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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Local By-Election Preview: July 2nd 2015

SystemSystem Posts: 11,725
edited July 2015 in General

imagepoliticalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Local By-Election Preview: July 2nd 2015

Grantham, Barrowby on Lincolnshire (Con defence)
Result of council at last election (2013): Conservatives 36, United Kingdom Independence Party 16, Labour 12, Lincolnshire Independents 8, Liberal Democrats 3, Independents 2 (No Overall Control, Conservatives short by 3)
Result of ward at last election (2013):

Read the full story here


Comments

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    JohnLilburneJohnLilburne Posts: 6,018
    Why was the series named after a ward in London? Because Hampton Wick (usually just Hampton) is rhyming slang for dick.
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    JohnLilburneJohnLilburne Posts: 6,018
    And first, it seems.
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 92,105
    I never actually saw it, but was it true Cable's victorious opponent almost seemed embarrassed to have won?

    Keep an eye on the UKIP score in Lincolnshire, I need to know if I should write them off because a single local council result or declare the revolution is here because of the same.

    Oh, and some hilarity:

    Anybody who calls me corrupt because Fifa is corrupt, I can only shake my head," Sepp Blatter said.

    I guess he's sticking with that 'I cannot keep an eye on everyone' defence, where incompetence is a reason you should stay in your job for some reason.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33361709
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    Hertsmere_PubgoerHertsmere_Pubgoer Posts: 3,476
    edited July 2015
    "Eleven minutes late, staff difficulties, Hampton Wick."
    *Edit* Amazed to beat Sunil to a train gag :-)
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    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,539
    We finally got around to booking a holiday in Majorca today. My wife has looked at the FO site and Spain is higher listed for terrorist risk than Tunisia or Egypt! Anyone any idea why? She is a bit anxious.
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    MortimerMortimer Posts: 13,960
    DavidL said:

    We finally got around to booking a holiday in Majorca today. My wife has looked at the FO site and Spain is higher listed for terrorist risk than Tunisia or Egypt! Anyone any idea why? She is a bit anxious.

    Mallorca is lovely - have fun. Some great shops in the Palma old town, including an old fashioned English secondhand bookshop! Palma to Caller heritage train is a must too, fab views.

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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,714
    DavidL said:

    We finally got around to booking a holiday in Majorca today. My wife has looked at the FO site and Spain is higher listed for terrorist risk than Tunisia or Egypt! Anyone any idea why? She is a bit anxious.

    Apologies if this sounds tactless/alarmist.

    There's a belief that the terrorists now go for places where there's a lot of Western holidaymakers.

    Since these days western tourists don't go much to Egypt or Tunisia, Spain is seen as the higher risk.

    I think it is the Foreign Office being over cautious.

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    MyBurningEarsMyBurningEars Posts: 3,651
    Re Spain. A relative of mine almost got blown up by ETA on the beach, though this is going back years. (I think the bombs failed to explode.)
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    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,539

    DavidL said:

    We finally got around to booking a holiday in Majorca today. My wife has looked at the FO site and Spain is higher listed for terrorist risk than Tunisia or Egypt! Anyone any idea why? She is a bit anxious.

    Apologies if this sounds tactless/alarmist.

    There's a belief that the terrorists now go for places where there's a lot of Western holidaymakers.

    Since these days western tourists don't go much to Egypt or Tunisia, Spain is seen as the higher risk.

    I think it is the Foreign Office being over cautious.

    The Travel Agent told us everyone is going to Spain all of a sudden. Egypt is a disaster area but the Insurers are refusing to agree to pay for cancellations yet. No one is going to Tunisia. BJO really didn't do a great job of selling it did he?
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    HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 117,228
    Jim Webb has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the 2016 US presidential election
    http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/02/politics/jim-webb-2016-president-announcement/index.html
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    viewcodeviewcode Posts: 19,170
    For all those of you who didn't get what Harry was implying, "Gerald Wiley" was the pseudonym under which the comedian Ronnie Barker wrote material for the BBC TV comedy show "The Two Ronnies"
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    LucyJonesLucyJones Posts: 651
    kle4 said:

    I never actually saw it, but was it true Cable's victorious opponent almost seemed embarrassed to have won?

    Yes, I saw it. Can't remember her name, but she looked as if she felt really bad about it (I thought) and I actually wondered if she was about to cry.
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    viewcodeviewcode Posts: 19,170
    Four candles. No, fork handles
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    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,539
    HYUFD said:

    Jim Webb has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the 2016 US presidential election
    http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/02/politics/jim-webb-2016-president-announcement/index.html

    That is by far the most serious candidate to take on Hilary so far. It may be his age and a view that it is now or never or it may be that Hilary is just not looking invincible any more.
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    BarnesianBarnesian Posts: 8,013
    edited July 2015
    Hampton Wick could be a good result for the LibDems but probably not a win.

