DavidL - is Scots taught as a language? Are marks taken off for spelling?
No, there are Gaelic speaking schools but not Scots. It is a complete contrivance anyway. There were material differences between the "Scots" of Dundee and the "Scots" of Forfar 15 miles away. And as for the Doric....
By the way on this bet a pretty coruscating piece by Dominic Lawson in the ST: "Flip flop Phil gets his spreadsheets in a twist, never mind his view of Brexit." It's pretty brutal.
Wonder if he has been speaking to his dad.
The disillusionment with Hammond is increasingly widely spread covering both Brexiteers and Remainers alike. Boris has followers, if not quite as many as he did. If May has to make another catastrophic decision, just to show how tough she is, Hammond is the less risky target.
Of course, given May's judgment to date it is not hard to argue the reverse...
My own prejudices apart, I'm quite surprised about how duff Hammond is turning out to be. I suppose the various bollocks he spouted about gay marriage should have been a clue. Being boring, keeping your head down & not saying very much can get you quite far, until you have to deal with crises, put your head above the parapet and say stuff (Hi Theresa!).
Are there any cabinet members that are not duff. Hard to believe Eton , Oxford etc can give degrees to such numpties. It just shows money talks.
PAW, so you asked half the question , it was just an open test and one question was to be answered in EITHER Gaelic or Scots. There should be no-one that cannot answer in Scots. So perfectly sensible and a bit of fun. I would expect a toilet paper rag like the express try to make something of it. I would be shocked if any English speaking person could not understand the question. The Scottish person was obviously a mean spirited unionist tw*t as I suspected.
My son's class did that. They had no idea how to write it in Scots so they simply stuck "ken" in a few times. Be interesting to see how that is marked.
David ,should have been reasonably simple as most of the words needed are in the question whether they know much Scots or not. Shows how poor things are when we don't even educate our children on at least some of our history and language. Kind of says it all I think, surely the only country in the world where this would be allowed to happen.
I am told that this was the easiest question in the paper. Some of them were seriously hard, so I am told.
OVP leading but after all the excitement I'd say that was a relatively disappointing result for Kurz, only up 6 on the OVP's worst post-1945 result.
Still strong favourite to be next Chancellor at just 31 (was Foreign Minister at 27!) at the head of a "black-blue" govt with the FPO (although his new OVP is now turquoise), although another grand coalition or even a blue-red FPO-SPO are mathematically possible.
By the way on this bet a pretty coruscating piece by Dominic Lawson in the ST: "Flip flop Phil gets his spreadsheets in a twist, never mind his view of Brexit." It's pretty brutal.
Wonder if he has been speaking to his dad.
The disillusionment with Hammond is increasingly widely spread covering both Brexiteers and Remainers alike. Boris has followers, if not quite as many as he did. If May has to make another catastrophic decision, just to show how tough she is, Hammond is the less risky target.
Of course, given May's judgment to date it is not hard to argue the reverse...
I've gone off Hammond too.
Though in his defence, he's got the Leadbangers on his case, it can't be easy, Sam Coates pointed out yesterday that a no deal Brexit means tax revenues could drop by £60 billion per annum, that's got to mess with a Chancellor's mind.
As I've said before Brexit, especially a No Deal, is the end of the NHS as entirely free at point of use.
Oh for goodness sake yet more scaremongering, it may be difficult for a time but no government is going to end the NHS because of it. (Though personally I would like to see more of those who can afford it taking out health insurance)
Pray give me the name of an insurance company which will insure a middle income family against the costs of dementia.
Social insurance ie national insurance should cover any further dementia costs as is the case in the Netherlands and Japan.
Though of course private insurance companies could take security against a dementia sufferer's house if needed but that would be their choice to do that
Take your first point; we’ve not got social care right in thois country. And at one time I worked in that sector.
We
Yep. Why not end the non-payment of NI by pensioners as a starting point?
Could make children and unemployed pay it as well.
But surely children and unemployed use the NHS plenty as well, so what is the difference
They don't have any money.
So as I thought it is just milk those that work hard or have worked hard, ie easy targets. If only they could be so diligent with multi-millionaire tax evaders and companies who do same.
OVP leading but after all the excitement I'd say that was a relatively disappointing result for Kurz, only up 6 on the OVP's worst post-1945 result.
Still strong favourite to be next Chancellor at just 31 (was Foreign Minister at 27!) at the head of a "black-blue" govt with the FPO (although his new OVP is now turquoise), although another grand coalition or even a blue-red FPO-SPO are mathematically possible.
Thanks
DC
I thought the ElectionGame might be back when I first saw your post.
"In another stunning defeat for Europe's establishment, as previewed earlier this morning Austria's 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz is assured victory in the Austrian National Council elections, with his People's Party set to take roughly 30.2% of the vote according to exit polls by Austrian broadcaster ORF, while just as shocking is that the anti-immigrant, nationalist Freedom Party appears set to top the Social Democrats in 2nd place with 26.8% of the vote"
PAW, so you asked half the question , it was just an open test and one question was to be answered in EITHER Gaelic or Scots. There should be no-one that cannot answer in Scots. So perfectly sensible and a bit of fun. I would expect a toilet paper rag like the express try to make something of it. I would be shocked if any English speaking person could not understand the question. The Scottish person was obviously a mean spirited unionist tw*t as I suspected.
My son's class did that. They had no idea how to write it in Scots so they simply stuck "ken" in a few times. Be interesting to see how that is marked.
David ,should have been reasonably simple as most of the words needed are in the question whether they know much Scots or not. Shows how poor things are when we don't even educate our children on at least some of our history and language. Kind of says it all I think, surely the only country in the world where this would be allowed to happen.
Wales is worse.
Here, the Labour feckwit strongly tipped to replace Carwyn -- Ken Skates -- knew so little Welsh history that he proposed a sculpture in Flint to celebrate the subjugation of Wales by Edward I. The Ring of Steel.
Ken was surprised at the outcry.
At least no Scottish Minister has yet suggested a statue to Butcher Cumberland.
David , Burns once a year was hardly teaching us the history of our country. Not sure about nowadays , but no Scottish history taught when I was at school.
