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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » The year of three Prime Ministers

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  • justin124justin124 Posts: 11,527

    An October election leaves Labour in a world of pain..... An outcome of Con 32-35 Lab 22-25 Lib Dems 18-23 isn't out the question.
    Someone predicted earlier that Brexit Party will end up on 12%. I expect much the same to happen to the LibDems. The combined Tory and Labour vote will not fall below 65%.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 51,097
    malcolmg said:

    Village idiot escaped alert
    He is the only PB'er who thought actually backing JRM for next leader might be a good bet. Even HY never thought of putting his money on it.
  • malcolmg said:

    Carling is piss water, Tennents is just about drinkable but you would have to be easy pleased to drink Carling.
    I prefer a premium beer myself.
    Well I actually prefer Carling to Tennents so this campaign is all coming up brisky for brisky
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,077

    It wasn't just malky, todays trilogy of Malky, UnionDiv and Mr Glenn have all been a bit queit (well not malky at the moment obviously) since I posed my "PB conundrum" for them
    Brisket I missed your conundrum , please enlighten me
  • IanB2 said:

    He is the only PB'er who thought actually backing JRM for next leader might be a good bet. Even HY never thought of putting his money on it.
    I was getting good odds!!!!
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,077

    I was getting good odds!!!!
    How much did you win
  • malcolmg said:

    How much did you win
    I won/lost zero GBP - Ms Brisk vetoed it
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 51,097
    malcolmg said:

    How much did you win
    His wife is the sensible one and hid his wallet
  • MarxMarx Posts: 28

    Arguably, the US started on a very poor track record in the 1980s that it still follows today and the UK follows as well. US/UK just keep postponing the day of reckoning as they live beyond their means. I mean the US is on steroids, has practically its own oil supply and it still racks up deficits by the day! The UK is in some ways an even worse case as it does not have the boon of possessing the leading currency.
    If the US$ loses it's reserve currency status then the US economy will go down the sewers. The US economy does not have the strength of value to back up the currency, and neither does the UK£. Too much currency has been created out of thin air by the banks and financial institutions without effective regulation - and then there is the new digital currencies being created almost on a daily basis. They give almost everybody the chance to avoid government taxes, not just the super rich. No tax revenue, no government.
  • malcolmg said:

    Brisket I missed your conundrum , please enlighten me
    Well I phrased it really well the first time but the gist of it was-

    "Will you, as a Cybernat, stop posting on the UK based website PB dot com - should you achieve your dream of Scottish Independence"
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 51,097

    I won/lost zero GBP - Ms Brisk vetoed it
    Consider that maybe your wife should also be the one who posts in here?
  • numbertwelvenumbertwelve Posts: 7,302
    I think it is quite cavalier to rule Boris Johnson out before he even takes office.

    I don’t like the man, I wish we were not in this situation, but he has factors on his side that could assist him.

    He connects with voters in a way a lot of Tories don’t. He has Jeremy Corbyn as an opponent. He could claw back Brexit party votes.

    I’m not saying any of this will be easy or even likely, but there is a chance we have an election this year and Boris wins it. I think that has to be a possibility.

    Let us see him bed in, complete his first month or so in office and let’s see where we are.
  • IanB2 said:

    Consider that maybe your wife should also be the one who posts in here?
    She's not into the internet - for sure she'd probably do a better job than me here if she did. But it's me that posts and she helps me with spelling and censors me a bit as well.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 65,018
    edited July 2019

    Well I phrased it really well the first time but the gist of it was-

    "Will you, as a Cybernat, stop posting on the UK based website PB dot com - should you achieve your dream of Scottish Independence"
    Of course he won't.

    He is a part of PB.com and will continue to wind you up forever - that is as long as you fall for it
  • FishingFishing Posts: 5,499
    Foxy said:

    Debt is only a problem when it is from the left it seems.
    There may actually be something in that. Markets tend to cut right-wing governments more slack, so will give them lower interest rates at any given level of deficit/debt. So debt is more of a problem for future generations with a left-wing government.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 65,018
    edited July 2019

    I think it is quite cavalier to rule Boris Johnson out before he even takes office.

    I don’t like the man, I wish we were not in this situation, but he has factors on his side that could assist him.

    He connects with voters in a way a lot of Tories don’t. He has Jeremy Corbyn as an opponent. He could claw back Brexit party votes.

    I’m not saying any of this will be easy or even likely, but there is a chance we have an election this year and Boris wins it. I think that has to be a possibility.

    Let us see him bed in, complete his first month or so in office and let’s see where we are.

    Good advice
  • MarxMarx Posts: 28

    I think it is quite cavalier to rule Boris Johnson out before he even takes office.

    I don’t like the man, I wish we were not in this situation, but he has factors on his side that could assist him.

    He connects with voters in a way a lot of Tories don’t. He has Jeremy Corbyn as an opponent. He could claw back Brexit party votes.

    I’m not saying any of this will be easy or even likely, but there is a chance we have an election this year and Boris wins it. I think that has to be a possibility.

    Let us see him bed in, complete his first month or so in office and let’s see where we are.

