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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Plus ça change …..Boris’s first few days have followed TMay’s

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  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    He's still on the social left.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    Last week, I was honoured to be asked by our new prime minister to lead on this government’s No 1 priority — preparing the country to leave the EU, come what may, on October 31. Three years after an historic and decisive referendum vote by the British people, the United Kingdom is finally on the cusp of leaving the European Union.

    With a new prime minister, a new government, and a new clarity of mission, we will exit the EU on October 31. No ifs. No buts. No more delay. Brexit is happening.


    Unequivocal.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 62,749
    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
  • Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,657
    Sounds as if the government is outsourcing No Deal to the public - if it all goes horribly wrong it'll be our fault for not following their wonderful advice.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    He's still on the social left.
    As with everything else seemingly you’re just wrong about that. Sorry.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,208
    edited July 2019
    Genuinely interesting. Ruth Davidson doesn't bother to hide that she thinks Johnson a turd. Her argument: never mind that, I get to decide what happens in the Scottish Conservatives, I don't sign up to the No Deal pledge, and in any case the Union is the key thing.

    Not wholly convincing, but interesting nevertheless. We also learn that she has no plans to quit and she won't instigate a Scottish Conservative party that is independent of the English party (Although she does allow for the Scottish membership to overrule her on the last point).

    https://twitter.com/RuthDavidsonMSP/status/1155414194981916672
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,774
    edited July 2019

    IanB2 said:

    Yep, the Brexif Bus apparently arrived Friday and has been abandoned in a layby.

    The Labour candidate has been seen out on his own, but otherwise no obvious campaign. The LDs reckon they have the backing of even Labour members.

    Bozo may not be brave enough to visit, but he has written an awful lot of direct mail letters warning voters that if they don't vote Tory they will get a LibDem MP. The Tories are also out doing mass canvasses.

    Since the campaign started there has apparently been a steady flow of Tory remainers to the LibDems and another from BXP to Tory. The ascent of Bozo may have accelerated the latter but otherwise there isnt yet any sign of a Bozo bounce. In particular he isn't doing anything for Tory remainers, and I spoke to a few of these today.

    The Tories will have to adapt to their changing support base, which the country landowner types who run the Tories in these parts might find difficult.

    I think a LibDem win but not overwhelming.
    I am from Eastbourne and was in town the afternoon of the by election there caused by the death of Ian Gow. A liberal I knew who had been campaigning said they'd put up a good effort and been rewarded with some traffic in their direction. But he said it wasn't anything spectacular and he thought there wasn't the slightest chance of doing anything more than eroding the Tory majority a bit. This was back in the 'dead parrot' days when they'd actually managed to score 0% in one opinion poll not so long before.

    As we all know they took the seat with about 4,000 votes.

    It's easy to underestimate the impact of solid door knocking, not least when you are doing it. Look at what the ground game did for Labour last general election.

    I was going to hazard a fiver on the Tories, but in the light of this I'll keep it in my wallet.
    If the BXP vote completely collapses it isn't impossible. But a lot of the pensioners sent their PVs in a while back.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541

    Sounds as if the government is outsourcing No Deal to the public - if it all goes horribly wrong it'll be our fault for not following their wonderful advice.

    It’s awesome. Just awesome. I’m currently spending 50% of my time advising companies undertaking collective redundancy programmes as they move to the EU 27 and the other half advising financial services people on their severance packages. But I always reassure them “This is not really happening. It’s just PROJECT FEAR! It’s in your head and redundancy is really a sunny upland.”
  • PClippPClipp Posts: 2,138
    dixiedean said:

    IanB2 said:

    Yep, the Brexif Bus apparently arrived Friday and has been abandoned in a layby.
    The Labour candidate has been seen out on his own, but otherwise no obvious campaign. The LDs reckon they have the backing of even Labour members.
    Bozo may not be brave enough to visit, but he has written an awful lot of direct mail letters warning voters that if they don't vote Tory they will get a LibDem MP. The Tories are also out doing mass canvasses.
    Since the campaign started there has apparently been a steady flow of Tory remainers to the LibDems and another from BXP to Tory. The ascent of Bozo may have accelerated the latter but otherwise there isnt yet any sign of a Bozo bounce. In particular he isn't doing anything for Tory remainers, and I spoke to a few of these today.
    The Tories will have to adapt to their changing support base, which the country landowner types who run the Tories in these parts might find difficult.
    I think a LibDem win but not overwhelming.
    Do voters in B+R really need the PM to tell them that if they don't vote Tory they'll get a LD MP?
    I don`t think they really need him to say that, but it is very kind of him to reinforce the Lib Dem message.
  • Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,657
    Quite.

    The supposed logic of ramping up preparations for a no-deal outcome is that this will induce the EU to blink and drop the repeated insistence of its leaders that the agreement can’t be reopened. They will then buckle and give him concessions that they wouldn’t offer to Mrs May. Now ask yourself this: how likely are Europe’s leaders to make themselves look very stupid in order to make Boris Johnson look very clever?

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/28/mr-johnson-swears-off-early-election-sweaty-aroma-says-otherwise
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,700
    Mr. Dawning, what?

    Boris, campaign for something he doesn't want, then have that outcome happen despite wanting the opposite to occur?

    Impossible.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    DougSeal said:

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    He's still on the social left.
    As with everything else seemingly you’re just wrong about that. Sorry.
    No, as usual I'm right and you're wrong.
  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,705
    FF43 said:

    Genuinely interesting. Ruth Davidson doesn't bother to hide that she thinks Johnson a turd. Her argument: never mind that, I get to decide what happens in the Scottish Conservatives, I don't sign up to the No Deal pledge, and in any case the Union is the key thing.

