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Sandpit said:

https://twitter.com/MattCartoonist/status/1040996627392208897/photo/1

Boom boom!

Or perhaps that should be, boom bust?

ydoethur said:

geoffw said:

Taking that idea of Grayling's, what about a commemorative issue of stamps or gold coins with Junker's head on one side and the map of Europe excluding the United Kingdom on the reverse?

Problem with putting Juncker's head on a stamp is people will spit on the wrong side.

With the exception of Selmayr who of course owes his career to licking Juncker's back side...

For J-CJ posterity beckons.

I watched Newcastle v Arsenal on the telly at the Emirates today. At the exit of Highbury and Islington tube station was a stand for the Communist Party of Britain. Are these people too extreme for Jezza's Labour? Or are they keeping it going in case the moderates retake control of Labour?

AlastairMeeks said:

Sandpit said:

https://twitter.com/MattCartoonist/status/1040996627392208897/photo/1

Request from a house seller: kindly refrain from spreading this suggestion. At least till I’ve sold my flat. TIA.

You should relax. Or perhaps not, it is stress testing after all.

tlg86 said:

I watched Newcastle v Arsenal on the telly at the Emirates today. At the exit of Highbury and Islington tube station was a stand for the Communist Party of Britain. Are these people too extreme for Jezza's Labour? Or are they keeping it going in case the moderates retake control of Labour?

The Communist Party of Great Britain endorsed Corbyn at the 2017 general election and stood no candidates for the first time since its foundation, instead urging its supporters to vote Labour.

'First published in 1951 as The British Road to Socialism (before the party decided the word “British” smacked of empire) the Stalin-era document sets out a plan to take power and remake the island of Adam Smith and Margaret Thatcher.

Step one is a leftwing takeover of the Labour party (check), followed by electoral triumph (incomplete), taking control of the state (incomplete) and building a Socialist society as a transition to Communism (incomplete).'


https://www.ft.com/content/ee215d4a-4ebf-11e8-a7a9-37318e776bab

Charles said:

AlastairMeeks said:

Sandpit said:

https://twitter.com/MattCartoonist/status/1040996627392208897/photo/1

Request from a house seller: kindly refrain from spreading this suggestion. At least till I’ve sold my flat. TIA.

When I tried to sell my house in Petersham in 2005 Mervyn King went on the radio to say that house prices were massively overvalued and anyone who bought one was nuts.

I am completely sure it was personal Charles.

Looks like a fun game:

https://twitter.com/GylesB1/status/1040889069847433216

Sid James for Boris
Babs Windsor for Andrea Leadsom

Can't quite place Mrs May - Hattie Jaques has the appropriate 'deeply offended' but is somewhat overbuilt....

Edit - and to mix genres, Hugh Laurie from Dad's Army for Lord Adonis...

Speaking of Carry On, I hope nobody has money on Worcestershire in the T20. They're being more brutally buggered than a Turkish man trying to avoid conscription.

ydoethur said:

Speaking of Carry On, I hope nobody has money on Worcestershire in the T20. They're being more brutally buggered than a Turkish man trying to avoid conscription.

Me.

I'm confident.

ydoethur said:

CarlottaVance said:

to mix genres, Hugh Laurie from Dad's Army for Lord Adonis...

Do you mean John Laurie, or Hugh Laurie from Blackadder?

We're all doomed.

ydoethur said:

Speaking of Carry On, I hope nobody has money on Worcestershire in the T20. They're being more brutally buggered than a Turkish man trying to avoid conscription.

Looks seriously close to me.

ydoethur said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

ydoethur said:

Speaking of Carry On, I hope nobody has money on Worcestershire in the T20. They're being more brutally buggered than a Turkish man trying to avoid conscription.

Me.

I'm confident.

Given your track record in cricket predictions, that means Sussex will win by 30 with two overs left.

Still at least you haven't bet a pineapple pizza on the outcome.

I made a profit on the cricket on Tuesday.

Worcestershire need 4 from 10.

Told you all.

I'll eat pineapple on pizza if Sussex win this.

