Can anyone see how a Leave vote would not be followed by an early general election to get a mandate to negotiate? I can't.
Dunno. I think it would be really quite chaotic. Freedom of movement or not would be the crunch question.
Presumably the establishment generally, the BoE, the CBI, the City, the House of Lords, most Labour MPs, the LibDems, and the Cameroon and some other parts of the Conservative Party (including some of the BOOers) would be trying hard to limit the damage by going for an EEA style deal; the Kippers, some Labour MPs, and the right of Conservative Party would want a looser deal where we don't sign up to freedom of movement. I guess the unions would be split. Politics would be completely shaken up.
The tables are up for the Times/YouGov Scotland poll. It also asked how people would vote on the question of Scottish independence (brackets indicate change on last month). No 55% (+3%), Yes 45% (-3%).
Interestingly, while both Con (93) and SNP (92) retain their support from 2015 on the seat vote - unlike Lab (77) and LibD (65), when it comes to the List vote, only Con (93) holds up, while SNP (78) sees support fall to the same level as Lab (74) with the Greens (10) the main beneficiaries....
Meanwhile Nicola's stratospheric rating slips slightly to +30 (-8), but still comfortably ahead of Keiza at -18 (-5) and Ruth on +4 (+3).
Can anyone see how a Leave vote would not be followed by an early general election to get a mandate to negotiate? I can't.
Dunno. I think it would be really quite chaotic. Freedom of movement or not would be the crunch question.
Presumably the establishment generally, the BoE, the City, the House of Lords, most Labour MPs, the LibDems, and the Cameroon and some other parts of the Conservative Party (including some of the BOOers) would be trying hard to limit the damage by going for an EEA style deal; the Kippers, some Labour MPs, and the right of Conservative Party would want a looser deal where we don't sign up to freedom of movement. Politics would be completely shaken up.
Anyhoo. The big polling news overnight was the Tories being second in Scotland.
Dreaming again
And your reading of the current shares is?
To be honest, I doubt the Tories are second in Scotland at the moment but I do think they're within MoE and as such we will get, as here, the odd poll putting them level or ahead.
There was an amusing projection on twitter of how the poll would pan out in the constituencies - namely a big slab of blue across the Borders, some orange specs in the north and yellow just about everywhere else. And no red.
Labour are certainly trying to help them be loser of choice, but it will be too much for people to vote Tory, 3rd for sure.
It's not so much that Lab and Con are tied that surprises me - I was expecting that at some point just on sampling fluctuation - it's that both parties are on 25; a share the Conservatives haven't achieved since 1992.
And more. It doesn't matter how crap the LEAVE campaign is, they could be led by Mr Tumble and a retarded cucumber, news like this just makes their job too easy:
Absolutely disgusting. Honestly, normal execution is too good for these people. Death by firing squad in a public square where the rest of these people can see the consequences of these actions.
Clearly sickening. But we should remember that most Syrian refugees are decent people and are badly tarred by these outrages.
What don't help is the local mayor saying we should respond to brutal gang rapes by 'explaining our values' to them.
I remain unconvinced on the first statement.
On the second, well liberal wets have been turning a blind eye to Muslim rape gangs for years in this country and now they are being as stupid in Europe. I don't see what value these people bring to Europe or even the world. Removing them from our society is the only way forwards.
Can anyone see how a Leave vote would not be followed by an early general election to get a mandate to negotiate? I can't.
Dunno. I think it would be really quite chaotic. Freedom of movement or not would be the crunch question.
Presumably the establishment generally, the BoE, the CBI, the City, the House of Lords, most Labour MPs, the LibDems, and the Cameroon and some other parts of the Conservative Party (including some of the BOOers) would be trying hard to limit the damage by going for an EEA style deal; the Kippers, some Labour MPs, and the right of Conservative Party would want a looser deal where we don't sign up to freedom of movement. I guess the unions would be split. Politics would be completely shaken up.
Can anyone see how a Leave vote would not be followed by an early general election to get a mandate to negotiate? I can't.
Dunno. I think it would be really quite chaotic. Freedom of movement or not would be the crunch question.
Presumably the establishment generally, the BoE, the City, the House of Lords, most Labour MPs, the LibDems, and the Cameroon and some other parts of the Conservative Party (including some of the BOOers) would be trying hard to limit the damage by going for an EEA style deal; the Kippers, some Labour MPs, and the right of Conservative Party would want a looser deal where we don't sign up to freedom of movement. Politics would be completely shaken up.
I think the EEA plan would be quite incendiary.
We could have another referendum on EEA membership
China watchers, a fascinating statistic. In 2015, China's urbanisation ended. There was net migration (albeit at a miniscule level) from cities back to the countryside.
I haven't changed my view - I think Remain will win easily.
But of course I might be wrong. As SeanT keeps reminding us, the migrant crisis is potentially a big factor in favour of Leave (albeit one which doesn't actually make much sense).
Can anyone see how a Leave vote would not be followed by an early general election to get a mandate to negotiate? I can't.
There would also probably be a second "are you sure" referendum.
No way, leave is leave. We would have two years to negotiate the terms of our withdrawal and what kind of arrangement we would have with the EU in terms of trade and immigration, but there is no way the government could hold a second referendum because they don't like the result of the first one.
Can anyone see how a Leave vote would not be followed by an early general election to get a mandate to negotiate? I can't.
There would also probably be a second "are you sure" referendum.
Doubt it...imagine if there had been a second indie referendum for scotland on the terms of independence.
It wasn't an issue because Scotland voted to stay and if they had voted yes the Scottish establishment (largely now the SNP) would have gone with it quite happily.
If an EU vote is a close Leave, I expect there would be a second vote on a revised deal.
And more. It doesn't matter how crap the LEAVE campaign is, they could be led by Mr Tumble and a retarded cucumber, news like this just makes their job too easy:
Absolutely disgusting. Honestly, normal execution is too good for these people. Death by firing squad in a public square where the rest of these people can see the consequences of these actions.
Clearly sickening. But we should remember that most Syrian refugees are decent people and are badly tarred by these outrages.
What don't help is the local mayor saying we should respond to brutal gang rapes by 'explaining our values' to them.
I remain unconvinced on the first statement.
On the second, well liberal wets have been turning a blind eye to Muslim rape gangs for years in this country and now they are being as stupid in Europe. I don't see what value these people bring to Europe or even the world. Removing them from our society is the only way forwards.
Wasn't there something posted by Plato early this week that showed that 50% of migrants were from Syria, and they were massively less likely to commit crimes than non-Syrian migrants (i.e. those from North Africa, and the rest of the Middle East).
Can anyone see how a Leave vote would not be followed by an early general election to get a mandate to negotiate? I can't.
Yes. The Conservatives have all the mandate they need. The whole purpose of a referendum is to separate out the EU vote from the government's standing, particularly given that there will be Tories on both sides of the debate.
I do, however, think that it'd be the end of Cameron. Would a new Tory leader try to call an election? I doubt it. Apart from the mechanics being awkward - putting down a motion in the House would be the easiest way but it'd need Labour support to pass - the chances are that even with a new leader, Con would be well down in the polls and have every incentive to await better times.
