You know, it is all very well suddenly for the English to embrace a Scottish win. Speaking of Dunblane, an Englishman would roughly know where Guildford, Stoke or Harrogate is on a map. Ask him/her where Dunblane is, I am not sure what percentage will give the correct answer. How many knows where is Montrose or Moray ? The level of knowledge in England about Scotland is actually quite limited.
A person's lack of geographical knowledge doesn't stop them relating to events reported in England Wales & Scotland as "here, at home". It may be that lesser emotional involvement is felt about Northern Ireland, but that is literally over the water.
Ah, something I have first hand knowledge of. I worked in London for a few months in the late 90s and was asked by a couple of my new colleagues where I came from. The answer Birmingham was greeted by puzzled looks and the question "Is that near to Liverpool?" Apparently their only visit north of "the Watford Gap" was a holiday in the Isle of Mann, hence knowing the existence of Liverpool and nowt else. Sadly my geography of the South Bank wasn't enhanced by them either as they lived on the North side and couldn't tell me what lay South of the Thames. Whilst that might sound extreme my experience says that the further South you live the less interest there is in knowing what happens elsewhere in the country.
As for Dunblane and Montrose I've been to both so I know where they are. I couldn't place Moray Firth until I googled it and saw it included Elgin which I have also visited so I'll take a black mark for not knowing that one.
As for Murray, absolutely brilliant. For a change his opponent wilted under the pressure and I think he will deservedly become World No.1 in a few months time. It's been a wonderful Wimbledon. The progress Laura Robson made suggests we may, in a couple of years, have both singles Champions. I don't discriminate between those wearing the English, Welsh, Scot or Northern Irish flag when it comes to thinking of them as British and wanting them to win. Anyone looking at this as a Scottish victory, rather than a British one, is welcome to do so and I have no problem with their FM wanting to wave or show their flag. I'd have done exactly the same in his position.
@Tim There are indeed 2 parts to it - Further restrictions to immigration that doesn't benefit Britain. - Easier immigration for selected specialist. But it can't be interpreted as you originally interpreted it. I'm sure you will want to issue a brief and dignified apology for wrongly (Surely from carelesness rather than an attempt to mislead) reporting it falsely.
It makes a change from the anti-Eu dullards grouped around UKIP and the right of the Tory party to hear a BOO'er arguing the position that our ageing population requires higher immigration.
However you look at it it's certainly opposed to Cameron's simplistic net migration numbers game.
putting a stop to unskilled migrants from wherever, and a system of quotas for highly skilled migrants seems pretty much what I have been advocating here, and you have opposed. It is clear from the figures which groups are unlikely to be workers, and which will be a net burden on the state.
Fox did not mention numbers, but did mention restrictions on the unskilled. Sounds pretty in line with Tory policy, and not an open door policy of hundreds and thousands per year as under Labour.
But I am glad that you are coming round to a more selective policy. The sinner doth repent!
Andy Murray Wins Wimbeldon and Donates £1.6m winnings to Royal Marsden Cancer Charity Andy Murray donating his £1.6m winnings to cancer research Andy Murray's first Wimbledon title has been hailed by the Queen, the Prime Minister as well as stars of sport and showbusiness.'
Scots are entitled to claim Murrays win, I can't help feeling that saying 77 years of pain is over because a Scottish bloke won it is a bit hollow (if it were pain at all, we hardly had any near misses!)
"Hodges is a columnist who has to regularly write a certain number of words on a topical subject. As SeanT is showing...
And it works admirably for Hodges; we talk endlessly about him on here, and he gets more publicity thanks to us.
Although the errors make for good fun for the rest of us anoraks"
Very kind of you. And your comments about Hodges are astute.
I have sincere professional admiration for Hodges. The niche he works in - centre-lefty who disapproves of Ed who writes for "Tory" paper - is incredibly small, allowing him little freedom to maneuver. Yet, so far, he has managed to conjure up provocative and interesting articles, week in week out, for several years, and has become a pretty influential commenter, in so doing.
