Is a new law really necessary? – politicalbetting.com

BigRich said:

stodge said:

Saw the Labour candidates (two newbies) plus presumably their Agent having a walk round the Ward this morning. Not canvassing or leafletting - just taking in the ambience of an East Ham morning.

I suspect canvassing/leafletting will be underway very soon. Looking forward to the SOPN next week.

what is SOPN?

Sorry, the runners and riders to use horse racing parlance. On Wednesday (in Newham and the rest of England), each council will release the list of those who have jumped through the hoop of submitting valid nomination papers (not as easy as you'd think) and will be candidates on May 5th.

In Newham, there are 66 seats plus the Mayoral election. I suspect both Labour and the Conservatives will have full slates of candidates but the LDs, Greens and others will be picking their battles. Newham Socialist Labour may or may not contest the local elections but will put up a Mayoral candidate (as will LDs, Greens, TUSC and maybe a couple of Independents).

Omnium said:

Malmesbury said:

Omnium said:

Andy_JS said:

Does anyone take any notice of this class stuff? I call them napkins about half the time, and serviettes about half the time.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10677879/The-signs-betray-true-class-DETLEV-PILTZ-explains-sound-doorbell-reveals.html

'Serviette' is just a horrible word anyway. Admittedly napkin isn't much better. 'Paper napkin' is what I'd use, the word 'napkin' being used for the heavy cloth affair.

Is it just me, or is the case that really posh people don't care about this stuff very much. At least all the one I know don't.

The whole having a book on which spoon to use with which dish thing strikes me as very invented. Sort of like American attempts to be aristocratic - wildly over the top.

It made some sense when a substantial table was set for many courses in that you didn't want the waiting staff to be trying to find extra cutlery throughout the meal. Any formal dinner for a good number of people verges on chaos anyway.

Well, I thought it was bloody simply - set the cutlery so you work inwards. Or is that too prole like?

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

stodge said:

HYUFD said:

Nigelb said:

I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.

According to them, people are vastly underestimating the chance of Marine Le Pen winning.
https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk/status/1510203333620998148

That is of course exactly what Le Pen wants.

Her best chance of winning once she gets to the runoff is for everyone to expect an easy Macron victory, as the establishment consensus was for a big Remain win and Clinton win in 2016.

Then she is more likely to pick up protest voters while fewer liberals turn out

If she is more than 5 points behind Macron after round one, she won't win in Round two. If she is closer, it will panic those diametrically opposed to her winning into turning out for Macron. That's her dilemma.

Remain was often more than 5 points ahead of Leave, as Clinton was often more than 5 points ahead of Trump.

She will pick up the vast majority of Zemmour voters, more Pecresse voters than the percentage of Fillon voters who voted for her in 2017. The left are also not enthusiastic about Macron seeing him as the President of the rich and big business and some of them who voted for him in the 2017 runoff will stay home this time.

Nigelb said:

I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.

According to them, people are vastly underestimating the chance of Marine Le Pen winning.
https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk/status/1510203333620998148

Just understandably not taking things for granted.

MoonRabbit said:

kinabalu said:

Nigelb said:

I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.

According to them, people are vastly underestimating the chance of Marine Le Pen winning.
https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk/status/1510203333620998148

I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.

Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.

not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

MattW said:

kle4 said:

williamglenn said:

Carnyx said:

CarlottaVance said:

Guardian rightly call Kyiv, Kyiv not Kiev saying "it's only fair that we outsiders get our language right."

They say people, not occupiers must set rules.

Yet today they deliberately use "Malvinas" not Falklands on anniversary of a war that killed 255 Brits settling that issue.

https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1510229226406006787?s=20&t=YeGiurfncGLG-F8sqC2DVw

The article is by an Argentinian and the use of language makes an important point to remind us what they think, even if we don't agree. The Graun uses Falklands just an inch away ...

His argument that allowing Argentina's defeat in a war of aggression to settle the matter "would set a dangerous precedent" sounds like something Sergey Lavrov would say.

Yes indeed, Foreign Ministers really do talk a load of old bollocks for a living, even by the standards of government ministers.

It's very funny.

Whilst the Argentine Foreign Minister is blathering on about "40 years of vibrant democracy" in the Grauniad (nothing about former President Cristina Kirchner who is currently avoiding a trial for High Treason by being Vice President, I think - very complex), whilst the Deputy Foreign Minister is comparing the UK/Falklands to Russia/Ukraine in the Telegraph.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/01/argentina-compares-british-occupation-russian-invasion-ukraine/

Made funnier by their previous closeness to Putin.

