The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Just to give a slightly different perspective, our EU guy has popped up on slack to say this - the EU doesn't directly have any power to do anything, it can give member states the means to do the things UVdL is saying but it will be up to the specific member states to use those powers. On that basis it means Belgium would need to step in and expropriate the Pfizer, AZ and J&J vaccine IP and production and given how big the Belgian pharma sector is and how dependent the Belgian economy is on it this seems extremely unlikely to happen.
He adds that other countries such as Italy (AZ fill and finish) or Spain (Moderna fill and finish) may use these measures but it would only result in their smaller pharma industry base decamping to the UK and Switzerland.
Yes that is no surprise to anyone although thanks for the feedback. The question is "why?"
My €0.02 is for a domestic audience "they are fighting for us" say the masses in Lille, or wherever. Hence I would like an EU citizen's perspective.
Not to say obvs that PB isn't a very representational sample...
Hmm, that doesn't resolve the basic issue of not having enough vaccines now that AZ have cut deliveries to 30m (Q1), Pfizer to 50m (Q1) and J&J to just 20m (Q2).
To my mind the EU wants Belgium to threaten Pfizer and try and force them to reallocate supply from their non-EU clients to the EU but given that Pfizer is an American company I'm really not sure how much leverage really exists.
Yes, threatening US companies in this way is... an approach.
I believe Canada is entirely reliant on the EU for vaccines (legally contracted). If the EU does go full psycho, it will be interesting to see if they block exports there. Perhaps not, because Canada’s vaccine programme is slower than the EU’s. I can’t see the EU blocking exports to the USA (are there any?) because realpolitik
So this is aimed at the UK, UAE and Israel.
Yes, but restricting the activity of Pfizer (a US company) and threatening its IP. Washington tends to react badly to those sorts of things, sometimes even if the administration would rather wait and see.
London (CNN) Britain's overseas reputation has been tarnished lately, and some of it is entirely self-inflicted.
From images of burly police officers wrestling women to the ground to claims of racism in the royal family, accusations of Brexit rule-breaking and even a coronavirus variant first detected in England and now spreading across the globe, the United Kingdom is coming up tainted in the court of international opinion.
The latest crisis came this weekend, when images of a crackdown on a peaceful London vigil for a murdered woman were beamed around the world. A viral photo of woman prostrate on the ground, police officers astride her back, is never a good look for any democracy, but this latest shocker is just one in an increasing accumulation of PR own goals the UK is belting into its own net, just as the country chases global partners for post-Brexit trade.
For a nation that revels in reminiscing of bygone better days, the words of one such anthem, "Rule Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves," resonates less these days of riding a mighty swell and more of being lashed by misfortune and misjudgement.
Britain is tainted because we first detected a coronavirus variant? Eh? How about Brazil, or South Africa, or, heaven forbid, CHINA?
CNN seem to have turned into the broadcasting wing of the New York Times.
Being outside for work or "recreation" is now allowed whilst maintaining social distancing. It's probably arguable that what they're doing is within the Covid laws...
From what I've read legal observers have no special status whatsoever. To the law they are just members of the public, in this case engaging in a proscribed activity.
What's the proscribed activity? Protesting?
They're not protesting.
They're allowed to be outside for recreation. You could probably argue what they are doing is "recreation", perhaps.
I thought you could still only meet outside with one other person not from your "bubble"?
Or are "all decent people who just want to go outside and gather to antagonise the police" a single bubble?
Yeah, but what's "gathering"? If I go to the park on my own to people watch, which is now permitted, am I gathering with them?
No, you didn't go to see anyone specific, so you aren't gathering.
But the "independent legal observers" are not going out to see anyone specific either, I presume.
I'm pretty sure they went out to see the protestors.
Yeah, "the protestors". Not anyone specific.
What's the difference between that and me going to the park to see "the people in the park on Wednesday"?
I don't actually know the definition of "gathering" in the COVID legislation and to be quite frank I can't be arsed to look.
They went to see a specific group of people, you didn't. Otherwise anyone could be arrested for walking past someone.
The definition is:
there is a gathering when two or more people are present together in the same place in order to engage in any form of social interaction with each other, or to undertake any other activity with each other;
And I think it is fair to say an observer is undertaking an activity with the others.
I don't think it's fair to say that at all. What activity are the protestors and the "independent legal observers" undertaking *WITH* each other? *With* being the key word.
The protestors aren't undertaking any activity WITH the "independent legal observers".
Likewise the "independent legal observers" are not undertaking any activity WITH the protestors.
It's pretty passive.
Arguable, in my opinion.
The activity they are undertaking is the protest, they just have different roles.
By definition "independent legal observers" are not undertaking a protest, they are merely observing it.
But they gathered in the same place for the protest, planning in advance when and where to meet, and staying with them the whole time. Just because they aren't playing the same role doesn't mean they aren't part of the same gathering.
Well we don't know anything about what was planned and what wasn't. They could simply be people who heard about a protest and went along to observe, which as far as I can see is not "gathering" as per the covid regulations...
And they just happened to have a "legal observer" high-vis jacket? That seems extremely unlikely.
Looking into it, it is unclear how the role of an observer can be undertaken without any social interaction whatsoever.
There's probably plenty of weirdos who live in London and go to any protest going as a "legal observer", to be honest.
Undoubtedly, but there are probably those who take the job seriously. And I don't have any qualms with them, but I think it's a bit much to claim they aren't part of the same gathering.
London (CNN) Britain's overseas reputation has been tarnished lately, and some of it is entirely self-inflicted.
From images of burly police officers wrestling women to the ground to claims of racism in the royal family, accusations of Brexit rule-breaking and even a coronavirus variant first detected in England and now spreading across the globe, the United Kingdom is coming up tainted in the court of international opinion.
The latest crisis came this weekend, when images of a crackdown on a peaceful London vigil for a murdered woman were beamed around the world. A viral photo of woman prostrate on the ground, police officers astride her back, is never a good look for any democracy, but this latest shocker is just one in an increasing accumulation of PR own goals the UK is belting into its own net, just as the country chases global partners for post-Brexit trade.
For a nation that revels in reminiscing of bygone better days, the words of one such anthem, "Rule Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves," resonates less these days of riding a mighty swell and more of being lashed by misfortune and misjudgement.
Britain is tainted because we first detected a coronavirus variant? Eh? How about Brazil, or South Africa, or, heaven forbid, CHINA?
CNN seem to have turned into the broadcasting wing of the New York Times.
Trump derangement syndrome has mutated like COVID into Britain / Boris derangement syndrome.
Who actually supports a big pharma cartel/closed shop on producing vaccines? Anyone care to speak up and defend it?
Um, sure. How do you expect anyone to sink millions into developing them in the first place if you won't let them get a return by licensing them afterwards?
Isn’t the argument we are in bed with some who are good in lobby (with a price marked on bottom of politicians shoes) and get state support others don’t get?
You tell me; it's your argument.
But that sounds much more like a US concern than a UK one. And if your main concern is that we're favouring companies with good PR/GR departments over those with bad ones, my response is a big fat "so what?".
I’ll explain it to you. The argument is not a private v state one, but not really free competition one. Where in the lobby politicians, like hookers with price on bottom of their feet, meet those after government support, in all its forms.
