politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » New Lord Ashcroft marginals polling finds smaller CON to LA

TheScreamingEagles said:

isam said:

Andrew Neill on PMQs

"LOTO saying to the Conservatives 'you're useless'...
The PM saying to Labour 'you're useless'...

and the public agrees with them because both are struggling to get to 30% in the polls which is unprecedented"

It isn't unprecedented at all.

There was an ICM that had the Tories and Lab (and the Lib Dems) on 30% in 2004.

Also there was the time when the Tories and Lab were polling less than 30% and the Alliance was polling around 50%

TheWatcher said:

TGOHF said:

Must be Kipper "the Tripoli buses ran on time under Muammar.." theme of theday

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukips-mark-reckless-colonel-gaddafi-good-halting-immigration-1473253

"Tory defector Reckless said the deposed leader had stopped boats from making the hazardous voyage across the Mediterranean sea to Italy.

He said: "Whatever people say about Gaddafi, one thing is he didn't allow those boats to come across."

It's almost a 'Colonel, I salute your courage, your strength, your indefatigability...' moment.

Scott_P said:

@LabourList: Unite endorse Neil Findlay for leader of Scottish Labour http://labli.st/1AhFuQ6

MikeSmithson said:

Bob__Sykes said:

It would be travesty enough to see Ed Miliband, the bloke that NOBODY wants to be PM (probably not even himself), get a majority or a workable minority on 32-35% of the vote. To do so when the combined Tory/UKIP vote was pushing 50% would be totally unthinkable.

There simply has to be some accomodation between the Tories and UKIP before next May. A formal pact is obviously a non-starter, but there has to be some bargain struck and an agreement on where UKIP will stand and where it won't / where each party will focus its resources and efforts. It would appear that this is what UKIP voters want anyway.

I don't think that you can bunch CON & UKIP together. That is oldthink.

70% of voters in this latest round of polling did not vote CON at GE10.

Alistair said:

Peter_the_Punter said:

Does anybody know where I can read a decent, non-partisan account of what went wrong here?

I believe the basic story is that after the EU hands the money over to the countries the countries don't keep good enough track of it to satisfy the EU's audit that it has gone to the right target.

CarlottaVance said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

state_go_away said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

TGOHF said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

TheWatcher said:

Kippers shrieking about EU audits, whilst Farage and chums trouser unaccounted allowances, for 'banks of computers' and family on the payroll.

You've got to laugh.

That is the system set up by the EU. Blame them. At least Farage and UKIP are trying to get the UK out of it entirely. You seem content to let it carry on as is.

Absolutely no hypocrisy there...

You would have them refuse to accept the legitimate allowances and do their work for free? Its a thought I suppose and if we could get all MEPs to work for free then maybe I might be a little more sympathetic to them.

UKIP MEPS have an appalling record for expense fraud in the EU . ITs only right people are sceptical of claims from that party

If by appalling record you mean two cases - that of Tom Wise and Ashley Mote

2 out of 13? How does that compare with other UK parties?

Sunil_Prasannan said:

CarlottaVance said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

state_go_away said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

TGOHF said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

TheWatcher said:

Kippers shrieking about EU audits, whilst Farage and chums trouser unaccounted allowances, for 'banks of computers' and family on the payroll.

You've got to laugh.

That is the system set up by the EU. Blame them. At least Farage and UKIP are trying to get the UK out of it entirely. You seem content to let it carry on as is.

Absolutely no hypocrisy there...

You would have them refuse to accept the legitimate allowances and do their work for free? Its a thought I suppose and if we could get all MEPs to work for free then maybe I might be a little more sympathetic to them.

UKIP MEPS have an appalling record for expense fraud in the EU . ITs only right people are sceptical of claims from that party

If by appalling record you mean two cases - that of Tom Wise and Ashley Mote

2 out of 13? How does that compare with other UK parties?

Maybe the other parties don't highlight UKIP's record because of this:

"MPs to escape expenses investigations after paperwork destroyed by Parliament"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/11204405/MPs-to-escape-expenses-investigations-after-paperwork-destroyed-by-Parliament.html

TheScreamingEagles said:

JohnO said:

Socrates said:

This is a devastating account that was white-washed by the UK media:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/04/libyan-troops-go-wild-in-england.html

You mean like this in today's Daily Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2820269/Government-ends-training-Libyan-soldiers-UK-five-face-court-today-charged-sex-attacks-men-women.html

Or a lengthy item on yesterday's Channel 4 News.

