politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Corbyn and his party’s biggest challenge is making headway amongst his own age group – the oldies
Watching the TV news it’s clear that Corbyn Mark 2 hasn’t quite had the impact that his team would have liked. There’s a terrible lack of consistency and no real clear plan about what the message was going to be.
Off Topic. I'm reading the Cummings piece and came across this nugget:
I was surprised at what a shock it was to IN when we hit them with Turkey. By the time this happened they were in an almost impossible position. I wanted them to announce a veto. It would not have been believed and would have had the opposite effect – people would have taken the danger of Turkey joining more seriously. If your life depended on winning for IN, the answer is clear: they should have said long before the campaign started as part of the renegotiation process that they would veto any accession.
I wouldn't be very good at this politics lark. I assumed that IN didn't announce a veto because they were under orders from Merkel not to do so. But I guess Cummings has a point when says it would have made things worse. The time to do something was before the renegotiation. Very poor planning from Cameron and Co.
And, of course, had Cameron just waited a few months, Turkey would not have been an issue at all.
The media portrayal of Corbyn and his dysfunctional party was very telling. How will they get the media to believe they might actually be on to anything ?
When Kennedy asked the crowd of a few hundred viewers how many parents had a child injured by vaccines, numerous hands went up.
“They get the shot, that night they have a fever of a hundred and three, they go to sleep, and three months later their brain is gone,” Kennedy said. “This is a holocaust, what this is doing to our country.”
williamglenn and I have mutually agreed to downgrade our apocalyptic £10,000 Brexit bet to a much more modest, though still noteworthy £1000 wager on the same.
Yes yes, I know. Pathetic bedwetters. My masculinity is compromised. But we felt Brexit was intense, distracting and vexatious enough as it is, without having this massive bet to add to the stress. And a grand (the biggest person-to-person bet in PB history?) is still big enough to sting, and concentrate the mind.
We still haven't quite decided the definition of Brexit, but we'll get there.
"We still haven't quite decided the definition of Brexit"
You and everyone else.
Personally I favour something really simple, like
"The UK no longer having a vote in the Council of Ministers"
The more complicated it gets, the more likely there is to be an area of dispute.
How about the "date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement" as taken from A50, clause 3.
Conhome reports from Copeland and not much enthusiasm for Corbyn
"Graham Kirkland, 54, said he has always supported Labour “because I was brought up that way. But the Labour leader, I think he’s a prick. An absolute lunatic. It’s like that nutter in America, Trump.” The plan of some round Corbyn to conduct a Trump-style insurgency is unlikely to go down well in Whitehaven. ConHome: “So how will you vote in this by-election?” Kirkland: “I don’t know. It’s always been Labour down here. But if Corbyn’s still leader I won’t be voting Labour. But I definitely won’t vote Conservative. They’ve ruined the area, I think.” ConHome: “So might you vote UKIP?” Kirkland: “That’s the nutter who went off to see Donald Trump.” It is noticeable how churned up these Labour voters are. They feel a deep ancestral loyalty to their party, detest the Conservatives, and do not much like the sound of a website with that word in its title, though they were prepared to have a friendly conversation with the website’s representative. They want to go on voting Labour, but for a substantial number of them, Corbyn makes that impossible. As a second man put it: “Well I won’t be voting Labour again. I’ve been voting Labour all my life. I just think it’s pointless with Corbyn around. I’m from an Army background. I just think he’s a wrong ‘un.” A third man agreed: “I hate Corbyn" http://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2017/01/corbyn-will-find-it-hard-to-cope-in-copeland-and-risks-humiliation.html
Conhome reports from Copeland and not much enthusiasm for Corbyn
"Graham Kirkland, 54, said he has always supported Labour “because I was brought up that way. But the Labour leader, I think he’s a prick. An absolute lunatic. It’s like that nutter in America, Trump.” The plan of some round Corbyn to conduct a Trump-style insurgency is unlikely to go down well in Whitehaven. ConHome: “So how will you vote in this by-election?” Kirkland: “I don’t know. It’s always been Labour down here. But if Corbyn’s still leader I won’t be voting Labour. But I definitely won’t vote Conservative. They’ve ruined the area, I think.” ConHome: “So might you vote UKIP?” Kirkland: “That’s the nutter who went off to see Donald Trump.” It is noticeable how churned up these Labour voters are. They feel a deep ancestral loyalty to their party, detest the Conservatives, and do not much like the sound of a website with that word in its title, though they were prepared to have a friendly conversation with the website’s representative. They want to go on voting Labour, but for a substantial number of them, Corbyn makes that impossible. As a second man put it: “Well I won’t be voting Labour again. I’ve been voting Labour all my life. I just think it’s pointless with Corbyn around. I’m from an Army background. I just think he’s a wrong ‘un.” A third man agreed: “I hate Corbyn" http://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2017/01/corbyn-will-find-it-hard-to-cope-in-copeland-and-risks-humiliation.html
Not exactly a scientific sample, coming from Con Home there, I wouldn't have thought.
Can we quarantine the U.S when polio makes a comeback?
AFIK, the Taliban areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only places where polio still exists in nature with continuous transmission. Are you making an assertion about Trump's Pakistan policy?
PS Only a silly comment. I know that it does not take much for one imported case to create a new outbreak in a polio-free country.
"Graham Kirkland, 54, said he has always supported Labour “because I was brought up that way. But the Labour leader, I think he’s a prick. An absolute lunatic. It’s like that nutter in America, Trump.”
That's probably not quite the Trump effect Labour are looking for.
Conhome reports from Copeland and not much enthusiasm for Corbyn
"Graham Kirkland, 54, said he has always supported Labour “because I was brought up that way. But the Labour leader, I think he’s a prick. An absolute lunatic. It’s like that nutter in America, Trump.” The plan of some round Corbyn to conduct a Trump-style insurgency is unlikely to go down well in Whitehaven. ConHome: “So how will you vote in this by-election?” Kirkland: “I don’t know. It’s always been Labour down here. But if Corbyn’s still leader I won’t be voting Labour. But I definitely won’t vote Conservative. They’ve ruined the area, I think.” ConHome: “So might you vote UKIP?” Kirkland: “That’s the nutter who went off to see Donald Trump.” It is noticeable how churned up these Labour voters are. They feel a deep ancestral loyalty to their party, detest the Conservatives, and do not much like the sound of a website with that word in its title, though they were prepared to have a friendly conversation with the website’s representative. They want to go on voting Labour, but for a substantial number of them, Corbyn makes that impossible. As a second man put it: “Well I won’t be voting Labour again. I’ve been voting Labour all my life. I just think it’s pointless with Corbyn around. I’m from an Army background. I just think he’s a wrong ‘un.” A third man agreed: “I hate Corbyn" http://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2017/01/corbyn-will-find-it-hard-to-cope-in-copeland-and-risks-humiliation.html
Not exactly a scientific sample, coming from Con Home there, I wouldn't have thought.
