Economically he has kept the USA's P&L account alive by destroying its balance sheet. Legislatively his only 'achievement' was the ACA (aka Obamacare) and how's that hopeychangey stuff working out for him? Foreign policy wrt to allies and enemies....don't even go there.
History will not be kind to Obama.
The deficit is being reduced, unemployment has been falling steadily, the economy has been growing for most of his presidency. I understand that the swivel-eyed right hates all this, but them's the facts.
"If Abbott is elected, Australia's natural wonders will gradually be rubbed away
Tony Abbott's climate policies are about removing the social and environmental protections enjoyed by all Australians to allow the filthy rich to become richer – and filthier":
Off topic, can we launch into the English Channel, via trebuchet the person who thought scheduling one day cricket matches in September was a good idea?
As I had tickets for today and Sunday.
To be fair, the weather in Yorkshire (as in much of the rest of the country) was excellent this month up until last night!
Exciting though I find the Scottish referendum, today my thoughts keep turning back to the impending votes in Washington on strikes in Syria. If the House of Representatives is as opposed to military action as the ABC report suggests, Barack Obama is going to need an extraordinary turn-around to get a positive vote from here.
A few thoughts:
1) If the vote fails, will the precedent for seeking Congressional approval nevertheless have been set? 2) How the hell is Barack Obama going to carry any credibility internationally if he has the rug pulled from under him by Congress? Or for that matter, domestically? 3) Hillary Clinton must be hugging herself with glee at how good she is being made to look in retrospect.
I do believe a certain piece on pbc last Sunday was one of the first articles to point out that Obama could well be the biggest loser from the Commons vote.
Politicalbetting leading the way. Not for the first time.
Mr. Herdson, I recall reading that. It was a very interesting piece, which I think I posted that I agreed with. Can't remember who the chap was who wrote it, though...
"I do believe a certain piece on pbc last Sunday was one of the first articles to point out that Obama could well be the biggest loser from the Commons vote."
I'm glad to see you following the tradition of self effacing modesty pioneered on PB.com by SeanT
Economically he has kept the USA's P&L account alive by destroying its balance sheet. Legislatively his only 'achievement' was the ACA (aka Obamacare) and how's that hopeychangey stuff working out for him? Foreign policy wrt to allies and enemies....don't even go there.
History will not be kind to Obama.
History will largely forget what Obama did in office. He will be remembered solely for the fact of his reaching it in the first place (unless he seriously cocks up in the next three years, which is not inconceivable).
Panelbase. A small furniture company from Forfar, with some bloke at the back who conducts occasional polls to finance his smack habit.
It's not ICM, is it?
But good enough for the Sunday Times. I can't remember where your gadfly opinions currently lie regarding Murdoch, but presumably you accept the ST is still a major newspaper.
Watching the 'near perfect' idiots rubbish all Ashcroft polling because of the partisan nature of who is behind it will prove most amusing. (once PB does as it is told and features it) As will all other polling carried out for those papers and proprietors who never even try to hide their right-wing bias.
Mr. Roger, it's legitimate to point out if one has been ahead of the game. On the numerous times this year my F1 bets have gone awry I've conceded my misjudgement, and when they've gone well I've acknowledged that too.
Particularly on a betting site, it's no bad thing to hark back and see how good or bad predictions turned out.
"I do believe a certain piece on pbc last Sunday was one of the first articles to point out that Obama could well be the biggest loser from the Commons vote."
I'm glad to see you following the tradition of self effacing modesty pioneered on PB.com by SeanT
Naturally. Not least because I can't get my facts right: it was published on Saturday, not Sunday.
"The only people more dismissive of modern Britain than tiny Vladimir Putin, are the most extreme of the Ukippers who think that Britain is a thoroughly miserable place disappearing down the lavatory of history. "
Actually, as islands go, Great Britain is quite a big one - it is usually reckoned as the ninth largest in the world, and the third most populous. It's population is only just under half Russia's (63m vs 143m).
There is more to the Falkirk story. Katie has not only withdrawn as candidate, she has been readmitted to membership of the Labour party and they don't say whether she will be barred from participation in the new selection procedure. Maybe she has withdrawn so Labour can select Eric Joyce as their candidate.
