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  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,032

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    I am sure that when all is said and done you might even manage two for the price of one.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,156

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    I think you will meet your destiny in quite a similar way :)
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 37,546
    edited June 2015

    Last call for Denmark game

    Afternoon all,

    If anyone would like to play the Denmark game, it closes at 7pm today:

    http://www.electiongame.co.uk/denmark15/

    Many thanks,

    DC

    5 out of 6 pollsters put the centre-right ahead, but the lead is a narrow one.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_Danish_general_election,_2015
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,981
    DavidL said:

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    I am sure that when all is said and done you might even manage two for the price of one.
    Morning thread: David Cameron should remember one his predecessors when dealing with our EU renegotiations.

    An Eton educated Tory Prime Minister, unites Europe to give the French a damn good thrashing.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,156
    Sean_F said:

    Last call for Denmark game

    Afternoon all,

    If anyone would like to play the Denmark game, it closes at 7pm today:

    http://www.electiongame.co.uk/denmark15/

    Many thanks,

    DC

    5 out of 6 pollsters put the centre-right ahead, but the lead is a narrow one.
    But Venstre behind the Social Democrats on a party-by-party basis.
  • Bond_James_BondBond_James_Bond Posts: 1,939

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    No, but you could point out that in 1815 Napoleon persistently underestimated Wellington and Blucher in much the same way as Labour persists in underestimating Cameron and Osborne, with much the same outcome.
  • logical_songlogical_song Posts: 9,932

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    No, but you could point out that in 1815 Napoleon persistently underestimated Wellington and Blucher in much the same way as Labour persists in underestimating Cameron and Osborne, with much the same outcome.
    Ed = Napoleon??
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,156

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    No, but you could point out that in 1815 Napoleon persistently underestimated Wellington and Blucher in much the same way as Labour persists in underestimating Cameron and Osborne, with much the same outcome.
    Ed Miliband = Napoleon
    Nicola = Blucher
    Dave = Wellington
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,981

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    No, but you could point out that in 1815 Napoleon persistently underestimated Wellington and Blucher in much the same way as Labour persists in underestimating Cameron and Osborne, with much the same outcome.
    Ed = Napoleon??
    In a few years time we're going to find out Napoleon had a "Bercow Complex"
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 52,303

    Farage on leading the campaign: - “I would be prepared to of course. But I suspect what we will see is somebody coming from completely outside of normal politics, somebody from the world of business or entertainment that hasn’t got any political baggage at all. I think someone like that may well emerge.”

    I guess that disqualifies Eddie Izzard then.. :lol:

    Rustie Lee has form on the issue. :)
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 37,546

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    No, but you could point out that in 1815 Napoleon persistently underestimated Wellington and Blucher in much the same way as Labour persists in underestimating Cameron and Osborne, with much the same outcome.
    Ed Miliband = Napoleon
    Nicola = Blucher
    Dave = Wellington
    Blucher was an alcoholic, who suffered from the delusion that his head was made of stone, and that he was pregnant with an elephant.
  • DisraeliDisraeli Posts: 1,106
    Sean_F said:

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    No, but you could point out that in 1815 Napoleon persistently underestimated Wellington and Blucher in much the same way as Labour persists in underestimating Cameron and Osborne, with much the same outcome.
    Ed Miliband = Napoleon
    Nicola = Blucher
    Dave = Wellington
    Blucher was an alcoholic, who suffered from the delusion that his head was made of stone, and that he was pregnant with an elephant.
    True, but just as the Prussians were about to attack the French he did say:
    "Raise high the black flags, my children. No prisoners. No pity. I will shoot any man I see with pity in him."

    So he was basically a decent bloke.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,156
    edited June 2015
    Sean_F said:

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    No, but you could point out that in 1815 Napoleon persistently underestimated Wellington and Blucher in much the same way as Labour persists in underestimating Cameron and Osborne, with much the same outcome.
    Ed Miliband = Napoleon
    Nicola = Blucher
    Dave = Wellington
    Blucher was an alcoholic, who suffered from the delusion that his head was made of stone, and that he was pregnant with an elephant.
    The German Navy had two 8-inch gunned heavy cruisers called Blucher, one in each of the World Wars.

    Both were lost inside the first 7 months of each War.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS_Blücher
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_cruiser_Blücher
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,417
    edited June 2015
    If anyone here suffers from insomnia:

    https://youtu.be/ZaqN9-XYWeQ
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 37,546
    Disraeli said:

    Sean_F said:

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    No, but you could point out that in 1815 Napoleon persistently underestimated Wellington and Blucher in much the same way as Labour persists in underestimating Cameron and Osborne, with much the same outcome.
    Ed Miliband = Napoleon
    Nicola = Blucher
    Dave = Wellington
    Blucher was an alcoholic, who suffered from the delusion that his head was made of stone, and that he was pregnant with an elephant.
    True, but just as the Prussians were about to attack the French he did say:
    "Raise high the black flags, my children. No prisoners. No pity. I will shoot any man I see with pity in him."

    So he was basically a decent bloke.
    A heart of gold.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,032
    A little snippet from the excellent (except for Scotland of course) employment figures today:

    "Public sector employment 5.372m in Q1 2015 - lowest headcount since comparable records began in 1999 http://t.co/1YMWvQs82n"

    And Osborne has only just started. By the next election in 2020 Unions, which basically exist in the public sector these days, will be a pale shadow of their former selves. A much higher percentage of the population will work for the private sector than has ever been the case in modern times. Fewer will receive benefits as in work benefits are curtailed.

    None of this makes a Tory victory inevitable, far from it, but Osborne's ambition is to reshape this country into a more competitive, private sector orientated country with a much smaller government which does less. And he is well on his way.

    Labour will need a policy mix that seems relevant to the changed country this government is going to produce.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,968
    Good afternoon, everyone.

    Only saw a few minutes of PMQs. Bit boring, but Osborne didn't seem troubled.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    "The seeds of the Greek problem were sown in 1980s"

    http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite3_1_17/06/2015_551127
  • DisraeliDisraeli Posts: 1,106
    Pulpstar said:

    If anyone here suffers from insomnia:

    https://youtu.be/ZaqN9-XYWeQ

    My Goodness! I feel sorry for the lady translating speech to sign language.

    The poor woman has to concentrate on every word that is said!
  • DisraeliDisraeli Posts: 1,106
    Sean_F said:

    Disraeli said:

    Sean_F said:

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    No, but you could point out that in 1815 Napoleon persistently underestimated Wellington and Blucher in much the same way as Labour persists in underestimating Cameron and Osborne, with much the same outcome.
    Ed Miliband = Napoleon
    Nicola = Blucher
    Dave = Wellington
    Blucher was an alcoholic, who suffered from the delusion that his head was made of stone, and that he was pregnant with an elephant.
    True, but just as the Prussians were about to attack the French he did say:
    "Raise high the black flags, my children. No prisoners. No pity. I will shoot any man I see with pity in him."

