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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » BREXIT backer George Galloway enters the race for Manchester G

SystemSystem Posts: 11,705
edited March 2017 in General

imagepoliticalbetting.com » Blog Archive » BREXIT backer George Galloway enters the race for Manchester Gorton – which voted 62-38 for REMAIN

The controversial ex-LAB and RESPECT MP, George Galloway has announced that he’s standing in the Manchester Gorton by-election. He’s no stranger to shock by-election victories as we saw five years ago in Bradford West.

Read the full story here


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  • Options
    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,602
    edited March 2017
    Labour are rattled.

    I'm green on both the Lib Dems and Galloway, but I'm praying to Allah that I don't collect on the latter.
  • Options
    I like Lisa Nandy.

    Glad Tissue Price tipped her ages ago as Corbyn's replacement.
  • Options
    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,010
    Mr. Eagles, is gambling permitted? It seems worse than usury.
  • Options
    Carolus_RexCarolus_Rex Posts: 1,414
    Do we know the date of this by election yet?
  • Options
    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,602
    edited March 2017

    Do we know the date of this by election yet?

    Received wisdom is that it'll be on May 4th.
  • Options
    Beverley_CBeverley_C Posts: 6,256
    "The controversial ex-LAB and RESPECT MP, George Galloway has announced that he’s standing in the Manchester Gorton by-election. "

    Oh f**k.

    There goes the neighbourhood.
  • Options

    Mr. Eagles, is gambling permitted? It seems worse than usury.

    Gambling in Islam is a lot like gambling in America.

    I've done both.
  • Options
    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2017/mar/21/death-martin-mcguinness-reaction-politics-live?page=with:block-58d110dce4b01ea2330ba927#block-58d110dce4b01ea2330ba927

    "De Volkskrant, a respected Dutch newspaper, has published a long article about the negotiating strategy the EU will adopt during Brexit. It appears under the headline:

    Dit is de geheime EU-strategie voor scheiding van de Britten

    or, as Google Translate puts it,

    This is the secret EU Strategy for separation from the British

    And that article says it is based on information provided by insiders about what it says is the draft negotiating strategy that has been drawn up. It says these will come out when Theresa May presses the “Brexitknop” (Brexit button?). Based on feeding it through Google Translate, here are the key points.

    The EU will insist access to the internal market depends upon accepting the four freedoms, including freedom of movement, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU will propose a deal guaranteeing the reciprocal rights of EU nationals in the UK and Britons in EU countries, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU will demand an exit “bill”, de Volkskrant claims. Interestingly, it says that David Cameron is partly responsible for the possible demand being so high. Cameron demanded cuts to the EU budget for 2014-20. But, in return for spending going down in the early years, planned spending in the future rose sharply. There is an argument now that the UK is obliged to contribute to those future spending commitments.

    The EU will demand that the UK loses some of its existing trade advantages, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU has yet to decide whether to allow talks on the withdrawal deal and talks on the future trade deal to take place in parallel, as the UK wants, or sequentially, de Volkskrant says.

    If the UK tries to leave without a deal, the EU could take it to court at the Hague to try to recover the money it thinks is owed, de Volkskrant says.

    Only six people, including Donald Tusk, the European council president, and Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission president, have seen the 10-page draft negotiating guidelines, de Volkskrant claims."
  • Options
    Tissue_PriceTissue_Price Posts: 9,039

    I like Lisa Nandy.

    Glad Tissue Price tipped her ages ago as Corbyn's replacement.

    Well I did tip her at 14/1 and she's available at 16/1 now!

    But I'd tip her again at the current price.
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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,010
    Mr. Eagles, yes, but your conduct isn't necessarily a useful guide for what's permitted according to Islamic rules :p
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    SimonStClareSimonStClare Posts: 7,976
    edited March 2017
    Labour are right to fear Galloway standing in Gorton as they are no longer assured of the large, Muslim vote there. The Brexit vote may also play a part, but not a lot IMO.
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    TheWhiteRabbitTheWhiteRabbit Posts: 12,388

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2017/mar/21/death-martin-mcguinness-reaction-politics-live?page=with:block-58d110dce4b01ea2330ba927#block-58d110dce4b01ea2330ba927

    "De Volkskrant, a respected Dutch newspaper, has published a long article about the negotiating strategy the EU will adopt during Brexit. It appears under the headline:

    Dit is de geheime EU-strategie voor scheiding van de Britten

    or, as Google Translate puts it,

    This is the secret EU Strategy for separation from the British

    And that article says it is based on information provided by insiders about what it says is the draft negotiating strategy that has been drawn up. It says these will come out when Theresa May presses the “Brexitknop” (Brexit button?). Based on feeding it through Google Translate, here are the key points.

    The EU will insist access to the internal market depends upon accepting the four freedoms, including freedom of movement, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU will propose a deal guaranteeing the reciprocal rights of EU nationals in the UK and Britons in EU countries, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU will demand an exit “bill”, de Volkskrant claims. Interestingly, it says that David Cameron is partly responsible for the possible demand being so high. Cameron demanded cuts to the EU budget for 2014-20. But, in return for spending going down in the early years, planned spending in the future rose sharply. There is an argument now that the UK is obliged to contribute to those future spending commitments.

    The EU will demand that the UK loses some of its existing trade advantages, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU has yet to decide whether to allow talks on the withdrawal deal and talks on the future trade deal to take place in parallel, as the UK wants, or sequentially, de Volkskrant says.

    If the UK tries to leave without a deal, the EU could take it to court at the Hague to try to recover the money it thinks is owed, de Volkskrant says.

    Only six people, including Donald Tusk, the European council president, and Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission president, have seen the 10-page draft negotiating guidelines, de Volkskrant claims."

    So the secret plan is the same as the public plan?

    We know that the UK and EU are going to have to look at say FoM on a far more granular level than a binary yes/no. What would be interesting to know is to what extent the EU is prepared to accept that. And member states - I see 10 people can't be 26 national leaders...!
  • Options

    I like Lisa Nandy.

    Glad Tissue Price tipped her ages ago as Corbyn's replacement.

    Well I did tip her at 14/1 and she's available at 16/1 now!

    But I'd tip her again at the current price.
    I'm on.

    I think come Christmas I might have backed or laid 50 people in the next Lab leadership race.

    I'm currently on 33 runners and riders.
  • Options

    Mr. Eagles, yes, but your conduct isn't necessarily a useful guide for what's permitted according to Islamic rules :p

    I'm a very good Muslim if you ignore my constant whoring, gambling, and lack of prayers.
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    TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 40,281

    Mr. Eagles, is gambling permitted? It seems worse than usury.

    Gambling in Islam is a lot like gambling in America.
    You get your legs broken by heavyset men in black?
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    CookieCookie Posts: 11,505
    TSE - as well they may be: as we saw in Oldham West, the Muslim vote is amongst Labour's stickiest - it has not been dissuaded from voting Labour by Corbynism. If Galloway can unpeel the Muslim vote in Gorton, and the Lib Dems can unpeel the Chorltonista vote, all Labour have left are the students and the WWC. The WWC has not been unequivocal in its support for the current incarnation of the Labour Party. And who knows what students think - but the key thing to remember is that most students who vote in May 2017 were not students in May 2015; this bloc changes its mind more than most, because the people who compose it change.

