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City Am reporting that internal LD polling has the party 4% behind in Chesham and Amersham – politic

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  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 38,785

    MaxPB said:

    Leon said:

    Leo Varadkar has been apparently ‘ramping up tensions’ with this

    ‘United Ireland ‘can happen in my lifetime’ – Leo Varadkar tells Fine Gael ard fheis
    belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…’

    Leo V is 42. He is therefore saying something ‘can’ happen in the next four decades, maybe

    If you are stoked by this you are easily triggered

    Within 40 years we will be ruled by computers based in space, or worse. I doubt we will be worrying about ‘Irish unification’

    He's also saying some interesting things. Thinking about ways in which the Republic would have to change so that a United Ireland would be a success. Talking about a closer relationship with the UK.

    Very different from the Sinn Fein approach of completing the war of independence.
    I'd be interested in understanding what a "new and closer relationship" with the UK would look like.

    Just a bit of cosmetics whilst keeping the Euro and plunging full deep into the machinations of EU political union wouldn't cut it.
    It's almost a certainty he means the other way around, that the UK will be crowbarred back into the EU's orbit.
    https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/ireland-expects-uk-brexit-position-shift-following-g7-pressure-2021-06-15/

    Coveney: Ireland expects UK Brexit position to shift following G7 pressure
    There's a really high level of delusion within the EU on this. Brexit has happened, the deal is done and the EU has handed the UK a very easy divergence mechanism. If anything the UK will drift away from the EU's orbit over the next few years, that's the reality and they need to come to terms with that rather than trying to go back to something that would never have been accepted in the UK like the May deal.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,397

    Leon said:

    Leo Varadkar has been apparently ‘ramping up tensions’ with this

    ‘United Ireland ‘can happen in my lifetime’ – Leo Varadkar tells Fine Gael ard fheis
    belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…’

    Leo V is 42. He is therefore saying something ‘can’ happen in the next four decades, maybe

    If you are stoked by this you are easily triggered

    Within 40 years we will be ruled by computers based in space, or worse. I doubt we will be worrying about ‘Irish unification’

    He's also saying some interesting things. Thinking about ways in which the Republic would have to change so that a United Ireland would be a success. Talking about a closer relationship with the UK.

    Very different from the Sinn Fein approach of completing the war of independence.
    I'd be interested in understanding what a "new and closer relationship" with the UK would look like.

    Just a bit of cosmetics whilst keeping the Euro and plunging full deep into the machinations of EU political union wouldn't cut it.
    I wouldn't expect him to have any answers at this stage, but it's interesting that he's putting the questions out there and saying that these things need to be considered.

    Commonwealth membership probably comes into the cosmetic category - but I think symbols are unusually important in this case - but it would mark a significant change in approach from Ireland.
    He's the leader of Fine Gael. The least anti-UK of the major Parties.
    If he isn't doing it then nobody will be.
    Doesn't mean anyone else will go for it, mind.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,541
    Newsnight report on Batley & Spen.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 38,785

    MaxPB said:

    Leon said:

    Leo Varadkar has been apparently ‘ramping up tensions’ with this

    ‘United Ireland ‘can happen in my lifetime’ – Leo Varadkar tells Fine Gael ard fheis
    belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…’

    Leo V is 42. He is therefore saying something ‘can’ happen in the next four decades, maybe

    If you are stoked by this you are easily triggered

    Within 40 years we will be ruled by computers based in space, or worse. I doubt we will be worrying about ‘Irish unification’

    He's also saying some interesting things. Thinking about ways in which the Republic would have to change so that a United Ireland would be a success. Talking about a closer relationship with the UK.

    Very different from the Sinn Fein approach of completing the war of independence.
    I'd be interested in understanding what a "new and closer relationship" with the UK would look like.

    Just a bit of cosmetics whilst keeping the Euro and plunging full deep into the machinations of EU political union wouldn't cut it.
    It's almost a certainty he means the other way around, that the UK will be crowbarred back into the EU's orbit.
    That's his objective.

    The logical implication of what he's saying though is a common market for the British Isles, and a more semi-detached relationship for Ireland within the EU.
    No, the logical implication is that Varadker thinks the EU can squeeze the UK hard and force it into one way alignment "deals".
  • FloaterFloater Posts: 14,207

    This from a Whitehall leak in march as problems in vaccine supply are emerging tonight
    The final milestone is due on June 21st where ALL restrictions were promised to be lifted. This will not be allowed to happen. Vaccine passports / Track and Trace will be mandatory, as will masks and social distancing. The entire week of the 21st will be taken up by a third wave, which will suddenly be ‘rampant’, and this will be attributed to a new variant which they will declare is more deadly than the previous strains of Covid allegedly doing the rounds. This will be accompanied with yet more issues with vaccine supplies. Authorities will declare that one of the vaccines is effective against the deadlier strain, but a ‘problem’ with its manufacture will emerge.

    The Whitehall source went on to say –

    “All the measures are aimed at two things, vaccine passports and lockdowns starting next winter, The ultimate goal is to have the public, back in their box."


    There are specialist sites for this sort of stuff.
    Above top secret? (If that is still around?)
  • RattersRatters Posts: 1,076
    It seems 20+ year olds can now book on the NHS website, with all 18+ able to later in the week. And I (as a 31-year old) could move my second jab forward to an 8 week gap, so it seems they will let everyone shorten the gap (and if not now then soon). Both good news. The next big vaccination question surely whether this will be extended to younger teenagers over summer?

    Other good news is the rate of infection growth is slowing more quickly than I would have predicted. I expect absolute numbers tomorrow will cross 9,000 and seem a big jump, but that would still be consistent with the slowing trend week on week - any lower and it's even better news! Back of an envelope guess is 7-day average positive test infections will peak between 10,000 and 12,000 in the next few weeks.

    I am reasonably confident 19 July will go ahead given the trends. I know there will be howling from the usual suspects about reasons to lock down longer, but we had that previous relaxations as well. Boris bottled it this time, but I don't think he will next month.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Leon said:

    The cottage where I sleep dates back at least to Henry VIII: the 16th century. Possibly long before. The owners, when they restored it, found a mummified cat in the walls. Also two shoes, one 14th century - and one from the 1940s. Brilliant. That’s a ghost story right there

    The estate was owned by Cardinal Wolseley who gave it to Sir Richard Rich

    I love Britain.

    FWIW the Rich family were to be the prime movers behind the English Civil War.
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 26,585
    Well we will see.

    Until then we can only judge on previous LibDem polling:

    Cambridge
    LibDem poll 39% first by 9%
    LibDem actual 30% second by 18%

    Cambs S
    LibDem poll 40% first by 4%
    LibDem actual 42% second by 4%

    Cambs SE
    LibDem poll 31% second by 11%
    LibDem actual 32% second by 18%

    Finchley
    LibDem poll 41% first by 12%
    LibDem actual 32% second by 12%

    Esher
    LibDem poll 36% second by 9%
    LibDem actual 45% second by 4%

    Portsmouth S
    LibDem poll 30% first by 3%
    LibDem actual 11% third by 37%

    Wokingham
    LibDem poll 38% second by 4%
    LibDem actual 38% second by 12%

    Somerset NE
    LibDem poll 28% second by 16%
    LibDem actual 22% third by 28%

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2019_United_Kingdom_general_election#Constituency_polling

    Not too bad for the LibDem vote but generally underpredicting the Conservatives.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,169
    Andy_JS said:

    Newsnight report on Batley & Spen.

    Sounds like Labour might lose some muslim vote to the stay at home party. Starmer's ratings in the toilet with them.
  • FloaterFloater Posts: 14,207
    MaxPB said:

    MaxPB said:

    Leon said:

    Leo Varadkar has been apparently ‘ramping up tensions’ with this

    ‘United Ireland ‘can happen in my lifetime’ – Leo Varadkar tells Fine Gael ard fheis
    belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…’

    Leo V is 42. He is therefore saying something ‘can’ happen in the next four decades, maybe

    If you are stoked by this you are easily triggered

    Within 40 years we will be ruled by computers based in space, or worse. I doubt we will be worrying about ‘Irish unification’

    He's also saying some interesting things. Thinking about ways in which the Republic would have to change so that a United Ireland would be a success. Talking about a closer relationship with the UK.

