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Things to look forward to in 2021: An exciting by-election – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 11,002
edited March 2021 in General
imageThings to look forward to in 2021: An exciting by-election – politicalbetting.com

Yorkshire, once again, may prove to be the most important place in the United Kingdom, if not the world.

Read the full story here

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Comments

  • Oh, wait was that a first.
  • GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 19,072
    Bring on Ed Balls
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 49,958
    Oh yeah, Starmer would just love having Balls in his face, day after day....
  • TimTTimT Posts: 6,328
    Is there a band called Radiohead? I thought Robert was all about The National
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,233
    Er, surely you should encourage your Yorkshire friends to vote Tory?

    Don't understand the argument
  • Leon said:

    Er, surely you should encourage your Yorkshire friends to vote Tory?

    Don't understand the argument

    If they vote Labour in the Mayoral election it should mean we get a by election.

    If they vote Tory then we might not get a by election.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    That was a decent showing in the GE for an independent.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 50,762
    edited March 2021
    Who the hell are the heavy woollen district independents? Surely the 6K (!!) who voted for them hold the key to the seat?

    Yorkshire is truly weird.
  • EndillionEndillion Posts: 4,960
    Reasons why identity politics is stupid, #247: if Balls wins this seat for Labour, he should be appointed shadow Chancellor at the next available opportunity. However, because the current incumbent is a woman (and Balls isn't), optically that would be next to impossible for Starmer.

    Albeit he might be slightly relieved at using the representation argument to hide the fact that he doesn't want Balls promoted to a position that would give him a springboard to challenge Starmer as leader.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,233

    Leon said:

    Er, surely you should encourage your Yorkshire friends to vote Tory?

    Don't understand the argument

    If they vote Labour in the Mayoral election it should mean we get a by election.

    If they vote Tory then we might not get a by election.
    Ah, sorry. Got it. Just got up/need coffee (yes, I know, 2pm, whatevs)
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,233
    There's a tiny hint of Spring in the sun today. It's still cold like winter, but my large south facing windows don't know that. Warmth everywhere

    We are nearly through this enormous pile of shite
  • moonshinemoonshine Posts: 5,226
    Endillion said:

    Reasons why identity politics is stupid, #247: if Balls wins this seat for Labour, he should be appointed shadow Chancellor at the next available opportunity. However, because the current incumbent is a woman (and Balls isn't), optically that would be next to impossible for Starmer.

    Albeit he might be slightly relieved at using the representation argument to hide the fact that he doesn't want Balls promoted to a position that would give him a springboard to challenge Starmer as leader.

    I could be persuaded to vote for Ed Balls as PM, though he’d need a much stronger bench than what’s on offer now.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    edited March 2021
    Leon said:

    There's a tiny hint of Spring in the sun today. It's still cold like winter, but my large south facing windows don't know that. Warmth everywhere

    We are nearly through this enormous pile of shite

    I was just outside and some people were wearing heavy winter coats, woolly hats and gloves - if this is a sign of general levels of caution about things some people will not take off a face mask until 2025.
  • DavidL said:

    Who the hell are the heavy woollen district independents? Surely the 6K (!!) who voted for them hold the key to the seat?

    Yorkshire is truly weird.

    They are for those who think Nigel Farage is a woke liberal.

    Mr Halloran's priorities for the campaign included:

    A full range of NHS services delivered locally (including restoring a full A&E department including intensive and high dependency care, and consultant-led maternity services at Dewsbury and District Hospital.)
    More school places for children and restoration of parental choice over preferred schools.

    A "clean" Brexit.

    "A managed and controlled immigration system.

    A reduction in foreign aid.

    A crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour.

    Police reform.

    More support for the armed forces, including veterans, and increased investment in defence.

    Against the proposed travellers’ site close to Junction 27 in Birstall.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_Woollen_District_Independents
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 50,762
    kle4 said:

    Yorkshire references, Radiohead insults, and the Battle of Zama? I think this header was written by an AI after revewing TSE's post history.

    Got a bit to go on the Turing test if so.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,233
    kle4 said:

    Yorkshire references, Radiohead insults, and the Battle of Zama? I think this header was written by an AI after revewing TSE's post history.

    That's actually true. GPT3 could easily generate a PB blogpost. Just feed it ten examples, bingo
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    What was the Heavy Woollen District called before there was heavy woollen operation there?
  • Time_to_LeaveTime_to_Leave Posts: 2,547
    I wonder if the Corbynite mob fancies its own party? It would get a high profile for the launch.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    Godsdamned Macron and Merkel, so bloody pleased with themselves for deflecting criticism.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,008
    DavidL said:

    Who the hell are the heavy woollen district independents? Surely the 6K (!!) who voted for them hold the key to the seat?

    Yorkshire is truly weird.

    Jumpers for goalposts party?

    Their wiki entry suggests it's fairly right-wing: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_Woollen_District_Independents

    The seat should be a winnable one in a good year for the Tories.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 50,762

    DavidL said:

    Who the hell are the heavy woollen district independents? Surely the 6K (!!) who voted for them hold the key to the seat?

    Yorkshire is truly weird.

    They are for those who think Nigel Farage is a woke liberal.

    Mr Halloran's priorities for the campaign included:

    A full range of NHS services delivered locally (including restoring a full A&E department including intensive and high dependency care, and consultant-led maternity services at Dewsbury and District Hospital.)
    More school places for children and restoration of parental choice over preferred schools.

    A "clean" Brexit.

    "A managed and controlled immigration system.

    A reduction in foreign aid.

    A crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour.

    Police reform.

    More support for the armed forces, including veterans, and increased investment in defence.

    Against the proposed travellers’ site close to Junction 27 in Birstall.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_Woollen_District_Independents
    So basically Tories from the fruitier end. So if they didn't stand, game on?
  • guybrushguybrush Posts: 234
    FPT, so my contribution to the oh so exciting Sussex's soap opera isn't missed.
    Guybrush said:

    More anecdotals, I've a close family member who has had dealings with William's professional staff via work. My impression is the staff in question isn't the type to throw out these sort of allegations lightly. Ok, Meghan probably isn't the only primadonna member of the Royal family, but the reality of the situation contrasts hugely with the image the Sussex's are trying to project (and the reality of William/Kate - by all accounts unflashy and hard working).

    As Charles mentioned a few days ago, Harry strikes me a a bit of a lost soul who has never really dealt with the loss of his mother and was probably most at home in the Army, where he couldn't stay put due to circumstances beyond his control. Enter Meghan, and in the space of a few years there's a kid on the scene, Harry is physically, financially isolated and estranged from his family - especially his brother. I'm very concerned for him.

  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,233
    DavidL said:

    Leon said:

    kle4 said:

    Yorkshire references, Radiohead insults, and the Battle of Zama? I think this header was written by an AI after revewing TSE's post history.

