Paul Waugh @paulwaugh 17s Crikey. phlegm/spittle alert for EdM on SkyNews now. Literally foaming at the mouth?
1.17 third version menitons party affiliation and that MacShane was a former Europe minister - could be worse they might have mentioned his journalistic past at the BBC.
"Callum May @callummay Follow Mr Justice Sweeney has already sentenced Vicky Pryce this year. Her partner Denis MacShane will be sentenced by the same judge."
POVPWAS To have a former husband jailed, then to have current boyfriend facing jail.
Twitter Chris Ship @chrisshipitv 5m Clegg: Labour woul ruin this nascent recovery, Tories can't be relied upon to deliver it fairly. You'll hear that few times before 2015
Oh yes. Mind you, I think it's quite a good line that nicely sets up the Lib Dem position (as they want us to think of them) as fiscally sensible but compassionate with it. Clever positioning and a snappy soundbite, IMO.
Having said that, if the speculation / rumours come true of Farron taking over from Clegg and going into coalition with Labour led by Ed & Ed, then my Lib Dem membership card might not be long for this world...
If that is the soundbite - it makes a Lib/Lab coalition impossible ?
Their 2010 deficit reduction plans were much closer to Lab's than Osborne's and that didn't stop them jumping into bed with the Tories. It's part of the reason for mistrust and downright emnity from the Labour side because it's a little galling being attacked as profligates by people who campaigned on, and won a lot of left-wing votes partly by siding with Labour on that election's biggest policy issue.
In fact if the Libs are thinking strategically rather than on personal preference then a coalition with Labour may be preferable to the Tories, as they can show that they are trying and able to work with both parties rather than just doing the Tories bidding this time.
Additionally, a 2015 coalition would not have a sense of crisis as political cover for the LDs and the Tories are more likely to push their more right-wing policies to the fore, leaving the Lib Dems with worse dilemmas than they've faced in this parliament. The yellows can stomach free schools, but I doubt many could take for-profit ones, nor the extra tranche of benefit cuts the Tories want.
Of course they'd never be able to admit this before the election as they'd look like idiots, but one can easily see a Lib Dem leader talking piously about Labour having 'learned its lesson' and discovering that Ed Miliband wasn't such a wreckless oaf after all.
o/t - Now that Berlusconi doesnt have the numbers to bring down the Italian government in the short-term the 11/10 from Paddy Power on the next Italian election happening in 2015 or later looks more attractive.
Eric Illsley got 12 months for 14ks worth of dodgy expenses.
So MacShane is likely to get that much, so out in 3 months on tag.
I think that rather depends on the basis of plea, and the pre-sentence report. Illsley, after all, admitted to a Probation Officer that his false accounting had been motivated by greed, and Saunders J sentenced him on that basis.
Their 2010 deficit reduction plans were much closer to Lab's than Osborne's and that didn't stop them jumping into bed with the Tories. It's part of the reason for mistrust and downright emnity from the Labour side because it's a little galling being attacked as profligates by people who campaigned on, and won a lot of left-wing votes partly by siding with Labour on that election's biggest policy issue.
In fact if the Libs are thinking strategically rather than on personal preference then a coalition with Labour may be preferable to the Tories, as they can show that they are trying and able to work with both parties rather than just doing the Tories bidding this time.
Additionally, a 2015 coalition would not have a sense of crisis as political cover for the LDs and the Tories are more likely to push their more right-wing policies to the fore, leaving the Lib Dems with worse dilemmas than they've faced in this parliament. The yellows can stomach free schools, but I doubt many could take for-profit ones, nor the extra tranche of benefit cuts the Tories want.
Of course they'd never be able to admit this before the election as they'd look like idiots, but one can easily see a Lib Dem leader talking piously about Labour having 'learned its lesson' and discovering that Ed Miliband wasn't such a wreckless oaf after all.
This is all probably moot in that, assuming a shrinking LibDem contingent, the probability of them having kingmaker power is quite low, so in practice they'll end up working with whoever the voters lumber them with. But if they do get to choose, I'd agree with all that, with just one, very important counter-argument: The LibDem parliamentary party will consist almost exclusively of people whose jobs are best protected by a deal with Con, because all the people who needed a deal with Lab will already have lost their seats.
@Sean_F "MacShane admits guilt on MP expensesBreaking news NEW Ex-Labour minister and MP Denis MacShane pleads guilty to false accounting over parliamentary expenses, at Old Bailey in London." on BBC Politics page now. T
Eric Illsley got 12 months for 14ks worth of dodgy expenses.
So MacShane is likely to get that much, so out in 3 months on tag.
I think that rather depends on the basis of plea, and the pre-sentence report. Illsley, after all, admitted to a Probation Officer that his false accounting had been motivated by greed, and Saunders J sentenced him on that basis.
If I remember correctly McShane's dodgy expense claims arose from a feeling that the taxpayer should be paying for his European activities on the basis that they were of such value to the country. However deluded that was I could understand if he was dealt with more lightly than others.
