I don't support Nicola politically at all, but greatly admire her. I hope and think that in any contest between her and Salmond she will come first (by a mile); and that in any contest between her and Boris she will come an honourable second.
Salmond is rated as less trustworthy than Boris Johnson in Scotland!
I think these things can be more of a proxy for political opinion than an actual measure of trustworthiness. Unionist party supporters obviously aren't going to find Salmond trustworthy. And for SNP supporters, they know he's right about Sturgeon, but are furious with him for looking like spoiling the party. That gives him a constituency of independence supporters who don't have a strong enough stomach to stick with Sturgeon's visibly decomposing administration, and as we've seen here, those people are few and far between.
SOUNDS OF SILENCE Paul Simon (and a huge hit for Simon and Garfunkel back in ancient times)
Hello darkness, my old friend I've come to talk with you again Because a vision softly creeping Left its seeds while I was sleeping And the vision that was planted in my brain Still remains Within the sound of silence
In restless dreams I walked alone Narrow streets of cobblestone 'Neath the halo of a street lamp I turned my collar to the cold and damp When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light That split the night And touched the sound of silence
And in the naked light I saw Ten thousand people, maybe more People talking without speaking People hearing without listening People writing songs that voices never share No one dared Disturb the sound of silence
"Fools" said I, "You do not know Silence like a cancer grows Hear my words that I might teach you Take my arms that I might reach you" But my words like silent raindrops fell And echoed in the wells of silence
And the people bowed and prayed To the neon god they made And the sign flashed out its warning In the words that it was forming And the sign said, "The words of the prophets Are written on the subway walls And tenement halls And whispered in the sounds of silence"
Probably too well known, but my favourite was the shop that sold cheap camping gear and was called:
Now is the Winter of our Discount Tent
There is a dog groomer in Brierley Hill called "Doggy Style".
My favourite however is an estate agent in Kidderminster, and no word of a lie, the names are genuine. "Doolittle and Dalley".
Our dog groomer is Bone Idol, which is pretty good.
You have a dog groomer?!!
I thought they were fictional things from the movies.
People actually pay money for someone to groom their dog?
Bonkers
That's harsh. The wife's really. A little fluffy white bichon frise, name of Mabel. If she's not groomed, she wouldn't be able to see after a couple of months (the dog, not the wife).
And anyway, we don't pay as she is used as a practice dog for apprentices. Risky, but cheap.
I've often been critical of the Lib Dems, or possibly Lib Dem (they've become thin on the ground).
Today Leyla Moran appeared on tv and spoke the most sense and sounded the most coherent of any LD politician for ages. Admittedly she wasn't reflecting LD policy, but its so nice to hear sense in the vacuum that has been the middle of British politics for ten years.
The survey also found that most independence supporters agreed with other verifiably false statements relating to official Scottish Government figures. These are myths widely shared on social media which, to be blunt, imply that the Scottish Government’s economists are idiots.
- 54 per cent of independence supporters agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because of Scottish exports leaving via English ports'
- 66 per cent agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because taxes generated by the whisky industry are not properly allocated to Scotland'
- 55 per cent agree that 'Scotland is only seen to be running a deficit because some costs outside of Scotland, like HS2 and infrastructure spending in the South East, are charged to Scotland'
This denial of the Scottish Government’s economic data and belief in myths about how the figures are compiled is consistent with our survey’s finding that only 20 per cent of independence supporters are aware that total public spending in Scotland is more than the amount raised in taxes.
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
1. Starmer is far too serious, dull, boring, competent, intelligent and staid to warm the hearts of the British public. Especially against BJ, that fount of entertaining charisma, he faces electoral oblivion.
2. The last thing that Starmer should do is damage his reputation for being serious, boring, intelligent etc. etc. by trying to show that he also has a lighter, more whimsical side to his personality. That would lead to electoral oblivion.
I am batting for Starmer, but I really think he should avoid the silly stunts. If it's whimsy you are after, Blair played guitar or did "keepy uppies". It was cool. I am not suggesting Starmer tries keepy-uppies, that would be a recipe for disaster, but you know what I mean.Being a smart arse in John Lewis or a boxing club isn't big or clever.
He's a lawyer. He could do some lawyery stuff. How about this? Go to Tehran on the QT and come back with Mrs Ratcliffe.
I fear your Tehran suggestion may be more appropriate for the SAS than for a North London lawyer.
Worth a try, I thought.
Your idea would be a great stunt for Johnson to perform. As the SAS return to Akrotiri, a heavily camouflaged Johnson carries a shellshocked Mrs Ratcliffe from the Chinook. I am not suggesting Johnson flies in the Chinook (very dangerous) but arrives just before the media.
All his current troubles would evaporate into the ether.
Tomorrow is the 21st anniversary of the last time the LibDems won a Westminster seat from the Conservatives (Romsey).
Brecon and Radnor was just two years ago!
Ah yes - but that was just rank spite by May. By letting the local party have a convicted crim as their candidate, it guaranteed a loss. Thereby giving Boris a loss after 10 tens days of becoming PM!
One of the more bizarre by-elections. The LibDems didn't so much win it as were gifted it!
There is a worryingly high (for her) number of people with the a 'destroy Sturgeon' red button. Salmond is no doubt one of them, and I think the UK Government has the means too. She's completely compromised.
What's the UK Gov's red button. As it stands I don't think launching a nuclear strike on Govanhill is on the table so I'm a bit clueless.
Circumventing or changing current legal restrictions that currently prevent showing Sturgeon in a negative light. Possibly by extending parliamentary privilege to Holyrood.
David Davis used Westminster parliamentary privilege to dump a bunch of Salmond material about Sturgeon and no one gave a shit.
Or are you going for the wackier end of the conspiracy theories?
My favourite one is the "Everyone knows that" Sturgeon is having an affair with the French Ambassador in Judy Murray's former home in the Bridge of Allan.
The yooniverse is so convinced it is true to such a degree that it is almost heartbreaking to see their earnestness.
The survey also found that most independence supporters agreed with other verifiably false statements relating to official Scottish Government figures. These are myths widely shared on social media which, to be blunt, imply that the Scottish Government’s economists are idiots.
- 54 per cent of independence supporters agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because of Scottish exports leaving via English ports'
- 66 per cent agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because taxes generated by the whisky industry are not properly allocated to Scotland'
- 55 per cent agree that 'Scotland is only seen to be running a deficit because some costs outside of Scotland, like HS2 and infrastructure spending in the South East, are charged to Scotland'
This denial of the Scottish Government’s economic data and belief in myths about how the figures are compiled is consistent with our survey’s finding that only 20 per cent of independence supporters are aware that total public spending in Scotland is more than the amount raised in taxes.
