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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Tissue Price on Osborne’s leadership ambitions and his EURe

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  • Options
    CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,249
    Scott_P said:

    @robertshrimsley: When you have to explain this to people, you have already lost https://t.co/YfPJmNbJGT

    Has he told Hamas? And the IRA?

  • Options
    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,752
    Good article Tissue Price.

    I do disagree that Osborne can choose his own opponent. There are at least 80+ MPs who are BOO'ers.

    He would have to shed a good 95+ of his own supporters to unite behind a single candidate to "block" any BOO/ABO candidate. That's too much of a risk for him.

    The Tory party is not the Labour Party. Osborne will very likely make it into the final two but this is nothing like sewn up and he is not value at current prices IMHO, particularly given the risk of a Leave vote and potentially over three years to collect.
  • Options
    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Cyclefree said:

    Anyone demanding a "safe space" reveals themselves to be a baby. Usually a baby shrieking and spitting out their dummy. But a baby nonetheless. They should be gently told that we - the grown ups - will pay attention to them when - and only when - they have grown up.

    Indeed

    http://www.vanityfair.fr/culture/livre/articles/generation-wuss-by-bret-easton-ellis/15837
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    SimonStClareSimonStClare Posts: 7,976
    One of the first acts by Boris on becoming Mayor was to axe the thousands of copies of the Morning Star that Livingstone had delivered to the Mayoral office at tax payer’s expense.

    I wonder if Ken has tried the same trick at Labour HQ…

    I'd suggest 99.99% of the population had no idea there's still a Communist Party here. Jezza has given new life to them and the Morning Star.

    Beyond weird. I never expected this on May 8th.

    kle4 said:

    Scott_P said:

    @jessbrammar: UK Communist Party call for Lab to take Leave side in EU Ref as "platform for arguing alternative to Tory austerity" https://t.co/U0n8YEbhJ2

    That's good - reminds people there is a Communist Party (is UK Communitst Party not the same as the Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist)?), and so all of Corbyn's views appear less extreme.
  • Options
    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    Neil Wallis
    "Except the IRA, of course! Oh, and Hezbollah. Hamas are OK too, obvs! ISIS? Er, a bit misunderstood, perhaps...?" https://t.co/5HopYTgZPH
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,465

    MaxPB said:

    MaxPB said:

    Then surely reversing cuts to the armed forces would be a priority, yet we are still cutting down on active infantry.

    If Osborne was courting popularity amongst party members, he'd prioritise the armed forces over the police.
    Vice versa for the public though. IMO he seems to be gambling on being more credible than his opponent as a potential PM.
    If he really wanted to court popularity he'd slash the international aid budget and give it to the armed forces.
    You're being silly now.

    That would catapult the Cons back to nastiness in a

    I've just had a similar experience on Twitter with a Corbynista. I was very polite, pointed out some uncomfortable facts and was then called a fat, mummies boy.

    I noted that I'm female, slim and my mother is long dead. He blocked me.

    The level of debate is non existent. It's toddler world.

    Mr. P, not just the entertainingly thick, but the dangerously stupid too. Such as people who think Muslims in the UK get the same treatment as the Jews did under Hitler.

    if you lie down with dogs...

    I like reading twitter, and there are bits of interest but the thought of engaging in it for anything like sensible debate is bizarre.

    Not a comment on your twitter activity but really what is the point of eg. engaging a corbynista on twitter?
  • Options
    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,752
    taffys said:

    Osborne doesn't strike me as a man born to appeal to shire Tories, but he doesn't have to be perfect, just better than the other choice.

    I'm not sure who Osborne does appeal to. That's the problem.

    He will appeal to Cameroons and those aspiring to office. I am less sure of those who want a break from the Cameron era, are concerned about his methods and politics and in marginal seats where he ain't exactly flavour of the month.

    So I could see him getting 120-150 nominations. I could not see him getting 200+ nominations.
  • Options
    Scott_P said:

    @robertshrimsley: When you have to explain this to people, you have already lost https://t.co/YfPJmNbJGT

    What a pie...
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,465
    Cyclefree said:

    Scott_P said:

    @robertshrimsley: When you have to explain this to people, you have already lost https://t.co/YfPJmNbJGT

    Has he told Hamas? And the IRA?

    "When did you stop supporting terrorism?"
  • Options
    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    "Cologne attackers were of migrant origin - minister

    The men suspected of attacking women in Cologne on New Year's Eve were "almost exclusively" from a migration background, mainly North African and Arab, an official report says."


    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35280386
  • Options
    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    edited January 2016
    Tories annexing more lawns
    David Cameron announced on Monday an almost £1billion investment in mental health services across the UK.

    The decision, first unveiled in the Autumn Statement, will provide support in particular to new mothers and teenagers with body image disorders such as anorexia, he said in a speech at community charity Family Action in north London.

    Somewhat incredibly, he is the first sitting prime minister to ever address mental health in a public speech.

    The prime minister said that the country is overdue an "open" and "mature" look at mental health and the taboos that still persist around mental illnesses:
    http://i100.independent.co.uk/article/david-cameron-just-became-the-first-sitting-prime-minister-to-give-speech-about-mental-health--ZJ1gI_q43l
  • Options
    oxfordsimonoxfordsimon Posts: 5,831

    Scott_P said:

    @PSbook: As we predicted, Karl Turner gets nod as Labour's shadow attorney general. So who to replace him in #2 role. Rebecca Long-Bailey?

    Appointing someone with so little legal experience shows how there is next to no talent left on the Labour benches willing to serve.

    The AG has a vital role to play in the life of the nation as a senior law officer - someone with less than 5 years legal work experience is not fit for purpose. Even as a shadow AG.
    "he graduated with a law degree as a mature student from the University of Hull in 2004. He became a barrister in 2005 after passing the Bar Vocational Course at Northumbria University and went on to practise criminal law for the Max Gold Partnership in Hull"

    Stellar expertise and experience. Just what we need to be able to be to understand the ins and outs of what is incredibly complex job.
    So he would still have had to be a pupil before being called the bar - which takes us to 2006 at the earliest. He became a candidate in 2008. So 2 whole years of professional legal experience.

    Amazing
  • Options
    JonathanDJonathanD Posts: 2,400
    DavidL said:

    DavidL said:

    Anyone who thinks for a moment that Osborne might not be euro-sceptic enough or some sort of a push over in respect of City interests really should watch this video: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/georgeosborne/8878738/George-Osborne-attacks-Tobin-tax.html

    This is from 4 years ago and this was him speaking at a Fincom, something that is not usually not recorded. I personally would not want to be on the other side of a negotiation with this man. He is formidable.

    LOL

    your description of of GO as a kind of Mandelson is nearer the mark. Though he's not quite as good. Like Mandelson he will never get the top job as he just pisses too many people off for his own good.

    I think the job is his for the taking. But does he want it? I am not completely convinced about that although his tune has changed a bit since Cameron confirmed he was going.