DavidL said:

ydoethur said:

Speaking of Carry On, I hope nobody has money on Worcestershire in the T20. They're being more brutally buggered than a Turkish man trying to avoid conscription.

Looks seriously close to me.

I was wrong. Not close at all. Worcestershire easy.

TheScreamingEagles said:

Paging @Roger

ydoethur has won your Rogerdamus crown.

Don't be silly.

I won that three years ago when I said Alistair Cook was mad to put the Aussies in at Trent Bridge.

TheScreamingEagles said:

ydoethur said:

Phew, my strategy worked.

Are good Muslim boys allowed to buy alcohol? If so Moeen Ali owes Brian Cox a very large bottle of very good champagne.

Ben Cox.

Maybe seeing stars?

CarlottaVance said:

Looks like a fun game:

https://twitter.com/GylesB1/status/1040889069847433216

Sid James for Boris
Babs Windsor for Andrea Leadsom

Can't quite place Mrs May - Hattie Jaques has the appropriate 'deeply offended' but is somewhat overbuilt....

Edit - and to mix genres, Hugh Laurie from Dad's Army for Lord Adonis...

Nah. Bernard Breslaw for Boris, tho' he would need a good blonde wig. He would humanise him.

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041057068558544896?s=21

williamglenn said:

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041057068558544896?s=21

Nothing puts pressure on Corbyn. Incredible as that may sound, he is immune to it. No idea how.

williamglenn said:

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041057068558544896?s=21

He's asking for:

Deal vs Remain, or
No Deal vs Remain

Biased, much?

CarlottaVance said:

Looks like a fun game:

https://twitter.com/GylesB1/status/1040889069847433216

Sid James for Boris
Babs Windsor for Andrea Leadsom

Can't quite place Mrs May - Hattie Jaques has the appropriate 'deeply offended' but is somewhat overbuilt....

Edit - and to mix genres, Hugh Laurie from Dad's Army for Lord Adonis...

Surely it should be called 'Carry On Up Yours'.

https://twitter.com/PamAyres/status/1041007196300107776

HYUFD said:

RobD said:

Pulpstar said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

About two in five voters would be highly likely to vote for a new party in the political centre ground at a future election, a new poll for the Observer has revealed.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/15/almost-half-of-voters-say-they-would-vote-for-new-party-in-election

Arf. No they wouldn't.

The new party would immediately be at 40%? Yeah, I don't believe it either.

Opinium has 42% ready to vote for a new centre party, the poll also has 57% believing both the Tories and Labour are divided and 47% believe May is a weak leader and 49% believe Corbyn is a weak leader

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/15/almost-half-of-voters-say-they-would-vote-for-new-party-in-election

People want change.

The problem is that no one knows what that change is.

Brexit and Corbynism are the suggestions, perhaps both.

Foxy said:

HYUFD said:

RobD said:

Pulpstar said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

About two in five voters would be highly likely to vote for a new party in the political centre ground at a future election, a new poll for the Observer has revealed.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/15/almost-half-of-voters-say-they-would-vote-for-new-party-in-election

Arf. No they wouldn't.

The new party would immediately be at 40%? Yeah, I don't believe it either.

Opinium has 42% ready to vote for a new centre party, the poll also has 57% believing both the Tories and Labour are divided and 47% believe May is a weak leader and 49% believe Corbyn is a weak leader

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/15/almost-half-of-voters-say-they-would-vote-for-new-party-in-election

People want change.

The problem is that no one knows what that change is.

Brexit and Corbynism are the suggestions, perhaps both.

42% seem to want not much change.

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041071307516006401?s=21

Richard_Nabavi said:

Foxy said:

HYUFD said:

RobD said:

Pulpstar said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

About two in five voters would be highly likely to vote for a new party in the political centre ground at a future election, a new poll for the Observer has revealed.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/15/almost-half-of-voters-say-they-would-vote-for-new-party-in-election

Arf. No they wouldn't.

The new party would immediately be at 40%? Yeah, I don't believe it either.