    Not wholly convincing, but interesting nevertheless. We also learn that she has no plans to quit and she won't instigate a Scottish Conservative party that is independent of the English party (Although she does allow for the Scottish membership to overrule her on the last point).

    https://twitter.com/RuthDavidsonMSP/status/1155414194981916672

    So what actually is her strategy, just quietly tutting and shaking her head in a corner?
  • anothernickanothernick Posts: 3,591

    DougSeal said:

    AndyJS said:
    The hunch is correct. The Brexit supporting media who instigated the ousting of May by giving coverage to the Brexit party in the run up to the European elections are trying to sell us their creation. I think they misjudge people as it is easy to spot the flaws in Boris Johnson. Some people like him at the moment despite his personal inability to execute the role as PM. However, overtime people who currently support him will turn on him and these flaws will be amplified and will metamorphose into objections.
    Brexit is the Monorail and Boris is Lyle Lanley. It’s about to crash and Homer is still looking for an anchor.
    DougSeal said:

    AndyJS said:
    The hunch is correct. The Brexit supporting media who instigated the ousting of May by giving coverage to the Brexit party in the run up to the European elections are trying to sell us their creation. I think they misjudge people as it is easy to spot the flaws in Boris Johnson. Some people like him at the moment despite his personal inability to execute the role as PM. However, overtime people who currently support him will turn on him and these flaws will be amplified and will metamorphose into objections.
    Brexit is the Monorail and Boris is Lyle Lanley. It’s about to crash and Homer is still looking for an anchor.
    As things stand at the moment it's very hard to see how Johnson's premiership can last beyond the end of October. If we don't leave he's stuffed and if we leave without a deal he is also stuffed. And those seem to be the only available options now.
    He gets a 'lipstick on a pig' deal through the Commons using Lab leavers (and those who don't want a GE now)?
    No chance. Both sides are entrenched, the EU are not going to move and Boris will be eaten alive by Farage if he shows any sign of backsliding.
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,163

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Who's Vassal state would we be? The EU, Russia's or the USA's - you've not made that clear.

    Tip briskin , try to point to previous post you are replying to so we do not think you are just howling at the moon
    Tip MalkyG, try to read the thread header before you start your rants
    Although I think you can be somewhat forgiven, given it's a Cyclefree thread - but at least she tried to make it readable this time.
    You have a strange idea of a rant and WTF looking at the header means I have no clue. However a random answer somewhere in the thread that does not point to the post it refers to is for morons and pointless.
    Unless you are lucky you just have to pass over it.
    LOL - I do agree Cyclefree's thread's can be hard work.
    Is it the written English you struggle with? Or can understand the words but struggle with the concepts?
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216

    Sounds as if the government is outsourcing No Deal to the public - if it all goes horribly wrong it'll be our fault for not following their wonderful advice.
    That is why we will shortly launch one of the biggest peacetime public information campaigns this country has seen, so that citizens, communities and businesses can prepare for what will happen if there is no deal.
  • malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Who's Vassal state would we be? The EU, Russia's or the USA's - you've not made that clear.

    Tip briskin , try to point to previous post you are replying to so we do not think you are just howling at the moon
    Tip MalkyG, try to read the thread header before you start your rants
    Although I think you can be somewhat forgiven, given it's a Cyclefree thread - but at least she tried to make it readable this time.
    You have a strange idea of a rant and WTF looking at the header means I have no clue. However a random answer somewhere in the thread that does not point to the post it refers to is for morons and pointless.
    Unless you are lucky you just have to pass over it.
    LOL - I do agree Cyclefree's thread's can be hard work.
    Is it the written English you struggle with? Or can understand the words but struggle with the concepts?
    Eh? I don't exactly struggle with English words or concepts. I think it's just a bit of a personality clash.

    Feel free to evaluate my alternative thread header I've posted down thread btw.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216

    Last week, I was honoured to be asked by our new prime minister to lead on this government’s No 1 priority — preparing the country to leave the EU, come what may, on October 31. Three years after an historic and decisive referendum vote by the British people, the United Kingdom is finally on the cusp of leaving the European Union.

    With a new prime minister, a new government, and a new clarity of mission, we will exit the EU on October 31. No ifs. No buts. No more delay. Brexit is happening.


    Unequivocal.
    “Ah sweet the air with curly smoke
    From all my burning bridges.....”

    Dorothy Parker
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,208

    FF43 said:

    Genuinely interesting. Ruth Davidson doesn't bother to hide that she thinks Johnson a turd. Her argument: never mind that, I get to decide what happens in the Scottish Conservatives, I don't sign up to the No Deal pledge, and in any case the Union is the key thing.

    Not wholly convincing, but interesting nevertheless. We also learn that she has no plans to quit and she won't instigate a Scottish Conservative party that is independent of the English party (Although she does allow for the Scottish membership to overrule her on the last point).

    https://twitter.com/RuthDavidsonMSP/status/1155414194981916672

    So what actually is her strategy, just quietly tutting and shaking her head in a corner?
    I would say Davidson's strategy, which is to pitch the Conservatives as the natural inclusive party of the Union, has been utterly undermined by her English colleagues.

    She is reduced to arguing that the Good need not be the enemy of the Utterly Crap, if the alternative is Unnecessary Catastrophe.

    Not a particularly compelling argument IMO
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541
    edited July 2019

    DougSeal said:

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    He's still on the social left.
    As with everything else seemingly you’re just wrong about that. Sorry.
    No, as usual I'm right and you're wrong.
    I’m not always right but, based on what you write on here, you wouldn’t know how to pour piss out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel. My wife is still laughing at your attempt to explain to us the voting patterns of her country and ethnic group yesterday.
  • hamiltonacehamiltonace Posts: 656
    HYUFD said:
    The latest yougov had Lib Dem’s on twice the Tory vote in Scotland. Where is Fraser getting his data from? As a Scottish Tory member I would vote Lib Dem for Westminster.
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,163

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Who's Vassal state would we be? The EU, Russia's or the USA's - you've not made that clear.

