The 2015 Licence Fee settlement had four components:
- LF to start rising again in line with CPI from 2017 - BBC funding of broadband (£150m per year) to cease - iPlayer loophole closed (ie TVL required to watch iPlayer) - BBC to take over cost of TVL for over 75s
Factoring in household growth, putting it all together the BBC said it represented "flat cash" or a 10% real terms cut over 5 years (assuming 2% inflation for 5 years). The BBC said it was a good deal. Indeed compared to most public services a 10% real terms cut was a pretty generous result.
Whilst technically the BBC took over responsibility for the policy, there was no expectation the BBC would start charging over 75s - the whole deal was a package.
Now the BBC is going to start charging approx 65% of over 75 households - it will have done better than just about any public service other than the NHS - with almost no real terms cut in funding at all.
(to be continued)
iPlayer loophole was no such thing.
If the BBC is to be commercial and we rename the TV Licence to be a BBC Subscription Fee then iplayer being charged it makes sense.
But the TV licence is a fee to watch TV even if you don't want live BBC. The TV licence should be abolished for anyone who wants to watch TV but not BBC.
Absolutely. What does the BBC do now that isn't done at least as well by commercial organisations?
It is worth remembering that Johnson won the London mayorality in 2012 by 4% on the first round at the same time as the Conservatives ended up 9% behind Labour in the Assembly elections and as the Conservatives were being absolutely trashed in local elections up and down the rest of England, more so that at any other point of Cameron's premiership.
Some achievement that.
He was up against Ken Livingstone thought. Who was at or even past his sell-by by then.
More significantly, he was a strongly pro-Remain candidate, or so he told us.
Really? He has more Eurosceptic political baggage than Corbyn:
" In early 1989, Johnson was appointed to the newspaper's Brussels bureau to report on the European Commission,[83] remaining in the post until 1994.[84] A strong critic of Commission President Jacques Delors, he established himself as one of the city's few Eurosceptic journalists.... Johnson biographer Andrew Gimson believed that these articles made Johnson "one of [Euroscepticism's] most famous exponents".[74] According to later biographer Sonia Purnell—who was Johnson's Brussels deputy[84]—he helped make Euroscepticism "an attractive and emotionally resonant cause for the Right", whereas previously it was associated with the British Left.[87] Johnson's articles established him as the favourite journalist of the Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher,[88] although Thatcher's successor, John Major, was annoyed by Johnson and spent much time attempting to refute his claims.[89] Johnson's articles exacerbated tensions between the Conservative Party's Eurosceptic and Europhile factions, tensions which were widely viewed as contributing to the party's defeat in the 1997 general election. As a result, Johnson earned the mistrust of many party members.[90] His writings were also a key influence on the emergence of the Eurosceptic UK Independence Party (UKIP) in the early 1990s."
There is another aspect to the BBC's finances which the whole media has missed.
The Government's funding of over 75 TVLs is actually being phased out over three years from April 2018.
In the first year (year ended March 2019) the Govt only funded 2/3 of the cost of over 75 TVLs.
In year 2 (year ended March 2020) - ie the year we are in NOW - the Govt is only funding 1/3 of the cost of over 75 TVLs. So, right now, this year, the BBC is funding 2/3 of the cost - and it is managing absolutely fine with no cuts to services.
So from June 2020, the BBC's income is actually going to rise significantly compared to this year - as it will only be funding 35% of over 75s TVLs whereas right now it is funding 66.6%.
Why is nobody challenging the BBC about this? OK, it takes a few minutes to understand the numbers but it seems to be all too complicated for everyone.
Finally there was an amusing "give away" yesterday - Ben Brown asked Tony Hall on BBC News Channel how the BBC would manage to fund the 35% of over 75 TVLs. Hall looked a bit sheepish and just said very quickly that the BBC could manage to fund it without any cuts in services. The interview then ended.
Well of course the BBC can manage - they are funding a far higher proportion of over 75 TVLs right now, this year!
I don't know the background of this so I don't really understand your comment. You're saying last year the government funded 2/3rds, the BBC 1/3rd, this year the government is funding 1/3rd and the BBC 2/3rds, and next year the BBC will be funding 1/3rd again, and I guess the government will be funding nothing if it's been phased out. Who's funding the other 2/3rds?
From June 2020, the public (ie over 75s) are funding the other 2/3 (actually estimated at 65%) directly in cash to the BBC - as they will be paying a TVL.
It is worth remembering that Johnson won the London mayorality in 2012 by 4% on the first round at the same time as the Conservatives ended up 9% behind Labour in the Assembly elections and as the Conservatives were being absolutely trashed in local elections up and down the rest of England, more so that at any other point of Cameron's premiership.
Some achievement that.
He was up against Ken Livingstone thought. Who was at or even past his sell-by by then.
More significantly, he was a strongly pro-Remain candidate, or so he told us.
Really? He has more Eurosceptic political baggage than Corbyn:
" In early 1989, Johnson was appointed to the newspaper's Brussels bureau to report on the European Commission,[83] remaining in the post until 1994.[84] A strong critic of Commission President Jacques Delors, he established himself as one of the city's few Eurosceptic journalists.... Johnson biographer Andrew Gimson believed that these articles made Johnson "one of [Euroscepticism's] most famous exponents".[74] According to later biographer Sonia Purnell—who was Johnson's Brussels deputy[84]—he helped make Euroscepticism "an attractive and emotionally resonant cause for the Right", whereas previously it was associated with the British Left.[87] Johnson's articles established him as the favourite journalist of the Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher,[88] although Thatcher's successor, John Major, was annoyed by Johnson and spent much time attempting to refute his claims.[89] Johnson's articles exacerbated tensions between the Conservative Party's Eurosceptic and Europhile factions, tensions which were widely viewed as contributing to the party's defeat in the 1997 general election. As a result, Johnson earned the mistrust of many party members.[90] His writings were also a key influence on the emergence of the Eurosceptic UK Independence Party (UKIP) in the early 1990s."
I am not sure that a quote from Soames is as compelling as the link implies. Furthermore I think he was genuinely divided as were many other people, myself included. I know a lot of people who only decided ironically to back leave due to how dreadful the renegotiations by Cameron were. It showed the EU was incapable of reform.
The 2015 Licence Fee settlement had four components:
- LF to start rising again in line with CPI from 2017 - BBC funding of broadband (£150m per year) to cease - iPlayer loophole closed (ie TVL required to watch iPlayer) - BBC to take over cost of TVL for over 75s
Factoring in household growth, putting it all together the BBC said it represented "flat cash" or a 10% real terms cut over 5 years (assuming 2% inflation for 5 years). The BBC said it was a good deal. Indeed compared to most public services a 10% real terms cut was a pretty generous result.
Whilst technically the BBC took over responsibility for the policy, there was no expectation the BBC would start charging over 75s - the whole deal was a package.
Now the BBC is going to start charging approx 65% of over 75 households - it will have done better than just about any public service other than the NHS - with almost no real terms cut in funding at all.
(to be continued)
iPlayer loophole was no such thing.
If the BBC is to be commercial and we rename the TV Licence to be a BBC Subscription Fee then iplayer being charged it makes sense.
But the TV licence is a fee to watch TV even if you don't want live BBC. The TV licence should be abolished for anyone who wants to watch TV but not BBC.
Absolutely. What does the BBC do now that isn't done at least as well by commercial organisations?
That wasn't an ad hominem attack on a great officer of state.
Very poor. Bercow is absolutely right: to prorogue Parliament to ram through a no deal would put a bomb under the constitution and place the Queen in an impossible position. It is even more irresponsible that the rest of the guff from the nutcase no dealers. The Conservative party has indeed been made mad and deserves destruction.