More scientific than anything you are offering.....
Conhome reports from Copeland and not much enthusiasm for Corbyn
"Graham Kirkland, 54, said he has always supported Labour “because I was brought up that way. But the Labour leader, I think he’s a prick. An absolute lunatic. It’s like that nutter in America, Trump.” The plan of some round Corbyn to conduct a Trump-style insurgency is unlikely to go down well in Whitehaven. ConHome: “So how will you vote in this by-election?” Kirkland: “I don’t know. It’s always been Labour down here. But if Corbyn’s still leader I won’t be voting Labour. But I definitely won’t vote Conservative. They’ve ruined the area, I think.” ConHome: “So might you vote UKIP?” Kirkland: “That’s the nutter who went off to see Donald Trump.” It is noticeable how churned up these Labour voters are. They feel a deep ancestral loyalty to their party, detest the Conservatives, and do not much like the sound of a website with that word in its title, though they were prepared to have a friendly conversation with the website’s representative. They want to go on voting Labour, but for a substantial number of them, Corbyn makes that impossible. As a second man put it: “Well I won’t be voting Labour again. I’ve been voting Labour all my life. I just think it’s pointless with Corbyn around. I’m from an Army background. I just think he’s a wrong ‘un.” A third man agreed: “I hate Corbyn" http://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2017/01/corbyn-will-find-it-hard-to-cope-in-copeland-and-risks-humiliation.html
Not exactly a scientific sample, coming from Con Home there, I wouldn't have thought.
Nontheless best for Jezza to stay clear.
I think nominations have closed and of the local candidates at least one actively campaigned for Smith last summer. It is probably a good idea to pick someone like that.
Conhome reports from Copeland and not much enthusiasm for Corbyn
"Graham Kirkland, 54, said he has always supported Labour “because I was brought up that way. But the Labour leader, I think he’s a prick. An absolute lunatic. It’s like that nutter in America, Trump.” The plan of some round Corbyn to conduct a Trump-style insurgency is unlikely to go down well in Whitehaven. ConHome: “So how will you vote in this by-election?” Kirkland: “I don’t know. It’s always been Labour down here. But if Corbyn’s still leader I won’t be voting Labour. But I definitely won’t vote Conservative. They’ve ruined the area, I think.” ConHome: “So might you vote UKIP?” Kirkland: “That’s the nutter who went off to see Donald Trump.” It is noticeable how churned up these Labour voters are. They feel a deep ancestral loyalty to their party, detest the Conservatives, and do not much like the sound of a website with that word in its title, though they were prepared to have a friendly conversation with the website’s representative. They want to go on voting Labour, but for a substantial number of them, Corbyn makes that impossible. As a second man put it: “Well I won’t be voting Labour again. I’ve been voting Labour all my life. I just think it’s pointless with Corbyn around. I’m from an Army background. I just think he’s a wrong ‘un.” A third man agreed: “I hate Corbyn" http://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2017/01/corbyn-will-find-it-hard-to-cope-in-copeland-and-risks-humiliation.html
Not exactly a scientific sample, coming from Con Home there, I wouldn't have thought.
Highly likely to be very true.. however much you might want to diss it. Frankly I think Labour might lose because their support wiĺl stay at home.
Conhome reports from Copeland and not much enthusiasm for Corbyn
"Graham Kirkland, 54, said he has always supported Labour “because I was brought up that way. But the Labour leader, I think he’s a prick. An absolute lunatic. It’s like that nutter in America, Trump.” The plan of some round Corbyn to conduct a Trump-style insurgency is unlikely to go down well in Whitehaven. ConHome: “So how will you vote in this by-election?” Kirkland: “I don’t know. It’s always been Labour down here. But if Corbyn’s still leader I won’t be voting Labour. But I definitely won’t vote Conservative. They’ve ruined the area, I think.” ConHome: “So might you vote UKIP?” Kirkland: “That’s the nutter who went off to see Donald Trump.” It is noticeable how churned up these Labour voters are. They feel a deep ancestral loyalty to their party, detest the Conservatives, and do not much like the sound of a website with that word in its title, though they were prepared to have a friendly conversation with the website’s representative. They want to go on voting Labour, but for a substantial number of them, Corbyn makes that impossible. As a second man put it: “Well I won’t be voting Labour again. I’ve been voting Labour all my life. I just think it’s pointless with Corbyn around. I’m from an Army background. I just think he’s a wrong ‘un.” A third man agreed: “I hate Corbyn" http://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2017/01/corbyn-will-find-it-hard-to-cope-in-copeland-and-risks-humiliation.html
Not exactly a scientific sample, coming from Con Home there, I wouldn't have thought.
If you read the article seems pretty objective, not much love for the Tories either but they can't stand Corbyn
"Graham Kirkland, 54, said he has always supported Labour “because I was brought up that way. But the Labour leader, I think he’s a prick. An absolute lunatic. It’s like that nutter in America, Trump.”
That's probably not quite the Trump effect Labour are looking for.
Though Trump seems to have had virtually no honeymoon even amongst his own voters
williamglenn and I have mutually agreed to downgrade our apocalyptic £10,000 Brexit bet to a much more modest, though still noteworthy £1000 wager on the same.
Yes yes, I know. Pathetic bedwetters. My masculinity is compromised. But we felt Brexit was intense, distracting and vexatious enough as it is, without having this massive bet to add to the stress. And a grand (the biggest person-to-person bet in PB history?) is still big enough to sting, and concentrate the mind.
We still haven't quite decided the definition of Brexit, but we'll get there.
"We still haven't quite decided the definition of Brexit"
You and everyone else.
Personally I favour something really simple, like
"The UK no longer having a vote in the Council of Ministers"
The more complicated it gets, the more likely there is to be an area of dispute.
How about the "date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement" as taken from A50, clause 3.
I'd go with this. David Herdson wrote a good extended version at the bottom of the previous thread.
Whether we have a vote in the Council might be opaque and hard to pin down to a date. What if May voluntarily abstains?
I'm very tempted to agree to this, it's just the vague wording of Article 50 which gives me slight pause. But then, that's probably what your relying on to win, so I can't complain.
But what counts as "date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement"? When Westminster ratifies, when Brussels ratifies? Will there be a definite date when all sides agree?
As I understand it the withdrawal agreement will have an exact date written into it after which the UK is officially out of the EU.
"Graham Kirkland, 54, said he has always supported Labour “because I was brought up that way. But the Labour leader, I think he’s a prick. An absolute lunatic. It’s like that nutter in America, Trump.”
