"TheScreamingEagles Posts: 49,531 12:54PM Site notice. Mike and myself are busy for the next few hours, so if there's no new thread for a while, that's why."
Seems that TSE's promises are as believable as Mrs May's
"TheScreamingEagles Posts: 49,531 12:54PM Site notice. Mike and myself are busy for the next few hours, so if there's no new thread for a while, that's why."
Seems that TSE's promises are as believable as Mrs May's
The next seven weeks are going to make thread selection and publication a challenge.
It's just occurred to me that, once the 2017 GE is out of the way and the next one's not until 20232022, there will be no need for Labour to rush in replacing Corbyn...
I am sure it was the main reason .Electoral frauds is not a good look .
Except no-one has been found guilty of anything and far from clear they ever will be. I doubt very few people have any idea about this story.
Remember phone hacking was going to kill the Tories....and that was much wider reported story, day in day out for months.
I genuinely think this is very little to do with it. More the fact small majority means May is struggling to get stuff through. Brexit, Grammar schools, basically all the stuff she wants to do.
It's just occurred to me that, once the 2017 GE is out of the way and the next one's not until 2023, there will be no need for Labour to rush in replacing Corbyn...
2022 surely? But interesting point that I suspect Labour Councillors looking at losing their seats might disagree with.
I see that today all the journalists who hadn't anticipated an early election are falling over themselves to give their hot takes as to why we're getting one.
Moving the next election away from the end of the 2 year Brexit negotiations and the polls were key.
FPT TGOHF said:
» show previous quotes the Nats could easily lose 10 seats and vote share. We've seen off peak SNP - it may take another referendum post Brexit to see them off again but by then Labour should have its act together.
Lol the toom tabards are out and about today, not a chance. Would you care to bet on that. I am happy to do so based on them not losing 10 or more seats.
I really doubt it. The chances of there being a significant number of prosecutions, if any, were very slim. The chances of convictions even less. And if the Election Court found out the mug on the ground had no idea what central office was doing even if found guilty the chances of a banning order (which is discretionary) seem slight. And it is not as if this is going away. Decisions will be made by the end of this month how many prosecutions will be brought. The CPS is right against the time limit for that. Not the best mood music for a GE tbh.
It's just occurred to me that, once the 2017 GE is out of the way and the next one's not until 2023, there will be no need for Labour to rush in replacing Corbyn...
2022 surely? But interesting point that I suspect Labour Councillors looking at losing their seats might disagree with.
I see that today all the journalists who hadn't anticipated an early election are falling over themselves to give their hot takes as to why we're getting one.
Why change the habit of a lifetime....they are wrong on most things. The problem now is with the internet, it is easy to check most of them don't know half the stuff they like to spout about.
I fully expect London free-sheet, the Evening Standard, to support their local candidate and endorse Jezza to be PM.
Actually, I expect there to be a bit of soul searching in the editorial offices of the Guardian and the Mirror. Will they really support a Corbyn-led Labour Party?
Moving the next election away from the end of the 2 year Brexit negotiations and the polls were key.
FPT TGOHF said:
» show previous quotes the Nats could easily lose 10 seats and vote share. We've seen off peak SNP - it may take another referendum post Brexit to see them off again but by then Labour should have its act together.
Lol the toom tabards are out and about today, not a chance. Would you care to bet on that. I am happy to do so based on them not losing 10 or more seats.
I am amazed at your generosity once again Malcolm.
It must be. Why else would Theresa want to trash her biggest selling point? She's gone from dull but honest to dull and dishonest.
It was very risky. This would have come badly stuck if Labour had refused to play ball.
We still don't quite know. It's all very well for the party leaders to say they'll play ball, but if 1/3 of MPs wake up with toothache tomorrow morning the vote might not go through. A lot of Tories have LibDem challengers not Labour ones, and they have teeth too...
It must be. Why else would Theresa want to trash her biggest selling point? She's gone from dull but honest to dull and dishonest.
It was very risky. This would have come badly stuck if Labour had refused to play ball.
Makes you wonder if it was sounded out. Maybe the Tories got wind of Corbyn being deeply unhappy in the role, but not being prepared to stand down until after an election. The alacrity with which Corbyn said - "fine - bring it on!" suggests he may have had some forewarning...
