Really surprised to hear Tim Montgomerie has joined Reform. The Tories really are in trouble if her has taken this step.
Montie worked for Hague and IDS and backed Jenrick, he is a respected conservative thinker but doesn't have a great record backing winners
But he’s a blogger, journalist and columnist - not someone seeking elected office - and he clearly sniffs where the money and opportunities are going to be in coming years. Your party is heading towards becoming a dead end.
Not entirely, at the moment the Tories are still the choice for middle class right of centre voters, even if Reform are becoming the choice for working class right of centre voters.
Farage's party can also take white working class voters from Labour the Badenoch Tories can't and indeed the latest polls show Reform are now gaining some working class voters who voted Labour in July.
Both likely need the other to form a government though
How many middle class voters have you actually met, recently?
Given the Tories lead half the recent polls it is just a fact
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 6m It was always going to be hard for Kemi Badenoch. But at the moment she simply can’t assert herself in the way necessary to dominate PMQs. It’s becoming a big problem for her.
Why was it going to be hard for her? At the moment Hodges can't get anything right. It doesn't seem a problem though as he has a loyal fan base for some reason.
Hodges is doubly wrong because MPs do listen to Kemi. It's what she says that is the problem.
I am not sure her performance at PMQs is a problem. Precious few people bother with it.
But in an election campaign it really will matter. Although if she is up against Sir Drear then it will be like Rishi v SKS all over again.
Kemi's (and any leader's) PMQs problem is that the people who do care are backbench MPs with a vote on the next leader. That was IDS's downfall. He actually did rather well at the ballot box, better than Michael Howard!
This is where the Tories really do miss the best most and possibly only credible orator and intellect they could have chosen as leader.
They would be wise to parachute Penny Mordaunt back in at the first opportunity. She is head and shoulders above anyone in current Shadow Cabinet
It was interesting listening to Tim Montgomerie on Sky this morning about his defection to Reform which he said was a result of the immigration figures but he also said he doesn't agree with everything Farage says and unlike Reform he supports increasing foreign aid
He went on to say that in time, some accommodation between the Conservatives and Reform is quite likely which seemed as if he was hoping to act as a bridge between the two
It does appear from recent polling that the combined total of the two is gaining on the left and it would change politics if this happened, and not in a good way fror labour
That depends on how long it takes.
The shift of progressive voters from Liberal to Labour earlier in the last century gifted the Conservatives their longest unbroken period in office.
It was more the shift of working class voters after universal suffrage who had not voted before to Labour that saw them replace the Liberals as the main non Tory party. Many former Liberal voters then went Conservative to keep out the more socialist Labour.
Many of the descendants of those same working class voters now back Reform, the Tories and Liberals by contrast have always been mainly middle class parties
Really surprised to hear Tim Montgomerie has joined Reform. The Tories really are in trouble if her has taken this step.
Montie worked for Hague and IDS and backed Jenrick, he is a respected conservative thinker but doesn't have a great record backing winners
But he’s a blogger, journalist and columnist - not someone seeking elected office - and he clearly sniffs where the money and opportunities are going to be in coming years. Your party is heading towards becoming a dead end.
Not entirely, at the moment the Tories are still the choice for middle class right of centre voters, even if Reform are becoming the choice for working class right of centre voters.
Farage's party can also take white working class voters from Labour the Badenoch Tories can't and indeed the latest polls show Reform are now gaining some working class voters who voted Labour in July.
Both likely need the other to form a government though
How many middle class voters have you actually met, recently?
Given the Tories lead half the recent polls it is just a fact
In the high 20%s? LMAO
At that level, our crooked voting system (which you and your ilk have so long defended) is essentially a lottery.
The coffee in Colombia is excellent. No, really. It’s bloody good. If you ever make it out here - try the coffee. Remember who told you first - “Colombian coffee” - that’s a trade secret happily handed on
Next up: pasta in Italy
You know what else is excellent in Colombia?
In my experience: fruit juice, mojitos, and notable cleavages
Leon is a notable fan of Masterchef.
I am
And I’m also speaking truth to power. Colombian women are generally rather attractive - and they are conspicuously mammacious
I remember such a journey in Buenos Aires. The driver stopped at a zebra crossing as several exquisitely attractive Argentinian ladies crossed with what Elvis Costello called a "mini-skirt waddle".
The coffee in Colombia is excellent. No, really. It’s bloody good. If you ever make it out here - try the coffee. Remember who told you first - “Colombian coffee” - that’s a trade secret happily handed on
Next up: pasta in Italy
Are there any problems with safety wrt visiting Colombia? Boring question I know.
I have been there many times and helped to found a tourism company. I am married to a Colombian. It is a beautiful and friendly county. Generally we have had few problems, but you do need to take care and look like you know where you are going. In some lowland there is yellow fever, very rare but often fatal, worth having a jab if you are going to the Amazon for example. Dengue fever and malaria much more common, tell your GP where you've been if you get ill afterwards - if diagnosed they can be treated, if not could be very serious. Distances are big and roads poor, don't be too ambitious with your itinerary. The country used to be far far safer than its reputation crime wise. Perceptions have improved whilst the reality has got worse, so the gap has narrowed a bit. Poor Venezuelan refugees are the main reason for more crime in some areas I think. Distraction theft, pickpocketing and credit card cloning are the main crimes tourists suffer in my experience. More dramatic experiences are much rarer.
O/T Just received this heap of bullshit from the Guinness Six Nations Fantasy League:
"Guinness Men’s Six Nations: A Bold New Era Begins
The Guinness Men’s Six Nations is more than a rugby competition: it’s a spectacle that brings fans together in the darkest months of winter, sparking passion and igniting nations.
The Championship has taken an exciting step forward with the unveiling of a reimagined brand identity. Grounded in extensive research with fans, players, and stakeholders, the new brand captures the electrifying nature of the competition while aligning seamlessly with the recently revamped Guinness Women’s Six Nations and U6N pathway brands."
Yes, I’m sure there will be some wriggle that unions are a lot of individuals but somehow corporations aren’t.
This has been an argument that has gone round and round. The trade off has always been capping corporations and individuals if you cap unions. Labour has always resisted.
Just to be clear this will MASSIVELY tilt the political battlefield in Labour’s favour. It’s far worse than ID requirements, redistricting or anything else that has been suggested over the years. I assume we will see a lot of posts from those who complained about ID condemning this proposal.
At least it stops faceless tax haven dodgy donations
Unions are a large number of individuals, if there is an opt out from the political levy then each one is making an individual decision to donate. There is nothing wrong with that. As a shareholder or employee of a corporation I have no say in political donations and can't opt out my individual portion. However, this is really about super wealthy individuals being capped, which with the trends in funding will affect all parties, even Labour is becoming dependent on super wealthy individuals.
What if, say, there were to be a new Trade Union. It could be called something like, the Association of Rocketry and Satellite Engineers. Elon Musk might be the honorary President and chip in with a few pennies for the biscuits at branch meetings.
You'd be fine with them making a £100m donation to Reform?
