Can Sunak really win back CON to LAB switchers and retain power? – politicalbetting.com

noneoftheabove said:

Gardenwalker said:

MattW said:

Gardenwalker said:

MattW said:

turbotubbs said:

MaxPB said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

MaxPB said:

Time will tell, if he sticks to boring, competent governing then I think he will win enough back to prevent a 1997 style loss, it will be more like 2005. If the stars align he could pull off a 2010 victory.

You think he's governing, um, competently?

You can get a 5Y mortgage at under 5% and a 2Y mortgage at 5.1%, those rates were 5.79% and 6.39% under Liz Truss so yes, I think he is.

Our remortgage (and loan to finance an extension) finally completed on friday. Ten year fix at 2.87%. Already below the old rate we were paying on our variable rate previous mortgage.

I think that 2 year discounted variables may be the best option for many for the next period.

I am back up for renewal in September.
Thank God the rates have come down a notch. Hopefully they will fall further.

On the other side of the ledger, I am hearing that rents are going up sharply due to falling supply. Is that your experience?

September 2023, presumably? My thoughts.

Asking rents have headed up quite substantially, here following locally 20% price increases in values over 2 years. Locally if I compare a 2 bed terrace I purchased in 2016-17 for 80k, when the asking rent for a long-term say 5+ year tenant (rather than a maximise rent and the tenant will leave fairly quickly tenant) was £450-475 per month. Floor price locally for such terraces is now ~100-110k.

An asking rent on that would now be £600-650 per month, and slightly less for a long-term and keep tenant. Those numbers are both up by about £100 in the last year.

I'm seeing in the press that alleged asking rates (eg Homelet survey) are jumping, with the usual extreme examples quoted, and the usual pretence that this is *all* rents, as opposed to asking rents for the ~1-2% of properties on the market. The Govt index of all rents for summer this year was more like +4%.

So yes - rents are increasing, but I suspect there is a London/SE effect as per usual.

My policy for years has been close to market for a new T, then follow CPI inflation as far as possible. During COVID I basically froze rents in cash terms as couples particularly found relationships under strain. This year (ie April 1 2023) I am looking at CPI increases, but I notice this morning that Govt have index linked Universal Credit and Pensions, but have frozen LHA in cash terms - a 10% effective cut.

On mortgage payments, my gearing is very low at under 20%, but for LLs with interest only mortgages payments may well have nearly doubled already, as they tend to work on Base + 3.5% ish, and base is now 3% headed for 4.5% in 2023.

On the basis of that last para, there will be a stretch in London, especially amongst high geared LLs. Plus if prices drift down banks may make 'margin calls' on the property values to shrink their books, and wrap up big portfolios. They did something similar before. Lower number of rentals may be possible, though the fastest shrinking place I know is Scotland where the PRS is 15% fewer properties over 6-8 years.

Potentially good times for cash buyers.

I am also hearing about the HMRC going after mid-size/bigger LLs who are dodging taxes. Heard one account of an LL with a ~100 property portfolio in the Midlands who was hit for nearly a million ukp. HMRC did some modestly creative linking of databases to get that one. "They weren't rented". "You own them, why was someone else paying Council Tax?". That case was of a 70s/80s immigrant who had built up a portfolio for usual "invest in property" security reasons in those circs, but I see no reason why it should be limited to that community where tax dodging exists.

In your circs, I'd keep an eye on it to see what offers arise; there are some decent ones around now. One point to note is that if you can get below 60% LTV, it should save a further 0.5%. Perhaps you will be made to switch from 'renting permission' to a BTL mortgage?

Thanks. I am an accidental landlord.

My issue with selling property in the UK is the tariff (ie stamp duty) on re-entering the market.

Both my family home and the flat are below 60% LTV at least. But I am going to have to do some homework.

The flat looked like it was coming vacant, but I’ve found a new tenant who volunteered to pay in six month instalments.

Unheard of, but it seemed to tally with a “News Agent” podcast on rapid rental price increases. A year ago, it seemed much harder to find tenants.

Accidental? Fell over and picked up a tenant? Or did the deliberate commercially based calculations including tax and making a conscious decision to become an (accidental) landlord.......

Driver said:

Cookie said:

What channel is this on by the way? I'm assuming BBC on the grounds that England are winning. But it would be nice to see the curse of ITV lifted.

It is BBC...

WillG said:

TOPPING said:

Three goals three black players. Not that it should matter an' all.

