A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Perhaps if the media including the state broadcaster didn’t run PR day in, day out for the Firm, the fascination with them wouldn’t be so disproportionate. We’re conditioned all our lives to think where the monarch gives his Christmas speech is of prime importance, and that ‘the Queen’ (lol) sending a special message to the presenters of Strictly matters a fuck. If you’ve bought the box of chocolates, you can’t really complain about the coffee flavoured ones.
Coffee flavoured ones are my favourites to be honest but I do find our obsession with the Royal family and their comings and goings more than a bit tiresome. Clearly there's a market for it though.
But the difference between genuine evil and selfish prat remains an important distinction.
Agree entirely. Coffee-flavoured chocolates are the best.
Mint, nut or orange are above coffee.
We obsess about the Royals while ignoring the significant political influence granted them behind the scenes.
Fruit flavoured soft centres and hard nutty chocolates are both far better than the endless varieties of truffle that currently seem fashionable.
I'm going to suffer this Christmas.
The wine hamper that was supposed to be a present for a friend in London just turned up on my doorstep because I put the wrong address in !!!
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
Care to explain?
Really? You need me to explain? He was discussed on here just a few days ago regarding his views and his posts to the internet, and interviews, etc. I mean a quick search on the internet and you can get a bucket full of it.
Ok ignore. My apologise @Luckyguy1983 (I think) and to anyone I might have libelled (eek). I can't be bothered to following up but I might be getting confused and hat tip to @MattW for alerting me. I might be getting a Chris Parry and a David Parry mixed up.
You mean there are two retired naval officers supporting Reform. Chris and David Parry, who happen to look identical?
Oddly this seems to be nearly the case. The interview is with the racist Chris Parry, but David Parry the submariner also appears to be supportive of Reform, but not as far as I know an actual racist. They look quite similar too.
The only mistake seems to be in the original post linking to the video and identifying Chris Parry as David Parry. Everything else, Chris Parry's views, Reform candidature etc seems to be correct
Nobody needs to apologise to the OP who made the mistake, though Starkey could identify his interviewees in the info.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Not that A's self preserving vanity would allow it but even that avenue has been limited.
It could be anything from are they stored appropriately to is he a potential suicide risk at this particular time. They have huge discretion, including aiui a legal duty of care to the individual.
He can Appeal, but it's a hearing in the Crown Court - which would be tabloid fodder.
I'm not sure if loss of a license for Windsor has any impact if he also has one for Norfolk, or if he needs another one for another location.
Given he will be locked in Sandringham he will be able to shoot off as much as he likes, place will be sealed off so unlikely any plebs would be likely to spot him lurking in the woods.
In its own way, it is a fitting punishment.
He faces a lifetime of irrelevancy and effective house arrest.
He will have plenty of time for regrets.
A gilded cage non the less, no UC or sleeping in doorways for him, will still be the lap of luxury for sure.
It’s his ex, Mrs Sarah M etc that one could be sorry for.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
You would hope by now that naughty world leaders would understand that there is absolutely no benefit, indeed a detriment, to any military action that cannot be guaranteed to meet its objectives very quickly and also have the vague support of the people in the target country.
Vietnam, Afghanistan (Russia and the West), Iraq, Ukraine should all be lessons to China about the risk with Taiwan. Many things have to be considered that can go wrong and for China it would disrupt their economies, make other countries who have been generally open to them no longer see them as being fairly “neutral” and it would cost huge amount of lives.
Is it really worth it for them? Let’s hope they realise that the emotional and ego/pride drivers are defeated by cold hard reality.
We’re back to the issue we’ve discussed previously.
What benefit does anybody derive from conquest, in this era? A well-organised defender will inflict dreadful casualties, it costs the attacker hundreds of billions that could be better spent, and you’re left with a hostile population, even if successful.
Taiwan is perhaps a special case. If China took it, the economic damage to its US adversary might be many times that suffered by China itself. There's also probably a sizeable minority of the Taiwanese population which would happily collaborate with the new rulers. And once taken, it would be almost impossible to liberate.
China imports, by sea, huge proportions of its food and energy. US could very easily put China under a lot of pressure.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
Care to explain?
Really? You need me to explain? He was discussed on here just a few days ago regarding his views and his posts to the internet, and interviews, etc. I mean a quick search on the internet and you can get a bucket full of it.
Ok ignore. My apologise @Luckyguy1983 (I think) and to anyone I might have libelled (eek). I can't be bothered to following up but I might be getting confused and hat tip to @MattW for alerting me. I might be getting a Chris Parry and a David Parry mixed up.
You mean there are two retired naval officers supporting Reform. Chris and David Parry, who happen to look identical?
Oddly this seems to be nearly the case. The interview is with the racist Chris Parry, but David Parry the submariner also appears to be supportive of Reform, but not as far as I know an actual racist. They look quite similar too.
You mean I actually got it right by making two mistakes. The interview was with Chris Parry, but Lucky said David and I assumed David was Chris so I ended up being correct. Time to go back to Stollen kneeding as my head hurts.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
Care to explain?
Really? You need me to explain? He was discussed on here just a few days ago regarding his views and his posts to the internet, and interviews, etc. I mean a quick search on the internet and you can get a bucket full of it.
Ok ignore. My apologise @Luckyguy1983 (I think) and to anyone I might have libelled (eek). I can't be bothered to following up but I might be getting confused and hat tip to @MattW for alerting me. I might be getting a Chris Parry and a David Parry mixed up.
I've been away for two days - what on earth have you said about me?
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Not that A's self preserving vanity would allow it but even that avenue has been limited.
It could be anything from are they stored appropriately to is he a potential suicide risk at this particular time. They have huge discretion, including aiui a legal duty of care to the individual.
He can Appeal, but it's a hearing in the Crown Court - which would be tabloid fodder.
I'm not sure if loss of a license for Windsor has any impact if he also has one for Norfolk, or if he needs another one for another location.
Given he will be locked in Sandringham he will be able to shoot off as much as he likes, place will be sealed off so unlikely any plebs would be likely to spot him lurking in the woods.
In its own way, it is a fitting punishment.
He faces a lifetime of irrelevancy and effective house arrest.
He will have plenty of time for regrets.
