politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Mrs. May’s new PM ratings honeymoon is bigger than Thatcher
politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Mrs. May’s new PM ratings honeymoon is bigger than Thatcher’s, Cameron’s or Brown’s, but smaller than Major or Blair
With a lot of the non-LAB leadership politics discussion being on May’s polling honeymoon I thought I’d look back at the old MORI ratings to see how other new PM’s were doing at this stage in their occupancy of Number 10.
Comments
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Cut Them In Half With A Scythe!0
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Second like Smith0
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Difficult to think of John Major having a huge honeymoon rating ....
Oh er Missus ....0 -
I wonder if that's just a function of inheritance, regarding the economy and popularity compared with the outgoing PM in particular.0
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FPT Rotten Borough All true. It is Planet Thanet, as interesting a place in it's way as rural Norfolk.0
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Good morning young man.ydoethur said:Morning JackW.
I trust your slumbers were undisturbed by visions of new Olympic sports?
I was hoping for Ladies pairs shackled synchronized massage from the 10m high board. Might have happened, might not .... can't bloody remember.
One can but dream ....0 -
There seems to be quite a 'relief factor' in the figures. It's not just about how well liked and respected the new PM is but also how relieved the country is to be shut of the last one. Cameron's ratings towards the end were pretty awful but this was rarely commented on because so much else was happening in his final few months. To move from that to even a blankish sheet of paper provides people with hope that it'll be better than last time. The contrast with the PM's principal opponent also matters, and I'd suggest is also acting as a boost for May.
In some ways, May has begun well. She exudes an air of competent control. The extent to which that is representative of the reality will be told in time. Much the same was said of Brown, and while those who'd been watching closely knew that it wasn't the case with him, there's less evidence either way with May. We can't really as yet unpick sensible reconsideration of policy from an inclination to micromanage.0 -
Unless Edwina went too...JackW said:Difficult to think of John Major having a huge honeymoon rating ....
Oh er Missus ....JackW said:
Good morning young man.ydoethur said:Morning JackW.
I trust your slumbers were undisturbed by visions of new Olympic sports?
I was hoping for Ladies pairs shackled synchronized massage from the 10m high board. Might have happened, might not .... can't bloody remember.
One can but dream ....
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Spot on.david_herdson said:There seems to be quite a 'relief factor' in the figures. It's not just about how well liked and respected the new PM is but also how relieved the country is to be shut of the last one. Cameron's ratings towards the end were pretty awful but this was rarely commented on because so much else was happening in his final few months. To move from that to even a blankish sheet of paper provides people with hope that it'll be better than last time. The contrast with the PM's principal opponent also matters, and I'd suggest is also acting as a boost for May.
In some ways, May has begun well. She exudes an air of competent control. The extent to which that is representative of the reality will be told in time. Much the same was said of Brown, and while those who'd been watching closely knew that it wasn't the case with him, there's less evidence either way with May. We can't really as yet unpick sensible reconsideration of policy from an inclination to micromanage.0 -
I think part of Brown's problem was that he had been used to micromanaging domestic policy from No.11 via his control over funds, and didn't get that with the PM's extra duties that wouldn't be possible.david_herdson said:
In some ways, May has begun well. She exudes an air of competent control. The extent to which that is representative of the reality will be told in time. Much the same was said of Brown, and while those who'd been watching closely knew that it wasn't the case with him, there's less evidence either way with May. We can't really as yet unpick sensible reconsideration of policy from an inclination to micromanage.
May of course has only been responsible for the Home Office so won't be in the habit of bossing other ministers around. The question is whether she will want to meddle now she has the power, or whether she will allow her ministers more freedom in implementing agreed policy. That's what we can't be sure of yet.0 -
The honeymoon here refers to polling just after becoming Prime Minister. Polling just after becoming leader would be more helpful. David Cameron had been leader for four years before becoming Prime Minister, as had Margaret Thatcher. By then they were very known quantities as leaders.
Theresa May's polling is best compared with John Major's and Gordon Brown's.0 -
The concept that Private Eye have of her as a no-nonsense Head of a prestigious girls school is interesting. Especially in this context.david_herdson said:There seems to be quite a 'relief factor' in the figures. It's not just about how well liked and respected the new PM is but also how relieved the country is to be shut of the last one. Cameron's ratings towards the end were pretty awful but this was rarely commented on because so much else was happening in his final few months. To move from that to even a blankish sheet of paper provides people with hope that it'll be better than last time. The contrast with the PM's principal opponent also matters, and I'd suggest is also acting as a boost for May.
In some ways, May has begun well. She exudes an air of competent control. The extent to which that is representative of the reality will be told in time. Much the same was said of Brown, and while those who'd been watching closely knew that it wasn't the case with him, there's less evidence either way with May. We can't really as yet unpick sensible reconsideration of policy from an inclination to micromanage.0 -
Interesting stuff Mike. IIRC Thatcher was not expected to win in 79.0
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I think the relief is that Louthsome didn't become PM, which looked at least fairly possible at one point in the campaign.david_herdson said:There seems to be quite a 'relief factor' in the figures. It's not just about how well liked and respected the new PM is but also how relieved the country is to be shut of the last one. Cameron's ratings towards the end were pretty awful but this was rarely commented on because so much else was happening in his final few months. To move from that to even a blankish sheet of paper provides people with hope that it'll be better than last time. The contrast with the PM's principal opponent also matters, and I'd suggest is also acting as a boost for May.
In some ways, May has begun well. She exudes an air of competent control. The extent to which that is representative of the reality will be told in time. Much the same was said of Brown, and while those who'd been watching closely knew that it wasn't the case with him, there's less evidence either way with May. We can't really as yet unpick sensible reconsideration of policy from an inclination to micromanage.
