Amazing. Have you guys learnt nothing ? The longer this is left to fester the worse it will get until it all blows up at some inconvenient time and with rancour. The nations need some equality between them and leaving England stuck with scots, welsh and Ulster Mps deciding their local laws is just grossly offensive.
Nah. The English already decide on 90% of the Parliament. The appetite for an extra English government/parliament is minimal, and using the current parliament but letting some MPs vote on some things and not others would just be a mess, if they produce different majorities (if they didn't, it'd make no difference).
How odd, it's the Ulsterman with the sense of fairplay and the englishman who wants to gerrymander ;-)
Please not an Ed is crap thread. I've no problem in principle (and might agree) but it brings the morons out in droves and the site becomes unreadable.
It'll be part of a wider polling round up, unless Sarah Teather really is quitting now and not at the next General Election.
Though there are rumours that there's a panelbase poll for the Sunday Times on Scottish Independence out tonight as well.
Do you know when the big Ashcroft scottish poll is released ?
Monday
That should be fun.
According to his Lordship, it will ruffle a few feathers
The question is whose ? the scottish polls have been saying contradictory things of late.
Please not an Ed is crap thread. I've no problem in principle (and might agree) but it brings the morons out in droves and the site becomes unreadable.
It'll be part of a wider polling round up, unless Sarah Teather really is quitting now and not at the next General Election.
Though there are rumours that there's a panelbase poll for the Sunday Times on Scottish Independence out tonight as well.
Do you know when the big Ashcroft scottish poll is released ?
Monday
That should be fun.
According to his Lordship, it will ruffle a few feathers
The question is whose ? the scottish polls have been saying contradictory things of late.
All of them probably, his last foray into Scotland was funny, URL says it all
Sarah Teather managed to keep her opposition to same sex marriage quiet for a long time. When she voted against a lot of people thought it was some sort of mistake.
The prominent Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather – who shot to fame when she became the youngest member of parliament a decade ago – has announced that she is to quit the House of Commons because she no longer feels that Nick Clegg's party fights sufficiently for social justice and liberal values on immigration.
Having looked at the Guardian website, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Sarah Teather speaks for many. Clegg will be very, very foolish if he ignores her.
The prominent Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather – who shot to fame when she became the youngest member of parliament a decade ago – has announced that she is to quit the House of Commons because she no longer feels that Nick Clegg's party fights sufficiently for social justice and liberal values on immigration.
Having looked at the Guardian website, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Sarah Teather speaks for many. Clegg will be very, very foolish if he ignores her.
Atm Clegg's still on course to hold the balance of power. Sarah Teather's on course to have a meaningless job in a quango.
Can't see the hypocrisy myself. It's possible to be conservative on gay marriage but liberal on immigration, or vice versa. People don't all think in neat little boxes.
11/13 on the quiz - stumped by the DJIA graph and the notable lady.
possibly the most embarrassing conference speech since portillos SAS speech.
"She will remain in parliament until the 2015 election because she says she has duties to perform for her constituents. And she wants to oppose the more offensive parts of the immigration bill in parliament. After that, she says she has "no idea" what she will do. "
possibly the most embarrassing conference speech since portillos SAS speech.
It's looking like an attempt to cause maximum grief before she goes.
I think Cleggy's playing it quite clever at present, he's keeping his head down and letting the storm blow on Ed and Dave. When we get in to next year he'll start to raise his profile on the back of better economic news and no doubt throw a few LD initiatives into the GO election bribes pot. A managed divorce with the Tories 6-9 months out and then he's campaigning on LD social justice and economic competence, a safe pair of hands to stop the left\right madmen.
The Labour leader’s Commons victory on Syria has turned into defeat, his rating on it worse than David Cameron’s — who lost the vote. Mr Miliband’s overall rating is grim even among Labour voters. More of them think he is doing badly than say he is doing well as party leader.
LABOUR was plunged into crisis yesterday amid toxic allegations of a cover-up over vote rigging in Falkirk.
Ed Miliband’s attempts to draw a line under the row, by declaring there was no evidence of wrongdoing, backfired spectacularly as it emerged that key witnesses had been pressured to withdraw damaging evidence from an inquiry.
