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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » NEW PB / Polling Matters podcast: Are the public turning against Brexit and what do they think of communism?

This week’s PB / Polling Matters podcast is split into three parts.

Read the full story here

TheScreamingEagles

Primus inter pares

TheScreamingEagles

A very interesting podcast as usual guys.

Benpointer

TheScreamingEagles said:

Primus inter pares

Insider dealing!

dr_spyn

If the UK had experienced Communism like parts of Central Europe after 1945, the romantic ideals might be challenged very robustly.

JosiasJessop

dr_spyn said:

If the UK had experienced Communism like parts of Central Europe after 1945, the romantic ideals might be challenged very robustly.

They may be 'challenged robustly', but that doesn't mean they won't be significantly popular. Here in the UK, we've never directly experienced Communism or Fascism, and yet Communist and Fascist parties are not exactly mainstream.

Yet AIUI, Germany, which did have fascism, has significant issues with far-right and neo-nazi troublemakers. And many people in eastern European countries have strong connections with communist views - in the 'times were better back then' way.

ydoethur

Old Russian joke:

What would happen if Communism were tried in the Sahara desert?
It would be OK for a few years until they ran out of sand.
(Which is actually not a bad summary of what's happened in Venezuela - the command economy has caused the country with the world's largest oil reserves to run out of fuel.)

Old Hungarian joke:

What's the difference between a tragedy and a problem?
If Kadar dies, it might be a problem but it certainly wouldn't be a tragedy.

Old American joke:

What's the difference between a good communist and a dead communist?
There is such a thing as a dead communist.

TOPPING

fpt @MJW

Well bloody said.

IanB2

Communism is bad. For your health.

TheScreamingEagles

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Floater

quite

http://hurryupharry.org/2018/08/01/jeremy-corbyn’s-unicorn/

brendan16

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

The comprehensive system practices selection by house prices - the catchment areas of the best schools have much higher prices. It's the dirty secret of the liberal middle classes - don't buy your kid a decent education - as that's not PC - by sending your kids to a private school but buy a more expensive house that delivers your kid a better education in a better school.

The fact that grammars - which these days mostly operate in authorities with lower levels of disadvantage anyway - don't necessarily deliver is perhaps less of a problem as there are far fewer of them.

Why not try them out in Newham or Knowsley - rather than Buckinghamshire and Kingston?

Floater

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

I was a disadvantaged kid - now in top 1% of earners - thanks Grammar schools

Perhaps only the rich who can afford private schools should get a decent chance?

Benpointer

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

Acorn_Antiques

FPT:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Acorn_Antiques said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

On the crisis currently rocking labour when will those mps who care for the party join together and collectively resign the whip.

There is no point in hanging on as in so doing their objections carry no weight

My best guess is that they're staying put because (a) they don't want to surrender Labour outright to Corbyn, and (b) they think it means electoral oblivion for all of them (not just through splitting the Left, but also because most voters in any typical election are robotic, and will tick the Labour box on the ballot paper in any case.)

Their best hope is that either something happens to Corbyn before the next election or that he loses it, and in either event the opportunity arises for the election of a successor who is more palatable, rather than even less so. They might lose a few more malcontents like John Woodcock, but most of them are going to try to ride all of this out.

The other part of the calculation is that all of these rows over Corbyn's past associations appear to be doing him precious little harm with the public, so the Corbyn-sceptics are liable to suffer little or no electoral damage through guilt by association after he's gone.

Good post but I think this is doing him harm. It is a daily attack from the media who are devoid of any Brexit stories in the summer holidays and I would expect this to continue as more and more such meetings and videos emerge.

The media are like a dog with a bone when they think they have a big story

Nah, both media and the voters have the attention spans of a boiled potato. If some vacuous celebrity shite doesn't drown it out in the next few days then the start of the new football season certainly will.

dr_spyn said:

If the UK had experienced Communism like parts of Central Europe after 1945, the romantic ideals might be challenged very robustly.

The rose-tinted spectacles view of the Far Left in general springs from the fact that WW2 is the cornerstone of modern Britain's identity. One needn't restate who was on our side and who was against us then.

This makes it possible for a lot of people to view Communism as cuddly in a way they simply can't with Fascism, even though one is just as bad as the other.

That, and a lot of British socialists, especially in academia, have been rather too enamoured of Marx.

TheScreamingEagles

Floater said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

I was a disadvantaged kid - now in top 1% of earners - thanks Grammar schools

Perhaps only the rich who can afford private schools should get a decent chance?

What is it about grammar school alumni that makes them think anecdote is better than verifiable data?

DavidL

As a child in the 1970s I went to the Harz mountains in Germany. Most Scots went down there about once a month because the Honhe heath was flat and it got disturbing after a while. In the middle of the Harz mountains was the wall. It was a horrible scar of barbed wire, minefields and sentry posts. It took a bit of time looking at this monstrosity to work out that it in fact all faced inwards. It was to stop or kill their own citizens who wanted to escape the horrors of a communist society.

