politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » In Oldham UKIP needs to be bettering or matching its Heywood and Middleton performance to show it still has momentum
Because it is the first by-election of the current parliament and because of its proximity to Heywood & Middleton where UKIP came very close just over a year ago expectations are running very high for UKIP in Oldham.
I would be amazed if UKIP made any real headway in this by-election. I get the impression that a fair amount of support has drifted away from them since the GE - though of course in part that maybe because it is a reflection of my own views. I think they will probably come second on a good day for them but don't see much chance of them, actually threatening Labour.
I also think Labour might take exactly the wrong message from such a result, ignoring their own slide in support which would be masked by a similar slide for UKIP.
'the European Court of Justice has ruled that the scope of Article 118A is much broader than the United Kingdom envisaged when the article was originally agreed, as part of the Single European Act'
The past is the future I'm afraid. There have been other recent examples and there will be an increasing number in the years to come unless something changes.
This is one of main reasons the UK has to leave. There appear to be people out there who still think the EU is a creature of treaties and solemn understandings between governments but it has gone far beyond that now.
It is a legal order which has a clear goal of creating a European state and no amount of dissembling can get away from that. If we want to go back to a treaty-based system it has to be from outside the legal framework of the EU.
I still believe it and am voting accordingly.
I see no plausibility in the ludicrous notion of a European state. Voters in Europe are never going to vote for it that I can foresee.
Will you still vote IN if Cameron says OUT?
I don't see that happening. If it were to happen then something will have gone dramatically wrong and in that instance I expect I'd have to reconsider my views and would probably vote Out. But I'd need to know why he was saying Out of course.
There are also circumstances I've said I'd vote Out even if Cameron says In.
I also think Labour might take exactly the wrong message from such a result, ignoring their own slide in support which would be masked by a similar slide for UKIP.
If you expect both Labour and UKIP to slide in this seat, who do you expect to pick up the lost support?
I also think Labour might take exactly the wrong message from such a result, ignoring their own slide in support which would be masked by a similar slide for UKIP.
If you expect both Labour and UKIP to slide in this seat, who do you expect to pick up the lost support?
There's not much in the national polls to suggest that UKIP have lost support. Certainly their media coverage has been pretty unappetising but it hasn't obviously translated into lower poll ratings.
The turnout market that shadsy has offered remains superb value at 8/11 for under 44.5%. Turnout in Manchester Central in 2012 was 28.2% and 36% in Heywood & Middleton in 2014. In an apparently-safe Labour seat in early December, why would the turnout be higher this time?
The turnout market that shadsy has offered remains superb value at 8/11 for under 44.5%. Turnout in Manchester Central in 2012 was 28.2% and 36% in Heywood & Middleton in 2014. In an apparently-safe Labour seat in early December, why would the turnout be higher this time?
Yes, it seems to me a rare piece of generosity from young Shadsy.
There's not much in the national polls to suggest that UKIP have lost support. Certainly their media coverage has been pretty unappetising but it hasn't obviously translated into lower poll ratings.
The turnout market that shadsy has offered remains superb value at 8/11 for under 44.5%. Turnout in Manchester Central in 2012 was 28.2% and 36% in Heywood & Middleton in 2014. In an apparently-safe Labour seat in early December, why would the turnout be higher this time?
They're down pretty consistently in local elections since May.
Majorsrise @majorsrise 3h3 hours ago ICM, for the Sunday Correspondent: Labour 55%; Conservatives 28%; Liberal Democrats 7%; Greens 6%.
Majorsrise @majorsrise 3h3 hours ago Asked how they would vote if Mr Heseltine were Tory leader, the Labour lead fell to 48%, while the Tory figure rose to 41.
There's not much in the national polls to suggest that UKIP have lost support. Certainly their media coverage has been pretty unappetising but it hasn't obviously translated into lower poll ratings.
The turnout market that shadsy has offered remains superb value at 8/11 for under 44.5%. Turnout in Manchester Central in 2012 was 28.2% and 36% in Heywood & Middleton in 2014. In an apparently-safe Labour seat in early December, why would the turnout be higher this time?
Not sure about support amongst the wider public but my understanding is that they are losing members very fast and also short on funds which then begs the question of whether they can effectively target a by-election seat.
I also think Labour might take exactly the wrong message from such a result, ignoring their own slide in support which would be masked by a similar slide for UKIP.
