politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Is John Rentoul right – Was Boris’ speech a disaster and Theresa May has just come a little closer to being Theresa Will?
Unsurprisingly It has lead to pieces like Boris Johnson’s philosophy isn’t just elitist – it’s sinister and Boris Johnon is Still a ‘Nasty Piece of Work’? even George Osborne distanced himself from parts of the speech this morning.
Seeing the Left in one of their regular Boris tizzies is always an amusing spectacle. You'd have thought he'd advocated gas chambers by the fuss, rather than a mere truism about social attainment.
This reminds me of a passage from the Prince (been listening to the audiobook a bit lately). When you move your stall from centre to left or right, or vice versa, then those on your new ground are disinclined to believe your sincerity, and those on your old ground consider you something of a traitor.
oh, and something that should never be underestimated, as I'm sure you don't, is that he is adored. I mean rock star, 1D, Ronaldo-type adored. Which is worth 5pts in whichever contest he decides is right for him.
So Spurs didn't win due to 2 errors, my hedging of the result by betting £100 on Man U also failed.
A draw - worst possible outcome.... keeps me hoping that 'what if we beat Fulham and Sunderland this week... Sturridge is out for our next home game in the PL'...
The Tory leadership contest has a round where the candidates put their case to MPs then a second round where the wider membership votes. I suspect he would win the second round, but am not at all sure that he would place in the top two in the first round.
MPs often do not like being overshadowed by extraparliamentary politicians, and Boris is too pro immigration and pro europe for the real headbangers. Where does this Etonian differ politically from our current Etonian?
oh, and something that should never be underestimated, as I'm sure you don't, is that he is adored. I mean rock star, 1D, Ronaldo-type adored. Which is worth 5pts in whichever contest he decides is right for him.
I said at the time it was a brave speech to make and one that could come back to haunt him. Obviously, any justification of elitism is going to run into trouble on the left - especially when coupled with dodgy arguments about IQ (rich people are rich because they are cleverer than everyone else, hmmmm); but his defence of greed, when it was greed that was such a big factor in the crash, was not wise. Greed is not good. Greed causes people to lose perspective and to treat other people very badly.
Mr. Observer, social Darwinism is indeed a crock of shit. That's not to say intelligence or working hard is not related to prosperity or poverty, but it's very easy to drift into a sort of social Darwinism.
What a crass way to talk about social mobility in the manner Boris has!
Osborne got it right by saying there may be inequality about outcomes but one should strive to create equality of opportunity!Atleast he got something right even if it`s not the economy!
Mr. Observer, social Darwinism is indeed a crock of shit. That's not to say intelligence or working hard is not related to prosperity or poverty, but it's very easy to drift into a sort of social Darwinism.
Intelligent, successful people understand just how lucky they are.
IQ is a big grey (matter) area when it comes to success - compared to equality of opportunity, networks etc. You can wheel out the 'I left school with nothing and...' blah, but such cases are not the norm.
Anyway, the issue is more 'power' than 'wealth'. And on the greed=good thing, well he's only saying what most people reckon Tories think. That's the root of the toxic Tory meme.
Anyway, the issue is more 'power' than 'wealth'. And on the greed=good thing, well he's only saying what most people reckon Tories think. That's the root of the toxic Tory meme.
I thought the whole jist of Boris’ speech was against the 1980’s yuppie greed.
Bojo: - " Gerard Lyons, my economic adviser, thinks we could be looking at growth of 4 per cent next year; and so I hope that in many ways it is NOT like the 1980s all over again.
I don’t imagine that there will be a return of teddy bear braces and young men and women driving Porsches and bawling into brick sized mobiles. But I also hope that there is no return to that spirit of Loadsamoney heartlessness – figuratively riffling banknotes under the noses of the homeless; and I hope that this time the Gordon Gekkos of London are conspicuous not just for their greed – valid motivator thought greed may be for economic progress – as for what they give and do for the rest of the population, many of whom have experienced real falls in their incomes over the last five years.
And if there is to be a boom in the 20-teens, I hope it is one that is marked by a genuine sense of community and acts of prodigious philanthropy, and I wish the snob value and prestige that the Americans attach to act of giving would somehow manifest itself here, or manifest itself more vividly. "
Whatever the merits of Johnson's speech (I haven't read it) I cannot for the life of me believe that Tories seriously think Theresa May is leadership material. Forget all the 'nasty party' background noise or that she has the charisma of one of the vultures from the Disney Jungle Book cartoon this is a minister who has
a) repeatedly made dubious statements about what is achievable and been forced to apologise to Parliament at least once (more perhaps?) May too often engages her mouth before her brain is fired up.
b) is failing in her main task (immigration) and her 'successes' in regards to crime are decidedly questionable
c) has alienated the police and created an environment of mutual mistrust to the extent that she now wants to tout outside the UK for senior police officers (how long would it take for her to get the Heywood treatment that IDS and Maude have received?)
d) Suffers that common failing of many MP's of her gender do in too often playing to her own gender at the expense of the other.
e) Supports the Snoopers Charter and the reining back of the HRA (in itself not a bad thing) so will be a deterrent to Liberal Tory voters.
And if there is one thing more absurd than seeing Miliband's distorted cartoon features on the White House lawn its the idea that May's spotty boots might one day stand upon it.
If the Tory's make May their leader in 2015 its another gift to UKIP and as it goes the Liberal Democrats as well.
Anyway, the issue is more 'power' than 'wealth'. And on the greed=good thing, well he's only saying what most people reckon Tories think. That's the root of the toxic Tory meme.
I thought the whole jist of Boris’ speech was against the 1980’s yuppie greed.
Bojo: - " Gerard Lyons, my economic adviser, thinks we could be looking at growth of 4 per cent next year; and so I hope that in many ways it is NOT like the 1980s all over again.
I don’t imagine that there will be a return of teddy bear braces and young men and women driving Porsches and bawling into brick sized mobiles. But I also hope that there is no return to that spirit of Loadsamoney heartlessness – figuratively riffling banknotes under the noses of the homeless; and I hope that this time the Gordon Gekkos of London are conspicuous not just for their greed – valid motivator thought greed may be for economic progress – as for what they give and do for the rest of the population, many of whom have experienced real falls in their incomes over the last five years.
And if there is to be a boom in the 20-teens, I hope it is one that is marked by a genuine sense of community and acts of prodigious philanthropy, and I wish the snob value and prestige that the Americans attach to act of giving would somehow manifest itself here, or manifest itself more vividly. "
Yes I know - but having read the speech in full I think the error was in *seemingly* conflating the two.