I admire Polly Toynbee, Matthew Parris and Richard Littlejohn for the same reason. You may - or may not - despise the person and/or their opinions. But the craftsmanship is undeniable.
Hodges is an idiot ! Period !! He is only taken seriously by low intellect Tories because he writes anti Labour. And, don't go on about who his mother is....
Hodges deeply, deeply irritates lefties like you. As we see here.
He also has significant influence: e.g. Falkirk and the Unite/funding scandal. This has exploded partly because of the nagging persistence of Blairites like him, who want to break the union link. Strangely enough, Hodges's position at the Telegraph gives him leverage over Labour's internal party politics that he would not achieve if he wrote for the Guardian, because the Guardian would not allow him to be so critical of Labour.
You can deny this all you like, but it is the case.
Falkirk will hugely help Miliband. Just watch his conference speech. He couldn't have made this up himself.
Regarding tribalism in sport. You are correct. But why does that tribalism stop being just British ? Why can't someone take pride in a Scottish victory as Salmond has done ?
I think he is fully entitled to a Scottish success.
Hopefully, there will be an English winner too soon. 77 years and counting....
I am not an advocate of leaving the EU, but am of stopping the right to free movement within it. The EU existed before that right was established, and that right is the main reason that Turkey and Ukraine will not be allowed into the club. By ending free movement we could have a larger and shallower EU.
Failing that goal, I would accept ending unskilled migration from non EU countries via tougher rules on arranged marriages and family migration. Fox is right here.
@Tim There are indeed 2 parts to it - Further restrictions to immigration that doesn't benefit Britain. - Easier immigration for selected specialist. But it can't be interpreted as you originally interpreted it. I'm sure you will want to issue a brief and dignified apology for wrongly (Surely from carelesness rather than an attempt to mislead) reporting it falsely.
It makes a change from the anti-Eu dullards grouped around UKIP and the right of the Tory party to hear a BOO'er arguing the position that our ageing population requires higher immigration.
However you look at it it's certainly opposed to Cameron's simplistic net migration numbers game.
putting a stop to unskilled migrants from wherever, and a system of quotas for highly skilled migrants seems pretty much what I have been advocating here, and you have opposed. It is clear from the figures which groups are unlikely to be workers, and which will be a net burden on the state.
Fox did not mention numbers, but did mention restrictions on the unskilled. Sounds pretty in line with Tory policy, and not an open door policy of hundreds and thousands per year as under Labour.
But I am glad that you are coming round to a more selective policy. The sinner doth repent!
I oppose it because it necessarily means leaving the EU and abandoning free movement of labour. As for it being close to Tory policy, I've not seen Dave wanting to abandon free movement, so it's not close at all.
But if you're going to argue for getting out of the EU it makes a lot more sense than the "pull up the drawbridge" brigade.
"Hodges is a columnist who has to regularly write a certain number of words on a topical subject. As SeanT is showing...
And it works admirably for Hodges; we talk endlessly about him on here, and he gets more publicity thanks to us.
Although the errors make for good fun for the rest of us anoraks"
Very kind of you. And your comments about Hodges are astute.
I have sincere professional admiration for Hodges. The niche he works in - centre-lefty who disapproves of Ed who writes for "Tory" paper - is incredibly small, allowing him little freedom to maneuver. Yet, so far, he has managed to conjure up provocative and interesting articles, week in week out, for several years, and has become a pretty influential commenter, in so doing.
I admire Polly Toynbee, Matthew Parris and Richard Littlejohn for the same reason. You may - or may not - despise the person and/or their opinions. But the craftsmanship is undeniable.
Hodges is an idiot ! Period !! He is only taken seriously by low intellect Tories because he writes anti Labour. And, don't go on about who his mother is....
Hodges deeply, deeply irritates lefties like you. As we see here.
He also has significant influence: e.g. Falkirk and the Unite/funding scandal. This has exploded partly because of the nagging persistence of Blairites like him, who want to break the union link. Strangely enough, Hodges's position at the Telegraph gives him leverage over Labour's internal party politics that he would not achieve if he wrote for the Guardian, because the Guardian would not allow him to be so critical of Labour.