    There was a bit I recall in Lawson's truly outstanding book "the view from No. 11" where he said the fact he was never considered a possible replacement for Maggie weakened him in negotiations within the party. I have no doubt Osborne will be aware of the observation and he may just be acting accordingly to ensure power does not drain away prematurely. But he has already done a serious shift and he may have had enough.
    Two years ago I think Osborne was aware of his limitations, knew that he wouldn't be a good PM but also knew he had to be serious and credible enough as a potential leader to do a good job as Chancellor. While intellectually I am sure he still does think that and realise that him as PM would have a high likelihood of disaster, emotionally, he is now so close to achieving it that he must be tempted to forget caution and just go for it.
  • Options
    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    edited January 2016
    It's amusing. I don't go looking for them, they pop up and I can't resist. I forgot, he called me a wanker too. Charming.
    TOPPING said:

    MaxPB said:

    MaxPB said:

    Then surely reversing cuts to the armed forces would be a priority, yet we are still cutting down on active infantry.

    If Osborne was courting popularity amongst party members, he'd prioritise the armed forces over the police.
    Vice versa for the public though. IMO he seems to be gambling on being more credible than his opponent as a potential PM.
    If he really wanted to court popularity he'd slash the international aid budget and give it to the armed forces.
    You're being silly now.

    That would catapult the Cons back to nastiness in a

    I've just had a similar experience on Twitter with a Corbynista. I was very polite, pointed out some uncomfortable facts and was then called a fat, mummies boy.

    I noted that I'm female, slim and my mother is long dead. He blocked me.

    The level of debate is non existent. It's toddler world.

    Mr. P, not just the entertainingly thick, but the dangerously stupid too. Such as people who think Muslims in the UK get the same treatment as the Jews did under Hitler.

    if you lie down with dogs...

    I like reading twitter, and there are bits of interest but the thought of engaging in it for anything like sensible debate is bizarre.

    Not a comment on your twitter activity but really what is the point of eg. engaging a corbynista on twitter?
  • Options
    dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,291
    Paul Waugh ‏@paulwaugh 1m1 minute ago
    Breaking: No10 releases new letter from Cameron warning all ministers can't "in Parliament" criticise his EU renegotiation.
  • Options
    I think it is quite possible that Boris, May, and Javid will come out in favour of Remain in which case the Leave campaign will not have anyone of significance to lead them
  • Options
    MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,650
    Cyclefree said:


    I am surprised there is even a debate about this. A university which shies away from critical thinking is not a university but a dinner party.

    "Space safes" are the "intellectual" equivalent of those plastic corners you put on tables to stop your toddler poking his eye out when he falls. They are not necessary for adults.

    Anyone demanding a "safe space" reveals themselves to be a baby. Usually a baby shrieking and spitting out their dummy. But a baby nonetheless. They should be gently told that we - the grown ups - will pay attention to them when - and only when - they have grown up.

    Yes well the problem is that the wind and momentum is not in our favour. Look at what is happening on Twitter. A prominent right win journalist has had his profile credentials taken away, hashtags associated with right wing movements no longer autocomplete, right wing people are reporting their profiles being deleted. Or Reddit, once a bastion of free speech is now a "safe space" for people who believe stupid things and pretty much the whole centre right was thrown off the platform and they went and made their own clone which is now gathering pace as Reddit starts to slow down. Reddit, until a day ago, was censoring all mentions of the Muslim grope gangs in Europe, it was only once the NYT and BBC started reporting it in earnest that they could no longer hold back the tide of submissions. One sub actually went completely off the rails and banned a whole bunch of people who said the policy of censorship of a story being reported in basically every European news outlet was wrong.

    The problem is that the silent majority are silent, while the loud minority aren't. Our GE was a classic example of the loud minority creating a feedback loop where there was only going to be one outcome, a Labour victory, and our pollsters got completely caught up in it.
  • Options
    FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,302
    edited January 2016

    Scott_P said:

    @PSbook: As we predicted, Karl Turner gets nod as Labour's shadow attorney general. So who to replace him in #2 role. Rebecca Long-Bailey?

    Appointing someone with so little legal experience shows how there is next to no talent left on the Labour benches willing to serve.

    The AG has a vital role to play in the life of the nation as a senior law officer - someone with less than 5 years legal work experience is not fit for purpose. Even as a shadow AG.
    "he graduated with a law degree as a mature student from the University of Hull in 2004. He became a barrister in 2005 after passing the Bar Vocational Course at Northumbria University and went on to practise criminal law for the Max Gold Partnership in Hull"

    Stellar expertise and experience. Just what we need to be able to be to understand the ins and outs of what is incredibly complex job.
    So he would still have had to be a pupil before being called the bar - which takes us to 2006 at the earliest. He became a candidate in 2008. So 2 whole years of professional legal experience.

    Amazing
    JJ shadow cabinet, Mrs Bucket at defence, whose only knowledge of the military is in relation to her ambulance chaser friends, and a bloke with no real legal experience at shadow general attorney. Genius. While Dan Jarvis and Keir Starmer sit on the side lines.
  • Options
    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    Don't have a problem with that. Ministers shouldn't knock their own side in the HoC.

    The EU Ref isn't Parliamentary business.
    dr_spyn said:

    Paul Waugh ‏@paulwaugh 1m1 minute ago
    Breaking: No10 releases new letter from Cameron warning all ministers can't "in Parliament" criticise his EU renegotiation.

  • Options
    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    Sky
    PM: It will be the responsibility of Civil service to support the 'clear government position' but ministers can use SpAd's in final 28 days.
  • Options
    dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,291
    Cameron = Balfour over Imperial Preference/Free Trade.
  • Options
    PClippPClipp Posts: 2,138
    kle4 said:

    I think he's a great number two, and never thought he would put himself forward for the top job, but I think he's decided to see if he can give it a go and will give it his all. He has Cameron's backing, and despite being in post for years, only in the last year has he even really seemed a contender, and that too may fade depending on how badly he misses his economic targets, but even if he once resigned himself to not being cut out for the top job, I think he does want it now. He's incredibly young for someone who now has near 6 years experience as Chancellor (and a very influential one thanks to his good relationship with Cameron), so why not chance his arm?

    But we have to bear in mind Osborne was given a free run for five of those years by the Lib Dems, who effectively tidied up before him and after him.

    Osborne is now making a lot of mistakes.
  • Options
    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,454
    JonathanD said:

    DavidL said:

    DavidL said:

    Anyone who thinks for a moment that Osborne might not be euro-sceptic enough or some sort of a push over in respect of City interests really should watch this video: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/georgeosborne/8878738/George-Osborne-attacks-Tobin-tax.html

    This is from 4 years ago and this was him speaking at a Fincom, something that is not usually not recorded. I personally would not want to be on the other side of a negotiation with this man. He is formidable.

    LOL

    your description of of GO as a kind of Mandelson is nearer the mark. Though he's not quite as good. Like Mandelson he will never get the top job as he just pisses too many people off for his own good.

    I think the job is his for the taking. But does he want it? I am not completely convinced about that although his tune has changed a bit since Cameron confirmed he was going.

