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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Miliband rules out an EU referendum promise: A strategic mi

SystemSystem Posts: 11,020
edited May 2013 in General

politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Miliband rules out an EU referendum promise: A strategic mistake or a correct reading of the public mood?

No EU referendum from Lab – EdM making this the big divider for GE2015. goo.gl/xFQSK twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/st…

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  • Options
    MonikerDiCanioMonikerDiCanio Posts: 5,792
    EdM , the millionaire on Primrose Hill knows best.
  • Options
    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,288
    Ed = Euroholic?

    :)
  • Options
    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Miliband's problem is not that people care about Europe, but they care very much about elitist Primrose Hill millionaires denying them a voice.

    Miliband rules out EU ... don't care.

    Miliband rules out referendum ... care very much. Witness UKIP
  • Options
    MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382
    Indeed he does as the polling suggests.

    EdM , the millionaire on Primrose Hill knows best.

  • Options
    SlackbladderSlackbladder Posts: 9,704
    Still make it a 50/50 chance...lol
  • Options
    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    A further thought; Eurogeddon is not over. In 2 years this might look even more stupid than it does today.
  • Options
    CD13CD13 Posts: 6,351

    Although I'm not particularly bothered by Europe, I would be annoyed, now that the subject is in the news, if EdM deems me too incompetent to decide.

    Surely, he'd do better to make his case and win the verdict.

    Posh, metropolitan elite - they think they're better than we are.
  • Options
    No_Offence_AlanNo_Offence_Alan Posts: 3,814
    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010. If a referendum wasn't necessary then, why would it be in 2015?
  • Options
    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Ed is going to whip his backbenchers to vote against a referendum, and not all of them are going to comply.
  • Options
    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
  • Options
    SlackbladderSlackbladder Posts: 9,704
    Scott_P said:

    Ed is going to whip his backbenchers to vote against a referendum, and not all of them are going to comply.

    Labour backbenchers are not known for their backbone
  • Options
    RobDRobD Posts: 58,967

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010. If a referendum wasn't necessary then, why would it be in 2015?

    Who says Britain's relationship will be the same in 2015, did you see Mr Barroso's comments a few days ago?
  • Options
    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    O/T, the next Star Wars will be shot in the UK...

    @beaubodor: Photo: The cantina in #BritishStarWars http://twitter.com/beaubodor/status/333224831988412416/photo/1
  • Options
    anothernickanothernick Posts: 3,578
    The Tories position has weakened significantly since they promised a referendum on Europe - hardly surprising that Ed does not intend to make the same mistake.
  • Options
    anothernickanothernick Posts: 3,578
    Scott_P said:

    Ed is going to whip his backbenchers to vote against a referendum.

    Good. It's about time a party leader showed some leadership on this subject.
  • Options
    Peter_2Peter_2 Posts: 146
    Sod the plebs! Say the elitist Labourites. Still, this may be an unforced error. People feel more strongly about having the option to vote than about Europe per se.
  • Options
    No_Offence_AlanNo_Offence_Alan Posts: 3,814
    RobD said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010. If a referendum wasn't necessary then, why would it be in 2015?

    Who says Britain's relationship will be the same in 2015, did you see Mr Barroso's comments a few days ago?
    Is there going to be a new treaty, then?

    By making this a "clear dividing line" between Labour and Tories, EdM will obviously be hoping that no-one notices Labour's acceptance of 95% of the Coalition's policies.
  • Options
    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,288
    Scott_P said:

    O/T, the next Star Wars will be shot in the UK...

    @beaubodor: Photo: The cantina in #BritishStarWars http://twitter.com/beaubodor/status/333224831988412416/photo/1

    "The EU can have a strong influence on the weak-minded!"
  • Options
    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,288
    FA Cup Kick off in a few minutes!
  • Options
    No_Offence_AlanNo_Offence_Alan Posts: 3,814
    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932

    FA Cup Kick off in a few minutes!

    what pub league game is that
  • Options
    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,288
    edited May 2013

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    If we can survive outside the Eurozone, we can survive outside the EU?
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
  • Options
    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,288
    malcolmg said:

    FA Cup Kick off in a few minutes!

    what pub league game is that
    And the average gate for League games north of the Border is...?
  • Options
    NormNorm Posts: 1,251
    Don't buy this europhile mantra that people don't care about Europe. Obviously few except obsessives are going to prioritise Europe as an issue over more bread and butter concerns. People do though buy into the concern we haven't had a referendum since 1975 so even old gits like me at the age of 54 are too young to have voted. They also buy into concerns that the EU will damage our important financial sector - the principal reason why Lawson and others have suddenly turned up the heat on the issue. This has a long way to go and rEd shouldn't be congratulating himself just yet,
  • Options
    No_Offence_AlanNo_Offence_Alan Posts: 3,814
    malcolmg said:

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
    Let me know when Iceland lifts currency controls, and I'll accept that.
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932

    malcolmg said:

    FA Cup Kick off in a few minutes!

    what pub league game is that
    And the average gate for League games north of the Border is...?
    Well if it is average gates then we would have two of the top 4 places by game and probably by season
  • Options
    roserees64roserees64 Posts: 251
    A referendum on Europe may be appropriate after 2015 but Ed Miliband is wise to stress the importance of other issues.
    Most people are unaware of the issues at stake and tend to react in a partisan manner instead of considering the benefits and disadvantages of EU membership.
  • Options
    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453

    "The EU can have a strong influence on the weak-minded!"