    Labour and Tories Parties (though not Zac) being in favour of Heathrow expansion will depress their vote - so a big Lab tactical vote for LibDem and possibly some Tories. UKIP and independent will get very little support.

    LibDems energised with a big GOTV operation. Tories a bit complacent.

    My guess is still a Tory win but a good LibDem result;

    Con 44% (-6%)
    LibDem 34% (+16%)
    Lab 7% (-7%)
    Grn 15% (-4%)
    UKIP 1% (+1%)
    Ind 0%
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    SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 20,787
    I see Naz is standing for UKIP. The space in that sentence is optional.
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    Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091
    Harry Thompson ‏@HMThompson_ 1h1 hour ago
    After a few hours canvassing in what should be prime Kendall territory, I'm pretty much ready to predict this: Liz Kendall will come last

    Harry Thompson ‏@HMThompson_ 1h1 hour ago
    been thinking it for a while, but calling up a middle class area and having her come dead last confirms it in my mind!
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    BarnesianBarnesian Posts: 8,013
    LucyJones said:

    kle4 said:

    I never actually saw it, but was it true Cable's victorious opponent almost seemed embarrassed to have won?

    Yes, I saw it. Can't remember her name, but she looked as if she felt really bad about it (I thought) and I actually wondered if she was about to cry.
    Dr Tania Mathias. Like Zac, she is also vehemently opposed to Heathrow expansion.

    It will be interesting to see whether the Tories in Hampton Wick who bother to vote give credit for that or some take the opportunity to vote LibDem to send a message to the Government.
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    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,539
    Ridiculous and misleading as they proved to be there are times when I miss the 10.30 Yougov. Night all.
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    williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 48,293
    Danny565 said:

    Harry Thompson ‏@HMThompson_ 1h1 hour ago
    After a few hours canvassing in what should be prime Kendall territory, I'm pretty much ready to predict this: Liz Kendall will come last

    Harry Thompson ‏@HMThompson_ 1h1 hour ago
    been thinking it for a while, but calling up a middle class area and having her come dead last confirms it in my mind!

    I don't know why he would assume that a middle class area would be prime Kendall territory. It's always the better off who can afford complacency.
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,622

    "Eleven minutes late, staff difficulties, Hampton Wick."
    *Edit* Amazed to beat Sunil to a train gag :-)

    https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=sunil060902+"hampton+wick"&title=Special:Search&go=Go&uselang=en-gb
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,622
    Grays is in the Unitary Authority of Thurrock :)
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    SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 20,787

    "Eleven minutes late, staff difficulties, Hampton Wick."
    *Edit* Amazed to beat Sunil to a train gag :-)

    https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=sunil060902+"hampton+wick"&title=Special:Search&go=Go&uselang=en-gb
    Some impressive photos of your Hampton Wick!
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    SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    edited July 2015

    Danny565 said:

    Harry Thompson ‏@HMThompson_ 1h1 hour ago
    After a few hours canvassing in what should be prime Kendall territory, I'm pretty much ready to predict this: Liz Kendall will come last

    Harry Thompson ‏@HMThompson_ 1h1 hour ago
    been thinking it for a while, but calling up a middle class area and having her come dead last confirms it in my mind!

    I don't know why he would assume that a middle class area would be prime Kendall territory. It's always the better off who can afford complacency.
    How many very wealthy people are Labour members?
    Not many, that is why Kendall will come last.
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,622

    "Eleven minutes late, staff difficulties, Hampton Wick."
    *Edit* Amazed to beat Sunil to a train gag :-)

    https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=sunil060902+"hampton+wick"&title=Special:Search&go=Go&uselang=en-gb
    Some impressive photos of your Hampton Wick!
    Platform's lengthening? :)
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    HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 117,228
    DavidL Yes, I doubt he will beat Hillary but he could give her a run for her money, so far only Sanders has been offering much of a challenge
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    Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091
    edited July 2015

    Danny565 said:

    Harry Thompson ‏@HMThompson_ 1h1 hour ago
    After a few hours canvassing in what should be prime Kendall territory, I'm pretty much ready to predict this: Liz Kendall will come last

    Harry Thompson ‏@HMThompson_ 1h1 hour ago
    been thinking it for a while, but calling up a middle class area and having her come dead last confirms it in my mind!

    I don't know why he would assume that a middle class area would be prime Kendall territory. It's always the better off who can afford complacency.
    Well, yes and no. The less middle-class Labour members tend to be usually soft left - don't generally like the complete Bennite purism, generally more interested in ends rather than means, but still have some firm red lines (lines which Kendall is crossing at will).
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    NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,380

    Re Spain. A relative of mine almost got blown up by ETA on the beach, though this is going back years. (I think the bombs failed to explode.)

