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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Three years after being touted as Iron Lady 2.0 Liz Truss (

SystemSystem Posts: 12,215
edited March 2015 in General

imagepoliticalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Three years after being touted as Iron Lady 2.0 Liz Truss (33-1) is well placed to succeed Dave

My long term bet, at 50/1, has been Liz Truss – who was one of the first of the class of GE10 to get a place in the cabinet. That was very important stepping stone. She’s now at 33/1.

Read the full story here


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Comments

  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,963
    edited March 2015
    Happy 11th Birthday to PB.
  • Once again the Express and UKIP literally talking gibberish on immigration

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAz-C-vWQAAILNY.jpg
  • It'll be Sajid Javid.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,587
    SeanT said:

    Ooops, I almost forgot to mention, there is a pb-er concealed in The Ice Twins.

    Yes. One of the characters is based on someone who posts here.

    If anyone can guess who it is, I will send them a free copy, though of course, you'd probably have to buy a copy to guess in the first place.

    Hmm, would we have to guess the pb-er and name the character based on them? Otherwise it'd be a bit easy to suggest, say, NPXMP and be done with it I suppose.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,636
    @SeanT - that's easy: it's you.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,636
    Oh yes, and Mickey Rourke will play you in the movie.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,736

    Happy 11th Birthday to PB.

    Thanks to OGH and others who make PB possible.

    I missed the first 6 years
  • TykejohnnoTykejohnno Posts: 7,362

    Harry Phibbs @harryph

    Canvassing this evening in Hammersmith. Former Labour voters in ordinary terraced houses very angry about spiteful "Mansion Tax" proposal

  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,386
    edited March 2015
    Whoever replaces Cam I'm sure Mr Ed will continue to sweep all before him...
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 43,471

    Happy 11th Birthday to PB.

    And happy 42nd to me! ;-)
  • Happy 11th Birthday to PB.

    And happy 42nd to me! ;-)
    42 is the meaning of life.
  • What's the strategy behind Cameron's "quit" announcement? To me it looks like a throw of the dice by the Tories.

    It might win over some of those on the far reaches of the UKIP/Tory Right who see Cameron as some sort of "moderniser".

    It might undermine the Tory attempts to make the election "presidential".

    It might do nothing.

    But it is, for certain, a sign that the Tories are desperate to engineer the "black swan event" they so desperately need. Like a gambler who puts his last tenner on a 50/1 shot on the final race.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,736
    LTIC(WNBPM)
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,411
    Danny565 said:
    Can't see it myself. If it's a woman it'll be May.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,587

    It'll be Sajid Javid.

    He's more prominent than the other newbies, but not so much as to have actual baggage - seems promising.

    Which senior has been or non-leadership contender will be pushing for Truss I wonder? I mean, isn't Javid supposed to be Osborne's choice because he would never make it as leader himself, so who fancies themselves the Cardinal Richelieu to Truss' Louis XIII?
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,636
    SeanT said:

    rcs1000 said:

    @SeanT - that's easy: it's you.

    Actually, ICE TWINS is probably the first novel I've written where my own character, opinions and attitudes are all completely absent. The fact it is also my best novel, by a distance, makes this rather double-edged.
    I've actually bought T.I.T. on my Kindle and had planned to read it on a flight to San Fran today. But I tore all the ligaments in my left ankle, so I've not gone.

    And therefore not started on your book.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,736

    What's the strategy behind Cameron's "quit" announcement? To me it looks like a throw of the dice by the Tories.

    It might win over some of those on the far reaches of the UKIP/Tory Right who see Cameron as some sort of "moderniser".

    It might undermine the Tory attempts to make the election "presidential".

    It might do nothing.

    But it is, for certain, a sign that the Tories are desperate to engineer the "black swan event" they so desperately need. Like a gambler who puts his last tenner on a 50/1 shot on the final race.

    You would have thought an Ed to head would have been a better bet for Cowardly
  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    SeanT said:

    Ooops, I almost forgot to mention, there is a pb-er concealed in The Ice Twins.

    Yes. One of the characters is based on someone who posts here.

