"Experts have said that the warm weather, increased consumer confidence and the "feel good factor" created by the Royal Wedding stimulated growth."
And excellent feedback in the comments
"Anne Pettifor is an extreme left wing activist with a very limited grasp of economics. I once spent a week on a course with her and never heard a sensible idea uttered. She's good for a sound bite but not much else."
Experts will basically say anything you want, experts also got us into the mess we're in.
HMG is still living on borrowed money and needing to relaunch the failed policies of the last 20 years. Einstein's comment on madness is apt at this point.
Alan - I agree - but the govt can't put all the consumers houses in order before they get their own.
of course consumers have to put their own affairs in order I never said they didn't it's pretty fundamental to us getting out of the poo.
We certainly do not have the capacity to do anything like the level of borrowing we did the last time in Brown's fantasy grotto.
Erm, isn't Mr Osborne borrowing rather more than Mr Brown?
No. Borrowing peaked at £156bn in a single year. We are well down from that. Even in nominal terms it is down by 1/3. In real terms borrowing this year will be down about 50%. Still too high of course.
But what we were talking about is private sector debt which got completely out of control under Brown. This has fallen substantially, albeit by quite a lot of write offs. This deleveraging of private sector debt, whilst necessary, is why we have not had any growth for 3 years. I am suggesting that whilst lower debt is desirable we cannot keep going like this and need additional credit into the system again to boost demand and encourage investment.
Last comment before I head out.
I thought HMG is meant to be rebalancing the economy. If it can get the corporate sector to take over the growth mantle, then consumer debt can continue to be paid down, which is healtheir all round. Unfortunatley atm i can't see much from Osborne or Cable which is getting businesses as the engine of growth.
" Women’s failure to beat men in sports where they are not physically disadvantaged suggests that companies should not be forced to hand them places on boards, a senior UKIP figure warned last night.
In comments that were immediately condemned as sexist, Stuart Wheeler, the party’s treasurer, said that women were “absolutely nowhere” when they competed with men in sports such as chess, poker and bridge.
"Experts have said that the warm weather, increased consumer confidence and the "feel good factor" created by the Royal Wedding stimulated growth."
And excellent feedback in the comments
"Anne Pettifor is an extreme left wing activist with a very limited grasp of economics. I once spent a week on a course with her and never heard a sensible idea uttered. She's good for a sound bite but not much else."
Experts will basically say anything you want, experts also got us into the mess we're in.
HMG is still living on borrowed money and needing to relaunch the failed policies of the last 20 years. Einstein's comment on madness is apt at this point.
Alan - I agree - but the govt can't put all the consumers houses in order before they get their own.
of course consumers have to put their own affairs in order I never said they didn't it's pretty fundamental to us getting out of the poo.
Banks now have to carry more capital to lend against - it should dampen down their lending to individuals.
We certainly do not have the capacity to do anything like the level of borrowing we did the last time in Brown's fantasy grotto.
Erm, isn't Mr Osborne borrowing rather more than Mr Brown?
No. Borrowing peaked at £156bn in a single year. We are well down from that. Even in nominal terms it is down by 1/3. In real terms borrowing this year will be down about 50%. Still too high of course.
But what we were talking about is private sector debt which got completely out of control under Brown. This has fallen substantially, albeit by quite a lot of write offs. This deleveraging of private sector debt, whilst necessary, is why we have not had any growth for 3 years. I am suggesting that whilst lower debt is desirable we cannot keep going like this and need additional credit into the system again to boost demand and encourage investment.
Last comment before I head out.
I thought HMG is meant to be rebalancing the economy. If it can get the corporate sector to take over the growth mantle, then consumer debt can continue to be paid down, which is healtheir all round. Unfortunatley atm i can't see much from Osborne or Cable which is getting businesses as the engine of growth.
The government recognises the need to rebalance the economy, That puts them several steps ahead of the last lot. But their ability to persuade businesses to invest and increase output is limited. They have tried incentives and reduced corporation tax but this is not a matter they control. I think this quote from a chap in Scotiabank quoted in the telegraph summarises my position better than I have:
"Real household disposable income is negative and going down, and this is basically telling you that people are definitely feeling the feel-good factor of the Help to Buy scheme pushing up house prices.
