What pisses me off is that the issue of what sort of Brexit we will get has become inextricably bound up with whether May survives or not.
I couldn't care less about the latter. I care a lot about the former. The fact that the Tories are confusing the two is making me despise them more and more.
The confidence motion threat arguably forced May to accept the four ERG amendments.
And the no confidence motion threat reduced the number of rebels on the customs union vote which was won 307 to 301.
The problem with May is you never know quite whose side she is on - maybe her sole objective is to keep going on and on and proving everyone wrong. I can't believe that she can be enjoying this all. Surely retirement with Phikip in Sonning can't come soon enough.
Yes, laying 2018 is value. She won't be No Confidenced this side of the October EU summit, and even if she is, and the vote then carried, it's not a given that the ensuing election would be concluded before the beginning of 2019.
In any case, I don't expect a deal in October, not least because there's another scheduled summit in December, which is rather more like crunch time - though even that's not really.
The confidence motion threat arguably forced May to accept the four ERG amendments.
And the no confidence motion threat reduced the number of rebels on the customs union vote which was won 307 to 301.
The problem with May is you never know quite whose side she is on - maybe her sole objective is to keep going on and on and proving everyone wrong. I can't believe that she can be enjoying this all. Surely retirement with Phikip in Sonning can't come soon enough.
The confidence motion threat arguably forced May to accept the four ERG amendments.
And the no confidence motion threat reduced the number of rebels on the customs union vote which was won 307 to 301.
The problem with May is you never know quite whose side she is on - maybe her sole objective is to keep going on and on and proving everyone wrong. I can't believe that she can be enjoying this all. Surely retirement with Phikip in Sonning can't come soon enough.
So the big question today is has TM done the right thing by becoming the chief negotiator and is she now driving a deal and taking on ERG
There is a pattern here. Brexiteers and Remainers take it in turns to be thrown under a bus by TM's edicts, which appear out of thin air. She is accumulating a mighty list of enemies. Her 'deal' will appear likewise at the last minute, and parliament will be bounced into a take this or crash out ultimatum.
Which they won't take. Corbyn's not saving it, and enough of her lot want to crash out.
But on any case I think she is right to take things on. I thought in effect she already had. She has nothing to lose by doing it and the future contest will be full of people who were in cabinet or still are claiming they'd have differently but may did it all, so it gives them an out. Not a plausible one, by something , and since she's not long from the job why not have her take on it all, a poison eater if you will.
What pisses me off is that the issue of what sort of Brexit we will get has become inextricably bound up with whether May survives or not.
I couldn't care less about the latter. I care a lot about the former. The fact that the Tories are confusing the two is making me despise them more and more.
The two are linked. However, I don't think there are many Tories at all who would put keeping May in power above the kind of Brexit we get. There might be a lot (and indeed many outside the Party), who want to keep her in place so as to avoid someone they don't want from becoming PM but that's a different thing and not really about May at all. Indeed, it's very probably in large part about Brexit.
What pisses me off is that the issue of what sort of Brexit we will get has become inextricably bound up with whether May survives or not.
I couldn't care less about the latter. I care a lot about the former. The fact that the Tories are confusing the two is making me despise them more and more.
As things stand at the moment I can't see May, or any other Tory leader, being able to put together an exit deal acceptable to the EU, the Tory Party and Parliament. We are heading for a crisis which will end either in a cliff edge exit or a humiliating volte face with the UK accepting the EU's terms. May's government will not survive either of these eventualities.
Survival on its own is not enough. There needs to be something achieved. One would hope the tory party no longer pretending it can unite and the gov just pickin an option would have been some achievement, albeit very much too late, but alas no, still they argue.
It's an odd summer for May. She knows her deal is dead - she's already changed it, the EU won't accept it, the rest of the party won't accept more changes, Labour won't touch it, remainers are going for a referendum not the deal, the members hate it - but will presumably spend pointless weeks on it from now on.
Not a very productive use of time - anyone banking on no deal scares tories, true or not, to turn the tide toward a deal, presuming she can get one, is mistaken. If believed it's more likely to push people toward remain imo.
Yes, laying 2018 is value. She won't be No Confidenced this side of the October EU summit, and even if she is, and the vote then carried, it's not a given that the ensuing election would be concluded before the beginning of 2019.
