"That's pretty ludicrous from the Tory party. Who 'won' is very much in the eye of the beholder and the idea that the BBC should proclaim a winner is frankly daft."
Yes. That's very true. Rather a silly complaint from one of our less cerebral MP's
You again seem to want to miss the point that was being made.
If Miliband had got the better of the debate then the BBC would have put it front and centre on every page and broadcast and they would still be reminding people now even now. It's not about a declaration for Cameron it's the comparison of what they would have done for Milliband.
........but of course you already know that.
No -- and you are missing two entirely non-political factors here. First, the tablet-friendly redesign of the BBC's news web pages has already relegated politics (along with anything else that is not the page lead); and second, the BBC was never likely to go overboard about a debate hosted on its rivals Channel 4 and Sky.
It would make most sense for Farage to use his limited time to attack Miliband from a populist right-wing perspective. This would appeal to both natural Tory voters and to the white working class voters he's hoping to steal from Labour. If he concentrates on Cameron, he risks only appealing to disaffected Tories.
First time poster, so hi everyone.
Welcome to the bear-pit. Don't take any insults personally, our fellow PBers are overwhelmingly a decent and very knowledgeable bunch. You will know you have arrived when Malcolm G our in-house tartan terrier starts calling you every gobshite under the sun!
"That's pretty ludicrous from the Tory party. Who 'won' is very much in the eye of the beholder and the idea that the BBC should proclaim a winner is frankly daft."
Yes. That's very true. Rather a silly complaint from one of our less cerebral MP's
You again seem to want to miss the point that was being made.
If Miliband had got the better of the debate then the BBC would have put it front and centre on every page and broadcast and they would still be reminding people now even now. It's not about a declaration for Cameron it's the comparison of what they would have done for Milliband.
........but of course you already know that.
No -- and you are missing two entirely non-political factors here. First, the tablet-friendly redesign of the BBC's news web pages has already relegated politics (along with anything else that is not the page lead); and second, the BBC was never likely to go overboard about a debate hosted on its rivals Channel 4 and Sky.
The BBC have politics quite often on the home page.........and though I agree with the general point you make re Sky .........except if Ed had so called " won" of course.
This was my very point a week or so ago when I stated I really dislike "soaps box" TV debates because everyone claims their man / woman won and you simply end up arguing about trivia.
"Very interesting statistic for Council By-elections in March"
That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little. You haven't even indicated how many by elections are included in your survey
lol
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander Roger = irritable cockney
It would make most sense for Farage to use his limited time to attack Miliband from a populist right-wing perspective. This would appeal to both natural Tory voters and to the white working class voters he's hoping to steal from Labour. If he concentrates on Cameron, he risks only appealing to disaffected Tories.
First time poster, so hi everyone.
Welcome to the bear-pit. Don't take any insults personally, our fellow PBers are overwhelmingly a decent and very knowledgeable bunch. You will know you have arrived when Malcolm G our in-house tartan terrier starts calling you every gobshite under the sun!
I am watching
"Any dog that jumps up and down when it barks isn't a dog"
"Very interesting statistic for Council By-elections in March"
That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little. You haven't even indicated how many by elections are included in your survey
lol
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander Roger = irritable cockney
"That's pretty ludicrous from the Tory party. Who 'won' is very much in the eye of the beholder and the idea that the BBC should proclaim a winner is frankly daft."
Yes. That's very true. Rather a silly complaint from one of our less cerebral MP's
You again seem to want to miss the point that was being made.
If Miliband had got the better of the debate then the BBC would have put it front and centre on every page and broadcast and they would still be reminding people now and up to the election. It's not about a declaration for Cameron it's the comparison of what they would have done for Milliband.
........but of course you already know that.
For a news service that is supposed to be neutral I get really annoyed at their editorialising. For example "Government humiliated by losing Commons vote". "Government loses Commons vote" would be quite sufficient and make it easier to maintain neutrality, as it basically means they try not to say good or bad things about any party.
"Very interesting statistic for Council By-elections in March"
That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little. You haven't even indicated how many by elections are included in your survey
lol
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander Roger = irritable cockney
Credit to Cameron for saving us from a simple rerun of the format from the last election. I suppose that as he's a former PR man it shouldn't be a surprise that this is the bit of his premiership that's turned out best.
Farage has to concentrate his attack on Cameron as he is the incumbent Prime Minister. If he is more effective at doing so than Miliband then it works as an attack on Miliband by proxy, by being the better opposition.
"That's pretty ludicrous from the Tory party. Who 'won' is very much in the eye of the beholder and the idea that the BBC should proclaim a winner is frankly daft."
Yes. That's very true. Rather a silly complaint from one of our less cerebral MP's
You again seem to want to miss the point that was being made.
If Miliband had got the better of the debate then the BBC would have put it front and centre on every page and broadcast and they would still be reminding people now and up to the election. It's not about a declaration for Cameron it's the comparison of what they would have done for Milliband.
........but of course you already know that.
For a news service that is supposed to be neutral I get really annoyed at their editorialising. For example "Government humiliated by losing Commons vote". "Government loses Commons vote" would be quite sufficient and make it easier to maintain neutrality, as it basically means they try not to say good or bad things about any party.
All supported by the TV tax. If it's was subscription I would have thrown them out years ago. I also cannot afford to ignore the demands and risk ending up in court as this may cause travel issues for my work etc.
The BBC have long past their charter sell by date.
"Very interesting statistic for Council By-elections in March"
That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little. You haven't even indicated how many by elections are included in your survey
lol
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander Roger = irritable cockney
"Very interesting statistic for Council By-elections in March"
That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little. You haven't even indicated how many by elections are included in your survey
lol
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander Roger = irritable cockney
OT Whilst driving to the office this morning and listening to R4, the mental state of the co-pilot was raised and how it could have been detected. Interviewed was a lady lawyer from Eversheds who went on and on about how one cannot discriminate between employees including those who may have physical or mental disabilities and that employers should offer them every means to be able to do their job.
Good theory but terrible in practice. As usual she promoted the care of one against the care of the many. Surely when there are employees who literally hold the balance of life and death of many in their hands, they should be near the top of their mental and physical required capabilities. The lawyer was backed up by a lady mental health 'expert' from Brighton who is a sufferer from depression, who dodged the question and prevaricated saying we need to know the facts first.
BBC at its worst - all theory, be nice to all - and no practical debate.
"Very interesting statistic for Council By-elections in March"
That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little. You haven't even indicated how many by elections are included in your survey
lol
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander Roger = irritable cockney
This 5% profit thing is the daftest policy ed has come up with. It plainly shows that he has no understanding of how businesses work. We are an electrical contractor. If On all our projects we had only allowed a 5% profit we would go out of business pretty quickly, pure and simple. In order to cover stuff like bad debts, slow payers, training, plant, transport, health and safety and general investment in the company we have to work on a minimum of 12.5%. We would turn down work if the profit was only 5%. With the investment required in health providers I am sure such companies will work on a figure of around 20%.
I've italicised the key comment - do you not think that's the purpose of the policy?
"Very interesting statistic for Council By-elections in March"
That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little. You haven't even indicated how many by elections are included in your survey
lol
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander Roger = irritable cockney
If Farage tries to attack on two fronts he will give out a confused message. He should not be trying to be all things to all men. His vote comes mostly from disaffected Tories and he needs to focus there.
This 5% profit thing is the daftest policy ed has come up with. It plainly shows that he has no understanding of how businesses work. We are an electrical contractor. If On all our projects we had only allowed a 5% profit we would go out of business pretty quickly, pure and simple. In order to cover stuff like bad debts, slow payers, training, plant, transport, health and safety and general investment in the company we have to work on a minimum of 12.5%. We would turn down work if the profit was only 5%. With the investment required in health providers I am sure such companies will work on a figure of around 20%.
I've italicised the key comment - do you not think that's the purpose of the policy?