The two most interesting features of a 'Leave' vote would be the resignation of Dave and half his cabinet and the certainty of another Scottish referendum which would likely produce the opposite result to the last one.
My fear is that from becoming gradually more outward looking Endgland would revert to it's old xenophobia self again and the new cosmopolitan spirit that 's emanated from London would start to disappear.
I'm in France at the moment and that cosmopolitan feeling has always been here but it was much later coming to England and it would be a great sadness if we lost it
Typical small mindedness Roger. Only Paris is vaguely cosmopolitan. Most of rural France is decidely introspective, the kind of place where the echangistes sleep with their other sister.
If you walk down a street in even a middling sized English town and you hear people speaking Polish/French/German/ etc it's likely to be commented on. That's not the case in even the smallest of French towns. Lets say Ludlow-en-Loire. On the 'Peage' if you need to speak to anyone they allow you to choose your language. 'As for exchangistes' swapping for the other sister; villages will be villages!
LOL, Roger I'm coming fast to the view you've never been outside London. All the pubs and restaurants round me have E European staff, or Spaniards. My barber is from Lebanon, my car is serviced by a Sikh and my vicar is half Iranian !
And I live in the arse end of rural Warwickshire.
Quite. I'm just off to Hereford.
I'll count the number of languages I hear as I troll along Commercial Street and report back. I'll also report the number of slack-jawed indigenes marvelling at Johnny Foreigner's exotic lingo.
Can anyone see how a Leave vote would not be followed by an early general election to get a mandate to negotiate? I can't.
There would also probably be a second "are you sure" referendum.
No way, leave is leave. We would have two years to negotiate the terms of our withdrawal and what kind of arrangement we would have with the EU in terms of trade and immigration, but there is no way the government could hold a second referendum because they don't like the result of the first one.
Been done before elsewhere. If it's close, doubts will be sowed and we will go through it all again on a different deal.
I am not saying I approve, I just see it as possible.
Can anyone see how a Leave vote would not be followed by an early general election to get a mandate to negotiate? I can't.
There would also probably be a second "are you sure" referendum.
I think that's inconceivable while the Tories are in government. Whoever the Tory leader is, they will not be able to take any EU-related measure which requires opposition support to get through the Commons.
Can anyone see how a Leave vote would not be followed by an early general election to get a mandate to negotiate? I can't.
Dunno. I think it would be really quite chaotic. Freedom of movement or not would be the crunch question.
Presumably the establishment generally, the BoE, the CBI, the City, the House of Lords, most Labour MPs, the LibDems, and the Cameroon and some other parts of the Conservative Party (including some of the BOOers) would be trying hard to limit the damage by going for an EEA style deal; the Kippers, some Labour MPs, and the right of Conservative Party would want a looser deal where we don't sign up to freedom of movement. I guess the unions would be split. Politics would be completely shaken up.
It would be fun, wouldn't it? It would be like one of those interesting elections from the 1920's.
I haven't changed my view - I think Remain will win easily.
But of course I might be wrong. As SeanT keeps reminding us, the migrant crisis is potentially a big factor in favour of Leave (albeit one which doesn't actually make much sense).
Richard, What is your view on that element of the package relating to the protection for UK financial sector and our ability to protect ourselves against the Eurozone etc? From the little I've heard (and that includes SeanT whose vituperation for once rang true) or read, Cameron appears to have secured very little.
But of course I might be wrong. As SeanT keeps reminding us, the migrant crisis is potentially a big factor in favour of Leave (albeit one which doesn't actually make much sense).
It makes perfect sense. Where does the migrant threat come from? Europe and Merkel's demented invitation plus the acquisition over time of unchecked movement within EU. People can see all that on the horizon.
As long as DC can convey the message of "toughness" over this country's immigration policy (damnme but many people do seem to believe what he says) my bones tell me that "STAY" will win by a Hillary C Iowan maidenhair wisp.
In which case, it is likely that Scotland will have stopped England getting out the EU. Which is the starting pistol for a whole load of constitutional problems...
Can anyone see how a Leave vote would not be followed by an early general election to get a mandate to negotiate? I can't.
Dunno. I think it would be really quite chaotic. Freedom of movement or not would be the crunch question.
Presumably the establishment generally, the BoE, the City, the House of Lords, most Labour MPs, the LibDems, and the Cameroon and some other parts of the Conservative Party (including some of the BOOers) would be trying hard to limit the damage by going for an EEA style deal; the Kippers, some Labour MPs, and the right of Conservative Party would want a looser deal where we don't sign up to freedom of movement. Politics would be completely shaken up.
I think the EEA plan would be quite incendiary.
We could have another referendum on EEA membership
I was just thinking that. Would the anti side say that the EEA referendum was effectively a rerun of the EU one? Probably.
And more. It doesn't matter how crap the LEAVE campaign is, they could be led by Mr Tumble and a retarded cucumber, news like this just makes their job too easy:
Absolutely disgusting. Honestly, normal execution is too good for these people. Death by firing squad in a public square where the rest of these people can see the consequences of these actions.
Clearly sickening. But we should remember that most Syrian refugees are decent people and are badly tarred by these outrages.
What don't help is the local mayor saying we should respond to brutal gang rapes by 'explaining our values' to them.
I remain unconvinced on the first statement.
On the second, well liberal wets have been turning a blind eye to Muslim rape gangs for years in this country and now they are being as stupid in Europe. I don't see what value these people bring to Europe or even the world. Removing them from our society is the only way forwards.
Wasn't there something posted by Plato early this week that showed that 50% of migrants were from Syria, and they were massively less likely to commit crimes than non-Syrian migrants (i.e. those from North Africa, and the rest of the Middle East).
If you (or anyone else) can find that it would be an interesting read. I'm open to the idea, but as I said, I remain unconvinced by the idea. Islamic culture just isn't compatible with western liberal values and wherever there are a lot of Muslims within a western country there tend to be issues over women's rights and sexual abuse of non-Muslim women.
So now we have the Remain campaign firing off completely incorrect press releases and, I think, FOUR different Leave campaigns. What mess.
Well true, but that is democracy, and that is what this referendum, even in its infancy, has done. It's exposed vested interest, mendacity, stupidity and careerism on all sides. Its enlivened the political debate hugely. It has told our leaders they must do better.
Dear old David Davis. He must think there's an angel on his side.
What an opportunity this referendum is giving the man from the mean streets to exact revenge on the gilded butterfly who beat him to the glittering prizes.
As long as DC can convey the message of "toughness" over this country's immigration policy (damnme but many people do seem to believe what he says) my bones tell me that "STAY" will win by a Hillary C Iowan maidenhair wisp.
In which case, it is likely that Scotland will have stopped England getting out the EU. Which is the starting pistol for a whole load of constitutional problems...
Interesting. I think maybe your political pixels are finer than mine.
And more. It doesn't matter how crap the LEAVE campaign is, they could be led by Mr Tumble and a retarded cucumber, news like this just makes their job too easy:
Absolutely disgusting. Honestly, normal execution is too good for these people. Death by firing squad in a public square where the rest of these people can see the consequences of these actions.
