politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Donald Brind wonders whether Osborne’s luck hold?
“We have an economic plan that is delivering for Britain”. When George Osborne uttered his familiar mantra in the Commons on Wednesday it sounded as though he was clinging to a piece of wreckage after his encounter with Angela Eagle.
Will Osborne’s luck hold? Who knows. Recessions are unpredictable beasts. "Boom and bust"
will Labour be in a position to capitalise on the opportunity? No.
Most Labour MPs think they’d be better able to do that with a different leader. Won't happen for a while, when it does it will be from the left. This may well be after the GE.
Which is why there was such warm praise for Angela Eagle on Wednesday. She won't be leader, neither will Benn, Jarvis or Chuka. I'm merrily laying them all on Betfair.
"Most Labour MPs think they’d be better able to do that with a different leader." But the Labour members don't agree, and when they do come to choose a new leader it will be another Corbynite.
What have the membership of the British Chambers of Commerce done to drastically increase exports or produce products which we import? Typical Brit whingeing. A Dutch colleague of mine once likened the British attitude to business as owing much to our heritage of piracy, no long term planning just fast buck trading. The Brits find it easier to make a living by flogging houses or speculating in commodities.
I think there's a missing "will" in the title? But yes, Osborne has steadied the ship after the banking crash (we can debate who caused it and whether it would have steadied anyway, but let it go), but he's not seriously attempted to rebalance the economy away from consumption. I'm not sure he's really that interested in economcs - he just likes winning arguments.
Where does one start with Mr Brind's article? Q: Is Osborne a bit lucky at present? A: Yes, a bit. So I agree with the headline. But a few points that Mr Brind ought to be aware of if he was ever to learn to be fair and accurate in his articles (yes I know the BBC training does not induce that).
1. "Eagle pointed out that the Chancellor had cut flood defence spending by £115 million this year" Creates a false picture and yes the BBC did that. Last year included a temporary extra payment but the budget compared to the budget for last year has no cut. Of course the actual spend this year is likely to be higher - at least £50m higher - due to the floods.
2. Is the economy doing so badly? No is the answer Mr Brind, on the News tonight is Christine Lagarde praising how well our economy is doing best of all developed countries.....
Now, personally I think Osborne is making mistakes in not cutting back hard enough and not investing more in infrastructure such as roads. But compared to many countries we are doing ok.
Osborne is a very Brown chancellor, putting everything on auto pilot and boosting spending to special interests to keep the party base happy. The result is predictably the largest bubble ever in Britain's economic history, bigger than the Lawson bubble of 1986-88, and it shows:
For how long can Britain find 6% of it's GDP per year (and rising) from foreigners to keep the economy from crashing? The Arabs are getting dry with low oil prices, the russians are barred by sanctions, the japanese busy funding their own liabilities and the chinese are not into asset bubbles right now, the americans too are also busy funding their own liabilities, the europeans have no cash and neither the third world after the commodities crash.
"Another told me that it wasn't ready to explain its education to the outside world.
Some may be choosing to instruct children in a way which is deeply socially conservative by many people's standards. Others prefer a focus on global citizenship, and shared Muslim values, to the British values which now must be incorporated into teaching in England's schools.
This is a choice being made by parents, opting for an education which they believe matches their values. Some low-income families are finding fees of about £1,200 a year for each child to be educated..."
I think there's a missing "will" in the title? But yes, Osborne has steadied the ship after the banking crash (we can debate who caused it and whether it would have steadied anyway, but let it go), but he's not seriously attempted to rebalance the economy away from consumption. I'm not sure he's really that interested in economcs - he just likes winning arguments.
In response to the Washington Post article about the party establishment plotting to prevent a Trump nomination, Carson said:
"If this was the beginning of a plan to subvert the will of the voters and replace it with the will of the political elite, I assure you Donald Trump will not be the only one leaving the party," Carson said in a statement that referenced Trump's repeated threats to leave the GOP if treated "unfairly."
"I pray that the report in the Post this morning was incorrect," Carson added. "If it is correct, every voter who is standing for change must know they are being betrayed. I won't stand for it."
Carson is threatening to leave the GOP with Trump if they prevent Trump from winning the nomination. It's the Corbyn Labour leadership race all over again.
This is our world today. It's actually possible to have an unacceptable surname:
A Depression-era Lebanon Valley College leader with the last name Lynch has found himself thrust into the middle of a roiling 21st-century debate on campus civil rights.
Students at the private college in Annville have demanded administrators remove or modify Dr. Clyde A. Lynch’s last name, as it appears on a campus hall, due to the associated racial connotations.
Given the SWP / "right on" nature of Stop the War, I am surprised they even have a Christmas Do...I would have thought they would be into a "Multi-Faith Holiday Celebration Meal" or some other PC BS.
This is our world today. It's actually possible to have an unacceptable surname:
A Depression-era Lebanon Valley College leader with the last name Lynch has found himself thrust into the middle of a roiling 21st-century debate on campus civil rights.
Students at the private college in Annville have demanded administrators remove or modify Dr. Clyde A. Lynch’s last name, as it appears on a campus hall, due to the associated racial connotations.
Given the SWP / "right on" nature of Stop the War, I am surprised they even have a Christmas Do...I would have thought they would be into a "Multi-Faith Holiday Celebration Meal" or some other PC BS.
so what's new we all ask?