    I'd still say the Labour vote should be big enough here to withstand the dubious charms of George Galloway. Hopefully enough so that we can amuse ourselves at the sight of the party joyfully congratulating itself for holding its tenth safest seat.
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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,602
    edited March 2017
    I work (and regularly spend the night) in Central Manchester and know a lot of students who reside in Manchester, the lustre has come off Corbyn since he gave Mrs May a free pass on Brexit.
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    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    If this seat isn't a boring Labour hold, Labour are in Extinction Level Event territory. That it's even worth a thread header as a speculative punt for anyone else is astonishing.

    Labour should be huge value here. Yet I can't bring myself to bet on them.
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    Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,820
    edited March 2017
    FPT: Corbyn's call for unity in the Labour movement doesn't seem to be entirely effective:

    There is another world in our movement, alas. A world of skulduggery, smears and secret plots.

    That is where you will find Tom Watson. When Labour has needed loyalty he has been sharpening his knife looking for a back to stab. When unity is required, he manufactures division.

    It is small surprise that he has then worked to split the Party again this week. He has form as long as his arm. And now his sights are set on abusing the internal democracy of Unite.


    http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/len-mccluskey/tom-watson-len-mccluskey_b_15511506.html?1490096318&

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    Tissue_PriceTissue_Price Posts: 9,039

    If this seat isn't a boring Labour hold, Labour are in Extinction Level Event territory. That it's even worth a thread header as a speculative punt for anyone else is astonishing.

    Labour should be huge value here. Yet I can't bring myself to bet on them.

    Wasn't that what you said about Copeland too?
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    rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,436

    I like Lisa Nandy.

    Glad Tissue Price tipped her ages ago as Corbyn's replacement.

    Well I did tip her at 14/1 and she's available at 16/1 now!

    But I'd tip her again at the current price.
    I'm on.

    I think come Christmas I might have backed or laid 50 people in the next Lab leadership race.

    I'm currently on 33 runners and riders.
    I know. It's a nightmare. I am on about 15 myself. Nandy is looking good though. At 14 she has to be value, certainly compared to Lewis, who is 8. I will top up at some stage, but there's no rush I think, as Corbyn is going nowhere.
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    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,672

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2017/mar/21/death-martin-mcguinness-reaction-politics-live?page=with:block-58d110dce4b01ea2330ba927#block-58d110dce4b01ea2330ba927

    And that article says it is based on information provided by insiders about what it says is the draft negotiating strategy that has been drawn up. It says these will come out when Theresa May presses the “Brexitknop” (Brexit button?). Based on feeding it through Google Translate, here are the key points.

    The EU will insist access to the internal market depends upon accepting the four freedoms, including freedom of movement, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU will propose a deal guaranteeing the reciprocal rights of EU nationals in the UK and Britons in EU countries, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU will demand an exit “bill”, de Volkskrant claims. Interestingly, it says that David Cameron is partly responsible for the possible demand being so high. Cameron demanded cuts to the EU budget for 2014-20. But, in return for spending going down in the early years, planned spending in the future rose sharply. There is an argument now that the UK is obliged to contribute to those future spending commitments.

    The EU will demand that the UK loses some of its existing trade advantages, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU has yet to decide whether to allow talks on the withdrawal deal and talks on the future trade deal to take place in parallel, as the UK wants, or sequentially, de Volkskrant says.

    If the UK tries to leave without a deal, the EU could take it to court at the Hague to try to recover the money it thinks is owed, de Volkskrant says.

    Only six people, including Donald Tusk, the European council president, and Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission president, have seen the 10-page draft negotiating guidelines, de Volkskrant claims."

    Interesting. Thanks for the link.

    Not much new there. Reading between the lines, that suggests to me that EU citizens rights will be taken off the table fairly quickly, and a future trade deal is there to be made at the same time, provided we pay a decent divorce bill and the EU can point to how whatever trade deal we strike is inferior to full membership, which will probably target services.

    Which figures. But I expect little movement on the latter (but a lot of piss and wind) until the German elections are over in the Autumn.
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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,010
    Mr. Eagles, you're like Sir Edric, without the heroic manservant or being married to the Wicked Witch of Wedlock.
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    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340

    If this seat isn't a boring Labour hold, Labour are in Extinction Level Event territory. That it's even worth a thread header as a speculative punt for anyone else is astonishing.

    Labour should be huge value here. Yet I can't bring myself to bet on them.

    Wasn't that what you said about Copeland too?
    Sadly, I managed to persuade myself to bet on Labour in Copeland. What I said was:

    "On current prices UKIP seem way too short and the Conservatives seem a bit too short. By default, therefore, Labour look quite a bit too long. Rarely has a value bet looked less appetising. Backing a party that is in disarray and in the doldrums in the polls is rarely rewarding. But you should probably hold your nose and do it."

  • Options

    If this seat isn't a boring Labour hold, Labour are in Extinction Level Event territory. That it's even worth a thread header as a speculative punt for anyone else is astonishing.

    Labour should be huge value here. Yet I can't bring myself to bet on them.

    Same here.
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    CookieCookie Posts: 11,505

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2017/mar/21/death-martin-mcguinness-reaction-politics-live?page=with:block-58d110dce4b01ea2330ba927#block-58d110dce4b01ea2330ba927

    "De Volkskrant, a respected Dutch newspaper, has published a long article about the negotiating strategy the EU will adopt during Brexit. It appears under the headline:

    Dit is de geheime EU-strategie voor scheiding van de Britten

    or, as Google Translate puts it,

    This is the secret EU Strategy for separation from the British

    And that article says it is based on information provided by insiders about what it says is the draft negotiating strategy that has been drawn up. It says these will come out when Theresa May presses the “Brexitknop” (Brexit button?). Based on feeding it through Google Translate, here are the key points.

    The EU will insist access to the internal market depends upon accepting the four freedoms, including freedom of movement, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU will propose a deal guaranteeing the reciprocal rights of EU nationals in the UK and Britons in EU countries, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU will demand an exit “bill”, de Volkskrant claims. Interestingly, it says that David Cameron is partly responsible for the possible demand being so high. Cameron demanded cuts to the EU budget for 2014-20. But, in return for spending going down in the early years, planned spending in the future rose sharply. There is an argument now that the UK is obliged to contribute to those future spending commitments.

    The EU will demand that the UK loses some of its existing trade advantages, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU has yet to decide whether to allow talks on the withdrawal deal and talks on the future trade deal to take place in parallel, as the UK wants, or sequentially, de Volkskrant says.

    If the UK tries to leave without a deal, the EU could take it to court at the Hague to try to recover the money it thinks is owed, de Volkskrant says.

    Only six people, including Donald Tusk, the European council president, and Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission president, have seen the 10-page draft negotiating guidelines, de Volkskrant claims."

    Glad to see their negotiating team is just as leaky as ours!
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    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,672

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2017/mar/21/death-martin-mcguinness-reaction-politics-live?page=with:block-58d110dce4b01ea2330ba927#block-58d110dce4b01ea2330ba927

    This is the secret EU Strategy for separation from the British

    And that article says it is based on information provided by insiders about what it says is the draft negotiating strategy that has been drawn up. It says these will come out when Theresa May presses the “Brexitknop” (Brexit button?). Based on feeding it through Google Translate, here are the key points.

    The EU will insist access to the internal market depends upon accepting the four freedoms, including freedom of movement, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU will propose a deal guaranteeing the reciprocal rights of EU nationals in the UK and Britons in EU countries, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU will demand an exit “bill”, de Volkskrant claims. Interestingly, it says that David Cameron is partly responsible for the possible demand being so high. Cameron demanded cuts to the EU budget for 2014-20. But, in return for spending going down in the early years, planned spending in the future rose sharply. There is an argument now that the UK is obliged to contribute to those future spending commitments.

