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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Why I have had a punt at 16-1 that Theresa May will be next

SystemSystem Posts: 11,002
edited June 2013 in General

politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Why I have had a punt at 16-1 that Theresa May will be next PM

By far the best Theresa May bet is the 16/1 from Hills that she’ll be next PM. I’ve just had a punt.bit.ly/u6wr8r

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Comments

  • isamisam Posts: 40,725
    edited June 2013
    Cameron to be deposed pre GE 2015 is 5/2 (lets say 25% really)
    May to be next Tory leader 5/1 (lets say 14.5%)

    Doesnt that make her to be PM pre 2015 about 26.5/1? (0.25*0.145) =0.036

    Unless there is another way she can be PM I reckon the 5/1 next Tory leader is better, and you could back the 5/2 Cameron out before 2015 as a hedge.. you might get both, or might get paid out if he leaves but she doesnt take over (pre 2015) or if she takes over after they lose the next election (if they do)

    Unless of course you think Cameron is shorter than 3/1 (25%) to go pre 2015 and May is shorter than 5/1 (16.6%) to be next Tory leader
  • SocratesSocrates Posts: 10,322
    edited June 2013
    carl said:

    taffys said:



    Indeed, that is now far from the case. These terms only serve to deepen arguments

    Absolutely. You can't even call a racist a racist these days without some do-badder trying to shout you down and stifle debate. It's PC gone mad.

    Are you alleging I am a racist, carl? Or are you talking about isam?
  • OblitusSumMeOblitusSumMe Posts: 9,143
    Someone has a Populus poll in the field which compares the leadership qualities of David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Ed Miliband. I have no idea who is behind it, but I don't think there is anyone else who could depose Cameron mid-term - and it's a bit difficult for him while he's Mayor of London.

    I can't quite see the Conservative Parliamentary Party uniting behind an attempt by Theresa May to depose Cameron, when she's the politician who is most well known for describing the Tories as "the nasty party".
  • Mick_PorkMick_Pork Posts: 6,530
    edited June 2013
    It's not as if May is very impressive but it's a case of who else is there?
    Boris still isn't anywhere near the commons nor is yet another Etonian a particularly safe bet.

    For all the talk of a brand new generation none of them have the profile or the experience yet and likely won't for years.

    Gove is no more voter friendly than Osbrowne.

    Hammond is boring though not quite the safe pair of hands that was assumed. His positioning on BOO is an indication that he would certainly not be averse to the job and which issue he might go big on.

    May could seem a bit too pro IN unless she too does some positioning and posturing in the next couple of years.

    I can't see any future leadership battle in the tory party not being dominated by the EU, IN or OUT. That was Cammie's 'gift' to the party should he lose. He would then retreat to a safe distance and watch the ensuing carnage, for carnage it would be.
  • carlcarl Posts: 750
    If I recall correctly some of the more astute politics watchers got on at 66/1 some time ago?
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 60,933
    Bah, she stands no chance against future Prime Minister Justine Greening.

    It's important to consider whether we'll get a new PM this side of the election. If not then Miliband (*sighs*) is likely to be next PM. If not, then I'd probably prefer to back someone like Hammond.

    The fact remains that there is not only not a range of potential successors, there isn't even a single successor who would be notably better than, or equal to, Cameron. Boris may be mentioned but he isn't even an MP.
  • isamisam Posts: 40,725
    edited June 2013
    carl said:

    If I recall correctly some of the more astute politics watchers got on at 66/1 some time ago?

    Yes some people have beat the book by 4.4%

    Although to be fair when its 66s into 16s its not the same as 6/4 into 5/4

  • taffystaffys Posts: 9,753
    Poor Theresa. High Skilled, highly efficient, very safe pair of hands, seems to know what the bloke down the pub wants. But to be leader you have to have a vision of where you want to go, and the ability to sell it.

    Theresa doesn't. Still Boris hands down for me. If he drifts wider than fives, its looking a bit tasty.
  • carlcarl Posts: 750
    Whatever the odds, I've no doubt she'd improve Tory chances of avoiding defeat at the next election if she replaced Cameron. Labour should hope it doesn't happen.

    After a Tory defeat, however, I'm not sure she'd be a good choice. Perhaps a fresh face, and a true moderniser. The Cameron "project" never really got off the ground on that front, it was all far too superficial.
  • MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382
    That poll sounds like an Ashcroft one. He uses Populus for phone surveys and YouGov for online.

    Someone has a Populus poll in the field which compares the leadership qualities of David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Ed Miliband. I have no idea who is behind it, but I don't think there is anyone else who could depose Cameron mid-term - and it's a bit difficult for him while he's Mayor of London.

    I can't quite see the Conservative Parliamentary Party uniting behind an attempt by Theresa May to depose Cameron, when she's the politician who is most well known for describing the Tories as "the nasty party".

  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    If she manages to boot Qatada out her stock will soar.

    But peak then fall.



  • RodCrosbyRodCrosby Posts: 7,737
    Longshots.... not such good bets, particularly when there's no vacancy and Cameron is doing surprisingly well at the moment...
  • isamisam Posts: 40,725
    edited June 2013
    tim said:

    I'm on this at 66/1, did I mention that?

    16/1 looks about right to me.

    Boris, like Osborne before him was a false favourite, there's very little chance the Tories go for a Bullingdon Club leader straight after Dave, they'll want to cleanse themselves of the Chumocracy.

    The interesting scenario in reply to Sam's question is what happens in a hung parliament.
    Would the tories want to get rid of the Cameroon clique and form a minority govt rather than enter a coalition with the twice failed Cameron who cost them the boundary changes and split the right?

    That is another scenario, but what price are the LDs to accept her as PM?

    So its the chance of NOM times the chance of Cameron resigning/LDs refusing to work with him (20%??) and May replacing him... (0.37*0.2*0.145) = 100/1 not all that significant to the bet

    Id prefer 2.5pts @ 5s next Con Leader 1pt@5/2 Cam out <2015 GE

  • taffystaffys Posts: 9,753
    'There's very little chance the Tories go for a Bullingdon Club leader straight after Dave, they'll want to cleanse themselves of the Chumocracy.'

    It may come as a surprise, but most people are not obsessed with the backgrounds and wealth of the leading lights of the conservative party, like you are. No politician ever lost or won an election because of their class.

    All most voters care about is if the person can deliver. Background is irrelevant beyond the bitterer parts of the left.
  • OblitusSumMeOblitusSumMe Posts: 9,143
    JosiasJessop
    Many environmentalists see mitigating the effects of climate change as being more sensible and less costly than trying to stop the change.
    In the policy discussions that involve climate science "mitigation" is the term given to attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and therefore future warming, while "adaptation" is the term given to burning fossil fuels for maximum economic return and using the subsequent extra wealth to pay for adapting to the changed climate.

