Talking of Eurovulsion, my pub is 100% Eurovision free, please do pop down and not be one of the millions of morons watching it. It's funny cos it's a proxy for war and hatred, with stupid outfits,
"There is a democracy deficiency at the heart of the EU and this will be its downfall.
The loss of national sovereignty. The unelected- leaders. The wanton corruption. The way you have to get into line with the citizens of 27 other nations when you fly into your own country. Nobody in Britain ever voted for that. It was shoved down our throats. And even if Nigel Farage and his band of merry fruitcakes vanish later this afternoon that will still be true.
One minute Cameron was promising to lead "the -greenest government ever". The next, responding to Miliband's promise to freeze energy bills if elected prime minister, Cameron allegedly ordered aides to "get rid of all the green crap" that pushes up energy bills.
What does Cameron really think about green crap? What does he really believe about Europe? What does he believe about anything? I have no idea. Perhaps he doesn't know either. And that is why it is impossible to imagine the Conservative Party and UKIP forging a broad right-wing alliance to keep out the Dead Eds of Miliband and Balls. For anyone to seriously trust Cameron to get tough with Europe, they really would have to be a -fruitcake. Cameron is offering a sticking plaster to a man who has been decapitated."
What does he really believe about Europe? What does he believe about anything? I have no idea. Perhaps he doesn't know either.
It is very difficult to find a single issue where Cameron has taken a principled and consistent stand throughout his time in politics. I certainly can't think of one.
Yes - but when New Labour came along they changed all the Labour terms to Tory ones. We really should have known what they were going to be like before they even came to power.
Mr. Eagles, you could have the doors loudly closed and then a string quartet start to play The Rains of Castamere.
I was told I could be best man on the strict condition I did NOT get involved with any of the music at the wedding, or go within 500 yards of the DJ at the evening event.
I wonder if anyone plays the Rains of Castamere at weddings.
Last year, 160 American babies were named Khaleesi.
Bad move if Martin turns her into a psycho cannibal in a later book.
The omens aren't great. Her Modus Operandi so far includes live burning, mass executions, mass crucifixion, and torture on an industrial scale.
Yeah and given how his mind seems to work if he lives long enough she'll end up being the worst character.
I have put a timer until the first person to mention "child of a current Labour grandee?". Sweepstake anyone?
I have prepared a PBC buzzer in the style of the QI claxon for when this happens.
Do you have a buzzer for Jack Dromey and All Women Shortlist?
I've a big, gay YELLOW CARD for that eventuality. If that happens to cause an outrage-induced electrical surge in the Cumbernauld area it wont be my fault.
Why do I get the feeling I've started the Eurovision drinking far too early and am likely to end up swearing at people in the small hours? Or in Bournemouth.
Eurovision drinking games haven't been the same since Sir Terry stopped doing Eurovision.
You only swear at people in the small hours, when I announce I've backed Ireland to win at the rugby.
If either Iceland, Ukraine, Austria or The UK win tonight's Eurovision, I shall put all my winnings on Ireland winning the six nations and world cup next year.
What does he really believe about Europe? What does he believe about anything? I have no idea. Perhaps he doesn't know either.
It is very difficult to find a single issue where Cameron has taken a principled and consistent stand throughout his time in politics. I certainly can't think of one.
My facebook newsfeed says Austria but we all know that a prejudice-reinforcing source
I have sadly not asked my friend who is often a talking head on telly about Eurovision (he's not famous, he's just the single biggest Eurovision fan in the world) who he is backing as to start him on a Eurovision conversation is to sacrifice the entire evening out. No winning tip is worth that.
I have put a timer until the first person to mention "child of a current Labour grandee?". Sweepstake anyone?
I have prepared a PBC buzzer in the style of the QI claxon for when this happens.
Neil's got his party back. Last month Stephen and now darling Jo ; Rt Hon. Lord Neil Kinnock, former Labour Leader “Jo is Labour to the core. I’ve seen her fight for Labour’s values in this country and around the world. In my time I’ve seen a lot of campaigners, very few are as impressive as Jo.”
My facebook newsfeed says Austria but we all know that a prejudice-reinforcing source
I have sadly not asked my friend who is often a talking head on telly about Eurovision (he's not famous, he's just the single biggest Eurovision fan in the world) who he is backing as to start him on a Eurovision conversation is to sacrifice the entire evening out. No winning tip is worth that.