It is worth remembering that Johnson won the London mayorality in 2012 by 4% on the first round at the same time as the Conservatives ended up 9% behind Labour in the Assembly elections and as the Conservatives were being absolutely trashed in local elections up and down the rest of England, more so that at any other point of Cameron's premiership.
Some achievement that.
He was up against Ken Livingstone thought. Who was at or even past his sell-by by then.
More significantly, he was a strongly pro-Remain candidate, or so he told us.
Really? He has more Eurosceptic political baggage than Corbyn:
" In early 1989, Johnson was appointed to the newspaper's Brussels bureau to report on the European Commission,[83] remaining in the post until 1994.[84] A strong critic of Commission President Jacques Delors, he established himself as one of the city's few Eurosceptic journalists.... Johnson biographer Andrew Gimson believed that these articles made Johnson "one of [Euroscepticism's] most famous exponents".[74] According to later biographer Sonia Purnell—who was Johnson's Brussels deputy[84]—he helped make Euroscepticism "an attractive and emotionally resonant cause for the Right", whereas previously it was associated with the British Left.[87] Johnson's articles established him as the favourite journalist of the Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher,[88] although Thatcher's successor, John Major, was annoyed by Johnson and spent much time attempting to refute his claims.[89] Johnson's articles exacerbated tensions between the Conservative Party's Eurosceptic and Europhile factions, tensions which were widely viewed as contributing to the party's defeat in the 1997 general election. As a result, Johnson earned the mistrust of many party members.[90] His writings were also a key influence on the emergence of the Eurosceptic UK Independence Party (UKIP) in the early 1990s."
I see opposition remoaners conniving with the speaker to try and overturn the referendum result again.
Time to back an autumn election. 3.45 currently available on a 2019 GE, a monthly market has 15, 6, 11 and 32 for September, October, November and December respectively. (Betfair Ex).
There’s no mandate for no deal . If you want no deal put it to the public .
That wasn't an ad hominem attack on a great officer of state.
Very poor. Bercow is absolutely right: to prorogue Parliament to ram through a no deal would put a bomb under the constitution and place the Queen in an impossible position. It is even more irresponsible that the rest of the guff from the nutcase no dealers. The Conservative party has indeed been made mad and deserves destruction.
Bercow has put multiple of his own bombs under the constitution. What's good for the goose ...
All comedians face this problem: it is much harder to be funny as you age. That's why so many successful comedians move on to other trades - writing, serious acting, etc.
This falls fair and square into the 'sad but true' category. Affects everyone not just comedians. My dad used to make me laugh (for all the right reasons) but now, not so much. All gets a bit stale.
Essential caveat, there are plenty of exceptions.
But not my dad.
I think people can remain funny (in private) well into their 60s. It's much harder to remain funny in your 60s on stage, or on TV, because when non-related people look at you, they immediately think, maybe subconsciously, "Here's an old man" (or woman) - and that is quintessentially unfunny.
But yes, there are exceptions: Billy Connolly?
Ben Elton is, I believe, about to tour a show for the first time in a very long time. It will be interesting to see if if the audiences are nostalgia based or whether there’ll be anyone under, say, 40.
He's someone who overnight went from kicking the establishment where it hurt to being part of the establishment.
He can't bring it back.
I think the issue with standup is mostly money. Most comics spend years on the circuit, honing their material in a different town every night for a couple of hundred quid, and with a lifetime of experience to draw on. When the suddenly become successful, and an income of a couple of grand a month becomes a couple of hundred grand, they understandably lose their edge a little and a lot of them struggle to adjust - hence we see older comics as producers and writers, with the occasional TV game show to keep their eye in, rather than on the standup circuit.
The UK media may have a collectively inflated ego, but when did it become the key means of influencing the opinion of just 312 other Conservative MPs? Isn't the best way of courting their support to speak to them at length in private on a one-to-one basis?
I reckon his reticence to appear is based on having promised contradictory things to different MPs to get their support and he needs to avoid giving that away by answering questions
The 2015 Licence Fee settlement had four components:
- LF to start rising again in line with CPI from 2017 - BBC funding of broadband (£150m per year) to cease - iPlayer loophole closed (ie TVL required to watch iPlayer) - BBC to take over cost of TVL for over 75s
Factoring in household growth, putting it all together the BBC said it represented "flat cash" or a 10% real terms cut over 5 years (assuming 2% inflation for 5 years). The BBC said it was a good deal. Indeed compared to most public services a 10% real terms cut was a pretty generous result.
Whilst technically the BBC took over responsibility for the policy, there was no expectation the BBC would start charging over 75s - the whole deal was a package.
Now the BBC is going to start charging approx 65% of over 75 households - it will have done better than just about any public service other than the NHS - with almost no real terms cut in funding at all.
(to be continued)
iPlayer loophole was no such thing.
If the BBC is to be commercial and we rename the TV Licence to be a BBC Subscription Fee then iplayer being charged it makes sense.
But the TV licence is a fee to watch TV even if you don't want live BBC. The TV licence should be abolished for anyone who wants to watch TV but not BBC.
Absolutely. What does the BBC do now that isn't done at least as well by commercial organisations?
Very little. Some documentary and arts stuff, minority interests such as religious and welsh-language programming, ad-free kids’ channels, World Service.
Almost all could be funded and commissioned by a combination of government departments and lottery money, for perhaps 5% of the current BBC overhead.
Is it stating the appallingly obvious to point out the irony of the fact that the way in which Therwilloftherpeople is to be implemented now depends entirely on the whim of 314 tory mps and a few thousand instances of Col & Mrs Niggerbaiter of the Old Rectory, Bigot Episcoporum? Democraceeeee!
All comedians face this problem: it is much harder to be funny as you age. That's why so many successful comedians move on to other trades - writing, serious acting, etc.
This falls fair and square into the 'sad but true' category. Affects everyone not just comedians. My dad used to make me laugh (for all the right reasons) but now, not so much. All gets a bit stale.
Essential caveat, there are plenty of exceptions.
But not my dad.
I think people can remain funny (in private) well into their 60s. It's much harder to remain funny in your 60s on stage, or on TV, because when non-related people look at you, they immediately think, maybe subconsciously, "Here's an old man" (or woman) - and that is quintessentially unfunny.
But yes, there are exceptions: Billy Connolly?
Ben Elton is, I believe, about to tour a show for the first time in a very long time. It will be interesting to see if if the audiences are nostalgia based or whether there’ll be anyone under, say, 40.
He's someone who overnight went from kicking the establishment where it hurt to being part of the establishment.
He can't bring it back.
I think the issue with standup is mostly money. Most comics spend years on the circuit, honing their material in a different town every night for a couple of hundred quid, and with a lifetime of experience to draw on. When the suddenly become successful, and an income of a couple of grand a month becomes a couple of hundred grand, they understandably lose their edge a little and a lot of them struggle to adjust - hence we see older comics as producers and writers, with the occasional TV game show to keep their eye in, rather than on the standup circuit.
More importantly, stand-up is just bloody hard work, lots of late nights and booze and coffee and cigarettes. Your body simply can't do it any more.
It is a bit like cheffing, which is why so many famous chefs, these days, try and become TV cooks, cookbook writers, restaurant owners, and so on, as soon as it is feasible.
All comedians face this problem: it is much harder to be funny as you age. That's why so many successful comedians move on to other trades - writing, serious acting, etc.
This falls fair and square into the 'sad but true' category. Affects everyone not just comedians. My dad used to make me laugh (for all the right reasons) but now, not so much. All gets a bit stale.