Is anyone stating here big pharma has saved us here creating these vaccines off their own back, now need a fair return for that? No state support. No tax payer money, that went to them, and not to someone else.
If it was not solely them, can you make the argument it’s still solely their IPR?
I'm not entirely sure whether this is a point about COVID vaccines in particular, or vaccines in general. In any case, the expertise to make the former (at speed) did not come from nowhere; it came because the pharma industry has spent billions over the course of decades building up that expertise.
Anyway: 1) the AZ vaccine is being offered at cost to the world's poorer countries, so they aren't really looking at huge returns; and 2) who in your view should have subsidised the losses made by those companies whose vaccine attempts failed?
Who actually supports a big pharma cartel/closed shop on producing vaccines? Anyone care to speak up and defend it?
Um, sure. How do you expect anyone to sink millions into developing them in the first place if you won't let them get a return by licensing them afterwards?
Isn’t the argument we are in bed with some who are good in lobby (with a price marked on bottom of politicians shoes) and get state support others don’t get?
You tell me; it's your argument.
But that sounds much more like a US concern than a UK one. And if your main concern is that we're favouring companies with good PR/GR departments over those with bad ones, my response is a big fat "so what?".
I’ll explain it to you. The argument is not a private v state one, but not really free competition one. Where in the lobby politicians, like hookers with price on bottom of their feet, meet those after government support, in all its forms.
Is anyone stating here big pharma has saved us here creating these vaccines off their own back, now need a fair return for that? No state support. No tax payer money, that went to them, and not to someone else....
Well that is the case with Pfizer - though whether the profits they will earn from governments on their investment are 'fair' or not, I'll leave for others to judge. For Pfizer and Moderna, they will be in the multiple billions this year.
Curiously, the state produced, old tech Sinovac vaccine is reputedly the most expensive vaccine on the market.
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
Have you considered changing your avatar recently?
I want us to be friendly with the people of Europe like you. But the EU have lost their minds, they are not our allies right now.
Like Max, I wouldn't worry about UVDL threats today.
When they think through their consequences they'll step back.
They'll only get a short term boost but within months they won't have a pharma industry and this is the key thing, it is very likely annual booster shots (starting with this autumn/winter) will become a thing.
If they want to avoid a winter wave then they need calmer heads to prevail, she's been sabre rattling like this month, remember she's the German Chris Grayling/Gavin Williamson.
We heard similar claims about blocking vaccine exports, until they did....they released a contract with AZN in a rage thinking it would expose what a disgusting two faced company AZN was, and that also blew up in their face.
They seem to have a desire to be seen to be doing something because otherwise they will take the blame.
The fact there is nothing they can do and everything they have so far done has made thing worse is something they haven't yet picked up on.
It must feel quite existential for technocrats in Brussels. This was their big moment. The EU took over the greatest task in postwar European history, and in its own history as an institution. Co-ordinating and sourcing the vital vaccines that would save Europe from a terrifying pandemic. They proudly said they would use Europe’s combined power to get the best for Europeans. It was predicted other nations not involved, like the UK, would suffer, at the back of the queue
Instead, it has turned into an historic fuckshambles. A series of slapstick moments by a genius clown, falling over buckets, walking into ladders, momentarily imposing a surprise border in Ireland
So they must be scared that the entire EU will come into question, as a concept; certainly some careers might end. Hence the panic and histrionics? But panicking just makes it worse...
London (CNN) Britain's overseas reputation has been tarnished lately, and some of it is entirely self-inflicted.
From images of burly police officers wrestling women to the ground to claims of racism in the royal family, accusations of Brexit rule-breaking and even a coronavirus variant first detected in England and now spreading across the globe, the United Kingdom is coming up tainted in the court of international opinion.
The latest crisis came this weekend, when images of a crackdown on a peaceful London vigil for a murdered woman were beamed around the world. A viral photo of woman prostrate on the ground, police officers astride her back, is never a good look for any democracy, but this latest shocker is just one in an increasing accumulation of PR own goals the UK is belting into its own net, just as the country chases global partners for post-Brexit trade.
For a nation that revels in reminiscing of bygone better days, the words of one such anthem, "Rule Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves," resonates less these days of riding a mighty swell and more of being lashed by misfortune and misjudgement.
Britain is tainted because we first detected a coronavirus variant? Eh? How about Brazil, or South Africa, or, heaven forbid, CHINA?
CNN seem to have turned into the broadcasting wing of the New York Times.
The idea of an American paper complaining about the British Police policing a protest . . . its flabbergasting.
The Police only make the news there when people die.
That graphic does not prove a thermostatic control link between lockdown and cases. Far from it.
Considering the economic and social boosts Florida got from not having a lockdown, it also does not prove that lockdown was worth it.
You implied the link.
No the government, Most of SAGE, and many others imply the link. That's my point.
They must imply the link because they are waiting to see the effect opening schools has. They are expecting some uptick in cases, I think, consistent with a firm belief in the thermostatic model of lockdown and cases.
A model that the Florida graphic suggests cannot be true. Lockdowns may indeed have an effect, but not at the fingertip touch sensitivity the government's slow release from lockdown implies. Lockdowns are not covid thermostats. Demonstrably.
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
Have you considered changing your avatar recently?
I want us to be friendly with the people of Europe like you. But the EU have lost their minds, they are not our allies right now.
London (CNN) Britain's overseas reputation has been tarnished lately, and some of it is entirely self-inflicted.
From images of burly police officers wrestling women to the ground to claims of racism in the royal family, accusations of Brexit rule-breaking and even a coronavirus variant first detected in England and now spreading across the globe, the United Kingdom is coming up tainted in the court of international opinion.
The latest crisis came this weekend, when images of a crackdown on a peaceful London vigil for a murdered woman were beamed around the world. A viral photo of woman prostrate on the ground, police officers astride her back, is never a good look for any democracy, but this latest shocker is just one in an increasing accumulation of PR own goals the UK is belting into its own net, just as the country chases global partners for post-Brexit trade.
For a nation that revels in reminiscing of bygone better days, the words of one such anthem, "Rule Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves," resonates less these days of riding a mighty swell and more of being lashed by misfortune and misjudgement.
Britain is tainted because we first detected a coronavirus variant? Eh? How about Brazil, or South Africa, or, heaven forbid, CHINA?
CNN seem to have turned into the broadcasting wing of the New York Times.
The idea of an American paper complaining about the British Police policing a protest . . . its flabbergasting.
The Police only make the news there when people die.
It's not all Dixon of Dock Green, or "mind how you go".
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
Have you considered changing your avatar recently?
I want us to be friendly with the people of Europe like you. But the EU have lost their minds, they are not our allies right now.
I have, but for now I'm holding out hope.
I want a stable constructive relationship with the EU - particularly as I have family and friends there, who are affected by the politics - and because a secure and prosperous European backyard is in British interests.
Like Max, I wouldn't worry about UVDL threats today.
When they think through their consequences they'll step back.
They'll only get a short term boost but within months they won't have a pharma industry and this is the key thing, it is very likely annual booster shots (starting with this autumn/winter) will become a thing.