"Very interesting statistic for Council By-elections in March"
That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little. You haven't even indicated how many by elections are included in your survey
lol
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander Roger = irritable cockney
This 5% profit thing is the daftest policy ed has come up with. It plainly shows that he has no understanding of how businesses work. We are an electrical contractor. If On all our projects we had only allowed a 5% profit we would go out of business pretty quickly, pure and simple. In order to cover stuff like bad debts, slow payers, training, plant, transport, health and safety and general investment in the company we have to work on a minimum of 12.5%. We would turn down work if the profit was only 5%. With the investment required in health providers I am sure such companies will work on a figure of around 20%.
I've italicised the key comment - do you not think that's the purpose of the policy?
If it is then it will drive up the waiting lists
That may not be seen as a problem if they can blame the baby eating private sector who are clearly more concerned about profits than the health of the nation etc. etc.
"Very interesting statistic for Council By-elections in March"
That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little. You haven't even indicated how many by elections are included in your survey
lol
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander Roger = irritable cockney
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest ARSE with added APLOMB 2015 General Election and "JackW Dozen" Projections. (Changes From 24th March Projection) :
Con 310 (NC) .. Lab 246 (NC) .. LibDem 32 (NC) .. SNP 35 (-1) .. PC 2 .. NI 18 .. UKIP 4 (+1) .. Respect 1 .. Green 1 .. Ind 0 .. Speaker 1
Conservatives 16 seats short of a majority ......................................................................................
"JackW Dozen" - 13 seats that will shape the General Election result :
Bury North - Con Hold Pudsey - Likely Con Hold Broxtowe - TCTC Warwickshire North - Likely Con Hold from TCTC Cambridge - LibDem Hold Ipswich - Con Hold Watford - TCTC Croydon Central - Con Hold Enfield North - TCTC Cornwall North - TCTC Great Yarmouth - Con Hold Vale of Glamorgan - Con Hold Ochil and South Perthshire - SNP Gain
Changes From 24 Mar - Warwickshire North moves from TCTC to Likely Con GAIN.
TCTC - Too Close To Call - Less than 500 votes Likely Hold/Gain - 500 - 2500 votes Gain/Hold - Over 2500 .......................................................................................
ARSE is sponsored by Auchentennach Fine Pies (Est 1745)
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division JNN - Jacobite News Network ARSE - Anonymous Random Selection of Electors APLOMB - Auchentennach Pies Leading Outsales Mainland Britain
If Farage tries to attack on two fronts he will give out a confused message. He should not be trying to be all things to all men. His vote comes mostly from disaffected Tories and he needs to focus there.
Also the white working class has had it with North London liberal Guardianista Labour and isn't going back, the "pissed off Tory" part of UKIP might well go back especially since Ed is looking threatening, its that section of his vote Farage needs to firm up.
"Very interesting statistic for Council By-elections in March"
That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little. You haven't even indicated how many by elections are included in your survey
lol
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander Roger = irritable cockney
''That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little.''
They tell us that whenever there's a real election with real voters labour's performance is below its poll score. Sometimes way below.
They tell us nothing of the sort . Looking at the results of a fairly small sample , they tell us the Conservatives are f**ked in London and Labour are set to make gains there but will lose out to SNP in Scotland .
"Very interesting statistic for Council By-elections in March"
That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little. You haven't even indicated how many by elections are included in your survey
lol
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander Roger = irritable cockney
OT Whilst driving to the office this morning and listening to R4, the mental state of the co-pilot was raised and how it could have been detected. Interviewed was a lady lawyer from Eversheds who went on and on about how one cannot discriminate between employees including those who may have physical or mental disabilities and that employers should offer them every means to be able to do their job.
Good theory but terrible in practice. As usual she promoted the care of one against the care of the many. Surely when there are employees who literally hold the balance of life and death of many in their hands, they should be near the top of their mental and physical required capabilities. The lawyer was backed up by a lady mental health 'expert' from Brighton who is a sufferer from depression, who dodged the question and prevaricated saying we need to know the facts first.
BBC at its worst - all theory, be nice to all - and no practical debate.
BBC at its worst? Really? I didn't hear the interview, but as you've described it, it sounds like a very appropriate discussion.
Depression is incredibly complex - it's woven into the human condition and manifests itself differently in each individual. It's simply not the case that we can identify the depressed pilots and keep them out of the cockpit - If depressed people can't be pilots, then pilots won't admit they have depression. If we actually want to save lives and prevent something like this happening again, then we've got to figure out how to allow pilots who are *on the edge* to talk about their problems and reason them through without them knowing that doing so will automatically destroy their career.
In Australia Looks like a solid Coalition win in the NSW election this morning with a 9% swing to the ALP still leaving the Coalition ahead by 51 seats to the ALP's 30. A little comfort for Abbott after the recent Victoria and Queensland disasters, but mainly due to Premier Mike Baird's centrist record and the strong economy than anything he has done http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-28/live3a-2015-nsw-election-night/6354264
Governments, businesses, public sector organisations, charities and especially leaders and aspiring leaders can be assessed by the 3 Cs - Capacity. Capability and Competence.
If we look at EdM, he does not have the Capacity to do the job and the job implications and requirements are outwith his experience of academia and politics - all theory and no practical. Thus we do not know if he is a good picker of lieutenants and if he is a good delegator. Also he has little international experience (outside of Harvard academia which I know from experience is not very helpful here)
This naturally affects his Capability - especially shown by his ability to diagnose problems and his total inability to offer a practical solution. He tends to shoot from the hip (in many directions in the hope of hitting someone) like Wild West Marshall whose town is being overwhelmed by drunken and ruthless outlaws. Also he is astonished when he runs out of ammunition (not realising that each gun is limited to six-shots).
When Minister for Energy and Climate Change, he was not Competent, in that he totally failed to plot an Energy Plan for the UK that would enable future economic renewable energy and at the same time lead the UK to be energy self-sufficient. Perhaps he also failed to realise that such a plan was necessary and vital for the UK's economic future.
Unfortunately a lot of the above can describe the leaders of most of the rest of the Uk's party leaders (perhaps Farage is the exception in one area).
At one time, the Torys were people who had managerial experience of organisations and people and the responsibility for success or failure (Empire, military, businesses, estates), Labour were people who were doers - used to doing and making things very well and had pride in their work and often self-education. Both Labour and the Torys were competitive and aspirational. The LDs - well after being largely replaced by Labour became theorists.
Unfortunately over the last 50 years to 2015, we seemed to have lost the best of the attributes of the above and retained the worst bits - a result of too much welfare state??
Interesting to see the kippers up one (?Dudley North).
The Dozen are looking tough for Labour in the Midlands, which would fit with the psychological features. Midlanders are conventional and down to earth. They will vote for a sound economy over free owls.
I think Labour will do better in London though. The demographic changes documented by Sunil make it very likely.
"Very interesting statistic for Council By-elections in March"
That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little. You haven't even indicated how many by elections are included in your survey
lol
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander Roger = irritable cockney
No idea but raining in Ayrshire for sure. Hopefully it will clear up as I want to have a nice country walk this afternoon.
PS horrific to do that to a Scotch Egg
Much better to be in the fresh air than the hot air at the SECC.
Seems that Buckie flavoured sausages are popular, and the Strawberry flavour sausages that were sold for Wimbledon last year.
Unbelievable what some people will eat. Re political conferences , have never in my life had any inclination to attend any political event and especially party conferences. Fair play to anyone who is that interested mind you.
"JackW is the friendly highlander. Always willing to get his ARSE out for the lads"
Well tell him to steer clear of Old Compton St. It already seems to be suffering burn out
Is that why he wears the kilt when he visits Aberdeen? Some one should tell him only shepherds wear kilts and wellies there, the sheep know what the sound of a zip means.