    There was a bit I recall in Lawson's truly outstanding book "the view from No. 11" where he said the fact he was never considered a possible replacement for Maggie weakened him in negotiations within the party. I have no doubt Osborne will be aware of the observation and he may just be acting accordingly to ensure power does not drain away prematurely. But he has already done a serious shift and he may have had enough.
    Two years ago I think Osborne was aware of his limitations, knew that he wouldn't be a good PM but also knew he had to be serious and credible enough as a potential leader to do a good job as Chancellor. While intellectually I am sure he still does think that and realise that him as PM would have a high likelihood of disaster, emotionally, he is now so close to achieving it that he must be tempted to forget caution and just go for it.
    It is the Jim Hacker tendency. You look around the room and think, well who could do this job better than me? Almost all politicians suffer from myopia at that point.
  • Options
    taffystaffys Posts: 9,753
    edited January 2016
    The problem is that the silent majority are silent, while the loud minority aren't. Our GE was a classic example of the loud minority creating a feedback loop where there was only going to be one outcome, a Labour victory, and our pollsters got completely caught up in it.

    True, but similar to the election, the sensorers surely drive traffic away to other sites...???

    In this instance the silent majority can vote with their feet.
  • Options
    MonikerDiCanioMonikerDiCanio Posts: 5,792
    edited January 2016
    MaxPB said:

    I've just had a similar experience on Twitter with a Corbynista. I was very polite, pointed out some uncomfortable facts and was then called a fat, mummies boy.

    I noted that I'm female, slim and my mother is long dead. He blocked me.

    The level of debate is non existent. It's toddler world.

    Mr. P, not just the entertainingly thick, but the dangerously stupid too. Such as people who think Muslims in the UK get the same treatment as the Jews did under Hitler.

    This is the whole debate about "safe spaces" in the US going on right now. Some on the left believe that certain groups should have safe spaces on US college campuses to "debate" ideas (furiously agree with each other) while some on the right think that the safe spaces are the first step to stifling freedom of expression and that people shouldn't be cosseted from discussion even if it is critical or even insulting. It isn't a right/left issue entirely though, Obama came out against safe spaces and said they are bad for education and freedom.
    " Safe spaces " is just the old idea of segregation renamed.
  • Options
    MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,650
    taffys said:

    The problem is that the silent majority are silent, while the loud minority aren't. Our GE was a classic example of the loud minority creating a feedback loop where there was only going to be one outcome, a Labour victory, and our pollsters got completely caught up in it.

    True, but similar to the election, the sensorers surely drive traffic away to other sites...???

    The issue is that just as I had to post a story from a clearly right wing site with some unsavoury views, other people are having to do the same. When Breitbart is the least offensive website available to centre-right readers, there is obviously a problem. The left seems to think that if they control the "narrative" online they can control people's actions, but obviously that isn't true. People know bullshit narrative when they see it and will seek information elsewhere, sadly right now the only places actually reporting real news are places like RT and Breitbart, and I trust neither.
  • Options
    Tissue_PriceTissue_Price Posts: 9,039
    DavidL said:

    JonathanD said:

    DavidL said:

    DavidL said:

    Anyone who thinks for a moment that Osborne might not be euro-sceptic enough or some sort of a push over in respect of City interests really should watch this video: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/georgeosborne/8878738/George-Osborne-attacks-Tobin-tax.html

    This is from 4 years ago and this was him speaking at a Fincom, something that is not usually not recorded. I personally would not want to be on the other side of a negotiation with this man. He is formidable.

    LOL

    your description of of GO as a kind of Mandelson is nearer the mark. Though he's not quite as good. Like Mandelson he will never get the top job as he just pisses too many people off for his own good.

    I think the job is his for the taking. But does he want it? I am not completely convinced about that although his tune has changed a bit since Cameron confirmed he was going.

    There was a bit I recall in Lawson's truly outstanding book "the view from No. 11" where he said the fact he was never considered a possible replacement for Maggie weakened him in negotiations within the party. I have no doubt Osborne will be aware of the observation and he may just be acting accordingly to ensure power does not drain away prematurely. But he has already done a serious shift and he may have had enough.
    Two years ago I think Osborne was aware of his limitations, knew that he wouldn't be a good PM but also knew he had to be serious and credible enough as a potential leader to do a good job as Chancellor. While intellectually I am sure he still does think that and realise that him as PM would have a high likelihood of disaster, emotionally, he is now so close to achieving it that he must be tempted to forget caution and just go for it.
    It is the Jim Hacker tendency. You look around the room and think, well who could do this job better than me? Almost all politicians suffer from myopia at that point.
    All I've ever wanted to do is serve my country. I've never sought office. But if my colleagues persuaded me the best place to serve it from was 10 Downing Street, I might perhaps reluctantly be persuaded to undertake the responsibility, whatever my own private wishes might be.
  • Options
    JonathanDJonathanD Posts: 2,400
    edited January 2016
    DavidL said:

    JonathanD said:

    DavidL said:

    DavidL said:

    Anyone who thinks for a moment that Osborne might not be euro-sceptic enough or some sort of a push over in respect of City interests really should watch this video: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/georgeosborne/8878738/George-Osborne-attacks-Tobin-tax.html

    This is from 4 years ago and this was him speaking at a Fincom, something that is not usually not recorded. I personally would not want to be on the other side of a negotiation with this man. He is formidable.

    LOL

    your description of of GO as a kind of Mandelson is nearer the mark. Though he's not quite as good. Like Mandelson he will never get the top job as he just pisses too many people off for his own good.

    I think the job is his for the taking. But does he want it? I am not completely convinced about that although his tune has changed a bit since Cameron confirmed he was going.

    There was a bit I recall in Lawson's truly outstanding book "the view from No. 11" where he said the fact he was never considered a possible replacement for Maggie weakened him in negotiations within the party. I have no doubt Osborne will be aware of the observation and he may just be acting accordingly to ensure power does not drain away prematurely. But he has already done a serious shift and he may have had enough.
    Two years ago I think Osborne was aware of his limitations, knew that he wouldn't be a good PM but also knew he had to be serious and credible enough as a potential leader to do a good job as Chancellor. While intellectually I am sure he still does think that and realise that him as PM would have a high likelihood of disaster, emotionally, he is now so close to achieving it that he must be tempted to forget caution and just go for it.
    It is the Jim Hacker tendency. You look around the room and think, well who could do this job better than me? Almost all politicians suffer from myopia at that point.
    Great phrase. And while, say, May and Boris have elements of being good potential PMs they have enough downsides that looking around Cabinet, Osborne really almost is the best.

    And the more attention he sucks in now, the less one of the more junior Ministers can shine. Ruth Davidson does her best to promote Steve Crabb and from what I've seen he has potential but simply doesn't have the public profile when the main election battle will be 'security'.
  • Options
    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,019
    Mr. Max, the more censors tighten their grip, the more sites will slip through their fingers [to paraphrase Princess Leia].
  • Options
    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,019
    Mr. Price, you are Numa, and I claim seven hills.
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    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,997
    edited January 2016
    dr_spyn said:

    Paul Waugh ‏@paulwaugh 1m1 minute ago
    Breaking: No10 releases new letter from Cameron warning all ministers can't "in Parliament" criticise his EU renegotiation.

    That's fair enough. It's one thing to argue against the EU, but another to criticise the PM for his negotiation in Parliament.

    It would also make sense for the PM to call off those arguing unambiguously in favour of the EU while the negotiations are ongoing, but that's a different point altogether.
  • Options
    taffystaffys Posts: 9,753
    ''Mr. Max, the more censors tighten their grip, the more sites will slip through their fingers [to paraphrase Princess Leia]''.

