I'm reasonably confident Judge Richard Mansell's leniency is not to be found anywhere in the sentencing guidelines. He needs to be thoroughly investigated, at the very least.
Avoid jail as it would affect employment is a reasonably common thing I thought.
Wasn't here a case of a city banker avoiding jail recently after glassing someone as he plead loss of employment?
An odd thing about the job offer is that no-one raised an eyebrow about a 34-year-old amateur suddenly being offered a county contract. 24 maybe.
An amateur which a simple google search would show has played a total of one match at "professional" level in Pakistan in his whole career.
As a youth, I played high level UK amateur cricket in the UK and every team had an overseas pro, all of which either had proven track records at county / international level or they were on the way up and had played things like U19 international cricket.
Several of the overseas players I played against got snapped up by county teams. However none were 34 year old you nobodies.
IANAJ but surely the judiciary can't spend time on Google for each case to find out things that they could reasonably expect one side or the other to present in court?
Well this was a very very specific and should have your bullshit meter going off. It took me 5 seconds to check...and also this started by my question of why isn't the judge asking for any communications between the defendant and the club to be presented to him.
If there were claims that a 70 year old reality tv star with no political experience was going to run for president...oh wait, shit thats ruined my argument.
Judges have probably come to the learned conclusion that truth is inevitably stranger than fiction...
To be fair to the judge, the guy claimed he was being considered by Leicestershire, who aren’t the best equipped, player-wise, of counties these days. So HH MIGHT have thought there could be some truth in it.
I'm reasonably confident Judge Richard Mansell's leniency is not to be found anywhere in the sentencing guidelines. He needs to be thoroughly investigated, at the very least.
Avoid jail as it would affect employment is a reasonably common thing I thought.
Wasn't here a case of a city banker avoiding jail recently after glassing someone as he plead loss of employment?
An odd thing about the job offer is that no-one raised an eyebrow about a 34-year-old amateur suddenly being offered a county contract. 24 maybe.
An amateur which a simple google search would show has played a total of one match at "professional" level in Pakistan in his whole career.
As a youth, I played high level UK amateur cricket in the UK and every team had an overseas pro, all of which either had proven track records at county / international level or they were on the way up and had played things like U19 international cricket.
Several of the overseas players I played against got snapped up by county teams. However none were 34 year old you nobodies.
IANAJ but surely the judiciary can't spend time on Google for each case to find out things that they could reasonably expect one side or the other to present in court?
They could require evidence though? If there was an offer of a job, shouldn't there be a letter confirming that that? Or his copy of the contract, for example?
I think the Cons could regain Oxfordshire by picking up 6 Lab wards (4 in Banbury, 1 in Didcot, 1 in Witney), while losing a couple to the LDs (Charlbury, Abingdon N). Con to UKIP switchers were heavily responsible for Lab gaining these wards in the first place.
It looks like UKIP are doing far worse than expected in terms of nominating candidates all over the country for the local elections (not just in Oxfordshire). The Tories are probably going to pick up a lot of seats almost by default. The predicted Conservative national equivalent share of 31% is starting to look a bit on the low side IMO.
I'm reasonably confident Judge Richard Mansell's leniency is not to be found anywhere in the sentencing guidelines. He needs to be thoroughly investigated, at the very least.
Avoid jail as it would affect employment is a reasonably common thing I thought.
Wasn't here a case of a city banker avoiding jail recently after glassing someone as he plead loss of employment?
An odd thing about the job offer is that no-one raised an eyebrow about a 34-year-old amateur suddenly being offered a county contract. 24 maybe.
An amateur which a simple google search would show has played a total of one match at "professional" level in Pakistan in his whole career.
As a youth, I played high level UK amateur cricket in the UK and every team had an overseas pro, all of which either had proven track records at county / international level or they were on the way up and had played things like U19 international cricket.
Several of the overseas players I played against got snapped up by county teams. However none were 34 year old you nobodies.
IANAJ but surely the judiciary can't spend time on Google for each case to find out things that they could reasonably expect one side or the other to present in court?
Well this was a very very specific and should have your bullshit meter going off. It took me 5 seconds to check...and also this started by my question of why isn't the judge asking for any communications between the defendant and the club to be presented to him.
