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The State of the Union Week 2 – politicalbetting.com

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Comments

  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 21,965
    The Armalite and the ballot box.

    A US school being used as a polling station.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,171
    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 690
    Only Connect has just had a round with the theme of pineapple with Hawaiian pizza the last clue.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 28,190
    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I wish I was homeward bound.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,342
    Cookie said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I was in Widnes last week. Took the kids ice skating, followed by a Nando's.
    You do notice a certain 'type' there, especially among young females. It's being in the outer orbit of Liverpool that does it. Liverpool's women have very much their own views on how to present themselves.
    The coolest and most talented Spice Girl is a Widnes lass.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,320
    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    There must be 50 ways to leave from Dover
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 28,190

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    Have you got any good Harris news you might like to share with us less inclined towards Trump than yourself?
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,279
    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,279

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,171
    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    Trump would need a significant swing to his advantage in places like California and New York to win the popular vote imo.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,279
    edited September 9
    Nigelb said:

    2nd amendment rights...

    The man who opened fire and shot five people on a Kentucky highway today was out on bail after being arrested last month for making terrorist threats. According to police scanners, the suspect purchased an AR-15 and 2,000 rounds of ammo this morning...
    https://x.com/shannonrwatts/status/1832660565044711759

    Another AR 15 involved, perfectly legally sold in southern US states over the counter and online with no licence required
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,279
    Andy_JS said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    Trump would need a significant swing to his advantage in places like California and New York to win the popular vote imo.
    He has done, he is polling better in California and NY than he did in 2016 or 2020
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,320
    edited September 9

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    Have you got any good Harris news you might like to share with us less inclined towards Trump than yourself?
    I don't know if it counts as good news for Harris, but I feel obliged to inform you of the latest trend of AI representations of Trump saving pets and wildlife from marauding Haitians:

    https://x.com/trumpsrare/status/1832957584694792634

    https://x.com/americapapabear/status/1832999370775536008
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 28,190
    ...
    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    More likely Harris wins the vote, Trump wins the College.
  • darkagedarkage Posts: 5,317
    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    This really is the most absurd situation. There was a plan to reduce prison overcrowding which made sense despite being highly controversial. Then in the face of the first episode of public disorder, the government resorted to mass imprisonment as a solution to a public order problem in what can only be assessed as a state of complete panic. The prison policy is basically over, the situation is worse than it has ever been.
  • mercatormercator Posts: 815
    kinabalu said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I wish I was homeward bound.
    Cathy I said as we sat in the Toby in Widnes ... Bridlington seems like a dream to me now
    Everywhere sounds so fucking cool in America. Pittsburgh Saginaw New Jersey turnpike vs Hull Portsmouth M25.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 56,928
    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    I think that is far from impossible: Trump 2024 is significantly outpolling Trump 2016 in California and New York, while the Democrats are definitely doing better in Wisconsin and Michigan than in 2016.

    I do fear for the US if that were to happen though.
  • nico679nico679 Posts: 6,200
    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    Can you imagine the meltdown from Trump if that happened . Of course he’ll ignore the fact the reverse happened in 2016. The Asian vote could be particularly important in North Carolina , that’s increased dramatically in the last few years.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 56,928
    Andy_JS said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    Trump would need a significant swing to his advantage in places like California and New York to win the popular vote imo.
    Biden won California by 29 percentage points in 2020. Harris is only up about 20 points.

    It's a similar story in New York, where Biden's 23 point margin in 2020 looks like a 12 point one now.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 56,928

    ...

    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    More likely Harris wins the vote, Trump wins the College.
    More likely, sure, but it's not impossible it goes the other way.
  • mercatormercator Posts: 815
    darkage said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    This really is the most absurd situation. There was a plan to reduce prison overcrowding which made sense despite being highly controversial. Then in the face of the first episode of public disorder, the government resorted to mass imprisonment as a solution to a public order problem in what can only be assessed as a state of complete panic. The prison policy is basically over, the situation is worse than it has ever been.
    There's a kind of theory of separation of powers which says that sentencing over rioting is nowt to do wi' t' gumment. Not saying I wholeheartedly believe it with a slightly iffy DPPbot as PM, but that's how it's meant to work.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 41,947
    mercator said:

    kinabalu said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I wish I was homeward bound.
    Cathy I said as we sat in the Toby in Widnes ... Bridlington seems like a dream to me now
    Everywhere sounds so fucking cool in America. Pittsburgh Saginaw New Jersey turnpike vs Hull Portsmouth M25.
    Get your kicks on A406 ... that's not bad. Esp since it's the North Circular.

    But no the romance doesn't really transfer. Those American spaces.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,279

    ...

    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    More likely Harris wins the vote, Trump wins the College.
    Fractionally but Harris is polling worse in the national popular vote than either Hillary or Biden were but better in the EC swing states than Hillary was (albeit not as well as Biden 2020 in key swing states still)
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 3,707
    mercator said:

    darkage said:

    Nigelb said:

    darkage said:

    Nigelb said:

    darkage said:


    Nigelb said:

    darkage said:

    darkage said:

    DavidL said:

    The big momentum for Harris has clearly petered out. She has more money, more offices, more volunteers and is getting more of the new registrations and yet, somehow, Trump is edging back.

    The suggestion I have read is that pollsters generally did make changes to their weighting after underestimating Trump in 2016 and 2020 but have they overdone it and are we comparing like with like when Harris seems at least as far behind as Clinton and nowhere near where Biden was in 2020?

    Its tight. I was reluctant to believe that for a time, now I am kinda hoping for it.

    Harris has only just entered and hasn't said very much, definitely hasn't really been tested. So the situation is likely to be a lot more volatile than any other comparable presidential election. It could go well for her or it could go very badly.

    I don't follow the election in the same level of details as others posting on this website, but I would observe that Trump has been making efforts to appeal to 'centrists', ie with the Kennedy and Musk endorsements, and by going on the Lex Fridman podcast, and driving the idea that this is actually a 'coalition to save America', which is quite a big change in strategy and something that might be influencing the improvement in the polls.
    I read a poll finding somewhere this morning that indicated that Americans view Trump as less extreme than Harris.
    All the 'Communist Harris' shit that's being thrown at her.

    Which is odd, as she isn't in any way Communist, whilst it's easy to argue that Trump has at least some fascist traits to him.

    America's fucked.
    “Equitable treatment means we all end up at the same place.”

    https://x.com/kamalaharris/status/1322963321994289154
    That isn't Communism though, is it? Far from, in fact.
    Why far from it?
    https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/11/prin-com.htm
    She even borrows directly from his argument that "equality" entrenches the bourgeoisie.
    Yeah, right. How about all the rest of it?

    Harris's views are not exactly remarkable for (say) a European perspective for centre-left (or even some centre-right) people.

    But I see you also ignore the Trump veering towards Fascism point. To help you:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definitions_of_fascism#Umberto_Eco

    (I'm not saying Trump matches all of these, but he does match a worrying number of them.)
    Harris got well in to the 'woke' era around 2020 including stuff like this. It is all up there online. 'Equity' is a vague concept but in these illustrations suggests equality of outcome which violates deeply held American notions of freedom, free enterprise, self determination etc. In all seriousness I think it could be determinative in relation to the election - ie it is being used by Trump as evidence of 'communism' which is quite hard for her to rebut.

    My point earlier was that Biden always steered well away from this stuff and it is off putting for lots of voters who are sceptical of DEI stuff.
    Another example of 'equity' versus 'freedom' in the context of the election.

