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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » The polls might be pointing to a comfortable LAB majority –

SystemSystem Posts: 11,711
edited June 2014 in General

politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » The polls might be pointing to a comfortable LAB majority – but punters aren’t convinced

We’ve not looked at the overall GE2015 betting markets for some while but over the three and a half months since the budget there has been a steady decline in LAB prices with a tightening of both the hung parliament possibility and a CON majority.

Read the full story here


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  • Options
    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Dominic Cummings market research on in/out referendum

    http://dominiccummings.wordpress.com/2014/06/30/my-report-for-business-for-britain-on-the-dynamics-of-the-debate-over-the-eu-and-a-small-but-telling-process-point-on-the-eu/

    "Over the past year or so, the government has tried to project a ‘tough’ message on immigration. The polls have not moved in favour of the Tories. The commentariat then conclude ‘the public don’t like this, it’s too nasty party’ etc. This is wrong. The reason the polls do not move is that nobody believes a word they say! Why would the polls move?!"
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,010
    I'm Ed Balls red on Conservative majority. Baked beans for a year if that comes in !

    Topped up laying another tenner @ 3.95 this morning.
  • Options
    edmundintokyoedmundintokyo Posts: 17,157
    FPT on Dominic Cummings piece, this bit was interesting:
    ...[P]eople think that swing voters occupy an average point equidistant between a Right pole and a Left pole. Swing voters, however, are more anti-immigration and anti-free market than the centre of gravity in Westminster.
    The weird thing about UK politics right now is that there's nobody really running openly against free markets. Labour have done a couple of little dodges in that direction, like energy price fixing, but the basic thinking is the same right across the political spectrum, including UKIP.

    I reckon there's a gap in the market.
  • Options
    peter_from_putneypeter_from_putney Posts: 6,875
    edited June 2014
    It looks like a good few of those Betfair punters are also Fishermen, like yours truly!
  • Options
    SocratesSocrates Posts: 10,322
    edmundintokyo said:

    FPT on Dominic Cummings piece, this bit was interesting:

    ...[P]eople think that swing voters occupy an average point equidistant between a Right pole and a Left pole. Swing voters, however, are more anti-immigration and anti-free market than the centre of gravity in Westminster.
    The weird thing about UK politics right now is that there's nobody really running openly against free markets. Labour have done a couple of little dodges in that direction, like energy price fixing, but the basic thinking is the same right across the political spectrum, including UKIP.

    I reckon there's a gap in the market.
    edmundintokyo said:

    FPT on Dominic Cummings piece, this bit was interesting:

    ...[P]eople think that swing voters occupy an average point equidistant between a Right pole and a Left pole. Swing voters, however, are more anti-immigration and anti-free market than the centre of gravity in Westminster.
    The weird thing about UK politics right now is that there's nobody really running openly against free markets. Labour have done a couple of little dodges in that direction, like energy price fixing, but the basic thinking is the same right across the political spectrum, including UKIP.

    I reckon there's a gap in the market.

    The Greens and Respect found there wasn't much of a gap.
  • Options
    anotherDaveanotherDave Posts: 6,746
    edmundintokyo said:

    FPT on Dominic Cummings piece, this bit was interesting:

    ...[P]eople think that swing voters occupy an average point equidistant between a Right pole and a Left pole. Swing voters, however, are more anti-immigration and anti-free market than the centre of gravity in Westminster.
    The weird thing about UK politics right now is that there's nobody really running openly against free markets. Labour have done a couple of little dodges in that direction, like energy price fixing, but the basic thinking is the same right across the political spectrum, including UKIP.

    I reckon there's a gap in the market.I think UKIP has made some arguments in that area. They've said something along the lines of "economic growth is not the be all and end all"

    They also seem to be making the distinction of being pro-market rather than pro-business.

    youtu.be/BYBUHsSAYis
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    rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 54,130
    anotherDave said:

    edmundintokyo said:

    FPT on Dominic Cummings piece, this bit was interesting:

    ...[P]eople think that swing voters occupy an average point equidistant between a Right pole and a Left pole. Swing voters, however, are more anti-immigration and anti-free market than the centre of gravity in Westminster.
    The weird thing about UK politics right now is that there's nobody really running openly against free markets. Labour have done a couple of little dodges in that direction, like energy price fixing, but the basic thinking is the same right across the political spectrum, including UKIP.

