Is it too early to say that, without the useless, boozy, sheep-tupping Aussies and Kiwi "soldiers" we'd probably have won in Gallipoli and succcessfully wrapped up WW1 in 1917?
On the commemorative day for the large numbers of Aussie and Kiwi soldiers who died in Gallipol I dont think that comment is appropriate
Minor antics and lies are part and parcel of all government. Welfare changes are popular with many, even if there have been missteps.
Most polls give Labour a lead over the Tories on welfare, though.
If you say so. I would not be surprised if specific welfare changes are less popular than someone just saying they want to reform it, which at a pure guess I would say people are in favour of. My main point was that there are people who like what the coalition has done (I'm on the fence with some of their bigger changes to be honest, and I feel they've done poorly on deficit reduction to say the least), so just because some of their changes have proven controversial now, they are not universally reviled, and for all we know will be welcomed by future analysts.
The actual formation and running of the coalition will be more significant than what it achieved, I suspect.
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
this election is like watching a slow motion car crash as we head into to being governed by the most dangerous prime minister the country has ever known, I fear for my children if EdM get the keys to number 10
Con + LD + UKIP + DUP = 319, just 4 short of the target. 3 short if the DUP win back Belfast East.
Lab + SNP + DUP = 324. More likely than blue rainbow, I think.
The DUP won't have anything to do with an SNP coalition or agreement.
Pray tell, why not? I must break the news that the DUP did not arrive at their love of Crown and Union through disinterested, agnostic philosophical reflection on the optimal composition of the United Kingdom.
The DUP have ruled out a coalition or formal arrangement with the SNP - big whoop, the only likely coalition is Con-LD as every other small party runs for their lives (literally?) from the dreaded C-word. As for a formal arrangement, pre-agreed pacts are for coalitions.
The DUP deal would be about quid pro quo, confidence and supply in exchange for Northern spending, and let the opposition Lib Dems vote for the nice progressive things coming from Lab-SNP.
Agreed. I couldn't play the sport for toffee, but I love watching it.
Not a fan of T20 though.
I like to watch the IPL, it can be entertaining stuff, but one of the biggest issues i have with it is if the first side messes up, the game is pretty much over right away. Even in a 50 over game there's some scope for things to twist and turn, but not in T20.
I think it's a good addition to the Cricket stable, but one could not live on it alone.
Is anyone else watching the cricket? Two teams with pedestrian bowlers on slow wickets. It's still worth watching mind- UKIP cricket, a throwback to a different era when no team ever won a match. I've tried to explain test cricket to Italians. It baffles them. 5 days of 6-7 hours play a day, and often ends up as a draw They don't get the point. There is a review....
I'm listening to the cricket. The whole point of cricket is it's like real life. You have boring passages of play and exciting ones. You need the boring bits to appreciate the exciting bits. Maybe the Italians would understand that way of explaining it.
The length of time accentuates the drama, allows for more shifts back and forth, I always feel. When you have a five day game that can still come down to the final hour, the final overs, the suspense is mesmerizing. You can relax, listening and tuning in on and off for days as a pleasant distraction but nothing more, then passages of frantic activity turn things on its head and days of effort from an entire team can pay off or come to nothing. Such glory.
A Lab/LD coalition with SNP confidence and supply was always an outside chance. The key question about Clegg's comments is whether Clegg is indicating that the Lib Dems would vote down an "illegitimate" Lab/SNP government in the Queens Speech, rather than abstain.
Peter Robinson had a great quote "clarifying" his position on the DUP's supporting a government supported by the SNP. "If a government was being propped up by a separatist party that was using its position in order to extract levers of separation, then clearly we could not support that. However, if the ask of any party that forms such a support group for a government party is for purely regional issues then that is a very different matter indeed." But, of course, the SNP will not be using Westminster to pursue independence, leaving the DUP confidence and supply door open!
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's largely vanishing from the public, though I've had a discernible increase in party literature.
The situation here in West Essex is?
2 attempted but botched/failed canvasses by the Greens, one by a very attractive Tory woman who needs to work on her selling skills.
Labour leaflets came early, looking like they'd been dripped in fresh red blood but nothing lately (seen one board), one from the Greens (they're winning the board war - think of the trees), three individual mailshots to each electoral roll member today from UKIP (straight in the shredder from my good lady), one from a Lib Dem fellow and the Tories are now moving to a daily drop.
Trustworthy source. He probably did though, although back then it would not have been as much of an issue for him, the party or anyone else. The SNP would have been similar to PC and the Greens now - certain to back Labour over a Tory government, but without much muscle to have much influence over policy.
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
That music chat earlier and your mention of Nirvana Unplugged. I sat here working with it playing in the background. Cobain's rendition of Leadbelly's "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" is a wow moment. Kurt Cobain definitely had something special about him. Warped, depressive, crazy and sharp; anyone who pens the lyrics "I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black" to his beau, is pretty screwed-up.
Where Did You Sleep Last Night touches me personally because it reminds me of the early part of my relationship when I could never answer my wife correctly when questioned on where I'd slept.....
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
Think of it as a Test Match strung out for 5 years.
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
The objective circumstances are extremely interesting, with coalitions, pacts, nationalism and economic circumstances, none of which any major party wants to talk about.
The personality/scandal stuff has been euthanised by the parties through their ultra-cautious campaigning in business parks and out-of-town sheds.
Farage has been seriously off-form all through the campaign - sweating and slow-footed in TV debates, etc. I believe he probably is ill, plus he has the pressure of being (virtually) a one-man band. How much travelling and speaking does he do?? It would kill most people.
In the face of Farage's sub-par performance, UKIP's polling has held up very well, considering. It augurs well for their future, perhaps. They CAN prosper without Nigel?
