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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » How it could go wrong for LAB in South Shields: 2. Ukip ch

SystemSystem Posts: 11,017
edited April 2013 in General

politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » How it could go wrong for LAB in South Shields: 2. Ukip choosing someone as good as Eastleigh’s Diane James

What Ukip need in the coming by-election – the #SouthShields equivalent of Diane James – who came second @ Eastleigh. twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/st…

Read the full story here


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    redcliffe62redcliffe62 Posts: 342
    Sensible comments Mike. In a by- electon a candidate with a clean record for the 2nd choice party makes a big difference. I think the quality of the Labour candidate in South Shields is the key issue, some union lackey with a dodgy past might get spanked in the media big time.
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    SocratesSocrates Posts: 10,322
    Great article.
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    FPT .....

    *Betting Post*

    Fantastic day's racing and not just at Aintree. My money is on:

    Aintree:
    2.00 Flaxen Flare 5/1
    2.30 Quito de la Roque 10/1
    3.05 Countrywide Flame 9/2
    3.40 Cottage Oak 7/1
    4.50 Captain Conan 13/8
    5.25 Barafundle 16/1
    Jetson 7/1
    Many Clouds 12/1
    Ely Brown 25/1
    Hada Man 40/1

    Taunton:
    3.55 Monetary Fund 5/1
    5.35 Helium 14/1

    Lingfield:
    4.05 Hard Walnut 11/2
    4.40 North Star Boy 17/2

    Wolverhampton:
    5.20 Jordanstown 13/2
    6.25 Holy Angel 5/1
    7.55 One Scoop or Two 5/1

    By far my heaviest bet is on Countrywide Flame in the Aintree hurdle. I think this is a knocking good each way bet. It was a staying on third in the Champion Hurdle behind top-notch Hurrican Fly and Rock On Ruby. The extra 4 furlongs should suit. The New One will have to be a very good horse to beat it, and even then place money should cover the loss.

    I have also gone quite strong on the selections for the 2.00 and the 5.35.

    If you are puzzled by the selection of five choices for the 5.25, remember that it is a 16+ runner handicap and you get 1/4 the odds on the first four home. This makes the place value exceptionally good. It's almost worth backing each way even if all you have to help you is a well-sharpened pin, but as it happens, it is one of those races where a lot of the field can be excluded without too much difficulty. Three mile hurdling is a real specialism, and very few horses get the distance. The five in question definitely do. I've backed them all each way, and in reverse-forecasts. You can have fun with this one if you fancy - there are all sorts of permutations you can try, but even if you just do a couple each way, you will be getting value. (Barafundle is probably the best of them if you only want one.)

    All the other selections are to modest stakes.

    Good luck. I'll be back much later with comments, excuses etc.
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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    rEd will get on a train, then get off a train = Labour HOLD.

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    Another load of tosh from Smithson, is he trying to invent news all by himself or what. For christs sakes man get a life and stop trying to make people vote the way you want
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    carlcarl Posts: 750
    Mike, do you have a sneaky feeling that UKIP might just might take the seat?
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    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    UKIP's councillor represents a ward just outside the South Shields constituency. Cleadon and East Boldon is in the Jarrow seat, which also has a Tory councillor.
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    taffystaffys Posts: 9,753
    ' This is a mature, grown up government of the highest calibre'.

    Blimey, Peter Oborne's changed his tune. Has he seen a poll the rest of us haven't?
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    SocratesSocrates Posts: 10,322
    Why on Earth is the Speccy running columns by Pippa Middleton?
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    AveryLPAveryLP Posts: 7,815
    edited April 2013
    Captain George steers HMS UK to the front of the fleet

    Markit published their UK Service Sector PMIs this morning and the result is good news for the UK and bad news for the Eurozone.

    The UK’s services sector expanded in March to its strongest level in seven months while the Eurozone contracted to its worst since late last year, according to data released on Thursday.

    The Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the dominant service sector showed the UK climbed to 52.4 in March from 51.8 in February. It beat the 51.5 market consensus.

    Europe's services PMI fell to 46.4 from 47.9 in February, pointing to a deeper recession in the region. A figure below 50 indicates a contraction in activity.