Its not that much of a coincidence. Sweeney J is the second most senior of the four Presiding Judges on the South Eastern Circuit, and so pretty much chooses which cases he tries. He also has "the terrorism ticket", which means that he is automatically assigned all indictable allegations of terrorism in England & Wales, which are tried by him unless he otherwise orders. He will preside over R v Adebolajo & Adebowale later this month.
Well that's nice.....Ed's having a 'good hair day'.....
My tonsorial advice to Miliband would be to "keep the length" or at least to enjoy his moment before the inevitable chop and the parliamentary hair focus shifts back to everyone wondering how long Cameron can play the combover game with dignity.
F1: Lotus *still* haven't sorted the Quantum money.
Good news is that Sauber have said Hulkenberg has a seat if he wants one next year, and it's possible he'll get the Lotus seat. I suspect they won't sort the money out and he'll stay at Sauber or go elsewhere.
Remarkable how bad Lotus seem to be at sorting this deal.
During a hearing at the Old Bailey in London, Mr MacShane admitted false accounting by putting in fake receipts for £12,900 of "research and translation" services.
The former Europe minister used the money to fund trips to the continent......
......One letter, dated October 2009, described how he drew funds from the EPI so he could serve on a book judging panel in Paris.
If I remember correctly McShane's dodgy expense claims arose from a feeling that the taxpayer should be paying for his European activities on the basis that they were of such value to the country. However deluded that was I could understand if he was dealt with more lightly than others.
Normally lack of contrition, self-serving excuses, and refusal to face up to guilt increase the sentence, rather than reduce it.
If I remember correctly McShane's dodgy expense claims arose from a feeling that the taxpayer should be paying for his European activities on the basis that they were of such value to the country. However deluded that was I could understand if he was dealt with more lightly than others.
That was my thinking. He has maintained in public that his false accounting was not motivated by a desire for personal gain, and unless the contrary is proven or admitted, he will fall to be sentenced on that basis. Of course, the Crown may not accept the basis of his plea, and it will be open to Sweeney J to order a Newton hearing to determine the matter.
Independent Scotland would face choice of tax rises or deep cuts, says IFS Scottish government contests Institute for Fiscal Studies report that predicts 'significant additional fiscal tightening'
Eric Illsley got 12 months for 14ks worth of dodgy expenses.
So MacShane is likely to get that much, so out in 3 months on tag.
I think that rather depends on the basis of plea, and the pre-sentence report. Illsley, after all, admitted to a Probation Officer that his false accounting had been motivated by greed, and Saunders J sentenced him on that basis.
So, if McShane makes his plea on the basis that it was "noble cause corruption" is that likely to be an aggravating or mitigating factor when it comes to sentencing?
If I remember correctly McShane's dodgy expense claims arose from a feeling that the taxpayer should be paying for his European activities on the basis that they were of such value to the country. However deluded that was I could understand if he was dealt with more lightly than others.
Normally lack of contrition, self-serving excuses, and refusal to face up to guilt increase the sentence, rather than reduce it.
The Probation service who write the pre-sentence report (which the judge is under obligation to follow in this situation) generally soft touches.
When you have your meeting with the probation service, get your hanky out Denis, cry like a disgraced Televangelist, talk about the shame, and the guilt you feel on the embarrassment you feel that you've brought to your loved ones, and they'll recommend a non-custodial sentence.
Incidentally, I can see an opportunity for a non custodial sentence, given low chance of re-offending, and his age, as Judges don't like sending pensioners to prison for non sexual, not violent crimes.
5-1 with Ladbrokes on Ed gone before GE 2015..... is that my best bet for him?
This isn't even from Dan Hodges...
Ed Miliband is in trouble.
He can’t deal with disciplinary issues, or lance the Falkirk boil, because he dare not upset his major donor, Unite. He leaves Ed Balls free to run riot through his messages and policies apparently because the Shadow Chancellor is too big, and too ruthless, a beast for him to safely take on.
That is bad enough in itself. The impact on Labour’s election strategy of a leader who cannot lead could well be disastrous.
A coalition with the LibDems gives Lab cover if their base are narked off that they're not spending enough, and the LibDems get to take credit for preventing Labour from creating the fiscal catastrophe that they weren't going to create in the first place.
Hmm, maybe... I'm still having malevolent thoughts towards my LD membership card! And - realpolitik and all that - I suppose @marktheowl is right to suggest the idea of 'a Lib Dem leader talking piously about Labour having 'learned its lesson' and discovering that Ed Miliband wasn't such a reckless oaf after all'.
You folks who know much more about politics across the world - in countries where the government is usually a coalition, is it common for a smaller party to shift its allegiance every few years or do the political contours change more slowly, on the whole?
