Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.

Paranoia or should be worried about shy Trumpers? – politicalbetting.com

245

Comments

  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 10,072
    For Tory leadership betting, a big drop off in popularity for Farage in the last week for 2024 Conservative voters.

    Voters are not members, but I assume this is the change that Patel has picked up.

    https://x.com/YouGov/status/1821499422431207918
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 56,022
    This women’s 400 hurdles could be one of the events of the week.
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 11,453
    MattW said:

    I think that "Teasy" is a better nickname, by determinative nominalism.
    At the risk of the fate that has befallen about a hundred versions of Leon - I approve this suggestion!
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,818
    Pagan2 said:

    Most people if given a choice would merge with North korea before merging with france
    Done polling have you? Until then, speak for yourself.

    Large tracts of it used to be ours.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    Eabhal said:

    For Tory leadership betting, a big drop off in popularity for Farage in the last week for 2024 Conservative voters.

    Voters are not members, but I assume this is the change that Patel has picked up.

    https://x.com/YouGov/status/1821499422431207918

    The only good thing to say about priti is she would look good in latex
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 56,022
    WORLD RECORD!!!!
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 18,576
    TimS said:

    Done polling have you? Until then, speak for yourself.

    Large tracts of it used to be ours.
    Some time ago - the disastrous reign of Henry 6th saw most of it lost. I’m intrigued by your suggestion that merger was a possibility in the 50’s. I am aware of Churchil’s 1940 offer, but nothing from the 50’s.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,410
    Leon said:

    Nice

    It should be COMPULSORY for every Englishman to drink a large “Poundbury Punch” at 11am on Christmas Day morning, so as to toast His Majesty’s health

    And maybe Easter Sunday. And whitsuntide

    And Lammas Day…
    All Quarter Days. The Pub Landlord can create a special for the Lady Day...
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 4,601
    Sandpit said:

    WORLD RECORD!!!!

    It was quite a big bowl of noodles. But I'd like to thank my coach, and especially my cat who sat staring in horror as I ate.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 26,482
    I see that the Labour Councillor seemingly calling for throat cuttings has been arrested.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz074vyvjzvo

    "Two tier policing" continues not to exist.

    Except that the line may now be: "TWO TIER POLICING - WE TOLD YOU. They didn't arrest him until we kicked up a fuss."

    For some it continues to be about generating a political narrative to fit their purposes.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,410
    Have there been any drugs cheats discovered yet at this Olympics?
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    TimS said:

    Done polling have you? Until then, speak for yourself.

    Large tracts of it used to be ours.
    Not done polling no, just experience that no one much has a good word to say about the french. Most of my team are scottish for example, a group that in theory should like the french from recent history. Most of them don't like the french either and if asked if they wanted to merge would go hell no!

    You of course making the first claim if anyone showing a popular move to merge with the french not me
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,818
    edited August 2024

    Some time ago - the disastrous reign of Henry 6th saw most of it lost. I’m intrigued by your suggestion that merger was a possibility in the 50’s. I am aware of Churchil’s 1940 offer, but nothing from the 50’s.
    https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2007/jan/15/france.eu

    They always loved our Queen
  • londonpubmanlondonpubman Posts: 3,641
    Sandpit said:

    WORLD RECORD!!!!

    A rarity at the Olympics. A huge run. One of the best athletics performances at the Olympics of all time across all events
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,410
    Pagan2 said:

    The only good thing to say about priti is she would look good in latex
    You said that out loud...
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,924
    edited August 2024
    MaxPB said:

    It's going to be a close finish, KJT is stronger at the long jump and Thiam is better at javelin, they're both pretty even at 800m, maybe KJT shades it. What we have seen today is KJT step up at shotput which bodes well for her javelin score tomorrow and Thiam didn't have a great 200m so it's not like she's got any better at running which means her long jump and 800m won't be better than expected.

    I think KJT is well placed for the gold but it will be very close, a couple of tenths faster tonight for the 200m and KJT would probably be clear already barring any disasters.
    Well KJTs LJ Personal Best is only 24pts better than Thiams
    Her Javelin is 298points worse
    Her 800m is 4.53 secs better than Thiams so 173 pts better so not at all "pretty much even"

    KJT needs to close that Jav gap to stand a chance

    Based on both matching PBs from here on in Thiam wins by 53pts
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    TimS said:

    https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2007/jan/15/france.eu
    And the asking the populace part seems to be surprisingly missing in that article. I am sure if you had asked in france or england the most popular answer would have been fuck off
  • kle4 said:

