You can't argue with them; no point in trying. It is the fault of the voters for suffering false consciousness; the media. A Corbyn support was on Newsnight last night arguing with someone about his poll rating. "Change the polls," she said. Mind bogglingly imbecilic.
Internet very slow here (Glasgow), BBC accessible, Yahoo not. Extreme weather does not come alone it would appear.
I am having trouble with various sites at present
Likewise. Some sites (PB!) seem to be loading fine; others (such as the BBC) are loading very slowly, if at all. I'm in the West Midlands, with Plusnet.
I can't get Wiki to load with Plusnet - loads of others v slow.
@MaxPB - Living and working abroad was one of the most exciting, eye-opening and rewarding episodes of my life. I cannot recommend it enough. Do it.
What's more, as an employer I would be very pissed off if an employee used a job offer as a bargaining chip. It's not a negotiation I'd ever get into. If they want you enough they'll make an offer to keep you anyway.
Mr. Sandpit, not sure if you saw it last night when I posted, but Ladbrokes had their full markets up. Surprised how short Red Bull are.
Also, rain is possible for race day.
Was out yesterday and haven't caught up yet. Saw about the rain forecast, a lay of LH at evens sounds like my plan. They could take the risk of the new PU and start him from the back in the rain.
Betfair hasn't changed much, Rosberg at 4.7, RBs at 8 and the red cars nowhere. Alonso and Button at 3.15 for the top six finish might also be good given the weather forecast.
Also, if it's wet expect the risk-free Charlie to want to do five laps slowly at the start behind Mr Maylander and his slow Mercedes. That's a contradiction to your earlier suggestion.
Update on my Swiss adventure, I've received an offer for a job there starting early next year (I have a six month notice period). It's substantially more money, but I'd be leaving London. Should I approach my current work place to match terms and seniority or should I just leave?
Do it, sounds like a fantastic opportunity and great experience. Even if only for a couple of years, and then you move back, you won't regret it.
Although Charles is right. Geneva competes with Riyadh for tedium.
Thankfully this is in the asset manager in Zurich, if it was Geneva I wouldn't have bothered to apply.
Congratulations on your job offer. You will regret it, I think, if you don't go for it.
Geneva is a good place to live, actually, as is Zurich. Both places are understated but I would say Zurich is the less lively of the two, if that's a concern for you.
I've had the opposite experience. I found Geneva to be like a living nightmare of a dental waiting room. Zurich was a little better, recently it has had a lot of new bars and restaurants opening up so if I do go then it won't be completely dull.
Mr. kle4, Labour's moved, in under two decades, from a laughably wrongheaded attempt to kill Scottish nationalism stone dead to supporting a second vote on independence.
.... Muppets.
Whether you support the union or independence, that's an epic level of failure.
Update on my Swiss adventure, I've received an offer for a job there starting early next year (I have a six month notice period). It's substantially more money, but I'd be leaving London. Should I approach my current work place to match terms and seniority or should I just leave?
Do it, sounds like a fantastic opportunity and great experience. Even if only for a couple of years, and then you move back, you won't regret it.
Although Charles is right. Geneva competes with Riyadh for tedium.
Nowhere is as bad as Riyadh for tedium, surely? tens of thousands of both locals and expats there turn up in Bahrain and Dubai every weekend as there's literally nothing to do at home.
That sounds like Geneva to me, a few expats I know go to Nice for weekends from Geneva.
I was in Geneva on a Sunday once and it was like being in 28 days later.
Totally deserted. Nothing open.
When I first moved to Bloomsbury I went exploring East of Kingsway one Sunday morning. It was desolate. Thank goodness that Covent Garden and Fitzrovia were in the other directions...
Mr. Sandpit, hard to pass at Hungary. They make well take a voluntary penalty for a new engine at some tracks, but there's a risk they'd increase a points loss by taking one at the Hungaroring.
Also, I did explicitly say to check the weather forecast as rain (and six laps of tedious trundling) were the only major foreseeable risk of a safety car.
Off topic, I've just totted up some rather pleasant numbers and I think the last month has been the most profitable betting ever for me.
Leave to win, Leave on 50-55%, May as Tory leader and next PM, Cameron to leave office of PM before end 2016, Osborne to leave office of Chancellor by end 2016, and Donald Trump as Republican nominee all came in.
Only one that didn't was Gove as next Chancellor, and Rubio as next President ain't looking too good either.
Well done CR!
Has your banker friend recovered from the 20k lost punt on Remain yet? That has got to hurt...
Off topic, I've just totted up some rather pleasant numbers and I think the last month has been the most profitable betting ever for me.
Leave to win, Leave on 50-55%, May as Tory leader and next PM, Cameron to leave office of PM before end 2016, Osborne to leave office of Chancellor by end 2016, and Donald Trump as Republican nominee all came in.
Only one that didn't was Gove as next Chancellor, and Rubio as next President ain't looking too good either.
Well done CR!
Has your banker friend recovered from the 20k lost punt on Remain yet? That has got to hurt...
CR
Apologies for being curious but that sounds like a fascinating story - do you know when your banker friend betted on Remain and what odds he got ?
And I notice that Hart voted 48% Leave - you were not as outnumbered as you thought you were.
I don't know, I'm afraid. I did try to warn him but he was very dismissive.
Yes, Hart ended up about where I thought it would for a national tie. For a national Leave victory I thought Leave might carry the district, but I think it was a case of a very great many city commuters outnumbering the rest.
Thanks.
It sounds like your banker friend preferred his own echo chamber to listening to someone with a different view.
But isn't that the default mentality for bankers ?
Do you have any idea why adjacent Rushmoor district was strongly Leave ?
Yes, places like Aldershot and Farnborough had a higher level of WWC present and a significant military vote.
Off topic, I've just totted up some rather pleasant numbers and I think the last month has been the most profitable betting ever for me.
Leave to win, Leave on 50-55%, May as Tory leader and next PM, Cameron to leave office of PM before end 2016, Osborne to leave office of Chancellor by end 2016, and Donald Trump as Republican nominee all came in.
Only one that didn't was Gove as next Chancellor, and Rubio as next President ain't looking too good either.
Well done CR!
Has your banker friend recovered from the 20k lost punt on Remain yet? That has got to hurt...
Off topic, I've just totted up some rather pleasant numbers and I think the last month has been the most profitable betting ever for me.
Leave to win, Leave on 50-55%, May as Tory leader and next PM, Cameron to leave office of PM before end 2016, Osborne to leave office of Chancellor by end 2016, and Donald Trump as Republican nominee all came in.
Only one that didn't was Gove as next Chancellor, and Rubio as next President ain't looking too good either.
Well done CR!
Has your banker friend recovered from the 20k lost punt on Remain yet? That has got to hurt...
CR
Apologies for being curious but that sounds like a fascinating story - do you know when your banker friend betted on Remain and what odds he got ?
And I notice that Hart voted 48% Leave - you were not as outnumbered as you thought you were.
I don't know, I'm afraid. I did try to warn him but he was very dismissive.
Yes, Hart ended up about where I thought it would for a national tie. For a national Leave victory I thought Leave might carry the district, but I think it was a case of a very great many city commuters outnumbering the rest.
Thanks.
It sounds like your banker friend preferred his own echo chamber to listening to someone with a different view.
But isn't that the default mentality for bankers ?
Do you have any idea why adjacent Rushmoor district was strongly Leave ?
The major towns of Rushmore (Farnborough and Aldershot) and quite mixed, but predominantly working class and have a large military presence. The major towns of Hart (Fleet, Yateley) are more middle class, commuter towns for London.