Independent Scotland would face choice of tax rises or deep cuts, says IFS Scottish government contests Institute for Fiscal Studies report that predicts 'significant additional fiscal tightening'
You folks who know much more about politics across the world - in countries where the government is usually a coalition, is it common for a smaller party to shift its allegiance every few years or do the political contours change more slowly, on the whole?
In countries with a lot of coalitions it's a bit unusual to have a third party in the centre. What usually happens is that you get a biggish centre-right party and a biggish centre-left party, and the small parties are at the extremes, so you tend to have an obvious centre-right coalition and an obvious centre-left one, and when they switch you go from one coalition to another. I'd have thought the UK would adopt a pattern like that if it got PR.
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Also Grab a Granny night in Rotherham is awesome, so I am told, ahem.
UK Grandmother at 26 from Rotherham
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/432463.stm
Crikey. phlegm/spittle alert for EdM on SkyNews now. Literally foaming at the mouth?
1.17 third version menitons party affiliation and that MacShane was a former Europe minister - could be worse they might have mentioned his journalistic past at the BBC.
Crikey. phlegm/spittle alert for EdM on SkyNews now. Literally foaming at the mouth?
Frothing loonie alert...
Rotherham, like Liverpool, have the only JD Sports in the country that have an evening wear section.
"Callum May @callummay
Follow
Mr Justice Sweeney has already sentenced Vicky Pryce this year. Her partner Denis MacShane will be sentenced by the same judge."
POVPWAS To have a former husband jailed, then to have current boyfriend facing jail.
In fact if the Libs are thinking strategically rather than on personal preference then a coalition with Labour may be preferable to the Tories, as they can show that they are trying and able to work with both parties rather than just doing the Tories bidding this time.
Additionally, a 2015 coalition would not have a sense of crisis as political cover for the LDs and the Tories are more likely to push their more right-wing policies to the fore, leaving the Lib Dems with worse dilemmas than they've faced in this parliament. The yellows can stomach free schools, but I doubt many could take for-profit ones, nor the extra tranche of benefit cuts the Tories want.
Of course they'd never be able to admit this before the election as they'd look like idiots, but one can easily see a Lib Dem leader talking piously about Labour having 'learned its lesson' and discovering that Ed Miliband wasn't such a wreckless oaf after all.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5c7999fe-4fa8-11e3-b06e-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2l0JI0Emk
http://www.paddypower.com/bet/politics/other-politics/italian-politics?ev_oc_grp_ids=1302946
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/scottish-independence-labour-grandee-backs-yes-vote-1-3191733
http://www.paddypower.com/bet/politics/other-politics/italian-politics?ev_oc_grp_ids=1308194
Silly phrasing from PP though so I'm not certain they'll pay out on it.
Ex-Labour minister and MP Denis MacShane pleads guilty to false accounting over parliamentary expenses, at Old Bailey in London." on BBC Politics page now. T
They are on version number 4 of the story.
Good news is that Sauber have said Hulkenberg has a seat if he wants one next year, and it's possible he'll get the Lotus seat. I suspect they won't sort the money out and he'll stay at Sauber or go elsewhere.
Remarkable how bad Lotus seem to be at sorting this deal.
Paul Waugh@paulwaugh17m
Crikey. phlegm/spittle alert for EdM on SkyNews now. Literally foaming at the mouth?
Yup that is it
During a hearing at the Old Bailey in London, Mr MacShane admitted false accounting by putting in fake receipts for £12,900 of "research and translation" services.
The former Europe minister used the money to fund trips to the continent......
......One letter, dated October 2009, described how he drew funds from the EPI so he could serve on a book judging panel in Paris.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24989402
We'll deploy "the brains that are the inheritors to the people that decrypted the Enigma Code in WW2."
When you have your meeting with the probation service, get your hanky out Denis, cry like a disgraced Televangelist, talk about the shame, and the guilt you feel on the embarrassment you feel that you've brought to your loved ones, and they'll recommend a non-custodial sentence.
Incidentally, I can see an opportunity for a non custodial sentence, given low chance of re-offending, and his age, as Judges don't like sending pensioners to prison for non sexual, not violent crimes.
I also think it was a bit weird to only give out medals for Bletchley Park work so long after the war had ended.
This isn't even from Dan Hodges...
Ed Miliband is in trouble.
He can’t deal with disciplinary issues, or lance the Falkirk boil, because he dare not upset his major donor, Unite. He leaves Ed Balls free to run riot through his messages and policies apparently because the Shadow Chancellor is too big, and too ruthless, a beast for him to safely take on.
That is bad enough in itself. The impact on Labour’s election strategy of a leader who cannot lead could well be disastrous.
You folks who know much more about politics across the world - in countries where the government is usually a coalition, is it common for a smaller party to shift its allegiance every few years or do the political contours change more slowly, on the whole?
http://www.conservativehome.com/leftwatch/2013/11/ed-miliband-cant-face-down-unite-or-ed-balls-hes-a-leader-who-cant-lead.html
Though don't get me started on how we treated Alan Turing