That's probably not quite the Trump effect Labour are looking for.
Le Figaro are reporting that Fillon's programme is the "biggest crock of crap in the history of the right" ("le plus con de l'histoire de la droite") according to rival candidate, Frexiteer Dupont-Aignan.
Dupont-Aignan wants to be the French Trump, but how fast can he learn? He needs some catchier sayings:
"Lock Fillon up!", "Hollande and Fillon founded ISIS!", "Crooked Marine", "maybe the sons of the OAS are keeping their powder dry", "see this bulge in my pants? that's how much I love France!" etc.
"Graham Kirkland, 54, said he has always supported Labour “because I was brought up that way. But the Labour leader, I think he’s a prick. An absolute lunatic. It’s like that nutter in America, Trump.”
That's probably not quite the Trump effect Labour are looking for.
Though Trump seems to have had virtually no honeymoon even amongst his own voters
He has the lowest ratings for a president elect since Gallup started polling in 1992, 55% disapprove, 42% approve. Clinton began with 58% approval, George W Bush 59% approval and Obama 68% approval. The Democrats certainly look a good bet for the mid-terms
The good thing about opinion polls is that you get a true average. It can be seen by voting intent that the older the group, the smarter it is. There are of course exceptions in each group. PBs elderly labour voters appear much smarter than average, for example, whereas the more animated brexiteers - many of them Tory voters - appear to be in 5W bulb territory.
williamglenn and I have mutually agreed to downgrade our apocalyptic £10,000 Brexit bet to a much more modest, though still noteworthy £1000 wager on the same.
Yes yes, I know. Pathetic bedwetters. My masculinity is compromised. But we felt Brexit was intense, distracting and vexatious enough as it is, without having this massive bet to add to the stress. And a grand (the biggest person-to-person bet in PB history?) is still big enough to sting, and concentrate the mind.
We still haven't quite decided the definition of Brexit, but we'll get there.
"We still haven't quite decided the definition of Brexit"
You and everyone else.
Personally I favour something really simple, like
"The UK no longer having a vote in the Council of Ministers"
The more complicated it gets, the more likely there is to be an area of dispute.
How about the "date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement" as taken from A50, clause 3.
I'd go with this. David Herdson wrote a good extended version at the bottom of the previous thread.
Whether we have a vote in the Council might be opaque and hard to pin down to a date. What if May voluntarily abstains?
I'm very tempted to agree to this, it's just the vague wording of Article 50 which gives me slight pause. But then, that's probably what your relying on to win, so I can't complain.
But what counts as "date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement"? When Westminster ratifies, when Brussels ratifies? Will there be a definite date when all sides agree?
As I understand it the withdrawal agreement will have an exact date written into it after which the UK is officially out of the EU.
It is an interesting bet, if a bit rich for me.
Anyone want to set up a betfair market on the issue?
Not only are the 40-pluses more likely to vote (and get progressively more and more likely to vote as we become older and more Tory,) but we also constitute a sizeable majority of the entire electorate. Given that the median age of the UK population is now 40, and one-fifth of the population are children, over 60% of the eligible electorate is therefore 40-plus.
I see Macron beats Fillon, and either thrashes LePen.
Le Pen wins the first round and 36% for her at this stage is about double the 18% her father got in the second round against Chirac in 2002, FN could well hold the balance of power in the legislative elections as a result. Macron will come third but not get to the second round on this poll
I see Macron beats Fillon, and either thrashes LePen.
Le Pen wins the first round and 35% or 36% for her at this stage is about double the 18% her father got in the second round against Chirac in 2002, FN could well hold the balance of power in the legislative elections as a result
I predict someone like Le Pen or Wilders will take power in a western country in Europe in the next decade or so, unless the demographic and religious trends within European Islam radically change. A hard right government isn't just a possible reaction to this, it is INEVITABLE.
See how Le Pen has doubled the hard right vote in France. Now extrapolate.
Yes, if it doubled again next time she would win by a landslide! We are now at the stage, probably mirrored in the Netherlands, of a far right party coming first but the other parties and their voters ganging up to keep them out of power, it only takes one more big push for them to eventually get that power
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
Perhaps. I hope you're right about the end point.
You are also much less myopic than some of your fellow travellers, for whom all news related to Brexit is incontrovertibly good.
I'm not sure whether they recorded DK/WV, but the varying support for the four PS candidates shows how volatile things are: 10.5% Valls, 5.5% Montebourg, 6% Hamon, 2.5% Peillon.
On the obvious assumptions, the 8% who'd vote for Valls but not for Peillon get redistributed as follows:
2% left (1% Mélenchon, 1% others), 4.5% centrist (3% Macron, 1.5% Bayrou - who may not stand), 1% right (Fillon), 0.5% Green
@GuardianHeather: BREAKING: Momentum has announced a new constitution, which will oblige members to join Labour. It will now seek to affiliate to the party.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
Yet again Scott points to a negative economic story and bigs it up whilst any stories less good for his side of argument just prove brexit hasn't happened yet.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
There will also probably be a lot of Sterling volatility right near the end of the Article 50 timeframe if a deal hasn't been wrapped up. I.e. around Feb-March 2019 because I think the deal will be done at one minute to midnight, and some member states - as well as the EU parliament - will deliberately throw their toys out the pram for maximum leverage.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
Perhaps. I hope you're right about the end point.
You are also much less myopic than some of your fellow travellers, for whom all news related to Brexit is incontrovertibly good.
Most of the Brexiteers I know, personally, are quite sober in their expectation of short-medium term pain. They know this won't be easy or sweet. It will hurt. It's gonna be a wrench. But the prize is worth it.
Yep. ECJ jurisdiction over us in areas few have heard of and which doesn't touch their lives.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
I think that's a reasonable assessment. There'll also be a recession once we actually do exit. We're overdue one, and I think it will be exacerbated by the process.
As has been stated on here many, many times, over-optimistic Brexiteers are as deluded as the more apocalyptic Remainers.
