My initial reaction was Hmm for Cameron on the edge of things - then I thought a little longer. He may be out of the crosshairs and the others can fight like ferrets instead.
I can't believe CCHQ took this slot by accident or under duress.
Given that Cameron has an aloofness problem, psychologically being on the sidelines might subliminally be a bad place to be for him.
Probably Thursday is not a good day for him to try and do imperious....
It's a very good position for him. He's trying to portray the other 6 as a motley group of opposition parties, none of which are serious, and so it's better not to be amongst them. He just needs to be careful not to overdo it and look arrogant/aloof. I hope he's rehearsing well with some good impersonators of the other 6.
Last time round it was called a mistake by Gordon Brown to reject the central lectern and stand on one side (which was due to his eyesight but that is not the point here). Maybe the end is the best position but that was not the conventional wisdom in 2010.
Guido is already Johnny on the spot on a Freeman tax story..
What's that...tax....hypocrisy I hear...surely not....
I bet if you dig into all big film / tv stars financial arrangements, you will find that a huge percentage have them set up to tax efficient to one extent or another. That doesn't mean they all do a Jimmy Carr, but when you aren't on PAYE, earn you income from multiple sources in different countries and have flexibility in how you are rewarded for your work, it allows for lots of opportunities not to just have to cough up 50% of your income.
I doubt it. Those who read the FT are sophisticated enough to understand that the ad does not mean the companies concerned are endorsing Labour and that the companies themselves were bound to react. They'll also notice that none has actually disowned the quotes.
No, their principal reaction will be that it was unacceptable to use the quotes without permission and this will reinforce the already strong impression that business cannot trust Labour.
Of course, most readers of the FT probably agree that leaving the EU would be a very bad idea, but that's a different point.
I doubt it. FT readers understand that you do not need anyone's permission to use quotes that are on the record and in the public domain.
It depends on the context and the timing. Not making it clear that what someone said was in a personal capacity is naughty.
But it's funny how Labour are pro busiess saying something when it might help them but tell business to butt out when it's critical of Labour (see the big row over Boots and Stefano Pessina).
All parties pick and choose of course. If impressing / persuading FT readers wasn't the point of the ad, what was its point?
My initial reaction was Hmm for Cameron on the edge of things - then I thought a little longer. He may be out of the crosshairs and the others can fight like ferrets instead.
I can't believe CCHQ took this slot by accident or under duress.
Given that Cameron has an aloofness problem, psychologically being on the sidelines might subliminally be a bad place to be for him.
Probably Thursday is not a good day for him to try and do imperious....
It's a very good position for him. He's trying to portray the other 6 as a motley group of opposition parties, none of which are serious, and so it's better not to be amongst them. He just needs to be careful not to overdo it and look arrogant/aloof. I hope he's rehearsing well with some good impersonators of the other 6.
Last time round it was called a mistake by Gordon Brown to reject the central lectern and stand on one side (which was due to his eyesight but that is not the point here). Maybe the end is the best position but that was not the conventional wisdom in 2010.
What's the speaking order (if there is a set piece part the beginning or end)?
I still can't quite see why Farage is favourite over Cameron in this market (spreads or fixed-odds) at all, given that the Tories are polling about 2.5 times as well and most Tories rate Cameron.
I make Nigel Farage marginal favourite over David Cameron because some Conservative voters like Nigel Farage at least as much as they like David Cameron. But I'm very happy to be on David Cameron in this market at 4/1 and 9/2.
I know I'm repeating myself, see what I said in last thread, but I think being stuck in the centre is bad. Cameron and Bennett can look down the line and see reactions and can get a good view of the audience as well. They do not have to dodge around this way and that. Centre = rabbit in headlight. How tall is Farage? Relative heights is always the dispute in US debates. If he looks a shorty between Clegg and Miliband then thats worth -1% of the kipper vote :-) With Cameron next to wee Nicola it won't work the same. The public will expect a woman to be short, I suppose its moot as to whether its a subconscious positive or negative. I suppose they both might end up with a crick in their necks by the end of the evening. Will Cameron have the appropriate conciliatory line for the wee lassie. Suggestions on a postcard to 10 Downing St.