Kevin Maguire@Kevin_Maguire Labour-union crisis a Miliband own goal: Unite's Karie Murphy & Stephen Deans reinstated, no disciplinary charges. She quits Falkirk race
Owen Jones@OwenJones84 Labour reinstate Karie Murphy, say "not guilty of any wrongdoing" and "no organisation or individual breached the rules". Finally: the truth
There is more to the Falkirk story. Katie has not only withdrawn as candidate, she has been readmitted to membership of the Labour party and they don't say whether she will be barred from participation in the new selection procedure. Maybe she has withdrawn so Labour can select Eric Joyce as their candidate.
Has Eric The Slugger returned from his walking holiday. Must be one of the most unusual excuses for not appearing in court.
Hayley Barlow @Hayley_Barlow Tonight fmr DG Mark Thompson speaks on camera for 1st time & admits to #c4news he did have conversation with Helen Boaden about Savile. #BBC
Just checking the BBC news site, and found this as top comment on the USA/Russia disagree story: "Watching Obama's post summit press conference
Cheap shot about helping the British when London was being bombed
The US didn't intervene militarily when London was being bombed in 1940
The US helped the UK with military supplies, which we paid for using US loans, which we paid back & handing over UK overseas territories to the US.
The US only joined the war fully in 41 after they were bombed"
I wonder what words, precisely, Obama used. I don't know the term for the opposite of a Pyrrhic victory (Leonidine defeat?), but increasingly Cameron's 'failure' in the Commons is looking helpful rather than harmful.
5 July: Miliband said: "Instead of defending what happened in Falkirk, Len McCluskey should be facing up to his responsibilities. He should not be defending the machine politics involving bad practice that went on there, he should be facing up to it." ... One senior figure said: "Ed didn't choose this battle. But you can be absolutely certain that, now it has started, Ed will win."
Just checking the BBC news site, and found this as top comment on the USA/Russia disagree story: "Watching Obama's post summit press conference
Cheap shot about helping the British when London was being bombed
The US didn't intervene militarily when London was being bombed in 1940
The US helped the UK with military supplies, which we paid for using US loans, which we paid back & handing over UK overseas territories to the US.
The US only joined the war fully in 41 after they were bombed"
I wonder what words, precisely, Obama used. I don't know the term for the opposite of a Pyrrhic victory (Leonidine defeat?), but increasingly Cameron's 'failure' in the Commons is looking helpful rather than harmful.
I find it fascinating, as well as incomprehensible, that anyone would have their opinion on Independence swayed in either direction by a transitory thing like the make-up of a government at that point in time.
Now if the premise were "if there were never to be a Tory UK government ever again" I could understand it.
The reported figure ignores the fact that millions are leaving the labour force - and the statistics. But they're still there and not working. They've given up.
So, the 2015 proposition is: "Having demonstrated that I can screw up the Labour Party's historic links with the unions, and that I can screw up the historic Western alliance, I'm asking for your vote so I can screw up the entire United Kingdom".
So, the 2015 proposition is: "Having demonstrated that I can screw up the Labour Party's historic links with the unions, and that I can screw up the historic Western alliance, I'm asking for your vote so I can screw up the entire United Kingdom".
I'm afraid Blair got there first, this is about stopping any recovery chances the nation might have.
So, the 2015 proposition is: "Having demonstrated that I can screw up the Labour Party's historic links with the unions, and that I can screw up the historic Western alliance, I'm asking for your vote so I can screw up the entire United Kingdom".
I'm afraid Blair got there first, this is about stopping any recovery chances the nation might have.
True, but Blair did a jolly good job of disguising it, at least until Iraq.
The reported figure ignores the fact that millions are leaving the labour force - and the statistics. But they're still there and not working. They've given up.
The potentially good news is that the total number of involuntary underemployed (part time for economic reasons) declined dramatically in August. This was due to a sharp drop in those on slack work. The number of workers who could only find part time work rose slightly. The drop in slack work may signal an increase in production.
Michael Crick @MichaelLCrick Tom Watson on Falkirk: "these members have had their lives turned inside out a a media frenzy based on an inaccurate report and I'm glad ...
Glad for what one wonders!?
Ah...
Tom Watson on Falkirk 2/2 ... I'm glad the party has finally done the right thing."
So, the 2015 proposition is: "Having demonstrated that I can screw up the Labour Party's historic links with the unions, and that I can screw up the historic Western alliance, I'm asking for your vote so I can screw up the entire United Kingdom".
