Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.

Options

politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Is George Osborne the answer to Brexit?

SystemSystem Posts: 11,704
edited September 2016 in General

imagepoliticalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Is George Osborne the answer to Brexit?

I didn’t think this would be a post I’d ever write. Anyone who’s followed my posts over the last three years will know I’m not exactly George Osborne’s biggest fan.

Read the full story here


«13456

Comments

  • Options
    In a special task force with Peter Mandelson? :)
  • Options
    An excellent thread header. I agree Osborne can come back and relatively quickly. However both Mandelson's and David's returns were in response to political crises. Having so brutally sacked him what crisis would prompt May to send for Osborne ? It's also not clear if this was written before or after Osborne's Today programme relaunch. I suspect before. He clearly wants and is planning a return to top flight politics. But his coded attacks on May were were clear. As was his positioning on soft Brexit. Nevertheless given how hard the Brexit negotiations are going to be some sort of reconstruction or reshuffle of the government during the dreary exit process is probable. I think we'd need some more specific betting markets but a good tip.
  • Options
    The other issue is the report by Peter Osborne in yesterdays Mail of May's words used in sacking Osborne. If true, and a front rank journalist must have a good source for a direct quote, then there is far profound animosity between him and May. Of course politicians loathe each other all the time but it would need to be a serious situation for May to call him back.
  • Options
    fitalassfitalass Posts: 4,279
    edited September 2016
    "Nevertheless Osborne is clearly a very intelligent and clever man: he understands strategy and, when he was Chancellor, I always had a sense the Conservatives had a strategic plan, even if it wasn’t one I agreed with. So, in terms of raw ability alone, in the medium-long term it is hard to conclude that the Conservative frontbench team isn’t weaker without him."

    I have been pointing out on here that Osborne is one of the most underrated, but politically astute and LOYAL strategists within the Conservative party for a decade now. I also pointed out that May's behaviour towards Osborne as Chancellor, and as Cameron's most loyal Cabinet colleague and friend was absolutely appalling. It was her first huge political mistake upon becoming Conservative Leader and PM, and it said far more about her weakness in Leadership style than it did about Osborne and his previous record in Government.

    I disagree with Casino Royal on Osborne's need to atone for his sins or rehabilitate his reputation. I don't think that you should have to do that if you are loyally serving your PM and Government on an agenda as set out in the mandate you had just been given by the electorate! Unlike one Theresa May as it should be pointed out, sitting comfortable on the fence during the whole Brexit campaign! Osborne was on the other side of the argument during the campaign when he backed his PM and friend, it is time to get over it. Osborne has time and again proved he puts the election of a Conservative Government ahead of his own personal ambitions, so working under or with other Leaders was never going to be an issue for him.

    I still think its a huge political misjudgement that May put Boris Johnson, David Davis and Liam Fox in key Cabinet positions which placed them in charge of Brexit. That Casino Royal is now finally beginning to realise that Osborne should not have been sacked, but instead given a key role in our Brexit negotiations is a real break through. If he is now speaking out, how many others within the Conservative party are thinking the along the same lines? Nobody else in the current Cabinet knows their counterparts in Europe better than Osborne did as Chancellor among the key EU Finance Ministers. It is worth remembering how hard he fought against the EU financial transaction tax.

    I still find it incredible that May so harshly sacked Osborne in such a way that she forced him to leave by the back entrance of Downing Street rather than allowing him the dignity of the resignation letter and reply thanking him for his service which he so obviously deserved. But then again, she also sacked another very effective Cabinet colleague in Michael Gove. I wonder who the EU would really like to face across the Brexit negotiations table, Johnson, Davis and Fox or instead Osborne and Gove? I know who I would bet on when it came to getting us the best deal.
  • Options
    PlatoSaidPlatoSaid Posts: 10,383
    Footage

    @StanleyCohenLaw Graphic video of #explosion in #Chelsea
    @NYCityAlerts https://t.co/4YgXTvOnbz via @RussellBlaymore

    Police checking for possible second device
  • Options
    PlatoSaidPlatoSaid Posts: 10,383
    ABC news conference

    It was intentional explosion
    29 hurt 24 in hospital 1 serious puncture wound, rest cuts scrapes and bruised
    FBI and terrorism cops investigation including another poss device

    This is third today isn't it? Device in New Jersey, multiple stabbing in shopping mall
  • Options
    PlatoSaidPlatoSaid Posts: 10,383
    Mark Levine
    Sources: Authorities believe they may have found a pressure cooker device with wires and timer on 27th St in NYC. W/ @AaronKatersky
  • Options
    PlatoSaidPlatoSaid Posts: 10,383
    Holy Moly. Hillary looks like she's zonked.

    Is she highly medicated or what?? RT @ABCLiz: Hillary Clinton, on her campaign plane, responds to explosion in NYC https://t.co/YG4vi1GrqT
  • Options
    fitalass said:

    I still find it incredible that May so harshly sacked Osborne in such a way that she forced him to leave by the back entrance of Downing Street rather than allowing him the dignity of the resignation letter and reply thanking him for his service which he so obviously deserved. But then again, she also sacked another very effective Cabinet colleague in Michael Gove. I wonder who the EU would really like to face across the Brexit negotiations table, Johnson, Davis and Fox or instead Osborne and Gove? I know who I would bet on when it came to getting us the best deal.

    I too find the manner of Osborne's sacking incredible. Literally incredible, as I still do not believe it was not choreographed by Osborne.
  • Options
    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,144
    PlatoSaid said:

    Holy Moly. Hillary looks like she's zonked.

