Mr. Meeks, I think that's a correlation classic, not unlike the number of ice creams sold being very well correlated with the chances of drowning on a given day.
Ice creams don't cause drowning, nor does drowning cause ice creams. They're both affected by factor z (it being a sunny day).
Mr. Jessop, I agree, but they also risk a Grand Moff Tarkin mistake (squeezing so tightly more countries slip through their fingers). If an undesirable Hotel California deal is proposed, some countries may prefer leaving.
I really don't see a rush of countries bolting for the door if we go. Most of them are far happier with EU membership than we are. Even the southern European countries which have had awful economic depressions in recent years retain a touching faith in EU membership as a badge of civilisation and provider of largesse.
The only other country I could see leaving in the next few years is Hungary.
I think depending on the kind of Brexit deal we could end up with Sweden and Denmark may follow us out as the only two other nations not obliged to join the Eurozone.
Which is a reason for the EU not to give us a very good deal - it might encourage others to leave. This will be offset by other factors, but will be in their minds.
As it is, the EU bosses will be concerned about Cameron's renegotiation setting a trend. It'll be easy for another country - say Ireland - to throw a strop and say they want to leave unless they get a better deal. You cannot have too many exceptions before the whole thing fails.
There has always been the argument that the EU should never have expanded into Scandinavia and the British Isles because both places have a very strong identity that wouldn't be easily subsumed into the "European" identity that they are trying to push on the continent. I think it is fair to say that line of thinking was probably correct.
I've covered him, but I think if Trump doesn't make it on the first ballot and is clearly losing delegates after the second - alot of his delegates will switch to Cruz.
Cruz has played an excellent shadow game. I think the talk of Ryan at 54% chance is fanciful.
Cruz is my best result, the Donald second and Kasich or Ryan 3rd or 4th from memory. I daren't look at Betfair these days !
It's not clear who "One of the nation's best-wired Republicans" actually is - 54% is crazy, but he has a reasonable chance as the default NOTA candidate. I wouldn't go above 10% personally - and probably 5% is more realistic.
From a betting POV, expect this speculation to continue. There's no way it can be shut down before the convention - at least not unless Trump looks set for 1237.
Mike's going to be unbearable if Ryan gets the nomination. He got on him at 150/1
I think there are quite a few PB'ers who would be very happy if Ryan gets the nomination.
Personally, I'm on him for POTUS @ 999/1 for more than just a few quid.
I really don't see a rush of countries bolting for the door if we go. Most of them are far happier with EU membership than we are. Even the southern European countries which have had awful economic depressions in recent years retain a touching faith in EU membership as a badge of civilisation and provider of largesse.
The only other country I could see leaving in the next few years is Hungary.
I think depending on the kind of Brexit deal we could end up with Sweden and Denmark may follow us out as the only two other nations not obliged to join the Eurozone.
Which is a reason for the EU not to give us a very good deal - it might encourage others to leave. This will be offset by other factors, but will be in their minds.
As it is, the EU bosses will be concerned about Cameron's renegotiation setting a trend. It'll be easy for another country - say Ireland - to throw a strop and say they want to leave unless they get a better deal. You cannot have too many exceptions before the whole thing fails.
That's very true, but the steel tariff episode is a clear demonstration that each nation will act in it's own interest.
The consequence is that a new tariff regime is still undecided and the Chinese continue to export into the EU.
If they can't agree to change things where just one product is concerned, how likely are they to agree on a multitude with the UK, especially where the pre-existing conditions are financially favourable to them?
They will stick with what they have because they simply won't be able to agree on anything new, and they repeatedly show that they will choose the path of least disruption.
I really don't see a rush of countries bolting for the door if we go. Most of them are far happier with EU membership than we are. Even the southern European countries which have had awful economic depressions in recent years retain a touching faith in EU membership as a badge of civilisation and provider of largesse.
The only other country I could see leaving in the next few years is Hungary.
I think depending on the kind of Brexit deal we could end up with Sweden and Denmark may follow us out as the only two other nations not obliged to join the Eurozone.
Which is a reason for the EU not to give us a very good deal - it might encourage others to leave. This will be offset by other factors, but will be in their minds.
As it is, the EU bosses will be concerned about Cameron's renegotiation setting a trend. It'll be easy for another country - say Ireland - to throw a strop and say they want to leave unless they get a better deal. You cannot have too many exceptions before the whole thing fails.
