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Letter? What letter?

Meanwhile March 29th 2019 gets even closer.

It does?!

This is going to be the Corn Laws Redux.

To think I was criticised on Sunday for calling these leavers 'Hardline'

The most interesting thing about the letter is the paranoia of the ERG.

https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/966040240283635712

williamglenn said:

Casino_Royale said:

Letter? What letter?

https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/966046024186974209
https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/966046081921552385

Those ERG lads may be a wee bit paranoid.

https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/966040240283635712

FPT:

TheScreamingEagles said:

tlg86 said:

SeanT said:

Philip_Thompson said:

tlg86 said:

Philip_Thompson said:

Foxy said:

tlg86 said:

DavidL said:

tlg86 said:

Fourth place in the PL might not get Champions League football next season...

England look set to get a lot of performance points this season with City and Liverpool already through.

Sorry, I meant, finishing fourth this season is no guarantee of being in the Champions League next season.

As I say that, Barca equalise.

Contingent on Arsenal winning the Europa League? Doesn't that create a fifth place this year, in the unlikely event of it happening.

Indeed it does, as happened with United last/this season.

Only reason 4th doesn't get Champions League next season is that as always the 4th has to play a final pre-season qualifying game before the group stages. But that's always the case.

England's 4th spot was at risk but with the dominance in the group stages (all 5 English clubs won their group) and already Liverpool and City at least almost certainly through if not more then that's no longer credibly at risk.

No, the top four from the top four leagues go straight into the group stages from next season:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018–19_UEFA_Champions_League

That's a change. When was that agreed? At the start of the season there was a lot of talk about us potentially losing the 4th spot (as we could have dropped to 4th-ranked league). We're well ahead of 5th though.

Already this season we've gained enough points to go from maybe-dropping-to-4th to now-upto-2nd. Having 5 clubs reach the last 16 has given us a massive points bonus.

In the end the overwhelming financial muscle of the EPL was bound to have an effect. It may now be showing.

At what point do the rest of the leagues come up with a tax on domestic television rights?

That would screw Real Madrid and Barca.

It would depend how the money was redistributed at the European level.

TheWhiteRabbit said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

This is going to be the Corn Laws Redux.

To think I was criticised on Sunday for calling these leavers 'Hardline'

Have you read the same letter as me?

The so-called "hard brexit" the ERG are after is a sort of mid-Brexit. It's certainly harder that the government currently wants, but not so far off that it cannot be fairly easily accommodated.

The reason it can be accommodated is that it is evident that the principles at stake don't quite match up to the practice. So for example, they might want an end to regulatory oversight from Brussels: but are they really concerned with the European Medicines Agency? Or course not.

I have, I agree with these interprertations

https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/966046028645400576

https://twitter.com/bbclaurak/status/966042967684386816

TheScreamingEagles said:

dixiedean said:

SeanT said:

I have £1000 riding on this, with Mr WilliamGlenn. I find it difficult to believe any Tory leader would survive not Brexiting by that date. It will happen. Though what happens after is anyone's guess.

Incidentally this story is interesting: secular trends that are shaping our politics. Young people are becoming more risk averse, with all that means. Because of insecurity.

I can evidence this personally. I asked my 22 year old wife the other day how many of her post-uni friends had returned to live with their parents? She paused, then said "ALL of them".

Not a single one of my friends, when I was 22, had returned to live with Mum and Dad. The idea was laughable.

https://www.ft.com/content/66149ea8-158a-11e8-9e9c-25c814761640

The party that addresses this will win the future.

However, it has always confused me as to why we have the tradition of leaving home to go to University. Surely more staying at home and going to their local one would be beneficial all round. Many in other countries manage it. I know the idea was not credible in our day, but we didn't pay fees.

Universities aren't homogenous.

Your nearest university might not excel in the discipline you're interested in whilst excelling at others.

Of course I understand that. However, living at home and commuting ought to be the first consideration these days, if at all possible. I speak as the proud Dad of a son who got an interview at Durham today. Moreover, if you live in London or one of the other big conurbations there should be something available for most. There are 7 Universities within an hour by public transport of my childhood home. Not everyone gets on an excellent course at a top institution. In fact the vast majority don't.

TGOHF said:

Arf. This pig is being fattened well before polling day.


https://twitter.com/dpjhodges/status/966071683751833600

He has made a direct threat to the press and tonight the Sun has gone on full attack.

Why did he not just laugh it off - he hasn't a clue

TheWhiteRabbit said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

TheWhiteRabbit said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

This is going to be the Corn Laws Redux.

