I don't agree with his politics but Murphy is a strong debate performer; a much stronger Scottish Labour leader than those I have seen in recent years.
About non-doms,I think Labour could have done better on a bomb-shell of a policy.
And the Tories have done as well as they could with a popular left-wing policy.
Tightening the rules on non-doms is not necessarily a left-wing policy. If you choose to live in a country you should jolly well contribute by paying taxes on the same basis as everyone else. I pay taxes at pretty high marginal rates - and both my parents were immigrants - and I am fed up with others inheriting a tax domicile that allows them to live in the same country with the same advantages but pay tax on a lesser and more favourable basis, as if paying tax were some optional hobby.
The devil is in the detail, of course, which is where Labour tend to fall over their own shoelaces. But there is something very unappealing about very rich people complaining about being asked to comtribute and saying they'll leave if they don't get things their own way.
Blackmail is still blackmail, whether it's done by some union leader threatening strikes or some wealthy foreigner threatening to leave.
Our economy - even in London - has to amount to more than just servicing the needs of the spoilt rich.
The non doms still pay UK taxes on UK revenue - £8.3 billion last tax year. Not bad for non-payers of taxes.
BBC's Have Your Say is unimpressed with this policy proposal. That surprised me.
Really? When you think of it, this is a de facto shift of the burden of taxation from the wealthy to the ordinary man in the street.
We ban non doms.
They leave.
We have to make up the tax shortfall.
So where will these people go to? The USA - doesn't have such a thing as non-dom status. France? It's a socialist nightmare so we hear. A tax haven? You'll have a job commuting to work in the city every day or going out for dinner in Mayfair - if someone's minded to go to the inconvenience they probably are already. It's getting rid of an unfair anomaly in the system. Claiming 'all rich people will leave' is getting a little bit like the boy who cried wolf - yes, if you raise taxation to punitive levels, people will leave, but pretending the rich will all decamp en masse at a change which brings us into line with most other countries, or every tinker with the tax code is daft. Even Cameron and Osborne know this, hence why the two main attack lines are that they're doing things already, and that Balls is contradicting himself (quoting him very selectively - it hardly seems up there with 'kick me out if I don't cut immigration'). When Tories have made that argument it's been half-heartedly as a way of deflating enthusiasm for it rather than outraged opposition.
It's a win for Labour but a minor one, anyone thinking it will shift the polls needs to sober up. I think most people will like the idea, as it seems a fair one, but probably know that it's pretty small beer in the scheme of things.
Not everyone's going to head for Geneva en masse on the next flight from Heathrow, but some will, and it doesn't take may billionaires to start creating a shortfall. The point is we don't know where the balance lies hence my view we proceed slowly ratcheting up the non dom "fee" to test the real elasticity of demand so to speak. If you just " ban the lot pronto" a la Ed M this morning ( since seemingly rowed back on by Ed Balls) you risk a nasty revenue fall surprise, and it'll be thee and me asked to make up the difference.
Nicola has put herself in a very bad corner. I doubt it's going to change attitudes but every time she makes a point about poverty or the disabled or anything on those lines, whoever is debating her just has to say "that you making political points off the backs of the most vulnerable again?"
Voters though, will generally just think "oor Nicola got bullied by all those others".
I see you embarassed yourself by quoting Iain Martin again - you really do pick em!
I thought that in the ddebate Murphy finally lost it with Coburn. Understandable to a degree because the UKIP guy is a clown. However Sturgeon showed how to deal with him and that doesn't include behaving just like him!
This talk of Trident is pointless, it would easily pass the House of Commons with or without the SNP.
Quite. Con, UKIP and 75% of Lab would be in favour. SNP and Greens against. LDs split.
Outside Scotland (and Brighton maybe) there's no discussion about Trident as an issue, it's assumed that it will be renewed at the appropriate time.
Well your right there's certainly no discussion about Trident outside Scotland. But then there's not really a discussion about anything else going on either. I've no idea what support for Trident renewal is like in opinion polls. I wouldn't consider it a foregone conclusion.
It'll make no difference, but Sturgeon is being monstered here. She is completely losing it. At least she is better than the UKIP bloke
3 debates in 6 days and 2 inside 24 hours is a bit much.