I see that today all the journalists who hadn't anticipated an early election are falling over themselves to give their hot takes as to why we're getting one.
If being able to see things coming, or get predictions right, was a necessary part of political commentary we'd have very few people in the industry.
Moving the next election away from the end of the 2 year Brexit negotiations and the polls were key.
FPT TGOHF said:
» show previous quotes the Nats could easily lose 10 seats and vote share. We've seen off peak SNP - it may take another referendum post Brexit to see them off again but by then Labour should have its act together.
Lol the toom tabards are out and about today, not a chance. Would you care to bet on that. I am happy to do so based on them not losing 10 or more seats.
SNP lose seats and Labour ditch Corbyn for someone electable post May landslide is possible
I fully expect London free-sheet, the Evening Standard, to support their local candidate and endorse Jezza to be PM.
Actually, I expect there to be a bit of soul searching in the editorial offices of the Guardian and the Mirror. Will they really support a Corbyn-led Labour Party?
Lib Dem I would guess for Guardian....as the one true party of Anti-Brexit. Mirror - Polly trademark nosepeg?
And I doubt the BBC will be hugely helpful to Labour either. I doubt we will see them rounded around Jezza to shield him from nasty Daily Mail and Sun hit pieces like they did for Ed.
But at least Jezza can rely on the might of the Morning Star.
On topic, no, it wasn't why she called it - she wouldn't have done so were the Tories level-pegging with Labour - but it was certainly an argument in favour.
No-one cared about the expenses allegations beyond a few uber-nerds but had the courts upheld them then it would have provided a significant distraction.
The reasons why she's going for it are simple:
1. The Tories have a massive lead. 2. Corbyn might have been toppled this summer and if not this year then there was a very good chance of it next year. 3. It strengthens her hand with the EU if she can be confident that parliament will back her. 4. It gets her off the hook of those on-the-fly commitments that Cameron made and gives her her own mandate.
Lot of Remainers unhappy on here. They should be more cheerful. A big Tory win will give TMay room to maneuver us to a Softer Brexit. She won't be hamstrung by the Ultra Brexiteers threatening to rebel.
Yes I think that is right.
I've felt for some time that the political landscape is too different from 2015 for that mandate to be effective, so good for the country I think.
Moving the next election away from the end of the 2 year Brexit negotiations and the polls were key.
FPT TGOHF said:
» show previous quotes the Nats could easily lose 10 seats and vote share. We've seen off peak SNP - it may take another referendum post Brexit to see them off again but by then Labour should have its act together.
Lol the toom tabards are out and about today, not a chance. Would you care to bet on that. I am happy to do so based on them not losing 10 or more seats.
I am amazed at your generosity once again Malcolm.
LOL, Not so flash Harry will run for the hills if he can get his foot out of his mouth
It's just occurred to me that, once the 2017 GE is out of the way and the next one's not until 20232022, there will be no need for Labour to rush in replacing Corbyn...
Surely that's going go to be dependent on how many and which Labour MPs are left.
Lot of Remainers unhappy on here. They should be more cheerful. A big Tory win will give TMay room to maneuver us to a Softer Brexit. She won't be hamstrung by the Ultra Brexiteers threatening to rebel.
This is true. It also gives everyone a lot more time for extensions and can kicks, which is the most plausible way to minimize the car crash.
Lot of Remainers unhappy on here. They should be more cheerful. A big Tory win will give TMay room to maneuver us to a Softer Brexit. She won't be hamstrung by the Ultra Brexiteers threatening to rebel.
Yes I think that is right.
I've felt for some time that the political landscape is too different from 2015 for that mandate to be effective, so good for the country I think.
What is May's platform other than more power for herself? It will be a Brexit election and she will have to effectively refight the referendum campaign as a Brexiteer.
I see that today all the journalists who hadn't anticipated an early election are falling over themselves to give their hot takes as to why we're getting one.
Shameless weasels. Totally taken by surprise but claiming to have been in the know.
Lot of Remainers unhappy on here. They should be more cheerful. A big Tory win will give TMay room to maneuver us to a Softer Brexit. She won't be hamstrung by the Ultra Brexiteers threatening to rebel.