Conhome reports from Copeland and not much enthusiasm for Corbyn
"Graham Kirkland, 54, said he has always supported Labour “because I was brought up that way. But the Labour leader, I think he’s a prick. An absolute lunatic. It’s like that nutter in America, Trump.” The plan of some round Corbyn to conduct a Trump-style insurgency is unlikely to go down well in Whitehaven. ConHome: “So how will you vote in this by-election?” Kirkland: “I don’t know. It’s always been Labour down here. But if Corbyn’s still leader I won’t be voting Labour. But I definitely won’t vote Conservative. They’ve ruined the area, I think.” ConHome: “So might you vote UKIP?” Kirkland: “That’s the nutter who went off to see Donald Trump.” It is noticeable how churned up these Labour voters are. They feel a deep ancestral loyalty to their party, detest the Conservatives, and do not much like the sound of a website with that word in its title, though they were prepared to have a friendly conversation with the website’s representative. They want to go on voting Labour, but for a substantial number of them, Corbyn makes that impossible. As a second man put it: “Well I won’t be voting Labour again. I’ve been voting Labour all my life. I just think it’s pointless with Corbyn around. I’m from an Army background. I just think he’s a wrong ‘un.” A third man agreed: “I hate Corbyn" http://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2017/01/corbyn-will-find-it-hard-to-cope-in-copeland-and-risks-humiliation.html
Not exactly a scientific sample, coming from Con Home there, I wouldn't have thought.
If you read the article seems pretty objective, not much love for the Tories either but they can't stand Corbyn
So you dont think they just published whatever quotes they hunted down that supported whatever they wanted to write about? Because that what I would have done if i was a potboiling party propagandist.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
I don't think it will be that dramatic. There will be a deal and the challenge will be that each side will try to maximise benefit for themselves.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
I think most Brits don't really care that much about the currency except if they work in the City or go abroad regularly or buy a lot of foreign goods so I doubt it will make much difference, it would actually be good news for exporters, they care more about controlling immigration. If Brexit led to mass unemployment that might change things a bit but a fall in the currency won't
I guess it must do, by law. But when is that? What's the process? Does a PM go to Brussels to sign a document, as with Lisbon? I'm not expecting you to know, just curious.
This bet focuses the mind on the practicalities, which is good.
I believe the document gets approved by QMV in the Council and needs 'consent' from the Parliament (presumably a majority vote). It doesn't require ratification like a treaty. To actually extend the negotiation period requires unanimity in the Council. There will be political pressure on the EU side to get it out of the way before the next European elections so it doesn't negatively impact them.
Conhome reports from Copeland and not much enthusiasm for Corbyn
"Graham Kirkland, 54, said he has always supported Labour “because I was brought up that way. But the Labour leader, I think he’s a prick. An absolute lunatic. It’s like that nutter in America, Trump.” The plan of some round Corbyn to conduct a Trump-style insurgency is unlikely to go down well in Whitehaven. ConHome: “So how will you vote in this by-election?” Kirkland: “I don’t know. It’s always been Labour down here. But if Corbyn’s still leader I won’t be voting Labour. But I definitely won’t vote Conservative. They’ve ruined the area, I think.” ConHome: “So might you vote UKIP?” Kirkland: “That’s the nutter who went off to see Donald Trump.” It is noticeable how churned up these Labour voters are. They feel a deep ancestral loyalty to their party, detest the Conservatives, and do not much like the sound of a website with that word in its title, though they were prepared to have a friendly conversation with the website’s representative. They want to go on voting Labour, but for a substantial number of them, Corbyn makes that impossible. As a second man put it: “Well I won’t be voting Labour again. I’ve been voting Labour all my life. I just think it’s pointless with Corbyn around. I’m from an Army background. I just think he’s a wrong ‘un.” A third man agreed: “I hate Corbyn" http://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2017/01/corbyn-will-find-it-hard-to-cope-in-copeland-and-risks-humiliation.html
Not exactly a scientific sample, coming from Con Home there, I wouldn't have thought.
If you read the article seems pretty objective, not much love for the Tories either but they can't stand Corbyn
So you dont think they just published whatever quotes they hunted down that supported whatever they wanted to write about? Because that what I would have done if i was a potboiling party propagandist.
Except all the polls show Corbyn's ratings are abysmal, even with Labour voters, so it holds with the evidence
Also, there are several EU member state elections next year, although not as high-profile as the ones this year: Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia and Sweden.
Can't see many having a huge impact, apart from Italy in April/May 2018, and Sweden will be of interest to a lesser extent, but the EU will want to ensure no eurosceptic troublemakers are elected.
There are also a fair few elections in Eastern Europe in April/May 2019, just after the UK deal should be finally concluded. So that will have a bearing as well.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
Perhaps. I hope you're right about the end point.
You are also much less myopic than some of your fellow travellers, for whom all news related to Brexit is incontrovertibly good.
Most of the Brexiteers I know, personally, are quite sober in their expectation of short-medium term pain. They know this won't be easy or sweet. It will hurt. It's gonna be a wrench. But the prize is worth it.
The most annoying things will be the wailing. Oh, the wailing.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
Don't doubt your scenario is well possible but:-
Isn't the more likely British public reaction to be more of us to telling them to go forth and multiply?
Even if they "succeeded" in scaring us back in- what's the point? They'd have got themselves embittered millions who'd rightly feel humiliated and betrayed. It would be taken out on the EU in future. I dread to think where that leads, I really do.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I
I think you're almost entirely right. That's how I see it. The pound could easily hit parity against the euro and dollar. Or lower.
I demur on one point. I think the EU has abandoned hope of the UK changing its mind. This won't be an attempt to make us revote, it will just be hard cheese we have to eat, as the EU dictates the pace, being the larger more powerful party (albeit with their own divisions and faultlines).
However, I also expect the EU to compromise, to an extent, in the end. There will be a fudge, where both sides can plausibly claim success. No one will be happy. But we will be Out. And then we can rebuild, as a free country, with fresh horizons.
I think EU leaders like Merkel (and prob Fillion) know the UK won't change its mind.
The EU apparatchiks - with egging on from the most ardent UK Remainers collocated in Brussels whispering into their ears daily, of the sort that make WilliamGlenn look like Bill Cash - think a cold dose of reality might do the trick. And they might even have plans to suggest they'd throw Cameron's deal back on the table again - with a couple of minor tweaks - if we changed our minds: perhaps with longer benefits exclusion periods, and a couple of extra opt-outs on crime and justice etc.
That's why I don't expect sanity in the EU negotiations until this Autumn. Possibly later.
The big chunk of work will be done from c. May 2018-Nov 2018. Then we'll see the EU trying to sell and vote it through thereafter, with all sorts of horsetrading in which we'll largely be spectators. With perhaps the Irish acting as a kind of proxy for us.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
I think most Brits don't really care that much about the currency except if they work in the City or go abroad regularly or buy a lot of foreign goods so I doubt it will make much difference, it would actually be good news for exporters, they care more about controlling immigration. If Brexit led to mass unemployment that might change things a bit but a fall in the currency won't
So my friends then. Many who do work in the City, live in London or work in media and consulting in town.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I.
Don't doubt your scenario is well possible but:-
Isn't the more likely British public reaction to be more of us to telling them to go forth and multiply?