Financier Still a few about, IDS and Dan Jarvis ex military, Archie Norman was a former Asda ceo etc but on trend you are right, now more politics grads and researchers and PR consultants and lecturers and journalists than ex miners and soldiers, and even the number of lawyers has shrunk too
If Miliband had any sense he would put a limit on the dividends to sharedholders and office holders not the profits. This would encourage firms to invest in the business not shareholders and directors pockets.
Similarly limiting directors and senior management pay in line with a value tied to average pay to employees would be a lot more sensible.
I'm more and more coming to the conclusion that a Tory Majority is nailed on. At least Foots ideas where coherent, if wrong. This guy is away with the fairies.
Luckily I'm in a seat where Labour have no chance so I'm still able to vote against the Tories. I would have to seriously consider voting Tory while holding my nose in a Lab/Tory marginal.
A Tory government will not be at all good for the country, but a Lab Lab/SNP one would be utterly disastrous.
OT Whilst driving to the office this morning and listening to R4, the mental state of the co-pilot was raised and how it could have been detected. Interviewed was a lady lawyer from Eversheds who went on and on about how one cannot discriminate between employees including those who may have physical or mental disabilities and that employers should offer them every means to be able to do their job.
Good theory but terrible in practice. As usual she promoted the care of one against the care of the many. Surely when there are employees who literally hold the balance of life and death of many in their hands, they should be near the top of their mental and physical required capabilities. The lawyer was backed up by a lady mental health 'expert' from Brighton who is a sufferer from depression, who dodged the question and prevaricated saying we need to know the facts first.
BBC at its worst - all theory, be nice to all - and no practical debate.
BBC at its worst? Really? I didn't hear the interview, but as you've described it, it sounds like a very appropriate discussion.
Depression is incredibly complex - it's woven into the human condition and manifests itself differently in each individual. It's simply not the case that we can identify the depressed pilots and keep them out of the cockpit - If depressed people can't be pilots, then pilots won't admit they have depression. If we actually want to save lives and prevent something like this happening again, then we've got to figure out how to allow pilots who are *on the edge* to talk about their problems and reason them through without them knowing that doing so will automatically destroy their career.
But it is a fact that many people do not like to talk about their problems until it is too late! We have to face up to the fact that some disabilities automatically disqualify a person from a job and this can happens due to circumstances or aging.
We have to go up high towers in refineries and buildings etc and so do not employ people who are physically disabled or have a fear of heights for such a job. It would be irresponsible for us to do so as an employer.
Governments, businesses, public sector organisations, charities and especially leaders and aspiring leaders can be assessed by the 3 Cs - Capacity. Capability and Competence.
If we look at EdM, he does not have the Capacity to do the job and the job implications and requirements are outwith his experience of academia and politics - all theory and no practical. Thus we do not know if he is a good picker of lieutenants and if he is a good delegator. Also he has little international experience (outside of Harvard academia which I know from experience is not very helpful here)
This naturally affects his Capability - especially shown by his ability to diagnose problems and his total inability to offer a practical solution. He tends to shoot from the hip (in many directions in the hope of hitting someone) like Wild West Marshall whose town is being overwhelmed by drunken and ruthless outlaws. Also he is astonished when he runs out of ammunition (not realising that each gun is limited to six-shots).
When Minister for Energy and Climate Change, he was not Competent, in that he totally failed to plot an Energy Plan for the UK that would enable future economic renewable energy and at the same time lead the UK to be energy self-sufficient. Perhaps he also failed to realise that such a plan was necessary and vital for the UK's economic future.
Unfortunately a lot of the above can describe the leaders of most of the rest of the Uk's party leaders (perhaps Farage is the exception in one area).
At one time, the Torys were people who had managerial experience of organisations and people and the responsibility for success or failure (Empire, military, businesses, estates), Labour were people who were doers - used to doing and making things very well and had pride in their work and often self-education. Both Labour and the Torys were competitive and aspirational. The LDs - well after being largely replaced by Labour became theorists.
Unfortunately over the last 50 years to 2015, we seemed to have lost the best of the attributes of the above and retained the worst bits - a result of too much welfare state??
It is the rise of the SPAD, who has triumphed over those with any sort of management experience, whether Council, Trade Union or business.
Though really it is the senior civil servants who need to be the managers, while ministers decide.
What worries me most about Miliband and Balls is that they have not properly thought through an agreed plan. It is going to be a terrible muddle, particularly if a minority govt.
OT Whilst driving to the office this morning and listening to R4, the mental state of the co-pilot was raised and how it could have been detected. Interviewed was a lady lawyer from Eversheds who went on and on about how one cannot discriminate between employees including those who may have physical or mental disabilities and that employers should offer them every means to be able to do their job.
Good theory but terrible in practice. As usual she promoted the care of one against the care of the many. Surely when there are employees who literally hold the balance of life and death of many in their hands, they should be near the top of their mental and physical required capabilities. The lawyer was backed up by a lady mental health 'expert' from Brighton who is a sufferer from depression, who dodged the question and prevaricated saying we need to know the facts first.
BBC at its worst - all theory, be nice to all - and no practical debate.
BBC at its worst? Really? I didn't hear the interview, but as you've described it, it sounds like a very appropriate discussion.
Depression is incredibly complex - it's woven into the human condition and manifests itself differently in each individual. It's simply not the case that we can identify the depressed pilots and keep them out of the cockpit - If depressed people can't be pilots, then pilots won't admit they have depression. If we actually want to save lives and prevent something like this happening again, then we've got to figure out how to allow pilots who are *on the edge* to talk about their problems and reason them through without them knowing that doing so will automatically destroy their career.
But it is a fact that many people do not like to talk about their problems until it is too late! We have to face up to the fact that some disabilities automatically disqualify a person from a job and this can happens due to circumstances or aging.
We have to go up high towers in refineries and buildings etc and so do not employ people who are physically disabled or have a fear of heights for such a job. It would be irresponsible for us to do so as an employer.
Assuming he was actually taking his medication, that ought to have shown up in drug tests carried out on him.
If he hid a condition and its medication on the railways his feet wouldn't touch the ground when the drug test results came in.
If Miliband had any sense he would put a limit on the dividends to sharedholders and office holders not the profits. This would encourage firms to invest in the business not shareholders and directors pockets.
Similarly limiting directors and senior management pay in line with a value tied to average pay to employees would be a lot more sensible.
I'm more and more coming to the conclusion that a Tory Majority is nailed on. At least Foots ideas where coherent, if wrong. This guy is away with the fairies.
Luckily I'm in a seat where Labour have no chance so I'm still able to vote against the Tories. I would have to seriously consider voting Tory while holding my nose in a Lab/Tory marginal.
A Tory government will not be at all good for the country, but a Lab Lab/SNP one would be utterly disastrous.
Investment is now very much a global choice as a UK one - also whether to invest for capital growth or income or a good bit of both. If you had the odd million or so to invest, would you want the income from that investment to be limited by government edict? Of course that policy would affect all company and private pensions.
"Is that why he wears the kilt when he visits Aberdeen? Some one should tell him only shepherds wear kilts and wellies there, the sheep know what the sound of a zip means."
A highlander with a sheep over his shoulder bumps into a friend.
Malc you are just like Wodger, no sense of humour.. of course its gone viral and been watched nearly a million times, but of course I guess you think none of them has a sense of humour either.
I'm more and more coming to the conclusion that a Tory Majority is nailed on. At least Foots ideas where coherent, if wrong. This guy is away with the fairies.
Perhaps you'd like to give your thoughts on which seats the Conservatives will gain for this 'nailed on' majority ?
I can't quite get why Labour are so keen to encourage transfer pricing techniques in the health sector. Still, accountants and lawyers are always grateful for the extra work.
Malc you are just like Wodger, no sense of humour.. of course its gone viral and been watched nearly a million times, but of course I guess you think none of them has a sense of humour either.