This 'leftie' wealth envy bull is a blind. It's power, vested interests, backscratching etc - the stuff that keeps it all in the 'family'. That's the issue.
And philanthropy? It's fine for the Bill Gates of the world when they get to that age where they realise that money isn't everything and go looking for a sense of self worth before they pop their clogs.
But global corporations? Do me a favour.
My mum was a personnel officer on a big family-owned pottery factory. There was a real sense of loyalty to the company from the workers and the company valued that. They put on trips for families, xmas parties for the kids, booked out the swimming baths once a week for employee use, had an advice centre etc. Decent pay and conditions.
On another point let's get this right the whole justification of this article is the condemnation of Johnson's speech by the Guardian, The Independent and the Huffington Post?
Which boils down to " Leading Tory candidate to replace Cameron gets criticised by left-wing mouthpieces"
I sometimes wonder what social Darwinists think about fluctuations in employment rates due to economic crises. Do they think people coincidentally start getting lazy at about the same time as the economy crashes?
Boris would be an embarrassment to a buffoon. The dullard personifies current Tories who having bought their way into positions have to try and justify having an IQ rather than having had one bought for them.
On another point let's get this right the whole justification of this article is the condemnation of Johnson's speech by the Guardian, The Independent and the Huffington Post?
Which boils down to " Leading Tory candidate to replace Cameron gets criticised by left-wing mouthpieces"
Go figure.......
If he'd been praised by the usual suspect dreary lefty moaners I'd be worried, but not by attacks from those same people in this space-filling thread header.
As opposed to Cameron who courted plaudits from Guardian readers by hugging a huskie when they were never going to vote for him - Boris has only annoyed idiots who would never have voted for him anyway.
SO - I'm giddy on a 2-goal frenzy from Spurs.... now dreaming of a few big wins at Fulham and Sunderland as we start scoring for fun at last then perhaps a home win against a depleted stumbling Liverpool...
Boris would be an embarrassment to a buffoon. The dullard personifies current Tories who having bought their way into positions have to try and justify having an IQ rather than having had one bought for them.
Johnson was a King's Scholar , his parents didn't pay a penny for his Eton education. I hope your parents didn't spend anything on yours.
So Spurs didn't win due to 2 errors, my hedging of the result by betting £100 on Man U also failed.
A draw - worst possible outcome.... keeps me hoping that 'what if we beat Fulham and Sunderland this week... Sturridge is out for our next home game in the PL'...
It's the hope.
Keep up the good work. Spurs played well, which is the important thing. Now you need to play consistently like that, especially against Liverpool ;-)
I sometimes wonder what social Darwinists think about fluctuations in employment rates due to economic crises. Do they think people coincidentally start getting lazy at about the same time as the economy crashes?
You are right. Lazy people are always lazy. Stupid people are always stupid.
In the economic upturns, though, jobs are sloshing about and its difficult to avoid accidentally stumbling in to one. Then people feel comfortable, relax, forget the lessons of history and vote in a Labour govt ...then the jobs dry up.
Jobs are still around but require a bit of effort to find so it's easier just to crack open a can of Stella, fire up the flat screen tv and open the dole cheque envelope until the next Tory administration comes around and repairs it all again.
The Tory leadership contest has a round where the candidates put their case to MPs then a second round where the wider membership votes. I suspect he would win the second round, but am not at all sure that he would place in the top two in the first round.
MPs often do not like being overshadowed by extraparliamentary politicians, and Boris is too pro immigration and pro europe for the real headbangers. Where does this Etonian differ politically from our current Etonian?
oh, and something that should never be underestimated, as I'm sure you don't, is that he is adored. I mean rock star, 1D, Ronaldo-type adored. Which is worth 5pts in whichever contest he decides is right for him.
I don't for one minute think he could or should be Cons leader.
Boris would be an embarrassment to a buffoon. The dullard personifies current Tories who having bought their way into positions have to try and justify having an IQ rather than having had one bought for them.
Johnson was a King's Scholar , his parents didn't pay a penny for his Eton education. I hope your parents didn't spend anything on yours.
They did not have anything , all stolen by Tories. As I said he was gifted his place and is a nasty piece of work from a nasty party. He is not half as smart or as funny as he seems to believe.
I sometimes wonder what social Darwinists think about fluctuations in employment rates due to economic crises. Do they think people coincidentally start getting lazy at about the same time as the economy crashes?
You are right. Lazy people are always lazy. Stupid people are always stupid.
In the economic upturns, though, jobs are sloshing about and its difficult to avoid accidentally stumbling in to one. Then people feel comfortable, relax, forget the lessons of history and vote in a Labour govt ...then the jobs dry up.
Jobs are still around but require a bit of effort to find so it's easier just to crack open a can of Stella, fire up the flat screen tv and open the dole cheque envelope until the next Tory administration comes around and repairs it all again.
There speaks a real Tory, full of compassion and human spirit. F88K you jack I am doing all right, lovely.
"This reminds me of a passage from the Prince (been listening to the audiobook a bit lately). When you move your stall from centre to left or right, or vice versa, then those on your new ground are disinclined to believe your sincerity, and those on your old ground consider you something of a traitor."
A more appropriate Machiavellian quote also from The Prince
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
I sometimes wonder what social Darwinists think about fluctuations in employment rates due to economic crises. Do they think people coincidentally start getting lazy at about the same time as the economy crashes?
You are right. Lazy people are always lazy. Stupid people are always stupid.
In the economic upturns, though, jobs are sloshing about and its difficult to avoid accidentally stumbling in to one. Then people feel comfortable, relax, forget the lessons of history and vote in a Labour govt ...then the jobs dry up.
Jobs are still around but require a bit of effort to find so it's easier just to crack open a can of Stella, fire up the flat screen tv and open the dole cheque envelope until the next Tory administration comes around and repairs it all again.
Why do you think that didn't apply 1979-1997? Is that the 18 year long exception that proves the rule?
"This reminds me of a passage from the Prince (been listening to the audiobook a bit lately). When you move your stall from centre to left or right, or vice versa, then those on your new ground are disinclined to believe your sincerity, and those on your old ground consider you something of a traitor."
A more appropriate Machiavellian quote also from The Prince
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
Yes and for the Tories that is not a pretty sight , idiots all around
The Tory leadership contest has a round where the candidates put their case to MPs then a second round where the wider membership votes. I suspect he would win the second round, but am not at all sure that he would place in the top two in the first round.