    William felt the distinct unease of a well-educated man who has to confront the fact that the illiterate man watching him could probably outthink him three times over.
    The Truth - Terry Pratchett
    We see this in politics too. There is imo a degree of condescension and even hostility from politicians, the civil service and media towards politicians who went to lesser schools and colleges, so Jim Callaghan, Neil Kinnock, Gordon Brown, and on the other side, John Major and IDS, and early on even Thatcher and Churchill.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 56,022
    That was totally nuts from Sydney McLaughlin. Absolutely brilliant.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,252

    There's a nicely done out carriage on the sea front at Sandsend near Whitby:
    https://mulgrave-estate.co.uk/holiday-cottages/sandsend-sleeper-parcel-wagon
    Bah. A Mk-1. Not even Victorian. ;)
  • EScrymgeourEScrymgeour Posts: 141
    edited August 2024

    News - Trump Says He Has Agreed To Debate On Fox On Sep 4th, NBC On Sep 10th, ABC On Sep 25th

    https://x.com/PpollingNumbers/status/1821612057516823027

    Be like him to turn up on Fox, then skip NBC/ABC
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,536
    Pagan2 said:

    Not done polling no, just experience that no one much has a good word to say about the french. Most of my team are scottish for example, a group that in theory should like the french from recent history. Most of them don't like the french either and if asked if they wanted to merge would go hell no!

    You of course making the first claim if anyone showing a popular move to merge with the french not me
    Have you been to France? I’ve just spent about 9 of the last 12 weeks there, all over the country

    They are remarkably polite, friendly, honest, kind, certainly outside Paris. In fact it’s getting hard to find the traditional rude shrugging Frenchman

    It really helps if you can say just two or three words of French. That makes them smile, then they happily accept that English is the lingua franca

    And their country is much more beautiful than ours
  • YouGov poll sees Farage's favourability score take a hit over the last week, particularly amongst conservative voters

    Now is the time and opportunity for the conservatives to distance themselves from Farage and Reform

    https://news.sky.com/story/politics-latest-starmer-labour-riots-parliament-conservative-leadership-jenrick-police-live-12593360?postid=8098959#liveblog-body
  • MattWMattW Posts: 26,482

    All Quarter Days. The Pub Landlord can create a special for the Lady Day...
    For a quiet Christmas Day, I'd feed them a Fog Cutter at 11am, using their Christmas Satsumas:

    Long Version:

    - 50ml orange juice (fresh is best)
    - 25ml lemon juice
    - 50ml white rum
    - 25ml gin
    - 25ml brandy / cognac (my preference is Courvoisier, but the source of the recipe says Martell. I think he has played too much Contraband.)
    - 25ml Amontillado Sherry
    - 25ml orgeat (which is an almond sugar syrup - I adapted by using an Amaretto almond liqueur instead of half of the white rum, and normal syrup)

    Mix everything except the Sherry in a cocktail shaker (or jug) with crushed ice. Strain into a tall ice filled glass. Float the sherry on top, and garnish with a slice of orange.

    Enjoy your summery Christmassy cocktail. Let the day drift away.
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,818
    Pagan2 said:

    Not done polling no, just experience that no one much has a good word to say about the french. Most of my team are scottish for example, a group that in theory should like the french from recent history. Most of them don't like the french either and if asked if they wanted to merge would go hell no!

    You of course making the first claim if anyone showing a popular move to merge with the french not me
    It’s not just “the French”. It’s France. France is in almost all respects - weather, scenery, colonial possessions in the tropics, physical attractiveness of population, architecture, obesity rates, transport infrastructure, planning regs, rioting abilities, Olympics medal table, ok maybe not river cleanliness - better than Britain.

    Put aside your dislike of surly waiters, annoying shopkeepers who correct your use of masculine and feminine gender, and shrugging bureaucrats, and consider the territories on offer.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717

    We see this in politics too. There is imo a degree of condescension and even hostility from politicians, the civil service and media towards politicians who went to lesser schools and colleges, so Jim Callaghan, Neil Kinnock, Gordon Brown, and on the other side, John Major and IDS, and early on even Thatcher and Churchill.
    Not only in the elite, witness the "they voted for this because they were ignorant diatribes". Whether brexit, voting for the tories and even sometimes the lib dems, or labour
    depending on where they are commenting
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,898
    Sandpit said:

    That was totally nuts from Sydney McLaughlin. Absolutely brilliant.

    0.2 seconds outside qualifying for the 400 flat final.
    Whilst jumping hurdles.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    Leon said:

    Have you been to France? I’ve just spent about 9 of the last 12 weeks there, all over the country

    They are remarkably polite, friendly, honest, kind, certainly outside Paris. In fact it’s getting hard to find the traditional rude shrugging Frenchman

    It really helps if you can say just two or three words of French. That makes them smile, then they happily accept that English is the lingua franca

    And their country is much more beautiful than ours
    I deny nothing you have said, however nothing you said indicates they want to merge with england so I don't see how it is remotely relevant
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,818
    Pagan2 said:

    I deny nothing you have said, however nothing you said indicates they want to merge with england so I don't see how it is remotely relevant
    Oh but Pagan I am deadly serious about this.

