I hope that she makes it to Parliament, because she could add so much to debates that for many in Parliament are purely theoretical.
That is some story. Stark contrast to the usual SPAD - I really hope she gets in. In fact, it'd be quite depressing if she didn't. Over to you, Bradford ...
There must be a risk that some of her potential constituents feel that she has brought shame on herself and her community by speaking out as she has done. Sadly.
What's particularly odd about Sally Keeble's decision to refuse money from Tony Blair is that she happily served as a minister in his government until 2003, when she was reshuffled out.
I've been speaking to a Labour chap this morning.
The people who refused the Blair money are going to look so principled and honourable were the Chilcot report to leak during the election campaign.
I don't think that really works for someone who was a government minister at all relevant times.
What's particularly odd about Sally Keeble's decision to refuse money from Tony Blair is that she happily served as a minister in his government until 2003, when she was reshuffled out.
I've been speaking to a Labour chap this morning.
The people who refused the Blair money are going to look so principled and honourable were the Chilcot report to leak during the election campaign.
I don't think that really works for someone who was a government minister at all relevant times.
Unless they were at the MOD or Foreign Office they might be able to get away with it.
I hope that she makes it to Parliament, because she could add so much to debates that for many in Parliament are purely theoretical.
That is some story. Stark contrast to the usual SPAD - I really hope she gets in. In fact, it'd be quite depressing if she didn't. Over to you, Bradford ...
There must be a risk that some of her potential constituents feel that she has brought shame on herself and her community by speaking out as she has done. Sadly.
Yes, that's why the result will be a judgement on the voters of Bradford West as much as anything else.
F1: Alonso's name already removed from the Not To Be Classified list (and everywhere else). I hope my bet stands and doesn't get cancelled/rendered null and void.
Edited extra bit: so, a whole 4 minutes [or less...] of that being up.
If it comes off, not sure whether to include it in the 'official' stats, given the tiny time window.
Disgraceful performance by England. Moores has to go. KP may not have been right about much but he was right about Moores. Morgan has to go too. At the moment you seriously have to question whether he is worth his place in the side.
And we desperately need some bowlers who know how to take a wicket.
What's particularly odd about Sally Keeble's decision to refuse money from Tony Blair is that she happily served as a minister in his government until 2003, when she was reshuffled out.
I've been speaking to a Labour chap this morning.
The people who refused the Blair money are going to look so principled and honourable were the Chilcot report to leak during the election campaign.
I don't think that really works for someone who was a government minister at all relevant times.
Unless they were at the MOD or Foreign Office they might be able to get away with it.
Regardless of whether Chilcot leaks, opposing candidates only have to bring up the issue of Blair's convoluted company structures and curious tax arrangements to gain some negative PR for the Labour PPC.
Mr. Pulpstar, it was removed within minutes of me seeing it. Got a bet on, though.
Reminds me a little of my favourite bet, when Hamilton was disqualified in Spain 2012 (or thereabouts) and I backed Maldonado and Alonso to lead lap 1 at about 5-6 each.
That's my favourite sort of bet. 95% chance of victory, odds of 4/1 or more
Edited extra bit: well, I was happier with the bet on Button to win in Canada 2011, but still.
Right, back to politics. There's an intriguing new market on Sporting Index (well, I hadn't seen it before), where you can bet on the Next Government:
"As a result of the 7th May 2015 General Election what will the make up of the next Government be.
0 pts for a Labour Majority 20 pts for a Labour Minorty Government 40 pts for a Labour led Coalition 50 pts for any other outcome not specified 60 pts for a Conservative led Coalition 80 pts for a Conservative Minority Government 100 pts for a Conservative Majority"
The current spread is 49-53. This would look like a fairly clear sell to me, were it not for the fact that Conservative supporters elsewhere seem to be showing irrational exuberance. What do the site elders think?
Right, back to politics. There's an intriguing new market on Sporting Index (well, I hadn't seen it before), where you can bet on the Next Government:
"As a result of the 7th May 2015 General Election what will the make up of the next Government be.
0 pts for a Labour Majority 20 pts for a Labour Minorty Government 40 pts for a Labour led Coalition 50 pts for any other outcome not specified 60 pts for a Conservative led Coalition 80 pts for a Conservative Minority Government 100 pts for a Conservative Majority"
The current spread is 49-53. This would look like a fairly clear sell to me, were it not for the fact that Conservative supporters elsewhere seem to be showing irrational exuberance. What do the site elders think?
