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SystemSystem Posts: 12,681
edited December 2016 in General

imagepoliticalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Taking stock of 2016. What do you think were the biggest events of this extraordinary political year?

Ahead of this week’s PB/Polling Matters podcast the team have come up with a short survey so that readers of PB can give their thoughts on the biggest winners, losers, shocks and moments from the past year.

Read the full story here


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Comments

  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    first!
  • Hertsmere_PubgoerHertsmere_Pubgoer Posts: 3,476
    Somewhere
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,907
    Shortest by-election thread evah!!!
  • SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    For us, Brexit.

    For the World, Trump.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Holyrood results
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172
    Speedy said:

    For us, Brexit.

    For the World, Trump.

    And for Mark Senior, the Liberal Democrat's clean sweep of Camberwick Green Town Council.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    Unsung hero is a difficult survey question (unsung hero in the sense of someone less recognised but with a big impact, not necessarily one I'd like).
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,705
    Scott_P said:

    Holyrood results

    Scottish Tory Surge confirmed!
  • SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    kle4 said:

    Unsung hero is a difficult survey question (unsung hero in the sense of someone less recognised but with a big impact, not necessarily one I'd like).

    Farage, he had an impact on both Brexit and Trump.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    https://twitter.com/polhomeeditor/status/805899087287635969
  • not_on_firenot_on_fire Posts: 4,451
    Alastair Meeks for POTY ;-)
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Speedy said:

    Farage, he had an impact on both Brexit and Trump.

    Hardly unsung. He's never off the f*cking TV
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    Speedy said:

    kle4 said:

    Unsung hero is a difficult survey question (unsung hero in the sense of someone less recognised but with a big impact, not necessarily one I'd like).

    Farage, he had an impact on both Brexit and Trump.
    I would have, but he gets plenty of credit. I went with Gove. Yes, a Cabinet minister, but not hugely prominent, but his twists and turns had some big impacts.
  • FregglesFreggles Posts: 3,487
    edited December 2016
    Off Topic


    http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/12/05/opinion/why-i-will-not-cast-my-electoral-vote-for-donald-trump.html?referer=https://t.co/PbRQgyRwON

    Faithless elector
  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    Scott_P said:

    Speedy said:

    Farage, he had an impact on both Brexit and Trump.

    Hardly unsung. He's never off the f*cking TV
    He's been on Fox News a lot too.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    Freggles said:

    Off Topic


    http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/12/05/opinion/why-i-will-not-cast-my-electoral-vote-for-donald-trump.html?referer=https://t.co/PbRQgyRwON

    Faithless elector

    Bold to admit so beforehand. I wonder what Trump's tweets will say about this.
  • edmundintokyoedmundintokyo Posts: 17,769
    Freggles said:

    Off Topic


    http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/12/05/opinion/why-i-will-not-cast-my-electoral-vote-for-donald-trump.html?referer=https://t.co/PbRQgyRwON

    Faithless elector

    Thing is even if you get a torrent of these guys it just ends up in Congress and they pick Trump.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    not_on_fire said:

    Alastair Meeks for POTY ;-)

    ANTIFRANK, not Alastair
  • SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    Scott_P said:

    Speedy said:

    Farage, he had an impact on both Brexit and Trump.

    Hardly unsung. He's never off the f*cking TV
    Between the big political beasts on both sides of the Atlantic, Farage is not even an MP and yet you can find his fingerprints all over on both Brexit and Trump.

    He is the physical link between the two most important events of the year, and I have to give him credit for that.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Tim_B said:

    He's been on Fox News a lot too.

    Hey Tim

    I met an old neighbour in the supermarket yesterday. They moved house maybe 5 years ago. And what did she want to talk about?

    The Dallas Cowboys...
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    When asking who is POTY, there is really only one criterion? Who does one agree with the most? They are clearly the best.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 56,314
    Moment of the year:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOJz1zqC2LY
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 23,373
    I've gone for Gisella Stewart for the unsung award. Without her contribution to the Leave campaign, Remain might have won.
  • Fat_SteveFat_Steve Posts: 361
    Speedy said:

    For us, Brexit.

    For the World, Trump.

    I answered the same way. Brexit is clearly the biggest event in Britain. Trump more generally. What about in Europe though ? Is brexit significant to a German or Dutchman ? Or not so much ?
  • Chris_from_ParisChris_from_Paris Posts: 198
    kle4 said:

    Unsung hero is a difficult survey question (unsung hero in the sense of someone less recognised but with a big impact, not necessarily one I'd like).