    Give it time and the peuples of les deux états will voir la lumière.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 39,794

    No Thiams Javelin PB is 298 pts better than KJT
    But KJT just smashed her shotput PB tonight so she's clearly got more in the tank for javelin than her PB so it could be extremely close. A similar improvement would get her another ~70 points in javelin which is gold.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,536
    edited August 2024
    TimS said:

    It’s not just “the French”. It’s France. France is in almost all respects - weather, scenery, colonial possessions in the tropics, physical attractiveness of population, architecture, obesity rates, transport infrastructure, planning regs, rioting abilities, Olympics medal table, ok maybe not river cleanliness - better than Britain.

    Put aside your dislike of surly waiters, annoying shopkeepers who correct your use of masculine and feminine gender, and shrugging bureaucrats, and consider the territories on offer.
    Sadly true

    However we are much funnier than them, generally cheerier, better company all round. Also more individualistic, and creative. They are weirdly boring and self similar. Like Hausmann boulevards

    And their restaurant food is execrable. In Paris this week I was reduced to pizza. Pizza!!

    Otherwise, oui
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    edited August 2024
    TimS said:

    It’s not just “the French”. It’s France. France is in almost all respects - weather, scenery, colonial possessions in the tropics, physical attractiveness of population, architecture, obesity rates, transport infrastructure, planning regs, rioting abilities, Olympics medal table, ok maybe not river cleanliness - better than Britain.

    Put aside your dislike of surly waiters, annoying shopkeepers who correct your use of masculine and feminine gender, and shrugging bureaucrats, and consider the territories on offer.
    I have not said I dislike the french, they are french, we are british. The french prefer to be french, the british prefer to be british. Citing two remote high politicians discussing merging the countries does not mean the demos of either want to merge. I don't see what you are failing to get here?
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    TimS said:

    Oh but Pagan I am deadly serious about this.

    Give it time and the peuples of les deux états will voir la lumière.
    No they really won't else we would have done it centuries back when we were almost one country, since then we have got more distant from each other not closer
  • Nunu5Nunu5 Posts: 981

    News - Trump Says He Has Agreed To Debate On Fox On Sep 4th, NBC On Sep 10th, ABC On Sep 25th

    https://x.com/PpollingNumbers/status/1821612057516823027

    A one man agreement.
  • Nunu5Nunu5 Posts: 981
    I agree to have pudding today, tomorrow and the day after.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,536
    Pagan2 said:

    No they really won't else we would have done it centuries back when we were almost one country, since then we have got more distant from each other not closer
    Both countries have very similar problems. Tragically, we used to be able to say that the UK is more racially harmonious. Not any more
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    Nunu5 said:

    I agree to have pudding today, tomorrow and the day after.

    define pudding are we talking savoury pudding such as steak and kidney or sweet pudding such as treacle pudding?
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,252

    A blitzkrieg whereby the Ukrainian forces bypass the Russian defence lines to liberate Ukrainian territory via Russian territory?

    Comparable to how the fall of France was facilitated by the bypassing the Maginot Line.
    Incidentally, I read your post and thought: "Nah, blitzkrieg was much faster than the Ukrainian advance in Kursk."

    Then I looked into it... and it may not have been.:
    "For example, from 10 May 1940 through 25 June 1940 is 46 days and the Germans covered a distance of perhaps 250 km, or approximately 5 km/day. From 22 June 1941 to 5 December 1941 is 165 days and perhaps 1000 km were covered, or roughly 6 km/day. I imagine Rommel in North Africa went even faster."
    https://www.feldgrau.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11603

    But other sources say 120 miles in five days. Which, if copied, would soon have the Ukrainians at Moscow's gates... ;)

    An odd discrepancy if they're talking about the same thing.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    Leon said:

    Both countries have very similar problems. Tragically, we used to be able to say that the UK is more racially harmonious. Not any more
    I see you have reverted to talking bollocks
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 76,418
    TimS said:

    Oh but Pagan I am deadly serious about this.

    Give it time and the peuples of les deux états will voir la lumière.
    It could have been great.
    Third largest economy in the world.

