I thought it was linked to Andrew Wood, rather than the current EU ambassador?
Sir Andrew Wood is the one who flagged it up to John McCain, but apparently Sir Tim Barrow was/is close to both Christopher Steele and Sir Andrew Wood...
I think the Independent story suggests McCain sought out advice from Wood, rather than the other way around.
I thought it was linked to Andrew Wood, rather than the current EU ambassador?
Sir Andrew Wood is the one who flagged it up to John McCain, but apparently Sir Tim Barrow was/is close to both Christopher Steele and Sir Andrew Wood...
To lose one Diplomat is unfortunate, to lose two...
It appears that the Sheffield City Regional Mayoral contest due to take place in May has been postponed because of lack of consultation with electors in Chesterfield . It may in fact never take place as proposal of a Greater Yorkshire mayor instead has been resurrected .
I wasn't aware that the 'Sheffield City Region' had been consulted with electors anywhere.
If the local people had been consulted by referendum on whether they wanted a 'Sheffield City Region' it would have been overwhelmingly rejected.
Which is precisely why the local people weren't consulted on whether they wanted a 'Sheffield City Region'.
There was a consultation, we were asked for our views.
I liked it because it realised that county borders are irrelevant when you're that close to a big city
“But the plans were on display…” “On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.” “That’s the display department.” “With a flashlight.” “Ah, well, the lights had probably gone.” “So had the stairs.” “But look, you found the notice, didn’t you?” “Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”
This was online, on the telly, in the local papers, you couldn't miss it.
I remember seeing a few letters in the local papers - saying that the idea was crap.
If it was put to the local voters in a referendum it would be overwhelmingly rejected - which is why it isn't being out to the voters in a referendum.
' On 4 November 2004, voters in the North East rejected the proposal, in an all-postal ballot, by 77.9% to 22.1%, on a turnout of 48%. Every council area in the region had a majority for "no". The referendum was held in what was arguably Labour's strongest region within the United Kingdom.
The defeat marked the end of the Labour Government's policy of devolution for England, and the other proposed referendums for the North West and for Yorkshire and the Humber were dropped indefinitely. '
I thought it was linked to Andrew Wood, rather than the current EU ambassador?
Sir Andrew Wood is the one who flagged it up to John McCain, but apparently Sir Tim Barrow was/is close to both Christopher Steele and Sir Andrew Wood...
To lose one Diplomat is unfortunate, to lose two...
FWIW Barrow has denied involvement. On the other hand, wood has been quite candid.
My very Muslim mother has asked me what a golden shower is & why should that stop Trump being President because a golden lift didn't?
I don't envy you right now...
I'm 38, with my parents I've had only had one conversation on the subject of sex, that was with my father as I departed to university, when he told me that as a good Muslim boy who was going to have an arranged marriage in a few years time, I should remain chaste and virginal at university.
I hate Donald Trump right now.
My family is the opposite. We get drunk and talk about EVERYTHING, from who has had the most partners to who has had the kinkiest sex.
On the other hand, my 1st stepmother (of 3, now deceased) once tried to stab me on Boxing Day. So, you know: swings and roundabouts.
Why did she try to stab you ?
Because 1. I was a recovering heroin addict, 2. she was an alcoholic, 3. she had early brain cancer and 4. (relatedly) she was mad and 5. she felt I was giving my Dad an alibi for his philandering, and 6. MY FAMILY
The BBC made a mistake that Christmas - instead of Eastenders they should have shown 'At Home With The Thomases'.
It appears that the Sheffield City Regional Mayoral contest due to take place in May has been postponed because of lack of consultation with electors in Chesterfield . It may in fact never take place as proposal of a Greater Yorkshire mayor instead has been resurrected .
I wasn't aware that the 'Sheffield City Region' had been consulted with electors anywhere.
If the local people had been consulted by referendum on whether they wanted a 'Sheffield City Region' it would have been overwhelmingly rejected.
Which is precisely why the local people weren't consulted on whether they wanted a 'Sheffield City Region'.