In any case, I don't expect a deal in October, not least because there's another scheduled summit in December, which is rather more like crunch time - though even that's not really.
So we can look forward to frantic panic in October, then everyone pushes it back to December and so on. Great.
What pisses me off is that the issue of what sort of Brexit we will get has become inextricably bound up with whether May survives or not.
I couldn't care less about the latter. I care a lot about the former. The fact that the Tories are confusing the two is making me despise them more and more.
The good old Republicans, free market believers and haters of big government, now supporting a man who is literally handing out free tax payers money to stop his base revolting against his own mad economic theories.
The good old Republicans, free market believers and haters of big government, now supporting a man who is literally handing out free tax payers money to stop his base revolting against his own mad economic theories.
I can't decide whether the GOP are true believers now or are merely waiting for someone senior enough to call Trump's bluff and then the whole damn charade will collapse over night.
The good old Republicans, free market believers and haters of big government, now supporting a man who is literally handing out free tax payers money to stop his base revolting against his own mad economic theories.
I can't decide whether the GOP are true believers now or are merely waiting for someone senior enough to call Trump's bluff and then the whole damn charade will collapse over night.
Most people (even in politics) aren't ideological.
The confidence motion threat arguably forced May to accept the four ERG amendments.
And the no confidence motion threat reduced the number of rebels on the customs union vote which was won 307 to 301.
The problem with May is you never know quite whose side she is on - maybe her sole objective is to keep going on and on and proving everyone wrong. I can't believe that she can be enjoying this all. Surely retirement with Phikip in Sonning can't come soon enough.
As long she doesn't bloody retire to Wales. We've had enough of her mountain walking escapades.
Re Ian Paisley Jnr. Will the DUP just ditch him if there's a recall petition? He doesn't seem to be well-regarded within the party, and any other DUP candidate would retain the seat in a by-election.
I wonder if she might start getting some credit simply for Being There, and taking on the Tedious Task of Brexit.
No one else wants the job. She is prepared to grit her teeth and set herself to this almost impossible endeavour. There is something admirable in it. This annoying, cold, autistic vicar's daughter is sitting there, day after day, trying to cobble together something that won't crash the economy yet still honours the referendum.
I am in a particularly benign mood this evening - it might be the weather, the wine, the season, the writing, a commission to go Sri Lanka, a lower tax bill than I anticipated - but I am feeling more sympathetic to the Maybot.
She's got a bloody horrible job, but she's doing it. As best she can. And I am really not sure anyone could do better.
I wonder if she might start getting some credit simply for Being There, and taking on the Tedious Task of Brexit.
No one else wants the job. She is prepared to grit her teeth and set herself to this almost impossible endeavour. There is something admirable in it. This annoying, cold, autistic vicar's daughter is sitting there, day after day, trying to cobble together something that won't crash the economy yet still honours the referendum.
I am in a particularly benign mood this evening - it might be the weather, the wine, the season, the writing, a commission to go Sri Lanka, a lower tax bill than I anticipated - but I am feeling more sympathetic to the Maybot.
She's got a bloody horrible job, but she's doing it. As best she can. And I am really not sure anyone could do better.
On the other hand, I just watched her "Q&A" from yesterday, and Christ, she's not getting any better at this stuff... full of awkward laughs, terrified facial expressions, word-stumbling, awkward posture, voice wobbling.
I wonder if she might start getting some credit simply for Being There, and taking on the Tedious Task of Brexit.
No one else wants the job. She is prepared to grit her teeth and set herself to this almost impossible endeavour. There is something admirable in it. This annoying, cold, autistic vicar's daughter is sitting there, day after day, trying to cobble together something that won't crash the economy yet still honours the referendum.
I am in a particularly benign mood this evening - it might be the weather, the wine, the season, the writing, a commission to go Sri Lanka, a lower tax bill than I anticipated - but I am feeling more sympathetic to the Maybot.
She's got a bloody horrible job, but she's doing it. As best she can. And I am really not sure anyone could do better.
There might be, but noone else wants it. I bet not even corbyn, though his job means he has to pretend to.