    Is she highly medicated or what?? RT @ABCLiz: Hillary Clinton, on her campaign plane, responds to explosion in NYC https://t.co/YG4vi1GrqT

    She looks worryingly like Christopher Walken in that clip.

    Exhibit A: http://images.indianexpress.com/2016/04/christopher-walken-759.jpg
  • Options
    foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    edited September 2016
    GO will be on the back benches for a while. May has made an enemy there, and one with quite a few parliamentary friends and allies, even if not in the wider party.

    His career is not over though. I can see him coming back when May falls from grace, not least for a quick jig on her political grave.
  • Options
    felixfelix Posts: 15,125
    A most interesting article. It is refreshing to read realpolitik from a Brexiteer. Long may it continue.
  • Options
    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,144
    Given that GO was closely involved in the Renegotiation with Brussels that killed both his and Cameron's careers stone dead, Theresa May would go through the whole phone book looking for an alternative before she dialled up Osborne's number.

    The only way Osborne gets close to power again requires him to come through the revolving doors that May is leaving from.
  • Options
    Iranian paralympic cyclist dies on road course race.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/37398333

    He suffered a cardiac arrest after a crash on a mountainous stretch - though not the same stretch that caused the Olympic cyclists trouble.

    RIP.
  • Options
    On topic, I get the point of keeping your enemies close but May probably doesn't want a serial plotter who she's explicitly made any enemy of on her team. I think the personal angle makes it different from Mandelson: That was *factional*, which is a subtly different thing.

    And as far as the Conservative Party goes, they're probably wise to keep a reserve team untainted by the slow-motion brexit car crash.
  • Options

    Given that GO was closely involved in the Renegotiation with Brussels that killed both his and Cameron's careers stone dead, Theresa May would go through the whole phone book looking for an alternative before she dialled up Osborne's number.

    The only way Osborne gets close to power again requires him to come through the revolving doors that May is leaving from.

    Well that's alright then. The whole thread is moot then. The Brexiteers will be along in due course with the amazing new deal we've been promised. No need for Osborne !
  • Options
    Theresa May, it seems, couldn't resist twisting the knife as she dealt the blow. She seems to be a remarkably poor people manager. With a majority of 12, she can't afford to be alienating influential and able MPs, even if she doesn't trust them as far as she could throw them.

    As @Casino_Royale notes, the government is weaker without George Osborne. One of the many ill effects of the Leave vote was to weaken the ability of the government considerably. But since Leavers are tired of experts, that is no doubt not a concern that troubles the winners.
  • Options
    Excellent thread header - but I wouldn't panic just yet. As with Thatcher, May is enjoying mutterings from anonymous sources that she "isn't up to the job" (funny how a party that can choose female leaders can still be misogynistic1....).

    I also agree with Casino Royale that Osborne's route back involves a degree of atonement - while he was loyal to Cameron he also assiduously promoted his own little helpers - and to do that he needs to be a critical friend of the government. So far he's doing the first part, if not the second....

    This "May sacking St George" story is growing arms & legs.....who is briefing it? St George's little helpers?
  • Options
    AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    I think Trump has locked his handlers out of his Twitter account.

    https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/777280259875975169
  • Options

    Excellent thread header - but I wouldn't panic just yet. As with Thatcher, May is enjoying mutterings from anonymous sources that she "isn't up to the job" (funny how a party that can choose female leaders can still be misogynistic1....).

    I also agree with Casino Royale that Osborne's route back involves a degree of atonement - while he was loyal to Cameron he also assiduously promoted his own little helpers - and to do that he needs to be a critical friend of the government. So far he's doing the first part, if not the second....

    This "May sacking St George" story is growing arms & legs.....who is briefing it? St George's little helpers?

    Excellent thread header - but I wouldn't panic just yet. As with Thatcher, May is enjoying mutterings from anonymous sources that she "isn't up to the job" (funny how a party that can choose female leaders can still be misogynistic1....).

    I also agree with Casino Royale that Osborne's route back involves a degree of atonement - while he was loyal to Cameron he also assiduously promoted his own little helpers - and to do that he needs to be a critical friend of the government. So far he's doing the first part, if not the second....

    This "May sacking St George" story is growing arms & legs.....who is briefing it? St George's little helpers?

    Excellent thread header - but I wouldn't panic just yet. As with Thatcher, May is enjoying mutterings from anonymous sources that she "isn't up to the job" (funny how a party that can choose female leaders can still be misogynistic1....).

    I also agree with Casino Royale that Osborne's route back involves a degree of atonement - while he was loyal to Cameron he also assiduously promoted his own little helpers - and to do that he needs to be a critical friend of the government. So far he's doing the first part, if not the second....

    This "May sacking St George" story is growing arms & legs.....who is briefing it? St George's little helpers?

    My reading of Oborne's piece yesterday, which was a staunch defence of May, was it came from May's team in response to Osborne's Today programme interview.
  • Options
    AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    For people wondering where Clinton thinks the key states are The Democratic nominee's campaign is holding more than 1,000 events this weekend in Pennsylvania, 900 in Virginia, 500 in North Carolina, 250 in Ohio and 200 in Wisconsin.
  • Options
    DecrepitJohnLDecrepitJohnL Posts: 13,300
    edited September 2016
    Alistair said:

    I think Trump has locked his handlers out of his Twitter account.

    https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/777280259875975169

    A couple of weeks back someone linked to an analysis that appeared to show Trump's morning tweets were from the man himself whereas afternoon and evening tweets were from his handlers. Perhaps that only applies on weekdays.
  • Options
    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,144

    Given that GO was closely involved in the Renegotiation with Brussels that killed both his and Cameron's careers stone dead, Theresa May would go through the whole phone book looking for an alternative before she dialled up Osborne's number.