    That the UK is surging ahead of Europe is good news and a testament to the skill of Captain George's helmsmanship. Europe however remains battered by headwinds and appears to making little progress.

    Chris Williamson, the Chief Economist at Markit, summarises the Eurozone problems:

    "While the first quarter contraction [by the euro-zone economy] is likely to have been less steep than the 0.6% decline seen in the final quarter of last year, the concern is that the euro-zone downturn shows no signs of ending"
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    corporealcorporeal Posts: 2,549
    Socrates said:

    Why on Earth is the Speccy running columns by Pippa Middleton?

    They think it'll sell papers?
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    SocratesSocrates Posts: 10,322
    corporeal said:

    Socrates said:

    Why on Earth is the Speccy running columns by Pippa Middleton?

    They think it'll sell papers?
    God knows why. It's not their core readership and she's an incredibly bland writer.
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    MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382
    edited April 2013
    carl said:

    Mike, do you have a sneaky feeling that UKIP might just might take the seat?



    It is a big ask and I believe that the most likely outcome is LAB first with Ukip second. But if Labour gets it candidate choice wrong and Ukip right then there could just possibly be a surprise.

    In these super strong areas for Labour there can often be a feeling of resentment. The coalition partners are right out of this which leaves Ukip.

    I make money on a UKIP victory but don't lose provided that Ukip comes second

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    Mick_PorkMick_Pork Posts: 6,530
    Should be a busy little betting market, particularly once the candidates are selected. Perhaps even profitable. ;)

    "Unlike Eastleigh Ukip start with an advantage. The party has a councillor on the South Tyneside authority."

    Are you implying that councillor should perhaps stand?

    If it's still this guy he's quite a controversial chap.
    I’m not ashamed, says bankrupt UKIP councillor

    A CONTROVERSIAL South Tyneside councillor who was declared bankrupt this week has pledged to continue his political career.

    Coun David Potts, who represents Cleadon and East Boldon for UKIP, says he is making “no excuses” after he was issued with a personal bankruptcy order at Sunderland County Court.

    The 30-year-old financial market trader, whose political career has been dogged by controversy, admitted he had made professional mistakes and that he was a “victim of the current state of the UK and international economy”.

    But he insisted he had personally petitioned for bankruptcy after realising he was in financial trouble.

    Coun Potts, who hopes to be his party’s candidate for Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, compared his decision to that when he admitted an addiction to alcohol two years ago

    http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/local-news/i-m-not-ashamed-says-bankrupt-ukip-councillor-1-4977992




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    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,830
    Do we know whether there are any problems with the local council? That may have a bearing on the outcome.
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    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited April 2013
    All Diane James needs to do is start speaking with a Geordie accent and she'd be the perfect candidate for South Shields. (Or maybe not).
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    Rexel56Rexel56 Posts: 807
    Dan Hodges has sussed tim:

    Another Labour insider says it provides in insight into the political psychology of Ed’s inner circle. “You have to understand, they’re totally obsessed with the idea of posh people. They think it’s the defining issue. They think if they can paint Cameron as the posh guy, and Ed as an ordinary guy, they’ll win.”

    http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danhodges/100210501/labours-new-strategy-get-this-muthaflippin-miliband-on-this-muthaflippin-train/
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,269
    Is Paolo di Canio eligible to stand?

    :)
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    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,830
    I see that UKIP have a good chance of gaining another council seat tonight in NE Lincs., in a ward where they ran the Conservatives a close second in 2012, and where Labour finished a distant third.
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    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Labour has possibly already made a serious mistake by not holding the by-election on the same day as the local elections which means that UKIP activists from all over the country will be available to converge on the constituency.
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    AveryLPAveryLP Posts: 7,815
    edited April 2013
    Perhaps Pippa Middleton could stand as UKIP candidate in South Shields?