You're losing it, mate.

JohnO, will we be seeing you at Dirty Dicks on the 21st?

My choice of footwear will be dependent on your attendance.

TGOHF said:

Must be Kipper "the Tripoli buses ran on time under Muammar.." theme of theday

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukips-mark-reckless-colonel-gaddafi-good-halting-immigration-1473253

"Tory defector Reckless said the deposed leader had stopped boats from making the hazardous voyage across the Mediterranean sea to Italy.

He said: "Whatever people say about Gaddafi, one thing is he didn't allow those boats to come across."

SouthamObserver said:

Bob__Sykes said:

It would be travesty enough to see Ed Miliband, the bloke that NOBODY wants to be PM (probably not even himself), get a majority or a workable minority on 32-35% of the vote. To do so when the combined Tory/UKIP vote was pushing 50% would be totally unthinkable.

There simply has to be some accomodation between the Tories and UKIP before next May. A formal pact is obviously a non-starter, but there has to be some bargain struck and an agreement on where UKIP will stand and where it won't / where each party will focus its resources and efforts. It would appear that this is what UKIP voters want anyway.

A UKIP pact of any kind with the Tories before the election may well push up the Labour vote share and depress the UKIP one. If UKIP is serious about winning in Labour heartlands it needs to avoid the Tories at all costs until after polling day.

Peter_the_Punter said:

Alistair said:

Peter_the_Punter said:

Does anybody know where I can read a decent, non-partisan account of what went wrong here?

I believe the basic story is that after the EU hands the money over to the countries the countries don't keep good enough track of it to satisfy the EU's audit that it has gone to the right target.

Thanks, Alistair.

That already puts it in some sort of perspective. The problem is at the Country level. It's still not great, but makes a bit more sense.

Btw, I am a colossal cynic when it comes to audit certificates, having witnessed so much skulduggery in connection with them over many years. But I'll save that for another day.

TheScreamingEagles said:

I think I may have geekgasmed

The Doctor Who themed front of this week's New Statesman

Running out of time - Is it too late for Ed to regenerate Labour

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B1rfM3BIgAEL7NX.jpg

TGOHF said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TGOHF said:

Must be Kipper "the Tripoli buses ran on time under Muammar.." theme of theday

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukips-mark-reckless-colonel-gaddafi-good-halting-immigration-1473253

"Tory defector Reckless said the deposed leader had stopped boats from making the hazardous voyage across the Mediterranean sea to Italy.

He said: "Whatever people say about Gaddafi, one thing is he didn't allow those boats to come across."

Good to see someone offering a measured opinion of Gadaffi, as opposed to being photographed cuddling him one minute, and thinking he's satan's spawn as soon as the Americans decide they want rid.

Apart from arming the IRA and blowing up a passenger plane over the Uk its difficult to see what was wrong with the chap..

Peter_the_Punter said:

SouthamObserver said:

Bob__Sykes said:

It would be travesty enough to see Ed Miliband, the bloke that NOBODY wants to be PM (probably not even himself), get a majority or a workable minority on 32-35% of the vote. To do so when the combined Tory/UKIP vote was pushing 50% would be totally unthinkable.

There simply has to be some accomodation between the Tories and UKIP before next May. A formal pact is obviously a non-starter, but there has to be some bargain struck and an agreement on where UKIP will stand and where it won't / where each party will focus its resources and efforts. It would appear that this is what UKIP voters want anyway.

A UKIP pact of any kind with the Tories before the election may well push up the Labour vote share and depress the UKIP one. If UKIP is serious about winning in Labour heartlands it needs to avoid the Tories at all costs until after polling day.

Absolutely, Southam, there is no mileage in any kind of pre-election agreement from Farage's viewpoint.

After the Election is a different matter. Goodness knows what the Election Map will look like then, but the public would generally expect the politicos to make of it the best they can and do whatever deals they think necessary.

That's pretty much what happened last time.

isam said:

Peter_the_Punter said:

SouthamObserver said:

Bob__Sykes said:

It would be travesty enough to see Ed Miliband, the bloke that NOBODY wants to be PM (probably not even himself), get a majority or a workable minority on 32-35% of the vote. To do so when the combined Tory/UKIP vote was pushing 50% would be totally unthinkable.

There simply has to be some accomodation between the Tories and UKIP before next May. A formal pact is obviously a non-starter, but there has to be some bargain struck and an agreement on where UKIP will stand and where it won't / where each party will focus its resources and efforts. It would appear that this is what UKIP voters want anyway.