Politicians who denounce homosexuals and loudly champion family values will, sooner or later, be discovered in scandalous circumstances with male or female prostitutes in hotel rooms and toilets.
Liberal lions who angrily denounce sexism and proclaim themselves to be feminists will, sooner or later, be caught up in sexual harassment allegations.
Opponents of private education, sooner or later, send their children to private schools.
And proponents of ethical business, sooner or later, will be found paying a pittance to workers in some Third World cesspit, to make their products.
"In another stunning defeat for Europe's establishment, as previewed earlier this morning Austria's 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz is assured victory in the Austrian National Council elections, with his People's Party set to take roughly 30.2% of the vote according to exit polls by Austrian broadcaster ORF, while just as shocking is that the anti-immigrant, nationalist Freedom Party appears set to top the Social Democrats in 2nd place with 26.8% of the vote"
No longer. Latest projection has Freedom Party 3rd.
"In another stunning defeat for Europe's establishment, as previewed earlier this morning Austria's 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz is assured victory in the Austrian National Council elections, with his People's Party set to take roughly 30.2% of the vote according to exit polls by Austrian broadcaster ORF, while just as shocking is that the anti-immigrant, nationalist Freedom Party appears set to top the Social Democrats in 2nd place with 26.8% of the vote"
No longer. Latest projection has Freedom Party 3rd.
On latest projections yes though Kurz will still likely form a government reliant on their support for a majority
"In another stunning defeat for Europe's establishment, as previewed earlier this morning Austria's 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz is assured victory in the Austrian National Council elections, with his People's Party set to take roughly 30.2% of the vote according to exit polls by Austrian broadcaster ORF, while just as shocking is that the anti-immigrant, nationalist Freedom Party appears set to top the Social Democrats in 2nd place with 26.8% of the vote"
No longer. Latest projection has Freedom Party 3rd.
On latest projections yes though Kurz will still likely form a government reliant on their support for a majority
"In another stunning defeat for Europe's establishment, as previewed earlier this morning Austria's 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz is assured victory in the Austrian National Council elections, with his People's Party set to take roughly 30.2% of the vote according to exit polls by Austrian broadcaster ORF, while just as shocking is that the anti-immigrant, nationalist Freedom Party appears set to top the Social Democrats in 2nd place with 26.8% of the vote"
No longer. Latest projection has Freedom Party 3rd.
On latest projections yes though Kurz will still likely form a government reliant on their support for a majority
Kurz? The Horror!
Kurz won on a platform of cutting immigration, ending benefits tourism and cutting taxes for low and middle income earners, a more rightwing platform than the People's Party stood on last time when they were beaten by the Social Democrats.
Though I don't think Austria is headed for Conrad's Heart of Darkness yet
"In another stunning defeat for Europe's establishment, as previewed earlier this morning Austria's 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz is assured victory in the Austrian National Council elections, with his People's Party set to take roughly 30.2% of the vote according to exit polls by Austrian broadcaster ORF, while just as shocking is that the anti-immigrant, nationalist Freedom Party appears set to top the Social Democrats in 2nd place with 26.8% of the vote"
No longer. Latest projection has Freedom Party 3rd.
On latest projections yes though Kurz will still likely form a government reliant on their support for a majority
Kurz? The Horror!
I'm still proud of this pun on the night of the 2015 general election when the SNP were winning every seat in sight.
The early results suggest it really is Ajockalypse Now for Labour
If he is sacked, it doesn't leave a lot of time for his successor to write a budget.
From that link: "There is mischief afoot. And I wonder whether some of the more extreme stories being pumped into the press this week about Hammond might not have the fingerprints of team Boris Johnson."
"In another stunning defeat for Europe's establishment, as previewed earlier this morning Austria's 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz is assured victory in the Austrian National Council elections, with his People's Party set to take roughly 30.2% of the vote according to exit polls by Austrian broadcaster ORF, while just as shocking is that the anti-immigrant, nationalist Freedom Party appears set to top the Social Democrats in 2nd place with 26.8% of the vote"
No longer. Latest projection has Freedom Party 3rd.
On latest projections yes though Kurz will still likely form a government reliant on their support for a majority
Kurz? The Horror!
Kurz won on a platform of cutting immigration, ending benefits tourism and cutting taxes for low and middle income earners, a more rightwing platform than the People's Party stood on last time when they were beaten by the Social Democrats
Heart of Darkness/Apocalypse Now reference. SPO over-polled predictions slightly.
If he is sacked, it doesn't leave a lot of time for his successor to write a budget.
From that link: "There is mischief afoot. And I wonder whether some of the more extreme stories being pumped into the press this week about Hammond might not have the fingerprints of team Boris Johnson."
So give Boris the job of writing the Budget then. See how that turns out.
"In another stunning defeat for Europe's establishment, as previewed earlier this morning Austria's 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz is assured victory in the Austrian National Council elections, with his People's Party set to take roughly 30.2% of the vote according to exit polls by Austrian broadcaster ORF, while just as shocking is that the anti-immigrant, nationalist Freedom Party appears set to top the Social Democrats in 2nd place with 26.8% of the vote"
No longer. Latest projection has Freedom Party 3rd.
On latest projections yes though Kurz will still likely form a government reliant on their support for a majority
Kurz? The Horror!
I'm still proud of this pun on the night of the 2015 general election when the SNP were winning every seat in sight.
The early results suggest it really is Ajockalypse Now for Labour
"In another stunning defeat for Europe's establishment, as previewed earlier this morning Austria's 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz is assured victory in the Austrian National Council elections, with his People's Party set to take roughly 30.2% of the vote according to exit polls by Austrian broadcaster ORF, while just as shocking is that the anti-immigrant, nationalist Freedom Party appears set to top the Social Democrats in 2nd place with 26.8% of the vote"
No longer. Latest projection has Freedom Party 3rd.
"In another stunning defeat for Europe's establishment, as previewed earlier this morning Austria's 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz is assured victory in the Austrian National Council elections, with his People's Party set to take roughly 30.2% of the vote according to exit polls by Austrian broadcaster ORF, while just as shocking is that the anti-immigrant, nationalist Freedom Party appears set to top the Social Democrats in 2nd place with 26.8% of the vote"
No longer. Latest projection has Freedom Party 3rd.
It looks as if the Greens could be knocked out.
