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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » A Brexit Carol – how last time is shaping views of GE2019

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  • The Lib Dems can, as they did in 2010, turn to the Labour leader and say “your party lost and you’re the reason why. Even supply and confidence for Labour is contingent on you resigning.”

    They can even make that public. It’s not as if Jeremy Corbyn has vast reservoirs of public affection to draw upon.

    Except that, if they hold the balance of power and they won't back the Labour candidate for PM, then they must necessarily acquiesce to the Conservative one. It is not as if 10 Downing Street can be left vacant until Labour condescends to present them with a candidate that is more palatable.

    This is not a situation that can be wriggled out of. Only Labour can give them what they want, the Labour candidate is Corbyn, and they cannot plausibly demand that he be changed to get them out of a bind.

    Swinson would back a Labour Government, and the centre-right, soft Remain half of her party's voters would feel that they'd be royally had and dump the Liberal Democrats like a sack of spuds. They'd also then be held jointly liable for anything objectionable that Labour did from that point onwards.

    As the party previously discovered post-2010, if you try to hold together an electorate consisting of two diametrically-opposed halves then, eventually, you will be forced to give one of them up.

    There’s nothing centre-right about Jo Swinson’s domestic offering.
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905
    maaarsh said:

    The Lib Dems can, as they did in 2010, turn to the Labour leader and say “your party lost and you’re the reason why. Even supply and confidence for Labour is contingent on you resigning.”

    They can even make that public. It’s not as if Jeremy Corbyn has vast reservoirs of public affection to draw upon.

    Except that, if they hold the balance of power and they won't back the Labour candidate for PM, then they must necessarily acquiesce to the Conservative one. It is not as if 10 Downing Street can be left vacant until Labour condescends to present them with a candidate that is more palatable.

    This is not a situation that can be wriggled out of. Only Labour can give them what they want, the Labour candidate is Corbyn, and they cannot plausibly demand that he be changed to get them out of a bind.

    Swinson would back a Labour Government, and the centre-right, soft Remain half of her party's voters would feel that they'd be royally had and dump the Liberal Democrats like a sack of spuds. They'd also then be held jointly liable for anything objectionable that Labour did from that point onwards.

    As the party previously discovered post-2010, if you try to hold together an electorate consisting of two diametrically-opposed halves then, eventually, you will be forced to give one of them up.
    So the Libs need a Tory win, and have no strategic interest in a remain coalition.
    From a purely party political standpoint, yes, a Conservative victory would suit the Liberal Democrats best. They can then keep their fingers crossed that Johnson has a mare, and go into the election after next on a Rejoin platform and try to extract lots of yummy gains out of repentant Southern English electors.

    The SNP can afford to treat with Labour because they have replaced the almost-dead Scottish Labour as the dominant left party in Scotland, and an opportunity to go for independence again is worth the risk of taint by association with English Labour's more far-out ideas (in fact, if an economic disaster ensues it might even strengthen their campaign to escape from the incompetent Westminster Government which they would then hold responsible.) The Liberal Democrats, who are relying increasingly on the support of affluent voters with large mortgages to service in the South-East, can't afford to be so sanguine.
  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,318

    MaxPB said:

    Noo said:
    Lol. Does anyone give a fuck what that serial loser thinks?
    What is it to do with her. Sad really
    A former Secretary of State with extensive knowledge about Russia and direct personal experience of Russian interference in elections? Yes I’d say her view is worth hearing.
    There is - for those willing to see - a direct link between people Rudolph Giuliani has been working with recently (the legal advisors to a Ukrainian oligarch with close ties to a Ukrainian mobster on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List and now residing in Moscow at Putin’s pleasure), said Ukrainian oligarch currently fighting extradition to the US and his UK-based foundation, its former directors and the Tory party (amongst other well-known UK institutions). Oh - and the mobster’s son has some interesting business interests and links here too.

    All of this is publicly available information.

    What is not publicly available (yet) and, no doubt, discussed in this report would certainly be of interest. It’s not just money which gets laundered. Reputations are as well.

    If the meetings between Corbyn’s advisor and someone at the Czech Embassy are of interest then the links between senior Tories and dodgy Eastern Europeans should be as well.
  • tlg86 said:

    ATTENTION!

    Hilary Clinton on the One Show NOT ruling herself out of running for president.


    Great. The betting rollercoaster on laying her can continue!
  • NooNoo Posts: 2,380

    Noo said:

    MaxPB said:

    Noo said:
    Lol. Does anyone give a fuck what that serial loser thinks?
    What is it to do with her. Sad really
    A former Secretary of State with extensive knowledge about Russia and direct personal experience of Russian interference in elections? Yes I’d say her view is worth hearing.
    It’s a very personal, partisan and emotionally charged objection. Just read the words, and savour her tone. That’s very probably because she blames the release of a not entirely dissimilar FBI report in her in 2016 for her defeat.

    So it’s very close to home.
    It’s abundantly clear that Russia does interfere in elections including in Britain. Whether that interference is effective is less clear.
    Yes, I agree - it tries its luck.

    But, I think Russia under Putin is a chancer. We tend to think it’s as powerful as the Soviet USSR we still have strong memory engrams of laced with James Bond style reach and cunning.

    In reality, it just hacks and runs agents on petroleum money and tries its luck wherever it can.

    Unfortunately, that’s enough to achieve some pretty nasty assassinations.
    It’s also enough to achieve the chaos that it profits from. Brexit and Donald Trump have been golden gifts for it.
    What geopolitical objectives do you think Russia has achieved from Brexit and Trump?
    Legitimacy. Russia has economic woes and there are some Russians who would see -- shock horror -- democracy reintroduced there.
    By weakening Western democracy, Putin can point to how fucked up thing are here and in the USA and say "see?"
    Also, a key goal is the lifting of sanctions under the Magnitsky Act, which have hurt powerful people in Russia. Putin is not immune to the pressures of wealthy and powerful people inside Russia.
    Also, pitting countries against each other limits collective action over strategic interests like hydrocarbon supplies and prices, and investment in emerging markets. Russia has made some pitiful attempts to gain influence in Africa but is usually outplayed by China, the EU and the USA. by distracting them, he can weaken the competition.
    The Magnitsky Act has been extended.