    So Tim Walz believe kids should be fed at school so they can learn better and JD Vance believes kids should accept being shot at school as a "fact of life."
    Vote accordingly.

    https://x.com/VABVOX/status/1832532091088588824
    This post (the one on Twitter) is an example of the prevailing low quality political discourse.
    The 'liberals' are misrepresenting Vance as someone who supports school shootings, in the same way that the other side misrepresent Harris as a communist.
    Both Vance and Harris lack the political skill to avoid this, because they provide the source material in the first place.
    I don't think it is 'equity' vs 'freedom', it is just an exchange of propaganda.
    No they aren't. Only on imbecile would believe that.
    They are pointing out that Vance says it's an unfortunate reality Republicans won't do anything about.
    Only one of the two parties favours gun control; the other is a strong supporter of a maximalist interpretation of the Second Amendment and has legislated and appointed judges accordingly, for at least the last two decades.

    It's not dishonest to quote Vance, selectively or not, to reinforce that point.
    The point Vance was making in the speech was in support of security at schools. Not that 'kids should accept being shot at'. He does have a solution, just one that you are not giving any weight to, because it does not accord with your belief in more gun controls.

    But in the end, what you or I believe about gun control doesn't matter. The point is that you and many other people on this website appear to be commenting on this election as a participant in propaganda.

    Says the guy who called Harris a communist.
    I said Harris was being misrepresented as a communist, but noted that her past videos about 'equity' make it challenging for her to rebut. I would also speculate that, in the context of a propaganda war, this line of attack (Harris is a communist) is likely to be more influential on the part of undecided voters than obviously absurd misrepresentations about what Vance has said about school shootings.
    You have to understand that Usonians are weird about commies and anything hinting at communism. You say on a US heavy MTB site that at least the NHS will patch me up after a crash, you quickly learn how much better it is to die because you can't make the Land of the Free co-pay than have your life saved by "socialized medicine."

    Anything other than an ex-FSB Putin at least.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 8,424
    mercator said:

    darkage said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    This really is the most absurd situation. There was a plan to reduce prison overcrowding which made sense despite being highly controversial. Then in the face of the first episode of public disorder, the government resorted to mass imprisonment as a solution to a public order problem in what can only be assessed as a state of complete panic. The prison policy is basically over, the situation is worse than it has ever been.
    There's a kind of theory of separation of powers which says that sentencing over rioting is nowt to do wi' t' gumment. Not saying I wholeheartedly believe it with a slightly iffy DPPbot as PM, but that's how it's meant to work.
    The idea is that by jailing a few people in the first week, you avoid having to track down and jail thousands in the coming weeks/months as the race war starts to snowball.
  • mercatormercator Posts: 815
    kinabalu said:

    mercator said:

    kinabalu said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I wish I was homeward bound.
    Cathy I said as we sat in the Toby in Widnes ... Bridlington seems like a dream to me now
    Everywhere sounds so fucking cool in America. Pittsburgh Saginaw New Jersey turnpike vs Hull Portsmouth M25.
    Get your kicks on A406 ... that's not bad. Esp since it's the North Circular.

    But no the romance doesn't really transfer. Those American spaces.
    Busted flat in Basingstoke...
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,279
    edited September 9
    rcs1000 said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    I think that is far from impossible: Trump 2024 is significantly outpolling Trump 2016 in California and New York, while the Democrats are definitely doing better in Wisconsin and Michigan than in 2016.

    I do fear for the US if that were to happen though.
    Walz has helped the Democrats in the Upper Mid West swing states more than Kaine and the African American vote seems more motivated for Harris in Georgia than it was for Hillary and the Asian vote as Nico points out helps Harris in NC too.

    However Harris seems less popular on the West coast and upper NE than either Hillary or Biden 2020 were
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 12,360
    mercator said:

    kinabalu said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I wish I was homeward bound.
    Cathy I said as we sat in the Toby in Widnes ... Bridlington seems like a dream to me now
    Everywhere sounds so fucking cool in America. Pittsburgh Saginaw New Jersey turnpike vs Hull Portsmouth M25.
    Only 24 hours from Tulsa. The uncool English version (only 24 toasters from Scunthorpe):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQqUCd9zfS0

    And I am only
    24 toasters from Scunthorpe
    Only 6 double beds from Torquay
    And I can't decide if I will
    Choose a diamond ring or a drill
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 21,794
    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    ...and whose laws were that exactly, and whose administrations allowed this position to develop? The prisons are full of prisoners, the seas are free of destroyers, the land is free of tanks, the sky is free of fighters, the ports and airbases and repair shops are clogged with ships that cannot sail, planes that cannot fly, tanks that can't tank and no warfighters to man them. We have the bureaucracy of a superpower and the ability of a destitute cripple. You had fourteen years.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,774
    Nigelb said:

    MattW said:

    Nigelb said:

    For somewhere like the US, this will be absolutely the case
    The UK's poorer insolation makes it a bit more complicated for us.

    What people don't get about solar power:

    The panels are SO CHEAP that we're going to basically have two separate electricity markets: almost free electricity during the day, and expensive electricity at night

    https://x.com/d_feldman/status/1833005212165968326

    That very much depends on the location in the USA, surely - eg Minnesota is around 1/5 less than Florida on average for insolation, based on numbers for Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI).

    I'm not familiar with USA tariffs, but here the peak is teatime, not overnight - and relates as much to demand as it does supply. Plus there is a universal and also regional market for different tariffs, including much discount at night based on that being a time of low general demand.
    The entire US energy demand could, in theory, be supplied by part of the Arizona desert.
    Regional rates make the prospect of that slightly less theoretical.
    Electricity arbitrage will get very interesting.
    The state could swap electricity for water.

    The mayor of somewhere in Arizona was on the radio today talking about their heatwave, and the emergency cooling centres being set up in case a power outage knocks out everyone's AC
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,279
    viewcode said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    ...and whose laws were that exactly, and whose administrations allowed this position to develop? The prisons are full of prisoners, the seas are free of destroyers, the land is free of tanks, the sky is free of fighters, the ports and airbases and repair shops are clogged with ships that cannot sail, planes that cannot fly, tanks that can't tank and no warfighters to man them. We have the bureaucracy of a superpower and the ability of a destitute cripple. You had fourteen years.
    Both parties have criminalised and jailed social media tweeters yes though the Tories did at least meet their NATO commitment to spend 2% of gdp on defence
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 12,360
    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    No views on this matter, but this is bog standard lazy journalism. Proper journalism reports facts and reasons about an event occurring tomorrow. It then properly researches the facts of its consequences once they have happened. Opinions about the wisdom and guesses about outcomes are for the editorial comments, not news.

    Lazy journalism reports quotes from attention seekers about possible future events and outcomes as if they are news. (In particular the BBC uses this all the time to get round the fact it isn't allowed an official editorial line, a thing it should scrupulously observe.)
  • darkagedarkage Posts: 5,317
    mercator said:

    darkage said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    This really is the most absurd situation. There was a plan to reduce prison overcrowding which made sense despite being highly controversial. Then in the face of the first episode of public disorder, the government resorted to mass imprisonment as a solution to a public order problem in what can only be assessed as a state of complete panic. The prison policy is basically over, the situation is worse than it has ever been.
    There's a kind of theory of separation of powers which says that sentencing over rioting is nowt to do wi' t' gumment. Not saying I wholeheartedly believe it with a slightly iffy DPPbot as PM, but that's how it's meant to work.
    Yes - it just so happened that there was unanimous acceptance amongst the judiciary that, in these cases, there were aggravating factors of such magnitude that long custodial sentences, all of similar duration, were appropriate. It is impossible that that there would have been any direction over this - for all the reasons you set out.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 12,360
    Have we noted the retirement today of Garry Richardson, voice of R4 Today racing tips and bad jokes for decades.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,208
    viewcode said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    ...and whose laws were that exactly, and whose administrations allowed this position to develop? The prisons are full of prisoners, the seas are free of destroyers, the land is free of tanks, the sky is free of fighters, the ports and airbases and repair shops are clogged with ships that cannot sail, planes that cannot fly, tanks that can't tank and no warfighters to man them. We have the bureaucracy of a superpower and the ability of a destitute cripple. You had fourteen years.
    Nothing to do with prison overcrowding. Some of a certain political persuasion don't believe people agitating for asylum seekers to be burnt alive deserve to be in prison at all.
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 8,314
    HYUFD said:

    viewcode said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    ...and whose laws were that exactly, and whose administrations allowed this position to develop? The prisons are full of prisoners, the seas are free of destroyers, the land is free of tanks, the sky is free of fighters, the ports and airbases and repair shops are clogged with ships that cannot sail, planes that cannot fly, tanks that can't tank and no warfighters to man them. We have the bureaucracy of a superpower and the ability of a destitute cripple. You had fourteen years.
    Both parties have criminalised and jailed social media tweeters yes though the Tories did at least meet their NATO commitment to spend 2% of gdp on defence
    Could you inform us:
    a) how many people have been jailed for social media tweets in reference to the recent riots, and
    b) how many people have been jailed for violent disorder when present at the recent riots?
    I don't have the answer, but I'd be surprised if a) is more than a small handful; while b) is several hundred.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 8,424
    edited September 9
    darkage said:

    mercator said:

    darkage said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    This really is the most absurd situation. There was a plan to reduce prison overcrowding which made sense despite being highly controversial. Then in the face of the first episode of public disorder, the government resorted to mass imprisonment as a solution to a public order problem in what can only be assessed as a state of complete panic. The prison policy is basically over, the situation is worse than it has ever been.
    There's a kind of theory of separation of powers which says that sentencing over rioting is nowt to do wi' t' gumment. Not saying I wholeheartedly believe it with a slightly iffy DPPbot as PM, but that's how it's meant to work.
    Yes - it just so happened that there was unanimous acceptance amongst the judiciary that, in these cases, there were aggravating factors of such magnitude that long custodial sentences, all of similar duration, were appropriate. It is impossible that that there would have been any direction over this - for all the reasons you set out.
    The sooner the British right drops the Trumpist conspiracy theory that "peaceful activists" have been banged up by lefty lawyers, the better. This whining about jail sentences for people engaged in violent disorder - it's a blatant echo of the Jan 6th stuff, and perhaps an example of American culture leaching over into UK political discourse in the same way that Wokism has (supposedly).

    You guys are supposed to be the law and order, British tradition types. Behave like it and the public might lend you an ear.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,637
    Rachel Austerity Reeves has told Labour MPs tonight that they have to sacrifice the well-being, health and even lives of pensioners to the demands of the City of London for proof that Labour are fiscally tough. Except, the City isn’t demanding it does so. So what is really going on?
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 12,360
    darkage said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    This really is the most absurd situation. There was a plan to reduce prison overcrowding which made sense despite being highly controversial. Then in the face of the first episode of public disorder, the government resorted to mass imprisonment as a solution to a public order problem in what can only be assessed as a state of complete panic. The prison policy is basically over, the situation is worse than it has ever been.
    This is a slight exaggeration. Thankfully even now the government has no power to imprison anyone at all. And the people imprisoned in general (there may be exceptions of course) have acted in ways which
    would generally attract imprisonment. Including arson with intent to endanger life, which is about as serious as it gets.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,279
    edited September 9
    FF43 said:

    viewcode said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    ...and whose laws were that exactly, and whose administrations allowed this position to develop? The prisons are full of prisoners, the seas are free of destroyers, the land is free of tanks, the sky is free of fighters, the ports and airbases and repair shops are clogged with ships that cannot sail, planes that cannot fly, tanks that can't tank and no warfighters to man them. We have the bureaucracy of a superpower and the ability of a destitute cripple. You had fourteen years.
    Nothing to do with prison overcrowding. Some of a certain political persuasion don't believe people agitating for asylum seekers to be burnt alive deserve to be in prison at all.
    A suspended sentence and community order would be more appropriate in my view. If the alternative is releasing robbers, burglars and thieves and those who have inflicted actual physical violence or serious sexual assault from jail as there is no space for all of them
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,513
    I live in DFW in Texas. The Democratic nominee for president is playing ads on TV. Biden never did that. Obama didn’t do it. Texas is in play.
    https://x.com/LoneStarLeft/status/1832846230314975555

    In my long odds bingo card.
    Unlikely, but worth a punt at around 10/1, I think.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,774
    kinabalu said:

    mercator said:

    kinabalu said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I wish I was homeward bound.
    Cathy I said as we sat in the Toby in Widnes ... Bridlington seems like a dream to me now
    Everywhere sounds so fucking cool in America. Pittsburgh Saginaw New Jersey turnpike vs Hull Portsmouth M25.
    Get your kicks on A406 ... that's not bad. Esp since it's the North Circular.

    But no the romance doesn't really transfer. Those American spaces.
    There's nothing romantic about the New Jersey turnpike. I drove it a fortnight back, and it's just as you've all seen it in the opening sequence to the Sopranos, plane landing over the gasworks and all.

    We did come across a wild moose on this morning's hike off the Million Dollar Highway. Which was cool, if perhaps not romantic, although it could have been neither had the moose not been in a swamp and with the path I was on having elevation advantage.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,513


    My view this morning.
    Back to work tomorrow.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 56,928
    Nigelb said:

    I live in DFW in Texas. The Democratic nominee for president is playing ads on TV. Biden never did that. Obama didn’t do it. Texas is in play.
    https://x.com/LoneStarLeft/status/1832846230314975555

    In my long odds bingo card.
    Unlikely, but worth a punt at around 10/1, I think.

    Opinion polling is likely to be out 3 percentage points or so. It's just hard to know in which direction it is likely to be out.

    (Past experience would suggest Republicans are understated, but if you assume poll bias remains constant between elections, you will lose a lot of money.)
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 12,360
    HYUFD said:

    FF43 said:

    viewcode said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    ...and whose laws were that exactly, and whose administrations allowed this position to develop? The prisons are full of prisoners, the seas are free of destroyers, the land is free of tanks, the sky is free of fighters, the ports and airbases and repair shops are clogged with ships that cannot sail, planes that cannot fly, tanks that can't tank and no warfighters to man them. We have the bureaucracy of a superpower and the ability of a destitute cripple. You had fourteen years.
    Nothing to do with prison overcrowding. Some of a certain political persuasion don't believe people agitating for asylum seekers to be burnt alive deserve to be in prison at all.
    A suspended sentence and community order would be more appropriate in my view. If the alternative is releasing robbers, burglars and thieves and those who have inflicted actual physical violence or serious sexual assault from jail as there is no space for all of them
    No-one is proclaiming the merits of people who have served 40% of their sentences. Both trying to burn people alive and inciting others to do so should receive very serious punishment. All doers and most inciters should get immediate custodial sentences.

    Threats and incitements to kill are often underrated as to their effects on others. This is especially true of vulnerable groups.
  • nico679nico679 Posts: 6,200

    Rachel Austerity Reeves has told Labour MPs tonight that they have to sacrifice the well-being, health and even lives of pensioners to the demands of the City of London for proof that Labour are fiscally tough. Except, the City isn’t demanding it does so. So what is really going on?

    Labour boxed themselves in with their over the top fiscal rules. They also shot themselves in the foot by ruling out higher taxes on the top 5% . Reeves is obsessed with looking tough and is overcompensating. Whether people agree with the WFA change or not surely everyone can agree that the policy change optics and the way it’s been communicated has been abysmal .
  • squareroot2squareroot2 Posts: 6,662
    Rachel Reeves wouldnt know the truth if it slapped her in the face. Same goes for Starmer. We are sowing the pain that the electorate sought to inflict upon us.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,320
    edited September 9
    nico679 said:

    Reeves is obsessed with looking tough and is overcompensating.