If there were claims that a 70 year old reality tv star with no political experience was going to run for president...oh wait, shit thats ruined my argument.
Judges have probably come to the learned conclusion that truth is inevitably stranger than fiction...
To be fair to the judge, the guy claimed he was being considered by Leicestershire, who aren’t the best equipped, player-wise, of counties these days. So HH MIGHT have thought there could be some truth in it.
Thats a bit like saying Southampton are considering signing an unknown African striker whose only previous confirmed appearances at any level of football was a single run out for Blyth Spartans....
Oh shit I have done it again...I am not good at probably these analogies.
It looks like UKIP are doing far worse than expected in terms of nominating candidates all over the country for the local elections (not just in Oxfordshire). The Tories are probably going to pick up a lot of seats almost by default. The predicted Conservative national equivalent share of 31% is starting to look a bit on the low side IMO.
Do you have a sense of how many seats they are contesting (and what fraction that is of the number up for grabs)?
It looks like UKIP are doing far worse than expected in terms of nominating candidates all over the country for the local elections (not just in Oxfordshire). The Tories are probably going to pick up a lot of seats almost by default. The predicted Conservative national equivalent share of 31% is starting to look a bit on the low side IMO.
Do you have a sense of how many seats they are contesting (and what fraction that is of the number up for grabs)?
Not yet, a lot of councils are still to publish their nominations.
An odd thing about the job offer is that no-one raised an eyebrow about a 34-year-old amateur suddenly being offered a county contract. 24 maybe.
An amateur which a simple google search would show has played a total of one match at "professional" level in Pakistan in his whole career.
As a youth, I played high level UK amateur cricket in the UK and every team had an overseas pro, all of which either had proven track records at county / international level or they were on the way up and had played things like U19 international cricket.
Several of the overseas players I played against got snapped up by county teams. However none were 34 year old you nobodies.
IANAJ but surely the judiciary can't spend time on Google for each case to find out things that they could reasonably expect one side or the other to present in court?
Well this was a very very specific and should have your bullshit meter going off. It took me 5 seconds to check...and also this started by my question of why isn't the judge asking for any communications between the defendant and the club to be presented to him.
If there were claims that a 70 year old reality tv star with no political experience was going to run for president...oh wait, shit thats ruined my argument.
Judges have probably come to the learned conclusion that truth is inevitably stranger than fiction...
To be fair to the judge, the guy claimed he was being considered by Leicestershire, who aren’t the best equipped, player-wise, of counties these days. So HH MIGHT have thought there could be some truth in it.
Thats a bit like saying Southampton are considering signing an unknown African striker whose only previous confirmed appearances at any level of football was a single run out for Blyth Spartans....
Oh shit I have done it again...I am not good at probably these analogies.
TBH that’s not too bad. Clubs in the Oldham are are probably better than average. You’d be better replacing Southampton with Ipswich Town, though.
It looks like UKIP are doing far worse than expected in terms of nominating candidates all over the country for the local elections (not just in Oxfordshire). The Tories are probably going to pick up a lot of seats almost by default. The predicted Conservative national equivalent share of 31% is starting to look a bit on the low side IMO.
Do you have a sense of how many seats they are contesting (and what fraction that is of the number up for grabs)?
Not yet, a lot of councils are still to publish their nominations.
It looks like UKIP are doing far worse than expected in terms of nominating candidates all over the country for the local elections (not just in Oxfordshire). The Tories are probably going to pick up a lot of seats almost by default. The predicted Conservative national equivalent share of 31% is starting to look a bit on the low side IMO.
Do you have a sense of how many seats they are contesting (and what fraction that is of the number up for grabs)?
Not yet, a lot of councils are still to publish their nominations.
On Topic. The chart above strikes me as a waste of Mikes enormous brain, especially without saying when these most "recent" elections took place. It could presumably be anything between one & four years ago - not just useless but actually misleading. I would expect The Libdems to do at least 8% better than 2016, for example. UKIP will tank everywhere. Basically, we dont know.
