" One email in the data dump, for example, appears to belong to former UK Prime Minister (Tony Blair)."
And another one is Bill Clinton's, not that you need any extra proof that he's cheating on Hillary.
I had to teach the Clinton/Lewinsky affair at A-level. It was an all-girls class. That was an...interesting experience.
I actually felt a bit sorry for the MP in the Mail. She could easily be telling the truth - but even if she is, who's going to believe her? Most of the people implicated are going to flatly deny it, and very few of their denials will be given any credence - especially by their spouses.
Alternative unity candidate Margaret Beckett? After all she nominated Corbyn and was also Foreign Secretary under Blair?
If Margaret Beckett is the answer, the question would have to be something like: 'Who is the only person in the Labour party who is at once older, more unpopular, more preternaturally useless and more unelectable than Jeremy Corbyn?'
I know I'm not the only one on PB who still has very unfond memories of the RPA fiasco - and I wasn't even working for her!
" One email in the data dump, for example, appears to belong to former UK Prime Minister (Tony Blair)."
And another one is Bill Clinton's, not that you need any extra proof that he's cheating on Hillary.
I had to teach the Clinton/Lewinsky affair at A-level. It was an all-girls class. That was an...interesting experience.
I actually felt a bit sorry for the MP in the Mail. She could easily be telling the truth - but even if she is, who's going to believe her? Most of the people implicated are going to flatly deny it, and very few of their denials will be given any credence - especially by their spouses.
I had to teach the Clinton/Lewinsky affair at A-level? Blimey, A levels have changed since my day - what course was this? Marital Guidance A level?
"Jeremy Corbyn is the curator of the future. His rivals are chasing an impossible dream Those who believe that New Labour’s clapped-out politics can transform the party’s fortunes are delusional"
It does still seem to be a surprisingly prevalent view in Labour circles that Cooper would be more "electable" than Burnham, even though all the public opionion polls have told a different story.
Well, do the general public pay attention to anything politicians say?
With oil plunging and interest rates likely to rise next year (Are they ?) isn't the FTSE in for a big correction possibly to sub 6000 as risk free return outstrips divis ?
Financial press have had a few commentators warning of this. Its the longest bear run for many years apparently, at least since dot com collapse.
Should I meet Andy Burnham in Colchester, or in London? Hmmm....
"Andy Burnham will be in Central London on Monday evening, 24th August. Book your place now to meet him as ballots continue to be delivered - for you to choose the next leader of the Labour Party. "
Alternative unity candidate Margaret Beckett? After all she nominated Corbyn and was also Foreign Secretary under Blair?
If Margaret Beckett is the answer, the question would have to be something like: 'Who is the only person in the Labour party who is at once older, more unpopular, more preternaturally useless and more unelectable than Jeremy Corbyn?'
I know I'm not the only one on PB who still has very unfond memories of the RPA fiasco - and I wasn't even working for her!
Michael Howard had the Derek Lewis affair and was not particularly electable either but he could unite all wings having served Major and supported IDS
" One email in the data dump, for example, appears to belong to former UK Prime Minister (Tony Blair)."
And another one is Bill Clinton's, not that you need any extra proof that he's cheating on Hillary.
I had to teach the Clinton/Lewinsky affair at A-level. It was an all-girls class. That was an...interesting experience.
I actually felt a bit sorry for the MP in the Mail. She could easily be telling the truth - but even if she is, who's going to believe her? Most of the people implicated are going to flatly deny it, and very few of their denials will be given any credence - especially by their spouses.
I had to teach the Clinton/Lewinsky affair at A-level? Blimey, A levels have changed since my day - what course was this? Marital Guidance A level?
Nope - A-level History. To be exact, US history 1968-2000. Started with the Democratic convention of 1968, ended with Lewinsky (well, the Clinton presidency).
Lots of potentially embarrassing moments in there - but they did enjoy the story about Jimmy Carter and the rabbit, and this video of Reagan (start at 2:55 and listen to the immortal apology at 3:23):
Not sure how many divisions the NS has got these days. I don't remember the last time I saw it in a member's house.
To respond to the query on the last thread - yes, to vote on the Mayoral candidate you have to live in London.
Those US polls are interesting. They confirm that anti-Trump GOP voters generally coalesce around any one opponent if matched up, the interesting exception being Bush, whom Trump beats outright. They also show Clinton and Sanders doing similarly well in most states, generally slightly behind the Republican overall.
Miss Cyclefree, I'd read that he'd probably been killed, but no more was known at the time.
I'm reading a book (Ghost on the Throne) about the Diadochi, Alexander's Successors. Their own conduct was more civilised than ISIS, and that was in the 4th century BC.
Alternative unity candidate Margaret Beckett? After all she nominated Corbyn and was also Foreign Secretary under Blair?
If Margaret Beckett is the answer, the question would have to be something like: 'Who is the only person in the Labour party who is at once older, more unpopular, more preternaturally useless and more unelectable than Jeremy Corbyn?'
I know I'm not the only one on PB who still has very unfond memories of the RPA fiasco - and I wasn't even working for her!
Michael Howard had the Derek Lewis affair and was not particularly electable either but he could unite all wings having served Major and supported IDS
True - but Beckett will be 75 in 2018, surely will not be in the shadow cabinet, and has already called for Corbyn to withdraw from the race. Hardly a record of unblemished loyalty!
