Life isn't just about money. Japan is rich enough to withstand a sluggish economic performance in return for making its own decisions on immigration policy.
Absolutely right. What fools they are to refuse to exchange their cultural heritage for Islamic ghettoes! Don't they know that hordes of hyper-religious illiterate tribesmen equals economic growth?
I was not commenting on Japan's immigration policies, I was taking issue with your comment "Japan what a country".
The truth is that Japan's government has ill served its people. Of all the Developed economies, it is hard to find a country that is less likely to perform well in the next 25 years:
In particular, Japan has an explosive combination of poor demographics and excessive (and worsening) government debt.
Those savings that Mrs Watanabe has in the bank are lent, via the Japanese banking system, to the Japanese government. All savings are merely a promise of others to do work for you in the future. They are a mechanism for the time transfer of work. And the Japanese state has promised that an ever diminishing number of workers is going to do ever increasing amounts of work for its retirees.
Every month the Japanese government must roll over more government bonds that it now collects in tax revenue.
Would anyone like to guess how this will end?
For the gazillionth time, I'm not talking about immigration!
I'm talking about the fact that the Japanese government has not been a very good steward of the economy.
"Japan what a country" is true only if you add the word "fucked".
I'm struggling to find many other countries which have seen GDP decline in absolute, non inflation adjusted, dollars or Euros or Yen over the last 18 years.
The population is in decline, too.
As population is the multiplier in the GDP figures the two may just be related. In per-capita purchasing power terms Japan is still very rich by any standards.
Despite what was said on here by one or two posters the other day, a declining population is not necessarily catastrophic for a country nor is an expanding population necessary for continued economic success.
It creates challenges, sure, but these are not insurmountable.
Japan are leading the charge for robotics. Makes sense really - relying on endless population growth is an economic Ponzi scheme. We can learn from their experiences - plenty of other countries are about to tip over into declines (several already have).
While that is true, an ever diminishing number of workers is a problem too.
In the case of Japan, the government has promised that the workers of tomorrow will provide health care, and feed and clothe the retirees. If the ratio between workers and retirees is ever worsening you will either see: (a) the government massively reducing what it has promised the old; or (b) a revolt by the workers, who object to an ever larger share of their paypacket being spent on retirees.
Let's go back 65 years to 1950. Around 2.7 million Japanese were born in that year. So, this year 2.7 million Japanese will reach retirement age.
This year, just one million (or maybe a little fewer) Japanese will be born.
Those one million will be supporting an awful lot of retirees.
We could add to this, even if the robots discussed up-thread turn out to be effective workers, it's not obvious that they'll be willing to support human retirees either. Either they'll be owned by the owners of capital, which is mobile and can move offshore if you try to take too much of their robot-pimping profits to pay for pensions, or they'll be owned by themselves, and presumably prioritize their robot children.
Christopher Caldwell has written a fantastic book called "Reflections on the Revolution in Europe" which details the impact of immigration from Islamic countries.
I'd say it's worth a read for anyone wishing to profess an opinion on the subject
Have you read the Christopher Caldwell book I mentioned? I was reading the chapter on the suburbs of Paris around the time of the attacks. It was spelled out in black and white what was going to happen, what motivated it and why the problem existed. I just don't get why the people that run Western governments allowed it to happen.
That really is pathetic, I saw it the other day. It was a poor attempt at humour but for it to make the press shows what sort of a ridiculous society we've become.
I've no idea why people continually pretend to be outraged over the most trivial things, get a life ffs and worry about something serious happening.
'A poor attempt at humour'. Yes, of course it was.
In particular, Japan has an explosive combination of poor demographics and excessive (and worsening) government debt.
they're only "poor" demographics for 30 yrs or so, after that the population will be more or less stable, if only they can survive economically.
That's not true. Japan's total fertility ratio is 1.41. You need 2.1 to keep the population stable.
ok, the demographics will be better, then. rather than perfect. either way, funding pensions by bumping up the number of youths is still not a long term solution
As noted before, LPW is one of the better commentators on the Carmichael case. Interesting roundup.
"A victory for Carmichael, then, and uncertain times for the four petitioners who now face the prospect of a very substantial legal bill. But no vindication here. Only survival."
Catching up on the Carmichael result, this instinctively feels like the right decision, and what a monumental waste of court time and costs this highly politically-motivated challenge has proved to be. I'm not a Scots lawyer, but I was surprised the case ever got as far as it did.
Bet The National feel like a bunch of chumps with their front page today. Wonder what tomorrow's will bring...? (And will Carmichael have today's framed and hung in his office?!)
Lallands Peat Worrier (whose blog will be very interesting in the next few days, as it always has been on the case) points out the irony of a man getting off on the grounds that his act was politically motivated, complaining that his opponents' action was politically motivated.
twitter.com/PeatWorrier/status/674548169062133760
There are many actions in politics that are "politically motivated". (Duh).
However, I think most people would agree that bringing a criminal case that is political motivated is rather excessive.
Not a criminal case, surely.
Ok, similar to. Substantial defence process and costs; to the same evidentiary standards; with a significant potential punishment of being bared from public office.
So not only has Carmichael been declared a "blatant liar" by the court but also his credibility and reliability as a witness is criticised and he is described as "disingenuous".
'Fried chicken shops'? Did these really arise as a result of Muslim immigration? Really? And are they really that bad?
I have no idea where the fried chicken thing is coming from. I hardly think KFC is the spearhead for jihad.
They are replacement pubs and burger bars for a culture that doesn't do pubs and burger bars.
white british culture increasingly doesn't do pubs anymore (about burger bars, no idea)
The mass closure of pubs in England has more to do with government policies than them falling out of favour with the people. Or, perhaps to put it another way, the change in culture is being driven by politicians that think they know best what is good for little people.
'Fried chicken shops'? Did these really arise as a result of Muslim immigration? Really? And are they really that bad?
I have no idea where the fried chicken thing is coming from. I hardly think KFC is the spearhead for jihad.
They are replacement pubs and burger bars for a culture that doesn't do pubs and burger bars.
white british culture increasingly doesn't do pubs anymore (about burger bars, no idea)
The mass closure of pubs in England has more to do with government policies than them falling out of favour with the people. Or, perhaps to put it another way, the change in culture is being driven by politicians that think they know best what is good for little people.
and supermarkets with cheap wine and beer (the smoking ban probably didn't help)
Catching up on the Carmichael result, this instinctively feels like the right decision, and what a monumental waste of court time and costs this highly politically-motivated challenge has proved to be. I'm not a Scots lawyer, but I was surprised the case ever got as far as it did.
Bet The National feel like a bunch of chumps with their front page today. Wonder what tomorrow's will bring...? (And will Carmichael have today's framed and hung in his office?!)
Lallands Peat Worrier (whose blog will be very interesting in the next few days, as it always has been on the case) points out the irony of a man getting off on the grounds that his act was politically motivated, complaining that his opponents' action was politically motivated.
twitter.com/PeatWorrier/status/674548169062133760
There are many actions in politics that are "politically motivated". (Duh).
However, I think most people would agree that bringing a criminal case that is political motivated is rather excessive.
Not a criminal case, surely.