Mr. kle4, Labour's moved, in under two decades, from a laughably wrongheaded attempt to kill Scottish nationalism stone dead to supporting a second vote on independence.
.... Muppets.
Whether you support the union or independence, that's an epic level of failure.
Well, I guess they've given up trying to bring the voters to them and instead are going to the voters .
As the only unionists left, I wish SCon well, but even some of them seem lukewarm, and they gave a hell of a job on their hands.
Thanks guys, much to mull over. I think I'm going to hand in my notice as soon as I receive the paperwork. I haven't fully decided to leave, but this is a huge opportunity as it is a massive jump in seniority and pay, I'm just not sure I want to move overseas where I'll be starting from scratch in terms of living there.
Time goes quickly. Even if you want to move back in 2 - 3 years, a spell in Switzerland will look good on the cv. Starting from scratch is much easier these days.
Just don't sell any UK property you own; make sure your re-location package covers rental costs etc.
I have done this twice once into the US and once into the Middle East. Never regretted either in my own circumstances. The important point is the one Animal just made. Relocation package and don't sell any property you already have. You always have a place to return should you choose to do so without "starting from scratch" in your natural home.
Mr. PB, I'd be wary of lumping 'the North' together. Even within Yorkshire there are huge differences (the People's Republic of South Yorkshire, Super Blue North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire, which is crammed with red-blue marginals). The north-east is much less favourable to the blues, I gather.
And that's before we cross the Pennines into Mordor.
Apologies, Mr Dancer; it was shorthand for the North East / North West zones, which have produced solid swathes of red for at least a couple of generations, and are probably beyond the Tories reach for the foreseeable future. UKIP, on the other hand....
Agree that Yorkshire & the Midlands is more of a mixed bag.
Mr. Royale, that perplexes me. A New Labour Party would just be a Labour Party without the insanity of Corbyn. What's the appeal for anyone who wouldn't've joined Labour itself under Blair, Brown or Miliband?
Depends how it is formed:
A Centrist party of Cameroons, Blairites and Orange Bookers might attract the likes of TSE, and have a strong appeal to the affluent English middle classes in their 30s and 40s.
A moderate centre-left party probably would not, but might peel off a few of the wetter ardently europhile Tories.
Mr. Senior, beating expectations doesn't mean you can't also have a colossal failure. Didn't Miliband make net gains at his first local elections?
Making net gains in one particular year depends on how the parties did in the equivalent elections 4 years before . To take it to absurdity , if Labour had won every seat 4 years ago and only 99% of them this year it would still be a triumph despite net losses .
Mr. Senior, failing to advance after six years in opposition is not a positive sign.
Mr. Royale, the Bleeding Heart Party?
Mr. PB, np. Sometimes people (such as Owen Jones) have used 'the North' as a broad term when discussing the infantile idiocy of a Northern Assembly/Parliament.
Mr. kle4, it's that same institutionalised division between Scotland and the rest of the UK (via devolution) that some short-sighted people want to inflict by carving England up into rubbish regional parliaments/assemblies.
Mr. Sandpit, hard to pass at Hungary. They make well take a voluntary penalty for a new engine at some tracks, but there's a risk they'd increase a points loss by taking one at the Hungaroring.
Also, I did explicitly say to check the weather forecast as rain (and six laps of tedious trundling) were the only major foreseeable risk of a safety car.
Mmm, need to do so more thinking. It's only Wednesday, by Friday will probably have a better idea of where to bet.
Mr. Royale, that perplexes me. A New Labour Party would just be a Labour Party without the insanity of Corbyn. What's the appeal for anyone who wouldn't've joined Labour itself under Blair, Brown or Miliband?
Depends how it is formed:
A Centrist party of Cameroons, Blairites and Orange Bookers might attract the likes of TSE, and have a strong appeal to the affluent English middle classes in their 30s and 40s.
A moderate centre-left party probably would not, but might peel off a few of the wetter ardently europhile Tories.
I could do a PADI SCUBA renewal where I am now . Nice bright yellow/orange sun here too.
Sorry this comment is so long that I am having to split it into two parts. Brevity was never my strong point. Why use 10 words when 100 will do as always been my motto!
Part one.
People, especially those who are politically aware, just don't get it do they. To understand the support for Corbyn amongst his followers, you have to understand their mindset. You have to ignore the political realities and the rules that shape your thinking as to how politics is played out these days. You also have to acknowledge that the sad truth is that the majority of people in this country are not interested enough in politics to make themselves politically aware.
If the Corbynista's had an anthem, they would be singing the words of John Lennon - "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one". Yes, but they don't live in the real world, I hear you cry. In the real world realistic and tough decisions have to be taken. Compromises have to be made. Well, those on the Corbynista bandwagon are not totally ignorant of that fact. However, they look at the real world that they see the current political machines have created for them and they don't like it. Don't even try to win them over with sensible, in depth arguments as to why we have to live in a world where the difference between the haves and the have nots is widening day by day are useless. Talk to them about the difference between National Debt and Budget Deficits and their eyes will start to glaze over. That is not to say that ALL Corbynista's are political dummies, but a large number are people who are not very politically well educated.
If you subscribe to the idea that large numbers of Corbynista's are Trot's and left wing infiltrators then you will never understand the Corbyn phenomenon. Yes, there may be a small number of Trot's amongst them and yes there may be a left wing plot to take over the Labour Party and both these factions will tap into and take advantage of the political naivety of the bulk of Corbyn's supporters to achieve their aims.
How many times have you heard people say things like - "It doesn't matter which party I vote for, they are all the same", "You cannot trust politicians", "Politicians are only in it for themselves" "You cannot trust politicians" It doesn't matter if it's true or not (although there is evidence to give support to these views), it's their belief that counts.
Along comes Corbyn, he comes across as something different, he appears to be honest and trustworthy. he speaks with passion and the unfairness and injustice that this group of people perceive to be happening. He promises that it doesn't have to be like this, there IS another way. He gives them HOPE!
Part two (if anyoner can still be bothered reading it)
People start hitching their star to his wagon, because they believe in him. Initially they know, deep down, that this is an exercise in futility, he is the rank outsider of the Labour leadership contenders. He is unmercifully crucified in the media to the point of unfairness, in the mind of any reasonable person. But despite all this, against all the odds, the good guy comes through, he overcomes the almost universal criticism of what is seen to be a biased media and the unelectable Mr Corbyn is elected as leader. The bandwagon is rolling, he has achieved cult status.
He has qualities, in the eyes of his followers, that most politicians would give their right arm for. He is a beacon of trust, honesty and integrity. Never mind if you disagree that he has those qualities, or whether he has ulterior motives. The only thing that matters in trying to understand why he has the following he does, is to try and look through the eyes of his believers.
The British people love an underdog, they espouse to British principals of fair play and honesty. When they see the establishment lining up to discredit their Messiah, it only increases their support. They see such attacks as attacks on themselves and their beliefs. When his own MP's plot against him. they see it as betrayal of an honest and good man.
He faces down those who seek to undermine him, citing loyalty to all those that have believed in him and supported him.
Update on my Swiss adventure, I've received an offer for a job there starting early next year (I have a six month notice period). It's substantially more money, but I'd be leaving London. Should I approach my current work place to match terms and seniority or should I just leave?
Do it, sounds like a fantastic opportunity and great experience. Even if only for a couple of years, and then you move back, you won't regret it.
Although Charles is right. Geneva competes with Riyadh for tedium.
Nowhere is as bad as Riyadh for tedium, surely? tens of thousands of both locals and expats there turn up in Bahrain and Dubai every weekend as there's literally nothing to do at home.
That sounds like Geneva to me, a few expats I know go to Nice for weekends from Geneva.