Corbyn finally admits he DID host Muslim firebrand who gloated at murder of British soldiers despite claiming he had never met him just hours earlier
Fanatic Dyab Abou Jahjah said he had twice spoken alongside Mr Corbyn Photograph shows him sat next to Mr Corbyn in Parliament in 2009 In 2004 Jahjah said 'every dead American, British.. soldier [is] a victory' At 1pm today Mr Corbyn insisted he had never met the extremist But at just after 5pm Mr Corbyn finally admitted that he had met him
Alternative unity candidate Margaret Beckett? After all she nominated Corbyn and was also Foreign Secretary under Blair?
If Margaret Beckett is the answer, the question would have to be something like: 'Who is the only person in the Labour party who is at once older, more unpopular, more preternaturally useless and more unelectable than Jeremy Corbyn?'
I know I'm not the only one on PB who still has very unfond memories of the RPA fiasco - and I wasn't even working for her!
Michael Howard had the Derek Lewis affair and was not particularly electable either but he could unite all wings having served Major and supported IDS
True - but Beckett will be 75 in 2018, surely will not be in the shadow cabinet, and has already called for Corbyn to withdraw from the race. Hardly a record of unblemished loyalty!
It would only be for 2 or 3 years like Howard and Howard was rumoured to have briefed against IDS so was not unblemished
Corbyn’s skeletons are already tumbling out of the closet. What would happen if he was leader?
The thing is with the Corbynistas, they have missed two vital vulnerabilities about their man’s wanting to be a party leader and potential prime minister.
One: that you have to really want it, which it is certainly arguable that Corbyn does not. In order to really want it, a pre-requisite is that you have spent a large part of your political career behaving yourself, so as not to leave hostages to fortune later.
This has clearly not happened here. The campaign was a largely unplanned scramble and it shows.
Two: as I have observed before about Labour’s former Mayor of London, the age of the internet has created a cruel trap for the careless. In the blink of an eye, a blog photo or a YouTube video of you on can show the world something questionable you did a decade ago, and in a way that cannot be disputed. It is hard to misdirect the public (“look over there!”) do a soft-shoe shuffle and hope no-one notices. They will suss you.
You cannot seriously attempt to lead a party under such circumstances. Even if the polls are right, it is yet quite possible that Corbyn’s leadership bid will self-destruct well before voting is over. At the current rate of skeletons exiting closets, the campaign is fast becoming a political Night of the Living Dead.
Corbyn’s skeletons are already tumbling out of the closet. What would happen if he was leader?
The thing is with the Corbynistas, they have missed two vital vulnerabilities about their man’s wanting to be a party leader and potential prime minister.
One: that you have to really want it, which it is certainly arguable that Corbyn does not. In order to really want it, a pre-requisite is that you have spent a large part of your political career behaving yourself, so as not to leave hostages to fortune later.
This has clearly not happened here. The campaign was a largely unplanned scramble and it shows.
Two: as I have observed before about Labour’s former Mayor of London, the age of the internet has created a cruel trap for the careless. In the blink of an eye, a blog photo or a YouTube video of you on can show the world something questionable you did a decade ago, and in a way that cannot be disputed. It is hard to misdirect the public (“look over there!”) do a soft-shoe shuffle and hope no-one notices. They will suss you.
You cannot seriously attempt to lead a party under such circumstances. Even if the polls are right, it is yet quite possible that Corbyn’s leadership bid will self-destruct well before voting is over. At the current rate of skeletons exiting closets, the campaign is fast becoming a political Night of the Living Dead.
Corbyn’s skeletons are already tumbling out of the closet. What would happen if he was leader?
The thing is with the Corbynistas, they have missed two vital vulnerabilities about their man’s wanting to be a party leader and potential prime minister.
One: that you have to really want it, which it is certainly arguable that Corbyn does not. In order to really want it, a pre-requisite is that you have spent a large part of your political career behaving yourself, so as not to leave hostages to fortune later.
This has clearly not happened here. The campaign was a largely unplanned scramble and it shows.
Two: as I have observed before about Labour’s former Mayor of London, the age of the internet has created a cruel trap for the careless. In the blink of an eye, a blog photo or a YouTube video of you on can show the world something questionable you did a decade ago, and in a way that cannot be disputed. It is hard to misdirect the public (“look over there!”) do a soft-shoe shuffle and hope no-one notices. They will suss you.
You cannot seriously attempt to lead a party under such circumstances. Even if the polls are right, it is yet quite possible that Corbyn’s leadership bid will self-destruct well before voting is over. At the current rate of skeletons exiting closets, the campaign is fast becoming a political Night of the Living Dead.
Sounds as though he was tortured first as well. They are truly delightful people, aren't they?
It's worth noting that the Stop the War Coalition said in August 2014 that they opposed the US intervention to rescue Yazidis from IS.
Stop the War has many prominent supporters, of course. Perhaps one of them might care to explain whether they support Stop the War in this and, if they don't, when and where they have disagreed - privately and/or publicly - with that position. And if they do agree with it, why they think the Yazidis (and others) should be left to their - undoubtedly grim - fate under IS.
It's just astonishing that Labour types weren't running these sorts of stories earlier.
