Anyway, I have just returned from an early meal out of cote de boeuf, frites and wine, rather splendid. I'm girding my loins for tomorrow - last year, blissfully, we were alone; this year, we have the lot - three generations of trouble. I shall be accompanied in the kitchen by one of my daughters, a rather good professional chef, so I suspect I shall be confined to mundane duties - i.e. cleaning up after her. So, a merry Xmas to all.
Sent up East Ham High Street by Mrs Stodge to get a last couple of items for the Christmas siege - I have the Boxing Day racecards and form so I'm happy. Very busy of course.
The story of this Christmas has been the cheap veg on offer at Tesco, Sainsburys and Lidl - our bag of potatoes cost 5p apparently. This begs the obvious question why we pay so much for our veg at other times and what if anything anyone is going to do about it - vested interests abound, the supermarkets, our new "friends", the farmers etc, etc.
I've inaugurated the new Stodge Golden Polling Measure - the old parties (Lab, Con, LD) vs the Insurgents (Reform, Green). YouGov has it at 54-40 and More in Common has 56-37. Find Out Now stands out at 43-50.
My prediction now, today, for the outcome of the next election is a Government supported in the Commons by Labour, Conservative and the Liberal Democrats (not a coalition) facing an opposition of mainly Reform and some Greens. That's now and given the next election is probably spring or early summer 2029, so much water will go under so many bridges as to make prediction of any kind unrealistic.
To paraphrase Hirohito, I think we may to start "thinking the unthinkable".
Interesting BUT no way the Tories end up co-operating with Lab/Lib in govt, leaving Reform as chief opposition. Political suicide.
Yes but wouldn't being in coalition with Reform also be political suicide - ask the LDs about 2015.
I don't know how Badenoch squares the circle - she cannot afford to be too far from Reform but she can't afford to be too close to them either. Staking out the "sound economic management" ground will be fine until we get to the specifics - which Services will be cut, whose benefits will be withdrawn, etc, etc?
If she makes the Tories Reform-lite what will be the point of voting Conservative? They won't win back the LD seats where those opposed to Reform can vote tactically while Reform will eat their vote in the Labour seats.
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
If anti-Reform tactical voting cuts them to c.200, while pushing the Conservatives and Labour up to 160/150, that would strengthen the argument.
It would last about two months, max.
Any one of coalition and/or supply and confidence that involved the Conservatives, would be fatal to Labour. Even more would jump ship to the Greens etc on tribal grounds.
Even if the alternative was a Reform government.
Can’t see the LibDems going into a Con led coalition.
I watched Die Hard for the first time ever a couple of years ago, and it’s obviously a Christmas movie. Not sure what the controversy is tbh.
Looks like they’re getting a white Christmas at our place in France, which is annoying as I’m not there this year. And it’s the perfect Hollywood version: dry but chilly today with no snow cover, a few flakes in the air, then heavy snow from about 11pm and people will wake up to a wintry scene with a few cm lying.
I don’t know how often that’s happened in lowland England in the last few decades: that precise timing and choreography. Even in a cold climate it would be statistically unusual.
And with that, time I think to check out for the break.
Macaulay Culkin says ‘DIE HARD’ is not a Christmas movie.
“It's based around Christmas, but if it were also St. Patrick's Day, it would still work. But you couldn't do Home Alone on Memorial Day”
I watched Die Hard for the first time ever a couple of years ago, and it’s obviously a Christmas movie. Not sure what the controversy is tbh.
Looks like they’re getting a white Christmas at our place in France, which is annoying as I’m not there this year. And it’s the perfect Hollywood version: dry but chilly today with no snow cover, a few flakes in the air, then heavy snow from about 11pm and people will wake up to a wintry scene with a few cm lying.
I don’t know how often that’s happened in lowland England in the last few decades: that precise timing and choreography. Even in a cold climate it would be statistically unusual.
And with that, time I think to check out for the break.
Macaulay Culkin says ‘DIE HARD’ is not a Christmas movie.
“It's based around Christmas, but if it were also St. Patrick's Day, it would still work. But you couldn't do Home Alone on Memorial Day”
According to my records , I watched 20 films at the cinema in 2025 . Best five imho were Calibre Frankenstein A real pain The brutalist The Phoenician scheme
Worst two were
Now you see me now you don’t Thursday murder club
I never really got why Thursday Murder Club became a smash hit book, it was everywhere but was pretty bog standard just with a gimmick (old people solve crimes). Given that gimmick I was only surprised it took this long to make a movie out of it.
The second book in the series was far far worse though.
Sent up East Ham High Street by Mrs Stodge to get a last couple of items for the Christmas siege - I have the Boxing Day racecards and form so I'm happy. Very busy of course.
The story of this Christmas has been the cheap veg on offer at Tesco, Sainsburys and Lidl - our bag of potatoes cost 5p apparently. This begs the obvious question why we pay so much for our veg at other times and what if anything anyone is going to do about it - vested interests abound, the supermarkets, our new "friends", the farmers etc, etc.
I've inaugurated the new Stodge Golden Polling Measure - the old parties (Lab, Con, LD) vs the Insurgents (Reform, Green). YouGov has it at 54-40 and More in Common has 56-37. Find Out Now stands out at 43-50.
My prediction now, today, for the outcome of the next election is a Government supported in the Commons by Labour, Conservative and the Liberal Democrats (not a coalition) facing an opposition of mainly Reform and some Greens. That's now and given the next election is probably spring or early summer 2029, so much water will go under so many bridges as to make prediction of any kind unrealistic.
To paraphrase Hirohito, I think we may to start "thinking the unthinkable".
Interesting BUT no way the Tories end up co-operating with Lab/Lib in govt, leaving Reform as chief opposition. Political suicide.
Yes but wouldn't being in coalition with Reform also be political suicide - ask the LDs about 2015.
I don't know how Badenoch squares the circle - she cannot afford to be too far from Reform but she can't afford to be too close to them either. Staking out the "sound economic management" ground will be fine until we get to the specifics - which Services will be cut, whose benefits will be withdrawn, etc, etc?
If she makes the Tories Reform-lite what will be the point of voting Conservative? They won't win back the LD seats where those opposed to Reform can vote tactically while Reform will eat their vote in the Labour seats.