My discussions with intellectual communists at University often rapidly headed towards violence. Communism is evil. It does not value the individual. It has no recognition of anyone's human rights. It gives evil men (and its usually men) appalling power over the weak to allow them to exploit which they inevitably do. I have nothing but contempt for communists to this day. They are mentally and morally degenerate. I have seen the evidence.

Their fellow travellers on the left are not really any better. They make excuses for evil. In fairness this has proven to be quite useful training for them.

TheScreamingEagles

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

A lot fewer since Tony Blair abolished the assisted places scheme in an act of pure vindictiveness.

TheScreamingEagles

Following on from the discussion the other day, this thread is worth reading.

https://twitter.com/AGKD123/status/1024749007405502464

ydoethur

DavidL said:

As a child in the 1970s I went to the Harz mountains in Germany. Most Scots went down there about once a month because the Honhe heath was flat and it got disturbing after a while.

Do you mean 'most Scots' or 'most Scots who lived in Northern Germany?'

There is an important difference...

Benpointer

TheScreamingEagles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

A lot fewer since Tony Blair abolished the assisted places scheme in an act of pure vindictiveness.

So, middle class parents can game grammar schools entrance but weren't able to game the assisted places scheme? Oh wait:

"...fewer than 10 per cent of the selected children had fathers who were manual workers, compared with 50 per cent in service-class occupations such as teaching, and that although children from single-parent families made up the largest category, other disadvantaged groups, notably the unemployed, and black and Asian families, had poor representation."

MarqueeMark

TheScreamingEagles said:

Floater said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

I was a disadvantaged kid - now in top 1% of earners - thanks Grammar schools

Perhaps only the rich who can afford private schools should get a decent chance?

What is it about grammar school alumni that makes them think anecdote is better than verifiable data?

Because the "verifiable data" doesn't mesh with our experience??

TheScreamingEagles

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

A lot fewer since Tony Blair abolished the assisted places scheme in an act of pure vindictiveness.

So, middle class parents can game grammar schools entrance but weren't able to game the assisted places scheme? Oh wait:

"...fewer than 10 per cent of the selected children had fathers who were manual workers, compared with 50 per cent in service-class occupations such as teaching, and that although children from single-parent families made up the largest category, other disadvantaged groups, notably the unemployed, and black and Asian families, had poor representation."

although children from single-parent families made up the largest category

Sounds like a success to me.

Casino_Royale

TheScreamingEagles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

A lot fewer since Tony Blair abolished the assisted places scheme in an act of pure vindictiveness.

As a sop to his Left.

DavidL

ydoethur said:

DavidL said:

As a child in the 1970s I went to the Harz mountains in Germany. Most Scots went down there about once a month because the Honhe heath was flat and it got disturbing after a while.

Do you mean 'most Scots' or 'most Scots who lived in Northern Germany?'

There is an important difference...

I meant the Scots serving in Fallingbostel in northern Germany. The BAOR was large in those days and there were a lot of them. Flat countryside, like you see in eastern England, is just not natural.

ydoethur

TheScreamingEagles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

A lot fewer since Tony Blair abolished the assisted places scheme in an act of pure vindictiveness.

So, middle class parents can game grammar schools entrance but weren't able to game the assisted places scheme? Oh wait:

"...fewer than 10 per cent of the selected children had fathers who were manual workers, compared with 50 per cent in service-class occupations such as teaching, and that although children from single-parent families made up the largest category, other disadvantaged groups, notably the unemployed, and black and Asian families, had poor representation."

although children from single-parent families made up the largest category

Sounds like a success to me.

No, disastrous failure. Gave us Adonis (and Gove as well I think).

John_M

TheScreamingEagles said:

Floater said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

I was a disadvantaged kid - now in top 1% of earners - thanks Grammar schools

Perhaps only the rich who can afford private schools should get a decent chance?

What is it about grammar school alumni that makes them think anecdote is better than verifiable data?

Grammar schools worked very well for working class kids like me, at the cost of throwing four other kids under the secondary modern bus. That's why I don't support 'em.

ydoethur

DavidL said:

ydoethur said:

DavidL said:

As a child in the 1970s I went to the Harz mountains in Germany. Most Scots went down there about once a month because the Honhe heath was flat and it got disturbing after a while.

Do you mean 'most Scots' or 'most Scots who lived in Northern Germany?'

There is an important difference...

I meant the Scots serving in Fallingbostel in northern Germany. The BAOR was large in those days and there were a lot of them. Flat countryside, like you see in eastern England, is just not natural.

I assumed it must have been, but I did have a strange image of Scotland being depeopled once a month as everyone went to ogle the Iron Curtain...

Couldn't agree more with your other statement, as a good Welshman!

Benpointer

TheScreamingEagles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

A lot fewer since Tony Blair abolished the assisted places scheme in an act of pure vindictiveness.

