"The combined contribution of these two gigantic wind farms, at a capital cost of £7.6 billion and earning subsidies of £620 million a year, will average 750MW – less than that of the single unsubsidised gas-fired power station recently built in Plymouth at a capital cost of £1 billion."
edit: plus you have to add the cost of the farms of diesel generators being brought on line to fill the gaps caused by the EU ordering the government to close down two perfectly good coal power stations.
I imagine particularly cute very young children can earn more money begging. Although i'd also imagine that effect would fade as they got older. I wonder what would happen to them then?
"The Department for Education has just released a statement (below), which can be translated as saying:"
The article says Gove and Laws are as one. On the news earlier it said Laws was at one with Clegg over this. In fact it said he was '100% behind Clegg on this'. I know Laws has identity problems but not exactly someone you'd want to share a trench with
I can see Labour arranging an opposition day debate on this.
So can I.
Comfort zone of supporting the producers.
Or representing the concerns of parents against the secretive centralising ideologically obsessive and unpopular Gove, take your pick.
Got a poll among Free school parents to back that up?
Of course he hasn't, in typical fashion he has an opinion and tells outrageous lies to back it up, or sneers and smears if you disagree with him.
I may well be wrong but I think education may still be under Labour control in Wales, if it is then I wonder if Tim can let us know how it is performing.
OldKingCole And the Greens and now the FDP and AfD from the sidelines. In reality, Hannelore Kraft, NRW Premier, who will not be a part of the Coalition but a likely SPD Chancellor Candidate in 2017
The anti Green Tax PB Tories are going to be raging at this
@patrickwintour: Energy price debate will shift early am to whether, how vast, and how necessary a subsidy taxpayer is giving EDF to build UK nuclear power.
It could match the wave of posting about falling troop morale and Goves Madrassa that almost brought the site to a halt last week
If you allow your industrial base to be looted and off-shored by bankstas like this country did over the last 30 years then you lose the ability to build things like that yourself and then you're forced to pay a massive premium to all those countries that preserved or built up their industrial base.
Euro-marxists to the left, banksta-looters to the right, burning ruin of a country in the middle.
A Bill Bailey quip from his show last week: "There won't be anything left of the Lib Dems at the next election but a bunch of flowers sellotaped to a railing!"
Would be lovely if it happened, but I suspect that they'll hang on to 30 to 40 MPs, which Mark Senior will duly declare as the greatest victory in the entire history of western civilisation.
I'm surprised that you are still interested in Westminster politics. Is this a sign that in your heart of hearts you know the Indy Ref is lost?
The anti Green Tax PB Tories are going to be raging at this
@patrickwintour: Energy price debate will shift early am to whether, how vast, and how necessary a subsidy taxpayer is giving EDF to build UK nuclear power.
It could match the wave of posting about falling troop morale and Goves Madrassa that almost brought the site to a halt last week
Just think if we scrapped HS2 we would have enough to build two nuclear plants with our own money
If EdM had done the deal with red China on nuclear power that Osbo has done would the Daily Mail have claimed it was because of his Marxist upbringing?
The anti Green Tax PB Tories are going to be raging at this
@patrickwintour: Energy price debate will shift early am to whether, how vast, and how necessary a subsidy taxpayer is giving EDF to build UK nuclear power.
It could match the wave of posting about falling troop morale and Goves Madrassa that almost brought the site to a halt last week
Just think if we scrapped HS2 we would have enough to build two nuclear plants with our own money
We lack the know-how to build nuclear plants now particularly since Brown sold off our expertise.
A Bill Bailey quip from his show last week: "There won't be anything left of the Lib Dems at the next election but a bunch of flowers sellotaped to a railing!"
Would be lovely if it happened, but I suspect that they'll hang on to 30 to 40 MPs, which Mark Senior will duly declare as the greatest victory in the entire history of western civilisation.
I'm surprised that you are still interested in Westminster politics. Is this a sign that in your heart of hearts you know the Indy Ref is lost?
Methinks Stuart is trying to draw attention from the pasting that the SNP will get in Dunfermline on Thursday .
I wouldnt have thought so. Its not as if the Chinese are Marxist. They look as if they have learnt from their mistakes, the Labour party on the other hand...
If EdM had done the deal with red China on nuclear power that Osbo has done would the Daily Mail have claimed it was because of his Marxist upbringing?
As if Mitch McConnell does not have enough problems from the Tea Party, PPP has him trailing the Democratic challenger for his Kentucky seat next year! •Alison Lundergan Grimes (D) 45% {45%} [45%] (41%) •Mitch McConnell (R) 43% {44%} [45%] (45%) •Undecided 12% {11%} [10%] (14%)
Carlotta Previous thread - Chukka Umunna went to Manchester University not Oxford
I didn't claim that he did - the only time I mentioned him today was in a quote from John Rentoul about how Hunt could be the next Labour leader - recklessly put in place by Ed as the anti-Umunna.....
A Bill Bailey quip from his show last week: "There won't be anything left of the Lib Dems at the next election but a bunch of flowers sellotaped to a railing!"
Would be lovely if it happened, but I suspect that they'll hang on to 30 to 40 MPs, which Mark Senior will duly declare as the greatest victory in the entire history of western civilisation.
I'm surprised that you are still interested in Westminster politics. Is this a sign that in your heart of hearts you know the Indy Ref is lost?