    If, as tim suggests, the BNP and EDL stood behind her, we would be most unlikely to see her bottom in the poll.
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    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    The demographics in NE Lincs are about as good as they get from a UKIP point of view.
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    RichardNabaviRichardNabavi Posts: 3,413
    edited April 2013
    On topic: I'm not so sure that (within reason) the candidate matters that much. This isn't Eastleigh and votes for UKIP will not be seriously intended to put a UKIP MP in parliament. Of course, by-elections do sometimes produce shock results, but it would be the mother of all shocks for an opposition party to lose one of its safest seats; Labour have held South Shields since the 1930s, typically with a vote share in the 50% to 70% range. They ain't gonna lose it in a mid-term by-election when they are in opposition.

    Still, UKIP will do well and probably come second. By 'well', I mean something in the 20% to 25% range, with Labour on around 60%, and the others squabbling over the dregs.
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    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    My current prediction would be something like: Lab 55%, UKIP 30%, Con 6%, LD 3%, Others 6%.
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    Many thanks for flagging the price wise picks last night. L'Unique was fab there? On to the second, I am on First Lieutenant.
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,917
    L'unique comes in ! Nice start for me.
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    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,283
    @ Socrates

    re: Spectator/Pippa

    no idea perhaps they think they are being post-modern.

    Worse than that IMO is their "Life" supplement which is full of gushy pieces on holiday resorts and 100 grand watches.

    I can't work out where it fits in their profile or the profile of their readers (who might wear 100 grand watches but want some critical element in articles about them)
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,269

    On topic: I'm not so sure that (within reason) the candidate matters that much. This isn't Eastleigh and votes for UKIP will not be seriously intended to put a UKIP MP in parliament. Of course, by-elections do sometimes produce shock results, but it would be the mother of all shocks for an opposition party to lose one of its safest seats; Labour have held South Shields since the 1930s, typically with a vote share in the 50% to 70% range. They ain't gonna lose it in a mid-term by-election when they are in opposition.

    Still, UKIP will do well and probably come second. By 'well', I mean something in the 20% to 25% range, with Labour on around 60%, and the others squabbling over the dregs.

    They lost Bradford West in opposition!
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    Mick_PorkMick_Pork Posts: 6,530
    AndyJS said:

    Labour has possibly already made a serious mistake by not holding the by-election on the same day as the local elections which means that UKIP activists from all over the country will be available to converge on the constituency.


    It's a safe seat. They likely want the headlines of a good win. We'll see if they come to regret that.
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,917

    Many thanks for flagging the price wise picks last night. L'Unique was fab there? On to the second, I am on First Lieutenant.

    On Quito de la... Staked a total of £75 on a combo of yours and PtP's picks, £35 back thus far.

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    Peter_the_PunterPeter_the_Punter Posts: 13,310
    edited April 2013
    Pulpstar said:

    L'unique comes in ! Nice start for me.

    Thanks Pulp.

    I took the tens last nite but switched to Flaxen Flare today. Nevertheless a nice net profit.

    Cheers!
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    RichardNabaviRichardNabavi Posts: 3,413


    They lost Bradford West in opposition!

    True. Betting-wise, it's a painful memory which I don't like to be reminded of!

    That certainly was a shock result, but IIRC South Shields doesn't have a large ethnic block of votes.
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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Bradford East was lost to the left - however it was to a single issue party similar to UKip.
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,917

    Pulpstar said:

    L'unique comes in ! Nice start for me.

    Thanks Pulp.

    I took the tens last nite but switched to Flaxen Flare today. Nevertheless a nice net profit.

    Cheers!
    Had £2.50 E/W on L'unique and £2.50 to win on Flaxen Flare, but only at 9-1. Oh well !

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    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    Unless the Labour candidate is caught performing Satanic rituals with the blood of virgins, this is going to be an easy Labour win. Even then, I wouldn't fancy UKIP to do better than a decent second.
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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    Gerry Hassan ‏@GerryHassan 1h
    A new low for @georgeosborne as he brings #philpott into the welfare debate. Tastleless & wrong.
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    Pulpstar said:

    Pulpstar said:

    L'unique comes in ! Nice start for me.


    Had £2.50 E/W on L'unique and £2.50 to win on Flaxen Flare, but only at 9-1. Oh well !

    No matter, Pulp. It's a good start, but a long, long way to go....

