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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » With his corn field jape Boris seems to be trying to validate

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  • And that was the last we ever heard of it from the Tories. Nothing in any manifesto, no big campaigns, no major speeches, nothing. If they felt it was something that needed dealing with they kept very, very quiet about it.

    Well it's hardly the kind of thing you make party-political broadcasts about, is it? The responsibility lies 100% with Labour, as the government who deliberately screwed this up, and the Tories were exactly right in their warnings about it - uncannily right.
  • MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382
    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Yet Boris still has a comfortable lead in today's Conhome next Tory leader poll on 30% with Javid second on 19% and Hunt third on 9%.

    Plus plenty of polls showed voters thought Corbyn would be a poor leader before he won the Labour leadership and before GE17

    Corbyn was and is a very poor leader. Popularity among a bunch of deluded cretins does not make a person a good leader
    Corbyn inspires left-wing voters to get out and vote Labour, Boris inspires Leavers to get out and vote Tory.

    Being a good administrator is not necessarily the same as being a good election campaigner
    Any source for that? The evidence from the 2012 mayoral election was that Johnson got over-stated in just about every poll
  • From the Guardian live blog:

    Labour’s mass complaint to the press regulator Ipso over this summer’s press coverage of Jeremy Corbyn’s visit to a Tunisian cemetery in 2014 has been dropped, according to individuals at the newspapers involved.

    Well there's a surprise.

    What was the complaint exactly? Do these dullards on the hard left think that it isn't newsworthy to report on the LoHMO honouring the grave of a terrorist? What if, God forbid, TMay honoured the grave of a Nazi?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,301
    edited October 2018
    Never say never, but those betting on O'Rourke as the next Democratic nominee are likely in for a disappointment (as I previously suggested):
    https://twitter.com/TexasTribune/status/1046205073087299584
  • Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,821
    edited October 2018

    From the Guardian live blog:

    Labour’s mass complaint to the press regulator Ipso over this summer’s press coverage of Jeremy Corbyn’s visit to a Tunisian cemetery in 2014 has been dropped, according to individuals at the newspapers involved.

    Well there's a surprise.

    What was the complaint exactly? Do these dullards on the hard left think that it isn't newsworthy to report on the LoHMO honouring the grave of a terrorist? What if, God forbid, TMay honoured the grave of a Nazi?
    "The party had complained that the articles suggested he was commemorating members of the Black September terrorist group or those who carried out the 1972 Munich massacre, which Corbyn denied".

    For some no doubt entirely innocent reason they seem to to have decided that it would have been counter-productive to try to provide evidence to the effect that he wasn't commemorating terrorists. I can't think why.
  • HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Yet Boris still has a comfortable lead in today's Conhome next Tory leader poll on 30% with Javid second on 19% and Hunt third on 9%.

    Plus plenty of polls showed voters thought Corbyn would be a poor leader before he won the Labour leadership and before GE17

    Corbyn was and is a very poor leader. Popularity among a bunch of deluded cretins does not make a person a good leader
    Corbyn inspires left-wing voters to get out and vote Labour, Boris inspires Leavers to get out and vote Tory.

    Being a good administrator is not necessarily the same as being a good election campaigner
    Any source for that? The evidence from the 2012 mayoral election was that Johnson got over-stated in just about every poll
    Evidence? Who needs evidence or experts when you have good old fashioned prejudicial gut instinct?
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,690
    Presumably the backdrop changes the TY to ST when BJ speaks
  • Nigelb said:

    Never say never, but those betting on O'Rourke as the next Democratic nominee are likely in for a disappointment (as I previously suggested):
    https://twitter.com/TexasTribune/status/1046205073087299584

    So long as he runs in 2024 or 2028 I'll be happy.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,749

    Presumably the backdrop changes the TY to ST when BJ speaks

    Is he even there?

    Surely being out of the cabinet, means no set piece speech?
  • From the Guardian live blog:

    Labour’s mass complaint to the press regulator Ipso over this summer’s press coverage of Jeremy Corbyn’s visit to a Tunisian cemetery in 2014 has been dropped, according to individuals at the newspapers involved.

    Well there's a surprise.

    What was the complaint exactly? Do these dullards on the hard left think that it isn't newsworthy to report on the LoHMO honouring the grave of a terrorist? What if, God forbid, TMay honoured the grave of a Nazi?
    "The party had complained that the articles suggested he was commemorating members of the Black September terrorist group or those who carried out the 1972 Munich massacre, which Corbyn denied".

    For some no doubt entirely innocent reason they seem to to have decided that it would have been counter-productive to try to provide evidence to the effect that he wasn't commemorating terrorists. I can't think why.
    Oh right. Of course he would probably say that he condemns both sides for the violence in the Munich massacre. Those unarmed Israeli athletes must take some share of the responsibility for simply existing, and the fact that they didn't agree with this, moments before they were murdered is because, as Zionists, they don't understand irony.
  • mattmatt Posts: 3,789
    edited October 2018

    From the Guardian live blog:

    Labour’s mass complaint to the press regulator Ipso over this summer’s press coverage of Jeremy Corbyn’s visit to a Tunisian cemetery in 2014 has been dropped, according to individuals at the newspapers involved.

    Well there's a surprise.

    What was the complaint exactly? Do these dullards on the hard left think that it isn't newsworthy to report on the LoHMO honouring the grave of a terrorist? What if, God forbid, TMay honoured the grave of a Nazi?
    "The party had complained that the articles suggested he was commemorating members of the Black September terrorist group or those who carried out the 1972 Munich massacre, which Corbyn denied".

    For some no doubt entirely innocent reason they seem to to have decided that it would have been counter-productive to try to provide evidence to the effect that he wasn't commemorating terrorists. I can't think why.
    A good day to get jewbaiting news out quietly.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 19,914
    Priti Patel has had elocution lessons.
  • And that was the last we ever heard of it from the Tories. Nothing in any manifesto, no big campaigns, no major speeches, nothing. If they felt it was something that needed dealing with they kept very, very quiet about it.

    Well it's hardly the kind of thing you make party-political broadcasts about, is it? The responsibility lies 100% with Labour, as the government who deliberately screwed this up, and the Tories were exactly right in their warnings about it - uncannily right.