Anna and I have 3 debates in 5 days from Sunday (Sun, Mon, Thur). Should be fun. There are two more soon afterwards. Traditionally, Broxtowe debates till the cows come home - I think we had 7 last time, all of them seen as more or less score draws.
Where are these to be held, I am free sunday night.
With the clip whizzing across the web, Mr Balls needed to explain his U-turn. Abruptly he stopped doing interviews, and worked frenziedly on a statement.
I don’t know who advised him on that statement – David Icke, perhaps – but their strategy was clear: put it all down to a big, stinking conspiracy. “The Tories edited my interview,” Mr Balls protested. “My interview with the BBC in January was fully consistent with the announcement today.”
Since the clip showed him saying that the abolition would cost money rather than raise it, this claim of consistency was nakedly untrue.
God knows what Mr Balls was like at school. “Sorry, Miss. The dog edited my homework.”
I can respect Ruth Davidson because she believes in what she says even if I don't agree with it. That Murphy though is just a gravy train scrounger and the BBC are subsidy junkies who don't want anything to change no matter how effed it is.
The white bits are fat in black pudding, though there may be barley in some versions. It's a bit like a very dry sausage (fat aside) in terms of texture. Not quite certain how to describe the taste- slightly dry meaty but not very strong.
It's not like either really in my view at least. Not as "dense" in taste or certainly texture. But we may all taste things slightly differently I suppose. We'll never know!
Ox tongue is a delicacy. Black pudding is delicious, either with fat or oatmeal. I just love offal in general; it's cheaper, tastier and usually more nutritious than 'normal' meat.
"Tongue sandwiches? Bleah! Eat what? But it's been in somebody else's mouth!"
"As a one-off, this might be acceptable but there's a wholly undesirable anti-rich, anti-success, anti-business element to Labour's campaigning that needs challenging and defeating before it does the country serious harm. Or, alternatively, Labour needs to demonstrate that it would do serious harm."
It's only the result of Tory ineptness that Labour have been able to run with this hare for so long. It started in a very small way when the gauche presenter Clarkson punched his junior for not getting him a steak. A smiling Cameron told us in effect that's what masters of the universe do so get used to it.... It was a parable for the next fortnight.
Then the letter from the businessmen to The Telegraph. Being lectured on the need for austerity by self interested multi millionaire Tory donors didn't didn't make people feel we were all in this together particularly when a smiling Cameron announced that it conclusively proved that business men didn't trust Labour.......
Today was a step change. This was nothing to do with business people not trusting Labour. This was confirmation that in Toryworld the new royalty are multi millionaire business men and rules that apply to the rest of us don't apply to them. I don't think voters will like it.
"As a one-off, this might be acceptable but there's a wholly undesirable anti-rich, anti-success, anti-business element to Labour's campaigning that needs challenging and defeating before it does the country serious harm. Or, alternatively, Labour needs to demonstrate that it would do serious harm."
It's only the result of Tory ineptness that Labour have been able to run with this hare for so long. It started in a very small way when the gauche presenter Clarkson punched his junior for not getting him a steak. A smiling Cameron told us in effect that's what masters of the universe do so get used to it.... It was a parable for the next fortnight.
Then the letter from the businessmen to The Telegraph. Being lectured on the need for austerity by self interested multi millionaire Tory donors didn't didn't make people feel we were all in this together particularly when a smiling Cameron announced that it conclusively proved that business men didn't trust Labour.......
Today was a step change. This was nothing to do with business people not trusting Labour. This was confirmation that in Toryworld the new royalty are multi millionaire business men and rules that apply to the rest of us don't apply to them. I don't think voters will like it.
"As a one-off, this might be acceptable but there's a wholly undesirable anti-rich, anti-success, anti-business element to Labour's campaigning that needs challenging and defeating before it does the country serious harm. Or, alternatively, Labour needs to demonstrate that it would do serious harm."
It's only the result of Tory ineptness that Labour have been able to run with this hare for so long. It started in a very small way when the gauche presenter Clarkson punched his junior for not getting him a steak. A smiling Cameron told us in effect that's what masters of the universe do so get used to it.... It was a parable for the next fortnight.
Then the letter from the businessmen to The Telegraph. Being lectured on the need for austerity by self interested multi millionaire Tory donors didn't didn't make people feel we were all in this together particularly when a smiling Cameron announced that it conclusively proved that business men didn't trust Labour.......
