politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » The impacts of the floods on the 2015 General Election
The Times have a piece today (££) which has analysed the constituencies that have suffered most with the recent extreme weather and there’s quite a few marginals affected. Out of the Tories 40 most marginal seats, 15 have been affected by the recent extreme weather. For the Lib Dems, out of their 20 most marginal seats, 12 have been affected by the recent extreme weather.
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If I was a Tory MP for the likes of Stockton, Cardiff or Plymouth, I would be getting very worried. Much as the PBTories squealed in horror when I said this last week, the perception that the Tories have given special treatment to the south east is very much out there...or it's hardened an already existing perception I should say.0
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Revealed: Labour's plot to unseat Clegg in Sheffield Hallam
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2561696/Revealed-Labours-plot-unseat-Clegg-Party-drawn-plans-decapitate-Lib-Dems-forcing-deputy-PM-General-Election.html0 -
None, because by May 2015 it will all be over and done with, long forgotten, and because it's not a key socio-economic party-oriented issue.0
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How dare you state such nonsense Mr Loony. Only a terminally ridiculous PBWotsit could state such outrageous lies.JohnLoony said:None, because by May 2015 it will all be over and done with, long forgotten, and because it's not a key socio-economic party-oriented issue.
As any fule knows, and the great British public will clearly acknowledge at election time, the root cause of this problem is the lack of investment in infrastructure during the period when the Wotsit Party were in power. Moreover, the Wotsits left a tangle of bureaucracy that meant at critical periods, local and central government have not worked efficiently together. Those Wotsits who are in power at local and national level have hardly helped by making a mess of all the key decisions since the crisis broke. They are a bunch of shoddy amateurs and it is costing Britain dearly.
Also, let us not forget the hot air that the Wotsits have been making about climate change, but to no avail in terms of practical policies. During their last period of office, where was the long-term green investment that could prevent extreme weather in the future? They also failed to take leadership in world affairs by getting the USA and China to agree to serious emissions reductions.
We PBThingies may laugh at their ineptitude, but we must stifle our giggles as the seriousness of the task ahead of us becomes clear. Unless the Thingy Party wins the 2015 election, Britain will literally be up the creek.
Fortunately the hardest-hit communities have recognised the Thingy Party for our leadership and the practical, action-oriented approach that we stand for. They have been swayed by the knee-deep photo-opportunities that our senior politicians have waded into, and now realise how sincerely we care.* While the Wotsits offer more incompetence and pandemonium, only the Thingies can deliver joined-up government that will help local people co-ordinate with government agencies to strategise synergistically against any future extreme weather events. A Thingy government post 2015 will be able to restore the defences that the Wotsits had eroded through their long-term neglect. Only the vision of the Thingy Party can return Britain to a respected place on the world stage, and force the large, polluting countries to acknowledge their responsibility to humanity by cutting CO2.
Overall the message is clear. Down with the Wotsits. Vote Thingy.
* Fortunately the public was not foolish enough to be swayed by the opportunistic PR stunts of soaked-through Wotsit has-beens. How pathetic they looked in their damp attire, pretending to care sincerely about people well out of their natural habitat. Their deceitful ruse was revealed by how "fish out of the water" they appeared; all the Normal politicians are Thingy.0 -
A casualty of last week's storms -
Ike's tree, the loblolly pine on the 17th fairway at Augusta National Golf Club, fell victim to the ice storm and has been cut down and removed.0 -
@BrookesTimes: My cartoon Tuesday @TheTimes: Michty Moose Salmond is lost in space.... http://t.co/mkkLZIF6120
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Please note that, as usual, Salmond and the SNP are on the same side as the Scottish voters. Then note that Cameron, Osborne, Balls, Alexander (a Scottish MP!) and Her Majesty's Treasury are against the Scottish voters. Then have a good long think about what is about to happen on 18 September. Go on, you can do it: try very, very hard to actually think.CarlottaVance said:
Nor do you if you think you are getting a currency union.....Stuart_Dickson said:
Yes, we all know that the CBI and IoD are greatly respected voices of authority among Scottish swing voters. Good grief. You lot really haven't got the faintest clue about the task ahead of you.CarlottaVance said:Britain's two leading business organisations have dealt a blow to Alex Salmond in his fightback against the rejection by Britain's three main political parties of a currency union with an independent Scotland.
The leaders of the Confederation of British Industry and the Institute of Directors both warned that a currency union would be "unstable" as David Cameron said that the Scottish first minister was "now a man without a plan".
In a direct challenge to the Scottish first minister, Salmond was told that his warnings of increased transaction charges for businesses on both sides of the border were outweighed by the disadvantages of creating a currency union outside a full political union.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/17/business-leaders-alex-salmond-currency-union
So far, who is in favour:
Salmond
SNP
Scottish voters
Who is against:
Cameron
Osborne
Balls
Alexander
CBI
IOD
HMT
England/Wales voters.
But Salmond is right....and all of them are wrong.....
Incidentally, I would not be too cocky about what E&W (&NI) voters want if I were you. They are generally much more pleasant, sensible and pragmatic than their elected representatives. And not nearly as nasty, vindictive and bullying.
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Please note that, as usual, Salmond and the SNP are selling a fantasy they are not in a position to deliver.Stuart_Dickson said:
Please note that, as usual, Salmond and the SNP are on the same side as the Scottish voters.
If the Scottish voters fall for it, so be it.0 -
According to the polls Scottish voters appear to favour the currency union they already have - as part of the UK - that may change but one awaits the next polls with interest.Stuart_Dickson said:
Please note that, as usual, Salmond and the SNP are on the same side as the Scottish voters. Then note that Cameron, Osborne, Balls, Alexander (a Scottish MP!) and Her Majesty's Treasury are against the Scottish voters. Then have a good long think about what is about to happen on 18 September. Go on, you can do it: try very, very hard to actually think.CarlottaVance said:
Nor do you if you think you are getting a currency union.....Stuart_Dickson said:
Yes, we all know that the CBI and IoD are greatly respected voices of authority among Scottish swing voters. Good grief. You lot really haven't got the faintest clue about the task ahead of you.CarlottaVance said:Britain's two leading business organisations have dealt a blow to Alex Salmond in his fightback against the rejection by Britain's three main political parties of a currency union with an independent Scotland.