It was interesting listening to Tim Montgomerie on Sky this morning about his defection to Reform which he said was a result of the immigration figures but he also said he doesn't agree with everything Farage says and unlike Reform he supports increasing foreign aid
He went on to say that in time, some accommodation between the Conservatives and Reform is quite likely which seemed as if he was hoping to act as a bridge between the two
It does appear from recent polling that the combined total of the two is gaining on the left and it would change politics if this happened, and not in a good way fror labour
That depends on how long it takes.
The shift of progressive voters from Liberal to Labour earlier in the last century gifted the Conservatives their longest unbroken period in office.
Indeed, there was no majority for any party other than the Conservatives between 1910 and 1945. So if that's the precedent the next non-Labour majority government might not be until around 2059.
Yes, I’m sure there will be some wriggle that unions are a lot of individuals but somehow corporations aren’t.
This has been an argument that has gone round and round. The trade off has always been capping corporations and individuals if you cap unions. Labour has always resisted.
Just to be clear this will MASSIVELY tilt the political battlefield in Labour’s favour. It’s far worse than ID requirements, redistricting or anything else that has been suggested over the years. I assume we will see a lot of posts from those who complained about ID condemning this proposal.
At least it stops faceless tax haven dodgy donations
Unions are a large number of individuals, if there is an opt out from the political levy then each one is making an individual decision to donate. There is nothing wrong with that. As a shareholder or employee of a corporation I have no say in political donations and can't opt out my individual portion. However, this is really about super wealthy individuals being capped, which with the trends in funding will affect all parties, even Labour is becoming dependent on super wealthy individuals.
What if, say, there were to be a new Trade Union. It could be called something like, the Association of Rocketry and Satellite Engineers. Elon Musk might be the honorary President and chip in with a few pennies for the biscuits at branch meetings.
You'd be fine with them making a £100m donation to Reform?
The individual cap can ( and should) be applied to unions. Musk would just have to recruit however many like-minded members were needed to meet the cap.
Quite funny that Ireland has finished counting it's votes before the USA (New York has added 260k according to my numbers today) even though their election was almost a month later.
There’s still counting going on for US House seats in California as well, including a number of marginals.
Nothing like taking more than a month to count the votes, as a way of demonstrating the integrity of the election process. Florida had it right, all done and dusted in three hours same as every other civilised country.
Quite funny that Ireland has finished counting it's votes before the USA (New York has added 260k according to my numbers today) even though their election was almost a month later.
The election campaign in Ireland didn't formally start until November 8th, a few days after rejecting day in the US on the 5th. So they had an entire election campaign and finished counting, in less time than the US has taken to still not complete counting.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made over $20,000 per week as chairman of Children’s Health Defense before stepping away from the nonprofit in 2023 to run for president. https://x.com/statnews/status/1864037251954417903
Though if Reeves had done the preparatory work she should have done in opposition then there wouldn't have been a two month vacuum which filled with financial scare stories.
It was not Reeves but Liz Truss. Reeves needed to wait while the OBR did its thing because Liz Truss had shown what happens when you bypass the OBR.
ETA what else it shows is the consequences of taking money from pensions are arguably too strict in severely limiting pension relief on future contributions. I'd imagine this is top stop self-employed sharks recycling pension money each month but babies and bathwater...
Truss was a disaster but lets not forget she was out of office in 6 weeks and Sunak with Hunt repaired the damage and had the UK growing again
Reeves in particular created a jobs and growth destroying budget that will see interest rates higher and for longer and over the next few years causing sustained pain for the electorate
Excuse me...
Can you remind us what the Growth was in Q3 and Q4 2023??....
It was interesting listening to Tim Montgomerie on Sky this morning about his defection to Reform which he said was a result of the immigration figures but he also said he doesn't agree with everything Farage says and unlike Reform he supports increasing foreign aid
He went on to say that in time, some accommodation between the Conservatives and Reform is quite likely which seemed as if he was hoping to act as a bridge between the two
It does appear from recent polling that the combined total of the two is gaining on the left and it would change politics if this happened, and not in a good way fror labour
That depends on how long it takes.
The shift of progressive voters from Liberal to Labour earlier in the last century gifted the Conservatives their longest unbroken period in office.
Indeed, there was no majority for any party other than the Conservatives between 1910 and 1945. So if that's the precedent the next non-Labour majority government might not be until around 2059.
With PR we would have had the Liberals with the balance of power for most of the 20th century, on current polls with PR Reform could well hold the balance of power for most of the 21st century
It was interesting listening to Tim Montgomerie on Sky this morning about his defection to Reform which he said was a result of the immigration figures but he also said he doesn't agree with everything Farage says and unlike Reform he supports increasing foreign aid
He went on to say that in time, some accommodation between the Conservatives and Reform is quite likely which seemed as if he was hoping to act as a bridge between the two
It does appear from recent polling that the combined total of the two is gaining on the left and it would change politics if this happened, and not in a good way fror labour
In the Battle Of Trafalgar, Nelson defeated a larger force by splitting his opponents into two. In more modern times, the 1980s split of British Labour into Labour & SDP, and the later split of the Canadian Conservatives, kept them out of government for a decade. Until the pro-immigration Conservatives and the anti-immigration Reform come to an accommodation (I suggest controlled/capped immigration cf Goodwin et al), they will remain out of power.
Yes, I’m sure there will be some wriggle that unions are a lot of individuals but somehow corporations aren’t.
This has been an argument that has gone round and round. The trade off has always been capping corporations and individuals if you cap unions. Labour has always resisted.
Just to be clear this will MASSIVELY tilt the political battlefield in Labour’s favour. It’s far worse than ID requirements, redistricting or anything else that has been suggested over the years. I assume we will see a lot of posts from those who complained about ID condemning this proposal.
At least it stops faceless tax haven dodgy donations
Unions are a large number of individuals, if there is an opt out from the political levy then each one is making an individual decision to donate. There is nothing wrong with that. As a shareholder or employee of a corporation I have no say in political donations and can't opt out my individual portion. However, this is really about super wealthy individuals being capped, which with the trends in funding will affect all parties, even Labour is becoming dependent on super wealthy individuals.
What if, say, there were to be a new Trade Union. It could be called something like, the Association of Rocketry and Satellite Engineers. Elon Musk might be the honorary President and chip in with a few pennies for the biscuits at branch meetings.
You'd be fine with them making a £100m donation to Reform?
The individual cap can ( and should) be applied to unions. Musk would just have to recruit however many like-minded members were needed to meet the cap.
No, unions should be capped on donations too, and prevented from acting as a facilitator / processor of individual donations, unless they can demonstrate that members can donate to any party they choose, without discrimination.
Yes, I’m sure there will be some wriggle that unions are a lot of individuals but somehow corporations aren’t.
This has been an argument that has gone round and round. The trade off has always been capping corporations and individuals if you cap unions. Labour has always resisted.
Just to be clear this will MASSIVELY tilt the political battlefield in Labour’s favour. It’s far worse than ID requirements, redistricting or anything else that has been suggested over the years. I assume we will see a lot of posts from those who complained about ID condemning this proposal.