    So he was basically a decent bloke.
    A heart of gold.
    Though not as sound as Admiral Nelson, who said: "...you must hate a Frenchman as much as you hate the Devil."

    Now, Churchill was not sound. He actually liked the French. Therefore, I can't join in with all the hero worship of Winston.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,981
    Disraeli said:

    Sean_F said:

    Disraeli said:

    Sean_F said:

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    No, but you could point out that in 1815 Napoleon persistently underestimated Wellington and Blucher in much the same way as Labour persists in underestimating Cameron and Osborne, with much the same outcome.
    Ed Miliband = Napoleon
    Nicola = Blucher
    Dave = Wellington
    Blucher was an alcoholic, who suffered from the delusion that his head was made of stone, and that he was pregnant with an elephant.
    True, but just as the Prussians were about to attack the French he did say:
    "Raise high the black flags, my children. No prisoners. No pity. I will shoot any man I see with pity in him."

    So he was basically a decent bloke.
    A heart of gold.
    Though not as sound as Admiral Nelson, who said: "...you must hate a Frenchman as much as you hate the Devil."

    Now, Churchill was not sound. He actually liked the French. Therefore, I can't join in with all the hero worship of Winston.
    But he sank the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir.
  • DairDair Posts: 6,108
    Disraeli said:

    Pulpstar said:

    If anyone here suffers from insomnia:

    https://youtu.be/ZaqN9-XYWeQ

    My Goodness! I feel sorry for the lady translating speech to sign language.

    The poor woman has to concentrate on every word that is said!
    Given that the audience appears to be less than 120 people, isn't there a reasonably good chance that there is no deaf individual in the audience and the sign interpreter is there merely for show?

    Google says 50k in the UK use BSL.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,156
    edited June 2015

    Disraeli said:

    Sean_F said:

    Disraeli said:

    Sean_F said:

    200th Anniversary of Waterloo tomorrow.

    My my, can I segue in any subtle references into a Swedish band into tomorrow's threads?

    No, but you could point out that in 1815 Napoleon persistently underestimated Wellington and Blucher in much the same way as Labour persists in underestimating Cameron and Osborne, with much the same outcome.
    Ed Miliband = Napoleon
    Nicola = Blucher
    Dave = Wellington
    Blucher was an alcoholic, who suffered from the delusion that his head was made of stone, and that he was pregnant with an elephant.
    True, but just as the Prussians were about to attack the French he did say:
    "Raise high the black flags, my children. No prisoners. No pity. I will shoot any man I see with pity in him."

    So he was basically a decent bloke.
    A heart of gold.
    Though not as sound as Admiral Nelson, who said: "...you must hate a Frenchman as much as you hate the Devil."

    Now, Churchill was not sound. He actually liked the French. Therefore, I can't join in with all the hero worship of Winston.
    But he sank the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir.
    Over-simplification

    French losses/damage were

    1 battleship sunk
    2 battleships damaged
    3 destroyers damaged
    1 destroyer grounded

    But perhaps more importantly 1,297 servicemen dead, 350 wounded. Mostly on the battleship (Bretagne) that was sunk.
  • eekeek Posts: 28,592
    Pulpstar said:

    I wouldn't touch any EU Referendum markets until we have an outcome to the Greek Crisis

    Greece just needs to plain leave. If it stays it's just going to drag the Euro lower and lower. There'll be an exit shock when it happens, but prolonging the inevitable will only make matters worse.
    They've been delaying the inevitable for 4 years now so another few months won't make any difference.

    I find the idea that introducing Capital controls will solve anything interesting. I really cannot see how / why anyone in Greece wouldn't have withdrawn everything months ago...
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,417
    edited June 2015
    Dair said:

    Disraeli said:

    Pulpstar said:

    If anyone here suffers from insomnia:

    https://youtu.be/ZaqN9-XYWeQ

    My Goodness! I feel sorry for the lady translating speech to sign language.

    The poor woman has to concentrate on every word that is said!
    Given that the audience appears to be less than 120 people, isn't there a reasonably good chance that there is no deaf individual in the audience and the sign interpreter is there merely for show?

    Google says 50k in the UK use BSL.
    Yet on the Youtube you can't watch it with subtitles or with the option of having the signer in the screen corner ?

    Far more likely that deaf people will watch online rather than at Hustings live !
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,417
    eek said:

    I really cannot see how / why anyone in Greece wouldn't have withdrawn everything months ago...

    Well you need a certain amount ~ €1000 float ? for day to day stuff. Certainly anything past what will immediately be needed I'd have out the country personally though.
  • DisraeliDisraeli Posts: 1,106
    edited June 2015


    But he sank the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir.

    Good point!

    True, but he was also responsible for this outrage:

    "In December 1939 Jean Monnet of the French Economic Mission in London became the head of the Anglo-French Coordinating Committee, which coordinated joint planning of the two countries' wartime economies. The Frenchman hoped for a postwar United States of Europe and saw an Anglo-French political union as a step toward his goal."
    ...
    The British opposed a French surrender, and in particular the possible loss of the French Navy to the Germans, and so sought to keep Reynaud in office.

    On 14 June British diplomat Robert Vansittart and Morton wrote with Monnet and his deputy René Pleven a draft "Franco-British Union" proposal.
    ...
    Despite the radical nature of the proposal, Churchill and the ministers recognized the need for a dramatic act to encourage the French and reinforce Reynaud's support within his cabinet before it met again at 5pm.[1]

    The final "Declaration of union" approved by the British War Cabinet stated that

    France and Great Britain shall no longer be two nations, but one Franco-British Union.
    The constitution of the Union will provide for joint organs of defence, foreign, financial and economic policies.
    Every citizen of France will enjoy immediately citizenship of Great Britain, every British subject will become a citizen of France.


    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-British_Union

    Union with a country that doesn't play cricket! Outrageous.

    P.S. Note the reference to Jean Monet, the father of the EU
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,156
    Disraeli said:


    But he sank the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir.

    Good point!

    True,
    Over-simplification

    French losses/damage were

    1 battleship sunk
    2 battleships damaged
    3 destroyers damaged
    1 destroyer grounded

    But perhaps more importantly 1,297 servicemen dead, 350 wounded. Mostly on the battleship (Bretagne) that was sunk.

  • JonathanDJonathanD Posts: 2,400
    DavidL said:

    A little snippet from the excellent (except for Scotland of course) employment figures today:

    Unemployment in Scotland at 5.9% compared to 5.5% in the UK as a whole, hmmm.. still at least we've got the oil.... oops.

    "The new boss of the UK's oil and gas body has warned that the sector faces a future in which long term oil prices are about $60 a barrel."

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-33157196
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,981
    Disraeli said:


    But he sank the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir.

    Good point!

    True, but he was also responsible for this outrage:

    "In December 1939 Jean Monnet of the French Economic Mission in London became the head of the Anglo-French Coordinating Committee, which coordinated joint planning of the two countries' wartime economies. The Frenchman hoped for a postwar United States of Europe and saw an Anglo-French political union as a step toward his goal."
    ...