    What synergies might we have realised ?
  • londonpubmanlondonpubman Posts: 3,641
    MaxPB said:

    But KJT just smashed her shotput PB tonight so she's clearly got more in the tank for javelin than her PB so it could be extremely close. A similar improvement would get her another ~70 points in javelin which is gold.
    Yes I suspect KJT will just get there. Also maybe 2 or 3 golds in the cycling. Not sure where any other golds are coming from. Should be enough for 5th in the table
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 51,085
    Pagan2 said:

    Most people if given a choice would merge with North korea before merging with france
    Err. No.
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 35,262
    Leon said:

    Have you been to France? I’ve just spent about 9 of the last 12 weeks there, all over the country

    They are remarkably polite, friendly, honest, kind, certainly outside Paris. In fact it’s getting hard to find the traditional rude shrugging Frenchman

    It really helps if you can say just two or three words of French. That makes them smile, then they happily accept that English is the lingua franca

    And their country is much more beautiful than ours
    I'd merge the UK with France at the drop of a hat.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    Nigelb said:

    It could have been great.
    Third largest economy in the world.

    What synergies might we have realised ?
    Don't get me wrong not saying it wouldn't have worked economically. However do you think either the british or french would have said yes in a referendum?
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,065
    Pagan2 said:

    Precisely
    The trouble is there is a wide gap between software written on a university course and what is acceptable as commercial software
    There is often a wide gap between what is acceptable in a commercial environment and what is acceptable software.

    Looking at you, Boeing.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,924
    MaxPB said:

    But KJT just smashed her shotput PB tonight so she's clearly got more in the tank for javelin than her PB so it could be extremely close. A similar improvement would get her another ~70 points in javelin which is gold.
    Lets hope so

    FWIW I think both will fall short of their LJ PBs (KJT needs to maintain her PB gap of 24 points on that event

    KJT needs to narrow her massive Javelin defecit by at least 50 points

    Then it comes down to the 800m I will be surprised if KJT beats her PB of 2.07.26 Thiam has scope to beat hers of 2.11.79

    It will be close but with my betting head rather than my heart i think Thiam is narrow favourite.

    Obvs it can go either way but the 20m underperformance by KJT was massive in terms of the overall result
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717

    I'd merge the UK with France at the drop of a hat.
    What do you think the referendum result would be in the two countries if a merger was proposed?
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 11,453

    I'd merge the UK with France at the drop of a hat.
    At the drop of a French hat - I'm with you!
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    edited August 2024

    There is often a wide gap between what is acceptable in a commercial environment and what is acceptable software.

    Looking at you, Boeing.
    Also true when a company goes from actual engineers to bean counter control

    To give an example there is a proposal in my company that employs a couple of hundred software engineers that we should no longer buy visual studio licences as we can use visual code for free....guess what sort of manager suggested it?
  • MattWMattW Posts: 26,482
    MattW said:

    I see that the Labour Councillor seemingly calling for throat cuttings has been arrested.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz074vyvjzvo

    "Two tier policing" continues not to exist.

    Except that the line may now be: "TWO TIER POLICING - WE TOLD YOU. They didn't arrest him until we kicked up a fuss."

    For some it continues to be about generating a political narrative to fit their purposes.

    Following this up, Black Belt Barrister has commented:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-1P2YHvLBg
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,818
    Pagan2 said:

    What do you think the referendum result would be in the two countries if a merger was proposed?
    I actually think it would be close.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 39,794
    Leon said:

    Both countries have very similar problems. Tragically, we used to be able to say that the UK is more racially harmonious. Not any more
    I don't think that's true at all, last night tens of thousands across the country came out to march against Nazis and fascist EDL types. While it doesn't mean all is good again, it does show that that the majority of the UK is decent and accepting of people from different ethnicities. The "breaking point" is much further away than people might try and sensationalise.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,536
    Pagan2 said:

    What do you think the referendum result would be in the two countries if a merger was proposed?
    You make a very fair point. No way would the French have surrendered their Republican model to have a British monarch as head of state, no way would the British have yielded their monarchy to become a French style republic. The idea was bonkers
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 18,576
    TimS said:

    The occasional joy of home alone.

    Many single posters will not appreciate or understand this. But the family are all in France and I am back here, working and paying the bills, before joining them a few days later.

    We all love our families, our spouses and children. But a couple of days at home on one’s own (it was supposed to be 10 days but car theft put paid to that) is liberating.

    I can do domestic jobs far more efficiently than if there were others involved. I can cook weird food without fear of rejection. I can put angostura bitters in a bottle of lager. I can iron clothes knowing they won’t be worn or soiled for another couple of weeks. I can leave washing out on the line in the rain by accident and then bring it inside without anyone noticing.

    I don’t even need to see my friends. Years ago they all lived in London so a home alone night meant texting them and going out, which was nice and all that but now I have a choice because they’ve all fucked off to the provinces. So it’s a night in with angostura bitters and surplus lager.

