@JoeMurphyLondon: Sadiq Khan ahead by seven points in mayoral race - up five pts since November. Source: New @YouGov poll coming out on LBC
Khan is going to walk it. Goldsmith just doesn't seem o have wide appeal, and what is he going to do to get it? If it falls back on party support, he's toast.
In as much as Labour is a London Party, London is a Labour city - and the Tories need an exceptional candidate (like a Boris) to win it - what possessed them to think Goldsmith had that 'star quality' is beyond me.....
While I think Khan is ahead, it's far from being a certainty. We shouldn't confuse London Labour activists with London Labour voters. The allegiance of the latter group is a lot softer than that of the former. A lot will depend on what happens in the immediate run-up to May, but I see no prospect of the party coming to its senses before then.
That said, Khan is quite adept at avoiding being identified with the more lunatic statements of Corbyn and McDonnell. And he'll probably be able to suggest enough distance between himself and them to prevent himself from being too damaged by the Corbynite chaos.
Two points: Khan has indeed tried to distance himself from Corbyn. I'm not sure the Tories will let him get away with this. He nominated him after all. He has said that he will accept help from Livingstone, who is toxic, and he is vulnerable if there is another attack, God forbid, in London or elsewhere and we get more nonsense from Corbyn, Livingstone et al.
Also, re Goldsmith: his team have been for the last couple of months at least, leafleting in the outer boroughs - , Hendon a few weeks back, they're doing Pinner, Harrow and round there this weekend. Anecdotal I realise and doesn't hit the press but, possibly, evidence of more activity and, possibly, more focused activity than some may be assuming.
Ozzie is getting his defence in first today talking about China, oil prices et al buffeting our economic position.
If our deficit target is missed in 2020 and he is leader I may votevCorbyn - even with global troubles failing to meet your goal in double the time is rank incompetence,
What makes you think Corbyn's gang can do better? Economic disaster would follow.
It was merely a flippant remark. I highly doubt I would vote for Corbynite Labour. But I don't see why I should vote or tacitly support the other lot if they fail.
@JoeMurphyLondon: Sadiq Khan ahead by seven points in mayoral race - up five pts since November. Source: New @YouGov poll coming out on LBC
Khan is going to walk it. Goldsmith just doesn't seem o have wide appeal, and what is he going to do to get it? If it falls back on party support, he's toast.
Trump will not walk it. On the assumption he probably doesn't want the gig anyway, what's the most dramatic time to pull out?
I'm on Khan. If there's once place Corbynite Labour seems to appeal it's London.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
On an information point, the full phrase is "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."
I believe there is a lot of difference between being angry and writing silly things, and carrying out an act of violence. Otherwise we'd have a jail in every street.
Ralf may think that it's more important to investigate some spotty seventeen-year-old who posts on-line than stop rape and sexual assault taking place in the middle of his city.
Perhaps some of the Rotherham officials had the same opinion. I prefer to think Ralf is trying to muddy the waters and deflect attention from his own inadequacies.
You re fully entitled to your opinion, but as an old git, I hold to the old-fashioned "Sticks and Stones" axiom. What some loon on a website writes is of almost supreme indifference to me.
What next? Writing nasty things is the same as murder? Let's equate Polly Toynbee and Genghis Khan. Hitler was a nice man but his greatest crime was writing Mein Kampf?
Thanks for allowing me an opinion.
We're back to categorisation. Are wolf whistles and 'want a bit of this luv' molestation? Is an online exhortation to revenge rape 'Muslim bitches' just sticks & stones?
No, it's incitement, which there have been laws against for many years.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Paint Khan as only winning the nomination because of Corbynistas. Highlight every time Khan follows Corbyn through the lobbies. And appear with Boris as much as possible. It is not as if Boris has anything better to do, and it might well be enough.
"Tony Blair's business triples profits as staff get £30,000 pay rise
Windrush Ventures Ltd, one of the companies that coordinates Mr Blair's commercial affairs, is now paying its 48 staff an average of more than £100,000"
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
When Lab reorganises to become an effective political force, or even now, do you think it will help or hinder the Conservatives, who arguably suffer from a perception that they govern for the elite, to have yet another priveleged, male, OE posho in a key position of power?
A Government-backed Muslim charity hosted a fund-raising event for Cage at which organisers were ordered to “lock the doors” before appealing for cash donations.
It was held after the Charity Commission ordered two charities to stop bankrolling the group amid concerns over its links with extremists.
Speakers at the meeting in Birmingham included British cleric Shaykh Zahir Mahmood, Cage founder Moazzam Begg, spokesman Cerie Bullivant and chairman Raza Nadim.
Being a racist tosser at least as bad as sexual molestation? The view of Ralf Jaeger, interior minister for North Rhine-Westphalia.
Comparisons tend to be invidious, but if said racist tosser is recommending all Muslims be rounded up into camps while the sexual molestation consists of 'show us your tits', then yes.
That's the trouble with loose categorisation.
It is. But the evidence from Germany is that what was happening to the women was not being shouted at but men touching them, trying to put their hands between their legs, squeezing their breasts etc. So actual assault - a crime.
Whereas writing that all Muslims should be rounded up in camps on a chat room is not a crime, disgusting as such a sentiment might be.
A crime is worse than a bad thought or a thought you don't agree with. If we don't understand that distinction, then we have no hope of either understanding or dealing with the problem.
The mess we have got ourselves into arises in very large part because we behave as if a bad thought or a thought that the majority might find a bit horrible is treated as worse than actions. It is a very medieval mindset. We are behaving like the Inquisitors of the 16th century: punishing people for their thoughts.
One of the German politicians was quoted as saying that it was "impermissible" to talk about the ethic make up of those assaulting women. "Impermissible" indeed. That is the voice of the authoritarian ruler or cleric throughout the ages. It is that attitude which is wrong, which needs to be buried in a deep vault with a stake through its heart.
@Iain_33: Corbyn supporter accuses Kinnock of being on the "hard right" when challenged says "Neil Kinnock was never Labour" #5live
Yesterday, John McDonnel used ‘hard-right’ to describe the Labour pressure group Progress.
It’s a though the political spectrum has been deliberately rewritten to paint Corbyn’s vision of Labour as the only left-wing party out there, rather than the extreme version it actually is.
Mr. Urquhart, nothing says voluntary donations like unexpected incarceration
Miss Cyclefree, whilst that sort of nonsense isn't limited to Germany, I think it's exacerbated by the continuing WWII hangover of guilt. That's leading some politicians there into intellectually indefensible and dangerous territory.
Being a racist tosser at least as bad as sexual molestation? The view of Ralf Jaeger, interior minister for North Rhine-Westphalia.
Comparisons tend to be invidious, but if said racist tosser is recommending all Muslims be rounded up into camps while the sexual molestation consists of 'show us your tits', then yes.
That's the trouble with loose categorisation.
It is. But the evidence from Germany is that what was happening to the women was not being shouted at but men touching them, trying to put their hands between their legs, squeezing their breasts etc. So actual assault - a crime.
Whereas writing that all Muslims should be rounded up in camps on a chat room is not a crime, disgusting as such a sentiment might be.
A crime is worse than a bad thought or a thought you don't agree with. If we don't understand that distinction, then we have no hope of either understanding or dealing with the problem.
The mess we have got ourselves into arises in very large part because we behave as if a bad thought or a thought that the majority might find a bit horrible is treated as worse than actions. It is a very medieval mindset. We are behaving like the Inquisitors of the 16th century: punishing people for their thoughts.