The leaders of the Confederation of British Industry and the Institute of Directors both warned that a currency union would be "unstable" as David Cameron said that the Scottish first minister was "now a man without a plan".
In a direct challenge to the Scottish first minister, Salmond was told that his warnings of increased transaction charges for businesses on both sides of the border were outweighed by the disadvantages of creating a currency union outside a full political union.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/17/business-leaders-alex-salmond-currency-union
So far, who is in favour:
Salmond
SNP
Scottish voters
Who is against:
Cameron
Osborne
Balls
Alexander
CBI
IOD
HMT
England/Wales voters.
But Salmond is right....and all of them are wrong.....
Incidentally, I would not be too cocky about what E&W (&NI) voters want if I were you. They are generally much more pleasant, sensible and pragmatic than their elected representatives. And not nearly as nasty, vindictive and bullying.0 -
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O/T:
"RT @STForeignDesk #Thai police officer killed by gunshot in #Bangkok clash: Police chief"
bit.ly/1ckfAxD pic.twitter.com/kAtyL8w7s10 -
Could we have a like button for My Burning Ears?0
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MBE - "Overall the message is clear. Down with the Wotsits. Vote Thingy."
Hear, hear.0 -
More positive press coverage for Michael and Sandra Howard in today's Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2561685/Love-sight-Its-myth-How-quickly-did-fall-half-Six-couples-utterly-enchanting-stories.html
As was being suggested here a couple of days ago .... is summat afoot?0 -
That's a damn shame! That tree has been a fixture for years, and has on occasion proved the downfall of leading golfers on the last round of the Masters.Tim_B said:A casualty of last week's storms -
Ike's tree, the loblolly pine on the 17th fairway at Augusta National Golf Club, fell victim to the ice storm and has been cut down and removed.0 -
I think TSE ,that you can say that I brought up the damage the floods would probably do to the coalition, before anyone else, more than two weeks ago on PB.
I said it would prove a fine opportunity for UKIP to advance in the flood-hit region, and I still say it.0 -
Especially with more coverage about the cuts coming out. A £3bn bill directly attributable to £100m of cuts, not good....0
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Latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection Countdown :
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"As we can see in a lot of the seats, the seats are where the Tories and the Lib Dems are in second place to their coalition allies, so if either party can frame the blame game against their coalition partners, there could be a bonus for them."
Or, more likely I would think, there could be a large swing towards a third-party. Given that these floods have primarily affected the South, where Labour is currently weak, that third party could be UKIP.
On the other hand, UKIP haven't had a boost in the polls in the way that Hague's Tories enjoyed during the fuel crisis of 2000, say. Why is that?
A majority say that the Coalition have handled the floods badly, but perhaps that is a marginal judgement and most people recognise that with record rainfall it would have been damn hard to handle the floods well.
"My caveats are that the 2001 Foot and Mouth crisis started a few months before and continued during the General Election campaign, whereas hopefully the flooding and associated problems will soon end and not continue until May 2015!"
The word from the Environment Agency is that the ground is so saturated across much of the south of England that there will be groundwater flooding problems for months to come. These won't be as dramatic as the "out of bank" state of the Severn and Thames rivers, but while the news cameras will largely ignore it the people affected will not be able to.
Incidentally, Monbiot has another excellent article on the flooding, with a video on the Guardian (warning: video autoplays and starts with an annoying advert).0 -
Surely it's one issue where the Tories are getting the flack and the LibDems, where there's a hazy perception of "Green-ess", avoiding it.MikeK said:I think TSE ,that you can say that I brought up the damage the floods would probably do to the coalition, before anyone else, more than two weeks ago on PB.
I said it would prove a fine opportunity for UKIP to advance in the flood-hit region, and I still say it.
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David L
Please see my comment on the Scottish currency issue that I mistakenly left at the top of the Miller thread this am.
On thread, North Devon is imv a UKIP target.0 -
Just depressing. UK education is falling miles behind the Far East.
"The children of UK professionals scored an average of 526 points in maths. But this was overshadowed by an average score of 656 registered by the children of professionals in Shanghai-China and 569 among children of the country’s elementary workers. The children of parents in unskilled jobs in the UK scored an average of 461, the equivalent of two and a half years behind."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/10645090/Chinas-poorest-beat-our-best-pupils.html0 -
Is this the same Monbiot who said we should allow the levels' rivers to silt up to save the people downstream? Riiighhhht ...OblitusSumMe said:"As we can see in a lot of the seats, the seats are where the Tories and the Lib Dems are in second place to their coalition allies, so if either party can frame the blame game against their coalition partners, there could be a bonus for them."
Or, more likely I would think, there could be a large swing towards a third-party. Given that these floods have primarily affected the South, where Labour is currently weak, that third party could be UKIP.
On the other hand, UKIP haven't had a boost in the polls in the way that Hague's Tories enjoyed during the fuel crisis of 2000, say. Why is that?
A majority say that the Coalition have handled the floods badly, but perhaps that is a marginal judgement and most people recognise that with record rainfall it would have been damn hard to handle the floods well.
"My caveats are that the 2001 Foot and Mouth crisis started a few months before and continued during the General Election campaign, whereas hopefully the flooding and associated problems will soon end and not continue until May 2015!"
The word from the Environment Agency is that the ground is so saturated across much of the south of England that there will be groundwater flooding problems for months to come. These won't be as dramatic as the "out of bank" state of the Severn and Thames rivers, but while the news cameras will largely ignore it the people affected will not be able to.
