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Reform voters face a lonely future, being a Starmer or Davey supporter gets you dates

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  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 60,711
    MattW said:

    Nigelb said:

    MAGA Matt.

    Reform by-election candidate calls for ‘young girls’ to be given ‘biological reality’ check

    Matt Goodwin argued ‘young girls’ should be explained ‘the biological reality’ that ‘many women in Britain are having children much too late in life’

    https://x.com/reformexposed/status/2021987681492709524

    He's said lots of interesting things. Potentially it could be fun if someone does the homework.

    One was that a "negative child benefit" should be applied to people who do not have children.
    https://www.thenational.scot/news/25833148.matt-goodwin-proposed-tax-women-no-children/

    I'm not sure how that works when it is possible for people to have children into their 50s or 60s or 70s.
    A long while back a distinguished doctor got hammered for making a similar point about birth vs age - might have been during the Coalition years.

    There was the usual “lynch him” thing from various groups.

    I recall being struck by an interview the chap did on TV - he was saying he had women over 50 wanting children and he was having to explain the risks. The lady presenter was taking the line of “it might be true, but you can’t say that…”

    Then I realised the connection between the age of the presenter and the subject matter. And I felt sad.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 27,612
    edited February 13

    Taz said:

    Nigelb said:

    MAGA Matt.

    Reform by-election candidate calls for ‘young girls’ to be given ‘biological reality’ check

    Matt Goodwin argued ‘young girls’ should be explained ‘the biological reality’ that ‘many women in Britain are having children much too late in life’

    https://x.com/reformexposed/status/2021987681492709524

    That sounds like a pep talk straight out of Epstein Island...
    Does it ?

    From the article it appears he’s saying women should have children earlier. Not that it’s any of his business. He’s not advocating under age sex, sex trafficking or any other seedy stuff.

    He’s hardly Labour Party level of paedophile/Epstein apologia/wilful ignorance.
    There is an argument for saying that many women who are planning to have a family, should plan to do it earlier.
    It's a good argument. However it is not one that attracts three groups of people, namely
    • i) women
    • ii) voters
    • iii) women voters
    I realise that's technically speaking only two groups, but I thought it was worth saying thrice
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 63,221

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
  • Boris speaks

    Source: Instagram https://share.google/cZPCWp1SPhmfnv7gA

    To quote Warren Zevon; "And his hair was perfect".
    He hasn't changed
  • rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    He'd probably do a good job, but as I suggested, it's largely ceremonial, so why wouldn't he.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 22,154

    “Two jailed over plot to attack Jewish community”

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8gv2327y7o

    How many of the Jewish community have been arrested for plots to attack “other communities”?

    One of the first suicide bombers was an American called Baruch Goldstein who killed 28 in a Mosque. His grave was still being celebrated until 2016 when it was made illegal.

    Subsequently we've had Ariel Sharon particularly known for his slaughter in the Refugee Camps of Sabra and Shatila. Nearly all unarmed women and children. And then of course Benjamin Netanyahu who knocks just about everyone into the shade. 25,000 unarmed children. His rampage started quite recently
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 23,252
    Vote SKS Lab get Reform

    Fletton & Woodston (Peterborough) Council By-Election Result:

    ➡️ RFM: 29.4% (New)
    🌍 GRN: 27.6% (+16.2)
    🌳 CON: 21.8% (-11.8)
    🌹 LAB: 16.8% (-31.2)
    🔶 LDM: 4.4% (-0.7)

    No TUSC (-1.9) as previous.

    Reform GAIN from Labour.
    Changes w/ 2024.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 37,456
    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    A bit past it. He's older than me.

    David Beckham?
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 65,494
    Ooh, Jaguar I-Pace. Don't mind if I do:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7erzygx52o
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 12,545
    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    Steve Ovett would be better. He might actually do something.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 55,108

    “Two jailed over plot to attack Jewish community”

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8gv2327y7o

    How many of the Jewish community have been arrested for plots to attack “other communities”?

    I don't think the IDF get prosecuted. Usually medals.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 37,456

    Scott_xP said:

    @juliamacfarlane

    U.S. Democrats write to Lord Mandelson, demanding he submit to questioning in front of Congress over the Epstein scandal

    That is the last thing Starmer needs

    He is now in the same position as the King having to support the demands to testify

    I would expect all opposition parties to support the request

    Will Mandelson have much of interest to say to Dem Congresmen? If and when he goes to jail it will be for his treason to Gordon Brown and the United Kingdom.
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 12,545

    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    A bit past it. He's older than me.

    David Beckham?
    Congratulations! You have won the prize for the worst suggestion of all time on PB. The judges have decided that its unfathomably unlikely that anyone could beat your lack of wisdom and have decided to award the prize to you now, rather than (as had been anticipated) the end of time.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 55,108
    Taz said:

    Nigelb said:

    MAGA Matt.

    Reform by-election candidate calls for ‘young girls’ to be given ‘biological reality’ check

    Matt Goodwin argued ‘young girls’ should be explained ‘the biological reality’ that ‘many women in Britain are having children much too late in life’

    https://x.com/reformexposed/status/2021987681492709524

    That sounds like a pep talk straight out of Epstein Island...
    Does it ?

    From the article it appears he’s saying women should have children earlier. Not that it’s any of his business. He’s not advocating under age sex, sex trafficking or any other seedy stuff.

    He’s hardly Labour Party level of paedophile/Epstein apologia/wilful ignorance.
    Didn't Matt Goodwin* have his first child at age 39 then later get divorced?

    *fingers crossed that the nickname "Matt Badloss" gets stuck on him in 2 weeks time.
  • TazTaz Posts: 24,915
    edited February 13
    ITV main news leading with the Palestine loons.

    🙄

  • Scott_xP said:

    @juliamacfarlane

    U.S. Democrats write to Lord Mandelson, demanding he submit to questioning in front of Congress over the Epstein scandal

    That is the last thing Starmer needs

    He is now in the same position as the King having to support the demands to testify

    I would expect all opposition parties to support the request

    Will Mandelson have much of interest to say to Dem Congresmen? If and when he goes to jail it will be for his treason to Gordon Brown and the United Kingdom.
    Seems Epstein scandal is now here in Wales

    Welsh market town named in newly released Epstein files

    https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-market-town-named-newly-33421514#ICID=Android_DailyPostNewsApp_AppShare
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 37,456

    Ooh, Jaguar I-Pace. Don't mind if I do:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7erzygx52o

    A £33k Golf in 2016? Was it a Golf R? Otherwise the dealer saw him coming.