Clearly you believe the Tories *should* coast to victory in 2015 and secure a pretty large majority. What on earth will it say about them if they cannot do so, first against Gordon Brown and then Ed Miliband?
Surely even the most stalwart Labour supporter can plainly see that Ed Milliband is a total disaster for their Party
How do you work that out Richard ? This has been a blazing start to parliament, Ed's defeated Obama, stuck his head in the sand on the economy, seen his funding plans realised courtesy of the GMB and has put Falkirk to bed. And done all of that without a single policy.
So, the 2015 proposition is: "Having demonstrated that I can screw up the Labour Party's historic links with the unions, and that I can screw up the historic Western alliance, I'm asking for your vote so I can screw up the entire United Kingdom".
Clearly you believe the Tories *should* coast to victory in 2015 and secure a pretty large majority. What on earth will it say about them if they cannot do so, first against Gordon Brown and then Ed Miliband?
I imagine it will be someone else's fault.
A repeat of the 2010 result would suit me fine thanks.
Just checking the BBC news site, and found this as top comment on the USA/Russia disagree story: "Watching Obama's post summit press conference
Cheap shot about helping the British when London was being bombed
The US didn't intervene militarily when London was being bombed in 1940
The US helped the UK with military supplies, which we paid for using US loans, which we paid back & handing over UK overseas territories to the US.
The US only joined the war fully in 41 after they were bombed"
I wonder what words, precisely, Obama used. I don't know the term for the opposite of a Pyrrhic victory (Leonidine defeat?), but increasingly Cameron's 'failure' in the Commons is looking helpful rather than harmful.
Mr Dancer, I can think of at least two squadrons of American Volunteer "Eagles" at North Weald in 1940-41. Nos. 71 and 121 Squadrons.
"The villians of this awful affair are principally Kerry and Hague. Both of whom should either resign or be sacked."
I agree that if the vote fails Kerry should go and if standards hadn't slumped Hague would already have gone but I don't agree that it's an 'awful affair'.
Anything which forces the US and it's willing poodle to take account of public opinion before dropping bombs must be a good thing
"The villians of this awful affair are principally Kerry and Hague. Both of whom should either resign or be sacked."
I agree that if the vote fails Kerry should go and if standards hadn't slumped Hague would have gone a week ago but I dont agree that it's an 'awful affair'.
Anything which forces the US and it's willing poodle to take account of public opinion before dropping bombs is a good thing
Stop picking on France Roger, they're enjoying poodle status.
Anyone else think it's a bit odd how looking at images is now regarded as such a terrible crime whereas taking girls to foreign countries to be subjected to FGM hasn't led to a single prosecution since being made illegal in 1985?
In my opinion the latter is far worse than the former.
"The villians of this awful affair are principally Kerry and Hague. Both of whom should either resign or be sacked."
I agree that if the vote fails Kerry should go and if standards hadn't slumped Hague would have gone a week ago but I dont agree that it's an 'awful affair'.
Anything which forces the US and it's willing poodle to take account of public opinion before dropping bombs is a good thing
Stop picking on France Roger, they're enjoying poodle status.
Good moaning! I was bruising the threads and I brung you a massage: The Fronch are now Obummer's piddle.
Surely even the most stalwart Labour supporter can plainly see that Ed Milliband is a total disaster for their Party
How do you work that out Richard ? This has been a blazing start to parliament, Ed's defeated Obama, stuck his head in the sand on the economy, seen his funding plans realised courtesy of the GMB and has put Falkirk to bed. And done all of that without a single policy.
I really can't wait for next week.
Obviously there is a lot of knee jerk criticism of EdM from the usual suspects. But there is a point to be made about his ability to form alliances and coalitions.
Whist he likes to take a "brave" stance against vested power, this really ought to be balanced by another side of the coin where he forms coalitions. Can't think of any group that is particularly on his side at the moment.
Contrasts significantly from Blair who liked to build alliances.
"The villians of this awful affair are principally Kerry and Hague. Both of whom should either resign or be sacked."
I agree that if the vote fails Kerry should go and if standards hadn't slumped Hague would have gone a week ago but I dont agree that it's an 'awful affair'.