Always founding it intriguing that we call ourselves "ex-pats" when we move somewhere else rather than "immigrants" which is what we are.
Not aimed at you personally by the way, I would go for it and good luck if you do. Would be great experience
People do it because they don't like to think they are the same as the immigrants the UK is full of. It is common here in Spain where I live to moan about UK immigrants while queuing up at the Spanish doctors for free treatment here in Spain!
Update on my Swiss adventure, I've received an offer for a job there starting early next year (I have a six month notice period). It's substantially more money, but I'd be leaving London. Should I approach my current work place to match terms and seniority or should I just leave?
Do it, sounds like a fantastic opportunity and great experience. Even if only for a couple of years, and then you move back, you won't regret it.
Although Charles is right. Geneva competes with Riyadh for tedium.
Nowhere is as bad as Riyadh for tedium, surely? tens of thousands of both locals and expats there turn up in Bahrain and Dubai every weekend as there's literally nothing to do at home.
That sounds like Geneva to me, a few expats I know go to Nice for weekends from Geneva.
Always founding it intriguing that we call ourselves "ex-pats" when we move somewhere else rather than "immigrants" which is what we are.
Not aimed at you personally by the way, I would go for it and good luck if you do. Would be great experience
People do it because they don't like to think they are the same as the immigrants the UK is full of. It is common here in Spain where I live to moan about UK immigrants while queuing up at the Spanish doctors for free treatment here in Spain!
Corbyn doesn't have any policies that will attract enough voters.. its not too far a stretch to say he cannot win. Its just reality.
Corbyn is a disaster. He rebels against his own party's position even when leader (such as Trident) yet complains when others vote against him.
He is incapable of listening and changing his mind. He will take Labour down with him, being irremovable by any means. I do not think he would step down even if leading only 100 MPs in 2020.
I still struggle to get my head around the promoted idea of "mass deselections". We face the prospect of Labour going into the next election with no more than half a government's worth of candidates who have even experience of being an MP, let alone any sort of Governmental experience. Where are these people going to be drawn from?
I know it has been dismissed in many quarters but the rebel PLP should really be grasping the nettle and forming their own group in Parliament and taking on the mantle of the Official opposition.. This is nothing like SDP mark 2 - they wouldn't even need to form a breakaway party. If they are the face of Labour in parliament and in the media, then over time it is their best chance of effectively taking Corbyn out of the game. They just have to put up with the risk of May engineering a General Election.
Bercow won't agree to that. If Labour MPs form some unofficial internal group, they're still part of Labour, Corbyn is still leader of Labour and as such LotO.
Alternatively, if they leave (or are kicked out of) Labour, then SDP2 is precisely what it is.
They would have to leave the Labour party (form an actual new party?) in order to be recognised as the official opposition? I don't really understand the rules around groupings being formed in Parliament. I generally think MPs should be allowed to do what they want once inside Westminster and then face the wrath at the next election.
Yes, they'd have to leave.
The position of LotO is recognised in statute (the Ministers of the Crown Act 1937) and provides a definition:
"Leader of the Opposition" means that member of the House of Commons who is for the time being the leader in that House of the party in opposition to His Majesty's Government having the greatest numerical strength in that House
Note the wording "the leader in that House of the party", not 'of the parliamentary grouping'. As long as Labour MPs remain Labour MPs - no matter how rebellious they might be and how organised those rebellions are - then Corbyn, or whoever the leader might be, is LotO ex officio as leader of the Labour Party.
Mr. G, interesting piece, but he's not the Messiah.
I know that, you know that Mr Dancer. What we know is irrelevant when it comes to understanding why he has the support he does and why it is so unshakeable.
Looking at the employment statistics and this was telling:
There are 2.21m EU workers in the UK, of those 2.146m have chosen not to take up UK citizenship.
vs
3.03m non-EU workers in the UK, of which only 1.192m have decided not to take up UK citizenship.
I think that's why there is a lot of anger at EU immigration that there is less of towards non-EU immigration, again I'm not saying that people look at the ONS figures and then say, oh look at all those EU immigrants refusing to take up UK nationality, it's more like something people feel. Non-EU citizens are here for the long haul, they want to make a life for themselves here and become British, the same isn't true for EU citizens (and I'm sure our lot in Europe!).
Mr. Senior, beating expectations doesn't mean you can't also have a colossal failure. Didn't Miliband make net gains at his first local elections?
Virtually every LotO makes net gains at every local elections.
Actually, I think Labour did reasonably well this year considering their state and the baseline they were campaigning off. However, that had more to do with Tory infighting over the EURef than Labour's own abilities.
Thanks guys, much to mull over. I think I'm going to hand in my notice as soon as I receive the paperwork. I haven't fully decided to leave, but this is a huge opportunity as it is a massive jump in seniority and pay, I'm just not sure I want to move overseas where I'll be starting from scratch in terms of living there.
Max, you're quite young, no kids, right? So go for it - the opportunity to work abroad is a life-enriching experience. You can come back to civilisation in a few years' time.
And if you do move, don't spend your whole time hanging around with ex-pats. Make sure you learn French well (this is Geneva, right?).
Edit: I see it's Zurich. So learn German (but not the local version!) and enjoy the mountains.
Also, remember that you are with a couple of hours' drive of lots of very different and lovely parts of Europe.
I think that's why there is a lot of anger at EU immigration that there is less of towards non-EU immigration, again I'm not saying that people look at the ONS figures and then say, oh look at all those EU immigrants refusing to take up UK nationality, it's more like something people feel. Non-EU citizens are here for the long haul, they want to make a life for themselves here and become British, the same isn't true for EU citizens (and I'm sure our lot in Europe!).
Really? I find that line of reasoning hard to sympathise with. Why would any EU citizen these days want to swap one EU citizenship for another? The whole point is to make it largely irrelevant which passport you hold within the EU.
Non-EU migrants on the other hand have a selfish interest in obtaining an EU passport regardless of their loyalty or lack of it to the UK.
For humour value, these are the current annual interest rates available on two year government debt:
USA 0.698 Portugal 0.640 United Kingdom 0.154 Italy -0.077 Spain -0.161 Japan -0.332 Ireland -0.445 France -0.533 Netherlands -0.577 Germany -0.642 Switzerland -1.137
Thanks guys, much to mull over. I think I'm going to hand in my notice as soon as I receive the paperwork. I haven't fully decided to leave, but this is a huge opportunity as it is a massive jump in seniority and pay, I'm just not sure I want to move overseas where I'll be starting from scratch in terms of living there.
Max, you're quite young, no kids, right? So go for it - the opportunity to work abroad is a life-enriching experience. You can come back to civilisation in a few years' time.
And if you do move, don't spend your whole time hanging around with ex-pats. Make sure you learn French well (this is Geneva, right?).
Part two (if anyoner can still be bothered reading it)
People start hitching their star to his wagon, because they believe in him. Initially they know, deep down, that this is an exercise in futility, he is the rank outsider of the Labour leadership contenders. He is unmercifully crucified in the media to the point of unfairness, in the mind of any reasonable person. But despite all this, against all the odds, the good guy comes through, he overcomes the almost universal criticism of what is seen to be a biased media and the unelectable Mr Corbyn is elected as leader. The bandwagon is rolling, he has achieved cult status.
He has qualities, in the eyes of his followers, that most politicians would give their right arm for. He is a beacon of trust, honesty and integrity. Never mind if you disagree that he has those qualities, or whether he has ulterior motives. The only thing that matters in trying to understand why he has the following he does, is to try and look through the eyes of his believers.