Ok, similar to. Substantial defence process and costs; to the same evidentiary standards; with a significant potential punishment of being bared from public office.
So not only has Carmichael been declared a "blatant liar" by the court but also his credibility and reliability as a witness is criticised and he is described as "disingenuous".
Catching up on the Carmichael result, this instinctively feels like the right decision, and what a monumental waste of court time and costs this highly politically-motivated challenge has proved to be. I'm not a Scots lawyer, but I was surprised the case ever got as far as it did.
Bet The National feel like a bunch of chumps with their front page today. Wonder what tomorrow's will bring...? (And will Carmichael have today's framed and hung in his office?!)
Lallands Peat Worrier (whose blog will be very interesting in the next few days, as it always has been on the case) points out the irony of a man getting off on the grounds that his act was politically motivated, complaining that his opponents' action was politically motivated.
twitter.com/PeatWorrier/status/674548169062133760
There are many actions in politics that are "politically motivated". (Duh).
However, I think most people would agree that bringing a criminal case that is political motivated is rather excessive.
Not a criminal case, surely.
Ok, similar to. Substantial defence process and costs; to the same evidentiary standards; with a significant potential punishment of being bared from public office.
So not only has Carmichael been declared a "blatant liar" by the court but also his credibility and reliability as a witness is criticised and he is described as "disingenuous".
'Fried chicken shops'? Did these really arise as a result of Muslim immigration? Really? And are they really that bad?
I have no idea where the fried chicken thing is coming from. I hardly think KFC is the spearhead for jihad.
They are replacement pubs and burger bars for a culture that doesn't do pubs and burger bars.
white british culture increasingly doesn't do pubs anymore (about burger bars, no idea)
The mass closure of pubs in England has more to do with government policies than them falling out of favour with the people. Or, perhaps to put it another way, the change in culture is being driven by politicians that think they know best what is good for little people.
and supermarkets with cheap wine and beer (the smoking ban probably didn't help)
Absolutely, Mr Dugarbandier, and those are just two of the policies pursued by successive governments.
What would be the pros and cons of mulsim immigration to the UK do we think?
Probably the same as all other migration.
With the added bonus that over time educated societies trend towards a more agnostic (if not outright atheist). So Islam will mellow out.
While the puritanical extremists who want a medieval religion get most of the attention this is already in evidence. Most Muslim friends of mine drink alcohol for instance and are about as religious as most Christian friends of mine. I bet the proportion of British Muslims who drink are dramatically higher than Middle East ones. Our western education and freedoms are as much an existential threat to unenlightened Islam as it is to unenlightened Christianity.
In particular, Japan has an explosive combination of poor demographics and excessive (and worsening) government debt.
they're only "poor" demographics for 30 yrs or so, after that the population will be more or less stable, if only they can survive economically.
That's not true. Japan's total fertility ratio is 1.41. You need 2.1 to keep the population stable.
ok, the demographics will be better, then. rather than perfect. either way, funding pensions by bumping up the number of youths is still not a long term solution
If you have an equal number of births and deaths and zero net migration, then you have a stable population.
This should mean that the proportion of workers' pay packets that is syphoned off to pay for retirees pensions and healthcare is stable.
On the other hand, your birth rate dips to well below 2, as it has in Japan, then you must see the proportion of workers' paypackets being syphoned off rising.
In a country where 5 workers support every retiree, there's no big issue. If it's two retirees, then it's a struggle.
What of a situation where every worker - in addition to supporting their family, themselves, and the state - also has to fund one retiree.
Just as it's a ponzi scheme to have ever rising numbers of people, it's equally (and more brutally) ugly in a world where the ratio of retirees to workers is ever worsening.
I'm struggling to find many other countries which have seen GDP decline in absolute, non inflation adjusted, dollars or Euros or Yen over the last 18 years.
The population is in decline, too.
As population is the multiplier in the GDP figures the two may just be related. In per-capita purchasing power terms Japan is still very rich by any standards.
Despite what was said on here by one or two posters the other day, a declining population is not necessarily catastrophic for a country nor is an expanding population necessary for continued economic success.
It creates challenges, sure, but these are not insurmountable.
Japan are leading the charge for robotics. Makes sense really - relying on endless population growth is an economic Ponzi scheme. We can learn from their experiences - plenty of other countries are about to tip over into declines (several already have).
While that is true, an ever diminishing number of workers is a problem too.
In the case of Japan, the government has promised that the workers of tomorrow will provide health care, and feed and clothe the retirees. If the ratio between workers and retirees is ever worsening you will either see: (a) the government massively reducing what it has promised the old; or (b) a revolt by the workers, who object to an ever larger share of their paypacket being spent on retirees.
Let's go back 65 years to 1950. Around 2.7 million Japanese were born in that year. So, this year 2.7 million Japanese will reach retirement age.
This year, just one million (or maybe a little fewer) Japanese will be born.
Those one million will be supporting an awful lot of retirees.
We could add to this, even if the robots discussed up-thread turn out to be effective workers, it's not obvious that they'll be willing to support human retirees either. Either they'll be owned by the owners of capital, which is mobile and can move offshore if you try to take too much of their robot-pimping profits to pay for pensions, or they'll be owned by themselves, and presumably prioritize their robot children.
There is an interesting article here about empty Japanese homes
Full judgment for Carmichael out at last. Not happy reading for him. Amongst other things his response to the leaks inquiry is said to have been unimpressive, to have lacked candour and not to have amounted to cooperation. It goes on to say it was at best disingenuous, at worst evasive and self serving. There are some interesting and telling observations about the prevalence of leaks in UK political life and the lack of moral obloquy arising from the practice. This seems to have influenced their view that this act did not relate to his own personal character. I think it has been a very close call for him.
He does seem to have been a very lucky boy.
It was noticeable in the summary judgement that they gave an example of how he could have crossed the line into personal character. Ironically the paragraph reads similar to previous statements Carmichael has made on leaks
They explained that if a candidate made a false statement that he would never leak an internal confidential memo, no matter how helpful that might be to his party, as he regarded the practice of leaking confidential information as dishonest and morally reprehensible, and he would not stoop to such tactics, when in fact that candidate had leaked an internal confidential memo containing material which was inaccurate and highly damaging to an opponent, they would be likely to conclude that the candidate had given a false statement “'in relation to [his] personal character or conduct” because he would be falsely holding himself out as being of such a standard of honesty, honour, trustworthiness and integrity that, in contrast with what others in Westminster might do, he would never be involved in such a leaking exercise.
If the C4 interview had asked him a follow up on leaks and he had answered the question, he would surely have been sunk.
I'm struggling to find many other countries which have seen GDP decline in absolute, non inflation adjusted, dollars or Euros or Yen over the last 18 years.
The population is in decline, too.
As population is the multiplier in the GDP figures the two may just be related. In per-capita purchasing power terms Japan is still very rich by any standards.
Despite what was said on here by one or two posters the other day, a declining population is not necessarily catastrophic for a country nor is an expanding population necessary for continued economic success.
It creates challenges, sure, but these are not insurmountable.
Japan are leading the charge for robotics. Makes sense really - relying on endless population growth is an economic Ponzi scheme. We can learn from their experiences - plenty of other countries are about to tip over into declines (several already have).