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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,917
    antifrank said:

    Unless the Labour candidate is caught performing Satanic rituals with the blood of virgins, this is going to be an easy Labour win. Even then, I wouldn't fancy UKIP to do better than a decent second.

    A decent second would be fab, thanks.

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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633

    Gerry Hassan ‏@GerryHassan 1h
    A new low for @georgeosborne as he brings #philpott into the welfare debate. Tastleless & wrong.

    The judge brought welfare to the front and centre of the summing up.

    Was the judge tasteless and wrong ?



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    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    Pulpstar said:

    antifrank said:

    Unless the Labour candidate is caught performing Satanic rituals with the blood of virgins, this is going to be an easy Labour win. Even then, I wouldn't fancy UKIP to do better than a decent second.

    A decent second would be fab, thanks.

    So how are you going to arrange for the Labour candidate to be hypnotised into performing Satanic rituals?
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,917
    antifrank said:

    Pulpstar said:

    antifrank said:

    Unless the Labour candidate is caught performing Satanic rituals with the blood of virgins, this is going to be an easy Labour win. Even then, I wouldn't fancy UKIP to do better than a decent second.

    A decent second would be fab, thanks.

    So how are you going to arrange for the Labour candidate to be hypnotised into performing Satanic rituals?
    I'd rather they didn't, I win more if UKIP finish 2nd..
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    AveryLPAveryLP Posts: 7,815
    antifrank said:

    Unless the Labour candidate is caught performing Satanic rituals with the blood of virgins, this is going to be an easy Labour win.

    You never know, antifrank.

    The probability of a Labour candidate in South Shields being on benefits is quite high.

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    Mick_PorkMick_Pork Posts: 6,530


    A new low for @georgeosborne

    Only for the moment. He can and he will go far lower still. Osbrowne got the taxpayer to help buy him a horse paddock yet he couldn't even tax a pasty without making a AAA omnishambles out of it. That's what being an incompetent master strategist means.

    Probably his idea to send Cammie to scotland to say Trident is a spiffing idea.
    How could a master strategy like that possibly fail? ;)

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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    AveryLP said:


    The probability of a Labour candidate in South Shields being on benefits is quite high.

    Depends if they pick a local candidate or a parachutist..
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,917
    edited April 2013
    Mick_Pork said:


    A new low for @georgeosborne

    Only for the moment. He can and he will go far lower still. Osbrowne got the taxpayer to help buy him a horse paddock yet he couldn't even tax a pasty without making a AAA omnishambles out of it. That's what being an incompetent master strategist means.

    Probably his idea to send Cammie to scotland to say Trident is a spiffing idea.
    How could a master strategy like that possibly fail? ;)

    If there is an overridding metagame of losing the Scottish referendum then that is worth much much much more in long term strategic advantage than the 2015 GE... I can't see that is what Cameron is trying to do but it would be politically brilliant to deny Labour 40 seats forever.

    Perhaps he will put George in charge of the referendum campaign when it comes near, that would certainly be of Machiavellian brilliance.
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    GeoffMGeoffM Posts: 6,071
    I'm on PtP's list today and from the posts last night - L'unique has got me off to a great start so many thanks to PtP, Pulp and LucianF for the ideas.
    Fingers crossed...
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    Mick_PorkMick_Pork Posts: 6,530
    edited April 2013
    TGOHF said:

    Gerry Hassan ‏@GerryHassan 1h
    A new low for @georgeosborne as he brings #philpott into the welfare debate. Tastleless & wrong.

    The judge brought welfare to the front and centre of the summing up.

    Was the judge tasteless and wrong ?
    The judge didn't just being up welfare Harry as you keep forgetting for some reason.

    "Their wages and benefits went into your account #Philpott "You did not even allow them their own door key"

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    AveryLPAveryLP Posts: 7,815
    edited April 2013
    Mick_Pork said:


    A new low for @georgeosborne

    ... Osbrowne ... horse paddock ... pasty ... AAA omnishambles ... incompetent master strategist ... Cammie ... scotland ... Trident ... spiffing ... master strategy ... fail

    Afternoon, Pork.

    Acorns tasty?