    It is perhaps surprising that Ed has positioned himself as Grand Moff Tarkin against the pro-referendum rebel alliance...

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    Peter_2Peter_2 Posts: 146
    So is Latvia but then their economy shrank 25+%. It is easier to put on growth from a low base. In any case latest figures seem to say we are on the mend?
  • Options
    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,288
    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    FA Cup Kick off in a few minutes!

    what pub league game is that
    And the average gate for League games north of the Border is...?
    Well if it is average gates then we would have two of the top 4 places by game and probably by season
    And the rest of the league?
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932
    Peter_2 said:

    So is Latvia but then their economy shrank 25+%. It is easier to put on growth from a low base. In any case latest figures seem to say we are on the mend?

    LOL, only a Tory could come out with that mince
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    Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    Could mean that right-leaning UKIP supporters at the GE vote Tory as the only realistic option of getting a referendum, while left-leaning Kippers may stay with the protest party.

    If both main parties committed to a referendum then there'd be no reason to vote Tory if you wanted one.
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    Peter_2Peter_2 Posts: 146
    Long time since I was a Tory!
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    MonikerDiCanioMonikerDiCanio Posts: 5,792
    edited May 2013
    malcolmg said:

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
    Iceland let its toxic banks die , England had to bail out RBS and BoS to save Brown's , Darling's and Salmond's faces.

  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932
    Peter_2 said:

    Long time since I was a Tory!



    well Labour are Tories as well now so no difference, unless you are a sandal wearer
  • Options
    OblitusSumMeOblitusSumMe Posts: 9,143
    It is possible that one reason Europe has never been a big issue at the general election is because there has not recently been a big difference between the two parties. Blair was forced to promise a referendum on joining the Euro. Both parties promised a referendum in 2005 on the EU constitution.

    In 2015 there will be a concrete difference between the two parties. Cameron promises a referendum, Miliband does not. This could make it seem more important in voter's minds.
  • Options
    NeilNeil Posts: 7,983
    tim said:


    2% of Lib Dems rate it in their top three personal issues, 10% of 2010 Lib Dems.
    11% of current Labour voters, 14% 2010 Labour voters.

    And for many of these it is difficult to know whether their concern is that there is too much or too little immigration.
  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,744
    edited May 2013
    Ed M knows what he's doing, he has enough on his side whatever his stance on the EU, so he can take more risks to stay out of it and make it a wholly Tory thing. Maybe. As we all know, Europe is just the tip of the UKIP iceberg for the Tories; it's about a feeling they are more like the true Tories than the Tories
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932

    malcolmg said:

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
    Iceland let its toxic banks die , England had to bail out RBS and BoS to save Brown's , Darling's and Salmond's faces.

    Yes those well known UK banks, Halifax and Nat West run from England , they fronted themselves with the Scottish bank names and ran them into the ground, pass the crappy Westminster knighthood please.
  • Options
    MonikerDiCanioMonikerDiCanio Posts: 5,792

    It is possible that one reason Europe has never been a big issue at the general election is because there has not recently been a big difference between the two parties. Blair was forced to promise a referendum on joining the Euro. Both parties promised a referendum in 2005 on the EU constitution.

    In 2015 there will be a concrete difference between the two parties. Cameron promises a referendum, Miliband does not. This could make it seem more important in voter's minds.


    What must be rubbed in again and again is that Edward Miliband doesn't trust the British people with a referendum. Who the hell does he think he is ?

  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,744
    Article on the BBC about why bother saving money, which I still don't really get, no head for economics notwithstanding. I get that interest rates are low, far lower than inflation, so I'm not really gaining anything keeping money in the bank, but I still have that money even if it is not growing, whereas if I spent it on pointless products to help spur the economy as my country wants, I don't have any money.
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    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    It's the economy, stupid.