Indeed. Looks like their vote has gone to SPO, thus explaining their slightly better showing. (than expected).
"In another stunning defeat for Europe's establishment, as previewed earlier this morning Austria's 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz is assured victory in the Austrian National Council elections, with his People's Party set to take roughly 30.2% of the vote according to exit polls by Austrian broadcaster ORF, while just as shocking is that the anti-immigrant, nationalist Freedom Party appears set to top the Social Democrats in 2nd place with 26.8% of the vote"
No longer. Latest projection has Freedom Party 3rd.
On latest projections yes though Kurz will still likely form a government reliant on their support for a majority
Kurz? The Horror!
Kurz won on a platform of cutting immigration, ending benefits tourism and cutting taxes for low and middle income earners, a more rightwing platform than the People's Party stood on last time when they were beaten by the Social Democrats
Heart of Darkness/Apocalypse Now reference. SPO over-polled predictions slightly.
Yes, now added to my earlier comment too. As you say some Green to SPO movement but it will still likely be an OVP FPO majority government
"In another stunning defeat for Europe's establishment, as previewed earlier this morning Austria's 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz is assured victory in the Austrian National Council elections, with his People's Party set to take roughly 30.2% of the vote according to exit polls by Austrian broadcaster ORF, while just as shocking is that the anti-immigrant, nationalist Freedom Party appears set to top the Social Democrats in 2nd place with 26.8% of the vote"
No longer. Latest projection has Freedom Party 3rd.
It looks as if the Greens could be knocked out.
Indeed. Looks like their vote has gone to SPO, thus explaining their slightly better showing. (than expected).
Also, the split with PILS.
Another bad result for the Greens in Lower Saxony, which will cost the SPD (who did well) and the Greens their majority.
It’s by no means the first time The Secret Orchard has been targeted. Three months ago £2,000-worth of chicken coops were stolen, thus denying the group egg production.
Two crops of vegetables were stolen last year and one this year.
Spent weekend with my French connection. Few titbits:
- France doesn't want a deal on residency rights. They want to kick out 300k expensive Brits and get back 1.4 taxpayers. It's worth at least 500m eur per year
If it's a net transfer of 1m taxpayers to France - then you'd expect that to be worth quite a bit more than 500 euro/year each? I suppose some might go to another EU country but seems a strange figure...
Spent weekend with my French connection. Few titbits:
- France doesn't want a deal on residency rights. They want to kick out 300k expensive Brits and get back 1.4 taxpayers. It's worth at least 500m eur per year
If it's a net transfer of 1m taxpayers to France - then you'd expect that to be worth quite a bit more than 500 euro/year each? I suppose some might go to another EU country but seems a strange figure...
I find it hard to believe that 40% of EU immigrants in the UK are French. So, even assuming the 3.6m EU immigrants is too low, and putting in a number of 7.2m, equivalent to 20% of the working age population, you would need to have 20% as them French for 1.4m number to be correct.
Mr. Pong, I'm not sure it's legitimate to blame the Conservatives for apple theft.
No no, the fact the apples were meant for those in poverty was the only reason they were stolen, therefore the existence of Tory poverty means it is their fault.
I stubbed my toe the other day too, but in fairness to the Tories I think that actually Gordon Brown's fault somehow.
I tend to assume most of my clothing is made by children, slaves, or child slaves.
And personally i cannot enjoy a cup of tea unless it has that aura of human misery that comes from proper exploitation of the workers growing it.
To quote Flight of the Conchords:
They're turning kids into slaves just to make cheaper sneakers. But what's the real cost? ‘Cause the sneakers don't seem that much cheaper. Why are we still paying so much for sneakers When you got them made by little slave kids What are your overheads?
If he is sacked, it doesn't leave a lot of time for his successor to write a budget.
Doesn't seem to make a difference - they always act like these things are last minute, and either they don't notice the things that cause a backlash that they then back down on, or they are gutless when the backlash happens.
According to today's Sunday Times, everyone will have to declare their sexual orientation whenever they have a doctor's appointment. Any comments?
The BBC report says no one will be forced to answer questions about it, but of course it is none of their damn business.
It is a requirement of the government equality audit to monitor these things, along with ethnicity etc to prove that we are not discriminating.
No-one is obliged to declare. Usually it is done by a form handed into reception when registering.
Yes, I understand the reason. It's not particularly compelling. From the report they will have to ask at 'every face to face contact with the patient, where no record of this data already exists'. Every face to face contact. I certainly have not had to fill out a form every time I visit the doctor, so in fact despite what you say they will apparently ask, every time, rather than take a lack of information after the first time registering as indication people don't wish to declare.
Since people don't fill out a form every time, are you sure you won't be in breach if you rely on that method and fail to ask?
PAW, so you asked half the question , it was just an open test and one question was to be answered in EITHER Gaelic or Scots. There should be no-one that cannot answer in Scots. So perfectly sensible and a bit of fun. I would expect a toilet paper rag like the express try to make something of it. I would be shocked if any English speaking person could not understand the question. The Scottish person was obviously a mean spirited unionist tw*t as I suspected.
My son's class did that. They had no idea how to write it in Scots so they simply stuck "ken" in a few times. Be interesting to see how that is marked.
David ,should have been reasonably simple as most of the words needed are in the question whether they know much Scots or not. Shows how poor things are when we don't even educate our children on at least some of our history and language. Kind of says it all I think, surely the only country in the world where this would be allowed to happen.
Wales is worse.
Here, the Labour feckwit strongly tipped to replace Carwyn -- Ken Skates -- knew so little Welsh history that he proposed a sculpture in Flint to celebrate the subjugation of Wales by Edward I. The Ring of Steel.
Ken was surprised at the outcry.
At least no Scottish Minister has yet suggested a statue to Butcher Cumberland.
When Ruth becomes FM, that's just the thing that a deservingly promoted Alexander Burnett MSP might propose. Of course given his grasp of history when he departs from promoting his own business interests, Sandy might get the wrong Hanoverian.
According to today's Sunday Times, everyone will have to declare their sexual orientation whenever they have a doctor's appointment. Any comments?
The BBC report says no one will be forced to answer questions about it, but of course it is none of their damn business.