@Plato - the idea that FT readers will be concerned that the Labour FT ad will affect their investments is hilarious.
And, yes, I also believe that, unlike you, most of them will understand the point of the ad.
If Labour were a private company, they'd be in danger of passing off by implying the parties quoted had endorsed their product rather than just the dangers of leaving the EU. I don't see why it's different here. Not also the advertising regulations. http://uk.practicallaw.com/8-521-4902
For Labour the cost will be political, if they aren't prepared to defend their actions well.
Ed has another opportunity here, I think, as long as he's as relaxed and natural as he was last week and doesn't try to cringeworthily appear more "statesmanlike" or try to cry about how he'll be as tough on spending cuts as the Tories.
I agree with the consensus that Sturgeon would do well, but I actually think that could help Labour in England. Obviously the supposed threat of the SNP is one of the big planks of the Tory campaign (the others being "Ed is crap" and "long-term economic plan"), but Sturgeon could defuse that threat in the minds of English people since she so self-evidently comes across as sane and reasonable. Unlike Salmond's jingoistic tub-thumping.
Get involved Email: politics@bbc.co.uk Norman Robson: Can anyone explain why Cameron was allowed to give a party political broadcast, when the piece was supposed to be about the dissolution of parliament?
@Plato - the idea that FT readers will be concerned that the Labour FT ad will affect their investments is hilarious.
And, yes, I also believe that, unlike you, most of them will understand the point of the ad.
If Labour were a private company, they'd be in danger of passing off by implying the parties quoted had endorsed their product rather than just the dangers of leaving the EU. I don't see why it's different here. Not also the advertising regulations. http://uk.practicallaw.com/8-521-4902
For Labour the cost will be political, if they aren't prepared to defend their actions well.
There is no danger in passing off when you are directly quoting someone and you are not misrepresenting what they say. There is no implication in the ad that the people concerned support Labour. There are a series of quotes from some very senior business people to the effect that the UK withdrawing from the EU would be a very bad idea. Compare and contrast with the Irvine ad
Will Dave serenade Nicola and Leanne with "Ernie" ?
Perhaps Cameron could ever so gently remind Nicola what is happening in the middle east. The Telegraph suggests that if the Iran nuclear talks reach agreement then the oil price could go as low as $20 a Barrel.
Re Labour's ad: the spat with Siemens and Kelloggs is like to engulf the ad itself. If Labour honestly didn't think they would object to being quoted in a Labour Party ad, they're idiots. If on the other hand this was a ploy to feed the Miliband v Big Business narrative, then it may yet be successful.
Farage will be laughing as the issue of Europe makes it onto the news. Well played Labour - idiots!
@JohnRentoul: Whoops. Martin Freeman says Labour is going to abolish zero-hours contracts. Only the "exploitative" ones I think https://t.co/Y4DO1E3p6Q
UKIP haven't been on the Telly recently. The Dave/Nigel battle is very important this evening, as is the Nicola/Ed battle.
Those are the two main ones I reckon... I know Leanne and Nathalie are also in the mix but I think Nicola is the one that will lay the most onto both Dave and Ed. She also has a record in Gov't to point towards that only Dave has.
There is one issue where both Bennett and Wood are quite to the left of Sturgeon - the monarchy - Wood and Bennett are both staunch republicans whereas I don't think Sturgeon is... if it gets there then that could be interesting... but I doubt it will do, and the three will act as a team for the most part.
Ed has another opportunity here, I think, as long as he's as relaxed and natural as he was last week and doesn't try to cringeworthily appear more "statesmanlike" or try to cry about how he'll be as tough on spending cuts as the Tories.
I agree with the consensus that Sturgeon would do well, but I actually think that could help Labour in England. Obviously the supposed threat of the SNP is one of the big planks of the Tory campaign (the others being "Ed is crap" and "long-term economic plan"), but Sturgeon could defuse that threat in the minds of English people since she so self-evidently comes across as sane and reasonable. Unlike Salmond's jingoistic tub-thumping.
