As late as 1960 British Rail receipts were 30% from passengers and 70% from freight . The question is was it more by the design of ( various ) governments or the railways themselves that has changed it into a mainly passenger service . The tonnes of freight carried figure may look impressive but the reality is that vast parts of the network carries no freight at all . For example the GWR line to Devon and Cornwall has no freight trains at all today .
Hm, pretty sure I have seen freight trains pass through Exeter St Davids on occasion.
Yes there are 2 or 3 a week . A number of internal engineers trains run also but they earn no revenue ( there was one this morning from Newton Abbott to Cardiff Canton ) .
Yes there are 2 or 3 a week . A number of internal engineers trains run also but they earn no revenue ( there was one this morning from Newton Abbott to Cardiff Canton ) .
Mr. Dancer, I was under the impression that the Dromaeosaurs, the family to which the Raptors belong, were the reptiles that evolved feathers and that the modern birds we see today are direct decendants of the Dromaeosaurs.
Also worth noting that the "Class" Reptililia is incomplete without including the Birds.
Miss Plato, did you know that the velociraptors in Jurassic Park are hugely oversized? They're really more akin to deinonychus, but the velociraptor name was too cool not to use.
Also, they, and Tyrannosaurus Rex, should've had feathers (not sure if that was known at the time of filming, though).
I love this stuff :^ ) Been having chats on Twitter about dinosaurs this morning - great fun.
Yes there are 2 or 3 a week . A number of internal engineers trains run also but they earn no revenue ( there was one this morning from Newton Abbott to Cardiff Canton ) .
Sorry I missed the 'today' in your original post!
There may in fact be a freight this evening from the Parkandillack branch to Exeter Riverside . It is scheduled Wednesday and Thursdays only but only runs if required . It did run yesterday so probably will not today .
Of course they are the areas where magic Danny's petrol subsidy applies,which the govt are looking to expand. But there's plenty of Tory voting rural areas where the market is being rigged in their favour, drive past all those big subsidised farms with your subsidised post and complain about the state.
Yeah, and with no public transport, no libraries, no council leisure centres, no swimming-pools, roads not cleared when it snows, nearest schools miles away, rubbish collected intermittently, little policing, no facilities for the elderly... the list of subsidies to rural areas knows no bounds.
Still, if your suggestion is that Labour should abandon the universal postal service obligation, at least that would be a policy. I can't imagine it would be a terribly popular one, though, not to mention being incompatible with EU rules.
norman smith @BBCNormanS Michael Fallon says govt has given Ombudsman more powers to protect universal six day postal service after Royal Mail sold
More market rigging for rural Tory voters.
Not many Tory voters in those remote Scottish and Welsh rural areas where the universal postal service is seriously expensive to provide.
Of course they are the areas where magic Danny's petrol subsidy applies,which the govt are looking to expand. But there's plenty of Tory voting rural areas where the market is being rigged in their favour, drive past all those big subsidised farms with your subsidised post and complain about the state.
In that case it's been rigged since 1840. I'm surprised labour never changed it. Personally as a rural conservative I'm all for it.
"From an average of 42% for the best part of a year, Labour’s average polling figure has now dropped to around 38%; an average lead of ten points is now an average lead of around six points....My own best guess is that there are a couple of likely reasons behind the recent movements. The first is the improvement in economic confidence.......I suspect the second factor is a clearer and more focused Conservative message, giving the impression they are more competent..."
Miss Fitalass, I wonder if we'll see (from all parties) a two-tier manifesto, with a small selection of red line issues and most 'promises' actually up for debate should coalition negotiations ensue.
Of course they are the areas where magic Danny's petrol subsidy applies,which the govt are looking to expand. But there's plenty of Tory voting rural areas where the market is being rigged in their favour, drive past all those big subsidised farms with your subsidised post and complain about the state.
Yeah, and with no public transport, no libraries, no council leisure centres, no swimming-pools, roads not cleared when it snows, nearest schools miles away, rubbish collected intermittently, little policing, no facilities for the elderly... the list of subsidies to rural areas knows no bounds.
Still, if your suggestion is that Labour should abandon the universal service obligation, at least that would be a policy. I can't imagine it would be a terribly popular one, though.
