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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » NEW PB / Polling Matters podcast on the Tory leader runners an

SystemSystem Posts: 12,172
edited March 2019 in General

imagepoliticalbetting.com » Blog Archive » NEW PB / Polling Matters podcast on the Tory leader runners and riders

On this week’s Polling Matters podcast Keiran Pedley is joined by David Herdson to review who might replace Theresa May as Tory leader when the time comes.

Read the full story here


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Comments

  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871
    First
  • MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382
    DavidL said:

    First

    I'm really pleased for you
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871

    DavidL said:

    First

    I'm really pleased for you
    Thanks Mike, much appreciated.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676
    Theresa May, 14th Jan: "The link between them [withdrawal agreement + political declaration] means that the commitments of one cannot be banked without the commitments of the other."
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905
    A rare and precious opportunity to mention pre-decimal currency arises, and immediately a new thread starts. Typical! I feel thwarted.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676
    Well done David L

    You deserve it

    I for one am really chuffed for you
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 42,992
    Bingo

    Blindfold Brexit from Jezza on news at 10.
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905

    Theresa May, 14th Jan: "The link between them [withdrawal agreement + political declaration] means that the commitments of one cannot be banked without the commitments of the other."

    Theresa May, 28th Mar: ...except when I say that they can after all.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871

    Well done David L

    You deserve it

    I for one am really chuffed for you

    I of course couldn't have done it without the support of my family, my dear wife, everyone I have ever met, those that I might have met, just everyone really. It is more than I deserve. Truly.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676

    Theresa May, 14th Jan: "The link between them [withdrawal agreement + political declaration] means that the commitments of one cannot be banked without the commitments of the other."

    Theresa May, 28th Mar: ...except when I say that they can after all.
    Indeed
  • DruttDrutt Posts: 1,124

    A rare and precious opportunity to mention pre-decimal currency arises, and immediately a new thread starts. Typical! I feel thwarted.

    It must really groat with you.
  • Disappointed that neither David or Keiran mentioned in the podcast the facts that I tipped Hunt, Lidington, and Hancock at 100/1 in this market, nor did they mention I tipped Javid at 60/1.

    Really really disappointed as my legendary modesty prevents me from mentioning my tips and I'm reliant on others reminding the wider world of my tips.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 42,992
    edited March 2019
    DavidL said:

    Well done David L

    You deserve it

    I for one am really chuffed for you

    I of course couldn't have done it without the support of my family, my dear wife, everyone I have ever met, those that I might have met, just everyone really. It is more than I deserve. Truly.
    Where do you go now though? It’s downhill from here on in.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,871
    Rumour that Labour is preparing a combined CU plus PV option for Monday. Good news if true.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676
    DavidL said:

    Well done David L

    You deserve it

    I for one am really chuffed for you

    I of course couldn't have done it without the support of my family, my dear wife, everyone I have ever met, those that I might have met, just everyone really. It is more than I deserve. Truly.
    Too modest by half.

  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676

    Disappointed that neither David or Keiran mentioned in the podcast the facts that I tipped Hunt, Lidington, and Hancock at 100/1 in this market, nor did they mention I tipped Javid at 60/1.

    Really really disappointed as my legendary modesty prevents me from mentioning my tips and I'm reliant on others reminding the wider world of my tips.

    They didnt mention David L's amazing achievement either.

    Terrible oversight IMO
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676
    IanB2 said:

    Rumour that Labour is preparing a combined CU plus PV option for Monday. Good news if true.

    Check Mate

    Bet TIG vote against as will probably also result in a GE
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 4,502
    Peston pushing the no deal line again . Apparently a few close to May say she’ll go for no deal on April 12 th .

    Are these the same few who also said the same about March 29 . Another apparent leak designed to try and frighten Labour and others into voting for her WA.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,166
    IanB2 said:

    Rumour that Labour is preparing a combined CU plus PV option for Monday. Good news if true.

    If they won it, which they won't as it has Labour behind it, May would not implement it anyway, though it suggests what could happen if May loses a VONC and Corbyn becomes PM after a snap general election
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772

    Disappointed that neither David or Keiran mentioned in the podcast the facts that I tipped Hunt, Lidington, and Hancock at 100/1 in this market, nor did they mention I tipped Javid at 60/1.