A UKIP pact of any kind with the Tories before the election may well push up the Labour vote share and depress the UKIP one. If UKIP is serious about winning in Labour heartlands it needs to avoid the Tories at all costs until after polling day.

Absolutely, Southam, there is no mileage in any kind of pre-election agreement from Farage's viewpoint.

After the Election is a different matter. Goodness knows what the Election Map will look like then, but the public would generally expect the politicos to make of it the best they can and do whatever deals they think necessary.

That's pretty much what happened last time.

Someone I know who attended a UKIP PPC assessment was told off for referring to "lefties"

Sunil_Prasannan said:

CarlottaVance said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

CarlottaVance said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

state_go_away said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

TGOHF said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

TheWatcher said:

Kippers shrieking about EU audits, whilst Farage and chums trouser unaccounted allowances, for 'banks of computers' and family on the payroll.

You've got to laugh.

That is the system set up by the EU. Blame them. At least Farage and UKIP are trying to get the UK out of it entirely. You seem content to let it carry on as is.

Absolutely no hypocrisy there...

You would have them refuse to accept the legitimate allowances and do their work for free? Its a thought I suppose and if we could get all MEPs to work for free then maybe I might be a little more sympathetic to them.

UKIP MEPS have an appalling record for expense fraud in the EU . ITs only right people are sceptical of claims from that party

If by appalling record you mean two cases - that of Tom Wise and Ashley Mote

2 out of 13? How does that compare with other UK parties?

Maybe the other parties don't highlight UKIP's record because of this:

"MPs to escape expenses investigations after paperwork destroyed by Parliament"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/11204405/MPs-to-escape-expenses-investigations-after-paperwork-destroyed-by-Parliament.html

Whataboutery!

What if UKIP had had MPs?

Still elected representatives, just different parliaments!

TGOHF said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TGOHF said:

Must be Kipper "the Tripoli buses ran on time under Muammar.." theme of theday

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukips-mark-reckless-colonel-gaddafi-good-halting-immigration-1473253

"Tory defector Reckless said the deposed leader had stopped boats from making the hazardous voyage across the Mediterranean sea to Italy.

He said: "Whatever people say about Gaddafi, one thing is he didn't allow those boats to come across."

Good to see someone offering a measured opinion of Gadaffi, as opposed to being photographed cuddling him one minute, and thinking he's satan's spawn as soon as the Americans decide they want rid.

Apart from arming the IRA and blowing up a passenger plane over the Uk its difficult to see what was wrong with the chap..

TheScreamingEagles said:

CarlottaVance said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I think I may have geekgasmed

The Doctor Who themed front of this week's New Statesman

Running out of time - Is it too late for Ed to regenerate Labour

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B1rfM3BIgAEL7NX.jpg

For those of us not as au fait with the iconography of Doctor Who - might you offer an interpretation of their choices (I get Wilson as Hartnell, but Brown as Baker ?)

Well Kinnock as Christopher Eccleston's Doctor seems just wrong as well

CarlottaVance said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

CarlottaVance said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I think I may have geekgasmed

The Doctor Who themed front of this week's New Statesman

Running out of time - Is it too late for Ed to regenerate Labour

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B1rfM3BIgAEL7NX.jpg

For those of us not as au fait with the iconography of Doctor Who - might you offer an interpretation of their choices (I get Wilson as Hartnell, but Brown as Baker ?)

Well Kinnock as Christopher Eccleston's Doctor seems just wrong as well

I thought that might be what was intended, but surely Sylvester McCoy would have been less inappropriate.....and Ed as Matt Smith (?) - not (Labour Luvvie) Tennant? Young chap not up to the job?

Its all a bit of a mess

MikeSmithson said:

Interesting that when the second seat specific question was asked the CON share increased by an average 1.5% across the 12 seats polled.

TheScreamingEagles said:

JohnO said:

MikeSmithson said:

JohnO said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

JohnO said:

Socrates said:

This is a devastating account that was white-washed by the UK media:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/04/libyan-troops-go-wild-in-england.html

You mean like this in today's Daily Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2820269/Government-ends-training-Libyan-soldiers-UK-five-face-court-today-charged-sex-attacks-men-women.html

Or a lengthy item on yesterday's Channel 4 News.

You're losing it, mate.

JohnO, will we be seeing you at Dirty Dicks on the 21st?

