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Russia Today presenter Galloway now 11/4 to be beat LAB in Batley & Spen – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 12,640
edited June 2021 in General
imageRussia Today presenter Galloway now 11/4 to be beat LAB in Batley & Spen – politicalbetting.com

Next by-election up is, of course, Batley & Spen on Thursday next week and the main interest is on ex-LAB then ex-RESPECT MP, George Galloway who is a presenter on Russia Today.

Read the full story here

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Comments

  • MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382
    1st
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 35,630
    MikeSmithson said:

    1st

    Amazing! - how did you manage that?
  • JohnLilburneJohnLilburne Posts: 7,041
    Владимир Путин - пизда
  • QuincelQuincel Posts: 4,042
    I saw this earlier today and have to say, the 1/4 Ladbrokes will give you on Labour winning this head to head seems amazing value. Survation had it as 41% v 6%, and the fieldwork wasn't that long ago.
  • philiphphiliph Posts: 4,706
    How many viewers tune into RT?
    Of those how many know Galloway is a regular presenter?
    Of those how many are voters in B&S, and how many care about it or know what it means beyond he is on TV?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 64,443
    I love Galloway's hats. He is the last great hat wearer in British public life: discuss

    OK him and the Queen
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 35,630
    JohnLilburne said:

    Владимир Путин - пизда

    Be careful with your door handles!
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,292
    Andy_JS said:

    "Could Labour come third in Batley & Spen? Tories say George Galloway is 'destroying' Keir Starmer's hopes in crucial by-election and hard-Left ex-MP is now the main 'threat' to effort to seize another piece of Red Wall

    Labour struggling to hold on in Batley & Spen by-election happening on July 1
    Tories believe George Galloway 'hoovering up' votes from Muslim community"

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9712893/Could-Labour-come-Batley-Spen.html

    I know it is not meant this way, but I feel like someone on twitter could get a good faux outrage on by pretending to be offended as people 'hoover up' material they want to discard as rubbish.
    Benpointer said:

    kle4 said:

    As a dedicated hat wearer I would like to be clear we are not all like Galloway. He does not speak for us.

    I hope you don't beret grudge.
    I mitre have done so in the past.
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 35,630
    Leon said:

    I love Galloway's hats. He is the last great hat wearer in British public life: discuss

    OK him and the Queen

    Cerys Matthews
  • JonathanJonathan Posts: 22,107
    “What Hat are you talking out of now?”
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 28,156
    Potential Galloway voters would only be bothered about Russia if it invaded Afghanistan.
  • BromBrom Posts: 3,760
    Labour sent Rosenna Allin Khan to Batley today. At the weekend they sent Anas Sarwar. I’ll never understand why so many British Muslims care about Palestine and not other global conflicts, but equally I think Labour are going to have to offer them more than a few metropolitan Muslim faces given they are up against a rabble rouser of great experience in George Galloway - a man who you’ll struggle to outflank when it comes to the Middle East.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 64,443
    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 45,024
    Benpointer said:

    kle4 said:

    As a dedicated hat wearer I would like to be clear we are not all like Galloway. He does not speak for us.

    I hope you don't beret grudge.
    If the cap fits?
  • QuincelQuincel Posts: 4,042
    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    This summarises the case against him fairly comprehensively, with plenty of links.

    https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2021/06/george-galloway-s-disgraceful-record-shows-he-no-friend-progressives
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 61,123
    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    If you want to know what kind of man George Galloway is, look at what happened to War on Want (and the donations it received) under his stewardship.
  • BromBrom Posts: 3,760
    Quincel said:

    I saw this earlier today and have to say, the 1/4 Ladbrokes will give you on Labour winning this head to head seems amazing value. Survation had it as 41% v 6%, and the fieldwork wasn't that long ago.

    Agreed. The constituency is only 20% non white too. Galloway can hurt Labour but I seriously doubt he can beat them. I suspect there are plenty of Muslims who will hold their nose and vote Leadbeater in a 2 horse race with the Tories too. If they’ve always voted Labour it’s unlikely they all break the habit now.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 55,688
    Leon said:

    I love Galloway's hats. He is the last great hat wearer in British public life: discuss

    OK him and the Queen

    HM the Q has the edge on wearing a Crown.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 64,443
    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    If you want to know what kind of man George Galloway is, look at what happened to War on Want (and the donations it received) under his stewardship.
    Fair enough. And I now recall he did publicly praise Saddam Hussein. Eeek

    Nonetheless politics needs these oddballs on left AND right and three quarters east of bonkers. Why shouldn't the anti-Israeli, homophobic voters of Batley have their opinions heard?

    Go, Geo G
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 55,688
    kle4 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Could Labour come third in Batley & Spen? Tories say George Galloway is 'destroying' Keir Starmer's hopes in crucial by-election and hard-Left ex-MP is now the main 'threat' to effort to seize another piece of Red Wall

    Labour struggling to hold on in Batley & Spen by-election happening on July 1
    Tories believe George Galloway 'hoovering up' votes from Muslim community"

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9712893/Could-Labour-come-Batley-Spen.html

    I know it is not meant this way, but I feel like someone on twitter could get a good faux outrage on by pretending to be offended as people 'hoover up' material they want to discard as rubbish.
    Benpointer said:

    kle4 said:

    As a dedicated hat wearer I would like to be clear we are not all like Galloway. He does not speak for us.

    I hope you don't beret grudge.
    I mitre have done so in the past.
    That's some top hat punning...
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 37,074
    FPT

    "Could Labour come third in Batley & Spen? Tories say George Galloway is 'destroying' Keir Starmer's hopes in crucial by-election and hard-Left ex-MP is now the main 'threat' to effort to seize another piece of Red Wall

    Labour struggling to hold on in Batley & Spen by-election happening on July 1
    Tories believe George Galloway 'hoovering up' votes from Muslim community"

    "The senior Tory source involved in the Batley & Spen campaign said: 'We are worried about Galloway. The question mark is all about turnout. We have got to get our vote out, and we should win it. I think Galloway will hoover up the Muslim vote - almost all of it. 'He should get around 12,000 votes - although it depends on turnout. If we get 14,000 we should be alright. Labour look like getting 6,000. 'Galloway is the threat. Labour is f*****.'"

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9712893/Could-Labour-come-Batley-Spen.html
  • LeonLeon Posts: 64,443
    Iran seems to be entering its FIFTH wave


    https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/iran/
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,292
    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    If you want to know what kind of man George Galloway is, look at what happened to War on Want (and the donations it received) under his stewardship.
    Fair enough. And I now recall he did publicly praise Saddam Hussein. Eeek

    Nonetheless politics needs these oddballs on left AND right and three quarters east of bonkers. Why shouldn't the anti-Israeli, homophobic voters of Batley have their opinions heard?