Jude Bellingham is mixed race. This isn't the US with their one drop nonsense.

Gardenwalker said:

noneoftheabove said:

Gardenwalker said:

MattW said:

Gardenwalker said:

MattW said:

turbotubbs said:

MaxPB said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

MaxPB said:

Time will tell, if he sticks to boring, competent governing then I think he will win enough back to prevent a 1997 style loss, it will be more like 2005. If the stars align he could pull off a 2010 victory.

You think he's governing, um, competently?

You can get a 5Y mortgage at under 5% and a 2Y mortgage at 5.1%, those rates were 5.79% and 6.39% under Liz Truss so yes, I think he is.

Our remortgage (and loan to finance an extension) finally completed on friday. Ten year fix at 2.87%. Already below the old rate we were paying on our variable rate previous mortgage.

I think that 2 year discounted variables may be the best option for many for the next period.

I am back up for renewal in September.
Thank God the rates have come down a notch. Hopefully they will fall further.

On the other side of the ledger, I am hearing that rents are going up sharply due to falling supply. Is that your experience?

September 2023, presumably? My thoughts.

Asking rents have headed up quite substantially, here following locally 20% price increases in values over 2 years. Locally if I compare a 2 bed terrace I purchased in 2016-17 for 80k, when the asking rent for a long-term say 5+ year tenant (rather than a maximise rent and the tenant will leave fairly quickly tenant) was £450-475 per month. Floor price locally for such terraces is now ~100-110k.

An asking rent on that would now be £600-650 per month, and slightly less for a long-term and keep tenant. Those numbers are both up by about £100 in the last year.

I'm seeing in the press that alleged asking rates (eg Homelet survey) are jumping, with the usual extreme examples quoted, and the usual pretence that this is *all* rents, as opposed to asking rents for the ~1-2% of properties on the market. The Govt index of all rents for summer this year was more like +4%.

So yes - rents are increasing, but I suspect there is a London/SE effect as per usual.

My policy for years has been close to market for a new T, then follow CPI inflation as far as possible. During COVID I basically froze rents in cash terms as couples particularly found relationships under strain. This year (ie April 1 2023) I am looking at CPI increases, but I notice this morning that Govt have index linked Universal Credit and Pensions, but have frozen LHA in cash terms - a 10% effective cut.

On mortgage payments, my gearing is very low at under 20%, but for LLs with interest only mortgages payments may well have nearly doubled already, as they tend to work on Base + 3.5% ish, and base is now 3% headed for 4.5% in 2023.

On the basis of that last para, there will be a stretch in London, especially amongst high geared LLs. Plus if prices drift down banks may make 'margin calls' on the property values to shrink their books, and wrap up big portfolios. They did something similar before. Lower number of rentals may be possible, though the fastest shrinking place I know is Scotland where the PRS is 15% fewer properties over 6-8 years.

Potentially good times for cash buyers.

I am also hearing about the HMRC going after mid-size/bigger LLs who are dodging taxes. Heard one account of an LL with a ~100 property portfolio in the Midlands who was hit for nearly a million ukp. HMRC did some modestly creative linking of databases to get that one. "They weren't rented". "You own them, why was someone else paying Council Tax?". That case was of a 70s/80s immigrant who had built up a portfolio for usual "invest in property" security reasons in those circs, but I see no reason why it should be limited to that community where tax dodging exists.

In your circs, I'd keep an eye on it to see what offers arise; there are some decent ones around now. One point to note is that if you can get below 60% LTV, it should save a further 0.5%. Perhaps you will be made to switch from 'renting permission' to a BTL mortgage?

Thanks. I am an accidental landlord.

My issue with selling property in the UK is the tariff (ie stamp duty) on re-entering the market.

Both my family home and the flat are below 60% LTV at least. But I am going to have to do some homework.

The flat looked like it was coming vacant, but I’ve found a new tenant who volunteered to pay in six month instalments.

Unheard of, but it seemed to tally with a “News Agent” podcast on rapid rental price increases. A year ago, it seemed much harder to find tenants.

Accidental? Fell over and picked up a tenant? Or did the deliberate commercially based calculations including tax and making a conscious decision to become an (accidental) landlord.......

Moved overseas and didn’t want to dispose of the assets for tax reasons, just as you say.

I’ve complained on here before stamp duty, the capital locked in those properties would be better off re-allocated elsewhere.

I also regularly argue for property tax even though on paper I would lose out significantly.