    Your use of the former to denote the latter is a bit confusing, and any realistic appraisal of the uncertainty bounds on the science, let alone the uncertainty bounds on the economics*, is unable to distinguish which of the two is an optimal response.

    When it comes to these known unknowns societies historically takes a wide variety of responses, from over-reacting in an attempt to prevent the worst case scenario (for example in response to terrorist attacks) to a fatalism bordering on contempt for the evidence gathered (for example in response to deaths due to gun crime in the US).

    Of course, what people judge to be which depends on their underlying philosophy, and you may have different examples to mine. I suspect that most people's judgement of where they place societies [lack of] response to global warming on this "Chicken Little to Panglossian" scale has everything to do with political philosophy and, unfortunately, very little to do with the evidence.

    * Which, given the last ten years, must surely be greater than the uncertainties in the science.
  • RodCrosbyRodCrosby Posts: 7,737
    Sky: portrait of the Queen in Westminster Abbey has been defaced with paint....
  • JohnOJohnO Posts: 4,211
    edited June 2013
    tim said:

    I'm on this at 66/1, did I mention that?

    16/1 looks about right to me.

    Boris, like Osborne before him was a false favourite, there's very little chance the Tories go for a Bullingdon Club leader straight after Dave, they'll want to cleanse themselves of the Chumocracy.

    The interesting scenario in reply to Sam's question is what happens in a hung parliament.
    Would the tories want to get rid of the Cameroon clique and form a minority govt rather than enter a coalition with the twice failed Cameron who cost them the boundary changes and split the right?

    May will not lead the Tories. No more to be said (I'm not Roger...I hope)

    If the Tories are still palpably the largest party in a hung Parliament ie they have 40 plus seats than Labour, then Cameron will be safe. If they advance even modestly from 2010, (e.g. 5-10 seats) he may even be loved!

    In the latter scenario I would put the chances of his leading a minority government at around 80%: in the former only a little less, say 70%. Why? The LibDems are bound to suffer losses in 2015 in both instances - not horrendous by any means, but sufficient for the internal pressures for them to regroup and that can only happen in opposition.

    The decision therefore will not be Dave's but Nick's.

  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    tim banging on about Europe again ?

    Cam will be the leader at the next election - nailed on.
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,765

    I wonder what happens if the outcome of the next election is something like Con 290, Lab 280, Lib Dem 45. The Lib Dems could put either side into government, offer supply and confidence, or just go into opposition.
  • carlcarl Posts: 750
    FPT Josias Jessop

    It's not a "matter of faith". Climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuel is almost certainly happening, and the impact will probably be destructive.

    Even if you only, conservatively, put the chances of the former at 90%, and the latter at 50%, that's still a huge risk cost that should be borne by producers or consumers*, but isn't. Only Governments can correct a market failure like that, and they don't for various reasons.

    *In the case of a poorly functioning "market" like energy, the extra external cost needs to be primarily borne by producers.
  • taffystaffys Posts: 9,753
    edited June 2013
    This is a betting site remember, and we all know the answer. Yeh well there are some punters who only ever talk about their good bets. According to them they never did anything but make money.

    I'm entitled to my view sunshine, if you don;t like it you know what you can do.
  • JohnOJohnO Posts: 4,211
    @SF - A Lab minority government with some unofficial understandings with the LDs and/or other parties, repeal of the fixed term Act, and another election within a year?
  • MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053
    edited June 2013
    First day of the US Open (golf) looks like a washout as severe storms commence.
  • OblitusSumMeOblitusSumMe Posts: 9,143
    JohnO said:

    @SF - A Lab minority government with some unofficial understandings with the LDs and/or other parties, repeal of the fixed term Act, and another election within a year?

    If Clegg chooses not to form a formal pact with either party then Cameron remains PM, and dares Clegg to vote with Labour to defeat him in a confidence vote. No way he would allow Miliband to be PM without forcing the Lib Dems to nail their colours to the Labour mast.
  • Mick_PorkMick_Pork Posts: 6,530
    tim said:

    A brilliant column on the flawed logic of Cameron's European strategy.
    And why he has signed his own death warrant

    Europe will end David Cameron’s political career

    In other words: Cameron has been set up to fail. 40% of the Tory party - roughly speaking – wants out. That proportion can only, I suspect, increase, in the next few years. So it boils down to this: half the party believes that Cameron’s definition of “success” is actually evidence of failure. Because renegotiation is just a milestone on the road to withdrawal. It’s not meant to actually achieve anything. On the contrary, it’s a ploy that is built to fail and many of those pushing it have no interest in seeing it actually produce anything.

    Again, all the talk about Tory unity “holding” to 2015 or so is balderdash. The party is already split down the middle and it is a breach that cannot be mended since the growing Better Off Out caucus cannot possibly be reconciled to any plausible alternative relationship with europe. For them, Cameron’s success is failure and his failure is success.

    The only way the Prime Minister can survive the coming storm is to make a chump of himself by leaping to the Better Off Out side. The alternative – and perhaps more plausible – road to survival requires him to lose the next election. But that will be the end of him too. And so, there we have it: one way or another we’re approaching the endgame of David Cameron’s leadership of the Conservative party.


    http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/alex-massie/2013/06/europe-will-end-david-camerons-political-career/

    Massie forgets that there is is the emergency reserve parachute to be deployed in case of complete renegotiation failure or the party throwing a wobbly. Namely the referendum on a referendum. The mandate referendum.

    It's not as if Cammie hasn't made complete and utter Cast Iron fools of gullible tory Eurosceptics plenty of times already. It's why, despite all their angry temper tantrums, he still feels pretty damn safe till 2015.

    Should Cammie get back in and they start foaming at the mouth in 2017 (with not a sausage from the EU in sight) Cammie would give them a mandate referendum, tell them it's still an EU referendum, and they would pretty much have to swallow it.

    When push comes to shove a large amount of tory Eurosceptics aren't even particularly rock solid on OUT. However, they sure do need to at least sound like it and posture as hard as they can while the Kippers suck tory votes from marginals.

  • OblitusSumMeOblitusSumMe Posts: 9,143
    MikeK said:

    First day of the US Open (golf) looks like a washout as severe storms commence.

    I heard on the wireless recently that they were bringing forward the scheduled play in a tennis tournament somewhere to avoid forecast rain in the afternoon.

    I wonder whether cricket will ever do the same?
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    taffys - just follow the strategy - all bets are backed at the top price and those that don't pan out were wisely laid off at the bottom of the market (e.g. the Gove next minister out bets)

    It's a simple strategy that you should follow your betters in matching.

  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,517
    carl said:

    FPT Josias Jessop

    It's not a "matter of faith". Climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuel is almost certainly happening, and the impact will probably be destructive.

    Even if you only, conservatively, put the chances of the former at 90%, and the latter at 50%, that's still a huge risk cost that should be borne by producers or consumers*, but isn't. Only Governments can correct a market failure like that, and they don't for various reasons.