There was a consultation, we were asked for our views.
I liked it because it realised that county borders are irrelevant when you're that close to a big city
“But the plans were on display…” “On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.” “That’s the display department.” “With a flashlight.” “Ah, well, the lights had probably gone.” “So had the stairs.” “But look, you found the notice, didn’t you?” “Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”
This was online, on the telly, in the local papers, you couldn't miss it.
I remember seeing a few letters in the local papers - saying that the idea was crap.
If it was put to the local voters in a referendum it would be overwhelmingly rejected - which is why it isn't being out to the voters in a referendum.
' On 4 November 2004, voters in the North East rejected the proposal, in an all-postal ballot, by 77.9% to 22.1%, on a turnout of 48%. Every council area in the region had a majority for "no". The referendum was held in what was arguably Labour's strongest region within the United Kingdom.
The defeat marked the end of the Labour Government's policy of devolution for England, and the other proposed referendums for the North West and for Yorkshire and the Humber were dropped indefinitely. '
My very Muslim mother has asked me what a golden shower is & why should that stop Trump being President because a golden lift didn't?
I don't envy you right now...
I'm 38, with my parents I've had only had one conversation on the subject of sex, that was with my father as I departed to university, when he told me that as a good Muslim boy who was going to have an arranged marriage in a few years time, I should remain chaste and virginal at university.
I hate Donald Trump right now.
My family is the opposite. We get drunk and talk about EVERYTHING, from who has had the most partners to who has had the kinkiest sex.
On the other hand, my 1st stepmother (of 3, now deceased) once tried to stab me on Boxing Day. So, you know: swings and roundabouts.
Why did she try to stab you ?
Because 1. I was a recovering heroin addict, 2. she was an alcoholic, 3. she had early brain cancer and 4. (relatedly) she was mad and 5. she felt I was giving my Dad an alibi for his philandering, and 6. MY FAMILY
You really need to be followed 24/7 by a camera crew....
Brilliant result for the LibDems in Sunderland, but the narrative some people have been putting about to explain the LibDem revival might need a bit of tweaking:
EU Referendum Result (2016): REMAIN 51,930 (39%) LEAVE 82,394 (61%)
It appears that the Sheffield City Regional Mayoral contest due to take place in May has been postponed because of lack of consultation with electors in Chesterfield . It may in fact never take place as proposal of a Greater Yorkshire mayor instead has been resurrected .
I wasn't aware that the 'Sheffield City Region' had been consulted with electors anywhere.
If the local people had been consulted by referendum on whether they wanted a 'Sheffield City Region' it would have been overwhelmingly rejected.
Which is precisely why the local people weren't consulted on whether they wanted a 'Sheffield City Region'.
There was a consultation, we were asked for our views.
I liked it because it realised that county borders are irrelevant when you're that close to a big city
“But the plans were on display…” “On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.” “That’s the display department.” “With a flashlight.” “Ah, well, the lights had probably gone.” “So had the stairs.” “But look, you found the notice, didn’t you?” “Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”
This was online, on the telly, in the local papers, you couldn't miss it.
I remember seeing a few letters in the local papers - saying that the idea was crap.
If it was put to the local voters in a referendum it would be overwhelmingly rejected - which is why it isn't being out to the voters in a referendum.
' On 4 November 2004, voters in the North East rejected the proposal, in an all-postal ballot, by 77.9% to 22.1%, on a turnout of 48%. Every council area in the region had a majority for "no". The referendum was held in what was arguably Labour's strongest region within the United Kingdom.
The defeat marked the end of the Labour Government's policy of devolution for England, and the other proposed referendums for the North West and for Yorkshire and the Humber were dropped indefinitely. '
Dom Cummings was involved in that referendum - from his account I'm guessing it must have been quite a campaign.
I remember seeing some of it on TV and in the paper - as Dominic Cummings said it was very much an insurgency campaign. The entire political, economic, media and cultural establishment were in favour while a few outsiders with an inflatable white elephant led the No campaign.