    Twitter shares are at an all time low, Mr Morris. If I was an investor and I thought the company was sensoring right wing mainstream journalists I'd be heading for the exit, too.
  • Options
    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,997

    Scott_P said:

    @PSbook: As we predicted, Karl Turner gets nod as Labour's shadow attorney general. So who to replace him in #2 role. Rebecca Long-Bailey?

    Appointing someone with so little legal experience shows how there is next to no talent left on the Labour benches willing to serve.

    The AG has a vital role to play in the life of the nation as a senior law officer - someone with less than 5 years legal work experience is not fit for purpose. Even as a shadow AG.
    "he graduated with a law degree as a mature student from the University of Hull in 2004. He became a barrister in 2005 after passing the Bar Vocational Course at Northumbria University and went on to practise criminal law for the Max Gold Partnership in Hull"

    Stellar expertise and experience. Just what we need to be able to be to understand the ins and outs of what is incredibly complex job.
    So he would still have had to be a pupil before being called the bar - which takes us to 2006 at the earliest. He became a candidate in 2008. So 2 whole years of professional legal experience.

    Amazing
    JJ shadow cabinet, Mrs Bucket at defence, whose only knowledge of the military is in relation to her ambulance chaser friends, and a bloke with no real legal experience at shadow general attorney. Genius. While Dan Jarvis and Keir Starmer sit on the side lines.
    That says it all. Shocking.
  • Options
    dr_spyn said:

    Paul Waugh ‏@paulwaugh 1m1 minute ago
    Breaking: No10 releases new letter from Cameron warning all ministers can't "in Parliament" criticise his EU renegotiation.

    Smacks of panic and weakness.
  • Options
    John_MJohn_M Posts: 7,503
    AndyJS said:

    "Cologne attackers were of migrant origin - minister

    The men suspected of attacking women in Cologne on New Year's Eve were "almost exclusively" from a migration background, mainly North African and Arab, an official report says."


    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35280386

    Ah but only 'almost'. Still wiggle room there for all the people in denial.
  • Options
    felixfelix Posts: 15,125
    Sandpit said:

    dr_spyn said:

    Paul Waugh ‏@paulwaugh 1m1 minute ago
    Breaking: No10 releases new letter from Cameron warning all ministers can't "in Parliament" criticise his EU renegotiation.

    That's fair enough. It's one thing to argue against the EU, but another to criticise the PM for his negotiation in Parliament.

    It would also make sense for the PM to call off those arguing unambiguously in favour of the EU while the negotiations are ongoing, but that's a different point altogether.
    Give it time - won't be long b4 some of the nut jobs on here will be screaming FFFOOOUUULLL! :)
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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    felix said:

    Give it time - won't be long b4 some of the nut jobs on here will be screaming FFFOOOUUULLL! :)

    @MarkReckless: So one rule for Remain another for Leave.Special advisers can help Remain on govt time but if Leave must be own time https://t.co/0ALBsf734V
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    MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,650
    taffys said:

    ''Mr. Max, the more censors tighten their grip, the more sites will slip through their fingers [to paraphrase Princess Leia]''.

    Twitter shares are at an all time low, Mr Morris. If I was an investor and I thought the company was sensoring right wing mainstream journalists I'd be heading for the exit, too.

    Yes, all time low and there is still no plan to make money from it. Now they are chasing away a large proportion of their audience to appease a few noisy leftists.
  • Options
    Tissue_PriceTissue_Price Posts: 9,039
    edited January 2016
    taffys said:

    ''Mr. Max, the more censors tighten their grip, the more sites will slip through their fingers [to paraphrase Princess Leia]''.

    Twitter shares are at an all time low, Mr Morris. If I was an investor and I thought the company was sensoring right wing mainstream journalists I'd be heading for the exit, too.

    The company that is sensoring right wing mainstream journalists appears to be the Daily Telegraph:

    The Daily Telegraph has installed devices to monitor whether journalists are at their desks, BuzzFeed News has learned.

    The newspaper confirmed the move in email to staff after multiple employees said that they had come into work on Monday morning to find small plastic monitoring boxes attached to their desks.


    http://www.buzzfeed.com/jimwaterson/telegraph-workplace-sensors
  • Options
    MaxPB said:

    taffys said:

    ''Mr. Max, the more censors tighten their grip, the more sites will slip through their fingers [to paraphrase Princess Leia]''.

    Twitter shares are at an all time low, Mr Morris. If I was an investor and I thought the company was sensoring right wing mainstream journalists I'd be heading for the exit, too.

    Yes, all time low and there is still no plan to make money from it. Now they are chasing away a large proportion of their audience to appease a few noisy leftists.
    You are more in touch with the tech world than me, but AFAIK twitter are still burning best part of $1 million a day and I don't see anyway out. The demographic who use twitter are media people (very small number in grand scheme of things) and young people, who don't have much money. Furthermore, twitter are squeezed at the young end by Whatsapp, SnapChat etc, and Facebook are squatting over all the people with money i.e. oldies and as a result raking it in.
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    FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,302
    edited January 2016

    taffys said:

    ''Mr. Max, the more censors tighten their grip, the more sites will slip through their fingers [to paraphrase Princess Leia]''.

    Twitter shares are at an all time low, Mr Morris. If I was an investor and I thought the company was sensoring right wing mainstream journalists I'd be heading for the exit, too.

    The company that is sensoring right wing mainstream journalists appears to be the Daily Telegraph:

    The Daily Telegraph has installed devices to monitor whether journalists are at their desks, BuzzFeed News has learned.

    The newspaper confirmed the move in email to staff after multiple employees said that they had come into work on Monday morning to find small plastic monitoring boxes attached to their desks.


    http://www.buzzfeed.com/jimwaterson/telegraph-workplace-sensors
    The Telegraph sounds like a disaster and a hellish place to work. They sacked loads of good staff, closed things like the blogging stuff they were doing, also lots of top people got demoted or cut.
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    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    Scott_P said:

    felix said:

    Give it time - won't be long b4 some of the nut jobs on here will be screaming FFFOOOUUULLL! :)

    @MarkReckless: So one rule for Remain another for Leave.Special advisers can help Remain on govt time but if Leave must be own time https://t.co/0ALBsf734V
    Technically that's not true. If the Government recommends Leave, it will be Remain supporters who must get help in their own time.

    Hypothetical, I appreciate.
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    Scott_P said:

    felix said:

    Give it time - won't be long b4 some of the nut jobs on here will be screaming FFFOOOUUULLL! :)

    @MarkReckless: So one rule for Remain another for Leave.Special advisers can help Remain on govt time but if Leave must be own time https://t.co/0ALBsf734V
    Who ?

    Now this is a proper Eurosceptic. See politeness does wonders.

    @DanHannanMEP: Still, in the spirit of mutual respect which the PM rightly hopes will characterise the campaign, thanks, Dave, for holding the vote at all.
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    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    I can't recall a prominent leftie being banned by Twitter.

    Righties frequently. It's just so stupid.
    MaxPB said:

    taffys said:

    ''Mr. Max, the more censors tighten their grip, the more sites will slip through their fingers [to paraphrase Princess Leia]''.