    I have a secondhand BMW that might interest Mr Murrell for twice its list price.
  • TresTres Posts: 3,480
    Omnium said:

    Taz said:

    Oh you lucky Londoners

    Sadiq Khan indicates he will stand for a fourth term

    https://x.com/standardnews/status/2022323752785113203?s=61

    All the other parties should agree a candidate to get rid of him... at all costs.
    He has been very poor. Perhaps not as poor as Trump suggests, but undoubtedly an embarrassment for London. I don't think we've ever had a good Mayor.

    still he's been better than Johnson and his pie in the sky plans for airports and bridges
  • squareroot2squareroot2 Posts: 7,531
    Well Boris isn't taking any weightloss medecine
  • Well Boris isn't taking any weightloss medecine

    Making lots of appearance money?
  • TresTres Posts: 3,480
    Omnium said:

    stodge said:

    Omnium said:

    Taz said:

    Oh you lucky Londoners

    Sadiq Khan indicates he will stand for a fourth term

    https://x.com/standardnews/status/2022323752785113203?s=61

    All the other parties should agree a candidate to get rid of him... at all costs.
    He has been very poor. Perhaps not as poor as Trump suggests, but undoubtedly an embarrassment for London. I don't think we've ever had a good Mayor.

    I don't agree. Mrs Stodge loathes him but I'm fairly ambivalent.

    The Mayor of London isn't like a Council leader - it's much more about profile then power, style rather than substance. The real power still sits with the Boroughs over matters such as Planning, Education and Council Tax.

    The London Mayor has some control over transport and the Police but not that much as the money comes from elsewhere.

    Livingstone's legacy was a successful Olympics while Boris has his bikes. Khan's is a bit harder to quantify but the tourists keep coming and their money helps a lot. London is basically 32 Boroughs and one City not looking for anything at all.
    I nearly always find myself defending him, so it's refreshing to be on the other side. He's poor because he does all sorts of crap that means nothing, divides communities, and costs money.

    Look at the rebranding of the surface lines. Simply him forcing misplaced ideology. And it's just so embarrassing.

    Khan has been very poor.
    rebranding? branding surely - would you be happier if we had a Prince Andrew line?
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 57,864

    Ooh, Jaguar I-Pace. Don't mind if I do:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7erzygx52o

    So he is accued of embezzling best part of £40k a year. Say £60k a year earnings to generate that.

    His wife must have thought him VERY lucky on the lottery.

  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 4,732

    Scott_xP said:

    @juliamacfarlane

    U.S. Democrats write to Lord Mandelson, demanding he submit to questioning in front of Congress over the Epstein scandal

    That is the last thing Starmer needs

    He is now in the same position as the King having to support the demands to testify

    I would expect all opposition parties to support the request

    Surely the sensible thing is for people to be guided by their lawyers? Unless they are extradited there has to be a good case that it's safer to stay at home? I don't see why politics should over-rule what's best for the individual.
  • TazTaz Posts: 24,915
    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Nigelb said:

    MAGA Matt.

    Reform by-election candidate calls for ‘young girls’ to be given ‘biological reality’ check

    Matt Goodwin argued ‘young girls’ should be explained ‘the biological reality’ that ‘many women in Britain are having children much too late in life’

    https://x.com/reformexposed/status/2021987681492709524

    That sounds like a pep talk straight out of Epstein Island...
    Does it ?

    From the article it appears he’s saying women should have children earlier. Not that it’s any of his business. He’s not advocating under age sex, sex trafficking or any other seedy stuff.

    He’s hardly Labour Party level of paedophile/Epstein apologia/wilful ignorance.
    Didn't Matt Goodwin* have his first child at age 39 then later get divorced?

    *fingers crossed that the nickname "Matt Badloss" gets stuck on him in 2 weeks time.
    I don’t know but if you’re curious as to his overactive loins Google may be able to help.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 57,566

    Boris speaks

    Source: Instagram https://share.google/cZPCWp1SPhmfnv7gA

    It's interesting to see Boris doing public diplomacy on Scandinavian TV. He looks very much at home there.
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 12,545
    Tres said:

    Omnium said:

    stodge said:

    Omnium said:

    Taz said:

    Oh you lucky Londoners

    Sadiq Khan indicates he will stand for a fourth term

    https://x.com/standardnews/status/2022323752785113203?s=61

    All the other parties should agree a candidate to get rid of him... at all costs.
    He has been very poor. Perhaps not as poor as Trump suggests, but undoubtedly an embarrassment for London. I don't think we've ever had a good Mayor.

    I don't agree. Mrs Stodge loathes him but I'm fairly ambivalent.

    The Mayor of London isn't like a Council leader - it's much more about profile then power, style rather than substance. The real power still sits with the Boroughs over matters such as Planning, Education and Council Tax.

    The London Mayor has some control over transport and the Police but not that much as the money comes from elsewhere.

    Livingstone's legacy was a successful Olympics while Boris has his bikes. Khan's is a bit harder to quantify but the tourists keep coming and their money helps a lot. London is basically 32 Boroughs and one City not looking for anything at all.
    I nearly always find myself defending him, so it's refreshing to be on the other side. He's poor because he does all sorts of crap that means nothing, divides communities, and costs money.

    Look at the rebranding of the surface lines. Simply him forcing misplaced ideology. And it's just so embarrassing.

    Khan has been very poor.
    rebranding? branding surely - would you be happier if we had a Prince Andrew line?
    Just call it the Camden line, or the Docks line or whatever.
  • Foss said:

    ((Dan Hodges)))
    @DPJHodges
    ·
    24m
    Sources in several parties starting to point to some strange betting patterns around Gorton and Denton. Greens odds have been shortening all week. But that's not reflecting what anyone is picking up on the ground.

    https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2022344260226634167

    Are they strange or are they just reflective of different populations?
    Two new parties with no canvassing data; two (at least) culturally different semi-seats welded together. On-the-ground gossip could mean anything or nothing.
  • rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    He'd probably do a good job, but as I suggested, it's largely ceremonial, so why wouldn't he.
    Because he will be 71 at the start of a national four year term?
  • stodge said:

    Omnium said:

    Taz said:

    Oh you lucky Londoners

    Sadiq Khan indicates he will stand for a fourth term

    https://x.com/standardnews/status/2022323752785113203?s=61

    All the other parties should agree a candidate to get rid of him... at all costs.
    He has been very poor. Perhaps not as poor as Trump suggests, but undoubtedly an embarrassment for London. I don't think we've ever had a good Mayor.