Incidentally, Monbiot has another excellent article on the flooding, with a video on the Guardian (warning: video autoplays and starts with an annoying advert).0 -
What would a UKIP government do differently from the Conservatives, Lib Dems or Labour?MikeK said:I think TSE ,that you can say that I brought up the damage the floods would probably do to the coalition, before anyone else, more than two weeks ago on PB.
I said it would prove a fine opportunity for UKIP to advance in the flood-hit region, and I still say it.
(Edit because I forgot Labour. Oh, how I wish ...)0 -
Which will cause the loss of most votes to the Coalition parties?
1 The floods?
2 The reduced energy consumption (and therefore bills) after a very mild winter?0 -
Turnip head has started early on denigrating Scotland today.Scott_P said:@BrookesTimes: My cartoon Tuesday @TheTimes: Michty Moose Salmond is lost in space.... http://t.co/mkkLZIF612
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Depends if we get more floods next winter.
Most houses will be dry and repaired well before then.
Other 'events' will be dominating.
The budget is quite soon...0 -
I really can't see this making much difference. The Coalition haven't been incompetent enough for it to cause terminal damage and it will be largely forgotten by next May.0
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Good morning, everyone.
The second F1 test starts tomorrow. Huzzah!
Will Red Bull manage more than 10 laps at a time? Will the Caterham nose (vaguely) resemble a beluga? Will Maldonado crash into something?
Edited extra bit: oh, and I flicked Newsnight on to see if they'd covered Salmond's speech, and there was not a whisper about it. Regardless of your view on independence or Salmond himself, it was the most newsworthy political event yesterday and for Newsnight to appear not to cover it (I saw the headlines and then switched off) is pretty bloody poor.0 -
@Mr_Eugenides: This referendum really is bringing out the worst in Scot nationalism. Crying "bully!" whenever someone disagrees with you is embarrassing.0
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As polls seem to indicate that the public believe the floods to be in part due to global warming, the global warming sceptics of UKIP seem least likely to benefit electorally.
I do not see a lot of votes shifting over this. More likely is that by dominating the news agenda, and crowding out issues such as immigration, the UKIP surfers will stall.JosiasJessop said:
What would a UKIP government do differently from the Conservatives, Lib Dems or Labour?MikeK said:I think TSE ,that you can say that I brought up the damage the floods would probably do to the coalition, before anyone else, more than two weeks ago on PB.
I said it would prove a fine opportunity for UKIP to advance in the flood-hit region, and I still say it.
(Edit because I forgot Labour. Oh, how I wish ...)0 -
Team GB beat Norway 6:5 in the mens curling play-off to reach the semi-finals.0
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So explain your hatred of Scotland, SNP and Salmond. Why do you continuously and gleefully post denigrating comments on Scotland. Any normal person would have found at least one positive thing about Scotland. Try to be rational re what the alternative is and what policies they have to improve Scotland. In fact try to post anything other than sneering about Scotland. I will not hold my breath.Scott_P said:
Laughing at Alex Salmond is not denigrating Scotland. Get a grip, man.malcolmg said:
Turnip head has started early on denigrating Scotland today.
That's the talk of religious fanatics...0 -
Latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection Countdown :
1 hour 1 minute 1 second0 -
There's your problem. Scotland /= SNP or Salmondmalcolmg said:
So explain your hatred of Scotland, SNP and Salmond.
Compare and contrast
Islamic fundamentalist: A cartoon of The Prophet denigrates Islam
ScotNat FundaMentalist: A cartoon of Eck 'The Prophet' Salmond denigrates Scotland
Salmond is not Scotland.
I love Scotland. I have no love for Salmond. I haven't drunk the KoolAid. I don't believe his agenda is good for Scotland or Scots.0 -
http://shirazsocialist.wordpress.com/malcolmg said:
So explain your hatred of Scotland, SNP and Salmond. Why do you continuously and gleefully post denigrating comments on Scotland. Any normal person would have found at least one positive thing about Scotland. Try to be rational re what the alternative is and what policies they have to improve Scotland. In fact try to post anything other than sneering about Scotland. I will not hold my breath.Scott_P said:
Laughing at Alex Salmond is not denigrating Scotland. Get a grip, man.malcolmg said:
Turnip head has started early on denigrating Scotland today.
That's the talk of religious fanatics...
(You'll need to scroll down to the second article.)
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The best chance Labour have to defeat Clegg is to vote Tory.Danny565 said:Revealed: Labour's plot to unseat Clegg in Sheffield Hallam
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2561696/Revealed-Labours-plot-unseat-Clegg-Party-drawn-plans-decapitate-Lib-Dems-forcing-deputy-PM-General-Election.html
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As if to prove how bizarre his claims are becoming, Mr Salmond included a promise that “his” independent Scotland would never regard England, Wales and Northern Ireland as “foreign”. That’s rich, indeed, coming from a man who plans to continue to charge students from those three up to £36,000 for university tuition at Scottish universities, while those from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Republic of Ireland, and other EU countries would continue to study for free.
Why would those Brits want to share their currency – and the risks such an arrangement would bring – with the government of a country that discriminates against their kids like that?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/10644062/Smart-Alex-Salmond-has-had-a-nasty-run-in-with-reality.html0 -
It's a Daily Mole plot to divert LD activists to Hallam rather than the marginal they're supposed to be campaigning in.No_Offence_Alan said:
The best chance Labour have to defeat Clegg is to vote Tory.Danny565 said:Revealed: Labour's plot to unseat Clegg in Sheffield Hallam
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2561696/Revealed-Labours-plot-unseat-Clegg-Party-drawn-plans-decapitate-Lib-Dems-forcing-deputy-PM-General-Election.html
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Maybe I'm reading this post wrongly, but I live in Northamptonshire and I'm scratching my head as to how Northampton North and Corby are on this list. We had a few gusts of wind, and it was raining a bit, but apart from the odd field there is hardly any evidence of flooding...0
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Struggling to contain my excitement!JackW said:Latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection Countdown :
1 hour 1 minute 1 second
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Mr. Easterross, don't get too giddy and over-excite yourself. You should distract yourself from the forthcoming outpouring of Mr. W's McARSE by contemplating whether the excessive oscillation and heating issues of the Red Bull will be resolved in Bahrain tomorrow.0
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Yet another straw man argument. GM said nothing of the sort.JosiasJessop said:
Is this the same Monbiot who said we should allow the levels' rivers to silt up to save the people downstream? Riiighhhht ...