I concur. Except if ICM are right it is a Tory Minority.
A good attack poster by the Tories but I'm struggling to understand why with apparently so much to boast about they've gone on the defensive. It doesn't make sense.
Imagine you were launching the new VW tipped to be Car of the Year. Even a first year advertising student would know that a poster attacking the latest Skoda would be a complete waste of money and probably counter productive.
Right, back to politics. There's an intriguing new market on Sporting Index (well, I hadn't seen it before), where you can bet on the Next Government:
"As a result of the 7th May 2015 General Election what will the make up of the next Government be.
0 pts for a Labour Majority 20 pts for a Labour Minorty Government 40 pts for a Labour led Coalition 50 pts for any other outcome not specified 60 pts for a Conservative led Coalition 80 pts for a Conservative Minority Government 100 pts for a Conservative Majority"
The current spread is 49-53. This would look like a fairly clear sell to me, were it not for the fact that Conservative supporters elsewhere seem to be showing irrational exuberance. What do the site elders think?
I think you'd do better to lay Cameron as PM after the election if that's what you think.
Mr. Roger, a poor comparison, because buying a car is wholly optional. We *will* have a government, the only decision is its composition.
Mr. Observer, just as an aside, large presses are also reluctant to take risks and tend to play it safe. Similar happens with videogames (hence so many FPS games). XCOM: Enemy Unknown was originally going to be an FPS until there was a fan outcry, and the much altered version that came to market sold bucketloads.
A good attack poster by the Tories but I'm struggling to understand why with apparently so much to boast about they've gone on the defensive.
It doesn't make sense.
Imagine you were launching the new VW tipped to be Car of the Year. Even a first year advertising student would know that a poster attacking the latest Skoda would be a complete waste of money and probably counter productive.
Spitting Image (the two Davids) should be claiming copyright violation.
Imagine you were launching the new VW tipped to be Car of the Year. Even a first year advertising student would know that a poster attacking the latest Skoda would be a complete waste of money and probably counter productive.
The cost-benefit is totally different. One was a fixed lost for small chance of benefit, the other has a fixed loss for almost guaranteed benefit.
If you don't buy a Skoda you could by any other sort of car or no car, none of which are to the advantage of VW (leaving aside that VW owns Skoda, so maybe not the ideal example)
If you don't buy Ed, buying any of the other parties is good for the Conservatives, buying Conservative would be ideal, but buying Green would be valuable as well. Even sitting at home rather than voting Ed is an improvement from the Conservative perspective.
A good attack poster by the Tories but I'm struggling to understand why with apparently so much to boast about they've gone on the defensive. It doesn't make sense.
Imagine you were launching the new VW tipped to be Car of the Year. Even a first year advertising student would know that a poster attacking the latest Skoda would be a complete waste of money and probably counter productive.
Makes me wonder why Dave won't debate Ed. Surely the LOTO needs to be directly confronted by the PM on this issue.
Makes me wonder why Dave won't debate Ed. Surely the LOTO needs to be directly confronted by the PM on this issue.
We know its all bullshit. If in a two weeks time the Tories have been a couple of points or so behind on the majority of polls, they will suddenly think the debates are a good idea, mean while Labour will go cool on the idea, not wanting to blow a good thing by risking Ed tripping over the lectern.
Right, back to politics. There's an intriguing new market on Sporting Index (well, I hadn't seen it before), where you can bet on the Next Government:
"As a result of the 7th May 2015 General Election what will the make up of the next Government be.
0 pts for a Labour Majority 20 pts for a Labour Minorty Government 40 pts for a Labour led Coalition 50 pts for any other outcome not specified 60 pts for a Conservative led Coalition 80 pts for a Conservative Minority Government 100 pts for a Conservative Majority"
The current spread is 49-53. This would look like a fairly clear sell to me, were it not for the fact that Conservative supporters elsewhere seem to be showing irrational exuberance. What do the site elders think?
I concur. Except if ICM are right it is a Tory Minority.
Betfair prices on next government fits this price exactly, can't really see an edge
Right, back to politics. There's an intriguing new market on Sporting Index (well, I hadn't seen it before), where you can bet on the Next Government:
"As a result of the 7th May 2015 General Election what will the make up of the next Government be.
0 pts for a Labour Majority 20 pts for a Labour Minorty Government 40 pts for a Labour led Coalition 50 pts for any other outcome not specified 60 pts for a Conservative led Coalition 80 pts for a Conservative Minority Government 100 pts for a Conservative Majority"
The current spread is 49-53. This would look like a fairly clear sell to me, were it not for the fact that Conservative supporters elsewhere seem to be showing irrational exuberance. What do the site elders think?