    The EU will demand that the UK loses some of its existing trade advantages, de Volkskrant claims.

    The EU has yet to decide whether to allow talks on the withdrawal deal and talks on the future trade deal to take place in parallel, as the UK wants, or sequentially, de Volkskrant says.

    If the UK tries to leave without a deal, the EU could take it to court at the Hague to try to recover the money it thinks is owed, de Volkskrant says.

    Only six people, including Donald Tusk, the European council president, and Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission president, have seen the 10-page draft negotiating guidelines, de Volkskrant claims."

    So the secret plan is the same as the public plan?

    We know that the UK and EU are going to have to look at say FoM on a far more granular level than a binary yes/no. What would be interesting to know is to what extent the EU is prepared to accept that. And member states - I see 10 people can't be 26 national leaders...!
    We pay £20bn divorce bill. We pay £5bn net a year into the EU budget. We agree EU citizens can come with a job offer, plus an emergency break if it gets too high.

    We get free trade and partial customs union or customs alignment in Goods. We get extra non-tariff barriers for services, including loss of financial passport. We get a three year transition deal post A50 expiry to 2022.

    We leave ECJ, we formally leave EEA, we get all other powers repatriated, we line up new trade deals during the transition period.

    Job done.
  • Options
    rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 7,920
    35-1 on Gorgeous George to win... Couldn't resist a nibble.
    I'll be profitable on any outcome except a Labour Lib Dem 1-2 in that order.
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    rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,436

    FPT: Corbyn's call for unity in the Labour movement doesn't seem to be entirely effective:

    There is another world in our movement, alas. A world of skulduggery, smears and secret plots.

    That is where you will find Tom Watson. When Labour has needed loyalty he has been sharpening his knife looking for a back to stab. When unity is required, he manufactures division.

    It is small surprise that he has then worked to split the Party again this week. He has form as long as his arm. And now his sights are set on abusing the internal democracy of Unite.


    http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/len-mccluskey/tom-watson-len-mccluskey_b_15511506.html?1490096318&

    Britain's second most dangerous man speaks out.
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    ChaosOdinChaosOdin Posts: 67
    Who else do people possibly think could win Gorton?

    Turnout would have to go down a very long way before Labour lost somewhere like that. And the muslim community will almost certainly turn out, even if no-one else does.

    The Tories won't win their in my lifetime, and I can't see the Lib Dems managing it either.
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    CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,227
    edited March 2017
    FPT -

    To listen to the radio this morning you'd have thought that Martin McGuiness had been elevated to sainthood for, finally, doing something to clear the mess he he'd been so instrumental in creating.

    Still, the bastard died in his bed. Unlike:-

    - Jonathan Ball, the three year old boy killed in Warrington while out shopping for a Mother's Day card. His mother died of a broken heart.
    - Jean McConville, a mother of 10, "disappeared" and killed for showing kindness to a wounded British soldier.
    - Robert Nairac, the British soldier kidnapped from a pub, tortured and killed in 1977.
    - Heidi Hazell, a German girl sitting in a car with British number plates outside an army base in Germany and shot 14 times at point blank range.
    - Royal Air Force Corporal Maheshkumar Islania and his 6 month old daughter who were shot dead in their car outside an RAF base in Germany. The baby was being held in her mother's arms.

    And all the many many other victims of the IRA.

    May they rest in peace.

    Apologies for reposting. But those victims had names and lives and did not get acres of obituaries. So if we are to recognize what McGuinness did and did not do we should also recognize those who suffered at his hands and had no choice about that suffering, unlike him - who made a choice. People like McGuinness dishonoured Ireland, dishonoured Irish nationalism, dishonoured those who had tried to remedy the very many faults of the Northern Irish statelet and who tried to do so without violence and dishonoured all those Irish people - in Ireland and here - who were tainted by the violence that McGuinness and co., unleashed.

    Still, it will be interesting to see if we get any more information about the rumours that he was a British agent.

    And finally, someone in HMQ's household has a (black) sense of humour. The pudding at the state dinner which McGuinness attended was Bombe Surprise.
  • Options
    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,672
    On topic: I have little to no interest in this by-election.

    I'm focussed on the French presidential election, and receiving my A50 invocation winnings next week.
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    RogerRoger Posts: 18,904
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    » show previous quotes
    " This weekend the clocks go forward an hour, next Wednesday we put the clock back fifty or sixty years........"


    If this is an Eagle original it's brilliant.

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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,010
    edited March 2017
    Mr. Meeks, I also backed Labour in Copeland. Many people did.

    Edited extra bit: indeed, Miss Cyclefree.
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    rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,436
    Roger said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    » show previous quotes
    " This weekend the clocks go forward an hour, next Wednesday we put the clock back fifty or sixty years........"


    If this is an Eagle original it's brilliant.

    How long before we are begging to put it forward, as Tony B has warned? Two years, five years, a generation?
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    Mr. Eagles, you're like Sir Edric, without the heroic manservant or being married to the Wicked Witch of Wedlock.

    I was. Then I divorced her. Boom boom.
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    surbitonsurbiton Posts: 13,549
    LD will win Gorton comfortably.
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,002

    If this seat isn't a boring Labour hold, Labour are in Extinction Level Event territory. That it's even worth a thread header as a speculative punt for anyone else is astonishing.

    Labour should be huge value here. Yet I can't bring myself to bet on them.

    Wasn't that what you said about Copeland too?
    Sadly, I managed to persuade myself to bet on Labour in Copeland. What I said was:

    "On current prices UKIP seem way too short and the Conservatives seem a bit too short. By default, therefore, Labour look quite a bit too long. Rarely has a value bet looked less appetising. Backing a party that is in disarray and in the doldrums in the polls is rarely rewarding. But you should probably hold your nose and do it."

    UKIP were definitely way way too short in Copeland.
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    Blue_rogBlue_rog Posts: 2,019
    Roger said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    » show previous quotes
    " This weekend the clocks go forward an hour, next Wednesday we put the clock back fifty or sixty years........"


    If this is an Eagle original it's brilliant.

    Reminds me of an anecdote about a BA pilot where, on landing in Wellington said 'wlecome to New Zealand where the local time is 1950' :grin:
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    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    Pulpstar said:

    If this seat isn't a boring Labour hold, Labour are in Extinction Level Event territory. That it's even worth a thread header as a speculative punt for anyone else is astonishing.

    Labour should be huge value here. Yet I can't bring myself to bet on them.

    Wasn't that what you said about Copeland too?
    Sadly, I managed to persuade myself to bet on Labour in Copeland. What I said was:

    "On current prices UKIP seem way too short and the Conservatives seem a bit too short. By default, therefore, Labour look quite a bit too long. Rarely has a value bet looked less appetising. Backing a party that is in disarray and in the doldrums in the polls is rarely rewarding. But you should probably hold your nose and do it."

    UKIP were definitely way way too short in Copeland.
    I'm only disappointed that they haven't been backed in to 10/1 in Gorton.
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    rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,436
    surbiton said:

    LD will win Gorton comfortably.

    Wow! That is some prediction - "comfortably".
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    surbitonsurbiton Posts: 13,549
    Roger said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    » show previous quotes
    " This weekend the clocks go forward an hour, next Wednesday we put the clock back fifty or sixty years........"


    If this is an Eagle original it's brilliant.