While that is true, an ever diminishing number of workers is a problem too.
In the case of Japan, the government has promised that the workers of tomorrow will provide health care, and feed and clothe the retirees. If the ratio between workers and retirees is ever worsening you will either see: (a) the government massively reducing what it has promised the old; or (b) a revolt by the workers, who object to an ever larger share of their paypacket being spent on retirees.
Let's go back 65 years to 1950. Around 2.7 million Japanese were born in that year. So, this year 2.7 million Japanese will reach retirement age.
This year, just one million (or maybe a little fewer) Japanese will be born.
Those one million will be supporting an awful lot of retirees.
We could add to this, even if the robots discussed up-thread turn out to be effective workers, it's not obvious that they'll be willing to support human retirees either. Either they'll be owned by the owners of capital, which is mobile and can move offshore if you try to take too much of their robot-pimping profits to pay for pensions, or they'll be owned by themselves, and presumably prioritize their robot children.
There is an interesting article here about empty Japanese homes
'Fried chicken shops'? Did these really arise as a result of Muslim immigration? Really? And are they really that bad?
I have no idea where the fried chicken thing is coming from. I hardly think KFC is the spearhead for jihad.
They are replacement pubs and burger bars for a culture that doesn't do pubs and burger bars.
white british culture increasingly doesn't do pubs anymore (about burger bars, no idea)
The mass closure of pubs in England has more to do with government policies than them falling out of favour with the people. Or, perhaps to put it another way, the change in culture is being driven by politicians that think they know best what is good for little people.
and supermarkets with cheap wine and beer (the smoking ban probably didn't help)
Absolutely, Mr Dugarbandier, and those are just two of the policies pursued by successive governments.
not without some popular support tho, it must be noted
That really is pathetic, I saw it the other day. It was a poor attempt at humour but for it to make the press shows what sort of a ridiculous society we've become.
I've no idea why people continually pretend to be outraged over the most trivial things, get a life ffs and worry about something serious happening.
'A poor attempt at humour'. Yes, of course it was.
Do you honestly believe that he thought sending Syrians to Cumbria caused floods? Seriously?
'Fried chicken shops'? Did these really arise as a result of Muslim immigration? Really? And are they really that bad?
I have no idea where the fried chicken thing is coming from. I hardly think KFC is the spearhead for jihad.
They are replacement pubs and burger bars for a culture that doesn't do pubs and burger bars.
white british culture increasingly doesn't do pubs anymore (about burger bars, no idea)
The mass closure of pubs in England has more to do with government policies than them falling out of favour with the people. Or, perhaps to put it another way, the change in culture is being driven by politicians that think they know best what is good for little people.
Tighter drink driving laws and the smoking ban have done more to kill off pubs.
Afternoon. Mr Carmichael survives, so do we know who will be paying the costs of those who brought the case against him?
Well Carmichael survives to embarrass the LD another day. However there is no doubt that no matter who pays the legal costs, that the LD are going to lose their Shetlands seat in the next election, no matter who is their candidate, since this ruling will be used by the SNP to rail the locals against the LD instead of just Carmichael.
Not so sure about that - If the result of the Indie ref is anything to go by, it’s that Orkney and Shetland are not particularly sympathetic to the aims of the SNP.
They don't need to be. They almost won the seat this time despute the IndyRef vote, and didn't have proof the incumbent was a liar (albeit a liar about a leak, which is hardly uncommon if rarely caught out). Add in their national position problems, and being tarred with the same brush, and the LDs have to be odds against retaining the seat in 2020. The people there could easily vote for an SNP MP and then against an IndyRef. 70 years of Lib MPs may have been enough I suppose.
@realDonaldTrump: I told you @TIME Magazine would never pick me as person of the year despite being the big favorite They picked person who is ruining Germany
That really is pathetic, I saw it the other day. It was a poor attempt at humour but for it to make the press shows what sort of a ridiculous society we've become.
I've no idea why people continually pretend to be outraged over the most trivial things, get a life ffs and worry about something serious happening.
'A poor attempt at humour'. Yes, of course it was.
Do you honestly believe that he thought sending Syrians to Cumbria caused floods? Seriously?
If so I suggest the problem lies with you.
Anything's possible with the Kippers. Remember Farage blaming immigrants for traffic jams on the M4.
That really is pathetic, I saw it the other day. It was a poor attempt at humour but for it to make the press shows what sort of a ridiculous society we've become.
I've no idea why people continually pretend to be outraged over the most trivial things, get a life ffs and worry about something serious happening.
'A poor attempt at humour'. Yes, of course it was.
Do you honestly believe that he thought sending Syrians to Cumbria caused floods? Seriously?
If so I suggest the problem lies with you.
Anything's possible with the Kippers. Remember Farage blaming immigrants for traffic jams on the M4.
You don't do yourself any favours, Farage blamed immigration and population rise, but of course you're too busy brainwashing yourself.
Do you think traffic has increased in recent years?
That really is pathetic, I saw it the other day. It was a poor attempt at humour but for it to make the press shows what sort of a ridiculous society we've become.
I've no idea why people continually pretend to be outraged over the most trivial things, get a life ffs and worry about something serious happening.
'A poor attempt at humour'. Yes, of course it was.
Do you honestly believe that he thought sending Syrians to Cumbria caused floods? Seriously?
If so I suggest the problem lies with you.
Anything's possible with the Kippers. Remember Farage blaming immigrants for traffic jams on the M4.
You don't do yourself any favours, Farage blamed immigration and population rise, but of course you're too busy brainwashing yourself.
Do you think traffic has increased in recent years?
Farage left London later than he should have done to get to Wales on time, and blamed immigrants. He does himself and UKIP no favours with his silly Dog Whistling.
Catching up on the Carmichael result, this instinctively feels like the right decision, and what a monumental waste of court time and costs this highly politically-motivated challenge has proved to be. I'm not a Scots lawyer, but I was surprised the case ever got as far as it did.
Bet The National feel like a bunch of chumps with their front page today. Wonder what tomorrow's will bring...? (And will Carmichael have today's framed and hung in his office?!)
Lallands Peat Worrier (whose blog will be very interesting in the next few days, as it always has been on the case) points out the irony of a man getting off on the grounds that his act was politically motivated, complaining that his opponents' action was politically motivated.
twitter.com/PeatWorrier/status/674548169062133760
There are many actions in politics that are "politically motivated". (Duh).
However, I think most people would agree that bringing a criminal case that is political motivated is rather excessive.
Not a criminal case, surely.
Ok, similar to. Substantial defence process and costs; to the same evidentiary standards; with a significant potential punishment of being bared from public office.
So not only has Carmichael been declared a "blatant liar" by the court but also his credibility and reliability as a witness is criticised and he is described as "disingenuous".
Ouch.
Have the Scot Nats found a way to blame Carmichael or Westminster for the Forth Bridge closure ?
Afternoon. Mr Carmichael survives, so do we know who will be paying the costs of those who brought the case against him?
Well Carmichael survives to embarrass the LD another day. However there is no doubt that no matter who pays the legal costs, that the LD are going to lose their Shetlands seat in the next election, no matter who is their candidate, since this ruling will be used by the SNP to rail the locals against the LD instead of just Carmichael.
