Tim, Mike, Tim. ...Norman is more cerebral but can't grab attention in the way we are going to need with just 8 MPs.
It's not inconceivable that number could fall even lower. Carmichael must be on very thin ice, and 2 other other MP's only have majorities of 1500 or so.
I would bet on Carmichael to increase his majority quite substantially in 2020. He will be an absolute weathervane for anti-SNP feeling, in the most SNP hostile seat in the country.
You also have to remember that with the reduction of seats to 600, you'd probably expect the LDs to lose to two to boundary changes. So that means they start from 6.
That being said, if it is Heathrow that has the third runway, then Twickenham is a possible gain.
Looks like the Carmichael case is heading towards a full hearing in Edinburgh:
I have already voted for Farron for the reasons given by many on this thread.
But almost all my LibDem activist friends (including my wife) are voting for Lamb. I am finding it difficult to find Farron supporters where I live.
I'm surprised at the Betfair odds. Farron 1.09; Lamb 10.5
I don't think there have been any polls of LibDem members. Lamb has the support of Paddy Ashdown and Shirley Williams. Yet it seems to be universally assumed that Farron will get it. What is the basis for this belief? Is it self-reinforcing based on the betting? The betting odds are heavily in favour of Farron so the odds must be heavily in favour of Farron?
There appears to be quite a strong metropolitan vs rural split in the Lib Dem voting. (London, metropolitan, Party Grandees going for Lamb - Rural, long-standing foot soldiers going for Farron). (Just my obs. so anecdotal, but doesn't surprise me that it is all Lamb supporters in South West London)
I have already voted for Farron for the reasons given by many on this thread.
But almost all my LibDem activist friends (including my wife) are voting for Lamb. I am finding it difficult to find Farron supporters where I live.
I'm surprised at the Betfair odds. Farron 1.09; Lamb 10.5
I don't think there have been any polls of LibDem members. Lamb has the support of Paddy Ashdown and Shirley Williams. Yet it seems to be universally assumed that Farron will get it. What is the basis for this belief? Is it self-reinforcing based on the betting? The betting odds are heavily in favour of Farron so the odds must be heavily in favour of Farron?
There appears to be quite a strong metropolitan vs rural split in the Lib Dem voting. (London, metropolitan, Party Grandees going for Lamb - Rural, long-standing foot soldiers going for Farron). (Just my obs. so anecdotal, but doesn't surprise me that it is all Lamb supporters in South West London)
I guess I must be a rural long-standing foot soldier. I'm certainly anti-grandee.
Tim, Mike, Tim. ...Norman is more cerebral but can't grab attention in the way we are going to need with just 8 MPs.
It's not inconceivable that number could fall even lower. Carmichael must be on very thin ice, and 2 other other MP's only have majorities of 1500 or so.
I would bet on Carmichael to increase his majority quite substantially in 2020. He will be an absolute weathervane for anti-SNP feeling, in the most SNP hostile seat in the country.
You also have to remember that with the reduction of seats to 600, you'd probably expect the LDs to lose to two to boundary changes. So that means they start from 6.
That being said, if it is Heathrow that has the third runway, then Twickenham is a possible gain.
Looks like the Carmichael case is heading towards a full hearing in Edinburgh:
Whoever wins needs to spend the next five years pretty much living in the South West campaigning day and night to retake their heartland seats there. That seems to be the only way back for LibDems.
Certainly one of the better places to start - despite being knocked back to 3rd or even 4th even here in the SW, they still have some relatively strong (compared to elsewhere int he country bar a few exclaves) presence on councils and more second places to try to build on here.
Tim, Mike, Tim. ...Norman is more cerebral but can't grab attention in the way we are going to need with just 8 MPs.
It's not inconceivable that number could fall even lower. Carmichael must be on very thin ice, and 2 other other MP's only have majorities of 1500 or so.
I would bet on Carmichael to increase his majority quite substantially in 2020. He will be an absolute weathervane for anti-SNP feeling, in the most SNP hostile seat in the country.
You also have to remember that with the reduction of seats to 600, you'd probably expect the LDs to lose to two to boundary changes. So that means they start from 6.
That being said, if it is Heathrow that has the third runway, then Twickenham is a possible gain.