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
If anti-Reform tactical voting cuts them to c.200, while pushing the Conservatives and Labour up to 160/150, that would strengthen the argument.
I could see that happening, and it would just bolster Reform.
Sent up East Ham High Street by Mrs Stodge to get a last couple of items for the Christmas siege - I have the Boxing Day racecards and form so I'm happy. Very busy of course.
The story of this Christmas has been the cheap veg on offer at Tesco, Sainsburys and Lidl - our bag of potatoes cost 5p apparently. This begs the obvious question why we pay so much for our veg at other times and what if anything anyone is going to do about it - vested interests abound, the supermarkets, our new "friends", the farmers etc, etc.
I've inaugurated the new Stodge Golden Polling Measure - the old parties (Lab, Con, LD) vs the Insurgents (Reform, Green). YouGov has it at 54-40 and More in Common has 56-37. Find Out Now stands out at 43-50.
My prediction now, today, for the outcome of the next election is a Government supported in the Commons by Labour, Conservative and the Liberal Democrats (not a coalition) facing an opposition of mainly Reform and some Greens. That's now and given the next election is probably spring or early summer 2029, so much water will go under so many bridges as to make prediction of any kind unrealistic.
To paraphrase Hirohito, I think we may to start "thinking the unthinkable".
Interesting BUT no way the Tories end up co-operating with Lab/Lib in govt, leaving Reform as chief opposition. Political suicide.
Yes but wouldn't being in coalition with Reform also be political suicide - ask the LDs about 2015.
I don't know how Badenoch squares the circle - she cannot afford to be too far from Reform but she can't afford to be too close to them either. Staking out the "sound economic management" ground will be fine until we get to the specifics - which Services will be cut, whose benefits will be withdrawn, etc, etc?
If she makes the Tories Reform-lite what will be the point of voting Conservative? They won't win back the LD seats where those opposed to Reform can vote tactically while Reform will eat their vote in the Labour seats.
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
If anti-Reform tactical voting cuts them to c.200, while pushing the Conservatives and Labour up to 160/150, that would strengthen the argument.
It would last about two months, max.
Any one of coalition and/or supply and confidence that involved the Conservatives, would be fatal to Labour. Even more would jump ship to the Greens etc on tribal grounds.
Even if the alternative was a Reform government.
Can’t see the LibDems going into a Con led coalition.
When everyone who was around for 2010-2015 is dead, perhaps. Which is a shame, but I don't think the public are ready to forgive any party going into coalition any time soon, so the parties won't want anything so formal.
The foodbank donation bins were filled to overflowing at Sainsbury's earlier today, so that's good, except the need for them isn't.
Food banks for Christmas are a hideous indictment of an 18 month old Labour Government. This is the sort of horrendous injustice that should have been resolved within 12 months. Continuity Sunak is not good enough.
One thing I hate to admit is there was almost no food poverty under Covid-Boris, he was spaffing free cash all over the place to feed the poor and the reasonably wealthy, and good on him!
I watched Die Hard for the first time ever a couple of years ago, and it’s obviously a Christmas movie. Not sure what the controversy is tbh.
Looks like they’re getting a white Christmas at our place in France, which is annoying as I’m not there this year. And it’s the perfect Hollywood version: dry but chilly today with no snow cover, a few flakes in the air, then heavy snow from about 11pm and people will wake up to a wintry scene with a few cm lying.
I don’t know how often that’s happened in lowland England in the last few decades: that precise timing and choreography. Even in a cold climate it would be statistically unusual.
And with that, time I think to check out for the break.
Macaulay Culkin says ‘DIE HARD’ is not a Christmas movie.
“It's based around Christmas, but if it were also St. Patrick's Day, it would still work. But you couldn't do Home Alone on Memorial Day”
Happy Christmas Holidays to all. We've so much food to cook, we've run out of pans. That's on top of the microwave and the air fryer. Difficult when catering for vegetarians, vegans, fussy and traditional. Just need Kosher and Halal to send the chefs over the edge.
Just serve parsnips in gravy. If that doesn’t get rid of them, just fart at the table.
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
Labour MPs are, on the whole, venal scum but they have their limits and those limits may be transcended by the notion of putting KB into No. 10. I also think they, and all right thinking people, would relish the humiliation of the tories being the junior party in a coalition with Farage's face tats and vapes party.
I hope all Fukkers and tories have an Xmas like Boldwood does in Far From the Madding Crowd.
Sent up East Ham High Street by Mrs Stodge to get a last couple of items for the Christmas siege - I have the Boxing Day racecards and form so I'm happy. Very busy of course.
The story of this Christmas has been the cheap veg on offer at Tesco, Sainsburys and Lidl - our bag of potatoes cost 5p apparently. This begs the obvious question why we pay so much for our veg at other times and what if anything anyone is going to do about it - vested interests abound, the supermarkets, our new "friends", the farmers etc, etc.
I've inaugurated the new Stodge Golden Polling Measure - the old parties (Lab, Con, LD) vs the Insurgents (Reform, Green). YouGov has it at 54-40 and More in Common has 56-37. Find Out Now stands out at 43-50.
My prediction now, today, for the outcome of the next election is a Government supported in the Commons by Labour, Conservative and the Liberal Democrats (not a coalition) facing an opposition of mainly Reform and some Greens. That's now and given the next election is probably spring or early summer 2029, so much water will go under so many bridges as to make prediction of any kind unrealistic.
To paraphrase Hirohito, I think we may to start "thinking the unthinkable".
Interesting BUT no way the Tories end up co-operating with Lab/Lib in govt, leaving Reform as chief opposition. Political suicide.
Yes but wouldn't being in coalition with Reform also be political suicide - ask the LDs about 2015.
I don't know how Badenoch squares the circle - she cannot afford to be too far from Reform but she can't afford to be too close to them either. Staking out the "sound economic management" ground will be fine until we get to the specifics - which Services will be cut, whose benefits will be withdrawn, etc, etc?
If she makes the Tories Reform-lite what will be the point of voting Conservative? They won't win back the LD seats where those opposed to Reform can vote tactically while Reform will eat their vote in the Labour seats.