It looks like UKIP are doing far worse than expected in terms of nominating candidates all over the country for the local elections (not just in Oxfordshire). The Tories are probably going to pick up a lot of seats almost by default. The predicted Conservative national equivalent share of 31% is starting to look a bit on the low side IMO.
Do you have a sense of how many seats they are contesting (and what fraction that is of the number up for grabs)?
Not yet, a lot of councils are still to publish their nominations.
13th April deadline
Ah OK, UKIP could be a bit on the slow side?
They've managed to put candidates up in each ward near me. These thing are done very much on a local level (At least for the LDs they are), mind.
It looks like UKIP are doing far worse than expected in terms of nominating candidates all over the country for the local elections (not just in Oxfordshire). The Tories are probably going to pick up a lot of seats almost by default. The predicted Conservative national equivalent share of 31% is starting to look a bit on the low side IMO.
That was always an absurdly low prediction.
R&T (it was them, I think?) look to me to have been dazzled by the Lib Dems' ability to fight by-elections. The organisation and resources needed for widespread elections are quite different, though they could use similar techniques to target specific wards. My own guess would be a LD NEV of 16%.
Very interesting comment by @El_Capitano about UKIP failing to stand candidates in many wards in Oxfordshire. I've just checked here in East Sussex and it's the same story. They've largely disappeared from the Hasting areas, and from much of Wealden. This includes some wards they actually won last time, and many wards where they were on vote shares of 20% to 30%. Overall, they have disappeared from something like three quarters of the wards (last time they have a complete slate apart from one ward where they screwed up the nomination).
The BBC reported earlier today that veteran BBC broadcaster Brian Matthew had died aged 88.
However, the broadcaster has now been forced to put out a correction after it was found that the presenter, who hosted Sounds of the 60s on BBC Radio 2, was not in fact dead.
Ken tells Guido that no one from Corbyn’s office has been in touch today and says “Maybe Shami hasn’t read what I’ve actually said and has just been reading these dishonest tweets”. He says a new investigation would not change last night’s legal outcome. Ken only mentioned Hitler once in our two minute phone call.
-----
Guido has just broken the news of Corbyn’s statement over the phone to Ken. His response to the news that Jez has referred him to the NEC:
“That’ll be interesting. It doesn’t matter at the end of the day because we are subject to British law. You’re not going to get a British judge to rule against me for telling the truth. It may be that they have been following all the tweets accusing me of being anti-Semitic, I’ll find out when I speak to Jeremy.”
Very interesting comment by @El_Capitano about UKIP failing to stand candidates in many wards in Oxfordshire. I've just checked here in East Sussex and it's the same story. They've largely disappeared from the Hasting areas, and from much of Wealden. This includes some wards they actually won last time, and many wards where they were on vote shares of 20% to 30%. Overall, they have disappeared from something like three quarters of the wards (last time they have a complete slate apart from one ward where they screwed up the nomination).
This cannot come as a surprise. It may be different in other parts of the country but in the SE UKIP had one purpose and that has now been achieved.
Very interesting comment by @El_Capitano about UKIP failing to stand candidates in many wards in Oxfordshire. I've just checked here in East Sussex and it's the same story. They've largely disappeared from the Hasting areas, and from much of Wealden. This includes some wards they actually won last time, and many wards where they were on vote shares of 20% to 30%. Overall, they have disappeared from something like three quarters of the wards (last time they have a complete slate apart from one ward where they screwed up the nomination).
Checked the nominations for Essex and it looks like the Kippers have candidates in about 66% of wards. LibDems are fighting all but one ...... ironically one which, back when I was involved with these things there, they won ..... and Greens most. The Kippers also used, IIRC, to have an alliance with the Canvey Island Independence Party, but that seems to have broken down.
Very interesting comment by @El_Capitano about UKIP failing to stand candidates in many wards in Oxfordshire. I've just checked here in East Sussex and it's the same story. They've largely disappeared from the Hasting areas, and from much of Wealden. This includes some wards they actually won last time, and many wards where they were on vote shares of 20% to 30%. Overall, they have disappeared from something like three quarters of the wards (last time they have a complete slate apart from one ward where they screwed up the nomination).
The Hertsmere bit of Herts seems to have a good number of UKIP candidates. Not that I'm expecting them to achieve much more than single digit spoiler status.