Methinks Stuart is trying to draw attention from the pasting that the SNP will get in Dunfermline on Thursday .
Surely not! The SNP are that rare thing, a popular mid-term government.....
I wouldnt have thought so. Its not as if the Chinese are Marxist. They look as if they have learnt from their mistakes, the Labour party on the other hand...
If EdM had done the deal with red China on nuclear power that Osbo has done would the Daily Mail have claimed it was because of his Marxist upbringing?
TBF, Mr Fox, when were logic or accuracy important aspects of DM reporting or commentating?
It's the dancing image that I like. Serious face no doubt, dripping with sweat, all arms and legs and jerky movements. The public school shuffle we used to call it.
Mike K I am having my dinner in the next hour, I would rather not have an image of oral sex being performed on George Osborne! Although as seems to be suggested nothing too untoward occurred
"was the hugging-and-rolling kind of fight, rather than punching-and-kicking"
Blimey that shatters all our images of George. Wonder how much she's flogging the photos of him in her flat for?
It's just a shame he went into politics, I bet Natalie would've got a better price for Royal Mail out of all those bankers
Exactly. When the history of this Coalition comes to be written I suspect it will become increasingly apparent that almost everything that got done was a result of Osborne and that the Coalition floundered in the areas outwith his control or influence. Not all of this has been good of course but he seems to have an ability to get things done that no one in the last goverment matched with the possible exception of Mandy. I think he has far more influence on this government than Cameron.
I suspect that if he had chosen to go into the City rather than public service he would be a seriously wealthy individual by now (as opposed to just being rich).
O/T FPT The only time I use skirlie is with mince, tatties and neeps. Growing up, it was always skirlie with mince and oatcakes with stovies. Looking back, I am still in awe of the way my Highland Granny could stretch a bit of mutton on a bone into tasty home made soup and then a big pan of Stovies too.
You are right in one respect, Cameron isn't really interested In politics and Osborne is
Unfortunately his election campaign knocked 5% off the Tories score, as did his Omnishambles budget. He could cost the Tories two elections. (I think Cameron shares blame for losing the boundary changes so let's be charitable and say one and a half)
How miuch did the leadership debates knock of the tories score.
"was the hugging-and-rolling kind of fight, rather than punching-and-kicking"
Blimey that shatters all our images of George. Wonder how much she's flogging the photos of him in her flat for?
It's just a shame he went into politics, I bet Natalie would've got a better price for Royal Mail out of all those bankers
Exactly. When the history of this Coalition comes to be written I suspect it will become increasingly apparent that almost everything that got done was a result of Osborne and that the Coalition floundered in the areas outwith his control or influence. Not all of this has been good of course but he seems to have an ability to get things done that no one in the last goverment matched with the possible exception of Mandy. I think he has far more influence on this government than Cameron.
I suspect that if he had chosen to go into the City rather than public service he would be a seriously wealthy individual by now (as opposed to just being rich).
You are right in one respect, Cameron isn't really interested In politics and Osborne is
Unfortunately his election campaign knocked 5% off the Tories score, as did his Omnishambles budget. He could cost the Tories two elections. (I think Cameron shares blame for losing the boundary changes so let's be charitable and say one and a half)
Only 5% behind and 18 months to go.
Some of us are reasonably contented bunnies. You are not among our number.
You are right in one respect, Cameron isn't really interested In politics and Osborne is
Unfortunately his election campaign knocked 5% off the Tories score, as did his Omnishambles budget. He could cost the Tories two elections. (I think Cameron shares blame for losing the boundary changes so let's be charitable and say one and a half)
How miuch did the leadership debates knock of the tories score.
Bugger all it was lost between November and March. But it was Osborne who wanted Dave in the debates anyway, thought he'd be good.
Clegg looking in the camera ;-)
Some might say it saved a lot of lib dems seats and stopped the tories getting close to a majority.
It is worth noting that one term governments are quite rare. We have had only one since the war. The British electorate always seems willing to give the benefit of the doubt to the incument at the end of the first term.
However, I still think that Ed Miliband will be in number 10. Despite Jacks ARSE.
You are right in one respect, Cameron isn't really interested In politics and Osborne is
Unfortunately his election campaign knocked 5% off the Tories score, as did his Omnishambles budget. He could cost the Tories two elections. (I think Cameron shares blame for losing the boundary changes so let's be charitable and say one and a half)
Only 5% behind and 18 months to go.
Some of us are reasonably contented bunnies. You are not among our number.
You are right in one respect, Cameron isn't really interested In politics and Osborne is
Unfortunately his election campaign knocked 5% off the Tories score, as did his Omnishambles budget. He could cost the Tories two elections. (I think Cameron shares blame for losing the boundary changes so let's be charitable and say one and a half)
Only 5% behind and 18 months to go.
Some of us are reasonably contented bunnies. You are not among our number.
I'm looking forward to the next couple of months Fancy our charity bet rolling over into December too? Whatever happens a good charity get £40
Ta but no thanks. I wouldn't want to lure you into a false sense of security over the importance of the Leaders' ratings: that would be cruel and harsh and I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.
"was the hugging-and-rolling kind of fight, rather than punching-and-kicking"
Blimey that shatters all our images of George. Wonder how much she's flogging the photos of him in her flat for?
