I know for a fact that sports broadcast rights were not being sold on an EU-wide basis. For example, I was in Cologne on the night of the first Ashes Test in 2017 and TalkSPORT cut out when the first ball was bowled as they did not hold the rights for Germany. Not sure how Brexit would have affected any arrangement Sky had, but I don't see why a deal can't be done (though, remember, Sky are utterly skint at the moment).
Like so many of these issues they will be resolved , just t like driving abroad on a UK licence has now been approved
No it won't, (Sports) Media Rights is something I know a lot about.
We had an effective system that protected Rights Holders, so now we don't, they won't allow it.
It was geared to stop someone signing up in say Germany at a cheaper rate then decamping to the UK and watching it there rather than paying the UK rate.
It was an effective bulwark against piracy, now the rights holder are insisting on integrity, big movie and tv companies are quite protective of their products.
I find it odd that sports rights didn't become EU-wide. I felt sorry for the publicans who were done for broadcasting Greek TV. We were in a single market, were we not?
For goods, not services.
Sky were looking at a pan European approach to (sports) media rights via Sky UK, Sky Deutschland, and Sky Italia, but Brexit and to a lesser extent the Comcast takeover have put the kibosh on that.
EU butting in on EPL rights didn't help...demanding that rights are shared among different companies...so now rather than just Sky showing the EPL, we have to pay for Sky, BT and Amazon.
Their interference has managed to make it more expensive for everybody.
Sports right have always been a total mess.
What’s going to be very interesting in this field, is if Netflix moves into sports rights, as has been suggested they might over the past few months. They’d want to do it on a global scale.
Sport is the only thing that’s keeping millions of Americans from cutting the cable.
I am not sure Netflix need to do that to get customers. Amazon on the other than, that makes way more sense. The big player is still ESPN, who are owned by Disney, massive brand but losing customers because people don't want to pay for a full cable package just for that channel. They have launched ESPN+, that they use for things like UFC, I can see them really expanding that to many sports.
Disney bought the tech company who ran the online MLB streaming service a couple of years ago
The US sports rights market is even more of a mess than the European one, full of entrenched interests and monopolies. There’s online subscriptions that require a cable subscription, cable companies’ bundling groups of channels such that to get ESPN requires a $150/month subscription to 1000 other channels, local blackouts of matches to encourage in-person attendance, cable TV companies with local monopolies on internet service etc etc.
The real scumbags are the cable cos like Comcast. The revolution will happen when ESPN refuses to sign up to Comcast’s exclusive terms for its sports channels, instead moving them to Disney+ Or as a stand-alone online service.
Yeah, the EU have nothing better to do than police our number-plates, huh? Like, you know, France, you see this as a priority over, oh, I don't know, vaccinating your people?
Yet again , England still stuck in Agincourt / Waterloo days of glory, unionists are crackers
Don't forget your Local Bike Shop, and that most bikes these days in this country come without a lot of the everday kit you will need - lights, saddlebag, pump, puncture kit, mudguards, possibly decent tyres, and so on.
I bought a decent bike (Boardman Team level) and did various mods over a couple of years.
I think that they mean that they are requiring exporters to the UK to pay tariffs. Which would not be unique at all of course. And which have disappeared in any event as a result of Boris's deal which you are no doubt still celebrating.
No, it is VAT not tariffs. The Dutch firm is now required to collect and remit UK VAT, requiring it to register with HMRC. They have decided that it's not worth the administrative cost. Just another example of how Brexit red tape is hurting UK consumers.
So presumably we will now be in the same position as every other country that is not in the customs union, such as Switzerland?
I don't know, but I would expect it to be EEA not EU in scope.
Or take the Trigger's Broom approach - buy an okish bike, upgrade it piece by piece as you learn. By the time you have replaced the wheels, the bottom bracket, the pedals, the seat, the handlebars, the front gears, the back gears, the frame...
I had tremendous fun as a kid learning mechanical engineering from slowly turning shop bought bikes into what I wanted. Spent hours carefully adjust bearings to "just so"....
This isn't really a viable approach for any other than the truly committed these days for a few reasons.
Bike parts are very expensive at retail now compared to what the OEMs pay. The rear derailleur I replaced following my recent accident was 400 quid!
Plethora of competing standards and technologies means that you need a critical mass of knowledge and tools. Off the top of my head I can think of the following Bottom Bracket standards: British and Italian threaded,BB90,BB95,PF86,PF92,BB30, OSBB (road and MTB), BB30A, PF30, BBRight, BB386 EVO, SRAM DUB and "Spanish" press fit for BMXs. There's probably more.
Bike frames are now vertically stratified in a way that they never used to be. A low end frame may not be upgradable to thru-axles from drop outs, hydraulic discs from calipers or electronic shifting from the previously prevalent Edwardian technology of Bowden cables.
Don't forget your Local Bike Shop, and that most bikes these days in this country come without a lot of the everday kit you will need - lights, saddlebag, pump, puncture kit, mudguards, possibly decent tyres, and so on.
I bought a decent bike (Boardman Team level) and did various mods over a couple of years.
What happened to the government's bike subsidies? When I had a job, this was augmented by my employer. Last I heard, there was a plan to extend subsidies to electric bikes though perhaps Rishi will have other priorities now. I do not think it was a requirement actually to cycle to work. (Tbh it just seemed like a plan to give expensive bikes to people who could easily afford to pay full price, but then the same criticism was made of Boris bikes.)
Cycling to Work scheme is still in place, now covering E-Bikes as well. They have removed the £1000 value cap, which to me seems to be a mistake as it should imo be about as many as possible for the money.
Not yet at the same quality of reporting though, many countries are not providing updates frequently if at all.
The quality of reporting issue I get, but not updating frequently seems a bit surprising - even if a rollout is slower than hoped for, it feels like any government would trumpet the news about how many have been vaccinated, as that remains clear good news.
Adecco UK & Ireland · Safe and protected, socially distanced jobs and goes on to say Welcome to the census recruitment website. We’re hiring thousands of people like you in a range of exciting temporary roles to make Census 2021 a success.
Which 'Friend of Boris' runs Adecco? Or am I being cynical?
Yeah, the EU have nothing better to do than police our number-plates, huh? Like, you know, France, you see this as a priority over, oh, I don't know, vaccinating your people?
Yet again , England still stuck in Agincourt / Waterloo days of glory, unionists are crackers
Even by your tortured mind, malcy, a bit of a stretch to get there!
Adecco UK & Ireland · Safe and protected, socially distanced jobs and goes on to say Welcome to the census recruitment website. We’re hiring thousands of people like you in a range of exciting temporary roles to make Census 2021 a success.
Which 'Friend of Boris' runs Adecco? Or am I being cynical?
Swiss company run by a Belgian. Second largest HR Company in the world.
Some more data wrangling. Tests per case found, averaged over 7 days:
If I have read your charts successfully this morning Scotland has by far the lowest level of testing within the UK and the highest percentage of +ve results of those tested. Overall Scotland has the lowest level of infections recorded but does the second of those factors not suggest that the first is the main cause of the third?
I am bemused that our testing is so far behind the rest of the UK. I very much hope that this is not reflected in the immunisation rates over the next few weeks.
Opposite way round.
David had his Tory hat on so was in SNPBAD mode rather than reality. PS: Last I read we were 20% ahead of England on vaccinations per head of population , so another unionist bubble burst.
Adecco UK & Ireland · Safe and protected, socially distanced jobs and goes on to say Welcome to the census recruitment website. We’re hiring thousands of people like you in a range of exciting temporary roles to make Census 2021 a success.
Which 'Friend of Boris' runs Adecco? Or am I being cynical?
Swiss company run by a Belgian. Second largest HR Company in the world.
Another success for British business then; recruitment for the census.
Adecco UK & Ireland · Safe and protected, socially distanced jobs and goes on to say Welcome to the census recruitment website. We’re hiring thousands of people like you in a range of exciting temporary roles to make Census 2021 a success.
Which 'Friend of Boris' runs Adecco? Or am I being cynical?
You are, and it's normally to be avoided, best to keep your mind pure, but with these guys it's hard to do that.
https://twitter.com/davidschneider/status/1345077579162804226 Incidentally we still don’t know what the hell we’re supposed to do. In fact, the situation is so confused my school has extended the Christmas holidays while we try and work out what’s happening.
It's quite an achievement to be the most incompetent minister in this government - by a mile.
Putting Gavin Williamson in charge of education tells you all you need to know about how important Johnson believes it is.