Jamie Reed @jreedmp Sadly, the Labour Leader is giving two fingers to the Labour Party tonight.
This is our world today. It's actually possible to have an unacceptable surname:
A Depression-era Lebanon Valley College leader with the last name Lynch has found himself thrust into the middle of a roiling 21st-century debate on campus civil rights.
Students at the private college in Annville have demanded administrators remove or modify Dr. Clyde A. Lynch’s last name, as it appears on a campus hall, due to the associated racial connotations.
Given the SWP / "right on" nature of Stop the War, I am surprised they even have a Christmas Do...I would have thought they would be into a "Multi-Faith Holiday Celebration Meal" or some other PC BS.
so what's new we all ask?
Jamie Reed @jreedmp Sadly, the Labour Leader is giving two fingers to the Labour Party tonight.
Given the SWP / "right on" nature of Stop the War, I am surprised they even have a Christmas Do...I would have thought they would be into a "Multi-Faith Holiday Celebration Meal" or some other PC BS.
so what's new we all ask?
Jamie Reed @jreedmp Sadly, the Labour Leader is giving two fingers to the Labour Party tonight.
I have no personal or political problem for Corbyn giving two fingers to Jamie Reed. And that's Jamie Reed's problem.
Watt seemed to be doing the bulk of the work compared to his boss, Wintour, so to lose out seems rough
The previous editor of the Guardian was in post for twenty years and the owners watched him take the paper to the edge of collapse and did nothing.....that paper has no idea what it is doing.
He's not happy about that Labour press release re JC SWP knees-up.
Jamie Reed @jreedmp 15 mins15 minutes ago Pity the poor press officer forced to put that shameful screed out tonight. They'd have known it was disastrous.
This is our world today. It's actually possible to have an unacceptable surname:
A Depression-era Lebanon Valley College leader with the last name Lynch has found himself thrust into the middle of a roiling 21st-century debate on campus civil rights.
Students at the private college in Annville have demanded administrators remove or modify Dr. Clyde A. Lynch’s last name, as it appears on a campus hall, due to the associated racial connotations.
He's not happy about that Labour press release re JC SWP knees-up.
Jamie Reed @jreedmp 15 mins15 minutes ago Pity the poor press officer forced to put that shameful screed out tonight. They'd have known it was disastrous.
If it makes him not happy, then I'm satisfied.
Corbyn's critics so far are just persons who most people in the Labour party hate for either personal or political reasons, and that's the problem of those who want to get rid of Corbyn.
This is our world today. It's actually possible to have an unacceptable surname:
A Depression-era Lebanon Valley College leader with the last name Lynch has found himself thrust into the middle of a roiling 21st-century debate on campus civil rights.
Students at the private college in Annville have demanded administrators remove or modify Dr. Clyde A. Lynch’s last name, as it appears on a campus hall, due to the associated racial connotations.
He's not happy about that Labour press release re JC SWP knees-up.
Jamie Reed @jreedmp 15 mins15 minutes ago Pity the poor press officer forced to put that shameful screed out tonight. They'd have known it was disastrous.
If it makes him not happy, then I'm satisfied.
Corbyn's critics so far are just persons who most people in the Labour party hate for either personal or political reasons, and that's the problem of those who want to get rid of Corbyn.
He's not happy about that Labour press release re JC SWP knees-up.
Jamie Reed @jreedmp 15 mins15 minutes ago Pity the poor press officer forced to put that shameful screed out tonight. They'd have known it was disastrous.
If it makes him not happy, then I'm satisfied.
Corbyn's critics so far are just persons who most people in the Labour party hate for either personal or political reasons, and that's the problem of those who want to get rid of Corbyn.
Hate does not win elections.
And neither loving nuclear energy so much, you resign from shadow health secretary.
This is our world today. It's actually possible to have an unacceptable surname:
A Depression-era Lebanon Valley College leader with the last name Lynch has found himself thrust into the middle of a roiling 21st-century debate on campus civil rights.
Students at the private college in Annville have demanded administrators remove or modify Dr. Clyde A. Lynch’s last name, as it appears on a campus hall, due to the associated racial connotations.
This is our world today. It's actually possible to have an unacceptable surname:
A Depression-era Lebanon Valley College leader with the last name Lynch has found himself thrust into the middle of a roiling 21st-century debate on campus civil rights.
Students at the private college in Annville have demanded administrators remove or modify Dr. Clyde A. Lynch’s last name, as it appears on a campus hall, due to the associated racial connotations.
Your post should be removed for failing to include a very necessary trigger warning!!!
But your post mentions the word "trigger" which could remind us of guns, so you've got to drop the word “trigger” in the your phrase “trigger warning” since the word “trigger” can be triggering. Or something.
FPT the Apocalypse and Philip Thompson, wrt Slytherin House.
There are certain attributes that belong to each House. Slytherins value cunning and leadership skills; Gryffindors value bravery and selflessness; Hufflepuffs value hard work and loyalty; Ravenclaws value intellectual skills. These are all good attributes, although they can be put to evil uses. Given that power tends to corrupt, you would probably expect to see a higher proportion of bad people among Slytherins (the kind of people who would do anything to gain power) and Ravenclaws (the kind of people who would become fascinated by black magic) than among the other Houses. But, you'd expect to see good people among them as well. You'd also expect to see some Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs being seduced into evil causes, in the way that well-meaning people are in real life.