It's just a shame he went into politics, I bet Natalie would've got a better price for Royal Mail out of all those bankers
Exactly. When the history of this Coalition comes to be written I suspect it will become increasingly apparent that almost everything that got done was a result of Osborne and that the Coalition floundered in the areas outwith his control or influence. Not all of this has been good of course but he seems to have an ability to get things done that no one in the last goverment matched with the possible exception of Mandy. I think he has far more influence on this government than Cameron.
I suspect that if he had chosen to go into the City rather than public service he would be a seriously wealthy individual by now (as opposed to just being rich).
Oh I don't dispute that there have been errors. That would be inevitable given the number of decisions made and the inexperience of the government. Osborne has made his share. But he is an operator.
Seriously impressive but what is even more so is that when they did not heed his warnings he went to the ECJ and won. It is interesting to see how often Mandy and Osborne came across each other. They were even on the same yacht. I think they rate each other.
It's certainly an interesting break with Coalition unity. The Conservatives should respond with a clear indication they'll cut the green levy on fuel bills after the next election.
But they can only do with a majority - something the looks very unlikely.
It shouldn't stop them giving people the option. It's then down to the voter to decide if it's important enough to them to win their vote.
A huge problem that Dave has got with any move on green taxes is that the environment was the key plank of his modernisation strategy for the party when he became leader in Dec 2005.
That picture of him with the huskies doesn't fit with doing fit with him reversing policy on green taxes. In technical terms it's a bit of a bugger.
As much of a bugger as university fees? Cameron can take the hit. He would lose what little of the guardian vote he gained in exchange for getting kippers back on board.
There`s the small matter of trust,ie,saying one thing to get into power and doing exactly the opposite when in power.
But it seems the Tories have stopped bothering about such niceties since Crosby came aboard.
You are right in one respect, Cameron isn't really interested In politics and Osborne is
Unfortunately his election campaign knocked 5% off the Tories score, as did his Omnishambles budget. He could cost the Tories two elections. (I think Cameron shares blame for losing the boundary changes so let's be charitable and say one and a half)
How miuch did the leadership debates knock of the tories score.
Bugger all it was lost between November and March. But it was Osborne who wanted Dave in the debates anyway, thought he'd be good.
Clegg looking in the camera ;-)
Some might say it saved a lot of lib dems seats and stopped the tories getting close to a majority.
I am with Tyke.Cameron lost it in the debates.It would have been worse had it not been for Brown`s hara-kiri with Mrs Duffy.
Basically, the Venezuelan Government gives a stack of cash to Williams so long as Maldonado drives for the team (they're presently, I think, halfway through the deal). If Maldonado goes elsewhere the Venezuelans give cash compensation to Williams and, it appears, do not give any cash to his new team.
Saward asserts that if Lotus can sort out a deal with a potential big money sponsor then Hulkenberg will get a seat with them (if the deal falls through he could go to Force India).
"was the hugging-and-rolling kind of fight, rather
It's just a shame he went into politics, I bet Natalie would've got a better price for Royal Mail out of all those bankers
Exactly. When the history of this Coalition comes to be written I suspect it will become increasingly apparent that almost everything that got done was a result of Osborne and that the Coalition floundered in the areas outwith his control or influence. Not all of this has been good of course but he seems to have an ability to get things done that no one in the last goverment matched with the possible exception of Mandy. I think he has far more influence on this government than Cameron.
I suspect that if he had chosen to go into the City rather than public service he would be a seriously wealthy individual by now (as opposed to just being rich).
Oh I don't dispute that there have been errors. That would be inevitable given the number of decisions made and the inexperience of the government. Osborne has made his share. But he is an operator.
Seriously impressive but what is even more so is that when they did not heed his warnings he went to the ECJ and won. It is interesting to see how often Mandy and Osborne came across each other. They were even on the same yacht. I think they rate each other.
You are right in one respect, Cameron isn't really interested In politics and Osborne is
Unfortunately his election campaign knocked 5% off the Tories score, as did his Omnishambles budget. He could cost the Tories two elections. (I think Cameron shares blame for losing the boundary changes so let's be charitable and say one and a half)
How miuch did the leadership debates knock of the tories score.
Bugger all it was lost between November and March. But it was Osborne who wanted Dave in the debates anyway, thought he'd be good.
Clegg looking in the camera ;-)
Some might say it saved a lot of lib dems seats and stopped the tories getting close to a majority.
I am with Tyke.Cameron lost it in the debates.It would have been worse had it not been for Brown`s hara-kiri with Mrs Duffy.
Rod has explained how the debates "broke" swingback because the Tories increased their lead over Labour after them.
There was one time I've been nervous Osborne may win the Tories a majority (and knacker all my betting positions at the time). Conference Speech 2009, austerity, all in this together etc, I thought he'd make a huge deal about dropping the Inheritance Tax cut as a "bold gesture" (like the child benefit bold gesture God help us) but he didn't, and peoples fears that the Tories would protect the rich and screw everyone else cost them a majority.
Remarkably he learnt sod all from this and combined a top rate tax cut with a pasty tax last year. Both were a result of him believing in his own extraordinary ability, thats when he hits the buffers.
I honestly think that the one thing Brown got right in his wretched Premiership was bringing back Mandelson. He must have swallowed a lot of pride to do that but he gave the Brown government some sort of semblance of order and a successful, if astonishingly negative, election platform. I would credit Mandelson with costing the tories their majority more than any other single factor.
Who is Labour's Mandelson now? I think it is a real problem for Ed. He is trying to be his own and that does not really work.