    Reince Priebus seems a good example of low profile and huge impact.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    https://twitter.com/hendopolis/status/805901311489277952
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    williamglenn said:

    Moment of the year:

    htts://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOJz1zqC2LY

    IDK, it's hard to beat Trump defending his penis size in a national debate.
  • KeiranpedleyKeiranpedley Posts: 15
    Hi guys, please do the survey. Won't take long and should make the next show fun.

    Anything you don't want to answer you can just leave blank.

    Unsung hero depends on your perspective entirely. Curious how people answer it. Idea is to get beyond the big names a bit!

    Thanks for taking part
  • Fat_SteveFat_Steve Posts: 361
    kle4 said:

    Unsung hero is a difficult survey question (unsung hero in the sense of someone less recognised but with a big impact, not necessarily one I'd like).

    Angela Eagle. Not for what she achieved, but that she had the cuillons to attempt it. And by her actions, proved something - that what she and others wanted wasn't attainable.
  • SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    Freggles said:

    Off Topic


    http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/12/05/opinion/why-i-will-not-cast-my-electoral-vote-for-donald-trump.html?referer=https://t.co/PbRQgyRwON

    Faithless elector

    Long time Bush family lover as I understand from the article(I mean who has an infatuation with George W. Bush?), also it's not new news:

    http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/donald-trump-electoral-college-texas-chris-suprun-227422

    He supported Jeb Bush in the primaries:

    http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2016/02/10/christopher-suprun-its-time-for-texans-to-wake-and-engage-the-political-process

    Also he believes that Baseball is God's chosen sport:

    http://www.richmond.com/opinion/their-opinion/guest-columnists/article_44198aa9-8bda-57e1-b3d6-3930a558617e.html

    "Christianity holds true belief in one God, the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The most rudimentary baseball fan knows that one frame of each inning is divided into three outs. Each at bat is further divided with three strikes. Three strikes and you’re out in baseball. "

    And this is just from the first page of google, so you get the idea about his personal opinions.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,376
    Scott_P said:

    Holyrood results

    Specifically the huge grin on Ruth's face when she won Edinburgh Central. Not the most important thing of the year but the one that gave me the most cheer.
  • SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    edited December 2016
    williamglenn said:

    Moment of the year:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOJz1zqC2LY

    Blast.

    I forgot about the crazy debates.

    I put the moment that Trump was actually declared President which was the ultimate finale of a crazy campaign.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    MyBurningEars said:

    kle4 said:

    Unsung hero is a difficult survey question (unsung hero in the sense of someone less recognised but with a big impact, not necessarily one I'd like).

    Also depends what your definition of "unsung" is. I opted for Gisela Stuart, to whom as a Brexiteer I owe considerable gratitude for helping deliver a very tight vote. But is she really "unsung"?
    Well, I had trouble recalling her name (though I remember her now as being quite good), so I think she qualifies.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,376
    SandyRentool said:

    I've gone for Gisella Stewart for the unsung award. Without her contribution to the Leave campaign, Remain might have won.

    I didn't answer that one but that is a very good answer. Wish I'd thought of it.
  • SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    I hope we are more prepared for winter than Canada:

    https://twitter.com/ashleyfeinberg/status/805871661019000832
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 23,373
    Anyone nominated 619 (is that the right number?) as (im)poster of the year?
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    POTY, I went with Cyclefree. Concise, thoughtful analysis, doesn't swamp threads like some (ahem), making useful contributions and to my recollection usually stays above the fetid stink of some of the nastier debates.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    Nigel Farage eat your heart out:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_constitutional_referendum,_2016

    6 million vote lead for the insurgents.
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,949
    I think POTY has to be between AM (AntiFrank) and Plato...
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    GIN1138 said:

    I think POTY has to be between AM (AntiFrank) and Plato...

    I vote tim...
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 87,534
    A village pub made famous by the visit of China's President Xi Jinping and then Prime Minister David Cameron has been bought by a major Chinese firm.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    I'm not sure my 1st choice POTY is eligible for the award :D

    In second place I've gone for Nabavi anyway.
  • JonathanJonathan Posts: 22,107
    Unsung. Gove. For saving us from Boris.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 23,373
    Pulpstar said:

    I'm not sure my 1st choice POTY is eligible for the award :D

    In second place I've gone for Nabavi anyway.

    A near-perfect poster!
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,949
    Scott_P said:

    GIN1138 said:

    I think POTY has to be between AM (AntiFrank) and Plato...