Opinium has 42% ready to vote for a new centre party, the poll also has 57% believing both the Tories and Labour are divided and 47% believe May is a weak leader and 49% believe Corbyn is a weak leader

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/15/almost-half-of-voters-say-they-would-vote-for-new-party-in-election

People want change.

The problem is that no one knows what that change is.

Brexit and Corbynism are the suggestions, perhaps both.

42% seem to want not much change.

They are projecting. No New Party would survive contact with reality.

Foxy said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

Foxy said:

HYUFD said:

RobD said:

Pulpstar said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

About two in five voters would be highly likely to vote for a new party in the political centre ground at a future election, a new poll for the Observer has revealed.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/15/almost-half-of-voters-say-they-would-vote-for-new-party-in-election

Arf. No they wouldn't.

The new party would immediately be at 40%? Yeah, I don't believe it either.

Opinium has 42% ready to vote for a new centre party, the poll also has 57% believing both the Tories and Labour are divided and 47% believe May is a weak leader and 49% believe Corbyn is a weak leader

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/15/almost-half-of-voters-say-they-would-vote-for-new-party-in-election

People want change.

The problem is that no one knows what that change is.

Brexit and Corbynism are the suggestions, perhaps both.

42% seem to want not much change.

They are projecting. No New Party would survive contact with reality.

It might not come close to 42% in an election but it would be a radical shake-up in British politics and that would make it harder to predict how it would all settle post-New Party formation

oxfordsimon said:

williamglenn said:

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041071307516006401?s=21

Takes real strength to talk so openly about those sorts of challenges. Good on her for being open and honest. We absolutely need to smash the taboos surrounding mental health.

I hope it is on her terms, not some shit bag threatening to out this info. Norman Lamb / his son was a victim of somebody trying to profit of the fact his son had mental health issues.

viewcode said:

oxfordsimon said:

williamglenn said:

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041071307516006401?s=21

Takes real strength to talk so openly about those sorts of challenges. Good on her for being open and honest. We absolutely need to smash the taboos surrounding mental health.

While I'm not as happy as you about it, the tendency of young woman to self-harm via cutting or anorexia is something that really needs addressing. Some of the stories are horrific. We eliminated smoking (near-as-dammit) via a 50yr health program and constant pressure, and something similar here for self-harm would be good.

Only by talking about these things we will bring about change. I am not happy about it. I am heartened by someone with such a profile has the courage to talk about it. She has proven herself to be a successful adult who has achieved significant success. It proves no-one needs to be defined by a mental health condition.

I agree that we need better strategies for combating the issues around self-harm. I am not experienced enough in the field to even know where to start. But I do know that allowing the taboo surrounding mental health to persist is an absolute barrier to progress.

oxfordsimon said:

...I am not happy about it...

I use the wrong words, my bad. I am happy to accept your assurance.

Richard_Nabavi said:

viewcode said:

While I'm not as happy as you about it, the tendency of young women to self-harm via cutting or anorexia is something that really needs addressing. Some of the stories are horrific. We eliminated smoking (near-as-dammit) via a 50yr health program and constant pressure, and something similar here for self-harm would be good.

Yes, the mental health of a disturbingly large number of young people is a national (and probably international) crisis. It's one of the curious things that as a society we pride ourselves on supposedly treating children much better than was the case 50 years ago, yet on every objective measure (the clearest being teenage suicide, which isn't really subject to differential rates of diagnosis or definition), we seem to produce much worse outcomes.

https://tinyurl.com/ycjjdswg

The highest age-specific suicide rate was 24.8 deaths per 100,000 among males aged 45 to 49 years; for females, the age group with the highest rate was 50 to 54 years, at 6.8 deaths per 100,000.

Benpointer said:

viewcode said:

Charles said:

AlastairMeeks said:

Charles said:

AlastairMeeks said:

Sandpit said:

https://twitter.com/MattCartoonist/status/1040996627392208897/photo/1

Request from a house seller: kindly refrain from spreading this suggestion. At least till I’ve sold my flat. TIA.

When I tried to sell my house in Petersham in 2005 Mervyn King went on the radio to say that house prices were massively overvalued and anyone who bought one was nuts.

Yep, that’s roughly how I feel now.