Just don't find sad middle aged saddo's funny. You kid yourself that you and the childish sheeple you mention have a sense of humour , just keep baaing and idolising sad twats. I will continue to laugh at such types of dull herd creatures.
Malc you are just like Wodger, no sense of humour.. of course its gone viral and been watched nearly a million times, but of course I guess you think none of them has a sense of humour either.
Just don't find sad middle aged saddo's funny. You kid yourself that you and the childish sheeple you mention have a sense of humour , just keep baaing and idolising sad twats. I will continue to laugh at such types of dull herd creatures.
Malcc. its not Clarkson that's funny, its the cleverness of the guy who did it to produce what he did, but hey you are a dour and sour scot, so I guess there's no convincing you ..
I'm more and more coming to the conclusion that a Tory Majority is nailed on. At least Foots ideas where coherent, if wrong. This guy is away with the fairies.
Perhaps you'd like to give your thoughts on which seats the Conservatives will gain for this 'nailed on' majority ?
OT Whilst driving to the office this morning and listening to R4, the mental state of the co-pilot was raised and how it could have been detected. Interviewed was a lady lawyer from Eversheds who went on and on about how one cannot discriminate between employees including those who may have physical or mental disabilities and that employers should offer them every means to be able to do their job.
Good theory but terrible in practice. As usual she promoted the care of one against the care of the many. Surely when there are employees who literally hold the balance of life and death of many in their hands, they should be near the top of their mental and physical required capabilities. The lawyer was backed up by a lady mental health 'expert' from Brighton who is a sufferer from depression, who dodged the question and prevaricated saying we need to know the facts first.
BBC at its worst - all theory, be nice to all - and no practical debate.
BBC at its worst? Really? I didn't hear the interview, but as you've described it, it sounds like a very appropriate discussion.
Depression is incredibly complex - it's woven into the human condition and manifests itself differently in each individual. It's simply not the case that we can identify the depressed pilots and keep them out of the cockpit - If depressed people can't be pilots, then pilots won't admit they have depression. If we actually want to save lives and prevent something like this happening again, then we've got to figure out how to allow pilots who are *on the edge* to talk about their problems and reason them through without them knowing that doing so will automatically destroy their career.
But it is a fact that many people do not like to talk about their problems until it is too late! We have to face up to the fact that some disabilities automatically disqualify a person from a job and this can happens due to circumstances or aging.
We have to go up high towers in refineries and buildings etc and so do not employ people who are physically disabled or have a fear of heights for such a job. It would be irresponsible for us to do so as an employer.
It is important that employees under stress have an appropriate means to get assistance.
The Telegraph had an interesting article giving the build up to Clarksons sacking:
Pilots have a reputation for machismo, so need a way to get help. A stiff upper lip is a good coping mechanism up to a point, but reaches a very brittle endpoint. The snap is total when it happens.
"I can't quite get why Labour are so keen to encourage transfer pricing techniques in the health sector....."
They're not. They're looking for a USP and they've decided to go left which though it might throw up a few incoherent ideas is almost certainly Labour's best chance. All the normal avenues for attacking the government are closed. The Tories have been lucky with the economy
I'm more and more coming to the conclusion that a Tory Majority is nailed on. At least Foots ideas where coherent, if wrong. This guy is away with the fairies.
Perhaps you'd like to give your thoughts on which seats the Conservatives will gain for this 'nailed on' majority ?
If they hold onto all their existing seats and win the con/libdem marginals (most of which were solid tory until the 1997 election) they have a majoresque majority.
They won 306 seats in 2010 and lost three in by-elections. 1 to Lab 2 to UKIP.
So if you want a list:
Solihull Dorset West Wells St Austell Sutton and Cheam St Ives Somerton and Frome Chippenham Berwick Cornwall North Cheadle Eastbourne Brecon Eastleigh Taunton Deane Torbay Cheltenham Portsmouth South Carshalton Berwickshire Devon North Southport Hazel Grove Colchester Thornbury Kingston Lewes Bath Twickenham
=332 Tory seats if they hold their 303 remaining seats.
= C Majority 14
=Real majority 20 after SF/Speaker.
I also suspect they may win a few more off Labour in the midlands.
Interesting to see the kippers up one (?Dudley North).
The Dozen are looking tough for Labour in the Midlands, which would fit with the psychological features. Midlanders are conventional and down to earth. They will vote for a sound economy over free owls.
I think Labour will do better in London though. The demographic changes documented by Sunil make it very likely.
The only area where Labour has some traction is inner London and this diminishes through the outer suburbs of Greater London.
Outside of London in the south Labour are struggling badly and this picture continues through the Midlands and the north of England. There is a chink of light shining through my ARSE in Scotland where Labour will not quite face the wipeout that some polls presently indicate.
Overall Labour are facing a net loss of seats from 2010.
OT Whilst driving to the office this morning and listening to R4, the mental state of the co-pilot was raised and how it could have been detected. Interviewed was a lady lawyer from Eversheds who went on and on about how one cannot discriminate between employees including those who may have physical or mental disabilities and that employers should offer them every means to be able to do their job.
Good theory but terrible in practice. As usual she promoted the care of one against the care of the many. Surely when there are employees who literally hold the balance of life and death of many in their hands, they should be near the top of their mental and physical required capabilities. The lawyer was backed up by a lady mental health 'expert' from Brighton who is a sufferer from depression, who dodged the question and prevaricated saying we need to know the facts first.
BBC at its worst - all theory, be nice to all - and no practical debate.
BBC at its worst? Really? I didn't hear the interview, but as you've described it, it sounds like a very appropriate discussion.
Depression is incredibly complex - it's woven into the human condition and manifests itself differently in each individual. It's simply not the case that we can identify the depressed pilots and keep them out of the cockpit - If depressed people can't be pilots, then pilots won't admit they have depression. If we actually want to save lives and prevent something like this happening again, then we've got to figure out how to allow pilots who are *on the edge* to talk about their problems and reason them through without them knowing that doing so will automatically destroy their career.
Pong, that is an excellent post. There is an article in the Times today which says, basically, that the only screening that pilots get for depression "is a chat with their GP". It doesn't matter how skilled the GP (or any doctor) is, or how much time they have with the patient; if the consequences of revealing any diagnosis or condition (alcohol, domestic stress, depression, cancer, epilepsy .....) would mean the end of a career or way of life, then it won't be revealed.
We won't move forward till the threat of expulsion is removed and better support and a public attitude to mental health is introduced.
JackW, why do you think Labour will do a bit better in Scotland than the polls suggest? The polls in Scotland have been astonishingly consistent for months now.
Malc you are just like Wodger, no sense of humour.. of course its gone viral and been watched nearly a million times, but of course I guess you think none of them has a sense of humour either.
Just don't find sad middle aged saddo's funny. You kid yourself that you and the childish sheeple you mention have a sense of humour , just keep baaing and idolising sad twats. I will continue to laugh at such types of dull herd creatures.
Malcc. its not Clarkson that's funny, its the cleverness of the guy who did it to produce what he did, but hey you are a dour and sour scot, so I guess there's no convincing you ..
I know the work is good but the subject is dross, and I have no idea what sense of humour has to do with the guy's production skills. You seem to have a strange idea of what having a sense of humour means. Your pathetic use of dull caricatures further marks you as a juvenile. Perhaps when you grow up , your intelligence and knowledge increases you will understand the difference.
Interesting to see the kippers up one (?Dudley North).
The Dozen are looking tough for Labour in the Midlands, which would fit with the psychological features. Midlanders are conventional and down to earth. They will vote for a sound economy over free owls.
I think Labour will do better in London though. The demographic changes documented by Sunil make it very likely.
The only area where Labour has some traction is inner London and this diminishes through the outer suburbs of Greater London.
Outside of London in the south Labour are struggling badly and this picture continues through the Midlands and the north of England. There is a chink of light shining through my ARSE in Scotland where Labour will not quite face the wipeout that some polls presently indicate.