    Sorry, hate to remind you but many women, other than his wives have seen him in bed, and he has no idea how many children he has fathered.
  • MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382


    malcolmg is a case in point of someone being driven quite mad by Brexit....
    I don't recall any change in his condition prior to brexit
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,077

    Well I phrased it really well the first time but the gist of it was-

    "Will you, as a Cybernat, stop posting on the UK based website PB dot com - should you achieve your dream of Scottish Independence"
    NO, though I do resent the juvenile use of "Cybernat". I support independence outside of any party. If the best unionists can do is call people silly names then the game is up. Perhaps you could attempt to explain why the UK coming out of EU is any different from Scotland coming out of the UK.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,077

    I don't recall any change in his condition prior to brexit
    Too Far Mike
  • malcolmg said:

    NO, though I do resent the juvenile use of "Cybernat". I support independence outside of any party. If the best unionists can do is call people silly names then the game is up. Perhaps you could attempt to explain why the UK coming out of EU is any different from Scotland coming out of the UK.
    Cybernat is a very tame term Malk - you do after all call us Yoons.

    And to answer your conundrum this was once explained very effectively by the infamous SeanT-

    It's The Same Fucking Island
  • MarxMarx Posts: 28

    Well I actually prefer Carling to Tennents so this campaign is all coming up brisky for brisky
    Having watched a recent TV programme on how Carlings beer ends up in cans, I have to agree with Malcolmg. Preferably drunk highly chilled to take away what little taste it has.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,077

    Cybernat is a very tame term Malk - you do after all call us Yoons.

    And to answer your conundrum this was once explained very effectively by the infamous SeanT-

    It's The Same Fucking Island
    I do not call anyone "Yoons" and as expected you have nothing to say on why the union should survive.
  • Marx said:

    Having watched a recent TV programme on how Carlings beer ends up in cans, I have to agree with Malcolmg. Preferably drunk highly chilled to take away what little taste it has.
    Each to their own Marx, if I was more affluent I would probably stick to Coors Ice or Bud or some other light tasting yank beer. But for the time being-

    #Carling4Tennents4indyref2
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 54,803

    Cybernat is a very tame term Malk - you do after all call us Yoons.

    And to answer your conundrum this was once explained very effectively by the infamous SeanT-

    It's The Same Fucking Island
    The same for the EU27 and the UK, and the border between them is longer and has more crossings than the one between Scotland and rUK.
  • The_TaxmanThe_Taxman Posts: 2,979
    Marx said:

    If the US$ loses it's reserve currency status then the US economy will go down the sewers. The US economy does not have the strength of value to back up the currency, and neither does the UK£. Too much currency has been created out of thin air by the banks and financial institutions without effective regulation - and then there is the new digital currencies being created almost on a daily basis. They give almost everybody the chance to avoid government taxes, not just the super rich. No tax revenue, no government.
    I don't disagree. US/UK have been on the wrong track. Mind you the Chinese for instance have a questionable economy, I get the impression they just expand the economy by investing on a massive scale. Its not balanced at all although having the political system they possess enables them to continue in whatever fashion they deem acceptable.
  • malcolmg said:

    I do not call anyone "Yoons" and as expected you have nothing to say on why the union should survive.
    The Union should survive cus we're on the same fucking island. It's not that difficult to understand Malky
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,660

    Cybernat is a very tame term Malk - you do after all call us Yoons.

    And to answer your conundrum this was once explained very effectively by the infamous SeanT-

    It's The Same Fucking Island
    Was SeanT enjoying a city break in Dublin when he posted that insight?
  • The same for the EU27 and the UK, and the border between them is longer and has more crossings than the one between Scotland and rUK.
    Eh? Is this a reference to the Irish border? You can be a bit of a bore and even more so when you, for whatever reason, choose not to be explicit.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,077

    The Union should survive cus we're on the same fucking island. It's not that difficult to understand Malky
    Bit like saying if you get married you should always stay married. Hmmmm.
  • Was SeanT enjoying a city break in Dublin when he posted that insight?
    Yes there is a bit of an Irish question problem with the argument - but it holds firm for Scotland and indyref1, 2, x
  • FlannerFlanner Posts: 437
    Marx said:

    Sorry, hate to remind you but many women, other than his wives have seen him in bed, and he has no idea how many children he has fathered.
    Johnson certainly "connects with voters in a way a lot of Tories don’t". He turns a greater proportion of non-Tories away than any PM since Thatcher - who had the country's economic turnaround to show for the people she upset.

    All Johnson can show is a series of aborted projects and a long line of betrayed associates.
  • MarxMarx Posts: 28

    Each to their own Marx, if I was more affluent I would probably stick to Coors Ice or Bud or some other light tasting yank beer. But for the time being-

    #Carling4Tennents4indyref2
    Try Sainsbury's IPA, £1.50 a 500 ml /(near as a pint) bottle, 5.8 abv, and slightly chilled, very tasty. Brewed by Marstons. However if you want to drink what has passed through equine kidneys, then each to their own.
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340

    Was SeanT enjoying a city break in Dublin when he posted that insight?
    Be careful: Leaver orthodoxy is that the Republic of Ireland should rejoin the UK and it was all a terrible historical mistake for them to leave it in the first place.
  • numbertwelvenumbertwelve Posts: 7,302
    Flanner said:

    Johnson certainly "connects with voters in a way a lot of Tories don’t". He turns a greater proportion of non-Tories away than any PM since Thatcher - who had the country's economic turnaround to show for the people she upset.

