Next year's election is going to be over housing. Any Tory, even one of charismatic as Goldsmith, is going to have a tough time convincing voters that they won't be favoring the big developers.
As opposed to what? Not developing? If London's housing problem is in large part a shortage then surely the candidates should be backing as much as is sustainably possible - and who can deliver on that except the big developers?
If that's the level of Labour thinking, they might as well go in on a slogan of "No to business, no to profit, no to success". Because obviously that's what people come to London for.
Developers per se are not the problem. It's what they develop. The lack of affordable housing in London is scandalous. London does not need any more luxury housing projects designed for non-residents looking to get money out of their own countries.
Its not the lack of housing that's the problem its the number of people.
Sure you mean, "it's the nationality of the people"?
What a puerile remark.
The number of houses in the capital hasn't dropped, the population has risen, demand has exceeded supply hence high rents and prices. Its called the market.
There's no such thing as demand exceeding supply. Demand always equals supply. Price is the balancing mechanism.
Ethnic quotas may not be unpopular in London (as they would be elsewhere). It's only 45% White British, and its electorate is well to the Left of the UK as a whole.
Yes they could be what win it for Khan... People forget that white brits are a minority in London, and the people who will benefit are renowned for voting in their own interest. I think there has been polling on it?
Khan would destroy community cohesion in London, but this kind of thing has long been inevitable
Khan already trying to ditch Khorbyn - suspect we will see the first bucket of manure poured on his head next week - Zack to give a big speech from the podium ?
Next year's election is going to be over housing. Any Tory, even one of charismatic as Goldsmith, is going to have a tough time convincing voters that they won't be favoring the big developers.
The big developers who can, you know, build lots of homes because they are big? Are those the ones you mean?
I'm very glad to see that Zac is confirmed as the candidate.
Definitely to my financial advantage...
Ditto. I'll also be giving him my 2nd preference (after Caroline Pidgeon). He is almost an independent (which is why Cameron has never promoted him despite his talent), an excellent campaigner, anti-TTIP (like Corbyn, UKIP and Greens), anti Heathrow expansion, and will be supported vigorously by Boris.
Next year's election is going to be over housing. Any Tory, even one of charismatic as Goldsmith, is going to have a tough time convincing voters that they won't be favoring the big developers.
As opposed to what? Not developing? If London's housing problem is in large part a shortage then surely the candidates should be backing as much as is sustainably possible - and who can deliver on that except the big developers?
If that's the level of Labour thinking, they might as well go in on a slogan of "No to business, no to profit, no to success". Because obviously that's what people come to London for.
Developers per se are not the problem. It's what they develop. The lack of affordable housing in London is scandalous. London does not need any more luxury housing projects designed for non-residents looking to get money out of their own countries.
Its not the lack of housing that's the problem its the number of people.
Sure you mean, "it's the nationality of the people"?
What a puerile remark.
The number of houses in the capital hasn't dropped, the population has risen, demand has exceeded supply hence high rents and prices. Its called the market.
There's no such thing as demand exceeding supply. Demand always equals supply. Price is the balancing mechanism.
That is incorrect, if it were true why do we need more houses?
"Am I biased? Just a bit. I was the chair of governors at Ernest Bevin school Tooting in the 80s when we appointed the first Muslim head of a London school. That head, Naz Bokhari, became a role model and mentor for the young Sadiq, the son of a bus driver who had migrated from Pakistan. Goldsmith, of course, is an old Etonian, who inherited millions from his financial wheeler-dealing father."
Simply amazing that someone can write that line, with all the problems over muslim governered schools in Birmingham and the capital, and think it was a positive.
As someone else said, most people aren't bothered by class war, the electoral successes of Cameron and Boris Johnson are testament to that. I wonder how many muslims will vote for Zac? I bet they will be the shyest of shy tories when asked down the the local mosque
I think Sam you overlook the fact that for some lefties they have an in built assumption that all muslims are wonderful. After all Jesus was from the middle east and he could walk on water.
And you overlook that Sadiq Khan has criticised militant Islamism and Corbyn's links to such organisations.
Khan has campaigned for the convicted terrorist Barbar Ahmed and shared a platform with the apologists for IS known as CAGE. Colour me more than a little sceptical concerning his recent cant on Islamist terrorism.
stodge what would you put the odds at of the LDs having no members of the London Assembly after next year's election? I am not asking you to stand behind the odds. I would put it at a 25% chance.
Next year's election is going to be over housing. Any Tory, even one of charismatic as Goldsmith, is going to have a tough time convincing voters that they won't be favoring the big developers.
As opposed to what? Not developing? If London's housing problem is in large part a shortage then surely the candidates should be backing as much as is sustainably possible - and who can deliver on that except the big developers?
If that's the level of Labour thinking, they might as well go in on a slogan of "No to business, no to profit, no to success". Because obviously that's what people come to London for.
Developers per se are not the problem. It's what they develop. The lack of affordable housing in London is scandalous. London does not need any more luxury housing projects designed for non-residents looking to get money out of their own countries.
Its not the lack of housing that's the problem its the number of people.
Sure you mean, "it's the nationality of the people"?
What a puerile remark.
The number of houses in the capital hasn't dropped, the population has risen, demand has exceeded supply hence high rents and prices. Its called the market.
There's no such thing as demand exceeding supply. Demand always equals supply. Price is the balancing mechanism.
There is unsatisfied demand from those who want/need a house but can't afford the price.
Next year's election is going to be over housing. Any Tory, even one of charismatic as Goldsmith, is going to have a tough time convincing voters that they won't be favoring the big developers.
As opposed to what? Not developing? If London's housing problem is in large part a shortage then surely the candidates should be backing as much as is sustainably possible - and who can deliver on that except the big developers?
If that's the level of Labour thinking, they might as well go in on a slogan of "No to business, no to profit, no to success". Because obviously that's what people come to London for.
Developers per se are not the problem. It's what they develop. The lack of affordable housing in London is scandalous. London does not need any more luxury housing projects designed for non-residents looking to get money out of their own countries.
Its not the lack of housing that's the problem its the number of people.
Sure you mean, "it's the nationality of the people"?
What a puerile remark.
The number of houses in the capital hasn't dropped, the population has risen, demand has exceeded supply hence high rents and prices. Its called the market.
There's no such thing as demand exceeding supply. Demand always equals supply. Price is the balancing mechanism.
So a person applying for tickets that was unsuccessful, was not an example of more demand than supply just some non-demand that never existed.....
Next year's election is going to be over housing. Any Tory, even one of charismatic as Goldsmith, is going to have a tough time convincing voters that they won't be favoring the big developers.
As opposed to what? Not developing? If London's housing problem is in large part a shortage then surely the candidates should be backing as much as is sustainably possible - and who can deliver on that except the big developers?
If that's the level of Labour thinking, they might as well go in on a slogan of "No to business, no to profit, no to success". Because obviously that's what people come to London for.
Developers per se are not the problem. It's what they develop. The lack of affordable housing in London is scandalous. London does not need any more luxury housing projects designed for non-residents looking to get money out of their own countries.
Its not the lack of housing that's the problem its the number of people.
Sure you mean, "it's the nationality of the people"?
What a puerile remark.
The number of houses in the capital hasn't dropped, the population has risen, demand has exceeded supply hence high rents and prices. Its called the market.
There's no such thing as demand exceeding supply. Demand always equals supply. Price is the balancing mechanism.
There is unsatisfied demand from those who want/need a house but can't afford the price.
I'd llke the moon on a stick and Taylor Swift - should I vote for Khan ?