    That's actually true. GPT3 could easily generate a PB blogpost. Just feed it ten examples, bingo
    Oh lord. Lets talk about Harry and Meghan.
    lol. I promise to avoid the subject for today, UNLESS I AM GOADED
  • Time_to_LeaveTime_to_Leave Posts: 2,547
    Looking at the polls, could Starmer survive a bad set of locals AND a by-election loss?
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    edited March 2021
    It is, because no one even said it was unsafe, they just lied about it being ineffective, so the public are extrapolating from what their politicians have said. Almost as though lighting a match in some tinder is a bad idea.

    Ah, a good brushfire is cleansing I guess.

    Edit: I see France doesn't really trust any of the vaccines as very safe. I'm sure Louis Pasteur would be proud.
  • Time_to_LeaveTime_to_Leave Posts: 2,547
    kle4 said:

    It is, because no one even said it was unsafe, they just lied about it being ineffective, so the public are extrapolating from what their politicians have said. Almost as though lighting a match in some tinder is a bad idea.

    Ah, a good brushfire is cleansing I guess.
    On those numbers, you have to imagine the Italian public would actually be quite keen to sent it’s stock away to Australia.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    Just to raise the tone......


  • Would be great to get Ed Balls back
  • GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 19,072
    DavidL said:

    DavidL said:

    Who the hell are the heavy woollen district independents? Surely the 6K (!!) who voted for them hold the key to the seat?

    Yorkshire is truly weird.

    They are for those who think Nigel Farage is a woke liberal.

    Mr Halloran's priorities for the campaign included:

    A full range of NHS services delivered locally (including restoring a full A&E department including intensive and high dependency care, and consultant-led maternity services at Dewsbury and District Hospital.)
    More school places for children and restoration of parental choice over preferred schools.

    A "clean" Brexit.

    "A managed and controlled immigration system.

    A reduction in foreign aid.

    A crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour.

    Police reform.

    More support for the armed forces, including veterans, and increased investment in defence.

    Against the proposed travellers’ site close to Junction 27 in Birstall.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_Woollen_District_Independents
    So basically Tories from the fruitier end. So if they didn't stand, game on?
    Bet half of them are anti-maskers and therefore now hate Boris
  • IIRC @SandyRentool and @Morris_Dancer are eligible to vote in the mayoral election, hopefully they will do their duty to PB and vote for Tracy Babin.
  • TimTTimT Posts: 6,328
    guybrush said:

    FPT, so my contribution to the oh so exciting Sussex's soap opera isn't missed.

    Guybrush said:

    More anecdotals, I've a close family member who has had dealings with William's professional staff via work. My impression is the staff in question isn't the type to throw out these sort of allegations lightly. Ok, Meghan probably isn't the only primadonna member of the Royal family, but the reality of the situation contrasts hugely with the image the Sussex's are trying to project (and the reality of William/Kate - by all accounts unflashy and hard working).

    As Charles mentioned a few days ago, Harry strikes me a a bit of a lost soul who has never really dealt with the loss of his mother and was probably most at home in the Army, where he couldn't stay put due to circumstances beyond his control. Enter Meghan, and in the space of a few years there's a kid on the scene, Harry is physically, financially isolated and estranged from his family - especially his brother. I'm very concerned for him.

    Mine too.

    I would have a great deal of sympathy for Harry and Meghan if they had just run off and got on with their lives. I have no problem even with them milking the media to raise funds for either their charitable work or their lifestyle. However, turning the media spotlight on internal family dynamics to make a bigger buck is totally naff in my view.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 50,762

    Looking at the polls, could Starmer survive a bad set of locals AND a by-election loss?

    Possibly not. Which is not necessarily undiluted good news for Boris, depending upon who Labour came up with next. If I was SKS I would be doing that kneeling thing again (well away from the cameras this time) begging Ed Balls to stand.
  • TimTTimT Posts: 6,328
    Leon said:

    It will surely go down as one of the stupidest unforced errors in the history of Public Health. What were they thinking? Macron, Merkel, all of them. Truly truly bizarre, and completely unnecessary. They gained absolutely nothing, and they have killed people

    I still don't really understand WHY they did it, apart from some kind of petty spite against Britain because Brexit, and Astra-Zeneca because failed deliveries - but the UK suffered those as well, and we didn't then denounce the vaccine as ineffective to "get at" the company.

    MAD
    At what point does AZN turn around to the EU and say "We are no longer going to supply additional doses to you until you can prove that you can use the ones you have"?
  • FishingFishing Posts: 4,555
    edited March 2021

    Looking at the polls, could Starmer survive a bad set of locals AND a by-election loss?

    Probably. He seems to be pretty crap, but there isn't an obvious alternative, and it's just about possible that the government may mess up enough over the next few years to lose their majority.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,233
    guybrush said:

    FPT, so my contribution to the oh so exciting Sussex's soap opera isn't missed.

    Guybrush said:

    More anecdotals, I've a close family member who has had dealings with William's professional staff via work. My impression is the staff in question isn't the type to throw out these sort of allegations lightly. Ok, Meghan probably isn't the only primadonna member of the Royal family, but the reality of the situation contrasts hugely with the image the Sussex's are trying to project (and the reality of William/Kate - by all accounts unflashy and hard working).

    As Charles mentioned a few days ago, Harry strikes me a a bit of a lost soul who has never really dealt with the loss of his mother and was probably most at home in the Army, where he couldn't stay put due to circumstances beyond his control. Enter Meghan, and in the space of a few years there's a kid on the scene, Harry is physically, financially isolated and estranged from his family - especially his brother. I'm very concerned for him.

    It is such a sad thing.

    The only way they can survive - in their accustomed style - is by monetising the terrible relationship with the Royal Family. Turning grievance and gossip into cash. So endless Oprah interviews and more "revelations"?

    But that cannot continue indefintely, they will run out of material. Her looks - she remains very lovely, despite being 40 - will eventually fade, his vulnerable boyishness - which he still has - will also dwindle.

    I wonder if at that point they will twist the narrative, and reach out for a grand reconciliation. More time in the UK. Big hugs by the brothers. That keeps their story going, keeps itinteresting, and also means money and help. If GPT3, sorry, a good fiction writer was telling their story, that is the obvious big upcoming plot twist. About 3 years away
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,849
    kle4 said:

    It is, because no one even said it was unsafe, they just lied about it being ineffective, so the public are extrapolating from what their politicians have said. Almost as though lighting a match in some tinder is a bad idea.

    Ah, a good brushfire is cleansing I guess.