Presumably the Conservatives are quite happy to see them run now on the basis that it's way too late to stop Jeremy Corbyn at least doing so well that the party is going to be riven from top to bottom and if he's elected he will look discredited on day one.
Obviously this is great news for the SNP and the Scottish Independence cause
Oh my
A married SNP MP today said she is the victim of a smear campaign after her email address was one of millions released in a data hack on infidelity website Ashley Madison.
Michelle Thomson, the MP for Edinburgh West, said her identity was 'harvested' by hackers who published details of the social network's 37million members including 1.2million in the UK.
It's just astonishing that Labour types weren't running these sorts of stories earlier.
Presumably the Conservatives are quite happy to see them run now on the basis that it's way too late to stop Jeremy Corbyn at least doing so well that the party is going to be riven from top to bottom and if he's elected he will look discredited on day one.
And if Burnham's elected, he'll be tainted by association. Unless he tries claiming that he doesn't recall meeting Jeremy Corbyn.
Sounds as though he was tortured first as well. They are truly delightful people, aren't they?
It's worth noting that the Stop the War Coalition said in August 2014 that they opposed the US intervention to rescue Yazidis from IS.
Stop the War has many prominent supporters, of course. Perhaps one of them might care to explain whether they support Stop the War in this and, if they don't, when and where they have disagreed - privately and/or publicly - with that position. And if they do agree with it, why they think the Yazidis (and others) should be left to their - undoubtedly grim - fate under IS.
It's just astonishing that Labour types weren't running these sorts of stories earlier.
Presumably the Conservatives are quite happy to see them run now on the basis that it's way too late to stop Jeremy Corbyn at least doing so well that the party is going to be riven from top to bottom and if he's elected he will look discredited on day one.
And if Burnham's elected, he'll be tainted by association. Unless he tries claiming that he doesn't recall meeting Jeremy Corbyn.
Corbyn’s skeletons are already tumbling out of the closet. What would happen if he was leader?
The thing is with the Corbynistas, they have missed two vital vulnerabilities about their man’s wanting to be a party leader and potential prime minister.
One: that you have to really want it, which it is certainly arguable that Corbyn does not. In order to really want it, a pre-requisite is that you have spent a large part of your political career behaving yourself, so as not to leave hostages to fortune later.
This has clearly not happened here. The campaign was a largely unplanned scramble and it shows.
Two: as I have observed before about Labour’s former Mayor of London, the age of the internet has created a cruel trap for the careless. In the blink of an eye, a blog photo or a YouTube video of you on can show the world something questionable you did a decade ago, and in a way that cannot be disputed. It is hard to misdirect the public (“look over there!”) do a soft-shoe shuffle and hope no-one notices. They will suss you.
You cannot seriously attempt to lead a party under such circumstances. Even if the polls are right, it is yet quite possible that Corbyn’s leadership bid will self-destruct well before voting is over. At the current rate of skeletons exiting closets, the campaign is fast becoming a political Night of the Living Dead.
It's just astonishing that Labour types weren't running these sorts of stories earlier.
Presumably the Conservatives are quite happy to see them run now on the basis that it's way too late to stop Jeremy Corbyn at least doing so well that the party is going to be riven from top to bottom and if he's elected he will look discredited on day one.
I think that is a dangerous tactic, though. Principally because it will embolden and hearten some very unpleasant and dangerous people and groups at a time when this country, like others, is facing a threat from the ideology and people attached to and/or radicalised by such groups.
I also think it bad for the Labour party. It may currently be undergoing some sort of breakdown but for the sake of the decent people within it and its many decent supporters it deserves better than to be associated so closely with extremists and terrorists because of the stupidity, naivety, malignity - take your pick - of a few of its members.
It's just astonishing that Labour types weren't running these sorts of stories earlier.
Presumably the Conservatives are quite happy to see them run now on the basis that it's way too late to stop Jeremy Corbyn at least doing so well that the party is going to be riven from top to bottom and if he's elected he will look discredited on day one.
And if Burnham's elected, he'll be tainted by association. Unless he tries claiming that he doesn't recall meeting Jeremy Corbyn.
He will probably have him on the Shadow Cabinet, Cameron included IDS
Sounds as though he was tortured first as well. They are truly delightful people, aren't they?
It's worth noting that the Stop the War Coalition said in August 2014 that they opposed the US intervention to rescue Yazidis from IS.
Stop the War has many prominent supporters, of course. Perhaps one of them might care to explain whether they support Stop the War in this and, if they don't, when and where they have disagreed - privately and/or publicly - with that position. And if they do agree with it, why they think the Yazidis (and others) should be left to their - undoubtedly grim - fate under IS.
Perhaps their chair could be asked.
He may well have forgotten ever meeting them. He meets thousands of people, apparently. And I'm sure we all agree it is unfair to ask a person to remember every organisation of which they are chair.
I've also received the invite to a drink with Andy that you referenced earlier. Colchester seems a bit of a trek to get to. If it was Yvette, then I may make the effort.
Personally I like Cortana. It was tricky getting it going so I don't think they've got all the bugs out yet but it has been fine for me. It has some similarities to the S Voice feature on my Samsung smartphone. My son absolutely loves it. I hear him saying "Hi Cortana" to his PC a lot. But I can understand why some people wouldn't like it.