And those jobs would need to be done if Scotland was independent.
Or they will be lost and the Red Wall will celebrate even more jobs...
Before SIndyref1 the UK government drew up a list of UK agencies serving all the UK - that Scotland would need to replicate on independence, assuming they wanted to maintain the same services. There were over 200, compared to the 50 currently in Scotland.
The survey also found that most independence supporters agreed with other verifiably false statements relating to official Scottish Government figures. These are myths widely shared on social media which, to be blunt, imply that the Scottish Government’s economists are idiots.
- 54 per cent of independence supporters agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because of Scottish exports leaving via English ports'
- 66 per cent agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because taxes generated by the whisky industry are not properly allocated to Scotland'
- 55 per cent agree that 'Scotland is only seen to be running a deficit because some costs outside of Scotland, like HS2 and infrastructure spending in the South East, are charged to Scotland'
This denial of the Scottish Government’s economic data and belief in myths about how the figures are compiled is consistent with our survey’s finding that only 20 per cent of independence supporters are aware that total public spending in Scotland is more than the amount raised in taxes.
And those jobs would need to be done if Scotland was independent.
Or they will be lost and the Red Wall will celebrate even more jobs...
Before SIndyref1 the UK government drew up a list of UK agencies serving all the UK - that Scotland would need to replicate on independence, assuming they wanted to maintain the same services. There were over 200, compared to the 50 currently in Scotland.
Wasn't one of them that Scotland appare tly needed to replicate the Wilton Park Conference Centre?
NI & Wales in particular have a relatively high proportion of civil servants to their population. Scotland is higher than any English region outside London/the North East:
Tomorrow is the 21st anniversary of the last time the LibDems won a Westminster seat from the Conservatives (Romsey).
Brecon and Radnor was just two years ago!
Ah yes - but that was just rank spite by May. By letting the local party have a convicted crim as their candidate, it guaranteed a loss. Thereby giving Boris a loss after 10 tens days of becoming PM!
One of the more bizarre by-elections. The LibDems didn't so much win it as were gifted it!
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Battle? it won't be a battle. It will be a massacre.
Recent Texas Special election, Trump endorsed candidate came top. Followed by another Repub. Dems trailing.
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
There is a worryingly high (for her) number of people with the a 'destroy Sturgeon' red button. Salmond is no doubt one of them, and I think the UK Government has the means too. She's completely compromised.
What's the UK Gov's red button. As it stands I don't think launching a nuclear strike on Govanhill is on the table so I'm a bit clueless.
Circumventing or changing current legal restrictions that currently prevent showing Sturgeon in a negative light. Possibly by extending parliamentary privilege to Holyrood.
David Davis used Westminster parliamentary privilege to dump a bunch of Salmond material about Sturgeon and no one gave a shit.
Or are you going for the wackier end of the conspiracy theories?
My favourite one is the "Everyone knows that" Sturgeon is having an affair with the French Ambassador in Judy Murray's former home in the Bridge of Allan.
The yooniverse is so convinced it is true to such a degree that it is almost heartbreaking to see their earnestness.
You ask me a question to which I can't give an answer.
The survey also found that most independence supporters agreed with other verifiably false statements relating to official Scottish Government figures. These are myths widely shared on social media which, to be blunt, imply that the Scottish Government’s economists are idiots.
- 54 per cent of independence supporters agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because of Scottish exports leaving via English ports'
- 66 per cent agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because taxes generated by the whisky industry are not properly allocated to Scotland'
- 55 per cent agree that 'Scotland is only seen to be running a deficit because some costs outside of Scotland, like HS2 and infrastructure spending in the South East, are charged to Scotland'
This denial of the Scottish Government’s economic data and belief in myths about how the figures are compiled is consistent with our survey’s finding that only 20 per cent of independence supporters are aware that total public spending in Scotland is more than the amount raised in taxes.
And those jobs would need to be done if Scotland was independent.
Or they will be lost and the Red Wall will celebrate even more jobs...
Before SIndyref1 the UK government drew up a list of UK agencies serving all the UK - that Scotland would need to replicate on independence, assuming they wanted to maintain the same services. There were over 200, compared to the 50 currently in Scotland.
So being an independent country requires having agencies?
So what? Just do it. Independent countries have agencies, it's not a deal breaker.
The survey also found that most independence supporters agreed with other verifiably false statements relating to official Scottish Government figures. These are myths widely shared on social media which, to be blunt, imply that the Scottish Government’s economists are idiots.
- 54 per cent of independence supporters agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because of Scottish exports leaving via English ports'
- 66 per cent agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because taxes generated by the whisky industry are not properly allocated to Scotland'
- 55 per cent agree that 'Scotland is only seen to be running a deficit because some costs outside of Scotland, like HS2 and infrastructure spending in the South East, are charged to Scotland'
This denial of the Scottish Government’s economic data and belief in myths about how the figures are compiled is consistent with our survey’s finding that only 20 per cent of independence supporters are aware that total public spending in Scotland is more than the amount raised in taxes.
And those jobs would need to be done if Scotland was independent.
Or they will be lost and the Red Wall will celebrate even more jobs...
Before SIndyref1 the UK government drew up a list of UK agencies serving all the UK - that Scotland would need to replicate on independence, assuming they wanted to maintain the same services. There were over 200, compared to the 50 currently in Scotland.
So being an independent country requires having agencies?
So what? Just do it. Independent countries have agencies, it's not a deal breaker.
No one is arguing that they shouldn't have them. They are arguing that they wouldn't come for free.
The video doesn't show what he was saying before the police arrest him following what they can be heard to describe as 'Complaints from members of the public that [you] have caused them harm and distress by making [homophobic statements]'. Since we don't hear what he said, I really don't see how we can conclude if their behaviour is justified.
There's a longer video (I'll try and link) where you can hear him preaching that marriage is for "a man and a woman only"
This is basic Christian doctrine, I believe? Besides, this is a matter of opinion, and he is entitled to his opinion and entitled to speak it. He does not stir up hatred or violence
Absolutely. It may seem strange to modern and younger ears but marriage is for life and only between one man and one woman is the basic doctrine of Anglicans, Roman Catholics, the Orthodox churches, Methodists, Baptists and lots of others. Most of these people are tolerant, ordinary members of the public. Many of them are MPs.