In contrast to most of my fellow PB Tories (and, interestingly, Southam), I think Sadiq Khan is a strong candidate for Labour. The ethnic quotas line is being over-stated IMO, and on lots of other issues Khan is saying some pretty sensible things. He's doing a savvy job getting the right sort of coverage in the key media such as the Evening Standard, and I don't think he'll scare the horses. He's probably a less divisive figure than Ken Livingstone.
Having said that, Zac is also a strong candidate and a canny campaigner, and he will be able to reach voters outside the core Conservative vote. With Labour nationally in disarray, this is going to be a fascinating and close contest.
Next year's election is going to be over housing. Any Tory, even one of charismatic as Goldsmith, is going to have a tough time convincing voters that they won't be favoring the big developers.
As opposed to what? Not developing? If London's housing problem is in large part a shortage then surely the candidates should be backing as much as is sustainably possible - and who can deliver on that except the big developers?
If that's the level of Labour thinking, they might as well go in on a slogan of "No to business, no to profit, no to success". Because obviously that's what people come to London for.
Developers per se are not the problem. It's what they develop. The lack of affordable housing in London is scandalous. London does not need any more luxury housing projects designed for non-residents looking to get money out of their own countries.
Its not the lack of housing that's the problem its the number of people.
Sure you mean, "it's the nationality of the people"?
What a puerile remark.
The number of houses in the capital hasn't dropped, the population has risen, demand has exceeded supply hence high rents and prices. Its called the market.
There's no such thing as demand exceeding supply. Demand always equals supply. Price is the balancing mechanism.
There is unsatisfied demand from those who want/need a house but can't afford the price.
Can Khan have a go at reducing the price of Maseratis please. I'm happy to lie about Middle Eastern ancestry and be flexible about religion if it helps.
Next year's election is going to be over housing. Any Tory, even one of charismatic as Goldsmith, is going to have a tough time convincing voters that they won't be favoring the big developers.
As opposed to what? Not developing? If London's housing problem is in large part a shortage then surely the candidates should be backing as much as is sustainably possible - and who can deliver on that except the big developers?
If that's the level of Labour thinking, they might as well go in on a slogan of "No to business, no to profit, no to success". Because obviously that's what people come to London for.
Developers per se are not the problem. It's what they develop. The lack of affordable housing in London is scandalous. London does not need any more luxury housing projects designed for non-residents looking to get money out of their own countries.
Its not the lack of housing that's the problem its the number of people.
Sure you mean, "it's the nationality of the people"?
What a puerile remark.
The number of houses in the capital hasn't dropped, the population has risen, demand has exceeded supply hence high rents and prices. Its called the market.
There's no such thing as demand exceeding supply. Demand always equals supply. Price is the balancing mechanism.
An exciting thought that if Charles slipped under the proverbial bus we could have our PM our Monarch and our Mayor of London all Old Etonians. What a beacon of meritocracy this country has become
As a Tory whose just finished his morning baby roll Zac really doesn't rock my boat. Too green, too anti-business, too entitled, too patronising, too much.
A pro business, pro success, get things done even if the odd newt gets it candidate would seriously tempt me, even one as up himself as Sugar.
But I don't have a vote so it really doesn't matter.
I do think, however, that there is little chance of Zac doing a Boris. I think Kahn will be the next Mayor, especially if he continues to distance himself from that fool who has been MP for Islington for about 30 years.
So you met Khan once and hes a nice guy? Most politicians will appear nice if you meet them but in person ...you.need their back story.. from what i have seen on the www. of his speeches .. he is poisonous..
stodge what would you put the odds at of the LDs having no members of the London Assembly after next year's election? I am not asking you to stand behind the odds. I would put it at a 25% chance.
It seems that they won 2 seats in 2012 as members of the coalition. Will they be less popular next year having been out of power for a year? Aren't they picking up council seats at the moment?
"Am I biased? Just a bit. I was the chair of governors at Ernest Bevin school Tooting in the 80s when we appointed the first Muslim head of a London school. That head, Naz Bokhari, became a role model and mentor for the young Sadiq, the son of a bus driver who had migrated from Pakistan. Goldsmith, of course, is an old Etonian, who inherited millions from his financial wheeler-dealing father."
Simply amazing that someone can write that line, with all the problems over muslim governered schools in Birmingham and the capital, and think it was a positive.
As someone else said, most people aren't bothered by class war, the electoral successes of Cameron and Boris Johnson are testament to that. I wonder how many muslims will vote for Zac? I bet they will be the shyest of shy tories when asked down the the local mosque
I think Sam you overlook the fact that for some lefties they have an in built assumption that all muslims are wonderful. After all Jesus was from the middle east and he could walk on water.
And you overlook that Sadiq Khan has criticised militant Islamism and Corbyn's links to such organisations.
As an antidote to the majority sentiment on here, I don't think Labour have done too badly this week in Brighton. McDonnell's speech was interesting and at least you could argue we are beginning to see the shape of the alternative economic programme that Labour so badly lacked in the Ed M period.
Corbyn's speech was a shade underwhelming to this observer. He didn't look that comfortable with the autocue but he's probably not had much exposure to it. Rather like Farron's the week before, it was an introduction rather than a policy-heavy speech. Indeed, as with Farron's, long on generalities and emotions and short on specifics but it's the first in a series of five leadership speeches between now and the next GE so there's plenty of time to put meat on those bones.
On Trident, I've swung between multilateralism and unilateralism over the decades - for me, if we get to the point where we have to ask a Prime Minister to "press the button", we've failed anyway. I never drew much comfort from knowing my certain incineration (as a Londoner) would be followed by the incineration of the people of Kharkov or Omsk or wherever.
As for Syria, I suspect it's all been said on here over the past few days - the preservation of a Russian presence and influence in the country (and that doesn't necessarily mean Assad in the long run) is paramount to Putin and so Latakia and Tartus are effectively Russian outposts in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Government in charge of those areas will be one amenable to Moscow - that's the Putin Doctrine in effect. I suspect Putin is ambivalent to IS controlling the east of Syria and the deserts but the cities like Damascus and Aleppo will be secured for the pro-Moscow Government.
Next year's election is going to be over housing. Any Tory, even one of charismatic as Goldsmith, is going to have a tough time convincing voters that they won't be favoring the big developers.
As opposed to what? Not developing? If London's housing problem is in large part a shortage then surely the candidates should be backing as much as is sustainably possible - and who can deliver on that except the big developers?
If that's the level of Labour thinking, they might as well go in on a slogan of "No to business, no to profit, no to success". Because obviously that's what people come to London for.
Developers per se are not the problem. It's what they develop. The lack of affordable housing in London is scandalous. London does not need any more luxury housing projects designed for non-residents looking to get money out of their own countries.
Its not the lack of housing that's the problem its the number of people.
Sure you mean, "it's the nationality of the people"?
What a puerile remark.
The number of houses in the capital hasn't dropped, the population has risen, demand has exceeded supply hence high rents and prices. Its called the market.
There's no such thing as demand exceeding supply. Demand always equals supply. Price is the balancing mechanism.
That is incorrect, if it were true why do we need more houses?
To reduce prices, i.e. the balancing mechanism.
In other markets, we (i.e. the state) don't really care about price, e.g. for the next iPhone.
An exciting thought that if Charles slipped under the proverbial bus we could have our PM our Monarch and our Mayor of London all Old Etonians. What a beacon of meritocracy this country has become
Does that extend to public school people such as yourself Roger setting an example by giving up lucrative tv and film work and to give away all assets and become a monk administering to the poor?
stodge what would you put the odds at of the LDs having no members of the London Assembly after next year's election? I am not asking you to stand behind the odds. I would put it at a 25% chance.