    Tip briskin , try to point to previous post you are replying to so we do not think you are just howling at the moon
    Tip MalkyG, try to read the thread header before you start your rants
    Although I think you can be somewhat forgiven, given it's a Cyclefree thread - but at least she tried to make it readable this time.
    You have a strange idea of a rant and WTF looking at the header means I have no clue. However a random answer somewhere in the thread that does not point to the post it refers to is for morons and pointless.
    Unless you are lucky you just have to pass over it.
    LOL - I do agree Cyclefree's thread's can be hard work.
    Is it the written English you struggle with? Or can understand the words but struggle with the concepts?
    Eh? I don't exactly struggle with English words or concepts. I think it's just a bit of a personality clash.

    Feel free to evaluate my alternative thread header I've posted down thread btw.
    I have done so. I disagree with your conclusions.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 41,798

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    He's still on the social left.
    Not sure I'd consider someone who uses the the terms bum boys and piccaninnies as socially liberal, but we're all different I guess.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 41,798

    HYUFD said:
    The latest yougov had Lib Dem’s on twice the Tory vote in Scotland. Where is Fraser getting his data from? As a Scottish Tory member I would vote Lib Dem for Westminster.
    I bet he's plucked the first sub sample that suited his proposition, something of a thing for BJ supporters it seems.
  • Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 32,270
    edited July 2019

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    Whilst I would love that to be the case I find it very difficult to reconcile that view with the appointment of Patel as HS. That is not the sign of a socially liberal position. To be honest I think Doug is right. Boris is basically in Boris land and would slaughter the first born if he thought it would keep him in power. He is neither liberal nor authoritarian right. He is Boris. And I don't say that approvingly.
  • malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Who's Vassal state would we be? The EU, Russia's or the USA's - you've not made that clear.

    Tip briskin , try to point to previous post you are replying to so we do not think you are just howling at the moon
    Tip MalkyG, try to read the thread header before you start your rants
    Although I think you can be somewhat forgiven, given it's a Cyclefree thread - but at least she tried to make it readable this time.
    You have a strange idea of a rant and WTF looking at the header means I have no clue. However a random answer somewhere in the thread that does not point to the post it refers to is for morons and pointless.
    Unless you are lucky you just have to pass over it.
    LOL - I do agree Cyclefree's thread's can be hard work.
    Is it the written English you struggle with? Or can understand the words but struggle with the concepts?
    Eh? I don't exactly struggle with English words or concepts. I think it's just a bit of a personality clash.

    Feel free to evaluate my alternative thread header I've posted down thread btw.
    I have done so. I disagree with your conclusions.
    Well thank you for taking the time to read it.

    You like Cyclefree's writing style - I don't.

    It's not a bit deal
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,209

    HYUFD said:
    The latest yougov had Lib Dem’s on twice the Tory vote in Scotland. Where is Fraser getting his data from? As a Scottish Tory member I would vote Lib Dem for Westminster.
    Fraser is an arse of the first order
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,163

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,163

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    Whilst I would love that to be the case I find it very difficult to reconcile that view with the appointment of Patel as HS. That is not the sign of a socially liberal position. To be honest I think Doug is right. Boris is basically in Boris land and would slaughter the first born if he thought it would keep him in power. He is neither liberal nor authoritarian right. He is Boris. And I don't say that approvingly.
    It is very rare that you and I agree (even though it has happened before).

    I guess this is one of our stopped clock moments :dizzy:
  • DayTripperDayTripper Posts: 137

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Who's Vassal state would we be? The EU, Russia's or the USA's - you've not made that clear.

    Tip briskin , try to point to previous post you are replying to so we do not think you are just howling at the moon
    Tip MalkyG, try to read the thread header before you start your rants
    Although I think you can be somewhat forgiven, given it's a Cyclefree thread - but at least she tried to make it readable this time.
    You have a strange idea of a rant and WTF looking at the header means I have no clue. However a random answer somewhere in the thread that does not point to the post it refers to is for morons and pointless.
    Unless you are lucky you just have to pass over it.
    LOL - I do agree Cyclefree's thread's can be hard work.
    You guys should stop carping.. and if you think you can do better, submit a thread to the site owner. I am sure your comments will not be in the least bit as illuminating at the thread itself.
    I cannot believe anybody finds Cyclefree's headers hard work. Unlike a lot of stuff on this site, they are thoughtful, well written and thought provoking. The antithesis of Agent Orange (who I presume to be an Internet Research Group troll) or other pod people.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
    Why? Is he not allowed to change his mind?

    One way of showing you have a mind is being prepared to change it.....
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,276

    HYUFD said:
    The latest yougov had Lib Dem’s on twice the Tory vote in Scotland. Where is Fraser getting his data from? As a Scottish Tory member I would vote Lib Dem for Westminster.
    Today's YouGov showing the Scottish Brexit Party vote collapsing back to the Scottish Tories
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 51,578

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
    Boris has that effect on wo... men. Oh...
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,163

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
    Why? Is he not allowed to change his mind?

    One way of showing you have a mind is being prepared to change it.....
    Indeed, but it is quite the volte face.
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Who's Vassal state would we be? The EU, Russia's or the USA's - you've not made that clear.