Completely killed liquidity. Took me a year to shift.

You were lucky. In 2008 house prices in E&W fell by 20%. Not in real terms, in nominal terms. Companies were withdrawing mortgage guarantees overnight. 100% mortgages disappeared, then 95% mortgages about six months later.

We sold to the first viewer in late 2008, probably because we recognised the need to ask a reasonable price in a falling market. We then rented for 6 months thinking we would get a good deal in a (cash) buyers' market... Trouble is, very little came on to the market so we were effectively no better off. Once prices start to fall the whole market seizes up.

Yup. The only way you can take advantage of a falling market is at auction, when you are dealing with people who are forced to sell. Problem is, not many people can raise £80K in 28 days...

Ishmael_Z said:

viewcode said:

oxfordsimon said:

williamglenn said:

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041071307516006401?s=21

Takes real strength to talk so openly about those sorts of challenges. Good on her for being open and honest. We absolutely need to smash the taboos surrounding mental health.

While I'm not as happy as you about it, the tendency of young women to self-harm via cutting or anorexia is something that really needs addressing. Some of the stories are horrific. We eliminated smoking (near-as-dammit) via a 50yr health program and constant pressure, and something similar here for self-harm would be good.

"Most importantly for me I threw away my pills" is something I really, really wish she had not said. For all their unpredictability and unreliability antidepressants can be, quite literally, lifesavers.

Yes, it is rather reckless, even though I am rather concerned over rising prescription rates in youngsters. Pharma has a role, but the answer probably lies elsewhere.

tlg86 said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

viewcode said:

While I'm not as happy as you about it, the tendency of young women to self-harm via cutting or anorexia is something that really needs addressing. Some of the stories are horrific. We eliminated smoking (near-as-dammit) via a 50yr health program and constant pressure, and something similar here for self-harm would be good.

Yes, the mental health of a disturbingly large number of young people is a national (and probably international) crisis. It's one of the curious things that as a society we pride ourselves on supposedly treating children much better than was the case 50 years ago, yet on every objective measure (the clearest being teenage suicide, which isn't really subject to differential rates of diagnosis or definition), we seem to produce much worse outcomes.

https://tinyurl.com/ycjjdswg

The highest age-specific suicide rate was 24.8 deaths per 100,000 among males aged 45 to 49 years; for females, the age group with the highest rate was 50 to 54 years, at 6.8 deaths per 100,000.

Sure, but that isn't my point. My point is that if you want to compare mental health of young people today with that of young people of 50 years ago, and not be misled by changes in definitions or by improved or changed diagnoses, then teenage suicide rates are a very good proxy for an objective measure of youngsters' mental health.

Ishmael_Z said:

viewcode said:

oxfordsimon said:

williamglenn said:

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041071307516006401?s=21

Takes real strength to talk so openly about those sorts of challenges. Good on her for being open and honest. We absolutely need to smash the taboos surrounding mental health.

While I'm not as happy as you about it, the tendency of young women to self-harm via cutting or anorexia is something that really needs addressing. Some of the stories are horrific. We eliminated smoking (near-as-dammit) via a 50yr health program and constant pressure, and something similar here for self-harm would be good.

"Most importantly for me I threw away my pills" is something I really, really wish she had not said. For all their unpredictability and unreliability antidepressants can be, quite literally, lifesavers.

I do agree that giving the impression that you can beat these conditions without drugs is potentially misleading. It clearly worked for her - which is great. But it will not apply to the majority of patients. It was her experience and, as such, it is valid. For her.

It is why I have a really serious, serious problem with Johann Hari has written on this subject. It seems to be a near complete rejection of drug therapy - and that is dangerous.

I have a large personal stake in this. I am part of an ongoing international trial investigating a new drug for Treatment Resistant Depression. So I am very invested in this as a topic.

My experience of many antidepressants over more than a decade has been less than positive. I have moved away from them many times. But at times, I have needed them for some stability.

But it would be wrong to say that they don't have value as part of a treatment plan for the majority of patients. They do. But everyone is different. And trying to deny people options is dangerous.

I can get over-passionate about this - so will leave it there for now.