    I don't agree. Mrs Stodge loathes him but I'm fairly ambivalent.

    The Mayor of London isn't like a Council leader - it's much more about profile then power, style rather than substance. The real power still sits with the Boroughs over matters such as Planning, Education and Council Tax.

    The London Mayor has some control over transport and the Police but not that much as the money comes from elsewhere.

    Livingstone's legacy was a successful Olympics while Boris has his bikes. Khan's is a bit harder to quantify but the tourists keep coming and their money helps a lot. London is basically 32 Boroughs and one City not looking for anything at all.
    Boris has Ken's bikes. It was a Livingstone scheme (and he'd borrowed the idea from Paris iirc). Boris had the bridge, the airport, illegal water cannons and some closed fire stations. Both men had their own type of bad buses.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,130
    Betfair punters seem to have decided Gorton - Greens now 4/9 odds on.

    Reform nowhere.

    Is it the excellent candidate choice or just dodgy £ ploughing to rig the market??
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 7,513
    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    He should be pretty quick at delivering leaflets though letterboxes. How about a race between Seb and Blanche?
  • eekeek Posts: 32,584

    Betfair punters seem to have decided Gorton - Greens now 4/9 odds on.

    Reform nowhere.

    Is it the excellent candidate choice or just dodgy £ ploughing to rig the market??

    Shall we just say that Matt Goodwin may not have been the best candidate for Reform in this seat
  • Foss said:

    ((Dan Hodges)))
    @DPJHodges
    ·
    24m
    Sources in several parties starting to point to some strange betting patterns around Gorton and Denton. Greens odds have been shortening all week. But that's not reflecting what anyone is picking up on the ground.

    https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/2022344260226634167

    Are they strange or are they just reflective of different populations?
    Two new parties with no canvassing data; two (at least) culturally different semi-seats welded together. On-the-ground gossip could mean anything or nothing.
    It looks like someone has even had a couple of quid on the no-hopers: Advance UK; Workers (Galloway iirc); Conservative and LibDem are now in the 100 to 300 range on Betfair, in from 1000; and 400-800 to lay.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,024
    Omnium said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    Steve Ovett would be better. He might actually do something.
    He'd explode with activity. But he'd leave it until the very last few days of his term.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 7,513

    Ooh, Jaguar I-Pace. Don't mind if I do:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7erzygx52o

    So he is accued of embezzling best part of £40k a year. Say £60k a year earnings to generate that.

    His wife must have thought him VERY lucky on the lottery.

    I just can’t believe a control freak like Sturgeon didn’t know what her husband was doing.
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 12,545
    kinabalu said:

    Omnium said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    Steve Ovett would be better. He might actually do something.
    He'd explode with activity. But he'd leave it until the very last few days of his term.
    You mean Cram?
  • stodgestodge Posts: 16,076
    Omnium said:

    stodge said:

    Omnium said:

    Taz said:

    Oh you lucky Londoners

    Sadiq Khan indicates he will stand for a fourth term

    https://x.com/standardnews/status/2022323752785113203?s=61

    All the other parties should agree a candidate to get rid of him... at all costs.
    He has been very poor. Perhaps not as poor as Trump suggests, but undoubtedly an embarrassment for London. I don't think we've ever had a good Mayor.

    I don't agree. Mrs Stodge loathes him but I'm fairly ambivalent.

    The Mayor of London isn't like a Council leader - it's much more about profile then power, style rather than substance. The real power still sits with the Boroughs over matters such as Planning, Education and Council Tax.

    The London Mayor has some control over transport and the Police but not that much as the money comes from elsewhere.

    Livingstone's legacy was a successful Olympics while Boris has his bikes. Khan's is a bit harder to quantify but the tourists keep coming and their money helps a lot. London is basically 32 Boroughs and one City not looking for anything at all.
    I nearly always find myself defending him, so it's refreshing to be on the other side. He's poor because he does all sorts of crap that means nothing, divides communities, and costs money.

    Look at the rebranding of the surface lines. Simply him forcing misplaced ideology. And it's just so embarrassing.

    Khan has been very poor.
    I don't disagree that has been pointless and wasteful - some of the historical references are worthy of further explanation ans represent not just London's history but that of Britain too.

    It's a hard one for me to call but I have a sense the cultural, demographic and socio-economic divide between London and the rest of England has widened in the past 20 years and Khan's actions may be part of that.

    The other interesting aspect is the "division" between Inner and Outer London. Like many other cities, the inner area is evolving to be a place of and for the young while the outskirts suit older people better.
  • rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    He'd probably do a good job, but as I suggested, it's largely ceremonial, so why wouldn't he.
    Because he will be 71 at the start of a national four year term?
    He caan wfh most of the time.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,024
    Omnium said:

    kinabalu said:

    Omnium said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    Steve Ovett would be better. He might actually do something.
    He'd explode with activity. But he'd leave it until the very last few days of his term.
    You mean Cram?
    Ovett especially. Although the arch exponent was probably Dave "the throttle" Wottle.
  • Cash Harry: the Moneymen Behind Prince Harry's Case Against The Daily Mail
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYQZxfUZp-U

    Five minutes from Private Eye. TL/DR; Max Mosley.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,130

    Ron Filipkowski
    @RonFilipkowski

    New AP-NORC poll:

    Trump job approval - 36%

    Economy is good - 34%

    Country heading in right direction - 29%

    Vance approval - 32%

    https://x.com/RonFilipkowski/status/2022288337743106497
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 63,221

    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    He'd probably do a good job, but as I suggested, it's largely ceremonial, so why wouldn't he.
    Because he will be 71 at the start of a national four year term?
    To be fair, one would hope he's in reasonably good physical shape.
  • rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    He'd probably do a good job, but as I suggested, it's largely ceremonial, so why wouldn't he.
    Because he will be 71 at the start of a national four year term?
    Mayor Seb Coe could bid for the Olympics to come back to London, which would annoy the northern cities hoping to bring the games home.

    Older PBers will recall the last northern bid failed and was quickly followed by a successful London bid.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,130
    eek said:

    Betfair punters seem to have decided Gorton - Greens now 4/9 odds on.

    Reform nowhere.

    Is it the excellent candidate choice or just dodgy £ ploughing to rig the market??

    Shall we just say that Matt Goodwin may not have been the best candidate for Reform in this seat
    But, but...he's Manchester born and bred, and is a hardworking humble toiler on SubStack and GB News.