That's very true, but the steel tariff episode is a clear demonstration that each nation will act in it's own interest.
The consequence is that a new tariff regime is still undecided and the Chinese continue to export into the EU.
If they can't agree to change things where just one product is concerned, how likely are they to agree on a multitude with the UK, especially where the pre-existing conditions are financially favourable to them?
They will stick with what they have because they simply won't be able to agree on anything new, and they repeatedly show that they will choose the path of least disruption.
I'm not sure that the steel tariffs are a good way for arguing a leave position. It actually helps us to be in the EU in this instance, our chancellor and government decided to stab our heavy industries in the back to advance UK-Sino relations only to see the PRC tell Osborne to fuck off.
I really don't see a rush of countries bolting for the door if we go. Most of them are far happier with EU membership than we are. Even the southern European countries which have had awful economic depressions in recent years retain a touching faith in EU membership as a badge of civilisation and provider of largesse.
The only other country I could see leaving in the next few years is Hungary.
I think depending on the kind of Brexit deal we could end up with Sweden and Denmark may follow us out as the only two other nations not obliged to join the Eurozone.
Which is a reason for the EU not to give us a very good deal - it might encourage others to leave. This will be offset by other factors, but will be in their minds.
As it is, the EU bosses will be concerned about Cameron's renegotiation setting a trend. It'll be easy for another country - say Ireland - to throw a strop and say they want to leave unless they get a better deal. You cannot have too many exceptions before the whole thing fails.
There has always been the argument that the EU should never have expanded into Scandinavia and the British Isles because both places have a very strong identity that wouldn't be easily subsumed into the "European" identity that they are trying to push on the continent. I think it is fair to say that line of thinking was probably correct.
I don't accept this. It's only really the UK that has this problem. Finland and Denmark and the rest integrate when they like, refrain when they don't, but they don't keep threatening to quit and also to get their own way at the same time. And French, German, Italian national identities are hardly plastic and mutable.
I'm not one to pry but I understand the media may be refusing to report a sex scandal involving a prominent figure for political reasons. Whether or not these things are reported it shouldn't come down to politics.
Is it a scandal? Man and woman have a consenting relationship. MYOB.
I'm not sure that the steel tariffs are a good way for arguing a leave position. It actually helps us to be in the EU in this instance, our chancellor and government decided to stab our heavy industries in the back to advance UK-Sino relations only to see the PRC tell Osborne to fuck off.
Has anyone seens Angela Leadsom and the People's Republic of China in the same room together ?
Panama papers (not gate yet): has there been an instruction from CCHQ to play it down? If so, why? Who are they trying to protect?
Since several media organisations around the world have access to the raw data, it'd be hard to control all of them. The information will get out. If, that is, it exists.
The story so far wrt the Conservatives is going nowhere. If you remember back a few years, the way the Telegraph did its expose was superb.
I'm not one to pry but I understand the media may be refusing to report a sex scandal involving a prominent figure for political reasons. Whether or not these things are reported it shouldn't come down to politics.
Is it a scandal? Man and woman have a consenting relationship. MYOB.
The traditional answer is a variation of the theme, "Man/Woman breaks their vow and lies to their wife/husband can they be trusted not to do the same to the voters"
The rejoinder has from time to time been "of course not they are a politician"
Panama papers (not gate yet): has there been an instruction from CCHQ to play it down? If so, why? Who are they trying to protect?
Occam's razor would say that if there's "nothing to see here" then that's probably because there's actually nothing to see.
Hanlon's razor follows this up by saying that even if there is something to see here, it's much more likely to be as the result of a cockup rather than a conspiracy
@haveigotnews: Jeremy Corbyn invited to Glastonbury to speak about social justice. Tickets are £228, or free if you work for one of the corporate sponsors.
Sam Wang @SamWangPhD 17h17 hours ago Sam Wang Retweeted Ross Douthat I've been running some numbers. Based on polls & rules, Trump's probability of a majority is very high. More later.
Best "End of Days" forecast today? British Influence @britinfluence Vote for #Brexit would lead to 'implosion' of the continental bloc, warns LSE chief
I have some sympathy for this perspective. We are not the only disgruntled members. The one argument I can see for them to be very awkward on trade is that they will be scared of contagion and collapse. They won't want anybody else making a break for it, especially if their currency is the euro. Time for the barbed wire and machine gun posts along the Brussels Wall.