Looks like the Carmichael case is heading towards a full hearing in Edinburgh:
She was doing all right until the last sentence: "Just as Labour championed the white heat of technology in the 1960s, so today we need to champion the white flashing constellations of the networked world."
How on earth did that groan-making phrase get past whoever she asked to check her speech?
In any case it's an odd reference to make. The Wilson 'white heat of technology' guff was an unmitigated disaster, it simply involved pouring taxpayers' money down the drain.
Tim, Mike, Tim. ...Norman is more cerebral but can't grab attention in the way we are going to need with just 8 MPs.
It's not inconceivable that number could fall even lower. Carmichael must be on very thin ice, and 2 other other MP's only have majorities of 1500 or so.
I would bet on Carmichael to increase his majority quite substantially in 2020. He will be an absolute weathervane for anti-SNP feeling, in the most SNP hostile seat in the country.
You also have to remember that with the reduction of seats to 600, you'd probably expect the LDs to lose to two to boundary changes. So that means they start from 6.
That being said, if it is Heathrow that has the third runway, then Twickenham is a possible gain.
Looks like the Carmichael case is heading towards a full hearing in Edinburgh:
She was doing all right until the last sentence: "Just as Labour championed the white heat of technology in the 1960s, so today we need to champion the white flashing constellations of the networked world."
How on earth did that groan-making phrase get past whoever she asked to check her speech?
In any case it's an odd reference to make. The Wilson 'white heat of technology' guff was an unmitigated disaster, it simply involved pouring taxpayers' money down the drain.
Mr. Pulpstar, it's a lot of money. But the alternatives aren't great:
1) Let a man wanted in Sweden (I think) for a serious criminal offence go free 2) Invade a foreign embassy to capture a man granted asylum by that country 3) Pay a lot of cash to maintain a police presence so that he cannot escape
I don't think 3) is a good option, but the others are worse.
Tim, Mike, Tim. ...Norman is more cerebral but can't grab attention in the way we are going to need with just 8 MPs.
It's not inconceivable that number could fall even lower. Carmichael must be on very thin ice, and 2 other other MP's only have majorities of 1500 or so.
I would bet on Carmichael to increase his majority quite substantially in 2020. He will be an absolute weathervane for anti-SNP feeling, in the most SNP hostile seat in the country.
You also have to remember that with the reduction of seats to 600, you'd probably expect the LDs to lose to two to boundary changes. So that means they start from 6.
That being said, if it is Heathrow that has the third runway, then Twickenham is a possible gain.
Looks like the Carmichael case is heading towards a full hearing in Edinburgh:
Mr. Pulpstar, it's a lot of money. But the alternatives aren't great:
1) Let a man wanted in Sweden (I think) for a serious criminal offence go free 2) Invade a foreign embassy to capture a man granted asylum by that country 3) Pay a lot of cash to maintain a police presence so that he cannot escape
I don't think 3) is a good option, but the others are worse.
Mr. Pulpstar, it's a lot of money. But the alternatives aren't great:
1) Let a man wanted in Sweden (I think) for a serious criminal offence go free 2) Invade a foreign embassy to capture a man granted asylum by that country 3) Pay a lot of cash to maintain a police presence so that he cannot escape
I don't think 3) is a good option, but the others are worse.
It's a question of priorities Morris - of course we'd love to have security 24/7 outside the Ecuadorian embassy, but in the present climate it is simply unaffordable. If Sweden is determined to bring him to justice in their country (The matter is no business of ours) then let them post 10 "Polisen" or so over here to stand outside the Embassy day and night.
Tim, Mike, Tim. ...Norman is more cerebral but can't grab attention in the way we are going to need with just 8 MPs.
It's not inconceivable that number could fall even lower. Carmichael must be on very thin ice, and 2 other other MP's only have majorities of 1500 or so.
I would bet on Carmichael to increase his majority quite substantially in 2020. He will be an absolute weathervane for anti-SNP feeling, in the most SNP hostile seat in the country.
You also have to remember that with the reduction of seats to 600, you'd probably expect the LDs to lose to two to boundary changes. So that means they start from 6.
That being said, if it is Heathrow that has the third runway, then Twickenham is a possible gain.
