Ah- how cute. Pity DC supports packs of hounds ripping to shreds terrified wild foxes, and deer, and needlessly slaughtering wild badgers to boot. DC likes to shoot wild animals too- oh what fun that must be, can you imagine?. To point a gun at a wild, sentient animal and bang- to kill it. The thrill, the fun. The blood. What a lovely man he is.
What's your opinion on angling?
Jeremy Wade on "River Monsters" always tends to let the fish he catches back into the river.
As That's ok? He drags a living sentient feeling creature from its natural environment then throwsa it back so this can be repeated again and again.
I think the fish forget quite quickly otherwise they wouldn't take the bait every time. Kind of like humans with alcohol and hangovers.
Yeah, that must be it.
I think that was my best off the cuff one liner I have delivered on bCOM in 10 years. Leave it to an Easter Sunday slow news night.
And to think the left have a reputation for being earnest and lacking a sense of humour., Can't think why.
Ah- how cute. Pity DC supports packs of hounds ripping to shreds terrified wild foxes, and deer, and needlessly slaughtering wild badgers to boot. DC likes to shoot wild animals too- oh what fun that must be, can you imagine?. To point a gun at a wild, sentient animal and bang- to kill it. The thrill, the fun. The blood. What a lovely man he is.
What's your opinion on angling?
I have pets and feed them chicken and fish- I m not one of those real crazies who has vegan pets. We were out at lunch today, and someone gave our dog (Trotsky) some steak. She was a very happy hound.
I thought your sympathies were with Stalin not Trotsky ?
"Trotskyism is a tool of the capitalists ... Leninism is a weapon for the workers!" - Communist Party of Great Britain.
I think a lot of people are going to enjoy this debate the most...
What Rod- for the three people who will start to watch it, and the single person who will finish it. Only those people who had basically decided how to vote 10 years ago, and will be so sad as to blog on political sites will watch it.
From the responses on the previous thread it seems that both Spain and Italy recharge health costs from British retirees to the UK Treasury.
Which rather demolishes the claim, made endless times on PB, that these countries are losing out from British people retiring there.
On the contrary Spain and Italy gain from the retirees spending their savings and pensions in the local economies plus gain from recharging (almost certainly at a profit) any health costs the retirees incur.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/expat-health/10628246/NHS-axes-free-health-care-for-expats.html It points out that provisions for ex pats under retirement age will have to pay their own way. The 'S1' provision is not part of EU law. Seems that if you had paid in NI for x years the govt gave you something back for it, for 2.5 years. I am not sure what has been said before but if you are a citizen of an EU country registered as a Spanish resident and your annual income does not exceed €100,000, then you are entitled to Spanish public health care treatment even if you are not covered by social security. So ex pat pensioners need not get their health paid by the NHS. Just like in the UK you can take out further insurance in the hope of getting better treatment. I'm guessing but the same probably applies elsewhere.
Ah- how cute. Pity DC supports packs of hounds ripping to shreds terrified wild foxes, and deer, and needlessly slaughtering wild badgers to boot. DC likes to shoot wild animals too- oh what fun that must be, can you imagine?. To point a gun at a wild, sentient animal and bang- to kill it. The thrill, the fun. The blood. What a lovely man he is.
Well, I strongly suspect someone is going to kill and eat the supercute lamb at some not too distant point in its future. Whether you do it yourself or pay someone else to do it seems a moot point to me, and some (most) of us are happy with our place at the head of the food chain.
Ah- how cute. Pity DC supports packs of hounds ripping to shreds terrified wild foxes, and deer, and needlessly slaughtering wild badgers to boot. DC likes to shoot wild animals too- oh what fun that must be, can you imagine?. To point a gun at a wild, sentient animal and bang- to kill it. The thrill, the fun. The blood. What a lovely man he is.
What's your opinion on angling?
Jeremy Wade on "River Monsters" always tends to let the fish he catches back into the river.
Great - so you've spent an hour torturing a fish with a hook through its mouth and then release it so hopefully you can do it again! What more do you want? Blood?
Is it true that vegetarian men have better tasting... um... er... you know...
I'm not sure, but if you have been eating asparagus I am told it makes it taste metallic (it certainly makes your pee smell strange).
I think there are two main reasons why Miliband chose to do this second debate.
Firstly to elevate its status. His appearance will create a lot more interest in it and the campaign being stilted with debate coverage for a few days is what Labour would prefer.
Secondly, there's a decent chance he could come out on top in the debate polls that follow. He would go into the debate as the leader with comfortably the highest party vote behind him. We saw last week that he came first in three of the post debate polls without having to do anything noteworthy.
Ah- how cute. Pity DC supports packs of hounds ripping to shreds terrified wild foxes, and deer, and needlessly slaughtering wild badgers to boot. DC likes to shoot wild animals too- oh what fun that must be, can you imagine?. To point a gun at a wild, sentient animal and bang- to kill it. The thrill, the fun. The blood. What a lovely man he is.
What's your opinion on angling?
Jeremy Wade on "River Monsters" always tends to let the fish he catches back into the river.
Great - so you've spent an hour torturing a fish with a hook through its mouth and then release it so hopefully you can do it again! What more do you want? Blood?
