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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » ComRes becomes the 3rd pollster in a week to have UKIP fourth

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  • AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    I presume it is a subsample?
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 26,925

    rcs1000 said:


    Labour polled much worse in the NEV than the polls suggested.

    And its NEV which matters not actual votes.

    I think all Mark is suggesting is that, to compare how parties are doing relative to 2013 and 2009, we look at vote share changes on a like for like basis. That doesn't sound unreasonable to me.
    Certainly.

    But I prefer to do so on a NEV basis.

    It is after all the basis upon which they're reported:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_local_elections,_2009
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_local_elections,_2013

    The problem with looking at actual vote chares is that not every year has the same set of elections.
    The calculation of NEV relies on there being a number of wards being fought that are representative of the country as a whole . That is not possible in 2009/2013 and 2017 and so makes the comparison of NEV with other years more inaccurate . Looking at actual vote shares will give us an almost completely accurate comparison for this May with 2009 and 2013
    Clearly it is possible to estimate NEV because people do so.

    This is from the BBC in 2009:

    ' According to the BBC projections, Labour's share of the national vote has fallen by three points since 2004 to 23%, behind the Tories on 38% and the Liberal Democrats on 28%. '

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8085558.stm

    and this is from the House of Commons research paper:

    ' Estimates suggest that the Conservatives won 35% of the national equivalent share of the
    vote, Liberal Democrats 25% and Labour 22%. '

    http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP09-54/RP09-54.pdf

    this from John Curtice:

    ' When projected into the equivalent of a national share of the vote, Labour's performance was worth no more than 23 per cent, one point down on last year. '

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/john-curtice-a-sign-of-labours-weakness-more-than-the-tories-strength-1698140.html

    and this is from Profs Rallings and Thrasher:

    https://www.psa.ac.uk/sites/default/files/English Local Elections Update - PSA Media Briefing Pack.pdf

    Now you can argue about the accuracy of their work but NEV still remains the only realistic way of comparing one set of local elections to another.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 42,376
    edited March 2017
    Alistair said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    I presume it is a subsample?
    I guess it must be. I look forward to the usual suspects defending its veracity.
  • AndrewAndrew Posts: 2,900

    At what point does having a lower tax on high earners generate less money for the government ?

    In 2012 a HMRC doc said there was basically no difference in total tax take between 45% and 50% upper rate (after people adjust to the new rate). That's where they think the top of the curve is.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,403
    SeanT said:

    Because of the unique way it is funded, the BBC is able to ask the questions other networks are too scared to pose:

    https://twitter.com/bbcasiannetwork/status/842672388223483904

    Surely the question posed should be "Should there be a punishment for blasphemy?".
  • AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670

    Alistair said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    I presume it is a subsample?
    I guess it must be. I look forward to the usual suspects defending its veracity.
    The quantum state of Scottish sub samples is of great amusement.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,147

    Alistair said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    I presume it is a subsample?
    I guess it must be. I look forward to the usual suspects defending its veracity.
    Yay, no more naked Trump :D
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,147
    Alistair said:

    Alistair said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    I presume it is a subsample?
    I guess it must be. I look forward to the usual suspects defending its veracity.
    The quantum state of Scottish sub samples is of great amusement.
    Of course it makes it more likely as it makes a second referendum more likely.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,403
    Alistair said:

    SeanT said:

    Superb from the Irish. England have never quite got it right. It was a grand slam blowout in Dublin that was the making of England World Cup winning team, though. This is where Jones really starts to earn his money.

    England have only played really well in one game - Scotland. They arguably deserved to lose against Wales and France. Even Italy troubled them.

    They didn't deserve the Slam.
    League table doesn't lie...
    Yes, everyone else was shiter than England.
    “It’s SHITE being Scottish! We’re the lowest of the low. The scum of the f*cking Earth! The most wretched, miserable, servile, pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilization. Some hate the English. I don’t. They’re just w*nkers. We, on the other hand, are COLONIZED by w*nkers. Can’t even find a decent culture to be colonized BY. We’re ruled by effete assholes. It’s a SHITE state of affairs to be in, Tommy, and ALL the fresh air in the world won’t make any f*cking difference!”

  • RobD said:

    Alistair said:

    Alistair said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    I presume it is a subsample?
    I guess it must be. I look forward to the usual suspects defending its veracity.
    The quantum state of Scottish sub samples is of great amusement.
    Of course it makes it more likely as it makes a second referendum more likely.
    Indy reporting a sub sample of 187
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,387

    SeanT said:

    Because of the unique way it is funded, the BBC is able to ask the questions other networks are too scared to pose:

    https://twitter.com/bbcasiannetwork/status/842672388223483904

    Surely the question posed should be "Should there be a punishment for blasphemy?".
    How about 'Is there such a thing as blasphemy?'
  • MarkSeniorMarkSenior Posts: 4,699
    edited March 2017

    rcs1000 said:


    Labour polled much worse in the NEV than the polls suggested.

    And its NEV which matters not actual votes.

    I think all Mark is suggesting is that, to compare how parties are doing relative to 2013 and 2009, we look at vote share changes on a like for like basis. That doesn't sound unreasonable to me.
    Certainly.

    But I prefer to do so on a NEV basis.

    It is after all the basis upon which they're reported:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_local_elections,_2009
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_local_elections,_2013

    The problem with looking at actual vote chares is that not every year has the same set of elections.
    The calculation of NEV relies on there being a number of wards being fought that are representative of the country as a whole . That is not possible in 2009/2013 and 2017 and so makes the comparison of NEV with other years more inaccurate . Looking at actual vote shares will give us an almost completely accurate comparison for this May with 2009 and 2013
    Clearly it is possible to estimate NEV because people do so.