If they want to avoid a winter wave then they need calmer heads to prevail, she's been sabre rattling like this month, remember she's the German Chris Grayling/Gavin Williamson.
We heard similar claims about blocking vaccine exports, until they did....they released a contract with AZN in a rage thinking it would expose what a disgusting two faced company AZN was, and that also blew up in their face.
They seem to have a desire to be seen to be doing something because otherwise they will take the blame.
The fact there is nothing they can do and everything they have so far done has made thing worse is something they haven't yet picked up on.
It must feel quite existential for technocrats in Brussels. This was their big moment. The EU took over the greatest task in postwar European history, and in its own history as an institution. Co-ordinating and sourcing the vital vaccines that would save Europe from a terrifying pandemic. They proudly said they would use Europe’s combined power to get the best for Europeans. It was predicted other nations not involved, like the UK, would suffer, at the back of the queue
Instead, it has turned into an historic fuckshambles. A series of slapstick moments by a genius clown, falling over buckets, walking into ladders, momentarily imposing a surprise border in Ireland
So they must be scared that the entire EU will come into question, as a concept; certainly some careers might end. Hence the panic and histrionics? But panicking just makes it worse...
I think the end of your first para is what has really upset them. When we refused to join the EU scheme their surrogates in the media were pushing the line that the UK would suffer the most for not being in the EU scheme, it would pay more money and get fewer, later and lesser deliveries. They really, really believed that would be the case and being proven wrong is a very hard thing to accept for them.
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
Have you considered changing your avatar recently?
I want us to be friendly with the people of Europe like you. But the EU have lost their minds, they are not our allies right now.
Good lunch Philip?
Yes thank you, you? Just on for a few minutes before I have to get back to work.
But I'm not joking, I'm serious. The EU are not acting like allies by any stretch of the imagination. They're neighbours and we need to trade with them, but they're not friendly allies at the minute. I wish they were.
It’s worth quite a lot to everyone who voted Leave, who can now point at Brussels (and Paris, Berlin and Rome) and say ‘See?!’
See what?
The sovereign Belgian Government vaccinating their population while the Sovereign Government of Germany and France dick about?
We can, and could, and did, vaccinate, with and without the EU.
And here he is! The last Remainer in Britain
Who couldn't quite bring himself to condemn this latest act of fuckwittery
Unlike sane Remainers like william, I don't believe Scott has criticised any round of fuckwittery we've witnessed from our neighbours.
Its like a cult from him. Thou shalt not criticise Europe.
It would be good to be able to say he has lost all credibility. But to be honest he never had any in the first place so I suppose he has nothing to lose.
William he had valid, well articulated reasons for his opposition to Brexit. He now has valid, well articulated reasons for opposing the current EU leadership and their actions. These are not mutually incompatible positions to hold. I believe he has said how worried he is that this is a sign of a fundamental issue with the EU and the fact he is willing to accommodate those ideas is hugely to his credit. I am still of the view this is unfit leadership which reflects more on the way they pick their leaders rather than backing up my critical views of the EU as an institution.
I would be delighted if they would simply dump this current lot of Commissioners and put someone sensible in place to deal with this crisis.
Like Max, I wouldn't worry about UVDL threats today.
When they think through their consequences they'll step back.
They'll only get a short term boost but within months they won't have a pharma industry and this is the key thing, it is very likely annual booster shots (starting with this autumn/winter) will become a thing.
If they want to avoid a winter wave then they need calmer heads to prevail, she's been sabre rattling like this month, remember she's the German Chris Grayling/Gavin Williamson.
We heard similar claims about blocking vaccine exports, until they did....they released a contract with AZN in a rage thinking it would expose what a disgusting two faced company AZN was, and that also blew up in their face.
They seem to have a desire to be seen to be doing something because otherwise they will take the blame.
The fact there is nothing they can do and everything they have so far done has made thing worse is something they haven't yet picked up on.
It must feel quite existential for technocrats in Brussels. This was their big moment. The EU took over the greatest task in postwar European history, and in its own history as an institution. Co-ordinating and sourcing the vital vaccines that would save Europe from a terrifying pandemic. They proudly said they would use Europe’s combined power to get the best for Europeans. It was predicted other nations not involved, like the UK, would suffer, at the back of the queue
Instead, it has turned into an historic fuckshambles. A series of slapstick moments by a genius clown, falling over buckets, walking into ladders, momentarily imposing a surprise border in Ireland
So they must be scared that the entire EU will come into question, as a concept; certainly some careers might end. Hence the panic and histrionics? But panicking just makes it worse...
If they'd shut-up about it then there'd have been some grumbling but it otherwise wouldn't have been such a destructive issue.
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
That would depend on the offer they eventually make to us...
Hartlepool is not really similar to BA which has been trending blue for years. It is much more like Easington or the Sunderland seats - I think it could go blue but unlikely - the idea that it's a 'must win' for the Tories is carrying the idea of spin to the next level. Pressure is all on Labour here - but I expect a win for Laboue unless they select Pidcock or worse.
That is a fair statement. From a longterm perspective Hartlepool has not been trending to the Tories.On very similar boundaries it was won by the Tories in 1959 and Labour won it back by a very modest majority in 1964. Even as late as February 1974 Labour's majority was circa 4,000 - very similar to 2019 despite the latter being a year of heavy defeat.
Like Max, I wouldn't worry about UVDL threats today.
When they think through their consequences they'll step back.
They'll only get a short term boost but within months they won't have a pharma industry and this is the key thing, it is very likely annual booster shots (starting with this autumn/winter) will become a thing.
If they want to avoid a winter wave then they need calmer heads to prevail, she's been sabre rattling like this month, remember she's the German Chris Grayling/Gavin Williamson.
We heard similar claims about blocking vaccine exports, until they did....they released a contract with AZN in a rage thinking it would expose what a disgusting two faced company AZN was, and that also blew up in their face.
They seem to have a desire to be seen to be doing something because otherwise they will take the blame.
The fact there is nothing they can do and everything they have so far done has made thing worse is something they haven't yet picked up on.
It must feel quite existential for technocrats in Brussels. This was their big moment. The EU took over the greatest task in postwar European history, and in its own history as an institution. Co-ordinating and sourcing the vital vaccines that would save Europe from a terrifying pandemic. They proudly said they would use Europe’s combined power to get the best for Europeans. It was predicted other nations not involved, like the UK, would suffer, at the back of the queue
Instead, it has turned into an historic fuckshambles. A series of slapstick moments by a genius clown, falling over buckets, walking into ladders, momentarily imposing a surprise border in Ireland
So they must be scared that the entire EU will come into question, as a concept; certainly some careers might end. Hence the panic and histrionics? But panicking just makes it worse...
The EU has 566k dead as a result of CV19 and its spending its efforts trying to get more killed. Its a WTF moment.
Like Max, I wouldn't worry about UVDL threats today.
When they think through their consequences they'll step back.
They'll only get a short term boost but within months they won't have a pharma industry and this is the key thing, it is very likely annual booster shots (starting with this autumn/winter) will become a thing.
If they want to avoid a winter wave then they need calmer heads to prevail, she's been sabre rattling like this month, remember she's the German Chris Grayling/Gavin Williamson.