    *In the case of a poorly functioning "market" like energy, the extra external cost needs to be primarily borne by producers.

    "It's not a "matter of faith". Climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuel is almost certainly happening, and the impact will probably be destructive."

    I agree with the former assertion, and not with the latter. I find many of the claims of the effects of climate change to be frankly ridiculous. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I don't think so.

    However any increase in cost will always trickle down to the consumers, whether it is in the form of more charges or higher taxes.

    Let me ask you a question: what would your ideal vision of energy generation in Britain be in 2030, if you disregard cost? How much power would be generating from each of gas, coal, wind, wave/tital, nuclear?

  • taffystaffys Posts: 9,753
    TGOHF. It's a simple strategy that you should follow your betters in matching.

    Goodness. THAT's where I've been going wrong!! LOL
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Massie's assumptions are simplistic - he assumes the EU is a static situation with no chance of change (for the worse) before 2017 - if only we were that lucky...

    If Cam lucky enough to be PM in June 2015 then there is a good chance that the bodies of his EU enemies will float down the river before he ever has to suit up for battle.
  • JohnOJohnO Posts: 4,211
    tim said:

    JohnO said:

    @SF - A Lab minority government with some unofficial understandings with the LDs and/or other parties, repeal of the fixed term Act, and another election within a year?

    In those circumstances the Tories have to get rid of Cameron immediately, they couldn't wait for the Fixed Term Act to be repealed (whose bloody stupid idea was five year fixed anyway) and risk an election while they are shooting the Chumocracy in the cellar.

    In Sean's hypothetical outcome, Cameron's departure is not a given as the Tories would still be the largest party, would have topped the popular vote (4-5%?) and would have limited their losses to 15. And everyone would realize that a second election would be only months away. The Repeal Bill would probably not be opposed.

    Nearest analogy is 1974: I reckon it would be 50/50 on Cameron remaining party leader (assuming he wanted to stay). Everything would depend on the duration of Miliband's honeymoon and that second election.
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    taffys said:

    TGOHF. It's a simple strategy that you should follow your betters in matching.

    Goodness. THAT's where I've been going wrong!! LOL

    Yes - know your place ;)
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,765
    JohnO said:

    @SF - A Lab minority government with some unofficial understandings with the LDs and/or other parties, repeal of the fixed term Act, and another election within a year?

    I couldn't see Cameron resigining without a formal vote of confidence.
  • edmundintokyoedmundintokyo Posts: 17,136
    JohnO said:

    @SF - A Lab minority government with some unofficial understandings with the LDs and/or other parties, repeal of the fixed term Act, and another election within a year?

    No need to repeat the Fixed Term Act, if nobody can form a government you get a new election. The point of the fixed term act is to move the decision about when to have an election from the Prime Minister to parliament.
  • JohnOJohnO Posts: 4,211
    Sean_F said:

    JohnO said:

    @SF - A Lab minority government with some unofficial understandings with the LDs and/or other parties, repeal of the fixed term Act, and another election within a year?

    I couldn't see Cameron resigining without a formal vote of confidence.
    Yes, that might have to be the prelude before Miliband takes over. Wasn't 1923 the last time that happened?
  • MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382
    If the LDs had to choose then they'd go with the party that would promise to KEEP FPTP.
    Sean_F said:


    I wonder what happens if the outcome of the next election is something like Con 290, Lab 280, Lib Dem 45. The Lib Dems could put either side into government, offer supply and confidence, or just go into opposition.

  • corporealcorporeal Posts: 2,549
    JohnO said:

    Sean_F said:

    JohnO said:

    @SF - A Lab minority government with some unofficial understandings with the LDs and/or other parties, repeal of the fixed term Act, and another election within a year?

    I couldn't see Cameron resigining without a formal vote of confidence.
    Yes, that might have to be the prelude before Miliband takes over. Wasn't 1923 the last time that happened?
    Heath in 74?
  • JohnOJohnO Posts: 4,211
    corporeal said:

    JohnO said:

    Sean_F said:

    JohnO said:

    @SF - A Lab minority government with some unofficial understandings with the LDs and/or other parties, repeal of the fixed term Act, and another election within a year?

    I couldn't see Cameron resigining without a formal vote of confidence.
    Yes, that might have to be the prelude before Miliband takes over. Wasn't 1923 the last time that happened?
    Heath in 74?
    No. Heath resigned as PM before Parliament reassembled.
  • JohnOJohnO Posts: 4,211

    If the LDs had to choose then they'd go with the party that would promise to KEEP FPTP.

    Sean_F said:


    I wonder what happens if the outcome of the next election is something like Con 290, Lab 280, Lib Dem 45. The Lib Dems could put either side into government, offer supply and confidence, or just go into opposition.

    Eh? Why? If labour offerred STV?
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633

    If the LDs had to choose then they'd go with the party that would promise to KEEP FPTP.

    Sean_F said:


    I wonder what happens if the outcome of the next election is something like Con 290, Lab 280, Lib Dem 45. The Lib Dems could put either side into government, offer supply and confidence, or just go into opposition.

    Can't see Labour or Con pushing to ditch FPTP.

    LD/Con pact take 2 is a very likely scenario IMHO.
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,765
    I think it was 1923.
  • Blue_rogBlue_rog Posts: 2,019

    If the LDs had to choose then they'd go with the party that would promise to KEEP FPTP.

    Sean_F said:


    I wonder what happens if the outcome of the next election is something like Con 290, Lab 280, Lib Dem 45. The Lib Dems could put either side into government, offer supply and confidence, or just go into opposition.

    Grins - is that a change of tune I hear Mr. Smithson?
  • JohnOJohnO Posts: 4,211
    @tim - see you're reverted to juvenile gormless drone form - usual occurrence after two semi-serious observations - so can't be arsed to continue this particular discussion with you.
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Key input in Lib/Con coalition 2 discussions will be any LD block on a EU referendum - what will they ask for in return ? Will be a red line for the Cons.

    Very high risk if they try and block a coalition unless the Cons give up on a referendum.

  • isamisam Posts: 40,725
    edited June 2013
    Trotts playing like AB de Villiers!

    I heard he top scores in 60% of Engs ODIs.. is this true? If so he must be a bet every time
  • edmundintokyoedmundintokyo Posts: 17,136
    TGOHF said:

    Key input in Lib/Con coalition 2 discussions will be any LD block on a EU referendum - what will they ask for in return ? Will be a red line for the Cons.

    Very high risk if they try and block a coalition unless the Cons give up on a referendum.

    They wouldn't have to say they were doing that. If they're in a kingmaker position they shouldn't have a hard time coming up with some reasonable-sounding demands about something else that the Tories wouldn't accept.
  • JohnOJohnO Posts: 4,211
    @tim - it was your other post. But I've got bored with you today. Might play tomorrow but you have to up your game.
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633

    TGOHF said:

    Key input in Lib/Con coalition 2 discussions will be any LD block on a EU referendum - what will they ask for in return ? Will be a red line for the Cons.

