The choice before us in September is not “independence versus the status quo”; “change versus no change”. A No vote is guaranteed to mean that devolution will change and develop. How do I know this? I know it because it’s already been legislated for, in the Scotland Act 2012.
Theresa May, the UK Home Secretary, yesterday told the Scottish Conservative conference that a Yes vote in the Scottish referendum would see the UK government putting up passport and immigration controls at the border.
You do understand that border controls is something May would decide and not Salmond, don't you?
Marr now asking Balls & Osborne on the pound - both sticking very firmly to the line....
You are not all there, shock horror two well practiced liars keep up their pretence
@faisalislam: So Alex salmond is likening not sharing the pound to russia annexing the Crimea...
@iainmartin1: The pound, says Salmond, is *more* "ours" than Osborne's. Just getting silly now. Pound post-indy not *more* the SNP's than 90% of UK.
@jameschappers: Salmond badly misjudging this interview by turning on the host #marr
@iainmartin1: Very poor Salmond performance on Marr. Smirking, being rude. Smart Alex usually loses. It's when he tones it down that he wins
I take it you missed this car crash then?
his pathetic posturing about Barosso
Only one of them has actually spoken to Barosso though.....which one would that be?
"Michael is helping George, who wants to succeed David. George and Michael both want to stop Boris, who also wants to take over from David. Theresa wants to stop George, Boris and Michael. Given half a chance, she too would like to succeed David. Michael doesn’t want David’s job, he says. In the fractious scramble to be the next Tory leader, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of what the various potential candidates are trying to do to each other"
I am always here to help the Hodges keep track of what the various potential candidates are trying to do to each other. No thanks required.
"A ‘tipsy’ Michael Gove has launched an extraordinary wine-fuelled attack on Boris Johnson, saying he ‘has no gravitas and is unfit to lead the nation’. The Education Secretary also claimed the London Mayor’s appeal would ‘wear thin’, Home Secretary Theresa May had ‘no appeal’, and George Osborne is the only man capable of succeeding David Cameron. Mr Gove’s remarks, made during a private dinner at Rupert Murdoch’s home in Mayfair, Central London, come amid a bitter Tory leadership row that threatens to disrupt party unity in the run-up to May’s European polls and next year’s General Election."
"One witness said: ‘It was an extraordinary and sustained onslaught by Gove. He fired an Exocet at Boris and had a go at Theresa May for good measure. ‘Like the rest of us, Michael enjoyed Mr Murdoch’s wine and tongues became looser as the evening progressed. Everyone was gobsmacked at what he said.’
Looks like "We are all in this together" means rock all to the Tory Party also.
"A ‘tipsy’ Michael Gove has launched an extraordinary wine-fuelled attack on Boris Johnson, saying he ‘has no gravitas and is unfit to lead the nation’. The Education Secretary also claimed the London Mayor’s appeal would ‘wear thin’, Home Secretary Theresa May had ‘no appeal’, and George Osborne is the only man capable of succeeding David Cameron. Mr Gove’s remarks, made during a private dinner at Rupert Murdoch’s home in Mayfair, Central London, come amid a bitter Tory leadership row that threatens to disrupt party unity in the run-up to May’s European polls and next year’s General Election."
Sod off Gove. Go Team Bojo!
A private dinner. Wonder who rang the Daily Heil? And how good their wine-fuelled memory was!
"A ‘tipsy’ Michael Gove has launched an extraordinary wine-fuelled attack on Boris Johnson, saying he ‘has no gravitas and is unfit to lead the nation’. The Education Secretary also claimed the London Mayor’s appeal would ‘wear thin’, Home Secretary Theresa May had ‘no appeal’, and George Osborne is the only man capable of succeeding David Cameron. Mr Gove’s remarks, made during a private dinner at Rupert Murdoch’s home in Mayfair, Central London, come amid a bitter Tory leadership row that threatens to disrupt party unity in the run-up to May’s European polls and next year’s General Election."
Sod off Gove. Go Team Bojo!
A private dinner. Wonder who rang the Daily Heil? And how good their wine-fuelled memory was!
"Other guests, who included senior editors at Mr Murdoch’s News UK newspapers, including The Sun, left early to change their late editions."
Yes that will encourage people. Vote NO and we guarantee you the lowest growth rate in all the UK , despite taking all your money and you having the highest GDP in the UK. Vote no for more Poverty.
Perhaps if the SNP hadn't been too feart to use their tax lowering powers the economy might be in better shape. Vote YES for more of the same forever...
Short memory, for a start HMRC system cannot handle it and if they vary it surprise surprise the exact same amount of money gets taken out of their budget and stolen by Westminster. Great idea, another union benefit. Try at least to engage a few brain cells.
"“Boris thinks Michael is licensed by George to attack him. Boris is mystified as to why his old friends have turned so unpleasant. And he is baffled why they seem to have such contempt for the Tory party and the grassroots.”
Does Ozzy understand his own policy? My understanding is that there is a mechanism so those paying the Higher Rate can't benefit from the increase in the PA.
tsk rich Londoners gripe about tax bills again
How goes it Alan, all well with you I hope.
all fine atm malc. I've been busy on a couple of projects so not around much of late.
Good to hear Alan, was hoping your wife would avoid the current goings on, bit of a bloodbath in some areas.
Yes that will encourage people. Vote NO and we guarantee you the lowest growth rate in all the UK , despite taking all your money and you having the highest GDP in the UK. Vote no for more Poverty.