But, with a couple of exceptions, Slytherin is a House of fantasy Nazis. Sure, Snape was working for the Order all along, but he was still a shit towards any student who wasn't a Slytherin, Harry especially. Malfoy never redeemed himself; he just lost his nerve.
First, thanks to Mr Brind for writing these articles. Second, it emphasises that when the tide is running against you, whatever you say looks foolish: I assume that this was written before today's IMF report. The tide will turn but it took some time for the Conservatives.
I think it's certainly the case that with an even semi-competent leader who was anywhere near the mainstream, Labour would be in with a decent chance of returning to power in 2020. Of course, they would probably be in coalition with the SNP and that might (OK, would), again, be a hard sell to the electorate, but it would be a distinct possibility.
One of the weirdest beliefs that seemed to take root in the summer was that Labour had already lost in 2020 whoever they chose, so they might as well go for broke and lose in style. In reality, if Cooper had won, she'd have a good chance becoming PM in 2020. The Tories will look tired by then, Cameron will be gone etc etc.
But all that was washed away on 12th September. Now, the answer to "will Osborne's luck hold" is the same as the answer to "would Corbyn win any Labour leadership contest before the next election?"
I don't think it's any coincidence that those countries that have had the worst crises (Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece) have some of the highest rates of "living with the parents".
(Disclaimer: odd that Poland has such a high percentage, and Finland such a low one.)
I don't think it's any coincidence that those countries that have had the worst crises (Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece) have some of the highest rates of "living with the parents".
(Disclaimer: odd that Poland has such a high percentage, and Finland such a low one.)
If too can live at home it often makes sense rather than renting. Easier to save for a deposit to buy a place. Now if only I can pursuance my parents to move out here....
'will Labour be in a position to capitalise on the opportunity?'
Having a laugh ?
This on a day when the IMF gave the UK economy a pretty good report as well..
Britain's economy is doomed then.
While I personally hold Mme Legarde in quite high esteem (and she has been the best head of the IMF in many decades), the IMF as an institution has quite a poor economic forecasting record.
FPT the Apocalypse and Philip Thompson, wrt Slytherin House.
There are certain attributes that belong to each House. Slytherins value cunning and leadership skills; Gryffindors value bravery and selflessness; Hufflepuffs value hard work and loyalty; Ravenclaws value intellectual skills. These are all good attributes, although they can be put to evil uses. Given that power tends to corrupt, you would probably expect to see a higher proportion of bad people among Slytherins (the kind of people who would do anything to gain power) and Ravenclaws (the kind of people who would become fascinated by black magic) than among the other Houses. But, you'd expect to see good people among them as well. You'd also expect to see some Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs being seduced into evil causes, in the way that well-meaning people are in real life.
But, with a couple of exceptions, Slytherin is a House of fantasy Nazis. Sure, Snape was working for the Order all along, but he was still a shit towards any student who wasn't a Slytherin, Harry especially. Malfoy never redeemed himself; he just lost his nerve.
Although in book 7 there are a fair number of Slytherin's who choose to stay for the final battle against Lord Voldemort, including - of course - Slughorn.
Trump getting 56% of african-americans (as shown from those focus groups, Trump's muslim immigration ban proposal is very popular with african-americans).
It doesn't look like Trump will fail to win a majority of delegates, you can play with this interactive delegate tool and see for yourselves:
FPT the Apocalypse and Philip Thompson, wrt Slytherin House.
There are certain attributes that belong to each House. Slytherins value cunning and leadership skills; Gryffindors value bravery and selflessness; Hufflepuffs value hard work and loyalty; Ravenclaws value intellectual skills. These are all good attributes, although they can be put to evil uses. Given that power tends to corrupt, you would probably expect to see a higher proportion of bad people among Slytherins (the kind of people who would do anything to gain power) and Ravenclaws (the kind of people who would become fascinated by black magic) than among the other Houses. But, you'd expect to see good people among them as well. You'd also expect to see some Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs being seduced into evil causes, in the way that well-meaning people are in real life.
But, with a couple of exceptions, Slytherin is a House of fantasy Nazis. Sure, Snape was working for the Order all along, but he was still a shit towards any student who wasn't a Slytherin, Harry especially. Malfoy never redeemed himself; he just lost his nerve.
Although in book 7 there are a fair number of Slytherin's who choose to stay for the final battle against Lord Voldemort, including - of course - Slughorn.
IIRC almost the entire House walked out, rather than attempt to defend Hogwarts.
FPT the Apocalypse and Philip Thompson, wrt Slytherin House.
There are certain attributes that belong to each House. Slytherins value cunning and leadership skills; Gryffindors value bravery and selflessness; Hufflepuffs value hard work and loyalty; Ravenclaws value intellectual skills. These are all good attributes, although they can be put to evil uses. Given that power tends to corrupt, you would probably expect to see a higher proportion of bad people among Slytherins (the kind of people who would do anything to gain power) and Ravenclaws (the kind of people who would become fascinated by black magic) than among the other Houses. But, you'd expect to see good people among them as well. You'd also expect to see some Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs being seduced into evil causes, in the way that well-meaning people are in real life.