    And chatting shit on PB with random weirdos.
    Ain’t it great!
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,818
    Leon said:

    Both countries have very similar problems. Tragically, we used to be able to say that the UK is more racially harmonious. Not any more
    We still are. The French don’t have to rely on their football ultras plus Russian Telegram channels and the world’s richest billionaire to generate some sort of ethnic cleavage. There is much more racism in France than here.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 51,085
    TimS said:

    The occasional joy of home alone.

    Many single posters will not appreciate or understand this. But the family are all in France and I am back here, working and paying the bills, before joining them a few days later.

    We all love our families, our spouses and children. But a couple of days at home on one’s own (it was supposed to be 10 days but car theft put paid to that) is liberating.

    I can do domestic jobs far more efficiently than if there were others involved. I can cook weird food without fear of rejection. I can put angostura bitters in a bottle of lager. I can iron clothes knowing they won’t be worn or soiled for another couple of weeks. I can leave washing out on the line in the rain by accident and then bring it inside without anyone noticing.

    I don’t even need to see my friends. Years ago they all lived in London so a home alone night meant texting them and going out, which was nice and all that but now I have a choice because they’ve all fucked off to the provinces. So it’s a night in with angostura bitters and surplus lager.

    And control of the TV remote. Like you, I am living the dream.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,831
    edited August 2024

    I'd merge the UK with France at the drop of a hat.
    That likely means Le Pen leader of the Opposition and Farage her Deputy, also some problems about the head of state given they are a republic and we have a King
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 34,506
    Pagan2 said:

    I have not said I dislike the french, they are french, we are british. The french prefer to be french, the british prefer to be british. Citing two remote high politicians discussing merging the countries does not mean the demos of either want to merge. I don't see what you are failing to get here?
    Depends, I suggest, on whether one is ‘ruling class’ or pleb. The latter would be much happier with the Dutch and Scandinavians.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    TimS said:

    I actually think it would be close.
    Well I don't think it would be close either side but neither can say till there is a referendum...I was right
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,818
    Nunu5 said:

    I agree to have pudding today, tomorrow and the day after.

    Wise choice
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,831
    Shy Trumpers or not a 1% or 2% lead for Harris with I&I/TIPP would be no bigger than the margin Hillary won the popular vote by in 2016 when Trump won the EC. Trump now having agreed to autumn debates with Harris makes them a factor too
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,898

    I'd merge the UK with France at the drop of a hat.
    We'd have to up our rioting game.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,065
    TimS said:

    Done polling have you? Until then, speak for yourself.

    Large tracts of it used to be ours.
    Large tracts of it *are* ours
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717

    And chatting shit on PB with random weirdos.
    Ain’t it great!
    I am the only sane one here its just the rest of you are wierd and I post here as part of my community service for barratry nods
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 39,794
    TimS said:

    We still are. The French don’t have to rely on their football ultras plus Russian Telegram channels and the world’s richest billionaire to generate some sort of ethnic cleavage. There is much more racism in France than here.
    Yes, this is definitely true, when my wife (then gf) went to provincial France in 2017 we got a lot of odd stares and people chatting shit about us in French because we're an interracial couple. That my wife speaks perfect French was an instant fuck you to them but it was still a chastening experience and not what I expected growing up in the UK where literally no one gives a flying fuck about interracial marriages/relationships other than the most idiotic EDL wankers.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,536
    MaxPB said:

    I don't think that's true at all, last night tens of thousands across the country came out to march against Nazis and fascist EDL types. While it doesn't mean all is good again, it does show that that the majority of the UK is decent and accepting of people from different ethnicities. The "breaking point" is much further away than people might try and sensationalise.
    I hope you’re right. But I’m deeply pessimistic. Why?

    Because I don’t think the Labour government will learn anything from this, other than that they need to censor and demonise dissenting right wing opinion even more

    They won’t do anything about the boats, immigration will continue at insane levels, they will silence anyone who complains, they will make zero effort at Danish style integration. The sectarianisation of the UK will therefore continue and likely intensify
  • ThomasNasheThomasNashe Posts: 5,331
    Nigelb said:

    It could have been great.
    Third largest economy in the world.

    What synergies might we have realised ?
    How many world cups won?
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,065
    HYUFD said:

    That likely means Le Pen leader of the Opposition and Farage her Deputy, also some problems about the head of state given they are a republic and we have a King
    Split the difference and make Charlie Emperor.
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,818
    Pagan2 said:

    Well I don't think it would be close either side but neither can say till there is a referendum...I was right
    Let the people decide. Laissez les gens décider.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 56,022
    TimS said:

    The occasional joy of home alone.

    Many single posters will not appreciate or understand this. But the family are all in France and I am back here, working and paying the bills, before joining them a few days later.

    We all love our families, our spouses and children. But a couple of days at home on one’s own (it was supposed to be 10 days but car theft put paid to that) is liberating.