One of the German politicians was quoted as saying that it was "impermissible" to talk about the ethic make up of those assaulting women. "Impermissible" indeed. That is the voice of the authoritarian ruler or cleric throughout the ages. It is that attitude which is wrong, which needs to be buried in a deep vault with a stake through its heart.
There was a very eloquent German chap on Newsnight last night who talking on this subject - I was very relieved to hear it from a German representative, given the high profile German response so far seems to have been issuing codes of conduct for women!
@JoeMurphyLondon: Sadiq Khan ahead by seven points in mayoral race - up five pts since November. Source: New @YouGov poll coming out on LBC
Khan is going to walk it. Goldsmith just doesn't seem o have wide appeal, and what is he going to do to get it? If it falls back on party support, he's toast.
In as much as Labour is a London Party, London is a Labour city - and the Tories need an exceptional candidate (like a Boris) to win it - what possessed them to think Goldsmith had that 'star quality' is beyond me.....
While I think Khan is ahead, it's far from being a certainty. We shouldn't confuse London Labour activists with London Labour voters. The allegiance of the latter group is a lot softer than that of the former. A lot will depend on what happens in the immediate run-up to May, but I see no prospect of the party coming to its senses before then.
That said, Khan is quite adept at avoiding being identified with the more lunatic statements of Corbyn and McDonnell. And he'll probably be able to suggest enough distance between himself and them to prevent himself from being too damaged by the Corbynite chaos.
Two points: Khan has indeed tried to distance himself from Corbyn. I'm not sure the Tories will let him get away with this. He nominated him after all. He has said that he will accept help from Livingstone, who is toxic, and he is vulnerable if there is another attack, God forbid, in London or elsewhere and we get more nonsense from Corbyn, Livingstone et al.
Also, re Goldsmith: his team have been for the last couple of months at least, leafleting in the outer boroughs - , Hendon a few weeks back, they're doing Pinner, Harrow and round there this weekend. Anecdotal I realise and doesn't hit the press but, possibly, evidence of more activity and, possibly, more focused activity than some may be assuming.
Useful information, thanks. I had assumed that Team Zac were quietly targeting the outer boroughs in much the same way as Boris did, while allowing Labour to keep making headlines for the wrong reasons.
We know that Khan has a very vocal support, as does Corbyn. The question is how deep does that support extend within the city? I have a feeling that the short campaign for mayor could be very nasty and dominated by 'identity politics'.
Being a racist tosser at least as bad as sexual molestation? The view of Ralf Jaeger, interior minister for North Rhine-Westphalia.
Comparisons tend to be invidious, but if said racist tosser is recommending all Muslims be rounded up into camps while the sexual molestation consists of 'show us your tits', then yes.
That's the trouble with loose categorisation.
It is. But the evidence from Germany is that what was happening to the women was not being shouted at but men touching them, trying to put their hands between their legs, squeezing their breasts etc. So actual assault - a crime.
Whereas writing that all Muslims should be rounded up in camps on a chat room is not a crime, disgusting as such a sentiment might be.
A crime is worse than a bad thought or a thought you don't agree with. If we don't understand that distinction, then we have no hope of either understanding or dealing with the problem.
The mess we have got ourselves into arises in very large part because we behave as if a bad thought or a thought that the majority might find a bit horrible is treated as worse than actions. It is a very medieval mindset. We are behaving like the Inquisitors of the 16th century: punishing people for their thoughts.
One of the German politicians was quoted as saying that it was "impermissible" to talk about the ethic make up of those assaulting women. "Impermissible" indeed. That is the voice of the authoritarian ruler or cleric throughout the ages. It is that attitude which is wrong, which needs to be buried in a deep vault with a stake through its heart.
Your penultimate paragraph I think is particular important. People react very badly to ,ere words, which indeed may be offensive and should b e condemned, as though it is worse than action, or the same as it. Inciting things is an issue, but the concern about mere words can be taken Too far.
Mr. Urquhart, nothing says voluntary donations like unexpected incarceration
One might suggest that given Begg's background he wouldn't be too keen on the old incarceration for anybody. Also quite fitting that CAGE go around locking people in.
You re fully entitled to your opinion, but as an old git, I hold to the old-fashioned "Sticks and Stones" axiom. What some loon on a website writes is of almost supreme indifference to me.
What next? Writing nasty things is the same as murder? Let's equate Polly Toynbee and Genghis Khan. Hitler was a nice man but his greatest crime was writing Mein Kampf?
Thanks for allowing me an opinion.
We're back to categorisation. Are wolf whistles and 'want a bit of this luv' molestation? Is an online exhortation to revenge rape 'Muslim bitches' just sticks & stones?
Do you actually not know the difference between rude comments and physical gropping that leaves bruises on breasts and buttocks?
We should always look to Trump fanboys for insights into sexual politics.
"If I had just met her today I wouldn't want to marry her. But we are where we are. The relationship isn't great, but not so bad as to want a divorce. Just think of all the hassle it would cause. We'll just have to keep rubbing along together as best we can."
That's why, regrettably, I think Remain will win.
When I met her 40 years ago she was pictured just like Anne of Cleves by Holbein - and hidden under a veil.
Being a racist tosser at least as bad as sexual molestation? The view of Ralf Jaeger, interior minister for North Rhine-Westphalia.
Comparisons tend to be invidious, but if said racist tosser is recommending all Muslims be rounded up into camps while the sexual molestation consists of 'show us your tits', then yes.
That's the trouble with loose categorisation.
I can't believe you just wrote such a load of politically correct crap.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
He was involved in an interesting discussion on C4 news last night about gang culture and knife crime. I thought he did OK, and clearly his participation is evidence that he knows he needs to involve himself with issues that affect Londoners who don't live in Richmond or Twickenham. But he will need to do a lot more of that kind of thing if he's to win.
@Iain_33: Corbyn supporter accuses Kinnock of being on the "hard right" when challenged says "Neil Kinnock was never Labour" #5live
Yesterday, John McDonnel used ‘hard-right’ to describe the Labour pressure group Progress.
It’s a though the political spectrum has been deliberately rewritten to paint Corbyn’s vision of Labour as the only left-wing party out there, rather than the extreme version it actually is.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Tell him to shut up about Heathrow, he comes across as a complete obsessive over an issue that most people are not really bothered about. His constituents might be but there is a lot more to London than just a leafy suburb in the west.
Campaign on a positive vision for London, inclusive society (trial anonymous job applications), air quality (don't bring Heathrow into it), business rates, help for independent businesses and maintaining London as the world's premier city for tourism and finance.
Also, take lessons from Boris. He needs some star quality, right now Zac is barely visible and Khan is everywhere which is the problem. Even friendly press like the Standard seem hostile and aren't willing to give Zac a fair hearing, which is a big problem.
Finally, he really needs to shut up about Heathrow as well, London as a whole favours the third runway, his staunch opposition probably doesn't help him in north and south London, and he already has all the votes he is going to get in west London.
@JoeMurphyLondon: Sadiq Khan ahead by seven points in mayoral race - up five pts since November. Source: New @YouGov poll coming out on LBC
Khan is going to walk it. Goldsmith just doesn't seem o have wide appeal, and what is he going to do to get it? If it falls back on party support, he's toast.
In as much as Labour is a London Party, London is a Labour city - and the Tories need an exceptional candidate (like a Boris) to win it - what possessed them to think Goldsmith had that 'star quality' is beyond me.....
