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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Corbyn’s no longer the “Next PM” betting favourite as punters

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  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633

    bloke from port of Dover on bbc saying cant see much of a brexit problem from his side

    The one who said we need a political solution and the backstop has to go?
    Why would the EU/French want to block Irish trucks coming through Dover ?

  • justin124justin124 Posts: 11,527

    Re Brecon & Radnor.

    What is in the public domain suggests the offence relates to a contested receipt of 700 pounds, which sounds a rather modest sum of money.

    Even if found guilty, it must be doubtful whether this would lead to a custodial offence of more than a year, so I am not sure a by-election is even likely.

    Dennis McShane pleased guilty to 13,000 pounds worth of fake receipts and got 6 months.

    The only two parties who could win B&R are the Tories and the LibDems: as always in these rural Welsh seats, the quality of the candidate really matters.

    Labour did come close at the July 1985 by election with the Tories being pushed into third place. For many years prior to 1979 it was a Labour seat - albeit the boundaries were then more favourable for them.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,871

    IanB2 said:

    _Anazina_ said:

    I think you would struggle to find many normal people who consider the Tiggers extremists, but whatever gets you through the night.

    I don't think so at all.

    Wanting to reverse the 2016 referendum result through any means necessary which is the Tiggers position absolutely is an extremist position. Even to the point of rejecting a deal while supposedly being against no deal.

    Just because they're not extremists on antisemitism doesn't mean they're not extremists on Brexit.
    Keep taking the pills.
    The fact you can't argue with my logic so are turning to ad hominems instead says more about you than me.

    I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. - Greatest PM since Churchill. Though pills isn't particularly wounding, it is a lame personal rather than political attack.
    Except that your position is absurd, and I am not the only one telling you that. Defending the status quo as actually a reasonable deal for the country is not extreme.
  • All the worst people seem to dislike the TIGs.

    Seems like the best thing to happen in politics in this country since May’s failed attempt to win a majority for Brexit in 2017.
    Seems good to me.

    Lets have a couple of years before an election where
    Labour represent the far left and antisemitic communists.
    Tiggers represent European die-hards wanting to refight the 2016 referendum because the people were stupid first time around.
    Tories represent sensible management of the economy and moving onwards with record employment, growth and the deficit dealt with.

    Lets fight it out and see what Britain wants.
  • GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 21,298

    Does

    Another thing I like about the TIGs is that they pretty much all appear to normal-looking, sane people you could have a sensible conversation with.

    Burgon, Pidcock, Fabricant, Chope? Not so much.

    They are Blairite Elitists who appeal to middle aged people in the political bubble
    Except that the term “Blairite Elitist” is the sort of tripe served up by far left loons who live in bedsits.

    It’s not how normal people think or speak.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 42,992

    IanB2 said:

    _Anazina_ said:

    I think you would struggle to find many normal people who consider the Tiggers extremists, but whatever gets you through the night.

    I don't think so at all.

    Wanting to reverse the 2016 referendum result through any means necessary which is the Tiggers position absolutely is an extremist position. Even to the point of rejecting a deal while supposedly being against no deal.

    Just because they're not extremists on antisemitism doesn't mean they're not extremists on Brexit.
    Keep taking the pills.
    The fact you can't argue with my logic so are turning to ad hominems instead says more about you than me.

    I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. - Greatest PM since Churchill. Though pills isn't particularly wounding, it is a lame personal rather than political attack.
    What's extreme about wanting to give the people of the UK a vote on something?
  • IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    _Anazina_ said:

    I think you would struggle to find many normal people who consider the Tiggers extremists, but whatever gets you through the night.

    I don't think so at all.

    Wanting to reverse the 2016 referendum result through any means necessary which is the Tiggers position absolutely is an extremist position. Even to the point of rejecting a deal while supposedly being against no deal.

    Just because they're not extremists on antisemitism doesn't mean they're not extremists on Brexit.
    Keep taking the pills.
    The fact you can't argue with my logic so are turning to ad hominems instead says more about you than me.

    I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. - Greatest PM since Churchill. Though pills isn't particularly wounding, it is a lame personal rather than political attack.
    Except that your position is absurd, and I am not the only one telling you that. Defending the status quo as actually a reasonable deal for the country is not extreme.
    I know you're not the only one. Other European extremists who want to reverse the 2016 referendum are siding with you. So what?

    Not wanting no deal while not wanting any deal either is a very extremist position.
  • Does

    Another thing I like about the TIGs is that they pretty much all appear to normal-looking, sane people you could have a sensible conversation with.

    Burgon, Pidcock, Fabricant, Chope? Not so much.

    They are Blairite Elitists who appeal to middle aged people in the political bubble
    Except that the term “Blairite Elitist” is the sort of tripe served up by far left loons who live in bedsits.

    It’s not how normal people think or speak.
    Everyone thinks themselves as normal and everyone else different
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,732

    bloke from port of Dover on bbc saying cant see much of a brexit problem from his side

    The one who said we need a political solution and the backstop has to go?
    no idea, this one seemed quite bouncy, the beeb reporter was almost disappointed he wasnt oozing gloom
    The one at 12:32 here? He sounds like a deluded Brexiteer.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live/bbcnews

    "The Prime Minister is right to reopen the withdrawal agreement."
    "If you speak to politicians in Calais they'll tell you something different to the politicians in Paris."
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172
    edited February 2019

    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    So now Greening has removed references to being a Conservative from her profile

    Greening seems to me a likely defector.

    That is, I think she may be in a reasonable position to actually hold her Putney seat as a TIGGer.

    I give Soubry and Allen little chance. But Wollaston and Greening maybe evens.
    Allen and Wollaston are shoo-ins, with LibDem and Green support. Greening could stand a chance. Soubry less so, although she undoubtedly is the highest profile.
    That is still asking the LibDems to play second fiddle to a group whose practical short-medium term aim is to supplant them as the third party. Short of the two political forces (can't say parties yet) merging, the LibDem inclination might just be to tell them to piss off.
    Sure, the Lib Dems would be hoping for a quid pro quo elsewhere, in addition to the general cleansing effect of being associated with the bright new thing rather than the Coalition.
    Maybe, but the point is that the LibDems are in a far stronger position. They have infrastructure, councillors, foot-soldiers and candidates.

    The TIGgers have none of this. They are not even a party -- they are a motley collection of disenchanted individuals who want to remain and have little else in common. What do they conceivably have to offer the much stronger LibDems? Very little.

    In a real world, those who now want to remain are a very tiny constituency. Many who voted Remain have accepted we have to leave (correctly in my view), although naturally they want a very soft Brexit (again correctly in my view).
  • TOPPING said:

    IanB2 said:

    _Anazina_ said:

    I think you would struggle to find many normal people who consider the Tiggers extremists, but whatever gets you through the night.

    I don't think so at all.

    Wanting to reverse the 2016 referendum result through any means necessary which is the Tiggers position absolutely is an extremist position. Even to the point of rejecting a deal while supposedly being against no deal.

    Just because they're not extremists on antisemitism doesn't mean they're not extremists on Brexit.
    Keep taking the pills.
    The fact you can't argue with my logic so are turning to ad hominems instead says more about you than me.

    I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. - Greatest PM since Churchill. Though pills isn't particularly wounding, it is a lame personal rather than political attack.
    What's extreme about wanting to give the people of the UK a vote on something?
    Nothing, that's what general elections are for. It took decades of people campaigning for votes before we had the EU referendum, now we need to implement that votes decision.

    Not wanting any deal and not wanting no deal either is an extremist position.
  • StereotomyStereotomy Posts: 4,092

    Does

    Another thing I like about the TIGs is that they pretty much all appear to normal-looking, sane people you could have a sensible conversation with.

    Burgon, Pidcock, Fabricant, Chope? Not so much.

    They are Blairite Elitists who appeal to middle aged people in the political bubble
    Except that the term “Blairite Elitist” is the sort of tripe served up by far left loons who live in bedsits.

    It’s not how normal people think or speak.
    Yeah, everyone loves Blair!
  • GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 21,298
    TOPPING said:

    IanB2 said:

    _Anazina_ said:

    I think you would struggle to find many normal people who consider the Tiggers extremists, but whatever gets you through the night.

    I don't think so at all.

    Wanting to reverse the 2016 referendum result through any means necessary which is the Tiggers position absolutely is an extremist position. Even to the point of rejecting a deal while supposedly being against no deal.

    Just because they're not extremists on antisemitism doesn't mean they're not extremists on Brexit.
    Keep taking the pills.
    The fact you can't argue with my logic so are turning to ad hominems instead says more about you than me.

    I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. - Greatest PM since Churchill. Though pills isn't particularly wounding, it is a lame personal rather than political attack.
    What's extreme about wanting to give the people of the UK a vote on something?
    Especially, as Philip rightly points out, we are in a burning plane that is about to crash.

    It would be good to ask the passengers if indeed we do want to keep on our present course.
  • ChrisChris Posts: 11,752

    bloke from port of Dover on bbc saying cant see much of a brexit problem from his side

    Is that because it's been decided just to wave through incoming lorries?
  • oxfordsimonoxfordsimon Posts: 5,842
    He really is an unpleasant piece of work. Friends of mine who live in his constituency are less than impressed with his behaviour of late.
  • DonTsInferno_DonTsInferno_ Posts: 108
    edited February 2019
    TOPPING said:

    IanB2 said:

    _Anazina_ said:

    I think you would struggle to find many normal people who consider the Tiggers extremists, but whatever gets you through the night.

    I don't think so at all.

    Wanting to reverse the 2016 referendum result through any means necessary which is the Tiggers position absolutely is an extremist position. Even to the point of rejecting a deal while supposedly being against no deal.

    Just because they're not extremists on antisemitism doesn't mean they're not extremists on Brexit.
    Keep taking the pills.
    The fact you can't argue with my logic so are turning to ad hominems instead says more about you than me.

    I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. - Greatest PM since Churchill. Though pills isn't particularly wounding, it is a lame personal rather than political attack.
    What's extreme about wanting to give the people of the UK a vote on something?
    If they hadn’t already voted on it without the decision being implemented, and the people asking for another vote hadn’t been elected on a platform of respecting it, it wouldn’t be extreme at all.
  • GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 21,298

    Does

    Another thing I like about the TIGs is that they pretty much all appear to normal-looking, sane people you could have a sensible conversation with.