We heard similar claims about blocking vaccine exports, until they did....they released a contract with AZN in a rage thinking it would expose what a disgusting two faced company AZN was, and that also blew up in their face.
They seem to have a desire to be seen to be doing something because otherwise they will take the blame.
The fact there is nothing they can do and everything they have so far done has made thing worse is something they haven't yet picked up on.
It must feel quite existential for technocrats in Brussels. This was their big moment. The EU took over the greatest task in postwar European history, and in its own history as an institution. Co-ordinating and sourcing the vital vaccines that would save Europe from a terrifying pandemic. They proudly said they would use Europe’s combined power to get the best for Europeans. It was predicted other nations not involved, like the UK, would suffer, at the back of the queue
Instead, it has turned into an historic fuckshambles. A series of slapstick moments by a genius clown, falling over buckets, walking into ladders, momentarily imposing a surprise border in Ireland
So they must be scared that the entire EU will come into question, as a concept; certainly some careers might end. Hence the panic and histrionics? But panicking just makes it worse...
I think the end of your first para is what has really upset them. When we refused to join the EU scheme their surrogates in the media were pushing the line that the UK would suffer the most for not being in the EU scheme, it would pay more money and get fewer, later and lesser deliveries. They really, really believed that would be the case and being proven wrong is a very hard thing to accept for them.
It also failed to invest as much, early on, in the development of vaccines.
It is as though it's somehow just unacceptable for v.d.L that we should be vaccinating at a faster rate than the rest of Europe, and that justifies any measures to prevent that, no matter how ridiculous (or counterproductive).
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
That would depend on the offer they eventually make to us...
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
That would depend on the offer they eventually make to us...
Which factories are they going to seize? The ones in Europe already supplying them? The ones in Europe that they have not yet given authorization to produce vaccines? Or the factories in the US and UK (and India)? Is this the EU declaring World War III?
Hartlepool is not really similar to BA which has been trending blue for years. It is much more like Easington or the Sunderland seats - I think it could go blue but unlikely - the idea that it's a 'must win' for the Tories is carrying the idea of spin to the next level. Pressure is all on Labour here - but I expect a win for Laboue unless they select Pidcock or worse.
That is a fair statement. From a longterm perspective Hartlepool has not been trending to the Tories.On very similar boundaries it was won by the Tories in 1959 and Labour won it back by a very modest majority in 1964. Even as late as February 1974 Labour's majority was circa 4,000 - very similar to 2019 despite the latter being a year of heavy defeat.
I mean I'm from the area - and despite living abroad now you really don't forget. The last Tory MP for Sunderland was Paul Williams I think - he lost in 64. I still live in hope there'll be one more in my lifetime but... Fortunately the Tories do not need the Hartlepools and Sunderlands to form governments.
London (CNN) Britain's overseas reputation has been tarnished lately, and some of it is entirely self-inflicted.
From images of burly police officers wrestling women to the ground to claims of racism in the royal family, accusations of Brexit rule-breaking and even a coronavirus variant first detected in England and now spreading across the globe, the United Kingdom is coming up tainted in the court of international opinion.
The latest crisis came this weekend, when images of a crackdown on a peaceful London vigil for a murdered woman were beamed around the world. A viral photo of woman prostrate on the ground, police officers astride her back, is never a good look for any democracy, but this latest shocker is just one in an increasing accumulation of PR own goals the UK is belting into its own net, just as the country chases global partners for post-Brexit trade.
For a nation that revels in reminiscing of bygone better days, the words of one such anthem, "Rule Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves," resonates less these days of riding a mighty swell and more of being lashed by misfortune and misjudgement.
Where is this 'court of international opinion' ? Strasbourg ?
Florida's new cases tracker through the winter looks remarkably like ours.
Amazing that cases could have fallen like a stone without a draconian lockdown like ours.
You might like to peruse the reports at https://www.google.com/covid19/mobility/ Overall, nothing like as big a drop in transit as here, but still big changes in things like workplaces and public transport.
Different weather too, which may help - easier for people to be outside, to have plenty of ventilation etc.
Chances are there's a variant on the lockdown here that could have been similarly effective, but we still probably don't know exactly what.
As I said, a caller this morning to LBC from Italy bemoaning the fact that they were going in to lockdown whereby shops and bars would be closed (save for takeaways).
Which we have had for the past three months and counting.
Oh and btw some cracking posts from you earlier today.
Why, thank you. I should warn that I'm a morning person, so it's all downhill from here!
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
That would depend on the offer they eventually make to us...
The crazy thing is that there are good numbers in there. Germany, Sweden, Cyprus. Huge number in Holland (but is it a week not a day?)
So the EU is not doing so bad. It’s not scintillating (Ireland, what’s going on?) but it’s not appalling. They will get there. Just a bit slower than US/UK. I therefore don’t understand why the hysterics from Brussels, which emphasises the impression it is a disaster.
I am of course ignoring the AZ insanity. That is beyond the powers of my comprehension
The crazy thing is that there are good numbers in there. Germany, Sweden, Cyprus. Huge number in Holland.
So the EU is not doing so bad. It’s not scintillating (Ireland, what’s going on?) but it’s not appalling. They will get there. Just a bit slower than US/UK. I therefore don’t understand why the hysterics from Brussels, which emphasises the impression it is a disaster.
I am of course ignoring the AZ insanity. That is beyond the powers of my comprehension
All of those "good" numbers are multiple days worth of reporting.
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
That would depend on the offer they eventually make to us...
Which factories are they going to seize? The ones in Europe already supplying them? The ones in Europe that they have not yet given authorization to produce vaccines? Or the factories in the US and UK (and India)? Is this the EU declaring World War III?
Their latest spin is complaining about the Halix factory that is producing Astrazeneca vaccines but its not been authorised because Astrazeneca to date have not filed the paperwork to get authorisation for that factory.
Astrazeneca insists things are "on track" in the factory though. Maybe the factory is busy dealing with the contracts signed months before the EU's contracts were? I don't know.
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
That would depend on the offer they eventually make to us...
Boris becomes god-emperor of Europe?
Kate Bingham becomes goddess-empress, rather.
If Britain speeded up its exit plan, how difficult would it be for the EU to manage the the footage of Brits 'safely' enjoying life again?
So after booking a jab on Monday, I received a text to say I was now able to book, and was then called by the GP surgery to check if I had an appointment, as they are running a session on Friday.
The NHS is being very proactive to get us all lined up for our vaccinations.
Excellent. Could hit 700k in a day later this week?
INFORMATION: the booking criteria on the NHS England website have been changed from 55+ to 50+
And on this general subject, if they're throwing the internet booking system open to anybody over 50 then, unless it will only accept a certain number of bookings at a time, this presumably means that everyone over 50 in England has effectively been offered the jab as of today? Now, assuming that the rest of the UK is on the same page or not very far behind, hopefully they'll be in a position to start working through people in their late 40s by the end of the month.
It also failed to invest as much, early on, in the development of vaccines.
It is as though it's somehow just unacceptable for v.d.L that we should be vaccinating at a faster rate than the rest of Europe, and that justifies any measures to prevent that, no matter how ridiculous (or counterproductive).