    The only way Osborne gets close to power again requires him to come through the revolving doors that May is leaving from.

    Well that's alright then. The whole thread is moot then. The Brexiteers will be along in due course with the amazing new deal we've been promised. No need for Osborne !
    Osborne might consider himself an ace manipulator and strategist. But he has shown no ability to bring these superpowers to bear on Brussels.

    He is quite literally the last person the UK needs to bring into the Brexit negotiations.
  • Options
    old_labourold_labour Posts: 3,238
    Why are they saying it is not an act of terrorism? WTF!
  • Options
    619619 Posts: 1,784
    http://m.startribune.com/minnesota-poll-clinton-keeps-lead-but-trump-gains/393840031/

    clinto ahead in MI by 6 points. another good state poll
  • Options
    619619 Posts: 1,784

    Why are they saying it is not an act of terrorism? WTF!

    because it might not be.
  • Options
    619619 Posts: 1,784

    Alistair said:

    I think Trump has locked his handlers out of his Twitter account.

    https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/777280259875975169

    A couple of weeks back someone linked to an analysis that appeared to show Trump's morning tweets were from the man himself whereas afternoon and evening tweets were from his handlers. Perhaps that only applies on weekdays.
    this is why 65% of americans think he doesnt have a presidential temperment
  • Options
    old_labourold_labour Posts: 3,238
    619 said:

    Why are they saying it is not an act of terrorism? WTF!

    because it might not be.
    What would you call deliberately setting off an explosive device in the middle of Manhattan?
  • Options
    Cameronism was more about image building than problem solving. Putting forward policy ideas under him might have got the reaction: “That’s a good line, I can use that in a speech.” Not so now. Mayism is different because it recognises that globalisation has not delivered for everyone.
  • Options
    AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    Obama gave a rather, errrrrm, fiery speech at the Congressional Black Caucus event yesterday.
  • Options
    AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    Trump's meltdown about Robert Gates means that everyone is going to ignore Gate's criticism of Hilary in the op-ed and just focus on the Trump stuff.
  • Options
    619619 Posts: 1,784

    619 said:

    Why are they saying it is not an act of terrorism? WTF!

    because it might not be.
    What would you call deliberately setting off an explosive device in the middle of Manhattan?
    a) no evidence it is deliberate yet. b) we dont have evidence. the police do.
  • Options

    Why are they saying it is not an act of terrorism? WTF!

    Presumably they mean Islamist terrorism as opposed to an all-American bomber protesting at poor college grades or something equally banal. Probably the bomber is on cctv and will soon be caught.
  • Options
    Biding your time on decisions is perfectly acceptable for a PM. Probably the most successful post-war Government was the coalition one, which had checks and balances and plenty of inertia. Politicians over-rate their importance to people.
  • Options

    Given that GO was closely involved in the Renegotiation with Brussels that killed both his and Cameron's careers stone dead, Theresa May would go through the whole phone book looking for an alternative before she dialled up Osborne's number.

    The only way Osborne gets close to power again requires him to come through the revolving doors that May is leaving from.

    Well that's alright then. The whole thread is moot then. The Brexiteers will be along in due course with the amazing new deal we've been promised. No need for Osborne !
    Osborne might consider himself an ace manipulator and strategist. But he has shown no ability to bring these superpowers to bear on Brussels.

    He is quite literally the last person the UK needs to bring into the Brexit negotiations.
    I don't think anyone will ever forgive Osborne for the punishment budget. And nor should they. It showed what he is: a spoilt, arrogant, tantrum-ridden, egotistical, aristocrat who is out of touch with the people he would like to lord it over.
  • Options
    tlg86tlg86 Posts: 25,205
    fitalass said:

    Osborne has time and again proved he puts the election of a Conservative Government ahead of his own personal ambitions, so working under or with other Leaders was never going to be an issue for him.

    And this, I think, is the crux of the matter. Osborne's main focus is political strategy. His punishment budget was complete bull****. But his supporters on here don't mind because it was a means to an end. Unfortunately he backed his career on winning the referendum. He lost and that's the end of it. The damage is done, he can not come back no matter how clever he is. His only way back is to orchestrate a coup against May.
  • Options
    JonathanJonathan Posts: 20,913
    May has been in post for weeks and Tories are already looking for successors. Not good. Even Corbyn got a longer run.
  • Options

    Given that GO was closely involved in the Renegotiation with Brussels that killed both his and Cameron's careers stone dead, Theresa May would go through the whole phone book looking for an alternative before she dialled up Osborne's number.

    The only way Osborne gets close to power again requires him to come through the revolving doors that May is leaving from.

    Well that's alright then. The whole thread is moot then. The Brexiteers will be along in due course with the amazing new deal we've been promised. No need for Osborne !
    Osborne might consider himself an ace manipulator and strategist. But he has shown no ability to bring these superpowers to bear on Brussels.