Essential caveat, there are plenty of exceptions.
But not my dad.
I think people can remain funny (in private) well into their 60s. It's much harder to remain funny in your 60s on stage, or on TV, because when non-related people look at you, they immediately think, maybe subconsciously, "Here's an old man" (or woman) - and that is quintessentially unfunny.
But yes, there are exceptions: Billy Connolly?
Ben Elton is, I believe, about to tour a show for the first time in a very long time. It will be interesting to see if if the audiences are nostalgia based or whether there’ll be anyone under, say, 40.
Ben Elton wasn't funny when he was 20. Let alone now.
(PS I am talking about his stand-up - his writing was obviously much better, as in Blackadder)
I don't agree. I remember laughing at his stand up routine when it was on the TV.
Humour is subjective, so if his content does not appeal. You will not find him funny! I thought roy chubby brown was funny as well whereas alan partridge comic i did not
All I (dimly) remember was a loutish man screaming FATCHA!
Droll it was not. But chacun a son gout.
EDIT: out of curiosity I googled the history of this French phrase, apparently I am using a Quebecois mutation. Who knew.
It is worth remembering that Johnson won the London mayorality in 2012 by 4% on the first round at the same time as the Conservatives ended up 9% behind Labour in the Assembly elections and as the Conservatives were being absolutely trashed in local elections up and down the rest of England, more so that at any other point of Cameron's premiership.
Some achievement that.
He was up against Ken Livingstone thought. Who was at or even past his sell-by by then.
More significantly, he was a strongly pro-Remain candidate, or so he told us.
Really? He has more Eurosceptic political baggage than Corbyn:
" In early 1989, Johnson was appointed to the newspaper's Brussels bureau to report on the European Commission,[83] remaining in the post until 1994.[84] A strong critic of Commission President Jacques Delors, he established himself as one of the city's few Eurosceptic journalists.... Johnson biographer Andrew Gimson believed that these articles made Johnson "one of [Euroscepticism's] most famous exponents".[74] According to later biographer Sonia Purnell—who was Johnson's Brussels deputy[84]—he helped make Euroscepticism "an attractive and emotionally resonant cause for the Right", whereas previously it was associated with the British Left.[87] Johnson's articles established him as the favourite journalist of the Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher,[88] although Thatcher's successor, John Major, was annoyed by Johnson and spent much time attempting to refute his claims.[89] Johnson's articles exacerbated tensions between the Conservative Party's Eurosceptic and Europhile factions, tensions which were widely viewed as contributing to the party's defeat in the 1997 general election. As a result, Johnson earned the mistrust of many party members.[90] His writings were also a key influence on the emergence of the Eurosceptic UK Independence Party (UKIP) in the early 1990s."
All comedians face this problem: it is much harder to be funny as you age. That's why so many successful comedians move on to other trades - writing, serious acting, etc.
This falls fair and square into the 'sad but true' category. Affects everyone not just comedians. My dad used to make me laugh (for all the right reasons) but now, not so much. All gets a bit stale.
Essential caveat, there are plenty of exceptions.
But not my dad.
I think people can remain funny (in private) well into their 60s. It's much harder to remain funny in your 60s on stage, or on TV, because when non-related people look at you, they immediately think, maybe subconsciously, "Here's an old man" (or woman) - and that is quintessentially unfunny.
But yes, there are exceptions: Billy Connolly?
Ben Elton is, I believe, about to tour a show for the first time in a very long time. It will be interesting to see if if the audiences are nostalgia based or whether there’ll be anyone under, say, 40.
Ben Elton wasn't funny when he was 20. Let alone now.
(PS I am talking about his stand-up - his writing was obviously much better, as in Blackadder)
I don't agree. I remember laughing at his stand up routine when it was on the TV.
Humour is subjective, so if his content does not appeal. You will not find him funny! I thought roy chubby brown was funny as well whereas alan partridge comic i did not
All I (dimly) remember was a loutish man screaming FATCHA!
Droll it was not. But chacun a son gout.
EDIT: out of curiosity I googled the history of this French phrase, apparently I am using a Quebecois mutation. Who knew.
The Javid video is interesting. Vastly superior in production values to his first little movie, Clever use of dogs, mums, old photos, the word "Bromsgrove".
Yet he is still stilted, and oddly inarticulate. He repeats words in a weird fashion. He does that strange politicians' hand movement: a lightly clenched fist, with thumb protruding, waggling up and down. They must have been told it looks effective (like the legs apart power-stance). Fail.
And yet.... the video has been watched 200,000 times. Maybe he has a chance.
All comedians face this problem: it is much harder to be funny as you age. That's why so many successful comedians move on to other trades - writing, serious acting, etc.
This falls fair and square into the 'sad but true' category. Affects everyone not just comedians. My dad used to make me laugh (for all the right reasons) but now, not so much. All gets a bit stale.
Essential caveat, there are plenty of exceptions.
But not my dad.
I think people can remain funny (in private) well into their 60s. It's much harder to remain funny in your 60s on stage, or on TV, because when non-related people look at you, they immediately think, maybe subconsciously, "Here's an old man" (or woman) - and that is quintessentially unfunny.
But yes, there are exceptions: Billy Connolly?
Ben Elton is, I believe, about to tour a show for the first time in a very long time. It will be interesting to see if if the audiences are nostalgia based or whether there’ll be anyone under, say, 40.
Ben Elton wasn't funny when he was 20. Let alone now.
(PS I am talking about his stand-up - his writing was obviously much better, as in Blackadder)
I don't agree. I remember laughing at his stand up routine when it was on the TV.
Humour is subjective, so if his content does not appeal. You will not find him funny! I thought roy chubby brown was funny as well whereas alan partridge comic i did not
All I (dimly) remember was a loutish man screaming FATCHA!
Droll it was not. But chacun a son gout.
EDIT: out of curiosity I googled the history of this French phrase, apparently I am using a Quebecois mutation. Who knew.
That wasn't an ad hominem attack on a great officer of state.
Very poor. Bercow is absolutely right: to prorogue Parliament to ram through a no deal would put a bomb under the constitution and place the Queen in an impossible position. It is even more irresponsible that the rest of the guff from the nutcase no dealers. The Conservative party has indeed been made mad and deserves destruction.
Bercow has put multiple of his own bombs under the constitution. What's good for the goose ...
That wasn't an ad hominem attack on a great officer of state.
Very poor. Bercow is absolutely right: to prorogue Parliament to ram through a no deal would put a bomb under the constitution and place the Queen in an impossible position. It is even more irresponsible that the rest of the guff from the nutcase no dealers. The Conservative party has indeed been made mad and deserves destruction.
Bercow has put multiple of his own bombs under the constitution. What's good for the goose ...
Apparently Bozo has the full support of such wonderful characters as Patel , Francois , Baker ,Cash etc .
He promised them he’d go straight to negotiating a free trade deal with the EU. Is this after he tells the EU he’s not paying UK committments after a no deal .
He’s making a lot of promises to everyone which he can’t keep .
All comedians face this problem: it is much harder to be funny as you age. That's why so many successful comedians move on to other trades - writing, serious acting, etc.
This falls fair and square into the 'sad but true' category. Affects everyone not just comedians. My dad used to make me laugh (for all the right reasons) but now, not so much. All gets a bit stale.
Essential caveat, there are plenty of exceptions.
But not my dad.
I think people can remain funny (in private) well into their 60s. It's much harder to remain funny in your 60s on stage, or on TV, because when non-related people look at you, they immediately think, maybe subconsciously, "Here's an old man" (or woman) - and that is quintessentially unfunny.
But yes, there are exceptions: Billy Connolly?