It is a requirement of the government equality audit to monitor these things, along with ethnicity etc to prove that we are not discriminating.
No-one is obliged to declare. Usually it is done by a form handed into reception when registering.
The thing is, ethnicity is visible. Sexuality is not. Okay, so sometimes it can be obvious, but most of the time I doubt I'd be able to guess. So it shouldn't be monitored in the same way as ethnicity or gender are.
Incidentally, this is an issue for the 2021 Census. If we're monitoring sexuality, then we should ask the question in the Census. The ONS, in my opinion, bottled it in 2011, I'm not sure they can do so in 2021.
PAW, so you asked half the question , it was just an open test and one question was to be answered in EITHER Gaelic or Scots. There should be no-one that cannot answer in Scots. So perfectly sensible and a bit of fun. I would expect a toilet paper rag like the express try to make something of it. I would be shocked if any English speaking person could not understand the question. The Scottish person was obviously a mean spirited unionist tw*t as I suspected.
My son's class did that. They had no idea how to write it in Scots so they simply stuck "ken" in a few times. Be interesting to see how that is marked.
David ,should have been reasonably simple as most of the words needed are in the question whether they know much Scots or not. Shows how poor things are when we don't even educate our children on at least some of our history and language. Kind of says it all I think, surely the only country in the world where this would be allowed to happen.
Wales is worse.
Here, the Labour feckwit strongly tipped to replace Carwyn -- Ken Skates -- knew so little Welsh history that he proposed a sculpture in Flint to celebrate the subjugation of Wales by Edward I. The Ring of Steel.
Ken was surprised at the outcry.
At least no Scottish Minister has yet suggested a statue to Butcher Cumberland.
According to today's Sunday Times, everyone will have to declare their sexual orientation whenever they have a doctor's appointment. Any comments?
The BBC report says no one will be forced to answer questions about it, but of course it is none of their damn business.
It is a requirement of the government equality audit to monitor these things, along with ethnicity etc to prove that we are not discriminating.
No-one is obliged to declare. Usually it is done by a form handed into reception when registering.
Yes, I understand the reason. It's not particularly compelling. From the report they will have to ask at 'every face to face contact with the patient, where no record of this data already exists'. Every face to face contact. I certainly have not had to fill out a form every time I visit the doctor, so in fact despite what you say they will apparently ask, every time, rather than take a lack of information after the first time registering as indication people don't wish to declare.
Since people don't fill out a form every time, are you sure you won't be in breach if you rely on that method?
Once the surgery or hospital has a record, it doesn't need to ask again.
PAW, so you asked half the question , it was just an open test and one question was to be answered in EITHER Gaelic or Scots. There should be no-one that cannot answer in Scots. So perfectly sensible and a bit of fun. I would expect a toilet paper rag like the express try to make something of it. I would be shocked if any English speaking person could not understand the question. The Scottish person was obviously a mean spirited unionist tw*t as I suspected.
My son's class did that. They had no idea how to write it in Scots so they simply stuck "ken" in a few times. Be interesting to see how that is marked.
David ,should have been reasonably simple as most of the words needed are in the question whether they know much Scots or not. Shows how poor things are when we don't even educate our children on at least some of our history and language. Kind of says it all I think, surely the only country in the world where this would be allowed to happen.
Wales is worse.
Here, the Labour feckwit strongly tipped to replace Carwyn -- Ken Skates -- knew so little Welsh history that he proposed a sculpture in Flint to celebrate the subjugation of Wales by Edward I. The Ring of Steel.
Ken was surprised at the outcry.
At least no Scottish Minister has yet suggested a statue to Butcher Cumberland.
When Ruth becomes FM....
When?!
The only thing stopping Ruth Davidson from becoming First Minister is if she decides to become Prime Minister instead.
Cue the barrage of abuse from the Nats who said we were wasting our money backing the SNP to lose their majority in 2016 or backing Salmond and Robertson to lose in June.
According to today's Sunday Times, everyone will have to declare their sexual orientation whenever they have a doctor's appointment. Any comments?
The BBC report says no one will be forced to answer questions about it, but of course it is none of their damn business.
It is a requirement of the government equality audit to monitor these things, along with ethnicity etc to prove that we are not discriminating.
No-one is obliged to declare. Usually it is done by a form handed into reception when registering.
Yes, I understand the reason. It's not particularly compelling. From the report they will have to ask at 'every face to face contact with the patient, where no record of this data already exists'. Every face to face contact. I certainly have not had to fill out a form every time I visit the doctor, so in fact despite what you say they will apparently ask, every time, rather than take a lack of information after the first time registering as indication people don't wish to declare.
Since people don't fill out a form every time, are you sure you won't be in breach if you rely on that method?
Once the surgery or hospital has a record, it doesn't need to ask again.
Yes, but if your patient doesn't check the box, you or a member of staff will have to ask them, in person, or force the form on them again, and again, and again, until they relent. Is that not what asking at 'every face to face contact, where no record of this data already exists' means?
According to today's Sunday Times, everyone will have to declare their sexual orientation whenever they have a doctor's appointment. Any comments?
The BBC report says no one will be forced to answer questions about it, but of course it is none of their damn business.
It is a requirement of the government equality audit to monitor these things, along with ethnicity etc to prove that we are not discriminating.
No-one is obliged to declare. Usually it is done by a form handed into reception when registering.
Yes, I understand the reason. It's not particularly compelling. From the report they will have to ask at 'every face to face contact with the patient, where no record of this data already exists'. Every face to face contact. I certainly have not had to fill out a form every time I visit the doctor, so in fact despite what you say they will apparently ask, every time, rather than take a lack of information after the first time registering as indication people don't wish to declare.
Since people don't fill out a form every time, are you sure you won't be in breach if you rely on that method and fail to ask?
The correct answer to that question is None of Your Business.
It’s by no means the first time The Secret Orchard has been targeted. Three months ago £2,000-worth of chicken coops were stolen, thus denying the group egg production.
Two crops of vegetables were stolen last year and one this year.
Pointless crime; it takes time to harvest 70 apple trees, and make off with the proceeds, and for what? You are going to look a bit suspect if you suddenly set up an apple shop at Lewes market, and you can bet your bottom dollar these trees have been grown "organically" and the fruit is (or at least looks) far too scabby and manky to sell to a proper shop. Also, "Secret" seems to be a misnomer, and perhaps some security would be a plan.