    My only brush with bombs was being evacuated with my dad from the Junior Carlton (he was a not very political member) in Pall Mall when an IRA bomb went off a bit further down. We could see it was going to take a bit of time before they'd let us back, so we walked up to Charing Cross and explained the position to the hotel receptionist there: could we sit in their lounge for half an hour or so until the police gave the all clear?
    "Certainly not!" she said. "It would breach our licensing conditions to have non-guests sitting in the premises."
    "But we don't need to drink anything..."
    "No!"

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    SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    edited July 2015
    HYUFD said:

    DavidL Yes, I doubt he will beat Hillary but he could give her a run for her money, so far only Sanders has been offering much of a challenge

    You jumped the shark HYUFD, no supporter of the confederate flag and the confederacy will get any votes in a democratic party primary, Jim Webb will poll the customary 2% and vanish like he never existed:

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/former-sen-jim-webb-d-va-appears-to-defend-confederate-flag/2015/06/24/ed0d162c-1a99-11e5-ab92-c75ae6ab94b5_story.html
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,622
    DavidL said:

    Ridiculous and misleading as they proved to be there are times when I miss the 10.30 Yougov. Night all.

    YawnGov?
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    DisraeliDisraeli Posts: 1,106

    Re Spain. A relative of mine almost got blown up by ETA on the beach, though this is going back years. (I think the bombs failed to explode.)

    My only brush with bombs was being evacuated with my dad from the Junior Carlton (he was a not very political member) in Pall Mall when an IRA bomb went off a bit further down. We could see it was going to take a bit of time before they'd let us back, so we walked up to Charing Cross and explained the position to the hotel receptionist there: could we sit in their lounge for half an hour or so until the police gave the all clear?
    "Certainly not!" she said. "It would breach our licensing conditions to have non-guests sitting in the premises."
    "But we don't need to drink anything..."
    "No!"

    I came close to a bomb a few years back.

    I got to Arnos Grove (Piccadilly) tube station one night just as an IRA bomb warning was announced.

    All passengers were escorted through the station car park by LU staff.

    A couple of minutes later there was an enourmous bang. A car bomb had been exploded.
    The same car that we had all just filed past in the station car park....
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    nigel4englandnigel4england Posts: 4,800

    DavidL said:

    We finally got around to booking a holiday in Majorca today. My wife has looked at the FO site and Spain is higher listed for terrorist risk than Tunisia or Egypt! Anyone any idea why? She is a bit anxious.

    Apologies if this sounds tactless/alarmist.

    There's a belief that the terrorists now go for places where there's a lot of Western holidaymakers.

    Since these days western tourists don't go much to Egypt or Tunisia, Spain is seen as the higher risk.

    I think it is the Foreign Office being over cautious.

    Cornwall or Center Parcs for me!
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    HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 117,228
    Speedy I agree Sanders probably poses the biggest challenge to Hillary
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    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,814
    "I don't disagree. In my view Blair misread the mood of the electorate in 1997. People were ready - and expecting - a much sharper reversal of Thatcherism than he was offering or inclined to implement. When the reality became clear that his programme amounted to little more than 'Thatcherism with a human face' a significant section of left of centre voters gave up on him. A more radical set of policies - say similar to what John Smith might have offered - could well have antagonised some middle-England voters but would almost certainly have kept his core support loyal for much longer.By 2001 many people were not convinced that much had really changed - so they stopped voting!"

    I'm off to bed, but Labour (Blair) achieved huge social and constitutional change during his time in office, as well as hugely ramping up spending. Tax credits, the social chapter and the minimum wage all hinged off his Labour led governments as well.

    Most of it (almost all of it) I didn't like, and even less the way he did it, but I'd strongly contest it was just Thatcherism with a human face. There was plenty of radicalism there.
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    nigel4englandnigel4england Posts: 4,800
    Disraeli said:

    Re Spain. A relative of mine almost got blown up by ETA on the beach, though this is going back years. (I think the bombs failed to explode.)

    My only brush with bombs was being evacuated with my dad from the Junior Carlton (he was a not very political member) in Pall Mall when an IRA bomb went off a bit further down. We could see it was going to take a bit of time before they'd let us back, so we walked up to Charing Cross and explained the position to the hotel receptionist there: could we sit in their lounge for half an hour or so until the police gave the all clear?
    "Certainly not!" she said. "It would breach our licensing conditions to have non-guests sitting in the premises."
    "But we don't need to drink anything..."
    "No!"

    I came close to a bomb a few years back.

    I got to Arnos Grove (Piccadilly) tube station one night just as an IRA bomb warning was announced.

    All passengers were escorted through the station car park by LU staff.