Meanwhile the idiots who 'run' the Guardian first printed their article with "Falklands" in places, and have done a reverse ferret to "Malvinas" within hours.

https://web.archive.org/web/20220402050616/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/02/falklands-war-britain-sovereignty-uk-un-resolutions

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/02/falklands-war-britain-sovereignty-uk-un-resolutions

The author, who is Argentina's Foreign Minister used Malvinas, as one would expect. Somewhat discourteous to 'edit' his piece, surely.

Given it was an article for a British paper regarding a British overseas territory what the Argentine foreign minister wanted to call it should have been ignored

Very, very gently may I remind you that there's a dispute over the territory. It's not clear-cut; Mrs Thatcher' s Government, for example, was discussing the 'best way forward' with the Argentines.
Until the gun was jumped here, which spurred the Argentine Government into foolish and very ill-advised action.

There is no dispute over the territory from our side now.

It is British territory and with a population who wish to remain British and the British government is clear on that. End of conversation.

We do not need wet leftie appeasers giving encouragement to the Argentine government!

Temper, temper. No need to be nasty.

There is nothing nasty about defending British territory and dismissing those who would hand it over to Argentina

Where/when did I say I wanted the islands handed over to the Argentines?

Where/when did I specifically mention you?

Your post at 4.46 seemed, at least, to be directed at me.

stodge said:

BigRich said:

stodge said:

Saw the Labour candidates (two newbies) plus presumably their Agent having a walk round the Ward this morning. Not canvassing or leafletting - just taking in the ambience of an East Ham morning.

I suspect canvassing/leafletting will be underway very soon. Looking forward to the SOPN next week.

what is SOPN?

Sorry, the runners and riders to use horse racing parlance. On Wednesday (in Newham and the rest of England), each council will release the list of those who have jumped through the hoop of submitting valid nomination papers (not as easy as you'd think) and will be candidates on May 5th.

In Newham, there are 66 seats plus the Mayoral election. I suspect both Labour and the Conservatives will have full slates of candidates but the LDs, Greens and others will be picking their battles. Newham Socialist Labour may or may not contest the local elections but will put up a Mayoral candidate (as will LDs, Greens, TUSC and maybe a couple of Independents).

Thanks, that makes since, I've seen some posters on here, mention how many of each party's are standing in Scotland, I assume the deadline is Scotland is a week earlier? do we have the aggregate numbers for Scotland yet?

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.

Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan

ydoethur said:

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

MattW said:

kle4 said:

williamglenn said:

Carnyx said:

CarlottaVance said:

Guardian rightly call Kyiv, Kyiv not Kiev saying "it's only fair that we outsiders get our language right."

They say people, not occupiers must set rules.

Yet today they deliberately use "Malvinas" not Falklands on anniversary of a war that killed 255 Brits settling that issue.

https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1510229226406006787?s=20&t=YeGiurfncGLG-F8sqC2DVw

The article is by an Argentinian and the use of language makes an important point to remind us what they think, even if we don't agree. The Graun uses Falklands just an inch away ...

His argument that allowing Argentina's defeat in a war of aggression to settle the matter "would set a dangerous precedent" sounds like something Sergey Lavrov would say.

Yes indeed, Foreign Ministers really do talk a load of old bollocks for a living, even by the standards of government ministers.

It's very funny.

Whilst the Argentine Foreign Minister is blathering on about "40 years of vibrant democracy" in the Grauniad (nothing about former President Cristina Kirchner who is currently avoiding a trial for High Treason by being Vice President, I think - very complex), whilst the Deputy Foreign Minister is comparing the UK/Falklands to Russia/Ukraine in the Telegraph.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/01/argentina-compares-british-occupation-russian-invasion-ukraine/

Made funnier by their previous closeness to Putin.

Meanwhile the idiots who 'run' the Guardian first printed their article with "Falklands" in places, and have done a reverse ferret to "Malvinas" within hours.

https://web.archive.org/web/20220402050616/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/02/falklands-war-britain-sovereignty-uk-un-resolutions

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/02/falklands-war-britain-sovereignty-uk-un-resolutions

The author, who is Argentina's Foreign Minister used Malvinas, as one would expect. Somewhat discourteous to 'edit' his piece, surely.

Given it was an article for a British paper regarding a British overseas territory what the Argentine foreign minister wanted to call it should have been ignored

Very, very gently may I remind you that there's a dispute over the territory. It's not clear-cut; Mrs Thatcher' s Government, for example, was discussing the 'best way forward' with the Argentines.
Until the gun was jumped here, which spurred the Argentine Government into foolish and very ill-advised action.

There is no dispute over the territory from our side now.

It is British territory and with a population who wish to remain British and the British government is clear on that. End of conversation.

We do not need wet leftie appeasers giving encouragement to the Argentine government!

Temper, temper. No need to be nasty.