    Edit: I see France doesn't really trust any of the vaccines as very safe. I'm sure Louis Pasteur would be proud.
    It is safe. I had it on Friday, gave me a 24 hour light flu, then today I'm fine.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 11,059
    edited March 2021
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 50,762

    DavidL said:

    DavidL said:

    Who the hell are the heavy woollen district independents? Surely the 6K (!!) who voted for them hold the key to the seat?

    Yorkshire is truly weird.

    They are for those who think Nigel Farage is a woke liberal.

    Mr Halloran's priorities for the campaign included:

    A full range of NHS services delivered locally (including restoring a full A&E department including intensive and high dependency care, and consultant-led maternity services at Dewsbury and District Hospital.)
    More school places for children and restoration of parental choice over preferred schools.

    A "clean" Brexit.

    "A managed and controlled immigration system.

    A reduction in foreign aid.

    A crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour.

    Police reform.

    More support for the armed forces, including veterans, and increased investment in defence.

    Against the proposed travellers’ site close to Junction 27 in Birstall.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_Woollen_District_Independents
    So basically Tories from the fruitier end. So if they didn't stand, game on?
    Bet half of them are anti-maskers and therefore now hate Boris
    Probably. But the other half would be enough if the hating half doesn't vote Labour, which seems unlikely.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    Leon said:

    It will surely go down as one of the stupidest unforced errors in the history of Public Health. What were they thinking? Macron, Merkel, all of them. Truly truly bizarre, and completely unnecessary. They gained absolutely nothing, and they have killed people

    I still don't really understand WHY they did it, apart from some kind of petty spite against Britain because Brexit, and Astra-Zeneca because failed deliveries - but the UK suffered those as well, and we didn't then denounce the vaccine as ineffective to "get at" the company.

    MAD
    If this leaches out into the Third World where AZ will be doing a lot of the vaccination it could be even more damaging....
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,233
    TimT said:

    Leon said:

    It will surely go down as one of the stupidest unforced errors in the history of Public Health. What were they thinking? Macron, Merkel, all of them. Truly truly bizarre, and completely unnecessary. They gained absolutely nothing, and they have killed people

    I still don't really understand WHY they did it, apart from some kind of petty spite against Britain because Brexit, and Astra-Zeneca because failed deliveries - but the UK suffered those as well, and we didn't then denounce the vaccine as ineffective to "get at" the company.

    MAD
    At what point does AZN turn around to the EU and say "We are no longer going to supply additional doses to you until you can prove that you can use the ones you have"?
    I'm surprised AZN haven't talked about suing the EU for defamation. They would have a good point. There was NO evidence AZN was "quasi ineffective."

    Perhaps the company is scared of the EU when it is in this present psychotic state.

    At the very least AZN should sue Handelsblatt. "8% effective in the old". Absolute BOLLOCKS, and no retraction
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,008

    IIRC @SandyRentool and @Morris_Dancer are eligible to vote in the mayoral election, hopefully they will do their duty to PB and vote for Tracy Babin.

    Was it you who warned me about Baby Shark? 🦈

    Yeah, she loves it. We hate it.

    And she wants it on all the time.

    You were right.
  • BluestBlueBluestBlue Posts: 4,556

    Would be great to get Ed Balls back

    You'd think his past experience could make him an asset on Dancing with the Starmers...
  • moonshinemoonshine Posts: 5,226
    edited March 2021
    Leon said:

    guybrush said:

    FPT, so my contribution to the oh so exciting Sussex's soap opera isn't missed.

    Guybrush said:

    More anecdotals, I've a close family member who has had dealings with William's professional staff via work. My impression is the staff in question isn't the type to throw out these sort of allegations lightly. Ok, Meghan probably isn't the only primadonna member of the Royal family, but the reality of the situation contrasts hugely with the image the Sussex's are trying to project (and the reality of William/Kate - by all accounts unflashy and hard working).

    As Charles mentioned a few days ago, Harry strikes me a a bit of a lost soul who has never really dealt with the loss of his mother and was probably most at home in the Army, where he couldn't stay put due to circumstances beyond his control. Enter Meghan, and in the space of a few years there's a kid on the scene, Harry is physically, financially isolated and estranged from his family - especially his brother. I'm very concerned for him.

    It is such a sad thing.

    The only way they can survive - in their accustomed style - is by monetising the terrible relationship with the Royal Family. Turning grievance and gossip into cash. So endless Oprah interviews and more "revelations"?

    But that cannot continue indefintely, they will run out of material. Her looks - she remains very lovely, despite being 40 - will eventually fade, his vulnerable boyishness - which he still has - will also dwindle.

    I wonder if at that point they will twist the narrative, and reach out for a grand reconciliation. More time in the UK. Big hugs by the brothers. That keeps their story going, keeps itinteresting, and also means money and help. If GPT3, sorry, a good fiction writer was telling their story, that is the obvious big upcoming plot twist. About 3 years away
    It will be interesting to see what gets left unsaid. Rumours are just that but there’s a possible bombshell that I’m sure most of us have heard and has been insinuated clearly enough in the press about the 2nd in line. I doubt they’ll burn their bridges entirely by going there, leave that box of nitro glycerin in reserve I suppose.
  • IIRC @SandyRentool and @Morris_Dancer are eligible to vote in the mayoral election, hopefully they will do their duty to PB and vote for Tracy Babin.

    Was it you who warned me about Baby Shark? 🦈

    Yeah, she loves it. We hate it.

    And she wants it on all the time.

    You were right.
    I was.

    The thing is they'll get to age where they no longer love it but they know you hate it so they keep on playing and singing it.
  • justin124justin124 Posts: 11,527
    By May the polls could well be back to level pegging anyway.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,849
    DavidL said:

    DavidL said:

    Who the hell are the heavy woollen district independents? Surely the 6K (!!) who voted for them hold the key to the seat?

    Yorkshire is truly weird.

    They are for those who think Nigel Farage is a woke liberal.

    Mr Halloran's priorities for the campaign included:

    A full range of NHS services delivered locally (including restoring a full A&E department including intensive and high dependency care, and consultant-led maternity services at Dewsbury and District Hospital.)
    More school places for children and restoration of parental choice over preferred schools.

    A "clean" Brexit.

    "A managed and controlled immigration system.

    A reduction in foreign aid.

    A crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour.

    Police reform.

    More support for the armed forces, including veterans, and increased investment in defence.

    Against the proposed travellers’ site close to Junction 27 in Birstall.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_Woollen_District_Independents
    So basically Tories from the fruitier end. So if they didn't stand, game on?
    But if they do stand again and there's been a Tory to Heavy Woollen swing in Batley since Dec 19 - not beyond the bounds of possibility - Labour could retain the seat quite comfortably.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,603

    Leon said:

    It will surely go down as one of the stupidest unforced errors in the history of Public Health. What were they thinking? Macron, Merkel, all of them. Truly truly bizarre, and completely unnecessary. They gained absolutely nothing, and they have killed people

    I still don't really understand WHY they did it, apart from some kind of petty spite against Britain because Brexit, and Astra-Zeneca because failed deliveries - but the UK suffered those as well, and we didn't then denounce the vaccine as ineffective to "get at" the company.