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-British_Union

    Union with a country that doesn't play cricket! Outrageous.

    P.S. Note the reference to Jean Monet, the father of the EU
    It was his way of ensuring les grenouilles honour the Treaty of Troyes.

    You just know we'd have been the dominant partner in the Union.

    Think of the decent wine we'd have.
  • SimonStClareSimonStClare Posts: 7,976
    Over-simplification?

    According to French Admiral Auphan, the British gunfire was very heavy, very accurate and short of duration. One of the first salvoes struck the battleship Bretagne, which blew up. Another shell tore off the stern of the destroyer Mogador. Dunkerque received several hits but managed to fire about 40 rounds at Hood before being put out of action. Heavily damaged, Provence was forced to run aground.

    Before the smoke cleared, the bulk of French naval power at Mers-el-Kebir was either aflame or at the bottom of the sea. - minor quibbles aside, it's fair to say the French fleet was sunk.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    JonathanD said:

    Unemployment in Scotland at 5.9% compared to 5.5% in the UK as a whole, hmmm.. still at least we've got the oil.... oops.

    "The new boss of the UK's oil and gas body has warned that the sector faces a future in which long term oil prices are about $60 a barrel."

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-33157196

    At least the property market is holding up...
    House prices suffered their sharpest monthly drop in six years last month following the introduction of a new tax, a report has found.

    Average prices fell 1.6% in April — equal to £3000 — to £184,970, the largest monthly fall since March 2009 according to the Your Move/Acadata House Price Index for April.
    http://news.stv.tv/scotland/1323054-new-tax-sees-house-prices-suffer-sharpest-monthly-drop-in-six-years/
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,156

    Over-simplification?

    According to French Admiral Auphan, the British gunfire was very heavy, very accurate and short of duration. One of the first salvoes struck the battleship Bretagne, which blew up. Another shell tore off the stern of the destroyer Mogador. Dunkerque received several hits but managed to fire about 40 rounds at Hood before being put out of action. Heavily damaged, Provence was forced to run aground.

    Before the smoke cleared, the bulk of French naval power at Mers-el-Kebir was either aflame or at the bottom of the sea. - minor quibbles aside, it's fair to say the French fleet was sunk.

    Only Bretagne was sunk - she went down with 977 of the 1,297 French fatalities. The other ships were patched up sufficiently to return to French waters (Toulon).

    It's a bit like saying the Japanese wiped out the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,156

    Disraeli said:


    But he sank the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir.

    Good point!

    True, but he was also responsible for this outrage:

    "In December 1939 Jean Monnet of the French Economic Mission in London became the head of the Anglo-French Coordinating Committee, which coordinated joint planning of the two countries' wartime economies. The Frenchman hoped for a postwar United States of Europe and saw an Anglo-French political union as a step toward his goal."
    ...

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-British_Union

    Union with a country that doesn't play cricket! Outrageous.

    P.S. Note the reference to Jean Monet, the father of the EU
    It was his way of ensuring les grenouilles honour the Treaty of Troyes.

    You just know we'd have been the dominant partner in the Union.

    Think of the decent wine we'd have.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language_in_Europe

    According to a survey published in 2006, 13% of EU citizens speak English as their native language. Another 38% of EU citizens state that they have sufficient skills in English to have a conversation, so the total reach of English in the EU is 51%.[1]
    http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_sum_en.pdf
  • MTimTMTimT Posts: 7,034
    Yesterday, upon Trump's announcement, a couple of PBers expressed opinions that he would be a strong candidate.

    Here is the National Review Online's take. Bear in mind that this is a conservative, not liberal/Dem, magazine: "Witless ape rides escalator"

    http://www.nationalreview.com/article/419853/witless-ape-rides-escalator-kevin-d-williamson
  • calumcalum Posts: 3,046
    Scott_P said:

    JonathanD said:

    Unemployment in Scotland at 5.9% compared to 5.5% in the UK as a whole, hmmm.. still at least we've got the oil.... oops.

    "The new boss of the UK's oil and gas body has warned that the sector faces a future in which long term oil prices are about $60 a barrel."

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-33157196

    At least the property market is holding up...
    House prices suffered their sharpest monthly drop in six years last month following the introduction of a new tax, a report has found.

    Average prices fell 1.6% in April — equal to £3000 — to £184,970, the largest monthly fall since March 2009 according to the Your Move/Acadata House Price Index for April.
    http://news.stv.tv/scotland/1323054-new-tax-sees-house-prices-suffer-sharpest-monthly-drop-in-six-years/

    My stocks of Buckfast are running a bit low, it would be great if you could get George O to send through a bit more cash so I can replenish my supplies !!
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    calum said:

    My stocks of Buckfast are running a bit low, it would be great if you could get George O to send through a bit more cash so I can replenish my supplies !!

    Speak to yer man, John S.

    Scotland is swimming in cash, naw?
  • MTimTMTimT Posts: 7,034
    eek said:

    Pulpstar said:

    I wouldn't touch any EU Referendum markets until we have an outcome to the Greek Crisis

    Greece just needs to plain leave. If it stays it's just going to drag the Euro lower and lower. There'll be an exit shock when it happens, but prolonging the inevitable will only make matters worse.
    They've been delaying the inevitable for 4 years now so another few months won't make any difference.

    I find the idea that introducing Capital controls will solve anything interesting. I really cannot see how / why anyone in Greece wouldn't have withdrawn everything months ago...
    But from the evidence they clearly haven't. $400 million withdrawn yesterday alone.
  • JEOJEO Posts: 3,656
    Criminals like this should be charged with murder:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33161595
  • DisraeliDisraeli Posts: 1,106
    Sunil, that is a VERY good spot!

    I've always felt that Britain needed a "Big Win" out of the EU, in the same way that other countries have.
    - France : very powerful influence enabling her to push French interests more effectively
    - Spain, Portugal : Drawing a line after periods of dictatorship.
    - Eastern Bloc : Readmission to the European family and recognition that Communism had been purged
    - Germany : Readmission to the human race
    - Small Countries : Being part of a club with big brothers to protect them
    ...and so on

    Maybe Britain's big win could be the establishment of English (officially) as the language of the EU.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited June 2015
    New Zealand could be heading for the highest score in a one day international. Currently the record is 443 by Sri Lanka vs Netherlands.

    http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/211599.html
  • NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,569
    Info for Disraeli who asked for Khan's view on airports. He has now come out for Gatwick:

    http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?u=17a553e5ca5e76d221cc1df19&id=991d1e9721&e=8829405e91

    Pleased to see Creasy on the Deputy ballot - IMHO exactly the sort of newish blood that we need. That's not a reflection on other candidates, all of whom I'd be fine with (I used to be Ben Bradshaw's PPS and Tom Watson is the only one who bothered to come to Broxtowe to help in the campaign), but I think we need a fresh face coming up and Creasy combines intelligence, passion and common sense: she's also actually got something done (on payday loans), which isn't easy in Opposition. She's said to be "ambitious" and "too willing to look outside her brief" as though those were snags, but in a leader or deputy leader they're no bad thing ("unambitious" and "uninterested outside her brief"? No thanks).
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,417
    MTimT said:

    Yesterday, upon Trump's announcement, a couple of PBers expressed opinions that he would be a strong candidate.