That's interesting: last night on here I posted a comment about the possibility of riots this year, and a few hours later an article on the same subject appears in the Spectator. Maybe PB is popular with Spectator columnists.
I view British jihadists the same way as British people who decide to import heroin to Indonesia or molest children in Vietnam. If the locals kill them, or deport them to countries that will kill them, well, they brought their fates on themselves.
That's interesting: last night on here I posted a comment about the possibility of riots this year, and a few hours later an article on the same subject appears in the Spectator. Maybe PB is popular with Spectator columnists.
That's interesting: last night on here I posted a comment about the possibility of riots this year, and a few hours later an article on the same subject appears in the Spectator. Maybe PB is popular with Spectator columnists.
That's interesting: last night on here I posted a comment about the possibility of riots this year, and a few hours later an article on the same subject appears in the Spectator. Maybe PB is popular with Spectator columnists.
I view British jihadists the same way as British people who decide to import heroin to Indonesia or molest children in Vietnam. If the locals kill them, or deport them to countries that will kill them, well, they brought their fates on themselves.
Ideally we should deceive them, say we're going to help them, then get them translocated to Iraq or somewhere equally savage, where they will be tried quickly, and shot.
I just don't see what the issue is about the two held by the Kurds. They aren't our problem.
I wonder if she might start getting some credit simply for Being There, and taking on the Tedious Task of Brexit.
No one else wants the job. She is prepared to grit her teeth and set herself to this almost impossible endeavour. There is something admirable in it. This annoying, cold, autistic vicar's daughter is sitting there, day after day, trying to cobble together something that won't crash the economy yet still honours the referendum.
I am in a particularly benign mood this evening - it might be the weather, the wine, the season, the writing, a commission to go Sri Lanka, a lower tax bill than I anticipated - but I am feeling more sympathetic to the Maybot.
She's got a bloody horrible job, but she's doing it. As best she can. And I am really not sure anyone could do better.
I view British jihadists the same way as British people who decide to import heroin to Indonesia or molest children in Vietnam. If the locals kill them, or deport them to countries that will kill them, well, they brought their fates on themselves.
Ideally we should deceive them, say we're going to help them, then get them translocated to Iraq or somewhere equally savage, where they will be tried quickly, and shot.
Stone them. With 1000lb lumps of laser guided concrete
I wonder if she might start getting some credit simply for Being There, and taking on the Tedious Task of Brexit.
No one else wants the job. She is prepared to grit her teeth and set herself to this almost impossible endeavour. There is something admirable in it. This annoying, cold, autistic vicar's daughter is sitting there, day after day, trying to cobble together something that won't crash the economy yet still honours the referendum.
I am in a particularly benign mood this evening - it might be the weather, the wine, the season, the writing, a commission to go Sri Lanka, a lower tax bill than I anticipated - but I am feeling more sympathetic to the Maybot.
She's got a bloody horrible job, but she's doing it. As best she can. And I am really not sure anyone could do better.
On the other hand, I just watched her "Q&A" from yesterday, and Christ, she's not getting any better at this stuff... full of awkward laughs, terrified facial expressions, word-stumbling, awkward posture, voice wobbling.
Oh, I agree. She is dislikeable and charmless (and, I am pretty sure, a fair way down the autistic spectrum). But she might be the right sort of person to do the boring boring boring task of Brexit. A determined librarian with a bit of stubborn bravery.
She has no kids. She has nothing exciting and different to retire to, no apparent hinterland, no huge cultural interests, no writing or artistic ability, she's not going to be the UN Envoy for Making Even More Money For Myself, like Tony Blair. This is her job, the best job she will ever have, she's at the top, she beat the posh boys, and she's got a world class problem to deal with, her premiership counts even if it only lasts 3 years.
She's not quitting, put it that way. They will have to stab her in the front.
May's great strength is that although there are dozen of Conservative MPs who would like to replace her there are probably none who would like to inherit the present issues that the job involves dealing with.
May's great strength is that although there are dozen of Conservative MPs who would like to replace her there are probably none who would like to inherit the present issues that the job involves dealing with.
I suspect there is one person who believes he has the Chuchillian drive to do it. I'm just not sure that his colleagues trust him or think the situation is bad enough yet.