    If anyone can guess who it is, I will send them a free copy, though of course, you'd probably have to buy a copy to guess in the first place.

    But there it is. Who is the mystery pb-er in S K Tremayne's The Ice Twins? And, perhaps more importantly, who will play him or her in the surely-inevitable movie?

    If I were the mystery man, I would like to be played by Robert Redford, Sean Connery, Liam Neeson, Kevin Costner or Jeremy Irons.

    - or of course, myself
  • kle4 said:

    It'll be Sajid Javid.

    He's more prominent than the other newbies, but not so much as to have actual baggage - seems promising.

    Which senior has been or non-leadership contender will be pushing for Truss I wonder? I mean, isn't Javid supposed to be Osborne's choice because he would never make it as leader himself, so who fancies themselves the Cardinal Richelieu to Truss' Louis XIII?
    It won't be Liz Truss, she's a former Lib Dem/SDP.

    The next Tory will be a proper red blooded Tory that gives the Tory party the electoral horn
  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    @RobD

    Did you find any cider yet? I saw Angry Orchard in my local today.

    No Bulmer's, Coates or Strongbow I suspect :(
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,963
    edited March 2015
    You get the feeling Ed and Labour are so inept, they are going to run with posters saying

    "Vote Dave, Get Boris"
  • Ishmael_XIshmael_X Posts: 3,664

    Happy 11th Birthday to PB.

    And happy 42nd to me! ;-)
    Good God, you are even younger than Nigel Farage. Stripling.
  • MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053
    Oh dear, we're all trussed up on a thread by a lefty publication, hawking one of the worst types of tories. Maybe because the Statesman thinks that Truss is more like a born again socialist than a tory. OGH probably thinks that Truss is the answer for the L/Dems woes.
  • Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091

    You get the feeling Ed and Labour are so inept, they are going to run with posters saying

    "Vote Dave, Get Boris"

    On the other hand, "Vote Dave Get Osborne" could be quite the filip for Labour.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,587
    Speaking of reading, I was thinking of transitioning to e-books now I have once again run out of space for hard copies, even with divulging myself of a bunch of older books. Is a Kindle best, or are there better options for e-readers out there?
  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    rcs1000 said:

    SeanT said:

    rcs1000 said:

    @SeanT - that's easy: it's you.

    Actually, ICE TWINS is probably the first novel I've written where my own character, opinions and attitudes are all completely absent. The fact it is also my best novel, by a distance, makes this rather double-edged.
    I've actually bought T.I.T. on my Kindle and had planned to read it on a flight to San Fran today. But I tore all the ligaments in my left ankle, so I've not gone.

    And therefore not started on your book.
    Sorry about your ankle. I don't know which Kindle model you have, but mine works on the ground as well as in the air. :)
  • MTimTMTimT Posts: 7,034
    Tim_B said:

    @RobD

    Did you find any cider yet? I saw Angry Orchard in my local today.

    No Bulmer's, Coates or Strongbow I suspect :(

    Where is RobD located. Here in MD there are a number of reasonable looking 'hard' ciders available - maybe proximity to orchards is a factor.
  • If we're talking about old New Statesman articles, has this ever been posted on PB?

    Is from 2007, by Sion Simon, during the speculation about the election that never was.

    'Shortly there will be an election, in which Labour will increase its majority'

    http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/conference/2007/09/labour-majority-increase
  • PongPong Posts: 4,693
    SeanT said:

    kle4 said:

    SeanT said:

    Ooops, I almost forgot to mention, there is a pb-er concealed in The Ice Twins.

    Yes. One of the characters is based on someone who posts here.

    If anyone can guess who it is, I will send them a free copy, though of course, you'd probably have to buy a copy to guess in the first place.