    Something i was very pleased to see.
    Fortunately Russia doesn't always succeed.
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905

    The Lib Dems can, as they did in 2010, turn to the Labour leader and say “your party lost and you’re the reason why. Even supply and confidence for Labour is contingent on you resigning.”

    They can even make that public. It’s not as if Jeremy Corbyn has vast reservoirs of public affection to draw upon.

    Except that, if they hold the balance of power and they won't back the Labour candidate for PM, then they must necessarily acquiesce to the Conservative one. It is not as if 10 Downing Street can be left vacant until Labour condescends to present them with a candidate that is more palatable.

    This is not a situation that can be wriggled out of. Only Labour can give them what they want, the Labour candidate is Corbyn, and they cannot plausibly demand that he be changed to get them out of a bind.

    Swinson would back a Labour Government, and the centre-right, soft Remain half of her party's voters would feel that they'd be royally had and dump the Liberal Democrats like a sack of spuds. They'd also then be held jointly liable for anything objectionable that Labour did from that point onwards.

    As the party previously discovered post-2010, if you try to hold together an electorate consisting of two diametrically-opposed halves then, eventually, you will be forced to give one of them up.

    There’s nothing centre-right about Jo Swinson’s domestic offering.
    That's as may be, but she has the advantage of appearing moderate and unthreatening when compared with her principal opponents.
  • The Lib Dems can, as they did in 2010, turn to the Labour leader and say “your party lost and you’re the reason why. Even supply and confidence for Labour is contingent on you resigning.”

    They can even make that public. It’s not as if Jeremy Corbyn has vast reservoirs of public affection to draw upon.

    Except that, if they hold the balance of power and they won't back the Labour candidate for PM, then they must necessarily acquiesce to the Conservative one. It is not as if 10 Downing Street can be left vacant until Labour condescends to present them with a candidate that is more palatable.

    This is not a situation that can be wriggled out of. Only Labour can give them what they want, the Labour candidate is Corbyn, and they cannot plausibly demand that he be changed to get them out of a bind.

    Swinson would back a Labour Government, and the centre-right, soft Remain half of her party's voters would feel that they'd be royally had and dump the Liberal Democrats like a sack of spuds. They'd also then be held jointly liable for anything objectionable that Labour did from that point onwards.

    As the party previously discovered post-2010, if you try to hold together an electorate consisting of two diametrically-opposed halves then, eventually, you will be forced to give one of them up.

    The Lib Dems can oppose both until one or other makes the compromises necessary to secure Lib Dem support, if necessary by forcing another general election. I doubt they’d be the party punished if Labour made Jeremy Corbyn a precondition.
  • Lots of chatter about how TBP announcement could help Labour and hurt the Tories.

    What it does do is put and keep Brexit at the top of the narrative for a few days at least - which is not where Labour want to be in this campaign, for the reasons masterfully set out in the thread header.
  • alb1onalb1on Posts: 698

    alb1on said:

    The Lib Dems can, as they did in 2010, turn to the Labour leader and say “your party lost and you’re the reason why. Even supply and confidence for Labour is contingent on you resigning.”

    They can even make that public. It’s not as if Jeremy Corbyn has vast reservoirs of public affection to draw upon.

    Except that, if they hold the balance of power and they won't back the Labour candidate for PM, then they must necessarily acquiesce to the Conservative one. It is not as if 10 Downing Street can be left vacant until Labour condescends to present them with a candidate that is more palatable.

    This is not a situation that can be wriggled out of. Only Labour can give them what they want, the Labour candidate is Corbyn, and they cannot plausibly demand that he be changed to get them out of a bind.

    Swinson would back a Labour Government, and the centre-right, soft Remain half of her party's voters would feel that they'd be royally had and dump the Liberal Democrats like a sack of spuds. They'd also then be held jointly liable for anything objectionable that Labour did from that point onwards.

    As the party previously discovered post-2010, if you try to hold together an electorate consisting of two diametrically-opposed halves then, eventually, you will be forced to give one of them up.
    Not sure about your analysis. Whilst the LDs could propose an elder statesman (or woman) as an interim PM, I would not be averse to leaving No10 empty (although not sure about the constitutional position). I recall discussing a similar position with my Belgian colleagues about 8-9 years ago when Belgium could not agree on a government. They were all agreed - Belgium had never been better run than during the period when the technocrats were in charge.
    What's wrong with letting the largest party form a minority government?
    The LibDems don't HAVE to support even in a C&S any other party, neither do the DUP.
    Normally I would agree. But when one major party is led by a congenital liar with the moral authority of Donald Trump on viagra, and the other major party is led by a man so morally corrupted that he treats complaints based on adherence to the one true faith and kicks inconvenient complaints and reports into the long grass ......... I am inclined to think it better to avoid both.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 19,914
    edited November 2019
    Nick Boles my new hero! Perfect summing up of Boris Johnson's amorality. One of the best denunciations of his character I've heard. Even Gisela Stewart was too embarrassed after hearing it to admit that she'd advocated voting for him.

    (Ch4 News)
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,236

    Didn't realise we were meant to use Trump as a role model.

    Please engage intelligently. I'm quite busy.
  • Roger said:

    Nick Boles my new hero! Perfect summing up of Boris Johnson's amorality. One of the best denunciations of his character I've heard. Even Gisela Stewart was too embarrassed after hearing it to admit that she'd advocated voting for him.

    (Ch4 News)

    Hopefully this will be the last we hear of Boles as he ran away from his own constituents knowing they would turf him out.
  • NooNoo Posts: 2,380
    kinabalu said:

    Didn't realise we were meant to use Trump as a role model.

    Please engage intelligently. I'm quite busy.
    That'll be a long wait.
  • Those 317 seats the BXP won't be standing in include 19 which thanks to defections etc don't currently have Conservative MPs.
  • Those 317 seats the BXP won't be standing in include 19 which thanks to defections etc don't currently have Conservative MPs.
    I am sure the news made Anna's day

    Also TBP are not standing in Workington, I expect quite a few more marginal labour seats will see TBP candidates fail to materialise
  • Roger said:

    Nick Boles my new hero! Perfect summing up of Boris Johnson's amorality. One of the best denunciations of his character I've heard. Even Gisela Stewart was too embarrassed after hearing it to admit that she'd advocated voting for him.