    Really really disappointed as my legendary modesty prevents me from mentioning my tips and I'm reliant on others reminding the wider world of my tips.

    Thanks to TSE, I am on Hunt, Liddington and Hancock. Fingers crossed.

    My own, surely equally, legendary modesty prevents me from adding that I tipped Pete Buttigieg for POTUS at 250/1 a while back... :smiley:

  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Interesting story from Guido:

    "MEPS “TRICKED” INTO VOTING WRONG WAY OVER ARTICLE 13"

    https://order-order.com/2019/03/28/meps-tricked-voting-wrong-way-article-13/
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871
    TOPPING said:

    DavidL said:

    Well done David L

    You deserve it

    I for one am really chuffed for you

    I of course couldn't have done it without the support of my family, my dear wife, everyone I have ever met, those that I might have met, just everyone really. It is more than I deserve. Truly.
    Where do you go now though? It’s downhill from here on in.
    Felt that for the last 20 years, topping.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871
    Scott_P said:
    Since the change of editor the Mail has been May's biggest supporter by a country mile.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.
  • IanB2 said:

    Rumour that Labour is preparing a combined CU plus PV option for Monday. Good news if true.

    About bleeding time as well.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676
    nico67 said:

    Peston pushing the no deal line again . Apparently a few close to May say she’ll go for no deal on April 12 th .

    Are these the same few who also said the same about March 29 . Another apparent leak designed to try and frighten Labour and others into voting for her WA.

    Surely it gives ERG's a disincentive to vote for it and hope Peston is correct.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    https://twitter.com/hendopolis/status/1111389369217085440

    Mail under the ex-Sunday MoS editor seems to have railed back from earlier less Brexity ways when he first took over.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,720
    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    They’d struggle to make gains versus the 2014 result.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    edited March 2019
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676

    IanB2 said:

    Rumour that Labour is preparing a combined CU plus PV option for Monday. Good news if true.

    About bleeding time as well.
    and when it fails its Jezzas fault presumably
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    Hunt still at 11.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871
    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    Who knows? I can see a sub 20% turnout, I certainly will not be voting for the first time in my adult life. That makes it a crap shoot based on differential turnout and it just might favour remainers more than leavers.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676
    Sorry for posts earlier in this thread

    I appear to have left the sarcasm button depressed.

    I think it may be still on actually
  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,710
    Scott_P said:
    I suppose that's all well and good if the DUP are readers.

    Don't suppose they're going to be all that happy by tomorrow evening, then.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676
    John Pienaar here: “As someone put it, she fell on her sword and missed”.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,741
    DavidL said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    Who knows? I can see a sub 20% turnout, I certainly will not be voting for the first time in my adult life. That makes it a crap shoot based on differential turnout and it just might favour remainers more than leavers.
    I think the six million revokers are more likely to turnout than the kippers.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871

    Sorry for posts earlier in this thread

    I appear to have left the sarcasm button depressed.

    I think it may be still on actually

    Really? You mean you didn't really mean it? I feel so foolish.
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 4,502

    nico67 said:

    Peston pushing the no deal line again . Apparently a few close to May say she’ll go for no deal on April 12 th .

    Are these the same few who also said the same about March 29 . Another apparent leak designed to try and frighten Labour and others into voting for her WA.

    Surely it gives ERG's a disincentive to vote for it and hope Peston is correct.
    Mays plan of telling each side different things hasn’t worked . The likely outcome the EU ask for a very long extension , May says no . Then as it’s cut to one year she proclaims victory . She resigns and a new leader comes in during that time . The DUP are screwed with no deal , the Tories are aswell .


  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772

    IanB2 said:

    Rumour that Labour is preparing a combined CU plus PV option for Monday. Good news if true.

    About bleeding time as well.
    and when it fails its Jezzas fault presumably
    Will there actually be a government by Monday?
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676
    DavidL said:

    Sorry for posts earlier in this thread

    I appear to have left the sarcasm button depressed.

    I think it may be still on actually

    Really? You mean you didn't really mean it? I feel so foolish.
    No not those posts.