    Burgon, Pidcock, Fabricant, Chope? Not so much.

    They are Blairite Elitists who appeal to middle aged people in the political bubble
    Except that the term “Blairite Elitist” is the sort of tripe served up by far left loons who live in bedsits.

    It’s not how normal people think or speak.
    Everyone thinks themselves as normal and everyone else different
    No doubt you live in a part of the country where you can hear nothing but “Blairite Elitist” bandied about in the Dog and Duck.
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,413

    bloke from port of Dover on bbc saying cant see much of a brexit problem from his side

    The one who said we need a political solution and the backstop has to go?
    no idea, this one seemed quite bouncy, the beeb reporter was almost disappointed he wasnt oozing gloom
    The one at 12:32 here? He sounds like a deluded Brexiteer.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live/bbcnews

    "The Prime Minister is right to reopen the withdrawal agreement."
    "If you speak to politicians in Calais they'll tell you something different to the politicians in Paris."
    cant open that so who knows

    but clearly anyone falling from your story board must be suspect, it's quite funny
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633

    bloke from port of Dover on bbc saying cant see much of a brexit problem from his side

    The one who said we need a political solution and the backstop has to go?
    no idea, this one seemed quite bouncy, the beeb reporter was almost disappointed he wasnt oozing gloom
    The one at 12:32 here? He sounds like a deluded Brexiteer.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live/bbcnews

    "The Prime Minister is right to reopen the withdrawal agreement."
    "If you speak to politicians in Calais they'll tell you something different to the politicians in Paris."
    If you manufacture a delay at Calais - you will end up snarling up not just EU lorries exporting to the Uk but a motorway full of Irish exports to the EU.

  • Does

    Another thing I like about the TIGs is that they pretty much all appear to normal-looking, sane people you could have a sensible conversation with.

    Burgon, Pidcock, Fabricant, Chope? Not so much.

    They are Blairite Elitists who appeal to middle aged people in the political bubble
    Except that the term “Blairite Elitist” is the sort of tripe served up by far left loons who live in bedsits.

    It’s not how normal people think or speak.
    Everyone thinks themselves as normal and everyone else different
    No doubt you live in a part of the country where you can hear nothing but “Blairite Elitist” bandied about in the Dog and Duck.
    I’d say there’s some doubt about that
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172
    justin124 said:

    Re Brecon & Radnor.

    What is in the public domain suggests the offence relates to a contested receipt of 700 pounds, which sounds a rather modest sum of money.

    Even if found guilty, it must be doubtful whether this would lead to a custodial offence of more than a year, so I am not sure a by-election is even likely.

    Dennis McShane pleased guilty to 13,000 pounds worth of fake receipts and got 6 months.

    The only two parties who could win B&R are the Tories and the LibDems: as always in these rural Welsh seats, the quality of the candidate really matters.

    Labour did come close at the July 1985 by election with the Tories being pushed into third place. For many years prior to 1979 it was a Labour seat - albeit the boundaries were then more favourable for them.
    As you say, boundary changes.

    The southern rim of B&R used to include the northern edge of the South Wales coalfield.

    No more, it is a very rural seat. If the Tories want to win any by-election, then need to pick a farmer.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 42,992

    TOPPING said:

    IanB2 said:

    _Anazina_ said:

    I think you would struggle to find many normal people who consider the Tiggers extremists, but whatever gets you through the night.

    I don't think so at all.

    Wanting to reverse the 2016 referendum result through any means necessary which is the Tiggers position absolutely is an extremist position. Even to the point of rejecting a deal while supposedly being against no deal.

    Just because they're not extremists on antisemitism doesn't mean they're not extremists on Brexit.
    Keep taking the pills.
    The fact you can't argue with my logic so are turning to ad hominems instead says more about you than me.

    I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. - Greatest PM since Churchill. Though pills isn't particularly wounding, it is a lame personal rather than political attack.
    What's extreme about wanting to give the people of the UK a vote on something?
    Nothing, that's what general elections are for. It took decades of people campaigning for votes before we had the EU referendum, now we need to implement that votes decision.

    Not wanting any deal and not wanting no deal either is an extremist position.
    Don't they want another vote now that more information has emerged about our options? Doesn't sound super extreme to me.
  • GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 21,298

    TOPPING said:

    IanB2 said:

    _Anazina_ said:

    I think you would struggle to find many normal people who consider the Tiggers extremists, but whatever gets you through the night.

    I don't think so at all.

    Wanting to reverse the 2016 referendum result through any means necessary which is the Tiggers position absolutely is an extremist position. Even to the point of rejecting a deal while supposedly being against no deal.

    Just because they're not extremists on antisemitism doesn't mean they're not extremists on Brexit.
    Keep taking the pills.
    The fact you can't argue with my logic so are turning to ad hominems instead says more about you than me.

    I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. - Greatest PM since Churchill. Though pills isn't particularly wounding, it is a lame personal rather than political attack.
    What's extreme about wanting to give the people of the UK a vote on something?
    Nothing, that's what general elections are for. It took decades of people campaigning for votes before we had the EU referendum, now we need to implement that votes decision.

    Not wanting any deal and not wanting no deal either is an extremist position.
    We had a general election, and May’s attempt to get a majority for her Brexit was humiliatingly defeated.

    When will Brexiters understand how democracy works?
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,426
    He's the idiot who came up with this:

    https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/17201086.mp-for-kemptown-says-councils-should-have-more-powers-to-buy-private-homes/

    Even Corbyn slapped him down for that, especially the bit The Argus didn't quote which said councils shouldn't have to pay market value.

    He's not worth listening to.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 42,992
    Chris said:

    bloke from port of Dover on bbc saying cant see much of a brexit problem from his side

    Is that because it's been decided just to wave through incoming lorries?
    Or to use the technical jargon: taking back control.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,042
    'MP Chris Davies charged over expenses claims'

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47320171

  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,414

    Mr. Glenn, if the Labour leadership overtly backs a second referendum that'll discourage potential defectors. May, however, is unlikely to be able to make the same manoeuvre.

    I cannot see any other possible route for Corbyn now. If he doesn't he'll be left with the rump of a Party.
    While he and his Morning Star advisers would be content with Brexit, it is important to note that many of his allies at the top of the leadership aren't so sanguine.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 42,992

    TOPPING said:

    IanB2 said:

    _Anazina_ said:

    I think you would struggle to find many normal people who consider the Tiggers extremists, but whatever gets you through the night.

    I don't think so at all.

    Wanting to reverse the 2016 referendum result through any means necessary which is the Tiggers position absolutely is an extremist position. Even to the point of rejecting a deal while supposedly being against no deal.

    Just because they're not extremists on antisemitism doesn't mean they're not extremists on Brexit.
    Keep taking the pills.
    The fact you can't argue with my logic so are turning to ad hominems instead says more about you than me.

    I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. - Greatest PM since Churchill. Though pills isn't particularly wounding, it is a lame personal rather than political attack.
    What's extreme about wanting to give the people of the UK a vote on something?
    If they hadn’t already voted on it without the decision being implemented, and the people asking for another vote hadn’t been elected on a platform of respecting it, it wouldn’t be extreme at all.
    I happen to disagree with a second vote (although I continue to believe that it is a 15% possibility should the deal not pass) but as with the first referendum, I find it impossible to argue with asking the people about something at any time. I mean it's the same people; we're not asking the French, for example.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,254

    Out to lunch now folk. Part of our party are Kippers, so I hope we don't talk about either politics or that ISIS girl.

    A forlorn hope, I would wager. Begum has become one of those topics. Last one I recall was Worboys, the 'black cab rapist'. Nobody wanted him out. Nobody wants her home.

    That is what happens if you do lots of rapes or run off to join ISIS. The public take umbrage.

    Me too, I'm part of the public, nothing special about me.

    Trouble is, there would appear to be nothing special about the Home Secretary either, and that is not so great.
  • justin124justin124 Posts: 11,527

    justin124 said:

    Re Brecon & Radnor.

    What is in the public domain suggests the offence relates to a contested receipt of 700 pounds, which sounds a rather modest sum of money.

    Even if found guilty, it must be doubtful whether this would lead to a custodial offence of more than a year, so I am not sure a by-election is even likely.

    Dennis McShane pleased guilty to 13,000 pounds worth of fake receipts and got 6 months.

    The only two parties who could win B&R are the Tories and the LibDems: as always in these rural Welsh seats, the quality of the candidate really matters.

    Labour did come close at the July 1985 by election with the Tories being pushed into third place. For many years prior to 1979 it was a Labour seat - albeit the boundaries were then more favourable for them.
    As you say, boundary changes.

    The southern rim of B&R used to include the northern edge of the South Wales coalfield.

    No more, it is a very rural seat. If the Tories want to win any by-election, then need to pick a farmer.
    Indeed - though Labour did come close in the 1985 by election on current boundaries - Richard Willey was the candidate.
  • He really is an unpleasant piece of work. Friends of mine who live in his constituency are less than impressed with his behaviour of late.
    Kinder gentler politics...
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,426
    dixiedean said:

    I cannot see any other possible route for Corbyn now. If he doesn't he'll be left with the rump of a Party.

    You mean it will consist totally of arses?
  • oxfordsimonoxfordsimon Posts: 5,842

    He really is an unpleasant piece of work. Friends of mine who live in his constituency are less than impressed with his behaviour of late.
    Kinder gentler politics...
    All the good will he may have generated by talking openly about his HIV status has been undone by his infantile/nasty behaviour since
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,426
    justin124 said:

    justin124 said:

    Re Brecon & Radnor.

    What is in the public domain suggests the offence relates to a contested receipt of 700 pounds, which sounds a rather modest sum of money.

    Even if found guilty, it must be doubtful whether this would lead to a custodial offence of more than a year, so I am not sure a by-election is even likely.

    Dennis McShane pleased guilty to 13,000 pounds worth of fake receipts and got 6 months.

    The only two parties who could win B&R are the Tories and the LibDems: as always in these rural Welsh seats, the quality of the candidate really matters.