People are prepared to spend more than they earn. This is bad growth but I'd rather have bad growth than no growth."
" Women’s failure to beat men in sports where they are not physically disadvantaged suggests that companies should not be forced to hand them places on boards, a senior UKIP figure warned last night.
In comments that were immediately condemned as sexist, Stuart Wheeler, the party’s treasurer, said that women were “absolutely nowhere” when they competed with men in sports such as chess, poker and bridge.
ACC in A level for the middle boy. Not bad going considering where he was a couple of years back. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I am very proud of him.
BBC Breaking News @BBCBreaking 36s UK retail sales rose by 1.1% in July, up 3% year-on-year
Close to a boom....
Wage growth (excluding Osbornes bonus gifts) running at a around a third the increase in retail spending and house price inflation.
Cheer on the bubble policy Slackbladder
You really don't cope well with good economic news do you?
You think high house price inflation and low wage growth is good economic news, so I doubt you're going to contribute sensibly
Looking forward to your analysis of how wages outpaced inflation during the Labour years
tims worry list through time since May 2010 - a handy guide
deficit unemployment GDP growth sterling price of eggs real wages vs inflation anecdote about the guy at no 53 who is struggling
And what happened. GDP flatlined Deficit reduction stalled Unemployment flat since 2010 Real wages fell
And you regarded each of these despite them all running contrary to Osbornes fantasy 2010 boasting which you swallowed as being a success.
And now of course
"The ONS said good weather had helped generate increased sales at supermarkets, with barbeque food, outdoor items, clothes and alcohol.
Supermarket sales rose 2.5% between June and July."
Chinese tourists are building barbecues and shopping at Asda in TGOHF world.
Sorry tim - you forgot to post how much real wages rose under Labour...
To recap
And what happened. GDP flatlined - but up now - and fell under Labour Deficit reduction stalled - but falling - exploded under Labour Unemployment flat since 2010 - falling - rose under Labour Real wages fell - Under Labour ? I won't spoil your analysis tim
" The Institute for Directors, which is based on Pall Mall in central London, has for 100 years required members to wear "business attire" when visiting its headquarters... in June the institute introduced a new "smart casual" dress code as part of a three month trial in an attempt to appeal to entrepreneurs and the directors of technology start-ups.
The institute admits that the relaxed approach is likely to receive a "mixed reception", but believes it will help broaden the organisation's appeal to modern directors. The new rules state: "Members will be permitted to wear jeans, T-shirts, shorts and all variants of footwear."
However, the rules still ban members from wearing anything that would be considered "indecent". "So no Che Guevara t-shirts," the spokesman said...
Bad growth is bad growth. We seem to be in the process of repeating previous cycles and that has to be a big worry - especially if the government is aiding and abetting through Help to Buy.
And, as usual, UK business is failng to do its bit. Not much the government can do there. They are hamstrung by the general short-sightedness of too many of our managerial class.
" Women’s failure to beat men in sports where they are not physically disadvantaged suggests that companies should not be forced to hand them places on boards, a senior UKIP figure warned last night.
In comments that were immediately condemned as sexist, Stuart Wheeler, the party’s treasurer, said that women were “absolutely nowhere” when they competed with men in sports such as chess, poker and bridge.
I once read that its harder to be a good darts player if you're female because we've differently shaped arms - ours bend to allow for hips so throwing is harder to do accurately. This could of course explain 'throws like a girl' :^ )
"There are plenty of reform ideas Cameron can float and start to work on this autumn which wouldn't break the coalition and would gain traction with allies . Back loading everything until after 2015 will risk Cameron – if re-elected himself – seeing the script being written for him by others. It’s time for Number 10 to make a move."
" The Institute for Directors, which is based on Pall Mall in central London, has for 100 years required members to wear "business attire" when visiting its headquarters... in June the institute introduced a new "smart casual" dress code as part of a three month trial in an attempt to appeal to entrepreneurs and the directors of technology start-ups.
The institute admits that the relaxed approach is likely to receive a "mixed reception", but believes it will help broaden the organisation's appeal to modern directors. The new rules state: "Members will be permitted to wear jeans, T-shirts, shorts and all variants of footwear."
However, the rules still ban members from wearing anything that would be considered "indecent". "So no Che Guevara t-shirts," the spokesman said...