    (Ch4 News)

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1193965600290344963?s=20
  • MaxPB said:

    Noo said:
    Lol. Does anyone give a fuck what that serial loser thinks?
    What is it to do with her. Sad really
    A former Secretary of State with extensive knowledge about Russia and direct personal experience of Russian interference in elections? Yes I’d say her view is worth hearing.
    It’s a very personal, partisan and emotionally charged objection. Just read the words, and savour her tone. That’s very probably because she blames the release of a not entirely dissimilar FBI report in her in 2016 for her defeat.

    So it’s very close to home.
    It’s abundantly clear that Russia does interfere in elections including in Britain. Whether that interference is effective is less clear.
    Yes, I agree - it tries its luck.

    But, I think Russia under Putin is a chancer. We tend to think it’s as powerful as the Soviet USSR we still have strong memory engrams of laced with James Bond style reach and cunning.

    In reality, it just hacks and runs agents on petroleum money and tries its luck wherever it can.

    Unfortunately, that’s enough to achieve some pretty nasty assassinations.
    It’s also enough to achieve the chaos that it profits from. Brexit and Donald Trump have been golden gifts for it.
    What geopolitical objectives do you think Russia has achieved from Brexit and Trump?
    Freedom of action.
    I agree Trump has undermined NATO. Russia is contained in the Baltic states and the Black Sea.

    It absolutely hasn’t been in the Middle East.
  • HASHTAG WINNING https://t.co/uCPCAZlZ3f
  • PaulMPaulM Posts: 613
    Roger said:

    Nick Boles my new hero! Perfect summing up of Boris Johnson's amorality. One of the best denunciations of his character I've heard. Even Gisela Stewart was too embarrassed after hearing it to admit that she'd advocated voting for him.

    (Ch4 News)

    Suspect Gisela didn't want to get herself expelled from the party, which advocating voting for someone standing against Labour on TV would (as happened to Alastair Campbell and others)
  • PaulMPaulM Posts: 613
    Ishmael_Z said:

    PaulM said:

    Farage's 'stood down' candidates not happy.
    https://news.sky.com/story/general-election-anger-from-brexit-party-candidates-as-they-are-stood-down-11859417

    "It's understood members paid £100 to be considered for a seat, and it is not yet clear if those who will be stood down will get a refund."

    Would there be legal issues with paying someone to not stand in an election ?
    107 Corrupt withdrawal from candidature.
    Any person who corruptly induces or procures any other person to withdraw from being a candidate at an election, in consideration of any payment or promise of payment, and any person withdrawing in pursuance of the inducement or procurement, shall be guilty of an illegal payment.

    RPA 1983
    Thanks for that. So giving people the £100 could be problematic.
  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,318
    Today has brought 2 more depressing reasons for hoping the Tories don’t succeed:-

    1. Farage giving them a free run in some seats.
    2. The Tories proposal to renege on what has been agreed with the Irish government about prosecuting soldiers for crimes committed during the Troubles. Bad law, bad policy, morally repulsive and shows Ireland and others that the word of the British government cannot be relied upon.

    Yuck, yuck.

    Meanwhile Labour’s vote share creeps up.

    More yuck.

    If only they could both lose.
  • JasonJason Posts: 1,614
    kle4 said:

    Jason said:

    I would echo the sentiments of the OP. The Tories were badly burnt last election, yet there is no similarity between this election and that one. 'Look what happened in 2017' is pure wishful thinking, and there is simply no evidence to suggest it could possibly happen again - for all sorts of reasons. As someone else said, Labour got over 40% and STILL lost the election.

    Two B's - Boris & Brexit - will see the Tories home, comfortably.

    Not no evidence, just not definitive evidence. It's too early for that.
    Current evidence.
  • Twitter

    35 of the 50 smallest conservative majorities are in Leave seats. Those Conservatives no longer need worry about a pro-Leave rival. It does not guarantee Johnson a big majority but it's a bit silly to suggest this does not matter. A lot of motivated reasoning today #ge2019
  • alb1onalb1on Posts: 698
    edited November 2019
    Floater said:
    As usual he is talking out of his (deep blue)rear end. The bombings took place in 1994. Two Palestinians were convicted but without any evidence linking them to the bombings (although they were linked to explosives for use in the Middle East). Many MPs supported efforts to have their convictions quashed, including Peter Bottomley, Robert Jackson and Ian Gilmour of the Conservatives.

    I have no idea of their guilt, but this is a smear which ignores the cross party support for the review of their convictions.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,236
    Floater said:

    From below the line at Harry's place

    Is this accurate?

    Should you not check if it is before posting?

    I know everyone seems to do it - I probably have - but it strikes me as being a bit dodgy. Things get spread all over the place and a lot of the time it's bullshit.
  • FloaterFloater Posts: 14,207
    alb1on said:

    Floater said:
    As usual Bastani is talking out of his (deep blue)rear end. The bombings took place in 1994. Two Palestinians were convicted but without any evidence linking them to the bombings (although they were linked to explosives for use in the Middle East). Many MPs supported efforts to have their convictions quashed, including Peter Bottomley, Robert Jackson and Ian Gilmour of the Conservatives.

    I have no idea of their guilt, but this is a smear which ignores the cross party support for the review of their convictions.
    But somehow every appeal up to and including the European Court of appeal turned down such a review

    Strange that

  • JasonJason Posts: 1,614
    Hypothetical here. For arguments sake, the Tories fall short again. Is there any circumstance where anyone could see either the SNP or the Dims propping up a Tory government? Or would that be impossible to conceive?
  • The_TaxmanThe_Taxman Posts: 2,979

    Twitter

    35 of the 50 smallest conservative majorities are in Leave seats. Those Conservatives no longer need worry about a pro-Leave rival. It does not guarantee Johnson a big majority but it's a bit silly to suggest this does not matter. A lot of motivated reasoning today #ge2019

    I think you are making a mistake in thinking that all those who voted Leave still support it. I would concede many will still support it but I think some have realised it is not the nirvana they were mis sold but a nightmare! Given what has happened and despite the Brexit supporting media's best endeavours, some people in sufficient numbers have realised leaving the EU is worse than staying in it for the economy, jobs and getting around Europe.
  • FenmanFenman Posts: 1,047

    Farage's 'stood down' candidates not happy.
    https://news.sky.com/story/general-election-anger-from-brexit-party-candidates-as-they-are-stood-down-11859417

    "It's understood members paid £100 to be considered for a seat, and it is not yet clear if those who will be stood down will get a refund."