    Twitter shares are at an all time low, Mr Morris. If I was an investor and I thought the company was sensoring right wing mainstream journalists I'd be heading for the exit, too.

    Yes, all time low and there is still no plan to make money from it. Now they are chasing away a large proportion of their audience to appease a few noisy leftists.
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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    @SamCoatesTimes: Environment Agency Chairman Sir Philip Dilley has resigned today https://t.co/hYSstYjtAy
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    WandererWanderer Posts: 3,838
    Scott_P said:

    felix said:

    Give it time - won't be long b4 some of the nut jobs on here will be screaming FFFOOOUUULLL! :)

    @MarkReckless: So one rule for Remain another for Leave.Special advisers can help Remain on govt time but if Leave must be own time https://t.co/0ALBsf734V
    Mark Reckless has plenty of his own time, I believe?
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    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    edited January 2016
    The Times suffers from it too. I posted the three Stages and it was moderated.

    WTF with that?

    DT journos not doing much is another issue. Their copy output should cover their arse.

    taffys said:

    ''Mr. Max, the more censors tighten their grip, the more sites will slip through their fingers [to paraphrase Princess Leia]''.

    Twitter shares are at an all time low, Mr Morris. If I was an investor and I thought the company was sensoring right wing mainstream journalists I'd be heading for the exit, too.

    The company that is sensoring right wing mainstream journalists appears to be the Daily Telegraph:

    The Daily Telegraph has installed devices to monitor whether journalists are at their desks, BuzzFeed News has learned.

    The newspaper confirmed the move in email to staff after multiple employees said that they had come into work on Monday morning to find small plastic monitoring boxes attached to their desks.


    http://www.buzzfeed.com/jimwaterson/telegraph-workplace-sensors
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    Sky
    PM: It will be the responsibility of Civil service to support the 'clear government position' but ministers can use SpAd's in final 28 days.

    Another way to pile up resentment against the Remain camp of Cameron and Osborne. It will come back and bite Osborne later.
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    FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,302
    edited January 2016
    Scott_P said:

    @SamCoatesTimes: Environment Agency Chairman Sir Philip Dilley has resigned today https://t.co/hYSstYjtAy

    "To spend more time with his family [in Barbados or is it Jamaica ;-)] "
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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    @rowenamason: Philip Dilley has resigns from Environment Agency as expectations for role have expanded "requiring him to be available at short notice"

    @rowenamason: Sir Phillip Dilley resignation letter as chair of Environment Agency says it was inappropriate to expect him to be available throughout year
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    FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,302
    edited January 2016
    Scott_P said:

    @rowenamason: Philip Dilley has resigns from Environment Agency as expectations for role have expanded "requiring him to be available at short notice"

    @rowenamason: Sir Phillip Dilley resignation letter as chair of Environment Agency says it was inappropriate to expect him to be available throughout year

    FFS...who is writing his PR? Seamus Milne moonlighting?
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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,019
    Mr. P, didn't he criticise his predecessor (Meacher?) for not attending promptly to the Somerset floods?
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    taffystaffys Posts: 9,753
    "To spend more time with his family [in Barbados or is it Jamaica ;-)] "

    Interestingly the HMRC chief is quitting too.
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    John_MJohn_M Posts: 7,503

    MaxPB said:

    taffys said:

    ''Mr. Max, the more censors tighten their grip, the more sites will slip through their fingers [to paraphrase Princess Leia]''.

    Twitter shares are at an all time low, Mr Morris. If I was an investor and I thought the company was sensoring right wing mainstream journalists I'd be heading for the exit, too.

    Yes, all time low and there is still no plan to make money from it. Now they are chasing away a large proportion of their audience to appease a few noisy leftists.
    You are more in touch with the tech world than me, but AFAIK twitter are still burning best part of $1 million a day and I don't see anyway out. The demographic who use twitter are media people (very small number in grand scheme of things) and young people, who don't have much money. Furthermore, twitter are squeezed at the young end by Whatsapp, SnapChat etc, and Facebook are squatting over all the people with money i.e. oldies and as a result raking it in.
    Twitter's latest idea is to remove the 140 character limit. Which would be its death knell. Without brevity, it's just Internet Nutters Bloviating Endlessly.
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    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    Shouldn't have fibbed. Cover up catching another out.
    Scott_P said:

    @SamCoatesTimes: Environment Agency Chairman Sir Philip Dilley has resigned today https://t.co/hYSstYjtAy

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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    @pauloCanning: Hard to argue with this from @JWoodcockMP They will, of course. https://t.co/1hI5ZZYIpD https://t.co/78MolSXodQ
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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,019
    Mr. M, one of the things I like about Twitter is the brevity. I could see a case for expanding the limit slightly, or excepting things like the characters of people to whom you're speaking from the limit, but jacking it up to 10,000 perplexes me.
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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    John_M said:

    Twitter's latest idea is to remove the 140 character limit. Which would be its death knell. Without brevity, it's just Internet Nutters Bloviating Endlessly.

    I read a suggestion it will only be lifted for verified users, so only verified Internet Nutters Bloviating Endlessly
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    dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,291
    Environment Agency like HMRC slipping out a resignation. Dilley copies Homer & resigns. Today has become a good day to bury bad news.
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    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    IIRC he was paid 100k for three days a week. He got the media mgt wrong.
    Scott_P said:

    @rowenamason: Philip Dilley has resigns from Environment Agency as expectations for role have expanded "requiring him to be available at short notice"

    @rowenamason: Sir Phillip Dilley resignation letter as chair of Environment Agency says it was inappropriate to expect him to be available throughout year

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    runnymederunnymede Posts: 2,536
    'Environment Agency Chairman Sir Philip Dilley has resigned'

    Golden handshake incoming?
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    John_MJohn_M Posts: 7,503
    edited January 2016
    Scott_P said:

    @SamCoatesTimes: Environment Agency Chairman Sir Philip Dilley has resigned today https://t.co/hYSstYjtAy

    I quite liked his resignation letter, very pissy.
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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    @paulwaugh: He Dilley-d + dallied, dallied + Dilley-d. Now he's out.
    From the classic: 'My old man says The Sh*t's hit the fan' https://t.co/kzscb31HFw
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    MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,650

    MaxPB said:

    taffys said:

    ''Mr. Max, the more censors tighten their grip, the more sites will slip through their fingers [to paraphrase Princess Leia]''.

    Twitter shares are at an all time low, Mr Morris. If I was an investor and I thought the company was sensoring right wing mainstream journalists I'd be heading for the exit, too.