    The time will be put back to 1.1.1973 precisely. A bad day for Britain.
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    surbitonsurbiton Posts: 13,549
    Cyclefree said:

    FPT -

    To listen to the radio this morning you'd have thought that Martin McGuiness had been elevated to sainthood for, finally, doing something to clear the mess he he'd been so instrumental in creating.

    Still, the bastard died in his bed. Unlike:-

    - Jonathan Ball, the three year old boy killed in Warrington while out shopping for a Mother's Day card. His mother died of a broken heart.
    - Jean McConville, a mother of 10, "disappeared" and killed for showing kindness to a wounded British soldier.
    - Robert Nairac, the British soldier kidnapped from a pub, tortured and killed in 1977.
    - Heidi Hazell, a German girl sitting in a car with British number plates outside an army base in Germany and shot 14 times at point blank range.
    - Royal Air Force Corporal Maheshkumar Islania and his 6 month old daughter who were shot dead in their car outside an RAF base in Germany. The baby was being held in her mother's arms.

    And all the many many other victims of the IRA.

    May they rest in peace.

    Apologies for reposting. But those victims had names and lives and did not get acres of obituaries. So if we are to recognize what McGuinness did and did not do we should also recognize those who suffered at his hands and had no choice about that suffering, unlike him - who made a choice. People like McGuinness dishonoured Ireland, dishonoured Irish nationalism, dishonoured those who had tried to remedy the very many faults of the Northern Irish statelet and who tried to do so without violence and dishonoured all those Irish people - in Ireland and here - who were tainted by the violence that McGuinness and co., unleashed.

    Still, it will be interesting to see if we get any more information about the rumours that he was a British agent.

    And finally, someone in HMQ's household has a (black) sense of humour. The pudding at the state dinner which McGuinness attended was Bombe Surprise.

    I wonder why did the Queen have lunch with him ? It was not mandatory.
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    FenmanFenman Posts: 1,047

    surbiton said:

    LD will win Gorton comfortably.

    Wow! That is some prediction - "comfortably".
    Agreed
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    Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,820
    edited March 2017

    ...
    If the UK tries to leave without a deal, the EU could take it to court at the Hague to try to recover the money it thinks is owed, de Volkskrant says.
    ...

    It seems to me that the UK has them by the short'n'curlies on that specific point. As any fule no, going to court is fraught with danger, expense and above all delay. We could surely spin out any case at the Hague for years, perhaps decades, and it's quite clear, simply from doing a simple reality check on the EU demands - which are ludicrously excessive compared with the cost of full membership - that any final judgement from the Hague would be massively less than the figures the EU have been bandying about.

    Since all of this is perfectly obvious, one has to wonder what the EU are playing at. The only logical explanation is that they think they can extort a large payment for restricted access to the Single Market. (The useful idiots in the Lords may have encouraged them in that belief). That's probably a dangerous misreading of the UK political position and the economic realities.

    This isn't looking good, unless it's all childish bluff.
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    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,672
    Cyclefree said:

    FPT -

    To listen to the radio this morning you'd have thought that Martin McGuiness had been elevated to sainthood for, finally, doing something to clear the mess he he'd been so instrumental in creating.

    Still, the bastard died in his bed. Unlike:-

    - Jonathan Ball, the three year old boy killed in Warrington while out shopping for a Mother's Day card. His mother died of a broken heart.
    - Jean McConville, a mother of 10, "disappeared" and killed for showing kindness to a wounded British soldier.
    - Robert Nairac, the British soldier kidnapped from a pub, tortured and killed in 1977.
    - Heidi Hazell, a German girl sitting in a car with British number plates outside an army base in Germany and shot 14 times at point blank range.
    - Royal Air Force Corporal Maheshkumar Islania and his 6 month old daughter who were shot dead in their car outside an RAF base in Germany. The baby was being held in her mother's arms.

    And all the many many other victims of the IRA.

    May they rest in peace.

    Apologies for reposting. But those victims had names and lives and did not get acres of obituaries. So if we are to recognize what McGuinness did and did not do we should also recognize those who suffered at his hands and had no choice about that suffering, unlike him - who made a choice. People like McGuinness dishonoured Ireland, dishonoured Irish nationalism, dishonoured those who had tried to remedy the very many faults of the Northern Irish statelet and who tried to do so without violence and dishonoured all those Irish people - in Ireland and here - who were tainted by the violence that McGuinness and co., unleashed.

    Still, it will be interesting to see if we get any more information about the rumours that he was a British agent.

    And finally, someone in HMQ's household has a (black) sense of humour. The pudding at the state dinner which McGuinness attended was Bombe Surprise.

    Blair on the midday news saying he was a man of peace.

    *vomits*
  • Options
    SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 20,723
    Roger said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    » show previous quotes
    " This weekend the clocks go forward an hour, next Wednesday we put the clock back fifty or sixty years........"


    If this is an Eagle original it's brilliant.

    Back to the days when Harold Wilson was PM and England won the World Cup. Truly dreadful.
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    surbitonsurbiton Posts: 13,549
    ChaosOdin said:

    Who else do people possibly think could win Gorton?

    Turnout would have to go down a very long way before Labour lost somewhere like that. And the muslim community will almost certainly turn out, even if no-one else does.

    The Tories won't win their in my lifetime, and I can't see the Lib Dems managing it either.

    That is where it gets tricky with Galloway. I repeat, the LD will win comfortably.
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    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340

    ...
    If the UK tries to leave without a deal, the EU could take it to court at the Hague to try to recover the money it thinks is owed, de Volkskrant says.
    ...

    It seems to me that the UK has them by the short'n'curlies on that specific point. As any fule no, going to court is fraught with danger, expense and above all delay. We could surely spin out any case at the Hague for years, perhaps decades, and it's quite clear, simply from doing a simple reality check on the EU demands - which are ludicrously excessive compared with the cost of full membership - that any final judgement from the Hague would be massively less than the figures the EU have been bandying about.

    Since all of this is perfectly obvious, one has to wonder what the EU are playing at. The only logical explanation is that they think they can extort a large payment for restricted access to the Single Market. (The useful idiots in the Lords may have encouraged them in that belief). That's probably a dangerous misreading of the UK political position and the economic realities.

    This isn't looking good, unless it's all childish bluff.
    In the meantime the UK would have no deal and no prospect of any deal with the rest of the EU. And that's the EU's problem?
  • Options
    SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 20,723
    surbiton said:

    Roger said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    » show previous quotes
    " This weekend the clocks go forward an hour, next Wednesday we put the clock back fifty or sixty years........"


    If this is an Eagle original it's brilliant.

    The time will be put back to 1.1.1973 precisely. A bad day for Britain.
    In that case I look forward to power cuts, the 3 day week and trade unionists helping to bring down a Tory government in the next 18 months.
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    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,672

    ...
    If the UK tries to leave without a deal, the EU could take it to court at the Hague to try to recover the money it thinks is owed, de Volkskrant says.
    ...

    It seems to me that the UK has them by the short'n'curlies on that specific point. As any fule no, going to court is fraught with danger, expense and above all delay. We could surely spin out any case at the Hague for years, perhaps decades, and it's quite clear, simply from doing a simple reality check on the EU demands - which are ludicrously excessive compared with the cost of full membership - that any final judgement from the Hague would be massively less than the figures the EU have been bandying about.

    Since all of this is perfectly obvious, one has to wonder what the EU are playing at. The only logical explanation is that they think they can extort a large payment for restricted access to the Single Market. (The useful idiots in the Lords may have encouraged them in that belief). That's probably a dangerous misreading of the UK political position and the economic realities.