    Go, Geo G
    We do need some characters, we don't want to end up with nothing but beige, identikit, technocratic automatons with PPE degrees and previous jobs as SPADs who never say or do anything interesting for fear of upsetting anyone, but surely we can do better than Galloway?

    Galloway seems like a shit stirrer, and his motivation for such seems to be self promotion more than anything else, given he will stand pretty much anywhere like a novelty candidate, without a consistent message like a perennial campaigner.
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    edited June 2021
    Best prices - Tour de France winner

    Tadej Pogačar (Slo) 17/10
    Primož Roglič (Slo) 5/2
    Geraint Thomas (Wal) 33/5
    Richard Carapaz (Ecu) 11/1
    Richie Porte (Aus) 27/1
    Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) 35/1
    Mark Padun (Ukr) 40/1
    Miguel Ángel López (Col) 50/1
    Rigoberto Urán (Col) 59/1
    Tao Geoghegan Hart (Sco) 79/1
    100 bar
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 32,421
    England has an easy draw. That is why we are now joint second-favourites on Betfair.

    If we beat Germany on Tuesday, we'll face Sweden or Ukraine in the quarter-finals. Then a semi-final against one of these four: Denmark; Wales; Holland; Czechia.

    Of course, they will be saying much the same in Berlin and Stockholm; Kiev and Cardiff.


  • LeonLeon Posts: 64,443
    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    If you want to know what kind of man George Galloway is, look at what happened to War on Want (and the donations it received) under his stewardship.
    Fair enough. And I now recall he did publicly praise Saddam Hussein. Eeek

    Nonetheless politics needs these oddballs on left AND right and three quarters east of bonkers. Why shouldn't the anti-Israeli, homophobic voters of Batley have their opinions heard?

    Go, Geo G
    We do need some characters, we don't want to end up with nothing but beige, identikit, technocratic automatons with PPE degrees and previous jobs as SPADs who never say or do anything interesting for fear of upsetting anyone, but surely we can do better than Galloway?

    Galloway seems like a shit stirrer, and his motivation for such seems to be self promotion more than anything else, given he will stand pretty much anywhere like a novelty candidate, without a consistent message like a perennial campaigner.
    But the people willing to break the Beige Mould will always be mavericks like Galloway (offensive to many) until and unless the party system breaks down, along with social media policing of our opinions

    If I may, I will draw a comparison with UFO experts

    "Neutral observers" often sledge the whole concept of UFOlogy by saying: Look, all the people that believe in it are cranks, madmen or xanax addicts

    And they are generally right. But the reason they are right is that "belief" in UFOs has been so stigmatised, and rendered so socially unacceptable, that the only people willing to own up to it are the fringe loons who have nothing to lose

    This is not healthy, not in our sky-watching or our politics
  • BarnesianBarnesian Posts: 9,268
    Brom said:

    Quincel said:

    I saw this earlier today and have to say, the 1/4 Ladbrokes will give you on Labour winning this head to head seems amazing value. Survation had it as 41% v 6%, and the fieldwork wasn't that long ago.

    Agreed. The constituency is only 20% non white too. Galloway can hurt Labour but I seriously doubt he can beat them. I suspect there are plenty of Muslims who will hold their nose and vote Leadbeater in a 2 horse race with the Tories too. If they’ve always voted Labour it’s unlikely they all break the habit now.
    Only 20% non white! GG doesn't stand a chance of winning this seat against Tories on solid 40% and sizable LDs and Greens.

    Laying him on Betfair at 32 or 34 is an excellent return in a week.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,292
    Leon said:

    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    If you want to know what kind of man George Galloway is, look at what happened to War on Want (and the donations it received) under his stewardship.
    Fair enough. And I now recall he did publicly praise Saddam Hussein. Eeek

    Nonetheless politics needs these oddballs on left AND right and three quarters east of bonkers. Why shouldn't the anti-Israeli, homophobic voters of Batley have their opinions heard?

    Go, Geo G
    We do need some characters, we don't want to end up with nothing but beige, identikit, technocratic automatons with PPE degrees and previous jobs as SPADs who never say or do anything interesting for fear of upsetting anyone, but surely we can do better than Galloway?

    Galloway seems like a shit stirrer, and his motivation for such seems to be self promotion more than anything else, given he will stand pretty much anywhere like a novelty candidate, without a consistent message like a perennial campaigner.
    But the people willing to break the Beige Mould will always be mavericks like Galloway (offensive to many) until and unless the party system breaks down, along with social media policing of our opinions
    Mavericks are a range too. You don't need to be Galloway to be a maverick, though they will be a higher proportion.
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    It holds up. The man is a despicable sectarian, telling blatant lies about opponents to stir up hatred.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 64,443
    StuartDickson said:

    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    It holds up. The man is a despicable sectarian, telling blatant lies about opponents to stir up hatred.
    Like what?

    "Despicable sectarian" is pretty strong language. But I am willing to be persuaded by evidence
  • FloaterFloater Posts: 14,207
    Benpointer said:

    MikeSmithson said:

    1st

    Amazing! - how did you manage that?
    Typical Lib Dem - winning here :smiley:
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 33,680
    George Galloway is a self serving scoundrel. His post-Labour ambitions always seems to be of tacit benefit to the Conservative Party. He is a disgrace to Scotland, socialism, humanity and felinity.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,998
    I've sold Labour in Batley and Spen; Galloway knows how to get votes in by-elections and it's Labour's share he is coming for.
    I think it's a relatively comfortable Tory win fwiw - the Heavy Woollens split their vote in the GE and Galloway is going to do that to Labour here.
  • AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    rcs1000 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    FPT

    "Could Labour come third in Batley & Spen? Tories say George Galloway is 'destroying' Keir Starmer's hopes in crucial by-election and hard-Left ex-MP is now the main 'threat' to effort to seize another piece of Red Wall

    Labour struggling to hold on in Batley & Spen by-election happening on July 1
    Tories believe George Galloway 'hoovering up' votes from Muslim community"

    "The senior Tory source involved in the Batley & Spen campaign said: 'We are worried about Galloway. The question mark is all about turnout. We have got to get our vote out, and we should win it. I think Galloway will hoover up the Muslim vote - almost all of it. 'He should get around 12,000 votes - although it depends on turnout. If we get 14,000 we should be alright. Labour look like getting 6,000. 'Galloway is the threat. Labour is f*****.'"