Chris said:

After reading reports of feverish arguments on social media about Joe Lycett's apparent shredding of £10k in protest against David Beckham's selling his soul to Qatar, it's funny to read that he didn't in fact shred a penny, and instead donated the money to charity:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63703831

No doubt some people will still work out a way to condemn him, though, and almost certainly the magic word "woke" will be used ...

DavidL said:

Bellingham probably just put another £10m on his price back to the EPL. Another blow to our balance of payments!

noneoftheabove said:

Gardenwalker said:

noneoftheabove said:

Gardenwalker said:

MattW said:

Gardenwalker said:

MattW said:

turbotubbs said:

MaxPB said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

MaxPB said:

Time will tell, if he sticks to boring, competent governing then I think he will win enough back to prevent a 1997 style loss, it will be more like 2005. If the stars align he could pull off a 2010 victory.

You think he's governing, um, competently?

You can get a 5Y mortgage at under 5% and a 2Y mortgage at 5.1%, those rates were 5.79% and 6.39% under Liz Truss so yes, I think he is.

Our remortgage (and loan to finance an extension) finally completed on friday. Ten year fix at 2.87%. Already below the old rate we were paying on our variable rate previous mortgage.

I think that 2 year discounted variables may be the best option for many for the next period.

I am back up for renewal in September.
Thank God the rates have come down a notch. Hopefully they will fall further.

On the other side of the ledger, I am hearing that rents are going up sharply due to falling supply. Is that your experience?

September 2023, presumably? My thoughts.

Asking rents have headed up quite substantially, here following locally 20% price increases in values over 2 years. Locally if I compare a 2 bed terrace I purchased in 2016-17 for 80k, when the asking rent for a long-term say 5+ year tenant (rather than a maximise rent and the tenant will leave fairly quickly tenant) was £450-475 per month. Floor price locally for such terraces is now ~100-110k.

An asking rent on that would now be £600-650 per month, and slightly less for a long-term and keep tenant. Those numbers are both up by about £100 in the last year.

I'm seeing in the press that alleged asking rates (eg Homelet survey) are jumping, with the usual extreme examples quoted, and the usual pretence that this is *all* rents, as opposed to asking rents for the ~1-2% of properties on the market. The Govt index of all rents for summer this year was more like +4%.

So yes - rents are increasing, but I suspect there is a London/SE effect as per usual.

My policy for years has been close to market for a new T, then follow CPI inflation as far as possible. During COVID I basically froze rents in cash terms as couples particularly found relationships under strain. This year (ie April 1 2023) I am looking at CPI increases, but I notice this morning that Govt have index linked Universal Credit and Pensions, but have frozen LHA in cash terms - a 10% effective cut.

On mortgage payments, my gearing is very low at under 20%, but for LLs with interest only mortgages payments may well have nearly doubled already, as they tend to work on Base + 3.5% ish, and base is now 3% headed for 4.5% in 2023.

On the basis of that last para, there will be a stretch in London, especially amongst high geared LLs. Plus if prices drift down banks may make 'margin calls' on the property values to shrink their books, and wrap up big portfolios. They did something similar before. Lower number of rentals may be possible, though the fastest shrinking place I know is Scotland where the PRS is 15% fewer properties over 6-8 years.

Potentially good times for cash buyers.

I am also hearing about the HMRC going after mid-size/bigger LLs who are dodging taxes. Heard one account of an LL with a ~100 property portfolio in the Midlands who was hit for nearly a million ukp. HMRC did some modestly creative linking of databases to get that one. "They weren't rented". "You own them, why was someone else paying Council Tax?". That case was of a 70s/80s immigrant who had built up a portfolio for usual "invest in property" security reasons in those circs, but I see no reason why it should be limited to that community where tax dodging exists.

In your circs, I'd keep an eye on it to see what offers arise; there are some decent ones around now. One point to note is that if you can get below 60% LTV, it should save a further 0.5%. Perhaps you will be made to switch from 'renting permission' to a BTL mortgage?

Thanks. I am an accidental landlord.

My issue with selling property in the UK is the tariff (ie stamp duty) on re-entering the market.

Both my family home and the flat are below 60% LTV at least. But I am going to have to do some homework.

The flat looked like it was coming vacant, but I’ve found a new tenant who volunteered to pay in six month instalments.

Unheard of, but it seemed to tally with a “News Agent” podcast on rapid rental price increases. A year ago, it seemed much harder to find tenants.