    Here is the National Review Online's take. Bear in mind that this is a conservative, not liberal/Dem, magazine: "Witless ape rides escalator"

    http://www.nationalreview.com/article/419853/witless-ape-rides-escalator-kevin-d-williamson

    His policies on quite a few things seemed a bit more left wing than I'd imagine.

    Where does he stand on healthcare btw ?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,032
    Scott_P said:

    JonathanD said:

    Unemployment in Scotland at 5.9% compared to 5.5% in the UK as a whole, hmmm.. still at least we've got the oil.... oops.

    "The new boss of the UK's oil and gas body has warned that the sector faces a future in which long term oil prices are about $60 a barrel."

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-33157196

    At least the property market is holding up...
    House prices suffered their sharpest monthly drop in six years last month following the introduction of a new tax, a report has found.

    Average prices fell 1.6% in April — equal to £3000 — to £184,970, the largest monthly fall since March 2009 according to the Your Move/Acadata House Price Index for April.
    http://news.stv.tv/scotland/1323054-new-tax-sees-house-prices-suffer-sharpest-monthly-drop-in-six-years/

    I am seriously not in the business of making excuses for an incompetent SNP administration but this is a distortion caused by the new tax. The March figures contained a disproportionately high number of high value properties whose sales were accelerated to avoid the increase in tax. The April figures reflect a distorted mix with almost no high value properties (none over £1m).

    The Scottish property market is reasonably buoyant at the moment without getting carried away with itself. Only the Aberdeen market is struggling for fairly obvious reasons.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 55,036
    edited June 2015
    MTimT said:

    eek said:

    Pulpstar said:

    I wouldn't touch any EU Referendum markets until we have an outcome to the Greek Crisis

    Greece just needs to plain leave. If it stays it's just going to drag the Euro lower and lower. There'll be an exit shock when it happens, but prolonging the inevitable will only make matters worse.
    They've been delaying the inevitable for 4 years now so another few months won't make any difference.

    I find the idea that introducing Capital controls will solve anything interesting. I really cannot see how / why anyone in Greece wouldn't have withdrawn everything months ago...
    But from the evidence they clearly haven't. $400 million withdrawn yesterday alone.
    That must be institutional money leaving rather than personal. There's already a massive increase in luxury car purchases this year in Greece - I guess gold and diamonds are also popular, as are bundles of Euro notes kept under mattresses. Anyone with significant personal assets surely has them either offshore or in commodities by now?
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,417
    Sandpit said:

    MTimT said:

    eek said:

    Pulpstar said:

    I wouldn't touch any EU Referendum markets until we have an outcome to the Greek Crisis

    Greece just needs to plain leave. If it stays it's just going to drag the Euro lower and lower. There'll be an exit shock when it happens, but prolonging the inevitable will only make matters worse.
    They've been delaying the inevitable for 4 years now so another few months won't make any difference.

    I find the idea that introducing Capital controls will solve anything interesting. I really cannot see how / why anyone in Greece wouldn't have withdrawn everything months ago...
    But from the evidence they clearly haven't. $400 million withdrawn yesterday alone.
    That must surely be institutional money leaving rather than personal. There's a massive increase in luxury car purchases this year in Greece - I guess gold and diamonds are also popular, as are bundles of Euro notes kept under the mattresses.
    I think if I was Greek I'd probably have my cash stashed as US Dollars. Euros themselves could well become victims of forced currency exchange etc. London property has also been used as a wealth store once more.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,417
    edited June 2015
    Small E/W tickle on Grey Gatsby @ 6-1 for me in the next :E
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,032
    AndyJS said:

    New Zealand could be heading for the highest score in a one day international. Currently the record is 443 by Sri Lanka vs Netherlands.

    http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/211599.html

    190 after 30 overs? You used to double that which would give 380. With wickets in hand and the batting power play you shouldn't bet against 400 but 443 is pushing it a bit. Very ordinary attack though.
  • logical_songlogical_song Posts: 9,932
    MTimT said:

    Yesterday, upon Trump's announcement, a couple of PBers expressed opinions that he would be a strong candidate.

    Here is the National Review Online's take. Bear in mind that this is a conservative, not liberal/Dem, magazine: "Witless ape rides escalator"

    http://www.nationalreview.com/article/419853/witless-ape-rides-escalator-kevin-d-williamson

    "the ridiculous buffoon with the worst taste since Caligula"
    Don't hold back!
  • MTimTMTimT Posts: 7,034
    More bad poll news for Hillary on her trustworthy numbers in key swing states (FL, OH, PA) and on the importance of this parameter to voters.

    http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/17/politics/poll-2016-elections-hillary-clinton-trustworthy/index.html
  • MTimTMTimT Posts: 7,034
    Pulpstar said:

    MTimT said:

    Yesterday, upon Trump's announcement, a couple of PBers expressed opinions that he would be a strong candidate.

    Here is the National Review Online's take. Bear in mind that this is a conservative, not liberal/Dem, magazine: "Witless ape rides escalator"

    http://www.nationalreview.com/article/419853/witless-ape-rides-escalator-kevin-d-williamson

    His policies on quite a few things seemed a bit more left wing than I'd imagine.

    Where does he stand on healthcare btw ?
    Frankly, I'm not going to waste my time on finding out.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 55,036
    AndyJS said:

    New Zealand could be heading for the highest score in a one day international. Currently the record is 443 by Sri Lanka vs Netherlands.

    http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/211599.html

    Really? They'll need another 230 from 17 overs to make that.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 52,303
    Disraeli said:



    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-British_Union

    Union with a country that doesn't play cricket! Outrageous.

    "In September 1956, due to a common foe during the Suez Crisis, an Anglo-French Task Force was created. French Prime Minister Guy Mollet proposed a union between the United Kingdom and the French Union with Elizabeth II as head of state and a common citizenship. As an alternative, Mollet proposed that France join the Commonwealth. British Prime Minister Anthony Eden rejected both proposals and France went on to join the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community and strengthened the Franco-German cooperation."