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9712893/Could-Labour-come-Batley-Spen.html

    That is an attempt by the Conservatives to split the Lefty vote.
    You missed 'transparent' before the word attempt there.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,998
    I doubt Galloway's potential vote knows, no less little cares about the Crimea/Royal Navy situation.
  • FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 10,022
    If Boris can't stand up to a bunch of UEFA bureaucrats what chance has he when it comes to Vladimir Putin?
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 37,074
    Labour's position in B&S on Betfair Exchange is worsening.

    https://www.betfair.com/exchange/plus/politics/market/1.183248116
  • FloaterFloater Posts: 14,207
    Mexicanpete said:

    George Galloway is a self serving scoundrel. His post-Labour ambitions always seems to be of tacit benefit to the Conservative Party. He is a disgrace to Scotland, socialism, humanity and felinity.

    I would guess he wants to fatally wound Starmer and hope the hard left can take control again.
  • FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 10,022
    How big an issue is Palestine really in Batley and Spen? Obviously it matters to some people but it needs quantifying.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,654
    FrankBooth said:

    If Boris can't stand up to a bunch of UEFA bureaucrats what chance has he when it comes to Vladimir Putin?

    The exemptions for members of international organizations have existed since the travel restrictions were first introduced.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,998
    FrankBooth said:

    How big an issue is Palestine really in Batley and Spen? Obviously it matters to some people but it needs quantifying.

    Galloway knows what makes the muslim vote tick.
  • FlatlanderFlatlander Posts: 5,219
    edited June 2021
    StuartDickson said:

    Best prices - Tour de France winner

    Tadej Pogačar (Slo) 17/10
    Primož Roglič (Slo) 5/2
    Geraint Thomas (Wal) 33/5
    Richard Carapaz (Ecu) 11/1
    Richie Porte (Aus) 27/1
    Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) 35/1
    Mark Padun (Ukr) 40/1
    Miguel Ángel López (Col) 50/1
    Rigoberto Urán (Col) 59/1
    Tao Geoghegan Hart (Sco) 79/1
    100 bar

    Flatlander's predictions:

    Porte will crash, Alaphilippe will crack in the mountains, even though there aren't many. Uran will follow and not gain any time, Geoghegan Hart will be under team orders. Carapaz might get a shot if Thomas isn't going well but the time trials might not suit.

    Thomas or Pogacar. Roglic second to whoever wins.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 87,025
    edited June 2021
    Pulpstar said:

    FrankBooth said:

    How big an issue is Palestine really in Batley and Spen? Obviously it matters to some people but it needs quantifying.

    Galloway knows what makes the muslim vote tick.
    Is George Galloway a Muslim himself?

    Looks it up. Why he is so funny about not just saying if has converted or not? Its like Jezza and his unwillingness to just say if he has been vaccinated.
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    Boris Johnson’s political tactics against Labour in England might have unintended consequences north of the border

    … A secondary problem is that the Tory political strategy for England is so divisive. Mr Johnson owes his Commons majority to an electoral realignment that brought pro-Brexit voters in former Labour strongholds over to the Conservatives for the first time. In the absence of substantial economic dividends in those areas, Downing Street thinks it can appeal to a certain patriotic sensibility, through confected rows over flags, history and race. But that is a distinctly English nationalist agenda, even if the flag it flies is the union jack. The culture war tactics deployed against Labour might have the unintended consequence of defining patriotism in terms that do not resonate for Scots.

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/23/the-guardian-view-on-tories-and-scotland-beware-muscular-unionism
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 56,314
    @AndyBurnhamGM
    And there was me thinking they were confidential …

    @DSanderson_85
    NEW: talks between @AndyBurnhamGM and @NicolaSturgeon about the SNP's controversial travel ban today did not go well...

    A source close to the FM claims Burnham gave an "incoherent and absurd" explanation of why advice on @greatermcr website urges residents to 'minimise travel'

    https://twitter.com/AndyBurnhamGM/status/1407822922664845312
    https://twitter.com/DSanderson_85/status/1407809750729961479
  • LeonLeon Posts: 64,443
    An incredibly beautiful, lustrous, midsummer full moon over London tonight. The grand old city laughs in its reveries
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    Flatlander said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Best prices - Tour de France winner

    Tadej Pogačar (Slo) 17/10
    Primož Roglič (Slo) 5/2
    Geraint Thomas (Wal) 33/5
    Richard Carapaz (Ecu) 11/1
    Richie Porte (Aus) 27/1
    Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) 35/1
    Mark Padun (Ukr) 40/1
    Miguel Ángel López (Col) 50/1
    Rigoberto Urán (Col) 59/1
    Tao Geoghegan Hart (Sco) 79/1
    100 bar

    Flatlander's predictions:

    Porte will crash, Alaphilippe will crack in the mountains, even though there aren't many. Uran will follow and not gain any time, Geoghegan Hart will be under team orders. Carapaz might get a shot if Thomas isn't going well but the time trials might not suit.

    Thomas or Pogacar. Roglic second to whoever wins.
    Good analysis. I find the unwillingness of most South American stars to attack a bit depressing. Not sure about Alaphilippe cracking, he has looked tremendous in the early season. The Ineos team orders are, as you say, vitally important. Porte might not crash.

    Pogačar is an amazing talent. If he stays well and doesn’t have any bad luck, he ought to win in Paris.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 30,475
    Am increasingly convinced the Tories have got this.
    Equally. Lay Galloway, back Lab in the match bet looks stonking value.
    And Galloway is a Tory mole. Everything he does benefits them.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 30,475
    StuartDickson said:

    Flatlander said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Best prices - Tour de France winner

    Tadej Pogačar (Slo) 17/10
    Primož Roglič (Slo) 5/2
    Geraint Thomas (Wal) 33/5
    Richard Carapaz (Ecu) 11/1
    Richie Porte (Aus) 27/1
    Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) 35/1
    Mark Padun (Ukr) 40/1
    Miguel Ángel López (Col) 50/1
    Rigoberto Urán (Col) 59/1
    Tao Geoghegan Hart (Sco) 79/1
    100 bar

    Flatlander's predictions:

    Porte will crash, Alaphilippe will crack in the mountains, even though there aren't many. Uran will follow and not gain any time, Geoghegan Hart will be under team orders. Carapaz might get a shot if Thomas isn't going well but the time trials might not suit.

    Thomas or Pogacar. Roglic second to whoever wins.
    Good analysis. I find the unwillingness of most South American stars to attack a bit depressing. Not sure about Alaphilippe cracking, he has looked tremendous in the early season. The Ineos team orders are, as you say, vitally important. Porte might not crash.