To think I was criticised on Sunday for calling these leavers 'Hardline'

Have you read the same letter as me?

The so-called "hard brexit" the ERG are after is a sort of mid-Brexit. It's certainly harder that the government currently wants, but not so far off that it cannot be fairly easily accommodated.

The reason it can be accommodated is that it is evident that the principles at stake don't quite match up to the practice. So for example, they might want an end to regulatory oversight from Brussels: but are they really concerned with the European Medicines Agency? Or course not.

I have, I agree with these interprertations

https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/966046028645400576

https://twitter.com/bbclaurak/status/966042967684386816

Well, yes. It's more "leave" than the government is. But it's not a hardliner's manifesto. Remember JRM is calling for no transition (last time I checked).

Or to put it another way, this is the letter you write when you want to shape policy, not sit on the sidelines and shout about how badly it's going

https://twitter.com/Jamin2g/status/966052197648818181

https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/966072753609756672

Big_G_NorthWales said:

TGOHF said:

Arf. This pig is being fattened well before polling day.


https://twitter.com/dpjhodges/status/966071683751833600

He has made a direct threat to the press and tonight the Sun has gone on full attack.

Why did he not just laugh it off - he hasn't a clue

Because The Sun is widely distrusted and disbelieved.

dixiedean said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

dixiedean said:

SeanT said:

I have £1000 riding on this, with Mr WilliamGlenn. I find it difficult to believe any Tory leader would survive not Brexiting by that date. It will happen. Though what happens after is anyone's guess.

Incidentally this story is interesting: secular trends that are shaping our politics. Young people are becoming more risk averse, with all that means. Because of insecurity.

I can evidence this personally. I asked my 22 year old wife the other day how many of her post-uni friends had returned to live with their parents? She paused, then said "ALL of them".

Not a single one of my friends, when I was 22, had returned to live with Mum and Dad. The idea was laughable.

https://www.ft.com/content/66149ea8-158a-11e8-9e9c-25c814761640

The party that addresses this will win the future.

However, it has always confused me as to why we have the tradition of leaving home to go to University. Surely more staying at home and going to their local one would be beneficial all round. Many in other countries manage it. I know the idea was not credible in our day, but we didn't pay fees.

Universities aren't homogenous.

Your nearest university might not excel in the discipline you're interested in whilst excelling at others.

Of course I understand that. However, living at home and commuting ought to be the first consideration these days, if at all possible. I speak as the proud Dad of a son who got an interview at Durham today. Moreover, if you live in London or one of the other big conurbations there should be something available for most. There are 7 Universities within an hour by public transport of my childhood home. Not everyone gets on an excellent course at a top institution. In fact the vast majority don't.

I went to Durham university. Good luck to your son - if he ends up going to Durham he will have a marvellous time.

Boris Johnson described Brexit as “a mess” during a private meeting with senior German officials, European Union sources have claimed.

Mr Johnson is understood to have been referring to the complex Brexit negotiations rather than the British decision to leave the bloc, which he campaigned for in the referendum.

During unminuted talks in Berlin, the foreign secretary is alleged by Brussels sources to have urged the Germans to turn Brexit into an economic opportunity.

However, The Telegraph understands he was rebuffed by the German government, which has repeatedly stood behind Michel Barnier and resisted any attempts to go over the European Union chief Brexit negotiator's head.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/02/20/boris-johnson-said-brexit-mess-private-meeting-german-officials/

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Justin Forsyth caught up in sex harassment with save the children, same charity as Brendan Cox

What is wrong with these men

Sexual predators choose careers that enable predation.

dixiedean said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

dixiedean said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

TGOHF said:

Arf. This pig is being fattened well before polling day.


https://twitter.com/dpjhodges/status/966071683751833600

He has made a direct threat to the press and tonight the Sun has gone on full attack.

Why did he not just laugh it off - he hasn't a clue

Because The Sun is widely distrusted and disbelieved.

Has a huge circulation and he is prolonging the story. Also they have photographic evidence

Has a rapidly falling circulation of increasingly elderly readers who in the main vote Tory. A newspaper of record it is not. As for photographic evidence...of what exactly? I refer you to the numerous photos of Thatcher with Savile. That didn't make her a serial paedophile.

Trying to dilute the story will not make it go away and do you support Corbyn's threats to the free press.

By the way good luck to your son

TheScreamingEagles said:

This is going to be the Corn Laws Redux.

To think I was criticised on Sunday for calling these leavers 'Hardline'

Leavers are the Peelites; Remainers are the landed vested interests.

Plus ca change.