    Tip briskin , try to point to previous post you are replying to so we do not think you are just howling at the moon
    Tip MalkyG, try to read the thread header before you start your rants
    Although I think you can be somewhat forgiven, given it's a Cyclefree thread - but at least she tried to make it readable this time.
    You have a strange idea of a rant and WTF looking at the header means I have no clue. However a random answer somewhere in the thread that does not point to the post it refers to is for morons and pointless.
    Unless you are lucky you just have to pass over it.
    LOL - I do agree Cyclefree's thread's can be hard work.
    You guys should stop carping.. and if you think you can do better, submit a thread to the site owner. I am sure your comments will not be in the least bit as illuminating at the thread itself.
    I cannot believe anybody finds Cyclefree's headers hard work. Unlike a lot of stuff on this site, they are thoughtful, well written and thought provoking. The antithesis of Agent Orange (who I presume to be an Internet Research Group troll) or other pod people.
    Thank you for that view from the prefect's office, Grabber.

    Actually, the prose is stale & heavy with cliches ("The Bard", "chaps", "no sirree", "Do or die", "cast-iron promise").

    Like Joe Orton, I just find it funny that people write like that.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    He's still on the social left.
    Not sure I'd consider someone who uses the the terms bum boys and piccaninnies as socially liberal, but we're all different I guess.
    He uses inappropriate language at times but look at the record with policies. He was one of the first politicians to back equal marriage and he was the leading Tory to endorse equal marriage, before Cameron himself did.

    I'd rather a politician that uses inapproprate words on occassion but leads the way with socially liberal laws, than an authoritarian who uses entirely PC language 100% of the time but opposes liberties.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 21,794

    The only filthy commie song I know is this one, when I'm world king it's between this and land of hope and glory as the Official anthem-

    https://youtu.be/t8EMx7Y16Vo

    Naah. Try this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsC2ETsZL0g

  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,276
    edited July 2019
    Opinium data now out and has Leave voters seeing a 12% swing from the Brexit Party to the Tories since Boris became Tory leader and PM.

    Amongst Remain voters the Greens are down 6% and Labour and the LDs up 3% each.

    A plurality of voters, 45%, now back Leaving on October 31st with No Deal according to the poll, 28% want to cancel Brexit and Remain in the EU, just 13% want to delay Brexit and extend again until a Deal can get through the Commons.
    42% think the UK government should keep close ties with the US and Trump administration, 35% do not. 63% of LDs and 46% of Labour voters want the UK to distance itself from the Trump administration.
    https://www.opinium.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Opinium-Political-Report-24th-July-2019.pdf
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
    Why? Is he not allowed to change his mind?

    One way of showing you have a mind is being prepared to change it.....
    Indeed, but it is quite the volte face.
    Not really, Boris is putting forward the kind of policies Big_G himself supports so why shouldn't he be applauding those policies?

    It would be rather hypocritical or closed-minded to oppose a politician putting forward what you've previously suggested, because of who it is.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 62,749

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
    I have always opposed no deal and I resign if Boris ends up with no deal

    His domestic policies, however, are much in line with my views

    So it may be inconvenient but I have not changed on Boris brexit position

    I have never opposed conservative social left policies
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    HYUFD said:

    Opinium data now out and has Leave voters seeing a 12% swing from the Brexit Party to the Tories since Boris became Tory leader and PM.

    Amongst Remain voters the Greens are down 6% and Labour and the LDs up 3% each.

    A plurality of voters, 45%, now back Leaving on October 31st with No Deal according to the poll, 28% want to cancel Brexit and Remain in the EU, just 13% want to delay Brexit and extend again until a Deal can get through the Commons.
    42% think the UK government should keep close ties with the US and Trump administration, 35% do not. 63% of LDs and 46% of Labour voters want the UK to distance itself from the Trump administration.
    https://www.opinium.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Opinium-Political-Report-24th-July-2019.pdf

    Europe - The final countdown.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,163

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
    Boris has that effect on wo... men. Oh...
    Sunil hun.... I hope to find Boris a source of intense amusement over the coming weeks. I cannot see what else he might be useful for ;)
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
    I have always opposed no deal and I resign if Boris ends up with no deal

    His domestic policies, however, are much in line with my views

    So it may be inconvenient but I have not changed on Boris brexit position

    I have never opposed conservative social left policies
    Hypothetically if we leave without a deal but the problems from no deal are mitigated/overblown and it turns out to be like a Y2K scenario . . . would you rejoin afterwards do you think, or would that burn bridges even if we're fine afterwards?
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,163

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
    Why? Is he not allowed to change his mind?

    One way of showing you have a mind is being prepared to change it.....
    Indeed, but it is quite the volte face.
    Not really, Boris is putting forward the kind of policies Big_G himself supports so why shouldn't he be applauding those policies?

    It would be rather hypocritical or closed-minded to oppose a politician putting forward what you've previously suggested, because of who it is.
    So why not express that support with a vote?
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 51,578
    viewcode said:

    The only filthy commie song I know is this one, when I'm world king it's between this and land of hope and glory as the Official anthem-

    https://youtu.be/t8EMx7Y16Vo

    Naah. Try this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsC2ETsZL0g

    "Comrades, this is your Leader. It is an honour to speak to you today, and I am honored to be sailing with you on the maiden voyage of our Party's most recent achievement. Once more, we play our dangerous game, a game of chess against our old adversary — The Conservative Party! For a hundred years, your fathers before you and your older brothers played this game and played it well. But today the game is different. We have the advantage. It reminds me of the heady days of 1945 and Clement Attlee, when the world trembled at the sound of our Nationalisations. Well, they will tremble again — at the sound of our opposition to a No Deal Brexit! The order is: engage the Corbyn drive!

    "Comrades, our own Parliamentary Party don't know our full potential! They will do everything possible to test us; but they will only test their own embarassment. We will leave our MPs behind, we will pass through the Conservative patrols, past their sonar nets, and lay off their largest constituency, and listen to their tittering and braying... while we conduct Austerity Debates. Then, and when we are finished, the only sound they will hear is our laughter, while we sail to Liverpool, where the sun is warm, and so is the... comradeship.