My wife has scheduled a girls night out 80 miles away from me this evening, so she won't have to watch "that fecking shite"
As a friend put it, "A bloke with dodgy facial hair from Austria dominating Europe never ends well does it?"
My facebook newsfeed says Austria but we all know that a prejudice-reinforcing source
I have sadly not asked my friend who is often a talking head on telly about Eurovision (he's not famous, he's just the single biggest Eurovision fan in the world) who he is backing as to start him on a Eurovision conversation is to sacrifice the entire evening out. No winning tip is worth that.
My wife has scheduled a girls night out 80 miles away from me this evening, so she won't have to watch "that fecking shite"
As a friend put it, "A bloke with dodgy facial hair from Austria dominating Europe never ends well does it?"
She is wise. On this, and little else, I agree with Nigel.
OMG, I'm shocked, shocked, I guess no one ever guessed this.
Tory MP Michael Fabricant admits to hair 'enhancement'
Michael Fabricant, the MP who was sacked as vice-chairman of the Conservative Party last month, admits that his impressive crop of hair might not be entirely natural
OMG, I'm shocked, shocked, I guess no one ever guessed this.
Tory MP Michael Fabricant admits to hair 'enhancement'
Michael Fabricant, the MP who was sacked as vice-chairman of the Conservative Party last month, admits that his impressive crop of hair might not be entirely natural
Although I'd argue that having the wrong principles is better than no principles at all!
To use a wretched scholastic distinction, that is true per se but not per accidens. For instance, I rather prefer "pragmatic" and unprincipled politicians in this country to committed Marxist-Leninist ideologues!
Labour activist in Newark Market Square: "We expect to come third in the Newark by-election". R.
He could just be making it up, of course.
If Labour come third, that will be a really bad result for them.
I've been giving this some thought. My par result for a by-election is:
Con 40 Lab 30 UKIP 20
Labour get most of the Lib Dem vote, UKIP get most of the by-election carnival vote. Choosing Roger Helmer should mean that UKIP get less benefit from the carnival vote than they otherwise would. If Labour can't build a Lab/Lib Dem coalition in this constituency that at the very least gets them a decent second, they need to ask some very searching questions of themselves.
Conservatives 38% of the seats on 29% of the vote. Labour 53% of the seats on 33% of the vote. Lib Dems 4% of the seats on 9% of the vote. UKIP 0% of the seats on 20% of the vote ! (Though surely Eastleigh is landed if this is the result)
Labour activist in Newark Market Square: "We expect to come third in the Newark by-election". R.
He could just be making it up, of course.
If Labour come third, that will be a really bad result for them.
I've been giving this some thought. My par result for a by-election is:
Con 40 Lab 30 UKIP 20
Labour get most of the Lib Dem vote, UKIP get most of the by-election carnival vote. Choosing Roger Helmer should mean that UKIP get less benefit from the carnival vote than they otherwise would. If Labour can't build a Lab/Lib Dem coalition in this constituency that at the very least gets them a decent second, they need to ask some very searching questions of themselves.
I think it all depends on if UKIP get that crazy momentum towards election day they have gained on a few occasions so far, and how many Tory voters are either secretly Kippers or will abandon the Tories for Labour/UKIP this time because of Mercer. I honestly find it very hard to call.
French President Francois Hollande said Saturday the sale of two Mistral warships to Russia would continue "for now" despite the West's worsening relations with Moscow over the Ukraine crisis.
How is this one going to be spun? What happens if Russia wants its new toy to sail via Turkey?
Mr. Eagles, I am going to slap you across the face with a large haddock.
Pre-prepared is a horrendous Brownian tautology.
It has been a stressful week, in one week's time, I have to deliver a best man's speech, and so far all I have written is
"Hello, my name is Mr Eagles, and I'm an alcoholi.... oh wait wrong speech"
How about:
"It is traditional for the best man to tell a few gags at the Bride's expense. But I'm not a traditionalist. You're getting 5 minutes each on the merits of AV and the prospects for Scottish Independence."
I think I might have to give that a miss.
Well done for avoiding the biggest mistake of the last best man speech I gave!
One of the grooms is from Wrexham.
I nearly put in a line about "that memorable weekend in Wrexham"
(Say it out loud)
My best man described me as the "God of banking":
- never around when there is any work to be done - expects all the credit when something goes right - but it's your fault if you make a mistake
Mr. Eagles, you could have the doors loudly closed and then a string quartet start to play The Rains of Castamere.