Accidental? Fell over and picked up a tenant? Or did the deliberate commercially based calculations including tax and making a conscious decision to become an (accidental) landlord.......

Moved overseas and didn’t want to dispose of the assets for tax reasons, just as you say.

I’ve complained on here before stamp duty, the capital locked in those properties would be better off re-allocated elsewhere.

I also regularly argue for property tax even though on paper I would lose out significantly.

But there is nothing accidental about any of it. You made rational decisions that financially you expected to be better off being a landlord than selling. Fine, but own the full responsibility of being a proper landlord rather than an accidental one, as well as the building.

Cookie said:

Entirely off topic, but a 1427 coin from England has been discovered by a metal detectorist in Newfoundland, raising questions about pre-Columbian contact:
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/a-centuries-old-coin-could-change-what-we-know-about-european-contact-with-north-america/ar-AA14kJrs?ocid=entnewsntp&cvid=25513237e62344d88cfd6218a64c333b

Of course, it's entirely possible that post-Columbian emigrants took a very old coin with them.

RandallFlagg said:

turbotubbs said:

Taz said:

MarqueeMark said:

OnlyLivingBoy said:

Leon said:

BREAKING

“Marcus Mumford 'bitten' by dog in Exeter while riding his skateboard”

https://twitter.com/devonlivenews/status/1594666491357454336?s=46&t=K-rE85rPCqYH-KtiQcjJEA

Who is Marcus Mumford?

He is married to Carey Mulligan. The lucky bastard.

They have a boat here in Dartmouth and are seen pottering around the town.

She was brilliant in Dr Who as Sally Sparrow.

Best non-companion companion ever.

Um, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart would like a word.

Sean_F said:

pillsbury said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

AlistairM said:

Sandpit said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

England back down over Fifa arm band threat

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2022/11/21/qatar-protests-world-cup-2022-live-lgbt-england-arm-bands-updates/

Because of course they do. Cowards.

Really all the modern countries should have just boycotted the tournament.

I wonder what would have happened if the ref (Brazilian) refused to book players for wearing the armband?

Trouble is, if we should boycott Qatar, should we not also refuse to play Iran for killing girls and gay people? Meanwhile, Formula 1 and (some) golfers are happy to sportswash those cuddly Saudis who, in shock news that will surprise no-one, have resumed executions at record pace.

Saudi Arabia has executed 12 people in 10 days for drug offences after a two-year hiatus, according to a human rights organisation.

The spate of executions - most of which are beheadings with a sword - is part of a wider trend that suggests the country is on track for a record year of executions despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously vowing to reduce the use of such punishments.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/11/20/saudi-arabia-beheads-people-sword-new-wave-executions/ (£££)

That tangentially shows how Rwanda for channel crossers is doomed to failure. If people carry on taking drugs under threat of decapitation, they will continue crossing the channel under the much remoter threat of deporation. Deterrence don't deter.

OTOH, South East Asian governments have been pretty successful with their zero-tolerance policy on drug trafficking.

Another issue on which Westerners should be very careful about lecturing foreigners. These people have very bad memories of Europeans claiming exemption from local laws.

WillG said:

Leon said:

dixiedean said:

Asian football is really poor.
Gone backwards recently, too. The same teams always qualify far too easily

Yes, and I wonder why? Poor domestic leagues, perhaps, and all the best players migrating to Europe

Hasn't stopped Brazil and Argentina.

Cookie said:

kle4 said:

Pulpstar said:

Morris_Dancer said:

Three thousand years ago predates Rome, even as a kingdom.

Ancient Egypt.

A Kingdom/dynasty that was more than 3,000 years old at the time.

Yes, but I doubt Fifa meant to lambast them for past failings.

It wouldn't be an entirely uncharacteristic sudden change of focus from Fifa.
"You cannot blame Qatar for using slave labour to build the stadia; that was how the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids and you all go and visit those."

Cookie said:

Chris said:

After reading reports of feverish arguments on social media about Joe Lycett's apparent shredding of £10k in protest against David Beckham's selling his soul to Qatar, it's funny to read that he didn't in fact shred a penny, and instead donated the money to charity:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63703831

No doubt some people will still work out a way to condemn him, though, and almost certainly the magic word "woke" will be used ...

Hard to condemn that (depending on the charity, of course!) But as a threat "do what I say or I will donate £10k to charity" lacks a certain something.