    He is quite literally the last person the UK needs to bring into the Brexit negotiations.
    I don't think anyone will ever forgive Osborne for the punishment budget. And nor should they. It showed what he is: a spoilt, arrogant, tantrum-ridden, egotistical, aristocrat who is out of touch with the people he would like to lord it over.
    While all politicians indulge in hyperbole that went to the heart of his credibility - how are we to know what to believe in future?
  • Options
    RazedabodeRazedabode Posts: 2,978
    Aren't we all forgetting here that Osbornes political judgement has been proved to be piss poor? Brexit, two shambolic budgets...

    I can sort of see why May didnt want such a self serving individual around.
  • Options
    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,941
    Morning, and an interesting Sunday thread. I think Osborne will be back at some point, but it will take a couple of years of rehabilitation, the PM will want to see his loyalty from the back benches for a while. The "Punishment Budget" and the Brexit negotiations were a step too far, but he's only young (45) and no doubt will get his chance again once the burned bridges have been repaired.
  • Options
    Sandpit said:

    Morning, and an interesting Sunday thread. I think Osborne will be back at some point, but it will take a couple of years of rehabilitation, the PM will want to see his loyalty from the back benches for a while. The "Punishment Budget" and the Brexit negotiations were a step too far, but he's only young (45) and no doubt will get his chance again once the burned bridges have been repaired.

  • Options
    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,941

    Alistair said:

    I think Trump has locked his handlers out of his Twitter account.

    https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/777280259875975169

    A couple of weeks back someone linked to an analysis that appeared to show Trump's morning tweets were from the man himself whereas afternoon and evening tweets were from his handlers. Perhaps that only applies on weekdays.
    It was said that Twitter posts that are from the man himself come from an Andriod phone, whereas those from his PR come from an iPhone.
  • Options
    AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    Sandpit said:

    Alistair said:

    I think Trump has locked his handlers out of his Twitter account.

    https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/777280259875975169

    A couple of weeks back someone linked to an analysis that appeared to show Trump's morning tweets were from the man himself whereas afternoon and evening tweets were from his handlers. Perhaps that only applies on weekdays.
    It was said that Twitter posts that are from the man himself come from an Andriod phone, whereas those from his PR come from an iPhone.
    At least one of his recent rant tweets came from iPhone so that theory is blown out of the water. Maybe he bought himself and iPhone7.
  • Options
    I largely agree with Sandpit on this one. However, when CR wants GO to "he now fully respects all Conservative party members, voters and colleagues" he is asking him to do something that, for obvious reasons, no previous Party leader has managed :o
  • Options
    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,144
    Alistair said:

    For people wondering where Clinton thinks the key states are The Democratic nominee's campaign is holding more than 1,000 events this weekend in Pennsylvania, 900 in Virginia, 500 in North Carolina, 250 in Ohio and 200 in Wisconsin.

    Obama won Wisconsin by 7 points. If Hillary's people think it is in play, then things aren't going well.
  • Options
    Why can't I edit my posts?
  • Options
    old_labourold_labour Posts: 3,238
    CNN- NYPD investigating third device at 28th and 5th.
  • Options
    IcarusIcarus Posts: 912
    Or more likely Brexit is going to be a mess. May will go at some point. We need someone to sort out the mess.
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,396
    Jonathan said:

    May has been in post for weeks and Tories are already looking for successors. Not good. Even Corbyn got a longer run.

    Not true. Corbyn wasn't even elected when Labour started a desperate hunt for a replacement and discussing how to keep him off the ballot next time! I remember those discussions starting on here in August, along with a New Statesman article on the subject.

    Osborne has powerful allies in the media who will uncritically quote his version of events. All the briefing against Clegg and claiming that DPM was a less important post than Chancellor, for example, appears to have been done by him personally against Cameron's wishes.

    However, merely because Osborne feels vengeful and humiliated does not suddenly make him a formidable politician or a potential leader. These are more the sort of noises off Thatcher had to contend with from Heath than a real threat to May.

    If trouble does come it is likely to be led by Fox. That in itself suggests she is pretty secure for now.
  • Options
    Jonathan said:

    May has been in post for weeks and Tories are already looking for successors.

    In your dreams....

  • Options

    Given that GO was closely involved in the Renegotiation with Brussels that killed both his and Cameron's careers stone dead, Theresa May would go through the whole phone book looking for an alternative before she dialled up Osborne's number.

    The only way Osborne gets close to power again requires him to come through the revolving doors that May is leaving from.

    Well that's alright then. The whole thread is moot then. The Brexiteers will be along in due course with the amazing new deal we've been promised. No need for Osborne !
    Osborne might consider himself an ace manipulator and strategist. But he has shown no ability to bring these superpowers to bear on Brussels.

    He is quite literally the last person the UK needs to bring into the Brexit negotiations.
    Agreed. Osborne set the strategy for the EU negotiations and the campaign. Both he got badly wrong. He also failed to negotiate a better deal with the EU. Also where is his mea culpa?
  • Options
    JonathanJonathan Posts: 20,913

    Jonathan said:

    May has been in post for weeks and Tories are already looking for successors.

    In your dreams....

    My dreams, really?

    FWIW I think May is vulnerable. Quite happy for her to stay put 'til the election. If Labour ever gets it act together, they should find a rich seam to mine. Heck, Corbyn even trounced her last week.
  • Options
    FF43FF43 Posts: 15,792
    edited September 2016
    The EU won't go away. For good or ill it will remain the UK's main relationship, but one that will be more difficult to pursue after we cancel our membership. As a keen internationalist, George Osborne could play a role. Success for him is a stronger relationship, not separation. I doubt there will be atonement beyond the "I'm sorry you feel like that" type. He'll be there because people think they need him.
  • Options
    CD13CD13 Posts: 6,351
    I understand that Governments in Europe and the USA have decided to declare all incidents as being unrelated to IS terrorism until proof is 100% (and they will be right some of the time). But it does lead to cynicism. Especially when they leap onto mental health issues at the first opportunity.

