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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » European Elections 2009 : Summary of Results

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  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    fitalass said:

    I think it will have quite the opposite effect! :)

    AndyJS said:

    The idea that the UK is the most sexist country in the world is going to have a few more people reaching for UKIP membership forms I would have thought.

    Why? The idea that the UK is the most sexist country in the world is so ridiculous that people are more likely to go in the other direction.
  • BobaFettBobaFett Posts: 2,789

    This is fun, watching Labour supporters scuttle out to defend Farage.

    I also defended Maria Miller. What's your point?
  • NinoinozNinoinoz Posts: 1,312
    fitalass said:

    A wee bit of negative media attention from the Times, and Farage and his supporters go into some kind of hysterical/outraged meltdown. Farage needs to get some advice from Cameron, Miliband and Clegg on how to cope with this kind of day to day scrutiny fast, or he needs to get out of the kitchen.

    You're kidding, aren't you?

    Those are the last three people he should ask.

    Your boy Cameron really played a great game over Maria Miller, didn't he?
  • BobaFettBobaFett Posts: 2,789
    Mick_Pork said:

    BobaFett said:

    from a paper that should know better.

    Beg pardon?

    The Sunday Times jails its source

    http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/nick-cohen/2013/03/the-sunday-times-jails-its-source/

    STimes maybe but it's very much the outrider for it's Daily and where the more serious investigations start and generally end up. As Mr Herdson felt so free to lay into the Indy (with some justification as on a general level they have made some pretty big blunders) then it's only fair to point out that they are far from alone. None of the broadsheets have weathered these far more cut-throat years with any aplomb and some have been sailing very close to the wind indeed.
    That Cohen piece on Oakeshott is cutting - and 100% right.
  • AveryLPAveryLP Posts: 7,815
    edited April 2014
    @anotherDave

    Mr Hannan mentioned in his article today that it is impossible to return an unspent portion of an MEP's allowance to the EU.

    "When one of my British colleagues found himself with a slight surplus, and asked how to return it, he was told it couldn't be done. "

    http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100267778/if-nigel-farages-expenses-bother-you-vote-to-leave-the-eu/


    aD

    I did a follow up post on this but it got lost in the ether.

    So a shorter version to serve the reading and concentration capabilities of Bobafett.

    Farage needs to give a true and fair account of expenditure by his office in Lymington. Competent governance of a political party which is funded by the taxpayer should involve keeping full financial records and being able to account for both income and receipts. This applies regardless of whether the EP requires such accounts to be audited or even presented for approval.

    There appears to be little doubt that such records were kept. The statements of Samuel-Camps indicate as much.

    So once true and fair statements are made public the question will move to whether there was a deficit or surplus on the allowance and, if so, how was it funded or reallocated. This may be where UKIP and Farage have difficulty but speculation should be deferred until the financial statements are provided.

    Whatever the outcome to such inquiry, The Times has accepted that, due to the nature of the EP allowance system, it is highly unlikely that either Farage or UKIP has broken the law. What is at issue is whether the party and its leader have followed best practice and due care in the handling of public monies.

    This is a legitimate question to put to any party seeking office and power and The Times are perfectly in order to ask it of Farage.
  • BobaFettBobaFett Posts: 2,789
    To wrap up, Farage has done nothing wrong.
    Next.
  • nigel4englandnigel4england Posts: 4,800
    AveryLP said:

    @anotherDave

    Mr Hannan mentioned in his article today that it is impossible to return an unspent portion of an MEP's allowance to the EU.

    "When one of my British colleagues found himself with a slight surplus, and asked how to return it, he was told it couldn't be done. "

    http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100267778/if-nigel-farages-expenses-bother-you-vote-to-leave-the-eu/


    aD

    I did a follow up post on this but it got lost in the ether.

    So a shorter version to serve the reading and concentration capabilities of Bobafett.

    Farage needs to give a true and fair account of expenditure by his office in Lymington. Competent governance of a political party which is funded by the taxpayer should involve keeping full financial records and being able to account for both income and receipts. This applies regardless of whether the EP requires such accounts to be audited or even presented for approval.

    There appears to be little doubt that such records were kept. The statements of Samuel-Camps indicate as much.

    So once true and fair statements are made public the question will move to whether there was a deficit or surplus on the allowance and, if so, how was it funded or reallocated. This may be where UKIP and Farage have difficulty but speculation should be deferred until the financial statements are provided.