Canadian TV. Second City TV was the basis and inspiration for Saturday Night Live. Many of the shows early stars transferred over. John Candy, Rick Moranis, Harold Ramis, Dave Thomas. It was widely shown in the US, though never made it over here. Mike Myers started on it too.
Canadian TV. Second City TV was the basis and inspiration for Saturday Night Live. Many of the shows early stars transferred over. John Candy, Rick Moranis, Harold Ramis, Dave Thomas. It was widely shown in the US, though never made it over here. Mike Myers started on it too.
I view British jihadists the same way as British people who decide to import heroin to Indonesia or molest children in Vietnam. If the locals kill them, or deport them to countries that will kill them, well, they brought their fates on themselves.
Ideally we should deceive them, say we're going to help them, then get them translocated to Iraq or somewhere equally savage, where they will be tried quickly, and shot.
I just don't see what the issue is about the two held by the Kurds. They aren't our problem.
Just strip them of citizenship, cancel their passports automatically, job done. Not our responsibility. They will end up stuck in Syria or Iraq or caught by the Americans and sent to Guantanamo. Oh dear. Such a shame.
FFS they KNOWINGLY went to fight for actual Nazis who glorified in the cruelty of their murder. Who televised live burnings, and mass beheadings, and the stoning-to-death of women, and who laughed as they sexually enslaved Yazidi girls of 9 or 11. They BOASTED of their horrors.
They are the worst of the worst. They do not deserve to be considered human, let alone British subjects. Let us wash our hands and leave them to the brisk and brutal justice of their Muslim co-believers.
They've had their citizenship stripped.
I think the issue is possibly to do with the role of British intelligence in any future court case? i.e. would the UK's involvement lead to a likely death sentence, which the government is traditionally opposed to and won't usually get involved with if that might be the outcome.
Personally, I don't see why they can't be tried in the Middle East. I'm pretty sure they must have transgressed some fairly serious local laws.
However, given that that same intelligence could quite easily have led to their deaths in Syria or Iraq or whereever, I think those sort of arguments are splitting hairs.
Canadian TV. Second City TV was the basis and inspiration for Saturday Night Live. Many of the shows early stars transferred over. John Candy, Rick Moranis, Harold Ramis, Dave Thomas. It was widely shown in the US, though never made it over here. Mike Myers started on it too.
Second City is Chicago, surely?
Toronto. Was picked up by NBC, and made less obviously "Canadian". Martin Short was another SCTVer. John Belushi came from Second City comedy club in Chicago. As did Dan Akroyd. Not sure if the same name is coincidental or an homage.
On topic. The confidence motion threat was all piss and wind from the Brexiteers
Mike. Do you really believe that sentence, or are you just playing a willywonka game with us? In case it’s the former let me quietly explain what is really going on.
Politics is the art of the possible. You don’t publicly say what you think till the win is in the bag, or else you are merely making enemies, stirring trouble for yourself. Do You really think it’s just piss and wind in private? Or in private those who can make a difference being sounded out and brought on board? This is how it goes. Gently, discreetly enough, until...
In recent weeks the game has moved forward quite a lot you agree? The game has changed? This is how it’s changed, and the reason the dead woman is still walking: When Brexit turns out unsatisfying or outright disaster, or any of fifty shades in between, it’s not the fault of everyday remain voters, they are completely off the hook. It can no longer be the fault of Cameron, Osborne, Major, Clegg, Brown or Blair. Quite wonderfully, It can no longer be the fault of vote-leave, the people’s liberation front of leave, or any leave voters. Chequers is not the British proposal, it’s the May governments proposal. As each day passes, the ink on the blueprint dries, voters get a clearer picture in their heads, you will see the expression on the publics face change. Because The game has changed, now everyone can and will blame everything wholly and exactly on May and her cabinet, their partisan agreement between themselves and their own weird, woolly and wonderful definition of what Brexit means
FPT on Type 31e... This is classic MoD bait and switch.
The RN actual gave up 2 x T45 (hulls #7 and #8) so that they could have 18 x FSC (as T26 was known at the time) comprising 10 x ASW and 8 x General Purpose. As the program progressed this was reduced by the tories to 13 x T26 (8 x ASW, 5 x GP) to 8 x T26 and 5 x T31 (ebay version of T26). Now T31 has been "suspended" (ie cancelled) we're left with the 8 x T26. Even if the RN get all 8, which is doubtful, that will leave the RN with an escort fleet of 14 ships!