    A couple of minutes later there was an enourmous bang. A car bomb had been exploded.
    The same car that we had all just filed past in the station car park....
    They seemed to follow me around for a while, one near an Army barracks in Westminster, one in Park Lane and I was less than 400 yards away when the Hyde Park bomb went off.
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    MortimerMortimer Posts: 13,960
    Good grief, Corbyn coming across as a proper 'do-nothing'er whilst wringing his hands at the state of the nation/world on newsnight!
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    nigel4englandnigel4england Posts: 4,800
    HYUFD said:

    Speedy I agree Sanders probably poses the biggest challenge to Hillary

    Colonel Sanders?
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    Y0kelY0kel Posts: 2,307
    ISIS/IS/ISIL/Them

    There is much alarm in fairly aware circles that IS is about to, yet again, do something that is going get themselves noticed within the next 48-72 hours. the US is worried about something around 4th July weekend, various regimes in the Middle East are concerned about something on their territories and the Europeans are just worried.

    Seems though no-one quite knows but a lot of head sheds think something notable is coming.
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    Moses_Moses_ Posts: 4,865
    Russell Brand at it again. Just for once, on such a sad and solem day Brand should just shut the feck up.

    Russell Brand blames the British government for Tunisian beach massacre and denounces minute's silence for the dead as 'total bulls***'... as bodies of nine more victims return home to the UK

    Russell Brand said UK foreign policy was to blame for Tunisian massacre which claimed the lives of 38 tourists
    Comedian denounced tomorrow's minute's silence as 'total bulls***', saying it was an 'empty, hollow gesture'
    He blamed Britain's policy of selling arms abroad, military interventions and bombing campaigns overseas
    Nine of the 30 British victims of the Sousse terror attack arrived home today after being flown back to the UK

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3147144/Russell-Brand-blames-UK-government-Tunisian-beach-massacre.html#ixzz3em4pjBiv
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    MortimerMortimer Posts: 13,960
    Anne McElvoy coming across very well, conversely. Unusually, in the 'taking on the audience' role rather than the 'rising above it role'
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    MyBurningEarsMyBurningEars Posts: 3,651
    Disraeli said:

    Re Spain. A relative of mine almost got blown up by ETA on the beach, though this is going back years. (I think the bombs failed to explode.)

    My only brush with bombs was being evacuated with my dad from the Junior Carlton (he was a not very political member) in Pall Mall when an IRA bomb went off a bit further down. We could see it was going to take a bit of time before they'd let us back, so we walked up to Charing Cross and explained the position to the hotel receptionist there: could we sit in their lounge for half an hour or so until the police gave the all clear?
    "Certainly not!" she said. "It would breach our licensing conditions to have non-guests sitting in the premises."
    "But we don't need to drink anything..."
    "No!"

    I came close to a bomb a few years back.

    I got to Arnos Grove (Piccadilly) tube station one night just as an IRA bomb warning was announced.

    All passengers were escorted through the station car park by LU staff.

    A couple of minutes later there was an enourmous bang. A car bomb had been exploded.
    The same car that we had all just filed past in the station car park....
    I'm not going to play the Yorkshiremen in this one but glad you all got out unscathed!

    An Israeli acquaintance of mine narrowly was once a few minutes late one his way to a café. A suicide bomber blew the place up before he got there.

    The point he reiterated to me throughout his retelling of the anecdote was that pretty much everyone in Israel had some experience of this - it may not have been their close call (or worse), but a colleague, friend or family member... this has a pretty stiffening effect on the public body politic, and makes the "we are all just misunderstanding the Palestinians, they just want peace like us" camp appear naïve and frankly unelectable, regardless of the strengths or insights of their position.
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    HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 117,228
    nigel4England Bernie
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    DisraeliDisraeli Posts: 1,106


    I'm off to bed, but Labour (Blair) achieved huge social and constitutional change during his time in office, as well as hugely ramping up spending. Tax credits, the social chapter and the minimum wage all hinged off his Labour led governments as well.

    Most of it (almost all of it) I didn't like, and even less the way he did it, but I'd strongly contest it was just Thatcherism with a human face. There was plenty of radicalism there.

    Before the 2007/8 crash:
    - Introduced the National Minimum Wage and raised it
    - Record number of students in higher education - the 50% goal
    - Written off up to 100 per cent of debt owed by poorest countries
    - Delivered 2,200 Sure Start Children's Centres.
    - Extended equality for Women and Gay people and introduced the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
    - Restored devolved power to Northern Ireland.
    - Banned fox hunting
    - Human Rights Act incorporated ECHR rights into UK law
    - Took the setting of interest rates out of party politics by giving power to BoE

    Failures:
    - Borrowed too much
    - Botched devolution
    - Botched House of Lords reform
    - Illegal Wars
    - Being at the "heart of Europe" - just got ignored as usual, and gave away half the rebate on a promise to reform CAP that was never kept.