It's conceivable and I won't insult your or anyone else's intelligence by saying it couldn't happen. Put bluntly, I don't know. The losses in London were severe of course with only Tom Brake surviving as an MP but the post-GE by-election result in Kingston suggested a comeback of sorts.
We're seven months from polling and that's an eternity - I'd like to think Caroline would get back but as to whether we can get a second AM I'm less confident.
stodge what would you put the odds at of the LDs having no members of the London Assembly after next year's election? I am not asking you to stand behind the odds. I would put it at a 25% chance.
It seems that they won 2 seats in 2012 as members of the coalition. Will they be less popular next year having been out of power for a year? Aren't they picking up council seats at the moment?
Compared to 2012 they have far fewer paid activists having lost several hundred people off the tax payer's largesse as SPADs and MP support.
Next year's election is going to be over housing. Any Tory, even one of charismatic as Goldsmith, is going to have a tough time convincing voters that they won't be favoring the big developers.
As opposed to what? Not developing? If London's housing problem is in large part a shortage then surely the candidates should be backing as much as is sustainably possible - and who can deliver on that except the big developers?
If that's the level of Labour thinking, they might as well go in on a slogan of "No to business, no to profit, no to success". Because obviously that's what people come to London for.
Developers per se are not the problem. It's what they develop. The lack of affordable housing in London is scandalous. London does not need any more luxury housing projects designed for non-residents looking to get money out of their own countries.
Its not the lack of housing that's the problem its the number of people.
Sure you mean, "it's the nationality of the people"?
What a puerile remark.
The number of houses in the capital hasn't dropped, the population has risen, demand has exceeded supply hence high rents and prices. Its called the market.
There's no such thing as demand exceeding supply. Demand always equals supply. Price is the balancing mechanism.
So a person applying for tickets that was unsuccessful, was not an example of more demand than supply just some non-demand that never existed.....
He'll be able to buy from a tout at an inflated price, its called the market, everything finds its price. Its why a flat in Mayfair costs more than one Hull.
An exciting thought that if Charles slipped under the proverbial bus we could have our PM our Monarch and our Mayor of London all Old Etonians. What a beacon of meritocracy this country has become
Does that extend to public school people such as yourself Roger setting an example by giving up lucrative tv and film work and to give away all assets and become a monk administering to the poor?
The sound of silence.
The sound of a hypocrite do as i say not as i do... i wonder if Roger was posting from his second home in France and how he would feel if evicted to allow muslim refugess to live in it.l
In contrast to most of my fellow PB Tories (and, interestingly, Southam), I think Sadiq Khan is a strong candidate for Labour. The ethnic quotas line is being over-stated IMO, and on lots of other issues Khan is saying some pretty sensible things. He's doing a savvy job getting the right sort of coverage in the key media such as the Evening Standard, and I don't think he'll scare the horses. He's probably a less divisive figure than Ken Livingstone.
Having said that, Zac is also a strong candidate and a canny campaigner, and he will be able to reach voters outside the core Conservative vote. With Labour nationally in disarray, this is going to be a fascinating and close contest.
Rare I agree with you, Richard, but you've called this pretty well. Khan did a very good interview in the ES which got him some (admittedly) grudging praise and in the same way as you could argue both Boris and Ken deviated from the Party line somewhat in their periods as Mayor it's probably no bad thing to have in Khan and Goldsmith two potential slight mavericks.
What was interesting was that George Osborne topped the "most influential person in London" poll in front of Boris and I just wonder how Goldsmith as Mayor would work with Osborne in No.10.
"Am I biased? Just a bit. I was the chair of governors at Ernest Bevin school Tooting in the 80s when we appointed the first Muslim head of a London school. That head, Naz Bokhari, became a role model and mentor for the young Sadiq, the son of a bus driver who had migrated from Pakistan. Goldsmith, of course, is an old Etonian, who inherited millions from his financial wheeler-dealing father."
Simply amazing that someone can write that line, with all the problems over muslim governered schools in Birmingham and the capital, and think it was a positive.
As someone else said, most people aren't bothered by class war, the electoral successes of Cameron and Boris Johnson are testament to that. I wonder how many muslims will vote for Zac? I bet they will be the shyest of shy tories when asked down the the local mosque
I think Sam you overlook the fact that for some lefties they have an in built assumption that all muslims are wonderful. After all Jesus was from the middle east and he could walk on water.
And you overlook that Sadiq Khan has criticised militant Islamism and Corbyn's links to such organisations.
An exciting thought that if Charles slipped under the proverbial bus we could have our PM our Monarch and our Mayor of London all Old Etonians. What a beacon of meritocracy this country has become
Does that extend to public school people such as yourself Roger setting an example by giving up lucrative tv and film work and to give away all assets and become a monk administering to the poor?
This proposal isn't likely to be popular in the other towns included in the region - Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rotherham, etc.
The mayor will almost certainly be Labour. It's not like being mayor of London, of course, but it could still be a springboard for an ambitious politician.
"Am I biased? Just a bit. I was the chair of governors at Ernest Bevin school Tooting in the 80s when we appointed the first Muslim head of a London school. That head, Naz Bokhari, became a role model and mentor for the young Sadiq, the son of a bus driver who had migrated from Pakistan. Goldsmith, of course, is an old Etonian, who inherited millions from his financial wheeler-dealing father."
Simply amazing that someone can write that line, with all the problems over muslim governered schools in Birmingham and the capital, and think it was a positive.
As someone else said, most people aren't bothered by class war, the electoral successes of Cameron and Boris Johnson are testament to that. I wonder how many muslims will vote for Zac? I bet they will be the shyest of shy tories when asked down the the local mosque
I think Sam you overlook the fact that for some lefties they have an in built assumption that all muslims are wonderful. After all Jesus was from the middle east and he could walk on water.
And you overlook that Sadiq Khan has criticised militant Islamism and Corbyn's links to such organisations.
This proposal isn't likely to be popular in the other towns included in the region - Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rotherham, etc.
The mayor will almost certainly be Labour. It's not like being mayor of London, of course, but it could still be a springboard for an ambitious politician.
Ooh I'll get a vote in that one.
Hopefully an interesting independent will show up.
"Am I biased? Just a bit. I was the chair of governors at Ernest Bevin school Tooting in the 80s when we appointed the first Muslim head of a London school. That head, Naz Bokhari, became a role model and mentor for the young Sadiq, the son of a bus driver who had migrated from Pakistan. Goldsmith, of course, is an old Etonian, who inherited millions from his financial wheeler-dealing father."
Simply amazing that someone can write that line, with all the problems over muslim governered schools in Birmingham and the capital, and think it was a positive.
As someone else said, most people aren't bothered by class war, the electoral successes of Cameron and Boris Johnson are testament to that. I wonder how many muslims will vote for Zac? I bet they will be the shyest of shy tories when asked down the the local mosque
I think Sam you overlook the fact that for some lefties they have an in built assumption that all muslims are wonderful. After all Jesus was from the middle east and he could walk on water.
And you overlook that Sadiq Khan has criticised militant Islamism and Corbyn's links to such organisations.
As an antidote to the majority sentiment on here, I don't think Labour have done too badly this week in Brighton. McDonnell's speech was interesting and at least you could argue we are beginning to see the shape of the alternative economic programme that Labour so badly lacked in the Ed M period.
