My 250/1 longshot for WH2024 showing a flair for publicity that could take him a long way – politica

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My 250/1 longshot for WH2024 showing a flair for publicity that could take him a long way – politicalbetting.com

Today, as I was sworn in, I held in my jacket pocket copies of the ships’ manifests recorded at Ellis Island when my Great Grandfather Israel arrived in 1911 and my Great Grandmother Annie arrived in 1913.A century later, their great grandson was elected to the U.S. Senate. pic.twitter.com/cjTNMMfYwP

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TheScreamingEagles

Have you ever had any long odds winner in the POTUS markets?

TheScreamingEagles

We need to close every airport in the country until we're all vaccinated.

If you're a Brit who is overseas and needs to come back, well go to France and move like an illegal immigrant to the UK via the channel.

https://twitter.com/JonHaworth_/status/1352954957398503424

tlg86

His Tweet above sends out powerful messages that should resonate in a country that has been created by immigration.

Hmmm

SeaShantyIrish2

FPT

Charles said:
» show previous quotes
Malaysia I believe - the Thugees were followers of Kali
The Thugs were Indians, in India, though certainly possible they had some adherents among Indian community in Malaya.

Years ago read a fascinating book about the Thugs, based primarily on the records of British investigations and actions to first curb, them stomp them. Involved plenty of under-cover work, turning active Thugs into informants, and finally reforming them to curb their enthusiasm for Kali somewhat.

Main result was greatly increased public safety and confidence when using main roads, which in turn was a major boon to commerce, communications and economic development.

Lots of detail in the book on the Thug's modus operandi. Typically, a group of Thugs (generally an extended family) would join a group of travelers. Often by persuading them that there was safety in numbers.

Then after several days on the road, after they'd gained the confidence of the rest of the party AND been able to scope out who had money & other valuables, and where, and were not in a position to be observed by outsiders, they would strike. Suddenly and without any warning.

Then after they'd killed off the non-Thug portion of the company, they would expropriate their worldly goods, and generally bury their victims right in the road, so quickly and skillfully that the remains were rarely discovered. And nobody would know the crime had occurred, except that the victims never reached their destination.

FF43

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

BluestBlue

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

FPT

Charles said:
» show previous quotes
Malaysia I believe - the Thugees were followers of Kali
The Thugs were Indians, in India, though certainly possible they had some adherents among Indian community in Malaya.

Years ago read a fascinating book about the Thugs, based primarily on the records of British investigations and actions to first curb, them stomp them. Involved plenty of under-cover work, turning active Thugs into informants, and finally reforming them to curb their enthusiasm for Kali somewhat.

Main result was greatly increased public safety and confidence when using main roads, which in turn was a major boon to commerce, communications and economic development.

Lots of detail in the book on the Thug's modus operandi. Typically, a group of Thugs (generally an extended family) would join a group of travelers. Often by persuading them that there was safety in numbers.

Then after several days on the road, after they'd gained the confidence of the rest of the party AND been able to scope out who had money & other valuables, and where, and were not in a position to be observed by outsiders, they would strike. Suddenly and without any warning.

Then after they'd killed off the non-Thug portion of the company, they would expropriate their worldly goods, and generally bury their victims right in the road, so quickly and skillfully that the remains were rarely discovered. And nobody would know the crime had occurred, except that the victims never reached their destination.

Thuggee Life.

RobD

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

"People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic."

How would they do that, if not through a referendum on the matter? The idea they would do it without one is for the birds.

Black_Rook

TheScreamingEagles said:

We need to close every airport in the country until we're all vaccinated.

If you're a Brit who is overseas and needs to come back, well go to France and move like an illegal immigrant to the UK via the channel.

https://twitter.com/JonHaworth_/status/1352954957398503424

A tad extreme perhaps (a little like my occasional tendency to advocate summary execution for the organisers of these bloody house parties and weddings.) But I think we're all entitled to wonder how many British nationals are still abroad besides those ordinarily resident there, why such persons are still abroad after all this time, and most of all how many more months it's going to take this Government (which we must learn to call useless at everything bar vaccination, rather than plain simple useless) to bring in hotel quarantine for returning Brits and Irish, and lock the rest of the world the f##k out.

I mean, honestly...

Leon

Portugal is having a mare. 15,000 new cases, 274 deaths.

But the UK is now 5th in deaths per million. Overtaking Italy. Of serious countries, only Belgium is higher

Theuniondivvie

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

FPT

Charles said:
» show previous quotes
Malaysia I believe - the Thugees were followers of Kali
The Thugs were Indians, in India, though certainly possible they had some adherents among Indian community in Malaya.

Years ago read a fascinating book about the Thugs, based primarily on the records of British investigations and actions to first curb, them stomp them. Involved plenty of under-cover work, turning active Thugs into informants, and finally reforming them to curb their enthusiasm for Kali somewhat.

Main result was greatly increased public safety and confidence when using main roads, which in turn was a major boon to commerce, communications and economic development.

Lots of detail in the book on the Thug's modus operandi. Typically, a group of Thugs (generally an extended family) would join a group of travelers. Often by persuading them that there was safety in numbers.

Then after several days on the road, after they'd gained the confidence of the rest of the party AND been able to scope out who had money & other valuables, and where, and were not in a position to be observed by outsiders, they would strike. Suddenly and without any warning.

Then after they'd killed off the non-Thug portion of the company, they would expropriate their worldly goods, and generally bury their victims right in the road, so quickly and skillfully that the remains were rarely discovered. And nobody would know the crime had occurred, except that the victims never reached their destination.