    They could apply for a grant from Brussels
  • Posts saying 'at this point in the 2017 campaign the Tories were 15 points ahead' seem to have dried up :)
  • RobD said:
    Has anyone got that graph updated that was on here the other day showing the current polling vs that of 2017? Would be interesting to see if there is yet much divergence.
  • Cyclefree said:

    Today has brought 2 more depressing reasons for hoping the Tories don’t succeed:-

    1. Farage giving them a free run in some seats.
    2. The Tories proposal to renege on what has been agreed with the Irish government about prosecuting soldiers for crimes committed during the Troubles. Bad law, bad policy, morally repulsive and shows Ireland and others that the word of the British government cannot be relied upon.

    Yuck, yuck.

    Meanwhile Labour’s vote share creeps up.

    More yuck.

    If only they could both lose.

    I’m not sure the Tories are in charge of Farage’s decision.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,936
    Not sure if anyone has noticed, but the tories were 15 points ahead at this point in the 2017 campaign. Just an FYI.

    :p
  • CatManCatMan Posts: 3,060

    RobD said:
    Has anyone got that graph updated that was on here the other day showing the current polling vs that of 2017? Would be interesting to see if there is yet much divergence.
    https://twitter.com/ElectionMapsUK/status/1193984074764967941?s=20
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,695
    Jason said:

    Hypothetical here. For arguments sake, the Tories fall short again. Is there any circumstance where anyone could see either the SNP or the Dims propping up a Tory government? Or would that be impossible to conceive?

    I'd say it's impossible to conceive of that happening.

    Then again I found it impossible to conceive that the US would elect Trump.
  • RobD said:

    Not sure if anyone has noticed, but the tories were 15 points ahead at this point in the 2017 campaign. Just an FYI.

    :p

    People still haven’t switched onto this election.

    So no chickens should be counted yet.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,424
    edited November 2019
    Floater said:
    It sort of is, and sort of isn’t. It’s true Corbyn spent sometime trying to get these people released. It’s also fair to say that there were several misgivings as to whether they had been charged with the right offence. Both the people convicted had been manufacturing bombs for various Palestinian groups and admitted it. They denied they had anything to do with this specific bombing and were supported by several MPs, including former Tory minister Ian Gilmour.

    It is also however worth noting that several courts flatly disagreed with their claims, and that Corbyn certainly wouldn’t have cared whether they were innocent or not, as he was unconcerned with the guilt of Patrick McGee. All he was really interested in was supporting his mates.

    Unless your question is related to the original tweet by Aaron Peters-Bastani. In which case the answer’s no, but why would you expect it to be?
  • Sky just making the point that Farage will now openly campaign for Boris's deal in the media, on the stump, and in TV debates and this could have a considearable positive for the conservative party

    To be honest I had not taken that into account and that could be another big moment
  • alb1onalb1on Posts: 698
    Floater said:

    alb1on said:

    Floater said:
    As usual Bastani is talking out of his (deep blue)rear end. The bombings took place in 1994. Two Palestinians were convicted but without any evidence linking them to the bombings (although they were linked to explosives for use in the Middle East). Many MPs supported efforts to have their convictions quashed, including Peter Bottomley, Robert Jackson and Ian Gilmour of the Conservatives.

    I have no idea of their guilt, but this is a smear which ignores the cross party support for the review of their convictions.
    But somehow every appeal up to and including the European Court of appeal turned down such a review

    Strange that

    I said I had no idea (or opinion) on their guilt. The issue is the smearing of Corbyn for an issue which was widely supported across both major parties. I appreciate that Bottomley and Gilmour can no longer be considered Conservatives by the standards of today's party (despite Bottomley remaining in it) but that is the result of the Conservatives adopting UKIP ground rather than anything else.

    I despise Corbyn as much as anyone, but attacking him for valid reasons (such as his cover ups on Bex Bailey and Ava Etemadzadeh) is the way to go - not bending the truth in a way that even the current occupant of No10 would find distasteful.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,936

    Sky just making the point that Farage will now openly campaign for Boris's deal in the media, on the stump, and in TV debates and this could have a considearable positive for the conservative party

    To be honest I had not taken that into account and that could be another big moment

    Farage campaigning for the Tories could be a plus or a minus!
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,156
    Jason said:

    Hypothetical here. For arguments sake, the Tories fall short again. Is there any circumstance where anyone could see either the SNP or the Dims propping up a Tory government? Or would that be impossible to conceive?

    The LDs at least claim they will not prop up any kind of government, and while I feel something would have to give in the event they were true kingmakers, their hope of replacing Labour would I think take a hit propping up the Tories again, and what price could be extracted to make it worthwhile?

    Cyclefree said:

    Today has brought 2 more depressing reasons for hoping the Tories don’t succeed:-

    1. Farage giving them a free run in some seats.
    2. The Tories proposal to renege on what has been agreed with the Irish government about prosecuting soldiers for crimes committed during the Troubles. Bad law, bad policy, morally repulsive and shows Ireland and others that the word of the British government cannot be relied upon.

    Yuck, yuck.

    Meanwhile Labour’s vote share creeps up.

    More yuck.

    If only they could both lose.

    I’m not sure the Tories are in charge of Farage’s decision.
    Indeed. It does likely help them more than it hurts by turning off tory remainers and encouraging remain alliances (that would probably happen anyway), but his very existence at this point is a needless worry for them, so while his decision has aided them, it's not like it is a complete pact.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,717

    Sky just making the point that Farage will now openly campaign for Boris's deal in the media, on the stump, and in TV debates and this could have a considearable positive for the conservative party

    To be honest I had not taken that into account and that could be another big moment

    Except he still says the deal is a stinker.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 12,561

    MaxPB said:

    Noo said:
    Lol. Does anyone give a fuck what that serial loser thinks?
    What is it to do with her. Sad really
    A former Secretary of State with extensive knowledge about Russia and direct personal experience of Russian interference in elections? Yes I’d say her view is worth hearing.
    It’s a very personal, partisan and emotionally charged objection. Just read the words, and savour her tone. That’s very probably because she blames the release of a not entirely dissimilar FBI report in her in 2016 for her defeat.