    MAD
    If this leaches out into the Third World where AZ will be doing a lot of the vaccination it could be even more damaging....
    Happily I don't think it has and all of the studies coming out of the UK have been hugely positive and it is creating a really good buzz about the vaccine. It's only the bitter Europeans that are rejecting it, more fool them.
  • MJWMJW Posts: 1,282
    Can't see it playing out like this tbh, regardless of byelection or locals results. The SCG don't have the numbers to trigger a challenge on their own and the rest of the PLP will be terrified that if Starmer falls they get a Corbyn redux. Added to that there's just not a natural successor in a high level post with a significant enough personal following to guarantee they'd be the frontrunner - it would be an incredible risk for someone like say, Nandy, Philips or Thornberry to go on manoeuvres. Plus, while the left may be desperate to blame Starmer for everything from the colour of his tie, upwards, the rest of Labour has a ready made blame figure in the last bloke.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826


    The desire for Ed Balls -- who I don't remember as being very good, remember the sacking of Sharon Shoesmith in the HoC -- is the same mistake as the appointment of SKS in the first place.

    Labour need a fresh & young team (preferably with more women) not an old team of stale, male has-beens.

    There are plenty of fresh voices in Labour. If they want to replace Dodds, Rachel Reeves would be a better choice than Ed Balls.

    Well said.

    The Tories didn't make progress by reaching back for the 'right' people from Major's old team. They made progress when they found new stars in Cameron and Osborne especially.

    Who is Labour's Cameron? Who is Labour's Osborne? It does not look like either Starmer or Dodds fit the bill.

    If Balls is the answer you're asking the wrong question.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    FFS @ Anfield.
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905
    DougSeal said:
    It's come to something where "only" ninety corpses in a day is considered a measure of great progress, but nonetheless that's where we are. Double rather than treble figures on this measure, for the first time in months I'd imagine.

    That's also a 40% reduction week-on-week, after a similar reduction the previous week as well. If that rate of progress can be maintained then the equivalent value by mid-April should be down into single figures.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,233
    MaxPB said:

    Leon said:

    It will surely go down as one of the stupidest unforced errors in the history of Public Health. What were they thinking? Macron, Merkel, all of them. Truly truly bizarre, and completely unnecessary. They gained absolutely nothing, and they have killed people

    I still don't really understand WHY they did it, apart from some kind of petty spite against Britain because Brexit, and Astra-Zeneca because failed deliveries - but the UK suffered those as well, and we didn't then denounce the vaccine as ineffective to "get at" the company.

    MAD
    If this leaches out into the Third World where AZ will be doing a lot of the vaccination it could be even more damaging....
    Happily I don't think it has and all of the studies coming out of the UK have been hugely positive and it is creating a really good buzz about the vaccine. It's only the bitter Europeans that are rejecting it, more fool them.
    I don't think the average European is "bitter" abouit AZN or Brexit Britain, it's just the politicians in Brussels and elsewhere.

    The average European is, however, scared the Oxford vaccine doesn't work, thanks to those same idiot politicians
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 50,762
    Leon said:

    guybrush said:

    FPT, so my contribution to the oh so exciting Sussex's soap opera isn't missed.

    Guybrush said:

    More anecdotals, I've a close family member who has had dealings with William's professional staff via work. My impression is the staff in question isn't the type to throw out these sort of allegations lightly. Ok, Meghan probably isn't the only primadonna member of the Royal family, but the reality of the situation contrasts hugely with the image the Sussex's are trying to project (and the reality of William/Kate - by all accounts unflashy and hard working).

    As Charles mentioned a few days ago, Harry strikes me a a bit of a lost soul who has never really dealt with the loss of his mother and was probably most at home in the Army, where he couldn't stay put due to circumstances beyond his control. Enter Meghan, and in the space of a few years there's a kid on the scene, Harry is physically, financially isolated and estranged from his family - especially his brother. I'm very concerned for him.

    It is such a sad thing.

    The only way they can survive - in their accustomed style - is by monetising the terrible relationship with the Royal Family. Turning grievance and gossip into cash. So endless Oprah interviews and more "revelations"?

    But that cannot continue indefintely, they will run out of material. Her looks - she remains very lovely, despite being 40 - will eventually fade, his vulnerable boyishness - which he still has - will also dwindle.

    I wonder if at that point they will twist the narrative, and reach out for a grand reconciliation. More time in the UK. Big hugs by the brothers. That keeps their story going, keeps itinteresting, and also means money and help. If GPT3, sorry, a good fiction writer was telling their story, that is the obvious big upcoming plot twist. About 3 years away
    Or Granny's death, if that comes earlier. I think he has had a tough life. Those truly shocking scenes where he and his brother had to follow their mother's coffin through the streets look beyond belief in retrospect. Frankly child abuse. His hatred of our press is understandable. I hope he finds some happiness but its not a matter that affects the UK greatly.
  • GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 19,072

    FFS @ Anfield.

    This is the one time I want you to win FFS.
  • kyf_100kyf_100 Posts: 3,911
    guybrush said:

    FPT, so my contribution to the oh so exciting Sussex's soap opera isn't missed.

    Guybrush said:

    More anecdotals, I've a close family member who has had dealings with William's professional staff via work. My impression is the staff in question isn't the type to throw out these sort of allegations lightly. Ok, Meghan probably isn't the only primadonna member of the Royal family, but the reality of the situation contrasts hugely with the image the Sussex's are trying to project (and the reality of William/Kate - by all accounts unflashy and hard working).

    As Charles mentioned a few days ago, Harry strikes me a a bit of a lost soul who has never really dealt with the loss of his mother and was probably most at home in the Army, where he couldn't stay put due to circumstances beyond his control. Enter Meghan, and in the space of a few years there's a kid on the scene, Harry is physically, financially isolated and estranged from his family - especially his brother. I'm very concerned for him.

    In life we tend to play out the psychodramas of our childhood.

    It is the oldest story in psychology, the oedipus one. In Meghan Harry has found a substitute for his mum and he will not let that go, he will do anything for her, because keeping her safe eases the psychological wound the poor chap still carries from being a child and unable to protect his mother. Hence "Meghan gets what she wants." Of course she does. She's his mother, only now he's a grown man with enormous wealth and power and he can protect her in a way he never could protect his mum as a child.

    So in my opinion this story has little to do with racism or even "the institution" that the monarchy is. It is just childhood trauma being played out, unfortunately, on the front pages, due to the fame of the individuals involved. And we should cut them all some slack.