Corbyn's speech was a shade underwhelming to this observer. He didn't look that comfortable with the autocue but he's probably not had much exposure to it. Rather like Farron's the week before, it was an introduction rather than a policy-heavy speech. Indeed, as with Farron's, long on generalities and emotions and short on specifics but it's the first in a series of five leadership speeches between now and the next GE so there's plenty of time to put meat on those bones.
On Trident, I've swung between multilateralism and unilateralism over the decades - for me, if we get to the point where we have to ask a Prime Minister to "press the button", we've failed anyway. I never drew much comfort from knowing my certain incineration (as a Londoner) would be followed by the incineration of the people of Kharkov or Omsk or wherever.
As for Syria, I suspect it's all been said on here over the past few days - the preservation of a Russian presence and influence in the country (and that doesn't necessarily mean Assad in the long run) is paramount to Putin and so Latakia and Tartus are effectively Russian outposts in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Government in charge of those areas will be one amenable to Moscow - that's the Putin Doctrine in effect. I suspect Putin is ambivalent to IS controlling the east of Syria and the deserts but the cities like Damascus and Aleppo will be secured for the pro-Moscow Government.
I thought McConnell's speech was shockingly poor. I didn't expect much but the economic incoherence of it was incredible to see. There is no way that Balls would have produced anything similar, no matter how tied his hands were. Anyone who missed the link to the really excellent New Statesman article linked near the start of this thread should read it. It sums up the problem better than anything else I have read.
I never saw Corbyn's speech so I can't really comment on that.
Trident is looking like the weapon of mass destruction chosen by moderate Labour to take out Corbyn. When you heard the likes of Charlie Faulkner (a man on a different intellectual level than anyone else on the Labour front bench) basically refusing to answer the question of whether Corbyn could remain as leader if Labour decides to keep the deterrent it is obvious that a trap has been set. Corbyn might win the argument (or at least the vote) of course but that is the weapon of choice.
If Trident helps Labour get rid of Corbyn it will have been public money well spent.
"Am I biased? Just a bit. I was the chair of governors at Ernest Bevin school Tooting in the 80s when we appointed the first Muslim head of a London school. That head, Naz Bokhari, became a role model and mentor for the young Sadiq, the son of a bus driver who had migrated from Pakistan. Goldsmith, of course, is an old Etonian, who inherited millions from his financial wheeler-dealing father."
Simply amazing that someone can write that line, with all the problems over muslim governered schools in Birmingham and the capital, and think it was a positive.
As someone else said, most people aren't bothered by class war, the electoral successes of Cameron and Boris Johnson are testament to that. I wonder how many muslims will vote for Zac? I bet they will be the shyest of shy tories when asked down the the local mosque
I think Sam you overlook the fact that for some lefties they have an in built assumption that all muslims are wonderful. After all Jesus was from the middle east and he could walk on water.
And you overlook that Sadiq Khan has criticised militant Islamism and Corbyn's links to such organisations.
Mr Khan has been a vocal supporter of Babar Ahmad and his right to stay and be tried in this country. A slightly different observation.
Ahmad pleaded guilty to terrorism related offences. Does Sadiq still support him?
Fuck knows. I'd guess he'd still support the uncontroversial principle of UK citizens being tried in the UK for crimes alleged to have taken place in the UK though.
Should Sadiq win,it could just be the spur to UK Labour to accept as a 21st century party of the progressive left, the daughters and the sons of immigrants need to be in prominent positions.Labour's failure to ever elect a woman leader may even be overcome.
Charlotte Church is superb value. Rail must be nationalised because the nationalised systems in France and Japan were the best in the world.
Errr. In Japan it was privatised in 1987 and is good. In France it is a textbook example of the need to keep Trades Unions on a short leash.
She doesn't appear to be very bright does she? It's puzzling as to why the BBC wheel her out for these things. But for the gift of nature, and a unique singing voice as a child, it's hard to see what qualifies her as a serious commentator on anything.
Still available at up to 80/1. Eventually the market will wake up.
80/1 w skybet. Great
Though hills are 66/1... Could go down to the shop I guess
Limiting punters online really is such an effective sanction. I just can't be bothered to travel to then hang about in a betting shop while they faff around trying to find the bet, phone up trading etc etc
This proposal isn't likely to be popular in the other towns included in the region - Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rotherham, etc.
The mayor will almost certainly be Labour. It's not like being mayor of London, of course, but it could still be a springboard for an ambitious politician.
Ooh I'll get a vote in that one.
Hopefully an interesting independent will show up.
I can't believe they are letting people from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire be a part of the Sheffield city region
That said I am considering running to be the Directly Elected Dictator Mayor of Greater Sheffield.
Charlotte Church is superb value. Rail must be nationalised because the nationalised systems in France and Japan were the best in the world.
Errr. In Japan it was privatised in 1987 and is good. In France it is a textbook example of the need to keep Trades Unions on a short leash.
She doesn't appear to be very bright does she? It's puzzling as to why the BBC wheel her out for these things. But for the gift of nature, and a unique singing voice as a child, it's hard to see what qualifies her as a serious commentator on anything.
"Am I biased? Just a bit. I was the chair of governors at Ernest Bevin school Tooting in the 80s when we appointed the first Muslim head of a London school. That head, Naz Bokhari, became a role model and mentor for the young Sadiq, the son of a bus driver who had migrated from Pakistan. Goldsmith, of course, is an old Etonian, who inherited millions from his financial wheeler-dealing father."
Simply amazing that someone can write that line, with all the problems over muslim governered schools in Birmingham and the capital, and think it was a positive.
As someone else said, most people aren't bothered by class war, the electoral successes of Cameron and Boris Johnson are testament to that. I wonder how many muslims will vote for Zac? I bet they will be the shyest of shy tories when asked down the the local mosque
I think Sam you overlook the fact that for some lefties they have an in built assumption that all muslims are wonderful. After all Jesus was from the middle east and he could walk on water.
And you overlook that Sadiq Khan has criticised militant Islamism and Corbyn's links to such organisations.
Mr Khan has been a vocal supporter of Babar Ahmad and his right to stay and be tried in this country. A slightly different observation.
Ahmad pleaded guilty to terrorism related offences. Does Sadiq still support him?
Fuck knows. I'd guess he'd still support the uncontroversial principle of UK citizens being tried in the UK for crimes alleged to have taken place in the UK though.
If only our own politicians would put them on trial rather than kiss their arses like Khan and Corbyn do!
She doesn't appear to be very bright does she? It's puzzling as to why the BBC wheel her out for these things. But for the gift of nature, and a unique singing voice as a child, it's hard to see what qualifies her as a serious commentator on anything.
She doesn't appear to be very bright does she? It's puzzling as to why the BBC wheel her out for these things. But for the gift of nature, and a unique singing voice as a child, it's hard to see what qualifies her as a serious commentator on anything.
In contrast to most of my fellow PB Tories (and, interestingly, Southam), I think Sadiq Khan is a strong candidate for Labour. The ethnic quotas line is being over-stated IMO, and on lots of other issues Khan is saying some pretty sensible things. He's doing a savvy job getting the right sort of coverage in the key media such as the Evening Standard, and I don't think he'll scare the horses. He's probably a less divisive figure than Ken Livingstone.
Having said that, Zac is also a strong candidate and a canny campaigner, and he will be able to reach voters outside the core Conservative vote. With Labour nationally in disarray, this is going to be a fascinating and close contest.
Rare I agree with you, Richard, but you've called this pretty well. Khan did a very good interview in the ES which got him some (admittedly) grudging praise and in the same way as you could argue both Boris and Ken deviated from the Party line somewhat in their periods as Mayor it's probably no bad thing to have in Khan and Goldsmith two potential slight mavericks.