    Yes, all time low and there is still no plan to make money from it. Now they are chasing away a large proportion of their audience to appease a few noisy leftists.
    You are more in touch with the tech world than me, but AFAIK twitter are still burning best part of $1 million a day and I don't see anyway out. The demographic who use twitter are media people (very small number in grand scheme of things) and young people, who don't have much money. Furthermore, twitter are squeezed at the young end by Whatsapp, SnapChat etc, and Facebook are squatting over all the people with money i.e. oldies and as a result raking it in.
    Yes, over $1m per day if the latest analysis is correct. I think the problem with Twitter is that they really didn't cast their net wide enough, Facebook is a successful company because everyone and their dog (in some cases that is a literal rather than figurative statement) has an account and people say whatever they want. Twitter is too trendy for its own good, say something that doesn't fit the "narrative" with a popular hashtag and a few hundred useful idiots will descend on your profile and shit it up. People are getting tired of it. I really only use Twitter to complain to companies, neither of my parents have an account while both are active on Facebook. Twitter is too hostile and the crackdown only seems to be aimed at one side, who they have now lost. Another micro-blogging rival will pop up, Google are said to be looking at one which will integrate with Android and people's phone numbers, sort of like a public version of Whatsapp.
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    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,997
    Scott_P said:

    @SamCoatesTimes: Environment Agency Chairman Sir Philip Dilley has resigned today https://t.co/hYSstYjtAy

    Ha ha. No surprise there. Maybe whoever appoints his replacement might better think about the hours required and place of work during the winter.
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    Tissue_PriceTissue_Price Posts: 9,039
    John_M said:

    MaxPB said:

    taffys said:

    ''Mr. Max, the more censors tighten their grip, the more sites will slip through their fingers [to paraphrase Princess Leia]''.

    Twitter shares are at an all time low, Mr Morris. If I was an investor and I thought the company was sensoring right wing mainstream journalists I'd be heading for the exit, too.

    Yes, all time low and there is still no plan to make money from it. Now they are chasing away a large proportion of their audience to appease a few noisy leftists.
    You are more in touch with the tech world than me, but AFAIK twitter are still burning best part of $1 million a day and I don't see anyway out. The demographic who use twitter are media people (very small number in grand scheme of things) and young people, who don't have much money. Furthermore, twitter are squeezed at the young end by Whatsapp, SnapChat etc, and Facebook are squatting over all the people with money i.e. oldies and as a result raking it in.
    Twitter's latest idea is to remove the 140 character limit. Which would be its death knell. Without brevity, it's just Internet Nutters Bloviating Endlessly.
    The suggestion is more nuanced than that - the core tweet length of 140 characters would stay; the idea is to have any links to further text point within Twitter. Currently they spend an awful lot of resource in pointing their more influential users to content on other sites; it's not surprising they struggle to make money.
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    FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,302
    edited January 2016
    John_M said:

    MaxPB said:

    taffys said:

    ''Mr. Max, the more censors tighten their grip, the more sites will slip through their fingers [to paraphrase Princess Leia]''.

    Twitter shares are at an all time low, Mr Morris. If I was an investor and I thought the company was sensoring right wing mainstream journalists I'd be heading for the exit, too.

    Yes, all time low and there is still no plan to make money from it. Now they are chasing away a large proportion of their audience to appease a few noisy leftists.
    You are more in touch with the tech world than me, but AFAIK twitter are still burning best part of $1 million a day and I don't see anyway out. The demographic who use twitter are media people (very small number in grand scheme of things) and young people, who don't have much money. Furthermore, twitter are squeezed at the young end by Whatsapp, SnapChat etc, and Facebook are squatting over all the people with money i.e. oldies and as a result raking it in.
    Twitter's latest idea is to remove the 140 character limit. Which would be its death knell. Without brevity, it's just Internet Nutters Bloviating Endlessly.
    To be honest, the fact you can embed pictures and videos means the 140 character thing is a bit obsolete anyway, but doing the media takes effort, so yes the character limit does stop your random nutter endlessly wittering...it just means Eoin Clarke has to sit and make up his BS in pictorial form instead.

    The thing is you can already do longer tweets via other add-on services, a bit like twitpic was the add-on for images back in the day.
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    WandererWanderer Posts: 3,838
    Some interesting thoughts, imo, on David Bowie's passing and identity politics http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2016/01/11/david-bowie-was-a-beacon-against-rigid-identity-politics
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 92,086
    dr_spyn said:

    Paul Waugh ‏@paulwaugh 1m1 minute ago
    Breaking: No10 releases new letter from Cameron warning all ministers can't "in Parliament" criticise his EU renegotiation.

    dr_spyn said:

    Paul Waugh ‏@paulwaugh 1m1 minute ago
    Breaking: No10 releases new letter from Cameron warning all ministers can't "in Parliament" criticise his EU renegotiation.

    I await the latest explosion of outrage from the usual quarters of the Internet.
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    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,997

    Scott_P said:

    felix said:

    Give it time - won't be long b4 some of the nut jobs on here will be screaming FFFOOOUUULLL! :)

    @MarkReckless: So one rule for Remain another for Leave.Special advisers can help Remain on govt time but if Leave must be own time https://t.co/0ALBsf734V
    Who ?

    Now this is a proper Eurosceptic. See politeness does wonders.

    @DanHannanMEP: Still, in the spirit of mutual respect which the PM rightly hopes will characterise the campaign, thanks, Dave, for holding the vote at all.
    Hannan is a class act, always unflinchingly polite even to people with whom he disagrees. In fact, especially to people with whom he disagrees.
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    FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,302
    edited January 2016
    MaxPB said:

    MaxPB said:

    taffys said:

    ''Mr. Max, the more censors tighten their grip, the more sites will slip through their fingers [to paraphrase Princess Leia]''.

    Twitter shares are at an all time low, Mr Morris. If I was an investor and I thought the company was sensoring right wing mainstream journalists I'd be heading for the exit, too.

    Yes, all time low and there is still no plan to make money from it. Now they are chasing away a large proportion of their audience to appease a few noisy leftists.
    You are more in touch with the tech world than me, but AFAIK twitter are still burning best part of $1 million a day and I don't see anyway out. The demographic who use twitter are media people (very small number in grand scheme of things) and young people, who don't have much money. Furthermore, twitter are squeezed at the young end by Whatsapp, SnapChat etc, and Facebook are squatting over all the people with money i.e. oldies and as a result raking it in.
    Yes, over $1m per day if the latest analysis is correct. I think the problem with Twitter is that they really didn't cast their net wide enough, Facebook is a successful company because everyone and their dog (in some cases that is a literal rather than figurative statement) has an account and people say whatever they want. Twitter is too trendy for its own good, say something that doesn't fit the "narrative" with a popular hashtag and a few hundred useful idiots will descend on your profile and shit it up. People are getting tired of it. I really only use Twitter to complain to companies, neither of my parents have an account while both are active on Facebook. Twitter is too hostile and the crackdown only seems to be aimed at one side, who they have now lost. Another micro-blogging rival will pop up, Google are said to be looking at one which will integrate with Android and people's phone numbers, sort of like a public version of Whatsapp.
    The point about non trendies and feeling safe is an interesting one. Last year my schedule was such that I could only make gym classes in the day, and of course they were full of ladies what lunch and oldies. Not exactly the demographic I hang around with / interact on social media with. They were all on bloody FaceAche all the time, none tw@ttered.

    As for Google attempts, this is one area they don't seem to be able to get right, from the Wave stuff to Google+ now. None of it has gone well.
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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    edited January 2016

    they were full of ladies what lunch and oldies. Not exactly the demographic I hang around with / interact on social media with. They were all on bloody FaceAche all the time, none tw@ttered.