Is it true that vegetarian men have better tasting... um... er... you know...
I'm not sure, but if you have been eating asparagus I am told it makes it taste metallic (it certainly makes your pee smell strange).
From the responses on the previous thread it seems that both Spain and Italy recharge health costs from British retirees to the UK Treasury.
Which rather demolishes the claim, made endless times on PB, that these countries are losing out from British people retiring there.
On the contrary Spain and Italy gain from the retirees spending their savings and pensions in the local economies plus gain from recharging (almost certainly at a profit) any health costs the retirees incur.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/expat-health/10628246/NHS-axes-free-health-care-for-expats.html It points out that provisions for ex pats under retirement age will have to pay their own way. The 'S1' provision is not part of EU law. Seems that if you had paid in NI for x years the govt gave you something back for it, for 2.5 years. I am not sure what has been said before but if you are a citizen of an EU country registered as a Spanish resident and your annual income does not exceed €100,000, then you are entitled to Spanish public health care treatment even if you are not covered by social security. So ex pat pensioners need not get their health paid by the NHS. Just like in the UK you can take out further insurance in the hope of getting better treatment. I'm guessing but the same probably applies elsewhere.
The EU health card covers visitors.
In Italy, you have to take residency if you live over here for over six months. And then the system is based on your income, like any other Italian, some bits you pay for if you earn over 36,000 Euros.
The Italian health system is outstanding- you have immediate access to your named GP (through email, mobile, making appointments whatever), and you pay for what you can afford. You need to speak a bit of Italian mind to navigate the maze of bureaucracy mind.
I think there are two main reasons why Miliband chose to do this second debate.
Firstly to elevate its status. His appearance will create a lot more interest in it and the campaign being stilted with debate coverage for a few days is what Labour would prefer.
Secondly, there's a decent chance he could come out on top in the debate polls that follow. He would go into the debate as the leader with comfortably the highest party vote behind him. We saw last week that he came first in three of the post debate polls without having to do anything noteworthy.
"Coming first" in a debate means nothing - if you don't follow up with a good campaign. And Labour isn't running a good campaign. They aren't making any running and seem to be looking scared by events beyond Hadrian's Wall.
Fat lot of good 'coming first' seems to have done him.
Ah- how cute. Pity DC supports packs of hounds ripping to shreds terrified wild foxes, and deer, and needlessly slaughtering wild badgers to boot. DC likes to shoot wild animals too- oh what fun that must be, can you imagine?. To point a gun at a wild, sentient animal and bang- to kill it. The thrill, the fun. The blood. What a lovely man he is.
What's your opinion on angling?
Jeremy Wade on "River Monsters" always tends to let the fish he catches back into the river.
Great - so you've spent an hour torturing a fish with a hook through its mouth and then release it so hopefully you can do it again! What more do you want? Blood?
Is it true that vegetarian men have better tasting... um... er... you know...
I'm not sure, but if you have been eating asparagus I am told it makes it taste metallic (it certainly makes your pee smell strange).
I think a lot of people are going to enjoy this debate the most...
When is it?
The 16th of April.
Dave's played a blinder on the debates
I don't think Tyson will be watching, he doesn't like blood sports. All those terriers running round Miliband nipping at his heels. It will be Emmanuel Goldstein and the Ten Minute Hate. (er, for the avoidance of doubt, that's a literary allusion and not an anti-semitic one. And the most mixed metaphor I have ever penned).
I think a lot of people are going to enjoy this debate the most...
When is it?
The 16th of April.
Dave's played a blinder on the debates
I don't think Tyson will be watching, he doesn't like blood sports. All those terriers running round Miliband nipping at his heels. It will be Emmanuel Goldstein and the Ten Minute Hate. (er, for the avoidance of doubt, that's a literary allusion and not an anti-semitic one. And the most mixed metaphor I have ever penned).
I recently did a thread that said Tony Blair had become the Emmanuel Goldstein of the Labour party.
In all fairness it could be a blunder by Dave and Nick, two hours of kicking the coalition without a rebuttal.
I think there are two main reasons why Miliband chose to do this second debate.
Firstly to elevate its status. His appearance will create a lot more interest in it and the campaign being stilted with debate coverage for a few days is what Labour would prefer.
Secondly, there's a decent chance he could come out on top in the debate polls that follow. He would go into the debate as the leader with comfortably the highest party vote behind him. We saw last week that he came first in three of the post debate polls without having to do anything noteworthy.
"Coming first" in a debate means nothing - if you don't follow up with a good campaign. And Labour isn't running a good campaign. They aren't making any running and seem to be looking scared by events beyond Hadrian's Wall.
Fat lot of good 'coming first' seems to have done him.
At least the Sturgeon factor is adding something to the campaign. I mean for gods sake how many times can the Tories mention"long term economic plan" in six weeks. This has to be the worst, I mean the worst political campaign ever by all parties. Nihilistic and pandering to the level below the lowest common intellectual denominator which I never thought existed until now.
I think a lot of people are going to enjoy this debate the most...
When is it?
The 16th of April.