    This is from the BBC in 2009:

    ' According to the BBC projections, Labour's share of the national vote has fallen by three points since 2004 to 23%, behind the Tories on 38% and the Liberal Democrats on 28%. '

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8085558.stm

    and this is from the House of Commons research paper:

    ' Estimates suggest that the Conservatives won 35% of the national equivalent share of the
    vote, Liberal Democrats 25% and Labour 22%. '

    http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP09-54/RP09-54.pdf

    this from John Curtice:

    ' When projected into the equivalent of a national share of the vote, Labour's performance was worth no more than 23 per cent, one point down on last year. '

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/john-curtice-a-sign-of-labours-weakness-more-than-the-tories-strength-1698140.html

    and this is from Profs Rallings and Thrasher:

    https://www.psa.ac.uk/sites/default/files/English Local Elections Update - PSA Media Briefing Pack.pdf

    Now you can argue about the accuracy of their work but NEV still remains the only realistic way of comparing one set of local elections to another.
    Yes of course it is possible to estimate NEV , I can have a go at it so can you . In CC years it is much more difficult hence the differences between the BBC estimate and R andTs estimate in 2009 both of which you quote
  • fitalassfitalass Posts: 4,320

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    https://www.channel4.com/news/scottish-referendum-snps-eilidh-whiteford
  • RobD said:

    Alistair said:

    Alistair said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    I presume it is a subsample?
    I guess it must be. I look forward to the usual suspects defending its veracity.
    The quantum state of Scottish sub samples is of great amusement.
    Of course it makes it more likely as it makes a second referendum more likely.
    Indy reporting a sub sample of 187
    Correction - 185 out of 2026
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,403

    SeanT said:

    Because of the unique way it is funded, the BBC is able to ask the questions other networks are too scared to pose:

    https://twitter.com/bbcasiannetwork/status/842672388223483904

    Surely the question posed should be "Should there be a punishment for blasphemy?".
    How about 'Is there such a thing as blasphemy?'
    Ah yes, of course :)
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,075
    Mr. Rentool, quite.

    If your all-powerful superbeing can't take having the piss taken, then he's more sodding delicate than Nero [very counter-intuitively, Nero never punished any satirist who mocked him. Given he used to roam the streets at night beating people up at random, and lopped the goolies from a chap, whom he then married, this is quite odd].
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 52,885
    fitalass said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    https://www.channel4.com/news/scottish-referendum-snps-eilidh-whiteford
    The line of questioning that Krishnan Guru-Murthy was pursuing will evaporate once it becomes clear that rUK is bluffing on WTO terms.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 55,563

    Alistair said:

    SeanT said:

    Superb from the Irish. England have never quite got it right. It was a grand slam blowout in Dublin that was the making of England World Cup winning team, though. This is where Jones really starts to earn his money.

    England have only played really well in one game - Scotland. They arguably deserved to lose against Wales and France. Even Italy troubled them.

    They didn't deserve the Slam.
    League table doesn't lie...
    Yes, everyone else was shiter than England.
    “It’s SHITE being Scottish! We’re the lowest of the low. The scum of the f*cking Earth! The most wretched, miserable, servile, pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilization. Some hate the English. I don’t. They’re just w*nkers. We, on the other hand, are COLONIZED by w*nkers. Can’t even find a decent culture to be colonized BY. We’re ruled by effete assholes. It’s a SHITE state of affairs to be in, Tommy, and ALL the fresh air in the world won’t make any f*cking difference!”
    That's not the type of Trainspotting reference we usually get from you, Sunil ;)
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 42,376
    RobD said:

    Alistair said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    I presume it is a subsample?
    I guess it must be. I look forward to the usual suspects defending its veracity.
    Yay, no more naked Trump :D
    An element of Melania's nightly prayer I imagine.
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 37,734

    Mr. Rentool, quite.

    If your all-powerful superbeing can't take having the piss taken, then he's more sodding delicate than Nero [very counter-intuitively, Nero never punished any satirist who mocked him. Given he used to roam the streets at night beating people up at random, and lopped the goolies from a chap, whom he then married, this is quite odd].

    As your life depends on it, though, don't mock middle aged men who are going bald. 2 Kings 2, 24 records the fate of some naughty children who made fun of Elijah. What happened to them wasn't pleasant.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,075
    Mr. F, but I'm bald. Surely slaphead solidarity rules prevail?
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 124,690
    edited March 2017

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    Firstly, the fact that the majority of polls show No would still win does not make independence inevitable. Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,403
    Sandpit said:

    Alistair said:

    SeanT said:

    Superb from the Irish. England have never quite got it right. It was a grand slam blowout in Dublin that was the making of England World Cup winning team, though. This is where Jones really starts to earn his money.

    England have only played really well in one game - Scotland. They arguably deserved to lose against Wales and France. Even Italy troubled them.

    They didn't deserve the Slam.
    League table doesn't lie...
    Yes, everyone else was shiter than England.
    “It’s SHITE being Scottish! We’re the lowest of the low. The scum of the f*cking Earth! The most wretched, miserable, servile, pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilization. Some hate the English. I don’t. They’re just w*nkers. We, on the other hand, are COLONIZED by w*nkers. Can’t even find a decent culture to be colonized BY. We’re ruled by effete assholes. It’s a SHITE state of affairs to be in, Tommy, and ALL the fresh air in the world won’t make any f*cking difference!”
    That's not the type of Trainspotting reference we usually get from you, Sunil ;)
    Should I invade Scotland? I visited Carlisle station on Thursday and Berwick station on Tuesday :)
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,403
    Not seen that, sounds hilarious :lol:
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 52,885
    edited March 2017
    HYUFD said:

    Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU

    So you think your sainted Theresa will inevitably fail to get a deal with the EU?
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 37,734
    HYUFD said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    Firstly, the fact that the majority of polls show No would still win does not make independence inevitable. Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU
    The 47/44 result is based on a sub-sample.
  • CyanCyan Posts: 1,262
    HYUFD said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    Firstly, the fact that the majority of polls show No would still win does not make independence inevitable. Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU
    This is all accurate. But would an independent Scotland even be considered for EU membership if it used sterling as its currency and therefore had no control over monetary policy on its own territory? Doesn't the EU require aspiring members to run their fiscal and monetary policies so as to ease their entry into the euro? And if a country can't do that...
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,294

    Sandpit said:

    Alistair said:

    SeanT said:

    Superb from the Irish. England have never quite got it right. It was a grand slam blowout in Dublin that was the making of England World Cup winning team, though. This is where Jones really starts to earn his money.

