Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
I am quoting you in this weekend's piece on an unrelated topic, will that do?
UK Elections Our forecast for #sp16 shows SNP will win 67 constituencies. In 2nd, the Conservatives on 5, with Labour on 0 seats. https://t.co/5ooe45HVcO
would be hilarious!!
Pandas - small Vauxhall police cars?
To me a Panda is a small insignificant and embarrassing police transport. Over here police cars are supercharged muscle cars with bull bars on the front.
I really don't follow UK politics very closely any more, other than a spectator. It's great theatre but it doesn't affect me.
How many real pandas are there in Scotland? They feed on bamboo - does that grow in Scotland?
UK Elections Our forecast for #sp16 shows SNP will win 67 constituencies. In 2nd, the Conservatives on 5, with Labour on 0 seats. https://t.co/5ooe45HVcO
would be hilarious!!
Pandas - small Vauxhall police cars?
To me a Panda is a small insignificant and embarrassing police transport. Over here police cars are supercharged muscle cars with bull bars on the front.
I really don't follow UK politics very closely any more, other than a spectator. It's great theatre but it doesn't affect me.
How many real pandas are there in Scotland? They feed on bamboo - does that grow in Scotland?
Two, on loan from China I think, in Edinburgh Zoo.
Public sector debt in Scotland has mushroomed to record levels after an SNP government spending spree funded by billions of pounds’ worth of borrowing from pension funds, international banks and the Treasury.
An investigation by the Guardian has found that total borrowing to build schools, roads, railway stations, colleges and hospitals under the devolved government could reach £50bn by the end of the decade, putting a heavy strain on the public finances
UK Elections Our forecast for #sp16 shows SNP will win 67 constituencies. In 2nd, the Conservatives on 5, with Labour on 0 seats. https://t.co/5ooe45HVcO
would be hilarious!!
Pandas - small Vauxhall police cars?
To me a Panda is a small insignificant and embarrassing police transport. Over here police cars are supercharged muscle cars with bull bars on the front.
I really don't follow UK politics very closely any more, other than a spectator. It's great theatre but it doesn't affect me.
How many real pandas are there in Scotland? They feed on bamboo - does that grow in Scotland?
Two, on loan from China I think, in Edinburgh Zoo.
I didn't realise there is going to be a new Star Wars a year for at least the next 4-5 years. I know Disney paid a fortune for the rights and obviously were going to exploit that, but will be interesting if they can keep the quality up.
For geeks, it really is going to be Christmas come early, every year...
2016 might be the greatest year in cinema for geeks.
Star Trek 3, Batman v Superman, Captain America: Civil War, Dr Strange, Ghostbusters, Suicide Squad, ID2, Deadpool, The Hateful Eight, Rogue One, X Men: Apocalypse, Teenage Mutant Hero Ninja Turtles 2, a Cinematic showing of Sherlock on New Years Day and best of all Pride and Prejudice AND Zombies.
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Edinburgh South is the only constituency with a hint of tactical voting in 2015.
Really? That's a big claim to make. It might have been the only seat where TV worked! Though that result was as much about the inadequacies of the SNP candidate as anything.
Plenty of TV in Dunbartonshire East, for example.
The East Dunbartonshire result really was outstanding for the LD's.
'Thanks to our gloriously unfree media...' writes Owen Jones in The Guardian. Who forced him to write it, I wonder? https://t.co/hkqbVnhb4u
Would be this the same Owen Jones who dumped his small not-for-profit lefty independent publisher last year, in favour of a more lucrative deal with the multi-billion pound trans-national corporation that is Random Penguin House? You know that Random House that basically control the book market and have massive say over what is hot and what is not?
I suspect that Dan Hodges had only rejoined the Labour party in order to be able to leave it later.
I didn't used to take him seriously. On 8th May one of my bleary-eyed breakfast resolutions was not to ignore Dan Hodges in future.
Has he done his naked run yet?