Leon said:

dixiedean said:

Asian football is really poor.
Gone backwards recently, too. The same teams always qualify far too easily

Yes, and I wonder why? Poor domestic leagues, perhaps, and all the best players migrating to Europe

turbotubbs said:

RandallFlagg said:

turbotubbs said:

Taz said:

MarqueeMark said:

OnlyLivingBoy said:

Leon said:

BREAKING

“Marcus Mumford 'bitten' by dog in Exeter while riding his skateboard”

https://twitter.com/devonlivenews/status/1594666491357454336?s=46&t=K-rE85rPCqYH-KtiQcjJEA

Who is Marcus Mumford?

He is married to Carey Mulligan. The lucky bastard.

They have a boat here in Dartmouth and are seen pottering around the town.

She was brilliant in Dr Who as Sally Sparrow.

Best non-companion companion ever.

Um, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart would like a word.

Nope - he counts as a companion - multiple stories and has been in the Tardis.

Cookie said:

turbotubbs said:

Cookie said:

Entirely off topic, but a 1427 coin from England has been discovered by a metal detectorist in Newfoundland, raising questions about pre-Columbian contact:
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/a-centuries-old-coin-could-change-what-we-know-about-european-contact-with-north-america/ar-AA14kJrs?ocid=entnewsntp&cvid=25513237e62344d88cfd6218a64c333b

Of course, it's entirely possible that post-Columbian emigrants took a very old coin with them.

Surely old news? Viking settlement is long established. There is a great book - "A voyage long and strange" on this subject.

But it can't be Vikings with a 1427 coin!
The implication in the article is that there was contact and trade with the eastern seaboard of America - especially Northumberland - half a century and more before Columbus. I don't think it's inconceivable - if you had discovered a new land whose seas teemed with fish, you wouldn't necessarily tell all and sundry about it.

Cookie said:

Entirely off topic, but a 1427 coin from England has been discovered by a metal detectorist in Newfoundland, raising questions about pre-Columbian contact:
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/a-centuries-old-coin-could-change-what-we-know-about-european-contact-with-north-america/ar-AA14kJrs?ocid=entnewsntp&cvid=25513237e62344d88cfd6218a64c333b

Of course, it's entirely possible that post-Columbian emigrants took a very old coin with them.

Leon said:

Cookie said:

turbotubbs said:

Cookie said:

Entirely off topic, but a 1427 coin from England has been discovered by a metal detectorist in Newfoundland, raising questions about pre-Columbian contact:
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/a-centuries-old-coin-could-change-what-we-know-about-european-contact-with-north-america/ar-AA14kJrs?ocid=entnewsntp&cvid=25513237e62344d88cfd6218a64c333b

Of course, it's entirely possible that post-Columbian emigrants took a very old coin with them.

Surely old news? Viking settlement is long established. There is a great book - "A voyage long and strange" on this subject.

But it can't be Vikings with a 1427 coin!
The implication in the article is that there was contact and trade with the eastern seaboard of America - especially Northumberland - half a century and more before Columbus. I don't think it's inconceivable - if you had discovered a new land whose seas teemed with fish, you wouldn't necessarily tell all and sundry about it.

I've just been reading about this

Viking settlement in America is now accepted

L'Anse aux Meadows is the only undisputed site of pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact of Europeans with the Americas outside of Greenland.[4] I

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L'Anse_aux_Meadows


There are many speculations that traders from the British Isles might also have gone there before Columbus, because the knowledge of the American coast would have been handed down from Norse settlers in the UK

barrykenna said:

HYUFD said:

Heathener said:

DavidL said:

So what would make a 1992 possible?

.

Nothing because this is nothing like 1992.

Stop making a false comparison please. It's misleading.

The truth is that this is psepholoically like 1997 but economically FAR WORSE.

Conservatives on here need to prepare for the Dark Night of the Soul.

Unlike 1997 though there will be no golden economic legacy for Starmer and Reeves so the economy will then be their problem

1997 was not exactly a golden economic legacy even though things had improved since the collapse of the Major Government's economic strategy at the the time of the Autumn 1992 ERM fiasco. Labour still inherited Budget and Balance of Payments deficits. Ted Heath enjoyed a better legacy from Labour in 1970.

Leon said:

ANOTHER great goal

England looking a bit like France in 2018? Or Spain in 2008?

OK, have to calm down

dixiedean said:

Leon said:

ANOTHER great goal

England looking a bit like France in 2018? Or Spain in 2008?

OK, have to calm down

The curse strikes again!