He said that dredging would have had minimal effect on the somerset levels this winter, and likely made things significantly worse in Taunton and Bridgewater which is where most of the people actually live. The biggest cause of the problem is converting woods, hedges and scrubland into large fields which instead of pulling the water underground just runs off into the rivers and flood plains.
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On that note, being serious: if Red Bull can get some good running in then the season is still entirely open for them in title terms. If they're still struggling then the first four races or so (the typical length of the initial fly-away period) will be very bad for them. There aren't many races 5 laps long in F1.
The fly-away period is distinct because all the teams are based in Europe (most in a little triangle of England) and getting parts out for testing is, obviously, more time-consuming and difficult than it is when they're in Europe. As recent seasons have shown us, it's all very well if your wind tunnel makes something look as sleek as an otter in a wetsuit, but if it doesn't work on track that's not much use. Plus, if Red Bull are grappling with chronic reliability woe then they won't be able to assess, test and improve performance, whereas the other teams will be doing so.0 -
Well clearly you are .... does a large furry animal not partake of a number two in forested localities ??Easterross said:
Struggling to contain my excitement!JackW said:Latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection Countdown :
1 hour 1 minute 1 second
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he has some wacky ideas, but at the same time he is sane enough to see that nuclear power has a role to play. Think he's worth reading even if his politics are opposite to your own.JosiasJessop said:
Is this the same Monbiot who said we should allow the levels' rivers to silt up to save the people downstream? Riiighhhht ...0 -
Just embarrassing
@KennyFarq: So, Salmond says Three Chancellors' intervention on currency is an offence to "the Scottish character". More nationalisation of nationalism.0 -
It is just a made up pollEasterross said:
Struggling to contain my excitement!JackW said:Latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection Countdown :
1 hour 1 minute 1 second
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Cancelled. Thought better of it.JackW said:Team GB beat Norway 6:5 in the mens curling play-off to reach the semi-finals.
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eristdoof said:
Yet another straw man argument. GM said nothing of the sort.JosiasJessop said:
Is this the same Monbiot who said we should allow the levels' rivers to silt up to save the people downstream? Riiighhhht ...
He said that dredging would have had minimal effect on the somerset levels this winter, and likely made things significantly worse in Taunton and Bridgewater which is where most of the people actually live. The biggest cause of the problem is converting woods, hedges and scrubland into large fields which instead of pulling the water underground just runs off into the rivers and flood plains.
And how many hedges and woods have been removed from the Somerset levels? -very few I believe.
The effects of twenty years of deliberate neglect by the Environment Agency are well illustrated here. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2561435/Pictures-Somerset-river-1960s-today-width-halved-leading-flooding-Environment-Agency-stopped-dredging-regularly.html
I have little respect for GM. When he moved to Machynlleth, he said he was against private transport and people should use public transport to be green and save using hydrocarbons. He then went and bought a Mercedes car! Obviously he did not want to use the local bus service.0 -
I believe he did say that.eristdoof said:
Yet another straw man argument. GM said nothing of the sort.JosiasJessop said:
Is this the same Monbiot who said we should allow the levels' rivers to silt up to save the people downstream? Riiighhhht ...
He said that dredging would have had minimal effect on the somerset levels this winter, and likely made things significantly worse in Taunton and Bridgewater which is where most of the people actually live. The biggest cause of the problem is converting woods, hedges and scrubland into large fields which instead of pulling the water underground just runs off into the rivers and flood plains.
"This winter", yes. The previous two years of flooding, and future years, where the rain was not quite so persistent, it may well have helped.
If you've read my previous posts, you'll see that I agree with restricting water flow in a river's upper reaches to restrict and even out peak flows downstream - for instance I witter endlessly and to everyone's annoyance about the peat 'sponge' of the Peak District, and the attempts to improve its capacity and ecology by reseeding bare peat.
Also, I'm a firm believer in new developments using whatever pieces of the SuDS concept are applicable: parts of my own village are a trial of many of these techniques.
I also agree that removal of woodland can make matters worse: the ground under trees can store much more water than that under grass.
But these are all solutions for the uplands. When the water is in big rivers, it needs to make its way to the sea as quickly and efficiently as possible. Allowing the rivers to silt up just makes matter worse (storage rivers aside). And the situation is made worse on the levels by the fact that some of the rivers are tidal many miles inland.0 -
May I respectfully advise PB's little toggle fiddler that my McARSE is not a poll but a projection .... and without wishing to over egg a rather sumptuous pudding is the finest one known in the history of mankind.TheLastBoyScout said:
It is just a made up pollEasterross said:
Struggling to contain my excitement!JackW said:Latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection Countdown :
1 hour 1 minute 1 second
ARSE- Never Knowingly Undersold
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Indeed, Mr. Financier. Reminds me of Caroline Lucas' hypocrisy. Previously (I believe she was an MEP at the time) she was calling for huge reductions in air travel, whilst flying all over the place (this was deemed forgivable because she was tremendously important).
F1 trying to go green is particularly hilarious. All the carbon fibre in the cars this year is from entirely natural sources, and hand-crafted using traditional techniques. Ahem.0 -
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. ;-)dugarbandier said:
he has some wacky ideas, but at the same time he is sane enough to see that nuclear power has a role to play. Think he's worth reading even if his politics are opposite to your own.JosiasJessop said:
Is this the same Monbiot who said we should allow the levels' rivers to silt up to save the people downstream? Riiighhhht ...
