Curious that the SNP are more split on if this is right or wrong - considering it totally undermines any May argument about not holding an IndyRef, I'd have thought they would all be thrilled.
I don't see that it does undermine that argument. Like I said earlier, deciding that a GE is needed and arranging it are part of the Day Job for Mrs May. Completely different circumstances.
A more fitting comparison would be if Mrs May had decided to go for EUref 2.
It's not a day job question, it's a 'this is not the time' because of the disruption issue.
I disagree. I think it's part of the PM's job to decide whether the Brexit project (which will last some years) can be accomplished OK with the current make-up of parliament or whether, on balance, it would be better to have a GE now.
If the PM judges that, on balance, it would be best to have a GE now & get it out of the way for another 5 years, then (in her view) the time is right.
OTOH, the whole aim of the SNP's Sindyref2 is to set in motion another enormous separation project. In my view, for the PM to risk both these projects taking place at the same time would not be at all in the interests of the UK.
Quite easy to understand Now is the time for one thing and Now is not the time for another.
We've just had Easter, which is when we have chocolate eggs, as opposed to tinsel & turkey.
Hoping Lynton gets the barnacles off the boat again and starts with grammar schools. It's an unnecessary distraction from the real issues facing the education system in the nation. Manifesto commitments to T-Levels would be brilliant and a big commitment to apprenticeships is needed as well. We have to get our young people ready for Brexit.
Unfortunately it is her difficulties with that sort of nonsense that has led to this. I fear more of it not less. Parties without opposition get self indulgent.
Some religious headgear for women that covers hair, neck and upper chest so that nearby men don't get aroused is considered uncontroversial and unobjectionable, but other headgear with identical characteristics and function gets people wanting to ban it:
Curious that the SNP are more split on if this is right or wrong - considering it totally undermines any May argument about not holding an IndyRef, I'd have thought they would all be thrilled.
The SNP have very little to gain and a fair bit to lose in Westminster representation with a new election.
Unlike the rest of the UK, it's not going to be Brexit that dominates. It could end up as a referendum about another referendum, and the SNP have positioned themeselves as pro-EU, pro-Indy - which is a 30% view. They obviously won't fall back to that, but seem unlikely to emulate their feats of May 2015. Some of their vote is anti-EU and some is pro-union and doesn't want independence. These voters must be wondering whether they were wise to lend the SNP their vote.
Domestically they also have this to contend with:
"Output of the Scottish economy contracted by 0.2% during the fourth quarter of 2016."
If the next figures show a further contraction, Scotland will be in recession, at a time when everywhere else in the UK is exeriencing growth. Slap bang in the middle of an election.
Tories are stuck with only one policy , anti independence, hated by the majority , seen as nasty evil and cruel to the poor , I doubt SNP will be quaking in their boots. hard to see Scotland voting for perpetual misery of Tory right wing government.
Doesn't it follow then that Scotland must vote Labour to see off the Tory right wing government?
I think May just did this to end Osborne - maybe, just maybe, he could try and justify being a half time MP and a newspaper editor, but he cannot do his new editor job and spend time campaigning in his constituency. He'll have to choose.
Also, technically the FTPA is being adhered to; in reality it is being shat on with the enthusiastic support of the electorate, and that is another big nail in Osborne's political coffin.
And yet another thing, the election gives her carte blanche to reshuffle the 3 brexiteers without loss of face. The fringe benefits of the election are innumerable.
Kudos to whoever speculated that she made up her mind while walking with her husband, over Easter: she did exactly that.
Curious that the SNP are more split on if this is right or wrong - considering it totally undermines any May argument about not holding an IndyRef, I'd have thought they would all be thrilled.
I don't see that it does undermine that argument. Like I said earlier, deciding that a GE is needed and arranging it are part of the Day Job for Mrs May. Completely different circumstances.
A more fitting comparison would be if Mrs May had decided to go for EUref 2.
It's not a day job question, it's a 'this is not the time' because of the disruption issue.