    Pogačar is an amazing talent. If he stays well and doesn’t have any bad luck, he ought to win in Paris.
    Will be fascinating to see Alaphillipe in yellow. He's a cavalier maverick. He lost yellow to a penalty last time. Can he, will he defend a lead??
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    dixiedean said:

    Am increasingly convinced the Tories have got this.
    Equally. Lay Galloway, back Lab in the match bet looks stonking value.
    And Galloway is a Tory mole. Everything he does benefits them.

    The leader of the Scottish Conservatives disagrees:

    Douglas Ross says former MP is a 'tool for the nationalists'

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/04/05/galloways-pro-uk-party-could-cost-unionists-eight-seats-tory/
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    dixiedean said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Flatlander said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Best prices - Tour de France winner

    Tadej Pogačar (Slo) 17/10
    Primož Roglič (Slo) 5/2
    Geraint Thomas (Wal) 33/5
    Richard Carapaz (Ecu) 11/1
    Richie Porte (Aus) 27/1
    Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) 35/1
    Mark Padun (Ukr) 40/1
    Miguel Ángel López (Col) 50/1
    Rigoberto Urán (Col) 59/1
    Tao Geoghegan Hart (Sco) 79/1
    100 bar

    Flatlander's predictions:

    Porte will crash, Alaphilippe will crack in the mountains, even though there aren't many. Uran will follow and not gain any time, Geoghegan Hart will be under team orders. Carapaz might get a shot if Thomas isn't going well but the time trials might not suit.

    Thomas or Pogacar. Roglic second to whoever wins.
    Good analysis. I find the unwillingness of most South American stars to attack a bit depressing. Not sure about Alaphilippe cracking, he has looked tremendous in the early season. The Ineos team orders are, as you say, vitally important. Porte might not crash.

    Pogačar is an amazing talent. If he stays well and doesn’t have any bad luck, he ought to win in Paris.
    Will be fascinating to see Alaphillipe in yellow. He's a cavalier maverick. He lost yellow to a penalty last time. Can he, will he defend a lead??
    If he gets into yellow he’ll defend it like a tiger. Opponents will have to rip it off his back. My concern with him is that he lacks the self-discipline required of a Grand Tour champion. He wants to win too much.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 30,475
    StuartDickson said:

    dixiedean said:

    Am increasingly convinced the Tories have got this.
    Equally. Lay Galloway, back Lab in the match bet looks stonking value.
    And Galloway is a Tory mole. Everything he does benefits them.

    The leader of the Scottish Conservatives disagrees:

    Douglas Ross says former MP is a 'tool for the nationalists'

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/04/05/galloways-pro-uk-party-could-cost-unionists-eight-seats-tory/
    And did he cost the Unionists eight seats?
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,943
    williamglenn said:

    @AndyBurnhamGM
    And there was me thinking they were confidential …

    @DSanderson_85
    NEW: talks between @AndyBurnhamGM and @NicolaSturgeon about the SNP's controversial travel ban today did not go well...

    A source close to the FM claims Burnham gave an "incoherent and absurd" explanation of why advice on @greatermcr website urges residents to 'minimise travel'

    https://twitter.com/AndyBurnhamGM/status/1407822922664845312
    https://twitter.com/DSanderson_85/status/1407809750729961479

    It's the Queen Of Scots VS King Of The North
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 37,074
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Pulpstar said:

    FrankBooth said:

    How big an issue is Palestine really in Batley and Spen? Obviously it matters to some people but it needs quantifying.

    Galloway knows what makes the muslim vote tick.
    Is George Galloway a Muslim himself?

    Looks it up. Why he is so funny about not just saying if has converted or not? Its like Jezza and his unwillingness to just say if he has been vaccinated.
    IIRC he was married to a Palestinian woman at one time. Not sure whether that's still the case.
  • FishingFishing Posts: 5,804
    edited June 2021
    dixiedean said:

    Am increasingly convinced the Tories have got this.
    Equally. Lay Galloway, back Lab in the match bet looks stonking value.
    And Galloway is a Tory mole. Everything he does benefits them.

    Time for a Tories for George club?

    But no. I wouldn't have to shower after every election so much as sterilise myself.
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    dixiedean said:

    StuartDickson said:

    dixiedean said:

    Am increasingly convinced the Tories have got this.
    Equally. Lay Galloway, back Lab in the match bet looks stonking value.
    And Galloway is a Tory mole. Everything he does benefits them.

    The leader of the Scottish Conservatives disagrees:

    Douglas Ross says former MP is a 'tool for the nationalists'

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/04/05/galloways-pro-uk-party-could-cost-unionists-eight-seats-tory/
    And did he cost the Unionists eight seats?
    No, he probably didn’t even cost them one (I can’t be bothered doing the actual sums), but he certainly didn’t help the Unionist cause. They needed (and got) an extremely focused vote on certain specific Labour, Lib Dem and Tory candidates. All the minor Unionist candidates (and there were tons) were just hampering that core strategy.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 30,475
    StuartDickson said:

    dixiedean said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Flatlander said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Best prices - Tour de France winner

    Tadej Pogačar (Slo) 17/10
    Primož Roglič (Slo) 5/2
    Geraint Thomas (Wal) 33/5
    Richard Carapaz (Ecu) 11/1
    Richie Porte (Aus) 27/1
    Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) 35/1
    Mark Padun (Ukr) 40/1
    Miguel Ángel López (Col) 50/1
    Rigoberto Urán (Col) 59/1
    Tao Geoghegan Hart (Sco) 79/1
    100 bar

    Flatlander's predictions:

    Porte will crash, Alaphilippe will crack in the mountains, even though there aren't many. Uran will follow and not gain any time, Geoghegan Hart will be under team orders. Carapaz might get a shot if Thomas isn't going well but the time trials might not suit.

    Thomas or Pogacar. Roglic second to whoever wins.
    Good analysis. I find the unwillingness of most South American stars to attack a bit depressing. Not sure about Alaphilippe cracking, he has looked tremendous in the early season. The Ineos team orders are, as you say, vitally important. Porte might not crash.

    Pogačar is an amazing talent. If he stays well and doesn’t have any bad luck, he ought to win in Paris.
    Will be fascinating to see Alaphillipe in yellow. He's a cavalier maverick. He lost yellow to a penalty last time. Can he, will he defend a lead??
    If he gets into yellow he’ll defend it like a tiger. Opponents will have to rip it off his back. My concern with him is that he lacks the self-discipline required of a Grand Tour champion. He wants to win too much.
    Yes. That was my point, which you put much more coherently.
    He just seems to enjoy the challenge too much. Sitting on the back of a domestique all day every day doesn't appear to be his style.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 19,805
    DecrepiterJohnL said:

    England has an easy draw. That is why we are now joint second-favourites on Betfair.