Anything which forces the US and it's willing poodle to take account of public opinion before dropping bombs is a good thing
Stop picking on France Roger, they're enjoying poodle status.
Good moaning! I was bruising the threads and I brung you a massage: The Fronch are now Obummer's piddle.
On the scale of animal symbols it's a step up from a scrawny coq.
Clearly you believe the Tories *should* coast to victory in 2015 and secure a pretty large majority. What on earth will it say about them if they cannot do so, first against Gordon Brown and then Ed Miliband?
I imagine it will be someone else's fault.
It will be a combination of the skewed boundaries which no person of integrity could accept as reasonable, the difficulty of getting re-elected if you are in government at a time when the world economy is the worst in living memory and you inherited the worst legacy of any major economy in Europe, the long-standing anti-Tory prejudice (which you yourself have pointed to many times) which was so brilliantly stoked up by Alastair Campbell, a large body of payroll voters, a state broadcaster which on any objective measure is heavily biased to the left and yet which is widely trusted as being impartial, and a rather self-destructive lack of party discipline and disunity on the right, most notably the bizarre antics of UKIP trying to work for a Labour government.
Of course, as you well know, despite all the huge disadvantages Cameron did gain a record number of seats in 2010, and got a share of the vote which was considerably better than Labour's majority-winning share in 2005, so it's a bit of a false argument to point at the fact that he didn't get a majority as evidence of anything much.
But, yes, it's going to be tough. Arguably, we are still in 1974 not 1979 - i.e. the country hasn't yet come to terms with the problems it faces and is still trying to pretend they will all go away if they're ignored.
We shall see. I'm moderately optimistic, hoping for the best but planning for the worst. Still, one thing is certain: if, God forbid, we do end up with PM Miliband, it will not only be a disaster in itself (he'll be worse than Brown IMO), but will lead to a precipitate loss of popularity for Labour. What happens after that will depend on whether the Conservative Party remains united.
Surely even the most stalwart Labour supporter can plainly see that Ed Milliband is a total disaster for their Party
How do you work that out Richard ? This has been a blazing start to parliament, Ed's defeated Obama, stuck his head in the sand on the economy, seen his funding plans realised courtesy of the GMB and has put Falkirk to bed. And done all of that without a single policy.
I really can't wait for next week.
Obviously there is a lot of knee jerk criticism of EdM from the usual suspects. But there is a point to be made about his ability to form alliances and coalitions.
Whist he likes to take a "brave" stance against vested power, this really ought to be balanced by another side of the coin where he forms coalitions. Can't think of any group that is particularly on his side at the moment.
Contrasts significantly from Blair who like to build alliances.
Jonathan as I've said before the Syria fiasco is a 1-1 with both leaders scoring own goals. Though as time progresses it's looking like advantage Cameron. Ed's had a bad week.
Anyone else think it's a bit odd how looking at images is now regarded as such a terrible crime whereas taking girls to foreign countries to be subjected to FGM hasn't led to a single prosecution since being made illegal in 1985?
In my opinion the latter is far worse than the former.
I find it really weird - and weirder than aborting girls because you don't want one - yet its not the *public interest* to prosecute.
Still - let's jail the grieving wife of a terminal cripple who wants to die a bit earlier at Dignitas... I despair.
Clearly you believe the Tories *should* coast to victory in 2015 and secure a pretty large majority. What on earth will it say about them if they cannot do so, first against Gordon Brown and then Ed Miliband?
I imagine it will be someone else's fault.
It will be a combination of the skewed boundaries which no person of integrity could accept as reasonable, the difficulty of getting re-elected if you are in government at a time when the world economy is the worst in living memory and you inherited the worst legacy of any major economy in Europe, the long-standing anti-Tory prejudice (which you yourself have pointed to many times) which was so brilliantly stoked up by Alastair Campbell, a large body of payroll voters, a state broadcaster which is on any objective measure is heavily biased to the left and yet which is widely trusted as being impartial, and a rather self-destructive lack of party discipline and disunity on the right, most notably the bizarre antics of UKIP trying to work for a Labour government.
Of course, as you well know, despite all the huge disadvantages Cameron did gain a record number of seats in 2010, and got a share of the vote which was considerably better than Labour's majority-winning share in 2005, so it's a bit of a false argument to point at the fact that he didn't get a majority as evidence of anything much.