Certainly the case here.0 -
Note to Corbyn: to win you need to get actual Tories to vote Labour. People who have voted Tory since 2005. Not people who thought about it whilst queuing for regurgitated quinoa in a pop up stand in Hackney.
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IIRC she was. Callaghan was seen as improving but not enough.rottenborough said:Interesting stuff Mike. IIRC Thatcher was not expected to win in 79.
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The LotO as well as the predecessor is probably worth considering. Certainly relevant in May's case!0
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Because no one dreamed Brown would become PM, right?AlastairMeeks said:The honeymoon here refers to polling just after becoming Prime Minister. Polling just after becoming leader would be more helpful. David Cameron had been leader for four years before becoming Prime Minister, as had Margaret Thatcher. By then they were very known quantities as leaders.
Theresa May's polling is best compared with John Major's and Gordon Brown's.
If anything he was more likely to become PM from his position than Thatcher from hers.0 -
May's rating should really be compared most closely to Major and Brown's as like them and unlike Thatcher, Blair and Cameron she became PM when the party was already in government
The fact her initial approval rating is closer to Major than that of Brown suggests she should be able to win at least one general election especially given the weakness of Labour0 -
Brown's coronation was the demonstration of the old saying "You can't polish a turd". Labour did its best at the 2007 conference, but all the bright lights couldn't hide what a first class shit the man was.0
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It's not all bad news for Corbyn. Labour did gain a seat from UKIP in a parish council by-election last night.Mortimer said:Note to Corbyn: to win you need to get actual Tories to vote Labour. People who have voted Tory since 2005. Not people who thought about it whilst queuing for regurgitated quinoa in a pop up stand in Hackney.
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She was not expected to win in 1978, but by 1979 she undoubtedly was.rottenborough said:Interesting stuff Mike. IIRC Thatcher was not expected to win in 79.
However, she was also the last party leader to win an election while behind in the 'best PM' ratings.0 -
"Known quantities as leaders"Mortimer said:
Because no one dreamed Brown would become PM, right?AlastairMeeks said:The honeymoon here refers to polling just after becoming Prime Minister. Polling just after becoming leader would be more helpful. David Cameron had been leader for four years before becoming Prime Minister, as had Margaret Thatcher. By then they were very known quantities as leaders.
Theresa May's polling is best compared with John Major's and Gordon Brown's.
If anything he was more likely to become PM from his position than Thatcher from hers.0 -
Ant and Dec have got their revenge on Corbyn after he failed to recognise them in a quiz on the BBC leadership debate, when asked on Twitter if they knew him they replied 'who? ' with a winking emoji0
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Most sensible comment of the morning award.Morris_Dancer said:I wonder if that's just a function of inheritance, regarding the economy and popularity compared with the outgoing PM in particular.
My main problem with the comparison of leadership ratings is that they do not exist in isolation; all are relative. And are often used to explain situations after the fact than rather than as hooks on which to hang predictions before things happen.0 -
Mr. Mortimer, thanks
Also, check your Vanilla inbox.0 -
To be honest, I can't tell them apart myself.HYUFD said:Ant and Dec have got their revenge on Corbyn after he failed to recognise them in a quiz on the BBC leadership debate, when asked on Twitter if they knew him they replied 'who? ' with a winking emoji
They've been a somewhat irritating presence on the nation's TV screens for almost two decades, and show no sign of disappearing.0 -
Had it been a presidential election in 1979 rather than a parliamentary one it is not impossible Callaghan would have beaten Thatcherydoethur said:
She was not expected to win in 1978, but by 1979 she undoubtedly was.rottenborough said:Interesting stuff Mike. IIRC Thatcher was not expected to win in 79.
However, she was also the last party leader to win an election while behind in the 'best PM' ratings.0 -
I did a bit of research.
Excluding 1970 when the polls were wrong, David Cameron is the only PM to resign whilst leading in the polls, I reckon Mrs May's ratings is the cherry on the parfait that is Cameron's polling legacy.0 -
Corbyn does not need any of those who voted Tory in 2005 to vote for him however he does need a few of those who voted Tory in 2010 and 2015 to vote LabourMortimer said:Note to Corbyn: to win you need to get actual Tories to vote Labour. People who have voted Tory since 2005. Not people who thought about it whilst queuing for regurgitated quinoa in a pop up stand in Hackney.
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FPT Mr Morris
"Mr. Royale, that's true. I always feel sympathy when watching the North Korean athletes too. Can't imagine their training regimes, and lives generally, are other than brutal"
Huff post view from 2012
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/03/north-korea-olympics-team_n_1737181.html0 -
What does quinoa taste like? Or look like? I've never seen it in the flesh and no desire to either.Mortimer said:Note to Corbyn: to win you need to get actual Tories to vote Labour. People who have voted Tory since 2005. Not people who thought about it whilst queuing for regurgitated quinoa in a pop up stand in Hackney.
Is regurgitated quinoa something Gwyeth Paltrow sources from ethically sourced seagulls?0 -
I don't recall which is which either - not that they are that similar, just that you only ever see them as a pair so it doesn't matter which is which - but I thought Corbyn didn't recognise either. Not that it matters, there's no reason he should need to,Casino_Royale said:
To be honest, I can't tell them apart myself.HYUFD said:Ant and Dec have got their revenge on Corbyn after he failed to recognise them in a quiz on the BBC leadership debate, when asked on Twitter if they knew him they replied 'who? ' with a winking emoji
They've been a somewhat irritating presence on the nation's TV screens for almost two decades, and show no sign of disappearing.0 -
Had Blair not done the dirty on Brown, and it was the latter who led Labour back to power in 1997, what do you think his ratings would have been at the start of his premiership?AlastairMeeks said:
"Known quantities as leaders"Mortimer said:
Because no one dreamed Brown would become PM, right?AlastairMeeks said:The honeymoon here refers to polling just after becoming Prime Minister. Polling just after becoming leader would be more helpful. David Cameron had been leader for four years before becoming Prime Minister, as had Margaret Thatcher. By then they were very known quantities as leaders.