There was one time I've been nervous Osborne may win the Tories a majority (and knacker all my betting positions at the time). Conference Speech 2009, austerity, all in this together etc, I thought he'd make a huge deal about dropping the Inheritance Tax cut as a "bold gesture" (like the child benefit bold gesture God help us) but he didn't, and peoples fears that the Tories would protect the rich and screw everyone else cost them a majority.
Remarkably he learnt sod all from this and combined a top rate tax cut with a pasty tax last year. Both were a result of him believing in his own extraordinary ability, thats when he hits the buffers.
Say what you like about Osborne but he has somehow managed to fashion an economic miracle out of the bag of shite bestowed to him by New Labour's oafs.
Osborne was David Cameron's wily campaign manager in the Conservative Leadership contest, and he was the first Conservative Shadow Chancellor that was able to serious rattle and undermine Gordon Brown's carefully crafted myths about his tenure as Chancellor. Osborne very astutely set out a strategy of bypassing Blair to focus on attacking and undermining Brown after Cameron won the Leadership contest. IIRC, Osborne had always thought that it would take two GE's for the Conservatives to be in a position to gain a majority, and he was well prepared for a Hung Parliament and those Coalition negotiations. He also maintained that you had to be honest with the electorate and get a mandate to implement the austerity measures that would be needed after the 2010 GE.
Osborne cares little about getting a short term headline good or bad, and far more about making sure the Conservative party was not only setting the agenda, but ahead of it so as to be placed on the right side of the argument in the longer term. He is still doing this today in the run up to the next GE, and ultimately Ed Miliband and Ed Balls have left him far too much time to this unchallenged. And despite these successes, Osborne's political skills were continually underestimated by his opponents inside the Conservative party, as well as on the Labour benches all the way up to the last GE. I suspect that when the story of who was behind those 2012 budget leaks come out, it will be Clegg's Office that will be in the spotlight. I did predict that after that omnishambles Osborne would learn from it, and not let them pull the same stunt twice.
Exactly. When the history of this Coalition comes to be written I suspect it will become increasingly apparent that almost everything that got done was a result of Osborne and that the Coalition floundered in the areas outwith his control or influence. Not all of this has been good of course but he seems to have an ability to get things done that no one in the last goverment matched with the possible exception of Mandy. I think he has far more influence on this government than Cameron.
I suspect that if he had chosen to go into the City rather than public service he would be a seriously wealthy individual by now (as opposed to just being rich).
Smart move by Clegg though to be fair the Lib Dems have always taken education very seriously.
Free' schools are the gift that will keep on giving. Not only are they daily being exposed as a home for every whacko and loony who wants their name on the door but they're being run by the most unpopular Minister since Norman Tebbit.
I just hope Tristram Hunt get's his act together quickly enough and together with Clegg manages to articulate why this reactionary education is a serious danger not only to the few thousand students who attend them but the many millions who don't
How much did your education cost again?
As a parent whose child has been utterly, utterly failed by the system I welcome the fact that this government is trying to do something with that system.
Whether it was the debates, Mrs Duffy or protecting pensioners, in March the rot stopped and Dave and George formed the government.
Like I said, George is unusual amongst politicians in learning from his mistakes.
As a LibDem voter, I am glad that it was a coalition govt, and will not be disappointed if there is another coalition in 2015. On topic: Both Laws and Hunt seem to agree with Gove on free schools, it is the activists of both parties that are yet to be convinced.
You are right in one respect, Cameron isn't really interested In politics and Osborne is
Unfortunately his election campaign knocked 5% off the Tories score, as did his Omnishambles budget. He could cost the Tories two elections. (I think Cameron shares blame for losing the boundary changes so let's be charitable and say one and a half)
How miuch did the leadership debates knock of the tories score.
Bugger all it was lost between November and March. But it was Osborne who wanted Dave in the debates anyway, thought he'd be good.
Clegg looking in the camera ;-)
Some might say it saved a lot of lib dems seats and stopped the tories getting close to a majority.
I am with Tyke.Cameron lost it in the debates.It would have been worse had it not been for Brown`s hara-kiri with Mrs Duffy.
Rod has explained how the debates "broke" swingback because the Tories increased their lead over Labour after them.
You are right in one respect, Cameron isn't really interested In politics and Osborne is
Unfortunately his election campaign knocked 5% off the Tories score, as did his Omnishambles budget. He could cost the Tories two elections. (I think Cameron shares blame for losing the boundary changes so let's be charitable and say one and a half)
How miuch did the leadership debates knock of the tories score.
Bugger all it was lost between November and March. But it was Osborne who wanted Dave in the debates anyway, thought he'd be good.
Clegg looking in the camera ;-)
Some might say it saved a lot of lib dems seats and stopped the tories getting close to a majority.
I am with Tyke.Cameron lost it in the debates.It would have been worse had it not been for Brown`s hara-kiri with Mrs Duffy.
They decided to exclude pensioners from austerity, they even thought Brown might hang on once the Tory polling hit 35/36
Scrutiny of the polls from UKPR show that while Tories did go down from 40 in January to 37 in March,the ratings collapsed to 31-32 immediately after the first debate before recovering.Without this sudden fall,they might have managed to get over the line once the election campaign started and the Tory media spun like mad.