Dave's played a blinder on the debates
I don't think Tyson will be watching, he doesn't like blood sports. All those terriers running round Miliband nipping at his heels. It will be Emmanuel Goldstein and the Ten Minute Hate. (er, for the avoidance of doubt, that's a literary allusion and not an anti-semitic one. And the most mixed metaphor I have ever penned).
I recently did a thread that said Tony Blair had become the Emmanuel Goldstein of the Labour party.
In all fairness it could be a blunder by Dave and Nick, two hours of kicking the coalition without a rebuttal.
Ah - but there has to be balance as part of the overall coverage. We just don't know how that will be managed.
Who do the SNP, Greens and Plaid want votes from? Labour. Who are they going to kick to get them? Miliband.
Who is going to have to be a brave little soldier? Miliband.
I think there are two main reasons why Miliband chose to do this second debate.
Firstly to elevate its status. His appearance will create a lot more interest in it and the campaign being stilted with debate coverage for a few days is what Labour would prefer.
Secondly, there's a decent chance he could come out on top in the debate polls that follow. He would go into the debate as the leader with comfortably the highest party vote behind him. We saw last week that he came first in three of the post debate polls without having to do anything noteworthy.
Agreed.
And whilst it will be difficult for Miliband, many of the public will wonder why Cameron and Clegg aren't there. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Miliband mentions this in both his opening and closing statements. That will not look good for Cameron (or Clegg).
Finally, it will rate well - I expect it to start at 8.30pm - so after the soaps on ITV. There's no football or anything like that as competition - the ITV competition will be weak which means it's guaranteed a reasonable audience on BBC1.
I would guess 5m to 6m - so not miles less than the 7 way debate.
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debates (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland (***) so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
On BBC1/ITV1 - it may be on Sky News / BBC News channel but that audience isn't large enough to matter.
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
On a further point Southam's view that immigrants are a cashcow to the UK economy doesn't correlate to the general economic picture.
Because a decade of record immigration shouldn't be a decade in which the government has borrowed a trillion pounds, the economy has barely grown, productivity has stagnated, the current account deficit has reached record levels and inequality has worsened if they are so economically beneficial.
...
The government has borrowed ever since 2000. Brown increased public spending by 50% in real terms for 10 years. Thats why we have had deficits and debt. A massive and unprecedented increase in spending which was not sustainable. There was a financial crash in 2008 which wiped some 7% of the productive capacity of the economy. None of this had anything to do with immigration. What has had something to do with it is a growing economy and a great increase in jobs and employment levels since 2010 despite that previous loss of capacity. Any comparison with 2000-2010 and 2010-2015 will show just how much this govt has clamped down on spending. The economy is growing significantly.
Do you ever stop reciting from the sheets CCHQ provide ?
Perhaps you'd like to ask them why Cameron and Osborne promised to match Brown's 'massive and unprecedented increase in spending which was not sustainable' ?
Or why this government has so increased Overseas Aid if it is committed to a spending clampdown ?
Nothing to do with CCHQ. The IFS figures show Brown's increasing spending. The tories did not promise to keep on increasing spending; the nation of course was addicted to it, 'sharing the proceeds of growth' as they said at the time was the best way they could say spending would slow down and still be elected. Then came the crash and they went into 2010 with a cuts agenda. Even now we see that the opposition and even the LDs who have been in govt - they all want to restart the spending mill and accuse the tories of draconian cuts. We will always get a crap economy if you let them keep doing that.
The figures speak for themselves - the govt has clamped down on spending, as it said it would. All this has nothing to do with immigration. The relative success of the economy has been driving immigration. Overseas aid has gone up from about 0.55% of GDP to 0.7%. The 0.7% target goes back to before England won the World cup
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debates (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland (***) so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
On BBC1/ITV1 - it may be on Sky News / BBC News channel but that audience isn't large enough to matter.
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
Presumably Sturgeon will put ed on the spot as to whether he will coalish with her to defeat Cameron. And ed will respond with - what, exactly?
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
Agreed - though I guess being beaten by Sturgeon generally diminishes him a bit in the eyes of English viewers - makes him look a bit less PM material.
I still think he is going to make a big thing about Cameron (and Clegg) not being there - and he reckons that the hit Cameron will take will be bigger than any hit he takes from losing to Sturgeon.
I think a lot of people are going to enjoy this debate the most...
How will Ed cope when everyone else wants less austerity than he does? He can't promise increased spending or he'll be wide open to the Tories and he can't promise less spending or he'll become the target of his fellow debaters (and lose Labour votes).
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
Agreed - though I guess being beaten by Sturgeon generally diminishes him a bit in the eyes of English viewers - makes him look a bit less PM material.
I still think he is going to make a big thing about Cameron (and Clegg) not being there - and he reckons that the hit Cameron will take will be bigger than any hit he takes from losing to Sturgeon.
It's a calculation for sure, I don't necessarily think he is automatically on the wrong side of it tbh.
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
Agreed - though I guess being beaten by Sturgeon generally diminishes him a bit in the eyes of English viewers - makes him look a bit less PM material.
I still think he is going to make a big thing about Cameron (and Clegg) not being there - and he reckons that the hit Cameron will take will be bigger than any hit he takes from losing to Sturgeon.
That is just wishful thinking.