Agreed. She does not want to be in a position where she is being held to ransom by the frothers. And most of them (not all) are on her right.
I see that today all the journalists who hadn't anticipated an early election are falling over themselves to give their hot takes as to why we're getting one.
If being able to see things coming, or get predictions right, was a necessary part of political commentary we'd have very few people in the industry.
I was hoping someone was going to point out all the times I'd done exactly the same thing.
Moving the next election away from the end of the 2 year Brexit negotiations and the polls were key.
FPT TGOHF said:
» show previous quotes the Nats could easily lose 10 seats and vote share. We've seen off peak SNP - it may take another referendum post Brexit to see them off again but by then Labour should have its act together.
Lol the toom tabards are out and about today, not a chance. Would you care to bet on that. I am happy to do so based on them not losing 10 or more seats.
SNP lose seats and Labour ditch Corbyn for someone electable post May landslide is possible
Not more than 10 as Harry foolishly predicted. I don't expect to hear back from him , I know he is all mouth and no trousers.
With such short notice, I guess we won't see a return of that CH4 comedy about what was going on the battle buses. That was quite funny last time, especially when the Ed Stone dropped.
So no Tory flying pickets in marginals this time round.
Good news for the Lib Dems down west.
According to LibDems candidates, the Tory flying pickets were as much use as the square root of fuck all.
A view with which, as it disrupted days to get prepared for the half-day visit, I have some sympathy....
Anyway, Torbay in the late spring should be a lovely place to deliver tens of thousands of leaflets as part of my fitness regime. Although, I am tempted to help Johnny Mercer some too - just to get TSE all jealous, what with his man-crush and that....
You would need a heart of stone not to laugh... Well back to the day job, oh wait...
Twitter Severin CarrellVerified account @severincarrell 2m2 minutes ago @NicolaSturgeon officials say @Scotgov postponing her short term #indyref2 timetable - #GE2017 means "no UK govt to talk to"
It's just occurred to me that, once the 2017 GE is out of the way and the next one's not until 20232022, there will be no need for Labour to rush in replacing Corbyn...
I would have thought they'd want to use the momentum (if you'll pardon the phrase) of a crushing loss to mount a probably unbeatable challenge as soon as possible, if Corbyn doesn't step down voluntarily. Perversely, though, that might mean they wind up with a weaker successor than might otherwise be the case. Another Owen Smith might well be terminal for a Labour Party on ~150 seats.
Lot of Remainers unhappy on here. They should be more cheerful. A big Tory win will give TMay room to maneuver us to a Softer Brexit. She won't be hamstrung by the Ultra Brexiteers threatening to rebel.
Yes, they're the big losers today - SO's beloved swivel eyed loons. Long term May has also done Labour a favour as we can be reasonably confident his leadership ends on 9 June 2017, not 2018 or 2019.....
I am sure it was the main reason .Electoral frauds is not a good look .
Indeed not. I'm pleased that our politics appear more honest than those of France, although any findings of electoral fraud won't have much effect if the majority after June is 120.
I fully expect London free-sheet, the Evening Standard, to support their local candidate and endorse Jezza to be PM.
Actually, I expect there to be a bit of soul searching in the editorial offices of the Guardian and the Mirror. Will they really support a Corbyn-led Labour Party?
Lib Dem I would guess for Guardian....as the one true party of Anti-Brexit. Mirror - Polly trademark nosepeg?
And I doubt the BBC will be hugely helpful to Labour either. I doubt we will see them rounded around Jezza to shield him from nasty Daily Mail and Sun hit pieces like they did for Ed.
But at least Jezza can rely on the might of the Morning Star.
My guess is that Jezza will get a lot of grief for not giving the people a credible choice. Even from the BBC.
It's just occurred to me that, once the 2017 GE is out of the way and the next one's not until 20232022, there will be no need for Labour to rush in replacing Corbyn...
I would have thought they'd want to use the momentum (if you'll pardon the phrase) of a crushing loss to mount a probably unbeatable challenge as soon as possible, if Corbyn doesn't step down voluntarily. Perversely, though, that might mean they wind up with a weaker successor than might otherwise be the case. Another Owen Smith might well be terminal for a Labour Party on ~150 seats.