Even if they "succeeded" in scaring us back in- what's the point? They'd have got themselves embittered millions who'd rightly feel humiliated and betrayed. It would be taken out on the EU in future. I dread to think where that leads, I really do.
Yes, if you threaten the Brits you get the exact opposite effect. They don't know us.
But it maximises the chances of us timing out with no deal, or a very basic deal. Like an emergency passport, Tesco Value pack of sausages, SIM only phone contract, or 'Leccy on a pay-as-you go card.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
I think most Brits don't really care that much about the currency except if they work in the City or go abroad regularly or buy a lot of foreign goods so I doubt it will make much difference, it would actually be good news for exporters, they care more about controlling immigration. If Brexit led to mass unemployment that might change things a bit but a fall in the currency won't
So my friends then. Many who do work in the City, live in London or work in media and consulting in town.
Is it just me or does Corbyn need less advisors and maybe more needing a care worker to help the guy when he gets confused?
Off topic, I know some suggest I'm a bit wacko when I claim that the Russians have Trump in their pocket with info about him both regarding his links to Russian money and his leisure activities.
This evening CNN are reporting that there is credible info that the Russians have compromising financial and personal info on Donald.
I guess it must do, by law. But when is that? What's the process? Does a PM go to Brussels to sign a document, as with Lisbon? I'm not expecting you to know, just curious.
This bet focuses the mind on the practicalities, which is good.
I believe the document gets approved by QMV in the Council and needs 'consent' from the Parliament (presumably a majority vote). It doesn't require ratification like a treaty. To actually extend the negotiation period requires unanimity in the Council. There will be political pressure on the EU side to get it out of the way before the next European elections so it doesn't negatively impact them.
Are we agreed on this definition?
But what is our precise definition? When Strasbourg votes, or Westminster? Or what?
I'm not trying to be awkward, just removing grey areas which could cause grief. I know we have downscaled our bet, but a thousand quid is still a thousand quid, not to be sniffed at. It's the cost of a decent lunch for two at Kaspar's in the Savoy.
I think David Herdson nails it here. It would be the earlier of the date in the agreement, or 2 years after Article 50 if there's no agreement or extension.
Basically you win if there's an amicable divorce, or if there's a car crash with no deal, and I win if negotiations go into 2020, or Brexit is abandoned, or a long-term transition that involves staying in the EU past the end of 2019.
Question for PB Remainers: aren't you even SLIGHTLY excited by the possibilities of Brexit? The reviving of Westminster politics? The new and unexpected potentialities?
I get that convinced EU-federalists like williamglenn see Brexit as an evil, from which nothing good can come, which only destroys his European identity, but the more moderate Remainers must, surely, occasionally, thrill to the idea of freedom, or at least see the good in repatriating all these powers to our Mother of Parliaments?
No?
Not particularly. We always were sovereign and will likely sacrifice great dollops of it in any agreement we reach plus there will be an economic cost which will hit those who can least afford it the most, even though people may well not notice.
And I don't believe that economic cost is a "price worth paying" because I believe the reclamation of sovereignty, especially in this complicated, interconnected world where nations do deals with other nations for mutual benefit, is largely illusory.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
I think most Brits don't really care that much about the currency except if they work in the City or go abroad regularly or buy a lot of foreign goods so I doubt it will make much difference, it would actually be good news for exporters, they care more about controlling immigration. If Brexit led to mass unemployment that might change things a bit but a fall in the currency won't
So my friends then. Many who do work in the City, live in London or work in media and consulting in town.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I.
Don't doubt your scenario is well possible but:-
Isn't the more likely British public reaction to be more of us to telling them to go forth and multiply?
Even if they "succeeded" in scaring us back in- what's the point? They'd have got themselves embittered millions who'd rightly feel humiliated and betrayed. It would be taken out on the EU in future. I dread to think where that leads, I really do.
Yes, if you threaten the Brits you get the exact opposite effect. They don't know us.
But it maximises the chances of us timing out with no deal, or a very basic deal. Like an emergency passport, Tesco Value pack of sausages, SIM only phone contract, or 'Leccy on a pay-as-you go card.
I don't think SIM only belongs in that company, but I guess its inclusion speaks to you.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I.
Don't doubt your scenario is well possible but:-
Isn't the more likely British public reaction to be more of us to telling them to go forth and multiply?
Even if they "succeeded" in scaring us back in- what's the point? They'd have got themselves embittered millions who'd rightly feel humiliated and betrayed. It would be taken out on the EU in future. I dread to think where that leads, I really do.
Yes, if you threaten the Brits you get the exact opposite effect. They don't know us.
But it maximises the chances of us timing out with no deal, or a very basic deal. Like an emergency passport, Tesco Value pack of sausages, SIM only phone contract, or 'Leccy on a pay-as-you go card.
I don't think SIM only belongs in that company, but I guess its inclusion speaks to you.
SIM only is the Casino Royale Brexit Dream: it's cheaper and more flexible.
Is it just me or does Corbyn need less advisors and maybe more needing a care worker to help the guy when he gets confused?
Off topic, I know some suggest I'm a bit wacko when I claim that the Russians have Trump in their pocket with info about him both regarding his links to Russian money and his leisure activities.
This evening CNN are reporting that there is credible info that the Russians have compromising financial and personal info on Donald.
Question is, who is leaking this stuff?
"leaking" or "making it up". How does CNN determine credibility? Did Hilary miss a trick? I've heard it said she does occasionally
I guess it must do, by law. But when is that? What's the process? Does a PM go to Brussels to sign a document, as with Lisbon? I'm not expecting you to know, just curious.
This bet focuses the mind on the practicalities, which is good.
I believe the document gets approved by QMV in the Council and needs 'consent' from the Parliament (presumably a majority vote). It doesn't require ratification like a treaty. To actually extend the negotiation period requires unanimity in the Council. There will be political pressure on the EU side to get it out of the way before the next European elections so it doesn't negatively impact them.
Are we agreed on this definition?
But what is our precise definition? When Strasbourg votes, or Westminster? Or what?
I'm not trying to be awkward, just removing grey areas which could cause grief. I know we have downscaled our bet, but a thousand quid is still a thousand quid, not to be sniffed at. It's the cost of a decent lunch for two at Kaspar's in the Savoy.
I think David Herdson nails it here. It would be the earlier of the date in the agreement, or 2 years after Article 50 if there's no agreement or extension.
Basically you win if there's an amicable divorce, or if there's a car crash with no deal, and I win if negotiations go into 2020, or Brexit is abandoned, or a long-term transition that involves staying in the EU past the end of 2019.
Why not agree on an arbitrator/judge from the site who's decision will be final in the event of a dispute.
No shortage of lawyers here. Or of generally fair-minded people, for that matter.