I think you'd do better to lay Cameron as PM after the election if that's what you think.
Guardian doing it's best to get the "No" onside of the SNP
I'm from Norfolk. I don't recall the Scots being particularly quick to get offended on my behalf when all the in-breeding jokes are made, so I'll leave them to join the outrage bus without my assistance on this occasion.
A good attack poster by the Tories but I'm struggling to understand why with apparently so much to boast about they've gone on the defensive.
It doesn't make sense.
Imagine you were launching the new VW tipped to be Car of the Year. Even a first year advertising student would know that a poster attacking the latest Skoda would be a complete waste of money and probably counter productive.
If that's defensive I'd hate to see offensive.
It is very adroit. The problem was how to run a personal "ed is crap" attack, without it looking like a personal attack. This is the answer. The strategy of Cameron's odd-looking-at-the-time call to ed to rule out an SNP coalition, then giving it 48 hours, then this, worked a treat. And the poster is brilliant; as I said at insomnia o'clock this morning, compare this earlier effort: http://order-order.com/2015/01/23/new-tory-poster-targets-miliband-and-salmond/ A real you don't wanna do it like that, you wanna do it like this situation - just everything is wrong with the earlier poster. Notice how they've worked out how if you have no text in the poster, you kill stone dead counterattacks based on altering the text to something funny and putting the result on twitter.
Has Steve Bell ever produced anything vaguely resembling a funny cartoon?
His progressive politics does have a blind spot when it comes to a border crossing - but not always: I fondly recall his Scottish Guinea Pigs in the times of the cholera, or rather the poll tax, many moons ago.
The Bog Trotters could make it to the knock out stages whilst we haven't.
Begorrah with you English cricket.
Can we have a guide to which derogatory racial epithets are permissible on PB and which aren't?
Is Irish a race ?
That's a debate and a half. On balance, probably not. So, I'll rephrase: which derogatory epithets about nationalities are permissible and which are not?
On the Conservative Salmond/Miliband poster, I think they have it slightly wrong. It's Ms Sturgeon, not Alex Salmond, who terrifies potential Conservative voters.
The Bog Trotters could make it to the knock out stages whilst we haven't.
Begorrah with you English cricket.
Can we have a guide to which derogatory racial epithets are permissible on PB and which aren't?
Is Irish a race ?
That's a debate and a half. On balance, probably not. So, I'll rephrase: which derogatory epithets about nationalities are permissible and which are not?
It was a self parody by a proud Irishman, who points out we keep on nicking their players, just like we stole their country.
The Bog Trotters could make it to the knock out stages whilst we haven't.
Begorrah with you English cricket.
Can we have a guide to which derogatory racial epithets are permissible on PB and which aren't?
Is Irish a race ?
That's a debate and a half. On balance, probably not. So, I'll rephrase: which derogatory epithets about nationalities are permissible and which are not?
It was a self parody by a proud Irishman, who points out we keep on nicking their players, just like we stole their country.
And we still can't win.
Use speech marks when quoting or you leave yourself open to people thinking you said it
Has Steve Bell ever produced anything vaguely resembling a funny cartoon?
That's actually one of the few Steve Bell cartoons that has made me laugh. The sheer randomness of it appeals, as does the spittle-flecked fury it will produce from certain quarters.
Right, back to politics. There's an intriguing new market on Sporting Index (well, I hadn't seen it before), where you can bet on the Next Government:
"As a result of the 7th May 2015 General Election what will the make up of the next Government be.
0 pts for a Labour Majority 20 pts for a Labour Minorty Government 40 pts for a Labour led Coalition 50 pts for any other outcome not specified 60 pts for a Conservative led Coalition 80 pts for a Conservative Minority Government 100 pts for a Conservative Majority"
The current spread is 49-53. This would look like a fairly clear sell to me, were it not for the fact that Conservative supporters elsewhere seem to be showing irrational exuberance. What do the site elders think?
I think you'd do better to lay Cameron as PM after the election if that's what you think.
Guardian doing it's best to get the "No" onside of the SNP
I'm from Norfolk. I don't recall the Scots being particularly quick to get offended on my behalf when all the in-breeding jokes are made, so I'll leave them to join the outrage bus without my assistance on this occasion.