Tories always claim to believe in a free market until it applies to Tories living in rural areas.
It's great because this way you get to bash them if they do and bash them if they dont. Either way the hit you get from bashing the Tories is delivered.
OT. Those following the Royal Mail privatization might notice that Labour's response has been led by Edinburgh MP Ian Murray my strong tip for promotion. Whether this means he's now been promoted I don't know but either way a name to watch. You heard it here first!
OT. Those following the Royal Mail privatization might notice that Labour's response has been led by Edinburgh MP Ian Murray my strong tip for promotion. Whether this means he's now been promoted I don't know but either way a name to watch. You heard it here first!
One has to presume that he picked up the tab for that meal you had together, Roger.
"A super “mansion tax” which would clobber London’s wealthy elite could be brought in, a senior Liberal Democrat told the Evening Standard today.
Party president Tim Farron said it would hit the very richest even harder than the controversial levy on homes worth more than £2 million which is already being championed by Lib-Dems."
Wouldn't Godzilla have looked like a right jessy though?
Well quite - For all those knocking the size of the dinosaurs in Jurassic park, or whether they should have had feathers or not, just ask yourselves if the film would have been as good, if the main protagonists had looked like this?
"Mr Farron also warned 2015 would be his party’s toughest election battle for a generation, voiced support for raising the top rate of tax back to 50p, argued against Ukip leader Nigel Farage taking part in election TV debates, opposed a third runway at Heathrow, and urged Nick Clegg to ensure a Lib-Dem woman is soon appointed to the Cabinet."
The Dromaeosaurs, the family to which the Raptors belong, were the reptiles that evolved feathers and that the modern birds we see today are direct decendants of the Dromaeosaurs.
Also worth noting that the "Class" Reptililia is incomplete without including the Birds.
Wouldn't Godzilla have looked like a right jessy though?
Well quite - For all those knocking the size of the dinosaurs in Jurassic park, or whether they should have had feathers or not, just ask yourselves if the film would have been as good, if the main protagonists had looked like this?
"Mr Farron also warned 2015 would be his party’s toughest election battle for a generation, voiced support for raising the top rate of tax back to 50p, argued against Ukip leader Nigel Farage taking part in election TV debates, opposed a third runway at Heathrow, and urged Nick Clegg to ensure a Lib-Dem woman is soon appointed to the Cabinet."
Lib-dem women? They still have those after Ms Teather despaired of keeping her seat?
Wouldn't Godzilla have looked like a right jessy though?
Well quite - For all those knocking the size of the dinosaurs in Jurassic park, or whether they should have had feathers or not, just ask yourselves if the film would have been as good, if the main protagonists had looked like this?
Others will be able to answer with expertise, but just about every pollster weights their respondents' views in an attempt to get a random sample to more accurately portray the views of the general public.
Wouldn't Godzilla have looked like a right jessy though?
Well quite - For all those knocking the size of the dinosaurs in Jurassic park, or whether they should have had feathers or not, just ask yourselves if the film would have been as good, if the main protagonists had looked like this?
"Mr Farron also warned 2015 would be his party’s toughest election battle for a generation, voiced support for raising the top rate of tax back to 50p, argued against Ukip leader Nigel Farage taking part in election TV debates, opposed a third runway at Heathrow, and urged Nick Clegg to ensure a Lib-Dem woman is soon appointed to the Cabinet."
I think the debates might be a win-win for UKIP. If Mr Farage is excluded, the story is "why was Mr Farage excluded". If he's included, it shows up how similar the policies of the other three are.
Good afternoon. Are Populus the only firm who use this flawed methodology?
All the parties use party ID weighting, I believe Populus are the only ones who use it from the time of the last GE hence why they consistently produce the lowest scores for UKIP.
Mike linked to Rick Nye's defence, and at the seminar populus' defence was essentially "it's a judgment call about methodology that all pollsters make and we think we'll be proven right".
As a side note I was also at the seminar and will do a bit of a write-up thingy, there were a few things discussed there that I trust will interest PBers.
OT. Those following the Royal Mail privatization might notice that Labour's response has been led by Edinburgh MP Ian Murray my strong tip for promotion. Whether this means he's now been promoted I don't know but either way a name to watch. You heard it here first!