It also shows Farage is a liar, just like LibLabCon
From Feb
‘I’m fit as a flea’ insists Nigel Farage as poll shows Ukip has lost ground
Party leader denounces speculation about his health and says he will be in ‘real position of power’ on 8 May
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
Think of it as a Test Match strung out for 5 years.
I was surprised the sides did not just shake hands and call it a draw an hour (or 6 months) before the close of this current match.
Is anyone else watching the cricket? Two teams with pedestrian bowlers on slow wickets. It's still worth watching mind- UKIP cricket, a throwback to a different era when no team ever won a match. I've tried to explain test cricket to Italians. It baffles them. 5 days of 6-7 hours play a day, and often ends up as a draw They don't get the point. There is a review....
I'm listening to the cricket. The whole point of cricket is it's like real life. You have boring passages of play and exciting ones. You need the boring bits to appreciate the exciting bits. Maybe the Italians would understand that way of explaining it.
The length of time accentuates the drama, allows for more shifts back and forth, I always feel. When you have a five day game that can still come down to the final hour, the final overs, the suspense is mesmerizing. You can relax, listening and tuning in on and off for days as a pleasant distraction but nothing more, then passages of frantic activity turn things on its head and days of effort from an entire team can pay off or come to nothing. Such glory.
It is beautiful.
The 2005 Ashes was probably sport at it's very pinnacle, the drama was unbelievable. Yet in spite of the hostilities the sportsmanship was incredible, Flintoff consoling Lee the perfect example, but in another Test Lee ran round the boundary to shake hands with Strauss as he was walking back to the pavilion after a heroic innings.
Even the word pavilion suits the grace of the sport.
The election is obviously interesting in that it's unpredictable, but that doesn't change that it's hard to get hyped up about it when the two main parties are offering such similar, drab, uninspiring platforms.
It's like the (tennis) US Open last year, where there were loads of upsets with Djokovic/Federer/Murray/Nadal going out early, and we ended up with a final with Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic. Sure, the outcome was unpredictable, but the two main protoganists were so unexciting and most people would've had so little invested in either of them, that it was still hard to really care that much about it. There actually has to be a feeling of something at stake for even an unpredictable "contest" to catch the imagination.
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
I've noticed the mainstream news has kind of given up on making the coverage seem interesting. There's just not very much to say really. Losing the weekly debates has been a huge loss. As the US elections show, they electrify the campaigns, and give everyone something to focus on- even though they probably have a negligible effect. Without debates we have soundbites, more soundbites, and soundbites.
Is anyone else watching the cricket? Two teams with pedestrian bowlers on slow wickets. It's still worth watching mind- UKIP cricket, a throwback to a different era when no team ever won a match. I've tried to explain test cricket to Italians. It baffles them. 5 days of 6-7 hours play a day, and often ends up as a draw They don't get the point. There is a review....
I'm listening to the cricket. The whole point of cricket is it's like real life. You have boring passages of play and exciting ones. You need the boring bits to appreciate the exciting bits. Maybe the Italians would understand that way of explaining it.
The length of time accentuates the drama, allows for more shifts back and forth, I always feel. When you have a five day game that can still come down to the final hour, the final overs, the suspense is mesmerizing. You can relax, listening and tuning in on and off for days as a pleasant distraction but nothing more, then passages of frantic activity turn things on its head and days of effort from an entire team can pay off or come to nothing. Such glory.
It is beautiful.
The 2005 Ashes was probably sport at it's very pinnacle, the drama was unbelievable. Yet in spite of the hostilities the sportsmanship was incredible, Flintoff consoling Lee the perfect example, but in another Test Lee ran round the boundary to shake hands with Strauss as he was walking back to the pavilion after a heroic innings.
Even the word pavilion suits the grace of the sport.
Ponting's century at Old Trafford was unbelievable.
And Shane Warne took 40 wickets in the series and lost! Remarkable.
Farage has been seriously off-form all through the campaign - sweating and slow-footed in TV debates, etc. I believe he probably is ill, plus he has the pressure of being (virtually) a one-man band. How much travelling and speaking does he do?? It would kill most people.
In the face of Farage's sub-par performance, UKIP's polling has held up very well, considering. It augurs well for their future, perhaps. They CAN prosper without Nigel?
I think the talk of him performing poorly is largely overstated. Much like the reports that he has done nothing in South Thanet.
Is it too early to say that, without the useless, boozy, sheep-tupping Aussies and Kiwi "soldiers" we'd probably have won in Gallipoli and succcessfully wrapped up WW1 in 1917?
On the commemorative day for the large numbers of Aussie and Kiwi soldiers who died in Gallipol I dont think that comment is appropriate
More than that, Galilipoli was largely a British gig anyway, supported by the French with the ANZACs as a distant third place. Go look at the numbers and the casualty lists.
It's a great what if though, if Turkey had been knocked out early, it's possible that Russia could have been saved, no revolution, no Soviet Union ? Allies would still have imposed shocking reparations on Germany.
Maybe there is still a Hitler, but he faces a weakish Tsar who hasn't industrialised, not the brutal Stalin. Perhaps Germany would have been the leading communist power.
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
Agreed. People who are bored by this aren't thinking hard enough. Britain stands on the edge of a decision which could, theoretically, 1. eject us from the EU, 2, wipe out all major parties in Scotland, 3. help to dissolve the UK entirely, 4, see the Libs reduced, for the first time in democratic history, to 4th place, 5. see endless Scots Labour bigwigs retired overnight, 6, see the emergence of a major UK-wide party for the first time in decades... and on and on.