At least it stops faceless tax haven dodgy donations
Unions are a large number of individuals, if there is an opt out from the political levy then each one is making an individual decision to donate. There is nothing wrong with that. As a shareholder or employee of a corporation I have no say in political donations and can't opt out my individual portion. However, this is really about super wealthy individuals being capped, which with the trends in funding will affect all parties, even Labour is becoming dependent on super wealthy individuals.
What if, say, there were to be a new Trade Union. It could be called something like, the Association of Rocketry and Satellite Engineers. Elon Musk might be the honorary President and chip in with a few pennies for the biscuits at branch meetings.
You'd be fine with them making a £100m donation to Reform?
The individual cap can ( and should) be applied to unions. Musk would just have to recruit however many like-minded members were needed to meet the cap.
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 6m It was always going to be hard for Kemi Badenoch. But at the moment she simply can’t assert herself in the way necessary to dominate PMQs. It’s becoming a big problem for her.
Why was it going to be hard for her? At the moment Hodges can't get anything right. It doesn't seem a problem though as he has a loyal fan base for some reason.
Hodges is doubly wrong because MPs do listen to Kemi. It's what she says that is the problem.
I am not sure her performance at PMQs is a problem. Precious few people bother with it.
But in an election campaign it really will matter. Although if she is up against Sir Drear then it will be like Rishi v SKS all over again.
Kemi's (and any leader's) PMQs problem is that the people who do care are backbench MPs with a vote on the next leader. That was IDS's downfall. He actually did rather well at the ballot box, better than Michael Howard!
Yes, voters don't give a shit about PMQs, if they did Hague would have won the 2001 GE by a landslide.
As you note though MPs do and that was why they replaced IDS with Howard even though he got no higher a Tory voteshare in 2005 than IDS was polling in 2003. Kemi does have the advantage over IDS though she won the Tory MPs vote in the final round as well as the members vote so will be less likely to be removed by her parliamentary colleagues.
That doesn't mean she doesn't need to work on it and think on her feet better. Starmer won by miles today as her questions on Haigh and immigration were easily brushed off by the PM's quips on Sunak and Johnson's covid lockdown breach fines and Badenoch's previous support for more work visas
‘and Badenoch's previous support for more work visas‘
Why did she support more work visa’s, with Conservative governments immigration as rampant already as it was and costing the party many votes?
Err....because she was Business Secretary and that is what business was telling her they needed to be able to grow?
Just a wild stab, you understand.
Er… like saying, in government your immigration policy is what business tell you what to do, and not the voters concerns, out of office you change the policy to what the voters tell you what gets their vote, once back in power you switch back to letting business write your policy and two fingers to your voters.
In other words, exactly sort of thing why voters give you worst result in history and send you into political oblivion.
You realise your spin in your post has been the most cutting and damaging attack yet on Kemi Badenoch?
Now what’s the real reasoning she gave for need of more immigration visa’s despite the immigration figures?
It was interesting listening to Tim Montgomerie on Sky this morning about his defection to Reform which he said was a result of the immigration figures but he also said he doesn't agree with everything Farage says and unlike Reform he supports increasing foreign aid
He went on to say that in time, some accommodation between the Conservatives and Reform is quite likely which seemed as if he was hoping to act as a bridge between the two
It does appear from recent polling that the combined total of the two is gaining on the left and it would change politics if this happened, and not in a good way fror labour
In the Battle Of Trafalgar, Nelson defeated a larger force by splitting his opponents into two. In more modern times, the 1980s split of British Labour into Labour & SDP, and the later split of the Canadian Conservatives, kept them out of government for a decade. Until the pro-immigration Conservatives and the anti-immigration Reform come to an accommodation (I suggest controlled/capped immigration cf Goodwin et al), they will remain out of power.
Indeed, in the 20th century FPTP helped the Conservatives more as the left was divided between the Liberals and Labour, now it helps Labour more as the right is divided between the Tories and Reform. Hence Starmer's landslide Labour win on just 33.7% of the vote
A Russian warship in the Baltic Sea has fired with tracer ammunition on a German navy helicopter on patrol.
Nato increased such patrol/reconnaissance flights in the Baltic Sea following a series of sabotage of undersea cables. Suspects are Russia & China.
Is it best to get this war started properly before Trump takes over in January?
We are already at war. Sadly.
I’ve noticed that you have a flexible definition of we. When it comes to Russia, ‘we’ means the collective West, but when it comes to Elon Musk, he’s a nasty foreigner and not one of us.
I said last week that I was making fruit vinegar, this year with Chuckleberries not Blackberries - the former being a hybrid of redcurrants, blackcurrants and gooseberries, so with quite a sharp, tart flavour in comparison.
(Joy of joys, I just found a bottle of 2018 Blackberry Vinegar at the back, so I can compare, and therefore have no choice but to eat lots of pancakes.)
Oooh, now that's a useful link.
I will be retired soon and I love making my own wine from fruit.
My supply of fruit comes from a co-worker. I will have a look at that website come spring and see about getting some.
I've bought from there for 3 or 4 years. I lost
Bear in mind that prices are seasonal. So buying at height of harvest or when they are selling the last is good.
Also it's worth going for the free delivery option - saves £8 on an order of £65, with a taper.
I tend to order in late summer or autumn, and this year did "summer fruits", rhubarb chunks, and chuckleberries (which are inexpensive). I'll be making about 3l of fruit vinegar for me and Christmas hampers, and using the rest for porridge, cereals, crumbles etc.
Make sure you can use immediately or have ample freezer space - I had just under 20kg of fruit arrive so two whole freezer drawers. Much extra because chuckleberries were far less expensive when bought in a 12kg box. As you know, fresh or thawed berries will grow mould in a few days, if not used in some way.
A Russian warship in the Baltic Sea has fired with tracer ammunition on a German navy helicopter on patrol.
Nato increased such patrol/reconnaissance flights in the Baltic Sea following a series of sabotage of undersea cables. Suspects are Russia & China.
Is it best to get this war started properly before Trump takes over in January?
We are already at war. Sadly.
I’ve noticed that you have a flexible definition of we. When it comes to Russia, ‘we’ means the collective West, but when it comes to Elon Musk, he’s a nasty foreigner and not one of us.
When it comes to deciding who governs the UK, he doesn't get a call.
Someone who hated on the EU as much as you have ought to understand the difference between the two things. Or are you just being deliberately perverse ?
I said last week that I was making fruit vinegar, this year with Chuckleberries not Blackberries - the former being a hybrid of redcurrants, blackcurrants and gooseberries, so with quite a sharp, tart flavour in comparison.
(Joy of joys, I just found a bottle of 2018 Blackberry Vinegar at the back, so I can compare, and therefore have no choice but to eat lots of pancakes.)
Oooh, now that's a useful link.
I will be retired soon and I love making my own wine from fruit.
My supply of fruit comes from a co-worker. I will have a look at that website come spring and see about getting some.
I've bought from there for 2 or 3 years.
Bear in mind that prices are seasonal. So buying at height of harvest or when they are selling the last is good.
Also it's worth going for the free delivery option - saves £8 on an order of £65, with a taper.
I tend to order in late summer or autumn, and this year did "summer fruits", rhubarb chunks, and chuckleberries (which are inexpensive). I'll be making about 3l of fruit vinegar for me and Christmas hampers, and using the rest for porridge, cereals, crumbles etc.