You can deny this all you like, but it is the case.
Falkirk will hugely help Miliband. Just watch his conference speech. He couldn't have made this up himself.
Regarding tribalism in sport. You are correct. But why does that tribalism stop being just British ? Why can't someone take pride in a Scottish victory as Salmond has done ?
I think he is fully entitled to a Scottish success.
Hopefully, there will be an English winner too soon. 77 years and counting....
Surbiton,
We is all one nation for tennis purposes, viz. Davis Cup, Hopman Cup, etc.
Andy Murray Wins Wimbeldon and Donates £1.6m winnings to Royal Marsden Cancer Charity Andy Murray donating his £1.6m winnings to cancer research Andy Murray's first Wimbledon title has been hailed by the Queen, the Prime Minister as well as stars of sport and showbusiness.'
Andy Murray Wins Wimbeldon and Donates £1.6m winnings to Royal Marsden Cancer Charity Andy Murray donating his £1.6m winnings to cancer research Andy Murray's first Wimbledon title has been hailed by the Queen, the Prime Minister as well as stars of sport and showbusiness.'
Very classy. Unlike your First Minister, bless him.
This really is a great era in British sport. As someone else on pb said, in the last few years we've now won virtually everything an Englishman, or Briton, could honestly expect or hope to win.
We've won the rugby world cup (in extra time in the last minute in Australia), we've won Wimbledon, the Tour de France, the Ryder Cup severally, the Ashes (in the single greatest sporting event ever), F1, and we outperformed every other nation at the Olympics in London in what was arguably the greatest modern Olympics ever staged.
Football is the only standout. But even in football we've managed to build the world's most successful domestic league, which had - the year before last - the most extraordinary end of any league season in any sport anywhere, ever.
After all that, it is very hard to persist with a narrative of Britain as a "nation of sporting losers". If anything, the opposite is true.
The Ryder Cup was an European win flying the Blue flag with gold stars. But we are tribal, so we are all Europeans at heart !
Meanwhile, Farage insists UKIP is not a Tory right splinter group.
They may well pick up votes from across the board better than they once did, but if that's how he feels, they should really stop advertising themselves like a Tory right splinter group.
Depends on how you analyze the support. If you assume three chunks: - disgruntled Tories - socio-economic middle - bitter ex-labour
It should be obvious that the ex-labour and floating voter support aren't going to come from the activist segment that councillors are drawn from.
By aiming roughly at 2/3 Tory and 1/3 Labour they can steal the Tory's activist base along with all the basic knowledge about running elections.
In theory being more 50/50 Labour/Tory would maximize their vote from the other two segments but they don't need to in this case because the BBC version of reality is a lie.
All they need to say to the other segments is - we can't secure our borders properly while we are in the EU - we can't deport criminals and radical preachers while we are in the EU - make sure there is a clear political correctness gap at all times between them and the liblabcon. this is mainly so people take them serious.
A simple (and very effective) way of doing the latter would be saying at local elections that UKIP councillors will always take the sexual exploitation of children seriously and won't try to cover it up. no need for more than that.
'Falkirk will hugely help Miliband. Just watch his conference speech. He couldn't have made this up himself.'
Pure comedy gold.
Why do we still think Ed is crap? Ed is most definitely not crap! He is merely misunderstood, and I put it to you that is the chief reason why he is so maligned and ridiculed by the evil right-wing media.
I am certain you will agree with me that Ed is magnificently charismatic and eloquent. He is an inspiring and refreshing standard bearer for the social democratic tradition in our great nation. Yes, indeed: One Nation. Nay, his performance at Conference last year must surely have been amongst the greatest (if not the greatest) ever given by a leader of the Labour Party, or indeed of any party leader! Such magnificence, such poise, such alacrity. Wow! And his wonderful repertoire of jokes would put even Harry Hill to shame!