I agree - however, I'm unconvinced that closing schools across the board will act to suppress Covid - especially from the secondary sector - unless they and their families are to be confined to their homes. That is unlikely to be enforced so they will simply be congregating with friends inside and out in a much less controlled way and without being educated. I understand that there was little evidence of students passing the virus onto teachers when the schools were open.
But they would be congregating outside with their friends - groups of three or four outside, not thirty in unventilated rooms.
Do you honestly think that would be comparable in terms of viral transmission?
If you can post the evidence I might be convinced. Who enforces the 3/4 rule outside or is that simply a product of your imagination? In Spain they regularly post information on school amd class closures caused by Covid. The figures have been very low.
It’s a product of my knowledge of teenagers. They do not hang out with groups of thirty, particularly not with all inside venues closed. And in any case, outside meeting is much safer than inside.
The other issue is of course that (1) classrooms are in no way ‘safe’ despite the lies of those drunken crooks at the DfE, and (2) government isolation schools are not generally enforced in schools - only people within 2 metres, not whole classes, are isolated, nor are teachers.
As for your claim about teachers, the fact that at times we had 10% of staff off with Covid (not just isolating) does not exactly suggest staff are safe from infection.
Unless it is always the same 3/4 people your knowledge is unhelpful. The point about staff seems to assume they all caught it in the classroom from students. Again I would like to see the evidence. I'd also love to see your evidence that the DfE has a high proportion of 'drunken crooks' - otherwise it could be you're simply peddling an agenda.
You won’t see evidence as government simply has not been publishing it for schools (other than the odd made up headline). Teachers and their unions have been asking for the data since last summer.
Yeah, the EU have nothing better to do than police our number-plates, huh? Like, you know, France, you see this as a priority over, oh, I don't know, vaccinating your people?
But who says France do prioritise this? This has come from the UK not France, so blame the UK not France.
From personal experience of travelling in France my experience is that the French might well be bureaucratic, but also very pragmatic in the implementation of rules. A huge amount of ignoring of rules and only implementing when needed.
This is a far better approach than us where once we pass rules we seem to enforce no matter how barmy a particular circumstance is (my jobs worth hating of UK authorities). The only exception I can think of is speeding enforcement where common sense does get applied by most UK policemen.
More than 2,500 people have attended an illegal rave in France, as the country continues to grapple with coronavirus.
The event, held in a warehouse at Lieuron near Rennes in Brittany, began on Thursday and is still going on.
A number of ravers are from the UK and Spain, police said.
Attendees have clashed with police, setting fire to a car and throwing objects at officers attempting to shut the event down. At least three officers have been injured.
A statement from local authorities said police had tried to "prevent this event but faced fierce hostility from many partygoers".
One of the party-goers, who gave his name as Jo, told the AFP news agency that "very few had respected social distancing" at the event.
Yeah, the EU have nothing better to do than police our number-plates, huh? Like, you know, France, you see this as a priority over, oh, I don't know, vaccinating your people?
The French cops who sit in their patrol car just where the speed limit drops dramatically before the last northbound toll station before Calais might be interested? Especially for those cars in the know who have already slowed down to the appropriate speed.
I remember initially Spotify had an issue with trying to use it when you went abroad, due to rights being limited to each country. Then they simply renegotiated with the rights holders to allow access on a time limited basis so you see no interruption when you go on holiday.
Yeah, the EU have nothing better to do than police our number-plates, huh? Like, you know, France, you see this as a priority over, oh, I don't know, vaccinating your people?
Yet again , England still stuck in Agincourt / Waterloo days of glory, unionists are crackers
Even by your tortured mind, malcy, a bit of a stretch to get there!
Would mean new plates for me , no way I would have butchers apron on mine, I will stick with the Saltire and EU
Adecco UK & Ireland · Safe and protected, socially distanced jobs and goes on to say Welcome to the census recruitment website. We’re hiring thousands of people like you in a range of exciting temporary roles to make Census 2021 a success.
Which 'Friend of Boris' runs Adecco? Or am I being cynical?
Swiss company run by a Belgian. Second largest HR Company in the world.
Another success for British business then; recruitment for the census.
A British subsidiary using local labour to do the work. Seems absolutely fine to me unless you have some sort of desperate hatred of foreigners.
Is he a man of influence? And was it ever in doubt that we could rejoin later (seek to rejoin at least)? The deal wasn't handed down by Moses on Mt Sinai to last for eternity.
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
Adecco UK & Ireland · Safe and protected, socially distanced jobs and goes on to say Welcome to the census recruitment website. We’re hiring thousands of people like you in a range of exciting temporary roles to make Census 2021 a success.
Which 'Friend of Boris' runs Adecco? Or am I being cynical?
You are, and it's normally to be avoided, best to keep your mind pure, but with these guys it's hard to do that.
You could bet your last pound that it will be chums who run Adecco
https://twitter.com/davidschneider/status/1345077579162804226 Incidentally we still don’t know what the hell we’re supposed to do. In fact, the situation is so confused my school has extended the Christmas holidays while we try and work out what’s happening.
It's quite an achievement to be the most incompetent minister in this government - by a mile.
Putting Gavin Williamson in charge of education tells you all you need to know about how important Johnson believes it is.
I agree - however, I'm unconvinced that closing schools across the board will act to suppress Covid - especially from the secondary sector - unless they and their families are to be confined to their homes. That is unlikely to be enforced so they will simply be congregating with friends inside and out in a much less controlled way and without being educated. I understand that there was little evidence of students passing the virus onto teachers when the schools were open.
But they would be congregating outside with their friends - groups of three or four outside, not thirty in unventilated rooms.
Do you honestly think that would be comparable in terms of viral transmission?
If you can post the evidence I might be convinced. Who enforces the 3/4 rule outside or is that simply a product of your imagination? In Spain they regularly post information on school amd class closures caused by Covid. The figures have been very low.
It’s a product of my knowledge of teenagers. They do not hang out with groups of thirty, particularly not with all inside venues closed. And in any case, outside meeting is much safer than inside.
The other issue is of course that (1) classrooms are in no way ‘safe’ despite the lies of those drunken crooks at the DfE, and (2) government isolation schools are not generally enforced in schools - only people within 2 metres, not whole classes, are isolated, nor are teachers.
As for your claim about teachers, the fact that at times we had 10% of staff off with Covid (not just isolating) does not exactly suggest staff are safe from infection.
Unless it is always the same 3/4 people your knowledge is unhelpful. The point about staff seems to assume they all caught it in the classroom from students. Again I would like to see the evidence. I'd also love to see your evidence that the DfE has a high proportion of 'drunken crooks' - otherwise it could be you're simply peddling an agenda.
You have made a series of unsubstantiated assertions that small groups in the open air are just as dangerous in terms of viral transmission as packed classrooms, because mythically they must always be different people all the time.
And you are accusing me of not providing evidence and pushing an agenda?
Edit - and I’m assuming the DfE are drunk because the alternative - that they Deliberately sent three sets of contradictory instructions within 24 hours out of malice - is too awful to contemplate.
I said I was unconvinced. I am. Your manic comments about DfE officials are ridiculous. However, enjoy your day. We are not going to agree and life is way too short.
We’re not going to agree because you are clearly wrong. Every time this is pointed out to you you try to shift position based on sweeping statements. That is your privilege, but does mean your views on policy are not relevant.
As for the DfE. They have behaved throughout this crisis with criminal irresponsibility. They have blood on their hands. They will be held to account.
Rofl. Keep taking the tablets.
This is no laughing matter!
Felix’s inability to deal with facts and refusal to accept reality when pointed out is mildly amusing. The DfE are not. They have already forced delays in the start of remote teaching by their sheer incompetence. They have put lives at risk by their stubbornness and they have failed, completely, in every task they have had, from exam reform to school inspections to budget control.
What is the point of them?
Wasn’t there an education minister and his sidekick advisor a few years ago, who tried to overturn the DfE ‘blob’? I wonder what happened to them...
It was the teachers they referred to as ‘the Blob.’....
To be fair, from their point of view, it’s an entirely accurate description - an amorphous mass about whom they have no knowledge at all.
The term has always said a great deal more about those who use it, than about what it purports to describe.
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
You don't, and never did, need a breathalyser (the legislation got passed but never enacted or enforced), although some companies did nicely selling them to Brits who thought you did.
The French passed the law before realising that there was only one company in France that made them, so kept postponing the introduction date until they eventually abandoned it.
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
I don't think they are. Yes they are the rules but I have never heard of anyone being done for it. It is worth noting that not having a breathalyzer is illegal, but there is no penalty for not having one whatsoever!