All of the above is very possible. And more. Yet all is unpredictable because the polls are all over the place.
I find it hard to understand pb anoraks who are *bored*. What do they want? Civil insurrection??
To be pedantic I'm sure we've been 4th before, the yellow taxi days surely had us behind the NI parties.
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
I've noticed the mainstream news has kind of given up on making the coverage seem interesting. There's just not very much to say really. Losing the weekly debates has been a huge loss. As the US elections show, they electrify the campaigns, and give everyone something to focus on- even though they probably have a negligible effect.
Some people feared they have too much effect, but I think that was just pessimism about what caused the 2010 not quite total victory for some (not all).
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
I find it hard to understand pb anoraks who are *bored*. What do they want? Civil insurrection??
How quickly the remarkable can become mundane I guess.
I think a few gaffes and suddenly everyone would remember it was interesting, as they speculated wildly about whether the gaffes would affect the outcome, reminding us all that, oh yeah, there are some major implications to what might happen and at the moment we look like providing a really confused parliament to deal with it.
Farage has been seriously off-form all through the campaign - sweating and slow-footed in TV debates, etc. I believe he probably is ill, plus he has the pressure of being (virtually) a one-man band. How much travelling and speaking does he do?? It would kill most people.
In the face of Farage's sub-par performance, UKIP's polling has held up very well, considering. It augurs well for their future, perhaps. They CAN prosper without Nigel?
I think the talk of him performing poorly is largely overstated. Much like the reports that he has done nothing in South Thanet.
I thought he handled his Davis interview well. He also didn't seem as tired or shouty in it.
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
Agreed. People who are bored by this aren't thinking hard enough. Britain stands on the edge of a decision which could, theoretically, 1. eject us from the EU, 2, wipe out all major parties in Scotland, 3. help to dissolve the UK entirely, 4, see the Libs reduced, for the first time in democratic history, to 4th place, 5. see endless Scots Labour bigwigs retired overnight, 6, see the emergence of a major UK-wide party for the first time in decades... and on and on.
All of the above is very possible. And more. Yet all is unpredictable because the polls are all over the place.
I find it hard to understand pb anoraks who are *bored*. What do they want? Civil insurrection??
All of that is good. Its just the last week, post manifestos, post Blair intervention, no debates, has been a bit bland.
That said here are some ideas David Miliband intervention Coulson revelations Bennett steps down Nick Clegg gets listened to and taken seriously
this election is like watching a slow motion car crash as we head into to being governed by the most dangerous prime minister the country has ever known
That's exactly how I felt in 1997. I don't think Miliband (or any present front line politician) is even a fraction as dangerous and malignant as the monster who was elected PM that year. Nobody possibly could be.
LD MPs hoping to persuade Labour supporters to hold their noses and vote Yellow to keep the Blues out will not like Clegg's comments - they are most unhelpful - but given he is up against a strong Labour challenge I guess they are understandable. It looks like he wants the LDs to be the FDP (as was) to the Tory CDU. It'll probably mean the LDs won't get close to 50 seats again for many a long year. Still, having them in government alongside the Tories is infinitely better than having the Tories in charge alone - or in alliance with the DUP.
As for UKIP. If they end up getting 10% plus of the vote it will be a stunning achievement, especially given the comparative lack of coverage in the press and on TV.
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
Agreed. People who are bored by this aren't thinking hard enough. Britain stands on the edge of a decision which could, theoretically, 1. eject us from the EU, 2, wipe out all major parties in Scotland, 3. help to dissolve the UK entirely, 4, see the Libs reduced, for the first time in democratic history, to 4th place, 5. see endless Scots Labour bigwigs retired overnight, 6, see the emergence of a major UK-wide party for the first time in decades... and on and on.
All of the above is very possible. And more. Yet all is unpredictable because the polls are all over the place.
I find it hard to understand pb anoraks who are *bored*. What do they want? Civil insurrection??
To be pedantic I'm sure we've been 4th before, the yellow taxi days surely had us behind the NI parties.
Interesting point. Were you ever behind any individual NI party in both votes and seats?
Genuine question. I find it hard to think you were.
In this election you look almost certain to end up behind UKIP in votes and behind the SNP in seats.
Wikipedia says the Lib Dems (Liberals) have indeed never come worse than 3rd in seats before, and definitely never in votes.
They also now look a shoo-in for their worst voteshare since 1970, when they got 7.5%. Since then they've never polled less than 14%, which now looks like a pipe dream for them.
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
Agreed. People who are bored by this aren't thinking hard enough. Britain stands on the edge of a decision which could, theoretically, 1. eject us from the EU, 2, wipe out all major parties in Scotland, 3. help to dissolve the UK entirely, 4, see the Libs reduced, for the first time in democratic history, to 4th place, 5. see endless Scots Labour bigwigs retired overnight, 6, see the emergence of a major UK-wide party for the first time in decades... and on and on.
All of the above is very possible. And more. Yet all is unpredictable because the polls are all over the place.
I find it hard to understand pb anoraks who are *bored*. What do they want? Civil insurrection??
To be pedantic I'm sure we've been 4th before, the yellow taxi days surely had us behind the NI parties.
Interesting point. Were you ever behind any individual NI party in both votes and seats?
Genuine question. I find it hard to think you were.
In this election you look almost certain to end up behind UKIP in votes and behind the SNP in seats.
Those were the days when there were effectively no other parties to be fourth behind. There was the odd republican or nationalist, but no party with more than two members at Westminster from 1950 until the UUP and SNP and Plaid Cymru all broke through in 1974.