If you expect both Labour and UKIP to slide in this seat, who do you expect to pick up the lost support?
Personally I would no be surprised to see both Lib Dems and Tories have modest increases in support and see a modest slide in Labour and UKIP support.
I also think Labour might take exactly the wrong message from such a result, ignoring their own slide in support which would be masked by a similar slide for UKIP.
If you expect both Labour and UKIP to slide in this seat, who do you expect to pick up the lost support?
Personally I would no be surprised to see both Lib Dems and Tories have modest increases in support and see a modest slide in Labour and UKIP support.
Why should the Tory share increase when the government of the country's not at stake and people can give Osborne and Cameron a free kicking?
The Lib Dem share may recover a bit, if only because it's fallen so far, but it's difficult to see the positive case there too.
I also think Labour might take exactly the wrong message from such a result, ignoring their own slide in support which would be masked by a similar slide for UKIP.
If you expect both Labour and UKIP to slide in this seat, who do you expect to pick up the lost support?
Personally I would no be surprised to see both Lib Dems and Tories have modest increases in support and see a modest slide in Labour and UKIP support.
Why should the Tory share increase when the government of the country's not at stake and people can give Osborne and Cameron a free kicking?
The Lib Dem share may recover a bit, if only because it's fallen so far, but it's difficult to see the positive case there too.
Re the Tory vote, mayne I am wrong but I reckon a fairly significant minority would have voted UKIP if they knew their was no risk of leeting in ED/SNP at the GE...so they are free to vote UKIP now
Id expect UKIP to win a By Election in a Tory seat in Essex or Kent were there to be one
I also think Labour might take exactly the wrong message from such a result, ignoring their own slide in support which would be masked by a similar slide for UKIP.
If you expect both Labour and UKIP to slide in this seat, who do you expect to pick up the lost support?
Personally I would no be surprised to see both Lib Dems and Tories have modest increases in support and see a modest slide in Labour and UKIP support.
Why should the Tory share increase when the government of the country's not at stake and people can give Osborne and Cameron a free kicking?
The Lib Dem share may recover a bit, if only because it's fallen so far, but it's difficult to see the positive case there too.
Re the Tory vote, mayne I am wrong but I reckon a fairly significant minority would have voted UKIP if they knew their was no risk of leeting in ED/SNP at the GE...so they are free to vote UKIP now
Id expect UKIP to win a By Election in a Tory seat in Essex or Kent were there to be one
With the risk of handing power to Corbyn by chipping away at the Tory majority that's probably less likely.
Strikes me that all the parties should be united against the real enemy in this seat, which is apathy. They should drop their respective champagne quaffing, soul searching, in-fighting, dogging and muesli eating and concentrate on just trying to get the electors to take some interest.
On topic, considering that the Labour majority starts in five figures, setting the bar at cutting it to three (or less) is no small challenge. It should be achievable with the right campaign but the more I hear about UKIP's current organisation, the less confident I am that they'll get near. I'd be surprised if they don't achieve a decent net swing though.
As for domestic politics being dominated by the referendum, I thought that Europe as an issue didn't swing votes?
I also think Labour might take exactly the wrong message from such a result, ignoring their own slide in support which would be masked by a similar slide for UKIP.
If you expect both Labour and UKIP to slide in this seat, who do you expect to pick up the lost support?
Personally I would no be surprised to see both Lib Dems and Tories have modest increases in support and see a modest slide in Labour and UKIP support.
Why should the Tory share increase when the government of the country's not at stake and people can give Osborne and Cameron a free kicking?
The Lib Dem share may recover a bit, if only because it's fallen so far, but it's difficult to see the positive case there too.
I would have thought the LD vote share would rise simply because there'll be a 1-to-1 ratio of activists and 2015 voters
I also think Labour might take exactly the wrong message from such a result, ignoring their own slide in support which would be masked by a similar slide for UKIP.
If you expect both Labour and UKIP to slide in this seat, who do you expect to pick up the lost support?
Personally I would no be surprised to see both Lib Dems and Tories have modest increases in support and see a modest slide in Labour and UKIP support.
Why should the Tory share increase when the government of the country's not at stake and people can give Osborne and Cameron a free kicking?
The Lib Dem share may recover a bit, if only because it's fallen so far, but it's difficult to see the positive case there too.