Looks like the Carmichael case is heading towards a full hearing in Edinburgh:
Mr. Pulpstar, it's a lot of money. But the alternatives aren't great:
1) Let a man wanted in Sweden (I think) for a serious criminal offence go free 2) Invade a foreign embassy to capture a man granted asylum by that country 3) Pay a lot of cash to maintain a police presence so that he cannot escape
I don't think 3) is a good option, but the others are worse.
It's a question of priorities Morris - of course we'd love to have security 24/7 outside the Ecuadorian embassy, but in the present climate it is simply unaffordable. If Sweden is determined to bring him to justice in their country (The matter is no business of ours) then let them post 10 "Polisen" or so over here to stand outside the Embassy day and night.
She was doing all right until the last sentence: "Just as Labour championed the white heat of technology in the 1960s, so today we need to champion the white flashing constellations of the networked world."
How on earth did that groan-making phrase get past whoever she asked to check her speech?
In any case it's an odd reference to make. The Wilson 'white heat of technology' guff was an unmitigated disaster, it simply involved pouring taxpayers' money down the drain.
It also doesn't make much sense. The only manufacturing sectors a rich country could be competitive at won't be very labour-intensive in 15 years time, as it all goes automated.
JEO There may be an informal alliance on tactical voting, nothing formal, though if Burnham fell just short of a majority I would imagine Farron would support him
On manufacturing those jobs that are still there will generally be very highly skilled so not really an option for the average worker
She was doing all right until the last sentence: "Just as Labour championed the white heat of technology in the 1960s, so today we need to champion the white flashing constellations of the networked world."
How on earth did that groan-making phrase get past whoever she asked to check her speech?
In any case it's an odd reference to make. The Wilson 'white heat of technology' guff was an unmitigated disaster, it simply involved pouring taxpayers' money down the drain.
It also doesn't make much sense. The only manufacturing sectors a rich country could be competitive at won't be very labour-intensive in 15 years time, as it all goes automated.
As things get automated, things get cheaper so other tasks become possible that require more manpower.
It's the way it's worked for the last couple of hundred years, to a degree.
Automation is only part of the story, until at least we have managed AI-complete tasks.
What chance is it that a Farron-led Lib Dem party forms alliance with a Burnham-led Labour party?
Someone else falling into the lazy "Farron is on the Left" mantra. I realise it's easier for many to think in terms of everyone as either Left or Right but it's not like that.
Tim has been trenchant in his critique of Labour and it remains to be seen how much Burnham shifts ground on key issues as to whether any areas of agreement can be created. At heart, Labour are as much centralisers as the Conservatives - a Kendall-led Labour Party, well, that remains to be seen.
Again, I wouldn't infer a Farron-led LD Party would be happy with a Neo-Blairite Labour Party either. It's far too early to tell.
Well, we know where 190 of the 1,000 jobs are going to come from.
I'm sure you and Simon St Clare will be on here every day during LD Conference just to remind everyone how rubbish and irrelevant the party is but it's your time....
Tragic and surely very rare - being murdered at work
A prison custody officer has died from her injuries after being allegedly kicked and stamped on by a prisoner as she escorted him from court.
Grandmother Lorraine Barwell, 54, who was allegedly assaulted by a prisoner at Blackfriars Crown Court in London has died, Scotland Yard said today. She suffered serious head injuries when she was attacked by the prisoner in south London on Monday.
Her family had to make the agonising decision to switch off her life support machine yesterday after doctors at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel told them there was nothing more they could do for her.
Former law student Humphrey Burke, 22, from Oxford, appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrate's Court yesterday, surrounded by seven-strong team of guards in body armour.
He gave no plea to a single charge of causing grievous bodily harm.
Well, we know where 190 of the 1,000 jobs are going to come from.
I'm sure you and Simon St Clare will be on here every day during LD Conference just to remind everyone how rubbish and irrelevant the party is but it's your time....
An odd comment. I've praised the LDs enough on here (Cable aside) for the way they behaved in coalition, and have repeatedly said it is a shame that they got so hammered for behaving reasonably well. I've also voted LD in the past.
On topic: for me it would have to be Farron, as I've said for quite a while.
"we need to champion the white flashing constellations of the networked world"
And the award for simultaneously the most stupid and most meaningless phrase used by a politician goes to Ms Cooper. Outstanding. I recommend it be engraved on a large piece of stone.
Just to be even handed, Cameron's proposal to outlaw strong encryption products makes Cooper look like Einstein and Hawking combined.