  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 70,130
    How to win back working class voters who have fled to Farage latest:


    Stephen Kinnock
    @SKinnock
    ·
    1h
    I swapped Westminster for the Chilterns last night, for a lovely visit to Chequers with Helle.

    Keir and Vic hosted us and colleagues for a memorable evening - including a visit to the room where Churchill recorded his ‘fight them on the beaches’ speech.

    https://x.com/SKinnock/status/2022367714375872733
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 57,864
    edited February 13

    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    He'd probably do a good job, but as I suggested, it's largely ceremonial, so why wouldn't he.
    Because he will be 71 at the start of a national four year term?
    Mayor Seb Coe could bid for the Olympics to come back to London, which would annoy the northern cities hoping to bring the games home.

    Older PBers will recall the last northern bid failed and was quickly followed by a successful London bid.
    I remember Birmingham losing to Barcelona.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 15,367

    How to win back working class voters who have fled to Farage latest:


    Stephen Kinnock
    @SKinnock
    ·
    1h
    I swapped Westminster for the Chilterns last night, for a lovely visit to Chequers with Helle.

    Keir and Vic hosted us and colleagues for a memorable evening - including a visit to the room where Churchill recorded his ‘fight them on the beaches’ speech.

    https://x.com/SKinnock/status/2022367714375872733

    Evening all.

    I imagine Keir then got his violin out and they all listened and watched Aylesbury burn.
  • MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 14,996

    Scott_xP said:

    @juliamacfarlane

    U.S. Democrats write to Lord Mandelson, demanding he submit to questioning in front of Congress over the Epstein scandal

    That is the last thing Starmer needs

    He is now in the same position as the King having to support the demands to testify

    I would expect all opposition parties to support the request

    Will Mandelson have much of interest to say to Dem Congresmen? If and when he goes to jail it will be for his treason to Gordon Brown and the United Kingdom.
    It’s party political stunt about the Democratic Party trying to get some interest from US media and US voters in the Epstein files, it’s not a big story in US.

    100% Mandelson does not do it.
  • rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    Coe would be an incredibly sensible choice, so the Tories won't do it.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 57,864
    edited February 13


    Ron Filipkowski
    @RonFilipkowski

    New AP-NORC poll:

    Trump job approval - 36%

    Economy is good - 34%

    Country heading in right direction - 29%

    Vance approval - 32%

    https://x.com/RonFilipkowski/status/2022288337743106497

    Going to require some drastic action by Trump ahead of the mid-terms...

    Without it, he loses control of both the House and the Senate on those numbers.
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 434
    On topic

    Kemi did say she only joined the Tories for the social life and presumably to find a nice lad.

    Rather sums up the image of Young Conservatives.

  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 57,566


    Ron Filipkowski
    @RonFilipkowski

    New AP-NORC poll:

    Trump job approval - 36%

    Economy is good - 34%

    Country heading in right direction - 29%

    Vance approval - 32%

    https://x.com/RonFilipkowski/status/2022288337743106497

    Starmer would kill for those numbers.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 60,711

    Scott_xP said:

    @juliamacfarlane

    U.S. Democrats write to Lord Mandelson, demanding he submit to questioning in front of Congress over the Epstein scandal

    That is the last thing Starmer needs

    He is now in the same position as the King having to support the demands to testify

    I would expect all opposition parties to support the request

    Will Mandelson have much of interest to say to Dem Congresmen? If and when he goes to jail it will be for his treason to Gordon Brown and the United Kingdom.
    It’s party political stunt about the Democratic Party trying to get some interest from US media and US voters in the Epstein files, it’s not a big story in US.

    100% Mandelson does not do it.
    He could try and pull an Olly North

    Giving testimony under oath and then being tried was judged double jeopardy. So North simply told the truth to the committee - and became virtually unprosecutable.

    Could the Mandelbrot pull off a version of that - argue that it was double jeopardy, but in different jurisdictions?

    Fi Fi Fo Fum I smell big lawyers fees.
  • How to win back working class voters who have fled to Farage latest:


    Stephen Kinnock
    @SKinnock
    ·
    1h
    I swapped Westminster for the Chilterns last night, for a lovely visit to Chequers with Helle.

    Keir and Vic hosted us and colleagues for a memorable evening - including a visit to the room where Churchill recorded his ‘fight them on the beaches’ speech.

    https://x.com/SKinnock/status/2022367714375872733

    Stephen Kinnock does not do irony.

    The speech ends: And even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the Old.

    Obviously pre-Trump!
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 496
    edited February 13

    Ooh, Jaguar I-Pace. Don't mind if I do:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7erzygx52o

    So he is accued of embezzling best part of £40k a year. Say £60k a year earnings to generate that.

    His wife must have thought him VERY lucky on the lottery.

    I just can’t believe a control freak like Sturgeon didn’t know what her husband was doing.
    Be interesting to know if this 450k may have been from the 'ring fenced for indyref 2' account. From the charge sheet it appears Mr Murrell has been accused of taking money over an extended period, 12 years rather than a matter of months. I'm not surprised there were questions asked of the party treasurer, odd if he hadnt noticed any money missing.

    12 years and no one else in the party noticed?
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 434

    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    He'd probably do a good job, but as I suggested, it's largely ceremonial, so why wouldn't he.
    Because he will be 71 at the start of a national four year term?
    Mayor Seb Coe could bid for the Olympics to come back to London, which would annoy the northern cities hoping to bring the games home.

    Older PBers will recall the last northern bid failed and was quickly followed by a successful London bid.
    I remember Birmingham losing to Barcelona.
    Birmingham was an outstanding bid according to IOC

    Barcelona was home of Samnaranch IOC President.

    Birmingham had no chance.

  • A new conspiracy theory. The allegations against Michael Jackson were made by Epstein's crowd so a discredited MJ could not expose their depravity. Read the comments:-
    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ganmKqAbJMA
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 12,545

    Scott_xP said:

    @juliamacfarlane

    U.S. Democrats write to Lord Mandelson, demanding he submit to questioning in front of Congress over the Epstein scandal

    That is the last thing Starmer needs

    He is now in the same position as the King having to support the demands to testify

    I would expect all opposition parties to support the request

    Will Mandelson have much of interest to say to Dem Congresmen? If and when he goes to jail it will be for his treason to Gordon Brown and the United Kingdom.
    It’s party political stunt about the Democratic Party trying to get some interest from US media and US voters in the Epstein files, it’s not a big story in US.