Re the Tory vote, mayne I am wrong but I reckon a fairly significant minority would have voted UKIP if they knew their was no risk of leeting in ED/SNP at the GE...so they are free to vote UKIP now
Id expect UKIP to win a By Election in a Tory seat in Essex or Kent were there to be one
In the same way as the Lib Dems won by-elections in the 1990 - 97 period, but when it came to the GE struggled to hold onto them again in some places? (Thinking Eastbourne, Ribble Valley, Christchurch)
And the facts are as Cameron said. Between 37 and 45% of EEA migrants in receipt of these benefits. This is a 7 page report including the cover and contents and introduction pages. Wow. Should the govt have hidden these figures? You are not a happy bunny since the libdems wipe out.
Strikes me that all the parties should be united against the real enemy in this seat, which is apathy. They should drop their respective champagne quaffing, soul searching, in-fighting, dogging and muesli eating and concentrate on just trying to get the electors to take some interest.
Strikes me that all the parties should be united against the real enemy in this seat, which is apathy. They should drop their respective champagne quaffing, soul searching, in-fighting, dogging and muesli eating and concentrate on just trying to get the electors to take some interest.
I'm becoming quite perplexed re comments on here about Cameron's negotiations. If you don't like them, vote Leave.
Many of them seem to be coming from firm Leavers anyway, why? It's like rubbishing SNPers for wanting independence when you're a Unionist. Of course you don't agree.
Frankly, I'd have thought firm Leavers would be delighted by *insert insult here* Cameron - a most weird situation that they're complaining that their opponent is crap???
What a bizarre post. Are we not to complain that our opponents are crap? Are we not to dispute the content of what they're saying? Can we expect a trappist silence from you on the subject of Labour and Corbyn from now on? If you don't like him, don't vote for him after all.
I don't complain about Corbyn being crap, I laugh about it.
If he'd won two elections I wouldn't be laughing.
Laugh or complain, as we all do in turn, there's no material difference.
The idea that because someone committed to 'Leave' should not state how unimpressed they are with Cameron's 'renogiation' thus far is ridiculous and wholly without precedent.
I do like Plato and appreciate her contributions, but I also think the post is quite telling in terms if looking at things in quite narrow tribal/politico terms as opposed to looking at the country. It might be great news for me that Cameron's negotiating points are a sham in terms of a few more votes for 'leave', but it's obviously not good news for the country, which is why it upsets me rather than delights me.
On topic, considering that the Labour majority starts in five figures, setting the bar at cutting it to three (or less) is no small challenge. It should be achievable with the right campaign but the more I hear about UKIP's current organisation, the less confident I am that they'll get near. I'd be surprised if they don't achieve a decent net swing though.
As for domestic politics being dominated by the referendum, I thought that Europe as an issue didn't swing votes?
UKIP seem to be running as Fresh Labour. They have moved in a circular direction reminiscent of a headless chicken. Do they stand on the left or right of the political spectrum. As we see record numbers in employment it sees its role as protecting 'your' benefits. It's policy seems to be one of keeping us out of the EU so that white supremacy can rule in places like Oldham.
On topic, considering that the Labour majority starts in five figures, setting the bar at cutting it to three (or less) is no small challenge. It should be achievable with the right campaign but the more I hear about UKIP's current organisation, the less confident I am that they'll get near. I'd be surprised if they don't achieve a decent net swing though.
As for domestic politics being dominated by the referendum, I thought that Europe as an issue didn't swing votes?
UKIP seem to be running as Fresh Labour. They have moved in a circular direction reminiscent of a headless chicken. Do they stand on the left or right of the political spectrum. As we see record numbers in employment it sees its role as protecting 'your' benefits. It's policy seems to be one of keeping us out of the EU so that white supremacy can rule in places like Oldham.
It's a tactic successfully adopted by the LibDems over the years: barely recognisable campaigns and policy platforms depending on if it's a blue or red seat. Luckily the sunlight of government exposed them for what they are.
UKIP remain in the "fortunate" position of perpetually losing, so they can shift and twist with impunity.
"We would not be able to build today' ? Leaving aside the fact we wouldn't be able to build them in the area they are (the Egyptians might have something to say about a fourth great pyramid), and the planning and financing costs, what technically could we not do?
'We' could easily build them, and it would be much easier with modern kit and organisation.
You must also remember (as you undoubtedly know) that the great pyramids were at the end of a long evolution of pyramids, from mud-brick tomb covers, through 'simple' stepped structures, to the grand pyramids. As such, the technological, societal and organisational skills and structures required did not spring into existence overnight, but evolved.