So, middle class parents can game grammar schools entrance but weren't able to game the assisted places scheme? Oh wait:

"...fewer than 10 per cent of the selected children had fathers who were manual workers, compared with 50 per cent in service-class occupations such as teaching, and that although children from single-parent families made up the largest category, other disadvantaged groups, notably the unemployed, and black and Asian families, had poor representation."

although children from single-parent families made up the largest category

Sounds like a success to me.

Duh? 'Single parent family' does not equate to 'disadvantaged'. William & Harry are from a single parent family.

JosiasJessop

John_M said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Floater said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

I was a disadvantaged kid - now in top 1% of earners - thanks Grammar schools

Perhaps only the rich who can afford private schools should get a decent chance?

What is it about grammar school alumni that makes them think anecdote is better than verifiable data?

Grammar schools worked very well for working class kids like me, at the cost of throwing four other kids under the secondary modern bus. That's why I don't support 'em.

I'm ambivalent about grammar schools. But if they take the best pupils, leaving the less good pupils at comprehensives, then it makes sense that the comprehensives need better teachers and teaching resources. Therefore if we have grammar schools, why not give non-grammar schools more funding per pupil to compensate? After all, they need it.

(I daresay the system is far more complex than that, and that the above is a very naive view.)

kingbongo

ydoethur said:

Old Russian joke:

What would happen if Communism were tried in the Sahara desert?
It would be OK for a few years until they ran out of sand.
(Which is actually not a bad summary of what's happened in Venezuela - the command economy has caused the country with the world's largest oil reserves to run out of fuel.)

Old Hungarian joke:

What's the difference between a tragedy and a problem?
If Kadar dies, it might be a problem but it certainly wouldn't be a tragedy.

Old American joke:

What's the difference between a good communist and a dead communist?
There is such a thing as a dead communist.

Czech joke - "what's a mile long and eats cabbage? A queue at the butcher's"

DavidL

I would just like to thank those geniuses in the EU who think that competition is somehow improved by requiring me to subscribe to yet another pay TV supplier to see how Celtic get on tonight (I haven't). Maybe the ability to put certain people behind the Iron Curtain actually had some benefits after all....

TheScreamingEagles

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

A lot fewer since Tony Blair abolished the assisted places scheme in an act of pure vindictiveness.

So, middle class parents can game grammar schools entrance but weren't able to game the assisted places scheme? Oh wait:

"...fewer than 10 per cent of the selected children had fathers who were manual workers, compared with 50 per cent in service-class occupations such as teaching, and that although children from single-parent families made up the largest category, other disadvantaged groups, notably the unemployed, and black and Asian families, had poor representation."

although children from single-parent families made up the largest category

Sounds like a success to me.

Duh? 'Single parent family' does not equate to 'disadvantaged'. William & Harry are from a single parent family.

Using a single data point and extrapolating from that, did you go to a grammar school?

Back in the 90s being from a lone parent family usually was correlated with doing poorly academically.

TheScreamingEagles

https://twitter.com/ThePlumLineGS/status/1024699039693123585

Sunil_Prasannan

"and what do they think of communism?"

"Comrades, this is your Leader. It is an honour to speak to you today, and I am honoured to be sailing with you on the maiden voyage of our Party's most recent achievement. Once more, we play our dangerous game, a game of chess against our old adversary — The Conservative Party. For a hundred years, your fathers before you and your older brothers played this game and played it well. But today the game is different. We have the advantage. It reminds me of the heady days of 1945 and Clement Attlee, when the world trembled at the sound of our Nationalisations! Well, they will tremble again — at the sound of our Glorious Campaign in favour of, um, I mean *against* Anti-Semitism. The order is: engage the Corbyn Drive!

"Comrades, our own Parliamentary Party don't know our full potential. They will do everything possible to test us; but they will only test their own embarrassment. We will leave our MPs behind, we will pass through the Conservative patrols, past their sonar nets, and lay off their largest constituency, and listen to their chortling and tittering... while we conduct Austerity Debates! Then, and when we are finished, the only sound they will hear is our laughter, while we sail to Islington, where the sun is warm, and so is the... Comradeship!

"A great day, Comrades! We sail into history!"

ydoethur

JosiasJessop said:

John_M said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Floater said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

I was a disadvantaged kid - now in top 1% of earners - thanks Grammar schools

Perhaps only the rich who can afford private schools should get a decent chance?

What is it about grammar school alumni that makes them think anecdote is better than verifiable data?

Grammar schools worked very well for working class kids like me, at the cost of throwing four other kids under the secondary modern bus. That's why I don't support 'em.

I'm ambivalent about grammar schools. But if they take the best pupils, leaving the less good pupils at comprehensives, then it makes sense that the comprehensives need better teachers and teaching resources. Therefore if we have grammar schools, why not give non-grammar schools more funding per pupil to compensate? After all, they need it.

(I daresay the system is far more complex than that, and that the above is a very naive view.)

Actually in my experience it's much, much more difficult to teach really able children than mixed ability or bottom-set inner city.