I disagree. I think it's part of the PM's job to decide whether the Brexit project (which will last some years) can be accomplished OK with the current make-up of parliament or whether, on balance, it would be better to have a GE now.
If the PM judges that, on balance, it would be best to have a GE now & get it out of the way for another 5 years, then (in her view) the time is right.
OTOH, the whole aim of the SNP's Sindyref2 is to set in motion another enormous separation project. In my view, for the PM to risk both these projects taking place at the same time would not be at all in the interests of the UK.
Quite easy to understand Now is the time for one thing and Now is not the time for another.
We've just had Easter, which is when we have chocolate eggs, as opposed to tinsel & turkey.
Her judgement seems entirely to have been based on which one is good for her.
Which rather goes against the BBC's 'jaded electorate' narrative. Just because their political journalists feel a bit fatigued, doesn't mean the wider populace is.
I think May just did this to end Osborne - maybe, just maybe, he could try and justify being a half time MP and a newspaper editor, but he cannot do his new editor job and spend time campaigning in his constituency. He'll have to choose.
I think May just did this to end Osborne - maybe, just maybe, he could try and justify being a half time MP and a newspaper editor, but he cannot do his new editor job and spend time campaigning in his constituency. He'll have to choose.
Decision time for GO, probably earlier than he anticipated, but as a motive for calling a snap election is plain nonsense.
To suggest the PM called a GE to see the back of GO is the most ridiculous comment I have heard today.
I can't believe he will run again because what will he campaign on? He was part of the disastrous 'Remain Campaign.' His 'Project Fear' budget has been shot to pieces and he is no fan of the PM.
A planned terror attack in France has reportedly been thwarted by today's arrests in Marseilles.
* Fillon's team, who were warned on Friday, are saying that the intelligence came from "British services".
* The source says that "only François Fillon received tighter security" at that time. Not only anti-terror police but also snipers were present at his meetings in Montpellier on Friday and Nice on Monday. Le Monde reports that police found a video of one of the suspects standing in front of a Daesh flag holding a machine gun and a copy of Le Monde (well it would be that paper, wouldn't it?) with Fillon on the cover, with the words "la loi du talion (an eye for an eye)" written on the screen. (Did he do a bit of video editing to calm himself down?)
* The Telegraph archly report, "While there has been no confirmation of their suspected targets, Marine Le Pen, the far-Right Front National candidate will hold what may be her last campaign rally in Marseille on Wednesday night."
(That is such a disingenuous way to suggest that Le Pen's rally may have been the target.)
* Le Pen's and Macron's teams also received photos of the suspects prior to the arrests.
Dimbleby opines that other parties may "empty chair" the Cons in a TV debate.
Good luck with sorting all that out in just seven weeks...
Dimbleby is a fool
Err ....
The PM expects to win a general election in seven weeks but can't sort a tv debate or two ?!?
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
Except indy referendums & tv debates.
Love a bit of Ecclesiastes. Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.
And every gambler's motto:
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
Curious that the SNP are more split on if this is right or wrong - considering it totally undermines any May argument about not holding an IndyRef, I'd have thought they would all be thrilled.
who is against it , I have not heard anyone yet thinking it is wrong, just looking forward to getting stuck in to teh nasties.
The poll says SNP supporters are split 38-31 that it is right. Maybe that's not reflective, but no other party is even close to those figures. I do find it surprising any would not be in favour.
I think May just did this to end Osborne - maybe, just maybe, he could try and justify being a half time MP and a newspaper editor, but he cannot do his new editor job and spend time campaigning in his constituency. He'll have to choose.
Decision time for GO, probably earlier than he anticipated, but as a motive for calling a snap election is plain nonsense.
To suggest the PM called a GE to see the back of GO is the most ridiculous comment I have heard today.
Would the inclusion of a smiley face have been a clearer indication of my intent with the comment?
It's not an impossible LibDem gain. It's the most pro-Remain part of Birmingham. Could Hemming go from 10,500 to 13,000 votes? Yes. Will that be enough? Probably not (Jess got 17,000 votes last time). But if it's a truly horrible Labour campaign, then he might just edge it.