I actually respect GM a little: he tries to think independently and come up with his own ideas and solutions. It's just that on this I think he's wrong.
He's also big enough to admit when he's done something silly.0 -
So you prove me correct , you are Alastair Carmichael and will be shouting "Help me Carlotta" as I write. You are fixated on your hatred of Alex Salmond whilst I am interested in the future of Scotland. You are a typical BT supporter , no principles, no hope.Scott_P said:
There's your problem. Scotland /= SNP or Salmondmalcolmg said:
So explain your hatred of Scotland, SNP and Salmond.
Compare and contrast
Islamic fundamentalist: A cartoon of The Prophet denigrates Islam
ScotNat FundaMentalist: A cartoon of Eck 'The Prophet' Salmond denigrates Scotland
Salmond is not Scotland.
I love Scotland. I have no love for Salmond. I haven't drunk the KoolAid. I don't believe his agenda is good for Scotland or Scots.0 -
Remember, McARSE = "My (clearly) Accurate Reconnoitre of the Scottish Electorate" ;-)JackW said:
May I respectfully advise PB's little toggle fiddler that my McARSE is not a poll but a projection .... and without wishing to over egg a rather sumptuous pudding is the finest one known in the history of mankind.
ARSE- Never Knowingly Undersold0 -
I doubt he could even come up with that.Innocent_Abroad said:
http://shirazsocialist.wordpress.com/malcolmg said:
So explain your hatred of Scotland, SNP and Salmond. Why do you continuously and gleefully post denigrating comments on Scotland. Any normal person would have found at least one positive thing about Scotland. Try to be rational re what the alternative is and what policies they have to improve Scotland. In fact try to post anything other than sneering about Scotland. I will not hold my breath.Scott_P said:
Laughing at Alex Salmond is not denigrating Scotland. Get a grip, man.malcolmg said:
Turnip head has started early on denigrating Scotland today.
That's the talk of religious fanatics...
(You'll need to scroll down to the second article.)0 -
You missed an fine match with the British skip firing an outstanding last stone to take a two and the win.OldKingCole said:
Cancelled. Thought better of it.JackW said:Team GB beat Norway 6:5 in the mens curling play-off to reach the semi-finals.
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How very dare you Madam !!RobD said:
Remember, McARSE = "My (clearly) Accurate Reconnoitre of the Scottish Electorate" ;-)JackW said:
May I respectfully advise PB's little toggle fiddler that my McARSE is not a poll but a projection .... and without wishing to over egg a rather sumptuous pudding is the finest one known in the history of mankind.
ARSE- Never Knowingly Undersold
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I am acutely interested in the future of Scotland, as a member of the most successful union in history. I am full of hope. The desperation of the Nats campaign cheers me up every day.malcolmg said:You are fixated on your hatred of Alex Salmond whilst I am interested in the future of Scotland. You are a typical BT supporter , no principles, no hope.
I don't share Eck's vision of the future. My principles are to oppose him.0 -
@JosiasJessop - in the video I link to Monbiot does say that dredging has a role to play at some points in the Somerset Levels. It is however far from being the cure-all that the farming lobby claims.
Land-use practices, things that sound as simple as not leaving the ground bare in winter - it doesn't necessarily have to be covered in trees - can have a much larger impact.
The thing that particularly impresses me about Monbiot is that he follows things through and gets into the detail - in this case he's using a scientific paper from December 2013 that all but predicted the floods as a result of removing regulations on soil erosion prevention for farmers growing maize.
Much more convincing than the dredging drones.0 -
Mr. G, it's worth considering that Salmond's approach to antagonise non-Scots to drive up division between Scotland and the rest of the UK also has the effect of making Salmond very easy to dislike.
Furthermore, disliking Salmond or even the SNP is not the same thing as disliking Scotland. Some of the nicest posters on pb.com are Scottish, and I strongly hope the union remains intact. I rather dislike Salmond, not merely his political position, because it's divisive and even deceitful. In one breath he claims (post-independence) England and Scotland will be 'best pals' and in another he attempts to propose to inflict a currency union on a country he hopes to leave and threatens to ignore 100% of Scotland's debts* if he doesn't get his way.
It's not a fantastic way to encourage bilateral trade if independence should occur.
*Technically, Scotland would not have any debt. But tell that to Englishmen, Welshmen and Northern Irishmen who have seen two Scottish Chancellors and a Scottish Prime Minister prop up two Scottish banks with British taxpayers' money and then Scotland taking no debt whatsoever.
There's still a long way to go. Perhaps the debate will become more cordial. I suspect it will become more acrimonious.0 -
Who was accusing the other side of "negative campaigning"?malcolmg said:
You are a typical BT supporter , no principles, no hope.Scott_P said:
There's your problem. Scotland /= SNP or Salmondmalcolmg said:
So explain your hatred of Scotland, SNP and Salmond.
Compare and contrast
Islamic fundamentalist: A cartoon of The Prophet denigrates Islam
ScotNat FundaMentalist: A cartoon of Eck 'The Prophet' Salmond denigrates Scotland
Salmond is not Scotland.
I love Scotland. I have no love for Salmond. I haven't drunk the KoolAid. I don't believe his agenda is good for Scotland or Scots.
As you are interested in Scotland's future, what do you think the currency plan should be, now that currency union is off the table?
0 -
These may not be the only marginal seats where flooding is a factor,Reading West,even NE Somerset and also those out in the far east,Great Yarmouth and Waveney,too.0
-
There is "a range of options". So far we have hadCarlottaVance said:
As you are interested in Scotland's future, what do you think the currency plan should be, now that currency union is off the table?