Not sure it's a dig at the Scots; more at petty nationalism.
On the Conservative Salmond/Miliband poster, I think they have it slightly wrong. It's Ms Sturgeon, not Alex Salmond, who terrifies potential Conservative voters.
I rather admire both of them - not necessarily for their policies - but for their sheer determination to get to the best for Scotland.
I rather wish we had English politicians with the same guts.
I agree with part of that. The first poster was rubbish and the second was everything the first wasn't.
But do people really believe that Ed is in Salmond's pocket and do they care? It's surely superfluous to tell the electorate what they already believe. That he's not up to it......
But more importantly if we have the strongest economy in Europe shouldn't that give them the confidence not to need an attack ad at all and just concentrate on their achievements? Scope for some easy teaser ads ....strongest biggest most successful etc....
it predicts a rise in household borrowing of over £500bn between 2015 and 2020.
IMO very unlikely to happen but the OBN has to forecast that in order for its prediction of a rapid fall in government borrowing to occur.
Whether it is household or government borrowing the fundamental economic strategy of Brown, Osborne and Balls remains the same ie borrow to consume.
Perhaps we should cut the crap.
When you have a Labour government that leaves power with £120bn going out the door every year more than comes in, your choices are a bit limited, either you borrow to pay while trying to sort the mess out, or you cut spending by 30% on Day 1 and balance the books, no danger of that being unpopular, what with the public getting mutinous about cutting the rate of increase, never mind actually REALLY cutting anything.
The mistakes this government made was to give all the big talk on 'austerity' and "we're all in this together" but still want to borrow to fund all its pet projects - Overseas Aid, middle eastern warmongering, HS2, pensioner bonds etc.
And then to lie about "paying down Britain's debts".
That's about £15bn, where is the rest coming from ?
Are you making the assumption that our military cost us nothing to run when it isn't in the middle east ? They still get paid, still burn diesel, and still shoot things.
Of course not.
But if the government's not prepared to make sacrifices on its pet projects why should anyone else agree to make sacrifices on what affects them.
it predicts a rise in household borrowing of over £500bn between 2015 and 2020.
IMO very unlikely to happen but the OBN has to forecast that in order for its prediction of a rapid fall in government borrowing to occur.
Whether it is household or government borrowing the fundamental economic strategy of Brown, Osborne and Balls remains the same ie borrow to consume.
Perhaps we should cut the crap.
When you have a Labour government that leaves power with £120bn going out the door every year more than comes in, your choices are a bit limited, either you borrow to pay while trying to sort the mess out, or you cut spending by 30% on Day 1 and balance the books, no danger of that being unpopular, what with the public getting mutinous about cutting the rate of increase, never mind actually REALLY cutting anything.
The mistakes this government made was to give all the big talk on 'austerity' and "we're all in this together" but still want to borrow to fund all its pet projects - Overseas Aid, middle eastern warmongering, HS2, pensioner bonds etc.
And then to lie about "paying down Britain's debts".
They are paying down Britians debts.. I just got paid out today for my war loan from WW2 Thanks George.
I'm sure you'd like to thank him for your share of the hundreds of billions he has borrowed.
On the Conservative Salmond/Miliband poster, I think they have it slightly wrong. It's Ms Sturgeon, not Alex Salmond, who terrifies potential Conservative voters.
I rather admire both of them - not necessarily for their policies - but for their sheer determination to get to the best for Scotland.
I rather wish we had English politicians with the same guts.
Comments
I said "may" not will?
I know you think you can see the future like some "Kwisatz Haderach", but lay of the "spice" a little?
Betting PostF1: Alonso to miss Australian Grand Prix:
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2015/3/16854.html
Old news, but, um, Ladbrokes has him at 5 Not To Be Classified.
He isn't racing, so would that be rendered null and void, or is it a 100% guaranteed 4/1 shot?
Edited extra bit: so, a whole 4 minutes [or less...] of that being up.
If it comes off, not sure whether to include it in the 'official' stats, given the tiny time window.
England out of the cricket World Cup along with Afghanistan.
And we desperately need some bowlers who know how to take a wicket.
Ed Miliband calls for judge-led inquiry into England defeat by Bangladesh in cricket world cup.
http://tinyurl.com/m478dp7
Oh well, it was a shambles from way before the tournament started and we got what we deserved
Too much messing about w the team at a late stage but reality was we are not good enough even at our best
Alonso not in these markets - if you got on him not to be classified then well done, should be a winner. Worst that can happen is it is voided.