Ben Elton is, I believe, about to tour a show for the first time in a very long time. It will be interesting to see if if the audiences are nostalgia based or whether there’ll be anyone under, say, 40.
Ben Elton wasn't funny when he was 20. Let alone now.
(PS I am talking about his stand-up - his writing was obviously much better, as in Blackadder)
I don't agree. I remember laughing at his stand up routine when it was on the TV.
Humour is subjective, so if his content does not appeal. You will not find him funny! I thought roy chubby brown was funny as well whereas alan partridge comic i did not
All I (dimly) remember was a loutish man screaming FATCHA!
Droll it was not. But chacun a son gout.
EDIT: out of curiosity I googled the history of this French phrase, apparently I am using a Quebecois mutation. Who knew.
All comedians face this problem: it is much harder to be funny as you age. That's why so many successful comedians move on to other trades - writing, serious acting, etc.
This falls fair and square into the 'sad but true' category. Affects everyone not just comedians. My dad used to make me laugh (for all the right reasons) but now, not so much. All gets a bit stale.
Essential caveat, there are plenty of exceptions.
But not my dad.
I think people can remain funny (in private) well into their 60s. It's much harder to remain funny in your 60s on stage, or on TV, because when non-related people look at you, they immediately think, maybe subconsciously, "Here's an old man" (or woman) - and that is quintessentially unfunny.
But yes, there are exceptions: Billy Connolly?
Ben Elton is, I believe, about to tour a show for the first time in a very long time. It will be interesting to see if if the audiences are nostalgia based or whether there’ll be anyone under, say, 40.
He's someone who overnight went from kicking the establishment where it hurt to being part of the establishment.
He can't bring it back.
I think the issue with standup is mostly money. Most comics spend years on the circuit, honing their material in a different town every night for a couple of hundred quid, and with a lifetime of experience to draw on. When the suddenly become successful, and an income of a couple of grand a month becomes a couple of hundred grand, they understandably lose their edge a little and a lot of them struggle to adjust - hence we see older comics as producers and writers, with the occasional TV game show to keep their eye in, rather than on the standup circuit.
More importantly, stand-up is just bloody hard work, lots of late nights and booze and coffee and cigarettes. Your body simply can't do it any more.
It is a bit like cheffing, which is why so many famous chefs, these days, try and become TV cooks, cookbook writers, restaurant owners, and so on, as soon as it is feasible.
I like that comparison, yes the vast majority of chefs struggle to keep right at the top for more than a few years and seek to diversify their careers. How someone like Gordon Ramsay keeps a 3* restaurant with all his other commitments is astonishing, but he’s a proper workaholic with a lot of very good people working under him.
Stand-up comedy is definitely a young person’s game, no-one wants to be spending 200 nights a year in grotty b&bs when they have a young family at home.
Presumably we leave with No Deal unless Parliament votes to formally revoke?
Of course: parliament cannot bind the EU.
Indeed, I suspect that Boris Johnson's strategy is to be sufficiently objectionable that the EU veto any extension he asks for, therefore ensuring they get blamed for No Deal.
The danger with this strategy is that the EU does not play ball and instead grants an extension to 2022.
Apparently Bozo has the full support of such wonderful characters as Patel , Francois , Baker ,Cash etc .
He promised them he’d go straight to negotiating a free trade deal with the EU. Is this after he tells the EU he’s not paying UK committments after a no deal .
He’s making a lot of promises to everyone which he can’t keep .
I know it's highly likely he has Cash's support now but do you have any sort of direct source for it ?
Apparently Bozo has the full support of such wonderful characters as Patel , Francois , Baker ,Cash etc .
He promised them he’d go straight to negotiating a free trade deal with the EU. Is this after he tells the EU he’s not paying UK committments after a no deal .
He’s making a lot of promises to everyone which he can’t keep .
I know it's highly likely he has Cash's support now but do you have any sort of direct source for it ?
Is it stating the appallingly obvious to point out the irony of the fact that the way in which Therwilloftherpeople is to be implemented now depends entirely on the whim of 314 tory mps and a few thousand instances of Col & Mrs Niggerbaiter of the Old Rectory, Bigot Episcoporum? Democraceeeee!
Unravelling that over simplification just for a moment, I think what you mean is that the way the referendum is to be put into action depends on our sovereign elected body, the House of Commons, many though not a majority of whom are Conservatives, who are there by virtue of winning elections in which everyone is free to stand for election and everyone is free to vote. The leader of the Conservatives is to be chosen from only two choices, given to them by MPs elected by voters as a whole, by every single person who takes the trouble to be sufficiently engaged with centre right democratic politics as to join the party. You forgot to add 'Shame on those who merely criticise the members and activists and carp from the sidelines'.
That wasn't an ad hominem attack on a great officer of state.
Very poor. Bercow is absolutely right: to prorogue Parliament to ram through a no deal would put a bomb under the constitution and place the Queen in an impossible position. It is even more irresponsible that the rest of the guff from the nutcase no dealers. The Conservative party has indeed been made mad and deserves destruction.
Bercow has put multiple of his own bombs under the constitution. What's good for the goose ...
Exactly. Our turn now.
You would, I hope, have been horrified if Cameron had perogued parliament to avoid invoking Article 50.
You would have been disgusted at his behaviour. It would have been an affront to our parliamentary democracy.
Imagine for a second that No Deal then turns out to be unpleasant. How do you think history will see you?
That wasn't an ad hominem attack on a great officer of state.
Very poor. Bercow is absolutely right: to prorogue Parliament to ram through a no deal would put a bomb under the constitution and place the Queen in an impossible position. It is even more irresponsible that the rest of the guff from the nutcase no dealers. The Conservative party has indeed been made mad and deserves destruction.
Bercow has put multiple of his own bombs under the constitution. What's good for the goose ...
Exactly. Our turn now.
You would, I hope, have been horrified if Cameron had perogued parliament to avoid invoking Article 50.
You would have been disgusted at his behaviour. It would have been an affront to our parliamentary democracy.
Imagine for a second that No Deal then turns out to be unpleasant. How do you think history will see you?
Viceroy_of_Orange posted previously that his objective was to destroy the Tory party.
All comedians face this problem: it is much harder to be funny as you age. That's why so many successful comedians move on to other trades - writing, serious acting, etc.
This falls fair and square into the 'sad but true' category. Affects everyone not just comedians. My dad used to make me laugh (for all the right reasons) but now, not so much. All gets a bit stale.
Essential caveat, there are plenty of exceptions.
But not my dad.
I think people can remain funny (in private) well into their 60s. It's much harder to remain funny in your 60s on stage, or on TV, because when non-related people look at you, they immediately think, maybe subconsciously, "Here's an old man" (or woman) - and that is quintessentially unfunny.
But yes, there are exceptions: Billy Connolly?
Ben Elton is, I believe, about to tour a show for the first time in a very long time. It will be interesting to see if if the audiences are nostalgia based or whether there’ll be anyone under, say, 40.
Ben Elton wasn't funny when he was 20. Let alone now.
(PS I am talking about his stand-up - his writing was obviously much better, as in Blackadder)
I don't agree. I remember laughing at his stand up routine when it was on the TV.
Humour is subjective, so if his content does not appeal. You will not find him funny! I thought roy chubby brown was funny as well whereas alan partridge comic i did not
All I (dimly) remember was a loutish man screaming FATCHA!
Droll it was not. But chacun a son gout.
EDIT: out of curiosity I googled the history of this French phrase, apparently I am using a Quebecois mutation. Who knew.
A phrase used four times on pb according to google. Once by Cyclefree, once by AveryLP, and twice by you don't want to know who.