The British people love an underdog, they espouse to British principals of fair play and honesty. When they see the establishment lining up to discredit their Messiah, it only increases their support. They see such attacks as attacks on themselves and their beliefs. When his own MP's plot against him. they see it as betrayal of an honest and good man.
He faces down those who seek to undermine him, citing loyalty to all those that have believed in him and supported him.
Hope has become FAITH.
Both good posts - it's what happened to Nigel - to a lesser degree.
Looking at the employment statistics and this was telling:
There are 2.21m EU workers in the UK, of those 2.146m have chosen not to take up UK citizenship.
vs
3.03m non-EU workers in the UK, of which only 1.192m have decided not to take up UK citizenship.
I think that's why there is a lot of anger at EU immigration that there is less of towards non-EU immigration, again I'm not saying that people look at the ONS figures and then say, oh look at all those EU immigrants refusing to take up UK nationality, it's more like something people feel. Non-EU citizens are here for the long haul, they want to make a life for themselves here and become British, the same isn't true for EU citizens (and I'm sure our lot in Europe!).
EU immigrants in the UK are EU citizens still in the EU. They needed the security of specifically UK Citizenship much less. We'll see how the relative take percentages go now that that's been blown up.
Thanks guys, much to mull over. I think I'm going to hand in my notice as soon as I receive the paperwork. I haven't fully decided to leave, but this is a huge opportunity as it is a massive jump in seniority and pay, I'm just not sure I want to move overseas where I'll be starting from scratch in terms of living there.
Max, you're quite young, no kids, right? So go for it - the opportunity to work abroad is a life-enriching experience. You can come back to civilisation in a few years' time.
And if you do move, don't spend your whole time hanging around with ex-pats. Make sure you learn French well (this is Geneva, right?).
Mr. G, the question is how many of Labour's members are true believers in Corbyn.
Well the recent YouGov poll would say over half of them. That poll excludes those members that signed up in the last 6 months ago and the signs are that the majoirty of those will be Corbynista's, otherwise those that want to depose him would have not gone to such lengths to exclude them from the leadership vote.
Tens of thousands of his supporters have paid the extortionate price of £25 to give him their support in a one off vote. If the Pope himself had asked the British people to donate £25 a head, I am sure he would not have had the response that Corbyn supporters have given.
Those people will not blink when it comes to taking out full membership once their Messiah becomes re-elected leader.
So in answer to your question, I would say probably 60-65% of members overall are true believers and that figure is likely to increase unless his opponents find some way of taking him out of hegame.
George Osborne's swan song - unemployment down to 4.9%, wages up 2.3%. The boy done good.
That was the legacy of the Coalition years, Mr D. Left to himself, Osborne was worse than useless.
George Osborne was CoTE during the ‘Coalition years’ – the foundations were built by him.
George didn't do a bad job as CoE, yes he missed the deficit targets but has generated almost full employment and continuous economic growth for several years. As long as bond rates stay on the floor his legacy will be okay. The savings in welfare are probably more than the additional borrowing would have been.
His successors have shown him up a little though, with the wholesale reform of departments which can lead to considerable savings in the budget.
George's political machinations, on the other hand...
On Ireland: if it becomes very common for the protestant community to take dual UK/Irish nationality in order to have access to EU citizenship, then in the long term that could well lead to a change of self-identity and eventual reunification.
Thanks guys, much to mull over. I think I'm going to hand in my notice as soon as I receive the paperwork. I haven't fully decided to leave, but this is a huge opportunity as it is a massive jump in seniority and pay, I'm just not sure I want to move overseas where I'll be starting from scratch in terms of living there.
Max, you're quite young, no kids, right? So go for it - the opportunity to work abroad is a life-enriching experience. You can come back to civilisation in a few years' time.
And if you do move, don't spend your whole time hanging around with ex-pats. Make sure you learn French well (this is Geneva, right?).
Zurich, so German.
Just out of interest how did you get the offer in the first place? Did you apply for it or you were sought out?
(By the way I'd totally go for it, even if you just do it for 3 or so years, you'll get a better job back here when you return.
Part two (if anyoner can still be bothered reading it)
People start hitching their star to his wagon, because they believe in him. Initially they know, deep down, that this is an exercise in futility, he is the rank outsider of the Labour leadership contenders. He is unmercifully crucified in the media to the point of unfairness, in the mind of any reasonable person. But despite all this, against all the odds, the good guy comes through, he overcomes the almost universal criticism of what is seen to be a biased media and the unelectable Mr Corbyn is elected as leader. The bandwagon is rolling, he has achieved cult status.
He has qualities, in the eyes of his followers, that most politicians would give their right arm for. He is a beacon of trust, honesty and integrity. Never mind if you disagree that he has those qualities, or whether he has ulterior motives. The only thing that matters in trying to understand why he has the following he does, is to try and look through the eyes of his believers.
The British people love an underdog, they espouse to British principals of fair play and honesty. When they see the establishment lining up to discredit their Messiah, it only increases their support. They see such attacks as attacks on themselves and their beliefs. When his own MP's plot against him. they see it as betrayal of an honest and good man.
He faces down those who seek to undermine him, citing loyalty to all those that have believed in him and supported him.
Hope has become FAITH.
All true, but the problem is that there aren't enough of these people to actually win a general election.
And their faith puts off voters that Labour could otherwise attract.
For humour value, these are the current annual interest rates available on two year government debt:
USA 0.698 Portugal 0.640 United Kingdom 0.154 Italy -0.077 Spain -0.161 Japan -0.332 Ireland -0.445 France -0.533 Netherlands -0.577 Germany -0.642 Switzerland -1.137
LOL! Who's buying those who doesn't have to hold Government debt?
Mr. G, interesting piece, but he's not the Messiah.
I know that, you know that Mr Dancer. What we know is irrelevant when it comes to understanding why he has the support he does and why it is so unshakeable.
Could it just be that unlike you some people like him and his ideas. Nothing as pompous as someone who thinks they are superior and know better than everyone else. People have differing views , they are not all right wingnuts.
Looking at the employment statistics and this was telling:
There are 2.21m EU workers in the UK, of those 2.146m have chosen not to take up UK citizenship.
vs
3.03m non-EU workers in the UK, of which only 1.192m have decided not to take up UK citizenship.
I think that's why there is a lot of anger at EU immigration that there is less of towards non-EU immigration, again I'm not saying that people look at the ONS figures and then say, oh look at all those EU immigrants refusing to take up UK nationality, it's more like something people feel. Non-EU citizens are here for the long haul, they want to make a life for themselves here and become British, the same isn't true for EU citizens (and I'm sure our lot in Europe!).
But a very large proportion of those people aren't planning on staying: Ana from Spain who's serving you in Starbucks is here because (a) London is exciting, and (b) the job prospects were shit when she graduated. Realistically, with the Spanish job market dramatically improving, unless she meets a nice English boy, she'll be heading back in twelve months when living three to a room in Camberwell loses its appeal.
Now, you can say that this isn't immigration we wish to encourage (and that's fine), but it is also immigration that will naturally fall away. It will be harder to come to the UK, and most Anas will head back home.
This is why I suspect that EU immigration is likely to turn negative in the next couple of years. It'll be harder to come here, and many people were going to go home anyway.
BudG - I agree about Corbyn's supporters, most of them are not Trots. I think a lot of the younger ones find him appealing on the basis of values not ideology and they like his apparent sincerity and ordinariness. However some of the more organised and experienced of his backers strike me as more cynical and machiavellian.
Looking at the employment statistics and this was telling:
There are 2.21m EU workers in the UK, of those 2.146m have chosen not to take up UK citizenship.
vs
3.03m non-EU workers in the UK, of which only 1.192m have decided not to take up UK citizenship.