    It certainly isn't the EU.
  • Options
    JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,994
    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    FA Cup Kick off in a few minutes!

    what pub league game is that
    And the average gate for League games north of the Border is...?
    Well if it is average gates then we would have two of the top 4 places by game and probably by season
    This is way off-topic, but a quick Google shows you may be wrong (depending on the veracity of the table and the way it is drawn up):

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Average_attendances_of_European_football_clubs

    Celtic are in fifth place in the UK, behind Man U, Arsenal, Newcastle and Man City. Rangers are in sixth. of the 70 European clubs shown, two are in the Scottish league and seventeen are English.
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    Peter_2Peter_2 Posts: 146
    Think it's the first time I've been accused of being a sandal wearer!
  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,744
    New Star Trek - I finally see what people have been talking about, Benedict Cumberbatch is as phenomenal an actor as he appeared to be in the trailer. I'm at a loss as to why I disliked his Sherlock so much.
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,288
    Scott_P said:

    "The EU can have a strong influence on the weak-minded!"

    It is perhaps surprising that Ed has positioned himself as Grand Moff Tarkin against the pro-referendum rebel alliance...

    It is a period of civil war. UKIP spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil EUROPEAN UNION.

    During the battle, UKIP spies managed to steal secret plans to the EU's ultimate weapon, the
    TECHNOCRAT, an armoured space station with enough power to destroy an entire member state.

    Pursued by the EU's sinister agents, Princess Nigel races home aboard his starship, custodian of the stolen plans that can save his people and restore freedom to the Continent....
  • Options
    Peter_2Peter_2 Posts: 146

    It is possible that one reason Europe has never been a big issue at the general election is because there has not recently been a big difference between the two parties. Blair was forced to promise a referendum on joining the Euro. Both parties promised a referendum in 2005 on the EU constitution.

    In 2015 there will be a concrete difference between the two parties. Cameron promises a referendum, Miliband does not. This could make it seem more important in voter's minds.

    A useful reminder of the lies Labour tell to win votes.
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    FA Cup Kick off in a few minutes!

    what pub league game is that
    And the average gate for League games north of the Border is...?
    Well if it is average gates then we would have two of the top 4 places by game and probably by season
    This is way off-topic, but a quick Google shows you may be wrong (depending on the veracity of the table and the way it is drawn up):

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Average_attendances_of_European_football_clubs

    Celtic are in fifth place in the UK, behind Man U, Arsenal, Newcastle and Man City. Rangers are in sixth. of the 70 European clubs shown, two are in the Scottish league and seventeen are English.
    Given the respective populations that is not bad. I was replying to a stupid post with some irony , but overall the fact that only 2 or 3 maximum clubs in England have bigger gates is still impressive.
  • Options
    MonikerDiCanioMonikerDiCanio Posts: 5,792
    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
    Iceland let its toxic banks die , England had to bail out RBS and BoS to save Brown's , Darling's and Salmond's faces.

    Yes those well known UK banks, Halifax and Nat West run from England , they fronted themselves with the Scottish bank names and ran them into the ground, pass the crappy Westminster knighthood please.

    You're deaf to me but at least you should listen to your leader , Salmond , in his keynote " Celtic Lion " speech ;

    "of course we Scots are lucky enough to have the one of the best brands in the world - a global recognition and affection for our culture that money cannot buy. Take financial services. With RBS and HBOS - two of the world's biggest banks - Scotland has global leaders today, tomorrow and for the long-term."
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932
    Peter_2 said:

    Think it's the first time I've been accused of being a sandal wearer!

    Peter, I have to get it right some time , are you a vegetarian greenie or a UKIPer, not many left after that
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932

    Scott_P said:

    "The EU can have a strong influence on the weak-minded!"

    It is perhaps surprising that Ed has positioned himself as Grand Moff Tarkin against the pro-referendum rebel alliance...

    It is a period of civil war. UKIP spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil EUROPEAN UNION.

    During the battle, UKIP spies managed to steal secret plans to the EU's ultimate weapon, the
    TECHNOCRAT, an armoured space station with enough power to destroy an entire member state.

    Pursued by the EU's sinister agents, Princess Nigel races home aboard his starship, custodian of the stolen plans that can save his people and restore freedom to the Continent....
    THE EU will wipe the floor with Cameron and his chums
  • Options
    Voters may not care now about Europe but they could do in 2015. This announcement is the best news this year that EdM is ruling out a referendum. It makes the chances of UKIP & Conservatives having local deals more realistic. Nigel Farage now has to decide whether he puts principle before his party but he has approx 18 months to decide. He can offer a BOO deal or a referendum deal in 325 "winnable" Conservative seats and still fight the rest. By turning his UKIP guns on the Labour party Farage can actually rapidly grow UKIP in the Labour heartlands. It is the working class areas where UKIP did best in the local elections IMHO.
  • Options
    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,288
    edited May 2013
    Press play!

  • Options
    anothernickanothernick Posts: 3,578

    It is possible that one reason Europe has never been a big issue at the general election is because there has not recently been a big difference between the two parties. Blair was forced to promise a referendum on joining the Euro. Both parties promised a referendum in 2005 on the EU constitution.

    In 2015 there will be a concrete difference between the two parties. Cameron promises a referendum, Miliband does not. This could make it seem more important in voter's minds.