    Very high risk if they try and block a coalition unless the Cons give up on a referendum.

    They wouldn't have to say they were doing that. If they're in a kingmaker position they shouldn't have a hard time coming up with some reasonable-sounding demands about something else that the Tories wouldn't accept.
    To what end ? Another election ? To dive into bed with rEd and do a 180 degree u-turn on economic policy just as the benefits are being reaped ?

    I doubt the blues will be as naive in any deal this time either as they were in 2010.
  • corporealcorporeal Posts: 2,549
    Sean_F said:

    I think it was 1923.

    1929 would be my other bid, don't know off the top of my head when Baldwin resigned.
  • JohnOJohnO Posts: 4,211
    corporeal said:

    Sean_F said:

    I think it was 1923.

    1929 would be my other bid, don't know off the top of my head when Baldwin resigned.
    Baldwin resigned immediately in 1929 (not wanting to have a re-run of 1923).
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 53,766
    TGOHF said:

    TGOHF said:

    Key input in Lib/Con coalition 2 discussions will be any LD block on a EU referendum - what will they ask for in return ? Will be a red line for the Cons.

    Very high risk if they try and block a coalition unless the Cons give up on a referendum.

    They wouldn't have to say they were doing that. If they're in a kingmaker position they shouldn't have a hard time coming up with some reasonable-sounding demands about something else that the Tories wouldn't accept.
    To what end ? Another election ? To dive into bed with rEd and do a 180 degree u-turn on economic policy just as the benefits are being reaped ?

    I doubt the blues will be as naive in any deal this time either as they were in 2010.
    I suspect in Cowley Street they will be saying exactly the same thing: "Ah yes Nick, but how can we be sure they will really deliver Lords reform this time?"
  • edmundintokyoedmundintokyo Posts: 17,136
    edited June 2013
    TGOHF said:

    TGOHF said:

    Key input in Lib/Con coalition 2 discussions will be any LD block on a EU referendum - what will they ask for in return ? Will be a red line for the Cons.

    Very high risk if they try and block a coalition unless the Cons give up on a referendum.

    They wouldn't have to say they were doing that. If they're in a kingmaker position they shouldn't have a hard time coming up with some reasonable-sounding demands about something else that the Tories wouldn't accept.
    To what end ? Another election ? To dive into bed with rEd and do a 180 degree u-turn on economic policy just as the benefits are being reaped ?

    I doubt the blues will be as naive in any deal this time either as they were in 2010.
    Don't get fooled by the messaging on either side, Ed Miliband will have much the same economic policy as David Cameron. Sure, they'd do a deal with Labour.

    If Lib+Con was the only viable option (ie Lib+Lab have gained less than 0-10 seats net) it gets a bit trickier for them, but tactically coalition might actually be less of a no-brainer than 2010, because:
    1) The EU referendum thing would be tricky for them.
    2) They've shown they'll work with the Tories if the terms are right, whereas if they'd turned them down in 2010 it would have looked like they'd never work with them under any circumstances.
    3) In 2010 a new election would very probably have meant Tory gains and LibDem losses, but in 2015 it could well be the other way around.
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    rcs1000 said:

    TGOHF said:

    TGOHF said:

    Key input in Lib/Con coalition 2 discussions will be any LD block on a EU referendum - what will they ask for in return ? Will be a red line for the Cons.

    Very high risk if they try and block a coalition unless the Cons give up on a referendum.

    They wouldn't have to say they were doing that. If they're in a kingmaker position they shouldn't have a hard time coming up with some reasonable-sounding demands about something else that the Tories wouldn't accept.
    To what end ? Another election ? To dive into bed with rEd and do a 180 degree u-turn on economic policy just as the benefits are being reaped ?

    I doubt the blues will be as naive in any deal this time either as they were in 2010.
    I suspect in Cowley Street they will be saying exactly the same thing: "Ah yes Nick, but how can we be sure they will really deliver Lords reform this time?"
    Should imagine the election coverage will be dominated by coaliton "what if" s - which could be very dull.

  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    tim said:

    @TGOHF

    a 180 degree u-turn on economic policy

    Thats was done in 2011/2 with the £245 Billion more in borrowing.

    Moving Osborne's crazy £200 Billion house price subsidies into building rather than inflating wouldn't be a U turn

    Are Latvian homophobes eligible for subsidised mortgages ? BOOOM !
  • JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    Mike Small on the extraordinary choice of panellists on tonight's Question Time -

    "The media coverage of our political and social life is important, particularly a week before a Holyrood by-election. It’s clear failing us all.

    Question Time tonight will be in Edinburgh in front of an audience of 16 and 17 year olds. Before them will be a panel comprising Nigel Farage, George Galloway, Anas Sarwar (Labour), Ruth Davidson (Tory), Lesley Riddoch, and Angus Robertson (SNP)

    So one pro-indy politician, and four Unionists. What a disgraceful manipulation by our national broadcaster.

    You don’t have to be a supporter of sovereignty for Scotland to be against this level of media imbalance."


    http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2013/06/13/tv-nation/
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,517
    tim said:

    @TGOHF

    a 180 degree u-turn on economic policy

    Thats was done in 2011/2 with the £245 Billion more in borrowing.

    Moving Osborne's crazy £200 Billion house price subsidies into building rather than inflating wouldn't be a U turn

    Be fair, Tim. I am nervous about the scheme, but it's only fair when throwing terms like 'crazy' about to compare it to other schemes. For instance, if Osborne's scheme is crazy, then Prescott's Pathfinder was insane.

    http://moneyweek.com/how-john-prescott-wasted-22bn/

    Pathfinder was a symbol of all that was wrong with New Labour.

    SAVE's viewpoint:
    "From the start, Pathfinder showed an appetite for destruction….The classic English terraced house was demonised as ‘obsolete’. Whole neighbourhoods were declared surplus at the keystroke of a consultant’s lap-top. Bureaucratic arrogance reduced communities to inmates of a ‘ZOO’ - Zone Of Opportunity - for house-builders. Statisticians assumed compulsory purchase and eviction for demolition were acceptable measures for householders in a property-owning democracy. Quite predictably, the cure turned out worse than the disease."
    Also see: http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/news/campaign.php?id=144
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    O/T:

    Weather for London on Sunday is 14 degrees and heavy rain:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2643743
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Some nervous ninnies out there - too much time on zerohedge ?


    A 10% equity scheme that hasn't yet been fully announced, hasn't started , hasn't paid out a penny, which can be stopped at any time is in danger of inflating a borrowing bubble against a backdrop of the nation paying off HE at £8Bn a quarter when under Brown it was withdrawing £16Bn a quarter ?

    All this against a history of government schemes to encourage lending usually failing miserably to see any money changing hands.