A gilded cage non the less, no UC or sleeping in doorways for him, will still be the lap of luxury for sure.
A cage, even a luxury one, is still a cage.
he will have hundreds of acres to wander around, I don't feel sorry for him.
You could give me a whole island and I'd still feel trapped if I couldn't leave.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
Care to explain?
Really? You need me to explain? He was discussed on here just a few days ago regarding his views and his posts to the internet, and interviews, etc. I mean a quick search on the internet and you can get a bucket full of it.
Ok ignore. My apologise @Luckyguy1983 (I think) and to anyone I might have libelled (eek). I can't be bothered to following up but I might be getting confused and hat tip to @MattW for alerting me. I might be getting a Chris Parry and a David Parry mixed up.
I've been away for two days - what on earth have you said about me?
Oh my goodness. That is a 2nd court case I am going to have fight. One with Chris or David Parry (at this point I have no idea which is going to sue me) and now @eek for admitting to a libel I didn't actually make.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Perhaps if the media including the state broadcaster didn’t run PR day in, day out for the Firm, the fascination with them wouldn’t be so disproportionate. We’re conditioned all our lives to think where the monarch gives his Christmas speech is of prime importance, and that ‘the Queen’ (lol) sending a special message to the presenters of Strictly matters a fuck. If you’ve bought the box of chocolates, you can’t really complain about the coffee flavoured ones.
Coffee flavoured ones are my favourites to be honest but I do find our obsession with the Royal family and their comings and goings more than a bit tiresome. Clearly there's a market for it though.
But the difference between genuine evil and selfish prat remains an important distinction.
Agree entirely. Coffee-flavoured chocolates are the best.
Mint, nut or orange are above coffee.
We obsess about the Royals while ignoring the significant political influence granted them behind the scenes.
Fruit flavoured soft centres and hard nutty chocolates are both far better than the endless varieties of truffle that currently seem fashionable.
I'm going to suffer this Christmas.
The wine hamper that was supposed to be a present for a friend in London just turned up on my doorstep because I put the wrong address in !!!
Hiccup !
You will be making amends by delivering it personally, obviously!
Er ... nope !
I had to open it to check the contents.
It will "happy belated Christmas" just before New Year.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
As I make it, it is Chris Parry in the interview linked. He has been a fairly regular commentary now expressing Reform type views roughly having a go at the other parties and has been around recently as newly linked to RefUK, who is perhaps due some sort of defence type role for RefUK in the future perhaps as adviser.
David Parry is another commentator, about who's views I know little other than that he exists with that name.
I was just warning about what was probably a misremembering or even a typo. If one or two were potentially having a small potshot at Chris Parry, then it helps to get the name right.
I am an expert at these, in that I reach lazily for a word which seems similar but turns out to be entirely ridiculous. At school I once managed in class to rename the Pretender Perkin Warbeck as "Marvin Purbeck", which caused months of teasing.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
As I make it, it is Chris Parry in the interview linked. He has been a fairly regular commentary now expressing Reform type views roughly having a go at the other parties and has been around recently as newly linked to RefUK, who is perhaps due some sort of defence type role for RefUK in the future perhaps as adviser.
David Parry is another commentator, about who's views I know little other than that he exists the name.
I was just warning about what was probably a misrembering or even a type.
I am an expert at these, in that I reach for a word which seems similar but turns out to be entirely ridiculous. At school I once managed to rename the Pretender Perkin Warbeck as "Marvin Purbeck", which caused months of teasing.
And I may have libelled David Parry submariner in saying he appears to support Reform by confusing the Twitter account of yet another David Parry. Mea culpa.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
You would hope by now that naughty world leaders would understand that there is absolutely no benefit, indeed a detriment, to any military action that cannot be guaranteed to meet its objectives very quickly and also have the vague support of the people in the target country.
Vietnam, Afghanistan (Russia and the West), Iraq, Ukraine should all be lessons to China about the risk with Taiwan. Many things have to be considered that can go wrong and for China it would disrupt their economies, make other countries who have been generally open to them no longer see them as being fairly “neutral” and it would cost huge amount of lives.
Is it really worth it for them? Let’s hope they realise that the emotional and ego/pride drivers are defeated by cold hard reality.
We’re back to the issue we’ve discussed previously.
What benefit does anybody derive from conquest, in this era? A well-organised defender will inflict dreadful casualties, it costs the attacker hundreds of billions that could be better spent, and you’re left with a hostile population, even if successful.
Taiwan is perhaps a special case. If China took it, the economic damage to its US adversary might be many times that suffered by China itself. There's also probably a sizeable minority of the Taiwanese population which would happily collaborate with the new rulers. And once taken, it would be almost impossible to liberate.
China imports, by sea, huge proportions of its food and energy. US could very easily put China under a lot of pressure.
Dunno about food but on the energy front they are moving heaven and earth to not be reliant on LPG via ships.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
One thing that puzzles me about the Epstein Files is why were all those paedophilliac weirdos so keen on photographing each other and keeping the pics? Me and my friends & family weren’t that bothered with it even in our comparatively normal lives. It’s like the narcissistic selfie generation has been time travelled to the 80s and 90s. I mean, who would want this moment recorded, even if there was nothing dubious going on?
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
Depends where the Tory recovery is. If it’s in seats where LDs are the opposition they may free parliament from these largely earnest buffoons.
The Tory recovery would need to take them over their 2024 vote share, and counteract some consolidated tactical voting, to stand a chance of removing those stout patriotic Trump-trolling yeomen of merrie Gales Bakery England.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
At least it’s always a holiday. Mine is usually a working day. I think it makes the extended Christmas period more varied and special.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
I'm not so sure. Labour might be unpopular enough that they could end up behind Reform and the Tories even if those two split the right-wing opposition vote between them evenly.
The first time in forever that the right-wing vote is split, and the left still manages to be *more* split. I think the British left is capable of that. I really do.
So when do we get to see how those of us still here did in the predicting ? All good fun. Last year I was in a relegation spot. Hoping for mid table mediocrity this year.
Is it just social media feeding me things, or has something turned in the US posture towards Europe in the last few days? Not just the usual playground trolling but a new stage where we really are now facing a United States as strategic enemy?