    Labour did come close at the July 1985 by election with the Tories being pushed into third place. For many years prior to 1979 it was a Labour seat - albeit the boundaries were then more favourable for them.
    As you say, boundary changes.

    The southern rim of B&R used to include the northern edge of the South Wales coalfield.

    No more, it is a very rural seat. If the Tories want to win any by-election, then need to pick a farmer.
    Indeed - though Labour did come close in the 1985 by election on current boundaries - Richard Willey was the candidate.
    Poor man. What a name.
  • _Anazina__Anazina_ Posts: 1,810

    Another thing I like about the TIGs is that they pretty much all appear to normal-looking, sane people you could have a sensible conversation with.

    Burgon, Pidcock, Fabricant, Chope? Not so much.

    They are Blairite Elitists who appeal to middle aged people in the political bubble, nostalgic for the ancien regime
    Chortle. Keep taking the tablets.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,254
    TOPPING said:

    I happen to disagree with a second vote (although I continue to believe that it is a 15% possibility should the deal not pass) but as with the first referendum, I find it impossible to argue with asking the people about something at any time. I mean it's the same people; we're not asking the French, for example.

    Now there's a thought. I do believe you might have cracked it!

    The power of thinking outside the box.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,414
    ydoethur said:

    dixiedean said:

    I cannot see any other possible route for Corbyn now. If he doesn't he'll be left with the rump of a Party.

    You mean it will consist totally of arses?
    LOL. But, in essence, yes.
  • If only they'd had the wall to prevent this kind of terrorist.

    https://twitter.com/davidfrum/status/1098563249493155846
  • PolruanPolruan Posts: 2,083
    dixiedean said:

    Mr. Glenn, if the Labour leadership overtly backs a second referendum that'll discourage potential defectors. May, however, is unlikely to be able to make the same manoeuvre.

    I cannot see any other possible route for Corbyn now. If he doesn't he'll be left with the rump of a Party.
    While he and his Morning Star advisers would be content with Brexit, it is important to note that many of his allies at the top of the leadership aren't so sanguine.
    I’m still not convinced it’s possible for Labour to force a 2nd referendum without massive electoral damage. The position hasn’t changed: the best result for the Tories is for Labour to be seen to stop Brexit and the best result for Labour is the Tories to proceed with Brexit whilst Labour are seen to try and stop it.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,042

    Out to lunch now folk. Part of our party are Kippers, so I hope we don't talk about either politics or that ISIS girl.

    As long as you don't order the gammon, you should be OK.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,198
    Polruan said:

    dixiedean said:

    Mr. Glenn, if the Labour leadership overtly backs a second referendum that'll discourage potential defectors. May, however, is unlikely to be able to make the same manoeuvre.

    I cannot see any other possible route for Corbyn now. If he doesn't he'll be left with the rump of a Party.
    While he and his Morning Star advisers would be content with Brexit, it is important to note that many of his allies at the top of the leadership aren't so sanguine.
    I’m still not convinced it’s possible for Labour to force a 2nd referendum without massive electoral damage. The position hasn’t changed: the best result for the Tories is for Labour to be seen to stop Brexit and the best result for Labour is the Tories to proceed with Brexit whilst Labour are seen to try and stop it.
    No, the best result for the Tories is for Labour to back Brexit and rule out EUref2 enabling a surge of Labour Remainers to TIG and the LDs and the best result for Labour is for the to revoke Brexit enabling a surge of Tory Leavers to Farage's new Brexit Party and UKIP
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,042
    ydoethur said:

    justin124 said:

    justin124 said:

    Re Brecon & Radnor.

    What is in the public domain suggests the offence relates to a contested receipt of 700 pounds, which sounds a rather modest sum of money.

    Even if found guilty, it must be doubtful whether this would lead to a custodial offence of more than a year, so I am not sure a by-election is even likely.

    Dennis McShane pleased guilty to 13,000 pounds worth of fake receipts and got 6 months.

    The only two parties who could win B&R are the Tories and the LibDems: as always in these rural Welsh seats, the quality of the candidate really matters.

    Labour did come close at the July 1985 by election with the Tories being pushed into third place. For many years prior to 1979 it was a Labour seat - albeit the boundaries were then more favourable for them.
    As you say, boundary changes.

    The southern rim of B&R used to include the northern edge of the South Wales coalfield.

    No more, it is a very rural seat. If the Tories want to win any by-election, then need to pick a farmer.
    Indeed - though Labour did come close in the 1985 by election on current boundaries - Richard Willey was the candidate.
    Poor man. What a name.
    I recently saw a van bearing the name "Rick Hunter".

    I think shortening Richard to Rick rather than Dick was a wise decision.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,198
    justin124 said:

    justin124 said:

    Re Brecon & Radnor.

    What is in the public domain suggests the offence relates to a contested receipt of 700 pounds, which sounds a rather modest sum of money.

    Even if found guilty, it must be doubtful whether this would lead to a custodial offence of more than a year, so I am not sure a by-election is even likely.

    Dennis McShane pleased guilty to 13,000 pounds worth of fake receipts and got 6 months.

    The only two parties who could win B&R are the Tories and the LibDems: as always in these rural Welsh seats, the quality of the candidate really matters.

    Labour did come close at the July 1985 by election with the Tories being pushed into third place. For many years prior to 1979 it was a Labour seat - albeit the boundaries were then more favourable for them.
    As you say, boundary changes.

    The southern rim of B&R used to include the northern edge of the South Wales coalfield.

    No more, it is a very rural seat. If the Tories want to win any by-election, then need to pick a farmer.
    Indeed - though Labour did come close in the 1985 by election on current boundaries - Richard Willey was the candidate.
    The Liberals won Brecon and Radnor in the 1985 by election for the Alliance so TIG might sit out a by election there and give the LDs a free run
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,413
    Jan Borrowing figures a pleasant surprise
  • Polruan said:

    dixiedean said:

    Mr. Glenn, if the Labour leadership overtly backs a second referendum that'll discourage potential defectors. May, however, is unlikely to be able to make the same manoeuvre.

    I cannot see any other possible route for Corbyn now. If he doesn't he'll be left with the rump of a Party.
    While he and his Morning Star advisers would be content with Brexit, it is important to note that many of his allies at the top of the leadership aren't so sanguine.
    I’m still not convinced it’s possible for Labour to force a 2nd referendum without massive electoral damage. The position hasn’t changed: the best result for the Tories is for Labour to be seen to stop Brexit and the best result for Labour is the Tories to proceed with Brexit whilst Labour are seen to try and stop it.
    Right - the Boris calculation - to be seen as the politician who best fought for Brexit, while falling just short.

    How did our politics become such a mess that the best outcome for politicians is to fail to achieve their stated aim? (George Osborne failing to eliminate the deficit before 2015 also mischievously comes to mind).
  • Jan Borrowing figures a pleasant surprise

    Osborne’s golden economic legacy.
  • oxfordsimonoxfordsimon Posts: 5,842

    ydoethur said:

    justin124 said:

    justin124 said:

    Re Brecon & Radnor.

    What is in the public domain suggests the offence relates to a contested receipt of 700 pounds, which sounds a rather modest sum of money.

    Even if found guilty, it must be doubtful whether this would lead to a custodial offence of more than a year, so I am not sure a by-election is even likely.

    Dennis McShane pleased guilty to 13,000 pounds worth of fake receipts and got 6 months.

    The only two parties who could win B&R are the Tories and the LibDems: as always in these rural Welsh seats, the quality of the candidate really matters.

    Labour did come close at the July 1985 by election with the Tories being pushed into third place. For many years prior to 1979 it was a Labour seat - albeit the boundaries were then more favourable for them.
    As you say, boundary changes.

    The southern rim of B&R used to include the northern edge of the South Wales coalfield.

    No more, it is a very rural seat. If the Tories want to win any by-election, then need to pick a farmer.
    Indeed - though Labour did come close in the 1985 by election on current boundaries - Richard Willey was the candidate.
    Poor man. What a name.
    I recently saw a van bearing the name "Rick Hunter".

    I think shortening Richard to Rick rather than Dick was a wise decision.
    I have recently borrowed some vintage sporting equipment from someone called Richard Dick.

    You would have thought his parents could have worked out that wasn't the best first name for their son...
  • _Anazina_ said:

    Another thing I like about the TIGs is that they pretty much all appear to normal-looking, sane people you could have a sensible conversation with.

    Burgon, Pidcock, Fabricant, Chope? Not so much.

    They are Blairite Elitists who appeal to middle aged people in the political bubble, nostalgic for the ancien regime
    Chortle. Keep taking the tablets.
    Who do you think is attracted to this new group?

    People who voted Leave?
    Socialists?
    Students?
    People in social housing?
  • ydoethur said:

    justin124 said:

    justin124 said:

    Re Brecon & Radnor.

    What is in the public domain suggests the offence relates to a contested receipt of 700 pounds, which sounds a rather modest sum of money.

    Even if found guilty, it must be doubtful whether this would lead to a custodial offence of more than a year, so I am not sure a by-election is even likely.

    Dennis McShane pleased guilty to 13,000 pounds worth of fake receipts and got 6 months.

    The only two parties who could win B&R are the Tories and the LibDems: as always in these rural Welsh seats, the quality of the candidate really matters.

    Labour did come close at the July 1985 by election with the Tories being pushed into third place. For many years prior to 1979 it was a Labour seat - albeit the boundaries were then more favourable for them.
    As you say, boundary changes.

    The southern rim of B&R used to include the northern edge of the South Wales coalfield.

    No more, it is a very rural seat. If the Tories want to win any by-election, then need to pick a farmer.
    Indeed - though Labour did come close in the 1985 by election on current boundaries - Richard Willey was the candidate.
    Poor man. What a name.
    He’s no Seymour Cocks.
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,413

    ydoethur said:

    justin124 said:

    justin124 said:

    Re Brecon & Radnor.

    What is in the public domain suggests the offence relates to a contested receipt of 700 pounds, which sounds a rather modest sum of money.

    Even if found guilty, it must be doubtful whether this would lead to a custodial offence of more than a year, so I am not sure a by-election is even likely.