MPs often do not like being overshadowed by extraparliamentary politicians, and Boris is too pro immigration and pro europe for the real headbangers. Where does this Etonian differ politically from our current Etonian?
oh, and something that should never be underestimated, as I'm sure you don't, is that he is adored. I mean rock star, 1D, Ronaldo-type adored. Which is worth 5pts in whichever contest he decides is right for him.
For many MPs, ideological purity is trumped by electoral appeal. Boris would make the final two among MPs if he's in a position to stand when there's an election. Which two could stop him?
I do wonder if the vehemence of The Guardian's reaction is because it sees in Boris not only an echo of Thatcher's policies but also her electability; of a public agreeing with a philosophy opposed to everything the Guardian and its four readers stand for.
I sometimes wonder what social Darwinists think about fluctuations in employment rates due to economic crises. Do they think people coincidentally start getting lazy at about the same time as the economy crashes?
You are right. Lazy people are always lazy. Stupid people are always stupid.
In the economic upturns, though, jobs are sloshing about and its difficult to avoid accidentally stumbling in to one. Then people feel comfortable, relax, forget the lessons of history and vote in a Labour govt ...then the jobs dry up.
Jobs are still around but require a bit of effort to find so it's easier just to crack open a can of Stella, fire up the flat screen tv and open the dole cheque envelope until the next Tory administration comes around and repairs it all again.
Why do you think that didn't apply 1979-1997? Is that the 18 year long exception that proves the rule?
Every time Labour has left office unemployment has been higher than they inherited. There's the rule - repeated indisputably by *every* Labour govt.
SO - I'm giddy on a 2-goal frenzy from Spurs.... now dreaming of a few big wins at Fulham and Sunderland as we start scoring for fun at last then perhaps a home win against a depleted stumbling Liverpool...
All based on a point at home....
When it comes to Spurs never, ever give into hope. I expect us to lose at least one of the Fulham and Sunderland games. Liverpool will be hide behind the sofa time.
It's clear most of those lefty probably haven't watched the speech, or paid much attention, and just used it to write their usual guff about horrible Tories.
I'd urge anyone with a spare 45 minutes to watch it. Boris comes across as an all-round, well-balanced, dare I say one nation, Tory.
He talked positively about: "Academic competition" (not grammar schools) Low taxes and low spending The social responsibility of people who have succeeded Infrastructure, particularly houses, roads, airports Immigration Apprenticeships and social mobility generally The free economy but negatives of too much inequality
He also emphasised a few times the squeeze on living standards.
The example of IQ was probably a bad idea as lefties have just jumped on that, but it was only used to outline that equality of outcome is not possible or desirable.
The Tory leadership contest has a round where the candidates put their case to MPs then a second round where the wider membership votes. I suspect he would win the second round, but am not at all sure that he would place in the top two in the first round.
MPs often do not like being overshadowed by extraparliamentary politicians, and Boris is too pro immigration and pro europe for the real headbangers. Where does this Etonian differ politically from our current Etonian?
oh, and something that should never be underestimated, as I'm sure you don't, is that he is adored. I mean rock star, 1D, Ronaldo-type adored. Which is worth 5pts in whichever contest he decides is right for him.
For many MPs, ideological purity is trumped by electoral appeal. Boris would make the final two among MPs if he's in a position to stand when there's an election. Which two could stop him?
I do wonder if the vehemence of The Guardian's reaction is because it sees in Boris not only an echo of Thatcher's policies but also her electability; of a public agreeing with a philosophy opposed to everything the Guardian and its four readers stand for.
Boris is right wing. The Guardian is not. In the same way, it is unusual to find pieces in the Telegraph or Mail that praise Ken Livingstone. Is there any evidence that the public agrees with Boris's philosophy?
Whatever the merits of Johnson's speech (I haven't read it) I cannot for the life of me believe that Tories seriously think Theresa May is leadership material. Forget all the 'nasty party' background noise or that she has the charisma of one of the vultures from the Disney Jungle Book cartoon this is a minister who has
a) repeatedly made dubious statements about what is achievable and been forced to apologise to Parliament at least once (more perhaps?) May too often engages her mouth before her brain is fired up.
b) is failing in her main task (immigration) and her 'successes' in regards to crime are decidedly questionable
c) has alienated the police and created an environment of mutual mistrust to the extent that she now wants to tout outside the UK for senior police officers (how long would it take for her to get the Heywood treatment that IDS and Maude have received?)
d) Suffers that common failing of many MP's of her gender do in too often playing to her own gender at the expense of the other.
e) Supports the Snoopers Charter and the reining back of the HRA (in itself not a bad thing) so will be a deterrent to Liberal Tory voters.
And if there is one thing more absurd than seeing Miliband's distorted cartoon features on the White House lawn its the idea that May's spotty boots might one day stand upon it.
If the Tory's make May their leader in 2015 its another gift to UKIP and as it goes the Liberal Democrats as well.
This reminds me of a passage from the Prince (been listening to the audiobook a bit lately). When you move your stall from centre to left or right, or vice versa, then those on your new ground are disinclined to believe your sincerity, and those on your old ground consider you something of a traitor.
I sometimes wonder what social Darwinists think about fluctuations in employment rates due to economic crises. Do they think people coincidentally start getting lazy at about the same time as the economy crashes?
You are right. Lazy people are always lazy. Stupid people are always stupid.
In the economic upturns, though, jobs are sloshing about and its difficult to avoid accidentally stumbling in to one. Then people feel comfortable, relax, forget the lessons of history and vote in a Labour govt ...then the jobs dry up.
Jobs are still around but require a bit of effort to find so it's easier just to crack open a can of Stella, fire up the flat screen tv and open the dole cheque envelope until the next Tory administration comes around and repairs it all again.
There speaks a real Tory, full of compassion and human spirit. F88K you jack I am doing all right, lovely.
Actually I'm not doing all right. I have just started a new business and I've taken on the risks associated with that. I'm paying some of my staff much more than I take home because they expect the market rate and have lifestyles to maintain, mortgages to pay and mouths to feed.
We all have a hard few years ahead and my recruitment phase was designed to weed out the lazy, the stupid and the feckless from the applicants. Making a success of the venture depends on eliminating the weak links. Economic Darwinism. Leave the weakest antelope behind.
The Tory leadership contest has a round where the candidates put their case to MPs then a second round where the wider membership votes. I suspect he would win the second round, but am not at all sure that he would place in the top two in the first round.