The debates (boo hiss) were almost the whole campaign last time. For the first one there might be a feeling of "Where's Farage?" (though I'm unconvinced) but there won't be for the other two. In addition, it'll give four and a half (or so) hours of prime time coverage to the main leaders.
Farage has absolutely no claim to be included in the debates.
However, the debates themselves should also be axed. Even worse than the debates themselves, though, is the vile worm. That's a serious problem wide open to a single party zealot (or hater) having a significant impact upon how the debates are perceived to have gone.
Others will be able to answer with expertise, but just about every pollster weights their respondents' views in an attempt to get a random sample to more accurately portray the views of the general public.
Edited extra bit: Mr. Barber, I didn't know that.
Many thanks. I'd rather assumed they used a 'rolling model', rather than a fixed, "based-on-your-declared-voting-in-the-last-equivalent-elections" correction factor.
I understand that pollsters typically use sample sizes of ~1000 to produce margins of error of +/- 3% or so. Does any on-line pollster use a fixed panel of (say) 5-10,000 of known demographic, perhaps taken as a sub-set from their full polling/survey panel?
The changes over time that individual respondents recorded could then be plotted - for example, by comparing how they said they voted in May 2010 in polling done immediately beforehand, with what the same individual now says they voted in May 2010.
You'd then be able to compare current claimed memory with probable reality, and, in particular, see precisely what demographic is most likely to be mistaken and most likely to have changed their minds.
B & Q have stepped in where the Lottery Fund didn't to set up a massive poppy planting initiative for the British Legion.
How the Lottery managed to get themselves into this PR mess is a wonder - and well done to B&Q for filling the gap, oodles of brownie points for their PR dept.
Alastair Stewart @alstewitn #MillionPoppies Poor Heritage Lottery Fund couldn't back this ambition. Several 'hurrahs' for @BandQ who are now doing it with @PoppyLegion
"Mr Farron also warned 2015 would be his party’s toughest election battle for a generation, voiced support for raising the top rate of tax back to 50p, argued against Ukip leader Nigel Farage taking part in election TV debates, opposed a third runway at Heathrow, and urged Nick Clegg to ensure a Lib-Dem woman is soon appointed to the Cabinet."
Lib-dem women? They still have those after Ms Teather despaired of keeping her seat?
Actually he is. Very 'ordinary' in the nicest sense of the word but when I met several of his political colleagues it was clear that they all thought a lot of him. I think it was a complete fluke that he became an MP with (I think) one of the smallest majorities in parliament.
"If the rumours are true about the 2014 Mercedes engine having up to 100 hp advantage, it won't matter who's driving for Ferrari, or Red Bull for that matter. The Mercedes engines will be the deciding factor." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24048992
It's a latest (264) comment. Can't believe that's the case.
Went to check on news.google, and there are some related stories which seem to confirm that there is at least such a rumour.
Mr. Finch, afraid I'll have to leave that for the better informed chaps to answer.
Miss Plato, that seems odd by the Lottery and a clever/good move by B&Q.
What I found so odd is that poppies are dirt cheap - grow in poor soil like ox-eye daisies and are perennials so once planted they grow like weeds.
It's a cheap as chips and enduring initiative that's entirely maintenance free - the Lottery Fund deserves shooting over this totally apolitical idea. It's about honouring the dead.
Good afternoon. Are Populus the only firm who use this flawed methodology?
All the parties use party ID weighting, I believe Populus are the only ones who use it from the time of the last GE hence why they consistently produce the lowest scores for UKIP.
Mike linked to Rick Nye's defence, and at the seminar populus' defence was essentially "it's a judgment call about methodology that all pollsters make and we think we'll be proven right".
ICM use past vote weighting rather than Party ID . Populus changed from past vote to Party ID when they restarted polling online ( formerly telephone . Ipsos Mori uses neither believing only in their absolutely certain to vote filter . IIRC Comres use past vote but cannot check for now . I don't think Opinium or Survation use either
"If the rumours are true about the 2014 Mercedes engine having up to 100 hp advantage, it won't matter who's driving for Ferrari, or Red Bull for that matter. The Mercedes engines will be the deciding factor." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24048992
It's a latest (264) comment. Can't believe that's the case.