    I never realised before that police spokesmen were consultant psychiatrists in their spare time.

    If the Boston marathon explosion happened today, it would be "an incident with no proven connection to terrorism", then caused by two brothers with mental health issues who were known locally as Fred and Bert.

    Is there a crib sheet they are all using?

    NB It may well be a lone nutter this time, but if not, we'll not know for a few weeks.
  • Options
    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,941
    Alistair said:

    Sandpit said:

    Alistair said:

    I think Trump has locked his handlers out of his Twitter account.

    https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/777280259875975169

    A couple of weeks back someone linked to an analysis that appeared to show Trump's morning tweets were from the man himself whereas afternoon and evening tweets were from his handlers. Perhaps that only applies on weekdays.
    It was said that Twitter posts that are from the man himself come from an Andriod phone, whereas those from his PR come from an iPhone.
    At least one of his recent rant tweets came from iPhone so that theory is blown out of the water. Maybe he bought himself and iPhone7.
    Maybe he's trying to confuse the Internet? Imagine what it must be like to be Donald Trump's PR, when the guy just says whatever the hell is on his mind at the time. He is startling to listen, but it's going to be a long and difficult road for those around him.
  • Options
    DadgeDadge Posts: 2,038
    This post smacks a little of desperation - quite a lot of Brexiters sound desperate at the moment, as though the referendum victory was pyrrhic.
  • Options
    SquareRootSquareRoot Posts: 7,095
    edited September 2016
    Jonathan said:

    May has been in post for weeks and Tories are already looking for successors. Not good. Even Corbyn got a longer run.

    Its the Tories strength, they know how to get rid of their leaders. Labour on the other hand were unable to get rid of Brown, the reason why Labour are where they are now and now are stuck with Corbyn....
  • Options
    CD13 said:

    I understand that Governments in Europe and the USA have decided to declare all incidents as being unrelated to IS terrorism until proof is 100% (and they will be right some of the time). But it does lead to cynicism. Especially when they leap onto mental health issues at the first opportunity.

    I never realised before that police spokesmen were consultant psychiatrists in their spare time.

    If the Boston marathon explosion happened today, it would be "an incident with no proven connection to terrorism", then caused by two brothers with mental health issues who were known locally as Fred and Bert.

    Is there a crib sheet they are all using?

    NB It may well be a lone nutter this time, but if not, we'll not know for a few weeks.

    Surely you'd want the authorities both to tell the truth & to say whatever helps people keep calmest. Glad that's not my job description...

  • Options
    Good morning, everyone.

    Mr. CD13, I was wondering to what you were referring, then saw the BBC report. An 'intentional' blast. But no known terrorist connections. Rightyho. That'll maximise public trust in authorities not treating them like mushrooms.

    F1: my pre-race piece, now with added comments, is up here:
    http://enormo-haddock.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/singapore-pre-race-2016.html

    On-topic: I was intrigued to see which Osborne-loather had written it :p

    I don't think it'll happen. Davis may have been exiled to the backbenchers, but May had no personal problem with him. I could be wrong, but it sounds like she does with Osborne.
  • Options
  • Options
    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,941
    edited September 2016
    Posted on previous thread:
    So, that reconciliation with the PLP is going well then.

    Will we see a shadow SOS for Palestine, and a policy of unilateral disarmament? Surely a split in the Parliamentary party if this goes though?
  • Options
    foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548

    Theresa May, it seems, couldn't resist twisting the knife as she dealt the blow. She seems to be a remarkably poor people manager. With a majority of 12, she can't afford to be alienating influential and able MPs, even if she doesn't trust them as far as she could throw them.

    As @Casino_Royale notes, the government is weaker without George Osborne. One of the many ill effects of the Leave vote was to weaken the ability of the government considerably. But since Leavers are tired of experts, that is no doubt not a concern that troubles the winners.

    It was Gove who was tired of experts as I recall. He too is out of government.

    Populist politics prefers folk wisdom, and half baked theories, to the mundane business of evidence and expert analysis. It is all part of post truth politics.
  • Options
    Dadge said:

    This post smacks a little of desperation - quite a lot of Brexiters sound desperate at the moment, as though the referendum victory was pyrrhic.

    Really? The desperation I hear is from REMAINers who wish the result would go away...
  • Options

    Theresa May, it seems, couldn't resist twisting the knife as she dealt the blow. She seems to be a remarkably poor people manager. With a majority of 12, she can't afford to be alienating influential and able MPs, even if she doesn't trust them as far as she could throw them.

    As @Casino_Royale notes, the government is weaker without George Osborne. One of the many ill effects of the Leave vote was to weaken the ability of the government considerably. But since Leavers are tired of experts, that is no doubt not a concern that troubles the winners.

    It was Gove who was tired of experts as I recall. He too is out of government.

    Populist politics prefers folk wisdom, and half baked theories, to the mundane business of evidence and expert analysis. It is all part of post truth politics.
    Well said :)

  • Options
    CD13CD13 Posts: 6,351
    Mr Abroad,

    "Surely you'd want the authorities both to tell the truth & to say whatever helps people keep calmest. Glad that's not my job description..."