    "A great day, comrades. We sail into history!"
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    edited July 2019

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
    Why? Is he not allowed to change his mind?

    One way of showing you have a mind is being prepared to change it.....
    Indeed, but it is quite the volte face.
    Not really, Boris is putting forward the kind of policies Big_G himself supports so why shouldn't he be applauding those policies?

    It would be rather hypocritical or closed-minded to oppose a politician putting forward what you've previously suggested, because of who it is.
    So why not express that support with a vote?
    A vote on what?

    We're not due another vote on anything until after 31 October now at which point Schrodinger's Brexit should have been resolved.
  • RecidivistRecidivist Posts: 4,679
    viewcode said:

    The only filthy commie song I know is this one, when I'm world king it's between this and land of hope and glory as the Official anthem-

    https://youtu.be/t8EMx7Y16Vo

    Naah. Try this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsC2ETsZL0g

    No, this is the real deal.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d63X-Hfrais
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 51,578

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
    Why? Is he not allowed to change his mind?

    One way of showing you have a mind is being prepared to change it.....
    Indeed, but it is quite the volte face.
    Not really, Boris is putting forward the kind of policies Big_G himself supports so why shouldn't he be applauding those policies?

    It would be rather hypocritical or closed-minded to oppose a politician putting forward what you've previously suggested, because of who it is.
    So why not express that support with a vote?
    "Bring 'em on! I'd prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking around!"
  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,269

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Who's Vassal state would we be? The EU, Russia's or the USA's - you've not made that clear.

    Tip briskin , try to point to previous post you are replying to so we do not think you are just howling at the moon
    Tip MalkyG, try to read the thread header before you start your rants
    Although I think you can be somewhat forgiven, given it's a Cyclefree thread - but at least she tried to make it readable this time.
    You have a strange idea of a rant and WTF looking at the header means I have no clue. However a random answer somewhere in the thread that does not point to the post it refers to is for morons and pointless.
    Unless you are lucky you just have to pass over it.
    LOL - I do agree Cyclefree's thread's can be hard work.
    You guys should stop carping.. and if you think you can do better, submit a thread to the site owner. I am sure your comments will not be in the least bit as illuminating at the thread itself.
    I cannot believe anybody finds Cyclefree's headers hard work. Unlike a lot of stuff on this site, they are thoughtful, well written and thought provoking. The antithesis of Agent Orange (who I presume to be an Internet Research Group troll) or other pod people.
    Thank you for that view from the prefect's office, Grabber.

    Actually, the prose is stale & heavy with cliches ("The Bard", "chaps", "no sirree", "Do or die", "cast-iron promise").

    Like Joe Orton, I just find it funny that people write like that.
    If you're going to go in for criticism of my English, bearing in mind that I am a lawyer, a word of friendly advice: be accurate.

    The piece does not use the word "chaps". "Do or die" and "cast-iron promise" are direct quotes of Boris. I agree that they are stale and cliches but blame Boris not me. He's meant to be the great communicator and paid columnist.

    I just bash this stuff out in between work and gardening. Try it for yourself. It's not quite as easy as it seems. I have now done 69 of them and every time I send one I think: "This time, Mike will just say no - not good enough". So I'm immensely grateful for the platform and that people do pay attention to them.

    So you don't like the other two phrases. Fair enough. Life would be awfully dull if we all agreed with each other all the time.

    PS I find Jo Orton rather dated now. I can see that it was shocking at the time but his stuff has not aged well, IMO.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 62,749

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
    I have always opposed no deal and I resign if Boris ends up with no deal

    His domestic policies, however, are much in line with my views

    So it may be inconvenient but I have not changed on Boris brexit position

    I have never opposed conservative social left policies
    Hypothetically if we leave without a deal but the problems from no deal are mitigated/overblown and it turns out to be like a Y2K scenario . . . would you rejoin afterwards do you think, or would that burn bridges even if we're fine afterwards?
    I cannot make a judgment on a hypothetical case to be fair
  • Cyclefree said:

    malcolmg said:

    malcolmg said:

    Who's Vassal state would we be? The EU, Russia's or the USA's - you've not made that clear.

    Tip briskin , try to point to previous post you are replying to so we do not think you are just howling at the moon
    Tip MalkyG, try to read the thread header before you start your rants
    Although I think you can be somewhat forgiven, given it's a Cyclefree thread - but at least she tried to make it readable this time.
    You have a strange idea of a rant and WTF looking at the header means I have no clue. However a random answer somewhere in the thread that does not point to the post it refers to is for morons and pointless.
    Unless you are lucky you just have to pass over it.
    LOL - I do agree Cyclefree's thread's can be hard work.
    You guys should stop carping.. and if you think you can do better, submit a thread to the site owner. I am sure your comments will not be in the least bit as illuminating at the thread itself.
    I cannot believe anybody finds Cyclefree's headers hard work. Unlike a lot of stuff on this site, they are thoughtful, well written and thought provoking. The antithesis of Agent Orange (who I presume to be an Internet Research Group troll) or other pod people.
    Thank you for that view from the prefect's office, Grabber.

    Actually, the prose is stale & heavy with cliches ("The Bard", "chaps", "no sirree", "Do or die", "cast-iron promise").

    Like Joe Orton, I just find it funny that people write like that.
    If you're going to go in for criticism of my English, bearing in mind that I am a lawyer, a word of friendly advice: be accurate.

    The piece does not use the word "chaps". "Do or die" and "cast-iron promise" are direct quotes of Boris. I agree that they are stale and cliches but blame Boris not me. He's meant to be the great communicator and paid columnist.