    Time to stock up on guns and bottled water methinks - this sucker is going to bring down the economy - we'll be using bitcoins and bartering cat furs to keep warm.

    You'd almost think there is no economic bad news to spin....
  • isamisam Posts: 40,725

    Mike Small on the extraordinary choice of panellists on tonight's Question Time -

    "The media coverage of our political and social life is important, particularly a week before a Holyrood by-election. It’s clear failing us all.

    Question Time tonight will be in Edinburgh in front of an audience of 16 and 17 year olds. Before them will be a panel comprising Nigel Farage, George Galloway, Anas Sarwar (Labour), Ruth Davidson (Tory), Lesley Riddoch, and Angus Robertson (SNP)

    So one pro-indy politician, and four Unionists. What a disgraceful manipulation by our national broadcaster.

    You don’t have to be a supporter of sovereignty for Scotland to be against this level of media imbalance."


    http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2013/06/13/tv-nation/

    How would you have split it?

  • JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "How would you have split it?"

    Call me weird, but 50/50 would have been good. Alternatively, the five Holyrood parties could each have had a representative, in which case it would have been three anti-independence, two pro-independence. What UKIP and Respect are doing on a Scottish edition is anyone's guess.
  • corporealcorporeal Posts: 2,549
    JohnO said:

    corporeal said:

    Sean_F said:

    I think it was 1923.

    1929 would be my other bid, don't know off the top of my head when Baldwin resigned.
    Baldwin resigned immediately in 1929 (not wanting to have a re-run of 1923).
    JohnO said:

    corporeal said:

    Sean_F said:

    I think it was 1923.

    1929 would be my other bid, don't know off the top of my head when Baldwin resigned.
    Baldwin resigned immediately in 1929 (not wanting to have a re-run of 1923).
    What exactly is the set of circumstances we're looking for?
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633

    "How would you have split it?"

    Call me weird, but 50/50 would have been good. Alternatively, the five Holyrood parties could each have had a representative, in which case it would have been three anti-independence, two pro-independence. What UKIP and Respect are doing on a Scottish edition is anyone's guess.

    Its a tv show though and they are after the ratings.

    Who in their right mind is going to tune in to see what the Scottish Greens or Socialists have to say about the price of turnips - would be a total yawnfest.

    With a "relaxed" Farage straight from the pub and Galloway just off the plane from Tora Bora it might be entertaining - in a car crash kind of way.

  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,517

    Mike Small on the extraordinary choice of panellists on tonight's Question Time -

    "The media coverage of our political and social life is important, particularly a week before a Holyrood by-election. It’s clear failing us all.

    Question Time tonight will be in Edinburgh in front of an audience of 16 and 17 year olds. Before them will be a panel comprising Nigel Farage, George Galloway, Anas Sarwar (Labour), Ruth Davidson (Tory), Lesley Riddoch, and Angus Robertson (SNP)

    So one pro-indy politician, and four Unionists. What a disgraceful manipulation by our national broadcaster.

    You don’t have to be a supporter of sovereignty for Scotland to be against this level of media imbalance."


    http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2013/06/13/tv-nation/

    It is a Holyrood by-election, not an independence referendum. Having a fair split of parties seems reasonable in this context.

    Galloway is Scottish (albeit serving an English constituency), and represents the hard left. Farage is an interesting and deserved choice after the shameful way he was treated in Edinburgh and deserves a hearing. Riddoch is a journalist with strong Scottish connections.

    So you have three left-of-centre, two right-of-centre, and one journalist whose political affiliations I am not familiar with. Oh no! It's biased towards the left!

    I know you want everything to be about independence, but there are many other issues facing Scotland. The Scottish government has a great deal of good work to be doing before the referendum.
  • QuincelQuincel Posts: 3,949
    Mike: Are you sure the PP 'Next Tory Leader to be Female' is the best odds on May? I'm seeing Bet365 offering 5/1 on May being the next leader.
  • QuincelQuincel Posts: 3,949
    On a different note, are there any bettors here who know about the NY Mayoral Race? Not a huge amount of polling but it looks like the Democratic nominee will be a shoe-in. Yet the bookies have Quinn as almost certain to win.
  • isamisam Posts: 40,725

    "How would you have split it?"

    Call me weird, but 50/50 would have been good. Alternatively, the five Holyrood parties could each have had a representative, in which case it would have been three anti-independence, two pro-independence. What UKIP and Respect are doing on a Scottish edition is anyone's guess.

    Im not going to call you anything!

    Try to ease up, it wasnt a challenge, I was interested in your opinion.

    I agree, why are UKIP & Respect on? My guess would be Farage is on to wind up the people who caused trouble when he last visited Scotland, and Galloway because he is a controversial Scotsman, but thats pretty lame from the Beeb.

    The five parties with a pro independence celebrity maybe? Maybe your good self?!! haha!
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 53,766
    @TGOHF:

    Zerohedge is the home of the conspiracy. I would pay it no heed.

    According to New York Magazine it's run by a former convicted insider trader (http://nymag.com/guides/money/2009/59457/?imw=Y&f=most-viewed-24h10), and there have been allegations (http://gross-law.com/dalrymple.pdf) that that they - according to the lawsuit attached - engaged in a strategy of "short and distort".
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Quincel said:

    On a different note, are there any bettors here who know about the NY Mayoral Race? Not a huge amount of polling but it looks like the Democratic nominee will be a shoe-in. Yet the bookies have Quinn as almost certain to win.

    Will be quite something if Weiner pulls it off...


  • isamisam Posts: 40,725

    Mike Small on the extraordinary choice of panellists on tonight's Question Time -

    "The media coverage of our political and social life is important, particularly a week before a Holyrood by-election. It’s clear failing us all.

    Question Time tonight will be in Edinburgh in front of an audience of 16 and 17 year olds. Before them will be a panel comprising Nigel Farage, George Galloway, Anas Sarwar (Labour), Ruth Davidson (Tory), Lesley Riddoch, and Angus Robertson (SNP)

    So one pro-indy politician, and four Unionists. What a disgraceful manipulation by our national broadcaster.

    You don’t have to be a supporter of sovereignty for Scotland to be against this level of media imbalance."


    http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2013/06/13/tv-nation/

    It is a Holyrood by-election, not an independence referendum. Having a fair split of parties seems reasonable in this context.

    Galloway is Scottish (albeit serving an English constituency), and represents the hard left. Farage is an interesting and deserved choice after the shameful way he was treated in Edinburgh and deserves a hearing. Riddoch is a journalist with strong Scottish connections.

    So you have three left-of-centre, two right-of-centre, and one journalist whose political affiliations I am not familiar with. Oh no! It's biased towards the left!