John_M said:

PeterC said:

dixiedean said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

dixiedean said:

SeanT said:

I have £1000 riding on this, with Mr WilliamGlenn. I find it difficult to believe any Tory leader would survive not Brexiting by that date. It will happen. Though what happens after is anyone's guess.

Incidentally this story is interesting: secular trends that are shaping our politics. Young people are becoming more risk averse, with all that means. Because of insecurity.

I can evidence this personally. I asked my 22 year old wife the other day how many of her post-uni friends had returned to live with their parents? She paused, then said "ALL of them".

Not a single one of my friends, when I was 22, had returned to live with Mum and Dad. The idea was laughable.

https://www.ft.com/content/66149ea8-158a-11e8-9e9c-25c814761640

The party that addresses this will win the future.

However, it has always confused me as to why we have the tradition of leaving home to go to University. Surely more staying at home and going to their local one would be beneficial all round. Many in other countries manage it. I know the idea was not credible in our day, but we didn't pay fees.

Universities aren't homogenous.

Your nearest university might not excel in the discipline you're interested in whilst excelling at others.

Of course I understand that. However, living at home and commuting ought to be the first consideration these days, if at all possible. I speak as the proud Dad of a son who got an interview at Durham today. Moreover, if you live in London or one of the other big conurbations there should be something available for most. There are 7 Universities within an hour by public transport of my childhood home. Not everyone gets on an excellent course at a top institution. In fact the vast majority don't.

I went to Durham university. Good luck to your son - if he ends up going to Durham he will have a marvellous time.

Getting a room in the castle would be an added plus!

Lumley Castle?

I stayed there last month.

The King James Suite is something else.

dixiedean said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

dixiedean said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

TGOHF said:

Arf. This pig is being fattened well before polling day.


https://twitter.com/dpjhodges/status/966071683751833600

He has made a direct threat to the press and tonight the Sun has gone on full attack.

Why did he not just laugh it off - he hasn't a clue

Because The Sun is widely distrusted and disbelieved.

Has a huge circulation and he is prolonging the story. Also they have photographic evidence

Has a rapidly falling circulation of increasingly elderly readers who in the main vote Tory. A newspaper of record it is not. As for photographic evidence...of what exactly? I refer you to the numerous photos of Thatcher with Savile. That didn't make her a serial paedophile.

Suspect the Sun has a much younger readership than most other papers; perhaps all papers with a 1m corciulation...?

dixiedean said:

Danny565 said:

dixiedean said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

dixiedean said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

TGOHF said:

Arf. This pig is being fattened well before polling day.


https://twitter.com/dpjhodges/status/966071683751833600

He has made a direct threat to the press and tonight the Sun has gone on full attack.

Why did he not just laugh it off - he hasn't a clue

Because The Sun is widely distrusted and disbelieved.

Has a huge circulation and he is prolonging the story. Also they have photographic evidence

Has a rapidly falling circulation of increasingly elderly readers who in the main vote Tory. A newspaper of record it is not. As for photographic evidence...of what exactly? I refer you to the numerous photos of Thatcher with Savile. That didn't make her a serial paedophile.

YouGov claims that a not-insubstantial 30% of Sun readers voted Labour last year:

So in the main voted Tory then. As for the 30% who voted Labour they quite clearly weren't swayed by the unrivalled political coverage.

I would take issue with your idea the readership is elderly - many more WVM readers

Mortimer said:

dixiedean said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

dixiedean said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

TGOHF said:

Arf. This pig is being fattened well before polling day.


https://twitter.com/dpjhodges/status/966071683751833600

He has made a direct threat to the press and tonight the Sun has gone on full attack.

Why did he not just laugh it off - he hasn't a clue

Because The Sun is widely distrusted and disbelieved.

Has a huge circulation and he is prolonging the story. Also they have photographic evidence

Has a rapidly falling circulation of increasingly elderly readers who in the main vote Tory. A newspaper of record it is not. As for photographic evidence...of what exactly? I refer you to the numerous photos of Thatcher with Savile. That didn't make her a serial paedophile.

Suspect the Sun has a much younger readership than most other papers; perhaps all papers with a 1m corciulation...?

It had a massive <35yr old readership in 2015.

http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/mail-uks-most-read-newspaper-brand-under-35s-favour-sun/

John_M said:

PeterC said:

dixiedean said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

dixiedean said:

SeanT said:

I have £1000 riding on this, with Mr WilliamGlenn. I find it difficult to believe any Tory leader would survive not Brexiting by that date. It will happen. Though what happens after is anyone's guess.