Well, we know where 190 of the 1,000 jobs are going to come from.
I'm sure you and Simon St Clare will be on here every day during LD Conference just to remind everyone how rubbish and irrelevant the party is but it's your time....
I have never referred to the LDs as irrelevant or anything like it – why should I start now?
She was doing all right until the last sentence: "Just as Labour championed the white heat of technology in the 1960s, so today we need to champion the white flashing constellations of the networked world."
How on earth did that groan-making phrase get past whoever she asked to check her speech?
In any case it's an odd reference to make. The Wilson 'white heat of technology' guff was an unmitigated disaster, it simply involved pouring taxpayers' money down the drain.
It also doesn't make much sense. The only manufacturing sectors a rich country could be competitive at won't be very labour-intensive in 15 years time, as it all goes automated.
As things get automated, things get cheaper so other tasks become possible that require more manpower.
It's the way it's worked for the last couple of hundred years, to a degree.
Automation is only part of the story, until at least we have managed AI-complete tasks.
Those new jobs that have got easier have all been in services thoug, which means that an extra two million manufacturing jobs seems very unlikely.
Tragic and surely very rare - being murdered at work
A prison custody officer has died from her injuries after being allegedly kicked and stamped on by a prisoner as she escorted him from court.
Grandmother Lorraine Barwell, 54, who was allegedly assaulted by a prisoner at Blackfriars Crown Court in London has died, Scotland Yard said today. She suffered serious head injuries when she was attacked by the prisoner in south London on Monday.
Her family had to make the agonising decision to switch off her life support machine yesterday after doctors at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel told them there was nothing more they could do for her.
Former law student Humphrey Burke, 22, from Oxford, appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrate's Court yesterday, surrounded by seven-strong team of guards in body armour.
He gave no plea to a single charge of causing grievous bodily harm.
She was doing all right until the last sentence: "Just as Labour championed the white heat of technology in the 1960s, so today we need to champion the white flashing constellations of the networked world."
How on earth did that groan-making phrase get past whoever she asked to check her speech?
In any case it's an odd reference to make. The Wilson 'white heat of technology' guff was an unmitigated disaster, it simply involved pouring taxpayers' money down the drain.
It also doesn't make much sense. The only manufacturing sectors a rich country could be competitive at won't be very labour-intensive in 15 years time, as it all goes automated.
At least Cooper is talking about the right things: innovation, R&D, productivity etc. This is the only way forward for Labour. Ed M didn't mention any of these things as far as I can recall.
Tragic and surely very rare - being murdered at work
A prison custody officer has died from her injuries after being allegedly kicked and stamped on by a prisoner as she escorted him from court.
Grandmother Lorraine Barwell, 54, who was allegedly assaulted by a prisoner at Blackfriars Crown Court in London has died, Scotland Yard said today. She suffered serious head injuries when she was attacked by the prisoner in south London on Monday.
Her family had to make the agonising decision to switch off her life support machine yesterday after doctors at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel told them there was nothing more they could do for her.
Former law student Humphrey Burke, 22, from Oxford, appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrate's Court yesterday, surrounded by seven-strong team of guards in body armour.
He gave no plea to a single charge of causing grievous bodily harm.
"I would bet on Carmichael to increase his majority quite substantially in 2020. He will be an absolute weathervane for anti-SNP feeling, in the most SNP hostile seat in the country."
I think it most unlikely that Carmichael will dare to stand in 2020, far less win the seat with an increased majority. Both our views assume, probably correctly, that he will survive the court action.
Also the "hostility" to the SNP in Orkney and Shetland is exactly on a par with the "hostility" to the victorious Tory Government- both polled 37% of their respective votes :-)
She's always on the telly dressed like Carmen Miranda. Wonder what's all about.
Charity chief Camila Batmanghelidjh is forced out after ministers refused to hand over £3m in public funds until she left
Kids Company chief Camila Batmanghelidjh will leave role after 20 years Ministers refused to hand over further public funds until she left The charity is reliant for around 20 per cent of its funds on the government But ministers have allegedly raised concerns over how the charity is run
The development is the latest blow to hit the charity. In March, Kids Company's interim finance director, head of human resources and director of development all resigned amid claims of concerns about its funding and 'high levels of stress within the workplace', the Sunday Times said.