    England have only played really well in one game - Scotland. They arguably deserved to lose against Wales and France. Even Italy troubled them.

    They didn't deserve the Slam.
    League table doesn't lie...
    Yes, everyone else was shiter than England.
    “It’s SHITE being Scottish! We’re the lowest of the low. The scum of the f*cking Earth! The most wretched, miserable, servile, pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilization. Some hate the English. I don’t. They’re just w*nkers. We, on the other hand, are COLONIZED by w*nkers. Can’t even find a decent culture to be colonized BY. We’re ruled by effete assholes. It’s a SHITE state of affairs to be in, Tommy, and ALL the fresh air in the world won’t make any f*cking difference!”
    That's not the type of Trainspotting reference we usually get from you, Sunil ;)
    Should I invade Scotland? I visited Carlisle station on Thursday and Berwick station on Tuesday :)
    If Scotland did go independent, I wonder what rolling stock they would claim ownership off? Would they claim any Pendolinos, HSTs, Voyagers and IC225s? Or Would they just ask for the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper stock as these franchises are leased by Transport Scotland?
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited March 2017
    UKIP were on 22% in the projected national vote share at the 2013 local elections, so that's effectively what they're defending this year. The Tories could be looking at some major gains this May, assuming most of the UKIP losses will be heading in their direction.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 42,376
    Sean_F said:

    HYUFD said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    Firstly, the fact that the majority of polls show No would still win does not make independence inevitable. Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU
    The 47/44 result is based on a sub-sample.
    It's quite funny that you're telling that to HYUFD.
  • theakestheakes Posts: 941
    Meanwhile Opinium polling continues on its dare I say wayward path, UKIP 13 Lib Dems 8. It has been a mystery for some time how they get these sort of figures, I think they use a panel, that might account for it. There is something clearly wrong with their figures and has been for several months, out of kilter with actual election returns, both local and national.
  • MyBurningEarsMyBurningEars Posts: 3,651
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39314250

    Ben Belgacem arrived at the airport and attacked the military patrol in the south terminal.
    He tried to seize the servicewoman's automatic weapon, put his gun to her head and said: "I'm here to die for Allah. In any case people are going to die." He was then shot dead by two other soldiers.


    Thought this was only the kind of mistake that movie villains made.

    As Tuco said, "When you have to shoot, shoot; don't talk!"

    I sometimes wonder how screwed over we'd be if we faced competent terrorists. Do they think that tough-nuts from the SAS or Action Division engage in self-justificatory quasi-philosophical announcements before depressing the trigger?

    I imagine a lot of these guys watch too many movies and are "acting out" their role, rather than taking it seriously in a manner which involves total commitment and thorough training or preparation. That's a big plus for the rest of us, but what's going to happen if they stop cocking around?
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 124,690
    Sean_F said:

    HYUFD said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    Firstly, the fact that the majority of polls show No would still win does not make independence inevitable. Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU
    The 47/44 result is based on a sub-sample.
    Well there are bound to be at least 1 or 2 Yes polls at some point even if it is a sub-sample (and not a strict question on whether they would vote Yes or No but would 'prefer' Yes or No)
  • MarkSeniorMarkSenior Posts: 4,699
    AndyJS said:

    UKIP were on 22% in the projected national vote share at the 2013 local elections, so that's effectively what they're defending this year. The Tories could be looking at some major gains this May, assuming most of the UKIP losses will be heading in their direction.

    I expect most of the UKIP loss will go to the Lib Dems with some to the Conservatives , there are 3 seats in Eastleigh for example which will go back to the Lib Dems . .
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 124,690

    HYUFD said:

    Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU

    So you think your sainted Theresa will inevitably fail to get a deal with the EU?
    No, I think she will get some bilateral agreements but as she herself said she was taking the UK out of the EEA so even if there was to be a deal there will be some customs duties or their equivalent with the EU post Brexit
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 124,690
    Cyan said:

    HYUFD said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    Firstly, the fact that the majority of polls show No would still win does not make independence inevitable. Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU
    This is all accurate. But would an independent Scotland even be considered for EU membership if it used sterling as its currency and therefore had no control over monetary policy on its own territory? Doesn't the EU require aspiring members to run their fiscal and monetary policies so as to ease their entry into the euro? And if a country can't do that...
    Not the EU maybe but Sturgeon will certainly at least aim for the EEA to begin with
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,403
    tlg86 said:

    Sandpit said:

    Alistair said:

    SeanT said:

    Superb from the Irish. England have never quite got it right. It was a grand slam blowout in Dublin that was the making of England World Cup winning team, though. This is where Jones really starts to earn his money.

    England have only played really well in one game - Scotland. They arguably deserved to lose against Wales and France. Even Italy troubled them.

    They didn't deserve the Slam.
    League table doesn't lie...
    Yes, everyone else was shiter than England.
    “It’s SHITE being Scottish! We’re the lowest of the low. The scum of the f*cking Earth! The most wretched, miserable, servile, pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilization. Some hate the English. I don’t. They’re just w*nkers. We, on the other hand, are COLONIZED by w*nkers. Can’t even find a decent culture to be colonized BY. We’re ruled by effete assholes. It’s a SHITE state of affairs to be in, Tommy, and ALL the fresh air in the world won’t make any f*cking difference!”
    That's not the type of Trainspotting reference we usually get from you, Sunil ;)
    Should I invade Scotland? I visited Carlisle station on Thursday and Berwick station on Tuesday :)
    If Scotland did go independent, I wonder what rolling stock they would claim ownership off? Would they claim any Pendolinos, HSTs, Voyagers and IC225s? Or Would they just ask for the ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper stock as these franchises are leased by Transport Scotland?
    I did ride a Class 156 in ScotRail colours on the return trip from Carlisle to Newcastle on Thursday.