I could map out a whole territory of “sound money and quietly sensible policies to gradually increase productivity in government”
Which after Reform implodes (before or after entering government) will have a big market place.
Sadly, the politicians would reject most of it.
Well, you have to ask why they would reject your eminently sensible ideas? Motivated self-interest perhaps, practical or legal or cost considerations, maybe.
Watched Carols from Kings earlier. Enjoyed the music, but felt sorry for the parents of white British choristers hoping to see their sons on TV.
They were probably present in the congregation.
As I work for the church I have had the pleasure of no less than 6 Christmas events/parties ranging from staff Christmas lunches to amazing carol services in stunning buildings . Always love to see Kings each year
“This is the old imperial elite culture, people like Gordon of Khartoum or Lawrence of Arabia, finding new outlets after the end of empire. The people who are loudest today in opposing Israel or in calling for uncontrolled migration are the people from the same families who a generation or two earlier would have have been having colonial adventures in Arabia, or drawing up the Truchial States. Sometimes like Rory Stewart or William Dalrymple they have managed to carry that forward to some extent into the current era. They’re basically the heirs to a colonial administrator culture, looking for an empire, which is why they treat the ordinary British population and anywhere outside of London like colonial subjects, why they want to import the world’s population to Britain, and why they want to downplay domestic politics in favour of foreign issues and adventures. Making living standards grow by 2% rather than 0.5% or tackling house price inflation is boring stuff when you could be swanning around on the global stage, like your great grandfather.
They even repeat the same insult for their opponents, Little Englanders was originally the term colonial enthusiasts used in the 18th century to attack people who wanted less empire and more focus on Britain.”
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
Labour MPs are, on the whole, venal scum but they have their limits and those limits may be transcended by the notion of putting KB into No. 10. I also think they, and all right thinking people, would relish the humiliation of the tories being the junior party in a coalition with Farage's face tats and vapes party.
I hope all Fukkers and tories have an Xmas like Boldwood does in Far From the Madding Crowd.
Goodwill to all men except Fukkers and Tories. Goodwill to all women. Present company excepted (apart from fukkers). I can offer goodwill to Tories at this time of year, but Farage is 2025 Herod.
Sent up East Ham High Street by Mrs Stodge to get a last couple of items for the Christmas siege - I have the Boxing Day racecards and form so I'm happy. Very busy of course.
The story of this Christmas has been the cheap veg on offer at Tesco, Sainsburys and Lidl - our bag of potatoes cost 5p apparently. This begs the obvious question why we pay so much for our veg at other times and what if anything anyone is going to do about it - vested interests abound, the supermarkets, our new "friends", the farmers etc, etc.
I've inaugurated the new Stodge Golden Polling Measure - the old parties (Lab, Con, LD) vs the Insurgents (Reform, Green). YouGov has it at 54-40 and More in Common has 56-37. Find Out Now stands out at 43-50.
My prediction now, today, for the outcome of the next election is a Government supported in the Commons by Labour, Conservative and the Liberal Democrats (not a coalition) facing an opposition of mainly Reform and some Greens. That's now and given the next election is probably spring or early summer 2029, so much water will go under so many bridges as to make prediction of any kind unrealistic.
To paraphrase Hirohito, I think we may to start "thinking the unthinkable".
Interesting BUT no way the Tories end up co-operating with Lab/Lib in govt, leaving Reform as chief opposition. Political suicide.
Yes but wouldn't being in coalition with Reform also be political suicide - ask the LDs about 2015.
I don't know how Badenoch squares the circle - she cannot afford to be too far from Reform but she can't afford to be too close to them either. Staking out the "sound economic management" ground will be fine until we get to the specifics - which Services will be cut, whose benefits will be withdrawn, etc, etc?
If she makes the Tories Reform-lite what will be the point of voting Conservative? They won't win back the LD seats where those opposed to Reform can vote tactically while Reform will eat their vote in the Labour seats.
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
If anti-Reform tactical voting cuts them to c.200, while pushing the Conservatives and Labour up to 160/150, that would strengthen the argument.
It would last about two months, max.
Any one of coalition and/or supply and confidence that involved the Conservatives, would be fatal to Labour. Even more would jump ship to the Greens etc on tribal grounds.
Even if the alternative was a Reform government.
Can’t see the LibDems going into a Con led coalition.
When everyone who was around for 2010-2015 is dead, perhaps. Which is a shame, but I don't think the public are ready to forgive any party going into coalition any time soon, so the parties won't want anything so formal.
I never said it would be a formal coalition on the 2010-15 mode - it would have to be much less formal - perhaps Confidence & Supply at most. Some Tories on here have suggested that's far as they would go to support a Reform minority Government.
The unpalatable truth however is the country needs to be governed and it may be three or four parties in the next Government are going to have to work together to get legislation through otherwise it will be anarchy - actually it won't and some might argue no Government wouldn't be the worst thing possible.
Yet even within competing programmes/manifestos, there are often elements of similarity and disagreements are often more about means than ends.
Watched Carols from Kings earlier. Enjoyed the music, but felt sorry for the parents of white British choristers hoping to see their sons on TV.
They were probably present in the congregation.
As I work for the church I have had the pleasure of no less than 6 Christmas events/parties ranging from staff Christmas lunches to amazing carol services in stunning buildings . Always love to see Kings each year
Why are English churches like corridors. Scottish square churches are much more inclusive.
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
Labour MPs are, on the whole, venal scum but they have their limits and those limits may be transcended by the notion of putting KB into No. 10. I also think they, and all right thinking people, would relish the humiliation of the tories being the junior party in a coalition with Farage's face tats and vapes party.
I hope all Fukkers and tories have an Xmas like Boldwood does in Far From the Madding Crowd.
Watched Carols from Kings earlier. Enjoyed the music, but felt sorry for the parents of white British choristers hoping to see their sons on TV.
They were probably present in the congregation.
As I work for the church I have had the pleasure of no less than 6 Christmas events/parties ranging from staff Christmas lunches to amazing carol services in stunning buildings . Always love to see Kings each year
Why are English churches like corridors. Scottish square churches are much more inclusive.
Pews used to cost more the nearer you were to the vicar!