    Very different from the Sinn Fein approach of completing the war of independence.
    I'd be interested in understanding what a "new and closer relationship" with the UK would look like.

    Just a bit of cosmetics whilst keeping the Euro and plunging full deep into the machinations of EU political union wouldn't cut it.
    It's almost a certainty he means the other way around, that the UK will be crowbarred back into the EU's orbit.
    That's his objective.

    The logical implication of what he's saying though is a common market for the British Isles, and a more semi-detached relationship for Ireland within the EU.
    No, the logical implication is that Varadker thinks the EU can squeeze the UK hard and force it into one way alignment "deals".
    LOL - they can jog right on
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 50,212
    Ratters said:

    It seems 20+ year olds can now book on the NHS website, with all 18+ able to later in the week. And I (as a 31-year old) could move my second jab forward to an 8 week gap, so it seems they will let everyone shorten the gap (and if not now then soon). Both good news. The next big vaccination question surely whether this will be extended to younger teenagers over summer?

    Other good news is the rate of infection growth is slowing more quickly than I would have predicted. I expect absolute numbers tomorrow will cross 9,000 and seem a big jump, but that would still be consistent with the slowing trend week on week - any lower and it's even better news! Back of an envelope guess is 7-day average positive test infections will peak between 10,000 and 12,000 in the next few weeks.

    I am reasonably confident 19 July will go ahead given the trends. I know there will be howling from the usual suspects about reasons to lock down longer, but we had that previous relaxations as well. Boris bottled it this time, but I don't think he will next month.

    well, so far we have

    image
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,479
    Euro 2020 has been a great tournament so far. Doesn’t really support the “bloated” theory by @Foxy and others who dismissed the 24 team format before it had even started.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 38,785
    Ratters said:

    It seems 20+ year olds can now book on the NHS website, with all 18+ able to later in the week. And I (as a 31-year old) could move my second jab forward to an 8 week gap, so it seems they will let everyone shorten the gap (and if not now then soon). Both good news. The next big vaccination question surely whether this will be extended to younger teenagers over summer?

    Other good news is the rate of infection growth is slowing more quickly than I would have predicted. I expect absolute numbers tomorrow will cross 9,000 and seem a big jump, but that would still be consistent with the slowing trend week on week - any lower and it's even better news! Back of an envelope guess is 7-day average positive test infections will peak between 10,000 and 12,000 in the next few weeks.

    I am reasonably confident 19 July will go ahead given the trends. I know there will be howling from the usual suspects about reasons to lock down longer, but we had that previous relaxations as well. Boris bottled it this time, but I don't think he will next month.

    I really hope your final paragraph is right. I honestly haven't felt this despondent since around May of last year when they were talking about 3 years until vaccines and 3 years in lockdowns etc...

    The Times article with the c*** scientists already pushing back on the 19th is extremely disheartening because it has confirmed my fears already that they will attempt to force the country into permanent lockdown.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,619
    Magnificent,

    They got done by a Mike Oxlong. Incredible

    https://twitter.com/aljwhite/status/1404925854191427586
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 38,785

    Magnificent,

    They got done by a Mike Oxlong. Incredible

    https://twitter.com/aljwhite/status/1404925854191427586

    Real amateur your stuff. Don't they have an intern to check this stuff before giving it to the presenters? I know the BBC and ITV do.
  • XtrainXtrain Posts: 341
    Floater said:

    MaxPB said:

    MaxPB said:

    Leon said:

    Leo Varadkar has been apparently ‘ramping up tensions’ with this

    ‘United Ireland ‘can happen in my lifetime’ – Leo Varadkar tells Fine Gael ard fheis
    belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…’

    Leo V is 42. He is therefore saying something ‘can’ happen in the next four decades, maybe

    If you are stoked by this you are easily triggered

    Within 40 years we will be ruled by computers based in space, or worse. I doubt we will be worrying about ‘Irish unification’

    He's also saying some interesting things. Thinking about ways in which the Republic would have to change so that a United Ireland would be a success. Talking about a closer relationship with the UK.

    Very different from the Sinn Fein approach of completing the war of independence.
    I'd be interested in understanding what a "new and closer relationship" with the UK would look like.

    Just a bit of cosmetics whilst keeping the Euro and plunging full deep into the machinations of EU political union wouldn't cut it.
    It's almost a certainty he means the other way around, that the UK will be crowbarred back into the EU's orbit.
    That's his objective.

    The logical implication of what he's saying though is a common market for the British Isles, and a more semi-detached relationship for Ireland within the EU.
    No, the logical implication is that Varadker thinks the EU can squeeze the UK hard and force it into one way alignment "deals".
    LOL - they can jog right on
    Isn't it time we ended the CTA. I mean we get nothing I. return.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,619
    MaxPB said:

    Magnificent,

    They got done by a Mike Oxlong. Incredible

    https://twitter.com/aljwhite/status/1404925854191427586

    Real amateur your stuff. Don't they have an intern to check this stuff before giving it to the presenters? I know the BBC and ITV do.
    Jesus FUCKING Christ, they also fell for Mike Hunt earlier on.

    https://twitter.com/redredmond/status/1404896044396302337
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,619
    If GB News keep this up I'm going to take out a subscription.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 38,785

    If GB News keep this up I'm going to take out a subscription.

    Make sure you get it from Wayne Kerr.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,619
    MaxPB said:

    If GB News keep this up I'm going to take out a subscription.

    Make sure you get it from Wayne Kerr.
    Hugh Jarse has offered me a better deal than Wayne.

    I'm waiting to hear from Buster Himen and Willie Stroker.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 41,950
    edited June 2021

    MaxPB said:

    Magnificent,

    They got done by a Mike Oxlong. Incredible

    https://twitter.com/aljwhite/status/1404925854191427586

    Real amateur your stuff. Don't they have an intern to check this stuff before giving it to the presenters? I know the BBC and ITV do.
    Jesus FUCKING Christ, they also fell for Mike Hunt earlier on.

    https://twitter.com/redredmond/status/1404896044396302337
    I think I know who’s going to be their Scotch correspondent.

    https://twitter.com/mikeoxsmells/status/1401981797685153793?s=21
  • VompVomp Posts: 36
    edited June 2021
    Jacob Rees-Mogg says society cannot be run with the aim of stopping hospitals from being full, which on first hearing sounds sensible, but he dodges what happens - the only thing that can happen - when ICUs are at capacity and there's excess demand that can't be met.

    Try this for size: "Society cannot be run with the aim of defending cities against foreign military attack". Or how about "Society cannot be run with the aim of keeping disabled people alive"? One could go on. Neither necessities nor even desiderata are mutually exclusive. What a cheap rhetorical technique. He sounds as though he could do with a course in logic.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,541
    Can you believe that IKEA responded to a twitter user with just 12 followers today when he asked them to stop putting adverts on GB News?
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 38,785
    Vomp said:

    Jacob Rees-Mogg says society cannot be run with the aim of stopping hospitals from being full, which on first hearing sounds sensible, but he dodges what happens - the only thing that can happen - when ICUs are at capacity and there's excess demand that can't be met.

    Try this for size: "Society cannot be run with the aim of defending cities against foreign military attack". Or how about "Society cannot be run with the aim of keeping disabled people alive"? One could go on. Neither necessities nor even desiderata are mutually exclusive. What a cheap rhetorical technique. He sounds as though he could do with a course in logic.

    ICU capacity is not a constant, with enough money it can be expanded.
  • ChameleonChameleon Posts: 4,264
    GB News, I am looking for a new career. I am also compos mentis enough to block the Mike Hunt, Al Cholic and I.P Freely's of the world. Contact me for details.