The parameters of the debate will be very clearly set out - people will know what is at stake. It is the debate for the challengers - with the proviso that balance overall will be maintained. There is only one establishment party in the room - they will be the target.
Miliband can try smearing the people who were never going to be invited to the debate - but people will have stopped listening by then.
“He is absolutely crazy for agreeing to go ahead with it, without [David] Cameron or [Nick] Clegg,” one pro- spective Labour MP said. “It is just insane. He should never have agreed to it in a million years. He’s getting some very poor advice. I am totally aghast. I can’t see any way that he can benefit from this at all. All we can do is minimise the damage . . . Cameron and Clegg must be rubbing their hands with glee.”
Another said: “Ed has the most to lose in the debate because it’s one who wants to be prime minister against four who want to be spoilers and they will gang up on him.”
Mr Farage has vowed to stand aside as Ukip leader if he fails to enter the Commons, saying that it would not be credible for him to lead the party without a Westminster seat.
Speaking on Pienaar’s Politics on BBC Radio 5 Live , Diane James said: “Nigel stated categorically a few weeks ago that if he were not to be elected to the House of Commons he would stand down. That’s fact. He’s made that statement.”
Asked if she dreaded the possibility, Ms James said: “Not in the least. We have got a very, very high calibre of individuals within Ukip. They are frequently on the BBC and other media outlets: Suzanne Evans, Patrick O’Flynn, Paul Nuttall etc.”
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
Agreed - though I guess being beaten by Sturgeon generally diminishes him a bit in the eyes of English viewers - makes him look a bit less PM material.
I still think he is going to make a big thing about Cameron (and Clegg) not being there - and he reckons that the hit Cameron will take will be bigger than any hit he takes from losing to Sturgeon.
But the moderator won't let him - ranting about a non-party to the debate isn't debating. There won't even be an empty chair. Anyway he isn't in a position to make the risk/reward calculation you hint at, he is locked in to the debate whether he likes it or not by all the "chicken" talk. Hilarious doesn't begin to describe it.
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
Agreed - though I guess being beaten by Sturgeon generally diminishes him a bit in the eyes of English viewers - makes him look a bit less PM material.
I still think he is going to make a big thing about Cameron (and Clegg) not being there - and he reckons that the hit Cameron will take will be bigger than any hit he takes from losing to Sturgeon.
As it is billed as a challengers debate isn't that hard to use as a stick to bash them with?
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debates (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland (***) so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
On BBC1/ITV1 - it may be on Sky News / BBC News channel but that audience isn't large enough to matter.
We could potentially have new leaders of all 4 of the big parties within the next 2 years. (Even if the Tories win, it probably won't be long before Cameron goes now that he's already "lame duck-ed" himself with his no 3rd term pledge.)
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
Presumably Sturgeon will put ed on the spot as to whether he will coalish with her to defeat Cameron. And ed will respond with - what, exactly?
That he is fighting to win an outright majority and that he won't have any SNP ministers in his government?
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
Agreed - though I guess being beaten by Sturgeon generally diminishes him a bit in the eyes of English viewers - makes him look a bit less PM material.
I still think he is going to make a big thing about Cameron (and Clegg) not being there - and he reckons that the hit Cameron will take will be bigger than any hit he takes from losing to Sturgeon.
That is just wishful thinking.
The parameters of the debate will be very clearly set out - people will know what is at stake. It is the debate for the challengers - with the proviso that balance overall will be maintained. There is only one establishment party in the room - they will be the target.
Miliband can try smearing the people who were never going to be invited to the debate - but people will have stopped listening by then.
Not sure how it could be wishful thinking when I am a Con supporter - as you would know if you had read my posts on here for the last 10 years!
Sorry, but unlike some posters on here I don't just churn out cheerleading partisan stuff - I post what I actually think - whether it is good or bad for my party.
As for the specific (and to answer other responses as well) - Miliband will have a one minute uninterrupted opening and closing statement - in which he will be able to say what he likes (assuming he doesn't swear etc). Dimbleby will not (and would not be allowed to) interrupt him.
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
Presumably Sturgeon will put ed on the spot as to whether he will coalish with her to defeat Cameron. And ed will respond with - what, exactly?
That he is fighting to win an outright majority and that he won't have any SNP ministers in his government?
I think a lot of people are going to enjoy this debate the most...
When is it?
The 16th of April.
Dave's played a blinder on the debates
I don't think Tyson will be watching, he doesn't like blood sports. All those terriers running round Miliband nipping at his heels. It will be Emmanuel Goldstein and the Ten Minute Hate. (er, for the avoidance of doubt, that's a literary allusion and not an anti-semitic one. And the most mixed metaphor I have ever penned).
I recently did a thread that said Tony Blair had become the Emmanuel Goldstein of the Labour party.
In all fairness it could be a blunder by Dave and Nick, two hours of kicking the coalition without a rebuttal.
Ah - but there has to be balance as part of the overall coverage. We just don't know how that will be managed.
Who do the SNP, Greens and Plaid want votes from? Labour. Who are they going to kick to get them? Miliband.
Who is going to have to be a brave little soldier? Miliband.