While I think Khan is ahead, it's far from being a certainty. We shouldn't confuse London Labour activists with London Labour voters. The allegiance of the latter group is a lot softer than that of the former. A lot will depend on what happens in the immediate run-up to May, but I see no prospect of the party coming to its senses before then.
That said, Khan is quite adept at avoiding being identified with the more lunatic statements of Corbyn and McDonnell. And he'll probably be able to suggest enough distance between himself and them to prevent himself from being too damaged by the Corbynite chaos.
Two points: Khan has indeed tried to distance himself from Corbyn. I'm not sure the Tories will let him get away with this. He nominated him after all. He has said that he will accept help from Livingstone, who is toxic, and he is vulnerable if there is another attack, God forbid, in London or elsewhere and we get more nonsense from Corbyn, Livingstone et al.
Also, re Goldsmith: his team have been for the last couple of months at least, leafleting in the outer boroughs - , Hendon a few weeks back, they're doing Pinner, Harrow and round there this weekend. Anecdotal I realise and doesn't hit the press but, possibly, evidence of more activity and, possibly, more focused activity than some may be assuming.
Useful information, thanks. I had assumed that Team Zac were quietly targeting the outer boroughs in much the same way as Boris did, while allowing Labour to keep making headlines for the wrong reasons.
We know that Khan has a very vocal support, as does Corbyn. The question is how deep does that support extend within the city? I have a feeling that the short campaign for mayor could be very nasty and dominated by 'identity politics'.
Zac will do OK in the outer boroughs but not enough to win IMHO.
His personality and charisma simply don't cut through in the same way Boris did, who only just made it last time.
Damian McBride predicts a coup around conference time
The combined weight of the Brownite and Blairite machines, together with the authority that the centrist neutrals give them, could bring down even the most powerful of leaders, and Jeremy Corbyn is certainly not that.
When the coup comes, it will not be the hapless Hoon and Hewitt waving a letter of protest. It will be Dugher and McFadden in a pair of tanks, with a 200-strong army of MPs behind them. Get ready for your October Revolution, Mr Corbyn.
Being a racist tosser at least as bad as sexual molestation? The view of Ralf Jaeger, interior minister for North Rhine-Westphalia.
Comparisons tend to be invidious, but if said racist tosser is recommending all Muslims be rounded up into camps while the sexual molestation consists of 'show us your tits', then yes.
That's the trouble with loose categorisation.
It is. But the evidence from Germany is that what was happening to the women was not being shouted at but men touching them, trying to put their hands between their legs, squeezing their breasts etc. So actual assault - a crime.
Whereas writing that all Muslims should be rounded up in camps on a chat room is not a crime, disgusting as such a sentiment might be.
A crime is worse than a bad thought or a thought you don't agree with. If we don't understand that distinction, then we have no hope of either understanding or dealing with the problem.
The mess we have got ourselves into arises in very large part because we behave as if a bad thought or a thought that the majority might find a bit horrible is treated as worse than actions. It is a very medieval mindset. We are behaving like the Inquisitors of the 16th century: punishing people for their thoughts.
One of the German politicians was quoted as saying that it was "impermissible" to talk about the ethic make up of those assaulting women. "Impermissible" indeed. That is the voice of the authoritarian ruler or cleric throughout the ages. It is that attitude which is wrong, which needs to be buried in a deep vault with a stake through its heart.
There was a very eloquent German chap on Newsnight last night who talking on this subject - I was very relieved to hear it from a German representative, given the high profile German response so far seems to have been issuing codes of conduct for women!
The response of most German politicians has been as predictable as it has been reprehensible.
There is a malaise right across mainstream European politics that seems to put interests of their own citizens last.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Mr. Divvie, yes, there are two 'alleged' rapes. There are also 'alleged' groping and robbery of scores, perhaps hundreds, more. It's hard to go beyond allegation because the police were so bloody ineffective.
And the quote was this: ""What happens on the right-wing platforms and in chat rooms is at least as awful as the acts of those assaulting the women," he [Ralf Jaeger, interior minister for North Rhine-Westphalia] said. "This is poisoning the climate of our society.""
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
He was involved in an interesting discussion on C4 news last night about gang culture and knife crime. I thought he did OK, and clearly his participation is evidence that he knows he needs to involve himself with issues that affect Londoners who don't live in Richmond or Twickenham. But he will need to do a lot more of that kind of thing if he's to win.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
When Lab reorganises to become an effective political force, or even now, do you think it will help or hinder the Conservatives, who arguably suffer from a perception that they govern for the elite, to have yet another priveleged, male, OE posho in a key position of power?
Thank you. He does need to be a man of the people, I accept.
@JoeMurphyLondon: Sadiq Khan ahead by seven points in mayoral race - up five pts since November. Source: New @YouGov poll coming out on LBC
Khan is going to walk it. Goldsmith just doesn't seem o have wide appeal, and what is he going to do to get it? If it falls back on party support, he's toast.
In as much as Labour is a London Party, London is a Labour city - and the Tories need an exceptional candidate (like a Boris) to win it - what possessed them to think Goldsmith had that 'star quality' is beyond me.....
While I think Khan is ahead, it's far from being a certainty. We shouldn't confuse London Labour activists with London Labour voters. The allegiance of the latter group is a lot softer than that of the former. A lot will depend on what happens in the immediate run-up to May, but I see no prospect of the party coming to its senses before then.
That said, Khan is quite adept at avoiding being identified with the more lunatic statements of Corbyn and McDonnell. And he'll probably be able to suggest enough distance between himself and them to prevent himself from being too damaged by the Corbynite chaos.
Two points: Khan has indeed tried to distance himself from Corbyn. I'm not sure the Tories will let him get away with this. He nominated him after all. He has said that he will accept help from Livingstone, who is toxic, and he is vulnerable if there is another attack, God forbid, in London or elsewhere and we get more nonsense from Corbyn, Livingstone et al.
Also, re Goldsmith: his team have been for the last couple of months at least, leafleting in the outer boroughs - , Hendon a few weeks back, they're doing Pinner, Harrow and round there this weekend. Anecdotal I realise and doesn't hit the press but, possibly, evidence of more activity and, possibly, more focused activity than some may be assuming.
I agree with you. It's why I think it's a lot closer than a 7% Khan lead would suggest. But to win I think he needs to have something substantive to say to inner-London (about housing and crime, for example). The other issue that could work for him is transport, given Khan's closeness to the RMT.
Being a racist tosser at least as bad as sexual molestation? The view of Ralf Jaeger, interior minister for North Rhine-Westphalia.
Comparisons tend to be invidious, but if said racist tosser is recommending all Muslims be rounded up into camps while the sexual molestation consists of 'show us your tits', then yes.
That's the trouble with loose categorisation.
It is. But the evidence from Germany is that what was happening to the women was not being shouted at but men touching them, trying to put their hands between their legs, squeezing their breasts etc. So actual assault - a crime.
Whereas writing that all Muslims should be rounded up in camps on a chat room is not a crime, disgusting as such a sentiment might be.
A crime is worse than a bad thought or a thought you don't agree with. If we don't understand that distinction, then we have no hope of either understanding or dealing with the problem.
The mess we have got ourselves into arises in very large part because we behave as if a bad thought or a thought that the majority might find a bit horrible is treated as worse than actions. It is a very medieval mindset. We are behaving like the Inquisitors of the 16th century: punishing people for their thoughts.
One of the German politicians was quoted as saying that it was "impermissible" to talk about the ethic make up of those assaulting women. "Impermissible" indeed. That is the voice of the authoritarian ruler or cleric throughout the ages. It is that attitude which is wrong, which needs to be buried in a deep vault with a stake through its heart.