Wikipedia reckons Yardley was 60% leave. It reckons Hall Green was most remain with 66%
Curious that the SNP are more split on if this is right or wrong - considering it totally undermines any May argument about not holding an IndyRef, I'd have thought they would all be thrilled.
The SNP have very little to gain and a fair bit to lose in Westminster representation with a new election.
Unlike the rest of the UK, it's not going to be Brexit that dominates. It could end up as a referendum about another referendum, and the SNP have positioned themeselves as pro-EU, pro-Indy - which is a 30% view. They obviously won't fall back to that, but seem unlikely to emulate their feats of May 2015. Some of their vote is anti-EU and some is pro-union and doesn't want independence. These voters must be wondering whether they were wise to lend the SNP their vote.
Domestically they also have this to contend with:
"Output of the Scottish economy contracted by 0.2% during the fourth quarter of 2016."
If the next figures show a further contraction, Scotland will be in recession, at a time when everywhere else in the UK is exeriencing growth. Slap bang in the middle of an election.
Tories are stuck with only one policy , anti independence, hated by the majority , seen as nasty evil and cruel to the poor , I doubt SNP will be quaking in their boots. hard to see Scotland voting for perpetual misery of Tory right wing government.
Would it be better if they had two policies?
However their policy as it stands isn't anti-independence, it's not hated by the majority, and although it may be seen as you say it clearly isn't seen by the consensus in that way.
It all started when Brown bottled the 2007 election, and has been gaining pace since.
Odd to think that was a decade ago. I recall Andrew Neil seriously asking if the Conservative Party could survive if it lost the possibly impending election.
I hope Neil and Raworth host the election coverage. They won't, of course.
If the anti Brexiteers could get organised and get behind whoever is the anti Brexit candidate it could turn into an interesting and unpredictable election. Most of the big hitter politicians and captains of industry are still overwhelmingly against.
Things can move in unexpected directions. Nearly everyone I know would vote for whicever candidate was anti Brexit and had the best chance of winning. We just have to convert that into a movement. The polls still have Remainers close to 50%.
From here in france Brexit is seen as plain BONKERS.
There are no anti-Brexit parties. Even the Lib Dems have just changed their tune. All they want now is to "stay in the single market".
So you have to form a NEW party, in the next week or two, choose your candidates, publish your manifesto, then win a majority at the election.
Doddle.
Farron said in an interview in the Standard he did still want to stay in the EU but on better terms so a vote for the LDs at least would be a vote to reverse Brexit, Labour is now just focused on staying in the single market rather than reversing Brexit
Not a fan of this election decision though. I see it as a way to derail Brexit.
How? We will still be Brexiting no matter who wins.
We won't be Kipping though under any circumstances. The election will finally bury the Vote Leave promises, and we'll be left with Brexit in name only.
I don't think the Tories will win any from the Liberal Democrats. They could win more from Labour. I wonder if we would see the return of tactical voting. But with Corbyn at the helm, that would be wishful thinking.
Curious that the SNP are more split on if this is right or wrong - considering it totally undermines any May argument about not holding an IndyRef, I'd have thought they would all be thrilled.
The SNP have very little to gain and a fair bit to lose in Westminster representation with a new election.
Unlike the rest of the UK, it's not going to be Brexit that dominates. It could end up as a referendum about another referendum, and the SNP have positioned themeselves as pro-EU, pro-Indy - which is a 30% view. They obviously won't fall back to that, but seem unlikely to emulate their feats of May 2015. Some of their vote is anti-EU and some is pro-union and doesn't want independence. These voters must be wondering whether they were wise to lend the SNP their vote.
Domestically they also have this to contend with:
"Output of the Scottish economy contracted by 0.2% during the fourth quarter of 2016."
If the next figures show a further contraction, Scotland will be in recession, at a time when everywhere else in the UK is exeriencing growth. Slap bang in the middle of an election.