I guess it depends on whether your “we” means the UK and Europe. I personally think, without any evidence but pure gut, that the US would like the UK more distant to the EU but apart from their concerns about the evils of Sadiq Khan and when King Charles is going to convert and declare the UK a caliphate, I think they see us separately.
They clearly see the EU as, if not an enemy, no longer a friend and it’s a competitor.
The EU is a trade competitor by virtue of its size and wealth, is a competitor on geopolitical-political influence and to MAGA the EU speak funny languages and have strange customs.
So I don’t think the US is yet a strategic enemy to “us” but is moving that way to Europe unless Europe shifts to being a nodding dog to Trump and Co.
If that's correct, you might add that the US expect us to be a nodding dog.
Or already sees Starmer as one.
Blame Blair for setting the precedent.
I saw an Instagram clip yesterday with Blair claiming that he always tried to tell the people the truth. Such an unbelievable barefaced lie typifies the man.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
I'm not so sure. Labour might be unpopular enough that they could end up behind Reform and the Tories even if those two split the right-wing opposition vote between them evenly.
The first time in forever that the right-wing vote is split, and the left still manages to be *more* split. I think the British left is capable of that. I really do.
The Lib Dem vote is not much of an issue for Labour given its geographical concentration. They need Green to come down significantly though.
Is it just social media feeding me things, or has something turned in the US posture towards Europe in the last few days? Not just the usual playground trolling but a new stage where we really are now facing a United States as strategic enemy?
I guess it depends on whether your “we” means the UK and Europe. I personally think, without any evidence but pure gut, that the US would like the UK more distant to the EU but apart from their concerns about the evils of Sadiq Khan and when King Charles is going to convert and declare the UK a caliphate, I think they see us separately.
They clearly see the EU as, if not an enemy, no longer a friend and it’s a competitor.
The EU is a trade competitor by virtue of its size and wealth, is a competitor on geopolitical-political influence and to MAGA the EU speak funny languages and have strange customs.
So I don’t think the US is yet a strategic enemy to “us” but is moving that way to Europe unless Europe shifts to being a nodding dog to Trump and Co.
If that's correct, you might add that the US expect us to be a nodding dog.
Or already sees Starmer as one.
Blame Blair for setting the precedent.
I saw an Instagram clip yesterday with Blair claiming that he always tried to tell the people the truth. Such an unbelievable barefaced lie typifies the man.
So when do we get to see how those of us still here did in the predicting ? All good fun. Last year I was in a relegation spot. Hoping for mid table mediocrity this year.
My guess is that some of the numbers won't be in until at least mid January, maybe even the end of January. An annual opportunity to demonstrate resilience and a lack of embarrassment without in any way being any less diffident on future projections.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
Depends where the Tory recovery is. If it’s in seats where LDs are the opposition they may free parliament from these largely earnest buffoons.
The Tory recovery would need to take them over their 2024 vote share, and counteract some consolidated tactical voting, to stand a chance of removing those stout patriotic Trump-trolling yeomen of merrie Gales Bakery England.
I wonder how consolidated the tactical voting is/was. Clearly there was the feeling we had all had enough of the Tories in 2024. Will that really be the case in 2028 or 2029.
I’m unsure it will be but then the nearest Gail’s to me is in a different timezone and I know little of these areas you call ‘middle class’
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
Depends where the Tory recovery is. If it’s in seats where LDs are the opposition they may free parliament from these largely earnest buffoons.
The Tory recovery would need to take them over their 2024 vote share, and counteract some consolidated tactical voting, to stand a chance of removing those stout patriotic Trump-trolling yeomen of merrie Gales Bakery England.
I wonder how consolidated the tactical voting is/was. Clearly there was the feeling we had all had enough of the Tories in 2024. Will that really be the case in 2028 or 2029.
I’m unsure it will be but then the nearest Gail’s to me is in a different timezone and I know little of these areas you call ‘middle class’
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
Depends where the Tory recovery is. If it’s in seats where LDs are the opposition they may free parliament from these largely earnest buffoons.
The Tory recovery would need to take them over their 2024 vote share, and counteract some consolidated tactical voting, to stand a chance of removing those stout patriotic Trump-trolling yeomen of merrie Gales Bakery England.
I wonder how consolidated the tactical voting is/was. Clearly there was the feeling we had all had enough of the Tories in 2024. Will that really be the case in 2028 or 2029.
I’m unsure it will be but then the nearest Gail’s to me is in a different timezone and I know little of these areas you call ‘middle class’
I thought you lived in Kenilworth?
Many years ago. About 2005 - 2007 when I worked at Magna in Leamington. I lodged with my friends ex wife.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
I'm not so sure. Labour might be unpopular enough that they could end up behind Reform and the Tories even if those two split the right-wing opposition vote between them evenly.
The first time in forever that the right-wing vote is split, and the left still manages to be *more* split. I think the British left is capable of that. I really do.
The Lib Dem vote is not much of an issue for Labour given its geographical concentration. They need Green to come down significantly though.
Even with the Greens Labour could be lucky. They can afford to lose a lot of votes to the Greens in seats like Streatham and Croydon North and not lose many seats.
That might be a factor that explains why Labour are more concerned about losing votes to Reform than to the Greens. I suspect that votes lost to Reform leads more rapidly to losing seats to Reform than losing votes to the Greens does.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
Depends where the Tory recovery is. If it’s in seats where LDs are the opposition they may free parliament from these largely earnest buffoons.
The Tory recovery would need to take them over their 2024 vote share, and counteract some consolidated tactical voting, to stand a chance of removing those stout patriotic Trump-trolling yeomen of merrie Gales Bakery England.
I wonder how consolidated the tactical voting is/was. Clearly there was the feeling we had all had enough of the Tories in 2024. Will that really be the case in 2028 or 2029.
I’m unsure it will be but then the nearest Gail’s to me is in a different timezone and I know little of these areas you call ‘middle class’
I thought you lived in Kenilworth?
Many years ago. About 2005 - 2007 when I worked at Magna in Leamington. I lodged with my friends ex wife.
I’m in North Durham these days.
There’s a Gail’s in Leamington now. The march of the mid-tier chain bakery is unstoppable. North Durham next.