Afternoon all,
I seriously think Labour is approaching the terminal point. May's elections are going to be a bloodbath of local councillors and scottish seats. The 100,000 army of moderates is, as Hodges says, almost certainly a myth. Someone in the Sunday Times said the other day that Labour has a rock solid 20% bedrock whoever is leader. I wonder.
I think I'd be somewhat open to 'people's quantitive easing' it was genuine investment for monetary return. Tidal energy projects for example, providing low cost dependable power for 125 years. Not 'investment in our public services' in general - that's just pissing money up against a wall.
Public sector debt in Scotland has mushroomed to record levels after an SNP government spending spree funded by billions of pounds’ worth of borrowing from pension funds, international banks and the Treasury.
An investigation by the Guardian has found that total borrowing to build schools, roads, railway stations, colleges and hospitals under the devolved government could reach £50bn by the end of the decade, putting a heavy strain on the public finances
The scale of the debt, which dwarfs Holyrood’s annual budget of £30bn, has never been set out by ministers or investigated by the Scottish parliament. It has led to calls by Scotland’s auditor general, Caroline Gardner, and opposition parties for greater openness over public finances.
Gardner said the need for full transparency was even more urgent given that Holyrood is due to get far greater tax-raising powers and is under significant pressure on public spending. John Swinney, the Scottish finance secretary, is expected to reveal new spending cuts in his budget on Wednesday after a 1.3% cut in Scotland’s block grant from the Treasury in London.
Calling for Swinney to publish whole government accounts that would set out in a single document the full details of all Scotland’s devolved public spending, borrowing and assets, Gardner said: “It is critically important that the Scottish parliament and the people of Scotland have got a very clear picture of what both those assets and those long-term liabilities look like.”
I think I'd be somewhat open to 'people's quantitive easing' it was genuine investment for monetary return. Tidal energy projects for example, providing low cost dependable power for 125 years. Not 'investment in our public services' in general - that's just pissing money up against a wall.
What does it matter whether his economic policies are right when he is prepared to be chair of an organization riddled with the extreme far left who believe that ISIS are like the Spanish International Brigade and that killing disabled children by injection is not an act akin to the Nazis?
Everything else Corbyn does is an irrelevance.
Labour members: you need to act before your 100 year old party is destroyed and reduce to a handful of seats.
UK Elections Our forecast for #sp16 shows SNP will win 67 constituencies. In 2nd, the Conservatives on 5, with Labour on 0 seats. https://t.co/5ooe45HVcO
would be hilarious!!
Pandas - small Vauxhall police cars?
To me a Panda is a small insignificant and embarrassing police transport. Over here police cars are supercharged muscle cars with bull bars on the front.
I really don't follow UK politics very closely any more, other than a spectator. It's great theatre but it doesn't affect me.
How many real pandas are there in Scotland? They feed on bamboo - does that grow in Scotland?
Two, on loan from China I think, in Edinburgh Zoo.
Where does the bamboo come from - Lesmahagow?
They're fed a fine Scottish diet of deep fried Mars Bars washed down with Irn Bru.
Public sector debt in Scotland has mushroomed to record levels after an SNP government spending spree funded by billions of pounds’ worth of borrowing from pension funds, international banks and the Treasury.
An investigation by the Guardian has found that total borrowing to build schools, roads, railway stations, colleges and hospitals under the devolved government could reach £50bn by the end of the decade, putting a heavy strain on the public finances
The scale of the debt, which dwarfs Holyrood’s annual budget of £30bn, has never been set out by ministers or investigated by the Scottish parliament. It has led to calls by Scotland’s auditor general, Caroline Gardner, and opposition parties for greater openness over public finances.
Gardner said the need for full transparency was even more urgent given that Holyrood is due to get far greater tax-raising powers and is under significant pressure on public spending. John Swinney, the Scottish finance secretary, is expected to reveal new spending cuts in his budget on Wednesday after a 1.3% cut in Scotland’s block grant from the Treasury in London.
Calling for Swinney to publish whole government accounts that would set out in a single document the full details of all Scotland’s devolved public spending, borrowing and assets, Gardner said: “It is critically important that the Scottish parliament and the people of Scotland have got a very clear picture of what both those assets and those long-term liabilities look like.”
smoke and mirrors.