    I vote tim...
    You have to give Plato credit where it's due she predicted Brexit AND Trump would triumph...

    Alistair has had an awful year and especially during Brexit he made PB compulsive viwing.

    TSE has had a terrible year as well and he's done a good job of keeping the PB show on the road (despite all his trauma's)

    Maybe we could have a split POTY?
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 56,314
    Pulpstar said:

    I'm not sure my 1st choice POTY is eligible for the award :D

    Some say that the controversial posters have been exterminated from the site but I simply don't believe it.
  • SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    Another contender is Trump accusing the dad of Ted Cruz of killing JFK:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvDlsvuv9W0

    Or Trump defending his personal member size on the debate stage:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ls6JfQOmmU
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 64,196
    MyBurningEars said:

    not_on_fire said:

    Alastair Meeks for POTY ;-)

    I was very tempted and initially wrote that. A very cogent chap and I very much hope he and his partner have a better 2017 than 2016.

    But AndyJS is always a pleasure to see posting, and for the work he puts into his super-informative spreadsheets - which made a lot of money for people in 2016 - I think this year I had to plump for him in the end.
    AndyJS, or RodCrosby, would be my picks.

    If we're going on the fact this is a betting website.
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    PoTY of the year should be AndyJS. His spreadsheets enrich us all.

    JackW for his wit and wisdom in close second.

    Cyclefree Honorary Mention

    Unsung Hero/Villain: Aaron Banks. I hate his politics but he financed Brexit and UKIP through the wilderness years.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 87,534
    edited December 2016
    PoTY should be AndyJS*.

    * Might be a bit biased as his spreadsheet made it a very merry Christmas in the Urquhart household...

  • SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    Casino_Royale said:

    MyBurningEars said:

    not_on_fire said:

    Alastair Meeks for POTY ;-)

    I was very tempted and initially wrote that. A very cogent chap and I very much hope he and his partner have a better 2017 than 2016.

    But AndyJS is always a pleasure to see posting, and for the work he puts into his super-informative spreadsheets - which made a lot of money for people in 2016 - I think this year I had to plump for him in the end.
    AndyJS, or RodCrosby, would be my picks.

    If we're going on the fact this is a betting website.
    I agree.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 23,373
    So who completed the survey anonymously and nominated themselves?
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 56,314
    Unsung hero: Sunil for anticipating the Sun's 'Be Leave In Britain' front page.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 64,196
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    PoTY should be AndyJS*.

    * Might be a bit biased as his spreadsheet made it a very merry Christmas in the Urquhart household...

    That's precisely why.
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,949
    edited December 2016
    If not POTY JackW should get the PB "lifetime achievement award". :smiley:

    Rod Crosby could get NPOTY (non-poster of the year award) ;)
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 87,534
    edited December 2016
    Nigel Farage on Time's person of year shortlist

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38217040
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,376
    What I'd like for Christmas is a good deal more humour and less vituperation on the site. Its probably because of Brexit but in the years I have been here this has been easily the most bad tempered and argumentative. In fact people talking and arguing less about the EU would be the ideal but I doubt even Santa can fix that.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 64,196
    With the exception of Burnley, those Labour MPs look like dead men* walking to me:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/anti-brexit-parties-would-win-150-fewer-seats-than-pro-leave-par/

    (or women)
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 64,196
    DavidL said:

    What I'd like for Christmas is a good deal more humour and less vituperation on the site. Its probably because of Brexit but in the years I have been here this has been easily the most bad tempered and argumentative. In fact people talking and arguing less about the EU would be the ideal but I doubt even Santa can fix that.

    Seconded.
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,949
    MyBurningEars said:

    GIN1138 said:

    Scott_P said:

    GIN1138 said:

    I think POTY has to be between AM (AntiFrank) and Plato...

    I vote tim...
    You have to give Plato credit where it's due she predicted Brexit AND Trump would triumph...

    Alistair has had an awful year and especially during Brexit he made PB compulsive viwing.