Overall Labour are facing a net loss of seats from 2010.
The Guardian poll says Labour are on course to gain all 8 London targets from the Tories including Croydon Central.
Other seats near the suburbs such as Ealing Central and Acton with a 4000 majority for the Cons are also set to fall,the poll suggests.
And the two Lib Dem seats likely to fall are the seats in Brent.
Malc you are just like Wodger, no sense of humour.. of course its gone viral and been watched nearly a million times, but of course I guess you think none of them has a sense of humour either.
Just don't find sad middle aged saddo's funny. You kid yourself that you and the childish sheeple you mention have a sense of humour , just keep baaing and idolising sad twats. I will continue to laugh at such types of dull herd creatures.
Malcc. its not Clarkson that's funny, its the cleverness of the guy who did it to produce what he did, but hey you are a dour and sour scot, so I guess there's no convincing you ..
I know the work is good but the subject is dross, and I have no idea what sense of humour has to do with the guy's production skills. You seem to have a strange idea of what having a sense of humour means. Your pathetic use of dull caricatures further marks you as a juvenile. Perhaps when you grow up , your intelligence and knowledge increases you will understand the difference.
The sky news budget one was brilliant I thought, this top gear one is pretty crap.
I can't quite get why Labour are so keen to encourage transfer pricing techniques in the health sector. Still, accountants and lawyers are always grateful for the extra work.
It's barmy - rebates, management fees, foreign parents, overhead recharging methods, internal costs, transfer pricing as you say, contingencies built into projects. Labour can't have a management accountant amongst them, there are many many ways to skin 5%.
I'm more and more coming to the conclusion that a Tory Majority is nailed on. At least Foots ideas where coherent, if wrong. This guy is away with the fairies.
Perhaps you'd like to give your thoughts on which seats the Conservatives will gain for this 'nailed on' majority ?
If they hold onto all their existing seats and win the con/libdem marginals (most of which were solid tory until the 1997 election) they have a majoresque majority.
They won 306 seats in 2010 and lost three in by-elections. 1 to Lab 2 to UKIP.
So if you want a list:
Solihull Dorset West Wells St Austell Sutton and Cheam St Ives Somerton and Frome Chippenham Berwick Cornwall North Cheadle Eastbourne Brecon Eastleigh Taunton Deane Torbay Cheltenham Portsmouth South Carshalton Berwickshire Devon North Southport Hazel Grove Colchester Thornbury Kingston Lewes Bath Twickenham
=332 Tory seats if they hold their 303 remaining seats.
= C Majority 14
=Real majority 20 after SF/Speaker.
I also suspect they may win a few more off Labour in the midlands.
So for a narrow Conservative majority you're making two assumptions:
1) The Conservatives will gain every possible seat from the LibDems. 2) They won't lose anything to Labour
That's a brave prediction, a very brave prediction.
Interesting to see the kippers up one (?Dudley North).
The Dozen are looking tough for Labour in the Midlands, which would fit with the psychological features. Midlanders are conventional and down to earth. They will vote for a sound economy over free owls.
I think Labour will do better in London though. The demographic changes documented by Sunil make it very likely.
The only area where Labour has some traction is inner London and this diminishes through the outer suburbs of Greater London.
I think you're wrong there Jack.
Its outer London where demographic change is helping Labour while inner London solidifies into blocks of extremes of wealth and voting.
Its possible that every constituency in the old ILEA are will have a majority of over 5000 this year.
I can't quite get why Labour are so keen to encourage transfer pricing techniques in the health sector. Still, accountants and lawyers are always grateful for the extra work.
It's barmy - rebates, management fees, foreign parents, overhead recharging methods, internal costs, transfer pricing as you say, contingencies built into projects. Labour can't have a management accountant amongst them, there are many many ways to skin 5%.
The only Labour frontbencher with any substantial private sector experience is Rachel Reeves. If you're feeling charitable, you could mention Chuka Umunna too. It really shows in policies like this.
JackW, why do you think Labour will do a bit better in Scotland than the polls suggest? The polls in Scotland have been astonishingly consistent for months now.
Remember my ARSE is not a nowcast but a forecast for 7th May. Without going into too much detail of my Scottish methodology there are a number of salient factors that will assist SLAB.
Firstly despite polling and by-election reverses SLAB general election performances have always been remarkably steady over the years and show a resilience that often defy conventional wisdom - note the last general election.
I also expect the campaign to dent the SNP surge at the margin sufficiently to allow SLAB to hold back the worst aspects of the coming tide. It's going to be bad for SLAB but not quite the meltdown.
I also believe SLAB might deploy Gordon Brown, as they did in the last weeks of the referendum, to energize SLAB inclined voters. Despite all the opprobrium, must of it justified, the former PM remain a combative and effective performer in Scotland, where he retains much of his popularity.
JackW, why do you think Labour will do a bit better in Scotland than the polls suggest? The polls in Scotland have been astonishingly consistent for months now.
Remember my ARSE is not a nowcast but a forecast for 7th May. Without going into too much detail of my Scottish methodology there are a number of salient factors that will assist SLAB.
Firstly despite polling and by-election reverses SLAB general election performances have always been remarkably steady over the years and show a resilience that often defy conventional wisdom - note the last general election.
I also expect the campaign to dent the SNP surge at the margin sufficiently to allow SLAB to hold back the worst aspects of the coming tide. It's going to be bad for SLAB but not quite the meltdown.
I also believe SLAB might deploy Gordon Brown, as they did in the last weeks of the referendum, to energize SLAB inclined voters. Despite all the opprobrium, must of it justified, the former PM remain a combative and effective performer in Scotland, where he retains much of his popularity.
Interesting to see the kippers up one (?Dudley North).
The Dozen are looking tough for Labour in the Midlands, which would fit with the psychological features. Midlanders are conventional and down to earth. They will vote for a sound economy over free owls.
I think Labour will do better in London though. The demographic changes documented by Sunil make it very likely.
The only area where Labour has some traction is inner London and this diminishes through the outer suburbs of Greater London.
Outside of London in the south Labour are struggling badly and this picture continues through the Midlands and the north of England. There is a chink of light shining through my ARSE in Scotland where Labour will not quite face the wipeout that some polls presently indicate.
Overall Labour are facing a net loss of seats from 2010.
The Guardian poll says Labour are on course to gain all 8 London targets from the Tories including Croydon Central.
Other seats near the suburbs such as Ealing Central and Acton with a 4000 majority for the Cons are also set to fall,the poll suggests.
And the two Lib Dem seats likely to fall are the seats in Brent.
If the Guardian poll is accurate for 7th May then much of what you say will come true.
My ARSE says not and we will be able to judge on 8th May how spectacularly accurate it was.
I'm more and more coming to the conclusion that a Tory Majority is nailed on. At least Foots ideas where coherent, if wrong. This guy is away with the fairies.
Perhaps you'd like to give your thoughts on which seats the Conservatives will gain for this 'nailed on' majority ?
If they hold onto all their existing seats and win the con/libdem marginals (most of which were solid tory until the 1997 election) they have a majoresque majority.
They won 306 seats in 2010 and lost three in by-elections. 1 to Lab 2 to UKIP.
So if you want a list:
Solihull Dorset West Wells St Austell Sutton and Cheam St Ives Somerton and Frome Chippenham Berwick Cornwall North Cheadle Eastbourne Brecon Eastleigh Taunton Deane Torbay Cheltenham Portsmouth South Carshalton Berwickshire Devon North Southport Hazel Grove Colchester Thornbury Kingston Lewes Bath Twickenham
=332 Tory seats if they hold their 303 remaining seats.
= C Majority 14
=Real majority 20 after SF/Speaker.
I also suspect they may win a few more off Labour in the midlands.
So for a narrow Conservative majority you're making two assumptions:
1) The Conservatives will gain every possible seat from the LibDems. 2) They won't lose anything to Labour
That's a brave prediction, a very brave prediction.