PAW, so you asked half the question , it was just an open test and one question was to be answered in EITHER Gaelic or Scots. There should be no-one that cannot answer in Scots. So perfectly sensible and a bit of fun. I would expect a toilet paper rag like the express try to make something of it. I would be shocked if any English speaking person could not understand the question. The Scottish person was obviously a mean spirited unionist tw*t as I suspected.
My son's class did that. They had no idea how to write it in Scots so they simply stuck "ken" in a few times. Be interesting to see how that is marked.
David ,should have been reasonably simple as most of the words needed are in the question whether they know much Scots or not. Shows how poor things are when we don't even educate our children on at least some of our history and language. Kind of says it all I think, surely the only country in the world where this would be allowed to happen.
Wales is worse.
Here, the Labour feckwit strongly tipped to replace Carwyn -- Ken Skates -- knew so little Welsh history that he proposed a sculpture in Flint to celebrate the subjugation of Wales by Edward I. The Ring of Steel.
Ken was surprised at the outcry.
At least no Scottish Minister has yet suggested a statue to Butcher Cumberland.
When Ruth becomes FM....
When?!
The only thing stopping Ruth Davidson from becoming First Minister is if she decides to become Prime Minister instead.
Cue the barrage of abuse from the Nats who said we were wasting our money backing the SNP to lose their majority in 2016 or backing Salmond and Robertson to lose in June.
Don't the voters get a say in it?
Or are the Tories starting another personality cult?
"such as during the general election campaign when Mrs May and her staff kept on sidelining Philip Hammond, which allowed Labour’s economic plans to go largely unchallenged."
I have two points to make on this:
1) When was the last time a Chancellor ever wasn't "sidelined" in relative terms during an election? Virtually every election campaign sees almost all the media attention focussed on the leaders these days. I don't recall George Osborne getting much media coverage during the 2015 election either (even though by all accounts he was heavily involved behind the scenes
2) Labour's economic plans were very much "challenged" throughout the election. Re-watch the first PMQs after the election announcement: Mrs May (who really does look and sound like a different person confidence-wise in that compared to today) is throwing in numerous references to how "Labour would bankrupt our economy/country". She then went onto make constant references to Labour's "sums not adding up" and "magic money trees" throughout the campaign, often invoking Diane Abbott not being able to do maths. The right-wing newspapers splashed the day after the Labour manifesto about how Labour would "take us back to the 1970s". The BBC went huge on the IFS analysis that the Labour manifesto would be an "unprecedented" expansion of the size of the state, or whatever they said.
Of all the lame excuses Tories have come up with, the idea that Labour's plans weren't "scrutinised" has to be the lamest of all. The Tories and their allies' attempted "scrutiny" on Labour might not have had the desired effect, but that doesn't mean they didn't attempt it.
PAW, so you asked half the question , it was just an open test and one question was to be answered in EITHER Gaelic or Scots. There should be no-one that cannot answer in Scots. So perfectly sensible and a bit of fun. I would expect a toilet paper rag like the express try to make something of it. I would be shocked if any English speaking person could not understand the question. The Scottish person was obviously a mean spirited unionist tw*t as I suspected.
My son's class did that. They had no idea how to write it in Scots so they simply stuck "ken" in a few times. Be interesting to see how that is marked.
David ,should have been reasonably simple as most of the words needed are in the question whether they know much Scots or not. Shows how poor things are when we don't even educate our children on at least some of our history and language. Kind of says it all I think, surely the only country in the world where this would be allowed to happen.
Wales is worse.
Here, the Labour feckwit strongly tipped to replace Carwyn -- Ken Skates -- knew so little Welsh history that he proposed a sculpture in Flint to celebrate the subjugation of Wales by Edward I. The Ring of Steel.
Ken was surprised at the outcry.
At least no Scottish Minister has yet suggested a statue to Butcher Cumberland.
When Ruth becomes FM....
When?!
The only thing stopping Ruth Davidson from becoming First Minister is if she decides to become Prime Minister instead.
Cue the barrage of abuse from the Nats who said we were wasting our money backing the SNP to lose their majority in 2016 or backing Salmond and Robertson to lose in June.
Don't the voters get a say in it?
Or are the Tories starting another personality cult?
I really don't trust the voters, 40% of them thought Corbyn as PM was a good idea, and 52% of them voted for Brexit.
It’s by no means the first time The Secret Orchard has been targeted. Three months ago £2,000-worth of chicken coops were stolen, thus denying the group egg production.
Two crops of vegetables were stolen last year and one this year.
Pointless crime; it takes time to harvest 70 apple trees, and make off with the proceeds, and for what? You are going to look a bit suspect if you suddenly set up an apple shop at Lewes market, and you can bet your bottom dollar these trees have been grown "organically" and the fruit is (or at least looks) far too scabby and manky to sell to a proper shop. Also, "Secret" seems to be a misnomer, and perhaps some security would be a plan.
Most habitual criminals earn less than the minimum wage, taking their hours and overheads into account.
According to today's Sunday Times, everyone will have to declare their sexual orientation whenever they have a doctor's appointment. Any comments?
The BBC report says no one will be forced to answer questions about it, but of course it is none of their damn business.
It is a requirement of the government equality audit to monitor these things, along with ethnicity etc to prove that we are not discriminating.
No-one is obliged to declare. Usually it is done by a form handed into reception when registering.
Wouldn't some people have a concern they are more likely to be discriminated against if they declare they are gay and its on record. You can't really hide your race - but your sexuality is not necessarily obvious unless you declare so.
Of all the lame excuses Tories have come up with, the idea that Labour's plans weren't "scrutinised" has to be the lamest of all. The Tories and their allies' attempted "scrutiny" on Labour might not have had the desired effect, but that doesn't mean they didn't attempt it.
I've had the same thinking when people criticise the, shall we say, very flawed Brexit campaigns, when occasionally someone breaks out the 'people didn't understand' or were 'misled' argument, when fact is both sides extensively debunked the others' claims (of which many were indeed suspect).