    "That's why I took the decision to go for a severe bob. This is no time for a 'Rachel' haircut."
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 49,586
    algarkirk said:

    Pagan2 said:

    As a general thing I think we should stop lauding politicians for announcing initiatives and take a cynical attitude because mostly its all fart and no follow through. If Labour manages to build 1.5 million houses I will be the first to applaud.

    Till they actually do however they deserve no plaudit's for announcing stuff and bunging money at initiatives because lets face it is not like history shows us its easy to make announcements....levelling up, immigration down to 10s of thousand, building 1.5 million houses in 5 years.

    When it happens then its time to say well done, not when some scheme is announced. We would all be better being more cynical about these things and show politicians if they want to reap the benefit they have to actually achieve

    It's spin .

    We built about 1,2 million houses in the last 5 years. So Starmer is only proposing another 300k new builds. In reality we need 1.5 million houses in the next 5 years on top of the 1.2 million we already build if it is to have any impact.

    That won't help as much as it seems. On realistic projections, UK population now is about 67m, and in 2030 will be 69-70m. Another 1.5 million homes will help but not do hugely more than cope with the increase.

    There is also a particular need for vastly more social housing.

    I have no idea what this government's policy and strategy is on net migration. I know that the last government's policy was simple but hard to implement: they were in favour of both reducing it and increasing it. Has there been a change?
    I’ve got a simple Solution. It involves a new living room and Ukraine….
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,231
    Eabhal said:

    darkage said:

    mercator said:

    darkage said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    This really is the most absurd situation. There was a plan to reduce prison overcrowding which made sense despite being highly controversial. Then in the face of the first episode of public disorder, the government resorted to mass imprisonment as a solution to a public order problem in what can only be assessed as a state of complete panic. The prison policy is basically over, the situation is worse than it has ever been.
    There's a kind of theory of separation of powers which says that sentencing over rioting is nowt to do wi' t' gumment. Not saying I wholeheartedly believe it with a slightly iffy DPPbot as PM, but that's how it's meant to work.
    Yes - it just so happened that there was unanimous acceptance amongst the judiciary that, in these cases, there were aggravating factors of such magnitude that long custodial sentences, all of similar duration, were appropriate. It is impossible that that there would have been any direction over this - for all the reasons you set out.
    The sooner the British right drops the Trumpist conspiracy theory that "peaceful activists" have been banged up by lefty lawyers, the better. This whining about jail sentences for people engaged in violent disorder - it's a blatant echo of the Jan 6th stuff, and perhaps an example of American culture leaching over into UK political discourse in the same way that Wokism has (supposedly).

    You guys are supposed to be the law and order, British tradition types. Behave like it and the public might lend you an ear.
    Conservatives believe in equality before the law.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 49,586
    Pagan2 said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    In my experience the danger usually comes not from the heavily tattooed and pierced, the wierd hair and the leather clad but the clean cut dressed in designer clothing in any case. I drank most of my life in biker bars, trouble was exceptionally rare...pubs with dress codes were the ones that the trouble spilt from on a saturday night
    The Gloc in Oxford?

    No trouble there - even when they managed to turn the rest of Oxford City Centre into a war zone.

    Mick Moss wouldn’t have liked it…
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 8,095
    IanB2 said:

    kinabalu said:

    mercator said:

    kinabalu said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I wish I was homeward bound.
    Cathy I said as we sat in the Toby in Widnes ... Bridlington seems like a dream to me now
    Everywhere sounds so fucking cool in America. Pittsburgh Saginaw New Jersey turnpike vs Hull Portsmouth M25.
    Get your kicks on A406 ... that's not bad. Esp since it's the North Circular.

    But no the romance doesn't really transfer. Those American spaces.
    There's nothing romantic about the New Jersey turnpike. I drove it a fortnight back, and it's just as you've all seen it in the opening sequence to the Sopranos, plane landing over the gasworks and all.

    We did come across a wild moose on this morning's hike off the Million Dollar Highway. Which was cool, if perhaps not romantic, although it could have been
    neither had the moose not been in a swamp
    and with the path I was on having elevation
    advantage.
    Cell phone reception is shit too

  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 12,360
    mercator said:

    kinabalu said:

    mercator said:

    kinabalu said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I wish I was homeward bound.
    Cathy I said as we sat in the Toby in Widnes ... Bridlington seems like a dream to me now
    Everywhere sounds so fucking cool in America. Pittsburgh Saginaw New Jersey turnpike vs Hull Portsmouth M25.
    Get your kicks on A406 ... that's not bad. Esp since it's the North Circular.

    But no the romance doesn't really transfer. Those American spaces.
    Busted flat in Basingstoke...
    Only 24 hours from Tulse Hill
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 49,586
    HYUFD said:

    Nigelb said:

    2nd amendment rights...

    The man who opened fire and shot five people on a Kentucky highway today was out on bail after being arrested last month for making terrorist threats. According to police scanners, the suspect purchased an AR-15 and 2,000 rounds of ammo this morning...
    https://x.com/shannonrwatts/status/1832660565044711759

    Another AR 15 involved, perfectly legally sold in southern US states over the counter and online with no licence required
    The really funny bit is that the US *has* effective gun control.

    For fully automatic weapons. The licensing and purchase of them is strictly controlled. Crime committed with fully automatic weapons is incredibly rare.

    This also makes full auto weapons very expensive. In the film Hell or High Water the Colt Model 933 one of the brothers has is worth far more than their debit to the bank….
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,401
    SandraMc said:

    Only Connect has just had a round with the theme of pineapple with Hawaiian pizza the last clue.

    Close the BBC down.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,154

    Eabhal said:

    darkage said:

    mercator said:

    darkage said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    This really is the most absurd situation. There was a plan to reduce prison overcrowding which made sense despite being highly controversial. Then in the face of the first episode of public disorder, the government resorted to mass imprisonment as a solution to a public order problem in what can only be assessed as a state of complete panic. The prison policy is basically over, the situation is worse than it has ever been.
    There's a kind of theory of separation of powers which says that sentencing over rioting is nowt to do wi' t' gumment. Not saying I wholeheartedly believe it with a slightly iffy DPPbot as PM, but that's how it's meant to work.
    Yes - it just so happened that there was unanimous acceptance amongst the judiciary that, in these cases, there were aggravating factors of such magnitude that long custodial sentences, all of similar duration, were appropriate. It is impossible that that there would have been any direction over this - for all the reasons you set out.
    The sooner the British right drops the Trumpist conspiracy theory that "peaceful activists" have been banged up by lefty lawyers, the better. This whining about jail sentences for people engaged in violent disorder - it's a blatant echo of the Jan 6th stuff, and perhaps an example of American culture leaching over into UK political discourse in the same way that Wokism has (supposedly).

    You guys are supposed to be the law and order, British tradition types. Behave like it and the public might lend you an ear.
    Conservatives believe in equality before the law.
    Recent evidence suggests they believe some people are more equal than others before the law.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 49,586
    Eabhal said:

    mercator said:

    darkage said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    This really is the most absurd situation. There was a plan to reduce prison overcrowding which made sense despite being highly controversial. Then in the face of the first episode of public disorder, the government resorted to mass imprisonment as a solution to a public order problem in what can only be assessed as a state of complete panic. The prison policy is basically over, the situation is worse than it has ever been.
    There's a kind of theory of separation of powers which says that sentencing over rioting is nowt to do wi' t' gumment. Not saying I wholeheartedly believe it with a slightly iffy DPPbot as PM, but that's how it's meant to work.
    The idea is that by jailing a few people in the first week, you avoid having to track down and jail thousands in the coming weeks/months as the race war starts to snowball.
    The way the government puts its oar into the justice system, is charging.

    In ordinary times, people are often charged with a lesser offence.

    In the case of the rioters, they got charged with what they did.