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
Labour MPs are, on the whole, venal scum but they have their limits and those limits may be transcended by the notion of putting KB into No. 10. I also think they, and all right thinking people, would relish the humiliation of the tories being the junior party in a coalition with Farage's face tats and vapes party.
I hope all Fukkers and tories have an Xmas like Boldwood does in Far From the Madding Crowd.
When set against the prospect of a right wing government, led by Nigel Farage, with a solid working majority for five years, they might well conclude that half a loaf is better than no loaf at all.
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
Labour MPs are, on the whole, venal scum but they have their limits and those limits may be transcended by the notion of putting KB into No. 10. I also think they, and all right thinking people, would relish the humiliation of the tories being the junior party in a coalition with Farage's face tats and vapes party.
I hope all Fukkers and tories have an Xmas like Boldwood does in Far From the Madding Crowd.
I wonder if Badenoch is familiar with the fate of the Liberals in 1923-24 under similar circumstances?
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
Labour MPs are, on the whole, venal scum but they have their limits and those limits may be transcended by the notion of putting KB into No. 10. I also think they, and all right thinking people, would relish the humiliation of the tories being the junior party in a coalition with Farage's face tats and vapes party.
I hope all Fukkers and tories have an Xmas like Boldwood does in Far From the Madding Crowd.
I wonder if Badenoch is familiar with the fate of the Liberals in 1923-24 under similar circumstances?
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
I find Back to the Future a Christmas movie, and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
It's because Christmas is a time for cheesy feel-good fun blockbusters.
Christmas used to be the first time blockbuster films were televised but now they are available year-round on the streaming channels; increasingly some do not even have a full cinematic release.
The entertaining scenario in a hung parliament is if no party could get a Speech through.
That really would be awkward.
SKS or Wes (who looks like the result of a gene splicing experiment involving both Ant AND Dec) would mind the shop until we had another GE. No other course of action would be feasible.
Mmm, first signifiant change to our Christmas Eve routine for about a decade. Thought we ought to otherwise we might never. Ginger wine instead of sherry. It works. Merry C to PB and PBers xx
Armenian Red wine as the first Christmas drink, Undistinguished.
I'll always try wine from a previously unavailable source, although I know that wine has been made in the Caucasus for what, 6000 years. Sometimes I'll drink them again; Cretan and Moldovan wines are example, Not sure about the Armenian red; we've some white to try at a later date.
Try the Georgian. Quite robust.
Yes, I like some Georgian wines. Red's..... don't recall trying a white.
Re @kjh Romanian wines have improved considerably since the end of Communism there. Grieves me somewhat to say it, but countries with Communist governments didn't generally produce wine of the quality they have since demonstrated they could.
Avoid the Romanian brandy though. Wife's son and his best made were once flailing comedy punches on the front lawn, out of their heads on the stuff....
The entertaining scenario in a hung parliament is if no party could get a Speech through.
That really would be awkward.
SKS or Wes (who looks like the result of a gene splicing experiment involving both Ant AND Dec) would mind the shop until we had another GE. No other course of action would be feasible.
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
Labour MPs are, on the whole, venal scum but they have their limits and those limits may be transcended by the notion of putting KB into No. 10. I also think they, and all right thinking people, would relish the humiliation of the tories being the junior party in a coalition with Farage's face tats and vapes party.
I hope all Fukkers and tories have an Xmas like Boldwood does in Far From the Madding Crowd.
In Puddletown? We went through that some months back in my mate's JLR 4wd, bouncing the suspension, en route to Maiden Castle. Not far from Hardy's Cottage where the NT carefully preserve the outdoor bog where he shat and thought the negative unbearableness of being. One of the great existential locations of Eng Lit.
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
Labour MPs are, on the whole, venal scum but they have their limits and those limits may be transcended by the notion of putting KB into No. 10. I also think they, and all right thinking people, would relish the humiliation of the tories being the junior party in a coalition with Farage's face tats and vapes party.
I hope all Fukkers and tories have an Xmas like Boldwood does in Far From the Madding Crowd.
I wonder if Badenoch is familiar with the fate of the Liberals in 1923-24 under similar circumstances?
Or, indeed, what happened to Slab after getting into bed with the Tories for indyref, or SLD for being the Slabbers', erm, little helpers a little before. Trouble is we'll soon be through all the permutations before long.
Edit: also see Scottish Greens (who might however break the pattern).
" John le Mesurier interview - 1978 - Best known for his portrayal of Sgt Wilson in Dad's Army, John le Mesurier has a quick chat with Roger Bowns."
Which brought to mind a Dennis Potter starring him, which I think is rather neglected. Outstanding performance from le Mesurier (apparently he didn't think he was capable enough of an actor for the part) :
Mmm, first signifiant change to our Christmas Eve routine for about a decade. Thought we ought to otherwise we might never. Ginger wine instead of sherry. It works. Merry C to PB and PBers xx
Armenian Red wine as the first Christmas drink, Undistinguished.
I'll always try wine from a previously unavailable source, although I know that wine has been made in the Caucasus for what, 6000 years. Sometimes I'll drink them again; Cretan and Moldovan wines are example, Not sure about the Armenian red; we've some white to try at a later date.
Try the Georgian. Quite robust.
Yes, I like some Georgian wines. Red's..... don't recall trying a white.
Re @kjh Romanian wines have improved considerably since the end of Communism there. Grieves me somewhat to say it, but countries with Communist governments didn't generally produce wine of the quality they have since demonstrated they could.
Avoid the Romanian brandy though. Wife's son and his best made were once flailing comedy punches on the front lawn, out of their heads on the stuff....
Right Mofo’s. I’m enjoying the domestic bliss that is a Xmas at home. I’m so looking forward to finding out, unprompted, all of my faults. It’s what marriage is all about !! Can’t wait til it’s over. see you all on the other side.
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
Labour MPs are, on the whole, venal scum but they have their limits and those limits may be transcended by the notion of putting KB into No. 10. I also think they, and all right thinking people, would relish the humiliation of the tories being the junior party in a coalition with Farage's face tats and vapes party.
I hope all Fukkers and tories have an Xmas like Boldwood does in Far From the Madding Crowd.