Just looking at the content of what the New Statesman has said, I can't quite see the logic in their thinking.
They are essentially saying that she deserves to come second so that she is ready to take over when Corbyn fails. But why on earth would Labour vote for her after rejecting her the first time round?
If she wasn't good enough to beat Corbyn, she isn't good enough to lead the party. Simple as that.
The post-Corbyn leader will be coming from a completely new generation - not one of those who has failed this time round.
It's just astonishing that Labour types weren't running these sorts of stories earlier.
Presumably the Conservatives are quite happy to see them run now on the basis that it's way too late to stop Jeremy Corbyn at least doing so well that the party is going to be riven from top to bottom and if he's elected he will look discredited on day one.
And if Burnham's elected, he'll be tainted by association. Unless he tries claiming that he doesn't recall meeting Jeremy Corbyn.
He will probably have him on the Shadow Cabinet, Cameron included IDS
IDS ≠ Corbyn. It would be more like Cameron having had Bill Cash in the Shadow Cabinet.
It's just astonishing that Labour types weren't running these sorts of stories earlier.
Presumably the Conservatives are quite happy to see them run now on the basis that it's way too late to stop Jeremy Corbyn at least doing so well that the party is going to be riven from top to bottom and if he's elected he will look discredited on day one.
I’m sure the Tories will be delighted – Things could not have gone better for them if the entire Labour leadership contest had been organised and run by Oliver Letwin.
Just looking at the content of what the New Statesman has said, I can't quite see the logic in their thinking.
They are essentially saying that she deserves to come second so that she is ready to take over when Corbyn fails. But why on earth would Labour vote for her after rejecting her the first time round?
If she wasn't good enough to beat Corbyn, she isn't good enough to lead the party. Simple as that.
The post-Corbyn leader will be coming from a completely new generation - not one of those who has failed this time round.
Personally I like Cortana. It was tricky getting it going so I don't think they've got all the bugs out yet but it has been fine for me. It has some similarities to the S Voice feature on my Samsung smartphone. My son absolutely loves it. I hear him saying "Hi Cortana" to his PC a lot. But I can understand why some people wouldn't like it.
Corbyn’s skeletons are already tumbling out of the closet. What would happen if he was leader?
The thing is with the Corbynistas, they have missed two vital vulnerabilities about their man’s wanting to be a party leader and potential prime minister.
One: that you have to really want it, which it is certainly arguable that Corbyn does not. In order to really want it, a pre-requisite is that you have spent a large part of your political career behaving yourself, so as not to leave hostages to fortune later.
This has clearly not happened here. The campaign was a largely unplanned scramble and it shows.
Two: as I have observed before about Labour’s former Mayor of London, the age of the internet has created a cruel trap for the careless. In the blink of an eye, a blog photo or a YouTube video of you on can show the world something questionable you did a decade ago, and in a way that cannot be disputed. It is hard to misdirect the public (“look over there!”) do a soft-shoe shuffle and hope no-one notices. They will suss you.
You cannot seriously attempt to lead a party under such circumstances. Even if the polls are right, it is yet quite possible that Corbyn’s leadership bid will self-destruct well before voting is over. At the current rate of skeletons exiting closets, the campaign is fast becoming a political Night of the Living Dead.
NB IIRC IDS was not in the SC. Enough acronyms? 'Howard briefed against IDS'. He did not; he was very careful not to. I think he foresaw the role he would have to play.
Just looking at the content of what the New Statesman has said, I can't quite see the logic in their thinking.
They are essentially saying that she deserves to come second so that she is ready to take over when Corbyn fails. But why on earth would Labour vote for her after rejecting her the first time round?
If she wasn't good enough to beat Corbyn, she isn't good enough to lead the party. Simple as that.
The post-Corbyn leader will be coming from a completely new generation - not one of those who has failed this time round.
I've also received the invite to a drink with Andy that you referenced earlier. Colchester seems a bit of a trek to get to. If it was Yvette, then I may make the effort.
Call me chicken.. But I've traded my book to an all-green position now with Corbyn netting me £185, Kendall £200, and Burnham/Cooper a tenner each. I'm -640 on the rest of the field but view that as very low risk.
I was at +£500 on Corbyn at one point but got cold feet and couldn't afford to drop a grand if he just fell short.
The candidates are very hit and miss - I've had blurb from JC and Watson inc two emails, nothing from the rest. Not even an email from Kendall or Yvette.
Since I've now voted, it's all a bit academic - their campaigns are piss poor at getting off the starting blocks.
Call me chicken.. But I've traded my book to an all-green position now with Corbyn netting me £185, Kendall £200, and Burnham/Cooper a tenner each. I'm -640 on the rest of the field but view that as very low risk.
I was at +£500 on Corbyn at one point but got cold feet and couldn't afford to drop a grand if he just fell short.
Vetting delays could give time for the stories to percolate through to potential supporters.
But even if that happens, they'll end up with lightweight Burnham or a woman who hates fallopian-deprived apes*.
Edited extra bit: *On second thoughts, that's perhaps harsh. I do really dislike the identity politics nonsense peddled by Cooper, though [and I say that as someone who a few weeks ago would've, had I had Labour's best interest at heart, voted for her].