    Dennis McShane pleased guilty to 13,000 pounds worth of fake receipts and got 6 months.

    The only two parties who could win B&R are the Tories and the LibDems: as always in these rural Welsh seats, the quality of the candidate really matters.

    Labour did come close at the July 1985 by election with the Tories being pushed into third place. For many years prior to 1979 it was a Labour seat - albeit the boundaries were then more favourable for them.
    As you say, boundary changes.

    The southern rim of B&R used to include the northern edge of the South Wales coalfield.

    No more, it is a very rural seat. If the Tories want to win any by-election, then need to pick a farmer.
    Indeed - though Labour did come close in the 1985 by election on current boundaries - Richard Willey was the candidate.
    Poor man. What a name.
    I recently saw a van bearing the name "Rick Hunter".

    I think shortening Richard to Rick rather than Dick was a wise decision.
    Its like the bloke who said the first name of the head of the Met was Caressa instead of Cressida
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,426

    ydoethur said:

    justin124 said:

    justin124 said:

    Re Brecon & Radnor.

    What is in the public domain suggests the offence relates to a contested receipt of 700 pounds, which sounds a rather modest sum of money.

    Even if found guilty, it must be doubtful whether this would lead to a custodial offence of more than a year, so I am not sure a by-election is even likely.

    Dennis McShane pleased guilty to 13,000 pounds worth of fake receipts and got 6 months.

    The only two parties who could win B&R are the Tories and the LibDems: as always in these rural Welsh seats, the quality of the candidate really matters.

    Labour did come close at the July 1985 by election with the Tories being pushed into third place. For many years prior to 1979 it was a Labour seat - albeit the boundaries were then more favourable for them.
    As you say, boundary changes.

    The southern rim of B&R used to include the northern edge of the South Wales coalfield.

    No more, it is a very rural seat. If the Tories want to win any by-election, then need to pick a farmer.
    Indeed - though Labour did come close in the 1985 by election on current boundaries - Richard Willey was the candidate.
    Poor man. What a name.
    I recently saw a van bearing the name "Rick Hunter".

    I think shortening Richard to Rick rather than Dick was a wise decision.
    Indeed yes. Might have been totally misunderstood (or, not as the case may be).
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,042

    ydoethur said:

    justin124 said:

    justin124 said:

    Re Brecon & Radnor.

    What is in the public domain suggests the offence relates to a contested receipt of 700 pounds, which sounds a rather modest sum of money.

    Even if found guilty, it must be doubtful whether this would lead to a custodial offence of more than a year, so I am not sure a by-election is even likely.

    Dennis McShane pleased guilty to 13,000 pounds worth of fake receipts and got 6 months.

    The only two parties who could win B&R are the Tories and the LibDems: as always in these rural Welsh seats, the quality of the candidate really matters.

    Labour did come close at the July 1985 by election with the Tories being pushed into third place. For many years prior to 1979 it was a Labour seat - albeit the boundaries were then more favourable for them.
    As you say, boundary changes.

    The southern rim of B&R used to include the northern edge of the South Wales coalfield.

    No more, it is a very rural seat. If the Tories want to win any by-election, then need to pick a farmer.
    Indeed - though Labour did come close in the 1985 by election on current boundaries - Richard Willey was the candidate.
    Poor man. What a name.
    I recently saw a van bearing the name "Rick Hunter".

    I think shortening Richard to Rick rather than Dick was a wise decision.
    I have recently borrowed some vintage sporting equipment from someone called Richard Dick.

    You would have thought his parents could have worked out that wasn't the best first name for their son...
    Did he have a sister called Suki?
  • TOPPING said:

    IanB2 said:

    _Anazina_ said:

    I think you would struggle to find many normal people who consider the Tiggers extremists, but whatever gets you through the night.

    I don't think so at all.

    Wanting to reverse the 2016 referendum result through any means necessary which is the Tiggers position absolutely is an extremist position. Even to the point of rejecting a deal while supposedly being against no deal.

    Just because they're not extremists on antisemitism doesn't mean they're not extremists on Brexit.
    Keep taking the pills.
    The fact you can't argue with my logic so are turning to ad hominems instead says more about you than me.

    I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. - Greatest PM since Churchill. Though pills isn't particularly wounding, it is a lame personal rather than political attack.
    What's extreme about wanting to give the people of the UK a vote on something?
    Nothing, that's what general elections are for. It took decades of people campaigning for votes before we had the EU referendum, now we need to implement that votes decision.

    Not wanting any deal and not wanting no deal either is an extremist position.
    We had a general election, and May’s attempt to get a majority for her Brexit was humiliatingly defeated.

    When will Brexiters understand how democracy works?
    Actually her vision got a majority in the election. Its just that in mainland Britain a majority was won by the Tories. In Northern Ireland a majority was won by their now allies who had the same policy in the DUP.

    Both Britain and NI gave a majority to those wishing to leave the EU, SM and CU.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,279
    This is going to be a problem for Sanders:
    https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/02/foreign-policy-distinguishes-bernie-sanders-2020/583279/

    How much so is unclear for now.
  • EndillionEndillion Posts: 4,976
    kinabalu said:

    Out to lunch now folk. Part of our party are Kippers, so I hope we don't talk about either politics or that ISIS girl.

    A forlorn hope, I would wager. Begum has become one of those topics. Last one I recall was Worboys, the 'black cab rapist'. Nobody wanted him out. Nobody wants her home.

    That is what happens if you do lots of rapes or run off to join ISIS. The public take umbrage.

    Me too, I'm part of the public, nothing special about me.

    Trouble is, there would appear to be nothing special about the Home Secretary either, and that is not so great.
    I don't know where this idea came from that it is the job of our political leaders actively to refuse to do things that the overwhelming majority of the public want. But I don't like it one bit.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,426

    ydoethur said:

    justin124 said:

    justin124 said:

    Re Brecon & Radnor.

    What is in the public domain suggests the offence relates to a contested receipt of 700 pounds, which sounds a rather modest sum of money.

    Even if found guilty, it must be doubtful whether this would lead to a custodial offence of more than a year, so I am not sure a by-election is even likely.

    Dennis McShane pleased guilty to 13,000 pounds worth of fake receipts and got 6 months.

    The only two parties who could win B&R are the Tories and the LibDems: as always in these rural Welsh seats, the quality of the candidate really matters.

    Labour did come close at the July 1985 by election with the Tories being pushed into third place. For many years prior to 1979 it was a Labour seat - albeit the boundaries were then more favourable for them.
    As you say, boundary changes.

    The southern rim of B&R used to include the northern edge of the South Wales coalfield.

    No more, it is a very rural seat. If the Tories want to win any by-election, then need to pick a farmer.
    Indeed - though Labour did come close in the 1985 by election on current boundaries - Richard Willey was the candidate.
    Poor man. What a name.
    He’s no Seymour Cocks.
    Although the most unfortunate name was a Turkish diplomat in Moscow in the 1940s:

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archibald_Clark_Kerr,_1st_Baron_Inverchapel#Personal_life
  • PolruanPolruan Posts: 2,083
    HYUFD said:

    Polruan said:

    dixiedean said:

    Mr. Glenn, if the Labour leadership overtly backs a second referendum that'll discourage potential defectors. May, however, is unlikely to be able to make the same manoeuvre.

    I cannot see any other possible route for Corbyn now. If he doesn't he'll be left with the rump of a Party.
    While he and his Morning Star advisers would be content with Brexit, it is important to note that many of his allies at the top of the leadership aren't so sanguine.
    I’m still not convinced it’s possible for Labour to force a 2nd referendum without massive electoral damage. The position hasn’t changed: the best result for the Tories is for Labour to be seen to stop Brexit and the best result for Labour is the Tories to proceed with Brexit whilst Labour are seen to try and stop it.
    No, the best result for the Tories is for Labour to back Brexit and rule out EUref2 enabling a surge of Labour Remainers to TIG and the LDs and the best result for Labour is for the to revoke Brexit enabling a surge of Tory Leavers to Farage's new Brexit Party and UKIP
    That’s a fair point actually. I’m not sure I agree but the logic does break down completely if you posit credible splits to both the traditional left and right blocks. Only works if both split though, for example if LabLibTig can be tarred with blocking Brexit then the Tories stay together as the leave party and can continue winning small majorities by blaming foreigners for everything.
  • Endillion said:

    kinabalu said:

    Out to lunch now folk. Part of our party are Kippers, so I hope we don't talk about either politics or that ISIS girl.

    A forlorn hope, I would wager. Begum has become one of those topics. Last one I recall was Worboys, the 'black cab rapist'. Nobody wanted him out. Nobody wants her home.

    That is what happens if you do lots of rapes or run off to join ISIS. The public take umbrage.

    Me too, I'm part of the public, nothing special about me.

    Trouble is, there would appear to be nothing special about the Home Secretary either, and that is not so great.
    I don't know where this idea came from that it is the job of our political leaders actively to refuse to do things that the overwhelming majority of the public want. But I don't like it one bit.
    There just been a new party set up to that end
  • StereotomyStereotomy Posts: 4,092
    Nigelb said:

    This is going to be a problem for Sanders:
    https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/02/foreign-policy-distinguishes-bernie-sanders-2020/583279/

    How much so is unclear for now.

    Distinguishing himself from the rest of the field with positions that are radical but appealing to a large section of the Democrat base is going to be a problem for him?
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,413

    Jan Borrowing figures a pleasant surprise

    Osborne’s golden economic legacy.
    lol

    weve seen just how well the economy has performed now hes out of the way.

    that forecast 5% drop in GDP because of Brexit turned out to be a 5% drop if Osborne stayed in place.

    Just think of the majority Dave would have had if hed put Hammond in charge- we would never have voted to leave thye EU

  • Andy_CookeAndy_Cooke Posts: 5,005

    Sean_F said:

    Cyclefree said:

    In response to this which @edmundintokyo wrote on a previous thread:

    “Taking a step back the weird thing about this is that Corbyn his broken his party for no particular gain. There's factional control, but there's no bold left-wing agenda - just nationalizing trains and other tinkering, and a position on Brexit that he apparently doesn't particularly care about either way. It's like a supercharged version of the TB-GB stupids.”