Alex Salmond acts like a James Bond baddy with his "flutes of pink champagne". He's set it up beautifully for Sturgeon on Thursday.
Tories sliding out on betfair today & a tweet by Paul Goodman of Cons Home which suggests a bad 4pm Ashcroft poll for tories.
"Someone in a @LordAshcroft focus group has summed up the Conservatives' image problem in a single line. But I'm sworn to secrecy until 4pm."
They blew it at the budget. Came across as uncaring.
Wouldn't be surprised if it was Tories turn to take a hit in Ashcroft snakes and ladders polling. More swingy than the Pirate Ship at Alton Towers.
Well guess it's been a while since we've had a poll more than neck n' neck MOE?
It's actually over 2 months since either Cons or Lab had a 5% lead or more in any poll. Incredible really. [23/02/2015 Lab were 6% up for Survation - Mirror]
@SkyAnushka: William Hill have taken £10,000 bet - biggest yet - on outcome of a Government - going for Tory majority at 11/2. Hmmm will need some swing.
Accents may well matter, can see viewers reaching for the remote if Wood and Bennett get going.
Whilst I agree with you about Bennett - personally I find Leanne's Welsh valley's sing-song accent very pleasant to listen to. As she's female and thus naturally higher pitched it doesn't have the unpleasant rasping edge of someone like Kinnock.
GoodnightVienna @CallingEngland 1m1 minute ago What's all this I'm hearing on the radio abt the Cons deliberately throwing Thanet South in order to hand it to Labour & oust Farage? #UKIP
GoodnightVienna @CallingEngland 1m1 minute ago What's all this I'm hearing on the radio abt the Cons deliberately throwing Thanet South in order to hand it to Labour & oust Farage? #UKIP
The ground can open up under Staines' feet as far as I am concerned but all he is doing is quoting The Mirror ... ''an absolute disgrace… Amanda has been with Martin for 10 years and they have two kids – even if she really is skint why on earth can’t he chip in and help out with the bill?.. because she and her multi-millionaire partner can afford a fancy accountant, she doesn’t have to either, because he’s found her a way out of it”
The bill in question is of course a tax bill. How does a good socialist run up a tax bill of 120k in the first place - never mind not paying it? Freeman as an actor is very good, I'm sure his heart is in the right place as a person. But its easy to see how he fits in with the BBC repertory cast of favoured actors and comedians.
@Plato - the idea that FT readers will be concerned that the Labour FT ad will affect their investments is hilarious.
And, yes, I also believe that, unlike you, most of them will understand the point of the ad.
If Labour were a private company, they'd be in danger of passing off by implying the parties quoted had endorsed their product rather than just the dangers of leaving the EU. I don't see why it's different here. Not also the advertising regulations. http://uk.practicallaw.com/8-521-4902
For Labour the cost will be political, if they aren't prepared to defend their actions well.
There is no danger in passing off when you are directly quoting someone and you are not misrepresenting what they say. There is no implication in the ad that the people concerned support Labour. There are a series of quotes from some very senior business people to the effect that the UK withdrawing from the EU would be a very bad idea. Compare and contrast with the Irvine ad
We can debate the legalities, but really what's lacking is common courtesy. If you're going to use someone to endorse your position as a positive you should at least seek their agreement.
GoodnightVienna @CallingEngland 1m1 minute ago What's all this I'm hearing on the radio abt the Cons deliberately throwing Thanet South in order to hand it to Labour & oust Farage? #UKIP
That sounds like UKIP chaff to try to split the vote away from Con. Farage must be getting worried.
@SkyAnushka: William Hill have taken £10,000 bet - biggest yet - on outcome of a Government - going for Tory majority at 11/2. Hmmm will need some swing.
We can debate the legalities, but really what's lacking is common courtesy. If you're going to use someone to endorse your position as a positive you should at least seek their agreement.
Precisely. Southam doesn't seem to understand this very simple point.
GoodnightVienna @CallingEngland 1m1 minute ago What's all this I'm hearing on the radio abt the Cons deliberately throwing Thanet South in order to hand it to Labour & oust Farage? #UKIP
That sounds like UKIP chaff to try to split the vote away from Con. Farage must be getting worried.