    All Johnson can show is a series of aborted projects and a long line of betrayed associates.
    He has also since entering parliament for the first time won every election he has stood for.

    I’m not saying he isn’t flawed or that I will vote for him (I won’t), but I do not think it is a good idea to rule him out.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,077
    Marx said:

    Try Sainsbury's IPA, £1.50 a 500 ml /(near as a pint) bottle, 5.8 abv, and slightly chilled, very tasty. Brewed by Marstons. However if you want to drink what has passed through equine kidneys, then each to their own.
    :D
  • OllyTOllyT Posts: 5,035

    Would stake my life that until whichever fried neuron in the Trump brain came up with it, no one anywhere ever called BJ 'Britain Trump'.

    https://twitter.com/bbclaurak/status/1153698117616840709

    The deluded old fool doesn't realise that being likened to Trump in the UK is not exactly a compliment.
  • The_TaxmanThe_Taxman Posts: 2,979
    Flanner said:

    Johnson certainly "connects with voters in a way a lot of Tories don’t". He turns a greater proportion of non-Tories away than any PM since Thatcher - who had the country's economic turnaround to show for the people she upset.

    All Johnson can show is a series of aborted projects and a long line of betrayed associates.
    I used to vote Tory and have family who did likewise but this year we all voted LD. I cannot see any of us backing the Tories in a "forthcoming election" to use the phrase Boris Johnson used in a TV debate. I doubt Labour voters are going to back the Tories just because a Leave PM, who has a history of being inconsistent with the truth says he will do X.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 30,785

    I don't recall any change in his condition prior to brexit
    Malcolm hasn't really changed. That description could be applied to some others though.
  • MikeLMikeL Posts: 7,772
    One feature of PB is how predictions are sprayed around and when they don't happen we get silence as if the prediction had never been made.

    Today is a classic example - over the last month there were numerous posts about how Con MPs might resign the whip after Boris's win such that TMay would not be able to recommend to the Queen that Boris become PM.

    Well here we are - seven hours after Boris's win - and no sign of any Con MP resignations.

    OK, it could still happen - but if anyone wanted to disrupt Boris's appointment tomorrow they would surely have acted today.
  • MangoMango Posts: 1,031



    An October election leaves Labour in a world of pain..... An outcome of Con 32-35 Lab 22-25 Lib Dems 18-23 isn't out the question.

    Yay. Democracy.
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    MikeL said:

    One feature of PB is how predictions are sprayed around and when they don't happen we get silence as if the prediction had never been made.

    Today is a classic example - over the last month there were numerous posts about how Con MPs might resign the whip after Boris's win such that TMay would not be able to recommend to the Queen that Boris become PM.

    Well here we are - seven hours after Boris's win - and no sign of any Con MP resignations.

    OK, it could still happen - but if anyone wanted to disrupt Boris's appointment tomorrow they would surely have acted today.

    If you look back to that supposed prediction you will see that I specifically said I didn’t think it would happen:

    http://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2019/06/24/the-final-step-why-the-leader-of-the-conservative-party-does-not-automatically-become-prime-minister/

    Every year I make predictions for the year ahead and every year I review how I did.

    So I don’t think you’re being very fair, to me at least.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 44,775
    Quite a day regardless of one's politics.

    Britain Trump becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingston. Incredible really.

    When the inevitable film is made who will play Britain Trump?

    Tom Hanks springs to mind.
  • MarxMarx Posts: 28
    MikeL said:

    One feature of PB is how predictions are sprayed around and when they don't happen we get silence as if the prediction had never been made.

    Today is a classic example - over the last month there were numerous posts about how Con MPs might resign the whip after Boris's win such that TMay would not be able to recommend to the Queen that Boris become PM.

    Well here we are - seven hours after Boris's win - and no sign of any Con MP resignations.

    OK, it could still happen - but if anyone wanted to disrupt Boris's appointment tomorrow they would surely have acted today.

    More effective to resign the whip just as Bozo reaches the podium in front of no. 10. The scrolling panels at the bottom of the tv screens while he makes his speech pleading for unity. While Swinson welcomes the defectors.
  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,648

    If you look back to that supposed prediction you will see that I specifically said I didn’t think it would happen:

    http://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2019/06/24/the-final-step-why-the-leader-of-the-conservative-party-does-not-automatically-become-prime-minister/

    Every year I make predictions for the year ahead and every year I review how I did.

    So I don’t think you’re being very fair, to me at least.
    "not so much like a government of all the talents but a government of half the wits."

    A brilliant line. I wish I'd written that. I will steal it. :)
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,077
    kinabalu said:

    Quite a day regardless of one's politics.

    Britain Trump becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingston. Incredible really.

    When the inevitable film is made who will play Britain Trump?

    Tom Hanks springs to mind.

    You could not make it up , it really is like a bad comedy script.
  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,648
    kinabalu said:

    Quite a day regardless of one's politics.

    Britain Trump becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingston. Incredible really.

    When the inevitable film is made who will play Britain Trump?

    Tom Hanks springs to mind.