It is rather shocking news to me that they don't already do so. I rather naively presumed that they did.
What a fascinating referendum this is turning out to be, virtually nobody gave OUT a chance, now everything to play for, really looking forward to how it plays out.
The OUT trump card of Mandelson is still to play his hand, I'm looking forward to the pb tories agreeing with him.
UK Elections Our forecast for #sp16 shows SNP will win 67 constituencies. In 2nd, the Conservatives on 5, with Labour on 0 seats. https://t.co/5ooe45HVcO
would be hilarious!!
Pandas - small Vauxhall police cars?
To me a Panda is a small insignificant and embarrassing police transport. Over here police cars are supercharged muscle cars with bull bars on the front.
I really don't follow UK politics very closely any more, other than a spectator. It's great theatre but it doesn't affect me.
How many real pandas are there in Scotland? They feed on bamboo - does that grow in Scotland?
Two, on loan from China I think, in Edinburgh Zoo.
Where does the bamboo come from - Lesmahagow?
They're fed a fine Scottish diet of deep fried Mars Bars washed down with Irn Bru.
You forgot the square sausage..
My wife's birthday is Burns Night - you can't imagine how much I dread haggis, neeps and tatties. The scotch is OK though.
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Can anybody tell me: Is there a betting market, in who will come second in the Scottish Parliament elections next may? and if so what are the odds that the conservatives will beat labour to 2nd?
Public sector debt in Scotland has mushroomed to record levels after an SNP government spending spree funded by billions of pounds’ worth of borrowing from pension funds, international banks and the Treasury.
An investigation by the Guardian has found that total borrowing to build schools, roads, railway stations, colleges and hospitals under the devolved government could reach £50bn by the end of the decade, putting a heavy strain on the public finances
The scale of the debt, which dwarfs Holyrood’s annual budget of £30bn, has never been set out by ministers or investigated by the Scottish parliament. It has led to calls by Scotland’s auditor general, Caroline Gardner, and opposition parties for greater openness over public finances.
Gardner said the need for full transparency was even more urgent given that Holyrood is due to get far greater tax-raising powers and is under significant pressure on public spending. John Swinney, the Scottish finance secretary, is expected to reveal new spending cuts in his budget on Wednesday after a 1.3% cut in Scotland’s block grant from the Treasury in London.
Calling for Swinney to publish whole government accounts that would set out in a single document the full details of all Scotland’s devolved public spending, borrowing and assets, Gardner said: “It is critically important that the Scottish parliament and the people of Scotland have got a very clear picture of what both those assets and those long-term liabilities look like.”
smoke and mirrors.
It is rather shocking news to me that they don't already do so. I rather naively presumed that they did.
I think I'd be somewhat open to 'people's quantitive easing' it was genuine investment for monetary return. Tidal energy projects for example, providing low cost dependable power for 125 years. Not 'investment in our public services' in general - that's just pissing money up against a wall.
What does it matter whether his economic policies are right when he is prepared to be chair of an organization riddled with the extreme far left who believe that ISIS are like the Spanish International Brigade and that killing disabled children by injection is not an act akin to the Nazis?
Everything else Corbyn does is an irrelevance.
Labour members: you need to act before your 100 year old party is destroyed and reduce to a handful of seats.
I'm not suggesting it 'matters' in the sense that it makes Corbyn more electable or anything like that. I'm saying on the face of it it's not a terrible suggestion. The political consensus seems to be around pumping vast ammounts of paper money into the economy one way or another. If we're going to do this my preference would be to emerge on the other side at least with power stations, bridges, and airports to show for it.
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Can anybody tell me: Is there a betting market, in who will come second in the Scottish Parliament elections next may? and if so what are the odds that the conservatives will beat labour to 2nd?
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Edinburgh South is the only constituency with a hint of tactical voting in 2015.
Really? That's a big claim to make. It might have been the only seat where TV worked! Though that result was as much about the inadequacies of the SNP candidate as anything.
Plenty of TV in Dunbartonshire East, for example.