Flashy almost gets done in by Thug(gee)s in GMF's Flashman in the Great Game, in India. I hope it's not a spoiler to say that he escapes by the skin of his teeth.

FrancisUrquhart

https://twitter.com/CrimeLdn/status/1353067639078174727?s=19

Carnyx

RobD said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

"People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic."

How would they do that, if not through a referendum on the matter? The idea they would do it without one is for the birds.

And yet the SoSfNI is the person charged with calling a referendum. And how likely is he or she to do that with Mr Johnson in charge?

TheScreamingEagles

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

Per the Good Friday Agreement a border poll is a requirement for Norn Iron to join the Republic.

RochdalePioneers

TheScreamingEagles said:

We need to close every airport in the country until we're all vaccinated.

If you're a Brit who is overseas and needs to come back, well go to France and move like an illegal immigrant to the UK via the channel.

https://twitter.com/JonHaworth_/status/1352954957398503424

We have the Best Vaccines in the World. We have to have open borders so that every possible strain of the virus can come here, To demonstrate how fast we can immunise people.

kle4

Ossof did look good, and I was surprised by how young he was. He and Buttegieg will have a good fight of it in 2068.

Endillion

RobD said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

"People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic."

How would they do that, if not through a referendum on the matter? The idea they would do it without one is for the birds.

Two referendums, I think. I'm unclear what's in it for the Republic.

RobD

Carnyx said:

RobD said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

"People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic."

How would they do that, if not through a referendum on the matter? The idea they would do it without one is for the birds.

And yet the SoSfNI is the person charged with calling a referendum. And how likely is he or she to do that with Mr Johnson in charge?

"over time" implies a slow process, one that will span multiple administrations.

Foxy

One other interesting item in the Ossoff swearing in was this, the history of his Chumash:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSwbWH8W/

SeaShantyIrish2

OT - Agree that the new senior senator from the great Peach State is very impressive AND savvy.

BUT have a HARD time believing OGH will NOT lose his stake. Why?

> think that Joe Biden will in fact run for re-election, and even if he's not elected, will be re-nominated.

> IF Biden does NOT run, then reckon Kamala Harris would be highly likely to win the Democratic nomination.

> And IF situation is that NEITHER Biden or Harris can run OR be nominated, that Ossuff could win the election even if he captured the Democratic nomination, because the fact that both Joe & Kamala were out of it, would suggest some kind of major failure or scandal that would would be bad news for ANY Democrat in the 2024 election.

Of course, Mike DOES have good form on his previous long-shot POTUS punting!

FrancisUrquhart

https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1353077628865900549?s=19

Foxy

Endillion said:

RobD said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

"People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic."

How would they do that, if not through a referendum on the matter? The idea they would do it without one is for the birds.

Two referendums, I think. I'm unclear what's in it for the Republic.

History and culture. The same reason that Germany united, and similar for Korea etc.

Sunil_Prasannan

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_Third_Way

As well as sharing the Third Way's aims U3W (as it is sometimes shortened to) was committed to securing independence for Northern Ireland from both the United Kingdom and Ireland. U3W tended to focus its attentions on trying to build up grass-roots support in loyalist areas, emphasising Ulster-Scots and the Battle of the Boyne commemorations and has its main office in the Shankill area of Belfast. It advocated the creation of an "all-Northern Ireland" identity as a basis for independence and as a solution to the Troubles.[1] During the 1990s it also advocated Protestants learning the Irish language.[2] Despite concentrating its efforts on the Protestant community U3W remained a very minor force in Northern Irish politics.

HYUFD

AOC will also likely run as Sanders' heir if Biden does not run for re election, though he may, as well as Ossoff and Harris and Buttigieg, as could Joe Kennedy III if he runs for and wins the Massachussetts governor race in 2022

HYUFD

TheScreamingEagles said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

Per the Good Friday Agreement a border poll is a requirement for Norn Iron to join the Republic.

Plus on tonight's poll more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than support it

Carnyx

RobD said:

Carnyx said:

RobD said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

"People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic."

How would they do that, if not through a referendum on the matter? The idea they would do it without one is for the birds.

And yet the SoSfNI is the person charged with calling a referendum. And how likely is he or she to do that with Mr Johnson in charge?

"over time" implies a slow process, one that will span multiple administrations.

Not sure things will be that slow now, after Mr Johnson and chums have kicked the UK of GB and NI very hard in the goolies. Psrticularly the economic and symbolic ones (no border in the Irish Sea, no siree).

CarlottaVance

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Carnyx

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

Per the Good Friday Agreement a border poll is a requirement for Norn Iron to join the Republic.

Plus on tonight's poll more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than support it

Just wait for Brexitr and the new border to work its way into their consciousness. Early days.

Leon

TheScreamingEagles said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

Per the Good Friday Agreement a border poll is a requirement for Norn Iron to join the Republic.

Once again for the Hard of Learning, once the dust of Brexit has settled., the Norns will realise they are in a uniquely favoured position. Able to trade freely with the single markets of the EU and the UK (apart from a few forms on the Irish Sea, which will be progressively minimised by London). EU AND UK citizens by right. No border with Ireland, but no border with the UK either. They enjoy the UK subsidies and the UK NHS.

Unionists and Sinn Fein happy.

At the same time they are able to avoid the tiresomeness of EU rules, the bureaucracy, the sheer shittiness of tolerating unelected governments. The daily, tiny, but incremental humiliation.

If they vote to reunite with Ireland, they will lose all that, the Troubles will resume, probably the CTA will be scrapped, proper border in the Irish Sea. What's the point?