    What could have been if we'd taken a different path after Suez...
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,417
    Pulpstar said:

    Small E/W tickle on Grey Gatsby @ 6-1 for me in the next :E

    Touch unlucky, bumped a smidgen in running but small profit overall for the place so can't complain.
  • DisraeliDisraeli Posts: 1,106

    Info for Disraeli who asked for Khan's view on airports. He has now come out for Gatwick:

    http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?u=17a553e5ca5e76d221cc1df19&id=991d1e9721&e=8829405e91

    Thanks Nick.
    UPDATE: I've found that Tessa and David are both in favour of Heathrow so my choice will be between those two.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,156
    Disraeli said:

    Info for Disraeli who asked for Khan's view on airports. He has now come out for Gatwick:

    http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?u=17a553e5ca5e76d221cc1df19&id=991d1e9721&e=8829405e91

    Thanks Nick.
    UPDATE: I've found that Tessa and David are both in favour of Heathrow so my choice will be between those two.
    http://www.gatwickobviously.com/?gclid=CLzmssGGl8YCFafItAod8h4AjQ
  • Life_ina_market_townLife_ina_market_town Posts: 2,319
    edited June 2015
    JEO said:

    Criminals like this should be charged with murder:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33161595

    Even if a baby has been born alive, and subsequently dies because of antenatal injuries inflicted by the defendant with the intention of killing or causing grievous bodily harm to the mother or baby, there is conclusive, albeit rightly criticised authority to the effect that the defendant is only criminally liable for manslaughter, not murder (Attorney General's Reference No. 4 of 1994 [1998] AC 245 (HL)). Such a defendant can however, if his intent was to cause the death of the child, be charged with child destruction contrary to section 1(1) of the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929. The maximum penalty for that offence is imprisonment for life.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,156
    edited June 2015
    Disraeli said:

    Sunil, that is a VERY good spot!

    I've always felt that Britain needed a "Big Win" out of the EU, in the same way that other countries have.
    - France : very powerful influence enabling her to push French interests more effectively
    - Spain, Portugal : Drawing a line after periods of dictatorship.
    - Eastern Bloc : Readmission to the European family and recognition that Communism had been purged
    - Germany : Readmission to the human race
    - Small Countries : Being part of a club with big brothers to protect them
    ...and so on

    Maybe Britain's big win could be the establishment of English (officially) as the language of the EU.
    The EU should be annexed incorporated into the Comonwealth by virtue of it already having English as an official language (albeit currently one out of about 24)!
  • DisraeliDisraeli Posts: 1,106

    Disraeli said:



    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-British_Union

    Union with a country that doesn't play cricket! Outrageous.

    "In September 1956, due to a common foe during the Suez Crisis, an Anglo-French Task Force was created. French Prime Minister Guy Mollet proposed a union between the United Kingdom and the French Union with Elizabeth II as head of state and a common citizenship. As an alternative, Mollet proposed that France join the Commonwealth. British Prime Minister Anthony Eden rejected both proposals and France went on to join the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community and strengthened the Franco-German cooperation."

    What could have been if we'd taken a different path after Suez...
    Very true...or if France had not vetoed our applications to join the EEC in 1961 and 1969.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,156
    http://www.gatwickobviously.com/news/animation-shows-why-gatwick-obvious-choice-expansion

    1 - A NEW RUNWAY BY 2025 AT HALF THE COST AND MUCH LESS RISK

    The cost of building the second runway at Gatwick is £7.8 billion compared with Heathrow’s £15.6 billion. Unlike Heathrow, growth at Gatwick will not require any additional taxpayers’ money.

    2 - A STRONGER PLATFORM FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH

    Gatwick expansion will deliver around £90 billion of economic benefits to the UK, much higher than expansion at Heathrow, because it will generate more traffic and more connections to new destinations.

    3 - MORE COMPETITION, INNOVATION AND LOWER AIRFARES

    Gatwick expansion will deliver two world class airports serving London and the UK, delivering more competition between both airports and within airlines, which will keep airfares lower.

    4 - A GREATER ECONOMIC BOOST FOR THE UK

    Gatwick expansion will create around 120,000 jobs. Gatwick will fund a £50 million housing and jobs programme to enable local authorities to deliver essential local community infrastructure and ensure local young people directly benefit from the new jobs being created.

    5 - CONNECTING THE UK REGIONS TO THE WORLD

    Gatwick expansion will create capacity for more regional flights, connect 15 UK airports to Gatwick and support incentives and competitive charges for increased regional services.

    6 - BEST PASSENGER EXPERIENCE

    Gatwick expansion will deliver a modern, world class airport designed to make the passenger journey simple and efficient. Quality will be central, with access to aircraft in less than 30 minutes and a minimum connection time between aircrafts of under 45 minutes.

    7 - MOST EFFICIENT AND LOW COST OPERATION FOR AIRLINES

    Gatwick expansion will deliver a world class service for airlines, with efficient turnaround and taxi times, more resilient designs for the future and low charges at £12 -£15 per passenger.

    8 - EXCELLENT TRANSPORT LINKS

    Gatwick expansion and dramatic improvements in transport connections will mean that 15 million people in the UK will live within 60 minutes of Gatwick. Trains to London will run every two and a half minutes, and capacity will be doubled at local road junctions by 2025.

    9 - MINIMISED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

    Expansion at Gatwick rather than Heathrow will see hundreds of thousands fewer people affected and significantly lower environmental impacts. We will continue to meet all noise and air quality standards, deliver 60% public transport use by 2040 and aim to build a carbon neutral airport.

    10 - OUR PLEDGES FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

    Gatwick expansion will offer a compensation package, unmatched by Heathrow, of a 25% premium on top of market value for homeowners directly affected, a £5,000 infrastructure contribution towards every extra home that is built as a result of airport expansion and, uniquely, £1,000 per year contribution to council tax for local residents affected by noise.
  • AnorakAnorak Posts: 6,621
    MTimT said:

    Yesterday, upon Trump's announcement, a couple of PBers expressed opinions that he would be a strong candidate.

    Here is the National Review Online's take. Bear in mind that this is a conservative, not liberal/Dem, magazine: "Witless ape rides escalator"

    http://www.nationalreview.com/article/419853/witless-ape-rides-escalator-kevin-d-williamson

    Worst taste since Caligula (mentioned below, but now with the hyperlink!)
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,417
    edited June 2015
    @Sunil_Prasannan

    Why is Heathrow the red hot favourite then ?

    Edit:

    Why can't we do both ?!

  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,045
    Pulpstar said:

    @Sunil_Prasannan

    Why is Heathrow the red hot favourite then ?

    Edit:

    Why can't we do both ?!

    Both is the ideal compromise, IMO.
  • AnorakAnorak Posts: 6,621
    edited June 2015
    DavidL said:

    AndyJS said:

    New Zealand could be heading for the highest score in a one day international. Currently the record is 443 by Sri Lanka vs Netherlands.

    http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/211599.html

    190 after 30 overs? You used to double that which would give 380. With wickets in hand and the batting power play you shouldn't bet against 400 but 443 is pushing it a bit. Very ordinary attack though.
    241 off 40 overs. You chaps need to calm down a bit! ;)
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,952
    Scott_P said:

    JonathanD said:

    Unemployment in Scotland at 5.9% compared to 5.5% in the UK as a whole, hmmm.. still at least we've got the oil.... oops.

    "The new boss of the UK's oil and gas body has warned that the sector faces a future in which long term oil prices are about $60 a barrel."

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-33157196

    At least the property market is holding up...
    House prices suffered their sharpest monthly drop in six years last month following the introduction of a new tax, a report has found.