ACC in A level for the middle boy. Not bad going considering where he was a couple of years back. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I am very proud of him.
@surbiton 13/8 implies that out of 21 (13+8) occasions, you will win on 8 of them. So the implied probability is 8/21, which is just over a 38% chance. (Of course, the bookies' profit is built into that.)
Like you, I see NOM as odds on - indeed, I see it as still more likely than you do.
@tud If the Cabinet and shadow Cabinet were bridge players, I would be most concerned sitting down against Theresa May, who strikes me as careful, observant and has learned by bitter experience the importance of counting.
Ed Miliband suffered a fresh blow today with a new poll showing six out of ten people do not like him. His public satisfaction rating also nudged down to its lowest since becoming leader, according to the Ipsos MORI survey.
It found 63 per cent of people say they do not like Mr Miliband, up from 56 per cent last October and 51 per cent in January 2011.
The latest score is his worst as leader and compares to ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s in July 2008.
Just over half of the poll’s respondents, 52 per cent, said they did not like David Cameron, with 57 per cent expressing such a feeling for Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.
Labour, though, has held onto a double-digit lead, with the party unchanged on 40 per cent, the Conservatives up one on 30 per cent, Lib-Dems remaining on 10 per cent, and Ukip down one point to 11 per cent.
@surbiton 13/8 implies that out of 21 (13+8) occasions, you will win on 8 of them. So the implied probability is 8/21, which is just over a 38% chance. (Of course, the bookies' profit is built into that.)
Like you, I see NOM as odds on - indeed, I see it as still more likely than you do.
There is little change in the leaders’ net approval ratings (subtracting the percentage dissatisfied from those satisfied), though Mr Farage has dropped slightly.
Mr Clegg has the lowest score, at -35, followed by Mr Miliband at -27, edging down one point to his worst score.
Mr Cameron is at -17 and Ukip leader Nigel Farage on -5.
ACC in A level for the middle boy. Not bad going considering where he was a couple of years back. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I am very proud of him.
I'm just back from Turkey. The airport bar was full of people drinking beer at breakfast time. Very very sad.
The ONLY airport food I've ever really enjoyed was the astonishing Daiml cafe at the exit lounge for UK flights in Vienna airport. This offers sofas. drinking chocolate, Sachertorte, and olde worlde atmosphere with enthusiastic staff. It's not even expensive, and you can buy cakes etc to take home with you. But it's the far side of immigration control - you have to be actually flying to Britain.
ACC in A level for the middle boy. Not bad going considering where he was a couple of years back. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I am very proud of him.
@tud If the Cabinet and shadow Cabinet were bridge players, I would be most concerned sitting down against Theresa May, who strikes me as careful, observant and has learned by bitter experience the importance of counting.
Gove and May would be a formidable bridge partnership I think.
Difficult to find a shadow cabinet team to challenge them. Yvette C and Hilary Benn?
"Labour, though, has held onto a double-digit lead, with the party unchanged on 40 per cent, the Conservatives up one on 30 per cent, Lib-Dems remaining on 10 per cent, and Ukip down one point to 11 per cent."
ACC in A level for the middle boy. Not bad going considering where he was a couple of years back. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I am very proud of him.
Congratulations to him!
Many thanks!
As one of my teachers said to class before our A-level exams (to universal groans): the really hard work starts afterwards.
Where next for him? Gap year, uni, or the wonderful world of work?
@tud If the Cabinet and shadow Cabinet were bridge players, I would be most concerned sitting down against Theresa May, who strikes me as careful, observant and has learned by bitter experience the importance of counting.
I do love it when papers with a political slant report on a poll. Paragraph after paragraph about how bad it is for Red Egg then the words "However, only Mr Miliband saw an improvement in his rating.". Also the quote "“Despite that Labour have held onto their lead.”...yes.... held on....by 10%.
Thanks to everyone for their congrats on my son's A level results. It was all his own work, nothing to do with me! But he really struggled at GCSE and actually left school at 16 because he found it so difficult. He then went back to 6th Form College, retook his maths GCSE and got that; then went into A levels. I don't know if he'll end up at university (not sure what kind of grades you need for that) or go into the wide world of work now, but he has proved something important to himself over the last two years about working hard and perservering; so good on him.