    Reile-na-h'Alba!
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 37,734

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39314250

    Ben Belgacem arrived at the airport and attacked the military patrol in the south terminal.
    He tried to seize the servicewoman's automatic weapon, put his gun to her head and said: "I'm here to die for Allah. In any case people are going to die." He was then shot dead by two other soldiers.


    Thought this was only the kind of mistake that movie villains made.

    As Tuco said, "When you have to shoot, shoot; don't talk!"

    I sometimes wonder how screwed over we'd be if we faced competent terrorists. Do they think that tough-nuts from the SAS or Action Division engage in self-justificatory quasi-philosophical announcements before depressing the trigger?

    I imagine a lot of these guys watch too many movies and are "acting out" their role, rather than taking it seriously in a manner which involves total commitment and thorough training or preparation. That's a big plus for the rest of us, but what's going to happen if they stop cocking around?

    I think that's correct. Competent assassins do the job with a minimum of fuss.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,075
    Mr. Ears, if they were more intelligent, they wouldn't be suicidal murderous religious lunatics.
  • nunununu Posts: 6,024
    edited March 2017
    UK grime rap lyricism blows American rap out of the water........just thought I'd let you guys know......
  • BojabobBojabob Posts: 642

    SeanT said:

    Because of the unique way it is funded, the BBC is able to ask the questions other networks are too scared to pose:

    https://twitter.com/bbcasiannetwork/status/842672388223483904

    Surely the question posed should be "Should there be a punishment for blasphemy?".
    To which the answer would be "no". The idea someone should be punished for insulting a religion is as whacky as the idea someone should be punished for insulting a political creed.
  • MyBurningEarsMyBurningEars Posts: 3,651

    Mr. Ears, if they were more intelligent, they wouldn't be suicidal murderous religious lunatics.

    I don't think this is true. People with strange and sinister intentions can still act rationally or effectively in pursuit of them.

    Similarly, in economics, an agent may have a utility function that represents a taste for all kinds of weird and wonderful stuff - the agent is not considered (ir)rational by virtue of their preferences, but by whether they use their initial allocation of resources in the most effective manner, given their objective. Hence there are models of criminal rationality and even rational addiction.
  • MyBurningEarsMyBurningEars Posts: 3,651
    SeanT said:

    Sean_F said:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39314250

    Ben Belgacem arrived at the airport and attacked the military patrol in the south terminal.
    He tried to seize the servicewoman's automatic weapon, put his gun to her head and said: "I'm here to die for Allah. In any case people are going to die." He was then shot dead by two other soldiers.


    Thought this was only the kind of mistake that movie villains made.

    As Tuco said, "When you have to shoot, shoot; don't talk!"

    I sometimes wonder how screwed over we'd be if we faced competent terrorists. Do they think that tough-nuts from the SAS or Action Division engage in self-justificatory quasi-philosophical announcements before depressing the trigger?

    I imagine a lot of these guys watch too many movies and are "acting out" their role, rather than taking it seriously in a manner which involves total commitment and thorough training or preparation. That's a big plus for the rest of us, but what's going to happen if they stop cocking around?

    I think that's correct. Competent assassins do the job with a minimum of fuss.
    I had lunch with a friend yesterday, who does major jobs in security. He's just been out in Iraq, five miles north of Mosul. Serious shit. He showed me a photo of an ISIS drone that dropped a home made grenade near his car. Very cleverly improvised. The drones come in swarms. Terrifying.

    He says that ISIS are losing, and will soon be technically defeated on the ground.

    But the fighters are shaving their beards. Many are melting into the local population, aiming to start a new insurgency once Raqqa and Mosul have gone.

    And plenty of them are heading back to Europe. And they are definitely *competent*
    I wonder how many of the thousands of European citizens who made it to the Islamic State have survived and will make it back. Intelligence services could be busy for decades to come with that lot.

    Also, the extent of radicalisation in French and Belgian jails (amongst others) is apparently even worse than the situation in Britain. It's as if they have constructed radicalisation factories, and then shipped thousands of their most vulnerable, yet anti-social and ethically "flexible", folk right into them. That will surely come at a high future price.
  • AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    Cyan said:

    HYUFD said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    Firstly, the fact that the majority of polls show No would still win does not make independence inevitable. Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU
    This is all accurate. But would an independent Scotland even be considered for EU membership if it used sterling as its currency and therefore had no control over monetary policy on its own territory? Doesn't the EU require aspiring members to run their fiscal and monetary policies so as to ease their entry into the euro? And if a country can't do that...
    Are you confusing EU and Euro membership?
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,075
    Mr. T, that reminds me that about a year ago, Trevor Phillips had an interesting documentary for Channel 4, which analysed anonymous polling of British Muslims.

    Mr. Ears, a fair point. I was being a bit too glib.

    Anyway, my eyes are going fuzzy so the time to leave the computer has arrived.
  • Chris_AChris_A Posts: 1,237
    So perhaps we can hope that the stain which is UKIP can be removed from this country.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395

    AndyJS said:

    UKIP were on 22% in the projected national vote share at the 2013 local elections, so that's effectively what they're defending this year. The Tories could be looking at some major gains this May, assuming most of the UKIP losses will be heading in their direction.