But, with a couple of exceptions, Slytherin is a House of fantasy Nazis. Sure, Snape was working for the Order all along, but he was still a shit towards any student who wasn't a Slytherin, Harry especially. Malfoy never redeemed himself; he just lost his nerve.
Although in book 7 there are a fair number of Slytherin's who choose to stay for the final battle against Lord Voldemort, including - of course - Slughorn.
IIRC almost the entire House walked out, rather than attempt to defend Hogwarts.
Hmmm... I read the book the week before last, and I *think* I remember it saying that a fair number stayed (led by Professor Slughorn).
Did anyone else reading the series find is worrying that an alliterative name was practically a requirement for being a successful witch or wizard?
He's not happy about that Labour press release re JC SWP knees-up.
Jamie Reed @jreedmp 15 mins15 minutes ago Pity the poor press officer forced to put that shameful screed out tonight. They'd have known it was disastrous.
If it makes him not happy, then I'm satisfied.
Corbyn's critics so far are just persons who most people in the Labour party hate for either personal or political reasons, and that's the problem of those who want to get rid of Corbyn.
What are the Corbynites to do with all these red tories...
Cllr John Ferrett @John_Ferrett Stop the War praised Iraqi 'resistance' when they were killing British troops - now the Labour Party are using members' money to promote it
Kevin Schofield @PolhomeEditor Jeremy Corbyn's address to the Stop the War bash is basically a massive an 'up yours' to most of his MPs pic.twitter.com/ED8hqbyCIe
I don't think it's any coincidence that those countries that have had the worst crises (Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece) have some of the highest rates of "living with the parents".
(Disclaimer: odd that Poland has such a high percentage, and Finland such a low one.)
Although there's presumably an economic factor, I think it's more a cultural thing - in Eastern and Southern Europe, multi-generational families in the same (or adjacent) house have always been the norm, though like all cultural traditions it's under pressure. Personally I think it makes sense - the grandparents retire around the time when the third generation comes along, which suits everyone, and if someone's not too well there are several relatives around to give a hand.
The British idea that it's actually worrying if the kids don't leave by age 18 is odd IMO. But the alternative model depends on everyone being prepared to adjust - authoritarian/possessive parents still trying to tell their adult kids what to do are not a good idea. I lived with my parents till they died, so I suppose I'm biased, but it morphed into a brotherly relationship rather than parent/son, and I was able to look after them both while living a pretty full life: it seemed pretty good to me (and I think to them).
Jamie Reed @jreedmp Sadly, the Labour Leader is giving two fingers to the Labour Party tonight.
It'd be daft for Corbyn to pretend he wasn't friendly with the Stop the War Coalition: we'd just think he was a hypocrite. It's pointless for his critics to wish he'd just morph into something he isn't.
Greetings from the Hotel Hamar, north of Reykjavik. Have any PBers visited this part of Iceland? Apparently there´s a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights tonight.
Iraqi troops had every right to kill foreign troops invading their land! What is so outrageous about upholding that right?
Where might you stand on Werewolves in Germany (both pre and post Luneberg Heath)? Consistency leads you to support the Nazis.
Pre-Luneburg Heath the German armed forces were at war and whilst they were entitled to resist the Allies, the same applied to those countries which had fallen victim to Nazi aggression. The parallel in 2003 was much closer to the unprovoked German attack on Poland in 1939 - and the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. The UK and the USA were clearly the aggressor powers - and the victims had every right to resist. There was no Luneburg Heath moment because Saddam's Government never did surrender, and on that basis any remaining supporters could justifiably claim the right - to this day - to continue resistance.
Jamie Reed @jreedmp Sadly, the Labour Leader is giving two fingers to the Labour Party tonight.
It'd be daft for Corbyn to pretend he wasn't friendly with the Stop the War Coalition: we'd just think he was a hypocrite. It's pointless for his critics to wish he'd just morph into something he isn't.
Jamie Reed @jreedmp Sadly, the Labour Leader is giving two fingers to the Labour Party tonight.
It'd be daft for Corbyn to pretend he wasn't friendly with the Stop the War Coalition: we'd just think he was a hypocrite. It's pointless for his critics to wish he'd just morph into something he isn't.
Speaking as one of his critics the only thing I want him to morph into is ex-labour leader. I think one of the reasons people are so openly critical is we spent the last five years pretending we thought ed would win. As far as I'm concerned it's just ridiculous and self deluded to pretend jeremy will be anything other than a disaster. And it will leave people who do support him without any credibility in real life as opposed to the Alice through the looking glass Labour Party. In addition there is no benefit from seeking compromise as corbyn and his followers are deliberately eschewing compromise.
Jamie Reed @jreedmp Sadly, the Labour Leader is giving two fingers to the Labour Party tonight.
It'd be daft for Corbyn to pretend he wasn't friendly with the Stop the War Coalition: we'd just think he was a hypocrite. It's pointless for his critics to wish he'd just morph into something he isn't.
Surely the option was open to him to tack towards the soft left somewhat. Politicians do sometimes abandon previously held positions on becoming leader and sometimes they get credit for it. But sure, clearly Corbyn is not going to do that. (Indeed, it's probably too late.)
Don Brind's piece left me feeling quite depressed at the end of an excellent week. There is so much to celebrate.The defeat of the Socialists in Venezuela. The Socialists' third place in the regional elections in France. The IMF report on the UK economy. The end of the massively wasteful phone hacking prosecutions. Donald Trump. I only need an article by Charlotte Church or Lawrie Penny and my weekend will be complete.