Make sure you can use immediately or have ample freezer space - I had just under 20kg of fruit arrive so two whole freezer drawers. Much extra because chuckleberries were far less expensive when bought in a 12kg box. As you know, fresh or thawed berries will grow mould in under a week.
I presume it is all fresh so no issues with nasty preservatives like Sulphites which inhibit the fermentation process.
I may get a mini freezer for the garage. I would use over several months to ferment into wine. I have found freezing natural fruit, then defrosting and coating in sugar and pectolase for a couple of days is really good to get the juice out of the fruit.
My wife likes a Costco trip and to fill our freezer up with meat.
O/T Just received this heap of bullshit from the Guinness Six Nations Fantasy League:
"Guinness Men’s Six Nations: A Bold New Era Begins
The Guinness Men’s Six Nations is more than a rugby competition: it’s a spectacle that brings fans together in the darkest months of winter, sparking passion and igniting nations.
The Championship has taken an exciting step forward with the unveiling of a reimagined brand identity. Grounded in extensive research with fans, players, and stakeholders, the new brand captures the electrifying nature of the competition while aligning seamlessly with the recently revamped Guinness Women’s Six Nations and U6N pathway brands."
Made me laugh on a dark winter day, anyway.
So full of marketing wank that getting AI to do it might have injected a bit of humanity into it.
O/T Just received this heap of bullshit from the Guinness Six Nations Fantasy League:
"Guinness Men’s Six Nations: A Bold New Era Begins
The Guinness Men’s Six Nations is more than a rugby competition: it’s a spectacle that brings fans together in the darkest months of winter, sparking passion and igniting nations.
The Championship has taken an exciting step forward with the unveiling of a reimagined brand identity. Grounded in extensive research with fans, players, and stakeholders, the new brand captures the electrifying nature of the competition while aligning seamlessly with the recently revamped Guinness Women’s Six Nations and U6N pathway brands."
Made me laugh on a dark winter day, anyway.
So full of marketing wank that getting AI to do it might have injected a bit of humanity into it.
It reads like a piss take of Jaguar. Surely it's not supposed to be a serious email to customers?
“And learning absolutely nothing from the experience and returning absolutely none the wiser, as regular PB readers will be painfully aware by now is always your modus operandi.
It’s difficult for us to accept that the world’s greatest twat doesn’t return from exposure to the rest of the planet somewhat tempered in his extreme twattishness, but the evidence to the contrary is posted up here daily for us all to see.”
****
I don’t know @IanB2 - you and I normally get along so well, with our genial exchange of views and experiences, but I can’t help feeling a tiny tinge of negativity entering your discourse, towards me, in the past few days. It’s almost like you’re maybe a little ill-disposed towards me
Maybe I’m imagining it. A tropical fever dream! In the meantime I can honestly say I still enjoy your general soothing chat about the weather in ventnor and buying things at local shops and how you sometimes drink two cups of tea - there’s no negativity at my end
A Russian warship in the Baltic Sea has fired with tracer ammunition on a German navy helicopter on patrol.
Nato increased such patrol/reconnaissance flights in the Baltic Sea following a series of sabotage of undersea cables. Suspects are Russia & China.
Is it best to get this war started properly before Trump takes over in January?
We are already at war. Sadly.
I’ve noticed that you have a flexible definition of we. When it comes to Russia, ‘we’ means the collective West, but when it comes to Elon Musk, he’s a nasty foreigner and not one of us.
When it comes to deciding who governs the UK, he doesn't get a call.
Someone who hated on the EU as much as you have ought to understand the difference between the two things. Or are you just being deliberately perverse ?
William was once a Eurofederalist. It was a while ago, but his posts were far more cogent back in the day.
So Elon wants to replace Starmer with Nigel Nice by bunging Nigel $100m, he can either become a UK citizen through his grandmother or pay Nigel via the UK subsidiary of one of his companies.
Starmer and Labour aren't going anywhere for over four years. If Elon wants to remove Starmer from office he either needs to fund a coup or ensure enough ( hundreds of) Labour MPs meet with terminal accidents.
“And learning absolutely nothing from the experience and returning absolutely none the wiser, as regular PB readers will be painfully aware by now is always your modus operandi.
It’s difficult for us to accept that the world’s greatest twat doesn’t return from exposure to the rest of the planet somewhat tempered in his extreme twattishness, but the evidence to the contrary is posted up here daily for us all to see.”
****
I don’t know @IanB2 - you and I normally get along so well, with our genial exchange of views and experiences, but I can’t help feeling a tiny tinge of negativity entering your discourse, towards me, in the past few days. It’s almost like you’re maybe a little ill-disposed towards me
Maybe I’m imagining it. A tropical fever dream! In the meantime I can honestly say I still enjoy your general soothing chat about the weather in ventnor and buying things at local shops and how you sometimes drink two cups of tea - there’s no negativity at my end
It was interesting listening to Tim Montgomerie on Sky this morning about his defection to Reform which he said was a result of the immigration figures but he also said he doesn't agree with everything Farage says and unlike Reform he supports increasing foreign aid
He went on to say that in time, some accommodation between the Conservatives and Reform is quite likely which seemed as if he was hoping to act as a bridge between the two
It does appear from recent polling that the combined total of the two is gaining on the left and it would change politics if this happened, and not in a good way fror labour
That depends on how long it takes.
The shift of progressive voters from Liberal to Labour earlier in the last century gifted the Conservatives their longest unbroken period in office.
Indeed, there was no majority for any party other than the Conservatives between 1910 and 1945. So if that's the precedent the next non-Labour majority government might not be until around 2059.
With PR we would have had the Liberals with the balance of power for most of the 20th century, on current polls with PR Reform could well hold the balance of power for most of the 21st century
You've seen polls covering the rest of the century!?
I said last week that I was making fruit vinegar, this year with Chuckleberries not Blackberries - the former being a hybrid of redcurrants, blackcurrants and gooseberries, so with quite a sharp, tart flavour in comparison.
(Joy of joys, I just found a bottle of 2018 Blackberry Vinegar at the back, so I can compare, and therefore have no choice but to eat lots of pancakes.)
Oooh, now that's a useful link.
I will be retired soon and I love making my own wine from fruit.
My supply of fruit comes from a co-worker. I will have a look at that website come spring and see about getting some.
I've bought from there for 2 or 3 years.
Bear in mind that prices are seasonal. So buying at height of harvest or when they are selling the last is good.
Also it's worth going for the free delivery option - saves £8 on an order of £65, with a taper.
I tend to order in late summer or autumn, and this year did "summer fruits", rhubarb chunks, and chuckleberries (which are inexpensive). I'll be making about 3l of fruit vinegar for me and Christmas hampers, and using the rest for porridge, cereals, crumbles etc.
Make sure you can use immediately or have ample freezer space - I had just under 20kg of fruit arrive so two whole freezer drawers. Much extra because chuckleberries were far less expensive when bought in a 12kg box. As you know, fresh or thawed berries will grow mould in under a week.
I presume it is all fresh so no issues with nasty preservatives like Sulphites which inhibit the fermentation process.