" Women’s failure to beat men in sports where they are not physically disadvantaged suggests that companies should not be forced to hand them places on boards, a senior UKIP figure warned last night.
In comments that were immediately condemned as sexist, Stuart Wheeler, the party’s treasurer, said that women were “absolutely nowhere” when they competed with men in sports such as chess, poker and bridge.
Take equestrianism, a sport (That favours nor advantages/disadvantages either sex) absolutely dominated at the grass roots and overwhelmingly participated in by women. But at the very top level (Arken, Badminton, CCI 3 & 4* events) there are more male than female participants. I think the reason for it is that men are, certainly in sport, more naturally competitive than women. That is probably the reason for low female boardroom attendance too. Nowt to do with ability as he implies.
Iain @Iain_33 Most people don't like Ed Miliband, new poll shows standard.co.uk/news/london/mo… - Evening Standard getting straight to the point
As Red Rag points out:
"However, only Mr Miliband saw an improvement in his rating.". Also the quote "“Despite that Labour have held onto their lead.”...yes.... held on....by 10%."
No further comment. You are not a very good troll !
A bit O/T I've not been posting much because of difficult personal circumstances but one piece of good news in the Cyclefree household is that the young Miss Cyclefree has got 3 A's and her place at university. So much rejoicing here!
So farewell then £80,000 salary, £150,000 expense account, secretary, team of assistants, constituency office, first-class travel, immunity from prosecution, Brussels blowouts, ludicrous pension and all the other perks I’d been so looking forward to enjoying from May next year onwards. Ukip has decided that it doesn’t, after all, want to have me as one of its MEPs.
The rejection came as a bit of a surprise, I must say. When the party chairman, Steve Crowther, rang to break the news, I felt rather as Brad Pitt might on being turned down for a mercy shag he’d proffered Ann Widdecombe. No offence intended to Ukip — I think they’re great people and a very necessary prick to the Westminster bubble. But if I’d been them, I definitely would have gone for me. Sure it would have been a risk, which would probably have backfired horribly. Think, though, of all the fun we would have had before it did!
Apparently I did fine on the public speaking part. But failed dismally on the interview (too recent a party member; not enough evidence of involvement in the nitty-gritty of Ukip politics) and on the psychometric testing. So there already is another string to my bow: ‘James Delingpole — the man so barking even Ukip wouldn’t have him.’...........................................
A bit O/T I've not been posting much because of difficult personal circumstances but one piece of good news in the Cyclefree household is that the young Miss Cyclefree has got 3 A's and her place at university. So much rejoicing here!
@tim - So that's your latest psephological mantra, is it? Hey, ho, if it makes you happy....
We PbTories are made of sterner stuff. And, by the way, you really really shouldn't mess with Neil: he doesn't take prisoners and he's the fiercest and most vicious of our band of brothers. Even Professor Dr Nabavi and I get intimidated....
ACC in A level for the middle boy. Not bad going considering where he was a couple of years back. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I am very proud of him.
Congratulations Southam. Bit more mixed chez moi unfortunately.
So a month of PB Tory overreaction adds up to diddly squat, as usual.
Naughty, naughty boy! ICM Gold Standard = VI, MORI Gold Standard = LR.
Repeat after me....
So the Tory position has worsened over the last month and UKIP got a boost? Or maybe the position is broadly flat with all the PB Tory frothing on here divorced from the real world as ever.
I'd say Lab lead now about 5/6, LR Ed -10. I'm happy 18 months before the election. But are you?
ACC in A level for the middle boy. Not bad going considering where he was a couple of years back. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I am very proud of him.
Congratulations Southam. Bit more mixed chez moi unfortunately.
Sorry to hear that DavidL. If it's any consolation, I really f'ed up my A-levels for a number of reasons. But I picked myself up off the floor and think I've done reasonably well for myself.
At the very least, I'm happy.
So to all those who are not at the top of the results today: you may feel grim, but hard work'll get you anywhere. A-levels are not the end; they're just the start.
Paging @tim: Ed still -10 over Dave. Now tell us about MORI's Leader ratings again....you know you want to.
Yes John, Dave has had a lead for two out of the last 17 months. It's relevant of course, but we all know the underlying truth. Cameron has to get UKIP down to 5% to stand a chance of keeping his job
Will he have the guts to face them down over the Romanians and Bulgarians, or will he pander and boost them again?