Yes - you can just as easily say it diminishes Miliband by being is this debate as it might enhance him. If he does well then its only against minnows. But the 'challengers' are not really challengers at all. Two of them are regional parties who should have no say in a lot of English policy. The other two are going to be lucky to get one seat between them. He gets airtime, but to what end? The danger for Miliband is that he has to protect himself from being pushed ever leftward by the nats at the expense of the English. Its one thing to be PM form a coalition when you have say won most seats, but if you have not won most seats and you are giving in to a nationalist party which has wiped you out then you must look weak.
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
Agreed - though I guess being beaten by Sturgeon generally diminishes him a bit in the eyes of English viewers - makes him look a bit less PM material.
I still think he is going to make a big thing about Cameron (and Clegg) not being there - and he reckons that the hit Cameron will take will be bigger than any hit he takes from losing to Sturgeon.
But the moderator won't let him - ranting about a non-party to the debate isn't debating. There won't even be an empty chair. Anyway he isn't in a position to make the risk/reward calculation you hint at, he is locked in to the debate whether he likes it or not by all the "chicken" talk. Hilarious doesn't begin to describe it.
Agreed. He won't do it in the debate - he'll do it in his one minute opening and closing statements - so it will be nice and self-contained - with no danger of interruption or looking as if he isn't debating properly with the others.
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
Agreed - though I guess being beaten by Sturgeon generally diminishes him a bit in the eyes of English viewers - makes him look a bit less PM material.
I still think he is going to make a big thing about Cameron (and Clegg) not being there - and he reckons that the hit Cameron will take will be bigger than any hit he takes from losing to Sturgeon.
But the moderator won't let him - ranting about a non-party to the debate isn't debating. There won't even be an empty chair. Anyway he isn't in a position to make the risk/reward calculation you hint at, he is locked in to the debate whether he likes it or not by all the "chicken" talk. Hilarious doesn't begin to describe it.
Agreed. He won't do it in the debate - he'll do it in his one minute opening and closing statements - so it will be nice and self-contained - with no danger of interruption or looking as if he isn't debating properly with the others.
And the press will expose that for what it is.
Miliband has gone on the record wanting a positive, policy-based campaign. Going personal will only diminish him.
We could potentially have new leaders of all 4 of the big parties within the next 2 years. (Even if the Tories win, it probably won't be long before Cameron goes now that he's already "lame duck-ed" himself with his no 3rd term pledge.)
I think a lot of people are going to enjoy this debate the most...
When is it?
The 16th of April.
Dave's played a blinder on the debates
I don't think Tyson will be watching, he doesn't like blood sports. All those terriers running round Miliband nipping at his heels. It will be Emmanuel Goldstein and the Ten Minute Hate. (er, for the avoidance of doubt, that's a literary allusion and not an anti-semitic one. And the most mixed metaphor I have ever penned).
I recently did a thread that said Tony Blair had become the Emmanuel Goldstein of the Labour party.
In all fairness it could be a blunder by Dave and Nick, two hours of kicking the coalition without a rebuttal.
Ah - but there has to be balance as part of the overall coverage. We just don't know how that will be managed.
Who do the SNP, Greens and Plaid want votes from? Labour. Who are they going to kick to get them? Miliband.
Who is going to have to be a brave little soldier? Miliband.
Yes - you can just as easily say it diminishes Miliband by being is this debate as it might enhance him. If he does well then its only against minnows. But the 'challengers' are not really challengers at all. Two of them are regional parties who should have no say in a lot of English policy. The other two are going to be lucky to get one seat between them. He gets airtime, but to what end? The danger for Miliband is that he has to protect himself from being pushed ever leftward by the nats at the expense of the English. Its one thing to be PM form a coalition when you have say won most seats, but if you have not won most seats and you are giving in to a nationalist party which has wiped you out then you must look weak.
Plaid and the SNP are challenging for dominance in their respective regions. This is just part of a longer game to strip Labour of their powerbases. They have much to gain from seeing Miliband suffer during the debate.
Another classic case of the t'interweb getting things not quite right.
Plato did not say that in 427BC because that was the year he was born (or perhaps if some sources are believed 3 years before he was born.) I know he was supposed to be quite a philosopher but that is pushing it some.
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
Presumably Sturgeon will put ed on the spot as to whether he will coalish with her to defeat Cameron. And ed will respond with - what, exactly?
Miliband is hardly likely to support a Tory Queen Speech I would have thought. Still if Cameron is in a position to try and pass a Queen Speech, Miliband probably won't be staying as Labour leader.
Another classic case of the t'interweb getting things not quite right.
Plato did not say that in 427BC because that was the year he was born (or perhaps if some sources are believed 3 years before he was born.) I know he was supposed to be quite a philosopher but that is pushing it some.
I can't imagine Plato saying any such thing, for millions of reasons, and a bit of googling exposes this as 19th century doggerel: tcantine.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/more-misquoting-plato.html
The challengers debate is really Miliband versus the rest. The other 4 parties are not in competition with one another in any seat of note but Labour are their main party to beat in many of their target seats. Labour on the hand are unlikely to take any seats apart maybe one Plaid, from any of them but will be looking minimise the damage that the four parties can inflict. It will be interesting to see what Miliband's strategy will be. Does he defend against the 4 other leaders or does he attack Cameron when ever possible knowing that none of the other leaders are likely to agree with the Tories position.