    I think this is to misunderstand the Corbyn project.

    Once control over the party has been obtained then the Far Left will unleash its full programme. McDonnell has already said, I believe, that the next manifesto will be far more radical. We should not underestimate how radical Corbyn and McDonnell intend to be. Some of their advisors are ex-Communists. They do not believe in the sanctity of private property.

    From Corbyn’s perspective driving out the moderates, the Blairites, Jews etc is not breaking the party but making it more in line with his views and more suitable to achieve his aims.

    Some of us said this would happen from the start. Control of the party is the most important thing to the hard left, not winning a GE too soon. The assumption is that a crisis, or just the natural pendulum of worn-out-governments, combined with FPTP, will eventually deliver power to a purist party.

    So, as a Conservative, I wish the TIG well in replacing the rotten and institutionally racist Labour Party.
    In broad terms, I think 20-25% of the voters very much like what Corbyn is offering. Some of them are to be found in parties like the Greens or SNP. Conversely, about one third are right wingers who support Brexit. About 5% support UKIP, and 28% support the Conservatives.

    That leaves just over 40% who would potentially be receptive to the new group, although you should probably knock off a few percent to cover Scottish and Welsh Nationalists, Greens and Northern Irish.

    Realistically, that probably gives a ceiling of about one third who would be willing to vote for TIG and Lib Dems combined.
    Using Electoral Calculus with:
    Con 30%
    Lab 24%
    TIG/LD 33%
    UKIP/Brexit Party 7%
    All other parties unchanged results in:
    Con 275 MPs
    Lab 225 MPs
    TIG/LD 80 MPs
    SNP 46 MPs
    That really would be a mess.
    Or if you separate out the Tiggers and Lib Dems and use the Electoral Calculus "Labour Split" option for the Tiggers:

    Con 30%
    Lab 24%
    TIG 20%
    LD 13%
    UKIP/BREXIT 7%
    Others unchanged...

    you get:
    Con 290
    Lab 153
    TIG 104
    LD 30
    SNP 50

    That would put TIG+LDs perilously close to overtaking RumpLab
    Especially as we'd expect a coupon election between them, not fighting each other. Add 5-10 to TIG and 1-4 to LDs; take 1-4 from Con and 5-10 from Lab.
  • TOPPING said:

    TOPPING said:

    IanB2 said:

    _Anazina_ said:

    I think you would struggle to find many normal people who consider the Tiggers extremists, but whatever gets you through the night.

    I don't think so at all.

    Wanting to reverse the 2016 referendum result through any means necessary which is the Tiggers position absolutely is an extremist position. Even to the point of rejecting a deal while supposedly being against no deal.

    Just because they're not extremists on antisemitism doesn't mean they're not extremists on Brexit.
    Keep taking the pills.
    The fact you can't argue with my logic so are turning to ad hominems instead says more about you than me.

    I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. - Greatest PM since Churchill. Though pills isn't particularly wounding, it is a lame personal rather than political attack.
    What's extreme about wanting to give the people of the UK a vote on something?
    Nothing, that's what general elections are for. It took decades of people campaigning for votes before we had the EU referendum, now we need to implement that votes decision.

    Not wanting any deal and not wanting no deal either is an extremist position.
    Don't they want another vote now that more information has emerged about our options? Doesn't sound super extreme to me.
    When we are a matter of weeks from leaving potentially without a deal then yes voting down a deal is extreme. Especially if you supposedly oppose no deal.

    If they want another vote then let's put that in a manifesto at the next election. But for now if they want to avoid no deal the solution is a deal. But they've said they will reject any deal so that is extreme.
  • EndillionEndillion Posts: 4,976
    TOPPING said:

    TOPPING said:

    IanB2 said:

    _Anazina_ said:

    I think you would struggle to find many normal people who consider the Tiggers extremists, but whatever gets you through the night.

    I don't think so at all.

    Wanting to reverse the 2016 referendum result through any means necessary which is the Tiggers position absolutely is an extremist position. Even to the point of rejecting a deal while supposedly being against no deal.

    Just because they're not extremists on antisemitism doesn't mean they're not extremists on Brexit.
    Keep taking the pills.
    The fact you can't argue with my logic so are turning to ad hominems instead says more about you than me.

    I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. - Greatest PM since Churchill. Though pills isn't particularly wounding, it is a lame personal rather than political attack.
    What's extreme about wanting to give the people of the UK a vote on something?
    Nothing, that's what general elections are for. It took decades of people campaigning for votes before we had the EU referendum, now we need to implement that votes decision.

    Not wanting any deal and not wanting no deal either is an extremist position.
    Don't they want another vote now that more information has emerged about our options? Doesn't sound super extreme to me.
    If I thought for one moment that's what they wanted, and if Leave won again they'd accept the result and vote to implement it, then fine. But it does feel very much like the demands for a second referendum are just code for "we want Remain, and we don't care how we get there."

    And to rehash a (by now) tired argument, if they were being consistent about wanting fresh votes when significant new information emerges, they'd flipping well all trigger by-elections.
  • justin124justin124 Posts: 11,527
    ydoethur said:

    justin124 said:

    justin124 said:

    Re Brecon & Radnor.

    What is in the public domain suggests the offence relates to a contested receipt of 700 pounds, which sounds a rather modest sum of money.

    Even if found guilty, it must be doubtful whether this would lead to a custodial offence of more than a year, so I am not sure a by-election is even likely.

    Dennis McShane pleased guilty to 13,000 pounds worth of fake receipts and got 6 months.

    The only two parties who could win B&R are the Tories and the LibDems: as always in these rural Welsh seats, the quality of the candidate really matters.

    Labour did come close at the July 1985 by election with the Tories being pushed into third place. For many years prior to 1979 it was a Labour seat - albeit the boundaries were then more favourable for them.
    As you say, boundary changes.

    The southern rim of B&R used to include the northern edge of the South Wales coalfield.

    No more, it is a very rural seat. If the Tories want to win any by-election, then need to pick a farmer.
    Indeed - though Labour did come close in the 1985 by election on current boundaries - Richard Willey was the candidate.
    Poor man. What a name.
    He was the son of former Labour Cabinet Minister - Fred Willey. Sadly he died in tragic circumstances in the late 1980s when he took his own life following a relationship breakdown.
  • El_CapitanoEl_Capitano Posts: 4,239
    edited February 2019

    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    So now Greening has removed references to being a Conservative from her profile

    Greening seems to me a likely defector.

    That is, I think she may be in a reasonable position to actually hold her Putney seat as a TIGGer.

    I give Soubry and Allen little chance. But Wollaston and Greening maybe evens.
    Allen and Wollaston are shoo-ins, with LibDem and Green support. Greening could stand a chance. Soubry less so, although she undoubtedly is the highest profile.
    That is still asking the LibDems to play second fiddle to a group whose practical short-medium term aim is to supplant them as the third party. Short of the two political forces (can't say parties yet) merging, the LibDem inclination might just be to tell them to piss off.
    Sure, the Lib Dems would be hoping for a quid pro quo elsewhere, in addition to the general cleansing effect of being associated with the bright new thing rather than the Coalition.
    Maybe, but the point is that the LibDems are in a far stronger position. They have infrastructure, councillors, foot-soldiers and candidates.

    The TIGgers have none of this. They are not even a party -- they are a motley collection of disenchanted individuals who want to remain and have little else in common. What do they conceivably have to offer the much stronger LibDems? Very little.

    In a real world, those who now want to remain are a very tiny constituency. Many who voted Remain have accepted we have to leave (correctly in my view), although naturally they want a very soft Brexit (again correctly in my view).
    I'm not sure that's supported by the polling, which is currently showing 43% Remain, 35% Leave, 22% DK. https://whatukthinks.org/eu/questions/if-a-second-eu-referendum-were-held-today-how-would-you-vote/

    But the "if" is the crucial thing here, of course.

    I'm with you on the LDs point.
  • Sean_F said:

    In broad terms, I think 20-25% of the voters very much like what Corbyn is offering. Some of them are to be found in parties like the Greens or SNP. Conversely, about one third are right wingers who support Brexit. About 5% support UKIP, and 28% support the Conservatives.

    That leaves just over 40% who would potentially be receptive to the new group, although you should probably knock off a few percent to cover Scottish and Welsh Nationalists, Greens and Northern Irish.

    Realistically, that probably gives a ceiling of about one third who would be willing to vote for TIG and Lib Dems combined.

    Using Electoral Calculus with:
    Con 30%
    Lab 24%
    TIG/LD 33%
    UKIP/Brexit Party 7%
    All other parties unchanged results in:
    Con 275 MPs
    Lab 225 MPs
    TIG/LD 80 MPs
    SNP 46 MPs
    That really would be a mess.
    Or if you separate out the Tiggers and Lib Dems and use the Electoral Calculus "Labour Split" option for the Tiggers:

    Con 30%
    Lab 24%
    TIG 20%
    LD 13%
    UKIP/BREXIT 7%
    Others unchanged...

    you get:
    Con 290
    Lab 153
    TIG 104
    LD 30
    SNP 50

    That would put TIG+LDs perilously close to overtaking RumpLab
    Especially as we'd expect a coupon election between them, not fighting each other. Add 5-10 to TIG and 1-4 to LDs; take 1-4 from Con and 5-10 from Lab.
    Ah, I'd not seen that option. Interesting!
  • If only they'd had the wall to prevent this kind of terrorist.

    https://twitter.com/davidfrum/status/1098563249493155846

    A narrow escape - of course Republican senators would never be attacked by liberals - would they?
  • NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,537

    Nigelb said:

    This is going to be a problem for Sanders:
    https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/02/foreign-policy-distinguishes-bernie-sanders-2020/583279/

    How much so is unclear for now.

    Distinguishing himself from the rest of the field with positions that are radical but appealing to a large section of the Democrat base is going to be a problem for him?
    Sounds good to me, and is more of a tradition among Democrats than one might think when America has been involved in nasty, protracted wars - e.g. the Eugene McCarthy insurgency vs President Johnson was extremely similar, even during the Cold War. Trump's erratic interest in withdrawing from Syria reflects a certain impatience in the electorate too.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,732

    When we are a matter of weeks from leaving potentially without a deal then yes voting down a deal is extreme. Especially if you supposedly oppose no deal.