    Whatever the outcome to such inquiry, The Times has accepted that, due to the nature of the EP allowance system, it is highly unlikely that either Farage or UKIP has broken the law. What is at issue is whether the party and its leader have followed best practice and due care in the handling of public monies.

    This is a legitimate question to put to any party seeking office and power and The Times are perfectly in order to ask it of Farage.

    Why don't you ask the same question of the EU itself? How many years is it now that the auditors have refused to sign off the accounts, fifteen?

    The whole stinking bureaucratic monolith is corrupt from the top down and should be disbanded immediately
  • TheWatcherTheWatcher Posts: 5,262

    AveryLP said:

    @anotherDave

    Mr Hannan mentioned in his article today that it is impossible to return an unspent portion of an MEP's allowance to the EU.

    "When one of my British colleagues found himself with a slight surplus, and asked how to return it, he was told it couldn't be done. "

    http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100267778/if-nigel-farages-expenses-bother-you-vote-to-leave-the-eu/


    aD

    I did a follow up post on this but it got lost in the ether.

    So a shorter version to serve the reading and concentration capabilities of Bobafett.

    Farage needs to give a true and fair account of expenditure by his office in Lymington. Competent governance of a political party which is funded by the taxpayer should involve keeping full financial records and being able to account for both income and receipts. This applies regardless of whether the EP requires such accounts to be audited or even presented for approval.

    There appears to be little doubt that such records were kept. The statements of Samuel-Camps indicate as much.

    So once true and fair statements are made public the question will move to whether there was a deficit or surplus on the allowance and, if so, how was it funded or reallocated. This may be where UKIP and Farage have difficulty but speculation should be deferred until the financial statements are provided.

    Whatever the outcome to such inquiry, The Times has accepted that, due to the nature of the EP allowance system, it is highly unlikely that either Farage or UKIP has broken the law. What is at issue is whether the party and its leader have followed best practice and due care in the handling of public monies.

    This is a legitimate question to put to any party seeking office and power and The Times are perfectly in order to ask it of Farage.

    Why don't you ask the same question of the EU itself? How many years is it now that the auditors have refused to sign off the accounts, fifteen?

    The whole stinking bureaucratic monolith is corrupt from the top down and should be disbanded immediately
    Farage should be leading by example.

    If he cannot account for his own spending, how can he judge the EU?
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    If she'd said the UK was the most sexist country in NW Europe it might have been close to the truth. And she's from South Africa where some reports have the number of rapes per day at 3,600:

    http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/up-to-3-600-rapes-in-sa-every-day-1.1466429#.U02zh4W9KSM
  • Mick_PorkMick_Pork Posts: 6,530
    BobaFett said:

    Mick_Pork said:

    BobaFett said:

    from a paper that should know better.

    Beg pardon?

    The Sunday Times jails its source

    http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/nick-cohen/2013/03/the-sunday-times-jails-its-source/

    STimes maybe but it's very much the outrider for it's Daily and where the more serious investigations start and generally end up. As Mr Herdson felt so free to lay into the Indy (with some justification as on a general level they have made some pretty big blunders) then it's only fair to point out that they are far from alone. None of the broadsheets have weathered these far more cut-throat years with any aplomb and some have been sailing very close to the wind indeed.
    That Cohen piece on Oakeshott is cutting - and 100% right.
    It was also one of the more polite responses believe it or not. Some veteran journos (the serious ones who have done the foreign correspondent and home affairs briefs) were FAR more blunt. That was indeed a turning point that went by with barely a whimper.
  • AveryLPAveryLP Posts: 7,815
    BobaFett said:

    To wrap up, Farage has done nothing wrong.
    Next.

    Too short a comment to be meaningful, Boba.

    Please expand your reasoning.
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    AndyJS said:

    UN makes a complete fool of itself again by claiming UK is most sexist country in the world.

    Sexy ? What's wrong with being sexy ??
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,406
    Hmm Wirral West Labour gain now I think !
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,033
    Totally OT, but I just got myself an iPad. Any top tips for apps (why doesn't PB have one -- it'd be much nicer to comment using a mobile orientated interface)?
  • corporealcorporeal Posts: 2,549

    AveryLP said:

    @anotherDave

    Mr Hannan mentioned in his article today that it is impossible to return an unspent portion of an MEP's allowance to the EU.

    "When one of my British colleagues found himself with a slight surplus, and asked how to return it, he was told it couldn't be done. "

    http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100267778/if-nigel-farages-expenses-bother-you-vote-to-leave-the-eu/


    aD

    I did a follow up post on this but it got lost in the ether.