I'm flattered that you are actually googling my posts, in the most complicated way, though alarmed that you have nothing better to do?
I am just going to wisely sigh, in future, at these wrong-headed comments. Tsk.
I googled the phrase in quotes with politicalbetting after it. It didn't take me a minute. I always suspected you were Avery.
Oh, and if SeanT is lurking.. Google SeanT politicalbetting and you'll see every post of yours that anyone ever replied to is there in the reply. So you've not entirely successfully expurgated yourself from the site.
Apparently Bozo has the full support of such wonderful characters as Patel , Francois , Baker ,Cash etc .
He promised them he’d go straight to negotiating a free trade deal with the EU. Is this after he tells the EU he’s not paying UK committments after a no deal .
He’s making a lot of promises to everyone which he can’t keep .
I know it's highly likely he has Cash's support now but do you have any sort of direct source for it ?
Apparently Bozo has the full support of such wonderful characters as Patel , Francois , Baker ,Cash etc .
He promised them he’d go straight to negotiating a free trade deal with the EU. Is this after he tells the EU he’s not paying UK committments after a no deal .
He’s making a lot of promises to everyone which he can’t keep .
I know it's highly likely he has Cash's support now but do you have any sort of direct source for it ?
In a bunker ten miles south of Ulan Bator in the presence of the junior gardening correspondent of the "Mongolian Times" and fourteen minders from Lynton Crosby's praetorian guard.
Presumably we leave with No Deal unless Parliament votes to formally revoke?
Parliament can't pass a law against a 'no deal', because it is outside its jurisdiction - it can't tell the EU what to do and we leave the EU under Art 50 under EU law. But it can pass law compelling government/PM to revoke Art 50 because that does come within its jurisdiction. If (as was thought once) revocation was impossible parliament would have had no recourse that I can think of.
Apparently Bozo has the full support of such wonderful characters as Patel , Francois , Baker ,Cash etc .
He promised them he’d go straight to negotiating a free trade deal with the EU. Is this after he tells the EU he’s not paying UK committments after a no deal .
He’s making a lot of promises to everyone which he can’t keep .
I know it's highly likely he has Cash's support now but do you have any sort of direct source for it ?
The media can't wait to ask him who would win between a lion and a bear.
What the hell was the lion/bear thing anyway? Did he ever explain?
Mark Harper did an ask me anything on tw@tter where someone asked him who would win between a lion and a bear. So some hack repeated it as the final question and it was the only news that came out of his launch.
Presumably we leave with No Deal unless Parliament votes to formally revoke?
Quite. I am amazed we aren't discussing this MORE.
It is the most likely outcome, now.
It's still unlikely that the EU will throw Ireland under the bus in such a way. If they were willing to do so then they already would have done so over the backstop.
The media can't wait to ask him who would win between a lion and a bear.
What the hell was the lion/bear thing anyway? Did he ever explain?
Mark Harper did an ask me anything on tw@tter where someone asked him who would win between a lion and a bear. So some hack repeated it as the final question and it was the only news that came out of his launch.
Priceless. A delightful if tiny footnote in history.
All comedians face this problem: it is much harder to be funny as you age. That's why so many successful comedians move on to other trades - writing, serious acting, etc.
This falls fair and square into the 'sad but true' category. Affects everyone not just comedians. My dad used to make me laugh (for all the right reasons) but now, not so much. All gets a bit stale.
Essential caveat, there are plenty of exceptions.
But not my dad.
I think people can remain funny (in private) well into their 60s. It's much harder to remain funny in your 60s on stage, onnolly?
Ben Elton is, I believe, about to tour a show for the first time in a very long time. It will be interesting to see if if the audiences are nostalgia based or whether there’ll be anyone under, say, 40.
Ben Elton wasn't funny when he was 20. Let alone now.
(PS I am talking about his stand-up - his writing was obviously much better, as in Blackadder)
I don't agree. I remember laughing at his stand up routine when it was on the TV.
Humour is subjective, so if his content does not appeal. You will not find him funny! I thought roy chubby brown was funny as well whereas alan partridge comic i did not
All I (dimly) remember was a loutish man screaming FATCHA!
Droll it was not. But chacun a son gout.
EDIT: out of curiosity I googled the history of this French phrase, apparently I am using a Quebecois mutation. Who knew.
A phrase used four times on pb according to google. Once by Cyclefree, once by AveryLP, and twice by you don't want to know who.
I'm flattered that you are actually googling my posts, in the most complicated way, though alarmed that you have nothing better to do?
I am just going to wisely sigh, in future, at these wrong-headed comments. Tsk.
I googled the phrase in quotes with politicalbetting after it. It didn't take me a minute. I always suspected you were Avery.
Oh, and if SeanT is lurking.. Google SeanT politicalbetting and you'll see every post of yours that anyone ever replied to is there in the reply. So you've not entirely successfully expurgated yourself from the site.
Sean T has 'a right to be forgotten' under GDPR moderators!
All comedians face this problem: it is much harder to be funny as you age. That's why so many successful comedians move on to other trades - writing, serious acting, etc.
This falls fair and square into the 'sad but true' category. Affects everyone not just comedians. My dad used to make me laugh (for all the right reasons) but now, not so much. All gets a bit stale.
Essential caveat, there are plenty of exceptions.
But not my dad.
I think people can remain funny (in private) well into their 60s. It's much harder to remain funny in your 60s on stage, or on TV, because when non-related people look at you, they immediately think, maybe subconsciously, "Here's an old man" (or woman) - and that is quintessentially unfunny.
But yes, there are exceptions: Billy Connolly?
Ben Elton is, I believe, about to tour a show for the first time in a very long time. It will be interesting to see if if the audiences are nostalgia based or whether there’ll be anyone under, say, 40.
Ben Elton wasn't funny when he was 20. Let alone now.
(PS I am talking about his stand-up - his writing was obviously much better, as in Blackadder)
I don't agree. I remember laughing at his stand up routine when it was on the TV.
Humour is subjective, so if his content does not appeal. You will not find him funny! I thought roy chubby brown was funny as well whereas alan partridge comic i did not
All I (dimly) remember was a loutish man screaming FATCHA!
Droll it was not. But chacun a son gout.
EDIT: out of curiosity I googled the history of this French phrase, apparently I am using a Quebecois mutation. Who knew.
Presumably we leave with No Deal unless Parliament votes to formally revoke?
Quite. I am amazed we aren't discussing this MORE.
It is the most likely outcome, now.
It's still unlikely that the EU will throw Ireland under the bus in such a way. If they were willing to do so then they already would have done so over the backstop.
This is intriguing. The source is the Sun, so caveat emptor,
All comedians face this problem: it is much harder to be funny as you age. That's why so many successful comedians move on to other trades - writing, serious acting, etc.
This falls fair and square into the 'sad but true' category. Affects everyone not just comedians. My dad used to make me laugh (for all the right reasons) but now, not so much. All gets a bit stale.
Essential caveat, there are plenty of exceptions.
But not my dad.
I think people can remain funny (in private) well into their 60s. It's much harder to remain funny in your 60s on stage, or on TV, because when non-related people look at you, they immediately think, maybe subconsciously, "Here's an old man" (or woman) - and that is quintessentially unfunny.
But yes, there are exceptions: Billy Connolly?
Ben Elton is, I believe, about to tour a show for the first time in a very long time. It will be interesting to see if if the audiences are nostalgia based or whether there’ll be anyone under, say, 40.
Ben Elton wasn't funny when he was 20. Let alone now.
(PS I am talking about his stand-up - his writing was obviously much better, as in Blackadder)
I don't agree. I remember laughing at his stand up routine when it was on the TV.