MPs often do not like being overshadowed by extraparliamentary politicians, and Boris is too pro immigration and pro europe for the real headbangers. Where does this Etonian differ politically from our current Etonian?
oh, and something that should never be underestimated, as I'm sure you don't, is that he is adored. I mean rock star, 1D, Ronaldo-type adored. Which is worth 5pts in whichever contest he decides is right for him.
For many MPs, ideological purity is trumped by electoral appeal. Boris would make the final two among MPs if he's in a position to stand when there's an election. Which two could stop him?
I do wonder if the vehemence of The Guardian's reaction is because it sees in Boris not only an echo of Thatcher's policies but also her electability; of a public agreeing with a philosophy opposed to everything the Guardian and its four readers stand for.
Boris is right wing. The Guardian is not. In the same way, it is unusual to find pieces in the Telegraph or Mail that praise Ken Livingstone. Is there any evidence that the public agrees with Boris's philosophy?
Boris is right wing. The Guardian is not. In the same way, it is unusual to find pieces in the Telegraph or Mail that praise Ken Livingstone. Is there any evidence that the public agrees with Boris's philosophy?
This speech is mildly helpful to Boris Johnson's ambitions. Conservatives who read it or hear it will love it. Those who profess to be shocked or appalled were not going to vote for him anyway. Most people just won't notice it.
I sometimes wonder what social Darwinists think about fluctuations in employment rates due to economic crises. Do they think people coincidentally start getting lazy at about the same time as the economy crashes?
You are right. Lazy people are always lazy. Stupid people are always stupid.
In the economic upturns, though, jobs are sloshing about and its difficult to avoid accidentally stumbling in to one. Then people feel comfortable, relax, forget the lessons of history and vote in a Labour govt ...then the jobs dry up.
Jobs are still around but require a bit of effort to find so it's easier just to crack open a can of Stella, fire up the flat screen tv and open the dole cheque envelope until the next Tory administration comes around and repairs it all again.
Why do you think that didn't apply 1979-1997? Is that the 18 year long exception that proves the rule?
Every time Labour has left office unemployment has been higher than they inherited. There's the rule - repeated indisputably by *every* Labour govt.
But, since you're a fan of precision, the longest ever period of Conservative government left substantially higher unemployment than when it came in, therefore not lots of jobs sloshing about?
"Britain's worst gang hit neighbourhoods are seeing levels of sexual violence as bad as in war zones, it was claimed today.
The warning came following the publication of a report for the Office of the Children's Commissioner that found girls as young as 11 are being systematically groomed, exploited and raped."
I truely hope and pray that every single member of the BBC and political class burn in hell.
Boris is right wing. The Guardian is not. In the same way, it is unusual to find pieces in the Telegraph or Mail that praise Ken Livingstone. Is there any evidence that the public agrees with Boris's philosophy?
Londoner's have elected him as mayor (twice)?
Boris has not been as clear about his core beliefs up to now. That's why this speech was a story.
The Tory leadership contest has a round where the candidates put their case to MPs then a second round where the wider membership votes. I suspect he would win the second round, but am not at all sure that he would place in the top two in the first round.
MPs often do not like being overshadowed by extraparliamentary politicians, and Boris is too pro immigration and pro europe for the real headbangers. Where does this Etonian differ politically from our current Etonian?
oh, and something that should never be underestimated, as I'm sure you don't, is that he is adored. I mean rock star, 1D, Ronaldo-type adored. Which is worth 5pts in whichever contest he decides is right for him.
For many MPs, ideological purity is trumped by electoral appeal. Boris would make the final two among MPs if he's in a position to stand when there's an election. Which two could stop him?
I do wonder if the vehemence of The Guardian's reaction is because it sees in Boris not only an echo of Thatcher's policies but also her electability; of a public agreeing with a philosophy opposed to everything the Guardian and its four readers stand for.
Boris is right wing. The Guardian is not. In the same way, it is unusual to find pieces in the Telegraph or Mail that praise Ken Livingstone. Is there any evidence that the public agrees with Boris's philosophy?
Elected as an MP? Two London Mayoral victories?
Evening @GeoffM - Hope your Stan James account is still alive and growing nicely
I sometimes wonder what social Darwinists think about fluctuations in employment rates due to economic crises. Do they think people coincidentally start getting lazy at about the same time as the economy crashes?
You are right. Lazy people are always lazy. Stupid people are always stupid.
In the economic upturns, though, jobs are sloshing about and its difficult to avoid accidentally stumbling in to one. Then people feel comfortable, relax, forget the lessons of history and vote in a Labour govt ...then the jobs dry up.
Jobs are still around but require a bit of effort to find so it's easier just to crack open a can of Stella, fire up the flat screen tv and open the dole cheque envelope until the next Tory administration comes around and repairs it all again.
Why do you think that didn't apply 1979-1997? Is that the 18 year long exception that proves the rule?
Every time Labour has left office unemployment has been higher than they inherited. There's the rule - repeated indisputably by *every* Labour govt.
But, since you're a fan of precision, the longest ever period of Conservative government left substantially higher unemployment than when it came in, therefore not lots of jobs sloshing about?
So against *every* Labour administration you're offering *one* *single* example as a complete rebuttal.
This speech is mildly helpful to Boris Johnson's ambitions. Conservatives who read it or hear it will love it. Those who profess to be shocked or appalled were not going to vote for him anyway. Most people just won't notice it.
That is correct. But should Boris ever make it into a position of responsibility in the Conservative party you can bet your bottom dollar the speech will become an issue.
The Tory leadership contest has a round where the candidates put their case to MPs then a second round where the wider membership votes. I suspect he would win the second round, but am not at all sure that he would place in the top two in the first round.
MPs often do not like being overshadowed by extraparliamentary politicians, and Boris is too pro immigration and pro europe for the real headbangers. Where does this Etonian differ politically from our current Etonian?
oh, and something that should never be underestimated, as I'm sure you don't, is that he is adored. I mean rock star, 1D, Ronaldo-type adored. Which is worth 5pts in whichever contest he decides is right for him.
For many MPs, ideological purity is trumped by electoral appeal. Boris would make the final two among MPs if he's in a position to stand when there's an election. Which two could stop him?
I do wonder if the vehemence of The Guardian's reaction is because it sees in Boris not only an echo of Thatcher's policies but also her electability; of a public agreeing with a philosophy opposed to everything the Guardian and its four readers stand for.