It might have escaped your notice Tim, but Cameron is actually running the country and occassionally has to make unpopular decisions, which given the situation he inherited are generally tougher than he would go for. Wallace (or is it Grommit? I can never remember which is which.) doesn't have to promise or do anything unpopular, in fact, if he could get away with it he wouldn't say anything. And yet still the Public (including a very high proportion of his party members) dislike him.
Southampton striker Rickie Lambert scored the winner on his debut, causing mild pleasure for some people who would probably watch the highlights.
Meanwhile, in Small Inexplicably Angry Land, bonfires were lit on mountaintops as the nation renewed its ancient pledge to destroy everything that was big and indifferent.
A bit O/T I've not been posting much because of difficult personal circumstances but one piece of good news in the Cyclefree household is that the young Miss Cyclefree has got 3 A's and her place at university. So much rejoicing here!
So farewell then £80,000 salary, £150,000 expense account, secretary, team of assistants, constituency office, first-class travel, immunity from prosecution, Brussels blowouts, ludicrous pension and all the other perks I’d been so looking forward to enjoying from May next year onwards. Ukip has decided that it doesn’t, after all, want to have me as one of its MEPs.
The rejection came as a bit of a surprise, I must say. When the party chairman, Steve Crowther, rang to break the news, I felt rather as Brad Pitt might on being turned down for a mercy shag he’d proffered Ann Widdecombe. No offence intended to Ukip — I think they’re great people and a very necessary prick to the Westminster bubble. But if I’d been them, I definitely would have gone for me. Sure it would have been a risk, which would probably have backfired horribly. Think, though, of all the fun we would have had before it did!
Apparently I did fine on the public speaking part. But failed dismally on the interview (too recent a party member; not enough evidence of involvement in the nitty-gritty of Ukip politics) and on the psychometric testing. So there already is another string to my bow: ‘James Delingpole — the man so barking even Ukip wouldn’t have him.’...........................................
So, here's Britain's populist party using psychometric tests !!!
Southampton striker Rickie Lambert scored the winner on his debut, causing mild pleasure for some people who would probably watch the highlights.
Meanwhile, in Small Inexplicably Angry Land, bonfires were lit on mountaintops as the nation renewed its ancient pledge to destroy everything that was big and indifferent.
Classic Daily Mash.
Humour a bit lumbering, much like Rooney last night. This is better.
Southampton striker Rickie Lambert scored the winner on his debut, causing mild pleasure for some people who would probably watch the highlights.
Meanwhile, in Small Inexplicably Angry Land, bonfires were lit on mountaintops as the nation renewed its ancient pledge to destroy everything that was big and indifferent.
Re Mr Delingpole - I'm very surprised he even tried out for UKIP. I had several chats with him during Climategate and he said that he just wasn't interested in politics per se - couldn't get turned on by it. IIRC we were discussing Cameron's greeny pitch positioning.
Clearly that's changed, but he is on the polemicist end of the scale which doesn't fit if Kippers want more safe candidates.
@tim - As you've calmed down a bit, I'll treat your response seriously.
I honestly don't the impact Bulgarian and Romanian immigration will have on UK politics. Doesn't it all rather depend on how many actually arrive on these shores? If we're 'swamped' (as Mrs T once said) then UKIP will thrive and it could get rough (again) for the Blues for a while....
....Against that is the improving economy and what impact that may have on triggering further swing-back to the Tories which could easily push Labour back to the low thirties.
Now Mike Smithson, Southam Observer, Nick Palmer and you look at the 2010 LibDems and conclude that this new coalition (with existing Labour voters) will largely be immune to floating back because of economic feel-better, competence factors. It's a logical call but it's not one I think will eventuate.
Proof of pudding and all that....the polls from post Conferences through to May 2014 (that takes in the all-important budget) should tell us which of the two camps seems to be on the right track.
ACC in A level for the middle boy. Not bad going considering where he was a couple of years back. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I am very proud of him.