Not so sure about that - If the result of the Indie ref is anything to go by, it’s that Orkney and Shetland are not particularly sympathetic to the aims of the SNP.
They don't need to be. They almost won the seat this time despute the IndyRef vote, and didn't have proof the incumbent was a liar (albeit a liar about a leak, which is hardly uncommon if rarely caught out). Add in their national position problems, and being tarred with the same brush, and the LDs have to be odds against retaining the seat in 2020. The people there could easily vote for an SNP MP and then against an IndyRef. 70 years of Lib MPs may have been enough I suppose.
@realDonaldTrump: I told you @TIME Magazine would never pick me as person of the year despite being the big favorite They picked person who is ruining Germany
Afternoon. Mr Carmichael survives, so do we know who will be paying the costs of those who brought the case against him?
Well Carmichael survives to embarrass the LD another day. However there is no doubt that no matter who pays the legal costs, that the LD are going to lose their Shetlands seat in the next election, no matter who is their candidate, since this ruling will be used by the SNP to rail the locals against the LD instead of just Carmichael.
Not so sure about that - If the result of the Indie ref is anything to go by, it’s that Orkney and Shetland are not particularly sympathetic to the aims of the SNP.
They don't need to be. They almost won the seat this time despute the IndyRef vote, and didn't have proof the incumbent was a liar (albeit a liar about a leak, which is hardly uncommon if rarely caught out). Add in their national position problems, and being tarred with the same brush, and the LDs have to be odds against retaining the seat in 2020. The people there could easily vote for an SNP MP and then against an IndyRef. 70 years of Lib MPs may have been enough I suppose.
a bonkers UKIP councillor story! it's just like old times. aaah
Indeed - and with an AV thread soon to come as well, going full circle.
Also in play are the two (not one) O & S constituencies for the Scottish Parliament in May 2016. Both held by LDs.
I suppose it comes down to if they thought they were going to lose both of those anyway, and anyby-election held now, then it probably was worth sticking around to try to salvage the seat for 2020, when hopefully the SNP juggernaut would be less effective.
If however they hope to hold those seats, and the westminster seat is at risk either way, then will standing by him cost them the scottish seats they might otherwise have held?
Not an enviable position to be in, with little light on the horizon.
What would be the pros and cons of mulsim immigration to the UK do we think?
Probably the same as all other migration.
With the added bonus that over time educated societies trend towards a more agnostic (if not outright atheist). So Islam will mellow out.
While the puritanical extremists who want a medieval religion get most of the attention this is already in evidence. Most Muslim friends of mine drink alcohol for instance and are about as religious as most Christian friends of mine. I bet the proportion of British Muslims who drink are dramatically higher than Middle East ones. Our western education and freedoms are as much an existential threat to unenlightened Islam as it is to unenlightened Christianity.
Err My dentist is a highly educated , charming and respected professional. His faith in Islam does not appear to have diminished with money and success.. and he does not drink..
Afternoon. Mr Carmichael survives, so do we know who will be paying the costs of those who brought the case against him?
Well Carmichael survives to embarrass the LD another day. However there is no doubt that no matter who pays the legal costs, that the LD are going to lose their Shetlands seat in the next election, no matter who is their candidate, since this ruling will be used by the SNP to rail the locals against the LD instead of just Carmichael.
Not so sure about that - If the result of the Indie ref is anything to go by, it’s that Orkney and Shetland are not particularly sympathetic to the aims of the SNP.
They don't need to be. They almost won the seat this time despute the IndyRef vote, and didn't have proof the incumbent was a liar (albeit a liar about a leak, which is hardly uncommon if rarely caught out). Add in their national position problems, and being tarred with the same brush, and the LDs have to be odds against retaining the seat in 2020. The people there could easily vote for an SNP MP and then against an IndyRef. 70 years of Lib MPs may have been enough I suppose.
a bonkers UKIP councillor story! it's just like old times. aaah
Indeed - and with an AV thread soon to come as well, going full circle.
Also in play are the two (not one) O & S constituencies for the Scottish Parliament in May 2016. Both held by LDs.
I don't think Liam McArthur or Tavish Scott are very pleased.
As far as I'm aware neither have made public comments on the debacle. I'm sure they will be hoping their "personal vote" saves them in May much a the "personal vote" saved all those Liberals in their former stronghold of the English SW.
@realDonaldTrump: I told you @TIME Magazine would never pick me as person of the year despite being the big favorite They picked person who is ruining Germany
What would be the pros and cons of mulsim immigration to the UK do we think?
Probably the same as all other migration.
With the added bonus that over time educated societies trend towards a more agnostic (if not outright atheist). So Islam will mellow out.
While the puritanical extremists who want a medieval religion get most of the attention this is already in evidence. Most Muslim friends of mine drink alcohol for instance and are about as religious as most Christian friends of mine. I bet the proportion of British Muslims who drink are dramatically higher than Middle East ones. Our western education and freedoms are as much an existential threat to unenlightened Islam as it is to unenlightened Christianity.
What would be the pros and cons of mulsim immigration to the UK do we think?
Probably the same as all other migration.
With the added bonus that over time educated societies trend towards a more agnostic (if not outright atheist). So Islam will mellow out.
While the puritanical extremists who want a medieval religion get most of the attention this is already in evidence. Most Muslim friends of mine drink alcohol for instance and are about as religious as most Christian friends of mine. I bet the proportion of British Muslims who drink are dramatically higher than Middle East ones. Our western education and freedoms are as much an existential threat to unenlightened Islam as it is to unenlightened Christianity.
Err My dentist is a highly educated , charming and respected professional. His faith in Islam does not appear to have diminished with money and success.. and he does not drink..
Sorry, but I have to ask, how do you know your dentist doesn't drink? or for that matter what religion he holds to?
Afternoon. Mr Carmichael survives, so do we know who will be paying the costs of those who brought the case against him?
Well Carmichael survives to embarrass the LD another day. However there is no doubt that no matter who pays the legal costs, that the LD are going to lose their Shetlands seat in the next election, no matter who is their candidate, since this ruling will be used by the SNP to rail the locals against the LD instead of just Carmichael.
Not so sure about that - If the result of the Indie ref is anything to go by, it’s that Orkney and Shetland are not particularly sympathetic to the aims of the SNP.
They don't need to be. They almost won the seat this time despute the IndyRef vote, and didn't have proof the incumbent was a liar (albeit a liar about a leak, which is hardly uncommon if rarely caught out). Add in their national position problems, and being tarred with the same brush, and the LDs have to be odds against retaining the seat in 2020. The people there could easily vote for an SNP MP and then against an IndyRef. 70 years of Lib MPs may have been enough I suppose.
a bonkers UKIP councillor story! it's just like old times. aaah
Indeed - and with an AV thread soon to come as well, going full circle.
Also in play are the two (not one) O & S constituencies for the Scottish Parliament in May 2016. Both held by LDs.
I suppose it comes down to if they thought they were going to lose both of those anyway, and anyby-election held now, then it probably was worth sticking around to try to salvage the seat for 2020, when hopefully the SNP juggernaut would be less effective.