Alternatively it could force fundamental reform within the EU and the eurozone to bring about more economic growth and prosperity. Up until now there is just no impetus for fundamental reform.
No it won't. The people running the EU don't see any need for 'reform' as we would understand it. Quite the opposite - 'reform' as we would understand it would mean 'catastrophe' for them.
That depends on how fearful they become of their empire crumbling.
You are missing the point - 'reform' as we understand it would mean the 'empire crumbling' for them.
Far better in their view to let the UK go than loosen up the whole system.
I understand your point.
Their problem would be that the initial dilemma of Brexit will grow when they realise that letting us go might mean that X country and then Y country will also want out.
How far will they bend to cling on to something? How many will wager that some form of EU would be better than no EU at all?
We have had two dummy runs with the iScot referendum and the Eurozone crisis.
I really don't see a rush of countries bolting for the door if we go. Most of them are far happier with EU membership than we are. Even the southern European countries which have had awful economic depressions in recent years retain a touching faith in EU membership as a badge of civilisation and provider of largesse.
The only other country I could see leaving in the next few years is Hungary.
I think depending on the kind of Brexit deal we could end up with Sweden and Denmark may follow us out as the only two other nations not obliged to join the Eurozone.
Definitely Sweden. Less sure about Denmark, which is effectively a member of the eurozone through its currency peg.
Sam Wang @SamWangPhD 17h17 hours ago Sam Wang Retweeted Ross Douthat I've been running some numbers. Based on polls & rules, Trump's probability of a majority is very high. More later.
I've held my Trump position throughout the recent panic.
I really don't see a rush of countries bolting for the door if we go. Most of them are far happier with EU membership than we are. Even the southern European countries which have had awful economic depressions in recent years retain a touching faith in EU membership as a badge of civilisation and provider of largesse.
The only other country I could see leaving in the next few years is Hungary.
I think depending on the kind of Brexit deal we could end up with Sweden and Denmark may follow us out as the only two other nations not obliged to join the Eurozone.
Which is a reason for the EU not to give us a very good deal - it might encourage others to leave. This will be offset by other factors, but will be in their minds.
As it is, the EU bosses will be concerned about Cameron's renegotiation setting a trend. It'll be easy for another country - say Ireland - to throw a strop and say they want to leave unless they get a better deal. You cannot have too many exceptions before the whole thing fails.
There has always been the argument that the EU should never have expanded into Scandinavia and the British Isles because both places have a very strong identity that wouldn't be easily subsumed into the "European" identity that they are trying to push on the continent. I think it is fair to say that line of thinking was probably correct.
I don't accept this. It's only really the UK that has this problem. Finland and Denmark and the rest integrate when they like, refrain when they don't, but they don't keep threatening to quit and also to get their own way at the same time. And French, German, Italian national identities are hardly plastic and mutable.
Support for EU exit is definitely on the rise in Denmark, as high as 33% in some polls. The recent attempt by the Danish authorities to cancel Denmark's opt outs from EU police and justice integration - which the Danes rejected in a referendum - seems to have boosted support for exit.
As one of my Danish relations said to me a few years ago 'we are fed up with saying 'no' but with the politicians then asking us the same question again and again'.
Best "End of Days" forecast today? British Influence @britinfluence Vote for #Brexit would lead to 'implosion' of the continental bloc, warns LSE chief
I have some sympathy for this perspective. We are not the only disgruntled members. The one argument I can see for them to be very awkward on trade is that they will be scared of contagion and collapse. They won't want anybody else making a break for it, especially if their currency is the euro. Time for the barbed wire and machine gun posts along the Brussels Wall.
Alternatively it could force fundamental reform within the EU and the eurozone to bring about more economic growth and prosperity. Up until now there is just no impetus for fundamental reform.
No it won't. The people running the EU don't see any need for 'reform' as we would understand it. Quite the opposite - 'reform' as we would understand it would mean 'catastrophe' for them.
That depends on how fearful they become of their empire crumbling.
You are missing the point - 'reform' as we understand it would mean the 'empire crumbling' for them.
Far better in their view to let the UK go than loosen up the whole system.
I understand your point.
Their problem would be that the initial dilemma of Brexit will grow when they realise that letting us go might mean that X country and then Y country will also want out.
How far will they bend to cling on to something? How many will wager that some form of EU would be better than no EU at all?
We have had two dummy runs with the iScot referendum and the Eurozone crisis.