Theresa May's polling is best compared with John Major's and Gordon Brown's.
If anything he was more likely to become PM from his position than Thatcher from hers.0 -
Ant always - always - stands to the left of Dec.Casino_Royale said:
To be honest, I can't tell them apart myself.HYUFD said:Ant and Dec have got their revenge on Corbyn after he failed to recognise them in a quiz on the BBC leadership debate, when asked on Twitter if they knew him they replied 'who? ' with a winking emoji
They've been a somewhat irritating presence on the nation's TV screens for almost two decades, and show no sign of disappearing.
Should you have trouble telling John and Edward of Jedward apart, the same is true of John also.0 -
Given the propensity of people to vote Conservativr as they get older, he almost certainty does. Many who voted Labour in 97, 01 and 05 will now vote Tory.HYUFD said:
Corbyn does not need any of those who voted Tory in 2005 to vote for him however he does need a few of those who voted Tory in 2010 and 2015 to vote LabourMortimer said:Note to Corbyn: to win you need to get actual Tories to vote Labour. People who have voted Tory since 2005. Not people who thought about it whilst queuing for regurgitated quinoa in a pop up stand in Hackney.
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You are Bill NighyCasino_Royale said:
To be honest, I can't tell them apart myself.HYUFD said:Ant and Dec have got their revenge on Corbyn after he failed to recognise them in a quiz on the BBC leadership debate, when asked on Twitter if they knew him they replied 'who? ' with a winking emoji
They've been a somewhat irritating presence on the nation's TV screens for almost two decades, and show no sign of disappearing.
https://youtu.be/c2mVtSyRcA80 -
That and the utter incompetence and lack of leadership from the LOTO. There hasn't been anyone as awful that I can recall.TheScreamingEagles said:I did a bit of research.
Excluding 1970 when the polls were wrong, David Cameron is the only PM to resign whilst leading in the polls, I reckon Mrs May's ratings is the cherry on the parfait that is Cameron's polling legacy.0 -
Come on TSE. The latest popular (unpopular??) things poll put the Tory brand ahead of Cameron.TheScreamingEagles said:I did a bit of research.
Excluding 1970 when the polls were wrong, David Cameron is the only PM to resign whilst leading in the polls, I reckon Mrs May's ratings is the cherry on the parfait that is Cameron's polling legacy.
He forgot he was a Tory. Lib Dem Prime Minister is what he will be remembered as.0 -
Mr. Moses, not surprising, unfortunately.0
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How did Blair do the dirty on Brown?tlg86 said:
Had Blair not done the dirty on Brown, and it was the latter who led Labour back to power in 1997, what do you think his ratings would have been at the start of his premiership?AlastairMeeks said:
"Known quantities as leaders"Mortimer said:
Because no one dreamed Brown would become PM, right?AlastairMeeks said:The honeymoon here refers to polling just after becoming Prime Minister. Polling just after becoming leader would be more helpful. David Cameron had been leader for four years before becoming Prime Minister, as had Margaret Thatcher. By then they were very known quantities as leaders.
Theresa May's polling is best compared with John Major's and Gordon Brown's.
If anything he was more likely to become PM from his position than Thatcher from hers.
I have genuinely no idea what Gordon Brown's ratings would have been in 1997 if he had been leader of the Labour party. Not as good as Tony Blair's I imagine, but he would have been a much more confident, much less bitter man than he was in 2007. So I really wouldn't like to guess.0 -
@oflynnmep:
Smith - I'd negotiate with ISIS.
Corbyn - OK then, I will raise you not defending a NATO member invaded by Russia. Your move...0 -
Thanks to Dave, the detox project worked.Mortimer said:
Come on TSE. The latest popular (unpopular??) things poll put the Tory brand ahead of Cameron.TheScreamingEagles said:I did a bit of research.
Excluding 1970 when the polls were wrong, David Cameron is the only PM to resign whilst leading in the polls, I reckon Mrs May's ratings is the cherry on the parfait that is Cameron's polling legacy.
He forgot he was a Tory. Lib Dem Prime Minister is what he will be remembered as.
Read Lord Ashcroft's wake up and smell the coffee report from 2005.0 -
Lower, Brown would never have won seats like Shrewsbury, Romford, Putney, Enfield Southgate etc which Blair wontlg86 said:
Had Blair not done the dirty on Brown, and it was the latter who led Labour back to power in 1997, what do you think his ratings would have been at the start of his premiership?AlastairMeeks said:
"Known quantities as leaders"Mortimer said:
Because no one dreamed Brown would become PM, right?AlastairMeeks said:The honeymoon here refers to polling just after becoming Prime Minister. Polling just after becoming leader would be more helpful. David Cameron had been leader for four years before becoming Prime Minister, as had Margaret Thatcher. By then they were very known quantities as leaders.
Theresa May's polling is best compared with John Major's and Gordon Brown's.
If anything he was more likely to become PM from his position than Thatcher from hers.0 -
In all the "excitement" over which unelectable left winger will destroy the Labour Party fastest, we seem to be missing another far more important contest running in Scotland...
https://twitter.com/scottynational/status/7663950809870540800 -
I'm shocked by this, shocked I tell you.