    Peter Lilley was right in 1997. After that the Tories said nothing. That does not stop it being Labour's fault, obviously, but it does not suggest that the Tories felt there was anything much to worry about.

  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,206
    Michael Heseltine backs a second EU referendum or a general election in the Evening Standard to give the voters the say on the final decision on Brexit


    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/if-leaving-the-eu-truly-is-in-the-nation-s-interest-let-the-people-decide-a3950081.html?amp
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,301

    Nigelb said:

    Never say never, but those betting on O'Rourke as the next Democratic nominee are likely in for a disappointment (as I previously suggested):
    https://twitter.com/TexasTribune/status/1046205073087299584

    So long as he runs in 2024 or 2028 I'll be happy.
    If he's elected to the Senate, he almost certainly will.
    His campaign emphasising Medicaid expansion (not quite universal healthcare, but you get the point), has the potential to reach across the party divide.

    I'm beginning to think he has a decent chance.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,206

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Yet Boris still has a comfortable lead in today's Conhome next Tory leader poll on 30% with Javid second on 19% and Hunt third on 9%.

    Plus plenty of polls showed voters thought Corbyn would be a poor leader before he won the Labour leadership and before GE17

    Corbyn was and is a very poor leader. Popularity among a bunch of deluded cretins does not make a person a good leader
    Corbyn inspires left-wing voters to get out and vote Labour, Boris inspires Leavers to get out and vote Tory.

    Being a good administrator is not necessarily the same as being a good election campaigner
    You clearly do not have the first understanding of what leadership is.
    You cannot lead anywhere if you do not get your supporters out in a general election
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited October 2018
    Germany, polling averages:

    CDU/CSU 27.7%
    AfD 16.9%
    SPD 16.8%
    Greens 15.1%
    Left 10.3%
    FDP 8.9%
    Others 4.2%

    https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahl_zum_20._Deutschen_Bundestag/Umfragen_und_Prognosen#Mittelwerte_der_Sonntagsfragen
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,206

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Yet Boris still has a comfortable lead in today's Conhome next Tory leader poll on 30% with Javid second on 19% and Hunt third on 9%.

    Plus plenty of polls showed voters thought Corbyn would be a poor leader before he won the Labour leadership and before GE17

    Corbyn was and is a very poor leader. Popularity among a bunch of deluded cretins does not make a person a good leader
    Corbyn inspires left-wing voters to get out and vote Labour, Boris inspires Leavers to get out and vote Tory.

    Being a good administrator is not necessarily the same as being a good election campaigner
    Any source for that? The evidence from the 2012 mayoral election was that Johnson got over-stated in just about every poll
    Boris won twice in London, in 2008 against the odds and is the only Tory ever to have won the London Mayoralty and like Corbyn has passionate supporters as much as detractors
  • HYUFD said:

    Michael Heseltine backs a second EU referendum or a general election in the Evening Standard to give the voters the say on the final decision on Brexit


    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/if-leaving-the-eu-truly-is-in-the-nation-s-interest-let-the-people-decide-a3950081.html?amp

    I am not sure that a GE or referendum via the Evening Standard would pass the regulatory requirements of the Electoral Commission.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,206
    edited October 2018
    Estonian Ambassador to the UK calls Hunt's comparison of the EU to the USSR 'insulting' .

    The European Commission's chief spokesman responds to the Foreign Secretary's gaffe by saying 'he should open a history book'

    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.politico.eu/article/brexit-jeremy-hunt-soviet-union-dirty-rats-backlash-against-red-october/amp/
  • HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Yet Boris still has a comfortable lead in today's Conhome next Tory leader poll on 30% with Javid second on 19% and Hunt third on 9%.

    Plus plenty of polls showed voters thought Corbyn would be a poor leader before he won the Labour leadership and before GE17

    Corbyn was and is a very poor leader. Popularity among a bunch of deluded cretins does not make a person a good leader
    Corbyn inspires left-wing voters to get out and vote Labour, Boris inspires Leavers to get out and vote Tory.

    Being a good administrator is not necessarily the same as being a good election campaigner
    Any source for that? The evidence from the 2012 mayoral election was that Johnson got over-stated in just about every poll
    Boris won twice in London, in 2008 against the odds and is the only Tory ever to have won the London Mayoralty and like Corbyn has passionate supporters as much as detractors
    This was before most people realised he, like Corbyn, is unfit for high office. As Lincoln is said to have said; "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." I guess you fit in the second category?
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited October 2018
    HYUFD said:

    Estonian Ambassador to the UK calls Hunt's comparison of the EU to the USSR 'insulting' .

    The European Commission's chief spokesman responds to the Foreign Secretary's gaffe by saying 'he should open a history book'

    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.politico.eu/article/brexit-jeremy-hunt-soviet-union-dirty-rats-backlash-against-red-october/amp/

    It was a silly thing for Hunt to say. I don't know what he was thinking of.
  • AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    Kavanaugh saga continues to get weirder.

    The random dude that Republican Operative Ed Whelan decided really did the sexual assault on Dr Ford wasn't actually that random, Ford was going out with him at the time.

    And the kicker is he was a friend of Brett Kavanaugh and is mentioned dozens of times on the famed calendars.
  • AndyJS said:

    HYUFD said:

    Estonian Ambassador to the UK calls Hunt's comparison of the EU to the USSR 'insulting' .

    The European Commission's chief spokesman responds to the Foreign Secretary's gaffe by saying 'he should open a history book'

    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.politico.eu/article/brexit-jeremy-hunt-soviet-union-dirty-rats-backlash-against-red-october/amp/

    It was a silly thing for Hunt to say. I don't know what he was thinking of.

    Becoming leader of the Conservative party.

  • volcanopetevolcanopete Posts: 2,078
    I've been with Javid at 12-1 and topped up with 6-1.Gove at 12s makes up my final betting position on this market.Neither Johnson or Mogg will get into the final 2 but Gove might and could end up the Brexit candidate.If he does,he wins.
  • AndyJS said:

    HYUFD said:

    Estonian Ambassador to the UK calls Hunt's comparison of the EU to the USSR 'insulting' .