Leon said:

FUCK

rcs1000 said:

HYUFD said:

barrykenna said:

HYUFD said:

Heathener said:

DavidL said:

So what would make a 1992 possible?

.

Nothing because this is nothing like 1992.

Stop making a false comparison please. It's misleading.

The truth is that this is psepholoically like 1997 but economically FAR WORSE.

Conservatives on here need to prepare for the Dark Night of the Soul.

Unlike 1997 though there will be no golden economic legacy for Starmer and Reeves so the economy will then be their problem

1997 was not exactly a golden economic legacy even though things had improved since the collapse of the Major Government's economic strategy at the the time of the Autumn 1992 ERM fiasco. Labour still inherited Budget and Balance of Payments deficits. Ted Heath enjoyed a better legacy from Labour in 1970.

Terrible balance of payments figures (a £31 million trade deficit) and rising inflation, a selective employment tax, unemployment at its highest level since 1940 and union indiscipline?

A £31m trade deficit would be a fantastic achievement.

IanB2 said:

Iran ranked twentieth in the world? Shirley not?

Nigelb said:

Leon said:

OK I am actually nervous now

Are you ever not ?

Razedabode said:

Apparently Iran are ranked 20th.. hmm

SandyRentool said:

HYUFD said:

barrykenna said:

HYUFD said:

Heathener said:

DavidL said:

So what would make a 1992 possible?

.

Nothing because this is nothing like 1992.

Stop making a false comparison please. It's misleading.

The truth is that this is psepholoically like 1997 but economically FAR WORSE.

Conservatives on here need to prepare for the Dark Night of the Soul.

Unlike 1997 though there will be no golden economic legacy for Starmer and Reeves so the economy will then be their problem

1997 was not exactly a golden economic legacy even though things had improved since the collapse of the Major Government's economic strategy at the the time of the Autumn 1992 ERM fiasco. Labour still inherited Budget and Balance of Payments deficits. Ted Heath enjoyed a better legacy from Labour in 1970.

Terrible balance of payments figures (a £31 million trade deficit) and rising inflation, a selective employment tax, unemployment at its highest level since 1940 and union indiscipline?

Union indiscipline? Strange term. I would have said that unions are being very disciplined in looking out for the interests of their members.

IanB2 said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Black players 5 - 0 White players

With six goals total you’ve gone wrong somewhere!

FrancisUrquhart said:

Razedabode said:

Apparently Iran are ranked 20th.. hmm

There are 20 better teams in Europe, let alone with world...

Leon said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

Razedabode said:

Apparently Iran are ranked 20th.. hmm

There are 20 better teams in Europe, let alone with world...

You can only beat what's in front of you. In this case we are thrashing them

I am old enough to remember several decades of England starting tournaments nervously and cautiously, and sometimes calamitously

FrancisUrquhart said:

Leon said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

Razedabode said:

Apparently Iran are ranked 20th.. hmm

There are 20 better teams in Europe, let alone with world...

You can only beat what's in front of you. In this case we are thrashing them

I am old enough to remember several decades of England starting tournaments nervously and cautiously, and sometimes calamitously

I was just making a point that the fifa rankings are nonsense.

HYUFD said:

barrykenna said:

HYUFD said:

Heathener said:

DavidL said:

So what would make a 1992 possible?

.

Nothing because this is nothing like 1992.

Stop making a false comparison please. It's misleading.

The truth is that this is psepholoically like 1997 but economically FAR WORSE.

Conservatives on here need to prepare for the Dark Night of the Soul.

Unlike 1997 though there will be no golden economic legacy for Starmer and Reeves so the economy will then be their problem

1997 was not exactly a golden economic legacy even though things had improved since the collapse of the Major Government's economic strategy at the the time of the Autumn 1992 ERM fiasco. Labour still inherited Budget and Balance of Payments deficits. Ted Heath enjoyed a better legacy from Labour in 1970.

Terrible balance of payments figures (a £31 million trade deficit) and rising inflation, a selective employment tax, unemployment at its highest level since 1940 and union indiscipline?

FrancisUrquhart said:

Razedabode said:

Apparently Iran are ranked 20th.. hmm

There are 20 better teams in Europe, let alone with world...

TOPPING said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

Razedabode said:

Apparently Iran are ranked 20th.. hmm

There are 20 better teams in Europe, let alone with world...

Do you have a link to any articles on the sabermetrics approach to footie in the UK?

dixiedean said:

This result makes the Wales game later even more important.
It's basically a knockout already.