You cannot take the building of the Giza pyramids out of that context (unlike some of the more 'interesting' theories, which say the smaller pyramids were later third-rate attempts to copy the Giza pyramids).
It'd be like taking Salisbury Cathedral with its amazing spire out of the context of all the churches and cathedrals that were built before it."
It is the accuracy of the building of the pyramids that we would not be able to repeat. Numerous building developers/architects etc have been simply flummoxed at how they did it and have stated that you could not build to that accuracy today. Each side of the great pyramid is accurate to less than 60mm, this despite the base area being 13 acres.
The ceiling of one of the chambers is made up of 75 ton blocks of granite. They have been cut so accurately that they require no cement product to join them, they butt to each other so perfectly that you cannot get a scaple between them. A boeing 737 at full take off load weighs 75 tons. How did they cut the granite it so accurately using only copper tools on granite and then lift each stone into place. Remember no levers, no wheels.Have you seen the size of crane that is needed to lift 75 tons? Salisbury Cathedral is amazing but these pyramids are 100 times more amazing. It is a shame that the pyramid cover stones were removed in the 12th Century as these covered the entire surface of the pyramid and were cut incredibly accurately so that the whole of the pyramid was polished and smooth
Another interesting momument is the Serapeum of Saqqara. here sacred cows were buried in huge granite sarcophagus. Again these were carved out of 50-100 ton blacks of granite to amazing accuracy, the square in each bottom corner is perfect to a 1/100 of a mm. Again all they had was copper chisels
It seems Marxism has now reached even the Tory backbenches.
Heidi Allen has suggested cancelling the inheritance tax cut in order to keep tax credits.
I'm feeling left out, tired and fed up with working hard and paying taxes. Any suggestions as to how one gets on the 'only work 16 hours and get free money' bus?
On topic, considering that the Labour majority starts in five figures, setting the bar at cutting it to three (or less) is no small challenge. It should be achievable with the right campaign but the more I hear about UKIP's current organisation, the less confident I am that they'll get near. I'd be surprised if they don't achieve a decent net swing though.
As for domestic politics being dominated by the referendum, I thought that Europe as an issue didn't swing votes?
UKIP seem to be running as Fresh Labour. They have moved in a circular direction reminiscent of a headless chicken. Do they stand on the left or right of the political spectrum. As we see record numbers in employment it sees its role as protecting 'your' benefits. It's policy seems to be one of keeping us out of the EU so that white supremacy can rule in places like Oldham.
It's a tactic successfully adopted by the LibDems over the years: barely recognisable campaigns and policy platforms depending on if it's a blue or red seat. Luckily the sunlight of government exposed them for what they are.
UKIP remain in the "fortunate" position of perpetually losing, so they can shift and twist with impunity.
Jeremy Corbyn is an absolute gift to UKIP in the North. They can directly attract WWC Labour voters, and appeal to Conservatives for their tactical votes to "stop Corbyn".
The Tories still regularly poll 15-20% in safe Labour seats; by 2010 Labour were polling sub 5% in much of the South (obviously that's changed now).
It seems Marxism has now reached even the Tory backbenches.
Heidi Allen has suggested cancelling the inheritance tax cut in order to keep tax credits.
I'm feeling left out, tired and fed up with working hard and paying taxes. Any suggestions as to how one gets on the 'only work 16 hours and get free money' bus?
It will get even better when this lot introduce the living wage to £10 ph.
Of course what Osbo hasn't factored in is those currently earning £10 ph, is the whole country getting a 25% pay rise or just the lowest paid?
Perhaps he's aiming for a Mao type society where we all get paid the same.
It seems Marxism has now reached even the Tory backbenches.
Heidi Allen has suggested cancelling the inheritance tax cut in order to keep tax credits.
I'm feeling left out, tired and fed up with working hard and paying taxes. Any suggestions as to how one gets on the 'only work 16 hours and get free money' bus?
Go through an illness which leaves you unable to work full-time, where even working just a couple of afternoons a week (for a minimal salary) takes a hell of a lot out of you. Then yes, when you're in such a luxurious position then you will be entitled to "free money".
It seems Marxism has now reached even the Tory backbenches.
Heidi Allen has suggested cancelling the inheritance tax cut in order to keep tax credits.
She's a TINO..
And they said Labour members were intolerant to differences of opinion.