    So a shorter version to serve the reading and concentration capabilities of Bobafett.

    Farage needs to give a true and fair account of expenditure by his office in Lymington. Competent governance of a political party which is funded by the taxpayer should involve keeping full financial records and being able to account for both income and receipts. This applies regardless of whether the EP requires such accounts to be audited or even presented for approval.

    There appears to be little doubt that such records were kept. The statements of Samuel-Camps indicate as much.

    So once true and fair statements are made public the question will move to whether there was a deficit or surplus on the allowance and, if so, how was it funded or reallocated. This may be where UKIP and Farage have difficulty but speculation should be deferred until the financial statements are provided.

    Whatever the outcome to such inquiry, The Times has accepted that, due to the nature of the EP allowance system, it is highly unlikely that either Farage or UKIP has broken the law. What is at issue is whether the party and its leader have followed best practice and due care in the handling of public monies.

    This is a legitimate question to put to any party seeking office and power and The Times are perfectly in order to ask it of Farage.

    Why don't you ask the same question of the EU itself? How many years is it now that the auditors have refused to sign off the accounts, fifteen?

    The whole stinking bureaucratic monolith is corrupt from the top down and should be disbanded immediately
    Direct from the European court of auditors

    "The annual report on the EU budget for 2012 financial year was published today (5/11/2013) by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). As independent auditor, the ECA has signed off the 2012 accounts of the European Union, as it has done each year since the 2007 financial year. "

    http://www.eca.europa.eu/en/Pages/AR_2012.aspx
  • Mick_PorkMick_Pork Posts: 6,530
    RobD said:

    Totally OT, but I just got myself an iPad. Any top tips for apps

    FTL ;)



  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,033
    Mick_Pork said:

    RobD said:

    Totally OT, but I just got myself an iPad. Any top tips for apps

    FTL ;)



    I've got that on the PC, it is pretty addictive (if we are talking about the same thing!)
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    RobD said:

    Totally OT, but I just got myself an iPad. Any top tips for apps (why doesn't PB have one -- it'd be much nicer to comment using a mobile orientated interface)?

    Some of the ones on my iPad:

    GoogleDrive, BBC iPlayer, 4oD, Brushes, Chrome, iPlayer Radio, iA Writer, Skype, Harbor Master.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,033
    AndyJS said:

    RobD said:

    Totally OT, but I just got myself an iPad. Any top tips for apps (why doesn't PB have one -- it'd be much nicer to comment using a mobile orientated interface)?

    Some of the ones on my iPad:

    GoogleDrive, BBC iPlayer, 4oD, Brushes, Chrome, iPlayer Radio, iA Writer, Skype, Harbor Master.
    Ah google drive is a good one. Is the Writer one something to take notes with a stylus? I might give Harbour master a miss.. I play too many games as is!!

  • dyedwooliedyedwoolie Posts: 7,786
    Farage has done nothing wrong, everything he has done is within the rules. Just like everything Gordon Brown did with expenses was within the rules. And Dave and his Wisteria, and Menzies and his interior designer, all within the rules.
    What it will highlight is the crap and lax rules over use of public money and Farages decision to trouser the excess. Saw it, was entitled to it, trousered it. The defence of welfare 'entitlees', and politicians across the globe.
    Scummy, greedy chancers, all of them.
  • A very feisty interview between Sky's Dermot Murnaghan and Nigel Farage (available on The Times' website) querying whether their under-suspicion office must contain a sauna to run up £3000 p.a. in electricity charges. Nigel really loses it, explaining that they have "banks of computers" etc. The grin on Dermot's face at this point is classic!
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,033

    Farage has done nothing wrong, everything he has done is within the rules. Just like everything Gordon Brown did with expenses was within the rules. And Dave and his Wisteria, and Menzies and his interior designer, all within the rules.
    What it will highlight is the crap and lax rules over use of public money and Farages decision to trouser the excess. Saw it, was entitled to it, trousered it. The defence of welfare 'entitlees', and politicians across the globe.
    Scummy, greedy chancers, all of them.

    Much like Maria MIller was within the rules (as ruled by the commission)?


    I'll get my coat....
  • dyedwooliedyedwoolie Posts: 7,786
    edited April 2014
    Back to three points with YouGov. Tories at core support in government against a ridiculous neverwas who is relying on last years Ashcroft polling and saint Nincompoop and the new politics which the Times has covered in excrement in just two days.
    Nigel's Farage's swan song in UK politics will be 'but it was within the rules!'
  • anotherDaveanotherDave Posts: 6,746
    corporeal said:

    AveryLP said:

    @anotherDave

    Mr Hannan mentioned in his article today that it is impossible to return an unspent portion of an MEP's allowance to the EU.