    What must be rubbed in again and again is that Edward Miliband doesn't trust the British people with a referendum. Who the hell does he think he is ?

    A leader in a stronger position than Cameron probably.

    Cameron did not promise a referendum because he really wants one - he was forced to promise it because of pressure from his party and because of the weakness of his own position. The political circumstances are almost exactly the same as those which forced Harold Wilson to promise a referendum in the 1970s. The issue is being driven primarily by internal party politics - most people do not care much about Europe as the polls show.
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
    Iceland let its toxic banks die , England had to bail out RBS and BoS to save Brown's , Darling's and Salmond's faces.

    Yes those well known UK banks, Halifax and Nat West run from England , they fronted themselves with the Scottish bank names and ran them into the ground, pass the crappy Westminster knighthood please.

    You're deaf to me but at least you should listen to your leader , Salmond , in his keynote " Celtic Lion " speech ;

    "of course we Scots are lucky enough to have the one of the best brands in the world - a global recognition and affection for our culture that money cannot buy. Take financial services. With RBS and HBOS - two of the world's biggest banks - Scotland has global leaders today, tomorrow and for the long-term."
    Unfortunately it is had best brands , once those Westminster creeps had our banks consumed by casino's run by shopkeepers it was only a matter of time, like everything else they touch , gold is transformed to tin.
  • Options
    Peter_2Peter_2 Posts: 146
    Malcolmg leftie posters variously describe me as homophobic, bigoted, Islamophobic, racist, fascist, etc. I was once called a (US style) Republican though.
  • Options
    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
    Iceland let its toxic banks die , England had to bail out RBS and BoS to save Brown's , Darling's and Salmond's faces.

    Yes those well known UK banks, Halifax and Nat West run from England , they fronted themselves with the Scottish bank names and ran them into the ground, pass the crappy Westminster knighthood please.
    Don't be silly. They were both run from Scotland. Admittedly Edinburgh, but still Scotland ;-)
  • Options
    NeilNeil Posts: 7,983
    tim said:



    It's likely that bothe ends of this debate cancel each other out in the total votes it shifts.

    Even I wouldnt go that far - I think it's just the unlikely pairing of Fluffy and myself that favour open borders here for example. Though I agree that Tories generally arent helping themselves in the issues they have been raising and their manner of dealing with them lately.
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    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932
    Peter_2 said:

    Malcolmg leftie posters variously describe me as homophobic, bigoted, Islamophobic, racist, fascist, etc. I was once called a (US style) Republican though.

    Peter, you must think me very polite then
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    Regarding the article above it is of course unsurprising that a journalist at the europhile Financial Times believes that a referendum on Europe is wrong. Ganesh would not be employed at the FT unless he believed it. The FT also wanted us to join the Euro.
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    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    kle4 said:

    Article on the BBC about why bother saving money, which I still don't really get, no head for economics notwithstanding. I get that interest rates are low, far lower than inflation, so I'm not really gaining anything keeping money in the bank, but I still have that money even if it is not growing, whereas if I spent it on pointless products to help spur the economy as my country wants, I don't have any money.

    There is no point if you are defering spending you would do anyway (e.g. a new fridge) because it will cost you more in real terms in future. Pointless consumption which adds no long term value remains pointless consumption.

    The prudent thing (as an individual, although in aggregate not helpful for the economy) is to take the savings from low interest rates and use them to pay down debts, starting with the most expensive.
  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,744
    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
    Iceland let its toxic banks die , England had to bail out RBS and BoS to save Brown's , Darling's and Salmond's faces.

    Yes those well known UK banks, Halifax and Nat West run from England , they fronted themselves with the Scottish bank names and ran them into the ground, pass the crappy Westminster knighthood please.

    You're deaf to me but at least you should listen to your leader , Salmond , in his keynote " Celtic Lion " speech ;

    "of course we Scots are lucky enough to have the one of the best brands in the world - a global recognition and affection for our culture that money cannot buy. Take financial services. With RBS and HBOS - two of the world's biggest banks - Scotland has global leaders today, tomorrow and for the long-term."
    Unfortunately it is had best brands , once those Westminster creeps had our banks consumed by casino's run by shopkeepers it was only a matter of time, like everything else they touch , gold is transformed to tin.
    Is anything wrong in Scotland, Scotland's fault? I don't know enough about Scotland's internal issues to know for sure.

  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,744
    Charles said:

    kle4 said:

    Article on the BBC about why bother saving money, which I still don't really get, no head for economics notwithstanding. I get that interest rates are low, far lower than inflation, so I'm not really gaining anything keeping money in the bank, but I still have that money even if it is not growing, whereas if I spent it on pointless products to help spur the economy as my country wants, I don't have any money.

    There is no point if you are defering spending you would do anyway (e.g. a new fridge) because it will cost you more in real terms in future. Pointless consumption which adds no long term value remains pointless consumption.