    Hmm, would we have to guess the pb-er and name the character based on them? Otherwise it'd be a bit easy to suggest, say, NPXMP and be done with it I suppose.
    Yes, of course: you'd have to say "Ah, Hamish the mad Scottish boatman with incest issues is based on MalcolmG" - you can't just name a pb-er and hope to win the coconut.
    It's gotta be tap surely?
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,736
    43 Mins to YG will it be 3/3 to show EICIPM?
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    Boris will be next leader of the Conservative party

    Unless they fancy losing for a while

    Osborne too unlikeable
    May too unattractive
    Hammond too stiff
    Javid too Muslim

    Anyone wants to lay best price Boris I'll have £250
  • Danny565 said:

    You get the feeling Ed and Labour are so inept, they are going to run with posters saying

    "Vote Dave, Get Boris"

    On the other hand, "Vote Dave Get Osborne" could be quite the filip for Labour.
    George Osborne is the most popular GB wide politician.

    Again another winner
  • TykejohnnoTykejohnno Posts: 7,362

    Nick Sutton ✔ @suttonnick

    Tuesday's Telegraph front page -
    Cameron: I won't go on and on
    #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #GE2015 pic.twitter.com/nRwJCuCEr1

  • What's the strategy behind Cameron's "quit" announcement? To me it looks like a throw of the dice by the Tories.

    It might win over some of those on the far reaches of the UKIP/Tory Right who see Cameron as some sort of "moderniser".

    It might undermine the Tory attempts to make the election "presidential".

    It might do nothing.

    But it is, for certain, a sign that the Tories are desperate to engineer the "black swan event" they so desperately need. Like a gambler who puts his last tenner on a 50/1 shot on the final race.

    You would have thought an Ed to head would have been a better bet for Cowardly
    No, he would have lost a debate with Ed, which is why he refused.

    This way the Tories hope to create uncertainty and hope the pieces fall in their favour. It's all they have left, really.
  • Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091

    Danny565 said:

    You get the feeling Ed and Labour are so inept, they are going to run with posters saying

    "Vote Dave, Get Boris"

    On the other hand, "Vote Dave Get Osborne" could be quite the filip for Labour.
    George Osborne is the most popular GB wide politician.

    Again another winner
    But the people who dislike him REALLY REALLY dislike him, he inspires the kind of hatred that Cameron doesn't.

    Plus, people approving of the job he does as Chancellor is not necessarily the same as wanting him to be Prime Minister, with Brown being exhibit A of that.
  • TykejohnnoTykejohnno Posts: 7,362

    What's the strategy behind Cameron's "quit" announcement? To me it looks like a throw of the dice by the Tories.

    It might win over some of those on the far reaches of the UKIP/Tory Right who see Cameron as some sort of "moderniser".

    It might undermine the Tory attempts to make the election "presidential".

    It might do nothing.

    But it is, for certain, a sign that the Tories are desperate to engineer the "black swan event" they so desperately need. Like a gambler who puts his last tenner on a 50/1 shot on the final race.

    You would have thought an Ed to head would have been a better bet for Cowardly
    No, he would have lost a debate with Ed, which is why he refused.

    This way the Tories hope to create uncertainty and hope the pieces fall in their favour. It's all they have left, really.
    Funny.

  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,736
    Vote Dave get Gove should be a good one.
  • JonathanJonathan Posts: 21,706
    With Tories losing support, a Truss might be useful.
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340

    Once again the Express and UKIP literally talking gibberish on immigration

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAz-C-vWQAAILNY.jpg

    It's bad enough hearing those foreign languages spoken on the tube without having to read them in the papers.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,133

    Happy 11th Birthday to PB.

    Yes, happy birthday PB!
  • MortimerMortimer Posts: 14,142

    You get the feeling Ed and Labour are so inept, they are going to run with posters saying

    "Vote Dave, Get Boris"

    And, just to top it off, I can imagine Rogerdamus immediately suggesting Cons falling to 17% off the back of it.

  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,133
    In God we Truss! :lol:
  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    MTimT said:

    Tim_B said:

    @RobD

    Did you find any cider yet? I saw Angry Orchard in my local today.

    No Bulmer's, Coates or Strongbow I suspect :(

    Where is RobD located. Here in MD there are a number of reasonable looking 'hard' ciders available - maybe proximity to orchards is a factor.
    He is in San Francisco I think.
  • Vote Dave get Gove should be a good one.