The latter is baby-sitting and requires little or no meaningful preparation plus there isn't much marking to do. OK, it's hell while you're doing it but it doesn't require great knowledge or skill. The first requires thorough preparation, very deep knowledge, and a willingness to work very long hours to get through the amount of work they produce and expect to be marked very thoroughly. Moreover, they expect constant variety and their parents are extremely demanding in terms of reports and monritoring.

Teaching in a grammar school is not for the faint hearted or stupid, and in many ways salaries should reflect that (although of course they don't).

Sunil_Prasannan

At least grammar schools are free at the point of use, unlike public schools.

IanB2

kingbongo said:

ydoethur said:

Old Russian joke:

What would happen if Communism were tried in the Sahara desert?
It would be OK for a few years until they ran out of sand.
(Which is actually not a bad summary of what's happened in Venezuela - the command economy has caused the country with the world's largest oil reserves to run out of fuel.)

Old Hungarian joke:

What's the difference between a tragedy and a problem?
If Kadar dies, it might be a problem but it certainly wouldn't be a tragedy.

Old American joke:

What's the difference between a good communist and a dead communist?
There is such a thing as a dead communist.

Czech joke - "what's a mile long and eats cabbage? A queue at the butcher's"

Russian joke - customer to shopkeeper - "Do you have any meat?". A: "No, we don't have any fish. The shop that doesn't have any meat is across the road."

surby

ydoethur said:

Old Russian joke:

What would happen if Communism were tried in the Sahara desert?
It would be OK for a few years until they ran out of sand.
(Which is actually not a bad summary of what's happened in Venezuela - the command economy has caused the country with the world's largest oil reserves to run out of fuel.)

Old Hungarian joke:

What's the difference between a tragedy and a problem?
If Kadar dies, it might be a problem but it certainly wouldn't be a tragedy.

Old American joke:

What's the difference between a good communist and a dead communist?
There is such a thing as a dead communist.

A joke about Tories:

A good Tory is a ____ Tory.

John_M

JosiasJessop said:

John_M said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Floater said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

I was a disadvantaged kid - now in top 1% of earners - thanks Grammar schools

Perhaps only the rich who can afford private schools should get a decent chance?

What is it about grammar school alumni that makes them think anecdote is better than verifiable data?

Grammar schools worked very well for working class kids like me, at the cost of throwing four other kids under the secondary modern bus. That's why I don't support 'em.

I'm ambivalent about grammar schools. But if they take the best pupils, leaving the less good pupils at comprehensives, then it makes sense that the comprehensives need better teachers and teaching resources. Therefore if we have grammar schools, why not give non-grammar schools more funding per pupil to compensate? After all, they need it.

(I daresay the system is far more complex than that, and that the above is a very naive view.)

It's the 'better teachers' part. By and large (and my wife and sister are both teachers), good teachers like to teach good students. There are, of course, exceptions - some teachers enjoy the challenge.

ydoethur

IanB2 said:

kingbongo said:

ydoethur said:

Old Russian joke:

What would happen if Communism were tried in the Sahara desert?
It would be OK for a few years until they ran out of sand.
(Which is actually not a bad summary of what's happened in Venezuela - the command economy has caused the country with the world's largest oil reserves to run out of fuel.)

Old Hungarian joke:

What's the difference between a tragedy and a problem?
If Kadar dies, it might be a problem but it certainly wouldn't be a tragedy.

Old American joke:

What's the difference between a good communist and a dead communist?
There is such a thing as a dead communist.

Czech joke - "what's a mile long and eats cabbage? A queue at the butcher's"

Russian joke - customer to shopkeeper - "Do you have any meat?". A: "No, we don't have any fish. The shop that doesn't have any meat is across the road."

A Russian plumber was given ten years. On being asked his views on a leaking pipe, he had said 'Hey, the whole system needs replacing!'

rottenborough

Just catching up after a whole afternoon and evening in the real world.

Is this as bad as it all sounds for Jezza? Could this be the end somehow?

ydoethur

surby said:

ydoethur said:

Old Russian joke:

What would happen if Communism were tried in the Sahara desert?
It would be OK for a few years until they ran out of sand.
(Which is actually not a bad summary of what's happened in Venezuela - the command economy has caused the country with the world's largest oil reserves to run out of fuel.)

Old Hungarian joke:

What's the difference between a tragedy and a problem?
If Kadar dies, it might be a problem but it certainly wouldn't be a tragedy.

Old American joke:

What's the difference between a good communist and a dead communist?
There is such a thing as a dead communist.

A joke about Tories:

A good Tory is a ____ Tory.

Don't tell Laura Pidcock that, she's never even kissed a Tory, let alone ________ one!

ydoethur

rottenborough said:

Just catching up after a whole afternoon and evening in the real world.

Is this as bad as it all sounds for Jezza? Could this be the end somehow?

It's worse than it sounds. But it isn't likely it will be the end. It just eliminates his already rather slim hopes of being Prime Minister.