But, yes, it's going to be tough. Arguably, we are still in 1974 not 1979 - i.e. the country hasn't yet come to terms with the problems it faces and is still trying to pretend they will all go away if they're ignored.
We shall see. I'm moderately optimistic, hoping for the best but planning for the worst. Still, one thing is certain: if, God forbid, we do end up with PM Miliband, it will not only be a disaster in itself (he'll be worse than Brown IMO), but will lead to a precipitate loss of popularity for Labour. What happens after that will depend on whether the Conservative Party remains united.
As I thought, just about everyone will be to blame except the Tories. But as you imply, if they do somehow not manage to see off someone who I agree is a truly awful leader, there could be carnage in Tory ranks.
As I thought, just about everyone will be to blame except the Tories.
No, you must have missed the bit about party discipline, and also the bit about the objective difficulty of getting reelected when you're having to do tough things:
“We all know what to do, we just don’t know how to get re-elected after we’ve done it.” - Jean-Claude Juncker
The Media Blog @TheMediaTweets Don't be fooled by her expensive moon / She's still Cheryl from the toon -> RT @MetroUK: Cheryl Cole’s bum tattoo cost a staggering £14,000
Clearly you believe the Tories *should* coast to victory in 2015 and secure a pretty large majority. What on earth will it say about them if they cannot do so, first against Gordon Brown and then Ed Miliband?
I imagine it will be someone else's fault.
It will be a combination of the skewed boundaries which no person of integrity could accept as reasonable, the difficulty of getting re-elected if you are in government at a time when the world economy is the worst in living memory and you inherited the worst legacy of any major economy in Europe, the long-standing anti-Tory prejudice (which you yourself have pointed to many times) which was so brilliantly stoked up by Alastair Campbell, a large body of payroll voters, a state broadcaster which on any objective measure is heavily biased to the left and yet which is widely trusted as being impartial, and a rather self-destructive lack of party discipline and disunity on the right, most notably the bizarre antics of UKIP trying to work for a Labour government.
Of course, as you well know, despite all the huge disadvantages Cameron did gain a record number of seats in 2010, and got a share of the vote which was considerably better than Labour's majority-winning share in 2005, so it's a bit of a false argument to point at the fact that he didn't get a majority as evidence of anything much.
But, yes, it's going to be tough. Arguably, we are still in 1974 not 1979 - i.e. the country hasn't yet come to terms with the problems it faces and is still trying to pretend they will all go away if they're ignored.
We shall see. I'm moderately optimistic, hoping for the best but planning for the worst. Still, one thing is certain: if, God forbid, we do end up with PM Miliband, it will not only be a disaster in itself (he'll be worse than Brown IMO), but will lead to a precipitate loss of popularity for Labour. What happens after that will depend on whether the Conservative Party remains united.
It's quicker to type "society is to blame" every time rather than that lot.
Told you Falkirk was overblown. LOL.
What's the special conference for then ? Happenstance ?
Clearly you believe the Tories *should* coast to victory in 2015 and secure a pretty large majority. What on earth will it say about them if they cannot do so, first against Gordon Brown and then Ed Miliband?
I imagine it will be someone else's fault.
It will be a combination of the skewed boundaries which no person of integrity could accept as reasonable, the difficulty of getting re-elected if you are in government at a time when the world economy is the worst in living memory and you inherited the worst legacy of any major economy in Europe, the long-standing anti-Tory prejudice (which you yourself have pointed to many times) which was so brilliantly stoked up by Alastair Campbell, a large body of payroll voters, a state broadcaster which is on any objective measure is heavily biased to the left and yet which is widely trusted as being impartial, and a rather self-destructive lack of party discipline and disunity on the right, most notably the bizarre antics of UKIP trying to work for a Labour government.
The Tories will not win outright until they take ownership of their under performance. As your post demonstrates, there seems to be a tendency to blame everyone and everything else.
IMO your appeal is far too focussed towards a section the south-east middle class. Cameron had a crack at widening your party's appeal, but has since peddled back.
Your party resembles Labour if it had won in 92. It took that extra defeat for Labour to ask the really difficult questions and stop blaming everyone else.
Surely even the most stalwart Labour supporter can plainly see that Ed Milliband is a total disaster for their Party
How do you work that out Richard ? This has been a blazing start to parliament, Ed's defeated Obama, stuck his head in the sand on the economy, seen his funding plans realised courtesy of the GMB and has put Falkirk to bed. And done all of that without a single policy.