Am not calling for her to be deselected, lynched and sent to Con Home - I am suggesting she's very wet and clueless on the damage tax credits do to the labour market.
It seems Marxism has now reached even the Tory backbenches.
Heidi Allen has suggested cancelling the inheritance tax cut in order to keep tax credits.
I'm feeling left out, tired and fed up with working hard and paying taxes. Any suggestions as to how one gets on the 'only work 16 hours and get free money' bus?
It will get even better when this lot introduce the living wage to £10 ph.
Of course what Osbo hasn't factored in is those currently earning £10 ph, is the whole country getting a 25% pay rise or just the lowest paid?
Perhaps he's aiming for a Mao type society where we all get paid the same.
'Watford30 Nail Bar' opening soon on a High Street near you.
It seems Marxism has now reached even the Tory backbenches.
Heidi Allen has suggested cancelling the inheritance tax cut in order to keep tax credits.
I'm feeling left out, tired and fed up with working hard and paying taxes. Any suggestions as to how one gets on the 'only work 16 hours and get free money' bus?
Go through an illness which leaves you unable to work full-time, where even working just a couple of afternoons a week (for a minimal salary) takes a hell of a lot out of you. Then yes, when you're in such a luxurious position then you will be entitled to "free money".
It's hard to believe that everyone on Tax Credits is 'on the sick'. Let's face it, for many, it's a racket. How do I join?
It seems Marxism has now reached even the Tory backbenches.
Heidi Allen has suggested cancelling the inheritance tax cut in order to keep tax credits.
I'm feeling left out, tired and fed up with working hard and paying taxes. Any suggestions as to how one gets on the 'only work 16 hours and get free money' bus?
Go through an illness which leaves you unable to work full-time, where even working just a couple of afternoons a week (for a minimal salary) takes a hell of a lot out of you. Then yes, when you're in such a luxurious position then you will be entitled to "free money".
Total bovine manure. 16 hour weeks are encouraged by the government through Brown's shambolic system, not doctors. You don't need a doctor's note to claim at 16 hours so stop telling porkie pies.
It is the accuracy of the building of the pyramids that we would not be able to repeat. Numerous building developers/architects etc have been simply flummoxed at how they did it and have stated that you could not build to that accuracy today. Each side of the great pyramid is accurate to less than 60mm, this despite the base area being 13 acres.
I would like to see a source for reputable developers and architects stating that we could not build to that accuracy today. We built the 31-mile Channel Tunnel from both ends, on non-constant gradient and lines, and ISTR the error margin when the tunnels met was just a couple of centimetres. You are talking about an accuracy of 6cm over around 800 feet (the area of 13 acres being irrelevant - why you use a measure of area when you're discussing distance accuracy?). The tunnel was under the sea; the pyramids on the surface.
I would point you at data about how they initially surveyed the baseline for the trigonometrical survey of Britain (one end of which is now under Heathrow airport - I've always wanted to see the cannon marking the spot).
I would therefore contend that we could build to that accuracy today, and would be interested in proof otherwise.
The ceiling of one of the chambers is made up of 75 ton blocks of granite. They have been cut so accurately that they require no cement product to join them, they butt to each other so perfectly that you cannot get a scaple between them. A boeing 737 at full take off load weighs 75 tons. How did they cut the granite it so accurately using only copper tools on granite and then lift each stone into place. Remember no levers, no wheels.Have you seen the size of crane that is needed to lift 75 tons? Salisbury Cathedral is amazing but these pyramids are 100 times more amazing. It is a shame that the pyramid cover stones were removed in the 12th Century as these covered the entire surface of the pyramid and were cut incredibly accurately so that the whole of the pyramid was polished and smooth
Have they lifted the blocks to ensure that the surfaces are flush all the way through, or is it just at the visible edges? The answer is simple: they had the time, manpower and the will to do the work with such accuracy.
Another interesting momument is the Serapeum of Saqqara. here sacred cows were buried in huge granite sarcophagus. Again these were carved out of 50-100 ton blacks of granite to amazing accuracy, the square in each bottom corner is perfect to a 1/100 of a mm. Again all they had was copper chisels
I haven't hears of the Serapeum of Saqqara - I'll have a look at it, thanks.
I'm not saying that what the ancients did (not just in Egypt, but elsewhere) was amazing, but we could replicate the feats today,
It seems Marxism has now reached even the Tory backbenches.
Heidi Allen has suggested cancelling the inheritance tax cut in order to keep tax credits.