    I reckon there's a gap in the market.
    I think UKIP has made some arguments in that area. They've said something along the lines of "economic growth is not the be all and end all"

    They also seem to be making the distinction of being pro-market rather than pro-business.

    youtu.be/BYBUHsSAYis


    Hmmmm: could you give me an example of UKIP being more pro-markets than others?

    (As an aside, I can think of two things: opposition to CAP, and to alternative energy subsidies. But other than that...)
  • Options
    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    On topic - we must conclude either

    > punters think they know the voters minds better than the voters do
    > punters aren't betting rationally
    > punters don't rate the pollsters

    or a combination of above.
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    BobaFettBobaFett Posts: 2,789
    @Morris

    Agreed. It just seems to me to be a 'weird' meme. All politicians, to some degree, are weird. Dave is very weird in person, now we are told Nige is the weirdest of all. Here's an idea - how about we judge people on their policies rather than using playground taunts?
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    MarkHopkinsMarkHopkins Posts: 5,584
    TGOHF said:

    On topic - we must conclude either

    > punters think they know the voters minds better than the voters do
    > punters aren't betting rationally
    > punters don't rate the pollsters

    or a combination of above.

    OR

    > Voters are saying one thing today, that they may not actually do in 2015.
  • Options
    anotherDaveanotherDave Posts: 6,746
    rcs1000 said:

    anotherDave said:

    edmundintokyo said:

    FPT on Dominic Cummings piece, this bit was interesting:

    ...[P]eople think that swing voters occupy an average point equidistant between a Right pole and a Left pole. Swing voters, however, are more anti-immigration and anti-free market than the centre of gravity in Westminster.
    The weird thing about UK politics right now is that there's nobody really running openly against free markets. Labour have done a couple of little dodges in that direction, like energy price fixing, but the basic thinking is the same right across the political spectrum, including UKIP.

    I reckon there's a gap in the market.
    I think UKIP has made some arguments in that area. They've said something along the lines of "economic growth is not the be all and end all"

    They also seem to be making the distinction of being pro-market rather than pro-business.

    youtu.be/BYBUHsSAYis
    Hmmmm: could you give me an example of UKIP being more pro-markets than others?In the YouTube link above Mr Farage argues in favour of breaking up Big Banks (17 mins in)
  • Options
    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    @HurstLlama FPT

    Indeed - businesses get a vote in their own right as well. But mine was a limited answer to the GS point (who get multiple votes depending on the rates that they pay).

    As for the Livery Companies... well I am a Goldsmith... the City Churches have some influence as well (Warden and Sidesman).

    But we haven't had a Lord Mayor in the family since the 60s... the Alderman who was the obvious person for me to take over from behaved rather badly.
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    SlackbladderSlackbladder Posts: 9,713
    edmundintokyo said:

    FPT on Dominic Cummings piece, this bit was interesting:

    ...[P]eople think that swing voters occupy an average point equidistant between a Right pole and a Left pole. Swing voters, however, are more anti-immigration and anti-free market than the centre of gravity in Westminster.
    The weird thing about UK politics right now is that there's nobody really running openly against free markets. Labour have done a couple of little dodges in that direction, like energy price fixing, but the basic thinking is the same right across the political spectrum, including UKIP.

    I reckon there's a gap in the market.

    Yes , because all those working socialist fronts of wherever are really exploiting that gap right now aren't they...
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    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Thread - in the next you mean that NO overall majority is at 44% in the second paragraph...

    Unless you are one of those Krazie Kippers who thinks that the Tories aren't the real CON
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    SlackbladderSlackbladder Posts: 9,713
    BobaFett said:

    @Morris

    Agreed. It just seems to me to be a 'weird' meme. All politicians, to some degree, are weird. Dave is very weird in person, now we are told Nige is the weirdest of all. Here's an idea - how about we judge people on their policies rather than using playground taunts?

    Because human's don't work that way?
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    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    BobaFett said:

    @Morris

    Agreed. It just seems to me to be a 'weird' meme. All politicians, to some degree, are weird. Dave is very weird in person, now we are told Nige is the weirdest of all. Here's an idea - how about we judge people on their policies rather than using playground taunts?

    Events, dear boy, events.

    The PM can't plan for everything: what voters need to try and assess is how they will react to changing circumstances. Personally, I don't think that "weird" is a very useful metric to use, but character and judgement are absolutely critical.
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    CD13CD13 Posts: 6,352
    Mr Fett,

    "how about we judge people on their policies rather than using playground taunts?"