Brilliant result for the LibDems in Sunderland, but the narrative some people have been putting about to explain the LibDem revival might need a bit of tweaking:
EU Referendum Result (2016): REMAIN 51,930 (39%) LEAVE 82,394 (61%)
We've known for a while that the LD bounce has been stronger in Leave areas. My hunch is that if you're a Remainy type of person in a leave area then you're very firmly Remain and will be prepared to switch parties for your views.
LIB DEM SURGE. Polarisation of British politics into horny handed nationalists against liberal intellectuals?
That's an interesting way of looking at it. Another way is to think of the compass needle no longer pointing North/South, but East/West. "Which side are you on?"
<blackrook on>This result in no way shows any LibDem recovery. Until the LibDems start winning parliamentary by-elections, scoring more than 10% in the polls getting 50+% in the polls, I will be extremely sceptical of those saying they are making any kind of comeback.<blackrook off>
Brilliant result for the LibDems in Sunderland, but the narrative some people have been putting about to explain the LibDem revival might need a bit of tweaking:
EU Referendum Result (2016): REMAIN 51,930 (39%) LEAVE 82,394 (61%)
We've known for a while that the LD bounce has been stronger in Leave areas. My hunch is that if you're a Remainy type of person in a leave area then you're very firmly Remain and will be prepared to switch parties for your views.
Occam's Razor suggests the more prosaic explanation that local by-election results have zilch to do with the EU referendum.
Of course the ward may not be as strongly Leave as the council. Though looking at the previous result I'd be surprised if it wasn't pretty close to that.
There was a consultation, we were asked for our views.
I liked it because it realised that county borders are irrelevant when you're that close to a big city
“But the plans were on display…” “On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.” “That’s the display department.” “With a flashlight.” “Ah, well, the lights had probably gone.” “So had the stairs.” “But look, you found the notice, didn’t you?” “Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”
This was online, on the telly, in the local papers, you couldn't miss it.
I remember seeing a few letters in the local papers - saying that the idea was crap.
If it was put to the local voters in a referendum it would be overwhelmingly rejected - which is why it isn't being out to the voters in a referendum.
' On 4 November 2004, voters in the North East rejected the proposal, in an all-postal ballot, by 77.9% to 22.1%, on a turnout of 48%. Every council area in the region had a majority for "no". The referendum was held in what was arguably Labour's strongest region within the United Kingdom.
The defeat marked the end of the Labour Government's policy of devolution for England, and the other proposed referendums for the North West and for Yorkshire and the Humber were dropped indefinitely. '
Dom Cummings was involved in that referendum - from his account I'm guessing it must have been quite a campaign.
I remember seeing some of it on TV and in the paper - as Dominic Cummings said it was very much an insurgency campaign. The entire political, economic, media and cultural establishment were in favour while a few outsiders with an inflatable white elephant led the No campaign.
' Although backed by the Conservatives and UKIP, NESNO was careful to keep the politicians in the background.
It concentrated instead on promoting the message that the assembly would be a costly job creation scheme for "political placemen", summed up by its slogan "Politicians Talk, We Pay". '
Brilliant result for the LibDems in Sunderland, but the narrative some people have been putting about to explain the LibDem revival might need a bit of tweaking:
EU Referendum Result (2016): REMAIN 51,930 (39%) LEAVE 82,394 (61%)
We've known for a while that the LD bounce has been stronger in Leave areas. My hunch is that if you're a Remainy type of person in a leave area then you're very firmly Remain and will be prepared to switch parties for your views.
There was reporting a while back that the Mackems were thinking again about Brexit. Sharp fall in UKIP vote too it looks like.
Of course, the Lib Dem candidate in Sunderland has done a massive did-service to his/her fellow paper candidates for the elections in May. "No, don't worry, there's no chance of you wining here, we just need a name to put on the ballot paper....."
Im told Sunderland is a massive LD majority . Copeland Conservatives and some posters here need to trust Lib Dem expectation management more !!!!!
Something big is happening. Tectonic plates shifting?
I wrote last year that 48% isn't enough to win a binary choice referendum but it is enough to win big under FPTP.