Went to check on news.google, and there are some related stories which seem to confirm that there is at least such a rumour.
"One sign that Mercedes is indeed speeding ahead is an argument about the specification of next year's Pirelli tyres.
Mercedes has been pushing hard for a wider rear tyre, which would better transfer the power and torque of a superior engine to the track.
Ferrari and Renault, on the other hand, are reportedly happy with the narrower status-quo."
I can't see Mercedes having 100 bhp more than Red Bull given how good their tech guys obviously are. Hamilton to run away with the season if this is true though ?
Mr. Pulpstar, probably, though Rosberg's no slouch.
The bet to make might be to lay Vettel for top 3. If Mercedes is miles ahead and Ferrari do a good job (and they should be switching many resources to 2014 already) then Alonso/Raikkonen could mean Vettel ends up outside the top 3.
Vettel's a great driver, but the lay odds for such a thing occurring after 4 consecutive titles (including this year) would be nice and low.
Good afternoon. Are Populus the only firm who use this flawed methodology?
All the parties use party ID weighting, I believe Populus are the only ones who use it from the time of the last GE hence why they consistently produce the lowest scores for UKIP.
Mike linked to Rick Nye's defence, and at the seminar populus' defence was essentially "it's a judgment call about methodology that all pollsters make and we think we'll be proven right".
ICM use past vote weighting rather than Party ID . Populus changed from past vote to Party ID when they restarted polling online ( formerly telephone . Ipsos Mori uses neither believing only in their absolutely certain to vote filter . IIRC Comres use past vote but cannot check for now . I don't think Opinium or Survation use either
Edit Yes Comres use Past Vote .
I swear I knew that, eesh. Teach me to pb while distracted.
Actually he is. Very 'ordinary' in the nicest sense of the word but when I met several of his political colleagues it was clear that they all thought a lot of him. I think it was a complete fluke that he became an MP with (I think) one of the smallest majorities in parliament.
I suspect his 316 majority against the Lib Dems should be enough.....unless his leader drags him down....
I can't see Mercedes having 100 bhp more than Red Bull given how good their tech guys obviously are. Hamilton to run away with the season if this is true though ?
Mclaren (and Williams) will have the same engines. If they are as good as is said laying Vettel would be about the only bet you could make, betting whether Mercedes / Mclaren can make a better car would be inadvisable until testing begins next year.
'NHS chief Sir Bruce Keogh says he is taking very seriously figures revealed by Channel 4 News which show that health service patients are 45 per cent more likely to die in hospital than in the US.'
Could be because a lot of Americans do not have hospital access.
what about the other countries listed in the report?
"If the rumours are true about the 2014 Mercedes engine having up to 100 hp advantage, it won't matter who's driving for Ferrari, or Red Bull for that matter. The Mercedes engines will be the deciding factor." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24048992
It's a latest (264) comment. Can't believe that's the case.
Went to check on news.google, and there are some related stories which seem to confirm that there is at least such a rumour.
I have a source from another forum I frequent that confirms the story, hr also tends to be right aboutthis stuff. He posted about a mmonth ago before everyone else that Ferrari and Kimi were in talks and that he was looking to get away from Lotus at any cost.
He says its Mercedes power that is superior so McLaren and Force India would benefit from it as well. He has also confirmed previously that Alonso is either going to take a break from F1 or sign forMMcLaren if they can get a decent car for 2015 ready.
Mr. Finch, afraid I'll have to leave that for the better informed chaps to answer.
Miss Plato, that seems odd by the Lottery and a clever/good move by B&Q.
What I found so odd is that poppies are dirt cheap - grow in poor soil like ox-eye daisies and are perennials so once planted they grow like weeds.
It's a cheap as chips and enduring initiative that's entirely maintenance free - the Lottery Fund deserves shooting over this totally apolitical idea. It's about honouring the dead.
Poppy seeds - 2000 for £2.69 from a reputable grower ( thompson and morgan ) so say you buy 2 million to guarantee a million that £2690. I'll bet the salaries they spent evaluating the thing to say "No" cost more. And it'll cost more in press management and PR to explain why they wouldn't spend £3k.