    Far too nice. Steve Carell maybe.
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 40,017
    Brilliantly written piece. Love the short sentences. Very unlawyerly!
  • The_TaxmanThe_Taxman Posts: 2,979
    kinabalu said:

    Quite a day regardless of one's politics.

    Britain Trump becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingston. Incredible really.

    When the inevitable film is made who will play Britain Trump?

    Tom Hanks springs to mind.

    Surely Alec Baldwin? He does a brilliant parody of Donald Trump and they are not dissimilar!
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 76,658

    Lefty economists think it's a great idea, they've even coined the acronym MMT for it. Disappointingly, this stands for 'Modern Monetary Theory' rather than 'Magic Money Tree', but the two are the same thing.
    Depends what you’re spending the money on, I guess.

    Re-engineering the nation’s power supply, for example, when you can borrow at such low rates, is not a bad idea.

    Like most economic ideas, it won’t last forever.
  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,648
    Tomorrow - in the middle of May's last PMQ's, Boris's trip to the Palace to slobber all over HMQ (will someone have found him a brush for his hair by then?) and breathless reporting of the same - would be a good day for Tom Watson to rush out his heartfelt apology for being an odious toad over child abuse allegations.

    This advice is proffered in a spirit of deep cynicism which seems the only appropriate stance to adopt these days in the United Kingston.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 53,628
    IanB2 said:

    It was Londoners’ mourning the loss of the open platform (very useful between stops) that got Boris the support for the project in the first place.
    @IanB2
    I never mourned the loss of the open platform.

    The total number of incidents of deaths and injuries (both passengers and staff) on [the old] Routemasters is around 2 times that on doored buses.

    https://www.london.gov.uk/questions/2002/0072
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 76,658
    edited July 2019
    Cyclefree said:

    Far too nice. Steve Carell maybe.
    David Mitchell in a blond wig, perhaps ?
    Though he is a great deal wittier than Johnson.
  • nichomarnichomar Posts: 7,483
    kinabalu said:

    Quite a day regardless of one's politics.

    Britain Trump becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingston. Incredible really.

    When the inevitable film is made who will play Britain Trump?

    Tom Hanks springs to mind.

    Well Johnson is a short arse
  • MikeLMikeL Posts: 7,772

    If you look back to that supposed prediction you will see that I specifically said I didn’t think it would happen:

    http://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2019/06/24/the-final-step-why-the-leader-of-the-conservative-party-does-not-automatically-become-prime-minister/

    Every year I make predictions for the year ahead and every year I review how I did.

    So I don’t think you’re being very fair, to me at least.
    Alastair - I didn't mention your name so not sure why you thought I was referring specifically to you (or any other individual poster).

    I was referring to the totality of posts on the subject - the proposition was raised by various different people on various different threads.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,522
    edited July 2019

    Brilliantly written piece. Love the short sentences. Very unlawyerly!

    Lord Denning was famous for many things. Especially the very short sentences in his judgements. Paticularly the opening ones.

    "It happened on April 19, 1964. It was bluebell time in Kent."

    "In summertime village cricket is the delight of everyone."

    A fine tradition to continue. As indeed, Lord Justice Ward continued:

    "The appellant is a lap dancer. I would not, of course, begin to know exactly what that involves."

    and

    "This is a case about bats and badgers, Beeching and bus-ways."
  • OnboardG1OnboardG1 Posts: 1,589
    Nigelb said:

    Depends what you’re spending the money on, I guess.

    Re-engineering the nation’s power supply, for example, when you can borrow at such low rates, is not a bad idea.

    Like most economic ideas, it won’t last forever.
    It's no less mad than spending millions to subsidise large businesses with brass nameplates on a garage. I'd rather be channeling our borrowing to building out our power grid than to getting Google a flash new office block in London.
  • ralphmalphralphmalph Posts: 2,201
    kinabalu said:

    Quite a day regardless of one's politics.

    Britain Trump becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingston. Incredible really.

    When the inevitable film is made who will play Britain Trump?

    Tom Hanks springs to mind.

    Matt Lucas.
  • twistedfirestopper3twistedfirestopper3 Posts: 2,507
    edited July 2019
    So........I guess the political state of the country is fairly important, but sometimes, life gets in the way.
    Early May of this year, my wife, out of the blue, routine mammogram, gets diagnosed with breast cancer. Prognosis quite good, caught it early blah,blah,blah.
    Early June, mastectomy, nipple removal, immediate implant, consultant confident everything fine and dandy, probably job done. Black humour of friends at work keeping me going saying result, look on the bright side, wife gets a boob job, mortgage paid off, happy days.
    Yesterday, result of lymph node samples. Not so good -Lymph nodes showing signs of cancer, consultant not so chipper. CT scan tomorrow, consultant wants to bring "other oncologists on board." More surgery sheduled for early August. Now talk of extended chemo/radio therapy.
    I'm sitting here, in my back garden, beer in hand, wife out for a meal with friends, she's trying to keep life normal. Kids all finished Uni, off to various continents to explore the world, all thinking Mum has had a close brush with cancer, but on the up.
    I dunno what the fuck to do next.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 76,658
    Cyclefree said:

    Tomorrow - in the middle of May's last PMQ's, Boris's trip to the Palace to slobber all over HMQ (will someone have found him a brush for his hair by then?) and breathless reporting of the same - would be a good day for Tom Watson to rush out his heartfelt apology for being an odious toad over child abuse allegations.