    The prudent thing (as an individual, although in aggregate not helpful for the economy) is to take the savings from low interest rates and use them to pay down debts, starting with the most expensive.
    Ah good, well I'm not planning on making any non-pointless spending, so I should be fine at least.

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    AndreaParma_82AndreaParma_82 Posts: 4,714
    I am sure you will love this

    Abercowny Labour selected Mary Wimbury to be their 2015 candidate. I think she's the wife of Tal Michael (failed PCC candidate and shortlisted candidate for Arfon) who is the son of Alun Michael

    On another news, Christine Spriggs got selected in Wirral West.
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932
    kle4 said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
    Iceland let its toxic banks die , England had to bail out RBS and BoS to save Brown's , Darling's and Salmond's faces.

    Yes those well known UK banks, Halifax and Nat West run from England , they fronted themselves with the Scottish bank names and ran them into the ground, pass the crappy Westminster knighthood please.

    You're deaf to me but at least you should listen to your leader , Salmond , in his keynote " Celtic Lion " speech ;

    "of course we Scots are lucky enough to have the one of the best brands in the world - a global recognition and affection for our culture that money cannot buy. Take financial services. With RBS and HBOS - two of the world's biggest banks - Scotland has global leaders today, tomorrow and for the long-term."
    Unfortunately it is had best brands , once those Westminster creeps had our banks consumed by casino's run by shopkeepers it was only a matter of time, like everything else they touch , gold is transformed to tin.
    Is anything wrong in Scotland, Scotland's fault? I don't know enough about Scotland's internal issues to know for sure.

    Plenty wrong in Scotland but it was not in any way responsible for the banking shambles run from and caused by assholes in London , aided and abetted by politicians.
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    Peter_2Peter_2 Posts: 146
    Vegetarian greenie is as bad as it gets!! :-)
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    NeilNeil Posts: 7,983
    Peter_2 said:

    Vegetarian greenie is as bad as it gets!! :-)

    He could have said vegan...

  • Options
    NeilNeil Posts: 7,983
    @Andrea

    Did she get selected from one of Labour's "all family members" shortlists?
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    Peter_2Peter_2 Posts: 146

    I am sure you will love this

    Abercowny Labour selected Mary Wimbury to be their 2015 candidate. I think she's the wife of Tal Michael (failed PCC candidate and shortlisted candidate for Arfon) who is the son of Alun Michael

    On another news, Christine Spriggs got selected in Wirral West.

    I am sure you will love this

    Abercowny Labour selected Mary Wimbury to be their 2015 candidate. I think she's the wife of Tal Michael (failed PCC candidate and shortlisted candidate for Arfon) who is the son of Alun Michael

    On another news, Christine Spriggs got selected in Wirral West.

    Good to see Labourite nepotism in rude health.
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,288
    Peter_2 said:

    Vegetarian greenie is as bad as it gets!! :-)

    Vegetarians aren't all bad! I gave up meat over 20 years ago!
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,288
    edited May 2013
    Neil said:

    Peter_2 said:

    Vegetarian greenie is as bad as it gets!! :-)

    He could have said vegan...

    25 light years is a long way... :)
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    MonikerDiCanioMonikerDiCanio Posts: 5,792
    edited May 2013
    malcolmg said:

    kle4 said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
    Iceland let its toxic banks die , England had to bail out RBS and BoS to save Brown's , Darling's and Salmond's faces.

    Yes those well known UK banks, Halifax and Nat West run from England , they fronted themselves with the Scottish bank names and ran them into the ground, pass the crappy Westminster knighthood please.

    You're deaf to me but at least you should listen to your leader , Salmond , in his keynote " Celtic Lion " speech ;

    "of course we Scots are lucky enough to have the one of the best brands in the world - a global recognition and affection for our culture that money cannot buy. Take financial services. With RBS and HBOS - two of the world's biggest banks - Scotland has global leaders today, tomorrow and for the long-term."
    Unfortunately it is had best brands , once those Westminster creeps had our banks consumed by casino's run by shopkeepers it was only a matter of time, like everything else they touch , gold is transformed to tin.
    Is anything wrong in Scotland, Scotland's fault? I don't know enough about Scotland's internal issues to know for sure.

    Plenty wrong in Scotland but it was not in any way responsible for the banking shambles run from and caused by assholes in London , aided and abetted by politicians.

    Malcolm , do you remember this ?

    In May 2007, just days after taking office, the First Minister wrote to Goodwin about the possible deal on ABN, which was then the subject of huge speculation in the City.

    “I wanted you to know that I am watching events closely on the ABN front,” Salmond said. “It is in Scottish interests for RBS to be successful, and I would like to offer any assistance my office can provide. Yours for Scotland , Alex "
  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,744
    malcolmg said:

    kle4 said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
    Iceland let its toxic banks die , England had to bail out RBS and BoS to save Brown's , Darling's and Salmond's faces.