I think that's why there is a lot of anger at EU immigration that there is less of towards non-EU immigration, again I'm not saying that people look at the ONS figures and then say, oh look at all those EU immigrants refusing to take up UK nationality, it's more like something people feel. Non-EU citizens are here for the long haul, they want to make a life for themselves here and become British, the same isn't true for EU citizens (and I'm sure our lot in Europe!).
Edit to add: most people I know are more upset about Mohammed from Bangladesh who doesn't have a job (but does have a UK passport) than Ana from Madrid.
On Ireland: if it becomes very common for the protestant community to take dual UK/Irish nationality in order to have access to EU citizenship, then in the long term that could well lead to a change of self-identity and eventual reunification.
Yup
The PB idiots have torn up the UK.
"patriots" who couldn't give a damn about the union.
Mr. G, interesting piece, but he's not the Messiah.
I know that, you know that Mr Dancer. What we know is irrelevant when it comes to understanding why he has the support he does and why it is so unshakeable.
Could it just be that unlike you some people like him and his ideas. Nothing as pompous as someone who thinks they are superior and know better than everyone else. People have differing views , they are not all right wingnuts.
Thus showing, perhaps, that you know better than 'right wingnuts'?
Edit to add: most people I know are more upset about Mohammed from Bangladesh who doesn't have a job (but does have a UK passport) than Ana from Madrid.
Edit to add: most people I know are more upset about Mohammed from Bangladesh who doesn't have a job (but does have a UK passport) than Ana from Madrid.
<SeanT mode>
Especially if Ana is HOT!
</SeanT mode>
I have it on good authority that Ana turned down SeanT's advances.
Mr. Pong, if parts of the UK value the EU more than the UK, who is 'tearing it apart'?
And why is it acceptable for the English and Welsh to be forced to persist in the EU, with power and sovereignty being continually leeched away to the unelected and unaccountable?
For humour value, these are the current annual interest rates available on two year government debt:
USA 0.698 Portugal 0.640 United Kingdom 0.154 Italy -0.077 Spain -0.161 Japan -0.332 Ireland -0.445 France -0.533 Netherlands -0.577 Germany -0.642 Switzerland -1.137
LOL! Who's buying those who doesn't have to hold Government debt?
The Swiss cantons askedfor tax payments to be delayed for as long as possible iirc. They are obligated to hold federal debt which is an exercise in value destruction at the moment.
On Ireland: if it becomes very common for the protestant community to take dual UK/Irish nationality in order to have access to EU citizenship, then in the long term that could well lead to a change of self-identity and eventual reunification.
Yup
The PB idiots have torn up the UK.
"patriots" who couldn't give a damn about the union.
The Union with scotland was already on the way out, now its faster than expected - there's still hope for Wales and NI though.
Thanks guys, much to mull over. I think I'm going to hand in my notice as soon as I receive the paperwork. I haven't fully decided to leave, but this is a huge opportunity as it is a massive jump in seniority and pay, I'm just not sure I want to move overseas where I'll be starting from scratch in terms of living there.
Max, you're quite young, no kids, right? So go for it - the opportunity to work abroad is a life-enriching experience. You can come back to civilisation in a few years' time.
And if you do move, don't spend your whole time hanging around with ex-pats. Make sure you learn French well (this is Geneva, right?).
Zurich, so German.
Just out of interest how did you get the offer in the first place? Did you apply for it or you were sought out?
(By the way I'd totally go for it, even if you just do it for 3 or so years, you'll get a better job back here when you return.
Basically I just applied. Sent along some supporting work I've done independently.
George W Bush has reportedly told a private meeting of donors he fears 'he may be the last Republican president. ' I expect Tony Blair now fears he may be the last Labour PM, as Ken Clarke said last night the party membership has been taken over by 60s style leftwing radicals who are only willing to bid for power on their own terms. Smith v Corbyn will be a rerun of Kinnock v Benn in 1988, only this time the Bennite is favourite
For humour value, these are the current annual interest rates available on two year government debt:
USA 0.698 Portugal 0.640 United Kingdom 0.154 Italy -0.077 Spain -0.161 Japan -0.332 Ireland -0.445 France -0.533 Netherlands -0.577 Germany -0.642 Switzerland -1.137
LOL! Who's buying those who doesn't have to hold Government debt?
The Swiss cantons askedfor tax payments to be delayed for as long as possible iirc. They are obligated to hold federal debt which is an exercise in value destruction at the moment.
Edit to add: most people I know are more upset about Mohammed from Bangladesh who doesn't have a job (but does have a UK passport) than Ana from Madrid.
<SeanT mode>
Especially if Ana is HOT!
</SeanT mode>
I have it on good authority that Ana turned down SeanT's advances.
Does that ever happen? Which young Spanish Batista would turn down the advanced of a millionaire author and travel writer?
For humour value, these are the current annual interest rates available on two year government debt:
USA 0.698 Portugal 0.640 United Kingdom 0.154 Italy -0.077 Spain -0.161 Japan -0.332 Ireland -0.445 France -0.533 Netherlands -0.577 Germany -0.642 Switzerland -1.137
LOL! Who's buying those who doesn't have to hold Government debt?
For humour value, these are the current annual interest rates available on two year government debt:
USA 0.698 Portugal 0.640 United Kingdom 0.154 Italy -0.077 Spain -0.161 Japan -0.332 Ireland -0.445 France -0.533 Netherlands -0.577 Germany -0.642 Switzerland -1.137
LOL! Who's buying those who doesn't have to hold Government debt?
The Swiss cantons askedfor tax payments to be delayed for as long as possible iirc. They are obligated to hold federal debt which is an exercise in value destruction at the moment.
They could invest it all in Toblerone, then store it in some deep cave, preventing exports and cornering the market, then releasing it gradually at Christmas.
For humour value, these are the current annual interest rates available on two year government debt:
USA 0.698 Portugal 0.640 United Kingdom 0.154 Italy -0.077 Spain -0.161 Japan -0.332 Ireland -0.445 France -0.533 Netherlands -0.577 Germany -0.642 Switzerland -1.137
LOL! Who's buying those who doesn't have to hold Government debt?
The Swiss cantons askedfor tax payments to be delayed for as long as possible iirc. They are obligated to hold federal debt which is an exercise in value destruction at the moment.
In 2012, Irish government interest payments as a percent of revenues were 11.2%. They must be below 5% now as debt has sunk, revenues have risen, and refinancing cuts interest rates from 12% to 0%.
Two years from now, they'll probably be sub 3%. An extraordinary reduction.
George W Bush has reportedly told a private meeting of donors he fears 'he may be the last Republican president. ' I expect Tony Blair now fears he may be the last Labour PM, as Ken Clarke said last night the party membership has been taken over by 60s style leftwing radicals who are only willing to bid for power on their own terms. Smith v Corbyn will be a rerun of Kinnock v Benn in 1988, only this time the Bennite is favourite
I know we'd all like to repress it, but Gordon Brown was also a Labour Prime Minister, after Blair
Looking at the employment statistics and this was telling:
There are 2.21m EU workers in the UK, of those 2.146m have chosen not to take up UK citizenship.
vs
3.03m non-EU workers in the UK, of which only 1.192m have decided not to take up UK citizenship.
I think that's why there is a lot of anger at EU immigration that there is less of towards non-EU immigration, again I'm not saying that people look at the ONS figures and then say, oh look at all those EU immigrants refusing to take up UK nationality, it's more like something people feel. Non-EU citizens are here for the long haul, they want to make a life for themselves here and become British, the same isn't true for EU citizens (and I'm sure our lot in Europe!).