I really don't see a rush of countries bolting for the door if we go. Most of them are far happier with EU membership than we are. Even the southern European countries which have had awful economic depressions in recent years retain a touching faith in EU membership as a badge of civilisation and provider of largesse.
The only other country I could see leaving in the next few years is Hungary.
I think depending on the kind of Brexit deal we could end up with Sweden and Denmark may follow us out as the only two other nations not obliged to join the Eurozone.
Definitely Sweden. Less sure about Denmark, which is effectively a member of the eurozone through its currency peg.
Well the Danes just voted against an EU provision against the establishment position which is why I have included them.
I'm not sure that the steel tariffs are a good way for arguing a leave position. It actually helps us to be in the EU in this instance, our chancellor and government decided to stab our heavy industries in the back to advance UK-Sino relations only to see the PRC tell Osborne to fuck off.
I'm not sure it's quite that clear cut, Max.
As I understand it, the EU is split down the middle on tariffs so it doesn't matter what side we are on, our voice is just one of twenty-eight, while I would imagine that there are plenty of industries in the UK making good on the cheap supply of steel from China.
Just like the EU, I'd imagine that the UK steel producers want tariffs, while the UK steel consumers want a cheaper commodity.
Can't determine what party he represented from that piece. It's always so much easier when a Tory is involved it's always mentioned up front and centre
EDIT --- my mistake the BBC labels him as "a veteran Leicester MP" hoho !
I think it is deeply disrespectful showing the PM's late father constantly on the news. It must be very upsetting for the PM and his mother. Very cheap politics from The Guardian and BBC.
I really don't see a rush of countries bolting for the door if we go. Most of them are far happier with EU membership than we are. Even the southern European countries which have had awful economic depressions in recent years retain a touching faith in EU membership as a badge of civilisation and provider of largesse.
The only other country I could see leaving in the next few years is Hungary.
I think depending on the kind of Brexit deal we could end up with Sweden and Denmark may follow us out as the only two other nations not obliged to join the Eurozone.
Which is a reason for the EU not to give us a very good deal - it might encourage others to leave. This will be offset by other factors, but will be in their minds.
As it is, the EU bosses will be concerned about Cameron's renegotiation setting a trend. It'll be easy for another country - say Ireland - to throw a strop and say they want to leave unless they get a better deal. You cannot have too many exceptions before the whole thing fails.
If we choose to move to EFTA and hence remain in the EEA the EU will not be able to do anything about it.
I've covered him, but I think if Trump doesn't make it on the first ballot and is clearly losing delegates after the second - alot of his delegates will switch to Cruz.
Cruz has played an excellent shadow game. I think the talk of Ryan at 54% chance is fanciful.
Cruz is my best result, the Donald second and Kasich or Ryan 3rd or 4th from memory. I daren't look at Betfair these days !
It's not clear who "One of the nation's best-wired Republicans" actually is - 54% is crazy, but he has a reasonable chance as the default NOTA candidate. I wouldn't go above 10% personally - and probably 5% is more realistic.
From a betting POV, expect this speculation to continue. There's no way it can be shut down before the convention - at least not unless Trump looks set for 1237.
Mike's going to be unbearable if Ryan gets the nomination. He got on him at 150/1
I think there are quite a few PB'ers who would be very happy if Ryan gets the nomination.
Personally, I'm on him for POTUS @ 999/1 for more than just a few quid.
Makes my 46 for GOP look positively pathetic!
Not pathetic at all.
If you're on at higher odds than the current market price then you're doing something right.
If you don't mind me asking - do you think Ryan's a back/lay/hold at current odds?
I've covered him, but I think if Trump doesn't make it on the first ballot and is clearly losing delegates after the second - alot of his delegates will switch to Cruz.
Cruz has played an excellent shadow game. I think the talk of Ryan at 54% chance is fanciful.
Cruz is my best result, the Donald second and Kasich or Ryan 3rd or 4th from memory. I daren't look at Betfair these days !
It's not clear who "One of the nation's best-wired Republicans" actually is - 54% is crazy, but he has a reasonable chance as the default NOTA candidate. I wouldn't go above 10% personally - and probably 5% is more realistic.
From a betting POV, expect this speculation to continue. There's no way it can be shut down before the convention - at least not unless Trump looks set for 1237.