My choice of footwear will be dependent on your attendance.

I shall be feckless and legless thanks to Reckless (and pre DD cocktails with the pbTory Lodge)

For a man of your esteemed position (The King of Esher) such behaviour might not be wise. I'll have my camera with me for potential blackmail opportunities.

Photo away, little man - I am the Lutfur Rahman of Surrey. Nothing can touch me. Ooh, er?

I'll make sure you end up on the right train.

TheWatcher said:

TGOHF said:

isam said:

TheWatcher said:

isam said:

TheWatcher said:

TGOHF said:

TheWatcher said:

TGOHF said:

Must be Kipper "the Tripoli buses ran on time under Muammar.." theme of theday

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukips-mark-reckless-colonel-gaddafi-good-halting-immigration-1473253

"Tory defector Reckless said the deposed leader had stopped boats from making the hazardous voyage across the Mediterranean sea to Italy.

He said: "Whatever people say about Gaddafi, one thing is he didn't allow those boats to come across."

It's almost a 'Colonel, I salute your courage, your strength, your indefatigability...' moment.

Quite - I hope Putin doesnt feel too spurned - he thought he had the Kipper poster dictator gig sewn up..

'A real gent that Muammar. Loved his mum, kept all the troublesome brown people in order, and off the Italian beaches...'

Hardly a good line to take as the Conservatives prefer to leave "the brown people" to drown

Are they drowning in the English Channel?

Oh! have we left the EU?!!!

Hooray!!

Uh oh - back to Kipper retraining for you - the last thing the great Nigel wants is that.

No more Allowances.

TheScreamingEagles said:

CarlottaVance said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

CarlottaVance said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I think I may have geekgasmed

The Doctor Who themed front of this week's New Statesman

Running out of time - Is it too late for Ed to regenerate Labour

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B1rfM3BIgAEL7NX.jpg

For those of us not as au fait with the iconography of Doctor Who - might you offer an interpretation of their choices (I get Wilson as Hartnell, but Brown as Baker ?)

Well Kinnock as Christopher Eccleston's Doctor seems just wrong as well

I thought that might be what was intended, but surely Sylvester McCoy would have been less inappropriate.....and Ed as Matt Smith (?) - not (Labour Luvvie) Tennant? Young chap not up to the job?

Its all a bit of a mess

David Tennant was very popular (and all time favourite Doc in recent polls with Tom Baker's Doctor, who is Gordon Brown in this montage)

Popular isn't a word you can associate with either Gordon Brown or Ed Miliband.

MikeSmithson said:

JohnO said:

MikeSmithson said:

JohnO said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

JohnO said:

Socrates said:

This is a devastating account that was white-washed by the UK media:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/04/libyan-troops-go-wild-in-england.html

You mean like this in today's Daily Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2820269/Government-ends-training-Libyan-soldiers-UK-five-face-court-today-charged-sex-attacks-men-women.html

Or a lengthy item on yesterday's Channel 4 News.

You're losing it, mate.

JohnO, will we be seeing you at Dirty Dicks on the 21st?

My choice of footwear will be dependent on your attendance.

I shall be feckless and legless thanks to Reckless (and pre DD cocktails with the pbTory Lodge)

For a man of your esteemed position (The King of Esher) such behaviour might not be wise. I'll have my camera with me for potential blackmail opportunities.

Photo away, little man - I am the Lutfur Rahman of Surrey. Nothing can touch me. Ooh, er?

Interesting admission John and dangerous. I'll forward this on to Mr. Pickles.

TGOHF said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TGOHF said:

Must be Kipper "the Tripoli buses ran on time under Muammar.." theme of theday

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukips-mark-reckless-colonel-gaddafi-good-halting-immigration-1473253

"Tory defector Reckless said the deposed leader had stopped boats from making the hazardous voyage across the Mediterranean sea to Italy.

He said: "Whatever people say about Gaddafi, one thing is he didn't allow those boats to come across."

Good to see someone offering a measured opinion of Gadaffi, as opposed to being photographed cuddling him one minute, and thinking he's satan's spawn as soon as the Americans decide they want rid.

Apart from arming the IRA and blowing up a passenger plane over the Uk its difficult to see what was wrong with the chap..