But a very large proportion of those people aren't planning on staying: Ana from Spain who's serving you in Starbucks is here because (a) London is exciting, and (b) the job prospects were shit when she graduated. Realistically, with the Spanish job market dramatically improving, unless she meets a nice English boy, she'll be heading back in twelve months when living three to a room in Camberwell loses its appeal.
Now, you can say that this isn't immigration we wish to encourage (and that's fine), but it is also immigration that will naturally fall away. It will be harder to come to the UK, and most Anas will head back home.
This is why I suspect that EU immigration is likely to turn negative in the next couple of years. It'll be harder to come here, and many people were going to go home anyway.
But that's my point, non-EU citizens come here to settle down and EU citizens don't tend to. Agreed on the latter point about unemployed Mohammeds and Yusufs, but that is a legacy of the 70s.
For humour value, these are the current annual interest rates available on two year government debt:
USA 0.698 Portugal 0.640 United Kingdom 0.154 Italy -0.077 Spain -0.161 Japan -0.332 Ireland -0.445 France -0.533 Netherlands -0.577 Germany -0.642 Switzerland -1.137
LOL! Who's buying those who doesn't have to hold Government debt?
there are $7 Tn invested, so a guaranteed loss of roughly $20 Bn or so assuming a weighted avg yield of roughly -0.3%.
The USA bond would have been a good one to hold pre Brexit mind.
It's worth remembering that most of those bonds were bought when yields were positive. So, most investors are still receiving a stream of coupon payments. Prices - after all - are set at the margin.
All true, but the problem is that there aren't enough of these people to actually win a general election.
And their faith puts off voters that Labour could otherwise attract.
There you go again, being realistic!!
The thing with all faiths of all denominations is that they beieve so strongly that think they can convert others to their way of thinking. To be fair, I think to SOME extent Corbynista's are right, in that when it comes to the crunch of a GE, Labour would buck the trend of always beign overestimated in polls as those less aware of less interested in the finer points of the political debate will give their vote to someone who they think they can trust and comes across as honest. How long is it since the public had a chance to vote for a leader who they genuinely thought to be honest and straight?
There is also the belief that if he can do better than widely anticipated in the local elections, with a lot of his own MP's carping from the sidelines and undermining him, how much more succesful would he be if he actually had the support of his MP's? (Never mind the mechanics of how that would actually happen or how long it would take with de-selections etc. That doesn't enter the Corbynista equation of thinking)
My friends from Northern Ireland are able to have their cake and eat it. One of them might even be eligible/possess Hong Kong citizenship too, to complete the trifecta.
Mind you I suppose you're due a pass if you or your parents are from say Belfast.
For humour value, these are the current annual interest rates available on two year government debt:
USA 0.698 Portugal 0.640 United Kingdom 0.154 Italy -0.077 Spain -0.161 Japan -0.332 Ireland -0.445 France -0.533 Netherlands -0.577 Germany -0.642 Switzerland -1.137
LOL! Who's buying those who doesn't have to hold Government debt?
The Swiss cantons askedfor tax payments to be delayed for as long as possible iirc. They are obligated to hold federal debt which is an exercise in value destruction at the moment.
Yes, so the only people buying these bonds are those who have no choice in the matter.
I project I'm working on right now is offering 10% dividends quarterly to investors, but I guess we have more chance of messing up than the Swiss federal government! One lucky investor did so (in US$) a month ago. He's made a bonus 10% on his Sterling returns!
For humour value, these are the current annual interest rates available on two year government debt:
USA 0.698 Portugal 0.640 United Kingdom 0.154 Italy -0.077 Spain -0.161 Japan -0.332 Ireland -0.445 France -0.533 Netherlands -0.577 Germany -0.642 Switzerland -1.137
LOL! Who's buying those who doesn't have to hold Government debt?
The Swiss cantons askedfor tax payments to be delayed for as long as possible iirc. They are obligated to hold federal debt which is an exercise in value destruction at the moment.
They could invest it all in Toblerone, then store it in some deep cave, preventing exports and cornering the market, then releasing it gradually at Christmas.
And only sell the giant variety air-side to encourage tourism. Crushed Toblerone with vanilla ice cream is very nice.
Thanks guys, much to mull over. I think I'm going to hand in my notice as soon as I receive the paperwork. I haven't fully decided to leave, but this is a huge opportunity as it is a massive jump in seniority and pay, I'm just not sure I want to move overseas where I'll be starting from scratch in terms of living there.
Max, you're quite young, no kids, right? So go for it - the opportunity to work abroad is a life-enriching experience. You can come back to civilisation in a few years' time.
And if you do move, don't spend your whole time hanging around with ex-pats. Make sure you learn French well (this is Geneva, right?).
Zurich, so German.
Quite agree, living abroad is the most life-enhancing experience. Even if you don't like it after a few years, you at least have a more positive view of the UK to return too and you realise why you like the country of your birth. Try it.
George W Bush has reportedly told a private meeting of donors he fears 'he may be the last Republican president. ' I expect Tony Blair now fears he may be the last Labour PM, as Ken Clarke said last night the party membership has been taken over by 60s style leftwing radicals who are only willing to bid for power on their own terms. Smith v Corbyn will be a rerun of Kinnock v Benn in 1988, only this time the Bennite is favourite
I know we'd all like to repress it, but Gordon Brown was also a Labour Prime Minister, after Blair
Well he held the title - but did he ever really act like PM?
I see Owen Smith has blamed bullying at the BBC for his decision to call 999; what kind of idiocy can we expect from him once the Corbyn Cult get started?
Looking at the employment statistics and this was telling:
There are 2.21m EU workers in the UK, of those 2.146m have chosen not to take up UK citizenship.
vs
3.03m non-EU workers in the UK, of which only 1.192m have decided not to take up UK citizenship.
I think that's why there is a lot of anger at EU immigration that there is less of towards non-EU immigration, again I'm not saying that people look at the ONS figures and then say, oh look at all those EU immigrants refusing to take up UK nationality, it's more like something people feel. Non-EU citizens are here for the long haul, they want to make a life for themselves here and become British, the same isn't true for EU citizens (and I'm sure our lot in Europe!).
But a very large proportion of those people aren't planning on staying: Ana from Spain who's serving you in Starbucks is here because (a) London is exciting, and (b) the job prospects were shit when she graduated. Realistically, with the Spanish job market dramatically improving, unless she meets a nice English boy, she'll be heading back in twelve months when living three to a room in Camberwell loses its appeal.
Now, you can say that this isn't immigration we wish to encourage (and that's fine), but it is also immigration that will naturally fall away. It will be harder to come to the UK, and most Anas will head back home.
This is why I suspect that EU immigration is likely to turn negative in the next couple of years. It'll be harder to come here, and many people were going to go home anyway.
But that's my point, non-EU citizens come here to settle down and EU citizens don't tend to.
The figures for citizenship take up don't tell you anything useful about this as in recent decades there's been no reason (other than voting in GEs) to apply for a British passport, even if you plan to 'settle down'.
Looking at the employment statistics and this was telling:
There are 2.21m EU workers in the UK, of those 2.146m have chosen not to take up UK citizenship.
vs
3.03m non-EU workers in the UK, of which only 1.192m have decided not to take up UK citizenship.
I think that's why there is a lot of anger at EU immigration that there is less of towards non-EU immigration, again I'm not saying that people look at the ONS figures and then say, oh look at all those EU immigrants refusing to take up UK nationality, it's more like something people feel. Non-EU citizens are here for the long haul, they want to make a life for themselves here and become British, the same isn't true for EU citizens (and I'm sure our lot in Europe!).