1. Bluff
2. Bluster.
3. Blubbering
We eagerly await
4. Beans!0 -
How much maize is grown on the Somerset levels? Please quantify.OblitusSumMe said:@JosiasJessop - in the video I link to Monbiot does say that dredging has a role to play at some points in the Somerset Levels. It is however far from being the cure-all that the farming lobby claims.
Land-use practices, things that sound as simple as not leaving the ground bare in winter - it doesn't necessarily have to be covered in trees - can have a much larger impact.
The thing that particularly impresses me about Monbiot is that he follows things through and gets into the detail - in this case he's using a scientific paper from December 2013 that all but predicted the floods as a result of removing regulations on soil erosion prevention for farmers growing maize.
Much more convincing than the dredging drones.0 -
It is not off the table.CarlottaVance said:
Who was accusing the other side of "negative campaigning"?malcolmg said:
You are a typical BT supporter , no principles, no hope.Scott_P said:
There's your problem. Scotland /= SNP or Salmondmalcolmg said:
So explain your hatred of Scotland, SNP and Salmond.
Compare and contrast
Islamic fundamentalist: A cartoon of The Prophet denigrates Islam
ScotNat FundaMentalist: A cartoon of Eck 'The Prophet' Salmond denigrates Scotland
Salmond is not Scotland.
I love Scotland. I have no love for Salmond. I haven't drunk the KoolAid. I don't believe his agenda is good for Scotland or Scots.
As you are interested in Scotland's future, what do you think the currency plan should be, now that currency union is off the table?
The criticism I have of ASalmond (and in many respects I admire him as a conviction politician) is that he is "neglecting" to tell the Scottish electorate just what a currency union actually means with the consequent loss of fiscal and monetary autonomy (I'm sure the fiscal pact and banking union issues could be addressed).
This verges on disingenuousness and for that reason it is legitimate to criticise him.0 -
"Love Scotland, Loathe Salmond"
Can I claim royalties on the 60M tshirts sold with this logo on it ?0 -
That wasn't it Jack. I saw some of it, although it's not my sport. I was about to make a comment which on mature reflection (as I was writing it) I realised wasn't either clever or appropriate.JackW said:
You missed an fine match with the British skip firing an outstanding last stone to take a two and the win.OldKingCole said:
Cancelled. Thought better of it.JackW said:Team GB beat Norway 6:5 in the mens curling play-off to reach the semi-finals.
0 -
Monbiot quotes a figure of 160,00 hectares of maize grown nationwide, increased from just 1,400 hectares in 1970.Financier said:
How much maize is grown on the Somerset levels? Please quantify.OblitusSumMe said:@JosiasJessop - in the video I link to Monbiot does say that dredging has a role to play at some points in the Somerset Levels. It is however far from being the cure-all that the farming lobby claims.
Land-use practices, things that sound as simple as not leaving the ground bare in winter - it doesn't necessarily have to be covered in trees - can have a much larger impact.
The thing that particularly impresses me about Monbiot is that he follows things through and gets into the detail - in this case he's using a scientific paper from December 2013 that all but predicted the floods as a result of removing regulations on soil erosion prevention for farmers growing maize.
Much more convincing than the dredging drones.
He doesn't specify how much of it is grown in the watersheds of the Thames, Severn or Parrett rivers.0 -
BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS ***
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection :
Should Scotland Be An Independent Country ?
YES 36% .. No 64%
Turnout Projection 79%
.......................................
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division
JNN - Jacobite News Network
McARSE - Magnificent Caledonian Anonymous Random Selection of Electors0 -
@OblitusSumMe
May I inquire if you have lived on either of the two Somerset levels?
I have, as my parents owned a dairy farm on the North Somerset Levels - the one based around the River Yeo.0 -
Another 'poll' just pulled out of your ArseJackW said:BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS ***
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection :
Should Scotland Be An Independent Country ?
YES 36% .. No 64%
Turnout Projection 79%
.......................................
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division
JNN - Jacobite News Network
McARSE - Magnificent Caledonian Anonymous Random Selection of Electors
0 -
Anything less than 40% is bad for Salmond's Devo max push IMHO.JackW said:BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS ***
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection :
Should Scotland Be An Independent Country ?
YES 36% .. No 64%
Turnout Projection 79%
.......................................
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division
JNN - Jacobite News Network
McARSE - Magnificent Caledonian Anonymous Random Selection of Electors
Less than 35% and its ugly.
0 -
Why do people give @JackW stick for trying to predict elections & referendums? I don't think he is saying it is a poll is he?TheLastBoyScout said:
Another 'poll' just pulled out of your ArseJackW said:BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS ***
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection :
Should Scotland Be An Independent Country ?
YES 36% .. No 64%
Turnout Projection 79%
.......................................
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division
JNN - Jacobite News Network
McARSE - Magnificent Caledonian Anonymous Random Selection of Electors0 -
I don't believe it !! .... A PBer of some standing who even considered a post that twas neither clever or appropriate. The shock will drive me to drink !!OldKingCole said:
That wasn't it Jack. I saw some of it, although it's not my sport. I was about to make a comment which on mature reflection (as I was writing it) I realised wasn't either clever or appropriate.JackW said:
You missed an fine match with the British skip firing an outstanding last stone to take a two and the win.OldKingCole said:
Cancelled. Thought better of it.JackW said:Team GB beat Norway 6:5 in the mens curling play-off to reach the semi-finals.
0 -
You can find the paper he discusses here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/sum.12068/abstractOblitusSumMe said:
Monbiot quotes a figure of 160,00 hectares of maize grown nationwide, increased from just 1,400 hectares in 1970.Financier said:
How much maize is grown on the Somerset levels? Please quantify.OblitusSumMe said:@JosiasJessop - in the video I link to Monbiot does say that dredging has a role to play at some points in the Somerset Levels. It is however far from being the cure-all that the farming lobby claims.