Yes. It reminds me of some of the madder Remainers (not necessarily you) who simply couldn’t grasp that Brexit might happen. It was a conceptual impossibility. A computer error by voters. It could not happen in their worldview, therefore it would not happen. Which eventually evolved into ‘must not happen’. Then it happened.
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
That would depend on the offer they eventually make to us...
Boris becomes god-emperor of Europe?
That wasn't quite what I had in mind. But they would be welcome to him.
It also failed to invest as much, early on, in the development of vaccines.
It is as though it's somehow just unacceptable for v.d.L that we should be vaccinating at a faster rate than the rest of Europe, and that justifies any measures to prevent that, no matter how ridiculous (or counterproductive).
Yes. It reminds me of some of the madder Remainers (not necessarily you) who simply couldn’t grasp that Brexit might happen. It was a conceptual impossibility. A computer error by voters. It could not happen in their worldview, therefore it would not happen. Which eventually evolved into ‘must not happen’. Then it happened.
There's still a few people who think the EU's border pedantry will mean people will vote to reverse it. It's quite sad really.
London (CNN) Britain's overseas reputation has been tarnished lately, and some of it is entirely self-inflicted.
From images of burly police officers wrestling women to the ground to claims of racism in the royal family, accusations of Brexit rule-breaking and even a coronavirus variant first detected in England and now spreading across the globe, the United Kingdom is coming up tainted in the court of international opinion.
The latest crisis came this weekend, when images of a crackdown on a peaceful London vigil for a murdered woman were beamed around the world. A viral photo of woman prostrate on the ground, police officers astride her back, is never a good look for any democracy, but this latest shocker is just one in an increasing accumulation of PR own goals the UK is belting into its own net, just as the country chases global partners for post-Brexit trade.
For a nation that revels in reminiscing of bygone better days, the words of one such anthem, "Rule Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves," resonates less these days of riding a mighty swell and more of being lashed by misfortune and misjudgement.
Where is this 'court of international opinion' ? Strasbourg ?
Excellent. Could hit 700k in a day later this week?
INFORMATION: the booking criteria on the NHS England website have been changed from 55+ to 50+
And on this general subject, if they're throwing the internet booking system open to anybody over 50 then, unless it will only accept a certain number of bookings at a time, this presumably means that everyone over 50 in England has effectively been offered the jab as of today? Now, assuming that the rest of the UK is on the same page or not very far behind, hopefully they'll be in a position to start working through people in their late 40s by the end of the month.
I think the "been offered" date refers to the date you're booked in for, not the date you get booked in. So if everyone over 50 booked online today but some could only get an appointment for next week Sunday, then everyone will have been offered an appointment by next week Sunday, not today.
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
That would depend on the offer they eventually make to us...
Boris becomes god-emperor of Europe?
Kate Bingham becomes goddess-empress, rather.
If Britain speeded up its exit plan, how difficult would it be for the EU to manage the the footage of Brits 'safely' enjoying life again?
Might have something to do with the resumption of these ludicrous export ban threats - trying to force us to slow the Hell down?
FWIW I don't expect the Government to speed up its plans for England, but I'm cautiously optimistic that the "no sooner than" dates won't be put back.
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
That would depend on the offer they eventually make to us...
Boris becomes god-emperor of Europe?
Kate Bingham becomes goddess-empress, rather.
If Britain speeded up its exit plan, how difficult would it be for the EU to manage the the footage of Brits 'safely' enjoying life again?
People would be about as irritated as I was, when I spoke to someone in the US (NY State) this week, who, when I asked how it was going, said: fine - restaurants are beginning to fill up again.
Except the problem isn't IP or licensing production.
It is getting production up to capacity at existing plants. Starting production at other plants would take a non-trivial amount of time.
She's raving bonkers if she thinks compulsory licensing is going to help in the timescale required. Making these vaccines isn't just a case of grabbing the recipe and getting someone to crank out the doses.
It really isn't hard to work out what the EU should do: stopping dissing the existing vaccines, stop attacking the pharma companies who are trying to ramp up production, stop blaming everyone else for the failure of the EU procurement, and ask the producers what help they need.
But I see the bind she's in. If they admit they've screwed up monumentally, how can they claim that "more Europe" is the solution to the next problem, whatever it is?
This is one reason why she has to resign.
She has to take personal responsibility for the failings to protect the institutions. This is a lesson that some in Britain could do with relearning too.
Excellent. Could hit 700k in a day later this week?
INFORMATION: the booking criteria on the NHS England website have been changed from 55+ to 50+
And on this general subject, if they're throwing the internet booking system open to anybody over 50 then, unless it will only accept a certain number of bookings at a time, this presumably means that everyone over 50 in England has effectively been offered the jab as of today? Now, assuming that the rest of the UK is on the same page or not very far behind, hopefully they'll be in a position to start working through people in their late 40s by the end of the month.
I think the "been offered" date refers to the date you're booked in for, not the date you get booked in. So if everyone over 50 booked online today but some could only get an appointment for next week Sunday, then everyone will have been offered an appointment by next week Sunday, not today.
That sounds fair enough. Regardless, as an impatient 44 year old, it's reassuring to see further progress being made.
That graphic does not prove a thermostatic control link between lockdown and cases. Far from it.
Considering the economic and social boosts Florida got from not having a lockdown, it also does not prove that lockdown was worth it.
No, it doesn't prove anything. Observational science rarely does (you can show strong correlations, you can even infer causality from quasi-experimental methods, but not 'proof').
What it does show is a nice dose-response relationship. If there's a causal link between A and B then you expect more of A to cause more of B. If there's a causal link between severity of lockdown and rate of decline in cases, then you'd expect exactly what that graph shows. It's not proof, but it's also emphatically not supporting the argument that lockdowns are irrelevant.
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
That would depend on the offer they eventually make to us...
Boris becomes god-emperor of Europe?
Kate Bingham becomes goddess-empress, rather.
If Britain speeded up its exit plan, how difficult would it be for the EU to manage the the footage of Brits 'safely' enjoying life again?
But I'm not sure that the EU lockdown is as rigorous as ours is. According to @felix the lockdown means a 10pm curfew and restaurants closing at 6pm. I'd take that now.
So after booking a jab on Monday, I received a text to say I was now able to book, and was then called by the GP surgery to check if I had an appointment, as they are running a session on Friday.
The NHS is being very proactive to get us all lined up for our vaccinations.
Practices get £ (£13.50 I believe) for everyone they directly jab.
It also failed to invest as much, early on, in the development of vaccines.
It is as though it's somehow just unacceptable for v.d.L that we should be vaccinating at a faster rate than the rest of Europe, and that justifies any measures to prevent that, no matter how ridiculous (or counterproductive).
It would be like a Portsmouth fan complaining that Southampton was cheating by running their club so well, having such a good academy, appointing good management, and doing so with little drama.
So after booking a jab on Monday, I received a text to say I was now able to book, and was then called by the GP surgery to check if I had an appointment, as they are running a session on Friday.
The NHS is being very proactive to get us all lined up for our vaccinations.
Whereas they are telling me the computer says I am not eligible. Even though I am.
Hartlepool is not really similar to BA which has been trending blue for years. It is much more like Easington or the Sunderland seats - I think it could go blue but unlikely - the idea that it's a 'must win' for the Tories is carrying the idea of spin to the next level. Pressure is all on Labour here - but I expect a win for Laboue unless they select Pidcock or worse.