On topic I am very surprised that conservatives on here who loathed brown can't see exactly the same traits and danger signs in Osborne. Particularly the awful clientelist housing policies.
Donald- I don't know why you, and so many other commentators subscribe so much power to our political leaders. Osborne could no more fix the economy, than Brown, Blair, Major, Thatcher and so forth.
At best our political leaders are marginal tinkerers rather than fixers. They are always hostage to economic events, long out of their control. Housing bubbles, global events, currency fluctuations, and just that boring economic cycle that governments are incapable of shaping.
There is no luck with politics- it is all about timing, and hoping you are not around when something horrible happens which is completely out of your control.
Iraqi troops had every right to kill foreign troops invading their land! What is so outrageous about upholding that right?
They were fighting for the right to butcher Kurds and oppress other Iraqis. That's not a just cause, IMHO.
Even were that true - which is arguable - that would be little different to the American butchery of indigenous Red Indian tribes and the British slaughter of tribes in Africa and elsewhere whilst building an empire. In 2003 they were entitled to defend themselves from aggressors.
Greetings from the Hotel Hamar, north of Reykjavik. Have any PBers visited this part of Iceland? Apparently there´s a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights tonight.
The news networks were reporting today that the GOP establishment (whatever that is) met last weekend to try to find a way of stopping Trump, including a brokered convention.
I can see Trump easily winning the GOP nomination, but - given his high negatives among females and hispanics - I don't see him winning the general election.
Greetings from the Hotel Hamar, north of Reykjavik. Have any PBers visited this part of Iceland? Apparently there´s a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights tonight.
I did some tech work there in the DataCell Höfdatorg which is in Reykjavik . Very busy during a short intense visit so no time at all to really explore. I've been itching for a more leisurely return visit. Hope you have a great time.
Nick- as someone who has experience of both, the oppressive nature of inter generational living in southern Europe is utterly stifling and really quite horrific and abusive. And the horrible stuff naturally falls on the women whose lives are plagued by caring for their elderly parents- and when I mean caring, I mean wiping their arses, and taking full responsibility for their personal care as well as their own childcare and domesticity- all bound by duty, obligation and guilt. The men get off scot free as far as I can see- aside from taking care of bits of financial stuff.
In the UK we need to make sure that we care for the elderly, but not at the expense of family female carers.
I don't think it's any coincidence that those countries that have had the worst crises (Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece) have some of the highest rates of "living with the parents".
(Disclaimer: odd that Poland has such a high percentage, and Finland such a low one.)
Although there's presumably an economic factor, I think it's more a cultural thing - in Eastern and Southern Europe, multi-generational families in the same (or adjacent) house have always been the norm, though like all cultural traditions it's under pressure. Personally I think it makes sense - the grandparents retire around the time when the third generation comes along, which suits everyone, and if someone's not too well there are several relatives around to give a hand.
The British idea that it's actually worrying if the kids don't leave by age 18 is odd IMO. But the alternative model depends on everyone being prepared to adjust - authoritarian/possessive parents still trying to tell their adult kids what to do are not a good idea. I lived with my parents till they died, so I suppose I'm biased, but it morphed into a brotherly relationship rather than parent/son, and I was able to look after them both while living a pretty full life: it seemed pretty good to me (and I think to them).
Donald- I don't know why you, and so many other commentators subscribe so much power to our political leaders. Osborne could no more fix the economy, than Brown, Blair, Major, Thatcher and so forth.
At best our political leaders are marginal tinkerers rather than fixers. They are always hostage to economic events, long out of their control. Housing bubbles, global events, currency fluctuations, and just that boring economic cycle that governments are incapable of shaping.
There is no luck with politics- it is all about timing, and hoping you are not around when something horrible happens which is completely out of your control.
Politicians have tremendous power to break things. Building them, however, requires much more than just the political class so fixing something that's broken is tremendously difficult as it usually means needing to create a change in thinking and invariably upsetting some vested interest.
I appreciate that DB's thread is "from a Labour perspective" but the paucity of its damaging impact on the Tories, given the cherry picking nature of the piece, demonstrates the bind that Labour's in.
DB fails to mention that, whilst the world is presently an uncomfortable place, the UK is faring better than most. Of course this isn't all down to GO, but I think Joe Public probably reckons that the position under Labour with GO's luck would still be substantially worse, and under Jehadi Jez's rabble exponentially worse. DB also fails to advise how JJ can be dethroned by anyone other than a JJ acolyte before 2020.
On topic I am very surprised that conservatives on here who loathed brown can't see exactly the same traits and danger signs in Osborne. Particularly the awful clientelist housing policies.
David- seriously, you believe this? Unless you are a nihilistic ideologue (a la Hitler) a politician can no longer break something as much as they can fix it. They have so little control over the economy and other factors that their legacy is often solely dictated by the timings they govern under.
Donald- I don't know why you, and so many other commentators subscribe so much power to our political leaders. Osborne could no more fix the economy, than Brown, Blair, Major, Thatcher and so forth.
At best our political leaders are marginal tinkerers rather than fixers. They are always hostage to economic events, long out of their control. Housing bubbles, global events, currency fluctuations, and just that boring economic cycle that governments are incapable of shaping.