    Harry would do well to read Larkin's "this be the verse"... for that reason I feel nothing but sympathy for him (and Meghan - they are clearly deeply wounded individuals). But at the same time he should take his money and lead a peaceful, quiet life away from the spotlight, rather than weaponising it against his geriatric gran and using the very media he professes to hate to attack his own family. He has chosen a very self-destructive path and I feel nothing but sadness for the whole family.


  • IIRC @SandyRentool and @Morris_Dancer are eligible to vote in the mayoral election, hopefully they will do their duty to PB and vote for Tracy Babin.

    I’m eligible and will be voting Brabin though I do know the Tory candidate, Matt Robinson, slightly and on a personal level like him very much. Really genuine bloke, ‘normal’ background, down to earth, good laugh. Bit of a shame I can’t bring myself to vote Tory.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,612

    DougSeal said:
    It's come to something where "only" ninety corpses in a day is considered a measure of great progress, but nonetheless that's where we are. Double rather than treble figures on this measure, for the first time in months I'd imagine.

    That's also a 40% reduction week-on-week, after a similar reduction the previous week as well. If that rate of progress can be maintained then the equivalent value by mid-April should be down into single figures.
    Still a very straight line.....

    image
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    edited March 2021

    IIRC @SandyRentool and @Morris_Dancer are eligible to vote in the mayoral election, hopefully they will do their duty to PB and vote for Tracy Babin.

    Was it you who warned me about Baby Shark? 🦈

    Yeah, she loves it. We hate it.

    And she wants it on all the time.

    You were right.
    How old's yours now? Is she old enough to hop?

    Our youngest loves Hop Little Bunnies 🐇. Quite an active song she picked up at nursery, alternates between them lying on the floor pretending to sleep and getting up and hopping like mad energetically. It is much cuter and more adorable than Baby Shark and burns her energy too.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRjsyzbvqsc
  • IIRC @SandyRentool and @Morris_Dancer are eligible to vote in the mayoral election, hopefully they will do their duty to PB and vote for Tracy Babin.

    I’m eligible and will be voting Brabin though I do know the Tory candidate, Matt Robinson, slightly and on a personal level like him very much. Really genuine bloke, ‘normal’ background, down to earth, good laugh. Bit of a shame I can’t bring myself to vote Tory.
    PB thanks you for your selfless loyalty to the greater good.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,233

    DougSeal said:
    It's come to something where "only" ninety corpses in a day is considered a measure of great progress, but nonetheless that's where we are. Double rather than treble figures on this measure, for the first time in months I'd imagine.

    That's also a 40% reduction week-on-week, after a similar reduction the previous week as well. If that rate of progress can be maintained then the equivalent value by mid-April should be down into single figures.
    Remember , however, that 1500 people die every day in the UK in an average year (more in winter). So "90 corpses" should be seen in that context. It's not a huge number. 6%
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,612
    MaxPB said:

    Leon said:

    It will surely go down as one of the stupidest unforced errors in the history of Public Health. What were they thinking? Macron, Merkel, all of them. Truly truly bizarre, and completely unnecessary. They gained absolutely nothing, and they have killed people

    I still don't really understand WHY they did it, apart from some kind of petty spite against Britain because Brexit, and Astra-Zeneca because failed deliveries - but the UK suffered those as well, and we didn't then denounce the vaccine as ineffective to "get at" the company.

    MAD
    If this leaches out into the Third World where AZ will be doing a lot of the vaccination it could be even more damaging....
    Happily I don't think it has and all of the studies coming out of the UK have been hugely positive and it is creating a really good buzz about the vaccine. It's only the bitter Europeans that are rejecting it, more fool them.
    According to my Indian friends and colleagues, "Oxford" is the preferred one there.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 18,080
    edited March 2021
    Good piece for the Long Dark teatime of the Soul.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 27,835

    FFS @ Anfield.

    Lucky it is only one tbf.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,233
    DavidL said:

    Leon said:

    guybrush said:

    FPT, so my contribution to the oh so exciting Sussex's soap opera isn't missed.

    Guybrush said:

    More anecdotals, I've a close family member who has had dealings with William's professional staff via work. My impression is the staff in question isn't the type to throw out these sort of allegations lightly. Ok, Meghan probably isn't the only primadonna member of the Royal family, but the reality of the situation contrasts hugely with the image the Sussex's are trying to project (and the reality of William/Kate - by all accounts unflashy and hard working).

    As Charles mentioned a few days ago, Harry strikes me a a bit of a lost soul who has never really dealt with the loss of his mother and was probably most at home in the Army, where he couldn't stay put due to circumstances beyond his control. Enter Meghan, and in the space of a few years there's a kid on the scene, Harry is physically, financially isolated and estranged from his family - especially his brother. I'm very concerned for him.

    It is such a sad thing.

    The only way they can survive - in their accustomed style - is by monetising the terrible relationship with the Royal Family. Turning grievance and gossip into cash. So endless Oprah interviews and more "revelations"?

    But that cannot continue indefintely, they will run out of material. Her looks - she remains very lovely, despite being 40 - will eventually fade, his vulnerable boyishness - which he still has - will also dwindle.

    I wonder if at that point they will twist the narrative, and reach out for a grand reconciliation. More time in the UK. Big hugs by the brothers. That keeps their story going, keeps itinteresting, and also means money and help. If GPT3, sorry, a good fiction writer was telling their story, that is the obvious big upcoming plot twist. About 3 years away
    Or Granny's death, if that comes earlier. I think he has had a tough life. Those truly shocking scenes where he and his brother had to follow their mother's coffin through the streets look beyond belief in retrospect. Frankly child abuse. His hatred of our press is understandable. I hope he finds some happiness but its not a matter that affects the UK greatly.
    Good point about the funeral. I watched it on the Mall. Amazing scenes, and looking back, it does seem rather cruel in retrospect

    They are like a Greek myth, the Royal Family. Cruelty and sex, power and hallucinations
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    Leon said:

    DougSeal said:
    It's come to something where "only" ninety corpses in a day is considered a measure of great progress, but nonetheless that's where we are. Double rather than treble figures on this measure, for the first time in months I'd imagine.

    That's also a 40% reduction week-on-week, after a similar reduction the previous week as well. If that rate of progress can be maintained then the equivalent value by mid-April should be down into single figures.
    Remember , however, that 1500 people die every day in the UK in an average year (more in winter). So "90 corpses" should be seen in that context. It's not a huge number. 6%
    Plus as the numbers approach zero, especially post-vaccinations, there'll be a far higher proportion that are "dying with" Covid rather than "dying from" Covid.