I really can't wait for next week.
Obviously there is a lot of knee jerk criticism of EdM from the usual suspects. But there is a point to be made about his ability to form alliances and coalitions.
Whist he likes to take a "brave" stance against vested power, this really ought to be balanced by another side of the coin where he forms coalitions. Can't think of any group that is particularly on his side at the moment.
Contrasts significantly from Blair who like to build alliances.
Jonathan as I've said before the Syria fiasco is a 1-1 with both leaders scoring own goals. Though as time progresses it's looking like advantage Cameron. Ed's had a bad week.
The White House wanted the UK to hold a "quick vote" on Syria
Clearly you believe the Tories *should* coast to victory in 2015 and secure a pretty large majority. What on earth will it say about them if they cannot do so, first against Gordon Brown and then Ed Miliband?
I imagine it will be someone else's fault.
It will be a combination of the skewed boundaries which no person of integrity could accept as reasonable, the difficulty of getting re-elected if you are in government at a time when the world economy is the worst in living memory and you inherited the worst legacy of any major economy in Europe, the long-standing anti-Tory prejudice (which you yourself have pointed to many times) which was so brilliantly stoked up by Alastair Campbell, a large body of payroll voters, a state broadcaster which is on any objective measure is heavily biased to the left and yet which is widely trusted as being impartial, and a rather self-destructive lack of party discipline and disunity on the right, most notably the bizarre antics of UKIP trying to work for a Labour government.
The Tories will not win outright until they take ownership of their under performance. As your post demonstrates, there seems to be a tendency to blame everyone and everything else.
IMO your appeal is far too focussed towards a section the south-east middle class. Cameron had a crack at widening your party's appeal, but has since peddled back.
Your party resembles Labour if it had won in 92. It took that extra defeat for Labour to ask the really difficult questions and stop blaming everyone else.
It's not the Tories' fault they blame everyone else for their own failings.
The Tories will not win outright until they take ownership of their under performance. As your post demonstrates, there seems to be a tendency to blame everyone and everything else.
IMO your appeal is far too focussed towards a section the south-east middle class. Cameron had a crack at widening your party's appeal, but has since peddled back.
Maybe it can't be done. If a large portion of the country hasn't yet accepted that there's a problem (and that may be the case, we'll see in 2015), the Conservatives can't realistically out-Labour Labour by promising bread and circuses, even if they wanted to. All they can do is govern well - which they are doing - and stop having stupid internal squabbles (which I agree they are not doing so well).
Of course I do also accept that there is an element in the party which is, shall we say, old-fashioned and out of touch with the way society has moved on in the last twenty years. I meet a lot of them at party events (!). They are charming and good people, but don't see enough of how most people live. Oddly, the criticism that Cameron and the leadership are out of touch strikes me as the wrong way round; they seem to me to be the ones who are in touch, at least on the social-policy side.
Biased fog with a payroll ensnaring poor, innocent, pure as the driven snow Tories with its lies. There is no other conceivable objective reading possible.
The Tories will not win outright until they take ownership of their under performance. As your post demonstrates, there seems to be a tendency to blame everyone and everything else.
IMO your appeal is far too focussed towards a section the south-east middle class. Cameron had a crack at widening your party's appeal, but has since peddled back.
Maybe it can't be done. If a large portion of the country hasn't yet accepted that there's a problem (and that may be the case, we'll see in 2015), the Conservatives can't realistically out-Labour Labour by promising bread and circuses, even if they wanted to. All they can do is govern well - which they are doing - and stop having stupid internal squabbles (which I agree they are not doing so well).
Of course I do also accept that there is an element in the party which is, shall we say, old-fashioned and out of touch with the way society has moved on in the last twenty years. I meet a lot of them at party events (!). They are charming and good people, but don't see enough of how most people live. Oddly, the criticism that Cameron and the leadership are out of touch strikes me as the wrong way round; they seem to me to be the ones who are in touch, at least on the social-policy side.
I would start by asking the question, how do I win Eastleigh. Until you answer that question you will be losing not gaining seats in May 2015.
The Tories will not win outright until they take ownership of their under performance. As your post demonstrates, there seems to be a tendency to blame everyone and everything else.