Today was a step change. This was nothing to do with business people not trusting Labour. This was confirmation that in Toryworld the new royalty are multi millionaire business men and rules that apply to the rest of us don't apply to them. I don't think voters will like it.
It actually confirmed two things:
1. Labour are much more interested in punishing the wealthy than raising the tax take, party before country every time.
2. It also confirmed that Labour do not understand economics.
Overall a reasonable night for Murphy tonight, and for Davidson and Rennie, not great for Sturgeon but no disaster, Harvie barely got a look in and where he did who looked well off to the margins, Cockburn played the panto villain well, went down badly with most, but might play better with his few target voters
About non-doms,I think Labour could have done better on a bomb-shell of a policy.
And the Tories have done as well as they could with a popular left-wing policy.
Tightening the rules on non-doms is not necessarily a left-wing policy. If you choose to live in a country you should jolly well contribute by paying taxes on the same basis as everyone else. I pay taxes at pretty high marginal rates - and both my parents were immigrants - and I am fed up with others inheriting a tax domicile that allows them to live in the same country with the same advantages but pay tax on a lesser and more favourable basis, as if paying tax were some optional hobby.
The devil is in the detail, of course, which is where Labour tend to fall over their own shoelaces. But there is something very unappealing about very rich people complaining about being asked to comtribute and saying they'll leave if they don't get things their own way.
Blackmail is still blackmail, whether it's done by some union leader threatening strikes or some wealthy foreigner threatening to leave.
Our economy - even in London - has to amount to more than just servicing the needs of the spoilt rich.
The non doms still pay UK taxes on UK revenue - £8.3 billion last tax year. Not bad for non-payers of taxes.
Why not get some facts before ranting?
We're supposed to be grateful, are we, that people living here paid some tax! FFS - let's grow a pair as a country. By all means, be open for business and investment but there is no earthly reason why we have to cow-tow to the demands of a few rich people.
If I - a non-Labour supporter - can see the merits in tightening the rules so that people do not take advantage unfairly those who are reacting as if Labour had proposed the slaughter of the first born are, I would suggest, a tad out of touch with how this will play with people who feel that governments (from New Labour on) have been rather too concerned with what a few rich people think rather than the rather larger number of the rest of us.
Twitter sarah smith @BBCsarahsmith · 4h 4 hours ago Behind the scenes at the BBC Scottish leaders debate @RuthDavidsonMSP adjusting @JimForScotland tie. Denies she is trying to throttle him
@michaelsavage: Tories are considering a plan to bar the sons & daughters of the super-rich from inheriting "non-dom" status. See tomorrow's Times. #GE2015
This talk of Trident is pointless, it would easily pass the House of Commons with or without the SNP.
Quite. Con, UKIP and 75% of Lab would be in favour. SNP and Greens against. LDs split.
Outside Scotland (and Brighton maybe) there's no discussion about Trident as an issue, it's assumed that it will be renewed at the appropriate time.
Well your right there's certainly no discussion about Trident outside Scotland. But then there's not really a discussion about anything else going on either. I've no idea what support for Trident renewal is like in opinion polls. I wouldn't consider it a foregone conclusion.
And just as we say that, it looks like the Tories are running with Trident as a manifesto commitment tomorrow. Good on them.
You should audition for a job with BBC Scotland. With your solid anti SNP views you are just the sort of chap they are looking for!
I thought Coburn demonstrated why it is a problem to put UKIP on a panel and expect coherent debate, Harvey underperformed this evening (he is better than he showed), Rennie was marginally better than yesterday when he was trully awful, Davidson worse than yesterday when she was good, Strugeon held her ground well under a four pronged assault and finally Murphy looks far to often like he is about to go right over the edge. Apart from Coburn he is just about the least likable performer on television.
The white bits are fat in black pudding, though there may be barley in some versions. It's a bit like a very dry sausage (fat aside) in terms of texture. Not quite certain how to describe the taste- slightly dry meaty but not very strong.
It's not like either really in my view at least. Not as "dense" in taste or certainly texture. But we may all taste things slightly differently I suppose. We'll never know!
Ox tongue is a delicacy. Black pudding is delicious, either with fat or oatmeal. I just love offal in general; it's cheaper, tastier and usually more nutritious than 'normal' meat.
"Tongue sandwiches? Bleah! Eat what? But it's been in somebody else's mouth!"