    This advice is proffered in a spirit of deep cynicism which seems the only appropriate stance to adopt these days in the United Kingston.

    I heard him on the radio today saying he had nothing to apologise for, so the spirit of cynicism is deeper still.

  • OnboardG1OnboardG1 Posts: 1,589
    kinabalu said:

    Quite a day regardless of one's politics.

    Britain Trump becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingston. Incredible really.

    When the inevitable film is made who will play Britain Trump?

    Tom Hanks springs to mind.

    Neil Breen. Look him up. The man is something.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 53,628

    Be careful: Leaver orthodoxy is that the Republic of Ireland should rejoin the UK and it was all a terrible historical mistake for them to leave it in the first place.
    "The Brits partitioned my country too, you know!" :lol:
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    MikeL said:

    Alastair - I didn't mention your name so not sure why you thought I was referring specifically to you (or any other individual poster).

    I was referring to the totality of posts on the subject - the proposition was raised by various different people on various different threads.
    Apologies, I thought you might be referring to my fairly ballsy prediction in the thread header!
  • ChrisChris Posts: 11,917

    Would stake my life that until whichever fried neuron in the Trump brain came up with it, no one anywhere ever called BJ 'Britain Trump'.

    https://twitter.com/bbclaurak/status/1153698117616840709

    He may have got the "Britain's Trump" idea from this Reuters report a few days ago:
    http://www.reuters.tv/v/PGqf/2019/07/19/is-boris-johnson-britain-s-donald-trump
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 53,628
    malcolmg said:

    FPT get stuffed you complete rear end, if we adult people wish to post here then it will not be juvenile plonkers like you that make the decision.
    I fear you are merely muffling and veiling your language, Malc :)
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,522
    Cyclefree said:

    Tomorrow - in the middle of May's last PMQ's, Boris's trip to the Palace to slobber all over HMQ (will someone have found him a brush for his hair by then?) and breathless reporting of the same - would be a good day for Tom Watson to rush out his heartfelt apology for being an odious toad over child abuse allegations.

    This advice is proffered in a spirit of deep cynicism which seems the only appropriate stance to adopt these days in the United Kingston.

    It will serve you well.

  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,077

    I fear you are merely muffling and veiling your language, Malc :)
    It is before the watershed
  • The_TaxmanThe_Taxman Posts: 2,979
    Marx said:

    More effective to resign the whip just as Bozo reaches the podium in front of no. 10. The scrolling panels at the bottom of the tv screens while he makes his speech pleading for unity. While Swinson welcomes the defectors.
    I think Boris being undermined by defections will cause him problems politically. However, this troubles me more given the attacks in the 2017 GE campaign:

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7237365/Palace-Westminster-seen-fire-chilling-online-ISIS-threat.html
  • OnboardG1OnboardG1 Posts: 1,589

    So........I guess the political state of the country is fairly important, but sometimes, life gets in the way.
    Early May of this year, my wife, out of the blue, routine mammogram, gets diagnosed with breast cancer. Prognosis quite good, caught it early blah,blah,blah.
    Early June, mastectomy, nipple removal, immediate implant, consultant confident everything fine and dandy, probably job done. Black humour of friends at work keeping me going saying result, look on the bright side, wife gets a boob job, mortgage paid off, happy days.
    Yesterday, result of lymph node samples. Not so good -Lymph nodes showing signs of cancer, consultant not so chipper. CT scan tomorrow, consultant wants to bring "other oncologists on board." More surgery sheduled for early August. Now talk of extended chemo/radio therapy.
    I'm sitting here, in my back garden, beer in hand, wife out for a meal with friends, she's trying to keep life normal. Kids all finished Uni, off to various continents to explore the world, all thinking Mum has had a close brush with cancer, but on the up.
    I dunno what the fuck to do next.

    I can't answer that for you, but hopefully an answer comes with some meditation. Best wishes to your wife and hopes for a path to recovery.
  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,648

    So........I guess the political state of the country is fairly important, but sometimes, life gets in the way.
    Early May of this year, my wife, out of the blue, routine mammogram, gets diagnosed with breast cancer. Prognosis quite good, caught it early blah,blah,blah.
    Early June, mastectomy, nipple removal, immediate implant, consultant confident everything fine and dandy, probably job done. Black humour of friends at work keeping me going saying result, look on the bright side, wife gets a boob job, mortgage paid off, happy days.
    Yesterday, result of lymph node samples. Not so good -Lymph nodes showing signs of cancer, consultant not so chipper. CT scan tomorrow, consultant wants to bring "other oncologists on board." More surgery sheduled for early August. Now talk of extended chemo/radio therapy.
    I'm sitting here, in my back garden, beer in hand, wife out for a meal with friends, she's trying to keep life normal. Kids all finished Uni, off to various continents to explore the world, all thinking Mum has had a close brush with cancer, but on the up.
    I dunno what the fuck to do next.

    Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. I really hope the scan tomorrow is OK and the surgery successful. Try and keep life normal - easier said than done, I realise - and know that you will have lots of people wishing the very best for you and your wife and family, including - if it helps at all, me - and I am sure plenty of others on here.