Perhaps if the SNP hadn't been too feart to use their tax lowering powers the economy might be in better shape. Vote YES for more of the same forever...
Er! What Tax Lowering Powers? Do you mean the one that the SNP forgot to renew in 2007 and then forgot to tell any one?
"Rather than attacking Mr Cameron, it seems more likely that in mentioning Eton, Mr Gove was seeking to make another point. A Tory MP said yesterday: “Who else went to Eton? Boris. Gove is saying don’t pick another Old Etonian as leader after Cameron. George went to St Paul’s.”
These Tory infighters do get hung up about what school they went to. I thought that was only lefties?
"Michael is helping George, who wants to succeed David. George and Michael both want to stop Boris, who also wants to take over from David. Theresa wants to stop George, Boris and Michael. Given half a chance, she too would like to succeed David. Michael doesn’t want David’s job, he says. In the fractious scramble to be the next Tory leader, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of what the various potential candidates are trying to do to each other"
I am always here to help the Hodges keep track of what the various potential candidates are trying to do to each other. No thanks required.
@PeteWishart: Thought Alex was very restrained in the face of all that nonsense. Think there'll be consequences for Marr, though.
SNP MP calls for 'consequences' for Marr......
BBC impartial , ask Marr. Carlotta's twin
You agree Marr should face 'consequences'?
Nobody in Scotland cares a toss about Marr's London unionist position. He can stay there and lick unionist arses. He has nothing to add to the debate other than lies , I note he was quick to retract and say it was not the BBC's opinion that Scotland would not be in EU. Overstepped the mark even for the BBC
"Michael is helping George, who wants to succeed David. George and Michael both want to stop Boris, who also wants to take over from David. Theresa wants to stop George, Boris and Michael. Given half a chance, she too would like to succeed David. Michael doesn’t want David’s job, he says. In the fractious scramble to be the next Tory leader, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of what the various potential candidates are trying to do to each other"
I am always here to help the Hodges keep track of what the various potential candidates are trying to do to each other. No thanks required.
Gove wants to be Mayor imo.
Hold on. Murdoch lunch. Didn't Gove used to write for Murdoch (and Boris writes for the Telegraph)? Maybe he is angling for his old job back. As well as being mayor.
@PeteWishart: Thought Alex was very restrained in the face of all that nonsense. Think there'll be consequences for Marr, though.
SNP MP calls for 'consequences' for Marr......
BBC impartial , ask Marr. Carlotta's twin
You agree Marr should face 'consequences'?
Nobody in Scotland cares a toss about Marr's London unionist position. He can stay there and lick unionist arses. He has nothing to add to the debate other than lies , I note he was quick to retract and say it was not the BBC's opinion that Scotland would not be in EU. Overstepped the mark even for the BBC
Wee Wishart has a nasty obsession with "consequences" .
This threat followed his debate defeat at a Scottish school;
“Pupils trying to delete their offensive tweets but being caught by @deletedbyMPs that catches deleted tweets on MPs timelines.”
Does Ozzy understand his own policy? My understanding is that there is a mechanism so those paying the Higher Rate can't benefit from the increase in the PA.
tsk rich Londoners gripe about tax bills again
How goes it Alan, all well with you I hope.
all fine atm malc. I've been busy on a couple of projects so not around much of late.
Good to hear Alan, was hoping your wife would avoid the current goings on, bit of a bloodbath in some areas.
she seems OK so far but as ever you survive one round and then another one comes along
Does Ozzy understand his own policy? My understanding is that there is a mechanism so those paying the Higher Rate can't benefit from the increase in the PA.
tsk rich Londoners gripe about tax bills again
How goes it Alan, all well with you I hope.
all fine atm malc. I've been busy on a couple of projects so not around much of late.
Good to hear Alan, was hoping your wife would avoid the current goings on, bit of a bloodbath in some areas.
she seems OK so far but as ever you survive one round and then another one comes along
@PeteWishart: Thought Alex was very restrained in the face of all that nonsense. Think there'll be consequences for Marr, though.
SNP MP calls for 'consequences' for Marr......
BBC impartial , ask Marr. Carlotta's twin
You agree Marr should face 'consequences'?
Nobody in Scotland cares a toss about Marr's London unionist position. He can stay there and lick unionist arses. He has nothing to add to the debate other than lies , I note he was quick to retract and say it was not the BBC's opinion that Scotland would not be in EU. Overstepped the mark even for the BBC
Wee Wishart has a nasty obsession with "consequences" .
This threat followed his debate defeat at a Scottish school;
“Pupils trying to delete their offensive tweets but being caught by @deletedbyMPs that catches deleted tweets on MPs timelines.”
More lies Monica , I think you will find it was the deluge of abusive tweets from the pampered elites thuggish offspring that was at issue. They are obviously educated at home to be boorish and offensive.
@PeteWishart: Thought Alex was very restrained in the face of all that nonsense. Think there'll be consequences for Marr, though.
SNP MP calls for 'consequences' for Marr......
BBC impartial , ask Marr. Carlotta's twin
You agree Marr should face 'consequences'?
Nobody in Scotland cares a toss about Marr's London unionist position. He can stay there and lick unionist arses. He has nothing to add to the debate other than lies , I note he was quick to retract and say it was not the BBC's opinion that Scotland would not be in EU. Overstepped the mark even for the BBC
Wee Wishart has a nasty obsession with "consequences" .