I was told I could be best man on the strict condition I did NOT get involved with any of the music at the wedding, or go within 500 yards of the DJ at the evening event.
I wonder if anyone plays the Rains of Castamere at weddings.
Last year, 160 American babies were named Khaleesi.
Bad move if Martin turns her into a psycho cannibal in a later book.
The omens aren't great. Her Modus Operandi so far includes live burning, mass executions, mass crucifixion, and torture on an industrial scale.
Post the Euro elections, I'd expect to see each of the country's three main parties (Con/Lab/UKIP) polling in the Twenties.
Agreed. could Dave survive that Sean? I'm sure labour will blunder into the elections with Ed given their structure, but I'm starting to wonder for the first time since he got the job if Dave is safe.
Mr. Eagles, you could have the doors loudly closed and then a string quartet start to play The Rains of Castamere.
I was told I could be best man on the strict condition I did NOT get involved with any of the music at the wedding, or go within 500 yards of the DJ at the evening event.
I wonder if anyone plays the Rains of Castamere at weddings.
Last year, 160 American babies were named Khaleesi.
Bad move if Martin turns her into a psycho cannibal in a later book.
The omens aren't great. Her Modus Operandi so far includes live burning, mass executions, mass crucifixion, and torture on an industrial scale.
All in a good cause though...
I think she is destined to be the Walter White of the story.
I'm not convinced by either of those arguments. While some Labour and Lib Dem voters may go to UKIP for the carnival, most will coalesce behind Labour in the by-election. The idea that Labour will go backwards when their national polling has gone forwards and they have a clear source of additional votes seems unlikely to me.
Labour are not doing equally well across the country in all likelihood: they're probably doing better than average in metropolitan areas. Since their vote is only up about 5 points since 2010 in the polling averages, they may be making very little progress at all in "old-fashioned" parts of the country like Newark.
Ho ho! Paddy Power have just priced up East Dunbartonshire and their starting price for the SNP is 80/1 (!!)
I just placed the Maximum stake. Guess what the buggers let me put on. 81p! Yepp. Eighty one pence. What a shower! They obviously don't like losing after I creamed them at the Scottish GE betting in 2011.
Sixty-odd quid would still pay for a pleasant evening out?
Absolutely.
I note that Paddy Power have now cut the SNP price in East Dunbartonshire from 80/1 to 33/1. So it is now Ladbrokes with the best price, at 50/1.
Mr. Crosby, isn't Bhutan the happiest country in the world?
Also people don't vote for parties. They vote for individuals. Proportionality is the route to PR, which shifts power from voters to parties, leads to coalitions which means weak government and lack of accountability.
O/t istr that entry into Eurovision is based on membership of the ebu. How much does membership cost? If we could get Gibraltar, Jersey, Isle of Man etc to join, we may get a few more points.
interested to see Saint Gary lumped in with the banksters, I thought he got a bit of a free pass when eg. that comedian suffered and mea culpa'ed himself a few months ago. Jimmy Carr that's it.
Kippers on a roll? Why not - people are feeling better, much better. They are less worried about both the national and their own personal balance sheets and so have a bit more leisure to have some fun. Why not give the Cons an elbow in the ribs? Why evan our own @taffys is in on the joke.
But the deadly serious thing is that come GE2015 in the cold light of day, sober, they will remember who gave them that well-deserved feelgood factor.
Step forward Dave "gay marriage, smaller state, police reform, daring education policy, let GO get on with it, gets it wrong at times but fair enough - the Cons as a whole and he in particular had lost their touch over the preceding 13 years" Cameron
Mr. Crosby, isn't Bhutan the happiest country in the world?
'Also people don't vote for parties. They vote for individuals.' Really? Only 20% of people can name their MP (Hansard Society)... and FPTP is merely a closed list of one, anyhow!
'Proportionality is the route to PR, which shifts power from voters to parties' Tell that to the Irish (politicians), who complain that PR gives the voters too much power!
'leads to coalitions which means weak government and lack of accountability.' ...but greater economic success and stability, and voter satisfaction with their democracy. (surveys show)
My reaction to todays opinium poll is that UKIP are barking up the wrong tree, last May they were on 21% with the tories on 26% in opinium. In FPTP systems which favors a 2 party system outpolling one of the big two hugely increases your chances to replace them as a big party.UKIP should be targeting the Conservatives for a crossover, by targeting Labour votes they only increased the distance between UKIP and CON when UKIP is polling at similar figures, before they needed to be at 24% for a crossover now they need 26%. Plus all of UKIP potencial target seats are tory and LD seats, none are Labour seats.