BIB: Well, exactly. The idea that after getting decimated, there won't be an immediate challenge to Corbyn's leadership seems to me a rather odd conclusion.
Lot of Remainers unhappy on here. They should be more cheerful. A big Tory win will give TMay room to maneuver us to a Softer Brexit. She won't be hamstrung by the Ultra Brexiteers threatening to rebel.
Yes, they're the big losers today - SO's beloved swivel eyed loons. Long term May has also done Labour a favour as we can be reasonably confident his leadership ends on 9 June 2017, not 2018 or 2019.....
Really? Most of the Remainers here today seem keen on an election.
Lot of Remainers unhappy on here. They should be more cheerful. A big Tory win will give TMay room to maneuver us to a Softer Brexit. She won't be hamstrung by the Ultra Brexiteers threatening to rebel.
Yes, they're the big losers today - SO's beloved swivel eyed loons. Long term May has also done Labour a favour as we can be reasonably confident his leadership ends on 9 June 2017, not 2018 or 2019.....
Reinforcements for Fitaloss , they have got the other chuckle brother out of her bed , CCHQ enforcing double shifts for forseeable.
So no Tory flying pickets in marginals this time round.
Good news for the Lib Dems down west.
According to LibDems candidates, the Tory flying pickets were as much use as the square root of fuck all. A view with which, as it disrupted days to get prepared for the half-day visit, I have some sympathy.... Anyway, Torbay in the late spring should be a lovely place to deliver tens of thousands of leaflets as part of my fitness regime. Although, I am tempted to help Johnny Mercer some too - just to get TSE all jealous, what with his man-crush and that....
Lot of Remainers unhappy on here. They should be more cheerful. A big Tory win will give TMay room to maneuver us to a Softer Brexit. She won't be hamstrung by the Ultra Brexiteers threatening to rebel.
Yes, they're the big losers today - SO's beloved swivel eyed loons. Long term May has also done Labour a favour as we can be reasonably confident his leadership ends on 9 June 2017, not 2018 or 2019.....
Really? Most of the Remainers here today seem keen on an election.
I'm a Remainer and I'm very happy about today's events.
Lot of Remainers unhappy on here. They should be more cheerful. A big Tory win will give TMay room to maneuver us to a Softer Brexit. She won't be hamstrung by the Ultra Brexiteers threatening to rebel.
Yes, they're the big losers today - SO's beloved swivel eyed loons. Long term May has also done Labour a favour as we can be reasonably confident his leadership ends on 9 June 2017, not 2018 or 2019.....
Will Jeremy Corbyn think that anything as incidental as an election defeat is a ground for resignation?
So no Tory flying pickets in marginals this time round.
Good news for the Lib Dems down west.
According to LibDems candidates, the Tory flying pickets were as much use as the square root of fuck all.
A view with which, as it disrupted days to get prepared for the half-day visit, I have some sympathy....
Anyway, Torbay in the late spring should be a lovely place to deliver tens of thousands of leaflets as part of my fitness regime. Although, I am tempted to help Johnny Mercer some too - just to get TSE all jealous, what with his man-crush and that....
So no Tory flying pickets in marginals this time round.
Good news for the Lib Dems down west.
According to LibDems candidates, the Tory flying pickets were as much use as the square root of fuck all.
A view with which, as it disrupted days to get prepared for the half-day visit, I have some sympathy....
Anyway, Torbay in the late spring should be a lovely place to deliver tens of thousands of leaflets as part of my fitness regime. Although, I am tempted to help Johnny Mercer some too - just to get TSE all jealous, what with his man-crush and that....
I've told him already I'm campaigning for him
If you want accommodation down here, just holler! (Assuming that doesn't set off another expenses scandal!!)
It must be. Why else would Theresa want to trash her biggest selling point? She's gone from dull but honest to dull and dishonest.
It was very risky. This would have come badly stuck if Labour had refused to play ball.
It was probably cleared with Corbyn beforehand. And it may still come badly unstuck.
My guess is May would say that the unstuckness creates so much uncertainty that the only way forward is a simple-majority "Notwithstanding the FTPA we'll have an election on June 8" Bill (problems with HoL of course possible).