I may get a mini freezer for the garage. I would use over several months to ferment into wine. I have found freezing natural fruit, then defrosting and coating in sugar and pectolase for a couple of days is really good to get the juice out of the fruit.
My wife likes a Costco trip and to fill our freezer up with meat.
You need to check on that. It arrives frozen , as per the name, so I assume you mean frozen direct from fresh.
Yes - frozen from fresh:
All our fruit is frozen from fresh so all the value is locked in…frozen in time you could say! When we freeze the fruit, nothing is added nor taken away therefore when it is defrosted it is still as healthy and nutritious as the day it was picked and frozen. https://www.frozenfruit.co.uk/why-frozen
Yoon is clinging on, for now. I don't think the threat of impeachment is a very credible justification for staging an attempted coup, but maybe that's just me ?
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_387740.html President Yoon Suk Yeol said there was "no wrongdoing" in the declaration of martial law, emphasizing that it was solely intended to prevent what he described as the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) "reckless impeachment actions."
His remarks, made during a meeting with key political figures, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon, drew criticism within the party for being out of touch with public sentiment.
According to sources in the ruling bloc on Wednesday, Yoon reiterated during the meeting at the Yongsan presidential office that the martial law declaration adhered to constitutional and legal procedures.
He dismissed allegations of any impropriety, framing the move as a necessary response to what he called the opposition party’s “abuse of impeachment powers.”
When asked by reporters whether the martial law served as a warning to the DPK, the PPP leader distanced himself from such interpretations, saying, “Martial law cannot be used as a mere warning.”..
A Russian warship in the Baltic Sea has fired with tracer ammunition on a German navy helicopter on patrol.
Nato increased such patrol/reconnaissance flights in the Baltic Sea following a series of sabotage of undersea cables. Suspects are Russia & China.
Is it best to get this war started properly before Trump takes over in January?
We are already at war. Sadly.
I’ve noticed that you have a flexible definition of we. When it comes to Russia, ‘we’ means the collective West, but when it comes to Elon Musk, he’s a nasty foreigner and not one of us.
"We" Pronoun used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself and one or more other people considered together.
So yes, 'we' is a flexible word; I'm amazed you think that's somehow a winning argument. If I'm talking to my family and I say "Shall we go to the seaside?" it can be taken I mean the people in the room, not the country. Or Musk.
I assume, given your radical change in politics, when you say 'we' you refer to your various internal identities?
It was interesting listening to Tim Montgomerie on Sky this morning about his defection to Reform which he said was a result of the immigration figures but he also said he doesn't agree with everything Farage says and unlike Reform he supports increasing foreign aid
He went on to say that in time, some accommodation between the Conservatives and Reform is quite likely which seemed as if he was hoping to act as a bridge between the two
It does appear from recent polling that the combined total of the two is gaining on the left and it would change politics if this happened, and not in a good way fror labour
In the Battle Of Trafalgar, Nelson defeated a larger force by splitting his opponents into two. In more modern times, the 1980s split of British Labour into Labour & SDP, and the later split of the Canadian Conservatives, kept them out of government for a decade. Until the pro-immigration Conservatives and the anti-immigration Reform come to an accommodation (I suggest controlled/capped immigration cf Goodwin et al), they will remain out of power.
Indeed, in the 20th century FPTP helped the Conservatives more as the left was divided between the Liberals and Labour, now it helps Labour more as the right is divided between the Tories and Reform. Hence Starmer's landslide Labour win on just 33.7% of the vote
For the period between when they were eclipsed by Labour into third place, through to the division between the SDP and Labour in the 1980s, the Liberals tended more to the right of centre.
Yoon is clinging on, for now. I don't think the threat of impeachment is a very credible justification for staging an attempted coup, but maybe that's just me ?
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_387740.html President Yoon Suk Yeol said there was "no wrongdoing" in the declaration of martial law, emphasizing that it was solely intended to prevent what he described as the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) "reckless impeachment actions."
His remarks, made during a meeting with key political figures, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon, drew criticism within the party for being out of touch with public sentiment.
According to sources in the ruling bloc on Wednesday, Yoon reiterated during the meeting at the Yongsan presidential office that the martial law declaration adhered to constitutional and legal procedures.
He dismissed allegations of any impropriety, framing the move as a necessary response to what he called the opposition party’s “abuse of impeachment powers.”
When asked by reporters whether the martial law served as a warning to the DPK, the PPP leader distanced himself from such interpretations, saying, “Martial law cannot be used as a mere warning.”..
Good of him to ensure that impeachment procedings are no longer reckless (whether or not they were previously).
A Russian warship in the Baltic Sea has fired with tracer ammunition on a German navy helicopter on patrol.
Nato increased such patrol/reconnaissance flights in the Baltic Sea following a series of sabotage of undersea cables. Suspects are Russia & China.
Is it best to get this war started properly before Trump takes over in January?
We are already at war. Sadly.
I’ve noticed that you have a flexible definition of we. When it comes to Russia, ‘we’ means the collective West, but when it comes to Elon Musk, he’s a nasty foreigner and not one of us.
"We" Pronoun used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself and one or more other people considered together.
So yes, 'we' is a flexible word; I'm amazed you think that's somehow a winning argument. If I'm talking to my family and I say "Shall we go to the seaside?" it can be taken I mean the people in the room, not the country. Or Musk.
I assume, given your radical change in politics, when you say 'we' you refer to your various internal identities?
The coffee in Colombia is excellent. No, really. It’s bloody good. If you ever make it out here - try the coffee. Remember who told you first - “Colombian coffee” - that’s a trade secret happily handed on
Next up: pasta in Italy
Are there any problems with safety wrt visiting Colombia? Boring question I know.
I have been there many times and helped to found a tourism company. I am married to a Colombian. It is a beautiful and friendly county. Generally we have had few problems, but you do need to take care and look like you know where you are going. In some lowland there is yellow fever, very rare but often fatal, worth having a jab if you are going to the Amazon for example. Dengue fever and malaria much more common, tell your GP where you've been if you get ill afterwards - if diagnosed they can be treated, if not could be very serious. Distances are big and roads poor, don't be too ambitious with your itinerary. The country used to be far far safer than its reputation crime wise. Perceptions have improved whilst the reality has got worse, so the gap has narrowed a bit. Poor Venezuelan refugees are the main reason for more crime in some areas I think. Distraction theft, pickpocketing and credit card cloning are the main crimes tourists suffer in my experience. More dramatic experiences are much rarer.
Yoon is clinging on, for now. I don't think the threat of impeachment is a very credible justification for staging an attempted coup, but maybe that's just me ?
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_387740.html President Yoon Suk Yeol said there was "no wrongdoing" in the declaration of martial law, emphasizing that it was solely intended to prevent what he described as the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) "reckless impeachment actions."
His remarks, made during a meeting with key political figures, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon, drew criticism within the party for being out of touch with public sentiment.
According to sources in the ruling bloc on Wednesday, Yoon reiterated during the meeting at the Yongsan presidential office that the martial law declaration adhered to constitutional and legal procedures.