Boris is right wing. The Guardian is not. In the same way, it is unusual to find pieces in the Telegraph or Mail that praise Ken Livingstone. Is there any evidence that the public agrees with Boris's philosophy?
Elected as an MP? Two London Mayoral victories?
Evening @GeoffM - Hope your Stan James account is still alive and growing nicely
Good evening @Pulpstar - my condolences on your recent loss. The untimely death of a betting account hits not just the punter involved but all of us as a community. We share your pain.
Boris is right wing. The Guardian is not. In the same way, it is unusual to find pieces in the Telegraph or Mail that praise Ken Livingstone. Is there any evidence that the public agrees with Boris's philosophy?
Voted in as mayor in London twice. London is a pretty liberal city and most people like him.
Boris is right wing. The Guardian is not. In the same way, it is unusual to find pieces in the Telegraph or Mail that praise Ken Livingstone. Is there any evidence that the public agrees with Boris's philosophy?
Voted in as mayor in London twice. London is a pretty liberal city and most people like him.
They like him; but they have known little of his political philosophy. He has shed more light on that now. As Antifrank says, that could well help him among Tories and those on the right generally, but it may well put off a lot of people in the centre, as well as the left. He has certainly given his political opponents some material to work with.
They like him; but they have known little of his political philosophy. He has shed more light on that now. As Antifrank says, that could well help him among Tories and those on the right generally, but it may well put off a lot of people in the centre, as well as the left. He has certainly given his political opponents some material to work with.
Aha, they have known little of his political philosophy.
Good thing a Tory didn't say that, it would have been seen as condescending. However, as you're not a Tory, I take and agree with your point.
What was also interesting was that Boris came out in support of more selection, even if not solely through more grammar schools. With the Sunday Times today pointing out we are continuing to fall down the OECD education league table it is a way he can clearly differentiate himself from both Cameron, Osborne and Clegg and Miliband and offer a positive alternative!
Matthew d'Ancona has referred to this speech as "rivers of cornflakes". To my eyes it looks more like the brief fuss around Keith Joseph's speech on the cycle of poverty and poor people having too many children. That did for his leadership ambitions, but the leadership election was immediately due. Boris Johnson can rely on the blessed sponge of Lethe, given the earliest we can reasonably expect a new Tory leader is 2015.
I sometimes wonder what social Darwinists think about fluctuations in employment rates due to economic crises. Do they think people coincidentally start getting lazy at about the same time as the economy crashes?
You are right. Lazy people are always lazy. Stupid people are always stupid.
In the economic upturns, though, jobs are sloshing about and its difficult to avoid accidentally stumbling in to one. Then people feel comfortable, relax, forget the lessons of history and vote in a Labour govt ...then the jobs dry up.
Jobs are still around but require a bit of effort to find so it's easier just to crack open a can of Stella, fire up the flat screen tv and open the dole cheque envelope until the next Tory administration comes around and repairs it all again.
Why do you think that didn't apply 1979-1997? Is that the 18 year long exception that proves the rule?
Every time Labour has left office unemployment has been higher than they inherited. There's the rule - repeated indisputably by *every* Labour govt.
But, since you're a fan of precision, the longest ever period of Conservative government left substantially higher unemployment than when it came in, therefore not lots of jobs sloshing about?
So against *every* Labour administration you're offering *one* *single* example as a complete rebuttal.
Awesome.
The record of the Labour government from 1945 to 1951 on unemployment can certainly not be described as having leaving higher unemployment than it inherited .
On-topic, one of the problems of speeches is that a few well or ill-judged words taken out of context can undermine the rest of the argument. Boris is suffering from some words which don't in isolation sound at all good. Johnson comes across as a kind of British Ronald Reagan from the 1970s - for me, it's much more about the optimistic tone then the actual content.
Johnson won in London in 2008 and 2012 because he was the "happy" candidate against the "dour" Ken Livingstone and that played well to the zeitgeist. He was a contrast to the austerity of Government and the doom-mongers of Opposition.
Could that optimism enthuse a beaten Conservative Party in 2015 ? Sometimes, beaten parties choose the leader they want rather than the one that appeals most to the electorate but it's possible Johnson would stand in marked contrast to Prime Minister Miliband and the realities of Government.
None of this makes him a good or great Prime Minister - his record in London is, in my view, mixed at best. He has taken far more power for himself than Livingstone in terms of transport and the Police and his personal empire-building has been at London's expense His sunny optimism belies some large areas where little has changed for the better.
As Prime Minister, he'd oversee our national decline but we'd all go down smiling.
I sometimes wonder what social Darwinists think about fluctuations in employment rates due to economic crises. Do they think people coincidentally start getting lazy at about the same time as the economy crashes?
You are right. Lazy people are always lazy. Stupid people are always stupid.
In the economic upturns, though, jobs are sloshing about and its difficult to avoid accidentally stumbling in to one. Then people feel comfortable, relax, forget the lessons of history and vote in a Labour govt ...then the jobs dry up.
Jobs are still around but require a bit of effort to find so it's easier just to crack open a can of Stella, fire up the flat screen tv and open the dole cheque envelope until the next Tory administration comes around and repairs it all again.
Why do you think that didn't apply 1979-1997? Is that the 18 year long exception that proves the rule?
Every time Labour has left office unemployment has been higher than they inherited. There's the rule - repeated indisputably by *every* Labour govt.
But, since you're a fan of precision, the longest ever period of Conservative government left substantially higher unemployment than when it came in, therefore not lots of jobs sloshing about?
So against *every* Labour administration you're offering *one* *single* example as a complete rebuttal.
Awesome.
The record of the Labour government from 1945 to 1951 on unemployment can certainly not be described as having leaving higher unemployment than it inherited .
I sometimes wonder what social Darwinists think about fluctuations in employment rates due to economic crises. Do they think people coincidentally start getting lazy at about the same time as the economy crashes?
You are right. Lazy people are always lazy. Stupid people are always stupid.
In the economic upturns, though, jobs are sloshing about and its difficult to avoid accidentally stumbling in to one. Then people feel comfortable, relax, forget the lessons of history and vote in a Labour govt ...then the jobs dry up.
Jobs are still around but require a bit of effort to find so it's easier just to crack open a can of Stella, fire up the flat screen tv and open the dole cheque envelope until the next Tory administration comes around and repairs it all again.
The record of the Labour government from 1945 to 1951 on unemployment can certainly not be described as having leaving higher unemployment than it inherited .