  • Options
    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,622

    HYUFD said:

    Speedy I agree Sanders probably poses the biggest challenge to Hillary

    Colonel Sanders?
    Kentucky Fried Clinton???
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    isamisam Posts: 41,088
    Y0kel said:

    ISIS/IS/ISIL/Them

    There is much alarm in fairly aware circles that IS is about to, yet again, do something that is going get themselves noticed within the next 48-72 hours. the US is worried about something around 4th July weekend, various regimes in the Middle East are concerned about something on their territories and the Europeans are just worried.

    Seems though no-one quite knows but a lot of head sheds think something notable is coming.

    I am worried that my parents have decided to go watch a west end show on 7/7 and are, insanely IMO, thinking of getting the tube
  • Options
    DisraeliDisraeli Posts: 1,106


    The point he reiterated to me throughout his retelling of the anecdote was that pretty much everyone in Israel had some experience of this - it may not have been their close call (or worse), but a colleague, friend or family member... this has a pretty stiffening effect on the public body politic, and makes the "we are all just misunderstanding the Palestinians, they just want peace like us" camp appear naïve and frankly unelectable, regardless of the strengths or insights of their position.

    Very true, and of course this comes on top of all the other horrors suffered by Jewish people in the 20th Century. It doesn't mean that Israel gets a free pass in everything, of course, but helps to understand the situation on the ground more deeply.

    PS Thank You for your kind wishes. You may wish to revise your view some time in the future if we get entangled in . . . err . . . "vigorous debate"! :-)
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    Moses_Moses_ Posts: 4,865
    Greek teeters on the very edge

    Greece is sliding into a full-blown national crisis as the final cash reserves of the banking system evaporate by the hour and swathes of industry start to shut down, precipitating the near disintegration of the ruling coalition.
    Business leaders have been locked in talks with the Bank of Greece, pleading for the immediate release of emergency liquidity funds (ELA) to cover food imports and pharmaceutical goods before the tourist sector hits a brick wall.
    Officials say the central bank will release the funds as soon as Friday, but this is a stop-gap measure at best. "We are on a war footing in this country," said Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek finance minister.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11714655/Greek-banks-down-to-500m-in-cash-reserves-as-economy-crashes.html
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    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited July 2015
    Does Shappi have an eye problem? She keeps blinking. (Genuine question).
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    rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 54,245
    Moses_ said:

    Greek teeters on the very edge

    Greece is sliding into a full-blown national crisis as the final cash reserves of the banking system evaporate by the hour and swathes of industry start to shut down, precipitating the near disintegration of the ruling coalition.
    Business leaders have been locked in talks with the Bank of Greece, pleading for the immediate release of emergency liquidity funds (ELA) to cover food imports and pharmaceutical goods before the tourist sector hits a brick wall.
    Officials say the central bank will release the funds as soon as Friday, but this is a stop-gap measure at best. "We are on a war footing in this country," said Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek finance minister.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11714655/Greek-banks-down-to-500m-in-cash-reserves-as-economy-crashes.html

    It's a surprisingly good article by AEP - largely because he sticks to the facts.

    What I find staggeringly incomprehensible is that the SYRIZA government is making no plans for a move to the New Drachma.

    The insistence that the troika will just blink is deluded.
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    rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 54,245
    (As an aside, on Greece, I would have thought having a Plan B would strengthen SYRIZA's hand in negotiations.)
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    williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 48,293
    There are reports in the German press that the Greek central bank also hasn't paid back €470m to the ECB that was due at the end of June. This is now being investigated as potential illegal state financing by the ECB.
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    MyBurningEarsMyBurningEars Posts: 3,651
    rcs1000 said:

    Moses_ said:

    Greek teeters on the very edge

    Greece is sliding into a full-blown national crisis as the final cash reserves of the banking system evaporate by the hour and swathes of industry start to shut down, precipitating the near disintegration of the ruling coalition.
    Business leaders have been locked in talks with the Bank of Greece, pleading for the immediate release of emergency liquidity funds (ELA) to cover food imports and pharmaceutical goods before the tourist sector hits a brick wall.
    Officials say the central bank will release the funds as soon as Friday, but this is a stop-gap measure at best. "We are on a war footing in this country," said Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek finance minister.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11714655/Greek-banks-down-to-500m-in-cash-reserves-as-economy-crashes.html

    It's a surprisingly good article by AEP - largely because he sticks to the facts.

    What I find staggeringly incomprehensible is that the SYRIZA government is making no plans for a move to the New Drachma.

    The insistence that the troika will just blink is deluded.
    Are we sure they haven't just done it on the quiet? Not sure publicising that they are preparing to switch to the drachma would do the health of their banks any good - though obviously it's too late for mass withdrawals now.
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    Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    isam said:

    Y0kel said:

    ISIS/IS/ISIL/Them

    There is much alarm in fairly aware circles that IS is about to, yet again, do something that is going get themselves noticed within the next 48-72 hours. the US is worried about something around 4th July weekend, various regimes in the Middle East are concerned about something on their territories and the Europeans are just worried.