I wonder if Badenoch is familiar with the fate of the Liberals in 1923-24 under similar circumstances?
Or, indeed, what happened to Slab after getting into bed with the Tories for indyref, or SLD for being the Slabbers', erm, little helpers a little before. Trouble is we'll soon be through all the permutations before long.
Edit: also see Scottish Greens (who might however break the pattern).
The Scottish Greens gained by being the party that the young metro voters that deserted Slab for the SNP moved to when they found a party even more woke than the SNP.
Right Mofo’s. I’m enjoying the domestic bliss that is a Xmas at home. I’m so looking forward to finding out, unprompted, all of my faults. It’s what marriage is all about !! Can’t wait til it’s over. see you all on the other side.
Mmm, first signifiant change to our Christmas Eve routine for about a decade. Thought we ought to otherwise we might never. Ginger wine instead of sherry. It works. Merry C to PB and PBers xx
Armenian Red wine as the first Christmas drink, Undistinguished.
I'll always try wine from a previously unavailable source, although I know that wine has been made in the Caucasus for what, 6000 years. Sometimes I'll drink them again; Cretan and Moldovan wines are example, Not sure about the Armenian red; we've some white to try at a later date.
Try the Georgian. Quite robust.
Yes, I like some Georgian wines. Red's..... don't recall trying a white.
Re @kjh Romanian wines have improved considerably since the end of Communism there. Grieves me somewhat to say it, but countries with Communist governments didn't generally produce wine of the quality they have since demonstrated they could.
Avoid the Romanian brandy though. Wife's son and his best made were once flailing comedy punches on the front lawn, out of their heads on the stuff....
The best Christmas song ever is pretty much on this theme.
Happy Christmas Holidays to all. We've so much food to cook, we've run out of pans. That's on top of the microwave and the air fryer. Difficult when catering for vegetarians, vegans, fussy and traditional. Just need Kosher and Halal to send the chefs over the edge.
A good rule of thumb is that vegan is kosher (and probably halal as well) for all but the most extreme followers. This is because most of the religious rules concern when you can and cannot eat animals and of course, veganism bypasses all that.
What happens when you get a Pythagorean? That's beans off the menu.
Who eats beans on toast for Christmas dinner?
Clearly, no-one who posts here.
It will be the main meal tomorrow for a disturbing number of folk though.
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
Labour MPs are, on the whole, venal scum but they have their limits and those limits may be transcended by the notion of putting KB into No. 10. I also think they, and all right thinking people, would relish the humiliation of the tories being the junior party in a coalition with Farage's face tats and vapes party.
I hope all Fukkers and tories have an Xmas like Boldwood does in Far From the Madding Crowd.
I wonder if Badenoch is familiar with the fate of the Liberals in 1923-24 under similar circumstances?
Or, indeed, what happened to Slab after getting into bed with the Tories for indyref, or SLD for being the Slabbers', erm, little helpers a little before. Trouble is we'll soon be through all the permutations before long.
Edit: also see Scottish Greens (who might however break the pattern).
The Scottish Greens gained by being the party that the young metro voters that deserted Slab for the SNP moved to when they found a party even more woke than the SNP.
The SSP would, actually, fit well into that analysis ...
Right Mofo’s. I’m enjoying the domestic bliss that is a Xmas at home. I’m so looking forward to finding out, unprompted, all of my faults. It’s what marriage is all about !! Can’t wait til it’s over. see you all on the other side.
"It’s what marriage is all about !! Can’t wait til it’s over. see you all on the other side."
Mmm, first signifiant change to our Christmas Eve routine for about a decade. Thought we ought to otherwise we might never. Ginger wine instead of sherry. It works. Merry C to PB and PBers xx
Armenian Red wine as the first Christmas drink, Undistinguished.
I'll always try wine from a previously unavailable source, although I know that wine has been made in the Caucasus for what, 6000 years. Sometimes I'll drink them again; Cretan and Moldovan wines are example, Not sure about the Armenian red; we've some white to try at a later date.
Try the Georgian. Quite robust.
Yes, I like some Georgian wines. Red's..... don't recall trying a white.
Re @kjh Romanian wines have improved considerably since the end of Communism there. Grieves me somewhat to say it, but countries with Communist governments didn't generally produce wine of the quality they have since demonstrated they could.
Avoid the Romanian brandy though. Wife's son and his best made were once flailing comedy punches on the front lawn, out of their heads on the stuff....
The best Christmas song ever is pretty much on this theme.
Watched Carols from Kings earlier. Enjoyed the music, but felt sorry for the parents of white British choristers hoping to see their sons on TV.
They were probably present in the congregation.
As I work for the church I have had the pleasure of no less than 6 Christmas events/parties ranging from staff Christmas lunches to amazing carol services in stunning buildings . Always love to see Kings each year
Why are English churches like corridors. Scottish square churches are much more inclusive.
Kings is a chapel not a church, so follows that pattern. Jesus college chapel is an exception, being built from an old church. But it's cruciform not square.
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
Patronising twaddle of the worst sort. Really.
I am sure this comment is well intentioned but seems to me to miss the mark entirely as to both what State Go Away had to say and the spirit in which it was said. Merry Christmas.
Watched Carols from Kings earlier. Enjoyed the music, but felt sorry for the parents of white British choristers hoping to see their sons on TV.
They were probably present in the congregation.
As I work for the church I have had the pleasure of no less than 6 Christmas events/parties ranging from staff Christmas lunches to amazing carol services in stunning buildings . Always love to see Kings each year
Why are English churches like corridors. Scottish square churches are much more inclusive.
Kings is a chapel not a church, so follows that pattern. Jesus college chapel is an exception, being built from an old church. But it's cruciform not square.
According to my records , I watched 20 films at the cinema in 2025 . Best five imho were Calibre Frankenstein A real pain The brutalist The Phoenician scheme
Worst two were
Now you see me now you don’t Thursday murder club
I never really got why Thursday Murder Club became a smash hit book, it was everywhere but was pretty bog standard just with a gimmick (old people solve crimes). Given that gimmick I was only surprised it took this long to make a movie out of it.
The second book in the series was far far worse though.