    I understand that - they're worried about copy-cats so they default to something else. But the default is exactly that. Worded to keep people calm rather than revealing the truth. When people start to disbelieve, it becomes a general cynicism which makes things worse.

    OMG, what are they hiding? What else are they hiding from us?

    The truth isn't always that bad. Lone wolves/copycats tend to be less organised and less dangerous.
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,396

    It was Gove who was tired of experts as I recall. He too is out of government.

    Pause...wait...don't do it...oh, well then

    :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

    For him alone, May deserves the benefit of any possible doubt.

    And then she sacked Morgan too

    :sunglasses:
  • Options
    PlatoSaidPlatoSaid Posts: 10,383
    edited September 2016
    CD13 said:

    I understand that Governments in Europe and the USA have decided to declare all incidents as being unrelated to IS terrorism until proof is 100% (and they will be right some of the time). But it does lead to cynicism. Especially when they leap onto mental health issues at the first opportunity.

    I never realised before that police spokesmen were consultant psychiatrists in their spare time.

    If the Boston marathon explosion happened today, it would be "an incident with no proven connection to terrorism", then caused by two brothers with mental health issues who were known locally as Fred and Bert.

    Is there a crib sheet they are all using?

    NB It may well be a lone nutter this time, but if not, we'll not know for a few weeks.

    If it's any consolation - it isn't just our media indulging in this idiotic behaviour - the scores of tweets I saw last night from residents of NYC saying WTF Are You On re not terrorism/the Mayor's statement of intentional bombing but not terrorism/the media squabbling about the meaning of 'is' whilst 29 are injured.

    It's absurd - they're so busy trying to protect The Religion Of Peace/blame Trump that they've entirely missed the point of the story.

    FFS - even I've seen the photo taken by the police officer on scene of the pressure cooker with the cell phone attached to it - they used a robot to blow that up. IIRC that's' what the Boston Marathon bombers used - also hidden in bins.
  • Options
    old_labourold_labour Posts: 3,238
    He wasn't a fan of his own brother as well. :smiley:
  • Options
    Sandpit said:

    Morning, and an interesting Sunday thread. I think Osborne will be back at some point, but it will take a couple of years of rehabilitation, the PM will want to see his loyalty from the back benches for a while. The "Punishment Budget" and the Brexit negotiations were a step too far, but he's only young (45) and no doubt will get his chance again once the burned bridges have been repaired.

    I'm not sure that's the case. What we need to know is how many Conservative MPs remain in his inner circle, and orbiting just outside it. Does he cut a lone figure in the Commons' bars, or does he have a coterie who will come back to him once things have settled down?

    If he does have many fellow MPs alongside him, it would be hard for May to ignore him.

    On another matter: so much depends on the Conservative Party Conference this year. May's been rather unimpressive so far, but she was parachuted in early. By conference we need to know more about the direction she wishes to take the country in, and how.
  • Options
    ydoethur said:

    It was Gove who was tired of experts as I recall. He too is out of government.

    Pause...wait...don't do it...oh, well then

    :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

    For him alone, May deserves the benefit of any possible doubt.

    And then she sacked Morgan too!

    :sunglasses:
    There were quite a few senior Tory MPs overlooked in Cameron's reign of "bright young things" - some of whom have now got Posts..
  • Options
    nunununu Posts: 6,024
    619 said:
    Minnesota should be safer than that. Plus her lead is down by half.
  • Options
    nunununu Posts: 6,024
    Alistair said:

    I think Trump has locked his handlers out of his Twitter account.

    https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/777280259875975169

    I don't get it what's his beef with the nyt?
  • Options
    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,144
    Dadge said:

    This post smacks a little of desperation - quite a lot of Brexiters sound desperate at the moment, as though the referendum victory was pyrrhic.

    Can I suggest you wait until Jeremy Corbyn is re-elected to the Labour Leader post before deciding what constitutes desperation in politicians.... The PLP is going to give a master-class in desperation.
  • Options
    foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    ydoethur said:

    It was Gove who was tired of experts as I recall. He too is out of government.

    Pause...wait...don't do it...oh, well then

    :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

    For him alone, May deserves the benefit of any possible doubt.

    And then she sacked Morgan too

    :sunglasses:
    I am not convinced that replacing their hobby horse with her own is much progress.

    It will be interesting to see how the others of the old regime fare, such as Jeremy Hunt. TM seems to back him as per this little clip. Perhaps she feels threatened by people of ability. It would explain a lot about her current cabinet.

    https://youtu.be/nsCDAp_aFEg
  • Options
    PlatoSaidPlatoSaid Posts: 10,383
    WTF? I've just seen Sky's report on the reactions of Trump vs Hillary - they've EDITED it to make it look like Trump jumped the gun to say it was a bomb. Hillary said exactly the same thing on her plane - it's in the footage I posted earlier.

    I expect CNN to do this - and they did. Now Sky here?!? I'm very unimpressed.
  • Options
    old_labourold_labour Posts: 3,238
    CNN- Third device was a false alarm.
  • Options
    CD13 said:

    Mr Abroad,

    "Surely you'd want the authorities both to tell the truth & to say whatever helps people keep calmest. Glad that's not my job description..."

    I understand that - they're worried about copy-cats so they default to something else. But the default is exactly that. Worded to keep people calm rather than revealing the truth. When people start to disbelieve, it becomes a general cynicism which makes things worse.