    Naah ... rubbish idea. Let's keep taunting them.
  • Options
    edmundintokyoedmundintokyo Posts: 17,157
    Slackbladder said:

    edmundintokyo said:

    FPT on Dominic Cummings piece, this bit was interesting:

    ...[P]eople think that swing voters occupy an average point equidistant between a Right pole and a Left pole. Swing voters, however, are more anti-immigration and anti-free market than the centre of gravity in Westminster.
    The weird thing about UK politics right now is that there's nobody really running openly against free markets. Labour have done a couple of little dodges in that direction, like energy price fixing, but the basic thinking is the same right across the political spectrum, including UKIP.

    I reckon there's a gap in the market.
    Yes , because all those working socialist fronts of wherever are really exploiting that gap right now aren't they...

    It needs attacking from the centre or the populist right. The BNP sort-of did it, but they have a lot of other baggage.
  • Options
    SocratesSocrates Posts: 10,322
    BobaFett said:

    @Morris

    Agreed. It just seems to me to be a 'weird' meme. All politicians, to some degree, are weird. Dave is very weird in person, now we are told Nige is the weirdest of all. Here's an idea - how about we judge people on their policies rather than using playground taunts?

    Because (a) politicians don't release all their policies in the manifesto, (b) the ability to successfully implement their policies requires personal qualities and (c) we need to have faith that the politician in question could respond to crises effectively.
  • Options
    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    BobaFett said:

    @Morris

    . Here's an idea - how about we judge people on their policies rather than using playground taunts?

    Now the left want to tell us how to choose who we vote for ? ;)



  • Options
    SlackbladderSlackbladder Posts: 9,713
    edmundintokyo said:

    Slackbladder said:

    edmundintokyo said:

    FPT on Dominic Cummings piece, this bit was interesting:

    ...[P]eople think that swing voters occupy an average point equidistant between a Right pole and a Left pole. Swing voters, however, are more anti-immigration and anti-free market than the centre of gravity in Westminster.
    The weird thing about UK politics right now is that there's nobody really running openly against free markets. Labour have done a couple of little dodges in that direction, like energy price fixing, but the basic thinking is the same right across the political spectrum, including UKIP.

    I reckon there's a gap in the market.
    Yes , because all those working socialist fronts of wherever are really exploiting that gap right now aren't they...
    It needs attacking from the centre or the populist right. The BNP sort-of did it, but they have a lot of other baggage.


    Yeah but, if you're in the centre or on the 'right', then by definition, you're going to be more pro free markets.

    The BNP may be 'right wing' in terms of racist views, but really aren't economically.
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    TheWatcherTheWatcher Posts: 5,262
    edited June 2014
    BobaFett said:

    @Morris

    Agreed. It just seems to me to be a 'weird' meme. All politicians, to some degree, are weird. Dave is very weird in person, now we are told Nige is the weirdest of all. Here's an idea - how about we judge people on their policies rather than using playground taunts?

    And yet here you are, attempting to build up 'weird' memes about politicians you've never met.
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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    edited June 2014
    BobaFett said:

    @Morris

    Agreed. It just seems to me to be a 'weird' meme. All politicians, to some degree, are weird. Dave is very weird in person, now we are told Nige is the weirdest of all. Here's an idea - how about we judge people on their policies rather than using playground taunts?

    Fortunately the Labour Party would never use playground taunts like "toff" or "posh boys" such as in a by-election campaign.

    Oh.
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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    That change since the budget is interesting, up there with the omnishambles budget in terms of change?
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    AveryLPAveryLP Posts: 7,815
    edited June 2014
    BobaFett said:

    @Morris

    Agreed. It just seems to me to be a 'weird' meme. All politicians, to some degree, are weird. Dave is very weird in person, now we are told Nige is the weirdest of all. Here's an idea - how about we judge people on their policies rather than using playground taunts?

    Dave is most definitely not weird. He is, like Charles and all other Old Etonians, a benchmark for normality.
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    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,908
    Pulpstar said:

    I'm Ed Balls red on Conservative majority. Baked beans for a year if that comes in !

    Topped up laying another tenner @ 3.95 this morning.

    I am not quite that brave being betting everytime Lab most seats drifts to 10/11 or longer.

    As with you will lose far too much if I am wrong on this.

    Can see Mrs BJ (ooh err mrs) demanding a divorce too so not all bad
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    Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,820
    edited June 2014
    Overall I think those odds look about right, although if there is one of the three which is too short I'd say it was Lab Maj. The Labour Party doesn't exactly look like a slick, united party where all the senior figures are busy preparing for office in ten months' time, does it? It looks more like a party where all the senior figures are busy preparing to blame each other for failure.

