Whilst the thread obsesses about the next parliament, which will only last for a paltry five years, we should not forget the really important story of the day, one whose effects will last for possibly a hundred years and will be visible every day:
Yep, and far less interesting from a structural engineering viewpoint.
(As an aside, some (ahem) associates once persuaded people that we were erecting a high-tension pylon in someone's back garden. They, and the council, were not impressed with the joke).
Note: I am not a member of the Pylon Appreciation Society. Although they have used a couple of my pictures:
I stand by my comment made last month that getting excited or downhearted over an opinion poll is the equivalent of cheering or booing a throw in at a football match
Moronic behaviour. I suppose it is at least a little more bearable on here when they favour labour
Whilst the thread obsesses about the next parliament, which will only last for a paltry five years, we should not forget the really important story of the day, one whose effects will last for possibly a hundred years and will be visible every day:
Yep, and far less interesting from a structural engineering viewpoint.
(As an aside, some (ahem) associates once persuaded people that we were erecting a high-tension pylon in someone's back garden. They, and the council, were not impressed with the joke).
Note: I am not a member of the Pylon Appreciation Society. Although they have used a couple of my pictures:
I'd like to see some with integrated man-sized hamster wheels. We could use them for community service sentences AND obesity treatment options. Win-win-win!
Driving round Bedford today, and lots of Labour posters especially in the more upmarket parts of town, and lots of Conservative in the poorer part of town (London Road, Fenlake, for those of you like Mike who know the area). No Lib Dems although they normally make quite a show in their stronghold wards. Very strange. ..and I am mainly posting because others have commented on how few posters they have seen.
Whilst the thread obsesses about the next parliament, which will only last for a paltry five years, we should not forget the really important story of the day, one whose effects will last for possibly a hundred years and will be visible every day:
Yep, and far less interesting from a structural engineering viewpoint.
(As an aside, some (ahem) associates once persuaded people that we were erecting a high-tension pylon in someone's back garden. They, and the council, were not impressed with the joke).
Note: I am not a member of the Pylon Appreciation Society. Although they have used a couple of my pictures:
I stand by my comment made last month that getting excited or downhearted over an opinion poll is the equivalent of cheering or booing a throw in at a football match
Moronic behaviour. I suppose it is at least a little more bearable on here when they favour labour
Come on Sam you were forgetting your debit card 3 digit code in your rush to get on at 40s with Betfair Labour
Interesting that it's leaked out that the Tories tried to organise a doctors' NHS letter, the words 'piss-up' and 'brewery' come to mind. Hopefully will be the end of letter writing from both parties, and they stop acting like 19th century simpering aristocrats and expressing everything through sodding letters.
Tim Montgomerie ن @montie 16m16 minutes ago Genuine question: What would you do to rejig the Tory campaign? I'm preparing a (short term political) plan.
Tom Newton Dunn @tnewtondunn 5m5 minutes ago @montie you're 100% sure it needs rejigging? (ps, two more polls to come tonight)
This is the real issue. Idiot tories who have invented themselves as media cleverdicks in their own lunchtime but who will take any opportunity to peddle their own prejudice at the expense of the party. It saddens me to say that most of the headless chickens and foot in mouthers-off are right wingers.
I stand by my comment made last month that getting excited or downhearted over an opinion poll is the equivalent of cheering or booing a throw in at a football match
Moronic behaviour. I suppose it is at least a little more bearable on here when they favour labour
Be fair, 3 good polls in a row must be the equivalent of a dangerous free-kick. They rarely go in, but the anticipation is there.
Being 5% up in the exit poll is a penalty kick, presumably.
This is the real issue. Idiot tories who have invented themselves as media cleverdicks in their own lunchtime but who will take any opportunity to peddle their own prejudice at the expense of the party. It saddens me to say that most of the headless chickens and foot in mouthers-off are right wingers.
@Tim Montgomerie Genuine question: What would you do to rejig the Tory campaign? I'm preparing a (short term political) plan.
First a disclaimer - I am Conservative member and voter. I am also something of a political animal, following things closely, yet I have struggled to get caught up in the campaign; it is hard to see what is taking place.
I do follow polls, but I also base a lot on my gut, which I why I would be a poor gambler probably!! I am convinced not many people are really thinking about the election at all yet. I am sure there will be a tipping point, but when Easter holidays are still ongoing I am not convinced it is yet.