As Mitt Romney said:
"I believe marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman... and a woman... and a woman"
Why did the Mormon marry a parrot?
Because it was the only way he could commit Polly-gamy.
The survey also found that most independence supporters agreed with other verifiably false statements relating to official Scottish Government figures. These are myths widely shared on social media which, to be blunt, imply that the Scottish Government’s economists are idiots.
- 54 per cent of independence supporters agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because of Scottish exports leaving via English ports'
- 66 per cent agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because taxes generated by the whisky industry are not properly allocated to Scotland'
- 55 per cent agree that 'Scotland is only seen to be running a deficit because some costs outside of Scotland, like HS2 and infrastructure spending in the South East, are charged to Scotland'
This denial of the Scottish Government’s economic data and belief in myths about how the figures are compiled is consistent with our survey’s finding that only 20 per cent of independence supporters are aware that total public spending in Scotland is more than the amount raised in taxes.
And those jobs would need to be done if Scotland was independent.
Or they will be lost and the Red Wall will celebrate even more jobs...
Before SIndyref1 the UK government drew up a list of UK agencies serving all the UK - that Scotland would need to replicate on independence, assuming they wanted to maintain the same services. There were over 200, compared to the 50 currently in Scotland.
So being an independent country requires having agencies?
So what? Just do it. Independent countries have agencies, it's not a deal breaker.
No one is arguing that they shouldn't have them. They are arguing that they wouldn't come for free.
It's a silly thing to argue over.
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Ireland all have about the same population as Scotland. Do any of them have trouble paying for or staffing their required agencies?
The survey also found that most independence supporters agreed with other verifiably false statements relating to official Scottish Government figures. These are myths widely shared on social media which, to be blunt, imply that the Scottish Government’s economists are idiots.
- 54 per cent of independence supporters agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because of Scottish exports leaving via English ports'
- 66 per cent agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because taxes generated by the whisky industry are not properly allocated to Scotland'
- 55 per cent agree that 'Scotland is only seen to be running a deficit because some costs outside of Scotland, like HS2 and infrastructure spending in the South East, are charged to Scotland'
This denial of the Scottish Government’s economic data and belief in myths about how the figures are compiled is consistent with our survey’s finding that only 20 per cent of independence supporters are aware that total public spending in Scotland is more than the amount raised in taxes.
And those jobs would need to be done if Scotland was independent.
Or they will be lost and the Red Wall will celebrate even more jobs...
Before SIndyref1 the UK government drew up a list of UK agencies serving all the UK - that Scotland would need to replicate on independence, assuming they wanted to maintain the same services. There were over 200, compared to the 50 currently in Scotland.
So being an independent country requires having agencies?
So what? Just do it. Independent countries have agencies, it's not a deal breaker.
No one is arguing that they shouldn't have them. They are arguing that they wouldn't come for free.
It's a silly thing to argue over.
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Ireland all have about the same population as Scotland. Do any of them have trouble paying for or staffing their required agencies?
No, but it would be false to claim that there would be no additional cost involved, don't you think?
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
More manna from heaven for the Trump tendency comes in the form of the new US census. The census apparently shows 5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting.
Open the doc and what do I see on the first page? Forestry Comission. That's devolved, there's a Scottish Forestry Comission. Can't really be arsed to go through the rest of the list to spot what devolved institutions have been listed in the doc.
The survey also found that most independence supporters agreed with other verifiably false statements relating to official Scottish Government figures. These are myths widely shared on social media which, to be blunt, imply that the Scottish Government’s economists are idiots.
- 54 per cent of independence supporters agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because of Scottish exports leaving via English ports'
- 66 per cent agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because taxes generated by the whisky industry are not properly allocated to Scotland'
- 55 per cent agree that 'Scotland is only seen to be running a deficit because some costs outside of Scotland, like HS2 and infrastructure spending in the South East, are charged to Scotland'
This denial of the Scottish Government’s economic data and belief in myths about how the figures are compiled is consistent with our survey’s finding that only 20 per cent of independence supporters are aware that total public spending in Scotland is more than the amount raised in taxes.
And those jobs would need to be done if Scotland was independent.
Or they will be lost and the Red Wall will celebrate even more jobs...
Before SIndyref1 the UK government drew up a list of UK agencies serving all the UK - that Scotland would need to replicate on independence, assuming they wanted to maintain the same services. There were over 200, compared to the 50 currently in Scotland.
So being an independent country requires having agencies?
So what? Just do it. Independent countries have agencies, it's not a deal breaker.
No one is arguing that they shouldn't have them. They are arguing that they wouldn't come for free.
It's a silly thing to argue over.
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Ireland all have about the same population as Scotland. Do any of them have trouble paying for or staffing their required agencies?
A lot of the arguments for and against Indy are financial and economical. Why is it silly to make clear something that would add to the financial burden?
Yes, all those countries assimilate the cost of all the requisite agencies - if they were in a union, they would share those costs with the other members and benefit from efficiencies. As they aren't, they don't.
If Boris was TRULY that lucky, the one person who died in today's numbers would have died the day before. Announcing ZERO deaths before the local elections would be worth a thousand Starmer stunts.
If Boris was TRULY that lucky, the one person who died in today's numbers would have died the day before. Announcing ZERO deaths before the local elections would be worth a thousand Starmer stunts.
What a bizarre post in the light of 150,000 Covid fatalities to date.
Exclusive: Tory staff furious over flat refurbishment after being told no cash for pay rises
Officials at CCHQ and regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019
Conservative Party HQ staff are in uproar over the costly revamp of Boris Johnson's Downing Street flat after officials were told there was no money for pay rises.
Party officials were "furious" to discover that almost £60,000 from Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) funds was channelled to pay an invoice for the flat refurbishment while at the same time staff were informed their pay was being frozen.
Officials at CCHQ and at regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019. The Telegraph understands that in February, Aimee Henderson, the Conservative Party's finance director, told employees the party was in no position to "splash the cash".
Ms Henderson said a pay rise even linked to inflation inflation would not be possible this year.
It has now emerged that at about the same time, the Conservative Party picked up part of the tab for the flat in Downing Street occupied by Mr Johnson and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds. It is alleged that the party paid £58,000 towards the revamp....
...One Tory staff member said: "People in HQ and in the field were furious that, after we'd all worked so hard on the general election, we couldn't even have a pay rise in line with inflation. The finance director said it was no time to 'splash the cash', which went down very badly."