What was interesting was that George Osborne topped the "most influential person in London" poll in front of Boris and I just wonder how Goldsmith as Mayor would work with Osborne in No.10.
Both comments look fair to me. It's interesting to see how the Standard is oscillating - they are clearly basically Tory and without serious competition they could be UKIP or Socialist Worker and get away with it, but they give space to Labour as well to avoid annoying half the readership. They were utterly allergic to Livingstone but I think their line will be "two good candidates though we prefer Goldsmith".
Potentially Goldsmith will resign over Heathrow before the election and run as an independent, which would tactically be sensible for him, since Tories will rally round him (at least on 2nd preference) anyway and it'd shake off the Tory brand, which is not an asset in London. Strategically it would isolate him, but I'm not sure he cares.
An obvious gap in the market is a pro-Heathrow cadndiate - I'd think there are quite a few voters who feel we should stop faffing about and build the bloody thing (my view FWIW). So far as I know, every single declared candidate is opposed.
"Am I biased? Just a bit. I was the chair of governors at Ernest Bevin school Tooting in the 80s when we appointed the first Muslim head of a London school. That head, Naz Bokhari, became a role model and mentor for the young Sadiq, the son of a bus driver who had migrated from Pakistan. Goldsmith, of course, is an old Etonian, who inherited millions from his financial wheeler-dealing father."
Simply amazing that someone can write that line, with all the problems over muslim governered schools in Birmingham and the capital, and think it was a positive.
As someone else said, most people aren't bothered by class war, the electoral successes of Cameron and Boris Johnson are testament to that.
I wonder how many muslims will vote for Zac? I bet they will be the shyest of shy tories when asked down the the local mosque
Personally, if I think of all the Muslims I know well, the proportion of those people I would be happy to see in a senior position of responsibility over my child, were they so qualified, is very similar to the proportion of white British people I would be happy to see there. And that includes some good people who are quite devout in their own practice. I obviously cannot comment on the individual Don Brind appointed, and I admit that most of the Muslims I know are towards the middle-class end (though, as news reports tell us, that does not discount the possibility of radicalisation).
The Birmingham issues speak to something quite different, the concentration and (self-)ghettoization of working-class Muslims in particular schools and majority governance from the local community which opens things up to factional takeovers. That is worrying wherever it happens.
The difference between being against that situation and being against appointing any Muslim as a headmaster regardless of the circumstances (unless the specific instance of Tooting gives you concern) is the difference between legitimate concern and phobia (and I use the word phobia in its purest irrational fear definition).
This proposal isn't likely to be popular in the other towns included in the region - Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rotherham, etc.
The mayor will almost certainly be Labour. It's not like being mayor of London, of course, but it could still be a springboard for an ambitious politician.
Ooh I'll get a vote in that one.
Hopefully an interesting independent will show up.
I can't believe they are letting people from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire be a part of the Sheffield city region
That said I am considering running to be the Directly Elected Dictator Mayor of Greater Sheffield.
Is there any detail on how Greater Sheffield will work? Is it like Greater Manchester where the mayor needs to get two thirds of the sub-units on board to pass anything?
I thought Miss Plaid was almost worse - she's terrible. Inarticulate, can't make her own Party cases why they should get Labour's votes, moans about Labour but won't work with Evil Tories.
The dearth of talent must be epic to have her as their leader. During the Leaders' Debate all she seemed to say was that she was Welsh, from Wales...
She doesn't appear to be very bright does she? It's puzzling as to why the BBC wheel her out for these things. But for the gift of nature, and a unique singing voice as a child, it's hard to see what qualifies her as a serious commentator on anything.
Roger again parading his guilt that his start in life was more akin to those on the left of that picture than those (like me!) on the right.....
I think I know one person who would give a flying in a derogatory sense whether the leader of a party or mayoral candidate wenr to a posh school
Everyone I know is working class and they are generally impressed by good schooling. Certainly not bitter and resentful of anyone for being born into what they were born into
Charlotte Church is superb value. Rail must be nationalised because the nationalised systems in France and Japan were the best in the world.
Errr. In Japan it was privatised in 1987 and is good. In France it is a textbook example of the need to keep Trades Unions on a short leash.
She doesn't appear to be very bright does she? It's puzzling as to why the BBC wheel her out for these things. But for the gift of nature, and a unique singing voice as a child, it's hard to see what qualifies her as a serious commentator on anything.
This proposal isn't likely to be popular in the other towns included in the region - Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rotherham, etc.
The mayor will almost certainly be Labour. It's not like being mayor of London, of course, but it could still be a springboard for an ambitious politician.
Ooh I'll get a vote in that one.
Hopefully an interesting independent will show up.
I can't believe they are letting people from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire be a part of the Sheffield city region
That said I am considering running to be the Directly Elected Dictator Mayor of Greater Sheffield.
Is there any detail on how Greater Sheffield will work? Is it like Greater Manchester where the mayor needs to get two thirds of the sub-units on board to pass anything?
I heard it will be following the Mancunian model but haven't read anything to confirm that.
The Mayoral election is Labour's to lose. But they are capable of losing it.
Neither Sadiq Khan nor Zac Goldsmith looks like an amazing candidate to me, though both are capable enough. Sadiq Khan is likely to have both a stronger attraction factor than Zac Goldsmith and a stronger repulsion factor than the Conservative. My expectation is that he will also have the better electoral machine, especially if he can get those Corbynistas doing more than just tweeting. How vigorously will Boris Johnson help his old school chum?
Will Jeremy Corbyn himself affect the race (positively or negatively)? Maybe. The unpopularity of government didn't stop Boris Johnson being re-elected in 2012 and the popularity of Tony Blair didn't stop Ken Livingstone getting elected in 2000 ahead of the official Labour candidate, but both had far bigger profiles at those dates than either of those two do now. Politics has been mildly hysterical for the last month or so. Surely it will calm down a bit in the coming months. Ultimately I expect the London public to elect their preferred mayor rather than pass judgement on the Labour leader in this election.
Taken as a whole (ignoring other candidates), I would currently price it at 4/7 Khan, 7/4 Goldsmith.
Khan will be a divisive figure, and a lot depends on turnout across different demographics. Zac is a Trustifarian on an extended gap year. I hope they both lose.
Hence the chance for Sugar
Sugar would not stand and would have absolutely no chance whatsoever of winning if he did.
Should Sadiq win,it could just be the spur to UK Labour to accept as a 21st century party of the progressive left, the daughters and the sons of immigrants need to be in prominent positions.Labour's failure to ever elect a woman leader may even be overcome.
I would just rather they got there on merit, rather than by racial quotas.
Next year's election is going to be over housing. Any Tory, even one of charismatic as Goldsmith, is going to have a tough time convincing voters that they won't be favoring the big developers.
As opposed to what? Not developing? If London's housing problem is in large part a shortage then surely the candidates should be backing as much as is sustainably possible - and who can deliver on that except the big developers?
If that's the level of Labour thinking, they might as well go in on a slogan of "No to business, no to profit, no to success". Because obviously that's what people come to London for.
Developers per se are not the problem. It's what they develop. The lack of affordable housing in London is scandalous. London does not need any more luxury housing projects designed for non-residents looking to get money out of their own countries.
Its not the lack of housing that's the problem its the number of people.
Sure you mean, "it's the nationality of the people"?
What a puerile remark.
The number of houses in the capital hasn't dropped, the population has risen, demand has exceeded supply hence high rents and prices. Its called the market.