    Fuck around and find out applies here.
  • darkagedarkage Posts: 5,317
    edited September 9
    Eabhal said:

    darkage said:

    mercator said:

    darkage said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    This really is the most absurd situation. There was a plan to reduce prison overcrowding which made sense despite being highly controversial. Then in the face of the first episode of public disorder, the government resorted to mass imprisonment as a solution to a public order problem in what can only be assessed as a state of complete panic. The prison policy is basically over, the situation is worse than it has ever been.
    There's a kind of theory of separation of powers which says that sentencing over rioting is nowt to do wi' t' gumment. Not saying I wholeheartedly believe it with a slightly iffy DPPbot as PM, but that's how it's meant to work.
    Yes - it just so happened that there was unanimous acceptance amongst the judiciary that, in these cases, there were aggravating factors of such magnitude that long custodial sentences, all of similar duration, were appropriate. It is impossible that that there would have been any direction over this - for all the reasons you set out.
    The sooner the British right drops the Trumpist conspiracy theory that "peaceful activists" have been banged up by lefty lawyers, the better. This whining about jail sentences for people engaged in violent disorder - it's a blatant echo of the Jan 6th stuff, and perhaps an example of American culture leaching over into UK political discourse in the same way that Wokism has (supposedly).

    You guys are supposed to be the law and order, British tradition types. Behave like it and the public might lend you an ear.
    I am not on any side. I voted for Labour and probably still would again, just about. What I would comment about this situation is the authorities imprisoned those present at acts of disorder in a rush. Inevitably in this situation, when you look in to it carefully, there will be lots of cases that don't make sense, people being imprisoned for years on limited evidence. The 'right' have already dug out a lot of this and it is doing the rounds on Twitter. What Tommy Robinson is now doing is making a 'documentary' about this, with the aim of turning the imprisoned in to 'political prisoners'. For the government, the strategy has led to a wide range of avoidable problems: the 'two tier Kier' critique, the 'prisons crisis', Farage has got a load of new material to work with, they have made an enemy of Elon Musk, etc etc.

    It isn't quite a repeat of the previous riots - because this time around there is a political angle and there is no certainty it will work out well for the government.
  • nico679nico679 Posts: 6,200
    Just in news that RFK jnr will remain on the ballot in Michigan .

    The appeals court on Friday ruled he should be taken off overturning a lower court but the Michigan SOS appealed to the state Supreme Court and they’ve ruled he has to stay on .

  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,401
    Nigelb said:

    I live in DFW in Texas. The Democratic nominee for president is playing ads on TV. Biden never did that. Obama didn’t do it. Texas is in play.
    https://x.com/LoneStarLeft/status/1832846230314975555

    In my long odds bingo card.
    Unlikely, but worth a punt at around 10/1, I think.

    May the nominee has more $ than they know what to do with?
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,154

    Nigelb said:

    I live in DFW in Texas. The Democratic nominee for president is playing ads on TV. Biden never did that. Obama didn’t do it. Texas is in play.
    https://x.com/LoneStarLeft/status/1832846230314975555

    In my long odds bingo card.
    Unlikely, but worth a punt at around 10/1, I think.

    May the nominee has more $ than they know what to do with?
    Just making the Republicans *think* it is in play so they redirect their scarce resources there would count as a win.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 18,080
    Nigelb said:

    I live in DFW in Texas. The Democratic nominee for president is playing ads on TV. Biden never did that. Obama didn’t do it. Texas is in play.
    https://x.com/LoneStarLeft/status/1832846230314975555

    In my long odds bingo card.
    Unlikely, but worth a punt at around 10/1, I think.

    Did H Clinton play ads on TV in Texas?

    If Texas is at all competitive then Harris should be home and dry overall. But the race doesn't look like it could be any tighter.

    So, who is screwing up? Is it Harris, or the polling companies?
  • Pro_RataPro_Rata Posts: 5,255

    HYUFD said:

    viewcode said:

    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    ...and whose laws were that exactly, and whose administrations allowed this position to develop? The prisons are full of prisoners, the seas are free of destroyers, the land is free of tanks, the sky is free of fighters, the ports and airbases and repair shops are clogged with ships that cannot sail, planes that cannot fly, tanks that can't tank and no warfighters to man them. We have the bureaucracy of a superpower and the ability of a destitute cripple. You had fourteen years.
    Both parties have criminalised and jailed social media tweeters yes though the Tories did at least meet their NATO commitment to spend 2% of gdp on defence
    Could you inform us:
    a) how many people have been jailed for social media tweets in reference to the recent riots, and
    b) how many people have been jailed for violent disorder when present at the recent riots?
    I don't have the answer, but I'd be surprised if a) is more than a small handful; while b) is several hundred.
    The Tories had a torrid time in government in the last few years, and it's understandable that their bedraggled supporters wanted to get in on day 1 of the Labour government and bowl balls high beamers at them, which is what seems to have happened - there wasn't even the slightest pause for breath.

    It is unfortunate, then, that the first events of the new government were the riots and that consequently the Tory attacks* meant echoing the talking points and providing apologism for actual, bona fide, not a shade of a Godwin needed, neo-Nazis.

    It is said that a large number of the population enthusiastically get onside when the dictatorship comes and we've seen a taste of it in the last month or so. I hope if push ever came to shove those who embarrassed themselves on here would choose differently, but you can't rely on it.

    So, when they went through the threatening to leave the country phase. Loss of the money, not great, someone we don't know which side they would fall - well that would be the main consideration wouldn't it?

    (HY - you broadly avoided this afaict, but even little digs in this direction are best left.)

    However much of a shocker you think Labour have had in the first month, and Mandy Rice-Davies applies to a lot of this, it is as nothing to the shocker the Tory hoardes have had.

    I'll stay civil, but I'm still bristling at the full Corbyn some of the traditional Tories on here went. It is not forgotten and not forgiven.

    *on here, not necessarily from the front bench -Sunak's LOTO period looks like it will be to his credit TBF.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,401
    Bradford faces bigger deficit than Birmingham.



    Neil Henderson
    @hendopolis
    ·
    1h
    YORKSHIRE POST: Cities ‘on brink of financial disaster’ #TomorrowsPapersToday

    https://x.com/hendopolis/status/1833210368942067884
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,480
    edited September 9
    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    I live in DFW in Texas. The Democratic nominee for president is playing ads on TV. Biden never did that. Obama didn’t do it. Texas is in play.
    https://x.com/LoneStarLeft/status/1832846230314975555

    In my long odds bingo card.
    Unlikely, but worth a punt at around 10/1, I think.

    May the nominee has more $ than they know what to do with?
    Just making the Republicans *think* it is in play so they redirect their scarce resources there would count as a win.
    Might also help down ballot too.

    If Kamala flips Texas then who cares about Pennsylvania?
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,637
    nico679 said:

    Rachel Austerity Reeves has told Labour MPs tonight that they have to sacrifice the well-being, health and even lives of pensioners to the demands of the City of London for proof that Labour are fiscally tough. Except, the City isn’t demanding it does so. So what is really going on?

    Labour boxed themselves in with their over the top fiscal rules. They also shot themselves in the foot by ruling out higher taxes on the top 5% . Reeves is obsessed with looking tough and is overcompensating. Whether people agree with the WFA change or not surely everyone can agree that the policy change optics and the way it’s been communicated has been abysmal .
    Mick Lynch is spot on today - Labours made up fiscal rule means they can't fix the countrys problems (which one might argue is the point of it!)

    He wants a progressive wealth tax with the richest paying the same as everyone else on PAYE.

    That would bring in hundred of billions, it is time for the richest to pay what everyone else has been paying their whole lives.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,513
    rcs1000 said:

    Nigelb said:

    I live in DFW in Texas. The Democratic nominee for president is playing ads on TV. Biden never did that. Obama didn’t do it. Texas is in play.
    https://x.com/LoneStarLeft/status/1832846230314975555

    In my long odds bingo card.
    Unlikely, but worth a punt at around 10/1, I think.