Call me chicken.. But I've traded my book to an all-green position now with Corbyn netting me £185, Kendall £200, and Burnham/Cooper a tenner each. I'm -640 on the rest of the field but view that as very low risk.
I was at +£500 on Corbyn at one point but got cold feet and couldn't afford to drop a grand if he just fell short.
The GE has taught me there are no dead certs.
Thanks. It was the second thoughts from Labour supporters on here that did it for me, plus those news stories.
I may live to regret throwing away ~£300 of profit, but if Corbyn just squeaks it by a point or two I'll feel vindicated.
Call me chicken.. But I've traded my book to an all-green position now with Corbyn netting me £185, Kendall £200, and Burnham/Cooper a tenner each. I'm -640 on the rest of the field but view that as very low risk.
I was at +£500 on Corbyn at one point but got cold feet and couldn't afford to drop a grand if he just fell short.
Mr. Royale, I imagine I would've done much the same.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
I was the guy backing hung parliament at 1.05 just hours before the exit poll came out - I was 100% certain!
I was lucky to trade out of that to make a tidy sum on Tory majority, but I had £1,200 of exposure on that market on that outcome as late as 11.30pm on the night!
The candidates are very hit and miss - I've had blurb from JC and Watson inc two emails, nothing from the rest. Not even an email from Kendall or Yvette.
Since I've now voted, it's all a bit academic - their campaigns are piss poor at getting off the starting blocks.
Never complain about being green. As Kermit the Frog taught us, it isn't easy.
Edited extra bit: ha, bet you're glad you stayed up to watch the results roll in
I am on *this* leadership election. The only way I lose is if the whole thing is called off, the whole thing is re-run and new entrants come in.
I think the chances of that are now minuscule.
PS: I'm very lucky my mate - who ran the election party - set up a betting station for me at his desktop PC, moved right into the living room next to the TV as the results came in!
I've also received the invite to a drink with Andy that you referenced earlier. Colchester seems a bit of a trek to get to. If it was Yvette, then I may make the effort.
There's another bash with Andy in London!
Sunil, When and where? And talking of bashes. Is there a Dirty Dicks gathering in the not too distant future?
Never complain about being green. As Kermit the Frog taught us, it isn't easy.
Edited extra bit: ha, bet you're glad you stayed up to watch the results roll in
I am on *this* leadership election. The only way I lose is if the whole thing is called off, the whole thing is re-run and new entrants come in.
I think the chances of that are now minuscule.
PS: I'm very lucky my mate - who ran the election party - set up a betting station for me at his desktop PC, moved right into the living room next to the TV as the results came in!
I am still reflecting on how I got the general election so wrong. I had completely discounted the chance of an overall majority.
The fact that I was able to move speedily on the night to make money does not alter the fact that I had completely misread what was going on. And the fact that I was in plenty of company doesn't make me feel any better about that - the reverse, really.
Vetting delays could give time for the stories to percolate through to potential supporters.
But even if that happens, they'll end up with lightweight Burnham or a woman who hates fallopian-deprived apes*.
Edited extra bit: *On second thoughts, that's perhaps harsh. I do really dislike the identity politics nonsense peddled by Cooper, though [and I say that as someone who a few weeks ago would've, had I had Labour's best interest at heart, voted for her].
The damage for Labour is done no matter what option is finally chosen. Starting with the paucity of choice itself and ending with the rabid smelling smoke let of of the genie bottle by Corbyn himself. The Greens must be on their bended knees praying to the mother goddess whose voice comes out of the earth that Corbyn loses. His disappointed supporters may not be able to smell out water but they can smell revenge.
Mr. Royale, I imagine I would've done much the same.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
I was the guy backing hung parliament at 1.05 just hours before the exit poll came out - I was 100% certain!
I was lucky to trade out of that to make a tidy sum on Tory majority, but I had £1,200 of exposure on that market on that outcome as late as 11.30pm on the night!
The candidates are very hit and miss - I've had blurb from JC and Watson inc two emails, nothing from the rest. Not even an email from Kendall or Yvette.
Since I've now voted, it's all a bit academic - their campaigns are piss poor at getting off the starting blocks.
Never complain about being green. As Kermit the Frog taught us, it isn't easy.
Edited extra bit: ha, bet you're glad you stayed up to watch the results roll in
I am on *this* leadership election. The only way I lose is if the whole thing is called off, the whole thing is re-run and new entrants come in.
I think the chances of that are now minuscule.
PS: I'm very lucky my mate - who ran the election party - set up a betting station for me at his desktop PC, moved right into the living room next to the TV as the results came in!
I am still reflecting on how I got the general election so wrong. I had completely discounted the chance of an overall majority.
The fact that I was able to move speedily on the night to make money does not alter the fact that I had completely misread what was going on. And the fact that I was in plenty of company doesn't make me feel any better about that - the reverse, really.
The candidates are very hit and miss - I've had blurb from JC and Watson inc two emails, nothing from the rest. Not even an email from Kendall or Yvette.
Since I've now voted, it's all a bit academic - their campaigns are piss poor at getting off the starting blocks.
Whom did you vote for?
Despite all the scare-stories, you voted Jeremy? Respec'
I was a late signer-up, so yet to receive my email
" One email in the data dump, for example, appears to belong to former UK Prime Minister (Tony Blair)."