If June 8 is later than the earliest possible date, perhaps the extra time is to allow for hiccups.
LDs should focus remorselessly on areas that voted Remain, even if the Tory majority is large. So for example they should go in particular for Truro & Falmouth in Cornwall which apparently was the only seat in the county to vote Remain.
Lot of Remainers unhappy on here. They should be more cheerful. A big Tory win will give TMay room to maneuver us to a Softer Brexit. She won't be hamstrung by the Ultra Brexiteers threatening to rebel.
Yes, they're the big losers today - SO's beloved swivel eyed loons. Long term May has also done Labour a favour as we can be reasonably confident his leadership ends on 9 June 2017, not 2018 or 2019.....
Will Jeremy Corbyn think that anything as incidental as an election defeat is a ground for resignation?
Maybe when he has had two or three of them - and the voters have shown a settled intention....
Orkney will be an easy hold for Carmichael. Mundell will hold too I expect. Edinburgh South must be their #1 target ? But I don't think its a straight SNP/Labour race.
So no Tory flying pickets in marginals this time round.
Good news for the Lib Dems down west.
According to LibDems candidates, the Tory flying pickets were as much use as the square root of fuck all.
A view with which, as it disrupted days to get prepared for the half-day visit, I have some sympathy....
Anyway, Torbay in the late spring should be a lovely place to deliver tens of thousands of leaflets as part of my fitness regime. Although, I am tempted to help Johnny Mercer some too - just to get TSE all jealous, what with his man-crush and that....
I've told him already I'm campaigning for him
If you want accommodation down here, just holler! (Assuming that doesn't set off another expenses scandal!!)
It must be. Why else would Theresa want to trash her biggest selling point? She's gone from dull but honest to dull and dishonest.
It was very risky. This would have come badly stuck if Labour had refused to play ball.
Makes you wonder if it was sounded out. Maybe the Tories got wind of Corbyn being deeply unhappy in the role, but not being prepared to stand down until after an election. The alacrity with which Corbyn said - "fine - bring it on!" suggests he may have had some forewarning...
I think what changed was that Mrs May decided it was a risk worth taking, not that the fundamentals had changed. I do genuinely think she changed her mind rather just biding her time.
It's just occurred to me that, once the 2017 GE is out of the way and the next one's not until 20232022, there will be no need for Labour to rush in replacing Corbyn...
The good news for Labour MPs who manage to hold their seats is that there will be plenty of space to spread out and relax on the opposition benches in the new parliament.
So no Tory flying pickets in marginals this time round.
Good news for the Lib Dems down west.
According to LibDems candidates, the Tory flying pickets were as much use as the square root of fuck all. A view with which, as it disrupted days to get prepared for the half-day visit, I have some sympathy.... Anyway, Torbay in the late spring should be a lovely place to deliver tens of thousands of leaflets as part of my fitness regime. Although, I am tempted to help Johnny Mercer some too - just to get TSE all jealous, what with his man-crush and that....
It must be. Why else would Theresa want to trash her biggest selling point? She's gone from dull but honest to dull and dishonest.
It was very risky. This would have come badly stuck if Labour had refused to play ball.
Makes you wonder if it was sounded out. Maybe the Tories got wind of Corbyn being deeply unhappy in the role, but not being prepared to stand down until after an election. The alacrity with which Corbyn said - "fine - bring it on!" suggests he may have had some forewarning...
I think what changed was that Mrs May decided it was a risk worth taking, not that the fundamentals had changed. I do genuinely think she changed her mind rather just biding her time.
I think it was the prospect of being pushed around by the EU that tipped the balance. She thinks a thumping mandate will help her regain some of the initiative.
It must be. Why else would Theresa want to trash her biggest selling point? She's gone from dull but honest to dull and dishonest.
It was very risky. This would have come badly stuck if Labour had refused to play ball.
Makes you wonder if it was sounded out. Maybe the Tories got wind of Corbyn being deeply unhappy in the role, but not being prepared to stand down until after an election. The alacrity with which Corbyn said - "fine - bring it on!" suggests he may have had some forewarning...