    I know you want everything to be about independence, but there are many other issues facing Scotland. The Scottish government has a great deal of good work to be doing before the referendum.
    Maybe, but whenever I watch QT in Scotland or anything about Scottish politics it seems to end up being about independence (hence I dont normally bother with QT when its in Scotland)

  • QuincelQuincel Posts: 3,949
    TGOHF said:

    Quincel said:

    On a different note, are there any bettors here who know about the NY Mayoral Race? Not a huge amount of polling but it looks like the Democratic nominee will be a shoe-in. Yet the bookies have Quinn as almost certain to win.

    Will be quite something if Weiner pulls it off...
    Maybe, but I reckon sex scandals aren't as bad in the US as they are here. And he is a good campaigner, it appears.

  • dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,279
    Theresa May, but Boris Will.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 39,748


    It is a Holyrood by-election, not an independence referendum. Having a fair split of parties seems reasonable in this context.

    Galloway is Scottish (albeit serving an English constituency), and represents the hard left. Farage is an interesting and deserved choice after the shameful way he was treated in Edinburgh and deserves a hearing. Riddoch is a journalist with strong Scottish connections.

    So you have three left-of-centre, two right-of-centre, and one journalist whose political affiliations I am not familiar with. Oh no! It's biased towards the left!

    I know you want everything to be about independence, but there are many other issues facing Scotland. The Scottish government has a great deal of good work to be doing before the referendum.

    Except the BBC were trailing it as a QT for 16 & 17-year-olds relating to Scottish Independence, until the BBC's desire for ratings collided with 2 self-publicists with absolutely no relevance to Scottish politics, Scottish 16 & 17-year-olds or the Independence referendum.
  • JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "It is a Holyrood by-election, not an independence referendum. Having a fair split of parties seems reasonable in this context."

    So why isn't there a fair split? Where are the Greens, who actually have two MSPs, compared to UKIP and Respect, who have none? (Indeed, Respect have hardly ever put up candidates in Scotland.)

    "Farage is an interesting and deserved choice after the shameful way he was treated in Edinburgh and deserves a hearing."

    Are you suggesting that Farage is only there because the producers are making a moral judgement about the way Farage "was treated" in Edinburgh? Now that really would be a disgrace.

    "I know you want everything to be about independence, but there are many other issues facing Scotland."

    From what I can gather, the programme has been specifically billed as a referendum special.
  • JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "James
    If I was campaigning for Scottish independence I'd want this Home Counties golf club bore on every week along with Richard Littlejohn and Jeremy Clarkson"


    Yes, I agree, if the audience are at all representative of Scottish 16 and 17 year olds, Farage is going to get the reaction from hell tonight, from unionists and nationalists alike. But it's the principle of the thing.
  • old_labourold_labour Posts: 3,238
    At least the free entry museums provide free shelter for visitors.
    AndyJS said:

    O/T:

    Weather for London on Sunday is 14 degrees and heavy rain:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2643743

  • isamisam Posts: 40,725
    edited June 2013
    tim said:

    @georgeeaton: After tonight, Farage will have appeared more times on Question Time (14) than any other politician since 2009. http://t.co/3m7PxMuFZA


    James
    If I was campaigning for Scottish independence I'd want this Home Counties golf club bore on every week along with Richard Littlejohn and Jeremy Clarkson

    To be fair, Farage has been on six times in the last two years or once every four months. In that time I think other UKIP politicians have been on as much, or perhaps five times, so the tide is turning a bit.

    Its just that there aren't as many UKIP candidates to choose from as other parties.

    When is any Green bar the leader on? Or any Respect member bar Galloway? (last week there was an ex member)

  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Guido has a scoop that Labour Mps have been told to stay away from Westminster on the day of the private members referendum vote.

    Brave Sir Ed ran away ?

    Time to dust off the chicken suit ?
  • MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382
    I was saying that this was the best bet because its coverage is far wider than just Theresa May.
    Quincel said:

    Mike: Are you sure the PP 'Next Tory Leader to be Female' is the best odds on May? I'm seeing Bet365 offering 5/1 on May being the next leader.

  • JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    Goodness me, even Lesley Riddoch is protesting about the composition of the QT panel tonight. And she's one of the panellists!
  • JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    Lesley Riddoch ‏@LesleyRiddoch 31m
    Important point about democracy & balance on tonight's @bbcqt where Nigel Farage makes 11th appearance as panellist http://www.patrickharviemsp.com/2013/06/scottish-greens-lodge-complaint-with-bbc-question-time

    Lesley Riddoch ‏@LesleyRiddoch 5m
    1/2 @bbcqt says "Tonight's prog aims 2 provide its unique audience of 16 & 17 year olds with as broad a range of political opinion as poss.

    Lesley Riddoch ‏@LesleyRiddoch 52s
    2/2 while offering UK wide audience a varied & interesting political debate" Greens & LDs r in Scots "broad range" - UKIP & Respect r not.



  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,517

    "It is a Holyrood by-election, not an independence referendum. Having a fair split of parties seems reasonable in this context."

    So why isn't there a fair split? Where are the Greens, who actually have two MSPs, compared to UKIP and Respect, who have none? (Indeed, Respect have hardly ever put up candidates in Scotland.)

    "Farage is an interesting and deserved choice after the shameful way he was treated in Edinburgh and deserves a hearing."

    Are you suggesting that Farage is only there because the producers are making a moral judgement about the way Farage "was treated" in Edinburgh? Now that really would be a disgrace.

    "I know you want everything to be about independence, but there are many other issues facing Scotland."

    From what I can gather, the programme has been specifically billed as a referendum special.

    Re. your Farage question: no, I am not suggesting that. But he hardly got a fair hearing, did he? (And I say that as someone unlikely to vote UKIP). Hopefully the debate will be more sensible tonight, and a bunch of blathering idiots won't try to stop him from speaking.

    The program is broadcast throughout the UK; it is not Scotland only. It therefore has to try to be of interest to viewers outside Scotland. Therefore it should represent the full nation, with a slant to whatever areas they are in. The questions should cover both national and local issues.

    However, if it has been spelt out as a 'referendum special', then I am minded to agree with you. But if that is the case, I would be interested to know why such a special has been placed just before a by-election where many other issues are at stake.
  • "James
    If I was campaigning for Scottish independence I'd want this Home Counties golf club bore on every week along with Richard Littlejohn and Jeremy Clarkson"


    Yes, I agree, if the audience are at all representative of Scottish 16 and 17 year olds, Farage is going to get the reaction from hell tonight, from unionists and nationalists alike. But it's the principle of the thing.

    I very much doubt that a 16 or 17 year old who voluntarily spends an evening going along to watch Question Time will be at all representative of their peer group.
  • JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "But he hardly got a fair hearing, did he?"

    He got more than a fair hearing. Are you seriously suggesting he didn't? He got an absurd amount of TV and radio coverage.

    "The program is broadcast throughout the UK; it is not Scotland only. It therefore has to try to be of interest to viewers outside Scotland."