    After the Tories said "vote Blair, get Brown" and voters decided they quite liked that outcome in 2005, I'd caution Labour against anything like that.
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    David Cameron declaring his intentions may force George Osborne to declare his. So I'm holding off betting for now.
  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669

    In God we Truss! :lol:

    Truss, but verify :)
  • PongPong Posts: 4,693
    edited March 2015
    isam said:

    Boris will be next leader of the Conservative party

    Unless they fancy losing for a while

    Osborne too unlikeable
    May too unattractive
    Hammond too stiff
    Javid too Muslim

    Anyone wants to lay best price Boris I'll have £250

    Javid's just about the right amount of muslim. Remember, the racists have jumped ship to ukip.
  • MortimerMortimer Posts: 14,142
    Whilst we're talking about future leaders, I'm always thought Stella Creasy will go far. She seems to be the only member of the opposition team who can speak human and policy.
  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    Obamacare is 5 years old today.

    - and we're still finding new costs, deductibles and taxes from it.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,916
    After Cameron and an EU referendum the Tories will probably move to the right again, Davis or Hammond are good bets
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,848
    The point about the iron lady is the iron lady wasn't 'touted'. She was a surprise. So anyone being touted is by definition not the next Maggie.
  • MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382

    Happy 11th Birthday to PB.

    Thanks TSE. I'd forgotten. All a long time ago. Whether we'll get to 22 I don't know. I'll be 80

    The great fun of the site has been going against whatever has been the general narrative of the time.





  • Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,713
    SeanT said:

    Ooops, I almost forgot to mention, there is a pb-er concealed in The Ice Twins.

    Yes. One of the characters is based on someone who posts here.

    If anyone can guess who it is, I will send them a free copy, though of course, you'd probably have to buy a copy to guess in the first place.

    But there it is. Who is the mystery pb-er in S K Tremayne's The Ice Twins? And, perhaps more importantly, who will play him or her in the surely-inevitable movie?

    Yes, I think I spotted it! I actually picked up a copy after someone recommended it on here but - and this is God's honest truth - didn't realize it was by you until the end where one of the characters uses one of your insults about female hygiene products. Good creepy stuff. I felt a bit unnerved over the four days I took to read it.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,587
    SeanT said:

    £20k for a painting.... by Hitler. Bargain or atrocity?

    http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.648475

    Given that pieces of art sell due to the name of the creator and rarity value rather than objective quality of the piece in question, as a piece of historical curiosity I would say it is likely a bargain.
  • JohnLilburneJohnLilburne Posts: 6,312
    SeanT said:

    kle4 said:

    Speaking of reading, I was thinking of transitioning to e-books now I have once again run out of space for hard copies, even with divulging myself of a bunch of older books. Is a Kindle best, or are there better options for e-readers out there?

    If you get an iPad you get a Kindle PLUS it does everything a laptop and a smartphone will do, and you will wonder how you ever managed without it. But the glowing screen will feck with your sleeping patterns. Be warned.
    I have Kindle on my Android phone, it means you always have books with even when you think you're unlikely to want one. A tablet seems to make more sense than a dedicated reader though.

  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,848
    SeanT said:

    £20k for a painting.... by Hitler. Bargain or atrocity?

    http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.648475

    This has just reminded me, I saw someone reading Mein Kampf on the train the other day! Most bizarre commuter reading I've ever come across!

  • NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,568
    Stella Creasey is great - came to Broxtowe and woke up a sleepy meeting with an hour of detailed, passionate argument of loan sharks and the like. Haven't had such enthused members for years (which tells you something about me, I guess).

    Happy birthday, Josias and PB. FPT Josias: What do you make of C.J. Sansom's books? I like their spirit (humane, mildly pro-reform lawyer trying to survive the vicious current of reform and counter-reform) though I feel they've somewhat lost momentum in the latest one. I have no idea how accurate they are.
  • surbitonsurbiton Posts: 13,549
    Tim_B said:

    Obamacare is 5 years old today.

    - and we're still finding new costs, deductibles and taxes from it.

    The only good thing that has happened to the USA in the past two decades.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Tim_B said:

    SeanT said:

    Ooops, I almost forgot to mention, there is a pb-er concealed in The Ice Twins.

    Yes. One of the characters is based on someone who posts here.