I suspect it was mainly driven by the popularity of the author and lots of pushing by his mates at the BBC etc. I tried it and gave up, and I rarely give up on books. Utter rubbish. Implausible, boring, derivative. You would be better with any of the classic detective books whether Morse, Poirot, Holmes or whoever.
According to my records , I watched 20 films at the cinema in 2025 . Best five imho were Calibre Frankenstein A real pain The brutalist The Phoenician scheme
Worst two were
Now you see me now you don’t Thursday murder club
I think my favourite was "Mr Nobody Against Putin", followed by "Thunderbolts*".
Happy Christmas Holidays to all. We've so much food to cook, we've run out of pans. That's on top of the microwave and the air fryer. Difficult when catering for vegetarians, vegans, fussy and traditional. Just need Kosher and Halal to send the chefs over the edge.
A good rule of thumb is that vegan is kosher (and probably halal as well) for all but the most extreme followers. This is because most of the religious rules concern when you can and cannot eat animals and of course, veganism bypasses all that.
What happens when you get a Pythagorean? That's beans off the menu.
Who eats beans on toast for Christmas dinner?
Clearly, no-one who posts here.
It will be the main meal tomorrow for a disturbing number of folk though.
As a complete aside, for a while the wife and I had beans on toast every Wednesday. Stopped a while back, but kinda miss it… A really simple meal, quick, good value and I loved it.
Happy Christmas Holidays to all. We've so much food to cook, we've run out of pans. That's on top of the microwave and the air fryer. Difficult when catering for vegetarians, vegans, fussy and traditional. Just need Kosher and Halal to send the chefs over the edge.
A good rule of thumb is that vegan is kosher (and probably halal as well) for all but the most extreme followers. This is because most of the religious rules concern when you can and cannot eat animals and of course, veganism bypasses all that.
What happens when you get a Pythagorean? That's beans off the menu.
Who eats beans on toast for Christmas dinner?
Clearly, no-one who posts here.
It will be the main meal tomorrow for a disturbing number of folk though.
As a complete aside, for a while the wife and I had beans on toast every Wednesday. Stopped a while back, but kinda miss it… A really simple meal, quick, good value and I loved it.
It is one of my favourite go-to's. Nearly as good as fried eggs on toast.
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
Patronising twaddle of the worst sort. Really.
I am sure this comment is well intentioned but seems to me to miss the mark entirely as to both what State Go Away had to say and the spirit in which it was said. Merry Christmas.
There’s something to the idea that many politicians have disconnected from The Revolting Peasants. And then try and work out what TRP want in the style of Experimental Anthropology.
See Starmer’s hamfisted attempts to cosplay Reform. “Let’s pretend we are revolting racists from Wigan. What would we like?”
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
Patronising twaddle of the worst sort. Really.
Well, most of the people I interact with are Irish, so I do value everyone's anecdotes from the old country.
Happy Christmas Holidays to all. We've so much food to cook, we've run out of pans. That's on top of the microwave and the air fryer. Difficult when catering for vegetarians, vegans, fussy and traditional. Just need Kosher and Halal to send the chefs over the edge.
Just started in one of the sauces for the vegetarian lasagne. Meat prep tomorrow morning.
Happy Christmas to each and every PBer.
I'm waiting for the duck to cool down so I can put it in the fridge. The stage 1 cook is to cover it in ale and 2.5 hours in an oven at a low heat. Remove and drain overnight. Stage 2 is a short roast on high heat tomorrow.
Happy Christmas Holidays to all. We've so much food to cook, we've run out of pans. That's on top of the microwave and the air fryer. Difficult when catering for vegetarians, vegans, fussy and traditional. Just need Kosher and Halal to send the chefs over the edge.
A good rule of thumb is that vegan is kosher (and probably halal as well) for all but the most extreme followers. This is because most of the religious rules concern when you can and cannot eat animals and of course, veganism bypasses all that.
What happens when you get a Pythagorean? That's beans off the menu.
Who eats beans on toast for Christmas dinner?
Clearly, no-one who posts here.
It will be the main meal tomorrow for a disturbing number of folk though.
As a complete aside, for a while the wife and I had beans on toast every Wednesday. Stopped a while back, but kinda miss it… A really simple meal, quick, good value and I loved it.
It is one of my favourite go-to's. Nearly as good as fried eggs on toast.
Smushed avocados on sourdough with a parched egg on top. Cheap and practical
Happy Christmas Holidays to all. We've so much food to cook, we've run out of pans. That's on top of the microwave and the air fryer. Difficult when catering for vegetarians, vegans, fussy and traditional. Just need Kosher and Halal to send the chefs over the edge.
A good rule of thumb is that vegan is kosher (and probably halal as well) for all but the most extreme followers. This is because most of the religious rules concern when you can and cannot eat animals and of course, veganism bypasses all that.
What happens when you get a Pythagorean? That's beans off the menu.
Who eats beans on toast for Christmas dinner?
Clearly, no-one who posts here.
It will be the main meal tomorrow for a disturbing number of folk though.
As a complete aside, for a while the wife and I had beans on toast every Wednesday. Stopped a while back, but kinda miss it… A really simple meal, quick, good value and I loved it.
It is one of my favourite go-to's. Nearly as good as fried eggs on toast.
Smushed avocados on sourdough with a parched egg on top. Cheap and practical
Chicken breast with carbonara pasta, sweetcorn, and a dash of hot sauce, all mixed together. Delicious.
Watched Carols from Kings earlier. Enjoyed the music, but felt sorry for the parents of white British choristers hoping to see their sons on TV.
They were probably present in the congregation.
They are Choral Scholars from the Kings College School. I've no idea how it works, but the normal fees per term are £12k boarding, £8k day, £4k chorister.
Selection looks like 12 from a total of 24 for the boys. I've no idea how the selection works within that.
Suppose we get a result of 25% each, for Con and Reform, 22% Labour , 12% Lib Dem, 11% Green.
According to EC, that gives 231 Reform, 145 Con, 135 Lab, 57 Lib Dem.
The Conservatives can only be second fiddle, in a Reform-led government. Whereas, Kemi would be PM, in a grand coalition - and I expect there would be a lot of pressure, from the great and good, to form it.