Ukip Youth Group Trade Islamophobic, Anti-Semitic And Homophobic Slurs In Secret Facebook Group
‘Some of the most racist, hurtful and pathetic comments I have ever seen.’
http://m.huffpost.com/uk/entry/uk_57b5db59e4b026af7c4cf56a0 -
They really are an annoying pair of tw*ts , it amazes me the millions of morons out there that like to watch them. It explains why this country is in such a mess.kle4 said:
I don't recall which is which either - not that they are that similar, just that you only ever see them as a pair so it doesn't matter which is which - but I thought Corbyn didn't recognise either. Not that it matters, there's no reason he should need to,Casino_Royale said:
To be honest, I can't tell them apart myself.HYUFD said:Ant and Dec have got their revenge on Corbyn after he failed to recognise them in a quiz on the BBC leadership debate, when asked on Twitter if they knew him they replied 'who? ' with a winking emoji
They've been a somewhat irritating presence on the nation's TV screens for almost two decades, and show no sign of disappearing.0 -
I was being provocative. Actually, the dirty was done later in 2005, wasn't Blair supposed to only serve two terms? I reckon Brown would have been +35 to +45 if he'd been leader in 1997.AlastairMeeks said:
How did Blair do the dirty on Brown?tlg86 said:
Had Blair not done the dirty on Brown, and it was the latter who led Labour back to power in 1997, what do you think his ratings would have been at the start of his premiership?AlastairMeeks said:
"Known quantities as leaders"Mortimer said:
Because no one dreamed Brown would become PM, right?AlastairMeeks said:The honeymoon here refers to polling just after becoming Prime Minister. Polling just after becoming leader would be more helpful. David Cameron had been leader for four years before becoming Prime Minister, as had Margaret Thatcher. By then they were very known quantities as leaders.
Theresa May's polling is best compared with John Major's and Gordon Brown's.
If anything he was more likely to become PM from his position than Thatcher from hers.
I have genuinely no idea what Gordon Brown's ratings would have been in 1997 if he had been leader of the Labour party. Not as good as Tony Blair's I imagine, but he would have been a much more confident, much less bitter man than he was in 2007. So I really wouldn't like to guess.0 -
On the face of it, this sounds insane:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-37118850
A man cleared of a rape charge is now not eligible for benefits, legal aid and police measures mean he can't apply for most jobs. He's now sleeping rough.0 -
Very disappointing
I missed out on a 12/1 shotAdam Gemili missed out on a Bronze medal by 0.004 seconds0 -
May hasn't done anything yet. The question is whether she ever will.
Her Maycavity act is better than Brown's.0 -
Mr. P, I sympathise. Around the 2010 Monaco Grand Prix (give or take a year) I backed Kubica for pole at comparable odds and he was a similarly tiny margin off getting it.0
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The reason Brown withdrew in 1994 is because it was obvious not merely that he would not beat Blair, but that he would not beat Prescott, which would have been a genuine disaster for Labour. So I am slightly puzzled at your assertion that Brown 'would have led Labour back to power'.tlg86 said:
Had Blair not done the dirty on Brown, and it was the latter who led Labour back to power in 1997, what do you think his ratings would have been at the start of his premiership?AlastairMeeks said:
"Known quantities as leaders"Mortimer said:
Because no one dreamed Brown would become PM, right?AlastairMeeks said:The honeymoon here refers to polling just after becoming Prime Minister. Polling just after becoming leader would be more helpful. David Cameron had been leader for four years before becoming Prime Minister, as had Margaret Thatcher. By then they were very known quantities as leaders.
Theresa May's polling is best compared with John Major's and Gordon Brown's.
If anything he was more likely to become PM from his position than Thatcher from hers.
The reason people believe otherwise is because Brown is such a narcissist he came to genuinely believe that he had been magnanimous to pull out and let Blair win. It is why he became so vicious to all potential rivals and later to his own ministers, because he thought they were acting on Blair's bidding to thwart him again. History, in this case is written not by the victor but by a man who is in every sense of the word a loser.0 -
To be honest that's fairly low down my trouble list.AlastairMeeks said:
Ant always - always - stands to the left of Dec.Casino_Royale said:
To be honest, I can't tell them apart myself.HYUFD said:Ant and Dec have got their revenge on Corbyn after he failed to recognise them in a quiz on the BBC leadership debate, when asked on Twitter if they knew him they replied 'who? ' with a winking emoji
They've been a somewhat irritating presence on the nation's TV screens for almost two decades, and show no sign of disappearing.
Should you have trouble telling John and Edward of Jedward apart, the same is true of John also.0 -
I don't know one from the other and had no idea who they were for yrs either. I see them when watching BGT [and I never watched that either until @JohnLoony mentioned it a long while ago]. They're very good at being chirpy chappies.kle4 said:
I don't recall which is which either - not that they are that similar, just that you only ever see them as a pair so it doesn't matter which is which - but I thought Corbyn didn't recognise either. Not that it matters, there's no reason he should need to,Casino_Royale said:
To be honest, I can't tell them apart myself.HYUFD said:Ant and Dec have got their revenge on Corbyn after he failed to recognise them in a quiz on the BBC leadership debate, when asked on Twitter if they knew him they replied 'who? ' with a winking emoji
They've been a somewhat irritating presence on the nation's TV screens for almost two decades, and show no sign of disappearing.
Nothing can beat EdM's fake interest in popular TV - he'd a crib.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ed-miliband/11163473/Ed-Miliband-researching-popular-TV-shows-like-EastEnders-online-as-election-approaches.html
" Mr Miliband met EastEnders star Danny Dyer at a London awards ceremony for gay magazine Attitude on Monday night, according to The Sun.
Discussing the show, Mr Miliband revealed he knew the character of Ben Mitchell had been played by five different actors while Martin Fowler had been portrayed by three.