The East Dunbartonshire result really was outstanding for the LD's.
At last night's parliamentary Labour party meeting, only around 40 MPs and peers bothered to turn up. Many of those who did, trailed off soon after it began, while those who stayed had little to say. The hectoring and jeering of recent meetings was absent. There was a short debate about Heathrow expansion, but there was little controversy and Jeremy Corbyn didn't even turn up. The controversy over Ken Livingstone's potential appointment to the House of Lords wasn't raised once and the whole thing was over in less than an hour. If Labour is a party in civil war, it is a remarkably quiet one.
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Edinburgh South is the only constituency with a hint of tactical voting in 2015.
Really? That's a big claim to make. It might have been the only seat where TV worked! Though that result was as much about the inadequacies of the SNP candidate as anything.
Plenty of TV in Dunbartonshire East, for example.
The East Dunbartonshire result really was outstanding for the LD's.
UK Elections Our forecast for #sp16 shows SNP will win 67 constituencies. In 2nd, the Conservatives on 5, with Labour on 0 seats. https://t.co/5ooe45HVcO
would be hilarious!!
Pandas - small Vauxhall police cars?
To me a Panda is a small insignificant and embarrassing police transport. Over here police cars are supercharged muscle cars with bull bars on the front.
I really don't follow UK politics very closely any more, other than a spectator. It's great theatre but it doesn't affect me.
How many real pandas are there in Scotland? They feed on bamboo - does that grow in Scotland?
Two, on loan from China I think, in Edinburgh Zoo.
Where does the bamboo come from - Lesmahagow?
They're fed a fine Scottish diet of deep fried Mars Bars washed down with Irn Bru.
You forgot the square sausage..
My wife's birthday is Burns Night - you can't imagine how much I dread haggis, neeps and tatties. The scotch is OK though.
I love Haggis neaps and tatties (with lashings of whisky and cream sauce) - could literally eat it till I'm sick! And I love Scotch naturally.
I also like Stovies, Cranachan, Porridge (don't touch it now because of glycemic load), mince and tatties, Scottish artisan cheeses, smoked salmon etc. etc.
I've had deep-fried mars bar - not sensational, not bad either, just fairly drab really. Not had deep fried pizza - would try it if offered; it's just a massive crouton really isn't it? Not things to eat regularly though.
UK Elections Our forecast for #sp16 shows SNP will win 67 constituencies. In 2nd, the Conservatives on 5, with Labour on 0 seats. https://t.co/5ooe45HVcO
Plato,
I would love to read the analysis/article, but whenever I click on the link it just opens on to a blank page. This may be me and my lack of teck ability? but please can you give another link, or the name of the website that this is on?
UK Elections Our forecast for #sp16 shows SNP will win 67 constituencies. In 2nd, the Conservatives on 5, with Labour on 0 seats. https://t.co/5ooe45HVcO
Plato,
I would love to read the analysis/article, but whenever I click on the link it just opens on to a blank page. This may be me and my lack of teck ability? but please can you give another link, or the name of the website that this is on?
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Edinburgh South is the only constituency with a hint of tactical voting in 2015.
Really? That's a big claim to make. It might have been the only seat where TV worked! Though that result was as much about the inadequacies of the SNP candidate as anything.
Plenty of TV in Dunbartonshire East, for example.
The East Dunbartonshire result really was outstanding for the LD's.
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Can anybody tell me: Is there a betting market, in who will come second in the Scottish Parliament elections next may? and if so what are the odds that the conservatives will beat labour to 2nd?
Julia Hartley-Brewer has justifiably got angry about being accused of bullying by a teenage Guardian writer who came off worse in a public debate with her. Julia wrote about the debate in The Telegraph, deriding her opponent’s views without naming her. The Guardian writer then started claiming she was, as a result, being bullied. This set Louise Mensch off:
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Edinburgh South is the only constituency with a hint of tactical voting in 2015.
Really? That's a big claim to make. It might have been the only seat where TV worked! Though that result was as much about the inadequacies of the SNP candidate as anything.