Tories are stuck with only one policy , anti independence, hated by the majority , seen as nasty evil and cruel to the poor , I doubt SNP will be quaking in their boots. hard to see Scotland voting for perpetual misery of Tory right wing government.
Of course the SNP will come a clear first.
I'm curious to see which side of 45% the SNP finish on though.
I don't think the Tories will win any from the Liberal Democrats. They could win more from Labour. I wonder if we would see the return of tactical voting. But with Corbyn at the helm, that would be wishful thinking.
On the contrary. I can see Corbyn being a strong incentive towards tactical voting.
Curious that the SNP are more split on if this is right or wrong - considering it totally undermines any May argument about not holding an IndyRef, I'd have thought they would all be thrilled.
The SNP have very little to gain and a fair bit to lose in Westminster representation with a new election.
Unlike the rest of the UK, it's not going to be Brexit that dominates. It could end up as a referendum about another referendum, and the SNP have positioned themeselves as pro-EU, pro-Indy - which is a 30% view. They obviously won't fall back to that, but seem unlikely to emulate their feats of May 2015. Some of their vote is anti-EU and some is pro-union and doesn't want independence. These voters must be wondering whether they were wise to lend the SNP their vote.
Domestically they also have this to contend with:
"Output of the Scottish economy contracted by 0.2% during the fourth quarter of 2016."
If the next figures show a further contraction, Scotland will be in recession, at a time when everywhere else in the UK is exeriencing growth. Slap bang in the middle of an election.
Tories are stuck with only one policy , anti independence, hated by the majority , seen as nasty evil and cruel to the poor , I doubt SNP will be quaking in their boots. hard to see Scotland voting for perpetual misery of Tory right wing government.
Doesn't it follow then that Scotland must vote Labour to see off the Tory right wing government?
LOL, they tried that for many many years, they are finished in Scotland for the forseeable future. Given the hug eswing to the xenophobic right in England that would eb a wasted vote for sure. Scotland's only hope for the future is SNP and independence.
Dimbleby opines that other parties may "empty chair" the Cons in a TV debate.
They should.
No political party should be able to torpedo debates.
Most unlikely to happen. Presume they would be taken off the air by legal challenges, Besides, without the Prime Minister involved, how many people (especially those more inclined to support her anyway, whose minds the other parties need to change) would bother to watch anyway?
What would the legal challenge be ?
We we not invited ? ...
An empty chair with a pair of leopard skin shoes underneath would be worth a view.
Surely if May is invited what can they do ? If it is a Brexit election it is worth hearing the other party leaders.
Curious that the SNP are more split on if this is right or wrong - considering it totally undermines any May argument about not holding an IndyRef, I'd have thought they would all be thrilled.
The SNP have very little to gain and a fair bit to lose in Westminster representation with a new election.
Unlike the rest of the UK, it's not going to be Brexit that dominates. It could end up as a referendum about another referendum, and the SNP have positioned themeselves as pro-EU, pro-Indy - which is a 30% view. They obviously won't fall back to that, but seem unlikely to emulate their feats of May 2015. Some of their vote is anti-EU and some is pro-union and doesn't want independence. These voters must be wondering whether they were wise to lend the SNP their vote.
Domestically they also have this to contend with:
"Output of the Scottish economy contracted by 0.2% during the fourth quarter of 2016."
If the next figures show a further contraction, Scotland will be in recession, at a time when everywhere else in the UK is exeriencing growth. Slap bang in the middle of an election.
Tories are stuck with only one policy , anti independence, hated by the majority , seen as nasty evil and cruel to the poor , I doubt SNP will be quaking in their boots. hard to see Scotland voting for perpetual misery of Tory right wing government.
Doesn't it follow then that Scotland must vote Labour to see off the Tory right wing government?
LOL, they tried that for many many years, they are finished in Scotland for the forseeable future. Given the hug eswing to the xenophobic right in England that would eb a wasted vote for sure. Scotland's only hope for the future is SNP and independence.