Mr. Finch, afraid I'll have to leave that for the better informed chaps to answer.
Miss Plato, that seems odd by the Lottery and a clever/good move by B&Q.
What I found so odd is that poppies are dirt cheap - grow in poor soil like ox-eye daisies and are perennials so once planted they grow like weeds.
It's a cheap as chips and enduring initiative that's entirely maintenance free - the Lottery Fund deserves shooting over this totally apolitical idea. It's about honouring the dead.
Poppy seeds - 2000 for £2.69 from a reputable grower ( thompson and morgan ) so say you buy 2 million to guarantee a million that £2690. I'll bet the salaries they spent evaluating the thing to say "No" cost more. And it'll cost more in press management and PR to explain why they wouldn't spend £3k.
" ‘It confirmed for us some of his weaknesses as a leader,’ says one of Clegg’s long standing aides. ‘Is he someone capable of taking a decision and holding to it? Frankly, no.’
One Lib Dem minister is more direct: ‘A Miliband government would be catastrophic.’
A milii hater? not necessarily so, just realistic.
Miss Plato, the posts are there so it must be something else.
Mr. Eek, indeed, but it's worth stating that testing times should be largely ignored. Mood music matters more, and can be misleading even then (McLaren were initially very confident in this year's car).
Mr. Max, many thanks for that confirmation. Do feel free to share any more inside info (either here or on my blog (http://enormo-haddock.blogspot.co.uk/) or by messaging me through Vanilla).
Interesting to hear that Alonso to McLaren rumour repeated. Eddie Jordan said much the same on a Raikkonen/Alonso post on the BBC.
Meirion Jones @MeirionTweets World in Action proved #CyrilSmith was #paedophile in 1989 but film never broadcast. Insane British #Libel laws again or cover-up? #ITV #BBC
"If the rumours are true about the 2014 Mercedes engine having up to 100 hp advantage, it won't matter who's driving for Ferrari, or Red Bull for that matter. The Mercedes engines will be the deciding factor." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24048992
It's a latest (264) comment. Can't believe that's the case.
Went to check on news.google, and there are some related stories which seem to confirm that there is at least such a rumour.
I have a source from another forum I frequent that confirms the story, hr also tends to be right aboutthis stuff. He posted about a mmonth ago before everyone else that Ferrari and Kimi were in talks and that he was looking to get away from Lotus at any cost.
He says its Mercedes power that is superior so McLaren and Force India would benefit from it as well. He has also confirmed previously that Alonso is either going to take a break from F1 or sign forMMcLaren if they can get a decent car for 2015 ready.
I've heard the Merc engine advantage thing numerous times (from autosport where I also post on the forums)..
Mr. Finch, afraid I'll have to leave that for the better informed chaps to answer.
Miss Plato, that seems odd by the Lottery and a clever/good move by B&Q.
What I found so odd is that poppies are dirt cheap - grow in poor soil like ox-eye daisies and are perennials so once planted they grow like weeds.
It's a cheap as chips and enduring initiative that's entirely maintenance free - the Lottery Fund deserves shooting over this totally apolitical idea. It's about honouring the dead.
Poppy seeds - 2000 for £2.69 from a reputable grower ( thompson and morgan ) so say you buy 2 million to guarantee a million that £2690. I'll bet the salaries they spent evaluating the thing to say "No" cost more. And it'll cost more in press management and PR to explain why they wouldn't spend £3k.
The bid was for £92k so I'm sure there was more than the cost of the seed involved.
Yes I know, but the lottery is also quite good at giving you a counter proposal say half and telling you maybe to cut out certain aspects or seek alternative funding. To offer nothing was leaving themselves open to a PR headache they didn't need, especially as they gave £100,000 to commemorate pacifists in WW1.
'NHS chief Sir Bruce Keogh says he is taking very seriously figures revealed by Channel 4 News which show that health service patients are 45 per cent more likely to die in hospital than in the US.'
Could be because a lot of Americans do not have hospital access.
what about the other countries listed in the report?
Care to name them?
"Because of confidentiality issues we are not allowed to name the other countries."
Equally interestingly, "What [Jarman] found so shocked him, he did not release the results." Interesting light on his attitude to unwanted results, and explains his hilarious fail in trying to explain why excess deaths identified in his own report are not, actually, excess deaths, at least in cases where they might embarrass the Labour party.