Plenty of TV in Dunbartonshire East, for example.
The East Dunbartonshire result really was outstanding for the LD's.
"Cameron is clearly central to the outcome and his apparent struggle to make progress with his EU partners is going to make it difficult for him. I believe that whatever Dave recommends will win"
If this is true, he should be using this - not so subtly - in his negotiations with his counter parties in Europe. Hints that failure to treat with him seriously and give him what he needs will be taken by him personally and change his view of the EU should be a powerful factor in our EU partners' calculations. 21% of the budget down the drain is not something they should be pissing around with. Threats have to be credible - this could be sold very credibly.
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Edinburgh South is the only constituency with a hint of tactical voting in 2015.
Really? That's a big claim to make. It might have been the only seat where TV worked! Though that result was as much about the inadequacies of the SNP candidate as anything.
Plenty of TV in Dunbartonshire East, for example.
The East Dunbartonshire result really was outstanding for the LD's.
"Cameron is clearly central to the outcome and his apparent struggle to make progress with his EU partners is going to make it difficult for him. I believe that whatever Dave recommends will win"
If this is true, he should be using this - not so subtly - in his negotiations with his counter parties in Europe. Hints that failure to treat with him seriously and give him what he needs will be taken by him personally and change his view of the EU should be a powerful factor in our EU partners' calculations. 21% of the budget down the drain is not something they should be pissing around with. Threats have to be credible - this could be sold very credibly.
Although it isn't really 21% of the budget at risk, is it?
UK would still be liable for contributions, costs, fees - however you dress them up. UK wouldn't have spending in deprived regions or grants for various schemes.
The real effect on EU would be well below 21%, I suspect.
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Edinburgh South is the only constituency with a hint of tactical voting in 2015.
Really? That's a big claim to make. It might have been the only seat where TV worked! Though that result was as much about the inadequacies of the SNP candidate as anything.
Plenty of TV in Dunbartonshire East, for example.
The East Dunbartonshire result really was outstanding for the LD's.
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Edinburgh South is the only constituency with a hint of tactical voting in 2015.
Really? That's a big claim to make. It might have been the only seat where TV worked! Though that result was as much about the inadequacies of the SNP candidate as anything.
Plenty of TV in Dunbartonshire East, for example.
The East Dunbartonshire result really was outstanding for the LD's.
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Edinburgh South is the only constituency with a hint of tactical voting in 2015.
Really? That's a big claim to make. It might have been the only seat where TV worked! Though that result was as much about the inadequacies of the SNP candidate as anything.
Plenty of TV in Dunbartonshire East, for example.
The East Dunbartonshire result really was outstanding for the LD's.
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Edinburgh South is the only constituency with a hint of tactical voting in 2015.
Really? That's a big claim to make. It might have been the only seat where TV worked! Though that result was as much about the inadequacies of the SNP candidate as anything.
Plenty of TV in Dunbartonshire East, for example.
The East Dunbartonshire result really was outstanding for the LD's.
"Cameron is clearly central to the outcome and his apparent struggle to make progress with his EU partners is going to make it difficult for him. I believe that whatever Dave recommends will win"
If this is true, he should be using this - not so subtly - in his negotiations with his counter parties in Europe. Hints that failure to treat with him seriously and give him what he needs will be taken by him personally and change his view of the EU should be a powerful factor in our EU partners' calculations. 21% of the budget down the drain is not something they should be pissing around with. Threats have to be credible - this could be sold very credibly.
Although it isn't really 21% of the budget at risk, is it?
UK would still be liable for contributions, costs, fees - however you dress them up. UK wouldn't have spending in deprived regions or grants for various schemes.
The real effect on EU would be well below 21%, I suspect.
Reminds me of the guy who was predicting I think seven Scottish Tory MPs at the GE.
I want royalties on "surging by standing still". Though that's a bit unfair; their May 2015 vote was undoubtedly depressed by Unionist tactical voting, and I do expect to see a pick-up in Holyrood % too.
Edinburgh South is the only constituency with a hint of tactical voting in 2015.