    OMG, what are they hiding? What else are they hiding from us?

    The truth isn't always that bad. Lone wolves/copycats tend to be less organised and less dangerous.

    I doubt they know 'the truth' even now, many hours later. They may have good, firm leads, but they won't *know*. They can - and should - only keep it vague unless there is a distinct need for help from the public: e.g. to keep away from area(s) or to look out for certain suspects.

    Remember what happened after the Madrid bombing? Jumping to conclusions helped bring down the government, an aim probably beyond the expectations of the bombers.

    Yet the insatiable 24-hour news, plus the 'crime experts' on here, need feeding.
  • Options
    nunununu Posts: 6,024

    619 said:

    Why are they saying it is not an act of terrorism? WTF!

    because it might not be.
    What would you call deliberately setting off an explosive device in the middle of Manhattan?
    Social experiment gone wrong *its just a prank bro*?
  • Options
    old_labourold_labour Posts: 3,238
    nunu said:

    619 said:

    Why are they saying it is not an act of terrorism? WTF!

    because it might not be.
    What would you call deliberately setting off an explosive device in the middle of Manhattan?
    Social experiment gone wrong *its just a prank bro*?
    Those rascally college kids. Tsk.
  • Options
    foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548

    Sandpit said:

    Morning, and an interesting Sunday thread. I think Osborne will be back at some point, but it will take a couple of years of rehabilitation, the PM will want to see his loyalty from the back benches for a while. The "Punishment Budget" and the Brexit negotiations were a step too far, but he's only young (45) and no doubt will get his chance again once the burned bridges have been repaired.

    I'm not sure that's the case. What we need to know is how many Conservative MPs remain in his inner circle, and orbiting just outside it. Does he cut a lone figure in the Commons' bars, or does he have a coterie who will come back to him once things have settled down?

    If he does have many fellow MPs alongside him, it would be hard for May to ignore him.

    On another matter: so much depends on the Conservative Party Conference this year. May's been rather unimpressive so far, but she was parachuted in early. By conference we need to know more about the direction she wishes to take the country in, and how.
    IDS got a prolonged standing ovation just before he was ousted. Conferences can be very deceptive.
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,396

    ydoethur said:

    It was Gove who was tired of experts as I recall. He too is out of government.

    Pause...wait...don't do it...oh, well then

    :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

    For him alone, May deserves the benefit of any possible doubt.

    And then she sacked Morgan too

    :sunglasses:
    I am not convinced that replacing their hobby horse with her own is much progress.

    It will be interesting to see how the others of the old regime fare, such as Jeremy Hunt. TM seems to back him as per this little clip. Perhaps she feels threatened by people of ability. It would explain a lot about her current cabinet.

    https://youtu.be/nsCDAp_aFEg
    Gove, Morgan, Osborne are people of ability?

    They hid it remarkably well then.
  • Options
    old_labourold_labour Posts: 3,238
    #prayforManhatten
  • Options
    PlatoSaidPlatoSaid Posts: 10,383

    CNN- Third device was a false alarm.

    IIRC in Boston - they used two bombs, one to create panic and drive crowd towards the second remote alarmed device. Looks very similar tactics. The dumpster seems to have absorbed much of the blast and is a big industrial looking thing - not a street bin.
  • Options
    EssexitEssexit Posts: 1,956
    nunu said:

    619 said:

    Why are they saying it is not an act of terrorism? WTF!

    because it might not be.
    What would you call deliberately setting off an explosive device in the middle of Manhattan?
    Social experiment gone wrong *its just a prank bro*?
    NYC EXPLOSION PRANK [GONE WRONG]
  • Options
    PlatoSaidPlatoSaid Posts: 10,383
    edited September 2016

    #prayforManhatten

    Don't forget the Aloha Snackbar attack in Minnesota last night too - one dead, 7 others stabbed. And the NJ pipe bomb that failed to go off. All yesterday.

    EDIT

    BNO News
    UPDATE: Man who stabbed 8 at Minnesota mall spoke about Allah, asked at least person if they were Muslim
  • Options


    The new york ones were in a very upmarket area and the new Jersey one targetted at the armed forces.

    So, assuming it is not mentally ill peaceful people called Dave it sounds like far left nutters. Either way bad news for the democ rats
  • Options
    PlatoSaid said:

    WTF? I've just seen Sky's report on the reactions of Trump vs Hillary - they've EDITED it to make it look like Trump jumped the gun to say it was a bomb. Hillary said exactly the same thing on her plane - it's in the footage I posted earlier.

    I expect CNN to do this - and they did. Now Sky here?!? I'm very unimpressed.

    In the Hillary footage you posted - where she speaks like a zombie (I presume woken up?), she is asked what her response is to Trump calling it a bomb, and she says something like "people need to wait for the facts first".

    So I think Sky/CNN have this right.
  • Options
    PlatoSaidPlatoSaid Posts: 10,383
    Matthew Bailey
    35 years ago today: 'go back to your constituencies and prepare for government' - https://t.co/XCfDgPEFgY
  • Options
    AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    edited September 2016
    nunu said:

    Alistair said:

    I think Trump has locked his handlers out of his Twitter account.

    https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/777280259875975169

    I don't get it what's his beef with the nyt?
    They published an article about how Trump gets lots and lots of tax breaks and aggressively pursues them.
  • Options

    Sandpit said:

    Morning, and an interesting Sunday thread. I think Osborne will be back at some point, but it will take a couple of years of rehabilitation, the PM will want to see his loyalty from the back benches for a while. The "Punishment Budget" and the Brexit negotiations were a step too far, but he's only young (45) and no doubt will get his chance again once the burned bridges have been repaired.