If Corbyn and Corbynism are trounced there is actually a chance Labour may finally decide to pick an electable leader
I don't think the Tories will win any from the Liberal Democrats. They could win more from Labour. I wonder if we would see the return of tactical voting. But with Corbyn at the helm, that would be wishful thinking.
It's likely to be tactical voting against Corbyn. He's been party to an entryist cabal.
Curious that the SNP are more split on if this is right or wrong - considering it totally undermines any May argument about not holding an IndyRef, I'd have thought they would all be thrilled.
The SNP have very little to gain and a fair bit to lose in Westminster representation with a new election.
Unlike the rest of the UK, it's not going to be Brexit that dominates. It could end up as a referendum about another referendum, and the SNP have positioned themeselves as pro-EU, pro-Indy - which is a 30% view. They obviously won't fall back to that, but seem unlikely to emulate their feats of May 2015. Some of their vote is anti-EU and some is pro-union and doesn't want independence. These voters must be wondering whether they were wise to lend the SNP their vote.
Domestically they also have this to contend with:
"Output of the Scottish economy contracted by 0.2% during the fourth quarter of 2016."
If the next figures show a further contraction, Scotland will be in recession, at a time when everywhere else in the UK is exeriencing growth. Slap bang in the middle of an election.
Tories are stuck with only one policy , anti independence, hated by the majority , seen as nasty evil and cruel to the poor , I doubt SNP will be quaking in their boots. hard to see Scotland voting for perpetual misery of Tory right wing government.
Of course the SNP will come a clear first.
I'm curious to see which side of 45% the SNP finish on though.
FWIW as long as the SNP hit support above the UK/England Tory level - this will enhance their mandate !!
Curious that the SNP are more split on if this is right or wrong - considering it totally undermines any May argument about not holding an IndyRef, I'd have thought they would all be thrilled.
The SNP have very little to gain and a fair bit to lose in Westminster representation with a new election.
Unlike the rest of the UK, it's not going to be Brexit that dominates. It could end up as a referendum about another referendum, and the SNP have positioned themeselves as pro-EU, pro-Indy - which is a 30% view. They obviously won't fall back to that, but seem unlikely to emulate their feats of May 2015. Some of their vote is anti-EU and some is pro-union and doesn't want independence. These voters must be wondering whether they were wise to lend the SNP their vote.
Domestically they also have this to contend with:
"Output of the Scottish economy contracted by 0.2% during the fourth quarter of 2016."
If the next figures show a further contraction, Scotland will be in recession, at a time when everywhere else in the UK is exeriencing growth. Slap bang in the middle of an election.
Tories are stuck with only one policy , anti independence, hated by the majority , seen as nasty evil and cruel to the poor , I doubt SNP will be quaking in their boots. hard to see Scotland voting for perpetual misery of Tory right wing government.
Of course the SNP will come a clear first.
I'm curious to see which side of 45% the SNP finish on though.
For sure , will be very interesting. If they break 50% then it is game over.
Curious that the SNP are more split on if this is right or wrong - considering it totally undermines any May argument about not holding an IndyRef, I'd have thought they would all be thrilled.
The SNP have very little to gain and a fair bit to lose in Westminster representation with a new election.
Unlike the rest of the UK, it's not going to be Brexit that dominates. It could end up as a referendum about another referendum, and the SNP have positioned themeselves as pro-EU, pro-Indy - which is a 30% view. They obviously won't fall back to that, but seem unlikely to emulate their feats of May 2015. Some of their vote is anti-EU and some is pro-union and doesn't want independence. These voters must be wondering whether they were wise to lend the SNP their vote.
Domestically they also have this to contend with:
"Output of the Scottish economy contracted by 0.2% during the fourth quarter of 2016."
If the next figures show a further contraction, Scotland will be in recession, at a time when everywhere else in the UK is exeriencing growth. Slap bang in the middle of an election.
Tories are stuck with only one policy , anti independence, hated by the majority , seen as nasty evil and cruel to the poor , I doubt SNP will be quaking in their boots. hard to see Scotland voting for perpetual misery of Tory right wing government.