Evidence is mounting that the Unite union had scuppered a Labour party investigation into its attempts to stitch up safe seats. Unite had used similar heavy-handed tactics to those the party leader had insisted he was determined to consign to the past.
Can't see the hypocrisy myself. It's possible to be conservative on gay marriage but liberal on immigration, or vice versa. People don't all think in neat little boxes.
11/13 on the quiz - stumped by the DJIA graph and the notable lady.
Agreed. It's a stupid comment from Iain Dale.
It's bad news for the Lib Dems, as Brent Central is a natural Labour seat.
Mr. Brooke, I agree. Clegg's Fabian strategy is working. Remains to be seen whether Marcus Minucius Fallonius tries to take a more aggressive stance, though.
No figures yet, but the Sunday Times editorial says
Our YouGov poll shows the Labour lead at just four points, even though most voters are not yet fully aware of the improved economic data.
Thanks for posting it but why am I surprised that the Times makes a big issue of Ed and Falkirk.Martin Kettle in the Guardian reports the Murdoch press offering Gareth Bale like rewards to anyone willing to stick their boot into Miliband. So much for the mother of all Parliaments.
Sarah Teather's departure from the HoC will actually be quite significant. Not only will with average IQ go up substantially but there will be a significant impact on the average height too, as well as average oestrogen level.
Three biometic major impacts in just one resignation probably make her the most influential LibDem MP around. A pity that she was otherwise completely inconsequential.
possibly the most embarrassing conference speech since portillos SAS speech.
It's looking like an attempt to cause maximum grief before she goes.
I think Cleggy's playing it quite clever at present, he's keeping his head down and letting the storm blow on Ed and Dave. When we get in to next year he'll start to raise his profile on the back of better economic news and no doubt throw a few LD initiatives into the GO election bribes pot. A managed divorce with the Tories 6-9 months out and then he's campaigning on LD social justice and economic competence, a safe pair of hands to stop the left\right madmen.
No figures yet, but the Sunday Times editorial says
Our YouGov poll shows the Labour lead at just four points, even though most voters are not yet fully aware of the improved economic data.
Thanks for posting it but why am I surprised that the Times makes a big issue of Ed and Falkirk.Martin Kettle in the Guardian reports the Murdoch press offering Gareth Bale like rewards to anyone willing to stick their boot into Miliband. So much for the mother of all Parliaments.
The most impressive thing for me today was the fact that at the end of the ABC News election programme they went through all 150 constituencies giving the detailed results.
TSE - No matter what the polls say.....to the PB Hodges, it's always a disaster for Ed M. In a surreal world, the leader that has never been behind in the polls, every poll is a disaster, whilst for Cameron, who hasn't been ahead in the polls for over three years, every poll is a justification and a victory.....only on PB!
Atm Clegg's still on course to hold the balance of power. Sarah Teather's on course to have a meaningless job in a quango.
That "meaningless job" will pay more than Clegg's and possibly the PMs. It will almost certainly give her more power than Clegg to directly interfere in peoples' private lives and generally busybody around in the way that unelected unaccountable unsackable meddlers are free to do.
Actually the piece is entitled, Don't misunderestimate Ed Miliband
IS that about the electoral masterstroke of how Ed hides his policies and goes with his charismatic persona instead ?
It is along the lines, he maybe crapper than we think.
I've tracked how the first three years of Ed as Leader of the Opposition compares to Dave's first three years (via the net ratings), and Dave outperforms him (Ed's not had a net positive rating since the early part of his leadership)
Then add into the mix, that in the last 18 months of the electoral cycle, the general rule is Leaders of the Opposition's ratings declines, then this could be considered the high point of Ed's leadership
TSE - No matter what the polls say.....to the PB Hodges, it's always a disaster for Ed M. In a surreal world, the leader that has never been behind in the polls, every poll is a disaster, whilst for Cameron, who hasn't been ahead in the polls for over three years, every poll is a justification and a victory.....only on PB!
And you're their antonym, which makes you equally boring.