There's no such thing as demand exceeding supply. Demand always equals supply. Price is the balancing mechanism.
There is unsatisfied demand from those who want/need a house but can't afford the price.
Can Khan have a go at reducing the price of Maseratis please. I'm happy to lie about Middle Eastern ancestry and be flexible about religion if it helps.
I think most people (except academic economists) would agree that there is a demand for affordable houses in London that is not being met by supply. The economic models aren't working They rarely do.
This proposal isn't likely to be popular in the other towns included in the region - Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rotherham, etc.
The mayor will almost certainly be Labour. It's not like being mayor of London, of course, but it could still be a springboard for an ambitious politician.
Ooh I'll get a vote in that one.
Hopefully an interesting independent will show up.
I can't believe they are letting people from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire be a part of the Sheffield city region
That said I am considering running to be the Directly Elected Dictator Mayor of Greater Sheffield.
Zac Goldsmith, the new Tory candidate for London Mayor, has called himself a Eurosceptic in one of his first interviews since winning the nomination and not ruled out voting to leave the EU, reports Ben Riley-Smith.
This proposal isn't likely to be popular in the other towns included in the region - Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rotherham, etc.
The mayor will almost certainly be Labour. It's not like being mayor of London, of course, but it could still be a springboard for an ambitious politician.
Ooh I'll get a vote in that one.
Hopefully an interesting independent will show up.
I can't believe they are letting people from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire be a part of the Sheffield city region
That said I am considering running to be the Directly Elected Dictator Mayor of Greater Sheffield.
In contrast to most of my fellow PB Tories (and, interestingly, Southam), I think Sadiq Khan is a strong candidate for Labour. The ethnic quotas line is being over-stated IMO, and on lots of other issues Khan is saying some pretty sensible things. He's doing a savvy job getting the right sort of coverage in the key media such as the Evening Standard, and I don't think he'll scare the horses. He's probably a less divisive figure than Ken Livingstone.
Having said that, Zac is also a strong candidate and a canny campaigner, and he will be able to reach voters outside the core Conservative vote. With Labour nationally in disarray, this is going to be a fascinating and close contest.
Why do you feel the racial quotas is being over-stated? It seems to be crossing a Rubicon to me. People will be legally discriminated against on the basis of race for the first time in this country. What a nasty party Labour has become.
Next year's election is going to be over housing. Any Tory, even one of charismatic as Goldsmith, is going to have a tough time convincing voters that they won't be favoring the big developers.
As opposed to what? Not developing? If London's housing problem is in large part a shortage then surely the candidates should be backing as much as is sustainably possible - and who can deliver on that except the big developers?
If that's the level of Labour thinking, they might as well go in on a slogan of "No to business, no to profit, no to success". Because obviously that's what people come to London for.
Developers per se are not the problem. It's what they develop. The lack of affordable housing in London is scandalous. London does not need any more luxury housing projects designed for non-residents looking to get money out of their own countries.
Its not the lack of housing that's the problem its the number of people.
Sure you mean, "it's the nationality of the people"?
What a puerile remark.
The number of houses in the capital hasn't dropped, the population has risen, demand has exceeded supply hence high rents and prices. Its called the market.
Ah, someone who knows there's a difference between a rent and a price. That's a start - the next lesson is to find out what the difference is.
A price is the price that you pay to acquire an asset.
A rent is the fee that you pay for the right to use someone else's asset without acquiring ownership.
This proposal isn't likely to be popular in the other towns included in the region - Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rotherham, etc.
The mayor will almost certainly be Labour. It's not like being mayor of London, of course, but it could still be a springboard for an ambitious politician.
Ooh I'll get a vote in that one.
Hopefully an interesting independent will show up.
I can't believe they are letting people from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire be a part of the Sheffield city region
That said I am considering running to be the Directly Elected Dictator Mayor of Greater Sheffield.
This proposal isn't likely to be popular in the other towns included in the region - Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rotherham, etc.
The mayor will almost certainly be Labour. It's not like being mayor of London, of course, but it could still be a springboard for an ambitious politician.
Ooh I'll get a vote in that one.
Hopefully an interesting independent will show up.
I can't believe they are letting people from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire be a part of the Sheffield city region
That said I am considering running to be the Directly Elected Dictator Mayor of Greater Sheffield.
I'm from Coventry
Even worse.
Immigrant voting rights.
That said I'd fail on my own blood and soil Yorkshire nationalism test.
Zac Goldsmith, the new Tory candidate for London Mayor, has called himself a Eurosceptic in one of his first interviews since winning the nomination and not ruled out voting to leave the EU, reports Ben Riley-Smith.
Is that news? Virtually everyone in the Conservative party is a eurosceptic of one sort or another. The question is whether he supports Leave, Remain or is still undecided.
I thought Miss Plaid was almost worse - she's terrible. Inarticulate, can't make her own Party cases why they should get Labour's votes, moans about Labour but won't work with Evil Tories.
The dearth of talent must be epic to have her as their leader. During the Leaders' Debate all she seemed to say was that she was Welsh, from Wales...
She doesn't appear to be very bright does she? It's puzzling as to why the BBC wheel her out for these things. But for the gift of nature, and a unique singing voice as a child, it's hard to see what qualifies her as a serious commentator on anything.
Zoomers on my timeline LURVED her
But in a truly lovely accent. Like listening to music. Sod the lyrics and concentrate on the tune.
This proposal isn't likely to be popular in the other towns included in the region - Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rotherham, etc.
The mayor will almost certainly be Labour. It's not like being mayor of London, of course, but it could still be a springboard for an ambitious politician.
Ooh I'll get a vote in that one.
Hopefully an interesting independent will show up.
I can't believe they are letting people from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire be a part of the Sheffield city region
That said I am considering running to be the Directly Elected Dictator Mayor of Greater Sheffield.
I'm from Coventry
Even worse.
Immigrant voting rights.
That said I'd fail on my own blood and soil Yorkshire nationalism test.
Daniel Hannan @DanHannanMEP 6m6 minutes ago I hope Londoners will vote for a local champion with a matchless record of independence and integrity. #BackZac2016
Why do you feel the racial quotas is being over-stated? It seems to be crossing a Rubicon to me. People will be legally discriminated against on the basis of race for the first time in this country. What a nasty party Labour has become.
This is what he actually said:
“It is time to make a difference to our police service that needs to serve and reflect Londoners much better. If we carry on as we are it will take decades for our police service to reflect the Londoners it serves.
“So I will be clear: as London Mayor I will introduce affirmative action and get the Met looking more like the London we live in.
“If we do, then I believe the rewards for London will be increased trust between the police and all Londoners, delivering better and more effective policing.”
Mr Khan will tell the meeting, organised by Operation Black Vote and the charity Patchwork: “Without significant improvement in recruiting more officers from the communities it serves, the Metropolitan Police cannot and will not do its job properly.
“I strongly believe that the course of action I propose will work. However, if it fails and we don’t see the meaningful change in the complexion of the Met that Londoners expect, then I will support a change in the law to allow statutory positive action.”
I don't think that is going to scare off voters who might otherwise have voted for a Labour candidate. It might scare off some voters who wouldn't in any case have voted for a Labour candidate, but so what?
For the avoidance of doubt, I'm not talking about the merits or otherwise of what he proposes, but its electoral effect.
I thought McConnell's speech was shockingly poor. I didn't expect much but the economic incoherence of it was incredible to see. There is no way that Balls would have produced anything similar, no matter how tied his hands were. Anyone who missed the link to the really excellent New Statesman article linked near the start of this thread should read it. It sums up the problem better than anything else I have read.