Irish people in Northern Ireland can feel fully Irish and have an Irish passport. British people in Northern Ireland can feel fully British and have a British passport. Uster is now a kind of EU/UK condominium, and I predict it will prosper from its unique privileges. Meaning there will be no overwhelming desire for reunification. They have nothing to gain and a lot to lose.

Scott_xP

https://twitter.com/steverichards14/status/1353083441194135552

tlg86

FrancisUrquhart said:

https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1353077628865900549?s=19

TBF, PB was more concerned with CLP nominations and antisemitism than COVID:

https://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2020/01/23/bloomberg-launches-his-latest-ad-attacking-trump-during-his-favourite-tv-show/

kle4

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Well, at lesat compositionally it's more interesting than these things often are. Amused expression rather than 'We are having a very serious conversation' face, partial reflection in the corner, slightly out of focus objects in the foreground.

But no flag. 0 stars.

kle4

tlg86 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1353077628865900549?s=19

TBF, PB was more concerned with CLP nominations and antisemitism than COVID:

https://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2020/01/23/bloomberg-launches-his-latest-ad-attacking-trump-during-his-favourite-tv-show/

True, though we might expect them to be smarter than us.

Leon

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

FF43

RobD said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

"People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic."

How would they do that, if not through a referendum on the matter? The idea they would do it without one is for the birds.

The key word is "eventually". This mechanism allows Northern Ireland to be largely a de facto part of the Irish political state, while nominally remaining a part of the UK. That comes about because decisions made in Dublin and Brussels will be more important to people's daily lives than those made in London.

If there is an eventual referendum, it will about the nominal part rather than the substantive part, which will already have mainly moved to Ireland, and should therefore be less emotionally invested.

There are less benign scenarios, where Northern Ireland becomes ungovernable. It's in the Republican interest NOT to hold an early border poll. Just let time do the work. Doesn't mean they won't, of course. Against that, the decision to hold a border poll, as I recall, is at the discretion of the UK Minister for Northern Ireland. He or she probably won't rush it.

CarlottaVance

Guernsey does lockdown:

https://twitter.com/beinghumanagain/status/1353031730442235910?s=20

SandyRentool

On topic (first time for everything), the Dems need another blue collar Joe (or Jo) to take over from Biden. Does Ossoff fit the bill?

CarlottaVance

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

Andy_JS

"Britain has delivered a record 480,000 Covid jabs in a day, meaning it is on track to his the Government's target of 15 million first doses by February 15 if supplies hold up and the current rate is maintained.

Data up to Friday reveals a total of 6,329,968 vaccines have now been given in the UK so far since the roll-out began in earnest.

The vast majority of these - some 5,861,351 - have been first doses, with 478,248 given out on Friday alone, as well as 1,821 second doses."

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9179837/Britain-delivers-480-000-Covid-19-vaccines-day.html

MaxPB

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

If the French or Germans had spoken to him by now our village idiot tweet bot would have posted it here about 17,000 times.

TheScreamingEagles

tlg86 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1353077628865900549?s=19

TBF, PB was more concerned with CLP nominations and antisemitism than COVID:

https://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2020/01/23/bloomberg-launches-his-latest-ad-attacking-trump-during-his-favourite-tv-show/

I was thinking of doing a thread on this tweet that got posted on PB a lot this time last year, mostly by that drama queen SeanT.

https://twitter.com/SolankeSanjay/status/1221807294926614528

Black_Rook

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

The environmental agenda should be very helpful to the Government. Johnson and Biden are both very keen on green things, and have a common interest in making COP26 a success.

Leon

CarlottaVance said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

That will annoy TSE

IanB2

Guardian: British businesses that export to the continent are being encouraged by government trade advisers to set up separate companies inside the EU in order to get around extra charges, paperwork and taxes resulting from Brexit, the Observer can reveal.

In an extraordinary twist to the Brexit saga, UK small businesses are being told by advisers working for the Department for International Trade (DIT) that the best way to circumvent border issues and VAT problems that have been piling up since 1 January is to register new firms within the EU single market, from where they can distribute their goods far more freely.

felix

tlg86 said:

His Tweet above sends out powerful messages that should resonate in a country that has been created by immigration.

Hmmm

Yes - I imagine the indigenous folk there might find that a bit irritating.

Black_Rook

Leon said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

Per the Good Friday Agreement a border poll is a requirement for Norn Iron to join the Republic.

Once again for the Hard of Learning, once the dust of Brexit has settled., the Norns will realise they are in a uniquely favoured position. Able to trade freely with the single markets of the EU and the UK (apart from a few forms on the Irish Sea, which will be progressively minimised by London). EU AND UK citizens by right. No border with Ireland, but no border with the UK either. They enjoy the UK subsidies and the UK NHS.

Unionists and Sinn Fein happy.

At the same time they are able to avoid the tiresomeness of EU rules, the bureaucracy, the sheer shittiness of tolerating unelected governments. The daily, tiny, but incremental humiliation.

If they vote to reunite with Ireland, they will lose all that, the Troubles will resume, probably the CTA will be scrapped, proper border in the Irish Sea. What's the point?

Irish people in Northern Ireland can feel fully Irish and have an Irish passport. British people in Northern Ireland can feel fully British and have a British passport. Uster is now a kind of EU/UK condominium, and I predict it will prosper from its unique privileges. Meaning there will be no overwhelming desire for reunification. They have nothing to gain and a lot to lose.

All very true, but maintaining the new status quo does rather depend on the continued existence of the UK.

Scotland goes, everything changes. Northern Ireland is then geographically and culturally isolated from the remainder.