... ... ...
There is too much hyperventilating about polls, especially over easter. The trends of polls can be significant but given the admitted margin for error then with what is effectively a 4 party system at the moment I wonder what it is the polls are picking up. Plus we have all the adjustments and the method of collecting polls. (Do telephone polls differentiate between mobile and land line?) and the fact that some are self selecting panels. I know this has all been discussed before but its then ignored. Is it the public that are more volatile or the polls. If the public are as you suggest actually less interested (or maybe more cynical) then the polls may be inventing volatility.
In terms of campaigning tactics I do wonder, what is the best choice - to treat the public as intelligent or gormless?
There's been a media-led, mini-Zeitgeist in recent days that has nurtured the notion that Ed isn't quite the hopeless dud that everyone suspected. Therefore a few respondents, wanting to appear groovy, have fallen in step behind the journo-think. This is no surprise as the media have clearly been itching to toy with this narrative for some time. A similar thing happened to a far larger degree with the Cleggasm. It won't last.
This is the real issue. Idiot tories who have invented themselves as media cleverdicks in their own lunchtime but who will take any opportunity to peddle their own prejudice at the expense of the party. It saddens me to say that most of the headless chickens and foot in mouthers-off are right wingers.
@Tim Montgomerie Genuine question: What would you do to rejig the Tory campaign? I'm preparing a (short term political) plan.
What happened to Dan Hodges' game changing Tory tax announcement this week? Was he referring to the reheated stuff about the 40p rate or was it a Hodges special
Dear, dear. A few Tory supporters have made themselves look a bit silly this afternoon. Threatening to leave the country, wanting to cash out their equities, railing against ignorant voters, and so on. And just because of two polls, one of which is a Panelbase!!!
This election is close. Labour is facing wipeout in Scotland and needs 35 plus gains elsewhere just to stand still. The chances are the Tories will get most seats; they could, just possibly, squeak an overall majority.
The Tory campaign has been dreadful, but Dave is still favourite to be PM come June.
Being excited by polls is part and parcel of being a PB Tory
The most consistent poll finding is the LDs on 7-8, and with the lowest certainty to vote. This is about 1/3 of the 22% in 2010. No amount of personal vote will help in that tsunami.
Jacks ARSE predicts 30, Newsnight 28, I tipped 28 a month ago, but now I am thinking SLAB type losses. Mid teens of seats most likely.
And I am an LD member...
LD will not get more than 22.Maybe, just maybe only 1 in Scotland [ I mean Kennedy ]. But SLAB could creep up to 16
I'm going to go out on a limb here.
LibDem wipe out in SW England (holding Yeovil, and maybe one or two others) And in SW London (holding maybe one seat there)
But much better than anticipated results on Scotland (3 seats, Orkney, Viscount Thurso, one other) And where facing labour (Bradford East, Cambridge, Hornsey & Wood Green)
What happened to Dan Hodges' game changing Tory tax announcement this week? Was he referring to the reheated stuff about the 40p rate or was it a Hodges special
I stand by my comment made last month that getting excited or downhearted over an opinion poll is the equivalent of cheering or booing a throw in at a football match
Moronic behaviour. I suppose it is at least a little more bearable on here when they favour labour
Come on Sam you were forgetting your debit card 3 digit code in your rush to get on at 40s with Betfair Labour
Haha yeah playing the market!!
That's fair enough but too many people see a poll that backs up their opinion (formed mainly by their partisan bias) and say 'this just confirms what I always said...'
Them have to back away from their hyperbole the following day
Miss Fitalass, as a chap not necessarily overweight, I'm more concerned by that dementia headline.
It does sound interesting, but there are many confounding variables. Dementia is associated with other diseases of ageing, and many of these are associated with weight loss. So maybe being thin is a feature rather than a cause.
Hand grip strength is one of the better predictors of dementia for much the same reason.
I wouldn't bother with the usual wings spin on this, I was actually around on twitter last night and saw this whole sorry but totally predictable nasty witch hunt unfold in real time. Didn't we see enough of this during the Independence Referendum?!
I haven't been around today. Have the nats here apologised for perpetuating the lies and bullying about that girl who asked the question in the scottish debate?
Have a look at Wings over Scotland for a rather different story.
That's right, it was and is an offence to question the Unionist Weltanschauung. Remember all the death threats against pro-indy supporters, and the physical attacks?