Would it be better if they had two policies?
However their policy as it stands isn't anti-independence, it's not hated by the majority, and although it may be seen as you say it clearly isn't seen by the consensus in that way.
In Scotland it is.
These ideas may individually get over the wire in their acceptance in Scotland, but they're far from accepted as a package.
The relatively pragmatic Tories are far from your enemy if you want an independent Scotland. Your actual enemy is clearly the somewhat brighter bloke that lives next door.
Curious that the SNP are more split on if this is right or wrong - considering it totally undermines any May argument about not holding an IndyRef, I'd have thought they would all be thrilled.
The SNP have very little to gain and a fair bit to lose in Westminster representation with a new election.
Unlike the rest of the UK, it's not going to be Brexit that dominates. It could end up as a referendum about another referendum, and the SNP have positioned themeselves as pro-EU, pro-Indy - which is a 30% view. They obviously won't fall back to that, but seem unlikely to emulate their feats of May 2015. Some of their vote is anti-EU and some is pro-union and doesn't want independence. These voters must be wondering whether they were wise to lend the SNP their vote.
Domestically they also have this to contend with:
"Output of the Scottish economy contracted by 0.2% during the fourth quarter of 2016."
If the next figures show a further contraction, Scotland will be in recession, at a time when everywhere else in the UK is exeriencing growth. Slap bang in the middle of an election.
Tories are stuck with only one policy , anti independence, hated by the majority , seen as nasty evil and cruel to the poor , I doubt SNP will be quaking in their boots. hard to see Scotland voting for perpetual misery of Tory right wing government.
Of course the SNP will come a clear first.
I'm curious to see which side of 45% the SNP finish on though.
Turnout dependent. The higher the turnout the better SNP will do as they have a lot of lazy voters.
Some religious headgear for women that covers hair, neck and upper chest so that nearby men don't get aroused is considered uncontroversial and unobjectionable, but other headgear with identical characteristics and function gets people wanting to ban it:
Who wants to ban the non face covering one?
Wilders?
Oh right. Can't see the problem with them myself, the ones that only show the eyes aren't good for society imo
I don't think the Tories will win any from the Liberal Democrats. They could win more from Labour. I wonder if we would see the return of tactical voting. But with Corbyn at the helm, that would be wishful thinking.
I don't think the Tories will win any from the Liberal Democrats. They could win more from Labour. I wonder if we would see the return of tactical voting. But with Corbyn at the helm, that would be wishful thinking.
The 2 seats in question are Carshalton and Wallington and Southport, the former voted Leave and the latter Remain.
Some religious headgear for women that covers hair, neck and upper chest so that nearby men don't get aroused is considered uncontroversial and unobjectionable, but other headgear with identical characteristics and function gets people wanting to ban it:
I don't think the Tories will win any from the Liberal Democrats. They could win more from Labour. I wonder if we would see the return of tactical voting. But with Corbyn at the helm, that would be wishful thinking.
I think they'll probably regain Richmond.
I am not too sure. They will possibly lose Twickenham and Kingston & Surbiton. They will not lose Carshalton. If they did not lose it in 2015, they won't now.
Some religious headgear for women that covers hair, neck and upper chest so that nearby men don't get aroused is considered uncontroversial and unobjectionable, but other headgear with identical characteristics and function gets people wanting to ban it:
Who wants to ban the non face covering one?
Wilders?
And Le Pen wants to ban it in public places.
One aspect of this kind of Islamophobia that I despise is the cowardice of it. If you are in a group and you want someone to stop doing something, go up to them and tell them to their face why.
Don't make up a false reason, some fake wink-at-your-mates crap that would apply equally to someone else in the room who's doing the same thing and whose choices you consider to be completely unproblematic.
As amusing as Crick's little masturbatory reverie has been, I think it demonstrates how deep is leftish delusion at the moment. Crick and C4 news honestly thought, apropos nothing, they were on to a MAJOR scandal that was going to rock Tories to their knees and open the door for Comrade Jez's ascendence.