There was a very eloquent German chap on Newsnight last night who talking on this subject - I was very relieved to hear it from a German representative, given the high profile German response so far seems to have been issuing codes of conduct for women!
The response of most German politicians has been as predictable as it has been reprehensible.
There is a malaise right across mainstream European politics that seems to put interests of their own citizens last.
I think they hit "Stage III" in record time.
Mr Jaeger also warned that anti-immigrant groups were trying to use the attacks to stir up hatred against refugees.
"What happens on the right-wing platforms and in chat rooms is at least as awful as the acts of those assaulting the women," he said. "This is poisoning the climate of our society."
@Iain_33: Corbyn supporter accuses Kinnock of being on the "hard right" when challenged says "Neil Kinnock was never Labour" #5live
Yesterday, John McDonnel used ‘hard-right’ to describe the Labour pressure group Progress.
It’s a though the political spectrum has been deliberately rewritten to paint Corbyn’s vision of Labour as the only left-wing party out there, rather than the extreme version it actually is.
To a fanatical true believer the heretic can be worse than the infidel.
CourtNewsUK @CourtNewsUK 24m24 minutes ago Ex Kids Company psychologist Helen Winter admits being high on MDMA while working with vulnerable youngsters for the failed charity.
John McDonnell denied (a little implausibly) that Maria Eagle was moved because of her support for Trident. He signalled very clearly that he is hoping to change party policy on the nuclear deterrent ahead of the debate and vote on Trident which the government is expected to table this Spring.
Mr McDonnell said that though the National Policy Forum feeding into the Party Conference decides policy under Labour rules, he hoped that the party’s National Executive Committee “on this issue will decide whether that process will appertain to the decision on Trident or whether or not there will be a new consultative process … they haven’t made their mind up on that. The NEC can determine the nature of the consultation and the decision making process.”
By that, Mr McDonnell meant a plebiscite of the members, where Jeremy Corbyn has very strong support. I put it to him that Unite and the GMB might feel their positions, for Trident, were being circumvented.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Paint Khan as only winning the nomination because of Corbynistas. Highlight every time Khan follows Corbyn through the lobbies. And appear with Boris as much as possible. It is not as if Boris has anything better to do, and it might well be enough.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
The paradox is that London likes Jezza. If Zac says Khan is child of Corbyn, that might backfire!
Zac will do OK in the outer boroughs but not enough to win IMHO.
His personality and charisma simply don't cut through in the same way Boris did, who only just made it last time.
He will need to carry outer London at 65:35 to be in with a chance of winning. It could happen, but he needs to have a good campaign and hope that Khan has a poor one and Labour's vote in inner London doesn't turn out.
Are people allowed to have contrary opinions? Are they allowed to voice them? Or are there politically approved opinions only?
I meet a wide range of opinions, some expressed very strongly, but few people, if any, act on them or commit crimes as a result. And from my experience of fifteen years as a union rep, trade union members aren't exempt from "impure" thoughts. We had a couple of Trots on the branch council, but they were tolerated rather than listened to.
If you need a safe space from impure thoughts, I wish you well in your search.
If you were female, would you rather be molested/raped or hear that someone has posted a racist comments online? Answer honestly.
You may have more knowledge of what women think than me, but I 'honestly' would try not to make sweeping assumptions about what someone of a different gender in a different country in a set of circumstances of which I have no experience might feel. On the whole I think it would be better if molestation, rape and racist online comments didn't exist, but I'm not a naive f***ing fool, so have no expectations in that regard.
I have been molested (and worse) and I cannot imagine any woman preferring that to the knowledge that some saddo is posting repulsive comments somewhere that I don't need to read. I certainly wouldn't.
The fact that the comparison is even being made is pretty repulsive, frankly. And that criticism is addressed to the German politician who first made it not to PBers commenting on it, to be clear.
Being a racist tosser at least as bad as sexual molestation? The view of Ralf Jaeger, interior minister for North Rhine-Westphalia.
Comparisons tend to be invidious, but if said racist tosser is recommending all Muslims be rounded up into camps while the sexual molestation consists of 'show us your tits', then yes.
That's the trouble with loose categorisation.
It is. But the evidence from Germany is that what was happening to the women was not being shouted at but men touching them, trying to put their hands between their legs, squeezing their breasts etc. So actual assault - a crime.
Whereas writing that all Muslims should be rounded up in camps on a chat room is not a crime, disgusting as such a sentiment might be.
A crime is worse than a bad thought or a thought you don't agree with. If we don't understand that distinction, then we have no hope of either understanding or dealing with the problem.
The mess we have got ourselves into arises in very large part because we behave as if a bad thought or a thought that the majority might find a bit horrible is treated as worse than actions. It is a very medieval mindset. We are behaving like the Inquisitors of the 16th century: punishing people for their thoughts.
One of the German politicians was quoted as saying that it was "impermissible" to talk about the ethic make up of those assaulting women. "Impermissible" indeed. That is the voice of the authoritarian ruler or cleric throughout the ages. It is that attitude which is wrong, which needs to be buried in a deep vault with a stake through its heart.
There was a very eloquent German chap on Newsnight last night who talking on this subject - I was very relieved to hear it from a German representative, given the high profile German response so far seems to have been issuing codes of conduct for women!
The response of most German politicians has been as predictable as it has been reprehensible.
There is a malaise right across mainstream European politics that seems to put interests of their own citizens last.
Indeed.
Awful, isn't it. I'm not sure what necessary dose of realism needs to be administered before they change. It could be a Le Pen presidency, or the Euro failing, but at the moment it looks most likely to be some result of the mass immigration that the foolish Merkel kicked off.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Paint Khan as only winning the nomination because of Corbynistas. Highlight every time Khan follows Corbyn through the lobbies. And appear with Boris as much as possible. It is not as if Boris has anything better to do, and it might well be enough.
Very helpful, thank you
You need to excite Londoners with Zac as they were with Boris.
Londoners know Zac is green and doesn't like Heathrow - but what's his positive vision for London? Can it be summed up in a sentence?
Also tell him he needs more oomph and to raise his profile.
@JoeMurphyLondon: Sadiq Khan ahead by seven points in mayoral race - up five pts since November. Source: New @YouGov poll coming out on LBC
Khan is going to walk it. Goldsmith just doesn't seem o have wide appeal, and what is he going to do to get it? If it falls back on party support, he's toast.
In as much as Labour is a London Party, London is a Labour city - and the Tories need an exceptional candidate (like a Boris) to win it - what possessed them to think Goldsmith had that 'star quality' is beyond me.....
While I think Khan is ahead, it's far from being a certainty. We shouldn't confuse London Labour activists with London Labour voters. The allegiance of the latter group is a lot softer than that of the former. A lot will depend on what happens in the immediate run-up to May, but I see no prospect of the party coming to its senses before then.
That said, Khan is quite adept at avoiding being identified with the more lunatic statements of Corbyn and McDonnell. And he'll probably be able to suggest enough distance between himself and them to prevent himself from being too damaged by the Corbynite chaos.
Two points: Khan has indeed tried to distance himself from Corbyn. I'm not sure the Tories will let him get away with this. He nominated him after all. He has said that he will accept help from Livingstone, who is toxic, and he is vulnerable if there is another attack, God forbid, in London or elsewhere and we get more nonsense from Corbyn, Livingstone et al.