    I just bash this stuff out in between work and gardening. Try it for yourself. It's not quite as easy as it seems. I have now done 69 of them and every time I send one I think: "This time, Mike will just say no - not good enough". So I'm immensely grateful for the platform and that people do pay attention to them.


    Yeah, you stand up for yourself girl. Anyway, this "vassal state" - who's vassal state will the UK be?
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 41,798

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    He's still on the social left.
    Not sure I'd consider someone who uses the the terms bum boys and piccaninnies as socially liberal, but we're all different I guess.
    He uses inappropriate language at times but look at the record with policies. He was one of the first politicians to back equal marriage and he was the leading Tory to endorse equal marriage, before Cameron himself did.

    I'd rather a politician that uses inapproprate words on occassion but leads the way with socially liberal laws, than an authoritarian who uses entirely PC language 100% of the time but opposes liberties.
    The Damascene conversion over gay marriage that changed his mind after writing 'If gay marriage was OK – and I was uncertain on the issue – then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men, or indeed three men and a dog' didn't seem to prevent Boris hand-picking nine cabinet members who had voted against same sex marriage. His social liberalism will rub off on them no doubt.
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172
    Cyclefree said:



    If you're going to go in for criticism of my English, bearing in mind that I am a lawyer, a word of friendly advice: be accurate.

    The piece does not use the word "chaps". "Do or die" and "cast-iron promise" are direct quotes of Boris. I agree that they are stale and cliches but blame Boris not me. He's meant to be the great communicator and paid columnist.

    I just bash this stuff out in between work and gardening. Try it for yourself. It's not quite as easy as it seems. I have now done 69 of them and every time I send one I think: "This time, Mike will just say no - not good enough". So I'm immensely grateful for the platform and that people do pay attention to them.

    So you don't like the other two phrases. Fair enough. Life would be awfully dull if we all agreed with each other all the time.

    PS I find Jo Orton rather dated now. I can see that it was shocking at the time but his stuff has not aged well, IMO.

    You used the word "chaps" below when making a correction to the header. I always find it an anachronism, now.

    Joe, not Jo, Orton. Of course, it was really John. The early plays don't work so well now, but I still love "Entertaining Mr Sloane".

    But he saved his best writing for the Diaries.

    Of course, Joe was a complete shit. That is his charm.
  • EndillionEndillion Posts: 4,976
    DougSeal said:

    Sounds as if the government is outsourcing No Deal to the public - if it all goes horribly wrong it'll be our fault for not following their wonderful advice.

    It’s awesome. Just awesome. I’m currently spending 50% of my time advising companies undertaking collective redundancy programmes as they move to the EU 27 and the other half advising financial services people on their severance packages. But I always reassure them “This is not really happening. It’s just PROJECT FEAR! It’s in your head and redundancy is really a sunny upland.”
    So in other words, Brexit has created lots of work for you and your firm, and we haven't even left yet?
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 21,794

    ...Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda...

    I'm not sure that's true: somebody socially liberal would not have made Priti Patel Home Secretary. I think he will be more fiscally liberal instead of socially liberal, although I dislike such modern terms.

  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,269

    Cyclefree said:



    If you're going to go in for criticism of my English, bearing in mind that I am a lawyer, a word of friendly advice: be accurate.

    The piece does not use the word "chaps". "Do or die" and "cast-iron promise" are direct quotes of Boris. I agree that they are stale and cliches but blame Boris not me. He's meant to be the great communicator and paid columnist.

    I just bash this stuff out in between work and gardening. Try it for yourself. It's not quite as easy as it seems. I have now done 69 of them and every time I send one I think: "This time, Mike will just say no - not good enough". So I'm immensely grateful for the platform and that people do pay attention to them.

    So you don't like the other two phrases. Fair enough. Life would be awfully dull if we all agreed with each other all the time.

    PS I find Jo Orton rather dated now. I can see that it was shocking at the time but his stuff has not aged well, IMO.

    You used the word "chaps" below when making a correction to the header. I always find it an anachronism, now.

    Joe, not Jo, Orton. Of course, it was really John. The early plays don't work so well now, but I still love "Entertaining Mr Sloane".

    But he saved his best writing for the Diaries.

    Of course, Joe was a complete shit. That is his charm.
    Jesus: now people are criticising the English used in BTL comments......!

    Do other thread header writers get the same level of textual analysis I wonder? I ought to be flattered I suppose.

    Never read Orton's diaries. Have seen a couple of his plays. OK but not something I'd rush to see again. The Alan Bennett film about him and his lover was quite good.
  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,269

    Cyclefree said:

    malcolmg said:

    Although I think you can be somewhat forgiven, given it's a Cyclefree thread - but at least she tried to make it readable this time.
    You have a strange idea of a rant and WTF looking at the header means I have no clue. However a random answer somewhere in the thread that does not point to the post it refers to is for morons and pointless.
    Unless you are lucky you just have to pass over it.
    LOL - I do agree Cyclefree's thread's can be hard work.
    You guys should stop carping.. and if you think you can do better, submit a thread to the site owner. I am sure your comments will not be in the least bit as illuminating at the thread itself.
    I cannot believe anybody finds Cyclefree's headers hard work. Unlike a lot of stuff on this site, they are thoughtful, well written and thought provoking. The antithesis of Agent Orange (who I presume to be an Internet Research Group troll) or other pod people.
    Thank you for that view from the prefect's office, Grabber.

    Actually, the prose is stale & heavy with cliches ("The Bard", "chaps", "no sirree", "Do or die", "cast-iron promise").

    Like Joe Orton, I just find it funny that people write like that.
    If you're going to go in for criticism of my English, bearing in mind that I am a lawyer, a word of friendly advice: be accurate.

