Absolutely. But under EU law he has an absolute veto on what happens.
Provided he gets re-elected ;-). What are the Spanish opposition's view on Catalonia?
Pretty much the same. They are more flexible about more powers for Catalonia - which is actually what Catalonia wants - but they would not countenance separation.
It seems that all Labour does is try to create enemies and then try to bash them, whether deserved or not.
Labour, uniquely amongst all the political parties, is quite political.
I don't agree that creating undeserving enemies is, or should be, politics.
Unfortunately politics carries on regardless of whether you agree with it or not.
It's a shame you think that this situation is in any way desirable in politics. I would have thought that as a Green supporter (and honorary PB Tory), you would have wanted better politics than that.
It is things like the Mitchell affair that drives politics and politicians' reputations down into the mud. It leads people to claim that it is alright for the police to lie as long as it achieves a given political result.
I'd prefer politicians to do the right thing, even if it is harder.
Pretty much the same. They are more flexible about more powers for Catalonia - which is actually what Catalonia wants - but they would not countenance separation.
Is there legal advice on this matter, does he *really* have a veto?
I've just changed PCs and can't get the widget to work on Firefox 25 - any ideas? I've tried installing the PB Enhanced widget on my toolbar and it won't load as a Greasemonkey script.
I find I have done exactly the opposite of the general public. Between 1997 and 2010, I cleared all my personal debt. Between 2010 and now, I've loaded myself up to the eyeballs with debt (though I intend clearing it all in the next few months). While borrowing costs were so low, it seemed crazy not to take advantage of that. Indeed, a substantial part of me feels that I'm being too cautious arranging to clear my debts now.
Well, lets put it this way.. interest rates can only go up!
It seems that all Labour does is try to create enemies and then try to bash them, whether deserved or not.
Labour, uniquely amongst all the political parties, is quite political.
I don't agree that creating undeserving enemies is, or should be, politics.
Unfortunately politics carries on regardless of whether you agree with it or not.
It's a shame you think that this situation is in any way desirable in politics. I would have thought that as a Green supporter (and honorary PB Tory), you would have wanted better politics than that.
It is things like the Mitchell affair that drives politics and politicians' reputations down into the mud. It leads people to claim that it is alright for the police to lie as long as it achieves a given political result.
I'd prefer politicians to do the right thing, even if it is harder.
Oh what supercilious bullsh!t, from a supporter of the Go Home Van Party.
Surely it's its de facto anthem? It's played at international sporting events and if you asked people what the anthem was they'd say Flower of Scotland.
In the same way God Save the Queen is the de facto anthem of England and the UK (eealise it has no official status, but then none do)
I find I have done exactly the opposite of the general public. Between 1997 and 2010, I cleared all my personal debt. Between 2010 and now, I've loaded myself up to the eyeballs with debt (though I intend clearing it all in the next few months). While borrowing costs were so low, it seemed crazy not to take advantage of that. Indeed, a substantial part of me feels that I'm being too cautious arranging to clear my debts now.
Well, lets put it this way.. interest rates can only go up!
That's true - but not necessarily particularly quickly.
It's a shame you think that this situation is in any way desirable in politics.
It's a shame you see fit to make up and attribute positions I dont hold to me. And I thought it was only Labour that was into dirty politics.
If you actually stated a position I might be able to hold you to it ...
I think what I've posted so far has been crystal clear. That you felt the need to make up some crap while at the same time sanctimoniously going on about how uniquely terrible Labour is ... well that was a picture.
Talking about confusion: how much confusion do you think Miliband's grand plan has caused for the energy investment we desperately need?
What's confusing about "your prices will be frozen"?!
Honestly, if Tories get confused by simple concepts like that they prove they're not fit to govern anything.
So we *desperately need* energy investment now? How long have the companies had to provide that investment? Decades.
A failing market that shouldn't be in the private sector. Simple as that.
It leads to uncertainty in the markets, especially when those markets are dominated by costs that are outside of their control.
If Labour cannot understand the markets and investment (and let's make it clear: there are few signs they do) then they are not fit to govern anything.
Companies will not invest unless the conditions are right for them to do so. Part of a government's role is to provide the conditions companies need to invest, whether that investment is in energy, infrastructure, or jobs.
The alternative is to have things under state control, with the state providing the investment. And history shows that investment can be just as bad in that situation.
I've just changed PCs and can't get the widget to work on Firefox 25 - any ideas? I've tried installing the PB Enhanced widget on my toolbar and it won't load as a Greasemonkey script.
Pretty much the same. They are more flexible about more powers for Catalonia - which is actually what Catalonia wants - but they would not countenance separation.
Is there legal advice on this matter, does he *really* have a veto?
Yes - new EU members have to be agreed unanimously by all existing member states. Even under the SNP's very optimistic reading of the situation, all member states would have to unanimously agree to allow Scotland to retain the opt-outs it wants. In both cases Spain and any other country has a veto.
But this is all by the by. The SNP know all of the above. What happens after a Yes vote is of very little interest to them right now. They just want to get the Yes. If they get that and it turns out that everything Better Together said was right it doesn't matter. Scotland will be independent.