    I meant those from the bottom of my heart


    Checks its off
  • EndillionEndillion Posts: 4,976

    Disappointed that neither David or Keiran mentioned in the podcast the facts that I tipped Hunt, Lidington, and Hancock at 100/1 in this market, nor did they mention I tipped Javid at 60/1.

    Really really disappointed as my legendary modesty prevents me from mentioning my tips and I'm reliant on others reminding the wider world of my tips.

    Thanks to TSE, I am on Hunt, Liddington and Hancock. Fingers crossed.

    My own, surely equally, legendary modesty prevents me from adding that I tipped Pete Buttigieg for POTUS at 250/1 a while back... :smiley:

    I am deeply grateful to you, or at least I will be if his odds continue to tighten.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871
    Foxy said:

    DavidL said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    Who knows? I can see a sub 20% turnout, I certainly will not be voting for the first time in my adult life. That makes it a crap shoot based on differential turnout and it just might favour remainers more than leavers.
    I think the six million revokers are more likely to turnout than the kippers.
    Agreed. I can see UKIP in particular losing a lot of seats.
  • tpfkartpfkar Posts: 1,565
    DavidL said:

    Well done David L

    You deserve it

    I for one am really chuffed for you

    I of course couldn't have done it without the support of my family, my dear wife, everyone I have ever met, those that I might have met, just everyone really. It is more than I deserve. Truly.
    One of those great moments where it’s an honour simply to bear witness to. One day I can tell my grandchildren simply that I was there...
  • trawltrawl Posts: 142
    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    How much would they cost? I’ve seen one figure of £100m or similar. Are MPs who daily call for more cash for x y and z really going to sanction it?

  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395

    John Pienaar here: “As someone put it, she fell on her sword and missed”.

    Quote of the year so far.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,741
    On the subject of Tory Leadership runners, why is it that they take it so literally?

    https://twitter.com/Saczak1/status/1111269110707617792?s=19
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871

    IanB2 said:

    Rumour that Labour is preparing a combined CU plus PV option for Monday. Good news if true.

    About bleeding time as well.
    and when it fails its Jezzas fault presumably
    Will there actually be a government by Monday?
    Is there actually a government now? Doesn't feel like it.
  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,710

    IanB2 said:

    Rumour that Labour is preparing a combined CU plus PV option for Monday. Good news if true.

    About bleeding time as well.
    and when it fails its Jezzas fault presumably
    Will there actually be a government by Monday?
    ...and will anyone notice the difference?
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,701
    Foxy said:

    DavidL said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    Who knows? I can see a sub 20% turnout, I certainly will not be voting for the first time in my adult life. That makes it a crap shoot based on differential turnout and it just might favour remainers more than leavers.
    I think the six million revokers are more likely to turnout than the kippers.
    Agreed. EU election turnout has never reached 40% in the UK; anything close to 30% would be average.
  • IanB2 said:

    Rumour that Labour is preparing a combined CU plus PV option for Monday. Good news if true.

    About bleeding time as well.
    and when it fails its Jezzas fault presumably
    On this occasion, I will him on to whip his own MPs. Might be an idea for him to talk to some of the other parties to build consensus.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    edited March 2019
    https://twitter.com/hendopolis/status/1111393368158937088

    A) the deal with Raab, whether it ever existed (I mean, who the hell believed that??) is off.

    B We are now in full blown leader election time.

    But will May engineer at GE before they get chance?
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,701
    trawl said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    How much would they cost? I’ve seen one figure of £100m or similar. Are MPs who daily call for more cash for x y and z really going to sanction it?

    Of course they will.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676
    tpfkar said:

    DavidL said:

    Well done David L

    You deserve it

    I for one am really chuffed for you

    I of course couldn't have done it without the support of my family, my dear wife, everyone I have ever met, those that I might have met, just everyone really. It is more than I deserve. Truly.
    One of those great moments where it’s an honour simply to bear witness to. One day I can tell my grandchildren simply that I was there...
    Have you checked your S button mine was stuck for a while?
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,166
    edited March 2019
    Actually 75, he says 25 maybes.