Land-use practices, things that sound as simple as not leaving the ground bare in winter - it doesn't necessarily have to be covered in trees - can have a much larger impact.
The thing that particularly impresses me about Monbiot is that he follows things through and gets into the detail - in this case he's using a scientific paper from December 2013 that all but predicted the floods as a result of removing regulations on soil erosion prevention for farmers growing maize.
Much more convincing than the dredging drones.
He doesn't specify how much of it is grown in the watersheds of the Thames, Severn or Parrett rivers.
From the abstract:
"Field investigations between 2002 and 2011 identified soil structural degradation to be widespread in SW England with 38% of the 3243 surveyed sites having sufficiently degraded soil structure to produce observable features of enhanced surface-water runoff within the landscape....Late-harvested crops such as maize had the most damaged soil where 75% of sites were found to have degraded structure generating enhanced surface-water runoff....The intensive use of well-drained, high quality sandy and coarse loamy soils has led to soil structural damage resulting in enhanced surface-water runoff from fields that should naturally absorb winter rain. Surface water pollution, localized flooding and reduced winter recharge rates to aquifers result from this damage."
0 -
I rather dislike many Westminster politicians , of all nationalities and the troughers in HOL and I strongly hope the union is broken. The threats are all coming one way , usual big boy trying to bully the smaller opponent. If Westminster threaten to keep the assets then it is unreasonable to expect Scotland to accept Westminster's debts.Morris_Dancer said:Mr. G, it's worth considering that Salmond's approach to antagonise non-Scots to drive up division between Scotland and the rest of the UK also has the effect of making Salmond very easy to dislike.
Furthermore, disliking Salmond or even the SNP is not the same thing as disliking Scotland. Some of the nicest posters on pb.com are Scottish, and I strongly hope the union remains intact. I rather dislike Salmond, not merely his political position, because it's divisive and even deceitful. In one breath he claims (post-independence) England and Scotland will be 'best pals' and in another he attempts to propose to inflict a currency union on a country he hopes to leave and threatens to ignore 100% of Scotland's debts* if he doesn't get his way.
It's not a fantastic way to encourage bilateral trade if independence should occur.
*Technically, Scotland would not have any debt. But tell that to Englishmen, Welshmen and Northern Irishmen who have seen two Scottish Chancellors and a Scottish Prime Minister prop up two Scottish banks with British taxpayers' money and then Scotland taking no debt whatsoever.
There's still a long way to go. Perhaps the debate will become more cordial. I suspect it will become more acrimonious.
The unionists seem determined to make it acrimonious as they have little positive to offer.
As ever your myopic view regarding UK banks regulated by Westminster is rather disingenuous.
Westminster caused the problem and then bailed out UK banks, Scotland had little say in the regulation of the bankers and therin lies the problem. A nameplate in Edinburgh does not make a bank Scottish.0 -
Would you care to wager on your 36% YES , or is it just bollocksJackW said:BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS ***
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection :
Should Scotland Be An Independent Country ?
YES 36% .. No 64%
Turnout Projection 79%
.......................................
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division
JNN - Jacobite News Network
McARSE - Magnificent Caledonian Anonymous Random Selection of Electors0 -
It's not a poll or even 'poll' you dimwit.TheLastBoyScout said:
Another 'poll' just pulled out of your ArseJackW said:BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS ***
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection :
Should Scotland Be An Independent Country ?
YES 36% .. No 64%
Turnout Projection 79%
.......................................
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division
JNN - Jacobite News Network
McARSE - Magnificent Caledonian Anonymous Random Selection of Electors
0 -
Lord Ashcroft (@LordAshcroft)
18/02/2014 08:08
In 2012 the UK sent £27.4m from our aid budget to China...#wonderful
Lord Ashcroft (@LordAshcroft)
18/02/2014 08:11
The UK spent £15m on an initiative to reduce the flatulence of Columbian cattle as part of a drive to combat climate change #wonderful
Lord Ashcroft (@LordAshcroft)
18/02/2014 08:16
The UK spent £25m on a scheme that included helping "rainmakers" in Kenya, who predict weather by observing the movement of ants #wonderful0 -
There are four problems with a currency union - the fiscal pact only addresses one of them - the other three may be insoluble: 1) the markets have to believe it is irreversible and will "last forever" - the SNP have made clear its a stop-gap, 2) the burden of risk is grossly asymmetrical and 3) the impositions on Holyrood spending from "London politicians" will poison relations between the two countries.TOPPING said:
It is not off the table.CarlottaVance said:
Who was accusing the other side of "negative campaigning"?malcolmg said:
You are a typical BT supporter , no principles, no hope.Scott_P said:
There's your problem. Scotland /= SNP or Salmondmalcolmg said:
So explain your hatred of Scotland, SNP and Salmond.
Compare and contrast
Islamic fundamentalist: A cartoon of The Prophet denigrates Islam
ScotNat FundaMentalist: A cartoon of Eck 'The Prophet' Salmond denigrates Scotland
Salmond is not Scotland.
I love Scotland. I have no love for Salmond. I haven't drunk the KoolAid. I don't believe his agenda is good for Scotland or Scots.
As you are interested in Scotland's future, what do you think the currency plan should be, now that currency union is off the table?
The criticism I have of ASalmond (and in many respects I admire him as a conviction politician) is that he is "neglecting" to tell the Scottish electorate just what a currency union actually means with the consequent loss of fiscal and monetary autonomy (I'm sure the fiscal pact and banking union issues could be addressed).
This verges on disingenuousness and for that reason it is legitimate to criticise him.
Added to that it's now electorally unpopular in rUK, why would an rUK government agree to it?
It's dead. Move on.
0 -
Mutt and Jeff on form today. Much more of this and you will get your IQ above 10.Scott_P said:
There is "a range of options". So far we have hadCarlottaVance said:
As you are interested in Scotland's future, what do you think the currency plan should be, now that currency union is off the table?