And it appears that the lottery fund bid for £92k was to plant poppy seeds in Kent, not nationwide.
Perhaps a little research before climbing on board, what is it called, The Outrage Bus, is called for.
silly statement tim. I'm more amazed at the how the LF handled the issue than outraged. There are just some touchstone issues - forces, NHS, anything to do with children - an organisation can't win on and this is one of them. I'd have expected them to be a bit more savvy than they appear to be.
"Germany is indeed on the hook for €574bn of credits from the Bundesbank to the central banks of Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, and Slovenia.
... any EMU state leaving the euro would face likely default on external obligations. "The national central bank would not be able to repay liabilities accumulated in relation to other members of the euro system, which are registered in the internal payments system of the Union (known as Target2)."
Twitter norman smith @BBCNormanS 5m Labour's Pat McFadden says he warned CWU when they opposed Labour's partial sell off of Royal Mail they risked privatisation by Tory Govt.
And it appears that the lottery fund bid for £92k was to plant poppy seeds in Kent, not nationwide.
Perhaps a little research before climbing on board, what is it called, The Outrage Bus, is called for.
silly statement tim. I'm more amazed at the how the LF handled the issue than outraged. There are just some touchstone issues - forces, NHS, anything to do with children - an organisation can't win on and this is one of them. I'd have expected them to be a bit more savvy than they appear to be.
"'The bid submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund by the Greenhithe and Swanscombe Branch of The Royal British Legion was for a local project to provide poppy seeds in the Kent area only."
That's odd, Nick Palmer on the previous thread argued that Lord Mandelson wasn't really anything to do with Labour, and that Royal Mail Privatisation wasn't really a Labour policy, despite being proposed by a Labour Business Secretary and approved by a Labour cabinet, under a Labour PM.
Twitter norman smith @BBCNormanS 5m Labour's Pat McFadden says he warned CWU when they opposed Labour's partial sell off of Royal Mail they risked privatisation by Tory Govt.
Lucky they weren't stupid enough to fall for that one. After all, under Labour's plans employees were going to get nothing, under the coalition's plans they'll get 10% of the company, furthering the long-established union aim of securing for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry. Or something like that.
That's odd, Nick Palmer on the previous thread argued that Lord Mandelson wasn't really anything to do with Labour, and that Royal Mail Privatisation wasn't really a Labour policy, despite being proposed by a Labour Business Secretary and approved by a Labour cabinet, under a Labour PM.
My Google Fu couldn't find how EdM voted here - I found two votes on TWFU but neither seemed to be the Postal Services Bill - can anyone help here?
Actually tim I had typed you another longer reply prior to that which has disappeared into the ether.
But in summary while you like to type outrage, I've already told you my comments relate to how they handled the PR. But rant away if it keeps you happy since it's a slow afternoon. Since I'm currently going through a lottery project myself I'll be happy to listen to all your vast experience on the workings of the organisation and getting grants. Or will your bus pull over ?
wrt OUTRAGE, the only thing today worth getting outraged about is how that useless pudding Jacqui Smith got a plum job in healthcare with no relevant qualifications unless it was experience of treating wrist RSI injuries.
Twitter norman smith @BBCNormanS 5m Labour's Pat McFadden says he warned CWU when they opposed Labour's partial sell off of Royal Mail they risked privatisation by Tory Govt.
Lucky they weren't stupid enough to fall for that one. After all, under Labour's plans employees were going to get nothing, under the coalition's plans they'll get 10% of the company, furthering the long-established union aim of securing for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry. Or something like that.
I dont think £2,000 quite represents the full fruits of their industry.
Comments
He always making entertaining TV though perhaps not in the way he'd like to think.
A quick check on Wikipedia suggests it's unproven but credible: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrannosaurus_rex#Skin_and_feathers
Also worth noting that the "Class" Reptililia is incomplete without including the Birds.