It's a shame you think that this situation is in any way desirable in politics.
It's a shame you see fit to make up and attribute positions I dont hold to me. And I thought it was only Labour that was into dirty politics.
If you actually stated a position I might be able to hold you to it ...
I think what I've posted so far has been crystal clear. That you felt the need to make up some crap while at the same time sanctimoniously going on about how uniquely terrible Labour is ... well that was a picture.
"make up some cr@p"?
Really?
But to make it clear, I'm sorry if I have offended you, or in some way misinterpreted what you have said. Okay?
Surely it's its de facto anthem? It's played at international sporting events and if you asked people what the anthem was they'd say Flower of Scotland.
Scotland's Future is silent on the matter.....personally I find Flower of Scotland a dreary dirge (bit like GSTQ).....
@SeanT - About your mortgage, worth your while checking the small print for how much you can overpay. If you might have future large wodges of money coming in from book deals then you might be better off sticking with a mortgage that gives you the freedom to pay off another large chunk when that money comes in, rather than lock yourself into a deal that limits overpayments to ~£500 a month.
But, you know, I'm an ignorant fool with a financial strategy of picking up dropped coins outside the corner shop and putting them in a piggy bank...
We took out an offset mortgage for a similar reason earlier this year, as we've bought a joint house for the two of us, which we financed partly through the sale of mine, partly through savings and partly through a mortgage. When we sell the other house, we'll pay off a decent chunk of the mortgage with the equity in it.
Obviously, what works for us won't work for everyone and for legal purposes, this doesn't constitute advice.
All Stan James accounts are reviewed on a regular basis by our Trading team, and due to betting patterns on this account the decision has been made to close it.
I would make you aware that this decision has been made at the highest level and will not be reversed. Any open bets will be honoured, and any outstanding balance will be returned to you via your normal withdrawal method.
Date Event / Market Your Bet Result Return 17 Oct 2013 11:23 Strictly Come Dancing 2013 Winner, Susanna Reid, 8/1 Single £10.00 (Pot. Ret. £90.00) Open Open 03 Oct 2012 13:28 UK Political Specials Next Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ed Balls, 3/1 Single £20.00 (Pot. Ret. £80.00) Open Open 01 Oct 2012 10:16 UK Political Specials Next Prime Minister, Ed Miliband, 6/4 Single £70.00 (Pot. Ret. £175.00) Open Open
Talking about confusion: how much confusion do you think Miliband's grand plan has caused for the energy investment we desperately need?
What's confusing about "your prices will be frozen"?!
Honestly, if Tories get confused by simple concepts like that they prove they're not fit to govern anything.
So we *desperately need* energy investment now? How long have the companies had to provide that investment? Decades.
A failing market that shouldn't be in the private sector. Simple as that.
It leads to uncertainty in the markets, especially when those markets are dominated by costs that are outside of their control.
If Labour cannot understand the markets and investment (and let's make it clear: there are few signs they do) then they are not fit to govern anything.
Companies will not invest unless the conditions are right for them to do so. Part of a government's role is to provide the conditions companies need to invest, whether that investment is in energy, infrastructure, or jobs.
The alternative is to have things under state control, with the state providing the investment. And history shows that investment can be just as bad in that situation.
Great! So privatisation is *just as bad* as nationalisation with the added benefit of all those profits wrung out of consumers with no proper accountability going to shareholders rather than into investment.
My mortgage deal is coming to an end. What's the pb brains trust advice? Go for fixed rate or tracker? I will be paying a fair chunk of the mortgage off, at the same time, if that makes any difference.
Avoid a 2-3 year fix because you will be toast when you refi.
If you can get a portable 10 year fix at under 5% I'd argue that it's a very good deal long-term.
Looks like your view and mine are diametrically opposed on the 2-year horizon... just wondering if we can agree a sensible bilateral hedge for my next remortgage on that basis.
Agree with you on the 10y thing tho. Someone was offering a 6 year at 2.99% for 60% LTV recently which looks like a great deal.
I just suspect the market price will reflect expected rises in interest rates by the end of 2015. So unless you are happy to take that risk, there is a lot of downside in a short-term fix.
Sure we can arrange something. You won't like the spreads though (and our base rate is different to the BoE). We only do fixed for loans above £1m
Pretty much the same. They are more flexible about more powers for Catalonia - which is actually what Catalonia wants - but they would not countenance separation.
Is there legal advice on this matter, does he *really* have a veto?
Yes. New members only become so through a treaty of accession. Treaties have to be agreed by all member states and then ratified.
Even if a treaty could be agreed, it's highly optimistic to believe it could happen within 18 months of Nov 2014. If agreement could be reached beforehand, some interim stage - eg EEA membership - might be possible but if it wasn't, Scotland would find itself in a tricky position in relation to the Single Market.
Then again, if Scotland did become independent and rUK then voted to leave the EU, it would make for an interesting decision as to what to do next in Edinburgh.
I've just changed PCs and can't get the widget to work on Firefox 25 - any ideas? I've tried installing the PB Enhanced widget on my toolbar and it won't load as a Greasemonkey script.
Talking about confusion: how much confusion do you think Miliband's grand plan has caused for the energy investment we desperately need?