    I expect most of the UKIP loss will go to the Lib Dems with some to the Conservatives , there are 3 seats in Eastleigh for example which will go back to the Lib Dems . .
    The LDs ought to be expecting major gains in some of the Remain county council areas like Oxfordshire and some parts of Hampshire and Sussex.
  • MyBurningEarsMyBurningEars Posts: 3,651
    Chris_A said:

    So perhaps we can hope that the stain which is UKIP can be removed from this country.

    A reason for Brexit even you can get behind? :)

    (Without Brexit there'd always be a eurosceptic party in this country, and from a left or liberal point of view, it would inevitably be an unpleasant one - no matter how many Richard Tyndalls and the like might support it, there'd always be a darker side.)
  • CyanCyan Posts: 1,262
    edited March 2017
    French presidential candidate Nicolas Dupont-Aignan tonight walked out of a TV interview on TF1 in protest against its refusal to invite him to Monday's debate.

    All 11 candidates have been invited to TV debates on 4 and 20 April.

    https://youtu.be/WrUJoRqh9Oc
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,416
    Cyan said:


    This is all accurate. But would an independent Scotland even be considered for EU membership if it used sterling as its currency and therefore had no control over monetary policy on its own territory? Doesn't the EU require aspiring members to run their fiscal and monetary policies so as to ease their entry into the euro? And if a country can't do that...

    Scotland would need to have its own currency and central bank probably. The SNP realised they made a mistake with sterling as the apparently lower risk option last time but were unable to switch mid-campaign. EU countries, not just Eurozone ones, are obliged to aim to conform to the Stability and Growth Pact targets, which includes keeping deficits under 3% (the UK had an opt-out). I was just checking the other day whether candidate countries need to meet the targets under the convergence criteria before joining. It wasn't clear. There is a fiscal management programme to ease the transition, but I'm not sure whether it is evaluated for the convergence criteria.

  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    SeanT said:

    In the comments BTL on that Breitbart piece there is a brilliant quote, apparently from G K Chesterton, on Islam.

    I've never read it before. Quite something:

    "There is in Islam a paradox which is perhaps a permanent menace. The great creed born in the desert creates a kind of ecstasy of the very emptiness of its own land, and even, one may say, out of the emptiness of its own theology. . . .

    "A void is made in the heart of Islam which has to be filled up again and again by a mere repetition of the revolution that founded it. There are no sacraments; the only thing that can happen is a sort of apocalypse, as unique as the end of the world; so the apocalypse can only be repeated and the world end again and again. There are no priests; and yet this equality can only breed a multitude of lawless prophets almost as numerous as priests. The very dogma that there is only one Mahomet produces an endless procession of Mahomets"

    Very interesting indeed. I'll have to read more of Chesterton.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 52,885
    There's a German petition to allow Scotland to remain in the EU if it votes for independence. In itself not significant, but it does suggest that the level of visibility and goodwill will be on a different scale to last time.

    https://you.wemove.eu/campaigns/schottland-bleibt
  • MarkSeniorMarkSenior Posts: 4,699
    AndyJS said:

    AndyJS said:

    UKIP were on 22% in the projected national vote share at the 2013 local elections, so that's effectively what they're defending this year. The Tories could be looking at some major gains this May, assuming most of the UKIP losses will be heading in their direction.

    I expect most of the UKIP loss will go to the Lib Dems with some to the Conservatives , there are 3 seats in Eastleigh for example which will go back to the Lib Dems . .
    The LDs ought to be expecting major gains in some of the Remain county council areas like Oxfordshire and some parts of Hampshire and Sussex.
    True , the vote shares in all council by elections since Nov 1st ONLY in areas with elections on May 4th are
    Con 39%
    Lab 19%
    LDem 25%
    UKIP 8%
    Green 3%
    Others 6%

    The UKIP vote drop has gone rather more to the Lib Dems than the Conservatives
  • GeoffMGeoffM Posts: 6,071

    There's a German petition to allow Scotland to remain in the EU if it votes for independence. In itself not significant, but it does suggest that the level of visibility and goodwill will be on a different scale to last time.

    https://you.wemove.eu/campaigns/schottland-bleibt

    Or that Scot expats live in Berlin as well as Bath.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,147
    GeoffM said:

    There's a German petition to allow Scotland to remain in the EU if it votes for independence. In itself not significant, but it does suggest that the level of visibility and goodwill will be on a different scale to last time.

    https://you.wemove.eu/campaigns/schottland-bleibt

    Or that Scot expats live in Berlin as well as Bath.
    Wings over Berlin opening soon? :D
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,554
    edited March 2017
    I see labour complete no problem with anti-Semitism is still going well...

    Labour council candidate in Birmingham has been deselected after Guido revealed her anti-Israel Facebook posts.

  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,403
    Watching Paul Nuttall in "Bottom" on Dave Channel right now :)
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,111
    edited March 2017
    SeanT said:

    In the comments BTL on that Breitbart piece there is a brilliant quote, apparently from G K Chesterton, on Islam.

    I've never read it before. Quite something:

    "There is in Islam a paradox which is perhaps a permanent menace. The great creed born in the desert creates a kind of ecstasy of the very emptiness of its own land, and even, one may say, out of the emptiness of its own theology. . . .

    "A void is made in the heart of Islam which has to be filled up again and again by a mere repetition of the revolution that founded it. There are no sacraments; the only thing that can happen is a sort of apocalypse, as unique as the end of the world; so the apocalypse can only be repeated and the world end again and again. There are no priests; and yet this equality can only breed a multitude of lawless prophets almost as numerous as priests. The very dogma that there is only one Mahomet produces an endless procession of Mahomets"

    G K Chesterton? Surprised you quote such a second rate author.