    Average prices fell 1.6% in April — equal to £3000 — to £184,970, the largest monthly fall since March 2009 according to the Your Move/Acadata House Price Index for April.
    http://news.stv.tv/scotland/1323054-new-tax-sees-house-prices-suffer-sharpest-monthly-drop-in-six-years/

    Excellent. Makes it cheaper for the English to buy that second holiday home in Scotland...

    That was the plan, wasn't it?
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,045
    http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2015/06/pmqs-sketch-he-lays-roads-he-decrees-bridges-is-there-anything-george-osborne-cant-do/

    The Titan of Tatton. One to add to the PB lexicon when describing the Master Strategist, King of the North(ern powerhouse).
  • AnorakAnorak Posts: 6,621
    edited June 2015
    Pulpstar said:

    @Sunil_Prasannan

    Why is Heathrow the red hot favourite then ?

    Edit:

    Why can't we do both ?!

    Not enough traffic to make it econimically viable for the airports. Especially so for LGW: if LHR got a runway too their major carriers (easyJet, Wizz, charters, etc) would revolt as they are much more price sensitive, and wouldn't stomach the hike in fees necessary to fund the investment.
  • MTimTMTimT Posts: 7,034
    Anorak said:

    MTimT said:

    Yesterday, upon Trump's announcement, a couple of PBers expressed opinions that he would be a strong candidate.

    Here is the National Review Online's take. Bear in mind that this is a conservative, not liberal/Dem, magazine: "Witless ape rides escalator"

    http://www.nationalreview.com/article/419853/witless-ape-rides-escalator-kevin-d-williamson

    Worst taste since Caligula (mentioned below, but now with the hyperlink!)
    Excellent. Without the reference, I would have taken that as a Russian oligarch's pad.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,952
    JEO said:

    Criminals like this should be charged with murder:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33161595

    I'm sure if they are in the prison system, the other inmates will never get to hear what they did....
  • JEOJEO Posts: 3,656
    edited June 2015
    Sunil_Prassanan,

    It seems very strange how governments of both right and left have been focused on creating choice and competition in markets and government services, but then think it's best if we create one monopolistic airport.

    Whether you look at competition, or nearby air pollution, or how many are affected by noise pollution, or cost to the taxpayer, or diversifying risk in the case of bad weather, Gatwick is the clear choice. Why does anyone support Heathrow as being the place to expand?
  • JEOJEO Posts: 3,656

    Disraeli said:



    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-British_Union

    Union with a country that doesn't play cricket! Outrageous.

    "In September 1956, due to a common foe during the Suez Crisis, an Anglo-French Task Force was created. French Prime Minister Guy Mollet proposed a union between the United Kingdom and the French Union with Elizabeth II as head of state and a common citizenship. As an alternative, Mollet proposed that France join the Commonwealth. British Prime Minister Anthony Eden rejected both proposals and France went on to join the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community and strengthened the Franco-German cooperation."

    What could have been if we'd taken a different path after Suez...
    Had the proposal gone much further, I imagine it would have resulted with Mollet's ejection as Prime Minister.
  • AnorakAnorak Posts: 6,621
    JEO said:

    Sunil_Prassanan,

    It seems very strange how governments of both right and left have been focused on creating choice and competition in markets and government services, but then think it's best if we create one monopolistic airport.

    Whether you look at competition, or nearby air pollution, or how many are affected by noise pollution, or cost to the taxpayer, or diversifying risk in the case of bad weather, Gatwick is the clear choice. Why does anyone support Heathrow as being the place to expand?

    Better able to retain it's pre-eminent role as a gateway between Europe and North America. Almost everyone agrees than a greater economic benefit accrues from LHR getting R3 than LGW getting R2.
  • MTimT said:

    Anorak said:

    MTimT said:

    Yesterday, upon Trump's announcement, a couple of PBers expressed opinions that he would be a strong candidate.

    Here is the National Review Online's take. Bear in mind that this is a conservative, not liberal/Dem, magazine: "Witless ape rides escalator"

    http://www.nationalreview.com/article/419853/witless-ape-rides-escalator-kevin-d-williamson

    Worst taste since Caligula (mentioned below, but now with the hyperlink!)
    Excellent. Without the reference, I would have taken that as a Russian oligarch's pad.
    Clinton will be the Dem nominee.

    Rubio will be the GOP nominee.

    Rubio will be the next POTUS. He'll win 275 electoral votes (carry FL,OH,VA,CO).

    I'm predicting it now!
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,156
    Anorak said:

    JEO said:

    Sunil_Prassanan,

    It seems very strange how governments of both right and left have been focused on creating choice and competition in markets and government services, but then think it's best if we create one monopolistic airport.

    Whether you look at competition, or nearby air pollution, or how many are affected by noise pollution, or cost to the taxpayer, or diversifying risk in the case of bad weather, Gatwick is the clear choice. Why does anyone support Heathrow as being the place to expand?

    Better able to retain it's pre-eminent role as a gateway between Europe and North America. Almost everyone agrees than a greater economic benefit accrues from LHR getting R3 than LGW getting R2.
    There's no space for LHR R3 without flattening several villages.
  • Anorak said:

    Better able to retain it's pre-eminent role as a gateway between Europe and North America. Almost everyone agrees than a greater economic benefit accrues from LHR getting R3 than LGW getting R2.

    Provided there are no public subsidies involved, let all of the airports expand. There is no reason why mobs of NIMBYs in expensive properties in West London, Sussex and Surrey should have the whip hand over the rest of the population.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited June 2015
    As soon as I said New Zealand might score the highest ODI score ever, the runs almost completely dried up for them, lol. It was an outside chance at 30 overs with 2 wickets down.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,156
    As some of you know I work in the Midlands. Sometimes, but not always, I commute by train between Brum and Coventry. Whenever I pass Birmingham Airport, I'm always struck by how quiet it seems, compared with Heathrow.

    And looking at the figures, looks like I'm right. The airport serving our Kingdom's second city (and urban area) of more than a million people ranks only seventh in terms of no. of passengers.

    LHR had 73 million passengers in 2014
    BHX had only 9.7 million passengers in 2014

    By comparison LGW (Gatwick) had 38 million in 2014
  • AnorakAnorak Posts: 6,621

    Anorak said:

    Better able to retain it's pre-eminent role as a gateway between Europe and North America. Almost everyone agrees than a greater economic benefit accrues from LHR getting R3 than LGW getting R2.

    Provided there are no public subsidies involved, let all of the airports expand. There is no reason why mobs of NIMBYs in expensive properties in West London, Sussex and Surrey should have the whip hand over the rest of the population.
    The point is that the cost of expansion through building a new runway is not viable, unless you have a guaranteed monopoly and sufficient market pricing power to increase charges to pay for it!
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited June 2015
    IIRC there are plans to build another runway at Birmingham. They've just lengthened the existing one.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-28407867

    As some of you know I work in the Midlands. Sometimes, but not always, I commute by train between Brum and Coventry. Whenever I pass Birmingham Airport, I'm always struck by how quiet it seems, compared with Heathrow.