Now that Teather has ensured that the Lib Dem conference will be interesting, and with the sure knowledge that Falkirk will be the best-known town in Scotland at the Labour conference, what piece of tomfoolery or skulduggery will there be to entertain us during the Conservative party conference?
"Assange was knocked out of the Victoria count before Rise Up Australia, the Australian Democrats, Family First, the Sex Party, Palmer United and the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party. Popular guy."
possibly the most embarrassing conference speech since portillos SAS speech.
It's looking like an attempt to cause maximum grief before she goes.
I think Cleggy's playing it quite clever at present, he's keeping his head down and letting the storm blow on Ed and Dave. When we get in to next year he'll start to raise his profile on the back of better economic news and no doubt throw a few LD initiatives into the GO election bribes pot. A managed divorce with the Tories 6-9 months out and then he's campaigning on LD social justice and economic competence, a safe pair of hands to stop the left\right madmen.
He's got a long, long way to go.
Although, of course, a week and all that.
he will inevitably lose seats at the election but if he holds enough -say 40 ish - he's in the pound seats. I suspect having been through the perils of one coalition he'll negotiate the next one much better. His biggest fault in this Parlt was he went for the electoral reforms and dropped voter sensitive policies like Uni fees which lost him credibility. If he'd have put voters first I reckon he'd be increasing seats this time round.
TSE - No matter what the polls say.....to the PB Hodges, it's always a disaster for Ed M. In a surreal world, the leader that has never been behind in the polls, every poll is a disaster, whilst for Cameron, who hasn't been ahead in the polls for over three years, every poll is a justification and a victory.....only on PB!
And you're their antonym, which makes you equally boring.
I've tracked how the first three years of Ed as Leader of the Opposition compares to Dave's first three years (via the net ratings), and Dave outperforms him (Ed's not had a net positive rating since the early part of his leadership)
But Ed led for 15 of the last 18 19 months. It will be 15 of the last 39 come the election, assuming Ed lasts that long...
possibly the most embarrassing conference speech since portillos SAS speech.
"She will remain in parliament until the 2015 election because she says she has duties to perform for her constituents. And she wants to oppose the more offensive parts of the immigration bill in parliament. After that, she says she has "no idea" what she will do. "
Atm Clegg's still on course to hold the balance of power. Sarah Teather's on course to have a meaningless job in a quango.
That "meaningless job" will pay more than Clegg's and possibly the PMs. It will almost certainly give her more power than Clegg to directly interfere in peoples' private lives and generally busybody around in the way that unelected unaccountable unsackable meddlers are free to do.
can't see it Mr M. Clegg and Cameron will walk into very well paid roles when they leave politics. Miss Teather if anyone remembers her in 2016 might find herself a little friendless if it's LD\Con coalition 2. Nobody wants a lobbyist who pisses off the purse strings.
possibly the most embarrassing conference speech since portillos SAS speech.
It's looking like an attempt to cause maximum grief before she goes.
I think Cleggy's playing it quite clever at present, he's keeping his head down and letting the storm blow on Ed and Dave. When we get in to next year he'll start to raise his profile on the back of better economic news and no doubt throw a few LD initiatives into the GO election bribes pot. A managed divorce with the Tories 6-9 months out and then he's campaigning on LD social justice and economic competence, a safe pair of hands to stop the left\right madmen.
He's got a long, long way to go.
Although, of course, a week and all that.
he will inevitably lose seats at the election but if he holds enough -say 40 ish - he's in the pound seats. I suspect having been through the perils of one coalition he'll negotiate the next one much better. His biggest fault in this Parlt was he went for the electoral reforms and dropped voter sensitive policies like Uni fees which lost him credibility. If he'd have put voters first I reckon he'd be increasing seats this time round.
I would suggest his biggest mistake was taking a non-job like Deputy PM. Should have insisted on one of the Big Three: CoE, Foreign Sec or Home Office.
A Liberally inclined Home Sec would have been "interesting". Might have caused some Tory MP's to spontaneously combust!
TSE - No matter what the polls say.....to the PB Hodges, it's always a disaster for Ed M. In a surreal world, the leader that has never been behind in the polls, every poll is a disaster, whilst for Cameron, who hasn't been ahead in the polls for over three years, every poll is a justification and a victory.....only on PB!