I'm feeling left out, tired and fed up with working hard and paying taxes. Any suggestions as to how one gets on the 'only work 16 hours and get free money' bus?
Go through an illness which leaves you unable to work full-time, where even working just a couple of afternoons a week (for a minimal salary) takes a hell of a lot out of you. Then yes, when you're in such a luxurious position then you will be entitled to "free money".
Total bovine manure. 16 hour weeks are encouraged by the government through Brown's shambolic system, not doctors. You don't need a doctor's note to claim at 16 hours so stop telling porkie pies.
I'm genuinely not understanding your point with regards to "encouragement" and "doctor's notes".
All I'm saying is, when I was ill several years ago, I was only capable of working a couple of afternoons a week, for a salary which was not enough to live on. Tax credits gave me the option of taking that work while still getting my income topped up enough to live on; had tax credits not been there I would've stayed unemployed, which was not what I wanted, and which the Tories (according to their rhetoric) supposedly don't want either.
It seems Marxism has now reached even the Tory backbenches.
Heidi Allen has suggested cancelling the inheritance tax cut in order to keep tax credits.
I'm feeling left out, tired and fed up with working hard and paying taxes. Any suggestions as to how one gets on the 'only work 16 hours and get free money' bus?
Go through an illness which leaves you unable to work full-time, where even working just a couple of afternoons a week (for a minimal salary) takes a hell of a lot out of you. Then yes, when you're in such a luxurious position then you will be entitled to "free money".
It's hard to believe that everyone on Tax Credits is 'on the sick'. Let's face it, for many, it's a racket. How do I join?
Quite In 1997 we were spending 64bn on welfare. In 2010 after 13 years of Labour brilliance we were spending 111bn.
Currystar at 4.01 Leaving aside the length of the post without snips, which I am sure the ancient Egyptians coud not mannage, I am not at all sure you are correct about the inability of modern constructuction to build within 60mm. A few blocks were very heavy but most are less than 3 or 4 tonnes. Several previous pyramid projects ended in failure and the later ones had generations of experience to build them and quite a bit of time to do it. The heavy blocks could have been sized and positioned in situ at a certain amount of leisure.
It seems Marxism has now reached even the Tory backbenches.
Heidi Allen has suggested cancelling the inheritance tax cut in order to keep tax credits.
I'm feeling left out, tired and fed up with working hard and paying taxes. Any suggestions as to how one gets on the 'only work 16 hours and get free money' bus?
Go through an illness which leaves you unable to work full-time, where even working just a couple of afternoons a week (for a minimal salary) takes a hell of a lot out of you. Then yes, when you're in such a luxurious position then you will be entitled to "free money".
Total bovine manure. 16 hour weeks are encouraged by the government through Brown's shambolic system, not doctors. You don't need a doctor's note to claim at 16 hours so stop telling porkie pies.
I'm genuinely not understanding your point with regards to "encouragement" and "doctor's notes".
All I'm saying is, when I was ill several years ago, I was only capable of working a couple of afternoons a week, for a salary which was not enough to live on. Tax credits gave me the option of taking that work while still getting my income topped up enough to live on; had tax credits not been there I would've stayed unemployed, which was not what I wanted, and which the Tories (according to their rhetoric) supposedly don't want either.
Then you genuinely don't understand the current system if you don't understand how it encourages 16 hour weeks.
I have been an employer for nearly 10 years and have been told on a great number of occasions by people (both potential employees in interviews and existing employees offered extra work) that they are "not allowed to work more than 16 hours" or they'll lose their benefits.
16 hours are seen as a cap not a minimum amount of work. This has nothing to do with sickness and is entirely to do with welfare.
If Heidi Allen and the other 20+ tax credit rebels are not Real Tories, does this mean the (Real) Tories did not in fact win a majority this year after all?
Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB "My Twitter hope for Oldham is that we don't get these constant "getting great reception on the doorstep" Tweets. from campaigners."
If Heidi Allen and the other 20+ tax credit rebels are not Real Tories, does this mean the (Real) Tories did not in fact win a majority this year after all?
Means Osborne is going to have to do some brown nosing with them.
If Heidi Allen and the other 20+ tax credit rebels are not Real Tories, does this mean the (Real) Tories did not in fact win a majority this year after all?
Means Osborne is going to have to do some brown nosing with them.
with wet Heidi? All before 9pm water shed. gnarfff
Comments
Except UKIP's MP is voting to cut them.