    Why is that, do you think?
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    EasterrossEasterross Posts: 1,915
    Afternoon all and I find that if you take them out of the playground, most politicians of all parties are very likeable folks. I well remember Donald Dewar looked like a Dachau survivor with clothes on but let him near a finger buffet and he emptied the plates. The problem with some current politicians across the board is that they haven't experienced the real world so don't know how to engage naturally with ordinary people.
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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    Richard_Nabavi said:

    Overall I think those odds look about right, although if there is one of the three which is too short I'd say it was Lab Maj. The Labour Party doesn't exactly look like a slick, united party where all the senior figures are busy preparing for office, does it? It looks more like a party where all the senior figures are busy preparing to blame each other for failure.

    Why is that, do you think?

    It's all down to the dead hand of Ed Miliband isn't it?
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    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    AveryLP said:

    BobaFett said:

    @Morris

    Agreed. It just seems to me to be a 'weird' meme. All politicians, to some degree, are weird. Dave is very weird in person, now we are told Nige is the weirdest of all. Here's an idea - how about we judge people on their policies rather than using playground taunts?

    Dave is most definitely not weird. He is, like Charles and all other Old Etonians, a benchmark for normality.
    Oi! Don't bracket me with Dave in future!
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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    edited June 2014
    Backed the Windies to win the test 4/1 with William Hill

    Edit: As I type that, they lose their first wicket.
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    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,908
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Backed the Windies to win the test 4/1 with William Hill

    I am on the draw at 1.91 but wasnt expecting the declaration so early
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    HurstLlamaHurstLlama Posts: 9,098
    edited June 2014
    BobaFett said:

    @Morris

    Agreed. It just seems to me to be a 'weird' meme. All politicians, to some degree, are weird. Dave is very weird in person, now we are told Nige is the weirdest of all. Here's an idea - how about we judge people on their policies rather than using playground taunts?

    I am with you on this, Mr. Fett. Now, what are these policies by which I am supposed to judge Miliband? They are not ready yet. Oh. OK, I'll wait.
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    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,908
    First Wicket down for WI I am hoping we get a Chanderpaul in soon for a long boring innings.
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    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    bigjohnowls said:



    Can see Mrs BJ (ooh err mrs) demanding a divorce too so not all bad

    Don't worry, if that happens, at least there will be a free owls for someone

    (I'll get my coat...)
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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,014
    Mr. Llama, you forget the immensely popular free owl for everyone policy.
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    MarkHopkinsMarkHopkins Posts: 5,584
    Morris_Dancer said:

    Mr. Llama, you forget the immensely popular free owl for everyone policy.

    Yes, that was a hoot.
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    MarkHopkinsMarkHopkins Posts: 5,584
    edited June 2014
    @HouseofCommons

    David Cameron to make a statement at 3.30pm on the #EuropeanCouncil. Watch live online http://goo.gl/RWszjr . No Urgent Questions today.
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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    MarkHopkins said:

    Morris_Dancer said:

    Mr. Llama, you forget the immensely popular free owl for everyone policy.

    Yes, that was a hoot.
    It'll never fly.
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    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    MarkHopkins said:

    Morris_Dancer said:

    Mr. Llama, you forget the immensely popular free owl for everyone policy.

    Yes, that was a hoot.
    It'll never fly.
    Certainly a head-turner though
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    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,908
    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!
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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Remind me again why Neville Thurlbeck wasn't called as witness in the trial ?
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    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,908
    307 off 94 overs TSE needs a Gayle century me thinks. I need a nice steady 50 from Chanderpaul
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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,014
    Bouchard struggling to get on top of Cornet. Apparently 50/1 prior to the tournament's start (for the title, obviously), now 10/1.
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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    I said the mitigations by the various barristers for those who plead guilty would be interesting.

    Fiona Hamilton @Fhamiltontimes · 6m

    Thurlbeck agrees phone #hacking "approved corporate policy" at NoW and known to several ppl above him including Andy Coulson

    Fiona Hamilton @Fhamiltontimes · 1m

    Neville Thurlbeck's QC says that his tasking of phone #hacking was "expressly approved" by Andy Coulson, PM's former director of comms

    Peter Jukes ‏@peterjukes 8m

    BREAKING: Thurlbeck says voicemail hackings "were a corporate practice" known to Kuttner, Coulson, senior NOTW exec and NI lawyer
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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    Rolf Harris found guilty of 12 indecent assaults.
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,010
    bigjohnowls said:

    307 off 94 overs TSE needs a Gayle century me thinks. I need a nice steady 50 from Chanderpaul

    I laid my draw green to zero this morning @ 1.49 this morning. Now trading at evens...