Labour MPs are, on the whole, venal scum but they have their limits and those limits may be transcended by the notion of putting KB into No. 10. I also think they, and all right thinking people, would relish the humiliation of the tories being the junior party in a coalition with Farage's face tats and vapes party.
I hope all Fukkers and tories have an Xmas like Boldwood does in Far From the Madding Crowd.
I wonder if Badenoch is familiar with the fate of the Liberals in 1923-24 under similar circumstances?
Or, indeed, what happened to Slab after getting into bed with the Tories for indyref, or SLD for being the Slabbers', erm, little helpers a little before. Trouble is we'll soon be through all the permutations before long.
Edit: also see Scottish Greens (who might however break the pattern).
If my scenario came to pass, we’d be in completely uncharted waters. I would not be surprised if there were general agreement to switch to PR, given that each of the four biggest parties would be wiped out, by relatively small adverse shifts of votes.
Re Thursday Murder Club. I loathe any book that is written in the present tense and similarly why I hate reading french in the imperfect tense.
Hardly anything is worth the hype given to it these days. Never buy anything new... walt till Awesome Books World of Books or Charity shops start making it available.
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
Patronising twaddle of the worst sort. Really.
I am sure this comment is well intentioned but seems to me to miss the mark entirely as to both what State Go Away had to say and the spirit in which it was said. Merry Christmas.
There’s something to the idea that many politicians have disconnected from The Revolting Peasants. And then try and work out what TRP want in the style of Experimental Anthropology.
See Starmer’s hamfisted attempts to cosplay Reform. “Let’s pretend we are revolting racists from Wigan. What would we like?”
It’s an easy trap to fall into.
When I worked as legacy officer for Wood Green Animal Shelters, most staff were local and working class. One of them said to me, “we like you, but we think you live in an ivory tower.”
My financial worries are not the financial worries of 85% of the population.
According to my records , I watched 20 films at the cinema in 2025 . Best five imho were Calibre Frankenstein A real pain The brutalist The Phoenician scheme
Worst two were
Now you see me now you don’t Thursday murder club
I never really got why Thursday Murder Club became a smash hit book, it was everywhere but was pretty bog standard just with a gimmick (old people solve crimes). Given that gimmick I was only surprised it took this long to make a movie out of it.
The second book in the series was far far worse though.
I suspect it was mainly driven by the popularity of the author and lots of pushing by his mates at the BBC etc. I tried it and gave up, and I rarely give up on books. Utter rubbish. Implausible, boring, derivative. You would be better with any of the classic detective books whether Morse, Poirot, Holmes or whoever.
The worst example I know of a bad book - allegedly a thriller - written by someone whose sales must have been driven by fame is the otherwise excellent Andrew Marr's unreadable 'Head of State'.
The slightly famous Rev Richard Coles did the same with detective stuff with a churchy flavour. Avoid.
" John le Mesurier interview - 1978 - Best known for his portrayal of Sgt Wilson in Dad's Army, John le Mesurier has a quick chat with Roger Bowns."
Which brought to mind a Dennis Potter starring him, which I think is rather neglected. Outstanding performance from le Mesurier (apparently he didn't think he was capable enough of an actor for the part) :
Re Thursday Murder Club. I loathe any book that is written in the present tense and similarly why I hate reading french in the imperfect tense.
Hardly anything is worth the hype given to it these days. Never buy anything new... walt till Awesome Books World of Books or Charity shops start making it available.
Kingsley Amis said that, every time he saw a passage in the present tense in an otherwise past tense book, he could hear a schoolboy in the back of his mind plaintively intoning "Please Sir, it makes it more vivid!".
According to my records , I watched 20 films at the cinema in 2025 . Best five imho were Calibre Frankenstein A real pain The brutalist The Phoenician scheme
Worst two were
Now you see me now you don’t Thursday murder club
I think my favourite was "Mr Nobody Against Putin", followed by "Thunderbolts*".
I didn't go to see many, for various reasons but I enjoyed Jurassic Park: Rebirth, Captain America: BNW, and Thunderbolts*
I have deliberately kept off this website this year as l wanted to take in the political wind of change free from noise from here . With the best will in the world , this site is filled with brainy informed people but it is not representative of voters . I felt that it was important to listen to the mood in work , in family , in social settings and indeed wider community.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
Yeah, none of us interact in the real world. Thanks for braving it out there so you can report back on what the “real world” is like.
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
Patronising twaddle of the worst sort. Really.
I am sure this comment is well intentioned but seems to me to miss the mark entirely as to both what State Go Away had to say and the spirit in which it was said. Merry Christmas.
There’s something to the idea that many politicians have disconnected from The Revolting Peasants. And then try and work out what TRP want in the style of Experimental Anthropology.
See Starmer’s hamfisted attempts to cosplay Reform. “Let’s pretend we are revolting racists from Wigan. What would we like?”
It’s an easy trap to fall into.
When I worked as legacy officer for Wood Green Animal Shelters, most staff were local and working class. One of them said to me, “we like you, but we think you live in an ivory tower.”
My financial worries are not the financial worries of 85% of the population.
It’s perfectly possible to govern the country without being Head Count. No PM of this country has ever been from there, for a start.
The Head Count don’t expect their leaders to be them.
And they see straight through attempts to fake it.
What they want (in my arrogant opinion) is some acknowledgement they exist and something to actually get done.
Happy Christmas Holidays to all. We've so much food to cook, we've run out of pans. That's on top of the microwave and the air fryer. Difficult when catering for vegetarians, vegans, fussy and traditional. Just need Kosher and Halal to send the chefs over the edge.
A good rule of thumb is that vegan is kosher (and probably halal as well) for all but the most extreme followers. This is because most of the religious rules concern when you can and cannot eat animals and of course, veganism bypasses all that.
What happens when you get a Pythagorean? That's beans off the menu.
Who eats beans on toast for Christmas dinner?
Clearly, no-one who posts here.
It will be the main meal tomorrow for a disturbing number of folk though.
As a complete aside, for a while the wife and I had beans on toast every Wednesday. Stopped a while back, but kinda miss it… A really simple meal, quick, good value and I loved it.