You do come over as being rather paranoid and bitter.
The Labour leader’s Commons victory on Syria has turned into defeat, his rating on it worse than David Cameron’s — who lost the vote. Mr Miliband’s overall rating is grim even among Labour voters. More of them think he is doing badly than say he is doing well as party leader.
Against toxic tories and in a difficult austerity environment.
British companies sold chemicals to Syria that could have been used to produce the deadly nerve agent that killed 1,400 people, The Mail on Sunday can reveal today.
Between July 2004 and May 2010 the Government issued five export licences to two companies, allowing them to sell Syria sodium fluoride, which is used to make sarin.
The Government last night admitted for the first time that the chemical was delivered to Syria – a clear breach of international protocol on the trade of dangerous substances that has been condemned as ‘grossly irresponsible’.
No figures yet, but the Sunday Times editorial says
Our YouGov poll shows the Labour lead at just four points, even though most voters are not yet fully aware of the improved economic data.
Thanks for posting it but why am I surprised that the Times makes a big issue of Ed and Falkirk.Martin Kettle in the Guardian reports the Murdoch press offering Gareth Bale like rewards to anyone willing to stick their boot into Miliband. So much for the mother of all Parliaments.
British companies sold chemicals to Syria that could have been used to produce the deadly nerve agent that killed 1,400 people, The Mail on Sunday can reveal today.
Between July 2004 and May 2010 the Government issued five export licences to two companies, allowing them to sell Syria sodium fluoride, which is used to make sarin.
The Government last night admitted for the first time that the chemical was delivered to Syria – a clear breach of international protocol on the trade of dangerous substances that has been condemned as ‘grossly irresponsible’.
There were plenty of lefties on here predicting a big surge for Stop The War Ed Milliband.
They have since evanesced.
From that other right wing rag, the Guardian
One Labour MP with a sense of irony puts it this way. How typical it is of his party to inflict an unprecedented defeat on the government on an issue over which it is on the same side as most of the public, only for Labour then to plunge into a dark night of the soul about what it has done.
Yet in the days since, many Labour people have been wandering around wearing the miserable face of a punter who thought he'd won a fortune on a horse only for it to be disqualified by the stewards. I am not just talking about the minority of Labour MPs who disagreed with the position taken by their leader. Even among those who thought he was broadly correct, there is queasiness.
Mr Cameron presents himself as the moral victor – effectively saying: "I may be a loser, but at least I am a loser with principles" – while casting his rival for No 10 as a man who "won" by being weak. "The Tories have played a bad hand rather well," sighs one of Ed Miliband's allies. "We have played a good hand rather badly." More disturbing for them, the Tory line of attack has been echoed by people who are sympathetic to Labour – or claim to be.
The ICM Wisdom Index continues to foretell a healthy Labour majority in 2015; the Labour YouGov vote share remains firmly where it has been throughout the summer.
In other news, it was a beautiful early autumn day here in Warwickshire. The blackberry crop this year is the best I can remember. Fill your bags, buckets and bowls.
British companies sold chemicals to Syria that could have been used to produce the deadly nerve agent that killed 1,400 people, The Mail on Sunday can reveal today.
Between July 2004 and May 2010 the Government issued five export licences to two companies, allowing them to sell Syria sodium fluoride, which is used to make sarin.
The Government last night admitted for the first time that the chemical was delivered to Syria – a clear breach of international protocol on the trade of dangerous substances that has been condemned as ‘grossly irresponsible’.
On a day when the Australians kicked out a Labor government.
When Clegg found himself at the end of his Teather.
And when Miliband learned that 5% of the British public consider him decisive 5%, 4% strong, 3% a natural leader and 2% charismatic.
There will be those who are in desperate need of good news.
So here it is ....
The Visa Consumer Expenditure Index for August:
• Month-on-month consumer spending increased in August (+1.6%), following a reduction of 2.4% in July.
• Quickest monthly increase in household expenditure since last September.
• Year-on-year spending also increased in August (+0.8%), following a slight reduction in July (-0.1%).