Congratulations to your son! Also sounds like you'll avoid any of the:
"A-levels day: 10 mistakes parents make when reacting to results:
Comments
Looking forward to your analysis of how wages outpaced inflation during the Labour years
tims worry list through time since May 2010 - a handy guide
deficitunemployment
GDP growth
sterling
price of eggs
real wages vs inflation
anecdote about the guy at no 53 who is struggling
I thought HMG is meant to be rebalancing the economy. If it can get the corporate sector to take over the growth mantle, then consumer debt can continue to be paid down, which is healtheir all round. Unfortunatley atm i can't see much from Osborne or Cable which is getting businesses as the engine of growth.
" Women’s failure to beat men in sports where they are not physically disadvantaged suggests that companies should not be forced to hand them places on boards, a senior UKIP figure warned last night.
In comments that were immediately condemned as sexist, Stuart Wheeler, the party’s treasurer, said that women were “absolutely nowhere” when they competed with men in sports such as chess, poker and bridge.
He made the remarks during a debate on whether quotas should be imposed to force businesses to appoint more women." http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/livenews/article3843574.ece
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS37SNYjg8w
"Real household disposable income is negative and going down, and this is basically telling you that people are definitely feeling the feel-good factor of the Help to Buy scheme pushing up house prices.
People are prepared to spend more than they earn. This is bad growth but I'd rather have bad growth than no growth."
Quite.
To recap
And what happened.
GDP flatlined - but up now - and fell under Labour
Deficit reduction stalled - but falling - exploded under Labour
Unemployment flat since 2010 - falling - rose under Labour
Real wages fell - Under Labour ? I won't spoil your analysis tim
The institute admits that the relaxed approach is likely to receive a "mixed reception", but believes it will help broaden the organisation's appeal to modern directors. The new rules state: "Members will be permitted to wear jeans, T-shirts, shorts and all variants of footwear."
However, the rules still ban members from wearing anything that would be considered "indecent". "So no Che Guevara t-shirts," the spokesman said...
Equally don't be too formal; hats and evening gowns will look out of place.” http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/10243151/End-of-the-suit-Business-leaders-told-they-can-wear-jeans.html
Bad growth is bad growth. We seem to be in the process of repeating previous cycles and that has to be a big worry - especially if the government is aiding and abetting through Help to Buy.
And, as usual, UK business is failng to do its bit. Not much the government can do there. They are hamstrung by the general short-sightedness of too many of our managerial class.
I am no betting expert. So what does 13/8 mean in terms of probability ?
My own view is NOM is 55-60% prob. Clearly, the punters have not moved much.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/matspersson/100025373/angela-merkel-may-just-have-opened-a-window-of-opportunity-for-cameron-in-europe/
"There are plenty of reform ideas Cameron can float and start to work on this autumn which wouldn't break the coalition and would gain traction with allies . Back loading everything until after 2015 will risk Cameron – if re-elected himself – seeing the script being written for him by others. It’s time for Number 10 to make a move."
Dear Harriet must be in with a shout too.
Like you, I see NOM as odds on - indeed, I see it as still more likely than you do.
His public satisfaction rating also nudged down to its lowest since becoming leader, according to the Ipsos MORI survey.
It found 63 per cent of people say they do not like Mr Miliband, up from 56 per cent last October and 51 per cent in January 2011.
The latest score is his worst as leader and compares to ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s in July 2008.
Just over half of the poll’s respondents, 52 per cent, said they did not like David Cameron, with 57 per cent expressing such a feeling for Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.
Labour, though, has held onto a double-digit lead, with the party unchanged on 40 per cent, the Conservatives up one on 30 per cent, Lib-Dems remaining on 10 per cent, and Ukip down one point to 11 per cent.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/most-people-dont-like-ed-miliband-new-poll-shows-8762874.html
13/8 = 1.625. Add 1 = 2.625. Now, 1/ 2.625 = 38% as above.
I started doubting my maths, when the Labour majority winning probabilty topped 41% [ incl. bookies profits !! ]
Shurely shome mishtake !!
Mr Clegg has the lowest score, at -35, followed by Mr Miliband at -27, edging down one point to his worst score.
Mr Cameron is at -17 and Ukip leader Nigel Farage on -5.
Robin Brant @robindbrant
like that sky news is putting up on screen a level grades of all contributors today, inlcuding reporters.
Congrats to you and your Son
Difficult to find a shadow cabinet team to challenge them. Yvette C and Hilary Benn?
Shurely shome mishtake !!
Where next for him? Gap year, uni, or the wonderful world of work?
Some of us are very nervous passengers.