Another classic case of the t'interweb getting things not quite right.
Plato did not say that in 427BC because that was the year he was born (or perhaps if some sources are believed 3 years before he was born.) I know he was supposed to be quite a philosopher but that is pushing it some.
I cannot be bothered to check, but I'm sure I recall the same sentiment and similar words floating around online attributed to ancient Babylonian sources, just to take the supposed point back even further.
I think Ed getting duffed up by Sturgeon could be bad for Ed in Scotland and providing he manages to come out better than Carmichael OK in England. There are 2 or 3% that follow whoever is on the Telly.
Carmichael won't be there. No Con or LD.
The separate Scottish leaders debate (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
I mean Sturgeon is the big danger for Ed in debate 2 as she is a mile better than Bennett or Wood. Obv Farage is there but Sturgeon can only be voted for in Scotland. If Lucas was there it'd be another matter entirely. I think he'll get bested by Sturgeon again but not by Bennett.
Agreed - though I guess being beaten by Sturgeon generally diminishes him a bit in the eyes of English viewers - makes him look a bit less PM material.
I still think he is going to make a big thing about Cameron (and Clegg) not being there - and he reckons that the hit Cameron will take will be bigger than any hit he takes from losing to Sturgeon.
But the moderator won't let him - ranting about a non-party to the debate isn't debating. There won't even be an empty chair. Anyway he isn't in a position to make the risk/reward calculation you hint at, he is locked in to the debate whether he likes it or not by all the "chicken" talk. Hilarious doesn't begin to describe it.
Agreed. He won't do it in the debate - he'll do it in his one minute opening and closing statements - so it will be nice and self-contained - with no danger of interruption or looking as if he isn't debating properly with the others.
And what will he say? Look, people who were invited to take part in the last debate and did so, weren't invited to participate in this one and haven't done so? Killer point.
I think a lot of people are going to enjoy this debate the most...
How will Ed cope when everyone else wants less austerity than he does? Scylla and Charibdys
He can be "responsible" and "Prime Ministerial"
Possible. If the others look extreme as they gang up on him, he may well look better and less risky an option to those who were leaning toward Cameron in the first debate. Sure, there's lefty votes to be lost, but it's a good way to show to centrish voters that clearly he must still be in that bracket, given the way the others are going after him.
That's an exclusive? I know politicians will be going after well-worn ground as if for the first time in a GE campaign - some people will not have picked up on the themes before - but even so that's stretching the exclusive label a bit, even if it was the first time he said it direct to the Sun, which I doubt.
I see Djokovic beat the Scottish tennis player Andy Murray again to win fifth Miami Open title
Andy gets married next week so perhaps mind on other things?
Do you think he will win tournaments once he becomes British ?
I can't understand this 'he's only British when he's winning.' Surely losing with grace in the manner of, for example Tim Henman, is one of our most endearing national traits. Along with self-flagellation.
I see Djokovic beat the Scottish tennis player Andy Murray again to win fifth Miami Open title
Andy gets married next week so perhaps mind on other things?
Do you think he will win tournaments once he becomes British ?
I can't understand this 'he's only British when he's winning.' Surely losing with grace in the manner of, for example Tim Henman, is one of our most endearing national traits. Along with self-flagellation.
I think some of us were led to believe he was not another natural born loser. Sadly, it turned out he is just that !
On Danny Alexander - The Sun's political coverage is bordering on caricature. Having seen the absurd stitch up of Miliband today on the front page I looked inside and they had a handwriting 'expert' point out that Ed's scribblings were a clear sign of his uselessness.
Obviously they must be pretty angry over what happened to the NOTW and then Miliband's silence on The Mirror's misdeeds. But they went over the top on Brown in 2009 and faced a backlash from their own readers, so they should be careful.
The Challengers Debate is looking so bad to Miliband, he is doomed and there's absolutely nothing he can do about it. He's like a petrified critter, stood still in the road as the truck rushes towards him.
At some point, Sturgeon or Wood will start a Round the House question asking each leader to say if they'll support them in preventing a Tory Government, once they've asked the two other women they'll ask Ed and he will be left looking utterly inept, useless and hesitant before weakly reeling off his usual stock reply about "seeking a majority"
I never understood why either the SNP or the Labour party thought that by calling Danny Alexander the Park Ranger they would somehow managed to undermine or demean him as a politician. As someone who grew up in the area, all they do is remind voters of his previous local working connection with the seat he represents.
Oh dear, Clegg and Alexander are attempting a pincer movement on their closest work colleagues in Government.... The Guardian - Nick Clegg: George Osborne is a 'very dangerous man' "George Osborne is a “very dangerous man” whose plan for the public finances would result in economic “disaster”, Nick Clegg has warned in one of his strongest attacks yet on the Tory strategy."
Daily Telegraph - Danny Alexander accuses David Cameron of 'breathtaking hypocrisy' "Danny Alexander has accused David Cameron and George Osborne of "breathtaking hypocrisy" after revealing that a senior Conservative minister told a Liberal Democrat cabinet colleague: “You take care of the workers and we’ll take care of the bosses”."