If Boris was TRULY that lucky, the one person who died in today's numbers would have died the day before. Announcing ZERO deaths before the local elections would be worth a thousand Starmer stunts.
What a bizarre post in the light of 150,000 Covid fatalities to date.
128,000. It's not as if 22,000 don't matter to you, do they?
Exclusive: Tory staff furious over flat refurbishment after being told no cash for pay rises
Officials at CCHQ and regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019
Conservative Party HQ staff are in uproar over the costly revamp of Boris Johnson's Downing Street flat after officials were told there was no money for pay rises.
Party officials were "furious" to discover that almost £60,000 from Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) funds was channelled to pay an invoice for the flat refurbishment while at the same time staff were informed their pay was being frozen.
Officials at CCHQ and at regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019. The Telegraph understands that in February, Aimee Henderson, the Conservative Party's finance director, told employees the party was in no position to "splash the cash".
Ms Henderson said a pay rise even linked to inflation inflation would not be possible this year.
It has now emerged that at about the same time, the Conservative Party picked up part of the tab for the flat in Downing Street occupied by Mr Johnson and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds. It is alleged that the party paid £58,000 towards the revamp....
...One Tory staff member said: "People in HQ and in the field were furious that, after we'd all worked so hard on the general election, we couldn't even have a pay rise in line with inflation. The finance director said it was no time to 'splash the cash', which went down very badly."
Probably too well known, but my favourite was the shop that sold cheap camping gear and was called:
Now is the Winter of our Discount Tent
There is a dog groomer in Brierley Hill called "Doggy Style".
My favourite however is an estate agent in Kidderminster, and no word of a lie, the names are genuine. "Doolittle and Dalley".
Our dog groomer is Bone Idol, which is pretty good.
You have a dog groomer?!!
I thought they were fictional things from the movies.
People actually pay money for someone to groom their dog?
Bonkers
Don't knock it. This is our way out of the post-Covid economic malaise. A hundred dog groomers in every high street.
P.S. I am not expecting to be corrected as to the mechanics of supply and demand economics.
Don’t get me wrong.
Economically it’s great that rich people spend their money on labour-intensive local services.
I fully support that kind of capitalist redistribution of wealth.
It just strikes me as a bonkers thing to spend your money on. I don’t think I’d be a very good rich person lol.
There was considerable surprise, here, when I mentioned that there are people making a living demonstrating/teaching the setup of Herman Miller Aeron chairs (and the associated desks).
If Boris was TRULY that lucky, the one person who died in today's numbers would have died the day before. Announcing ZERO deaths before the local elections would be worth a thousand Starmer stunts.
What a bizarre post in the light of 150,000 Covid fatalities to date.
128,000. It's not as if 22,000 don't matter to you, do they?
On the government's own dashboard they show the 150,000 figure.
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
More manna from heaven for the Trump tendency comes in the form of the new US census. The census apparently shows 5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting.
Its going to run and run with repub voters, this.
So Trump actually lost by 12 million votes rather than 7 million?
Exclusive: Tory staff furious over flat refurbishment after being told no cash for pay rises
Officials at CCHQ and regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019
Conservative Party HQ staff are in uproar over the costly revamp of Boris Johnson's Downing Street flat after officials were told there was no money for pay rises.
Party officials were "furious" to discover that almost £60,000 from Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) funds was channelled to pay an invoice for the flat refurbishment while at the same time staff were informed their pay was being frozen.
Officials at CCHQ and at regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019. The Telegraph understands that in February, Aimee Henderson, the Conservative Party's finance director, told employees the party was in no position to "splash the cash".
Ms Henderson said a pay rise even linked to inflation inflation would not be possible this year.
It has now emerged that at about the same time, the Conservative Party picked up part of the tab for the flat in Downing Street occupied by Mr Johnson and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds. It is alleged that the party paid £58,000 towards the revamp....
...One Tory staff member said: "People in HQ and in the field were furious that, after we'd all worked so hard on the general election, we couldn't even have a pay rise in line with inflation. The finance director said it was no time to 'splash the cash', which went down very badly."
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
More manna from heaven for the Trump tendency comes in the form of the new US census. The census apparently shows 5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting.
Its going to run and run with repub voters, this.
How would a census show that?
How about you share a link demonstrating that "5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting."
Exclusive: Tory staff furious over flat refurbishment after being told no cash for pay rises
Officials at CCHQ and regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019
Conservative Party HQ staff are in uproar over the costly revamp of Boris Johnson's Downing Street flat after officials were told there was no money for pay rises.
Party officials were "furious" to discover that almost £60,000 from Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) funds was channelled to pay an invoice for the flat refurbishment while at the same time staff were informed their pay was being frozen.
Officials at CCHQ and at regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019. The Telegraph understands that in February, Aimee Henderson, the Conservative Party's finance director, told employees the party was in no position to "splash the cash".
Ms Henderson said a pay rise even linked to inflation inflation would not be possible this year.
It has now emerged that at about the same time, the Conservative Party picked up part of the tab for the flat in Downing Street occupied by Mr Johnson and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds. It is alleged that the party paid £58,000 towards the revamp....
...One Tory staff member said: "People in HQ and in the field were furious that, after we'd all worked so hard on the general election, we couldn't even have a pay rise in line with inflation. The finance director said it was no time to 'splash the cash', which went down very badly."
The survey also found that most independence supporters agreed with other verifiably false statements relating to official Scottish Government figures. These are myths widely shared on social media which, to be blunt, imply that the Scottish Government’s economists are idiots.
- 54 per cent of independence supporters agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because of Scottish exports leaving via English ports'
- 66 per cent agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because taxes generated by the whisky industry are not properly allocated to Scotland'
- 55 per cent agree that 'Scotland is only seen to be running a deficit because some costs outside of Scotland, like HS2 and infrastructure spending in the South East, are charged to Scotland'
This denial of the Scottish Government’s economic data and belief in myths about how the figures are compiled is consistent with our survey’s finding that only 20 per cent of independence supporters are aware that total public spending in Scotland is more than the amount raised in taxes.
And those jobs would need to be done if Scotland was independent.
Or they will be lost and the Red Wall will celebrate even more jobs...
Before SIndyref1 the UK government drew up a list of UK agencies serving all the UK - that Scotland would need to replicate on independence, assuming they wanted to maintain the same services. There were over 200, compared to the 50 currently in Scotland.
So being an independent country requires having agencies?
So what? Just do it. Independent countries have agencies, it's not a deal breaker.