If however they hope to hold those seats, and the westminster seat is at risk either way, then will standing by him cost them the scottish seats they might otherwise have held?
Not an enviable position to be in, with little light on the horizon.
They are desperate to cling on to those seats as they will only get one List replacement seat after the voters hand McArthur and Scott thier jotters.
As they may well lose Willie Rennie in Mid Scotland and Fife they will be down to 3 MPs if they can't keep both island seats. And the three list seats they are most likely to retain - Highland and Island (if they lose both Orkney and Zetland contituencies), South of Scotland and North East Scotland - are by no means guaranteed.
Well clearly it might as well be in his constituency office, but that is not quite what the article actually claims. (it would be against parliamentary riles wouldnt it?) They both have offices in the same building and share the same landlord - ''Both have office space at the Durham Resource Centre, owned by the Ethical Property Company, which is also home to the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign''
Nevertheless we see what kind of man the Labour membership have elected.
That really is pathetic, I saw it the other day. It was a poor attempt at humour but for it to make the press shows what sort of a ridiculous society we've become.
I've no idea why people continually pretend to be outraged over the most trivial things, get a life ffs and worry about something serious happening.
'A poor attempt at humour'. Yes, of course it was.
Do you honestly believe that he thought sending Syrians to Cumbria caused floods? Seriously?
If so I suggest the problem lies with you.
Anything's possible with the Kippers. Remember Farage blaming immigrants for traffic jams on the M4.
You don't do yourself any favours, Farage blamed immigration and population rise, but of course you're too busy brainwashing yourself.
Do you think traffic has increased in recent years?
Farage left London later than he should have done to get to Wales on time, and blamed immigrants. He does himself and UKIP no favours with his silly Dog Whistling.
Car ownership has increased significantly - but not to do with increased population. More women are driving for instance... something guaranteed to upset Farage.
Also in play are the two (not one) O & S constituencies for the Scottish Parliament in May 2016. Both held by LDs.
I suppose it comes down to if they thought they were going to lose both of those anyway, and anyby-election held now, then it probably was worth sticking around to try to salvage the seat for 2020, when hopefully the SNP juggernaut would be less effective.
If however they hope to hold those seats, and the westminster seat is at risk either way, then will standing by him cost them the scottish seats they might otherwise have held?
Not an enviable position to be in, with little light on the horizon.
Interesting analysis. That reminds me: as far as sticking by Mr Carmichael is concerned, Tavish Scott (one of the MSPs for O & S) moaned when called as a witness that the case was being seen by people as a show trial. Not, of course, the same as accusing the judges tout court or saying that's what he thought, but at least one commentator seems to have thought that Mr S wasn't being as deferential as migh tbe prudent.
That really is pathetic, I saw it the other day. It was a poor attempt at humour but for it to make the press shows what sort of a ridiculous society we've become.
I've no idea why people continually pretend to be outraged over the most trivial things, get a life ffs and worry about something serious happening.
'A poor attempt at humour'. Yes, of course it was.
Do you honestly believe that he thought sending Syrians to Cumbria caused floods? Seriously?
If so I suggest the problem lies with you.
Anything's possible with the Kippers. Remember Farage blaming immigrants for traffic jams on the M4.
You don't do yourself any favours, Farage blamed immigration and population rise, but of course you're too busy brainwashing yourself.
Do you think traffic has increased in recent years?
Farage left London later than he should have done to get to Wales on time, and blamed immigrants. He does himself and UKIP no favours with his silly Dog Whistling.
Car ownership has increased significantly - but not to do with increased population. More women are driving for instance... something guaranteed to upset Farage.
Update as I'm too late to edit on Lib Dems at Holyrood.
Checking the 2011 result the Fibs only got 6.8% of the vote over the entire NE Scotland region and 5.4% in South of Scotland. This pretty much means that McInnes and Hume are out too as well as Rennie. I'm amazed they had fallen so low in such heartland areas by 2011.
The Liberals will only have enough votes in Highlands and Islands Region to get a List seat. So without retaining both Orkney and Zetland constituencies they will be down to one seat.
Liberal wipe out is actually on the cards in 2016. Their 2011 vote in Highland was 10% so it would have to fall by 50% to lose out completely. But, with Carmichael poisoning the brand, surely this is actually possible.
Mr. Dair, but if the Lib Dems fall off the electoral cliff, who benefits?
Lots of factors, possibly more Greens, possibly more SNP List, possibly more Tories or Red Tories. Impossible to work out easily from the WIkipedia summary.
The threshold is roughly 5.5% with no constituencies and for the SNP 55% with all constituencies (in 6 of the 8 Regions) to get a list seat.
Only problem for Ms Eagle is that Labour has got misogyny in its DNA. It is much harder to envisage a female CON leader than a female LAB one. Look at the way Cooper and Kendall were treated during the leadership contest.
How about a female LibDem leader?
If I were a betting man I might have a nibble on Kirsty Williams. I think she will become MP for Brecon and Radnor in 2020 and could become leader shortly afterwards.
That's true, although even ex-energy their trade surplus has diminished.
I was just being facetious and pointing out that Japan has not, in general, been a model of how to run a capitalist economy over the last three decades.
Anyone who does think it's a good model needs their head examining. However Japan is not like any other nation. They have nationalist consumerism, they have have nationalist bond buyers, they live forever and work until the day they drop dead. There are also millions of Japanese "employees" on company payrolls who do nothing and zombie companies can't fire them because severance costs would bankrupt them. Japan has a lot of problems, they need to get more women into the workplace and increase the fertility rate, I know its been going up soon but their culture over the last few years has become toxic when it comes to relationships and families, men aged 18-30 are more comfortable playing some waifu simulators than they are getting to know Japanese women of their age group. They need a massive reeducation programme and basically ban waifu simulator games from going on sale in Japan. Yes its treating the symptom rather than the cause, but it is better than having a generation of single men who have no clue how to attract girls and start a family.
That's true, although even ex-energy their trade surplus has diminished.
I was just being facetious and pointing out that Japan has not, in general, been a model of how to run a capitalist economy over the last three decades.
Anyone who does think it's a good model needs their head examining. However Japan is not like any other nation. They have nationalist consumerism, they have have nationalist bond buyers, they live forever and work until the day they drop dead. There are also millions of Japanese "employees" on company payrolls who do nothing and zombie companies can't fire them because severance costs would bankrupt them. Japan has a lot of problems, they need to get more women into the workplace and increase the fertility rate, I know its been going up soon but their culture over the last few years has become toxic when it comes to relationships and families, men aged 18-30 are more comfortable playing some waifu simulators than they are getting to know Japanese women of their age group. They need a massive reeducation programme and basically ban waifu simulator games from going on sale in Japan. Yes its treating the symptom rather than the cause, but it is better than having a generation of single men who have no clue how to attract girls and start a family.
If the Japanese women aren't having kids, or else are in the workplace - what on earth are they doing ?
That's true, although even ex-energy their trade surplus has diminished.
I was just being facetious and pointing out that Japan has not, in general, been a model of how to run a capitalist economy over the last three decades.