    So it’s very close to home.
    It’s abundantly clear that Russia does interfere in elections including in Britain. Whether that interference is effective is less clear.
    Just a question which I am not sure I have seen asked: suppose Russia or anyone else interferes in UK elections for reasons of its own, so what? Unlike UK parties and citizens it is not subject to UK election law and there is nothing ultimately that can be done about it unless we were to close down the free press and media wholesale like China.

  • NEW: Lib Dem Candidate Repeatedly Used N-Word and 'R*tard' on Twitter https://t.co/B35MiNC0MV https://t.co/2Tt3D2tU9H
  • RobD said:

    Sky just making the point that Farage will now openly campaign for Boris's deal in the media, on the stump, and in TV debates and this could have a considearable positive for the conservative party

    To be honest I had not taken that into account and that could be another big moment

    Farage campaigning for the Tories could be a plus or a minus!
    At a distance it would be ok - no different really then the remain alliance
  • CatMan said:

    RobD said:
    Has anyone got that graph updated that was on here the other day showing the current polling vs that of 2017? Would be interesting to see if there is yet much divergence.
    https://twitter.com/ElectionMapsUK/status/1193984074764967941?s=20
    Cheers. So, so far pretty much following the same pattern.
  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,318

    Cyclefree said:

    Today has brought 2 more depressing reasons for hoping the Tories don’t succeed:-

    1. Farage giving them a free run in some seats.
    2. The Tories proposal to renege on what has been agreed with the Irish government about prosecuting soldiers for crimes committed during the Troubles. Bad law, bad policy, morally repulsive and shows Ireland and others that the word of the British government cannot be relied upon.

    Yuck, yuck.

    Meanwhile Labour’s vote share creeps up.

    More yuck.

    If only they could both lose.

    I’m not sure the Tories are in charge of Farage’s decision.
    I am more cynical than you. Cui bono? The consensus seems to be the Tories. And I’m supposed to believe the Tories had absolutely nothing to do with it at all. Hmm....

  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,695
    edited November 2019

    RobD said:
    Has anyone got that graph updated that was on here the other day showing the current polling vs that of 2017? Would be interesting to see if there is yet much divergence.
    I don't have that graph but the current Tory lead remains 11% (average of last six polls on Wiki).

    Today is 31 days ahead of the GE; 31 days ahead of the 2017 GE the Tory lead was 17.8%

    Edit: Wiki does not yet list that latest ICM poll.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,156

    Posts saying 'at this point in the 2017 campaign the Tories were 15 points ahead' seem to have dried up :)

    Looking at this page three was at least one which was only an 11% lead around this point in the campaign, so near identical :)
  • According to his website, Kevin is the Vice-President of the Liberal Democrat Campaign for Race Equality… https://t.co/B35MiNC0MV https://t.co/CUQE5CXwKp
  • Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,936

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    Someone on PB said AV was a bit naff.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,156
    CatMan said:

    RobD said:
    Has anyone got that graph updated that was on here the other day showing the current polling vs that of 2017? Would be interesting to see if there is yet much divergence.
    https://twitter.com/ElectionMapsUK/status/1193984074764967941?s=20
    Blimey, makes it look a lot worse than it is for the Tories, but will excite the Corbynistas, which is important for motivation at least.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    kinabalu said:

    Charles said:

    whatever happened to the principle that you don't interfere with domestic politics in another country?

    Has there ever been such an open goal? I almost can't be bothered because it's slightly embarrassing but I guess I have to. So here goes -

    The best person to direct the question to is that US president guy who rings up London radio stations and straight out tells the listeners how to vote in our general election.
    I know Trump is a jerk. Clinton should be better than him.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,424
    RobD said:

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    Someone on PB said AV was a bit naff.
    And Corbyn announced he would give everyone a free pineapple pizza if he won.
  • RobD said:
    Has anyone got that graph updated that was on here the other day showing the current polling vs that of 2017? Would be interesting to see if there is yet much divergence.
    I don't have that graph but the current Tory lead remains 11% (average of last six polls on Wiki).

    Today is 31 days ahead of the GE; 31 days ahead of the 2017 GE the Tory lead was 17.8%
    Cheers sir
  • RogerRoger Posts: 19,914
    edited November 2019
    alb1on said:

    Floater said:
    As usual Bastani is talking out of his (deep blue)rear end. The bombings took place in 1994. Two Palestinians were convicted but without any evidence linking them to the bombings (although they were linked to explosives for use in the Middle East). Many MPs supported efforts to have their convictions quashed, including Peter Bottomley, Robert Jackson and Ian Gilmour of the Conservatives.

    I have no idea of their guilt, but this is a smear which ignores the cross party support for the review of their convictions.
    Fun name. Lord Matzo the Unleavened @Matzoballing.

    I'm sure you've all heard the true story of when Marilyn Monroe went to dinner with Arthur Miller's parents for the first time and his Mother told her they were starting with matzo ball soup. "It's delicious" said Marilyn. "Is that the only part of a matzo you can eat?"
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,936
    ydoethur said:

    RobD said:

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    Someone on PB said AV was a bit naff.
    And Corbyn announced he would give everyone a free pineapple pizza if he won.
    Delivered by owl, I think.
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,695
    edited November 2019

    Posts saying 'at this point in the 2017 campaign the Tories were 15 points ahead' seem to have dried up :)

    I've been away at a wedding and am now just catching up.

    Current Tory lead is 11.0%. It was 17.8% at this stage of GE2017.
  • PendduPenddu Posts: 265
    dr_spyn said:
    Watch Neil macEvoy press conference tommorrow....
  • RobD said:

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    Someone on PB said AV was a bit naff.
    Burn them.
  • Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    Klopp is keen on moving to a bigger club based in North London with a desperate fan base ...
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,936

    RobD said:

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    Someone on PB said AV was a bit naff.
    Burn them.
    Sorry, there's some barmy ECHR ruling about freedom of expression that prevents a good old-fashioned burning.
  • GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 19,468

    Posts saying 'at this point in the 2017 campaign the Tories were 15 points ahead' seem to have dried up :)

    I've been away at a wedding and am now just catching up.