But a very large proportion of those people aren't planning on staying: Ana from Spain who's serving you in Starbucks is here because (a) London is exciting, and (b) the job prospects were shit when she graduated. Realistically, with the Spanish job market dramatically improving, unless she meets a nice English boy, she'll be heading back in twelve months when living three to a room in Camberwell loses its appeal.
Now, you can say that this isn't immigration we wish to encourage (and that's fine), but it is also immigration that will naturally fall away. It will be harder to come to the UK, and most Anas will head back home.
This is why I suspect that EU immigration is likely to turn negative in the next couple of years. It'll be harder to come here, and many people were going to go home anyway.
But that's my point, non-EU citizens come here to settle down and EU citizens don't tend to. Agreed on the latter point about unemployed Mohammeds and Yusufs, but that is a legacy of the 70s.
I guess my point is that a lot of the EU migration is simply a version of the working holiday visas we've always given Australians and New Zealanders. And I simply don't see much hostility towards it compared to immigration from Pakistan.
And don't underestimate how much immigration has increased from these places. In 2004, there were around 280,000 people in the UK who were born in Pakistan. That rose to almost 550,000 a decade later. While the numbers are smaller, the number of people born in Nigeria also doubled.
For humour value, these are the current annual interest rates available on two year government debt:
USA 0.698 Portugal 0.640 United Kingdom 0.154 Italy -0.077 Spain -0.161 Japan -0.332 Ireland -0.445 France -0.533 Netherlands -0.577 Germany -0.642 Switzerland -1.137
LOL! Who's buying those who doesn't have to hold Government debt?
The Swiss cantons askedfor tax payments to be delayed for as long as possible iirc. They are obligated to hold federal debt which is an exercise in value destruction at the moment.
They could invest it all in Toblerone, then store it in some deep cave, preventing exports and cornering the market, then releasing it gradually at Christmas.
And only sell the giant variety air-side to encourage tourism. Crushed Toblerone with vanilla ice cream is very nice.
The problem here is that Hershey's make and sell licensed Cadbury and Toblerone badged product, among others. I need to go to the British Store in Duluth to get the real thing - with Toblerone at prices Swiss cantons would salivate at. I also go there to get my Maynards Wine Gums....
Thanks guys, much to mull over. I think I'm going to hand in my notice as soon as I receive the paperwork. I haven't fully decided to leave, but this is a huge opportunity as it is a massive jump in seniority and pay, I'm just not sure I want to move overseas where I'll be starting from scratch in terms of living there.
Max, you're quite young, no kids, right? So go for it - the opportunity to work abroad is a life-enriching experience. You can come back to civilisation in a few years' time.
And if you do move, don't spend your whole time hanging around with ex-pats. Make sure you learn French well (this is Geneva, right?).
Zurich, so German.
So no comedy clubs then?
Working with Germans I can assure you they take their comedy very seriously.......
For humour value, these are the current annual interest rates available on two year government debt:
USA 0.698 Portugal 0.640 United Kingdom 0.154 Italy -0.077 Spain -0.161 Japan -0.332 Ireland -0.445 France -0.533 Netherlands -0.577 Germany -0.642 Switzerland -1.137
LOL! Who's buying those who doesn't have to hold Government debt?
The Swiss cantons askedfor tax payments to be delayed for as long as possible iirc. They are obligated to hold federal debt which is an exercise in value destruction at the moment.
Yes, so the only people buying these bonds are those who have no choice in the matter.
I project I'm working on right now is offering 10% dividends quarterly to investors, but I guess we have more chance of messing up than the Swiss federal government! One lucky investor did so (in US$) a month ago. He's made a bonus 10% on his Sterling returns!
You're working on a scheme providing a 46.41% AER, or have I misunderstood. Or 10% PA with 2.4% paid out quarterly ?
Silencing bigots does nothing to stop bigotry, if anything it just stops them being challenged. Social media shouldn't be banning the most vilest of figures.
Thanks guys, much to mull over. I think I'm going to hand in my notice as soon as I receive the paperwork. I haven't fully decided to leave, but this is a huge opportunity as it is a massive jump in seniority and pay, I'm just not sure I want to move overseas where I'll be starting from scratch in terms of living there.
Max, you're quite young, no kids, right? So go for it - the opportunity to work abroad is a life-enriching experience. You can come back to civilisation in a few years' time.
And if you do move, don't spend your whole time hanging around with ex-pats. Make sure you learn French well (this is Geneva, right?).
Zurich, so German.
So no comedy clubs then?
Working with Germans I can assure you they take their comedy very seriously.......
For humour value, these are the current annual interest rates available on two year government debt:
USA 0.698 Portugal 0.640 United Kingdom 0.154 Italy -0.077 Spain -0.161 Japan -0.332 Ireland -0.445 France -0.533 Netherlands -0.577 Germany -0.642 Switzerland -1.137
LOL! Who's buying those who doesn't have to hold Government debt?
The Swiss cantons askedfor tax payments to be delayed for as long as possible iirc. They are obligated to hold federal debt which is an exercise in value destruction at the moment.
They could invest it all in Toblerone, then store it in some deep cave, preventing exports and cornering the market, then releasing it gradually at Christmas.
And only sell the giant variety air-side to encourage tourism. Crushed Toblerone with vanilla ice cream is very nice.
The problem here is that Hershey's make and sell licensed Cadbury and Toblerone badged product, among others. I need to go to the British Store in Duluth to get the real thing - with Toblerone at prices Swiss cantons would salivate at. I also go there to get my Maynards Wine Gums....
Urgh. Hershey's is horrible. I tried it once and dumped the rest in the bin.
Comments
What's more, as an employer I would be very pissed off if an employee used a job offer as a bargaining chip. It's not a negotiation I'd ever get into. If they want you enough they'll make an offer to keep you anyway.
Betfair hasn't changed much, Rosberg at 4.7, RBs at 8 and the red cars nowhere. Alonso and Button at 3.15 for the top six finish might also be good given the weather forecast.
Also, if it's wet expect the risk-free Charlie to want to do five laps slowly at the start behind Mr Maylander and his slow Mercedes. That's a contradiction to your earlier suggestion.
https://www.betfair.com/exchange/#/motor-sport/event/27851131/market?marketId=1.125558878
.... Muppets.
Whether you support the union or independence, that's an epic level of failure.
Staggering.
Also, I did explicitly say to check the weather forecast as rain (and six laps of tedious trundling) were the only major foreseeable risk of a safety car.
As the only unionists left, I wish SCon well, but even some of them seem lukewarm, and they gave a hell of a job on their hands.
Good luck which ever way you choose.
Agree that Yorkshire & the Midlands is more of a mixed bag.
A Centrist party of Cameroons, Blairites and Orange Bookers might attract the likes of TSE, and have a strong appeal to the affluent English middle classes in their 30s and 40s.
A moderate centre-left party probably would not, but might peel off a few of the wetter ardently europhile Tories.
Mr. Royale, the Bleeding Heart Party?
Mr. PB, np. Sometimes people (such as Owen Jones) have used 'the North' as a broad term when discussing the infantile idiocy of a Northern Assembly/Parliament.
Mr. kle4, it's that same institutionalised division between Scotland and the rest of the UK (via devolution) that some short-sighted people want to inflict by carving England up into rubbish regional parliaments/assemblies.
Part one.
People, especially those who are politically aware, just don't get it do they. To understand the support for Corbyn amongst his followers, you have to understand their mindset. You have to ignore the political realities and the rules that shape your thinking as to how politics is played out these days. You also have to acknowledge that the sad truth is that the majority of people in this country are not interested enough in politics to make themselves politically aware.