    This isn't looking good, unless it's all childish bluff.
    There will be a lot of piss and wind over the next 2 years.

    Both sides are adopting hardline positions (May: tungsten-tipped Brexit; the EU: massive divorce bill, no deal until after you Leave and an exceedingly crap one at that) but it's not too hard to work out what the grounds for compromise are.

    And that compromise deal will provide plenty of tedious argument for years to come with both sides claiming victory, and the other pointing out how crap it is. Because that is what is needed to achieve the political objectives of both.
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    rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 7,920


    We pay £20bn divorce bill. We pay £5bn net a year into the EU budget. We agree EU citizens can come with a job offer, plus an emergency break if it gets too high.

    We get free trade and partial customs union or customs alignment in Goods. We get extra non-tariff barriers for services, including loss of financial passport. We get a three year transition deal post A50 expiry to 2022.

    We leave ECJ, we formally leave EEA, we get all other powers repatriated, we line up new trade deals during the transition period.

    Job done.

    Do you think Conservatives would accept that?

    I think that bill and the ongoing payments would be unacceptable to too many Tory backbenchers.
    I also don't think allowing EU citizens to come if they get a job will fly... Even with an emergency break. Control surely means choosing who comes... Not saying anyone with a job up o a certain number.
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,002

    Pulpstar said:

    If this seat isn't a boring Labour hold, Labour are in Extinction Level Event territory. That it's even worth a thread header as a speculative punt for anyone else is astonishing.

    Labour should be huge value here. Yet I can't bring myself to bet on them.

    Wasn't that what you said about Copeland too?
    Sadly, I managed to persuade myself to bet on Labour in Copeland. What I said was:

    "On current prices UKIP seem way too short and the Conservatives seem a bit too short. By default, therefore, Labour look quite a bit too long. Rarely has a value bet looked less appetising. Backing a party that is in disarray and in the doldrums in the polls is rarely rewarding. But you should probably hold your nose and do it."

    UKIP were definitely way way too short in Copeland.
    I'm only disappointed that they haven't been backed in to 10/1 in Gorton.
    I'd probably go something like £20,000 to win £2,000 if that happened.
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    Roger said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    » show previous quotes
    " This weekend the clocks go forward an hour, next Wednesday we put the clock back fifty or sixty years........"


    If this is an Eagle original it's brilliant.

    An update to the joke about the first time I visited Northern Ireland, shortly after BST had ended.
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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,010
    I did suggest a while back Ivanka Trump could be the first female president. Nice experience, if she goes for it:
    https://twitter.com/PeterAlexander/status/843950642100158464

    Anyway, I'm off. Play nicely.
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    Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,820

    In the meantime the UK would have no deal and no prospect of any deal with the rest of the EU. And that's the EU's problem?

    Of course it's the EU's problem. And ours. But the fact that we wouldn't be forking out a single centime towards their budget in the meantime would be of more consolation to us than to them.
  • Options
    david_herdsondavid_herdson Posts: 17,422

    Mr. Eagles, is gambling permitted? It seems worse than usury.

    Gambling in Islam is a lot like gambling in America.

    The two have so much in common, in many ways.
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    williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 48,147
    edited March 2017
    rkrkrk said:


    I also don't think allowing EU citizens to come if they get a job will fly... Even with an emergency break. Control surely means choosing who comes... Not saying anyone with a job up o a certain number.

    That means doubling the amount of would-be immigration that's in the Home Office's scope. They can't manage what they already 'control' - how much will their budget need to grow to apply the same rules to our closest neighbours too?
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    tlg86tlg86 Posts: 25,208

    Blair on the midday news saying he was a man of peace.

    *vomits*

    Well, by Blair's standards that's probably true.
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    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340

    In the meantime the UK would have no deal and no prospect of any deal with the rest of the EU. And that's the EU's problem?

    Of course it's the EU's problem. And ours. But the fact that we wouldn't be forking out a single centime towards their budget in the meantime would be of more consolation to us than to them.
    Britain isn't going to be the longterm solution to the EU's budgetary problems. Anything the EU gets from Britain is going to be bunce.

    The sums being discussed are really not that great in the grand scheme of things (though politically important, of course).

    The most worrying thing about that leaked negotiating position is how vague it is. If it's accurate, it sounds as if they haven't really started their thinking yet.
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    TheValiantTheValiant Posts: 1,718

    Labour are rattled.

    I'm green on both the Lib Dems and Galloway, but I'm praying to Allah that I don't collect on the latter.

    You didn't strike me as a Muslim TSE.

    Luckily I'm a raging atheist (who regularly attends church) so I'll do no praying either way.
  • Options

    Mr. Eagles, is gambling permitted? It seems worse than usury.

    Gambling in Islam is a lot like gambling in America.

    The two have so much in common, in many ways.
    Which explains why I'd be ill suited living in either.
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    williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 48,147

    There will be a lot of piss and wind over the next 2 years.

    Both sides are adopting hardline positions (May: tungsten-tipped Brexit; the EU: massive divorce bill, no deal until after you Leave and an exceedingly crap one at that) but it's not too hard to work out what the grounds for compromise are.

    May thinks she can force them into concessions by closing off all her domestic exits so that only the EU has the power to avert a cliff-edge Brexit.

    What she doesn't seem to have realised is that they can undermine this strategy simply by making it clear that we're welcome to stay if we still want comprehensive free trade, frictionless borders, etc.
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    TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 40,281
    Trimble's last letter to McGuinness.

    https://twitter.com/EmmaMMcNamara/status/844158149720526848

    In general I think it's a pretty good principle to take the views of people on the spot over those of the long distance fulminators & sermonisers.
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    Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091
    edited March 2017



    Since all of this is perfectly obvious, one has to wonder what the EU are playing at. The only logical explanation is that they think they can extort a large payment for restricted access to the Single Market. (The useful idiots in the Lords may have encouraged them in that belief). That's probably a dangerous misreading of the UK political position and the economic realities.

    I quite agree with you that, on paper, it's overwhelmingly in the EU's economic interests to do a good deal with us. But surely the last year has shown that people don't always do what's in their economic interests on paper. So May's terrible lack of emotional intelligence in dealing with the EU so far will surely have ratcheted up the feeling of "let's just screw the British", even though that attitude will mean mutual damage.

    I still think the smart money is on Anna Soubry's prediction: that there won't even be any meaningful "negotiations", that both sides are going to be too inflexible to even agree some basic terms in order to get round the table, and that we're going to basically be kicked out of the EU without any deal at all or any preparation time by the end of this coming summer.
  • Options
    CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,227
    surbiton said:

    Cyclefree said:

    FPT -

    To listen to the radio this morning you'd have thought that Martin McGuiness had been elevated to sainthood for, finally, doing something to clear the mess he he'd been so instrumental in creating.

    Still, the bastard died in his bed. Unlike:-

    - Jonathan Ball, the three year old boy killed in Warrington while out shopping for a Mother's Day card. His mother died of a broken heart.
    - Jean McConville, a mother of 10, "disappeared" and killed for showing kindness to a wounded British soldier.
    - Robert Nairac, the British soldier kidnapped from a pub, tortured and killed in 1977.
    - Heidi Hazell, a German girl sitting in a car with British number plates outside an army base in Germany and shot 14 times at point blank range.
    - Royal Air Force Corporal Maheshkumar Islania and his 6 month old daughter who were shot dead in their car outside an RAF base in Germany. The baby was being held in her mother's arms.