    100% Mandelson does not do it.
    He could try and pull an Olly North

    Giving testimony under oath and then being tried was judged double jeopardy. So North simply told the truth to the committee - and became virtually unprosecutable.

    Could the Mandelbrot pull off a version of that - argue that it was double jeopardy, but in different jurisdictions?

    Fi Fi Fo Fum I smell big lawyers fees.
    Olly North lied because he thought it was in the interest of his country. Mandelson has and will lie because he admires himself in the mirror.
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 434

    Betfair punters seem to have decided Gorton - Greens now 4/9 odds on.

    Reform nowhere.

    Is it the excellent candidate choice or just dodgy £ ploughing to rig the market??

    I'm convinced it's wealthy Reform backers rigging the market
  • MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 14,996

    Scott_xP said:

    @juliamacfarlane

    U.S. Democrats write to Lord Mandelson, demanding he submit to questioning in front of Congress over the Epstein scandal

    That is the last thing Starmer needs

    He is now in the same position as the King having to support the demands to testify

    I would expect all opposition parties to support the request

    Will Mandelson have much of interest to say to Dem Congresmen? If and when he goes to jail it will be for his treason to Gordon Brown and the United Kingdom.
    It’s party political stunt about the Democratic Party trying to get some interest from US media and US voters in the Epstein files, it’s not a big story in US.

    100% Mandelson does not do it.
    He could try and pull an Olly North

    Giving testimony under oath and then being tried was judged double jeopardy. So North simply told the truth to the committee - and became virtually unprosecutable.

    Could the Mandelbrot pull off a version of that - argue that it was double jeopardy, but in different jurisdictions?

    Fi Fi Fo Fum I smell big lawyers fees.
    Does Andy or Mandy have to go there, could they not do it from a bedroom?
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,024
    Omnium said:

    kinabalu said:

    Omnium said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    Steve Ovett would be better. He might actually do something.
    He'd explode with activity. But he'd leave it until the very last few days of his term.
    You mean Cram?
    Sorry, O, yes v clever joke. I wasn't concentrating.
  • CookieCookie Posts: 16,871
    Brixian59 said:

    Betfair punters seem to have decided Gorton - Greens now 4/9 odds on.

    Reform nowhere.

    Is it the excellent candidate choice or just dodgy £ ploughing to rig the market??

    I'm convinced it's wealthy Reform backers rigging the market
    Lots of well-informed and respected *cough* posters on here said some time ago that Greens are more likely than not to win the seat and ought to be odds-on favourites. It's just the market catching up with that.
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 496
    Just read that Mr Murrell's preliminary court hearing has been put back to May 25, which is after the Holyrood election
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 8,321
    DoctorG said:

    Ooh, Jaguar I-Pace. Don't mind if I do:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7erzygx52o

    So he is accued of embezzling best part of £40k a year. Say £60k a year earnings to generate that.

    His wife must have thought him VERY lucky on the lottery.

    I just can’t believe a control freak like Sturgeon didn’t know what her husband was doing.
    Be interesting to know if this 450k may have been from the 'ring fenced for indyref 2' account. From the charge sheet it appears Mr Murrell has been accused of taking money over an extended period, 12 years rather than a matter of months. I'm not surprised there were questions asked of the party treasurer, odd if he hadnt noticed any money missing.

    12 years and no one else in the party noticed?
    SNP income has been running at about £4.5m a year. So he was, allegedly, taking maybe one percent a year.
  • MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 14,996
    Brixian59 said:

    Betfair punters seem to have decided Gorton - Greens now 4/9 odds on.

    Reform nowhere.

    Is it the excellent candidate choice or just dodgy £ ploughing to rig the market??

    I'm convinced it's wealthy Reform backers rigging the market
    It could be a very close three way result - Reform could win by 500 with Greens and Labour within 2K of the winner.

    Green beat Labour into third by just 1 vote, and BJO shouts “VOTE LABOUR GET REFORM.”

    Being a newbie poster here, have you asked BJO to explain anything yet?
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 8,321
    Up at 3am here watching the Olympic figure skating. The perils of one's boyfriend being gay.
  • CookieCookie Posts: 16,871
    Brixian59 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    He'd probably do a good job, but as I suggested, it's largely ceremonial, so why wouldn't he.
    Because he will be 71 at the start of a national four year term?
    Mayor Seb Coe could bid for the Olympics to come back to London, which would annoy the northern cities hoping to bring the games home.

    Older PBers will recall the last northern bid failed and was quickly followed by a successful London bid.
    I remember Birmingham losing to Barcelona.
    Birmingham was an outstanding bid according to IOC

    Barcelona was home of Samnaranch IOC President.

    Birmingham had no chance.

    The Birmingham and Manchester bids were excrllent, but got no backing from national government, whom presumabky hadn't heard of those cities. When London bid the government threw everything at it.
  • isamisam Posts: 43,615
    Reform out to 2.36 from 2.06 last week for most seats at the next GE

    Political betting markets are having almost as crazy a week as the politicians are. Reform have been favourite to get most seats in the next GE for a very long time and have been roughly 50% for weeks now. A few minutes ago they dipped to 33% and Labour went favourites at 35%!

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022346714468995086?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    All bounced back again now. It's extremely volatile and there are definitely people betting their money on something very bad emerging for Reform shortly.

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022356241515725174?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 13,396

    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    He'd probably do a good job, but as I suggested, it's largely ceremonial, so why wouldn't he.
    Because he will be 71 at the start of a national four year term?
    Yes, but with a RHR of 45. Compared with the average health of the adult population...

    Coe is the kind of Conservative who won't rip out London's cycle network, so has a decent chance I reckon.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 22,154
    Just when you thought Starmer was beyond the pale he starts the process of ditching the US and getting closer to Europe. Credit where it's due
  • DoctorGDoctorG Posts: 496
    carnforth said:

    DoctorG said:

    Ooh, Jaguar I-Pace. Don't mind if I do:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7erzygx52o

    So he is accued of embezzling best part of £40k a year. Say £60k a year earnings to generate that.

    His wife must have thought him VERY lucky on the lottery.

    I just can’t believe a control freak like Sturgeon didn’t know what her husband was doing.
    Be interesting to know if this 450k may have been from the 'ring fenced for indyref 2' account. From the charge sheet it appears Mr Murrell has been accused of taking money over an extended period, 12 years rather than a matter of months. I'm not surprised there were questions asked of the party treasurer, odd if he hadnt noticed any money missing.