    Opinion polling is likely to be out 3 percentage points or so. It's just hard to know in which direction it is likely to be out.

    (Past experience would suggest Republicans are understated, but if you assume poll bias remains constant between elections, you will lose a lot of money.)
    Yes, my default assumption is that this is a close race.
    But I think Harris has a substantially higher potential ceiling. That doesn't mean she will achieve it, but it does make a few, small long-odds bets worth considering.
  • pigeonpigeon Posts: 4,813
    edited September 9

    Bradford faces bigger deficit than Birmingham.



    Neil Henderson
    @hendopolis
    ·
    1h
    YORKSHIRE POST: Cities ‘on brink of financial disaster’ #TomorrowsPapersToday

    https://x.com/hendopolis/status/1833210368942067884

    Again, most of English local government faces eventual bankruptcy unless it is given the funds to deal with social care and housing homeless families. Some councils are in more trouble than others, some have been much worse managed than others, and some have more problems to manage than others. But, ultimately, the whole lot - save for some well managed lower tier authorities in affluent areas, which don't have to deal with social care and have manageable numbers of destitute families with kids to house - are heading down the plughole. Absent a lot of extra money, it is merely a matter of time.
  • Nigelb said:

    I live in DFW in Texas. The Democratic nominee for president is playing ads on TV. Biden never did that. Obama didn’t do it. Texas is in play.
    https://x.com/LoneStarLeft/status/1832846230314975555

    In my long odds bingo card.
    Unlikely, but worth a punt at around 10/1, I think.

    Did H Clinton play ads on TV in Texas?

    If Texas is at all competitive then Harris should be home and dry overall. But the race doesn't look like it could be any tighter.

    So, who is screwing up? Is it Harris, or the polling companies?
    Yes, Hilary Clinton did advertise in Texas.

    And in Indiana and Missouri.

    The obvious problem for Trump is that there's no serious discussion of him competing in reliable Democratic states. Of all the swing states, he may be best positioned in Iowa — which voted twice for Barack Obama. He is also keeping things close with Clinton in Ohio, Nevada and North Carolina.

    For Clinton's team, the desire is to not just beat Trump, but to trounce him. She talks about the choice in this election in moral terms, and her allies have talked of demonstrating that Trump's candidacy was rejected by the country in the strongest possible terms on election night.


    https://www.npr.org/2016/10/18/498376750/is-hillary-clinton-really-trying-to-win-texas
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,513

    Nigelb said:

    I live in DFW in Texas. The Democratic nominee for president is playing ads on TV. Biden never did that. Obama didn’t do it. Texas is in play.
    https://x.com/LoneStarLeft/status/1832846230314975555

    In my long odds bingo card.
    Unlikely, but worth a punt at around 10/1, I think.

    Did H Clinton play ads on TV in Texas?

    If Texas is at all competitive then Harris should be home and dry overall. But the race doesn't look like it could be any tighter.

    So, who is screwing up? Is it Harris, or the polling companies?
    No one is necessarily screwing up.
    They're all operating with imperfect information, and it might (for instance) make sense to make an effort in Texas even if Harris's campaign think the chances are slim.

    They have a significant funding advantage at the moment, and there are also down ballot races (and future electoral cycles) to consider.

    If you don't at least ask the question, you'll never get the answer you want.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,637
    Rachel Austerity Reeves met with her party’s MPs in Westminster on Monday evening, ahead of a crunch vote on the issue in the Commons on Tuesday.

    Austerity Reeves was arguing for the Winter Fuel Payment to be cut back as long as a decade ago – has repeatedly claimed her decision to do so was forced by the economic legacy left by the Tories.

    https://www.thenational.scot/news/24573539.winter-fuel-payment-rachel-reeves-pleads-labour-mps-not-rebel/
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,171
    HYUFD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Up to 1,750 offenders are spending their last night in prison before being released under the Ministry of Justice’s emergency plan to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.

    Releases are due to begin on Tuesday morning as governors unlock cells under the plan to free up 5,500 beds.

    One charity has warned that women and children will become the unintended victims of the emergency plans - while rehabilitation specialists fear any rushed releases will compromise vital work in turning around the lives of some offenders.

    It’s also unclear whether everyone being released definitely has accommodation to go to, a crucial part in keeping ex-offenders off the streets."

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5dn9jg5elo

    Meanwhile lots of jailed tweeters move in to take their cells
    The Tories had 14 years to make changes to the justice system that might have made this less likely.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,401
    On WFA and new figures showing surge of uptake of pension credit by people who haven't claimed for years.


    Jill Rutter
    @jillongovt
    ·
    3h
    Not rational at all... you leave £4k on the table until not claiming it might cost you £300..

    Tim Bale
    @ProfTimBale

    That's loss aversion for you.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,171
    rcs1000 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    Trump would need a significant swing to his advantage in places like California and New York to win the popular vote imo.
    Biden won California by 29 percentage points in 2020. Harris is only up about 20 points.

    It's a similar story in New York, where Biden's 23 point margin in 2020 looks like a 12 point one now.
    I wasn't aware of those numbers. Thanks for alerting me.
  • Bradford faces bigger deficit than Birmingham.



    Neil Henderson
    @hendopolis
    ·
    1h
    YORKSHIRE POST: Cities ‘on brink of financial disaster’ #TomorrowsPapersToday

    https://x.com/hendopolis/status/1833210368942067884

    Sandy will have to start his Independence for Ilkley campaign.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,401
    Maybe Reeves should spin the WFA cut by saying it was all an incredibly well thought out plot to increase uptake of Pension Credit.

  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,401
    Foxy said:

    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    I live in DFW in Texas. The Democratic nominee for president is playing ads on TV. Biden never did that. Obama didn’t do it. Texas is in play.
    https://x.com/LoneStarLeft/status/1832846230314975555

    In my long odds bingo card.
    Unlikely, but worth a punt at around 10/1, I think.

    May the nominee has more $ than they know what to do with?
    Just making the Republicans *think* it is in play so they redirect their scarce resources there would count as a win.
    Might also help down ballot too.

    If Kamala flips Texas then who cares about Pennsylvania?
    If she flips Texas then I'm going party like its 1999 all over again.

  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 21,965
    kinabalu said:

    mercator said:

    kinabalu said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I wish I was homeward bound.
    Cathy I said as we sat in the Toby in Widnes ... Bridlington seems like a dream to me now
    Everywhere sounds so fucking cool in America. Pittsburgh Saginaw New Jersey turnpike vs Hull Portsmouth M25.
    Get your kicks on A406 ... that's not bad. Esp since it's the North Circular.

    But no the romance doesn't really transfer. Those American spaces.
    Get stuck in a snowdrift out in the sticks on the A66.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,513
    edited September 9

    Nigelb said:

    I live in DFW in Texas. The Democratic nominee for president is playing ads on TV. Biden never did that. Obama didn’t do it. Texas is in play.
    https://x.com/LoneStarLeft/status/1832846230314975555

    In my long odds bingo card.
    Unlikely, but worth a punt at around 10/1, I think.

    Did H Clinton play ads on TV in Texas?

    If Texas is at all competitive then Harris should be home and dry overall. But the race doesn't look like it could be any tighter.

    So, who is screwing up? Is it Harris, or the polling companies?
    Yes, Hilary Clinton did advertise in Texas.

    And in Indiana and Missouri.

    The obvious problem for Trump is that there's no serious discussion of him competing in reliable Democratic states. Of all the swing states, he may be best positioned in Iowa — which voted twice for Barack Obama. He is also keeping things close with Clinton in Ohio, Nevada and North Carolina.

    For Clinton's team, the desire is to not just beat Trump, but to trounce him. She talks about the choice in this election in moral terms, and her allies have talked of demonstrating that Trump's candidacy was rejected by the country in the strongest possible terms on election night.


    https://www.npr.org/2016/10/18/498376750/is-hillary-clinton-really-trying-to-win-texas
    From your link:
    ...The ad is getting only a limited run, and it seems utterly unlikely that Clinton could actually win Texas..