No one is arguing that they shouldn't have them. They are arguing that they wouldn't come for free.
It's a silly thing to argue over.
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Ireland all have about the same population as Scotland. Do any of them have trouble paying for or staffing their required agencies?
No, but it would be false to claim that there would be no additional cost involved, don't you think?
No, because it is swings and roundabouts.
Some agencies would need to be created or expanded, but others that serve the whole of the UK are currently bigger than they'd need to be. They could be shrank, some people could be redeployed etc.
Exclusive: Tory staff furious over flat refurbishment after being told no cash for pay rises
Officials at CCHQ and regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019
Conservative Party HQ staff are in uproar over the costly revamp of Boris Johnson's Downing Street flat after officials were told there was no money for pay rises.
Party officials were "furious" to discover that almost £60,000 from Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) funds was channelled to pay an invoice for the flat refurbishment while at the same time staff were informed their pay was being frozen.
Officials at CCHQ and at regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019. The Telegraph understands that in February, Aimee Henderson, the Conservative Party's finance director, told employees the party was in no position to "splash the cash".
Ms Henderson said a pay rise even linked to inflation inflation would not be possible this year.
It has now emerged that at about the same time, the Conservative Party picked up part of the tab for the flat in Downing Street occupied by Mr Johnson and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds. It is alleged that the party paid £58,000 towards the revamp....
...One Tory staff member said: "People in HQ and in the field were furious that, after we'd all worked so hard on the general election, we couldn't even have a pay rise in line with inflation. The finance director said it was no time to 'splash the cash', which went down very badly."
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
More manna from heaven for the Trump tendency comes in the form of the new US census. The census apparently shows 5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting.
Its going to run and run with repub voters, this.
How would a census show that?
How about you share a link demonstrating that "5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting."
I thought of asking him for that, but decided it would be as pointless as asking Gavin Williamson to show some integrity or Amanda Spielman to explain a point of education policy.
If Boris was TRULY that lucky, the one person who died in today's numbers would have died the day before. Announcing ZERO deaths before the local elections would be worth a thousand Starmer stunts.
What a bizarre post in the light of 150,000 Covid fatalities to date.
128,000. It's not as if 22,000 don't matter to you, do they?
Exclusive: Tory staff furious over flat refurbishment after being told no cash for pay rises
Officials at CCHQ and regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019
Conservative Party HQ staff are in uproar over the costly revamp of Boris Johnson's Downing Street flat after officials were told there was no money for pay rises.
Party officials were "furious" to discover that almost £60,000 from Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) funds was channelled to pay an invoice for the flat refurbishment while at the same time staff were informed their pay was being frozen.
Officials at CCHQ and at regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019. The Telegraph understands that in February, Aimee Henderson, the Conservative Party's finance director, told employees the party was in no position to "splash the cash".
Ms Henderson said a pay rise even linked to inflation inflation would not be possible this year.
It has now emerged that at about the same time, the Conservative Party picked up part of the tab for the flat in Downing Street occupied by Mr Johnson and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds. It is alleged that the party paid £58,000 towards the revamp....
...One Tory staff member said: "People in HQ and in the field were furious that, after we'd all worked so hard on the general election, we couldn't even have a pay rise in line with inflation. The finance director said it was no time to 'splash the cash', which went down very badly."
If Boris was TRULY that lucky, the one person who died in today's numbers would have died the day before. Announcing ZERO deaths before the local elections would be worth a thousand Starmer stunts.
What a bizarre post in the light of 150,000 Covid fatalities to date.
128,000. It's not as if 22,000 don't matter to you, do they?
On the government's own dashboard they show the 150,000 figure.
Which is tens of thousands more than the excess deaths.
Because they're counting deaths with Covid rather than deaths from.
How has the weather been for most people today? Her in Buchan its been mostly overcast with sunny spells - but dry and warm enough for short sleeves.
High winds and sandstorms here, low visibility but 35°C.
Wet, windy and cold pretty well all over Wales and the Midlands AFAICS.
SHITE in north London. Unredeemed SHITE
The weather is diabolical in Hampshire. Driving rain and what sounds like gale-force winds too.
This could be kristallnacht for my vegetable patch.
This is, I think, the autumn-winter-spring that finally tips me into buying a bolthole abroad. Portugal or Greece. Enough, now
So much grey, so much cold, so much rubbish
Spend two weeks for two years in a property that you own in Portugal, worth €350 000 and you get a Golden Visa, and can escape the folly that the Brexiteers have inflicted on the rest of us. Apparently the language test for citizenship isn't too bad either.
The survey also found that most independence supporters agreed with other verifiably false statements relating to official Scottish Government figures. These are myths widely shared on social media which, to be blunt, imply that the Scottish Government’s economists are idiots.
- 54 per cent of independence supporters agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because of Scottish exports leaving via English ports'
- 66 per cent agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because taxes generated by the whisky industry are not properly allocated to Scotland'
- 55 per cent agree that 'Scotland is only seen to be running a deficit because some costs outside of Scotland, like HS2 and infrastructure spending in the South East, are charged to Scotland'
This denial of the Scottish Government’s economic data and belief in myths about how the figures are compiled is consistent with our survey’s finding that only 20 per cent of independence supporters are aware that total public spending in Scotland is more than the amount raised in taxes.
And those jobs would need to be done if Scotland was independent.
Or they will be lost and the Red Wall will celebrate even more jobs...
Before SIndyref1 the UK government drew up a list of UK agencies serving all the UK - that Scotland would need to replicate on independence, assuming they wanted to maintain the same services. There were over 200, compared to the 50 currently in Scotland.
So being an independent country requires having agencies?
So what? Just do it. Independent countries have agencies, it's not a deal breaker.
No one is arguing that they shouldn't have them. They are arguing that they wouldn't come for free.
It's a silly thing to argue over.
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Ireland all have about the same population as Scotland. Do any of them have trouble paying for or staffing their required agencies?
No, but it would be false to claim that there would be no additional cost involved, don't you think?
Not even that necessarily. Smaller organizations can be more efficient as they can have fewer layers and can reduce time spent on coordination and communication massively.
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
More manna from heaven for the Trump tendency comes in the form of the new US census. The census apparently shows 5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting.
Its going to run and run with repub voters, this.
How would a census show that?
How about you share a link demonstrating that "5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting."
Perhaps the bigger story here is that the redistribution of House seats following the Census is far less than when the original Census predictions came out last year. The official Census count is a lot more favourable to the Democrats which is getting the Republicans asking questions. And the Census Board is directing questions to the White House, which is not the standard pattern.