Anyone who does think it's a good model needs their head examining. However Japan is not like any other nation. They have nationalist consumerism, they have have nationalist bond buyers, they live forever and work until the day they drop dead. There are also millions of Japanese "employees" on company payrolls who do nothing and zombie companies can't fire them because severance costs would bankrupt them. Japan has a lot of problems, they need to get more women into the workplace and increase the fertility rate, I know its been going up soon but their culture over the last few years has become toxic when it comes to relationships and families, men aged 18-30 are more comfortable playing some waifu simulators than they are getting to know Japanese women of their age group. They need a massive reeducation programme and basically ban waifu simulator games from going on sale in Japan. Yes its treating the symptom rather than the cause, but it is better than having a generation of single men who have no clue how to attract girls and start a family.
If the Japanese women aren't having kids, or else are in the workplace - what on earth are they doing ?
Got no boyfriends or husbands. A lot of them do work though.
From the coverage of the Trump comment, you'd think the entirety of the Western world was united in condemnation. Whereas 25% of the UK population told YouGov that they agree, and in all likelihood the number of people who agree but aren't willing to say so is far higher - and that's just the UK. I wonder what the French make of his suggestion?
Full judgment for Carmichael out at last. Not happy reading for him. Amongst other things his response to the leaks inquiry is said to have been unimpressive, to have lacked candour and not to have amounted to cooperation. It goes on to say it was at best disingenuous, at worst evasive and self serving. There are some interesting and telling observations about the prevalence of leaks in UK political life and the lack of moral obloquy arising from the practice. This seems to have influenced their view that this act did not relate to his own personal character. I think it has been a very close call for him.
Does it say anything about costs, or are those things decided later on?
Sorry was at a meeting. No it doesn't. In the normal case the case would be put out by order for a discussion on costs etc but this is somewhat peculiar. In the case of an Election Court what I understand the Court does is send its decision to Parliament in the form of a report. I am not sure at what stage expenses might be resolved. It may be a while.
Officials at Malaysia's main airport have taken out a newspaper advert seeking the owner of three Boeing 747 jets they say have been left unclaimed. […] It said fees for landing and parking were also owed.
I once forgot which level I'd parked the car on a X channel ferry – a 747 I think I'd remember.
That's true, although even ex-energy their trade surplus has diminished.
I was just being facetious and pointing out that Japan has not, in general, been a model of how to run a capitalist economy over the last three decades.
Anyone who does think it's a good model needs their head examining. However Japan is not like any other nation. They have nationalist consumerism, they have have nationalist bond buyers, they live forever and work until the day they drop dead. There are also millions of Japanese "employees" on company payrolls who do nothing and zombie companies can't fire them because severance costs would bankrupt them. Japan has a lot of problems, they need to get more women into the workplace and increase the fertility rate, I know its been going up soon but their culture over the last few years has become toxic when it comes to relationships and families, men aged 18-30 are more comfortable playing some waifu simulators than they are getting to know Japanese women of their age group. They need a massive reeducation programme and basically ban waifu simulator games from going on sale in Japan. Yes its treating the symptom rather than the cause, but it is better than having a generation of single men who have no clue how to attract girls and start a family.
If the Japanese women aren't having kids, or else are in the workplace - what on earth are they doing ?
Serving the men. I remember being taken inland by a Japanese man (years ago, we were hitch-hiking) and treated to a fantastic lunch with all the family about 10 people young and old present. All the family, that is, except the women. They scuttled around and about not wanting to be seen (by visitors? by visiting men? by anyone?).
Full judgment for Carmichael out at last. Not happy reading for him. Amongst other things his response to the leaks inquiry is said to have been unimpressive, to have lacked candour and not to have amounted to cooperation. It goes on to say it was at best disingenuous, at worst evasive and self serving. There are some interesting and telling observations about the prevalence of leaks in UK political life and the lack of moral obloquy arising from the practice. This seems to have influenced their view that this act did not relate to his own personal character. I think it has been a very close call for him.
Does it say anything about costs, or are those things decided later on?
Sorry was at a meeting. No it doesn't. In the normal case the case would be put out by order for a discussion on costs etc but this is somewhat peculiar. In the case of an Election Court what I understand the Court does is send its decision to Parliament in the form of a report. I am not sure at what stage expenses might be resolved. It may be a while.
Thanks. A lot of assumptions going out about now - someone mentioned £1.4m (and IIRC one poster here on PB repeated it but I think that must be the cost of the Cabinet Office inquiry into the leak and nothing to do with the court case, as a much smaller figure is bring bruited round by LDs for Mr Carmichael's costs.
Full judgment for Carmichael out at last. Not happy reading for him. Amongst other things his response to the leaks inquiry is said to have been unimpressive, to have lacked candour and not to have amounted to cooperation. It goes on to say it was at best disingenuous, at worst evasive and self serving. There are some interesting and telling observations about the prevalence of leaks in UK political life and the lack of moral obloquy arising from the practice. This seems to have influenced their view that this act did not relate to his own personal character. I think it has been a very close call for him.
Does it say anything about costs, or are those things decided later on?
Sorry was at a meeting. No it doesn't. In the normal case the case would be put out by order for a discussion on costs etc but this is somewhat peculiar. In the case of an Election Court what I understand the Court does is send its decision to Parliament in the form of a report. I am not sure at what stage expenses might be resolved. It may be a while.
Thanks. A lot of assumptions going out about now - someone mentioned £1.4m (and IIRC one poster here on PB repeated it but I think that must be the cost of the Cabinet Office inquiry into the leak and nothing to do with the court case, as a much smaller figure is bring bruited round by LDs for Mr Carmichael's costs.
I would be genuinely astonished if Carmichael was awarded full costs after a judgment like that. It is really quite brutal.
@politicshome: Burnham says his support for Investigatory Powers Bill is not conditional on release of #Shrewsbury24 documents, but he urges transparency.
Full judgment for Carmichael out at last. Not happy reading for him. Amongst other things his response to the leaks inquiry is said to have been unimpressive, to have lacked candour and not to have amounted to cooperation. It goes on to say it was at best disingenuous, at worst evasive and self serving. There are some interesting and telling observations about the prevalence of leaks in UK political life and the lack of moral obloquy arising from the practice. This seems to have influenced their view that this act did not relate to his own personal character. I think it has been a very close call for him.
Does it say anything about costs, or are those things decided later on?
Sorry was at a meeting. No it doesn't. In the normal case the case would be put out by order for a discussion on costs etc but this is somewhat peculiar. In the case of an Election Court what I understand the Court does is send its decision to Parliament in the form of a report. I am not sure at what stage expenses might be resolved. It may be a while.
Thanks. A lot of assumptions going out about now - someone mentioned £1.4m (and IIRC one poster here on PB repeated it but I think that must be the cost of the Cabinet Office inquiry into the leak and nothing to do with the court case, as a much smaller figure is bring bruited round by LDs for Mr Carmichael's costs.
I would be genuinely astonished if Carmichael was awarded full costs after a judgment like that. It is really quite brutal.
The judgment certainly doesn't make for pretty reading for Alistair Carmichael.
The decision was expected - the alternative would have been to open up horrid questions in every election about the extent to which any alleged lie went to the character of the candidate uttering the words. We'd be getting 100 court challenges after every general election. Far better to leave it to the electorate to decide.
ALERT Super important polls relating to this thread.