Humour is subjective, so if his content does not appeal. You will not find him funny! I thought roy chubby brown was funny as well whereas alan partridge comic i did not
All I (dimly) remember was a loutish man screaming FATCHA!
Droll it was not. But chacun a son gout.
EDIT: out of curiosity I googled the history of this French phrase, apparently I am using a Quebecois mutation. Who knew.
Elton used to quip 'I will tell you what they think about Mrs Thatcher down my way...' to which one left-wing comedian later commented after he went New Labour 'She probably lives down your way!'
Steve Baker calls for the abolition of the monarchy and the installation of Mr and Mrs Peter Bone as "Dear Leader and Leaderene"
To be fair they only asked a question and nodded, they did not comment for or against Brexit just asked about its implications.
That said while the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are almost certainly Leavers and the Queen Mother was reportedly very anti EU, William and Kate are almost certainly Remainers as is Prince Charles. The age divide runs even amongst the Royals
The media can't wait to ask him who would win between a lion and a bear.
What the hell was the lion/bear thing anyway? Did he ever explain?
Mark Harper did an ask me anything on tw@tter where someone asked him who would win between a lion and a bear. So some hack repeated it as the final question and it was the only news that came out of his launch.
Good to see the media treating the contest with appropriate seriousness. Bunch of muppets. Yet we wonder why so many good people choose not to go into politics or run for high office.
I think the issue with standup is mostly money. Most comics spend years on the circuit, honing their material in a different town every night for a couple of hundred quid, and with a lifetime of experience to draw on. When the suddenly become successful, and an income of a couple of grand a month becomes a couple of hundred grand, they understandably lose their edge a little and a lot of them struggle to adjust - hence we see older comics as producers and writers, with the occasional TV game show to keep their eye in, rather than on the standup circuit.
Grimy occupation. And yet, granted any wish, that is what I would plump for, to be a successful stand-up comic. I would choose that above movie star, billionaire hedge fund manager, sporting icon, top politician, you name it - even above male model.
The buzz you must get from making hundreds of people corpse live at your material and delivery must be amazing. I cannot imagine how it could be topped.
Presumably we leave with No Deal unless Parliament votes to formally revoke?
Quite. I am amazed we aren't discussing this MORE.
It is the most likely outcome, now.
It's still unlikely that the EU will throw Ireland under the bus in such a way. If they were willing to do so then they already would have done so over the backstop.
This is intriguing. The source is the Sun, so caveat emptor,
LOL. Lots of countries all over the world are looking at electronic customs systems at the moment. The specific issues with the NI border are political not technological.
Presumably we leave with No Deal unless Parliament votes to formally revoke?
Quite. I am amazed we aren't discussing this MORE.
It is the most likely outcome, now.
It's still unlikely that the EU will throw Ireland under the bus in such a way. If they were willing to do so then they already would have done so over the backstop.
This is intriguing. The source is the Sun, so caveat emptor,
I think the issue with standup is mostly money. Most comics spend years on the circuit, honing their material in a different town every night for a couple of hundred quid, and with a lifetime of experience to draw on. When the suddenly become successful, and an income of a couple of grand a month becomes a couple of hundred grand, they understandably lose their edge a little and a lot of them struggle to adjust - hence we see older comics as producers and writers, with the occasional TV game show to keep their eye in, rather than on the standup circuit.
Grimy occupation. And yet, granted any wish, that is what I would plump for, to be a successful stand-up comic. I would choose that above movie star, billionaire hedge fund manager, sporting icon, top politician, you name it - even above male model.
The buzz you must get from making hundreds of people corpse live at your material and delivery must be amazing. I cannot imagine how it could be topped.
I am genuinely intrigued how it will be framed. He's pulled together enough public backers to project an image of inevitability that he will at the least get to the final two, but not a single one of the leadership candidates have been straight with what is likely to happen and so their plan B's (or lack thereof) are their actual plans, so I am very curious how much Boris will devote to meaningless, stirring nonsense, and how much reference there will be to how he will deliver. The others have not been stellar in that regard so far, given they mostly believe either that which has failed before will somehow succeed, or that they can force the EU to bow to them because they are just such great negotiators.
All comedians face this problem: it is much harder to be funny as you age. That's why so many successful comedians move on to other trades - writing, serious acting, etc.
This falls fair and square into the 'sad but true' category. Affects everyone not just comedians. My dad used to make me laugh (for all the right reasons) but now, not so much. All gets a bit stale.
Essential caveat, there are plenty of exceptions.
But not my dad.
I think people can remain funny (in private) well into their 60s. It's much harder to remain funny in your 60s on stage, or on TV, because when non-related people look at you, they immediately think, maybe subconsciously, "Here's an old man" (or woman) - and that is quintessentially unfunny.
But yes, there are exceptions: Billy Connolly?
Ben Elton is, I believe, about to tour a show for the first time in a very long time. It will be interesting to see if if the audiences are nostalgia based or whether there’ll be anyone under, say, 40.
Ben Elton wasn't funny when he was 20. Let alone now.
(PS I am talking about his stand-up - his writing was obviously much better, as in Blackadder)
I don't agree. I remember laughing at his stand up routine when it was on the TV.
Humour is subjective, so if his content does not appeal. You will not find him funny! I thought roy chubby brown was funny as well whereas alan partridge comic i did not
All I (dimly) remember was a loutish man screaming FATCHA!
Droll it was not. But chacun a son gout.
EDIT: out of curiosity I googled the history of this French phrase, apparently I am using a Quebecois mutation. Who knew.
Presumably we leave with No Deal unless Parliament votes to formally revoke?
Quite. I am amazed we aren't discussing this MORE.
It is the most likely outcome, now.
It's still unlikely that the EU will throw Ireland under the bus in such a way. If they were willing to do so then they already would have done so over the backstop.
This is intriguing. The source is the Sun, so caveat emptor,
LOL. Lots of countries all over the world are looking at electronic customs systems at the moment. The specific issues with the NI border are political not technological.
Meaning that there's no point designing the best system on earth, because it won't work because the sides don't want it work, for very different reasons.
That wasn't an ad hominem attack on a great officer of state.
Very poor. Bercow is absolutely right: to prorogue Parliament to ram through a no deal would put a bomb under the constitution and place the Queen in an impossible position. It is even more irresponsible that the rest of the guff from the nutcase no dealers. The Conservative party has indeed been made mad and deserves destruction.
Bercow has put multiple of his own bombs under the constitution. What's good for the goose ...
Exactly. Our turn now.
I really do not how see how poor behaviour from one side makes poor behaviour from the other ok.
I think the issue with standup is mostly money. Most comics spend years on the circuit, honing their material in a different town every night for a couple of hundred quid, and with a lifetime of experience to draw on. When the suddenly become successful, and an income of a couple of grand a month becomes a couple of hundred grand, they understandably lose their edge a little and a lot of them struggle to adjust - hence we see older comics as producers and writers, with the occasional TV game show to keep their eye in, rather than on the standup circuit.
Grimy occupation. And yet, granted any wish, that is what I would plump for, to be a successful stand-up comic. I would choose that above movie star, billionaire hedge fund manager, sporting icon, top politician, you name it - even above male model.
The buzz you must get from making hundreds of people corpse live at your material and delivery must be amazing. I cannot imagine how it could be topped.
Sean T has 'a right to be forgotten' under GDPR moderators!
I think that's more Google's purview than the mods.
However, the Internet never really forgets, and anyone who wants to embarrass him over previous comments will be able to find them. And going for a GDPR just makes you look like you've something to hide.