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
More manna from heaven for the Trump tendency comes in the form of the new US census. The census apparently shows 5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting.
Its going to run and run with repub voters, this.
How would a census show that?
How about you share a link demonstrating that "5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting."
Exclusive: Tory staff furious over flat refurbishment after being told no cash for pay rises
Officials at CCHQ and regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019
Conservative Party HQ staff are in uproar over the costly revamp of Boris Johnson's Downing Street flat after officials were told there was no money for pay rises.
Party officials were "furious" to discover that almost £60,000 from Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) funds was channelled to pay an invoice for the flat refurbishment while at the same time staff were informed their pay was being frozen.
Officials at CCHQ and at regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019. The Telegraph understands that in February, Aimee Henderson, the Conservative Party's finance director, told employees the party was in no position to "splash the cash".
Ms Henderson said a pay rise even linked to inflation inflation would not be possible this year.
It has now emerged that at about the same time, the Conservative Party picked up part of the tab for the flat in Downing Street occupied by Mr Johnson and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds. It is alleged that the party paid £58,000 towards the revamp....
...One Tory staff member said: "People in HQ and in the field were furious that, after we'd all worked so hard on the general election, we couldn't even have a pay rise in line with inflation. The finance director said it was no time to 'splash the cash', which went down very badly."
How has the weather been for most people today? Her in Buchan its been mostly overcast with sunny spells - but dry and warm enough for short sleeves.
High winds and sandstorms here, low visibility but 35°C.
Wet, windy and cold pretty well all over Wales and the Midlands AFAICS.
SHITE in north London. Unredeemed SHITE
The weather is diabolical in Hampshire. Driving rain and what sounds like gale-force winds too.
This could be kristallnacht for my vegetable patch.
This is, I think, the autumn-winter-spring that finally tips me into buying a bolthole abroad. Portugal or Greece. Enough, now
So much grey, so much cold, so much rubbish
Spend two weeks for two years in a property that you own in Portugal, worth €350 000 and you get a Golden Visa, and can escape the folly that the Brexiteers have inflicted on the rest of us. Apparently the language test for citizenship isn't too bad either.
One wonders why one bothered to be a Brexiter sometimes.
How has the weather been for most people today? Her in Buchan its been mostly overcast with sunny spells - but dry and warm enough for short sleeves.
High winds and sandstorms here, low visibility but 35°C.
Wet, windy and cold pretty well all over Wales and the Midlands AFAICS.
SHITE in north London. Unredeemed SHITE
The weather is diabolical in Hampshire. Driving rain and what sounds like gale-force winds too.
This could be kristallnacht for my vegetable patch.
This is, I think, the autumn-winter-spring that finally tips me into buying a bolthole abroad. Portugal or Greece. Enough, now
So much grey, so much cold, so much rubbish
Spend two weeks for two years in a property that you own in Portugal, worth €350 000 and you get a Golden Visa, and can escape the folly that the Brexiteers have inflicted on the rest of us. Apparently the language test for citizenship isn't too bad either.
Greece is €250,000 for a visa but the alphabet is something I can't cope with.
However while a Golden visa does allow you to work in that country it won't allow you to work in other european countries.
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
More manna from heaven for the Trump tendency comes in the form of the new US census. The census apparently shows 5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting.
Its going to run and run with repub voters, this.
Haven't seen that one. Oh dear. Let's be honest, if Trump had won and that snippet came out, this site would have exploded with outrage.
@stodge BTW, I didn't comment on what you asked about whether the Trump faction would be in control. Short answer is yes - Susan Wright (who looks to be favourite to win TX-6) was Trump's backed candidate and came out after the vote quoting MAGA.
How has the weather been for most people today? Her in Buchan its been mostly overcast with sunny spells - but dry and warm enough for short sleeves.
High winds and sandstorms here, low visibility but 35°C.
Wet, windy and cold pretty well all over Wales and the Midlands AFAICS.
SHITE in north London. Unredeemed SHITE
The weather is diabolical in Hampshire. Driving rain and what sounds like gale-force winds too.
This could be kristallnacht for my vegetable patch.
This is, I think, the autumn-winter-spring that finally tips me into buying a bolthole abroad. Portugal or Greece. Enough, now
So much grey, so much cold, so much rubbish
Spend two weeks for two years in a property that you own in Portugal, worth €350 000 and you get a Golden Visa, and can escape the folly that the Brexiteers have inflicted on the rest of us. Apparently the language test for citizenship isn't too bad either.
Greece is €250,000 for a visa but the alphabet is something I can't cope with.
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
More manna from heaven for the Trump tendency comes in the form of the new US census. The census apparently shows 5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting.
Its going to run and run with repub voters, this.
How would a census show that?
How about you share a link demonstrating that "5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting."
Perhaps the bigger story here is that the redistribution of House seats following the Census is far less than when the original Census predictions came out last year. The official Census count is a lot more favourable to the Democrats which is getting the Republicans asking questions. And the Census Board is directing questions to the White House, which is not the standard pattern.
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
Texas 6th CD is a bit more conservative that the ideal target for Dems in these parts, Trumpsky did win it by just 3% over Biden, but the late Mr Wright (husband of yesterday's top vote-getter) was 9% ahead of his Democratic challenger last fall.
And part of the Dem's problem yesterday was low turnout. Which will be much less of a problem in 2020 midterms.
That said, one other factoid from TX CD06 special election, was that the lone anti-Trump Republican hopeful, Michael Wood, got just 5% of the GOP vote and 3% of the total vote.
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Battle? it won't be a battle. It will be a massacre.
Recent Texas Special election, Trump endorsed candidate came top. Followed by another Repub. Dems trailing.
Exclusive: Tory staff furious over flat refurbishment after being told no cash for pay rises
Officials at CCHQ and regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019
Conservative Party HQ staff are in uproar over the costly revamp of Boris Johnson's Downing Street flat after officials were told there was no money for pay rises.
Party officials were "furious" to discover that almost £60,000 from Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) funds was channelled to pay an invoice for the flat refurbishment while at the same time staff were informed their pay was being frozen.
Officials at CCHQ and at regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019. The Telegraph understands that in February, Aimee Henderson, the Conservative Party's finance director, told employees the party was in no position to "splash the cash".
Ms Henderson said a pay rise even linked to inflation inflation would not be possible this year.
It has now emerged that at about the same time, the Conservative Party picked up part of the tab for the flat in Downing Street occupied by Mr Johnson and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds. It is alleged that the party paid £58,000 towards the revamp....