He is articulate, passionate, an accomplished orator, and I think a real progressive alternative to the smarmy posh boy Cameron
'All they need to say to the other segments is - we can't secure our borders properly while we are in the EU - we can't deport criminals and radical preachers while we are in the EU - make sure there is a clear political correctness gap at all times between them and the liblabcon. this is mainly so people take them serious.'
And we can't do any of those things because we're not going to get more than a couple of MP's at best.
'All they need to say to the other segments is - we can't secure our borders properly while we are in the EU - we can't deport criminals and radical preachers while we are in the EU - make sure there is a clear political correctness gap at all times between them and the liblabcon. this is mainly so people take them serious.'
And we can't do any of those things because we're not going to get more than a couple of MP's at best.
The original point i'm arguing against was
"They may well pick up votes from across the board better than they once did, but if that's how he feels, they should really stop advertising themselves like a Tory right splinter group."
I'm saying that's not the case. Their pitch need to be weighted Tory to get people who know the local election ropes and being less weighted Labour is doable as long as they make sure to tick certain boxes.
I don't think there was anything wrong with Alex Salmond waving the Scottish flag after Murray's victory.
I think the NO campaign has an issue with the saltire as it should be supported by all sides but is increasingly seen as a sign of independence. The panic from people dressed head to foot in Union jack attire at the ALL ENGLAND club is puzzling, bearing in mind Henman was happy to drape a St George cross over his shoulders and that raised nairy a peep. Funny that. Does anyone doubt that if Murray had lost that there would have been no issue with Salmond as Scotland's First minister holding his national flag proudly? It was the winning as a Scotsman that concerned the MSM. It sets a precedent! I am waiting to precisely see what Jill Douglas said before deleting her twitter account in a panic, it may be that Inverdale's comments were mild in comparison. If what I read is true, and it remains unproven, then it is a sackable offence.
Salmond's Saltire Stunt does not bother me. But imagine the calm, measured response of our Nationalist friends if Cameron had pulled a similar stunt with the Union flag,
In any case, the triumph is neither Scotlnd's nor the UK's - it's Andy Murray's.
Salmond's Saltire Stunt does not bother me. But imagine the calm, measured response of our Nationalist friends if Cameron had pulled a similar stunt with the Union flag,
In any case, the triumph is neither Scotlnd's nor the UK's - it's Andy Murray's.
The entire crowd of once a year spectators at the All England Club were in Union Jack attire. I know; I used to go to the final thanks to a debenture holder so no wonder so few Scots flags in the crowd. There are not many spare tickets for the general public. Cameron should have held the saltire as well and smiled, he claims he represents that part of the UK still as I understand, even with one MP, and that would have sent a better message instead of ignoring it. Looked far more fun on Murray Muir, formerly Henman Hill. They were real supporters with passion. Nobody in Scotland as I recall whinged when Henman draped himself in an English flag, after all he is English. Funnily enough Jill Douglas did not mention that in her bizarre tweet. It is an individual sport, so you are right his triumph was personal. Sport is tribalist though. Being born in Scotland, the brother of another Wimbledon winner, it was a big win, particularly for those in Dunblane who have been through a fair bit emotionally on the other side of the ledger.
Since technical issues with the plane have been ruled out, it is tentatively looking like pilot error with compounding factors.
On another note: this is the the first fatal crash for a 777, and only the second hull loss by accident in nearly twenty years, with over 1,000 in service. Both crashes were easily capable of killing many more people on board from the ferocity of the impacts.
You know, it is all very well suddenly for the English to embrace a Scottish win. Speaking of Dunblane, an Englishman would roughly know where Guildford, Stoke or Harrogate is on a map. Ask him/her where Dunblane is, I am not sure what percentage will give the correct answer. How many knows where is Montrose or Moray ? The level of knowledge in England about Scotland is actually quite limited.
A person's lack of geographical knowledge doesn't stop them relating to events reported in England Wales & Scotland as "here, at home". It may be that lesser emotional involvement is felt about Northern Ireland, but that is literally over the water.