Richard_Nabavi said:

oxfordsimon said:

It is not just young people. It is a health crisis affecting all ages. Part of the rise is down to better awareness of certain conditions and thus more accurate reporting. But it does appear to be a growing crisis and one where treatment options can be limited. The NHS has a clear focus on CBT as the preferred talking therapy and a limited number of drugs. If you find that these don't work for you, the pathways to treatment often don't exist unless you have a very dedicated GP or consultant. Even then, it is a struggle.

We need a lot more research into all mental health conditions. A lot. We aren't even close to understanding things yet.

The first question to ask is whether this is a medical issue, or a wider societal one. It may be that the very concept of 'treatment' is confusing things, because it implies you can dump the problem on doctors. Life in a mess? Here's a prescription.

I agree that antidepressants are not a long-term solution (and can be a long-term problem!), but in the short-term (30-60days) they enable the patient to calm down, take stock, and address the issues. Depressed people often can't do that, by definition.

Richard_Nabavi said:

tlg86 said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

viewcode said:

While I'm not as happy as you about it, the tendency of young women to self-harm via cutting or anorexia is something that really needs addressing. Some of the stories are horrific. We eliminated smoking (near-as-dammit) via a 50yr health program and constant pressure, and something similar here for self-harm would be good.

Yes, the mental health of a disturbingly large number of young people is a national (and probably international) crisis. It's one of the curious things that as a society we pride ourselves on supposedly treating children much better than was the case 50 years ago, yet on every objective measure (the clearest being teenage suicide, which isn't really subject to differential rates of diagnosis or definition), we seem to produce much worse outcomes.

https://tinyurl.com/ycjjdswg

The highest age-specific suicide rate was 24.8 deaths per 100,000 among males aged 45 to 49 years; for females, the age group with the highest rate was 50 to 54 years, at 6.8 deaths per 100,000.

Sure, but that isn't my point. My point is that if you want to compare mental health of young people today with that of young people of 50 years ago, and not be misled by changes in definitions or by improved or changed diagnoses, then teenage suicide rates are a very good proxy for an objective measure of mental health.

That ONS release has data back to 1981. The data shows that suicide rates for 10-29 year olds has increased from 3.0 per 100,000 in 1981 to 3.2 in 2017. The rate peaked at 3.9 in 1998 and 2000.

Richard_Nabavi said:

oxfordsimon said:

It is not just young people. It is a health crisis affecting all ages. Part of the rise is down to better awareness of certain conditions and thus more accurate reporting. But it does appear to be a growing crisis and one where treatment options can be limited. The NHS has a clear focus on CBT as the preferred talking therapy and a limited number of drugs. If you find that these don't work for you, the pathways to treatment often don't exist unless you have a very dedicated GP or consultant. Even then, it is a struggle.

We need a lot more research into all mental health conditions. A lot. We aren't even close to understanding things yet.

The first question to ask is whether this is a medical issue, or a wider societal one. It may be that the very concept of 'treatment' is confusing things, because it implies you can dump the problem on doctors. Life in a mess? Here's a prescription.

By treatment, I am talking about working with the support of trained professionals.

Because we don't understand many mental health conditions, it is impossible to know where the lines between societal, environmental, genetic and other medical factors intersect.

But I think the solutions will be found through a combination of interventions. But almost certainly designed for the individual rather than being an off-the-shelf 'treatment'

oxfordsimon said:

By treatment, I am talking about working with the support of trained professionals.

Because we don't understand many mental health conditions, it is impossible to know where the lines between societal, environmental, genetic and other medical factors intersect.

But I think the solutions will be found through a combination of interventions. But almost certainly designed for the individual rather than being an off-the-shelf 'treatment'

Yes, I agree. But I think it's important to step back and look at causes, rather than just treatment.

viewcode said:

Richard_Nabavi said:

oxfordsimon said:

It is not just young people. It is a health crisis affecting all ages. Part of the rise is down to better awareness of certain conditions and thus more accurate reporting. But it does appear to be a growing crisis and one where treatment options can be limited. The NHS has a clear focus on CBT as the preferred talking therapy and a limited number of drugs. If you find that these don't work for you, the pathways to treatment often don't exist unless you have a very dedicated GP or consultant. Even then, it is a struggle.