The currency scenario is certainly plausible - we've been close to parity with the euro (late 2008) and the dollar (mid 1980s) on previous occasions but the thing to remember with the EU is that it isn't a single entity.
It's 27 different nations with differing perspectives and different relationships of varying importance with the UK. It shouldn't take a genius to press the right buttons when it comes to playing them off against each other if/when they become contrary.
I guess it must do, by law. But when is that? What's the process? Does a PM go to Brussels to sign a document, as with Lisbon? I'm not expecting you to know, just curious.
This bet focuses the mind on the practicalities, which is good.
I believe the document gets approved by QMV in the Council and needs 'consent' from the Parliament (presumably a majority vote). It doesn't require ratification like a treaty. To actually extend the negotiation period requires unanimity in the Council. There will be political pressure on the EU side to get it out of the way before the next European elections so it doesn't negatively impact them.
Are we agreed on this definition?
But what is our precise definition? When Strasbourg votes, or Westminster? Or what?
I'm not trying to be awkward, just removing grey areas which could cause grief. I know we have downscaled our bet, but a thousand quid is still a thousand quid, not to be sniffed at. It's the cost of a decent lunch for two at Kaspar's in the Savoy.
I think David Herdson nails it here. It would be the earlier of the date in the agreement, or 2 years after Article 50 if there's no agreement or extension.
Basically you win if there's an amicable divorce, or if there's a car crash with no deal, and I win if negotiations go into 2020, or Brexit is abandoned, or a long-term transition that involves staying in the EU past the end of 2019.
Why not agree on an arbitrator/judge from the site who's decision will be final in the event of a dispute.
No shortage of lawyers here. Or of generally fair-minded people, for that matter.
I would be very fair-minded for, say, 10% of the winnings.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
I think most Brits don't really care that much about the currency except if they work in the City or go abroad regularly or buy a lot of foreign goods so I doubt it will make much difference, it would actually be good news for exporters, they care more about controlling immigration. If Brexit led to mass unemployment that might change things a bit but a fall in the currency won't
So my friends then. Many who do work in the City, live in London or work in media and consulting in town.
My WhatsApp is going to go apeshit.
Most of them voted Remain anyway
They all did. But I have to listen to it daily.
Well they will just have to get used to being on the losing side for once
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I
I think you're almost entirely right. That's how I see it. The pound could easily hit parity against the euro and dollar. Or lower.
I demur on one point. I think the EU has abandoned hope of the UK changing its mind. This won't be an attempt to make us revote, it will just be hard cheese we have to eat, as the EU dictates the pace, being the larger more powerful party (albeit with their own divisions and faultlines).
However, I also expect the EU to compromise, to an extent, in the end. There will be a fudge, where both sides can plausibly claim success. No one will be happy. But we will be Out. And then we can rebuild, as a free country, with fresh horizons.
I think EU leaders like Merkel (and prob Fillion) know the UK won't change its mind.
At an institutional level I don't think they think of it that way. It's much more cold and constitutional - the treaty is the treaty and any fudge can only exist in that paradigm. If an individual country's internal politics hits the buffers, it's that country that has a problem, and if the domestic political pressures prove impossible to bear, they are very used to dealing with a revolving door of new Prime Ministers until the logic of the situation sinks in.
It's why even now we'd be better off building an EU wide consensus to change the things 'we' don't like rather than thinking we can apply pressure to extract a cherry-picked deal.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I.
Don't doubt your scenario is well possible but:-
Isn't the more likely British public reaction to be more of us to telling them to go forth and multiply?
Even if they "succeeded" in scaring us back in- what's the point? They'd have got themselves embittered millions who'd rightly feel humiliated and betrayed. It would be taken out on the EU in future. I dread to think where that leads, I really do.
Yes, if you threaten the Brits you get the exact opposite effect. They don't know us.
But it maximises the chances of us timing out with no deal, or a very basic deal. Like an emergency passport, Tesco Value pack of sausages, SIM only phone contract, or 'Leccy on a pay-as-you go card.
I don't think SIM only belongs in that company, but I guess its inclusion speaks to you.
SIM only is the Casino Royale Brexit Dream: it's cheaper and more flexible.
then it seems substantially out of place with the other metaphors
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so dthe consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
I think most Brits don't really care that much about the currency except if they work in the City or go abroad regularly or buy a lot of foreign goods so I doubt it will make much difference, it would actually be good news for exporters, they care more about controlling immigration. If Brexit led to mass unemployment that might change things a bit but a fall in the currency won't
So my friends then. Many who do work in the City, live in London or work in media and consulting in town.
My WhatsApp is going to go apeshit.
Most of them voted Remain anyway
They all did. But I have to listen to it daily.
Well they will just have to get used to being on the losing side for once
"People who work in the City, live in London or work in media and consulting in town", be assured, won't be on the losing side from Brexit.
I guess it must do, by law. But when is that? What's the process? Does a PM go to Brussels to sign a document, as with Lisbon? I'm not expecting you to know, just curious.
This bet focuses the mind on the practicalities, which is good.
I believe the document gets approved by QMV in the Council and needs 'consent' from the Parliament (presumably a majority vote). It doesn't require ratification like a treaty. To actually extend the negotiation period requires unanimity in the Council. There will be political pressure on the EU side to get it out of the way before the next European elections so it doesn't negatively impact them.
Are we agreed on this definition?
But what is our precise definition? When Strasbourg votes, or Westminster? Or what?
I'm not trying to be awkward, just removing grey areas which could cause grief. I know we have downscaled our bet, but a thousand quid is still a thousand quid, not to be sniffed at. It's the cost of a decent lunch for two at Kaspar's in the Savoy.
I think David Herdson nails it here. It would be the earlier of the date in the agreement, or 2 years after Article 50 if there's no agreement or extension.
Basically you win if there's an amicable divorce, or if there's a car crash with no deal, and I win if negotiations go into 2020, or Brexit is abandoned, or a long-term transition that involves staying in the EU past the end of 2019.
Why not agree on an arbitrator/judge from the site who's decision will be final in the event of a dispute.
No shortage of lawyers here. Or of generally fair-minded people, for that matter.
why don't you toss a coin now and have done with it?
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
I think most Brits don't really care that much about the currency except if they work in the City or go abroad regularly or buy a lot of foreign goods so I doubt it will make much difference, ...
Bloody hell. That would have been an excellent point when Wilson made his "pound in your pocket" speech. Do you think the peasantry all still flock to Blackpool during wakes week for their hols? And that their iphones and cars and plasma tvs are hand-crafted in the Midlands?
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
I think most Brits don't really care that much about the currency except if they work in the City or go abroad regularly or buy a lot of foreign goods...