    Yes those well known UK banks, Halifax and Nat West run from England , they fronted themselves with the Scottish bank names and ran them into the ground, pass the crappy Westminster knighthood please.

    You're deaf to me but at least you should listen to your leader , Salmond , in his keynote " Celtic Lion " speech ;

    "of course we Scots are lucky enough to have the one of the best brands in the world - a global recognition and affection for our culture that money cannot buy. Take financial services. With RBS and HBOS - two of the world's biggest banks - Scotland has global leaders today, tomorrow and for the long-term."
    Unfortunately it is had best brands , once those Westminster creeps had our banks consumed by casino's run by shopkeepers it was only a matter of time, like everything else they touch , gold is transformed to tin.
    Is anything wrong in Scotland, Scotland's fault? I don't know enough about Scotland's internal issues to know for sure.

    Plenty wrong in Scotland but it was not in any way responsible for the banking shambles run from and caused by assholes in London , aided and abetted by politicians.
    I'll take your word for it; I guess here in the Tory shires we only hear about Scotland complaining about issues which are not their fault, not talking about the ones which are their fault.

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    Neil said:

    @Andrea
    Did she get selected from one of Labour's "all family members" shortlists?

    Very good.
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    samsam Posts: 727
    edited May 2013
    tim said:
    And heres a survey that dispels the notion once and for all that being worried about immigration is racist

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/9520585
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    MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053

    Indeed he does as the polling suggests.

    EdM , the millionaire on Primrose Hill knows best.

    That really is a load of codswallop, mike.

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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,288
    edited May 2013
    Half-time 0-0. Not too many clear cut chances but game could go either way.

    @Malcolm

    Found some figs. on Wiki.
    Average gates for EPL this season so far 35,878
    SPL only 9,815.
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    TheWatcherTheWatcher Posts: 5,262
    edited May 2013
    malcolmg said:

    kle4 said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
    Iceland let its toxic banks die , England had to bail out RBS and BoS to save Brown's , Darling's and Salmond's faces.

    Yes those well known UK banks, Halifax and Nat West run from England , they fronted themselves with the Scottish bank names and ran them into the ground, pass the crappy Westminster knighthood please.

    You're deaf to me but at least you should listen to your leader , Salmond , in his keynote " Celtic Lion " speech ;

    "of course we Scots are lucky enough to have the one of the best brands in the world - a global recognition and affection for our culture that money cannot buy. Take financial services. With RBS and HBOS - two of the world's biggest banks - Scotland has global leaders today, tomorrow and for the long-term."
    Unfortunately it is had best brands , once those Westminster creeps had our banks consumed by casino's run by shopkeepers it was only a matter of time, like everything else they touch , gold is transformed to tin.
    Is anything wrong in Scotland, Scotland's fault? I don't know enough about Scotland's internal issues to know for sure.

    Plenty wrong in Scotland but it was not in any way responsible for the banking shambles run from and caused by assholes in London , aided and abetted by politicians.

    One of whom being that well known Englishman, Fred Goodwin, born Paisley, Renfrewshire.
  • Options
    JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,994
    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    FA Cup Kick off in a few minutes!

    what pub league game is that
    And the average gate for League games north of the Border is...?
    Well if it is average gates then we would have two of the top 4 places by game and probably by season
    This is way off-topic, but a quick Google shows you may be wrong (depending on the veracity of the table and the way it is drawn up):

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Average_attendances_of_European_football_clubs

    Celtic are in fifth place in the UK, behind Man U, Arsenal, Newcastle and Man City. Rangers are in sixth. of the 70 European clubs shown, two are in the Scottish league and seventeen are English.
    Given the respective populations that is not bad. I was replying to a stupid post with some irony , but overall the fact that only 2 or 3 maximum clubs in England have bigger gates is still impressive.
    In the absence of the 'Agree' button, I'll just agree that it is impressive. I'm far from being a football fan, but the passion the game inspires in people can be astounding.
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    MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382
    With respect - rubbish.

    Point me to a leading polling figure who takes your view.

    Lord Ascroft has got this right.

    This announcement is the best news this year that EdM is ruling out a referendum. ...

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    Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,304
    It seems such a long time ago now - John Cruddas hailed as the Messiah and Ed's referendum on the EU being the killer piece of political bravado that would rip apart the Tories. Even the fad of 'Ed played a blinder' articles is dead and buried. Miliband is a dud who bet everything on mud slinging and class spite. The sooner he and his like disappear from public life the better.
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,288
    Found some figs. on Wiki.
    Average gates for EPL this season so far 35,878
    SPL only 9,815.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012-13_Premier_League
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012-13_Scottish_Premier_League
  • Options
    Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,304
    This is plainly a ruse by Miliband to grovel to Nick Clegg, in the hope that Clegg will prop up Miliband's weak Labour government in a hung parliament. Devoid of policies and economic credibility, Miliband can only grovel to EU establishment figures like Clegg in the hope of protection. As Labour become increasingly ridiculous and irrelevant in the coming months, expect more of this type of grovelling.
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,744
    As Labour become increasingly ridiculous and irrelevant in the coming months, expect more of this type of grovelling.