If the Corbynista's had an anthem, they would be singing the words of John Lennon - "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one". Yes, but they don't live in the real world, I hear you cry. In the real world realistic and tough decisions have to be taken. Compromises have to be made. Well, those on the Corbynista bandwagon are not totally ignorant of that fact. However, they look at the real world that they see the current political machines have created for them and they don't like it. Don't even try to win them over with sensible, in depth arguments as to why we have to live in a world where the difference between the haves and the have nots is widening day by day are useless. Talk to them about the difference between National Debt and Budget Deficits and their eyes will start to glaze over. That is not to say that ALL Corbynista's are political dummies, but a large number are people who are not very politically well educated.
If you subscribe to the idea that large numbers of Corbynista's are Trot's and left wing infiltrators then you will never understand the Corbyn phenomenon. Yes, there may be a small number of Trot's amongst them and yes there may be a left wing plot to take over the Labour Party and both these factions will tap into and take advantage of the political naivety of the bulk of Corbyn's supporters to achieve their aims.
How many times have you heard people say things like - "It doesn't matter which party I vote for, they are all the same", "You cannot trust politicians", "Politicians are only in it for themselves" "You cannot trust politicians" It doesn't matter if it's true or not (although there is evidence to give support to these views), it's their belief that counts.
Along comes Corbyn, he comes across as something different, he appears to be honest and trustworthy. he speaks with passion and the unfairness and injustice that this group of people perceive to be happening. He promises that it doesn't have to be like this, there IS another way. He gives them HOPE!
People start hitching their star to his wagon, because they believe in him. Initially they know, deep down, that this is an exercise in futility, he is the rank outsider of the Labour leadership contenders. He is unmercifully crucified in the media to the point of unfairness, in the mind of any reasonable person. But despite all this, against all the odds, the good guy comes through, he overcomes the almost universal criticism of what is seen to be a biased media and the unelectable Mr Corbyn is elected as leader. The bandwagon is rolling, he has achieved cult status.
He has qualities, in the eyes of his followers, that most politicians would give their right arm for. He is a beacon of trust, honesty and integrity. Never mind if you disagree that he has those qualities, or whether he has ulterior motives. The only thing that matters in trying to understand why he has the following he does, is to try and look through the eyes of his believers.
The British people love an underdog, they espouse to British principals of fair play and honesty. When they see the establishment lining up to discredit their Messiah, it only increases their support. They see such attacks as attacks on themselves and their beliefs. When his own MP's plot against him. they see it as betrayal of an honest and good man.
He faces down those who seek to undermine him, citing loyalty to all those that have believed in him and supported him.
Hope has become FAITH.
The position of LotO is recognised in statute (the Ministers of the Crown Act 1937) and provides a definition:
"Leader of the Opposition" means that member of the House of Commons who is for the time being the leader in that House of the party in opposition to His Majesty's Government having the greatest numerical strength in that House
Note the wording "the leader in that House of the party", not 'of the parliamentary grouping'. As long as Labour MPs remain Labour MPs - no matter how rebellious they might be and how organised those rebellions are - then Corbyn, or whoever the leader might be, is LotO ex officio as leader of the Labour Party.
There are 2.21m EU workers in the UK, of those 2.146m have chosen not to take up UK citizenship.
vs
3.03m non-EU workers in the UK, of which only 1.192m have decided not to take up UK citizenship.
I think that's why there is a lot of anger at EU immigration that there is less of towards non-EU immigration, again I'm not saying that people look at the ONS figures and then say, oh look at all those EU immigrants refusing to take up UK nationality, it's more like something people feel. Non-EU citizens are here for the long haul, they want to make a life for themselves here and become British, the same isn't true for EU citizens (and I'm sure our lot in Europe!).
Actually, I think Labour did reasonably well this year considering their state and the baseline they were campaigning off. However, that had more to do with Tory infighting over the EURef than Labour's own abilities.
And if you do move, don't spend your whole time hanging around with ex-pats. Make sure you learn French well (this is Geneva, right?).
Edit: I see it's Zurich. So learn German (but not the local version!) and enjoy the mountains.
Also, remember that you are with a couple of hours' drive of lots of very different and lovely parts of Europe.
Non-EU migrants on the other hand have a selfish interest in obtaining an EU passport regardless of their loyalty or lack of it to the UK.
Tens of thousands of his supporters have paid the extortionate price of £25 to give him their support in a one off vote. If the Pope himself had asked the British people to donate £25 a head, I am sure he would not have had the response that Corbyn supporters have given.
Those people will not blink when it comes to taking out full membership once their Messiah becomes re-elected leader.
So in answer to your question, I would say probably 60-65% of members overall are true believers and that figure is likely to increase unless his opponents find some way of taking him out of hegame.
His successors have shown him up a little though, with the wholesale reform of departments which can lead to considerable savings in the budget.
George's political machinations, on the other hand...
(By the way I'd totally go for it, even if you just do it for 3 or so years, you'll get a better job back here when you return.
And their faith puts off voters that Labour could otherwise attract.
Now, you can say that this isn't immigration we wish to encourage (and that's fine), but it is also immigration that will naturally fall away. It will be harder to come to the UK, and most Anas will head back home.
This is why I suspect that EU immigration is likely to turn negative in the next couple of years. It'll be harder to come here, and many people were going to go home anyway.
https://twitter.com/Stewart4Pboro/status/755689454627676161
The PB idiots have torn up the UK.
"patriots" who couldn't give a damn about the union.
Especially if Ana is HOT!
</SeanT mode>
And why is it acceptable for the English and Welsh to be forced to persist in the EU, with power and sovereignty being continually leeched away to the unelected and unaccountable?
Obliged!
According to
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/312f0a8c-0094-11e6-ac98-3c15a1aa2e62.html#axzz4EwFSGj4D
there are $7 Tn invested, so a guaranteed loss of roughly $20 Bn or so assuming a weighted avg yield of roughly -0.3%.
The USA bond would have been a good one to hold pre Brexit mind.
Two years from now, they'll probably be sub 3%. An extraordinary reduction.
The thing with all faiths of all denominations is that they beieve so strongly that think they can convert others to their way of thinking. To be fair, I think to SOME extent Corbynista's are right, in that when it comes to the crunch of a GE, Labour would buck the trend of always beign overestimated in polls as those less aware of less interested in the finer points of the political debate will give their vote to someone who they think they can trust and comes across as honest. How long is it since the public had a chance to vote for a leader who they genuinely thought to be honest and straight?
There is also the belief that if he can do better than widely anticipated in the local elections, with a lot of his own MP's carping from the sidelines and undermining him, how much more succesful would he be if he actually had the support of his MP's? (Never mind the mechanics of how that would actually happen or how long it would take with de-selections etc. That doesn't enter the Corbynista equation of thinking)
Mind you I suppose you're due a pass if you or your parents are from say Belfast.
I project I'm working on right now is offering 10% dividends quarterly to investors, but I guess we have more chance of messing up than the Swiss federal government! One lucky investor did so (in US$) a month ago. He's made a bonus 10% on his Sterling returns!
Should be interesting.
Just give him a Bat-phone.
And don't underestimate how much immigration has increased from these places. In 2004, there were around 280,000 people in the UK who were born in Pakistan. That rose to almost 550,000 a decade later. While the numbers are smaller, the number of people born in Nigeria also doubled.
Milo Yiannopoulos, rightwing writer, permanently banned from Twitter
Breitbart writer, who tweeted as @Nero, handed permanent suspension after claims he fanned flames of social media attack on Ghostbusters’ Leslie Jones
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/20/milo-yiannopoulos-nero-permanently-banned-twitter?CMP=twt_gu
I don't think Mrs May has David Cameron's flair and polish for PMQs.