Clearly sickening. But we should remember that most Syrian refugees are decent people and are badly tarred by these outrages.
What don't help is the local mayor saying we should respond to brutal gang rapes by 'explaining our values' to them.
I remain unconvinced on the first statement.
On the second, well liberal wets have been turning a blind eye to Muslim rape gangs for years in this country and now they are being as stupid in Europe. I don't see what value these people bring to Europe or even the world. Removing them from our society is the only way forwards.
Wasn't there something posted by Plato early this week that showed that 50% of migrants were from Syria, and they were massively less likely to commit crimes than non-Syrian migrants (i.e. those from North Africa, and the rest of the Middle East).
If you (or anyone else) can find that it would be an interesting read. I'm open to the idea, but as I said, I remain unconvinced by the idea. Islamic culture just isn't compatible with western liberal values and wherever there are a lot of Muslims within a western country there tend to be issues over women's rights and sexual abuse of non-Muslim women.
I think part of it was demographics: many of the genuine Syrian refugees were families, while the economic migrants were 18-25 year old men. It wouldn't be surprising if the former group was less likely to commit crimes.
Dear old David Davis. He must think there's an angel on his side.
What an opportunity this referendum is giving the man from the mean streets to exact revenge on the gilded butterfly who beat him to the glittering prizes.
If the referendum doesn't go his way, I suppose he could trigger a by election and stand again
Richard, What is your view on that element of the package relating to the protection for UK financial sector and our ability to protect ourselves against the Eurozone etc? From the little I've heard (and that includes SeanT whose vituperation for once rang true) or read, Cameron appears to have secured very little.
I posted on this extensively over the last couple of days (and got a load of excrement squirted at me for my trouble!). Without wanting to go over it all again, my view is that it's slightly better than I expected (the Benefits part being less good than I expected). It certainly looks like better protection than we would have if we left and joined the EEA.
And more. It doesn't matter how crap the LEAVE campaign is, they could be led by Mr Tumble and a retarded cucumber, news like this just makes their job too easy:
Absolutely disgusting. Honestly, normal execution is too good for these people. Death by firing squad in a public square where the rest of these people can see the consequences of these actions.
Clearly sickening. But we should remember that most Syrian refugees are decent people and are badly tarred by these outrages.
What don't help is the local mayor saying we should respond to brutal gang rapes by 'explaining our values' to them.
I remain unconvinced on the first statement.
On the second, well liberal wets have been turning a blind eye to Muslim rape gangs for years in this country and now they are being as stupid in Europe. I don't see what value these people bring to Europe or even the world. Removing them from our society is the only way forwards.
Wasn't there something posted by Plato early this week that showed that 50% of migrants were from Syria, and they were massively less likely to commit crimes than non-Syrian migrants (i.e. those from North Africa, and the rest of the Middle East).
If you (or anyone else) can find that it would be an interesting read. I'm open to the idea, but as I said, I remain unconvinced by the idea. Islamic culture just isn't compatible with western liberal values and wherever there are a lot of Muslims within a western country there tend to be issues over women's rights and sexual abuse of non-Muslim women.
Islamic culture is not a monolith.
It's quite possible that people from one country are far better-behaved than people from another.
And more. It doesn't matter how crap the LEAVE campaign is, they could be led by Mr Tumble and a retarded cucumber, news like this just makes their job too easy:
Absolutely disgusting. Honestly, normal execution is too good for these people. Death by firing squad in a public square where the rest of these people can see the consequences of these actions.
Clearly sickening. But we should remember that most Syrian refugees are decent people and are badly tarred by these outrages.
What don't help is the local mayor saying we should respond to brutal gang rapes by 'explaining our values' to them.
I remain unconvinced on the first statement.
On the second, well liberal wets have been turning a blind eye to Muslim rape gangs for years in this country and now they are being as stupid in Europe. I don't see what value these people bring to Europe or even the world. Removing them from our society is the only way forwards.
Liberal wets and the police and law-and-order crowd who were afraid of causing riots.
'A case of female genital mutilation is reported in England every 109 minutes'
Cyclefree was right on this a few days ago. This should become an offence of strict liability, with any child found to have suffered this removed from the parents and the latter prosecuted automatically.
I haven't changed my view - I think Remain will win easily.
But of course I might be wrong. As SeanT keeps reminding us, the migrant crisis is potentially a big factor in favour of Leave (albeit one which doesn't actually make much sense).
I presume you now admit that Cameron's deal was a pile of second-hand pants, hence the lurch to LEAVE in response.
According to the Spectator, the deal was so bad - so utterly insubstantial - it left europhile Tory MPs a little shaken.
Your man, Cameron, fucked up badly. He misplayed expectations, and got out-negotiated, to boot.
It was a very weak deal, but I still expect Remain to win. The fact that the Leave campaign do not have a single leader with a voice able to cut through is fatal for them.
They need someone with HUGE gravitas and charisma who could - if push came to shove - be PM leading a negotiation. The campaign needs that reassurance and trust element.
And more. It doesn't matter how crap the LEAVE campaign is, they could be led by Mr Tumble and a retarded cucumber, news like this just makes their job too easy:
Absolutely disgusting. Honestly, normal execution is too good for these people. Death by firing squad in a public square where the rest of these people can see the consequences of these actions.
Clearly sickening. But we should remember that most Syrian refugees are decent people and are badly tarred by these outrages.
What don't help is the local mayor saying we should respond to brutal gang rapes by 'explaining our values' to them.
I remain unconvinced on the first statement.
On the second, well liberal wets have been turning a blind eye to Muslim rape gangs for years in this country and now they are being as stupid in Europe. I don't see what value these people bring to Europe or even the world. Removing them from our society is the only way forwards.
Wasn't there something posted by Plato early this week that showed that 50% of migrants were from Syria, and they were massively less likely to commit crimes than non-Syrian migrants (i.e. those from North Africa, and the rest of the Middle East).
If you (or anyone else) can find that it would be an interesting read. I'm open to the idea, but as I said, I remain unconvinced by the idea. Islamic culture just isn't compatible with western liberal values and wherever there are a lot of Muslims within a western country there tend to be issues over women's rights and sexual abuse of non-Muslim women.
Islamic culture is not a monolith.
It's quite possible that people from one country are far better-behaved than people from another.
Yes, I think there's a pretty significant difference between Saudi Arabian Muslims on the one hand, and Malaysian and Singaporean ones, or even Middle Class Iranian ones (see: The Shahs of Sunset) on the other.
The tables are up for the Times/YouGov Scotland poll. It also asked how people would vote on the question of Scottish independence (brackets indicate change on last month). No 55% (+3%), Yes 45% (-3%).
It is not surprising that the leaders of the opposition parties are all chewing the carpet at the dominance that the SNP in general and Nicola in particular is still achieving despite this.
David Cameron's child benefit plan 'won't apply to EU nationals already in the UK' Millions of pounds of child benefit money sent abroad will continue, despite a promise to pay it at lower rates to EU migrants, The Telegraph understands
I haven't changed my view - I think Remain will win easily.
But of course I might be wrong. As SeanT keeps reminding us, the migrant crisis is potentially a big factor in favour of Leave (albeit one which doesn't actually make much sense).