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
Agreed. People who are bored by this aren't thinking hard enough. Britain stands on the edge of a decision which could, theoretically, 1. eject us from the EU, 2, wipe out all major parties in Scotland, 3. help to dissolve the UK entirely, 4, see the Libs reduced, for the first time in democratic history, to 4th place, 5. see endless Scots Labour bigwigs retired overnight, 6, see the emergence of a major UK-wide party for the first time in decades... and on and on.
All of the above is very possible. And more. Yet all is unpredictable because the polls are all over the place.
I find it hard to understand pb anoraks who are *bored*. What do they want? Civil insurrection??
To be pedantic I'm sure we've been 4th before, the yellow taxi days surely had us behind the NI parties.
Interesting point. Were you ever behind any individual NI party in both votes and seats?
Genuine question. I find it hard to think you were.
In this election you look almost certain to end up behind UKIP in votes and behind the SNP in seats.
Taking a look back, while there were two Liberal factions one was of course in 4th, and for a while the Conservatives in Scotland were still technically the separate Unionist party.
In 1950 the UUP had 10 seats to the Liberal 9, but on ~350,000 votes compared to Liberal ~2,600,000
Agreed. I couldn't play the sport for toffee, but I love watching it.
Not a fan of T20 though.
T20 is pointless. I captained my school team in 6th form against Manchester Grammar when Michael Atherton was playing. We got thrashed, obviously.
I read that Phil Neville was rated a better prospect than Atherton but chose football.
The Neville brothers were both promising cricketers. I loved Atherton's nickname at Lancashire- FEC- which stood for Future England Captain, or....
I can remember one time facing the prospect of Paul Allott- who was a few years older. When we were waiting to bat we were shaking with fear. Noone wanted to go in- we were literally passing the pads around.
I cannot imagine what it felt like to face that West Indian attack of the 80's- Marshall, Holding, Garner, Roberts and Croft as a backup. Holding and Roberts often opened, and then on came Marshall. It makes me wince just thinking about it.
Farage has been seriously off-form all through the campaign - sweating and slow-footed in TV debates, etc. I believe he probably is ill, plus he has the pressure of being (virtually) a one-man band. How much travelling and speaking does he do?? It would kill most people.
In the face of Farage's sub-par performance, UKIP's polling has held up very well, considering. It augurs well for their future, perhaps. They CAN prosper without Nigel?
I think the talk of him performing poorly is largely overstated. Much like the reports that he has done nothing in South Thanet.
I thought he handled his Davis interview well. He also didn't seem as tired or shouty in it.
I have yet to watch it as I am trying to keep my blood pressure down. I think Dave got stitched up by Davis as well if I remember correctly?
I think the Dan Hodges of the world look for any excuse to bash him. Every comment over analysed and picked over.
The Tories are expediting Scottish independence...
The irony is that they call themselves the Conservative and Unionist Party.
What would you have them do? The thing leading to Scottish independence is an SNP landslide; nothing the Tories could do - which amounts to seeing if the English will get a bit mad - will make a difference to that fundamental fact.
This line that the Tories are somehow causing this situation is beyond me. Are they making it better, from a unionist perspective? Not really. But saying some mean words in a GE campaign, which will not affect how the vote in Scotland is going, will not make it any worse. The SNP surge came on far too late (or was noticed far too late) for even those unionists so inclined (and many were and would not be in any case) to contemplate presenting a united unionist front (either single candidates or, more likely, just an acceptance of agreeing to tactically vote across the unionist parties), which is surely the only thing that could have helped stem the tide.
Tories being mean isn't expediting anything - it is merely a symptom of the current situation.
Agreed. I couldn't play the sport for toffee, but I love watching it.
Not a fan of T20 though.
T20 is pointless. I captained my school team in 6th form against Manchester Grammar when Michael Atherton was playing. We got thrashed, obviously.
I read that Phil Neville was rated a better prospect than Atherton but chose football.
The Neville brothers were both promising cricketers. I loved Atherton's nickname at Lancashire- FEC- which stood for Future England Captain, or....
I can remember one time facing the prospect of Paul Allott- who was a few years older. When we were waiting to bat we were shaking with fear. Noone wanted to go in- we were literally passing the pads around.
I cannot imagine what it felt like to face that West Indian attack of the 80's- Marshall, Holding, Garner, Roberts and Croft as a backup. Holding and Roberts often opened, and then on came Marshall. It makes me wince just thinking about it.
I played both cricket and football against Mike Gatting, who was a goalkeeper at school.
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
Agreed. People who are bored by this aren't thinking hard enough. Britain stands on the edge of a decision which could, theoretically, 1. eject us from the EU, 2, wipe out all major parties in Scotland, 3. help to dissolve the UK entirely, 4, see the Libs reduced, for the first time in democratic history, to 4th place, 5. see endless Scots Labour bigwigs retired overnight, 6, see the emergence of a major UK-wide party for the first time in decades... and on and on.
All of the above is very possible. And more. Yet all is unpredictable because the polls are all over the place.
I find it hard to understand pb anoraks who are *bored*. What do they want? Civil insurrection??
To be pedantic I'm sure we've been 4th before, the yellow taxi days surely had us behind the NI parties.
Interesting point. Were you ever behind any individual NI party in both votes and seats?
Genuine question. I find it hard to think you were.
In this election you look almost certain to end up behind UKIP in votes and behind the SNP in seats.
Those were the days when there were effectively no other parties to be fourth behind. There was the odd republican or nationalist, but no party with more than two members at Westminster from 1950 until the UUP and SNP and Plaid Cymru all broke through in 1974.
Oops - I forgot the Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party also won 3 seats in 1974.
Farage has been seriously off-form all through the campaign - sweating and slow-footed in TV debates, etc. I believe he probably is ill, plus he has the pressure of being (virtually) a one-man band. How much travelling and speaking does he do?? It would kill most people.