Very true , apart from those unemployed at the time of the 1945 GE , there were some 4 million service men and women who were demobbed over the next 18 months . The vast majority had been found jobs well before 1951 .
At the time of the July 1945 election there was 0.9% unemployment, rising to 1.4% at the time of the October 1951 electiion.
Both are figures we would envy now, but it is true that unemployment went up in that Labour govt. I suspect it was mostly the economy restructuring from a war footing.
Very true , apart from those unemployed at the time of the 1945 GE , there were some 4 million service men and women who were demobbed over the next 18 months . The vast majority had been found jobs well before 1951 .
At the time of the July 1945 election there was 0.9% unemployment, rising to 1.4% at the time of the October 1951 electiion.
Both are figures we would envy now, but it is true that unemployment went up in that Labour govt. I suspect it was mostly the economy restructuring from a war footing.
Very true , apart from those unemployed at the time of the 1945 GE , there were some 4 million service men and women who were demobbed over the next 18 months . The vast majority had been found jobs well before 1951 .
I think you will find that throughout the demob period unemployment rose to around 2.6% and then fell steadily to 1951 . In the words of the current Conservative government , the 1945 - 1951 Labour administration created over 3 million new jobs to absorb those demobbed .
stodge Far from oversee our national decline as Boris himself said, the population of London and its position on the world stage has increased significantly since the seventies and indeed under his tenure. As he also stated, by 2050 the UK will be on its way to being the largest population and economy in Europe, a far cry from 1979 when the retiring British Ambassador in Paris stated 'not only were we no longer a world power, but we were not even a front-rank European power either.'
Theresa May won't become Tory leader. Capable though she is there's nothing about her that adds to the equation. I would struggle to remember any phrase she has ever used.
Boris adds. I suspect he's the most popular politician in the country. He even seems to be able to deliver when in office. There's some chance that Cameron will continue in the job for many year, and it may or may not be that Boris has his moment.
Somehow he needs to promulgate whatever it is he's on. Popular Tory politics - it's historically been pretty hard to do. Obviously anyone with any sense (or money) has always voted for the right, and that explains Labours popularity entirely (the enemy of my enemy), but there is a chance that people like Boris can actually make the self-evident case to the populace.
I agree that in the demob period unemployment rose, before dropping back, nonetheless it is actually true that unemployment was higher in Oct 1951 than July 1945.
Misleading to look at in isolation, I agree, but strictly speaking a correct statement.
At the time of the July 1945 election there was 0.9% unemployment, rising to 1.4% at the time of the October 1951 electiion.
Both are figures we would envy now, but it is true that unemployment went up in that Labour govt. I suspect it was mostly the economy restructuring from a war footing.
Very true , apart from those unemployed at the time of the 1945 GE , there were some 4 million service men and women who were demobbed over the next 18 months . The vast majority had been found jobs well before 1951 .
I think you will find that throughout the demob period unemployment rose to around 2.6% and then fell steadily to 1951 . In the words of the current Conservative government , the 1945 - 1951 Labour administration created over 3 million new jobs to absorb those demobbed .
At the time of the July 1945 election there was 0.9% unemployment, rising to 1.4% at the time of the October 1951 electiion.
Both are figures we would envy now, but it is true that unemployment went up in that Labour govt. I suspect it was mostly the economy restructuring from a war footing.
Very true , apart from those unemployed at the time of the 1945 GE , there were some 4 million service men and women who were demobbed over the next 18 months . The vast majority had been found jobs well before 1951 .
I think you will find that throughout the demob period unemployment rose to around 2.6% and then fell steadily to 1951 . In the words of the current Conservative government , the 1945 - 1951 Labour administration created over 3 million new jobs to absorb those demobbed .
...which is a nice pub quiz trivia factoid. Unrelated to where we started off as the start and finish points of the stats are different, but quite fun to know cheers.
At the time of the July 1945 election there was 0.9% unemployment, rising to 1.4% at the time of the October 1951 electiion.
Both are figures we would envy now, but it is true that unemployment went up in that Labour govt. I suspect it was mostly the economy restructuring from a war footing.
Very true , apart from those unemployed at the time of the 1945 GE , there were some 4 million service men and women who were demobbed over the next 18 months . The vast majority had been found jobs well before 1951 .
I think you will find that throughout the demob period unemployment rose to around 2.6% and then fell steadily to 1951 . In the words of the current Conservative government , the 1945 - 1951 Labour administration created over 3 million new jobs to absorb those demobbed .
We get it, lots of jobs were created during that parliament (I'll refrain from the odious business of talking about government creating those jobs). But you were incorrect to try to use it as an example of a Labour government where the unemployment rate fell.
"This reminds me of a passage from the Prince (been listening to the audiobook a bit lately). When you move your stall from centre to left or right, or vice versa, then those on your new ground are disinclined to believe your sincerity, and those on your old ground consider you something of a traitor."
A more appropriate Machiavellian quote also from The Prince
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
Cough Ed Balls cough
Not to forget Phil Woolas, Alan Johnson and that other bloke he appointed from the co op.
F1: Button reckons driving will be harder in 2014 (lots of torque, less downforce and more spinning wheels), but it sounds like it'll be perhaps closer and more entertaining: http://www.espn.co.uk/mclaren/motorsport/story/138211.html
All these lefties hyperventilating about a speech they probably haven't read or watched just confirms there are nasty prejudiced people on both sides of the political spectrum. And makes it more likely that they will underestimate Boris again...if he chooses to run for a third term.
stodge Far from oversee our national decline as Boris himself said, the population of London and its position on the world stage has increased significantly since the seventies and indeed under his tenure. As he also stated, by 2050 the UK will be on its way to being the largest population and economy in Europe, a far cry from 1979 when the retiring British Ambassador in Paris stated 'not only were we no longer a world power, but we were not even a front-rank European power either.'
I really don't think Boris can take much credit for this. Arguably, this is down to more significant forces encouraging the growth or regeneration of cities worldwide. As to what and where we will be in 2050, let's see.
All I think it does is strengthen the sense that London can do even better if it didn't have the rest of the UK acting as a drag on its fortunes. If you want a political development for the 2030s and 2040s, how about the emergence of a party supporting an Independent London ?
All these lefties hyperventilating about a speech they probably haven't read or watched just confirms there are nasty prejudiced people on both sides of the political spectrum. And makes it more likely that they will underestimate Boris again...if he chooses to run for a third term.
I thought it was Osborne who was distancing himself?