However when asked if he watched the show, Mr Miliband reportedly said: "No, I don’t have time any more but I’ve been doing a lot of research about it online.”
A Labour source told the paper: “It might have felt a bit awkward but Ed was just making a genuine effort to brush up on his TV knowledge."
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Mr W,
"I was hoping for Ladies pairs shackled synchronized massage from the 10m high board."
I'm shocked, truly shocked. You are clearly as shallow as wot I is.0 -
Brown would have won a solid majority, but probably not the extra 30-40 English Shire seats that Blair hoovered up.AlastairMeeks said:
How did Blair do the dirty on Brown?tlg86 said:
Had Blair not done the dirty on Brown, and it was the latter who led Labour back to power in 1997, what do you think his ratings would have been at the start of his premiership?AlastairMeeks said:
"Known quantities as leaders"Mortimer said:
Because no one dreamed Brown would become PM, right?AlastairMeeks said:The honeymoon here refers to polling just after becoming Prime Minister. Polling just after becoming leader would be more helpful. David Cameron had been leader for four years before becoming Prime Minister, as had Margaret Thatcher. By then they were very known quantities as leaders.
Theresa May's polling is best compared with John Major's and Gordon Brown's.
If anything he was more likely to become PM from his position than Thatcher from hers.
I have genuinely no idea what Gordon Brown's ratings would have been in 1997 if he had been leader of the Labour party. Not as good as Tony Blair's I imagine, but he would have been a much more confident, much less bitter man than he was in 2007. So I really wouldn't like to guess.
I'd have thought about 370 seats and a majority of 80ish.0 -
I'm very pleased you didn't call them turnips. Such unkindness to root vegetables would have been unconscionable especially this early in the morningmalcolmg said:
They really are an annoying pair of tw*ts , it amazes me the millions of morons out there that like to watch them. It explains why this country is in such a mess.kle4 said:
I don't recall which is which either - not that they are that similar, just that you only ever see them as a pair so it doesn't matter which is which - but I thought Corbyn didn't recognise either. Not that it matters, there's no reason he should need to,Casino_Royale said:
To be honest, I can't tell them apart myself.HYUFD said:Ant and Dec have got their revenge on Corbyn after he failed to recognise them in a quiz on the BBC leadership debate, when asked on Twitter if they knew him they replied 'who? ' with a winking emoji
They've been a somewhat irritating presence on the nation's TV screens for almost two decades, and show no sign of disappearing.
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0
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Techical question - given taekwando contenders wear headguards - why don't they have footware? It'd kill/break bones to smack someone with bare feet - wouldn't it?0
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Watching it is one thing.PlatoSaid said:
However when asked if he watched the show, Mr Miliband reportedly said: "No, I don’t have time any more but I’ve been doing a lot of research about it online.”
A Labour source told the paper: “It might have felt a bit awkward but Ed was just making a genuine effort to brush up on his TV knowledge."
Doing research about it online is a bit sad.
Doing research about it online even though you don't watch it is so weird that it's actually rather worrying.
But then, this is Ed 'I'm a normal person so I get it' Miliband we're talking about...
Back to work. Have a good morning everyone!0 -
Absolutely NO sign of this May surge in the results so far from last night. If anything Conservatives going backwards. I would take in with a pinch of salt. See what happens with todays counts particuarly the three seats in Fareham.0
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Maybe but virtually nobody who voted for Michael Howard in 2005 will vote Labour at the next general election and Labour could win without winning a single one of those voters anywayMortimer said:
Given the propensity of people to vote Conservativr as they get older, he almost certainty does. Many who voted Labour in 97, 01 and 05 will now vote Tory.HYUFD said:
Corbyn does not need any of those who voted Tory in 2005 to vote for him however he does need a few of those who voted Tory in 2010 and 2015 to vote LabourMortimer said:Note to Corbyn: to win you need to get actual Tories to vote Labour. People who have voted Tory since 2005. Not people who thought about it whilst queuing for regurgitated quinoa in a pop up stand in Hackney.
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Mr. HYUFD, that does neglect the Conservatives taking a huge bite out of the Lib Dems, and the SNP taking almost every seat in what Labour had long considered its natural territory.0
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He'll be remembered as the one whose gamble took us out of Europe. Unless of course the UK does fall apart in which case the back of the tombstone will be needed as well. Nothing really to do with being LibDem; a second coalition would not have made the gamble.Mortimer said:
Come on TSE. The latest popular (unpopular??) things poll put the Tory brand ahead of Cameron.TheScreamingEagles said:I did a bit of research.
Excluding 1970 when the polls were wrong, David Cameron is the only PM to resign whilst leading in the polls, I reckon Mrs May's ratings is the cherry on the parfait that is Cameron's polling legacy.
He forgot he was a Tory. Lib Dem Prime Minister is what he will be remembered as.0 -
All very weird but surely SOP for politicos or indeed almost anyone these days -- if you are going to an event with which you are unfamiliar, you do some research online or read a brief compiled by someone else. It was failing to do basic research about Mumsnet that led Gordon Brown to flounder on the booby-trapped "favourite biscuit" question. Making a fuss of it just shows media bias. The weird part was the obsession with trivia, as if Miliband had Eastenders as his specialist round in Celebrity Mastermind.PlatoSaid said:
I don't know one from the other and had no idea who they were for yrs either. I see them when watching BGT [and I never watched that either until @JohnLoony mentioned it a long while ago]. They're very good at being chirpy chappies.kle4 said:
I don't recall which is which either - not that they are that similar, just that you only ever see them as a pair so it doesn't matter which is which - but I thought Corbyn didn't recognise either. Not that it matters, there's no reason he should need to,Casino_Royale said:
To be honest, I can't tell them apart myself.HYUFD said:Ant and Dec have got their revenge on Corbyn after he failed to recognise them in a quiz on the BBC leadership debate, when asked on Twitter if they knew him they replied 'who? ' with a winking emoji
They've been a somewhat irritating presence on the nation's TV screens for almost two decades, and show no sign of disappearing.