Yeah they spiked M Smithson to something similar t'other day IIRC. If Farage is worried whats the best way to boost him over the line? Diss the tories of course. Hence these shenanigans.
I really hate these "celeb" videos, endorsements, etc. Most are as normally about as in touch with the real world as top politicians.
I did like martins statement that the Tories have done sod all for the young. Since 2012 we have taken on 13 apprentices all aged 16 or 17 and the government has given us £1500 for each one to help pay for their training . Interesting definition of sod all . I must ask our apprentices to see what they think.
GoodnightVienna @CallingEngland 1m1 minute ago What's all this I'm hearing on the radio abt the Cons deliberately throwing Thanet South in order to hand it to Labour & oust Farage? #UKIP
That sounds like UKIP chaff to try to split the vote away from Con. Farage must be getting worried.
I'm in trouble if the Lib Dems hose up in Thanet South
We can debate the legalities, but really what's lacking is common courtesy. If you're going to use someone to endorse your position as a positive you should at least seek their agreement.
Precisely. Southam doesn't seem to understand this very simple point.
I think he understands that point well enough.
Perhaps the bar is being set a little lower for his preferred party?
GoodnightVienna @CallingEngland 1m1 minute ago What's all this I'm hearing on the radio abt the Cons deliberately throwing Thanet South in order to hand it to Labour & oust Farage? #UKIP
That sounds like UKIP chaff to try to split the vote away from Con. Farage must be getting worried.
I'm in trouble if the Lib Dems hose up in Thanet South
DM me if you want me to beat the best bookies' price on that.
The Martin Freeman advert is of great interest, because Labour are explicitly pitching themselves on the basis of values-led policy rather than evidence-based policy. Oddly reminiscent of the Republicans.
I really hate these "celeb" videos, endorsements, etc. Most are as normally about as in touch with the real world as top politicians.
I did like martins statement that the Tories have done sod all for the young. Since 2012 we have taken on 13 apprentices all aged 16 or 17 and the government has given us £1500 for each one to help pay for their training . Interesting definition of sod all . I must ask our apprentices to see what they think.
GoodnightVienna @CallingEngland 1m1 minute ago What's all this I'm hearing on the radio abt the Cons deliberately throwing Thanet South in order to hand it to Labour & oust Farage? #UKIP
That sounds like UKIP chaff to try to split the vote away from Con. Farage must be getting worried.
I'm in trouble if the Lib Dems hose up in Thanet South
DM me if you want me to beat the best bookies' price on that.
The Tories offer literally nothing on housing in London.
Keep shouting this from the rooftops, Mr Max. We have a number of young profs working for us and even the humblest london property is way beyond them. There is a whole army of these people and they are going to to swing it for labour.
They even know labour are cr8p, but if enough money flees London after a Milli victory, they might have a chance to buy.
As an example a 'young prof' couple could buy a house in Byfleet for c£390k. Another one, 4 beds, £340k. A flat for c£200k
I fail to see why given this opportunity anyone should feel like ruining the entire country just to be selfish.
But why should they slum it as commuters, when by rights, they should be living in a trendy pad in Shoreditch?
If that is the Conservative Party's answer to the affordable family formation crisis then we deserve to lose. It's not enough to just make noises on immigration, we need further real action on controlling our borders as well as on deterring foreign buyers.
How does Freeman fit in with Ed's policy on income tax, broadest shoulders bear broadest burdens? Then Ed has been bellowing about tax evasion and tax avoidance as well. If Freeman has been using creative accounting to minimise his exposure to income taxes then he is open like Labour to charges of double standards.
But to be honest, once again Miliband's team appear to be less professional than any operation directed by Campbell for Blair.
We can debate the legalities, but really what's lacking is common courtesy. If you're going to use someone to endorse your position as a positive you should at least seek their agreement.
Precisely. Southam doesn't seem to understand this very simple point.
I think he understands that point well enough.
Perhaps the bar is being set a little lower for his preferred party?
I really hate these "celeb" videos, endorsements, etc. Most are as normally about as in touch with the real world as top politicians.