    I can do domestic jobs far more efficiently than if there were others involved. I can cook weird food without fear of rejection. I can put angostura bitters in a bottle of lager. I can iron clothes knowing they won’t be worn or soiled for another couple of weeks. I can leave washing out on the line in the rain by accident and then bring it inside without anyone noticing.

    I don’t even need to see my friends. Years ago they all lived in London so a home alone night meant texting them and going out, which was nice and all that but now I have a choice because they’ve all fucked off to the provinces. So it’s a night in with angostura bitters and surplus lager.

    I’m home alone for the next couple of weeks. Dropped Wifey off to the airport this morning, to go and see her father in Ukraine. She’s in Poland now and getting on a train in the morning heading for Kiev.

    I can’t go because of work, yes it’s great to be able to cook crap food and grab takeaways for a few days, but one always misses the hugs and kisses with that other human in the bed every morning…
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    TimS said:

    We still are. The French don’t have to rely on their football ultras plus Russian Telegram channels and the world’s richest billionaire to generate some sort of ethnic cleavage. There is much more racism in France than here.
    You just have to look at %rn got against what reform got
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,818

    Large tracts of it *are* ours
    Sadly (or gladly) not in Southern Burgundy where the lingua Franca is French, the foreign visitors are Swiss, American and the caravanning Dutch, and the land under one’s feet never belonged to the English crown.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 51,085
    Sandpit said:

    I’m home alone for the next couple of weeks. Dropped Wifey off to the airport this morning, to go and see her father in Ukraine. She’s in Poland now and getting on a train in the morning heading for Kiev.

    I can’t go because of work, yes it’s great to be able to cook crap food and grab takeaways for a few days, but one always misses the hugs and kisses with that other human in the bed every morning…
    Sure, but for a few days the cat is away and the mice can play. After that I miss the cat...
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 31,125
    MattW said:

    I see that the Labour Councillor seemingly calling for throat cuttings has been arrested.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz074vyvjzvo

    "Two tier policing" continues not to exist.

    Except that the line may now be: "TWO TIER POLICING - WE TOLD YOU. They didn't arrest him until we kicked up a fuss."

    For some it continues to be about generating a political narrative to fit their purposes.

    On Nigel's instruction.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz074vyvjzvo.amp
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    MaxPB said:

    Yes, this is definitely true, when my wife (then gf) went to provincial France in 2017 we got a lot of odd stares and people chatting shit about us in French because we're an interracial couple. That my wife speaks perfect French was an instant fuck you to them but it was still a chastening experience and not what I expected growing up in the UK where literally no one gives a flying fuck about interracial marriages/relationships other than the most idiotic EDL wankers.
    EDL wankers are thankfully rare, and while I know people regard me as very right wing, yes I despise these people.
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,818
    edited August 2024
    Pagan2 said:

    I am the only sane one here its just the rest of you are wierd and I post here as part of my community service for barratry nods
    “I am the only sane one here” is chapter 5, section 4 of the textbook.

    Out of interest what are barratry nods?
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 39,794
    Leon said:

    I hope you’re right. But I’m deeply pessimistic. Why?

    Because I don’t think the Labour government will learn anything from this, other than that they need to censor and demonise dissenting right wing opinion even more

    They won’t do anything about the boats, immigration will continue at insane levels, they will silence anyone who complains, they will make zero effort at Danish style integration. The sectarianisation of the UK will therefore continue and likely intensify
    Then that's Labour losing in 2029, however, I don't think the high net migration will continue under Labour. They're already making noises about raising the £39k visa threshold and pushing through a regional and sector based salary minimums which would fundamentally change the way sponsor visas are issued. That along with the collapse of the student visa factory "universities" sector will push net migration down to ~150k within a couple of years and with the higher thresholds the current lot of foreign students graduating will have to go back home meaning we may actually have 2-3 years of net emigration as student arrivals unwind.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    TimS said:

    “I am the only sane one here” is chapter 5, section 4 of the textbook.
    Yes but your textbook is a figment of my imagination...just saying
  • stodgestodge Posts: 14,429

    On Nigel's instruction.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz074vyvjzvo.amp
    I doubt that very much.

    The bigger question is whether he will be expelled from the Labour Party - until and unless legal action is taken, there's little they can do about him reamining a councillor unless he chooses to resign. Presumably his authority could take action based on the standards of behaviour under which members are supposed to comport themselves but that would take time.

    He's been incredibly stupid - perhaps he'd spent an afternoon at the bingo.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 56,022
    edited August 2024
    Foxy said:

    Sure, but for a few days the cat is away and the mice can play. After that I miss the cat...
    Okay. Maybe I get sh!tfaced by mid-afternoon tomorrow then!