    For context May got 165 MPs in the first round in 2016, even Leadsom got 66, so not quite 'shock and awe' from Hunt especially with Javid also on manoeuvres according to the Article.

    In any case if May's Deal does not go through tomorrow she is not going anywhere and it maybe the next Tory leader ends up Leader of the Opposition not PM if she then loses a VONC and ERG support after proposing we contest the European elections and there is a snap general election
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676

    IanB2 said:

    Rumour that Labour is preparing a combined CU plus PV option for Monday. Good news if true.

    About bleeding time as well.
    and when it fails its Jezzas fault presumably
    Will there actually be a government by Monday?
    ...and will anyone notice the difference?
    S button problems tonight on PB?
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905
    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    If things do get to that point then I wouldn't want to even attempt to guess the overall result. It's not inconceivable, for example, that a fanatically pro-EU slate could emerge from the ether and win a slew of seats.

    On the other hand, I'm rather less concerned about the prospect of Nigel Farage being re-elected than I am about Mr Yaxley-Lennon and 15 or 20 of his closest friends being let loose in the European Parliament. If you thought that our reputation couldn't sink any lower in that particular forum, think again.
  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,710
    HYUFD said:

    Actually 75, he says 25 maybes.

    For context May got 165 MPs in the first round in 2016, even Leadsom got 66, so not quite 'shock and awe' from Hunt especially with Javid also on manoeuvres according to the Article.

    In any case if May's Deal does not go through tomorrow she is not going anywhere and it maybe the next Tory leader ends up Leader of the Opposition not PM if she then loses a VONC and there is a snap general election
    He's locked those 75 down apparently, which makes them sound like he's keeping them in a basement or something.
  • StereotomyStereotomy Posts: 4,092
    HYUFD said:

    In any case if May's Deal does not go through tomorrow she is not going anywhere

    If I rated May's cunning a bit higher, I'd be inclined to think this was the plan all along. Get everyone to repeat the "she's only leaving if the deal goes through" line enough to premptively kill off the "if the deal fails, she should resign/be forced out" talk that happened last time
  • DecrepitJohnLDecrepitJohnL Posts: 13,300

    trawl said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    How much would they cost? I’ve seen one figure of £100m or similar. Are MPs who daily call for more cash for x y and z really going to sanction it?

    Of course they will.
    Whether the parties can afford it might be a better question. It is only last week we heard Tory donors are keeping their hands in their pockets, and Labour too over a longer period. It could be that both main parties make token efforts only.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676
    Off to bed

    Goodnight All

    Tomorrow brings 3rd strike and your out presumably
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871

    nico67 said:

    Peston pushing the no deal line again . Apparently a few close to May say she’ll go for no deal on April 12 th .

    Are these the same few who also said the same about March 29 . Another apparent leak designed to try and frighten Labour and others into voting for her WA.

    Surely it gives ERG's a disincentive to vote for it and hope Peston is correct.
    "hope Peston is correct"??

    And Santa is real, the Easter bunny brings chocolate eggs, May is credible and...okay, I've reached my limits.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,741

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    If things do get to that point then I wouldn't want to even attempt to guess the overall result. It's not inconceivable, for example, that a fanatically pro-EU slate could emerge from the ether and win a slew of seats.

    On the other hand, I'm rather less concerned about the prospect of Nigel Farage being re-elected than I am about Mr Yaxley-Lennon and 15 or 20 of his closest friends being let loose in the European Parliament. If you thought that our reputation couldn't sink any lower in that particular forum, think again.
    Considering how the current kipper MEPs are rather prone to punching each others lights out, the convicted Felon and mortgage fraudster S Y-L will be a poor supporting act.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited March 2019

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    They’d struggle to make gains versus the 2014 result.
    I was thinking more in terms of the likes of Tommy Robinson, who's a slightly different kettle of fish to Nigel Farage.
  • DecrepitJohnLDecrepitJohnL Posts: 13,300
    edited March 2019
    100 MPs is fine but how many will melt away when a rival candidate wanders into the tea rooms? Ask Boris. Ask Hestletine. Heck, ask Margaret Thatcher.
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905

    HYUFD said:

    Actually 75, he says 25 maybes.