    And looking at the figures, looks like I'm right. The airport serving our Kingdom's second city (and urban area) of more than a million people ranks only seventh in terms of no. of passengers.

    LHR had 73 million passengers in 2014
    BHX had only 9.7 million passengers in 2014

    By comparison LGW (Gatwick) had 38 million in 2014

  • AnorakAnorak Posts: 6,621
    edited June 2015

    Anorak said:

    JEO said:

    Sunil_Prassanan,

    It seems very strange how governments of both right and left have been focused on creating choice and competition in markets and government services, but then think it's best if we create one monopolistic airport.

    Whether you look at competition, or nearby air pollution, or how many are affected by noise pollution, or cost to the taxpayer, or diversifying risk in the case of bad weather, Gatwick is the clear choice. Why does anyone support Heathrow as being the place to expand?

    Better able to retain it's pre-eminent role as a gateway between Europe and North America. Almost everyone agrees than a greater economic benefit accrues from LHR getting R3 than LGW getting R2.
    There's no space for LHR R3 without flattening several villages.
    So? The needs of the many... :)

    [that's not entirely flippant, a few hundred people should not hold back the growth of a nation, as LIAMT has also said]
  • JEOJEO Posts: 3,656
    edited June 2015
    Anorak said:

    JEO said:

    Sunil_Prassanan,

    It seems very strange how governments of both right and left have been focused on creating choice and competition in markets and government services, but then think it's best if we create one monopolistic airport.

    Whether you look at competition, or nearby air pollution, or how many are affected by noise pollution, or cost to the taxpayer, or diversifying risk in the case of bad weather, Gatwick is the clear choice. Why does anyone support Heathrow as being the place to expand?

    Better able to retain it's pre-eminent role as a gateway between Europe and North America. Almost everyone agrees than a greater economic benefit accrues from LHR getting R3 than LGW getting R2.
    "Retaining it's pre-eminent role" reminds me of the old focus on having "national champions" in the 1970s, where we would combine various companies together so they would rank better in sheer size on lists of the world's biggest companies. We should not care about what the biggest airport is. We should care what provides the airport sector in the UK with the least costs. If Heathrow provides a bigger economic benefit, it should be able to do so without a corporate handout from the taxpayer.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,032
    AndyJS said:

    As soon as I said New Zealand might score the highest ODI score ever, the runs almost completely dried up for them, lol. It was an outside chance at 30 overs with 2 wickets down.

    And England got Williamson out cheaply. Only 90 today.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 52,303

    As some of you know I work in the Midlands. Sometimes, but not always, I commute by train between Brum and Coventry. Whenever I pass Birmingham Airport, I'm always struck by how quiet it seems, compared with Heathrow.

    And looking at the figures, looks like I'm right. The airport serving our Kingdom's second city (and urban area) of more than a million people ranks only seventh in terms of no. of passengers.

    LHR had 73 million passengers in 2014
    BHX had only 9.7 million passengers in 2014

    By comparison LGW (Gatwick) had 38 million in 2014

    One of the arguments in favour of Boris island would be that BHX could pick up a lot of the slack from closing Heathrow and become the main international airport for 'England' while the estuary airport served demand for London.
  • As some of you know I work in the Midlands. Sometimes, but not always, I commute by train between Brum and Coventry. Whenever I pass Birmingham Airport, I'm always struck by how quiet it seems, compared with Heathrow.

    And looking at the figures, looks like I'm right. The airport serving our Kingdom's second city (and urban area) of more than a million people ranks only seventh in terms of no. of passengers.

    LHR had 73 million passengers in 2014
    BHX had only 9.7 million passengers in 2014

    By comparison LGW (Gatwick) had 38 million in 2014

    I believe Birmingham has less traffic than both Manchester and Edinburgh, probably due to the lack of a Birmingham to London market that the other two have.

    Expanding Gatwick makes much more sense to me. Also isn't there another plan at Heathrow to double the length of one of the existing runways, and thus allow takeoff and landing at the same time?
  • JEOJEO Posts: 3,656
    Anorak said:

    Anorak said:

    JEO said:

    Sunil_Prassanan,

    It seems very strange how governments of both right and left have been focused on creating choice and competition in markets and government services, but then think it's best if we create one monopolistic airport.

    Whether you look at competition, or nearby air pollution, or how many are affected by noise pollution, or cost to the taxpayer, or diversifying risk in the case of bad weather, Gatwick is the clear choice. Why does anyone support Heathrow as being the place to expand?

    Better able to retain it's pre-eminent role as a gateway between Europe and North America. Almost everyone agrees than a greater economic benefit accrues from LHR getting R3 than LGW getting R2.
    There's no space for LHR R3 without flattening several villages.
    So? The needs of the many... :)

    [that's not entirely flippant, a few hundred people should not hold back the growth of a nation, as LIAMT has also said]
    And a million people will be affected by air pollution.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Does anyone else think the BBC reporter at 15:20 mins on today's World At One probably isn't a big fan of George Osborne?

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05y0njv#auto
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,032

    As some of you know I work in the Midlands. Sometimes, but not always, I commute by train between Brum and Coventry. Whenever I pass Birmingham Airport, I'm always struck by how quiet it seems, compared with Heathrow.

    And looking at the figures, looks like I'm right. The airport serving our Kingdom's second city (and urban area) of more than a million people ranks only seventh in terms of no. of passengers.

    LHR had 73 million passengers in 2014
    BHX had only 9.7 million passengers in 2014

    By comparison LGW (Gatwick) had 38 million in 2014

    38 million people with 1 runway is a truly astonishing feat of logistics.
  • Pro_RataPro_Rata Posts: 5,354
    I thought one of the lesser spoken aims of HS2 was to, in effect, create a London Birmingham Airport, with a 36 minute journey time to Euston - competetive for a lot of journeys into London from either Heathrow or Gatwick now (though Crossrail changes things). Certainly far less ridiculous than London Ashford Airport!
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited June 2015
    Interesting fact: Birmingham Airport had the world's only public MagLev system between 1984 and 1995. It had to be closed because they couldn't find suppliers for the parts to repair it.

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=asVQzbOftqE
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,968
    Mr. JS, the son of a Labour MP disliking Osborne. Surely not! :p
  • AnorakAnorak Posts: 6,621
    edited June 2015
    JEO said:

    Anorak said:

    Anorak said:

    JEO said:

    Sunil_Prassanan,

    It seems very strange how governments of both right and left have been focused on creating choice and competition in markets and government services, but then think it's best if we create one monopolistic airport.

    Whether you look at competition, or nearby air pollution, or how many are affected by noise pollution, or cost to the taxpayer, or diversifying risk in the case of bad weather, Gatwick is the clear choice. Why does anyone support Heathrow as being the place to expand?