    And all the many many other victims of the IRA.

    May they rest in peace.

    Apologies for reposting. But those victims had names and lives and did not get acres of obituaries. So if we are to recognize what McGuinness did and did not do we should also recognize those who suffered at his hands and had no choice about that suffering, unlike him - who made a choice. People like McGuinness dishonoured Ireland, dishonoured Irish nationalism, dishonoured those who had tried to remedy the very many faults of the Northern Irish statelet and who tried to do so without violence and dishonoured all those Irish people - in Ireland and here - who were tainted by the violence that McGuinness and co., unleashed.

    Still, it will be interesting to see if we get any more information about the rumours that he was a British agent.

    And finally, someone in HMQ's household has a (black) sense of humour. The pudding at the state dinner which McGuinness attended was Bombe Surprise.

    I wonder why did the Queen have lunch with him ? It was not mandatory.
    It was a state visit by the Irish President. You think HMQ chooses the guests personally? McGuinness was invited in his capacity as the Deputy leader in Northern Ireland, part of HMQ's kingdom.

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    Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,820

    The most worrying thing about that leaked negotiating position is how vague it is. If it's accurate, it sounds as if they haven't really started their thinking yet.

    They don't know what they want, or, rather, they want three mutually contradictory things:

    - To damage the UK, pour décourager les autres;
    - Not to damage the UK, so as not to damage their own rather fragile economies;
    - To continue to get a chunky contribution to their budget from us.
  • Options
    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,602
    edited March 2017

    Labour are rattled.

    I'm green on both the Lib Dems and Galloway, but I'm praying to Allah that I don't collect on the latter.

    You didn't strike me as a Muslim TSE.

    Luckily I'm a raging atheist (who regularly attends church) so I'll do no praying either way.
    I only think about the deity/pray when I've got a bet on, want my sporting team to win, or if I'm close to erm arrivi...wait this is a family friendly site.

    I'm really a Muslim two days a year, just to keep my parents happy.
  • Options
    BudGBudG Posts: 711
    George Galloway's inclusion is a shot in the arm for the LD's and will put a spring in their step when it comes to upping their ground game which is usually pretty impressive in by-elections anyway.

    The LD ground game will tear large numbers of votes away from Labour and for those Labour malcontents who cannot bring themselves to vote LD after the 2010 coalition, they have a ready made home for their protest vote in GG. So the Labour vote will be squeezed pretty strongly from both sides.

    Whatever you think about George, he is an excellent orator and campaigner and will certainly be taking votes away from Labour.

    Whether the combined efffect of votes draining to LD and GG is enough for Labour to lose the seat is something we will have to wait for to find out. But without doubt, this by -election is now a live one and the result could be a lot tighter than many would think, especially if George gets his game together.

    It's very much a long-shot, but it is not outside the bounds of possibility that Labour could even end up in third place in a tight finish, in what should be a very safe seat for them.

  • Options
    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,983
    rkrkrk said:


    We pay £20bn divorce bill. We pay £5bn net a year into the EU budget. We agree EU citizens can come with a job offer, plus an emergency break if it gets too high.

    We get free trade and partial customs union or customs alignment in Goods. We get extra non-tariff barriers for services, including loss of financial passport. We get a three year transition deal post A50 expiry to 2022.

    We leave ECJ, we formally leave EEA, we get all other powers repatriated, we line up new trade deals during the transition period.

    Job done.

    Do you think Conservatives would accept that?

    I think that bill and the ongoing payments would be unacceptable to too many Tory backbenchers.
    I also don't think allowing EU citizens to come if they get a job will fly... Even with an emergency break. Control surely means choosing who comes... Not saying anyone with a job up o a certain number.
    My guess is that most eurosceptics could accept something along those lines.
  • Options
    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340

    The most worrying thing about that leaked negotiating position is how vague it is. If it's accurate, it sounds as if they haven't really started their thinking yet.

    They don't know what they want, or, rather, they want three mutually contradictory things:

    - To damage the UK, pour décourager les autres;
    - Not to damage the UK, so as not to damage their own rather fragile economies;
    - To continue to get a chunky contribution to their budget from us.
    I agree on the first two. I strongly suspect that the last one is just a "**** you" cherry on the top.
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    Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,820
    Danny565 said:


    I still think the smart money is on Anna Soubry's prediction: that there won't even be any meaningful "negotiations", that both sides are going to be too inflexible to even agree some basic terms in order to get round the table, and that we're going to basically be kicked out of the EU without any deal at all or any preparation time by the end of this coming summer.

    We can't be kicked out, the 2-year timescale is fixed.
  • Options
    Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091

    I did suggest a while back Ivanka Trump could be the first female president. Nice experience, if she goes for it:
    https://twitter.com/PeterAlexander/status/843950642100158464

    Anyway, I'm off. Play nicely.

    Well, she seems the only one in that family with the slightest bit of sanity/intelligence.
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    rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,436
    BudG said:

    George Galloway's inclusion is a shot in the arm for the LD's and will put a spring in their step when it comes to upping their ground game which is usually pretty impressive in by-elections anyway.

    The LD ground game will tear large numbers of votes away from Labour and for those Labour malcontents who cannot bring themselves to vote LD after the 2010 coalition, they have a ready made home for their protest vote in GG. So the Labour vote will be squeezed pretty strongly from both sides.

    Whatever you think about George, he is an excellent orator and campaigner and will certainly be taking votes away from Labour.

    Whether the combined efffect of votes draining to LD and GG is enough for Labour to lose the seat is something we will have to wait for to find out. But without doubt, this by -election is now a live one and the result could be a lot tighter than many would think, especially if George gets his game together.

    It's very much a long-shot, but it is not outside the bounds of possibility that Labour could even end up in third place in a tight finish, in what should be a very safe seat for them.

    Will LDs have resource though as it is likely to be same day as County elections?
  • Options
    williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 48,147
    edited March 2017

    Danny565 said:


    I still think the smart money is on Anna Soubry's prediction: that there won't even be any meaningful "negotiations", that both sides are going to be too inflexible to even agree some basic terms in order to get round the table, and that we're going to basically be kicked out of the EU without any deal at all or any preparation time by the end of this coming summer.

    We can't be kicked out, the 2-year timescale is fixed.
    We can if a 'kick us out' deal gets approved by the parliament and council by QMV.

    In practice even if the negotiations break down completely, they'll just let us stew in our own juice while watching the clock tick down.
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    Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091

    Danny565 said:


    I still think the smart money is on Anna Soubry's prediction: that there won't even be any meaningful "negotiations", that both sides are going to be too inflexible to even agree some basic terms in order to get round the table, and that we're going to basically be kicked out of the EU without any deal at all or any preparation time by the end of this coming summer.

    We can't be kicked out, the 2-year timescale is fixed.
    Surely if the EU countries all vote to end the process and kick us out early, it could be done. We're in uncharted waters after all.
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    CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,227

    Trimble's last letter to McGuinness.

    https://twitter.com/EmmaMMcNamara/status/844158149720526848

    In general I think it's a pretty good principle to take the views of people on the spot over those of the long distance fulminators & sermonisers.

    Well, the people on the spot when the bombs went off and the killings took place were in Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland and England and Gibraltar and Germany and are just as entitled to express a view as those members of a party which, frankly, did not have clean hands either - both in relation to how it treated the Catholic minority population in Northern Ireland and in its attitude to violence.