Benpointer

Casino_Royale said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

A lot fewer since Tony Blair abolished the assisted places scheme in an act of pure vindictiveness.

As a sop to his Left.

Because they felt £180m pa could have been better spent across the wider population. It was a 1997 manifesto commitment:

"We will reduce class sizes for five, six and seven year-olds to 30 or under, by phasing out the assisted places scheme, the cost of which is set to rise to £180 million per year."

Charles

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

Fewer than before Labour vindictively kicked away the ladder of the Assisted Places Scheme

Edit: I see @TSE used very similar words to express the same sentiment

TheScreamingEagles

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

rottenborough

Wow. Just reading that Momentum have dropped Willsman from their slate.

And @DerbyChrisW is off the scale pissed.

Oh happy days!!!

ydoethur

Benpointer said:

Casino_Royale said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

A lot fewer since Tony Blair abolished the assisted places scheme in an act of pure vindictiveness.

As a sop to his Left.

Because they felt £180m pa could have been better spent across the wider population. It was a 1997 manifesto commitment:

"We will reduce class sizes for five, six and seven year-olds to 30 or under, by phasing out the assisted places scheme, the cost of which is set to rise to £180 million per year."

They also said they would allow grant maintained schools to stay out of LEA control, but they broke that pledge within weeks.

TheScreamingEagles

https://twitter.com/politicalwire/status/1024757947681914882

rottenborough

Labour are tearing themselves to pieces tonight aren't they? Or have I had one too many over dinner?

surby

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

Hence, Trump's Twitter madness.

Acorn_Antiques

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Floater said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

I was a disadvantaged kid - now in top 1% of earners - thanks Grammar schools

Perhaps only the rich who can afford private schools should get a decent chance?

What is it about grammar school alumni that makes them think anecdote is better than verifiable data?

Because the "verifiable data" doesn't mesh with our experience??

I'm sure that lots of people who went to grammar schools as children had good experiences. After all, you weren't scarred for life by failure at the age of 11, and you didn't get dumped in a second-rate secondary modern for people written off as average-to-dim.

Selective education at such a young age is an antiquated practice that's all about identifying an elite - and condemning the majority of kids who don't make it as unfit to have aspirations, and suitable only for manual labour, shop work and low-grade clerical tasks. It broadly reflects the social divisions of the early 20th Century, when a much smaller middle class occupied the available managerial and professional positions, and everybody else was meant to know their place. Entire generations of children were abandoned in this fashion when grammars were still endemic. The waste of unidentified talent must've been enormous.

I think there might be a good case for selection at 14 or 15, when teachers and parents have a much better idea of what abilities young people have, and they can be directed to an education that's either academic or primarily vocational according to what suits them best. But dividing kids into successful and failed students at the end of primary school isn't really on, surely?

ydoethur

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Benpointer

Charles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

Fewer than before Labour vindictively kicked away the ladder of the Assisted Places Scheme

Edit: I see @TSE used very similar words to express the same sentiment

Indeed he did.

If you thought a Blair government was vindictive towards private education, just wait till Corbyn gets in!

rottenborough

Momentum drop Willsman.

Turns out they were all centrist snowflakes who should just f off and join the Tories.

ydoethur

Benpointer said:

Charles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

Fewer than before Labour vindictively kicked away the ladder of the Assisted Places Scheme

Edit: I see @TSE used very similar words to express the same sentiment

Indeed he did.

If you thought a Blair government was vindictive towards private education, just wait till Corbyn gets in!

According to his manifesto, he's conflicted about it. He wanted to impose penal taxes that would probably have closed them all down, and then used the money from the taxes he would not consequently be raising to pay for them to have free school meals.

Benpointer

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

ydoethur

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

No but with Sunil having disgraced himself I thought somebody should make the effort!

surby

SeanT said:

brendan16 said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

The comprehensive system practices selection by house prices - the catchment areas of the best schools have much higher prices. It's the dirty secret of the liberal middle classes - don't buy your kid a decent education - as that's not PC - by sending your kids to a private school but buy a more expensive house that delivers your kid a better education in a better school.

The fact that grammars - which these days mostly operate in authorities with lower levels of disadvantage anyway - don't necessarily deliver is perhaps less of a problem as there are far fewer of them.

Why not try them out in Newham or Knowsley - rather than Buckinghamshire and Kingston?

My older daughter got into one of the best comps in the country - Fortismere - by sheer good fortune of her mum having rented a flat just on the edge of the catchment area.

People buy houses in the middle of Muswell Hill to ensure their kids' entry into Fortismere, and they pay a property premium of £100,000s to do so. As you say, it is private education by another name. Ludicrous.

That £100k remains an asset and which grows. They pay nothing.

TheScreamingEagles

https://twitter.com/Telegraph/status/1024761232602095619

IanB2

Russian joke: The central committee commissions a painting in honour of Soviet-Polish friendship, to be called "Lenin in Poland". At the unveiling, there is a gasp from the invited guests; the painting depicts a couple naked in bed. A committee member goes to take a closer look: "Who is this young man?", he asks. "This woman looks like Mrs Lenin! Where is Lenin?"