I think what changed was that Mrs May decided it was a risk worth taking, not that the fundamentals had changed. I do genuinely think she changed her mind rather just biding her time.
I think she has realised just how tough the Brexit deal is: (a) going to be to do; (2) to sell to the swivel-eyed right. She has to have her own mandate.
It's just occurred to me that, once the 2017 GE is out of the way and the next one's not until 20232022, there will be no need for Labour to rush in replacing Corbyn...
I would have thought they'd want to use the momentum (if you'll pardon the phrase) of a crushing loss to mount a probably unbeatable challenge as soon as possible, if Corbyn doesn't step down voluntarily. Perversely, though, that might mean they wind up with a weaker successor than might otherwise be the case. Another Owen Smith might well be terminal for a Labour Party on ~150 seats.
BIB: Well, exactly. The idea that after getting decimated, there won't be an immediate challenge to Corbyn's leadership seems to me a rather odd conclusion.
Balls.
Not a rude comment, just a possible answer. Desperate times ... desperate measures?
I don't entirely trust him but do I trust a vicar's daughter who turns out after 9 months to be as devious as her predecessor?
The Moggster really is rather good on the telly. I wouldn't vote for him, but he is highly effective at disarming difficult questions with utter upper class politeness.
Clearly the Labour bus is a cry for Ed to join in.
Will Ed Balls stand? A defining moment for his career....
There must be some safe-ish seats coming up. MPs who thought they could depart in 2020 are now looking at 2022....do they really want five more years of this shit?
Clearly the Labour bus is a cry for Ed to join in.
Will Ed Balls stand? A defining moment for his career....
There must be some safe-ish seats coming up. MPs who thought they could depart in 2020 are now looking at 2022....do they really want five more years of this shit?
Lot of Remainers unhappy on here. They should be more cheerful. A big Tory win will give TMay room to maneuver us to a Softer Brexit. She won't be hamstrung by the Ultra Brexiteers threatening to rebel.
Yes I think that is right.
I've felt for some time that the political landscape is too different from 2015 for that mandate to be effective, so good for the country I think.
What is May's platform other than more power for herself? It will be a Brexit election and she will have to effectively refight the referendum campaign as a Brexiteer.
It's more about saying what it's about. For most of the past year her manifesto was "Brexit means Brexit" and it's only since Jan there's any meat on that. But after such a contentious vote, her deciding what Brexit means really wasn't enough, so it's right that she gets the legitimacy that an election will bring - or perhaps the voters will choose a different path.
It's good for the Conservatives (a bigger majority a cert) It's good for Labour (they can get rid of Corbyn so they can start rebuilding) It's good for the Lib Dems (they should gain a few seats) It's good for the SNP (more opportunities for them to moan) It's good for the country (esp. wrt Brexit) It's good for betting (lots of opportunities)
Clearly the Labour bus is a cry for Ed to join in.
Will Ed Balls stand? A defining moment for his career....
There must be some safe-ish seats coming up. MPs who thought they could depart in 2020 are now looking at 2022....do they really want five more years of this shit?
Safe-ish Labour seats. I'll get back to you on that.
It's good for the Conservatives (a bigger majority a cert) It's good for Labour (they can get rid of Corbyn so they can start rebuilding) It's good for the Lib Dems (they should gain a few seats) It's good for the SNP (more opportunities for them to moan) It's good for the country (esp. wrt Brexit) It's good for betting (lots of opportunities)
What's not to like?
Agree will all of that....but I have a lot of work on in May.....think of the 0.00000000000001% drop in GDP due to me being too busy laughing at Jezza and betting on the GE when I should be working !
Comments
Unlike Corbyn
Moving the next election away from the end of the 2 year Brexit negotiations and the polls were key.
Good news for the Lib Dems down west.
12:54PM
Site notice. Mike and myself are busy for the next few hours, so if there's no new thread for a while, that's why."
Seems that TSE's promises are as believable as Mrs May's
Remember phone hacking was going to kill the Tories....and that was much wider reported story, day in day out for months.