There is no luck with politics- it is all about timing, and hoping you are not around when something horrible happens which is completely out of your control.
Politicians have tremendous power to break things. Building them, however, requires much more than just the political class so fixing something that's broken is tremendously difficult as it usually means needing to create a change in thinking and invariably upsetting some vested interest.
Jamie Reed @jreedmp Sadly, the Labour Leader is giving two fingers to the Labour Party tonight.
It'd be daft for Corbyn to pretend he wasn't friendly with the Stop the War Coalition: we'd just think he was a hypocrite. It's pointless for his critics to wish he'd just morph into something he isn't.
Speaking as one of his critics the only thing I want him to morph into is ex-labour leader. I think one of the reasons people are so openly critical is we spent the last five years pretending we thought ed would win. As far as I'm concerned it's just ridiculous and self deluded to pretend jeremy will be anything other than a disaster. And it will leave people who do support him without any credibility in real life as opposed to the Alice through the looking glass Labour Party. In addition there is no benefit from seeking compromise as corbyn and his followers are deliberately eschewing compromise.
Jehadi Jez and his acolytes have first to consolidate their hold on the Labour party. After that comrades we will use our proletariat brothers and sisters to spread our word, striking at the stinking capitalists who mislead and manipulate them - they'll never notice the difference as they haven't done so yet.
Donald- I don't know why you, and so many other commentators subscribe so much power to our political leaders. Osborne could no more fix the economy, than Brown, Blair, Major, Thatcher and so forth.
At best our political leaders are marginal tinkerers rather than fixers. They are always hostage to economic events, long out of their control. Housing bubbles, global events, currency fluctuations, and just that boring economic cycle that governments are incapable of shaping.
There is no luck with politics- it is all about timing, and hoping you are not around when something horrible happens which is completely out of your control.
Politicians have tremendous power to break things. Building them, however, requires much more than just the political class so fixing something that's broken is tremendously difficult as it usually means needing to create a change in thinking and invariably upsetting some vested interest.
The ability of politicians to do anything positive is very limited. Certainly in economic terms, politicians can do very, very little, moreso today than at any time in history.
What politicians can do, is assist in general wellbeing and happiness but they generally don't, either for reasons of ill-thought out ideas about economics or to gain financially as individuals (both are Tory traits).
The idea that a particular choice of politician can ever do anything economically beneficial is farcical.
And you are absolutely right, the sole power of politicians is to break things. It's pretty much the only agency they have. That's why the SNP do so well in Scotland. After years of Tories and Red Tories breaking things they got a government which doesn't break things.
Even the Bridge has been owned up to by the Liberals now.
Donald- I don't know why you, and so many other commentators subscribe so much power to our political leaders. Osborne could no more fix the economy, than Brown, Blair, Major, Thatcher and so forth.
At best our political leaders are marginal tinkerers rather than fixers. They are always hostage to economic events, long out of their control. Housing bubbles, global events, currency fluctuations, and just that boring economic cycle that governments are incapable of shaping.
There is no luck with politics- it is all about timing, and hoping you are not around when something horrible happens which is completely out of your control.
It's just like the City really. It certainly was like that in my day and the only evidence I've seen since is that that ethos has become more entrenched.
Osborne and Brown have much in common- they both exude politics. They live and breathe politics. They are both quite unlikeable and a bit skin crawling. They both are quite ugly specimens without being hideously ugly. They both are sexually quite ambiguous. From a Freudian perspective, I guess someone who is slightly ambiguous about their sexuality, may be quite controlling in other features of their lives that they have some say about, i.e. politics.
They are both highly intelligent.
I think though Osborne is ultimately more human than Gordon who had some very obvious narcissistic tendencies. I think George is less of a narcissist.
On topic I am very surprised that conservatives on here who loathed brown can't see exactly the same traits and danger signs in Osborne. Particularly the awful clientelist housing policies.
Osborne and Brown have much in common- they both exude politics. They live and breathe politics. They are both quite unlikeable and a bit skin crawling. They both are quite ugly specimens without being hideously ugly. They both are sexually quite ambiguous. From a Freudian perspective, I guess someone who is slightly ambiguous about their sexuality, may be quite controlling in other features of their lives that they have some say about, i.e. politics.
They are both highly intelligent.
I think though Osborne is ultimately more human than Gordon who had some very obvious narcissistic tendencies. I think George is less of a narcissist.
On topic I am very surprised that conservatives on here who loathed brown can't see exactly the same traits and danger signs in Osborne. Particularly the awful clientelist housing policies.
Because its not true.
I know he's a good chancellor of the exchequer, but is he lucky?
David- seriously, you believe this? Unless you are a nihilistic ideologue (a la Hitler) a politician can no longer break something as much as they can fix it. They have so little control over the economy and other factors that their legacy is often solely dictated by the timings they govern under.
Donald- I don't know why you, and so many other commentators subscribe so much power to our political leaders. Osborne could no more fix the economy, than Brown, Blair, Major, Thatcher and so forth.
At best our political leaders are marginal tinkerers rather than fixers. They are always hostage to economic events, long out of their control. Housing bubbles, global events, currency fluctuations, and just that boring economic cycle that governments are incapable of shaping.