I presume you now admit that Cameron's deal was a pile of second-hand pants, hence the lurch to LEAVE in response.
According to the Spectator, the deal was so bad - so utterly insubstantial - it left europhile Tory MPs a little shaken.
Your man, Cameron, fucked up badly. He misplayed expectations, and got out-negotiated, to boot.
It was a very weak deal, but I still expect Remain to win. The fact that the Leave campaign do not have a single leader with a voice able to cut through is fatal for them.
They need someone with HUGE gravitas and charisma who could - if push came to shove - be PM leading a negotiation. The campaign needs that reassurance and trust element.
There is no-one and no-one on the horizon.
There is one very popular MP that is perfect for the job...
I haven't changed my view - I think Remain will win easily.
But of course I might be wrong. As SeanT keeps reminding us, the migrant crisis is potentially a big factor in favour of Leave (albeit one which doesn't actually make much sense).
I presume you now admit that Cameron's deal was a pile of second-hand pants, hence the lurch to LEAVE in response.
According to the Spectator, the deal was so bad - so utterly insubstantial - it left europhile Tory MPs a little shaken.
Your man, Cameron, fucked up badly. He misplayed expectations, and got out-negotiated, to boot.
It was a very weak deal, but I still expect Remain to win. The fact that the Leave campaign do not have a single leader with a voice able to cut through is fatal for them.
They need someone with HUGE gravitas and charisma who could - if push came to shove - be PM leading a negotiation. The campaign needs that reassurance and trust element.
There is no-one and no-one on the horizon.
There is one very popular MP that is perfect for the job...
Yeah, but I think Nick Clegg is going to campaign for Remain
And more. It doesn't matter how crap the LEAVE campaign is, they could be led by Mr Tumble and a retarded cucumber, news like this just makes their job too easy:
Absolutely disgusting. Honestly, normal execution is too good for these people. Death by firing squad in a public square where the rest of these people can see the consequences of these actions.
Clearly sickening. But we should remember that most Syrian refugees are decent people and are badly tarred by these outrages.
What don't help is the local mayor saying we should respond to brutal gang rapes by 'explaining our values' to them.
I remain unconvinced on the first statement.
On the second, well liberal wets have been turning a blind eye to Muslim rape gangs for years in this country and now they are being as stupid in Europe. I don't see what value these people bring to Europe or even the world. Removing them from our society is the only way forwards.
Wasn't there something posted by Plato early this week that showed that 50% of migrants were from Syria, and they were massively less likely to commit crimes than non-Syrian migrants (i.e. those from North Africa, and the rest of the Middle East).
If you (or anyone else) can find that it would be an interesting read. I'm open to the idea, but as I said, I remain unconvinced by the idea. Islamic culture just isn't compatible with western liberal values and wherever there are a lot of Muslims within a western country there tend to be issues over women's rights and sexual abuse of non-Muslim women.
I haven't changed my view - I think Remain will win easily.
But of course I might be wrong. As SeanT keeps reminding us, the migrant crisis is potentially a big factor in favour of Leave (albeit one which doesn't actually make much sense).
I presume you now admit that Cameron's deal was a pile of second-hand pants, hence the lurch to LEAVE in response.
According to the Spectator, the deal was so bad - so utterly insubstantial - it left europhile Tory MPs a little shaken.
Your man, Cameron, fucked up badly. He misplayed expectations, and got out-negotiated, to boot.
It was a very weak deal, but I still expect Remain to win. The fact that the Leave campaign do not have a single leader with a voice able to cut through is fatal for them.
They need someone with HUGE gravitas and charisma who could - if push came to shove - be PM leading a negotiation. The campaign needs that reassurance and trust element.
There is no-one and no-one on the horizon.
There is one very popular MP that is perfect for the job...
I don't think there is. Boris may have charisma and reach, but is yet to develop reassuring gravitas. May is close to achieving gravitas, but does not do charisma yet and has questionable reach. All senior Labour and LD folk are Remain.
'A case of female genital mutilation is reported in England every 109 minutes'
Cyclefree was right on this a few days ago. This should become an offence of strict liability, with any child found to have suffered this removed from the parents and the latter prosecuted automatically.
I agree re strict liability. If you child has been subjected to FGM, you are an accessory to GBH.
Just off the top of my head, by the way, the 109 minutes figure means that 5% of girls of any particular age cohort suffer FGM. That seems way high as FGM isn't anywhere near 100% even in the Muslim community.
I haven't changed my view - I think Remain will win easily.
But of course I might be wrong. As SeanT keeps reminding us, the migrant crisis is potentially a big factor in favour of Leave (albeit one which doesn't actually make much sense).
I presume you now admit that Cameron's deal was a pile of second-hand pants, hence the lurch to LEAVE in response.
According to the Spectator, the deal was so bad - so utterly insubstantial - it left europhile Tory MPs a little shaken.
Your man, Cameron, fucked up badly. He misplayed expectations, and got out-negotiated, to boot.
It was a very weak deal, but I still expect Remain to win. The fact that the Leave campaign do not have a single leader with a voice able to cut through is fatal for them.
They need someone with HUGE gravitas and charisma who could - if push came to shove - be PM leading a negotiation. The campaign needs that reassurance and trust element.
There is no-one and no-one on the horizon.
There was never going to be one single leader, because BREXIT is supported by people from all sides - far left to far right, and stations in between. Impossible to find a leader that could ally Farage and Galloway,
There won't, AFAIK, be any set TV debates where such a lack of leadership might be more of an issue. Cameron versus A Lightweight.
This is a very different kind of vote to a GE. It feels like the people versus the Establishment, even more than indyref. It will be won online, on social media, on grassroots leafletting and poster campaigns - and in the national press.
You sound like Ed Milliband. Just like him, you are wrong. The campaign needs a leader capable of reach and reassurance.
Apparently, 200,000,000 women have been cut up, but, happily, birth rates are still well above replacement rates in those countries (with plenty tens of millions to spare to assist in Europe's demographic crisis) ...
The two most interesting features of a 'Leave' vote would be the resignation of Dave and half his cabinet and the certainty of another Scottish referendum which would likely produce the opposite result to the last one.
My fear is that from becoming gradually more outward looking Endgland would revert to it's old xenophobia self again and the new cosmopolitan spirit that 's emanated from London would start to disappear.
I'm in France at the moment and that cosmopolitan feeling has always been here but it was much later coming to England and it would be a great sadness if we lost it
I share your desire that Britain not be xenophobic but really you protest too much. Britain has been a remarkably outward looking nation for much of its existence. A country that created an empire and sent its population all round the globe is not xenophobic and has always been pretty cosmopolitan. I think that will continue regardless of whether it is in or out of the EU.
I haven't changed my view - I think Remain will win easily.
But of course I might be wrong. As SeanT keeps reminding us, the migrant crisis is potentially a big factor in favour of Leave (albeit one which doesn't actually make much sense).
I presume you now admit that Cameron's deal was a pile of second-hand pants, hence the lurch to LEAVE in response.
According to the Spectator, the deal was so bad - so utterly insubstantial - it left europhile Tory MPs a little shaken.