Something astonishing would need to happen in the next five weeks, thats for sure. To pick one example, out of the air, how on earth are Cons going to hold Broxtowe?
"Is that why he wears the kilt when he visits Aberdeen? Some one should tell him only shepherds wear kilts and wellies there, the sheep know what the sound of a zip means."
A highlander with a sheep over his shoulder bumps into a friend.
"Are you shearin'?"
'No. Go find your own"
Twa shepherds in the Highlands, one said "I lost my virginity over yon" The ither said "Aye" "Aye, ain her mither was by yon tree watchin" "Watchin, did she no hae somethin to say? " " Aye, Baaa"
I do hope that everyone on PB, contributers and lurkers both, are looking forward the the new Festival on May 8th. No, I'm not talking about the GE results, but the burning of the pollsters, after their forecasts all prove to be woefully wrong. An Auto de Fe to go down in history.....
Among those pollsters is our own JackW. Jackus, prepare to have your bum burned.
I'm more and more coming to the conclusion that a Tory Majority is nailed on. At least Foots ideas where coherent, if wrong. This guy is away with the fairies.
Perhaps you'd like to give your thoughts on which seats the Conservatives will gain for this 'nailed on' majority ?
If they hold onto all their existing seats and win the con/libdem marginals (most of which were solid tory until the 1997 election) they have a majoresque majority.
They won 306 seats in 2010 and lost three in by-elections. 1 to Lab 2 to UKIP.
So if you want a list:
Solihull Dorset West Wells St Austell Sutton and Cheam St Ives Somerton and Frome Chippenham Berwick Cornwall North Cheadle Eastbourne Brecon Eastleigh Taunton Deane Torbay Cheltenham Portsmouth South Carshalton Berwickshire Devon North Southport Hazel Grove Colchester Thornbury Kingston Lewes Bath Twickenham
=332 Tory seats if they hold their 303 remaining seats.
= C Majority 14
=Real majority 20 after SF/Speaker.
I also suspect they may win a few more off Labour in the midlands.
So for a narrow Conservative majority you're making two assumptions:
1) The Conservatives will gain every possible seat from the LibDems. 2) They won't lose anything to Labour
That's a brave prediction, a very brave prediction.
Something astonishing would need to happen in the next five weeks, thats for sure. To pick one example, out of the air, how on earth are Cons going to hold Broxtowe?
For what it's worth (not much), my hunch is that Broxtowe may be a close run thing. That is apparently JackW's view too.
Interesting to see the kippers up one (?Dudley North).
The Dozen are looking tough for Labour in the Midlands, which would fit with the psychological features. Midlanders are conventional and down to earth. They will vote for a sound economy over free owls.
I think Labour will do better in London though. The demographic changes documented by Sunil make it very likely.
The only area where Labour has some traction is inner London and this diminishes through the outer suburbs of Greater London.
Outside of London in the south Labour are struggling badly and this picture continues through the Midlands and the north of England. There is a chink of light shining through my ARSE in Scotland where Labour will not quite face the wipeout that some polls presently indicate.
Overall Labour are facing a net loss of seats from 2010.
The Guardian poll says Labour are on course to gain all 8 London targets from the Tories including Croydon Central.
Other seats near the suburbs such as Ealing Central and Acton with a 4000 majority for the Cons are also set to fall,the poll suggests.
And the two Lib Dem seats likely to fall are the seats in Brent.
If the Guardian poll is accurate for 7th May then much of what you say will come true.
My ARSE says not and we will be able to judge on 8th May how spectacularly accurate it was.
Anecdotally, the first debate registered as an interesting event with my non-political peer groups (young people at work, my poker circle) - people who don't usually pay anything attention at all to politics (one colleague last week was surprised to hear I was standing, and asked if it was as an independent). Several had seen it, others had talked to people who had. They'd vaguely registered that Paxman had a good run and Miliband was better than they'd heard.
How can anyone working in a NGO be classed as "non-political" the whole existence of their organisation exists solely for at the largesse of governmental bodies and their placepeople who run the organisations.
"Very interesting statistic for Council By-elections in March"
That might be interesting to the village folk in Easterross but to us city folks with more enquiring minds it tells us very little. You haven't even indicated how many by elections are included in your survey
lol
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander Roger = irritable cockney
No idea but raining in Ayrshire for sure. Hopefully it will clear up as I want to have a nice country walk this afternoon.
PS horrific to do that to a Scotch Egg
Much better to be in the fresh air than the hot air at the SECC.
Seems that Buckie flavoured sausages are popular, and the Strawberry flavour sausages that were sold for Wimbledon last year.
Unbelievable what some people will eat. Re political conferences , have never in my life had any inclination to attend any political event and especially party conferences. Fair play to anyone who is that interested mind you.
Yip, and look at how many actually believed "Scotland's Future" or are buying "The Dream Will Never Die"
I can't quite get why Labour are so keen to encourage transfer pricing techniques in the health sector. Still, accountants and lawyers are always grateful for the extra work.
It's barmy - rebates, management fees, foreign parents, overhead recharging methods, internal costs, transfer pricing as you say, contingencies built into projects. Labour can't have a management accountant amongst them, there are many many ways to skin 5%.
And businesses more likely to indulge in the wider excesses of creative accountancy would be the ones to get the contracts.
Good morning everyone and Roger. Another good thread Herders. The Farage performance will indeed be one of the key things in the coming debates. It will also be interesting to see if Nicola Sturgeon and her fellow Celtic witches turn their combined fire on Miliband, he being the potential source of most increase in support for them. Will people feel sorry for Clegg and will Clegg and Cameron virtually work as a double act since they are jointly defending their record.
However getting things into proportion, clearly the main event of today comes at 9am with the latest ARSE. How long until Broxtowe moves from TCTC to probable Tory hold.
Wouldn't want to be out canvassing today. It is absolutely pishing down up here in Easter Ross.
I would expect that Sturgeon, Wood and possibly Bennett will work together tactically. Sturgeon will go out for Cameron while Wood and Bennett tear Miliwonk a new one.
I still don't fully understand why the SNP and Plaid both have reps when they have long-term electoral and parliamentary alliance. Other than a lack of understanding about Wales and Scotland amongst the Media/Westminster Bubble.
One or two may be out of order but that's the general trend - Cornwall North through to Bath may all be tight. Lack of incumbency is why I think Bath could drop - see Winchester last time.
I'm more and more coming to the conclusion that a Tory Majority is nailed on. At least Foots ideas where coherent, if wrong. This guy is away with the fairies.
Perhaps you'd like to give your thoughts on which seats the Conservatives will gain for this 'nailed on' majority ?
If they hold onto all their existing seats and win the con/libdem marginals (most of which were solid tory until the 1997 election) they have a majoresque majority.
They won 306 seats in 2010 and lost three in by-elections. 1 to Lab 2 to UKIP.
So if you want a list:
Solihull Dorset West Wells St Austell Sutton and Cheam St Ives Somerton and Frome Chippenham Berwick Cornwall North Cheadle Eastbourne Brecon Eastleigh Taunton Deane Torbay Cheltenham Portsmouth South Carshalton Berwickshire Devon North Southport Hazel Grove Colchester Thornbury Kingston Lewes Bath Twickenham
=332 Tory seats if they hold their 303 remaining seats.
= C Majority 14
=Real majority 20 after SF/Speaker.
I also suspect they may win a few more off Labour in the midlands.
So for a narrow Conservative majority you're making two assumptions:
1) The Conservatives will gain every possible seat from the LibDems. 2) They won't lose anything to Labour
That's a brave prediction, a very brave prediction.
Something astonishing would need to happen in the next five weeks, thats for sure. To pick one example, out of the air, how on earth are Cons going to hold Broxtowe?
I seem to recall similar sentiments here in 2010 about them gaining it in the first place.