There is no luck with politics- it is all about timing, and hoping you are not around when something horrible happens which is completely out of your control.
Politicians have tremendous power to break things. Building them, however, requires much more than just the political class so fixing something that's broken is tremendously difficult as it usually means needing to create a change in thinking and invariably upsetting some vested interest.
It's difficult for a politician to break something to the extent that Hitler did but the ability of politicians to mess things up in lesser ways for their country and people is manifold.
Comments
Errm
Who knows. Recessions are unpredictable beasts. "Boom and bust"
will Labour be in a position to capitalise on the opportunity?
No.
Most Labour MPs think they’d be better able to do that with a different leader.
Won't happen for a while, when it does it will be from the left. This may well be after the GE.
Which is why there was such warm praise for Angela Eagle on Wednesday.
She won't be leader, neither will Benn, Jarvis or Chuka. I'm merrily laying them all on Betfair.
In a hotel room, counting money on the bed with Miss World, champagne on ice...the waiter comes in: George where did it all go wrong?
A map of the world using the colours of the leaders' hair:
http://ace.mu.nu/Windows-Live-Writer/0688a44f4e96_F889/haircolorleader.png
Meanwhile, a story to make Democrats salivate:
http://www.aol.com/article/2015/12/11/republican-candidate-carson-reportedly-considering-independent-b/21282163/?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl1|sec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D-1583050711
Q: Is Osborne a bit lucky at present?
A: Yes, a bit. So I agree with the headline.
But a few points that Mr Brind ought to be aware of if he was ever to learn to be fair and accurate in his articles (yes I know the BBC training does not induce that).
1. "Eagle pointed out that the Chancellor had cut flood defence spending by £115 million this year" Creates a false picture and yes the BBC did that. Last year included a temporary extra payment but the budget compared to the budget for last year has no cut. Of course the actual spend this year is likely to be higher - at least £50m higher - due to the floods.
2. Is the economy doing so badly? No is the answer Mr Brind, on the News tonight is Christine Lagarde praising how well our economy is doing best of all developed countries.....
Now, personally I think Osborne is making mistakes in not cutting back hard enough and not investing more in infrastructure such as roads. But compared to many countries we are doing ok.
The result is predictably the largest bubble ever in Britain's economic history, bigger than the Lawson bubble of 1986-88, and it shows:
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-kingdom/current-account-to-gdp
For how long can Britain find 6% of it's GDP per year (and rising) from foreigners to keep the economy from crashing?
The Arabs are getting dry with low oil prices, the russians are barred by sanctions, the japanese busy funding their own liabilities and the chinese are not into asset bubbles right now, the americans too are also busy funding their own liabilities, the europeans have no cash and neither the third world after the commodities crash.
But I know some here are interested in the prospects for fusion.
http://www.theengineer.co.uk/energy/news/wendelstein-7-x-fusion-reactor-comes-online/1021553.article
Some may be choosing to instruct children in a way which is deeply socially conservative by many people's standards. Others prefer a focus on global citizenship, and shared Muslim values, to the British values which now must be incorporated into teaching in England's schools.
This is a choice being made by parents, opting for an education which they believe matches their values. Some low-income families are finding fees of about £1,200 a year for each child to be educated..."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-35072824
Could the BBC try and spin this anymore? Compare and contrast to treatment of the big oath Tyson Fury and his "socially conservative" views.
Corbyn set to defy calls to shun Stop the War dinner
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35069929
Labour Press Team ✔ @labourpress
Jeremy Corbyn speaking at the Stop the War Coalition Christmas Fundraising Dinner @jeremycorbyn http://press.labour.org.uk/post/134997054474/jeremy-corbyn-speaking-at-the-stop-the-war …
In response to the Washington Post article about the party establishment plotting to prevent a Trump nomination, Carson said:
"If this was the beginning of a plan to subvert the will of the voters and replace it with the will of the political elite, I assure you Donald Trump will not be the only one leaving the party," Carson said in a statement that referenced Trump's repeated threats to leave the GOP if treated "unfairly."
"I pray that the report in the Post this morning was incorrect," Carson added. "If it is correct, every voter who is standing for change must know they are being betrayed. I won't stand for it."
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/11/politics/ben-carson-donald-trump-leave-republican-party-threat/
Carson is threatening to leave the GOP with Trump if they prevent Trump from winning the nomination.
It's the Corbyn Labour leadership race all over again.
http://order-order.com/2015/12/11/guardian-pol-ed-job-share/
Watt seemed to be doing the bulk of the work compared to his boss, Wintour, so to lose out seems rough
Jamie Reed @jreedmp
Sadly, the Labour Leader is giving two fingers to the Labour Party tonight.
This is ridiculous, they have no right to force someone to change his name, especially since that man is dead.
And that's Jamie Reed's problem.
Jamie Reed @jreedmp 15 mins15 minutes ago
Pity the poor press officer forced to put that shameful screed out tonight. They'd have known it was disastrous.
Once you start, where do you stop? Professor White, Professor Black, ....Anybody called Adolf? or Joesph?
Corbyn's critics so far are just persons who most people in the Labour party hate for either personal or political reasons, and that's the problem of those who want to get rid of Corbyn.
There is a Swedish King called Adolph.
Your post should be removed for failing to include a very necessary trigger warning!!!