    "When one of my British colleagues found himself with a slight surplus, and asked how to return it, he was told it couldn't be done. "

    http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100267778/if-nigel-farages-expenses-bother-you-vote-to-leave-the-eu/


    aD

    I did a follow up post on this but it got lost in the ether.

    So a shorter version to serve the reading and concentration capabilities of Bobafett.

    Farage needs to give a true and fair account of expenditure by his office in Lymington. Competent governance of a political party which is funded by the taxpayer should involve keeping full financial records and being able to account for both income and receipts. This applies regardless of whether the EP requires such accounts to be audited or even presented for approval.

    There appears to be little doubt that such records were kept. The statements of Samuel-Camps indicate as much.

    So once true and fair statements are made public the question will move to whether there was a deficit or surplus on the allowance and, if so, how was it funded or reallocated. This may be where UKIP and Farage have difficulty but speculation should be deferred until the financial statements are provided.

    Whatever the outcome to such inquiry, The Times has accepted that, due to the nature of the EP allowance system, it is highly unlikely that either Farage or UKIP has broken the law. What is at issue is whether the party and its leader have followed best practice and due care in the handling of public monies.

    This is a legitimate question to put to any party seeking office and power and The Times are perfectly in order to ask it of Farage.

    Why don't you ask the same question of the EU itself? How many years is it now that the auditors have refused to sign off the accounts, fifteen?

    The whole stinking bureaucratic monolith is corrupt from the top down and should be disbanded immediately
    Direct from the European court of auditors

    "The annual report on the EU budget for 2012 financial year was published today (5/11/2013) by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). As independent auditor, the ECA has signed off the 2012 accounts of the European Union, as it has done each year since the 2007 financial year. "

    http://www.eca.europa.eu/en/Pages/AR_2012.aspx
    "Auditors yesterday refused to sign off the EU accounts for the 19th year in succession as they revealed that the spending errors are 23 per cent up on the year before."

    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2487670/Auditors-refuse-EU-accounts-clean-health-19th-year-row.html

    Are there different meanings to the term 'signed off'?
  • dyedwooliedyedwoolie Posts: 7,786
    edited April 2014
    RobD said:

    Farage has done nothing wrong, everything he has done is within the rules. Just like everything Gordon Brown did with expenses was within the rules. And Dave and his Wisteria, and Menzies and his interior designer, all within the rules.
    What it will highlight is the crap and lax rules over use of public money and Farages decision to trouser the excess. Saw it, was entitled to it, trousered it. The defence of welfare 'entitlees', and politicians across the globe.
    Scummy, greedy chancers, all of them.

    Much like Maria MIller was within the rules (as ruled by the commission)?


    I'll get my coat....
    Precisely like that, yes.
    Scumbag chancers, and the new politics stinks like the old.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118

    Farage has done nothing wrong, everything he has done is within the rules. Just like everything Gordon Brown did with expenses was within the rules. And Dave and his Wisteria, and Menzies and his interior designer, all within the rules.
    What it will highlight is the crap and lax rules over use of public money and Farages decision to trouser the excess. Saw it, was entitled to it, trousered it. The defence of welfare 'entitlees', and politicians across the globe.
    Scummy, greedy chancers, all of them.

    Not really

    Spot the difference

    One claimed for stuff they weren't entitled to and spent it on luxuries for their private life

    The other took an allowance he was given and spent it on the party's cause

    If you don't see the difference, you're a typical PBer

    If you do, you're a member of the general public
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,033
    isam said:

    Farage has done nothing wrong, everything he has done is within the rules. Just like everything Gordon Brown did with expenses was within the rules. And Dave and his Wisteria, and Menzies and his interior designer, all within the rules.
    What it will highlight is the crap and lax rules over use of public money and Farages decision to trouser the excess. Saw it, was entitled to it, trousered it. The defence of welfare 'entitlees', and politicians across the globe.
    Scummy, greedy chancers, all of them.