Credit where credit is due, a brilliant piece from Boris
"Bloody foreigners! That’s the zeitgeist, isn’t it?"
let me ask: which European nation provides the most foreigners? It’s us! The British. We live abroad in greater numbers than any other country; we have been pushing up the prices in some European destinations for decades. Should we have a crazed exchange of populations – kicking the French out of Kensington in retribution for what they have done to house prices, while they kick us out of the Dordogne? What a miserable, blinkered, pointless and fundamentally stupid way of looking at the world. Both sets of incomers bring money and jobs to the community. And don’t think, by the way, that we Britons are above claiming benefits in other EU countries. A spectacular report just out shows that one in 10 Brits in Germany is on benefits – about 10,000 in all. There were some hilarious quotes from British claimants about how simple the German system is, how generous and non-judgmental. They get up to £23,318 a year from the German taxpayer. I suppose we could just urge the Germans to stop being so soft-hearted and kick out our kids as soon as they lose their jobs. But then what if it was your kid, and what if they were married to a German and had their own children in a German school? Suddenly it’s not quite so clear-cut, is it? That’s one of the problems with bashing the bloody foreigners. We have our own share of irritating British rich people, pushing up house prices abroad and cheesing off the natives. We have our own share of bludgers, living off benefits in other countries. The Brits: we’re the biggest load of bloody foreigners on earth. It’s been good for us, and on the whole it’s been good for the world."
You are right in one respect, Cameron isn't really interested In politics and Osborne is
Unfortunately his election campaign knocked 5% off the Tories score, as did his Omnishambles budget. He could cost the Tories two elections. (I think Cameron shares blame for losing the boundary changes so let's be charitable and say one and a half)
How miuch did the leadership debates knock of the tories score.
Bugger all it was lost between November and March. But it was Osborne who wanted Dave in the debates anyway, thought he'd be good.
Clegg looking in the camera ;-)
Some might say it saved a lot of lib dems seats and stopped the tories getting close to a majority.
I am with Tyke.Cameron lost it in the debates.It would have been worse had it not been for Brown`s hara-kiri with Mrs Duffy.
Rod has explained how the debates "broke" swingback because the Tories increased their lead over Labour after them.
Unfortunately I didn`t see this work.But given his latest theory being that Labour have less than one percent chance of getting a majority,I am unsure how much credence I would place on his work.
Credit where credit is due, a brilliant piece from Boris
"Bloody foreigners! That’s the zeitgeist, isn’t it?"
let me ask: which European nation provides the most foreigners? It’s us! The British. We live abroad in greater numbers than any other country; we have been pushing up the prices in some European destinations for decades. Should we have a crazed exchange of populations – kicking the French out of Kensington in retribution for what they have done to house prices, while they kick us out of the Dordogne? What a miserable, blinkered, pointless and fundamentally stupid way of looking at the world. Both sets of incomers bring money and jobs to the community. And don’t think, by the way, that we Britons are above claiming benefits in other EU countries. A spectacular report just out shows that one in 10 Brits in Germany is on benefits – about 10,000 in all. There were some hilarious quotes from British claimants about how simple the German system is, how generous and non-judgmental. They get up to £23,318 a year from the German taxpayer. I suppose we could just urge the Germans to stop being so soft-hearted and kick out our kids as soon as they lose their jobs. But then what if it was your kid, and what if they were married to a German and had their own children in a German school? Suddenly it’s not quite so clear-cut, is it? That’s one of the problems with bashing the bloody foreigners. We have our own share of irritating British rich people, pushing up house prices abroad and cheesing off the natives. We have our own share of bludgers, living off benefits in other countries. The Brits: we’re the biggest load of bloody foreigners on earth. It’s been good for us, and on the whole it’s been good for the world."
Agreed. A good piece by Boris. How he manages despite stuff like this to still be more popular with UKIP supporters than Cameron is really beyond me. Sheer force of personality I suppose.
Last week Moneyweek listed Millfield as one of the top 10 most expensive UK schools.
Yet roger tels us that they had unqualified teachers playing Bob Dylan to teach the pupils english.
In comparison free schools seem a bargain. Even the Derby one seems popular with parents (though the fact that they do not want their kids to learn western mores such as female emancipation may well be a factor)
Smart move by Clegg though to be fair the Lib Dems have always taken education very seriously.
Free' schools are the gift that will keep on giving. Not only are they daily being exposed as a home for every whacko and loony who wants their name on the door but they're being run by the most unpopular Minister since Norman Tebbit.
I just hope Tristram Hunt get's his act together quickly enough and together with Clegg manages to articulate why this reactionary education is a serious danger not only to the few thousand students who attend them but the many millions who don't
How much did your education cost again?
As a parent whose child has been utterly, utterly failed by the system I welcome the fact that this government is trying to do something with that system.
Credit where credit is due, a brilliant piece from Boris
"Bloody foreigners! That’s the zeitgeist, isn’t it?"
l They get up to £23,318 a year from the German taxpayer. I suppose we could just urge the Germans to stop being so soft-hearted and kick out our kids as soon as they lose their jobs. But then what if it was your kid, and what if they were married to a German and had their own children in a German school? Suddenly it’s not quite so clear-cut, is it? That’s one of the problems with bashing the bloody foreigners. We have our own share of irritating British rich people, pushing up house prices abroad and cheesing off the natives. We have our own share of bludgers, living off benefits in other countries. The Brits: we’re the biggest load of bloody foreigners on earth. It’s been good for us, and on the whole it’s been good for the world."