Incidentally this story is interesting: secular trends that are shaping our politics. Young people are becoming more risk averse, with all that means. Because of insecurity.

I can evidence this personally. I asked my 22 year old wife the other day how many of her post-uni friends had returned to live with their parents? She paused, then said "ALL of them".

Not a single one of my friends, when I was 22, had returned to live with Mum and Dad. The idea was laughable.

https://www.ft.com/content/66149ea8-158a-11e8-9e9c-25c814761640

The party that addresses this will win the future.

However, it has always confused me as to why we have the tradition of leaving home to go to University. Surely more staying at home and going to their local one would be beneficial all round. Many in other countries manage it. I know the idea was not credible in our day, but we didn't pay fees.

Universities aren't homogenous.

Your nearest university might not excel in the discipline you're interested in whilst excelling at others.

Of course I understand that. However, living at home and commuting ought to be the first consideration these days, if at all possible. I speak as the proud Dad of a son who got an interview at Durham today. Moreover, if you live in London or one of the other big conurbations there should be something available for most. There are 7 Universities within an hour by public transport of my childhood home. Not everyone gets on an excellent course at a top institution. In fact the vast majority don't.

I went to Durham university. Good luck to your son - if he ends up going to Durham he will have a marvellous time.

Getting a room in the castle would be an added plus!

I had that too! In 1974 all meals were waitress served. I think things are done in a slightly more expense consious way now.

Big_G_NorthWales said:

dixiedean said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

dixiedean said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

TGOHF said:

Arf. This pig is being fattened well before polling day.


https://twitter.com/dpjhodges/status/966071683751833600

He has made a direct threat to the press and tonight the Sun has gone on full attack.

Why did he not just laugh it off - he hasn't a clue

Because The Sun is widely distrusted and disbelieved.

Has a huge circulation and he is prolonging the story. Also they have photographic evidence

Has a rapidly falling circulation of increasingly elderly readers who in the main vote Tory. A newspaper of record it is not. As for photographic evidence...of what exactly? I refer you to the numerous photos of Thatcher with Savile. That didn't make her a serial paedophile.

Trying to dilute the story will not make it go away and do you support Corbyn's threats to the free press.

By the way good luck to your son

If by threat you mean his support for Leveson 2 thus change, then no I do not personally. I find it difficult to dilute a story which has one source, one who claims to have organised Live Aid. If any more comes out, I can re assess.
Thanks for your kind remarks.

dixiedean said:

PeterC said:

dixiedean said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

dixiedean said:

SeanT said:

I have £1000 riding on this, with Mr WilliamGlenn. I find it difficult to believe any Tory leader would survive not Brexiting by that date. It will happen. Though what happens after is anyone's guess.

Incidentally this story is interesting: secular trends that are shaping our politics. Young people are becoming more risk averse, with all that means. Because of insecurity.

I can evidence this personally. I asked my 22 year old wife the other day how many of her post-uni friends had returned to live with their parents? She paused, then said "ALL of them".

Not a single one of my friends, when I was 22, had returned to live with Mum and Dad. The idea was laughable.

https://www.ft.com/content/66149ea8-158a-11e8-9e9c-25c814761640

The party that addresses this will win the future.

However, it has always confused me as to why we have the tradition of leaving home to go to University. Surely more staying at home and going to their local one would be beneficial all round. Many in other countries manage it. I know the idea was not credible in our day, but we didn't pay fees.

Universities aren't homogenous.

Your nearest university might not excel in the discipline you're interested in whilst excelling at others.

Of course I understand that. However, living at home and commuting ought to be the first consideration these days, if at all possible. I speak as the proud Dad of a son who got an interview at Durham today. Moreover, if you live in London or one of the other big conurbations there should be something available for most. There are 7 Universities within an hour by public transport of my childhood home. Not everyone gets on an excellent course at a top institution. In fact the vast majority don't.

I went to Durham university. Good luck to your son - if he ends up going to Durham he will have a marvellous time.

Thank you.

One of the most gorgeous locations for a University. But in my time, the Christian Union was the biggest society. There's a need for regular escapades to Newcastle!

MarqueeMark said:

dixiedean said:

PeterC said:

dixiedean said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

dixiedean said:

SeanT said:

I have £1000 riding on this, with Mr WilliamGlenn. I find it difficult to believe any Tory leader would survive not Brexiting by that date. It will happen. Though what happens after is anyone's guess.

Incidentally this story is interesting: secular trends that are shaping our politics. Young people are becoming more risk averse, with all that means. Because of insecurity.