Also, re Goldsmith: his team have been for the last couple of months at least, leafleting in the outer boroughs - , Hendon a few weeks back, they're doing Pinner, Harrow and round there this weekend. Anecdotal I realise and doesn't hit the press but, possibly, evidence of more activity and, possibly, more focused activity than some may be assuming.
Thank you. Livingstone is more toxic these days but he was the Londoner's favourite, twice in 2000 and 2004.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
The paradox is that London likes Jezza. If Zac says Khan is child of Corbyn, that might backfire!
Indeed - so in contrast to others I actually don't know if pushing the Corbyn link too hard is a good idea. It should be there, to try to frighten off the wavering Labour types from voting Khan (even if that does not push them to him), but finding a key, pan London issue he has a good message about (housing presumably, but I don't know London) and making it all about that, seems best.
Being a racist tosser at least as bad as sexual molestation? The view of Ralf Jaeger, interior minister for North Rhine-Westphalia.
Comparisons tend to be invidious, but if said racist tosser is recommending all Muslims be rounded up into camps while the sexual molestation consists of 'show us your tits', then yes.
That's the trouble with loose categorisation.
It is. But the evidence from Germany is that what was happening to the women was not being shouted at but men touching them, trying to put their hands between their legs, squeezing their breasts etc. So actual assault - a crime.
Whereas writing that all Muslims should be rounded up in camps on a chat room is not a crime, disgusting as such a sentiment might be.
A crime is worse than a bad thought or a thought you don't agree with. If we don't understand that distinction, then we have no hope of either understanding or dealing with the problem.
The mess we have got ourselves into arises in very large part because we behave as if a bad thought or a thought that the majority might find a bit horrible is treated as worse than actions. It is a very medieval mindset. We are behaving like the Inquisitors of the 16th century: punishing people for their thoughts.
One of the German politicians was quoted as saying that it was "impermissible" to talk about the ethic make up of those assaulting women. "Impermissible" indeed. That is the voice of the authoritarian ruler or cleric throughout the ages. It is that attitude which is wrong, which needs to be buried in a deep vault with a stake through its heart.
[my bold]
Yes, but not in the usual sense. It's the voice of someone who still feels deep guilt and shame for his country's and his country-folks' history re race relations, and who is so terrified of the subject - presumably on the basis that mentioning it might resurrect those ghosts - that to even mention it is to create dangerous echoes (though whether he is worried about whether a taint on himself should he mention it, or a taint on his city is open to question).
It is, of course, still an authoritarian; it's one born of running scared of the past but implicitly it still betrays a lack of confidence in the present: that were such thoughts or observations allowed, the people would descend as before.
The irony is that people will have made the observations anyway but it's only those not scared of being called racists who will voice them, which inevitably includes those who are racist. And that will increase their credibility while diminishing the likes of that politician quoted.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
He was involved in an interesting discussion on C4 news last night about gang culture and knife crime. I thought he did OK, and clearly his participation is evidence that he knows he needs to involve himself with issues that affect Londoners who don't live in Richmond or Twickenham. But he will need to do a lot more of that kind of thing if he's to win.
Thank you, really helpful.
Zac needs to show is right behind the living wage, and the getting of the lowest paid out of the income tax net. He needs to be making the case that he and his Govt. are helping the poorest in London.
And yes, he also needs to be very happy that London is the destination of choice for the Uber-rich. Proud that the top 1% pay 27% of all income tax. That London is attracting the rich - the rich who pay for our NHS. If we attract even more, then we can have the best health service in the world..... Of course, they have to pay their fair share of tax. And this Govt. has been more wealth redistributive than Labour have ever dreamt.
He also needs a message on housing - frankly, a message which I don't have any suggestions about!
Mr. 86, it's entirely plausible that Labour could one day form a government in this country.
Mr. kle4, that could prove Pyrrhic. A Khan victory would be a major boost for Corbyn, and a London mayor who supports quotas for ethnic minorities in the workplace may not necessarily help Labour further afield.
The two highest profile Labourites will be Citizen Khan and Wolfie Smith.
The Tooting Popular Front and the North London Politburo.
ORB #EURef online poll has LEAVE 7% ahead REMAIN 36% LEAVE 43 DK 21 This is the biggest LEAVE lead since GE15 from any pollster
Once again a very big don't know figure.
FWIW I think both online and phone pollsters maybe wrong.
Phone pollsters have very low DKs where they almost all break for Remain.
Online pollsters have it much closer but quite a high DK figure.
I think DKs will break Remain but not overwhelmingly.
Encouraging poll for us leavers but I'd still put Remain at a 5-6% lead on the day if I had to guess based on what we know now.
The DKs MAY be waiting for Mr Cameron's concessions (if any) that he wrings out of the EU. Otherwise, given that a referendum will be about a year, can you see any events that will encourage people to vote for 'remain'. There are potentially many that will encourage people to vote to 'leave'.
@JoeMurphyLondon: Sadiq Khan ahead by seven points in mayoral race - up five pts since November. Source: New @YouGov poll coming out on LBC
Khan is going to walk it. Goldsmith just doesn't seem o have wide appeal, and what is he going to do to get it? If it falls back on party support, he's toast.
In as much as Labour is a London Party, London is a Labour city - and the Tories need an exceptional candidate (like a Boris) to win it - what possessed them to think Goldsmith had that 'star quality' is beyond me.....
While I think Khan is ahead, it's far from being a certainty. We shouldn't confuse London Labour activists with London Labour voters. The allegiance of the latter group is a lot softer than that of the former. A lot will depend on what happens in the immediate run-up to May, but I see no prospect of the party coming to its senses before then.
That said, Khan is quite adept at avoiding being identified with the more lunatic statements of Corbyn and McDonnell. And he'll probably be able to suggest enough distance between himself and them to prevent himself from being too damaged by the Corbynite chaos.
Two points: Khan has indeed tried to distance himself from Corbyn. I'm not sure the Tories will let him get away with this. He nominated him after all. He has said that he will accept help from Livingstone, who is toxic, and he is vulnerable if there is another attack, God forbid, in London or elsewhere and we get more nonsense from Corbyn, Livingstone et al.
Also, re Goldsmith: his team have been for the last couple of months at least, leafleting in the outer boroughs - , Hendon a few weeks back, they're doing Pinner, Harrow and round there this weekend. Anecdotal I realise and doesn't hit the press but, possibly, evidence of more activity and, possibly, more focused activity than some may be assuming.
Thank you. Livingstone is more toxic these days but he was the Londoner's favourite, twice in 2000 and 2004.
And his vote in 2012 actually went up from 2008 IIRC. Not enough to win, and there is the LD collapse to consider, but even he is not as toxic to some as people think. Nevertheless, he seems to have become more aggressive and bitter in recent years, it might be an opening, with Khan as Livingstone proxy or something.
Presumably the Govt will schedule several votes between now and May that will force a 3 line whip and thus see Khan vote with Corbo. Any indication yet what these might be?
I imagine they'd be very outer-London friendly....
Telegraph reporting leaked police report claims first people to be interviewed over events in Germany said "I am Syrian. You have to treat me kindly. Mrs Merkel invited me".
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
He was involved in an interesting discussion on C4 news last night about gang culture and knife crime. I thought he did OK, and clearly his participation is evidence that he knows he needs to involve himself with issues that affect Londoners who don't live in Richmond or Twickenham. But he will need to do a lot more of that kind of thing if he's to win.
Thank you, really helpful.
Zac needs to show is right behind the living wage, and the getting of the lowest paid out of the income tax net. He needs to be making the case that he and his Govt. are helping the poorest in London.