I genuinely think this is very little to do with it. More the fact small majority means May is struggling to get stuff through. Brexit, Grammar schools, basically all the stuff she wants to do.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2017/apr/18/corbyn-cressida-dick-met-police-a-gun-may-not-have-saved-pc-killed-in-westminster-terror-attack-says-new-met-chief-politics-live
"Britain Elects @britainelects 1h1 hour ago
Westminster voting intention:
CON: 44% (+1)
LAB: 26% (+1)
UKIP: 11% (-)
LDEM: 10% (-1)
GRN: 4% (-)
(via ICM / 14 - 17 Apr)"
And it may still come badly unstuck.
TGOHF said:
» show previous quotes
the Nats could easily lose 10 seats and vote share. We've seen off peak SNP - it may take another referendum post Brexit to see them off again but by then Labour should have its act together.
Lol the toom tabards are out and about today, not a chance. Would you care to bet on that. I am happy to do so based on them not losing 10 or more seats.
Actually, I expect there to be a bit of soul searching in the editorial offices of the Guardian and the Mirror. Will they really support a Corbyn-led Labour Party?
Unlikely to lead to negative electoral consequences though.
And I doubt the BBC will be hugely helpful to Labour either. I doubt we will see them rounded around Jezza to shield him from nasty Daily Mail and Sun hit pieces like they did for Ed.
But at least Jezza can rely on the might of the Morning Star.
No-one cared about the expenses allegations beyond a few uber-nerds but had the courts upheld them then it would have provided a significant distraction.
The reasons why she's going for it are simple:
1. The Tories have a massive lead.
2. Corbyn might have been toppled this summer and if not this year then there was a very good chance of it next year.
3. It strengthens her hand with the EU if she can be confident that parliament will back her.
4. It gets her off the hook of those on-the-fly commitments that Cameron made and gives her her own mandate.
I've felt for some time that the political landscape is too different from 2015 for that mandate to be effective, so good for the country I think.
According to LibDems candidates, the Tory flying pickets were as much use as the square root of fuck all.
A view with which, as it disrupted days to get prepared for the half-day visit, I have some sympathy....
Anyway, Torbay in the late spring should be a lovely place to deliver tens of thousands of leaflets as part of my fitness regime. Although, I am tempted to help Johnny Mercer some too - just to get TSE all jealous, what with his man-crush and that....
Twitter
Severin CarrellVerified account @severincarrell 2m2 minutes ago
@NicolaSturgeon officials say @Scotgov postponing her short term #indyref2 timetable - #GE2017 means "no UK govt to talk to"
There's not much hint of the 'precious union of four nations' in that statement.
https://twitter.com/undefined/status/854290333173153796
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/apr/18/general-election-coup-mps-theresa-may
http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2017/04/18/01016-20170418ARTFIG00146-attentat-dejoue-les-deux-suspects-comptaient-frapper-dans-les-prochains-jours.php
PS: Will be back later if you get a backbone.
If June 8 is later than the earliest possible date, perhaps the extra time is to allow for hiccups.
Maybe when he has had two or three of them - and the voters have shown a settled intention....
Mundell will hold too I expect.
Edinburgh South must be their #1 target ? But I don't think its a straight SNP/Labour race.
LibDem seat seems bomb-proof. Tories on the up.
Just that one Labour seat to grab....
Super-dense-crush-load on the Tory side, however.
1. CPS theory a distinct possibility.
2. Osborne is gone.
3. Carswell invited back.
4. Labour 2nd.
Not a rude comment, just a possible answer. Desperate times ... desperate measures?
I don't entirely trust him but do I trust a vicar's daughter who turns out after 9 months to be as devious as her predecessor?
Will Ed Balls stand? A defining moment for his career....
There must be some safe-ish seats coming up. MPs who thought they could depart in 2020 are now looking at 2022....do they really want five more years of this shit?
It's good for Labour (they can get rid of Corbyn so they can start rebuilding)
It's good for the Lib Dems (they should gain a few seats)
It's good for the SNP (more opportunities for them to moan)
It's good for the country (esp. wrt Brexit)
It's good for betting (lots of opportunities)
What's not to like?
CON-ECR: 44% ↑
LAB-S&D: 26% ↑
UKIP-EFDD: 11%
LDEM-ALDE: 10% ↓
SNP-G/EFA: 4% ↓
Green-G/EFA: 4%
PC-G/EFA: 1%