I'm yet to work out how the Jews are behind Chinese expansion, but I guess you'll be able to tell me
Not sure how that relates to Boris not mentioning the gang problem.
Not sure how your 559th reposting of that article (or for that matter the 445th reposting of the beds in sheds article) relates to Boris' article. Although given the BNP are now regularly scoring <0.5% in opinion polls I can see why you're frustrated, particularly after the EDL got taken over by Zionists and Islamists simultaneously and still managed to garner more press inches than Griffins remaining fools.</p>
The implied logic of Boris' article is cost vs benefit.
The media and political class cover up the worst costs.
Tim did cut out a few paragraphs in the middle, where Boris argued to restrict EU citizens rights to benefits in the UK. Boris may be a clown, but he is no fool.
Credit where credit is due, a brilliant piece from Boris
"Bloody foreigners! That’s the zeitgeist, isn’t it?"
l They get up to £23,318 a year from the German taxpayer. I suppose we could just urge the Germans to stop being so soft-hearted and kick out our kids as soon as they lose their jobs. But then what if it was your kid, and what if they were married to a German and had their own children in a German school? Suddenly it’s not quite so clear-cut, is it? That’s one of the problems with bashing the bloody foreigners. We have our own share of irritating British rich people, pushing up house prices abroad and cheesing off the natives. We have our own share of bludgers, living off benefits in other countries. The Brits: we’re the biggest load of bloody foreigners on earth. It’s been good for us, and on the whole it’s been good for the world."
I'm yet to work out how the Jews are behind Chinese expansion, but I guess you'll be able to tell me
Not sure how that relates to Boris not mentioning the gang problem.
Not sure how your 559th reposting of that article (or for that matter the 445th reposting of the beds in sheds article) relates to Boris' article. Although given the BNP are now regularly scoring <0.5% in opinion polls I can see why you're frustrated, particularly after the EDL got taken over by Zionists and Islamists simultaneously and still managed to garner more press inches than Griffins remaining fools.</p>
The implied logic of Boris' article is cost vs benefit.
The media and political class cover up the worst costs.
Tim did cut out a few paragraphs in the middle, where Boris argued to restrict EU citizens rights to benefits in the UK. Boris may be a clown, but he is no fool.
Sure, I'm aiming for 11, 716 posts about the gang problem in inner London so any excuse.
I'm having a night off the booze. I haven't been this bored since my mid-teens.
Question for the pb non drinkers: what the F do you do all night? How do you cope with the ennui and dullness?
But still, the boredom. The boredom. I have a teetotal friend - sober for two years after way too much indulgence - and he admits the boredom is killing him.
I'm having a night off the booze. I haven't been this bored since my mid-teens.
Question for the pb non drinkers: what the F do you do all night? How do you cope with the ennui and dullness?
But still, the boredom. The boredom. I have a teetotal friend - sober for two years after way too much indulgence - and he admits the boredom is killing him.
Tim, you recently had your posting privileges suspended for talking about this very topic and making defamatory smears.
Please desist if you want to avoid a longer posting suspension.
In my defence I wouldn't have touched it with a bargepole had Mike not posted the link. But I will refrain.
Your lack of self control is noted, which gives us the opportunity to remind you, and others, the topic of phone hacking is also strictly off limits as well.
Anyone violating this rule, will have their posting privileges suspended until after the conclusion after the phone hacking trials.
I'm having a night off the booze. I haven't been this bored since my mid-teens.
Question for the pb non drinkers: what the F do you do all night? How do you cope with the ennui and dullness?
But still, the boredom. The boredom. I have a teetotal friend - sober for two years after way too much indulgence - and he admits the boredom is killing him.
We teetotalers aren't all bad
For sure. Half my friends are sober - because they are ex junkies forced into total abstinence. A few of them eat too much, I've noticed. Or they are total gym freaks. Most admit boredom is an issue.
But boredom has bugged mankind ever since we first stared out of the cave, one Sunday afternoon, and sighed listlessly at the drizzle.
I am reminded of Byron's quote when asked what he did, on the long winter evenings, with his rather dull mistress (when he wasn't tupping her). He replied: "That, Sir, is the very devil of a question."
The boredom, the boredom. I am sure most wars are started thanks to boredom.
Hmmm.. well, personally, I resort to reading PB.com in the evenings!
"Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?"
I'm having a night off the booze. I haven't been this bored since my mid-teens.
Question for the pb non drinkers: what the F do you do all night? How do you cope with the ennui and dullness?
But still, the boredom. The boredom. I have a teetotal friend - sober for two years after way too much indulgence - and he admits the boredom is killing him.
We teetotalers aren't all bad
For sure. Half my friends are sober - because they are ex junkies forced into total abstinence. A few of them eat too much, I've noticed. Or they are total gym freaks. Most admit boredom is an issue.
But boredom has bugged mankind ever since we first stared out of the cave, one Sunday afternoon, and sighed listlessly at the drizzle.
I am reminded of Byron's quote when asked what he did, on the long winter evenings, with his rather dull mistress (when he wasn't tupping her). He replied: "That, Sir, is the very devil of a question."
The boredom, the boredom. I am sure most wars are started thanks to boredom.
Hmmm.. well, personally, I resort to reading PB.com in the evenings!
"Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?"
Which is more healthy for you - arguing on PB, or drinking?
I'm having a night off the booze. I haven't been this bored since my mid-teens.
Question for the pb non drinkers: what the F do you do all night? How do you cope with the ennui and dullness?