...One Tory staff member said: "People in HQ and in the field were furious that, after we'd all worked so hard on the general election, we couldn't even have a pay rise in line with inflation. The finance director said it was no time to 'splash the cash', which went down very badly."
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
More manna from heaven for the Trump tendency comes in the form of the new US census. The census apparently shows 5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting.
Its going to run and run with repub voters, this.
How would a census show that?
How about you share a link demonstrating that "5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting."
Perhaps the bigger story here is that the redistribution of House seats following the Census is far less than when the original Census predictions came out last year. The official Census count is a lot more favourable to the Democrats which is getting the Republicans asking questions. And the Census Board is directing questions to the White House, which is not the standard pattern.
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
More manna from heaven for the Trump tendency comes in the form of the new US census. The census apparently shows 5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting.
Its going to run and run with repub voters, this.
How would a census show that?
How about you share a link demonstrating that "5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting."
Perhaps the bigger story here is that the redistribution of House seats following the Census is far less than when the original Census predictions came out last year. The official Census count is a lot more favourable to the Democrats which is getting the Republicans asking questions. And the Census Board is directing questions to the White House, which is not the standard pattern.
Here we go again... zzzzzzzz
Ask question about a census that Trumpsky and his minions at the Census Bureau worked overtime to massage in THEIR favor? Not surprising, really, given his & their track record!
How has the weather been for most people today? Her in Buchan its been mostly overcast with sunny spells - but dry and warm enough for short sleeves.
High winds and sandstorms here, low visibility but 35°C.
Wet, windy and cold pretty well all over Wales and the Midlands AFAICS.
SHITE in north London. Unredeemed SHITE
The weather is diabolical in Hampshire. Driving rain and what sounds like gale-force winds too.
This could be kristallnacht for my vegetable patch.
This is, I think, the autumn-winter-spring that finally tips me into buying a bolthole abroad. Portugal or Greece. Enough, now
So much grey, so much cold, so much rubbish
Spend two weeks for two years in a property that you own in Portugal, worth €350 000 and you get a Golden Visa, and can escape the folly that the Brexiteers have inflicted on the rest of us. Apparently the language test for citizenship isn't too bad either.
Greece is €250,000 for a visa but the alphabet is something I can't cope with.
However while a Golden visa does allow you to work in that country it won't allow you to work in other european countries.
How many weeks residence per year though to apply for citizenship in Greece?
How has the weather been for most people today? Her in Buchan its been mostly overcast with sunny spells - but dry and warm enough for short sleeves.
High winds and sandstorms here, low visibility but 35°C.
Wet, windy and cold pretty well all over Wales and the Midlands AFAICS.
SHITE in north London. Unredeemed SHITE
The weather is diabolical in Hampshire. Driving rain and what sounds like gale-force winds too.
This could be kristallnacht for my vegetable patch.
This is, I think, the autumn-winter-spring that finally tips me into buying a bolthole abroad. Portugal or Greece. Enough, now
So much grey, so much cold, so much rubbish
Spend two weeks for two years in a property that you own in Portugal, worth €350 000 and you get a Golden Visa, and can escape the folly that the Brexiteers have inflicted on the rest of us. Apparently the language test for citizenship isn't too bad either.
Greece is €250,000 for a visa but the alphabet is something I can't cope with.
Yes, the Greek alphabet is a Hellas experience.
Learning it is a true odyssey, alright. Just ask any frat boy.
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
Texas 6th CD is a bit more conservative that the ideal target for Dems in these parts, Trumpsky did win it by just 3% over Biden, but the late Mr Wright (husband of yesterday's top vote-getter) was 9% ahead of his Democratic challenger last fall.
And part of the Dem's problem yesterday was low turnout. Which will be much less of a problem in 2020 midterms.
That said, one other factoid from TX CD06 special election, was that the lone anti-Trump Republican hopeful, Michael Wood, got just 5% of the GOP vote and 3% of the total vote.
Yes, the Never Trumpers are dust, not least due to what happened over at the Lincoln Project and all the scandals there plus Liz Cheney's antics which are p1ssing off a lot of GOPers (many of whom voted for her in the House GOP vote).
Get your point re Mr Wright / turnout but this is a seat where the Democrat should have at least got through to the final round. Plus Mrs Wright had Trump's endorsement, which suggests he may not have the polarising effect he had 6 months ago (FWIW, I think that is the case given his relative silence)
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
More manna from heaven for the Trump tendency comes in the form of the new US census. The census apparently shows 5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting.
Its going to run and run with repub voters, this.
How would a census show that?
How about you share a link demonstrating that "5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting."
Perhaps the bigger story here is that the redistribution of House seats following the Census is far less than when the original Census predictions came out last year. The official Census count is a lot more favourable to the Democrats which is getting the Republicans asking questions. And the Census Board is directing questions to the White House, which is not the standard pattern.
Here we go again... zzzzzzzz
Ah, bless. Look who has popped up again
Still fighting yesterday’s war I see. I realise how hard it is for you to let go.
I think one of the real political events of interest in 2022 will be the GOP primaries for the midterms where we'll see the battle for the soul of the Republican Party played out between the pro-Trump and anti-Trump factions and will we see the first indications of a schism?
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Worth taking a look at the results of the TX-6 special election. This was a seat Trump won by 3pc in 2020, is in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and the sort of Texas seat Democrats need to win to make advances in the state. Two Republican candidates went through to the final round and the Democrats only garnered 36pc of the vote.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
More manna from heaven for the Trump tendency comes in the form of the new US census. The census apparently shows 5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting.
Its going to run and run with repub voters, this.
How would a census show that?
How about you share a link demonstrating that "5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting."
Perhaps the bigger story here is that the redistribution of House seats following the Census is far less than when the original Census predictions came out last year. The official Census count is a lot more favourable to the Democrats which is getting the Republicans asking questions. And the Census Board is directing questions to the White House, which is not the standard pattern.
Here we go again... zzzzzzzz
Ah, bless. Look who has popped up again
Still fighting yesterday’s war I see. I realise how hard it is for you to let go.
Nope, the Census is about 2022's war - the one in which the Dems will get absolutely slaughtered
How has the weather been for most people today? Her in Buchan its been mostly overcast with sunny spells - but dry and warm enough for short sleeves.
High winds and sandstorms here, low visibility but 35°C.
Wet, windy and cold pretty well all over Wales and the Midlands AFAICS.