    If anyone can guess who it is, I will send them a free copy, though of course, you'd probably have to buy a copy to guess in the first place.

    But there it is. Who is the mystery pb-er in S K Tremayne's The Ice Twins? And, perhaps more importantly, who will play him or her in the surely-inevitable movie?

    If I were the mystery man, I would like to be played by Robert Redford, Sean Connery, Liam Neeson, Kevin Costner or Jeremy Irons.

    - or of course, myself
    If it were mean, I reserve the right to veto Hugh Grant as my actor...
  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    kle4 said:

    Speaking of reading, I was thinking of transitioning to e-books now I have once again run out of space for hard copies, even with divulging myself of a bunch of older books. Is a Kindle best, or are there better options for e-readers out there?

    If you specifically want an e-book reader then a Kindle is the best, and it is readable in anything from bright sunlight to pitch black.

    As SeanT says, you can get the Kindle app on anything from an iPad to a smartphone or any other tablet. If you read a book on your (say) Android tablet, and then open it on another device, it will automatically take you to your current location in the book.

    The other advantage of a Kindle (in my case the Paperwhite 2) is that it goes several weeks between charges.
  • Ishmael_XIshmael_X Posts: 3,664

    SeanT said:

    kle4 said:

    Speaking of reading, I was thinking of transitioning to e-books now I have once again run out of space for hard copies, even with divulging myself of a bunch of older books. Is a Kindle best, or are there better options for e-readers out there?

    If you get an iPad you get a Kindle PLUS it does everything a laptop and a smartphone will do, and you will wonder how you ever managed without it. But the glowing screen will feck with your sleeping patterns. Be warned.
    I have Kindle on my Android phone, it means you always have books with even when you think you're unlikely to want one. A tablet seems to make more sense than a dedicated reader though.

    Thing is, Kindles are so cheap you can risk reading them in the bath. Also much, much better for reading outdoors (eg on the beach)

  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    @JoeChurcher: MEP Janice Atkinson - and her chief of staff Christine Hewitt - have been expelled by Ukip for bringing the party into disrepute.
  • Janice Atkinson expelled from UKIP
  • BaskervilleBaskerville Posts: 391
    I'd recommend a Kobo for ease of use and, in particular, the night light. It's great when I'm waiting for my son to drop off in a dark bedroom. But the Kobo bookstore is poorly designed.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    edited March 2015
    Pong said:

    isam said:

    Boris will be next leader of the Conservative party

    Unless they fancy losing for a while

    Osborne too unlikeable
    May too unattractive
    Hammond too stiff
    Javid too Muslim

    Anyone wants to lay best price Boris I'll have £250

    Javid's just about the right amount of muslim. Remember, the racists have jumped ship to ukip.
    Ooh rapier like! Its almost made me want to vote for someone other than Ukip

    He won't be the next leader of the Tories. Want to lay Boris?
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,736
    Ed Miliband ‏@Ed_Miliband 1m1 minute ago
    Raising VAT hits pensioners and poorest the hardest. That’s not the sort of government I will lead →

    New Labour Election Pledge launched

    Meanwhile the Tories have no plans to raise VAT.

    So presumably are planning to raise it as in 2010
  • TykejohnnoTykejohnno Posts: 7,362

    Guardian Politics ✔ @GdnPolitics

    Labour to rule out VAT rise in election manifesto http://d.gu.com/950w2L

  • MortimerMortimer Posts: 14,142

    Stella Creasey is great - came to Broxtowe and woke up a sleepy meeting with an hour of detailed, passionate argument of loan sharks and the like. Haven't had such enthused members for years (which tells you something about me, I guess).

    Popular with the faitfhul, and with the opposition: as a card carrying Tory (albeit one who would have been a Bevanite in the 40s/50s - housing, jobs and cradle to grave security), she is the only Labour politician who would ever make me consider who should get my vote. Her crusade against payday loan companies was Beveridge-esque.

  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,848
    SeanT said:

    The point about the iron lady is the iron lady wasn't 'touted'. She was a surprise. So anyone being touted is by definition not the next Maggie.