    Not really

    Spot the difference

    One claimed for stuff they weren't entitled to and spent it on luxuries for their private life

    The other took an allowance he was given and spent it on the party's cause

    If you don't see the difference, you're a typical PBer

    If you do, you're a member of the general public
    Genuine question - is it proven that it was used for party funds? I thought the article said it went to Farage's account?
  • Mick_PorkMick_Pork Posts: 6,530
    edited April 2014
    RobD said:

    Mick_Pork said:

    RobD said:

    Totally OT, but I just got myself an iPad. Any top tips for apps

    FTL ;)



    I've got that on the PC, it is pretty addictive (if we are talking about the same thing!)
    Yup. iPad is surprisingly good port and is advanced edition.
  • TheWatcherTheWatcher Posts: 5,262

    A very feisty interview between Sky's Dermot Murnaghan and Nigel Farage (available on The Times' website) querying whether their under-suspicion office must contain a sauna to run up £3000 p.a. in electricity charges. Nigel really loses it, explaining that they have "banks of computers" etc. The grin on Dermot's face at this point is classic!

    'Banks of computers'.

    It all sounds la bit 'Billion Dollar Brain'. What's he doing in that office - High Frequency Trading?


  • AndyJS said:

    The idea that the UK is the most sexist country in the world is going to have a few more people reaching for UKIP membership forms I would have thought.

    Is it UKIP policy now to leave the UN as well as the EU?

  • dyedwooliedyedwoolie Posts: 7,786
    isam said:

    Farage has done nothing wrong, everything he has done is within the rules. Just like everything Gordon Brown did with expenses was within the rules. And Dave and his Wisteria, and Menzies and his interior designer, all within the rules.
    What it will highlight is the crap and lax rules over use of public money and Farages decision to trouser the excess. Saw it, was entitled to it, trousered it. The defence of welfare 'entitlees', and politicians across the globe.
    Scummy, greedy chancers, all of them.

    Not really

    Spot the difference

    One claimed for stuff they weren't entitled to and spent it on luxuries for their private life

    The other took an allowance he was given and spent it on the party's cause

    If you don't see the difference, you're a typical PBer

    If you do, you're a member of the general public
    Farage was entitled. It was his cash. He trousered it, eagerly. The public will determine if that was reasonable. That it didn't occur to Farage that this was a waste of taxpayers money is neither here nor there and I'm sure the public will support his spending their money on party stuff. The electorate love that shit.
  • TheWatcherTheWatcher Posts: 5,262
    edited April 2014
    isam said:

    Farage has done nothing wrong, everything he has done is within the rules. Just like everything Gordon Brown did with expenses was within the rules. And Dave and his Wisteria, and Menzies and his interior designer, all within the rules.
    What it will highlight is the crap and lax rules over use of public money and Farages decision to trouser the excess. Saw it, was entitled to it, trousered it. The defence of welfare 'entitlees', and politicians across the globe.
    Scummy, greedy chancers, all of them.

    Not really

    Spot the difference

    One claimed for stuff they weren't entitled to and spent it on luxuries for their private life

    The other took an allowance he was given and spent it on the party's cause

    If you don't see the difference, you're a typical PBer

    If you do, you're a member of the general public
    The general public will see another chancer politician, grabbing and spending loot. They'll assume he's spent it on Pasties, Moats or Wide screen TVs for his ducks, same as the others.

    Farage really is no better than the rest of them. Don't pretend otherwise.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited April 2014

    AndyJS said:

    The idea that the UK is the most sexist country in the world is going to have a few more people reaching for UKIP membership forms I would have thought.

    Is it UKIP policy now to leave the UN as well as the EU?

    I don't know, I don't support the party. I disagree with their policies on HS2 and wind farms.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    RobD said:

    isam said:

    Farage has done nothing wrong, everything he has done is within the rules. Just like everything Gordon Brown did with expenses was within the rules. And Dave and his Wisteria, and Menzies and his interior designer, all within the rules.
    What it will highlight is the crap and lax rules over use of public money and Farages decision to trouser the excess. Saw it, was entitled to it, trousered it. The defence of welfare 'entitlees', and politicians across the globe.
    Scummy, greedy chancers, all of them.

    Not really

    Spot the difference

    One claimed for stuff they weren't entitled to and spent it on luxuries for their private life

    The other took an allowance he was given and spent it on the party's cause

    If you don't see the difference, you're a typical PBer

    If you do, you're a member of the general public
    Genuine question - is it proven that it was used for party funds? I thought the article said it went to Farage's account?
    I don't think I have seen it alleged otherwise.

    As I read it, the funds were paid to Fsrage, same as any other MEP, and he used them as he saw fit.