Oh dear, Clegg and Alexander are attempting a pincer movement on their closest work colleagues in Government.... The Guardian - Nick Clegg: George Osborne is a 'very dangerous man' "George Osborne is a “very dangerous man” whose plan for the public finances would result in economic “disaster”, Nick Clegg has warned in one of his strongest attacks yet on the Tory strategy."
Daily Telegraph - Danny Alexander accuses David Cameron of 'breathtaking hypocrisy' "Danny Alexander has accused David Cameron and George Osborne of "breathtaking hypocrisy" after revealing that a senior Conservative minister told a Liberal Democrat cabinet colleague: “You take care of the workers and we’ll take care of the bosses”."
Oh dear, Clegg and Alexander are attempting a pincer movement on their closest work colleagues in Government.... The Guardian - Nick Clegg: George Osborne is a 'very dangerous man' "George Osborne is a “very dangerous man” whose plan for the public finances would result in economic “disaster”, Nick Clegg has warned in one of his strongest attacks yet on the Tory strategy."
Daily Telegraph - Danny Alexander accuses David Cameron of 'breathtaking hypocrisy' "Danny Alexander has accused David Cameron and George Osborne of "breathtaking hypocrisy" after revealing that a senior Conservative minister told a Liberal Democrat cabinet colleague: “You take care of the workers and we’ll take care of the bosses”."
The Challengers Debate is looking so bad to Miliband, he is doomed and there's absolutely nothing he can do about it. He's like a petrified critter, stood still in the road as the truck rushes towards him.
At some point, Sturgeon or Wood will start a Round the House question asking each leader to say if they'll support them in preventing a Tory Government, once they've asked the two other women they'll ask Ed and he will be left looking utterly inept, useless and hesitant before weakly reeling off his usual stock reply about "seeking a majority"
It will be is great television. I can't wait.
Of course in the company he will have in the debate, even a vicious left Marxist like Ed will be the one closest to the middle.
Gawain Towler (@GawainTowler) 06/04/2015 08:41 Labour cllr 'didn't help constituent because he backed @UKIP' dailym.ai/1PaG1bo - In FPTP an elected official serves all constituents
Comments
Nick Sutton ✔ @suttonnick
Monday's Independent front page:
Tories: we’re for the bosses, you’re for the workers
#tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/T4Zxi5yoPJ
It looks like lib dem Danny Alexander spilling the beans,I'm sure osborne has plenty on the lib dems ;-)
It points out that provisions for ex pats under retirement age will have to pay their own way. The 'S1' provision is not part of EU law. Seems that if you had paid in NI for x years the govt gave you something back for it, for 2.5 years.
I am not sure what has been said before but if you are a citizen of an EU country registered as a Spanish resident and your annual income does not exceed €100,000, then you are entitled to Spanish public health care treatment even if you are not covered by social security. So ex pat pensioners need not get their health paid by the NHS.
Just like in the UK you can take out further insurance in the hope of getting better treatment.
I'm guessing but the same probably applies elsewhere.
The EU health card covers visitors.
Dave's played a blinder on the debates
Firstly to elevate its status. His appearance will create a lot more interest in it and the campaign being stilted with debate coverage for a few days is what Labour would prefer.
Secondly, there's a decent chance he could come out on top in the debate polls that follow. He would go into the debate as the leader with comfortably the highest party vote behind him. We saw last week that he came first in three of the post debate polls without having to do anything noteworthy.
http://thediplomat.com/2015/04/putins-new-wunderwaffe-the-worlds-deadliest-tank/
All the debates are on a Thursday aren't they?
The Italian health system is outstanding- you have immediate access to your named GP (through email, mobile, making appointments whatever), and you pay for what you can afford. You need to speak a bit of Italian mind to navigate the maze of bureaucracy mind.
Fat lot of good 'coming first' seems to have done him.
Andy gets married next week so perhaps mind on other things?
Sweet!
In all fairness it could be a blunder by Dave and Nick, two hours of kicking the coalition without a rebuttal.
This has to be the worst, I mean the worst political campaign ever by all parties. Nihilistic and pandering to the level below the lowest common intellectual denominator which I never thought existed until now.
Who do the SNP, Greens and Plaid want votes from? Labour. Who are they going to kick to get them? Miliband.
Who is going to have to be a brave little soldier? Miliband.
Good night!
And whilst it will be difficult for Miliband, many of the public will wonder why Cameron and Clegg aren't there. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Miliband mentions this in both his opening and closing statements. That will not look good for Cameron (or Clegg).
Finally, it will rate well - I expect it to start at 8.30pm - so after the soaps on ITV. There's no football or anything like that as competition - the ITV competition will be weak which means it's guaranteed a reasonable audience on BBC1.
I would guess 5m to 6m - so not miles less than the 7 way debate.
The separate Scottish leaders debates (which will have all parties with their Scottish leaders - ie Murphy for Lab) will only be shown in Scotland (***) so irrelevant as far as English audience is concerned.
On BBC1/ITV1 - it may be on Sky News / BBC News channel but that audience isn't large enough to matter.
The figures speak for themselves - the govt has clamped down on spending, as it said it would.
All this has nothing to do with immigration. The relative success of the economy has been driving immigration.