Dimbleby opines that other parties may "empty chair" the Cons in a TV debate.
They should.
No political party should be able to torpedo debates.
Most unlikely to happen. Presume they would be taken off the air by legal challenges, Besides, without the Prime Minister involved, how many people (especially those more inclined to support her anyway, whose minds the other parties need to change) would bother to watch anyway?
What would the legal challenge be ?
We we not invited ? ...
An empty chair with a pair of leopard skin shoes underneath would be worth a view.
Surely if May is invited what can they do ? If it is a Brexit election it is worth hearing the other party leaders.
It'll come down to whether the broadcasters have the bottle to empty chair the PM.
They should invite her to all the debates. If she chooses to not attend, then fine. The opposition will have a couple of hours to discuss the merits of the government and all their good works ..
The media should put a marker down that no party leader gets a veto on the debates.
Curious that the SNP are more split on if this is right or wrong - considering it totally undermines any May argument about not holding an IndyRef, I'd have thought they would all be thrilled.
The SNP have very little to gain and a fair bit to lose in Westminster representation with a new election.
Unlike the rest of the UK, it's not going to be Brexit that dominates. It could end up as a referendum about another referendum, and the SNP have positioned themeselves as pro-EU, pro-Indy - which is a 30% view. They obviously won't fall back to that, but seem unlikely to emulate their feats of May 2015. Some of their vote is anti-EU and some is pro-union and doesn't want independence. These voters must be wondering whether they were wise to lend the SNP their vote.
Domestically they also have this to contend with:
"Output of the Scottish economy contracted by 0.2% during the fourth quarter of 2016."
If the next figures show a further contraction, Scotland will be in recession, at a time when everywhere else in the UK is exeriencing growth. Slap bang in the middle of an election.
Tories are stuck with only one policy , anti independence, hated by the majority , seen as nasty evil and cruel to the poor , I doubt SNP will be quaking in their boots. hard to see Scotland voting for perpetual misery of Tory right wing government.
Would it be better if they had two policies?
However their policy as it stands isn't anti-independence, it's not hated by the majority, and although it may be seen as you say it clearly isn't seen by the consensus in that way.
In Scotland it is.
These ideas may individually get over the wire in their acceptance in Scotland, but they're far from accepted as a package.
The relatively pragmatic Tories are far from your enemy if you want an independent Scotland. Your actual enemy is clearly the somewhat brighter bloke that lives next door.
Nobody within miles is brighter than me so that one does not resonate.
Dimbleby opines that other parties may "empty chair" the Cons in a TV debate.
They should.
No political party should be able to torpedo debates.
Most unlikely to happen. Presume they would be taken off the air by legal challenges, Besides, without the Prime Minister involved, how many people (especially those more inclined to support her anyway, whose minds the other parties need to change) would bother to watch anyway?
What would the legal challenge be ?
We we not invited ? ...
An empty chair with a pair of leopard skin shoes underneath would be worth a view.
Surely if May is invited what can they do ? If it is a Brexit election it is worth hearing the other party leaders.
It'll come down to whether the broadcasters have the bottle to empty chair the PM.
They should invite her to all the debates. If she chooses to not attend, then fine. The opposition will have a couple of hours to discuss the merits of the government and all their good works ..
The media should put a marker down that no party leader gets a veto on the debates.
Dimbleby opines that other parties may "empty chair" the Cons in a TV debate.
They should.
No political party should be able to torpedo debates.
Most unlikely to happen. Presume they would be taken off the air by legal challenges, Besides, without the Prime Minister involved, how many people (especially those more inclined to support her anyway, whose minds the other parties need to change) would bother to watch anyway?
What would the legal challenge be ?
We we not invited ? ...
An empty chair with a pair of leopard skin shoes underneath would be worth a view.
Surely if May is invited what can they do ? If it is a Brexit election it is worth hearing the other party leaders.
It'll come down to whether the broadcasters have the bottle to empty chair the PM.