She was doing all right until the last sentence: "Just as Labour championed the white heat of technology in the 1960s, so today we need to champion the white flashing constellations of the networked world."
How on earth did that groan-making phrase get past whoever she asked to check her speech?
In any case it's an odd reference to make. The Wilson 'white heat of technology' guff was an unmitigated disaster, it simply involved pouring taxpayers' money down the drain.
It also doesn't make much sense. The only manufacturing sectors a rich country could be competitive at won't be very labour-intensive in 15 years time, as it all goes automated.
At least Cooper is talking about the right things: innovation, R&D, productivity etc. This is the only way forward for Labour. Ed M didn't mention any of these things as far as I can recall.
Yes, it seems a rather good basis for developing a better manufacturing sector, if very broad-brush. I'm just sceptical about whether it will employ many people.
She's always on the telly dressed like Carmen Miranda. Wonder what's all about.
Charity chief Camila Batmanghelidjh is forced out after ministers refused to hand over £3m in public funds until she left
Kids Company chief Camila Batmanghelidjh will leave role after 20 years Ministers refused to hand over further public funds until she left The charity is reliant for around 20 per cent of its funds on the government But ministers have allegedly raised concerns over how the charity is run
Mr. M, I agree. When it comes to tech, Cameron needs to have an enormo-haddock slap some sense into him. It's not even complicated stuff (I'm a luddite, and even I can see it's ridiculous).
Plato The accounts of Kids Company have been verified by outside bodies like LSE but whatever went on that Charity only came into being and did the work it did because of Camila Batmanghelidjh
Tragic and surely very rare - being murdered at work
A prison custody officer has died from her injuries after being allegedly kicked and stamped on by a prisoner as she escorted him from court.
Grandmother Lorraine Barwell, 54, who was allegedly assaulted by a prisoner at Blackfriars Crown Court in London has died, Scotland Yard said today. She suffered serious head injuries when she was attacked by the prisoner in south London on Monday.
Her family had to make the agonising decision to switch off her life support machine yesterday after doctors at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel told them there was nothing more they could do for her.
Former law student Humphrey Burke, 22, from Oxford, appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrate's Court yesterday, surrounded by seven-strong team of guards in body armour.
He gave no plea to a single charge of causing grievous bodily harm.
Iron laws of PB politics If PB Tories are amused by your candidate, he/she is bad. (Corbyn?) If PB Tories are apoplectic about your candidate, he/she is good. (Farron?) If PB Tories are sympathetic to your candidate, it doesn't matter because they won't tactically vote anyway.
Perhaps Greece should demand that they are given a 50% reduction of their debt and that they should only pay for debts out of their trade surplus, with any repayments being limited to 3% of exports earnings every year.
Thanks for that, but just a note: it is for STEMM, so includes medicine as well. Some of the interests also seem rather obscure, e.g. Nicola Blackwood. "Stated interests in science, universities and the environment" or Tristram Hunt "Involved in establishing the Science Media Centre"
Tragic and surely very rare - being murdered at work
A prison custody officer has died from her injuries after being allegedly kicked and stamped on by a prisoner as she escorted him from court.
Grandmother Lorraine Barwell, 54, who was allegedly assaulted by a prisoner at Blackfriars Crown Court in London has died, Scotland Yard said today. She suffered serious head injuries when she was attacked by the prisoner in south London on Monday.
Her family had to make the agonising decision to switch off her life support machine yesterday after doctors at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel told them there was nothing more they could do for her.
Former law student Humphrey Burke, 22, from Oxford, appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrate's Court yesterday, surrounded by seven-strong team of guards in body armour.
He gave no plea to a single charge of causing grievous bodily harm.
Plato The accounts of Kids Company have been verified by outside bodies like LSE but whatever went on that Charity only came into being and did the work it did because of Camila Batmanghelidjh
Doesn't mean she is the right person to be CEO of what is probably a much larger organization than she ever envisaged.
Plato Some are also pointing out the good work the Company does, remember without Camila Batmanghelidjh there would be no kids company
A rather convoluted and emotive Guardian article, but the jist is, the ’Kids Company’ charity has expanded rapidly in recent years and according to Batmanghelidjh, the charity “nearly went bust” recently - to survive a serious financial crisis, it must now make £14m of cuts and sack hundreds of staff.