    Seems though no-one quite knows but a lot of head sheds think something notable is coming.

    I am worried that my parents have decided to go watch a west end show on 7/7 and are, insanely IMO, thinking of getting the tube
    Why's it insane? Anniversaries very rarely have an incident and even if they do the odds of being affected are miniscule. Higher profile but as likely to be ran over after leaving the Underground as you are to be involved in an incident in the Tube.
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,622
    Moses_ said:

    Greek teeters on the very edge

    Greece is sliding into a full-blown national crisis as the final cash reserves of the banking system evaporate by the hour and swathes of industry start to shut down, precipitating the near disintegration of the ruling coalition.
    Business leaders have been locked in talks with the Bank of Greece, pleading for the immediate release of emergency liquidity funds (ELA) to cover food imports and pharmaceutical goods before the tourist sector hits a brick wall.
    Officials say the central bank will release the funds as soon as Friday, but this is a stop-gap measure at best. "We are on a war footing in this country," said Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek finance minister.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11714655/Greek-banks-down-to-500m-in-cash-reserves-as-economy-crashes.html

    "Remember us." As simple an order as a king can give. "Remember why we died." For he did not wish tribute, nor song, nor monuments nor poems of war and valor. His wish was simple. "Remember us," he said to me. That was his hope, should any free soul come across that place, in all the countless centuries yet to be. May all our voices whisper to you from the ageless stones, "Go tell the Spartans, passerby, that here by Spartan law, we lie."
  • Options
    rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 54,245

    rcs1000 said:

    Moses_ said:

    Greek teeters on the very edge

    Greece is sliding into a full-blown national crisis as the final cash reserves of the banking system evaporate by the hour and swathes of industry start to shut down, precipitating the near disintegration of the ruling coalition.
    Business leaders have been locked in talks with the Bank of Greece, pleading for the immediate release of emergency liquidity funds (ELA) to cover food imports and pharmaceutical goods before the tourist sector hits a brick wall.
    Officials say the central bank will release the funds as soon as Friday, but this is a stop-gap measure at best. "We are on a war footing in this country," said Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek finance minister.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11714655/Greek-banks-down-to-500m-in-cash-reserves-as-economy-crashes.html

    It's a surprisingly good article by AEP - largely because he sticks to the facts.

    What I find staggeringly incomprehensible is that the SYRIZA government is making no plans for a move to the New Drachma.

    The insistence that the troika will just blink is deluded.
    Are we sure they haven't just done it on the quiet? Not sure publicising that they are preparing to switch to the drachma would do the health of their banks any good - though obviously it's too late for mass withdrawals now.
    I hope they're prepared. The issue for Greece is that all the troika has to do is... nothing. Greece is completely frozen out of the world financial systems.

    The "we can't be chucked out of the Euro" argument is bogus, because Greece will need to leave the Euro to pay its bills.
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,622
    edited July 2015
    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Moses_ said:

    Greek teeters on the very edge

    Greece is sliding into a full-blown national crisis as the final cash reserves of the banking system evaporate by the hour and swathes of industry start to shut down, precipitating the near disintegration of the ruling coalition.
    Business leaders have been locked in talks with the Bank of Greece, pleading for the immediate release of emergency liquidity funds (ELA) to cover food imports and pharmaceutical goods before the tourist sector hits a brick wall.
    Officials say the central bank will release the funds as soon as Friday, but this is a stop-gap measure at best. "We are on a war footing in this country," said Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek finance minister.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11714655/Greek-banks-down-to-500m-in-cash-reserves-as-economy-crashes.html

    It's a surprisingly good article by AEP - largely because he sticks to the facts.

    What I find staggeringly incomprehensible is that the SYRIZA government is making no plans for a move to the New Drachma.

    The insistence that the troika will just blink is deluded.
    Are we sure they haven't just done it on the quiet? Not sure publicising that they are preparing to switch to the drachma would do the health of their banks any good - though obviously it's too late for mass withdrawals now.
    I hope they're prepared. The issue for Greece is that all the troika has to do is... nothing. Greece is completely frozen out of the world financial systems.

    The "we can't be chucked out of the Euro" argument is bogus, because Greece will need to leave the Euro to pay its bills.
    "It's been more than thirty years since the wolf and the winter cold. And now, as then, a beast approaches; patient and confident, savouring the meal to come. This beast is made of men and horses, swords and spears. An army of slaves vast beyond imagining, ready to devour tiny Greece, ready to snuff out the world's one hope for reason and justice. A beast approaches."
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    Moses_Moses_ Posts: 4,865
    rcs1000 said:

    Moses_ said:

    Greek teeters on the very edge

    Greece is sliding into a full-blown national crisis as the final cash reserves of the banking system evaporate by the hour and swathes of industry start to shut down, precipitating the near disintegration of the ruling coalition.
    Business leaders have been locked in talks with the Bank of Greece, pleading for the immediate release of emergency liquidity funds (ELA) to cover food imports and pharmaceutical goods before the tourist sector hits a brick wall.
    Officials say the central bank will release the funds as soon as Friday, but this is a stop-gap measure at best. "We are on a war footing in this country," said Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek finance minister.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11714655/Greek-banks-down-to-500m-in-cash-reserves-as-economy-crashes.html

    It's a surprisingly good article by AEP - largely because he sticks to the facts.