Quote from Sir Henry at Rawlinson End.
Reminds me of the old student joke about fish fingers - one wouldn't want to eat them, where had they been?
Now we know the SNP is in favour of Full Fiscal Autonomy from next year will they say where the cuts will be made?
Here's what I would cut if I were John Swinney.
Payment to Westminster for London debt - £5bn Overpayment to Westminster for Defence - cut £1.5bn (40%) Payment to Westminster for "UK Spending" - cut £2bn (85%)
Scottish surplus with OIl Minimum £1.5bn
Nice. Extra money for public spending or freedon to slash taxes.
The white bits are fat in black pudding, though there may be barley in some versions. It's a bit like a very dry sausage (fat aside) in terms of texture. Not quite certain how to describe the taste- slightly dry meaty but not very strong.
It's not like either really in my view at least. Not as "dense" in taste or certainly texture. But we may all taste things slightly differently I suppose. We'll never know!
Ox tongue is a delicacy. Black pudding is delicious, either with fat or oatmeal. I just love offal in general; it's cheaper, tastier and usually more nutritious than 'normal' meat.
"Tongue sandwiches? Bleah! Eat what? But it's been in somebody else's mouth!"
Brian Taylor on BBC Less likely than otherwise Sturgeon will make a manifesto commitment for another referendum unless a material change of circumstances eg an EU exit
Nicola has put herself in a very bad corner. I doubt it's going to change attitudes but every time she makes a point about poverty or the disabled or anything on those lines, whoever is debating her just has to say "that you making political points off the backs of the most vulnerable again?"
Voters though, will generally just think "oor Nicola got bullied by all those others".
And on the BBC news they run that line in the small video of quotes from the debate.(must be the pro-Labour bias...)
About non-doms,I think Labour could have done better on a bomb-shell of a policy.
And the Tories have done as well as they could with a popular left-wing policy.
Tightening the rules on non-doms is not necessarily a left-wing policy. If you choose to live in a country you should jolly well contribute by paying taxes on the same basis as everyone else. I pay taxes at pretty high marginal rates - and both my parents were immigrants - and I am fed up with others inheriting a tax domicile that allows them to live in the same country with the same advantages but pay tax on a lesser and more favourable basis, as if paying tax were some optional hobby.
The devil is in the detail, of course, which is where Labour tend to fall over their own shoelaces. But there is something very unappealing about very rich people complaining about being asked to comtribute and saying they'll leave if they don't get things their own way.
Blackmail is still blackmail, whether it's done by some union leader threatening strikes or some wealthy foreigner threatening to leave.
Our economy - even in London - has to amount to more than just servicing the needs of the spoilt rich.
The non doms still pay UK taxes on UK revenue - £8.3 billion last tax year. Not bad for non-payers of taxes.
Why not get some facts before ranting?
We're supposed to be grateful, are we, that people living here paid some tax! FFS - let's grow a pair as a country. By all means, be open for business and investment but there is no earthly reason why we have to cow-tow to the demands of a few rich people.
If I - a non-Labour supporter - can see the merits in tightening the rules so that people do not take advantage unfairly those who are reacting as if Labour had proposed the slaughter of the first born are, I would suggest, a tad out of touch with how this will play with people who feel that governments (from New Labour on) have been rather too concerned with what a few rich people think rather than the rather larger number of the rest of us.
I too can see the merits of tightening the rules ( slowly ) but in a world that is more mobile and interconnected than ever both from a personal and capital perspective (especially for the mega rich) you've got to tread with caution ( even if holding one's nose so to speak).
The white bits are fat in black pudding, though there may be barley in some versions. It's a bit like a very dry sausage (fat aside) in terms of texture. Not quite certain how to describe the taste- slightly dry meaty but not very strong.
It's not like either really in my view at least. Not as "dense" in taste or certainly texture. But we may all taste things slightly differently I suppose. We'll never know!
Ox tongue is a delicacy. Black pudding is delicious, either with fat or oatmeal. I just love offal in general; it's cheaper, tastier and usually more nutritious than 'normal' meat.
"Tongue sandwiches? Bleah! Eat what? But it's been in somebody else's mouth!"