And yes, he also needs to be very happy that London is the destination of choice for the Uber-rich. Proud that the top 1% pay 27% of all income tax. That London is attracting the rich - the rich who pay for our NHS. If we attract even more, then we can have the best health service in the world..... Of course, they have to pay their fair share of tax. And this Govt. has been more wealth redistributive than Labour have ever dreamt.
He also needs a message on housing - frankly, a message which I don't have any suggestions about!
Home ownership and increasing the availability of affordable homes for rent and to buy. Trumpet London HtB, a lot of people are unaware that they will soon be eligible for a 40% interest free loan for new builds in London. When I mentioned it to a friend who is a first time buyer she was blown away by how much easier it would make it for her to get a mortgage.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
I'd get him to have his supporters start making exhaustive enquiries as to the number of people living in each house in certain areas and infiltrate the Labour GOTV machine.
Also: if voting is at polling stations, I would have such monitored in certain areas for undue pressure being put on voters.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
The paradox is that London likes Jezza. If Zac says Khan is child of Corbyn, that might backfire!
Indeed - so in contrast to others I actually don't know if pushing the Corbyn link too hard is a good idea. It should be there, to try to frighten off the wavering Labour types from voting Khan (even if that does not push them to him), but finding a key, pan London issue he has a good message about (housing presumably, but I don't know London) and making it all about that, seems best.
It is all about turnout in the outer boroughs.
If Khan can be seen as akin to the likes of Red Ken, McMao and Corbyn, blue voters will turnout there and break extraordinarily the right way.
Islington, Camden etc is clearly lost. There are no votes to be won there by ignoring the fact that Khan won on the coat tails of Corbyn.
Khan comes with none of the baggage that Ken did (a brief mention of Al Qaradawi brought votes to Boris from a demographic that historically has been split Lab/Con).
Londoners can also be mulish, if not impish, and it might amuse them to snub Zac in favour of Khan.
- Electric buses - Electric taxis - Pedestrianise Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street - Free bananas for schoolkids (Well it worked for H'Angus the Monkey in Hartlepool!)
My wife, who is mildly interested in politics at best, was watching Diane on Newsnight last night, turned to me and said: "She's just thick, isn't she". Not surprising that it's a demographic Corbyn appeals to a great deal. Credulous and taken in by a simplistic and unworkable ideology.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
The paradox is that London likes Jezza. If Zac says Khan is child of Corbyn, that might backfire!
Indeed - so in contrast to others I actually don't know if pushing the Corbyn link too hard is a good idea. It should be there, to try to frighten off the wavering Labour types from voting Khan (even if that does not push them to him), but finding a key, pan London issue he has a good message about (housing presumably, but I don't know London) and making it all about that, seems best.
It is all about turnout in the outer boroughs.
If Khan can be seen as akin to the likes of Red Ken, McMao and Corbyn, blue voters will turnout there and break extraordinarily the right way.
Islington, Camden etc is clearly lost. There are no votes to be won there by ignoring the fact that Khan won on the coat tails of Corbyn.
Of course, there are votes to be won in Islington and Camden! It's not decided by how many constituencies you can get a majority in. Attracting soft-Labour votes has to be at the heart of his strategy if Goldsmith is to win.
"Iran has accused Saudi-led coalition warplanes of bombing its embassy in Yemen's capital Sanaa, state media say."
This would be massively bullish for oil if we didn't have such a ridiculous supply glut at this point. As a result it will have a barely noticeable uptick. It's a shame because I think our economy really needs some inflation.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
The paradox is that London likes Jezza. If Zac says Khan is child of Corbyn, that might backfire!
Indeed - so in contrast to others I actually don't know if pushing the Corbyn link too hard is a good idea. It should be there, to try to frighten off the wavering Labour types from voting Khan (even if that does not push them to him), but finding a key, pan London issue he has a good message about (housing presumably, but I don't know London) and making it all about that, seems best.
It is all about turnout in the outer boroughs.
If Khan can be seen as akin to the likes of Red Ken, McMao and Corbyn, blue voters will turnout there and break extraordinarily the right way.
Islington, Camden etc is clearly lost. There are no votes to be won there by ignoring the fact that Khan won on the coat tails of Corbyn.
Of course, there are votes to be won in Islington and Camden! It's not decided by how many constituencies you can get a majority in. Attracting soft-Labour votes has to be at the heart of his strategy if Goldsmith is to win.
I think this is where he will struggle and hence not win. I have plenty of soft left leaning London friends who voted Boris for positive reasons, when most would never otherwise admit to voting for a Tory.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
The paradox is that London likes Jezza. If Zac says Khan is child of Corbyn, that might backfire!
Indeed - so in contrast to others I actually don't know if pushing the Corbyn link too hard is a good idea. It should be there, to try to frighten off the wavering Labour types from voting Khan (even if that does not push them to him), but finding a key, pan London issue he has a good message about (housing presumably, but I don't know London) and making it all about that, seems best.
It is all about turnout in the outer boroughs.
If Khan can be seen as akin to the likes of Red Ken, McMao and Corbyn, blue voters will turnout there and break extraordinarily the right way.
Islington, Camden etc is clearly lost. There are no votes to be won there by ignoring the fact that Khan won on the coat tails of Corbyn.
Of course, there are votes to be won in Islington and Camden! It's not decided by how many constituencies you can get a majority in. Attracting soft-Labour votes has to be at the heart of his strategy if Goldsmith is to win.
Nah - soft Labour voters in Camden/Islington won't vote if they think Khan is close to the extreme left. I think it is unlikely that they'll actually vote for Goldsmith.
Khan comes with none of the baggage that Ken did (a brief mention of Al Qaradawi brought votes to Boris from a demographic that historically has been split Lab/Con).
Londoners can also be mulish, if not impish, and it might amuse them to snub Zac in favour of Khan.
You might want to check up on your baggage claims.
- Electric buses - Electric taxis - Pedestrianise Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street - Free bananas for schoolkids (Well it worked for H'Angus the Monkey in Hartlepool!)
electric buses and taxi are half way there - they will be plug in for 2018 for taxis and hopefully by 2020 for buses. Zac backs this. Bananas! Well, I will advise him.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
The paradox is that London likes Jezza. If Zac says Khan is child of Corbyn, that might backfire!
Indeed - so in contrast to others I actually don't know if pushing the Corbyn link too hard is a good idea. It should be there, to try to frighten off the wavering Labour types from voting Khan (even if that does not push them to him), but finding a key, pan London issue he has a good message about (housing presumably, but I don't know London) and making it all about that, seems best.
It is all about turnout in the outer boroughs.
If Khan can be seen as akin to the likes of Red Ken, McMao and Corbyn, blue voters will turnout there and break extraordinarily the right way.
Islington, Camden etc is clearly lost. There are no votes to be won there by ignoring the fact that Khan won on the coat tails of Corbyn.
Of course, there are votes to be won in Islington and Camden! It's not decided by how many constituencies you can get a majority in. Attracting soft-Labour votes has to be at the heart of his strategy if Goldsmith is to win.
Indeed. This is a two way run off with a simple majority required to win. Every vote counts, and there are a lot of Labour people in Camden, Islington, Lambeth and even Tower Hamlets who are not enthused by Khan, the key is getting them to turn up.
You know its bad for Labour, when even the Mirror are taking a pop every day.
The Daily Mirror has always struck me as an old-school, working class, Labour paper.
It's never been like the Guardian or the Indy.