    I rather suspect we've already reached the point where there's no excess deaths this week in reality, though it will take a while until this week's figures are released.
  • moonshinemoonshine Posts: 5,226
    Leon said:

    DougSeal said:
    It's come to something where "only" ninety corpses in a day is considered a measure of great progress, but nonetheless that's where we are. Double rather than treble figures on this measure, for the first time in months I'd imagine.

    That's also a 40% reduction week-on-week, after a similar reduction the previous week as well. If that rate of progress can be maintained then the equivalent value by mid-April should be down into single figures.
    Remember , however, that 1500 people die every day in the UK in an average year (more in winter). So "90 corpses" should be seen in that context. It's not a huge number. 6%
    No excess death now in the UK is the context that BR seems to be lacking
  • justin124justin124 Posts: 11,527
    No by election before late June /early July - indeed it may not happen until the Autumn.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,233
    moonshine said:

    Leon said:

    DougSeal said:
    It's come to something where "only" ninety corpses in a day is considered a measure of great progress, but nonetheless that's where we are. Double rather than treble figures on this measure, for the first time in months I'd imagine.

    That's also a 40% reduction week-on-week, after a similar reduction the previous week as well. If that rate of progress can be maintained then the equivalent value by mid-April should be down into single figures.
    Remember , however, that 1500 people die every day in the UK in an average year (more in winter). So "90 corpses" should be seen in that context. It's not a huge number. 6%
    No excess death now in the UK is the context that BR seems to be lacking
    Given the absence of deaths from flu is it now possible we are below normal mortality?

    IF we are it is nothing to gloat aboui, because the backlog of undiagnosed cancers and untreated heart problems - and all the rest - will elevate it again. The scars of this terrible year will linger for a decade, in multiple ways
  • WhisperingOracleWhisperingOracle Posts: 8,480
    edited March 2021
    Leon said:

    DavidL said:

    Leon said:

    guybrush said:

    FPT, so my contribution to the oh so exciting Sussex's soap opera isn't missed.

    Guybrush said:

    More anecdotals, I've a close family member who has had dealings with William's professional staff via work. My impression is the staff in question isn't the type to throw out these sort of allegations lightly. Ok, Meghan probably isn't the only primadonna member of the Royal family, but the reality of the situation contrasts hugely with the image the Sussex's are trying to project (and the reality of William/Kate - by all accounts unflashy and hard working).

    As Charles mentioned a few days ago, Harry strikes me a a bit of a lost soul who has never really dealt with the loss of his mother and was probably most at home in the Army, where he couldn't stay put due to circumstances beyond his control. Enter Meghan, and in the space of a few years there's a kid on the scene, Harry is physically, financially isolated and estranged from his family - especially his brother. I'm very concerned for him.

    It is such a sad thing.

    The only way they can survive - in their accustomed style - is by monetising the terrible relationship with the Royal Family. Turning grievance and gossip into cash. So endless Oprah interviews and more "revelations"?

    But that cannot continue indefintely, they will run out of material. Her looks - she remains very lovely, despite being 40 - will eventually fade, his vulnerable boyishness - which he still has - will also dwindle.

    I wonder if at that point they will twist the narrative, and reach out for a grand reconciliation. More time in the UK. Big hugs by the brothers. That keeps their story going, keeps itinteresting, and also means money and help. If GPT3, sorry, a good fiction writer was telling their story, that is the obvious big upcoming plot twist. About 3 years away
    Or Granny's death, if that comes earlier. I think he has had a tough life. Those truly shocking scenes where he and his brother had to follow their mother's coffin through the streets look beyond belief in retrospect. Frankly child abuse. His hatred of our press is understandable. I hope he finds some happiness but its not a matter that affects the UK greatly.
    Good point about the funeral. I watched it on the Mall. Amazing scenes, and looking back, it does seem rather cruel in retrospect

    They are like a Greek myth, the Royal Family. Cruelty and sex, power and hallucinations
    Philip's mother is a good part of a Greek tragedy story, too. A chain-smoking Greek orthodox nun, haunting and wondering the corridors of Buckingham Palace in the late 'sixties like a spectre, exiled from her home by her family's acquiescence in the coup there.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 39,748
    Fuxake Matt, they're not going to shag you whatever the level of crawling.
    (poss exception made if you can convincingly impersonate a 15 year old Californian girl).

    https://twitter.com/mattwridley/status/1368502203607113734?s=20
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,612
    Leon said:

    MaxPB said:

    Leon said:

    It will surely go down as one of the stupidest unforced errors in the history of Public Health. What were they thinking? Macron, Merkel, all of them. Truly truly bizarre, and completely unnecessary. They gained absolutely nothing, and they have killed people

    I still don't really understand WHY they did it, apart from some kind of petty spite against Britain because Brexit, and Astra-Zeneca because failed deliveries - but the UK suffered those as well, and we didn't then denounce the vaccine as ineffective to "get at" the company.

    MAD
    If this leaches out into the Third World where AZ will be doing a lot of the vaccination it could be even more damaging....
    Happily I don't think it has and all of the studies coming out of the UK have been hugely positive and it is creating a really good buzz about the vaccine. It's only the bitter Europeans that are rejecting it, more fool them.
    I don't think the average European is "bitter" abouit AZN or Brexit Britain, it's just the politicians in Brussels and elsewhere.

    The average European is, however, scared the Oxford vaccine doesn't work, thanks to those same idiot politicians
    The problem is one of these PR nightmares - once a certain view had "bedded in", shifting it is very, very hard.

    The cynical would say that the politicians like this - they can point to reluctance to take AZN as a reason to wait for Pfizer to some people, and to others AZN being naughty is the reason for slow vaccination. Match bullshit to audience and they can make it until the winter....
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905
    Leon said:

    DougSeal said:
    It's come to something where "only" ninety corpses in a day is considered a measure of great progress, but nonetheless that's where we are. Double rather than treble figures on this measure, for the first time in months I'd imagine.

    That's also a 40% reduction week-on-week, after a similar reduction the previous week as well. If that rate of progress can be maintained then the equivalent value by mid-April should be down into single figures.
    Remember , however, that 1500 people die every day in the UK in an average year (more in winter). So "90 corpses" should be seen in that context. It's not a huge number. 6%
    I know, I'm merely saying that the fact that ninety Covid deaths may be regarded as something actually to be welcomed, relative to the tsunami of bodies we had only a few weeks ago, is rather sad.

    However, it does look like the release of the little Plague spreaders tomorrow is the final major obstacle left to go. If that doesn't cause everything to go to crap then, hallelujah, I think we're almost done with this thing. We're not completely safe from the dreaded super-variants, but where mutations have been appearing so far they all seem to be shifting the disease in the same direction, so hopefully the fact that the evil Kent Plague has already descended upon us and now predominates will mean that there are no more nasty surprises.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,008

    IIRC @SandyRentool and @Morris_Dancer are eligible to vote in the mayoral election, hopefully they will do their duty to PB and vote for Tracy Babin.