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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    Ex-Harry -

    "In her sentencing remarks, the judge made no suggestion that Philpott's actions had been driven by welfare or benefits."

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/apr/04/mick-philpott-benefits-lifestyle-questioned
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    Mick_PorkMick_Pork Posts: 6,530
    AveryLP said:

    Afternoon, Pork.

    Afternoon, Seth O Logue.

    Lansley still not PM? :)

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    nigelnigel Posts: 6
    Anyone noticed the recent Clinton moves which suggest that she has decided to run for the presidency next time around ?
    At some point she's likely to be odds on favourite, so might make a decent trading bet if you're prepared to lock up the stake for a while.
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    perdixperdix Posts: 1,806
    @Pulpstar Once the Scots have said no to independence and inevitably received more "powers" it will be time to institute English Votes for English Laws.
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    Nice to be on a freeroll from after the second!
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    GeoffMGeoffM Posts: 6,071
    perdix said:

    @Pulpstar ...it will be time to institute English Votes for English Laws.

    And stop subsidising them.

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    Pulpstar said:

    Many thanks for flagging the price wise picks last night. L'Unique was fab there? On to the second, I am on First Lieutenant.

    Quito was running well for a long time. Notable run from Menorah. Won me one of my first nice prices when I started properly following the nags a few years ago.
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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "What, you seriously expected a judge in a horrible manslaughter case to start making bullet points about the pros and cons of child benefit?"

    No, I expected her to stick to the matter in hand, and I'm glad to say she did. TGOHF seems to think she didn't, however, so I was just setting him straight.
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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "Once the Scots have said no to independence and inevitably received more "powers" it will be time to institute English Votes for English Laws."


    Don't be so pessimistic. Support for independence is on the up and up - which means the West Lothian Question is going to be resolved in the only way it really can be.
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    Recently 3 Labour supporting journalists Rentoul, Rawnsley and Riddell wrote recently that Ed Milliband's Labour has very few clear policies and plans, 24 (or fewer) months from the next GE.

    Now Peter Watt ex general secretary of the Labour party writes "Labour has got itself into a mess on welfare" "I don’t know what Labour’s position on welfare reform is. I know that the Tories want to cut welfare bills and make work pay. I know this because they keep saying it.."
    http://labour-uncut.co.uk/2013/04/04/labour-has-got-itself-into-a-mess-on-welfare/
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    Nice to be on a freeroll from after the second!


    Grrrr....backed it at Cheltenham.

    Went to the funeral and missed the wedding.

    Great trainer, Mouse Morris. He had a heartbreaking Festival. Good to see him by the winning pole.
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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "And stop subsidising them."

    Stop subsidising English votes? How much do they cost?
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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Why shouldn't any politician comment on any case after the verdict.

    A serious important matter worthy of debate.

    Would you rather we stuck to whether someone is posh or not ?

    Pathetic stuff from the left - this topic and case has the public talking - censoring comment on it is not the answer.

    PS - where's rEd ? On holiday ? On a train ?
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    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,235
    edited April 2013
    @Mick_Pork

    Going by the date of that article the councillor would still be bankrupt. If he is the subject of a bankruptcy restriction order then he is not an eligible candidate and any election where he won would be void s 426A of the Insolvency Act 1986.

    Whether such an order is made (and its effect is far wider than Parliament) depends on the conduct that leads to the bankruptcy.

    Curiously the law in Scotland is different from England in this area. A Scot would have 6 months to get the sequestration annulled.
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    Mick_PorkMick_Pork Posts: 6,530
    edited April 2013
    perdix said:

    @Pulpstar Once the Scots have said no to independence and inevitably received more "powers" it will be time to institute English Votes for English Laws.

    Haven't heard have you?
    Not that surprising since Cammie probably doesn't want to upset his backbenchers.

    The McKay commision on the WLQ reported and now it's in the hands of Cammie and Clegg whether to implement english votes for english laws. Yet strangely, there has been barely a peep out from the coalition on it yet. Despite them trumpeting it in their amusing 'Ronseal' Relaunch coalition document.

    http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/articles/conclusions-of-mckay-10607.html

    http://tmc.independent.gov.uk/news/the-mckay-commission-report-on-the-consequences-of-devolution-for-the-house-of-commons-published-25-march-2013/



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    FPT Mick Pork, so have you joined Labour as you write so much in support of their views?
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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "Why shouldn't any politician comment on any case after the verdict."