    Better able to retain it's pre-eminent role as a gateway between Europe and North America. Almost everyone agrees than a greater economic benefit accrues from LHR getting R3 than LGW getting R2.
    There's no space for LHR R3 without flattening several villages.
    So? The needs of the many... :)

    [that's not entirely flippant, a few hundred people should not hold back the growth of a nation, as LIAMT has also said]
    And a million people will be affected by air pollution.
    Most of them by an almost immeasurable (and certainly imperceptible) degree. BTW I'm no champion of LHR expantion - indeed I'd be affected by increased noise from the third runway. But I do believe it will offer the best economic benefit to the UK as a whole.

    Responding to your other comment, there are no plans to fund any of this, including any rehousing/compensation payments, by the taxpayer.
  • AnorakAnorak Posts: 6,621
    DavidL said:

    As some of you know I work in the Midlands. Sometimes, but not always, I commute by train between Brum and Coventry. Whenever I pass Birmingham Airport, I'm always struck by how quiet it seems, compared with Heathrow.

    And looking at the figures, looks like I'm right. The airport serving our Kingdom's second city (and urban area) of more than a million people ranks only seventh in terms of no. of passengers.

    LHR had 73 million passengers in 2014
    BHX had only 9.7 million passengers in 2014

    By comparison LGW (Gatwick) had 38 million in 2014

    38 million people with 1 runway is a truly astonishing feat of logistics.
    Easily the largest single runway airport in the world. Heathrow is easily the largest 2-runway airport in the world despite the night-time curfew. Both are absolutely creaking at the seams.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,045
    Anorak said:

    DavidL said:

    As some of you know I work in the Midlands. Sometimes, but not always, I commute by train between Brum and Coventry. Whenever I pass Birmingham Airport, I'm always struck by how quiet it seems, compared with Heathrow.

    And looking at the figures, looks like I'm right. The airport serving our Kingdom's second city (and urban area) of more than a million people ranks only seventh in terms of no. of passengers.

    LHR had 73 million passengers in 2014
    BHX had only 9.7 million passengers in 2014

    By comparison LGW (Gatwick) had 38 million in 2014

    38 million people with 1 runway is a truly astonishing feat of logistics.
    Easily the largest single runway airport in the world. Heathrow is easily the largest 2-runway airport in the world despite the night-time curfew. Both are absolutely creaking at the seams.
    I believe you mentioned the costs earlier, and how that some carriers wouldn't be able to pay the additional fees to cover the cost of expansion. Why does it cost £bns to lay a couple of miles of tarmac?
  • JEOJEO Posts: 3,656
    Anorak said:

    JEO said:

    Anorak said:

    Anorak said:

    JEO said:

    Sunil_Prassanan,

    It seems very strange how governments of both right and left have been focused on creating choice and competition in markets and government services, but then think it's best if we create one monopolistic airport.

    Whether you look at competition, or nearby air pollution, or how many are affected by noise pollution, or cost to the taxpayer, or diversifying risk in the case of bad weather, Gatwick is the clear choice. Why does anyone support Heathrow as being the place to expand?

    Better able to retain it's pre-eminent role as a gateway between Europe and North America. Almost everyone agrees than a greater economic benefit accrues from LHR getting R3 than LGW getting R2.
    There's no space for LHR R3 without flattening several villages.
    So? The needs of the many... :)

    [that's not entirely flippant, a few hundred people should not hold back the growth of a nation, as LIAMT has also said]
    And a million people will be affected by air pollution.
    Most of them by an almost immeasurable (and certainly imperceptible) degree. BTW I'm no champion of LHR expantion - indeed I'd be affected by increased noise from the third runway. But I do believe it will offer the best economic benefit to the UK as a whole.

    Responding to your other comment, there are no plans to fund any of this, including any rehousing/compensation payments, by the taxpayer.
    There were no plans for fiscal transfers in the Eurozone either, and it was strenuously denied at the time that it would ever happen. According to an independent analysis by KPMG, Heathrow will require £12 billion of taxpayer funds.

    I also disagree that most of the 1,000,000 will be affected by an imperceptibly small amount. I have friends in Richmond who complain about the frequent noise - certainly they'd be affected by a 30%-50% increase in capacity - and that's more than a borough away.
  • SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    Comedy video of the day to uplift the spirits on PB.
    Donald Trump's first post announcement interview on Fox News:
    http://crooksandliars.com/2015/06/oreilly-trump-youre-going-slash-and-burn?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

    First question, how do you defeat ISIS?
    Imagine the answer.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    @edballs: Here's the announcement from @Harvard @Kennedy_School that I'll be a Senior Fellow for 2015-16 academic year http://t.co/8pjn51HTi4
  • AnorakAnorak Posts: 6,621
    edited June 2015
    RobD said:

    Anorak said:

    DavidL said:

    As some of you know I work in the Midlands. Sometimes, but not always, I commute by train between Brum and Coventry. Whenever I pass Birmingham Airport, I'm always struck by how quiet it seems, compared with Heathrow.

    And looking at the figures, looks like I'm right. The airport serving our Kingdom's second city (and urban area) of more than a million people ranks only seventh in terms of no. of passengers.

    LHR had 73 million passengers in 2014
    BHX had only 9.7 million passengers in 2014

    By comparison LGW (Gatwick) had 38 million in 2014

    38 million people with 1 runway is a truly astonishing feat of logistics.
    Easily the largest single runway airport in the world. Heathrow is easily the largest 2-runway airport in the world despite the night-time curfew. Both are absolutely creaking at the seams.
    I believe you mentioned the costs earlier, and how that some carriers wouldn't be able to pay the additional fees to cover the cost of expansion. Why does it cost £bns to lay a couple of miles of tarmac?
    And:
    - Significant expansion of existing terminals
    - A new mid-field terminal accessed by tunnel
    - A bucket-load of new taxiways and apron space
    - New access roads, including works on the M23
    - Upgraded rail link and station
    - Recovery of design and lobbying costs
    - Domestic sound-proofing program
    - More car parking
    - Etc, etc
    Think how expensive Heathrow T5 was, and that DIDN'T include a runway
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,981

    New Thread

  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216
    Scott_P said:

    @edballs: Here's the announcement from @Harvard @Kennedy_School that I'll be a Senior Fellow for 2015-16 academic year http://t.co/8pjn51HTi4

    Good for him!

    Will make life tricky for the family though.....especially if Yvette is leader...
  • DisraeliDisraeli Posts: 1,106
    (Start-rant)
    I hate Gatwick. It is a blemish on the gorgeous county of Sussex.

    I've never had a good experience of using Gatwick airport (or is it "Gatport Airwick").
    - The amount of walking from main departure area to the departure gates is ridiculous,
    - several times the security team have taken the pee out of myself or Mrs D. (and never give any advice in response to my polite questions on how I can help them in the future)
    - security staff once threw my camera onto the screening conveyer belt from where it bounced off and broke, and I was thus left without a camera for my holiday

    And this is apart from the fact that it is awful to get to from North London, and the airport facilities are rubbish compared to Heathrow.
    (End-rant)
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