    TSE has had a terrible year as well and he's done a good job of keeping the PB show on the road (despite all his trauma's)

    Maybe we could have a split POTY?
    Aww no, has TSE had a really *****y year too? (Aside from politically, obviously, where he's had a wretched time which will likely have work-related impact too. But he wouldn't be alone in having a politically horrible 2016: YellowSubmarine, Southam, DrFox and various others have my sympathy on that front too.) If he has, I'm sorry I haven't picked up on it. He's done such a huge amount of work for this site, and been in such good form, that I didn't notice any grave personal travails. If so I do hope things look up a bit next year.
    Oh I meant TSE has has a year of political traumas. Don't know if he's has a lot of personaly traumas too.
  • MrsBMrsB Posts: 574
    O/T reporting back on what I found in Sleaford & North Hykeham - make what you will of it

    UKIP are active - Farage and Nuttall have both had public meetings. On the other hand, they managed to spell their candidate's name wrong on a leaflet, and the constituency name wrong on a large banner pictured behind Farage. And their candidate is the woman who in the GE asked "what do we do when the renewable energy runs out?". UKIP were the only people I personally saw campaigning who weren't Lib Dems. But among the voters I spoke to, there were no fervent kippers.

    Very very few posters and stakeboards for anyone. I am told far fewer than usual for the Tories. Feels like no-one has really woken up to the fact that there is an election on Thursday, so turnout will be low IMO.

    Corbyn has visited. Saw no signs of Labour literature where I was. Saw no signs of Tory literature either but was told there have been several pieces including a letter from Mrs May.

    Lib Dems are cheerful and working hard but in smaller numbers than either Richmond Park or Witney. The Lib Dem candidate is the only Remain supporter on the ballot in a constituency that was I believe 38% Remain. Brexit is not the only subject on the Lib Dem leaflets though.

    The countryside was lovely, as was the weather, and the natives were friendly. And I set a new daily step record.

    As I say, make of it what you will.
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,949
    DavidL said:

    What I'd like for Christmas is a good deal more humour and less vituperation on the site. Its probably because of Brexit but in the years I have been here this has been easily the most bad tempered and argumentative. In fact people talking and arguing less about the EU would be the ideal but I doubt even Santa can fix that.

    Hopefully we'll have a Christmas truce... I'll even sing carols with ScottP! :smiley:
  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    Scott_P said:

    Tim_B said:

    He's been on Fox News a lot too.

    Hey Tim

    I met an old neighbour in the supermarket yesterday. They moved house maybe 5 years ago. And what did she want to talk about?

    The Dallas Cowboys...
    She obviously remembers you are a fan!

    Or she saw the documentary on TV last week "There's Only One America's Team"
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    edited December 2016
    MrsB said:

    O/T reporting back on what I found in Sleaford & North Hykeham - make what you will of it

    UKIP are active - Farage and Nuttall have both had public meetings. On the other hand, they managed to spell their candidate's name wrong on a leaflet, and the constituency name wrong on a large banner pictured behind Farage. And their candidate is the woman who in the GE asked "what do we do when the renewable energy runs out?". UKIP were the only people I personally saw campaigning who weren't Lib Dems. But among the voters I spoke to, there were no fervent kippers.

    Very very few posters and stakeboards for anyone. I am told far fewer than usual for the Tories. Feels like no-one has really woken up to the fact that there is an election on Thursday, so turnout will be low IMO.

    Corbyn has visited. Saw no signs of Labour literature where I was. Saw no signs of Tory literature either but was told there have been several pieces including a letter from Mrs May.

    Lib Dems are cheerful and working hard but in smaller numbers than either Richmond Park or Witney. The Lib Dem candidate is the only Remain supporter on the ballot in a constituency that was I believe 38% Remain. Brexit is not the only subject on the Lib Dem leaflets though.

    The countryside was lovely, as was the weather, and the natives were friendly. And I set a new daily step record.

    As I say, make of it what you will.

    Good to hear from the canvassing, leaflet delivering frontlines.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    DavidL said:

    What I'd like for Christmas is a good deal more humour and less vituperation on the site. Its probably because of Brexit but in the years I have been here this has been easily the most bad tempered and argumentative. In fact people talking and arguing less about the EU would be the ideal but I doubt even Santa can fix that.

    We can only pray.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    edited December 2016
    Tim_B said:

    Scott_P said:

    Tim_B said:

    He's been on Fox News a lot too.

    Hey Tim

    I met an old neighbour in the supermarket yesterday. They moved house maybe 5 years ago. And what did she want to talk about?

    The Dallas Cowboys...
    She obviously remembers you are a fan!