SHITE in north London. Unredeemed SHITE
The weather is diabolical in Hampshire. Driving rain and what sounds like gale-force winds too.
This could be kristallnacht for my vegetable patch.
This is, I think, the autumn-winter-spring that finally tips me into buying a bolthole abroad. Portugal or Greece. Enough, now
So much grey, so much cold, so much rubbish
Spend two weeks for two years in a property that you own in Portugal, worth €350 000 and you get a Golden Visa, and can escape the folly that the Brexiteers have inflicted on the rest of us. Apparently the language test for citizenship isn't too bad either.
Greece is €250,000 for a visa but the alphabet is something I can't cope with.
Comments
And anyway, we don't pay as she is used as a practice dog for apprentices. Risky, but cheap.
Meanwhile Chesham LDs must be wishing they had some kind of betting expert who they could get to write to their voters...
Today Leyla Moran appeared on tv and spoke the most sense and sounded the most coherent of any LD politician for ages. Admittedly she wasn't reflecting LD policy, but its so nice to hear sense in the vacuum that has been the middle of British politics for ten years.
Or they will be lost and the Red Wall will celebrate even more jobs...
Will defeated pro-Trump primary candidates run as third party or Patriot Party candidates for example?
Your idea would be a great stunt for Johnson to perform. As the SAS return to Akrotiri, a heavily camouflaged Johnson carries a shellshocked Mrs Ratcliffe from the Chinook. I am not suggesting Johnson flies in the Chinook (very dangerous) but arrives just before the media.
All his current troubles would evaporate into the ether.
One of the more bizarre by-elections. The LibDems didn't so much win it as were gifted it!
https://www.politico.eu/coronavirus-in-europe/
Or are you going for the wackier end of the conspiracy theories?
My favourite one is the "Everyone knows that" Sturgeon is having an affair with the French Ambassador in Judy Murray's former home in the Bridge of Allan.
The yooniverse is so convinced it is true to such a degree that it is almost heartbreaking to see their earnestness.
Oh the Irony
P.S. I am not expecting to be corrected as to the mechanics of supply and demand economics.
Normally by now you would be whining incessantly about how unbearably hot your flat is in the Sun.
Scotland 23.1
NI 22.2
Eng 22.2
This could be kristallnacht for my vegetable patch.
Economically it’s great that rich people spend their money on labour-intensive local services.
I fully support that kind of capitalist redistribution of wealth.
It just strikes me as a bonkers thing to spend your money on. I don’t think I’d be a very good rich person lol.
Recent Texas Special election, Trump endorsed candidate came top. Followed by another Repub. Dems trailing.
NeverTrump candidate? hardly registered.
Smaller scale but in a Texas school district where it was a conservative PAC vs progressive Critical Race Theorists, the latter got absolutely slaughtered, with the former taking all seats.
Funnily enough, Biden’s supposed stellar polling ratings or the “popularity” of the progressive agenda doesn’t seem to be translating into votes in the suburbs
Surely you want your two best commentators - that would be McManus and Taylor.
So that's 2 out of 205.....only another 153 to go......
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/208120/Public_organisations_list_Scotland_web_version.pdf
So what? Just do it. Independent countries have agencies, it's not a deal breaker.
No sign of any snow though.
So much grey, so much cold, so much rubbish
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Ireland all have about the same population as Scotland. Do any of them have trouble paying for or staffing their required agencies?
Let it rain all night.
Its going to run and run with repub voters, this.
Yes, all those countries assimilate the cost of all the requisite agencies - if they were in a union, they would share those costs with the other members and benefit from efficiencies. As they aren't, they don't.
Officials at CCHQ and regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019
Conservative Party HQ staff are in uproar over the costly revamp of Boris Johnson's Downing Street flat after officials were told there was no money for pay rises.
Party officials were "furious" to discover that almost £60,000 from Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) funds was channelled to pay an invoice for the flat refurbishment while at the same time staff were informed their pay was being frozen.
Officials at CCHQ and at regional offices have not had a pay rise since Boris Johnson swept to victory in 2019. The Telegraph understands that in February, Aimee Henderson, the Conservative Party's finance director, told employees the party was in no position to "splash the cash".
Ms Henderson said a pay rise even linked to inflation inflation would not be possible this year.
It has now emerged that at about the same time, the Conservative Party picked up part of the tab for the flat in Downing Street occupied by Mr Johnson and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds. It is alleged that the party paid £58,000 towards the revamp....
...One Tory staff member said: "People in HQ and in the field were furious that, after we'd all worked so hard on the general election, we couldn't even have a pay rise in line with inflation. The finance director said it was no time to 'splash the cash', which went down very badly."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/05/03/exclusive-tory-staff-furious-flat-refurbishment-told-no-cash/?utm_content=telegraph&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1620072829
Richmond Park
and that one in Wales
How about you share a link demonstrating that "5 million more votes were counted in 2020 than people recorded as voting."
More interestingly, this is the Daily Borisgraph running with the story. It may be cutting through.
Some agencies would need to be created or expanded, but others that serve the whole of the UK are currently bigger than they'd need to be. They could be shrank, some people could be redeployed etc.
It's not a one way street.
What’s amusing is we can quote their own crocodile tears about the (genuine) cuts and pay freezes in the private sector back to them.
The constituency numbers very similar to last time.
Good night.
Should be 1/16 by my calculation
Because they're counting deaths with Covid rather than deaths from.
What are The Telegraph, just about the only entity BoJo has been faithful to, doing running such a disagreeable story about their blue-eyed boy?
However while a Golden visa does allow you to work in that country it won't allow you to work in other european countries.
@stodge BTW, I didn't comment on what you asked about whether the Trump faction would be in control. Short answer is yes - Susan Wright (who looks to be favourite to win TX-6) was Trump's backed candidate and came out after the vote quoting MAGA.
And part of the Dem's problem yesterday was low turnout. Which will be much less of a problem in 2020 midterms.
That said, one other factoid from TX CD06 special election, was that the lone anti-Trump Republican hopeful, Michael Wood, got just 5% of the GOP vote and 3% of the total vote.
I think they’re done with him.
The main dynamic is that Starmer clearly doesn’t frighten the horses in the way Corbyn did. They have less to lose by wielding the knife.
Get your point re Mr Wright / turnout but this is a seat where the Democrat should have at least got through to the final round. Plus Mrs Wright had Trump's endorsement, which suggests he may not have the polarising effect he had 6 months ago (FWIW, I think that is the case given his relative silence)