That is a fair statement. From a longterm perspective Hartlepool has not been trending to the Tories.On very similar boundaries it was won by the Tories in 1959 and Labour won it back by a very modest majority in 1964. Even as late as February 1974 Labour's majority was circa 4,000 - very similar to 2019 despite the latter being a year of heavy defeat.
I mean I'm from the area - and despite living abroad now you really don't forget. The last Tory MP for Sunderland was Paul Williams I think - he lost in 64. I still live in hope there'll be one more in my lifetime but... Fortunately the Tories do not need the Hartlepools and Sunderlands to form governments.
Hartlepool is not really similar to BA which has been trending blue for years. It is much more like Easington or the Sunderland seats - I think it could go blue but unlikely - the idea that it's a 'must win' for the Tories is carrying the idea of spin to the next level. Pressure is all on Labour here - but I expect a win for Laboue unless they select Pidcock or worse.
That is a fair statement. From a longterm perspective Hartlepool has not been trending to the Tories.On very similar boundaries it was won by the Tories in 1959 and Labour won it back by a very modest majority in 1964. Even as late as February 1974 Labour's majority was circa 4,000 - very similar to 2019 despite the latter being a year of heavy defeat.
I mean I'm from the area - and despite living abroad now you really don't forget. The last Tory MP for Sunderland was Paul Williams I think - he lost in 64. I still live in hope there'll be one more in my lifetime but... Fortunately the Tories do not need the Hartlepools and Sunderlands to form governments.
Indeed so. Sunderland South no longer exists in a form comparable to the seat won by Paul Williams at the 1953 by election and held until 1964. It is also not unreasonable to suggest that Labour did fairly well in 2019 to hold Hartlepool by a majority similar to February 1974.
And, noting that this is the first Day Two of Cheltenham for some years when I have not been plastered and barely able to focus, I will wish you all a good pm.
Excellent. Could hit 700k in a day later this week?
INFORMATION: the booking criteria on the NHS England website have been changed from 55+ to 50+
And on this general subject, if they're throwing the internet booking system open to anybody over 50 then, unless it will only accept a certain number of bookings at a time, this presumably means that everyone over 50 in England has effectively been offered the jab as of today? Now, assuming that the rest of the UK is on the same page or not very far behind, hopefully they'll be in a position to start working through people in their late 40s by the end of the month.
I think the "been offered" date refers to the date you're booked in for, not the date you get booked in. So if everyone over 50 booked online today but some could only get an appointment for next week Sunday, then everyone will have been offered an appointment by next week Sunday, not today.
That sounds fair enough. Regardless, as an impatient 44 year old, it's reassuring to see further progress being made.
Absolutely.
As a patient but eager 38 year old I now think its plausible that I might get jabbed in April, which didn't seem at all plausible even a few weeks ago.
Hartlepool is not really similar to BA which has been trending blue for years. It is much more like Easington or the Sunderland seats - I think it could go blue but unlikely - the idea that it's a 'must win' for the Tories is carrying the idea of spin to the next level. Pressure is all on Labour here - but I expect a win for Laboue unless they select Pidcock or worse.
That is a fair statement. From a longterm perspective Hartlepool has not been trending to the Tories.On very similar boundaries it was won by the Tories in 1959 and Labour won it back by a very modest majority in 1964. Even as late as February 1974 Labour's majority was circa 4,000 - very similar to 2019 despite the latter being a year of heavy defeat.
I mean I'm from the area - and despite living abroad now you really don't forget. The last Tory MP for Sunderland was Paul Williams I think - he lost in 64. I still live in hope there'll be one more in my lifetime but... Fortunately the Tories do not need the Hartlepools and Sunderlands to form governments.
Hartlepool is not really similar to BA which has been trending blue for years. It is much more like Easington or the Sunderland seats - I think it could go blue but unlikely - the idea that it's a 'must win' for the Tories is carrying the idea of spin to the next level. Pressure is all on Labour here - but I expect a win for Laboue unless they select Pidcock or worse.
That is a fair statement. From a longterm perspective Hartlepool has not been trending to the Tories.On very similar boundaries it was won by the Tories in 1959 and Labour won it back by a very modest majority in 1964. Even as late as February 1974 Labour's majority was circa 4,000 - very similar to 2019 despite the latter being a year of heavy defeat.
I mean I'm from the area - and despite living abroad now you really don't forget. The last Tory MP for Sunderland was Paul Williams I think - he lost in 64. I still live in hope there'll be one more in my lifetime but... Fortunately the Tories do not need the Hartlepools and Sunderlands to form governments.
Indeed so. Sunderland South no longer exists in a form comparable to the seat won by Paul Williams at the 1953 by election and held until 1964. It is also not unreasonable to suggest that Labour did fairly well in 2019 to hold Hartlepool by a majority similar to February 1974.
Sunderland and its surrounding area is so utterly different now compared to what they were in the 50s, 60s and 70s that the comparison is completely meaningless, regardless of whether the seat existed in the same form or not.
Excellent. Could hit 700k in a day later this week?
INFORMATION: the booking criteria on the NHS England website have been changed from 55+ to 50+
And on this general subject, if they're throwing the internet booking system open to anybody over 50 then, unless it will only accept a certain number of bookings at a time, this presumably means that everyone over 50 in England has effectively been offered the jab as of today? Now, assuming that the rest of the UK is on the same page or not very far behind, hopefully they'll be in a position to start working through people in their late 40s by the end of the month.
I think the "been offered" date refers to the date you're booked in for, not the date you get booked in. So if everyone over 50 booked online today but some could only get an appointment for next week Sunday, then everyone will have been offered an appointment by next week Sunday, not today.
That sounds fair enough. Regardless, as an impatient 44 year old, it's reassuring to see further progress being made.
Excellent. Could hit 700k in a day later this week?
INFORMATION: the booking criteria on the NHS England website have been changed from 55+ to 50+
And on this general subject, if they're throwing the internet booking system open to anybody over 50 then, unless it will only accept a certain number of bookings at a time, this presumably means that everyone over 50 in England has effectively been offered the jab as of today? Now, assuming that the rest of the UK is on the same page or not very far behind, hopefully they'll be in a position to start working through people in their late 40s by the end of the month.
I think the "been offered" date refers to the date you're booked in for, not the date you get booked in. So if everyone over 50 booked online today but some could only get an appointment for next week Sunday, then everyone will have been offered an appointment by next week Sunday, not today.
That sounds fair enough. Regardless, as an impatient 44 year old, it's reassuring to see further progress being made.
Imagine being an impatient 49 year old.
Well you're guaranteed to be able to book a slot by your birthday at least. 😂
Just to give a slightly different perspective, our EU guy has popped up on slack to say this - the EU doesn't directly have any power to do anything, it can give member states the means to do the things UVdL is saying but it will be up to the specific member states to use those powers. On that basis it means Belgium would need to step in and expropriate the Pfizer, AZ and J&J vaccine IP and production and given how big the Belgian pharma sector is and how dependent the Belgian economy is on it this seems extremely unlikely to happen.