I can evidence this personally. I asked my 22 year old wife the other day how many of her post-uni friends had returned to live with their parents? She paused, then said "ALL of them".

Not a single one of my friends, when I was 22, had returned to live with Mum and Dad. The idea was laughable.

https://www.ft.com/content/66149ea8-158a-11e8-9e9c-25c814761640

The party that addresses this will win the future.

However, it has always confused me as to why we have the tradition of leaving home to go to University. Surely more staying at home and going to their local one would be beneficial all round. Many in other countries manage it. I know the idea was not credible in our day, but we didn't pay fees.

Universities aren't homogenous.

Your nearest university might not excel in the discipline you're interested in whilst excelling at others.

Of course I understand that. However, living at home and commuting ought to be the first consideration these days, if at all possible. I speak as the proud Dad of a son who got an interview at Durham today. Moreover, if you live in London or one of the other big conurbations there should be something available for most. There are 7 Universities within an hour by public transport of my childhood home. Not everyone gets on an excellent course at a top institution. In fact the vast majority don't.

I went to Durham university. Good luck to your son - if he ends up going to Durham he will have a marvellous time.

Thank you.

One of the most gorgeous locations for a University. But in my time, the Christian Union was the biggest society. There's a need for regular escapades to Newcastle!

When were you up there? And what did you get up to in Newcastle??

dixiedean said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

dixiedean said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

dixiedean said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

TGOHF said:

Arf. This pig is being fattened well before polling day.


https://twitter.com/dpjhodges/status/966071683751833600

He has made a direct threat to the press and tonight the Sun has gone on full attack.

Why did he not just laugh it off - he hasn't a clue

Because The Sun is widely distrusted and disbelieved.

Has a huge circulation and he is prolonging the story. Also they have photographic evidence

Has a rapidly falling circulation of increasingly elderly readers who in the main vote Tory. A newspaper of record it is not. As for photographic evidence...of what exactly? I refer you to the numerous photos of Thatcher with Savile. That didn't make her a serial paedophile.

Trying to dilute the story will not make it go away and do you support Corbyn's threats to the free press.

By the way good luck to your son

If by threat you mean his support for Leveson 2 thus change, then no I do not personally. I find it difficult to dilute a story which has one source, one who claims to have organised Live Aid. If any more comes out, I can re assess.
Thanks for your kind remarks.

It is his rant that has created a firestorm for him and made the story all the more likely to be in the headlines over his threats to press freedom. The Express has joined in tonight and I doubt the Telegraph or Mail will go quiet on the story.

Still it is just another part of our crazy politics.

Have a good night as it is getting past this oldies bed time and cup of horlicks !!!!!!

The Left can’t wait for press regulation. Look how they tried to sneak it as an amendment into another bill recently in the House of Lords.

They have given up on democracy. False consciousness is too powerful. Other means must be found.

dixiedean said:

I speak as the proud Dad of a son who got an interview at Durham today.

Another vote for Durham from another Durham graduate here... Although by the end of my second year I had the complexion of Gollum due to lack of exposure to UV light.

Dura_Ace said:

dixiedean said:

I speak as the proud Dad of a son who got an interview at Durham today.

Another vote for Durham from another Durham graduate here... Although by the end of my second year I had the complexion of Gollum due to lack of exposure to UV light.

Thanks. He's from Northumberland though. So he'll need sunblock.

FF43 said:

SeanT said:

FF43 said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

TGOHF said:

Arf. This pig is being fattened well before polling day.


https://twitter.com/dpjhodges/status/966071683751833600

He has made a direct threat to the press and tonight the Sun has gone on full attack.

Why did he not just laugh it off - he hasn't a clue

Because quite clearly the Corbyn as spy story is fake news. It depends entirely on the testimony of a very unreliable handler who contradicts what he himself recorded in the records at the time. Real spies are plentiful and easy to find, but Corbyn wasn't one of them.

This article makes an interesting point. Although Corbyn had, and still has, a reputation for being hard left, his sympathy wasn't with the Czech state. It was with the dissidents of that state

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/20/no-evidence-corbyn-was-spy-for-czechoslovakia-say-intelligence-experts

Bollocks. Corbyn was happy to consort with anyone who hated Britain, America and Israel. His record is utterly consistent. It's not "one source", it is a repeated pattern of behaviour, from an early age, in a fairly unintelligent man, known for never changing his mind.

Did he sell valuable secrets to the Warsaw Pact? Of course not. He didn't have any. Did he meet with Warsaw Pact spies, flattered by their attention, and sympathetic to their cause? Of course he did.

Corbyn has his fair share of skeletons, but I think he's on firm ground with the spy claims. Which, I believe, is why he is standing it.