    Embarrassing stuff. All front of house, no back of house.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 23,119
    Observed on Lib Dem Voice:

    ***** 15th Jun '21 - 7:22pm
    HS2 is a major disaster for Amersham, Little Missenden, Great Missenden, not to mention most of Buckinghamshire.

    Please remind me, what is the Lib Dem position on this major issue?

    **** 15th Jun '21 - 7:51pm
    The Liberal Democrat national position is irrelevant to the by-election. Like any really good Liberal Democrat candidate, Sarah Green has her ears to the ground and her personal position is in opposition to HS2
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,169
    Mike Hunt has got in touch about toys
  • VompVomp Posts: 36
    MaxPB said:

    Vomp said:

    Jacob Rees-Mogg says society cannot be run with the aim of stopping hospitals from being full, which on first hearing sounds sensible, but he dodges what happens - the only thing that can happen - when ICUs are at capacity and there's excess demand that can't be met.

    Try this for size: "Society cannot be run with the aim of defending cities against foreign military attack". Or how about "Society cannot be run with the aim of keeping disabled people alive"? One could go on. Neither necessities nor even desiderata are mutually exclusive. What a cheap rhetorical technique. He sounds as though he could do with a course in logic.

    ICU capacity is not a constant, with enough money it can be expanded.
    Sure. And nightclubs and large weddings are not the whole of society. But there needs to be some slack in hospitals and not just for intensive care.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 18,352
    MaxPB said:

    MaxPB said:

    Leon said:

    Leo Varadkar has been apparently ‘ramping up tensions’ with this

    ‘United Ireland ‘can happen in my lifetime’ – Leo Varadkar tells Fine Gael ard fheis
    belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…’

    Leo V is 42. He is therefore saying something ‘can’ happen in the next four decades, maybe

    If you are stoked by this you are easily triggered

    Within 40 years we will be ruled by computers based in space, or worse. I doubt we will be worrying about ‘Irish unification’

    He's also saying some interesting things. Thinking about ways in which the Republic would have to change so that a United Ireland would be a success. Talking about a closer relationship with the UK.

    Very different from the Sinn Fein approach of completing the war of independence.
    I'd be interested in understanding what a "new and closer relationship" with the UK would look like.

    Just a bit of cosmetics whilst keeping the Euro and plunging full deep into the machinations of EU political union wouldn't cut it.
    It's almost a certainty he means the other way around, that the UK will be crowbarred back into the EU's orbit.
    That's his objective.

    The logical implication of what he's saying though is a common market for the British Isles, and a more semi-detached relationship for Ireland within the EU.
    No, the logical implication is that Varadker thinks the EU can squeeze the UK hard and force it into one way alignment "deals".
    I really don't think this is about Brexit, except insofar as that has prompted some to think about preparing for the possibility of a United Ireland becoming a reality.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,591

    MaxPB said:

    MaxPB said:

    Leon said:

    Leo Varadkar has been apparently ‘ramping up tensions’ with this

    ‘United Ireland ‘can happen in my lifetime’ – Leo Varadkar tells Fine Gael ard fheis
    belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…’

    Leo V is 42. He is therefore saying something ‘can’ happen in the next four decades, maybe

    If you are stoked by this you are easily triggered

    Within 40 years we will be ruled by computers based in space, or worse. I doubt we will be worrying about ‘Irish unification’

    He's also saying some interesting things. Thinking about ways in which the Republic would have to change so that a United Ireland would be a success. Talking about a closer relationship with the UK.

    Very different from the Sinn Fein approach of completing the war of independence.
    I'd be interested in understanding what a "new and closer relationship" with the UK would look like.

    Just a bit of cosmetics whilst keeping the Euro and plunging full deep into the machinations of EU political union wouldn't cut it.
    It's almost a certainty he means the other way around, that the UK will be crowbarred back into the EU's orbit.
    That's his objective.

    The logical implication of what he's saying though is a common market for the British Isles, and a more semi-detached relationship for Ireland within the EU.
    No, the logical implication is that Varadker thinks the EU can squeeze the UK hard and force it into one way alignment "deals".
    I really don't think this is about Brexit, except insofar as that has prompted some to think about preparing for the possibility of a United Ireland becoming a reality.
    They're under pressure from some segments of society to start "planning" for a united Ireland, so perhaps talking about it in this way is also intended to put them off.
  • VompVomp Posts: 36
    edited June 2021
    A pivot in the rightwing press's attitude towards 19 July?

    Daily Mail:

    "Russia may have spotted ANOTHER type of Covid - with scientists now testing whether vaccines work against mutant 'Moscow' strain.

    Russia claims to have spotted another type of Covid that could thwart the power of vaccines, it was revealed today. Scientists are now scrambling to find out whether jabs still work against the mutant 'Moscow' strain.
    "
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,591
    Ratters said:

    I am reasonably confident 19 July will go ahead given the trends. I know there will be howling from the usual suspects about reasons to lock down longer, but we had that previous relaxations as well. Boris bottled it this time, but I don't think he will next month.

    Over the next few weeks we'll still be relatively open with a well-seeded, very transmissible variant, so we'll have plenty of data to judge.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 38,785
    edited June 2021
    Vomp said:

    MaxPB said:

    Vomp said:

    Jacob Rees-Mogg says society cannot be run with the aim of stopping hospitals from being full, which on first hearing sounds sensible, but he dodges what happens - the only thing that can happen - when ICUs are at capacity and there's excess demand that can't be met.

    Try this for size: "Society cannot be run with the aim of defending cities against foreign military attack". Or how about "Society cannot be run with the aim of keeping disabled people alive"? One could go on. Neither necessities nor even desiderata are mutually exclusive. What a cheap rhetorical technique. He sounds as though he could do with a course in logic.

    ICU capacity is not a constant, with enough money it can be expanded.
    Sure. And nightclubs and large weddings are not the whole of society. But there needs to be some slack in hospitals and not just for intensive care.
    That can also be expanded with enough money. Face it, you just want everyone to be miserable because you're afraid of your own shadow. You can't bear the idea that some of us are ok with a small amount of risk and willive normally while you sit wasting away in your front room so you want everyone locked up forever.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,169
    Vomp said:

    A pivot in the rightwing press's attitude towards 19 July?

    Daily Mail:

    "Russia may have spotted ANOTHER type of Covid - with scientists now testing whether vaccines work against mutant 'Moscow' strain.

    Russia claims to have spotted another type of Covid that could thwart the power of vaccines, it was revealed today. Scientists are now scrambling to find out whether jabs still work against the mutant 'Moscow' strain.
    "

    Put Russia on the red list till it's checked out.
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,479
    ….
  • SeaShantyIrish2SeaShantyIrish2 Posts: 17,559
    Leon said:

    I’d forgotten how marvelous it is, to be in a house in the English countryside, on a fine summer’s evening, as the long light departs

    Assuming it is NOT an out-house.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 38,785
    Pulpstar said:

    Vomp said:

    A pivot in the rightwing press's attitude towards 19 July?

    Daily Mail:

    "Russia may have spotted ANOTHER type of Covid - with scientists now testing whether vaccines work against mutant 'Moscow' strain.

    Russia claims to have spotted another type of Covid that could thwart the power of vaccines, it was revealed today. Scientists are now scrambling to find out whether jabs still work against the mutant 'Moscow' strain.
    "

    Put Russia on the red list till it's checked out.
    Isn't it already on there?
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,397
    Pulpstar said:

    Vomp said:

    A pivot in the rightwing press's attitude towards 19 July?

    Daily Mail:

    "Russia may have spotted ANOTHER type of Covid - with scientists now testing whether vaccines work against mutant 'Moscow' strain.

    Russia claims to have spotted another type of Covid that could thwart the power of vaccines, it was revealed today. Scientists are now scrambling to find out whether jabs still work against the mutant 'Moscow' strain.
    "

    Put Russia on the red list till it's checked out.
    Or. Alternatively let them host a group in a major sporting tournament.
    Then invite the qualifiers and all their fans over to a packed Wembley for the knockout stages.
    Cos that'll cheer the nation up.
    Or summat.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,169
    MaxPB said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Vomp said:

    A pivot in the rightwing press's attitude towards 19 July?