    I presume, then, you wouldn't object if a wealthy person's conviction for murder was met by a thoughtful contribution of "this is what happens when you don't have 100% inheritance tax, and when you have fops running the country".
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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/iainmartin1/100210471/cameron-hits-another-nationalist-weak-spot-on-defence/

    "The Prime Minister praised the defence industry in Scotland and pointed out that a great many jobs rest on it. An independent Scotland could not expect to get many defence contracts from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

    Any Nationalist who is remotely annoyed about this statement of fact is being delusional or has watched Braveheart too many times. "
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    AveryLPAveryLP Posts: 7,815
    TGOHF said:

    Why shouldn't any politician comment on any case after the verdict.

    PS - where's rEd ? On holiday ? On a train ?

    On benefits.

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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,917
    Bah just missed on a place - ah well, Conti seems to be a fast horse but perhaps evens was too short for a recent faller especially at Aintree ... ?
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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633

    "Why shouldn't any politician comment on any case after the verdict."

    I presume, then, you wouldn't object if a wealthy person's conviction for murder was met by a thoughtful contribution of "this is what happens when you don't have 100% inheritance tax, and when you have fops running the country".

    Silly comparison - that involves private money not the taxpayers money.


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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "Any Nationalist who is remotely annoyed about this statement of fact is being delusional"


    Hmmm. Thoughts on "delusion" from the rag that has just earnestly reported David Cameron's intriguing belief that we must renew Trident on the grounds that we are at more risk of suffering a nuclear attack than we were at the height of the Cold War.
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    Mick_PorkMick_Pork Posts: 6,530
    edited April 2013

    FPT Mick Pork, so have you joined Labour as you write so much in support of their views?

    Was there some part of my reply that was still too complicated for you to follow?
    I tried to make it as simple as possible for a right winger like yourself to understand.

    Not supporting the tories doesn't mean you support labour. I support the SNP.

    Grasped it yet chum? :)
    LOL

    Because you support right wing policies does that mean you have joined the BNP?
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    MarkSeniorMarkSenior Posts: 4,699
    David Potts is no Diane James , a declared bankrupt ex confessed alcoholic elected as a Conservative in a ward in which UKIP have never stood a candidate and found guilty of breaching the council's code of conduct in a manner which resulted in a police caution .
    A much more typical example of a UKIP councillor than Diane James .
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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "The public has swung to the right, and will continue to swing right...it is an historic shift."


    Except for viewers in Scotland. Perhaps you might call that a "historic divergence" - which is going to lead to backing for independence in eighteen months' time.
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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "Silly comparison - that involves private money not the taxpayers money."

    No it doesn't. It's only private money because the law mandates it to be. The representatives of taxpayers could have much better use for it.
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    AveryLPAveryLP Posts: 7,815
    edited April 2013
    I know I have already referenced the Markit PMIs for the Eurozone countries published today, but it is worth quoting the Markit press release in detail.

    We may be wailing about the UK economy but the problems facing the Eurozone really are dire. Even Germany is stagnating.

    The Eurozone downturn intensified in March as Germany neared levels of stagnation, according to purchasing managers' indices (PMIs) published on Thursday by Markit.

    The final reading of the Eurozone PMI Composite Output Index remained unchanged from the preliminary estimate at 46.5 but the rate of decline increased from February's 47.9 number. Output for the region has now fallen in each of the last 19 months with the sole exception of a marginal increase at the beginning of last year.

    France noted the steepest downturn out of the four largest Eurozone nations while both Spain and Italy noted “severe” contractions. “Only Germany continued to see higher business activity, though even there the rate of expansion slowed sharply to near-stagnation,” Markit commented in the report.

    March saw the largest monthly fall in new orders since December. New business dropped at the fastest rate since September in the service sector, while manufacturers reported the steepest drop in new orders since December. New orders fell for the first time in three months in Germany, accompanied by sharp rates of decline in France, Italy and Spain.