What is so interesting about thw article by Wings - who always gives his, often Unonist, sources - is that you can see precisely such an anti=indy witchhunt, of the kind you rightly decry, develop in real time. How he got blamed personally for attacking a woman who was outed bu the LDs in the first place.
What happened to Dan Hodges' game changing Tory tax announcement this week? Was he referring to the reheated stuff about the 40p rate or was it a Hodges special
The Hodges works in mysterious ways.
The fact that people pay him to think stuff, write it down, then share it with others, is further evidence that capitalism is broken.
If Dan Hodges is right (Yes, I know, but bear with me a moment) this is helpful to the Tory campaign in the same way the YouGov outlier was helpful in the IndyRef campaign
What Tory campaign?
They've attacked Ed, announced some nonsense about porn and done a lot of puff pieces with Sam Cam...
Is that a "campaign"?
Of course DH scores the campaigns so far 4-3 to the Tories LOL
I stand by my comment made last month that getting excited or downhearted over an opinion poll is the equivalent of cheering or booing a throw in at a football match
Moronic behaviour. I suppose it is at least a little more bearable on here when they favour labour
Be fair, 3 good polls in a row must be the equivalent of a dangerous free-kick. They rarely go in, but the anticipation is there.
Being 5% up in the exit poll is a penalty kick, presumably.
Three good polls in a row is the equivalent of three successive throw ins!
Yes maybe a penalty kick the exit poll you speak of... Maybe even a good lbw shout that was given out and gone to review!
Miss Fitalass, as a chap not necessarily overweight, I'm more concerned by that dementia headline.
It does sound interesting, but there are many confounding variables. Dementia is associated with other diseases of ageing, and many of these are associated with weight loss. So maybe being thin is a feature rather than a cause.
Hand grip strength is one of the better predictors of dementia for much the same reason.
Strange as this sounds but my mother has dementia and has virtually no grip with her right hand but her left one can be so tight that it leaves bruise marks on my biceps.
Interesting that it's leaked out that the Tories tried to organise a doctors' NHS letter, the words 'piss-up' and 'brewery' come to mind. Hopefully will be the end of letter writing from both parties, and they stop acting like 19th century simpering aristocrats and expressing everything through sodding letters.
Oh for God's sake, everyone knows fire fighters are fuming (pardon the pun) about cuts to the fire service, they may well be right, but it's hardly enlightening. Letters are the new petitions. Can we sign a letter advising silence on the part of 'Dr' Eoin Clarke I wonder?
What happened to Dan Hodges' game changing Tory tax announcement this week? Was he referring to the reheated stuff about the 40p rate or was it a Hodges special
The Hodges works in mysterious ways.
The fact that people pay him to think stuff, write it down, then share it with others, is further evidence that capitalism is broken.
Reminds me of university, and PMS [ahem, not first hand experience of course]. The signs include depression and insomnia, but depression's incredibly common and one of its most common results is insomnia, so the two things may be entirely unrelated to a lady's cycle.
Mr. Flashman (deceased), unless that overlaps with the period during which he was courting his future wife, I don't think that'll really matter.
Dear, dear. A few Tory supporters have made themselves look a bit silly this afternoon. Threatening to leave the country, wanting to cash out their equities, railing against ignorant voters, and so on. And just because of two polls, one of which is a Panelbase!!!
This election is close. Labour is facing wipeout in Scotland and needs 35 plus gains elsewhere just to stand still. The chances are the Tories will get most seats; they could, just possibly, squeak an overall majority.
The Tory campaign has been dreadful, but Dave is still favourite to be PM come June.
Being excited by polls is part and parcel of being a PB Tory
The most consistent poll finding is the LDs on 7-8, and with the lowest certainty to vote. This is about 1/3 of the 22% in 2010. No amount of personal vote will help in that tsunami.
Jacks ARSE predicts 30, Newsnight 28, I tipped 28 a month ago, but now I am thinking SLAB type losses. Mid teens of seats most likely.
And I am an LD member...
LD will not get more than 22.Maybe, just maybe only 1 in Scotland [ I mean Kennedy ]. But SLAB could creep up to 16
I'm going to go out on a limb here.