IMO your appeal is far too focussed towards a section the south-east middle class. Cameron had a crack at widening your party's appeal, but has since peddled back.
Maybe it can't be done. If a large portion of the country hasn't yet accepted that there's a problem (and that may be the case, we'll see in 2015), the Conservatives can't realistically out-Labour Labour by promising bread and circuses, even if they wanted to. All they can do is govern well - which they are doing - and stop having stupid internal squabbles (which I agree they are not doing so well).
Of course I do also accept that there is an element in the party which is, shall we say, old-fashioned and out of touch with the way society has moved on in the last twenty years. I meet a lot of them at party events (!). They are charming and good people, but don't see enough of how most people live. Oddly, the criticism that Cameron and the leadership are out of touch strikes me as the wrong way round; they seem to me to be the ones who are in touch, at least on the social-policy side.
I would start by asking the question, how do I win Eastleigh. Until you answer that question you will be losing not gaining seats in May 2015.
Richard's analysis is rooted in the SE of England.
Comments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QysIbmSZB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4ZSds0GT64
Either France steps up to the mark with the US and does it's world policeman role - no bodybags for the UK.
Or Hollande fluffs his lines and Obama has a crash course in why Europe doesn't work.
Politicalbetting leading the way. Not for the first time.
Sorry
Is all that you can't say
Years gone by and still
Words don't come easily
Like sorry like sorry
Forgive me
Is all that you can't say
Years gone by and still
Words don't come easily
Like forgive me forgive me
"I do believe a certain piece on pbc last Sunday was one of the first articles to point out that Obama could well be the biggest loser from the Commons vote."
I'm glad to see you following the tradition of self effacing modesty pioneered on PB.com by SeanT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)_per_capita
Particularly on a betting site, it's no bad thing to hark back and see how good or bad predictions turned out.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/iainmartin1/100234660/well-done-david-cameron-for-sticking-it-to-putin-and-the-defeatist-ukip-moaners-who-hate-modern-britain/
"The only people more dismissive of modern Britain than tiny Vladimir Putin, are the most extreme of the Ukippers who think that Britain is a thoroughly miserable place disappearing down the lavatory of history. "
Shocker. RT @paulhutcheon BREAKING: Karie Murphy formally withdraws from @UKLabour race in the Falkirk selection
Actually, as islands go, Great Britain is quite a big one - it is usually reckoned as the ninth largest in the world, and the third most populous. It's population is only just under half Russia's (63m vs 143m).
I'm called Len and so is my wife.
@DPJHodges: That is a staggering climb down from Ed Miliband. I can't believe it.
Labour-union crisis a Miliband own goal: Unite's Karie Murphy & Stephen Deans reinstated,
no disciplinary charges. She quits Falkirk race
Owen Jones@OwenJones84
Labour reinstate Karie Murphy, say "not guilty of any wrongdoing" and "no organisation or individual breached the rules". Finally: the truth
What an omiscrambles :^ )
A whole box worth. Can't wait to see the wriggling and Look Squid!!! next.
tim was right, it was a non-story.
problem was Ed M made it a massive one.
Well done Ed! Great party management again....
Hayley Barlow @Hayley_Barlow
Tonight fmr DG Mark Thompson speaks on camera for 1st time & admits to #c4news he did have conversation with Helen Boaden about Savile. #BBC
So - as I and others said from the beginning - the whole Falkirk crisis over Labour's union links was based on a load of nonsense.
This is just such fun.
"Watching Obama's post summit press conference
Cheap shot about helping the British when London was being bombed
The US didn't intervene militarily when London was being bombed in 1940
The US helped the UK with military supplies, which we paid for using US loans, which we paid back & handing over UK overseas territories to the US.
The US only joined the war fully in 41 after they were bombed"
I wonder what words, precisely, Obama used. I don't know the term for the opposite of a Pyrrhic victory (Leonidine defeat?), but increasingly Cameron's 'failure' in the Commons is looking helpful rather than harmful.
Ed Miliband 9 July: "What we saw in Falkirk is part of the death-throes of the old politics."
...
One senior figure said: "Ed didn't choose this battle. But you can be absolutely certain that, now it has started, Ed will win."
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/jul/05/ed-miliband-unite-falkirk-selection
... oh.
Now if the premise were "if there were never to be a Tory UK government ever again" I could understand it.