    Would be interesting to see the figures for the Harris ad spend.

  • SelebianSelebian Posts: 8,609
    Just seen the Wales's video.

    Great news for Kate, it seems, so fingers crossed her recovery continues. But am I alone in finding the video a little odd - just a bit impersonal and, frankly, like an ad for sanitary pads? By contrast I found the simple video where she announced she had cancer quite honest and moving.

    They've presumably been advised on this and it fits in with a certain kind of social media celeb/influencer style I guess. Maybe I'm just getting old, but I miss the Queen staring sternly over her glasses and talking about her horrible year.
  • darkagedarkage Posts: 5,317

    nico679 said:

    Rachel Austerity Reeves has told Labour MPs tonight that they have to sacrifice the well-being, health and even lives of pensioners to the demands of the City of London for proof that Labour are fiscally tough. Except, the City isn’t demanding it does so. So what is really going on?

    Labour boxed themselves in with their over the top fiscal rules. They also shot themselves in the foot by ruling out higher taxes on the top 5% . Reeves is obsessed with looking tough and is overcompensating. Whether people agree with the WFA change or not surely everyone can agree that the policy change optics and the way it’s been communicated has been abysmal .
    Mick Lynch is spot on today - Labours made up fiscal rule means they can't fix the countrys problems (which one might argue is the point of it!)

    He wants a progressive wealth tax with the richest paying the same as everyone else on PAYE.

    That would bring in hundred of billions, it is time for the richest to pay what everyone else has been paying their whole lives.
    This is likely to fail miserably if tried. The British system is based on wealth creation through enterprise and this is also rooted quite strongly in culture and this is reflected in the structure of taxation. This is what makes Britain an attractive place to live and work. If you kill all this off you just become a heavily indebted and rapidly declining second or third rate European economy. Trust in government (a feature of successful high tax economies) would not just emerge overnight.

    I think the Labour government do actually understand this. They know where the rich pickings are, ie conservative voting pensioners.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,401
    Andy_JS said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    Trump would need a significant swing to his advantage in places like California and New York to win the popular vote imo.
    Biden won California by 29 percentage points in 2020. Harris is only up about 20 points.

    It's a similar story in New York, where Biden's 23 point margin in 2020 looks like a 12 point one now.
    I wasn't aware of those numbers. Thanks for alerting me.
    Do we care whether a load of progressive idiots in California, probably wearing Hamas t-shirts and sipping ice cold Dihydrogen monoxide, make themselves feel better over their whole guilt thing by failing to support the Dems this time?

  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,586
    edited September 9
    kinabalu said:

    mercator said:

    kinabalu said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I wish I was homeward bound.
    Cathy I said as we sat in the Toby in Widnes ... Bridlington seems like a dream to me now
    Everywhere sounds so fucking cool in America. Pittsburgh Saginaw New Jersey turnpike vs Hull Portsmouth M25.
    Get your kicks on A406 ... that's not bad. Esp since it's the North Circular.

    But no the romance doesn't really transfer. Those American spaces.
    Yebbut... We've got: Glastonbury, Stonehenge, Avebury, Glencoe, and Ben Nevis, the Giant's Causeway and the Menai Straits, St David's Head and King Arthur's Seat, Tintern, Rievaulx and Fountains Abbeys, the Kyle of Lochalsh, the Ribblehead and Glenfinnan Viaducts, Lulworth Cove and Beachy Head, the White Cliffs of Dover ffs! Not to mention Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, the Royal Mile, or the Costwolds, Yorkshire Dales, or Malvern Hills...

    You want romantic places? Welcome to Britain.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,513

    On WFA and new figures showing surge of uptake of pension credit by people who haven't claimed for years.


    Jill Rutter
    @jillongovt
    ·
    3h
    Not rational at all... you leave £4k on the table until not claiming it might cost you £300..

    Tim Bale
    @ProfTimBale

    That's loss aversion for you.

    Yes, a classic demonstration.

    Loss aversion perhaps isn't totally irrational. In a more precarious society, it might have distinct survival advantages. Which might explain why it's so deeply ingrained culturally.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,480

    nico679 said:

    Rachel Austerity Reeves has told Labour MPs tonight that they have to sacrifice the well-being, health and even lives of pensioners to the demands of the City of London for proof that Labour are fiscally tough. Except, the City isn’t demanding it does so. So what is really going on?

    Labour boxed themselves in with their over the top fiscal rules. They also shot themselves in the foot by ruling out higher taxes on the top 5% . Reeves is obsessed with looking tough and is overcompensating. Whether people agree with the WFA change or not surely everyone can agree that the policy change optics and the way it’s been communicated has been abysmal .
    Mick Lynch is spot on today - Labours made up fiscal rule means they can't fix the countrys problems (which one might argue is the point of it!)

    He wants a progressive wealth tax with the richest paying the same as everyone else on PAYE.

    That would bring in hundred of billions, it is time for the richest to pay what everyone else has been paying their whole lives.
    After the WFA experience it is clear that either tax rises or borrowing are the only politically tolerable and deliverable ways forward.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,320
    rcs1000 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    Trump would need a significant swing to his advantage in places like California and New York to win the popular vote imo.
    Biden won California by 29 percentage points in 2020. Harris is only up about 20 points.

    It's a similar story in New York, where Biden's 23 point margin in 2020 looks like a 12 point one now.
    However in 2020, turnout was disproportionately up in California so those figures might not mean that Trump is adding votes in the wrong place but rather that fewer Democrats will turn out this time.
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,586

    Andy_JS said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    Trump would need a significant swing to his advantage in places like California and New York to win the popular vote imo.
    Biden won California by 29 percentage points in 2020. Harris is only up about 20 points.

    It's a similar story in New York, where Biden's 23 point margin in 2020 looks like a 12 point one now.
    I wasn't aware of those numbers. Thanks for alerting me.
    Do we care whether a load of progressive idiots in California, probably wearing Hamas t-shirts and sipping ice cold Dihydrogen monoxide, make themselves feel better over their whole guilt thing by failing to support the Dems this time?

    Yes We Don't!
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 28,190
    Still early days, but one quick win for the new Labour Government is Charlie Mullins plans to leave the country.

    https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/downing-st-hits-back-after-britains-richest-plumber-vowed-to-quit-britain/
  • Pro_RataPro_Rata Posts: 5,255

    kinabalu said:

    mercator said:

    kinabalu said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I wish I was homeward bound.
    Cathy I said as we sat in the Toby in Widnes ... Bridlington seems like a dream to me now
    Everywhere sounds so fucking cool in America. Pittsburgh Saginaw New Jersey turnpike vs Hull Portsmouth M25.
    Get your kicks on A406 ... that's not bad. Esp since it's the North Circular.

    But no the romance doesn't really transfer. Those American spaces.
    Yebbut... We've got: Glastonbury, Stonehenge, Avebury, Glencoe, and Ben Nevis, the Giant's Causeway and the Menai Straits, St David's Head and King Arthur's Seat, Tintern, Rievaulx and Fountains Abbeys, the Kyle of Lochalsh, the Ribblehead and Glenfinnan Viaducts, Lulworth Cove and Beachy Head, the White Cliffs of Dover ffs! Not to mention Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, the Royal Mile, or the Costwolds, Yorkshire Dales, or Malvern Hills...

    You want romantic places? Welcome to Britain.
    There was this effort:

    https://youtu.be/LCJlqBuu32s?si=3C4wxtuvZh0Bq4iS

    (Kulashaker, 303)
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,480

    rcs1000 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    Trump would need a significant swing to his advantage in places like California and New York to win the popular vote imo.
    Biden won California by 29 percentage points in 2020. Harris is only up about 20 points.