Would the English want to keep the North? Would the Irish want it back? The prospect of a Northern Irish state shouldn't be entirely discounted.

TheScreamingEagles

felix said:

tlg86 said:

His Tweet above sends out powerful messages that should resonate in a country that has been created by immigration.

Hmmm

Yes - I imagine the indigenous folk there might find that a bit irritating.

Sadly there's not enough Native Americans left to be irritated and swing the election.

kle4

felix said:

tlg86 said:

His Tweet above sends out powerful messages that should resonate in a country that has been created by immigration.

Hmmm

Yes - I imagine the indigenous folk there might find that a bit irritating.

Well, surely the country of the USA was created by immigration? At the cost of supplanting and oppressing the native population, but the USA as a political entity was created by it.

Gaussian

TheScreamingEagles said:

tlg86 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1353077628865900549?s=19

TBF, PB was more concerned with CLP nominations and antisemitism than COVID:

https://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2020/01/23/bloomberg-launches-his-latest-ad-attacking-trump-during-his-favourite-tv-show/

I was thinking of doing a thread on this tweet that got posted on PB a lot this time last year, mostly by that drama queen SeanT.

https://twitter.com/SolankeSanjay/status/1221807294926614528

Only 60% week to week rises. We've had that and more despite significant restrictions.

Leon

Black_Rook said:

Leon said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

Per the Good Friday Agreement a border poll is a requirement for Norn Iron to join the Republic.

Once again for the Hard of Learning, once the dust of Brexit has settled., the Norns will realise they are in a uniquely favoured position. Able to trade freely with the single markets of the EU and the UK (apart from a few forms on the Irish Sea, which will be progressively minimised by London). EU AND UK citizens by right. No border with Ireland, but no border with the UK either. They enjoy the UK subsidies and the UK NHS.

Unionists and Sinn Fein happy.

At the same time they are able to avoid the tiresomeness of EU rules, the bureaucracy, the sheer shittiness of tolerating unelected governments. The daily, tiny, but incremental humiliation.

If they vote to reunite with Ireland, they will lose all that, the Troubles will resume, probably the CTA will be scrapped, proper border in the Irish Sea. What's the point?

Irish people in Northern Ireland can feel fully Irish and have an Irish passport. British people in Northern Ireland can feel fully British and have a British passport. Uster is now a kind of EU/UK condominium, and I predict it will prosper from its unique privileges. Meaning there will be no overwhelming desire for reunification. They have nothing to gain and a lot to lose.

All very true, but maintaining the new status quo does rather depend on the continued existence of the UK.

Scotland goes, everything changes. Northern Ireland is then geographically and culturally isolated from the remainder.

Would the English want to keep the North? Would the Irish want it back? The prospect of a Northern Irish state shouldn't be entirely discounted.

Yes I agree. If Scotland went that would change everything. But we know Bojo will deny a Sindyref vote til 2024, and long-grass the problem with a Royal Commission into Federalism blah de blah


So it is probably not worth getting too overworked about right now, when we have, uhm, several other things to worry about

Pagan2

Why when people talk about reunification do they never mention it has to be voted on both sides of the border. My ex father in law was passionate about a united ireland. A good dublin man....however still said he would vote no for reunification due to southern ireland couldnt afford the cost. I have seen no opinion polls on how the south would vote just people going on how the north might

TheScreamingEagles

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

That will annoy TSE

Why would it annoy me?

I mean according to the Express Biden will have told the PM to rejoin the EU, what's not to love?

Scott_xP

https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1353086805139218433

felix

MaxPB said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

If the French or Germans had spoken to him by now our village idiot tweet bot would have posted it here about 17,000 times.

Lol Heart of stone etc..

CarlottaVance

https://twitter.com/ChrisMasonBBC/status/1353086154963345410?s=20

Theuniondivvie

Leon said:

Black_Rook said:

Leon said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

Per the Good Friday Agreement a border poll is a requirement for Norn Iron to join the Republic.

Once again for the Hard of Learning, once the dust of Brexit has settled., the Norns will realise they are in a uniquely favoured position. Able to trade freely with the single markets of the EU and the UK (apart from a few forms on the Irish Sea, which will be progressively minimised by London). EU AND UK citizens by right. No border with Ireland, but no border with the UK either. They enjoy the UK subsidies and the UK NHS.

Unionists and Sinn Fein happy.

At the same time they are able to avoid the tiresomeness of EU rules, the bureaucracy, the sheer shittiness of tolerating unelected governments. The daily, tiny, but incremental humiliation.

If they vote to reunite with Ireland, they will lose all that, the Troubles will resume, probably the CTA will be scrapped, proper border in the Irish Sea. What's the point?

Irish people in Northern Ireland can feel fully Irish and have an Irish passport. British people in Northern Ireland can feel fully British and have a British passport. Uster is now a kind of EU/UK condominium, and I predict it will prosper from its unique privileges. Meaning there will be no overwhelming desire for reunification. They have nothing to gain and a lot to lose.

All very true, but maintaining the new status quo does rather depend on the continued existence of the UK.

Scotland goes, everything changes. Northern Ireland is then geographically and culturally isolated from the remainder.

Would the English want to keep the North? Would the Irish want it back? The prospect of a Northern Irish state shouldn't be entirely discounted.

Yes I agree. If Scotland went that would change everything. But we know Bojo will deny a Sindyref vote til 2024, and long-grass the problem with a Royal Commission into Federalism blah de blah


So it is probably not worth getting too overworked about right now, when we have, uhm, several other things to worry about

Exactly, won't anyone think of the bust!