    The European Commission's chief spokesman responds to the Foreign Secretary's gaffe by saying 'he should open a history book'

    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.politico.eu/article/brexit-jeremy-hunt-soviet-union-dirty-rats-backlash-against-red-october/amp/

    It was a silly thing for Hunt to say. I don't know what he was thinking of.
    Playing to the gallery. It was cheap, and it detracts from his other abilities. I suspect he already regrets it. He is still a vast improvement on his idiotic and incompetent predecessor.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 19,914
    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Yet Boris still has a comfortable lead in today's Conhome next Tory leader poll on 30% with Javid second on 19% and Hunt third on 9%.

    Plus plenty of polls showed voters thought Corbyn would be a poor leader before he won the Labour leadership and before GE17

    Corbyn was and is a very poor leader. Popularity among a bunch of deluded cretins does not make a person a good leader
    Corbyn inspires left-wing voters to get out and vote Labour, Boris inspires Leavers to get out and vote Tory.

    Being a good administrator is not necessarily the same as being a good election campaigner
    Any source for that? The evidence from the 2012 mayoral election was that Johnson got over-stated in just about every poll
    Boris won twice in London, in 2008 against the odds and is the only Tory ever to have won the London Mayoralty and like Corbyn has passionate supporters as much as detractors
    He and his chum Rees Mogg give Public Schools a bad name. I'm pretty sure John Cleese 'upper class twit of the year' was supposed to be satire.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5ba1OKY7Xc
  • Beverley_CBeverley_C Posts: 6,256
    HYUFD said:

    Michael Heseltine backs a second EU referendum or a general election in the Evening Standard to give the voters the say on the final decision on Brexit


    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/if-leaving-the-eu-truly-is-in-the-nation-s-interest-let-the-people-decide-a3950081.html?amp

    A Conservative who talks sense.... no wonder he is not part of this administration.
  • JonathanJonathan Posts: 21,677

    AndyJS said:

    HYUFD said:

    Estonian Ambassador to the UK calls Hunt's comparison of the EU to the USSR 'insulting' .

    The European Commission's chief spokesman responds to the Foreign Secretary's gaffe by saying 'he should open a history book'

    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.politico.eu/article/brexit-jeremy-hunt-soviet-union-dirty-rats-backlash-against-red-october/amp/

    It was a silly thing for Hunt to say. I don't know what he was thinking of.

    Becoming leader of the Conservative party.

    Boris increasingly reminds me of Hestletine. I wonder if Hunt is John Major.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,181
    edited October 2018
    AndyJS said:

    HYUFD said:

    Estonian Ambassador to the UK calls Hunt's comparison of the EU to the USSR 'insulting' .

    The European Commission's chief spokesman responds to the Foreign Secretary's gaffe by saying 'he should open a history book'

    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.politico.eu/article/brexit-jeremy-hunt-soviet-union-dirty-rats-backlash-against-red-october/amp/

    It was a silly thing for Hunt to say. I don't know what he was thinking of.
    He was playing to his audience. The idea EU leaders don't understand people doing that at their own party conferences is farcical - they are not so hypocritical as to believe that, nor to pretend they have never done the same.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,181

    HYUFD said:

    Michael Heseltine backs a second EU referendum or a general election in the Evening Standard to give the voters the say on the final decision on Brexit


    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/if-leaving-the-eu-truly-is-in-the-nation-s-interest-let-the-people-decide-a3950081.html?amp

    I am not sure that a GE or referendum via the Evening Standard would pass the regulatory requirements of the Electoral Commission.
    Worth trying anything once I guess.
  • Roger said:

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Yet Boris still has a comfortable lead in today's Conhome next Tory leader poll on 30% with Javid second on 19% and Hunt third on 9%.

    Plus plenty of polls showed voters thought Corbyn would be a poor leader before he won the Labour leadership and before GE17

    Corbyn was and is a very poor leader. Popularity among a bunch of deluded cretins does not make a person a good leader
    Corbyn inspires left-wing voters to get out and vote Labour, Boris inspires Leavers to get out and vote Tory.

    Being a good administrator is not necessarily the same as being a good election campaigner
    Any source for that? The evidence from the 2012 mayoral election was that Johnson got over-stated in just about every poll
    Boris won twice in London, in 2008 against the odds and is the only Tory ever to have won the London Mayoralty and like Corbyn has passionate supporters as much as detractors
    He and his chum Rees Mogg give Public Schools a bad name. I'm pretty sure John Cleese 'upper class twit of the year' was supposed to be satire.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5ba1OKY7Xc
    Brilliant, thank you for that one, made my evening as haven't seen that sketch for a while
  • FenmanFenman Posts: 1,047
    AndyJS said:

    HYUFD said:

    Estonian Ambassador to the UK calls Hunt's comparison of the EU to the USSR 'insulting' .

    The European Commission's chief spokesman responds to the Foreign Secretary's gaffe by saying 'he should open a history book'

    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.politico.eu/article/brexit-jeremy-hunt-soviet-union-dirty-rats-backlash-against-red-october/amp/

    It was a silly thing for Hunt to say. I don't know what he was thinking of.
    Try "How can I appeal to an audience of racists and homophobes?"
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,237
    edited October 2018

    HYUFD said:

    Michael Heseltine backs a second EU referendum or a general election in the Evening Standard to give the voters the say on the final decision on Brexit


    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/if-leaving-the-eu-truly-is-in-the-nation-s-interest-let-the-people-decide-a3950081.html?amp

    A Conservative who talks sense.... no wonder he is not part of this administration.
    He must also be about 80 years old...

    Edit to add: 85
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,206
    AndyJS said:

    HYUFD said:

    Estonian Ambassador to the UK calls Hunt's comparison of the EU to the USSR 'insulting' .

    The European Commission's chief spokesman responds to the Foreign Secretary's gaffe by saying 'he should open a history book'

    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.politico.eu/article/brexit-jeremy-hunt-soviet-union-dirty-rats-backlash-against-red-october/amp/

    It was a silly thing for Hunt to say. I don't know what he was thinking of.
    The Swedish Ambassador has also now criticised Hunt

    https://mobile.twitter.com/sohlstromt/status/1046764755892023296
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,206
    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:

    HYUFD said:

    Estonian Ambassador to the UK calls Hunt's comparison of the EU to the USSR 'insulting' .