Your man, Cameron, fucked up badly. He misplayed expectations, and got out-negotiated, to boot.
It was a very weak deal, but I still expect Remain to win. The fact that the Leave campaign do not have a single leader with a voice able to cut through is fatal for them.
They need someone with HUGE gravitas and charisma who could - if push came to shove - be PM leading a negotiation. The campaign needs that reassurance and trust element.
There is no-one and no-one on the horizon.
There is one very popular MP that is perfect for the job...
I don't think there is. Boris may have charisma and reach, but is yet to develop reassuring gravitas. May is close to achieving gravitas, but does not do charisma yet and has questionable reach. All senior Labour and LD folk are Remain.
Who else? Lawson is too old.
All you need to know the answer is contained in my post...
'A case of female genital mutilation is reported in England every 109 minutes'
Cyclefree was right on this a few days ago. This should become an offence of strict liability, with any child found to have suffered this removed from the parents and the latter prosecuted automatically.
Law of unintended consequences -- parents won't take FGM'd daughters to the doctor. Can more be done to wipe it out at source? There are not many countries or communities that practise FGM.
Its measure of how far to the left our 'conservative' chancellor has gone, that the outstanding lib dem Steve Webb has felt the need to pen this. That's a lib dem. Telling a tory chancellor not to hammer middle class pensions.
Interesting that so many Tory posters seem anxious that the ultimate libertarian Julian Lasange should be punished for letting the public know what goes on in our name.
When it comes to freedom of information rather than following the David Davis model the Stasi system is the prefered option among PB Cameroons
Interesting that so many Tory posters seem anxious that the ultimate libertarian Julian Lasange should be punished for letting the public know what goes on in our name.
When it comes to freedom of information rather than following the David Davis model the Stasi system is the prefered option among PB Cameroons
He's not being punished for that, he's being punished for not facing his accuser at trial in Sweden.
Interesting that so many Tory posters seem anxious that the ultimate libertarian Julian Lasange should be punished for letting the public know what goes on in our name.
When it comes to freedom of information rather than following the David Davis model the Stasi system is the prefered option among PB Cameroons
Isn't Mr Assange free to leave the Embassy whenever he likes ? IIRC the Met don't have a presence outside the building anymore.
The tables are up for the Times/YouGov Scotland poll. It also asked how people would vote on the question of Scottish independence (brackets indicate change on last month). No 55% (+3%), Yes 45% (-3%).
Interestingly, while both Con (93) and SNP (92) retain their support from 2015 on the seat vote - unlike Lab (77) and LibD (65), when it comes to the List vote, only Con (93) holds up, while SNP (78) sees support fall to the same level as Lab (74) with the Greens (10) the main beneficiaries....
Meanwhile Nicola's stratospheric rating slips slightly to +30 (-8), but still comfortably ahead of Keiza at -18 (-5) and Ruth on +4 (+3).
Ruth's direction of travel is interesting though...
She is appealing to quite a lot of people who are not traditional tories, particularly women. I am not sure that has happened with a Scottish tory leader for decades. Annabelle Goldie as very good at making the Tories comfortable with themselves but had very little reach beyond that.
At the moment there are a number of Scots who were in the centre right, establishment wing of the Labour party, people who often held senior offices in local government and other public bodies. I know quite a few of these and they are in despair at what has happened to their party both in Scotland and with Corbyn. They are giving Davidson a listen.
They really don't like Tories but she does not sound like one or, increasingly, have a policy agenda like one either. It is early days but there is a chance. They are committed to the Union and unhappy with Labour's recent equivocation but Cameron's response to the SINDY result is still seen as a slap in the face. I am really not sure how this will go.
The much larger share of working class Labour have gone SNP and they are simply not coming back.
Interesting that so many Tory posters seem anxious that the ultimate libertarian Julian Lasange should be punished for letting the public know what goes on in our name.
When it comes to freedom of information rather than following the David Davis model the Stasi system is the prefered option among PB Cameroons
I thought you were in favour of the UK cooperating with Europe on justice? They are so much more liberal and civilised in Sweden than here, surely.
Interesting that so many Tory posters seem anxious that the ultimate libertarian Julian Lasange should be punished for letting the public know what goes on in our name.
When it comes to freedom of information rather than following the David Davis model the Stasi system is the prefered option among PB Cameroons
He's not being punished for that, he's being punished for not facing his accuser at trial in Sweden.
Is the Swedish warrant still “live”? If it is he really ought to face it, and we have a duty to our Swedish friends to pick him up if we can.
Regarding a "Vow" style intervention, is this possible in the EU referendum and, if so, what form might it take?
In the Indy ref it was enough to get Cameron, Clegg and Miliband to agree. In the EU ref it would, in theory, be necessary to get all the 27 heads of government to agree. Not going to happen over a weekend.
Might a Vow take the form of a mere pledge from Merkel, Hollande and Juncker? Not sure that would have any impact.
Also, what simple,.eye-catching stuff could be put into a Vow, which the rest of the EU would possibly agree to. I mean, some technocratic tinkering wouldn't work. It would have to be something big and simple.
I don't see that a Vow can be cooked up this time.
And more. It doesn't matter how crap the LEAVE campaign is, they could be led by Mr Tumble and a retarded cucumber, news like this just makes their job too easy:
Absolutely disgusting. Honestly, normal execution is too good for these people. Death by firing squad in a public square where the rest of these people can see the consequences of these actions.
Clearly sickening. But we should remember that most Syrian refugees are decent people and are badly tarred by these outrages.
What don't help is the local mayor saying we should respond to brutal gang rapes by 'explaining our values' to them.
I remain unconvinced on the first statement.
On the second, well liberal wets have been turning a blind eye to Muslim rape gangs for years in this country and now they are being as stupid in Europe. I don't see what value these people bring to Europe or even the world. Removing them from our society is the only way forwards.
Wasn't there something posted by Plato early this week that showed that 50% of migrants were from Syria, and they were massively less likely to commit crimes than non-Syrian migrants (i.e. those from North Africa, and the rest of the Middle East).
If you (or anyone else) can find that it would be an interesting read. I'm open to the idea, but as I said, I remain unconvinced by the idea. Islamic culture just isn't compatible with western liberal values and wherever there are a lot of Muslims within a western country there tend to be issues over women's rights and sexual abuse of non-Muslim women.
I think part of it was demographics: many of the genuine Syrian refugees were families, while the economic migrants were 18-25 year old men. It wouldn't be surprising if the former group was less likely to commit crimes.
Yes, that's definitely possible. Then again a lot of the Rotherham and Rochdale rape gangs were "family men".
It's a fundamental issue of the value Muslim men place on non-Muslims and women. Given that Syria was a nominally secular state under Assad senior and junior, it is possible that the inherent lower value placed on non-Muslims wasn't taught at schools like it is in other Muslim countries which could explain the difference.
Interesting that so many Tory posters seem anxious that the ultimate libertarian Julian Lasange should be punished for letting the public know what goes on in our name.
When it comes to freedom of information rather than following the David Davis model the Stasi system is the prefered option among PB Cameroons
He's not being punished for that, he's being punished for not facing his accuser at trial in Sweden.