Black_Rook

IanB2 said:

Guardian: British businesses that export to the continent are being encouraged by government trade advisers to set up separate companies inside the EU in order to get around extra charges, paperwork and taxes resulting from Brexit, the Observer can reveal.

In an extraordinary twist to the Brexit saga, UK small businesses are being told by advisers working for the Department for International Trade (DIT) that the best way to circumvent border issues and VAT problems that have been piling up since 1 January is to register new firms within the EU single market, from where they can distribute their goods far more freely.

Probably a good idea for larger concerns. Perhaps they could follow the lead of the big multinationals and establish a tax-dodging office in Luxembourg or Ireland and save themselves some cash?

How practical this kind of advice will be for one man bands may be a different matter.

IshmaelZ

TheScreamingEagles said:

felix said:

tlg86 said:

His Tweet above sends out powerful messages that should resonate in a country that has been created by immigration.

Hmmm

Yes - I imagine the indigenous folk there might find that a bit irritating.

Sadly there's not enough Native Americans left to be irritated and swing the election.

There's quite a few whose ancestors "immigrated" without having a whole heap of choice about it. Is forced immigration, immigration?

felix

kle4 said:

felix said:

tlg86 said:

His Tweet above sends out powerful messages that should resonate in a country that has been created by immigration.

Hmmm

Yes - I imagine the indigenous folk there might find that a bit irritating.

Well, surely the country of the USA was created by immigration? At the cost of supplanting and oppressing the native population, but the USA as a political entity was created by it.

Yes - - that's why it would irritate!

MaxPB

CarlottaVance said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

Oh dear, expect the usual suspects to sulk for the next few days.

Foxy

TheScreamingEagles said:

tlg86 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1353077628865900549?s=19

TBF, PB was more concerned with CLP nominations and antisemitism than COVID:

https://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2020/01/23/bloomberg-launches-his-latest-ad-attacking-trump-during-his-favourite-tv-show/

I was thinking of doing a thread on this tweet that got posted on PB a lot this time last year, mostly by that drama queen SeanT.

https://twitter.com/SolankeSanjay/status/1221807294926614528

TBF that scale up was fairly accurate over the first months.

FrancisUrquhart

Oh god we are on another round of who phoned who first, who will go to which meeting first...

felix

Scott_xP said:

https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1353086805139218433

Oh dear! Pathetic. TND & the tweetbot!

Alistair

TheScreamingEagles said:

tlg86 said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1353077628865900549?s=19

TBF, PB was more concerned with CLP nominations and antisemitism than COVID:

https://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2020/01/23/bloomberg-launches-his-latest-ad-attacking-trump-during-his-favourite-tv-show/

I was thinking of doing a thread on this tweet that got posted on PB a lot this time last year, mostly by that drama queen SeanT.

https://twitter.com/SolankeSanjay/status/1221807294926614528

It took a suprisingly long time for the real world numbers to fall behind the simplistic model numbers.

FF43

Leon said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

Per the Good Friday Agreement a border poll is a requirement for Norn Iron to join the Republic.

Once again for the Hard of Learning, once the dust of Brexit has settled., the Norns will realise they are in a uniquely favoured position. Able to trade freely with the single markets of the EU and the UK (apart from a few forms on the Irish Sea, which will be progressively minimised by London). EU AND UK citizens by right. No border with Ireland, but no border with the UK either. They enjoy the UK subsidies and the UK NHS.

Unionists and Sinn Fein happy.

At the same time they are able to avoid the tiresomeness of EU rules, the bureaucracy, the sheer shittiness of tolerating unelected governments. The daily, tiny, but incremental humiliation.

If they vote to reunite with Ireland, they will lose all that, the Troubles will resume, probably the CTA will be scrapped, proper border in the Irish Sea. What's the point?

Irish people in Northern Ireland can feel fully Irish and have an Irish passport. British people in Northern Ireland can feel fully British and have a British passport. Uster is now a kind of EU/UK condominium, and I predict it will prosper from its unique privileges. Meaning there will be no overwhelming desire for reunification. They have nothing to gain and a lot to lose.

The hard border stays in the Irish Sea unless and until the UK government decides to rejoin the EU customs union and Single Market. In the meantime, Northern Ireland will find easier dealing with Ireland and the EU than with the UK. Indeed its food supplies are now diverting fast. Its prospects are greater there and the fact Ireland is a prosperous state nowadays helps as well. It isn't as if Northern Ireland has prospered under UK rule.

Indeed the Northern Ireland Protocol that no-one wanted may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. But it's an Irish Blessing, not a UK one.

Alistair

TheScreamingEagles said:

felix said:

tlg86 said:

His Tweet above sends out powerful messages that should resonate in a country that has been created by immigration.

Hmmm

Yes - I imagine the indigenous folk there might find that a bit irritating.

Sadly there's not enough Native Americans left to be irritated and swing the election.

Arizona disagrees. Native American vote made it a Dem pickup.

Leon

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

That will annoy TSE

Why would it annoy me?

I mean according to the Express Biden will have told the PM to rejoin the EU, what's not to love?

You have become one of those weirdo Remoaners that wants Bad Things To Happen To Britain, so as to punish us for our wicked Leave vote.

Get over it. The spectacle is unedifying, and also a tiny bit boring - the worst sin of all. :Look at the fate, and state, of A C Grayling, and shudder. Don't be him. Here's his latest tweet. Just an hour ago


https://twitter.com/acgrayling/status/1353060448128524289?s=20

Big_G_NorthWales

felix said:

Scott_xP said:

https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1353086805139218433

Oh dear! Pathetic. TND & the tweetbot!