    If they want another vote then let's put that in a manifesto at the next election. But for now if they want to avoid no deal the solution is a deal. But they've said they will reject any deal so that is extreme.

    Theresa May stood on the steps of Downing Street and said there was a choice between the deal, no deal or no Brexit. It is not extreme to reject being railroaded into backing the deal.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,871

    Sean_F said:

    Cyclefree said:

    In response to this which @edmundintokyo wrote on a previous thread:

    “t either way. It's like a supercharged version of the TB-GB stupids.”

    I think this is to misunderstand the Corbyn project.

    Once control over the party has been obtained then the Far Left will unleash its full programme. McDonnell has already said, I believe, that the next manifesto will be far more radical. We should not underestimate how radical Corbyn and McDonnell intend to be. Some of their advisors are ex-Communists. They do not believe in the sanctity of private property.

    From Corbyn’s perspective driving out the moderates, the Blairites, Jews etc is not breaking the party but making it more in line with his views and more suitable to achieve his aims.

    Some of us said this would happen from the start. Control of the party is the most important thing to the hard left, not winning a GE too soon. The assumption is that a crisis, or just the natural pendulum of worn-out-governments, combined with FPTP, will eventually deliver power to a purist party.

    So, as a Conservative, I wish the TIG well in replacing the rotten and institutionally racist Labour Party.
    In broad terms, I think 20-25% of the voters very much like what Corbyn is offering. Some of them are to be found in parties like the Greens or SNP. Conversely, about one third are right wingers who support Brexit. About 5% support UKIP, and 28% support the Conservatives.

    That leaves just over 40% who would potentially be receptive to the new group, although you should probably knock off a few percent to cover Scottish and Welsh Nationalists, Greens and Northern Irish.

    Realistically, that probably gives a ceiling of about one third who would be willing to vote for TIG and Lib Dems combined.
    Using Electoral Calculus with:
    Con 30%
    Lab 24%
    TIG/LD 33%
    UKIP/Brexit Party 7%
    All other parties unchanged results in:
    Con 275 MPs
    Lab 225 MPs
    TIG/LD 80 MPs
    SNP 46 MPs
    That really would be a mess.
    Or if you separate out the Tiggers and Lib Dems and use the Electoral Calculus "Labour Split" option for the Tiggers:

    Con 30%
    Lab 24%
    TIG 20%
    LD 13%
    UKIP/BREXIT 7%
    Others unchanged...

    you get:
    Con 290
    Lab 153
    TIG 104
    LD 30
    SNP 50

    That would put TIG+LDs perilously close to overtaking RumpLab
    Especially as we'd expect a coupon election between them, not fighting each other. Add 5-10 to TIG and 1-4 to LDs; take 1-4 from Con and 5-10 from Lab.
    And that model assumes TIG and the LDs both fight every seat
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,198

    Sean_F said:

    Cyclefree said:

    In response to this which @edmundintokyo wrote on a previous thread:

    “Taking a step back the weird thing about this is that Corbyn his broken his party for no particular gain. There's factional control, but there's no bold stupids.”

    I think this is to misunderstand the Corbyn project.

    Once control over the party has been obtained then the Far Left will unleash its full programme. McDonnell has already said, I believe, that the next manifesto will be far more radical. We should not underestimate how radical Corbyn and McDonnell intend to be. Some of their advisors are ex-Communists. They do not believe in the sanctity of private property.

    From Corbyn’s perspective driving out the moderates, the Blairites, Jews etc is not breaking the party but making it more in line with his views and more suitable to achieve his aims.

    Some of us said this would happen from the start. Control of the party is the most importantplacing the rotten and institutionally racist Labour Party.
    In broad terms, I think 20-25% of the voters very much like what Corbyn is offering. Some of them are to be found in parties like the Greens or SNP. Conversely, about one third are right wingers who support Brexit. About 5% support UKIP, and 28% support the Conservatives.

    That leaves just over 40% who would potentially be receptive to the new group, although you should probably knock off a few percent to cover Scottish and Welsh Nationalists, Greens and Northern Irish.

    Realistically, that probably gives a ceiling of about one third who would be willing to vote for TIG and Lib Dems combined.
    Using Electoral Calculus with:
    Con 30%
    Lab 24%
    TIG/LD 33%
    UKIP/Brexit Party 7%
    All other parties unchanged results in:
    Con 275 MPs
    Lab 225 MPs
    TIG/LD 80 MPs
    SNP 46 MPs
    That really would be a mess.
    Or if you separate out the Tiggers and Lib Dems and use the Electoral Calculus "Labour Split" option for the Tiggers:

    Con 30%
    Lab 24%
    TIG 20%
    LD 13%
    UKIP/BREXIT 7%
    Others unchanged...

    you get:
    Con 290
    Lab 153
    TIG 104
    LD 30
    SNP 50

    That would put TIG+LDs perilously close to overtaking RumpLab
    Especially as we'd expect a coupon election between them, not fighting each other. Add 5-10 to TIG and 1-4 to LDs; take 1-4 from Con and 5-10 from Lab.
    That would be similar to the post Corn Laws position where the Peelites split from the Tories over Corn Law repeal and though Derby's Tories were largest party in the 1848 election they lacked a majority and the Liberals formed a Government
  • EndillionEndillion Posts: 4,976

    Polruan said:

    dixiedean said:

    Mr. Glenn, if the Labour leadership overtly backs a second referendum that'll discourage potential defectors. May, however, is unlikely to be able to make the same manoeuvre.

    I cannot see any other possible route for Corbyn now. If he doesn't he'll be left with the rump of a Party.
    While he and his Morning Star advisers would be content with Brexit, it is important to note that many of his allies at the top of the leadership aren't so sanguine.
    I’m still not convinced it’s possible for Labour to force a 2nd referendum without massive electoral damage. The position hasn’t changed: the best result for the Tories is for Labour to be seen to stop Brexit and the best result for Labour is the Tories to proceed with Brexit whilst Labour are seen to try and stop it.
    Right - the Boris calculation - to be seen as the politician who best fought for Brexit, while falling just short.

    How did our politics become such a mess that the best outcome for politicians is to fail to achieve their stated aim? (George Osborne failing to eliminate the deficit before 2015 also mischievously comes to mind).
    It's true in other fields as well. For senior executives, being made redundant and accepting a huge payoff, time off on gardening leave and then walking into a similar job elsewhere with a huge signing on bonus is often preferable to just doing the job. Jose Mourinho is a master in succeeding in the early years of a job enough to get a massive new contract, and then getting himself fired shortly thereafter.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,198
    Polruan said:

    HYUFD said:

    Polruan said:

    dixiedean said:

    Mr. Glenn, if the Labour leadership overtly backs a second referendum that'll discourage potential defectors. May, however, is unlikely to be able to make the same manoeuvre.

    I cannot see any other possible route for Corbyn now. If he doesn't he'll be left with the rump of a Party.
    While he and his Morning Star advisers would be content with Brexit, it is important to note that many of his allies at the top of the leadership aren't so sanguine.
    I’m still not convinced it’s possible for Labour to force a 2nd referendum without massive electoral damage. The position hasn’t changed: the best result for the Tories is for Labour to be seen to stop Brexit and the best result for Labour is the Tories to proceed with Brexit whilst Labour are seen to try and stop it.
    No, the best result for the Tories is for Labour to back Brexit and rule out EUref2 enabling a surge of Labour Remainers to TIG and the LDs and the best result for Labour is for the to revoke Brexit enabling a surge of Tory Leavers to Farage's new Brexit Party and UKIP
    That’s a fair point actually. I’m not sure I agree but the logic does break down completely if you posit credible splits to both the traditional left and right blocks. Only works if both split though, for example if LabLibTig can be tarred with blocking Brexit then the Tories stay together as the leave party and can continue winning small majorities by blaming foreigners for everything.
    Depends what type of Leave the Tories advocate but it would be suicide for the Tories to revoke Brexit
  • _Anazina__Anazina_ Posts: 1,810

    TOPPING said:

    IanB2 said:

    _Anazina_ said:

    I think you would struggle to find many normal people who consider the Tiggers extremists, but whatever gets you through the night.

    I don't think so at all.

    Wanting to reverse the 2016 referendum result through any means necessary which is the Tiggers position absolutely is an extremist position. Even to the point of rejecting a deal while supposedly being against no deal.

    Just because they're not extremists on antisemitism doesn't mean they're not extremists on Brexit.
    Keep taking the pills.
    The fact you can't argue with my logic so are turning to ad hominems instead says more about you than me.

    I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left. - Greatest PM since Churchill. Though pills isn't particularly wounding, it is a lame personal rather than political attack.
    What's extreme about wanting to give the people of the UK a vote on something?
    Nothing, that's what general elections are for. It took decades of people campaigning for votes before we had the EU referendum, now we need to implement that votes decision.

    Not wanting any deal and not wanting no deal either is an extremist position.
    We had a general election, and May’s attempt to get a majority for her Brexit was humiliatingly defeated.

    When will Brexiters understand how democracy works?
    Well, duh.

    It works by propping up a defeated PM with a bunch of hard rightwing anti-catholic bigots from Northern Ireland.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,732
    _Anazina_ said:

    We had a general election, and May’s attempt to get a majority for her Brexit was humiliatingly defeated.

    When will Brexiters understand how democracy works?

    Well, duh.

    It works by propping up a defeated PM with a bunch of hard rightwing anti-catholic bigots from Northern Ireland.
    Why didn't she tweet that?

    https://twitter.com/theresa_may/status/865855578454806529
  • _Anazina__Anazina_ Posts: 1,810

    _Anazina_ said:

    We had a general election, and May’s attempt to get a majority for her Brexit was humiliatingly defeated.

    When will Brexiters understand how democracy works?

    Well, duh.

    It works by propping up a defeated PM with a bunch of hard rightwing anti-catholic bigots from Northern Ireland.
    Why didn't she tweet that?

    https://twitter.com/theresa_may/status/865855578454806529
    Is that a spoof account or real??
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,254
    Polruan said:

    I’m still not convinced it’s possible for Labour to force a 2nd referendum without massive electoral damage. The position hasn’t changed: the best result for the Tories is for Labour to be seen to stop Brexit and the best result for Labour is the Tories to proceed with Brexit whilst Labour are seen to try and stop it.