This threat followed his debate defeat at a Scottish school;
“Pupils trying to delete their offensive tweets but being caught by @deletedbyMPs that catches deleted tweets on MPs timelines.”
More lies Monica , I think you will find it was the deluge of abusive tweets from the pampered elites thuggish offspring that was at issue. They are obviously educated at home to be boorish and offensive.
Those Strathallan kids will rue the day they mocked Sneaky Pete, by God they will.
The debt/asset split with Scotland would be the big issue of the general election. I think that would favour the Conservatives over Labour as they have so few scottish MPs they could more easily present themselves as the rUK team.
The debt/asset split with Scotland would be the big issue of the general election. I think that would favour the Conservatives over Labour as they have so few scottish MPs they could more easily present themselves as the rUK team.
I can't see either party conceding to Salmond's demand 'no pound = no debt'......and both have made clear 'no pound'.......
Pretty predictable to those of us who weren't stupid enough to believe Russia was interested in the human rights of Russian speakers, but is just practicing imperialism using whatever excuses it can. Presumably the peaceniks and isolationists will just use an other set of excuses now, and will keep on doing so no matter what Russia does. The short termist thinking is unbelievable - this is what happens when you abandon the principle of territorial integrity for states that have done absolutely nothing wrong.
"Kyivpost.com" suggests Ukrainian propaganda to me.
The debt/asset split with Scotland would be the big issue of the general election. I think that would favour the Conservatives over Labour as they have so few scottish MPs they could more easily present themselves as the rUK team.
I can't see either party conceding to Salmond's demand 'no pound = no debt'......and both have made clear 'no pound'.......
LOL, more delusion, you imagine that London will be calling the shots, cuckoo cuckoo. I also saw Marr backtracking after his slip on his personal biased opinion that Scotland would be chucked out of the EU, he was in reverse very quickly when called out , typical unionist.
The discussion about currency has, I think, overlooked a little wrinkle in the YESNP plans.
Scottish banks have been allowed to print banknotes, backed by the purchase of BoE notes.
(For example, back in the early 1960's, there were a dozen odd Banks issuing notes. At closing time of each retail outlet and pub, the notes in the till had to be separated into piles of value £1, 5, 10 20, 50 and 100's and bank name. In those days, while some banks had agreements with others to exchange, others did not. There fore, some one had to walk around the different branches to either put the money into separate accounts or to exchange the notes.)
Funnily enough, Scottish notes, while legal currency confirmed by the UK government, they are not legal tender, even in Scotland.
The debt/asset split with Scotland would be the big issue of the general election. I think that would favour the Conservatives over Labour as they have so few scottish MPs they could more easily present themselves as the rUK team.
I can't see either party conceding to Salmond's demand 'no pound = no debt'......and both have made clear 'no pound'.......
LOL, more delusion, you imagine that London will be calling the shots
The delusion lies in those who make promises for things that are not within their gift.....like automatic EU membership, currency union, no border controls, and on and on.....
Exclusive: Sunil on Sunday YouRes referendum poll!:
Should Scotland become part of Russia? 14% Should Crimea remain in the United Kingdom? 34% Should the EU be split between the UK and Russia? 25% Should Ukraine become part of the EU? 15% Don't know/don't care? 12%
The discussion about currency has, I think, overlooked a little wrinkle in the YESNP plans.
Scottish banks have been allowed to print banknotes, backed by the purchase of BoE notes.
(For example, back in the early 1960's, there were a dozen odd Banks issuing notes. At closing time of each retail outlet and pub, the notes in the till had to be separated into piles of value £1, 5, 10 20, 50 and 100's and bank name. In those days, while some banks had agreements with others to exchange, others did not. There fore, some one had to walk around the different branches to either put the money into separate accounts or to exchange the notes.)
Funnily enough, Scottish notes, while legal currency confirmed by the UK government, they are not legal tender, even in Scotland.
What will happen on Sept 19th to all those pretty BoS, RBS and Clydesdale bank notes if they are not recognised as a legal currency?
There will be no change on 19th September, and after any negotiating period they will remain legal tender in Scotland no doubt. Currency issue is clear and hopefully the unionists for once keep their word and the debt but I would not hold my breath on that one.
Davidson is on now and she is just dire , full of wind and piss. Talking to a handful of pensioners , BBC conveniently only showing the centre of the first seven rows of seats to avoid the tumbleweed.
Anyone else with money on the HongKong/Nepal Twenty20? Plenty of live betting opportunities to distract from a rather tetchy day on PB.
Geoff we will be off soon to watch the cup final, have to miss more jokes from Carlotta the unconscious commedienne about her hero's in Westminster and their toughness.
ps If she does not post soon I might even believe she is Ruth Davidson, she is deluded enough.
Anyone else with money on the HongKong/Nepal Twenty20? Plenty of live betting opportunities to distract from a rather tetchy day on PB.
Geoff we will be off soon to watch the cup final, have to miss more jokes from Carlotta the unconscious commedienne about her hero's in Westminster and their toughness.
ps If she does not post soon I might even believe she is Ruth Davidson, she is deluded enough.
Malcolm, maybe I have missed something in your posts in the past about location. Are you Aberdeen or Inverness for the final? Any betting tips?
Anyone else with money on the HongKong/Nepal Twenty20? Plenty of live betting opportunities to distract from a rather tetchy day on PB.