Mike's going to be unbearable if Ryan gets the nomination. He got on him at 150/1
I think there are quite a few PB'ers who would be very happy if Ryan gets the nomination.
Personally, I'm on him for POTUS @ 999/1 for more than just a few quid.
Makes my 46 for GOP look positively pathetic!
Not pathetic at all.
If you're on at higher odds than the current market price then you're doing something right.
Thankee. The market thinks he has a 7% chance at the moment. Seems high to me.
"Trusts work by having beneficial owners who are different from the legal owners."
Yeah - as in property in this country. The concept of legal and beneficial ownership is standard in property ownership in this country. When you exchange contracts but before completion, the buyer is the beneficial owner whereas the seller is the legal but not the beneficial owner. That is why you should insure the property from the moment of exchange.
Trusts are perfectly legitimate. And their origin was from the time of the Crusades when departing knights passed property to others but for the benefit of their wives and children who could not own property in their own name. They are used now when parents die before their children are of age, for instance.
They are widely used in pensions as well and their existence there does not mean that tax is evaded, either.
Tax evasion is illegal but you cannot simply say that the existence of a trust means that tax has been evaded.
I'm surprised you didn't mention wills that appoint executors. An executor holds an estate in trust too.
"Evasion" of tax is illegal by definition. "Avoidance" isn't. But I don't think the distinction gets us anywhere.
My point is that trusts are one of the main means that the filthy rich use to dodge tax and to obscure who really controls an asset. That many such doings are lawful doesn't make them clean or desirable or even defensible.
There are other members of the family other than Dave - his mother, for instance, his brother and sister and their children. Or even Cameron's children, for whom his father might have made provision? After all, you might well want to make provision for a severely disabled grandchild. Are these people not entitled to financial privacy?
No. He should have thought about the possible effects on his family when he accepted public office. They'll have to live with it. They've got problems? Let them take them up with him in private.
It's totally legitimate to want information to be made public about all of his and his family's financial doings. Same goes for the prime minister of Thailand.
A British taxpayer is obliged to declare any money held abroad, whether in a trust or not, subject to any double taxation treaties.
They aren't obliged to declare beneficial interests that some other entity holds in trust for them, whether it's held in Britain or in any other jurisdiction.
I really don't see a rush of countries bolting for the door if we go. Most of them are far happier with EU membership than we are. Even the southern European countries which have had awful economic depressions in recent years retain a touching faith in EU membership as a badge of civilisation and provider of largesse.
The only other country I could see leaving in the next few years is Hungary.
I think depending on the kind of Brexit deal we could end up with Sweden and Denmark may follow us out as the only two other nations not obliged to join the Eurozone.
Which is a reason for the EU not to give us a very good deal - it might encourage others to leave. This will be offset by other factors, but will be in their minds.
As it is, the EU bosses will be concerned about Cameron's renegotiation setting a trend. It'll be easy for another country - say Ireland - to throw a strop and say they want to leave unless they get a better deal. You cannot have too many exceptions before the whole thing fails.
If we choose to move to EFTA and hence remain in the EEA the EU will not be able to do anything about it.
Careful - you will set your namesake off on one of his incredibly tortuous efforts to suggest otherwise
Tonight's Tory Political Broadcast was strange. The main speaker... midway between two lots of Cameron ...... was a young-ish woman who sounded as though she was reading her script for the first time. Cameron sounded like a robot as well.
Tonight's Tory Political Broadcast was strange. The main speaker... midway between two lots of Cameron ...... was a young-ish woman who sounded as though she was reading her script for the first time. Cameron sounded like a robot as well.
@SuzanneEvans1: "Here's £1 million quid, I'm buying your party & sacking your NEC." Now will kippers wake up to what's going on? https://t.co/ayz2vMM3gH
I think it is deeply disrespectful showing the PM's late father constantly on the news. It must be very upsetting for the PM and his mother. Very cheap politics from The Guardian and BBC.
I tend to agree. If they can pin something concrete on Cameron's dad (or anyone else for that matter) then they should come out with it. If they want to make firm allegations of wrong doing then that's fine. Otherwise it's no better than the Mail's hatchet job on Ralph Miliband.
Guardian named the peers / donors...small beer. They must have more than this surely.
Probably not. Time and again the BBC and Guardian go to press claiming to have something big and then have nothing. I remember when they claimed to have the smoking gun to bring down FIFA and that turned out to be nothing.