    :smile:
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 124,690

    There's a German petition to allow Scotland to remain in the EU if it votes for independence. In itself not significant, but it does suggest that the level of visibility and goodwill will be on a different scale to last time.

    https://you.wemove.eu/campaigns/schottland-bleibt

    The Catalans and Basques especially so
  • GeoffMGeoffM Posts: 6,071
    RobD said:

    GeoffM said:

    There's a German petition to allow Scotland to remain in the EU if it votes for independence. In itself not significant, but it does suggest that the level of visibility and goodwill will be on a different scale to last time.

    https://you.wemove.eu/campaigns/schottland-bleibt

    Or that Scot expats live in Berlin as well as Bath.
    Wings over Berlin opening soon? :D
    My grandfather did that back in the 1940's
    Round trip, no stopping.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,554
    edited March 2017
    Secret tape reveals Momentum plot to seize control of Labour

    A hard-left plot by supporters of Jeremy Corbyn to seize permanent control of the Labour party and consolidate their power by formally joining forces with the super-union Unite can be revealed by the Observer.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/18/secret-tape-reveals-momentum-plot-to-link-with-unite-seize-control-of-labour

  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,912
    Cyan said:

    HYUFD said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    Firstly, the fact that the majority of polls show No would still win does not make independence inevitable. Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU
    This is all accurate. But would an independent Scotland even be considered for EU membership if it used sterling as its currency and therefore had no control over monetary policy on its own territory? Doesn't the EU require aspiring members to run their fiscal and monetary policies so as to ease their entry into the euro? And if a country can't do that...
    The EU has accepted members where entry into the Euro is many decades away.
  • TheWhiteRabbitTheWhiteRabbit Posts: 12,454
    AndyJS said:

    UKIP were on 22% in the projected national vote share at the 2013 local elections, so that's effectively what they're defending this year. The Tories could be looking at some major gains this May, assuming most of the UKIP losses will be heading in their direction.

    Hmmm

    UKIP gains in 2013 of 139 - they could lose say half this time - are going to be subsumed into the Tory vs Lab numbers, i.e. "is Jeremy really that crap?" which is a battle over 300 seats.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,111
    edited March 2017
    SeanT said:

    TOPPING said:

    SeanT said:

    In the comments BTL on that Breitbart piece there is a brilliant quote, apparently from G K Chesterton, on Islam.

    I've never read it before. Quite something:

    "There is in Islam a paradox which is perhaps a permanent menace. The great creed born in the desert creates a kind of ecstasy of the very emptiness of its own land, and even, one may say, out of the emptiness of its own theology. . . .

    "A void is made in the heart of Islam which has to be filled up again and again by a mere repetition of the revolution that founded it. There are no sacraments; the only thing that can happen is a sort of apocalypse, as unique as the end of the world; so the apocalypse can only be repeated and the world end again and again. There are no priests; and yet this equality can only breed a multitude of lawless prophets almost as numerous as priests. The very dogma that there is only one Mahomet produces an endless procession of Mahomets"

    G K Chesterton? Surprised you quote such a second rate author.

    :smile:
    He's better than Zadie Smith.
    Don't panic.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,403
    SeanT said:

    TOPPING said:

    SeanT said:

    In the comments BTL on that Breitbart piece there is a brilliant quote, apparently from G K Chesterton, on Islam.

    I've never read it before. Quite something:

    "There is in Islam a paradox which is perhaps a permanent menace. The great creed born in the desert creates a kind of ecstasy of the very emptiness of its own land, and even, one may say, out of the emptiness of its own theology. . . .

    "A void is made in the heart of Islam which has to be filled up again and again by a mere repetition of the revolution that founded it. There are no sacraments; the only thing that can happen is a sort of apocalypse, as unique as the end of the world; so the apocalypse can only be repeated and the world end again and again. There are no priests; and yet this equality can only breed a multitude of lawless prophets almost as numerous as priests. The very dogma that there is only one Mahomet produces an endless procession of Mahomets"

    G K Chesterton? Surprised you quote such a second rate author.

    :smile:
    He's better than BEN OKRI.
    :innocent:

  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    "Pressure is mounting on George Osborne to step down as an MP after it emerged he may have broken post-ministerial rules when taking his new job as editor of the Evening Standard.

    When ministers step down from office they are subject to a two-year grace period, during which any other jobs or employment they undertake is contingent on approval by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA)."

    http://news.sky.com/story/george-osborne-may-have-broken-rules-over-evening-standard-editor-job-10806358
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,554
    While jahadi jez is f##king useless and in the short term no opposition is not good, the hard left taking over labour is really worrying. I feel like an early GE could solve a lot of problems.

    1) may gets a mandidate

    2) corbyn goes, hopefully replaced by somebody who can provide leadership

    3) new leader also stops the hard left taking over.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    SeanT said:

    SeanT said:

    Because of the unique way it is funded, the BBC is able to ask the questions other networks are too scared to pose:

    https://twitter.com/bbcasiannetwork/status/842672388223483904

    Surely the question posed should be "Should there be a punishment for blasphemy?".
    How about 'Is there such a thing as blasphemy?'
    How about, why the fuck am I, as a BBC licence holder, paying for this revolting quasi-Islamist sharia-law-encouraging shite?
    https://twitter.com/kthopkins/status/843222658351337476
  • CyanCyan Posts: 1,262
    The full version of the Dupont-Aignan walkout:

    https://twitter.com/DLF_Officiel/status/843194312758386691
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 37,734
    SeanT said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Cyan said:

    HYUFD said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    Firstly, the fact that the majority of polls show No would still win does not make independence inevitable. Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU
    This is all accurate. But would an independent Scotland even be considered for EU membership if it used sterling as its currency and therefore had no control over monetary policy on its own territory? Doesn't the EU require aspiring members to run their fiscal and monetary policies so as to ease their entry into the euro? And if a country can't do that...
    The EU has accepted members where entry into the Euro is many decades away.
    That was before the euro went tits up. Less keen now.
    Do you ever get hilariously abusive reviews or e-mails from unhappy readers?