I did like martins statement that the Tories have done sod all for the young. Since 2012 we have taken on 13 apprentices all aged 16 or 17 and the government has given us £1500 for each one to help pay for their training . Interesting definition of sod all . I must ask our apprentices to see what they think.
How many had proper jobs at the end of it?
Well they will do a four year apprenticeship to become a plumber or an electrician. I think that they are proper jobs. If they want to stay with us then that will be great as employee continuity is great strength for any company to have. These are proper apprenticeships not labours apprenticeship guarantee which Is nonsense.
Lib Dems going to have their work cut out in Thanet to beat
Al Zebabist Nation of OOOG Manston Airport Party Reality Party Greens Al Murray
Methinks.
It'd be funny if they came 8th :P
Without breaking any confidences, the Lib Dems are putting the square root of bugger all effort in Thanet South
I got a Lib Dem leaflet through in Sheffield Central when I lived there at GE2010 of Gordon Brown standing next to Margaret Thatcher. They almost had my vote till till that point.
GoodnightVienna @CallingEngland 1m1 minute ago What's all this I'm hearing on the radio abt the Cons deliberately throwing Thanet South in order to hand it to Labour & oust Farage? #UKIP
Well the Conservatives have been plastering the Constituency since the start of the weekend with vote Mackinlay boards so they are not sparing the resources.
I will try and get an update on how the Conservatives view things so far and post it here.
I really hate these "celeb" videos, endorsements, etc. Most are as normally about as in touch with the real world as top politicians.
I did like martins statement that the Tories have done sod all for the young. Since 2012 we have taken on 13 apprentices all aged 16 or 17 and the government has given us £1500 for each one to help pay for their training . Interesting definition of sod all . I must ask our apprentices to see what they think.
How many had proper jobs at the end of it?
Well they will do a four year apprenticeship to become a plumber or an electrician. I think that they are proper jobs. If they want to stay with us then that will be great as employee continuity is great strength for any company to have. These are proper apprenticeships not labours apprenticeship guarantee which Is nonsense.
Just I've heard stories of apprentices getting nothing permanent at the end of it. Just another part of the equation. Don't get me wrong - am mahooosive fan of apprenticeships. need lot less uni places.
Does the Freeman ad actually say anything beyond "Aren't Labour nice?"
Well if you have to tell one barefaced lie - make it a big one.
Meanwhile in France, ''French politics went from ding to dong on Sunday. One side, the dingers, was cock-a-hoop. The others, the dongers, swore they would be back next time. Both the conservative dingers and Socialist dongers agreed on one thing, though. Thank goodness they had once again kept out those nasty upstarts, the clangers of the National Front.''
At least the French see that 'ding dong' is better than 'ting tong'.
I really hate these "celeb" videos, endorsements, etc. Most are as normally about as in touch with the real world as top politicians.
I did like martins statement that the Tories have done sod all for the young. Since 2012 we have taken on 13 apprentices all aged 16 or 17 and the government has given us £1500 for each one to help pay for their training . Interesting definition of sod all . I must ask our apprentices to see what they think.
How many had proper jobs at the end of it?
Well they will do a four year apprenticeship to become a plumber or an electrician. I think that they are proper jobs. If they want to stay with us then that will be great as employee continuity is great strength for any company to have. These are proper apprenticeships not labours apprenticeship guarantee which Is nonsense.
Note that the motion to prevent internal criticism was accompanied by Eck calling for a state takeover of the national Broadcaster...
As opposed to privatising it.
No, I did not see that but it must tell everyone all there is to know about the SNP. It has moved far left and any sane centre right voter must see that.
Meanwhile in France, ''French politics went from ding to dong on Sunday. One side, the dingers, was cock-a-hoop. The others, the dongers, swore they would be back next time. Both the conservative dingers and Socialist dongers agreed on one thing, though. Thank goodness they had once again kept out those nasty upstarts, the clangers of the National Front.''
At least the French see that 'ding dong' is better than 'ting tong'.