    WI +16.35
    NZ +16.26
    Draw +1.99

    Tremendously sporting of McCullum
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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    Paul Waugh ‏@paulwaugh now

    RT @peterwalker99 That's it - Rolf Harris convicted, unanimously, of 12 counts of indecent assault.
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,010
    I'd like Gayle to get a big score or die trying tbh !
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    Ishmael_XIshmael_X Posts: 3,664
    BobaFett said:

    @Morris

    Agreed. It just seems to me to be a 'weird' meme. All politicians, to some degree, are weird. Dave is very weird in person, now we are told Nige is the weirdest of all. Here's an idea - how about we judge people on their policies rather than using playground taunts?

    False dichotomy. You pretend to think, on ed's behalf, that there is no middle ground between respectful consideration of ed's brainy thoughts on energy pricing, and "ha-ha look at grommit being weird again". A Prime Minister is not primarily there to have policies, of which in any case he has only a partial ownership shared with the Cabinet/party/think tanks/policy wonks. He is there to cope with 9/11 and Libya and Iraq and Syria and to represent the country in negotiations with the EU and the USA and the rest of the world and the little green men who touch down in this green and pleasant land and say "Take me to your leader". The public has a right to look at ed miliband, entirely irrespective of his policies, and conclude that he is simply not the man for the job.

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    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    Oh my.
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    OblitusSumMeOblitusSumMe Posts: 9,143
    edited June 2014
    Easterross said:

    The problem with some current politicians across the board is that they haven't experienced the real world so don't know how to engage naturally with ordinary people.

    This reminds me of the occasional story one hears about how well-intentioned fishing practices are having unforeseen consequences.

    Fishing nets are regulated to have a minimum size, so that the young of a species can survive to breed, rather than being caught and eaten. The sensible intention being to preserve a future population of fish that we can continue to eat. The consequence in some species appears to be that fish who grow to a smaller size in adulthood are more likely to escape the nets, and so we have introduced a selective pressure on evolution to favour smaller fish. Which provide less meat for us to eat.

    I remember hearing about some researchers who showed that if you targeted medium-sized fish you would create selective pressure for fish who grew quickly to maturity, thus selecting for a more favourable attribute.

    The point being, the most successful British politician of the last twenty years isn't best known for being a liar completely by accident or personal lack of moral fibre - but because the entire edifice is constructed to encourage the telling of fibs. The only requirement is that they tell good fibs, and don't get caught too often.
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    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    Oh my.
    My mother burst out laughing when my wife mentioned her middle name.

    My wife hadn't realised the problem up to that point...
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    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,908
    Welcome Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Surely days like today were made for you 11347 test runs at an average of 52.17 and a strike rate circa 43
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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    Charles said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    Oh my.
    My mother burst out laughing when my wife mentioned her middle name.

    My wife hadn't realised the problem up to that point...
    The greatest names in history are

    Ginger Minge (5 across, 5 down http://www.generally-speaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ginger-minge.JPG)

    Chew Kok Long http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lkealcUvBc1qctkcl.jpg

    and Willie Stroker http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljpiz4f0e61qctkcl.jpg
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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    The election campaign is already underway for some..

    Sun Politics ‏@Sun_Politics 3m
    Breaking: Unite's local government workers vote to join a general strike on July 10 - on the day Len McCluskey unveils Labour election cash.
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    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,908
    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    What is your surname Charles?
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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Rolf Harris to be sentenced on Friday - same as the hacking mob.

    Easy to compare the severity vs. attention.
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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    bigjohnowls said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    What is your surname Charles?
    Hopefully not Love or Fokker...
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    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Charles said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    Oh my.
    My mother burst out laughing when my wife mentioned her middle name.

    My wife hadn't realised the problem up to that point...
    The greatest names in history are

    Ginger Minge (5 across, 5 down http://www.generally-speaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ginger-minge.JPG)

    Chew Kok Long http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lkealcUvBc1qctkcl.jpg

    and Willie Stroker http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljpiz4f0e61qctkcl.jpg
    To unite the thread...