    It's a similar story in New York, where Biden's 23 point margin in 2020 looks like a 12 point one now.
    However in 2020, turnout was disproportionately up in California so those figures might not mean that Trump is adding votes in the wrong place but rather that fewer Democrats will turn out this time.
    Whichever. It shows that the Dem vote is getting more efficient.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 12,360

    Maybe Reeves should spin the WFA cut by saying it was all an incredibly well thought out plot to increase uptake of Pension Credit.

    A Labour chap on Times Radio this evening was defending it on the basis that it's just a warm up for the stuff Reeves will be revealing in due course which will be tons worse.

    Of course the cunning plan may be a budget to impose a 50% wealth tax and forbid transfers abroad with immediate effect on the basis that the alternative is to abolish the state pension altogether and charge £300 per hospital/doctor visit.

    Cunning plan, cock up, competence fail, conspiracy, considered course? Above all the WFA tactic is odd, given that to govern is to choose, and there are lots of ways of finding £1.5 billion. And £1.5 billion isn't much to anyone who possesses exactly minus£2trillion.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,480

    Still early days, but one quick win for the new Labour Government is Charlie Mullins plans to leave the country.

    https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/downing-st-hits-back-after-britains-richest-plumber-vowed-to-quit-britain/

    Is he going to Poland?
  • kinabalu said:

    mercator said:

    kinabalu said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I wish I was homeward bound.
    Cathy I said as we sat in the Toby in Widnes ... Bridlington seems like a dream to me now
    Everywhere sounds so fucking cool in America. Pittsburgh Saginaw New Jersey turnpike vs Hull Portsmouth M25.
    Get your kicks on A406 ... that's not bad. Esp since it's the North Circular.

    But no the romance doesn't really transfer. Those American spaces.
    Yebbut... We've got: Glastonbury, Stonehenge, Avebury, Glencoe, and Ben Nevis, the Giant's Causeway and the Menai Straits, St David's Head and King Arthur's Seat, Tintern, Rievaulx and Fountains Abbeys, the Kyle of Lochalsh, the Ribblehead and Glenfinnan Viaducts, Lulworth Cove and Beachy Head, the White Cliffs of Dover ffs! Not to mention Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, the Royal Mile, or the Costwolds, Yorkshire Dales, or Malvern Hills...

    You want romantic places? Welcome to Britain.
    Hackney Marshes, The Isle of Dogs, Walthamstow Market....I mean, how much you want?
  • Maybe Reeves should spin the WFA cut by saying it was all an incredibly well thought out plot to increase uptake of Pension Credit.

    Even still, 800,000 missing claimants out of a possible 2.2 million.

    I mean, blimey.
  • darkagedarkage Posts: 5,317
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/crlry1rd9w3o
    I would be interested in any explanations of this. Looks like a guy fell off an ebike, admittedly going fast, got 14 months in jail for 'dangerous driving' after pleading guilty. He hit a pedestrian but they were not hurt.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,320
    Foxy said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://x.com/iapolls2022/status/1833215926679806266

    🇺🇲 National poll by @pewresearch


    🟦 Kamala Harris: 49%
    🟥 Donald Trump: 49%

    August 11 poll 🔵 Harris +1
    ——
    • White: Trump 56-42%
    • Black: Harris 84-13%
    • Hispanic: Harris 57-39%
    • Asian: Harris 61-37%
    ---
    • Male: Trump 52-46%
    • Female: Harris 52-46%

    I think there has to be a real chance Trump wins the popular vote this time, RFK Jr dropping out has certainly helped him there.

    However Harris can still win the EC, she leads on average in Wisconsin and Michigan and Nevada with Georgia and Pennsylvania also neck and neck.

    Trump wins the national popular vote but Harris wins the EC by the closest margin since Bush in 2000 would certainly make for an interesting late November in the US!
    Trump would need a significant swing to his advantage in places like California and New York to win the popular vote imo.
    Biden won California by 29 percentage points in 2020. Harris is only up about 20 points.

    It's a similar story in New York, where Biden's 23 point margin in 2020 looks like a 12 point one now.
    However in 2020, turnout was disproportionately up in California so those figures might not mean that Trump is adding votes in the wrong place but rather that fewer Democrats will turn out this time.
    Whichever. It shows that the Dem vote is getting more efficient.
    That's just spin. Harris won't get a bonus in other states just because she does worse in California.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 21,965

    Bradford faces bigger deficit than Birmingham.



    Neil Henderson
    @hendopolis
    ·
    1h
    YORKSHIRE POST: Cities ‘on brink of financial disaster’ #TomorrowsPapersToday

    https://x.com/hendopolis/status/1833210368942067884

    Oh, yes. Our council is totally fucked. Borrowing to fund essential services ain't exactly a sustainable strategy.

    But City of Culture. Yay!

    The one thing where I agree with Sir Philip Davies - these outlying parts would be better off if we weren't part of Bradford district.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,401
    Foxy said:

    nico679 said:

    Rachel Austerity Reeves has told Labour MPs tonight that they have to sacrifice the well-being, health and even lives of pensioners to the demands of the City of London for proof that Labour are fiscally tough. Except, the City isn’t demanding it does so. So what is really going on?

    Labour boxed themselves in with their over the top fiscal rules. They also shot themselves in the foot by ruling out higher taxes on the top 5% . Reeves is obsessed with looking tough and is overcompensating. Whether people agree with the WFA change or not surely everyone can agree that the policy change optics and the way it’s been communicated has been abysmal .
    Mick Lynch is spot on today - Labours made up fiscal rule means they can't fix the countrys problems (which one might argue is the point of it!)

    He wants a progressive wealth tax with the richest paying the same as everyone else on PAYE.

    That would bring in hundred of billions, it is time for the richest to pay what everyone else has been paying their whole lives.
    After the WFA experience it is clear that either tax rises or borrowing are the only politically tolerable and deliverable ways forward.
    The fiscal rules are a self-imposed act of stupidity.

  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 12,360

    kinabalu said:

    mercator said:

    kinabalu said:

    dixiedean said:

    F*** me!

    I'm in Widnes tonight, anyone know where I can get an after hours tat to blend in?

    I was less nervous when a hooker I had declined pulled a knife on me in Ikeja Island, Lagos, and a Nairobi taxi driver wanted to pick up his mate between the Nairobi Club and the Lillian Towers hotel. The Toby Inn in Widnes is far, far scarier. Presumably this national decline is post July 4th.

    You Northerners really are brave!

    Chin up and make yourself useful. Paul Simon made a career and a fortune out of his desire to be away from Widnes.
    What's more it's solid middle class compared to Ashington.
    I wish I was homeward bound.
    Cathy I said as we sat in the Toby in Widnes ... Bridlington seems like a dream to me now
    Everywhere sounds so fucking cool in America. Pittsburgh Saginaw New Jersey turnpike vs Hull Portsmouth M25.
    Get your kicks on A406 ... that's not bad. Esp since it's the North Circular.

    But no the romance doesn't really transfer. Those American spaces.
    Yebbut... We've got: Glastonbury, Stonehenge, Avebury, Glencoe, and Ben Nevis, the Giant's Causeway and the Menai Straits, St David's Head and King Arthur's Seat, Tintern, Rievaulx and Fountains Abbeys, the Kyle of Lochalsh, the Ribblehead and Glenfinnan Viaducts, Lulworth Cove and Beachy Head, the White Cliffs of Dover ffs! Not to mention Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, the Royal Mile, or the Costwolds, Yorkshire Dales, or Malvern Hills...

    You want romantic places? Welcome to Britain.
    Hackney Marshes, The Isle of Dogs, Walthamstow Market....I mean, how much you want?
    "Where are you going to, my pretty fair maid,
    Red rosy cheeks and coal-black hair?"
    "I'm going to Widnes, kind sir," she answered me,
    "For Toby's Carvery makes the milk-maids fair."
This discussion has been closed.