LibDem wipe out in SW England (holding Yeovil, and maybe one or two others) And in SW London (holding maybe one seat there)
But much better than anticipated results on Scotland (3 seats, Orkney, Viscount Thurso, one other) And where facing labour (Bradford East, Cambridge, Hornsey & Wood Green)
That is how it looks to me too. There may well be AudreyAnne type Tory gains.
steve hawkes @steve_hawkes 38m38 minutes ago Harriet Harman opened up new attack line for Tories on LBC tonight- refused to rule out fuel duty hike. Labour raised 12 times before 2010
Mr. Smithson, it's fair to say those who rely on savings have suffered since the credit crisis. On the other hand, the majority are elderly, and pensions have been largely protected.
If interest rates rise and the economy tanks, and more austerity is needed (the edge unblunted by the blessed whetstone of growth) then we could have those who aren't reliant on savings having a recession, high [relatively] interest rates and cuts to the services they use, whilst pensioners may be seen to have it cushy.
There's a risk of a significant chasm in the electorate, not on a left/right basis, but on a young/old basis.
What happened to Dan Hodges' game changing Tory tax announcement this week? Was he referring to the reheated stuff about the 40p rate or was it a Hodges special
The Hodges works in mysterious ways.
The fact that people pay him to think stuff, write it down, then share it with others, is further evidence that capitalism is broken.
I actually think Hodges is a pretty decent writer, and he can take some interesting and bold stances on some issues when he gets away from his niche of the last few years. It's just that he has established himself as that Labour(former Labour) chap who says the things Tories want to hear, and no-one can write that as many times as he has without getting ridiculous or repetitive. Crazy predictions, mysterious quotes and policy announcements claimed to have been heard, are ways to keep interest up I suspect.
Top Gear news [I know you're all interested]: Clarkson won't, it seems, present Have I Got News For You after all. And Sue Perkins is now favourite to replace him.
steve hawkes @steve_hawkes 38m38 minutes ago Harriet Harman opened up new attack line for Tories on LBC tonight- refused to rule out fuel duty hike. Labour raised 12 times before 2010
Again, that is negative. The Tories need to have a positive vision for Britain, not just say, "well Labour would do this". That is not going to win them the election and get them to 36-38% they need to be the largest party.
Mike has been flashing up warning signs for weeks that the Tories are not doing well enough in England to make it happen for them and they aren't painting a picture of what life under the Tories would be like from 2015-2020, just that it would be bad under Labour.
Top Gear news [I know you're all interested]: Clarkson won't, it seems, present Have I Got News For You after all. And Sue Perkins is now favourite to replace him.
And your thoughts on sue perkins,you can see mine down thread ;-)
Top Gear news [I know you're all interested]: Clarkson won't, it seems, present Have I Got News For You after all. And Sue Perkins is now favourite to replace him.
If Labour get in any position of power, interest rates will go up.
The general population will not only face higher taxes from Labour, but also see their mortgages significantly cost more.
Are they really that stupid?
But increased interest GOOD NEWS for savers who have been stuffed rotten over past few years.
This is one of the most bizarre media claims that exists.
Long term savers do not invest in cash, the interest rate is (virtually) irrelevant to them. Short term and cash savers do not really care whether their £10k makes an extra £10 over a couple of years or not. It;s meaningless to the average person.
Even assuming that most people are "savers". The vast majority of working age people aren't even saving for pensions, let alone cash savings accounts. That died when middle incomes died during the mid 90s.
Top Gear news [I know you're all interested]: Clarkson won't, it seems, present Have I Got News For You after all. And Sue Perkins is now favourite to replace him.
The BBC can have Sue Perkins host Top Gear if ITV have Jim Davidson host Loose Women. ;-)
It's not really a fit, is it? Imagine if they did a mashup of Top Gear and Great British Bake-off ...
This is all very reminiscent of the Sunday before last.
Clocks running down rapidly now though...
Both comments are right, in my opinion. We don't have enough evidence yet that there has been a huge shift to Labour. And there doesn't need to be a huge shift to Labour for Labour to gain power in 4 weeks' time. A tie will do.
What I think is noticeable in conversations at all levels is that Ed's stock is rising, and that's diminishing the "OMG you'd get Miliband" Tory argument.
Attacks Edward Miliband for "back stabbing" his brother. His Blairite brother apparently should have inherited the earth.