OT, but I wonder if Rudd will be back in Cabinet soon. I think she came out relatively unscathed from the official report into the issues surrounding her resignation (done in by civil service incompetence).
FPT on Type 31e... This is classic MoD bait and switch.
The RN actual gave up 2 x T45 (hulls #7 and #8) so that they could have 18 x FSC (as T26 was known at the time) comprising 10 x ASW and 8 x General Purpose. As the program progressed this was reduced by the tories to 13 x T26 (8 x ASW, 5 x GP) to 8 x T26 and 5 x T31 (ebay version of T26). Now T31 has been "suspended" (ie cancelled) we're left with the 8 x T26. Even if the RN get all 8, which is doubtful, that will leave the RN with an escort fleet of 14 ships!
But remember you can't trust Labour on defence...
I'm sure Labour would have been 100% behind May's supposed plan to boost defence spending to 4% of GDP.
I may be going mad, but I seem to recall that @TimB posted on here an extraordinary story about the time he bought a second-hand car not long after migrating to the New World.
And the former owner of the car turned out to be a retired but very senior Canadian politician.
Would appreciate it if someone can confirm whether or not the heat has completely addled me!!
I may be going mad, but I seem to recall that @TimB posted on here an extraordinary story about the time he bought a second-hand car not long after migrating to the New World.
And the former owner of the car turned out to be a retired but very senior Canadian politician.
Would appreciate it if someone can confirm whether or not the heat has completely addled me!!
Yes that is the case. It was a Cadillac previously owned by the leader of the socialist party in Canada. I am amazed that you remember that!
It had an 8.2 liter engine and went like a scalded dog.
I may be going mad, but I seem to recall that @TimB posted on here an extraordinary story about the time he bought a second-hand car not long after migrating to the New World.
And the former owner of the car turned out to be a retired but very senior Canadian politician.
Would appreciate it if someone can confirm whether or not the heat has completely addled me!!
Yes that is the case. It was a Cadillac previously owned by the leader of the socialist party in Canada. I am amazed that you remember that!
It had an 8.2 liter engine and went like a scalded dog.
Three legged dog, maybe! 500ci Caddy motors only make about 200hp when new...
I may be going mad, but I seem to recall that @TimB posted on here an extraordinary story about the time he bought a second-hand car not long after migrating to the New World.
And the former owner of the car turned out to be a retired but very senior Canadian politician.
Would appreciate it if someone can confirm whether or not the heat has completely addled me!!
Yes that is the case. It was a Cadillac previously owned by the leader of the socialist party in Canada. I am amazed that you remember that!
It had an 8.2 liter engine and went like a scalded dog.
Three legged dog, maybe! 500ci Caddy motors only make about 200hp when new...
This conversation reminds me of the LA Speed Check story. For those of you who have never heard it, well worth the five minutes:
That story doesn't show what the BBC think it does. They think it looks bad for Banks - and, I admit, it's not good - but really it's much worse for the African politician on the take.
That's how things work in Africa. It's why it's the way it is.
That was one hot sticky night. Rain, a hearfelt message from us to you: We were wrong to be so unkind about you. We took you for granted. All we did was complain. But now we realise we can’t live without you. We are half of what we should be. Please come home. Love, the UK x
That was one hot sticky night. Rain, a hearfelt message from us to you: We were wrong to be so unkind about you. We took you for granted. All we did was complain. But now we realise we can’t live without you. We are half of what we should be. Please come home. Love, the UK x
I did a walk in Northamptonshire on Sunday, and encountered some light drizzle as I climbed up to the top of Honey Hill. I stretched out my arms and let the drops hit my face.
It was a marvellous 22 mile stroll on a very warm day (actually 24, because *ahem* I went wrong in a couple of places). But best of all was the drizzle - and it's not often I say that!