JohnO said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

JohnO said:

MikeSmithson said:

JohnO said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

JohnO said:

Socrates said:

This is a devastating account that was white-washed by the UK media:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/04/libyan-troops-go-wild-in-england.html

You mean like this in today's Daily Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2820269/Government-ends-training-Libyan-soldiers-UK-five-face-court-today-charged-sex-attacks-men-women.html

Or a lengthy item on yesterday's Channel 4 News.

You're losing it, mate.

JohnO, will we be seeing you at Dirty Dicks on the 21st?

My choice of footwear will be dependent on your attendance.

I shall be feckless and legless thanks to Reckless (and pre DD cocktails with the pbTory Lodge)

For a man of your esteemed position (The King of Esher) such behaviour might not be wise. I'll have my camera with me for potential blackmail opportunities.

Photo away, little man - I am the Lutfur Rahman of Surrey. Nothing can touch me. Ooh, er?

I'll make sure you end up on the right train.

I'm sorry but that's Neil's statutory responsibility and cannot be delegated.

Speedy said:

A few things from the marginals poll:

1. Lord Ashcroft is approaching the upper boundary of Labour gains, but not there yet, with 38 Labour gains from the Tories so far.

2. There is a UKIP stronghold in the midlands, Cannock Chase is the second midlands seat with UKIP close to the winning post and is neighboring Walsall North, so that suggests a strong local UKIP presence.

3. Aidan Burley's chances of being the next defector to UKIP suddenly become severe.

TGOHF said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

CarlottaVance said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

CarlottaVance said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I think I may have geekgasmed

The Doctor Who themed front of this week's New Statesman

Running out of time - Is it too late for Ed to regenerate Labour

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B1rfM3BIgAEL7NX.jpg

For those of us not as au fait with the iconography of Doctor Who - might you offer an interpretation of their choices (I get Wilson as Hartnell, but Brown as Baker ?)

Well Kinnock as Christopher Eccleston's Doctor seems just wrong as well

I thought that might be what was intended, but surely Sylvester McCoy would have been less inappropriate.....and Ed as Matt Smith (?) - not (Labour Luvvie) Tennant? Young chap not up to the job?

Its all a bit of a mess

David Tennant was very popular (and all time favourite Doc in recent polls with Tom Baker's Doctor, who is Gordon Brown in this montage)

Popular isn't a word you can associate with either Gordon Brown or Ed Miliband.

Brown should have been Peter Davidson -a poor replacement for the best doctor of all time Tom Baker.

Sunil_Prasannan said:

CarlottaVance said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

CarlottaVance said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

CarlottaVance said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

state_go_away said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

TGOHF said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

TheWatcher said:

Kippers shrieking about EU audits, whilst Farage and chums trouser unaccounted allowances, for 'banks of computers' and family on the payroll.

You've got to laugh.

That is the system set up by the EU. Blame them. At least Farage and UKIP are trying to get the UK out of it entirely. You seem content to let it carry on as is.

Absolutely no hypocrisy there...

You would have them refuse to accept the legitimate allowances and do their work for free? Its a thought I suppose and if we could get all MEPs to work for free then maybe I might be a little more sympathetic to them.

UKIP MEPS have an appalling record for expense fraud in the EU . ITs only right people are sceptical of claims from that party

If by appalling record you mean two cases - that of Tom Wise and Ashley Mote

2 out of 13? How does that compare with other UK parties?

Maybe the other parties don't highlight UKIP's record because of this:

"MPs to escape expenses investigations after paperwork destroyed by Parliament"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/11204405/MPs-to-escape-expenses-investigations-after-paperwork-destroyed-by-Parliament.html

Whataboutery!

What if UKIP had had MPs?

Still elected representatives, just different parliaments!

So compare them within the same parliaments - how does the percentage of imprisoned UKIP MEPs compare with other UK party MEPs?

Strasbourg isn't the only parliament that UK voters elect...

Alistair said:

TGOHF said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TGOHF said:

Must be Kipper "the Tripoli buses ran on time under Muammar.." theme of theday

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukips-mark-reckless-colonel-gaddafi-good-halting-immigration-1473253

"Tory defector Reckless said the deposed leader had stopped boats from making the hazardous voyage across the Mediterranean sea to Italy.

He said: "Whatever people say about Gaddafi, one thing is he didn't allow those boats to come across."

Good to see someone offering a measured opinion of Gadaffi, as opposed to being photographed cuddling him one minute, and thinking he's satan's spawn as soon as the Americans decide they want rid.

Apart from arming the IRA and blowing up a passenger plane over the Uk its difficult to see what was wrong with the chap..