1. Bluff
2. Bluster.
3. Blubbering
We eagerly await
4. Beans!0 -
Pleasant.JackW said:
It's not a poll or even 'poll' you dimwit.TheLastBoyScout said:
Another 'poll' just pulled out of your ArseJackW said:BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS ***
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection :
Should Scotland Be An Independent Country ?
YES 36% .. No 64%
Turnout Projection 79%
.......................................
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division
JNN - Jacobite News Network
McARSE - Magnificent Caledonian Anonymous Random Selection of Electors0 -
I have not lived on either of the two Somerset Levels.Financier said:@OblitusSumMe
May I inquire if you have lived on either of the two Somerset levels?
I have, as my parents owned a dairy farm on the North Somerset Levels - the one based around the River Yeo.
Random fact: The furthest north I have ever lived has been 52 degrees, 12 minutes and almost 17 seconds north of the equator.0 -
May one enquire how this compares with previous effusions?JackW said:BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS ***
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection :
Should Scotland Be An Independent Country ?
YES 36% .. No 64%
Turnout Projection 79%
.......................................
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division
JNN - Jacobite News Network
McARSE - Magnificent Caledonian Anonymous Random Selection of Electors0 -
It's probably damaged the Government's competence rating a bit and made it harder to maintain the primacy of deficit reduction theme - not, perhaps, much more than that, unless the same places get flooded again next winter.
Today's YouGov has lots of questions about how people feel about Tory and Labour governments. Broadly speaking, majorities eye us both with apprehension. I won't quote the anti-Tory ones selectively, but one pair of results is interesting. 50-36, including a quarter of Labour voters, do think that the Tories have made the "tough but necessary decisions to get Britain going again". On the other hand, only 31% (including a mere 3% of Labour voters) think they're the best party on the economy (Labour 23, LD 5, others 6). Leaving aside what we think of these propositions, and keeping in mind that it's the same people who are giving Labour a 7-point lead, they appear to suggest quite a large chunk who are saying "OK, you did a job that needed doing, now goodbye".
http://cdn.yougov.com/cumulus_uploads/document/5ijj3746it/YG-Archive-Pol-Sun-results-170214.pdf
0 -
36% is the lowest score in any of the McARSE projections. YES peaked at 42% in the September projection but has drifted south since then.TGOHF said:
Anything less than 40% is bad for Salmond's Devo max push IMHO.JackW said:BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS ***
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection :
Should Scotland Be An Independent Country ?
YES 36% .. No 64%
Turnout Projection 79%
.......................................
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division
JNN - Jacobite News Network
McARSE - Magnificent Caledonian Anonymous Random Selection of Electors
Less than 35% and its ugly.
As for Devo Max that will come Scotland's way regardless of the scale of the YES defeat.
0 -
Far from being malodorous hot air, the outpourings of Jacks ARSE and McARSE are solid and regular. They should not be ignored, or they may cause a few slip ups.
To my mind the 79% turnout figure looks rather high. In 1978 the turnout was only 63%, in a time when electoral turnouts were rather higher generally.TheLastBoyScout said:
Another 'poll' just pulled out of your ArseJackW said:BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS ***
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection :
Should Scotland Be An Independent Country ?
YES 36% .. No 64%
Turnout Projection 79%
.......................................
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division
JNN - Jacobite News Network
McARSE - Magnificent Caledonian Anonymous Random Selection of Electors0 -
It is not off the table, it is still one of the 5 options outlined by the Scottish government. After a YES vote we shall see and if they cannot get their chosen best option then they will use one of the other 4 options. Squeaky or Balls will not be so pedantic once they have been shown to be failures and lost the union.CarlottaVance said:
Who was accusing the other side of "negative campaigning"?malcolmg said:
You are a typical BT supporter , no principles, no hope.Scott_P said:
There's your problem. Scotland /= SNP or Salmondmalcolmg said:
So explain your hatred of Scotland, SNP and Salmond.
Compare and contrast
Islamic fundamentalist: A cartoon of The Prophet denigrates Islam
ScotNat FundaMentalist: A cartoon of Eck 'The Prophet' Salmond denigrates Scotland
Salmond is not Scotland.
I love Scotland. I have no love for Salmond. I haven't drunk the KoolAid. I don't believe his agenda is good for Scotland or Scots.
As you are interested in Scotland's future, what do you think the currency plan should be, now that currency union is off the table?0 -
No negative campaigning or "playing the man, not the ball" from the Nats - No Sireee!malcolmg said:
Mutt and Jeff on form today. Much more of this and you will get your IQ above 10.Scott_P said:
There is "a range of options". So far we have hadCarlottaVance said:
As you are interested in Scotland's future, what do you think the currency plan should be, now that currency union is off the table?
1. Bluff
2. Bluster.
3. Blubbering
We eagerly await
4. Beans!0 -
I have asked him his methodology time after time and been hit with a range of quasi-humorous ripostes. This morning he has snapped.isam said:
Why do people give @JackW stick for trying to predict elections & referendums? I don't think he is saying it is a poll is he?TheLastBoyScout said:
Another 'poll' just pulled out of your ArseJackW said:BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS ***
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection :
Should Scotland Be An Independent Country ?
YES 36% .. No 64%
Turnout Projection 79%
.......................................
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division
JNN - Jacobite News Network
McARSE - Magnificent Caledonian Anonymous Random Selection of Electors
0 -
It's just guesswork as far as I can see.malcolmg said:
Would you care to wager on your 36% YES , or is it just bollocksJackW said:BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS *** BREAKING WIND NEWS ***
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to the JNN the contents of the latest McARSE Scottish Referendum Projection :
Should Scotland Be An Independent Country ?
YES 36% .. No 64%
Turnout Projection 79%
.......................................
WIND - Whimsical Independent News Division
JNN - Jacobite News Network
McARSE - Magnificent Caledonian Anonymous Random Selection of Electors0