Very interesting comment by @El_Capitano about UKIP failing to stand candidates in many wards in Oxfordshire. I've just checked here in East Sussex and it's the same story. They've largely disappeared from the Hasting areas, and from much of Wealden. This includes some wards they actually won last time, and many wards where they were on vote shares of 20% to 30%. Overall, they have disappeared from something like three quarters of the wards (last time they have a complete slate apart from one ward where they screwed up the nomination).
This cannot come as a surprise. It may be different in other parts of the country but in the SE UKIP had one purpose and that has now been achieved.
4m GE votes up for grabs...it is the key to the next election.
I see we have an hour panorama special this evening on CUTTTTTSSSSSSSSSS...has been a while seen the BBC banged on about evil Tory cuts. Back to Wigan Pier and all that.
Very interesting comment by @El_Capitano about UKIP failing to stand candidates in many wards in Oxfordshire. I've just checked here in East Sussex and it's the same story. They've largely disappeared from the Hasting areas, and from much of Wealden. This includes some wards they actually won last time, and many wards where they were on vote shares of 20% to 30%. Overall, they have disappeared from something like three quarters of the wards (last time they have a complete slate apart from one ward where they screwed up the nomination).
This cannot come as a surprise. It may be different in other parts of the country but in the SE UKIP had one purpose and that has now been achieved.
4m GE votes up for grabs...it is the key to the next election.
Very interesting comment by @El_Capitano about UKIP failing to stand candidates in many wards in Oxfordshire. I've just checked here in East Sussex and it's the same story. They've largely disappeared from the Hasting areas, and from much of Wealden. This includes some wards they actually won last time, and many wards where they were on vote shares of 20% to 30%. Overall, they have disappeared from something like three quarters of the wards (last time they have a complete slate apart from one ward where they screwed up the nomination).
This cannot come as a surprise. It may be different in other parts of the country but in the SE UKIP had one purpose and that has now been achieved.
4m GE votes up for grabs...it is the key to the next election.
I think ukip should only stand in Eurosceptic (as defined by Brexit vote) seats against Remain MPs
No kipper standing against me in Hersham Division for Surrey for the first time in several years, though they are contesting six of the nine Elmbridge seats.
No kipper standing against me in Hersham Division for Surrey for the first time in several years, though they are contesting six of the nine Elmbridge seats.
No kipper standing against me in Hersham Division for Surrey for the first time in several years, though they are contesting six of the nine Elmbridge seats.
No kipper standing against me in Hersham Division for Surrey for the first time in several years, though they are contesting six of the nine Elmbridge seats.
No kipper standing against me in Hersham Division for Surrey for the first time in several years, though they are contesting six of the nine Elmbridge seats.
Want me to come campaign for you ?
Why no Sheffield City region mayoral election by the way ?
No kipper standing against me in Hersham Division for Surrey for the first time in several years, though they are contesting six of the nine Elmbridge seats.
Any threats ?
Lib Dems or Residents Association ?
Yes, RA chap (who beat me last year though the boundaries are different for County). Lab, LibDem and Greens also standing.
No kipper standing against me in Hersham Division for Surrey for the first time in several years, though they are contesting six of the nine Elmbridge seats.
Want me to come campaign for you ?
RED SHOES A MUST - they'll love you in Whiteley Village. You and JackW can pair off for a canvassing extravaganza.
No kipper standing against me in Hersham Division for Surrey for the first time in several years, though they are contesting six of the nine Elmbridge seats.
No kipper standing against me in Hersham Division for Surrey for the first time in several years, though they are contesting six of the nine Elmbridge seats.
Want me to come campaign for you ?
Why no Sheffield City region mayoral election by the way ?
I was looking forward to giving you my 2nd pref.
Too dangerous. It would give them secessionist ideas.
Very interesting comment by @El_Capitano about UKIP failing to stand candidates in many wards in Oxfordshire. I've just checked here in East Sussex and it's the same story. They've largely disappeared from the Hasting areas, and from much of Wealden. This includes some wards they actually won last time, and many wards where they were on vote shares of 20% to 30%. Overall, they have disappeared from something like three quarters of the wards (last time they have a complete slate apart from one ward where they screwed up the nomination).