There’s a Gail’s in my borough but it’ll never be Lib Dem. We’re in one of the 20% most deprived council areas in the country.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
I'm not so sure. Labour might be unpopular enough that they could end up behind Reform and the Tories even if those two split the right-wing opposition vote between them evenly.
The first time in forever that the right-wing vote is split, and the left still manages to be *more* split. I think the British left is capable of that. I really do.
The Lib Dem vote is not much of an issue for Labour given its geographical concentration. They need Green to come down significantly though.
Even with the Greens Labour could be lucky. They can afford to lose a lot of votes to the Greens in seats like Streatham and Croydon North and not lose many seats.
That might be a factor that explains why Labour are more concerned about losing votes to Reform than to the Greens. I suspect that votes lost to Reform leads more rapidly to losing seats to Reform than losing votes to the Greens does.
Alot depends on whether or not YourParty stands against the Greens too.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
I'm not so sure. Labour might be unpopular enough that they could end up behind Reform and the Tories even if those two split the right-wing opposition vote between them evenly.
The first time in forever that the right-wing vote is split, and the left still manages to be *more* split. I think the British left is capable of that. I really do.
We most certainly are. Practising hard now so by the time the big day rolls around we'll be grooved and ready. I think perfection is attainable - all three on 17%.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
I'm not so sure. Labour might be unpopular enough that they could end up behind Reform and the Tories even if those two split the right-wing opposition vote between them evenly.
The first time in forever that the right-wing vote is split, and the left still manages to be *more* split. I think the British left is capable of that. I really do.
If Labour come third, in votes, the Conservatives and Reform will win 325+ seats, between them, however their vote divides.
Of course, a Groco, between Labour, Lib Dem, and Conservatives is always a possibility, if the numbers add up.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
At least it’s always a holiday. Mine is usually a working day. I think it makes the extended Christmas period more varied and special.
My late MiL's birthday was 2nd January so that was always a first footing trip after the New Year. This will be our first year without her. She is in everyone's thoughts.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
Depends where the Tory recovery is. If it’s in seats where LDs are the opposition they may free parliament from these largely earnest buffoons.
The Tory recovery would need to take them over their 2024 vote share, and counteract some consolidated tactical voting, to stand a chance of removing those stout patriotic Trump-trolling yeomen of merrie Gales Bakery England.
I wonder how consolidated the tactical voting is/was. Clearly there was the feeling we had all had enough of the Tories in 2024. Will that really be the case in 2028 or 2029.
I’m unsure it will be but then the nearest Gail’s to me is in a different timezone and I know little of these areas you call ‘middle class’
I thought you lived in Kenilworth?
Many years ago. About 2005 - 2007 when I worked at Magna in Leamington. I lodged with my friends ex wife.
I’m in North Durham these days.
There’s a Gail’s in Leamington now. The march of the mid-tier chain bakery is unstoppable. North Durham next.
There’s a Gail’s in my borough but it’ll never be Lib Dem. We’re in one of the 20% most deprived council areas in the country.
Well we have the new Willow Bakery which has been a roaring success. So it’s not all Greggs and Coopland 👍
Not a humblebrag but when I look online my council ward is not really deprived at all. The town is and around the Avenues, but where we live doesn’t class as deprived.
It seems bizarre, on the face of it, wealthy London where properties in Lewisham would go for far more than round here. As I was discussing with someone the other day about flats in West Ham, my house would go for,half the,price of a 1 bed there and I have a 3 bed detached in a quiet cul de sac next to,the woods.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Not that A's self preserving vanity would allow it but even that avenue has been limited.
It could be anything from are they stored appropriately to is he a potential suicide risk at this particular time. They have huge discretion, including aiui a legal duty of care to the individual.
He can Appeal, but it's a hearing in the Crown Court - which would be tabloid fodder.
I'm not sure if loss of a license for Windsor has any impact if he also has one for Norfolk, or if he needs another one for another location.
Given he will be locked in Sandringham he will be able to shoot off as much as he likes, place will be sealed off so unlikely any plebs would be likely to spot him lurking in the woods.
In its own way, it is a fitting punishment.
He faces a lifetime of irrelevancy and effective house arrest.
He will have plenty of time for regrets.
A gilded cage non the less, no UC or sleeping in doorways for him, will still be the lap of luxury for sure.
It’s his ex, Mrs Sarah M etc that one could be sorry for.
OKC, she isa bit of a card as well and having just sold a house in London for £4M+ , she is also not on her uppers or likely to be.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
At least it’s always a holiday. Mine is usually a working day. I think it makes the extended Christmas period more varied and special.
My late MiL's birthday was 2nd January so that was always a first footing trip after the New Year. This will be our first year without her. She is in everyone's thoughts.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
At least it’s always a holiday. Mine is usually a working day. I think it makes the extended Christmas period more varied and special.
My late MiL's birthday was 2nd January so that was always a first footing trip after the New Year. This will be our first year without her. She is in everyone's thoughts.
Three years since my Dad went. I still find myself speaking to him. Yesterday I was watching Bond themes and started reminiscing about when we went to watch Soy Who Loved Me on a wet day in Ilfracombe.
While they’re in your heart they’re still with you,
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
At least it’s always a holiday. Mine is usually a working day. I think it makes the extended Christmas period more varied and special.
My late MiL's birthday was 2nd January so that was always a first footing trip after the New Year. This will be our first year without her. She is in everyone's thoughts.
Any luck with the house David, I managed to sell my flat in a week above valuation , subject to closing of course.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
You would hope by now that naughty world leaders would understand that there is absolutely no benefit, indeed a detriment, to any military action that cannot be guaranteed to meet its objectives very quickly and also have the vague support of the people in the target country.
Vietnam, Afghanistan (Russia and the West), Iraq, Ukraine should all be lessons to China about the risk with Taiwan. Many things have to be considered that can go wrong and for China it would disrupt their economies, make other countries who have been generally open to them no longer see them as being fairly “neutral” and it would cost huge amount of lives.
Is it really worth it for them? Let’s hope they realise that the emotional and ego/pride drivers are defeated by cold hard reality.
We’re back to the issue we’ve discussed previously.
What benefit does anybody derive from conquest, in this era? A well-organised defender will inflict dreadful casualties, it costs the attacker hundreds of billions that could be better spent, and you’re left with a hostile population, even if successful.