I never saw Corbyn's speech so I can't really comment on that.
Trident is looking like the weapon of mass destruction chosen by moderate Labour to take out Corbyn. When you heard the likes of Charlie Faulkner (a man on a different intellectual level than anyone else on the Labour front bench) basically refusing to answer the question of whether Corbyn could remain as leader if Labour decides to keep the deterrent it is obvious that a trap has been set. Corbyn might win the argument (or at least the vote) of course but that is the weapon of choice.
If Trident helps Labour get rid of Corbyn it will have been public money well spent.
The times they are a changin' as someone once opined.
I used to disagree with Richard and agree with David L but this morning it's the other way round.
I agree Labour have huge credibility and competency questions to answer on the economy and economic management and to imagine all the answers would have been provided in one speech is clearly naïve. McDonnell was never going to provide the answers on day one and he has four years to build up an alternative economic narrative which to be fair Ed Balls never did. In addition, Osborne (or whoever will be CoE in 2020) will have some searching questions to answer on the country's economic performance during the Conservative administration so for me the jury's very much out on this. There are plenty of warning signs over growth and I've never convinced the QE-based stimulus was the answer.
As for Trident, I didn't discuss the politics though coming from a Party which has had its own issues over defence in the past (I was in the hall at Eastbourne in 1986 for those with long enough memories), the question becomes whether a committed unilateralist can lead a Party which supports continuing multilateralism ? If Corbyn believes (as he seems to) in the primacy of Party democracy, he should be fine.
If we're going to play these games, perhaps I should ask the Conservatives whether they think a leader committed to staying in the EU should remain leader if the Party voted overwhelmingly to leave ? Should a Cabinet Minister committed to leaving the EU remain in a Government whose leader has publicly committed to remaining ?
In contrast to most of my fellow PB Tories (and, interestingly, Southam), I think Sadiq Khan is a strong candidate for Labour. The ethnic quotas line is being over-stated IMO, and on lots of other issues Khan is saying some pretty sensible things. He's doing a savvy job getting the right sort of coverage in the key media such as the Evening Standard, and I don't think he'll scare the horses. He's probably a less divisive figure than Ken Livingstone.
Having said that, Zac is also a strong candidate and a canny campaigner, and he will be able to reach voters outside the core Conservative vote. With Labour nationally in disarray, this is going to be a fascinating and close contest.
Why do you feel the racial quotas is being over-stated? It seems to be crossing a Rubicon to me. People will be legally discriminated against on the basis of race for the first time in this country. What a nasty party Labour has become.
This proposal isn't likely to be popular in the other towns included in the region - Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rotherham, etc.
The mayor will almost certainly be Labour. It's not like being mayor of London, of course, but it could still be a springboard for an ambitious politician.
Ooh I'll get a vote in that one.
Hopefully an interesting independent will show up.
I can't believe they are letting people from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire be a part of the Sheffield city region
That said I am considering running to be the Directly Elected Dictator Mayor of Greater Sheffield.
Is there any detail on how Greater Sheffield will work? Is it like Greater Manchester where the mayor needs to get two thirds of the sub-units on board to pass anything?
I heard it will be following the Mancunian model but haven't read anything to confirm that.
Doesn't sound much like a dictatorship to me. You sure you want this?
In contrast to most of my fellow PB Tories (and, interestingly, Southam), I think Sadiq Khan is a strong candidate for Labour. The ethnic quotas line is being over-stated IMO, and on lots of other issues Khan is saying some pretty sensible things. He's doing a savvy job getting the right sort of coverage in the key media such as the Evening Standard, and I don't think he'll scare the horses. He's probably a less divisive figure than Ken Livingstone.
Having said that, Zac is also a strong candidate and a canny campaigner, and he will be able to reach voters outside the core Conservative vote. With Labour nationally in disarray, this is going to be a fascinating and close contest.
Since being chosen as the mayoral candidate Khan has done a very good job and is clearly seeking to distance himself from Corbyn. But he has baggage. And in London identity politics are probably more entrenched than anywhere else in England. Contrary to statements on here, the most likely people to vote will be white, of advancing years and living in the outer boroughs. Lynton Crosby is a master at ringing their bells and Khan has given him plenty of ammunition. That, plus semi-detachment from the Tories, should see Goldsmith home comfortably.
The fact that Livingstone is seen as an "elder statesman to the Corbynistas" and has given his blessing to Khan is a minus not a positive.
Livingstone's brand of divisive identity politics, copied by Khan's ethnic quotas nonsense is the last thing London needs.
Additionally, Khan too has dubious "friends" (Babar Ahmed, a convicted terrorist), speaks on the same platform as CAGE, was reluctant to support the Government's attempts to stop Islamist infiltration into schools and said that Government foreign policy should take account of the need not to inflame Pakistani youths.
He certainly has some positives but not perhaps as many as Mr Brind is making out.
She doesn't appear to be very bright does she? It's puzzling as to why the BBC wheel her out for these things. But for the gift of nature, and a unique singing voice as a child, it's hard to see what qualifies her as a serious commentator on anything.
Zoomers on my timeline LURVED her
Why are Scottish nationalists called "Zoomers"?
LOL, you are asking the thickest turnip in the patch
Comments
"Max Mosley was one of the biggest donors to Tom Watson's Deputy Leadership campaign according to the Times"
Everything is "Less than Zero"
E. Costello.
http://order-order.com/2015/02/26/sadiq-khan-spoke-at-event-hosted-by-jihadi-john-group/
If you vote for candidates that are eliminated, you never voted...
Having said that, Zac is also a strong candidate and a canny campaigner, and he will be able to reach voters outside the core Conservative vote. With Labour nationally in disarray, this is going to be a fascinating and close contest.
A pro business, pro success, get things done even if the odd newt gets it candidate would seriously tempt me, even one as up himself as Sugar.
But I don't have a vote so it really doesn't matter.
I do think, however, that there is little chance of Zac doing a Boris. I think Kahn will be the next Mayor, especially if he continues to distance himself from that fool who has been MP for Islington for about 30 years.
So you met Khan once and hes a nice guy? Most politicians will appear nice if you meet them but in person ...you.need their back story.. from what i have seen on the www. of his speeches .. he is poisonous..
8/11 Sadiq Khan
11/10 Zac Goldsmith
http://t.co/6bbDYrTkvJ http://t.co/b0vwU8h2bx
"Mr Khan has been a vocal supporter of Babar Ahmad and his right to stay in this country, throughout the past decade. "
Corbyn's speech was a shade underwhelming to this observer. He didn't look that comfortable with the autocue but he's probably not had much exposure to it. Rather like Farron's the week before, it was an introduction rather than a policy-heavy speech. Indeed, as with Farron's, long on generalities and emotions and short on specifics but it's the first in a series of five leadership speeches between now and the next GE so there's plenty of time to put meat on those bones.
On Trident, I've swung between multilateralism and unilateralism over the decades - for me, if we get to the point where we have to ask a Prime Minister to "press the button", we've failed anyway. I never drew much comfort from knowing my certain incineration (as a Londoner) would be followed by the incineration of the people of Kharkov or Omsk or wherever.
As for Syria, I suspect it's all been said on here over the past few days - the preservation of a Russian presence and influence in the country (and that doesn't necessarily mean Assad in the long run) is paramount to Putin and so Latakia and Tartus are effectively Russian outposts in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Government in charge of those areas will be one amenable to Moscow - that's the Putin Doctrine in effect. I suspect Putin is ambivalent to IS controlling the east of Syria and the deserts but the cities like Damascus and Aleppo will be secured for the pro-Moscow Government.