The answer is simple: if you don't want people to see you're an asshat, don't be an asshat on t'Internet ...
He would promise anything and as we have seen those listed above are just as daft as to believe him. Sums up ERG
This is indeed the essence of it.
Johnson will do and say anything to get to the run-off. Then he will do and say anything to win and become PM. Then he will do and say anything to stay there.
It makes him highly predictable - therefore if the punters among us allow ourselves to be guided by it a very profitable time lies ahead.
Steve Baker calls for the abolition of the monarchy and the installation of Mr and Mrs Peter Bone as "Dear Leader and Leaderene"
To be fair they only asked a question and nodded, they did not comment for or against Brexit just asked about its implications.
That said while the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are almost certainly Leavers and the Queen Mother was reportedly very anti EU, William and Kate are almost certainly Remainers as is Prince Charles. The age divide runs even amongst the Royals
Extraordinary insights! The evidence being what, precisely?
That wasn't an ad hominem attack on a great officer of state.
Very poor. Bercow is absolutely right: to prorogue Parliament to ram through a no deal would put a bomb under the constitution and place the Queen in an impossible position. It is even more irresponsible that the rest of the guff from the nutcase no dealers. The Conservative party has indeed been made mad and deserves destruction.
Bercow has put multiple of his own bombs under the constitution. What's good for the goose ...
Exactly. Our turn now.
You would, I hope, have been horrified if Cameron had perogued parliament to avoid invoking Article 50.
You would have been disgusted at his behaviour. It would have been an affront to our parliamentary democracy.
Imagine for a second that No Deal then turns out to be unpleasant. How do you think history will see you?
I would have been horrified yes, as that would be ignoring the referendum result. All the comparisons you make ignore the gigantic elephant in the room, which is that this country voted in a democratic referendum to leave the EU.
Proroguing parliament to avoid implementing ref result = Bad. Proroguing parliament to force it to do what it promised/we voted for = Good.
Hope that's simple enough to understand. And remember, breaking conventions was started by this Speaker and his cronies of Letwin and Grieve - do they expect us to just sit back and abide by rules they do not? Nah. We're going to play just as dirty now.
2020 Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. Dem Poll: Biden 39% Sanders 21% Warren 8% Buttigieg/Harris 7% Booker 4% O’Rourke 3% Klobuchar 2% the rest 1% or less
I think the issue with standup is mostly money. Most comics spend years on the circuit, honing their material in a different town every night for a couple of hundred quid, and with a lifetime of experience to draw on. When the suddenly become successful, and an income of a couple of grand a month becomes a couple of hundred grand, they understandably lose their edge a little and a lot of them struggle to adjust - hence we see older comics as producers and writers, with the occasional TV game show to keep their eye in, rather than on the standup circuit.
Grimy occupation. And yet, granted any wish, that is what I would plump for, to be a successful stand-up comic. I would choose that above movie star, billionaire hedge fund manager, sporting icon, top politician, you name it - even above male model.
The buzz you must get from making hundreds of people corpse live at your material and delivery must be amazing. I cannot imagine how it could be topped.
I was, until very recently, a male model.
Not as good as it sounds.
Surely all the top male jobs these days go to good-looking actors and buff sports stars?
Presumably we leave with No Deal unless Parliament votes to formally revoke?
Quite. I am amazed we aren't discussing this MORE.
It is the most likely outcome, now.
It's still unlikely that the EU will throw Ireland under the bus in such a way. If they were willing to do so then they already would have done so over the backstop.
This is intriguing. The source is the Sun, so caveat emptor,
LOL. Lots of countries all over the world are looking at electronic customs systems at the moment. The specific issues with the NI border are political not technological.
Meaning that there's no point designing the best system on earth, because it won't work because the sides don't want it work, for very different reasons.
Indeed, I suspect that Boris Johnson's strategy is to be sufficiently objectionable that the EU veto any extension he asks for, therefore ensuring they get blamed for No Deal.
The danger with this strategy is that the EU does not play ball and instead grants an extension to 2022.
In my view the EU is almost certain to grant an extension. And PM Boris Johnson, regardless of macho talk at this point, will opt for that over No Deal. Ditto any other feasible PM.
I therefore think No Deal in 2019 is far less likely than the betting market implies. Happy to lay it at 4.
That wasn't an ad hominem attack on a great officer of state.
Very poor. Bercow is absolutely right: to prorogue Parliament to ram through a no deal would put a bomb under the constitution and place the Queen in an impossible position. It is even more irresponsible that the rest of the guff from the nutcase no dealers. The Conservative party has indeed been made mad and deserves destruction.
Bercow has put multiple of his own bombs under the constitution. What's good for the goose ...
Exactly. Our turn now.
You would, I hope, have been horrified if Cameron had perogued parliament to avoid invoking Article 50.
You would have been disgusted at his behaviour. It would have been an affront to our parliamentary democracy.
Imagine for a second that No Deal then turns out to be unpleasant. How do you think history will see you?
I would have been horrified yes, as that would be ignoring the referendum result. All the comparisons you make ignore the gigantic elephant in the room, which is that this country voted in a democratic referendum to leave the EU.
Proroguing parliament to avoid implementing ref result = Bad. Proroguing parliament to force it to do what it promised/we voted for = Good.
Hope that's simple enough to understand. And remember, breaking conventions was started by this Speaker and his cronies of Letwin and Grieve - do they expect us to just sit back and abide by rules they do not? Nah. We're going to play just as dirty now.
If the other side has broken conventions, then the solution is to make the conventions more solid, not to say "my turn to break them now."
We have a parliamentary democracy. Subverting it because it gets you the result you want will end up being used against you in the future. Do you really want that?
If this parliament will not do the democratic bidding of the people via the referendum then hold another election, and elect one that will. Don't try and subvert it.
Indeed, I suspect that Boris Johnson's strategy is to be sufficiently objectionable that the EU veto any extension he asks for, therefore ensuring they get blamed for No Deal.
The danger with this strategy is that the EU does not play ball and instead grants an extension to 2022.
In my view the EU is almost certain to grant an extension. And PM Boris Johnson, regardless of macho talk at this point, will opt for that over No Deal. Ditto any other feasible PM.
I therefore think No Deal in 2019 is far less likely than the betting market implies. Happy to lay it at 4.
But Boris cannot survive as PM unless he seeks to deliver no deal. Therefore he will seek to deliver no deal - unless the EU renegotiates he has no other option if he wants to be PM.
Slightly O/T but, if you do think Leadsom gets eliminated in the 1st round, the value bets are probably Raab and McVey. Why? Because if some sort of scandal does derail Johnson - and I am sure Sarah Vine is working on it now - and Leadsom is out, those are the only two candidates leavers can vote for
The 2015 Licence Fee settlement had four components:
- LF to start rising again in line with CPI from 2017 - BBC funding of broadband (£150m per year) to cease - iPlayer loophole closed (ie TVL required to watch iPlayer) - BBC to take over cost of TVL for over 75s
Factoring in household growth, putting it all together the BBC said it represented "flat cash" or a 10% real terms cut over 5 years (assuming 2% inflation for 5 years). The BBC said it was a good deal. Indeed compared to most public services a 10% real terms cut was a pretty generous result.
Whilst technically the BBC took over responsibility for the policy, there was no expectation the BBC would start charging over 75s - the whole deal was a package.
Now the BBC is going to start charging approx 65% of over 75 households - it will have done better than just about any public service other than the NHS - with almost no real terms cut in funding at all.
(to be continued)
iPlayer loophole was no such thing.
If the BBC is to be commercial and we rename the TV Licence to be a BBC Subscription Fee then iplayer being charged it makes sense.