That obscure post is reporting the second round of the French local elections, which were interesting, because despite the refusal of the centre-right (Sarkozy) to agree a common front against the National Front, the voters did it anyway. The FN actually lost ground (by 3%) compared with the first round, winning only five councils out of 278 on a slightly higher turnout.
That appears to suggest a ceiling to the FN vote - they are able to get a quarter of the vote, but the other three quarters are generally hostile enough to vote for traditional rivals in order to keep them out.
Chuka Umunna: It’s no different from Sky News quoting a business leader.
Adam Boulton: Except yours says ‘VOTE LABOUR’ at the bottom.
Hat tip guido
I love it when campaigns start and the media get rightly arsey with the politicians. Serves them right. None of them are now MPs and they're called to account.
Lord Ashcroft @LordAshcroft · 28s 28 seconds ago Ashcroft National Poll, 27-29 March: CON 36%, LAB 34%, LDEM 6%, UKIP 10%, GRN 7%. Full details on @ConHome, 4pm.
On a serious note, I think what is more interesting is that Tories are now starting to hit 35-36%...that is an uptick, I think taking some votes from UKIP. The question is that all, or will a Miliband government scare more of the "I hate f##king Cameron" brigade to switch at the end?
There is absolutely no sign of Lib Dem making an recovery, but I just can't see them getting just 6%.
@JohnRentoul: Whoops. Martin Freeman says Labour is going to abolish zero-hours contracts. Only the "exploitative" ones I think https://t.co/Y4DO1E3p6Q
Haven't they been banned already - by the coalition?
Comments
I bet if you dig into all big film / tv stars financial arrangements, you will find that a huge percentage have them set up to tax efficient to one extent or another. That doesn't mean they all do a Jimmy Carr, but when you aren't on PAYE, earn you income from multiple sources in different countries and have flexibility in how you are rewarded for your work, it allows for lots of opportunities not to just have to cough up 50% of your income.
https://twitter.com/Sunil_P2/status/582183941739847681
But it's funny how Labour are pro busiess saying something when it might help them but tell business to butt out when it's critical of Labour (see the big row over Boots and Stefano Pessina).
All parties pick and choose of course. If impressing / persuading FT readers wasn't the point of the ad, what was its point?
Pledge cards are the new mugs. Ironically, the mugs at the Labour Party, which invented the concept, have opted for mugs instead.
How tall is Farage? Relative heights is always the dispute in US debates. If he looks a shorty between Clegg and Miliband then thats worth -1% of the kipper vote :-)
With Cameron next to wee Nicola it won't work the same. The public will expect a woman to be short, I suppose its moot as to whether its a subconscious positive or negative. I suppose they both might end up with a crick in their necks by the end of the evening. Will Cameron have the appropriate conciliatory line for the wee lassie. Suggestions on a postcard to 10 Downing St.
And, yes, I also believe that, unlike you, most of them will understand the point of the ad.
shaky ground for staines, isn't it?
Is that a finger on the way in look?
For Labour the cost will be political, if they aren't prepared to defend their actions well.
Twice as many Lab 2010 voters as Tories 2010'ers on Thursday just gone.
Also, being the Thursday night before the long weekend, a lot of people will be travelling/socialising if it's a nice day etc.
https://twitter.com/Sunil_P2/status/582187057994444800
I agree with the consensus that Sturgeon would do well, but I actually think that could help Labour in England. Obviously the supposed threat of the SNP is one of the big planks of the Tory campaign (the others being "Ed is crap" and "long-term economic plan"), but Sturgeon could defuse that threat in the minds of English people since she so self-evidently comes across as sane and reasonable. Unlike Salmond's jingoistic tub-thumping.
Email: politics@bbc.co.uk
Norman Robson: Can anyone explain why Cameron was allowed to give a party political broadcast, when the piece was supposed to be about the dissolution of parliament?
That's an interesting question.
http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/Daily/Detail.aspx?g=ea6d6afe-b78a-440a-bb0d-18cbee9dbfaf
Mine is on its way. Am wondering if the firm which makes them have staff employed with zero hours contracts.
"Someone in a @LordAshcroft focus group has summed up the Conservatives' image problem in a single line. But I'm sworn to secrecy until 4pm."