Geoff we will be off soon to watch the cup final, have to miss more jokes from Carlotta the unconscious commedienne about her hero's in Westminster and their toughness.
ps If she does not post soon I might even believe she is Ruth Davidson, she is deluded enough.
Malcolm, maybe I have missed something in your posts in the past about location. Are you Aberdeen or Inverness for the final? Any betting tips?
Geoff, I am in the south west , Ayrshire so far far away from both. Aberdeen have to be hot favourites and you would expect them to win , but as you will well know it does not always go that way in cup finals. If betting on anything I would take 7-2 on Draw / Aberdeen for half / full time. Aberdeen odds on to win but at 5/6 I would say that is generous as well.
Anyone else with money on the HongKong/Nepal Twenty20? Plenty of live betting opportunities to distract from a rather tetchy day on PB.
Geoff we will be off soon to watch the cup final, have to miss more jokes from Carlotta the unconscious commedienne about her hero's in Westminster and their toughness.
ps If she does not post soon I might even believe she is Ruth Davidson, she is deluded enough.
Malcolm, maybe I have missed something in your posts in the past about location. Are you Aberdeen or Inverness for the final? Any betting tips?
Geoff, I am in the south west , Ayrshire so far far away from both. Aberdeen have to be hot favourites and you would expect them to win , but as you will well know it does not always go that way in cup finals. If betting on anything I would take 7-2 on Draw / Aberdeen for half / full time. Aberdeen odds on to win but at 5/6 I would say that is generous as well.
Thanks Malcolm. Will take a very small bit of WH's 10/11 and also your two halves suggestions to give me an excuse to flick between channels. Cheers!
It's being reported that Sir David Higgins wants to scap the proposed link between HS1 and HS2, so that HS2 will terminate at Euston instead of connecting up with HS1 at St Pancras.
I'm afraid if this happens I will no longer be supporting the HS2 project.
For me the attraction of the scheme has always been the ability to board a train in Manchester, Leeds or Birmingham and be able to travel directly to Paris, Brussels, etc. without changing trains or stations.
It's being reported that Sir David Higgins wants to scap the proposed link between HS1 and HS2, so that HS2 will terminate at Euston instead of connecting up with HS1 at St Pancras.
I'm afraid if this happens I will no longer be supporting the HS2 project.
But he's also in favour of speeding up construction of the northern section:
In an earlier post you said, "[the] Currency issue is clear...". I agree that as far as England is concerned it is, but if I were a Scot I might think otherwise. I would asking, "OK, we vote for independence, what currency will we be using come the big day and with what systems, back-ups in place to protect my savings? Who will be setting the interest rates for my country?" Claims that the English are all liars and are bluffing, would not reassure me.
I might, as student of history remember Rothchild's famous quote, "Give me control of a nation's money and I care not who makes it's laws" (whether he actually said it is a matter of debate but the truth of the statement rings true more obviously today than at any time in recent history).
So if the position on the currency for an independent Scotland is clear as you said, what is it?
Anyone else with money on the HongKong/Nepal Twenty20? Plenty of live betting opportunities to distract from a rather tetchy day on PB.
Geoff we will be off soon to watch the cup final, have to miss more jokes from Carlotta the unconscious commedienne about her hero's in Westminster and their toughness.
ps If she does not post soon I might even believe she is Ruth Davidson, she is deluded enough.
Malcolm, maybe I have missed something in your posts in the past about location. Are you Aberdeen or Inverness for the final? Any betting tips?
Geoff, I am in the south west , Ayrshire so far far away from both. Aberdeen have to be hot favourites and you would expect them to win , but as you will well know it does not always go that way in cup finals. If betting on anything I would take 7-2 on Draw / Aberdeen for half / full time. Aberdeen odds on to win but at 5/6 I would say that is generous as well.
Thanks Malcolm. Will take a very small bit of WH's 10/11 and also your two halves suggestions to give me an excuse to flick between channels. Cheers!
Hopefully I have not given you bad tips, but we can go down together if so.
... For me the attraction of the scheme has always been the ability to board a train in Manchester, Leeds or Birmingham and be able to travel directly to Paris, Brussels, etc. without changing trains or stations.
Has that ever seriously been on offer? I recall back in the early 1990s, when I was regularly in Wakefield, there was talk of it and even some money invested to prepare for it but that was long before HS2 came along. I might have missed it but I can't recall any of the HS2 plans including a loop around North London to tie up with the Cross-Channel line. Is there even capacity on that line to take additional trains? Come to that how many people are there from Midlands and the North who want to travel by train to Paris, Brussels and beyond? For those within striking distance of Manchester and Leeds I would have thought it would have been quicker, and probably cheaper, to fly
... For me the attraction of the scheme has always been the ability to board a train in Manchester, Leeds or Birmingham and be able to travel directly to Paris, Brussels, etc. without changing trains or stations.
Has that ever seriously been on offer? I recall back in the early 1990s, when I was regularly in Wakefield, there was talk of it and even some money invested to prepare for it but that was long before HS2 came along. I might have missed it but I can't recall any of the HS2 plans including a loop around North London to tie up with the Cross-Channel line. Is there even capacity on that line to take additional trains? Come to that how many people are there from Midlands and the North who want to travel by train to Paris, Brussels and beyond? For those within striking distance of Manchester and Leeds I would have thought it would have been quicker, and probably cheaper, to fly
It was the official plan until a few days ago, so yes.