  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 65,018

    So........I guess the political state of the country is fairly important, but sometimes, life gets in the way.
    Early May of this year, my wife, out of the blue, routine mammogram, gets diagnosed with breast cancer. Prognosis quite good, caught it early blah,blah,blah.
    Early June, mastectomy, nipple removal, immediate implant, consultant confident everything fine and dandy, probably job done. Black humour of friends at work keeping me going saying result, look on the bright side, wife gets a boob job, mortgage paid off, happy days.
    Yesterday, result of lymph node samples. Not so good -Lymph nodes showing signs of cancer, consultant not so chipper. CT scan tomorrow, consultant wants to bring "other oncologists on board." More surgery sheduled for early August. Now talk of extended chemo/radio therapy.
    I'm sitting here, in my back garden, beer in hand, wife out for a meal with friends, she's trying to keep life normal. Kids all finished Uni, off to various continents to explore the world, all thinking Mum has had a close brush with cancer, but on the up.
    I dunno what the fuck to do next.

    I am so sorry to hear that.

    You have my heartfelt thoughts at this most difficult time for both of you and your family

    Try to keep positive and support each other through the times ahead
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 29,844
    @twistedfirestopper - keep strong, keep fighting
  • MikeLMikeL Posts: 7,772

    Apologies, I thought you might be referring to my fairly ballsy prediction in the thread header!
    No problem! My memory isn't as good as it used to be so I don't even specifically remember your thread header!

    I just have a recollection of the idea being discussed on many occasions on here - by, I believe, quite a lot of different people.
  • nichomarnichomar Posts: 7,483
    edited July 2019

    So........I guess the political state of the country is fairly important, but sometimes, life gets in the way.
    Early May of this year, my wife, out of the blue, routine mammogram, gets diagnosed with breast cancer. Prognosis quite good, caught it early blah,blah,blah.
    Early June, mastectomy, nipple removal, immediate implant, consultant confident everything fine and dandy, probably job done. Black humour of friends at work keeping me going saying result, look on the bright side, wife gets a boob job, mortgage paid off, happy days.
    Yesterday, result of lymph node samples. Not so good -Lymph nodes showing signs of cancer, consultant not so chipper. CT scan tomorrow, consultant wants to bring "other oncologists on board." More surgery sheduled for early August. Now talk of extended chemo/radio therapy.
    I'm sitting here, in my back garden, beer in hand, wife out for a meal with friends, she's trying to keep life normal. Kids all finished Uni, off to various continents to explore the world, all thinking Mum has had a close brush with cancer, but on the up.
    I dunno what the fuck to do next.

    Nearly five years ago my wife ended up in icu after heart failure during a minor operation. I texted the children that all was well because mum was asleep after her op! I came home and after talking to people phoned them at one in the morning with the truth. It has helped to a degree for them to understand where we are are now but I think you owe it to them to tell them the truth. My heart felt sympathy for you and you’re family
  • The_TaxmanThe_Taxman Posts: 2,979
    Cyclefree said:

    Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. I really hope the scan tomorrow is OK and the surgery successful. Try and keep life normal - easier said than done, I realise - and know that you will have lots of people wishing the very best for you and your wife and family, including - if it helps at all, me - and I am sure plenty of others on here.

    +1 I agree, life can be very unfair. I hope the lady makes a full recovery.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 31,234
    I thought today, with the coronation of Johnson, couldn't get more depressing. Farage confirming an electoral pact with Johnson is the icing on the cake.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 65,018

    I thought today, with the coronation of Johnson, couldn't get more depressing. Farage confirming an electoral pact with Johnson is the icing on the cake.

    Source
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 9,011
    @twistedfirestopper3 – I echo others' responses. Try to keep your mood up. Your missus has the right attitude. It's best not to keep things from your children.
  • The_TaxmanThe_Taxman Posts: 2,979

    Source
    https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9564722/nigel-farage-questions-whether-boris-johnson-has-what-it-takes-to-get-brexit-done-by-october-31-after-landslide-win/
  • OnboardG1OnboardG1 Posts: 1,589
    In other news the forces of justice have finally decided to call on me and I'm in the High Court for jury service tomorrow. I'm currently weaning off my SSRIs (antidepressants) and am enjoying the plethora of side effects so sitting in a hot courtroom in an early 20th c building with no air conditioning isn't that appealing.
  • MarxMarx Posts: 28

    I think Boris being undermined by defections will cause him problems politically. However, this troubles me more given the attacks in the 2017 GE campaign:

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7237365/Palace-Westminster-seen-fire-chilling-online-ISIS-threat.html
    I would like to think the security services have already thought of this. If the special forces, the elite police units, the Ghurka's, para's and marines are not on full alert, and armed, then I would be very surprised, but nice of the Daily Mail to remind people not to get involved in the enthronement of the new PM. They couldn't have any ulterior motive.
  • OnboardG1OnboardG1 Posts: 1,589
    edited July 2019

    https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9564722/nigel-farage-questions-whether-boris-johnson-has-what-it-takes-to-get-brexit-done-by-october-31-after-landslide-win/
    This is only farage asking for an electoral pact. Johnson has no real reason to accept one given his approval amongst BP voters. There's a good argument that it's not a good idea since BP voters in the North who don't like Johnson might back Labour rather than a Johnson-led Tory party and Tory Remainers would definitely balk at that unholy alliance.
  • david_herdsondavid_herdson Posts: 18,214
    On topic, Alastair is both right and wrong.