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    david_herdsondavid_herdson Posts: 17,422

    If this seat isn't a boring Labour hold, Labour are in Extinction Level Event territory. That it's even worth a thread header as a speculative punt for anyone else is astonishing.

    Labour should be huge value here. Yet I can't bring myself to bet on them.

    Labour's position in Gorton is exaggerated by the unusual result in 2015. Had there been a by-election there in 2003/4, it'd have been a very likely Lib Dem gain.

    But it's a difficult election to read now with three candidates in the running. Lab should start favourite but Galloway's intervention throws the cat among them and you can see a number of ways that Labour could lose.
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    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,983
    surbiton said:

    ChaosOdin said:

    Who else do people possibly think could win Gorton?

    Turnout would have to go down a very long way before Labour lost somewhere like that. And the muslim community will almost certainly turn out, even if no-one else does.

    The Tories won't win their in my lifetime, and I can't see the Lib Dems managing it either.

    That is where it gets tricky with Galloway. I repeat, the LD will win comfortably.
    It doesn't seem to me to be the kind of seat where the Lib Dems could achieve an upset.
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    rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,436

    If this seat isn't a boring Labour hold, Labour are in Extinction Level Event territory. That it's even worth a thread header as a speculative punt for anyone else is astonishing.

    Labour should be huge value here. Yet I can't bring myself to bet on them.

    Labour's position in Gorton is exaggerated by the unusual result in 2015. Had there been a by-election there in 2003/4, it'd have been a very likely Lib Dem gain.

    But it's a difficult election to read now with three candidates in the running. Lab should start favourite but Galloway's intervention throws the cat among them and you can see a number of ways that Labour could lose.
    Galloway and cat? An intentional joke?
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    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,672

    The most worrying thing about that leaked negotiating position is how vague it is. If it's accurate, it sounds as if they haven't really started their thinking yet.

    They don't know what they want, or, rather, they want three mutually contradictory things:

    - To damage the UK, pour décourager les autres;
    - Not to damage the UK, so as not to damage their own rather fragile economies;
    - To continue to get a chunky contribution to their budget from us.
    I agree on the first two. I strongly suspect that the last one is just a "**** you" cherry on the top.
    Why would the last not apply? They lose c.£10bn net contributions post-Brexit that they'd otherwise have to make up amongst themselves.

    They could demand a payment for a deal, and argue it met criteria one - you are paying for nothing with no say. Haha.
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    glwglw Posts: 9,554

    The most worrying thing about that leaked negotiating position is how vague it is. If it's accurate, it sounds as if they haven't really started their thinking yet.

    They don't know what they want, or, rather, they want three mutually contradictory things:

    - To damage the UK, pour décourager les autres;
    - Not to damage the UK, so as not to damage their own rather fragile economies;
    - To continue to get a chunky contribution to their budget from us.
    They really don't get the British mindset do they?
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    williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 48,147

    The most worrying thing about that leaked negotiating position is how vague it is. If it's accurate, it sounds as if they haven't really started their thinking yet.

    They don't know what they want, or, rather, they want three mutually contradictory things:

    - To damage the UK, pour décourager les autres;
    - Not to damage the UK, so as not to damage their own rather fragile economies;
    - To continue to get a chunky contribution to their budget from us.
    I agree on the first two. I strongly suspect that the last one is just a "**** you" cherry on the top.
    The first two can be neatly achieved by facilitating Scottish independence and then being 'generous' with whatever name the remainder chooses to go by.
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    Blue_rogBlue_rog Posts: 2,019

    Labour are rattled.

    I'm green on both the Lib Dems and Galloway, but I'm praying to Allah that I don't collect on the latter.

    You didn't strike me as a Muslim TSE.

    Luckily I'm a raging atheist (who regularly attends church) so I'll do no praying either way.
    I only think about the deity/pray when I've got a bet on, want my sporting team to win, or if I'm close to erm arrivi...wait this is a family friendly site.

    I'm really a Muslim two days a year, just to keep my parents happy.
    I think you're super TSE and I owe you a meal after your generosity at a PB pub meet a few years ago! If we ever meet at another, dinner's on me
  • Options
    What would be a good market would be share of the vote by the winning party.

    Perhaps Tissue Price could give us a Tissue Price.
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    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,672
    rkrkrk said:


    We pay £20bn divorce bill. We pay £5bn net a year into the EU budget. We agree EU citizens can come with a job offer, plus an emergency break if it gets too high.

    We get free trade and partial customs union or customs alignment in Goods. We get extra non-tariff barriers for services, including loss of financial passport. We get a three year transition deal post A50 expiry to 2022.

    We leave ECJ, we formally leave EEA, we get all other powers repatriated, we line up new trade deals during the transition period.

    Job done.

    Do you think Conservatives would accept that?

    I think that bill and the ongoing payments would be unacceptable to too many Tory backbenchers.
    I also don't think allowing EU citizens to come if they get a job will fly... Even with an emergency break. Control surely means choosing who comes... Not saying anyone with a job up o a certain number.
    Yes. And it would pass the House.

    The litmus test is: if we're arguing about it on here - with Remainers and the EU saying it's shite and Leavers and the UK saying it's fine - then we have the right pitch point for the deal.
  • Options
    Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091
    edited March 2017

    rkrkrk said:


    We pay £20bn divorce bill. We pay £5bn net a year into the EU budget. We agree EU citizens can come with a job offer, plus an emergency break if it gets too high.

    We get free trade and partial customs union or customs alignment in Goods. We get extra non-tariff barriers for services, including loss of financial passport. We get a three year transition deal post A50 expiry to 2022.

    We leave ECJ, we formally leave EEA, we get all other powers repatriated, we line up new trade deals during the transition period.

    Job done.

    Do you think Conservatives would accept that?

    I think that bill and the ongoing payments would be unacceptable to too many Tory backbenchers.
    I also don't think allowing EU citizens to come if they get a job will fly... Even with an emergency break. Control surely means choosing who comes... Not saying anyone with a job up o a certain number.
    Yes. And it would pass the House.

    The litmus test is: if we're arguing about it on here - with Remainers and the EU saying it's shite and Leavers and the UK saying it's fine - then we have the right pitch point for the deal.
    I would be quite happy with your proposed deal, but I really can't see the Daily Mail accepting continuing British payments to the EU, or immigration remaining as high as you imply. And there's really no sign at all that May would stand up to the Daily Mail.
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    TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 40,281

    The most worrying thing about that leaked negotiating position is how vague it is. If it's accurate, it sounds as if they haven't really started their thinking yet.

    They don't know what they want, or, rather, they want three mutually contradictory things:

    - To damage the UK, pour décourager les autres;
    - Not to damage the UK, so as not to damage their own rather fragile economies;
    - To continue to get a chunky contribution to their budget from us.
    I agree on the first two. I strongly suspect that the last one is just a "**** you" cherry on the top.
    The first two can be neatly achieved by facilitating Scottish independence and then being 'generous' with whatever name the remainder chooses to go by.
    https://twitter.com/MrGaryPaterson/status/844167724758654976
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    rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 54,072
    Danny565 said:

    rkrkrk said:


    We pay £20bn divorce bill. We pay £5bn net a year into the EU budget. We agree EU citizens can come with a job offer, plus an emergency break if it gets too high.

    We get free trade and partial customs union or customs alignment in Goods. We get extra non-tariff barriers for services, including loss of financial passport. We get a three year transition deal post A50 expiry to 2022.