Im expecting differential turnout. Millipede is not exactly firing Labour supporters with enthusiasm while the thought of a Miliband government, especially one with Salmond pulling the strings will make tory inclined voters who haven't voted since 1992 turnout and cause blue kippers in marginals to vote tory while holding their noses.
Interesting to see the kippers up one (?Dudley North).
The Dozen are looking tough for Labour in the Midlands, which would fit with the psychological features. Midlanders are conventional and down to earth. They will vote for a sound economy over free owls.
I think Labour will do better in London though. The demographic changes documented by Sunil make it very likely.
The only area where Labour has some traction is inner London and this diminishes through the outer suburbs of Greater London.
I think you're wrong there Jack.
Its outer London where demographic change is helping Labour while inner London solidifies into blocks of extremes of wealth and voting.
Its possible that every constituency in the old ILEA are will have a majority of over 5000 this year.
The picture in London is not as clear cut as it might appear.
Not every part of inner London is stuffed with oligarchs and attendant British fellow travellers and it's my contention that we shall see a ripple effect from Guardianista Metropolitan London that fails to hold sway in the aspirational suburbs where the "Fatcha Grandkids" are still a factor.
I also expect to see something of a differential turnout that will assist the Conservatives motivated by the "Kinnock light bulb effect" of Ed Miliband and in a pincer movement some Labour inclined voters will sit on their hands or add a few points to the Green score.
"I also believe SLAB might deploy Gordon Brown, as they did in the last weeks of the referendum, to energize SLAB inclined voters. Despite all the opprobrium, must of it justified, the former PM remain a combative and effective performer in Scotland, where he retains much of his popularity."
It's always surprising to wander round Scottish cities like Aberdeen and see 'The Gordon Brown Buildings' Gordon Brown Avenue Gordon Brown Passage etc etc. The man was a Colossus
Not surprising news, but the Sun have really got it in for Ed
Tom Newton Dunn (@tnewtondunn) 28/03/2015 10:21 The Sun Says today: Miliband's blunt message to The Sun and our readers - he doesn't like us, or you. pic.twitter.com/EGCA8d32xE
Comments
They tell us that whenever there's a real election with real voters labour's performance is below its poll score. Sometimes way below.
This is something that all left inclined posters conveniently ignore.
This was my very point a week or so ago when I stated I really dislike "soaps box" TV debates because everyone claims their man / woman won and you simply end up arguing about trivia.
So it comes to pass
enquiring minds need I remind what we learned this week
Easterross = friendly highlander
Roger = irritable cockney
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3010236/Unfriendly-Maybe-s-m-Londoner-Psychologists-identify-irritable-Cockneys-nice-Scots-anxious-Welsh.html
"You are an angry man this morning Roger, was the Hollandaise sauce on your Eggs Benedict not up to scratch or has your butler got the weekend off? "
I'm not at all angry! Infact I'm just listening to 'Working Mans Blues' incase I forget what the struggle is for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPPbQexwTR4
H/T. Jeff Dunham
;-)
I'd have thought Dylan was your thing? Reminds you of long forgotten days on Oxford Road at Johnny Roadhouse
begorrah.
ps why did you cause that famine ?
delicate flowers apparently
22 minutes 22 seconds
"ps why did you cause that famine ? "
Only the Irish could run out of potatoes.
PS. Take a look at that Dylan clip. It's got got every lefty cause you can think of.
The BBC have long past their charter sell by date.
Good theory but terrible in practice. As usual she promoted the care of one against the care of the many. Surely when there are employees who literally hold the balance of life and death of many in their hands, they should be near the top of their mental and physical required capabilities. The lawyer was backed up by a lady mental health 'expert' from Brighton who is a sufferer from depression, who dodged the question and prevaricated saying we need to know the facts first.
BBC at its worst - all theory, be nice to all - and no practical debate.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/virals/11499092/Jeremy-Clarksons-last-Top-Gear-performance-revealed.html
I've italicised the key comment - do you not think that's the purpose of the policy?
JackW is the friendly highlander. Always willing to get his ARSE out for the lads.
If it is then it will drive up the waiting lists
Forget about Deep Fried Mars bars, the latest thing is this :
Duns butcher creates scotch egg with chocolate twist - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-32069147
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest ARSE with added APLOMB 2015 General Election and "JackW Dozen" Projections. (Changes From 24th March Projection) :
Con 310 (NC) .. Lab 246 (NC) .. LibDem 32 (NC) .. SNP 35 (-1) .. PC 2 .. NI 18 .. UKIP 4 (+1) .. Respect 1 .. Green 1 .. Ind 0 .. Speaker 1
Conservatives 16 seats short of a majority
......................................................................................
"JackW Dozen" - 13 seats that will shape the General Election result :
Bury North - Con Hold
Pudsey - Likely Con Hold
Broxtowe - TCTC
Warwickshire North - Likely Con Hold from TCTC
Cambridge - LibDem Hold
Ipswich - Con Hold
Watford - TCTC
Croydon Central - Con Hold
Enfield North - TCTC
Cornwall North - TCTC
Great Yarmouth - Con Hold
Vale of Glamorgan - Con Hold
Ochil and South Perthshire - SNP Gain
Changes From 24 Mar - Warwickshire North moves from TCTC to Likely Con GAIN.
TCTC - Too Close To Call - Less than 500 votes
Likely Hold/Gain - 500 - 2500 votes
Gain/Hold - Over 2500
.......................................................................................
ARSE is sponsored by Auchentennach Fine Pies (Est 1745)
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division
JNN - Jacobite News Network
ARSE - Anonymous Random Selection of Electors
APLOMB - Auchentennach Pies Leading Outsales Mainland Britain
PS horrific to do that to a Scotch Egg
"WATCH THE VIDEO. ITS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT"
NO IT ISN'T!
Seems that Buckie flavoured sausages are popular, and the Strawberry flavour sausages that were sold for Wimbledon last year.
"JackW is the friendly highlander. Always willing to get his ARSE out for the lads"
Well tell him to steer clear of Old Compton St. It already seems to be suffering burn out
Depression is incredibly complex - it's woven into the human condition and manifests itself differently in each individual. It's simply not the case that we can identify the depressed pilots and keep them out of the cockpit - If depressed people can't be pilots, then pilots won't admit they have depression. If we actually want to save lives and prevent something like this happening again, then we've got to figure out how to allow pilots who are *on the edge* to talk about their problems and reason them through without them knowing that doing so will automatically destroy their career.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-28/live3a-2015-nsw-election-night/6354264
If we look at EdM, he does not have the Capacity to do the job and the job implications and requirements are outwith his experience of academia and politics - all theory and no practical. Thus we do not know if he is a good picker of lieutenants and if he is a good delegator. Also he has little international experience (outside of Harvard academia which I know from experience is not very helpful here)
This naturally affects his Capability - especially shown by his ability to diagnose problems and his total inability to offer a practical solution. He tends to shoot from the hip (in many directions in the hope of hitting someone) like Wild West Marshall whose town is being overwhelmed by drunken and ruthless outlaws. Also he is astonished when he runs out of ammunition (not realising that each gun is limited to six-shots).
When Minister for Energy and Climate Change, he was not Competent, in that he totally failed to plot an Energy Plan for the UK that would enable future economic renewable energy and at the same time lead the UK to be energy self-sufficient. Perhaps he also failed to realise that such a plan was necessary and vital for the UK's economic future.
Unfortunately a lot of the above can describe the leaders of most of the rest of the Uk's party leaders (perhaps Farage is the exception in one area).
At one time, the Torys were people who had managerial experience of organisations and people and the responsibility for success or failure (Empire, military, businesses, estates),
Labour were people who were doers - used to doing and making things very well and had pride in their work and often self-education. Both Labour and the Torys were competitive and aspirational.
The LDs - well after being largely replaced by Labour became theorists.