But still, the boredom. The boredom. I have a teetotal friend - sober for two years after way too much indulgence - and he admits the boredom is killing him.
We teetotalers aren't all bad
For sure. Half my friends are sober - because they are ex junkies forced into total abstinence. A few of them eat too much, I've noticed. Or they are total gym freaks. Most admit boredom is an issue.
But boredom has bugged mankind ever since we first stared out of the cave, one Sunday afternoon, and sighed listlessly at the drizzle.
I am reminded of Byron's quote when asked what he did, on the long winter evenings, with his rather dull mistress (when he wasn't tupping her). He replied: "That, Sir, is the very devil of a question."
The boredom, the boredom. I am sure most wars are started thanks to boredom.
Hmmm.. well, personally, I resort to reading PB.com in the evenings!
"Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?"
Which is more healthy for you - arguing on PB, or drinking?
"the government promising to pay the owners of Hinkley Point a fixed fee of possibly between £90-£93 for every megawatt of power generated per hour. That's almost twice the current wholesale market price for electricity at around £50 ... the government will be paying that price for 30-40 years irrespective of whether market prices soar or collapse."
So if (when) wholesale prices continue to go up, that deal will be looking very good indeed...
All the papers running with Osbornes big PFI-Green Tax-Chinese Takeaway
Neil Henderson @hendopolis GUARDIAN: Coalition signs off on Britain's nuclear rebirth #tomorrowspaperstoday #BBCPapers pic.twitter.com/YORoU1fE60
Thankfully for the PB Tories Ed Davey is fronting it so they can rage about the Lib Dems holding the Tories to ransom on green taxes
Yes, tim, that's the great advantage of Labour's approach.
By not making a single decision, not one, over 13 years, about how to replace much-needed generation capacity, they didn't have to do anything which anyone might object to. Instead they pfaffed around with a bit of wind power at the margins.
A brilliant strategy, right? Well, yes, until the lights go out.
To govern is to choose. So what would Labour do? Coal, Gas or Nuclear, in what proportions? That's the choice. But all we get is carping: vicious, hypocritical and actively damaging carping.
God help us if voters fall for these charlatans again.
"the government promising to pay the owners of Hinkley Point a fixed fee of possibly between £90-£93 for every megawatt of power generated per hour. That's almost twice the current wholesale market price for electricity at around £50 ... the government will be paying that price for 30-40 years irrespective of whether market prices soar or collapse."
So if (when) wholesale prices continue to go up, that deal will be looking very good indeed...
Since the plant will supply 7% of the UK`s energy supply for 35 years,it`s money well spent though a tad expensive,IMO
"the government promising to pay the owners of Hinkley Point a fixed fee of possibly between £90-£93 for every megawatt of power generated per hour. That's almost twice the current wholesale market price for electricity at around £50 ... the government will be paying that price for 30-40 years irrespective of whether market prices soar or collapse."
So if (when) wholesale prices continue to go up, that deal will be looking very good indeed...
Since the plant will supply 7% of the UK`s energy supply for 35 years,it`s money well spent though a tad expensive,IMO
And hopefully we'll be helping out with the construction so we can build the next lot ourselves! ;-)
Comments
Are Free Schools obliged to follow this or not?
"The combined contribution of these two gigantic wind farms, at a capital cost of £7.6 billion and earning subsidies of £620 million a year, will average 750MW – less than that of the single unsubsidised gas-fired power station recently built in Plymouth at a capital cost of £1 billion."
edit: plus you have to add the cost of the farms of diesel generators being brought on line to fill the gaps caused by the EU ordering the government to close down two perfectly good coal power stations.
I may well be wrong but I think education may still be under Labour control in Wales, if it is then I wonder if Tim can let us know how it is performing.
OldKingCole And the Greens and now the FDP and AfD from the sidelines. In reality, Hannelore Kraft, NRW Premier, who will not be a part of the Coalition but a likely SPD Chancellor Candidate in 2017
Euro-marxists to the left, banksta-looters to the right, burning ruin of a country in the middle.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/natalie-rowe-george-osborne-i-2471808
Christian Social People's Party 33.2 (-4.84) 23 seats (-3)
Socialists 19.68 (-1.88) 13 seats (=)
Democratic Party (Liberals) 19.13 (+4.15) 13 seats (+4)
Greens 10.02 (-1.69) 6 (-1)
Alternative Democratic Reform Party (Conservatives) 6.55 (-1.58) 3 (-1)
The Left (far left) 4.92 (+1.63) 2 (+1)
Pirates 3.09 (+3.09) 0
Party for Integral Democracy 1.76 (+1.76) 0
Communists 1.65 (+0.18) 0
•Alison Lundergan Grimes (D) 45% {45%} [45%] (41%)
•Mitch McConnell (R) 43% {44%} [45%] (45%)
•Undecided 12% {11%} [10%] (14%)
The Energy Companies that love Britain (because they can charge what they like)
Is that the only thing she licked?
More fun than some boring old think tank.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/natalie-rowe-reveals-tory-politician-2471807
Absolutely barking stuff.
A little bit of a darkside is always attractive.
Only shocking fact in Mirror's Osborne/dominatrix story: “He loved Gold by Spandau Ballet.” http://mirr.im/17CCQkG
I suspect that if he had chosen to go into the City rather than public service he would be a seriously wealthy individual by now (as opposed to just being rich).