    I loved one that Joe Abercrombie proudly published. "I've read the Thresh (sic) Law Trilogy, and frankly, what a turd. Do us all a favour and stop writing.". He was especially pleased that the angry reader had bought the trilogy.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,830
    SeanT said:

    Zac Goldsmith has discovered that BBC Asian Network has previous

    https://twitter.com/ZacGoldsmith/status/843179491006582785

    Disgraceful stuff.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,554
    Chuck berry dead.
  • BigRichBigRich Posts: 3,492

    Secret tape reveals Momentum plot to seize control of Labour

    A hard-left plot by supporters of Jeremy Corbyn to seize permanent control of the Labour party and consolidate their power by formally joining forces with the super-union Unite can be revealed by the Observer.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/18/secret-tape-reveals-momentum-plot-to-link-with-unite-seize-control-of-labour

    'Secret Tape' ??? is that a new name for the internet? LOL

    This is hardly news, is the Observer only just catching up?

    But it did make me think, about Unite the Union

    Is there any poling out about its leadership election? or any betting markets? normally in Union elections the incumbent is in a safe position.
  • DadgeDadge Posts: 2,052
    I've been saying that there's a good chance that GO will do a u-turn on the editor job. Wilmslow people aren't very demanding timewise, but they also don't like being disrespected. Are there any odds available on the u-turn?
  • surbitonsurbiton Posts: 13,549
    SeanT said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Cyan said:

    HYUFD said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    Firstly, the fact that the majority of polls show No would still win does not make independence inevitable. Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU
    This is all accurate. But would an independent Scotland even be considered for EU membership if it used sterling as its currency and therefore had no control over monetary policy on its own territory? Doesn't the EU require aspiring members to run their fiscal and monetary policies so as to ease their entry into the euro? And if a country can't do that...
    The EU has accepted members where entry into the Euro is many decades away.
    That was before the euro went tits up. Less keen now.
    1999: The € is born. £1 = € 1.4067 2017: £1 = 1.1519

    We can see which currency went tits up. There is only one devalued currency.
  • Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 32,726
    RIP Chuck Berry. One of the true originals who changed the world.
  • MarkHopkinsMarkHopkins Posts: 5,584

    On topic. As long as the gov are delivering on UKIP's manifesto, then there's little point in UKIP.

  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    WTI Crude below $50 again:

    https://www.bloomberg.com/energy
  • surbitonsurbiton Posts: 13,549
    edited March 2017
    isam said:

    SeanT said:

    SeanT said:

    Because of the unique way it is funded, the BBC is able to ask the questions other networks are too scared to pose:

    https://twitter.com/bbcasiannetwork/status/842672388223483904

    Surely the question posed should be "Should there be a punishment for blasphemy?".
    How about 'Is there such a thing as blasphemy?'
    How about, why the fuck am I, as a BBC licence holder, paying for this revolting quasi-Islamist sharia-law-encouraging shite?
    https://twitter.com/kthopkins/status/843222658351337476
    Why are anti-Islamists always mixing FGM with Islam ? Is it a deliberate strategy ? 99% of Muslims [ Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afganistan....................... ] have never heard of FGM.

    Only Upper Egypt, Sudan [ including South Sudan ] and the Horn of Africa where this nasty piece of work gets carried out.
  • surbitonsurbiton Posts: 13,549


    On topic. As long as the gov are delivering on UKIP's manifesto, then there's little point in UKIP.

    That is correct. UKIP is in power right now.
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 37,734
    surbiton said:

    SeanT said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Cyan said:

    HYUFD said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    Firstly, the fact that the majority of polls show No would still win does not make independence inevitable. Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU
    This is all accurate. But would an independent Scotland even be considered for EU membership if it used sterling as its currency and therefore had no control over monetary policy on its own territory? Doesn't the EU require aspiring members to run their fiscal and monetary policies so as to ease their entry into the euro? And if a country can't do that...
    The EU has accepted members where entry into the Euro is many decades away.
    That was before the euro went tits up. Less keen now.
    1999: The € is born. £1 = € 1.4067 2017: £1 = 1.1519

    We can see which currency went tits up. There is only one devalued currency.
    Currencies fluctuate in value. What the Euro did was to generate a wild property boom, followed by a wild property bust, in several European countries.
  • surbitonsurbiton Posts: 13,549
    Chris_A said:

    So perhaps we can hope that the stain which is UKIP can be removed from this country.

    Bad news. They are the government now.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,403
    surbiton said:

    isam said:

    SeanT said:

    SeanT said:

    Because of the unique way it is funded, the BBC is able to ask the questions other networks are too scared to pose:

    https://twitter.com/bbcasiannetwork/status/842672388223483904

    Surely the question posed should be "Should there be a punishment for blasphemy?".
    How about 'Is there such a thing as blasphemy?'
    How about, why the fuck am I, as a BBC licence holder, paying for this revolting quasi-Islamist sharia-law-encouraging shite?
    https://twitter.com/kthopkins/status/843222658351337476
    Why are anti-Islamists always mixing FGM with Islam ? Is it a deliberate strategy ? 99% of Muslims [ Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afganistan....................... ] have never heard of FGM.

    Only Upper Egypt, Sudan [ including South Sudan ] and the Horn of Africa where this nasty piece of work gets carried out.
    What's your line on "blasphemy" and punishment thereof, surby-baby?
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,403
    surbiton said:

    Chris_A said:

    So perhaps we can hope that the stain which is UKIP can be removed from this country.