    Not sure that works. Maggie was elevated in an era before Twitter and 24 hour news.

    These days everyone is touted at some point, such is the sheer volume of pointless online chatter and opinionating, much of it done here.
    Fair point. But I would argue that the more someone is 'touted' the less valid their claim to be the next Maggie. She was the unexpected blade of a right wing insurgency, wielded by Airey Neave. I'm not sure the right has the power to mount one again, but if it does, there will be an Airey Neave behind it. Perhaps when Cameron is gone, Davis will get behind Priti Patel.
  • TykejohnnoTykejohnno Posts: 7,362

    Ed Miliband ✔ @Ed_Miliband

    Raising VAT hits pensioners and poorest the hardest. That’s not the sort of government I will lead → pic.twitter.com/5kytVsJ9fJ

  • SeanT said:

    £20k for a painting.... by Hitler. Bargain or atrocity?

    http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.648475

    This has just reminded me, I saw someone reading Mein Kampf on the train the other day! Most bizarre commuter reading I've ever come across!

    The only book I was ever embarrassed about was 'Making Friends With Hitler'.

    It is in fact an excellent biography of Lord Londonderry, but I always kept the title covered when passing through Golders Green.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453


    Guardian Politics ✔ @GdnPolitics

    Labour to rule out VAT rise in election manifesto http://d.gu.com/950w2L

    Unless a big donor wants it...
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,514
    edited March 2015


    Ed Miliband ✔ @Ed_Miliband

    Raising VAT hits pensioners and poorest the hardest. That’s not the sort of government I will lead → pic.twitter.com/5kytVsJ9fJ

    Labour have really been pushing VAT angle. I wonder if it is just part of Ed's made up Tory secret plan or if something has been leaked from the Treasury saying Osborne asked for impact assessment of raising VAT.

    Remember Labour took this exact approach with the Pension bribes. They kept alluding to Tories would cut them if they got in power, when there was no evidence of any such policy, and of course most shameful of all the cancer leaflets.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,736


    Guardian Politics ✔ @GdnPolitics

    Labour to rule out VAT rise in election manifesto http://d.gu.com/950w2L

    Really!!
  • PongPong Posts: 4,693
    isam said:

    Pong said:

    isam said:

    Boris will be next leader of the Conservative party

    Unless they fancy losing for a while

    Osborne too unlikeable
    May too unattractive
    Hammond too stiff
    Javid too Muslim

    Anyone wants to lay best price Boris I'll have £250

    Javid's just about the right amount of muslim. Remember, the racists have jumped ship to ukip.
    Ooh rapier like! Its almost made me want to vote for someone other than Ukip

    He won't be the next leader of the Tories. Want to lay Boris?
    Not right now. It's more likely than not that I'll be able to lay at shorter odds in a few weeks time.
  • Ishmael_XIshmael_X Posts: 3,664
    edited March 2015
    Pong said:

    isam said:

    Boris will be next leader of the Conservative party

    Unless they fancy losing for a while

    Osborne too unlikeable
    May too unattractive
    Hammond too stiff
    Javid too Muslim

    Anyone wants to lay best price Boris I'll have £250

    Javid's just about the right amount of muslim. Remember, the racists have jumped ship to ukip.
    Mmm, because Aidan Burley turned out not to be one. Phew!

    Nor is the tories' darling Jeremy Clarkson, with his harmless banter about slopes, Pikeys and Irish cnts. Phew, again!
  • MortimerMortimer Posts: 14,142

    SeanT said:

    £20k for a painting.... by Hitler. Bargain or atrocity?

    http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.648475

    This has just reminded me, I saw someone reading Mein Kampf on the train the other day! Most bizarre commuter reading I've ever come across!

    The only book I was ever embarrassed about was 'Making Friends With Hitler'.

    It is in fact an excellent biography of Lord Londonderry, but I always kept the title covered when passing through Golders Green.
    It is a good biog - and in my naivety I've only just realised I was reading it whilst commuting to research NI newspapers at Colindale, via the Northern Line.
  • AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    edited March 2015
    The e-ink screen is one of those things that looks like pure and total witchcraft when you first see it. Even though I knew exactly how it works my breath was still taken away the first time I saw an e-reader and that magical static screen.
  • Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 32,688

    Happy 11th Birthday to PB.