• However, quarterly spending figures signalled a reduced amount of consumer spending in August (-0.5%), following a difficult July.
• Year-on-year expenditure increased across all three monitored spending channels in August: Face-to-Face +1.0%, Online +1.1% and Mail/Telephone Order categories +3.9%.
Now in July, the Visa Index saw a surprise -2.4% fall in consumer spending which wasn't then reflected in the ONS figures published later in the month, so some caution may be needed here.
But the most plausible conclusions are that consumer spending in August broadly supports the story of accelerating growth in the economy during Q3 and backs up the mainly other leading economic indicators for the quarter.
As Paul Smith, Senior Economist at Markit put it:
“August proved to be a good month for UK household spending, with clothing retailers and restaurants amongst the principal beneficiaries.
“Rising 1.6% on the month, growth has now been registered six times so far this calendar year, indicating that July’s fall was a mere blip; indeed 2013 is rapidly turning out to be a much better year than many probably dared to expect.
“Higher spending volumes are intrinsically linked to the recent strengthening in the UK economic environment. Workplace activity is rising and job
Comments
Due to equal marriage, many LibDems in/near Brent were v reluctant to campaign for Teather in 2015. Wonder how much of a factor that was?
http://lordashcroftpolls.com/2013/05/trident-the-snp-shoots-the-messenger/
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/07/lib-dem-sarah-teather-step-down
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_DiDonato
Clegg will be very, very foolish if he ignores her.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/07/sarah-teather?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Victims of Assad chemical attack "secretly flown to UK" for tests, according to Syrian opposition, Sunday Times reveals
I can play that on the fiddle...
http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/2015guide/middorsetandnorthpoole/
123 on your UKIP spreadsheet.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At91c3wX1Wu5dDZoVmdlVXBEQVNvcUNfR294UXo0S3c#gid=0
...written by an English barrister, who never set foot in Ireland!
Mail on Sunday: 2004-2010 - Govt issued 5 export licences allowing companies to sell NaF used to make Sarin to Syria pic.twitter.com/tzAUL1N8Va
11/13 on the quiz - stumped by the DJIA graph and the notable lady.
She of course changed her entire policy on nuclear power because of the Fukushima leak.
Will be an interesting byelection if so!
Resigning over the benefits cap and the visa bond seems an odd one. Tuition fees not a problem.
She will be remembered for her role as stand up comic...
http://news.sky.com/story/883468/ministers-attempt-at-stand-up-falls-flat
possibly the most embarrassing conference speech since portillos SAS speech.
We havent had a Clegg is crap thread for a while...
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/07/sarah-teather
Our YouGov poll shows the Labour lead at just four points, even though most voters are not yet fully aware of the improved economic data.
The Labour leader’s Commons victory on Syria has turned into defeat, his rating on it worse than David Cameron’s — who lost the vote. Mr Miliband’s overall rating is grim even among Labour voters. More of them think he is doing badly than say he is doing well as party leader.
LABOUR was plunged into crisis yesterday amid toxic allegations of a cover-up over vote rigging in Falkirk.
Ed Miliband’s attempts to draw a line under the row, by declaring there was no evidence of wrongdoing, backfired spectacularly as it emerged that key witnesses had been pressured to withdraw damaging evidence from an inquiry.
Evidence is mounting that the Unite union had scuppered a Labour party investigation into its attempts to stitch up safe seats. Unite had used similar heavy-handed tactics to those the party leader had insisted he was determined to consign to the past.
It's bad news for the Lib Dems, as Brent Central is a natural Labour seat.
Labour 38%
Con 34%
Tonight Labour sources admit Falkirk seat rigging investigation was scuppered by same union bully boy tactics that prompted it. What a jok
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/04/tories-gearing-up-for-miliband-kicking
Con +3
Lab -3
For those who are big fans and have NFL Sunday Ticket, there are 10 early games to choose from, and 2 late ones.
There are two Monday Night games too.
Giants are 4-0 at Jerry World. Just as well I'm not a fan.