    The European Commission's chief spokesman responds to the Foreign Secretary's gaffe by saying 'he should open a history book'

    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.politico.eu/article/brexit-jeremy-hunt-soviet-union-dirty-rats-backlash-against-red-october/amp/

    It was a silly thing for Hunt to say. I don't know what he was thinking of.
    The Swedish Ambassador has also now criticised Hunt

    https://mobile.twitter.com/sohlstromt/status/1046764755892023296
    Last time I checked even Boris had not managed to get half our European Ambassadors slagging him off on Twitter!
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,206

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Yet Boris still has a comfortable lead in today's Conhome next Tory leader poll on 30% with Javid second on 19% and Hunt third on 9%.

    Plus plenty of polls showed voters thought Corbyn would be a poor leader before he won the Labour leadership and before GE17

    Corbyn was and is a very poor leader. Popularity among a bunch of deluded cretins does not make a person a good leader
    Corbyn inspires left-wing voters to get out and vote Labour, Boris inspires Leavers to get out and vote Tory.

    Being a good administrator is not necessarily the same as being a good election campaigner
    Any source for that? The evidence from the 2012 mayoral election was that Johnson got over-stated in just about every poll
    Boris won twice in London, in 2008 against the odds and is the only Tory ever to have won the London Mayoralty and like Corbyn has passionate supporters as much as detractors
    This was before most people realised he, like Corbyn, is unfit for high office. As Lincoln is said to have said; "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." I guess you fit in the second category?
    40% voted for Corbyn, 52% voted for a Leave campaign led by Boris.

    So only about 8% would consider neither, most of them LDs
  • JonathanJonathan Posts: 21,677
    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.
  • Beverley_CBeverley_C Posts: 6,256
    HYUFD said:

    40% voted for Corbyn, 52% voted for a Leave campaign led by Boris.

    So only about 8% would consider neither, most of them LDs

    What planet are you on? You are not even remotely comparing like-with-like. You might as well as 40% like bananas, 52% do jigsaws so about 8% must be carpenters.
  • Beverley_CBeverley_C Posts: 6,256
    rcs1000 said:

    HYUFD said:

    Michael Heseltine backs a second EU referendum or a general election in the Evening Standard to give the voters the say on the final decision on Brexit


    https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/if-leaving-the-eu-truly-is-in-the-nation-s-interest-let-the-people-decide-a3950081.html?amp

    A Conservative who talks sense.... no wonder he is not part of this administration.
    He must also be about 80 years old...

    Edit to add: 85
    Perhaps age has brought wisdom? Or the current bunch are exhibiting the folly of youth? ;)

    Given the USSR references of recent days, perhaps the Politburo were on to something having oldies in charge. Of course senility is not good and some women would have been a good idea....
  • HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Yet Boris still has a comfortable lead in today's Conhome next Tory leader poll on 30% with Javid second on 19% and Hunt third on 9%.

    Plus plenty of polls showed voters thought Corbyn would be a poor leader before he won the Labour leadership and before GE17

    Corbyn was and is a very poor leader. Popularity among a bunch of deluded cretins does not make a person a good leader
    Corbyn inspires left-wing voters to get out and vote Labour, Boris inspires Leavers to get out and vote Tory.

    Being a good administrator is not necessarily the same as being a good election campaigner
    Any source for that? The evidence from the 2012 mayoral election was that Johnson got over-stated in just about every poll
    Boris won twice in London, in 2008 against the odds and is the only Tory ever to have won the London Mayoralty and like Corbyn has passionate supporters as much as detractors
    This was before most people realised he, like Corbyn, is unfit for high office. As Lincoln is said to have said; "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." I guess you fit in the second category?
    40% voted for Corbyn, 52% voted for a Leave campaign led by Boris.

    So only about 8% would consider neither, most of them LDs
    Lincoln's quote is apposite, but you do not see the irony. Good evening!
  • StereotomyStereotomy Posts: 4,092
    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Yet Boris still has a comfortable lead in today's Conhome next Tory leader poll on 30% with Javid second on 19% and Hunt third on 9%.

    Plus plenty of polls showed voters thought Corbyn would be a poor leader before he won the Labour leadership and before GE17

    Corbyn was and is a very poor leader. Popularity among a bunch of deluded cretins does not make a person a good leader
    Corbyn inspires left-wing voters to get out and vote Labour, Boris inspires Leavers to get out and vote Tory.

    Being a good administrator is not necessarily the same as being a good election campaigner
    Any source for that? The evidence from the 2012 mayoral election was that Johnson got over-stated in just about every poll
    Boris won twice in London, in 2008 against the odds and is the only Tory ever to have won the London Mayoralty and like Corbyn has passionate supporters as much as detractors
    This was before most people realised he, like Corbyn, is unfit for high office. As Lincoln is said to have said; "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." I guess you fit in the second category?
    40% voted for Corbyn, 52% voted for a Leave campaign led by Boris.

    So only about 8% would consider neither, most of them LDs
    I'm worried that you're becoming more unhinged recently
  • AnazinaAnazina Posts: 3,487
    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Yet Boris still has a comfortable lead in today's Conhome next Tory leader poll on 30% with Javid second on 19% and Hunt third on 9%.

    Plus plenty of polls showed voters thought Corbyn would be a poor leader before he won the Labour leadership and before GE17

    Corbyn was and is a very poor leader. Popularity among a bunch of deluded cretins does not make a person a good leader
    Corbyn inspires left-wing voters to get out and vote Labour, Boris inspires Leavers to get out and vote Tory.

    Being a good administrator is not necessarily the same as being a good election campaigner
    Any source for that? The evidence from the 2012 mayoral election was that Johnson got over-stated in just about every poll
    Boris won twice in London, in 2008 against the odds and is the only Tory ever to have won the London Mayoralty and like Corbyn has passionate supporters as much as detractors
    This was before most people realised he, like Corbyn, is unfit for high office. As Lincoln is said to have said; "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." I guess you fit in the second category?
    40% voted for Corbyn, 52% voted for a Leave campaign led by Boris.