    That could be to pay for petrol, train fares, broadband I don't know. But it hasn't even been alleged that he personally profited as far as I can see

    The Times seem to want to conflate EU allowances with Westminster expenses, and hope no kind spots the difference

  • dyedwooliedyedwoolie Posts: 7,786

    A very feisty interview between Sky's Dermot Murnaghan and Nigel Farage (available on The Times' website) querying whether their under-suspicion office must contain a sauna to run up £3000 p.a. in electricity charges. Nigel really loses it, explaining that they have "banks of computers" etc. The grin on Dermot's face at this point is classic!

    'Banks of computers'.

    It all sounds la bit 'Billion Dollar Brain'. What's he doing in that office - High Frequency Trading?


    The computers are making plans for Nigel. They just want the best for him.
  • A very feisty interview between Sky's Dermot Murnaghan and Nigel Farage (available on The Times' website) querying whether their under-suspicion office must contain a sauna to run up £3000 p.a. in electricity charges. Nigel really loses it, explaining that they have "banks of computers" etc. The grin on Dermot's face at this point is classic!

    Here's the link to Sky's 9.5 minute video of the Murnghan vs Farage interview:

    http://news.sky.com/story/1242928/nigel-farage-expenses-claims-are-erroneous

    Hope it works!
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,033
    isam said:


    I don't think I have seen it alleged otherwise.

    As I read it, the funds were paid to Fsrage, same as any other MEP, and he used them as he saw fit.

    That could be to pay for petrol, train fares, broadband I don't know. But it hasn't even been alleged that he personally profited as far as I can see

    The Times seem to want to conflate EU allowances with Westminster expenses, and hope no kind spots the difference

    It is telling that no EU institution has decided to investigate the claims, only the UK electoral commission (do they even have jurisdiction over EU allowances?)
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Mary Griffiths Clarke selected as Labour candidate for Dwyfor Meirionnydd:

    http://marygriffithsclarke.wordpress.com/
    https://twitter.com/marygwengriff
  • MonikerDiCanioMonikerDiCanio Posts: 5,792

    A very feisty interview between Sky's Dermot Murnaghan and Nigel Farage (available on The Times' website) querying whether their under-suspicion office must contain a sauna to run up £3000 p.a. in electricity charges. Nigel really loses it, explaining that they have "banks of computers" etc. The grin on Dermot's face at this point is classic!

    Here's the link to Sky's 9.5 minute video of the Murnghan vs Farage interview:

    http://news.sky.com/story/1242928/nigel-farage-expenses-claims-are-erroneous

    Hope it works!
    Judging by the comments below the video and article, that's another clear victory for Farage.
  • corporealcorporeal Posts: 2,549

    corporeal said:

    AveryLP said:

    @anotherDave

    Mr Hannan mentioned in his article today that it is impossible to return an unspent portion of an MEP's allowance to the EU.

    "When one of my British colleagues found himself with a slight surplus, and asked how to return it, he was told it couldn't be done. "

    http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100267778/if-nigel-farages-expenses-bother-you-vote-to-leave-the-eu/


    aD

    I did a follow up post on this but it got lost in the ether.

    So a shorter version to serve the reading and concentration capabilities of Bobafett.


    There appears to be little doubt that such records were kept. The statements of Samuel-Camps indicate as much.

    So once true and fair statements are made public the question will move to whether there was a deficit or surplus on the allowance and, if so, how was it funded or reallocated. This may be where UKIP and Farage have difficulty but speculation should be deferred until the financial statements are provided.

    Whatever the outcome to such inquiry, The Times has accepted that, due to the nature of the EP allowance system, it is highly unlikely that either Farage or UKIP has broken the law. What is at issue is whether the party and its leader have followed best practice and due care in the handling of public monies.

    This is a legitimate question to put to any party seeking office and power and The Times are perfectly in order to ask it of Farage.

    Why don't you ask the same question of the EU itself? How many years is it now that the auditors have refused to sign off the accounts, fifteen?

    The whole stinking bureaucratic monolith is corrupt from the top down and should be disbanded immediately
    Direct from the European court of auditors

    "The annual report on the EU budget for 2012 financial year was published today (5/11/2013) by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). As independent auditor, the ECA has signed off the 2012 accounts of the European Union, as it has done each year since the 2007 financial year. "

    http://www.eca.europa.eu/en/Pages/AR_2012.aspx
    "Auditors yesterday refused to sign off the EU accounts for the 19th year in succession as they revealed that the spending errors are 23 per cent up on the year before."