Like he could take any other position if he were guilty!

FF43 said:

SeanT said:

FF43 said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

TGOHF said:

Arf. This pig is being fattened well before polling day.


https://twitter.com/dpjhodges/status/966071683751833600

He has made a direct threat to the press and tonight the Sun has gone on full attack.

Why did he not just laugh it off - he hasn't a clue

Because quite clearly the Corbyn as spy story is fake news. It depends entirely on the testimony of a very unreliable handler who contradicts what he himself recorded in the records at the time. Real spies are plentiful and easy to find, but Corbyn wasn't one of them.

This article makes an interesting point. Although Corbyn had, and still has, a reputation for being hard left, his sympathy wasn't with the Czech state. It was with the dissidents of that state

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/20/no-evidence-corbyn-was-spy-for-czechoslovakia-say-intelligence-experts

Bollocks. Corbyn was happy to consort with anyone who hated Britain, America and Israel. His record is utterly consistent. It's not "one source", it is a repeated pattern of behaviour, from an early age, in a fairly unintelligent man, known for never changing his mind.

Did he sell valuable secrets to the Warsaw Pact? Of course not. He didn't have any. Did he meet with Warsaw Pact spies, flattered by their attention, and sympathetic to their cause? Of course he did.

Corbyn has his fair share of skeletons, but I think he's on firm ground with the spy claims. Which, I believe, is why he is standing it.

CHANGE IS COMING

https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn/status/966013570273234944

Corbyn may not have been an agent for Soviet Bloc intelligence in the popular view of the term but he was a logical target for an approach, and at a minimum, would have been seen as a developmental case, a 'we might get a little, we might get a lot from him'.

Some potential uses of someone like Jeremy Corbyn back in the day
-Conduit for political analysis information
-Conduit to disseminate disruptive information supplied by the intelligence agency
-A 'bring friends' source to our east-west friendship society meetings and tours to the spade making factories of Slovakia. i.e. a conduit to expanding networks

Did he act as any of those? We might well find out.

Any chance he wasn't aware Eastern European officials he met might be working for their home intelligence agencies? Not a fucking chance. So, if he was doing any of the above three to any extent (read 'multiple occasions' or 'regular'), he was doing work for those agencies. The Soviet Bloc agencies have a series of terminologies for those that they target. Agent possibly wasn't one of them but 'contact' for example might have been.

bigjohnowls said:

Jezza gives me hope that CHANGE IS COMING

Socialism. Expecting others to make change in your favour and on your behalf.....

bigjohnowls said:

FF43 said:

SeanT said:

FF43 said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

TGOHF said:

Arf. This pig is being fattened well before polling day.


https://twitter.com/dpjhodges/status/966071683751833600

He has made a direct threat to the press and tonight the Sun has gone on full attack.

Why did he not just laugh it off - he hasn't a clue

Because quite clearly the Corbyn as spy story is fake news. It depends entirely on the testimony of a very unreliable handler who contradicts what he himself recorded in the records at the time. Real spies are plentiful and easy to find, but Corbyn wasn't one of them.

This article makes an interesting point. Although Corbyn had, and still has, a reputation for being hard left, his sympathy wasn't with the Czech state. It was with the dissidents of that state

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/20/no-evidence-corbyn-was-spy-for-czechoslovakia-say-intelligence-experts

Bollocks. Corbyn was happy to consort with anyone who hated Britain, America and Israel. His record is utterly consistent. It's not "one source", it is a repeated pattern of behaviour, from an early age, in a fairly unintelligent man, known for never changing his mind.

Did he sell valuable secrets to the Warsaw Pact? Of course not. He didn't have any. Did he meet with Warsaw Pact spies, flattered by their attention, and sympathetic to their cause? Of course he did.

Corbyn has his fair share of skeletons, but I think he's on firm ground with the spy claims. Which, I believe, is why he is standing it.

CHANGE IS COMING

https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn/status/966013570273234944

One of the best things about a Cotbyn premiership will be the end of the press barons.

Let them dig salt.

bigjohnowls said:

Y0kel said:

bigjohnowls said:

Jezza gives me hope that CHANGE IS COMING

Socialism. Expecting others to make change in your favour and on your behalf.....

Changes for the Many not the Few are on there way.

A press free of a handful of tax exiles

You got two words the wrong way around there. Should read.

'A free press'

You're welcome.

OchEye said:

Y0kel said:

bigjohnowls said:

Jezza gives me hope that CHANGE IS COMING

Socialism. Expecting others to make change in your favour and on your behalf.....