    Daily Mail:

    "Russia may have spotted ANOTHER type of Covid - with scientists now testing whether vaccines work against mutant 'Moscow' strain.

    Russia claims to have spotted another type of Covid that could thwart the power of vaccines, it was revealed today. Scientists are now scrambling to find out whether jabs still work against the mutant 'Moscow' strain.
    "

    Put Russia on the red list till it's checked out.
    Isn't it already on there?
    No.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 38,785
    Pulpstar said:

    MaxPB said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Vomp said:

    A pivot in the rightwing press's attitude towards 19 July?

    Daily Mail:

    "Russia may have spotted ANOTHER type of Covid - with scientists now testing whether vaccines work against mutant 'Moscow' strain.

    Russia claims to have spotted another type of Covid that could thwart the power of vaccines, it was revealed today. Scientists are now scrambling to find out whether jabs still work against the mutant 'Moscow' strain.
    "

    Put Russia on the red list till it's checked out.
    Isn't it already on there?
    No.
    It's almost like they're doing it on purpose at this point.
  • FishingFishing Posts: 5,032

    MaxPB said:

    MaxPB said:

    Leon said:

    Leo Varadkar has been apparently ‘ramping up tensions’ with this

    ‘United Ireland ‘can happen in my lifetime’ – Leo Varadkar tells Fine Gael ard fheis
    belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…’

    Leo V is 42. He is therefore saying something ‘can’ happen in the next four decades, maybe

    If you are stoked by this you are easily triggered

    Within 40 years we will be ruled by computers based in space, or worse. I doubt we will be worrying about ‘Irish unification’

    He's also saying some interesting things. Thinking about ways in which the Republic would have to change so that a United Ireland would be a success. Talking about a closer relationship with the UK.

    Very different from the Sinn Fein approach of completing the war of independence.
    I'd be interested in understanding what a "new and closer relationship" with the UK would look like.

    Just a bit of cosmetics whilst keeping the Euro and plunging full deep into the machinations of EU political union wouldn't cut it.
    It's almost a certainty he means the other way around, that the UK will be crowbarred back into the EU's orbit.
    That's his objective.

    The logical implication of what he's saying though is a common market for the British Isles, and a more semi-detached relationship for Ireland within the EU.
    No, the logical implication is that Varadker thinks the EU can squeeze the UK hard and force it into one way alignment "deals".
    I really don't think this is about Brexit, except insofar as that has prompted some to think about preparing for the possibility of a United Ireland becoming a reality.
    If leaving the EU rids us of that expensive, embarrassing nuisance, it really will have been a triumph.

    I think the Irish may well find they'll have bitten off more than they can chew though. They can afford to pump it full of subsidies the way we do. And if the Northern Irish middle classes suddenly lose their free health care and cushy public sector jobs paid for by the English, they'll be furious. It would be strange if, a few years later, the Irish were begging us to take it back.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,541
    MaxPB said:

    Pulpstar said:

    MaxPB said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Vomp said:

    A pivot in the rightwing press's attitude towards 19 July?

    Daily Mail:

    "Russia may have spotted ANOTHER type of Covid - with scientists now testing whether vaccines work against mutant 'Moscow' strain.

    Russia claims to have spotted another type of Covid that could thwart the power of vaccines, it was revealed today. Scientists are now scrambling to find out whether jabs still work against the mutant 'Moscow' strain.
    "

    Put Russia on the red list till it's checked out.
    Isn't it already on there?
    No.
    It's almost like they're doing it on purpose at this point.
    It needs to go on the red list within 24 hours.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,397
    edited June 2021
    Pulpstar said:

    MaxPB said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Vomp said:

    A pivot in the rightwing press's attitude towards 19 July?

    Daily Mail:

    "Russia may have spotted ANOTHER type of Covid - with scientists now testing whether vaccines work against mutant 'Moscow' strain.

    Russia claims to have spotted another type of Covid that could thwart the power of vaccines, it was revealed today. Scientists are now scrambling to find out whether jabs still work against the mutant 'Moscow' strain.
    "

    Put Russia on the red list till it's checked out.
    Isn't it already on there?
    No.
    Can't have the super rich inconvenienced in the slightest. Their right to live in whichever mansion on whichever continent they choose is sacrosanct.
    Disagree and they'll fund a new TV news channel.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,874
    Fishing said:

    MaxPB said:

    MaxPB said:

    Leon said:

    Leo Varadkar has been apparently ‘ramping up tensions’ with this

    ‘United Ireland ‘can happen in my lifetime’ – Leo Varadkar tells Fine Gael ard fheis
    belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…’

    Leo V is 42. He is therefore saying something ‘can’ happen in the next four decades, maybe

    If you are stoked by this you are easily triggered

    Within 40 years we will be ruled by computers based in space, or worse. I doubt we will be worrying about ‘Irish unification’

    He's also saying some interesting things. Thinking about ways in which the Republic would have to change so that a United Ireland would be a success. Talking about a closer relationship with the UK.

    Very different from the Sinn Fein approach of completing the war of independence.
    I'd be interested in understanding what a "new and closer relationship" with the UK would look like.

    Just a bit of cosmetics whilst keeping the Euro and plunging full deep into the machinations of EU political union wouldn't cut it.
    It's almost a certainty he means the other way around, that the UK will be crowbarred back into the EU's orbit.
    That's his objective.

    The logical implication of what he's saying though is a common market for the British Isles, and a more semi-detached relationship for Ireland within the EU.
    No, the logical implication is that Varadker thinks the EU can squeeze the UK hard and force it into one way alignment "deals".
    I really don't think this is about Brexit, except insofar as that has prompted some to think about preparing for the possibility of a United Ireland becoming a reality.
    If leaving the EU rids us of that expensive, embarrassing nuisance, it really will have been a triumph.

    I think the Irish may well find they'll have bitten off more than they can chew though. They can afford to pump it full of subsidies the way we do. And if the Northern Irish middle classes suddenly lose their free health care and cushy public sector jobs paid for by the English, they'll be furious. It would be strange if, a few years later, the Irish were begging us to take it back.
    Full Irish unity is not happening anyway, loyalists from Antrim to Londonderry and Down will never accept rule by Dublin and nor should they.

    As Thatcher correctly said they are as British as Finchley.

    The most Catholic bits on the border like Fermanagh and Armagh may eventually unite with Ireland, the Protestant loyalist heartlands, never!!
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,591
    MaxPB said:

    Pulpstar said:

    MaxPB said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Vomp said:

    A pivot in the rightwing press's attitude towards 19 July?

    Daily Mail:

    "Russia may have spotted ANOTHER type of Covid - with scientists now testing whether vaccines work against mutant 'Moscow' strain.

    Russia claims to have spotted another type of Covid that could thwart the power of vaccines, it was revealed today. Scientists are now scrambling to find out whether jabs still work against the mutant 'Moscow' strain.
    "

    Put Russia on the red list till it's checked out.
    Isn't it already on there?
    No.
    It's almost like they're doing it on purpose at this point.
    The first comment says: "Boris Johnson to announce 1000 flights a week from Moscow starting midnight tonight, then assess the damage on July 18th, before announcing a further lockdown on July 19th."
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,541
    "One Tory MP said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if we won Batley & Spen but lost Chesham & Amersham."

    (£)

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lib-dems-hopeful-of-by-election-upset-in-chesham-amp-amersham-zwqhrk60l
  • theProletheProle Posts: 1,206
    eek said:

    So is Outraged of Amersham going to vote LibDem because they can't visit a nightclub next week?

    I can't see it.

    In the 40 years I've known Amersham I don't ever remember there being a nightclub. Chesham had one but it was considered naff even in 1988
    I'm not sure that that's the point. I hate nightclubs, wouldn't go in one if you paid me. I'd currently vote against the Tories (who exactly who I'd vote for might be harder to answer) on the basis that people should be allowed to go to nightclubs if they want to. This government and its lockdowns are evil, immoral and oppressive, and the sooner they are booted out the better.
    And I voted for them last time, in a marginal seat. They may yet live to regret their current bout of power-hungry madness.
  • NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,522

    Well we will see.