Still, if your suggestion is that Labour should abandon the universal postal service obligation, at least that would be a policy. I can't imagine it would be a terribly popular one, though, not to mention being incompatible with EU rules.
http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/archives/8007
"From an average of 42% for the best part of a year, Labour’s average polling figure has now dropped to around 38%; an average lead of ten points is now an average lead of around six points....My own best guess is that there are a couple of likely reasons behind the recent movements. The first is the improvement in economic confidence.......I suspect the second factor is a clearer and more focused Conservative message, giving the impression they are more competent..."
They aren't "proper people" - they need subsidies to get mail.
Funny stance for a farmer mind you.
"A super “mansion tax” which would clobber London’s wealthy elite could be brought in, a senior Liberal Democrat told the Evening Standard today.
Party president Tim Farron said it would hit the very richest even harder than the controversial levy on homes worth more than £2 million which is already being championed by Lib-Dems."
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/exclusive-londons-rich-could-face-lib-dem-super-mansion-tax-8811569.html
http://www.wallpaperzzz.com/wallpapers/hd/hires/chicken-raptors.jpg
Also, some believe that birds should be classed as avian dinosaurs because they're so similar to the terrible lizards.
Re: last tweet "A magician summoned by police established that the coconut was innocent local officials have said No arrests have been made"
@PBcorporealtom 1m
Vote rigging controversy in the Maldives http://tinyurl.com/n7qyr7t
http://www.newstatesman.com/sites/default/files/images/2013+37maguire.JPG
"One has to presume that he picked up the tab for that meal you had together, Roger"
He's an impoverished ex wine bar owner whose partner is a young relative of mine so of course not!
Also worth noting that the "Class" Reptililia is incomplete without including the Birds.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BT3AfyNIMAAYNdB.jpg
Mind you he is on an MP's salary so less of the impoverished please.
"Then I admire your selfless promotion of his cause here!"
We all do our bit!
Are Populus the only firm who use this flawed methodology?
http://www.buzzfeed.com/robinedds/mostly-cute-but-occasionally-terrifying-animal-mashups
Others will be able to answer with expertise, but just about every pollster weights their respondents' views in an attempt to get a random sample to more accurately portray the views of the general public.
Edited extra bit: Mr. Barber, I didn't know that.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/oldtimeycats/35-cats-at-sea-d4cv
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-24066843
Mike linked to Rick Nye's defence, and at the seminar populus' defence was essentially "it's a judgment call about methodology that all pollsters make and we think we'll be proven right".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10319157
But he's not an upper middle class Oxbridge PPE, will he fit in on the Labour Front Bench?
The debates (boo hiss) were almost the whole campaign last time. For the first one there might be a feeling of "Where's Farage?" (though I'm unconvinced) but there won't be for the other two. In addition, it'll give four and a half (or so) hours of prime time coverage to the main leaders.
Farage has absolutely no claim to be included in the debates.
However, the debates themselves should also be axed. Even worse than the debates themselves, though, is the vile worm. That's a serious problem wide open to a single party zealot (or hater) having a significant impact upon how the debates are perceived to have gone.
I understand that pollsters typically use sample sizes of ~1000 to produce margins of error of +/- 3% or so. Does any on-line pollster use a fixed panel of (say) 5-10,000 of known demographic, perhaps taken as a sub-set from their full polling/survey panel?
The changes over time that individual respondents recorded could then be plotted - for example, by comparing how they said they voted in May 2010 in polling done immediately beforehand, with what the same individual now says they voted in May 2010.
You'd then be able to compare current claimed memory with probable reality, and, in particular, see precisely what demographic is most likely to be mistaken and most likely to have changed their minds.
How the Lottery managed to get themselves into this PR mess is a wonder - and well done to B&Q for filling the gap, oodles of brownie points for their PR dept.
Alastair Stewart @alstewitn
#MillionPoppies Poor Heritage Lottery Fund couldn't back this ambition. Several 'hurrahs' for @BandQ who are now doing it with @PoppyLegion
Miss Plato, that seems odd by the Lottery and a clever/good move by B&Q.
"Sounds like a good sort:"
Actually he is. Very 'ordinary' in the nicest sense of the word but when I met several of his political colleagues it was clear that they all thought a lot of him. I think it was a complete fluke that he became an MP with (I think) one of the smallest majorities in parliament.