Taiwan is perhaps a special case. If China took it, the economic damage to its US adversary might be many times that suffered by China itself. There's also probably a sizeable minority of the Taiwanese population which would happily collaborate with the new rulers. And once taken, it would be almost impossible to liberate.
Depends if a Taiwanese resistance movement emerged blowing things up and killing Chinese emerged or not
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
At least it’s always a holiday. Mine is usually a working day. I think it makes the extended Christmas period more varied and special.
My late MiL's birthday was 2nd January so that was always a first footing trip after the New Year. This will be our first year without her. She is in everyone's thoughts.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
At least it’s always a holiday. Mine is usually a working day. I think it makes the extended Christmas period more varied and special.
My late MiL's birthday was 2nd January so that was always a first footing trip after the New Year. This will be our first year without her. She is in everyone's thoughts.
Three years since my Dad went. I still find myself speaking to him. Yesterday I was watching Bond themes and started reminiscing about when we went to watch Soy Who Loved Me on a wet day in Ilfracombe.
While they’re in your heart they’re still with you,
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
I'm not so sure. Labour might be unpopular enough that they could end up behind Reform and the Tories even if those two split the right-wing opposition vote between them evenly.
The first time in forever that the right-wing vote is split, and the left still manages to be *more* split. I think the British left is capable of that. I really do.
If Labour come third, in votes, the Conservatives and Reform will win 325+ seats, between them, however their vote divides.
Of course, a Groco, between Labour, Lib Dem, and Conservatives is always a possibility, if the numbers add up.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
At least it’s always a holiday. Mine is usually a working day. I think it makes the extended Christmas period more varied and special.
My late MiL's birthday was 2nd January so that was always a first footing trip after the New Year. This will be our first year without her. She is in everyone's thoughts.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
At least it’s always a holiday. Mine is usually a working day. I think it makes the extended Christmas period more varied and special.
My late MiL's birthday was 2nd January so that was always a first footing trip after the New Year. This will be our first year without her. She is in everyone's thoughts.
Three years since my Dad went. I still find myself speaking to him. Yesterday I was watching Bond themes and started reminiscing about when we went to watch Soy Who Loved Me on a wet day in Ilfracombe.
While they’re in your heart they’re still with you,
yes, I had Panis Angelicus on this morning and brought a tear to my eye , both parents long gone.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
Depends where the Tory recovery is. If it’s in seats where LDs are the opposition they may free parliament from these largely earnest buffoons.
The Tory recovery would need to take them over their 2024 vote share, and counteract some consolidated tactical voting, to stand a chance of removing those stout patriotic Trump-trolling yeomen of merrie Gales Bakery England.
I wonder how consolidated the tactical voting is/was. Clearly there was the feeling we had all had enough of the Tories in 2024. Will that really be the case in 2028 or 2029.
I’m unsure it will be but then the nearest Gail’s to me is in a different timezone and I know little of these areas you call ‘middle class’
I thought you lived in Kenilworth?
Many years ago. About 2005 - 2007 when I worked at Magna in Leamington. I lodged with my friends ex wife.
I’m in North Durham these days.
There’s a Gail’s in Leamington now. The march of the mid-tier chain bakery is unstoppable. North Durham next.
There’s a Gail’s in my borough but it’ll never be Lib Dem. We’re in one of the 20% most deprived council areas in the country.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
I'm not so sure. Labour might be unpopular enough that they could end up behind Reform and the Tories even if those two split the right-wing opposition vote between them evenly.
The first time in forever that the right-wing vote is split, and the left still manages to be *more* split. I think the British left is capable of that. I really do.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Your weekly reminder of the conspiracy theory that Siberia (or the bit that used to be Outer Manchuria until Russia stole it 150 years ago) is the real target. Unlike Taiwan, an overcrowded island whose technological lead is fast disappearing with the help of President Trump, Siberia is full of natural resources that China desperately needs, and China has many factories there. They've recently done a ‘Gulf of America’ style relabelling of maps. If China followed the Russian playbook of a referendum, the locals would almost certainly opt for China. If China followed the Russian playbook of sending in a small policing operation to protect its own citizens, there's not much Moscow could do about.
Such a breakup between China and Russia would also be ideal for the West. Even Trump, Vance and MAGA aren’t keen on China even if they like Putin’s white nationalism
A couple more thoughts about Russia and China. Although China nominally supports Russia in the SMO, it is not actually helping. China has shown it values trade with the West above warm fuzzies with Putin.
The other is that both countries are led by elderly men who have extended their own terms, and whose successions are not certain. Interesting times?
Xi thinks of the long term, and is already buying up Russian bonds denominated in Yuan.
His plan is probably to buy Vladivostok back for pennies on the dollar.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
Depends where the Tory recovery is. If it’s in seats where LDs are the opposition they may free parliament from these largely earnest buffoons.
The Tory recovery would need to take them over their 2024 vote share, and counteract some consolidated tactical voting, to stand a chance of removing those stout patriotic Trump-trolling yeomen of merrie Gales Bakery England.
I wonder how consolidated the tactical voting is/was. Clearly there was the feeling we had all had enough of the Tories in 2024. Will that really be the case in 2028 or 2029.
I’m unsure it will be but then the nearest Gail’s to me is in a different timezone and I know little of these areas you call ‘middle class’
I thought you lived in Kenilworth?
Many years ago. About 2005 - 2007 when I worked at Magna in Leamington. I lodged with my friends ex wife.
I’m in North Durham these days.
There’s a Gail’s in Leamington now. The march of the mid-tier chain bakery is unstoppable. North Durham next.
There’s a Gail’s in my borough but it’ll never be Lib Dem. We’re in one of the 20% most deprived council areas in the country.
Well we have the new Willow Bakery which has been a roaring success. So it’s not all Greggs and Coopland 👍
Not a humblebrag but when I look online my council ward is not really deprived at all. The town is and around the Avenues, but where we live doesn’t class as deprived.
It seems bizarre, on the face of it, wealthy London where properties in Lewisham would go for far more than round here. As I was discussing with someone the other day about flats in West Ham, my house would go for,half the,price of a 1 bed there and I have a 3 bed detached in a quiet cul de sac next to,the woods.