@ScottyNational: News: Millions take to the streets to protest against evil BBC as they allow opposition parties to talk during FM chat with adoring audience
Nearly 70 per cent of Britain’s Jewish community plan to vote Tory http://sunpl.us/60144rBq pic.twitter.com/eMeUpTSO5M
I do love these random Scum stats. 99% of one legged nuns with a false arm will be voting Tory. 88% of Brummies who own dwarf hamsters thinks Red Ed looks weird.Then the next tweet. Labour ahead by ....
Brian Taylor on BBC Less likely than otherwise Sturgeon will make a manifesto commitment for another referendum unless a material change of circumstances eg an EU exit
She said "Something material would have to change in terms of the circumstances or public opinion".
With 48% of Scotland wanting the Second Referendum within five years, public opinion is already there. It will be in the 2016 Manifesto. They can safely scoop up 50% of the vote with that commitment in place.
Nearly 70 per cent of Britain’s Jewish community plan to vote Tory http://sunpl.us/60144rBq pic.twitter.com/eMeUpTSO5M
I do love these random Scum stats. 99% of one legged nuns with a false arm will be voting Tory. 88% of Brummies who own dwarf hamsters thinks Red Ed looks weird.Then the next tweet. Labour ahead by ....
It was a survation poll for the Jewish Chronicle wasn't it?
Mike Smithson praises Willie Rennie' s performance and claims Nicola Sturgeon isn't up to it.
Presumably anticipates LIb Dem gains in Scotland as a consequence. Still at least he did not call her "Nicola Mugabe" as the former MP for the soon-to-be SNP seat of Gordon did :-)
Now we know the SNP is in favour of Full Fiscal Autonomy from next year will they say where the cuts will be made?
Here's what I would cut if I were John Swinney.
Payment to Westminster for London debt - £5bn Overpayment to Westminster for Defence - cut £1.5bn (40%) Payment to Westminster for "UK Spending" - cut £2bn (85%)
Scottish surplus with OIl Minimum £1.5bn
Nice. Extra money for public spending or freedon to slash taxes.
You've got a cheek! Where do you think that "London" debt came from? Overspending by Scottish chancellors Brown and Darling followed by bailing out Scottish banks Royal Bank of Scotland and Halifax Bank of Scotland.
As for UK spending, a lot of that goes on welfare payments. I must have missed Scotland's full employment rate!
Now we know the SNP is in favour of Full Fiscal Autonomy from next year will they say where the cuts will be made?
Here's what I would cut if I were John Swinney.
Payment to Westminster for London debt - £5bn Overpayment to Westminster for Defence - cut £1.5bn (40%) Payment to Westminster for "UK Spending" - cut £2bn (85%)
Scottish surplus with OIl Minimum £1.5bn
Nice. Extra money for public spending or freedon to slash taxes.
You've got a cheek! Where do you think that "London" debt came from? Overspending by Scottish chancellors Brown and Darling followed by bailing out Scottish banks Royal Bank of Scotland and Halifax Bank of Scotland.
As for UK spending, a lot of that goes on welfare payments. I must have missed Scotland's full employment rate!
Even after the disbanding of the Scottish regiments, that is a £3.5 Billion hole to fill...
Sturgeon ganged up on tonight but she held her ground
A relative of mine, who watches old Brillo far more than I do, reckons he's a closet Nat. Could this be true?
That's not the impression I get. Although I do remember him saying he was a lapsed republican on This Week (just checked -twitter.com/afneil/status/475025568321507328 ). Glad to see he has embraced the sensibleness that is monarchism...
The white bits are fat in black pudding, though there may be barley in some versions. It's a bit like a very dry sausage (fat aside) in terms of texture. Not quite certain how to describe the taste- slightly dry meaty but not very strong.
It's not like either really in my view at least. Not as "dense" in taste or certainly texture. But we may all taste things slightly differently I suppose. We'll never know!
Ox tongue is a delicacy. Black pudding is delicious, either with fat or oatmeal. I just love offal in general; it's cheaper, tastier and usually more nutritious than 'normal' meat.
"Tongue sandwiches? Bleah! Eat what? But it's been in somebody else's mouth!"
Tightening the rules on non-doms is not necessarily a left-wing policy. If you choose to live in a country you should jolly well contribute by paying taxes on the same basis as everyone else. I pay taxes at pretty high marginal rates - and both my parents were immigrants - and I am fed up with others inheriting a tax domicile that allows them to live in the same country with the same advantages but pay tax on a lesser and more favourable basis, as if paying tax were some optional hobby.