    Was it you who warned me about Baby Shark? 🦈

    Yeah, she loves it. We hate it.

    And she wants it on all the time.

    You were right.
    How old's yours now? Is she old enough to hop?

    Our youngest loves Hop Little Bunnies 🐇. Quite an active song she picked up at nursery, alternates between them lying on the floor pretending to sleep and getting up and hopping like mad energetically. It is much cuter and more adorable than Baby Shark and burns her energy too.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRjsyzbvqsc
    She loves that too!

    She's two and a quarter.
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,124
    DavidL said:

    Who the hell are the heavy woollen district independents? Surely the 6K (!!) who voted for them hold the key to the seat?

    Yorkshire is truly weird.

    They're just like all the others - out to fleece the voters.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,603
    Leon said:

    MaxPB said:

    Leon said:

    It will surely go down as one of the stupidest unforced errors in the history of Public Health. What were they thinking? Macron, Merkel, all of them. Truly truly bizarre, and completely unnecessary. They gained absolutely nothing, and they have killed people

    I still don't really understand WHY they did it, apart from some kind of petty spite against Britain because Brexit, and Astra-Zeneca because failed deliveries - but the UK suffered those as well, and we didn't then denounce the vaccine as ineffective to "get at" the company.

    MAD
    If this leaches out into the Third World where AZ will be doing a lot of the vaccination it could be even more damaging....
    Happily I don't think it has and all of the studies coming out of the UK have been hugely positive and it is creating a really good buzz about the vaccine. It's only the bitter Europeans that are rejecting it, more fool them.
    I don't think the average European is "bitter" abouit AZN or Brexit Britain, it's just the politicians in Brussels and elsewhere.

    The average European is, however, scared the Oxford vaccine doesn't work, thanks to those same idiot politicians
    Yes, I was referring to the politicians who have been briefing against it and talking it down in general. They're now trying to undo the damage after the studies from the UK have showed it to be more effective than Pfizer with a single dose but I think it's probably too late in Germany and France judging by those numbers. Italy may still be ok.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 11,059
    edited March 2021

    DougSeal said:
    It's come to something where "only" ninety corpses in a day is considered a measure of great progress, but nonetheless that's where we are. Double rather than treble figures on this measure, for the first time in months I'd imagine.

    That's also a 40% reduction week-on-week, after a similar reduction the previous week as well. If that rate of progress can be maintained then the equivalent value by mid-April should be down into single figures.
    If we are really going to live with Covid mortality being “like flu” then double figures is what we’re going to have to get used to.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 27,835
    OT but how many kids will be at school tomorrow?
    Mine is in Tuesday to be tested. On the school bus, which defeats the purpose somewhat, but doesn't start till Wednesday.
    One niece Tuesday, the other Friday.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 66,741
    edited March 2021
    So - proposed school reforms:

    1) Would not be possible to bring them in before September 2022 for contractual reasons, so this is a long term goal.

    2) Ideas on holidays are not stupid. In fact, that would in many ways be a preferable system to the one we have now in pedagogical/management terms. Would likely mean more people taking holidays in May and October which would reduce the stress on August. Two week breaks after eight weeks' teaching would in all likelihood see us and the children much fresher and mean time is used more efficiently. Certainly I think it would help with energy levels and planning loads.

    3) If, however, school terms are reorganised in this fashion then it would not be possible to get A-level results out before mid-September - even on the assumption that GCSEs in their current form are scrapped, which given the DfE's lack of understanding of assessment isn't a safe assumption. That would make it out of the question to do post A-level applications to uni. The only way out of that conundrum would be to move the start of the university year to January or to say that you start uni after a year off. Again, neither are in and of themselves stupid and impossible ideas, but I can already hear Vice Chancellors exploding and I am confident for financial reasons it will not happen (a golden opportunity to do that this year having been needlessly wasted at enormous cost to us all).

    4) Longer school day is not feasible unless many more staff are hired. If more staff are hired, it would probably be more useful to reduce the staff/student ratio in tough schools rather than lengthen the school day overall. Private schools do, of course, in general have longer days and longer contact hours, but they also have much smaller class sizes and three weeks of extra holiday.

    That's my 2c. I speak only for myself.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,008
    kyf_100 said:

    guybrush said:

    FPT, so my contribution to the oh so exciting Sussex's soap opera isn't missed.

    Guybrush said:

    More anecdotals, I've a close family member who has had dealings with William's professional staff via work. My impression is the staff in question isn't the type to throw out these sort of allegations lightly. Ok, Meghan probably isn't the only primadonna member of the Royal family, but the reality of the situation contrasts hugely with the image the Sussex's are trying to project (and the reality of William/Kate - by all accounts unflashy and hard working).

    As Charles mentioned a few days ago, Harry strikes me a a bit of a lost soul who has never really dealt with the loss of his mother and was probably most at home in the Army, where he couldn't stay put due to circumstances beyond his control. Enter Meghan, and in the space of a few years there's a kid on the scene, Harry is physically, financially isolated and estranged from his family - especially his brother. I'm very concerned for him.

    In life we tend to play out the psychodramas of our childhood.

    It is the oldest story in psychology, the oedipus one. In Meghan Harry has found a substitute for his mum and he will not let that go, he will do anything for her, because keeping her safe eases the psychological wound the poor chap still carries from being a child and unable to protect his mother. Hence "Meghan gets what she wants." Of course she does. She's his mother, only now he's a grown man with enormous wealth and power and he can protect her in a way he never could protect his mum as a child.

    So in my opinion this story has little to do with racism or even "the institution" that the monarchy is. It is just childhood trauma being played out, unfortunately, on the front pages, due to the fame of the individuals involved. And we should cut them all some slack.

    Harry would do well to read Larkin's "this be the verse"... for that reason I feel nothing but sympathy for him (and Meghan - they are clearly deeply wounded individuals). But at the same time he should take his money and lead a peaceful, quiet life away from the spotlight, rather than weaponising it against his geriatric gran and using the very media he professes to hate to attack his own family. He has chosen a very self-destructive path and I feel nothing but sadness for the whole family.


    Good analysis.
  • moonshinemoonshine Posts: 5,226

    Leon said:

    DougSeal said:
    It's come to something where "only" ninety corpses in a day is considered a measure of great progress, but nonetheless that's where we are. Double rather than treble figures on this measure, for the first time in months I'd imagine.