...distancing himself from the commentariat's interpretation of what Boris said
At the time of the July 1945 election there was 0.9% unemployment, rising to 1.4% at the time of the October 1951 electiion.
Both are figures we would envy now, but it is true that unemployment went up in that Labour govt. I suspect it was mostly the economy restructuring from a war footing.
Very true , apart from those unemployed at the time of the 1945 GE , there were some 4 million service men and women who were demobbed over the next 18 months . The vast majority had been found jobs well before 1951 .
I think you will find that throughout the demob period unemployment rose to around 2.6% and then fell steadily to 1951 . In the words of the current Conservative government , the 1945 - 1951 Labour administration created over 3 million new jobs to absorb those demobbed .
...which is a nice pub quiz trivia factoid. Unrelated to where we started off as the start and finish points of the stats are different, but quite fun to know cheers.
Well it is certainly better than parroting a stupid slogan such as you have been doing without taking account of the specific circumstances at the time .
At the time of the July 1945 election there was 0.9% unemployment, rising to 1.4% at the time of the October 1951 electiion.
Both are figures we would envy now, but it is true that unemployment went up in that Labour govt. I suspect it was mostly the economy restructuring from a war footing.
Very true , apart from those unemployed at the time of the 1945 GE , there were some 4 million service men and women who were demobbed over the next 18 months . The vast majority had been found jobs well before 1951 .
I think you will find that throughout the demob period unemployment rose to around 2.6% and then fell steadily to 1951 . In the words of the current Conservative government , the 1945 - 1951 Labour administration created over 3 million new jobs to absorb those demobbed .
...which is a nice pub quiz trivia factoid. Unrelated to where we started off as the start and finish points of the stats are different, but quite fun to know cheers.
Well it is certainly better than parroting a stupid slogan such as you have been doing without taking account of the specific circumstances at the time .
Repeating a fact = "parroting a stupid slogan"
I suppose it's a matter of perspective. Apart from the "fact" bit of course.
All these lefties hyperventilating about a speech they probably haven't read or watched just confirms there are nasty prejudiced people on both sides of the political spectrum. And makes it more likely that they will underestimate Boris again...if he chooses to run for a third term.
I thought it was Osborne who was distancing himself?
"What would Maggie do on housing? She would recognise the squeeze on her core voters, their desperate shortage of homes; she would revive her great mission of a property-owning democracy and encourage the creation of hundreds of thousands of new homes in which people had at least a share of the equity themselves; and she would remember the lessons of Baldwin and Macmillan and Thatcher – that Tories are most successful when they help middle Britain to find the housing they need. "
At last.
A back-to-basics Tory policy you can get behind, tim.
Comments
This reminds me of a passage from the Prince (been listening to the audiobook a bit lately). When you move your stall from centre to left or right, or vice versa, then those on your new ground are disinclined to believe your sincerity, and those on your old ground consider you something of a traitor.
A draw - worst possible outcome.... keeps me hoping that 'what if we beat Fulham and Sunderland this week... Sturridge is out for our next home game in the PL'...
It's the hope.
MPs often do not like being overshadowed by extraparliamentary politicians, and Boris is too pro immigration and pro europe for the real headbangers. Where does this Etonian differ politically from our current Etonian?
A speech worthy of the Lady.
Not really, I just think it exposes left leaning commentators as rather daft and prone to over hyping.
Did any of the myriad of champagne socialist luvvies actually throw themselves under double-deckers or leave London…? – Thought not.
Osborne got it right by saying there may be inequality about outcomes but one should strive to create equality of opportunity!Atleast he got something right even if it`s not the economy!
Anyway, the issue is more 'power' than 'wealth'. And on the greed=good thing, well he's only saying what most people reckon Tories think. That's the root of the toxic Tory meme.
especially when coupled with dodgy arguments about IQ (rich people are rich because they are cleverer than everyone else, hmmmm)
Do you intend to withdraw your previous comment or bluster and fudge?
Bojo: - " Gerard Lyons, my economic adviser, thinks we could be looking at growth of 4 per cent next year; and so I hope that in many ways it is NOT like the 1980s all over again.
I don’t imagine that there will be a return of teddy bear braces and young men and women driving Porsches and bawling into brick sized mobiles. But I also hope that there is no return to that spirit of Loadsamoney heartlessness – figuratively riffling banknotes under the noses of the homeless; and I hope that this time the Gordon Gekkos of London are conspicuous not just for their greed – valid motivator thought greed may be for economic progress – as for what they give and do for the rest of the population, many of whom have experienced real falls in their incomes over the last five years.
And if there is to be a boom in the 20-teens, I hope it is one that is marked by a genuine sense of community and acts of prodigious philanthropy, and I wish the snob value and prestige that the Americans attach to act of giving would somehow manifest itself here, or manifest itself more vividly. "
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/london-mayor-election/mayor-of-london/10480321/Boris-Johnsons-speech-at-the-Margaret-Thatcher-lecture-in-full.html
a) repeatedly made dubious statements about what is achievable and been forced to apologise to Parliament at least once (more perhaps?) May too often engages her mouth before her brain is fired up.
b) is failing in her main task (immigration) and her 'successes' in regards to crime are decidedly questionable
c) has alienated the police and created an environment of mutual mistrust to the extent that she now wants to tout outside the UK for senior police officers (how long would it take for her to get the Heywood treatment that IDS and Maude have received?)
d) Suffers that common failing of many MP's of her gender do in too often playing to her own gender at the expense of the other.
e) Supports the Snoopers Charter and the reining back of the HRA (in itself not a bad thing) so will be a deterrent to Liberal Tory voters.
And if there is one thing more absurd than seeing Miliband's distorted cartoon features on the White House lawn its the idea that May's spotty boots might one day stand upon it.
If the Tory's make May their leader in 2015 its another gift to UKIP and as it goes the Liberal Democrats as well.
This 'leftie' wealth envy bull is a blind. It's power, vested interests, backscratching etc - the stuff that keeps it all in the 'family'. That's the issue.
And philanthropy? It's fine for the Bill Gates of the world when they get to that age where they realise that money isn't everything and go looking for a sense of self worth before they pop their clogs.
But global corporations? Do me a favour.
My mum was a personnel officer on a big family-owned pottery factory. There was a real sense of loyalty to the company from the workers and the company valued that. They put on trips for families, xmas parties for the kids, booked out the swimming baths once a week for employee use, had an advice centre etc. Decent pay and conditions.
Those days are gone, for the drones anyway.