There is nothing nasty about defending British territory and dismissing those who would hand it over to Argentina

Where/when did I say I wanted the islands handed over to the Argentines?

You didn't say we should nuke Argentina if they attacked. That's close enough.

At the time one MP was heard to remark “We should nuke Rio! That’d show ‘em”

“Indeed. But won’t it upset the Brazilians?”

dixiedean said:

OnlyLivingBoy said:

dixiedean said:

Are the middle classes more socially liberal than the working classes? It is often asserted, but I don't see much evidence. Many wealthy rural villages are stultifyingly conformist. Many poorer areas are very tolerant of other folk's peccadilloes.

According to opinion polling, yes, although like you my own anecdotal experience is rather mixed. My impression is that middle class people tend to talk up their social liberalism while working class people do the opposite.

Indeed. I feel the middle classes can often intellectualise their liberalism in general terms. But are less happy if hippies or asylum seekers actually live next door.
As you say. The working classes don't like it in theory, but can be far more kind in practice.

Also, people's prejudices can be very weird and ramdomly focused. I've told the story before about the woman I called on in a middle-class neighbourhood as part of my usual hi-I'm-your-MP-how-are-things round.

"I'm furious."
"I'm sorry to hear that. What's the problem?"
"You know about my neighbour? The policeman who was imprisoned for having child porn? He's been let out this week."
I remembered the case - he had 20,000 photos. "I understand your feeling. But I suppose he's paid his debt to society so we should give him a chance?"
"That's not it! He's a lovely man, we always liked him as a neighbour. But in prison he let his house to TWO POLISH WOMEN. I didn't come here to live next to people from POLAND! And now he says he can't evict thewm as they've been there too long."
"Have they caused you any trouble?"
"No, that's not the point!" (went in and slammed the door)

I called on them next. Two cleaning ladies, pleasant. I asked cautiously if they were finding people friendly. "Oh, yes, the British are very kind."

Should I have done something? I just left them my details in case they ever had any problems, and never heard further. But although it was the most extreme case, it wasn't unique - I met people who liked West Indians and disliked Pakistanis, people who liked Pakistanis but disliked gays, and so on.

williamglenn said:

BigRich said:

MoonRabbit said:

kinabalu said:

Nigelb said:

I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.

According to them, people are vastly underestimating the chance of Marine Le Pen winning.
https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk/status/1510203333620998148

I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.

Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.

not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?

Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.

as is not more sympathetic to Putin/Russian?

MoonRabbit said:

kinabalu said:

Nigelb said:

I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.

According to them, people are vastly underestimating the chance of Marine Le Pen winning.
https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk/status/1510203333620998148

I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.

Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.

Le Pen is now closer to Macron than Melenchon is to Le Pen in both first round polls today

CarlottaVance said:

ydoethur said:

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

MattW said:

kle4 said:

williamglenn said:

Carnyx said:

CarlottaVance said:

Guardian rightly call Kyiv, Kyiv not Kiev saying "it's only fair that we outsiders get our language right."

They say people, not occupiers must set rules.

Yet today they deliberately use "Malvinas" not Falklands on anniversary of a war that killed 255 Brits settling that issue.

https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1510229226406006787?s=20&t=YeGiurfncGLG-F8sqC2DVw

The article is by an Argentinian and the use of language makes an important point to remind us what they think, even if we don't agree. The Graun uses Falklands just an inch away ...

His argument that allowing Argentina's defeat in a war of aggression to settle the matter "would set a dangerous precedent" sounds like something Sergey Lavrov would say.

Yes indeed, Foreign Ministers really do talk a load of old bollocks for a living, even by the standards of government ministers.

It's very funny.

Whilst the Argentine Foreign Minister is blathering on about "40 years of vibrant democracy" in the Grauniad (nothing about former President Cristina Kirchner who is currently avoiding a trial for High Treason by being Vice President, I think - very complex), whilst the Deputy Foreign Minister is comparing the UK/Falklands to Russia/Ukraine in the Telegraph.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/01/argentina-compares-british-occupation-russian-invasion-ukraine/

Made funnier by their previous closeness to Putin.

Meanwhile the idiots who 'run' the Guardian first printed their article with "Falklands" in places, and have done a reverse ferret to "Malvinas" within hours.

https://web.archive.org/web/20220402050616/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/02/falklands-war-britain-sovereignty-uk-un-resolutions

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/02/falklands-war-britain-sovereignty-uk-un-resolutions

The author, who is Argentina's Foreign Minister used Malvinas, as one would expect. Somewhat discourteous to 'edit' his piece, surely.