Is the Swedish warrant still “live”? If it is he really ought to face it, and we have a duty to our Swedish friends to pick him up if we can.
I believe there is an outstanding warrant for his arrest there. Not to mention he broke the conditions of his bail, and could probably be tried in this country.
Regarding a "Vow" style intervention, is this possible in the EU referendum and, if so, what form might it take?
In the Indy ref it was enough to get Cameron, Clegg and Miliband to agree. In the EU ref it would, in theory, be necessary to get all the 27 heads of government to agree. Not going to happen over a weekend.
Might a Vow take the form of a mere pledge from Merkel, Hollande and Juncker? Not sure that would have any impact.
Also, what simple,.eye-catching stuff could be put into a Vow, which the rest of the EU would possibly agree to. I mean, some technocratic tinkering wouldn't work. It would have to be something big and simple.
I don't see that a Vow can be cooked up this time.
That would be M Juncker who said something about having to lie when required? Or have I got that wrong?
The two most interesting features of a 'Leave' vote would be the resignation of Dave and half his cabinet and the certainty of another Scottish referendum which would likely produce the opposite result to the last one.
My fear is that from becoming gradually more outward looking Endgland would revert to it's old xenophobia self again and the new cosmopolitan spirit that 's emanated from London would start to disappear.
I'm in France at the moment and that cosmopolitan feeling has always been here but it was much later coming to England and it would be a great sadness if we lost it
Typical small mindedness Roger. Only Paris is vaguely cosmopolitan. Most of rural France is decidely introspective, the kind of place where the echangistes sleep with their other sister.
If you walk down a street in even a middling sized English town and you hear people speaking Polish/French/German/ etc it's likely to be commented on. That's not the case in even the smallest of French towns. Lets say Ludlow-en-Loire. On the 'Peage' if you need to speak to anyone they allow you to choose your language. 'As for exchangistes' swapping for the other sister; villages will be villages!
What utter twaddle!
In the small village in the Lake District where my husband's family are, a village so small and distant that the next landfall is America, there have been Czech and Polish immigrants since before the war as well as, more recently, Kurds. No-one would comment in the way you suggest.
Don't assume that everyone - even in the "dreaded sticks" - is as narrow-minded as you appear to be about your countrymen.
Mind you, while they embrace Eastern Europeans they can be pretty scathing about pompous Metropolitan types.
The two most interesting features of a 'Leave' vote would be the resignation of Dave and half his cabinet and the certainty of another Scottish referendum which would likely produce the opposite result to the last one.
My fear is that from becoming gradually more outward looking Endgland would revert to it's old xenophobia self again and the new cosmopolitan spirit that 's emanated from London would start to disappear.
I'm in France at the moment and that cosmopolitan feeling has always been here but it was much later coming to England and it would be a great sadness if we lost it
I share your desire that Britain not be xenophobic but really you protest too much. Britain has been a remarkably outward looking nation for much of its existence. A country that created an empire and sent its population all round the globe is not xenophobic and has always been pretty cosmopolitan. I think that will continue regardless of whether it is in or out of the EU.
I half agree but I listened to a phone-in on radio 5 yesterday and it was quite depressing. The overwhelming sense I got was either a fear of foreigners behaviour or a fear that the old country would lose its character.
Things have changed so noticably for the better in the last two decades that I fear those phone-inners will start to assert themselves in the event of 'leave' winning.
The two most interesting features of a 'Leave' vote would be the resignation of Dave and half his cabinet and the certainty of another Scottish referendum which would likely produce the opposite result to the last one.
My fear is that from becoming gradually more outward looking Endgland would revert to it's old xenophobia self again and the new cosmopolitan spirit that 's emanated from London would start to disappear.
I'm in France at the moment and that cosmopolitan feeling has always been here but it was much later coming to England and it would be a great sadness if we lost it
I share your desire that Britain not be xenophobic but really you protest too much. Britain has been a remarkably outward looking nation for much of its existence.
Its complete horsefeathers.
I worked for an American multinational for two decades.
By orders of magnitude the easiest people to shift from their home countries were the British and the Dutch. They moved, they adapted and enjoyed it.
Americans were in the middle - OK for a couple of years, but were attached to America and counted the days to get home.
The French were among the worst (with Parisians the worst of all) - when you could get them to move (which was rare) they were the highest maintenance expats - 'abroad' just simply wasn't as good as France (the British & Dutch usually quickly worked out that it was 'different' and made the most of it).....
Interesting that so many Tory posters seem anxious that the ultimate libertarian Julian Lasange should be punished for letting the public know what goes on in our name.
Interesting that so many Tory posters seem anxious that the ultimate libertarian Julian Lasange should be punished for letting the public know what goes on in our name.
When it comes to freedom of information rather than following the David Davis model the Stasi system is the prefered option among PB Cameroons
I understood that he was wanted in Sweden on sex crime charges? Or does 'being on the right side' mean you don't have to answer for allegations of that sort?
Interesting that so many Tory posters seem anxious that the ultimate libertarian Julian Lasange should be punished for letting the public know what goes on in our name.
When it comes to freedom of information rather than following the David Davis model the Stasi system is the prefered option among PB Cameroons
He's not being punished for that, he's being punished for not facing his accuser at trial in Sweden.
Is the Swedish warrant still “live”? If it is he really ought to face it, and we have a duty to our Swedish friends to pick him up if we can.
According to the Guardian article linked earlier - Three of the four alleged offences, dating back to 2010, now took place too long ago for Mr Assange to face prosecution. But there is an outstanding accusation of rape that the Swedish authorities can pursue until 2020.
Interesting that so many Tory posters seem anxious that the ultimate libertarian Julian Lasange should be punished for letting the public know what goes on in our name.
When it comes to freedom of information rather than following the David Davis model the Stasi system is the prefered option among PB Cameroons
He's not being punished for that, he's being punished for not facing his accuser at trial in Sweden.
@ Roger: He's not being punished at all. He is voluntarily holed up in the Embassy as his choice to avoid charges against him for rape.
I am a libertarian, and am vehemently against the invasions of privacy that the NSA rawling exercise became, and GCHQ's new powers would also entail. I actually believe that there is a price in lives (lost to terrorism) society should be prepared to pay in order to protect our individual civil and political rights, especially the right to privacy.
Assange may have represented some of those views at some point. But at best it was a very warped and twisted view of that. To a far greater extent, I think he is driven by ego and a God complex - with splashy headline getting exposes more important to him than true libertarian values.
Some of his releases of communications have clearly served no libertarian purpose, but other agendas. And avoiding rape charges certainly is not a libertarian value.
So don't wrap him up in some cloak of libertarian heroism. It does not fit.
Interesting that so many Tory posters seem anxious that the ultimate libertarian Julian Lasange should be punished for letting the public know what goes on in our name.
When it comes to freedom of information rather than following the David Davis model the Stasi system is the prefered option among PB Cameroons
He's not being punished for that, he's being punished for not facing his accuser at trial in Sweden.
Is the Swedish warrant still “live”? If it is he really ought to face it, and we have a duty to our Swedish friends to pick him up if we can.