The devil is in the detail, of course, which is where Labour tend to fall over their own shoelaces. But there is something very unappealing about very rich people complaining about being asked to comtribute and saying they'll leave if they don't get things their own way.
Blackmail is still blackmail, whether it's done by some union leader threatening strikes or some wealthy foreigner threatening to leave.
Our economy - even in London - has to amount to more than just servicing the needs of the spoilt rich.
The non doms still pay UK taxes on UK revenue - £8.3 billion last tax year. Not bad for non-payers of taxes.
Why not get some facts before ranting?
We're supposed to be grateful, are we, that people living here paid some tax! FFS - let's grow a pair as a country. By all means, be open for business and investment but there is no earthly reason why we have to cow-tow to the demands of a few rich people.
If I - a non-Labour supporter - can see the merits in tightening the rules so that people do not take advantage unfairly those who are reacting as if Labour had proposed the slaughter of the first born are, I would suggest, a tad out of touch with how this will play with people who feel that governments (from New Labour on) have been rather too concerned with what a few rich people think rather than the rather larger number of the rest of us.
I too can see the merits of tightening the rules ( slowly ) but in a world that is more mobile and interconnected than ever both from a personal and capital perspective (especially for the mega rich) you've got to tread with caution ( even if holding one's nose so to speak).
Certainly you have to devise a policy that works. I am, though, a bit sceptical about this ultra mobility claim. There is a reason why so much money comes to the UK: its stability, lack of corruption, rule of law, democracy, judicial system etc. These are immensely valuable and not easily found in very many other places. We have a stronger card to play than some seem to think.
Turning ourselves into Lichtenstein-on-Thames risks undermining some of the social cohesion needed to underpin the democracy, rule of law etc.
Nearly 70 per cent of Britain’s Jewish community plan to vote Tory http://sunpl.us/60144rBq pic.twitter.com/eMeUpTSO5M
I do love these random Scum stats. 99% of one legged nuns with a false arm will be voting Tory. 88% of Brummies who own dwarf hamsters thinks Red Ed looks weird.Then the next tweet. Labour ahead by ....
It was a survation poll for the Jewish Chronicle wasn't it?
? Don't pay to read the Scum, so wouldn't know. Just read it under the Labour lead confirmation. Notice there are quite a few of these random polls on there when I go on to view what the Labour lead is.
Comments
Why not get some facts before ranting?
Outside Scotland (and Brighton maybe) there's no discussion about Trident as an issue, it's assumed that it will be renewed at the appropriate time.
I'm intrigued to know how the Conservatives are going to make better use of Ruth Davidson.
Voters though, will generally just think "oor Nicola got bullied by all those others".
I see you embarassed yourself by quoting Iain Martin again - you really do pick em!
I thought that in the ddebate Murphy finally lost it with Coburn. Understandable to a degree because the UKIP guy is a clown. However Sturgeon showed how to deal with him and that doesn't include behaving just like him!
She'd do well in Westminster.
UKIP man would have gone down a treat in England,they hated him up there.
Will Rennie too quiet.
Poldark or Politics - no contest!
Andrew Neil ✔ @afneil
Sturgeon ganged up on tonight but she held her ground
He's the one who established #Frenchgate was a lie then spent 48hrs repeating the claim all over the BBC.
Quote from Sir Henry at Rawlinson End.
PoliticsHome @politicshome
Tomorrow's Guardian front page: Tories play the Trident card pic.twitter.com/tjQ9HCxDBy
BBC Politics ✔ @BBCPolitics
The Conservative Party manifesto will contain a commitment to build four new nuclear submarines, Defence... http://bbc.in/1Cq2bg6
"As a one-off, this might be acceptable but there's a wholly undesirable anti-rich, anti-success, anti-business element to Labour's campaigning that needs challenging and defeating before it does the country serious harm. Or, alternatively, Labour needs to demonstrate that it would do serious harm."
It's only the result of Tory ineptness that Labour have been able to run with this hare for so long. It started in a very small way when the gauche presenter Clarkson punched his junior for not getting him a steak. A smiling Cameron told us in effect that's what masters of the universe do so get used to it.... It was a parable for the next fortnight.