Also I can remember posters at Birmingham airport 15 years ago advertising precisely this option as a reason to support high speed rail.
It's being reported that Sir David Higgins wants to scap the proposed link between HS1 and HS2, so that HS2 will terminate at Euston instead of connecting up with HS1 at St Pancras.
I'm afraid if this happens I will no longer be supporting the HS2 project.
But he's also in favour of speeding up construction of the northern section:
The debt/asset split with Scotland would be the big issue of the general election. I think that would favour the Conservatives over Labour as they have so few scottish MPs they could more easily present themselves as the rUK team.
I can't see either party conceding to Salmond's demand 'no pound = no debt'......and both have made clear 'no pound'.......
LOL, more delusion, you imagine that London will be calling the shots
The delusion lies in those who make promises for things that are not within their gift.....like automatic EU membership, currency union, no border controls, and on and on.....
Cameron is taking this one to a whole new level. Not only is he promising changes to EU treaties, which aren't in his gift, he's also promising that his discussions with the EU will produce changes to the ECHR, which aren't in the EU's gift either.
The debt/asset split with Scotland would be the big issue of the general election. I think that would favour the Conservatives over Labour as they have so few scottish MPs they could more easily present themselves as the rUK team.
I can't see either party conceding to Salmond's demand 'no pound = no debt'......and both have made clear 'no pound'.......
LOL, more delusion, you imagine that London will be calling the shots
The delusion lies in those who make promises for things that are not within their gift.....like automatic EU membership, currency union, no border controls, and on and on.....
he's also promising that his discussions with the EU will produce changes to the ECHR, which aren't in the EU's gift either.
What he actually wrote was:
Our police forces and justice systems able to protect British citizens, unencumbered by unnecessary interference from the European institutions, including the ECHR
The debt/asset split with Scotland would be the big issue of the general election. I think that would favour the Conservatives over Labour as they have so few scottish MPs they could more easily present themselves as the rUK team.
I can't see either party conceding to Salmond's demand 'no pound = no debt'......and both have made clear 'no pound'.......
LOL, more delusion, you imagine that London will be calling the shots
The delusion lies in those who make promises for things that are not within their gift.....like automatic EU membership, currency union, no border controls, and on and on.....
Cameron is taking this one to a whole new level. Not only is he promising changes to EU treaties, which aren't in his gift
Cameron says he'll negotiate for changes - with Salmond its 'automatic membership of the EU', 'guaranteed currency union' and so forth.....
Where has Salmond ever written something like:
This is an ambitious agenda for a new European Union. Delivering it will take time and patience, as well as strong relationships with our key allies and goodwill – not shouting from the sidelines. It will require a negotiation with our European partners.
on an iScotland? Salmond goes so far as to claim rUK voters wouldn't get a say on currency union!
It is possible to be in Paris Gare du Nord 4 hours after leaving Leicester with one change in St Pancras at present. One or more services per hour.
HS2 passes through Leics, but the nearest stop is Broxtowe. HS2 may push the slower trains onto the existing mainlines and make any journey to pour scorn on the French a bit longer for me.
... For me the attraction of the scheme has always been the ability to board a train in Manchester, Leeds or Birmingham and be able to travel directly to Paris, Brussels, etc. without changing trains or stations.
Has that ever seriously been on offer? I recall back in the early 1990s, when I was regularly in Wakefield, there was talk of it and even some money invested to prepare for it but that was long before HS2 came along. I might have missed it but I can't recall any of the HS2 plans including a loop around North London to tie up with the Cross-Channel line. Is there even capacity on that line to take additional trains? Come to that how many people are there from Midlands and the North who want to travel by train to Paris, Brussels and beyond? For those within striking distance of Manchester and Leeds I would have thought it would have been quicker, and probably cheaper, to fly
SNP tuition fee proposals 'may breach EU law' PLANS to let Scottish universities charge fees to students from the rest of the UK in the wake of independence have been dealt another significant blow.
Mr Farage is not doing any mock debates as part of his preparation for the Clegg contest. He's getting his facts together to sell a better off out economically message.
I must have done that walk from Euston to St Pancras with heavy luggage about 100 times and was really looking forward to not having to do it on HS1/HS2. (The tube is even slower once you factor in having to go down all the escalators and steps).
SNP tuition fee proposals 'may breach EU law' PLANS to let Scottish universities charge fees to students from the rest of the UK in the wake of independence have been dealt another significant blow.
Carlotta,, May , Can , could ......... never any reality just scaremongering and jam tomorrow. Do you think false scaremongering is really going to cut the mustard, do you really think Scottish people are that stupid.
... For me the attraction of the scheme has always been the ability to board a train in Manchester, Leeds or Birmingham and be able to travel directly to Paris, Brussels, etc. without changing trains or stations.
Has that ever seriously been on offer? I recall back in the early 1990s, when I was regularly in Wakefield, there was talk of it and even some money invested to prepare for it but that was long before HS2 came along. I might have missed it but I can't recall any of the HS2 plans including a loop around North London to tie up with the Cross-Channel line. Is there even capacity on that line to take additional trains? Come to that how many people are there from Midlands and the North who want to travel by train to Paris, Brussels and beyond? For those within striking distance of Manchester and Leeds I would have thought it would have been quicker, and probably cheaper, to fly
It was the official plan until a few days ago, so yes.
Also I can remember posters at Birmingham airport 15 years ago advertising precisely this option as a reason to support high speed rail.