    Until then we can only judge on previous LibDem polling:

    Cambridge
    LibDem poll 39% first by 9%
    LibDem actual 30% second by 18%

    Cambs S
    LibDem poll 40% first by 4%
    LibDem actual 42% second by 4%

    Cambs SE
    LibDem poll 31% second by 11%
    LibDem actual 32% second by 18%

    Finchley
    LibDem poll 41% first by 12%
    LibDem actual 32% second by 12%

    Esher
    LibDem poll 36% second by 9%
    LibDem actual 45% second by 4%

    Portsmouth S
    LibDem poll 30% first by 3%
    LibDem actual 11% third by 37%

    Wokingham
    LibDem poll 38% second by 4%
    LibDem actual 38% second by 12%

    Somerset NE
    LibDem poll 28% second by 16%
    LibDem actual 22% third by 28%

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2019_United_Kingdom_general_election#Constituency_polling

    Not too bad for the LibDem vote but generally underpredicting the Conservatives.

    Portsmouth South was the shocking one - it was obvious that the tactical anti-Tory vote was the sitting :Labour MP, but the LibDems pursued their idiotic "winning here" theme right up to polling day. As I was spending my time there in order not to interfere with the outside chance that the LibDems had in my constituency (SW Surrey), it was particularly annoying. I don't mind when they really do have a shot at winning (as perhaps they do on Thursday, though I somewhat doubt it), but when it's used everywhere it just gets tiresome.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,397
    theProle said:

    eek said:

    So is Outraged of Amersham going to vote LibDem because they can't visit a nightclub next week?

    I can't see it.

    In the 40 years I've known Amersham I don't ever remember there being a nightclub. Chesham had one but it was considered naff even in 1988
    I'm not sure that that's the point. I hate nightclubs, wouldn't go in one if you paid me. I'd currently vote against the Tories (who exactly who I'd vote for might be harder to answer) on the basis that people should be allowed to go to nightclubs if they want to. This government and its lockdowns are evil, immoral and oppressive, and the sooner they are booted out the better.
    And I voted for them last time, in a marginal seat. They may yet live to regret their current bout of power-hungry madness.
    If you vote against the Tories that's net one vote. If you vote for their main challenger that's net two.
    Depends how strongly you feel of course.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,968
    Dickhead...

    Several people have been taken to hospital to receive treatment for injuries caused by a protestor who parachuted into the Allianz Arena during France's win over Germany.

    Euro 2020 - France 1-0 Germany: Several in hospital after parachute protest - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57488478
  • ChameleonChameleon Posts: 4,264
    edited June 2021

    Dickhead...

    Several people have been taken to hospital to receive treatment for injuries caused by a protestor who parachuted into the Allianz Arena during France's win over Germany.

    Euro 2020 - France 1-0 Germany: Several in hospital after parachute protest - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57488478

    A mate at work does work on Greenpeace's legal provisions each year. Safe to say that his sphincter firmly closed during this match.
  • ChameleonChameleon Posts: 4,264

    Andy_JS said:

    Can you believe that IKEA responded to a twitter user with just 12 followers today when he asked them to stop putting adverts on GB News?

    Octopus and Ovo energy has said they won't advertise with them... Octopus banging on about they don't advertise with companies that promote hate.

    FFS, so far what I have seen is amateur production, pretty cringe and anti-woke moan, but some of these companies are making out that GBNews is like some sort of British Daily Stormer.

    Until a month ago basically all the presenters were on mainstream media and even the anti-woke stuff is no more than what Talk Radio bang on about.

    Pretty sad that some companies have no backbone, a few people on twitter claim some bullshit and they crap their pants. I mean the co-op did with the Spectator...again a totally mainstream publication.
    Trial by twitter is one of the issues which I firmly agree with GB News on.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,968
    Fury v Wilder III: Was this their weirdest press conference yet? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/57492021

    Fury looks in very poor shape. Not good sign for the Wilder fight and the one we all want to see him vs AJ.
  • theProletheProle Posts: 1,206
    dixiedean said:

    theProle said:

    eek said:

    So is Outraged of Amersham going to vote LibDem because they can't visit a nightclub next week?

    I can't see it.

    In the 40 years I've known Amersham I don't ever remember there being a nightclub. Chesham had one but it was considered naff even in 1988
    I'm not sure that that's the point. I hate nightclubs, wouldn't go in one if you paid me. I'd currently vote against the Tories (who exactly who I'd vote for might be harder to answer) on the basis that people should be allowed to go to nightclubs if they want to. This government and its lockdowns are evil, immoral and oppressive, and the sooner they are booted out the better.
    And I voted for them last time, in a marginal seat. They may yet live to regret their current bout of power-hungry madness.
    If you vote against the Tories that's net one vote. If you vote for their main challenger that's net two.
    Depends how strongly you feel of course.
    The trouble is, what if you really want to send a clear message to the Tories.

    I live in a Tory held Tory/Lab marginal.
    As you say, the most effective way to ensure that the Tories lose the seat is to vote Lab. The trouble with that is two-fold. Firstly, this is an issue where Labour are just as bad as the Tories, and secondly, how do the Tories know why I switched my vote? I might be grumpy cos they haven't locked down hard enough.

    On the other hand, vote ReformUK or similar, and my vote is only worth half as much, but it should be fairly obvious to any Tory who can do basic arithmetic where my vote went.

    It's a great shame that the Lib-Dems are all over the place on this - an anti-lockdown pro civil liberties stance should have been a reasonably natural fit to them, and there are enough Tory-LibDem marginals that the Tories would have had to take notice.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,968
    Chameleon said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Can you believe that IKEA responded to a twitter user with just 12 followers today when he asked them to stop putting adverts on GB News?

    Octopus and Ovo energy has said they won't advertise with them... Octopus banging on about they don't advertise with companies that promote hate.

    FFS, so far what I have seen is amateur production, pretty cringe and anti-woke moan, but some of these companies are making out that GBNews is like some sort of British Daily Stormer.

    Until a month ago basically all the presenters were on mainstream media and even the anti-woke stuff is no more than what Talk Radio bang on about.

    Pretty sad that some companies have no backbone, a few people on twitter claim some bullshit and they crap their pants. I mean the co-op did with the Spectator...again a totally mainstream publication.
    Trial by twitter is one of the issues which I firmly agree with GB News on.
    If GBNews is a promoter of hate, I hope these companies never take a look at the posts of here...I mean TSE anti-French stance is clearly bad enough to get on the shit list with the twitter warriors.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,541
    edited June 2021
    edit
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,968
    edited June 2021
    Ikea shit the bed after a twitter account with 14 followers tweeted at them.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,397
    edited June 2021
    theProle said:

    dixiedean said:

    theProle said:

    eek said:

    So is Outraged of Amersham going to vote LibDem because they can't visit a nightclub next week?

    I can't see it.

    In the 40 years I've known Amersham I don't ever remember there being a nightclub. Chesham had one but it was considered naff even in 1988
    I'm not sure that that's the point. I hate nightclubs, wouldn't go in one if you paid me. I'd currently vote against the Tories (who exactly who I'd vote for might be harder to answer) on the basis that people should be allowed to go to nightclubs if they want to. This government and its lockdowns are evil, immoral and oppressive, and the sooner they are booted out the better.
    And I voted for them last time, in a marginal seat. They may yet live to regret their current bout of power-hungry madness.
    If you vote against the Tories that's net one vote. If you vote for their main challenger that's net two.
    Depends how strongly you feel of course.
    The trouble is, what if you really want to send a clear message to the Tories.

    I live in a Tory held Tory/Lab marginal.
    As you say, the most effective way to ensure that the Tories lose the seat is to vote Lab. The trouble with that is two-fold. Firstly, this is an issue where Labour are just as bad as the Tories, and secondly, how do the Tories know why I switched my vote? I might be grumpy cos they haven't locked down hard enough.