    Curiously enough, English editions of QT never seem to take much account of "it has to be interesting to viewers outside England". And let's not forget the notorious Glasgow edition a couple of years back when the first quarter of the show was taken up with an English-only matter, but then Nicola Sturgeon was told to shut up for daring to talk about a Scottish-only matter -

    http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/please-remember-youre-talking-to-whole.html
  • corporealcorporeal Posts: 2,549

    "James
    If I was campaigning for Scottish independence I'd want this Home Counties golf club bore on every week along with Richard Littlejohn and Jeremy Clarkson"


    Yes, I agree, if the audience are at all representative of Scottish 16 and 17 year olds, Farage is going to get the reaction from hell tonight, from unionists and nationalists alike. But it's the principle of the thing.

    I very much doubt that a 16 or 17 year old who voluntarily spends an evening going along to watch Question Time will be at all representative of their peer group.
    Very true (albeit fairly true for any age group). If anyone at QT hasn't got their mind strongly made up before hand I'd be heavily surprised.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    MickP0rk FPT re Deeds of Variance

    Can we agree that we *know* Ed Miliband is a hypocrite and that David Cameron *might* be a hypocrite (specifically re: taxation) but we don't have the evidence to prove it one way or the other?
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    tim said:

    A brilliant column on the flawed logic of Cameron's European strategy.
    And why he has signed his own death warrant

    Europe will end David Cameron’s political career

    In other words: Cameron has been set up to fail. 40% of the Tory party - roughly speaking – wants out. That proportion can only, I suspect, increase, in the next few years. So it boils down to this: half the party believes that Cameron’s definition of “success” is actually evidence of failure. Because renegotiation is just a milestone on the road to withdrawal. It’s not meant to actually achieve anything. On the contrary, it’s a ploy that is built to fail and many of those pushing it have no interest in seeing it actually produce anything.

    Again, all the talk about Tory unity “holding” to 2015 or so is balderdash. The party is already split down the middle and it is a breach that cannot be mended since the growing Better Off Out caucus cannot possibly be reconciled to any plausible alternative relationship with europe. For them, Cameron’s success is failure and his failure is success.

    The only way the Prime Minister can survive the coming storm is to make a chump of himself by leaping to the Better Off Out side. The alternative – and perhaps more plausible – road to survival requires him to lose the next election. But that will be the end of him too. And so, there we have it: one way or another we’re approaching the endgame of David Cameron’s leadership of the Conservative party.


    http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/alex-massie/2013/06/europe-will-end-david-camerons-political-career/

    Had breakfast this morning with a senior member of a French industrial family.

    Very close to both the French and German governments. His comment was that Cameron's gambit was seen as basically akin to blackmail (and, to be fair, it is) and that it hasn't gone down that well. In terms of the UK leaving, the view is that it would be a lose-lose situation - the key element is that France and Germany would go very aggressively for the City if the UK was outside the EU in a way that they aren't right now.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,517

    "But he hardly got a fair hearing, did he?"

    He got more than a fair hearing. Are you seriously suggesting he didn't? He got an absurd amount of TV and radio coverage.

    "The program is broadcast throughout the UK; it is not Scotland only. It therefore has to try to be of interest to viewers outside Scotland."

    Curiously enough, English editions of QT never seem to take much account of "it has to be interesting to viewers outside England". And let's not forget the notorious Glasgow edition a couple of years back when the first quarter of the show was taken up with an English-only matter, but then Nicola Sturgeon was told to shut up for daring to talk about a Scottish-only matter -

    http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/please-remember-youre-talking-to-whole.html

    The amount of TV and radio coverage Farage got would have been a great deal less if those blathering idiots had just let him have his say without publicising the event. As it is, it was their protest rather than his message that got the coverage.

    As I said, idiots.

    I haven't watched QT much in recent months, but when I used to watch it regularly I often found the questions on local affairs to be the most interesting. And that is key: local. A question about an issue in Cornwall does not have much effect on me here in Cambridge, yet comes under your 'English' banner. And yet such questions are often the most interesting.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    rcs1000 said:

    TGOHF said:

    TGOHF said:

    Key input in Lib/Con coalition 2 discussions will be any LD block on a EU referendum - what will they ask for in return ? Will be a red line for the Cons.

    Very high risk if they try and block a coalition unless the Cons give up on a referendum.

    They wouldn't have to say they were doing that. If they're in a kingmaker position they shouldn't have a hard time coming up with some reasonable-sounding demands about something else that the Tories wouldn't accept.
    To what end ? Another election ? To dive into bed with rEd and do a 180 degree u-turn on economic policy just as the benefits are being reaped ?

    I doubt the blues will be as naive in any deal this time either as they were in 2010.
    I suspect in Cowley Street they will be saying exactly the same thing: "Ah yes Nick, but how can we be sure they will really deliver Lords reform this time?"
    You're smarter than that Robert.

    You know that the Tories didn't promise to deliver Lords reform - because they couldn't. The party is split on that issue too.
  • JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    edited June 2013
    "The amount of TV and radio coverage Farage got would have been a great deal less if those blathering idiots had just let him have his say without publicising the event. As it is, it was their protest rather than his message that got the coverage."

    If Farage gets an undue amount of coverage from broadcasters, that is the responsibility of the broadcasters. It is not the responsibility of a small group of young (and for the most part peaceful) protesters, regardless of whether in your personal opinion they are "idiots" or not.

    "A question about an issue in Cornwall does not have much effect on me here in Cambridge, yet comes under your 'English' banner. And yet such questions are often the most interesting."

    There are very, very rarely those kind of specific local issues. What there is on a regular basis, however, is English-only issues such as health and education, which have no relevance whatever to a Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish audience. That is not to say those English-only issues shouldn't be covered, but they should be balanced by proper coverage of Scottish-only issues when the programme makes a rare foray north of the border. There are plenty of opportunities for the composition of QT panels to represent the party system of England - it happens on a weekly basis. Tonight it should be representing the party system of Scotland - which means Greens in, UKIP and Respect out.
  • isamisam Posts: 40,725

    "The amount of TV and radio coverage Farage got would have been a great deal less if those blathering idiots had just let him have his say without publicising the event. As it is, it was their protest rather than his message that got the coverage."

    If Farage gets an undue amount of coverage from broadcasters, that is the responsibility of the broadcasters. It is not the responsibility of a small group of young (and for the most part peaceful) protesters, regardless of whether in your personal opinion they are "idiots" or not.

    "A question about an issue in Cornwall does not have much effect on me here in Cambridge, yet comes under your 'English' banner. And yet such questions are often the most interesting."

    There are very, very rarely those kind of specific local issues. What there is on a regular basis, however, is English-only issues such as health and education, which have no relevance whatever to a Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish audience. That is not to say those English-only issues shouldn't be covered, but they should be balanced by proper coverage of Scottish-only issues when the programme makes a rare foray north of the border. There are plenty of opportunities for the composition of QT panels to represent the party system of England - it happens on a weekly basis. Tonight it should be representing the party system of Scotland - which means Greens in, UKIP and Respect out.