    So only about 8% would consider neither, most of them LDs
    HYUFD’s persuasive style

    https://youtu.be/tjeBxR_yOq4
  • Boris's jape may be puerile but I can't see how a load of people from his party queuing up to take potshots at him (prior to his jape) is going to play well. Boris is one of the party's most popular figures with the general public and all this shows is a party that is more interested in resolving its internal battles rather than addressing people's concerns sufficiently to prevent a Corbyn government.

    David Herdson and Tissue Price have this right - once Brexit is concluded the conservatives will need to present a vision for the country that addresses people's concerns, and notably people's concerns in the marginal towns in the Midlands and North West. We know what these concerns are - housing and getting people on the housing ladder, strong fair policing that protects the public from genuine criminals, the NHS, a strong defence without being involved in endless wars that don't directly concern us, a more focused immigration policy, reducing benefits dependency. Ensuring that big business does not become too powerful - if you want to win votes in Tamworth, Nuneaton, Bolton and Bury then going on about big business cuts little ice, you need to be seen to be championing the many small businesses who employ the majority of the population here.

    I see no evidence that May, Hammond, Digby Jones, Hunt remotely get this. They will ignore most or all of the above and the aspirational working class needed to win a majority will either be seduced by Corbyn's promise of freebies or stay at home. And Corbyn will win the next election. It depresses me that the current conservative government does not seem to recognise or care about this. For all his manifold faults Boris gets this and for now this voter is more bothered about ensuring Corbyn and McDonnell never get to operate the levers of power than who best reflects my wishes - the next Blair or Cameron would be fine with me personally, but it's clear the country has turned its back on the Third Way and sofa government.

    If not Boris then who?

  • El_CapitanoEl_Capitano Posts: 4,239
    Roger said:

    Priti Patel has had elocution lessons.

    The headline on the Spectator website is "Has Priti Patel found the answer to Corbynism?", which is surely one of the greatest #QTWTAINs of all time.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758

    FTP

    Charles said:

    Leavers viewed it for what it is: a technical issue that can be solved with goodwill and hard work on both sides

    We didn’t expect the EU to play politics with peace. Our bad.

    You can't have it both ways. Either it's a technical issue that can be solved with goodwill, or customs checks at sea ports are unacceptable.
    Not having it both ways.

    As always in Ireland symbolism is hugely important.

    Without the consent of the Unionists a perceived division between the U.K. and NI is unacceptable. Similarly physical infrastructure at the RoI border is unacceptable to the nationalist community.

    Hence the challenge: can you come up with technical means to solve that. With goodwill and hard work you can.

    But Varadkar chose to stop that work because he/the EU believed - wrongly in my view - that they could reverse Brexit by creating an issue.

    That is playing politics with peace.

    (And @Scott_P feel free to disagree. But there’s little point in swearing or wilfully misunderstanding)
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Danny565 said:

    Not quite as bad as another politician's latest photo...

    https://twitter.com/AurelieBonal/status/1046707392640143361

    Where’s his right hand?
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Danny565 said:

    Not quite as bad as another politician's latest photo...

    https://twitter.com/AurelieBonal/status/1046707392640143361

    Where’s his right hand?
  • RogerRoger Posts: 19,914
    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    If the tweets from various East European leaders who know something about the Soviet Union are anything to go by it's not the line they want to push him over
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,206
    Charles said:

    FTP

    Charles said:

    Leavers viewed it for what it is: a technical issue that can be solved with goodwill and hard work on both sides

    We didn’t expect the EU to play politics with peace. Our bad.

    You can't have it both ways. Either it's a technical issue that can be solved with goodwill, or customs checks at sea ports are unacceptable.
    Not having it both ways.

    As always in Ireland symbolism is hugely important.

    Without the consent of the Unionists a perceived division between the U.K. and NI is unacceptable. Similarly physical infrastructure at the RoI border is unacceptable to the nationalist community.

    Hence the challenge: can you come up with technical means to solve that. With goodwill and hard work you can.

    But Varadkar chose to stop that work because he/the EU believed - wrongly in my view - that they could reverse Brexit by creating an issue.

    That is playing politics with peace.

    (And @Scott_P feel free to disagree. But there’s little point in swearing or wilfully misunderstanding)
    You may be right. So far the Tory conference reminds me of Romney's 2012 GOP convention, more like a business convention than a political conference. In the end of course it was Trump who got to the White House by winning the skilled working class, not Romney
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,206
    Better to keep Ruth Davidson at Holyrood, on current polls the Tories will hold the balance of power at the next Scottish Parliament elections, no longer the Greens
  • StereotomyStereotomy Posts: 4,092

    Roger said:

    Priti Patel has had elocution lessons.

    The headline on the Spectator website is "Has Priti Patel found the answer to Corbynism?", which is surely one of the greatest #QTWTAINs of all time.
    Has Liam Fox Discovered the Grand Unified Theory of Physics?
    Can Chris Grayling Fly?
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited October 2018
    When someone who always used to be pro-EU like Hunt suddenly starts making anti-EU pronouncements it doesn't sound very credible.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,752
    AndyJS said:

    When someone who always used to be pro-EU like Hunt suddenly starts making anti-EU pronouncements it doesn't sound very credible.

    He's playing 4D checkers.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,206
    AndyJS said:

    When someone who always used to be pro-EU like Hunt suddenly starts making anti-EU pronouncements it doesn't sound very credible.

    Indeed and he will have annoyed Tory Remainers while still not winning over enough Tory Leavers, if Tory members want a Leaver as Leader they will vote for a full Coke Boris or Mogg version not a Tesco's own brand diluted Hunt version
  • JonathanJonathan Posts: 21,677
  • RecidivistRecidivist Posts: 4,679
    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:

    When someone who always used to be pro-EU like Hunt suddenly starts making anti-EU pronouncements it doesn't sound very credible.

    Indeed and he will have annoyed Tory Remainers while still not winning over enough Tory Leavers, if Tory members want a Leaver as Leader they will vote for a full Coke Boris or Mogg version not a Tesco's own brand diluted Hunt version
    Crazy world. The Conservatives are now anti-business, support hard Left policies like Brexit and their conference is full of extremists. It's like a mirror image of the eighties.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,507
    Boris looks like he needs some help, to be honest.