    Thanks TSE. I'd forgotten. All a long time ago. Whether we'll get to 22 I don't know. I'll be 80

    The great fun of the site has been going against whatever has been the general narrative of the time.

    I read a few years ago that average life expectancy in the UK since 1947 had gone by 2 days for every week we live.

    On that basis you will be a mere stripling youngster at 80 Mike.

    Besides, you always have your fine Libertarian offspring to run things for you when you get too doddery :-)

    Sadly it looks like it will be the only thing the Libertarians will ever run :-)

  • Guardian Politics ✔ @GdnPolitics

    Labour to rule out VAT rise in election manifesto http://d.gu.com/950w2L

    OK ruling out one tax - how about ruling out no increases in income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax, national insurance, inheritance tax - plenty to go at there
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,736
    ITN issues poll NHS top issue

    Who would have thought that!!
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,041
    @Tim_B haven't been looking to be honest. I always ask for one when I go to a pub, but I used to live in the South West, so I have a very high bar!
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,848

    SeanT said:

    £20k for a painting.... by Hitler. Bargain or atrocity?

    http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.648475

    This has just reminded me, I saw someone reading Mein Kampf on the train the other day! Most bizarre commuter reading I've ever come across!

    The only book I was ever embarrassed about was 'Making Friends With Hitler'.

    It is in fact an excellent biography of Lord Londonderry, but I always kept the title covered when passing through Golders Green.
    No attempt to hide the cover, a young professional getting off at Haymarket where all the financial people get off. I don't object particularly - things have to be read. I should get round to reading it myself some time, but I don't think I could do it cover to cover, or read it on a train.
  • perdixperdix Posts: 1,806
    isam said:

    Boris will be next leader of the Conservative party

    Unless they fancy losing for a while

    Osborne too unlikeable
    May too unattractive
    Hammond too stiff
    Javid too Muslim

    Anyone wants to lay best price Boris I'll have £250

    May is politically attractive.

  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    edited March 2015
    SeanT said:

    SeanT said:

    Ooops, I almost forgot to mention, there is a pb-er concealed in The Ice Twins.

    Yes. One of the characters is based on someone who posts here.

    If anyone can guess who it is, I will send them a free copy, though of course, you'd probably have to buy a copy to guess in the first place.

    But there it is. Who is the mystery pb-er in S K Tremayne's The Ice Twins? And, perhaps more importantly, who will play him or her in the surely-inevitable movie?

    Yes, I think I spotted it! I actually picked up a copy after someone recommended it on here but - and this is God's honest truth - didn't realize it was by you until the end where one of the characters uses one of your insults about female hygiene products. Good creepy stuff. I felt a bit unnerved over the four days I took to read it.
    Ta for reading! Glad you were slightly unnerved (if you know what I mean).

    ON topic - ish - this is a weird TV biopic of Cameron. He comes over as a nice dad but a bit of an arrogant pillock. Not ghastly, but a little awkward. His wife seems much nicer, yet eerily like many people I know.

    Blair did this stuff so much better.
    If you watch an episode of Midsomer Murders they ARE John & Sarah Barnaby
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,041
    Congrats to the anniversary, PB!
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,514


    Guardian Politics ✔ @GdnPolitics

    Labour to rule out VAT rise in election manifesto http://d.gu.com/950w2L

    OK ruling out one tax - how about ruling out no increases in income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax, national insurance, inheritance tax - plenty to go at there
    Haven't you heard, Ed Balls will magic everything away, with no cuts and balance the books with bankers bonus and mansion taxes.
  • AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670


    Ed Miliband ✔ @Ed_Miliband

    Raising VAT hits pensioners and poorest the hardest. That’s not the sort of government I will lead → pic.twitter.com/5kytVsJ9fJ

    Labour have really been pushing VAT angle. I wonder if it is just part of Ed's made up Tory secret plan or if something has been leaked from the Treasury saying Osborne asked for impact assessment of raising VAT.