    Current Tory lead is 11.0%. It was 17.8% at this stage of GE2017.
    Boris in less popular than May shocker.
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,695

    RobD said:
    Has anyone got that graph updated that was on here the other day showing the current polling vs that of 2017? Would be interesting to see if there is yet much divergence.
    I don't have that graph but the current Tory lead remains 11% (average of last six polls on Wiki).

    Today is 31 days ahead of the GE; 31 days ahead of the 2017 GE the Tory lead was 17.8%
    Cheers sir
    I might actually recreate a similar graph later thisa week when I have afrw moments.

    The 2017 fall in Tory lead started from 21 days out; it was holding steady before that.
  • Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    Klopp is keen on moving to a bigger club based in North London with a desperate fan base ...
    It is the hope that kills you, I have 2013/14 seared on my brain.
  • llefllef Posts: 301
    Penddu said:

    dr_spyn said:
    Watch Neil macEvoy press conference tommorrow....
    more details here
    https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/neil-mcevoy-assembly-roderick-evans-17240606
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,489

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    Klopp is keen on moving to a bigger club based in North London with a desperate fan base ...
    I actually think Spurs would be a great move for Klopp. Wonderful stadium, best in the world, in London, bags of potential. Merseyside is hardly an inspiring place.
  • DruttDrutt Posts: 1,124

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    We're all just settling down to watch a nice Christmas film. Yippee kiy-yay.
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,489

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    Klopp is keen on moving to a bigger club based in North London with a desperate fan base ...
    It is the hope that kills you, I have 2013/14 seared on my brain.
    City sans Mr Kompany are not the team they were.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,424
    llef said:

    Penddu said:

    dr_spyn said:
    Watch Neil macEvoy press conference tommorrow....
    more details here
    https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/neil-mcevoy-assembly-roderick-evans-17240606
    It has to be said McEvoy sounds madder than Mad Jack McMad, winner of this year’s Mr Madman competition.

    I wonder if he can afford yet another highly expensive court case after that libel action he launched and then abandoned a few years back.
  • JasonJason Posts: 1,614
    kle4 said:

    Jason said:

    Hypothetical here. For arguments sake, the Tories fall short again. Is there any circumstance where anyone could see either the SNP or the Dims propping up a Tory government? Or would that be impossible to conceive?

    The LDs at least claim they will not prop up any kind of government, and while I feel something would have to give in the event they were true kingmakers, their hope of replacing Labour would I think take a hit propping up the Tories again, and what price could be extracted to make it worthwhile?

    Cyclefree said:

    Today has brought 2 more depressing reasons for hoping the Tories don’t succeed:-

    1. Farage giving them a free run in some seats.
    2. The Tories proposal to renege on what has been agreed with the Irish government about prosecuting soldiers for crimes committed during the Troubles. Bad law, bad policy, morally repulsive and shows Ireland and others that the word of the British government cannot be relied upon.

    Yuck, yuck.

    Meanwhile Labour’s vote share creeps up.

    More yuck.

    If only they could both lose.

    I’m not sure the Tories are in charge of Farage’s decision.
    Indeed. It does likely help them more than it hurts by turning off tory remainers and encouraging remain alliances (that would probably happen anyway), but his very existence at this point is a needless worry for them, so while his decision has aided them, it's not like it is a complete pact.
    I wonder if Swinson could be bought. I think there's a bit of Tory in there somewhere (excuse the pun), Brexit aside. Maybe the offer of a referendum on PR or such like?
  • Drutt said:

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    We're all just settling down to watch a nice Christmas film. Yippee kiy-yay.
    The Empire Strikes Back? I mean that film has more snow in it than Die Hard.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,424
    Drutt said:

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    We're all just settling down to watch a nice Christmas film. Yippee kiy-yay.
    Die Hard isn’t on tonight, is it?
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,489
    Drutt said:

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    We're all just settling down to watch a nice Christmas film. Yippee kiy-yay.
    Still raises a warm smile of anticipation when I see Willis’ plane land at LAX in the heat haze.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,213
    PClipp said:
    Nick Boles header is essentially an endorsement of the Brexit Party where I am !
  • And so it goes on .......

    Labour Candidate Claimed Mural Isn't Anti-Semitic https://t.co/E43W05NOtT
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Cyclefree said:

    Today has brought 2 more depressing reasons for hoping the Tories don’t succeed:-

    1. Farage giving them a free run in some seats.
    2. The Tories proposal to renege on what has been agreed with the Irish government about prosecuting soldiers for crimes committed during the Troubles. Bad law, bad policy, morally repulsive and shows Ireland and others that the word of the British government cannot be relied upon.

    Yuck, yuck.

    Meanwhile Labour’s vote share creeps up.

    More yuck.

    If only they could both lose.

    The issue was a perceived lack of evenhandness between treatment of soldiers and terrorists.

  • CatManCatMan Posts: 3,060
    edited November 2019
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,149

    Posts saying 'at this point in the 2017 campaign the Tories were 15 points ahead' seem to have dried up :)

    I've been away at a wedding and am now just catching up.

    Current Tory lead is 11.0%. It was 17.8% at this stage of GE2017.
    That was before the dementia tax disaster Boris will not repeat and with the Brexit Party included which was not the case in 2017
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 34,695
    Jason said:

    kle4 said:

    Jason said:

    Hypothetical here. For arguments sake, the Tories fall short again. Is there any circumstance where anyone could see either the SNP or the Dims propping up a Tory government? Or would that be impossible to conceive?

    The LDs at least claim they will not prop up any kind of government, and while I feel something would have to give in the event they were true kingmakers, their hope of replacing Labour would I think take a hit propping up the Tories again, and what price could be extracted to make it worthwhile?

    Cyclefree said:

    Today has brought 2 more depressing reasons for hoping the Tories don’t succeed:-

    1. Farage giving them a free run in some seats.
    2. The Tories proposal to renege on what has been agreed with the Irish government about prosecuting soldiers for crimes committed during the Troubles. Bad law, bad policy, morally repulsive and shows Ireland and others that the word of the British government cannot be relied upon.

    Yuck, yuck.

    Meanwhile Labour’s vote share creeps up.

    More yuck.

    If only they could both lose.