Given it was an article for a British paper regarding a British overseas territory what the Argentine foreign minister wanted to call it should have been ignored

Very, very gently may I remind you that there's a dispute over the territory. It's not clear-cut; Mrs Thatcher' s Government, for example, was discussing the 'best way forward' with the Argentines.
Until the gun was jumped here, which spurred the Argentine Government into foolish and very ill-advised action.

There is no dispute over the territory from our side now.

It is British territory and with a population who wish to remain British and the British government is clear on that. End of conversation.

We do not need wet leftie appeasers giving encouragement to the Argentine government!

Temper, temper. No need to be nasty.

There is nothing nasty about defending British territory and dismissing those who would hand it over to Argentina

Where/when did I say I wanted the islands handed over to the Argentines?

You didn't say we should nuke Argentina if they attacked. That's close enough.

At the time one MP was heard to remark “We should nuke Rio! That’d show ‘em”

“Indeed. But won’t it upset the Brazilians?”

That was a narrow shave.

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.

Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan

Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.

Edit - Beaten to it by @SandyRentool

SandyRentool said:

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.

Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan

The train from King's Cross to Cambridge doesn't go through Essex.

Really? I'd suggest that you're absolutely wrong, but now I have to look it up

Malmesbury said:

Omnium said:

Malmesbury said:

Omnium said:

Andy_JS said:

Does anyone take any notice of this class stuff? I call them napkins about half the time, and serviettes about half the time.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10677879/The-signs-betray-true-class-DETLEV-PILTZ-explains-sound-doorbell-reveals.html

'Serviette' is just a horrible word anyway. Admittedly napkin isn't much better. 'Paper napkin' is what I'd use, the word 'napkin' being used for the heavy cloth affair.

Is it just me, or is the case that really posh people don't care about this stuff very much. At least all the one I know don't.

The whole having a book on which spoon to use with which dish thing strikes me as very invented. Sort of like American attempts to be aristocratic - wildly over the top.

It made some sense when a substantial table was set for many courses in that you didn't want the waiting staff to be trying to find extra cutlery throughout the meal. Any formal dinner for a good number of people verges on chaos anyway.

Well, I thought it was bloody simply - set the cutlery so you work inwards. Or is that too prole like?

Just use the same fork n knife all the way through. But wipe them on your serviette between courses.

williamglenn said:

BigRich said:

MoonRabbit said:

kinabalu said:

Nigelb said:

I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.

According to them, people are vastly underestimating the chance of Marine Le Pen winning.
https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk/status/1510203333620998148

I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.

Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.

not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?

Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.

I don’t think UK comparators are helpful to be honest. There are no read across between UK and Irish Republic because their politics is more founded in nationalism and history than ours. And so it is with France, you simply embarrass yourself trying to make sense of snails comparing them with Oysters.

Macron is a sitting duck because the left and right sharing yellow jackets shared the same platform of anti EU, tax and financial reform, and drawbridge up, not only is Macron not prepared to go there, his manifesto is a declaration of war on that yellow jacket platform. Macrons win last time was attracting half of Fillions 20% and the other half abstaining, he doesn’t have that low hanging vote this time, and many of Melenchon supporters drifted to macron too the others abstaining.

Does your comparing oysters with snails conclude Le pen supporters can’t vot Melenchon in anti macron vote and Melenchon supporters can’t vote Le Pen in anti macron vote? Then that is where I think your mistake is.

williamglenn said:

BigRich said:

williamglenn said:

BigRich said:

MoonRabbit said:

kinabalu said:

Nigelb said:

I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.

According to them, people are vastly underestimating the chance of Marine Le Pen winning.
https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk/status/1510203333620998148

I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.

Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.

not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?

Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.

as is not more sympathetic to Putin/Russian?

As in being more of a left-wing chauvinist.

I meant if Melenchon is elected, would be change Frances policy in the Ukraine -Russia war, and if so in which direction?

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.

Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan

Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.

Edit - Beaten to it by @SandyRentool

You really think going via train through Stevenage rather than by road via historic Saffron Walden is the better route to Cambriidge?

Well, it is if you don't have a car.

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.

Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan

Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.

Edit - Beaten to it by @SandyRentool

You really think going via train through Stevenage rather than by road via historic Saffron Walden is the better route to Cambriidge?

Yes, as I really don't like driving in London.

SandyRentool said:

Malmesbury said:

Omnium said:

Malmesbury said:

Omnium said:

Andy_JS said:

Does anyone take any notice of this class stuff? I call them napkins about half the time, and serviettes about half the time.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10677879/The-signs-betray-true-class-DETLEV-PILTZ-explains-sound-doorbell-reveals.html

'Serviette' is just a horrible word anyway. Admittedly napkin isn't much better. 'Paper napkin' is what I'd use, the word 'napkin' being used for the heavy cloth affair.

Is it just me, or is the case that really posh people don't care about this stuff very much. At least all the one I know don't.