That was one hot sticky night. Rain, a hearfelt message from us to you: We were wrong to be so unkind about you. We took you for granted. All we did was complain. But now we realise we can’t live without you. We are half of what we should be. Please come home. Love, the UK x
Pfft. Every British tourist back from their two weeks in France or Spain wonders and wishes for a guaranteed hot summer like they have, where you get up and are pretty much guaranteed a hot sunny day. Now we have one, enjoy it. Next summer could be like 2012.
That story doesn't show what the BBC think it does. They think it looks bad for Banks - and, I admit, it's not good - but really it's much worse for the African politician on the take.
That's how things work in Africa. It's why it's the way it is.
Payments to Ministers to secure contracts are not just an African thing:
Mr. Observer, I once visited a forest that was very warm, but where it constantly rained. It was the most peculiarly refreshing climate.
Big thunderstorms could hit on Friday. One imagines the reservoirs will be partly refilled, and flash flooding abound.
Mr D sincerely hope we dont get a thunderstorm on Friday. Or at least not until very late!. Big charity cricket match locally, with at least 40 local beers in the beer tent. Oh, and some major former players booked to play too!
That was one hot sticky night. Rain, a hearfelt message from us to you: We were wrong to be so unkind about you. We took you for granted. All we did was complain. But now we realise we can’t live without you. We are half of what we should be. Please come home. Love, the UK x
I did a walk in Northamptonshire on Sunday, and encountered some light drizzle as I climbed up to the top of Honey Hill. I stretched out my arms and let the drops hit my face.
It was a marvellous 22 mile stroll on a very warm day (actually 24, because *ahem* I went wrong in a couple of places). But best of all was the drizzle - and it's not often I say that!
Back in May when Severn Trent reservoirs were at 96% capacity I foolishly said there would be no hosepipe ban this summer. Even then, I had a vaguely uneasy feeling that I could be inviting drought. Now I know. This is all my fault!!
That was one hot sticky night. Rain, a hearfelt message from us to you: We were wrong to be so unkind about you. We took you for granted. All we did was complain. But now we realise we can’t live without you. We are half of what we should be. Please come home. Love, the UK x
I did a walk in Northamptonshire on Sunday, and encountered some light drizzle as I climbed up to the top of Honey Hill. I stretched out my arms and let the drops hit my face.
It was a marvellous 22 mile stroll on a very warm day (actually 24, because *ahem* I went wrong in a couple of places). But best of all was the drizzle - and it's not often I say that!
Back in May when Severn Trent reservoirs were at 96% capacity I foolishly said there would be no hosepipe ban this summer. Even then, I had a vaguely uneasy feeling that I could be inviting drought. Now I know. This is all my fault!!
So it's your fault my poor hydrangea is looking thirstier than SeanT after a month in a temperance hotel?
I dunno, these new Labour types. Making promises and then instantly breaking them...
That was one hot sticky night. Rain, a hearfelt message from us to you: We were wrong to be so unkind about you. We took you for granted. All we did was complain. But now we realise we can’t live without you. We are half of what we should be. Please come home. Love, the UK x
I did a walk in Northamptonshire on Sunday, and encountered some light drizzle as I climbed up to the top of Honey Hill. I stretched out my arms and let the drops hit my face.
It was a marvellous 22 mile stroll on a very warm day (actually 24, because *ahem* I went wrong in a couple of places). But best of all was the drizzle - and it's not often I say that!
Back in May when Severn Trent reservoirs were at 96% capacity I foolishly said there would be no hosepipe ban this summer. Even then, I had a vaguely uneasy feeling that I could be inviting drought. Now I know. This is all my fault!!
I have mentioned that prediction to you on a couple of occasions.
King Cole, must've taken some foresight to pick the only day in two months when substantial rainfall is expected for a charity cricket match... hope you're spared the sogginess, for a while.
That was one hot sticky night. Rain, a hearfelt message from us to you: We were wrong to be so unkind about you. We took you for granted. All we did was complain. But now we realise we can’t live without you. We are half of what we should be. Please come home. Love, the UK x
I did a walk in Northamptonshire on Sunday, and encountered some light drizzle as I climbed up to the top of Honey Hill. I stretched out my arms and let the drops hit my face.
It was a marvellous 22 mile stroll on a very warm day (actually 24, because *ahem* I went wrong in a couple of places). But best of all was the drizzle - and it's not often I say that!