And another one is Bill Clinton's, not that you need any extra proof that he's cheating on Hillary.
I had to teach the Clinton/Lewinsky affair at A-level. It was an all-girls class. That was an...interesting experience.
I actually felt a bit sorry for the MP in the Mail. She could easily be telling the truth - but even if she is, who's going to believe her? Most of the people implicated are going to flatly deny it, and very few of their denials will be given any credence - especially by their spouses.
Hopefully you didn't have to mention the infamous Gurkha cigar...
The thought of that first PMQs with Corbyn as leader of HM Opp... the sight of all the Tories cheering him on whilst his own side sit silently.
The correct strategy - no matter how it is pursued - should be to do what keeps the labour benches miserable. Well actually I suppose given the tories would want to keep labour a prisoner of Corbyn, it should be to keep them in two minds. There is no need to laugh or be abusive to Corbyn himself, rather pity him. I find it hard to even begin to think about what tory ministers thought about Foot in his green coat at the cenotaph, but I imagine if they were sensible they must have hoped he would do it again the following year. Its best to walk round Corbyn as you would a pool of vomit on the pavement.
Never complain about being green. As Kermit the Frog taught us, it isn't easy.
Edited extra bit: ha, bet you're glad you stayed up to watch the results roll in
I am on *this* leadership election. The only way I lose is if the whole thing is called off, the whole thing is re-run and new entrants come in.
I think the chances of that are now minuscule.
PS: I'm very lucky my mate - who ran the election party - set up a betting station for me at his desktop PC, moved right into the living room next to the TV as the results came in!
I am still reflecting on how I got the general election so wrong. I had completely discounted the chance of an overall majority.
The fact that I was able to move speedily on the night to make money does not alter the fact that I had completely misread what was going on. And the fact that I was in plenty of company doesn't make me feel any better about that - the reverse, really.
I still haven't written up my thoughts and experiences. Maybe one day. But no one knew that. Not Crosby, not Cameron: no one. Those who got it right got it right by fluke. The poster here who got closest to seeing it IMHO was our own Robert Smithson who said he saw no floor to LD performance and recommended the 16/1 Skybet on 0-10 seats, which I took and made a tidy sum from.
But don't worry: you got so many other things right, and in your analysis, you put the rest of us to shame.
Mr. Royale, I imagine I would've done much the same.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
I was the guy backing hung parliament at 1.05 just hours before the exit poll came out - I was 100% certain!
I was lucky to trade out of that to make a tidy sum on Tory majority, but I had £1,200 of exposure on that market on that outcome as late as 11.30pm on the night!
Rule for life: the worst that can happen is the worst that can happen.
" One email in the data dump, for example, appears to belong to former UK Prime Minister (Tony Blair)."
And another one is Bill Clinton's, not that you need any extra proof that he's cheating on Hillary.
I had to teach the Clinton/Lewinsky affair at A-level. It was an all-girls class. That was an...interesting experience.
I actually felt a bit sorry for the MP in the Mail. She could easily be telling the truth - but even if she is, who's going to believe her? Most of the people implicated are going to flatly deny it, and very few of their denials will be given any credence - especially by their spouses.
Hopefully you didn't have to mention the infamous Gurkha cigar...
Alas yes. And I was asked the immortal question, 'Was it lit, sir?'
I still have nightmares about trying to get out of that one.
I've also received the invite to a drink with Andy that you referenced earlier. Colchester seems a bit of a trek to get to. If it was Yvette, then I may make the effort.
There's another bash with Andy in London!
Sunil, When and where? And talking of bashes. Is there a Dirty Dicks gathering in the not too distant future?
24th August (next Monday). Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start, at: St Pancras Parish Church, Euston Road, London, NW1 2BA.
Although it seems very likely Corbyn will win he may not. At the start of this I thought that Cooper and Burnham both had damaging histories. That hasn't changed, and I think that actually they've damaged themselves a little more in the last few months. I thought Kendall was the best candidate because she was untainted by the past and also talked with some vague economic credibility.
Corbyn is untainted by the previous Labour administrations, but he doesn't have any economic credibility at all. I can't really see him proving everyone wrong and rewriting the textbooks of that 'science' so either the electorate will reject him or the actual goings on under his premiership will destroy him (let's hope he doesn't get that far).
Cooper and Burnham are I think both finished as politicians - win or lose. Burnham ran last time and squeaked past Diane Abbot. If he were to win he'd be seen as the 'least bad'. Cooper has been in the thick of it with her hubby for far too long. Again she'd be seen as the 'least bad'.
Kendall (wildly unlikely though it is she'll win) would have a clean slate. She wouldn't need to win big - she's unknown, and beating the dinosaurs is enough.
Overall unless Kendall gets the gig I can't see that the leader that's elected will be a success.
FPT: (Sexism) : A wise Labour supporter is as unconcerned with the sex of their representative as is a wise Tory. It's a bit odd that the vocal feminists in Labour (Harman for example) have been happy to berate the general populous, and propose bad legislation and yet have done nothing at all to address the unwisdom that is so prevalent within Labour.