The charity has been negotiating for weeks with the Cabinet Office over a one-off grant of around £3m to enable it to restructure, but somewhat unsurprisingly, they were reluctant to do so while she remained in charge.
Plato Some are also pointing out the good work the Company does, remember without Camila Batmanghelidjh there would be no kids company
A rather convoluted and emotive Guardian article, but the jist is, the ’Kids Company’ charity has expanded rapidly in recent years and according to Batmanghelidjh, the charity “nearly went bust” recently - to survive a serious financial crisis, it must now make £14m of cuts and sack hundreds of staff.
The charity has been negotiating for weeks with the Cabinet Office over a one-off grant of around £3m to enable it to restructure, but somewhat unsurprisingly, they were reluctant to do so while she remained in charge.
Tim, Mike, Tim. ...Norman is more cerebral but can't grab attention in the way we are going to need with just 8 MPs.
It's not inconceivable that number could fall even lower. Carmichael must be on very thin ice, and 2 other other MP's only have majorities of 1500 or so.
John Pugh is in his 70s and Nick Clegg must be unlikely to stand again in 2020. And then there's the boundary review...
France is not messing around. They've already rejected Assange's asylum application. "Assange is not in any immediate danger. Furthermore he is the subject of a European arrest warrant."
Plato Some are also pointing out the good work the Company does, remember without Camila Batmanghelidjh there would be no kids company
Reading the Spectator article, one wonders exactly how many children they have helped. Perhaps another, more efficiently run, charity could have helped more using the same funding?
France is not messing around. They've already rejected Assange's asylum application. "Assange is not in any immediate danger. Furthermore he is the subject of a European arrest warrant."
Mr. Rabbit, the charity sector is, I fear, being more and more disliked. There are chuggers, churglars (those ****s who doorknock and browbeat), telephonic hasslers and direct debits, whilst some in the sector make a lot of cash. There's also political activism, which is not compatible with charitable status.
Worst of all, that then does damage to good charities, created and run largely/entirely by volunteers or those on low rates of pay and who are not raking it in or gouging money through relentless pestering.
If you bother to read the newspaper item you cite, Mr StClare, you will see that the BBC have not yet decided precisely who they are going to send, nor how many; and so have registered 200 names while registration is free, on a just in case basis.
Some Tories on here just read the words BBC and Lib Dems and their heads explode!
Another element is luvvy-activism = just think of what impact the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS had on all the other charities that lost millions as one massive PR coup hoovered up shedloads of cash.
It's a complex market and not all full of sweeties - charity fundraisers are some of the hardest nosed people I've ever met, and lack my scruples as the ends-justify-the-means.
Mr. Rabbit, the charity sector is, I fear, being more and more disliked. There are chuggers, churglars (those ****s who doorknock and browbeat), telephonic hasslers and direct debits, whilst some in the sector make a lot of cash. There's also political activism, which is not compatible with charitable status.
Worst of all, that then does damage to good charities, created and run largely/entirely by volunteers or those on low rates of pay and who are not raking it in or gouging money through relentless pestering.
Mr. Rabbit, the charity sector is, I fear, being more and more disliked. There are chuggers, churglars (those ****s who doorknock and browbeat), telephonic hasslers and direct debits, whilst some in the sector make a lot of cash. There's also political activism, which is not compatible with charitable status.
Worst of all, that then does damage to good charities, created and run largely/entirely by volunteers or those on low rates of pay and who are not raking it in or gouging money through relentless pestering.
"Churglars" - brilliant. The campaign starts here to make it Word of the Year!
I'm not sure how a Government-funded charity is a real charity. The odd one-off for special occasions is fine but otherwise it's always susceptible to political influence - even if it's just political appointees. And the enormous salaries their CEs receive.
I switched from Save The Children after thirty years to one where the CE is paid less than the PM. They kept ringing me to ask why and when I explained, they said it was necessary to recruit the best. My reply ... "So you can take money away from other charities doing the same work who don't pay their CEs so much. No thanks."
I look forward to explanations about how this would create two classes of MP, and how what we have now is not that already. Someone on here tried at length to make that distinction to me, and either I was too stupid, or the explanation not convincing, or both (but I feel confident on this one it just wasn't convincing)
Iron laws of PB politics If PB Tories are amused by your candidate, he/she is bad. (Corbyn?) If PB Tories are apoplectic about your candidate, he/she is good. (Farron?) If PB Tories are sympathetic to your candidate, it doesn't matter because they won't tactically vote anyway.