I seriously worry about the maturity of some of our journalists

solarflare

I look forward to building a better back. I mean backing better buildings. I mean betting on building backers. I mean building back better.

kle4

felix said:

kle4 said:

felix said:

tlg86 said:

His Tweet above sends out powerful messages that should resonate in a country that has been created by immigration.

Hmmm

Yes - I imagine the indigenous folk there might find that a bit irritating.

Well, surely the country of the USA was created by immigration? At the cost of supplanting and oppressing the native population, but the USA as a political entity was created by it.

Yes - - that's why it would irritate!

Obviously I cannot imagine what it must be like for them, but the reality of the USA's creation and existence seems like a greater irritation than someone mentioning that it was created. If it was the old school talk of bringing civilization of first settling the landmass that'd be something extra on top.

rottenborough

MaxPB said:

CarlottaVance said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

Oh dear, expect the usual suspects to sulk for the next few days.

surprised johnson was in at the weekend.

HYUFD

FF43 said:

Leon said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

Per the Good Friday Agreement a border poll is a requirement for Norn Iron to join the Republic.

Once again for the Hard of Learning, once the dust of Brexit has settled., the Norns will realise they are in a uniquely favoured position. Able to trade freely with the single markets of the EU and the UK (apart from a few forms on the Irish Sea, which will be progressively minimised by London). EU AND UK citizens by right. No border with Ireland, but no border with the UK either. They enjoy the UK subsidies and the UK NHS.

Unionists and Sinn Fein happy.

At the same time they are able to avoid the tiresomeness of EU rules, the bureaucracy, the sheer shittiness of tolerating unelected governments. The daily, tiny, but incremental humiliation.

If they vote to reunite with Ireland, they will lose all that, the Troubles will resume, probably the CTA will be scrapped, proper border in the Irish Sea. What's the point?

Irish people in Northern Ireland can feel fully Irish and have an Irish passport. British people in Northern Ireland can feel fully British and have a British passport. Uster is now a kind of EU/UK condominium, and I predict it will prosper from its unique privileges. Meaning there will be no overwhelming desire for reunification. They have nothing to gain and a lot to lose.

The hard border stays in the Irish Sea unless and until the UK government decides to rejoin the EU customs union and Single Market. In the meantime, Northern Ireland will find easier dealing with Ireland and the EU than with the UK. Indeed its food supplies are now diverting fast. Its prospects are greater there and the fact Ireland is a prosperous state nowadays helps as well. It isn't as if Northern Ireland has prospered under UK rule.

Indeed the Northern Ireland Protocol that no-one wanted may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. But it's an Irish Blessing, not a UK one.

Actually the NI Protocol and no hard border in Ireland ensures middle class Catholic Alliance voters have no great desire to leave the UK, as tonight's poll showing most NI voters against full Irish unification confirms, while the UK and EU trade deal minimises any Irish Sea border

Pagan2

Black_Rook said:

IanB2 said:

Guardian: British businesses that export to the continent are being encouraged by government trade advisers to set up separate companies inside the EU in order to get around extra charges, paperwork and taxes resulting from Brexit, the Observer can reveal.

In an extraordinary twist to the Brexit saga, UK small businesses are being told by advisers working for the Department for International Trade (DIT) that the best way to circumvent border issues and VAT problems that have been piling up since 1 January is to register new firms within the EU single market, from where they can distribute their goods far more freely.

Probably a good idea for larger concerns. Perhaps they could follow the lead of the big multinationals and establish a tax-dodging office in Luxembourg or Ireland and save themselves some cash?

How practical this kind of advice will be for one man bands may be a different matter.

Maybe its just me but this sounds like typical guardian total bollocks.

As I understand customs, duties and tariffs they are imposed on where the goods come from not where the company is based.

Is the gaurdian really suggesting that the chines, the koreans or anyone else can import goods duty free just by setting up a european subsidiary?

kle4

TheScreamingEagles said:

felix said:

tlg86 said:

His Tweet above sends out powerful messages that should resonate in a country that has been created by immigration.

Hmmm

Yes - I imagine the indigenous folk there might find that a bit irritating.

Sadly there's not enough Native Americans left to be irritated and swing the election.

There was in Arizona this time, possibly others. Though the principal point is indisputable.

FrancisUrquhart

BBC News - Covid vaccine: Betsi Cadwaladr boss warns against queue jumping
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55783042

Stark_Dawning

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Presumably Boris was literally on his knees, begging to be forgiven for that bust nonsense. Nevertheless, I approve of the fact that Boris is doing his bit to exorcise the spectre of Trump. (I suspect Boris is secretly ashamed of both his dalliance with Trump and Brexit and wants us to regard them as a mere unfortunately blip.)

Pagan2

FrancisUrquhart said:

BBC News - Covid vaccine: Betsi Cadwaladr boss warns against queue jumping
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55783042

is that Caroles mother can she also issue a warning that her daughter is a lying gobshite?

HYUFD

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

That will annoy TSE

Why would it annoy me?

I mean according to the Express Biden will have told the PM to rejoin the EU, what's not to love?

Biden clearly will be a more pro EU President than Trump and ideologically closer to Starmer than Boris

Leon

kle4 said:

felix said:

kle4 said:

felix said:

tlg86 said:

His Tweet above sends out powerful messages that should resonate in a country that has been created by immigration.

Hmmm

Yes - I imagine the indigenous folk there might find that a bit irritating.

Well, surely the country of the USA was created by immigration? At the cost of supplanting and oppressing the native population, but the USA as a political entity was created by it.

Yes - - that's why it would irritate!