Capitalism: Expecting others to make change in your favour and on your behalf..... Two sides of the same coin.. ...

I thought capitalism was all about being in it for yourself?

OchEye said:

Y0kel said:

bigjohnowls said:

Jezza gives me hope that CHANGE IS COMING

Socialism. Expecting others to make change in your favour and on your behalf.....

Capitalism: Expecting others to make change in your favour and on your behalf..... Two sides of the same coin.. ...

Meritocracy: Making change in your favour by doing it yourself.

bigjohnowls said:

Jezza gives me hope that CHANGE IS COMING

A change for the worse. For everyone. That is socialism for you. Everyone is equally screwed.

Theuniondivvie said:

williamglenn said:

Casino_Royale said:

Letter? What letter?

https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/966046024186974209
https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/966046081921552385

Those ERG lads may be a wee bit paranoid.

https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/966040240283635712

Theuniondivvie said:

williamglenn said:

Casino_Royale said:

Letter? What letter?

https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/966046024186974209
https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/966046081921552385

Those ERG lads may be a wee bit paranoid.

https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/966040240283635712

[small spoiler for game of thrones]








Isn’t that the trick Tyrion Lannister uses in GoT tv series?
Bet they got it from there!

Foxy said:

bigjohnowls said:

FF43 said:

SeanT said:

FF43 said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

TGOHF said:

Arf. This pig is being fattened well before polling day.


https://twitter.com/dpjhodges/status/966071683751833600

He has made a direct threat to the press and tonight the Sun has gone on full attack.

Why did he not just laugh it off - he hasn't a clue

Because quite clearly the Corbyn as spy story is fake news. It depends entirely on the testimony of a very unreliable handler who contradicts what he himself recorded in the records at the time. Real spies are plentiful and easy to find, but Corbyn wasn't one of them.

This article makes an interesting point. Although Corbyn had, and still has, a reputation for being hard left, his sympathy wasn't with the Czech state. It was with the dissidents of that state

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/20/no-evidence-corbyn-was-spy-for-czechoslovakia-say-intelligence-experts

Bollocks. Corbyn was happy to consort with anyone who hated Britain, America and Israel. His record is utterly consistent. It's not "one source", it is a repeated pattern of behaviour, from an early age, in a fairly unintelligent man, known for never changing his mind.

Did he sell valuable secrets to the Warsaw Pact? Of course not. He didn't have any. Did he meet with Warsaw Pact spies, flattered by their attention, and sympathetic to their cause? Of course he did.

Corbyn has his fair share of skeletons, but I think he's on firm ground with the spy claims. Which, I believe, is why he is standing it.

CHANGE IS COMING

https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn/status/966013570273234944

One of the best things about a Cotbyn premiership will be the end of the press barons.

Let them dig salt.

You want change (fair enough), but seem unconcerned about what that change might lead to.

That's worrying, as change can always lead to worse outcomes. In this case, we have some good pointers. The Leveson recommendations - supported and encouraged by Labour - are not going to lead to a freer press. Worse, I don't even hear Corbyn going on about the need for a free press.

But you also have to look closer. Corbyn is complaining about smears. His deputy is Tom Watson. An evil man - and I use that word purposefully - who willingly uses that same media to smear people with sexual abuse allegations whilst wearing a tinfoil-hat - though only about the opposition, not his own side. A man who also wants to mould the media to his party's own advantage.

You may want a media shorn of 'media barons'. I'm unsure that you have fully considered whether this Labour team would replace those owners with something better for the country, or worse.

JosiasJessop said:

Foxy said:

bigjohnowls said:

FF43 said:

SeanT said:

FF43 said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

TGOHF said:

Bollocks. Corbyn was happy to consort with anyone who hated Britain, America and Israel. His record is utterly consistent. It's not "one source", it is a repeated pattern of behaviour, from an early age, in a fairly unintelligent man, known for never changing his mind.

Did he sell valuable secrets to the Warsaw Pact? Of course not. He didn't have any. Did he meet with Warsaw Pact spies, flattered by their attention, and sympathetic to their cause? Of course he did.

Corbyn has his fair share of skeletons, but I think he's on firm ground with the spy claims. Which, I believe, is why he is standing it.

CHANGE IS COMING

https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn/status/966013570273234944

One of the best things about a Cotbyn premiership will be the end of the press barons.

Let them dig salt.

You want change (fair enough), but seem unconcerned about what that change might lead to.

That's worrying, as change can always lead to worse outcomes. In this case, we have some good pointers. The Leveson recommendations - supported and encouraged by Labour - are not going to lead to a freer press. Worse, I don't even hear Corbyn going on about the need for a free press.