Nothing can beat EdM's fake interest in popular TV - he'd a crib.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ed-miliband/11163473/Ed-Miliband-researching-popular-TV-shows-like-EastEnders-online-as-election-approaches.html
" Mr Miliband met EastEnders star Danny Dyer at a London awards ceremony for gay magazine Attitude on Monday night, according to The Sun.
Discussing the show, Mr Miliband revealed he knew the character of Ben Mitchell had been played by five different actors while Martin Fowler had been portrayed by three.
However when asked if he watched the show, Mr Miliband reportedly said: "No, I don’t have time any more but I’ve been doing a lot of research about it online.”
A Labour source told the paper: “It might have felt a bit awkward but Ed was just making a genuine effort to brush up on his TV knowledge."0 -
Why on earth are councils holding by-elections in August? Half the population is on holiday.theakes said:Absolutely NO sign of this May surge in the results so far from last night. If anything Conservatives going backwards. I would take in with a pinch of salt. See what happens with todays counts particuarly the three seats in Fareham.
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Many of the 2010 LDs who went Tory in 2015 may have voted for Blair or Kennedy and could be Labour targets but none will have voted for Howard in 2005 and of course Howard only won 1 Scottish seatMorris_Dancer said:Mr. HYUFD, that does neglect the Conservatives taking a huge bite out of the Lib Dems, and the SNP taking almost every seat in what Labour had long considered its natural territory.
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If two electors write the letter, the election has to be held. There is almost always someone locally who wants it quick.rottenborough said:
Why on earth are councils holding by-elections in August? Half the population is on holiday.theakes said:Absolutely NO sign of this May surge in the results so far from last night. If anything Conservatives going backwards. I would take in with a pinch of salt. See what happens with todays counts particuarly the three seats in Fareham.
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Regurgitated quinoa joins coffee made from weasel vomit and cat excrement and Frey pies as food I never want to try.PlatoSaid said:
What does quinoa taste like? Or look like? I've never seen it in the flesh and no desire to either.Mortimer said:Note to Corbyn: to win you need to get actual Tories to vote Labour. People who have voted Tory since 2005. Not people who thought about it whilst queuing for regurgitated quinoa in a pop up stand in Hackney.
Is regurgitated quinoa something Gwyeth Paltrow sources from ethically sourced seagulls?0 -
The worry was that if Blair and Brown both stood, then they would split the progressive, 'we need to change to win' vote. John Smith had operated a 'one more heave' strategy.ydoethur said:
The reason Brown withdrew in 1994 is because it was obvious not merely that he would not beat Blair, but that he would not beat Prescott, which would have been a genuine disaster for Labour. So I am slightly puzzled at your assertion that Brown 'would have led Labour back to power'.tlg86 said:
Had Blair not done the dirty on Brown, and it was the latter who led Labour back to power in 1997, what do you think his ratings would have been at the start of his premiership?AlastairMeeks said:
"Known quantities as leaders"Mortimer said:
Because no one dreamed Brown would become PM, right?AlastairMeeks said:The honeymoon here refers to polling just after becoming Prime Minister. Polling just after becoming leader would be more helpful. David Cameron had been leader for four years before becoming Prime Minister, as had Margaret Thatcher. By then they were very known quantities as leaders.
Theresa May's polling is best compared with John Major's and Gordon Brown's.
If anything he was more likely to become PM from his position than Thatcher from hers.
The reason people believe otherwise is because Brown is such a narcissist he came to genuinely believe that he had been magnanimous to pull out and let Blair win. It is why he became so vicious to all potential rivals and later to his own ministers, because he thought they were acting on Blair's bidding to thwart him again. History, in this case is written not by the victor but by a man who is in every sense of the word a loser.0 -
My 100/1 tip on Burgon as next Labour leader is going to be a sure fire winner
Shadow Justice Secretary and fervent Jeremy Corbyn supporter is heading to Scotland next week to address a rally organised by Momentum.
He's obviously very excited about it, judging by his tweets publicising the event and encouraging as many socialists as possible to attend.
Just one snag, though. Cambridge graduate Mr Burgon has been encouraging them to turn up at the wrong place.
Keen-eyed observers will notice that the event is taking place at Port Glasgow Town Hall. The Labour MP for East Leeds, however, is imploring his followers to go to Glasgow - some 23 miles away....
...One Scottish Labour source told Dot: "Richard Burgon is a moron. He's simply demonstrating just how in touch with Scotland they are."
https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/dot-commons-diary/78240/oops-shadow-minister-richard-has-bur0 -
Glad to see the Mayor finally addressing the alarming rate of closure in London's club and bar scene. Hopefully the 24h tube service will help longer opening hours. I know when I used to do these things that I would weigh up the cost of staying out late with how much fun it was. 9/10 times the cost of additional drinks and a taxi came to a figure that didn't justify staying out late. I'm sure I wasn't alone. The night tube is going to be great, I just hope that TfL can extend it to more days and more lines.0
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I think the decays of opoosition leader ratings are really instructive.
1) You will go down.
2) Once you go down, you stay down.
The only people in recent years to buck the trends were Blair (didn't go down) and Cameron (only went down because of the hype of the Brown bounce).0 -
It could be handy for the next PB meet.MaxPB said:Glad to see the Mayor finally addressing the alarming rate of closure in London's club and bar scene. Hopefully the 24h tube service will help longer opening hours. I know when I used to do these things that I would weigh up the cost of staying out late with how much fun it was. 9/10 times the cost of additional drinks and a taxi came to a figure that didn't justify staying out late. I'm sure I wasn't alone. The night tube is going to be great, I just hope that TfL can extend it to more days and more lines.