    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2487670/Auditors-refuse-EU-accounts-clean-health-19th-year-row.html

    Are there different meanings to the term 'signed off'?
    No, the Mail's playing fast and loose to say the least.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    I think the UK could be heading for 33% women MPs after the next election, which would put us in the top 20 worldwide.
  • TheWatcherTheWatcher Posts: 5,262
    isam said:

    RobD said:

    isam said:

    Farage has done nothing wrong, everything he has done is within the rules. Just like everything Gordon Brown did with expenses was within the rules. And Dave and his Wisteria, and Menzies and his interior designer, all within the rules.
    What it will highlight is the crap and lax rules over use of public money and Farages decision to trouser the excess. Saw it, was entitled to it, trousered it. The defence of welfare 'entitlees', and politicians across the globe.
    Scummy, greedy chancers, all of them.

    Not really

    Spot the difference

    One claimed for stuff they weren't entitled to and spent it on luxuries for their private life

    The other took an allowance he was given and spent it on the party's cause

    If you don't see the difference, you're a typical PBer

    If you do, you're a member of the general public
    Genuine question - is it proven that it was used for party funds? I thought the article said it went to Farage's account?
    I don't think I have seen it alleged otherwise.

    As I read it, the funds were paid to Fsrage, same as any other MEP, and he used them as he saw fit.

    That could be to pay for petrol, train fares, broadband I don't know. But it hasn't even been alleged that he personally profited as far as I can see

    The Times seem to want to conflate EU allowances with Westminster expenses, and hope no kind spots the difference

    It's appears to be no different to those MP's renting space off Unions or Party's and funnelling expenses money back to their own political machines. All within the rules of course.
  • NinoinozNinoinoz Posts: 1,312

    isam said:

    RobD said:

    isam said:

    Farage has done nothing wrong, everything he has done is within the rules. Just like everything Gordon Brown did with expenses was within the rules. And Dave and his Wisteria, and Menzies and his interior designer, all within the rules.
    What it will highlight is the crap and lax rules over use of public money and Farages decision to trouser the excess. Saw it, was entitled to it, trousered it. The defence of welfare 'entitlees', and politicians across the globe.
    Scummy, greedy chancers, all of them.

    Not really

    Spot the difference

    One claimed for stuff they weren't entitled to and spent it on luxuries for their private life

    The other took an allowance he was given and spent it on the party's cause

    If you don't see the difference, you're a typical PBer

    If you do, you're a member of the general public
    Genuine question - is it proven that it was used for party funds? I thought the article said it went to Farage's account?
    I don't think I have seen it alleged otherwise.

    As I read it, the funds were paid to Fsrage, same as any other MEP, and he used them as he saw fit.

    That could be to pay for petrol, train fares, broadband I don't know. But it hasn't even been alleged that he personally profited as far as I can see

    The Times seem to want to conflate EU allowances with Westminster expenses, and hope no kind spots the difference

    It's appears to be no different to those MP's renting space off Unions or Party's and funnelling expenses money back to their own political machines. All within the rules of course.
    True, but this is going on as we speak.

    If the Times don't shut up, they'll pull the roof down upon MPs heads. Again.
  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    ESPN is currently airing a 2 hour documentary in their 30 for 30 series, called 'Soccer Stories'.

    It's about Hillsborough. I didn't realize it was the 25th anniversary today.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Sky News: "Ferry With 450 On Board 'Sinking' Off South Korea"

    http://news.sky.com/story/1243357/ferry-with-450-on-board-sinking-off-south-korea
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,033
    AndyJS said:

    Sky News: "Ferry With 450 On Board 'Sinking' Off South Korea"

    http://news.sky.com/story/1243357/ferry-with-450-on-board-sinking-off-south-korea

    At least it isn't on the high seas, and rescue seems to be on hand.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,704
    RobD said:

    AndyJS said:

    Sky News: "Ferry With 450 On Board 'Sinking' Off South Korea"

    http://news.sky.com/story/1243357/ferry-with-450-on-board-sinking-off-south-korea

    At least it isn't on the high seas, and rescue seems to be on hand.
    One dead, at least, though.
  • JohnLoonyJohnLoony Posts: 1,790
    I hardly ever (or very rarely) watch anything on Russia Today (Freeview 85) (perhaps a few minutes per week) but yesterday I switched over just to see if they had any of their usual bizarre propaganda about Ukraine.

    And what did I see? Me! OMG! It was an advert/trailer for George Galloway's chat show, proclaiming his status as a great statesman (he's been an MP for 25 years, etc) and in the background was a collage of various anti-war demonstrators. It was only on screen for perhaps 1 or 2 seconds but I knew it included me because I recognised the slogan on my placard ("IMPERIALIST WARS ARE NAUGHTY AND HORRID").