The whole having a book on which spoon to use with which dish thing strikes me as very invented. Sort of like American attempts to be aristocratic - wildly over the top.

It made some sense when a substantial table was set for many courses in that you didn't want the waiting staff to be trying to find extra cutlery throughout the meal. Any formal dinner for a good number of people verges on chaos anyway.

Well, I thought it was bloody simply - set the cutlery so you work inwards. Or is that too prole like?

Just use the same fork n knife all the way through. But wipe them on your serviette between courses.

That'd be ghastly - you wipe your cutlery and anything else on your sleeve. The whole point of napkins at dinner is that you return them pristine.

Lipstick and napkins must be a nightmare.

Farooq said:

There's a Malvina Close in Essex

That must be the only place the Malvinas are Close to.

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.

Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan

Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.

Edit - Beaten to it by @SandyRentool

You really think going via train through Stevenage rather than by road via historic Saffron Walden is the better route to Cambriidge?

Are you using incredibly clever metaphors to discuss the trans debate, or are you genuinely talking trains?

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

Parachute Regiment battle honours. (Although somebody was taking a risk naming a military action Operation Slapstick....)

https://www.paradata.org.uk/article/battle-honours

As an aside, I've recently named a project at work, 'Project Stepmother'.

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.

Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan

Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.

Edit - Beaten to it by @SandyRentool

You really think going via train through Stevenage rather than by road via historic Saffron Walden is the better route to Cambriidge?

I use the M11 quite a lot. It goes near Saffron Walden, but not through it.

It goes through Uttlesford, Saffron Walden district

CarlottaVance said:

ydoethur said:

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

MattW said:

kle4 said:

williamglenn said:

Carnyx said:

CarlottaVance said:

Guardian rightly call Kyiv, Kyiv not Kiev saying "it's only fair that we outsiders get our language right."

They say people, not occupiers must set rules.

Yet today they deliberately use "Malvinas" not Falklands on anniversary of a war that killed 255 Brits settling that issue.

https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1510229226406006787?s=20&t=YeGiurfncGLG-F8sqC2DVw

The article is by an Argentinian and the use of language makes an important point to remind us what they think, even if we don't agree. The Graun uses Falklands just an inch away ...

His argument that allowing Argentina's defeat in a war of aggression to settle the matter "would set a dangerous precedent" sounds like something Sergey Lavrov would say.

Yes indeed, Foreign Ministers really do talk a load of old bollocks for a living, even by the standards of government ministers.

It's very funny.

Whilst the Argentine Foreign Minister is blathering on about "40 years of vibrant democracy" in the Grauniad (nothing about former President Cristina Kirchner who is currently avoiding a trial for High Treason by being Vice President, I think - very complex), whilst the Deputy Foreign Minister is comparing the UK/Falklands to Russia/Ukraine in the Telegraph.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/01/argentina-compares-british-occupation-russian-invasion-ukraine/

Made funnier by their previous closeness to Putin.

Meanwhile the idiots who 'run' the Guardian first printed their article with "Falklands" in places, and have done a reverse ferret to "Malvinas" within hours.

https://web.archive.org/web/20220402050616/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/02/falklands-war-britain-sovereignty-uk-un-resolutions

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/02/falklands-war-britain-sovereignty-uk-un-resolutions

The author, who is Argentina's Foreign Minister used Malvinas, as one would expect. Somewhat discourteous to 'edit' his piece, surely.

Given it was an article for a British paper regarding a British overseas territory what the Argentine foreign minister wanted to call it should have been ignored

Very, very gently may I remind you that there's a dispute over the territory. It's not clear-cut; Mrs Thatcher' s Government, for example, was discussing the 'best way forward' with the Argentines.
Until the gun was jumped here, which spurred the Argentine Government into foolish and very ill-advised action.

There is no dispute over the territory from our side now.

It is British territory and with a population who wish to remain British and the British government is clear on that. End of conversation.

We do not need wet leftie appeasers giving encouragement to the Argentine government!

Temper, temper. No need to be nasty.

There is nothing nasty about defending British territory and dismissing those who would hand it over to Argentina

Where/when did I say I wanted the islands handed over to the Argentines?

You didn't say we should nuke Argentina if they attacked. That's close enough.

At the time one MP was heard to remark “We should nuke Rio! That’d show ‘em”

“Indeed. But won’t it upset the Brazilians?”

At the start of the German invasion of USSR in WW2 some plains in USSR coolers bombed the capital of Hungary. which was a strange move, Germans ,Romanian and a few other nations had invaded, but at that point Hungary had not taken part.

Most historians focused on the idea that is was a fules flag operation to bring Hungary in to the war, and it might have been that, even if, it think, to this day nobody has been able to prove that.