    Yes, it's Labour who are struggling right now and getting desperate. Yep. No doubt about it. Totally. 100%
  • Options
    Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,304
    To think: people actually believed the hype that Miliband would promise an in/out referendum. What happened? Clearly Miliband looked at Farage and thought 'I can't compete with that' and decided to grovel to the Lib Dems instead. Labour's policies on major issues are being defined according to its leader's weakness. Miliband is being crowded out. It's crushing.
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    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,836
    I'm surprised to learn Osborne has a biographer.

    Sunil, vegetarianism is perverted.

    Assuming Milliband's been reported correctly, that's a good thing. It's important that one's opponent (particularly one as weird and odd as he is) be out of touch with public opinion.
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,744
    I'm surprised to learn Osborne has a biographer.

    In this economy you take any job going I guess, and if someone is silly enough to offer it, you go for it.
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    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Sean_F said:

    I'm surprised to learn Osborne has a biographer.

    Sunil, vegetarianism is perverted.

    Assuming Milliband's been reported correctly, that's a good thing. It's important that one's opponent (particularly one as weird and odd as he is) be out of touch with public opinion.

    The key word is "now". Leaves flex to change his mind later. Timing will be key: too late and it looks opportunistic, too early and it may be a missed opportunity to allow the Tory EU-obsessives to talk some more.
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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "EU establishment figures like Clegg"

    Yes, he's such an "EU establishment figure" that he's currently the Deputy Prime Minister of the most anti-European government in decades.
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    foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    FA Cup Kick off in a few minutes!

    what pub league game is that
    And the average gate for League games north of the Border is...?
    Well if it is average gates then we would have two of the top 4 places by game and probably by season
    This is way off-topic, but a quick Google shows you may be wrong (depending on the veracity of the table and the way it is drawn up):

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Average_attendances_of_European_football_clubs

    Celtic are in fifth place in the UK, behind Man U, Arsenal, Newcastle and Man City. Rangers are in sixth. of the 70 European clubs shown, two are in the Scottish league and seventeen are English.
    Given the respective populations that is not bad. I was replying to a stupid post with some irony , but overall the fact that only 2 or 3 maximum clubs in England have bigger gates is still impressive.
    In the absence of the 'Agree' button, I'll just agree that it is impressive. I'm far from being a football fan, but the passion the game inspires in people can be astounding.
    These are club rather than national sides, so the base is the size of the city and suburbs. As such Glasgows two clubs are pretty much in line with other British cities of similar size to Glasgow.

    When you remove these clubs (and from time to time they threaten to join the English league as "better together") the size of crowds in other SPL clubs is quite low. An average of less than 9 000 is little more than half the crowd in the English Championship, and on par with the third tier of English football both in terms of crowd and quality.

    My SCottish team is Ross County as my ancestors came from there, and in the SPL they get a home crowd of 3-4000 or so.

    Wigan looking good, grinding down City.
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    Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,304
    This could be a sign that Miliband is about to ditch Balls. Balls and Cruddas were key proponents of the ruse that Labour becomes Eurosceptic. Both have now been humiliated. Balls has also been very quiet of late, so perhaps he senses he's for the chop.
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    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932

    malcolmg said:

    kle4 said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
    Iceland let its toxic banks die , England had to bail out RBS and BoS to save Brown's , Darling's and Salmond's faces.

    Yes those well known UK banks, Halifax and Nat West run from England , they fronted themselves with the Scottish bank names and ran them into the ground, pass the crappy Westminster knighthood please.

    You're deaf to me but at least you should listen to your leader , Salmond , in his keynote " Celtic Lion " speech ;

    "of course we Scots are lucky enough to have the one of the best brands in the world - a global recognition and affection for our culture that money cannot buy. Take financial services. With RBS and HBOS - two of the world's biggest banks - Scotland has global leaders today, tomorrow and for the long-term."
    Unfortunately it is had best brands , once those Westminster creeps had our banks consumed by casino's run by shopkeepers it was only a matter of time, like everything else they touch , gold is transformed to tin.
    Is anything wrong in Scotland, Scotland's fault? I don't know enough about Scotland's internal issues to know for sure.

    Plenty wrong in Scotland but it was not in any way responsible for the banking shambles run from and caused by assholes in London , aided and abetted by politicians.

    Malcolm , do you remember this ?

    In May 2007, just days after taking office, the First Minister wrote to Goodwin about the possible deal on ABN, which was then the subject of huge speculation in the City.