In other markets, we (i.e. the state) don't really care about price, e.g. for the next iPhone.
The sound of silence.
Supply and demand !
We're seven months from polling and that's an eternity - I'd like to think Caroline would get back but as to whether we can get a second AM I'm less confident.
— Patrick Wintour (@patrickwintour) October 2, 2015
What was interesting was that George Osborne topped the "most influential person in London" poll in front of Boris and I just wonder how Goldsmith as Mayor would work with Osborne in No.10.
A slightly different observation.
I mean the Tory turnout was poor, but comparing apples and oranges should still be avoided.
Zak and Will.......As their subjects look on admiringly.
http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/files/2014/03/Toby-Young_2641700-2.jpg
This proposal isn't likely to be popular in the other towns included in the region - Barnsley, Chesterfield, Rotherham, etc.
The mayor will almost certainly be Labour. It's not like being mayor of London, of course, but it could still be a springboard for an ambitious politician.
Apart from Dave and Boris and Tony .....
Charlotte Church is superb value. Rail must be nationalised because the nationalised systems in France and Japan were the best in the world.
Errr. In Japan it was privatised in 1987 and is good. In France it is a textbook example of the need to keep Trades Unions on a short leash.
Hopefully an interesting independent will show up.
I never saw Corbyn's speech so I can't really comment on that.
Trident is looking like the weapon of mass destruction chosen by moderate Labour to take out Corbyn. When you heard the likes of Charlie Faulkner (a man on a different intellectual level than anyone else on the Labour front bench) basically refusing to answer the question of whether Corbyn could remain as leader if Labour decides to keep the deterrent it is obvious that a trap has been set. Corbyn might win the argument (or at least the vote) of course but that is the weapon of choice.
If Trident helps Labour get rid of Corbyn it will have been public money well spent.
http://blogs.new.spectator.co.uk/2015/10/owen-paterson-interview-my-policy-plan-for-the-next-tory-leader/
Still available at up to 80/1. Eventually the market will wake up.
I'd guess he'd still support the uncontroversial principle of UK citizens being tried in the UK for crimes alleged to have taken place in the UK though.
"When you heard the likes of Charlie Faulkner (a man on a different intellectual level than anyone else on the Labour front bench)"
If that's true he's desperately inarticulate.
She doesn't appear to be very bright does she? It's puzzling as to why the BBC wheel her out for these things. But for the gift of nature, and a unique singing voice as a child, it's hard to see what qualifies her as a serious commentator on anything.
Though hills are 66/1... Could go down to the shop I guess
Limiting punters online really is such an effective sanction. I just can't be bothered to travel to then hang about in a betting shop while they faff around trying to find the bet, phone up trading etc etc
That said I am considering running to be the Directly Elected Dictator Mayor of Greater Sheffield.
She blames the voters - very Corbynite..
Charlotte Church @charlottechurch
Can't say I had a ball on question time, that's not a Cardiff/Welsh audience that I would recognise. However thanks for your support twitter
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/georgeosborne/11905578/All-of-a-sudden-George-Osbornes-great-EU-gamble-is-not-such-a-safe-bet.html
Potentially Goldsmith will resign over Heathrow before the election and run as an independent, which would tactically be sensible for him, since Tories will rally round him (at least on 2nd preference) anyway and it'd shake off the Tory brand, which is not an asset in London. Strategically it would isolate him, but I'm not sure he cares.
An obvious gap in the market is a pro-Heathrow cadndiate - I'd think there are quite a few voters who feel we should stop faffing about and build the bloody thing (my view FWIW). So far as I know, every single declared candidate is opposed.
The Birmingham issues speak to something quite different, the concentration and (self-)ghettoization of working-class Muslims in particular schools and majority governance from the local community which opens things up to factional takeovers. That is worrying wherever it happens.
The difference between being against that situation and being against appointing any Muslim as a headmaster regardless of the circumstances (unless the specific instance of Tooting gives you concern) is the difference between legitimate concern and phobia (and I use the word phobia in its purest irrational fear definition).
The dearth of talent must be epic to have her as their leader. During the Leaders' Debate all she seemed to say was that she was Welsh, from Wales...
Everyone I know is working class and they are generally impressed by good schooling. Certainly not bitter and resentful of anyone for being born into what they were born into
A rent is the fee that you pay for the right to use someone else's asset without acquiring ownership.
But I'm sure you had something else in mind
Formerly oppressed Soviet satellite states, who seem especially vociferous in their dislike of EU migrant quotas from muslim countries.
Weren't you born in Dore :P ?
Daniel Hannan @DanHannanMEP 6m6 minutes ago
I hope Londoners will vote for a local champion with a matchless record of independence and integrity.
#BackZac2016
“It is time to make a difference to our police service that needs to serve and reflect Londoners much better. If we carry on as we are it will take decades for our police service to reflect the Londoners it serves.
“So I will be clear: as London Mayor I will introduce affirmative action and get the Met looking more like the London we live in.
“If we do, then I believe the rewards for London will be increased trust between the police and all Londoners, delivering better and more effective policing.”
Mr Khan will tell the meeting, organised by Operation Black Vote and the charity Patchwork: “Without significant improvement in recruiting more officers from the communities it serves, the Metropolitan Police cannot and will not do its job properly.
“I strongly believe that the course of action I propose will work. However, if it fails and we don’t see the meaningful change in the complexion of the Met that Londoners expect, then I will support a change in the law to allow statutory positive action.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sadiq-khan-i-will-back-introduction-of-a-quota-system-for-black-officers-in-met-police-10414872.html
I don't think that is going to scare off voters who might otherwise have voted for a Labour candidate. It might scare off some voters who wouldn't in any case have voted for a Labour candidate, but so what?
For the avoidance of doubt, I'm not talking about the merits or otherwise of what he proposes, but its electoral effect.
I used to disagree with Richard and agree with David L but this morning it's the other way round.
I agree Labour have huge credibility and competency questions to answer on the economy and economic management and to imagine all the answers would have been provided in one speech is clearly naïve. McDonnell was never going to provide the answers on day one and he has four years to build up an alternative economic narrative which to be fair Ed Balls never did. In addition, Osborne (or whoever will be CoE in 2020) will have some searching questions to answer on the country's economic performance during the Conservative administration so for me the jury's very much out on this. There are plenty of warning signs over growth and I've never convinced the QE-based stimulus was the answer.
As for Trident, I didn't discuss the politics though coming from a Party which has had its own issues over defence in the past (I was in the hall at Eastbourne in 1986 for those with long enough memories), the question becomes whether a committed unilateralist can lead a Party which supports continuing multilateralism ? If Corbyn believes (as he seems to) in the primacy of Party democracy, he should be fine.
If we're going to play these games, perhaps I should ask the Conservatives whether they think a leader committed to staying in the EU should remain leader if the Party voted overwhelmingly to leave ? Should a Cabinet Minister committed to leaving the EU remain in a Government whose leader has publicly committed to remaining ?
Livingstone's brand of divisive identity politics, copied by Khan's ethnic quotas nonsense is the last thing London needs.
Additionally, Khan too has dubious "friends" (Babar Ahmed, a convicted terrorist), speaks on the same platform as CAGE, was reluctant to support the Government's attempts to stop Islamist infiltration into schools and said that Government foreign policy should take account of the need not to inflame Pakistani youths.
He certainly has some positives but not perhaps as many as Mr Brind is making out.