I also think Labour might take exactly the wrong message from such a result, ignoring their own slide in support which would be masked by a similar slide for UKIP.
There are also circumstances I've said I'd vote Out even if Cameron says In.
BTW Isn't it time UKIP got themselves a new logo? The current one is dreadfully old-fashioned, as well as bizarrely focused on the currency.
Nailed on for second place but second places are meaningless as FPTP is here to stay.
The turnout market that shadsy has offered remains superb value at 8/11 for under 44.5%. Turnout in Manchester Central in 2012 was 28.2% and 36% in Heywood & Middleton in 2014. In an apparently-safe Labour seat in early December, why would the turnout be higher this time?
Transparent reverse expectations management from Mike methinks
This day in 1990...
Majorsrise @majorsrise 2h2 hours ago
Mrs Thatcher has returned to Chequers to prepare for her speech to the Lord Mayor’s Banquet.
Majorsrise @majorsrise 2h2 hours ago
Sir Geoffrey Howe meanwhile is at home working on his resignation speech.
ICM, for the Sunday Correspondent: Labour 55%; Conservatives 28%; Liberal Democrats 7%; Greens 6%.
Majorsrise @majorsrise 3h3 hours ago
Asked how they would vote if Mr Heseltine were Tory leader, the Labour lead fell to 48%, while the Tory figure rose to 41.
https://twitter.com/majorsrise/status/664429894118436864
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/lib-dem-leader-tim-farron-10399785#ICID=sharebar_twitter
Contact me to bet or reply on here
Oldham by election
Labour win by
0-5 8/1
5-10 11/2
10-15 5/2
15-20 5/2
20-25 11/2
25+ 8/1
Labour lose 8/1
Match bets
Ukip 1/6 vs Con 7/2
Con 1/6 vs Libs 7/2
Labour winning margin uo 15.5 5/6
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/11/eus-deep-dilemmas-over-refugees-laid-bare-at-malta-summit
The Lib Dem share may recover a bit, if only because it's fallen so far, but it's difficult to see the positive case there too.
https://twitter.com/FullFact/status/664453867820617728
Id expect UKIP to win a By Election in a Tory seat in Essex or Kent were there to be one
£50 Turnout Under 44.5 @ 6-8
£45 Lib Dem under 5% @ 1.9
£120 Tories over Yellow Peril @ 1-6
£75 Labour @ 1-5.
'Vote Nigel. Get Jezzer'.
http://order-order.com/2015/11/11/seumas-milnes-closeness-to-guardian-editor/
"The couple have been close friends for years and Kath is known to have always loved his column."
As for domestic politics being dominated by the referendum, I thought that Europe as an issue didn't swing votes?
The idea that because someone committed to 'Leave' should not state how unimpressed they are with Cameron's 'renogiation' thus far is ridiculous and wholly without precedent.
I do like Plato and appreciate her contributions, but I also think the post is quite telling in terms if looking at things in quite narrow tribal/politico terms as opposed to looking at the country. It might be great news for me that Cameron's negotiating points are a sham in terms of a few more votes for 'leave', but it's obviously not good news for the country, which is why it upsets me rather than delights me.
It's policy seems to be one of keeping us out of the EU so that white supremacy can rule in places like Oldham.
UKIP remain in the "fortunate" position of perpetually losing, so they can shift and twist with impunity.
Labour Michael Meacher 23,630 54.8%
UKIP Francis Arbour 8,892 20.6%
Conservative Kamran Ghafoor 8,187 19.0%
Liberal Democrat Garth Harkness 1,589 3.7%
Green Simeon Hart 839 1.9%
Majority 14,738 34.2
Turnout 43,137 59.6%
I'd predict a turnout of 40%
Labour 50%
Ukip 30%
Tory 15%
Lib 5%
Everyone will claim credit when actually only half a dozen people will give a toss
'We' could easily build them, and it would be much easier with modern kit and organisation.
You must also remember (as you undoubtedly know) that the great pyramids were at the end of a long evolution of pyramids, from mud-brick tomb covers, through 'simple' stepped structures, to the grand pyramids. As such, the technological, societal and organisational skills and structures required did not spring into existence overnight, but evolved.
You cannot take the building of the Giza pyramids out of that context (unlike some of the more 'interesting' theories, which say the smaller pyramids were later third-rate attempts to copy the Giza pyramids).