According to the Guardian article linked earlier - Three of the four alleged offences, dating back to 2010, now took place too long ago for Mr Assange to face prosecution. But there is an outstanding accusation of rape that the Swedish authorities can pursue until 2020.
I thought it was "Sex by Surprise" rather than rape.
The two most interesting features of a 'Leave' vote would be the resignation of Dave and half his cabinet and the certainty of another Scottish referendum which would likely produce the opposite result to the last one.
My fear is that from becoming gradually more outward looking Endgland would revert to it's old xenophobia self again and the new cosmopolitan spirit that 's emanated from London would start to disappear.
I'm in France at the moment and that cosmopolitan feeling has always been here but it was much later coming to England and it would be a great sadness if we lost it
I share your desire that Britain not be xenophobic but really you protest too much. Britain has been a remarkably outward looking nation for much of its existence. A country that created an empire and sent its population all round the globe is not xenophobic and has always been pretty cosmopolitan. I think that will continue regardless of whether it is in or out of the EU.
I half agree but I listened to a phone-in on radio 5 yesterday and it was quite depressing. The overwhelming sense I got was either a fear of foreigners behaviour or a fear that the old country would lose its character.
Things have changed so noticably for the better in the last two decades that I fear those phone-inners will start to assert themselves in the event of 'leave' winning.
Roger, in the recent past, the captain of the England cricket team was a Muslim immigrant from India.
One of the likely contenders to be next Tory leader (and PM!) is the son of a Muslim immigrant.
This country isn't the KKK hold out you think it is.
Tory leader, PM and England cricket captain are the three most exalted jobs in this country. We just don't give them to anyone.
David Cameron's child benefit plan 'won't apply to EU nationals already in the UK' Millions of pounds of child benefit money sent abroad will continue, despite a promise to pay it at lower rates to EU migrants, The Telegraph understands
I remember when Assange was originally refused bail. I was having dinner with a lawyer friend with whom I share an interest in civil liberties and we both agreed it was a complete disgrace as obviously Assange posed no flight risk.
Interesting that so many Tory posters seem anxious that the ultimate libertarian Julian Lasange should be punished for letting the public know what goes on in our name.
When it comes to freedom of information rather than following the David Davis model the Stasi system is the prefered option among PB Cameroons
He's not being punished for that, he's being punished for not facing his accuser at trial in Sweden.
Just a correction. He is not being sought for trial as he has never been charged. He is wanted for questioning. Whilst personally I think he should go back to Sweden one has to ask why it is in this one case that the prosecutors won't travel to the UK to question him when they apparently do so in dozens of other cases.
The two most interesting features of a 'Leave' vote would be the resignation of Dave and half his cabinet and the certainty of another Scottish referendum which would likely produce the opposite result to the last one.
My fear is that from becoming gradually more outward looking Endgland would revert to it's old xenophobia self again and the new cosmopolitan spirit that 's emanated from London would start to disappear.
I'm in France at the moment and that cosmopolitan feeling has always been here but it was much later coming to England and it would be a great sadness if we lost it
I share your desire that Britain not be xenophobic but really you protest too much. Britain has been a remarkably outward looking nation for much of its existence. A country that created an empire and sent its population all round the globe is not xenophobic and has always been pretty cosmopolitan. I think that will continue regardless of whether it is in or out of the EU.
I half agree but I listened to a phone-in on radio 5 yesterday and it was quite depressing. The overwhelming sense I got was either a fear of foreigners behaviour or a fear that the old country would lose its character.
Things have changed so noticably for the better in the last two decades that I fear those phone-inners will start to assert themselves in the event of 'leave' winning.
Roger, in the recent past, the captain of the England cricket team was a Muslim immigrant from India.
One of the likely contenders to be next Tory leader (and PM!) is the son of a Muslim immigrant.
This country isn't the KKK hold out you think it is.
Tory leader, PM and England cricket captain are the three most exalted jobs in this country. We just don't give them to anyone.
The tables are up for the Times/YouGov Scotland poll. It also asked how people would vote on the question of Scottish independence (brackets indicate change on last month). No 55% (+3%), Yes 45% (-3%).
Interestingly, while both Con (93) and SNP (92) retain their support from 2015 on the seat vote - unlike Lab (77) and LibD (65), when it comes to the List vote, only Con (93) holds up, while SNP (78) sees support fall to the same level as Lab (74) with the Greens (10) the main beneficiaries....
Meanwhile Nicola's stratospheric rating slips slightly to +30 (-8), but still comfortably ahead of Keiza at -18 (-5) and Ruth on +4 (+3).
Ruth's direction of travel is interesting though...
She is appealing to quite a lot of people who are not traditional tories, particularly women. I am not sure that has happened with a Scottish tory leader for decades. Annabelle Goldie as very good at making the Tories comfortable with themselves but had very little reach beyond that.
At the moment there are a number of Scots who were in the centre right, establishment wing of the Labour party, people who often held senior offices in local government and other public bodies. I know quite a few of these and they are in despair at what has happened to their party both in Scotland and with Corbyn. They are giving Davidson a listen.
They really don't like Tories but she does not sound like one or, increasingly, have a policy agenda like one either. It is early days but there is a chance. They are committed to the Union and unhappy with Labour's recent equivocation but Cameron's response to the SINDY result is still seen as a slap in the face. I am really not sure how this will go.
The much larger share of working class Labour have gone SNP and they are simply not coming back.
ROGER your eye for detail is truly astounding..WTF is Julian Lasange.. Julian Assange has been accused of a serious sex crime in Sweden..and has hidden himself away to avoid the trial..He is free to leave the Embassy at any time and the UK authorities are duty bound to arrest him and deport him to Sweden...sod all to do with Wikileaks...
Very relevantly, the EU parliament president (Speaker? Chair? CEO? Head shaman?) Martin Schulz is putting a big German spoke in the wheels of the "deal".
@traynorbrussels 3m3 minutes ago #brexit @schulz on cameron deal - emergency brake effectively discriminatory
The European Parliament won't even ratify the pitiful pledges Cameron brought home t'other day.
It's not news. If it weren't discriminatory - the UK could just do it. We wouldn't need a renegotiation.
Faisal Islam Also Schulz tells @skynews "nothing is irreversible" when I ask if the EU deal is, as the PM has argued "legally binding and irreversible"
Given he's EU president, he's dumping all over our draft deal.
Regarding a "Vow" style intervention, is this possible in the EU referendum and, if so, what form might it take?
In the Indy ref it was enough to get Cameron, Clegg and Miliband to agree. In the EU ref it would, in theory, be necessary to get all the 27 heads of government to agree. Not going to happen over a weekend.
Might a Vow take the form of a mere pledge from Merkel, Hollande and Juncker? Not sure that would have any impact.
Also, what simple,.eye-catching stuff could be put into a Vow, which the rest of the EU would possibly agree to. I mean, some technocratic tinkering wouldn't work. It would have to be something big and simple.
I don't see that a Vow can be cooked up this time.
That would be M Juncker who said something about having to lie when required? Or have I got that wrong?