Which boils down to " Leading Tory candidate to replace Cameron gets criticised by left-wing mouthpieces"
Go figure.......
I sometimes wonder what social Darwinists think about fluctuations in employment rates due to economic crises. Do they think people coincidentally start getting lazy at about the same time as the economy crashes?
As opposed to Cameron who courted plaudits from Guardian readers by hugging a huskie when they were never going to vote for him - Boris has only annoyed idiots who would never have voted for him anyway.
That shows Boris as being the better politician.
All based on a point at home....
I hope your parents didn't spend anything on yours.
Martin Jol's been sacked.
In the economic upturns, though, jobs are sloshing about and its difficult to avoid accidentally stumbling in to one. Then people feel comfortable, relax, forget the lessons of history and vote in a Labour govt ...then the jobs dry up.
Jobs are still around but require a bit of effort to find so it's easier just to crack open a can of Stella, fire up the flat screen tv and open the dole cheque envelope until the next Tory administration comes around and repairs it all again.
"This reminds me of a passage from the Prince (been listening to the audiobook a bit lately). When you move your stall from centre to left or right, or vice versa, then those on your new ground are disinclined to believe your sincerity, and those on your old ground consider you something of a traitor."
A more appropriate Machiavellian quote also from The Prince
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
I do wonder if the vehemence of The Guardian's reaction is because it sees in Boris not only an echo of Thatcher's policies but also her electability; of a public agreeing with a philosophy opposed to everything the Guardian and its four readers stand for.
Here's a link to the video:
http://www.cps.org.uk/events/q/date/2013/11/27/the-2013-margaret-thatcher-lecture-boris-johnson/
I'd urge anyone with a spare 45 minutes to watch it. Boris comes across as an all-round, well-balanced, dare I say one nation, Tory.
He talked positively about:
"Academic competition" (not grammar schools)
Low taxes and low spending
The social responsibility of people who have succeeded
Infrastructure, particularly houses, roads, airports
Immigration
Apprenticeships and social mobility generally
The free economy but negatives of too much inequality
He also emphasised a few times the squeeze on living standards.
The example of IQ was probably a bad idea as lefties have just jumped on that, but it was only used to outline that equality of outcome is not possible or desirable.
http://www.conservativehome.com/video/2013/11/watch-boris-johnsons-margaret-thatcher-lecture-in-full.html
We all have a hard few years ahead and my recruitment phase was designed to weed out the lazy, the stupid and the feckless from the applicants. Making a success of the venture depends on eliminating the weak links. Economic Darwinism. Leave the weakest antelope behind.
"Britain's worst gang hit neighbourhoods are seeing levels of sexual violence as bad as in war zones, it was claimed today.
The warning came following the publication of a report for the Office of the Children's Commissioner that found girls as young as 11 are being systematically groomed, exploited and raped."
I truely hope and pray that every single member of the BBC and political class burn in hell.
Evening @GeoffM - Hope your Stan James account is still alive and growing nicely
Awesome.
Extra awesome.
Note - I don't seriously think Saints will challenge for the title, but I'm absolutely loving the fact that it's even a vague possibility!
Good thing a Tory didn't say that, it would have been seen as condescending. However, as you're not a Tory, I take and agree with your point.
First, overdue condolences to Mike and family.
On-topic, one of the problems of speeches is that a few well or ill-judged words taken out of context can undermine the rest of the argument. Boris is suffering from some words which don't in isolation sound at all good. Johnson comes across as a kind of British Ronald Reagan from the 1970s - for me, it's much more about the optimistic tone then the actual content.
Johnson won in London in 2008 and 2012 because he was the "happy" candidate against the "dour" Ken Livingstone and that played well to the zeitgeist. He was a contrast to the austerity of Government and the doom-mongers of Opposition.
Could that optimism enthuse a beaten Conservative Party in 2015 ? Sometimes, beaten parties choose the leader they want rather than the one that appeals most to the electorate but it's possible Johnson would stand in marked contrast to Prime Minister Miliband and the realities of Government.
None of this makes him a good or great Prime Minister - his record in London is, in my view, mixed at best. He has taken far more power for himself than Livingstone in terms of transport and the Police and his personal empire-building has been at London's expense His sunny optimism belies some large areas where little has changed for the better.
As Prime Minister, he'd oversee our national decline but we'd all go down smiling.
I thought demobilisation was after the election, as we were still fighting Japan.
Very true , apart from those unemployed at the time of the 1945 GE , there were some 4 million service men and women who were demobbed over the next 18 months . The vast majority had been found jobs well before 1951 .
At the time of the July 1945 election there was 0.9% unemployment, rising to 1.4% at the time of the October 1951 electiion.
Both are figures we would envy now, but it is true that unemployment went up in that Labour govt. I suspect it was mostly the economy restructuring from a war footing.
Boris adds. I suspect he's the most popular politician in the country. He even seems to be able to deliver when in office. There's some chance that Cameron will continue in the job for many year, and it may or may not be that Boris has his moment.
Somehow he needs to promulgate whatever it is he's on. Popular Tory politics - it's historically been pretty hard to do. Obviously anyone with any sense (or money) has always voted for the right, and that explains Labours popularity entirely (the enemy of my enemy), but there is a chance that people like Boris can actually make the self-evident case to the populace.
Misleading to look at in isolation, I agree, but strictly speaking a correct statement.
Unrelated to where we started off as the start and finish points of the stats are different, but quite fun to know cheers.
Mr. Omnium, Boris may add, but I suspect (and I think I recall reading here) that's very much a South/London bonus from Boris.
Not to forget Phil Woolas, Alan Johnson and that other bloke he appointed from the co op.
http://www.espn.co.uk/mclaren/motorsport/story/138211.html
All I think it does is strengthen the sense that London can do even better if it didn't have the rest of the UK acting as a drag on its fortunes. If you want a political development for the 2030s and 2040s, how about the emergence of a party supporting an Independent London ?
I suppose it's a matter of perspective. Apart from the "fact" bit of course.
The@Libdems have selected Sarah Smith to stand for Parliament for Dover and Deal in the 2015 General Election #deal, #dover..."
twitter.com/BethIsobelRobso/status/407130493604597760
Liking the TSE articles. Busy with a 2 year old so back to lurking.
Or the morning thread maybe about electoral reform.
Kind regards
The Guest Editor and Liverpool fan.
electionista @electionista 54s
Croatia - first results show #referendum to ban same-sex marriage has passed with 64.6%
At last.
A back-to-basics Tory policy you can get behind, tim.