Yes, London prices are something else. We live in a tourist hotspot, popular enough to have a few film stars buying holiday homes, but we wouldn't get much in London for our house here.
What's notable looking at the listings is that they mostly lead with photos of the fancy interiors, rather than a traditional exterior shot, because the exteriors look mostly the same as much cheaper properties elsewhere, but the interiors more closely match the prices being asked for.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
Depends where the Tory recovery is. If it’s in seats where LDs are the opposition they may free parliament from these largely earnest buffoons.
The Tory recovery would need to take them over their 2024 vote share, and counteract some consolidated tactical voting, to stand a chance of removing those stout patriotic Trump-trolling yeomen of merrie Gales Bakery England.
I wonder how consolidated the tactical voting is/was. Clearly there was the feeling we had all had enough of the Tories in 2024. Will that really be the case in 2028 or 2029.
I’m unsure it will be but then the nearest Gail’s to me is in a different timezone and I know little of these areas you call ‘middle class’
I thought you lived in Kenilworth?
Many years ago. About 2005 - 2007 when I worked at Magna in Leamington. I lodged with my friends ex wife.
I’m in North Durham these days.
There’s a Gail’s in Leamington now. The march of the mid-tier chain bakery is unstoppable. North Durham next.
There’s a Gail’s in my borough but it’ll never be Lib Dem. We’re in one of the 20% most deprived council areas in the country.
Well we have the new Willow Bakery which has been a roaring success. So it’s not all Greggs and Coopland 👍
Not a humblebrag but when I look online my council ward is not really deprived at all. The town is and around the Avenues, but where we live doesn’t class as deprived.
It seems bizarre, on the face of it, wealthy London where properties in Lewisham would go for far more than round here. As I was discussing with someone the other day about flats in West Ham, my house would go for,half the,price of a 1 bed there and I have a 3 bed detached in a quiet cul de sac next to,the woods.
Yes, London prices are something else. We live in a tourist hotspot, popular enough to have a few film stars buying holiday homes, but we wouldn't get much in London for our house here.
What's notable looking at the listings is that they mostly lead with photos of the fancy interiors, rather than a traditional exterior shot, because the exteriors look mostly the same as much cheaper properties elsewhere, but the interiors more closely match the prices being asked for.
Southwold where we have our holiday home is pretty much London prices and full of luvvies. Once upon a time if a house came on the market it was snapped up usually at a premium. However over the last year or so houses haven't been selling and even dropping in price, more than elsewhere. Not sure if it is the doubling of the council tax on holiday homes, Sizewell C works or the work to land electricity cables and the units they have to build from offshore wind turbines. Something is up though.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Your weekly reminder of the conspiracy theory that Siberia (or the bit that used to be Outer Manchuria until Russia stole it 150 years ago) is the real target. Unlike Taiwan, an overcrowded island whose technological lead is fast disappearing with the help of President Trump, Siberia is full of natural resources that China desperately needs, and China has many factories there. They've recently done a ‘Gulf of America’ style relabelling of maps. If China followed the Russian playbook of a referendum, the locals would almost certainly opt for China. If China followed the Russian playbook of sending in a small policing operation to protect its own citizens, there's not much Moscow could do about.
Such a breakup between China and Russia would also be ideal for the West. Even Trump, Vance and MAGA aren’t keen on China even if they like Putin’s white nationalism
A couple more thoughts about Russia and China. Although China nominally supports Russia in the SMO, it is not actually helping. China has shown it values trade with the West above warm fuzzies with Putin.
The other is that both countries are led by elderly men who have extended their own terms, and whose successions are not certain. Interesting times?
Xi thinks of the long term, and is already buying up Russian bonds denominated in Yuan.
His plan is probably to buy Vladivostok back for pennies on the dollar.
I wouldn't underestimate Chinese support for Russia. It's quietly increased and the suggestion is that they are prepared to do what is needed, in terms of loans and material support, to prevent a Russian collapse.
That's one reason for Ukraine to prioritise destroying Russia's oil industry as it's one of the few things that China can't help Russia with, and so it's a key vulnerability.
Re even splits. My seat went 50% Labour with a pretty much 4 way spilt between the rest last time. It's therefore probably one of the few remaining Labour redoubts in the country. EC has it staying Labour with less than 29% of the vote, but still a 7.2% margin of victory. So probably one of the safest in the country despite not an overwhelming vote in 2024. Curious maths.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Not that A's self preserving vanity would allow it but even that avenue has been limited.
It could be anything from are they stored appropriately to is he a potential suicide risk at this particular time. They have huge discretion, including aiui a legal duty of care to the individual.
He can Appeal, but it's a hearing in the Crown Court - which would be tabloid fodder.
I'm not sure if loss of a license for Windsor has any impact if he also has one for Norfolk, or if he needs another one for another location.
Given he will be locked in Sandringham he will be able to shoot off as much as he likes, place will be sealed off so unlikely any plebs would be likely to spot him lurking in the woods.
In its own way, it is a fitting punishment.
He faces a lifetime of irrelevancy and effective house arrest.
He will have plenty of time for regrets.
A gilded cage non the less, no UC or sleeping in doorways for him, will still be the lap of luxury for sure.
It’s his ex, Mrs Sarah M etc that one could be sorry for.
OKC, she isa bit of a card as well and having just sold a house in London for £4M+ , she is also not on her uppers or likely to be.
How much did she owe on it though? And she’s not Duchess any more. Except, IIRC, in some parts of London
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
You would hope by now that naughty world leaders would understand that there is absolutely no benefit, indeed a detriment, to any military action that cannot be guaranteed to meet its objectives very quickly and also have the vague support of the people in the target country.
Vietnam, Afghanistan (Russia and the West), Iraq, Ukraine should all be lessons to China about the risk with Taiwan. Many things have to be considered that can go wrong and for China it would disrupt their economies, make other countries who have been generally open to them no longer see them as being fairly “neutral” and it would cost huge amount of lives.
Is it really worth it for them? Let’s hope they realise that the emotional and ego/pride drivers are defeated by cold hard reality.
We’re back to the issue we’ve discussed previously.
What benefit does anybody derive from conquest, in this era? A well-organised defender will inflict dreadful casualties, it costs the attacker hundreds of billions that could be better spent, and you’re left with a hostile population, even if successful.