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
I don't think they are. Yes they are the rules but I have never heard of anyone being done for it. It is worth noting that not having a breathalyzer is illegal, but there is no penalty for not having one whatsoever!
Nevertheless I believe about a third of French motorway speeding tickets are issued to British cars, very many of them on the motorway approaching Calais. Returning tourists are always in a hurry and mostly pay on the spot rather than be held up.
Edit/ And I am pretty sure it is no longer even illegal
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
You don't, and never did, need a breathalyser (the legislation got passed but never enacted or enforced), although some companies did nicely selling them to Brits who thought you did.
The French passed the law before realising that there was only one company in France that made them, so kept postponing the introduction date until they eventually abandoned it.
Is he a man of influence? And was it ever in doubt that we could rejoin later (seek to rejoin at least)? The deal wasn't handed down by Moses on Mt Sinai to last for eternity.
He’s a Conservative peer made so by BJ, and a pal of his. Pretty sure that’s what counts as a man of influence in the current chummocracy.
I remember initially Spotify had an issue with trying to use it when you went abroad, due to rights being limited to each country. Then they simply renegotiated with the rights holders to allow access on a time limited basis so you see no interruption when you go on holiday.
My particular hatred of regional barriers is with Pandora. It was an epic music download system with new music suggestion algorithms that were absolutely years ahead of anything else including Spotify. Its ability to use your listening habits to find new bands you had never heard of but which you loved at first listening were legendary.
Then for some reason they stopped operating to the EU (including of course the UK at that time) and we ended up with the poor fourth rate copy of Spotify instead.
I listened to it when I was back in Canada in 2018 and it is still brilliant.
Good morning everyone. And thanks Mr H for your forecast. However, I'm inclined to agree with Mr Clipp; the Government looks as though it may well be in serious chaos by the end of the year. The question has to arise; who is to replace anyone who leaves the Government. There doesn't seem to be a wealth of talent on the Conservative benches.
I’m afraid that’s what happens when candidates are selected for ‘outside’ bets to win, you don’t get the cream of aspiring politicians and end up with a lot of dead wood or even worse unpredictable self motivated individuals. When you’ve already sacked the A team and appointed theB team based on loyalty to brexit leaves you little room for maneuver and any quality left will be seen as a threat to the incumbent.
Indeed; and there's little chance of a by election bringing anyone else in. It has to be said, tough, that Labour doesn't appear to have a group of whizz-kids ready to challenge either. Although maybe the opportunity hasn't 't yet arisen, but, for example, I can't recall who leads for Labour on Education. Maybe, of course, I haven't been paying attention.
Kate Green - notable fior 'wokeness' I'm afraid and anti-monarchism.
Thanks; should I try to remember?
On Dr F's point, AIUI the 'Family Doctor' system that we have in the UK is, I understand, unusual. While it has it's disadvantages...... no-one can be expert in everything ....... it does mean that there's are local reference points where everyones records are held.
I thought that’s what computers were for everything in one place accessible from multiple points including by the patient, doesn’t every modern health service have this facility?
No. I do a lot of work with diabetes, and because of the GP system, get updates on numbers of people with the diagnosis, including personal demographic data. This is updated daily, so I can track and plan services for the 76 000 with diabetes in Leics and Rutland.
When I go to conferences, apart from the Scandinavians none of my international peers has anything like the quality of data. Apart from occasional epidemiological surveys they don't generally even know how many they have, nor what their current issues are. It is a different style of practice. While care can be excellent, it can also be very patchy, and diabetes care amongst the poor in America is truly appalling.
GP registers are a major strength of the UK public health system. Fragmented privatised care has some utility, over centralised systems, but when it comes to systematic planning of a vaccine programme, it is no contest.
I can see almost all of my medical records, as to whether this results in any analysis is a different matter. It does save carrying around large quantities of paper.
Yes - the Spanish centralised prescription reords are also very handy right now. Simple phonecall and instant 3 months renewal.
Same here in Scotland, one phone call and it is delivered to my house in 2 working days, superb service.
Morning Malc
Our prescriptions are automatically prescribed every month for six months then a review with the doctor
It is one of the few things working well under labour's Wales NHS
Off topic
It is not.
Several years ago I cleared my late father's house out of repeat prescriptions. Amongst the multiple 500 packs of Paracetamol, I found enough Tramadol to shame a Columbian drugs cartel.
On returning the items to the pharmacy I was told I could not reduce the delivery schedule on his behalf due to having no authority so to do. When I cleared the house out post-mortem for the final time, I returned several more carrier bags of unused medication.
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
I don't think they are. Yes they are the rules but I have never heard of anyone being done for it. It is worth noting that not having a breathalyzer is illegal, but there is no penalty for not having one whatsoever!
Nevertheless I believe about a third of French motorway speeding tickets are issued to British cars, very many of them on the motorway approaching Calais. Returning tourists are always in a hurry and mostly pay on the spot rather than be held up.
Edit/ And I am pretty sure it is no longer even illegal
They really love the days either side of the Le Mans 24h race in June. About 50,000 Brits attend, many of whom drive down in sports cars.
There are always complaints of underhanded tactics by French traffic cops, but the choice is either to pay the fine on the spot, or spend the night at their pleasure before going to see a magistrate the next day - so long as the next day isn’t Saturday, or Sunday.
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
I don't think they are. Yes they are the rules but I have never heard of anyone being done for it. It is worth noting that not having a breathalyzer is illegal, but there is no penalty for not having one whatsoever!
Nevertheless I believe about a third of French motorway speeding tickets are issued to British cars, very many of them on the motorway approaching Calais. Returning tourists are always in a hurry and mostly pay on the spot rather than be held up.
Edit/ And I am pretty sure it is no longer even illegal
They really love the days either side of the Le Mans 24h race in June. About 50,000 Brits attend, many of whom drive down in sports cars.
There are always complaints of underhanded tactics by French traffic cops, but the choice is either to pay the fine on the spot, or spend the night at their pleasure before going to see a magistrate the next day - so long as the next day isn’t Saturday, or Sunday.
Surely the way to avoid this is to stick to the speed limit...!
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
I don't think they are. Yes they are the rules but I have never heard of anyone being done for it. It is worth noting that not having a breathalyzer is illegal, but there is no penalty for not having one whatsoever!
Nevertheless I believe about a third of French motorway speeding tickets are issued to British cars, very many of them on the motorway approaching Calais. Returning tourists are always in a hurry and mostly pay on the spot rather than be held up.
Edit/ And I am pretty sure it is no longer even illegal
But as I mentioned it is a case of being pragmatic with the rules (and one of the few where we are as well). So booking people for speeding where there is a risk and I would think tired hurrying people are a high risk. Of course I could be giving them the benefit of the doubt and it might just be an opportunity to collect easy revenue. I have to say I have used the tunnel a lot and have no experience of this. Can't even recall seeing the police.
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
I don't think they are. Yes they are the rules but I have never heard of anyone being done for it. It is worth noting that not having a breathalyzer is illegal, but there is no penalty for not having one whatsoever!
A few years ago just after the new rules were introduced in France there was a spate of UK drivers being stopped just outside Calais or Boulogne for not having the yellow vest within reaching distance of the drivers seat. A lot of complaints were made because although drivers had them in the car, if they were on the back parcel shelf or back seat and you couldn't reach it then you were breaking the law. The French police basically just stood by the side of the road and stopped every British and Irish car that came through to check. To be fair on the police when you look at the reports it appears that most of the time they then just warned the drivers rather than fining them.
I do suspect that in one of those ironic twists given the protests, these days they might be doing people for owning yellow vests rather than not having them.
Yeah, the EU have nothing better to do than police our number-plates, huh? Like, you know, France, you see this as a priority over, oh, I don't know, vaccinating your people?
You seem very angry with the EU this morning. Perhaps we should try to leave.
Morning all and thank you David H for interesting Header. Strikes me I haven’t posted any serious predictions myself for 21 and so to quickly put that right -
Dems do the double in Georgia and gain control of the senate. Joe Biden becomes a popular uniting figure. Donald Trump leaves the White House in a horizontal position and thereafter fades away. So does Brexit. It still features but without the heat. Near term Covid meets the worse case scenario. The NHS collapses in many places. Nevertheless by August it’s all over and we’re back to normal. Except we’re not because the public finances are utterly wrecked. This problem will not be faced up to by the Johnson government. Neither will the need for Sindy2. But in better news for Scotland, Andy Murray has a big Wimbledon.