    If we beat Germany on Tuesday, we'll face Sweden or Ukraine in the quarter-finals. Then a semi-final against one of these four: Denmark; Wales; Holland; Czechia.

    Of course, they will be saying much the same in Berlin and Stockholm; Kiev and Cardiff.

    Obviously, as a Briton, I want an England v Wales Semi, with the victor going on to triumph in the final.

    On the evidence of the games I've seen so far, I think the Netherlands would be the most entertaining team to see reach the final, though Italy v France in the other Semi looks a bit like the true final to me.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 37,074
    edited June 2021
    An interesting question IMO is: what happens if Galloway does as well with Muslims in Batley & Spen as he did with Muslims in Bradford West in 2012? He won 56% on that occasion in a seat that's about 50% Muslim. Batley & Spen is about 20% Muslim. Also, it's possible he may do better with white working-class voters in Batley than he did in Bradford.
  • FlatlanderFlatlander Posts: 5,219
    edited June 2021
    StuartDickson said:

    Flatlander said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Best prices - Tour de France winner

    Tadej Pogačar (Slo) 17/10
    Primož Roglič (Slo) 5/2
    Geraint Thomas (Wal) 33/5
    Richard Carapaz (Ecu) 11/1
    Richie Porte (Aus) 27/1
    Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) 35/1
    Mark Padun (Ukr) 40/1
    Miguel Ángel López (Col) 50/1
    Rigoberto Urán (Col) 59/1
    Tao Geoghegan Hart (Sco) 79/1
    100 bar

    Flatlander's predictions:

    Porte will crash, Alaphilippe will crack in the mountains, even though there aren't many. Uran will follow and not gain any time, Geoghegan Hart will be under team orders. Carapaz might get a shot if Thomas isn't going well but the time trials might not suit.

    Thomas or Pogacar. Roglic second to whoever wins.
    Good analysis. I find the unwillingness of most South American stars to attack a bit depressing. Not sure about Alaphilippe cracking, he has looked tremendous in the early season. The Ineos team orders are, as you say, vitally important. Porte might not crash.

    Pogačar is an amazing talent. If he stays well and doesn’t have any bad luck, he ought to win in Paris.
    True, Alaphilippe might hang on - he almost did before - but that double Ventoux must be a worry. He'll also need another good day in the time trials, where he's not always been consistent. Roglic should be right up there on paper but just doesn't seem to quite have it at the crucial point, and the collapse last year might be a bit of a mental block. Hence second.

    The team is the big thing in favour of Thomas. Ineos always have a plan - probably praying for crosswinds in this case, given their support riders - and I can't see them turning up without the intention of winning.

    All things being equal, though, yes, Pogacar must be the favourite. So much can go wrong though, so 17/10 seems rather ungenerous. 33/5 for Thomas seems better value.


    It will be good to see Mark Cavendish racing again, though surely he won't quite be up to his old standards, despite the wins in lower tier events. I do wonder whether Sam Bennett's "injury" was politic rather than real.
  • FlatlanderFlatlander Posts: 5,219
    dixiedean said:

    StuartDickson said:

    dixiedean said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Flatlander said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Best prices - Tour de France winner

    Tadej Pogačar (Slo) 17/10
    Primož Roglič (Slo) 5/2
    Geraint Thomas (Wal) 33/5
    Richard Carapaz (Ecu) 11/1
    Richie Porte (Aus) 27/1
    Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) 35/1
    Mark Padun (Ukr) 40/1
    Miguel Ángel López (Col) 50/1
    Rigoberto Urán (Col) 59/1
    Tao Geoghegan Hart (Sco) 79/1
    100 bar

    Flatlander's predictions:

    Porte will crash, Alaphilippe will crack in the mountains, even though there aren't many. Uran will follow and not gain any time, Geoghegan Hart will be under team orders. Carapaz might get a shot if Thomas isn't going well but the time trials might not suit.

    Thomas or Pogacar. Roglic second to whoever wins.
    Good analysis. I find the unwillingness of most South American stars to attack a bit depressing. Not sure about Alaphilippe cracking, he has looked tremendous in the early season. The Ineos team orders are, as you say, vitally important. Porte might not crash.

    Pogačar is an amazing talent. If he stays well and doesn’t have any bad luck, he ought to win in Paris.
    Will be fascinating to see Alaphillipe in yellow. He's a cavalier maverick. He lost yellow to a penalty last time. Can he, will he defend a lead??
    If he gets into yellow he’ll defend it like a tiger. Opponents will have to rip it off his back. My concern with him is that he lacks the self-discipline required of a Grand Tour champion. He wants to win too much.
    Yes. That was my point, which you put much more coherently.
    He just seems to enjoy the challenge too much. Sitting on the back of a domestique all day every day doesn't appear to be his style.
    Whatever happens, he'll provide plenty of entertainment. Which is what it is all about, ultimately...
  • LeonLeon Posts: 64,443
    Cyclefree said:

    Leon said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    It holds up. The man is a despicable sectarian, telling blatant lies about opponents to stir up hatred.
    Like what?

    "Despicable sectarian" is pretty strong language. But I am willing to be persuaded by evidence
    Suggest you look at the details of how he campaigned against Oonagh King in Bethnal Green. Despicably sectarian, anti-Semitic and misogynist accurately describes it.
    Or you could cite evidence, rather than bald assertions? I’m not doubting you, but so far I’ve not seen much factual corroboration, just opinion
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 56,314
    Talking about gun control, a very rambling Biden says that if you want to take on the US government you need "F-15s and maybe some nuclear weapons".

    https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/1407808797029113857
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,943
    edited June 2021
    GIN1138 said:

    williamglenn said:

    @AndyBurnhamGM
    And there was me thinking they were confidential …

    @DSanderson_85
    NEW: talks between @AndyBurnhamGM and @NicolaSturgeon about the SNP's controversial travel ban today did not go well...

    A source close to the FM claims Burnham gave an "incoherent and absurd" explanation of why advice on @greatermcr website urges residents to 'minimise travel'

    https://twitter.com/AndyBurnhamGM/status/1407822922664845312
    https://twitter.com/DSanderson_85/status/1407809750729961479

    It's the Queen Of Scots VS King Of The North
    This duel will decide the fate of Great Britain, IMO.

    Boris will "kick the can" until Labour is elected to govern under PM Burnham around 2028/2029.... Which will be followed by one last Scottish referendum around 2030.

    The King of the North Vs the Queen of Scots! 2030! Will decide the Britain's fate between 2030 to 2100!
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,670
    Andy_JS said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Pulpstar said:

    FrankBooth said:

    How big an issue is Palestine really in Batley and Spen? Obviously it matters to some people but it needs quantifying.