It is one of my favourite go-to's. Nearly as good as fried eggs on toast.
Smushed avocados on sourdough with a parched egg on top. Cheap and practical
Sardines on toast. Or straight from the can, even.
Well, if we're lucky, I will be feeling well enough to make potato gratin to eat with sausages and cauliflower for dinner tomorrow. (We've frozen the ham we intended to eat in order to have a proper Christmas Dinner when we're both feeling well enough.)
But if we're unlucky, I'll have caught influenza from my wife and we'll be glad I stocked up on cereal today.
My wife has two different types of steroids and a strong antibiotic to help shift the infection in her lungs, but she does seem to be on the mend and has been able to swallow foods other than rice pudding today.
Well, if we're lucky, I will be feeling well enough to make potato gratin to eat with sausages and cauliflower for dinner tomorrow. (We've frozen the ham we intended to eat in order to have a proper Christmas Dinner when we're both feeling well enough.)
But if we're unlucky, I'll have caught influenza from my wife and we'll be glad I stocked up on cereal today.
My wife has two different types of steroids and a strong antibiotic to help shift the infection in her lungs, but she does seem to be on the mend and has been able to swallow foods other than rice pudding today.
Comments
So, a merry Xmas to all.
The second book in the series was far far worse though.
It's because Christmas is a time for cheesy feel-good fun blockbusters.
One thing I hate to admit is there was almost no food poverty under Covid-Boris, he was spaffing free cash all over the place to feed the poor and the reasonably wealthy, and good on him!
(Traditional Xmas greeting in Penddu household)
https://x.com/Heccles94/status/2003733479000080848
I hope all Fukkers and tories have an Xmas like Boldwood does in Far From the Madding Crowd.
As I work for the church I have had the pleasure of no less than 6 Christmas events/parties ranging from staff Christmas lunches to amazing carol services in stunning buildings . Always love to see Kings each year
“This is the old imperial elite culture, people like Gordon of Khartoum or Lawrence of Arabia, finding new outlets after the end of empire. The people who are loudest today in opposing Israel or in calling for uncontrolled migration are the people from the same families who a generation or two earlier would have have been having colonial adventures in Arabia, or drawing up the Truchial States. Sometimes like Rory Stewart or William Dalrymple they have managed to carry that forward to some extent into the current era. They’re basically the heirs to a colonial administrator culture, looking for an empire, which is why they treat the ordinary British population and anywhere outside of London like colonial subjects, why they want to import the world’s population to Britain, and why they want to downplay domestic politics in favour of foreign issues and adventures. Making living standards grow by 2% rather than 0.5% or tackling house price inflation is boring stuff when you could be swanning around on the global stage, like your great grandfather.
They even repeat the same insult for their opponents, Little Englanders was originally the term colonial enthusiasts used in the 18th century to attack people who wanted less empire and more focus on Britain.”
The unpalatable truth however is the country needs to be governed and it may be three or four parties in the next Government are going to have to work together to get legislation through otherwise it will be anarchy - actually it won't and some might argue no Government wouldn't be the worst thing possible.
Yet even within competing programmes/manifestos, there are often elements of similarity and disagreements are often more about means than ends.
I think the conclusion is that establishment politics really has lost the trust of the ordinary voter ( the ones that win you elections)
That really would be awkward.
It was called the Belgium option.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002p1fr/oppenheimer
The irony of someone on a political betting forum announcing they've discovered the "real world" as if they're the first explorer to venture beyond the internet.
That kind of statement reveals so much, the assumption that your offline experiences are somehow more authentic or representative than anyone else's, that you’ve gained special insight others lack, that you need to report back to us less enlightened forum-dwellers about what "real people" think. Meanwhile, everyone else here also... exists in the real world. We also have jobs, families, communities, go to shops, talk to neighbours. We’re not brain-in-a-vat constructs who only exist online.
Patronising twaddle of the worst sort. Really.
Edit: also see Scottish Greens (who might however break the pattern).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fka-ySDZ1Xs
" John le Mesurier interview - 1978 - Best known for his portrayal of Sgt Wilson in Dad's Army, John le Mesurier has a quick chat with Roger Bowns."
Which brought to mind a Dennis Potter starring him, which I think is rather neglected. Outstanding performance from le Mesurier (apparently he didn't think he was capable enough of an actor for the part) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQcBl-j5KHI
" Play For Today - Traitor (1971) by Dennis Potter & Alan Bridges '
So much wine by the Handsome Family:
https://youtu.be/tNz-EiO3BRY?si=aAqiZGlI0VjAp9WR
It will be the main meal tomorrow for a disturbing number of folk though.
Just don't tell the wife...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv8dIU0_4Yg
"B. Fleischmann - 24:12"
What you are describing I think is:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_church
See it a lot in Northern Europe. Especially good when whitewashed inside,
Aisles as high as the nave, hence feels square.
In Devon and Cornwall you sometimes see almost the same thing, with mulitple bays forming a square, with ceiling heights almost equal:
See Starmer’s hamfisted attempts to cosplay Reform. “Let’s pretend we are revolting racists from Wigan. What would we like?”
Selection looks like 12 from a total of 24 for the boys. I've no idea how the selection works within that.
Plus University Students for the men.
Tomorrow however
Rib of beef. Hurrah!!!!
Hardly anything is worth the hype given to it these days.
Never buy anything new... walt till Awesome Books World of Books or Charity shops start making it available.
When I worked as legacy officer for Wood Green Animal Shelters, most staff were local and working class. One of them said to me, “we like you, but we think you live in an ivory tower.”
My financial worries are not the financial worries of 85% of the population.
The slightly famous Rev Richard Coles did the same with detective stuff with a churchy flavour. Avoid.
The Head Count don’t expect their leaders to be them.
And they see straight through attempts to fake it.
What they want (in my arrogant opinion) is some acknowledgement they exist and something to actually get done.
Or straight from the can, even.
But if we're unlucky, I'll have caught influenza from my wife and we'll be glad I stocked up on cereal today.
My wife has two different types of steroids and a strong antibiotic to help shift the infection in her lungs, but she does seem to be on the mend and has been able to swallow foods other than rice pudding today.
Enjoy all your fancy roasts tomorrow!