    On the other hand, vote ReformUK or similar, and my vote is only worth half as much, but it should be fairly obvious to any Tory who can do basic arithmetic where my vote went.

    It's a great shame that the Lib-Dems are all over the place on this - an anti-lockdown pro civil liberties stance should have been a reasonably natural fit to them, and there are enough Tory-LibDem marginals that the Tories would have had to take notice.
    My sympathies. I had a similar problem last time. How do I signal I am a Labour voter who has no truck with Corbyn? (There is no LD, Green presence to speak of).
    Fortunately, my Labour candidate was quite sensible, and there is such a huge and impregnable Tory majority here that it makes no real odds anyways. In addition, our Tory MP is an unthinking Party loyalist who doesn't live here, nor show any indication of ever having had an Independent thought.
    Rankles though that folk consider it a vote to endorse Jezza as PM. It wasn't. There wasn't the slightest possibility of that. It was a judgement call.
    But no one will ever know that.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,591

    Ikea shit the bed after a twitter account with 14 followers tweeted at them.

    They're going to test the theory that all publicity is good publicity.

    @afneil - IKEA has decided to boycott GB News because of our alleged values. Here are IKEA’s values — a French CEO who is a criminal with a two year suspended jail sentence for spying on staff.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,541
    "Andrew Neil
    @afneil

    IKEA has decided to boycott GB News because of our alleged values. Here are IKEA’s values — a French CEO who is a criminal with a two year suspended jail sentence for spying on staff."

    https://twitter.com/afneil/status/1404937576453136384
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,968
    And we are off again....

    Israel says it has launched air strikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, after incendiary balloons were launched from the territory.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,968
    edited June 2021

    Ikea shit the bed after a twitter account with 14 followers tweeted at them.

    They're going to test the theory that all publicity is good publicity.

    @afneil - IKEA has decided to boycott GB News because of our alleged values. Here are IKEA’s values — a French CEO who is a criminal with a two year suspended jail sentence for spying on staff.
    And of course an actual real Nazi as founder of Ikea..not this imagary Nazi news network.

    The same people on twitter 2 years ago saying Andrew Neil what an interviewer, he would mash up Boris if he interviewed him, now seem to think Neil is a far right Daily Stormer reading type person.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,541
    "New York ‘returns to life’ as most remaining Covid restrictions lifted

    California also reopens after proportion of adults with one dose of vaccine passes 70%"

    https://www.ft.com/content/d03500ae-0baf-4035-bbae-c55f59337fe5
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,113

    Ikea shit the bed after a twitter account with 14 followers tweeted at them.

    They're going to test the theory that all publicity is good publicity.

    @afneil - IKEA has decided to boycott GB News because of our alleged values. Here are IKEA’s values — a French CEO who is a criminal with a two year suspended jail sentence for spying on staff.
    And of course an actual real Nazi as founder of Ikea..not this imagary Nazi news network.

    The same people on twitter 2 years ago saying Andrew Neil what an interviewer, he would mash up Boris if he interviewed him, now seem to think Neil is a far right Daily Stormer reading type person.
    Yes. The history of Ikea is much more concerning than the fact the CEO of French.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,968
    rcs1000 said:

    Ikea shit the bed after a twitter account with 14 followers tweeted at them.

    They're going to test the theory that all publicity is good publicity.

    @afneil - IKEA has decided to boycott GB News because of our alleged values. Here are IKEA’s values — a French CEO who is a criminal with a two year suspended jail sentence for spying on staff.
    And of course an actual real Nazi as founder of Ikea..not this imagary Nazi news network.

    The same people on twitter 2 years ago saying Andrew Neil what an interviewer, he would mash up Boris if he interviewed him, now seem to think Neil is a far right Daily Stormer reading type person.
    Yes. The history of Ikea is much more concerning than the fact the CEO of French.
    Yeah but they make cute stuff for you home and they are all pretendy eco because you can take back you broken furniture and they will recycle it...compared to that nasty Nazi news network is spreading hate....or something.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,113
    MattW said:

    Observed on Lib Dem Voice:

    ***** 15th Jun '21 - 7:22pm
    HS2 is a major disaster for Amersham, Little Missenden, Great Missenden, not to mention most of Buckinghamshire.

    Please remind me, what is the Lib Dem position on this major issue?

    **** 15th Jun '21 - 7:51pm
    The Liberal Democrat national position is irrelevant to the by-election. Like any really good Liberal Democrat candidate, Sarah Green has her ears to the ground and her personal position is in opposition to HS2

    To be fair to the LibDems, they've always allowed their MPs an enormous amount of latitude as far as policy positions. I remember at the time of Maastricht, their MP for Devon North voted against, as he was personally eurosceptic.
  • GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 19,454
    MattW said:

    Observed on Lib Dem Voice:

    ***** 15th Jun '21 - 7:22pm
    HS2 is a major disaster for Amersham, Little Missenden, Great Missenden, not to mention most of Buckinghamshire.

    Please remind me, what is the Lib Dem position on this major issue?

    **** 15th Jun '21 - 7:51pm
    The Liberal Democrat national position is irrelevant to the by-election. Like any really good Liberal Democrat candidate, Sarah Green has her ears to the ground and her personal position is in opposition to HS2

    Yawn.

    This is very hypocritical. For decades Tory candidates ran on anti EU platforms despite the opposite official party policy.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,541
    edited June 2021
    O/T

    The boundary commission has started using the words "impacted" and "impacting". What's wrong with "affected" and "affecting"? They've never used them before in previous reports.

    https://boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2021-06-08-Initial-Proposals-West-Midlands-Region.pdf
  • I've just topped up my LibDem bet.

    One of those situations when you're annoyed you didn't bet more first time around but have to stop and tell yourself that the odds are STILL very attractive.

    I don't think it's a winner but it's well worth a flutter. You can get 10-1 at Ladbrokes if you're quick.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 19,888

    MattW said:

    Observed on Lib Dem Voice:

    ***** 15th Jun '21 - 7:22pm
    HS2 is a major disaster for Amersham, Little Missenden, Great Missenden, not to mention most of Buckinghamshire.

    Please remind me, what is the Lib Dem position on this major issue?

    **** 15th Jun '21 - 7:51pm
    The Liberal Democrat national position is irrelevant to the by-election. Like any really good Liberal Democrat candidate, Sarah Green has her ears to the ground and her personal position is in opposition to HS2

    Yawn.

    This is very hypocritical. For decades Tory candidates ran on anti EU platforms despite the opposite official party policy.
    With Johnson as leader and Patel as Home Secretary any accusation of hypocrisy dishonesty or lack of probity by Tories will always provoke hoots of laughter.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,576

    FF43 said:

    Now that IKEA have pulled their ads from GBNews do supposed wokers like me have to start frequenting that life extracting establishment? Or can we get a pass from the fact that IKEA is owned by an actual Nazi who finds GBNews too extreme?

    I do have to wonder quite what GB news have done that is so offensive. This is proving everything about woke behaviour, without even having to try.
    They appear to be casting Dan Wooton as the next Alex Jones (the American firebrand, not that lovely Welsh lady with a similar name).

    They’re also forgetting that GBN is regulated by OFCOM, so has to meet the same standards of due impartiality as any other news programs or channel.
  • It's a good example of how the UK is not the US, although Johnson and Patel are doing their best to stoke up the right-wing nastiness.

    GB News will struggle here for as long as it attempts to emulate Fox News.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,859
    Floater said:

    Charles said:

    Can someone remind me: how accurate was the LibDems constituency push polling back in (I think) 2017?

    Weren’t they supposed to win 40 seats or something?

    I seem to remember something about preparing for government a little further back than that
    I remember that after David Steel’s speech those at conference from the local party had a get together to consider whether we should cancel the jumble sale.
  • swing_voterswing_voter Posts: 1,464

    I've just topped up my LibDem bet.

    One of those situations when you're annoyed you didn't bet more first time around but have to stop and tell yourself that the odds are STILL very attractive.

    I don't think it's a winner but it's well worth a flutter. You can get 10-1 at Ladbrokes if you're quick.