    Galloway knows what makes the muslim vote tick.
    Is George Galloway a Muslim himself?

    Looks it up. Why he is so funny about not just saying if has converted or not? Its like Jezza and his unwillingness to just say if he has been vaccinated.
    IIRC he was married to a Palestinian woman at one time. Not sure whether that's still the case.
    He's married to an Indonesian woman. Putri Gayatri Pertiwi, since 2012.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 37,074
    edited June 2021
    rcs1000 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    FPT

    "Could Labour come third in Batley & Spen? Tories say George Galloway is 'destroying' Keir Starmer's hopes in crucial by-election and hard-Left ex-MP is now the main 'threat' to effort to seize another piece of Red Wall

    Labour struggling to hold on in Batley & Spen by-election happening on July 1
    Tories believe George Galloway 'hoovering up' votes from Muslim community"

    "The senior Tory source involved in the Batley & Spen campaign said: 'We are worried about Galloway. The question mark is all about turnout. We have got to get our vote out, and we should win it. I think Galloway will hoover up the Muslim vote - almost all of it. 'He should get around 12,000 votes - although it depends on turnout. If we get 14,000 we should be alright. Labour look like getting 6,000. 'Galloway is the threat. Labour is f*****.'"

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9712893/Could-Labour-come-Batley-Spen.html

    That is an attempt by the Conservatives to split the Lefty vote.
    It could backfire on the Tories if they actually lose the seat to Galloway, which I don't think is impossible if the votes between the three main candidates are split very evenly. A much higher turnout in the Muslim areas compared to the white working-class areas is also possible.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 61,123
    Cyclefree said:

    Leon said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    It holds up. The man is a despicable sectarian, telling blatant lies about opponents to stir up hatred.
    Like what?

    "Despicable sectarian" is pretty strong language. But I am willing to be persuaded by evidence
    Suggest you look at the details of how he campaigned against Oonagh King in Bethnal Green. Despicably sectarian, anti-Semitic and misogynist accurately describes it.
    Oonagh is now on LA with me, working at Snapchat,
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 37,074
    Sunil_Prasannan said:

    Andy_JS said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Pulpstar said:

    FrankBooth said:

    How big an issue is Palestine really in Batley and Spen? Obviously it matters to some people but it needs quantifying.

    Galloway knows what makes the muslim vote tick.
    Is George Galloway a Muslim himself?

    Looks it up. Why he is so funny about not just saying if has converted or not? Its like Jezza and his unwillingness to just say if he has been vaccinated.
    IIRC he was married to a Palestinian woman at one time. Not sure whether that's still the case.
    He's married to an Indonesian woman. Putri Gayatri Pertiwi, since 2012.
    I must be thinking of Dr Amineh Abu-Zayyad.
  • MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382
    Leon said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Leon said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    It holds up. The man is a despicable sectarian, telling blatant lies about opponents to stir up hatred.
    Like what?

    "Despicable sectarian" is pretty strong language. But I am willing to be persuaded by evidence
    Suggest you look at the details of how he campaigned against Oonagh King in Bethnal Green. Despicably sectarian, anti-Semitic and misogynist accurately describes it.
    Or you could cite evidence, rather than bald assertions? I’m not doubting you, but so far I’ve not seen much factual corroboration, just opinion
    There is a website called Google - check it yourself
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    MikeSmithson said:

    Leon said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Leon said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    It holds up. The man is a despicable sectarian, telling blatant lies about opponents to stir up hatred.
    Like what?

    "Despicable sectarian" is pretty strong language. But I am willing to be persuaded by evidence
    Suggest you look at the details of how he campaigned against Oonagh King in Bethnal Green. Despicably sectarian, anti-Semitic and misogynist accurately describes it.
    Or you could cite evidence, rather than bald assertions? I’m not doubting you, but so far I’ve not seen much factual corroboration, just opinion
    There is a website called Google - check it yourself
    Exactly what I was thinking.

    If the overwhelming body of opinion is that Erich Mielke was a shit of the highest order, you look like a bit of a twat saying “Ah, but good ole Erich is an enemy of my enemy, so he must be a wonderful chap; and anyway you are all just slandering him”. Any intelligent chap would Google Erich Mielke and see what all the fuss is about.

    I’m not saying George is Erich, but I have personal experience of the Scottish turd, and I think, given the right extraordinary circumstances, George’s life could have formed a similar path to Erich’s.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,422
    So this row is no closer to being resolved and neither side looks like backing down.

    Burnham's office is currently gathering evidence on constituents affected and has not ruled out legal action in bid to win compensation for them.

    To be continued...

    https://twitter.com/DSanderson_85/status/1407812787288543232?s=20

    Foolish of Burnham not to expect Sturgeon to leak “ confidential” conversation - ask UKGOV or Kezia Dugdale…
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,422
    Delta has Australia spooked:

    https://amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jun/24/nsw-covid-update-state-faces-scariest-period-as-sydney-records-11-new-covid-cases
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,180
    If labour lose B & S the blame will lie with the party's reliance on factionalism and the continued toxic legacy of the Corbyn era. I wionder if they are aware of what a potentially lethal moment for the party's future could lie ahead next Thursday.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 80,453
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Pulpstar said:

    FrankBooth said:

    How big an issue is Palestine really in Batley and Spen? Obviously it matters to some people but it needs quantifying.

    Galloway knows what makes the muslim vote tick.
    Is George Galloway a Muslim himself?

    Looks it up. Why he is so funny about not just saying if has converted or not? Its like Jezza and his unwillingness to just say if he has been vaccinated.
    It's an example of Schrödinger's catsuit,
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 66,454
    This must be a first

    Karim Benzema scored for France in 46 mins and 44 seconds, then scored again in 46 mins 44 seconds.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 74,990
    Leon said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Leon said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    It holds up. The man is a despicable sectarian, telling blatant lies about opponents to stir up hatred.
    Like what?

    "Despicable sectarian" is pretty strong language. But I am willing to be persuaded by evidence
    Suggest you look at the details of how he campaigned against Oonagh King in Bethnal Green. Despicably sectarian, anti-Semitic and misogynist accurately describes it.
    Or you could cite evidence, rather than bald assertions? I’m not doubting you, but so far I’ve not seen much factual corroboration, just opinion
    Oona King’s diaries make quite extraordinary reading:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/node/195299

    Admittedly, she was hardly squeaky clean herself having made many allegations about Galloway, one of which he won libel damages for.