    His marriage and his political career have both broken down. That can’t be easy.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,507
    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,414
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,426

    AndyJS said:

    When someone who always used to be pro-EU like Hunt suddenly starts making anti-EU pronouncements it doesn't sound very credible.

    He's playing 4D checkers.
    Or maybe he's just in a huff.

    I'll get my coat...

    PS @Nigelb are you suggesting I make smutty puns? *arms akimbo and purses lips*
  • Looks like Mrs May is about to make the DUP unhappy.

    Good.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,206
    edited October 2018

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:

    When someone who always used to be pro-EU like Hunt suddenly starts making anti-EU pronouncements it doesn't sound very credible.

    Indeed and he will have annoyed Tory Remainers while still not winning over enough Tory Leavers, if Tory members want a Leaver as Leader they will vote for a full Coke Boris or Mogg version not a Tesco's own brand diluted Hunt version
    Crazy world. The Conservatives are now anti-business, support hard Left policies like Brexit and their conference is full of extremists. It's like a mirror image of the eighties.
    Bar Brexit, which the PM and Chancellor both campaigned against but a majority of British voters voted for, the Conservatives are not really anti business even if May on economics is more Merkel than Thatcher and less pro big business perhaps than Cameron, Osborne and Clegg.

    Corbyn and McDonnell on the other hand are anti business, certainly big business.
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,293

    Looks like Mrs May is about to make the DUP unhappy.

    Good.

    This could be May and Hammond's final mistake?
  • Jonathan said:
    Because we were playing nice working together for a technical solution but then Varadkar stopped that in its tracks.
  • AnazinaAnazina Posts: 3,487
    A truly idiotic, insensitive, moronic and jingoistic piece of speech making by Hunt. He should hang his head in shame.
    HYUFD said:
  • Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091
    edited October 2018

    Looks like Mrs May is about to make the DUP unhappy.

    Good.

    Are the DUP particularly bothered about border checks between NI and the Republic?

    Surely it would be the republicans who would be most upset in that scenario.
  • RoyalBlueRoyalBlue Posts: 3,223
    Danny565 said:

    Looks like Mrs May is about to make the DUP unhappy.

    Good.

    Are the DUP particularly bothered about border checks between NI and the Republic?
    No. They will however be bothered about checks between the mainland and NI. However, I expect there is a price at which they would accept it.
  • AnazinaAnazina Posts: 3,487
    Danny565 said:

    Looks like Mrs May is about to make the DUP unhappy.

    Good.

    Are the DUP particularly bothered about border checks between NI and the Republic?

    Surely it would be the republicans who would be most upset in that scenario.
    Not so much as you might think. Many of the small town Protestant businessmen who support the DUP don’t want closed borders - deeply unhelpful for trade.
  • Danny565 said:

    Looks like Mrs May is about to make the DUP unhappy.

    Good.

    Are the DUP particularly bothered about border checks between NI and the Republic?

    Surely it would be the republicans who would be most upset in that scenario.
    It is more the border checks between Northern Ireland and Great Britain that might be the problem for the DUP.
  • AnazinaAnazina Posts: 3,487
    “The confirmation from Hammond that the U.K. would be forced to reinstall border controls on the island of Ireland will be met with dismay among Brexiteers who insist Britain could simply refuse to enforce border controls, leaving Dublin with the choice of whether or not to put up barriers.”

    Sounds like just another day on PB to be honest.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,414

    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
    But he wasn't "playing hardball" was he? He was making a gratuitously offensive comparison, designed to offend.
    Furthermore, viewed from the Balitic States, whose agreement we will need for any deal, it is a comparison which would imply that the British government is totally ignorant of history, and worse, doesn't give a monkeys how such statements are seen.
    So, not playing hardball, but ignoring the very basic tenets of any negotiation.
  • stodgestodge Posts: 13,910
    dixiedean said:
    Reading the Politico piece it's the unavoidable consequence of a "No Deal". It's not what anyone wants to happen - it HAS to happen under WTO rules which will apply if we leave the EU without a deal.

    It's nothing new - it's the continuation of Project Fear 2.0 which culminated in Carney really putting the fear of God up Middle England by telling them the value of their house might fall by a third.

  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,507
    dixiedean said:

    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
    But he wasn't "playing hardball" was he? He was making a gratuitously offensive comparison, designed to offend.
    Furthermore, viewed from the Balitic States, whose agreement we will need for any deal, it is a comparison which would imply that the British government is totally ignorant of history, and worse, doesn't give a monkeys how such statements are seen.
    So, not playing hardball, but ignoring the very basic tenets of any negotiation.
    It wasn’t offensive at all. It was fair comment.

    The EU isn’t negotiating in good faith and is seeking to make an example of the UK.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,208
    HYUFD said:
    That was a gross libel from Hunt. If his targets were identified individuals they would have strong grounds to prosecute
  • RoyalBlueRoyalBlue Posts: 3,223

    dixiedean said:

    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
    But he wasn't "playing hardball" was he? He was making a gratuitously offensive comparison, designed to offend.
    Furthermore, viewed from the Balitic States, whose agreement we will need for any deal, it is a comparison which would imply that the British government is totally ignorant of history, and worse, doesn't give a monkeys how such statements are seen.
    So, not playing hardball, but ignoring the very basic tenets of any negotiation.
    It wasn’t offensive at all. It was fair comment.

    The EU isn’t negotiating in good faith and is seeking to make an example of the UK.
    I don’t think it was fair at all. One cannot possibly compare the human misery caused by the USSR to that of the EU, even in Greece.

    A much better comparison would have been to Austria-Hungary, which used to be called the ‘dungeon of nations’ by its enemies.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,414

    dixiedean said:

    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
    But he wasn't "playing hardball" was he? He was making a gratuitously offensive comparison, designed to offend.
    Furthermore, viewed from the Balitic States, whose agreement we will need for any deal, it is a comparison which would imply that the British government is totally ignorant of history, and worse, doesn't give a monkeys how such statements are seen.
    So, not playing hardball, but ignoring the very basic tenets of any negotiation.
    It wasn’t offensive at all. It was fair comment.