    6-1 on William Hill....
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,576

    And we are off again....

    Israel says it has launched air strikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, after incendiary balloons were launched from the territory.

    But, but, but what happened there, they got rid of that evil monster Netanyahu and replaced him with a cabinet of fluffy bunnies, it was news only a couple of days ago...
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,173
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/15/greanpeace-protester-avoids-accident-after-parachuting-into-germany-v-france

    Uefa has confirmed that “several people” are being treated in the hospital for injuries caused by a protester who parachuted into the stadium before France’s victory over Germany in their Euro 2020 game in Munich.

    The perpetrators should be getting serious prison time for that stunt.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,576
    Chameleon said:

    Dickhead...

    Several people have been taken to hospital to receive treatment for injuries caused by a protestor who parachuted into the Allianz Arena during France's win over Germany.

    Euro 2020 - France 1-0 Germany: Several in hospital after parachute protest - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57488478

    A mate at work does work on Greenpeace's legal provisions each year. Safe to say that his sphincter firmly closed during this match.
    He might be having a busy day, after that stupid stunt.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,350
    tlg86 said:

    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/15/greanpeace-protester-avoids-accident-after-parachuting-into-germany-v-france

    Uefa has confirmed that “several people” are being treated in the hospital for injuries caused by a protester who parachuted into the stadium before France’s victory over Germany in their Euro 2020 game in Munich.

    The perpetrators should be getting serious prison time for that stunt.

    Does anyone else find a certain irony in a protestor flying in an aeroplane to protest about the environmental impact of petrol and diesel cars?

    Although it’s Greenpeace. They’re quite happy with pollution as long as they cause it.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,169

    Fury v Wilder III: Was this their weirdest press conference yet? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/57492021

    Fury looks in very poor shape. Not good sign for the Wilder fight and the one we all want to see him vs AJ.

    Fury never has a perfect physique but 300 lbs would be far too much for him to be carrying whether it is fat or muscle in the ring.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,350
    Sandpit said:

    And we are off again....

    Israel says it has launched air strikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, after incendiary balloons were launched from the territory.

    But, but, but what happened there, they got rid of that evil monster Netanyahu and replaced him with a cabinet of fluffy bunnies, it was news only a couple of days ago...
    Naftali Bennett is many things, but not a fluffy bunny.

    He is very much a Johnson to Netanyahu’s Trump.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,576
    ydoethur said:

    tlg86 said:

    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/15/greanpeace-protester-avoids-accident-after-parachuting-into-germany-v-france

    Uefa has confirmed that “several people” are being treated in the hospital for injuries caused by a protester who parachuted into the stadium before France’s victory over Germany in their Euro 2020 game in Munich.

    The perpetrators should be getting serious prison time for that stunt.

    Does anyone else find a certain irony in a protestor flying in an aeroplane to protest about the environmental impact of petrol and diesel cars?

    Although it’s Greenpeace. They’re quite happy with pollution as long as they cause it.
    It’s like the G7 in Cornwall, where they turned in in seven planes and a few helicopters. Johnson and Biden then flew in two planes to London afterwards to meet HMQ, then to Brussels for the NATO meeting. Not a train in sight for any of the leaders, only one from London to Cornwall for the press pack.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,576
    ydoethur said:

    Sandpit said:

    And we are off again....

    Israel says it has launched air strikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, after incendiary balloons were launched from the territory.

    But, but, but what happened there, they got rid of that evil monster Netanyahu and replaced him with a cabinet of fluffy bunnies, it was news only a couple of days ago...
    Naftali Bennett is many things, but not a fluffy bunny.

    He is very much a Johnson to Netanyahu’s Trump.
    Oh indeed, but that wasn’t the way it was reported. Everyone high up in Israeli politics has a certain edge to them, it’s part of that country’s DNA.
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,173
    Sandpit said:

    ydoethur said:

    tlg86 said:

    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/15/greanpeace-protester-avoids-accident-after-parachuting-into-germany-v-france

    Uefa has confirmed that “several people” are being treated in the hospital for injuries caused by a protester who parachuted into the stadium before France’s victory over Germany in their Euro 2020 game in Munich.

    The perpetrators should be getting serious prison time for that stunt.

    Does anyone else find a certain irony in a protestor flying in an aeroplane to protest about the environmental impact of petrol and diesel cars?

    Although it’s Greenpeace. They’re quite happy with pollution as long as they cause it.
    It’s like the G7 in Cornwall, where they turned in in seven planes and a few helicopters. Johnson and Biden then flew in two planes to London afterwards to meet HMQ, then to Brussels for the NATO meeting. Not a train in sight for any of the leaders, only one from London to Cornwall for the press pack.
    And her Maj...

    https://i2-prod.cornwalllive.com/incoming/article5520937.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/0_queen-train-3.jpg
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 33,414
    Morning, everybody. Still bright and summery, but the forecast for the next couple of days isn't good. Still, Wimbledon's about to start, so I suppose it's to be expected.

    It would be heartening to wake up on Friday to news of a LD win in C&A. Think the phrase 'close, but no cigar' will apply, though.

    Was talking to my son in the Far East yesterday; he scans through a few UK news sites, and he remarked how unpleasant Britain seemed to becoming; all sorts of groups being unusually hostile to each other.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,615
    edited June 2021
    Andy_JS said:

    "Andrew Neil
    @afneil

    IKEA has decided to boycott GB News because of our alleged values. Here are IKEA’s values — a French CEO who is a criminal with a two year suspended jail sentence for spying on staff."

    https://twitter.com/afneil/status/1404937576453136384

    So determined to slag off their former advertisers. Great business model.

    Still, it's better than defending Epstein from being called a paedophile, I suppose.

    Lady C C "hold my beer..."
  • WhisperingOracleWhisperingOracle Posts: 9,128
    edited June 2021
    Foxy said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Andrew Neil
    @afneil

    IKEA has decided to boycott GB News because of our alleged values. Here are IKEA’s values — a French CEO who is a criminal with a two year suspended jail sentence for spying on staff."

    https://twitter.com/afneil/status/1404937576453136384

    So determined to slag off their former advertisers. Great business model.

    Still, it's better than defending Epstein from being called a paedophile, I suppose.

    Lady C C "hold my beer..."
    Andrew is trying to take on a Piers Morgan-like social media profile for the GB News faithful. The Fox-style fun is only just beginning.

    All the government needs is for Milord Dacre to be shoehorned into Ofcom at the second fixed-up attempt to really set the degeneration of public debate underway.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,350

    Morning, everybody. Still bright and summery, but the forecast for the next couple of days isn't good. Still, Wimbledon's about to start, so I suppose it's to be expected.

    It would be heartening to wake up on Friday to news of a LD win in C&A. Think the phrase 'close, but no cigar' will apply, though.

    Was talking to my son in the Far East yesterday; he scans through a few UK news sites, and he remarked how unpleasant Britain seemed to becoming; all sorts of groups being unusually hostile to each other.

    My garden won’t mind a drop of rain. As for Cannock Chase yesterday when I went out for a quick bike trip, it was drier than my sense of humour.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,859
    Inflation up 0.5% to 2.1%
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,350
    edited June 2021
    Sandpit said:

    ydoethur said:

    Sandpit said:

    And we are off again....

    Israel says it has launched air strikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, after incendiary balloons were launched from the territory.

    But, but, but what happened there, they got rid of that evil monster Netanyahu and replaced him with a cabinet of fluffy bunnies, it was news only a couple of days ago...
    Naftali Bennett is many things, but not a fluffy bunny.

    He is very much a Johnson to Netanyahu’s Trump.
    Oh indeed, but that wasn’t the way it was reported. Everyone high up in Israeli politics has a certain edge to them, it’s part of that country’s DNA.
    It will be interesting to see how the Palestinian party in the coalition react to this. They are in something of a cleft stick. Support it and annoy their base, or pull out and get the crook back.