He dismissed allegations of any impropriety, framing the move as a necessary response to what he called the opposition party’s “abuse of impeachment powers.”
When asked by reporters whether the martial law served as a warning to the DPK, the PPP leader distanced himself from such interpretations, saying, “Martial law cannot be used as a mere warning.”..
I said last week that I was making fruit vinegar, this year with Chuckleberries not Blackberries - the former being a hybrid of redcurrants, blackcurrants and gooseberries, so with quite a sharp, tart flavour in comparison.
(Joy of joys, I just found a bottle of 2018 Blackberry Vinegar at the back, so I can compare, and therefore have no choice but to eat lots of pancakes.)
Oooh, now that's a useful link.
I will be retired soon and I love making my own wine from fruit.
My supply of fruit comes from a co-worker. I will have a look at that website come spring and see about getting some.
I've bought from there for 2 or 3 years.
Bear in mind that prices are seasonal. So buying at height of harvest or when they are selling the last is good.
Also it's worth going for the free delivery option - saves £8 on an order of £65, with a taper.
I tend to order in late summer or autumn, and this year did "summer fruits", rhubarb chunks, and chuckleberries (which are inexpensive). I'll be making about 3l of fruit vinegar for me and Christmas hampers, and using the rest for porridge, cereals, crumbles etc.
Make sure you can use immediately or have ample freezer space - I had just under 20kg of fruit arrive so two whole freezer drawers. Much extra because chuckleberries were far less expensive when bought in a 12kg box. As you know, fresh or thawed berries will grow mould in under a week.
I presume it is all fresh so no issues with nasty preservatives like Sulphites which inhibit the fermentation process.
I may get a mini freezer for the garage. I would use over several months to ferment into wine. I have found freezing natural fruit, then defrosting and coating in sugar and pectolase for a couple of days is really good to get the juice out of the fruit.
My wife likes a Costco trip and to fill our freezer up with meat.
You need to check on that. It arrives frozen , as per the name, so I assume you mean frozen direct from fresh.
Yes - frozen from fresh:
All our fruit is frozen from fresh so all the value is locked in…frozen in time you could say! When we freeze the fruit, nothing is added nor taken away therefore when it is defrosted it is still as healthy and nutritious as the day it was picked and frozen. https://www.frozenfruit.co.uk/why-frozen
Thanks
Apologies for my terminology. I did indeed mean frozen from fresh so no nasties in it.
What does "targeted attack" mean in these circs, and what are potential motives?
His company will be under severe pressure if Trump shreds Medicare / Medicaid, but I don't see that as a likely motive.
(Top 20 company in the Fortune 500, btw.)
In American law enforcement jargon, a targeted attack means that someone deliberately attacked a specific person. It wasn’t a mugging or a stray bullet.
Given the rhetoric regarding healthcare related companies in the US, I’m just surprised it hasn’t happened before.
Yoon is clinging on, for now. I don't think the threat of impeachment is a very credible justification for staging an attempted coup, but maybe that's just me ?
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_387740.html President Yoon Suk Yeol said there was "no wrongdoing" in the declaration of martial law, emphasizing that it was solely intended to prevent what he described as the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) "reckless impeachment actions."
His remarks, made during a meeting with key political figures, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon, drew criticism within the party for being out of touch with public sentiment.
According to sources in the ruling bloc on Wednesday, Yoon reiterated during the meeting at the Yongsan presidential office that the martial law declaration adhered to constitutional and legal procedures.
He dismissed allegations of any impropriety, framing the move as a necessary response to what he called the opposition party’s “abuse of impeachment powers.”
When asked by reporters whether the martial law served as a warning to the DPK, the PPP leader distanced himself from such interpretations, saying, “Martial law cannot be used as a mere warning.”..
Good of him to ensure that impeachment procedings are no longer reckless (whether or not they were previously).
So he needed to seize control of the country in order to avoid jail? This reminds me of someone. Tip of my tongue.
Yes, I’m sure there will be some wriggle that unions are a lot of individuals but somehow corporations aren’t.
This has been an argument that has gone round and round. The trade off has always been capping corporations and individuals if you cap unions. Labour has always resisted.
Just to be clear this will MASSIVELY tilt the political battlefield in Labour’s favour. It’s far worse than ID requirements, redistricting or anything else that has been suggested over the years. I assume we will see a lot of posts from those who complained about ID condemning this proposal.
At least it stops faceless tax haven dodgy donations
Unions are a large number of individuals, if there is an opt out from the political levy then each one is making an individual decision to donate. There is nothing wrong with that. As a shareholder or employee of a corporation I have no say in political donations and can't opt out my individual portion. However, this is really about super wealthy individuals being capped, which with the trends in funding will affect all parties, even Labour is becoming dependent on super wealthy individuals.
What if, say, there were to be a new Trade Union. It could be called something like, the Association of Rocketry and Satellite Engineers. Elon Musk might be the honorary President and chip in with a few pennies for the biscuits at branch meetings.
You'd be fine with them making a £100m donation to Reform?
The individual cap can ( and should) be applied to unions. Musk would just have to recruit however many like-minded members were needed to meet the cap.
No, unions should be capped on donations too, and prevented from acting as a facilitator / processor of individual donations, unless they can demonstrate that members can donate to any party they choose, without discrimination.
That sort of approach would risk making it impossible for a political party to use a third party payment system, e.g credit cards. Need some sort of discriminator.
Yoon is clinging on, for now. I don't think the threat of impeachment is a very credible justification for staging an attempted coup, but maybe that's just me ?
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_387740.html President Yoon Suk Yeol said there was "no wrongdoing" in the declaration of martial law, emphasizing that it was solely intended to prevent what he described as the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) "reckless impeachment actions."
His remarks, made during a meeting with key political figures, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon, drew criticism within the party for being out of touch with public sentiment.
According to sources in the ruling bloc on Wednesday, Yoon reiterated during the meeting at the Yongsan presidential office that the martial law declaration adhered to constitutional and legal procedures.
He dismissed allegations of any impropriety, framing the move as a necessary response to what he called the opposition party’s “abuse of impeachment powers.”
When asked by reporters whether the martial law served as a warning to the DPK, the PPP leader distanced himself from such interpretations, saying, “Martial law cannot be used as a mere warning.”..
Good of him to ensure that impeachment procedings are no longer reckless (whether or not they were previously).
So he needed to seize control of the country in order to avoid jail? This reminds me of someone. Tip of my tongue.
What does "targeted attack" mean in these circs, and what are potential motives?
His company will be under severe pressure if Trump shreds Medicare / Medicaid, but I don't see that as a likely motive.
(Top 20 company in the Fortune 500, btw.)
In American law enforcement jargon, a targeted attack means that someone deliberately attacked a specific person. It wasn’t a mugging or a stray bullet.
Given the rhetoric regarding healthcare related companies in the US, I’m just surprised it hasn’t happened before.
It's difficult to what side this would be from.
This is aiui a service provider rather than say a pharma company.