    The piece does not use the word "chaps". "Do or die" and "cast-iron promise" are direct quotes of Boris. I agree that they are stale and cliches but blame Boris not me. He's meant to be the great communicator and paid columnist.

    I just bash this stuff out in between work and gardening. Try it for yourself. It's not quite as easy as it seems. I have now done 69 of them and every time I send one I think: "This time, Mike will just say no - not good enough". So I'm immensely grateful for the platform and that people do pay attention to them.


    Yeah, you stand up for yourself girl. Anyway, this "vassal state" - who's vassal state will the UK be?
    Dunno. Ask the diehard Brexiteers. They're the ones always using the term. Jacob Rees-Mogg, in particular. I'm poking fun at them not agreeing.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    He's still on the social left.
    Not sure I'd consider someone who uses the the terms bum boys and piccaninnies as socially liberal, but we're all different I guess.
    He uses inappropriate language at times but look at the record with policies. He was one of the first politicians to back equal marriage and he was the leading Tory to endorse equal marriage, before Cameron himself did.

    I'd rather a politician that uses inapproprate words on occassion but leads the way with socially liberal laws, than an authoritarian who uses entirely PC language 100% of the time but opposes liberties.
    The Damascene conversion over gay marriage that changed his mind after writing 'If gay marriage was OK – and I was uncertain on the issue – then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men, or indeed three men and a dog' didn't seem to prevent Boris hand-picking nine cabinet members who had voted against same sex marriage. His social liberalism will rub off on them no doubt.
    I disagreed with Boris when he wrote that but he wrote that many, many years before any politicians were endorsing equal marriage and then he was a trailblazer for equal marriage.

    Actions speak louder than words.
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,163

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
    Why? Is he not allowed to change his mind?

    One way of showing you have a mind is being prepared to change it.....
    Indeed, but it is quite the volte face.
    Not really, Boris is putting forward the kind of policies Big_G himself supports so why shouldn't he be applauding those policies?

    It would be rather hypocritical or closed-minded to oppose a politician putting forward what you've previously suggested, because of who it is.
    So why not express that support with a vote?
    "Bring 'em on! I'd prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking around!"
    I see you are still channelling your inner Harrison Ford ... :)
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 8,661
    edited July 2019
    @Sunil_Prasannan : do you mean us to "engage the Corbyn drivel" ?
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,163

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda

    I oppose Boris on no deal but not the policies he is putting forward
    A couple of weeks ago you could not bring yourself to vote for Boris, now you are applauding warmly on all but one policy.

    Incredible!
    Why? Is he not allowed to change his mind?

    One way of showing you have a mind is being prepared to change it.....
    Indeed, but it is quite the volte face.
    Not really, Boris is putting forward the kind of policies Big_G himself supports so why shouldn't he be applauding those policies?

    It would be rather hypocritical or closed-minded to oppose a politician putting forward what you've previously suggested, because of who it is.
    So why not express that support with a vote?
    A vote on what?

    We're not due another vote on anything until after 31 October now at which point Schrodinger's Brexit should have been resolved.
    Perhaps you missed the recent voting by Tory members?

    *sigh!*
  • Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,657

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    He's still on the social left.
    Not sure I'd consider someone who uses the the terms bum boys and piccaninnies as socially liberal, but we're all different I guess.
    He uses inappropriate language at times but look at the record with policies. He was one of the first politicians to back equal marriage and he was the leading Tory to endorse equal marriage, before Cameron himself did.

    I'd rather a politician that uses inapproprate words on occassion but leads the way with socially liberal laws, than an authoritarian who uses entirely PC language 100% of the time but opposes liberties.
    The Damascene conversion over gay marriage that changed his mind after writing 'If gay marriage was OK – and I was uncertain on the issue – then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men, or indeed three men and a dog' didn't seem to prevent Boris hand-picking nine cabinet members who had voted against same sex marriage. His social liberalism will rub off on them no doubt.
    I thought Boris's gay credentials rested on his voting for the repeal of Section 28 rather than any championing of gay marriage.
  • JBriskinindyref2JBriskinindyref2 Posts: 1,775
    edited July 2019
    (editing issues; long thread - see above)
  • RE: Vassel state

    Well it it's JRM and the diehard brexiteers then they're probably referring to the EU. Don't you think?

    And it's you that likes the WA agreement. So you're sarcastic nonsense at the end is just nonsense after all. Who'd have thunk it.
  • YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172
    Cyclefree said:

    Cyclefree said:



    If you're going to go in for criticism of my English, bearing in mind that I am a lawyer, a word of friendly advice: be accurate.

    The piece does not use the word "chaps". "Do or die" and "cast-iron promise" are direct quotes of Boris. I agree that they are stale and cliches but blame Boris not me. He's meant to be the great communicator and paid columnist.

    I just bash this stuff out in between work and gardening. Try it for yourself. It's not quite as easy as it seems. I have now done 69 of them and every time I send one I think: "This time, Mike will just say no - not good enough". So I'm immensely grateful for the platform and that people do pay attention to them.

    So you don't like the other two phrases. Fair enough. Life would be awfully dull if we all agreed with each other all the time.

    PS I find Jo Orton rather dated now. I can see that it was shocking at the time but his stuff has not aged well, IMO.

    You used the word "chaps" below when making a correction to the header. I always find it an anachronism, now.

    Joe, not Jo, Orton. Of course, it was really John. The early plays don't work so well now, but I still love "Entertaining Mr Sloane".

    But he saved his best writing for the Diaries.

    Of course, Joe was a complete shit. That is his charm.
    Jesus: now people are criticising the English used in BTL comments......!

    Do other thread header writers get the same level of textual analysis I wonder? I ought to be flattered I suppose.