Careful - you will set your namesake off on one of his incredibly tortuous efforts to suggest otherwise
The idea that we could force 27 EU countries, against their will, to allow us into the EEA-style deal seems completely out with the fairies. (In practice, I think they would, but that's a different matter and it's not absolutely guaranteed.)
But I'm very happy to be corrected, if there's a link to some knowledgeable source indicating otherwise.
Incidentally, for my many fans, here's the non-partisan brief I prepared on the various options. Some people might find it useful as a quick guide. It's not intended to describe the merits of the options, but their features. It's quite short, because I wanted to focus on the broad issues, so I don't (for example) mention the theoretical but never-used emergency brake of the EEA agreement.
Guardian named the peers / donors...small beer. They must have more than this surely.
Probably not. Time and again the BBC and Guardian go to press claiming to have something big and then have nothing. I remember when they claimed to have the smoking gun to bring down FIFA and that turned out to be nothing.
The fact they have only got a 30min Panorama...you would have thought they could get an hour. The bumper at the start doesn't look like the programme will say much.
I think it is deeply disrespectful showing the PM's late father constantly on the news. It must be very upsetting for the PM and his mother. Very cheap politics from The Guardian and BBC.
I tend to agree. If they can pin something concrete on Cameron's dad (or anyone else for that matter) then they should come out with it. If they want to make firm allegations of wrong doing then that's fine. Otherwise it's no better than the Mail's hatchet job on Ralph Miliband.
Agree; one cannot be responsible for the sins (or otherwise) of ones fathers.
Guardian named the peers / donors...small beer. They must have more than this surely.
Probably not. Time and again the BBC and Guardian go to press claiming to have something big and then have nothing. I remember when they claimed to have the smoking gun to bring down FIFA and that turned out to be nothing.
The fact they have only got a 30min Panorama...you would have thought they could get an hour. The bumper at the start doesn't look like the programme will say much.
In some ways that doesn't matter: it's the no smoke without fire view of the world (and we've seen it applied to lots of other activities). You may be of the view that domiciling an investment fund in a tax neutral jurisdiction is harmless and the issue is whether the beneficiaries of the fund meet all applicable tax regulations in the jurisdictions whose laws they are subject to. I'm not sure the wider public sees it that way. And I suspect not all beneficiaries did this.
The wider point is that this firm, on a historical basis, seems to have played fairly fast and loose when dealing with PEPs although they will probably say that they've complied with all Panamanian laws (although the cello player investing in structured products should perhaps have alerted them). My experience of Panamanian law firms generally is that they are sensitive to this. More so in the BVI, Caymans, Bermuda etc.
I think it is deeply disrespectful showing the PM's late father constantly on the news. It must be very upsetting for the PM and his mother. Very cheap politics from The Guardian and BBC.
I tend to agree. If they can pin something concrete on Cameron's dad (or anyone else for that matter) then they should come out with it. If they want to make firm allegations of wrong doing then that's fine. Otherwise it's no better than the Mail's hatchet job on Ralph Miliband.
There were a few on here that entirely approved of the Mail's hatchet job on Ralph Miliband.
I think it is deeply disrespectful showing the PM's late father constantly on the news. It must be very upsetting for the PM and his mother. Very cheap politics from The Guardian and BBC.
I tend to agree. If they can pin something concrete on Cameron's dad (or anyone else for that matter) then they should come out with it. If they want to make firm allegations of wrong doing then that's fine. Otherwise it's no better than the Mail's hatchet job on Ralph Miliband.
There were a few on here that entirely approved of the Mail's hatchet job on Ralph Miliband.
More seriously models show the Democrats struggling and likely to lose. Bear in mind the US economy has barely grown in the past 6 months and the forward looking indicators provide no solace. Oil ticking back up now too, not enough for high cost US oil mind.
I think it is deeply disrespectful showing the PM's late father constantly on the news. It must be very upsetting for the PM and his mother. Very cheap politics from The Guardian and BBC.
I tend to agree. If they can pin something concrete on Cameron's dad (or anyone else for that matter) then they should come out with it. If they want to make firm allegations of wrong doing then that's fine. Otherwise it's no better than the Mail's hatchet job on Ralph Miliband.
There were a few on here that entirely approved of the Mail's hatchet job on Ralph Miliband.
And many of us, for all our dislike of Ed, made clear our distaste at using his father as a means to attack him.
Guardian named the peers / donors...small beer. They must have more than this surely.