"in Poland", the artist replies.

(there was a real film, 'Lenin in Poland')

Nigelb

ydoethur said:

Old Russian joke:

What would happen if Communism were tried in the Sahara desert?
It would be OK for a few years until they ran out of sand.
(Which is actually not a bad summary of what's happened in Venezuela - the command economy has caused the country with the world's largest oil reserves to run out of fuel.)

Old Hungarian joke:

What's the difference between a tragedy and a problem?
If Kadar dies, it might be a problem but it certainly wouldn't be a tragedy.

Old American joke:

What's the difference between a good communist and a dead communist?
There is such a thing as a dead communist.

New Russian/American joke:

Not even an ordinary decent criminal....
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/08/collusion-is-a-question-of-loyalty-not-legality/566606/

Benpointer

Acorn_Antiques said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Floater said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

I was a disadvantaged kid - now in top 1% of earners - thanks Grammar schools

Perhaps only the rich who can afford private schools should get a decent chance?

What is it about grammar school alumni that makes them think anecdote is better than verifiable data?

Because the "verifiable data" doesn't mesh with our experience??

I'm sure that lots of people who went to grammar schools as children had good experiences. After all, you weren't scarred for life by failure at the age of 11, and you didn't get dumped in a second-rate secondary modern for people written off as average-to-dim.

Selective education at such a young age is an antiquated practice that's all about identifying an elite - and condemning the majority of kids who don't make it as unfit to have aspirations, and suitable only for manual labour, shop work and low-grade clerical tasks. It broadly reflects the social divisions of the early 20th Century, when a much smaller middle class occupied the available managerial and professional positions, and everybody else was meant to know their place. Entire generations of children were abandoned in this fashion when grammars were still endemic. The waste of unidentified talent must've been enormous.

I think there might be a good case for selection at 14 or 15, when teachers and parents have a much better idea of what abilities young people have, and they can be directed to an education that's either academic or primarily vocational according to what suits them best. But dividing kids into successful and failed students at the end of primary school isn't really on, surely?

Agreed. I am not a fan of grammar schools but it annoys me when those who benefited from a private education cannot see their hypocrisy in knocking grammar schools.

Benpointer

ydoethur said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

No but with Sunil having disgraced himself I thought somebody should make the effort!

I must have missed Sunil's disgrace. Disappointing.

ydoethur

I would agree incidentally with @Acorn_Antiques that if there is to be selection it would be better at 14. That's what we do in practice 90% of the time anyway with GCSE options. Abler ones are steered to History, Geography, Languages, good technical workers towards DT, and those who are no good for anything towards Business Studies.

TheScreamingEagles

https://twitter.com/stephenkb/status/1024762823879081984

Floater

What an absolute boy

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/08/01/jeremy-corbyn-silenced-holocaust-survivor-had-jewish-protesters/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6016733/Jeremy-Corbyn-praises-release-Hamas-terrorist-brothers-video.html

Anorak

surby said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

Hence, Trump's Twitter madness.

Oh. I assumed he wanted to ask him because of the tweets. But asking about previous (alleged) obstruction of justice appears to have created more (alleged) obstruction of justice.

So that's ok then. Completely normal situation.

Charles

Benpointer said:

Charles said:

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

Fewer than before Labour vindictively kicked away the ladder of the Assisted Places Scheme

Edit: I see @TSE used very similar words to express the same sentiment

Indeed he did.

If you thought a Blair government was vindictive towards private education, just wait till Corbyn gets in!

Well he’s already said he will apply VAT and abolish charitable status so that’s another £10k per year I’ll need to find.

The fact that he is preventing my American daughter getting a culturally appropriate education is pure racism

Floater

surby said:

SeanT said:

brendan16 said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

The comprehensive system practices selection by house prices - the catchment areas of the best schools have much higher prices. It's the dirty secret of the liberal middle classes - don't buy your kid a decent education - as that's not PC - by sending your kids to a private school but buy a more expensive house that delivers your kid a better education in a better school.

The fact that grammars - which these days mostly operate in authorities with lower levels of disadvantage anyway - don't necessarily deliver is perhaps less of a problem as there are far fewer of them.

Why not try them out in Newham or Knowsley - rather than Buckinghamshire and Kingston?

My older daughter got into one of the best comps in the country - Fortismere - by sheer good fortune of her mum having rented a flat just on the edge of the catchment area.

People buy houses in the middle of Muswell Hill to ensure their kids' entry into Fortismere, and they pay a property premium of £100,000s to do so. As you say, it is private education by another name. Ludicrous.

That £100k remains an asset and which grows. They pay nothing.

What about those who can't afford property there?

Charles

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

I particular like the way he tied in the education debate

dr_spyn

Ronald Reagan on communism. Warning contains jokes...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_nf0sxBHSM

Charles

ydoethur said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

No but with Sunil having disgraced himself I thought somebody should make the effort!