Whether or not you agree with the policy, the Lib Dems are the only voice for the 48%
It's the SNP all over again. Lose referendum; fire up resentment at the result; win seats versus divided opposition.
I'll never forget the morning of Tuesday 3rd of February. I had a meeting in my office, I became 'aware' of the first batch of Lord Ashcroft Scottish constituency polls that were being released 24 hours later.
I don't swear at all work, but I did then, and my staff just looked at me in shock.
Just imagine my reaction if constituency polls show Lib Dems gain the likes of Sunderland South....
Of course, the Lib Dem candidate in Sunderland has done a massive did-service to his/her fellow paper candidates for the elections in May. "No, don't worry, there's no chance of you wining here, we just need a name to put on the ballot paper....."
I'm being pushed to stand as a paper candidate for LibDems in Barnes for 2018 local. My only fear in accepting is that I just might win it!
Brilliant result for the LibDems in Sunderland, but the narrative some people have been putting about to explain the LibDem revival might need a bit of tweaking:
EU Referendum Result (2016): REMAIN 51,930 (39%) LEAVE 82,394 (61%)
Except I very much doubt turnout in the ward was anything like that for the referendum. It shouldn't be a surprise if there is currently some differential in enthusiasm.
Of course, the Lib Dem candidate in Sunderland has done a massive did-service to his/her fellow paper candidates for the elections in May. "No, don't worry, there's no chance of you wining here, we just need a name to put on the ballot paper....."
I'm being pushed to stand as a paper candidate for LibDems in Barnes for 2018 local. My only fear in accepting is that I just might win it!
Im told Sunderland is a massive LD majority . Copeland Conservatives and some posters here need to trust Lib Dem expectation management more !!!!!
Something big is happening. Tectonic plates shifting?
I wrote last year that 48% isn't enough to win a binary choice referendum but it is enough to win big under FPTP.
Whether or not you agree with the policy, the Lib Dems are the only voice for the 48%
It's the SNP all over again. Lose referendum; fire up resentment at the result; win seats versus divided opposition.
I'll never forget the morning of Tuesday 3rd of February. I had a meeting in my office, I became 'aware' of the first batch of Lord Ashcroft Scottish constituency polls that were being released 24 hours later.
I don't swear at all work, but I did then, and my staff just looked at me in shock.
Just imagine my reaction if constituency polls show Lib Dems gain the likes of Sunderland South....
I remember that evening, when they were found lurking on Lord Ashcroft's server, 12 hours early. I backed every YES seat on the list to win the max permitted of £250, at prices from 5/4 to 4/1, or something like that.
If Brexit were the issue propelling the LibDems to good results in locals, then the effect would show up to an even greater degree in national polls, where Brexit is massively more relevant. This isn't happening. Ergo, Brexit is not the issue propelling the LibDems to good results in locals.
Will the likes of Chuka Umunna look at this and think they'd be better off changing sides, and would the Lib Dems have them?
He should, and they should. I'm a British patriot and I want a functioning Opposition, able to take power when the Tories fail (as they will)
Also, 48% of Brits voted Remain and clearly many of them are not lunatic, red-trousered Remoaners - they need representing.
The referendum has realigned our politics as the indyref did in Scotland, so our parties need to realign, too,
We need
A hard left socialist pro-Brexit party under Corbyn
A soft left soft Remain Labour party under Chuka
A fiercely pro-Remain LD party (possibly allied with the above)
A soft right, soft Brexit Tory party under May
A hard right 100% single source full fat extra caffeine Brexit UKIP under Farage & Sons
Balls to all that, we just need a Conservative party and a Liberal party, just like the good old days. Mind you, if they were genuinely liberal I'd become a swing voter (unsurprisingly, perhaps, as I was one over Brexit).
SO I guess this means the Lib Dems have gained the council in Three Rivers? Except everything you think is going to happens nowadays the opposite happens so a Lab GAIN nailed on.