    12 years and no one else in the party noticed?
    SNP income has been running at about £4.5m a year. So he was, allegedly, taking maybe one percent a year.
    I was assuming he was on a salary, and any other expenses, petrol etc would have to be justified via receipts? Particularly high end stuff like the new 33k VW Golf, if a decent deposit or finance agreement was needed
  • GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 21,412
    Some possible original physics coming from an LLM:

    https://x.com/kevinweil/status/2022388305434939693?s=46
  • CatManCatMan Posts: 3,670

    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    He'd probably do a good job, but as I suggested, it's largely ceremonial, so why wouldn't he.
    Because he will be 71 at the start of a national four year term?
    Mayor Seb Coe could bid for the Olympics to come back to London, which would annoy the northern cities hoping to bring the games home.

    Older PBers will recall the last northern bid failed and was quickly followed by a successful London bid.
    I remember Birmingham losing to Barcelona.
    It was the first time that we met.
    How can I forget?
    The moment that you stepped in the room.
    You took my breath away (ahhhhhhhhhh).
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 57,864
    edited February 13
    Cookie said:

    Brixian59 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    rkrkrk said:

    Anything is better than Khan. It has to be.

    Never really understood the dislike on here for him.

    He doesn't strike me as having achieved a huge amount, a few things like ULEZ I have noticed, but he is clearly not doing that badly or he wouldn't keep getting re elected.
    It's a largely ceremonial position so you wouldn't expect great things, or great damage. That's why Boris made a decent Mayor. It's why Khan also fits the bill.

    Is there someone else in the wings who might do better?
    I quite like the idea of Seb Coe.

    One last gig for the old boy.
    He'd probably do a good job, but as I suggested, it's largely ceremonial, so why wouldn't he.
    Because he will be 71 at the start of a national four year term?
    Mayor Seb Coe could bid for the Olympics to come back to London, which would annoy the northern cities hoping to bring the games home.

    Older PBers will recall the last northern bid failed and was quickly followed by a successful London bid.
    I remember Birmingham losing to Barcelona.
    Birmingham was an outstanding bid according to IOC

    Barcelona was home of Samnaranch IOC President.

    Birmingham had no chance.

    The Birmingham and Manchester bids were excrllent, but got no backing from national government, whom presumabky hadn't heard of those cities. When London bid the government threw everything at it.
    Not really. The civil service were determined to kill it. They tried to insert themselves into the whole process. They were politely but firmly told to fuck off by the delivery team.

    There was a Radio 4 programme where they got the Olympics team back together, where this was disclosed.
  • TazTaz Posts: 24,915
    DoctorG said:

    Just read that Mr Murrell's preliminary court hearing has been put back to May 25, which is after the Holyrood election

    That’s convenient
  • Roger said:

    Just when you thought Starmer was beyond the pale he starts the process of ditching the US and getting closer to Europe. Credit where it's due

    Wishful thinking - he will still ride 2 horses at once

    Indeed no UK PM has any other choice
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 15,367
    isam said:

    Reform out to 2.36 from 2.06 last week for most seats at the next GE

    Political betting markets are having almost as crazy a week as the politicians are. Reform have been favourite to get most seats in the next GE for a very long time and have been roughly 50% for weeks now. A few minutes ago they dipped to 33% and Labour went favourites at 35%!

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022346714468995086?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    All bounced back again now. It's extremely volatile and there are definitely people betting their money on something very bad emerging for Reform shortly.

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022356241515725174?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    The swingback crew are awake and betting.

    I suppose we are not a million miles from 24/24/24 and 'guess' on most seats
  • TazTaz Posts: 24,915
    Roger said:

    Just when you thought Starmer was beyond the pale he starts the process of ditching the US and getting closer to Europe. Credit where it's due

    Got to try to get a piece of that below 1% growth action.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 7,513
    DoctorG said:

    Ooh, Jaguar I-Pace. Don't mind if I do:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7erzygx52o

    So he is accued of embezzling best part of £40k a year. Say £60k a year earnings to generate that.

    His wife must have thought him VERY lucky on the lottery.

    I just can’t believe a control freak like Sturgeon didn’t know what her husband was doing.
    Be interesting to know if this 450k may have been from the 'ring fenced for indyref 2' account. From the charge sheet it appears Mr Murrell has been accused of taking money over an extended period, 12 years rather than a matter of months. I'm not surprised there were questions asked of the party treasurer, odd if he hadnt noticed any money missing.

    12 years and no one else in the party noticed?
    The Indy supporters in the SNP were sidelined after 2014. The Sturgeonites that took over the party didn’t care about the Indyref account. Independence is a distraction from trans, net zero, etc.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 7,513
    DoctorG said:

    Just read that Mr Murrell's preliminary court hearing has been put back to May 25, which is after the Holyrood election

    BBC Scotland will be distraught.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 57,864
    carnforth said:

    Up at 3am here watching the Olympic figure skating. The perils of one's boyfriend being gay.

    Isn't the greater peril one's boyfriend's boyfriend not being?
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 57,864

    isam said:

    Reform out to 2.36 from 2.06 last week for most seats at the next GE

    Political betting markets are having almost as crazy a week as the politicians are. Reform have been favourite to get most seats in the next GE for a very long time and have been roughly 50% for weeks now. A few minutes ago they dipped to 33% and Labour went favourites at 35%!

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022346714468995086?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    All bounced back again now. It's extremely volatile and there are definitely people betting their money on something very bad emerging for Reform shortly.

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022356241515725174?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    The swingback crew are awake and betting.

    I suppose we are not a million miles from 24/24/24 and 'guess' on most seats
    The peril for Reform is falling behind the Tories. That will take much of the wind from under their wings.
  • MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 14,996
    Cookie said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Betfair punters seem to have decided Gorton - Greens now 4/9 odds on.

    Reform nowhere.

    Is it the excellent candidate choice or just dodgy £ ploughing to rig the market??

    I'm convinced it's wealthy Reform backers rigging the market
    Lots of well-informed and respected *cough* posters on here said some time ago that Greens are more likely than not to win the seat and ought to be odds-on favourites. It's just the market catching up with that.
    I believe that’s true. If there is going to be referendums on Starmer’s government, some places just may not suit Reform to be main challenger to Labour there.

    To take it further, if it is or not wealthy Reform backers rigging betting market to rake it in when Reform win, they would need a pretty good ear on the local ground that it’s not close, they do have it in the bag, because this is building up the Green to be Labours main rival in this seat. She is local, making a big deal out of that and the Matty G just arrogantly parachuted in cares not about the constituency.