Overseas aid has gone up from about 0.55% of GDP to 0.7%. The 0.7% target goes back to before England won the World cup
I still think he is going to make a big thing about Cameron (and Clegg) not being there - and he reckons that the hit Cameron will take will be bigger than any hit he takes from losing to Sturgeon.
Is that honestly a serious question?
These are often sentient, intelligent creatures.
Not existing is not relevant. The idea of killing animals for nothing more than fun is detestable.
Would you breed highly intelligent monkeys and then kill them, painfully and slowly?
Is that honestly a serious answer ?
Perhaps you think farmers breed cattle, sheep, pigs etc for nothing more than the fun of killing them.
And I must admit to never seeing any monkey, highly intelligent or otherwise, in a field in this country.
There is a vast difference between killing animals for food as humanely as possible, as farmers do, and for fun.
perdix said: Actually its called pest control.
Scylla and Charibdys
The parameters of the debate will be very clearly set out - people will know what is at stake. It is the debate for the challengers - with the proviso that balance overall will be maintained. There is only one establishment party in the room - they will be the target.
Miliband can try smearing the people who were never going to be invited to the debate - but people will have stopped listening by then.
He has already said it tbf.
Sorry, but unlike some posters on here I don't just churn out cheerleading partisan stuff - I post what I actually think - whether it is good or bad for my party.
As for the specific (and to answer other responses as well) - Miliband will have a one minute uninterrupted opening and closing statement - in which he will be able to say what he likes (assuming he doesn't swear etc). Dimbleby will not (and would not be allowed to) interrupt him.
But the 'challengers' are not really challengers at all. Two of them are regional parties who should have no say in a lot of English policy. The other two are going to be lucky to get one seat between them. He gets airtime, but to what end?
The danger for Miliband is that he has to protect himself from being pushed ever leftward by the nats at the expense of the English. Its one thing to be PM form a coalition when you have say won most seats, but if you have not won most seats and you are giving in to a nationalist party which has wiped you out then you must look weak.
And they'll succeed.
Miliband has gone on the record wanting a positive, policy-based campaign. Going personal will only diminish him.
Another classic case of the t'interweb getting things not quite right.
Plato did not say that in 427BC because that was the year he was born (or perhaps if some sources are believed 3 years before he was born.) I know he was supposed to be quite a philosopher but that is pushing it some.
Plato did not say that in 427BC because that was the year he was born (or perhaps if some sources are believed 3 years before he was born.) I know he was supposed to be quite a philosopher but that is pushing it some.
I can't imagine Plato saying any such thing, for millions of reasons, and a bit of googling exposes this as 19th century doggerel:
tcantine.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/more-misquoting-plato.html
The other 4 parties are not in competition with one another in any seat of note but Labour are their main party to beat in many of their target seats. Labour on the hand are unlikely to take any seats apart maybe one Plaid, from any of them but will be looking minimise the damage that the four parties can inflict.
It will be interesting to see what Miliband's strategy will be. Does he defend against the 4 other leaders or does he attack Cameron when ever possible knowing that none of the other leaders are likely to agree with the Tories position.
Plato did not say that in 427BC because that was the year he was born (or perhaps if some sources are believed 3 years before he was born.) I know he was supposed to be quite a philosopher but that is pushing it some.
I cannot be bothered to check, but I'm sure I recall the same sentiment and similar words floating around online attributed to ancient Babylonian sources, just to take the supposed point back even further.
Night all.
Obviously they must be pretty angry over what happened to the NOTW and then Miliband's silence on The Mirror's misdeeds. But they went over the top on Brown in 2009 and faced a backlash from their own readers, so they should be careful.
I thought the Mail was on the side of the government.
But they're also usually on the side of 'personal responsibility'.......
At some point, Sturgeon or Wood will start a Round the House question asking each leader to say if they'll support them in preventing a Tory Government, once they've asked the two other women they'll ask Ed and he will be left looking utterly inept, useless and hesitant before weakly reeling off his usual stock reply about "seeking a majority"
It will be is great television. I can't wait.
The Guardian - Nick Clegg: George Osborne is a 'very dangerous man'
"George Osborne is a “very dangerous man” whose plan for the public finances would result in economic “disaster”, Nick Clegg has warned in one of his strongest attacks yet on the Tory strategy."
Daily Telegraph - Danny Alexander accuses David Cameron of 'breathtaking hypocrisy'
"Danny Alexander has accused David Cameron and George Osborne of "breathtaking hypocrisy" after revealing that a senior Conservative minister told a Liberal Democrat cabinet colleague: “You take care of the workers and we’ll take care of the bosses”."
Meanwhile up in Scotland...
Daily Record - Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael: 'I know who leaked Nicola Sturgeon memo but I'm not telling'
Can't imagine the blues will bother to respond.
06/04/2015 08:41
Labour cllr 'didn't help constituent because he backed @UKIP' dailym.ai/1PaG1bo - In FPTP an elected official serves all constituents
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3026015/Attacks-Muslims-specific-hate-crime-say-Tories-bid-establish-extent-Islamophobia-Britain.html
If he's crap it is a disaster of a move.
If he's competent then he's just got a bunch more screen time than his main opponents.
The proof of this pudding will be in the eating.