Obviously I cannot imagine what it must be like for them, but the reality of the USA's creation and existence seems like a greater irritation than someone mentioning that it was created. If it was the old school talk of bringing civilization of first settling the landmass that'd be something extra on top.

I once drove through a small "American Indian" reservation in Florida. It had a little roadside sign saying "G W Bush go home to England! English people go home!"



I felt ever-so-slightly flattered

FrancisUrquhart

Mass outbreak at DVLA ..

https://twitter.com/hendopolis/status/1353087031791013895?s=19

Scott_xP

Stark_Dawning said:

Presumably Boris was literally on his knees, begging to be forgiven for that bust nonsense. Nevertheless, I approve of the fact that Boris is doing his bit to exorcise the spectre of Trump. (I suspect Boris is secretly ashamed of both his dalliance with Trump and Brexit and wants us to regard them as a mere unfortunately blip.)

https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1353087983059087360

MarqueeMark

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

That will annoy TSE

Why would it annoy me?

I mean according to the Express Biden will have told the PM to rejoin the EU, what's not to love?

Why do you think Boris is laughing?

(And oi, Boris - where's the bust of Churchill? Lost trolling opportunity....)

kle4

Leon said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

That will annoy TSE

Why would it annoy me?

I mean according to the Express Biden will have told the PM to rejoin the EU, what's not to love?

You have become one of those weirdo Remoaners that wants Bad Things To Happen To Britain, so as to punish us for our wicked Leave vote.

I can think of better examples.

IshmaelZ

Stark_Dawning said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Presumably Boris was literally on his knees, begging to be forgiven for that bust nonsense. Nevertheless, I approve of the fact that Boris is doing his bit to exorcise the spectre of Trump. (I suspect Boris is secretly ashamed of both his dalliance with Trump and Brexit and wants us to regard them as a mere unfortunately blip.)

Is that his desk? Wrong college on the wall, phones set up for left hander which he isn't, clunky looking computer. Caught on the hop?

Theuniondivvie

The Lincoln Project looks to be in it for the long haul

https://twitter.com/ProjectLincoln/status/1353090450211696650?s=20

kle4

rottenborough said:

MaxPB said:

CarlottaVance said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

Oh dear, expect the usual suspects to sulk for the next few days.

surprised johnson was in at the weekend.

That's why the PM has to live in government property, so they cannot skip out.

kle4

Theuniondivvie said:

The Lincoln Project looks to be in it for the long haul

https://twitter.com/ProjectLincoln/status/1353090450211696650?s=20

That is interesting. Hard to say how much impact they have or will have, but it's good that they don't think that the loss of Trump means everything will go back to being fine in the GOP, and want to fight.

Pagan2

kle4 said:

Leon said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

That will annoy TSE

Why would it annoy me?

I mean according to the Express Biden will have told the PM to rejoin the EU, what's not to love?

You have become one of those weirdo Remoaners that wants Bad Things To Happen To Britain, so as to punish us for our wicked Leave vote.

I can think of better examples.

TSE's red shoes are bad things happening to britain however we cant really blame the eu for them

Big_G_NorthWales

FrancisUrquhart said:

BBC News - Covid vaccine: Betsi Cadwaladr boss warns against queue jumping
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55783042

I can state with absolute clarity it was not my wife or I who were invited to our vaccinations today by Betsi Cadwaladr

dodrade

Black_Rook said:

Leon said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

FF43 said:

FPT

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

HYUFD said:

Some encouraging news for Unionists in ST poll in that less than half of Scots want independence now including don't knows, more Northern Irish voters oppose a United Ireland than back it and the vast majority of English and Welsh voters wish to stay in the UK

https://twitter.com/thesundaytimes/status/1353044013776035840?s=20

BUT how would the concept of an independent Northern Ireland - independent of both UK and ROI - poll?

Would be interesting to find out AND see the sub-samples on THAT.

Upto now, no-one in Northern Ireland has taken the idea of an independent country seriously. A benign scenario, I think, is that NI over time gets more and more anchored into the Irish and EU sphere, while nominally remaining part of the UK. People will eventually say, this is an anachronism, let's move properly into the Republic. It avoids early and divisive border polls. Problem with this approach is the lack of democratic accountability, seeing no-one was asked whether they wanted this. Unionists will feel particularly aggrieved, but here's the thing. It wouldn't be Republicans that are the handmaiden of a United Ireland. It would be their very own DUP working in cahoots with the UK government.

There are other scenarios that are less benign, unfortunately.

Per the Good Friday Agreement a border poll is a requirement for Norn Iron to join the Republic.

Once again for the Hard of Learning, once the dust of Brexit has settled., the Norns will realise they are in a uniquely favoured position. Able to trade freely with the single markets of the EU and the UK (apart from a few forms on the Irish Sea, which will be progressively minimised by London). EU AND UK citizens by right. No border with Ireland, but no border with the UK either. They enjoy the UK subsidies and the UK NHS.

Unionists and Sinn Fein happy.

At the same time they are able to avoid the tiresomeness of EU rules, the bureaucracy, the sheer shittiness of tolerating unelected governments. The daily, tiny, but incremental humiliation.

If they vote to reunite with Ireland, they will lose all that, the Troubles will resume, probably the CTA will be scrapped, proper border in the Irish Sea. What's the point?

Irish people in Northern Ireland can feel fully Irish and have an Irish passport. British people in Northern Ireland can feel fully British and have a British passport. Uster is now a kind of EU/UK condominium, and I predict it will prosper from its unique privileges. Meaning there will be no overwhelming desire for reunification. They have nothing to gain and a lot to lose.

All very true, but maintaining the new status quo does rather depend on the continued existence of the UK.