He adds that other countries such as Italy (AZ fill and finish) or Spain (Moderna fill and finish) may use these measures but it would only result in their smaller pharma industry base decamping to the UK and Switzerland.
Yes that is no surprise to anyone although thanks for the feedback. The question is "why?"
My €0.02 is for a domestic audience "they are fighting for us" say the masses in Lille, or wherever. Hence I would like an EU citizen's perspective.
Not to say obvs that PB isn't a very representational sample...
Hmm, that doesn't resolve the basic issue of not having enough vaccines now that AZ have cut deliveries to 30m (Q1), Pfizer to 50m (Q1) and J&J to just 20m (Q2).
To my mind the EU wants Belgium to threaten Pfizer and try and force them to reallocate supply from their non-EU clients to the EU but given that Pfizer is an American company I'm really not sure how much leverage really exists.
Yes, threatening US companies in this way is... an approach.
I believe Canada is entirely reliant on the EU for vaccines (legally contracted). If the EU does go full psycho, it will be interesting to see if they block exports there. Perhaps not, because Canada’s vaccine programme is slower than the EU’s. I can’t see the EU blocking exports to the USA (are there any?) because realpolitik
So this is aimed at the UK, UAE and Israel.
No, neither UAE nor Israel is producing their own vaccines, AFAIK, so it is aimed solely at the UK.
Excellent. Could hit 700k in a day later this week?
INFORMATION: the booking criteria on the NHS England website have been changed from 55+ to 50+
And on this general subject, if they're throwing the internet booking system open to anybody over 50 then, unless it will only accept a certain number of bookings at a time, this presumably means that everyone over 50 in England has effectively been offered the jab as of today? Now, assuming that the rest of the UK is on the same page or not very far behind, hopefully they'll be in a position to start working through people in their late 40s by the end of the month.
I think the "been offered" date refers to the date you're booked in for, not the date you get booked in. So if everyone over 50 booked online today but some could only get an appointment for next week Sunday, then everyone will have been offered an appointment by next week Sunday, not today.
That sounds fair enough. Regardless, as an impatient 44 year old, it's reassuring to see further progress being made.
Imagine being an impatient 49 year old.
Or an impatient 33 year old, my wife is in the category below as well as she's 29. Can't wait to lord my vaccine status over her for two weeks or so.
It's interesting that England is running so fewer 2nd doses compared to the other nations.
That changes from this week when millions of second doses become necessary per week.
From a bang per buck point of view it makes sense at a macro level.
You get 2/3rd risk reduction from a 1st shot in a fresh person, and just an extra 1/4 risk reduction from a second shot, so why wouldn't you maximise first shots?
Just to give a slightly different perspective, our EU guy has popped up on slack to say this - the EU doesn't directly have any power to do anything, it can give member states the means to do the things UVdL is saying but it will be up to the specific member states to use those powers. On that basis it means Belgium would need to step in and expropriate the Pfizer, AZ and J&J vaccine IP and production and given how big the Belgian pharma sector is and how dependent the Belgian economy is on it this seems extremely unlikely to happen.
He adds that other countries such as Italy (AZ fill and finish) or Spain (Moderna fill and finish) may use these measures but it would only result in their smaller pharma industry base decamping to the UK and Switzerland.
Yes that is no surprise to anyone although thanks for the feedback. The question is "why?"
My €0.02 is for a domestic audience "they are fighting for us" say the masses in Lille, or wherever. Hence I would like an EU citizen's perspective.
Not to say obvs that PB isn't a very representational sample...
Hmm, that doesn't resolve the basic issue of not having enough vaccines now that AZ have cut deliveries to 30m (Q1), Pfizer to 50m (Q1) and J&J to just 20m (Q2).
To my mind the EU wants Belgium to threaten Pfizer and try and force them to reallocate supply from their non-EU clients to the EU but given that Pfizer is an American company I'm really not sure how much leverage really exists.
Yes, threatening US companies in this way is... an approach.
I believe Canada is entirely reliant on the EU for vaccines (legally contracted). If the EU does go full psycho, it will be interesting to see if they block exports there. Perhaps not, because Canada’s vaccine programme is slower than the EU’s. I can’t see the EU blocking exports to the USA (are there any?) because realpolitik
So this is aimed at the UK, UAE and Israel.
No, neither UAE nor Israel is producing their own vaccines, AFAIK, so it is aimed solely at the UK.
Well their last scheme aimed at the UK spectacularly misfired, so who knows who is going to suffer with this latest wheeze.
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
That would depend on the offer they eventually make to us...
Boris becomes god-emperor of Europe?
Kate Bingham becomes goddess-empress, rather.
If Britain speeded up its exit plan, how difficult would it be for the EU to manage the the footage of Brits 'safely' enjoying life again?
I don't think the EU has any control over the internet or the airwaves.
Macron, one would hope, will face some very tough questions about how the UK was able up get over Covid while France languishes.
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
That would depend on the offer they eventually make to us...
Boris becomes god-emperor of Europe?
Let's be generous: we can agree to give Europe Dominion status.
Hartlepool is not really similar to BA which has been trending blue for years. It is much more like Easington or the Sunderland seats - I think it could go blue but unlikely - the idea that it's a 'must win' for the Tories is carrying the idea of spin to the next level. Pressure is all on Labour here - but I expect a win for Laboue unless they select Pidcock or worse.
That is a fair statement. From a longterm perspective Hartlepool has not been trending to the Tories.On very similar boundaries it was won by the Tories in 1959 and Labour won it back by a very modest majority in 1964. Even as late as February 1974 Labour's majority was circa 4,000 - very similar to 2019 despite the latter being a year of heavy defeat.
The respect in which Hartlepool is different is that I don't think it was ever a coalfield seat. That mattered, once. That was why the Tories could win it in the 50s whereas they simply wouldn't have had a chance in Easington.
I think coal in County Durham might now be far enough in the rear view mirror that this doesn't matter so much any more.
Excellent. Could hit 700k in a day later this week?
INFORMATION: the booking criteria on the NHS England website have been changed from 55+ to 50+
And on this general subject, if they're throwing the internet booking system open to anybody over 50 then, unless it will only accept a certain number of bookings at a time, this presumably means that everyone over 50 in England has effectively been offered the jab as of today? Now, assuming that the rest of the UK is on the same page or not very far behind, hopefully they'll be in a position to start working through people in their late 40s by the end of the month.
I think the "been offered" date refers to the date you're booked in for, not the date you get booked in. So if everyone over 50 booked online today but some could only get an appointment for next week Sunday, then everyone will have been offered an appointment by next week Sunday, not today.
That sounds fair enough. Regardless, as an impatient 44 year old, it's reassuring to see further progress being made.
Imagine being an impatient 49 year old.
Or an impatient 33 year old, my wife is in the category below as well as she's 29. Can't wait to lord my vaccine status over her for two weeks or so.
11 years between me and my wife so I reckon I've well over a month of lording over.
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
That would depend on the offer they eventually make to us...
Boris becomes god-emperor of Europe?
Kate Bingham becomes goddess-empress, rather.
If Britain speeded up its exit plan, how difficult would it be for the EU to manage the the footage of Brits 'safely' enjoying life again?
I don't think the EU has any control over the internet or the airwaves.
Macron, one would hope, will face some very tough questions about how the UK was able up get over Covid while France languishes.