Back in May when Severn Trent reservoirs were at 96% capacity I foolishly said there would be no hosepipe ban this summer. Even then, I had a vaguely uneasy feeling that I could be inviting drought. Now I know. This is all my fault!!
I have mentioned that prediction to you on a couple of occasions.
As recently as the start of June, reservoir levels under Severn Trent were at 91% of capacity. It should also be noted that they have only one major reservoir chain - the Derwent - below 60% at the moment. By contrast Thirlmere is down to 48% (I'm guessing those fires had something to do with that). Annoyingly I can't find the details for Blithefield, but the Clywedog reservoir (our other major source of water) is still at 85%.
So it's not certain the Midlands will have a hosepipe ban, or even especially likely. A dry autumn and it might be a different story next year.
This thread reminds me of Brown.. back in the day, everyone or pretty much everyone(including me) was predicting that Brown would be out, but it didn't happen. If it didn't happen to someone who really ought to have been summarily got rid of, its unlikely to happen to May, unless the Tories think they will lose the next election in which case she wall be booted. on this matter the Tories are ruthless. We are a long way from the next election IMHO>
King Cole, must've taken some foresight to pick the only day in two months when substantial rainfall is expected for a charity cricket match... hope you're spared the sogginess, for a while.
It’s been planned for a long while! Might, of course, have to hide in the beer tent. Ah, calamity!
King Cole, must've taken some foresight to pick the only day in two months when substantial rainfall is expected for a charity cricket match... hope you're spared the sogginess, for a while.
It’s been planned for a long while! Might, of course, have to hide in the beer tent. Ah, calamity!
So at least if it's wet, you won't have to stay dry?
(Hope it doesn't rain. In my experience the last few weeks every time they've forecast rain, sometimes even when it's put on the radar screen at the time it's happening, it's been dry.)
Comments
I couldn't care less about the latter. I care a lot about the former. The fact that the Tories are confusing the two is making me despise them more and more.
The problem with May is you never know quite whose side she is on - maybe her sole objective is to keep going on and on and proving everyone wrong. I can't believe that she can be enjoying this all. Surely retirement with Phikip in Sonning can't come soon enough.
In any case, I don't expect a deal in October, not least because there's another scheduled summit in December, which is rather more like crunch time - though even that's not really.
But on any case I think she is right to take things on. I thought in effect she already had. She has nothing to lose by doing it and the future contest will be full of people who were in cabinet or still are claiming they'd have differently but may did it all, so it gives them an out. Not a plausible one, by something , and since she's not long from the job why not have her take on it all, a poison eater if you will.
It's an odd summer for May. She knows her deal is dead - she's already changed it, the EU won't accept it, the rest of the party won't accept more changes, Labour won't touch it, remainers are going for a referendum not the deal, the members hate it - but will presumably spend pointless weeks on it from now on.
Not a very productive use of time - anyone banking on no deal scares tories, true or not, to turn the tide toward a deal, presuming she can get one, is mistaken. If believed it's more likely to push people toward remain imo.
Britain will be entering silly season headless chicken mode shortly.
The good old Republicans, free market believers and haters of big government, now supporting a man who is literally handing out free tax payers money to stop his base revolting against his own mad economic theories.
It's Who/Whom.
https://twitter.com/BBCNewsnight/status/1021875754995351552
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Being_There
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSL4x5q56mw&t=1829s
Or more subtle than you understood.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/07/24/british-jihadis-should-face-new-treason-law-former-home-secretary/
https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2018/07/could-this-summer-see-a-repeat-of-the-2011-riots/
https://www.laithwaites.co.uk/product/0307816
Low supplies of CO2 recently affected multiple industries, but there is hope that new technology could avoid further shortages."
https://news.sky.com/story/company-captures-carbon-dioxide-from-the-air-in-quest-to-avoid-co2-shortages-11446011
Want to get Brexit done? Vote Jezza.
Canadian TV drama on BBC4 called Cardinal. Don't remember a Canadian show being on British TV before.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Due_South
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoebox_Zoo
It was widely shown in the US, though never made it over here. Mike Myers started on it too.
Did Orphan Black not make it onto British TV?