    Markit Chief Economist Chris Williamson still believes that the first quarter contraction in the Eurozone will be “less steep” that the fourth quarter of 2012 but noted that “the concern is that the Eurozone downturn shows no signs of ending.

    “The recession is deepening once again as businesses report that they have become increasingly worried about the region’s debt crisis and political instability.”

    ---------------------------------------------------


    We may gloat at how well the UK is doing in comparison with the Eurozone countries but the continued recession on the continent is really bad news for us all.

    Thank God we have George to keep us safe.
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    SocratesSocrates Posts: 10,322
    Jimmy Carville is getting involved in the Clinton-supporting super PAC:

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/04/04/carville-signs-on-with-pro-hillary-super-pac/

    I'm pretty confident this means Hillary is running.
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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    rEd's backers call for general strike - even though it might be illegal.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22029895

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    carlcarl Posts: 750
    SeanT said:

    Labour are on the back foot on the Benefits issue

    Really? Which segment of their (majority winning) current support do you think they are alienating with their position, then. The 30% Brown voters, or the 10% or so left-leaning ex Lib Dems?
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    SimonStClareSimonStClare Posts: 7,976
    edited April 2013
    “David Potts is no Diane James”

    Is Mr Potts the UKIP candidate - or the SS local councillor mentioned in OGH article?

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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633

    "Silly comparison - that involves private money not the taxpayers money."

    No it doesn't. It's only private money because the law mandates it to be. The representatives of taxpayers could have much better use for it.

    Only if you are communist James. All property is theft from the state ?
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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "Nah, the Scots are just a little bit slower on the uptake. They'll get there in the end."

    Is that why the Scottish Tories steadily fell from 51% of the vote in 1955 to 17% of the vote in 2010? What is this - some kind of elongated boomerang effect that will take another couple of centuries to play out?
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    TCPoliticalBettingTCPoliticalBetting Posts: 10,819
    edited April 2013
    SeanT said:

    Nah, the Scots are just a little bit slower on the uptake. They'll get there in the end.

    SeanT you overlook the fact that James and MickPork are fighting hard to put forward Labourite views so that Scotland will vote for independence... Shirley schome mishtake?

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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Let us be glad the French tried socialism when the money ran out so that we don't have to.
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    Pulpstar said:

    Bah just missed on a place - ah well, Conti seems to be a fast horse but perhaps evens was too short for a recent faller especially at Aintree ... ?

    I just didn't see how they could say it was the best jumper in the field. Certainly didn't look that hot again. Evens looked awful when there were a few nice horses opposing.

    Really looking forward to the next. On both Countrywide Flame and Oscar Whisky. But I am worried that I have deserted The New One who looked so good when I backed him at Cheltenham.
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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "All property is theft from the state ?"

    No. Property is determined by law.
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    taffystaffys Posts: 9,753
    The position of Her Majesty's opposition (so far as I can make out) appears to be that the likes of Philpott are collateral damage. OK, there are a few sheisters, but they are a necessary evil if the vast majority of deserving cases are not to lose out.

    If that is indeed their position, then they should say that.
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    Mick_PorkMick_Pork Posts: 6,530

    “David Potts is no Diane James”

    Is Mr Potts the UKIP candidate or the SS local councillor mentioned in OGH article?

    As far as I can tell he's still the councillor and he's listed as that on a UKIP site.

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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "SeanT you overlook the fact that James and MickPork are fighting hard to put forward Labourite views so that Scotland will vote for independence... Shirley schome mishtake?"

    When do I put forward "Labourite" views? I'm considerably to the left of the modern Labour party.
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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633

    "All property is theft from the state ?"

    No. Property is determined by law.

    Luckily the law still allows us to pass on our wealth to our offspring and families should we choose to.


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    AndreaParma_82AndreaParma_82 Posts: 4,714

    David Potts is no Diane James , a declared bankrupt ex confessed alcoholic elected as a Conservative in a ward in which UKIP have never stood a candidate and found guilty of breaching the council's code of conduct in a manner which resulted in a police caution .
    A much more typical example of a UKIP councillor than Diane James .