Given how quickly he closed the Chunnel and Dover back in January, presumably he won’t mind too much if the UK reciprocates as their cases quickly fall to zero. Non, monsieur?
It's interesting that England is running so fewer 2nd doses compared to the other nations.
That changes from this week when millions of second doses become necessary per week.
From a bang per buck point of view it makes sense at a macro level.
You get 2/3rd risk reduction from a 1st shot in a fresh person, and just an extra 1/4 risk reduction from a second shot, so why wouldn't you maximise first shots?
There's a case for second shots for crusties over first shots for 20 year olds, as the risk or death for a 20 year old is so low.
Excellent. Could hit 700k in a day later this week?
INFORMATION: the booking criteria on the NHS England website have been changed from 55+ to 50+
And on this general subject, if they're throwing the internet booking system open to anybody over 50 then, unless it will only accept a certain number of bookings at a time, this presumably means that everyone over 50 in England has effectively been offered the jab as of today? Now, assuming that the rest of the UK is on the same page or not very far behind, hopefully they'll be in a position to start working through people in their late 40s by the end of the month.
I think the "been offered" date refers to the date you're booked in for, not the date you get booked in. So if everyone over 50 booked online today but some could only get an appointment for next week Sunday, then everyone will have been offered an appointment by next week Sunday, not today.
That sounds fair enough. Regardless, as an impatient 44 year old, it's reassuring to see further progress being made.
Imagine being an impatient 49 year old.
Or an impatient 33 year old, my wife is in the category below as well as she's 29. Can't wait to lord my vaccine status over her for two weeks or so.
11 years between me and my wife so I reckon I've well over a month of lording over.
Shouldn't that be a month of being forced to do all the shopping?
The best "rejoin" case now is probably that the EU simply can't cope or work without us, and have gone mad, and we need to go back in to lead them back to sanity and stability, or the whole lot will splinter apart.
Not sure how convincing that would be.
In fact - as I think I've posted previously - my strongest reason for voting Remain was my feeling that Brexit would damage the European Union and increase the risk of it imploding into atomized nationalism.
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Not sure how convincing that would be.
Considering the economic and social boosts Florida got from not having a lockdown, it also does not prove that lockdown was worth it.
CNN seem to have turned into the broadcasting wing of the New York Times.
Anyway: 1) the AZ vaccine is being offered at cost to the world's poorer countries, so they aren't really looking at huge returns; and
2) who in your view should have subsidised the losses made by those companies whose vaccine attempts failed?
Curiously, the state produced, old tech Sinovac vaccine is reputedly the most expensive vaccine on the market.
I want us to be friendly with the people of Europe like you. But the EU have lost their minds, they are not our allies right now.
Instead, it has turned into an historic fuckshambles. A series of slapstick moments by a genius clown, falling over buckets, walking into ladders, momentarily imposing a surprise border in Ireland
So they must be scared that the entire EU will come into question, as a concept; certainly some careers might end. Hence the panic and histrionics? But panicking just makes it worse...
https://twitter.com/DarrenEuronews/status/1372179187352666114?s=20
He merely pointed out that they have taken an independent line on the continued use of the AZN vaccine.
I don't think that even in his most enthusiastic moments that he called Belgium nirvana.
The Police only make the news there when people die.
They must imply the link because they are waiting to see the effect opening schools has. They are expecting some uptick in cases, I think, consistent with a firm belief in the thermostatic model of lockdown and cases.
A model that the Florida graphic suggests cannot be true. Lockdowns may indeed have an effect, but not at the fingertip touch sensitivity the government's slow release from lockdown implies. Lockdowns are not covid thermostats. Demonstrably.
I want a stable constructive relationship with the EU - particularly as I have family and friends there, who are affected by the politics - and because a secure and prosperous European backyard is in British interests.
Decent but no Drakeford.
But I'm not joking, I'm serious. The EU are not acting like allies by any stretch of the imagination. They're neighbours and we need to trade with them, but they're not friendly allies at the minute. I wish they were.
William he had valid, well articulated reasons for his opposition to Brexit. He now has valid, well articulated reasons for opposing the current EU leadership and their actions. These are not mutually incompatible positions to hold. I believe he has said how worried he is that this is a sign of a fundamental issue with the EU and the fact he is willing to accommodate those ideas is hugely to his credit. I am still of the view this is unfit leadership which reflects more on the way they pick their leaders rather than backing up my critical views of the EU as an institution.
I would be delighted if they would simply dump this current lot of Commissioners and put someone sensible in place to deal with this crisis.
As it is they've dug a hole so deep they're practically at Waitangi, New Zealand (and, yes, that is where it would be - I've checked: https://www.geodatos.net/en/antipodes/belgium/brussels#:~:text=Antipodes Belgium Belgium-,Antipode of Brussels, Belgium,, Chatham Islands, New Zealand.
https://www.politico.eu/coronavirus-in-europe/
It is as though it's somehow just unacceptable for v.d.L that we should be vaccinating at a faster rate than the rest of Europe, and that justifies any measures to prevent that, no matter how ridiculous (or counterproductive).
Strasbourg ?
So the EU is not doing so bad. It’s not scintillating (Ireland, what’s going on?) but it’s not appalling. They will get there. Just a bit slower than US/UK. I therefore don’t understand why the hysterics from Brussels, which emphasises the impression it is a disaster.
I am of course ignoring the AZ insanity. That is beyond the powers of my comprehension
https://www.ft.com/content/8e2e994e-9750-4de1-9cbc-31becd2ae0a8
Astrazeneca insists things are "on track" in the factory though. Maybe the factory is busy dealing with the contracts signed months before the EU's contracts were? I don't know.
The NHS is being very proactive to get us all lined up for our vaccinations.
But they would be welcome to him.
https://twitter.com/hendopolis/status/1372175231943651329?s=20
Also, daily second doses edging towards six figures, which is worth keeping an eye on.
FWIW I don't expect the Government to speed up its plans for England, but I'm cautiously optimistic that the "no sooner than" dates won't be put back.
She has to take personal responsibility for the failings to protect the institutions. This is a lesson that some in Britain could do with relearning too.
What it does show is a nice dose-response relationship. If there's a causal link between A and B then you expect more of A to cause more of B. If there's a causal link between severity of lockdown and rate of decline in cases, then you'd expect exactly what that graph shows. It's not proof, but it's also emphatically not supporting the argument that lockdowns are irrelevant.
Not sure about elsewhere.
Even though I am.
As a patient but eager 38 year old I now think its plausible that I might get jabbed in April, which didn't seem at all plausible even a few weeks ago.
You get 2/3rd risk reduction from a 1st shot in a fresh person, and just an extra 1/4 risk reduction from a second shot, so why wouldn't you maximise first shots?
Macron, one would hope, will face some very tough questions about how the UK was able up get over Covid while France languishes.
If so, could they exit the pandemic earlier, even while France and co struggle.
I think coal in County Durham might now be far enough in the rear view mirror that this doesn't matter so much any more.
https://twitter.com/UKCovid19Stats/status/1372186677616250885
AvdL may well be incompetent but at least she doesn't look like a rumpled dipso.
Sort of person I am. Big picture and holistic.