    For context May got 165 MPs in the first round in 2016, even Leadsom got 66, so not quite 'shock and awe' from Hunt especially with Javid also on manoeuvres according to the Article.

    In any case if May's Deal does not go through tomorrow she is not going anywhere and it maybe the next Tory leader ends up Leader of the Opposition not PM if she then loses a VONC and there is a snap general election
    He's locked those 75 down apparently, which makes them sound like he's keeping them in a basement or something.
    "It puts the lotion in the basket."
  • AndyJS said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    They’d struggle to make gains versus the 2014 result.
    I was thinking in terms of the likes of Tommy Robinson, who's a slightly different kettle of fish to Nigel Farage.
    Isn't he on trial for contempt of court again? Might be disbarred if he is found guilty and sentenced.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    If things do get to that point then I wouldn't want to even attempt to guess the overall result. It's not inconceivable, for example, that a fanatically pro-EU slate could emerge from the ether and win a slew of seats.

    On the other hand, I'm rather less concerned about the prospect of Nigel Farage being re-elected than I am about Mr Yaxley-Lennon and 15 or 20 of his closest friends being let loose in the European Parliament. If you thought that our reputation couldn't sink any lower in that particular forum, think again.
    I'm a lot more concerned about our recent entries to the Eurovision Song Contest. Firstly, it is a lot more high profile, secondly it impacts much more on ordinary life and thirdly, our recent entries have been truly embarrassing.
  • GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 19,469
    I’m gonna be in the pub by 4 tomorrow. Annoying that MPs are voting early for a change and I have to be sober for the continuing sh*tshow.
  • DavidL said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    If things do get to that point then I wouldn't want to even attempt to guess the overall result. It's not inconceivable, for example, that a fanatically pro-EU slate could emerge from the ether and win a slew of seats.

    On the other hand, I'm rather less concerned about the prospect of Nigel Farage being re-elected than I am about Mr Yaxley-Lennon and 15 or 20 of his closest friends being let loose in the European Parliament. If you thought that our reputation couldn't sink any lower in that particular forum, think again.
    I'm a lot more concerned about our recent entries to the Eurovision Song Contest. Firstly, it is a lot more high profile, secondly it impacts much more on ordinary life and thirdly, our recent entries have been truly embarrassing.
    We have a half decent singer this year, and the song was written by John Lundvik who is also singing for Sweden having won Melodifestivalen.

    Could go Top 10...
  • edmundintokyoedmundintokyo Posts: 17,708
    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    They start from a pretty high base, it's totally plausible that they could lose seats.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,741
    edited March 2019
    Great quote from Nesnight's Maitlis on MV2.5

    "You are flogging a horse so dead that it is already a glue stick"
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871

    DavidL said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    If things do get to that point then I wouldn't want to even attempt to guess the overall result. It's not inconceivable, for example, that a fanatically pro-EU slate could emerge from the ether and win a slew of seats.

    On the other hand, I'm rather less concerned about the prospect of Nigel Farage being re-elected than I am about Mr Yaxley-Lennon and 15 or 20 of his closest friends being let loose in the European Parliament. If you thought that our reputation couldn't sink any lower in that particular forum, think again.
    I'm a lot more concerned about our recent entries to the Eurovision Song Contest. Firstly, it is a lot more high profile, secondly it impacts much more on ordinary life and thirdly, our recent entries have been truly embarrassing.
    We have a half decent singer this year, and the song was written by John Lundvik who is also singing for Sweden having won Melodifestivalen.

    Could go Top 10...
    So you are saying it is going to be less embarrassing than the buffoons, imbeciles and mental incompetents we traditionally elect to the European Parliament? That's a pretty high bar you are setting yourself there.
  • Harris_TweedHarris_Tweed Posts: 1,337
    AndyJS said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    They’d struggle to make gains versus the 2014 result.
    I was thinking in terms of the likes of Tommy Robinson, who's a slightly different kettle of fish to Nigel Farage.
    There’s a ceiling on support for TR and his ilk (in much the way there is - at a higher level - for Corbyn). Farage’s main achievement was convincing people that UKIP.. or at least the ones allowed on telly like him and Suzanne.. were normal people you wouldn’t be embarrassed talking about. Most importantly, he sold the story it wasn’t about race. It may have been bollocks further down the food chain, but it worked.