Taiwan is perhaps a special case. If China took it, the economic damage to its US adversary might be many times that suffered by China itself. There's also probably a sizeable minority of the Taiwanese population which would happily collaborate with the new rulers. And once taken, it would be almost impossible to liberate.
China imports, by sea, huge proportions of its food and energy. US could very easily put China under a lot of pressure.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
As I make it, it is Chris Parry in the interview linked. He has been a fairly regular commentary now expressing Reform type views roughly having a go at the other parties and has been around recently as newly linked to RefUK, who is perhaps due some sort of defence type role for RefUK in the future perhaps as adviser.
David Parry is another commentator, about who's views I know little other than that he exists the name.
I was just warning about what was probably a misrembering or even a type.
I am an expert at these, in that I reach for a word which seems similar but turns out to be entirely ridiculous. At school I once managed to rename the Pretender Perkin Warbeck as "Marvin Purbeck", which caused months of teasing.
And I may have libelled David Parry submariner in saying he appears to support Reform by confusing the Twitter account of yet another David Parry. Mea culpa.
Is Europe going to sanction any U.S. pests? There’s quite a few to choose from.
JD Vance has a choice: either he's restricted to a motorcade of a maximum of 4 vehicles here in future, or he licences everyone in Britain to give him the "wanker" gesture as he goes by.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
Even tougher for a friend of mine with a German mum. They do presents on Xmas Eve. So, she got her birthday presents in the morning and her Xmas presents in the evening.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
At least it’s always a holiday. Mine is usually a working day. I think it makes the extended Christmas period more varied and special.
My late MiL's birthday was 2nd January so that was always a first footing trip after the New Year. This will be our first year without her. She is in everyone's thoughts.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
At least it’s always a holiday. Mine is usually a working day. I think it makes the extended Christmas period more varied and special.
My late MiL's birthday was 2nd January so that was always a first footing trip after the New Year. This will be our first year without her. She is in everyone's thoughts.
Three years since my Dad went. I still find myself speaking to him. Yesterday I was watching Bond themes and started reminiscing about when we went to watch Soy Who Loved Me on a wet day in Ilfracombe.
While they’re in your heart they’re still with you,
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
You would hope by now that naughty world leaders would understand that there is absolutely no benefit, indeed a detriment, to any military action that cannot be guaranteed to meet its objectives very quickly and also have the vague support of the people in the target country.
Vietnam, Afghanistan (Russia and the West), Iraq, Ukraine should all be lessons to China about the risk with Taiwan. Many things have to be considered that can go wrong and for China it would disrupt their economies, make other countries who have been generally open to them no longer see them as being fairly “neutral” and it would cost huge amount of lives.
Is it really worth it for them? Let’s hope they realise that the emotional and ego/pride drivers are defeated by cold hard reality.
We’re back to the issue we’ve discussed previously.
What benefit does anybody derive from conquest, in this era? A well-organised defender will inflict dreadful casualties, it costs the attacker hundreds of billions that could be better spent, and you’re left with a hostile population, even if successful.
Taiwan is perhaps a special case. If China took it, the economic damage to its US adversary might be many times that suffered by China itself. There's also probably a sizeable minority of the Taiwanese population which would happily collaborate with the new rulers. And once taken, it would be almost impossible to liberate.
China imports, by sea, huge proportions of its food and energy. US could very easily put China under a lot of pressure.
And vice versa.
China does not have a comparable blue-water navy to the US, so, no.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
Even tougher for a friend of mine with a German mum. They do presents on Xmas Eve. So, she got her birthday presents in the morning and her Xmas presents in the evening.
I wonder if the courts will also start taking a dim view of trans activists using them to enact petty vendettas against people who don’t share their worldview too ?
"petty vendettas against people who don’t share their worldview"
One thing that puzzles me about the Epstein Files is why were all those paedophilliac weirdos so keen on photographing each other and keeping the pics? Me and my friends & family weren’t that bothered with it even in our comparatively normal lives. It’s like the narcissistic selfie generation has been time travelled to the 80s and 90s. I mean, who would want this moment recorded, even if there was nothing dubious going on?
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
Care to explain?
Really? You need me to explain? He was discussed on here just a few days ago regarding his views and his posts to the internet, and interviews, etc. I mean a quick search on the internet and you can get a bucket full of it.
I tend to think if you're prepared to make bold accusations you should be able to stand them up briefly and cogently. I'm not sure why I would be expected to scour the internet for evidence.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
Even tougher for a friend of mine with a German mum. They do presents on Xmas Eve. So, she got her birthday presents in the morning and her Xmas presents in the evening.
One EJ Davey Esq. has his birthday on Christmas Day.
Another poll showing a rise for the Conservatives.
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
The tragedy is they will both cockblock each other so Labour wins again.
Depends where the Tory recovery is. If it’s in seats where LDs are the opposition they may free parliament from these largely earnest buffoons.
The Tory recovery would need to take them over their 2024 vote share, and counteract some consolidated tactical voting, to stand a chance of removing those stout patriotic Trump-trolling yeomen of merrie Gales Bakery England.
I wonder how consolidated the tactical voting is/was. Clearly there was the feeling we had all had enough of the Tories in 2024. Will that really be the case in 2028 or 2029.
I’m unsure it will be but then the nearest Gail’s to me is in a different timezone and I know little of these areas you call ‘middle class’
I thought you lived in Kenilworth?
Many years ago. About 2005 - 2007 when I worked at Magna in Leamington. I lodged with my friends ex wife.
I’m in North Durham these days.
There’s a Gail’s in Leamington now. The march of the mid-tier chain bakery is unstoppable. North Durham next.
There’s a Gail’s in my borough but it’ll never be Lib Dem. We’re in one of the 20% most deprived council areas in the country.
Well we have the new Willow Bakery which has been a roaring success. So it’s not all Greggs and Coopland 👍
Not a humblebrag but when I look online my council ward is not really deprived at all. The town is and around the Avenues, but where we live doesn’t class as deprived.
It seems bizarre, on the face of it, wealthy London where properties in Lewisham would go for far more than round here. As I was discussing with someone the other day about flats in West Ham, my house would go for,half the,price of a 1 bed there and I have a 3 bed detached in a quiet cul de sac next to,the woods.