    The EU isn’t negotiating in good faith and is seeking to make an example of the UK.
    Yes it was. And even if it was "fair comment", did it advance, or set back the achievement of a deal?
    It certainly pissed off 3 countries. Since the job of the FS is to promote the interests of the U.K. overseas, it was, at the very least, Hunt being crap at his job.
    Regardless of how many points scored at Conference.
  • JonathanJonathan Posts: 21,677
    The Conservative party really needs a few years in opposition to sort itself out. Feels very broken today.
  • FF43 said:

    HYUFD said:
    That was a gross libel from Hunt. If his targets were identified individuals they would have strong grounds to prosecute
    Somebody's tired....
  • Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091
    Which (as Mr Pedley points out in his previous tweet) gives the lie to the idea that all the Tories need is a new leader, and all their problems will be sorted. It's the policies that are the problem, not Mrs May's personality.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,426
    edited October 2018
    RoyalBlue said:

    dixiedean said:

    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
    But he wasn't "playing hardball" was he? He was making a gratuitously offensive comparison, designed to offend.
    Furthermore, viewed from the Balitic States, whose agreement we will need for any deal, it is a comparison which would imply that the British government is totally ignorant of history, and worse, doesn't give a monkeys how such statements are seen.
    So, not playing hardball, but ignoring the very basic tenets of any negotiation.
    It wasn’t offensive at all. It was fair comment.

    The EU isn’t negotiating in good faith and is seeking to make an example of the UK.
    I don’t think it was fair at all. One cannot possibly compare the human misery caused by the USSR to that of the EU, even in Greece.

    A much better comparison would have been to Austria-Hungary, which used to be called the ‘dungeon of nations’ by its enemies.
    While when you study what he actually said rather than what the media and a few not over-bright civil servants thought he said it isn't a particularly controversial statement, I can't help but feel he would have been on considerably safer ground if he'd said 'Warsaw Pact.'
  • bunncobunnco Posts: 169
    As a non-political colleague of mine has just messaged me following watching coverage on TV...

    "Boris only cares about Boris.
    Stupid thing is, he doesn't look like he is going to really further his career through this.
    just f*ck it up for everyone else."

    Quite
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,507
    RoyalBlue said:

    dixiedean said:

    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
    But he wasn't "playing hardball" was he? He was making a gratuitously offensive comparison, designed to offend.
    Furthermore, viewed from the Balitic States, whose agreement we will need for any deal, it is a comparison which would imply that the British government is totally ignorant of history, and worse, doesn't give a monkeys how such statements are seen.
    So, not playing hardball, but ignoring the very basic tenets of any negotiation.
    It wasn’t offensive at all. It was fair comment.

    The EU isn’t negotiating in good faith and is seeking to make an example of the UK.
    I don’t think it was fair at all. One cannot possibly compare the human misery caused by the USSR to that of the EU, even in Greece.

    A much better comparison would have been to Austria-Hungary, which used to be called the ‘dungeon of nations’ by its enemies.
    “The EU was set up to protect freedom. It was the Soviet Union that stopped people leaving.”

    “If you turn the EU club into a prison, the desire to get out won’t diminish, it will grow, and we won’t be the only prisoner that will want to escape.”

    I think that’s fair comment.
  • RoyalBlue said:

    dixiedean said:

    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
    But he wasn't "playing hardball" was he? He was making a gratuitously offensive comparison, designed to offend.
    Furthermore, viewed from the Balitic States, whose agreement we will need for any deal, it is a comparison which would imply that the British government is totally ignorant of history, and worse, doesn't give a monkeys how such statements are seen.
    So, not playing hardball, but ignoring the very basic tenets of any negotiation.
    It wasn’t offensive at all. It was fair comment.

    The EU isn’t negotiating in good faith and is seeking to make an example of the UK.
    I don’t think it was fair at all. One cannot possibly compare the human misery caused by the USSR to that of the EU, even in Greece.

    A much better comparison would have been to Austria-Hungary, which used to be called the ‘dungeon of nations’ by its enemies.
    “The EU was set up to protect freedom. It was the Soviet Union that stopped people leaving.”

    “If you turn the EU club into a prison, the desire to get out won’t diminish, it will grow, and we won’t be the only prisoner that will want to escape.”

    I think that’s fair comment.
    Totally agree.

    Jeremy Hunt's measured comments were that of a Prime Minister in waiting.

    They always do this to the great Tories, cf Thatcher's 'No such thing as society' observation.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,507
    RoyalBlue said:

    dixiedean said:

    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
    But he wasn't "playing hardball" was he? He was making a gratuitously offensive comparison, designed to offend.
    Furthermore, viewed from the Balitic States, whose agreement we will need for any deal, it is a comparison which would imply that the British government is totally ignorant of history, and worse, doesn't give a monkeys how such statements are seen.
    So, not playing hardball, but ignoring the very basic tenets of any negotiation.
    It wasn’t offensive at all. It was fair comment.

    The EU isn’t negotiating in good faith and is seeking to make an example of the UK.
    I don’t think it was fair at all. One cannot possibly compare the human misery caused by the USSR to that of the EU, even in Greece.

    A much better comparison would have been to Austria-Hungary, which used to be called the ‘dungeon of nations’ by its enemies.
    “The EU was set up to protect freedom. It was the Soviet Union that stopped people leaving.”

    “If you turn the EU club into a prison, the desire to get out won’t diminish, it will grow, and we won’t be the only prisoner that will want to escape.”

    I think that’s fair comment.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,507
    dixiedean said:

    dixiedean said:

    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
    But he wasn't "playing hardball" was he? He was making a gratuitously offensive comparison, designed to offend.
    Furthermore, viewed from the Balitic States, whose agreement we will need for any deal, it is a comparison which would imply that the British government is totally ignorant of history, and worse, doesn't give a monkeys how such statements are seen.
    So, not playing hardball, but ignoring the very basic tenets of any negotiation.
    It wasn’t offensive at all. It was fair comment.