    I'm not sure that's the case. What we need to know is how many Conservative MPs remain in his inner circle, and orbiting just outside it. Does he cut a lone figure in the Commons' bars, or does he have a coterie who will come back to him once things have settled down?

    If he does have many fellow MPs alongside him, it would be hard for May to ignore him.

    On another matter: so much depends on the Conservative Party Conference this year. May's been rather unimpressive so far, but she was parachuted in early. By conference we need to know more about the direction she wishes to take the country in, and how.
    IDS got a prolonged standing ovation just before he was ousted. Conferences can be very deceptive.
    Indeed, but I was thinking of the longer term. May needs to set out the direction and flavour of her government. The grammars policy appears to have gone down as well as cold sick, and I'd hope she can develop a direction to her government.

    There's no chance of her being ousted after this conference, but if she flounders about much longer she'll be in trouble in a year or two.

    I don;t actually blame her for these initial issues: the leadership campaign was too abrupt for positions to develop. But that excuse cannot be used much longer.
  • Options
    PlatoSaid said:

    #prayforManhatten

    Don't forget the Aloha Snackbar attack in Minnesota last night too - one dead, 7 others stabbed. And the NJ pipe bomb that failed to go off. All yesterday.

    EDIT

    BNO News
    UPDATE: Man who stabbed 8 at Minnesota mall spoke about Allah, asked at least person if they were Muslim
    Hillary wanting to ditch the second amendment and disarm everyone is going to go down like a bucket of cold sick after this
  • Options

    PlatoSaid said:

    #prayforManhatten

    Don't forget the Aloha Snackbar attack in Minnesota last night too - one dead, 7 others stabbed. And the NJ pipe bomb that failed to go off. All yesterday.

    EDIT

    BNO News
    UPDATE: Man who stabbed 8 at Minnesota mall spoke about Allah, asked at least person if they were Muslim
    Hillary wanting to ditch the second amendment and disarm everyone is going to go down like a bucket of cold sick after this
    Where has she said that?
  • Options
    AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670

    PlatoSaid said:

    WTF? I've just seen Sky's report on the reactions of Trump vs Hillary - they've EDITED it to make it look like Trump jumped the gun to say it was a bomb. Hillary said exactly the same thing on her plane - it's in the footage I posted earlier.

    I expect CNN to do this - and they did. Now Sky here?!? I'm very unimpressed.

    In the Hillary footage you posted - where she speaks like a zombie (I presume woken up?), she is asked what her response is to Trump calling it a bomb, and she says something like "people need to wait for the facts first".

    So I think Sky/CNN have this right.
    The time line is that Trump calls it a bomb before it was announced by the police.
  • Options
    619619 Posts: 1,784

    PlatoSaid said:

    #prayforManhatten

    Don't forget the Aloha Snackbar attack in Minnesota last night too - one dead, 7 others stabbed. And the NJ pipe bomb that failed to go off. All yesterday.

    EDIT

    BNO News
    UPDATE: Man who stabbed 8 at Minnesota mall spoke about Allah, asked at least person if they were Muslim
    Hillary wanting to ditch the second amendment and disarm everyone is going to go down like a bucket of cold sick after this
    it would do if that she is saying, rather than what crazy trump says that she is saying
  • Options
    PlatoSaidPlatoSaid Posts: 10,383

    PlatoSaid said:

    WTF? I've just seen Sky's report on the reactions of Trump vs Hillary - they've EDITED it to make it look like Trump jumped the gun to say it was a bomb. Hillary said exactly the same thing on her plane - it's in the footage I posted earlier.

    I expect CNN to do this - and they did. Now Sky here?!? I'm very unimpressed.

    In the Hillary footage you posted - where she speaks like a zombie (I presume woken up?), she is asked what her response is to Trump calling it a bomb, and she says something like "people need to wait for the facts first".

    So I think Sky/CNN have this right.
    The full footage shows her saying it's bombings - then a reporter asks her to react to Trump saying it's a bomb - she changes her response to an obvious prompt.

    It's all over Twitter - I watched myself.
  • Options
    <

    PlatoSaid said:

    #prayforManhatten

    Don't forget the Aloha Snackbar attack in Minnesota last night too - one dead, 7 others stabbed. And the NJ pipe bomb that failed to go off. All yesterday.

    EDIT

    BNO News
    UPDATE: Man who stabbed 8 at Minnesota mall spoke about Allah, asked at least person if they were Muslim
    Hillary wanting to ditch the second amendment and disarm everyone is going to go down like a bucket of cold sick after this
    Where has she said that?
    http://www.forbes.com/sites/frankminiter/2016/08/11/proof-that-hillary-does-want-to-make-the-second-amendment-meaningless/#7e6df0404365
  • Options
    PlatoSaid said:

    #prayforManhatten

    Don't forget the Aloha Snackbar attack in Minnesota last night too - one dead, 7 others stabbed. And the NJ pipe bomb that failed to go off. All yesterday.

    EDIT

    BNO News
    UPDATE: Man who stabbed 8 at Minnesota mall spoke about Allah, asked at least person if they were Muslim
    Man locally known as dave....local police not quite so up to date on their ability to spot mental health condition from 50feet though.
This discussion has been closed.