I am in California at the moment, and was talking to a well-connected friend in Sacramento about the likelihood of a recall of the Governor, Newsom. I have to say this wasn't on my radar at all, but it certainly sounds like there could be a fascinating race to succeed him. Apparently there are likely to be dozens of candidates, so the next Governor may well win with 15% of the vote. California is a heavily Democratic state, but even the Republicans there might be able to manage that, if they can unite around one charismatic figure a la Arnie.
Just for clarity, California is around 60/40 Democrat/GOP. Democratic dominance is partly down to disorganisation on the part of the Republicans and the Democrats changing the electoral rules to entrench partisan advantage
It's even a little more than that - registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by 46% to 24% - almost 2:1. It's actually even worse for the Republicans than that because independents lean Democrat, and because ideological divides are stark, meaning the number of votes up for grabs is relatively small.
I am in California at the moment, and was talking to a well-connected friend in Sacramento about the likelihood of a recall of the Governor, Newsom. I have to say this wasn't on my radar at all, but it certainly sounds like there could be a fascinating race to succeed him. Apparently there are likely to be dozens of candidates, so the next Governor may well win with 15% of the vote. California is a heavily Democratic state, but even the Republicans there might be able to manage that, if they can unite around one charismatic figure a la Arnie.
Just for clarity, California is around 60/40 Democrat/GOP. Democratic dominance is partly down to disorganisation on the part of the Republicans and the Democrats changing the electoral rules to entrench partisan advantage
It's even a little more than that - registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by 46% to 24% - almost 2:1. It's actually even worse for the Republicans than that because independents lean Democrat, and because ideological divides are stark, meaning the number of votes up for grabs is relatively small.
Seven golds. It is a definite possibility. He is (almost) bound to be nominated but on the night, he might lose much of the cycling bloc vote to the young BMX bikers and Matt Walls who we've almost forgotten about from the first week. Still, 5s (4/1) is a good position.
Seven golds. It is a definite possibility. He is (almost) bound to be nominated but on the night, he might lose much of the cycling bloc vote to the young BMX bikers and Matt Walls who we've almost forgotten about from the first week. Still, 5s (4/1) is a good position.
Lol. Actually I was thinking of Tom Pidcock! I guess that proves my point.
So Olympic golds in cycling for Tom Pidcock, Matt Walls, Charlotte Worthington, Beth Shriever, both Kennys and the others from the team golds! Add Mark Cavendish from the TdF and the cycling vote could be hopelessly split depending who is nominated.
It's the story of so many British Governments - the breakdown in relations between Numbers 10 and 11.
There are two types of Chancellor - the ambitious and the technocratic. The former has men like Osborne, Brown, Heath, Callaghan, Jenkins, Healey and Sunak among others, men who expect to be if not the next Prime Minister of leader of their party then to be a very strong contender for that post.
On the other, you have the "money men" such as Barber, Lawson, Darling and to an extent Lamont. They have reached the top of the political tree and want to be left to do their job competently and with the minimum interference from next door.
Yet, it makes no difference - the relationship breaks down as trust or confidence is lost.
In this respect, the decline of the Johnson-Sunak relationship is of no great surprise.
The second part of it is this - Johnson is safe as Conservative leader until both the following conditions are met - a) he looks like a loser and b) someone else looks like a winner.
No party removes a leader until or unless there is a better alternative in terms of electability (or ensuring backbenches in marginal seats keep their jobs).
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https://www.ppic.org/publication/california-voter-and-party-profiles/
Both won one gold + one silver.
Jason now most successful GB Olympian ever and Laura now most successful GB female Olympian ever.
Obvious problem will be split vote.
So Olympic golds in cycling for Tom Pidcock, Matt Walls, Charlotte Worthington, Beth Shriever, both Kennys and the others from the team golds! Add Mark Cavendish from the TdF and the cycling vote could be hopelessly split depending who is nominated.
To be sure, you will have to have at least one gold, combined with other medals at this or previous games.
I count six just about certain Olympic nominees:
J Kenny
L Kenny
Daley
Whitlock
Peaty
Scott