Actually the real USA unemployment figure is awful:
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-09-06/real-unemployment-rate-rises-114-difference-between-reported-and-real-data-rises-
The reported figure ignores the fact that millions are leaving the labour force - and the statistics. But they're still there and not working. They've given up.
"http://www.athenaalliance.org/weblog/?
Tom Watson on Falkirk: "these members have had their lives turned inside out a a media frenzy based on an inaccurate report and I'm glad ...
Glad for what one wonders!?
Ah...
Tom Watson on Falkirk 2/2 ... I'm glad the party has finally done the right thing."
I imagine it will be someone else's fault.
Have completed one of the largest poll on Scottish politics. Pls register at lordashcroftpolls.com to receive a copy.
I really can't wait for next week.
http://www.northwealdairfieldhistory.org/content/eagle-squadrons
"A Star Trek fan who converted his flat into a replica of the Starship Enterprise has been jailed for downloading thousands of images of child abuse.
Anthony Alleyne, from Hinckley, Leicestershire, was jailed at Leicester Crown Court for 34 months.
The 60-year-old spent 10 years and thousands of pounds converting his home, which was inspired by the long-running TV series" >> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-23994131#
However, some volunteers us not the same as a national effort in a war.
"The villians of this awful affair are principally Kerry and Hague. Both of whom should either resign or be sacked."
I agree that if the vote fails Kerry should go and if standards hadn't slumped Hague would already have gone but I don't agree that it's an 'awful affair'.
Anything which forces the US and it's willing poodle to take account of public opinion before dropping bombs must be a good thing
In my opinion the latter is far worse than the former.
Whist he likes to take a "brave" stance against vested power, this really ought to be balanced by another side of the coin where he forms coalitions. Can't think of any group that is particularly on his side at the moment.
Contrasts significantly from Blair who liked to build alliances.
Of course, as you well know, despite all the huge disadvantages Cameron did gain a record number of seats in 2010, and got a share of the vote which was considerably better than Labour's majority-winning share in 2005, so it's a bit of a false argument to point at the fact that he didn't get a majority as evidence of anything much.
But, yes, it's going to be tough. Arguably, we are still in 1974 not 1979 - i.e. the country hasn't yet come to terms with the problems it faces and is still trying to pretend they will all go away if they're ignored.
We shall see. I'm moderately optimistic, hoping for the best but planning for the worst. Still, one thing is certain: if, God forbid, we do end up with PM Miliband, it will not only be a disaster in itself (he'll be worse than Brown IMO), but will lead to a precipitate loss of popularity for Labour. What happens after that will depend on whether the Conservative Party remains united.
Still - let's jail the grieving wife of a terminal cripple who wants to die a bit earlier at Dignitas... I despair.
“We all know what to do, we just don’t know how to get re-elected after we’ve done it.” - Jean-Claude Juncker
The Media Blog @TheMediaTweets
Don't be fooled by her expensive moon / She's still Cheryl from the toon -> RT @MetroUK: Cheryl Cole’s bum tattoo cost a staggering £14,000
What's the special conference for then ? Happenstance ?
LOL.
IMO your appeal is far too focussed towards a section the south-east middle class. Cameron had a crack at widening your party's appeal, but has since peddled back.
Your party resembles Labour if it had won in 92. It took that extra defeat for Labour to ask the really difficult questions and stop blaming everyone else.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23961195
It looks like Obama scored an own goal as well.
I think over £1m from the GMB is nothing either.
Move along now, nothing to see here.
"Stop picking on France Roger, they're enjoying poodle status."
http://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2013/sep/02/america-new-poodle-francois-hollande
Of course I do also accept that there is an element in the party which is, shall we say, old-fashioned and out of touch with the way society has moved on in the last twenty years. I meet a lot of them at party events (!). They are charming and good people, but don't see enough of how most people live. Oddly, the criticism that Cameron and the leadership are out of touch strikes me as the wrong way round; they seem to me to be the ones who are in touch, at least on the social-policy side.
Biased fog with a payroll ensnaring poor, innocent, pure as the driven snow Tories with its lies. There is no other conceivable objective reading possible.
Latest seats projection:
Coalition: 96
Labor: 51
Others: 3
http://kevinbonham.blogspot.com.au/
Unheard of from PB lefties.