    I have been on TV loads of times, enough not to get excited every time, but I was nearly traumatised by this one. Me? On RT? Oh woe, oh infamy! They've all got it in for me! I blame the Labour government.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216

    This is fun, watching Labour supporters scuttle out to defend Farage.

    How long do you think it will last? Funny how UKIP supporters react like mortified maiden aunts when the probity of their anointed one is questioned.......remind you of any other cult party?

  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216
    Typical Unionist rag:

    An independent Scotland, the SNP argues, can still join NATO as a nonnuclear member no longer obliged to host strategic weapons. Yet NATO is a nuclear alliance, and the SNP position is a classic case of freeloading: The party wants Scotland to enjoy the benefits of the British and Western nuclear deterrent without having to bear its historical responsibility for maintaining it.

    On Tuesday, Russia test-fired the RS-24, a new ICBM that, according to the Russian media, "can carry multiple, independently targetable nuclear warheads designed to evade missile defense systems to a range of 12,000 kilometers." The SNP may imagine that the need for nuclear deterrence is a thing of the past, but sober people shouldn't. The SNP's nuclear dodge is another reason, if more were needed, for voters to reject its feckless politics.


    http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303663604579503373238002020?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303663604579503373238002020.html
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,033

    RobD said:

    AndyJS said:

    Sky News: "Ferry With 450 On Board 'Sinking' Off South Korea"

    http://news.sky.com/story/1243357/ferry-with-450-on-board-sinking-off-south-korea

    At least it isn't on the high seas, and rescue seems to be on hand.
    One dead, at least, though.
    Could have been much worse, the MS Estonia comes to mind.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,704
    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    AndyJS said:

    Sky News: "Ferry With 450 On Board 'Sinking' Off South Korea"

    http://news.sky.com/story/1243357/ferry-with-450-on-board-sinking-off-south-korea

    At least it isn't on the high seas, and rescue seems to be on hand.
    One dead, at least, though.
    Could have been much worse, the MS Estonia comes to mind.
    True, but have we got final figures yet? Didn't the Estonia go down in colder conditions?
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,704

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    AndyJS said:

    Sky News: "Ferry With 450 On Board 'Sinking' Off South Korea"

    http://news.sky.com/story/1243357/ferry-with-450-on-board-sinking-off-south-korea

    At least it isn't on the high seas, and rescue seems to be on hand.
    One dead, at least, though.
    Could have been much worse, the MS Estonia comes to mind.
    True, but have we got final figures yet? Didn't the Estonia go down in colder conditions?
    Beeb pictures seem to show calm seas and daylight.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,033

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    AndyJS said:

    Sky News: "Ferry With 450 On Board 'Sinking' Off South Korea"

    http://news.sky.com/story/1243357/ferry-with-450-on-board-sinking-off-south-korea

    At least it isn't on the high seas, and rescue seems to be on hand.
    One dead, at least, though.
    Could have been much worse, the MS Estonia comes to mind.
    True, but have we got final figures yet? Didn't the Estonia go down in colder conditions?
    Yep, and at night!
  • fitalassfitalass Posts: 4,320
    edited April 2014
    The similarities are uncanny, and have been for a while now on PB. :)

    This is fun, watching Labour supporters scuttle out to defend Farage.

    How long do you think it will last? Funny how UKIP supporters react like mortified maiden aunts when the probity of their anointed one is questioned.......remind you of any other cult party?

  • FinancierFinancier Posts: 3,916
    Compare and Contrast:

    The Ceredigion section of the EU 2009 result :
    1/ Plaid Cymru 6,725
    2/ Liberal Democrats 3,642
    3/ Conservative 2,869
    4/ UKIP 1,755
    5/ Green 1,481
    6/ Labour 1,329

    General Election 2010: Ceredigion
    Liberal Democrat Mark Williams 19,139
    Plaid Cymru Penri James 10,815
    Conservative Luke Evetts 4,421
    Labour Richard Boudier 2,210
    UKIP Elwyn Williams 977
    Green Leila Kiersch 696

    Council Election 2012
    Plaid:19
    Independents:15
    LibDems:7
    Labour:1
  • Is that a recent photograph of Dave - he certainly looks a great deal thinner in the face or is it just an optical illusion as he stands adjacent to Alex Salmond?
This discussion has been closed.