    Remember Labour took this exact approach with the Pension bribes. They kept alluding to Tories would cut them if they got in power, when there was no evidence of any such policy, and of course most shameful of all the cancer leaflets.
    Simpler than that I think. It is now impossible for the Conservatives to rule out a VAT rise.

    If they do then Labour point to 2010 and 1992 and call them liars, if they don't then Labour can harp on about secret plan.
  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    surbiton said:

    Tim_B said:

    Obamacare is 5 years old today.

    - and we're still finding new costs, deductibles and taxes from it.

    The only good thing that has happened to the USA in the past two decades.
    Have you experienced it?
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,041
    Tim_B said:

    surbiton said:

    Tim_B said:

    Obamacare is 5 years old today.

    - and we're still finding new costs, deductibles and taxes from it.

    The only good thing that has happened to the USA in the past two decades.
    Have you experienced it?
    I almost forgot to check that box on the tax return. Wonder what the IRS would have done if I hadn't realised!
  • Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 32,688

    Janice Atkinson expelled from UKIP

    Good. Along with Afzal Amin that is two rotten politicians gone in the same day.

    Now we just need to try and dump several thousand more and the world will be a better place.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,848
    perdix said:

    isam said:

    Boris will be next leader of the Conservative party

    Unless they fancy losing for a while

    Osborne too unlikeable
    May too unattractive
    Hammond too stiff
    Javid too Muslim

    Anyone wants to lay best price Boris I'll have £250

    May is politically attractive.

    No she isn't.
  • MonksfieldMonksfield Posts: 2,808
    God I hope someone like Truss doesn't find her way to the top. The epitome of a bland careerist wannabe. No political conviction in her entire make up, just a burning desire to be one of the kool kidz.

  • Janice Atkinson expelled from UKIP

    Good. Along with Afzal Amin that is two rotten politicians gone in the same day.

    Now we just need to try and dump several thousand more and the world will be a better place.
    The Afzal Amin story was a genuine WTF moment.

    Like House of Cards meets the Thick of It
  • TykejohnnoTykejohnno Posts: 7,362


    Guardian Politics ✔ @GdnPolitics

    Labour to rule out VAT rise in election manifesto http://d.gu.com/950w2L

    OK ruling out one tax - how about ruling out no increases in income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax, national insurance, inheritance tax - plenty to go at there
    Yep,tories should hit labour hard on this tomorrow but I have my doubts about the modern day con party if they up for the fight.

  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,514
    edited March 2015
    I don't get why Cameron saying he wont do a 3rd term is big news...we basically knew that already, he has said so loads of times in coded language.

    LOL....Mirror...ARROGANT CAMERON I WON'T DO 3RD TERM (in your dreams mate)...

    I think even if no Tory spoke for a week, they would still spin that as "ARROGANT TORIES REFUSE TO SPEAK TO PLEBS".

    They are as funny these days as the Daily Express front pages (for different reasons).
  • MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053

    Janice Atkinson expelled from UKIP

    Good. Along with Afzal Amin that is two rotten politicians gone in the same day.

    Now we just need to try and dump several thousand more and the world will be a better place.
    That'll be the day. However don't hold your breath.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,411

    Janice Atkinson expelled from UKIP

    Good. Along with Afzal Amin that is two rotten politicians gone in the same day.

    Now we just need to try and dump several thousand more and the world will be a better place.
    The Afzal Amin story was a genuine WTF moment.

    Like House of Cards meets the Thick of It
    The thing that infuriated me most was that it was made out to be a key seat for the Conservatives.

    If they take Dudley North, they're looking at a majority of a hundred or so lol.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758

    Ed Miliband ‏@Ed_Miliband 1m1 minute ago
    Raising VAT hits pensioners and poorest the hardest. That’s not the sort of government I will lead →

    New Labour Election Pledge launched

    Meanwhile the Tories have no plans to raise VAT.

    So presumably are planning to raise it as in 2010

    Can you provide a single scrap of evidence that the Tories are considering a VAT rise after the election?

    They have just produced a budget setting out expected spending plans and tax income together with OBR forecasts. Perhaps you can provide us with a link to that?
This discussion has been closed.