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
I don't think they are. Yes they are the rules but I have never heard of anyone being done for it. It is worth noting that not having a breathalyzer is illegal, but there is no penalty for not having one whatsoever!
A few years ago just after the new rules were introduced in France there was a spate of UK drivers being stopped just outside Calais or Boulogne for not having the yellow vest within reaching distance of the drivers seat. A lot of complaints were made because although drivers had them in the car, if they were on the back parcel shelf or back seat and you couldn't reach it then you were breaking the law. The French police basically just stood by the side of the road and stopped every British and Irish car that came through to check. To be fair on the police when you look at the reports it appears that most of the time they then just warned the drivers rather than fining them.
I do suspect that in one of those ironic twists given the protests, these days they might be doing people for owning yellow vests rather than not having them.
Seems fair enough if they are new rules to ensure people who are less likely to know them do so. I wouldn't be happy if they fined them though as that would smack of revenue generating rather than proving a service, but if they didn't then that seems sensible.
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
I don't think they are. Yes they are the rules but I have never heard of anyone being done for it. It is worth noting that not having a breathalyzer is illegal, but there is no penalty for not having one whatsoever!
Nevertheless I believe about a third of French motorway speeding tickets are issued to British cars, very many of them on the motorway approaching Calais. Returning tourists are always in a hurry and mostly pay on the spot rather than be held up.
Edit/ And I am pretty sure it is no longer even illegal
They really love the days either side of the Le Mans 24h race in June. About 50,000 Brits attend, many of whom drive down in sports cars.
There are always complaints of underhanded tactics by French traffic cops, but the choice is either to pay the fine on the spot, or spend the night at their pleasure before going to see a magistrate the next day - so long as the next day isn’t Saturday, or Sunday.
Surely the way to avoid this is to stick to the speed limit...!
If only it were that simple. Plenty of their tactics are very underhanded - from burying speed limit signs in hedgerows, inexplicable 60 signs on motorways 2km before the toll booth that everyone ignores, to just outright making up the speed they tell the driver he was going.
I think you are altogether too optimistic about the vaccination programme.
Anyway, yesterday marked the day when I officially became Chair of Trustees of a London primary school. The one I went to in fact. It taught me a lot - not just what you'd expect from a good school but what to aspire to if you want to try to be a good person. So it feels right to be giving something back.
And this morning I have urgent calls with the Headmistress re the plans for online learning.
The mess Gavin Williamson is making of everything does not give me confidence in the vaccination programme or anything else this government touches, frankly. I am not a scientist but the idea of mixing and matching vaccines sounds peculiar. What is the scientific basis for it? What are the risks?
Good morning everyone. And thanks Mr H for your forecast. However, I'm inclined to agree with Mr Clipp; the Government looks as though it may well be in serious chaos by the end of the year. The question has to arise; who is to replace anyone who leaves the Government. There doesn't seem to be a wealth of talent on the Conservative benches.
I’m afraid that’s what happens when candidates are selected for ‘outside’ bets to win, you don’t get the cream of aspiring politicians and end up with a lot of dead wood or even worse unpredictable self motivated individuals. When you’ve already sacked the A team and appointed theB team based on loyalty to brexit leaves you little room for maneuver and any quality left will be seen as a threat to the incumbent.
Indeed; and there's little chance of a by election bringing anyone else in. It has to be said, tough, that Labour doesn't appear to have a group of whizz-kids ready to challenge either. Although maybe the opportunity hasn't 't yet arisen, but, for example, I can't recall who leads for Labour on Education. Maybe, of course, I haven't been paying attention.
Kate Green - notable fior 'wokeness' I'm afraid and anti-monarchism.
Thanks; should I try to remember?
On Dr F's point, AIUI the 'Family Doctor' system that we have in the UK is, I understand, unusual. While it has it's disadvantages...... no-one can be expert in everything ....... it does mean that there's are local reference points where everyones records are held.
I thought that’s what computers were for everything in one place accessible from multiple points including by the patient, doesn’t every modern health service have this facility?
No. I do a lot of work with diabetes, and because of the GP system, get updates on numbers of people with the diagnosis, including personal demographic data. This is updated daily, so I can track and plan services for the 76 000 with diabetes in Leics and Rutland.
When I go to conferences, apart from the Scandinavians none of my international peers has anything like the quality of data. Apart from occasional epidemiological surveys they don't generally even know how many they have, nor what their current issues are. It is a different style of practice. While care can be excellent, it can also be very patchy, and diabetes care amongst the poor in America is truly appalling.
GP registers are a major strength of the UK public health system. Fragmented privatised care has some utility, over centralised systems, but when it comes to systematic planning of a vaccine programme, it is no contest.
I can see almost all of my medical records, as to whether this results in any analysis is a different matter. It does save carrying around large quantities of paper.
Yes - the Spanish centralised prescription reords are also very handy right now. Simple phonecall and instant 3 months renewal.
Same here in Scotland, one phone call and it is delivered to my house in 2 working days, superb service.
Morning Malc
Our prescriptions are automatically prescribed every month for six months then a review with the doctor
It is one of the few things working well under labour's Wales NHS
Off topic
It is not.
Several years ago I cleared my late father's house out of repeat prescriptions. Amongst the multiple 500 packs of Paracetamol, I found enough Tramadol to shame a Columbian drugs cartel.
On returning the items to the pharmacy I was told I could not reduce the delivery schedule on his behalf due to having no authority so to do. When I cleared the house out post-mortem for the final time, I returned several more carrier bags of unused medication.
It is a dangerous scandal.
It's one of those schemes which when well-managed, works well, and when it isn't, doesn't. I used to come across it quite often; when I saw it in Care Homes it was generally OK, because there was a member of staff there to take action. However every so often I would come across a case out in the community like Mr MP's. I also came across pharmacists who. I'm sorry to say, 'took the money' and ran but also across colleagues who regularly raised objections with the prescribing surgery but were ignored. Indeed on one occasion I was personally told by the surgery staff that 'nothing could be done'; a somewhat angry exchange followed, witnessed by a senior Social Services staffer who was totally amazed.
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
I don't think they are. Yes they are the rules but I have never heard of anyone being done for it. It is worth noting that not having a breathalyzer is illegal, but there is no penalty for not having one whatsoever!
Nevertheless I believe about a third of French motorway speeding tickets are issued to British cars, very many of them on the motorway approaching Calais. Returning tourists are always in a hurry and mostly pay on the spot rather than be held up.
Edit/ And I am pretty sure it is no longer even illegal
They really love the days either side of the Le Mans 24h race in June. About 50,000 Brits attend, many of whom drive down in sports cars.
There are always complaints of underhanded tactics by French traffic cops, but the choice is either to pay the fine on the spot, or spend the night at their pleasure before going to see a magistrate the next day - so long as the next day isn’t Saturday, or Sunday.
Surely the way to avoid this is to stick to the speed limit...!
If only it were that simple. Plenty of their tactics are very underhanded - from burying speed limit signs in hedgerows, inexplicable 60 signs on motorways 2km before the toll booth that everyone ignores, to just outright making up the speed they tell the driver he was going.
They never patrol the miles before that sudden 60 sign, so you just need to come off super speed before you get to it
Yeah, the EU have nothing better to do than police our number-plates, huh? Like, you know, France, you see this as a priority over, oh, I don't know, vaccinating your people?
You seem very angry with the EU this morning. Perhaps we should try to leave.
A lot of the workingness of the UK's new arrangements depends on whether the EU acts in ways that are helpful to the UK.
If the EU sticks to the rules (and a lot if their strength comes from sticking to rules), some people in the UK are going to get very cross with them.
More than 2,500 people have attended an illegal rave in France, as the country continues to grapple with coronavirus.
The event, held in a warehouse at Lieuron near Rennes in Brittany, began on Thursday and is still going on.
A number of ravers are from the UK and Spain, police said.
Attendees have clashed with police, setting fire to a car and throwing objects at officers attempting to shut the event down. At least three officers have been injured.
A statement from local authorities said police had tried to "prevent this event but faced fierce hostility from many partygoers".
One of the party-goers, who gave his name as Jo, told the AFP news agency that "very few had respected social distancing" at the event.
I love that the Local Health Authority is called ARS. Wonder if they employ the Proctologists?
The difference between city police and country police in France seems more extreme than in the UK. Just their uniforms and equipment in the cities makes me think that I don't want to mess with them (not that I would). And there seem to be so many of them in the cities, often in a group chatting.