If its of interest to anyone Talking to a friend in the labour party today. Hearing lots of reports of longstanding members who have finally had it with Corbyn and cancelling their direct debit/tearing up their membership cards. £60 per year too high a price to pay to stay in the party to support a leader they dont agree with. One guy is starting a part time masters and downgrading his membership to student membership which is only £1 per month. These are all middle class public sector professionals. People seem to be resigned to the death of the labour party.
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I think the £ will take a battering over the period from March 2017 to Nov 17 because we will ask for maximum single market access and immigration controls, and Barnier, Verhofstadt and Tusk/Juncker will tell us to go and do something that's physically impossible to ourselves.
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
I think most Brits don't really care that much about the currency except if they work in the City or go abroad regularly or buy a lot of foreign goods...
It's good for manufacturing; natural correction; nothing to see here; there are no tanks in Baghdad.
The £ is near historic lows against the dollar (and thus other currencies), but it is not especially weak against the euro.
But what do you expect, anyway? The UK has decided on a radical departure in its politics, a huge rupture in its trading and business situation, we're like a family that's decided to gut the house, and completely redo the place, down to the wiring and plumbing. You can anticipate some discomfort, for several years. Dust. Noise. Rubble. Workmen whistling in an annoying way.
But in the end we will have a lovely new home.
I
I think you're almost entirely right. That's how I see it. The pound could easily hit parity against the euro and dollar. Or lower.
I demur on one point. I think the EU has abandoned hope of the UK changing its mind. This won't be an attempt to make us revote, it will just be hard cheese we have to eat, as the EU dictates the pace, being the larger more powerful party (albeit with their own divisions and faultlines).
However, I also expect the EU to compromise, to an extent, in the end. There will be a fudge, where both sides can plausibly claim success. No one will be happy. But we will be Out. And then we can rebuild, as a free country, with fresh horizons.
I think EU leaders like Merkel (and prob Fillion) know the UK won't change its mind.
At an institutional level I don't think they think of it that way. It's much more cold and constitutional - the treaty is the treaty and any fudge can only exist in that paradigm. If an individual country's internal politics hits the buffers, it's that country that has a problem, and if the domestic political pressures prove impossible to bear, they are very used to dealing with a revolving door of new Prime Ministers until the logic of the situation sinks in.
It's why even now we'd be better off building an EU wide consensus to change the things 'we' don't like rather than thinking we can apply pressure to extract a cherry-picked deal.
Is it just me or does Corbyn need less advisors and maybe more needing a care worker to help the guy when he gets confused?
Off topic, I know some suggest I'm a bit wacko when I claim that the Russians have Trump in their pocket with info about him both regarding his links to Russian money and his leisure activities.
This evening CNN are reporting that there is credible info that the Russians have compromising financial and personal info on Donald.
Question is, who is leaking this stuff?
"leaking" or "making it up". How does CNN determine credibility? Did Hilary miss a trick? I've heard it said she does occasionally
This shit isn't made up, I was posting about it before the election even happened. In fact the two things I suggested were financial links to dodgy money and Trump's leisure pursuits. Intelligence on Trumps links to Russia goes back a fair while, like years. Thats what is coming out now.
Two reason why it didn't get the exposure
1. There was an expectation Trump would lose but now he has won, the reality that he has been bought by a country that considers the USA an opponent is too urgent to ignore.
2. To have released the info publicly in the election cycle would have been a whole new ball game for the US domestic intelligence agencies. Contrary to what some think, they do tread very cautiously
I should note that the GOP were passed warnings about Trump by contacts within the intelligence agencies from quite a bit out.
Trump's teams met with Russian cut outs during the election for example. And it wasn't for cocktails. You've got suggestions that Russian intelligence was looking at state electoral rolls
I said the other night the question was whether the spooks could truly muster themselves to try to bring Trump down. It is a very difficult situation for them.
It looks, however, like they are going to give it a go but success is not certain.
Comments
https://twitter.com/ddale8/status/818898942750523392
I was surprised at what a shock it was to IN when we hit them with Turkey. By the time this happened they were in an almost impossible position. I wanted them to announce a veto. It would not have been believed and would have had the opposite effect – people would have taken the danger of Turkey joining more seriously. If your life depended on winning for IN, the answer is clear: they should have said long before the campaign started as part of the renegotiation process that they would veto any accession.
I wouldn't be very good at this politics lark. I assumed that IN didn't announce a veto because they were under orders from Merkel not to do so. But I guess Cummings has a point when says it would have made things worse. The time to do something was before the renegotiation. Very poor planning from Cameron and Co.
And, of course, had Cameron just waited a few months, Turkey would not have been an issue at all.
Said in relation to Clinton's digital campaign strategy, but somewhat apposite to the current header.
When Kennedy asked the crowd of a few hundred viewers how many parents had a child injured by vaccines, numerous hands went up.
“They get the shot, that night they have a fever of a hundred and three, they go to sleep, and three months later their brain is gone,” Kennedy said. “This is a holocaust, what this is doing to our country.”
lol. It would be funny if it wasn't so serious.
"THREE MONTHS LATER THEIR BRAIN IS GONE"
"THIS IS A HOLOCAUST."
America has become a Kakistocracy
Whether we have a vote in the Council might be opaque and hard to pin down to a date. What if May voluntarily abstains?
Exhibit A: Jeremy Corbyn.
"Graham Kirkland, 54, said he has always supported Labour “because I was brought up that way. But the Labour leader, I think he’s a prick. An absolute lunatic. It’s like that nutter in America, Trump.” The plan of some round Corbyn to conduct a Trump-style insurgency is unlikely to go down well in Whitehaven.
ConHome: “So how will you vote in this by-election?”
Kirkland: “I don’t know. It’s always been Labour down here. But if Corbyn’s still leader I won’t be voting Labour. But I definitely won’t vote Conservative. They’ve ruined the area, I think.”
ConHome: “So might you vote UKIP?”
Kirkland: “That’s the nutter who went off to see Donald Trump.”
It is noticeable how churned up these Labour voters are. They feel a deep ancestral loyalty to their party, detest the Conservatives, and do not much like the sound of a website with that word in its title, though they were prepared to have a friendly conversation with the website’s representative. They want to go on voting Labour, but for a substantial number of them, Corbyn makes that impossible.
As a second man put it: “Well I won’t be voting Labour again. I’ve been voting Labour all my life. I just think it’s pointless with Corbyn around. I’m from an Army background. I just think he’s a wrong ‘un.”
A third man agreed: “I hate Corbyn"
http://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2017/01/corbyn-will-find-it-hard-to-cope-in-copeland-and-risks-humiliation.html
Digital front page looks brutal, will the dead tree press be as bad for Corbyn in the next hour or so?
https://twitter.com/europeelects/status/818931047975026689
https://twitter.com/europeelects/status/818922458585714688
Quarenting Afghanistan and Pakistan has other merits too.