FPT: (Sexism) : A wise Labour supporter is as unconcerned with the sex of their representative as is a wise Tory. It's a bit odd that the vocal feminists in Labour (Harman for example) have been happy to berate the general populous, and propose bad legislation and yet have done nothing at all to address the unwisdom that is so prevalent within Labour.
And Thatcher herself was no feminist! (see quote upthread).
Apologies for bringing this up again, but I think I'm going mad. After SeanT posted the stuff about the murders in Sweden I googled it and could only find reference to it on Breitbart. Tonight, however, I found this page on the BBC website:
It's dated August 13, but I swear I couldn't find anything last time I looked. Is there anyway of checking the validity of a date on a website? I must admit, I thought this incident occurred earlier this week, not last week, so maybe I just didn't search hard enough for it.
Just looking at the content of what the New Statesman has said, I can't quite see the logic in their thinking.
They are essentially saying that she deserves to come second so that she is ready to take over when Corbyn fails. But why on earth would Labour vote for her after rejecting her the first time round?
If she wasn't good enough to beat Corbyn, she isn't good enough to lead the party. Simple as that.
The post-Corbyn leader will be coming from a completely new generation - not one of those who has failed this time round.
" One email in the data dump, for example, appears to belong to former UK Prime Minister (Tony Blair)."
And another one is Bill Clinton's, not that you need any extra proof that he's cheating on Hillary.
I had to teach the Clinton/Lewinsky affair at A-level. It was an all-girls class. That was an...interesting experience.
I actually felt a bit sorry for the MP in the Mail. She could easily be telling the truth - but even if she is, who's going to believe her? Most of the people implicated are going to flatly deny it, and very few of their denials will be given any credence - especially by their spouses.
Hopefully you didn't have to mention the infamous Gurkha cigar...
Alas yes. And I was asked the immortal question, 'Was it lit, sir?'
I still have nightmares about trying to get out of that one.
Eww. I hope it was in a tube as the alternative is quite disgusting.
Comments
I actually felt a bit sorry for the MP in the Mail. She could easily be telling the truth - but even if she is, who's going to believe her? Most of the people implicated are going to flatly deny it, and very few of their denials will be given any credence - especially by their spouses.
'She turned up at my local infant school with the Education Secretary.
That went down really well with Labour supporters in Staveley'
Gives a whole new meaning to small minded people.
I know I'm not the only one on PB who still has very unfond memories of the RPA fiasco - and I wasn't even working for her!
All three of them have been bloody crap. Say what you like about Corbyn, but at least he talks like a normal person and has run a good campaign.
"Jeremy Corbyn is the curator of the future. His rivals are chasing an impossible dream
Those who believe that New Labour’s clapped-out politics can transform the party’s fortunes are delusional"
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/18/jeremy-corbyn-rivals-chase-impossible-dream
"Andy Burnham will be in Central London on Monday evening, 24th August. Book your place now to meet him as ballots continue to be delivered - for you to choose the next leader of the Labour Party. "
The 82 year old chief archaeologist of Palmyra beheaded by IS and his body hung from one of the Roman temples.
Words fail me.
May he rest in peace.
Lots of potentially embarrassing moments in there - but they did enjoy the story about Jimmy Carter and the rabbit, and this video of Reagan (start at 2:55 and listen to the immortal apology at 3:23):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R67CH-qhXJs
To respond to the query on the last thread - yes, to vote on the Mayoral candidate you have to live in London.
Those US polls are interesting. They confirm that anti-Trump GOP voters generally coalesce around any one opponent if matched up, the interesting exception being Bush, whom Trump beats outright. They also show Clinton and Sanders doing similarly well in most states, generally slightly behind the Republican overall.
I'm reading a book (Ghost on the Throne) about the Diadochi, Alexander's Successors. Their own conduct was more civilised than ISIS, and that was in the 4th century BC.
"The archaeologist who looked after ancient ruins of Palmyra in Syria for 40 years is reported to have been killed by Islamic State (IS) militants."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-33984006
Mumsnet hit by swatting attack:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mumsnet-hack-founder-justine-roberts-targeted-in-swatting-attack-and-parenting-website-pushed-temporarily-offline-10461558.html
http://labour-uncut.co.uk/
Let us hope that it is not all too late.
Let us hope that it is all too late.
Stop the War has many prominent supporters, of course. Perhaps one of them might care to explain whether they support Stop the War in this and, if they don't, when and where they have disagreed - privately and/or publicly - with that position. And if they do agree with it, why they think the Yazidis (and others) should be left to their - undoubtedly grim - fate under IS.
Seems the Mail indicates that there will be a standard story of "wasn't me, there's no check on the email used".
Quite right, Mr. Price. I am going to be jolly miffed if after all this Corbyn does not win the leadership contest.
For those bored of Corbyn stories: when an iceberg approaches your ship, you don't shout "iceberg" a couple of times, then stop for a cuppa.
I also think it bad for the Labour party. It may currently be undergoing some sort of breakdown but for the sake of the decent people within it and its many decent supporters it deserves better than to be associated so closely with extremists and terrorists because of the stupidity, naivety, malignity - take your pick - of a few of its members.
+88 Chuka
+3068 AJ
-12 the field!
Glug Glug Glug
Laying Corbyn at 1.37 now
@NCPoliticsUK: Russell Brand again makes an endorsement once it's too late to register to vote...