Fair enough, Mr. JS, If you say so I'll believe you. Having had a quick snoop around the HS2 web site they seem to be markedly shy about detailing this bit of the proposal. I don't know why.
SNP tuition fee proposals 'may breach EU law' PLANS to let Scottish universities charge fees to students from the rest of the UK in the wake of independence have been dealt another significant blow.
Carlotta,, May , Can , could ......... never any reality just scaremongering and jam tomorrow. Do you think false scaremongering is really going to cut the mustard, do you really think Scottish people are that stupid.
The SNP are the party of 'jam tomorrow' - show us the legal advice on why Scotland should be able to discriminate against rUK students.....like 'automatic EU membership' this has been a known issue for several years....and all we get is 'bluff and bluster' to use a phrase......
We are, on balance, more persuaded by the opinion that suggests that it would be very difficult for Scottish universities to justify charging rUK students in the event of independence."
Meanwhile, Salmond is continuing to peddle his ludicrous 'if I say its in the best interests of Scotland and rUK, rUK has got to agree to a currency union.....'
SIMFEROPOL, March 16. /ITAR-TASS/. Turnout in Crimea's referendum reaches 64 % by 15:00 local time, said referendum commission chief Mikhail Malyshev.
Well that is Moscow's 50% turnout threshold passed.
With reports coming through of peaceful polling stations duly overseen by international observers and the lack of any threatened boycott by Crimean Tatars, it looks like the Crimeans are becoming a beacon of democracy shining light into the deepest recesses of the US and EU's murky demos.
The polling stations are due to close in two and a half hours. The count and first declarations will follow shortly thereafter.
It is possible to be in Paris Gare du Nord 4 hours after leaving Leicester with one change in St Pancras at present. One or more services per hour.
HS2 passes through Leics, but the nearest stop is Broxtowe. HS2 may push the slower trains onto the existing mainlines and make any journey to pour scorn on the French a bit longer for me.
Doc, if you can get from Leicester to Paris in four hours now how much is HS2 worth to you? How much would you be prepared to pay in order to be able to get there in, say, 3hrs 30mins? If HS2, at serious taxpayer expense, came about how much would your life be improved?
HS2 is in my view a bloody big white elephant, and one, like Concorde before it, will provide no benefit to the ordinary folk (who won't be able to afford to travel on the damn thing). However, unlike Concorde, it won't even require UK companies to push the boundaries and so enhance their IP (which China would probably steal anyway but that is a matter for a different forum).
Geoffm , first part of the bet is up , but needs big improvement by Aberdeen in second half to justify their favoritism, but we are still on course at this point
The problem for me is that the nearest HS2 station will be Broxtowe or Birmingham, both 30 min further away (by driving) than Leicester. Driving defeats the point, and connections to current mainlines from HS2 are sketchy, but are not going to be quick. Even if it were three hours to Gare du Nord I cannot see myself using it at any price. It is simply less convenient.
I think HS2 will be a white elephant. I would prefer investment in improving commuter line capacity. Going into St Pancras on any train before 10ish is not pleasant. Fortunately the meetings I go to in our Royal College usually are 1100 start, to allow folk like me to get there without a very early start. I pity the poor buggers who have to commute like that everyday. My usual commute is 20 min, just long enough to wake up...
It is possible to be in Paris Gare du Nord 4 hours after leaving Leicester with one change in St Pancras at present. One or more services per hour.
HS2 passes through Leics, but the nearest stop is Broxtowe. HS2 may push the slower trains onto the existing mainlines and make any journey to pour scorn on the French a bit longer for me.
Doc, if you can get from Leicester to Paris in four hours now how much is HS2 worth to you? How much would you be prepared to pay in order to be able to get there in, say, 3hrs 30mins? If HS2, at serious taxpayer expense, came about how much would your life be improved?
HS2 is in my view a bloody big white elephant, and one, like Concorde before it, will provide no benefit to the ordinary folk (who won't be able to afford to travel on the damn thing). However, unlike Concorde, it won't even require UK companies to push the boundaries and so enhance their IP (which China would probably steal anyway but that is a matter for a different forum).
YouGov headline figures are obviously better for Labour today, but those economic sub-questions are dire: less people THAN EVER have trust in Labour's handling of the economy or think they're credible. Which isn't remotely surprising: if you implicitly concede your opponents are right, and you stop vocally arguing for more spending and stop arguing that cutting the deficit is unnecessary, then people are obviously going to conclude that the government must be right if even their arch-rivals think they're right. It really baffles me why Labour people in the Westminster bubble can't see such a basic fact.
Nothing constructive to add I see, back to your bubble where the Tories are benevolent and people in Scotland believe what they say and are just itching to vote no. Keep avoiding reality.
YouGov headline figures are obviously better for Labour today, but those economic sub-questions are dire: less people THAN EVER have trust in Labour's handling of the economy or think they're credible. Which isn't remotely surprising: if you implicitly concede your opponents are right, and you stop vocally arguing for more spending and stop arguing that cutting the deficit is unnecessary, then people are obviously going to conclude that the government must be right if even their arch-rivals think they're right. It really baffles me why Labour people in the Westminster bubble can't see such a basic fact.
Oh Danny boy!
You are doing a very good job in arguing that Labour should pursue more expansionary economy policy in 2015 than follow Osborne's spending plans.
It would be good to see Labour differentiating itself from the other two main parties.