Really? That's a big claim to make. It might have been the only seat where TV worked! Though that result was as much about the inadequacies of the SNP candidate as anything.
Plenty of TV in Dunbartonshire East, for example.
The East Dunbartonshire result really was outstanding for the LD's.
Interesting that Peter Bone is claiming (according to the Telegraph) that Theresa May will be joining the Leave Campaign. It would certainly do wonders for her prospects of winning the next Tory leadership campaign but I suspect this is more likely just wishful thinking from Bone.
I know the swing wasn't as impressive as Ilford North, but given the location I thought Hove was Labour's best result of the night against the Tories.
There may have been some exceptional local factors involved in the Hove election, Mr Eagles. The Conservative candidate was a [expletive deleted] and, as he had been the local police commander, quite a few people knew that. If I had been living in Hove even I would have voted Labour.
@Mr_Eugenides: Yes, that’s it. Hold your nerve, Corbynistas. See off the challenge from the right. Entrench. Purge. Cleanse. YES https://t.co/IqdIaWBnDa
The war is over and Corbyn won, Dan Hodges told us.
The article contains the following quote - ''The suggestion, before his election, that MPs would launch a coup against him "on day one" proved unfounded.'' This sums up much of what is said in the press. A totally unfounded bit of attention seeking that is pounced upon by the politico-geeks (such as on PB) as gospel and worried to death like a dog with a rabbit.
Interesting that Peter Bone is claiming (according to the Telegraph) that Theresa May will be joining the Leave Campaign. It would certainly do wonders for her prospects of winning the next Tory leadership campaign but I suspect this is more likely just wishful thinking from Bone.
I'm expecting Theresa May to join the Leave campaign and Boris Johnson to join the Remain campaign, purely on the grounds of their respective self-interest.
I think I'd be somewhat open to 'people's quantitive easing' it was genuine investment for monetary return. Tidal energy projects for example, providing low cost dependable power for 125 years. Not 'investment in our public services' in general - that's just pissing money up against a wall.
What does it matter whether his economic policies are right when he is prepared to be chair of an organization riddled with the extreme far left who believe that ISIS are like the Spanish International Brigade and that killing disabled children by injection is not an act akin to the Nazis?
Everything else Corbyn does is an irrelevance.
Labour members: you need to act before your 100 year old party is destroyed and reduce to a handful of seats.
I'm not suggesting it 'matters' in the sense that it makes Corbyn more electable or anything like that. I'm saying on the face of it it's not a terrible suggestion. The political consensus seems to be around pumping vast ammounts of paper money into the economy one way or another. If we're going to do this my preference would be to emerge on the other side at least with power stations, bridges, and airports to show for it.
We are not printing money.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2015/08/29/why-the-peoples-quantitative-easing-will-simply-never-work/ ''So long as the BoE is still targeting inflation, it will still be pushing and pulling money in and out of the system, as required to meet demand for money at the interest rate it has set. If the BoE is still targeting inflation, then whatever money PQE puts into the economy on one hand, the BoE is going to be taking out with the other.''
I'm leaning Remain, but simply because of the unknown quantity of being married to a citizen of a different EU state.
I'm still in the Remain camp, the uncertainty around the impact on the City being my main driver.
Although living in Scotland I'm still employed by a City firm.
I tend remain, though I have not yet engaged with the vote at the detailed level I would hope to be at by referendum day. But, at a superficial level, I tend to think we would not solve the sources of voter irritation with the EU, merely gain sovreignty over who we choose to cause us many of the same irritations, and that being the case my co-operationist instincts win out.
I have to declare though that I was on the EU payroll (can't remember whether it was under the Erasmus scheme or something else like Galileo, but I was postdoc researcher) for a couple of years some while back. I will make no great claim as to the value for taxpayer money I represented at that time.
UK Elections Our forecast for #sp16 shows SNP will win 67 constituencies. In 2nd, the Conservatives on 5, with Labour on 0 seats. https://t.co/5ooe45HVcO
Plato,
I would love to read the analysis/article, but whenever I click on the link it just opens on to a blank page. This may be me and my lack of teck ability? but please can you give another link, or the name of the website that this is on?