Is that like the "PB tories are always wrong" law which seems sooooo out of touch after the 2015 GE Result.
Ironically the SNP's main financial backers are the couple who won the Euromillions jackpot - everything seems to keep coming back to the Euro at the moment !!
She was doing all right until the last sentence: "Just as Labour championed the white heat of technology in the 1960s, so today we need to champion the white flashing constellations of the networked world."
How on earth did that groan-making phrase get past whoever she asked to check her speech?
In any case it's an odd reference to make. The Wilson 'white heat of technology' guff was an unmitigated disaster, it simply involved pouring taxpayers' money down the drain.
Whenever I see a white flashing constellation, I think "respect..."
The way the House of Commons regulates its internal procedures is prima facie covered by article IX of the Bill of Rights and is beyond legal challenge. It is trite law that if a Bill is passed by a majority in both Houses and has received the Royal Assent, it is an Act of Parliament whether or not it was passed in accordance with the standing orders or procured by fraud (Edinburgh & Dalkeith Railway v Wauchope (1842) 8 ER 279 (HL); Pickin v British Railways Board [1974] AC 765 (HL)). Since the proposed standing orders do not propose to change the requirement for majority approval, they ought to be immune from legal challenge in both England and Scotland.
The one respect in which litigation has a realistic prospect of success is in respect of the proposed changes to approvals of motions under Acts of Parliament. An Act of Parliament can only be amended by a subsequent Act. It cannot be be amended by either House of Parliament. Parliament has made literally thousands of statutory powers dependent on approval, or subject to disapproval by a resolution of the House of Commons. Parliament passed such legislation on the assumption that a resolution meant the approval of a majority, not a super-majority of the members of the House of Commons. When, exceptionally, it intends the latter, it says so explicitly (e.g. Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, s. 2(1)(b)). Since proposed new Standing Orders 83Q-R envisage that there would be no resolution despite a majority of MPs voting for a motion, it is arguable that they represent an attempt to amend the enabling legislation, which the courts would have the power to restrain and declare void.
Comments
http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/10966-mp-begins-legal-battle-to-keep-his-job
http://www.molevalley.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=22179
Exactly how?
https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/616901558056431616
Certainly one of the better places to start - despite being knocked back to 3rd or even 4th even here in the SW, they still have some relatively strong (compared to elsewhere int he country bar a few exclaves) presence on councils and more second places to try to build on here.
£25 on Carmichael being convicted. I'll even give you 3-1.
200 BBC staff to the Lib Dem conference.
What the hell are they all going to do ?!
Frankly, any suggestion such as this from Cooper is one to laugh at - Labour had 13 years to do similar after 1997 and failed dismally.
How on earth did that groan-making phrase get past whoever she asked to check her speech?
In any case it's an odd reference to make. The Wilson 'white heat of technology' guff was an unmitigated disaster, it simply involved pouring taxpayers' money down the drain.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/588209/Ecuador-urged-to-hand-over-Wikileaks-Julian-Assange-as-police-costs-rise-to-11-5MILLION
£11.5 million - I mean really...
I believe you were quite adamant that it wouldn't?
1) Let a man wanted in Sweden (I think) for a serious criminal offence go free
2) Invade a foreign embassy to capture a man granted asylum by that country
3) Pay a lot of cash to maintain a police presence so that he cannot escape
I don't think 3) is a good option, but the others are worse.
I suspect political pressure may take it to the court room. But I suspect the Judge will chuck it out at the first opportunity
On manufacturing those jobs that are still there will generally be very highly skilled so not really an option for the average worker
*) Help companies produce and protect patents (particularly topical for us atm).
*) Try to encourage more girls into STEM. Not by positive discrimination, but by use of role models.
*) Start other competitions similar to the current Longitude Prize.
*) Reduce energy prices. (how?)
*) Have engineers and scientists in parliament and in the cabinet. After all, we are having quotas for gender and accents, why not for STEM?
It's the way it's worked for the last couple of hundred years, to a degree.
Automation is only part of the story, until at least we have managed AI-complete tasks.