In the face of Farage's sub-par performance, UKIP's polling has held up very well, considering. It augurs well for their future, perhaps. They CAN prosper without Nigel?
I think the talk of him performing poorly is largely overstated. Much like the reports that he has done nothing in South Thanet.
I thought he handled his Davis interview well. He also didn't seem as tired or shouty in it.
I have yet to watch it as I am trying to keep my blood pressure down. I think Dave got stitched up by Davis as well if I remember correctly?
I thought Dave did ok (better than Miliband, who after some really good performances in the debates I thought adopted a poor tone in his interview), I don't really recall him getting stitched up. Davis trying some gotcha moments, but nothing that wouldn't be expected was my recollection.
Is anyone else watching the cricket? Two teams with pedestrian bowlers on slow wickets. It's still worth watching mind- UKIP cricket, a throwback to a different era when no team ever won a match. I've tried to explain test cricket to Italians. It baffles them. 5 days of 6-7 hours play a day, and often ends up as a draw They don't get the point. There is a review....
I'm listening to the cricket. The whole point of cricket is it's like real life. You have boring passages of play and exciting ones. You need the boring bits to appreciate the exciting bits. Maybe the Italians would understand that way of explaining it.
The length of time accentuates the drama, allows for more shifts back and forth, I always feel. When you have a five day game that can still come down to the final hour, the final overs, the suspense is mesmerizing. You can relax, listening and tuning in on and off for days as a pleasant distraction but nothing more, then passages of frantic activity turn things on its head and days of effort from an entire team can pay off or come to nothing. Such glory.
It is beautiful.
The 2005 Ashes was probably sport at it's very pinnacle, the drama was unbelievable. Yet in spite of the hostilities the sportsmanship was incredible, Flintoff consoling Lee the perfect example, but in another Test Lee ran round the boundary to shake hands with Strauss as he was walking back to the pavilion after a heroic innings.
Even the word pavilion suits the grace of the sport.
The last day of the Oval test with England teetering I finished a meeting at the Imperial business school and started watching the Pietersen stand with Ashley Giles in an empty coffee bar there. Soon a couple of faculty members stopped by, started watching and couldn't leave; then more and more people arrived until the place was packed and utterly transfixed: silence and intent TV stares as we all counted down the overs until we knew we could relax.
Pietersen was unbelievable, but Giles was just heroic to stick with him and to go on when he was out. Giles got so much stick from the Australians and parts of the press, but at Trent Bridge and then again at the Oval he saw England home. The King of Spain - true grit, not much turn and a real hero that summer.
Is it too early to say that, without the useless, boozy, sheep-tupping Aussies and Kiwi "soldiers" we'd probably have won in Gallipoli and succcessfully wrapped up WW1 in 1917?
On the commemorative day for the large numbers of Aussie and Kiwi soldiers who died in Gallipol I dont think that comment is appropriate
My Grandmothers Uncle James was one of the ANZACs 100 years ago today. A 26 year old schoolteacher working in Melbourne. He volunteered and was made Sergeant, perhaps because as Teacher he was slightly older and seen as an authority figure. He was in the 6th bn, who landed and took the ridge. They were completely overrun by Mustafa Kemal's counter attack. The battalion had no time to entrench or set up heavy weapons. A handful of stragglers survived and the Anzacs never got the ridge back. His name is on the Lone Pine Memorial. His war lasted just one day of combat.
I was in Sydney for ANZAC DAY some years ago, and seeing the old soldiers parading was very very moving. I was interested to see many British (presumably post war migrants) proudly marching with them, before retiring to the pub to play 2 Up and be bought drinks by an appreciative public. It is a very stirring experience.
I think I am going to watch more travel, sport and documentary programmes and ignore politics until Friday 8th May and tune in then to see what happened - and by the way I have ditched you gov surveys as they seem pointless
I think I am going to watch more travel, sport and documentary programmes and ignore politics until Friday 8th May and tune in then to see what happened - and by the way I have ditched you gov surveys as they seem pointless
Unless the outcome is indeed within 1-2 points of the 33/35 split they have been consistently showing.
Agreed. I couldn't play the sport for toffee, but I love watching it.
Not a fan of T20 though.
T20 is pointless. I captained my school team in 6th form against Manchester Grammar when Michael Atherton was playing. We got thrashed, obviously.
I read that Phil Neville was rated a better prospect than Atherton but chose football.
The Neville brothers were both promising cricketers. I loved Atherton's nickname at Lancashire- FEC- which stood for Future England Captain, or....
I can remember one time facing the prospect of Paul Allott- who was a few years older. When we were waiting to bat we were shaking with fear. Noone wanted to go in- we were literally passing the pads around.
I cannot imagine what it felt like to face that West Indian attack of the 80's- Marshall, Holding, Garner, Roberts and Croft as a backup. Holding and Roberts often opened, and then on came Marshall. It makes me wince just thinking about it.
I played both cricket and football against Mike Gatting, who was a goalkeeper at school.
I loved watching Gatting bat. He wasn't the most elegant, but he had a great hook.
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
Agreed. People who are bored by this aren't thinking hard enough. Britain stands on the edge of a decision which could, theoretically, 1. eject us from the EU, 2, wipe out all major parties in Scotland, 3. help to dissolve the UK entirely, 4, see the Libs reduced, for the first time in democratic history, to 4th place, 5. see endless Scots Labour bigwigs retired overnight, 6, see the emergence of a major UK-wide party for the first time in decades... and on and on.
All of the above is very possible. And more. Yet all is unpredictable because the polls are all over the place.
I find it hard to understand pb anoraks who are *bored*. What do they want? Civil insurrection??