Your usual drivel. We have the benefit of a fixed term parliament - even Ed Balls knew the date of polling day 3 months ago when he clearly said that it would be bad for the UK to abolish non dom status, ie not taxing people who come here from overseas on money they earn overseas. Bearing in mind that money might have already been taxed even the sole tame labour party 'expert' had to say it might actually cost the country money. Don't tell me you would not like to be rich enough to 'only' pay 90k in tax?
steve hawkes @steve_hawkes 38m38 minutes ago Harriet Harman opened up new attack line for Tories on LBC tonight- refused to rule out fuel duty hike. Labour raised 12 times before 2010
Wait, is this an attack on the Conservative fuel duty escalator?
Miss Fitalass, as a chap not necessarily overweight, I'm more concerned by that dementia headline.
It does sound interesting, but there are many confounding variables. Dementia is associated with other diseases of ageing, and many of these are associated with weight loss. So maybe being thin is a feature rather than a cause.
Hand grip strength is one of the better predictors of dementia for much the same reason.
"Hand grip strength is one of the better predictors of dementia for much the same reason"
In which way ? My father died last June, aged 90. He suffered from dementia for about the last 7/8 years. He was quite weak and fragile near the end.
Miss Fitalass, as a chap not necessarily overweight, I'm more concerned by that dementia headline.
It does sound interesting, but there are many confounding variables. Dementia is associated with other diseases of ageing, and many of these are associated with weight loss. So maybe being thin is a feature rather than a cause.
Hand grip strength is one of the better predictors of dementia for much the same reason.
Really? I have an incredibly weak hand grip - the tight jar lid is the bane of my existence - I hope I have other factors which outweigh that.
Mind you, whether Hammond and May stay matters quite a bit regarding who replaces Clarkson. If both of them stay, it should be someone if not Clarksonesque, at least blokey.
If they all go, then they don't need 3 individual, they need 1 team (perhaps excepting Clarkson, none of the three presenters were especially big names prior to Top Gear).
Mr. Johnno, must admit, I didn't see any of that comedy. Did see some trailers. Lots of comedy now (on TV) doesn't really entice me.
One question for you, who actually went off and hunted for this wee lassie on twitter until they found her? And please stop trying to peddle the myth of death threats and physical attacks against pro-indy supporters every time the bad behaviour from cybernats is exposed as if it can somehow mitigate their bad behaviour now! As I pointed earlier in the thread, didn't we see enough of this behaviour during the Indy Ref? I wouldn't touch that Wings site with a barge pole.
I wouldn't bother with the usual wings spin on this, I was actually around on twitter last night and saw this whole sorry but totally predictable nasty witch hunt unfold in real time. Didn't we see enough of this during the Independence Referendum?!
I haven't been around today. Have the nats here apologised for perpetuating the lies and bullying about that girl who asked the question in the scottish debate?
Have a look at Wings over Scotland for a rather different story.
That's right, it was and is an offence to question the Unionist Weltanschauung. Remember all the death threats against pro-indy supporters, and the physical attacks?
What is so interesting about thw article by Wings - who always gives his, often Unonist, sources - is that you can see precisely such an anti=indy witchhunt, of the kind you rightly decry, develop in real time. How he got blamed personally for attacking a woman who was outed bu the LDs in the first place.
So, four weeks tonight, will it be the end of Cameronism or the beginning of Milibandism ?
We'll see...lots of excitement from the usual suspects and the usual over-reaction to polls from all and sundry. Not so long ago, the Conservatives led 36-32 in an ICM billed as "the most significant poll of the year".
I don't share the view the sky will fall in under Miliband - it may not be as comfortable for some and it may be slightly better for others. We have operated an artificial monetary policy for some time under QE so a return to normality would mean interest rates rising from 0.5% but no one imagines that would happen too soon - next year perhaps.
Unlike some, I'm not going to head for the hills or some other country if Labour get in or put all my cash under the mattress or on the favourite in the 3.30 at Lingfield.
In any case, this election is an absurd distance from being won or lost.
Dear, dear. A few Tory supporters have made themselves look a bit silly this afternoon. Threatening to leave the country, wanting to cash out their equities, railing against ignorant voters, and so on. And just because of two polls, one of which is a Panelbase!!!
This election is close. Labour is facing wipeout in Scotland and needs 35 plus gains elsewhere just to stand still. The chances are the Tories will get most seats; they could, just possibly, squeak an overall majority.
The Tory campaign has been dreadful, but Dave is still favourite to be PM come June.
Being excited by polls is part and parcel of being a PB Tory
Absolutely! I still recall with unfaded joy those evenings on here during the run up to the 2010 election:
Wibbly wobbly Tory bottoms!