If UKIP got 20% and no MP's that would be quite funny really.. long term it would surely help their case
My way of sorting this nonsense would be to reduce the number of constituencies by 50 and allocate one MP per 2% a party gets.. if Scotland goes it will be nice and easy. 641 seats in the House of Commons, 591 constituencies
People who voted for a party with 10% of the vote but no constituency wins would still be vastly under represented but at least its something
Comments
It's funny cos it's a proxy for war and hatred, with stupid outfits,
"There is a democracy deficiency at the heart of the EU and this will be its downfall.
The loss of national sovereignty. The unelected- leaders. The wanton corruption. The way you have to get into line with the citizens of 27 other nations when you fly into your own country. Nobody in Britain ever voted for that. It was shoved down our throats. And even if Nigel Farage and his band of merry fruitcakes vanish later this afternoon that will still be true.
One minute Cameron was promising to lead "the -greenest government ever". The next, responding to Miliband's promise to freeze energy bills if elected prime minister, Cameron allegedly ordered aides to "get rid of all the green crap" that pushes up energy bills.
What does Cameron really think about green crap? What does he really believe about Europe? What does he believe about anything? I have no idea. Perhaps he doesn't know either. And that is why it is impossible to imagine the Conservative Party and UKIP forging a broad right-wing alliance to keep out the Dead Eds of Miliband and Balls. For anyone to seriously trust Cameron to get tough with Europe, they really would have to be a -fruitcake. Cameron is offering a sticking plaster to a man who has been decapitated."
http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/comment/articles/2014-05/08/tony-parsons-ukip-federal-europe
Roger Helmer @RogerHelmerMEP 1h
Labour activist in Newark Market Square: "We expect to come third in the Newark by-election". R.
They should have picked Arwen.
http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/news/11203895.display/?ref=twtrec
You only swear at people in the small hours, when I announce I've backed Ireland to win at the rugby.
If either Iceland, Ukraine, Austria or The UK win tonight's Eurovision, I shall put all my winnings on Ireland winning the six nations and world cup next year.
My facebook newsfeed says Austria but we all know that a prejudice-reinforcing source
I have sadly not asked my friend who is often a talking head on telly about Eurovision (he's not famous, he's just the single biggest Eurovision fan in the world) who he is backing as to start him on a Eurovision conversation is to sacrifice the entire evening out. No winning tip is worth that.
Time for the much awaited cross-over poll this week to mark that celebration I feel...
Rt Hon. Lord Neil Kinnock, former Labour Leader
“Jo is Labour to the core. I’ve seen her fight for Labour’s values in this country and around the world. In my time I’ve seen a lot of campaigners, very few are as impressive as Jo.”
As a friend put it, "A bloke with dodgy facial hair from Austria dominating Europe never ends well does it?"
Tory MP Michael Fabricant admits to hair 'enhancement'
Michael Fabricant, the MP who was sacked as vice-chairman of the Conservative Party last month, admits that his impressive crop of hair might not be entirely natural
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/10821863/Tory-MP-Michael-Fabricant-admits-to-hair-enhancement.html
Toby Helm @tobyhelm 17s
Ukip at 20% (+2) in new Opinium/Obs poll. Labour 33 (-1), Con 29 (-3), Lib Dems 9 (+2). Farage surge maintained.
Only one in ten can name an MEP in their regions. See Opinium poll tomorrow .
Edited my post to reflect that.
Right - I'm logging off before the post quality falls any further. Have a good evening everyone.
I've been giving this some thought. My par result for a by-election is:
Con 40
Lab 30
UKIP 20
Labour get most of the Lib Dem vote, UKIP get most of the by-election carnival vote. Choosing Roger Helmer should mean that UKIP get less benefit from the carnival vote than they otherwise would. If Labour can't build a Lab/Lib Dem coalition in this constituency that at the very least gets them a decent second, they need to ask some very searching questions of themselves.
National Prediction: LAB majority 44
Party 2010 Votes 2010 Seats Pred Votes Gains Losses Pred Seats
CON 36.97% 307 29.00% 14 72 249
LAB 29.66% 258 33.00% 89 0 347
LIB 23.56% 57 9.00% 0 31 26
UKIP 3.17% 0 20.00% 0 0 0
NAT 2.26% 9 2.26% 0 0 9
MIN 0.89% 19 0.89% 1 1 19
OTH 3.48% 0 5.85% 0 0 0
___________________________________________
Conservatives 38% of the seats on 29% of the vote.