    I’m not sure the Tories are in charge of Farage’s decision.
    Indeed. It does likely help them more than it hurts by turning off tory remainers and encouraging remain alliances (that would probably happen anyway), but his very existence at this point is a needless worry for them, so while his decision has aided them, it's not like it is a complete pact.
    I wonder if Swinson could be bought. I think there's a bit of Tory in there somewhere (excuse the pun), Brexit aside. Maybe the offer of a referendum on PR or such like?
    I think you'll find they fell for that one last time.
  • Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    Klopp is keen on moving to a bigger club based in North London with a desperate fan base ...
    I actually think Spurs would be a great move for Klopp. Wonderful stadium, best in the world, in London, bags of potential. Merseyside is hardly an inspiring place.
    In my dreams! I don't know anyone who 'genuinely' dislikes Klopp.

    Spurs' current squad cycle has well and truly peaked and where we bottom from here, I have no idea.

    Poch's speculating he would leave if we won the CL Final ranks up there with Harry Rednapp's hints at wanting the England job when managing us, both projects seem to have ended after those messages.
  • Cyclefree said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Today has brought 2 more depressing reasons for hoping the Tories don’t succeed:-

    1. Farage giving them a free run in some seats.
    2. The Tories proposal to renege on what has been agreed with the Irish government about prosecuting soldiers for crimes committed during the Troubles. Bad law, bad policy, morally repulsive and shows Ireland and others that the word of the British government cannot be relied upon.

    Yuck, yuck.

    Meanwhile Labour’s vote share creeps up.

    More yuck.

    If only they could both lose.

    I’m not sure the Tories are in charge of Farage’s decision.
    I am more cynical than you. Cui bono? The consensus seems to be the Tories. And I’m supposed to believe the Tories had absolutely nothing to do with it at all. Hmm....

    If they did, they’d have influenced him to stand down in their target seats.

    This way doesn’t help them very much at all and could indeed hurt them in the SE.
  • Drutt said:

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    We're all just settling down to watch a nice Christmas film. Yippee kiy-yay.
    The Empire Strikes Back? I mean that film has more snow in it than Die Hard.
    2x Xmas blockbusters....
  • Jason said:

    kle4 said:

    Jason said:

    Hypothetical here. For arguments sake, the Tories fall short again. Is there any circumstance where anyone could see either the SNP or the Dims propping up a Tory government? Or would that be impossible to conceive?

    The LDs at least claim they will not prop up any kind of government, and while I feel something would have to give in the event they were true kingmakers, their hope of replacing Labour would I think take a hit propping up the Tories again, and what price could be extracted to make it worthwhile?

    Cyclefree said:

    Today has brought 2 more depressing reasons for hoping the Tories don’t succeed:-

    1. Farage giving them a free run in some seats.
    2. The Tories proposal to renege on what has been agreed with the Irish government about prosecuting soldiers for crimes committed during the Troubles. Bad law, bad policy, morally repulsive and shows Ireland and others that the word of the British government cannot be relied upon.

    Yuck, yuck.

    Meanwhile Labour’s vote share creeps up.

    More yuck.

    If only they could both lose.

    I’m not sure the Tories are in charge of Farage’s decision.
    Indeed. It does likely help them more than it hurts by turning off tory remainers and encouraging remain alliances (that would probably happen anyway), but his very existence at this point is a needless worry for them, so while his decision has aided them, it's not like it is a complete pact.
    I wonder if Swinson could be bought. I think there's a bit of Tory in there somewhere (excuse the pun), Brexit aside. Maybe the offer of a referendum on PR or such like?
    Other than the fact some Tories have defected to her party, what is Tory about Jo Swinson?
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,149

    Those 317 seats the BXP won't be standing in include 19 which thanks to defections etc don't currently have Conservative MPs.
    I am sure the news made Anna's day

    Also TBP are not standing in Workington, I expect quite a few more marginal labour seats will see TBP candidates fail to materialise
    That is not good news, the Tories only led in Workington due to Labour voters going BXP in the recent poll there. Hopefully Farage sticks to his guns and stands in all Labour seats
  • Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    Klopp is keen on moving to a bigger club based in North London with a desperate fan base ...
    I actually think Spurs would be a great move for Klopp. Wonderful stadium, best in the world, in London, bags of potential. Merseyside is hardly an inspiring place.
    In my dreams! I don't know anyone who 'genuinely' dislikes Klopp.

    Spurs' current squad cycle has well and truly peaked and where we bottom from here, I have no idea.

    Poch's speculating he would leave if we won the CL Final ranks up there with Harry Rednapp's hints at wanting the England job when managing us, both projects seem to have ended after those messages.
    Get Jose Mourinho in, he's the perfect fit for Spurs.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,156

    Jason said:

    kle4 said:

    Jason said:

    Hypothetical here. For arguments sake, the Tories fall short again. Is there any circumstance where anyone could see either the SNP or the Dims propping up a Tory government? Or would that be impossible to conceive?

    The LDs at least claim they will not prop up any kind of government, and while I feel something would have to give in the event they were true kingmakers, their hope of replacing Labour would I think take a hit propping up the Tories again, and what price could be extracted to make it worthwhile?

    Cyclefree said:

    Today has brought 2 more depressing reasons for hoping the Tories don’t succeed:-

    1. Farage giving them a free run in some seats.
    2. The Tories proposal to renege on what has been agreed with the Irish government about prosecuting soldiers for crimes committed during the Troubles. Bad law, bad policy, morally repulsive and shows Ireland and others that the word of the British government cannot be relied upon.

    Yuck, yuck.

    Meanwhile Labour’s vote share creeps up.

    More yuck.

    If only they could both lose.

    I’m not sure the Tories are in charge of Farage’s decision.
    Indeed. It does likely help them more than it hurts by turning off tory remainers and encouraging remain alliances (that would probably happen anyway), but his very existence at this point is a needless worry for them, so while his decision has aided them, it's not like it is a complete pact.
    I wonder if Swinson could be bought. I think there's a bit of Tory in there somewhere (excuse the pun), Brexit aside. Maybe the offer of a referendum on PR or such like?
    Other than the fact some Tories have defected to her party, what is Tory about Jo Swinson?
    She worked with some Tories once, in a political compromise. Oh the horror!
  • ydoethur said:

    kle4 said:

    kle4 said:

    HYUFD said:
    Fair play to you for not just posting food news stories for the Tories.