This cannot come as a surprise. It may be different in other parts of the country but in the SE UKIP had one purpose and that has now been achieved.
4m GE votes up for grabs...it is the key to the next election.
I wonder if they’ll just go back to ‘non-voting’?
Some undoubtedly will but if 2m go to the Tories they won't be missing the odd metrosexual that Cameron and Osborne converted. Given the way the party is going, its lack of finance, its appalling leadership and its served purpose I will be astonished if they even stand in half the seats next time out.
Not yet, a lot of councils are still to publish their nominations.
Had a quick look at Cornwall. I think only the LDs are running a full slate of candidates. The Conservatives are swerving Camelford and at least one of the Bodmin wards (perhaps in favour of pro-Conservative Independents).
I think there are fewer UKIP candidates in Cornwall than in 2013 but I'll rely on your wisdom.
I think SLAB being viewed as a "Unionist" party is starting to look shaky !
at some point the members will decide they don't want to be Tory ciphers.
FWIW I think that point has been reached at the non-member supporters level - the embittered band of SLAB careerists all expecting to be in WM won't wake up until they drop below 10% !!
No kipper standing against me in Hersham Division for Surrey for the first time in several years, though they are contesting six of the nine Elmbridge seats.
Want me to come campaign for you ?
Why no Sheffield City region mayoral election by the way ?
I was looking forward to giving you my 2nd pref.
Apparently Chesterfield residents weren't fully consulted so the election has been delayed.
No matter what the UK government does, the SNP will find something to complain about!
What concilliatory, judicious & consultative actions by the UK government with regard to Brexit & Scotland have the SNP heartlessly ignored just so they can carry on complaining?
Very interesting comment by @El_Capitano about UKIP failing to stand candidates in many wards in Oxfordshire. I've just checked here in East Sussex and it's the same story. They've largely disappeared from the Hasting areas, and from much of Wealden. This includes some wards they actually won last time, and many wards where they were on vote shares of 20% to 30%. Overall, they have disappeared from something like three quarters of the wards (last time they have a complete slate apart from one ward where they screwed up the nomination).
This cannot come as a surprise. It may be different in other parts of the country but in the SE UKIP had one purpose and that has now been achieved.
4m GE votes up for grabs...it is the key to the next election.
I think ukip should only stand in Eurosceptic (as defined by Brexit vote) seats against Remain MPs
It's a good idea; you should mention it to whoever is in charge of the party.
No kipper standing against me in Hersham Division for Surrey for the first time in several years, though they are contesting six of the nine Elmbridge seats.
Want me to come campaign for you ?
RED SHOES A MUST - they'll love you in Whiteley Village. You and JackW can pair off for a canvassing extravaganza.
I fear Mrs JackW might conclude I had a mistress (apart from PB) if I spent the day with a sequined and bejeweled individual shod in red.
No matter what the UK government does, the SNP will find something to complain about!
What concilliatory, judicious & consultative actions by the UK government with regard to Brexit & Scotland have the SNP heartlessly ignored just so they can carry on complaining?
Very interesting comment by @El_Capitano about UKIP failing to stand candidates in many wards in Oxfordshire. I've just checked here in East Sussex and it's the same story. They've largely disappeared from the Hasting areas, and from much of Wealden. This includes some wards they actually won last time, and many wards where they were on vote shares of 20% to 30%. Overall, they have disappeared from something like three quarters of the wards (last time they have a complete slate apart from one ward where they screwed up the nomination).
This cannot come as a surprise. It may be different in other parts of the country but in the SE UKIP had one purpose and that has now been achieved.
4m GE votes up for grabs...it is the key to the next election.
I think ukip should only stand in Eurosceptic (as defined by Brexit vote) seats against Remain MPs
It's a good idea; you should mention it to whoever is in charge of the party.
To be fair I have probably copied it from Arron Banks.
It makes sense though. No money, not enough good candidates. Rather than being all things to all people they should just be themselves where it will go down well, without compromise. Why stand in Brighton, Hackney, etc as some kind of ukip lite?