Good morning everyone. And thanks Mr H for your forecast. However, I'm inclined to agree with Mr Clipp; the Government looks as though it may well be in serious chaos by the end of the year. The question has to arise; who is to replace anyone who leaves the Government. There doesn't seem to be a wealth of talent on the Conservative benches.
I’m afraid that’s what happens when candidates are selected for ‘outside’ bets to win, you don’t get the cream of aspiring politicians and end up with a lot of dead wood or even worse unpredictable self motivated individuals. When you’ve already sacked the A team and appointed theB team based on loyalty to brexit leaves you little room for maneuver and any quality left will be seen as a threat to the incumbent.
Indeed; and there's little chance of a by election bringing anyone else in. It has to be said, tough, that Labour doesn't appear to have a group of whizz-kids ready to challenge either. Although maybe the opportunity hasn't 't yet arisen, but, for example, I can't recall who leads for Labour on Education. Maybe, of course, I haven't been paying attention.
Kate Green - notable fior 'wokeness' I'm afraid and anti-monarchism.
Thanks; should I try to remember?
On Dr F's point, AIUI the 'Family Doctor' system that we have in the UK is, I understand, unusual. While it has it's disadvantages...... no-one can be expert in everything ....... it does mean that there's are local reference points where everyones records are held.
I thought that’s what computers were for everything in one place accessible from multiple points including by the patient, doesn’t every modern health service have this facility?
No. I do a lot of work with diabetes, and because of the GP system, get updates on numbers of people with the diagnosis, including personal demographic data. This is updated daily, so I can track and plan services for the 76 000 with diabetes in Leics and Rutland.
When I go to conferences, apart from the Scandinavians none of my international peers has anything like the quality of data. Apart from occasional epidemiological surveys they don't generally even know how many they have, nor what their current issues are. It is a different style of practice. While care can be excellent, it can also be very patchy, and diabetes care amongst the poor in America is truly appalling.
GP registers are a major strength of the UK public health system. Fragmented privatised care has some utility, over centralised systems, but when it comes to systematic planning of a vaccine programme, it is no contest.
I can see almost all of my medical records, as to whether this results in any analysis is a different matter. It does save carrying around large quantities of paper.
Yes - the Spanish centralised prescription reords are also very handy right now. Simple phonecall and instant 3 months renewal.
Same here in Scotland, one phone call and it is delivered to my house in 2 working days, superb service.
Morning Malc
Our prescriptions are automatically prescribed every month for six months then a review with the doctor
It is one of the few things working well under labour's Wales NHS
Off topic
It is not.
Several years ago I cleared my late father's house out of repeat prescriptions. Amongst the multiple 500 packs of Paracetamol, I found enough Tramadol to shame a Columbian drugs cartel.
On returning the items to the pharmacy I was told I could not reduce the delivery schedule on his behalf due to having no authority so to do. When I cleared the house out post-mortem for the final time, I returned several more carrier bags of unused medication.
It is a dangerous scandal.
Morning G, Crazy to pre-deliver stuff without contact, though I suppose some people have shedloads on regular basis. At least having to phone up to order means you cut a lot of the waste out. They also don't let you phone up the next week and order another one, they will do it a week or so early but don't allow abuse of system.
PS: Morning to MexicanPete as well, in my top favourite posters
Yeah, the EU have nothing better to do than police our number-plates, huh? Like, you know, France, you see this as a priority over, oh, I don't know, vaccinating your people?
You seem very angry with the EU this morning. Perhaps we should try to leave.
Leavers have made careers out of empty gestures. They don't want the French getting in on the act
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Good morning everyone. And thanks Mr H for your forecast. However, I'm inclined to agree with Mr Clipp; the Government looks as though it may well be in serious chaos by the end of the year. The question has to arise; who is to replace anyone who leaves the Government. There doesn't seem to be a wealth of talent on the Conservative benches.
I’m afraid that’s what happens when candidates are selected for ‘outside’ bets to win, you don’t get the cream of aspiring politicians and end up with a lot of dead wood or even worse unpredictable self motivated individuals. When you’ve already sacked the A team and appointed theB team based on loyalty to brexit leaves you little room for maneuver and any quality left will be seen as a threat to the incumbent.
Indeed; and there's little chance of a by election bringing anyone else in. It has to be said, tough, that Labour doesn't appear to have a group of whizz-kids ready to challenge either. Although maybe the opportunity hasn't 't yet arisen, but, for example, I can't recall who leads for Labour on Education. Maybe, of course, I haven't been paying attention.
Kate Green - notable fior 'wokeness' I'm afraid and anti-monarchism.
Thanks; should I try to remember?
On Dr F's point, AIUI the 'Family Doctor' system that we have in the UK is, I understand, unusual. While it has it's disadvantages...... no-one can be expert in everything ....... it does mean that there's are local reference points where everyones records are held.
I thought that’s what computers were for everything in one place accessible from multiple points including by the patient, doesn’t every modern health service have this facility?
No. I do a lot of work with diabetes, and because of the GP system, get updates on numbers of people with the diagnosis, including personal demographic data. This is updated daily, so I can track and plan services for the 76 000 with diabetes in Leics and Rutland.
When I go to conferences, apart from the Scandinavians none of my international peers has anything like the quality of data. Apart from occasional epidemiological surveys they don't generally even know how many they have, nor what their current issues are. It is a different style of practice. While care can be excellent, it can also be very patchy, and diabetes care amongst the poor in America is truly appalling.
GP registers are a major strength of the UK public health system. Fragmented privatised care has some utility, over centralised systems, but when it comes to systematic planning of a vaccine programme, it is no contest.
I can see almost all of my medical records, as to whether this results in any analysis is a different matter. It does save carrying around large quantities of paper.
Yes - the Spanish centralised prescription reords are also very handy right now. Simple phonecall and instant 3 months renewal.
Same here in Scotland, one phone call and it is delivered to my house in 2 working days, superb service.
Morning Malc
Our prescriptions are automatically prescribed every month for six months then a review with the doctor
It is one of the few things working well under labour's Wales NHS
Off topic
It is not.
Several years ago I cleared my late father's house out of repeat prescriptions. Amongst the multiple 500 packs of Paracetamol, I found enough Tramadol to shame a Columbian drugs cartel.
On returning the items to the pharmacy I was told I could not reduce the delivery schedule on his behalf due to having no authority so to do. When I cleared the house out post-mortem for the final time, I returned several more carrier bags of unused medication.
It is a dangerous scandal.
Morning G, Crazy to pre-deliver stuff without contact, though I suppose some people have shedloads on regular basis. At least having to phone up to order means you cut a lot of the waste out. They also don't let you phone up the next week and order another one, they will do it a week or so early but don't allow abuse of system.
PS: Morning to MexicanPete as well, in my top favourite posters
That's what I mean by well-managed. Scotlands pharmacy service always seemed to me to be better organised than those in England, although it could be that I only spoke to, and read of, the 'good' people.
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
There is already an SNP and Green majority in Scotland at Holyrood from 2016 before Brexit, if Sturgeon cannot even use Brexit to produce an SNP outright majority as the SNP had in 2011 before the 2014 referendum then Sturgeon would face a May 2017 style humiliation and there would be serious murmurings within the SNP from Cherry and Salmondites for a leadership challenge
Yeah, the EU have nothing better to do than police our number-plates, huh? Like, you know, France, you see this as a priority over, oh, I don't know, vaccinating your people?
You seem very angry with the EU this morning. Perhaps we should try to leave.
'If you look at increases per country over the last seven days and cases per 100 000, in Scotland you are sitting at around 160, in Wales they are well up over 400 and heading towards 500. In England about 440 and Northern Ireland 370.' Prof Bauld but buried in Scotland's media 'Hospital ICU capacity in Scotland is still in a pretty good state and we have already committed to being able to double that if we have to.' Professor Linda Bauld today in the Herald but nowhere else in Scotland's media. If you only looked at BBC propaganda you would believe we are the opposite.
Well I would vote for Alliance for Unity on the list over the SNP too
HYUFD are you saying you could actually vote for a non Conservative candidate?
On the list if I voted Tory on the constituency maybe if that was the best way of denying SNP MSPs, or for Labour or the LDs on the constituency vote if they were the main alternative to the SNP then Tory on the list
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
They do, so if Boris tried to prevent a referendum on the grounds of the SNP alone not having a majority it would look like trying to wiggle out on a technicality. The right thing would be to allow a referendum in 2022, but for Westminster to insist on a sensible voting franchise (i.e. not allowing children or EU citizens to vote, some provision for Scots elsewhere in the UK/abroad). With a Brexit deal now done, I don't think a 'Yes' vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
Yeah, the EU have nothing better to do than police our number-plates, huh? Like, you know, France, you see this as a priority over, oh, I don't know, vaccinating your people?