    I was at a concert recently, and was astonished that the woman sitting next to me got her phone out to check Facebook during the show
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    Sandpit said:

    Scott_P said:

    felix said:

    Give it time - won't be long b4 some of the nut jobs on here will be screaming FFFOOOUUULLL! :)

    @MarkReckless: So one rule for Remain another for Leave.Special advisers can help Remain on govt time but if Leave must be own time https://t.co/0ALBsf734V
    Who ?

    Now this is a proper Eurosceptic. See politeness does wonders.

    @DanHannanMEP: Still, in the spirit of mutual respect which the PM rightly hopes will characterise the campaign, thanks, Dave, for holding the vote at all.
    Hannan is a class act, always unflinchingly polite even to people with whom he disagrees. In fact, especially to people with whom he disagrees.
    Untrue.
    Hannan's 15 minutes of minor celebrity followed his heaping abuse on Brown in the European Parliament.
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    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,159
    John_M said:

    Scott_P said:

    @SamCoatesTimes: Environment Agency Chairman Sir Philip Dilley has resigned today https://t.co/hYSstYjtAy

    I quite liked his resignation letter, very pissy.
    It's hardly requiring of his super intellect though is it, to see a run of deep depressions crossing the Atlantic - the very Atlantic he crossed in the other direction to go on vacation - might just continue to dump an ocean of water on the UK? And so cause the very flooding he was supposed to be in post to help prevent - and if he can't prevent, co-ordinate the response?

    If he wants to vacation, then go when the hose pipe bans have been put in place.

    Tw@.
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    dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,291
    Which agency or quango will be turfing out useless chairman/chairwoman next? Will Network Rail be ready to cull some managers? Must be some duff company trading results with statements being finalised for the press.
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    The difference with facebook is you are interacting with people you know and hopefully like. With Twitter it is often people you don't know (or celebs)
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    rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 54,184

    Don't have a problem with that. Ministers shouldn't knock their own side in the HoC.

    The EU Ref isn't Parliamentary business.

    dr_spyn said:

    Paul Waugh ‏@paulwaugh 1m1 minute ago
    Breaking: No10 releases new letter from Cameron warning all ministers can't "in Parliament" criticise his EU renegotiation.

    Yes: you are allowed to say "the EU is not for Britain", but if you're a minister you can't say "the PM did a shit job in the renegotiation."
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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    @Labourpaul: The 'History of the Labour Party' section on the Labour website ends in 2007, like the past nine years never happened.
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    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    edited January 2016
    From a PR perspective, the Agency has no excuse re a proper hierarchy. The media should never be seeking the top bod for comment. They're the last line of defence for major fatalities et al. His deputy should be briefed and competent.

    Their PR team capable of dealing with a familiar crisis path. This isn't an unknown unknown FFS.

    John_M said:

    Scott_P said:

    @SamCoatesTimes: Environment Agency Chairman Sir Philip Dilley has resigned today https://t.co/hYSstYjtAy

    I quite liked his resignation letter, very pissy.
    It's hardly requiring of his super intellect though is it, to see a run of deep depressions crossing the Atlantic - the very Atlantic he crossed in the other direction to go on vacation - might just continue to dump an ocean of water on the UK? And so cause the very flooding he was supposed to be in post to help prevent - and if he can't prevent, co-ordinate the response?

    If he wants to vacation, then go when the hose pipe bans have been put in place.

    Tw@.
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    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,997
    edited January 2016

    Sandpit said:

    Scott_P said:

    felix said:

    Give it time - won't be long b4 some of the nut jobs on here will be screaming FFFOOOUUULLL! :)

    @MarkReckless: So one rule for Remain another for Leave.Special advisers can help Remain on govt time but if Leave must be own time https://t.co/0ALBsf734V
    Who ?

    Now this is a proper Eurosceptic. See politeness does wonders.

    @DanHannanMEP: Still, in the spirit of mutual respect which the PM rightly hopes will characterise the campaign, thanks, Dave, for holding the vote at all.
    Hannan is a class act, always unflinchingly polite even to people with whom he disagrees. In fact, especially to people with whom he disagrees.
    Untrue.
    Hannan's 15 minutes of minor celebrity followed his heaping abuse on Brown in the European Parliament.
    Ha, I'll give you that one! Abuse delivered very politely and eloquently though. :)
    https://youtu.be/94lW6Y4tBXs
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    mattmatt Posts: 3,789

    John_M said:

    Scott_P said:

    @SamCoatesTimes: Environment Agency Chairman Sir Philip Dilley has resigned today https://t.co/hYSstYjtAy

    I quite liked his resignation letter, very pissy.
    It's hardly requiring of his super intellect though is it, to see a run of deep depressions crossing the Atlantic - the very Atlantic he crossed in the other direction to go on vacation - might just continue to dump an ocean of water on the UK? And so cause the very flooding he was supposed to be in post to help prevent - and if he can't prevent, co-ordinate the response?

    If he wants to vacation, then go when the hose pipe bans have been put in place.

    Tw@.
    It's a failure of PR not accountability: it's not the Chairman's job to coordinate. Still, from the Government's perspective, the human shield has served its purpose. Cheap at the price.
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    MetatronMetatron Posts: 193
    Feel the opposite about Osborne chances.He is one of the worst performers on TV I`ve seen of a so-called `major figure` .He comes across as an arrogant and sneering Oxbridge post graduate and has something of the air off the kind of toff in a period drama people do not like.There are also plenty of conservative critics of his record as a Chancellor and come the next recession his `buy to let` housing policy may crash his reputation.Value bets to me are searching for female candidate other than Teresa May.I`ve backed Liz Truss 100/1 and Amber Rudd 130/1.Of the men Rory Stewart 140/1 is a possible longshot
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    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,159
    Scott_P said:

    @Labourpaul: The 'History of the Labour Party' section on the Labour website ends in 2007, like the past nine years never happened.

    It's just that the Corbynistas haven't yet got round to editing out the Blair Govt. from 1997. But give them time. Soon, Labour history will consist entirely of the glorious years of opposing Fatcha.....
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    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    Did no one read Sir Philip Dilley's resignation statement in advance for him?
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    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    David Frum
    Huge article in new Spiegel on Cologne assaults, w candid new reporting on other Middle Eastern migrant crime https://t.co/rQzCrWvLrq
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    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Scott_P said:

    @Labourpaul: The 'History of the Labour Party' section on the Labour website ends in 2007, like the past nine years never happened.

    Can't blame them, it's all been downhill since Blair went.
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    Did no one read Sir Philip Dilley's resignation statement in advance for him?

    I see what you mean!
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    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,997
    edited January 2016

    From a PR perspective, the Agency has no excuse re a proper hierarchy. The media should never be seeking the top bod for comment. They're the last line of defence for major fatalities et al. His deputy should be briefed and competent.

    Their PR team capable of dealing with a familiar crisis path. This isn't an unknown unknown FFS.

    John_M said:

    Scott_P said:

    @SamCoatesTimes: Environment Agency Chairman Sir Philip Dilley has resigned today https://t.co/hYSstYjtAy

    I quite liked his resignation letter, very pissy.
    It's hardly requiring of his super intellect though is it, to see a run of deep depressions crossing the Atlantic - the very Atlantic he crossed in the other direction to go on vacation - might just continue to dump an ocean of water on the UK? And so cause the very flooding he was supposed to be in post to help prevent - and if he can't prevent, co-ordinate the response?