What's confusing about "your prices will be frozen"?!
Honestly, if Tories get confused by simple concepts like that they prove they're not fit to govern anything.
So we *desperately need* energy investment now? How long have the companies had to provide that investment? Decades.
A failing market that shouldn't be in the private sector. Simple as that.
It leads to uncertainty in the markets, especially when those markets are dominated by costs that are outside of their control.
If Labour cannot understand the markets and investment (and let's make it clear: there are few signs they do) then they are not fit to govern anything.
Companies will not invest unless the conditions are right for them to do so. Part of a government's role is to provide the conditions companies need to invest, whether that investment is in energy, infrastructure, or jobs.
The alternative is to have things under state control, with the state providing the investment. And history shows that investment can be just as bad in that situation.
Great! So privatisation is *just as bad* as nationalisation with the added benefit of all those profits wrung out of consumers with no proper accountability going to shareholders rather than into investment.
Shall we mark that up as a win for Tory ideology?
I would suggest you look at the rather inglorious history of some nationalised industries in the UK.
Privatisation and nationalisation are tools in the toolbox, to be used when the situation best suits. Some industries should be nationalised; others thrive in private hands. Applying the wrong tool to a specific problem for ideological reasons does nothing but harm.
And yes, that goes both ways. I'm rather unsure why the water companies are in private hands, whilst telecoms has flourished privately IMHO. I would need some convincing about why the railways should be renationalised, but am open to persuasion.
Comments
It is things like the Mitchell affair that drives politics and politicians' reputations down into the mud. It leads people to claim that it is alright for the police to lie as long as it achieves a given political result.
I'd prefer politicians to do the right thing, even if it is harder.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_anthem_of_Scotland
Cull ends as there's no prospect of hitting the targets of dead badgers because, erm, there aren't enough badgers to kill.
Did Chris Morris write this Government's script?
In the same way God Save the Queen is the de facto anthem of England and the UK (eealise it has no official status, but then none do)
I wonder how the Scottish nationalists would regard the English adopting as a national anthem a song based on the events of Flodden Field.
If Labour cannot understand the markets and investment (and let's make it clear: there are few signs they do) then they are not fit to govern anything.
Companies will not invest unless the conditions are right for them to do so. Part of a government's role is to provide the conditions companies need to invest, whether that investment is in energy, infrastructure, or jobs.
The alternative is to have things under state control, with the state providing the investment. And history shows that investment can be just as bad in that situation.
But this is all by the by. The SNP know all of the above. What happens after a Yes vote is of very little interest to them right now. They just want to get the Yes. If they get that and it turns out that everything Better Together said was right it doesn't matter. Scotland will be independent.
Really?
But to make it clear, I'm sorry if I have offended you, or in some way misinterpreted what you have said. Okay?
Was amazed to read of how Ireland nearly beat the All Blacks.
Obviously, what works for us won't work for everyone and for legal purposes, this doesn't constitute advice.
Just checked the last thread. My sympathies for your loss, Mr. Smithson.
Your StanJames.com username is:--------
All Stan James accounts are reviewed on a regular basis by our Trading team, and due to betting patterns on this account the decision has been made to close it.
I would make you aware that this decision has been made at the highest level and will not be reversed. Any open bets will be honoured, and any outstanding balance will be returned to you via your normal withdrawal method.
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The Stan James Team.
17 Oct 2013 11:23 Strictly Come Dancing 2013 Winner, Susanna Reid, 8/1
Single £10.00 (Pot. Ret. £90.00) Open Open
03 Oct 2012 13:28 UK Political Specials Next Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ed Balls, 3/1
Single £20.00 (Pot. Ret. £80.00) Open Open
01 Oct 2012 10:16 UK Political Specials Next Prime Minister, Ed Miliband, 6/4
Single £70.00 (Pot. Ret. £175.00) Open Open
Condolences to OGH and his family.
Shall we mark that up as a win for Tory ideology?
Sure we can arrange something. You won't like the spreads though (and our base rate is different to the BoE). We only do fixed for loans above £1m
Even if a treaty could be agreed, it's highly optimistic to believe it could happen within 18 months of Nov 2014. If agreement could be reached beforehand, some interim stage - eg EEA membership - might be possible but if it wasn't, Scotland would find itself in a tricky position in relation to the Single Market.
Then again, if Scotland did become independent and rUK then voted to leave the EU, it would make for an interesting decision as to what to do next in Edinburgh.
Shares:
Con: 38.8%
Lab: 28.5%
LD: 24.0%
UKIP: 3.4%
BNP: 2.1%
Green: 1.0%
Seats:
Con: 305
Lab: 217
LD: 46
PC: 3
Green: 1
Speaker: 1
Privatisation and nationalisation are tools in the toolbox, to be used when the situation best suits. Some industries should be nationalised; others thrive in private hands. Applying the wrong tool to a specific problem for ideological reasons does nothing but harm.
And yes, that goes both ways. I'm rather unsure why the water companies are in private hands, whilst telecoms has flourished privately IMHO. I would need some convincing about why the railways should be renationalised, but am open to persuasion.