But you also have to look closer. Corbyn is complaining about smears. His deputy is Tom Watson. An evil man - and I use that word purposefully - who willingly uses that same media to smear people with sexual abuse allegations whilst wearing a tinfoil-hat - though only about the opposition, not his own side. A man who also wants to mould the media to his party's own advantage.

You may want a media shorn of 'media barons'. I'm unsure that you have fully considered whether this Labour team would replace those owners with something better for the country, or worse.

Quite. Whatever we may think about some of the media from time to time, a free press is fundamental to the effective functioning of a democracy. The alternatives are infinitely worse.

TheJezziah said:

Corbyn mentioned the need for a free press in the video posted on here.

Watson was someone who wanted Corbyn removed and was not put in place by Corbyn, there is talk of him being replaced or his role weakened but the media is usually full of talk about Corbyn or his supporters up to various deeds to steal power so hard to know how much to read into it.

That said even if Corbyn was a fan of Watson and he was considered the main man the idea that Watson is going to be able to mould the media as he see's fit, even if Labour win a massive majority comes off a bit conspiratorial.

Whilst Watson is in place, anything that Labour says or does about the media is suspect. He has smeared politicians from rival parties with the most heinous accusations, and is part of the same set-up as McBride et al (yet knew nothing about that hideous scheme). And he is near the heart of Labour (perhaps a rather atherosclerotic artery, diseased and ill).

His own attitude to Labour politicians caught up in rumours and accusations is sadly somewhat different.

And of course Watson will mould the media. He's been leading their campaign over it for years, and he and Corbyn seem step-to-step over the matter. He's their *expert*.

I don't feel very sorry for Corbyn wrt 'smears' whilst he has Watson in any position of authority within his party. If he wants sympathy, he should clean up his own house first.

Nigelb said:

TheJezziah said:

If Trump actually does something positive about US gun laws then he deserves loads of credit. He is probably in a pretty unique position to be able to do something about it being a Republican but one with a different sort of support base.

For all his negatives it would be really impressive if he actually makes progress on it.

What is being proposed is pretty minimal.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/20/trump-guns-parkland-shooting-guns-417888

It wasn’t by accident that both of the president’s moves — authorizing a crackdown on “bump stocks” and signaling support for a stronger background checks system — are backed by the National Rifle Association.

That these moves are backed by the NRA tells you all you need to know.

Sandpit said:

The_Apocalypse said:

Nigelb said:

TheJezziah said:

If Trump actually does something positive about US gun laws then he deserves loads of credit. He is probably in a pretty unique position to be able to do something about it being a Republican but one with a different sort of support base.

For all his negatives it would be really impressive if he actually makes progress on it.

What is being proposed is pretty minimal.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/20/trump-guns-parkland-shooting-guns-417888

It wasn’t by accident that both of the president’s moves — authorizing a crackdown on “bump stocks” and signaling support for a stronger background checks system — are backed by the National Rifle Association.

That these moves are backed by the NRA tells you all you need to know.

That finding quick cross-party agreement on things that can prevent people getting killed is a bloody good idea?

Except that up until now, the bump stock legislation has been stalled as Republicans have wanted to attach a measure reducing/removing states' ability to regulate the concealed carry of guns.
We'll see.

In any event, it's a relatively minor measure in relation to the gun killing problem in the US, which seems less likely to be a crack in the wall of opposition to gun control than a token yielded up as a means of preventing further regulation.
Again, we'll see.

eek said:

Sandpit said:

The_Apocalypse said:

Nigelb said:

TheJezziah said:

If Trump actually does something positive about US gun laws then he deserves loads of credit. He is probably in a pretty unique position to be able to do something about it being a Republican but one with a different sort of support base.

For all his negatives it would be really impressive if he actually makes progress on it.

What is being proposed is pretty minimal.
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/20/trump-guns-parkland-shooting-guns-417888

It wasn’t by accident that both of the president’s moves — authorizing a crackdown on “bump stocks” and signaling support for a stronger background checks system — are backed by the National Rifle Association.

That these moves are backed by the NRA tells you all you need to know.

That finding quick cross-party agreement on things that can prevent people getting killed is a bloody good idea?

Nope that there was always a few minor pointless tweaks that could be made if needed. These changes look far far more than they actually are.

Its useful though. It concedes the principle that there should be a reaction to a class room of kids being murdered by tighter regulation. When the next class room of kids gets mown down there will be intense pressure to go further as a result of the ratchet effect.