0 -
Quinoa is pretty good actually - rather nutty taste and looks a little like brown rice when cooked, although round, slightly puffed out seeds rather than thin seeds.Sean_F said:
Regurgitated quinoa joins coffee made from weasel vomit and cat excrement and Frey pies as food I never want to try.PlatoSaid said:
What does quinoa taste like? Or look like? I've never seen it in the flesh and no desire to either.Mortimer said:Note to Corbyn: to win you need to get actual Tories to vote Labour. People who have voted Tory since 2005. Not people who thought about it whilst queuing for regurgitated quinoa in a pop up stand in Hackney.
Is regurgitated quinoa something Gwyeth Paltrow sources from ethically sourced seagulls?
For people looking to reduce glucose load from carbs as part of a diet, especially if pre-diabetic, then it is excellent replacement for pasta or rice.
No idea about regurgitation aspect. We don't do that in my part of the Midlands.0 -
The Bill Nighy character gloriously took the p*ss in Love Actually when they were presenting his aged rock star character with an award:Casino_Royale said:
To be honest, I can't tell them apart myself.HYUFD said:Ant and Dec have got their revenge on Corbyn after he failed to recognise them in a quiz on the BBC leadership debate, when asked on Twitter if they knew him they replied 'who? ' with a winking emoji
Thank you Ant or Dec
He then went on to say 'Kids - don't buy drugs - become a rock star and you're given them free!'....0 -
https://twitter.com/polhomeeditor/status/766365209858539520TheScreamingEagles said:My 100/1 tip on Burgon as next Labour leader is going to be a sure fire winner
Shadow Justice Secretary and fervent Jeremy Corbyn supporter is heading to Scotland next week to address a rally organised by Momentum.
He's obviously very excited about it, judging by his tweets publicising the event and encouraging as many socialists as possible to attend.
Just one snag, though. Cambridge graduate Mr Burgon has been encouraging them to turn up at the wrong place.0 -
Kafkaesque -- leave aside the sex and crime angle and the problem is that no-one in the benefits office has the authority to override the rigid guidelines around benefits, and this spiralled into the same situation on legal aid. Whitehall knows best, except for all sorts of edge-cases that IDS or New Labour never considered.Morris_Dancer said:On the face of it, this sounds insane:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-37118850
A man cleared of a rape charge is now not eligible for benefits, legal aid and police measures mean he can't apply for most jobs. He's now sleeping rough.0 -
The tabloids will surely have photographers primed for snaps of empty carriages and/or passed-out passengers.MaxPB said:Glad to see the Mayor finally addressing the alarming rate of closure in London's club and bar scene. Hopefully the 24h tube service will help longer opening hours. I know when I used to do these things that I would weigh up the cost of staying out late with how much fun it was. 9/10 times the cost of additional drinks and a taxi came to a figure that didn't justify staying out late. I'm sure I wasn't alone. The night tube is going to be great, I just hope that TfL can extend it to more days and more lines.
0 -
Mr. L, it's deranged. It's a problem for all major parties. They seem to only consider the intention in drafting the law, not what it actually entails (or could entail). Brown using terror legislation on Iceland would be another example.0
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Paging Tim
George Osborne spotted firing machine gun on holiday in Vietnam
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/19/george-osborne-spotted-firing-machine-gun-on-holiday-in-vietnam?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard0 -
The coffee beans are only sourced from poop rather than vomit, if that makes any difference.Sean_F said:
Regurgitated quinoa joins coffee made from weasel vomit and cat excrement and Frey pies as food I never want to try.PlatoSaid said:
What does quinoa taste like? Or look like? I've never seen it in the flesh and no desire to either.Mortimer said:Note to Corbyn: to win you need to get actual Tories to vote Labour. People who have voted Tory since 2005. Not people who thought about it whilst queuing for regurgitated quinoa in a pop up stand in Hackney.
Is regurgitated quinoa something Gwyeth Paltrow sources from ethically sourced seagulls?0 -
Surely some kind lawyer can take this on Pro Bono?DecrepitJohnL said:
Kafkaesque -- leave aside the sex and crime angle and the problem is that no-one in the benefits office has the authority to override the rigid guidelines around benefits, and this spiralled into the same situation on legal aid. Whitehall knows best, except for all sorts of edge-cases that IDS or New Labour never considered.Morris_Dancer said:On the face of it, this sounds insane:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-37118850
A man cleared of a rape charge is now not eligible for benefits, legal aid and police measures mean he can't apply for most jobs. He's now sleeping rough.
The guy was found not guilty by a jury of his peers, his treatment is the sort of disgrace that would make us go mad if it were happening in another country.0 -
Just for our train fans
Owen Smith
"Isambard Kingdom Brunel wld look at our trains and he'd recognise them because they haven't changed since he built them- we need to invest"0 -
Fatuous thing to say.PlatoSaid said:Just for our train fans
Owen Smith
"Isambard Kingdom Brunel wld look at our trains and he'd recognise them because they haven't changed since he built them- we need to invest"
Has Mr Smith got a train design in his back pocket that doesn't look like a train?