First polls asking people of Trump's muslim immigration ban policy, one from San Diego and another from Fresno, California (not your average conservative place):
"Yesterday, Donald Trump called for, quote, "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on." Do you strongly agree with this statement? Somewhat agree? Somewhat disagree? Or strongly disagree?"
"For our part, we’ve forecast the end of Trump’s campaign maybe four or five times. But not this time. Trump’s proposal, whatever the merits, looks to us like a political masterstroke, in large part because of the overwrought reactions it has prompted from Democrats, Republicans and the media alike."
The judgment certainly doesn't make for pretty reading for Alistair Carmichael.
The decision was expected - the alternative would have been to open up horrid questions in every election about the extent to which any alleged lie went to the character of the candidate uttering the words. We'd be getting 100 court challenges after every general election. Far better to leave it to the electorate to decide.
Does this judgement, the Labour Manifesto one from way back and the lack of any sort of ASA oversight on political advertising basically mean that pretty much any garbage can be made up during an election campaign ?
Officials at Malaysia's main airport have taken out a newspaper advert seeking the owner of three Boeing 747 jets they say have been left unclaimed. […] It said fees for landing and parking were also owed.
I once forgot which level I'd parked the car on a X channel ferry – a 747 I think I'd remember.
The judgment certainly doesn't make for pretty reading for Alistair Carmichael.
The decision was expected - the alternative would have been to open up horrid questions in every election about the extent to which any alleged lie went to the character of the candidate uttering the words. We'd be getting 100 court challenges after every general election. Far better to leave it to the electorate to decide.
Does this judgement, the Labour Manifesto one from way back and the lack of any sort of ASA oversight on political advertising basically mean that pretty much any garbage can be made up during an election campaign ?
Yes, I would say so. It is for the electorate to separate the wheat from the chaff. Good luck with that!
What would be the pros and cons of mulsim immigration to the UK do we think?
Probably the same as all other migration.
With the added bonus that over time educated societies trend towards a more agnostic (if not outright atheist). So Islam will mellow out.
While the puritanical extremists who want a medieval religion get most of the attention this is already in evidence. Most Muslim friends of mine drink alcohol for instance and are about as religious as most Christian friends of mine. I bet the proportion of British Muslims who drink are dramatically higher than Middle East ones. Our western education and freedoms are as much an existential threat to unenlightened Islam as it is to unenlightened Christianity.
Err My dentist is a highly educated , charming and respected professional. His faith in Islam does not appear to have diminished with money and success.. and he does not drink..
Is he puritanical?
Religion was formed from ignorance. People inherit their parents religion by and large but like everything in life it evolves. There is no educated developed society that I know of that is more puritanical than it was in the past.
I am slightly nervous about asking, especially before the lagershed, but what is a waifu simulator?
A dating simulator videogame I think. Let's not forget the dakimakura, an anime body-pillow that's popular with a certain kind of neckbeard in lieu of a girlfriend:
What would be the pros and cons of mulsim immigration to the UK do we think?
Probably the same as all other migration.
With the added bonus that over time educated societies trend towards a more agnostic (if not outright atheist). So Islam will mellow out.
While the puritanical extremists who want a medieval religion get most of the attention this is already in evidence. Most Muslim friends of mine drink alcohol for instance and are about as religious as most Christian friends of mine. I bet the proportion of British Muslims who drink are dramatically higher than Middle East ones. Our western education and freedoms are as much an existential threat to unenlightened Islam as it is to unenlightened Christianity.
Err My dentist is a highly educated , charming and respected professional. His faith in Islam does not appear to have diminished with money and success.. and he does not drink..
Is he puritanical?
Religion was formed from ignorance. People inherit their parents religion by and large but like everything in life it evolves. There is no educated developed society that I know of that is more puritanical than it was in the past.
I imagine most of the Middle East is wealthier and more literate than it was 50 years ago, but also more hard line in matters of religion. A bit like Europe in 1550 compared to 1500.
ALERT Super important polls relating to this thread.
First polls asking people of Trump's muslim immigration ban policy, one from San Diego and another from Fresno, California (not your average conservative place):
"Yesterday, Donald Trump called for, quote, "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on." Do you strongly agree with this statement? Somewhat agree? Somewhat disagree? Or strongly disagree?"
"For our part, we’ve forecast the end of Trump’s campaign maybe four or five times. But not this time. Trump’s proposal, whatever the merits, looks to us like a political masterstroke, in large part because of the overwrought reactions it has prompted from Democrats, Republicans and the media alike."
Hmm. Let's see. Trump might be in danger of alienating those Americans who worship the constitution -- guns, free speech and crucially, freedom of religion.
Officials at Malaysia's main airport have taken out a newspaper advert seeking the owner of three Boeing 747 jets they say have been left unclaimed. […] It said fees for landing and parking were also owed.
I once forgot which level I'd parked the car on a X channel ferry – a 747 I think I'd remember.
Originally they belonged to Air Atlanta Icelandic, but were sold by the Icelandic firm in 2008 and have sat at KLIA now for more than a year. More sleuthing req Sherlock Prasannan
Officials at Malaysia's main airport have taken out a newspaper advert seeking the owner of three Boeing 747 jets they say have been left unclaimed. […] It said fees for landing and parking were also owed.
I once forgot which level I'd parked the car on a X channel ferry – a 747 I think I'd remember.
Originally they belonged to Air Atlanta Icelandic, but were sold by the Icelandic firm in 2008 and have sat at KLIA now for more than a year. More sleuthing req Sherlock Prasannan
Planespotters.net reckon the planes are "stored" at KL - but looks like they have just been abandoned!
Comments
I'm talking about the fact that the Japanese government has not been a very good steward of the economy.
"Japan what a country" is true only if you add the word "fucked".
Have you read the Christopher Caldwell book I mentioned? I was reading the chapter on the suburbs of Paris around the time of the attacks. It was spelled out in black and white what was going to happen, what motivated it and why the problem existed. I just don't get why the people that run Western governments allowed it to happen.
As noted before, LPW is one of the better commentators on the Carmichael case. Interesting roundup.
"A victory for Carmichael, then, and uncertain times for the four petitioners who now face the prospect of a very substantial legal bill. But no vindication here. Only survival."
Ouch.
With the added bonus that over time educated societies trend towards a more agnostic (if not outright atheist). So Islam will mellow out.
While the puritanical extremists who want a medieval religion get most of the attention this is already in evidence. Most Muslim friends of mine drink alcohol for instance and are about as religious as most Christian friends of mine. I bet the proportion of British Muslims who drink are dramatically higher than Middle East ones. Our western education and freedoms are as much an existential threat to unenlightened Islam as it is to unenlightened Christianity.
This should mean that the proportion of workers' pay packets that is syphoned off to pay for retirees pensions and healthcare is stable.
On the other hand, your birth rate dips to well below 2, as it has in Japan, then you must see the proportion of workers' paypackets being syphoned off rising.
In a country where 5 workers support every retiree, there's no big issue. If it's two retirees, then it's a struggle.
What of a situation where every worker - in addition to supporting their family, themselves, and the state - also has to fund one retiree.