You seem very angry with the EU this morning. Perhaps we should try to leave.
Not abnormally angry, no.....
Do we assume this is your normal level of anger with the EU then?
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
I don't think they are. Yes they are the rules but I have never heard of anyone being done for it. It is worth noting that not having a breathalyzer is illegal, but there is no penalty for not having one whatsoever!
A few years ago just after the new rules were introduced in France there was a spate of UK drivers being stopped just outside Calais or Boulogne for not having the yellow vest within reaching distance of the drivers seat. A lot of complaints were made because although drivers had them in the car, if they were on the back parcel shelf or back seat and you couldn't reach it then you were breaking the law. The French police basically just stood by the side of the road and stopped every British and Irish car that came through to check. To be fair on the police when you look at the reports it appears that most of the time they then just warned the drivers rather than fining them.
I do suspect that in one of those ironic twists given the protests, these days they might be doing people for owning yellow vests rather than not having them.
One of my friends used to drive a lot between the UK and his places in Brittany and from there to various locations in Europe for shooting competitions.
He got stopped going round the motorway around Caen in Normandy by the police for a routine check.
The police said open your boot
He said ok I will but ...... then explained that his boot had a number of guns in it.
Luckily he had the permits and it was all resolved with no problems but he said there was a dodgy moment when the police triggered on "guns"
Incidentally he said it was much easier keeping his guns in France and travelling from there rather than keeping them in UK
'If you look at increases per country over the last seven days and cases per 100 000, in Scotland you are sitting at around 160, in Wales they are well up over 400 and heading towards 500. In England about 440 and Northern Ireland 370.' Prof Bauld but buried in Scotland's media 'Hospital ICU capacity in Scotland is still in a pretty good state and we have already committed to being able to double that if we have to.' Professor Linda Bauld today in the Herald but nowhere else in Scotland's media. If you only looked at BBC propaganda you would believe we are the opposite.
The wife of one of my work colleagues works in a hospital in Dundee and they have been taking ICU patients from North East England to help ease the pressure there.
Sorry, the previous version had an incorrect offset between cases and tests that made the curves more jaggy then necessary:
Thanks for doing all this work at my request.
I did some calculations myself last night (though I did not use a 7 day window), and also noted the fact that Scotland has the highest positivity rate (for reasons that are not very clear to me).
For Wales, there are days with very high positivity rates, so I am surprised by your Welsh graph which is rather low.
How are you calculating it? By averaging Pillar 1/ All Pillars over the last 7 days?
Sorry for confusing matters by going for tests divided by cases rather than the other way round. I didn't do the latter because a positivity percentage should use the number of people tested rather than the overall number of tests, which includes people having multiple tests.
So test coverage in Wales has been consistently bad in the last few weeks, whereas the others have rapidly been getting worse. I think that's mostly a function of the case numbers themselves.
David's confident assertion that Brexit is done as a political issue is contradicted by the comments to his own article. Brexit, relations with the European Union and its place in the world, may not be of huge interest to the man that might be on the Clapham omnibus if it weren't for the plague, but it was, is and will be THE defining political issue for the UK. Not least because Boris Johnson will ensure it stays that way.
And you don't get more political than what your country is.
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
They do, so if Boris tried to prevent a referendum on the grounds of the SNP alone not having a majority it would look like trying to wiggle out on a technicality. The right thing would be to allow a referendum in 2022, but for Westminster to insist on a sensible voting franchise (i.e. not allowing children or EU citizens to vote, some provision for Scots elsewhere in the UK/abroad). With a Brexit deal now done, I don't think a 'Yes' vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
May refused an independence referendum despite an SNP and Green majority without a murmur, indyref 2014 only happened as Salmond won an outright SNP majority in 2011, if Sturgeon cannot even repeat that despite Brexit she would be humiliated and Boris would easily brush her off
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
They do, so if Boris tried to prevent a referendum on the grounds of the SNP alone not having a majority it would look like trying to wiggle out on a technicality. The right thing would be to allow a referendum in 2022, but for Westminster to insist on a sensible voting franchise (i.e. not allowing children or EU citizens to vote, some provision for Scots elsewhere in the UK/abroad). With a Brexit deal now done, I don't think a 'Yes' vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
What has it got to do with people outside Scotland, only a dummy could imagine that is democratic. To try and pretend that would be sensible makes it certain they are also really stupid , against democracy and obviously a unionist. You missed counting non voters and dead people as NO.
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
They do, so if Boris tried to prevent a referendum on the grounds of the SNP alone not having a majority it would look like trying to wiggle out on a technicality. The right thing would be to allow a referendum in 2022, but for Westminster to insist on a sensible voting franchise (i.e. not allowing children or EU citizens to vote, some provision for Scots elsewhere in the UK/abroad). With a Brexit deal now done, I don't think a 'Yes' vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
If you fix the referendum in your favour I don’t think a ‘Yes’ vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
Just don't mess with the police in any Country . You are asking for it.if you do.
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
They do, so if Boris tried to prevent a referendum on the grounds of the SNP alone not having a majority it would look like trying to wiggle out on a technicality. The right thing would be to allow a referendum in 2022, but for Westminster to insist on a sensible voting franchise (i.e. not allowing children or EU citizens to vote, some provision for Scots elsewhere in the UK/abroad). With a Brexit deal now done, I don't think a 'Yes' vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
Well, the SNP would, publicly anyway, wouldn't they? And why should 'children'...... 16 year olds not vote? It's their future.
Yeah, the EU have nothing better to do than police our number-plates, huh? Like, you know, France, you see this as a priority over, oh, I don't know, vaccinating your people?
Yet again , England still stuck in Agincourt / Waterloo days of glory, unionists are crackers
Even by your tortured mind, malcy, a bit of a stretch to get there!
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
I don't think they are. Yes they are the rules but I have never heard of anyone being done for it. It is worth noting that not having a breathalyzer is illegal, but there is no penalty for not having one whatsoever!
A few years ago just after the new rules were introduced in France there was a spate of UK drivers being stopped just outside Calais or Boulogne for not having the yellow vest within reaching distance of the drivers seat. A lot of complaints were made because although drivers had them in the car, if they were on the back parcel shelf or back seat and you couldn't reach it then you were breaking the law. The French police basically just stood by the side of the road and stopped every British and Irish car that came through to check. To be fair on the police when you look at the reports it appears that most of the time they then just warned the drivers rather than fining them.
I do suspect that in one of those ironic twists given the protests, these days they might be doing people for owning yellow vests rather than not having them.
One of my friends used to drive a lot between the UK and his places in Brittany and from there to various locations in Europe for shooting competitions.
He got stopped going round the motorway around Caen in Normandy by the police for a routine check.
The police said open your boot
He said ok I will but ...... then explained that his boot had a number of guns in it.
Luckily he had the permits and it was all resolved with no problems but he said there was a dodgy moment when the police triggered on "guns"
Incidentally he said it was much easier keeping his guns in France and travelling from there rather than keeping them in UK
I was once in a friend's house many, many years ago who was a competitive pistol shooter. He was showing me his pistols one early evening. The doorbell rang and it was a policeman who was making a routine call on something completely unrelated. You could see his eyes flipping between passing on the information and the pistols and looking apprehensive until an explanation was given and sighs of relief were passed.
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
They do, so if Boris tried to prevent a referendum on the grounds of the SNP alone not having a majority it would look like trying to wiggle out on a technicality. The right thing would be to allow a referendum in 2022, but for Westminster to insist on a sensible voting franchise (i.e. not allowing children or EU citizens to vote, some provision for Scots elsewhere in the UK/abroad). With a Brexit deal now done, I don't think a 'Yes' vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
If you fix the referendum in your favour I don’t think a ‘Yes’ vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
TUD, they have a pretty weird view on democracy for sure, they are not bright enough to put their rigged voting ideas across in any subtle way. Might as well say give them a vote and cheat to make sure they lose.
Yeah, the EU have nothing better to do than police our number-plates, huh? Like, you know, France, you see this as a priority over, oh, I don't know, vaccinating your people?
Yet again , England still stuck in Agincourt / Waterloo days of glory, unionists are crackers
Even by your tortured mind, malcy, a bit of a stretch to get there!
Aren't the French police normally more interested in knowing if you have the yellow vest, the breathalyser, the funny wing mirrors and all the other nonsense required to drive in France?