But you haven't explained how Labour, if it did pursue an 'ignore the deficit and increase spending plan', would manage to avoid debt interest costs spiralling out of control and the UK losing the confidence of international lenders.
There is simply no option in 2015 for a spend and borrow government. Even if one were elected with such a mandate - as for example Hollande was in France - the markets and transnational agencies would force a reversion to austerity within two years.
The two Eds could offer such a plan but it would mean conceding the 2015 election in return for maintaining and enhancing an economic plan which may become viable in 2020. Is this what you would prefer?
I have shown you the reality of Tories in Scotland, a handful of pensioners at their conference and people on the street showing how hated they are in Scotland. That is a reality that you keep trying to kid on is not reality. You speak from a London bubble viewpoint. I am showing you how it is on the ground in Scotland and you obviously do not like it. Defeat is fast approaching , Tories are irrelevant , Lib Dums are finished and labour is disintegrating due to being seen as Tory patsies. Kiss goodbye to the union is is dead.
The only part of Help to Buy which is being extended is the initial stage which is solely targetted at new-builds and first time buyers.
This part of the scheme has been extraordinarily successful in stimulating residential construction and preventing further attrition in the number of first time buyers entering the market.
As a guarantee provided to first time buyers through the banks against the economic risk of a fall in house prices of up to 20% within five years, it involves minimum borrowing, finite and quantifiable contingency liabilities and low risk.
Comments
Not just smearing.....incompetent smearing......
Osbrowne,,Gideon,public school boy,bullingdon,fake,fop,toff.
More circular firing squad for the Tory Party:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/10700069/How-Michael-Gove-and-George-Osborne-are-trying-to-halt-Boris-Johnson-the-great-pretender.html
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/katemaltby/100263773/goves-attack-on-etonians-is-the-starting-pistol-in-the-next-leadership-race-but-its-also-a-sign-that-senior-tories-are-giving-up-on-the-next-election/
Looks like the few day truce is over.
Go Team Bojo!
SNP MP calls for 'consequences' for Marr......
In the fractious scramble to be the next Tory leader, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of what the various potential candidates are trying to do to each other"
I am always here to help the Hodges keep track of what the various potential candidates are trying to do to each other. No thanks required.
More happy families in the Tory fight to the top:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2581925/Tipsy-Michael-Gove-launches-Exocet-against-Boris-100-bottle-wine-flows-Mayor-no-gravitas-Theresa-May-no-friends-Osborne-fit-lead.html#ixzz2w6dWAkIi
The Education Secretary also claimed the London Mayor’s appeal would ‘wear thin’, Home Secretary Theresa May had ‘no appeal’, and George Osborne is the only man capable of succeeding David Cameron.
Mr Gove’s remarks, made during a private dinner at Rupert Murdoch’s home in Mayfair, Central London, come amid a bitter Tory leadership row that threatens to disrupt party unity in the run-up to May’s European polls and next year’s General Election."
Sod off Gove. Go Team Bojo!
‘Like the rest of us, Michael enjoyed Mr Murdoch’s wine and tongues became looser as the evening progressed. Everyone was gobsmacked at what he said.’
Looks like "We are all in this together" means rock all to the Tory Party also.
Who indeed.
Try at least to engage a few brain cells.
You tell em Boris!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26599281
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11792876
These Tory infighters do get hung up about what school they went to. I thought that was only lefties?
This threat followed his debate defeat at a Scottish school;
“Pupils trying to delete their offensive tweets but being caught by @deletedbyMPs that catches deleted tweets on MPs timelines.”
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100263798/freedom-and-the-anglosphere/
Off topic. The Malaysian Boeing is in East Africa, or crashed aiming to get there.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10700499/Scotland-vote-threatens-to-derail-2015-election.html
George Parker @GeorgeWParker
Heart warming scoop: George Osborne looked after Ed Balls's son Joe in BBC Marr green room this am while Ed did R5 @JPonpolitics interview
Scottish banks have been allowed to print banknotes, backed by the purchase of BoE notes.
(For example, back in the early 1960's, there were a dozen odd Banks issuing notes. At closing time of each retail outlet and pub, the notes in the till had to be separated into piles of value £1, 5, 10 20, 50 and 100's and bank name. In those days, while some banks had agreements with others to exchange, others did not. There fore, some one had to walk around the different branches to either put the money into separate accounts or to exchange the notes.)
Funnily enough, Scottish notes, while legal currency confirmed by the UK government, they are not legal tender, even in Scotland.
http://www.scotbanks.org.uk/legal_position.php
What will happen on Sept 19th to all those pretty BoS, RBS and Clydesdale bank notes if they are not recognised as a legal currency?
Should Scotland become part of Russia? 14%
Should Crimea remain in the United Kingdom? 34%
Should the EU be split between the UK and Russia? 25%
Should Ukraine become part of the EU? 15%
Don't know/don't care? 12%
Severin Carrell @severincarrell 5 mins
Scottish Tories get kettled by blue rope as @RuthDavidsonMSP speaks - "heard all jokes about pandas and phone boxes" http://tinyurl.com/o2mkbcy
Plenty of live betting opportunities to distract from a rather tetchy day on PB.
ps If she does not post soon I might even believe she is Ruth Davidson, she is deluded enough.
pic.twitter.com/8Mc3SpYkZx
pic.twitter.com/7aBcvB8A1i
Young Conservatives gripped by speech
pic.twitter.com/WadbUZr0jI
If betting on anything I would take 7-2 on Draw / Aberdeen for half / full time. Aberdeen odds on to win but at 5/6 I would say that is generous as well.