    There is a very reasonable chance of 3 PMs this year. The next one - if there is a next one this year - will not, however, be a Tory.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,077

    So........I guess the political state of the country is fairly important, but sometimes, life gets in the way.
    Early May of this year, my wife, out of the blue, routine mammogram, gets diagnosed with breast cancer. Prognosis quite good, caught it early blah,blah,blah.
    Early June, mastectomy, nipple removal, immediate implant, consultant confident everything fine and dandy, probably job done. Black humour of friends at work keeping me going saying result, look on the bright side, wife gets a boob job, mortgage paid off, happy days.
    Yesterday, result of lymph node samples. Not so good -Lymph nodes showing signs of cancer, consultant not so chipper. CT scan tomorrow, consultant wants to bring "other oncologists on board." More surgery sheduled for early August. Now talk of extended chemo/radio therapy.
    I'm sitting here, in my back garden, beer in hand, wife out for a meal with friends, she's trying to keep life normal. Kids all finished Uni, off to various continents to explore the world, all thinking Mum has had a close brush with cancer, but on the up.
    I dunno what the fuck to do next.

    TWS3 , Very sorry to hear that, hard to know what to do but as soon as you get scan results you need to decide, they can always go more holidays. Fingers crossed for you and your wife.
  • GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 20,164

    On topic, Alastair is both right and wrong.

    There is a very reasonable chance of 3 PMs this year. The next one - if there is a next one this year - will not, however, be a Tory.

    Could be Ken Clarke? :D
  • edmundintokyoedmundintokyo Posts: 17,716
    edited July 2019
    On topic, this all seems to be assuming that the things Boris said to win the leadership election will govern what he does now. I don't see any evidence for that assumption. There are two possible ways out of the box that for obvious reasons he didn't mention to Tory members in the leadership contest, and they are:

    1) Repaint the Political Declaration then pass the WA with most Tories + a few more Lab. The number of defectors hasn't been tested since the Lab polling share collapsed, and there may now be more Lab MPs who would rather rip off the bandage

    2) Call a referendum, which he could sell by being bold and optimistic about it
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,995
    Flanner said:

    Johnson certainly "connects with voters in a way a lot of Tories don’t". He turns a greater proportion of non-Tories away than any PM since Thatcher - who had the country's economic turnaround to show for the people she upset.

    All Johnson can show is a series of aborted projects and a long line of betrayed associates.
    Except Thatcher also motivated Tories like no other and appealed to working class strives and one 3 elections, Boris appeals to a similar demographic
  • BarnesianBarnesian Posts: 9,078

    So........I guess the political state of the country is fairly important, but sometimes, life gets in the way.
    Early May of this year, my wife, out of the blue, routine mammogram, gets diagnosed with breast cancer. Prognosis quite good, caught it early blah,blah,blah.
    Early June, mastectomy, nipple removal, immediate implant, consultant confident everything fine and dandy, probably job done. Black humour of friends at work keeping me going saying result, look on the bright side, wife gets a boob job, mortgage paid off, happy days.
    Yesterday, result of lymph node samples. Not so good -Lymph nodes showing signs of cancer, consultant not so chipper. CT scan tomorrow, consultant wants to bring "other oncologists on board." More surgery sheduled for early August. Now talk of extended chemo/radio therapy.
    I'm sitting here, in my back garden, beer in hand, wife out for a meal with friends, she's trying to keep life normal. Kids all finished Uni, off to various continents to explore the world, all thinking Mum has had a close brush with cancer, but on the up.
    I dunno what the fuck to do next.

    @twistedfirestopper3 Out of the blue. I'm so sorry to hear this. You and your wife have my very best wishes. Try to stay positive. It's hard I know. And let your kids know - if your wife agrees. They'll support you and your wife and they need to know.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,995
    edited July 2019

    So........I guess the political state of the country is fairly important, but sometimes, life gets in the way.
    Early May of this year, my wife, out of the blue, routine mammogram, gets diagnosed with breast cancer. Prognosis quite good, caught it early blah,blah,blah.
    Early June, mastectomy, nipple removal, immediate implant, consultant confident everything fine and dandy, probably job done. Black humour of friends at work keeping me going saying result, look on the bright side, wife gets a boob job, mortgage paid off, happy days.
    Yesterday, result of lymph node samples. Not so good -Lymph nodes showing signs of cancer, consultant not so chipper. CT scan tomorrow, consultant wants to bring "other oncologists on board." More surgery sheduled for early August. Now talk of extended chemo/radio therapy.
    I'm sitting here, in my back garden, beer in hand, wife out for a meal with friends, she's trying to keep life normal. Kids all finished Uni, off to various continents to explore the world, all thinking Mum has had a close brush with cancer, but on the up.
    I dunno what the fuck to do next.