Cameron. Promise an EU referendum. NOW.
Osborne has to go.
That Michael Crick really is a ...
The Tories didn't win in 2010. They do not have a majority. If Dave had axed George in favour of Ken or Hammond they would have eked over the line with ~330.
Yes they do. That it happens to include Lib Dems is beside the point. Winning is about ending up in power; not with most votes, not with most seats and not necessarily with a majority.
One question for you, who actually went off and hunted for this wee lassie on twitter until they found her? And please stop trying to peddle the myth of death threats and physical attacks against pro-indy supporters every time the bad behaviour from cybernats is exposed as if it can somehow mitigate their bad behaviour now! As I pointed earlier in the thread, didn't we see enough of this behaviour during the Indy Ref? I wouldn't touch that Wings site with a barge pole.
What, you prefer the French or Norwegian model for collaborators ?
Attacks Edward Miliband for "back stabbing" his brother. His Blairite brother apparently should have inherited the earth.
Your usual drivel. We have the benefit of a fixed term parliament - even Ed Balls knew the date of polling day 3 months ago when he clearly said that it would be bad for the UK to abolish non dom status, ie not taxing people who come here from overseas on money they earn overseas. Bearing in mind that money might have already been taxed even the sole tame labour party 'expert' had to say it might actually cost the country money. Don't tell me you would not like to be rich enough to 'only' pay 90k in tax?
Ed Balls did NOT clearly say that it would be bad for the UK to end non dom status . The Conservative edited video of his only suggested that it COULD cost the UK treasury some money . I know truth and yourself are strangers but you cant get away with it on here .
We need a distinction between an EICIPM minority government, and EICIPM majority government. Any ideas?
well as all the lefties told us the Tories actually lost the last election (and MaxPB on this thread), a minority government is EICLEIPM and a majority would be EICWEIPM.
Comments
Yes, I'm that sad.
The Tories strike back
EICNATS - Ed is crap, needs all the Scots
Moronic behaviour. I suppose it is at least a little more bearable on here when they favour labour
Will not deny cuts in the 45% tax band.
Supports non doms getting away with only £90k.
Attacks Edward Miliband for "back stabbing" his brother. His Blairite brother apparently should have inherited the earth.
Time to book a holiday to Iceland.
Good set of @guardianletters worried about the Tories record on NHS and supporting our letter earlier in week http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/09/righting-past-wrongs-nhs-reorganisation …
Dr Éoin Clarke @LabourEoin
250 Fire Fighters sign a letter exposing Tory Cuts to Fire Services. Not a mention from BBC https://theutopianfirefighter.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/the-firefighter-letter/ … pic.twitter.com/dczltGGPMK
You were saying ;-)
Being 5% up in the exit poll is a penalty kick, presumably.
Genuine question: What would you do to rejig the Tory campaign? I'm preparing a (short term political) plan.
How about you STFU Tim?
Still waiting for that Labour dog whistle mug, just in case I need to offer a Lab canvasser a mug of tea.
Was he referring to the reheated stuff about the 40p rate or was it a Hodges special
LibDem wipe out in SW England (holding Yeovil, and maybe one or two others)
And in SW London (holding maybe one seat there)
But much better than anticipated results on Scotland (3 seats, Orkney, Viscount Thurso, one other)
And where facing labour (Bradford East, Cambridge, Hornsey & Wood Green)
3 more polls to go today
ComRes/Phone for Mail at 10pm
YouGov/Times Scotland at 10pm
YouGov/Sun national at about 10.30
That's fair enough but too many people see a poll that backs up their opinion (formed mainly by their partisan bias) and say 'this just confirms what I always said...'
Them have to back away from their hyperbole the following day
@TelegraphNews: Ed Miliband was dating senior BBC economics journalist Stephanie Flanders when he was at the Treasury http://t.co/qOF33fH33Q
Hand grip strength is one of the better predictors of dementia for much the same reason.
What is so interesting about thw article by Wings - who always gives his, often Unonist, sources - is that you can see precisely such an anti=indy witchhunt, of the kind you rightly decry, develop in real time. How he got blamed personally for attacking a woman who was outed bu the LDs in the first place.
Yes maybe a penalty kick the exit poll you speak of... Maybe even a good lbw shout that was given out and gone to review!