And need something to calm us down with.
Most people don't like Ed Miliband, new poll shows standard.co.uk/news/london/mo… - Evening Standard getting straight to the point
Repeat after me....
"However, only Mr Miliband saw an improvement in his rating.". Also the quote "“Despite that Labour have held onto their lead.”...yes.... held on....by 10%."
No further comment. You are not a very good troll !
And congratulations to SO's son!
http://www.spectator.co.uk/columnists/james-delingpole/8994141/ukip-are-playing-it-safe-so-theyve-rejected-me/
So farewell then £80,000 salary, £150,000 expense account, secretary, team of assistants, constituency office, first-class travel, immunity from prosecution, Brussels blowouts, ludicrous pension and all the other perks I’d been so looking forward to enjoying from May next year onwards. Ukip has decided that it doesn’t, after all, want to have me as one of its MEPs.
The rejection came as a bit of a surprise, I must say. When the party chairman, Steve Crowther, rang to break the news, I felt rather as Brad Pitt might on being turned down for a mercy shag he’d proffered Ann Widdecombe. No offence intended to Ukip — I think they’re great people and a very necessary prick to the Westminster bubble. But if I’d been them, I definitely would have gone for me. Sure it would have been a risk, which would probably have backfired horribly. Think, though, of all the fun we would have had before it did!
Apparently I did fine on the public speaking part. But failed dismally on the interview (too recent a party member; not enough evidence of involvement in the nitty-gritty of Ukip politics) and on the psychometric testing. So there already is another string to my bow: ‘James Delingpole — the man so barking even Ukip wouldn’t have him.’...........................................
We PbTories are made of sterner stuff. And, by the way, you really really shouldn't mess with Neil: he doesn't take prisoners and he's the fiercest and most vicious of our band of brothers. Even Professor Dr Nabavi and I get intimidated....
For the first time ever I was telephone polled on Monday, by Populus .... presumably their figures are due out soon.
New wave of immigration begins: UKIP right every time!!!!!!!!!!!
A British 'underclass’ was created on its watch – but all Labour does is blame everyone else
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/10237753/Labours-breathtaking-hypocrisy-over-foreign-workers.html
Chris Choi @Chrisitv
Over 2.89 million overseas visitors were welcomed in June alone (tourists not Romanians!)
At the very least, I'm happy.
So to all those who are not at the top of the results today: you may feel grim, but hard work'll get you anywhere. A-levels are not the end; they're just the start.
And to those who did well: congratulations!
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/aug/15/retail-sales-data-uk-economy-summer
Southampton striker Rickie Lambert scored the winner on his debut, causing mild pleasure for some people who would probably watch the highlights.
Meanwhile, in Small Inexplicably Angry Land, bonfires were lit on mountaintops as the nation renewed its ancient pledge to destroy everything that was big and indifferent.
Classic Daily Mash.
Huh ?
Can't believe it's 19 years since I got my own A-levels!
Damian Thompson @holysmoke
Someone *really* screwed up RT @GuidoFawkes: UKIP Rebrand in Wales to “The Black Independence Party”: bit.ly/1a7vB9M
This is on a par with a roadsign displaying an Out Of Office reply.
http://order-order.com/2013/08/15/ukip-rebrand-in-wales-to-the-black-independence-party/
http://tinyurl.com/qjfxcxx
Clearly that's changed, but he is on the polemicist end of the scale which doesn't fit if Kippers want more safe candidates.
I honestly don't the impact Bulgarian and Romanian immigration will have on UK politics. Doesn't it all rather depend on how many actually arrive on these shores? If we're 'swamped' (as Mrs T once said) then UKIP will thrive and it could get rough (again) for the Blues for a while....
....Against that is the improving economy and what impact that may have on triggering further swing-back to the Tories which could easily push Labour back to the low thirties.
Now Mike Smithson, Southam Observer, Nick Palmer and you look at the 2010 LibDems and conclude that this new coalition (with existing Labour voters) will largely be immune to floating back because of economic feel-better, competence factors. It's a logical call but it's not one I think will eventuate.
Proof of pudding and all that....the polls from post Conferences through to May 2014 (that takes in the all-important budget) should tell us which of the two camps seems to be on the right track.
"A-levels day: 10 mistakes parents make when reacting to results:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23435441