By far the biggest scandal of Al-Mehgrahi's release and completely glossed over by the press was his quid-pro-quo dropping of his appeal which would have shattered the ludicrously flimsy case against him.

The key eye witness was beyond unreliable and the key forensic evidence (timer board) was flagrantly tampered with.

TheScreamingEagles said:

CarlottaVance said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

CarlottaVance said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

CarlottaVance said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I think I may have geekgasmed

The Doctor Who themed front of this week's New Statesman

Running out of time - Is it too late for Ed to regenerate Labour

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B1rfM3BIgAEL7NX.jpg

For those of us not as au fait with the iconography of Doctor Who - might you offer an interpretation of their choices (I get Wilson as Hartnell, but Brown as Baker ?)

Well Kinnock as Christopher Eccleston's Doctor seems just wrong as well

I thought that might be what was intended, but surely Sylvester McCoy would have been less inappropriate.....and Ed as Matt Smith (?) - not (Labour Luvvie) Tennant? Young chap not up to the job?

Its all a bit of a mess

David Tennant was very popular (and all time favourite Doc in recent polls with Tom Baker's Doctor, who is Gordon Brown in this montage)

Popular isn't a word you can associate with either Gordon Brown or Ed Miliband.

It might be more fun casting Labour leaders as Doctor Who villains:

Blair - Dalek - exterminate the Tories thrice....(favourite quote from 'War with the Cybermen' 'This is not war! This is Pest Control!'

Brown - Cyberman - no heart......pest.....

.....I'll leave the rest up to you......

You're lucky I'm not guest editing PB this week, or we'd have a very Doctor Who themed thread.

CarlottaVance said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

CarlottaVance said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

CarlottaVance said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

CarlottaVance said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

state_go_away said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

TGOHF said:

Richard_Tyndall said:

TheWatcher said:

Kippers shrieking about EU audits, whilst Farage and chums trouser unaccounted allowances, for 'banks of computers' and family on the payroll.

You've got to laugh.

That is the system set up by the EU. Blame them. At least Farage and UKIP are trying to get the UK out of it entirely. You seem content to let it carry on as is.

Absolutely no hypocrisy there...

You would have them refuse to accept the legitimate allowances and do their work for free? Its a thought I suppose and if we could get all MEPs to work for free then maybe I might be a little more sympathetic to them.

UKIP MEPS have an appalling record for expense fraud in the EU . ITs only right people are sceptical of claims from that party

If by appalling record you mean two cases - that of Tom Wise and Ashley Mote

2 out of 13? How does that compare with other UK parties?

Maybe the other parties don't highlight UKIP's record because of this:

"MPs to escape expenses investigations after paperwork destroyed by Parliament"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/11204405/MPs-to-escape-expenses-investigations-after-paperwork-destroyed-by-Parliament.html

Whataboutery!

What if UKIP had had MPs?

Still elected representatives, just different parliaments!

So compare them within the same parliaments - how does the percentage of imprisoned UKIP MEPs compare with other UK party MEPs?

Strasbourg isn't the only parliament that UK voters elect...

I'll take 2/13 as 'more' then.......

Tissue_Price said:

Speedy said:

A few things from the marginals poll:

1. Lord Ashcroft is approaching the upper boundary of Labour gains, but not there yet, with 38 Labour gains from the Tories so far.

2. There is a UKIP stronghold in the midlands, Cannock Chase is the second midlands seat with UKIP close to the winning post and is neighboring Walsall North, so that suggests a strong local UKIP presence.

3. Aidan Burley's chances of being the next defector to UKIP suddenly become severe.

Aidan Burley is stepping down anyway. If he felt like doing the Tories a favour [in recognition of the damage he did them] then a defection to UKIP would be a thoughtful parting gift.

Alistair said:

TGOHF said:

Alistair said:

TGOHF said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TGOHF said:

Must be Kipper "the Tripoli buses ran on time under Muammar.." theme of theday

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukips-mark-reckless-colonel-gaddafi-good-halting-immigration-1473253

"Tory defector Reckless said the deposed leader had stopped boats from making the hazardous voyage across the Mediterranean sea to Italy.

He said: "Whatever people say about Gaddafi, one thing is he didn't allow those boats to come across."

Good to see someone offering a measured opinion of Gadaffi, as opposed to being photographed cuddling him one minute, and thinking he's satan's spawn as soon as the Americans decide they want rid.