LDs having a mini SDP revival in council polls, Labour as low as it was under Foot, Tories being the governing party unlikely to win many council by-elections. In Sunderland it was probably a protest at the former Labour councillor's resignation for non-attendance and Labour voters going LD en masse as a protest vote
Of course, the Lib Dem candidate in Sunderland has done a massive did-service to his/her fellow paper candidates for the elections in May. "No, don't worry, there's no chance of you wining here, we just need a name to put on the ballot paper....."
I'm being pushed to stand as a paper candidate for LibDems in Barnes for 2018 local. My only fear in accepting is that I just might win it!
I think you'll be a complete shoo in.
In 1986, as Chairman of Barnes Liberals, I persuaded my wife to stand as a paper candidate. "Don't worry. No chance of being elected. Most Tory ward in Richmond". To her shock and horror she came top with 46.5% of the vote. She subsequently became deputy mayor. We had to buy a chalet to house the filing cabinets to hold all the paperwork.
Marine Le Pen was in Trump Tower today. She was on a, ahem, private trip. But she was "hosted" by a "friend" of Trump. Her spokesman said he didn't know who she'd be meeting with. Trump won't see her. But she caught the lift upwards. Et cetera.
The guy sitting opposite her is her partner Louis Aliot. She is sitting next to George Lombardi. Who is the other man?
Comments
If it was put to the local voters in a referendum it would be overwhelmingly rejected - which is why it isn't being out to the voters in a referendum.
' On 4 November 2004, voters in the North East rejected the proposal, in an all-postal ballot, by 77.9% to 22.1%, on a turnout of 48%. Every council area in the region had a majority for "no". The referendum was held in what was arguably Labour's strongest region within the United Kingdom.
The defeat marked the end of the Labour Government's policy of devolution for England, and the other proposed referendums for the North West and for Yorkshire and the Humber were dropped indefinitely. '
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_England_devolution_referendums,_2004
https://twitter.com/PolhomeEditor/status/819589170272276480
https://twitter.com/britainelects/status/819677648133636096
https://twitter.com/britainelects/status/819677648133636096
Copeland Conservatives and some posters here need to trust Lib Dem expectation management more !!!!!
Lab 25% !
Polarisation of British politics into horny handed nationalists against liberal intellectuals?
Whether or not you agree with the policy, the Lib Dems are the only voice for the 48%
EU Referendum Result (2016): REMAIN 51,930 (39%) LEAVE 82,394 (61%)
LDem 824
Lab 458
UKIP 343
Con 184
Green 23
It concentrated instead on promoting the message that the assembly would be a costly job creation scheme for "political placemen", summed up by its slogan "Politicians Talk, We Pay". '
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3985047.stm
This is reassuring.
Panic over,
Did manage to almost green up on Copeland, though. So not all bad.
Still laying UKIP is the correct De Novo strategy given what we know now.
I don't swear at all work, but I did then, and my staff just looked at me in shock.
Just imagine my reaction if constituency polls show Lib Dems gain the likes of Sunderland South....
Nurse - The Brandy
Next - The Nurse
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/our-region/sunderland/sunderland-councillor-loses-seat-after-failing-to-attend-a-single-meeting-for-six-months-1-8259792
LibDems have retrieved their 'nice party' image.
After all the alternatives are:
Con - sometimes necessary but never nice
Lab - disaster zone and nasty with it
Oth - weird and intense (at best) or dangerous and nasty (at worst)
So what does someone who wants to signal how virtuous they are vote for in a byelection ?
We metropolitan elites have spread our tentacles very far!
As a matter of interest, how far is this ward from the Nissan plant? is this a local effect rather than something wider?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oncidium
Many congrats to the LDs.
https://twitter.com/georgegalloway/status/819678796248969216
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/119717/i-Rosa-i-Golden-Showers-(Cl)/Details
The full locals in May are going to be fun.
The guy sitting opposite her is her partner Louis Aliot. She is sitting next to George Lombardi. Who is the other man?
LD 61%
Con 19%
LDem 626
Con 196
Lab 119
UKIP 69
Green 18