    Never read Orton's diaries. Have seen a couple of his plays. OK but not something I'd rush to see again. The Alan Bennett film about him and his lover was quite good.
    The film wasn't good. It was mushy, muddle-witted Stephen Frears at his worst.

    There is a great film to be made of his life. But, Frears' film is the wrong way round.

    Joe callously exploited his lover. Kenneth was right to smash his head in.
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,593
    This is a mighty fine piece of writing. Thanks Cyclefree!!
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 62,749
    viewcode said:

    ...Boris still is on tne social left as you will see as he unveils more of his domestic agenda...

    I'm not sure that's true: somebody socially liberal would not have made Priti Patel Home Secretary. I think he will be more fiscally liberal instead of socially liberal, although I dislike such modern terms.

    I think the ERG are going to be very surprised on his attitude to immigration and I expect he will introduce the real living wage nationally.

    His confirmation yesterday that he will work with Andy Burnham to overhaul the Manchester bus services in line with his work in London bringing together private companies and the LA to provide a cheap and effect bus services is excellent news

    He is to invite cross party talks on social care and will introduce changes irrespective of labour's co-operation. Add in the 20,000 police officers and up lifting the pupil premium these are very sensible and long overdue changes
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 21,794

    viewcode said:

    The only filthy commie song I know is this one, when I'm world king it's between this and land of hope and glory as the Official anthem-

    https://youtu.be/t8EMx7Y16Vo

    Naah. Try this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsC2ETsZL0g

    No, this is the real deal.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d63X-Hfrais
    I...I don't know what to say about that. It's quite jolly and fun. It doesn't come across as Soviet at all. Am now puzzled. Entertained, but puzzled... :(
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 41,798



    Actions speak louder than words.

    They do indeed. A majority of Conservatives in Westminster and Holyrood voted against same sex marriage. I'm not really getting the vibe that social liberalism among Tories has increased since then.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 21,794
    Endillion said:

    DougSeal said:

    Sounds as if the government is outsourcing No Deal to the public - if it all goes horribly wrong it'll be our fault for not following their wonderful advice.

    It’s awesome. Just awesome. I’m currently spending 50% of my time advising companies undertaking collective redundancy programmes as they move to the EU 27 and the other half advising financial services people on their severance packages. But I always reassure them “This is not really happening. It’s just PROJECT FEAR! It’s in your head and redundancy is really a sunny upland.”
    So in other words, Brexit has created lots of work for you and your firm, and we haven't even left yet?
    Indeed, there are acres of new opportunities. Sheep corpse burners, border guards...never waste a good crisis.
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,123
    NEW THREAD
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 51,578
    viewcode said:

    Endillion said:

    DougSeal said:

    Sounds as if the government is outsourcing No Deal to the public - if it all goes horribly wrong it'll be our fault for not following their wonderful advice.

    It’s awesome. Just awesome. I’m currently spending 50% of my time advising companies undertaking collective redundancy programmes as they move to the EU 27 and the other half advising financial services people on their severance packages. But I always reassure them “This is not really happening. It’s just PROJECT FEAR! It’s in your head and redundancy is really a sunny upland.”
    So in other words, Brexit has created lots of work for you and your firm, and we haven't even left yet?
    Indeed, there are acres of new opportunities. Sheep corpse burners, border guards...never waste a good crisis.
    "My friends, as I have discovered myself, there are no disasters, only opportunities. And, indeed, opportunities for fresh disasters."
    - Boris, 2004.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 21,794

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    AndyJS said:
    Boris is more Berlusconi than May, May was more Gordon Brown
    I have my reservations on Boris but he is no Berlusconi

    Indeed he is on the liberal social left
    Who, Boris or Berlusconi? Boris was on the liberal social left when he wanted to win in London. Not now. Priti Patel as HS? He may go there again, if it suits him, as with everything else. If you mean Berlusconi, apologies.
    He's still on the social left.
    Not sure I'd consider someone who uses the the terms bum boys and piccaninnies as socially liberal, but we're all different I guess.
    He uses inappropriate language at times but look at the record with policies. He was one of the first politicians to back equal marriage and he was the leading Tory to endorse equal marriage, before Cameron himself did.

    I'd rather a politician that uses inapproprate words on occassion but leads the way with socially liberal laws, than an authoritarian who uses entirely PC language 100% of the time but opposes liberties.
    The Damascene conversion over gay marriage that changed his mind after writing 'If gay marriage was OK – and I was uncertain on the issue – then I saw no reason in principle why a union should not be consecrated between three men, as well as two men, or indeed three men and a dog' didn't seem to prevent Boris hand-picking nine cabinet members who had voted against same sex marriage. His social liberalism will rub off on them no doubt.
    I disagreed with Boris when he wrote that but he wrote that many, many years before any politicians were endorsing equal marriage and then he was a trailblazer for equal marriage.

    Actions speak louder than words.
    They do indeed. And the people who are remembered and thanked are those who were at the vanguard, who risked reputations, jobs and livelihoods. Those who came afterwards, when it was politically expedient... not so much.

    Y'know. A bit like Amber Rudd for the Leavers... :)
  • RecidivistRecidivist Posts: 4,679
    viewcode said:

    viewcode said:

    The only filthy commie song I know is this one, when I'm world king it's between this and land of hope and glory as the Official anthem-

    https://youtu.be/t8EMx7Y16Vo

    Naah. Try this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsC2ETsZL0g

    No, this is the real deal.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d63X-Hfrais
    I...I don't know what to say about that. It's quite jolly and fun. It doesn't come across as Soviet at all. Am now puzzled. Entertained, but puzzled... :(
    I'm not sure how it came into my life. I like singing it while hiking. I had the sheet music for a while, but I already knew the song from somewhere before I got it. I must have heard somebody sing it and it just stuck.
This discussion has been closed.