Apart from arming the IRA and blowing up a passenger plane over the Uk its difficult to see what was wrong with the chap..

By far the biggest scandal of Al-Mehgrahi's release

What bigger than the SNP releasing a convicted mass murdering terrorist ? I think not.

Dropping his appeal has prevented this line of inquiry being officially investigated.

MikeK said:

SouthamObserver said:

Bob__Sykes said:

It would be travesty enough to see Ed Miliband, the bloke that NOBODY wants to be PM (probably not even himself), get a majority or a workable minority on 32-35% of the vote. To do so when the combined Tory/UKIP vote was pushing 50% would be totally unthinkable.

There simply has to be some accomodation between the Tories and UKIP before next May. A formal pact is obviously a non-starter, but there has to be some bargain struck and an agreement on where UKIP will stand and where it won't / where each party will focus its resources and efforts. It would appear that this is what UKIP voters want anyway.

A UKIP pact of any kind with the Tories before the election may well push up the Labour vote share and depress the UKIP one. If UKIP is serious about winning in Labour heartlands it needs to avoid the Tories at all costs until after polling day.

Good afternoon.

Time and time again Farage has said and repeated that there will be no formal pact with the Cons.

1. The membership of UKIP won't allow it and don't want it. You must remember that nearly 20K new members have joined the party in the last 20 months and would oppose any such move. Also thousands of supporters would be against it.

2. The clarion call and slogan for the GE is: "Vote UKIP, Get UKIP"

3. An expanded election strategy has been adopted by the UKIP NEC.
(a) To concentrate on the 30 most advantageous constituencies.
(b) To expand that to the next 70 constituencies on the list if possible.
(c) So depending on finance, activists and organisation the target is now 100 seats.

4. UKIP will be fighting the Lab/Lib/Con everywhere they can. NO PACT!

Bob__Sykes said:

MikeK said:

SouthamObserver said:

Bob__Sykes said:

It would be travesty enough to see Ed Miliband, the bloke that NOBODY wants to be PM (probably not even himself), get a majority or a workable minority on 32-35% of the vote. To do so when the combined Tory/UKIP vote was pushing 50% would be totally unthinkable.

There simply has to be some accomodation between the Tories and UKIP before next May. A formal pact is obviously a non-starter, but there has to be some bargain struck and an agreement on where UKIP will stand and where it won't / where each party will focus its resources and efforts. It would appear that this is what UKIP voters want anyway.

A UKIP pact of any kind with the Tories before the election may well push up the Labour vote share and depress the UKIP one. If UKIP is serious about winning in Labour heartlands it needs to avoid the Tories at all costs until after polling day.

Good afternoon.

Time and time again Farage has said and repeated that there will be no formal pact with the Cons.

1. The membership of UKIP won't allow it and don't want it. You must remember that nearly 20K new members have joined the party in the last 20 months and would oppose any such move. Also thousands of supporters would be against it.

2. The clarion call and slogan for the GE is: "Vote UKIP, Get UKIP"

3. An expanded election strategy has been adopted by the UKIP NEC.
(a) To concentrate on the 30 most advantageous constituencies.
(b) To expand that to the next 70 constituencies on the list if possible.
(c) So depending on finance, activists and organisation the target is now 100 seats.

4. UKIP will be fighting the Lab/Lib/Con everywhere they can. NO PACT!

And ensuring Britain's most Europhile Government in history is elected into power by such a majority it might govern for a generation. We might even join the Euro.

All of which proves Cameron was absolutely bang on the money when he called them nutters, loonies and fruitcakes.

He was, and remains, spot on.

sarissa said:

The SNP was formed in 1934. Douglas Young, the person you are referring was its fourth leader, 1942-45, and did not join the party until 1938.

Luckyguy1983 said:

» show previous quotes
The origins of the Whigs (later the Liberal party) lay in its opposition to absolute monarchy, and in particular its opposition to Catholic Monarchs.

The origins of the Tories lie in opposing the Whig's exclusion bill, aimed at disinheriting James Duke of York.

The Labour Party was formed as a movement to represent the newly enfranchised urban proletariat -a rejection of the centrist Liberal Party that aimed to represent this constituency.

The Scottish National Party was founded in opposition to the UK -its leader at the time was jailed for campaigning against conscription during World War II.

The SDP was founded to create a new centrist political force in the UK. We all know how that went.

Every successful political movement starts because it is against something. Otherwise what point would their be in a new political movement? It's not rocket science.