I think the issue is possibly to do with the role of British intelligence in any future court case? i.e. would the UK's involvement lead to a likely death sentence, which the government is traditionally opposed to and won't usually get involved with if that might be the outcome.
Personally, I don't see why they can't be tried in the Middle East. I'm pretty sure they must have transgressed some fairly serious local laws.
However, given that that same intelligence could quite easily have led to their deaths in Syria or Iraq or whereever, I think those sort of arguments are splitting hairs.
John Belushi came from Second City comedy club in Chicago. As did Dan Akroyd.
Not sure if the same name is coincidental or an homage.
Mike. Do you really believe that sentence, or are you just playing a willywonka game with us? In case it’s the former let me quietly explain what is really going on.
Politics is the art of the possible. You don’t publicly say what you think till the win is in the bag, or else you are merely making enemies, stirring trouble for yourself. Do You really think it’s just piss and wind in private? Or in private those who can make a difference being sounded out and brought on board? This is how it goes. Gently, discreetly enough, until...
In recent weeks the game has moved forward quite a lot you agree? The game has changed? This is how it’s changed, and the reason the dead woman is still walking: When Brexit turns out unsatisfying or outright disaster, or any of fifty shades in between, it’s not the fault of everyday remain voters, they are completely off the hook. It can no longer be the fault of Cameron, Osborne, Major, Clegg, Brown or Blair. Quite wonderfully, It can no longer be the fault of vote-leave, the people’s liberation front of leave, or any leave voters. Chequers is not the British proposal, it’s the May governments proposal. As each day passes, the ink on the blueprint dries, voters get a clearer picture in their heads, you will see the expression on the publics face change. Because The game has changed, now everyone can and will blame everything wholly and exactly on May and her cabinet, their partisan agreement between themselves and their own weird, woolly and wonderful definition of what Brexit means
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/0/3143244
The RN actual gave up 2 x T45 (hulls #7 and #8) so that they could have 18 x FSC (as T26 was known at the time) comprising 10 x ASW and 8 x General Purpose. As the program progressed this was reduced by the tories to 13 x T26 (8 x ASW, 5 x GP) to 8 x T26 and 5 x T31 (ebay version of T26). Now T31 has been "suspended" (ie cancelled) we're left with the 8 x T26. Even if the RN get all 8, which is doubtful, that will leave the RN with an escort fleet of 14 ships!
But remember you can't trust Labour on defence...
Canadian television never really took off in the UK to the same extent as, say, Australian. However there were obscure bits like
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kids_in_the_Hall
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Arrow
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bomb_Girls
...and, of course...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_of_Green_Gables
And the former owner of the car turned out to be a retired but very senior Canadian politician.
Would appreciate it if someone can confirm whether or not the heat has completely addled me!!
It had an 8.2 liter engine and went like a scalded dog.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44939665
https://theferret.scot/call-for-westminster-probe-tory-mps-dark-money-donations/
https://twistedsifter.com/videos/an-sr-71-blackbird-pilot-recounts-his-infamous-la-speed-check-story/
That's how things work in Africa. It's why it's the way it is.
Rain, a hearfelt message from us to you:
We were wrong to be so unkind about you. We took you for granted. All we did was complain. But now we realise we can’t live without you. We are half of what we should be. Please come home.
Love, the UK x
It was a marvellous 22 mile stroll on a very warm day (actually 24, because *ahem* I went wrong in a couple of places). But best of all was the drizzle - and it's not often I say that!
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/mark-thatcher-accused-sources-say-he-got-12m-pounds-from-arms-deal-signed-by-his-mother-1441851.html
Mr. Observer, I once visited a forest that was very warm, but where it constantly rained. It was the most peculiarly refreshing climate.
Big thunderstorms could hit on Friday. One imagines the reservoirs will be partly refilled, and flash flooding abound.
Oh, and good morning to you, too!
I dunno, these new Labour types. Making promises and then instantly breaking them...
Meanwhile the rain we should normally be getting appears to be in northern Spain and the south east Med
So it's not certain the Midlands will have a hosepipe ban, or even especially likely. A dry autumn and it might be a different story next year.
(Hope it doesn't rain. In my experience the last few weeks every time they've forecast rain, sometimes even when it's put on the radar screen at the time it's happening, it's been dry.)