    My favourite remains "And the batsman's Holding, the bowler's Willey", TM Johnners
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,010
    bigjohnowls said:

    Welcome Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Surely days like today were made for you 11347 test runs at an average of 52.17 and a strike rate circa 43

    4th innings though, and West Indies will be well chuffed with a draw. What odds are you on for his 50 ? Or have you bought on the spreads.
  • Options
    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    bigjohnowls said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    What is your surname Charles?
    I'd rather not say, if you don't mind. It's rather uncommon, and googling my first and surnames might lead people to place more weight on some of my comments (which are entirely my own and not those of any organisation or entity) than they deserve.

    But TSE's reaction was pretty much spot on ;-)
  • Options
    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 36,005
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Charles said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    Oh my.
    My mother burst out laughing when my wife mentioned her middle name.

    My wife hadn't realised the problem up to that point...
    The greatest names in history are

    Ginger Minge (5 across, 5 down http://www.generally-speaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ginger-minge.JPG)

    Chew Kok Long http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lkealcUvBc1qctkcl.jpg

    and Willie Stroker http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljpiz4f0e61qctkcl.jpg
    Miss Anal Sheikh. A solicitor who got struck off.

    Mike Litoris of Miichigan.

    Randy Bumgardner, who works at the US Embassy.

    Lee Bum Suk, the South Korean foreign minister, who was assassinated by North Korea.

  • Options
    Ishmael_XIshmael_X Posts: 3,664
    Charles said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Charles said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    Oh my.
    My mother burst out laughing when my wife mentioned her middle name.

    My wife hadn't realised the problem up to that point...
    The greatest names in history are

    Ginger Minge (5 across, 5 down http://www.generally-speaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ginger-minge.JPG)

    Chew Kok Long http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lkealcUvBc1qctkcl.jpg

    and Willie Stroker http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljpiz4f0e61qctkcl.jpg
    To unite the thread...

    My favourite remains "And the batsman's Holding, the bowler's Willey", TM Johnners
    Vice versa probably given their respective specialities.

  • Options
    Scrapheap_as_wasScrapheap_as_was Posts: 10,060
    Rolf a wrong 'un.

    V sad.
  • Options
    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,908
    I remember spitting my coffee out at a cricket match in Queens park when Major Donald Carr the very posh announcer that Derbyshire ccc had for years asked " Ivor Biggun to return to his car as his wife needed him immediately"

    Was later told by one of the Derbyshire players that they made up silly announcements on a regular basis and they were always read out by the major.
  • Options
    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,908
    Has Rolf been sentenced.Do we know what it is yet?
  • Options
    peter_from_putneypeter_from_putney Posts: 6,875
    FPT -

    Left Hand : Right Hand

    I've just paced a small bet on Elizabeth Warren becoming the next POTUS on the Betfair Exchange at 25, equivalent to 22.8/1 net of comm'n, in old money.
    Meanwhile Betfair Sportsbook, their fixed odds side of the business, have her on offer at a measly 10/1.
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,010
    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    What is your surname Charles?
    I'd rather not say, if you don't mind. It's rather uncommon, and googling my first and surnames might lead people to place more weight on some of my comments (which are entirely my own and not those of any organisation or entity) than they deserve.

    But TSE's reaction was pretty much spot on ;-)
    Your picture is a dead giveaway to your identity :P
  • Options
    JackWJackW Posts: 14,787
    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    Good afternoon Mr Buggery-Orgasm

  • Options
    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    peter_from_putney said:

    FPT -

    Left Hand : Right Hand

    I've just paced a small bet on Elizabeth Warren becoming the next POTUS on the Betfair Exchange at 25, equivalent to 22.8/1 net of comm'n, in old money.
    Meanwhile Betfair Sportsbook, their fixed odds side of the business, have her on offer at a measly 10/1.

    Was it you that placed the 1k on Elizabeth Warren today?
  • Options
    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Ishmael_X said:

    Charles said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Charles said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    Oh my.
    My mother burst out laughing when my wife mentioned her middle name.

    My wife hadn't realised the problem up to that point...
    The greatest names in history are

    Ginger Minge (5 across, 5 down http://www.generally-speaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ginger-minge.JPG)

    Chew Kok Long http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lkealcUvBc1qctkcl.jpg

    and Willie Stroker http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljpiz4f0e61qctkcl.jpg
    To unite the thread...

    My favourite remains "And the batsman's Holding, the bowler's Willey", TM Johnners
    Vice versa probably given their respective specialities.

    Although Willey did bowl occasionally...