"If the rumours are true about the 2014 Mercedes engine having up to 100 hp advantage, it won't matter who's driving for Ferrari, or Red Bull for that matter. The Mercedes engines will be the deciding factor."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24048992
It's a latest (264) comment. Can't believe that's the case.
Went to check on news.google, and there are some related stories which seem to confirm that there is at least such a rumour.
Weak: 39
Ruthless: 2
The Labour voter numbers (22/1) and 2010 LibDems (39/2) provide no comfort...
It's a cheap as chips and enduring initiative that's entirely maintenance free - the Lottery Fund deserves shooting over this totally apolitical idea. It's about honouring the dead.
Clegg:
Clegg admits on LBC 'It's unlikely Lib Dems will come out with an outright majority in 2015'. Latest poll puts them on 9%.
Unlikely. Lol !
Edit Yes Comres use Past Vote .
"One sign that Mercedes is indeed speeding ahead is an argument about the specification of next year's Pirelli tyres.
Mercedes has been pushing hard for a wider rear tyre, which would better transfer the power and torque of a superior engine to the track.
Ferrari and Renault, on the other hand, are reportedly happy with the narrower status-quo."
I can't see Mercedes having 100 bhp more than Red Bull given how good their tech guys obviously are. Hamilton to run away with the season if this is true though ?
LOL - Thin Skins R Us
The bet to make might be to lay Vettel for top 3. If Mercedes is miles ahead and Ferrari do a good job (and they should be switching many resources to 2014 already) then Alonso/Raikkonen could mean Vettel ends up outside the top 3.
Vettel's a great driver, but the lay odds for such a thing occurring after 4 consecutive titles (including this year) would be nice and low.
Thanks for making me laugh twice.
Vanilla is up the spout I assume.
He says its Mercedes power that is superior so McLaren and Force India would benefit from it as well. He has also confirmed previously that Alonso is either going to take a break from F1 or sign forMMcLaren if they can get a decent car for 2015 ready.
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/flowers/flower-seeds/poppy-seeds/papaver-rhoeas-flanders/6553TM
Mr. Eek, indeed, but it's worth stating that testing times should be largely ignored. Mood music matters more, and can be misleading even then (McLaren were initially very confident in this year's car).
Mr. Max, many thanks for that confirmation. Do feel free to share any more inside info (either here or on my blog (http://enormo-haddock.blogspot.co.uk/) or by messaging me through Vanilla).
Interesting to hear that Alonso to McLaren rumour repeated. Eddie Jordan said much the same on a Raikkonen/Alonso post on the BBC.
Meirion Jones @MeirionTweets
World in Action proved #CyrilSmith was #paedophile in 1989 but film never broadcast. Insane British #Libel laws again or cover-up? #ITV #BBC
http://www.channel4.com/news/nhs-hospital-death-rates-among-worst-new-study-finds
Equally interestingly, "What [Jarman] found so shocked him, he did not release the results."
Interesting light on his attitude to unwanted results, and explains his hilarious fail in trying to explain why excess deaths identified in his own report are not, actually, excess deaths, at least in cases where they might embarrass the Labour party.
... any EMU state leaving the euro would face likely default on external obligations. "The national central bank would not be able to repay liabilities accumulated in relation to other members of the euro system, which are registered in the internal payments system of the Union (known as Target2)."
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/ambroseevans-pritchard/100025507/italy-floated-plans-to-leave-euro-in-2011-says-ecb-insider/
norman smith @BBCNormanS 5m
Labour's Pat McFadden says he warned CWU when they opposed Labour's partial sell off of Royal Mail they risked privatisation by Tory Govt.
Outrage bus pulls on to hard shoulder
Actually tim I had typed you another longer reply prior to that which has disappeared into the ether.
But in summary while you like to type outrage, I've already told you my comments relate to how they handled the PR. But rant away if it keeps you happy since it's a slow afternoon. Since I'm currently going through a lottery project myself I'll be happy to listen to all your vast experience on the workings of the organisation and getting grants. Or will your bus pull over ?
wrt OUTRAGE, the only thing today worth getting outraged about is how that useless pudding Jacqui Smith got a plum job in healthcare with no relevant qualifications unless it was experience of treating wrist RSI injuries.
They really are turning into the "lets got back to the 1930s" party - with some hard left views.