Then the letter from the businessmen to The Telegraph. Being lectured on the need for austerity by self interested multi millionaire Tory donors didn't didn't make people feel we were all in this together particularly when a smiling Cameron announced that it conclusively proved that business men didn't trust Labour.......
Today was a step change. This was nothing to do with business people not trusting Labour. This was confirmation that in Toryworld the new royalty are multi millionaire business men and rules that apply to the rest of us don't apply to them. I don't think voters will like it.
As confirmed by Nicola in Aberdeen
1. Labour are much more interested in punishing the wealthy than raising the tax take, party before country every time.
2. It also confirmed that Labour do not understand economics.
Overall a reasonable night for Murphy tonight, and for Davidson and Rennie, not great for Sturgeon but no disaster, Harvie barely got a look in and where he did who looked well off to the margins, Cockburn played the panto villain well, went down badly with most, but might play better with his few target voters
If I - a non-Labour supporter - can see the merits in tightening the rules so that people do not take advantage unfairly those who are reacting as if Labour had proposed the slaughter of the first born are, I would suggest, a tad out of touch with how this will play with people who feel that governments (from New Labour on) have been rather too concerned with what a few rich people think rather than the rather larger number of the rest of us.
sarah smith @BBCsarahsmith · 4h 4 hours ago
Behind the scenes at the BBC Scottish leaders debate @RuthDavidsonMSP adjusting @JimForScotland tie. Denies she is trying to throttle him
"Tightening the rules on non-doms is not necessarily a left-wing policy.............."'
Very good post Cyclefree.
You should audition for a job with BBC Scotland. With your solid anti SNP views you are just the sort of chap they are looking for!
I thought Coburn demonstrated why it is a problem to put UKIP on a panel and expect coherent debate, Harvey underperformed this evening (he is better than he showed), Rennie was marginally better than yesterday when he was trully awful, Davidson worse than yesterday when she was good, Strugeon held her ground well under a four pronged assault and finally Murphy looks far to often like he is about to go right over the edge. Apart from Coburn he is just about the least likable performer on television.
Payment to Westminster for London debt - £5bn
Overpayment to Westminster for Defence - cut £1.5bn (40%)
Payment to Westminster for "UK Spending" - cut £2bn (85%)
Scottish surplus with OIl Minimum £1.5bn
Nice. Extra money for public spending or freedon to slash taxes.
That statement is really going to hurt her personally. Shouldn't hurt the SNP.
http://www.electionforecast.co.uk/
PoliticsHome @politicshome
Tomorrow's Times front page: 'Backstabber' Miliband attacked over Trident pic.twitter.com/HXTfEvrWIZ
A fine film.
Terrible soundbite for anyone on the left (tbh for anyone, left right or centre but especially left).
Sun Politics ✔ @SunPolitics
Nearly 70 per cent of Britain’s Jewish community plan to vote Tory http://sunpl.us/60144rBq pic.twitter.com/eMeUpTSO5M
Tic Toc Tic Toc!
Basically its still tied.
With 48% of Scotland wanting the Second Referendum within five years, public opinion is already there. It will be in the 2016 Manifesto. They can safely scoop up 50% of the vote with that commitment in place.
My God what have I done? I have the Cons to win a minority, Kellner says I am doomed!
Load of old fanny.
https://yougov.co.uk/news/2013/07/15/trident-keep-scrap-or-downgrade/
56% want the four new submarines, 29% want to give up nuclear weapons
Presumably anticipates LIb Dem gains in Scotland as a consequence. Still at least he did not call her "Nicola Mugabe" as the former MP for the soon-to-be SNP seat of Gordon did :-)
As for UK spending, a lot of that goes on welfare payments. I must have missed Scotland's full employment rate!
Tom "Tory" Bradby, summing up todays events "You will have to chalk this up as a Labour win today".
PB Hodges always learn.....PB Hodges always right........
So if I get polled for tomorrow's poll, I'll say I'm voting Tory = Tory lead
http://www.vivarchive.org.uk/articles/playscript.htm
"Once, ever the gentleman, Hubert had offered his seat to a lady in a public lavatory. There was considerable misunderstanding."
"Ed Miliband stabbed his own brother in the back to become Labour leader. Now he is willing to stab the UK in the back to become PM"
Turning ourselves into Lichtenstein-on-Thames risks undermining some of the social cohesion needed to underpin the democracy, rule of law etc.