Why was he banned?

BannedOnTheRun

TheScreamingEagles said:

https://twitter.com/Telegraph/status/1024761232602095619

That might be more interesting Corbynwise than the antisemitic Jew stories..

Anorak

SeanT said:

brendan16 said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

The comprehensive system practices selection by house prices - the catchment areas of the best schools have much higher prices. It's the dirty secret of the liberal middle classes - don't buy your kid a decent education - as that's not PC - by sending your kids to a private school but buy a more expensive house that delivers your kid a better education in a better school.

The fact that grammars - which these days mostly operate in authorities with lower levels of disadvantage anyway - don't necessarily deliver is perhaps less of a problem as there are far fewer of them.

Why not try them out in Newham or Knowsley - rather than Buckinghamshire and Kingston?

My older daughter got into one of the best comps in the country - Fortismere - by sheer good fortune of her mum having rented a flat just on the edge of the catchment area.

People buy houses in the middle of Muswell Hill to ensure their kids' entry into Fortismere, and they pay a property premium of £100,000s to do so. As you say, it is private education by another name. Ludicrous.

At least you get your fucking money back that way when you sell up. Although given recent rumblings in the housing market...

[edit: i see Surbiton got there first]

Nigelb

TheScreamingEagles said:

https://twitter.com/ThePlumLineGS/status/1024699039693123585

Yet.

ydoethur

Charles said:

ydoethur said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

No but with Sunil having disgraced himself I thought somebody should make the effort!

Why was he banned?

You remember the famous time Jim Naughtie got a bit tongue twisted over our esteemed Foreign Secretary's surname?

That's why.

surby

Anorak said:

surby said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

Hence, Trump's Twitter madness.

Oh. I assumed he wanted to ask him because of the tweets. But asking about previous (alleged) obstruction of justice appears to have created more (alleged) obstruction of justice.

So that's ok then. Completely normal situation.

Starr started his investigation on Clinton with Whitewater and ended with stained blue dress. Everything and anything is on.

Benpointer

Charles said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

I particular like the way he tied in the education debate

Haha yes. Good spot! You better hope Jezza's (well, McDonnell's) not reading this or that could be added to the next manifesto too - a boarders' tax maybe?

rottenborough

TheScreamingEagles said:

https://twitter.com/stephenkb/status/1024762823879081984

Couldn't happen to a nicer set of well-meaning people.

Anorak

Charles said:

ydoethur said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

No but with Sunil having disgraced himself I thought somebody should make the effort!

Why was he banned?

For not being as funny as he thinks he is. [although that approach would lead to an awful lot of absent commenters]

surby

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

No but with Sunil having disgraced himself I thought somebody should make the effort!

I must have missed Sunil's disgrace. Disappointing.

Was it yet another awful joke ?

MattW

Benpointer said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

Out of interest, what percentage of private school places do disadvantaged children get?

Difficult to calculate or estimate, since the eligibility is based on a right to free school meals.

For the wider State System it is about 10-11% afaics, out of a total of 8 million ish pupils.

For independent schools, about 6000 get a 100% fee subsidy, and about 20k get a more than 50% reduction, and a total of about 43k in toto get some assistance, out of a total of about 600k pupils.

dr_spyn

Has Corbyn condemned both sides for the violence in Zimbabwe yet?

williamglenn

ydoethur said:

Charles said:

ydoethur said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

No but with Sunil having disgraced himself I thought somebody should make the effort!

Why was he banned?

You remember the famous time Jim Naughtie got a bit tongue twisted over our esteemed Foreign Secretary's surname?

That's why.

Talking of which, Stewart Lee has some good Brexit jokes:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0bdcnwq/stewart-lee-content-provider

TheJezziah

Yay, new podcast!

ydoethur

dr_spyn said:

Ronald Reagan on communism. Warning contains jokes...

I thought it was going to be the voice test where he said 'we begin bombing in five minutes.'

FrancisUrquhart

Floater said:

What an absolute boy

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/08/01/jeremy-corbyn-silenced-holocaust-survivor-had-jewish-protesters/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6016733/Jeremy-Corbyn-praises-release-Hamas-terrorist-brothers-video.html

Blow me down with a feather...

Charles

ydoethur said:

Charles said:

ydoethur said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

No but with Sunil having disgraced himself I thought somebody should make the effort!

Why was he banned?

You remember the famous time Jim Naughtie got a bit tongue twisted over our esteemed Foreign Secretary's surname?

That's why.

And I thought he was such a nice boy

Charles

Anorak said:

Charles said:

ydoethur said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

No but with Sunil having disgraced himself I thought somebody should make the effort!

Why was he banned?

For not being as funny as he thinks he is. [although that approach would lead to an awful lot of absent commenters]

I just scroll over I’m afraid...

rottenborough

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/jeremy-corbyn-john-mcdonnell-called-13017046?11

Anorak

dr_spyn said:

Has Corbyn condemned both sides for the violence in Zimbabwe yet?