How will he make it fit the Roman gauge?0 -
Owen Smith and Jezza are playing a game of idiot top trumps:PlatoSaid said:Just for our train fans
Owen Smith
"Isambard Kingdom Brunel wld look at our trains and he'd recognise them because they haven't changed since he built them- we need to invest"
Owen: "I'll start with lets go soft on ISIS"
Jez: "Won't bother with enacting NATO art 5"
Owen: "Trains haven't changed since 1850s"0 -
Err.....PlatoSaid said:Just for our train fans
Owen Smith
"Isambard Kingdom Brunel wld look at our trains and he'd recognise them because they haven't changed since he built them- we need to invest"
http://tinyurl.com/jpresu4
The Stadler trains are going to be articulated which I think means coaches sharing bogies.0 -
I've been researching Moltex this morning. Very interesting reactor design, and i think it might actually solve the issue of salt corrosion of the reactor vessel. The government should do everything possible to make Moltex reactors into an exportable good for the UK.0
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I have a strong dislike for the sex ban order, but I'm very wary about taking that BBC report at face value. The only viewpoint that we have other than that of the subject of the order is the following:
"In response, a spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: "We don't recognise this account of events but would urge Mr O'Neill to contact us as soon as possible if he does want our help to get back into work." "
That suggests to me that there is a different interpretation of the facts out there.0 -
Indonesian Cat Shit is the world's most expensive coffee, but it has a rival in Vietnamese Weasel Puke.Theuniondivvie said:
The coffee beans are only sourced from poop rather than vomit, if that makes any difference.Sean_F said:
Regurgitated quinoa joins coffee made from weasel vomit and cat excrement and Frey pies as food I never want to try.PlatoSaid said:
What does quinoa taste like? Or look like? I've never seen it in the flesh and no desire to either.Mortimer said:Note to Corbyn: to win you need to get actual Tories to vote Labour. People who have voted Tory since 2005. Not people who thought about it whilst queuing for regurgitated quinoa in a pop up stand in Hackney.
Is regurgitated quinoa something Gwyeth Paltrow sources from ethically sourced seagulls?0 -
TfL does illustrate some advantages of a publicly-owned publicly-accountable, integrated rail and bus service with integrated ticketing compared to rural England.DecrepitJohnL said:
The tabloids will surely have photographers primed for snaps of empty carriages and/or passed-out passengers.MaxPB said:Glad to see the Mayor finally addressing the alarming rate of closure in London's club and bar scene. Hopefully the 24h tube service will help longer opening hours. I know when I used to do these things that I would weigh up the cost of staying out late with how much fun it was. 9/10 times the cost of additional drinks and a taxi came to a figure that didn't justify staying out late. I'm sure I wasn't alone. The night tube is going to be great, I just hope that TfL can extend it to more days and more lines.
Friends who retired & moved from Yorkshire back to London (hubbie was born in London) are ecstatic at the higher quality of the public transport system and have got rid of their car. Despite being almost of bus pass age, I couldn't consider that.
Incidentally, every time Jeremy Corbyn now opens his mouth it seems to be a gaffe. Even I could have framed a hypothetical question-type response to the Russia question. Either he's not very bright, or he's awful at thinking on his feet, or both. Even John McDonnell could do better.0 -
I find myselfPulpstar said:
Owen Smith and Jezza are playing a game of idiot top trumps:PlatoSaid said:Just for our train fans
:
Owen Smith
"Isambard Kingdom Brunel wld look at our trains and he'd recognise them because they haven't changed since he built them- we need to invest"
Owen: "I'll start with lets go soft on ISIS"
Jez: "Won't bother with enacting NATO art 5"
Owen: "Trains haven't changed since 1850s"
and then wondering if I've missed some greater intellectual truth - then again. 0 -
Also Cameron's unpopularity in the last months of his premiership were entirely to do with the EU. For most of his office he was seen much more favourably than his party.IanB2 said:
He'll be remembered as the one whose gamble took us out of Europe. Unless of course the UK does fall apart in which case the back of the tombstone will be needed as well. Nothing really to do with being LibDem; a second coalition would not have made the gamble.Mortimer said:
Come on TSE. The latest popular (unpopular??) things poll put the Tory brand ahead of Cameron.TheScreamingEagles said:I did a bit of research.
Excluding 1970 when the polls were wrong, David Cameron is the only PM to resign whilst leading in the polls, I reckon Mrs May's ratings is the cherry on the parfait that is Cameron's polling legacy.
He forgot he was a Tory. Lib Dem Prime Minister is what he will be remembered as.0 -
You are too kind. It suggests to me the DWP does not know and probably cannot find out just what the benefits office staff actually said. It's a non-denial denial, and the DWP does not go on to say that a claimant would *not* be refused benefits if he declined to apply for "suitable" jobs involving phones and computers.AlastairMeeks said:I have a strong dislike for the sex ban order, but I'm very wary about taking that BBC report at face value. The only viewpoint that we have other than that of the subject of the order is the following:
"In response, a spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: "We don't recognise this account of events but would urge Mr O'Neill to contact us as soon as possible if he does want our help to get back into work." "
That suggests to me that there is a different interpretation of the facts out there.0 -
A taste I've no desire to acquire. Apparently Gwyneth is keen on cockroach milk as her next health craze. I can't believe Olympic champions like Phelps are covered in cupping bruises. What immense nonsense. I'd give him a love bite for free.Sean_F said:
Indonesian Cat Shit is the world's most expensive coffee, but it has a rival in Vietnamese Weasel Puke.Theuniondivvie said:
The coffee beans are only sourced from poop rather than vomit, if that makes any difference.Sean_F said:
Regurgitated quinoa joins coffee made from weasel vomit and cat excrement and Frey pies as food I never want to try.PlatoSaid said:
What does quinoa taste like? Or look like? I've never seen it in the flesh and no desire to either.Mortimer said:Note to Corbyn: to win you need to get actual Tories to vote Labour. People who have voted Tory since 2005. Not people who thought about it whilst queuing for regurgitated quinoa in a pop up stand in Hackney.
Is regurgitated quinoa something Gwyeth Paltrow sources from ethically sourced seagulls?0