Just as it's a ponzi scheme to have ever rising numbers of people, it's equally (and more brutally) ugly in a world where the ratio of retirees to workers is ever worsening.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/24/world/a-sprawl-of-abandoned-homes-in-tokyo-suburbs.html?_r=0
It was noticeable in the summary judgement that they gave an example of how he could have crossed the line into personal character. Ironically the paragraph reads similar to previous statements Carmichael has made on leaks
They explained that if a candidate made a false statement that he would never leak an internal confidential memo, no matter how helpful that might be to his party, as he regarded the practice of leaking confidential information as dishonest and morally reprehensible, and he would not stoop to such tactics, when in fact that candidate had leaked an internal confidential memo containing material which was inaccurate and highly damaging to an opponent, they would be likely to conclude that the candidate had given a false statement “'in relation to [his] personal character or conduct” because he would be falsely holding himself out as being of such a standard of honesty, honour, trustworthiness and integrity that, in contrast with what others in Westminster might do, he would never be involved in such a leaking exercise.
If the C4 interview had asked him a follow up on leaks and he had answered the question, he would surely have been sunk.
Japan what a country!
If so I suggest the problem lies with you.
@realDonaldTrump: I told you @TIME Magazine would never pick me as person of the year despite being the big favorite They picked person who is ruining Germany
@GlennBBC: .@realDonaldTrump is no longer business ambassador for Scotland - ditched by first minister @NicolaSturgeon
1. Angela Merkel.
2. ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3352592/Angela-Merkel-named-Time-Person-Year-German-Chancellor-beats-ISIS-leader-al-Baghdadi-Donald-Trump-throwing-Germany-s-doors-open-migrants.html
Do you think traffic has increased in recent years?
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Élections_régionales_françaises_de_2015
If however they hope to hold those seats, and the westminster seat is at risk either way, then will standing by him cost them the scottish seats they might otherwise have held?
Not an enviable position to be in, with little light on the horizon.
As far as I'm aware neither have made public comments on the debacle. I'm sure they will be hoping their "personal vote" saves them in May much a the "personal vote" saved all those Liberals in their former stronghold of the English SW.
It's funny to see the FN list in Paris headed by someone called Saint-Just.
http://petitionmap.unboxedconsulting.com/?petition=114003
Labour's @JamesKLabMSP raises point of order at Holyrood saying @DerekMackayMSP "misled parliament" about Forth Road Bridge maintenance...
And the People's Republic of Brighton.
Last May, 62% voted for left wing parties, 34% for right wing.
http://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgElectionResults.aspx?ID=28&RPID=15521249
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1cf98160-9e64-11e5-8ce1-f6219b685d74.html?ftcamp=published_links/rss/world_uk_politics/feed//product#axzz3tY7RaWal
Same road, same address.
Also highlights the stage army of non Labour Party activists in Stop The War.
As they may well lose Willie Rennie in Mid Scotland and Fife they will be down to 3 MPs if they can't keep both island seats. And the three list seats they are most likely to retain - Highland and Island (if they lose both Orkney and Zetland contituencies), South of Scotland and North East Scotland - are by no means guaranteed.
They both have offices in the same building and share the same landlord - ''Both have office space at the Durham Resource Centre, owned by the Ethical Property Company, which is also home to the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign''
Nevertheless we see what kind of man the Labour membership have elected.
http://lallandspeatworrier.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/three-days-in-november.html
http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2015/11/09/carmichael-case-a-political-show-trial-says-msp
http://www.thenational.scot/politics/alistair-carmichael-has-no-chance-to-dodge-the-question-as-a-witness-in-election-court.9821
But certainly remarks that would (a) polarise opinion and (b) link Mr Scott with Mr Carmichael.
Mail for you, Mr. Llama.
Merkel probably is person of the year. She's certainly done her bit to exacerbate a crisis.
Checking the 2011 result the Fibs only got 6.8% of the vote over the entire NE Scotland region and 5.4% in South of Scotland. This pretty much means that McInnes and Hume are out too as well as Rennie. I'm amazed they had fallen so low in such heartland areas by 2011.
The Liberals will only have enough votes in Highlands and Islands Region to get a List seat. So without retaining both Orkney and Zetland constituencies they will be down to one seat.
Liberal wipe out is actually on the cards in 2016. Their 2011 vote in Highland was 10% so it would have to fall by 50% to lose out completely. But, with Carmichael poisoning the brand, surely this is actually possible.
The threshold is roughly 5.5% with no constituencies and for the SNP 55% with all constituencies (in 6 of the 8 Regions) to get a list seat.
Anyone got the 2011 results on a spreadsheet?
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-35054360
https://twitter.com/jreedmp/status/674353303510208512
Or the coverage weeks ago, which suggested all migrants were refugees and most people wanted us to take more.
[For the record, Trump remains an episode of flatulence].
Officials at Malaysia's main airport have taken out a newspaper advert seeking the owner of three Boeing 747 jets they say have been left unclaimed. […] It said fees for landing and parking were also owed.
I once forgot which level I'd parked the car on a X channel ferry – a 747 I think I'd remember.
天皇陛下万歳!!!!!!!
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/donald-trump-attended-sinn-fein-fundraiser-amid-antiira-terror-protests-34273453.html
@politicshome: Burnham says his support for Investigatory Powers Bill is not conditional on release of #Shrewsbury24 documents, but he urges transparency.
https://twitter.com/BBCJamesCook/status/674615377360367616
The decision was expected - the alternative would have been to open up horrid questions in every election about the extent to which any alleged lie went to the character of the candidate uttering the words. We'd be getting 100 court challenges after every general election. Far better to leave it to the electorate to decide.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-35050226
Lovely.
Super important polls relating to this thread.
First polls asking people of Trump's muslim immigration ban policy, one from San Diego and another from Fresno, California (not your average conservative place):
"Yesterday, Donald Trump called for, quote, "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on." Do you strongly agree with this statement? Somewhat agree? Somewhat disagree? Or strongly disagree?"
San Diego
Strongly Agree 37
Somewhat agree 15
Somewhat disagree 14
Strongly Disagree 34
Fresno
Strongly Agree 38
Somewhat agree 21
Somewhat disagree 12
Strongly Disagree 29
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=fc0f576d-aa1e-4448-bac2-2d043d34d7f5&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=81cc567e-6e0f-4bd6-830c-00764de3c43f&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
The average Californian is reacting more like the average UKIP'er
Also from the Wall Street Journal:
http://www.wsj.com/article_email/did-trump-just-win-1449604108-lMyQjAxMTA1MjA3ODQwNTg0Wj
"For our part, we’ve forecast the end of Trump’s campaign maybe four or five times. But not this time. Trump’s proposal, whatever the merits, looks to us like a political masterstroke, in large part because of the overwrought reactions it has prompted from Democrats, Republicans and the media alike."
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Boeing/747/22363/TF-ARM-Air-Atlanta-Icelandic
Religion was formed from ignorance. People inherit their parents religion by and large but like everything in life it evolves. There is no educated developed society that I know of that is more puritanical than it was in the past.
http://www.cringechannel.com/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-image-uploads/stickymeal/2013/11/tumblr_mekv1kkPJI1rc29i6o1_500.jpg
Well than I can at any rate.