    If he wants to vacation, then go when the hose pipe bans have been put in place.

    Tw@.
    You're right about the chain of command and media briefing teams, but I think the media have learned from experience of these crises, that asking "Where is the Chairman?" will either bring him out to say hello, or send them away to do some more digging.

    This assumes, of course, that they didn't already know the answer before they asked the question in the first place. :o

    I think there's an expectation from the media that the top man turn out for a crisis, but its a bit like the PM or SoS turning up - the bods on the ground hate it because they would rather be dealing with the problem than the "Damn VIP" who showed up to shake hands and have his photo taken!
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,023
    I think Sir Philip Dilley resigning is a great cause for concern. Who will provide the decisive leadership needed to chair 10 meetings a year of the Enviroment agency ?

    This must have set back flood defences and other matters the best part of 5 years.

    After all, anyone paid £100,000 a year must be of vital strategic importance.
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    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    Diane is very touchy today.

    Last week Labour had problems with the idea the BBC might get a scoop. This weeks, mere questions are a prob.
    FFS. https://t.co/2riHv6fXFm
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    WandererWanderer Posts: 3,838
    edited January 2016
    Metatron said:

    Feel the opposite about Osborne chances.He is one of the worst performers on TV I`ve seen of a so-called `major figure` .He comes across as an arrogant and sneering Oxbridge post graduate and has something of the air off the kind of toff in a period drama people do not like.There are also plenty of conservative critics of his record as a Chancellor and come the next recession his `buy to let` housing policy may crash his reputation.Value bets to me are searching for female candidate other than Teresa May.I`ve backed Liz Truss 100/1 and Amber Rudd 130/1.Of the men Rory Stewart 140/1 is a possible longshot

    Imo with those candidates one is hoping for a Remain win and Cameron to stick around until shortly before the next election by which time they might have a higher profile (and much shorter odds).

    (For some reason my phone proposed 'skirts' rather than 'odds' as the last word, which is really potentially embarrassing and would give a wholly false impression of my character.)
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    DecrepitJohnLDecrepitJohnL Posts: 13,300
    Cyclefree said:

    MaxPB said:

    I've just had a similar experience on Twitter with a Corbynista. I was very polite, pointed out some uncomfortable facts and was then called a fat, mummies boy.

    I noted that I'm female, slim and my mother is long dead. He blocked me.

    The level of debate is non existent. It's toddler world.

    Mr. P, not just the entertainingly thick, but the dangerously stupid too. Such as people who think Muslims in the UK get the same treatment as the Jews did under Hitler.

    This is the whole debate about "safe spaces" in the US going on right now. Some on the left believe that certain groups should have safe spaces on US college campuses to "debate" ideas (furiously agree with each other) while some on the right think that the safe spaces are the first step to stifling freedom of expression and that people shouldn't be cosseted from discussion even if it is critical or even insulting. It isn't a right/left issue entirely though, Obama came out against safe spaces and said they are bad for education and freedom.
    I am surprised there is even a debate about this. A university which shies away from critical thinking is not a university but a dinner party.

    "Space safes" are the "intellectual" equivalent of those plastic corners you put on tables to stop your toddler poking his eye out when he falls. They are not necessary for adults.

    Anyone demanding a "safe space" reveals themselves to be a baby. Usually a baby shrieking and spitting out their dummy. But a baby nonetheless. They should be gently told that we - the grown ups - will pay attention to them when - and only when - they have grown up.

    One side-effect of tuition fees is to have turned students into customers, and customers are empowered to demand relevant courses, better lecturers and, well, safer spaces. Probably only the first two were used by ministers advocating fees.
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    DecrepitJohnLDecrepitJohnL Posts: 13,300
    Pulpstar said:

    I think Sir Philip Dilley resigning is a great cause for concern. Who will provide the decisive leadership needed to chair 10 meetings a year of the Enviroment agency ?

    This must have set back flood defences and other matters the best part of 5 years.

    After all, anyone paid £100,000 a year must be of vital strategic importance.

    He has done his job which is to act as a human shield for the Secretary of State, following the splendid example of the HMRC boss. Ministerial accountability is for the birds.
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    Pulpstar said:

    I think Sir Philip Dilley resigning is a great cause for concern. Who will provide the decisive leadership needed to chair 10 meetings a year of the Enviroment agency ?

    This must have set back flood defences and other matters the best part of 5 years.

    After all, anyone paid £100,000 a year must be of vital strategic importance.

    I believe I could probably fit that role into my busy schedule....as long as it doesn't clash with my spring break...my summer break...my autumn break...and my Christmas get away...when do I start?
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    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,997

    Diane is very touchy today.

    As opposed to any of the last 15,000 days?
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    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    Karl Turner - new Shadow Attorney General...

    Here admitting he'd never report fellow Labour MPs committing fraud

    https://t.co/Wf0Kp8Xhsw
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    DecrepitJohnLDecrepitJohnL Posts: 13,300
    rcs1000 said:

    Don't have a problem with that. Ministers shouldn't knock their own side in the HoC.

    The EU Ref isn't Parliamentary business.

    dr_spyn said:

    Paul Waugh ‏@paulwaugh 1m1 minute ago
    Breaking: No10 releases new letter from Cameron warning all ministers can't "in Parliament" criticise his EU renegotiation.

    Yes: you are allowed to say "the EU is not for Britain", but if you're a minister you can't say "the PM did a shit job in the renegotiation."
    Cameron takes the Corbyn approach to dissent in the (shadow) Cabinet.
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    HurstLlamaHurstLlama Posts: 9,098
    Metatron said:

    Feel the opposite about Osborne chances.He is one of the worst performers on TV I`ve seen of a so-called `major figure` .He comes across as an arrogant and sneering Oxbridge post graduate and has something of the air off the kind of toff in a period drama people do not like.There are also plenty of conservative critics of his record as a Chancellor and come the next recession his `buy to let` housing policy may crash his reputation.Value bets to me are searching for female candidate other than Teresa May.I`ve backed Liz Truss 100/1 and Amber Rudd 130/1.Of the men Rory Stewart 140/1 is a possible longshot

    I have never thought Osborne has a chance at the next leadership election, much too much of a marmite candidate despite the huge patronage he does not seem shy of dishing out. He will I suspect find out that in politics gratitude is a word for "lively expectation for future favours". May is too old and will never be forgiven for originating the "nasty party" epithet and Boris is, well, too Boris.

    Javid and Truss were my two favourites for the run-off but neither seem to be performing up to expectations in the early gallops. Plenty of time yet though and Truss does have that knowing half smile that reduces men of a certain age and type (i.e. at least 50% of the Conservative Party electorate to weak-kneed jelly). Someone else could still come up on the rails, but it is hard to see who, especially as I think the mood is swinging towards a lady for the next leader.
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    rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,504

    Diane is very touchy today.

    Last week Labour had problems with the idea the BBC might get a scoop. This weeks, mere questions are a prob.
    FFS. https://t.co/2riHv6fXFm

    They're rattled I tell ya, rattled.
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