    However, my experience in Israel and the West Bank was that Hamas is not as popular as they or their apologists like to think among ordinary Palestinians. It’s generally agreed that they don’t care much for their people, and are only really interested in advancing Iran’s agenda in the region.

    So I think the UAL will hold on for now.

    Edit - one thing I found really sad was how depressed and cynical ordinary Palestinians are about life in general. Hard to blame them though. The Israelis see them as a nuisance to be barely tolerated, and the PA and Hamas see them as convenient sources for either cannon fodder or funds. Most of them were talking of emigrating if they could find somewhere to go. But (leaving aside the emotional aspect of being forced to leave their homes) even that wasn’t an easy option.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 63,012
    Good morning

    Re Chesham and Amersham is it an overnight count?
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    HYUFD said:

    Fishing said:

    MaxPB said:

    MaxPB said:

    Leon said:

    Leo Varadkar has been apparently ‘ramping up tensions’ with this

    ‘United Ireland ‘can happen in my lifetime’ – Leo Varadkar tells Fine Gael ard fheis
    belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-…’

    Leo V is 42. He is therefore saying something ‘can’ happen in the next four decades, maybe

    If you are stoked by this you are easily triggered

    Within 40 years we will be ruled by computers based in space, or worse. I doubt we will be worrying about ‘Irish unification’

    He's also saying some interesting things. Thinking about ways in which the Republic would have to change so that a United Ireland would be a success. Talking about a closer relationship with the UK.

    Very different from the Sinn Fein approach of completing the war of independence.
    I'd be interested in understanding what a "new and closer relationship" with the UK would look like.

    Just a bit of cosmetics whilst keeping the Euro and plunging full deep into the machinations of EU political union wouldn't cut it.
    It's almost a certainty he means the other way around, that the UK will be crowbarred back into the EU's orbit.
    That's his objective.

    The logical implication of what he's saying though is a common market for the British Isles, and a more semi-detached relationship for Ireland within the EU.
    No, the logical implication is that Varadker thinks the EU can squeeze the UK hard and force it into one way alignment "deals".
    I really don't think this is about Brexit, except insofar as that has prompted some to think about preparing for the possibility of a United Ireland becoming a reality.
    If leaving the EU rids us of that expensive, embarrassing nuisance, it really will have been a triumph.

    I think the Irish may well find they'll have bitten off more than they can chew though. They can afford to pump it full of subsidies the way we do. And if the Northern Irish middle classes suddenly lose their free health care and cushy public sector jobs paid for by the English, they'll be furious. It would be strange if, a few years later, the Irish were begging us to take it back.
    Full Irish unity is not happening anyway, loyalists from Antrim to Londonderry and Down will never accept rule by Dublin and nor should they.

    As Thatcher correctly said they are as British as Finchley.

    The most Catholic bits on the border like Fermanagh and Armagh may eventually unite with Ireland, the Protestant loyalist heartlands, never!!
    Never! is a long time
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216
    Scottish Election Study:

    While unionist voters fought back in 2021, the last five years’ worth of Tribal shifts insulted [sic - "insulated" more likely] nationalists from any impact. As long as Europe and party politics continue to divide No supporters, the SNP will keep thumping pro-union parties at the ballot box.

    http://scottishelections.ac.uk/2021/06/14/tribes-and-tribulations-holyrood-2021-explained-part-one/
  • Daveyboy1961Daveyboy1961 Posts: 3,883
    Sandpit said:

    ydoethur said:

    tlg86 said:

    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/15/greanpeace-protester-avoids-accident-after-parachuting-into-germany-v-france

    Uefa has confirmed that “several people” are being treated in the hospital for injuries caused by a protester who parachuted into the stadium before France’s victory over Germany in their Euro 2020 game in Munich.

    The perpetrators should be getting serious prison time for that stunt.

    Does anyone else find a certain irony in a protestor flying in an aeroplane to protest about the environmental impact of petrol and diesel cars?

    Although it’s Greenpeace. They’re quite happy with pollution as long as they cause it.
    It’s like the G7 in Cornwall, where they turned in in seven planes and a few helicopters. Johnson and Biden then flew in two planes to London afterwards to meet HMQ, then to Brussels for the NATO meeting. Not a train in sight for any of the leaders, only one from London to Cornwall for the press pack.
    I thought the Queen and family went by train...
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758

    Ikea shit the bed after a twitter account with 14 followers tweeted at them.

    They're going to test the theory that all publicity is good publicity.

    @afneil - IKEA has decided to boycott GB News because of our alleged values. Here are IKEA’s values — a French CEO who is a criminal with a two year suspended jail sentence for spying on staff.
    And of course an actual real Nazi as founder of Ikea..not this imagary Nazi news network.

    The same people on twitter 2 years ago saying Andrew Neil what an interviewer, he would mash up Boris if he interviewed him, now seem to think Neil is a far right Daily Stormer reading type person.
    You’re being very charitable to suggest they are thinking
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216
    Scottish Election Study Pt. II:

    Those who backed the SNP and Scottish Greens made their choices for reasons specific to those parties – generally speaking, they liked their policies. For voters supporting pro-union patties, however, the focus was far more on who they were voting against as much as who they were supporting.

    http://scottishelections.ac.uk/2021/06/15/thinking-out-cloud-holyrood-2021-explained-part-two/
  • Andy_CookeAndy_Cooke Posts: 5,001

    From GB News....if you want a giggle, 2 mins onward, the lady in the red in the background appears to have a temper tantrum....initially I thought she was perhaps celebrating a goal in the footie or something, but watch he come back to her desk..

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNmsygTcbHU

    They really should rename it to Globelink News.
    Someone pointed out Henry Davenport’s similarity to Andrew Neil and it’s impossible to not see GBNews this way now.

  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 28,895

    On topic... Oooooo. I do like the idea of Johnson getting a bloody nose. It will make no difference in Parliament of course but it might make him think for a moment before taking us all for granted so much.

    This. When people show their open and loud displeasure with Johnson by voting Conservative, the PM simply grins, thinks people are stupid, and carries on fucking up all that he touches.

    A by-election is the classic opportunity for people to signal to a government they aren't happy. Or at least it used to be, lets see how Thursday goes. If the Tories win, things in England continue to descend into the pit.
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,173
    IanB2 said:

    Inflation up 0.5% to 2.1%

    When does the BoE governor have to write a letter to Mr Sunak?
  • Andy_CookeAndy_Cooke Posts: 5,001

    Well we will see.

    Until then we can only judge on previous LibDem polling:

    Cambridge
    LibDem poll 39% first by 9%
    LibDem actual 30% second by 18%

    Cambs S
    LibDem poll 40% first by 4%
    LibDem actual 42% second by 4%

    Cambs SE
    LibDem poll 31% second by 11%
    LibDem actual 32% second by 18%

    Finchley
    LibDem poll 41% first by 12%
    LibDem actual 32% second by 12%

    Esher
    LibDem poll 36% second by 9%
    LibDem actual 45% second by 4%

    Portsmouth S
    LibDem poll 30% first by 3%
    LibDem actual 11% third by 37%

    Wokingham
    LibDem poll 38% second by 4%
    LibDem actual 38% second by 12%

    Somerset NE
    LibDem poll 28% second by 16%
    LibDem actual 22% third by 28%

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2019_United_Kingdom_general_election#Constituency_polling

    Not too bad for the LibDem vote but generally underpredicting the Conservatives.

    Portsmouth South was the shocking one - it was obvious that the tactical anti-Tory vote was the sitting :Labour MP, but the LibDems pursued their idiotic "winning here" theme right up to polling day. As I was spending my time there in order not to interfere with the outside chance that the LibDems had in my constituency (SW Surrey), it was particularly annoying. I don't mind when they really do have a shot at winning (as perhaps they do on Thursday, though I somewhat doubt it), but when it's used everywhere it just gets tiresome.
    It is frustrating.
    Like Carshalton and Wallington in reverse (where the sitting Lib Dem MP lost to the Tories after the Labour no-hope candidate went around trumpeting that it was time for a change of MP, Brake must go.
    The joys of FPTP.
This discussion has been closed.