    Or she saw the documentary on TV last week "There's Only One America's Team"
    I'm hoping for a Patriots - Cowboys superbowl, will be a great story. The unexpected, prodigous rookie Dak vs three time MVP winner Tom Brady.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 56,314
    edited December 2016
    O/T Russia and China have both vetoed a UN resolution on a ceasefire in Aleppo.
  • Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,822
    My two joint 'unsung heroes' are unquestionably unsung.
  • ParistondaParistonda Posts: 1,844
    I had to vote Brexit as more shocking than Trump. With Trump we had the Brexit precedent. I for example was blindsided by Sunderland (my defining moment of 2016), whereas I had expected a Trump victory (so was still shocked, but not surprised).
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    I put Newcastle as the moment of the year, gave biggest winner to Trump and biggest loser to Clinton though.
  • OUTOUT Posts: 569
    Gina Miller.
  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    Pulpstar said:

    Tim_B said:

    Scott_P said:

    Tim_B said:

    He's been on Fox News a lot too.

    Hey Tim

    I met an old neighbour in the supermarket yesterday. They moved house maybe 5 years ago. And what did she want to talk about?

    The Dallas Cowboys...
    She obviously remembers you are a fan!

    Or she saw the documentary on TV last week "There's Only One America's Team"
    I'm hoping for a Patriots - Cowboys superbowl, will be a great story. The unexpected, prodigous rookie Dak vs three time MVP winner Tom Brady.
    But no Gronk - he's done for the year.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,907
    williamglenn said:

    Unsung hero: Sunil for anticipating the Sun's 'Be Leave In Britain' front page.

    Um, thanks - Your cheque is in the post :)
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 23,373
    Pulpstar said:

    I put Newcastle as the moment of the year, gave biggest winner to Trump and biggest loser to Clinton though.

    I think it was only here on PB that we realised the figures from Newcastle pointed to a Leave win.
  • Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,822
    Are there any betting markets this year on the Time Person of the Year?
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,907
    Pulpstar said:

    I put Newcastle as the moment of the year, gave biggest winner to Trump and biggest loser to Clinton though.

    Nah, I put Sunderland instead - they actually voted LEAVE :)
  • ParistondaParistonda Posts: 1,844
    foxinsoxuk said:

    PoTY of the year should be AndyJS. His spreadsheets enrich us all.

    JackW for his wit and wisdom in close second.

    Cyclefree Honorary Mention

    Unsung Hero/Villain: Aaron Banks. I hate his politics but he financed Brexit and UKIP through the wilderness years.

    I was tempted by Banks but gave it to Boris. Boris was IMO the single individual who got Leave over the line. Farage did the leg work over the years but would never have got 52% without Boris presenting a popular, acceptable face of Leave, and probably ate into a lot of middle-class shire tory remain vote. Very few other Leavers could have done that.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,376
    MyBurningEars said:

    kle4 said:

    DavidL said:

    What I'd like for Christmas is a good deal more humour and less vituperation on the site. Its probably because of Brexit but in the years I have been here this has been easily the most bad tempered and argumentative. In fact people talking and arguing less about the EU would be the ideal but I doubt even Santa can fix that.

    We can only pray.
    That's not all we can do. Now that we are free of the pernicious European Working Time Directive, we can try persuading Santa to relocate his factory to the Northern Powerhouse to reinvigorate our economy. But first we need to decide whether slave-elves count towards the immigration quota.
    Not entirely sure that someone who gives away his entire output for nothing once a year is going to be the biggest boost to the economy. How does that help the balance of payments?
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 56,314
    Richard_Nabavi said:

    Are there any betting markets this year on the Time Person of the Year?

    By rights it has to be Trump, but I've got a horrible feeling that if they want to snub him they could give it to Nige...
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 23,373
    Sunil_Prasannan said:

    Pulpstar said:

    I put Newcastle as the moment of the year, gave biggest winner to Trump and biggest loser to Clinton though.

    Nah, I put Sunderland instead - they actually voted LEAVE :)
    Admit it Sunil - you just fancied that blonde Leaver who was being carried shoulder-high!
  • ParistondaParistonda Posts: 1,844
    Sunil_Prasannan said:

    Pulpstar said:

    I put Newcastle as the moment of the year, gave biggest winner to Trump and biggest loser to Clinton though.

    Nah, I put Sunderland instead - they actually voted LEAVE :)
    Yup. Sunderland was the 'oh shit is it actually happening?', Newcastle was just the confirmation that it was!
  • Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,822
    edited December 2016
    williamglenn said:

    Richard_Nabavi said:

    Are there any betting markets this year on the Time Person of the Year?

    By rights it has to be Trump, but I've got a horrible feeling that if they want to snub him they could give it to Nige...
    It will be Trump. Anything above 1/10 would be HUGE value.