    Must have been the dirtiest political campaign in London since Westminster in 1784.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 61,123
    ydoethur said:

    Leon said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Leon said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    It holds up. The man is a despicable sectarian, telling blatant lies about opponents to stir up hatred.
    Like what?

    "Despicable sectarian" is pretty strong language. But I am willing to be persuaded by evidence
    Suggest you look at the details of how he campaigned against Oonagh King in Bethnal Green. Despicably sectarian, anti-Semitic and misogynist accurately describes it.
    Or you could cite evidence, rather than bald assertions? I’m not doubting you, but so far I’ve not seen much factual corroboration, just opinion
    Oona King’s diaries make quite extraordinary reading:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/node/195299

    Admittedly, she was hardly squeaky clean herself having made many allegations about Galloway, one of which he won libel damages for.

    Must have been the dirtiest political campaign in London since Westminster in 1784.
    Hang on: didn't Galloway and her settle out of court?
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905
    Andy_JS said:

    An interesting question IMO is: what happens if Galloway does as well with Muslims in Batley & Spen as he did with Muslims in Bradford West in 2012? He won 56% on that occasion in a seat that's about 50% Muslim. Batley & Spen is about 20% Muslim. Also, it's possible he may do better with white working-class voters in Batley than he did in Bradford.

    Could come second. You'd have thought that an outright victory would require a total Labour implosion, which doesn't seem likely.

    Galloway ought to split the left vote and let the Tories through the middle: the latter will presumably be very disappointed if their vote share doesn't increase relative to the GE. There's no particular reason to imagine that significant defections would take place amongst their existing support, you'd expect some direct Lab to Con swing (albeit not on the same scale as Hartlepool,) and they ought to bag at least some of the 15% or so that went to BXP and the Heavy Woollens last time.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 74,990
    edited June 2021
    rcs1000 said:

    ydoethur said:

    Leon said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Leon said:

    StuartDickson said:

    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    It holds up. The man is a despicable sectarian, telling blatant lies about opponents to stir up hatred.
    Like what?

    "Despicable sectarian" is pretty strong language. But I am willing to be persuaded by evidence
    Suggest you look at the details of how he campaigned against Oonagh King in Bethnal Green. Despicably sectarian, anti-Semitic and misogynist accurately describes it.
    Or you could cite evidence, rather than bald assertions? I’m not doubting you, but so far I’ve not seen much factual corroboration, just opinion
    Oona King’s diaries make quite extraordinary reading:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/node/195299

    Admittedly, she was hardly squeaky clean herself having made many allegations about Galloway, one of which he won libel damages for.

    Must have been the dirtiest political campaign in London since Westminster in 1784.
    Hang on: didn't Galloway and her settle out of court?
    You’re right, yes. With the classic non-apology apology.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/mar/15/election2005.labour

    Was confusing it with the Telegraph case of about the same time, which he did win.

    The judge in that case was the highly controversial David Eady, but the Telegraph’s attempted defence was beyond bizarre.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,647
    Floater said:

    Benpointer said:

    MikeSmithson said:

    1st

    Amazing! - how did you manage that?
    Typical Lib Dem - winning here :smiley:
    You should demand better.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,647
    More than 2 million adults in England have experienced coronavirus symptoms lasting over 12 weeks, such as respiratory problems and fatigue, government data suggests. It is double the previous estimate for long Covid. The research by the React-2 study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, found that 37.7% of those who had symptomatic Covid experienced at least one symptom lasting 12 weeks or more, while 14.8% had three or more persistent symptoms. “The scale of the problem is quite alarming,” said Prof Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University. Dave Smith, 72, from Bristol, has told the Guardian of his experience including 42 positive tests and seven hospital admissions during a persistent infection over the course of 10 months.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,647
    The software entrepreneur John McAfee, 75, has been found dead in his jail cell in Spain from an apparent suicide by hanging, hours after the country’s highest court approved his extradition to the United States on tax-related criminal charges. McAfee, the creator of the McAfee antivirus suite, was arrested last October at Barcelona’s international airport as he was about to board a flight to Istanbul. The creator of one of the most-used virus protection brands worldwide was a controversial figure, cryptocurrency promoter, tax opponent and fugitive who twice made long-shot runs for the US presidency.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 35,532
    edited June 2021
    Good morning fellow pb-ers.

    Thanks Dr F for the HurstLama reference yesterday. I'm not on Twitter; can't, TBH, be bothered.

    Cracking finish to the World Test Championship yesterday. And a good result against Sri Lanka.

    What on earth was our Navy doing off the coast of Crimea yesterday? That war finished 165 years ago. And, looking at the BBC last night and the headline in the Mail, how many journalists were on the ship, and why?

  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    kle4 said:

    As a dedicated hat wearer I would like to be clear we are not all like Galloway. He does not speak for us.

    A hat wearer? That’s completely changed my mental image of you..,
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    Iirc he skimmed the charitable donations he solicited for Palestine

    Edit: potentially worse than I remembered

    https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/no-evidence-of-charitable-activity-at-aid-convoy-charity-set-up-by-george-galloway.html

    https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/george-galloway-charity-paid-wife-84000-newspaper-claims/finance/article/1435881

    And there’s this

    www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/galloway-faces-new-police-enquiry-into-saddam-cash-6598724.html%3famp
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    MarqueeMark said:

    kle4 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Could Labour come third in Batley & Spen? Tories say George Galloway is 'destroying' Keir Starmer's hopes in crucial by-election and hard-Left ex-MP is now the main 'threat' to effort to seize another piece of Red Wall

    Labour struggling to hold on in Batley & Spen by-election happening on July 1
    Tories believe George Galloway 'hoovering up' votes from Muslim community"

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9712893/Could-Labour-come-Batley-Spen.html

    I know it is not meant this way, but I feel like someone on twitter could get a good faux outrage on by pretending to be offended as people 'hoover up' material they want to discard as rubbish.
    Benpointer said:

    kle4 said:

    As a dedicated hat wearer I would like to be clear we are not all like Galloway. He does not speak for us.

    I hope you don't beret grudge.
    I mitre have done so in the past.
    That's some top hat punning...
    Bowlered you over?
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 35,532
    Charles said:

    MarqueeMark said:

    kle4 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Could Labour come third in Batley & Spen? Tories say George Galloway is 'destroying' Keir Starmer's hopes in crucial by-election and hard-Left ex-MP is now the main 'threat' to effort to seize another piece of Red Wall

    Labour struggling to hold on in Batley & Spen by-election happening on July 1
    Tories believe George Galloway 'hoovering up' votes from Muslim community"

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9712893/Could-Labour-come-Batley-Spen.html

    I know it is not meant this way, but I feel like someone on twitter could get a good faux outrage on by pretending to be offended as people 'hoover up' material they want to discard as rubbish.
    Benpointer said:

    kle4 said:

    As a dedicated hat wearer I would like to be clear we are not all like Galloway. He does not speak for us.