Yes, London prices are something else. We live in a tourist hotspot, popular enough to have a few film stars buying holiday homes, but we wouldn't get much in London for our house here.
What's notable looking at the listings is that they mostly lead with photos of the fancy interiors, rather than a traditional exterior shot, because the exteriors look mostly the same as much cheaper properties elsewhere, but the interiors more closely match the prices being asked for.
Southwold where we have our holiday home is pretty much London prices and full of luvvies. Once upon a time if a house came on the market it was snapped up usually at a premium. However over the last year or so houses haven't been selling and even dropping in price, more than elsewhere. Not sure if it is the doubling of the council tax on holiday homes, Sizewell C works or the work to land electricity cables and the units they have to build from offshore wind turbines. Something is up though.
The neighbours, and middle aged men in antisocial sports cars?
I wonder if the courts will also start taking a dim view of trans activists using them to enact petty vendettas against people who don’t share their worldview too ?
"petty vendettas against people who don’t share their worldview"
I look forward to your impartial article on the issue.
There’s a world of difference between using lawfare against gender critical individuals, such as happens to people like Maya Forstater and others and actually challenging public bodies to act within the law.
I’m sure your completely impartial piece will reflect that and not your pro trans sentiment.
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
I’ve been nose to the grindstone all morning.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
Wife’s birthday today so Christmas related catering is banned until the official launch of Christmas around Carols from Kings time.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
Wish her a very happy birthday from all of us. 24th December must be a really tough time to have a birthday, especially as a kid.
Even tougher for a friend of mine with a German mum. They do presents on Xmas Eve. So, she got her birthday presents in the morning and her Xmas presents in the evening.
One EJ Davey Esq. has his birthday on Christmas Day.
Comments
Everything else, Chris Parry's views, Reform candidature etc seems to be correct
Nobody needs to apologise to the OP who made the mistake, though Starkey could identify his interviewees in the info.
Ciabatta, two batches of stuffing, bread sauce, par boiling veg, chopping and prepping. Made the sauce for,the garlic prawn starter and the sautéed red cabbage.
Now I’m sitting down and watching a moving and drinking my first ever batch of sultana wine from the summer.
Prefer Raisin.
It has been a tough morning.
I had to open it to check the contents.
It will "happy belated Christmas" just before New Year.
David Parry is another commentator, about who's views I know little other than that he exists with that name.
I was just warning about what was probably a misremembering or even a typo. If one or two were potentially having a small potshot at Chris Parry, then it helps to get the name right.
I am an expert at these, in that I reach lazily for a word which seems similar but turns out to be entirely ridiculous. At school I once managed in class to rename the Pretender Perkin Warbeck as "Marvin Purbeck", which caused months of teasing.
There are others, about which I will keep stum.
So I’ve been making cauliflower puree for her starter of scallops later, then proving some dough, grating various cheeses and boiling potatoes for our double khachapuri extravaganza later: basic cheesy version with an egg on top for the children and a French mashup tartiflette style one for the birthday girl with smelly cheeses, potatoes and bacon bits.
I mean, who would want this moment recorded, even if there was nothing dubious going on?
https://x.com/notavgliberal/status/2003587767633396057?s=61&t=LYVEHh2mqFy1oUJAdCfe-Q
Something like:
RFM 24%
CON 24%
LAB 20%
LDM 15%
GRN 10%
The first time in forever that the right-wing vote is split, and the left still manages to be *more* split. I think the British left is capable of that. I really do.
I’m unsure it will be but then the nearest Gail’s to me is in a different timezone and I know little of these areas you call ‘middle class’
I’m in North Durham these days.
That might be a factor that explains why Labour are more concerned about losing votes to Reform than to the Greens. I suspect that votes lost to Reform leads more rapidly to losing seats to Reform than losing votes to the Greens does.
There’s a Gail’s in my borough but it’ll never be Lib Dem. We’re in one of the 20% most deprived council areas in the country.
https://trustforlondon.org.uk/data/boroughs/lewisham-poverty-and-inequality-indicators/?indicator=living-standards&comparator=england
Of course, a Groco, between Labour, Lib Dem, and Conservatives is always a possibility, if the numbers add up.
Not a humblebrag but when I look online my council ward is not really deprived at all. The town is and around the Avenues, but where we live doesn’t class as deprived.
It seems bizarre, on the face of it, wealthy London where properties in Lewisham would go for far more than round here. As I was discussing with someone the other day about flats in West Ham, my house would go for,half the,price of a 1 bed there and I have a 3 bed detached in a quiet cul de sac next to,the woods.
While they’re in your heart they’re still with you,
Even Lewisham has a well above UK average house price now and lots of LD voters in Blackheath
RFM 19%
CON 19%
LAB 19%
LDM 19%
GRN 19%
Now that would be fun!
His plan is probably to buy Vladivostok back for pennies on the dollar.
What's notable looking at the listings is that they mostly lead with photos of the fancy interiors, rather than a traditional exterior shot, because the exteriors look mostly the same as much cheaper properties elsewhere, but the interiors more closely match the prices being asked for.
There’s quite a few to choose from.
That's one reason for Ukraine to prioritise destroying Russia's oil industry as it's one of the few things that China can't help Russia with, and so it's a key vulnerability.
My seat went 50% Labour with a pretty much 4 way spilt between the rest last time.
It's therefore probably one of the few remaining Labour redoubts in the country.
EC has it staying Labour with less than 29% of the vote, but still a 7.2% margin of victory.
So probably one of the safest in the country despite not an overwhelming vote in 2024.
Curious maths.
https://x.com/bohuslavskakate/status/2003796879952465992
https://x.com/Docstockk/status/2003371693264261310#m
To me, that fits quite well with the theory that he was running, or aiming to run, an extortion racket.
But that would be more confirmed by bank records, when they eventually emerge.
There’s a world of difference between using lawfare against gender critical individuals, such as happens to people like Maya Forstater and others and actually challenging public bodies to act within the law.
I’m sure your completely impartial piece will reflect that and not your pro trans sentiment.
France condemns the visa restriction measures taken by the United States against Thierry Breton and four other European figures.
These measures amount to intimidation and coercion aimed at undermining European digital sovereignty.