Scotland goes, everything changes. Northern Ireland is then geographically and culturally isolated from the remainder.

Would the English want to keep the North? Would the Irish want it back? The prospect of a Northern Irish state shouldn't be entirely discounted.

If Scotland goes Northern Ireland swiftly follows, after all you can't really continue to be British if there is no longer a British state to belong to.

If Scotland stays then its simply a crude matter of waiting for the elderly unionist majority to die out rather than the aftermath of Brexit changing many minds either way.

Omnium

Big_G_NorthWales said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

BBC News - Covid vaccine: Betsi Cadwaladr boss warns against queue jumping
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55783042

I can state with absolute clarity it was not my wife or I who were invited to our vaccinations today by Betsi Cadwaladr

You're positively chirpy following the shots. Good on you Big G and Mrs Big G.

FF43

Black_Rook said:

IanB2 said:

Guardian: British businesses that export to the continent are being encouraged by government trade advisers to set up separate companies inside the EU in order to get around extra charges, paperwork and taxes resulting from Brexit, the Observer can reveal.

In an extraordinary twist to the Brexit saga, UK small businesses are being told by advisers working for the Department for International Trade (DIT) that the best way to circumvent border issues and VAT problems that have been piling up since 1 January is to register new firms within the EU single market, from where they can distribute their goods far more freely.

Probably a good idea for larger concerns. Perhaps they could follow the lead of the big multinationals and establish a tax-dodging office in Luxembourg or Ireland and save themselves some cash?

How practical this kind of advice will be for one man bands may be a different matter.

It makes Brexit viable for some firms that do enough business in the EU at a high enough margin to set up a distribution point there. Other smaller concerns will go out of business. On the whole good to see a more realistic view of the effects of Brexit amongst officialdom, even if it doesn't accord with government rhetoric. Brexit is a done deal. Companies should do what they can to survive its effects.

kle4

IshmaelZ said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

felix said:

tlg86 said:

His Tweet above sends out powerful messages that should resonate in a country that has been created by immigration.

Hmmm

Yes - I imagine the indigenous folk there might find that a bit irritating.

Sadly there's not enough Native Americans left to be irritated and swing the election.

There's quite a few whose ancestors "immigrated" without having a whole heap of choice about it. Is forced immigration, immigration?

Definition: The action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country

Probably? In a very broad sense. Beware anyone who refers to it as 'involuntary immigration' though.

Scott_xP

FF43 said:

Brexit is a done deal.

Nope

rottenborough

FrancisUrquhart said:

Mass outbreak at DVLA ..

https://twitter.com/hendopolis/status/1353087031791013895?s=19

Heads to roll there. Maybe even Shapp's?

Foxy

rottenborough said:

MaxPB said:

CarlottaVance said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

Oh dear, expect the usual suspects to sulk for the next few days.

surprised johnson was in at the weekend.

Aren't we all supposed to be?

kle4

Mary_Batty said:

kle4 said:

Mary_Batty said:

RobD said:

Mary_Batty said:

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

Mary_Batty said:

Andy_JS said:

CarlottaVance said:

I'd missed this - is it appropriate for an "expert" to block other experts?

No.

Yes, of course it is. It's entirely her choice.

Sure. But for a professional, it is NOT a good look, and thus probably a bad choice by (and for) her.

If you like.
In balance I would point out that Twitter is cesspit and people, women especially, have to put up with a lot that they shouldn't have to.
What looks like a hair-trigger overreaction in a couple of screenshots might actually be the culmination of a long and problematic pattern of behaviour. I don't know, and probably most on here don't either. We shouldn't moralise about people excluding themselves from certain conversations, they are the best judge of what they want.

Or, more likely, it's a hair-trigger reaction for her being called out on the rubbish in her original tweet.

Possibly, but once again it's her choice.

Who said it wasn't? People are questioning the optics of that choice.

It's nothing to do with anyone. Even if you think you know the full story, and you don't. There's no "optics". It's just nothing to do with you.

What a tremendously silly thing to say. People comment on what others, particualrly those in the public eye, do all the time.

I am actually gobsmacked at how silly that reasoning is - why do any of us comment on anything to do with anyone then? We don't know the full story - we never can - and apparently being a public figure in a position of influence doesn't mean there are any optics (as though this is just an issue of a personal twitter account) to something people do, so nothing should be commented on by anyone.

This certainly was not a big issue, but you are being weirdly hyper defensive about it.

I hope you pay the some courtesy to every other public figure talked about on here from now on, and tell people it is nothing to do with them and we cannot know the full story.

Roger

CarlottaVance said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

What a bunch of saddos!

FF43

Scott_xP said:

FF43 said:

Brexit is a done deal.

Nope

It is. Both remainers and leavers are in denial for different reasons. Remainers that Brexit is there and it needs to be dealt with. Leavers that Brexit effects are almosst all bad and that the game is now all about damage limitation, or it should be.

kle4

Roger said:

CarlottaVance said:

Leon said:

CarlottaVance said:

https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1353080620491165699?s=20

Behind Trudeau. But the first European leader? That's the general test. If he spoke to Merkel or Macron first I'd say that is a snub

Telegraph reckons first European leader:

https://twitter.com/AllisterHeath/status/1353083606164508678?s=20

What a bunch of saddos!

Well, that depends on if they celebrate it as an important thing, or are just reporting a fact. If the former, yes, absolutely.

But remember, only if we would not care if he was third, or tenth, or last, can we also say it doesn't matter if he was first.

Scott_xP

FF43 said:

It is.

Nope.

https://twitter.com/NEEChamberJack/status/1352212776211591176