PS Only a silly comment. I know that it does not take much for one imported case to create a new outbreak in a polio-free country.
I think nominations have closed and of the local candidates at least one actively campaigned for Smith last summer. It is probably a good idea to pick someone like that.
http://sacbee-politics-chatter.sacbee.com/politics-talk/slideshow/trump-viewed-negatively-majority-americans-new-poll/?li_source=LI&li_medium=publisher-widget
Corbyn's created the impression it could be anything north of £140k and that he could heavily tax the rest.
Obviously they love internationalism and immigration.
Dupont-Aignan wants to be the French Trump, but how fast can he learn? He needs some catchier sayings:
"Lock Fillon up!",
"Hollande and Fillon founded ISIS!",
"Crooked Marine",
"maybe the sons of the OAS are keeping their powder dry",
"see this bulge in my pants? that's how much I love France!"
etc.
http://sacbee-politics-chatter.sacbee.com/politics-talk/slideshow/trump-viewed-negatively-majority-americans-new-poll/?li_source=LI&li_medium=publisher-widget
Anyone want to set up a betfair market on the issue?
Poor Labour. No wonder they're struggling.
Cameron used to talk about a ratio in the public sector - did they ever do it?
A lot of forex traders are in denial and assume HMG thinks like they do.
You are also much less myopic than some of your fellow travellers, for whom all news related to Brexit is incontrovertibly good.
People generally vote in their own interests.
On the obvious assumptions, the 8% who'd vote for Valls but not for Peillon get redistributed as follows:
2% left (1% Mélenchon, 1% others),
4.5% centrist (3% Macron, 1.5% Bayrou - who may not stand),
1% right (Fillon),
0.5% Green
May won't compromise. And neither will they. So the markets will gradually wake up to the fact May actually means it, and so do the EU, assume an ultra-hard Brexit and so the pound will steadily slide. It will aided along the way by as many apocalyptic announcements from the EU of the consequences as possible.
THIS IS DELIBERATE. The EU wants maximum market pressure on Sterling. It will be like a real-time Remain campaign run by the EU, but, they hope, with real fear this time.
The hope is that by a no-holds bar, no compromising position, and immense market pressure on the currency, it will scare the Brits off leaving and/or lead to impossible political pressure on May.
I think they are wrong, but it's not impossible they are right.
Quite sad really.
As has been stated on here many, many times, over-optimistic Brexiteers are as deluded as the more apocalyptic Remainers.
Just like the media didn't get Brexit or Trump, they don't get how stupid they look trying to compare Corbyn to Trump.
Are we agreed on this definition?
Can't see many having a huge impact, apart from Italy in April/May 2018, and Sweden will be of interest to a lesser extent, but the EU will want to ensure no eurosceptic troublemakers are elected.
There are also a fair few elections in Eastern Europe in April/May 2019, just after the UK deal should be finally concluded. So that will have a bearing as well.
Can I come back in 2 years?
Isn't the more likely British public reaction to be more of us to telling them to go forth and multiply?
Even if they "succeeded" in scaring us back in- what's the point? They'd have got themselves embittered millions who'd rightly feel humiliated and betrayed. It would be taken out on the EU in future. I dread to think where that leads, I really do.
The EU apparatchiks - with egging on from the most ardent UK Remainers collocated in Brussels whispering into their ears daily, of the sort that make WilliamGlenn look like Bill Cash - think a cold dose of reality might do the trick. And they might even have plans to suggest they'd throw Cameron's deal back on the table again - with a couple of minor tweaks - if we changed our minds: perhaps with longer benefits exclusion periods, and a couple of extra opt-outs on crime and justice etc.
That's why I don't expect sanity in the EU negotiations until this Autumn. Possibly later.
The big chunk of work will be done from c. May 2018-Nov 2018. Then we'll see the EU trying to sell and vote it through thereafter, with all sorts of horsetrading in which we'll largely be spectators. With perhaps the Irish acting as a kind of proxy for us.
My WhatsApp is going to go apeshit.
But it maximises the chances of us timing out with no deal, or a very basic deal. Like an emergency passport, Tesco Value pack of sausages, SIM only phone contract, or 'Leccy on a pay-as-you go card.
Off topic, I know some suggest I'm a bit wacko when I claim that the Russians have Trump in their pocket with info about him both regarding his links to Russian money and his leisure activities.
This evening CNN are reporting that there is credible info that the Russians have compromising financial and personal info on Donald.
Question is, who is leaking this stuff?
http://politicalbetting.vanillaforums.com/discussion/comment/1394765/#Comment_1394765
Basically you win if there's an amicable divorce, or if there's a car crash with no deal, and I win if negotiations go into 2020, or Brexit is abandoned, or a long-term transition that involves staying in the EU past the end of 2019.
And I don't believe that economic cost is a "price worth paying" because I believe the reclamation of sovereignty, especially in this complicated, interconnected world where nations do deals with other nations for mutual benefit, is largely illusory.
No shortage of lawyers here. Or of generally fair-minded people, for that matter.
It's 27 different nations with differing perspectives and different relationships of varying importance with the UK. It shouldn't take a genius to press the right buttons when it comes to playing them off against each other if/when they become contrary.
Edit: that was a JOKE!!
It's why even now we'd be better off building an EU wide consensus to change the things 'we' don't like rather than thinking we can apply pressure to extract a cherry-picked deal.
Talking to a friend in the labour party today. Hearing lots of reports of longstanding members who have finally had it with Corbyn and cancelling their direct debit/tearing up their membership cards.
£60 per year too high a price to pay to stay in the party to support a leader they dont agree with. One guy is starting a part time masters and downgrading his membership to student membership which is only £1 per month.
These are all middle class public sector professionals.
People seem to be resigned to the death of the labour party.
https://twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/status/818485868671406080
Two reason why it didn't get the exposure
1. There was an expectation Trump would lose but now he has won, the reality that he has been bought by a country that considers the USA an opponent is too urgent to ignore.
2. To have released the info publicly in the election cycle would have been a whole new ball game for the US domestic intelligence agencies. Contrary to what some think, they do tread very cautiously
I should note that the GOP were passed warnings about Trump by contacts within the intelligence agencies from quite a bit out.
Trump's teams met with Russian cut outs during the election for example. And it wasn't for cocktails. You've got suggestions that Russian intelligence was looking at state electoral rolls
I said the other night the question was whether the spooks could truly muster themselves to try to bring Trump down. It is a very difficult situation for them.
It looks, however, like they are going to give it a go but success is not certain.