Don't disagree with that. But normally if it is bad for Labour they just stay quiet, not go out of their way to stick the boot in. I don't remember them kicking Miliband in the nuts very often.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
The paradox is that London likes Jezza. If Zac says Khan is child of Corbyn, that might backfire!
Indeed - so in contrast to others I actually don't know if pushing the Corbyn link too hard is a good idea. It should be there, to try to frighten off the wavering Labour types from voting Khan (even if that does not push them to him), but finding a key, pan London issue he has a good message about (housing presumably, but I don't know London) and making it all about that, seems best.
It is all about turnout in the outer boroughs.
If Khan can be seen as akin to the likes of Red Ken, McMao and Corbyn, blue voters will turnout there and break extraordinarily the right way.
Islington, Camden etc is clearly lost. There are no votes to be won there by ignoring the fact that Khan won on the coat tails of Corbyn.
Of course, there are votes to be won in Islington and Camden! It's not decided by how many constituencies you can get a majority in. Attracting soft-Labour votes has to be at the heart of his strategy if Goldsmith is to win.
I think this is where he will struggle and hence not win. I have plenty of soft left leaning London friends who voted Boris for positive reasons, when most would never otherwise admit to voting for a Tory.
I am meeting Zac Goldsmith today for a chat. Anybody got any questions or points of view on his Mayoral strategy. What should he do? He will have his own views, clearly, but I wonder if we can have a politicalbetting.com strategy to win the London Mayoralty.
Given the apparent hardening, not weakening, support for Labour in London since the election of Corbyn, how does he intend to go about challenging Khan in those stronger Labour areas? What does he offer those areas which feel tempted by the Corbyn type of politics?
The paradox is that London likes Jezza. If Zac says Khan is child of Corbyn, that might backfire!
Indeed - so in contrast to others I actually don't know if pushing the Corbyn link too hard is a good idea. It should be there, to try to frighten off the wavering Labour types from voting Khan (even if that does not push them to him), but finding a key, pan London issue he has a good message about (housing presumably, but I don't know London) and making it all about that, seems best.
It is all about turnout in the outer boroughs.
If Khan can be seen as akin to the likes of Red Ken, McMao and Corbyn, blue voters will turnout there and break extraordinarily the right way.
Islington, Camden etc is clearly lost. There are no votes to be won there by ignoring the fact that Khan won on the coat tails of Corbyn.
Mr. Eagles, was going to submit a question, but couldn't find a way to phrase it without using ungentlemanly language.
McBride's filth. What he was doing was despicable. I don't think it's wrong for Mr. Pedley to interview him, but I shan't be listening, even though I'm sure the podcast will be absolutely, bloody brilliant.
On Corbyn and the Corbynistas: He's got the sanity of Caligula, the morals of Nero, the strength of Arcadius and the competence of Jovian.
Labour must hope he has the longevity of the latter.
On an information point, the full phrase is "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."
I believe there is a lot of difference between being angry and writing silly things, and carrying out an act of violence. Otherwise we'd have a jail in every street.
Ralf may think that it's more important to investigate some spotty seventeen-year-old who posts on-line than stop rape and sexual assault taking place in the middle of his city.
Perhaps some of the Rotherham officials had the same opinion. I prefer to think Ralf is trying to muddy the waters and deflect attention from his own inadequacies.
Both are wrong. The actions in Germany are criminal in two ways the harassment and molestation (1) were the shield for organised robbery (2). There is a long history of organised robbery at this place at that time. The German police do seem quite culpable, so perhaps they are happy to see all sorts of blame go elsewhere. As far as I can see there is no official sanction for a so called code of conduct for women, only a crass remark from the Mayor of Cologne, which has been shouted down.
Latest LBC poll keeps Khan ahead. It is worrying for the Blues.
Remember that last time Labour led by 41-32 in the Assembly elections but Boris won by 44-40 on first preferences, 13 points difference. Taking account of the huge shift in the opinion polls nationally in favour of the Conservatives since 2012 (15 points?) and the relative shift in favour fo labour since then (12 points?) you probably are looking at something like Labour winning by 40-34 in the Assembly elections. So Zac needs to do perhaps half as much better than the party than Boris did to win. Was all of Boris's success down to him, or is there also tendency for Londoners to vote against the party of national government in local elections and the assembly, as a protest, but in favour of the government in power in Mayoral elections as you get a better deal for London if the mayor is on the same side.
Mr. Eagles, was going to submit a question, but couldn't find a way to phrase it without using ungentlemanly language.
McBride's filth. What he was doing was despicable. I don't think it's wrong for Mr. Pedley to interview him, but I shan't be listening, even though I'm sure the podcast will be absolutely, bloody brilliant.
On Corbyn and the Corbynistas: He's got the sanity of Caligula, the morals of Nero, the strength of Arcadius and the competence of Jovian.
Labour must hope he has the longevity of the latter.
It disgusts me that McBride, Maguire, etc have managed to basically just carry on as if they didn't really do anything and now can provide sage like advice. What they were up to went far beyond the usual political scandal.
Damian McBride predicts a coup around conference time
The combined weight of the Brownite and Blairite machines, together with the authority that the centrist neutrals give them, could bring down even the most powerful of leaders, and Jeremy Corbyn is certainly not that.
When the coup comes, it will not be the hapless Hoon and Hewitt waving a letter of protest. It will be Dugher and McFadden in a pair of tanks, with a 200-strong army of MPs behind them. Get ready for your October Revolution, Mr Corbyn.
Comments
Also, re Goldsmith: his team have been for the last couple of months at least, leafleting in the outer boroughs - , Hendon a few weeks back, they're doing Pinner, Harrow and round there this weekend. Anecdotal I realise and doesn't hit the press but, possibly, evidence of more activity and, possibly, more focused activity than some may be assuming.
On an information point, the full phrase is "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."
I believe there is a lot of difference between being angry and writing silly things, and carrying out an act of violence. Otherwise we'd have a jail in every street.
Ralf may think that it's more important to investigate some spotty seventeen-year-old who posts on-line than stop rape and sexual assault taking place in the middle of his city.
Perhaps some of the Rotherham officials had the same opinion. I prefer to think Ralf is trying to muddy the waters and deflect attention from his own inadequacies.
Highlight every time Khan follows Corbyn through the lobbies.
And appear with Boris as much as possible. It is not as if Boris has anything better to do, and it might well be enough.
Trump is not thick. His acheivements in several different spheres and his academic record all indicate he is very intelligent.
Corbyn, is not loud and brash and comes across as a kindly uncle.
His two E's and and the actual content of his speech indicates he actually is thick.
Windrush Ventures Ltd, one of the companies that coordinates Mr Blair's commercial affairs, is now paying its 48 staff an average of more than £100,000"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/tony-blair/12085914/Tony-Blairs-business-triples-profits-as-staff-get-30000-pay-rise.html
It was held after the Charity Commission ordered two charities to stop bankrolling the group amid concerns over its links with extremists.
Speakers at the meeting in Birmingham included British cleric Shaykh Zahir Mahmood, Cage founder Moazzam Begg, spokesman Cerie Bullivant and chairman Raza Nadim.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/investigations/12085794/Muslim-charity-event-boosted-Cage-and-fundraised-for-the-organisation.html
Whereas writing that all Muslims should be rounded up in camps on a chat room is not a crime, disgusting as such a sentiment might be.
A crime is worse than a bad thought or a thought you don't agree with. If we don't understand that distinction, then we have no hope of either understanding or dealing with the problem.