    I guess Boles is the counterpart to Woodcock and Austin, although not going for the main opponent of the person he despises.
    Good news stories. I cannot recall HYUFD posting food news stories.
    If he did it would be a turnip for the books.
    The swede smell of success!
  • HYUFD said:

    Those 317 seats the BXP won't be standing in include 19 which thanks to defections etc don't currently have Conservative MPs.
    I am sure the news made Anna's day

    Also TBP are not standing in Workington, I expect quite a few more marginal labour seats will see TBP candidates fail to materialise
    That is not good news, the Tories only led in Workington due to Labour voters going BXP in the recent poll there. Hopefully Farage sticks to his guns and stands in all Labour seats
    It is the candidate who has stood down in support for the conservative, Farage not involved
  • Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    Klopp is keen on moving to a bigger club based in North London with a desperate fan base ...
    I actually think Spurs would be a great move for Klopp. Wonderful stadium, best in the world, in London, bags of potential. Merseyside is hardly an inspiring place.
    In my dreams! I don't know anyone who 'genuinely' dislikes Klopp.

    Spurs' current squad cycle has well and truly peaked and where we bottom from here, I have no idea.

    Poch's speculating he would leave if we won the CL Final ranks up there with Harry Rednapp's hints at wanting the England job when managing us, both projects seem to have ended after those messages.
    Get Jose Mourinho in, he's the perfect fit for Spurs.
    I think the flaw there in that logic might just be ££££££££££££££££££££ and Mr. Levy.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,156
    Cyclefree said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Today has brought 2 more depressing reasons for hoping the Tories don’t succeed:-

    1. Farage giving them a free run in some seats.
    2. The Tories proposal to renege on what has been agreed with the Irish government about prosecuting soldiers for crimes committed during the Troubles. Bad law, bad policy, morally repulsive and shows Ireland and others that the word of the British government cannot be relied upon.

    Yuck, yuck.

    Meanwhile Labour’s vote share creeps up.

    More yuck.

    If only they could both lose.

    I’m not sure the Tories are in charge of Farage’s decision.
    I am more cynical than you. Cui bono? The consensus seems to be the Tories. And I’m supposed to believe the Tories had absolutely nothing to do with it at all. Hmm....

    Jonathon was saying the same thing earlier, and it seems like a bizarre obsession to me. What difference does it make if they did? They don't get everything that they want by the fact of him standing anywhere, since not everyone agrees on cui bono why are you certain the Tories are the ones who will, even if they did have discussions with him what difference does that make as either they swayed him to step down or he chose to, and it leads to the same outcome. So really, what's with all this 'hmm'ing where its presented as some tremendous potential reveltation if the Tories and Farage did discuss things with him? It's positive or negatives depending on what side you stand aren't affected either way, yet its presented like this would be a killer fact.

  • SquareRootSquareRoot Posts: 7,095

    Posts saying 'at this point in the 2017 campaign the Tories were 15 points ahead' seem to have dried up :)

    except for you of course...
  • olmolm Posts: 125
    edited November 2019

    And so it goes on .......

    Labour Candidate Claimed Mural Isn't Anti-Semitic https://t.co/E43W05NOtT

    Unsurprising since the mural isn't clearly anti-semitic.
    The artist may or may not be, but there's no evidence that it is.
    The majority of the people depicted are non Jews (christians of various denominations indeed), and are all symbolic of the 'richest people in the world' (albeit perhaps not literally).
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,489

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    Klopp is keen on moving to a bigger club based in North London with a desperate fan base ...
    I actually think Spurs would be a great move for Klopp. Wonderful stadium, best in the world, in London, bags of potential. Merseyside is hardly an inspiring place.
    In my dreams! I don't know anyone who 'genuinely' dislikes Klopp.

    Spurs' current squad cycle has well and truly peaked and where we bottom from here, I have no idea.

    Poch's speculating he would leave if we won the CL Final ranks up there with Harry Rednapp's hints at wanting the England job when managing us, both projects seem to have ended after those messages.
    With the squad they have, they should be doing far better. But I think it could be time for Poch to go.
  • Drutt said:

    Been in meetings all day, have I missed anything?

    We're all just settling down to watch a nice Christmas film. Yippee kiy-yay.
    The Empire Strikes Back? I mean that film has more snow in it than Die Hard.
    "‘This is John,’ a voiceover begins. ‘He just wants to spend Christmas with the family. But when he gets stuck at the office party, it’ll be a holiday he’ll never forget."

    Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2018/12/19/yippee-ki-yes-die-hard-officially-named-christmas-film-debate-finally-8265161/?ito=cbshare
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,149

    Jason said:

    kle4 said:

    Jason said:

    Hypothetical here. For arguments sake, the Tories fall short again. Is there any circumstance where anyone could see either the SNP or the Dims propping up a Tory government? Or would that be impossible to conceive?

    The LDs at least claim they will not prop up any kind of government, and while I feel something would have to give in the event they were true kingmakers, their hope of replacing Labour would I think take a hit propping up the Tories again, and what price could be extracted to make it worthwhile?

    Cyclefree said:

    Today has brought 2 more depressing reasons for hoping the Tories don’t succeed:-

    1. Farage giving them a free run in some seats.
    2. The Tories proposal to renege on what has been agreed with the Irish government about prosecuting soldiers for crimes committed during the Troubles. Bad law, bad policy, morally repulsive and shows Ireland and others that the word of the British government cannot be relied upon.

    Yuck, yuck.

    Meanwhile Labour’s vote share creeps up.

    More yuck.

    If only they could both lose.

    I’m not sure the Tories are in charge of Farage’s decision.
    Indeed. It does likely help them more than it hurts by turning off tory remainers and encouraging remain alliances (that would probably happen anyway), but his very existence at this point is a needless worry for them, so while his decision has aided them, it's not like it is a complete pact.
    I wonder if Swinson could be bought. I think there's a bit of Tory in there somewhere (excuse the pun), Brexit aside. Maybe the offer of a referendum on PR or such like?
    Other than the fact some Tories have defected to her party, what is Tory about Jo Swinson?
    She hates the SNP
This discussion has been closed.