We need a lot more research into all mental health conditions. A lot. We aren't even close to understanding things yet.

The first question to ask is whether this is a medical issue, or a wider societal one. It may be that the very concept of 'treatment' is confusing things, because it implies you can dump the problem on doctors. Life in a mess? Here's a prescription.

I agree that antidepressants are not a long-term solution (and can be a long-term problem!), but in the short-term (30-60days) they enable the patient to calm down, take stock, and address the issues. Depressed people often can't do that, by definition.

Anti depressants take a fortnight to take effect, so that is a rather short course.

The timeline for Ruth Davidson is different, but this article is food for thought:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/24/smartphone-teen-suicide-mental-health-depression

NickPalmer said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

oxfordsimon said:

williamglenn said:

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041071307516006401?s=21

Takes real strength to talk so openly about those sorts of challenges. Good on her for being open and honest. We absolutely need to smash the taboos surrounding mental health.

I hope it is on her terms, not some shit bag threatening to out this info. Norman Lamb / his son was a victim of somebody trying to profit of the fact his son had mental health issues.

That's disgusting, and weird too. Why would it shift a single vote, except in his favour?

I honestly don't know (money perhaps), but that is what happened. Somebody tried to sell a story of Norman Lamb son's battle with drugs and mental health issues and forced Norman to spike the story.

FrancisUrquhart said:

Benpointer said:

oxfordsimon said:

williamglenn said:

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041071307516006401?s=21

Takes real strength to talk so openly about those sorts of challenges. Good on her for being open and honest. We absolutely need to smash the taboos surrounding mental health.

Yes agreed.

This article does though surely completely rule her out as a potential Tory leader, both by her own volition and also in the minds of MPs and members who elect the leader.

Who then is the next great Tory hope? (Assuming TSE is otherwise engaged )

Sajid Javid surely has to be in pole position.

Depends - if the Tory party membership at large is as socially progressive as PB Tories seem to be, then yes, Sajid is a strong possibility. But I think many shire Tories still harbour regressive cultural views (often subconsciously) which make it harder for Sajid to win.

NickPalmer said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

oxfordsimon said:

williamglenn said:

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041071307516006401?s=21

Takes real strength to talk so openly about those sorts of challenges. Good on her for being open and honest. We absolutely need to smash the taboos surrounding mental health.

I hope it is on her terms, not some shit bag threatening to out this info. Norman Lamb / his son was a victim of somebody trying to profit of the fact his son had mental health issues.

That's disgusting, and weird too. Why would it shift a single vote, except in his favour?

Suspect it was about filthy lucre rather than political.

Benpointer said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

Benpointer said:

oxfordsimon said:

williamglenn said:

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041071307516006401?s=21

Takes real strength to talk so openly about those sorts of challenges. Good on her for being open and honest. We absolutely need to smash the taboos surrounding mental health.

Yes agreed.

This article does though surely completely rule her out as a potential Tory leader, both by her own volition and also in the minds of MPs and members who elect the leader.

Who then is the next great Tory hope? (Assuming TSE is otherwise engaged )

Sajid Javid surely has to be in pole position.

Depends - if the Tory party membership at large is as socially progressive as PB Tories seem to be, then yes, Sajid is a strong possibility. But I think many shire Tories still harbour regressive cultural views (often subconsciously) which make it harder for Sajid to win.

He has an extra vote as my good lady joined the party for the first time yesterday at 79 to do her bit to negate one kipper vote, one Boris vote and one Corbyn vote

Ishmael_Z said:

viewcode said:

Ishmael_Z said:

viewcode said:

oxfordsimon said:

williamglenn said:

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041071307516006401?s=21

Takes real strength to talk so openly about those sorts of challenges. Good on her for being open and honest. We absolutely need to smash the taboos surrounding mental health.