They should invite her to all the debates. If she chooses to not attend, then fine. The opposition will have a couple of hours to discuss the merits of the government and all their good works ..
The media should put a marker down that no party leader gets a veto on the debates.
I'm not sure there's much of a taste for it. Would people really want an hour of Corbyn or May?
Comments
If the PM judges that, on balance, it would be best to have a GE now & get it out of the way for another 5 years, then (in her view) the time is right.
OTOH, the whole aim of the SNP's Sindyref2 is to set in motion another enormous separation project. In my view, for the PM to risk both these projects taking place at the same time would not be at all in the interests of the UK.
Quite easy to understand Now is the time for one thing and Now is not the time for another.
We've just had Easter, which is when we have chocolate eggs, as opposed to tinsel & turkey.
And yet another thing, the election gives her carte blanche to reshuffle the 3 brexiteers without loss of face. The fringe benefits of the election are innumerable.
Kudos to whoever speculated that she made up her mind while walking with her husband, over Easter: she did exactly that.
Journos - book your hotels now!
I can't believe he will run again because what will he campaign on? He was part of the disastrous 'Remain Campaign.' His 'Project Fear' budget has been shot to pieces and he is no fan of the PM.
* Fillon's team, who were warned on Friday, are saying that the intelligence came from "British services".
* The source says that "only François Fillon received tighter security" at that time. Not only anti-terror police but also snipers were present at his meetings in Montpellier on Friday and Nice on Monday. Le Monde reports that police found a video of one of the suspects standing in front of a Daesh flag holding a machine gun and a copy of Le Monde (well it would be that paper, wouldn't it?) with Fillon on the cover, with the words "la loi du talion (an eye for an eye)" written on the screen. (Did he do a bit of video editing to calm himself down?)
* The Telegraph archly report, "While there has been no confirmation of their suspected targets, Marine Le Pen, the far-Right Front National candidate will hold what may be her last campaign rally in Marseille on Wednesday night."
(That is such a disingenuous way to suggest that Le Pen's rally may have been the target.)
* Le Pen's and Macron's teams also received photos of the suspects prior to the arrests.
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
Anything for you, guv!
http://www.electionpolling.co.uk/battleground/targets/conservative
It all started when Brown bottled the 2007 election, and has been gaining pace since.
Odd to think that was a decade ago. I recall Andrew Neil seriously asking if the Conservative Party could survive if it lost the possibly impending election.
I hope Neil and Raworth host the election coverage. They won't, of course.
Edited extra bit: maybe NUKIP. Hmmm.
https://twitter.com/ScotGovFM/status/854390409258303492
I'm curious to see which side of 45% the SNP finish on though.
I feel knackered, and am off home now.
#TheresaMayRuiningProductivity
https://twitter.com/guardian/status/854391820385701888
That's ambitious.
The relatively pragmatic Tories are far from your enemy if you want an independent Scotland. Your actual enemy is clearly the somewhat brighter bloke that lives next door.
http://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2016/09/01/george-osborne-the-modern-day-winston-churchill/
And reciting this
The Osborne is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Osborne for ever.
Not in coalition with Evil Tories, not Evil Tories, not Corbynite Labour. Could be a nice home for a protest vote.
https://twitter.com/WikiGuido/status/854393091964403713
https://twitter.com/WikiGuido/status/854393491895537664
https://twitter.com/WikiGuido/status/854393653262995457
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/606613/general-election-uk-2017-daily-star-poll-liberal-democrats
NEW THREAD
Don't make up a false reason, some fake wink-at-your-mates crap that would apply equally to someone else in the room who's doing the same thing and whose choices you consider to be completely unproblematic.
The likelihood of prosecution is so slim that the chances of Crick's little wank fantasy coming true are practically none.
He's going to say something stupid
Delusion is a beautiful but tragic thing.
They should invite her to all the debates. If she chooses to not attend, then fine. The opposition will have a couple of hours to discuss the merits of the government and all their good works ..
The media should put a marker down that no party leader gets a veto on the debates.
I'm with Brenda from Bristol on this one