    The EU isn’t negotiating in good faith and is seeking to make an example of the UK.
    Yes it was. And even if it was "fair comment", did it advance, or set back the achievement of a deal?
    It certainly pissed off 3 countries. Since the job of the FS is to promote the interests of the U.K. overseas, it was, at the very least, Hunt being crap at his job.
    Regardless of how many points scored at Conference.
    How do you think the treatment of the UK by the EU27 at Salzburg went down? Do you think that helped May achieve a deal?

    They don’t like it up ‘em. Payback time.
  • Have to admit whomever is running Labour's adverts is pretty good.

    https://twitter.com/UKLabour/status/1046395238011604992
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,301
    ydoethur said:

    AndyJS said:

    When someone who always used to be pro-EU like Hunt suddenly starts making anti-EU pronouncements it doesn't sound very credible.

    He's playing 4D checkers.
    Or maybe he's just in a huff.

    I'll get my coat...

    PS @Nigelb are you suggesting I make smutty puns? *arms akimbo and purses lips*
    Perish the thought.
    I was relying on you to raise the tone (I could only come up with filth).

  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,301

    dixiedean said:

    dixiedean said:

    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
    But he wasn't "playing hardball" was he? He was making a gratuitously offensive comparison, designed to offend.
    Furthermore, viewed from the Balitic States, whose agreement we will need for any deal, it is a comparison which would imply that the British government is totally ignorant of history, and worse, doesn't give a monkeys how such statements are seen.
    So, not playing hardball, but ignoring the very basic tenets of any negotiation.
    It wasn’t offensive at all. It was fair comment.

    The EU isn’t negotiating in good faith and is seeking to make an example of the UK.
    Yes it was. And even if it was "fair comment", did it advance, or set back the achievement of a deal?
    It certainly pissed off 3 countries. Since the job of the FS is to promote the interests of the U.K. overseas, it was, at the very least, Hunt being crap at his job.
    Regardless of how many points scored at Conference.
    How do you think the treatment of the UK by the EU27 at Salzburg went down? Do you think that helped May achieve a deal?

    They don’t like it up ‘em. Payback time.
    ‘Cos trading playground insults is going to make us great again ?

  • Nigelb said:

    dixiedean said:

    dixiedean said:

    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
    But he wasn't "playing hardball" was he? He was making a gratuitously offensive comparison, designed to offend.
    Furthermore, viewed from the Balitic States, whose agreement we will need for any deal, it is a comparison which would imply that the British government is totally ignorant of history, and worse, doesn't give a monkeys how such statements are seen.
    So, not playing hardball, but ignoring the very basic tenets of any negotiation.
    It wasn’t offensive at all. It was fair comment.

    The EU isn’t negotiating in good faith and is seeking to make an example of the UK.
    Yes it was. And even if it was "fair comment", did it advance, or set back the achievement of a deal?
    It certainly pissed off 3 countries. Since the job of the FS is to promote the interests of the U.K. overseas, it was, at the very least, Hunt being crap at his job.
    Regardless of how many points scored at Conference.
    How do you think the treatment of the UK by the EU27 at Salzburg went down? Do you think that helped May achieve a deal?

    They don’t like it up ‘em. Payback time.
    ‘Cos trading playground insults is going to make us great again ?

    Insulting the nation of collaborators French makes me feel great, why not the nation?
  • OllyTOllyT Posts: 5,006

    dixiedean said:

    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
    But he wasn't "playing hardball" was he? He was making a gratuitously offensive comparison, designed to offend.
    Furthermore, viewed from the Balitic States, whose agreement we will need for any deal, it is a comparison which would imply that the British government is totally ignorant of history, and worse, doesn't give a monkeys how such statements are seen.
    So, not playing hardball, but ignoring the very basic tenets of any negotiation.
    It wasn’t offensive at all. It was fair comment.

    The EU isn’t negotiating in good faith and is seeking to make an example of the UK.
    You believe comparing the EU to the Soviet Union is fair comment? I can understand that some people would prefer us to be out if the EU but the attitude of some leavers to the EU is quite unhinged and irrational.

    I care not whether it is offensive but it is plain wrong unless you are expecting EU tanks to start rolling up the Mall any time now. Give your head a wobble and try and bring a bit of common sense into your anti- EU nonsense.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,752
    OllyT said:

    I care not whether it is offensive but it is plain wrong unless you are expecting EU tanks to start rolling up the Mall any time now.

    That is literally what some of the people objecting to an "EU army" envisage.
  • ThomasNasheThomasNashe Posts: 5,331
    Jonathan said:

    The Conservative party really needs a few years in opposition to sort itself out. Feels very broken today.

    Trouble is the opposition also need a few more years in opposition to sort themselves out. Perhaps we could just hand over the reins to the SNP in the meantime?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,301

    RoyalBlue said:

    dixiedean said:

    Jonathan said:

    The EU clearly want to push Hunt over the line.

    Yet again we find out from the EU that playing hardball is only allowed one-way.
    But he wasn't "playing hardball" was he? He was making a gratuitously offensive comparison, designed to offend.
    Furthermore, viewed from the Balitic States, whose agreement we will need for any deal, it is a comparison which would imply that the British government is totally ignorant of history, and worse, doesn't give a monkeys how such statements are seen.
    So, not playing hardball, but ignoring the very basic tenets of any negotiation.
    It wasn’t offensive at all. It was fair comment.

    The EU isn’t negotiating in good faith and is seeking to make an example of the UK.
    I don’t think it was fair at all. One cannot possibly compare the human misery caused by the USSR to that of the EU, even in Greece.

    A much better comparison would have been to Austria-Hungary, which used to be called the ‘dungeon of nations’ by its enemies.
    “The EU was set up to protect freedom. It was the Soviet Union that stopped people leaving.”

    “If you turn the EU club into a prison, the desire to get out won’t diminish, it will grow, and we won’t be the only prisoner that will want to escape.”

    I think that’s fair comment.
    Totally agree.

    Jeremy Hunt's measured comments were that of a Prime Minister in waiting.

    They always do this to the great Tories, cf Thatcher's 'No such thing as society' observation.
    ‘the great Tories’... your sense of humour is still operative, I see.

    To be fair to Hunt, I think his point was clearly that the EU isn’t the USSR, but it was an ill thought out piece of rhetoric - particularly if he really wants to be PM, rather than just win the leadership.

This discussion has been closed.