"such as during the general election campaign when Mrs May and her staff kept on sidelining Philip Hammond, which allowed Labour’s economic plans to go largely unchallenged."
I have two points to make on this:
1) When was the last time a Chancellor ever wasn't "sidelined" in relative terms during an election? Virtually every election campaign sees almost all the media attention focussed on the leaders these days. I don't recall George Osborne getting much media coverage during the 2015 election either (even though by all accounts he was heavily involved behind the scenes
2) Labour's economic plans were very much "challenged" throughout the election. Re-watch the first PMQs after the election announcement: Mrs May (who really does look and sound like a different person confidence-wise in that compared to today) is throwing in numerous references to how "Labour would bankrupt our economy/country". She then went onto make constant references to Labour's "sums not adding up" and "magic money trees" throughout the campaign, often invoking Diane Abbott not being able to do maths. The right-wing newspapers splashed the day after the Labour manifesto about how Labour would "take us back to the 1970s". The BBC went huge on the IFS analysis that the Labour manifesto would be an "unprecedented" expansion of the size of the state, or whatever they said.
Of all the lame excuses Tories have come up with, the idea that Labour's plans weren't "scrutinised" has to be the lamest of all. The Tories and their allies' attempted "scrutiny" on Labour might not have had the desired effect, but that doesn't mean they didn't attempt it.
In the 2015 general election, George Osborne was the 6th most prominent politician in the campaign, one place ahead of Ed Balls.
In the 2017 general election, Philip Hammond was the 11th most prominent politician in the campaign, five places BEHIND John McDonnell.
PAW, so you asked half the question , it was just an open test and one question was to be answered in EITHER Gaelic or Scots. There should be no-one that cannot answer in Scots. So perfectly sensible and a bit of fun. I would expect a toilet paper rag like the express try to make something of it. I would be shocked if any English speaking person could not understand the question. The Scottish person was obviously a mean spirited unionist tw*t as I suspected.
My son's class did that. They had no idea how to write it in Scots so they simply stuck "ken" in a few times. Be interesting to see how that is marked.
David ,should have been reasonably simple as most of the words needed are in the question whether they know much Scots or not. Shows how poor things are when we don't even educate our children on at least some of our history and language. Kind of says it all I think, surely the only country in the world where this would be allowed to happen.
Wales is worse.
Here, the Labour feckwit strongly tipped to replace Carwyn -- Ken Skates -- knew so little Welsh history that he proposed a sculpture in Flint to celebrate the subjugation of Wales by Edward I. The Ring of Steel.
Ken was surprised at the outcry.
At least no Scottish Minister has yet suggested a statue to Butcher Cumberland.
When Ruth becomes FM....
When?!
The only thing stopping Ruth Davidson from becoming First Minister is if she decides to become Prime Minister instead.
Cue the barrage of abuse from the Nats who said we were wasting our money backing the SNP to lose their majority in 2016 or backing Salmond and Robertson to lose in June.
Since I'm one of the four remaining Nats who post on here & I certainly didn't say that, you'll have to be more specific.
Never in the field of human self pleasuring have so many English tories had a pudgy Scotch lesbian in their wank bank. We shall not see its like again.
By the way on this bet a pretty coruscating piece by Dominic Lawson in the ST: "Flip flop Phil gets his spreadsheets in a twist, never mind his view of Brexit." It's pretty brutal.
Wonder if he has been speaking to his dad.
The disillusionment with Hammond is increasingly widely spread covering both Brexiteers and Remainers alike. Boris has followers, if not quite as many as he did. If May has to make another catastrophic decision, just to show how tough she is, Hammond is the less risky target.
Of course, given May's judgment to date it is not hard to argue the reverse...
My own prejudices apart, I'm quite surprised about how duff Hammond is turning out to be. I suppose the various bollocks he spouted about gay marriage should have been a clue. Being boring, keeping your head down & not saying very much can get you quite far, until you have to deal with crises, put your head above the parapet and say stuff (Hi Theresa!).
DC had him lined up to be Chief Secretary to the Treasury before the Coalition resulted in that job going to the Lib Dems. I think that would have been a good job for him. Lots of boring technical details, no profile to speak of. That said, his performance as Defence Secretary was a long way from stellar too. I was never quite sure (apart from his perceived remainer tendencies and pictures of forthcoming gloom) why so many people were claiming he was the adult in the cabinet.
It's comparative. Afterall, this is the most abysmal cabinet in living memory.
It’s by no means the first time The Secret Orchard has been targeted. Three months ago £2,000-worth of chicken coops were stolen, thus denying the group egg production.
Two crops of vegetables were stolen last year and one this year.
Pointless crime; it takes time to harvest 70 apple trees, and make off with the proceeds, and for what? You are going to look a bit suspect if you suddenly set up an apple shop at Lewes market, and you can bet your bottom dollar these trees have been grown "organically" and the fruit is (or at least looks) far too scabby and manky to sell to a proper shop. Also, "Secret" seems to be a misnomer, and perhaps some security would be a plan.
It’s by no means the first time The Secret Orchard has been targeted. Three months ago £2,000-worth of chicken coops were stolen, thus denying the group egg production.
Two crops of vegetables were stolen last year and one this year.
Pointless crime; it takes time to harvest 70 apple trees, and make off with the proceeds, and for what? You are going to look a bit suspect if you suddenly set up an apple shop at Lewes market, and you can bet your bottom dollar these trees have been grown "organically" and the fruit is (or at least looks) far too scabby and manky to sell to a proper shop. Also, "Secret" seems to be a misnomer, and perhaps some security would be a plan.
Which is why I thought it seemed more like a vendetta thing.
"such as during the general election campaign when Mrs May and her staff kept on sidelining Philip Hammond, which allowed Labour’s economic plans to go largely unchallenged."
I have two points to make on this:
1) When was the last time a Chancellor ever wasn't "sidelined" in relative terms during an election? Virtually every election campaign sees almost all the media attention focussed on the leaders these days. I don't recall George Osborne getting much media coverage during the 2015 election either (even though by all accounts he was heavily involved behind the scenes
2) Labour's economic plans were very much "challenged" throughout the election. Re-watch the first PMQs after the election announcement: Mrs May (who really does look and sound like a different person confidence-wise in that compared to today) is throwing in numerous references to how "Labour would bankrupt our economy/country". She then went onto make constant references to Labour's "sums not adding up" and "magic money trees" throughout the campaign, often invoking Diane Abbott not being able to do maths. The right-wing newspapers splashed the day after the Labour manifesto about how Labour would "take us back to the 1970s". The BBC went huge on the IFS analysis that the Labour manifesto would be an "unprecedented" expansion of the size of the state, or whatever they said.