Comments
SkyNews
A case of female genital mutilation is reported in England every 109 minutes https://t.co/AvsJgs1BGK https://t.co/FYN6vdwd6R
On the second, well liberal wets have been turning a blind eye to Muslim rape gangs for years in this country and now they are being as stupid in Europe. I don't see what value these people bring to Europe or even the world. Removing them from our society is the only way forwards.
But of course I might be wrong. As SeanT keeps reminding us, the migrant crisis is potentially a big factor in favour of Leave (albeit one which doesn't actually make much sense).
If an EU vote is a close Leave, I expect there would be a second vote on a revised deal.
I do, however, think that it'd be the end of Cameron. Would a new Tory leader try to call an election? I doubt it. Apart from the mechanics being awkward - putting down a motion in the House would be the easiest way but it'd need Labour support to pass - the chances are that even with a new leader, Con would be well down in the polls and have every incentive to await better times.
I'll count the number of languages I hear as I troll along Commercial Street and report back. I'll also report the number of slack-jawed indigenes marvelling at Johnny Foreigner's exotic lingo.
I am not saying I approve, I just see it as possible.
Oxfam 'Fair Share' analysis of aid as % of Gross National Income:
Kuwait: 554%
Norway: 385%
Denmark: 318%
Netherlands: 246%
UK: 237%
Germany: 152%
Sweden: 142%
US: 76%
France: 45%
Italy: 39%
Russia: 1%
http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/syria-crisis-fair-share-analysis-2016-594875
Well true, but that is democracy, and that is what this referendum, even in its infancy, has done. It's exposed vested interest, mendacity, stupidity and careerism on all sides. Its enlivened the political debate hugely. It has told our leaders they must do better.
They loathe each other......
What an opportunity this referendum is giving the man from the mean streets to exact revenge on the gilded butterfly who beat him to the glittering prizes.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-architecture-analysis-idUKKCN0VB1UT
It's quite possible that people from one country are far better-behaved than people from another.
Cyclefree was right on this a few days ago. This should become an offence of strict liability, with any child found to have suffered this removed from the parents and the latter prosecuted automatically.
They need someone with HUGE gravitas and charisma who could - if push came to shove - be PM leading a negotiation. The campaign needs that reassurance and trust element.
There is no-one and no-one on the horizon.
David Cameron's child benefit plan 'won't apply to EU nationals already in the UK'
Millions of pounds of child benefit money sent abroad will continue, despite a promise to pay it at lower rates to EU migrants, The Telegraph understands
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/12141305/David-Camerons-child-benefit-plan-wont-apply-to-EU-nationals-already-in-the-UK.html
Oh I accept he's a deeply flawed fellow. I'm just reflecting on the way events run.
That will be worth a sackload of votes for the other side, surely
Can't recall the source but was from reliable mainstream data tweeter
Who else? Lawson is too old.
Just off the top of my head, by the way, the 109 minutes figure means that 5% of girls of any particular age cohort suffer FGM. That seems way high as FGM isn't anywhere near 100% even in the Muslim community.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/health/almost-70m-more-women-than-previously-thought-are-estimated-to-h/?sf20405930=1
Its measure of how far to the left our 'conservative' chancellor has gone, that the outstanding lib dem Steve Webb has felt the need to pen this. That's a lib dem. Telling a tory chancellor not to hammer middle class pensions.
When it comes to freedom of information rather than following the David Davis model the Stasi system is the prefered option among PB Cameroons
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imam_Reza_shrine
At the moment there are a number of Scots who were in the centre right, establishment wing of the Labour party, people who often held senior offices in local government and other public bodies. I know quite a few of these and they are in despair at what has happened to their party both in Scotland and with Corbyn. They are giving Davidson a listen.
They really don't like Tories but she does not sound like one or, increasingly, have a policy agenda like one either. It is early days but there is a chance. They are committed to the Union and unhappy with Labour's recent equivocation but Cameron's response to the SINDY result is still seen as a slap in the face. I am really not sure how this will go.
The much larger share of working class Labour have gone SNP and they are simply not coming back.
FFS
In the Indy ref it was enough to get Cameron, Clegg and Miliband to agree. In the EU ref it would, in theory, be necessary to get all the 27 heads of government to agree. Not going to happen over a weekend.
Might a Vow take the form of a mere pledge from Merkel, Hollande and Juncker? Not sure that would have any impact.
Also, what simple,.eye-catching stuff could be put into a Vow, which the rest of the EU would possibly agree to. I mean, some technocratic tinkering wouldn't work. It would have to be something big and simple.
I don't see that a Vow can be cooked up this time.
It's a fundamental issue of the value Muslim men place on non-Muslims and women. Given that Syria was a nominally secular state under Assad senior and junior, it is possible that the inherent lower value placed on non-Muslims wasn't taught at schools like it is in other Muslim countries which could explain the difference.
In the small village in the Lake District where my husband's family are, a village so small and distant that the next landfall is America, there have been Czech and Polish immigrants since before the war as well as, more recently, Kurds. No-one would comment in the way you suggest.
Don't assume that everyone - even in the "dreaded sticks" - is as narrow-minded as you appear to be about your countrymen.
Mind you, while they embrace Eastern Europeans they can be pretty scathing about pompous Metropolitan types.
Things have changed so noticably for the better in the last two decades that I fear those phone-inners will start to assert themselves in the event of 'leave' winning.
I worked for an American multinational for two decades.
By orders of magnitude the easiest people to shift from their home countries were the British and the Dutch. They moved, they adapted and enjoyed it.
Americans were in the middle - OK for a couple of years, but were attached to America and counted the days to get home.
The French were among the worst (with Parisians the worst of all) - when you could get them to move (which was rare) they were the highest maintenance expats - 'abroad' just simply wasn't as good as France (the British & Dutch usually quickly worked out that it was 'different' and made the most of it).....
I am a libertarian, and am vehemently against the invasions of privacy that the NSA rawling exercise became, and GCHQ's new powers would also entail. I actually believe that there is a price in lives (lost to terrorism) society should be prepared to pay in order to protect our individual civil and political rights, especially the right to privacy.
Assange may have represented some of those views at some point. But at best it was a very warped and twisted view of that. To a far greater extent, I think he is driven by ego and a God complex - with splashy headline getting exposes more important to him than true libertarian values.
Some of his releases of communications have clearly served no libertarian purpose, but other agendas. And avoiding rape charges certainly is not a libertarian value.
So don't wrap him up in some cloak of libertarian heroism. It does not fit.
One of the likely contenders to be next Tory leader (and PM!) is the son of a Muslim immigrant.
This country isn't the KKK hold out you think it is.
Tory leader, PM and England cricket captain are the three most exalted jobs in this country. We just don't give them to anyone.
'She's been very, very stupid. In fact no amount of adverbs qualify it enough'... Counsel clutching at straws
So, that was a load of shit
www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0VE0XL
Julian Assange has been accused of a serious sex crime in
Sweden..and has hidden himself away to avoid the trial..He is free to leave the Embassy at any time and the UK authorities are duty bound to arrest him and deport him to Sweden...sod all to do with Wikileaks...
Faisal Islam
Also Schulz tells @skynews "nothing is irreversible" when I ask if the EU deal is, as the PM has argued "legally binding and irreversible"
Given he's EU president, he's dumping all over our draft deal.