    Bad news. They are the government now.
    Isn't Carswell the only UKIP MP?
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 42,376
    We're so very, very lucky to have them.

    https://twitter.com/jamesdoleman/status/843234666513620993
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 124,690

    We're so very, very lucky to have them.

    https://twitter.com/jamesdoleman/status/843234666513620993

    Yes and even if Scotland does go independent you will still have them as the SNP have said they will keep the Queen and her successors as Scotland's Head of State
  • Anyone else hearing 4th May being briefed to Tory MPs as the date for a snap general election?
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 42,376
    HYUFD said:

    We're so very, very lucky to have them.

    https://twitter.com/jamesdoleman/status/843234666513620993

    Yes and even if Scotland does go independent you will still have them as the SNP have said they will keep the Queen and her successors as Scotland's Head of State
    I'll only believe that when you have a sub sample of 14 from Ecclefechan to back it up.
  • surbitonsurbiton Posts: 13,549
    SeanT said:

    So surbiton has a point, FGM is absolutely not an Islamic thing, and rarely if ever happens in Islamic countries, as long as one ignores its widespread prevalance in Libya, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Oman, Yemen, Algeria, Chad, Syria, Iran, Kurdistan, Djibouti, Turkey, Mali, Nigeria, Egypt, Iraq, Eritrea, and Jordan. And Pakistan.

    Just make up the numbers. The African countries are probably correct. I doubt if there is any FGM in Saudi Arabia. The rest, there is zero chance whatever your source may say. Like Trump you can quote the social media but that does not make it correct.

    Even Male circumcision is not compulsory [ i.e. it is not prescribed in the Quran ] but 99.9% practice it. As does every male Jew and millions of others.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,554
    edited March 2017

    Anyone else hearing 4th May being briefed to Tory MPs as the date for a snap general election?

    It's a story on the front of the Sunday express and only them ...Make of that what you will.
  • surbitonsurbiton Posts: 13,549

    surbiton said:

    isam said:

    SeanT said:

    SeanT said:

    Because of the unique way it is funded, the BBC is able to ask the questions other networks are too scared to pose:

    https://twitter.com/bbcasiannetwork/status/842672388223483904

    Surely the question posed should be "Should there be a punishment for blasphemy?".
    How about 'Is there such a thing as blasphemy?'
    How about, why the fuck am I, as a BBC licence holder, paying for this revolting quasi-Islamist sharia-law-encouraging shite?
    https://twitter.com/kthopkins/status/843222658351337476
    Why are anti-Islamists always mixing FGM with Islam ? Is it a deliberate strategy ? 99% of Muslims [ Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afganistan....................... ] have never heard of FGM.

    Only Upper Egypt, Sudan [ including South Sudan ] and the Horn of Africa where this nasty piece of work gets carried out.
    What's your line on "blasphemy" and punishment thereof, surby-baby?
    First you need to have sex with your train sets since you have not done the real thing.

    Second. There is no such thing as blasphemy. Every individual should be allowed to practice whatever they like as long as it does not harm anyone else.

    Religion [ all religions ] is the biggest problem of all.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,554
    edited March 2017
    Who to believe Surbiton or two specalists from saudi Arabia speaking at an international conference and reported in the guardian...hmmm..Tricky one.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 124,690

    HYUFD said:

    We're so very, very lucky to have them.

    https://twitter.com/jamesdoleman/status/843234666513620993

    Yes and even if Scotland does go independent you will still have them as the SNP have said they will keep the Queen and her successors as Scotland's Head of State
    I'll only believe that when you have a sub sample of 14 from Ecclefechan to back it up.
    I don't need a subsample, both Salmond and Sturgeon have said they will keep the Windsors
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    Forget UKIP being fourth they're history. The question that matters is when will Labour be third?
  • surbitonsurbiton Posts: 13,549

    Who to believe Surbiton or two specalists from saudi Arabia speaking at an international conference and reported in the guardian...hmmm..Tricky one.

    Why not complete your library set ?

    https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/ethiopian-jewish-women

    http://forward.com/sisterhood/127919/does-judaism-endorse-female-genital-cutting-no-b/

    https://copticliterature.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/the-position-of-the-coptic-church-on-female-genital-mutilation-fgm/
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    surbiton said:

    SeanT said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Cyan said:

    HYUFD said:

    Is this a new Indy poll? Strange way of reporting it if so.

    'Most Britons say Brexit vote makes break-up of UK more likely – poll

    Any future vote is likely to be closer, with 47% of Scots polled saying that they would prefer a yes vote in a new referendum, against 44% who prefer no.'

    https://tinyurl.com/lcy2ftv

    There must be more than a few prominent unionist figures reading the runes and wondering when to time their conversion 'with a heavy heart' to independence. Once it begins to appear inevitable, the questions will become defined more by post-independence politics.

    Also, the moment A50 is invoked, the international dimension will be transformed and senior people in other EU member states will feel much more liberty to opine on the practicalities for seamless Scottish reentry.
    Firstly, the fact that the majority of polls show No would still win does not make independence inevitable. Second as soon as a hypothectical independent Scotland reenters the EU/EEA after the UK has left the EU and EEA then customs duties on exports from Scotland to the UK become inevitable and around 70% of Scottish goods go to the rest of the UK compared to around 45% of UK exports to the EU
    This is all accurate. But would an independent Scotland even be considered for EU membership if it used sterling as its currency and therefore had no control over monetary policy on its own territory? Doesn't the EU require aspiring members to run their fiscal and monetary policies so as to ease their entry into the euro? And if a country can't do that...
    The EU has accepted members where entry into the Euro is many decades away.
    That was before the euro went tits up. Less keen now.
    1999: The € is born. £1 = € 1.4067 2017: £1 = 1.1519

    We can see which currency went tits up. There is only one devalued currency.
    Except a freely floating currency is a good thing, it acts as a shock absorber, stabilised and safety valve all in one correcting imbalances in the economy and helping us get to a new equilibrium with a minimum of disruption. The fact the pound has been able to take the brunt of some of the shocks we have had in the past decade is precisely why we have been able to cope so well.

    With Brown's spending, deficit, recession and everything else if we weren't lucky enough to still have the pound we would have had to take the full brunt of the shocks with a dramatically overvalued currency. That would have been a disaster.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,554
    edited March 2017
    I Can never work out if surbiton is a bit thick, a poor quality troll or both.
This discussion has been closed.