    What I find staggeringly incomprehensible is that the SYRIZA government is making no plans for a move to the New Drachma.

    The insistence that the troika will just blink is deluded.
    Could the release of funds be Drachma 2 ?

    No Probably not , hard to keep something like that secret but in this absolute chaos I would believe anything

    illegal financial transfers from the ECB ?? What's that all about and who is investigating that? I have even seen some comments that China is going to cough up the owed amounts.

    What an absolute , catastrophic mess
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    PClippPClipp Posts: 2,138
    Lib Dem take another seat from the Tories - this time in Hampton Wick

    Lib Dem 1189
    Con 1081
    Green 234
    Lab 185
    UKIP 69

    From Vote UK Forum
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    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited July 2015
    A sympathy vote for Vince Cable from people feeling guilty at having voted against him?
    PClipp said:

    Lib Dem take another seat from the Tories - this time in Hampton Wick

    Lib Dem 1189
    Con 1081
    Green 234
    Lab 185
    UKIP 69

    From Vote UK Forum

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    DisraeliDisraeli Posts: 1,106
    Re Hampton Wick
    "The Lib Dems have selected school governor Geraldine Locke, who only joined the party last month."
    http://blog.englishelections.org.uk/
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    williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 48,293
    Moses_ said:


    illegal financial transfers from the ECB ?? What's that all about and who is investigating that?

    To clarify it's the ECB investigating what's happened to the money that should have been given to them by the Greek central bank.
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,622
    Doctor! Doctor! My Hampton Wick's gone Yellow!!
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    Moses_Moses_ Posts: 4,865

    Moses_ said:


    illegal financial transfers from the ECB ?? What's that all about and who is investigating that?

    To clarify it's the ECB investigating what's happened to the money that should have been given to them by the Greek central bank.
    Thanks,

    Perhaps it's slipped down the back of the chaise longue ?
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    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Maybe Hampton Wick is where they made candles for the nearby palace.
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,622
    edited July 2015
    AndyJS said:

    Maybe Hampton Wick is where they made candles for the nearby palace.


    Wick is the same Wick as in Hackney Wick - means a village
  • Options
    MyBurningEarsMyBurningEars Posts: 3,651

    Doctor! Doctor! My Hampton Wick's gone Yellow!!

    That's the spirit Sunil. Less of that repetitive stuff. Bit more originality. That one was actually quite good, raised a smile from me anyway.
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    BarnesianBarnesian Posts: 8,013
    Hampton Wick

    LibDem 43% (+25%)
    Con 39% (-13%)
    Green 9% (-10%)
    Lab 7% (-7%)
    UKIP 2% (+2%)
    Ind 0%

    I said prepare for a surprise!

    My prediction downthread was:

    LibDem 34% (+16%)
    Con 44% (-6%)
    Green 15% (-4%)
    Lab 7% (-7%)
    UKIP 1% (+1%)
    Ind 0%

    I got the trends right but not the magnitude.

    The LibDems are back in business.
  • Options
    john_zimsjohn_zims Posts: 3,399
    edited July 2015
    'The LibDems are back in business.'

    Based on a by-election win,that's optimism.
  • Options
    GeoffMGeoffM Posts: 6,071
    And it turns out that Chief Justice John Roberts was right:

    A Montana man said Wednesday that he was inspired by last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage to apply for a marriage license so that he can legally wed his second wife.

    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/polygamous-montana-trio-applies-for-wedding-license/
  • Options
    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,622
    Barnesian said:

    Hampton Wick

    LibDem 43% (+25%)
    Con 39% (-13%)
    Green 9% (-10%)
    Lab 7% (-7%)
    UKIP 2% (+2%)
    Ind 0%

    I said prepare for a surprise!

    My prediction downthread was:

    LibDem 34% (+16%)
    Con 44% (-6%)
    Green 15% (-4%)
    Lab 7% (-7%)
    UKIP 1% (+1%)
    Ind 0%

    I got the trends right but not the magnitude.

    The LibDems are back in business.

    "Go back to your constituencies and prepare for Yellow Hampton Wick!"
  • Options
    BarnesianBarnesian Posts: 8,013
    john_zims said:

    'The LibDems are back in business.'

    Based on a by-election win,that's optimism.