Believe BJESUS
If Labour get in any position of power, interest rates will go up.
The general population will not only face higher taxes from Labour, but also see their mortgages significantly cost more.
Are they really that stupid?
On 11 May ICM had the Conservatives winning
Reminds me of university, and PMS [ahem, not first hand experience of course]. The signs include depression and insomnia, but depression's incredibly common and one of its most common results is insomnia, so the two things may be entirely unrelated to a lady's cycle.
Mr. Flashman (deceased), unless that overlaps with the period during which he was courting his future wife, I don't think that'll really matter.
steve hawkes @steve_hawkes 38m38 minutes ago
Harriet Harman opened up new attack line for Tories on LBC tonight- refused to rule out fuel duty hike. Labour raised 12 times before 2010
If interest rates rise and the economy tanks, and more austerity is needed (the edge unblunted by the blessed whetstone of growth) then we could have those who aren't reliant on savings having a recession, high [relatively] interest rates and cuts to the services they use, whilst pensioners may be seen to have it cushy.
There's a risk of a significant chasm in the electorate, not on a left/right basis, but on a young/old basis.
Clarkson won't, it seems, present Have I Got News For You after all. And Sue Perkins is now favourite to replace him.
DH is very amusing
Mike has been flashing up warning signs for weeks that the Tories are not doing well enough in England to make it happen for them and they aren't painting a picture of what life under the Tories would be like from 2015-2020, just that it would be bad under Labour.
She's so bloody PC.
I note my UK stocks are at an all time high today...
Long term savers do not invest in cash, the interest rate is (virtually) irrelevant to them. Short term and cash savers do not really care whether their £10k makes an extra £10 over a couple of years or not. It;s meaningless to the average person.
Even assuming that most people are "savers". The vast majority of working age people aren't even saving for pensions, let alone cash savings accounts. That died when middle incomes died during the mid 90s.
An Ed Miliband government dependent on every vote on the Nats, whilst the Tories and Lib Dems have leadership elections would be the best thing ever.
The FTPA buggered up the fun/betting on when the year of the next election betting.
It's not really a fit, is it? Imagine if they did a mashup of Top Gear and Great British Bake-off ...
What I think is noticeable in conversations at all levels is that Ed's stock is rising, and that's diminishing the "OMG you'd get Miliband" Tory argument.
https://twitter.com/jameschappers/status/586269299737763840
We have the benefit of a fixed term parliament - even Ed Balls knew the date of polling day 3 months ago when he clearly said that it would be bad for the UK to abolish non dom status, ie not taxing people who come here from overseas on money they earn overseas. Bearing in mind that money might have already been taxed even the sole tame labour party 'expert' had to say it might actually cost the country money.
Don't tell me you would not like to be rich enough to 'only' pay 90k in tax?
In which way ? My father died last June, aged 90. He suffered from dementia for about the last 7/8 years. He was quite weak and fragile near the end.
But an incredibly strong handshake !
Mind you, whether Hammond and May stay matters quite a bit regarding who replaces Clarkson. If both of them stay, it should be someone if not Clarksonesque, at least blokey.
If they all go, then they don't need 3 individual, they need 1 team (perhaps excepting Clarkson, none of the three presenters were especially big names prior to Top Gear).
Mr. Johnno, must admit, I didn't see any of that comedy. Did see some trailers. Lots of comedy now (on TV) doesn't really entice me.
Maybe 1% IMO
Still enough for EICIPM though
So, four weeks tonight, will it be the end of Cameronism or the beginning of Milibandism ?
We'll see...lots of excitement from the usual suspects and the usual over-reaction to polls from all and sundry. Not so long ago, the Conservatives led 36-32 in an ICM billed as "the most significant poll of the year".
I don't share the view the sky will fall in under Miliband - it may not be as comfortable for some and it may be slightly better for others. We have operated an artificial monetary policy for some time under QE so a return to normality would mean interest rates rising from 0.5% but no one imagines that would happen too soon - next year perhaps.
Unlike some, I'm not going to head for the hills or some other country if Labour get in or put all my cash under the mattress or on the favourite in the 3.30 at Lingfield.
In any case, this election is an absurd distance from being won or lost.
Is you DH?
I think Miliband's ruthless but weak, not unlike Honorius.
Expecting some over excited Labour poll twitterers to go a bit quiet at ten
I know truth and yourself are strangers but you cant get away with it on here .