I don't think they are. Yes they are the rules but I have never heard of anyone being done for it. It is worth noting that not having a breathalyzer is illegal, but there is no penalty for not having one whatsoever!
A few years ago just after the new rules were introduced in France there was a spate of UK drivers being stopped just outside Calais or Boulogne for not having the yellow vest within reaching distance of the drivers seat. A lot of complaints were made because although drivers had them in the car, if they were on the back parcel shelf or back seat and you couldn't reach it then you were breaking the law. The French police basically just stood by the side of the road and stopped every British and Irish car that came through to check. To be fair on the police when you look at the reports it appears that most of the time they then just warned the drivers rather than fining them.
I do suspect that in one of those ironic twists given the protests, these days they might be doing people for owning yellow vests rather than not having them.
One of my friends used to drive a lot between the UK and his places in Brittany and from there to various locations in Europe for shooting competitions.
He got stopped going round the motorway around Caen in Normandy by the police for a routine check.
The police said open your boot
He said ok I will but ...... then explained that his boot had a number of guns in it.
Luckily he had the permits and it was all resolved with no problems but he said there was a dodgy moment when the police triggered on "guns"
Incidentally he said it was much easier keeping his guns in France and travelling from there rather than keeping them in UK
French, or at least a chunk of them, are hunting mad.
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
They do, so if Boris tried to prevent a referendum on the grounds of the SNP alone not having a majority it would look like trying to wiggle out on a technicality. The right thing would be to allow a referendum in 2022, but for Westminster to insist on a sensible voting franchise (i.e. not allowing children or EU citizens to vote, some provision for Scots elsewhere in the UK/abroad). With a Brexit deal now done, I don't think a 'Yes' vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
May refused an independence referendum despite an SNP and Green majority without a murmur, indyref 2014 only happened as Salmond won an outright SNP majority in 2011, if Sturgeon cannot even repeat that despite Brexit she would be humiliated and Boris would easily brush her off
Brexit wasn't finalised then. If the SNP and Greens win a majority between them and both have included a secession referendum in their manifestos I don't see how it can be refused for very long.
malcolmg/Theuniondivvie - Cameron was complacent in 2014 and allowed the SNP to implement a non-standard electoral franchise which was in *their* favour. That mistake should not be repeated.
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
They do, so if Boris tried to prevent a referendum on the grounds of the SNP alone not having a majority it would look like trying to wiggle out on a technicality. The right thing would be to allow a referendum in 2022, but for Westminster to insist on a sensible voting franchise (i.e. not allowing children or EU citizens to vote, some provision for Scots elsewhere in the UK/abroad). With a Brexit deal now done, I don't think a 'Yes' vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
May refused an independence referendum despite an SNP and Green majority without a murmur, indyref 2014 only happened as Salmond won an outright SNP majority in 2011, if Sturgeon cannot even repeat that despite Brexit she would be humiliated and Boris would easily brush her off
Brexit wasn't finalised then. If the SNP and Greens win a majority between them and both have included a secession referendum in their manifestos I don't see how it can be refused for very long.
It will be refused, Sturgeon asked for a referendum as soon as the Leave vote came in on the basis that the very act of the UK voting for leaving the EU and Scotland voting to remain in the EU made the case for indyref2 and the SNP and the Greens had a majority at that time already.
If the SNP fail to even match the majority they won in 2011 despite Brexit there is zero chance Boris and this Tory government will agree indyref2 and then Cherry etc will begin the process of a leadership challenge to Sturgeon within the SNP.
There is little chance of Boris granting indyref2 even with an SNP majority in my view, if there is no SNP majority at all there is zero chance
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
They do, so if Boris tried to prevent a referendum on the grounds of the SNP alone not having a majority it would look like trying to wiggle out on a technicality. The right thing would be to allow a referendum in 2022, but for Westminster to insist on a sensible voting franchise (i.e. not allowing children or EU citizens to vote, some provision for Scots elsewhere in the UK/abroad). With a Brexit deal now done, I don't think a 'Yes' vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
If you fix the referendum in your favour I don’t think a ‘Yes’ vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
If you try to fix the result in your favour and you still can’t get a yes vote you clearly aren’t very good at fraud.
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
They do, so if Boris tried to prevent a referendum on the grounds of the SNP alone not having a majority it would look like trying to wiggle out on a technicality. The right thing would be to allow a referendum in 2022, but for Westminster to insist on a sensible voting franchise (i.e. not allowing children or EU citizens to vote, some provision for Scots elsewhere in the UK/abroad). With a Brexit deal now done, I don't think a 'Yes' vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
Well, the SNP would, publicly anyway, wouldn't they? And why should 'children'...... 16 year olds not vote? It's their future.
16 and 17 year olds should not be allowed to vote because we've quite sensibly judged they're not mature enough to. Why not extend this logic to enfranchising 4 year olds? And it's lots of people's future, including everyone else in the UK, but I wouldn't suggest I should get a vote.
'If you look at increases per country over the last seven days and cases per 100 000, in Scotland you are sitting at around 160, in Wales they are well up over 400 and heading towards 500. In England about 440 and Northern Ireland 370.' Prof Bauld but buried in Scotland's media 'Hospital ICU capacity in Scotland is still in a pretty good state and we have already committed to being able to double that if we have to.' Professor Linda Bauld today in the Herald but nowhere else in Scotland's media. If you only looked at BBC propaganda you would believe we are the opposite.
The wife of one of my work colleagues works in a hospital in Dundee and they have been taking ICU patients from North East England to help ease the pressure there.
Good to hear Richard. Hopefully our numbers are not just behind in schedule and stay lower, keep dropping. Assume once England/Wales/NI have a month 's lockdown they will hopefully drop as well. Concerned that system will cope with number of patients though and they may well get to stage where they have to pick and choose who gets treatment, if not there already.
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
They do, so if Boris tried to prevent a referendum on the grounds of the SNP alone not having a majority it would look like trying to wiggle out on a technicality. The right thing would be to allow a referendum in 2022, but for Westminster to insist on a sensible voting franchise (i.e. not allowing children or EU citizens to vote, some provision for Scots elsewhere in the UK/abroad). With a Brexit deal now done, I don't think a 'Yes' vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
Well, the SNP would, publicly anyway, wouldn't they? And why should 'children'...... 16 year olds not vote? It's their future.
16 and 17 year olds should not be allowed to vote because we've quite sensibly judged they're not mature enough to. Why not extend this logic to enfranchising 4 year olds? And it's lots of people's future, including everyone else in the UK, but I wouldn't suggest I should get a vote.
You blathering idiot , you are talking about England. In civilised countries , ie like Scotland , they can vote in elections.
Yeah, the EU have nothing better to do than police our number-plates, huh? Like, you know, France, you see this as a priority over, oh, I don't know, vaccinating your people?
You seem very angry with the EU this morning. Perhaps we should try to leave.
Not abnormally angry, no.....
So leaving did nothing to abate the anger? That's unfortunate.
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
They do, so if Boris tried to prevent a referendum on the grounds of the SNP alone not having a majority it would look like trying to wiggle out on a technicality. The right thing would be to allow a referendum in 2022, but for Westminster to insist on a sensible voting franchise (i.e. not allowing children or EU citizens to vote, some provision for Scots elsewhere in the UK/abroad). With a Brexit deal now done, I don't think a 'Yes' vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
Well, the SNP would, publicly anyway, wouldn't they? And why should 'children'...... 16 year olds not vote? It's their future.
16 and 17 year olds should not be allowed to vote because we've quite sensibly judged they're not mature enough to. Why not extend this logic to enfranchising 4 year olds? And it's lots of people's future, including everyone else in the UK, but I wouldn't suggest I should get a vote.
You blathering idiot , you are talking about England. In civilised countries , ie like Scotland , they can vote in elections.
When Scotland is part of a UK election, no they can't and rightly so. It's a hallmark of corrupt, lazy politicians to adjust the voting franchise purely to suit their own short-term political objectives.
'If you look at increases per country over the last seven days and cases per 100 000, in Scotland you are sitting at around 160, in Wales they are well up over 400 and heading towards 500. In England about 440 and Northern Ireland 370.' Prof Bauld but buried in Scotland's media 'Hospital ICU capacity in Scotland is still in a pretty good state and we have already committed to being able to double that if we have to.' Professor Linda Bauld today in the Herald but nowhere else in Scotland's media. If you only looked at BBC propaganda you would believe we are the opposite.
The wife of one of my work colleagues works in a hospital in Dundee and they have been taking ICU patients from North East England to help ease the pressure there.