    That is classic scissors stone paper. A game that you are guaranteed to win if you can make your opponent commit first. And conversely will lose if you let them go last. Reveal simultaneously and it's either pure dumb luck who wins or the prize goes to the one who is best able to read the mind of the other.

    Amazing (and not in a good way) that something so important has come down to this.
  • Just seen someone on Sky News say by 2025 new homes shouldn't be on the gas grid.

    I though gas boiled central heating was more efficient. Are we supposed to switch to electrical heating? Electric heating sucks in my experience.
  • _Anazina_ said:

    We had a general election, and May’s attempt to get a majority for her Brexit was humiliatingly defeated.

    When will Brexiters understand how democracy works?

    Well, duh.

    It works by propping up a defeated PM with a bunch of hard rightwing anti-catholic bigots from Northern Ireland.
    Why didn't she tweet that?

    https://twitter.com/theresa_may/status/865855578454806529
    Because she was campaigning and is dishonest.
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,293

    Just seen someone on Sky News say by 2025 new homes shouldn't be on the gas grid.

    I though gas boiled central heating was more efficient. Are we supposed to switch to electrical heating? Electric heating sucks in my experience.

    If ever there was a report for the "long grass" it's this one... ;)
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,426

    Just seen someone on Sky News say by 2025 new homes shouldn't be on the gas grid.

    I though gas boiled central heating was more efficient. Are we supposed to switch to electrical heating? Electric heating sucks in my experience.

    Full story is here:
    Climate change: Ban gas grid for new homes 'in six years'
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-47306766
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,198
    edited February 2019
    HYUFD said:

    Sean_F said:

    Cyclefree said:

    In response to this which @edmundintokyo wrote on a previous thread:

    “Taking a step back the weird thing about this is that Corbyn his broken his party for no particular gain. There's factional control, but there's no bold stupids.”

    I think this is to e Blairites, Jews etc is not breaking the party but making it more in line with his views and more suitable to achieve his aims.

    Some of us said this would happen from the start. Control of the party is the most importantplacing the rotten and institutionally racist Labour Party.
    In broad terms, I think 20-25% of the voters very much like what Corbyn is offering. Some of them are to be found in parties like the Greens or SNP. Conversely, about one third are right wingers who support Brexit. About 5% support UKIP, and 28% support the Conservatives.

    That leaves just over 40% who would potentially be receptive to the new group, although you should probably knock off a few percent to cover Scottish and Welsh Nationalists, Greens and Northern Irish.

    Realistically, that probably gives a ceiling of about one third who would be willing to vote for TIG and Lib Dems combined.
    Using Electoral Calculus with:
    Con 30%
    Lab 24%
    TIG/LD 33%
    UKIP/Brexit Party 7%
    All other parties unchanged results in:
    Con 275 MPs
    Lab 225 MPs
    TIG/LD 80 MPs
    SNP 46 MPs
    That really would be a mess.
    Or if you separate out the Tiggers and Lib Dems and use the Electoral Calculus "Labour Split" option for the Tiggers:

    Con 30%
    Lab 24%
    TIG 20%
    LD 13%
    UKIP/BREXIT 7%
    Others unchanged...

    you get:
    Con 290
    Lab 153
    TIG 104
    LD 30
    SNP 50

    That would put TIG+LDs perilously close to overtaking RumpLab
    Especially as we'd expect a coupon election between them, not fighting each other. Add 5-10 to TIG and 1-4 to LDs; take 1-4 from Con and 5-10 from Lab.
    That would be similar to the post Corn Laws position where the Peelites split from the Tories over Corn Law repeal and though Derby's Tories were largest party in the 1848 election they lacked a majority and the Liberals formed a Government
    Or rather the 1847 election and Stanley's Tories.

    The split between anti Corn Law free trader Peelites and protectionist Tories made Tory majority governments difficult from the late 1840s to early 1870s with the Whigs and then the Liberals (joined by the Peelites) benefiting. The Peelites and Whigs and Radicals merged to form the Liberals in 1859. Are the TIG the Peelites of today with hard Brexit the Corn Laws?
  • If only they'd had the wall to prevent this kind of terrorist.

    https://twitter.com/davidfrum/status/1098563249493155846

    A narrow escape - of course Republican senators would never be attacked by liberals - would they?
    16 minutes for the whataboutery hammer, the PB reactionaries are slowing up.

    What attacks on Republican senators by 'liberals' were you thinking of?
  • Just seen someone on Sky News say by 2025 new homes shouldn't be on the gas grid.

    I though gas boiled central heating was more efficient. Are we supposed to switch to electrical heating? Electric heating sucks in my experience.

    Air-source heat pumps have come on a long way in recent years. My brother-in-law has recently built his house and had one installed.

    Gas-fired central heating looks very outdated (and expensive) in comparison.

    I've no idea how feasible it is to retrofit them to existing homes, though.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,279

    Nigelb said:

    This is going to be a problem for Sanders:
    https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/02/foreign-policy-distinguishes-bernie-sanders-2020/583279/

    How much so is unclear for now.

    Distinguishing himself from the rest of the field with positions that are radical but appealing to a large section of the Democrat base is going to be a problem for him?
    Yes:
    https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/02/bernie-sanders-maduro-castro-latin-america-socialism.html
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,042

    Just seen someone on Sky News say by 2025 new homes shouldn't be on the gas grid.

    I though gas boiled central heating was more efficient. Are we supposed to switch to electrical heating? Electric heating sucks in my experience.

    Air source heat pumps. More efficient than a basic electric heating element.

    Ground source heat pumps are more efficient, but ££££££ to install.
  • rpjsrpjs Posts: 3,787
    edited February 2019
    OT but a developing problem for Trump and the Republicans here in the US and A Is that tax return season is in full swing as folks receive the necessary paperwork to file and lots of lower income families are discovering they’re not going to get a tax refund this year or even owe the IRS, sometimes into the thousands. Lots of Trumpists are tweeting their outrage at the prez right now.

    The problem for the GOP seems to be that after the tax “cut” passed, they leant on the IRS to aggressively reduce the withholding (quasi-PAYE) rates to give more of a boost to the fortnightly paycheque. This means a lot of people haven’t been having enough of their income withheld and paid to the IRS and so now owe, or at the very least have had withheld just the right amount to come out even and not get a refund. This is potentialy a big deal for the economy as traditionally the standard withholding has meant most people get a few thousand dollars refunded at tax filing time and rely on that for big-ticket purchases like home maintenance or appliance replacement. It’s all a strategic own-goal for Trump: no-one much remembers that their paycheques got a small boost last year, but they’re certainly noticing their lack of refunds now.

    As to us, we did the numbers last year and realized that we needed to up our withholding to effectively reject the by-paycheque tax cut. If we hadn’t, we’d probably be in the hole to the IRS by about $3,500 right now.
  • rpjsrpjs Posts: 3,787

    If only they'd had the wall to prevent this kind of terrorist.

    https://twitter.com/davidfrum/status/1098563249493155846

    A narrow escape - of course Republican senators would never be attacked by liberals - would they?
    16 minutes for the whataboutery hammer, the PB reactionaries are slowing up.

    What attacks on Republican senators by 'liberals' were you thinking of?

    Probably thinking of that guy that shot up a Republican congressional baseball team practice session a couple of years ago.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,220
    edited February 2019
    rpjs said:

    OT but a developing problem for Trump and the Republicans here in the US and A Is that tax return season is in full swing as folks receive the necessary paperwork to file and lots of lower income families are discovering they’re not going to get a tax refund this year or even owe the IRS, sometimes into the thousands. Lots of Trumpists are tweeting their outrage at the prez right now.

    The problem for the GOP seems to be that after the tax “cut” passed, they leant on the IRS to aggressively reduce the withholding (quasi-PAYE) rates to give more of a boost to the fortnightly paycheque. This means a lot of people haven’t been having enough of their income withheld and paid to the IRS and so now owe, or at the very least have had withheld just the right amount to come out even and not get a refund. This is potentialy a big deal for the exonomy as traditionally the standard withholding has meant most people get a few thousand dollars refunded at tax filing time and rely on that for big-ticket purchases like home maintenance or appliance replacement. It’s all a strategic own-goal for Trump: no-one much remembers that their paycheques got a small boost last year, but they’re certainly noticing their lack of refunds now.

    As to us, we did the numbers last year and realized that we needed to up our withholding to effectively reject the by-paycheque tax cut. If we hadn’t, we’d probably be in the hole to the IRS by about $3,500 right now.

    Eh ? I know it can't be done if you are self employed but why on earth isn't PAYE just used for people on regular employee payroll.
  • IanB2 said:

    Sean_F said:

    Cyclefree said:

    In response to this which @edmundintokyo wrote on a previous thread:

    “t either way. It's like a supercharged version of the TB-GB stupids.”

    I think this is to misunderstand the Corbyn project.

    Once control over the party has been obtained then the Far Left will unleash its full programme. McDonnell has already said, I believe, that the next manifesto will be far more radical. We should not underestimate how radical Corbyn and McDonnell intend to be. Some of their advisors are ex-Communists. They do not believe in the sanctity of private property.

    From Corbyn’s perspective driving out the moderates, the Blairites, Jews etc is not breaking the party but making it more in line with his views and more suitable to achieve his aims.

    Some of us said this would happen from the start. Control of the party is the most important thing to the hard left, not winning a GE too soon. The assumption is that a crisis, or just the natural pendulum of worn-out-governments, combined with FPTP, will eventually deliver power to a purist party.

    So, as a Conservative, I wish the TIG well in replacing the rotten and institutionally racist Labour Party.
    In broad terms, I think 20-25% of the voters very much like what Corbyn is offering. Some of them are to be found in parties like the Greens or SNP. Conversely, about one third are right wingers who support Brexit. About 5% support UKIP, and 28% support the Conservatives.

    That leaves just over 40% who would potentially be receptive to the new group, although you should probably knock off a few percent to cover Scottish and Welsh Nationalists, Greens and Northern Irish.