Tim has been trenchant in his critique of Labour and it remains to be seen how much Burnham shifts ground on key issues as to whether any areas of agreement can be created. At heart, Labour are as much centralisers as the Conservatives - a Kendall-led Labour Party, well, that remains to be seen.
Again, I wouldn't infer a Farron-led LD Party would be happy with a Neo-Blairite Labour Party either. It's far too early to tell.
On topic: for me it would have to be Farron, as I've said for quite a while.
And the award for simultaneously the most stupid and most meaningless phrase used by a politician goes to Ms Cooper. Outstanding. I recommend it be engraved on a large piece of stone.
Just to be even handed, Cameron's proposal to outlaw strong encryption products makes Cooper look like Einstein and Hawking combined.
http://sciencecampaign.org.uk/?page_id=1543
"I would bet on Carmichael to increase his majority quite substantially in 2020. He will be an absolute weathervane for anti-SNP feeling, in the most SNP hostile seat in the country."
I think it most unlikely that Carmichael will dare to stand in 2020, far less win the seat with an increased majority. Both our views assume, probably correctly, that he will survive the court action.
Also the "hostility" to the SNP in Orkney and Shetland is exactly on a par with the "hostility" to the victorious Tory Government- both polled 37% of their respective votes :-)
https://twitter.com/ICMResearch
The maximum sentence for GBH is life, I'd hope that would be the outcome.
If PB Tories are amused by your candidate, he/she is bad. (Corbyn?)
If PB Tories are apoplectic about your candidate, he/she is good. (Farron?)
If PB Tories are sympathetic to your candidate, it doesn't matter because they won't tactically vote anyway.
After all there is a very good precedent.
I am always suspicious of charities where people are being paid. There are plenty of volunteer only charities, where nobody makes a buck.
No one is above criticism, or letting their ego get out of control.
The charity has been negotiating for weeks with the Cabinet Office over a one-off grant of around £3m to enable it to restructure, but somewhat unsurprisingly, they were reluctant to do so while she remained in charge.
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/03/camila-batmanghelidjh-to-leave-kids-company
Worst of all, that then does damage to good charities, created and run largely/entirely by volunteers or those on low rates of pay and who are not raking it in or gouging money through relentless pestering.
Some Tories on here just read the words BBC and Lib Dems and their heads explode!
It's a complex market and not all full of sweeties - charity fundraisers are some of the hardest nosed people I've ever met, and lack my scruples as the ends-justify-the-means.
The charity sector appears to be a retirement home for ex-politicians and senior civil servants. It's the 21st century home of the old boys network.
I'm not sure how a Government-funded charity is a real charity. The odd one-off for special occasions is fine but otherwise it's always susceptible to political influence - even if it's just political appointees. And the enormous salaries their CEs receive.
I switched from Save The Children after thirty years to one where the CE is paid less than the PM. They kept ringing me to ask why and when I explained, they said it was necessary to recruit the best. My reply ... "So you can take money away from other charities doing the same work who don't pay their CEs so much. No thanks."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3144964/It-s-time-LESBIAN-Peppa-Pig-Lib-Dem-leadership-hopeful-says-gay-children-s-TV-characters-not-bounds.html
Is he also in favour of children's shows with characters that are into bondage?
@JournoStephen: SNP planning legal challenge to #EVEL. https://t.co/CLLefFt79S
Because that's all Lamb said: that it was not "out of the question".
Which sounds more like a politician not taking a view at all, rather than going on a crusade for a gay Peppa Pig.
Is that "introducing a relationship"?
How would it differ if one of his friends had two dads?
The one respect in which litigation has a realistic prospect of success is in respect of the proposed changes to approvals of motions under Acts of Parliament. An Act of Parliament can only be amended by a subsequent Act. It cannot be be amended by either House of Parliament. Parliament has made literally thousands of statutory powers dependent on approval, or subject to disapproval by a resolution of the House of Commons. Parliament passed such legislation on the assumption that a resolution meant the approval of a majority, not a super-majority of the members of the House of Commons. When, exceptionally, it intends the latter, it says so explicitly (e.g. Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, s. 2(1)(b)). Since proposed new Standing Orders 83Q-R envisage that there would be no resolution despite a majority of MPs voting for a motion, it is arguable that they represent an attempt to amend the enabling legislation, which the courts would have the power to restrain and declare void.
I think Mr Cameron ought to take greater care with his party.