"Hunter Biden’s pardon is the death rattle of the elites President Biden’s pardoning of his son shatters the moral pretensions of the establishment. Brendan O'Neill"
"Hunter Biden’s pardon is the death rattle of the elites President Biden’s pardoning of his son shatters the moral pretensions of the establishment. Brendan O'Neill"
Yoon is clinging on, for now. I don't think the threat of impeachment is a very credible justification for staging an attempted coup, but maybe that's just me ?
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_387740.html President Yoon Suk Yeol said there was "no wrongdoing" in the declaration of martial law, emphasizing that it was solely intended to prevent what he described as the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) "reckless impeachment actions."
His remarks, made during a meeting with key political figures, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon, drew criticism within the party for being out of touch with public sentiment.
According to sources in the ruling bloc on Wednesday, Yoon reiterated during the meeting at the Yongsan presidential office that the martial law declaration adhered to constitutional and legal procedures.
He dismissed allegations of any impropriety, framing the move as a necessary response to what he called the opposition party’s “abuse of impeachment powers.”
When asked by reporters whether the martial law served as a warning to the DPK, the PPP leader distanced himself from such interpretations, saying, “Martial law cannot be used as a mere warning.”..
Good of him to ensure that impeachment procedings are no longer reckless (whether or not they were previously).
So he needed to seize control of the country in order to avoid jail? This reminds me of someone. Tip of my tongue.
Bibi? Oh I see...
The World is indeed in a spot of bother. Prime Minister and Elon's freedom fighting hero Steven Yaxley-Lennon would give us a full house.
"Hunter Biden’s pardon is the death rattle of the elites President Biden’s pardoning of his son shatters the moral pretensions of the establishment. Brendan O'Neill"
Was it the death rattle of the elites when Trump pardoned people?
Obama pardoned more than Trump, so if that's the coeur de cri it doesn't really wash. Now Trump pardoning Kushner was obviously nepotic but the Democrat's selling point was that they were.... better than that. Gone, over, completely demolished now.
"Hunter Biden’s pardon is the death rattle of the elites President Biden’s pardoning of his son shatters the moral pretensions of the establishment. Brendan O'Neill"
"Hunter Biden’s pardon is the death rattle of the elites President Biden’s pardoning of his son shatters the moral pretensions of the establishment. Brendan O'Neill"
"Hunter Biden’s pardon is the death rattle of the elites President Biden’s pardoning of his son shatters the moral pretensions of the establishment. Brendan O'Neill"
"Hunter Biden’s pardon is the death rattle of the elites President Biden’s pardoning of his son shatters the moral pretensions of the establishment. Brendan O'Neill"
"Hunter Biden’s pardon is the death rattle of the elites President Biden’s pardoning of his son shatters the moral pretensions of the establishment. Brendan O'Neill"
The quite convincing argument I have seen for Biden issuing pardons not just to Hunter Biden but also to all the people Trump says are on the "list" he will target using the DoJ such as Judges, Investigators, Prosecutors, Witnesses etc is because if Biden issues broad pardons to them all it will protect them from Trump's illegitemate attempts at revenge.
It was interesting listening to Tim Montgomerie on Sky this morning about his defection to Reform which he said was a result of the immigration figures but he also said he doesn't agree with everything Farage says and unlike Reform he supports increasing foreign aid
He went on to say that in time, some accommodation between the Conservatives and Reform is quite likely which seemed as if he was hoping to act as a bridge between the two
It does appear from recent polling that the combined total of the two is gaining on the left and it would change politics if this happened, and not in a good way fror labour
That depends on how long it takes.
The shift of progressive voters from Liberal to Labour earlier in the last century gifted the Conservatives their longest unbroken period in office.
Indeed, there was no majority for any party other than the Conservatives between 1910 and 1945. So if that's the precedent the next non-Labour majority government might not be until around 2059.
It was interesting listening to Tim Montgomerie on Sky this morning about his defection to Reform which he said was a result of the immigration figures but he also said he doesn't agree with everything Farage says and unlike Reform he supports increasing foreign aid
He went on to say that in time, some accommodation between the Conservatives and Reform is quite likely which seemed as if he was hoping to act as a bridge between the two
It does appear from recent polling that the combined total of the two is gaining on the left and it would change politics if this happened, and not in a good way fror labour
That depends on how long it takes.
The shift of progressive voters from Liberal to Labour earlier in the last century gifted the Conservatives their longest unbroken period in office.
Indeed, there was no majority for any party other than the Conservatives between 1910 and 1945. So if that's the precedent the next non-Labour majority government might not be until around 2059.
With PR we would have had the Liberals with the balance of power for most of the 20th century, on current polls with PR Reform could well hold the balance of power for most of the 21st century
We've got three quarters of the century to come. It might be a bit premature to make predictions...
"Hunter Biden’s pardon is the death rattle of the elites President Biden’s pardoning of his son shatters the moral pretensions of the establishment. Brendan O'Neill"
It was interesting listening to Tim Montgomerie on Sky this morning about his defection to Reform which he said was a result of the immigration figures but he also said he doesn't agree with everything Farage says and unlike Reform he supports increasing foreign aid
He went on to say that in time, some accommodation between the Conservatives and Reform is quite likely which seemed as if he was hoping to act as a bridge between the two
It does appear from recent polling that the combined total of the two is gaining on the left and it would change politics if this happened, and not in a good way fror labour
That depends on how long it takes.
The shift of progressive voters from Liberal to Labour earlier in the last century gifted the Conservatives their longest unbroken period in office.
Indeed, there was no majority for any party other than the Conservatives between 1910 and 1945. So if that's the precedent the next non-Labour majority government might not be until around 2059.
With PR we would have had the Liberals with the balance of power for most of the 20th century, on current polls with PR Reform could well hold the balance of power for most of the 21st century
No we wouldn't.
With PR our voting would evolve differently and our parties would evolve differently.
The idea you can take an FPTP election results and apply it to PR is just insane, it doesn't work that way.
Comments
They would be wise to parachute Penny Mordaunt back in at the first opportunity. She is head and shoulders above anyone in current Shadow Cabinet
Mind you it's a very low bar
Many of the descendants of those same working class voters now back Reform, the Tories and Liberals by contrast have always been mainly middle class parties
At that level, our crooked voting system (which you and your ilk have so long defended) is essentially a lottery.
He watched.
"Mucho carne...."
I think the driver may have been Gregg Wallace.
In some lowland there is yellow fever, very rare but often fatal, worth having a jab if you are going to the Amazon for example. Dengue fever and malaria much more common, tell your GP where you've been if you get ill afterwards - if diagnosed they can be treated, if not could be very serious.
Distances are big and roads poor, don't be too ambitious with your itinerary.
The country used to be far far safer than its reputation crime wise. Perceptions have improved whilst the reality has got worse, so the gap has narrowed a bit. Poor Venezuelan refugees are the main reason for more crime in some areas I think.
Distraction theft, pickpocketing and credit card cloning are the main crimes tourists suffer in my experience. More dramatic experiences are much rarer.
"Guinness Men’s Six Nations: A Bold New Era Begins
The Guinness Men’s Six Nations is more than a rugby competition: it’s a spectacle that brings fans together in the darkest months of winter, sparking passion and igniting nations.