Colchester seems a bit of a trek to get to.
If it was Yvette, then I may make the effort.
Sarah Brown @SarahBrownUK · 10h10 hours ago
In #Labourleadership election, I am voting for @YvetteCooperMP #1. This is why: http://buff.ly/1URECIE And voting Andy Burnham #2.
Personally I like Cortana. It was tricky getting it going so I don't think they've got all the bugs out yet but it has been fine for me. It has some similarities to the S Voice feature on my Samsung smartphone. My son absolutely loves it. I hear him saying "Hi Cortana" to his PC a lot. But I can understand why some people wouldn't like it.
They are essentially saying that she deserves to come second so that she is ready to take over when Corbyn fails. But why on earth would Labour vote for her after rejecting her the first time round?
If she wasn't good enough to beat Corbyn, she isn't good enough to lead the party. Simple as that.
The post-Corbyn leader will be coming from a completely new generation - not one of those who has failed this time round.
Surely Finance is a specific role in it's own, not one of five areas to give to Jackie Baillie.
https://twitter.com/CaroleErskine/status/633943230615298048
http://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/labour-leader-at-next-general-election
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vti6yzyuy1I
Some of us are clinging to Ms Cooper.
PaddyPower makes Sadiq Khan the favourite in the Labour mayoral selection.
'Howard briefed against IDS'. He did not; he was very careful not to. I think he foresaw the role he would have to play.
Cooper @ 10s is probably fair given I can't see her being deposed if she does win, and there is a chance that she might win post-Corbyn.
I was at +£500 on Corbyn at one point but got cold feet and couldn't afford to drop a grand if he just fell short.
The GE has taught me there are no dead certs.
Since I've now voted, it's all a bit academic - their campaigns are piss poor at getting off the starting blocks.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Depends how many have voted.
Vetting delays could give time for the stories to percolate through to potential supporters.
But even if that happens, they'll end up with lightweight Burnham or a woman who hates fallopian-deprived apes*.
Edited extra bit: *On second thoughts, that's perhaps harsh. I do really dislike the identity politics nonsense peddled by Cooper, though [and I say that as someone who a few weeks ago would've, had I had Labour's best interest at heart, voted for her].
I may live to regret throwing away ~£300 of profit, but if Corbyn just squeaks it by a point or two I'll feel vindicated.
I was lucky to trade out of that to make a tidy sum on Tory majority, but I had £1,200 of exposure on that market on that outcome as late as 11.30pm on the night!
Never complain about being green. As Kermit the Frog taught us, it isn't easy.
Edited extra bit: ha, bet you're glad you stayed up to watch the results roll in
I think the chances of that are now minuscule.
PS: I'm very lucky my mate - who ran the election party - set up a betting station for me at his desktop PC, moved right into the living room next to the TV as the results came in!
And talking of bashes. Is there a Dirty Dicks gathering in the not too distant future?
The fact that I was able to move speedily on the night to make money does not alter the fact that I had completely misread what was going on. And the fact that I was in plenty of company doesn't make me feel any better about that - the reverse, really.
The Greens must be on their bended knees praying to the mother goddess whose voice comes out of the earth that Corbyn loses. His disappointed supporters may not be able to smell out water but they can smell revenge.
I was a late signer-up, so yet to receive my email
I find it hard to even begin to think about what tory ministers thought about Foot in his green coat at the cenotaph, but I imagine if they were sensible they must have hoped he would do it again the following year. Its best to walk round Corbyn as you would a pool of vomit on the pavement.
Not Crosby, not Cameron: no one. Those who got it right got it right by fluke. The poster here who got closest to seeing it IMHO was our own Robert Smithson who said he saw no floor to LD performance and recommended the 16/1 Skybet on 0-10 seats, which I took and made a tidy sum from.
But don't worry: you got so many other things right, and in your analysis, you put the rest of us to shame.
I still have nightmares about trying to get out of that one.
EDIT - I passed by there a couple of weeks ago!
Corbyn is untainted by the previous Labour administrations, but he doesn't have any economic credibility at all. I can't really see him proving everyone wrong and rewriting the textbooks of that 'science' so either the electorate will reject him or the actual goings on under his premiership will destroy him (let's hope he doesn't get that far).
Cooper and Burnham are I think both finished as politicians - win or lose. Burnham ran last time and squeaked past Diane Abbot. If he were to win he'd be seen as the 'least bad'. Cooper has been in the thick of it with her hubby for far too long. Again she'd be seen as the 'least bad'.
Kendall (wildly unlikely though it is she'll win) would have a clean slate. She wouldn't need to win big - she's unknown, and beating the dinosaurs is enough.
Overall unless Kendall gets the gig I can't see that the leader that's elected will be a success.
FPT: (Sexism) : A wise Labour supporter is as unconcerned with the sex of their representative as is a wise Tory. It's a bit odd that the vocal feminists in Labour (Harman for example) have been happy to berate the general populous, and propose bad legislation and yet have done nothing at all to address the unwisdom that is so prevalent within Labour.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33905334
It's dated August 13, but I swear I couldn't find anything last time I looked. Is there anyway of checking the validity of a date on a website? I must admit, I thought this incident occurred earlier this week, not last week, so maybe I just didn't search hard enough for it.