To be pedantic I'm sure we've been 4th before, the yellow taxi days surely had us behind the NI parties.
Interesting point. Were you ever behind any individual NI party in both votes and seats?
Genuine question. I find it hard to think you were.
In this election you look almost certain to end up behind UKIP in votes and behind the SNP in seats.
Wikipedia says the Lib Dems (Liberals) have indeed never come worse than 3rd in seats before, and definitely never in votes.
They also now look a shoo-in for their worst voteshare since 1970, when they got 7.5%. Since then they've never polled less than 14%, which now looks like a pipe dream for them.
I think I am going to watch more travel, sport and documentary programmes and ignore politics until Friday 8th May and tune in then to see what happened - and by the way I have ditched you gov surveys as they seem pointless
Unless the outcome is indeed within 1-2 points of the 33/35 split they have been consistently showing.
It only seems to have happened in the last few weeks when they changed their methods but opinion polls will be 'pointless' anyway after the 7th May until another election looms into sight
I think I am going to watch more travel, sport and documentary programmes and ignore politics until Friday 8th May and tune in then to see what happened - and by the way I have ditched you gov surveys as they seem pointless
Unless the outcome is indeed within 1-2 points of the 33/35 split they have been consistently showing.
It only seems to have happened in the last few weeks when they changed their methods but opinion polls will be 'pointless' anyway after the 7th May until another election looms into sight
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
Agreed. People who are bored by this aren't thinking hard enough. Britain stands on the edge of a decision which could, theoretically, 1. eject us from the EU, 2, wipe out all major parties in Scotland, 3. help to dissolve the UK entirely, 4, see the Libs reduced, for the first time in democratic history, to 4th place, 5. see endless Scots Labour bigwigs retired overnight, 6, see the emergence of a major UK-wide party for the first time in decades... and on and on.
All of the above is very possible. And more. Yet all is unpredictable because the polls are all over the place.
I find it hard to understand pb anoraks who are *bored*. What do they want? Civil insurrection??
To be pedantic I'm sure we've been 4th before, the yellow taxi days surely had us behind the NI parties.
Interesting point. Were you ever behind any individual NI party in both votes and seats?
Genuine question. I find it hard to think you were.
In this election you look almost certain to end up behind UKIP in votes and behind the SNP in seats.
Wikipedia says the Lib Dems (Liberals) have indeed never come worse than 3rd in seats before, and definitely never in votes.
They also now look a shoo-in for their worst voteshare since 1970, when they got 7.5%. Since then they've never polled less than 14%, which now looks like a pipe dream for them.
It looks to be worse than 1970. At that election the Liberals only stood in half the seats and got 7.5% of the national vote. One reason that the Lib vote went up in 74 was that they stood in nearly all the seats. It did not do them much good in terms of seats though.
I think I am going to watch more travel, sport and documentary programmes and ignore politics until Friday 8th May and tune in then to see what happened - and by the way I have ditched you gov surveys as they seem pointless
Unless the outcome is indeed within 1-2 points of the 33/35 split they have been consistently showing.
It only seems to have happened in the last few weeks when they changed their methods but opinion polls will be 'pointless' anyway after the 7th May until another election looms into sight
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
Agreed. People who are bored by this aren't thinking hard enough. Britain stands on the edge of a decision which could, theoretically, 1. eject us from the EU, 2, wipe out all major parties in Scotland, 3. help to dissolve the UK entirely, 4, see the Libs reduced, for the first time in democratic history, to 4th place, 5. see endless Scots Labour bigwigs retired overnight, 6, see the emergence of a major UK-wide party for the first time in decades... and on and on.
All of the above is very possible. And more. Yet all is unpredictable because the polls are all over the place.
I find it hard to understand pb anoraks who are *bored*. What do they want? Civil insurrection??
To be pedantic I'm sure we've been 4th before, the yellow taxi days surely had us behind the NI parties.
Interesting point. Were you ever behind any individual NI party in both votes and seats?
Genuine question. I find it hard to think you were.
In this election you look almost certain to end up behind UKIP in votes and behind the SNP in seats.
Wikipedia says the Lib Dems (Liberals) have indeed never come worse than 3rd in seats before, and definitely never in votes.
They also now look a shoo-in for their worst voteshare since 1970, when they got 7.5%. Since then they've never polled less than 14%, which now looks like a pipe dream for them.
It looks to be worse than 1970. At that election the Liberals only stood in half the seats and got 7.5% of the national vote. One reason that the Lib vote went up in 74 was that they stood in nearly all the seats. It did not do them much good in terms of seats though.
And was expensive since deposit was 12.5% in those days.
The election is now not between Tory vs Labour but between the methods of Yougov, Populus vs Ashcroft, ICM
One group will turn out to be wrong.
Newsnight reporting tonight that the Tory high command are upbeat about their Jock bashing strategy, and even Labour privately are admitting it is working.
The Tories are expediting Scottish independence...
The irony is that they call themselves the Conservative and Unionist Party.
I thought that originally, but the Scots aren't going anywhere for a while now. The economics of independence have totally collapsed - the witterings of a few fundamentalists notwithstanding. It looks like we'll all be stuck in a loveless marriage; necessity, rather than any affection, holding things together - at least until the oil price has staged a sustained recovery.
The election is now not between Tory vs Labour but between the methods of Yougov, Populus vs Ashcroft, ICM
One group will turn out to be wrong.
Newsnight reporting tonight that the Tory high command are upbeat about their Jock bashing strategy, and even Labour privately are admitting it is working.
The Tories are expediting Scottish independence...
The irony is that they call themselves the Conservative and Unionist Party.