It'd be like taking Salisbury Cathedral with its amazing spire out of the context of all the churches and cathedrals that were built before it."
It is the accuracy of the building of the pyramids that we would not be able to repeat. Numerous building developers/architects etc have been simply flummoxed at how they did it and have stated that you could not build to that accuracy today. Each side of the great pyramid is accurate to less than 60mm, this despite the base area being 13 acres.
The ceiling of one of the chambers is made up of 75 ton blocks of granite. They have been cut so accurately that they require no cement product to join them, they butt to each other so perfectly that you cannot get a scaple between them. A boeing 737 at full take off load weighs 75 tons. How did they cut the granite it so accurately using only copper tools on granite and then lift each stone into place. Remember no levers, no wheels.Have you seen the size of crane that is needed to lift 75 tons? Salisbury Cathedral is amazing but these pyramids are 100 times more amazing. It is a shame that the pyramid cover stones were removed in the 12th Century as these covered the entire surface of the pyramid and were cut incredibly accurately so that the whole of the pyramid was polished and smooth
Another interesting momument is the Serapeum of Saqqara. here sacred cows were buried in huge granite sarcophagus. Again these were carved out of 50-100 ton blacks of granite to amazing accuracy, the square in each bottom corner is perfect to a 1/100 of a mm. Again all they had was copper chisels
Heidi Allen has suggested cancelling the inheritance tax cut in order to keep tax credits.
The Tories still regularly poll 15-20% in safe Labour seats; by 2010 Labour were polling sub 5% in much of the South (obviously that's changed now).
Of course what Osbo hasn't factored in is those currently earning £10 ph, is the whole country getting a 25% pay rise or just the lowest paid?
Perhaps he's aiming for a Mao type society where we all get paid the same.
They are different in one key factor...
Afternoon all.
We’ve had five years of being told the voters aren’t interested in the EU. - What's changed ?
I would point you at data about how they initially surveyed the baseline for the trigonometrical survey of Britain (one end of which is now under Heathrow airport - I've always wanted to see the cannon marking the spot).
I would therefore contend that we could build to that accuracy today, and would be interested in proof otherwise. Have they lifted the blocks to ensure that the surfaces are flush all the way through, or is it just at the visible edges? The answer is simple: they had the time, manpower and the will to do the work with such accuracy.
I haven't hears of the Serapeum of Saqqara - I'll have a look at it, thanks.
I'm not saying that what the ancients did (not just in Egypt, but elsewhere) was amazing, but we could replicate the feats today,
All I'm saying is, when I was ill several years ago, I was only capable of working a couple of afternoons a week, for a salary which was not enough to live on. Tax credits gave me the option of taking that work while still getting my income topped up enough to live on; had tax credits not been there I would've stayed unemployed, which was not what I wanted, and which the Tories (according to their rhetoric) supposedly don't want either.
In 1997 we were spending 64bn on welfare.
In 2010 after 13 years of Labour brilliance we were spending 111bn.
Leaving aside the length of the post without snips, which I am sure the ancient Egyptians coud not mannage, I am not at all sure you are correct about the inability of modern constructuction to build within 60mm.
A few blocks were very heavy but most are less than 3 or 4 tonnes.
Several previous pyramid projects ended in failure and the later ones had generations of experience to build them and quite a bit of time to do it. The heavy blocks could have been sized and positioned in situ at a certain amount of leisure.
"Merkel, however, is increasingly lonely and embattled. Policymakers say privately that she is looking for a way to back down without losing face."
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/11/eric-pickles-says-vote-leave-campaign-should-be-denied-lead-status
I have been an employer for nearly 10 years and have been told on a great number of occasions by people (both potential employees in interviews and existing employees offered extra work) that they are "not allowed to work more than 16 hours" or they'll lose their benefits.
16 hours are seen as a cap not a minimum amount of work. This has nothing to do with sickness and is entirely to do with welfare.
Meanwhile Corbyn etc have Blanchflower aka "5 million unemployed" as an advisor.
"My Twitter hope for Oldham is that we don't get these constant "getting great reception on the doorstep" Tweets. from campaigners."
Well if NickPalmer can stay away from it......
Gordon Brown gets increasingly irritated as this interview goes on, and ends on a notably sour note http://blogs.channel4.com/gary-gibbon-on-politics/brown-osborne-rip-tax-credit-cuts/31816 …
All before 9pm water shed.
gnarfff
God that's not a place I want to revisit.