I'm afraid if this happens I will no longer be supporting the HS2 project.
For me the attraction of the scheme has always been the ability to board a train in Manchester, Leeds or Birmingham and be able to travel directly to Paris, Brussels, etc. without changing trains or stations.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/10698279/HS2-boss-wants-work-to-start-in-north-and-south-at-the-same-time.html
In an earlier post you said, "[the] Currency issue is clear...". I agree that as far as England is concerned it is, but if I were a Scot I might think otherwise. I would asking, "OK, we vote for independence, what currency will we be using come the big day and with what systems, back-ups in place to protect my savings? Who will be setting the interest rates for my country?" Claims that the English are all liars and are bluffing, would not reassure me.
I might, as student of history remember Rothchild's famous quote, "Give me control of a nation's money and I care not who makes it's laws" (whether he actually said it is a matter of debate but the truth of the statement rings true more obviously today than at any time in recent history).
So if the position on the currency for an independent Scotland is clear as you said, what is it?
Also I can remember posters at Birmingham airport 15 years ago advertising precisely this option as a reason to support high speed rail.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_Eurostar
Our police forces and justice systems able to protect British citizens, unencumbered by unnecessary interference from the European institutions, including the ECHR
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/10700644/David-Cameron-the-EU-is-not-working-and-we-will-change-it.html
Where does he say he'll cover that in negotiations with the EU?
I want your weapons
I want student fees
I want a country run by Tory MPs
I'm voting No
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SvdecwnYJ4
Where has Salmond ever written something like:
This is an ambitious agenda for a new European Union. Delivering it will take time and patience, as well as strong relationships with our key allies and goodwill – not shouting from the sidelines. It will require a negotiation with our European partners.
on an iScotland? Salmond goes so far as to claim rUK voters wouldn't get a say on currency union!
HS2 passes through Leics, but the nearest stop is Broxtowe. HS2 may push the slower trains onto the existing mainlines and make any journey to pour scorn on the French a bit longer for me.
SNP tuition fee proposals 'may breach EU law'
PLANS to let Scottish universities charge fees to students from the rest of the UK in the wake of independence have been dealt another significant blow.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/snp-tuition-fee-proposals-may-breach-eu-law.23697186
https://audioboo.fm/boos/1995417-nigel-farage-s-sunday-politics-interview
Just saying..
Off out, 4-0 to the Gooners expected today so enjoying some sun instead .....
We are, on balance, more persuaded by the opinion that suggests that it would be very difficult for Scottish universities to justify charging rUK students in the event of independence."
Meanwhile, Salmond is continuing to peddle his ludicrous 'if I say its in the best interests of Scotland and rUK, rUK has got to agree to a currency union.....'
http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/mar/westminster-must-show-respect-referendum
Well that is Moscow's 50% turnout threshold passed.
With reports coming through of peaceful polling stations duly overseen by international observers and the lack of any threatened boycott by Crimean Tatars, it looks like the Crimeans are becoming a beacon of democracy shining light into the deepest recesses of the US and EU's murky demos.
The polling stations are due to close in two and a half hours. The count and first declarations will follow shortly thereafter.
Are PBers expecting a close result?
HS2 is in my view a bloody big white elephant, and one, like Concorde before it, will provide no benefit to the ordinary folk (who won't be able to afford to travel on the damn thing). However, unlike Concorde, it won't even require UK companies to push the boundaries and so enhance their IP (which China would probably steal anyway but that is a matter for a different forum).
http://www.whatdoesitmean.com/index1753.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CRIphtjTe4&feature=youtu.be
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26600689
Scratches head....
'SNP tuition fee proposals 'may breach EU law'
So that's currency,EU membership,jobs & now tuition fees all unravelled in a matter of a few weeks.
Does Saint Alex have any policies that will pass scrutiny or is it all just bluff,bluster & bull...t?
I think HS2 will be a white elephant. I would prefer investment in improving commuter line capacity. Going into St Pancras on any train before 10ish is not pleasant. Fortunately the meetings I go to in our Royal College usually are 1100 start, to allow folk like me to get there without a very early start. I pity the poor buggers who have to commute like that everyday. My usual commute is 20 min, just long enough to wake up...
You are doing a very good job in arguing that Labour should pursue more expansionary economy policy in 2015 than follow Osborne's spending plans.
It would be good to see Labour differentiating itself from the other two main parties.
But you haven't explained how Labour, if it did pursue an 'ignore the deficit and increase spending plan', would manage to avoid debt interest costs spiralling out of control and the UK losing the confidence of international lenders.
There is simply no option in 2015 for a spend and borrow government. Even if one were elected with such a mandate - as for example Hollande was in France - the markets and transnational agencies would force a reversion to austerity within two years.
The two Eds could offer such a plan but it would mean conceding the 2015 election in return for maintaining and enhancing an economic plan which may become viable in 2020. Is this what you would prefer?
What have your constructive posts today been?
This part of the scheme has been extraordinarily successful in stimulating residential construction and preventing further attrition in the number of first time buyers entering the market.
As a guarantee provided to first time buyers through the banks against the economic risk of a fall in house prices of up to 20% within five years, it involves minimum borrowing, finite and quantifiable contingency liabilities and low risk.
The extension is entirely logical in my view.
Do you have concerns?