    That's also a 40% reduction week-on-week, after a similar reduction the previous week as well. If that rate of progress can be maintained then the equivalent value by mid-April should be down into single figures.
    Remember , however, that 1500 people die every day in the UK in an average year (more in winter). So "90 corpses" should be seen in that context. It's not a huge number. 6%
    I know, I'm merely saying that the fact that ninety Covid deaths may be regarded as something actually to be welcomed, relative to the tsunami of bodies we had only a few weeks ago, is rather sad.

    However, it does look like the release of the little Plague spreaders tomorrow is the final major obstacle left to go. If that doesn't cause everything to go to crap then, hallelujah, I think we're almost done with this thing. We're not completely safe from the dreaded super-variants, but where mutations have been appearing so far they all seem to be shifting the disease in the same direction, so hopefully the fact that the evil Kent Plague has already descended upon us and now predominates will mean that there are no more nasty surprises.
    Just about everyone with a statistical possibility of dying has now been vaccinated. What are you worried about happening?
  • MattWMattW Posts: 18,080
    *Notes that Batley & Spen has previously been an AWS for Labour*
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,233

    Fuxake Matt, they're not going to shag you whatever the level of crawling.
    (poss exception made if you can convincingly impersonate a 15 year old Californian girl).

    https://twitter.com/mattwridley/status/1368502203607113734?s=20

    I'm done with this whole naff idea of "national claps" for ANYONE. It's pure CRINGE. I want to forget we ever did it. I want to go back to not knowing my neighbours and not caring if they die. I want to go back to being a surely, selfish Londoner watching my house appreciate in value, and fuck everyone else, as I guzzle champagne in the Groucho Club

    NO MORE CLAPPING
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 66,741

    Fuxake Matt, they're not going to shag you whatever the level of crawling.
    (poss exception made if you can convincingly impersonate a 15 year old Californian girl).

    https://twitter.com/mattwridley/status/1368502203607113734?s=20

    I'm sure TSE would be happy to arrange for all members of the Royal Family to be given the clap...
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 11,059
    Leon said:

    moonshine said:

    Leon said:

    DougSeal said:
    It's come to something where "only" ninety corpses in a day is considered a measure of great progress, but nonetheless that's where we are. Double rather than treble figures on this measure, for the first time in months I'd imagine.

    That's also a 40% reduction week-on-week, after a similar reduction the previous week as well. If that rate of progress can be maintained then the equivalent value by mid-April should be down into single figures.
    Remember , however, that 1500 people die every day in the UK in an average year (more in winter). So "90 corpses" should be seen in that context. It's not a huge number. 6%
    No excess death now in the UK is the context that BR seems to be lacking
    Given the absence of deaths from flu is it now possible we are below normal mortality?

    IF we are it is nothing to gloat aboui, because the backlog of undiagnosed cancers and untreated heart problems - and all the rest - will elevate it again. The scars of this terrible year will linger for a decade, in multiple ways
    Yes but we are all looking to get past the acute phase of the outbreak first. Once that is over we can look to heal those effects.

    I think the Welsh and NI figures will push us into the very low hundreds anyway - and it is Sunday.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 66,741
    dixiedean said:

    OT but how many kids will be at school tomorrow?
    Mine is in Tuesday to be tested. On the school bus, which defeats the purpose somewhat, but doesn't start till Wednesday.
    One niece Tuesday, the other Friday.

    76% of secondaries are starting up in phases this week, 7% not until as late as a week Friday.

    Johnson misled the House, but he won't resign, of course.
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,124
    justin124 said:

    By May the polls could well be back to level pegging anyway.

    Or the lead could have stretched!
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,233
    dixiedean said:

    OT but how many kids will be at school tomorrow?
    Mine is in Tuesday to be tested. On the school bus, which defeats the purpose somewhat, but doesn't start till Wednesday.
    One niece Tuesday, the other Friday.

    My oldest gets tested tomorrow - and presuming its negative goes back on Tuesday
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 27,835

    Fuxake Matt, they're not going to shag you whatever the level of crawling.
    (poss exception made if you can convincingly impersonate a 15 year old Californian girl).

    https://twitter.com/mattwridley/status/1368502203607113734?s=20

    Bloody traitor!
    Why is he not suggesting tithing our income and bringing back droit de seigneur?
    Woke bollocks.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,603
    DougSeal said:

    DougSeal said:
    It's come to something where "only" ninety corpses in a day is considered a measure of great progress, but nonetheless that's where we are. Double rather than treble figures on this measure, for the first time in months I'd imagine.

    That's also a 40% reduction week-on-week, after a similar reduction the previous week as well. If that rate of progress can be maintained then the equivalent value by mid-April should be down into single figures.
    If we are really going to live with Covid mortality being “like flu” then double figures is what we’re going to have to get used to.
    I think what we really need is in September or October for the government to move all COVID reporting to the standard weekly ONS releases for death certificates and junk the daily releases. We need to normalise COVID as endemic and ultimately undefeatable just like the flu. Daily reporting of statistics marks it out as separate from everything else and it shouldn't be.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    Wow what a save then! One of the best I've seen in a long time.

    Seeing some passion now at Anfield at last.
  • NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,263
    DougSeal said:
    Yes, as you say it feels strange to welcome a death toll of 90, but it's very good progress. The local Zoe case count has fallen back too after a worrying fortnight of increases. Very noticeable that people round here are still being extremely careful - walking in the road to avoid passing someone closely is the norm (and is usually acknowledged with a friendly nod or "thank you"). Must be harder in the cities - this is a small town.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    moonshine said:

    Leon said:

    DougSeal said:
    It's come to something where "only" ninety corpses in a day is considered a measure of great progress, but nonetheless that's where we are. Double rather than treble figures on this measure, for the first time in months I'd imagine.

    That's also a 40% reduction week-on-week, after a similar reduction the previous week as well. If that rate of progress can be maintained then the equivalent value by mid-April should be down into single figures.
    Remember , however, that 1500 people die every day in the UK in an average year (more in winter). So "90 corpses" should be seen in that context. It's not a huge number. 6%
    I know, I'm merely saying that the fact that ninety Covid deaths may be regarded as something actually to be welcomed, relative to the tsunami of bodies we had only a few weeks ago, is rather sad.

    However, it does look like the release of the little Plague spreaders tomorrow is the final major obstacle left to go. If that doesn't cause everything to go to crap then, hallelujah, I think we're almost done with this thing. We're not completely safe from the dreaded super-variants, but where mutations have been appearing so far they all seem to be shifting the disease in the same direction, so hopefully the fact that the evil Kent Plague has already descended upon us and now predominates will mean that there are no more nasty surprises.
    Just about everyone with a statistical possibility of dying has now been vaccinated. What are you worried about happening?
    That's not true. Some in Group 6 are still waiting, while group 7 is only getting booked in now. 8 and 9 still to come too. Plus it takes 3 weeks for the vaccine to become active.

    We're getting close to that point but we're not there yet.
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