But the TV licence is a fee to watch TV even if you don't want live BBC. The TV licence should be abolished for anyone who wants to watch TV but not BBC.
I think the licence fee and the BBC should cease to exist.
That wasn't an ad hominem attack on a great officer of state.
Very poor. Bercow is absolutely right: to prorogue Parliament to ram through a no deal would put a bomb under the constitution and place the Queen in an impossible position. It is even more irresponsible that the rest of the guff from the nutcase no dealers. The Conservative party has indeed been made mad and deserves destruction.
Bercow has put multiple of his own bombs under the constitution. What's good for the goose ...
Exactly. Our turn now.
You would, I hope, have been horrified if Cameron had perogued parliament to avoid invoking Article 50.
You would have been disgusted at his behaviour. It would have been an affront to our parliamentary democracy.
Imagine for a second that No Deal then turns out to be unpleasant. How do you think history will see you?
I would have been horrified yes, as that would be ignoring the referendum result. All the comparisons you make ignore the gigantic elephant in the room, which is that this country voted in a democratic referendum to leave the EU.
Proroguing parliament to avoid implementing ref result = Bad. Proroguing parliament to force it to do what it promised/we voted for = Good.
Hope that's simple enough to understand. And remember, breaking conventions was started by this Speaker and his cronies of Letwin and Grieve - do they expect us to just sit back and abide by rules they do not? Nah. We're going to play just as dirty now.
If the other side has broken conventions, then the solution is to make the conventions more solid, not to say "my turn to break them now."
We have a parliamentary democracy. Subverting it because it gets you the result you want will end up being used against you in the future. Do you really want that?
If this parliament will not do the democratic bidding of the people via the referendum then hold another election, and elect one that will. Don't try and subvert it.
Agreed. This idea that it is a good idea to constitutionally mess around because someone else did it first is not only very childish logic, it is an every escalating conflict which ends poorly for everyone. I am amazed people are willing to go down such a route while saying they care about more than just a single issue, as I would hope they do.
Indeed, I suspect that Boris Johnson's strategy is to be sufficiently objectionable that the EU veto any extension he asks for, therefore ensuring they get blamed for No Deal.
The danger with this strategy is that the EU does not play ball and instead grants an extension to 2022.
In my view the EU is almost certain to grant an extension. And PM Boris Johnson, regardless of macho talk at this point, will opt for that over No Deal. Ditto any other feasible PM.
I therefore think No Deal in 2019 is far less likely than the betting market implies. Happy to lay it at 4.
But Boris cannot survive as PM unless he seeks to deliver no deal. Therefore he will seek to deliver no deal - unless the EU renegotiates he has no other option if he wants to be PM.
He’s been watching Mrs M very carefully and already copying her submarine strategy. I am sure he noticed her promising something dozens of times and then not delivering, yet remaining in office. And also how difficult it is to get rid of a PM determined to stay in the chair. Likely even more difficult a second time.
Indeed, I suspect that Boris Johnson's strategy is to be sufficiently objectionable that the EU veto any extension he asks for, therefore ensuring they get blamed for No Deal.
The danger with this strategy is that the EU does not play ball and instead grants an extension to 2022.
In my view the EU is almost certain to grant an extension. And PM Boris Johnson, regardless of macho talk at this point, will opt for that over No Deal. Ditto any other feasible PM.
I therefore think No Deal in 2019 is far less likely than the betting market implies. Happy to lay it at 4.
You think Macron is bluffing? I don't. He has his political machismo and prestige to defend, and he has made No Extension a definite red line. He also strikes me as the kind of man who cares about how he is perceived.
Comments
Having the Evening Standard backing him day in day out probably had a lot more to do with it
That is exactly how we would all look if we lived to be 800.
Hence why leaps forward in medical science are IMO a mixed blessing.
Very poor. Bercow is absolutely right: to prorogue Parliament to ram through a no deal would put a bomb under the constitution and place the Queen in an impossible position. It is even more irresponsible that the rest of the guff from the nutcase no dealers. The Conservative party has indeed been made mad and deserves destruction.
Almost all could be funded and commissioned by a combination of government departments and lottery money, for perhaps 5% of the current BBC overhead.
It is a bit like cheffing, which is why so many famous chefs, these days, try and become TV cooks, cookbook writers, restaurant owners, and so on, as soon as it is feasible.
I am just going to wisely sigh, in future, at these wrong-headed comments. Tsk.
What if EU doesn't then grant extension?
Presumably we leave with No Deal unless Parliament votes to formally revoke?
It is the most likely outcome, now.
He promised them he’d go straight to negotiating a free trade deal with the EU. Is this after he tells the EU he’s not paying UK committments after a no deal .
He’s making a lot of promises to everyone which he can’t keep .
Stand-up comedy is definitely a young person’s game, no-one wants to be spending 200 nights a year in grotty b&bs when they have a young family at home.
Indeed, I suspect that Boris Johnson's strategy is to be sufficiently objectionable that the EU veto any extension he asks for, therefore ensuring they get blamed for No Deal.
The danger with this strategy is that the EU does not play ball and instead grants an extension to 2022.
Assuming the Commons has not passed the Withdrawal Agreement by then as is or amended
The polemical tone adds little.
You would have been disgusted at his behaviour. It would have been an affront to our parliamentary democracy.
Imagine for a second that No Deal then turns out to be unpleasant. How do you think history will see you?
Gove vs Hunt for the remaining place looks close still. I think Javid will endorse Hunt though and that could prove decisive.
https://twitter.com/EuroGuido/status/1138440471624192001
That said while the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are almost certainly
Leavers and the Queen Mother was reportedly very anti EU, William and Kate are almost certainly Remainers as is Prince Charles. The age divide runs even amongst the Royals
73 JOHNSON
36 HUNT
35 GOVE
24 RAAB
19 JAVID
16 HANCOCK
7 HARPER
6 McVEY
6 STEWART
5 LEADSOM
74 for Boris if you add Cash.
The buzz you must get from making hundreds of people corpse live at your material and delivery must be amazing. I cannot imagine how it could be topped.
Not as good as it sounds.
However, the Internet never really forgets, and anyone who wants to embarrass him over previous comments will be able to find them. And going for a GDPR just makes you look like you've something to hide.
The answer is simple: if you don't want people to see you're an asshat, don't be an asshat on t'Internet ...
Johnson will do and say anything to get to the run-off. Then he will do and say anything to win and become PM. Then he will do and say anything to stay there.
It makes him highly predictable - therefore if the punters among us allow ourselves to be guided by it a very profitable time lies ahead.
Proroguing parliament to avoid implementing ref result = Bad.
Proroguing parliament to force it to do what it promised/we voted for = Good.
Hope that's simple enough to understand. And remember, breaking conventions was started by this Speaker and his cronies of Letwin and Grieve - do they expect us to just sit back and abide by rules they do not? Nah. We're going to play just as dirty now.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1feCjt98HJcY9tlc5Zx78ZoSOC2fN-j0vRVFD5eUTbUE/edit#gid=0
89 to declare with Wikipedia.
2020 Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. Dem Poll: Biden 39% Sanders 21% Warren 8% Buttigieg/Harris 7% Booker 4% O’Rourke 3% Klobuchar 2% the rest 1% or less
I therefore think No Deal in 2019 is far less likely than the betting market implies. Happy to lay it at 4.
"Radiohead foil attempted blackmail over OK Computer tapes"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-48597096
We have a parliamentary democracy. Subverting it because it gets you the result you want will end up being used against you in the future. Do you really want that?
If this parliament will not do the democratic bidding of the people via the referendum then hold another election, and elect one that will. Don't try and subvert it.