    I'm an optimist! But it is a very big swing on a 35% turnout. It shows that in some places they still have the enthusiasm and groundtroops and receptive voters to be able to win. Their national recovery will be built on small local wins building from the bottom up.
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    Moses_Moses_ Posts: 4,865
    Sky news

    USA seeks extradition of 7 FIFA executives arrested last month.
  • Options
    dugarbandierdugarbandier Posts: 2,596
    Barnesian said:

    john_zims said:

    'The LibDems are back in business.'

    Based on a by-election win,that's optimism.

    I'm an optimist! But it is a very big swing on a 35% turnout. It shows that in some places they still have the enthusiasm and groundtroops and receptive voters to be able to win. Their national recovery will be built on small local wins building from the bottom up.
    Perhaps the unrestrained Osborne budget will remind people, Bullseye style what the lib dems were for. here's what you could have won....
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    dugarbandierdugarbandier Posts: 2,596
    GeoffM said:

    And it turns out that Chief Justice John Roberts was right:

    A Montana man said Wednesday that he was inspired by last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage to apply for a marriage license so that he can legally wed his second wife.

    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/polygamous-montana-trio-applies-for-wedding-license/

    What's the problem?
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    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Combining Greek words and 80s pop music gives this 1986 anthem from Mr Mister:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NDjt4FzFWY
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    GeoffMGeoffM Posts: 6,071

    GeoffM said:

    And it turns out that Chief Justice John Roberts was right:

    A Montana man said Wednesday that he was inspired by last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage to apply for a marriage license so that he can legally wed his second wife.

    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/polygamous-montana-trio-applies-for-wedding-license/

    What's the problem?
    There were some people arguing on here the other day that this would not happen. One individual in particular was vocally convinced. In actual fact it took less than a week.

    Me? I don't think the State should have any role in marriage at all. I disagree with the concept of the licence itself, not the straight, gay or polygamy bits.
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    williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 48,293
    GeoffM said:

    GeoffM said:

    And it turns out that Chief Justice John Roberts was right:

    A Montana man said Wednesday that he was inspired by last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage to apply for a marriage license so that he can legally wed his second wife.

    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/polygamous-montana-trio-applies-for-wedding-license/

    What's the problem?
    There were some people arguing on here the other day that this would not happen. One individual in particular was vocally convinced. In actual fact it took less than a week.

    Me? I don't think the State should have any role in marriage at all. I disagree with the concept of the licence itself, not the straight, gay or polygamy bits.
    This is just someone trying their luck. It won't get anywhere.
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    RobDRobD Posts: 59,027

    GeoffM said:

    GeoffM said:

    And it turns out that Chief Justice John Roberts was right:

    A Montana man said Wednesday that he was inspired by last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage to apply for a marriage license so that he can legally wed his second wife.

    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/polygamous-montana-trio-applies-for-wedding-license/

    What's the problem?
    There were some people arguing on here the other day that this would not happen. One individual in particular was vocally convinced. In actual fact it took less than a week.

    Me? I don't think the State should have any role in marriage at all. I disagree with the concept of the licence itself, not the straight, gay or polygamy bits.
    This is just someone trying their luck. It won't get anywhere.
    Not wanting to wade into this particular argument (since I'm all for same-sex marraige), but I'm pretty sure the exact same thing was said prior to interracial and same-sex marriage.
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    RobDRobD Posts: 59,027
    PClipp said:

    Lib Dem take another seat from the Tories - this time in Hampton Wick

    Lib Dem 1189
    Con 1081
    Green 234
    Lab 185
    UKIP 69

    From Vote UK Forum

    You make it sounds like the LDs are resurgent.
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    CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,856
    RobD said:

    GeoffM said:

    GeoffM said:

    And it turns out that Chief Justice John Roberts was right:

    A Montana man said Wednesday that he was inspired by last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage to apply for a marriage license so that he can legally wed his second wife.

    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/polygamous-montana-trio-applies-for-wedding-license/

    What's the problem?
    There were some people arguing on here the other day that this would not happen. One individual in particular was vocally convinced. In actual fact it took less than a week.

    Me? I don't think the State should have any role in marriage at all. I disagree with the concept of the licence itself, not the straight, gay or polygamy bits.
    This is just someone trying their luck. It won't get anywhere.
    Not wanting to wade into this particular argument (since I'm all for same-sex marraige), but I'm pretty sure the exact same thing was said prior to interracial and same-sex marriage.
    Dublin Taxi driver had a great reply when asked about 'same sex marriage' - 'I'm for it. I've had the same sex with my wife for 20 years'.....
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    dugarbandierdugarbandier Posts: 2,596
    RobD said:

    PClipp said:

    Lib Dem take another seat from the Tories - this time in Hampton Wick

    Lib Dem 1189
    Con 1081
    Green 234
    Lab 185
    UKIP 69

    From Vote UK Forum

    You make it sounds like the LDs are resurgent.
    Things can only get better
This discussion has been closed.