- and we haven't even mentioned college football :-)
Three biometic major impacts in just one resignation probably make her the most influential LibDem MP around. A pity that she was otherwise completely inconsequential.
Although, of course, a week and all that.
Miliband's ratings in a YouGov poll taken this week:
decisive 5%
strong 4%
a natural leader 3%
charismatic 2%.
Well, that about sums him up.
http://www7.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2013/08/29/betting-on-when-will-a-conservative-lead-with-yougov-occur/
This is what the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony could have been.
http://www.politicshome.com/uk/article/84417/the_mail_on_sunday_sunday_8th_september_2013.html
I've tracked how the first three years of Ed as Leader of the Opposition compares to Dave's first three years (via the net ratings), and Dave outperforms him (Ed's not had a net positive rating since the early part of his leadership)
Then add into the mix, that in the last 18 months of the electoral cycle, the general rule is Leaders of the Opposition's ratings declines, then this could be considered the high point of Ed's leadership
Surely they wouldn't want to be left out?
"Assange was knocked out of the Victoria count before Rise Up Australia, the Australian Democrats, Family First, the Sex Party, Palmer United and the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party. Popular guy."
http://vote-2012.proboards.com/thread/1400/australian-general-election?page=1#page=21#ixzz2eFHunM74
Davies: I'm not as stupid as you think I am.
Fry: Oh no, you couldn't possibly be.
Prince Andrew held at gunpoint(palace break in)
http://www.politicshome.com/uk/article/84418/sunday_express_sunday_8th_september_2013.html
A Liberally inclined Home Sec would have been "interesting". Might have caused some Tory MP's to spontaneously combust!
I do not think Murdoch likes Milliband.
just Awesome Ed.
Between July 2004 and May 2010 the Government issued five export licences to two companies, allowing them to sell Syria sodium fluoride, which is used to make sarin.
The Government last night admitted for the first time that the chemical was delivered to Syria – a clear breach of international protocol on the trade of dangerous substances that has been condemned as ‘grossly irresponsible’.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2415081/Britain-sent-poison-gas-chemicals-Assad-Proof-UK-delivered-Sarin-agent-Syrian-regime-SIX-years.html#ixzz2eFLFXrmP
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Unbelievable.
Lab 1.86
Con 2.2
Flip flop ahead.
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24004805
The ICM Wisdom Index continues to foretell a healthy Labour majority in 2015; the Labour YouGov vote share remains firmly where it has been throughout the summer.
In other news, it was a beautiful early autumn day here in Warwickshire. The blackberry crop this year is the best I can remember. Fill your bags, buckets and bowls.
When Clegg found himself at the end of his Teather.
And when Miliband learned that 5% of the British public consider him decisive 5%, 4% strong, 3% a natural leader and 2% charismatic.
There will be those who are in desperate need of good news.
So here it is ....
The Visa Consumer Expenditure Index for August:
• Month-on-month consumer spending increased in August (+1.6%), following a reduction of 2.4% in July.
• Quickest monthly increase in household expenditure since last September.
• Year-on-year spending also increased in August (+0.8%), following a slight reduction in July (-0.1%).
• However, quarterly spending figures signalled a reduced amount of consumer spending in August (-0.5%), following a difficult July.
• Year-on-year expenditure increased across all three monitored spending channels in August: Face-to-Face +1.0%, Online +1.1% and Mail/Telephone Order categories +3.9%.
Now in July, the Visa Index saw a surprise -2.4% fall in consumer spending which wasn't then reflected in the ONS figures published later in the month, so some caution may be needed here.
But the most plausible conclusions are that consumer spending in August broadly supports the story of accelerating growth in the economy during Q3 and backs up the mainly other leading economic indicators for the quarter.
As Paul Smith, Senior Economist at Markit put it:
“August proved to be a good month for UK household spending, with clothing retailers and restaurants amongst the principal beneficiaries.
“Rising 1.6% on the month, growth has now been registered six times so far this calendar year, indicating that July’s fall was a mere blip; indeed 2013 is rapidly turning out to be a much better year than many probably dared to expect.
“Higher spending volumes are intrinsically linked to the recent strengthening in the UK economic environment. Workplace activity is rising and job