The Championship has taken an exciting step forward with the unveiling of a reimagined brand identity. Grounded in extensive research with fans, players, and stakeholders, the new brand captures the electrifying nature of the competition while aligning seamlessly with the recently revamped Guinness Women’s Six Nations and U6N pathway brands."
Made me laugh on a dark winter day, anyway.
You'd be fine with them making a £100m donation to Reform?
https://nypost.com/2024/12/04/us-news/ceo-of-unitedhealthcare-fatally-shot-outside-of-hilton-hotel-in-nyc-in-possible-targeted-attack-sources/
https://x.com/adamfeuerstein/status/1864310759020204403
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made over $20,000 per week as chairman of Children’s Health Defense before stepping away from the nonprofit in 2023 to run for president.
https://x.com/statnews/status/1864037251954417903
In other words, exactly sort of thing why voters give you worst result in history and send you into political oblivion.
You realise your spin in your post has been the most cutting and damaging attack yet on Kemi Badenoch?
Now what’s the real reasoning she gave for need of more immigration visa’s despite the immigration figures?
Bear in mind that prices are seasonal. So buying at height of harvest or when they are selling the last is good.
Also it's worth going for the free delivery option - saves £8 on an order of £65, with a taper.
I tend to order in late summer or autumn, and this year did "summer fruits", rhubarb chunks, and chuckleberries (which are inexpensive). I'll be making about 3l of fruit vinegar for me and Christmas hampers, and using the rest for porridge, cereals, crumbles etc.
Make sure you can use immediately or have ample freezer space - I had just under 20kg of fruit arrive so two whole freezer drawers. Much extra because chuckleberries were far less expensive when bought in a 12kg box. As you know, fresh or thawed berries will grow mould in a few days, if not used in some way.
Someone who hated on the EU as much as you have ought to understand the difference between the two things.
Or are you just being deliberately perverse ?
I may get a mini freezer for the garage. I would use over several months to ferment into wine. I have found freezing natural fruit, then defrosting and coating in sugar and pectolase for a couple of days is really good to get the juice out of the fruit.
My wife likes a Costco trip and to fill our freezer up with meat.
If a FTSE boss was gunned down in London, we'd probably be interested.
“And learning absolutely nothing from the experience and returning absolutely none the wiser, as regular PB readers will be painfully aware by now is always your modus operandi.
It’s difficult for us to accept that the world’s greatest twat doesn’t return from exposure to the rest of the planet somewhat tempered in his extreme twattishness, but the evidence to the contrary is posted up here daily for us all to see.”
****
I don’t know @IanB2 - you and I normally get along so well, with our genial exchange of views and experiences, but I can’t help feeling a tiny tinge of negativity entering your discourse, towards me, in the past few days. It’s almost like you’re maybe a little ill-disposed towards me
Maybe I’m imagining it. A tropical fever dream! In the meantime I can honestly say I still enjoy your general soothing chat about the weather in ventnor and buying things at local shops and how you sometimes drink two cups of tea - there’s no negativity at my end
So Elon wants to replace Starmer with Nigel Nice by bunging Nigel $100m, he can either become a UK citizen through his grandmother or pay Nigel via the UK subsidiary of one of his companies.
Starmer and Labour aren't going anywhere for over four years. If Elon wants to remove Starmer from office he either needs to fund a coup or ensure enough ( hundreds of) Labour MPs meet with terminal accidents.
His company will be under severe pressure if Trump shreds Medicare / Medicaid, but I don't see that as a likely motive.
(Top 20 company in the Fortune 500, btw.)
Yes - frozen from fresh:
All our fruit is frozen from fresh so all the value is locked in…frozen in time you could say! When we freeze the fruit, nothing is added nor taken away therefore when it is defrosted it is still as healthy and nutritious as the day it was picked and frozen.
https://www.frozenfruit.co.uk/why-frozen
I don't think the threat of impeachment is a very credible justification for staging an attempted coup, but maybe that's just me ?
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_387740.html
President Yoon Suk Yeol said there was "no wrongdoing" in the declaration of martial law, emphasizing that it was solely intended to prevent what he described as the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) "reckless impeachment actions."
His remarks, made during a meeting with key political figures, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon, drew criticism within the party for being out of touch with public sentiment.
According to sources in the ruling bloc on Wednesday, Yoon reiterated during the meeting at the Yongsan presidential office that the martial law declaration adhered to constitutional and legal procedures.
He dismissed allegations of any impropriety, framing the move as a necessary response to what he called the opposition party’s “abuse of impeachment powers.”
When asked by reporters whether the martial law served as a warning to the DPK, the PPP leader distanced himself from such interpretations, saying, “Martial law cannot be used as a mere warning.”..
Pronoun
used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself and one or more other people considered together.
So yes, 'we' is a flexible word; I'm amazed you think that's somehow a winning argument. If I'm talking to my family and I say "Shall we go to the seaside?" it can be taken I mean the people in the room, not the country. Or Musk.
I assume, given your radical change in politics, when you say 'we' you refer to your various internal identities?
Also, great coffee
The Ghost of Queen Victoria is not amused.
Final balance seems to be 220 Republican vs 215 Democrat.
Plus Trump is appointing one to his Cabinet, and Matt Gaetz ran away.
So even narrower until they are replaced in special elections.
Apologies for my terminology. I did indeed mean frozen from fresh so no nasties in it.
Given the rhetoric regarding healthcare related companies in the US, I’m just surprised it hasn’t happened before.
Gregg.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/tv/john-torode-says-gregg-wallace-allegations-are-truly-upsetting/ar-AA1vgvk3?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=221cb60ed8444d2f9b253729d452c6df&ei=25
This is aiui a service provider rather than say a pharma company.
"Hunter Biden’s pardon is the death rattle of the elites
President Biden’s pardoning of his son shatters the moral pretensions of the establishment.
Brendan O'Neill"
https://www.spiked-online.com/2024/12/02/hunter-bidens-pardon-is-the-death-rattle-of-the-elites/
The World is indeed in a spot of bother. Prime Minister and Elon's freedom fighting hero Steven Yaxley-Lennon would give us a full house.
Gone, over, completely demolished now.
As for Trump and his proposed pardons, in the sage words of Randy Bachman "Bbbbbaby you just ain't seen nnnnothin' yet!"
NEW THREAD
It goes at least as far back as Ford pardoning Nixon in the 1970s.
Here's the Wikipedia selected list. The Hunter Biden one is mild. It's a corrupt element of a corrupt system.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_pardoned_or_granted_clemency_by_the_president_of_the_United_States
The quite convincing argument I have seen for Biden issuing pardons not just to Hunter Biden but also to all the people Trump says are on the "list" he will target using the DoJ such as Judges, Investigators, Prosecutors, Witnesses etc is because if Biden issues broad pardons to them all it will protect them from Trump's illegitemate attempts at revenge.
Matt Gaetz who has already resigned
Elise Stefanik who is becoming Ambassador to the UN
Mike Waltz who is becoming National Security Advisor
Of these, Elise Stefanik's seat in New York *might* be vulnerable in the event of low turnout.
With PR our voting would evolve differently and our parties would evolve differently.
The idea you can take an FPTP election results and apply it to PR is just insane, it doesn't work that way.