Of all the lame excuses Tories have come up with, the idea that Labour's plans weren't "scrutinised" has to be the lamest of all. The Tories and their allies' attempted "scrutiny" on Labour might not have had the desired effect, but that doesn't mean they didn't attempt it.
In the 2015 general election, George Osborne was the 6th most prominent politician in the campaign
In the 2017 general election, Philip Hammond was the 11th most prominent politician in the campaign.
OK, but I'm not convinced that the difference between Osborne's 3.8% and Hammond's 1.7% would have any real effect on votes cast. I'm just taking issue with the idea that plastering the Chancellor all over the media, in order to make voters think constantly about the economy, was an option - the media these days wouldn't want that even if it was offered to them.
For better or for worse, it seems to me that nothing has a chance of cutting through to the public in an election campaign unless it's done by the leader, with the only exceptions being outrageous gaffes made by other frontbench politicians (step forward Ms Abbott).
Since I'm one of the four remaining Nats who post on here & I certainly didn't say that, you'll have to be more specific.
Never in the field of human self pleasuring have so many English tories had a pudgy Scotch lesbian in their wank bank. We shall not see its like again.
On the day of the 2016 election after one of PB's top tipsters posted
Ladbrokes are still offering 8/1 on a Scottish NOM. Given that latest YouGov poll provides NOM on at least one seat calculator, that seems a very fair price.
OK, but I'm not convinced that the difference between Osborne's 3.8% and Hammond's 1.7% would have any real effect on votes cast. I'm just taking issue with the idea that plastering the Chancellor all over the media, in order to make voters think constantly about the economy, was an option - the media these days wouldn't want that even if it was offered to them.
For better or for worse, it seems to me that nothing has a chance of cutting through to the public in an election campaign unless it's done by the leader, with the only exceptions being outrageous gaffes made by other frontbench politicians (step forward Ms Abbott).
Ask yourself, how many times did Cameron mentioned Liam Byrne's note and how often Mrs May didn't mention it, IIRC, she never mentioned it once.
The moment of the 2015 debates was when Ed Miliband saying the last Labour government hadn't overspent.
As part of the wider picture, the economy didn't focus as much as it did in 2015.
Spent weekend with my French connection. Few titbits:
- France doesn't want a deal on residency rights. They want to kick out 300k expensive Brits and get back 1.4 taxpayers. It's worth at least 500m eur per year
If it's a net transfer of 1m taxpayers to France - then you'd expect that to be worth quite a bit more than 500 euro/year each? I suppose some might go to another EU country but seems a strange figure...
There aren't 1.4 m French people living here.
This source gives 400,000 registered in London and assumes that is a 50% underestimate so 1.4M in the UK sounds realistic. Based on how many I know it seems quite believable.
I must admit I was surprised the other day to hear the numbers being quoted for EU nationals living in the UK and UK nationals in other EU countries.
I was sure that during the referendum campaign people were quoting that there were as many if not more UK nationals living on the Continent as there are Other EU nationals in the UK. Now we are being told there are about 1 million UK nationals living in the rest of the EU but 3 million EU nationals living in the UK. So what were all the numbers about that were being quoted prior to the referendum?
Spent weekend with my French connection. Few titbits:
- France doesn't want a deal on residency rights. They want to kick out 300k expensive Brits and get back 1.4 taxpayers. It's worth at least 500m eur per year
If it's a net transfer of 1m taxpayers to France - then you'd expect that to be worth quite a bit more than 500 euro/year each? I suppose some might go to another EU country but seems a strange figure...
There aren't 1.4 m French people living here.
This source gives 400,000 registered in London and assumes that is a 50% underestimate so 1.4M in the UK sounds realistic. Based on how many I know it seems quite believable.
I must admit I was surprised the other day to hear the numbers being quoted for EU nationals living in the UK and UK nationals in other EU countries.
I was sure that during the referendum campaign people were quoting that there were as many if not more UK nationals living on the Continent as there are Other EU nationals in the UK. Now we are being told there are about 1 million UK nationals living in the rest of the EU but 3 million EU nationals living in the UK. So what were all the numbers about that were being quoted prior to the referendum?
Pick the number that gives the worst consequences for Brexit. Previously it was UK citizen rights in the EU, now it is lost revenue from these supposed 1.4million French in the UK.
Comments
Polls closed 4pm our time.
Projection (partial vote count as with France, not exit poll):
http://orf.at/wahl/nr17/#projection
Official results:
https://wahl17.bmi.gv.at/index.html
Livestream:
http://tvthek.orf.at/live/Wahl-17-Die-Hochrechnung/13934392
OVP leading but after all the excitement I'd say that was a relatively disappointing result for Kurz, only up 6 on the OVP's worst post-1945 result.
Still strong favourite to be next Chancellor at just 31 (was Foreign Minister at 27!) at the head of a "black-blue" govt with the FPO (although his new OVP is now turquoise), although another grand coalition or even a blue-red FPO-SPO are mathematically possible.
Thanks
DC
And I really like Street Talk by JK Annand : http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poems/street-talk
which 2 of my kids did for competitions.
More whac-a-mole rather than groundhog day ...
http://news.sky.com/story/amp/is-chancellor-philip-hammond-heading-for-the-sack-11082684
Here, the Labour feckwit strongly tipped to replace Carwyn -- Ken Skates -- knew so little Welsh history that he proposed a sculpture in Flint to celebrate the subjugation of Wales by Edward I. The Ring of Steel.
Ken was surprised at the outcry.
At least no Scottish Minister has yet suggested a statue to Butcher Cumberland.
I wonder if anyone in Downing Street watches it...
Yes Hammond is a boring old duffer, but it's not the time for sackings and a new chancellor to say the least.
Just get on with the job you are being PAID to do or we'll end up with that nob end Corbyn in a few months.