Tom Newton Dunn @tnewtondunn
"Now, with staggering hypocrisy, he demands a price freeze to reverse the policies he inflicted," @trevor_kavanagh in tmrw's @Sun_Politics
I dont think he needs to be afraid of Ms Rowe's book. Indeed it adds to his roguish charm.
Some of us are reasonably contented bunnies. You are not among our number.
Some might say it saved a lot of lib dems seats and stopped the tories getting close to a majority.
However, I still think that Ed Miliband will be in number 10. Despite Jacks ARSE.
I have linked to this before but this is him at an EU Finance ministers meeting demolishing the case for a FTT: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/georgeosborne/8878738/George-Osborne-attacks-Tobin-tax.html
Seriously impressive but what is even more so is that when they did not heed his warnings he went to the ECJ and won. It is interesting to see how often Mandy and Osborne came across each other. They were even on the same yacht. I think they rate each other.
Oh.
In other news: very interesting piece by Joe Saward about Williams/Maldonado/Hulkenberg:
http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/what-is-happening-at-team-willy/
Basically, the Venezuelan Government gives a stack of cash to Williams so long as Maldonado drives for the team (they're presently, I think, halfway through the deal). If Maldonado goes elsewhere the Venezuelans give cash compensation to Williams and, it appears, do not give any cash to his new team.
Saward asserts that if Lotus can sort out a deal with a potential big money sponsor then Hulkenberg will get a seat with them (if the deal falls through he could go to Force India).
Better to consort with Ms Rowe!
Who is Labour's Mandelson now? I think it is a real problem for Ed. He is trying to be his own and that does not really work.
Osborne cares little about getting a short term headline good or bad, and far more about making sure the Conservative party was not only setting the agenda, but ahead of it so as to be placed on the right side of the argument in the longer term. He is still doing this today in the run up to the next GE, and ultimately Ed Miliband and Ed Balls have left him far too much time to this unchallenged. And despite these successes, Osborne's political skills were continually underestimated by his opponents inside the Conservative party, as well as on the Labour benches all the way up to the last GE. I suspect that when the story of who was behind those 2012 budget leaks come out, it will be Clegg's Office that will be in the spotlight. I did predict that after that omnishambles Osborne would learn from it, and not let them pull the same stunt twice.
Exactly. When the history of this Coalition comes to be written I suspect it will become increasingly apparent that almost everything that got done was a result of Osborne and that the Coalition floundered in the areas outwith his control or influence. Not all of this has been good of course but he seems to have an ability to get things done that no one in the last goverment matched with the possible exception of Mandy. I think he has far more influence on this government than Cameron.
I suspect that if he had chosen to go into the City rather than public service he would be a seriously wealthy individual by now (as opposed to just being rich).
As a parent whose child has been utterly, utterly failed by the system I welcome the fact that this government is trying to do something with that system.
Like I said, George is unusual amongst politicians in learning from his mistakes.
As a LibDem voter, I am glad that it was a coalition govt, and will not be disappointed if there is another coalition in 2015.
On topic: Both Laws and Hunt seem to agree with Gove on free schools, it is the activists of both parties that are yet to be convinced.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/boys-quizzed-over-500-rapes-a-year-by-gangs-8335165.html
Agreed. A good piece by Boris. How he manages despite stuff like this to still be more popular with UKIP supporters than Cameron is really beyond me. Sheer force of personality I suppose.
Yet roger tels us that they had unqualified teachers playing Bob Dylan to teach the pupils english.
In comparison free schools seem a bargain. Even the Derby one seems popular with parents (though the fact that they do not want their kids to learn western mores such as female emancipation may well be a factor)
The media and political class cover up the worst costs.
I used to go out and do dangerous stuff for the adrenaline - best drug of all imo - but too old now.
Just do the same things, only without a glass in your hand.
Down and out: the French flee a nation in despair
The failing economy and harsh taxes of François Hollande's beleaguered nation are sending thousands packing - to Britain's friendlier shores
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/10390571/france-hollande-taxes-socialist-farrage.html
The voter has as many votes as there are seats to be filled. Panachage is permitted, as is cumulating 2 votes on a particular candidate.
Being on call is enforced sobriety, but not unwelcome. It means that the glass is really appreciated rather than just a habit.
Anticipation often beats realisation in life.
http://samfreedman1.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/what-do-opinion-polls-tell-us-about.html
What is Panachage?
Souns suspiciously French to me!
Please desist if you want to avoid a longer posting suspension.
Anyone violating this rule, will have their posting privileges suspended until after the conclusion after the phone hacking trials.
"Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?"
Discuss.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-24602741
not sure if this is your idea of a stag night.
So if (when) wholesale prices continue to go up, that deal will be looking very good indeed...
By not making a single decision, not one, over 13 years, about how to replace much-needed generation capacity, they didn't have to do anything which anyone might object to. Instead they pfaffed around with a bit of wind power at the margins.
A brilliant strategy, right? Well, yes, until the lights go out.
To govern is to choose. So what would Labour do? Coal, Gas or Nuclear, in what proportions? That's the choice. But all we get is carping: vicious, hypocritical and actively damaging carping.
God help us if voters fall for these charlatans again.
Any further violations tonight on any topic, and your posting privileges will be revoked.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pfaff
Maybe it's different on Merseyside?
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/faff#English
http://www.politicshome.com/uk/article/86883/the_sun_sunday_20th_october_2013.html