    I hope you don't beret grudge.
    I mitre have done so in the past.
    That's some top hat punning...
    Bowlered you over?
    Has that put the cap on it?
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    RobD said:

    FrankBooth said:

    If Boris can't stand up to a bunch of UEFA bureaucrats what chance has he when it comes to Vladimir Putin?

    The exemptions for members of international organizations have existed since the travel restrictions were first introduced.
    And sponsors?
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,180
    OldKingCole said:

    Charles said:

    MarqueeMark said:

    kle4 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Could Labour come third in Batley & Spen? Tories say George Galloway is 'destroying' Keir Starmer's hopes in crucial by-election and hard-Left ex-MP is now the main 'threat' to effort to seize another piece of Red Wall

    Labour struggling to hold on in Batley & Spen by-election happening on July 1
    Tories believe George Galloway 'hoovering up' votes from Muslim community"

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9712893/Could-Labour-come-Batley-Spen.html

    I know it is not meant this way, but I feel like someone on twitter could get a good faux outrage on by pretending to be offended as people 'hoover up' material they want to discard as rubbish.
    Benpointer said:

    kle4 said:

    As a dedicated hat wearer I would like to be clear we are not all like Galloway. He does not speak for us.

    I hope you don't beret grudge.
    I mitre have done so in the past.
    That's some top hat punning...
    Bowlered you over?
    Has that put the cap on it?
    Gorra (Spanish) be peak punning methinks.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 35,532
    felix said:

    OldKingCole said:

    Charles said:

    MarqueeMark said:

    kle4 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Could Labour come third in Batley & Spen? Tories say George Galloway is 'destroying' Keir Starmer's hopes in crucial by-election and hard-Left ex-MP is now the main 'threat' to effort to seize another piece of Red Wall

    Labour struggling to hold on in Batley & Spen by-election happening on July 1
    Tories believe George Galloway 'hoovering up' votes from Muslim community"

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9712893/Could-Labour-come-Batley-Spen.html

    I know it is not meant this way, but I feel like someone on twitter could get a good faux outrage on by pretending to be offended as people 'hoover up' material they want to discard as rubbish.
    Benpointer said:

    kle4 said:

    As a dedicated hat wearer I would like to be clear we are not all like Galloway. He does not speak for us.

    I hope you don't beret grudge.
    I mitre have done so in the past.
    That's some top hat punning...
    Bowlered you over?
    Has that put the cap on it?
    Gorra (Spanish) be peak punning methinks.
    Blinders?
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 19,509
    felix said:

    OldKingCole said:

    Charles said:

    MarqueeMark said:

    kle4 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Could Labour come third in Batley & Spen? Tories say George Galloway is 'destroying' Keir Starmer's hopes in crucial by-election and hard-Left ex-MP is now the main 'threat' to effort to seize another piece of Red Wall

    Labour struggling to hold on in Batley & Spen by-election happening on July 1
    Tories believe George Galloway 'hoovering up' votes from Muslim community"

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9712893/Could-Labour-come-Batley-Spen.html

    I know it is not meant this way, but I feel like someone on twitter could get a good faux outrage on by pretending to be offended as people 'hoover up' material they want to discard as rubbish.
    Benpointer said:

    kle4 said:

    As a dedicated hat wearer I would like to be clear we are not all like Galloway. He does not speak for us.

    I hope you don't beret grudge.
    I mitre have done so in the past.
    That's some top hat punning...
    Bowlered you over?
    Has that put the cap on it?
    Gorra (Spanish) be peak punning methinks.
    Chapeau, Sir. Chapeau.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 44,233
    Great hat puns but frankly too many cokes.
  • moonshinemoonshine Posts: 6,031
    Charles said:

    Leon said:

    Also, what evidence do we have for believing Galloway is "pond life"?

    I have not heard him make outright racist/anti-Semitic statements. He is pro-Palestinian, that is fair enough. He is a friend of Islam. That is obviously defensible. He has been sacked for questioning the rape charges against Assange, who hasn't wondered about them?

    He's eccentric and narcissistic, with a colourful, quirky private life. So what. He's also a fine orator and a British unionist. Good! He publicly chastised the Americans over Iraq. Excellent work

    Why is he regarded as a pariah? This is such an accepted opinion I never questioned it until now, but on scrutiny I am not sure it holds up


    Iirc he skimmed the charitable donations he solicited for Palestine

    Edit: potentially worse than I remembered

    https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/no-evidence-of-charitable-activity-at-aid-convoy-charity-set-up-by-george-galloway.html

    https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/george-galloway-charity-paid-wife-84000-newspaper-claims/finance/article/1435881

    And there’s this

    www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/galloway-faces-new-police-enquiry-into-saddam-cash-6598724.html%3famp
    And he once drank milk like a cat on telly
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 32,421
    DecrepiterJohnL said:

    England has an easy draw. That is why we are now joint second-favourites on Betfair.

    If we beat Germany on Tuesday, we'll face Sweden or Ukraine in the quarter-finals. Then a semi-final against one of these four: Denmark; Wales; Holland; Czechia.

    Of course, they will be saying much the same in Berlin and Stockholm; Kiev and Cardiff.

    England now clear second favourites, reflecting the easier draw, though Tuesday's opponents, Germany, have also been backed.

    1 France 5.5 18.2%
    2 England 7.8 12.8%
    3 Germany 8 12.5%
    4 Italy 8.4 11.9%
    5 Spain 9.2 10.9%
    6 Netherlands 10.5 9.5%
    7 Belgium 11.5 8.7%
    8 Portugal 14.5 6.9%
    9 Denmark 22 4.5%
    10 Sweden 65 1.5%
    11 Croatia 75 1.3%
    100 bar.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,647
    edited June 2021
    Some fear that this punning will ruin this site, but I think trilby fine.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 44,795
    OldKingCole said:

    Good morning fellow pb-ers.

    Thanks Dr F for the HurstLama reference yesterday. I'm not on Twitter; can't, TBH, be bothered.

    Cracking finish to the World Test Championship yesterday. And a good result against Sri Lanka.

    What on earth was our Navy doing off the coast of Crimea yesterday? That war finished 165 years ago. And, looking at the BBC last night and the headline in the Mail, how many journalists were on the ship, and why?

    SOP to have a representative from the state broadcaster and a hack from a right wing, bellicose tabloid on a warship engaged on some performative confrontation.

    Only it’s usually a ship of the Военно-морской флот.
This discussion has been closed.

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