They blew it at the budget. Came across as uncaring.
@JohnRentoul: Whoops. Martin Freeman says Labour is going to abolish zero-hours contracts. Only the "exploitative" ones I think https://t.co/Y4DO1E3p6Q
Those are the two main ones I reckon... I know Leanne and Nathalie are also in the mix but I think Nicola is the one that will lay the most onto both Dave and Ed. She also has a record in Gov't to point towards that only Dave has.
There is one issue where both Bennett and Wood are quite to the left of Sturgeon - the monarchy - Wood and Bennett are both staunch republicans whereas I don't think Sturgeon is... if it gets there then that could be interesting... but I doubt it will do, and the three will act as a team for the most part.
It's actually over 2 months since either Cons or Lab had a 5% lead or more in any poll. Incredible really. [23/02/2015 Lab were 6% up for Survation - Mirror]
Still doesn't beat Cameron's endorsement by Charlotte Crosby.
What's all this I'm hearing on the radio abt the Cons deliberately throwing Thanet South in order to hand it to Labour & oust Farage? #UKIP
The ground can open up under Staines' feet as far as I am concerned but all he is doing is quoting The Mirror ... ''an absolute disgrace… Amanda has been with Martin for 10 years and they have two kids – even if she really is skint why on earth can’t he chip in and help out with the bill?.. because she and her multi-millionaire partner can afford a fancy accountant, she doesn’t have to either, because he’s found her a way out of it”
The bill in question is of course a tax bill. How does a good socialist run up a tax bill of 120k in the first place - never mind not paying it?
Freeman as an actor is very good, I'm sure his heart is in the right place as a person. But its easy to see how he fits in with the BBC repertory cast of favoured actors and comedians.
think you're right: Farage is losing
'We, the undersigned luvvies offer to...'
Perhaps the bar is being set a little lower for his preferred party?
looking at how the FT ad has been handled quite a lot of them are in for a surprise.
Who will Joey Essex be supporting too
Big questions...
Al Zebabist Nation of OOOG
Manston Airport Party
Reality Party
Greens
Al Murray
Methinks.
It'd be funny if they came 8th :P
Does the Freeman ad actually say anything beyond "Aren't Labour nice?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH0K_XIIBow&feature=youtu.be
https://twitter.com/AlanRoden/status/582141156013817856/photo/1
But to be honest, once again Miliband's team appear to be less professional than any operation directed by Campbell for Blair.
I will try and get an update on how the Conservatives view things so far and post it here.
Note that the motion to prevent internal criticism was accompanied by Eck calling for a state takeover of the national Broadcaster...
Meanwhile in France,
''French politics went from ding to dong on Sunday. One side, the dingers, was cock-a-hoop. The others, the dongers, swore they would be back next time.
Both the conservative dingers and Socialist dongers agreed on one thing, though. Thank goodness they had once again kept out those nasty upstarts, the clangers of the National Front.''
At least the French see that 'ding dong' is better than 'ting tong'.
No, I did not see that but it must tell everyone all there is to know about the SNP. It has moved far left and any sane centre right voter must see that.
Adam Boulton: Except yours says ‘VOTE LABOUR’ at the bottom.
Hat tip guido
That appears to suggest a ceiling to the FN vote - they are able to get a quarter of the vote, but the other three quarters are generally hostile enough to vote for traditional rivals in order to keep them out.
Ashcroft National Poll, 27-29 March: CON 36%, LAB 34%, LDEM 6%, UKIP 10%, GRN 7%. Full details on @ConHome, 4pm.
34 Con
29 Lab
9 Lib Dem
13 UKIP
Con 36 (+3) Lab 34 (+1) LD 6 (-2) UKIP 10 (-2) Greens 7 (+2)
On a serious note, I think what is more interesting is that Tories are now starting to hit 35-36%...that is an uptick, I think taking some votes from UKIP. The question is that all, or will a Miliband government scare more of the "I hate f##king Cameron" brigade to switch at the end?
There is absolutely no sign of Lib Dem making an recovery, but I just can't see them getting just 6%.
Hell yeahhhhhhhhh.....