    No-one has heard of Farage outside the UK, so not a snowflake's chance in hell. (I exaggerate a bit, but not much.)
  • not_on_firenot_on_fire Posts: 4,451
    Moment of the year for me was Trump accusing Cruz's dad of assassinating JFK. Or maybe Leicester winning the league. Both signs of a crazy year.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    Richard_Nabavi said:

    Are there any betting markets this year on the Time Person of the Year?

    Not seen any, Trump will be odds on though I think ?
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,907
    SandyRentool said:

    Sunil_Prasannan said:

    Pulpstar said:

    I put Newcastle as the moment of the year, gave biggest winner to Trump and biggest loser to Clinton though.

    Nah, I put Sunderland instead - they actually voted LEAVE :)
    Admit it Sunil - you just fancied that blonde Leaver who was being carried shoulder-high!
    Boris? Not my type :lol:
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    not_on_fire said:

    Moment of the year for me was Trump accusing Cruz's dad of assassinating JFK. Or maybe Leicester winning the league. Both signs of a crazy year.

    And like Cameron winning the GE, it's all gone down hill for Leicester since.
    MyBurningEars said:

    kle4 said:

    DavidL said:

    What I'd like for Christmas is a good deal more humour and less vituperation on the site. Its probably because of Brexit but in the years I have been here this has been easily the most bad tempered and argumentative. In fact people talking and arguing less about the EU would be the ideal but I doubt even Santa can fix that.

    We can only pray.
    That's not all we can do. Now that we are free of the pernicious European Working Time Directive, we can try persuading Santa to relocate his factory to the Northern Powerhouse to reinvigorate our economy. But first we need to decide whether slave-elves count towards the immigration quota.
    What an absurd question - you mark them down as livestock.
  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    Richard_Nabavi said:

    williamglenn said:

    Richard_Nabavi said:

    Are there any betting markets this year on the Time Person of the Year?

    By rights it has to be Trump, but I've got a horrible feeling that if they want to snub him they could give it to Nige...
    It will be Trump. Anything above 1/10 would be HUGE value.

    No-one has heard of Farage outside the UK, so not a snowflake's chance in hell. (I exaggerate a bit, but not much.)
    He's getting lots of TV exposure here these days.
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    MyBurningEars said:

    GIN1138 said:

    Scott_P said:

    GIN1138 said:

    I think POTY has to be between AM (AntiFrank) and Plato...

    I vote tim...
    You have to give Plato credit where it's due she predicted Brexit AND Trump would triumph...

    Alistair has had an awful year and especially during Brexit he made PB compulsive viwing.

    TSE has had a terrible year as well and he's done a good job of keeping the PB show on the road (despite all his trauma's)

    Maybe we could have a split POTY?
    Aww no, has TSE had a really *****y year too? (Aside from politically, obviously, where he's had a wretched time which will likely have work-related impact too. But he wouldn't be alone in having a politically horrible 2016: YellowSubmarine, Southam, DrFox and various others have my sympathy on that front too.) If he has, I'm sorry I haven't picked up on it. He's done such a huge amount of work for this site, and been in such good form, that I didn't notice any grave personal travails. If so I do hope things look up a bit next year.
    Thanks for the sympathy, but it has been a great year for me too. Leicester won the Premier League, and I had £1 on ew at 3000/1, topped up along the way.

    As a LD I am used to political defeat, though Richmond was a pleasant end to the year. The party has turned a corner. Brexit is shit but I can survive it, I am fortunate enough to have skills in demand internationally, and enough money to retire abroad if I wish to do so. It is Fox jr who feels it more.
  • Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,822
    Tim_B said:

    Richard_Nabavi said:

    williamglenn said:

    Richard_Nabavi said:

    Are there any betting markets this year on the Time Person of the Year?

    By rights it has to be Trump, but I've got a horrible feeling that if they want to snub him they could give it to Nige...
    It will be Trump. Anything above 1/10 would be HUGE value.

    No-one has heard of Farage outside the UK, so not a snowflake's chance in hell. (I exaggerate a bit, but not much.)
    He's getting lots of TV exposure here these days.
    Yeah, but it's about who has dominated the news in 2016. Quite apart from anything else, they often choose the president-elect, and it's always very US-centric. This time: no doubt about it, Trump wins hands down, but I very much hope lots of people will want to bet otherwise!
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,907
    kle4 said:

    not_on_fire said:

    Moment of the year for me was Trump accusing Cruz's dad of assassinating JFK. Or maybe Leicester winning the league. Both signs of a crazy year.