While I'm not as happy as you about it, the tendency of young women to self-harm via cutting or anorexia is something that really needs addressing. Some of the stories are horrific. We eliminated smoking (near-as-dammit) via a 50yr health program and constant pressure, and something similar here for self-harm would be good.

"Most importantly for me I threw away my pills" is something I really, really wish she had not said. For all their unpredictability and unreliability antidepressants can be, quite literally, lifesavers.

There was a period 15-10 years ago when it became very difficult to get a scrip for antidepressants. The theory was that there were other methods of curing depression (exercise, for example) but it ignored the fact that in some cases antidepressants in the short-term act as a reset/breaker, and enables the patient to take stock and act rationally.

I was very, very lucky to be prescribed amitriptyline when first diagnosed in 1990 by a very old fashioned gp (lucky in that almost everybody was prescribing Prozac in those days, and Prozac and any other ssris do absolutely bugger all for me whereas amitriptyline works like turning a switch).

I understand that in the ROI it's virtually impossible to get prescribed antidepressants without physical evidence of a suicide attempt which is horrifying if true.

A friend of mine got married in Ireland last month. She visited her husband's home village and they went to graveyard where his family are at rest.

She was struck by the number of relatively new graves - all young men who had taken their own lives. In a very small community - under 2000 inhabitants from what she said.

Former communist Andrew Murray, Mr Corbyn's chief political adviser, was slapped with the three-year ban in June on the advice of the country's security service, the SBU.

But last night Mr Murray, who has played a key role in a campaign to support pro-Moscow separatists in Ukraine, angrily denied being part of any 'so-called propaganda network'.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6171969/Corbyns-ex-Communist-adviser-banned-entering-Ukraine-three-years.html

Benpointer said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

Benpointer said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

Benpointer said:

oxfordsimon said:

williamglenn said:

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041071307516006401?s=21

Takes real strength to talk so openly about those sorts of challenges. Good on her for being open and honest. We absolutely need to smash the taboos surrounding mental health.

Yes agreed.

This article does though surely completely rule her out as a potential Tory leader, both by her own volition and also in the minds of MPs and members who elect the leader.

Who then is the next great Tory hope? (Assuming TSE is otherwise engaged )

Sajid Javid surely has to be in pole position.

Depends - if the Tory party membership at large is as socially progressive as PB Tories seem to be, then yes, Sajid is a strong possibility. But I think many shire Tories still harbour regressive cultural views (often subconsciously) which make it harder for Sajid to win.

I am not sure who else there is. Bonking Boris, no, Spreadsheet Phil, no, Michael "Start an argument in an empty lift" Gove, JRM, gotta be kidding...who is left?

Which was my point entriely several posts back ("Who then is the next great Tory hope?")

How about Amber Rudd as a long shot? Stood in well for TMay in leadership debates and took a bullet for her over Windrush. She needs a safer constituency (shouldn't be hard to arrange at the next GE). If, as I suspect, Theresa is still PM going into the next election, I hazard a guess she will re-elevate Rudd to the cabinet in 2020-21.

I highly doubt May will make 2021. The Tories are too ruthless. They are waiting for her to totally own whatever Brexit becomes and then they will do her in.

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Benpointer said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

Benpointer said:

oxfordsimon said:

williamglenn said:

https://twitter.com/mshelicat/status/1041071307516006401?s=21

Takes real strength to talk so openly about those sorts of challenges. Good on her for being open and honest. We absolutely need to smash the taboos surrounding mental health.

Yes agreed.

This article does though surely completely rule her out as a potential Tory leader, both by her own volition and also in the minds of MPs and members who elect the leader.

Who then is the next great Tory hope? (Assuming TSE is otherwise engaged )

Sajid Javid surely has to be in pole position.

Depends - if the Tory party membership at large is as socially progressive as PB Tories seem to be, then yes, Sajid is a strong possibility. But I think many shire Tories still harbour regressive cultural views (often subconsciously) which make it harder for Sajid to win.

He has an extra vote as my good lady joined the party for the first time yesterday at 79 to do her bit to negate one kipper vote, one Boris vote and one Corbyn vote

As I said Big_G, PB Tories are generally an open-minded (if misguided) bunch