Ah, something I have first hand knowledge of. I worked in London for a few months in the late 90s and was asked by a couple of my new colleagues where I came from. The answer Birmingham was greeted by puzzled looks and the question "Is that near to Liverpool?" Apparently their only visit north of "the Watford Gap" was a holiday in the Isle of Mann, hence knowing the existence of Liverpool and nowt else. Sadly my geography of the South Bank wasn't enhanced by them either as they lived on the North side and couldn't tell me what lay South of the Thames. Whilst that might sound extreme my experience says that the further South you live the less interest there is in knowing what happens elsewhere in the country.
As for Dunblane and Montrose I've been to both so I know where they are. I couldn't place Moray Firth until I googled it and saw it included Elgin which I have also visited so I'll take a black mark for not knowing that one.
As for Murray, absolutely brilliant. For a change his opponent wilted under the pressure and I think he will deservedly become World No.1 in a few months time. It's been a wonderful Wimbledon. The progress Laura Robson made suggests we may, in a couple of years, have both singles Champions. I don't discriminate between those wearing the English, Welsh, Scot or Northern Irish flag when it comes to thinking of them as British and wanting them to win. Anyone looking at this as a Scottish victory, rather than a British one, is welcome to do so and I have no problem with their FM wanting to wave or show their flag. I'd have done exactly the same in his position.
From BBC. Fugitive Mark Lilley found in Spanish villa panic room. One of Britain's most wanted fugitives has been caught hiding naked in a panic room at his Spanish villa.
If we abandon the European arrest warrant, will he be able to have clothes?
Comments
As for Dunblane and Montrose I've been to both so I know where they are. I couldn't place Moray Firth until I googled it and saw it included Elgin which I have also visited so I'll take a black mark for not knowing that one.
As for Murray, absolutely brilliant. For a change his opponent wilted under the pressure and I think he will deservedly become World No.1 in a few months time. It's been a wonderful Wimbledon. The progress Laura Robson made suggests we may, in a couple of years, have both singles Champions. I don't discriminate between those wearing the English, Welsh, Scot or Northern Irish flag when it comes to thinking of them as British and wanting them to win. Anyone looking at this as a Scottish victory, rather than a British one, is welcome to do so and I have no problem with their FM wanting to wave or show their flag. I'd have done exactly the same in his position.
http://www.poverty.org.uk/47/index.shtml
Fox did not mention numbers, but did mention restrictions on the unskilled. Sounds pretty in line with Tory policy, and not an open door policy of hundreds and thousands per year as under Labour.
But I am glad that you are coming round to a more selective policy. The sinner doth repent!
Andy Murray Wins Wimbeldon and Donates £1.6m winnings to Royal Marsden Cancer Charity Andy Murray donating his £1.6m winnings to cancer research Andy Murray's first Wimbledon title has been hailed by the Queen, the Prime Minister as well as stars of sport and showbusiness.'
http://tinyurl.com/kzhvqvy
Classy.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10165346/Arsenal-rebuffed-after-audacious-30m-offer-for-Liverpool-striker-Luis-Suarez.html
Scots are entitled to claim Murrays win, I can't help feeling that saying 77 years of pain is over because a Scottish bloke won it is a bit hollow (if it were pain at all, we hardly had any near misses!)
Regarding tribalism in sport. You are correct. But why does that tribalism stop being just British ? Why can't someone take pride in a Scottish victory as Salmond has done ?
I think he is fully entitled to a Scottish success.
Hopefully, there will be an English winner too soon. 77 years and counting....
Failing that goal, I would accept ending unskilled migration from non EU countries via tougher rules on arranged marriages and family migration. Fox is right here.
We is all one nation for tennis purposes, viz. Davis Cup, Hopman Cup, etc.
My Dad had his treatment there, was cured, and is the world's longest survivor of his type of cancer (19 years and counting) ...
'Falkirk will hugely help Miliband. Just watch his conference speech. He couldn't have made this up himself.'
Pure comedy gold.
- disgruntled Tories
- socio-economic middle
- bitter ex-labour
It should be obvious that the ex-labour and floating voter support aren't going to come from the activist segment that councillors are drawn from.