On which day did the SNP say something positive about the Tory Party.
It is an election, parties are allowed to attack each other in a verbal not Prescott sense.
My Scotland Manager came to see me today. In England, he would be a Tory. He was saying even the referendum result was now irrelevant given the Tories, in their language, have more or less said that the SNP [ by implication the Scots ] are a pariah nation / people.
The only way the "Union" can survive is if the Tories lose; if they win , thanks to the EU referendum, another can of worms will be opened and if Scotland is not given a separate referendum if England votes to come out , then I think there will be riots.
I've noticed that ElectionForecast and Newsnight Index have been giving almost identical figures in the last few days. I thought they might be one and the same forecast but they can't be because there are slight differences of one or two seats. Maybe they are the same base forecast with minor tweakings.
I've noticed that ElectionForecast and Newsnight Index have been giving almost identical figures in the last few days. I thought they might be one and the same forecast but they can't be because there are slight differences of one or two seats.
Aren't they computed by the same person ? The models might be slightly different.
The Tories are expediting Scottish independence...
The irony is that they call themselves the Conservative and Unionist Party.
On which day did the SNP say something positive about the Tory Party.
It is an election, parties are allowed to attack each other in a verbal not Prescott sense.
My Scotland Manager came to see me today. In England, he would be a Tory. He was saying even the referendum result was now irrelevant given the Tories, in their language, have more or less said that the SNP [ by implication the Scots ] are a pariah nation / people.
The only way the "Union" can survive is if the Tories lose; if they win , thanks to the EU referendum, another can of worms will be opened and if Scotland is not given a separate referendum if England votes to come out , then I think there will be riots.
With an SNP landslide I cannot see how another Indy referendum will not come at some point, EU referendum or not. I still take issue with the 'SNP [by implication the Scots]' comments. Some very few might go so far, but it is reasonable to make a distinction to how SNP MPs may not act in the best interests of the whole union (in addition to their duties to their own particular constituents) because they don't care about the union, and how if they have the definitive influence in this election that is more of an issue than when only a handful, contrasted with just a regular Scottish MP. If the Scots are happy with them as their choice, fine, a way will have to be found to work everything out, but it is as legitimate for other parties to suggest they would be a bad choice, as it is legitimate for the Scots to ignore that suggestion and be represented by them in Westminster.
Is it just me or has the election gotten boring in the last 7 days or so? Of course there is still the mathematical uncertainty, but the manifestos were a dud. Where is our bigotgate or Cleggmania?
It's just you. This is the most intriguing election, for so many reasons, in many decades. Anyone who claims otherwise is a twit, with zero hindsight.
It's an intriguing deadlock. People think it's dull because it's deadlocked, but it's fascinating nonetheless, just not fascinating AND mobile. It may be that the really interesting part will come after May 7.
Agreed. People who are bored by this aren't thinking hard enough. Britain stands on the edge of a decision which could, theoretically, 1. eject us from the EU, 2, wipe out all major parties in Scotland, 3. help to dissolve the UK entirely, 4, see the Libs reduced, for the first time in democratic history, to 4th place, 5. see endless Scots Labour bigwigs retired overnight, 6, see the emergence of a major UK-wide party for the first time in decades... and on and on.
All of the above is very possible. And more. Yet all is unpredictable because the polls are all over the place.
I find it hard to understand pb anoraks who are *bored*. What do they want? Civil insurrection??
To be pedantic I'm sure we've been 4th before, the yellow taxi days surely had us behind the NI parties.
Interesting point. Were you ever behind any individual NI party in both votes and seats?
Genuine question. I find it hard to think you were.
In this election you look almost certain to end up behind UKIP in votes and behind the SNP in seats.
Wikipedia says the Lib Dems (Liberals) have indeed never come worse than 3rd in seats before, and definitely never in votes.
They also now look a shoo-in for their worst voteshare since 1970, when they got 7.5%. Since then they've never polled less than 14%, which now looks like a pipe dream for them.
It looks to be worse than 1970. At that election the Liberals only stood in half the seats and got 7.5% of the national vote. One reason that the Lib vote went up in 74 was that they stood in nearly all the seats. It did not do them much good in terms of seats though.
And was expensive since deposit was 12.5% in those days.
Yikes. I can see why standing in all seats, or close to all seats, was even more the province of only a few than today.
Didn't some Think Tank recommend reducing the deposit level even further recently, or getting rid of it altogether?
I've noticed that ElectionForecast and Newsnight Index have been giving almost identical figures in the last few days. I thought they might be one and the same forecast but they can't be because there are slight differences of one or two seats.
Aren't they computed by the same person ? The models might be slightly different.
I think they are the same- Election Forecast will fall into line tomorrow when they update the database.
Comments
Not a fan of T20 though.
The actual formation and running of the coalition will be more significant than what it achieved, I suspect.
The DUP have ruled out a coalition or formal arrangement with the SNP - big whoop, the only likely coalition is Con-LD as every other small party runs for their lives (literally?) from the dreaded C-word. As for a formal arrangement, pre-agreed pacts are for coalitions.
The DUP deal would be about quid pro quo, confidence and supply in exchange for Northern spending, and let the opposition Lib Dems vote for the nice progressive things coming from Lab-SNP.
The Ukip leader says: 'I was not ill but I was in a lot of pain'. He was prescribed strong sleeping pills and anti-inflammatory tablets
http://bit.ly/1KdTcog
YouGov/Sun poll tonight - Labour have a two-point lead: CON 33%, LAB 35%, LD 8%, UKIP 13%, GRN 6%
YouGov/Sun poll tonight - Labour have a two-point lead: CON 33%, LAB 35%, LD 8%, UKIP 13%, GRN 6%
I think it's a good addition to the Cricket stable, but one could not live on it alone.