Very interesting comment by @El_Capitano about UKIP failing to stand candidates in many wards in Oxfordshire. I've just checked here in East Sussex and it's the same story. They've largely disappeared from the Hasting areas, and from much of Wealden. This includes some wards they actually won last time, and many wards where they were on vote shares of 20% to 30%. Overall, they have disappeared from something like three quarters of the wards (last time they have a complete slate apart from one ward where they screwed up the nomination).
This cannot come as a surprise. It may be different in other parts of the country but in the SE UKIP had one purpose and that has now been achieved.
4m GE votes up for grabs...it is the key to the next election.
I think ukip should only stand in Eurosceptic (as defined by Brexit vote) seats against Remain MPs
It's a good idea; you should mention it to whoever is in charge of the party.
Mr. Isam, could be a special new problem for Labour if they did that. Labour constituencies were mostly Leave, Labour MPs mostly Remain, aren't/weren't they?
Well, I have left the Labour party. I can't share it with Livingstone and his Jew-baiting apologists. I have joined the Jewish Labour Movement instead to show some solidarity at a really shitty time for Jews on the left (and others too, I imagine).
.
Before following the knee jerk reactions of those reacting to the stupid (and possibly anti semitic) rantings of an old time lefty I'd read more about it.
Roger: why do find it so difficult to condemn anti-Semitism here? It is possible to be against anti-Semitism and the attacks on Jews here in Europe and also critical of the current policies of the Israeli government without descending into Holocaust historical revisionism and Jew-baiting. But it is something which seems to be beyond Livingstone and many of his and Corbyn's friends and allies. You are not a stupid man. Does it not ever occur to you that the reason it may be beyond them is because their intent is not to make a reasoned critique of a particular Israeli government and its policies but something more malicious and sinister?
It is the aim and objective of all Zionist groups and more recently most Jewish groups to conflate criticism of Israel with anti semitism. It is thus almost impossible to discuss anything to do with Israel-including their deliberate scuppering of any possibility of a Palestinian State by building the first settlement on the West Bank for 26 years-without being tarred a racist.
Even allowing people as clumsy as Ken to be crucified just cowers everyone else into submission and means support for the Palestinians is painted as anti semitism which is the clear objective of the Israeli government
There are people who conflate all criticism of Israel with criticism of Jews, this is true. It is, however, at the least matched if not exceeded by those who pretend that all those condemning criticism of Jews are also trying to prevent criticism of Israel.
Not yet, a lot of councils are still to publish their nominations.
Had a quick look at Cornwall. I think only the LDs are running a full slate of candidates. The Conservatives are swerving Camelford and at least one of the Bodmin wards (perhaps in favour of pro-Conservative Independents).
I think there are fewer UKIP candidates in Cornwall than in 2013 but I'll rely on your wisdom.
I don't have any more wisdom than anyone else on this subject, it's just a case of looking at the council webpages to see who's standing.
@rowenamason: Ken Livingstone repeats claim that antisemitism row was whipped up to cause trouble for Corbyn -doesnt believe Jewish members leaving Labour
The question is whether there will be a tipping point when wider the Scottish political class begins to see it as inevitable. It's quite plausible to imagine a scenario in which the next referendum is almost a formality.
Not yet, a lot of councils are still to publish their nominations.
Had a quick look at Cornwall. I think only the LDs are running a full slate of candidates. The Conservatives are swerving Camelford and at least one of the Bodmin wards (perhaps in favour of pro-Conservative Independents).
I think there are fewer UKIP candidates in Cornwall than in 2013 but I'll rely on your wisdom.
In Wiltshire back of a fag packet figures looks like UKIP are standing in fewer than 10 of 98 seats after standing in 54 last time, where they were the only opposition in many seats.
In fairness they only won 1 last time anyway.
Greens increasing candidates four or five fold, and Labour increasing numbers as well.
The question is whether there will be a tipping point when wider the Scottish political class begins to see it as inevitable. It's quite plausible to imagine a scenario in which the next referendum is almost a formality.
It probably is, there's just a lot haggling over when.