Labour 53% of the seats on 33% of the vote.
Lib Dems 4% of the seats on 9% of the vote.
UKIP 0% of the seats on 20% of the vote ! (Though surely Eastleigh is landed if this is the result)
French President Francois Hollande said Saturday the sale of two Mistral warships to Russia would continue "for now" despite the West's worsening relations with Moscow over the Ukraine crisis.
How is this one going to be spun? What happens if Russia wants its new toy to sail via Turkey?
LDs 31 seats
UKIP 0 seats
Was that poll taken before the tories' 'HMRC to plunder your account' monstering? If not, UKIP/tory crossover is not impossible.
I'm starting to think the unthinkable. The tories ditch Cameron and elect a conservative to head them into the election.
- never around when there is any work to be done
- expects all the credit when something goes right
- but it's your fault if you make a mistake
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140510/hollande-says-sale-warships-russia-still-now
Big day of Premier League action tomorrow. One shop in Norwich hasn't quite given up hope.
twitter.com/Coral/status/465179818095820800
As the newspapers will be over the coming weeks......
Runs to open up pillar box to retrieve postal votes.
Which reminds me, Come On You Hammers!
If they're on 33% nationally, they'll be sub-20% in Newark.
Agreed. could Dave survive that Sean? I'm sure labour will blunder into the elections with Ed given their structure, but I'm starting to wonder for the first time since he got the job if Dave is safe.
About half of them probably wont vote at all
SNP 1/5 (Lad)
Lab 8/1 (PP)
LD 90/1 (PP)
UKIP 125/1 (PP)
Con 125/1 (PP)
If you signed up to the latest PB Diplomacy game, it's fully signed up now so do log in to confirm.
Mr. Eagles, you approach music the way a masochist approaches sex.
I note that Paddy Power have now cut the SNP price in East Dunbartonshire from 80/1 to 33/1. So it is now Ladbrokes with the best price, at 50/1.
Certainly, no large, mature 'democracy' would have ever delivered such a disproportional election result...
Also people don't vote for parties. They vote for individuals. Proportionality is the route to PR, which shifts power from voters to parties, leads to coalitions which means weak government and lack of accountability.
Lab 4/11 (PP)
Con 4/1 (Lad)
UKIP 40/1 (PP)
LD 40/1 (PP)
WE CAN STILL DO THIS CANARIES #nevergiveup #edballs
http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/24182/9305754/sebastian-vettel-drops-to-15th-on-spanish-gp-grid-after-gearbox-change
Con 1/2 (PP)
LD 15/8 (Lad)
UKIP 50/1 (PP)
Lab 100/1
Some of the other emirates are not so liberal. Sharjah next door can arrest you for drinking or kissing in public.
Kippers on a roll? Why not - people are feeling better, much better. They are less worried about both the national and their own personal balance sheets and so have a bit more leisure to have some fun. Why not give the Cons an elbow in the ribs? Why evan our own @taffys is in on the joke.
But the deadly serious thing is that come GE2015 in the cold light of day, sober, they will remember who gave them that well-deserved feelgood factor.
Step forward Dave "gay marriage, smaller state, police reform, daring education policy, let GO get on with it, gets it wrong at times but fair enough - the Cons as a whole and he in particular had lost their touch over the preceding 13 years" Cameron
Scoop6? Bloody Hell.
On PR: I have no faith in the political class to implement an effective and intelligent reform to the voting system.
(Yes I am on Eurovision pre-party channel.)
Ukip donor Marchessini takes D Tel ad offering text of my #c4news intv, says edit "made it difficult to understand" pic.twitter.com/AinhKPL2dJ
There's some quiz show on, and one of the questions is
What was the name of Ed Miliband's father, and gave three options.
The lady got it right.
...we're all Children of the Universe.
Plus all of UKIP potencial target seats are tory and LD seats, none are Labour seats.
My way of sorting this nonsense would be to reduce the number of constituencies by 50 and allocate one MP per 2% a party gets.. if Scotland goes it will be nice and easy. 641 seats in the House of Commons, 591 constituencies
People who voted for a party with 10% of the vote but no constituency wins would still be vastly under represented but at least its something