Personably, and this might be the dyslectic in me but, I think it was a miscommunication between Bucharest and Budapest. and a USSR Air force squadron that did not what to question 'orders'

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

HYUFD said:

SandyRentool said:

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.

Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan

The train from King's Cross to Cambridge doesn't go through Essex.

The M11 certainly does

What has that got to do with trains?

Where did I mention trains? If you are driving the main route from London to Cambridge is via the M11 through Essex

You didn't restrict your comment to driving, implying that all modes of transport required a trip through Essex.

MoonRabbit said:

kinabalu said:

Nigelb said:

I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.

According to them, people are vastly underestimating the chance of Marine Le Pen winning.
https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk/status/1510203333620998148

I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.

Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.

(1) Macron is not toast, but it is entirely possible Le Pen wins. She has brought the FN much more into the political centre than people realise. That being said... he's the very clear favourite.

(2) Against Melenchon (or Zemmour), then I do think Macron walks it.

(3) It is worth remembering that Macron's approval/disapproval rating is at the best it's been in three and a bit years. Yes, he's underwater (54-44), but that is still more than 10 points better than his closest challenger (Le Pen), and it's massively better than Zemmour or Melenchon.

(4) In 2017, Le Pen flattered to deceive in the run off. She was regularly polling 41-42 against 58-59 for Macron; i.e. a less than 3:2 advantage for him. And yet when the votes were counted, it was 2:1 in his favour.

SandyRentool said:

Malmesbury said:

Omnium said:

Malmesbury said:

Omnium said:

Andy_JS said:

Does anyone take any notice of this class stuff? I call them napkins about half the time, and serviettes about half the time.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10677879/The-signs-betray-true-class-DETLEV-PILTZ-explains-sound-doorbell-reveals.html

'Serviette' is just a horrible word anyway. Admittedly napkin isn't much better. 'Paper napkin' is what I'd use, the word 'napkin' being used for the heavy cloth affair.

Is it just me, or is the case that really posh people don't care about this stuff very much. At least all the one I know don't.

The whole having a book on which spoon to use with which dish thing strikes me as very invented. Sort of like American attempts to be aristocratic - wildly over the top.

It made some sense when a substantial table was set for many courses in that you didn't want the waiting staff to be trying to find extra cutlery throughout the meal. Any formal dinner for a good number of people verges on chaos anyway.

Well, I thought it was bloody simply - set the cutlery so you work inwards. Or is that too prole like?

Just use the same fork n knife all the way through. But wipe them on your serviette between courses.

If God didn’t intend us to use our hands he wouldn’t have invented Burgers and Fries.

Happy to be quoted for free in the next editions of Debrettes.

And for the next edition of Hoyles, I always call it “Hunt the ****”

BigRich said:

williamglenn said:

BigRich said:

williamglenn said:

BigRich said:

MoonRabbit said:

kinabalu said:

Nigelb said:

I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.

According to them, people are vastly underestimating the chance of Marine Le Pen winning.
https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk/status/1510203333620998148

I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.

Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.

not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?

Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.

as is not more sympathetic to Putin/Russian?

As in being more of a left-wing chauvinist.

I meant if Melenchon is elected, would be change Frances policy in the Ukraine -Russia war, and if so in which direction?

As far as Ukraine is concerned, I don't think it makes a massive difference who wins. A more nationalist President might take a weaker line on sanctions and accelerate the schism with Poland and the Baltic states, so maybe that's the biggest potential flashpoint.

HYUFD said:

Indeed, we have a Michelin starred restaurant in Epping now
https://haywardsrestaurant.co.uk/

I've never eaten there - to be honest, the High Street has a number of excellent restaurants. My personal favourite remains Zaikaa as you know especially for the Sunday banquet but Harley's does a excellent lunch and Quore Matto is excellent Italian food.

I'm also told Poppy's does a decent breakfast.

ydoethur said:

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

If you are coming from London you need to get to Essex to get to Cambridge.

Ignoring their victory at the Battle of Wireless Ridge and at Goose Green, their taking control of Pristina in Kosovo and their involvement in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan

Oh my word, you know as much about trains as Big_G.

Edit - Beaten to it by @SandyRentool

You really think going via train through Stevenage rather than by road via historic Saffron Walden is the better route to Cambriidge?

Well, it is if you don't have a car.

62% of all trips in England are taken by car, just 3% by train
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/research/all-themes/all/key-walking-and-cycling-statistics-for-the-uk#:~:text=Travel mode in England in 2016&text=62% of all trips were,trips were under 1 mile.

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

Parachute Regiment battle honours. (Although somebody was taking a risk naming a military action Operation Slapstick....)

https://www.paradata.org.uk/article/battle-honours

As an aside, I've recently named a project at work, 'Project Stepmother'.