Roger: why do find it so difficult to condemn anti-Semitism here? It is possible to be against anti-Semitism and the attacks on Jews here in Europe and also critical of the current policies of the Israeli government without descending into Holocaust historical revisionism and Jew-baiting. But it is something which seems to be beyond Livingstone and many of his and Corbyn's friends and allies. You are not a stupid man. Does it not ever occur to you that the reason it may be beyond them is because their intent is not to make a reasoned critique of a particular Israeli government and its policies but something more malicious and sinister?
It is the aim and objective of all Zionist groups and more recently most Jewish groups to conflate criticism of Israel with anti semitism. It is thus almost impossible to discuss anything to do with Israel-including their deliberate scuppering of any possibility of a Palestinian State by building the first settlement on the West Bank for 26 years-without being tarred a racist.
Even allowing people as clumsy as Ken to be crucified just cowers everyone else into submission and means support for the Palestinians is painted as anti semitism which is the clear objective of the Israeli government
There are people who conflate all criticism of Israel with criticism of Jews, this is true. It is, however, at the least matched if not exceeded by those who pretend that all those condemning criticism of Jews are also trying to prevent criticism of Israel.
It is also not true that it is the aim of Jewish groups to conflate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. There have been plenty of prominent Jews and indeed the Israeli Ambassador himself who have made clear that they accept the right of others to criticize the Israeli government. Rather, too many people who want to elide the difference between criticizing the government and criticizing Jews allege that it is their opponents who are trying to prevent them.
It is perfectly possible to criticize the Israeli government. You talk about the Israeli government. You don't need to use the word Jews or Zionists. This is not hard. The fact that so many people find it difficult to make the distinction tells you something.
Support for the Palestinians is not automatically anti-Semitism. But those who do support the current Palestinian leadership should ask themselves if they are happy with the lurid and anti-Semitic language used by many on the Palestinian side about Israel and about Jews in general. See, for instance, the Hamas Charter. Do they think that this is a way calculated to build the trust needed to get a solution that works for both groups?
@GuidoFawkes: Stats: Ken averaged 1 "Hitler" every 73 seconds. Over a sustained interview period we think this is a new personal best for him.
He played himself in though. Didn't get off the mark until very late on then unleashed a flurry
Unlike Sir Geoffry who used to like to play himself in, Ken doesn't worry about going hard at balls traditionally thought of as being in the corridor of uncertainty.
Just finished a Graun "omnibus survey" - everything from what I think of their coverage of the French elections to what food I buy. Asked me some personal questions also. V disappointed not to be asked what gender I identify as.
The question is whether there will be a tipping point when wider the Scottish political class begins to see it as inevitable. It's quite plausible to imagine a scenario in which the next referendum is almost a formality.
Which is fair comment. It may come to that. It may not. We shall see.
Question: As Mr Farron and others have wanted on the EU, should, in your view, there be one or two referendums? One on the principle of independence, and one on the exit terms when agreed with rUK? Or just one and let's see what we negotiate.
Roger: why do find it so difficult to condemn anti-Semitism here? It is possible to be against anti-Semitism and the attacks on Jews here in Europe and also critical of the current policies of the Israeli government without descending into Holocaust historical revisionism and Jew-baiting. But it is something which seems to be beyond Livingstone and many of his and Corbyn's friends and allies. You are not a stupid man. Does it not ever occur to you that the reason it may be beyond them is because their intent is not to make a reasoned critique of a particular Israeli government and its policies but something more malicious and sinister?
.
Even allowing people as clumsy as Ken to be crucified just cowers everyone else into submission and means support for the Palestinians is painted as anti semitism which is the clear objective of the Israeli government
There are people who conflate all criticism of Israel with criticism of Jews, this is true. It is, however, at the least matched if not exceeded by those who pretend that all those condemning criticism of Jews are also trying to prevent criticism of Israel.
It is also not true that it is the aim of Jewish groups to conflate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. There have been plenty of prominent Jews and indeed the Israeli Ambassador himself who have made clear that they accept the right of others to criticize the Israeli government. Rather, too many people who want to elide the difference between criticizing the government and criticizing Jews allege that it is their opponents who are trying to prevent them.
It is perfectly possible to criticize the Israeli government. You talk about the Israeli government. You don't need to use the word Jews or Zionists. This is not hard. The fact that so many people find it difficult to make the distinction tells you something.