    If there are more than 10 per cent of voters who’d consider picking Batten and Robinson, I’d be surprised.

  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905
    DavidL said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    If things do get to that point then I wouldn't want to even attempt to guess the overall result. It's not inconceivable, for example, that a fanatically pro-EU slate could emerge from the ether and win a slew of seats.

    On the other hand, I'm rather less concerned about the prospect of Nigel Farage being re-elected than I am about Mr Yaxley-Lennon and 15 or 20 of his closest friends being let loose in the European Parliament. If you thought that our reputation couldn't sink any lower in that particular forum, think again.
    I'm a lot more concerned about our recent entries to the Eurovision Song Contest. Firstly, it is a lot more high profile, secondly it impacts much more on ordinary life and thirdly, our recent entries have been truly embarrassing.
    The songs can be somewhat lacking in originality. Next year, I propose a UK entry that extols the myriad virtues of a pound consisting of 240 pence.

    That'll go down a treat in Azerbaijan.
  • DavidL said:

    DavidL said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    If things do get to that point then I wouldn't want to even attempt to guess the overall result. It's not inconceivable, for example, that a fanatically pro-EU slate could emerge from the ether and win a slew of seats.

    On the other hand, I'm rather less concerned about the prospect of Nigel Farage being re-elected than I am about Mr Yaxley-Lennon and 15 or 20 of his closest friends being let loose in the European Parliament. If you thought that our reputation couldn't sink any lower in that particular forum, think again.
    I'm a lot more concerned about our recent entries to the Eurovision Song Contest. Firstly, it is a lot more high profile, secondly it impacts much more on ordinary life and thirdly, our recent entries have been truly embarrassing.
    We have a half decent singer this year, and the song was written by John Lundvik who is also singing for Sweden having won Melodifestivalen.

    Could go Top 10...
    So you are saying it is going to be less embarrassing than the buffoons, imbeciles and mental incompetents we traditionally elect to the European Parliament? That's a pretty high bar you are setting yourself there.
    We've sent far far worse.

    I've been watching this bunfight since 1981, I've seen some sights I can tell you.

    However, given there are 26 songs in the Final and 41 countries voting, anything could happen.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871

    DavidL said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    If things do get to that point then I wouldn't want to even attempt to guess the overall result. It's not inconceivable, for example, that a fanatically pro-EU slate could emerge from the ether and win a slew of seats.

    On the other hand, I'm rather less concerned about the prospect of Nigel Farage being re-elected than I am about Mr Yaxley-Lennon and 15 or 20 of his closest friends being let loose in the European Parliament. If you thought that our reputation couldn't sink any lower in that particular forum, think again.
    I'm a lot more concerned about our recent entries to the Eurovision Song Contest. Firstly, it is a lot more high profile, secondly it impacts much more on ordinary life and thirdly, our recent entries have been truly embarrassing.
    The songs can be somewhat lacking in originality. Next year, I propose a UK entry that extols the myriad virtues of a pound consisting of 240 pence.

    That'll go down a treat in Azerbaijan.
    The Italians will probably love it though. They have been looking for that sort of sneaky inflation ever since they joined the Euro.
  • AnotherEngineerAnotherEngineer Posts: 64
    edited March 2019

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    They start from a pretty high base, it's totally plausible that they could lose seats.
    I thought they'd already had nearly half their MEPs defect, so technically they might not.

    It depends how much of the anti-EU vote would go to Farage's new party. UKIP is established and a well known brand, so probably not a high percentage, despite the direction UKIP has taken.
  • Chris_AChris_A Posts: 1,237
    You've had me scrolling all the way through this thread to find our what David L's great achievement was. Grrr.
  • Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,821
    edited March 2019
    Chris_A said:

    You've had me scrolling all the way through this thread to find our what David L's great achievement was. Grrr.

    Well, it wasn't a disappointment, was it?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871
    Scott_P said:
    That sort of candour is completely unacceptable on the BBC.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Chris_A said:

    You've had me scrolling all the way through this thread to find our what David L's great achievement was. Grrr.