Politicians who denounce homosexuals and loudly champion family values will, sooner or later, be discovered in scandalous circumstances with male or female prostitutes in hotel rooms and toilets.
Liberal lions who angrily denounce sexism and proclaim themselves to be feminists will, sooner or later, be caught up in sexual harassment allegations.
Opponents of private education, sooner or later, send their children to private schools.
And proponents of ethical business, sooner or later, will be found paying a pittance to workers in some Third World cesspit, to make their products.
https://twitter.com/eddiemarsan/status/919585319271493633
Though I don't think Austria is headed for Conrad's Heart of Darkness yet
The early results suggest it really is Ajockalypse Now for Labour
http://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2015/05/08/the-early-results-suggest-it-really-is-ajockalypse-now-for-labour/
"There is mischief afoot. And I wonder whether some of the more extreme stories being pumped into the press this week about Hammond might not have the fingerprints of team Boris Johnson."
Another bad result for the Greens in Lower Saxony, which will cost the SPD (who did well) and the Greens their majority.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-sussex-41628541/apples-being-grown-for-food-banks-stolen
Sounds like someone has a vendetta against them:
It’s by no means the first time The Secret Orchard has been targeted. Three months ago £2,000-worth of chicken coops were stolen, thus denying the group egg production.
Two crops of vegetables were stolen last year and one this year.
Recent reports of an improving security situation in Somalia have perhaps been exaggerated:
"Somalia: At least 230 dead in Mogadishu blast"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-41621660
Here are the ONS statistics:
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/internationalmigration/bulletins/ukpopulationbycountryofbirthandnationality/2016#of-the-uk-population-1-in-7-were-born-abroad-and-1-in-11-had-non-british-nationality
I find it hard to believe that 40% of EU immigrants in the UK are French. So, even assuming the 3.6m EU immigrants is too low, and putting in a number of 7.2m, equivalent to 20% of the working age population, you would need to have 20% as them French for 1.4m number to be correct.
I stubbed my toe the other day too, but in fairness to the Tories I think that actually Gordon Brown's fault somehow.
And personally i cannot enjoy a cup of tea unless it has that aura of human misery that comes from proper exploitation of the workers growing it.
They're turning kids into slaves just to make cheaper sneakers.
But what's the real cost?
‘Cause the sneakers don't seem that much cheaper.
Why are we still paying so much for sneakers
When you got them made by little slave kids
What are your overheads?
Has Jeremy Corbyn got an alibi?
No-one is obliged to declare. Usually it is done by a form handed into reception when registering.
Since people don't fill out a form every time, are you sure you won't be in breach if you rely on that method and fail to ask?
Incidentally, this is an issue for the 2021 Census. If we're monitoring sexuality, then we should ask the question in the Census. The ONS, in my opinion, bottled it in 2011, I'm not sure they can do so in 2021.
Cue the barrage of abuse from the Nats who said we were wasting our money backing the SNP to lose their majority in 2016 or backing Salmond and Robertson to lose in June.
So the staff will have to repeatedly ask people.
Or are the Tories starting another personality cult?
I have two points to make on this:
1) When was the last time a Chancellor ever wasn't "sidelined" in relative terms during an election? Virtually every election campaign sees almost all the media attention focussed on the leaders these days. I don't recall George Osborne getting much media coverage during the 2015 election either (even though by all accounts he was heavily involved behind the scenes
2) Labour's economic plans were very much "challenged" throughout the election. Re-watch the first PMQs after the election announcement: Mrs May (who really does look and sound like a different person confidence-wise in that compared to today) is throwing in numerous references to how "Labour would bankrupt our economy/country". She then went onto make constant references to Labour's "sums not adding up" and "magic money trees" throughout the campaign, often invoking Diane Abbott not being able to do maths. The right-wing newspapers splashed the day after the Labour manifesto about how Labour would "take us back to the 1970s". The BBC went huge on the IFS analysis that the Labour manifesto would be an "unprecedented" expansion of the size of the state, or whatever they said.
Of all the lame excuses Tories have come up with, the idea that Labour's plans weren't "scrutinised" has to be the lamest of all. The Tories and their allies' attempted "scrutiny" on Labour might not have had the desired effect, but that doesn't mean they didn't attempt it.
#BringBackTheMagicCircleAndTheRottenBoroughsAndRestrictTheFranchiseToHighEarners
In the 2017 general election, Philip Hammond was the 11th most prominent politician in the campaign, five places BEHIND John McDonnell.
http://blog.lboro.ac.uk/crcc/general-election/media-coverage-of-the-2015-campaign-report-5/
https://blog.lboro.ac.uk/crcc/general-election/media-coverage-of-the-2017-general-election-campaign-report-4/
Never in the field of human self pleasuring have so many English tories had a pudgy Scotch lesbian in their wank bank. We shall not see its like again.
https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk/status/919581969301811201
For better or for worse, it seems to me that nothing has a chance of cutting through to the public in an election campaign unless it's done by the leader, with the only exceptions being outrageous gaffes made by other frontbench politicians (step forward Ms Abbott).
https://twitter.com/carcopithecon/status/878681101669195776
Ah, you changed the tweet. Previous one was saying women have equal right to make fools out of themselves.
Ladbrokes are still offering 8/1 on a Scottish NOM. Given that latest YouGov poll provides NOM on at least one seat calculator, that seems a very fair price.
To which MalcolmG replied
'would be money down the drain'
http://politicalbetting.vanillaforums.com/discussion/comment/1040408/#Comment_1040408
There was another similar comment a few days before when it was tipped at 10/1 which I can't find at the moment.
As for the comments about Salmond and Robertson, it was Ms Scotslass who was repeatedly telling me and anyone during the campaign that.
The moment of the 2015 debates was when Ed Miliband saying the last Labour government hadn't overspent.
As part of the wider picture, the economy didn't focus as much as it did in 2015.
http://atlanticsentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Queen-Elizabeth.jpg
I was sure that during the referendum campaign people were quoting that there were as many if not more UK nationals living on the Continent as there are Other EU nationals in the UK. Now we are being told there are about 1 million UK nationals living in the rest of the EU but 3 million EU nationals living in the UK. So what were all the numbers about that were being quoted prior to the referendum?