    If my theory is right, referendum on Starmer, rally behind non Labour candidate most likely to beat Labour, then it’s not just betting opportunity on the Green win, but good odds Reform coming nowhere, perhaps distant third.

    You will remember where you heard this first on result night?
  • MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 14,996
    edited February 13

    Roger said:

    Just when you thought Starmer was beyond the pale he starts the process of ditching the US and getting closer to Europe. Credit where it's due

    Wishful thinking - he will still ride 2 horses at once

    Indeed no UK PM has any other choice
    As a forced choice other than both, are you personally content to look across the pond these days, or prefer the channel?

    Personally I find it a bit odd, 95% we get on Sky and BBC News these days is live feed from USA or talking heads talking about US politics. And we hear nothing about what’s going on next door.

    I find it a bit concerning. We are nothing like US in UK, British are more like Germans than Americans. So I worry for British Valuescand culture.

    Take Liz Truss as example - is fact she lost her mind down to BBC and Sky feeding her USA news and culture all the time?
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 21,598
    edited February 13

    isam said:

    Reform out to 2.36 from 2.06 last week for most seats at the next GE

    Political betting markets are having almost as crazy a week as the politicians are. Reform have been favourite to get most seats in the next GE for a very long time and have been roughly 50% for weeks now. A few minutes ago they dipped to 33% and Labour went favourites at 35%!

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022346714468995086?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    All bounced back again now. It's extremely volatile and there are definitely people betting their money on something very bad emerging for Reform shortly.

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022356241515725174?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    The swingback crew are awake and betting.

    I suppose we are not a million miles from 24/24/24 and 'guess' on most seats
    The peril for Reform is falling behind the Tories. That will take much of the wind from under their wings.
    Could be this:

    In his Political Thinking podcast interview, Nick Robinson also asked Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, about his claim in 2014 that offering Ukraine membership of the EU would provoke Russia, triggering a war. Farage said that he had been right, and he said it was “odd to get so much abuse for being right”.

    When Robinson put it to him that Farage should have been backing those Ukrainiains in 2014 who were in favour of closer links with Europe, because they were standing up for freedom and democracy, Farage did not accept the premise of his question.


    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/feb/13/keir-starmer-cabinet-secretary-chris-wormald-labour-badenoch-conservatives-uk-latest-news-updates

    Whatever the rights or wrongs, R is for Reform-R is for Russia is the most effective attack line people have managed to get to stick.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 57,601

    Ooh, Jaguar I-Pace. Don't mind if I do:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7erzygx52o

    So he is accued of embezzling best part of £40k a year. Say £60k a year earnings to generate that.

    His wife must have thought him VERY lucky on the lottery.

    I just can’t believe a control freak like Sturgeon didn’t know what her husband was doing.
    It is utterly bizarre. This is an organisation that is not just audited but has really detailed regulations to comply with in terms of the Political Parties Act to "protect" the organisation from potential corruption. It had a Treasurer signing off the accounts and a committee supposedly to oversee it (although the video of his missus telling everyone to shut up and not ask any questions since the finances were the best they had been does rather come to mind).

    I want to emphasise that I have absolutely zero inside knowledge on this matter and have every intention of keeping it that way.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 60,711

    DoctorG said:

    Ooh, Jaguar I-Pace. Don't mind if I do:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7erzygx52o

    So he is accued of embezzling best part of £40k a year. Say £60k a year earnings to generate that.

    His wife must have thought him VERY lucky on the lottery.

    I just can’t believe a control freak like Sturgeon didn’t know what her husband was doing.
    Be interesting to know if this 450k may have been from the 'ring fenced for indyref 2' account. From the charge sheet it appears Mr Murrell has been accused of taking money over an extended period, 12 years rather than a matter of months. I'm not surprised there were questions asked of the party treasurer, odd if he hadnt noticed any money missing.

    12 years and no one else in the party noticed?
    The Indy supporters in the SNP were sidelined after 2014. The Sturgeonites that took over the party didn’t care about the Indyref account. Independence is a distraction from trans, net zero, etc.
    In addition, everyone else at the top of the SNP was being blocked from seeing the party accounts.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 15,367

    isam said:

    Reform out to 2.36 from 2.06 last week for most seats at the next GE

    Political betting markets are having almost as crazy a week as the politicians are. Reform have been favourite to get most seats in the next GE for a very long time and have been roughly 50% for weeks now. A few minutes ago they dipped to 33% and Labour went favourites at 35%!

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022346714468995086?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    All bounced back again now. It's extremely volatile and there are definitely people betting their money on something very bad emerging for Reform shortly.

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022356241515725174?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    The swingback crew are awake and betting.

    I suppose we are not a million miles from 24/24/24 and 'guess' on most seats
    The peril for Reform is falling behind the Tories. That will take much of the wind from under their wings.
    Hence the constant hysterical attacks etc
    At some point theyll have to move on and realise they havent killed the Tories
  • isamisam Posts: 43,615
    edited February 13

    isam said:

    Reform out to 2.36 from 2.06 last week for most seats at the next GE

    Political betting markets are having almost as crazy a week as the politicians are. Reform have been favourite to get most seats in the next GE for a very long time and have been roughly 50% for weeks now. A few minutes ago they dipped to 33% and Labour went favourites at 35%!

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022346714468995086?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    All bounced back again now. It's extremely volatile and there are definitely people betting their money on something very bad emerging for Reform shortly.

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022356241515725174?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    The swingback crew are awake and betting.

    I suppose we are not a million miles from 24/24/24 and 'guess' on most seats
    The peril for Reform is falling behind the Tories. That will take much of the wind from under their wings.
    Could be this:

    In his Political Thinking podcast interview, Nick Robinson also asked Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, about his claim in 2014 that offering Ukraine membership of the EU would provoke Russia, triggering a war. Farage said that he had been right, and he said it was “odd to get so much abuse for being right”.

    When Robinson put it to him that Farage should have been backing those Ukrainiains in 2014 who were in favour of closer links with Europe, because they were standing up for freedom and democracy, Farage did not accept the premise of his question.


    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/feb/13/keir-starmer-cabinet-secretary-chris-wormald-labour-badenoch-conservatives-uk-latest-news-updates

    Whatever the rights or wrongs, R is for Reform-R is for Russia is the most effective attack line people have managed to get to stick.
    I think that is a bit obscure, if there is anything that could be classed as a bombshell, it would be hard evidence of Dulwich College racism, or an admission from the man himself.