    “I wanted you to know that I am watching events closely on the ABN front,” Salmond said. “It is in Scottish interests for RBS to be successful, and I would like to offer any assistance my office can provide. Yours for Scotland , Alex "
    Can you read the words, he was offering assistance for Scotland's interests , he would have presumed the moron had done some due diligence. If he had seen the books I can easily guess what his guidance would have been.
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    No_Offence_AlanNo_Offence_Alan Posts: 3,814

    malcolmg said:

    kle4 said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Scott_P said:

    Britain's relationship with the EU is essentially the same now as it was in 2010.

    The crises in Greece and Cyprus never happened...
    And how did they specifically affect the UK, since we are not in the Eurozone?

    Iceland had a crisis a while back - should we have left the IMF and the UN?
    They are also well on the way to recovery unlike UK
    Iceland let its toxic banks die , England had to bail out RBS and BoS to save Brown's , Darling's and Salmond's faces.

    Yes those well known UK banks, Halifax and Nat West run from England , they fronted themselves with the Scottish bank names and ran them into the ground, pass the crappy Westminster knighthood please.

    You're deaf to me but at least you should listen to your leader , Salmond , in his keynote " Celtic Lion " speech ;

    "of course we Scots are lucky enough to have the one of the best brands in the world - a global recognition and affection for our culture that money cannot buy. Take financial services. With RBS and HBOS - two of the world's biggest banks - Scotland has global leaders today, tomorrow and for the long-term."
    Unfortunately it is had best brands , once those Westminster creeps had our banks consumed by casino's run by shopkeepers it was only a matter of time, like everything else they touch , gold is transformed to tin.
    Is anything wrong in Scotland, Scotland's fault? I don't know enough about Scotland's internal issues to know for sure.

    Plenty wrong in Scotland but it was not in any way responsible for the banking shambles run from and caused by assholes in London , aided and abetted by politicians.

    One of whom being that well known Englishman, Fred Goodwin, born Paisley, Renfrewshire.
    I find it amusing now that Labour's argument at the time that Local Income Tax was a bad idea because people like Fred Goodwin might have left Scotland.

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    1) The EU scores higher on the Mori index than Climate change, Taxation, the public sector and constitutional affairs to name but a few.

    2) People do care aboit immigration and employment and with the free movement of Labour within the EU the two issues are inextricably linked

    3) Whilst one can perhaps argue that people don't care about Europe they do very much care about their country and the loss of parliamentary sovereignty with its implications for government facilitating a prosperous economy is a key issue for many now that it has become clear that the EU has significant influence on our prosperity (the government have been blaming them for at least two years).

    Ganesh is a condescending (little people for gods sake!) disingenuous fool (and another of the multitude of Westminster Freakshow gifts for UKIP)!
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    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,932
    edited May 2013

    Found some figs. on Wiki.
    Average gates for EPL this season so far 35,878
    SPL only 9,815.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012-13_Premier_League
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012-13_Scottish_Premier_League

    We are not talking averages we are talking the best , did you factor the 10-1 ratio of population

    OOOPs you did not , 10 times population , 3.5 times the gate , oh dear
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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "and from time to time they threaten to join the English league as "better together""

    Actually that's separation rather than unionism.
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    TCPoliticalBettingTCPoliticalBetting Posts: 10,819
    edited May 2013

    With respect - rubbish.
    Point me to a leading polling figure who takes your view.
    Lord Ascroft has got this right.

    This announcement is the best news this year that EdM is ruling out a referendum. ...

    I never claimed otherwise about pollsters, they cannot predict what the polling will say in 24 months time. What I went onto say that it is very plausible for voters opinions to change and make the issue of having a referendum one of the top 3 factors in voters minds in 2015. UKIP can now go after Ed Milliband and Nick Clegg on that issue and receive the tacit support of Conservatives. It starts to create a driver for tactical voting on the right.
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    "EU establishment figures like Clegg"

    Yes, he's such an "EU establishment figure" that he's currently the Deputy Prime Minister of the most anti-European government in decades.

    It is essential to look at the reality rather than the rhetoric. A pro-EU government is one that shifts the balance of power towards Brussels, and an anti-EU government is one that shifts the balance of power away from Brussels. The power of Brussels over the United Kingdom has never been greater historically than it is under this government, and this government has extended Brussels' powers over the United Kingdom. Ergo this government is the most pro-European Union in history. Where have I gone wrong?

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    NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,334
    If you campaign on an issue which your opponent seems to have captured, you do two things: you narrow the gap on the issue, but you also increase its salience and make voters feel it's more important. None of the mainstream parties can compete with UKIP for the love of voters whose main wish is to withdraw from the EU. Cameron is making no headway whatever with his "We will indeed have a referendum on something about Europe in 2017, and I'll let you know then what I recommend, but I do favour membership." It's just irritating to the point of embarassment. There are zero votes in being semi-UKIP.

    People know Labour favours membership. Much better to say sorry, guys, we're not going to flirt with withdrawal in any way, and move on.
This discussion has been closed.