By aiming roughly at 2/3 Tory and 1/3 Labour they can steal the Tory's activist base along with all the basic knowledge about running elections.
In theory being more 50/50 Labour/Tory would maximize their vote from the other two segments but they don't need to in this case because the BBC version of reality is a lie.
All they need to say to the other segments is
- we can't secure our borders properly while we are in the EU
- we can't deport criminals and radical preachers while we are in the EU
- make sure there is a clear political correctness gap at all times between them and the liblabcon. this is mainly so people take them serious.
A simple (and very effective) way of doing the latter would be saying at local elections that UKIP councillors will always take the sexual exploitation of children seriously and won't try to cover it up. no need for more than that.
I am certain you will agree with me that Ed is magnificently charismatic and eloquent. He is an inspiring and refreshing standard bearer for the social democratic tradition in our great nation. Yes, indeed: One Nation. Nay, his performance at Conference last year must surely have been amongst the greatest (if not the greatest) ever given by a leader of the Labour Party, or indeed of any party leader! Such magnificence, such poise, such alacrity. Wow! And his wonderful repertoire of jokes would put even Harry Hill to shame!
He is articulate, passionate, an accomplished orator, and I think a real progressive alternative to the smarmy posh boy Cameron
'All they need to say to the other segments is
- we can't secure our borders properly while we are in the EU
- we can't deport criminals and radical preachers while we are in the EU
- make sure there is a clear political correctness gap at all times between them and the liblabcon. this is mainly so people take them serious.'
And we can't do any of those things because we're not going to get more than a couple of MP's at best.
What ever floats surbiton's boat,one of Ed's few disciples.
"They may well pick up votes from across the board better than they once did, but if that's how he feels, they should really stop advertising themselves like a Tory right splinter group."
I'm saying that's not the case. Their pitch need to be weighted Tory to get people who know the local election ropes and being less weighted Labour is doable as long as they make sure to tick certain boxes.
The panic from people dressed head to foot in Union jack attire at the ALL ENGLAND club is puzzling, bearing in mind Henman was happy to drape a St George cross over his shoulders and that raised nairy a peep. Funny that.
Does anyone doubt that if Murray had lost that there would have been no issue with Salmond as Scotland's First minister holding his national flag proudly?
It was the winning as a Scotsman that concerned the MSM. It sets a precedent!
I am waiting to precisely see what Jill Douglas said before deleting her twitter account in a panic, it may be that Inverdale's comments were mild in comparison. If what I read is true, and it remains unproven, then it is a sackable offence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8akvxDJQVc
In any case, the triumph is neither Scotlnd's nor the UK's - it's Andy Murray's.
I know; I used to go to the final thanks to a debenture holder so no wonder so few Scots flags in the crowd. There are not many spare tickets for the general public.
Cameron should have held the saltire as well and smiled, he claims he represents that part of the UK still as I understand, even with one MP, and that would have sent a better message instead of ignoring it.
Looked far more fun on Murray Muir, formerly Henman Hill.
They were real supporters with passion.
Nobody in Scotland as I recall whinged when Henman draped himself in an English flag, after all he is English. Funnily enough Jill Douglas did not mention that in her bizarre tweet.
It is an individual sport, so you are right his triumph was personal. Sport is tribalist though.
Being born in Scotland, the brother of another Wimbledon winner, it was a big win, particularly for those in Dunblane who have been through a fair bit emotionally on the other side of the ledger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2LYmv-IPrM&
There is an interesting page speculating on the cause of the crash at:
http://flyingprofessors.net/what-happened-to-asiana-airlines-flight-214-2/
Since technical issues with the plane have been ruled out, it is tentatively looking like pilot error with compounding factors.
On another note: this is the the first fatal crash for a 777, and only the second hull loss by accident in nearly twenty years, with over 1,000 in service. Both crashes were easily capable of killing many more people on board from the ferocity of the impacts.
Boeing really got the 777 right.
If we abandon the European arrest warrant, will he be able to have clothes?