Reminds me a little of my favourite bet, when Hamilton was disqualified in Spain 2012 (or thereabouts) and I backed Maldonado and Alonso to lead lap 1 at about 5-6 each.
That's my favourite sort of bet. 95% chance of victory, odds of 4/1 or more
Edited extra bit: well, I was happier with the bet on Button to win in Canada 2011, but still.
09/03/2015 11:45
@brucemillington Exhume WG Grace
David Cameron could advise them to avoid televised contests?
"As a result of the 7th May 2015 General Election what will the make up of the next Government be.
0 pts for a Labour Majority
20 pts for a Labour Minorty Government
40 pts for a Labour led Coalition
50 pts for any other outcome not specified
60 pts for a Conservative led Coalition
80 pts for a Conservative Minority Government
100 pts for a Conservative Majority"
The current spread is 49-53. This would look like a fairly clear sell to me, were it not for the fact that Conservative supporters elsewhere seem to be showing irrational exuberance. What do the site elders think?
Ireland and South Africa would complain? It could cause an international incident
A good attack poster by the Tories but I'm struggling to understand why with apparently so much to boast about they've gone on the defensive. It doesn't make sense.
Imagine you were launching the new VW tipped to be Car of the Year. Even a first year advertising student would know that a poster attacking the latest Skoda would be a complete waste of money and probably counter productive.
https://twitter.com/BBCNormanS/status/574885621304553472
See principles are strong in all parties today.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2015/mar/09/steve-bells-if-
Mr. Observer, just as an aside, large presses are also reluctant to take risks and tend to play it safe. Similar happens with videogames (hence so many FPS games). XCOM: Enemy Unknown was originally going to be an FPS until there was a fan outcry, and the much altered version that came to market sold bucketloads.
The Bog Trotters could make it to the knock out stages whilst we haven't.
Begorrah with you English cricket.
If you don't buy a Skoda you could by any other sort of car or no car, none of which are to the advantage of VW (leaving aside that VW owns Skoda, so maybe not the ideal example)
If you don't buy Ed, buying any of the other parties is good for the Conservatives, buying Conservative would be ideal, but buying Green would be valuable as well. Even sitting at home rather than voting Ed is an improvement from the Conservative perspective.
https://twitter.com/BBCNormanS/status/574885621304553472
See principles are strong in all parties today.
Norman Smith parroting back to Wigan Pier again.
English shirt lifters?
It is very adroit. The problem was how to run a personal "ed is crap" attack, without it looking like a personal attack. This is the answer. The strategy of Cameron's odd-looking-at-the-time call to ed to rule out an SNP coalition, then giving it 48 hours, then this, worked a treat. And the poster is brilliant; as I said at insomnia o'clock this morning, compare this earlier effort: http://order-order.com/2015/01/23/new-tory-poster-targets-miliband-and-salmond/
A real you don't wanna do it like that, you wanna do it like this situation - just everything is wrong with the earlier poster. Notice how they've worked out how if you have no text in the poster, you kill stone dead counterattacks based on altering the text to something funny and putting the result on twitter.
I also have a Bangladeshi friend who is giving me the full Bjørge Lillelien treatment.
It is an awful day to be an English cricket fan of Pakistani heritage.
I fully expect Lord Ashcroft to have Labour 15 points ahead, it is that kind of day
Quite right, stick six fingers up at the swine.
We have just been knocked out of the cup with an Irish captain & lost the ashes 5-0 with a star batsmen who is South African
Might as well lose honestly
And we still can't win.
Or that you're wriggling when rumbled
"Quite right, stick six fingers up at the swine."
Brilliant.
As I told my kids ... your mother is from Co Cork and I have Irish antecedents. I'm sorry, but you're definitely bog trotters.
Lab rattled by SNP shock. They must be loving the Salmond/ed poster.
I rather wish we had English politicians with the same guts.
London-based.
I, for one, am sick of this country being used as a base by these people.
I agree with part of that. The first poster was rubbish and the second was everything the first wasn't.
But do people really believe that Ed is in Salmond's pocket and do they care? It's surely superfluous to tell the electorate what they already believe. That he's not up to it......
But more importantly if we have the strongest economy in Europe shouldn't that give them the confidence not to need an attack ad at all and just concentrate on their achievements? Scope for some easy teaser ads ....strongest biggest most successful etc....
But if the government's not prepared to make sacrifices on its pet projects why should anyone else agree to make sacrifices on what affects them.