Probably not. Time and again the BBC and Guardian go to press claiming to have something big and then have nothing. I remember when they claimed to have the smoking gun to bring down FIFA and that turned out to be nothing.
The fact they have only got a 30min Panorama...you would have thought they could get an hour. The bumper at the start doesn't look like the programme will say much.
Does Panorama have any evidence of something illegal having taken place?
Comments
Ice creams don't cause drowning, nor does drowning cause ice creams. They're both affected by factor z (it being a sunny day).
Mr. Jessop, I agree, but they also risk a Grand Moff Tarkin mistake (squeezing so tightly more countries slip through their fingers). If an undesirable Hotel California deal is proposed, some countries may prefer leaving.
http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/04/tory-donors-links-to-offshore-firms-revealed-in-leaked-panama-papers
The consequence is that a new tariff regime is still undecided and the Chinese continue to export into the EU.
If they can't agree to change things where just one product is concerned, how likely are they to agree on a multitude with the UK, especially where the pre-existing conditions are financially favourable to them?
They will stick with what they have because they simply won't be able to agree on anything new, and they repeatedly show that they will choose the path of least disruption.
The story so far wrt the Conservatives is going nowhere. If you remember back a few years, the way the Telegraph did its expose was superb.
The rejoinder has from time to time been "of course not they are a politician"
Sam Wang Retweeted Ross Douthat
I've been running some numbers. Based on polls & rules, Trump's probability of a majority is very high. More later.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35961711
As one of my Danish relations said to me a few years ago 'we are fed up with saying 'no' but with the politicians then asking us the same question again and again'.
As I understand it, the EU is split down the middle on tariffs so it doesn't matter what side we are on, our voice is just one of twenty-eight, while I would imagine that there are plenty of industries in the UK making good on the cheap supply of steel from China.
Just like the EU, I'd imagine that the UK steel producers want tariffs, while the UK steel consumers want a cheaper commodity.
http://www.thenational.scot/news/no-scots-bids-for-forth-bridge-contract.8986
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cxpVs-HgPg
EDIT --- my mistake the BBC labels him as "a veteran Leicester MP" hoho !
If you're on at higher odds than the current market price then you're doing something right.
If you don't mind me asking - do you think Ryan's a back/lay/hold at current odds?
"Evasion" of tax is illegal by definition. "Avoidance" isn't. But I don't think the distinction gets us anywhere.
My point is that trusts are one of the main means that the filthy rich use to dodge tax and to obscure who really controls an asset. That many such doings are lawful doesn't make them clean or desirable or even defensible. No. He should have thought about the possible effects on his family when he accepted public office. They'll have to live with it. They've got problems? Let them take them up with him in private.
It's totally legitimate to want information to be made public about all of his and his family's financial doings. Same goes for the prime minister of Thailand. "His lordship" "Squeaky Clean" Michael Ashcroft in the first instance? They aren't obliged to declare beneficial interests that some other entity holds in trust for them, whether it's held in Britain or in any other jurisdiction.
Cameron sounded like a robot as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mmLkVQmgU8
The tectonic plates of the Kippers are rumbling.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/arron-banks-ukip-chairman-farage_uk_57028bcce4b0c5bd919b8665
I'm jolly good fun in the pub. :-)
But I'm very happy to be corrected, if there's a link to some knowledgeable source indicating otherwise.
Incidentally, for my many fans, here's the non-partisan brief I prepared on the various options. Some people might find it useful as a quick guide. It's not intended to describe the merits of the options, but their features. It's quite short, because I wanted to focus on the broad issues, so I don't (for example) mention the theoretical but never-used emergency brake of the EEA agreement.
http://www.microapl.com/download/EUReferendumBriefingPaper.pdf
The wider point is that this firm, on a historical basis, seems to have played fairly fast and loose when dealing with PEPs although they will probably say that they've complied with all Panamanian laws (although the cello player investing in structured products should perhaps have alerted them). My experience of Panamanian law firms generally is that they are sensitive to this. More so in the BVI, Caymans, Bermuda etc.
http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/polls/arg-24201
More seriously models show the Democrats struggling and likely to lose. Bear in mind the US economy has barely grown in the past 6 months and the forward looking indicators provide no solace. Oil ticking back up now too, not enough for high cost US oil mind.
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/275084-models-predict-gop-white-house-even-with-trump
What about the stories of all these dictators etc.
777 minutes