    On another place, a UKIP member said that Potts wanted to run for Northumbria PCC and UKIP didn't pick him.
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    JamesKellyJamesKelly Posts: 1,348
    "Luckily the law still allows us to pass on our wealth to our offspring and families should we choose to."

    Thankyou for conceding that this privilege is at the discretion of wider society, and can be withdrawn.
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    PongPong Posts: 4,693
    thanks ptp

    I'm on Countrywide flame £100 @ 11/2 via betfair sportsbook

    They're not only matching the industry BOG, but giving a full refund if 2nd.

    Decent concession IMO
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    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    I don't see any particular problem with a politician commenting after the event on an individual case. Was George Osborne well-advised to do so? It's tasteless, but I suspect quite effective. Until Labour come up with a critique that revolves less around opposing cuts to welfare and more about how to organise welfare more effectively, Labour are going to be punched all around the ring on this topic.
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    SocratesSocrates Posts: 10,322
    TOPPING said:

    @ Socrates

    re: Spectator/Pippa

    no idea perhaps they think they are being post-modern.

    Worse than that IMO is their "Life" supplement which is full of gushy pieces on holiday resorts and 100 grand watches.

    I can't work out where it fits in their profile or the profile of their readers (who might wear 100 grand watches but want some critical element in articles about them)

    Are the latter cases simply undeclared advertising? I know the Atlantic in the US got criticised for doing this and backpeddling.
    Rexel56 said:

    Dan Hodges has sussed tim:

    Another Labour insider says it provides in insight into the political psychology of Ed’s inner circle. “You have to understand, they’re totally obsessed with the idea of posh people. They think it’s the defining issue. They think if they can paint Cameron as the posh guy, and Ed as an ordinary guy, they’ll win.”

    http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danhodges/100210501/labours-new-strategy-get-this-muthaflippin-miliband-on-this-muthaflippin-train/

    It's pretty obvious that there are a number of posters on here that have a deep ingrained hatred of people of upper class or upper middle class background. Many of them can't refer to any policy mistake without bringing up people being "posh" or "fops". In terms of the latter word, it doesn't even mean posh person, but they're so desperate to find a slur they have to use it. It's almost akin to racism.
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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633

    "Luckily the law still allows us to pass on our wealth to our offspring and families should we choose to."

    Thankyou for conceding that this privilege is at the discretion of wider society, and can be withdrawn.

    Luckily the wider society would withdraw the privilege of a lawmaker to make the law should they attempt to change this particular law.

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    When do I put forward "Labourite" views? I'm considerably to the left of the modern Labour party.

    When? All the time! SNP lines are very rare. As to being left of Labour that is hardly possible with Ed Milliband at the top. Unless of course you are a Marxist!

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    AndreaParma_82AndreaParma_82 Posts: 4,714
    edited April 2013

    carl said:

    It is a big ask and I believe that the most likely outcome is LAB first with Ukip second. But if Labour gets it candidate choice wrong and Ukip right then there could just possibly be a surprise.
    In these super strong areas for Labour there can often be a feeling of resentment.

    what would be a good candidate selection for Labour in your opinion?

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    TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Shocking footage of the CoTE commenting on a topic relevant to voters concerns.

    http://order-order.com/2013/04/04/watch-osborne-asks-why-taxpayer-subsidised-philpott/
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    MarkSeniorMarkSenior Posts: 4,699

    David Potts is no Diane James , a declared bankrupt ex confessed alcoholic elected as a Conservative in a ward in which UKIP have never stood a candidate and found guilty of breaching the council's code of conduct in a manner which resulted in a police caution .
    A much more typical example of a UKIP councillor than Diane James .

    On another place, a UKIP member said that Potts wanted to run for Northumbria PCC and UKIP didn't pick him.
    He prematurely announced he was the UKIP PCC candidate but as you say he was not selected .

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    James Kelly, since the modern Labour party is now largely funded and run by Unite with its plan for a general strike it is hard to think of someone being further left than this. The Labour party is probably back in line with Michael Foot. Kinnock certainly thinks so "we got our party back".
This discussion has been closed.