But your post mentions the word "trigger" which could remind us of guns, so you've got to drop the word “trigger” in the your phrase “trigger warning” since the word “trigger” can be triggering. Or something.
Having a laugh ?
If it was worse than the great Labour crash in 2007 & they dumped Corbyn & IRA McDonnell,possibly.
There are certain attributes that belong to each House. Slytherins value cunning and leadership skills; Gryffindors value bravery and selflessness; Hufflepuffs value hard work and loyalty; Ravenclaws value intellectual skills. These are all good attributes, although they can be put to evil uses. Given that power tends to corrupt, you would probably expect to see a higher proportion of bad people among Slytherins (the kind of people who would do anything to gain power) and Ravenclaws (the kind of people who would become fascinated by black magic) than among the other Houses. But, you'd expect to see good people among them as well. You'd also expect to see some Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs being seduced into evil causes, in the way that well-meaning people are in real life.
But, with a couple of exceptions, Slytherin is a House of fantasy Nazis. Sure, Snape was working for the Order all along, but he was still a shit towards any student who wasn't a Slytherin, Harry especially. Malfoy never redeemed himself; he just lost his nerve.
luck
skill
One of the weirdest beliefs that seemed to take root in the summer was that Labour had already lost in 2020 whoever they chose, so they might as well go for broke and lose in style. In reality, if Cooper had won, she'd have a good chance becoming PM in 2020. The Tories will look tired by then, Cameron will be gone etc etc.
But all that was washed away on 12th September. Now, the answer to "will Osborne's luck hold" is the same as the answer to "would Corbyn win any Labour leadership contest before the next election?"
(Disclaimer: odd that Poland has such a high percentage, and Finland such a low one.)
Georgia
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/new-gop-poll-shows-trump-top-carson-collapsing/nphL8/
Trump 43 +12
Cruz 16 +8
Rubio 11 +2
Carson 7 -11
Bush 5 -3
Kasich 2 -1
Trump getting 56% of african-americans (as shown from those focus groups, Trump's muslim immigration ban proposal is very popular with african-americans).
It doesn't look like Trump will fail to win a majority of delegates, you can play with this interactive delegate tool and see for yourselves:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2015/11/17/the_gop_race_for_delegates_an_interactive_tool.html
Did anyone else reading the series find is worrying that an alliterative name was practically a requirement for being a successful witch or wizard?
(and me...)
Cllr John Ferrett @John_Ferrett
Stop the War praised Iraqi 'resistance' when they were killing British troops - now the Labour Party are using members' money to promote it
Richard Angell @RichardAngell
A low point for @UKLabour. It makes me sad https://twitter.com/labourpress/status/675394566615379968 …
Kevin Schofield @PolhomeEditor
Jeremy Corbyn's address to the Stop the War bash is basically a massive an 'up yours' to most of his MPs pic.twitter.com/ED8hqbyCIe
The British idea that it's actually worrying if the kids don't leave by age 18 is odd IMO. But the alternative model depends on everyone being prepared to adjust - authoritarian/possessive parents still trying to tell their adult kids what to do are not a good idea. I lived with my parents till they died, so I suppose I'm biased, but it morphed into a brotherly relationship rather than parent/son, and I was able to look after them both while living a pretty full life: it seemed pretty good to me (and I think to them).
Vacuum energy is where the money is!!
http://www.icelandairhotels.com/en/hotels/hamar
Mr. JS, no, but I'd like to. Never seen the aurora borealis either.
The Czech Republic is a huge surprise. Maybe that's why they love swinger sex clubs so much.
At best our political leaders are marginal tinkerers rather than fixers. They are always hostage to economic events, long out of their control. Housing bubbles, global events, currency fluctuations, and just that boring economic cycle that governments are incapable of shaping.
There is no luck with politics- it is all about timing, and hoping you are not around when something horrible happens which is completely out of your control.
In 2003 they were entitled to defend themselves from aggressors.
http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-swing-the-election/
I can see Trump easily winning the GOP nomination, but - given his high negatives among females and hispanics - I don't see him winning the general election.
In the UK we need to make sure that we care for the elderly, but not at the expense of family female carers.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/matt/?cartoon=12046854&cc=12026016
DB fails to mention that, whilst the world is presently an uncomfortable place, the UK is faring better than most. Of course this isn't all down to GO, but I think Joe Public probably reckons that the position under Labour with GO's luck would still be substantially worse, and under Jehadi Jez's rabble exponentially worse. DB also fails to advise how JJ can be dethroned by anyone other than a JJ acolyte before 2020.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/12046387/britain-military-action-isil-libya.html
just listening to AQ.
Bien Pensant, right-on, lefty, quasi-fascist, total, total bollocks.
Including from Dominic Grieve.
What politicians can do, is assist in general wellbeing and happiness but they generally don't, either for reasons of ill-thought out ideas about economics or to gain financially as individuals (both are Tory traits).
The idea that a particular choice of politician can ever do anything economically beneficial is farcical.
And you are absolutely right, the sole power of politicians is to break things. It's pretty much the only agency they have. That's why the SNP do so well in Scotland. After years of Tories and Red Tories breaking things they got a government which doesn't break things.
Even the Bridge has been owned up to by the Liberals now.
They are both highly intelligent.
I think though Osborne is ultimately more human than Gordon who had some very obvious narcissistic tendencies. I think George is less of a narcissist.