    Realistically, that probably gives a ceiling of about one third who would be willing to vote for TIG and Lib Dems combined.
    Using Electoral Calculus with:
    Con 30%
    Lab 24%
    TIG/LD 33%
    UKIP/Brexit Party 7%
    All other parties unchanged results in:
    Con 275 MPs
    Lab 225 MPs
    TIG/LD 80 MPs
    SNP 46 MPs
    That really would be a mess.
    Or if you separate out the Tiggers and Lib Dems and use the Electoral Calculus "Labour Split" option for the Tiggers:

    Con 30%
    Lab 24%
    TIG 20%
    LD 13%
    UKIP/BREXIT 7%
    Others unchanged...

    you get:
    Con 290
    Lab 153
    TIG 104
    LD 30
    SNP 50

    That would put TIG+LDs perilously close to overtaking RumpLab
    Especially as we'd expect a coupon election between them, not fighting each other. Add 5-10 to TIG and 1-4 to LDs; take 1-4 from Con and 5-10 from Lab.
    And that model assumes TIG and the LDs both fight every seat
    Yes - but the opinion polls are 38.26.14.7 - which gives the tories a 1983ish result.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,220
    edited February 2019
    GIN1138 said:

    Just seen someone on Sky News say by 2025 new homes shouldn't be on the gas grid.

    I though gas boiled central heating was more efficient. Are we supposed to switch to electrical heating? Electric heating sucks in my experience.

    If ever there was a report for the "long grass" it's this one... ;)
    What's more, these systems will only work if homes are insulated to the highest standards so they need little heating.

    Bet these new "well insulated" homes don't exceed a thousand square feet either.
  • Pulpstar said:

    rpjs said:

    OT but a developing problem for Trump and the Republicans here in the US and A Is that tax return season is in full swing as folks receive the necessary paperwork to file and lots of lower income families are discovering they’re not going to get a tax refund this year or even owe the IRS, sometimes into the thousands. Lots of Trumpists are tweeting their outrage at the prez right now.

    The problem for the GOP seems to be that after the tax “cut” passed, they leant on the IRS to aggressively reduce the withholding (quasi-PAYE) rates to give more of a boost to the fortnightly paycheque. This means a lot of people haven’t been having enough of their income withheld and paid to the IRS and so now owe, or at the very least have had withheld just the right amount to come out even and not get a refund. This is potentialy a big deal for the exonomy as traditionally the standard withholding has meant most people get a few thousand dollars refunded at tax filing time and rely on that for big-ticket purchases like home maintenance or appliance replacement. It’s all a strategic own-goal for Trump: no-one much remembers that their paycheques got a small boost last year, but they’re certainly noticing their lack of refunds now.

    As to us, we did the numbers last year and realized that we needed to up our withholding to effectively reject the by-paycheque tax cut. If we hadn’t, we’d probably be in the hole to the IRS by about $3,500 right now.

    Eh ? I know it can't be done if you are self employed but why on earth isn't PAYE just used ?
    These are Federal returns, and I think PAYE systems (such that they are) are don on a state level. It might even be a states' rights issue, not sure.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,254
    Endillion said:

    I don't know where this idea came from that it is the job of our political leaders actively to refuse to do things that the overwhelming majority of the public want. But I don't like it one bit.

    I know, I know, but still. We've seen what happens when politicians try to ingratiate themselves with the public. It does not end well. The public are never satisfied. Give them one thing and all that happens is they come back for more. And the more you give them the more they lose respect for you, they see you as a soft touch and start asking for stupid stuff just to take the piss. It's our old friend, the slippery slope. You begin by taking passports off ISIS brides and you end up bringing in the 2 day week and bankrupting the country. No, sorry, not on. Politicians need to be wise and mature for the very reason that the public isn't.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,414
    Polruan said:

    dixiedean said:

    Mr. Glenn, if the Labour leadership overtly backs a second referendum that'll discourage potential defectors. May, however, is unlikely to be able to make the same manoeuvre.

    I cannot see any other possible route for Corbyn now. If he doesn't he'll be left with the rump of a Party.
    While he and his Morning Star advisers would be content with Brexit, it is important to note that many of his allies at the top of the leadership aren't so sanguine.
    I’m still not convinced it’s possible for Labour to force a 2nd referendum without massive electoral damage. The position hasn’t changed: the best result for the Tories is for Labour to be seen to stop Brexit and the best result for Labour is the Tories to proceed with Brexit whilst Labour are seen to try and stop it.
    I'm not convinced it is possible for Labour to force it, either. Just that them trying has become nigh on inevitable.
  • Just seen someone on Sky News say by 2025 new homes shouldn't be on the gas grid.

    I though gas boiled central heating was more efficient. Are we supposed to switch to electrical heating? Electric heating sucks in my experience.

    Air-source heat pumps have come on a long way in recent years. My brother-in-law has recently built his house and had one installed.

    Gas-fired central heating looks very outdated (and expensive) in comparison.

    I've no idea how feasible it is to retrofit them to existing homes, though.
    Don't they become less efficient or not work at extremely cold temperatures?

    Having your central heating not work at extremely cold temperatures seems like asking for trouble.
  • _Anazina__Anazina_ Posts: 1,810
    edited February 2019
    rpjs said:

    OT but a developing problem for Trump and the Republicans here in the US and A Is that tax return season is in full swing as folks receive the necessary paperwork to file and lots of lower income families are discovering they’re not going to get a tax refund this year or even owe the IRS, sometimes into the thousands. Lots of Trumpists are tweeting their outrage at the prez right now.

    The problem for the GOP seems to be that after the tax “cut” passed, they leant on the IRS to aggressively reduce the withholding (quasi-PAYE) rates to give more of a boost to the fortnightly paycheque. This means a lot of people haven’t been having enough of their income withheld and paid to the IRS and so now owe, or at the very least have had withheld just the right amount to come out even and not get a refund. This is potentialy a big deal for the economy as traditionally the standard withholding has meant most people get a few thousand dollars refunded at tax filing time and rely on that for big-ticket purchases like home maintenance or appliance replacement. It’s all a strategic own-goal for Trump: no-one much remembers that their paycheques got a small boost last year, but they’re certainly noticing their lack of refunds now.

    As to us, we did the numbers last year and realized that we needed to up our withholding to effectively reject the by-paycheque tax cut. If we hadn’t, we’d probably be in the hole to the IRS by about $3,500 right now.

    Very interesting post. Thanks.

    I hadn't realised that that was the norm in the US, that families would effectively get a rebate at the end of the tax year. In the UK, of course, HMRC frowns on this and strives (not always successfully) to even PAYE out over the year, so everything balances by the spring cut off in early April.

    I can see why that might be a big own goal for Trumpton. People very quickly get used to small tax breaks on their monthly (fortnightly?) salary. They are less likely to be sanguine about the disappearance of a few thousand dollars that they would usually use to buy garden gear, DIY stuff or appliances etc etc at the end of the winter.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,208
    FPT
    Pulpstar said:

    Ivan Rogers made an interesting point that this is the only trade negotiation in history where economies are seeking to diverge. Extending the thought, perhaps a full WTO breakup for a few years followed by striking FTAs might be easier for that reason ?
    Personally I don't think such a drastic step is worth it, but its a thought.

    Trump's trade policy (or more accurately USTR Robert Lightizer's policy) is implicitly to break up WTO's system of rules and return to the GATT system where any dispute goes to bilateral negotiation. Lightizer reckons as the more powerful partner the US will not only win the disputes but will come out ahead, compared with a rule based system. Plenty of US trade experts disagree and think the US benefits from the rules. It explains why Trump is so anxious to destroy the EU, which is very much in the rule based system camp.
  • rpjs said:

    If only they'd had the wall to prevent this kind of terrorist.

    https://twitter.com/davidfrum/status/1098563249493155846

    A narrow escape - of course Republican senators would never be attacked by liberals - would they?
    16 minutes for the whataboutery hammer, the PB reactionaries are slowing up.

    What attacks on Republican senators by 'liberals' were you thinking of?

    Probably thinking of that guy that shot up a Republican congressional baseball team practice session a couple of years ago.
    Yep, but I'm kind of struggling with the concept of that shooter as a 'liberal'. Of course I realise that the term in some circles is synonymous with Black Hand Anarchism and ISIS.
  • rpjsrpjs Posts: 3,787

    Pulpstar said:

    rpjs said:

    OT but a developing problem for Trump and the Republicans here in the US and A Is that tax return season is in full swing as folks receive the necessary paperwork to file and lots of lower income families are discovering they’re not going to get a tax refund this year or even owe the IRS, sometimes into the thousands. Lots of Trumpists are tweeting their outrage at the prez right now.

    The problem for the GOP seems to be that after the tax “cut” passed, they leant on the IRS to aggressively reduce the withholding (quasi-PAYE) rates to give more of a boost to the fortnightly paycheque. This means a lot of people haven’t been having enough of their income withheld and paid to the IRS and so now owe, or at the very least have had withheld just the right amount to come out even and not get a refund. This is potentialy a big deal for the exonomy as traditionally the standard withholding has meant most people get a few thousand dollars refunded at tax filing time and rely on that for big-ticket purchases like home maintenance or appliance replacement. It’s all a strategic own-goal for Trump: no-one much remembers that their paycheques got a small boost last year, but they’re certainly noticing their lack of refunds now.

    As to us, we did the numbers last year and realized that we needed to up our withholding to effectively reject the by-paycheque tax cut. If we hadn’t, we’d probably be in the hole to the IRS by about $3,500 right now.

    Eh ? I know it can't be done if you are self employed but why on earth isn't PAYE just used ?
    These are Federal returns, and I think PAYE systems (such that they are) are don on a state level. It might even be a states' rights issue, not sure.
    No, the states that have income tax tend to follow the federal rules and rates, pro-rated down. At least NYS does. I have no idea why HMRC can get it usually spot on with PAYE and the IRS can’t. It is a source of much frustration to me. I have read though that British PAYE is uniquely accurate in the world but requires the tax authorities to have more access to taxpayers’ financial affairs than most countries would be happy with. I have no idea if that’s actually true.
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