Good to hear Richard. Hopefully our numbers are not just behind in schedule and stay lower, keep dropping. Assume once England/Wales/NI have a month 's lockdown they will hopefully drop as well. Concerned that system will cope with number of patients though and they may well get to stage where they have to pick and choose who gets treatment, if not there already.
Not sure where you got the figures from for Wales. Wales' figures have been dropping for at least 14 days now. They were at 600+ per 100,000 but they are now at 450 and dropping.
Also Wales has been locked down since 20th December as well.
Interesting set of predictions from David H, hopefully by Spring the vaccinations will be well under way.
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
Don't the Scottish Greens support independence?
They do, so if Boris tried to prevent a referendum on the grounds of the SNP alone not having a majority it would look like trying to wiggle out on a technicality. The right thing would be to allow a referendum in 2022, but for Westminster to insist on a sensible voting franchise (i.e. not allowing children or EU citizens to vote, some provision for Scots elsewhere in the UK/abroad). With a Brexit deal now done, I don't think a 'Yes' vote is as inevitable as the SNP clearly do.
Well, the SNP would, publicly anyway, wouldn't they? And why should 'children'...... 16 year olds not vote? It's their future.
16 and 17 year olds should not be allowed to vote because we've quite sensibly judged they're not mature enough to. Why not extend this logic to enfranchising 4 year olds? And it's lots of people's future, including everyone else in the UK, but I wouldn't suggest I should get a vote.
You blathering idiot , you are talking about England. In civilised countries , ie like Scotland , they can vote in elections.
When Scotland is part of a UK election, no they can't and rightly so. It's a hallmark of corrupt, lazy politicians to adjust the voting franchise purely to suit their own short-term political objectives.
Are you suggesting that the whole UK should vote on it?
Comments
The real scumbags are the cable cos like Comcast. The revolution will happen when ESPN refuses to sign up to Comcast’s exclusive terms for its sports channels, instead moving them to Disney+ Or as a stand-alone online service.
Adecco UK & Ireland ·
Safe and protected, socially distanced jobs
and goes on to say
Welcome to the census recruitment website.
We’re hiring thousands of people like you in a range of exciting temporary roles to make Census 2021 a success.
Which 'Friend of Boris' runs Adecco? Or am I being cynical?
https://www.engadget.com/amp/2018-04-02-bbc-iplayer-streaming-europe-uk-eu.html
Apparently though...
"The problem could resolve itself, as once the country leaves the EU, these portability rules may no longer apply."
PS: Last I read we were 20% ahead of England on vaccinations per head of population , so another unionist bubble burst.
Every year, thoundands of people make the mistake of booking their wedding for FA Cup Final day.
https://twitter.com/bellacaledonia/status/1345310586658312192?s=21
Teachers and their unions have been asking for the data since last summer.
Edit - Looking at it was the News Channel I accessed which is possible.
From personal experience of travelling in France my experience is that the French might well be bureaucratic, but also very pragmatic in the implementation of rules. A huge amount of ignoring of rules and only implementing when needed.
This is a far better approach than us where once we pass rules we seem to enforce no matter how barmy a particular circumstance is (my jobs worth hating of UK authorities). The only exception I can think of is speeding enforcement where common sense does get applied by most UK policemen.
https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2021/01/01/comment-ca-va-se-passer-s-il-faut-les-deloger-plus-de-2-500-fetards-rassembles-en-bretagne-pour-une-rave-party-sauvage_6064994_3224.html
I love that the Local Health Authority is called ARS. Wonder if they employ the Proctologists?
https://twitter.com/pongosapien/status/1345320939479838722?s=21
The term has always said a great deal more about those who use it, than about what it purports to describe.
The French passed the law before realising that there was only one company in France that made them, so kept postponing the introduction date until they eventually abandoned it.
Edit/ And I am pretty sure it is no longer even illegal
Then for some reason they stopped operating to the EU (including of course the UK at that time) and we ended up with the poor fourth rate copy of Spotify instead.
I listened to it when I was back in Canada in 2018 and it is still brilliant.
It is not.
Several years ago I cleared my late father's house out of repeat prescriptions. Amongst the multiple 500 packs of Paracetamol, I found enough Tramadol to shame a Columbian drugs cartel.
On returning the items to the pharmacy I was told I could not reduce the delivery schedule on his behalf due to having no authority so to do. When I cleared the house out post-mortem for the final time, I returned several more carrier bags of unused medication.
It is a dangerous scandal.
There are always complaints of underhanded tactics by French traffic cops, but the choice is either to pay the fine on the spot, or spend the night at their pleasure before going to see a magistrate the next day - so long as the next day isn’t Saturday, or Sunday.
I do suspect that in one of those ironic twists given the protests, these days they might be doing people for owning yellow vests rather than not having them.
Liked the irony comment on the yellow vest.
I think you are altogether too optimistic about the vaccination programme.
Anyway, yesterday marked the day when I officially became Chair of Trustees of a London primary school. The one I went to in fact. It taught me a lot - not just what you'd expect from a good school but what to aspire to if you want to try to be a good person. So it feels right to be giving something back.
And this morning I have urgent calls with the Headmistress re the plans for online learning.
The mess Gavin Williamson is making of everything does not give me confidence in the vaccination programme or anything else this government touches, frankly. I am not a scientist but the idea of mixing and matching vaccines sounds peculiar. What is the scientific basis for it? What are the risks?
Indeed on one occasion I was personally told by the surgery staff that 'nothing could be done'; a somewhat angry exchange followed, witnessed by a senior Social Services staffer who was totally amazed.
Really inspired. They got it spot on
If the EU sticks to the rules (and a lot if their strength comes from sticking to rules), some people in the UK are going to get very cross with them.
PS: Morning to MexicanPete as well, in my top favourite posters
In May I expect the Tories to make some losses in the county elections to Labour where they had an 11% lead in 2017 but do better in the district elections which were neck and neck in 2016. In London Labour will do well but less so in Wales.
In Scotland if Sturgeon fails to win an SNP majority and can only continue with the support of the Greens that would be a major blow to her authority and lead to calls for a leadership challenge from the SNP as well as enabling Boris to easily dismiss any calls for indyref2.
Biden I think will be a pragmatic President and probably the most centrist incoming President since Bush Snr, that will lead to some murmurings on the left of the Democrats but relative calm for the rest of the country with Trump murmuring resistance from Florida on occasion. I think the likeliest outcome on Tuesday in Georgia is Warnock wins and Purdue wins, both were ahead in the first round and the Senate ends up 51 - 49 with Collins or Romney having the casting vote again reflecting a shift in the US to the centre isolating the Trumpite right and the AOC left.
In Germany if Merz or Soder end up the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate for September's Federal elections that would see a clear shift to the right for the Union from Merkel
POHYUFDWAS
If you only looked at BBC propaganda you would believe we are the opposite.
He got stopped going round the motorway around Caen in Normandy by the police for a routine check.
The police said open your boot
He said ok I will but ...... then explained that his boot had a number of guns in it.
Luckily he had the permits and it was all resolved with no problems but he said there was a dodgy moment when the police triggered on "guns"
Incidentally he said it was much easier keeping his guns in France and travelling from there rather than keeping them in UK
Time to relegate Spurs and West Ham.
https://twitter.com/mailsport/status/1345322206746845184?s=21
So test coverage in Wales has been consistently bad in the last few weeks, whereas the others have rapidly been getting worse. I think that's mostly a function of the case numbers themselves.
I used the number of cases reported per day, and the the "All Pillars" testing numbers from the nation-specific subpages of https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/testing.
And you don't get more political than what your country is.
You missed counting non voters and dead people as NO.
If the SNP fail to even match the majority they won in 2011 despite Brexit there is zero chance Boris and this Tory government will agree indyref2 and then Cherry etc will begin the process of a leadership challenge to Sturgeon within the SNP.
There is little chance of Boris granting indyref2 even with an SNP majority in my view, if there is no SNP majority at all there is zero chance
Assume once England/Wales/NI have a month 's lockdown they will hopefully drop as well. Concerned that system will cope with number of patients though and they may well get to stage where they have to pick and choose who gets treatment, if not there already.
Will we still be able to buy EuroMillions tickets?
Just listening to the World Service version of "The Corresponents Look Ahead". Far more cosmopolitan than the R4 one.
Quote of the programme so far:
"The data published by the Russian government ... is not widely trusted in Russia."
Here (bonus episodes back to 2010):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p005kvgt/episodes/guide
https://twitter.com/skynews/status/1345340376794734592?s=21
Also Wales has been locked down since 20th December as well.