    And like Cameron winning the GE, it's all gone down hill for Leicester since.
    MyBurningEars said:

    kle4 said:

    DavidL said:

    What I'd like for Christmas is a good deal more humour and less vituperation on the site. Its probably because of Brexit but in the years I have been here this has been easily the most bad tempered and argumentative. In fact people talking and arguing less about the EU would be the ideal but I doubt even Santa can fix that.

    We can only pray.
    That's not all we can do. Now that we are free of the pernicious European Working Time Directive, we can try persuading Santa to relocate his factory to the Northern Powerhouse to reinvigorate our economy. But first we need to decide whether slave-elves count towards the immigration quota.
    What an absurd question - you mark them down as livestock.
    Would that be acceptable to Elf and Safety?
  • Chris_from_ParisChris_from_Paris Posts: 198
    O/T French election

    Following the official announcement of the Valls candidacy his Betfair price collapsed from around 25 yesterday to Under 10. It has gone up again to 13/14 which seems more reasonable.
    After all, even if he doubled his score in the last first round polls he would probably still be out of the second round.

    The Macron price is down again, now 7.7 (10 yesterday). There was no particular event to explain this move (Valls would be the worst socialist opponent for Macron as they have more or less the same ideas on the economy), except that Betfair loves Macron apparently. I have gone long.
  • JobabobJobabob Posts: 3,807
    The moment of the year will be 23.59.59 on New Year's Eve, when we can finally say this fucking shite year is over, and wake up from this self-administered living nightmare.
  • Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 33,584
    MrsB said:

    O/T reporting back on what I found in Sleaford & North Hykeham - make what you will of it

    UKIP are active - Farage and Nuttall have both had public meetings. On the other hand, they managed to spell their candidate's name wrong on a leaflet, and the constituency name wrong on a large banner pictured behind Farage. And their candidate is the woman who in the GE asked "what do we do when the renewable energy runs out?". UKIP were the only people I personally saw campaigning who weren't Lib Dems. But among the voters I spoke to, there were no fervent kippers.

    Very very few posters and stakeboards for anyone. I am told far fewer than usual for the Tories. Feels like no-one has really woken up to the fact that there is an election on Thursday, so turnout will be low IMO.

    Corbyn has visited. Saw no signs of Labour literature where I was. Saw no signs of Tory literature either but was told there have been several pieces including a letter from Mrs May.

    Lib Dems are cheerful and working hard but in smaller numbers than either Richmond Park or Witney. The Lib Dem candidate is the only Remain supporter on the ballot in a constituency that was I believe 38% Remain. Brexit is not the only subject on the Lib Dem leaflets though.

    The countryside was lovely, as was the weather, and the natives were friendly. And I set a new daily step record.

    As I say, make of it what you will.

    Actually the one thing that has surprised me is the number of Caroline Jackson placards in fields along the main routes through the constituency. A17, A46, A15 and lots of minor roads as well with plenty of placards. Not a single placard for any other candidate though.
  • nunununu Posts: 6,024
    williamglenn said:

    O/T Russia and China have both vetoed a UN resolution on a ceasefire in Aleppo.

    I put you as poster of the year, as you have made me chuckle many times.
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    edited December 2016
    Paristonda said:

    foxinsoxuk said:

    PoTY of the year should be AndyJS. His spreadsheets enrich us all.

    JackW for his wit and wisdom in close second.

    Cyclefree Honorary Mention

    Unsung Hero/Villain: Aaron Banks. I hate his politics but he financed Brexit and UKIP through the wilderness years.

    I was tempted by Banks but gave it to Boris. Boris was IMO the single individual who got Leave over the line. Farage did the leg work over the years but would never have got 52% without Boris presenting a popular, acceptable face of Leave, and probably ate into a lot of middle-class shire tory remain vote. Very few other Leavers could have done that.
    Boris is surely not unsung though? And also a possible biggest loser of the year. I think he really did intend to be the valiant leader of the unsuccesful Leave Campaign, thereby being carried into No 10 shoulder high, but none of the hard work and grind of actual Brexit. That bus slogan will be his #edstone.

    Leicester winning the League was perhaps the first of the unlikely results, but what follows is a cautionary tale of hubris.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 23,373
    Jobabob said:

    The moment of the year will be 23.59.59 on New Year's Eve, when we can finally say this fucking shite year is over, and wake up from this self-administered living nightmare.