Dockside Hooker already taken?

Our Aussie tech guys called the data storage facility the Wizard's Sleeve.

TheScreamingEagles said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping.
There are lot of excellent places in Essex.

Indeed, we have a Michelin starred restaurant in Epping now
https://haywardsrestaurant.co.uk/

Being proud of getting an award from the French is treasonous behaviour.

Are you even British?

The French are the best cooks in the world

stodge said:

HYUFD said:

Indeed, we have a Michelin starred restaurant in Epping now
https://haywardsrestaurant.co.uk/

I've never eaten there - to be honest, the High Street has a number of excellent restaurants. My personal favourite remains Zaikaa as you know especially for the Sunday banquet but Harley's does a excellent lunch and Quore Matto is excellent Italian food.

I'm also told Poppy's does a decent breakfast.

Yes Quore Matto is very good

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

Parachute Regiment battle honours. (Although somebody was taking a risk naming a military action Operation Slapstick....)

https://www.paradata.org.uk/article/battle-honours

As an aside, I've recently named a project at work, 'Project Stepmother'.

Dockside Hooker already taken?

Our Aussie tech guys called the data storage facility the Wizard's Sleeve.

Dockside was taken.

As for the Wizard's sleeve, we might be working with the same people.

.

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

Parachute Regiment battle honours. (Although somebody was taking a risk naming a military action Operation Slapstick....)

https://www.paradata.org.uk/article/battle-honours

As an aside, I've recently named a project at work, 'Project Stepmother'.

Personal project you’re giving the closest attention to ?

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping.
There are lot of excellent places in Essex.

Indeed, we have a Michelin starred restaurant in Epping now
https://haywardsrestaurant.co.uk/

Being proud of getting an award from the French is treasonous behaviour.

Are you even British?

The French are the best cooks in the world

Fake news Mr Traitor.

williamglenn said:

BigRich said:

williamglenn said:

BigRich said:

williamglenn said:

BigRich said:

MoonRabbit said:

kinabalu said:

Nigelb said:

I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.

According to them, people are vastly underestimating the chance of Marine Le Pen winning.
https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk/status/1510203333620998148

I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.

Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.

not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?

Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.

as is not more sympathetic to Putin/Russian?

As in being more of a left-wing chauvinist.

I meant if Melenchon is elected, would be change Frances policy in the Ukraine -Russia war, and if so in which direction?

As far as Ukraine is concerned, I don't think it makes a massive difference who wins. A more nationalist President might take a weaker line on sanctions and accelerate the schism with Poland and the Baltic states, so maybe that's the biggest potential flashpoint.

You don't know many Ukranians do you?

They're great people and if you had met them you'd never have posted as you did.

williamglenn said:

MoonRabbit said:

williamglenn said:

BigRich said:

MoonRabbit said:

kinabalu said:

Nigelb said:

I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.

According to them, people are vastly underestimating the chance of Marine Le Pen winning.
https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk/status/1510203333620998148

I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.

Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.

not really following the French left, but had thought Melenchon a slightly more eloquent Corbyn. is that not accurate?

Melenchon is maybe more comparable to George Galloway with added Germanophobia.

I don’t think UK comparators are helpful to be honest. There are no read across between UK and Irish Republic because their politics is more founded in nationalism and history than ours. And so it is with France, you simply embarrass yourself trying to make sense of snails comparing them with Oysters.

Macron is a sitting duck because the left and right sharing yellow jackets shared the same platform of anti EU, tax and financial reform, and drawbridge up, not only is Macron not prepared to go there, his manifesto is a declaration of war on that yellow jacket platform. Macrons win last time was attracting half of Fillions 20% and the other half abstaining, he doesn’t have that low hanging vote this time, and many of Melenchon supporters drifted to macron too the others abstaining.

Does your comparing oysters with snails conclude Le pen supporters can’t vot Melenchon in anti macron vote and Melenchon supporters can’t vote Le Pen in anti macron vote? Then that is where I think your mistake is.

My mistake? I was just offering what I thought was a more helpful comparison than Corbyn, but I do agree with you that there is no direct read across.

Personally I think it's very possible that Macron will lose to Le Pen because the centrist vote is soft and the leftist vote is fungible. I posted on here a couple of days ago that the tightening second round polls between Macron and Melenchon are a warning that he is even more vulnerable to Le Pen than it appears on the surface.

I think that analysis is right, and if you get 9s or better, then le Pen is a pretty attractive bet.

Ironically, though, the better Le Pen is polling, the more likely the soft centrist vote turns up. I wouldn't be surprised to see her underperforming her polls on the day.

Blue tit chicks eat 150 trillion caterpillars each year in the UK.