Unfortunately over the last 50 years to 2015, we seemed to have lost the best of the attributes of the above and retained the worst bits - a result of too much welfare state??
A very revealing ARSE!
Interesting to see the kippers up one (?Dudley North).
The Dozen are looking tough for Labour in the Midlands, which would fit with the psychological features. Midlanders are conventional and down to earth. They will vote for a sound economy over free owls.
I think Labour will do better in London though. The demographic changes documented by Sunil make it very likely.
Easterross=friendly highlander
http://celebrityink.eu/image/cache/data/3134F-1000x1000.jpg
Similarly limiting directors and senior management pay in line with a value tied to average pay to employees would be a lot more sensible.
I'm more and more coming to the conclusion that a Tory Majority is nailed on. At least Foots ideas where coherent, if wrong. This guy is away with the fairies.
Luckily I'm in a seat where Labour have no chance so I'm still able to vote against the Tories. I would have to seriously consider voting Tory while holding my nose in a Lab/Tory marginal.
A Tory government will not be at all good for the country, but a Lab Lab/SNP one would be utterly disastrous.
We have to go up high towers in refineries and buildings etc and so do not employ people who are physically disabled or have a fear of heights for such a job. It would be irresponsible for us to do so as an employer.
Though really it is the senior civil servants who need to be the managers, while ministers decide.
What worries me most about Miliband and Balls is that they have not properly thought through an agreed plan. It is going to be a terrible muddle, particularly if a minority govt.
If he hid a condition and its medication on the railways his feet wouldn't touch the ground when the drug test results came in.
A highlander with a sheep over his shoulder bumps into a friend.
"Are you shearin'?"
'No. Go find your own"
The ONS gives these changes during the last eight years:
Retail spending +12%
Industrial production -11%
Government debt +£959bn
Perhaps that's why we no longer hear talk of economic rebalancing.
What happens when the next recession occurs ?
The Telegraph had an interesting article giving the build up to Clarksons sacking:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11497271/Jeremy-Clarkson-sacked-the-real-reason-he-punched-a-man-over-steak.html
Pilots have a reputation for machismo, so need a way to get help. A stiff upper lip is a good coping mechanism up to a point, but reaches a very brittle endpoint. The snap is total when it happens.
"I can't quite get why Labour are so keen to encourage transfer pricing techniques in the health sector....."
They're not. They're looking for a USP and they've decided to go left which though it might throw up a few incoherent ideas is almost certainly Labour's best chance. All the normal avenues for attacking the government are closed. The Tories have been lucky with the economy
They won 306 seats in 2010 and lost three in by-elections. 1 to Lab 2 to UKIP.
So if you want a list:
Solihull
Dorset West
Wells
St Austell
Sutton and Cheam
St Ives
Somerton and Frome
Chippenham
Berwick
Cornwall North
Cheadle
Eastbourne
Brecon
Eastleigh
Taunton Deane
Torbay
Cheltenham
Portsmouth South
Carshalton
Berwickshire
Devon North
Southport
Hazel Grove
Colchester
Thornbury
Kingston
Lewes
Bath
Twickenham
=332 Tory seats if they hold their 303 remaining seats.
= C Majority 14
=Real majority 20 after SF/Speaker.
I also suspect they may win a few more off Labour in the midlands.
Outside of London in the south Labour are struggling badly and this picture continues through the Midlands and the north of England. There is a chink of light shining through my ARSE in Scotland where Labour will not quite face the wipeout that some polls presently indicate.
Overall Labour are facing a net loss of seats from 2010.
There is an article in the Times today which says, basically, that the only screening that pilots get for depression "is a chat with their GP". It doesn't matter how skilled the GP (or any doctor) is, or how much time they have with the patient; if the consequences of revealing any diagnosis or condition (alcohol, domestic stress, depression, cancer, epilepsy .....) would mean the end of a career or way of life, then it won't be revealed.
We won't move forward till the threat of expulsion is removed and better support and a public attitude to mental health is introduced.
The Guardian poll says Labour are on course to gain all 8 London targets from the Tories including Croydon Central.
Other seats near the suburbs such as Ealing Central and Acton with a 4000 majority for the Cons are also set to fall,the poll suggests.
And the two Lib Dem seats likely to fall are the seats in Brent.
1) The Conservatives will gain every possible seat from the LibDems.
2) They won't lose anything to Labour
That's a brave prediction, a very brave prediction.
Its outer London where demographic change is helping Labour while inner London solidifies into blocks of extremes of wealth and voting.
Its possible that every constituency in the old ILEA are will have a majority of over 5000 this year.
Firstly despite polling and by-election reverses SLAB general election performances have always been remarkably steady over the years and show a resilience that often defy conventional wisdom - note the last general election.
I also expect the campaign to dent the SNP surge at the margin sufficiently to allow SLAB to hold back the worst aspects of the coming tide. It's going to be bad for SLAB but not quite the meltdown.
I also believe SLAB might deploy Gordon Brown, as they did in the last weeks of the referendum, to energize SLAB inclined voters. Despite all the opprobrium, must of it justified, the former PM remain a combative and effective performer in Scotland, where he retains much of his popularity.
My ARSE says not and we will be able to judge on 8th May how spectacularly accurate it was.
The ither said "Aye"
"Aye, ain her mither was by yon tree watchin"
"Watchin, did she no hae somethin to say? "
" Aye, Baaa"
I do hope that everyone on PB, contributers and lurkers both, are looking forward the the new Festival on May 8th. No, I'm not talking about the GE results, but the burning of the pollsters, after their forecasts all prove to be woefully wrong. An Auto de Fe to go down in history.....
Among those pollsters is our own JackW. Jackus, prepare to have your bum burned.
Somerton and Frome
Dorset West
Wells
Solihull
Taunton Deane
Chippenham
Portsmouth South
St Austell
Berwick
Cornwall North
St Ives
Torbay
Devon North
Three way TCTC:
Berwickshire
Lib Dem HOLDS - Later ones less likely to fall.
Cheadle
Brecon
Bath
Kingston
Sutton and Cheam
Twickenham
Hazel Grove
Cheltenham
Eastbourne
Eastleigh
Lewes
Southport
Carshalton
Colchester
Thornbury
In my opinion.
I still don't fully understand why the SNP and Plaid both have reps when they have long-term electoral and parliamentary alliance. Other than a lack of understanding about Wales and Scotland amongst the Media/Westminster Bubble.
Im expecting differential turnout. Millipede is not exactly firing Labour supporters with enthusiasm while the thought of a Miliband government, especially one with Salmond pulling the strings will make tory inclined voters who haven't voted since 1992 turnout and cause blue kippers in marginals to vote tory while holding their noses.
@tnewtondunn: The Sun Says today: Miliband's blunt message to The Sun and our readers - he doesn't like us, or you. http://t.co/EGCA8d32xE
Not every part of inner London is stuffed with oligarchs and attendant British fellow travellers and it's my contention that we shall see a ripple effect from Guardianista Metropolitan London that fails to hold sway in the aspirational suburbs where the "Fatcha Grandkids" are still a factor.
I also expect to see something of a differential turnout that will assist the Conservatives motivated by the "Kinnock light bulb effect" of Ed Miliband and in a pincer movement some Labour inclined voters will sit on their hands or add a few points to the Green score.
"I also believe SLAB might deploy Gordon Brown, as they did in the last weeks of the referendum, to energize SLAB inclined voters. Despite all the opprobrium, must of it justified, the former PM remain a combative and effective performer in Scotland, where he retains much of his popularity."
It's always surprising to wander round Scottish cities like Aberdeen and see 'The Gordon Brown Buildings' Gordon Brown Avenue Gordon Brown Passage etc etc. The man was a Colossus
Tom Newton Dunn (@tnewtondunn)
28/03/2015 10:21
The Sun Says today: Miliband's blunt message to The Sun and our
readers - he doesn't like us, or you. pic.twitter.com/EGCA8d32xE