The mess we have got ourselves into arises in very large part because we behave as if a bad thought or a thought that the majority might find a bit horrible is treated as worse than actions. It is a very medieval mindset. We are behaving like the Inquisitors of the 16th century: punishing people for their thoughts.
One of the German politicians was quoted as saying that it was "impermissible" to talk about the ethic make up of those assaulting women. "Impermissible" indeed. That is the voice of the authoritarian ruler or cleric throughout the ages. It is that attitude which is wrong, which needs to be buried in a deep vault with a stake through its heart.
It’s a though the political spectrum has been deliberately rewritten to paint Corbyn’s vision of Labour as the only left-wing party out there, rather than the extreme version it actually is.
Miss Cyclefree, whilst that sort of nonsense isn't limited to Germany, I think it's exacerbated by the continuing WWII hangover of guilt. That's leading some politicians there into intellectually indefensible and dangerous territory.
We know that Khan has a very vocal support, as does Corbyn. The question is how deep does that support extend within the city? I have a feeling that the short campaign for mayor could be very nasty and dominated by 'identity politics'.
@daily_politics: Also on today's #bbcdp: Labour's @ken4london on the #LabourReshuffle fallout & UKIP leader @Nigel_Farage on the #EU https://t.co/tWsqc1i5Qr
More loose categorisation?
It was a favourite claim.
Campaign on a positive vision for London, inclusive society (trial anonymous job applications), air quality (don't bring Heathrow into it), business rates, help for independent businesses and maintaining London as the world's premier city for tourism and finance.
Also, take lessons from Boris. He needs some star quality, right now Zac is barely visible and Khan is everywhere which is the problem. Even friendly press like the Standard seem hostile and aren't willing to give Zac a fair hearing, which is a big problem.
Finally, he really needs to shut up about Heathrow as well, London as a whole favours the third runway, his staunch opposition probably doesn't help him in north and south London, and he already has all the votes he is going to get in west London.
His personality and charisma simply don't cut through in the same way Boris did, who only just made it last time.
REMAIN 36%
LEAVE 43
DK 21
This is the biggest LEAVE lead since GE15 from any pollster
There is a malaise right across mainstream European politics that seems to put interests of their own citizens last.
And the quote was this:
""What happens on the right-wing platforms and in chat rooms is at least as awful as the acts of those assaulting the women," he [Ralf Jaeger, interior minister for North Rhine-Westphalia] said. "This is poisoning the climate of our society.""
Mr Jaeger also warned that anti-immigrant groups were trying to use the attacks to stir up hatred against refugees.
"What happens on the right-wing platforms and in chat rooms is at least as awful as the acts of those assaulting the women," he said. "This is poisoning the climate of our society."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35248601
Ex Kids Company psychologist Helen Winter admits being high on MDMA while working with vulnerable youngsters for the failed charity.
Odd company, kept by these kids, odder charity.
https://twitter.com/MirrorPolitics/status/685046823535407104
Corbyn wants to change the party line on Trident, but hopes to do that by circumventing the process by which the party line is decided.
And all the while the PLP sit meekly on their hands (when not wringing them hopelessly in front of friendly journalists of course)
FWIW I think both online and phone pollsters maybe wrong.
Phone pollsters have very low DKs where they almost all break for Remain.
Online pollsters have it much closer but quite a high DK figure.
I think DKs will break Remain but not overwhelmingly.
Encouraging poll for us leavers but I'd still put Remain at a 5-6% lead on the day if I had to guess based on what we know now.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window
@renieanjeh: @Nozzer29 @johnmcdonnellMP I'd rather be on the Labour right than support the IRA.
Are people allowed to have contrary opinions? Are they allowed to voice them? Or are there politically approved opinions only?
I meet a wide range of opinions, some expressed very strongly, but few people, if any, act on them or commit crimes as a result. And from my experience of fifteen years as a union rep, trade union members aren't exempt from "impure" thoughts. We had a couple of Trots on the branch council, but they were tolerated rather than listened to.
If you need a safe space from impure thoughts, I wish you well in your search.
The fact that the comparison is even being made is pretty repulsive, frankly. And that criticism is addressed to the German politician who first made it not to PBers commenting on it, to be clear.
Awful, isn't it. I'm not sure what necessary dose of realism needs to be administered before they change. It could be a Le Pen presidency, or the Euro failing, but at the moment it looks most likely to be some result of the mass immigration that the foolish Merkel kicked off.
Londoners know Zac is green and doesn't like Heathrow - but what's his positive vision for London? Can it be summed up in a sentence?
Also tell him he needs more oomph and to raise his profile.
Yes, but not in the usual sense. It's the voice of someone who still feels deep guilt and shame for his country's and his country-folks' history re race relations, and who is so terrified of the subject - presumably on the basis that mentioning it might resurrect those ghosts - that to even mention it is to create dangerous echoes (though whether he is worried about whether a taint on himself should he mention it, or a taint on his city is open to question).
It is, of course, still an authoritarian; it's one born of running scared of the past but implicitly it still betrays a lack of confidence in the present: that were such thoughts or observations allowed, the people would descend as before.
The irony is that people will have made the observations anyway but it's only those not scared of being called racists who will voice them, which inevitably includes those who are racist. And that will increase their credibility while diminishing the likes of that politician quoted.
And yes, he also needs to be very happy that London is the destination of choice for the Uber-rich. Proud that the top 1% pay 27% of all income tax. That London is attracting the rich - the rich who pay for our NHS. If we attract even more, then we can have the best health service in the world..... Of course, they have to pay their fair share of tax. And this Govt. has been more wealth redistributive than Labour have ever dreamt.
He also needs a message on housing - frankly, a message which I don't have any suggestions about!
The Tooting Popular Front and the North London Politburo.
I resolve to use it more frequently from now on
I imagine they'd be very outer-London friendly....
Labour MPs Are Blocking One Another On Twitter
That Corbynite vs centrist split within the party is going well.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jimwaterson/what-if-they-remove-jeremy-corbyn-from-their-myspace-top-eig?utm_term=4ldqpia
Also: if voting is at polling stations, I would have such monitored in certain areas for undue pressure being put on voters.
If Khan can be seen as akin to the likes of Red Ken, McMao and Corbyn, blue voters will turnout there and break extraordinarily the right way.
Islington, Camden etc is clearly lost. There are no votes to be won there by ignoring the fact that Khan won on the coat tails of Corbyn.
Londoners can also be mulish, if not impish, and it might amuse them to snub Zac in favour of Khan.
- Electric buses
- Electric taxis
- Pedestrianise Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street
- Free bananas for schoolkids (Well it worked for H'Angus the Monkey in Hartlepool!)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35251917
"Iran has accused Saudi-led coalition warplanes of bombing its embassy in Yemen's capital Sanaa, state media say."
It's never been like the Guardian or the Indy.
McBride's filth. What he was doing was despicable. I don't think it's wrong for Mr. Pedley to interview him, but I shan't be listening, even though I'm sure the podcast will be absolutely, bloody brilliant.
On Corbyn and the Corbynistas: He's got the sanity of Caligula, the morals of Nero, the strength of Arcadius and the competence of Jovian.
Labour must hope he has the longevity of the latter.
1) It will keep Corbyn in place.
2) I still fear the Lib Dem by election machine, so don't fancy a Richmond Park by election
3) A Tooting by election with Ken as the Labour candidate will be fascinating.
4) 33/1 winner and all that jazz.
So we could have simultaneous elections for Labour and the Conservatives in October. Has Mike booked a holiday or something?