That's all.

MarqueeMark said:

Blue tit chicks eat 150 trillion caterpillars each year in the UK.

That's all.

Wow. That would seem to be extraordinary mothematics.

Nigelb said:

.

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

Parachute Regiment battle honours. (Although somebody was taking a risk naming a military action Operation Slapstick....)

https://www.paradata.org.uk/article/battle-honours

As an aside, I've recently named a project at work, 'Project Stepmother'.

Personal project you’re giving the closest attention to ?

It's the new ethics protocols and guidelines I'm setting for some staff.

MoonRabbit said:

rcs1000 said:

MoonRabbit said:

kinabalu said:

Nigelb said:

I talked to some of the smartest, best informed people I know in France over the past few days. To my surprise, they are absolutely freaking out about the presidential election.

According to them, people are vastly underestimating the chance of Marine Le Pen winning.
https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk/status/1510203333620998148

I'm on at 10s. I have a feeling she'll be much shorter after round 1.

Macron is toast. I’m on Melenchon at 80 and still confident of him, because he is just simply a smarter more agile politician than Le Pen. This is how it plays out. Last first round polls show nothing in it between Le Pen and Melenchon. Macron’s second round defeat is France “Brexit” moment. Every country is going to have some sort of we are the people and we want the drawbridge up to be great again, moment.

(1) Macron is not toast, but it is entirely possible Le Pen wins. She has brought the FN much more into the political centre than people realise. That being said... he's the very clear favourite.

(2) Against Melenchon (or Zemmour), then I do think Macron walks it.

(3) It is worth remembering that Macron's approval/disapproval rating is at the best it's been in three and a bit years. Yes, he's underwater (54-44), but that is still more than 10 points better than his closest challenger (Le Pen), and it's massively better than Zemmour or Melenchon.

(4) In 2017, Le Pen flattered to deceive in the run off. She was regularly polling 41-42 against 58-59 for Macron; i.e. a less than 3:2 advantage for him. And yet when the votes were counted, it was 2:1 in his favour.

Have you changed your tune a little bit? Are you wearing the flip flops today Robert 🙂

It's always been possible for Le Pen to win, and I've been a lot more positive on her than most. Where I was wrong was thinking that the war in Ukraine would play out entirely to macrons benefit.

That being said, I think the close polls are a blessing to Macron, ensuring that lots of people who don't like Macron much, but like Le Pen less, still turn out.

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping.
There are lot of excellent places in Essex.

Indeed, we have a Michelin starred restaurant in Epping now
https://haywardsrestaurant.co.uk/

Being proud of getting an award from the French is treasonous behaviour.

Are you even British?

The French are the best cooks in the world

Fake news Mr Traitor.

We are better than them at most things, including war and business and most sports but not cooking

Remind me who won the most important battle between England and France, 100 Hundred Years' War?

I Patay your lack of knowledge about history and so many other things.

Also the French best us at swearing, swearing in French is like wiping your arse with silk.

Tory MP David Warburton suspended after sex and drugs allegations

David Warburton has whip removed following claims that raise fresh questions about women’s safety in the House of Commons

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tory-mp-david-warburton-suspended-after-sex-and-drugs-allegations-h3t8ghj0q

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

HYUFD said:

OldKingCole said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

MarqueeMark said:

Destruction of 331st Guards Parachute Regiment - at least 39 known dead to the 13th of March, including their commanding officer. These were the elite, regarding themselves as the pick of Russia's armed forces.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60946340

Nearly as rubbish as our own Parachute Regiment.

That's your night out in Colchester sorted then.

As if I'd ever visit Essex.

But let us face it, the Parachute Regiment are a national embarrassment, I think they went fifty years without a combat parachute drop, then there's their disgrace in Suez, Bloody Sunday, and Majar al-Kabir to name but three.

A recent Guardian writer was discussing the pleasures of a walk through North Essex; Constable Country. And, whisper it, but no long ago the Guardian's food critic was talking up a restaurant in Epping.
There are lot of excellent places in Essex.

Indeed, we have a Michelin starred restaurant in Epping now
https://haywardsrestaurant.co.uk/

Being proud of getting an award from the French is treasonous behaviour.

Are you even British?

The French are the best cooks in the world

No, the Italians, Mexicans, Turks and Thais all rank far above the French.

ydoethur said:

MarqueeMark said:

Blue tit chicks eat 150 trillion caterpillars each year in the UK.

That's all.

Wow. That would seem to be extraordinary mothematics.

No wonder we get so few few typhoons.

Pity the Tories have a 19,000 majority in Somerton & Frome, we need a decent by election.

Couldn't some Tory MP with a tiny majority have a scandal involving drugs and sex?