under Biden have been remarkable. The Stock Exchanges are at record highs.

    All Trump can do is talk down America. Because there's only one with a track record of making America great again.
    The world has got much more dangerous under Biden. There were no horrible wars under Trump

    Coincidence? Bad luck? Maybe. But then all the good things that happened under Biden might be down to luck and coincidence as well
    The world was much more dangerous under Trump.

    It was under him we had a global pandemic and lockdowns.
    It was also under him the Vaccines were developed, and the announcement of that fact was deferred until the week after the election.
    That was the odd thing about the last US election. Trump had a good story to tell about the pandemic, and his and VP Pence's role in combating it, but because Trump was running scared of the alt-right covid conspiracy nuts, he did not make that case.
    One of Trump’s personal proud achievements in office was “Operation Warp Speed”, the US code name name for the accelerated development and approval of the Covid vaccines. Almost every time he mentions it at his rallies, a significant proportion of the the crowd boos loudly.

    It’s an example of the contrarianism and polarisation seen by both sides in US politics, and the change in leadership happened just as the vaccine rollout started. The liberal media switched almost overnight from “Trump’s dangerous vaccine” to “Biden’s wonderful vaccine”.
    Did the liberal media really shout about "Trump's dangerous vaccine"?

    Could I see some links?
    Most of their own commentary was wiped from the internet a few months later, but the gist of it was they thought that Trump’s accelerated plan was prioritising the election date over the safety case.

    Here’s Kamala Harris saying that she won’t take a vaccine if Trump says to do so. https://m.youtube.com/shorts/Iks_qLgnmrY
    That's pretty embarrassing. (BTW, my next article is on oppositionalism and ties directly into the whole "if he's doing it, it must be wrong".)
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,687
    kinabalu said:

    https://x.com/ziayus/status/1811341993462702407

    It is an honour to be appointed Chairman of Reform UK.

    Against all odds, under @Nigel_Farage leadership, our people’s movement won 4 million votes, 14% of the vote, elected 5 MPs with 98 second places.

    This is just the beginning. The important work of professionalising the party, building national infrastructure and continuing to grow membership has already begun.

    I will bring all my expertise, energy and passion to the role to ensure we achieve our mission of returning Great Britain to greatness.

    Oh dear. I think we know where that last bit is going with the tiniest of edits.
    Reform is essentially Britain Trump.
This discussion has been closed.