    Excluding this one, unless its tim or an SNP supporter, do you only respond to posts you disagree with?


  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,517

    "The amount of TV and radio coverage Farage got would have been a great deal less if those blathering idiots had just let him have his say without publicising the event. As it is, it was their protest rather than his message that got the coverage."

    If Farage gets an undue amount of coverage from broadcasters, that is the responsibility of the broadcasters. It is not the responsibility of a small group of young (and for the most part peaceful) protesters, regardless of whether in your personal opinion they are "idiots" or not.

    "A question about an issue in Cornwall does not have much effect on me here in Cambridge, yet comes under your 'English' banner. And yet such questions are often the most interesting."

    There are very, very rarely those kind of specific local issues. What there is on a regular basis, however, is English-only issues such as health and education, which have no relevance whatever to a Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish audience. That is not to say those English-only issues shouldn't be covered, but they should be balanced by proper coverage of Scottish-only issues when the programme makes a rare foray north of the border. There are plenty of opportunities for the composition of QT panels to represent the party system of England - it happens on a weekly basis. Tonight it should be representing the party system of Scotland - which means Greens in, UKIP and Respect out.

    Are you claiming that the attack on Farage (and it did amount to an attack, and was far from peaceful) was not newsworthy?

    If that sort of scene is acceptable in Scotland, then God help you if you get independence. It was pathetic, as were their motives - Farage is no racist. And As I've said, I've got no particular fondness for him.

    Scotalnd: where the mob rules. Do not dare to have a contrary opinion, or we'll hound you out. There is only one truth...
  • JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "If that sort of scene is acceptable in Scotland, then God help you if you get independence."

    A largely peaceful protest? Yes, God help us if that sort of nonsense is allowed to continue. Much better we taser the bastards, or lock them up under trumped up anti-terror charges, yes?
  • JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    Alison Johnstone ‏@AlisonJohnstone 45s
    Share frustration out there about yet another #bbcqt panel. Greens would love to be on, look forward to BBC reply to our complaint.
  • JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    isam -

    "Excluding this one, unless its tim or an SNP supporter, do you only respond to posts you disagree with?"

    I don't follow?
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,517

    "If that sort of scene is acceptable in Scotland, then God help you if you get independence."

    A largely peaceful protest? Yes, God help us if that sort of nonsense is allowed to continue. Much better we taser the bastards, or lock them up under trumped up anti-terror charges, yes?

    "largely peaceful?" Yeah, right.

    The point is that he had every right to speak. You may not like him or his politics, but he is far from extreme and certainly a million miles away from the likes of Griffin. But these idiots (and yes, it is my opinion, but I bet the majority agree) seem to think that because they (wrongly) think he is racist, they can stop him speaking.

    As I said, it's a bad indication of the state of political debate in Scotland.

    And behaviour you seem to support.
  • JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "largely peaceful?" Yeah, right.

    It was. In fact from the TV pictures it looked entirely peaceful - I gather there were a couple of arrests, but I'm not sure of the details of those.

    "The point is that he had every right to speak."

    And by God was he allowed to speak. If only the Scottish Greens were being given the same opportunity tonight -

    Scottish Greens have lodged an official complaint with the BBC about the lack of balance on Question Time, and have asked for an urgent meeting with corporation managers so they can explain how they will remedy the problem.

    Tonight's edition of the programme comes from Edinburgh, features an audience of 16 and 17 year olds and is billed on the BBC website as including discussion on independence.

    The panel comprises a representative of the SNP, a non-party political journalist and four anti-independence politicians, two of whom do not represent Scottish constituencies nor do they have any party representation in Scotland. Yet there is no Scottish Green representation despite the party having 2 MSPs and 14 councillors. Scottish Greens have only appeared on Question Time once in the 14 years since the start of the Scottish Parliament – and that was over two years ago.

    Scottish Greens Co-convener Patrick Harvie MSP said:

    "Tonight's Question Time line up is particularly bizarre, and following a telephone discussion with the editor it is clear to me that this programme has been contrived to deliver sensationalist confrontation, rather than serious debate. The lack of balance is staggering and I know from comments we've received it's not just Green supporters who are alarmed.

    "This situation is particularly unacceptable a week before the Scottish Parliamentary by-election in Aberdeen Donside, which should require particular attention to political balance. The BBC has shown serious misjudgement in allowing tonight's programme to go ahead and we look forward to meeting senior managers to discuss how they intend to rectify a situation that will have harmed the broadcaster's reputation for fairness."


    http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/news/show/6836/scottish-greens-lodge-official-complaint-with-bbc-question-time
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 39,748
    edited June 2013


    Scotalnd: where the mob rules. Do not dare to have a contrary opinion, or we'll hound you out. There is only one truth...

    Put your frillies back on.
    If there's a time to be calling someone fascist scum, it's when you're a 20-year-old student. A 49-year-old politician who wants to influence a nation and who hangs up the phone in a huff afterwards, not so much.

  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 26,279
    O/T:

    Councils where the LDs won the most votes in the local elections:

    1. Eastbourne
    2. Eastleigh
    3. Cheltenham
    4. Oadby & Wigston
    5. South Lakeland
    6. Watford

    Councils where UKIP won the most votes in the local elections:

    1. Basildon
    2. Castle Point
    3. Forest of Dean
    4. Swale
    5. Thanet
    6. Boston
    7. Great Yarmouth
    8. Adur
    9. Arun

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At91c3wX1Wu5dHBJLWkxVDlsdHZXMnFTQjNDUEE2MGc#gid=0

  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 53,766
    Charles said:

    rcs1000 said:

    TGOHF said:

    TGOHF said:

    Key input in Lib/Con coalition 2 discussions will be any LD block on a EU referendum - what will they ask for in return ? Will be a red line for the Cons.

    Very high risk if they try and block a coalition unless the Cons give up on a referendum.

    They wouldn't have to say they were doing that. If they're in a kingmaker position they shouldn't have a hard time coming up with some reasonable-sounding demands about something else that the Tories wouldn't accept.
    To what end ? Another election ? To dive into bed with rEd and do a 180 degree u-turn on economic policy just as the benefits are being reaped ?

    I doubt the blues will be as naive in any deal this time either as they were in 2010.
    I suspect in Cowley Street they will be saying exactly the same thing: "Ah yes Nick, but how can we be sure they will really deliver Lords reform this time?"
    You're smarter than that Robert.

    You know that the Tories didn't promise to deliver Lords reform - because they couldn't. The party is split on that issue too.
    My point is simply that the Liberal Democrats almost certainly feel as let down by their coalition partners as vice-versa.
  • anotherDaveanotherDave Posts: 6,746
    "Sir Mick Jagger, the lead singer of the iconic Rolling Stones, has let slip a dark secret: He’s a fan of Margaret Thatcher."

    http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/350940/mick-jagger-margaret-thatcher-fan-john-fund
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