    We leave ECJ, we formally leave EEA, we get all other powers repatriated, we line up new trade deals during the transition period.

    Job done.

    Do you think Conservatives would accept that?

    I think that bill and the ongoing payments would be unacceptable to too many Tory backbenchers.
    I also don't think allowing EU citizens to come if they get a job will fly... Even with an emergency break. Control surely means choosing who comes... Not saying anyone with a job up o a certain number.
    Yes. And it would pass the House.

    The litmus test is: if we're arguing about it on here - with Remainers and the EU saying it's shite and Leavers and the UK saying it's fine - then we have the right pitch point for the deal.
    I really can't see the Daily Mail accepting continuing British payments to the EU. And there's really no sign at all that May would stand up to the Daily Mail.
    If the UK paid (say) £550m to be members of Erasmus, Galileo, the ESA and the EMA, would they really be that bothered?
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    Cyclefree said:

    Trimble's last letter to McGuinness.

    https://twitter.com/EmmaMMcNamara/status/844158149720526848

    In general I think it's a pretty good principle to take the views of people on the spot over those of the long distance fulminators & sermonisers.

    Well, the people on the spot when the bombs went off and the killings took place were in Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland and England and Gibraltar and Germany and are just as entitled to express a view as those members of a party which, frankly, did not have clean hands either - both in relation to how it treated the Catholic minority population in Northern Ireland and in its attitude to violence.

    I think Theresa May got the tone right.

    Yes, I said something nice Mrs May.
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    BudGBudG Posts: 711

    BudG said:

    George Galloway's inclusion is a shot in the arm for the LD's and will put a spring in their step when it comes to upping their ground game which is usually pretty impressive in by-elections anyway.

    The LD ground game will tear large numbers of votes away from Labour and for those Labour malcontents who cannot bring themselves to vote LD after the 2010 coalition, they have a ready made home for their protest vote in GG. So the Labour vote will be squeezed pretty strongly from both sides.

    Whatever you think about George, he is an excellent orator and campaigner and will certainly be taking votes away from Labour.

    Whether the combined efffect of votes draining to LD and GG is enough for Labour to lose the seat is something we will have to wait for to find out. But without doubt, this by -election is now a live one and the result could be a lot tighter than many would think, especially if George gets his game together.

    It's very much a long-shot, but it is not outside the bounds of possibility that Labour could even end up in third place in a tight finish, in what should be a very safe seat for them.

    Will LDs have resource though as it is likely to be same day as County elections?
    Good point, 4th May would be the ideal date for Labour to go for. So, as experts at shooting themselves in the foot, expect any date bar that one!! ;)
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    rcs1000 said:

    Danny565 said:

    rkrkrk said:


    We pay £20bn divorce bill. We pay £5bn net a year into the EU budget. We agree EU citizens can come with a job offer, plus an emergency break if it gets too high.

    We get free trade and partial customs union or customs alignment in Goods. We get extra non-tariff barriers for services, including loss of financial passport. We get a three year transition deal post A50 expiry to 2022.

    We leave ECJ, we formally leave EEA, we get all other powers repatriated, we line up new trade deals during the transition period.

    Job done.

    Do you think Conservatives would accept that?

    I think that bill and the ongoing payments would be unacceptable to too many Tory backbenchers.
    I also don't think allowing EU citizens to come if they get a job will fly... Even with an emergency break. Control surely means choosing who comes... Not saying anyone with a job up o a certain number.
    Yes. And it would pass the House.

    The litmus test is: if we're arguing about it on here - with Remainers and the EU saying it's shite and Leavers and the UK saying it's fine - then we have the right pitch point for the deal.
    I really can't see the Daily Mail accepting continuing British payments to the EU. And there's really no sign at all that May would stand up to the Daily Mail.
    If the UK paid (say) £550m to be members of Erasmus, Galileo, the ESA and the EMA, would they really be that bothered?
    Probably not - but Mrs May herself said the days of large payments to the EU are over even if we do opt in to the odd paying doodah. With her I find it's usually best just to accept what she says is what she'll do.
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    Tissue_PriceTissue_Price Posts: 9,039

    What would be a good market would be share of the vote by the winning party.

    Perhaps Tissue Price could give us a Tissue Price.

    A spread of 40 - 42 ?
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    What would be a good market would be share of the vote by the winning party.

    Perhaps Tissue Price could give us a Tissue Price.

    A spread of 40 - 42 ?
    Cheers. I think I might be a seller at that price.
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    PAWPAW Posts: 1,074
    Casino_Royale - plenty of UK job agencies are active in Europe, and large firms such as Tesco had their own agencies there - I think you will find that immigration is an organised business and your proposal of limiting immigration to those with job offers would have very limited effect.

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    rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 7,920

    rkrkrk said:


    We pay £20bn divorce bill. We pay £5bn net a year into the EU budget. We agree EU citizens can come with a job offer, plus an emergency break if it gets too high.

    We get free trade and partial customs union or customs alignment in Goods. We get extra non-tariff barriers for services, including loss of financial passport. We get a three year transition deal post A50 expiry to 2022.

    We leave ECJ, we formally leave EEA, we get all other powers repatriated, we line up new trade deals during the transition period.

    Job done.

    Do you think Conservatives would accept that?

    I think that bill and the ongoing payments would be unacceptable to too many Tory backbenchers.
    I also don't think allowing EU citizens to come if they get a job will fly... Even with an emergency break. Control surely means choosing who comes... Not saying anyone with a job up o a certain number.
    Yes. And it would pass the House.

    The litmus test is: if we're arguing about it on here - with Remainers and the EU saying it's shite and Leavers and the UK saying it's fine - then we have the right pitch point for the deal.
    I might be wrong but i think remainers would be much happier with what you propose than leavers.
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    TheValiantTheValiant Posts: 1,718
    Cyclefree said:

    FPT -

    To listen to the radio this morning you'd have thought that Martin McGuiness had been elevated to sainthood for, finally, doing something to clear the mess he he'd been so instrumental in creating.

    Still, the bastard died in his bed. Unlike:-

    - Jonathan Ball, the three year old boy killed in Warrington while out shopping for a Mother's Day card. His mother died of a broken heart.
    - Jean McConville, a mother of 10, "disappeared" and killed for showing kindness to a wounded British soldier.
    - Robert Nairac, the British soldier kidnapped from a pub, tortured and killed in 1977.
    - Heidi Hazell, a German girl sitting in a car with British number plates outside an army base in Germany and shot 14 times at point blank range.
    - Royal Air Force Corporal Maheshkumar Islania and his 6 month old daughter who were shot dead in their car outside an RAF base in Germany. The baby was being held in her mother's arms.

    And all the many many other victims of the IRA.

    May they rest in peace.

    Apologies for reposting. But those victims had names and lives and did not get acres of obituaries. So if we are to recognize what McGuinness did and did not do we should also recognize those who suffered at his hands and had no choice about that suffering, unlike him - who made a choice. People like McGuinness dishonoured Ireland, dishonoured Irish nationalism, dishonoured those who had tried to remedy the very many faults of the Northern Irish statelet and who tried to do so without violence and dishonoured all those Irish people - in Ireland and here - who were tainted by the violence that McGuinness and co., unleashed.

    Still, it will be interesting to see if we get any more information about the rumours that he was a British agent.

    And finally, someone in HMQ's household has a (black) sense of humour. The pudding at the state dinner which McGuinness attended was Bombe Surprise.

    I've got a huge amount of time for this post. And so I'll quote it in full. Well done.
This discussion has been closed.