    Jealousy is ugly...
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,166
    Rees-Moggs suggests he will back Boris in any future Tory leadership contest on Newsnight
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,166
    Dominic Cummings 'The ERG are Remains useful idiots'

    https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2019/03/the-erg-are-remains-useful-idiots/
  • _Anazina__Anazina_ Posts: 1,810
    Big congratulations, David, on your premiership. But let the words of Kipling guide you. If you can meet with triumph or disaster, treat those two imposters just the same.
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905

    AndyJS said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    They’d struggle to make gains versus the 2014 result.
    I was thinking in terms of the likes of Tommy Robinson, who's a slightly different kettle of fish to Nigel Farage.
    There’s a ceiling on support for TR and his ilk (in much the way there is - at a higher level - for Corbyn). Farage’s main achievement was convincing people that UKIP.. or at least the ones allowed on telly like him and Suzanne.. were normal people you wouldn’t be embarrassed talking about. Most importantly, he sold the story it wasn’t about race. It may have been bollocks further down the food chain, but it worked.

    If there are more than 10 per cent of voters who’d consider picking Batten and Robinson, I’d be surprised.

    Problem: what percentage of clueless habit voters are going to go into the polling booth not even realising that UKIP has changed management?

    I distinctly recall that, in a previous European election, some total non-entity in Cornwall (IIRC) polled over ten thousand votes standing as a Literal Democrat. Many voters are remarkably careless and/or dense.
  • edmundintokyoedmundintokyo Posts: 17,708
    HYUFD said:

    Dominic Cummings 'The ERG are Remains useful idiots'

    https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2019/03/the-erg-are-remains-useful-idiots/

    Remainer here, can confirm
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871
    _Anazina_ said:

    Big congratulations, David, on your premiership. But let the words of Kipling guide you. If you can meet with triumph or disaster, treat those two imposters just the same.

    Wise advice, @Anazina, wise advice.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 51,888
    edited March 2019
    DavidL said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    If things do get to that point then I wouldn't want to even attempt to guess the overall result. It's not inconceivable, for example, that a fanatically pro-EU slate could emerge from the ether and win a slew of seats.

    On the other hand, I'm rather less concerned about the prospect of Nigel Farage being re-elected than I am about Mr Yaxley-Lennon and 15 or 20 of his closest friends being let loose in the European Parliament. If you thought that our reputation couldn't sink any lower in that particular forum, think again.
    I'm a lot more concerned about our recent entries to the Eurovision Song Contest. Firstly, it is a lot more high profile, secondly it impacts much more on ordinary life and thirdly, our recent entries have been truly embarrassing.
    We reached the dizzy heights of 15th place, two years ago, just 11 months after EUref.

    We were 11th in 2011, and ten years back, we came 5th!
  • Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,821

    Problem: what percentage of clueless habit voters are going to go into the polling booth not even realising that UKIP has changed management?.

    Quite a high percentage, I would imagine.
  • rural_voterrural_voter Posts: 2,038

    AndyJS said:

    AndyJS said:

    The danger is that holding the Euro Elections in this country would be a fest for populists.

    They’d struggle to make gains versus the 2014 result.
    I was thinking in terms of the likes of Tommy Robinson, who's a slightly different kettle of fish to Nigel Farage.
    There’s a ceiling on support for TR and his ilk (in much the way there is - at a higher level - for Corbyn). Farage’s main achievement was convincing people that UKIP.. or at least the ones allowed on telly like him and Suzanne.. were normal people you wouldn’t be embarrassed talking about. Most importantly, he sold the story it wasn’t about race. It may have been bollocks further down the food chain, but it worked.

    If there are more than 10 per cent of voters who’d consider picking Batten and Robinson, I’d be surprised.

    In the W. Midlands, that could possibly yield them precisely zero seats. Currently the seven seats in the region are divided up:

    3 UKIP
    2 Tory
    2 Labour
    0 LD or Green.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,871
    Brian Taylor was in the pub with me tonight. I have never seen that man sober and I have seen him a few times now.
This discussion has been closed.