    Personally it's the Dubai/USA style brashness from Reform that I find off-putting
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 49,024
    isam said:

    Reform out to 2.36 from 2.06 last week for most seats at the next GE

    Political betting markets are having almost as crazy a week as the politicians are. Reform have been favourite to get most seats in the next GE for a very long time and have been roughly 50% for weeks now. A few minutes ago they dipped to 33% and Labour went favourites at 35%!

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022346714468995086?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    All bounced back again now. It's extremely volatile and there are definitely people betting their money on something very bad emerging for Reform shortly.

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022356241515725174?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    We're both short of REF at evens, aren't we. Good call us.
  • Some possible original physics coming from an LLM:

    https://x.com/kevinweil/status/2022388305434939693?s=46

    As ever, physics lags behind chemistry where AI has already won the Nobel prize.
    https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2024/press-release/
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 57,601
    edited February 13

    DoctorG said:

    Ooh, Jaguar I-Pace. Don't mind if I do:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7erzygx52o

    So he is accued of embezzling best part of £40k a year. Say £60k a year earnings to generate that.

    His wife must have thought him VERY lucky on the lottery.

    I just can’t believe a control freak like Sturgeon didn’t know what her husband was doing.
    Be interesting to know if this 450k may have been from the 'ring fenced for indyref 2' account. From the charge sheet it appears Mr Murrell has been accused of taking money over an extended period, 12 years rather than a matter of months. I'm not surprised there were questions asked of the party treasurer, odd if he hadnt noticed any money missing.

    12 years and no one else in the party noticed?
    The Indy supporters in the SNP were sidelined after 2014. The Sturgeonites that took over the party didn’t care about the Indyref account. Independence is a distraction from trans, net zero, etc.
    In addition, everyone else at the top of the SNP was being blocked from seeing the party accounts.
    But they are published by the Electoral Commission. Who presumably got false returns indicating that money had been spent in ways that was inaccurate.
  • isamisam Posts: 43,615
    kinabalu said:

    isam said:

    Reform out to 2.36 from 2.06 last week for most seats at the next GE

    Political betting markets are having almost as crazy a week as the politicians are. Reform have been favourite to get most seats in the next GE for a very long time and have been roughly 50% for weeks now. A few minutes ago they dipped to 33% and Labour went favourites at 35%!

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022346714468995086?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    All bounced back again now. It's extremely volatile and there are definitely people betting their money on something very bad emerging for Reform shortly.

    https://x.com/senseichanning/status/2022356241515725174?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    We're both short of REF at evens, aren't we. Good call us.
    Only for pennies really, but the right side of the line
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 60,711
    DavidL said:

    DoctorG said:

    Ooh, Jaguar I-Pace. Don't mind if I do:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7erzygx52o

    So he is accued of embezzling best part of £40k a year. Say £60k a year earnings to generate that.

    His wife must have thought him VERY lucky on the lottery.

    I just can’t believe a control freak like Sturgeon didn’t know what her husband was doing.
    Be interesting to know if this 450k may have been from the 'ring fenced for indyref 2' account. From the charge sheet it appears Mr Murrell has been accused of taking money over an extended period, 12 years rather than a matter of months. I'm not surprised there were questions asked of the party treasurer, odd if he hadnt noticed any money missing.

    12 years and no one else in the party noticed?
    The Indy supporters in the SNP were sidelined after 2014. The Sturgeonites that took over the party didn’t care about the Indyref account. Independence is a distraction from trans, net zero, etc.
    In addition, everyone else at the top of the SNP was being blocked from seeing the party accounts.
    But they are published by the Electoral Commission. Who presumably got false returns indicating that money had been spent in ways that was inaccurate.
    I honestly have no explanation for any of this, apart from a bunch of money vanished and a number of people behaved in completely inexplicable ways.

    It will make a fascinating book - perhaps Robert Harris could write it.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 57,566

    Some possible original physics coming from an LLM:

    https://x.com/kevinweil/status/2022388305434939693?s=46

    As ever, physics lags behind chemistry where AI has already won the Nobel prize.
    https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2024/press-release/
    Can AI solve the Russia-Ukraine war and get the peace prize?
  • DoctorG said:

    Just read that Mr Murrell's preliminary court hearing has been put back to May 25, which is after the Holyrood election

    Van-dabby-dozy!
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 69,747
    edited February 13

    Roger said:

    Just when you thought Starmer was beyond the pale he starts the process of ditching the US and getting closer to Europe. Credit where it's due

    Wishful thinking - he will still ride 2 horses at once

    Indeed no UK PM has any other choice
    As a forced choice other than both, are you personally content to look across the pond these days, or prefer the channel?

    Personally I find it a bit odd, 95% we get on Sky and BBC News these days is live feed from USA or talking heads talking about US politics. And we hear nothing about what’s going on next door.

    I find it a bit concerning. We are nothing like US in UK, British are more like Germans than Americans. So I worry for British Valuescand culture.

    Take Liz Truss as example - is fact she lost her mind down to BBC and Sky feeding her USA news and culture all the time?
    I remain of the opinion that it should be both

    We seem to forget Trump is a passing moment in time but both our trading ties and deep defence ties mean divorce is not a possibility

    I see nothing coming out of Europe about just how they can upscale their defences without the US, and on trade much wider groupings are needed than the EU with Canada, Japan, Australia, NZ and South America involvement

    At present we have both the UK and French leaders in real political trouble at home, and very few leaders with the foresight and ambition to create a new world order outside the US that exists

    One thing they do have that is in the gold medal position is talking and meetings till the cows come home and going round in circles
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 65,494

    How to win back working class voters who have fled to Farage latest:


    Stephen Kinnock
    @SKinnock
    ·
    1h
    I swapped Westminster for the Chilterns last night, for a lovely visit to Chequers with Helle.

    Keir and Vic hosted us and colleagues for a memorable evening - including a visit to the room where Churchill recorded his ‘fight them on the beaches’ speech.

    https://x.com/SKinnock/status/2022367714375872733

    Stephen Kinnock does not do irony.

    The speech ends: And even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the Old.

    Obviously pre-Trump!
    If only we still had an Empire, and a Fleet.
  • Speaking of AI…

    I was cooking earlier, having a chat with my GPT about cooking and stuff. We ended up outlining an 8 part cookery show that was really about engineering presented by me and it, called Dotnet and Chips. I’ll post the summary here if anyone is interested.
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