    But after that, what? It’s no fun being on your own.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,252

    There is often a wide gap between what is acceptable in a commercial environment and what is acceptable software.

    Looking at you, Boeing.
    Very true; and it makes sense.

    If I am writing *software* to control a washing machine (*), then a crash or failure once in a hundred hours is annoying, but not critical. If I am writing software for a car or plane, then a crash or failure once in a hundred hours would be totally and utterly unacceptable.

    Having said that, it is made worse by manages building (say) a washing machine not understanding the importance of the software that runs on it, and not even allocating the effort in to ensure it does not crash every five hours of use...

    Being a software engineer in such an environment can be soul-crushing. You *want* to do a better job, but you're not allowed to.

    (*) I am talking non-Internet of Tat here...
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 43,210

    How many world cups won?
    Couldn’t really up the won world wars count, though perhaps we’d have started some new ones.
  • I'd merge the UK with France at the drop of a hat.
    "The UK and France are to be reorganised as The First Galactic Empire! For a safe and secure society!"
  • How many world cups won?
    Isn't this an "ah, but what if they had my looks and your brains..." thing.

    You're assuming the Franglais national team would have the best attributes of both rather than the worst.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,393
    TimS said:

    The occasional joy of home alone.

    Many single posters will not appreciate or understand this. But the family are all in France and I am back here, working and paying the bills, before joining them a few days later.

    We all love our families, our spouses and children. But a couple of days at home on one’s own (it was supposed to be 10 days but car theft put paid to that) is liberating.

    I can do domestic jobs far more efficiently than if there were others involved. I can cook weird food without fear of rejection. I can put angostura bitters in a bottle of lager. I can iron clothes knowing they won’t be worn or soiled for another couple of weeks. I can leave washing out on the line in the rain by accident and then bring it inside without anyone noticing.

    I don’t even need to see my friends. Years ago they all lived in London so a home alone night meant texting them and going out, which was nice and all that but now I have a choice because they’ve all fucked off to the provinces. So it’s a night in with angostura bitters and surplus lager.

    Covid lockdowns must have been very hard on many families. However much you love someone you surely need your own space from time to time.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717
    MaxPB said:

    Then that's Labour losing in 2029, however, I don't think the high net migration will continue under Labour. They're already making noises about raising the £39k visa threshold and pushing through a regional and sector based salary minimums which would fundamentally change the way sponsor visas are issued. That along with the collapse of the student visa factory "universities" sector will push net migration down to ~150k within a couple of years and with the higher thresholds the current lot of foreign students graduating will have to go back home meaning we may actually have 2-3 years of net emigration as student arrivals unwind.
    A very right wing person writes and I think how that's people see me

    Immigration is fine as long as
    1) Those coming in are net contributors to the economy
    2) Housing and services grow to support the numbers coming in
    3) We have a hard cap on the population governed by food and energy supply security ( note doesn't need to be 100%)
    4) Those coming in intergrate into our society and don't make standalone ones

    Other than that I don't care about colour, race, creed or sexuality of them
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,536
    MaxPB said:

    Then that's Labour losing in 2029, however, I don't think the high net migration will continue under Labour. They're already making noises about raising the £39k visa threshold and pushing through a regional and sector based salary minimums which would fundamentally change the way sponsor visas are issued. That along with the collapse of the student visa factory "universities" sector will push net migration down to ~150k within a couple of years and with the higher thresholds the current lot of foreign students graduating will have to go back home meaning we may actually have 2-3 years of net emigration as student arrivals unwind.
    If we get net emigration I will be astonished. I’ll be fairly amazed if it comes down to net ~150k arrivals

    My worst fear is that Britain will become a bigger version of Sweden. Jeez

    We need to be like Denmark. Get much more proactive with integration and be much more ruthless - sadly - with asylum seekers. That’s how you restore public faith
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 35,262
    TimS said:

    The occasional joy of home alone.

    Many single posters will not appreciate or understand this. But the family are all in France and I am back here, working and paying the bills, before joining them a few days later.

    We all love our families, our spouses and children. But a couple of days at home on one’s own (it was supposed to be 10 days but car theft put paid to that) is liberating.

    I can do domestic jobs far more efficiently than if there were others involved. I can cook weird food without fear of rejection. I can put angostura bitters in a bottle of lager. I can iron clothes knowing they won’t be worn or soiled for another couple of weeks. I can leave washing out on the line in the rain by accident and then bring it inside without anyone noticing.

    I don’t even need to see my friends. Years ago they all lived in London so a home alone night meant texting them and going out, which was nice and all that but now I have a choice because they’ve all fucked off to the provinces. So it’s a night in with angostura bitters and surplus lager.

    Coincidentally I am also home alone (not counting the dog) as Mrs P. is spending a few nights with her father after his cataract operation.