I captained my school team in 6th form against Manchester Grammar when Michael Atherton was playing. We got thrashed, obviously.
The situation here in West Essex is?
2 attempted but botched/failed canvasses by the Greens, one by a very attractive Tory woman who needs to work on her selling skills.
Labour leaflets came early, looking like they'd been dripped in fresh red blood but nothing lately (seen one board), one from the Greens (they're winning the board war - think of the trees), three individual mailshots to each electoral roll member today from UKIP (straight in the shredder from my good lady), one from a Lib Dem fellow and the Tories are now moving to a daily drop.
Very safe Tory seat.
That music chat earlier and your mention of Nirvana Unplugged. I sat here working with it playing in the background. Cobain's rendition of Leadbelly's "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" is a wow moment. Kurt Cobain definitely had something special about him. Warped, depressive, crazy and sharp; anyone who pens the lyrics "I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black" to his beau, is pretty screwed-up.
Where Did You Sleep Last Night touches me personally because it reminds me of the early part of my relationship when I could never answer my wife correctly when questioned on where I'd slept.....
New Balls please!
The personality/scandal stuff has been euthanised by the parties through their ultra-cautious campaigning in business parks and out-of-town sheds.
From Feb
‘I’m fit as a flea’ insists Nigel Farage as poll shows Ukip has lost ground
Party leader denounces speculation about his health and says he will be in ‘real position of power’ on 8 May
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/feb/28/farage-denies-health-rumours
Even the word pavilion suits the grace of the sport.
It's like the (tennis) US Open last year, where there were loads of upsets with Djokovic/Federer/Murray/Nadal going out early, and we ended up with a final with Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic. Sure, the outcome was unpredictable, but the two main protoganists were so unexciting and most people would've had so little invested in either of them, that it was still hard to really care that much about it. There actually has to be a feeling of something at stake for even an unpredictable "contest" to catch the imagination.
Losing the weekly debates has been a huge loss. As the US elections show, they electrify the campaigns, and give everyone something to focus on- even though they probably have a negligible effect. Without debates we have soundbites, more soundbites, and soundbites.
And Shane Warne took 40 wickets in the series and lost! Remarkable.
It's a great what if though, if Turkey had been knocked out early, it's possible that Russia could have been saved, no revolution, no Soviet Union ? Allies would still have imposed shocking reparations on Germany.
Maybe there is still a Hitler, but he faces a weakish Tsar who hasn't industrialised, not the brutal Stalin. Perhaps Germany would have been the leading communist power.
History turns on the smallest things.
I think a few gaffes and suddenly everyone would remember it was interesting, as they speculated wildly about whether the gaffes would affect the outcome, reminding us all that, oh yeah, there are some major implications to what might happen and at the moment we look like providing a really confused parliament to deal with it.
That said here are some ideas
David Miliband intervention
Coulson revelations
Bennett steps down
Nick Clegg gets listened to and taken seriously
Any of them would be good
As for UKIP. If they end up getting 10% plus of the vote it will be a stunning achievement, especially given the comparative lack of coverage in the press and on TV.
The irony is that they call themselves the Conservative and Unionist Party.
They also now look a shoo-in for their worst voteshare since 1970, when they got 7.5%. Since then they've never polled less than 14%, which now looks like a pipe dream for them.
In 1950 the UUP had 10 seats to the Liberal 9, but on ~350,000 votes compared to Liberal ~2,600,000
Epping Ongar Railway 150th Anniversary this weekend
I loved Atherton's nickname at Lancashire- FEC- which stood for Future England Captain, or....
I can remember one time facing the prospect of Paul Allott- who was a few years older. When we were waiting to bat we were shaking with fear. Noone wanted to go in- we were literally passing the pads around.
I cannot imagine what it felt like to face that West Indian attack of the 80's- Marshall, Holding, Garner, Roberts and Croft as a backup. Holding and Roberts often opened, and then on came Marshall. It makes me wince just thinking about it.
I think the Dan Hodges of the world look for any excuse to bash him. Every comment over analysed and picked over.
This line that the Tories are somehow causing this situation is beyond me. Are they making it better, from a unionist perspective? Not really. But saying some mean words in a GE campaign, which will not affect how the vote in Scotland is going, will not make it any worse. The SNP surge came on far too late (or was noticed far too late) for even those unionists so inclined (and many were and would not be in any case) to contemplate presenting a united unionist front (either single candidates or, more likely, just an acceptance of agreeing to tactically vote across the unionist parties), which is surely the only thing that could have helped stem the tide.
Tories being mean isn't expediting anything - it is merely a symptom of the current situation.
Pietersen was unbelievable, but Giles was just heroic to stick with him and to go on when he was out. Giles got so much stick from the Australians and parts of the press, but at Trent Bridge and then again at the Oval he saw England home. The King of Spain - true grit, not much turn and a real hero that summer.
It is an election, parties are allowed to attack each other in a verbal not Prescott sense.
I was in Sydney for ANZAC DAY some years ago, and seeing the old soldiers parading was very very moving. I was interested to see many British (presumably post war migrants) proudly marching with them, before retiring to the pub to play 2 Up and be bought drinks by an appreciative public. It is a very stirring experience.
From a betting prospective I seem to do best at Snooker and Cricket.
One group will turn out to be wrong.
The only way the "Union" can survive is if the Tories lose; if they win , thanks to the EU referendum, another can of worms will be opened and if Scotland is not given a separate referendum if England votes to come out , then I think there will be riots.
Didn't some Think Tank recommend reducing the deposit level even further recently, or getting rid of it altogether?
Night all.