    (but that's the way I heard it - although it occurred before I used to appreciate test cricket)
  • Options
    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,908
    Pulpstar said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Welcome Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Surely days like today were made for you 11347 test runs at an average of 52.17 and a strike rate circa 43

    4th innings though, and West Indies will be well chuffed with a draw. What odds are you on for his 50 ? Or have you bought on the spreads.
    I am rubbish at this laying lark just on the draw at 10/11 with Stan James looks a forlorn hope without a long innings from Chanderpaul and one other
  • Options
    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Pulpstar said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    What is your surname Charles?
    I'd rather not say, if you don't mind. It's rather uncommon, and googling my first and surnames might lead people to place more weight on some of my comments (which are entirely my own and not those of any organisation or entity) than they deserve.

    But TSE's reaction was pretty much spot on ;-)
    Your picture is a dead giveaway to your identity :P
    A charming cherub on the phone... not that recognisable surely?

    The old one, yes
  • Options
    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 36,005
    And never forget the classic Mustapha Kunt.

    "Well, we all feel like that from time to time."
  • Options
    Scrapheap_as_wasScrapheap_as_was Posts: 10,060
    Charles said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    What is your surname Charles?
    I'd rather not say, if you don't mind. It's rather uncommon, and googling my first and surnames might lead people to place more weight on some of my comments (which are entirely my own and not those of any organisation or entity) than they deserve.

    But TSE's reaction was pretty much spot on ;-)
    Your picture is a dead giveaway to your identity :P
    A charming cherub on the phone... not that recognisable surely?

    The old one, yes
    which shows on your profile history .... fyi.
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,010
    bigjohnowls said:

    Pulpstar said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Welcome Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Surely days like today were made for you 11347 test runs at an average of 52.17 and a strike rate circa 43

    4th innings though, and West Indies will be well chuffed with a draw. What odds are you on for his 50 ? Or have you bought on the spreads.
    I am rubbish at this laying lark just on the draw at 10/11 with Stan James looks a forlorn hope without a long innings from Chanderpaul and one other
    Hmm It is either NZ win or a draw I think.
  • Options
    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Scrapheap_as_was said:

    Charles said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Charles said:

    bigjohnowls said:

    Mrs BJ is inappropriately named unfortunately.

    Don't tell her I told you!!!

    Don't worry. My wife's name is Ana. Her middle name starts with an L. Combined with our surname some might consider that unfortunate.
    What is your surname Charles?
    I'd rather not say, if you don't mind. It's rather uncommon, and googling my first and surnames might lead people to place more weight on some of my comments (which are entirely my own and not those of any organisation or entity) than they deserve.

    But TSE's reaction was pretty much spot on ;-)
    Your picture is a dead giveaway to your identity :P
    A charming cherub on the phone... not that recognisable surely?

    The old one, yes
    which shows on your profile history .... fyi.
    To be honest, if someone wants to figure out who I am it's easy enough. I just don't want to spell it out.
  • Options
    JackWJackW Posts: 14,787
    MIke Smithson

    The second paragraph of the tread is incorrect.

    Line two should read "No majority up nearly 5% to above 44% ...." rather than "Con majority ...."
  • Options
    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Clegg AWOL at the Junker debunker statement..
  • Options
    SocratesSocrates Posts: 10,322
    Richard_Nabavi said:

    Socrates said:

    I'm really not following you, and it doesn't seem you addressed the issue.

    Difference between FTA and single market (UK and EU): hugely important
    Difference between no FTA and FTA (Germany/UK and China): not very important

    How do you resolve these contradictory comments?

    Well, firstly Europe is much more important to us than China is.
    This is the only bit in your post which actually addresses the inconsistency I pointed to. So let me ask two further questions:

    - Ignoring who the agreement is with, if average global tariff barriers are a 0, and a complete single market is a 100, where would you place a modern goods and services (a la EU-Korea) free trade agreement on the scale? I would put it at about an 85.

    - You say trade with China is not as important as with the EU. But how would trade with India AND China rate? What about with USA, Canada, India and China? What combination of markets would you think have to be important enough to match the EU? How about in 15-20 years time?
    Richard_Nabavi said:

    OK, that might be a bit of a chicken-and-egg point, but it's true nonetheless. Secondly, China isn't particularly interested in the UK, since we are relatively small in the overall scheme of things, but it is interested in access to the European market which is far too big for it to ignore. The whole economic logic of free trade is based on maximising total trade across as wide an area as possible; the UK would be much more attractive to China for inward investment as part of the EU than by itself. The latter points means that the EU is a better unit to carry out free trade negotiations than the UK by itself.