Support for the Palestinians is not automatically anti-Semitism. But those who do support the current Palestinian leadership should ask themselves if they are happy with the lurid and anti-Semitic language used by many on the Palestinian side about Israel and about Jews in general. See, for instance, the Hamas Charter. Do they think that this is a way calculated to build the trust needed to get a solution that works for both groups?
Good post. It’s very difficult for people to criticise the Israeli Government as those who oppose them on other matters immediately accuse the speaker of anti-semitism, thereby promoting themselves as ‘of the light’.
Comments
The fact that the Tory candidate was a bellend also helped my decision.
Oh shit I have done it again...I am not good at probably these analogies.
Do you have a sense of how many seats they are contesting (and what fraction that is of the number up for grabs)?
The chart above strikes me as a waste of Mikes enormous brain, especially without saying when these most "recent" elections took place. It could presumably be anything between one & four years ago - not just useless but actually misleading.
I would expect The Libdems to do at least 8% better than 2016, for example. UKIP will tank everywhere.
Basically, we dont know.
R&T (it was them, I think?) look to me to have been dazzled by the Lib Dems' ability to fight by-elections. The organisation and resources needed for widespread elections are quite different, though they could use similar techniques to target specific wards. My own guess would be a LD NEV of 16%.
The BBC reported earlier today that veteran BBC broadcaster Brian Matthew had died aged 88.
However, the broadcaster has now been forced to put out a correction after it was found that the presenter, who hosted Sounds of the 60s on BBC Radio 2, was not in fact dead.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/05/bbc-radio-presenter-brian-matthew-dies-aged-88/
Does anyone know?
Your current NEST retirement date is *30 **** 2044
When your age will be 94 years and 364 days
Not that I'm expecting them to achieve much more than single digit spoiler status.
Lib Dems or Residents Association ?
I was looking forward to giving you my 2nd pref.
I think there are fewer UKIP candidates in Cornwall than in 2013 but I'll rely on your wisdom.
What is the Never Ending story? Livingstone I presume.
Labour launches fresh probe into Ken Livingstone Hitler remarks
http://news.sky.com/story/corbyn-labour-to-review-ken-livingstones-grossly-insensitive-remarks-10826175
The nation eagerly awaits the glorious triumph of Chairman Corbyn!
Whatever happened to the "dodgy dozen" ?
I quote from the article a very small piece to avoid (legal) trouble.
"an absurd amount of Commonwealth nostalgia"
It makes sense though. No money, not enough good candidates. Rather than being all things to all people they should just be themselves where it will go down well, without compromise. Why stand in Brighton, Hackney, etc as some kind of ukip lite?
@GuidoFawkes: Ken "Hitler" Count: 12
@IainDale
@LBC
In fairness they only won 1 last time anyway.
Greens increasing candidates four or five fold, and Labour increasing numbers as well.
Steve Bell in the Guardian seems behind Ken..
I presume the Labour party.
Which gets Short money.
Which comes from the taxpayers.
So it seems you are paying for them...
https://twitter.com/Pulpstar/status/849279739579772929
https://twitter.com/BETDAQ/status/849306648825004032
"I'll believe it when I see it"
It is perfectly possible to criticize the Israeli government. You talk about the Israeli government. You don't need to use the word Jews or Zionists. This is not hard. The fact that so many people find it difficult to make the distinction tells you something.
Support for the Palestinians is not automatically anti-Semitism. But those who do support the current Palestinian leadership should ask themselves if they are happy with the lurid and anti-Semitic language used by many on the Palestinian side about Israel and about Jews in general. See, for instance, the Hamas Charter. Do they think that this is a way calculated to build the trust needed to get a solution that works for both groups?
https://twitter.com/bpolitics/status/849646061639675904
May need to go to the video referee...
Question: As Mr Farron and others have wanted on the EU, should, in your view, there be one or two referendums? One on the principle of independence, and one on the exit terms when agreed with rUK? Or just one and let's see what we negotiate.
Genuinely intrigued.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39493437
2 big differences though
1) Not so many markets & less liquidity
2) No premium charge.
I'm happy if the LDs get some traction. Who knows, in 40 years time we might rejoin the EU.