    Quite nice to chill and slob out a bit but I'll be getting lonely by Monday when she comes back.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,536
    Sandpit said:

    Okay. Maybe I get sh!tfaced by mid-afternoon tomorrow then!

    But after that, what? It’s no fun being on your own.
    Being on your own is a skill, as much as being in company

    I love both - and need both
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,818
    Foxy said:

    Sure, but for a few days the cat is away and the mice can play. After that I miss the cat...
    I remember a work trip back in 2004 for a week and a half to Provo, Utah. I’d hired a car and after a few days of faffing around in the office I took a few days off and drove out into the wilderness. like Walt on one of his cooking trips in breaking bad.

    Should have been great but after 2 days I started missing my wife. It was strange. She’d have been complaining about the long distances and lack of culture. But I did.

    Whereas now 20 years later I have none of the same qualms and she and I (and the children) will go off for days or weeks and we just enjoy the different dynamic. I particularly enjoy spending time with just one of my children or one of my parents. You get to have conversations you would never have if everyone were all together.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,717

    Very true; and it makes sense.

    If I am writing *software* to control a washing machine (*), then a crash or failure once in a hundred hours is annoying, but not critical. If I am writing software for a car or plane, then a crash or failure once in a hundred hours would be totally and utterly unacceptable.

    Having said that, it is made worse by manages building (say) a washing machine not understanding the importance of the software that runs on it, and not even allocating the effort in to ensure it does not crash every five hours of use...

    Being a software engineer in such an environment can be soul-crushing. You *want* to do a better job, but you're not allowed to.

    (*) I am talking non-Internet of Tat here...
    I once got offered a job working on the new air traffic control system back in the late 90's. I turned it down purely because any time a plane crashed I would be worrying was that a bug in what I wrote
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 65,394
    Trump looks old.
  • Incidentally, I read your post and thought: "Nah, blitzkrieg was much faster than the Ukrainian advance in Kursk."

    Then I looked into it... and it may not have been.:
    "For example, from 10 May 1940 through 25 June 1940 is 46 days and the Germans covered a distance of perhaps 250 km, or approximately 5 km/day. From 22 June 1941 to 5 December 1941 is 165 days and perhaps 1000 km were covered, or roughly 6 km/day. I imagine Rommel in North Africa went even faster."
    https://www.feldgrau.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11603

    But other sources say 120 miles in five days. Which, if copied, would soon have the Ukrainians at Moscow's gates... ;)

    An odd discrepancy if they're talking about the same thing.
    Dunkirk. There was a film about it, and Hitler halting the Nazi advance so logistics could catch up with the front line. That was (checks Wikipedia) 24th May so slap bang in the middle of your 46 days, and even without the stop order, Dunkirk was a distraction on the road to Paris.
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 35,262
    Pagan2 said:

    What do you think the referendum result would be in the two countries if a merger was proposed?
    I think the idea would be rejected.

    However, if the choice was between merging with France and merging with North Korea, as you mooted, it would be >99% France <1% North Korea.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,536

    Trump looks old.

    I thought the same. I wonder if the shooting has knacked him. Wouldn’t be at all surprising

    Please God let him withdraw and get a good sane firm Republican candidate
  • MattWMattW Posts: 26,482
    Interesting side note on Ukraine.

    Their OpSec is working better than last summer; no one said this incursion was coming.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 65,394
    Trump says he's not campaigned this past week because he is letting "their convention go through"
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 30,652
    kle4 said:

    People make choices between what they consider the lesser of two evils all the time. If people dislike either option, don't think a third party is worth a damn but also wouldn't sit it out, what can they do but try to weigh up which is worse, which will always be a subjective thing?

    That's basically what lots of americans who disliked both Biden and Trump were doing in saying they'd vote for Trump.
    One should vote for Trump because one considers the bad things he might do are not as bad as the bad things the other lot might do. But don't do it because you expect him to turn into someone else.

    Starmer never gave a flying turd about the UK - regardless of his tendency to place himself in-front of any Union flag he could find. That was message discipline, not remotely genuine sentiment. And it got him power, despite there being zero joy or enthusiasm for him.

    That said, I think he is necessary - his Government is the final grotesquerie of the statist, authoritarian 'centrist' tendency. We needed this Labour Government to show its ugly unacceptable face. But don't vote for anyone expecting them to revert 'away' from type.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 65,394
    edited August 2024
    Leon said:

    I thought the same. I wonder if the shooting has knacked him. Wouldn’t be at all surprising

    Please God let him withdraw and get a good sane firm Republican candidate
    Time is so short for that though.

    Edit: Just found an old BF bet on nominees and I am £ in if Trump drops out now and is replaced by Haley for Haley vs Harris.
This discussion has been closed.