    This paragraph doesn't actually address the contradictory comments point, so its a separate argument. But anyway, obviously the UK alone isn't as interesting to China as the whole EU is. But outside the EU, it wouldn't be just the UK a Chinese company investing in the UK would look at - it would be the UK plus everyone the have free trade with. That's because anything produced by a Chinese company in the UK could be exported to anyone we have free trade with. This point is thus just comes back to the free trade one, so I find it misleading when EU types try to claim it as a separate argument.

    There's also the fact that negotiating for the whole EU means you need to cater for 27 countries with their own veto points and special interests that we don't need to worry about when it's just the UK.
  • Options
    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Ed up in HoC...
  • Options
    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    edited June 2014
    Ed defending the EU and the "European spirit" stoutly here.
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,010
    On PBer's identity - At least Socrates posts under his real name, though why Samuel Pepys and James Stuart have to invent other names I'm not sure.
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    dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,291
    Any idea who employed this reprobate?

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28094561

    Must be a non person, with no employment history.
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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,014
    The Speaker is an arse.
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    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    JackW said:

    MIke Smithson

    The second paragraph of the tread is incorrect.

    Line two should read "No majority up nearly 5% to above 44% ...." rather than "Con majority ...."

    Only 1 hour 17 minutes late.

    but what's an hour between friends...
  • Options
    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Quite remarkable from Ed in HoC - very pro EU statement in response to Cam.
  • Options
    taffystaffys Posts: 9,753
    Labour's position appears to be that Cameron should be blamed for failing to stop Juncker when the veto to do so was given away by....er.....them.

  • Options
    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    Ouch, Dave compares Ed to Neil Kinnock.
  • Options
    SocratesSocrates Posts: 10,322
    Is Ed flip-flopping on backing Juncker?
  • Options
    Scrapheap_as_wasScrapheap_as_was Posts: 10,060
    Charles said:

    JackW said:

    MIke Smithson

    The second paragraph of the tread is incorrect.

    Line two should read "No majority up nearly 5% to above 44% ...." rather than "Con majority ...."

    Only 1 hour 17 minutes late.

    but what's an hour between friends...
    Who let the cock-up out of the bag....

    Talking of which... I mis-read this tweet, I think he means Cammo?

    George Eaton‏@georgeeaton·1 min
    Miliband on Cameron: "The problem for the anti-Juncker cause is that it had a toxic supporter - him".
  • Options
    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    Matt Chorley ‏@MattChorley 1m

    Cameron on Miliband: "We have heard yet another performance worthy of Neil Kinnock... endless words, endless wind." The Tories LOVED that
  • Options
    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    Joey Jones
    ‏@joeyjonessky

    @Ed_Miliband actually on pretty decent form, but PM slapped back v hard with Kinnock jibe.
  • Options
    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Socrates said:

    Is Ed flip-flopping on backing Juncker?


    Open Europe ‏@OpenEurope 26s
    Cameron to Miliband: Where were your socialist allies? They all met in Paris where they agreed to support Juncker, he wasn't even invited
  • Options
    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,636
    Andy Coulson could be forced to pay almost £750,000 back to the taxpayer for the cost of the phone hacking trial, it emerged today.

    The former News of the World editor was convicted of conspiracy to hack phones last week following an eight month trial.

    He also faces a retrial on two charges of conspiracy to corrupt public officials after the jury failed to reach verdicts on those counts.

    He will be sentenced on Friday and faces a maximum two year jail term.

    But in a further blow it has now emerged that Coulson could have to pay a large portion of the vast sum it cost the taxpayer to bring the case

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/10935890/Andy-Coulson-could-have-to-pay-back-750000-in-phone-hacking-trial.html
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,010
    I have my biggest ever "red" today on Betfair

    England 0 - 5 India -£2088 !
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    SocratesSocrates Posts: 10,322
    TGOHF said:

    Socrates said:

    Is Ed flip-flopping on backing Juncker?


    Open Europe ‏@OpenEurope 26s
    Cameron to Miliband: Where were your socialist allies? They all met in Paris where they agreed to support Juncker, he wasn't even invited
    That's a brutal destruction of the should have stayed in the EPP argument.
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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,014
    Mr. Socrates, perhaps even more important, wasn't Juncker the EPP candidate? And isn't the new Conservative grouping the third largest (and on the rise)?

    The veto point's the most critical, though.
This discussion has been closed.