Insufficient Jewish involvement to wake him from his torpor.

ydoethur

Benpointer said:

Charles said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

I particular like the way he tied in the education debate

Haha yes. Good spot! You better hope Jezza's (well, McDonnell's) not reading this or that could be added to the next manifesto too - a boarders' tax maybe?

Wow.

That wasn't even deliberate. That was an autocorrect error.

Although if all the Chinese children at UK boarding schools stopped coming, that really would put an end to private education in this country.

rottenborough

https://twitter.com/stephenkb/status/1024765777486983169

Answers on a postcard.

dr_spyn

rottenborough said:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/jeremy-corbyn-john-mcdonnell-called-13017046?11

Corbyn might as well take him down with him.

Tissue_Price

SeanT said:

surby said:

SeanT said:

brendan16 said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I thought grammar schools are meant to help disadvantaged kids?

Disadvantaged pupils get just 4.5% of grammar school places

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/disadvantaged-pupils-get-just-4-5-of-grammar-school-places/

The comprehensive system practices selection by house prices - the catchment areas of the best schools have much higher prices. It's the dirty secret of the liberal middle classes - don't buy your kid a decent education - as that's not PC - by sending your kids to a private school but buy a more expensive house that delivers your kid a better education in a better school.

The fact that grammars - which these days mostly operate in authorities with lower levels of disadvantage anyway - don't necessarily deliver is perhaps less of a problem as there are far fewer of them.

Why not try them out in Newham or Knowsley - rather than Buckinghamshire and Kingston?

My older daughter got into one of the best comps in the country - Fortismere - by sheer good fortune of her mum having rented a flat just on the edge of the catchment area.

People buy houses in the middle of Muswell Hill to ensure their kids' entry into Fortismere, and they pay a property premium of £100,000s to do so. As you say, it is private education by another name. Ludicrous.

That £100k remains an asset and which grows. They pay nothing.

Uh, what? Parents pay £75k-£100k extra to live in the guaranteed catchment area for Fortismere. That is to say, an identical four bed Victorian terrace house down the road in East or North Finchley costs £75k less, precisely because it DOESN'T guarantee entry into Fortismere.

So you need to be able to afford to pay a lot more for your house to get your kids into the school you want. You need to be wealthy, just like people who send their kids to private school (or you need to game the system by fake renting, or you just need to get lucky, like we did, but few do)

You pay more, for a seriously better education, while still maintaining your liberal credentials by sending your kids "to a comp". It's private schooling with an extra dollop of hypocrisy. Cf Camden School for Girls.

Surby's point was surely that you can later sell the house, complete with the same premium (assuming the school is still good). But that doesn't make it cost-free: an extra £100k of mortgage is another £4k or so a year in interest (still v cheap compared to private schools). Or, more likely, you buy a smaller house than you would get elsewhere.

Benpointer

surby said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

No but with Sunil having disgraced himself I thought somebody should make the effort!

I must have missed Sunil's disgrace. Disappointing.

Was it yet another awful joke ?

He'd have gone years ago if that were the criterion!

rottenborough

This!

https://twitter.com/campbellclaret/status/1024766964521230338

Benpointer

Charles said:

ydoethur said:

Charles said:

ydoethur said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

No but with Sunil having disgraced himself I thought somebody should make the effort!

Why was he banned?

You remember the famous time Jim Naughtie got a bit tongue twisted over our esteemed Foreign Secretary's surname?

That's why.

And I thought he was such a nice boy

I am shocked too - I didn't think he knew such words! Are we sure it wasn't a genuine typo?

Charles

ydoethur said:

Benpointer said:

Charles said:

Benpointer said:

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HERE WE GO

https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1024756796760707072

It was announced today that world popcorn prices have risen 55% in just 12 hours.

'It was bad enough with Brexit, trade wars and a crappy new Star Wars film every five minutes,' said Mr B N D Grain, wholesaler, 'but with Corbyn having to prove every five minutes he's not a rabid anti-Semite, Macron sucking up to every world leader and now Trump being interviewed by the fuzz, we just can't cope.'

It is not thought popcorn supplies will be vitally affected by Brexit, as most of them are imported from random places. However, Mr Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Secretary, says 'I understand all supplies come from Japan, er, China. I would advise everyone to stock up as much as possible in case I've seriously pissed off all the Chinese by calling them Japs and they close the boarders.'

President Trump said, 'Popcorn and banged grainy porn stars will Make America Great Again, and I have not obstructed justice by threatening to have all lawyers shot even though it's all over my Twitter feed.'

Very good! Have you stared writing for the Daily Mash?

I particular like the way he tied in the education debate

Haha yes. Good spot! You better hope Jezza's (well, McDonnell's) not reading this or that could be added to the next manifesto too - a boarders' tax maybe?

Wow.

That wasn't even deliberate. That was an autocorrect error.

Although if all the Chinese children at UK boarding schools stopped coming, that really would put an end to private education in this country.

I know... that’s why it was so funny!