Many thanks
Thanks Plato, that was very kind of you, in the end I realise that my laptop was not opening any new windows, so I have restarted it and it now works.
That would be an interesting result, but without the 'top up' seats it is difficult to predict its full implications.
If and it a big 'If' the conservatize can position themselves to be seen as the second party of Scotland, then they have the potential to attract all/most of the pro Union/anti SNP votes in 2020. such votes coalesced around the Lib Dems in 2015 in the seats were they were in the lead with SNP in second. Now that the SNP are in the lead (almost) everywhere and with the new boundaries to constituencies in 2020, this may be a reset moment. in 2020 the conservatives may come a comfortable second place in Scotland, maybe only wining in a small number of constituency's (6?) but coming second in most others.
I may just be seeing/predicting, what I want to happen, but (like paranoia), that does not mean its necessary not going to happen.
Comments
'Thanks to our gloriously unfree media...' writes Owen Jones in The Guardian. Who forced him to write it, I wonder? https://t.co/hkqbVnhb4u
I really don't follow UK politics very closely any more, other than a spectator. It's great theatre but it doesn't affect me.
How many real pandas are there in Scotland? They feed on bamboo - does that grow in Scotland?
Does he drip Viagra in his eyes to make him look hard?
An investigation by the Guardian has found that total borrowing to build schools, roads, railway stations, colleges and hospitals under the devolved government could reach £50bn by the end of the decade, putting a heavy strain on the public finances
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/dec/15/scotland-debt-mountain-holyrood-borrowing-could-hit-50bn-by-2020
Star Trek 3, Batman v Superman, Captain America: Civil War, Dr Strange, Ghostbusters, Suicide Squad, ID2, Deadpool, The Hateful Eight, Rogue One, X Men: Apocalypse, Teenage Mutant Hero Ninja Turtles 2, a Cinematic showing of Sherlock on New Years Day and best of all Pride and Prejudice AND Zombies.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Dunbartonshire_(UK_Parliament_constituency)
It was one of my worst value SNP constituency bets (2/1, IIRC)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1374989/?ref_=nv_sr_1
I seriously think Labour is approaching the terminal point. May's elections are going to be a bloodbath of local councillors and scottish seats. The 100,000 army of moderates is, as Hodges says, almost certainly a myth. Someone in the Sunday Times said the other day that Labour has a rock solid 20% bedrock whoever is leader. I wonder.
The scale of the debt, which dwarfs Holyrood’s annual budget of £30bn, has never been set out by ministers or investigated by the Scottish parliament. It has led to calls by Scotland’s auditor general, Caroline Gardner, and opposition parties for greater openness over public finances.
Gardner said the need for full transparency was even more urgent given that Holyrood is due to get far greater tax-raising powers and is under significant pressure on public spending. John Swinney, the Scottish finance secretary, is expected to reveal new spending cuts in his budget on Wednesday after a 1.3% cut in Scotland’s block grant from the Treasury in London.
Calling for Swinney to publish whole government accounts that would set out in a single document the full details of all Scotland’s devolved public spending, borrowing and assets, Gardner said: “It is critically important that the Scottish parliament and the people of Scotland have got a very clear picture of what both those assets and those long-term liabilities look like.”
smoke and mirrors.
Everything else Corbyn does is an irrelevance.
Labour members: you need to act before your 100 year old party is destroyed and reduce to a handful of seats.
The OUT trump card of Mandelson is still to play his hand, I'm looking forward to the pb tories agreeing with him.
My wife's birthday is Burns Night - you can't imagine how much I dread haggis, neeps and tatties. The scotch is OK though.
http://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/scottish-parliamentary-election/most-seats-without-snp
Unfortunately this trait is rather wider spread than some pumped teenage politician wannabes.
If she'd have kept her seat, she'd have had a decent shot at the leadership vs Farron & Lamb.
There can't be many constituencies where the LD's got more votes than in 2010, yet still lost.
In fact, are there any others?