    Sorry to hear that, my father also has recently had cancer treatment so I know it is a difficult time and best wishes to your wife
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 76,658
    @twistedfirestopper3 that is terrible. Please accept my best wishes, too.

    Ask about immunotherapy; if appropriate, then can be greatly preferable to chemo.
    https://www.cancerresearch.org/immunotherapy/cancer-types/breast-cancer

    You must do what you think best, but FWIW I agree with the others that openness is best.
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,841

    So........I guess the political state of the country is fairly important, but sometimes, life gets in the way.
    Early May of this year, my wife, out of the blue, routine mammogram, gets diagnosed with breast cancer. Prognosis quite good, caught it early blah,blah,blah.
    Early June, mastectomy, nipple removal, immediate implant, consultant confident everything fine and dandy, probably job done. Black humour of friends at work keeping me going saying result, look on the bright side, wife gets a boob job, mortgage paid off, happy days.
    Yesterday, result of lymph node samples. Not so good -Lymph nodes showing signs of cancer, consultant not so chipper. CT scan tomorrow, consultant wants to bring "other oncologists on board." More surgery sheduled for early August. Now talk of extended chemo/radio therapy.
    I'm sitting here, in my back garden, beer in hand, wife out for a meal with friends, she's trying to keep life normal. Kids all finished Uni, off to various continents to explore the world, all thinking Mum has had a close brush with cancer, but on the up.
    I dunno what the fuck to do next.

    Very sorry to here this. Hope everything will be OK for your wife.
  • The_TaxmanThe_Taxman Posts: 2,979
    Marx said:

    I would like to think the security services have already thought of this. If the special forces, the elite police units, the Ghurka's, para's and marines are not on full alert, and armed, then I would be very surprised, but nice of the Daily Mail to remind people not to get involved in the enthronement of the new PM. They couldn't have any ulterior motive.
    Hopefully, everyone will be safe and as you say all services on full alert. It was an article from a few weeks ago rather than today to be fair to the DM. I suspect if they had the Trump visit water tight they will be able to stop anything sinister. But, the sort of political event tomorrow encompasses has been an obvious target for terrorists since the end of last year. It was a question of when the occupant of No.10 would change rather than if.
  • ralphmalphralphmalph Posts: 2,201

    On topic, this all seems to be assuming that the things Boris said to win the leadership election will govern what he does now. I don't see any evidence for that assumption. There are two possible ways out of the box that for obvious reasons he didn't mention to Tory members in the leadership contest, and they are:

    1) Repaint the Political Declaration then pass the WA with most Tories + a few more Lab. The number of defectors hasn't been tested since the Lab polling share collapsed, and there may now be more Lab MPs who would rather rip off the bandage

    2) Call a referendum, which he could sell by being bold and optimistic about it

    1) The ERG will annoyed which in my opinion means you are back to 60 to 100 voting against. That needs a lot of Lab MPs to vote for it.

    2) No chance too much risk he would lose and it would split the Torys again.

    I can see no further than him going no deal if the EU refuse to take the backstop out. It is the best for him and the Torys. I think a GE soon afterwards would be called. All the Govt has to do is stop disruption at Calais and they can then paint themselves as competent before the medium term affects kick in.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,660
    @twistedfirestopper3 Life can throw the most awful shocks at us. Stay strong.

  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 53,628

    So........I guess the political state of the country is fairly important, but sometimes, life gets in the way.
    Early May of this year, my wife, out of the blue, routine mammogram, gets diagnosed with breast cancer. Prognosis quite good, caught it early blah,blah,blah.
    Early June, mastectomy, nipple removal, immediate implant, consultant confident everything fine and dandy, probably job done. Black humour of friends at work keeping me going saying result, look on the bright side, wife gets a boob job, mortgage paid off, happy days.
    Yesterday, result of lymph node samples. Not so good -Lymph nodes showing signs of cancer, consultant not so chipper. CT scan tomorrow, consultant wants to bring "other oncologists on board." More surgery sheduled for early August. Now talk of extended chemo/radio therapy.
    I'm sitting here, in my back garden, beer in hand, wife out for a meal with friends, she's trying to keep life normal. Kids all finished Uni, off to various continents to explore the world, all thinking Mum has had a close brush with cancer, but on the up.
    I dunno what the fuck to do next.

    Deepest sympathies, hope your wife pulls through.
  • edmundintokyoedmundintokyo Posts: 17,716
    edited July 2019


    2) No chance too much risk he would lose and it would split the Torys again.

    Why would losing split the Tories? We know which side the Tories would be on: The defeated Leave side. They'd be united behind their defeated Leaver leader.

    Did losing IndyRef split the SNP?
  • The_TaxmanThe_Taxman Posts: 2,979
    HYUFD said:

    Except Thatcher also motivated Tories like no other and appealed to working class strives and one 3 elections, Boris appeals to a similar demographic
    In two of those elections she had a split opposition. She also had a serious foreign policy crisis in the Falklands war that assisted her. A couple of years into the 1979 - 1983 Government she appeared vulnerable politically and had political luck not aligned to help her as it did the Tories might have ditched her in 1983 or 1984. Leadership elections were the preserve of MPs and if they thought they would lose their seats she would have been out. The Tories are not afraid of ousting leaders before Thatcher, look at Heath in 1975....
This discussion has been closed.