    Evening J-B. I'm guessing you haven't nominated me as POTY then?
  • nunununu Posts: 6,024
    SandyRentool said:

    Jobabob said:

    The moment of the year will be 23.59.59 on New Year's Eve, when we can finally say this fucking shite year is over, and wake up from this self-administered living nightmare.

    Evening J-B. I'm guessing you haven't nominated me as POTY then?
    No Sports person of the year instead. Your wit is gold medal quick.
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    edited December 2016
    Richard_Tyndall said:

    MrsB said:

    O/T reporting back on what I found in Sleaford & North Hykeham - make what you will of it

    UKIP are active - Farage and Nuttall have both had public meetings. On the other hand, they managed to spell their candidate's name wrong on a leaflet, and the constituency name wrong on a large banner pictured behind Farage. And their candidate is the woman who in the GE asked "what do we do when the renewable energy runs out?". UKIP were the only people I personally saw campaigning who weren't Lib Dems. But among the voters I spoke to, there were no fervent kippers.

    Very very few posters and stakeboards for anyone. I am told far fewer than usual for the Tories. Feels like no-one has really woken up to the fact that there is an election on Thursday, so turnout will be low IMO.

    Corbyn has visited. Saw no signs of Labour literature where I was. Saw no signs of Tory literature either but was told there have been several pieces including a letter from Mrs May.

    Lib Dems are cheerful and working hard but in smaller numbers than either Richmond Park or Witney. The Lib Dem candidate is the only Remain supporter on the ballot in a constituency that was I believe 38% Remain. Brexit is not the only subject on the Lib Dem leaflets though.

    The countryside was lovely, as was the weather, and the natives were friendly. And I set a new daily step record.

    As I say, make of it what you will.

    Actually the one thing that has surprised me is the number of Caroline Jackson placards in fields along the main routes through the constituency. A17, A46, A15 and lots of minor roads as well with plenty of placards. Not a single placard for any other candidate though.
    I think yard posters are dying out in favour of social media posters, but presumably the agribusiness of Lincs is old school. In both the 2015 GE and in the Brexit referendum I hardly saw one at all on a house. I think that we are in political days where people do not want to advertise their politics, except to an audience that they know.This applies to both sides.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 56,314
    nunu said:

    williamglenn said:

    O/T Russia and China have both vetoed a UN resolution on a ceasefire in Aleppo.

    I put you as poster of the year, as you have made me chuckle many times.
    Thank you. :) I hope it was mostly intentional.
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    edited December 2016
    MyBurningEars said:

    foxinsoxuk said:



    MyBurningEars said:

    GIN1138 said:

    Scott_P said:

    GIN1138 said:

    I think POTY has to be between AM (AntiFrank) and Plato...

    I vote tim...
    You have to give Plato credit where it's due she predicted Brexit AND Trump would triumph...

    Alistair has had an awful year and especially during Brexit he made PB compulsive viwing.

    TSE has had a terrible year as well and he's done a good job of keeping the PB show on the road (despite all his trauma's)

    Maybe we could have a split POTY?
    Aww no, has TSE had a really *****y year too? (Aside from politically, obviously, where he's had a wretched time which will likely have work-related impact too. But he wouldn't be alone in having a politically horrible 2016: YellowSubmarine, Southam, DrFox and various others have my sympathy on that front too.) If he has, I'm sorry I haven't picked up on it. He's done such a huge amount of work for this site, and been in such good form, that I didn't notice any grave personal travails. If so I do hope things look up a bit next year.
    Thanks for the sympathy, but it has been a great year for me too. Leicester won the Premier League, and I had £1 on ew at 3000/1, topped up along the way.

    As a LD I am used to political defeat, though Richmond was a pleasant end to the year. The party has turned a corner. Brexit is shit but I can survive it, I am fortunate enough to have skills in demand internationally, and enough money to retire abroad if I wish to do so. It is Fox jr who feels it more.
    Glad to hear you're not feeling the pain doc. Would you go so far as to say that the Brexit vote stripped away a part of your personal identity, or is it just a potential additional to the administrative pains-in-the-arse for when you want to visit the continent or when your department wants to recruit someone?
    There are practical issues, but I do feel stripped of part of my personal identity. I also feel an invisible barrier between myself and other Britons and my many EU friends and colleagues. I feel less patriotic because of what I see my country turning into. For both sides this was not just an issue of economics, but rather an emotional one concerning Britain and its place in the world.

    It will overshadow my family for years. I can no longer talk politics and world affairs with my parents, something that previously was a big part of our lives, and neither can my son or brother.
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