I also like Stovies, Cranachan, Porridge (don't touch it now because of glycemic load), mince and tatties, Scottish artisan cheeses, smoked salmon etc. etc.
I've had deep-fried mars bar - not sensational, not bad either, just fairly drab really. Not had deep fried pizza - would try it if offered; it's just a massive crouton really isn't it? Not things to eat regularly though.
I would love to read the analysis/article, but whenever I click on the link it just opens on to a blank page. This may be me and my lack of teck ability? but please can you give another link, or the name of the website that this is on?
Many thanks
Miss Plato, the press must be freed from the freedom to dislike Corbyn
Edited to add: No.
Edinburgh West +1484
Gordon +1455
Dunbartonshire East +1375
Argyll and Bute +194
Caithness Sutherland and Easter Ross +80
If this is true, he should be using this - not so subtly - in his negotiations with his counter parties in Europe. Hints that failure to treat with him seriously and give him what he needs will be taken by him personally and change his view of the EU should be a powerful factor in our EU partners' calculations. 21% of the budget down the drain is not something they should be pissing around with. Threats have to be credible - this could be sold very credibly.
The American public is engaged in the presidential race and the debates https://t.co/XO2A7HilF5 https://t.co/u2SEJJ9ok5
Mr. Alistair, surely pooh-poohed?
UK would still be liable for contributions, costs, fees - however you dress them up.
UK wouldn't have spending in deprived regions or grants for various schemes.
The real effect on EU would be well below 21%, I suspect.
The gag at the expense of the former Labour leader is at the top of the ten best Christmas cracker jokes of 2015.
Seven months on and it would appear the joke's still on Ed Miliband.
The former Labour leader is the subject of this year's top Christmas cracker joke.
If you haven't heard it, here's how it goes: "Why does Ed Miliband like advent calendars?
"He gets to open the door to number 10."
Bada boom.
The gag was picked from a number of other entries submitted on Twitter and voted on by 2,000 people.
http://news.sky.com/story/1606263/ho-ho-ho-miliband-joke-tops-christmas-poll
Their best non-Scottish results were Bradford East & Cambridge. Both distinctive MPs, though in very different ways...
Brent Central 'best' result in all marginals ?
Ilford North 6.3%
Great Grimsby 5.6%
Walsall South 5.0%
Wirral South 4.8%
Ealing Cent and Acton 4.2%
And at the other end
Tamworth -5.4%
Chatham & Aylesford -6.4%
Kingswood -6.8%
Brigg and Goole -7.0%
Dumfries and Galloway -9.7%
EDIT: Brent Central didn't make the odds cut!
New Thread New Thread
This sums up much of what is said in the press. A totally unfounded bit of attention seeking that is pounced upon by the politico-geeks (such as on PB) as gospel and worried to death like a dog with a rabbit.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2015/08/29/why-the-peoples-quantitative-easing-will-simply-never-work/
''So long as the BoE is still targeting inflation, it will still be pushing and pulling money in and out of the system, as required to meet demand for money at the interest rate it has set. If the BoE is still targeting inflation, then whatever money PQE puts into the economy on one hand, the BoE is going to be taking out with the other.''
I have to declare though that I was on the EU payroll (can't remember whether it was under the Erasmus scheme or something else like Galileo, but I was postdoc researcher) for a couple of years some while back. I will make no great claim as to the value for taxpayer money I represented at that time.
That would be an interesting result, but without the 'top up' seats it is difficult to predict its full implications.
If and it a big 'If' the conservatize can position themselves to be seen as the second party of Scotland, then they have the potential to attract all/most of the pro Union/anti SNP votes in 2020. such votes coalesced around the Lib Dems in 2015 in the seats were they were in the lead with SNP in second. Now that the SNP are in the lead (almost) everywhere and with the new boundaries to constituencies in 2020, this may be a reset moment. in 2020 the conservatives may come a comfortable second place in Scotland, maybe only wining in a small number of constituency's (6?) but coming second in most others.
I may just be seeing/predicting, what I want to happen, but (like paranoia), that does not mean its necessary not going to happen.